"That's how it's going to be huh?"
Ok so you probably guessed I was going to Titans Tower. What you don't know is that after the second time it was knocked down, Bruce nixed the idea of a skyscraper headquarters instead opting for an artificial island off the coast about fifty miles up from Gotham. The trade mark "T" building is still there but laying on its back. You can reach the island by air, boat or the retractable bridge that we're on now.
The island looks natural with rocks and trees and such. It would take Pamela Isley to inform you that all the plants and trees are artificial. Then Ray Palmer to explain that they are really just elaborate solar panels feeding power into the island central battery. Finally, me to tell you that Bruce won the former West Coast Avengers headquarters off Tony in a high stake poker game. I don't want to think what Bruce put up, the JLA Satellite maybe.
Nightwing promises to give me the full tour later but I've seen the blueprints. If you picture a T, where the vertical and horizontal line connect is a circular atrium that rises up all ten floors to a specular skylight with a huge tree as the focal point. The left of the T is the Blue Wing, right side is the Red Wing and the base of the T is the Gold Wing.
So we're headed to the first floor of Blue Wing. From what I remember it is a gym/training area two story tall room that runs the length of the wing. The walls, ceiling and floor panels are a three-layered super gel with vibranium weave strong enough to take a direct hit from Superman or Mjolnir; so what happens in the training room stays in the training room. When you add in the "Hard Light" generators built in the walls behind the panels, it's a real life Holo-Deck built for super beings. Apparently Dr. Kimiyo HoshiSo, the good Dr. Light, saw an episode of Star Trek: Next Generation and took as a theoretical challenge.
This one part of the building cost more than the GDP of most countries and does it get a cool name like "Danger Room" no. This marvel of technology is called the "House" so named by three of the five founding members. The boys out voted Kori and Donna for the sole purpose….
"Peter, just remember the is my House." Nightwing said as the huge retractable doors split to let us in.
And there it is…so they can make varying puns like "Not in my House" and such and I thought calling my self Mysterio was silly.
When you first step in the room its blinding bright It's because Friday, the Stark AI that runs the island, is scanning you and prepping the room.
"What do you think?" Nightwing asked as we walk in the park. I mean we are standing on the main walking path in Gotham Park.
"Amazing." I replied looking back for the door. All I see is the part of the path we would've walked to get to our current spot. Factually I know the door is there but my mind just will not see it. I see the ducks gliding a long in the pond to my left, the heat of the noon sun shining on my face, the rustle of fall leaves in the trees, the smell of the grass.
The thing about illusions is that when they're good, like this one, your brain automatically plays along. It's a runaway train headed to the land of acceptance. To stop it you'd…well, have to be stronger than a locomotive. Well I may not be Superman but this is my body and my senses and I'm in control. This will not beat me.
"Really Peter." He said seeing my tense face. "It's fine just go with."
"So said the Scarecrow to the Bat." I replied straining. I can begin to sense the door behind me as well as other parts of the room.
"Friday, discontinue before my brother has a stroke." Nightwing said shaking his head at me. With that, the park disappears and the House looks how I assumed it would; like the Danger Room before it tries to kill you, only bigger and the panels are Storm Trooper white instead of steel gray.
I follow Nightwing as he leads me over to some Titans assembled in the corner. Roy, the ginger haired guy dressed in a red version of Green Arrows costume is there. He might be more fit than my big bro. Never let either of them know I said that. There is a green parrot sitting on Roy's shoulder which could only be Beast-Boy. Karen is brown skinned woman with the jet black pony tail dressed in a yellow body suit with black gloves and boots. She goes by Bumble Bee but apparently she was going to call herself the "Black Wasp" as in the African-American version of the Wasp but the team talked her out of it. Janet van Dyne would have loved it though; she'd have an excuse to designed a ton of costumes. Lastly there is Kori in what could only be described as her purple, armored swimsuit with matching boots and gauntlets.
Ok so about Kori, I've known her most of my life. The flowing tress, the golden skin and green eyes make her appear other worldly. The first time I met her I hid behind Richard because I thought she was an angel. He still teases me about in on occasion. She was my first crush. More than that she remains the sweetest, nicest person I've ever met.
"Here he is." Nightwing said pushing me to the center of the group.
"Hey Pete." Roy said ruffling my hair. "What's up with the black?"
"I don't know." I replied brushing his hand away. "What's up with the red?"
"Didn't you hear, I'm Red Arrow now." He replied proudly.
"Lame." I replied.
"Like Spider-Man isn't." He counters.
Before I can counter I hear "Well I think it's cool."
I look down to see a large green tarantula crawling up the white spider on my chest. I know it's an insect but apparently Beast Boy, Animal Man and Vixen powers come from the same source. And they went on some grand adventure to save It. Once they returned, their powers were increased. Beast Boy can turn into any non-human Terran species. Vixen can mimic the abilities of animals and super humans. Animal Man can gain the powers of any "animal" in the known universe, talk about OP.
"Don't listen him. Roy's a hater." He said as I placed him on my hand.
"Thank you Garfield." I replied as he continues up my arm and I'm amazed how light he is. I wonder where does the extra mass go when he shrinks down.
"Gar must you become something so..so icky?" Starfire said flicking him from my shoulder. "Hello Peter."
"Hello my liege." I reply bowing with my right hand extended and my left hand at the small of my back.
"Oh Peter, that was perfect." She replied her expression brightening. "How come you never greet me thus Richard?"
"Hey." Nightwing protested.
"Have you accomplished your task my young knight?" She asked looking at me. I know this sounds cliché but you can get lost in those emerald eyes. I don't know how Richard does it. I looked down and began fiddling with my utility belt. Don't judge me, you would be the same way trust me.
"Of course." I say shyly.
"Kori, what did you have my kid brother do now?" Nightwing asked sighing.
"Learn Thanagarian." I answered smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
"Wait…"
Before he can finish his protest Kori leaned down, brushed my stupid hair back and kissed me on the forehead. Yes, down, she's six feet, four without her boots on. Don't get me wrong I was the cheer captain for Team Babs but I can understand why he chose Kori.
There's a pleasant sensation as her lips touch my skin. Then I can feel a slight pressure in the middle of my head no, more like a tickle. I don't know it's hard to describe. Then there's an odd feeling, like a bubble popping on a summer breeze. After that it's over. She has copied and downloaded my knowledge of the Thanagar language.
"Not cool, Pete." He complained.
"Would you rather I learned it from Hawk-Man?" She asked artfully. "He has offered on many occasions."
"No!" He responded. I can tell from his expression he pictured Carter making out with Kori. Roy and Garfield knew it too and started in on him.
"Yeah he was a space cop." Roy added. "I bet he knows a hundred different languages."
"A thousand." Garfield said now back to shaggy haired green skinned self. "I bet Kori would have kiss him for hours get them all."
"Quit it you two." Karen interjected. "You know my girl wouldn't go out like that."
"Peter." Starfire called tapping finger to her chin.
"Yes." I replied.
"I think Russian will be next." She stated.
"I'll get right on it." I replied. What? Why did you think I learned all those languages?
"Hey Pete. Does Virgil know you're Spider-Man?" Nightwing asked.
"Not Yet." I replied
"He's about the come in."
"Got'ya." I said slipping my mask on. Once it's over my head the magnetic seals lock it into the rest of my costume. Then the HUD flicks on and I get full see through, enhanced vision. I don't actually look through the eyes in my mask; upgrade.
"I'm not going to some stupid school dance with you." Anissa Peirce, aka Thunder said as she and Static approached. Her blonde hair was cut and styled short and her eyes hidden behind a black domino mask. Her costume was black with a gold lightning bolt on the chest and gold belt, gauntlets and boots. The same look as her superhero father, Black Lightning.
"Why not?" Static asked. This was my first time seeing the post Batman training version of his costume. It was basically the same. Black with a cool lightning bolt on the chest, not a stylized one but a whitish gray real looking one. Black ski mask with the Gotham Senators hat crooked to the side. The heavy gloves are gone replaced silver bracelets and black gloves with a silver weave overlay. The Timberland boots were out as well and military boots instead like Batman and Nightwing. I can't forget the addition of the silver, pouched utility belt.
"First, like I said I'm too old for you." She reiterated counting on her fingers for emphases. "Two, I didn't do dances when I was in school. Three, I don't like boys."
"I hear you but let me say this." He rebutted as they joined our group. "One, age is just a number. Two, dances are a lot cooler now. Three, I'm a man not a boy."
"You got to admire the man's tenacity." Roy said.
"See's what he wants and goes for it." Garfield added.
"So what time do I pick you up? Static asked.
"Boy bye." She said turning to leave. "Nightwing he's all yours."
Just when I thought it was over he laid eyes on Bumblebee.
"Bumblebee, right?"
"Um-hum" she replied, arms folded across her chest. This ought to be good.
"Well call me Optimus because I'm in my Prime." He said. "You want to roll out to the dance with me?"
If this was his "game" I'm starting to see why he was single.
"Wow." Richard said shaking his head.
Garfield turned into a green donkey.
"How am I supposed to reply to that?" Bumblebee asked. "Oh wait I know…boy bye."
Static stood there as she shrank down to bee size and few away on her tiny bee wings.
"What's up everybody?" Static asked. "What's on the agenda for the today?"
"Will you not pursue me as well for your school of dance?" Kori asked turning to him.
"And have Nightwing cripple me in my sleep?" Static replied. "No thank you."
"Why would he do such a thing?" She asked. I can tell from Nightwing's body language he wants me to intervene. I could easily interrupt Static's answer but then I recall the two extra weeks of grounding so…
"He said you were his woman." Static answered. "And I quote: Don't look at Starfire. Don't think about Starfire. Don't talk to Starfire. In fact, I'm putting my life in jeopardy right now for violating that last one."
"Is that so?" She said. Uh-oh, I knew Static was embellishing but when her eyes turn a darker shade of green I saw she didn't. "Come with me Nightwing. We have to talk."
A hand that could rend steel grabbed his arm.
"Sweetheart, Angel, I would never…" is all he got before she flew them away.
"You like to live dangerously." Red Arrow stated. "I like that but you know he's going to make you pay right?"
"Big time." Beast Boy added.
"My last few weeks have been hell." Static replied. "I doubt he could train me harder."
"Oh he can." Red Arrow announced. "Hey, Gar remember the stuff he put us through?"
"I still have a slight limp." Beast Boy said. "And that's when he was Robin. I don't even what to think what Nightwing can do."
"In other words, you're dead kid." Red Arrow said.
"So dead." Beast Boy added as he and Red Arrow walked away.
I knew they were joking mostly, but I did reconsider bringing up my rough treatment to Diana the next time I saw her and Bruce together though.
"Spidey, you don't think Nightwing will kill me do you?" Static asked.
"Of course not." I reply. "But you can do a lot before killing somebody."
"Man, I guess it is what it is." He said shrugging his shoulders. "It was pretty funny watching her fly him off like that, huh?"
"Absolutely." I reply.
"So the big bad Bat rounded you up too?"
"Something like that." I replied. "So you need a date to the school dance, huh?"
"Yeah." He replied. "My homie said he was going to set me up but I don't know he's been flaky lately."
Guilty as charged but in my defense I have been training with Batman. Hopefully I can find both of us dates.
"Well if he's a good friend he'll come through." I said because I am and I will.
"You know I heard that STAR labs has a theoretical science lab here."
"No way!'' I said. I'm not acting. I genuinely didn't know that.
"I hear it's on the next floor up." He said. "I bet we could…"
His words are lost as my spider sense nearly deafened me. My eyes darted from place to place seeking the source. A second later it cuts off; stone silent.
"You alright Spider-Man?" Static asked.
Before I can reply alarms blare. Are we being attacked? Then my spider sense starts in again. My brain is shouting 'do something' to my body 'do what' it replies. I'm frozen by indecision. The room goes black and I feel like somebody pulled my insides out then back again. The next thing I know is I'm on the floor. The all over pain has been dialed down to slightly bearable. I force myself to my feet. The room is cast in deep shadows. The moon light shines in through floor to ceiling windows.
"What?" I think absentmindedly. "Another hologram?"
I send the Stark tech through all the scans and it confirms that I'm in an empty room. No hologram should be good enough to fool my HUD unless Friday hacked it like a certain somebody did. As I'm musing things over I notice the word Searching…under the symbol for signal on my HUD.
"Odd?" I say out loud. I've been a mile underground and still got a signal from a Stark Satellite. Ok so it was weak but it was connected.
"Just what are you doing here?" a voice says from behind me.
I turn to see two people framed in the double wide doorway. They are wearing purple spandex with different gold shapes on their chests. One is a guy fair skinned, dark hair about six feet tall and a shorter girl same look about five-five; siblings I surmise. Oh and the pointed ears, can't forget those. I don't think they are Vulcan though.
"Exactly where is here?" I asked.
"I say we take him out, Jan." The guy says.
"He hasn't done anything, Zan." She replied.
"You should listen to her." I reply. "Are you two new members?"
"Pardon." She says.
"New Titan members." I reply. "You know Nightwing, Starfire, Beast Boy."
Then their whole demeanor changed and my spider-sense goes off
"Wonder Twins Power activate." They yelled in unison clutching each other's hand.
"Form of a blizzard." He said and a heartbeat later I'm standing in the middle of a snowstorm that would make Bobby Drake shiver.
The cold cuts straight to the bone and heating coils in my suit are straining to keep me from freezing to death. The temperature read just keeps dropping. I dive to the right tumbling and landing in a snow drift; sharp polar bear claws slicing through my previous location. The huge bear roars and lunges after me. I reply with an unrestrained punch to the snout. The bear cries out as it flies back but I'm not done. I web it and sling it full speed to where I envisioned the door to be. Sure enough I see a bright red spot on the thermal vision representing the way out.
I activate my glide wings and manage ride the swirling winds out. This room is a large hallway with doors on either side. The polar bear looks up at me from a puddle of water with murderous eyes.
"Oh no you don't." I say shooting her with one of my stinger darts; Bruce helped me design them and well as my new web fluid that has way more temperature tolerance than my first batch. The stinger takes a second to calculate the dose then knocks her out and she slumps to the floor. I say her because I'm pretty sure that's the Human Weather Pattern' s sister.
"What did you do?" He said, storming out of the room in human form.
"She's sleeping." I reply hitting him with a tempered right cross. "Just like you."
I web them both up but before I do anything else I'm surrounded.
I got a girl in red and white with cape wings and a guy with blue and white with cape wings; Hawk and Dove. A girl in blue and gold with fur and cat like features; don't know Tigra maybe. Then finally a red skinned dude with horns, a tail and just pants; beats me.
"Will somebody just tell me what's going on?" I ask.
They look at their friends then back at me. They aren't answering any questions.
"That's how it's going to be huh?"