(AN) Big thanks to readers Princess P, robert1413, Showstopper, schitzokitten13, and Amos Whirly for their reviews. It helps the motivation when there are those awaiting your next chapter update, so I'll feed the masses with this. Well, keep the reviews coming, folks.
I own nothing affiliated with DC Comics
Chapter 11 Training Shock
The package sat on the analysis table in the cave as Batman ran every possible test on it he could think of. Spectral analysis, x-ray, odor detection, and all others confirmed that only an envelope with a harmless letter awaited the Dark Knight. This did not make him feel any easier. This meant that if in fact this message was sent by the one whom called him 'Beloved', it would be the last he would hear from her.
Batman retrieved the small box and returned to the seat of the main computer. As he sat down at the console, he pondered whether or not he should include the rest of his comrades in sharing any revelation as they are uncovered. His own answer came in giving in to open the package and retrieve the envelope.
Then envelope was blank itself. The only external marking was a wax seal, in the shape of a bat. Batman reached for the utility knife he carried on him at all times to carefully open the letter. The knife had easily cut through the thin coat of wax and the envelope cleanly opened.
Batman pulled out the letter with the same care as he did in opening it. He did not want to chance damaging the paper and remained cautious for any danger it could possibly still pose.The paper itself was amber colored and scented with jasmine, as was detected in the analysis.
He opened the letter, and another message awaited him. This time, in Italian.
'La verità mente tra entrambi i campidogli. Arrivederci, il mio amato'.
'The truth lies between both capitols. Goodbye, my beloved'.
Batman stared at the message, confused. Whatever Talia had meant in this letter, she knew she was going to die. He had to focus on the message. Batman could not waste time thinking of his former love.
The message had said that the truth lied between both capitols.
Batman put the letter down on an empty portion of the console, ready to work on the computer itself.
'Capitols'......
Then Batman remembered both messages. One was written in Portuguese, the other was Italian. Lisbon is the capitol of Portugal and Rome of Italy. Batman typed on to the keyboard, commanding the computer to calculate the distance between both cities. The distance was approximately eleven hundred and sixty-one miles. Batman then calculated the halfway marker for both cities, roughly five hundred and eighty miles. He brought up a map on the screen to judge what was at the halfway point.
The Balearic Islands, sandwiched between the Balearic Sea and the Mediterranean ,off of the coast of Spain.
Menorca Island to be exact.
He could not help but to give a faint smile. Talia, in honor of her late father, tested his wits with her last words to him. Batman only hoped that wherever she was now, she had found peace. With that, Batman now believes that he can now move on from Talia Al Ghoul.
Batman was interrupted by the computer's transmitter.
"Batman?", Oracle's digitized voice came over. "I just talked to Nightwing. Are you ok?"
Batman had not even contacted anyone since he left from the Watchtower, so he felt that some explanation was in order.
"A small box was found with Bruce Wayne's daily mail", Batman started. "The package was addressed to me, from Talia Al Ghoul, written in Portuguese. Upon opening it, an envelope was discovered and inside of it, a note was written in Italian. It translated to 'The truth lies between both capitols'."
"Between both capitols...?", Oracle said confused.
"Going by both languages used in the messages, I figured 'the capitols' referred to the capitol cities of both Portugal and Italy. I calculated the distances and it seems the halfway point between the capitols is the Island of Menorca of the Balearic Islands."
"Off of the Spanish coast", Oracle said.
"Exactly", Batman said.
"What's so special about Menorca?", Oracle asked.
Batman had remembered it like it was yesterday.
"Seven years ago", Batman started. "Ra's Al Ghoul had purchased eight nuclear warheads from various terrorist networks. I had succeeded in preventing an attack he had planned on Great Britain and disarmed each warhead myself. After I finished, Ra's had apprehended me and ordered my 'punishment'. I was drugged then transported to the top of Monte Toro, a mountain in the city of El Toro on Menorca Island. Talia was with the me and the guards as they had left me for death. Before I was abandoned, she whispered in my ear 'This mountain will be remembered as OUR mountain'.
"Sounds pretty....creepy", Oracle said. "So, what are you gonna do?"
Batman thought for a few seconds and came to a conclusion.
"Take a vacation."
*****
Robin, sitting in his assigned room of the Watchtower, was working with some of the gadgets he had been developing since his stay with the Justice League began. His room had been transformed to a form of work shed. Complete with computer, tool station, work horse, bed and bathroom. The new Robindisks he had developed were now ready for their trial run. He needed to take his mind off of what Batman was no doubt running to.
Robin was interrupted by his door buzzer.
Can't anyone mind their business, he thought in unjust frustration.
"Come in", Robin dully said as he activated the door from his workstation..
Nightwing walked in then whistled, immediately impressed by Robin's quarters.
"Been a busy little bird, haven't ya?", Nightwing asked while looking around.
Robin, who was feeling better it was Nightwing, chuckled as he collapsed the last of his Robindisks to store in his utility belt.
"You could say that", Robin said. "Or you could say that the old man is startin' to rub off on me."
Nightwing laughed as he approached Robin's work area.
"Word from the top", Nightwing started in a mock-military fashion. "Green Lantern is starting our four new friends' training.in about ten minutes. Bruce may have run off to do something else, but GL wants to start their training as Batman planned."
Robin raised an eyebrow at Nightwing.
"Four", Robin said not asking. "But its just Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy."
"And Starfire", Nightwing added.
Robin was not feeling good.
"Your kidding, right?", Robin said. "She doesn't even know if she has any powers."
"I kid you not", Nightwing said as he began to turn. "Me and Cassie are taking part as well."
Robin did not like the thought of Starfire training with them. She she was not the type of person who belonged in battle.
"Don't worry", Nightwing said. "We'll start slow for her. She's not quite ready to jump into the mix yet, but the other three are."
Nightwing had stopped at the door.
"And if I'm correct", Nightwing said with inappropriate sarcasm, looking back with a smirk. "I believe that you have two weeks to study for a test."
Now Robin was really sick. He had forgotten completely about the 'test' Slade had prepared for him. Nightwing had barely passed his, but Robin new Nightwing's test was more out of a whim. His, on the other hand, had been in the making.
"Allright", Robin said. "I'm on my way. Give me a sec to get ready."
"No prob", Nightwing said as he opened the door, then looked back at Robin. "Don't hold back on them. They need all the experience they can get."
As Nightwing walked out of Robin's room, Robin began to gather the equipment he would need to practice with.
"Don't hold back. Right."
*****
J'onn J'onz had woken up confined in a large prison cell, illuminated by a flickering light bulb. His bindings were the same as the mechanical restraints he was put into when he first arrived on earth, however, the room was not as clean as the last. He looked around the room for any sign of other prisoners or the ones who have imprisoned him.
The door to the room had opened.
Through the door, J'onn could see the outline of a figure. It was not monstrous by any means, so it could not be Bane. In fact, it didn't even look adult.
As the figure stepped into the light, J'onn recognized that it was in fact a young boy, carrying a bowl..
"You hungary?", asked the boy who approached J'onn.
J'onn recognized the boy as an african-american male, no older than sixteen. His hair was longer than usual, styled with dread locks.
"No, thank you", J'onn said politely. "Who are you?"
The boy approached J'onn with a rough look in his eye.
"What's it to you, Martian?", the boy said cruelly.
"I was just wondering", J'onn started. "What a young boy was doing in a place such as this."
The boy threw the bowl of uneatable food to the ground and lunged at J'onn putting his left hand around the alien's throat.
"That's none of you business, Martian", the boy said.
The boy had raised his right hand behind him, emitting a ball of electricity. He was obviously attempting to frighten J'onn, but the boy had not seen as many days as the Martian Manhunter.
"What do you plan to do, boy", J'onn said with a stern voice. "I don't think Slade would appreciate you killing a prisoner of his. Also, if you are trying to intimidate me, you are wasting your time and energy."
The boy's harden face had twitched, like being called out on a blatant lie. He removed his hand from J'onn and his energy ball had dissipated. The boy now looked somewhat remorseful about what he just done. When he realized his face was showing it, he immediately turned form J'onn to pick up the bowl he had thrown to the ground.
Without saying another word, the boy turned to leave the cell. Before he could leave the flickering room, J'onn called out to him again.
"What is your name?"
The boy stopped in his tracks. Without looking back, he answered in a fatigued tone.
"I...don't remember my real name, but around here they call me Static."
Then, the boy left the cell with his head down.
J'onn was left in the cell, feeling slightly angry. The thought of Slade using children for his personal use was appalling. J'onn then focused on the contents of the bowl that were now skewed across the already dirty floor. He began to wonder if his team had forgotten about him, but he reminded himself that whatever happens, they would never leave him.
*****
As Static exited J'onn's cell, Bane was waiting outside. Static did not see him at first, but was greeted by walking into the massive Colombian and bouncing away from him.
"Bane", Static said startled.
Bane leaned forward down to Static's eye level, giving the proper effect that Static tried getting from J'onn..
"Boy", Bane said with his thick accent. "If I wanted you to make conversation with the Martian, I would have told you to do so."
Static was completely overtook with fear from Bane's glare.
"I...I just...."
Bane leaned back up to his menacing height and scoffed at Static.
"Never mind that for now", Bane said. "Now, you and your friends are to meet me in my chambers immediately. You are to be assigned your first task. Fetch them, now."
Static was now full of butterflies in his stomach. His first task under Slade. Static, along with friends of his, had been forced into severe training for what seemed like forever. Now it was time to see if it payed of.
Bane was becoming enraged when Static stood still, lost in his thoughts.
"Apure!", Bane shouted in Spanish, telling Static to hurry. "I don't have all day."
"R...Right!", Static barely said, then turned to run
*****
In the Watchtower's state-of-the-art training facility, Green Lantern had lined up four young metas, along with Batgirl, to begin training. All were in their usual uniforms. Standing next to Sergeant John Stewart were his lieutenants Grayson and Hall. They had stood in front of the 'fall in' line, ready to work the youngsters' tails off. This pseudo boot camp was to prepare the young warriors for the vigors they would face while being the future of the Justice League. Diana had decided to join the youngsters for the training session, while Flash had taken monitor duty and Superman was back in Metropolis.
"Ok, newcomers, and that includes you Princess", Green Lantern said while swapping smirks with Diana. "We'll first start off with a light warm up. Hawkgirl and Nightwing will lead you through it. You will start with a series of sit ups, push ups and down ups each. After we say your done, you conclude warm up with an easy four mile run."
Raven, Beast Boy and even Batgirl let out groans. Cyborg and Diana were more than eager to get to the physical stuff, while Starfire had no clue what GL was talking about.
"Um, Sir?", Starfire asked with her hand raised. "What are.... 'miles'?"
GL let out a small, malign laugh. He walked up to Starfire and did not hold back a hard military look. Starfire was frozen.
"Don't worry Star, you'll get to know them very soon", GL said as Starfire wanted to cry.
Beast Boy, being the genius that he is, let a laugh at Starfire's expense leave his mouth. Hawkgirl was in his face instantaneously, staring down the recruit.
"Is there something funny, Boy?"
Beast Boy straightened himself a bit, but was still void of survival skills.
"Actually, its 'Beast' Boy", the soon-to-be-dead meta tried to correct her. "Not just...."
"IT'S BOY UNTIL I SAY SO!!", Hawkgirl shouted, nearly shaking the Watchtower out of earth's orbit.
Boy stood shocked and petrified at the same time, barely finding his voice to comply.
"Y..Yes, ma'am", Boy said.
"Remember what I told you, Boy", Hawkgirl said, poking his chest real hard. "You belong to me during these sessions. You will earn the right to use 'Beast' in your name, and that WILL be understood."
Behind Hawkgirl, stood the struggling pair of Nightwing and Green Lantern, trying not to bust out laughing.
"And that goes for the rest of you!", Hawkgirl spat as she turned walked down the line of the newbies. "If you so much as think to refer to him as 'Beast Boy', I will personally deal with you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, ma'am!", all, including Diana, responded.
Hawkgirl returned to her spot as it was now Nightwing's turn to speak. Something he had been waiting all day to do. He loved role play.
"Ok, troops", Nightwing said as he began to stroll the row of rookies. "You each will pair up with another person that we have already decided. This person will be your partner from here on out. You will share rooms, train together, and get to know that person like a brother or sister. Is that clear so far?"
"Yes sir", everyone said.
"Good, now listen for your pairings: Raven and Batgirl."
The two girls maneuvered to stand next to eachother. Batgirl was still without her mask and Raven had her hood off. The two girls glanced at eachother and nodded respectfully.
"Ok, now: Starfire and Diana."
Those two began to stand next to eachother. Starfire then looked up at Diana as Diana winked at her. Diana obviously arranged her pairing.
"Cyborg and Boy", Nightwing began to chuckle. "Good luck, Cy."
"Great", Cyborg said as Boy now stood next to him.
Cyborg looked down at the green spec who was obviously going to make things harder just by being his partner.
"You just better know when to shut up."
"That goes for you, too", GL said from behind Nightwing.
Before Nightwing could continue, Robin had entered the room, extremely late. Robin noticed that everyone was lined up, even paired with one another.
"And there's my partner right now", Nightwing said.
Green Lantern walked to where Robin was standing, not getting in his face just yet.
"Well, look who decided to make it", GL said.
"Uh", Robin said "What are you guys doing?"
Hawkgirl had begun to take matters in her hand, only to be stopped by Lantern's hand, gesturing that he would handle it.
"If you guys are gonna be apart of this", GL started. "Then we will instill discipline from the get go."
Robin, thinking he was already apart of 'it', shot GL a glare.
"I've been at this for some time now", Robin said. "I'm not a rookie."
"Exactly", GL said. "Thats why your gonna lead by example and start your four mile run right now."
Robin looked at GL as though he was not serious.
"Four mile...what?"
GL raised his right hand and formed a green silhouette of Batman to his side.
"If you don't do as your told, then your not worthy of any of this", GL said in a mock version of Batman's voice. He even made the green dummy of Batman gesture with its hands as though it were a puppet.
Robin, knowing full well that this was an attempt to get under his skin, turned from GL and began his run around the training room. Nightwing had run to join Robin in his jog.
"You ok?", Nightwing asked in perfect stride with Robin.
"No", Robin said.
Green Lantern had returned to his spot in front of his trainees, ready to get things going.
"Ok, lets see some bodies in motion. Class begins now, starting with some stretching."
*****
After a long, hot shower, Raven came out of the bathroom, back into the living quarters she shared with Cassandra. Raven had discovered that Cassandra had difficulty speaking, which meant she was the perfect roommate. Raven also came to the conclusion that she would have to help her with her verbal skills if they were to be a team.
Raven sat at the table, where Cassandra sat opposite of her sipping tea.
"So, I take it these kind of sessions aren't new to you?", Raven asked.
Cassandra looked at her over the cup of tea as she was sipping. She then lowered her cup on to the table and looked Raven.
"I....train...since little....for many....things", Cassandra started. "Today....no big deal."
Raven had finished drying her hair with her towel and straightened her pajamas for the night. She looked at Cassandra, who was in her pajamas as well, but was far more relaxed.
"I know that this training is routine for you and all, but how are you so calm after it's done?
Cassandra gave Raven a small smile and stood up. She then walked over to a bare spot on the floor. Raven watched her, expecting something really strange to happen.
"Uh, Cassandra?"
Cassandra had now sat down with her legs folded, ready to show her secret. She motioned for Raven to join her.
"It because....I meditate", Cassandra said.
Raven stood still for a moment, then decided to comply. She sat three feet in front of Cassandra, her legs folded as well.
"Meditate?", Raven asked. "Does that really work?"
Cassandra nodded, then positioned her arms at her sides. They raised above her legs only a few inches, while her thumbs and forefingers had formed small circles.
"It work....really good", Cassandra said with her eyes closed. "And....call....me Cassie."
*****
"I get the window bed."
"No way! I want the space view."
"Sorry, 'Boy', but I'm bigger and I didn't piss off Hawkgirl."
Cyborg and Boy had been arguing over the sleeping arrangements for some time now. They had to share the smallest quarters, thanks to Hawkgirl's suggestion. They stood between both of the potential beds, having a stare-off with eachother.
"Fine", Boy said turning his back to Cyborg. "Take the stupid window spot. I hope you smash a hole in it so it sucks you out."
Cyborg's reply came in the form of snores resonating from his head. Boy turned around to see Cyborg already asleep on the bed from the day's events.
"Jerk", Boy said crawling into his bed.
"I heard that", said the still awake Cyborg.
*****
"Was Robin in major trouble?", Starfire asked Diana from her bed.
"I don't believe so", Diana said positively, from her bed.
The two have been talking about the days events, well into the night when they should be resting. However, the females demonstrated earlier that rest was something they could afford to take for granted.
"I was surprised how well your performed today", Diana said. "Tomorrow, we will begin to understand the nature of your dormant power."
Starfire was staring at the ceiling of the room, feeling comfortable from the warmth of her large quilt.
"I was surprised as well. I performed the Green Lantern's training rituals with ease. Tomorrow, I will push myself to do even better."
Diana noticed the subtle change in Starfire's demeanor after just one day's work. She was excited as to what the days ahead would reveal of her small friend.
"Hawkgirl was impressed as well", Diana continued. "Her respect is hard to come by."
"I was pleased with how everyone was impressed with me. I think I will be able to be of some help sooner than expected of me."
Starfire had continued to stare at the ceiling, remembering Hawkgirl's conversation with her after the training session.
"Diana?"
"Yes, Star?"
"What does 'wash your ass thoroughly' mean?"
*****
"He didn't have to go that far."
"He just wanted to test you, you know. Push your buttons. Don't take it personal."
"Yeah, sure."
"Don't forget who trained you from the beginning. And if you say he wasn't that cruel at times, then I got played."
"....Probably because I'm the smarter Robin."
Both of Batman's protege's laughed into the night, like brothers do when they share rooms. Robin and Nightwing managed to make their beds into bunk beds.
Robin had to let off some steam from the day's events. GL just caught him at a bad time.
"Hey, Dick", Robin said from the bottom bunk.
"Yeah?"
"Starfire did great today, huh?"
"Yeah she did. I think that she's gonna be just fine."
"Yeah, me too."
"Hey Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"Was it me, or did she smell really bad afterward?"
A brief silence was destroyed by roars of laughter from the Boy Wonders.
*****
Clark Kent couldn't buy a good night of sleep like this. He hadn't slept in his bed in forever. Today was his first day back at the Daily Planet since what seemed like longer than his separation from his king-size. Perry chewed him out for not having that story about the atomic explosion written in time for the afternoon edition, but he saved face when he showed him the information he gathered while 'on location'. So, Clark had bought himself an extra day to finish the inside story.
Clark's rest, however, would not share the same success as his story would. He was woken up by tapping at his window. He raised his head from his pillow, groggy as a pig in the morning. He instinctively put on his glasses and stood up from his bed. Clark didn't need his x-ray vision to know who had been at his window.
He opened the window to see Batman perched on the ledge as if it were a sidewalk.
"Bruce?", Clark said looking at the digital clock on the billboard across the street. "It's four in the morning. What's wrong."
Batman kept looking out at Metropolis, never turning to look Clark in the eye.
"I know where J'onn is. What's Clark Kent's schedule for the next three days?"
I own nothing affiliated with DC Comics
Chapter 11 Training Shock
The package sat on the analysis table in the cave as Batman ran every possible test on it he could think of. Spectral analysis, x-ray, odor detection, and all others confirmed that only an envelope with a harmless letter awaited the Dark Knight. This did not make him feel any easier. This meant that if in fact this message was sent by the one whom called him 'Beloved', it would be the last he would hear from her.
Batman retrieved the small box and returned to the seat of the main computer. As he sat down at the console, he pondered whether or not he should include the rest of his comrades in sharing any revelation as they are uncovered. His own answer came in giving in to open the package and retrieve the envelope.
Then envelope was blank itself. The only external marking was a wax seal, in the shape of a bat. Batman reached for the utility knife he carried on him at all times to carefully open the letter. The knife had easily cut through the thin coat of wax and the envelope cleanly opened.
Batman pulled out the letter with the same care as he did in opening it. He did not want to chance damaging the paper and remained cautious for any danger it could possibly still pose.The paper itself was amber colored and scented with jasmine, as was detected in the analysis.
He opened the letter, and another message awaited him. This time, in Italian.
'La verità mente tra entrambi i campidogli. Arrivederci, il mio amato'.
'The truth lies between both capitols. Goodbye, my beloved'.
Batman stared at the message, confused. Whatever Talia had meant in this letter, she knew she was going to die. He had to focus on the message. Batman could not waste time thinking of his former love.
The message had said that the truth lied between both capitols.
Batman put the letter down on an empty portion of the console, ready to work on the computer itself.
'Capitols'......
Then Batman remembered both messages. One was written in Portuguese, the other was Italian. Lisbon is the capitol of Portugal and Rome of Italy. Batman typed on to the keyboard, commanding the computer to calculate the distance between both cities. The distance was approximately eleven hundred and sixty-one miles. Batman then calculated the halfway marker for both cities, roughly five hundred and eighty miles. He brought up a map on the screen to judge what was at the halfway point.
The Balearic Islands, sandwiched between the Balearic Sea and the Mediterranean ,off of the coast of Spain.
Menorca Island to be exact.
He could not help but to give a faint smile. Talia, in honor of her late father, tested his wits with her last words to him. Batman only hoped that wherever she was now, she had found peace. With that, Batman now believes that he can now move on from Talia Al Ghoul.
Batman was interrupted by the computer's transmitter.
"Batman?", Oracle's digitized voice came over. "I just talked to Nightwing. Are you ok?"
Batman had not even contacted anyone since he left from the Watchtower, so he felt that some explanation was in order.
"A small box was found with Bruce Wayne's daily mail", Batman started. "The package was addressed to me, from Talia Al Ghoul, written in Portuguese. Upon opening it, an envelope was discovered and inside of it, a note was written in Italian. It translated to 'The truth lies between both capitols'."
"Between both capitols...?", Oracle said confused.
"Going by both languages used in the messages, I figured 'the capitols' referred to the capitol cities of both Portugal and Italy. I calculated the distances and it seems the halfway point between the capitols is the Island of Menorca of the Balearic Islands."
"Off of the Spanish coast", Oracle said.
"Exactly", Batman said.
"What's so special about Menorca?", Oracle asked.
Batman had remembered it like it was yesterday.
"Seven years ago", Batman started. "Ra's Al Ghoul had purchased eight nuclear warheads from various terrorist networks. I had succeeded in preventing an attack he had planned on Great Britain and disarmed each warhead myself. After I finished, Ra's had apprehended me and ordered my 'punishment'. I was drugged then transported to the top of Monte Toro, a mountain in the city of El Toro on Menorca Island. Talia was with the me and the guards as they had left me for death. Before I was abandoned, she whispered in my ear 'This mountain will be remembered as OUR mountain'.
"Sounds pretty....creepy", Oracle said. "So, what are you gonna do?"
Batman thought for a few seconds and came to a conclusion.
"Take a vacation."
*****
Robin, sitting in his assigned room of the Watchtower, was working with some of the gadgets he had been developing since his stay with the Justice League began. His room had been transformed to a form of work shed. Complete with computer, tool station, work horse, bed and bathroom. The new Robindisks he had developed were now ready for their trial run. He needed to take his mind off of what Batman was no doubt running to.
Robin was interrupted by his door buzzer.
Can't anyone mind their business, he thought in unjust frustration.
"Come in", Robin dully said as he activated the door from his workstation..
Nightwing walked in then whistled, immediately impressed by Robin's quarters.
"Been a busy little bird, haven't ya?", Nightwing asked while looking around.
Robin, who was feeling better it was Nightwing, chuckled as he collapsed the last of his Robindisks to store in his utility belt.
"You could say that", Robin said. "Or you could say that the old man is startin' to rub off on me."
Nightwing laughed as he approached Robin's work area.
"Word from the top", Nightwing started in a mock-military fashion. "Green Lantern is starting our four new friends' training.in about ten minutes. Bruce may have run off to do something else, but GL wants to start their training as Batman planned."
Robin raised an eyebrow at Nightwing.
"Four", Robin said not asking. "But its just Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy."
"And Starfire", Nightwing added.
Robin was not feeling good.
"Your kidding, right?", Robin said. "She doesn't even know if she has any powers."
"I kid you not", Nightwing said as he began to turn. "Me and Cassie are taking part as well."
Robin did not like the thought of Starfire training with them. She she was not the type of person who belonged in battle.
"Don't worry", Nightwing said. "We'll start slow for her. She's not quite ready to jump into the mix yet, but the other three are."
Nightwing had stopped at the door.
"And if I'm correct", Nightwing said with inappropriate sarcasm, looking back with a smirk. "I believe that you have two weeks to study for a test."
Now Robin was really sick. He had forgotten completely about the 'test' Slade had prepared for him. Nightwing had barely passed his, but Robin new Nightwing's test was more out of a whim. His, on the other hand, had been in the making.
"Allright", Robin said. "I'm on my way. Give me a sec to get ready."
"No prob", Nightwing said as he opened the door, then looked back at Robin. "Don't hold back on them. They need all the experience they can get."
As Nightwing walked out of Robin's room, Robin began to gather the equipment he would need to practice with.
"Don't hold back. Right."
*****
J'onn J'onz had woken up confined in a large prison cell, illuminated by a flickering light bulb. His bindings were the same as the mechanical restraints he was put into when he first arrived on earth, however, the room was not as clean as the last. He looked around the room for any sign of other prisoners or the ones who have imprisoned him.
The door to the room had opened.
Through the door, J'onn could see the outline of a figure. It was not monstrous by any means, so it could not be Bane. In fact, it didn't even look adult.
As the figure stepped into the light, J'onn recognized that it was in fact a young boy, carrying a bowl..
"You hungary?", asked the boy who approached J'onn.
J'onn recognized the boy as an african-american male, no older than sixteen. His hair was longer than usual, styled with dread locks.
"No, thank you", J'onn said politely. "Who are you?"
The boy approached J'onn with a rough look in his eye.
"What's it to you, Martian?", the boy said cruelly.
"I was just wondering", J'onn started. "What a young boy was doing in a place such as this."
The boy threw the bowl of uneatable food to the ground and lunged at J'onn putting his left hand around the alien's throat.
"That's none of you business, Martian", the boy said.
The boy had raised his right hand behind him, emitting a ball of electricity. He was obviously attempting to frighten J'onn, but the boy had not seen as many days as the Martian Manhunter.
"What do you plan to do, boy", J'onn said with a stern voice. "I don't think Slade would appreciate you killing a prisoner of his. Also, if you are trying to intimidate me, you are wasting your time and energy."
The boy's harden face had twitched, like being called out on a blatant lie. He removed his hand from J'onn and his energy ball had dissipated. The boy now looked somewhat remorseful about what he just done. When he realized his face was showing it, he immediately turned form J'onn to pick up the bowl he had thrown to the ground.
Without saying another word, the boy turned to leave the cell. Before he could leave the flickering room, J'onn called out to him again.
"What is your name?"
The boy stopped in his tracks. Without looking back, he answered in a fatigued tone.
"I...don't remember my real name, but around here they call me Static."
Then, the boy left the cell with his head down.
J'onn was left in the cell, feeling slightly angry. The thought of Slade using children for his personal use was appalling. J'onn then focused on the contents of the bowl that were now skewed across the already dirty floor. He began to wonder if his team had forgotten about him, but he reminded himself that whatever happens, they would never leave him.
*****
As Static exited J'onn's cell, Bane was waiting outside. Static did not see him at first, but was greeted by walking into the massive Colombian and bouncing away from him.
"Bane", Static said startled.
Bane leaned forward down to Static's eye level, giving the proper effect that Static tried getting from J'onn..
"Boy", Bane said with his thick accent. "If I wanted you to make conversation with the Martian, I would have told you to do so."
Static was completely overtook with fear from Bane's glare.
"I...I just...."
Bane leaned back up to his menacing height and scoffed at Static.
"Never mind that for now", Bane said. "Now, you and your friends are to meet me in my chambers immediately. You are to be assigned your first task. Fetch them, now."
Static was now full of butterflies in his stomach. His first task under Slade. Static, along with friends of his, had been forced into severe training for what seemed like forever. Now it was time to see if it payed of.
Bane was becoming enraged when Static stood still, lost in his thoughts.
"Apure!", Bane shouted in Spanish, telling Static to hurry. "I don't have all day."
"R...Right!", Static barely said, then turned to run
*****
In the Watchtower's state-of-the-art training facility, Green Lantern had lined up four young metas, along with Batgirl, to begin training. All were in their usual uniforms. Standing next to Sergeant John Stewart were his lieutenants Grayson and Hall. They had stood in front of the 'fall in' line, ready to work the youngsters' tails off. This pseudo boot camp was to prepare the young warriors for the vigors they would face while being the future of the Justice League. Diana had decided to join the youngsters for the training session, while Flash had taken monitor duty and Superman was back in Metropolis.
"Ok, newcomers, and that includes you Princess", Green Lantern said while swapping smirks with Diana. "We'll first start off with a light warm up. Hawkgirl and Nightwing will lead you through it. You will start with a series of sit ups, push ups and down ups each. After we say your done, you conclude warm up with an easy four mile run."
Raven, Beast Boy and even Batgirl let out groans. Cyborg and Diana were more than eager to get to the physical stuff, while Starfire had no clue what GL was talking about.
"Um, Sir?", Starfire asked with her hand raised. "What are.... 'miles'?"
GL let out a small, malign laugh. He walked up to Starfire and did not hold back a hard military look. Starfire was frozen.
"Don't worry Star, you'll get to know them very soon", GL said as Starfire wanted to cry.
Beast Boy, being the genius that he is, let a laugh at Starfire's expense leave his mouth. Hawkgirl was in his face instantaneously, staring down the recruit.
"Is there something funny, Boy?"
Beast Boy straightened himself a bit, but was still void of survival skills.
"Actually, its 'Beast' Boy", the soon-to-be-dead meta tried to correct her. "Not just...."
"IT'S BOY UNTIL I SAY SO!!", Hawkgirl shouted, nearly shaking the Watchtower out of earth's orbit.
Boy stood shocked and petrified at the same time, barely finding his voice to comply.
"Y..Yes, ma'am", Boy said.
"Remember what I told you, Boy", Hawkgirl said, poking his chest real hard. "You belong to me during these sessions. You will earn the right to use 'Beast' in your name, and that WILL be understood."
Behind Hawkgirl, stood the struggling pair of Nightwing and Green Lantern, trying not to bust out laughing.
"And that goes for the rest of you!", Hawkgirl spat as she turned walked down the line of the newbies. "If you so much as think to refer to him as 'Beast Boy', I will personally deal with you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, ma'am!", all, including Diana, responded.
Hawkgirl returned to her spot as it was now Nightwing's turn to speak. Something he had been waiting all day to do. He loved role play.
"Ok, troops", Nightwing said as he began to stroll the row of rookies. "You each will pair up with another person that we have already decided. This person will be your partner from here on out. You will share rooms, train together, and get to know that person like a brother or sister. Is that clear so far?"
"Yes sir", everyone said.
"Good, now listen for your pairings: Raven and Batgirl."
The two girls maneuvered to stand next to eachother. Batgirl was still without her mask and Raven had her hood off. The two girls glanced at eachother and nodded respectfully.
"Ok, now: Starfire and Diana."
Those two began to stand next to eachother. Starfire then looked up at Diana as Diana winked at her. Diana obviously arranged her pairing.
"Cyborg and Boy", Nightwing began to chuckle. "Good luck, Cy."
"Great", Cyborg said as Boy now stood next to him.
Cyborg looked down at the green spec who was obviously going to make things harder just by being his partner.
"You just better know when to shut up."
"That goes for you, too", GL said from behind Nightwing.
Before Nightwing could continue, Robin had entered the room, extremely late. Robin noticed that everyone was lined up, even paired with one another.
"And there's my partner right now", Nightwing said.
Green Lantern walked to where Robin was standing, not getting in his face just yet.
"Well, look who decided to make it", GL said.
"Uh", Robin said "What are you guys doing?"
Hawkgirl had begun to take matters in her hand, only to be stopped by Lantern's hand, gesturing that he would handle it.
"If you guys are gonna be apart of this", GL started. "Then we will instill discipline from the get go."
Robin, thinking he was already apart of 'it', shot GL a glare.
"I've been at this for some time now", Robin said. "I'm not a rookie."
"Exactly", GL said. "Thats why your gonna lead by example and start your four mile run right now."
Robin looked at GL as though he was not serious.
"Four mile...what?"
GL raised his right hand and formed a green silhouette of Batman to his side.
"If you don't do as your told, then your not worthy of any of this", GL said in a mock version of Batman's voice. He even made the green dummy of Batman gesture with its hands as though it were a puppet.
Robin, knowing full well that this was an attempt to get under his skin, turned from GL and began his run around the training room. Nightwing had run to join Robin in his jog.
"You ok?", Nightwing asked in perfect stride with Robin.
"No", Robin said.
Green Lantern had returned to his spot in front of his trainees, ready to get things going.
"Ok, lets see some bodies in motion. Class begins now, starting with some stretching."
*****
After a long, hot shower, Raven came out of the bathroom, back into the living quarters she shared with Cassandra. Raven had discovered that Cassandra had difficulty speaking, which meant she was the perfect roommate. Raven also came to the conclusion that she would have to help her with her verbal skills if they were to be a team.
Raven sat at the table, where Cassandra sat opposite of her sipping tea.
"So, I take it these kind of sessions aren't new to you?", Raven asked.
Cassandra looked at her over the cup of tea as she was sipping. She then lowered her cup on to the table and looked Raven.
"I....train...since little....for many....things", Cassandra started. "Today....no big deal."
Raven had finished drying her hair with her towel and straightened her pajamas for the night. She looked at Cassandra, who was in her pajamas as well, but was far more relaxed.
"I know that this training is routine for you and all, but how are you so calm after it's done?
Cassandra gave Raven a small smile and stood up. She then walked over to a bare spot on the floor. Raven watched her, expecting something really strange to happen.
"Uh, Cassandra?"
Cassandra had now sat down with her legs folded, ready to show her secret. She motioned for Raven to join her.
"It because....I meditate", Cassandra said.
Raven stood still for a moment, then decided to comply. She sat three feet in front of Cassandra, her legs folded as well.
"Meditate?", Raven asked. "Does that really work?"
Cassandra nodded, then positioned her arms at her sides. They raised above her legs only a few inches, while her thumbs and forefingers had formed small circles.
"It work....really good", Cassandra said with her eyes closed. "And....call....me Cassie."
*****
"I get the window bed."
"No way! I want the space view."
"Sorry, 'Boy', but I'm bigger and I didn't piss off Hawkgirl."
Cyborg and Boy had been arguing over the sleeping arrangements for some time now. They had to share the smallest quarters, thanks to Hawkgirl's suggestion. They stood between both of the potential beds, having a stare-off with eachother.
"Fine", Boy said turning his back to Cyborg. "Take the stupid window spot. I hope you smash a hole in it so it sucks you out."
Cyborg's reply came in the form of snores resonating from his head. Boy turned around to see Cyborg already asleep on the bed from the day's events.
"Jerk", Boy said crawling into his bed.
"I heard that", said the still awake Cyborg.
*****
"Was Robin in major trouble?", Starfire asked Diana from her bed.
"I don't believe so", Diana said positively, from her bed.
The two have been talking about the days events, well into the night when they should be resting. However, the females demonstrated earlier that rest was something they could afford to take for granted.
"I was surprised how well your performed today", Diana said. "Tomorrow, we will begin to understand the nature of your dormant power."
Starfire was staring at the ceiling of the room, feeling comfortable from the warmth of her large quilt.
"I was surprised as well. I performed the Green Lantern's training rituals with ease. Tomorrow, I will push myself to do even better."
Diana noticed the subtle change in Starfire's demeanor after just one day's work. She was excited as to what the days ahead would reveal of her small friend.
"Hawkgirl was impressed as well", Diana continued. "Her respect is hard to come by."
"I was pleased with how everyone was impressed with me. I think I will be able to be of some help sooner than expected of me."
Starfire had continued to stare at the ceiling, remembering Hawkgirl's conversation with her after the training session.
"Diana?"
"Yes, Star?"
"What does 'wash your ass thoroughly' mean?"
*****
"He didn't have to go that far."
"He just wanted to test you, you know. Push your buttons. Don't take it personal."
"Yeah, sure."
"Don't forget who trained you from the beginning. And if you say he wasn't that cruel at times, then I got played."
"....Probably because I'm the smarter Robin."
Both of Batman's protege's laughed into the night, like brothers do when they share rooms. Robin and Nightwing managed to make their beds into bunk beds.
Robin had to let off some steam from the day's events. GL just caught him at a bad time.
"Hey, Dick", Robin said from the bottom bunk.
"Yeah?"
"Starfire did great today, huh?"
"Yeah she did. I think that she's gonna be just fine."
"Yeah, me too."
"Hey Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"Was it me, or did she smell really bad afterward?"
A brief silence was destroyed by roars of laughter from the Boy Wonders.
*****
Clark Kent couldn't buy a good night of sleep like this. He hadn't slept in his bed in forever. Today was his first day back at the Daily Planet since what seemed like longer than his separation from his king-size. Perry chewed him out for not having that story about the atomic explosion written in time for the afternoon edition, but he saved face when he showed him the information he gathered while 'on location'. So, Clark had bought himself an extra day to finish the inside story.
Clark's rest, however, would not share the same success as his story would. He was woken up by tapping at his window. He raised his head from his pillow, groggy as a pig in the morning. He instinctively put on his glasses and stood up from his bed. Clark didn't need his x-ray vision to know who had been at his window.
He opened the window to see Batman perched on the ledge as if it were a sidewalk.
"Bruce?", Clark said looking at the digital clock on the billboard across the street. "It's four in the morning. What's wrong."
Batman kept looking out at Metropolis, never turning to look Clark in the eye.
"I know where J'onn is. What's Clark Kent's schedule for the next three days?"