"Is this really necessary? How much longer are you going to detain us?" Terra asked as J'onn once again examined her.

"Not to much longer. We only have a few more questions to ask you and I just want to finish giving you a thorough examination." J'onn replied.

"Cooperate with us and this will all be over soon." Superman reassured them.

"We've been answering the same dumb questions for the past three hours straight! When are you going to realize where telling the truth?" demanded Kara.

"Yeah ever since the storage depot you've been treating us like criminals. You've even denied us our basic rights." Lucas stated. Immediately after saying who they were they were escorted to the holding cell aboard the Javelin and watched carefully. Then they had been locked in the infirmary where they had all sorts of test done on them. One of them was a blood test to compare DNA but the Bat Twins had refused to give blood saying that since they only worked for Batman there wouldn't be a connection him. None of the kids had said a word about Marina or Max who were still safely hidden in Terra utility belt.

"Alright I'm done with my examinations. I got the test results back. Stay here while Superman and I go discuss this with the rest of the team. I trust that you won't touch anything." J'onn said.

"Yeah we promise. Don't worry about a thing." J'osse said quietly. The two adults nodded then left. They locked the doors and put a force field in place to keep them contained. They weren't ready just yet to trust them.

"How long is it going to take them to realize where telling them the complete truth about everything and that they've been mistreating their own kids?" Gordon wondered out loud.

"Who knows? I'm pretty sure the old man knows were being truthful but he's still very suspicious of us. Also weighing in the nature of the rest of them we could be stuck here for quite awhile." Terry admitted.

"So any suggestions of what we can do to pass the time?" Shania asked.

"I say we talk about more about our lives as superheroes and see who can top who." Athena suggested. Everyone agreed to it and soon everyone was chatting contentedly.

The rest of the League members looked up expectedly as Superman and J'onn entered the room. Both took their seats and then Superman spoke. "I intergated them for three hours asking them the same questions over and over again. And every time I got the same answers. Here's the sum of their answers. They gave us pretty much the basics. They told me that they're from the year 2039, that they're our kids, and they've been doing the superhero thing for about a year. They wouldn't go into to many specifics about the future and stuff. Mostly their anxious about returning home."

"They can't be our kids if there from that time period can they? I mean as an Amazon yeah I could have a child anytime I wanted, but still?" Wonder Women said cautiously.

"I don't know Diana that girl in the armor was a dead ringer for you if it wasn't for the eyes. In fact all of them look a lot like us. Not just physically but also there costumes seem to very similar to us." Flash commented offhand.

"Isn't it going to mess up the timeline now that their here? I mean we've been through enough time travels to know the problems it can cause." Green Lantern said.

"As long as they don't reveal anything of importance and we limited their contact with the rest of the world during their stay I'm sure that were going to be okay." Superman assured him.

"Its strange to think of them as our children. What if they are telling the truth about that? I never ever considered myself being a parent and look how we've been treating them. There cage up like animals being asked zillion of questions and have all sorts of medical test done to them. Its surprising that they haven't gone mad yet." Hawkgirl said simply.

"Yes and from my observations of them so far they seem to be a very powerful group of kids. There not use to working together yet you saw how each of them kept us from aiding one another when we were at the storage depot. Yet I get the feeling their hiding something from us. J'onn what did their thoughts reveal to you as well as the blood tests?" Batman demanded. He was still a little ruffled up about seeing the two kids in Batsuits.

" The blood tests say there telling the truth, but I still thought they could be faking. Normally I don't like probing someone's mind without their permission, but seeing as how we don't know much about them I took the liberty of doing one. I sense no evil or ill thoughts from them. They are being as honest as they can in the situation. Mostly I got snatches of memories of their lives, their principles, and a general feeling of confusion and discomfort that comes with being stranded back in time. They have some idea of how they got back here, but no clue as how to reverse the situation. Something strange occurred when I was probing them." J'onn said calmly.

"What? Did you discover something bad when you went inside their head about us or anything along those lines?" Green Lantern asked.

J'onn shook his head. "No more like an impression. There where only eight teenagers in that room yet I got the distinct mental impression there where ten. The kids are hiding something, something they don't think we'll understand. I wouldn't push it. Besides that's not the worse part." J'onn continued.

"Then what is? From everything you said so far what your presenting to us last must be pretty important." Wonder Women said.

"There is a lot of anger, resentment, I would even have to say hatred directed at us. No let me rephrase that it's directed at our future selves but they're containing it with some difficulty here. I don't know what it is but this is very delicate situation. We must tread carefully. Upsetting them could cause them a lot of harm. I advice that we keep a watch on them and try to be helpful, but no I repeat no underlying questioning. Otherwise there just going to clam up and cause bad things to happen." J'onn said looking directly at Batman when he said that.

"So for now we play it cool. We try to be helpful and establish trust among them. Get to know them and see if we can help set things right. All right we can do that. But they have to tell us what to call them besides their superhero names. Its to confusing with two Batman's." Batman stated simply. They rest nodded and got up. It was time to greet their kids.

When they got to the infirmary they were surprised to see the kids laughing and telling jokes to one another. The overwhelming circumstances of the situation seem to have been momentarily forgotten. The dropped the force field and entered the room. "So are we done being prisoners? Have we convinced you that were trustworthy and that we weren't lying?" Gordon asked

"The blood test confirm what you said and after extensive questioning we are force to believe that what your telling us is true. We like to apologize for the way we treated you up to this point. If you will tell us your real names we could begin working on a way to get you home." Superman said.

The kids looked at one another contemplating the situation for a minute. Trusting each other with their ideneties was one thing, but telling their future parents could be harmful. Seeing as how they had no choice Terry removed his mask once more. He noticed the way Batman seemed surprised by him. Why shouldn't be seeing as how he was just a kid. "My name is Terry McGinnis. I work for the old man in the future as his personal assistant." Terry explained. He gave a curt nod towards Terra who then removed her mask.

Flash gave a long whistle and zoomed right next to her. "Hey beautiful you doing anything tonight?" he asked. Suddenly he found himself thrown into a wall as Terra threw him over her shoulder. "How dare you! You're old enough to be my father! My name is Terra, I'm Terry's twin sister." She said to them in a very sexy voice. Then she did the strangest thing they had ever seen. She walked over and gave Batman a hug before promptly returning to her seat. Everyone just stared in disbelief.

"My name is Athena Themyscira, Princess of the Amazons." Athena mentioned casually. Wonder Women's eyes flickered in surprise by her last sentence. Princess? Did that mean she was no longer considered royalty back home?

"Lucas Stewart. Nice to meet you." Lucas said firmly. He felt his dad's eyes take him in. He hoped he met expectations.

"Kara El Lane Kent, but most people just call me Kara." Kara remarked off hand. Superman looked at her clearly surprised by her full name.

"My name is J'osse J'onns." J'osse said very formally. J'onn was staring at the young boy. He hadn't expected to ever see another Martian in his life let alone his son.

"Call me Gordon West. My mom named me after Jeff Gordon because she's a closet race car driving fan." Gordon told them. That comment startled Flash more than the fact he had a son.

"Shania Hawkins. It is an honor to meet you all. I hope we can become good friends." Shania said. She knew her mother expected her last name to be Talon not Hawkins.

"Nice to meet you all. Thanks for introducing yourselves. We like it if we can call you by your real names instead of your superhero titles. You can call us what ever is most comfortable for you." Superman informed them.

"Now if you follow us please to the main floor we can begin discussing ways to get you kids home. Your insight is most appreciated." Green Lantern said. Everyone left the sickbay and headed to the observation floor. The kids except for J'osse gasped at the sight of Earth hanging below them.

"So why don't you tell us how you got to our time?" Hawkgirl suggested.

"Like we told you before we got don't know how. All we know is one minute we where in our own time and doing as we pleased next were here. The only thing that links us all was our crystals all light up and then we vanished." Athena told them. She was getting frustrated by this continues go around. She was a warrior, a girl of action not talk.

"Perhaps then we should examine your necklaces. They may yield some clue on how to send you home." Wonder Women suggested.

"If it's alright by you we rather not hand these over. These things might be our only chance to return home. Your test could damage them in some way." Shania said quickly.

"We've been going over the readings of when you arrived. There was a large amount of temporal activity and a power surge of unknown energy. If we could just recreate that in a contained envierment we could possibly return you to your own time." Green Lantern explained.

"Though I would still like an answer as to why you're here in the first place. Most people don't travel through time unless they have a reason." Batman said suspiciously.

"Are you accusing us of something old man? Because believe me we didn't do anything knowingly that would send us to this time. Nor do we have to our knowledge of being here. I see that you were as suspicious and cynical now as you are in our time." Terry snapped.

"Terry enough. That's no way to talk to our boss. Chill already." Terra said although she also was a little put off.

"So does one actually build a self containing time portal device anyways?" Flash asked.

J'osse muttered something softly under his breath. Everyone turned to look at him, but he shied away. Shania placed a hand on his arm. "Go own say what your idea is."

"Yes please feel free to speak your mind. Whatever you have to say could greatly benefit your friends and you." J'onn told him calmly.

"Well its just do you guys have the specs of the dimensional gateway that Tom Turbine created in the Justice Guilds world?" J'osse asked timidly.

"Yeah there in the computer. I thought they could come in handy some day so I put down everything I remembered in the computer." Green Lantern confirmed.

"Well I was thinking if we altered the polarities and made some adjustments that the thing created a tachyon surge through a charged chronoton field we could create a gateway to through time. Maybe with the right equipment and stuff be able to pinpoint a moment in time accurately enough to send us back right before or after we left." J'osse suggested.

"Not a bad idea kid. Your one smart Martian." Flash said.

"Such a project would take up huge amounts of time and the full effort and coraperation of both teams working long hours to complete as soon as possible." Superman said.

"We need to gather all the right equipment first and test to make sure the device works. Also there is the matter of filling in the gaps of the original gateway. I'm sure that we can handle it." Hawkgirl said.

"What about us in the meantime? I mean how long is this going to take? Our families must be worried sick about us and our cities are so unprotected. Not to mention we have personal problems of crises to get back to." Kara said.

"Yeah how soon till we can go home?" Lucas asked.

"A few days at the most, but don't worry we'll make sure no one misses you why your gone." Diana reassured them.

"And where are we suppose to stay till then? We need a place to sleep and eat." Gordon pointed out.

"Since we can't have you messing up the timeline and your advance knowledge of future events makes you such tempting targets consider yourselves grounded. You're restricted to the Watchtower. There's more than enough room for you and plenty of food. We can also keep an eye on you here to make sure you don't cause trouble." Batman informed them.

They stared at him in disbelief. "You got to be kidding us! You can't tell us what to do! You're not our parents well at least not yet and that's beside the point. I thought we weren't going to be treated like prisoners anymore." Terra whined.

"If you want to whine and complain like little babies go right ahead. But as long as you're in this time and aboard our station you're going to listen to us as if we are your parents, which we are. Now why don't you go get something to eat and will get started in a minute okay?" Superman suggested.

Glaring angrily at them they turned and stormed out of the room and headed towards the cafeteria. Once they where out of an earshot the adults let out a huge sigh of relief. "That could have gone better. Look I don't know about you but we have to try to become parents and help our kids out right now. So everyone try to be a little more patient and understanding okay? That includes you Batman." Superman warned.

Meanwhile in the cafeteria the kids had found some pizza and were eagerly devouring it. Max and Marina were stretching out after being crammed so long in the belt. They still felt that it was a good idea not to mention them. "From what I heard this time gate sounds like a good idea. Will all probably be home within the week. We should try to stay positive." Max said eating a slice of cheese pizza. It was weird to see a ball of light nibbling at food, but not as weird as seeing someone eat an anchovies pizza slice.

"Hopefully you and I will be fully formed by then. Or back in our bodies. This way of traveling is not as fun as it was. Still I'm glad that Martian didn't pick us up. No offence to your father J'osse, but the thought of having my mind probe is a little creepy." Marina told him.

"No offense taken although I think he might have sensed you somewhat. You two will just have to stay out of sight as much as possible. But don't think you two get off helping us with the construction. Will need you two aid us if were to get home as quickly as possible." J'osse replied.

"I suggest for the time being we try to get along with our parents. After all this is before they had us and their not the ones we should be angry at. Also lets try to get along as well. No point in jinxing the entire project right?" Shania asked. Everyone agreed and finishing their dinner got up and left the room ready to work.

Superman and Wonder Women were waiting at the end of the corridor for the kids. They were discussing their views about them being parents when Superman held up a hand. "Diana quite." He whispered. The watched the rest of the kids passed by but listened as their daughters were chatting back and forth.

"I can't believe your life. Your training as an Amazon sounds like the ultiment thrill and then you come to Man's world and find out about your father and the fact you have three trillion dollars and a two floor penthouse suite. To top it all off you're a princess. You have a great life." Kara said

"Yeah but look at you. You're a fantastic artist and writer, you have two loving parents who are well known, you have so much more freedom then me, and you get to go to public school instead of an private school. I kill to go to regular school and give up my uniform. Instead I have to find a new home now that my apartment building is being torn down." Athena told her.

"You could move in with me! We have a guest bedroom that I just painted and with second quarter starting you won't fall to far behind in school. Besides I know how much you love volleyball and my school could use someone like you. So how about it?" Kara asked. Athena hugged her and the two girls ran off.

"She's an artist?" Superman said to Diana. "My daughter has a father? None of this makes any sense. I hope there aren't any other little tidbits of information we don't want to hear coming our way."

The project was soon underway and the kids were assigned to work with not only each other, but their parents as well. It suited them just fine as long as the work got done who care who they worked with. Gordon and Flash were zipping around bringing the equipment from the lower levels up to the higher levels that they would use to put the stuff together while Lucas and Green Lantern used their powers to start putting the base together. "So your involved with track and cross country? Man I'm only involved with basketball. I love it! My best friend Carol and I play the game all the time." Lucas was telling Gordon.

"Yeah well I always liked running and my mom thought it would be a great way to practice controlling my powers. Besides I don't hold just the track records in the mile and such I love the pole vault to. Having my parent coach my team is great." Gordon told him.

"So you both play sports. That' s interesting to hear. I never expected this. You know I played basketball when I was in high school." Green Lantern said trying not to sound surprise. He had played basketball when he was in high school, but he hadn't thought about it in year.

"Yeah which one of your parent's coaches your teams? I mean it sounds like a fun job getting to be with kids all the time and rewarding watching you have fun winning events." Flash commented.

"We can't tell you. It would be a huge mistake. I hope that ma I mean the Martians are able to reconstruct the missing data we need." Lucas said quickly. He winced slightly because he had nearly mentioned Max's presence.

Max was currently hovering in above the main computer and working furiously to reconstruct the lost data. Computers and science were her expertise she just had to make sure no one saw her. Marina was aiding her by keeping a look out for trouble and rerouting the security systems. She had years of practice with losing security with her sneaking around Atlantics to hang out with Reef. "One more connection then I tweak the wire here and okay we got the next twenty minutes free of interruption, but I will stand guard just incase. How's it coming with the program?" Marina asked

"I'm going as fast as I can, but I'm not use to working with these antiques. There much slower then our computers and without as advance features. Still there hasn't been a computer invented that I can't use. Besides with these strange powers I've already figured out the missing data. In fact I've improved the design now all that's left is to send the data to the computer councils down on the observation level. Come on lets get out of here before were seen." Max said pressing enter.

J'osse was busy with his father trying to figure out what parts they would need and were they would get the items on the list. Shania and Hawkgirl were going through the storage bays seeing what they could dig up. J'osse looked up from his work and glanced at Shania. She was being so friendly to him. He had never had a friend before. "She's very nice isn't she? I've never known Hawkgirl to act the way she's acting." J'onn commented.

"She's not like other's of her kind. She's sweet, caring, and kind. I like her, I like her a lot. She treats me so nicely and I've never really had a friend like that before." J'osse told him.

Shania was talking to her mother about the same thing as she grabbed another power cell. Hopefully all these power cells would keep the device from blowing up. "He's so mysterious and shy. Yet look at how smart and insightful he can be. I've never known someone like him before."

"You like him a lot don't you? But he's a Martian I don't know if it's the best relationship to get involved in. I mean there psychic and our minds can't be read. There peaceful and thoughtful people while where forceful and somewhat violent. " Hawkgirl said cautiously. Her daughter looked at her angrily for a second before storming away.

The twins and Batman were busy themselves with going over the calculations for the machine and trying to figure out how to duplicate the power from the crystals. Also Batman was determined to get to the real reason they were here. "According to you suits sensors readings the power used in moving you and your friends through time and space was equal to that of a star being born. I find it hard to believe that a mere piece of jewelry can hold that much power." Batman said going over the latest results.

Terra glanced up from her station. "Yet you've dealt with the impossible before Bruce. I don't find why this time is any different. The theories and principles of time travel aren't that hard to understand for a normal person."

"Yeah its just applying to principles to real life that makes time travel seems impossible and impractical. Not to mention there are all the side effects and consequences you have to deal with. To many variables are involved with time travel that's why all study in this subject is banned in our time. There's just to much danger in destroying everything in time and space." Terry said finishing up the caculations. "So when can we get started on building this portal anyways?"

"Soon very soon. I'm sorry about all the restrictions you've been placed under, but we must preserve the timeline. Please try to refrain from giving away any valuable information." Batman said tersely. Then without saying another word he strolled away leaving the two twins alone.

The next few days passed quickly. The kids were very eagered to help out in anyway they could. There was a lot to do. Getting the right material, setting up the equipment, programming the computers and testing the device out. The kids volunteered for anything. The peace still seemed uneasy between the adults and them but between the kids it was fun. Lucas would spend his free time talking to Max in private, while Athena and Gordon told jokes to one another. Shania and J'osse would eat their meals together and chat about anything. The rest of them would hang out and do stuff together. But they still didn't like being watched.

They had been in the past for about six days when Wonder Women came strolling over to talk to Flash. It had been a quite week on Earth. Nothing major that required the League's attention so they were free to work on the time gate. "I have something I like to talk you about now." Wonder Women told him annoyed.

"Yeah what is it? I'm a little busy here trying to figure out what connects to what." Flash said not bothering to look up. When Wonder Women grabbed and pulled him up right he flailed around before he just hung there helpless. "What is on your mind Princess?" He chuckled nervously.

"Your son seems to be hanging around my daughter an awful lot. In fact I notice him flirting with her. Athena is an Amazon. I don't want her name to be disgraced by your son's foolish intentions." Wonder Women explained to her.

"She's almost a grown women Diana. She has a right to decide if she wants to love someone or not. You can't tell her what to do." Flash replied. Before they could speak any further they heard a commotion and turned their heads.

Kara was struggling to hold a particuly heavy supercomputer above her head. It was the worlds most advance at this time. They were going to use it to monitor the time portal the gateway created. Kara was desperately trying to keep it from falling. "Here let me help you with that." Superman said coming over to help her with her load.

"No, I got it Dad really I don't need your help." Kara grunted as she tried to adjust her hold. Suddenly the computer started to slip from her fingers threatening to crash. Without hesitation Superman plucked the heavy computer from her hands and placed it on the ground. "There you see nothing to it. Kara what's wrong?" Superman asked seeing as Kara's face was turning red. He had forgotten not to escalate the situation.

"What's the matter with you! I told you I could have handled that all by myself. I didn't need your help. Man don't you trust me or respect me at all? Or are you just ashamed of your half breed daughter!" Kara shouted at him as she flew out of the room. Everyone stared at him. Their eyes told him to go after her and he did.

He found Kara locked in her temporary quarters. "Kara open the door." He told her pounding on the door. "No I'm not letting you in. Go away right now and leave me in peace." Kara shouted back at him.

"Kara El Kent you open this door right now and talk to me about what's wrong or I'm coming in there!" Superman threatened. The door slide open and he stepped inside. Kara was on her bed curled up with a pillow next to her chest. Her mask lay on the table. "What do you want? Can't I just be left alone? After all you excel at this don't you?" she demanded.

"Kara I don't know what I did to make you so angry. I know you're angry about something and its related to me and your taking out your frustration out on the nearest person, but if you don't tell me what's wrong how am I going to help you?" Superman asked her gently

"Helping is part of the problem! As long as I can remember you've never respected me or trusted me enough to believe that I could handle a situation on my own. So what if I'm half human and not as powerful as you? That doesn't mean I'm less then deserving of your respect and trust. My whole my dad you has been ashamed that I exists. That me having powers is a crime well it isn't. I'm proud of my life choices and all I want from you is to understand that. For better or worse I'm Supergirl and a daughter who desperately needs love and affection. Do you understand that?" Kara asked him standing up and locking eyes with him.

"Kara I have only the highest respect and trust for you. You are in a most peculiar situation and your handling it perfectly. I don't know why I would be ashamed by you; you're perfect in everyway. I guess I just didn't get how much you have to prove to yourself and others to earn ones trust. I promise to try harder in the future to be more patient and more respectable." Superman told her. He embraced her gently, but she shoved him away. "I may have forgiven you, but that doesn't change anything between us. Good day." She said shoving him out of the room angrily. She was still mad about the way she had been raised and seeing how nothing she said was going to change it she didn't care if she hurt him. But that didn't mean she wasn't sincere when she said she had forgiven him. Neither her nor Superman noticed the crystal glowing.

Athena was giggling at another one of Gordon's jokes. "You're a very strange warrior Gordon. You can be both funny and serious at the same time. The way you compare our lives to that of myths are very intriguing. But what most impress me are your records in the races. I myself won laurel wreaths growing up."

"I'm impressed. Yeah I like doing all sorts of things that require large amounts of concentration. Like mental puzzles, word crosses, even rubix cubes. I can do one in a minute flat with the cube behind my back." Gordon told her as he handed her another sheet of metal to her. She flew up to the top of the gate and she drew back her fist and pounded it into place.

"Puzzles, word crosses, and rubix cubes? Man why would you want to waste time on those things? You could be doing something fun like picking up girls or racing around the world. My favorite pastime is being a goof. You should try it sometime you might like it. Gordon come over here I like to talk to you." Flash commented.

"Athena I would also like to discuss something with you. Could you please both stop what you're doing and join us over here for a few minutes?" Wonder Women asked gently. The two teens shrugged and stopped what they were doing and joined their parents.

"Its come to our attention that you two well seem to be forming a relationship. Normally that would be great and all but I don't think your compatible with one another. Besides Athena you're an Amazon. We don't flirt with boys." Wonder Women said.

"Not to mention those of us who are stuck in fast forward should be doing other things instead of bothering Amazon girls. Like having fun at parties, going to the beach and stuff. Not this seriousness and calmness." Flash informed them. That's when the two of them blew up. This was the last straw in a very long line of arguments and disagreements the kids had suffered by their parents. Their entire lives one thing had stuck out about the way they where raised. Something that got them really angry and they were ready to unleash it.

"Amazon's don't like men? We don't flirt with them? Mother you hid the truth about me having a father for sixteen years of my life! I was always different then other Amazons and I knew it! I inherited a lot from my father who don't worry you never had sex with, but still is my father because his spirit merged with yours to create me lives on in me! I don't know where I fit in! Am I true Amazon or an ordinary girl? I don't know if I'm a champion or just some trained puppet doing her mother's work now that's she's Queen! What I do know is you have a lot of nerve telling me not to flirt with boys because you almost married a man!" Athena screamed.

"What's wrong with being serious and hard working anyways? You're the one who worked as a janitor while mom was a successful lawyer. You always wanted me to use my powers to help people, but you could never help yourself. It took ages for you to get a decent job. Do you realize the humiliation I had to suffer while you were unemployed? To see Mom succeed again and again knowing all that time she had married a fool? Well that's how I feel and if you have a problem with me like Athena tough luck!" Gordon shouted.

Both Wonder Women and Flash took a step back. They felt like they had been slapped across the face. Could what this be the anger and frustration that J'onn mentioned? The root of the tension of the group seemed to be caused by unresolved issues? But how do you resolve issues with your children if you hadn't committed the act yet? "Athena, Gordon please listen to us. We know your upset and you have every right to feel the way we do. Obviously we made some mistakes when you were growing up, but all parents make mistakes. They questioned themselves and wonder did I do this right? Was I wrong in my decision? The only thing we can ask of you is to try and understand that were not perfect and that we love you. If we withheld information from you we probably thought it was best." Wonder Women told her daughter and her boyfriend gently. She took Athena's hand and held it briefly. Athena looked at her mother for a moment before yanking her hand free.

Flash opened his mouth and spoke. "I admit I'm not the best person when it comes to planning long term goals or achieving high status. Heck I can't hold a job to save my life yet I can save others. The point is that what other people say shouldn't matter as long as you know it isn't true. Gordon the most important job a person can have is being a parent and I think you know that." He placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. The boy just shrugged the shoulder off.

"We'll think about what you said. If you excuse us we like to be alone for awhile." Gordon said taking Athena hand and leading her away. There own crystals glowed gold briefly and neither of them was aware their respected parent felt a warm tingling feeling go through them.

Lucas and his dad where working on adapting the power chamber. They still hadn't figured out how to get the power out of the crystals and into the gate, but they were working on it. "So you play basket ball. You know I played basketball in high school to. I was star forward, but I always put my grades first." Green Lantern told him.

"I do to. I'm an A+ student. I've been on honor roll every year." Lucas told him proudly. Rarely did he get to impress his dad. He really thought his dad was proud of him. Then it all came crashing down.

"So you have any plans for after high school? I mean collage is a great idea and it can help jump start you carrier, but nothing beats serving your country. I was very pleased to be a Marine." Green Lantern said.

"Enough already I'm sick of hearing about your life as a soldier! Why must you always impose your dreams and expectations on me? What about what I want huh? I have hopes and dreams that don't include acting like a bonehead! You really want to know what I plan to do with my life? I plan to attend collage on basketball scholarship and either play professionally or earn a degree in something. But I'm never serving in any military application!" Lucas exploded. He was seizing because he was so angry.

Green Lantern looked at him astonished. "Lucas I had no idea. Have you ever told me I mean your dad how you felt? If I'm imposing my dreams on you that's not fair or right at all. You should be able to live your own dreams."

J'onn was trying to figure out the best way to approach his son. He had been patient these last few days hoping that J'osse would open up and tell him what was wrong, but so far no good. So he was ready to try something different. "I know you can hear me. I have felt great pain in you heart and mind. I would greatly wish to know what has hurt you so much that your feelings of anger and resentment are at an all time high."

J'osse whirled around to face him. His orange eyes glowed brightly and his voice filled his father's head with such emotion that it was almost too painful to listen to. "Loneliness, friendless, and boredom. That's what causes me pain. All my life I've lived in isolation never being allowed contact with the outside world. I never had anyone to play with or talk about things with. All I ever did was help keep an old space station from falling out of the sky. You never even let me go to Earth! I lost my childhood because of you! Martians are social creatures who need interaction to stay strong. You lived alone for five hundred years, but you where an adult! I was just a boy! Now does that sound justified?" J'osse demanded.

"No it doesn't and it doesn't sound like me either. I can't believe that I would be that heartless. What happened to you, as a child was wrong and cruel. No one deserves to be miserable their entire lives. I don't know how but I will make it up to you."

Meanwhile Hawkgirl and Shania were having a heated argument. Hawkgirl was not happy that her daughter believed in mythology and faith, wanted to be a doctor not a warrior, and finally couldn't believe that the she thought she was the Keeper of some force that was suppose to be a myth. "What's the matter with you Shania? Why are you such a pacifist? You obviously know how to fight otherwise you couldn't have used your bo staff like that or performed those complex aerial moves. Why would anyone of your intellect believe in childish stories it doesn't make sense at all? And you want to be a doctor? You're a Thanagerian not a human! We are warriors, soldiers," Hawkgirl was telling her.

"Betrayers, savages, fools! We have been fighting for so long we've forgotten what it truly means to be alive and be free. Have we ever tried the peaceful way first instead of violence? NO! Also there's nothing wrong with my beliefs because you and Daddy taught me them! I happen to think my dream of becoming a doctor is a much worthier cause then your life as a parole officer!" Shania replied angrily.

"Maybe it is and maybe it isn't it all depends. But what really bothers me is that you think I don't approve of your life choices. Shania I would never hate what you chose to do with your life. I only care that you're happy."

The last people to have a fit where the twins and that surprised the group because usually they were usually first to lose their temper. But after days constantly being degraded by Batman. For the past several days they had been helping him with any task, but he never gave them praise or a complement. Finally after finishing putting the last piece of the gate in place they expected something from him, but he just gave them his usual unemotional response. "Alright that's done."

"Is that it? We've been busting our backs and barely getting any sleep for days working on that thing and that's all you have to say to us? We've been kept locked up here like prisoners old man. You've never once gave us a compliment or treated us nicely. You haven't been very patient either, always demanding perfection well tell you what you can do it by yourself. I'm through working with an uncaring cynical man who purposely hurts people." Terry told him before storming off to the cafeteria. He was followed by the other kids but Terra stayed a moment longer to give Batman a piece of her mind.

"If you were a decent human being you would be more understanding or at least care about our lives. Being Batgirl is great, but its not everything! I wasn't supposed to be anywhere near where that crystal was found! I was supposed to be performing at a gymnastics exposition with my boyfriend watching. I could have gone to finals or the Olympics! One night isn't going to kill anyone!" Terra shouted at him. When he didn't do or say anything she drew back her hand and slapped him hard across the face leaving all the adults standing stunned.

"Alright I got that all on my digital camera." Flash crowed. Batman snatched the camera out of Flash's hands and deleted the file. He rubbed his sore face. She hit hard for a girl. "J'onn what was all of that about anyways? Up to now they've been very pleasant and loving. Now their acting like spoiled children." Batman commented

"I told you they had issues. I believe what we've just experience is only the tip of a very large iceberg. They were able to get some of the anger and frustration out and our responses to their points of view seem to have helped calm them down for now, but I still say we have a long way to go before everything between us and them is fixed." J'onn said calmly

"They seem to make some valid points with their arguments. From what we were able to determine life hasn't treated them fairly. I know that life isn't fair at all, but they're really hurting inside. We should address the main issue at hand which is that we as parents need to be a little more understanding, caring, and loving." Wonder Women said patiently.

"Yeah, but I doubt they'll let us get close enough to work this out with them. They've rerouted security cameras in the cafeteria and locked all the doors down. Right now it seems they just want to be left alone." Green Lantern said after checking the security grid.

"Then let them be. We all need to take a break and cool off." Superman said.

The kids were all talking at once at their table. They were eating burgers except for Marina who was eating a fish taco. She loved fish tacos. She had grown to the size of a soccer ball. "I can't believe you guys actually talked to your parents like that. You could have gotten into a lot of trouble yet I believe that you did the right thing telling them how you feel about the way your being treated. My own parents are impossible to get along with. They insist on imposing ancient traditions on me not to mention betrothing me to this jerk named Atlantico. I hate him with a passion. I much prefer being able to choose my own way in life and be with Reef my best friend. I'm sure if my grandfather Aquaman was around that would be possible, but he and Grandma Mira are usually away at some outpost. I can forgive my parents because there only human, but I'm still angry about it."

"Personally I take your lives over mine any day of the week. My parents split when I was little and I haven't seen my dad in years. My mom's on the road a lot with work and my sister's never around. I don't have a family at all. That's why I was so drawn to Terry and Terra's life. I just wanted to be part of something. But now look at me. I've got strange magical powers, I'm partially spliced, and stuck in the past as a ball of light. Weird huh?" Max said laughing at the irony of the situation.

"Isn't it weird how everything is working out? I mean look at what happens so far. We've been through in the past and only when we stopped fighting each other and trust one another did we come up with plan to get out of here. Then when the past versions of our parents appear they take us to the one place the plan can work." Terra said finishing off her veggie burger. She had to watch her weight due to her gymnastic status.

"Yeah and lets not forget we came to see each other as friends and in some cases lovers. The ten of us get along great in a group. We all have been honorable warriors handling ourselves with dignity and grace." Athena added.

"Not to mention we haven't spilt any information that could be harmful at all. And not for a lack of trying on their part or ours. My dad tried to find out from me who wins the next ten World Series. I flatly told him to no way in hell was I going to help him make a fast buck." Gordon informed them.

"Good for you man. I never knew you could be so strong." Lucas said hi fiveing him and taking a sip of his soda.

"Well I'm just glad I was able to work out some of the frustrating issues I had with my dad. I don't know about you guys but it felt nice to get the burden off my chest. I don't feel so heavy anymore." Kara said munching one her fries.

"I have to give them credit for trying to make up for it all. They really listen to us even though they didn't want to believe what we were saying." J'osse said.

"Yeah and you know there going to try and change, but I doubt it will help us. If our presence now affects how they raised us then our childhoods would have been different. Still you never know what life throws your way next." Shania said evenly.

"That's right for all of us. No matter what happens were all going to stay friends and be there for one another when our families can't be. That's because we are a family. Right?" Terry asked. They all shouted right and hugged one another not noticing their crystals start pulsating. By the time they disengaged themselves they had returned to normal. Suddenly the alarm went off. Without hesitation the ten teens raced towards the command center.

On the main viewer was a picture of a giant humanoid robot rampaging all over the middle of Metropolis. People were running everywhere and the police where unable to stop the robot. "It's going to take all of us to handle this one. Lets go I'm sure the kids can handle being alone for awhile." Batman said getting out of his seat and hurrying to the launch bay. Terry stopped him.

"Your not going anywhere old man. At least not without us. We all want to go down with you." He informed him.

"Terry this isn't the time or place to start debating about personal freedoms. We have a crisis on our hands. We need to get down to Metropolis now!" Superman informed the brash young man.

"Listen we've been cooped up here in the Watchtower for nearly a week now. We need a change of scenerary. We promise to stay out of your way, but we insist on going. Besides you might need our help dad. You don't know what your up against." Kara said firmly.

"There right Superman we could use their assistance if this gets to much for us." Wonder Women said.

"Look time is running out make a decision now please!" Green Lantern said angrily.

"Fine you can come just stay out of the way. Will deal with the consequences later. Lets go people. Metropolis needs us!" Superman yelled as everyone hurried towards the Javelin 7. Ten minutes later one very cramped Javelin hurtled towards Earth.

In the middle of the deserted observation deck a young girl materialized. Next to her was what looked to be a large chessboard with pieces. The pieces were scattered amongst the board. Black had just made a move and the girl positioned a white piece a few paces ahead. "All is going just as I planned. My strategy is working just fine. They have no idea what these last few days have prepared them for. I only hope that there ready for Nova's challenge." Star said as she stared at the Earth sadly.