Despite what some people would think, Xander loved the quiet. When he was younger, he would often slip away from his parents to a place where he wouldn't have to hear them fight. Now that he was Superman, there wasn't a place on Earth where he couldn't hear people, or other things. That was the reason he loved being in space, no air to create any sound, though today he also had a mission.
Slowing down as he passed Mars, Xander took a moment to gaze in silent wonder at the sight before him. The asteroid belt was constantly moving, forming new patterns every time he blinked, it was breathtaking. That is, it would be breathtaking if he had to breathe when he was absorbing this much solar energy.
Shaking off his amazement, Xander activated his telescopic and x-ray vision. He had a job to do, so he should do it as quickly as he could.
As soon as he found an asteroid that contained the materials he needed, Xander would extract the material he needed using his heat vision and his strength. It was a rough process, but he wasn't worried about precision just yet.
As soon as he got all the material he needed gathered in one spot, Xander began to use his powers to shape it into the parts he needed. The process wasn't difficult as it was time consuming, because when he combined materials to make something sturdier he had to constantly keep it warm with his heat vision so it wouldn't cool too quickly and ruin the process.
As the hours passed, Xander could see a marked improvement from where he had started. It would take a few days, even using super speed, but by the end the team would have all the parts to build a base on the moon, without Wayne Co. doing anything more than providing the blueprints.
Until it was completed Xander was going to simply enjoy the quiet, and perhaps start thinking about what he could do for his next book. His publishers didn't want superheroes, so perhaps something mythological involving Morpheus in the modern day world.
Yeah, his publishers would probably enjoy a story about 'The King of Dreams.' He could even use some of the more rare books in the library for inspiration; Edward's Guide to the Endless would probably be a good starting place.
"How are you fairing, my daughter?" asked Princess Diana through a magical mirror that hung on an otherwise barren wall.
"Well enough mother," said the blond amazon.
"Tell me daughter, what have you been up to since you have entered man's world?" asked Diana.
"Not much has happened after the defeat of the Joker, other than the formation of the team," said Stephanie.
"You must have done more than that. What sights have you seen? What kind of people have you met?" pressed the princess.
"I'm afraid I don't understand. I am the Wonder Woman, like you were, and the Queen before you. My job is to protect this world, and to spread our beliefs, not to go sightseeing."
"You are the Wonder Woman, but that isn't all you are. If you allow your life to only consist only of fighting and preaching, it shall soon become a flat, meaningless thing. The world of man is filled with many things, allow yourself to explore them and see if you enjoy any of them," said the princess with the patience of a mother.
"Is that an order, my princess?" asked Stephanie with a slight smile on her face.
"Always the soldier awaiting orders," said Diana with a grin. "Very well, I order you to go out and find something about this world that you enjoy."
"As you wish my princess," said Stephanie as her mothers' image faded from the mirror.
"What is the meaning of this!" screamed Bartholomew 'Barry' Henry Allen as he threw his son's costume to the ground.
"It's just what it looks like dad," said Bart.
"Bart, do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" asked his mother, Jesse Chambers-Allen.
"I saw what the Joker did to those people, so yeah I do!" shouted Bart. "What was I supposed to do, let them die? Maybe I'm supposed to use my powers to run a business like you, or get work in the lab done quickly like Dad? I'm faster than both of you; according to your diary, I was conceived at the speed of light. I'm not going to stand still when someone is in trouble and I can help, I wasn't built like that!"
"Listen son, I know you can't stand by, and I don't want you to feel like you have to. Your mother and I have used our powers to save lives in the past, but putting on a costume like this is about as smart as putting a target over your heart. If you want to help people fine, just don't draw attention to yourself," pleaded Barry.
"If I do that, I won't be able to save as many people as I could in the costume," said Bart. "The costume was good enough for Grandma and Grandpa Chambers, so why not me?"
"Your grandparents were just two unnoticed superheroes during World War Two, Bart," said Jesse. "Sure they helped where they could, but they knew their limits and didn't even attempt to join the JSA. From what you've told us about the new team, they plan to take on problems not even the JSA would tackle, and we're worried for you."
"I understand Mom, but I got to do this," said Bart.
"Then we'll help," said Barry. "I don't think either your mother or I will be putting on a costume, but we'll help you however we can."
"You mean it?" asked Bart.
"Yes, but if your grades start to fall, we'll stop this, even if we have to chain ourselves to you to make sure you don't leave when we blink," said Barry.
"Thanks Dad," said Bart as he started to go to his room.
"Just one more thing son," said Barry. "Why are you calling yourself the Flash instead of using your grandpa's old name?"
"I read your journal too, Dad," said Bart with a grin. "Before you met Mom on your run, you planned to become the Flash. Grandpa Johnny was cool, but somehow it just feels right calling myself the Flash."
"More like Kid Flash, you're only sixteen after all," said Barry.
"So? Superman's only seventeen and he isn't calling himself something stupid like Superboy," said Bart as he went into his room.
"Are we really going to let him do this?" asked Jesse as soon as she heard the door close.
"I don't see that we have a choice," said Barry in a grim tone. "He's going to do this if we want him to or not, and we can't really stop him with his powers."
"We're not exactly slow ourselves," said Jesse, referring to their super speed.
"Yeah, but he's faster. He could circle this world twice before either of us reached the east coast, and what's worse is that he knows it," said Barry.
"I just don't want anything to happen to him," said Jesse.
"Neither do I," said Barry as he took his wife in his arms. "That's why we're going to help him, to make sure he never has to do this alone."
Courtney Whitmore tried to hide her smile as she heard the most popular boy in school say how hot he thought Stargirl was. Maybe this superhero deal would be fun after all.
Rupert Giles stifled a groan as he came out of the trance. A body wasn't supposed to stay in the position he had placed himself in for hours, and now his body was making him painfully aware of that fact. Sighing Giles reached towards the golden helmet of Dr. Fate, so that he could once again communicate with the being that dwelt within.
"Hello Rupert," said Nabu.
"Hello Nabu, I'm sorry to say that there still is no trace of the amulet," said Giles.
"It is as expected, and honestly a bit of a relief. You are not as powerful as others, and if your spells had located the amulet it would mean the amulet was very close to the Hellmouth," said Nabu.
"Yes, it's a bit of a mixed blessing isn't it? If the amulet containing your powers is away from the Hellmouth the world is more likely to see another day, however without your powers it is much more difficult to save said world," said Giles.
"The irony is not lost on me," said Nabu with a rueful grin.
"Don't worry too much, I don't believe you were fated to be apart from your powers for a great length of time," said Giles.
"I believe that you have been spending too much time with young Alexander, his sense of humor is rubbing off on you," said Nabu in response to the pun.
"Sorry, hazard of the job. I just wish it was the only hazard," said Giles.
"What is troubling you my friend?" asked Nabu.
"Half of this new society of superheroes are children Nabu. It was difficult enough knowing I would be around to watch one young girl die a horrible death, but to have that number increase to seven? I'm not sure I'm strong enough to watch as it happens," said Giles.
"My dear friend, you aren't simply watching, you are fighting with them. Yes, they are young, but you have put yourself into the position where you will be able to defend them to the best of our abilities," said Nabu in a comforting voice.
"But will it be enough?" asked Giles.
"That is something not even I know," said Nabu.
"Are you a part of this?" asked Detective Jessica Grayson as she pointed to yet another report about the newly formed superhero team.
"Not officially, but yeah," said Cassandra as she started to put on her Batgirl uniform.
"You going to fight more things like the Joker?" asked Jessica in the same flat tone.
"Someone has to," said Cassandra.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed Cassie?" asked Jessica. "Dressing up like a bat is what got your grandparents killed, and things just got a whole lot more dangerous."
"Yeah, well according to the records I found at city hall, being a cop is what got your grandpa Gordon killed, so we're even," said Cassandra before she jumped into the darkening city.
"Damn you Bruce, for bringing my daughter into your world," said Jessica. "And Damn your father for starting the whole thing in the first place."
Damien couldn't help the smirk that crept onto his face as he entered the Sunnydale hospital. It had taken some time, but he was finally going to give Summers what she deserved.
As he walked down the halls he remembered how she had rejected him, and then nearly broke his arm when he tried to press the issue. No one did that to Damien, no one.
It had taken a few other girls to work up his courage, and he had to get a bit rough with the last one, but he was ready now. It was the perfect time too; the whole school knew she was out with some kind of flu, so the doctors would make sure she wasn't taking any steroids to enhance her strength.
He was in her room, getting ready, when he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. Turning around Damien saw a freaky kid in a dark green cloak, with a face that was as pale as death.
"Your last victim just died due to the injuries you inflicted on her Damien," said the kid in a cold, unearthly voice. "Her soul is crying out for vengeance, Damien."
Suddenly, Damien recognized the face, but before he could do anything, two powerful hands grabbed his shirt and the cold voice said, "I remember you from before Damien, so I'm all too happy to deliver the vengeance you deserve."
And then, Damien was in Hell.
Buffy opened her drowsy eyes at the commotion in her room, and saw a figure in a green cloak standing in her room. For some reason she wasn't afraid, in fact she felt she knew the figure leaving her room.
"Do'n go," rasped Buffy. "I know you, right?"
The figure stopped and turned to her, but his face hidden by his green hood. Then in a cold, distant, but familiar voice he said, "Perhaps in another lifetime, but now I am simply a specter of your past."
When Buffy was once again able to open her eyes, the ghostly manifestation was gone.