Seven Years Ago...
It was suppose to be a special day for the Young Justice. It was suppose to be a very special day for the young heroes. But to them, there was nothing to be or feel happy for at all. All members of the Justice League, along with every other heroes and their sidekicks that had fought to protect the world, stood behind the first sidekicks and young protégés of the greatest heroes, who were suppose to one day become full-fledge heroes like them and to actually fight along side with their mentors, just like Red Arrow is doing. Sadly, it appears to the heroes that that day may never come for them.
The six heroes stood in a straight line, their shoulders only inches from each other. Robin, the first sidekick to had ever been introduced, stood in the middle of the group. To his left, are Kid Flash and Artemis. While to his right, are Aqualad, Superboy and Miss Martian. Without having to use his sight, the thirteen year-old boy could sense Batman and the rest of the heroes staring at their six protégés, who had formed their own group and team, just as the Justice League had done nearly seven years ago. In front of them, stood the president, speaking to the countless number of people that came to the Hall of Justice to this very important day. Even on the top platform of the Hall of Justice, the team could see many people shedding tears for them and were begging with pleading eyes to not leave. But what choice do the team have? It wasn't their decision to leave their home. No, it was the Justice League, themselves, that decided to send six teens into space.
After finding a bunch of Kroloteans on an island called Malina Island and their ships, Martian Manhunter communicated with the fewer remaining aliens that had survived from the blast that came from underneath the mountain and the Kroloteans' secret base. With some help from his niece, they gathered the information from the alien's memories without having to put them into a catatonic state. The whole league, along with the original seven who went missing for sixteen hours when Vandal Savage attacked the Watchtower five weeks ago, wanted to head towards Rimbor and prove to the High Counsel that they meant no harm and had been controlled to attack Rimbor. However, they knew that Earth needed them to protect her people and their homes, along with their friends and loved ones. And so, with a very difficult and hard decision to agree on, they had decided to send their young protégés to space in their place and help them prove plead innocent.
On the third week of February, which was on a Thursday and day 17th, the League has told the team their decision. Three days later, on the 20th day and fourth week of the month, they went to Washington D.C. to see the president and those who had come to see the team before they leave for their longest and dangerous mission ever.
"And as we, the people of Earth, watch the youngest heroes depart into the dangers of space, we would like to present these gifts to the sidekicks of the Justice League." Though nobody from down below the Hall of Justice could see the expression on the team's face, the Justice League, mostly Martian Manhunter, could tell that the team despises the name that the president has called them by when they had constantly told them that they were the partners or protégés of their mentors and the Justice League. The president then turned to the team. "I would like the Young Justice to come with me, along with everyone else." As the president walk off the platform and towards the direction behind the Hall of Justice, the team followed him from behind, walking in a straight row like soldiers going into war. The heroes followed the young heroes from behind, followed by the many people that came to see them, being lead by many soldiers and guards that came to either protect the president or show their best brave faces for the young heroes who had helped them protect the innocence.
Behind the Hall of Justice was a field of green-grass, tall healthy trees, a huge pond with ducks swimming in its clean liquid. It basically looks to be more like a park to more than half of the people, but there was three things that showed it was completely different than an actual park: To the left, was a couple of tombstones of older heroes who died protecting the Earth, which has became a cemetery for fallen superheroes... And on the right, were statues of the Young Justice team. In front of the statue, the Bio-Ship, Sphere, and Wolf waited for the team. The moment he has seen Superboy, Wolf lifted his head and let loose a howl before sprinting towards the clone-Kryptonian. So that he wouldn't frighten the president and get people wined up from seeing a giant white-wolf running towards them, Wolf ran to the left-side of the hill and then made a quick beeline towards the group. Superboy petted the wolf on his head, and then had his right-arm wrapped around Wolf's neck to lead the white-animals towards the statue of themselves. In front, to some of the Young Justice surprise, was Robin. On his left was Kid Flash and Artemis. To his right, was Red Arrow as Speedy, Aqualad, Superboy, and Miss Martian. Red Arrow, who was at Green Arrow's right and Dinah was at his left, stared completely shocked at the statue of himself, when he isn't one of the Young Justice anymore and isn't going into space. The president ceased his stopping a couple of feet away from the Bio-Ship and Sphere, then turned and smiled sadly at the Young Justice Team.
"We, the people of Earth, wish for you all to accept and remember these statues of you, as reminders for all you six, along with Red Arrow, had done to protect us all from those who wish to destroy us and the world we live in." The team turned to each other, having their own silent conversation in their minds from the Mind Link M'gann has set up for them.
[They shouldn't had bother putting up statues of us, when they'll eventually regret on putting them up or will soon forget about us.] Wally
[Well, at least Red Arrow will still be here and have everyone still remember him, with or without that statue of himself and will most be call 'Red Arrow' instead of 'Speedy'.] Artemis
[Team, we mustn't think that way to what the people of Earth has presented to us, no matter how much we are not pleased of what they decided to present to us.] Kaldur
[And besides, I think it's actually nice of them to make statue of us.] M'gann
[But do they really think we want them to only remember us by a couple of statues made of stone or steel?] Conner
[That's just it, they don't know what we truly want.] Dick
The team turned to their youngest member, who turned his gaze back to the president and only listening half to what he was saying. The president soon stopped and then slowly backed away, as Superman hover to take his place on the spot.
"We, of the Justice League and Young Justice, accept these statues as gifts and in memories of the Young Justice Team." The team clearly seemed very displeased that the Man of Steel would say that, when he or any of the League hadn't asked if the Team actually liked the statues at all. Wolf simply let loose a low growl, glaring at the Man of Steel and the statue of themselves, especially to the statue of Superboy and himself standing beside the Boy of Steel. "And though we regret on the decision of sending our young protégés off to space and know that the chances of them coming back are slim, they know the risk and are willing to sacrifice themselves for the safety of Earth." Now that gotten the whole team's attention, especially Red Arrow.
[Can you hear what he's saying? He talks like we just offered ourselves to go out into space and take their places, instead of them making the decision for us and without having to ask us what we want to do.] Wally
[But, even so, we would've agreed to go, whether they asked us if we wish to go or not.] Kaldur
[Yeah, but still... It would've been at least fair to us if they had asked us.] M'gann
As Superman continued his speech, the soldiers suddenly made their way towards the Bio-Ship when she opened the hatch to let the team enter her from M'gann's psychic Mind Link, and made a path for the team to follow towards the entrance of the red-ship. Robin then turned to the others.
[It would be best if we leave... The sooner we're gone, the sooner we can get out of here and try to comeback.]
The older teens nodded their heads in an agreement, and slowly made their way towards the Bio-Ship. Superman ceased his speech and turned his gaze towards the team, who they and Sphere slowly head towards the red-aircraft. Without saying another word to the people, Superman and the rest of the Justice League went after the young protégés. Wolf and Conner were the first to stop, with their strong hearing catching the sound of hovering and footsteps making their way towards the team.
[They finally decided to say goodbye to us, guys.]
The rest of the team stopped walking and turned to see the Justice League making their way towards them, with their mentors coming up in front of the group. Superman, in front of the group, gave them a shy smile and rubbed the back of his head with his right-hand.
"Well... This is it," he told them. Though they didn't show it, deep inside, the team were angry and furious at the Man of Steel.
[Is that all he could say? 'This is it'? Is that suppose to cheer us up, or something? We're going out into space, for them, and there could be a very strong chance that we won't be coming back and could possibly die!] Wally
[Just, try and stay whelmed until we're in the Bio-Ship, KF.] Dick
As if sensing their inner anger and hatred to what Superman told them, Hawkwoman walked up to the young teens and the preteen of the Young Justice.
"We know how hard this is for you all to do something so big and important, that we should be doing and take care of ourselves." Shayera spoked gently to the team, as if they were her and Katar's own offsprings, when they're more like her own nieces and nephews, with Robin more of a son to the two Thanagarians the most.
[Geez, you think?] Conner
[Conner!] M'gann
[It's not like she can hear our thoughts, M'gann.] Conner
[But still, you can't talk like that when she truly regrets on seeing us off into space... In fact, I just read her thoughts and found out that she was one of the many who vote that we shouldn't go.] M'gann
['Many'? What do you mean by that?] Artemis
[Well... It turns out that the winning vote was for us stay, and for them to go.] M'gann
None of the teammates were able to reply to the news, all except for Robin.
[Batman... Both he and possibly Superman had decided to send us into space, whether they had a fair vote or not...]
The Boy Wonder lowered his head slightly down, gazing at the green grass underneath his feet.
"We never willingly wanted to send any of you to space, especially when you're all still too young to handle this kind of mission." Hawkwoman continued on her words, hoping that they could hear how sorry she was.
[Great, now they think we're too young to do this. I swear that I'll never understand adults, especially the Justice League.] Wally
[For once, I agree with you, Baywatch.] Artemis
[Of course you're suppose to agree with me, Babe. After all, I am your boyfriend.] Wally
[Uh, Wally? Romance later, listen now.] Dick
"While you are on this treacherous journey through space, we ask of you to not think we're sending you off to get rid of you or to simply use you to clean our problems."
[Yeah... Well, it's going to be kinda hard for us to remind us that, especially when you guys are technically forcing us to leave!] Wally
[Wally!... We know how hard this is for you, for all of us! But try to remember, the main reason, to why we're going into space and not fighting back.] Dick
Kid Flash held in a groan, and let loose a long sigh from his friend and little brother's words. The Speedster nodded his head, as if promising Hawkwoman that they won't forget, but was really answering the Boy Wonder's words. Then, each of their mentors came in front of them.
"You have done Atlantis proud, Kaldur'ahm." Aquaman told his protégé, placing a hand on Aqualad's left-shoulder. "Our people and I shall wish you, and the rest of the team, a safe journey back to Earth." The king then turned his gaze to the rest of the Young Justice team, and then back to the young Atlantean. "As the oldest and the leader of the team, will you keep the team together and protect them from the dangers of space?" Aqualad placed his right-hand over his chest.
"I shall do my best to protect them all, my King, for they are like my own siblings." He replied, putting on his brave face like the soldiers are doing. Aquaman nodded his head in approval.
"Very good, Kaldur'ahm..." Then, without warning, King Orin placed his right-arm around Aqualad's back and pulled him into a hug. "Mera and I shall miss you dearly, Kaldur, for you have been like a son to us both." Taking this as an open invitation, the younger Atlantean slowly wrapped his arms around his mentor, who has always been like a father to him for as long as he could remember ever since he's been left alone from the passing of his mother and his unknown father's disappearance.
"Do not mourn for me, my King, for you and my Queen will be having your heir or heiress very soon and will once again raise an Atlantean in the palace." They then pulled away from each other, staring into the other's eyes, and then slowly backed away in fearing that the psychical contact will cause them to never want to be apart from each other. "And now, my King, I believe it is time for my team and I to take our leave and depart for our greatest mission yet." While the Atlanteans had they own talk, Superman decided to have a few words with Conner, who gestured Wolf to go into the Bio-Ship with Sphere.
After the incident with Vandal Savage and Klarion the Witch Boy taking over the Watchtower and the Justice League, the two has finally been able to bond and finally form the father-son bond they finally created that was meant to be made. Clark was still very new to being a father, though he and the rest of the Justice League were somehow able to help Bruce raise Dick when the boy came to live with the billionaire and soon became a crime-fighter like the playboy. It was all thanks to Dick that Clark was able to know some things a father would do, and the main reason why the whole Justice League became aunts and uncles to the boy, along to the rest of the Young Justice Team. Superman looked very nervous, and seems to not know what to say to the clone-Kryptonian.
"Conner, I..." To save them the trouble, Superboy decided to get it over with.
"I'll miss you too," he said. "And don't worry, I won't be entirely alone in space. I do have the team, along with Wolf and Sphere, to keep my company, after all." Superman nodded his head, and put on the best smile he could muster.
"Yeah, you sure do." The full-Kryptonian then placed his left-hand onto Superboy's right-shoulder, and his smile then became a sad-smile. "I wish that I had treated you better, Conner." He said in a voice loud enough for them to hear, but so no humans outside of the line-made soldiers or the soldiers themselves couldn't hear them. "If I could turn back time, to the very day the team rescued you from Cadmus, I would've taken you into my care and raised you properly. Instead, I cast you aside and only saw you as a bad memory that I wished to be erased." His words were clearly hurting Superboy, and so, he tried to quickly tell the teen how he now feels for the clone. "However, when I heard what you and the team had to experience and endure from the Training Simulation, I suddenly realize on how wrong I was to judge you for being a clone and to have been created by one of my enemies." Superman tightened his grip onto the Boy of Steel's shoulder, but not hard enough to break the teen's shoulder or collarbone. "I wanted to make things right between us, and I wish we had more time or all the time to do so." Superboy nodded his head in an agreement. "If only we had known something like this would happen, we would've been prepared for Vandal Savage and stopped him from taken control of us."
"But even if you were to find out that Red Arrow was a Cadmus clone, it would've already been too late and Vandal Savage would've possibly had a back-up plan if Red Arrow had failed to implant Starro-Tech into the whole League. We should be glad that Queen Mera, Vulko, Serling Roquette and Amanda Spence were able to create Cure-Tech and snap you all back from being slaves to The Light." Superman knew that the teen was right to what he said, even if Batman were to suspect Red Arrow was a clone on time or earlier, Vandal would've been able to control the League with something else. Superboy then felt another hand being placed on his left, which got the two Kryptonians to turn and see it was Aqualad.
[It is time to leave, my friend.]
The Boy of Steel nodded his head, and then turnred back to his Kryptonian-father.
"Well, I better leave." Superman nodded his head.
"Comeback safely, and be sure to control that temper of yours while you're gone." The Man of Steel chuckled at Superboy's confused look on his face, especially with one of his eyebrows raised.
As they were talking, Artemis was talking with Green Arrow. And, to both of their surprise, Red Arrow.
"Are you going to be working with Green Arrow again, Red?" She asked, knowing that the ginger has been acting strange lately, ever since the Team and the League found out that he was a clone and then found the real Roy Harper four and a half weeks later. Red Arrow turned and face Green Arrow, who also faced him back, and then they both turned back to the blonde archer.
"I'll still be in the hero business," he answered. "Only, I'm not going to be his sidekick, now that I'm a Justice League Member." He then turned his gaze to the crowd of people, where he could see the real Roy Harper standing beside Black Canary, who was now known as Arsenal after getting a new arm attached to him from the Watchtower's Med Bay and was already getting used to his new right-arm as if it were his own arm.
"Anyway, you best be careful out there, Artemis." Green Arrow told the younger blonde, gently patting her on the left-shoulder.
"We'll try and be careful," she told them. She then turned to the crowd and saw her mother gently waving goodbye to her, with a tissue being held in her right-hand and tears of sorrow streaming down her face. Artemis then noticed that the person standing behind her was her older-sister, Jade. Though she wore a hat to keep her face hidden, Artemis could tell that she was also upset that her sister is leaving and possibly knows that there was a chance she won't be coming back. Artemis then turned back to both Red and Green Arrow. "While I'm gone, will you take care of my family?" Both adults nodded their heads without having a second to think about it.
"We will, Artemis." Green Arrow answered,and slowly pulled her into a hug, with Red Arrow putting his right-hand on the younger archer's back.
"We are also family, after all." The ginger added, and then leaned his head towards her head. "Wish you could come to our wedding, though." Artemis' eyes widen when she heard Red Arrow's words, as the giner pulled back and gave her a smile. She then turned back to her mother and sister, where she noticed that Jade was wearing a golden engagement ring on her left ring-finger and seems to be blushing a bit when she noticed her younger-sister was staring at her hand. Artemis turned back to Red Arrow.
"You'll be good to her, won't you?" The ginger nodded his head. "And you'll make sure she'll stay out of trouble?" That time, Red Arrow smirked.
"Even better than that," he answered. "She's going to change, and try to join the Justice League." The news was very shocking to hear for the teenager, but it was also wonderful to hear that her sister will be turning over a new leaf and to help protect the people of Earth. She just wished that her father would change himself, but knows that her father may never change, especially when he's part of The Light and is helping them to hurt innocent people. Both of the arrows then pulled away from Artemis.
"Take care of the team for us, Artemis." Green Arrow told the younger blonde.
"Can you also take extra care for Wally and Robin, for me?" Red asked, turning his gaze towards the young ginger and the young ebony. "Mostly Wally, though." Artemis simply chuckled at the ginger's words.
"Don't worry, I'll take extra care of him." She informed. "After all, I am his girlfriend. And you won't have to worry about Robin, since he'll have us to keep him company and an eye on." Red Arrow nodded his head.
"Thanks, Artemis."
"It's not a problem, really, since he's like the little-brother I always wanted but may most likely never get." The ginger smirked at her words.
"You're not the only one who sees him like a little-brother." The three archers then turned to the Boy Wonder, who was simply staring at the Dark Knight through the lenses of their mask and cowl, with no word exchange to one another.
"Be sure you all comeback, for we hate to see what would happen to us all if any of you don't return and heard you all... Especially Batman, for Robin is not just a partner to him."
As the three archers continue their chat, the Speedsters had their talk. Only, instead of happy expressions on their faces and chatting away, they held calm and serious expressions and seem to not know what to say to each other. Both could hear, even from the crowds' chattering, Iris West talking to the camera to those viewing the Team's departure on television. Flash rubbed the back of his head with his right-hand, trying to find the right words to say to his nephew. Kid Flash simply let loose a sigh.
"Doubt my folks are here, or are watching this on their T.V. at this moment." He stated, sounding a bit annoyed and mad, but also upset and hurt. Even if he hadn't heard the words coming out of the younger Speedster, Flash could clearly see the pain and disappointment held within his bright-green eyes. "Not like I care if they bother to see me take off, or if they actually cared if I die out in space for them." Before Kid Flash could say another word, the older Speedster pulled the redhead ginger into a tight hug.
"Kid..." He whispered, gently patting Kid Flash on the back as he felt the Speedster's shoulders shaking from the silent sobs coming out of him. "It's alright, everything's going to be alright." In an act of anger, Kid Flash shoved Flash off of him and glared at him, with some tears being held within his eyes.
"No, Flash, nothing's going to be okay!" He yelled, not caring if he were to scare the young children and startle the adults of him loosing his temper or that he's showing his tears instead of being strong. "This isn't alright, not in the least! You, the Justice League, are sending out teens, who are still practically children, into space and into one of the most dangerous missions that the Justice League or Young Justice has ever faced! Why can't you go into space and let us protect the Earth, when you know perfectly well that we're not ready for this and is too much for us to handle!" He then clench spread his arms up. "On second thought, why do I bother asking?!" His eyes then caught his aunt staring completely shock at him, fear and hurt held within her own eyes. He then turned back to his uncle. "After being taken in by you from dad's continuous beatings, I thought you would do whatever it takes to keep me safe and wouldn't let anything happen to me... But it seems that I was wrong about you." He then turned his back at his mentor. "I mean, I'm not your nephew by blood. I'm only your nephew because of my aunt, nothing more and nothing less. You wouldn't even let me become your sidekick, until I gained my superspeed and you knew that you had no choice but to make me your sidekick." Before the older Speedster could say or do anything, Kid Flash made his way towards the direction of the Bio-Ship. "Well, it seems that you'll finally get your wish on not having a sidekick to drag you down anymore. And what else? You, Aunt Iris, or any of my folks and family members won't have to worry about me or their food vanishing because of my high metabolism." He then turned his gaze to the crowd and the camera viewing at him, glaring at them when he recognized some of them from Central City and knowing that his hometown are watching him. "And as for you all, be sure you don't forget Red Arrow's name, like you always mix up my name for his older name. In case you idiots are to forget my name or have already forgotten, again, the name is 'Kid Flash'. It's not 'Flash Jr.', 'Flash Boy', 'Fast Kid', or 'Speedy'. It's Kid Flash." He then followed Aqualad and Superboy towards the Bio-Ship, ignoring the whispers of the people on what he just said and had told them and Flash.
Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian had ceased their Mind-Link talk from Kid Flash's outburst, but mostly from sensing his negative emotions going through the roof the moment he lost his patients and temper. As they watched the young Speedster head towards the Bio-Ship, Martian Manhunter continued their conversation
[Are you certain that you will be alright, M'gann?]
Miss Martian, who kept her gaze at the redhead, nodded her head.
[I'm positive we'll be alright, Uncle J'onn. After all, we'll have each other and won't be truly alone in space.]
The elder martian nodded his head in agreement, his red-eyes staring down at his niece with some confusion and a bit of concern.
[M'gann, you are not being exiled from our Earth-home.]
The younger martian quickly turned her head towards her uncle, giving him one of her happy smiles and nervous laugh.
[I know that, Uncle J'onn. Why would you think I would be thinking of being exiled?]
Martian Manhunter simply shook his head from side to side.
[I know that look anywhere, M'gann, especially when that is the same exact look you had when I told you we would be living on Earth and when you started to keep on insisting you would do better to what you believe you were lacking in.]
Miss Martian's orange-brown eyes widen a bit from his information, and that's when she dropped the whole smile and then threw her arms around Martian Manhunter. The elder martian returned the embrace to his niece, placing his left-hand on top of her dark-orange hair and his right-arm going around her back, as he allowed the younger martin to weep against him.
[I promise you, M'gann, that this is not a punishment for revealing your true-self to the team. In fact, I am proud of you for letting them see the real you.]
[But I had to, because I couldn't handle the thought of being a traitor to them or having to hide who I really am to them. I didn't want to be rejected if they see me as a white martian in battle, and then suddenly be afraid of me.]
Martian Manhunter slowly stroke through her hair.
[But they hadn't rejected you when you revealed yourself to them, did they?]
He felt her slowly shake her head.
[And I see no problems of them not knowing who you truly are, nor had I ever told you to not reveal yourself to them.]
Miss Martian lifted her head to stare up at her uncle, looking both hopeful and surprised by his words.
[Really? You mean it, Uncle J'onn?]
The elder martian simply chuckled at her question, and gave her one of his smiles.
[As much as I appreciate and very proud on having you as my niece, M'gann.]
The tears came back to Miss Martian, but only as tears of joy, and burried her face into her uncle again.
[I'll miss you...]
Martian Manhunter bent his head down, and placed a gentle kiss on younger martian's forehead.
[And I, you, M'gann... And I, you...]
They soon released each other from their hold on one another, stared at each other for a few moments, and then Miss Martian finally turned and made her way towards the Bio-Ship.
The five teens made their way towards the hatch, where Wolf and Sphere has been waiting for them. Right when they reached the entrance, they suddenly stopped when they realized that the youngest of them hadn't came and isn't with them. They turned back to the crowd, and watch the silent conversation between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder.
Even without having to use the Mind-Link to communicate, it seems they could talk to each other through their eyes from behind the lenses of the mask and cowl.
I'm sorry...
Robin simply closed his eyes and shook his head slowly at the silent words from the Dark Knight, letting loose a low sigh.
No, you're not sorry.
He then reopened his eyes, and stared up sadly at the Dark Knight.
You should've left us out of this, and take care of this yourselves.
Batman placed both of his hands on the boy's shoulders, giving Robin his silent apologize.
We would've, if the Earth didn't need us more
The lenses of Robin's domino-mask narrowed, indicating .that the Boy Wonder is now glaring at his mentor.
You just don't trust us on protecting the Earth... Or you're probably scared that you won't be coming back if you guys went to Rimbor.
Batman narrowed his eyes back down at his protégé.
That's not true, Dick, and you know that!
Again, the Boy Wonder shook his head.
Do I really, Bruce? Because, to me, it seems that there are some things about you that I still don't know about you yet.
He then turned his gaze to the crowd, seeing Alfred standing beside Barbara and her father, Commissioner James Gordon. He also saw some of his classmates from Gotham Academy, along with their parents... However, the one group that he saw that both shatters, but also lifted his his heart, was the Haly's Circus. After completing the mission on saving his circus family and having Pop Haly know of Dick being Robin, they had kept in touch through phone whenever they would read or see one another from the television. Robin was positive that the Haly's Circus either heard of them departing into space from the news, or Bruce has called them himself and told them the news.
"I thought you would want to see them, before you leave." Batman finally spoke to the preteen, knowing that he needed to say something to the boy that doesn't involve with eye-language or mental translation. Robin then turned back to the Dark Knight, his expression still sad but also with gratitude.
"While I'm gone, you'll take care of Gotham and the world for me, won't you?" The Boy Wonder asked, though it was in a whispering voice. It was an easy question to answer, especially when asking that question to the Dark Knight. Nevertheless, Batman nodded his head.
"I've been taking care of Gotham long before you came to live with me and became my partner, Robin. I'll still be able to fight, with or without a partner." The Boy Wonder raised an eyebrow at his words, and then took another glanced to Alfred and his group.
You won't be alone, you know. You still have Barbara and Alfred to help you in Gotham, along with the League at your side.
His mentor turned his gaze to see the crowd of people with him, staring at Alfred's group and the many people that they've been protecting from their enemies and villains. He then turned back to the boy he raised at the age of eight, and who he has see as his own son for nearly six years.
"Try and be careful while I'm gone, alright?" Even though Robin shouldn't worry about the Dark Knight, he still couldn't help but be worried when there is no Robin to get him out of trouble. Before he answered the boy, Batman placed his right-hand on the thirteen year-old's left-shoulder.
"I was about to say the same to you, and your teammates." He replied, his voice still dark and deep, but held concern and worry for the teens. His eyes then narrowed, as if mad. "I fear we leave the most dangerous part to you, while in space..." Robin then turned his direction to his team, who waited patiently for him to finish up his conversation with his mentor. He then turned back to the Dark Knight, and gave him the best smile he could put on his face.
"We'll manage," he said. Then, a small gush of wind suddenly came from behind and a hand was soon placed on Robin's right-shoulder.
"It's time," the voice who spoke to him was Kid Flash. The Boy Wonder turned to his right, and nodded at the Speedster. He then looked back at his mentor.
"Don't forget, Old Man: Get Traught, or get Dead. And you better be traught by the time we get back, or I will be the cause of you to get dead." Batman put up a small smile for his protégé, and gave him a short nod.
"And hopefully, by the time you get back, you'll finally quit mixing up the english terms." That time, Robin had to let loose his carefree cackles, which may seem annoying to some people but are actually cheerful to hear from the thirteen year-old.
"Doubt that's gonna happen, Bats. In case you forget, old-habits don't die that easily and will always comeback, alive and living." He then turned to Kid Flash. "Well, we better get going." And with that said, the two boys made their way towards the Bio-Ship. As they passed the soldiers and whenever they would pass by the two from each side, both would hold their right-hand over to their heads and salute to the young heroes. Once they stood on top of the hatch, the team gazed down at the many people they have protected and at the Justice League who were more than just their mentors: They were their family, blood related or not. Aqualad suddenly came up beside Robin, who was standing in front of the group.
"People of Earth, though it may sadden you that we are leaving and that their may be a chance that we may not make it back, but we ask of you to not mourn for us if we were to give our lives out in space." Then, Artemis walked towards Robin's left.
"And don't forget, you still have the Justice League here to protect you if something were to happen." Then Superboy came up from Kaldur's right.
"But until that day is to come, we ask of you to all pray and to keep hope alive." Then Miss Martian stood beside Superboy.
"And we ask of you to not remember us by these statues you have created for us, but to remember us defending and protecting you from evil." Kid Flash then stood at Artemis' left.
"We also ask of you to not think of us as Sidekick, partners, kids, teens, or protégés of the Justice League... Because, deep down, we're more than a bunch of young youths in colorful costumes and beating up bad guys: We're average citizens, like all of you." Though they couldn't talk to the humans, Wolf went to stand beside in front of and beside Superboy and Sphere rolled her way towards Miss Martian's right. The team then turned their gaze to the youngest, who simply stared at the crowd and the Justice League for a brief moment. He then let loose the breath that he held in his lungs, and was now ready to say what he wanted to say.
"And as we take off to face the dangers of space, we want every one of you to take care of yourselves. We want you to take care of each other. Yours friends, your family, but most importantly: Your lives... We also want you all to take care of the Earth we are born on and who we should take care of the most of all, just as we are going to do." Robin then lifted his right-hand into the air, which was in a fist. "Even in death and even if we may no longer be with you, we will live and we will thrive!" Then, suddenly, the crowd began to also raise their fists in the air and cheer for the speech that the team has shared with them. The team smiled at the sight of everyone cheering, but mostly to what the boy has said. Though not all is what he did say before, the ending was what he has told the people of Earth when they were trapped inside of the Training Simulation. And knowing, and hoping, that they won't truly be forgotten, Miss Martian used her psychic powers to get the Bio-Ship to lift the hatch. As it slowly began to close, they were able to hear one last sentence from one of the Justice League, which was from Wonder Woman.
"May the Gods be with you all." And the moment the door has shut, the team soon made their way towards their seats of the ship. As always, Miss Martian sat in the pilot-seat. As they stared down at the Justice League and citizens they had protected, the Bio-Ship slowly lifted them off the ground. Robin stared down at the Justice League with sad, yet, determined look on his face.
"May the Gods be with you also," he whispered. By the time he finished his sentence, the Bio-Ship then turned towards the sky. Then, without holding anything back, Miss Martian had the red-aircraft to zoom out towards the space. There, they took a quick glimpse at the Watchtower.
"Even at a far distance, it still looks beautiful." Miss Martian commented, as tears began to form in her amber-brown eyes. The team agreed with her, nodding their heads when they couldn't seem to find the words to express their thoughts. After staring at the Watchtower for nearly a minute, the green-martian then got Bio-Ship to once again take off. And this time, they didn't stop and kept on going through space, heading towards Rimbor and to the ending of their young hero-lives. Unknown to the Justice League, the team are actually heading towards Rimbor by following an alien spacecraft... Lead by some of the Kroloteans the team met on Rann, themselves.
Don't worry, I'll have the next chapter, along with my other stories' chapters, up soon. But, for now, enjoy!
R&R