Iron Mario: Well Cass didn't go to the future so...
Zanotronxl: Yes, that is what is going on
darkboy18: I am guessing you didn't read the recap chapter
Xenovibe: Huh? This chapter of the story made you smile non-stop? Really?
B.E.A.T.N: Simple. We're the Best Match. *smirks*
But seriously, the way we came up with it is rather simple. We chose who would be best to kill, who would the most impactful deaths. Basically who where the 'heart' of the Titans... and we felt James, Dick and Garfield fit that role perfectly.
From there we planned how the group would splinter. Those going into space made sense, Jinx and Karen tried to do a good thing but their grief and loneliness made them go mad, so on and so forth.
And then we chose just kept thinking along those lines to work out who would have what. After all, we can't have this be a 'happy' future or there would be no reason for the Titans to want to change it.
IMBADATNAMES: I admit, it isn't the longest chapter... but it also isn't the shortest. That would be chapter 3, which is just under 3000 words. Yes the recent chapter's have been long, but chapter's differentiate in length. Also the chapters are the length they are because of flow, I don't like combining/splitting chapters because it makes the flow slow down.
Sure we have done a BUNCH of three parters recently. However they where written in a way so that each one could be read by itself. But if you split a chapter in half... a chapter will just suddenly 'end', it won't fit properly. But on the other hand, if you merge two chapters, it has this disjointed feeling where it 'stops and starts again' suddenly in the middle, more or less, of a chapter. It isn't a fun reading experiance
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
IMBADATNAMES: It's just the first part, read on.
B.E.A.T.N: We're just the Best Match. *Smiles*
jasongd: Thanks very much.
Zanotronxl: Will they be happy? *intense stare*
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Artist: GhostKaiser23, he goes by Hangman12 on Deviantart. Either look him up, or go to my profile to see links to all of his official work for this story
Disclaimer: Cartoon Network owns Ben 10 or Teen Titans
AUTHORS NOTE
And the train is rolling! Yeah!
AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Next upload is New Years by the way.
James' Harem 2
Chapter 46
Beyond Tomorrow Imperative Part 3 How Dark Is The Tunnel?
The seven Titans followed the League into the meeting room, or at least that's why they assumed it was. A giant room filled with computers and chairs and holograms
With how Argent stood, it was clear she was the leader of the League
"Tori. Don't mince words... Tell us. What happened?" James asked as the seven Titans sat opposite the League at the big table
"... After you three died, the Titans slowly split apart." Argent admitted "It wasn't instant but... It happened. Raven disappeared. And then Rose vanished, being trained by her father and becoming the second Deathstroke. More dangerous than her father."
"And then she... And my mother... Bombed Markovia." Lian said, guiltily "Reduced the whole country to radioactive rubble."
...
"What?!" Tara and Rose yelled in disbelief
"N... No way! I couldn't... I couldn't have become such a monster! It's impossible!" Rose yelled in fear
"Cheshire actually did that?" James asked, Lian nodded
"Following that tragedy, Karen and Jinx opened a school for heroes." Megan continued
"That sounds like us." Karen smiled, feeling like she had done good in the future at least
...
"They called it the Hero Institute of Virtue and Ethics." Argent deadpanned as she narrowed her eyes
...
"No way! No fucking way!" Karen yelled as she sprung to her feet "We... We couldn't have remade HIVE! You can't... You can't be saying that Jinx and I turned Jump into... Into... That?!"
"An authoritarian dictator state we can't enter without risking a war against their school of highly trained super teens? Yes." Hawk joked
"... No... No way..." Karen whispered, sitting down and putting her head in her hands
"May I ask... then what happened?" James asked
"Kori, Kom and Tara Tennyson, as well as Victor and the Logan's family, left for space. All but Cyberian going to Tameran while Mr Stone decided to travel space." Wonder Woman answered, Argent clearly having told the tale to them before
"I guess... Losing my home and James was too much for me..." Tara whispered and gripped his hand
"And I'm the one who caused it." Rose whispered in self loathing "Like a monster."
...
"What about Duela and Cass?" Dick asked with the BatGlare, making most of the League flinch a bit. It was clear they were not use to dealing with the famous technique, almost like they didn't have a bat in the team
"Sandra McGinnis is doing well with her son, Terry." Argent stated matter of factually
"'Sandra-'? She remarried?" Dick questioned sadly
"No, she changed her name." Superman informed "When she left Gotham."
"Oh... she... changed her name? Terry?" Dick double took and questioned as he heard that "She found someone else?"
"She is in hiding." Dove corrected
"Hiding? Hiding from whom?" Dick asked in worry, wondering who she was hiding from
"Lady Shiva. Among others." Firestorm answered sadly.
"Shiva?!" the group yelled
"But she's got to be, like, sixty or something by now! And why is she targeting Duela?!" Gar yelled
"She's not the same 'Shiva' you remember. The mantle's been passed down." Lian answered sadly "... To Aunty Cass."
The groups' emotions sank; Cass...was Lady Shiva.
"No. That-she can't! She couldn't!" Dick panted, shaking his head.
"She snapped after her fiance, Bart Allen... the Flash died." Dove admitted "Duela went into hiding to protect herself and your son."
"Oh god...Duela...I'm so sorry." Dick frowned and apologised to the aether. as he felt like the world was crashing around him
"How much?" James asked sadly.
"I'm sorry?" Megan asked
"How much do we have to lose?" James asked. "What is this? We've done our best and it all got fucked!"
"... James..." Argent said sadly "I-I'm sorry. The battle with Trigon... I am not joking when I say it was hell, he literally dragged it onto earth and it lasted four months straight. You three died in the final last ditch effort, killing him."
The group looked at each other and didn't respond. Trigon killed them, the world turned to hell...How could they prevent it?
"... At least we know, as we are, we win." Garth said confidently "So now. We have to grow, even further. Stop him and get a better outcome."
"I don't know if that'll happen." The younger Superman responded.
"Conner, please." Megan frowned
"If they go back in time then they could fix everything." Wonder Woman nodded
...
"Where is Duela?" Dick asked confidently
"We've got her last known address. We can take you there." Firestorm answered calmly.
"We don't keep anything related to her on computer. All in our heads or on paper." Lian explained "In case Shiva's partner, the Red Hood, hacks us."
"'Red Hood'? Who's that?" Victor asked
The Justice League frowned and shrugged. "We don't know. He's been Shiva's partner for years now. Always a step ahead." Firestorm explained
"He's like an evil version of the original Batman." The Green Lantern added
"Is nothing sacred anymore?" Dick slammed his fist into the computer top. "... Give me her address. Now." Dick ordered, his hand going to the bat on his chest
"Okay, calm down. We'll take you there." Dove responded, calming him down.
*time skip*
Dick was down back on Earth, looking around one of the dingiest locations in Neo Bluddhaven. Very low rent, broken glass windows with cardboard covering it, the house number dangling off a single screw. This place was a mess "... She's here." he whispered sadly
"Yes. She's here." Megan nodded. "I'll be outside."
Dick nodded and raised his hand
Knock knock
His open fist was shaking nervously, awaiting where he would see Duela.
Click.
The door opened and a mature figure appeared "I'm sorry, Mr Gantz. I'll have the money-"
SMASH!
Dick saw her. She saw him.
Duela.
Her hair was a different colour, but her eyes and features remained. Gentle purple eyes, short cut black hair, wearing a long-sleeved sweater and sweatpants, slippers, holding a towel in her hand which was used to dry a now broken plate.
"Du-"
SLAM!
"No! Leave me alone!" Duela slammed the door in front of her, leaving Dick standing there.
"D-Duela?!" he gasped
"You're not real! You're gone! You can't be here!" Duela, or should we say 'Sandra', cried through the other side of the door.
"Duela..." Dick whispered and closed his eyes "Come on. Let me in... Its really me... Let me in... Funny girl."
...
Click
Clack
Click
CREAK.
"'F-Funny Girl'? He-You used to call me that... after…we made… we made love…" Duela whispered as she looked at him...and teared up in sorrow and nostalgic joy "DICK!" She cried and hugged him.
"Duela." he said, holding her close "I... I heard you're going by Sandra now."
"They-They told you?" She asked, looking at his eyes and him in general, soaking up the memories she had of him. "You look...Just like I remember."
"I'm from... About a year before everything went to shit." Dick explained "... Can I come in?"
She nodded and let him come in, closing and locking the door behind her, unaware of Megan being there. "I-I'm sorry for the mess. I haven't gotten around to cleaning it." She apologised as she side-stepped past shoes and worn carpet.
"Its fine." he sighed "I'm... So sorry this happened to you."
Duela stopped as they approached the living room, the dingy little area that doubled as her bedroom. "You...died. You didn't know. I...I must look disgusting." She frowned, hugging herself as she sat down on the bed-settee "Hideous."
"Are you kidding? You're as beautiful as when I saw you this morning." Dick said passionately
"Really?" She asked as she pinched a bit of 'mummy fat'. "Cause-"
"No. Don't." Dick answered, grabbing her hands and looked at her. "You are beautiful. Perfect." he said as he reached up and gently removed his domino mask before he kissed her lovingly
Duela cried as she felt her young...former? Her lover's lips on her own once again.
"Hey ma I'm heading out, Dana and Max are waiting for me AT-WHAT THE HELL?!" a male voice said calmly, and then screamed, as footsteps where heard coming down the stairs
"Terry!" Duela gasped as she pulled back and blushed, seeing her son standing there.
Dick blinked, looking at the teenager... At his son. He looked to be 18 years old, about the right time then for this place.
Black messy hair, purple eyes with a healing black eye. He was clearly muscular, seeming like he played some form of sports. He wore a tight black shirt, a loose faded brown jacket which looks like he has had it a year or two longer than he should have, some dark jeans with a few rips and tears from age which have clearly been worsened to look intentional and some real worn down socks
Terry looked almost like Dick only more bulkier, more like a boxer than Dick's lean swimmer build, and clearly got into scraps as that black eye showed... As well as the bruised ribs, strained arm muscles and slight limp from a... Dislocated left hip that he's still feeling the after effects off
What, Dick was trained by the Worlds Greatest Detective. Of course he could diagnose such injuries at a glance
"Come on Ma! I know you're lonely but... This guy is nearly my age!" Terry complained as he covered his eyes "Also... Look at that weird outfit he's wearing! You can do better than that!"
"Terry, honey, sit down. There is a lot I need to tell you... Lies I have been telling you, for your own protection, but you're finally ready to know the truth... I'm ready to tell you the truth." Duela asked calmly
"Ma, what 'truth'? What're you saying?" Terry asked in confusion.
"Terry... Sit down. Please." she urged softly
Terry did as he was told, sitting down and looked at his mother and Dick "Who...Who IS this?"
"This... Terry, your real name is Terry Grayson. And this is your father, Richard Grayson." Duela explained
"Grayson?" Terry asked in confusion. "But-but your name-"
"My name, my REAL name is 'Duela Grayson'." Duela answered "I chose the name Sandra McGinnis to hide you... Keep you safe."
"You said my dad was a soldier! That he died in the Trigon War!" Terry snapped "And this guy is, like, my age!"
"He did. Nightwing died on the front lines." Duela nodded "He is your father, from before the war. From the past. I was a hero, the Harleyquinn. Your father, Nightwing."
Terry looked at Dick and then at his mother. "No. No, that-you're lying!"
"Why would I?" Duela frowned lightly
"He-!" Terry pointed to Dick, confused and scared. "You aren't my dad! You-you're dead!" And backed up
"I know, Terry! I know." Dick raised his voice before calming down. "I was brought here from the past and here I am."
"I-Why would I need protecting? Why are we hiding?!" Terry said, desperate to try and find ANY way to prove this was wrong
"... your older sister." Duela frowned
"I-I don't have a-? Do I?" Terry asked in anger and confusion.
"She is a..." Duela sighed "She is a murderer. I don't... she's gone crazy. I don't... I didn't want her to hurt us. So we ran, I hid us."
"Will? Will she come here?" Terry panicked, fear filling his mind.
"No. No, she won't find us." Duela shook her head and hugged her son "It's why we went into hiding."
"... Terry... I-I would like to know you better." Dick sighed
"...You want to know me better?" Terry asked, looking awkwardly at Dick. "Try not to play tongue hockey with my mum."
"Terry. He is my husband. I will do what I want with him!" Duela told him off
"...Sorry, Mum." Terry frowned and apologised.
Dick sighed and patted his shoulder. "Let's...just start small. Okay?"
Terry sighed and nodded weakly "Yeah, fine. What do you wanted to know?"
"You. Your life. Everything." Dick answered sincerely "I've missed so much."
"...Not much to tell, honestly. I get my ass kicked a lot." Terry explained "Although I give as good as I get."
"... Who's this Dana and Max you mentioned?" Dick asked "What are your hobbies? And so on."
"... they are my girlfriends." Terry shrugged
Dick blinked and then rubbed his eyes. He sighed slowly and responded. "That's my boy."
"Polygamy is very accepted nowadays." Duela explained
"It-It's nothing THAT special." Terry answered nervously.
"But still. Two ladies." Dick nodded "Proud of you, my boy."
Slap!
"Hey!" Dick turned around at Duela.
"Boys." she shook her head
"Can I see a picture?" he asked
"...Sure?" Terry answered nervously, getting his wallet and pulled out a picture. "Here." The picture showed Terry with two beautiful girls.
One was a pale skinned bombshell with a slim body and long black hair, as well as literally black eyes while wearing a small black dress
The other was a dark skinned tomboy looking figure. She had short pink hair wearing a yellow and black top and blue eyes
"You're really lucky, Son." Dick smiled and passed it back.
"Yeah. I am." He nodded and took the picture back.
*on the Watchtower*
The remaining group were with the Titans, James sitting with Megan and Dove. "I'm glad you're fully on the League." He spoke kindly to them.
"We worked hard." Megan nodded
"I'm...I'm proud of you. I mean it." James answered, holding their hands. "I don't know you two that well, but you did amazing."
"Thank you, James. We appreciate it." Dove answered.
"I'm sorry that this seems to be a lot to take in." Megan added as they pulled him close
'God, three older women? What is my life right now?' He thought to himself "You are still single?" he asked them, not wanting to break or hurt any relationships
"We are." Megan nodded.
"We haven't had any relationships in...fourteen years." Dove admitted "I tried it but the guys where pigs and I just-I let my hero life take over."
"Sorry to hear that. You deserved better." James answered, softly holding her check
"We did have better. Unfortunately we never got close enough to truly enjoy it." Megan explained
James blinked gently and pointed to himself, the two women nodded in response 'Hoo boy...' He sighed internally. He realised what they meant though. The three of them did get very close but they never 'did the deed' or made or official before he died "When we get back...I'll talk to you; okay?" He asked
"That would be nice." Dove responded "Might make the world better."
"Er... James?" Lian asked as she walked towards them "Can I speak to you please?"
"Yeah, of course, Lian." James nodded. "I'll be back." He quickly turned to the two and apologised
"We'll wait here." Dove answered
James nodded and followed Lian. He guessed she was called Red Arrow "So...What did you want to talk to me about?" James asked as he walked with her... And was hugged tightly. He blinked for a brief moment...and then hugged back in a fatherly fashion. He closed his eyes and stroked her back; like a parent would with a child.
"I've missed you." she admitted "You... Were like a second father to me. You wanted to get to know me, be there for me, as you grew closer to my mother..."
"Yeah, I guess I must've tried my best." James answered. "It's okay."
"I missed you JayJay." she whispered weakly, her face buried into his chest
QUACK!
''JayJay'? She calls me 'JayJay'?' James thought in shock. '...I can live with that.' He smiled gently. He rubbed her head softly, pulling back a bit. Not breaking the hug but giving them some room "I'm here now, okay? It'll be fine." James reassured her "And when I get back in time, because I am going home, then... I will change everything. I won't die, I'll be there the entire time. Your first boyfriend, your prom, your first night as a hero. I promise. And... I'll do my best to help your mother. Being her to some form of 'non genocidal lunatic'. You, me, her and Roy can be our own sort of family."
Lian's heart lightened as she heard that and hugged him tighter than before. Happy to hear this promise.
"Gah! Lian! Too tight!" James grunted
*elsewhere*
Rose was staring into space, sitting down as she held her mask in her hand 'I become Deathstroke? The Terminator? An assassin?' She thought sadly.
"You okay?" Green Lantern asked, walking up behind her
"Huh? Oh, um...No. Today's been a fucking nightmare, if I'm being honest...Um...?" Rose answered and wondered what the Lantern's name is.
"Kyle, Kyle Rayner." the Lantern nodded ... "You know, even if the future you is a monster, you did something thought to be impossible."
"Oh yeah? And what's that? Murder my dad?" Rose asked sarcastically.
"...Yes." Kyle stated plainly and simply.
Rose dropped the mask on the ground in shock, "I-I kill-? How?" She asked, feeling the air leave her lungs in shock
"Snapped his neck. He grew frail and weak, we think it was his final test for you." Kyle explained "But that wasn't what I meant." he raised his arm, showing his ring "You grabbed my fist, your hand over my ring... and your will overrode mine and disabled the ring."
"...Bullshit. How could I override a Lantern Ring?" Rose asked. "Those things can't be taken off; right?"
"Batman did it to Hal Jordan when he was in the Justice League." Kyle answered honestly. "He said 'Hal wasn't concentrating.' and slid the ring off his hand." Kyle looked at his hand, his ring glowing "But you? You did the impossible. You grabbed my hand. Your will was greater than mine. The ring shut down, as you told it to, while I tried to make a construct... And nothing worked. Your will beat mind, your will beat the ring. You did the literal impossible. "
Rose gave a wry chuckle "Was I this old? Or her? Cause there's a difference in skill and experience there."
"So?" Kyle asked "There is a difference between skill and experience... and will. Your will, your determination and imagination and drive, overpowered a device beyond human understanding in a way the creators thought was literally impossible. You, Rose Wilson, can lit-er-a-lly do whatever you put your mind to, you have that much will power."
She frowned at that...And looked at the ring. "If that's true..." She whispered. "Try it now."
"First, you need to be holding my ring." Kyle said as he held out his fist, his hand clasped tightly so she couldn't pull it from him "You need physical contact... and you need to want to stop me."
Rose nodded, putting her hand over the ring and began to focus. Focusing on the 'want'. She wanted this guys glowing green light to just stop as it was starting to hurt her eyes
...
...
...
...
"You did it." he smiled
"I... Huh?" Rose blinked as she opened her eyes, seeing that Kyle's light HAD died down... making Rose's eyes widen "N-No way!"
"There you go." he smiled lightly
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
"What's that?!" Rose yelled
*with James*
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
VROOM!
"What's that?!" James yelled as he pulled back from his hug with Lian. The two rushed to the window, seeing something that filled them with horror
*with Dick*
"Well, that was impressive." Dick smiled as Terry finished his story
"Thank you..." Terry mumbled and smiled "... Dad."
Duela smiled lightly as she looked at her boys... before the room was filled with darkness
"Huh?" the three blinked and rushed over, looking out the window... and saw... a giant metal orb in space nearing the moon?!