AN: I have very subliminal fluff for you all today. Like you need a magnifying glass for it. Anyway, next chapter might be better for it... SO STAY TUNED!

"Again!"

How many freaking times has she repeated that word in the last 15 minutes? Combat training was under way , and I was so behind everyone else. Granted, I had no experience actually fighting and I was going up against people who learned how to fight from their mentors (or in Superboy's case, fed to him telepathically) but it was actually fun to learn, except for the ton of bruises I would have afterwards.

Robin came at me again, swinging from the left, so I crouched low and strafed to the right as I punched near his ribcage. It connected, but from my vantage point I could not see the elbow coming down from above. I fell to the floor.

"Not bad, you actually managed to hit… Maybe you should try using your powers. Strength may not be your thing." Black Canary mentioned for Superboy to come forward. "Superboy will be your partner, seeing as he's the most resilient. Use any means to win."

We stood about 30 feet apart, and the second he began moving forward, I moved the cave's shadows to form a thick trip cable in front of him. I figured I got him, but then I heard a voice in the back of my head and as his foot touched the cable it shattered.

That won't work. But then again, you should know that.

Letting out one of his trademarks yells, Superboy's fist began coming down toward my face. Using a different shadow, I formed a shield around myself, but as it shattered without even trying to resist the voice rang out again after laughing at my failure.

You can't even block a punch let alone fight. Why do you even bother trying when you're so weak?

His fist twisted around, trying to avoid my face I guess, and hit me square in the stomach sending me flying back. I was borderline unconscious as I heard. "We're done here for today. M'gann, can you take him to the infirmary?" I didn't hear her answer before I knocked out.

Something I should have mentioned about my powers: They have a dark side. And before you laugh because you think it's a pun about shadows I can assure you this is much more serious than that. Not only does my physiology change to look a bit more demonic with my red eyes and sharp teeth but I also have to deal with my own personal Darkness. Think of an amalgamation of everything you don't like about yourself (doubts, fears, secrets and the like) and put it into a form that looks like the person you want to be, who has all the thing you want but bullies you because you don't have them. My own self-doubt after seeing everyone do their hero thing has made it stronger. Before I could ignore it, but now I can't even think about combat without it taunting me.

On the bright side, it did not attack me while I was unconscious. It was strange being conscious and unconscious at the same time. It's almost as if you're in a dream, but you aren't exactly dreaming but floating in a very thick layer of Limbo. It's also very dark and the only reason you know you aren't dead is because you can hear the people talking around you.

"Are you sure he's gonna be okay?" That was Superboy, which meant he actually didn't mean to all out and nearly kill me. I was whelmed.

"He should be, but it seems as though something's wrong with him, couldn't you tell?" So M'gann noticed. Not all that surprising seeing as I hung out with her the most.

I was slowly slipping out of it, as a light began to take over the darkness and then I was in a bed with them standing over me. "Hello." I was still a bit groggy and my stomach was on fire from the pain and judging by the clock behind their heads I had been out for a few hours. "Nice arm", I glared at Superboy, although it looked more like I was falling back asleep.

"I thought you could handle it." I. HATE. This. Guy.

"Not everyone is a freakin clone of-"

"Why don't we all just calm down and let Cal rest, okay?" M'gann made Superjerk leave the room before turning to me. "What's going on between you two? You can't even be in the same room anymore!"

"I just don't like that guy. Simple as that." As if I didn't see the way they looked at each other.

"You know how I feel about-"

"I know, but that doesn't change a darn thing."

She sighed and paused for a moment as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Get better soon okay? Maybe if you do, you can come with us on our next mission. We head out tomorrow."

"Well for all I know I have super healing that I'm unaware of." I grinned at her chuckle and then frowned at her ruffling what little hair I didn't cut off.

"Well then I'll see you when we get back and we'll go out for ice cream or something?"

"Okay, cool. I'll be here. In agony." She laughed again as she exited the room.

I had decided that I needed to face my Darkness and beat it before she got back. I did not want anyone to see it because I didn't exactly know where I stood with all of them. Sure Kaldur and M'gann were fine, it was more Superboy and Wally. Superboy for obvious reasons and because Wally seems to have issues with new people on the team, as he still has issues with Artemis and she's been here maybe a few weeks more than I have. But for now, I need to recover. I am going to need all my strength should I have to fight this thing alone.