Guys, you made me worry for no reason. That last chapter was kinda weird, I know, but no one really cared! I thank you all for not killing me with flames! I was worried you all would hate me for it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ch.2: Welcome to Happy Harbor
Star City: July 17th, 23:16PDT
People were packing cases of laser guns into a truck. Their boss, Brick, was watching them, carefully inspecting their work. Two workers were putting one case in the cargo hold when an arrow was sudden;y embedded in the asphalt and exploded in their faces. It sent the workers away, and a gun straight into Brick's hands.
He started up the gun, and pointed it Speedy, who was atop a support beam.
"You again! I'm starting to get insulted Green Arrow's not messing up my operation personally!" Brick yelled, and fired the gun.
Speedy easily dodged and flipped over on-coming lasers. He landed on a catwalk, and ran down it. More blasts came at him. He flipped over another one, and shot an arrow. The arrow pierced the muzzle; it exploded and ripped Brick's suit to shreds.
"Do you know what I pay for a suit my size!?" Brick yelled, and turned to his workers. "Scorch the earth, boys."
The workers got their guns ready, but a yellow flash ran by, knocking two guards out. Two bat-a-rangs knocked the remaining guard's guns out of their hands.
Robin flew above them, laughing as he did, and landed in a small space between some boxes. Aqualad jumped in front of the entrance to the small space, grabbing his water bearers as he did. His tattoos started glowing, and he jumped forward. He easily knocked the remaining workers out by crashing them into a steel box.
Brick grabbed the pavement, ripped off a slab, and threw it at Speedy, who ducked. He let loose another arrow that exploded on contact with Brick's shoulder. Brick threw another slab at Speedy, who dodged, and let Aqualad in his Atlantean cut the slab in half, and Speedy let loose another arrow.
As Aqualad let his glow and water bearers die down, he looked to Speedy.
"The Cave is perfect. It has everything the team will need." He informed.
Robin jumped down behind him. "For covert missions: spy stuff."
Kid Flash zipped up behind them. "And wait till you see Superboy, Danny, and Miss Martian! But I saw her first!"
Brick came out of the rubble, and threw, once again, another slab of pavement at them. Aqualad easily destroyed it as they dispersed. Speedy let loose three arrows that exploded one by one. Once the pretty light show was over, Brick laughed.
"Tell Arrow he shouldn't send boys to do a man's job." Brick said, in an insulting tone.
Speedy ignored him, and readied another arrow. Brick spread his arms wide.
"Go ahead."
Speedy let loose the arrow, but instead of exploding, it turned into red foam, which engulfed Brick, and his screaming.
Kid Flash zoomed up. "High density, polyurethane foam. Nice." He said with a thumb's up.
Speedy didn't say anything as he turned away, and walked towards Aqualad and Robin.
"So Speedy, you in?" Robin asked, leaning against a metal cargo container. Speedy stopped and turned to him.
"Pass. I'm done letting Arrow and the League tell me what to do. I don't need a babysitter or a clubhouse hang-out with the other kids. Your Junior Justice League is a joke: something to keep you busy and in your place." Speedy looked away and started to walk away. "I don't want any part of it." And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving everyone else astonished.
Mount Justice: July 18th, 11:16EDT
"Recognized: Robin; B01, Phantom; B02, Kid Flash; B04."
Robin, Danny, and Wally appeared out of the Zeta-Beam portal and looked around with a smile. Danny's was un-easier than the others. It was only a few days after he met everyone and he did say it took him more than three weeks to trust Batman and Robin.
Wally and Robin ran forward, and Danny floated off the air a few feet, following behind. The three came up behind Superboy, Miss Martian, and Aqualad.
"Did you ask him?"
"What did he say?"
"Uhh… hi?"
Were the three greetings they got.
Aqualad smiled. "He's arriving now." Wally and Robin were psyched, Danny at a lesser tone.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Wally said, and ran off, followed by Robin, and then the others. Danny was last.
They ran to a hidden trap door that lowered so they could exit the cave. Red Tornado flew down to their level. All of the teens waved as he landed.
Red Tornado looked at them. "Greetings. Is there a reason you intercepted me outside the cave?"
"We hoped you had a mission for us." Aqualad said. "Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibilities." Red Tornado said.
Robin stepped forward. "But it's been over a week, and nothing-" Red Tornado put a hand up to silence Robin. "You will be tested soon enough. For the time being, simply enjoy each other's company."
"This team is not a social club." Aqualad said, almost a harsh tone in his voice.
"No, but I am told social interaction is an important team building exercise. Perhaps you can keep busy by familiarizing yourself with the cave."
Danny sighed. "And besides, can't we be patient?"
Everyone gave him a weird look that clearly said 'no'.
"Or not..."
Kid Flash turned to Robin. "Keep busy." He mimicked. "Does he think we can fall for this?" Robin questioned no one in-particular.
"Oh, I'll find out." Miss Martian said, and looked at Red Tornado, who passed through a scanner. Then she remembered something. "I'm sorry. I forgot he was a machine. Inorganic, I cannot read his mind." She said sullenly.
"Or his hard drive." Danny joked (or at least tried).
Everyone looked at Danny with another weird look. Danny flinched.
"And I'll shut up now..."
Robin gave a look to him saying 'What the heck?' as Wally turned to Miss Martian. "Nice try though. So, uh, you know what I'm thinking right now?"
Robin elbowed him. "We all know what you're thinking now."
Aqualad looked down. "And now we tour the clubhouse." Miss Martian didn't seem too bothered by the term 'clubhouse'.
"Well, Superboy and I live here, so we can play tour guides." Miss Martian suggested.
Everyone looked at Superboy. "Don't look at me." He said.
Flash turned to Miss Martian again. "We won't. Though a private tour sounds much more fun."
Danny shook his head, as Robin said "She never said private!"
Aqualad's face remained passive. "Team building, we'll all go." The team headed inside, and Danny, being left behind again, mumbled "I looked at all the schematics and blue prints I could find. I already memorized the whole stupid place." (A/N: That's the 'staying with Batman' showing up.)
The Team talked about Mount Justice's history as they walked. "Then why abandon it for the Hall of Justice?" Superboy asked.
"The cave's secret location was compromised." Aqualad said. "So, they traded it in for a tourist trap?-"
"That's one way to put it." Danny mumbled, earning an elbow to the ribs by Robin.
"-Yeah that makes sense." Superboy finished, ignoring Danny.
The whole 'location was compromised' thing struck something in Miss Martian. "If the villains know the cave, we must be on constant alert." She said worriedly.
Robin grabbed her hand, ignoring the elbow to the ribs Danny gave him. "The bad guys know we know that they know about the place, so they'd never think to look here."
Wally threw Robin's hand off of Miss Martian's. "What he means is; we're hiding in plain sight." Robin glared at the speedster.
"Ah, that's… much clearer." Miss Martian said.
Superboy sniffed the air. "I smell smoke." Danny raised his hand. "Me too." Miss Martian gasped. "My cookies!" She flew off to the kitchen, where she took out some burnt cookies from the oven, and laid them on the counter.
"I was trying out Ramey Jones recipe from episode 17 of… uh… Never mind." She trailed off.
"They didn't come to life, take that as a plus."
Everyone gave Danny the third weird look in less than five minutes. He raised an eyebrow, and shrugged. "It sounds weird, but I am right."
Robin, turning away from Danny, looked to Miss Martian. "And I'm sure they would've tasted great! He doesn't seem to mind." Robin comforted, gesturing to the speedster.
They all looked at Wally, who was eating the cookies. He looked at everyone. "I have a serious metabolism." He said. Miss Martian smiled. "I'll… make more?"
"It was sweet of you to bake any." Aqualad said. Miss Martian blushed. "Thanks Aqualad." She said. "We're off duty. Call me Kaldur'ahm. Actually, my friends call me Kaldur." Aqualad, a.k.a. Kaldur, said.
Wally leaned forward. "I'm Wally. See I already trust you with my secret I.D. Unlike Mr. Dark Glasses and White Hair over here."
Danny shook his head, and rolled his eyes. Robin did the same, as Wally continued. "Batman has forbidden Boy Wonder and Ghost Boy from telling their real names."
Miss Martian did not care one bit the Batman didn't trust them all that much. "Mine's no secret! It's M'gann M'orzz, but you can call me Megan. It's an earth name, and I'm on earth now." Megan said cheerily.
Superboy started walking away.
"Don't worry, Superboy. We'll find you an earth name too."
Superboy turned to her and yelled "Get out of my head!" His loud voice made Danny jump, and his hood came up. Even if the yelling wasn't directed at him.
Megan turned to the others.
"What's wrong? I don't understand. Everyone on Mar's communicates telepathically."
Megan was surprised the others grasped their heads, except Danny. He was beyond confused and he had no idea what to do.
"M'gann, stop." Kaldur said sternly. Danny, who was still confused, was as shocked as Megan by the tone Kaldur used. Then, in a gentler tone, he continued. "Things are different here on earth. Here, your powers are an extreme invasion of privacy."
"Besides, Cadmus's creepy little psychic genomes left a bad taste in his brain." Wally added. Megan was shocked, and poor Danny was still in the dark, completely lost. "I didn't mean to-"
"Just. Stay. Out!" Superboy said and left. Megan looked down, and it was quiet.
Danny looked at everyone, his nervousness had sky-rocketed. "I-I have to go." He said, and started to leave.
"Where are you going?" Kaldur asked. "Somewhere." was his answer.
"Uh, dude, that's not very specific." Wally said. Danny held his head. "I don't know, ok! I just need to be alone!"
The door shut, leaving everyone shocked.
Everyone stared at it for a second before turning to Robin.
"What?" He asked. Wally smacked him.
"You live with him. What's wrong with him? He's all mood-swingy and weird." The speedster explained.
Robin glared at him. "Danny's cool once you get to know him and get his trust. I don't know anything about his past, and that makes it hard for me to trust him, but Batman knows pretty much everything, and I trust in his decision. The only thing I know is that something bad happened. Really bad. He just has no idea how to act." The kitchen got quiet. Megan was the one who broke it.
"Hello Megan! I know what we can do!" She said and flew off. Kaldur, Wally, and Robin followed. Megan peaked back in the door though.
"Superboy, please." She pleaded.
Superboy kept his back to her. "Don't talk to me." Megan looked down sadly, and Superboy saw from the corner of his eye. Wordlessly, he got up and followed, putting a smile on Megan's face.
They went into an elevator, and they went to the garage level. When the doors opened, they saw a little red blob thing.
"It's my Martian Bio-ship!" Megan said excitedly. The boys were unimpressed.
"Cute, not aero-dynamic, but cute." Wally said. Megan smiled at his ignorance. "It's at rest, silly. I'll wake it."
The next thing they knew, they had a big, red ship that was aero-dynamic. She turned it, so it faced the doors leading outside, and a flat section turned into a ramp leading into the ship.
The inside was bare, but seats formed near the windows.
"Strap in for launch." Megan said. They sat down, and seat-belts formed across their chest, making an 'x'.
Megan sat in the 'pilot's' seat, and said "Red Tornado, please open the bay doors." Two globes appeared next to Megan, and she put her hands on them. The ship took off, and exited the cave.
They found Danny walking along the beach, playing his wooden, silver flute. Imagine his shock when the Bio-ship landed next to him. The back opened up, and Robin waved him inside.
Danny, hesitantly, got on. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?" Danny said, sitting in his seat. He looked in surprise at the seat-belt that formed.
"We're taking a ride in Megan's bio-ship, duh!" Wally said. Danny sighed and looked out the window. "Not my fault I was taken out of society for a year." He mumbled. Superboy looked at him, but didn't say anything.
They flew high in the sky, and they were all amazed. Except for Danny. He really wanted to phase out of the ship and fly by it, instead.
"Incredible!" Robin said. Wally sighed. "She sure is... I mean the ship! Like all ships is a she." He said.
Robin smirked at him. "Fast with his feet, not so much with his mouth." Danny surprised them by laughing.
"Hey, dude!" Wally yelled. While this was going on, Kaldur leaned over to Superboy.
"I may not have psychic powers, but I can guess what you're thinking." Kaldur said. Superboy looked at him with a questioning look. "You overreacted and you don't know how to apologize." The Atlantean said, and smiled. "Just say sorry." Superboy looked ahead, and Kaldur looked away.
Megan was watching them, but didn't hear their conversation.
"He'll come around." Robin whispered.
"He doesn't seem to like me much." Megan whispered back.
"You guys remember he has super hearing, right?" Wally asked.
Danny rolled his eyes. "He's not the only one." Superboy looked at him again.
"Hey, how 'bout you show us a little Martian shape-shifting?" Robin asked. Megan got up, and turned into a girl version of Robin, and then into a girl version of Kid Flash.
"Is it wrong that I think I'm hot?" Kid Flash asked dreamily.
Robin clapped. "Impressive. But you know you're not exactly going to fool anyone with those."
Megan sat down with a small blush. "Mimicking boy's is a lot harder." She said, blushing. Danny shrugged. "I thought it was kinda cool. I always wanted to see Robin as a girl." Robin tried to leap at Danny, but the seat-belt kept him rooted to his spot. Wally started laughing.
Kaldur ignored them and the fact Robin was clawing at his seatbelt. "And your clothes?"
Megan grabbed them and stretched them a little. "They're organic, like the ship. They respond to my mental commands."
Superboy, who was watching, turned back to the front. "As long as they're the only ones."
Danny glared at his back. "You act like you're the only one who's ever been controlled." He clamped a hand over his mouth, and then laid his head down on the side of the ship, and covered his face with his arms. "I need to shut up! You're such a frikkin idiot!"
Everyone looked at him, weirdly again. They still weren't used to his mood-swings. Robin patted his back sympathetically.
"So, can you do that ghosting through walls thing like Manhunter does!?" Wally asked, changing the subject, knowing it was probably best to ignore Danny.
"It's called phasing." Danny said, though muffled against his arms.
"You mean density shifting? No, it's a very advanced technique." Megan said.
Danny sighed, though barely noticeable. "I was wrong. Again."
Robin leaned forward. "Flash can vibrate his molecules right through a wall." Robin pointed to Wally. "When he tries it, bloody nose." Robin said laughing, gesturing to Wally. Wally gave him a 'seriously?' look. "Dude!"
Megan smiled. "Here's something I can do." The ship turned invisible from the outside. "Camouflage mode."
They were flying over Happy Harbor when a transmission came in.
"Red Tornado to Miss Martian. An emergency alert has been triggered at Happy Harbor Power Plant. I suggest you investigate, covertly. I'm sending you co-ordinates." The monotone of their 'den mother' said.
Megan turned serious. "Received. Adjusting course."
Robin huffed. "Tornado's keeping us busy again."
Danny looked at him. "Be on alert, at least Robin. Never know. Something could happen."
Megan nodded. "Yeah, a simple fire led you to Superboy. We should find out what caused the alert."
Megan started to head for the power plant, and Superboy looked out the window. "I think I know the cause."
A giant tornado was heading straight for them. Megan tried to maneuver the Bio-ship away, but it was swept up into the tornado.
Inside, everyone was being thrown around in their seats. Danny concentrated and a green liquid shield appeared around the ship. "Megan, now!"
Megan shot the ship forward and they exited the tornado. Megan quickly landed the ship and they got out. They saw the tornado was circling the plant.
"Robin, are tornadoes common in New England?!" Kaldur asked, but he was gone, and so was Danny.
"Robin! Danny!" They heard Robin's laughter, and everyone was confused by where it came from.
"But they were just here!" Megan said. They saw windows of the plant being blown out and shattered to pieces.
Robin was thrown against a wall, and he fell to the ground. Danny jumped into the air and shot a dozen ecto-blasts. The others came running in, and Superboy jumped up next to Robin.
"Who's your new friend?" Superboy asked sarcastically.
"Didn't catch his name, but he plays kind of rough!" Robin answered as Superboy jumped forward to help Danny.
The robot looking guy and Danny continued to fight, but the hybrid was punched away and into the wall. He easily got up with a snarl. "My apologies. You may address me as Mr. Twister." The robot guy said, and sent two tornadoes at them.
Superboy made some progress, but was thrown away when Mr. Twister sent another tornado, slamming him into the wall. Megan, Kaldur, Robin, Wally, and Danny, who flew over, got ready to charge.
Kaldur nodded at Megan, and Megan nodded back. They went into action. Wally ran to Mr. Twister, and tried to kick him, but Twister used wind to throw Wally outside.
Kaldur and Megan were going to do a double attack with Twister's back turned, but he quickly turned around and threw them into the cement support beams. Robin looked at Twister, having not moved.
"I was prepared to be challenged by a superhero. I was not, however, expecting children." Twister insulted.
Robin quickly threw some bat-a-rangs. "We're not children!"
Twister tried to re-direct them, but one blew up giving the other the opportunity to impale Twister's armor. He merely flicked it away.
"Objectively, you are. Have you no adult supervision? I find your presence here quite disturbing." The robot commented.
Danny appeared a few feet from Twister, and he was obviously ticked.
"As much as we hate to see you disturbed, I can give you a challenge." He said, and a black wolf with white specks in its fur appeared next to him. The wolf's eyes were a deep violet, mixed with a small amount of red and gold. It also had white tips on its tail and ears.
"A pathetic mutt? Is that supposed to intimidate me?" Twister said.
"Yes."
The wolf lunged. It managed to dodge all of Twister's attacks, and start scratching his armor. Everyone else was in utter shock, and Danny joined the fight, creating a sword of ice.
The wolf lunged again, ready to strike but Twister managed to blast wind at her, sending her back. Danny impaled Twister's armor with his sword but Twister grabbed him and threw him into a wall.
"You'll be more turbed once we kick your can!" Robin shouted, and Megan broke off a piece of equipment and gas blinded Twister. Superboy jumped through it, ready to attack, but Twister sent him away, yet again, and right into Megan.
Kaldur and Robin were going for a double team, but the two were swept up in small twisters and were flown into each other.
"Indeed, that was quite turbing. Thank you." Twister said, and flew out of the plant, Danny and his wolf following.
Wally got up from where he was thrown to see Twister flying out of the plant, and Danny and his wolf running after him. Wally got up, ran, and tried to tackle Twister, but the robot dodged. He stopped and glared at Twister. "What have you done to my team!?"
"Embarrassed them largely." Twister said and a full sized tornado swept Wally up, and crashed into a building. When the rubble disappeared, a green shield appeared, holding Wally.
"I got you, Wally!" Danny said, flying up. He let Wally land, and the wolf appeared with the others.
"Wow, thanks." Wally said. Danny nodded, impassive.
"I would have thought you all learned your limitations by now." Twister said.
"What do you want?!" Kaldur yelled. Twister flew into the air.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm waiting for a real hero!" Twister shouted back.
Kaldur turned to Megan. "Read his mind! Find a weakness!"
Danny flew into the air. "We don't have time for this!"
Megan was confused. "I thought I wasn't supposed to do that!"
Robin turned to her. "It's ok with the bad guys!"
Megan concentrated. Danny sent a few blasts at Twister, and the wolf ran to the side of the building and jumped. Mid-air, the wolf turned into a black griffin with green eyes tinted silver, cawed and started attacking Twister.
As they attacked, Megan tried to read his mind. "Nothing, I'm getting nothing!"
Then she smacked her head.
"Hello Megan! Mr. Twister is Red Tornado in disguise! He's inorganic, an android! And how many androids do you know that can generate tornadoes?" She said.
Danny sent a few more blasts and the griffin scraped Twisters armor again.
"Red Tornado sent us here!" Kaldur pointed out.
"After saying we'd be tested soon enough! This is his test! Something to keep us busy!" Robin added.
"Speedy called it, we're a joke." Wally said. Kaldur punched his fist into his hand.
"I don't think this is Red Tornado, guys!" Danny said.
"It has to be!" Robin shouted.
Danny, a little angry at his friend's ignorance and their lack of faith in him, blasted Twister with another beam, a strong one.
The others walked forward, not too concerned anymore. Twister sent Danny into the ground, and the griffin followed, only sent into the woods.
"This game is so over!" Wally shouted.
Danny growled at them.
"We know who you are, and what you want!" Robin yelled.
"So, let's end this!" Kaldur shouted.
"Consider it ended." Twister said, making two tornadoes as he flew into the sky, making it darker.
"An impressive show, but we will not indulge you! We will not engage!" Kaldur yelled.
"You guys are so stupid!" Danny yelled at them. They ignored It.
Lighting appeared in the sky.
"Can Red Tornado do that?" Wally asked.
"No, you idiot!" Danny screeched.
"You think I'm Tornado? Ironic." Twister said, and lightning blasted them away. Superboy was the only one who got up. He jumped into the air, as Danny pushed himself off the ground.
Superboy was going to punch Twister, but he got a direct hit of lighting and was sent back to where he first started, in a crater. Danny stood alone. Twister floated forward, lighting cracking his hands.
Danny lighted his hands with ecto-energy, and then the next thing Twister knew, the teens had disappeared.
Danny was hiding them with a shield. It was green to them, but hid them from view. He was purposely mimicking Megan's camouflage mode.
"Fine then. I won't deny you children have power, but playing hide and seek with you will not help me achieve my objectives. So, stay concealed. If you confront me again, I will show no mercy." Twister said. With that, the android flew off. Once out of sight, Danny let the shield drop.
"What happened?" Wally asked groggily, getting up.
"I put up a camouflage shield. I stole the idea from Megan's bio-ship." Danny answered, and Superboy punched the wall of his crater, angrily. Danny flinched visibly.
"And that's supposed to make it right? She tricked up into thinking Twister is Red Tornado!" Superboy said.
"She didn't do it on purpose." Kaldur said.
"It was a rookie mistake. We shouldn't have listened." Robin added.
"You are pretty inexperienced. Hit the showers, we'll take it from here." Wally said To the sullen Martian.
Superboy walked by. "Stay out of our way."
"You all are fools."
Everyone turned to Danny who had his eyes burning with rage.
"And I don't see where you're coming from, Superboy. You came to the surface a little over a week ago." Danny hissed. Superboy glared at him, but Danny beat him in that department. "Yeah, she made a mistake, but you three made the mistake of not listening to me! You ignored me! What kind of teammate does that?!"
The boys were in complete shock. Danny shook his head. "You all are hypocrites. You all are pretty much rookies too. You've worked with your mentors your whole career! I'm the only one who's actually looked death in the frikkin face and won! I am the only one who has done this alone! So why don't you give Megan a break! She was just trying to be part of the team! Oh who am I kidding? There is no team!" And with that, he took off into the air.
Once he was a few hundred feet up, he whistled. The griffin came out of the woods, and they flew off.
Kaldur sighed, ashamed. "Come on, he is going to need help." And with that, the guys took off, leaving Megan.
Twisters were wrecking houses, streets, signs, shops and everything in-between. So much for 'Happy' Harbor.
"Surely this will require attention." Twister commented to himself.
"You got mine, full and undivided!" Danny shouted, and tried to punch Twister, but he deflected it.
"Immaterial, and inefficient! You are a distraction I can no longer tolerate!" Twister shouted. Danny growled. "That makes two of us." This time, Danny did punch him in the face. Twister gave him a glare and sent more tornadoes at him.
Megan was flying the Bio-ship back to the cave, giving a transmission to Red Tornado.
"The team really needs your help." She said.
"If I intervened, it would not be to help. Still, it is an odd coincidence that this Twister shares my elemental abilities and my immunity to telepathy." Megan smacked her head. "Hello Megan!"
Robin and Kaldur appeared, running towards Twister, who sent more twisters at them. He sent Kaldur into a building.
Danny rolled his eyes. "Idiots. I know I did it a few minutes ago, but haven't we discovered frontal assaults don't work?" He asked himself.
Wally ran up, but ended up getting chased by a tornado. Robin threw an explosive, ultimately destroying the tornado. He threw a few more explosives, creating a blast long enough for Superboy to jump in and punch the android.
Twister merely made another tornado and Superboy was swept up in it, and thrown aways. Twister made a water spout that threw a boat in the direction of Superboy. Superboy was falling in the direction of Kaldur, who ran away. Superboy landed on the ground, and the boat landed on him. Kaldur picked up part of a broken statue and threw it at Twister.
Robin and Wally hid behind a piece of debris. Robin got out his utility belt from some unknown pocket of his, and put it on around his chest.
"You brought your utility belt?" Wally said.
"He never leaves home without it." Danny said, the griffin that had been flying in the air turned to mist and disappeared.
"First thing Batman taught me!" Robin said defensively.
Danny rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, right after never go to the bathroom without it." Wally mumbled.
"Listen to me."
Wally and Robin gripped their heads, making Danny confused.
"All of you."
"What did we tell you?!" Superboy shouted at thin air.
"I know, and I know I messed up, but now I'm very clear on what we need to do. Please, trust me."
Megan said telepathically.
Danny was the only one who didn't get the transmission, leaving him in the dark, once again.
Everyone was trying to get a go at Twister when Red Tornado flew through the sky. The android flew down to where the kids were.
"Hit the showers boys. I was hoping you could handle this. Clearly you cannot." The android hero said condescendingly.
Robin started to abject. "But we've got a plan now!"
Red Tornado ignored him. "The subject is not up for debate."
The boys dispersed, all except Danny, who stood his ground but turned invisible.
"I was beginning to believe you'd never show up." Twister shouted.
"I am here now." Tornado said simply, and made a twister, sending it at his opponent. Twister flew back and countered with his own tornado, and threw another one at Tornado, who stopped it.
"We are evenly matched Twister." Tornado said, throwing another tornado at Twister.
"No we are not, Tornado!" Twister shouted, and stopped the tornado before throwing lightning at him.
Tornado flew around the blasts, but then was hit. He landed on his back, lightning dancing around his figure. Twister flew forward.
"Remain still, android." Twister said, and his fingers became wires. They attached themselves to Tornado's head. "The re-programming won't take long."
Tornado's hand shot up, and pulled off the wires. His head became Megan's. "
"Longer than you might think." She said.
"No!" He shouted, and his wires broke as he was swept into a tornado, and then he was violently thrown from it, as Wally stopped spinning. Superboy then grabbed him and started punching holes in him. The force sent him flying into the ocean.
Kaldur met him with his water-bearers. He hit Twister a few times, before shocking him, blasting him out of the water again.
Megan levitated him up in the air and tore his arms from his body. Robin ran up, and threw explosive bat-a-rangs at him. He plummeted to the ground.
A few ecto-blasts hit him, before he was able to get up. Danny's teammates looked up at him. His hood was up, revealing nothing. So, they turned back to Twister.
They re-grouped as the chest armor opened up and a scrawny man fell out.
"Foul, I call foul!" He shouted.
Megan stepped forward, lifted a rock, and before anyone could stop her, she crushed the man. All the boys were in shock, wide eyed and mouths gaping.
"Don't know how things are done on Mars, but we don't execute our captives!" Robin shouted.
Megan smirked. "You said you trust me."
The rock was lifted up to reveal machine parts. Everyone walked forward, except for Danny. "That's why I couldn't read his mind." Megan said.
Wally picked up an eyeball.
"Cool, souvenir." He said, flicking it around. Kaldur put his hand on Megan's shoulder. "We should've had more faith in you." Megan smiled at him.
"Yeah, you rocked this mission. Get it, rocked?" Wally joked. Robin shook his head. "Ignore him, we're all just turbed you're on the team."
Thump.
The teens looked to where Danny was standing. Keyword: was. Now he was on his knees, holding himself, and looking down. "Danny, what's wrong?" Robin asked.
Danny's head shot up, and some light lit up his face. His eyes were wild with fear.
"She… she…"
"I what?" Megan asked worriedly.
Danny didn't answer because his eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell onto his side.
"Danny!" They shouted, rushing forward, trying to wake him up. They didn't notice the other eye of the robot gleam red, recording them.
Later that night, after Danny woke up, they examined the remains of the other android. They hadn't spoken about Danny's collapsing though, and they weren't planning on it either.
They put the robotic parts of the man on a table to discuss it. Danny insisted on joining, though shaky. Everyone was keeping a keen eye on him, making him more of a nervous wreck than he already was.
"It was clearly created to sabotage or destroy you." Kaldur informed, as they went over everything.
"Agreed." Red Tornado said.
Megan looked at him meaningfully. "Is that why you wouldn't help us?"
Red Tornado turned to her. "No, this was your battle. I do not believe it is my role to solve your problems for you. Nor should you solve mine for me."
Everyone looked at him worriedly.
"But if you're in danger…" Megan trailed off.
"Consider this matter closed." Red Tornado turned around and walked away.
"Batman, Aquaman, and Flash would've jumped right in to fix things." Wally commented.
"Guess if we're going to have a babysitter, a heartless machine is exactly what we need." Robin said.
"Dude, harsh." Wally said.
"And inaccurate. I have a heart: carbon steel alloy. I also have excellent hearing." Red Tornado informed curtly.
Robin laughed nervously. "Right… Sorry, I'll strive to be more accurate."
Kaldur laid a hand on Robin's shoulder. "And more respectful."
Red Tornado turned around and left.
"Come on, Rob. You should've know that." Danny said, trying to joke.
Everyone looked at the ghost, who was gripping the table with a vice-like grip and looked pale.
"You sure you're ok, Danny?" Robin asked. Danny's grip tightened, denting the table. "I'm fine, and I'm going to go take a nap." Danny walked away on shaky legs.
"I think something's bothering him." Megan said. Robin sighed.
"There is. But don't ask, cause he won't tell." The Boy Wonder said.
Kaldur, Wally, and Robin started to walk away, letting the matter drop.
"Speedy was so wrong." Wally said.
"This team thing…" Robin started.
"Might just work out." Kaldur finished.
Superboy started walking away too, but he looked at Megan. "Sorry." He said and walked away. She smiled at his retreating figure, and then frowned looking at the direction Danny disappeared to.
Danny tossed and turned in the bed. "No… Stop… Get Away… No!... Stop it! NO! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
And we finally get a look into Danny's past and emotional issues! YIPPEE!
Again, thanks for all who reviewed and/or favorite-d! Or followed! I don't really care! I'm just surprised by how many people actually like it! I did not expect this many people to check it out! THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS! You people have made me run around the house crazy, dance with my Batman plushy, and jump around, squealing like a fangirl. Only a review would make me stoop to that level...
Thanks to Sixelakurtz, Mary Elrondile, TheAriaRiver, Kailithiel, Jetafray Angel, RedHerring1412, Ynercolys, Bluesz, FluffyDarkUnicorn, Azorawing, RICEBALL300, Phantom Ice, Momobear9898, Keldeox, Hitomi-tama, Autumn Fantasy, Masterjohn125, Roselin, Lop-earedCheshireRabbit, Musicmiester, Cer0, and Thelastsoul232 for favoriting and/or following! I'd also like to thank you guys for SPAMMING MY INBOX! :D
Reviews:
Kilppari: I don't usually say this but oh, thank God you like it. This chapter had me tense for reasons you pointed out. The reason I put Danny with the JL (and he's sixteen here. I think...) was because, one, I didn't want to be like everyone else where Danny went to Cadmus. Two; I think ectoplasm would actually be quite helpful against magic because they're two opposites and are opposing forces. Of course, if magic were to hit Danny, he'd get a serious beat-down but that's where dodging comes in handy. Three; I know I had another reason, I just can't think of it. And girl... Your English is better than people who have English as their first language! I should know. I'm one of those people.
RCRC36: I'm glad you loved it! Your love makes me happy!
KuriMaster: I'm so glad it was a complement! Again, thank you so much! You're awesome!
Mary Elrondile: Thank you so much! And to answer your questions, Danny has anxiety issues you will find out about later. But till then... MUHAHAHAHAHA!
Supaherolena02: HERE'S ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR YOU, BUDDY!
IWasNeverReal: You made me cry tears of joy. Like, seriously. Tears of frikkin joy. Dani won't come till later in the story, but just for you, she will show up! I hope you can wait till then! Oh, and its a good thing you enjoy DannyxSam. Just sayin.
Guest(1): I'M SO HAPPY THIS IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE STORIES EVER!
Lee: Thank you so much! And if I hadn't written that far into the story, I might've considered that but I've kinda already got the two together... Sorry?
Sina Xiel: No, he really doesn't want to be there. Batman forced him. In his Batman way. *evil grin* You will eventually find out alllll about that therapy soon.
Lexosaurus: Your review made me do the congo, the tango with my Batman plushy, and jump around silently screaming like an idiot. GREAT JOB! I'm SOOO happy you're enjoying this! And I hope you did well on the ACTs! I always say CATS... Danny belongs with the Team sooo much. And you are the first person to question the telepathy thing... You will find out soon enough. MUHAHAHAHA! And I love gothic, heavy metal, hard rock, and symphonic music. AMAZINGNESS!
Guest(2): I've already started the Justice League crossover and the Teen Titans one IS A FANTASTICO IDEA!
Azorawing: That is a complement right? Sometimes I have trouble deciphering insults from complements. :D
Hitomi-tama: Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! I'm honored to have you call my idea original! Your questions will be answered soon! Danny, actually, has a brotherly relationship with another character, not Aqualad though. Ideas do come with your review though. You won't see much of Batman/Danny first encounters but there are plenty of encounters after that kind of hint at their first ones. And again, your review has given me ideas for future chapters! Again, thank you so much! Your babbling brings me joy!
Inviso-Al: I hope this chapter answers your question!
death8kidd: Here is ze update! Hope you enjoyed!
I just checked my traffic stats and 667 of you guys read this yesterday! And I thought the first days 347 was good. YOU PEOPLE ARE AMAZING! I don't know if I should stop saying that or not...
-KW13