Artemis picked up the pace, taking deep, rhythmic breaths as she ran the gauntlet that was the Green Arrow's obstacle course. She had lost track of how many times she had repeated the course, but it had been many. All she knew as she climbed a vertical wall was that none of the iterations had been perfect, there had been at least one mistake made each time.

Her lungs felt as if they were on fire as she cleared the top of the 10 meter tall wall. The deep drop loomed before her but she resisted the urge to pause if even for a spit second to catch her breath and instead she immediately plunged to the ground far below, rolling flawlessly as she landed, dissipating the kinetic energy of her fall into an elegant and swift roll from which she rose to her feet immediately, resuming her run.

She was now nearing the end of the course. Her heart was pounding like a jackhammer and her lungs protested, demanding that she stop and rest. She did neither and instead ran up a long flight of concrete stairs. Upon reaching the top she leapt off the edge, performing a mid air spin as she fired off two separate arrows, both of which hit their targets in the bulls eye. As she came down she landed feet first on a trampoline and shot back up into the air. Tucking her legs in under her she went into a tight and fast spin. She drew 3 arrows and pulled back on her bow, which she released as she continued to spin, releasing the 3 arrows at the same time.

The three arrows hit the targets that were almost 100 feet away, but only one hit the bull's eye. Groaning in defeat she landed face first on the trampoline and after bouncing back up she landed on her behind and in frustration she punched the jumping surface and screamed her displeasure. Without waiting she hopped off the trampoline and began to run back to the starting line, until the Green Arrow intercepted her. He handed her a large ice cold bottle of Gatorade, which she accepted gratefully.

"Take five." He consoled her. "You're doing OK Artemis; you'll have this down pat by the end of the end of the day."

The archeress flopped down on a concrete bench, pressing the ice cold bottle against her neck, rubbing it against the swollen carotid artery on her neck, feeling her strong and rapid pulse vibrate into the bottle while the comforting chill seeped into her neck. She then unscrewed the cap and began to sloppily gulp down the bottle's contents, as some of the blue liquid dripped down her cheeks. She continued drinking until she emptied the bottle.

"Thanks … have you been able to find my counterpart or my mother?"

The Green Arrow sat down next to her.

"Not yet."

"So … I'm alone in this dimension. I didn't have much back at home, but I at least had my mom." She muttered sotto voce.

"We don't know that yet. Batman is still searching …"

He was interrupted by a beep on his communicator, which he flipped open and read the message on the screen.

"Correction, Batman found them."

Artemis perked up.

"Where are they?"

The Green Arrow flipped his communicator shut and paused before replying.

"They're both dead; apparently there was an automobile accident 9 years ago."

She gasped before replying.

"No … that can't be … no one died in that accident … my mother was confined to a wheelchair after that, but no one died…"

"I'm sorry Artemis … I don't know what to say …"

She stood up and wiped her face dry with her sleeve.

"There's nothing to say. She wasn't me and her mother wasn't my mother."

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe you should take a break?"

She shook her head.

"No, I'm ready to continue." She replied as she took off running to the obstacle's starting point.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The two museum guards were squirming on the floor, their arms and legs bound by a strange red elastic material shaped like an X and their mouths were sealed shut by two smaller X's. Try as they did, they were unable to break free and all they could do was flop like fish on the floor.

Red X ignored them as he made his way to the giant showcase. Safely guarded behind shatter and bulletproof glass was a dazzling collection of emeralds and jade, including the world famous jade burial mask.

"You are going to look good when I add you to my collection." He gloated as he slapped one of his signature X's on the glass.

"X marks the spot." He announced to no one in particular.

The elastic X began to pulse, growing and shrinking rapidly as it began to vibrate. Suddenly the glass shattered, exposing the priceless historical treasures. Picking up the jade mask he snickered to himself.

"I love it when the good guy wins." He congratulated himself.

"Too bad you're nothing more than a common thief!" Robin snarled at him.

Red X calmly turned around and faced the three Titans.

"I heard that Raven and Beast Boy are on the injured list. That's too bad; I was kind of hoping that tonight would be at least half a challenge. Oh well, I guess the three of you will have to do."

"Have to do!" Cyborg shouted as he armed his sonic cannon. "Who do you think you are punk?"

"I'm the guy who's gonna walk out of here with the Mayan treasure."

"Wanna bet!" Robin snarled as he threw three birdarangs at his nemesis.

Red X deftly dodged the birdarangs.

"You need new toys Robin; your birdarangs are so last year."

Cyborg and Starfire joined the melee, with his sonic cannon firing away while Starfire began a volley of starbolts. Red-X easily evaded their attacks.

"Is that the best you can do? I'd be embarrased if I was you!"

Robin extended his collapsible bo staff and with a powerful martial arts yell he lunged at his nemesis.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Focus Connor, you can do it."

Superboy clenched his teeth as he struggled to levitate just a few inches above the ground. He wobbled precariously as he gave it his all to not lose his balance and to remain steady. Clark made it look so easy.

"Tell me … this will … get easier." Superboy gasped between short breathes.

"It will, and you're doing fine. I know this exercise seems pointless, but the trick is to develop consistency. You have no trouble with taking off, it's flying that gives you trouble. You need to develop stamina and control."

"I'm … trying."

The man of steel grinned.

"Take a break. After that we can do some heat vision exercises."

Superboy landed on his feet with a dull thud, which echoed throughout the icy cavern. Superman had both of them teleported to the Fortress of Solitude so that they could train in private and without distractions. Superboy picked up a water bottle and took a deep swig before screwing its cap back on. He then turned and looked at his mentor.

"So is it true, we're not going home?"

"No one said that was carved in stone. But the odds are heavily stacked against it."

Superboy gazed off into infinity, his face devoid of any emotion.

"Are you alright Connor?"

He paused before replying.

"Yeah, sure, why not?"

"Don't you care about getting home?"

"Not really."

"Why not?"

Superboy was beginning to feel uncomfortable with Clark's probing. Did he think that just because he was Superman's clone that he wasn't an individual? Or was it because he saw Connor as a son?

"If you must know, there's no one back there for me."

"Really? No one? What about my counterpart?"

"We didn't exactly see eye to eye Clark. All he ever did was remind me that I wasn't him."

"I'm sorry to hear that. You know that we don't see you that way."

Superboy shrugged.

"So no girlfriend back home?"

Connor barked a self deprecating laugh.

"Not really. I'm only a few months old you know … well … there is someone I … kind of like … but she's here."

"A teammate?" Clark laughed. "Don't tell Batman. You know how he feels about that."

Connor noticed that Clark didn't press him on revealing who she was, for which he was grateful.

"What's his problem with Raven and Beast Boy?"

Superman smiled before replying.

"Batman's always had commitment issues with the ladies. Don't get me wrong, he likes them alright, he just never found the right one I suppose, and doesn't like it when others do. Also, I've heard him mumbling something about what Beast Boy's and Raven's offspring would be like: something about a monster beast demon from hell."

Superboy snorted his disapproval.

"Isn't he getting ahead of things? They're just dating."

"You know how Batman can be …"

"Compulsive/obsessive and anal retentive?"

Clark guffawed.

"Yeah, you could put it that way. Ready for you heat vision exercise?"

Superboy nodded and joined his mentor as they headed off to another room.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Robin swung his bo staff at Red-X's lower extremities, hoping to knock his legs out from under him. The masked villain dodged the sweep with a perfectly timed jump and flip, and kicked Robin in the face as he came back down. As Robin staggered back Starfire zoomed in and tackled Red-X, sending both of them tumbling onto the floor, with Starfire ending up sitting on top of her snarky opponent, her legs straddling his torso.

"I'm beginning to like this! You know that you only have to tell me when you want me Starfire." He chucked as he placed his hands on her hips.

Starfire emitted an alien roar, not unlike the one she used to shoo away the couple at Kitten's prom that asked her if they could have some punch. And punch she did, as she sent her superhuman fist careening towards Red-X's masked face. He managed to dodge her blow, which was fortunate for him as her fist left a small crater in its wake on the marble surface on the floor.

"Hey cutie, I like to play rough, but let's not get carried away." He added as he shot one of his elastic X's into her face, momentarily blinding her while he escaped from her tackle.

Robin came to her aide as they tried to remove the gooey X from her face. Cyborg joined them and as he had done for Raven a few years before, when Robin wore the Red-X costume, he abruptly ripped the sticky X off of her face.

"YEOOOUUUCH!" Starfire screamed.

The Tamaranian's eyes were glowing a fluorescent green as she jumped back onto her feet. She pointed at Red-X as every muscle in her alien body rippled in anger.

"You are a bad person!"

Red-X picked up the Jade mask and began to run away.

"I'm not a bad person Starfire. I just don't play by the rules!"

He zoomed towards a window and leaped, ready to make his escape from the museum.

"Maybe we can play more next time Titans. See ya!"

As Red-X flew towards his escape a large slab of the marble floor peeled itself off the floor and blocked his exit. He crashed into it and staggered back in a daze. The priceless mask flew into the air…

… and landed in the hands of a certain Terra Markov.

"Hey guys, I heard that BB and Raven are still on the disabled list, so I came to give you a hand."

Robin sighed.

Not her … again.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I'm sorry Uncle J'onn, I can't do it. It makes me feel sick when I shift my density."

The alien Justice Leaguer felt uneasy upon hearing those words. He had viewed M'Gann's memories and knew she was telling him the truth about being his niece in her home dimension. Nevertheless it unnerved him to hear this stranger call him 'uncle'.

"With practice you will overcome the sense of nausea M'Gann."

Megan gave him one of her shy and endearing smiles.

"Uncle J'onn, may I ask you a question?"

"You may. What do you wish to know?"

"It's about the Teen Titans. I can tell, without using telepathy, that Batman doesn't like them."

"That is correct M'Gann."

"But why? They seem to be a great team. They're independent and have a great track record. They defeated the Brotherhood of Evil!"

"And Trigon the Terrible." J'onn added. "They are an admirable team, but Batman is correct in that they could use our guidance. If they allowed us to mentor them they would be even better than they are. They would be the logical choice to assume leadership in the Justice League when their time comes. But that won't happen as they are too proud and stubborn, which is unfortunate."

"Maybe … they don't want to be part of the Justice League? Maybe … they don't need to join the league."

"That makes no sense, M'Gann. Why would they not wish to join the Justice League?"

"I'm not sure Uncle J'onn, but I know one thing about the Titans."

J'onn crossed his arms.

"What would that be?"

"Unlike my team, they know who they are."

The Martian Manhunter narrowed his eyes, and a pregnant pause followed.

"Once your training is complete that you will no longer harbor any doubts about your identity or your destiny."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What are you doing here Terra?" Robin barked at her.

"Duh! I'm helping you guys."

"We do not require your assistance!" Starfire growled at her.

Terra smirked.

"You could have fooled me."

"Now you listen here missy, we had this situation under control." Cyborg added.

The unfriendly exchange did not go unnoticed by Red-X, who seized the moment. He jump onto his feet, body slamming into Terra while he slapped a giant gooey X around her. She tumbled to the floor, cursing that she allowed herself to be caught off guard. Red-X bolted again for the large open window, landing on the sill. He turned around to face the Titans.

"We have to stop meeting like this Titans. Give my regards to Raven and Beast Boy."

Red-X jumped out of the window into the air and vanished. Robin stared at the now empty window, his right eye betraying his anger with a rapid twitch. He turned around and kicked a stray trash can and howled his frustration. Like Slade, Red-X somehow always managed to give them the slip. Starfire and Cyborg crossed their arms, frowns plastered on their faces. Terra continued to squirm in a futile attempt to break free from her bonds.

"Guys? A little help here please?"

Robin regained his composure and after drawing a birdarang he knelt down next to the blond Geomancer and cut her free. She stood up and peeled off the residual red elastic from her costume.

"Who is this guy Robin?" Terra asked.

Robin snorted back at her.

"Never mind that, you're coming back with us to the Tower … we have to talk."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry for the delay in updating, it's been a hectic week, and my muse was AWOL.

And now for the mail bag!

Scarlett Wolf - "aw i was hoping that YJ would stay with the Titans. anyways awesome story. update soon."

They might come back. Stay tuned.

Vivi - "Definitivamente KF no quiere quedarse con la Liga, en ningún momento se ha visto contento porque volvieron a la Atalaya. Espero que pronto vuelvan a tener contacto con los Teen Titans, seguramente los problemas se acercarán así que serán un buen apoyo para ellos.

Aún estoy intrigada con lo que ocurrió entre Robin y Batman. Si bien éste se ve más cerrado que el de YJ, no hay que olvidar que el Robin de los TT también tiene un carácter bastante parecido. Lo más seguro es que sus personalidades chocaron y no se aguantaron...

Sería bueno ver algún tipo de reconciliación, jejeje.

Saludos!"

Habra mas interaccion entre Robin y su mentor.

Hairul The Nightrage Beast - "The Justice League makes me wanna laugh, TT as amateurs, well let's give those old farts a good ole reality check, where were they when Trigon came and nearly destroyed the Earth and who sent his sorry red ass back to hell? The Titans. And they say the Titans lack discipline,, Batman can certainly F Off for all I care and seriously the Young Justice will just be mere pawns to the Justice League, thank god we have the Titans, they do their own shit better than those old farts. So what if they are rough, they get the work done and also have a more family vibe than the coldness of the Justice League."

The YJ's, while very talented, are still a little green and wet behind the ears.

LordGodsServant - "I'm wondering, are you going to do a time skip, say about two months to allow for the Young Justice's training to get over and done with?

I note you left Ms. Martian's ship in Titan's Tower, all the easier for Slade/Terra to get at. I really hope that you'll have Terra redeem herself and find something in her life worth living for other than Beast Boy. She seems to express regret at what a mess her life has become and would change it if she thought she could (operative word being "thought")

Loved the chapter, random idea, have Red X turn out to be a hero, just a random idea as I said. Feel no need to put it in your story if you don't want to.

Good day, and God Bless :)"

Red-X is always a bit of a wildcard, as he sees himself as more of an opportunist than an actual criminal (not that Robin agrees)

xXCanaryXx - "I don't have time to leave an especially long review but this chapter was great!

Update soon."

Sorry for the delay, it's been a crazy week.

titanfan45 - "Between Batman and this things with Terra, it looks as though Robin is starting to lose confidence. Batman and the Justice League seem to be going out of their way to put the Titans in their place. The League's actions may well help Slade in accomplishing his plans."

Indeed, Batman should be focusing more on Slade and worrying less about the Titans.

wolfenstien - "Another Great chapter dude...

Isn't there only about 52 Earths/universes in the DC universe..? Which would mean that finding the right Earth/universe would be a little bit easier..?

Although thinking back to Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the machine Owlman and the Crime Syndicate used could find every possible Earth there was. (I think, it's been a while since I watched it)

So the question is, are you going with there being like a bazillion different Earths or something like 52 in which they don't quite have the necessary equipment and what not to correctly find the right Earth..?"

I decided to go with infinites Earths.

KaliAnn - "I just have to say this. That Young Justice is acting like fools for blindly following the League like this. Yes the training would be great, but Robin saw only Batman's side of the story when it came to the views of the Titans. He should really dig deeper to learn the real reason why his counterpart left. Also the Titans are more sure they can get the YJ home if they would let them. Terra is laying it on a bit thick, but I'm sure the Titans will figure it out."

You have to forgive them; they are out of their element, so it's natural that they will go with what's familiar to them.

Illucida - "Sorry I didn't review last chapter! I somehow didn't end up reading it until this chapter came out. -_-;

Anyways, I think your handling the JL situation nicely. I find it kinda amazing that they were allowed in Watchtower-its what they have always wanted. I wonder if things will end up turning sour...and that when they return to their dimension, if they'll be satisfied to return to their old lives.

Poor TT-Robin; being at odds with your father-figure can be downright awful. I hope one day they can reconcile. I like how he said that he didn't have a monopoly on hero-ing; that seems to be one of the problems between the JL and TT.

I look forward to reading more. :)"

The JL is kind over compensating, I think.

loony - "I miss YJ batman!"

Maybe he'll show up later. Maybe the Batman's can briefly meet?

(anon) - "Won't YJ miss their real mentors. I mean YJ-robins batman is basically his father. And like Wally and Artemis won't they miss there Mentors or parents? Hope they get home soon!"

In a way, yes. But the alternate JL is treating them better than the one at home. But tlet there be no doubt, most of the YJ's really want to go home.

Master Doc - "Thinking of what could come next gives me that familiar yet good feeling in my stomach that has always been so unexplainable to me. Pretty much begging you to continue.

PS. For some reason Fanfiction won't let me review on your Teen Titans\Star Wars fic so I'll just say I love the setup of that story and what time in the Star Wars universe you've chosen as the setting. Its about time I read a Star Wars related fic and who better to read from than you."

The fanfiction website has been really wobbly lately. First the stories property page was broken in some sections. Then the login broke (which is why you couldn't leave a review). Now the chapter hit counter has been broken for 3 days. I guess we can't complain, it is free after all!

Riqis Inna Sunja - "That was great! poor titans. great job as always!"

Thanks!

potterinu - "I am hoping young justice will be unhappy at being merely sidekicks again and something interesting will happen as a result. Justice League may be a bit out of practice dealing with their young "sidekicks" as well."

Something is going to happen, but it's probably not what you expect.

- "I'm enjoying this story.

I'm glad you brought the YJ team into the spotlight for this chapter. I was afraid that they were taking a back seat to the TT.

However, it seems to me like the YJ are a little bit too comfortable in this dimension. I mean, they don't seem to be very concerned or homesick at all. Wouldn't people like Artemis and Wally miss their parents? Or their original mentors? Wouldn't they worry about being missed? Remember to keep these things in mind while you continue to write."

Being that the YJ's are newer (the show) they are less developed (where the heck is episode 10? They showed another $*^ repeat today!) and it's been a bit more challenging to write for them. But I will endeavor to give them their fair share of the spotlight!