Kaldur swam back to the palace after having dinner with Tula's family. For this first time since arriving on the parallel Earth he was feeling … happy. His muscles were still sore from the daily training sessions and he was glad that next week would be mostly classroom time. Tomorrow was the midpoint in the training program and he was beginning to wonder what exactly would happen once they were done.
As he entered the palace through the airlock he found Aquaman waiting for him.
"Did you have a good time with Tula?" The king asked.
"Yes sir, it was a pleasant evening."
The senior Atlantean smiled at his protégé.
"Come with me Kaldur, we have much to discuss."
The two men entered the King's private office, and he closed the door behind him.
"Is something wrong?" Kaldur asked uneasily.
"Not at all Kaldur, have a seat."
The young Atlantean complied with the request.
"I just want to give you a head's up as for what is coming down the road. First of all, the search for your home universe continues. As you know the odds of finding it are miniscule, and I think you should begin to think of this Earth as your new home."
Kaldur acknowledged the statement with a nod.
"The same thoughts have crossed my mind and I am coming to terms with remaining here."
Aquaman grinned.
"Excellent! Tomorrow there will be a midterm event at the Hall of Justice in Metropolis. We're going to introduce your team to the rest of the League. And let there be no doubt Kaldur, it will be your team. There will be no chaperones or supervisors. Of course, as do all non-senior members of the league, you will report to Batman. But let there be no doubt, you won't be sidekicks anymore."
Kaldur replied with a subtle smile.
"This is good news my king. Will you tell me where we will be deployed?"
Aquaman chuckled.
"That will be a surprise that you'll find out a month from now. I believe that you will be pleased with the choice of where you will be based."
"We are grateful for the trust the league is placing in us." Kaldur replied in a humble voice. "We will make you proud of us."
Aquaman placed a comforting hand on Kaldur's shoulder.
"Actually, there is something else I wish to discuss with you."
Kaldur gave him a puzzled look. For a moment he thought he saw a twinkle in Aquaman's eye.
"Sir?"
Aquaman chuckled.
"When are you going to take Tula as your mate?"
Kaldur gasped.
"I-I-I hadn't given that much thought." He stammered.
Aquaman tapped him repeatedly on the shoulder.
"What are you waiting for, tadpole?"
Kaldur was flummoxed.
"I don't know. What do you think sir?"
The King grinned.
"I think after you complete your training would be a good time. That way Tula can join you on your deployment … is something wrong Kaldur?"
"Forgive me my king. It's just that the others, they won't understand our ways. Tula will want a child … it could be … disruptive for the team."
Aquaman chuckled.
"It is true that the surface people wait until they are old and decrepit to take a mate, but why should we forsake our traditions? Do not worry Kaldur, they will accept it, and if I might add, be a bit envious of you. Healthy young men are meant to have a mate, as are healthy young women. It is not your fault that your teammates lack the maturity to take this step."
Aquaman noticed that Kaldur's thoughts were somewhere else.
"Kaldur?"
The young man snapped out of his daydream.
"Forgive me sir. I was thinking about the Teen Titans."
"I see, what were your thoughts?"
"They do seem to be very mature, more mature than my own team. What are your thoughts about them?"
Aquaman shuffled his feet.
"They are very independent, that much is true. Garth himself is a member of their group and no longer lives with us here in Atlantis. Their organization is growing; there are even rumors of a third Tower coming soon, in Japan."
The King paused, carefully weighing his next words.
"There are some in the League who see the Titans as competitors; some even see them as a threat."
Kaldur gave him an even more puzzled look.
"I do not understand. The Titans had no counterpart in our universe so they partially remain an enigma to me, but I fail to see why they are perceived as a threat. Are they not also superheroes?"
Aquaman shuffled on his feet clearly uncomfortable with the topic at hand.
"At first they were a curiosity. Then they almost brought destruction upon Jump City when they angered the Gordanians. Had they contacted the League for help it wouldn't have come to that."
"Forgive my king, but it is my understanding that the Titans defeated the Gordanians."
"That is true Kaldur, but they were extremely lucky. But at first they were lightweights, engaging minor villains. Had they stuck to that there would probably be no league objections to them. It was when they went after some heavyweight villains that the League became concerned. First it was Brother Blood and then it was the Brotherhood of Evil. In both cases they were one step from disaster. The Brotherhood almost nuked Paris because of the Teen Titans."
"But they were always successful, were they not?"
"By the grace of Poseidon, yes. But the point is they were never properly trained. Robin and Beast Boy are the only ones in the original team that have any kind of proper training. In that regard the Titans East are better balanced, except for the twins. Unfortunately, as in the case of Robin and Beast Boy the others have incomplete training as well."
Kaldur nodded. "I understand Aquaman, but would it not be fair to say that they have trained themselves, much as how the founding members of the Justice League are also self taught? Did Batman or Superman have mentors?"
"A good observation Kaldur, but wouldn't you agree that training, if available, should be used?"
"Yes Aquaman, I agree."
"Good. There is one more thing, you said that you will make us proud, and of that I have no doubt. But there is more to it than that. We want you to be a light, a beacon to the Teen Titans. We want them to return to the Justice League."
"I understand my king. But how are we to do this?"
Aquaman paused before responding.
"You asked about where your team was going to be deployed. I will tell you, but this will remain confidential until it is officially announced, you may not tell your teammates or anyone for that matter."
"Jump City." Kaldur interrupted. "You will be sending us to Jump City."
"You sound troubled, tadpole."
"Forgive me, but I am uncertain as to how the Titans will react to this."
Aquaman once again placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I thought they were your friends, I expect they'll receive you and your team with open arms."
"Perhaps." Kaldur replied uneasily.
"Don't worry about it. And also don't worry about the wedding ceremony, I'll contact Tula's parents and we'll take care of everything. You have tomorrow morning off so that you and Tula can formalize your agreement. She may come with us the Hall of Justice on the surface if she so wishes."
Aquaman bade Kaldur a good night. As the young Atlantean returned to his room, his mind was racing as he tried to bring order to his jumbled thoughts. He was uncomfortable with the news of infringing on the Titan's turf, and was beginning to wonder if his team was being used. If there was something worse than being a sidekick, it was being a pawn.
And then there was Tula. Aquaman seemed very keen on pairing them up. Kaldur had spent some time alone with her after dinner, and the subject of marriage had been brought up, and they agreed to continue discussing it. He sighed, feeling more confused than ever. As he reached his room he decided that things needed to slow down before they could resume.
He reached for the door handle and opened it.
Tula was waiting for him in his room.
- ( scene break ) -
TT-Robin typed furiously at the keyboard on the operations console. He waited a few moments and frowned when the results of his query, or to be more accurate the lack of results, were displayed on the screen.
"Are you sure you saw construction on Namaqua Hill?" Robin asked. "Because according to city records there's nothing under construction there."
"Dude, we saw it with our own eyes!"
"Are you sure it wasn't a dream, grass stain?" Cyborg asked.
"I also saw it." Raven added. "And from the looks of it, it's big and a lot of it is underground."
Robin tapped the keys again, this time he had an aerial view of the hill, taken from a passing satellite. Much to his chagrin the construction site was not only real, it was abuzz with activity. They watched for a few minutes until the satellite, still following its orbit, moved out of visual range.
"Told ya!" Beast Boy harrumphed.
Robin crossed his arms and glared at the changeling.
"Are you sure it was Captain Marvel?"
Beast Boy became indignant.
"I know what Captain Marvel looks like! It was him."
Robin glanced over at Raven. Before he could ask, she answered.
"I didn't get a look, but if Gar saw him then I would assume he was there."
Robin collapsed into a chair and heaved a heavy sigh.
"This means only one thing … the Justice League is setting up shop here in our town."
"Dude! That is awesome!"
Robin glared at the changeling.
"No Beast Boy … it's not awesome. They're coming here for one reason, and one reason alone … to put us in our place."
"Aren't you being a little paranoid?" Raven asked in her monotone. "The Justice League has a global reach … maybe they just want to have a local presence."
Robin leaped out of his chair, almost apoplectic as he gesticulated with his hands.
"You don't know them Raven, everything they do has an ulterior motive. They could have at least had the courtesy to tell us they were coming to town."
"So what do we do?" Starfire asked. "Shall we go and investigate some more?"
"No, they don't know that we know."
Beast Boy gave Robin a troubled look.
"You aren't gonna go all obsessive on us again, are you Rob?" The changeling asked. "It's bad enough when you can't stop thinking about Slade, but the Justice League, they're the good guys. Hey, maybe with their help we can finally catch Slade."
As soon as the words left Beast Boy's mouth Raven slapped her forehead. She turned to her beau and whispered to him: "Why did you have to say that?"
At first Robin said nothing and merely glared at the green changeling. After what felt like an eternity the Boy Wonder finally spoke up.
"We. Don't. Need. Their. Help." He replied between clenched teeth.
Before Beast Boy could reply he found his mouth covered by Raven's dark energy and she promptly dragged him away while he kicked and flailed his arms.
"Yo Rob! Chill man! Its gonna be OK. Besides, for all we know, it might just be a training center or something else."
Robin paced around the room, while his four teammates watched, wondering what would happen next. After a few minutes he stopped pacing and turned to the bionic teen.
"Cyborg … get the T-Ship ready … we're paying the Justice League a house call."
- ( scene break ) -
The Hall of Justice in Metropolis was a whirlwind of activity as superheroes from the four corners of the Earth and elsewhere arrived. The main hall had been set up as an impromptu auditorium with a veritable ocean of folding chairs set up and buffet tables on the sides brimming with food and beverages which the many heroes were helping themselves to with gusto. The sounds of hundreds of simultaneous conversations echoed off high ceiling as the guests continued to arrive.
At the end of the hall a temporary stage was set up, and several microphones perched on their aluminum stands stood like silent sentinels. It was behind the stage however where the most interesting activity was taking place.
The six members of the Young Justice League were huddled together behind the stage, while their mentors looked on from the sidelines. The 6 young heroes were bantering with each other, being in touch with each other for the first time in a month. They traded stories about their training sessions and shared a few laughs.
Kaldur was subdued, even by his own standards, and seemed clearly uncomfortable. This did not go unnoticed by Robin and Kid Flash, who approached him.
"Kaldur, why so serious? Is Aquaman treating you that bad?" Robin asked.
The Atlantean acknowledged his two teammates with a nod.
"I have an announcement to make, but I decided to wait until your socializing was completed."
"An announcement? That sounds intense!" Kid Flash chimed in. He turned to the other three teammates. "Hey guys, get over here! Kaldur has some news!"
The two females and Superboy discontinued their small talk and proceeded to join the rest of the team.
"What is it?" Artemis asked. "Have they the way home for us yet?"
Kaldur shook his head.
"We're gonna get a really cool base of our own?" Robin asked.
"Actually, my understanding is that we will, but that is not my announcement."
M'Gann regaled him with one of her endearing grins.
"So what's the news?"
Kaldur turned towards a large curtain and nodded. His five teammates saw a stunning young woman emerge from the drapes and she walked to Kaldur's side.
"Friends, I would like to introduce you to Tula."
Robin and Kid Flash began to hoot and holler their approval.
"Way to go fish stick! You gotta girlfriend!" Kid Flash cheered.
"Hey! When did you have time to find a girlfriend?" Robin asked.
M'Gann beamed and turned to look at Superboy, who appeared to be unfazed. Artemis stepped forward and offered her hand to Tula.
"Nice to meet you Tula." The blond archer greeted her.
Once the initial ruckus settled down, Kaldur spoke up.
"I am afraid that I have given you the wrong impression friends … Tula is not what you surface dwellers would call my girlfriend."
Robin leaned up to Kaldur and "whispered" in a rather loud voice: "So she's fair game?"
Kaldur chuckled.
"I am afraid not Robin."
The Boy Wonder gave him a mischievous look.
"So is she your cousin or something?"
Tula stepped forward and smiled.
"I will be joining your team."
"Excellent!" Kid Flash bellowed. "You can't have too many hot babes on the team!"
Tula laughed politely.
"I'm sorry, I see that you are confused, which is understandable since you aren't from Atlantis."
"Well then, maybe you should explain the situation to us landlubbers." Artemis interjected as she smirked.
Tula smiled.
"It's really quite simple. Kaldur and I are betrothed and will be married by the end of the month!"
Silence.
"It's true, Tula is not joking." Kaldur added. "We decided last night to make our bond permanent."
More silence.
Finally Kid Flash spoke up.
"You're be-what?"
"They're getting married, stupid." Artemis remarked.
"I know what betrothed means Arte."
"Don't call me that."
"Uh, Kaldur, how old are you again?" Robin asked.
"I am sixteen years old. I know that by your standards I am young, but for my people this is normal."
Once again, silence.
"You sure this isn't a joke?" Artemis asked.
"We are certain. You are of course invited to attend the ceremony."
The exchange was interrupted by Batman, who signaled the seven teenagers to come onto the stage. As they emerged from the curtains they saw the throng of superheroes assembled below. Many were unknown to them. Batman indicated to them to each stand behind one of the microphones. They were joined by their mentors and in Kaldur's case also by Tula.
Batman stepped forward.
"Fellow justice league members, I thank you for coming here today so that we could introduce you to seven future members of the Justice League. In just four more weeks they will complete their training and …"
Batman's voice was drowned out by the sound of jet engines overhead. He looked up and saw an orange colored vessel floating over the Halls' giant glass ceiling. He frowned as soon as he recognized it: The T-Ship.
"What are they doing here?" He growled to no one in particular. "Who invited the Teen Titans?"
- ( scene break ) -
A quick update (I was home sick today)
Another shout out today!
Last time I recommended any and all of Sir Alwick's stories in the Teen Titans section.
Today, I am recommending a second writer 'still too old for this'. He has some of the most unusual and entertaining plots I have seen. Also to be found in the Teen Titans section.
I encourage you to read their works. Leave them nice reviews and they just might start writing YJ fan fics (I know that still too old is a big fan of the YJ comics books!)
And now mailbag time!
Fallenarchangel - "yaaaaaaaaaaaaa i love wally"
But which one?
Riqis Inna Sunja - "That was great! are they building a yj base in jump city! omg! i cant wait for another marvolous chappie!"
They got busted!
Illsome Child - "Batman frustrates me. I love him as much as the next person, but he's gonna run the Titans out of their city and replace? This is a very interesting concept, and not one that I think has ever been done before.
Something tells me that this might not bode too well with the citizens of Jump City."
In the show TT-Robin is very secretive about why he's flying solo without Batsy.
DarkRapture - "By the way, excellent story so far! I found no faults in any chapter yet! :D "
Thanks!
Master Doc - "Batman has regrets, but who can blame the man. Too bad YJ- Batman isn't there. Ha he may be strict but he can be supportive and even inspirational sometimes."
I would love to have the two bats meet, even though it's already been done.
nequam-tenshi - "Batgirl yes, but she would be Cassandra Cain. Mix up the members and throw in a character to see how everything turns out."
Cassandra is scary - I read a fic where she and Raven fight over Beast Boy. What is it about BB and scary girls?
Hairul The Nightrage Beast - "I got a gut feeling if Dick knows what Batman thinks of his team, he'll shed the Robin persona, upgrade to Nightwing and deck Batman straight into the face for thinking so low of the Titans, I can imagine Dick telling Bruce off "You take care your own house, old man, while I take care of mine."
And for once Batman don't look on the shortcomings, so what of BB's scatterbrained? Can Batman defeat the BoE on his own? Or what about Raven being a Demoness? Does Batman has the Cojones to face Trigon one on one like the Titans did? Or what about Cyborg being an emotional wreck? For a Cyborg, he's more human than Batman.
But one thing that's eating Bruce is this, he's just jealous of Dick, jealous that while the Titans are a rag tag bunch, they certainly function as a family and a cohesive unit unlike the Justice League, who kinda lack that cohesive family spirit. Majority of the JL got huge fat egos with a few exceptions. But yeah just one chappie dedicated to Dick dressing down at Bruce plus him decking Bruce straight on the face to get his message across that no one messes with the Titans."
Actually, Dick does deck Bruce in Batman the Animated Series (Old Wounds).
wolfenstien - "My sources say June 3rd for the next episode.
Nice work, I like how you added the bit from the Batman cartoon in."
That was such a good episode (Batman the Animated Series - Old Wounds)
Linzerj - "I loved the BB/Rae-ness in this chapter - so fluffy! And I liked seeing Dr. Light getting beaten up by BB. Ah, yes, so fun... And, hey, it indeed is a taxi!
Great job, I look forward to more!"
Thanks!
KatieLovesPeterPan - "Really great chapter! This story is so so great! Update soon.
P.S. New Young Justice episode on June 3rd. I wish it was sooner :/"
What's taking them so long? And I hope we don't get ripped off with a 13 episode season.
KaliAnn - "Does Batman have tunnel vision or what? He thought what happened was because he didn't beat the emotions out of Robin and make him stick to a leash? Jeez what happened to the Titans was going to happen wether they were with the League or not because of Slade's determination. Slade didn't call Robin sloppy, he called him untapped potential. Loved the fight with Light and what happened afterwards. As for Terra, I don't really like her, but I think this is the one chance she has to do something right and stop Slade's plan and defend the Titans before becoming a statue forevermore."
Batsy is a bit of a control freak.
Dew - "LOVE THIS STORY! But im really hating the stupit Batman plan of making a young justice team in Jump City. Batman should just make up with Robin already. Really (throws Batman off a buildng) Really loving the whole Beastboy/Raven thing. Im starting to feel bad for Terra though. Is that a good or bad thing?"
If you're feeling bad for Terra, then I'm doing my job well.
swirlhearty23 - "Oh I really like this so much! Kind of want to see something bad happen to yj-robin. Update soon."
Any suggestions?
Gingerstorm101 - "to me its kinda cute. there have been storys where slade completely stops beings a bad guy and lives a life with raven, or the take over the world together, or some other stuff where shes still a good girl and hes a bad guy. plus they are alike in some ways... or i have been reading too many storys where they are..."
It's like Slade said: "It's always the quiet one"
almostinsane - "Great chapter! I believe the new Young Justice will premier this June. At least, I think that's what I read on a youtube comment or the Young Justice wiki. Anyway, thanks for writing this. God bless!"
Maybe the studio in Korea went on strike?
LordGodsServant - "I wonder if Ms. Martian will learn about Terra's thievery from her bio-ship. Terra will be in deep trouble if she does. Batman is a complete control freak in this chapter. He cares too much in a way. He is also way too prideful, the League as a whole is actually, they think that they alone can teach the Titans how to be effective heroes and that they alone are the only eventual option for the Titans. They completely refuse to look at all the Titans have accomplished (all the villainous organizations they defeated in each season.)
I wonder if the Young Justice are going to refuse to be the League's puppets to try and take over the Titan's positions. Surely they'll eventually realize what the League is doing."
So many questions ... so few answers!
boomihavearrived - "awesome update soon and pls put some more yj in this. teen titans is second in my opinion sry :P"
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Sakura-bell - "Hi, I actually found this story thru the first chappy posted on the TT page and wanted to read the rest so here we are. This a really good crossover and I think even though there haven't been any new YJ eps the team does seem to be in character and not too ooc. And while I am a staunch RobRae shipper the parings in your story don't bother me as much as I thought they would. Kudos!"
A Robin/Raven shipper? Now that's gutsy.
yob3 - "Awesome chapter! Dr. Light is a serious villain, though TT doesn't show it often. Glad to see this side of him. Also, don't you think Batman is getting competitive, building YJs base so close to the T-tower? And I do agree that in many versions Batman is difunctional. But in his main comic book form, he isn't quite as much. Also, I would like to see the TT version of the Light"
Dr. Light did get shortchanged in the show; they made him into a buffoon.