Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or any characters related to the show. Young Justice is owned by DC Comics parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.

Mental Link

Chapter 6: The first day

1/4/2011

5am the next morning, Conner woke up and was refreshed. Everything overnight went well; the sound of Wolf's breathing and heartbeat drowned out the sound of the bats and the batmobile underground. Conner couldn't believe he was in Wayne manor, a son to Bruce and brother to Dick. It's all going by so fast.

Wally did mention the Bats aren't morning people, which would explain why everyone beside him was asleep. Conner decided not to disturb anyone, turned on the TV, and tuned it to static. While some (Wally) made fun of Conner's addiction to static, others were just curious as to why. Conner enjoyed static since it helped him concentrate and focus his super hearing on one thing versus everything. It's an excellent way to train himself so he doesn't become a victim of sensory overload. After a while, he decided it was time to head downstairs to do something.

Bruce, Dick, and Alfred were all asleep. While he had a tour of both the cave and the manor, it was time he explored a bit on his own. First to check in on Sphere. He went to the old grandfather clock, used his telescopic vision, and found a switch that opened the door. While Wolf accompanied him, he headed down to the Batcave and found Sphere next to the bat computer. He patted Sphere, who, in turn, made a couple of beeps. After another quick walk around the Batcave. Conner headed up into the manor and went to the kitchen.

It's 6am, and M'gann would usually be up. She would already make breakfast for him. Conner will admit M'gann did spoil him. Not having her around will be a weird change, but hoped she was happy with their new arrangement. He and M'gann would usually feed Wolf some meat. But Alfred fed him meat, grain, and vegetable, so finding everything would take some time. After a few minutes of navigating through the kitchen's refrigerator and the rest of the kitchen to find plates and dishes. Conner was interrupted by someone politely clearing their throat behind him.

"Master Conner, may I ask what you are doing?"

Conner froze like a kid caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar. Conner did wonder whether Alfred always wears a suit. Also, why didn't Wolf warn him?

"I was just going to make Breakfast for myself and Wolf."

"Master Conner, when you're finished with today's training with Master Bruce and Master Dick today. I will show you the ways of the kitchen. In the meantime, we should head to the medical bay to inspect your injuries."

Conner dropped whatever he was holding in the kitchen and followed Alfred to the med bay again.

"Your injuries are completely healed, Young Master."

"Thank you, Alfred."

Conner was grateful that he didn't need to be bandaged again. Only two things were on his mind. He was eager to start training with Bruce and Dick and Breakfast.

He and Alfred went back upstairs to the kitchen, where Alfred showed Conner every aspect of the kitchen and how it all worked. Conner returned a favor and helped prepare breakfast for everyone, mainly oatmeal. While Wolf got a breakfast of fruit, almonds, and oats. He just looked at Conner and Alfred, who gave him the bowl of food, wondering what he deserved to not get meat but ate it anyways. By 8am, as soon as breakfast was finished, Dick and Bruce finally came down and were surprised that Alfred was allowing Conner to help him in the kitchen.

"Alfred allowed you to help in the kitchen?"

Conner nodded and walked up to him with a tray of fruit and nuts for the oatmeal.

"Why?"

"Bruce has a lifetime ban from the kitchen."

"Why?"

"He can't cook to save himself. The kitchen was destroyed when he tried to make chicken soup from a can."

Conner was surprised. Given the number of skills the dark knight has in his belt, he would think cooking would be part of it since survival. But it amazed him a bit that despite the vast amount of knowledge, he couldn't cook.

"It can't be worst than M'gann's first attempts at cookies?"

"It's worst."

Conner didn't press on since Dick had that serious look on his face reserved for a situation where everything could go wrong.

"So what are we doing today?"

"We'll teach you multiple fighting techniques and give you a cognitive skills test."

"Why do I need to take a cognitive skills test?"

"We need to find out how your brain processes everything. The genomorphs downloaded knowledge to your mind. We need to find your cognitive baseline and improve it from there."

"Most of our work involves problem-solving, viewing everything from different perceptions."

"You want to expand my knowledge of everything and provide another point of view to solve problems."

"Yes."

"When can we get started?"

The following 12 hours were grueling for Conner. The first two and half hours involved Conner and a cognitive skills test. Conner's cognitive skills were very impressive. He was able to process and recall information in record time. Bruce noted that Conner would take a little time to learn all his detective skills. After the test, lunch was served. Alfred made chicken salad sandwiches for everyone. Still curious, Conner decided to test whether Bruce could cook food, it didn't go well. He couldn't figure out how but Bruce managed to ruin his second serving of chicken salad sandwich. It was also the first time Conner saw Wolf vomit when he tried to eat the sandwich Bruce prepared. After the disastrous lunch "heavy on the 'dis'" Bruce began testing Conner's power limit. Conner's strength maxed out at 100 tons. While lacking the ability to fly, they also tested how high he could leap. Long story short, there wasn't enough height in the Batcave to thoroughly test Conner's leaping abilities. His speed was also impressive. While not as fast as Wally, he could still move faster than all humans. After testing his Kryptonian limits, they decided to test his human limits. Everyone moved into the red sun room. To be fair, Conner has felt what it was like to be exposed to Kryptonite, and yes, it did hurt. But thankfully, the red sun room had the opposite effect; instead of pain, he felt a little exhausted and tired, although that could be from the test from earlier.

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

"You can try lifting Wolf as a test."

Conner tried as hard as he could to lift Wolf. Turns out the Kobra-venom-enhanced wolf was much heavier than expected. He couldn't even lift him off the ground.

"Told you the lights would work. Now stop trying to lift Wolf. You're going to strain your back." Dick said.

Conner stubbornly gave up. But another thing was on his mind. The room really depowers him for the first time. It was interesting, to say the least. He didn't have to concentrate on his hearing or his vision. It was very relaxing. On the bright side, they knew Conner couldn't lift 1 Wolf. Strength-wise, he could only lift 75 pounds while very slow in running with endurance. Conner could run a mile in 12:30 but was severely out of breath by the end. They needed to improve Conner's endurance and strength while he was human.

After the tests, it was time for the complex parts of the fighting/defense lessons for the day. Bruce and Dick started Krava Maga lessons for the next 5 hours. Afterward, Dick showed Conner his basic floor routine exercises to improve his flexibility and strength for the next 2 hours. The final hour was spent on weight training. After 12 hours, Conner was a mess. Not only was he tired, he couldn't move. Every single muscle and fiber in his body was on fire. Conner collapsed on the ground, just lying there in his sweat.

"Conner, please tell me you aren't dead?"

Conner just moans in pain.

Despite the red sunlamp being turned off, Conner was still in pain whenever he tried to move. Dick quickly poured some cold water over Conner, which helped revive him. After a quick cold shower and changing into some solar wear, Conner remerged with some energy.

Rib eye steak with mashed potato and other vegetables was on the menu for tonight. While everyone ate at a pleasured pace, Conner devoured everything with a fervor that would make Wally blush. He asked Alfred for seconds which he devoured with enthusiasm again but was recorded by Dick to send to Wally later. By 9pm, Conner was exhausted and full; although he wasn't as sore as earlier, it could be his strength returning. He spent his remaining time before he went to bed reading in the manor's library. Wayne Manor's library was exhaustive. He honestly couldn't get bored with the number of books in it. But he chooses a book and reads it before returning to his room. To end his night, Conner called M'gann to find out how she was doing.

"Hello?"

"M'gann?"

"Hey, Conner, how is life in Gotham with Batman and Robin?"

"It's fine. Today was my full first day of training with both of them. I'm tired and exhausted. What about you? How is life with your uncle?"

"It's great I finished moving into my room in his Chicago Apartment. It'll take me a couple of days to unpack and set up everything, but I'm excited."

"What about the Bumblebees?"

"I already texted them saying my uncle has to move to Chicago because of work. They were sad to see me go. But I made my choice."

"M'gann, why did you agree to all of this? Do you do it for me?"

"Not really, Conner. After meeting Marie, I decided I needed to create my own identity. Something to call me. She permitted me to use her younger face, but I needed to do something unrelated to her. Yeah, joining the cheerleading team was great, but it was all from a 70's TV show. She inspired me to pursue my dreams."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know yet. I am still deciding what I want to become. I'm heading to my new school next Monday for a tour then the following Monday school starts.

"What school are you going to?"

"Uncle J'onn said I'll attend the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools on a Wayne Foundation scholarship. Apparently, Wayne Foundations is a major benefactor to the league. Uncle J'onn and Batman convinced Bruce Wayne to fund my education."

Conner just smiled. He wished he could tell her everything, but Dick wanted to tell everyone in his own way.

"That's great, M'gann."

"What about you? Know what school you're going to yet?"

"I don't know yet. But knowing Batman, it could be anywhere."

"Have you started training with your uncle yet?"

"No, we'll get started with that next week. For now, Uncle J'onn wants me to settle in and adapt to everything. Anyways I won't keep you up any longer. You need to rest, especially with the training Batman and Robin put you through. Good night Conner."

"Good night M'gann."

As Conner hung up the phone and went and changed, someone knocked on his door.

"Come in"

The door opened, and Bruce was standing there with a Manilla envelope.

"Conner."

"Bruce. What's this about?"

"I wanted to give you this before Dick, and I headed for patrol."

Bruce handed the envelope to Conner and subsequently opened it. The contents of the envelope were scattered all over his desk.

"Documents for your new identity. Birth certificate, social security card, ID, passport, driver's license, debit card to a bank account I funded, an authorized credit card, and a new cell phone with a new number."

"Thanks, Bruce. Can I get a tour of Gotham academy before I attend? I just want a layout of the place. The last time I visited, I was punched by an android, and I may have destroyed someone's locker by accident."

Bruce just looks at him with a 'really' face.

"The locker had a picture of Superman at the time."

"Oh, I know. Who deletes the security camera footage of all your missions? Regarding the tour, Gotham Academy will be giving you a tour with a student liaison."

"Oh. Ok then, thanks, Bruce."

"Good night Conner"

"Night"