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.
Yes, I decided to rename the story. Evolution wasn't cutting it out for me.
Chapter 10
3/18/2011
Themyscira
In an arena-like setting, two females were sparing with swords. They were Artemis(of Bana-Mighdall) and Kara. The fight was going well until Artemis kicked Kara in the stomach sending the Kryptonian flying to the other side of the arena. Kara looked up to see the end of a sword.
"Now, little one. Prepare-"Artemis said as she raised her sword but was soon intercepted by a very angry Superman.
"Don't touch her." Superman said, gripping Artemis' wrist; she soon fell.
"Is there a problem?" Wonder Woman asked as she stepped in between Superman and Artemis.
"You ask me to keep an open mind. I've kept an open mind. But Kara belongs in Metropolis with me." Superman said.
"We agreed this was in her best interest, and your idea of keeping an open mind is deeply flawed."
"I never agreed to be kidnapped and confined to this island." Kara spat. That didn't matter Superman, and Wonder Woman were now glaring at each other, both knowing who the subject was being referred to.
"Don't ever do that again." Artemis said as she walked away, glaring at Superman breaking the silence.
"We settled on that matter Diana."
"And I told you; you should at least try to talk to him before you make him resent you."
"He was created to destroy me!"
"Why are you punishing him for existing? He was never in control of his existence or life before they found him."
"The clone doesn't deserve anything." Kara said, realizing who they were referring to.
"We're leaving." Superman said, motioning Kara to follow.
"Clark! We are not finished!" Diana said, but it was too late. The Kryptonians flew away.
Flashback
August 2010
"He's being unreasonable." Superman said in the Watchtower
"He's not being unreasonable. He goes to the only person who knows how to handle the power." Wonder Woman said, trying to be diplomatic.
"He was made to destroy me! How can you agree with him?"
"Clark, Bruce came to you since you were the only person who could handle the power. He wanted you to train him."
"Train the weapon to destroy me?"
"You realize it's almost been a month since Superboy's existence was known to us. He showed that he didn't want a part in Cadmus and freed the teens. We understand that you need some time to process this, but rejecting his pled is outright cruel."
"Diana, he was made to destroy me."
"Yes, I'm aware; you already mentioned it. But the worst thing to do to Superboy is not to give him guidance and reason to resent us."
"Bruce has that covered." Clark said as he was leaving.
End of Flashback
By New years things were more evident. Superboy was created by their enemies to infiltrate the League and possibly replace Superman. Things got more complicated as Superman continued to ignore Superboy. It was made worst with Kara's arrival and Superboy's discovery of the genomorphs death in Cadmus. Bruce gave Diana assurances that Superboy would be dealt with. She was still concerned with everything. So she took action. As Kara and Clark were walking in a park in Metropolis. She made her move and captured Kara to take her to Themyscira. She argued with Clark while Bruce was observing from the background. Her point was proven when the landscape was destroyed in the struggle when Kara panicked. Kara spent nearly two months on Themyscira before Clark had enough. Now Diana had to deal with another problem: Superboy. In those two months, she observed Clark giving Kara the 'red carpet' treatment while Superboy is an afterthought. She asked him about Superboy and received little of a response. She has faith in Bruce to care for Superboy. However, what would he become without a mentor or a parental figure to guide him?
Watchtower
"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, Dinah."
"Not at all, Diana. You said this was urgent over the phone. What do you want to talk about?"
"I wanted to ask you about Superboy."
"Conner. His name is Conner."
"I was beginning to wonder if anyone would give him a name. Did he choose it?"
"No, Miss Martian, choose it for him."
"How is he doing?"
"I honestly don't know. Bruce took him in after Cadmus."
"Bruce took him in?" Diana said in shock.
"He did after Cadmus and what happened in the cave."
"What happened in the cave?"
"Kara tried to kill him. When she discovered Conner was a clone, she used her heat vision on him and nearly killed him before Robin used Kryptonite and intervened." Dinah said.
"Why?"
"According to Kara, Krypton had a history of cloning. Kryptonian clones would devolve into mindless killing machines. That was the reason why she tried to kill him."
Diana began to connect the dots but had to ask.
"What did Clark do?" Diana asked.
"Clark and Kara are on the same page. Dinah simply said.
Diana was in shock. She never expected this from Clark.
Diana and Dinah continued their conversation for another hour. By that time, Red Tornado joined to give her his perspective. The two shared their honest opinion regarding Conner. Conner went from being angry to accepting (by their last contact) who and what he was. Bruce's involvement should be considered a blessing. Who knows what someone with Conner's abilities and mindset would do after everything.
Knowing Bruce took Conner, Diana approached him on her proposal before going to Conner. As she walked into the Batcave from the Zeta Tube, she saw Bruce working on his belt. In front of him were multiple monitors for the cave.
"Bruce."
"Diana, you should've called."
Diana said nothing opting instead to look at one of the monitors noticing that it was a video feed of Conner and Dick's training. She could see that Conner had flight while Dick and a massive Wolf were doing something to him. She wondered why a massive Wolf was on Conner's back while Dick threw something at him.
"Dick is training him on concentration with flight." Bruce said, noting Diana confused face and looking into the monitor.
"That's actually the reason why I'm here. I'm aware Conner's powers are developing and require specialized training. I'm willing to take him to Themyscira to train him there."
Bruce stopped working on his belt and looked at the princess. Determining whether or not Clark got to Diana or this was a legitimate offer.
"I'm not trying to trick you or anything. Training him on Themyscira is better than here, given that my people know how to prepare him properly."
Bruce conceded that he could help Conner with training mentally, but his physical powers would be out of his league.
"I thought Themyscira had a no men allowed policy."
"You forget that I'm a diplomat and have ways to persuade others."
"I'm open to the idea, but you must ask Conner yourself."
"Ask me what?" Conner asked, seeing Wonder Woman next to Bruce.
Wonder Woman walked over to Conner and asked her question.
"Conner, would you be willing to come to Themyscira so that I and the other Amazons can train you to use your powers?"
Conner looked the Wonder Woman and then looked at Bruce. He's never met Wonder Woman before. In all the times he had seen her, she's been glued to Superman. Sensing tension and uncertainty, Diana quickly made her point.
"I want to bring you to Themyscira to better train you. No offense to Bruce, but it's significantly better to train you there than here if anyone gets injured." Diana said.
Conner furrowed his brow for a second and considered. He never thought about what would happen if Dick, Bruce, or Alfred could get injured. He thought he was defective, then realized his powers could come with age. He didn't want to be a burden to them, not after what all of them did for him. He enjoys this.
"Do I have to leave now?" Conner whispers.
Diana quickly places her hand on Conner's shoulder and tells him.
"No, we can train in the summer. But if your powers do start to develop then I suggest you come with me immediately."
"Can I think about it?"
"When you make a decision, please contact me." Diana said, walking away from everyone to the Batcave's Zeta-Tube.
As the Amazonian princess departed, Conner turned to the cave's occupants and questioned whether or not he should take up Wonder Woman's offer.
"I was going to ask her if she would help train you on your Kryptonian abilities. I want to train you, but I don't know how." Bruce said
"You know, he told me that you have this covered."
"I'm aware. That being said, you should accept her offer. Having power and knowing how to use it is different."
"Plus, you get the ultimate bragging rights in history: A man on Themyscira." Dick added.
"I'll think about it."
"What are the odds your powers kick in during your ACT and SAT exams?" Conner groaned while Dick gave out his signature laugh at the demi-kryptonian's pleasure.
"Come on, you can worry about the SAT and the ACT later." Dick said, pushing Conner to the stairs.
"Enjoy yourself tonight; this weekend is your special weekend." Bruce said as the boy were near the entrance to the manor.
"We finally get to celebrate your first official birthday." Dick said with glee.
"Alright, I'll get ready." Conner said as he walked up to his room. Dick meanwhile got out his phone and sent a quick text.
Mount Justice
As the Zeta-beam announced Conner and Dick's presence, everyone got into position, hiding. As they started walking further into the cave, the surprise was sprung.
"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled.
In front of Conner was the team, and their mentors corralled up to the demi-Kryptonian and wished him well.
"We know it's a little early, but we had to celebrate." Wally said, running up to him.
"Are you only saying that so we can hurry up and have cake?" Conner asked.
"Yes, Ow!" Wally yelped as he received a shoulder punch and a head slap from Robin and Artemis.
Everyone went into the living room and saw 5 sheet cakes for everyone. M'Gann baked a cake for everyone while Alfred baked the remaining four for the speedsters after blowing out his candles and making the first cut for the cake. Canary went ahead and cut the cake up for everyone. After cake, the teens opted to play table games and watch a few movies. The movie choices are Star Wars(Original Trilogy) and How to Train Your Dragon. After the film, Robin grabbed a couple of Escrima Sticks for everyone to have a 'lightsaber.' As Wally and Robin tried to convince Kaldur to join the 'dark side' M'gann asked an excellent question.
"Anyone interested in going to Disney World or Universal in Florida?" M'gann asked.
Everyone shrugged while Robin offered his own opinion.
"Nah, not interested in Disney World. Too many people and too expensive." Robin said.
Wally started to choke on laughter before Robin elbowed him in the ribs.
"What about Universal?" Artemis asked.
"Not bad, but still, given our line of work. I think a basic Carnival will due." Robin said.
"What's wrong with a theme park?" M'gann asked.
"Nothing but all of us get more excitement from patrol versus a theme park." Robin emphasized.
"Speaking of Patrol." Wally ran and returned with a printout of a news article related to "Batman's new sidekick".
"Front page headlines all over the world. Have you thought of a name yet?"
"Nope, haven't decided yet." Conner said.
"You better hurry. Everyone has started to call you 'Bat Boy'" Artemis commented.
"Wow, that is so creative." Conner said with sarcasm.
Kaldur grabbed the printout of the article and quickly read it.
"I'm happy for you, my friend." Kaldur added, observing Conner being more joyful.
"I'll think about it later. I have a bit on my mind." Conner said.
"Like?" Artemis asked.
Conner didn't respond, only started to float a bit in the air. Everyone's mouth dropped, including M'gann. However, M'gann was even more surprised when she was lifted off the ground without using her powers.
"What? How?" Everyone started to question.
"Surprise. I guess." Conner said.
Everyone looked at Conner, connecting the dots.
"Dude! You have telekinesis! Wait?" Wally said now very confused.
"It's a long story." Conner said as he hugged M'gann in the air.
Everyone then went into the living room, where Conner explained everything. By the end of it, the team, as expected, was shocked at everything that had happened in the past 2 months.
"So Batman thinks your powers are from the Genomorphs?" Kaldur asked.
"Dubbilex has telekinesis, and when trying to create me, they could've used the genomorphs as a template for mapping Luthor's DNA onto Superman's." Conner responded.
"I can help you master your telekinetic powers." M'gann said, leaning towards Conner.
"Thanks." Conner said, giving M'gann a kiss.
"So what about Wonder Woman? Are you really going to say yes?" M'gann asked.
"I don't know. It would be nice to train my other powers, but I don't want to be away from all of you."
"Dude, you do realize 'you' out of everyone in the world gets an offer to Themyscira. A place that literally bans all men from going. You have to say yes. Also, please take some pictures while you're there." Wally said.
"You should go, my friend. This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer, and who knows if Wonder Woman will ever offer it to you again. I had to accept when King Orin offered me to be his protege. I would have no idea what my life would be like if I had not said yes." Kaldur commented.
"All of our lives would be different, Kaldur. We wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for you."Artemis responded.
"That is not true. Without Robin convincing Batman, we wouldn't be here." Kaldur said.
"M'gann and I were blackmailed by the Light, but you showed us that everyone here was accepting." Artemis countered.
"Plus, without you telling me, "What would Superman do?" you, Wally, and Robin would've been replaced like Red Arrow." Conner added.
"Kaldur, you're practically the glue that holds all of us together. Conner, you should say yes. It's an opportunity that no one's going to get." Robin said.
"Will all of you be fine while I'm gone?" Conner asked.
"We will." Everyone said.
"Besides, if Wonder Woman allows it. M'gann and I could visit." Artemis said.
"My summer is team missions and studying for the SAT and ACT." M'gann added.
Conner groaned again, knowing that he had to take the tests sooner than later if he was going to Themyscira.
"Would it be unethical if you looked up the answers while I took the test?"
Artemis, Robin, and Wally said No, while Kaldur said yes.
Conner sent a message to Wonder Woman accepting her offer to train in Themyscira while everyone went to bed.
Black Canary got everyone back into training the following morning, despite being away for more than 2 months. The team was still able to work fluidly. After training, everyone went about their day in the cave. M'gann and Conner had the unfortunate task of studying for the SAT and ACTs, while Artemis, Robin, and Wally had homework to finish. Leaving Kaldur homework and study free, which enraged everyone. Conner, however, couldn't study for the tests and opted to do something else for the day. He opted to pause his studying to work on something realized that despite 'defeating' the Light on New Year, they wouldn't withdraw so easily, so why did they admit defeat so quickly?
Later that afternoon, Kaldur found Conner in one of the spare rooms inside Mount Justice in the epicenter of a paper explosion. The room was filled with nothing but whiteboards, papers, and string tying everything together, and Conner looked as if he had lost his mind.
"Conner, what's all of this? I thought you were studying for your tests with M'gann." Kaldur asked with slight concern.
"I didn't want to study; this is some research."
"What kind of research?"
"Everything."
Kaldur quickly requested everyone mentally, mainly Robin's, help to determine whether Conner had lost his mind. They arrived in the room, a bit shocked at everything.
"Here's a question how did Sionis get involved with XM718?" Conner asked Robin, seeing him come in.
The questioning looks to continue.
"It's designed and MCorp and is a failure since no one bought them. So how did they get on the streets of Gotham?"
"Sionis could've paid someone from LexCorp." Robin said.
"But what if he didn't but was given the guns and plans to them instead?"
"The Light."
"Exactly."
"The Light has planned everything from the beginning. Their plans have other plans. Even if we disrupt their plans, like freeing the League during New Years or freeing me. They continue as if nothing happened or it was a slight inconvenience. Why?"
"Because they're planning something more significant." Robin answered, connecting the dots.
"Yep."
"Epigenetic memories. You have Luthor's memories meaning you know what they're planning." Robin said in shock.
"Kind of. I have some of his memories, and I got enough glimpses of everything to look deeper into everything. Here are a couple of questions: Why would Ra al Ghul and Lex Luthor want or need to reunify Rhelasia? Why did Klarion split the world into two(adults and kids)? What's the Sphere's involvement in all of this?" Conner asked as Sphere made a couple of beeps to Conner's accusations.
"Why did the Light only want to control the League and not destroy them? What was the point of the 16 hours?"
"Well, Conner, splitting the world into two, as we now figured out, was to acquire the starfish thing from Atlantis." Wally said.
"What if it had a secondary purpose? I was looking through security cam footage outside S.T.A.R Labs Gotham. Look at who I found."
Conner shows a video, and it pauses at Sportsmaster.
"Okay, we know Sportsmaster is part of the Light as their enforcer. What's the big deal?" Artemis commented.
"Watch the video."
Conner plays the video, showing Sportsmaster saying something that incites the mob.
"So he says something that incites the mob, thus distracting Gordon and GPD so they can grab the starfish and escape." Robin said, pointing out the obvious; everyone was confused about what it meant.
"Robin, it's a beta test. The entire world was placed into a moment of crisis where anyone under the age of 18 disappeared. Everyone panicked, and the sportscaster took advantage of that to manipulate people to turn against S.T.A.R and GPD. It only took a temporary crisis. Imagine what people would do if the problem was years in the making with almost no way out."
"What does this have to do with the League?" Kaldur asked, still confused.
"Everything is because they're all connected." Dick replied.
"For years the Light has operated in the shadows manipulating and influencing everything to the point where it can't set off alarms while making the world in its image to an extent. Phase 2, as Savage calls it, is to distract the League so they can bring something or someone in. Who or what it is, I have yet to learn." Conner said.
"Why are you assume it's to bring someone or something in?" M'gann questioned.
"Because ruling the world as a dictator is one old fashion, two would promote rebellion immediately, and three, everything else I found."
"Thank you so much for giving our enemies new ways to rule the world." Wally sarcastically said.
"Besides the point, what's sphere involvement in all of this? Why did the Light only want to control the League and not destroy them? What was the point of the 16 hours?"
"Those are good yet terrifying questions." Kaldur admitted.
"In order, Sphere was tortured and experimented on by Psimon, who works for Queen Bee, who is part of the Light. The WatchTower detected a massive energy surge, which led us to her. The same energy surge was seen when the Forever people arrived on Earth and departed."
"Whatever teleportation source the Forever people used also sent spheres to Earth." M'gann said.
"Exactly."
"I asked Red Tornado to send me copies of his memories files, specifically when he, Red, and Canary were sent in to distract Savage to allow us to sneak on the WatchTower. This is what he said."
Conner plays the video of what Savage said to Tornado, Canary, and Red Arrow.
"Fifty thousand years of life, and nothing ever troubled me as much as the founding of the Justice League, dedicated to maintaining society's certified status quo. The League would protect mankind from disaster, crime, and tragedy. Have you never heard of 'the survival of the fittest'? In essence, you heroes sought to protect humanity from its glorious evolution. As such, you forced my more enlightened colleagues and me to organize a response. We created or co-opted networks of operatives, placed key individuals in critical positions, and ensured we were on the cutting edge of all new technologies, genetic engineering, biochemical engineering, robotics, nano-robotics, and even techno-sorcery.
Not to mention every conceivable method of mind control. Cold-heard science, a little misdirection, and now you, champions of stagnation, have become our agents of change, forcing the human race to evolve on a more advanced schedule, allowing the Earth to take its rightful place at the center of the Cosmos.".
"His last statement brings me to my next question. Why did the Light only want to control the League and not destroy them? Savage clearly had the means and reason to do it, but why not?" Conner asked.
"He needed the League for something." Kaldur said.
"Exactly. Final question: What was the point of the 16 hours? Given everything presented, what can you assume the 16 hours were for?"
"To attract attention to the planet, bring someone or something here." Artemis said, making the unfortunate conclusion.
"The universe doesn't know about the League, but I can bet you whatever happened during the 16 hours drew attention to both the League and Earth. Thus…"
"Forcing the human race to evolve on a more advanced schedule, allowing the Earth to take its rightful place, at the center of the Cosmos." Robin said, ending Conner's line of questioning.
"Why? Why would Savage do any of this, how does this involve the Sphere, and what does reunifying Rhelasia have to do with any of that?" Kaldur questioned.
"That's the part I'm still trying to figure out. Sphere's connection with this regards the Forever People's transportation system. The Forever people only told me she was abducted, and reunifying Rhelasia is still a mystery."
"Conner, you're scaring me." Wally frighteningly said.
"KF, he does make a good point. What was the end of everything?" Robin interjected.
Before anyone could answer, Batman came over the intercom.
The team was dispatched to Savannah, Georgia. A shipment of another XM718 is coming in, and the team's job was to stop the guns from ever reaching their buyers.
As the team flew to Georgia, the group asked about Conner's new suit and weapons of choice.
"What happened to no capes, no tights?" Wally joked.
"When did you start carrying a sword and a crossbow?" M'gann asked.
"I can only exactly use super strength in Gotham unless I'm older and have a cape." Conner said.
Everyone nodded at that logic.
"Why do we have to wear all of this?" Wally asked. Batman gave everyone new suits, one that would protect them from the XM718 rounds.
Robin responded by showing them the effects (Pictures) of a 718 on a couple of barrels and wooden crates.
"You know what, I love this new suit." Wally said, gulping at what these weapons could do to them.
In Georgia, the mission went off without a hitch. Assuming a couple of miniature explosions were part of the plan. When the team arrived, they saw more next-gen weaponry destined for other cities. In the end, everyone was tired, and the weapons and the bad guys were secure. Local authorities arrived as soon as the team cleared out with the 718. Not that they didn't trust the locals but better be safe than sorry. Upon their return to the cave and a debriefing by Batman. Conner brought Batman to the room, where he asked a couple of questions and, to his shock, also began to question everything.
"Artemis believes the breakout at Belle Reve is to distract us. Given her information and this, it does make me wonder what we did and what's coming." Batman said.
"The universe is a massive place. Narrowing down the planet that all of you were sent to is going to take a long time. If Savage used a teleportation method like a, Boomtube, it could be even longer." Conner responded.
"That is one of my fears. But your deep dive into everything does make me wonder. Did the Light split the world into two to force Nabu to take Zatarra to deprive the League of a magical member while saving Kid Flash from Nabu? Why would the Light want Rhelasia to be reunified? What was Savage's goal in all of this?"
"I don't know, but he and the light have to have a reason for this; the question is: Why?".
"It has to be T."
"Savage did say he wanted us to evolve so we can take our place."
"That's my concern. Savage was patient but now made sure we did his dirty work. Meaning it's coming."
"I'll bring this matter up to the league and possibly employ Earth 3rd Lantern to help us." Batman said, leaving now, calling for an emergency meeting.
An hour later, all of the league members arrived at the Watchtower in the meeting room.
"What is this meeting about Batman?" Hawkwoman asked.
"What occurred on New Year could be the beginning of something bigger." Batman said
"What do you mean by that?" Flash asked.
"I believe Vandal Savage sent us off-world to bring attention to both Earth and the League."
While the meeting was, occurring, Conner realized he needed information. He needed to get some information regarding the Light. Then it struck him. The Light's proxies. Could they be of use?
Back on the Watchtower, the League was in meltdown mode. Before anyone continued panicking, Wonder Woman calmed them down.
"Enough. Batman explains the process and reasoning behind everything." Wonder Woman said.
"First off, it was someone other than me who fitted the puzzle pieces together. Superboy is the one who picked everything together. Klarian split the world into adults and kids for three reasons we can think of right now. To take the bio-organism from Star Labs to beta test a way to manipulate people and deprive the League of a magical member." Batman calmly said.
At that last statement, everyone turned to Fate.
"Explain your logic now." Fate ordered
"Fate can intervene, however, only to maintain balance. So by depriving Zatarra of the League, we are vulnerable to magic-based attacks or anything related to magic to an extent." Batman said.
"During the dimensional split between adults and kids. Sportsmaster was able to use the confusion to not only gather the starfish creature for Starro-tech but was able to manipulate the public to attack Star Labs." Batman continued.
"What do you mean by that?" Green Lantern (John Stewart) asked.
"The public expects us to be able to protect them. So if a couple of events were to happen, for example, where the League couldn't fix, we would lose public confidence, and our UN charter would also be affected, impacting our general operations." Batman reasoned.
"So Savage and the Light are manipulating everything?" Aquaman questioned.
"Yes. The Light controlled us so we could be sent off the world to bring attention to Earth and the League itself. Savage possessed the means and methods to destroy us, yet he didn't." Batman said.
"He used the 6 of you for something, and you believe it's to bring someone ?" Black Canary asked.
"Superboy believes that the 6 of us were sent off-world to cause conflict to bring attention to Earth and the League for what we don't know. That is our theory for now. The League itself has been in the dark for too long, and now the future of humanity and Earth are possibly at risk because of Savage and his Light. The team is still our best way to counter the Light." Batman responded.
"Agreed." Wonder Woman Responded
Everyone looked at Wonder Woman, who was adamantly against the whole idea.
"We would have no choice if the Light did all this to bring someone here. The team is our only viable option to defeat them and stop someone or something from coming." Green Arrow commented.
"It is time we talk about the 'elephant in the room.' " Batman said, looking at a holo map of the galaxy.
"Where would Savage send us?" Hawkwoman said.
"We're working on a couple of other questions at the moment. But…" Batman said, looking at the League's two lanterns.
"No! You can't be serious?!" Hal Jordan said.
"He is the only other lantern in this sector who isn't affiliated with the League with access to travel in space. We must find out where we were sent and proceed while trying to slow down the Light." Batman responded to Jordan's concern.
"It is logical." Red Tornado commented.
"If you aren't willing to do it, I can convince him to help us." Canary commented.
Everyone looks at the lanterns.
"He is right, lanterns." Superman said, finally speaking up.
"If we were sent to bring attention to Earth and ourselves, we must find out where and apologize." Superman said.
Both Green Lanterns sigh.
"Fine, we will talk to him." John Stewart said.
"That's all I have for now. When we make more connections, everyone will be informed. Meeting adjourned."
Everyone left, leaving; however, the Bat wasn't done with the Lanterns.
"Hal, John, a moment."
"Yes?"
"Can you reach out to him tonight in private?"
"We can."
"I'll meet with you later."
"Batman then walks up to Doctor Fate."
"Fate. We need to talk."
The two stare at each other before Doctor Fate summoned Ankh and transports himself and Batman to his tower.
"What is this regarding?" Nabu asked.
"The accusation I made earlier is true, isn't it? You can't interfere with specific tasks to balance chaos and order." Batman asked.
"You are correct."
"Could you intervene if Klarion had used proxies or provided assistance to spread chaos?"
"It depends, however…."
"However, you can only intervene sometimes. Yes, I'm aware. Would you be willing to train someone in the mystic arts so that we can counter Klarion's influence?"
"Who specifically?"
"Aqualad."
"I would be open to the proposal. Atlantean magic is identical to what Zatarra uses and can be used to counter Klarion and others."
"Would you be willing to work with Queen Mera to assist in Aqualad's training?"
"Have you spoken to the queen regarding this?"
"I have not. But I believe she will."
"I will be able to train him."
"Take us to Atlantis. We must meet with her. "
Doctor Fate summoned an Ankh and transported himself and Batman to the Royal Palace in Poseidonis. Upon their arrival, Mera was intrigued to see the two of them.
"Batman. Doctor Fate. What brings the two of you to Atlantis?" Mera asked.
"Queen Mera. We apologize for barging into your home, but we needed to speak to you regarding your husband and Kaldur'ahm." Batman said.
Batman spoke to Mera regarding the missing 16 hours he and 5 other leaguers went through. Throughout the explanation, Mera was semi-horrified. Kaldur and Orin did tell her about Savage mind controlling the League, but the missing 16 hours was unexpected.
"My apologies Batman but why are you telling me this?" Mera asked.
"Superboy believes that the missing 16 hours was to draw attention to both the League and the Earth by Savage. For what purpose, we do not know. He also believes the world was split into two to deprive the League of a magical member. These are theories, but if true, we need to prepare."
"You want me to train Kaldur'ahm in Atlantean magic."
"Yes. You and Fate will be teaching him magic so that we may be able to prepare and counter the imminent threat."
"Kaldur'ahm saved my husband's life twice, my own and my child's lives. It's the least I can do. I can get started immediately."
Back in the cave, everyone was assisting Conner in his research.
"The universe is massive trying to find who will take forever. All we can do is narrow it down to a few worlds." Conner said.
"You can start with planets and societies with more advanced space travel capabilities combined with no Green Lantern presence or relations." Robin said.
"Worlds with war-torn societies are another excellent place to look at." Kaldur said.
"Wait, find worlds where an intergalactic criminal can quickly disappear and is like a hub for activity." Artemis said.
"Why that specific Artemis?" Wally asked.
"Hello, Wally; if Savage wants to attract attention to Earth and the League, what other place to do it with a world where the criminal underworld uses to disappear. The green lanterns wouldn't have a presence, plus it's an excellent way for Savage to force all of us to evolve because that place would have the means and connections to spread the word about us and to get enough resources to bring to Earth." Artemis said, looking very frustrated at Wally.
"Only one problem even with that combination and using the Lanterns map of the universe. That narrows down our search to millions upon millions of worlds." M'gann said.
"Better start now than later. I'll send the list to Lanterns and Bats. But we have one other question that we need help with. Rhelasia." Conner said.
"Rhelasia could be on a path toward reunification under the Light, but for what purpose?" Kaldur asked.
After a few minutes, no one could find an answer until Wally said something somewhat stupid.
"What if Rhelasia wasn't part of the Light's overall plan?"
"Why would the Light go through the effort to make them sign a treaty then?" Robin asked.
"Because the Light would use them as an example to promote their methods. Remember when we defeated the Injustice League and discovered they were proxies for the Light?" Artemis asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, what if Rhelasia was an unknowing proxy for the Light. Conner, you said SportsMaster was able to incite a crowd to attack Star so that he could beta-test a method to create chaos and disinformation?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, what better way to distract everyone than by having two sides to an issue than an argument where someone secretly manipulates both sides, and the conflict is nonstop? Rhelasia has been separated for almost 60 years. If, in the next couple of years, they reunify. The Light publically can use that as a testament to their methods and, more importantly, political capital on the world stage." Artemis pointed out.
"Savage and the Light get reinforcements in the public." Conner realized.
"I don't know about you guys, but it's 2 in the morning. I need some sleep." Wally commented.
"Same." Everyone departed and went off to bed.
Baltimore, MD
"John, what's this about?" Guy Gardner asked.
"Come with me."
"Guy followed John to the middle of nowhere near Nebraska. Once they landed, they found Hal and Batman waiting for them.
"Hal and Batman."
"Gardner."
"Why all the secrecy?"
"Because what we're about to ask you can only be involved between 4 us.
3 months ago, Vandal Savage secretly took control of the Justice League on New Year's Eve. 6 leaguers went missing for 16 hours."
"Okay, why am I being told this?"
"We believe during those 16 hours, the League was sent off the world, and we engaged with no mercy and caused untold destruction and conflict.
We need you to help us find the world where we appeared and possibly attacked." Hal Jordan said.
"Why can't you do it?"
"Because I was one of the 6 leaguers that went missing." John Stuwart said.
"Because you are only affiliated with the corp and not the League, thus, you can get involved where we can't." Batman said.
"Why do I feel you're only doing this to eliminate me?" Guy joked.
"We aren't trying to get rid of you. We need your help. If we sent John, who is technically affiliated with the League, the situation could get worst." John said.
"Gardner, the entire planet is at risk will you help us?" Batman asked.
"Since you asked so nicely Bats, I will."
"Begin your search with planets without affiliations or connections to the corps. If Savage did send us somewhere, it would have to be a place without the corps' presence."
"That's not narrowing it down."
"All we know is that we were teleported there and back by the end of the 16 hours." John said.
"You can trust old Guy." Guy said, flying off.
Later that day, Batman returns to the cave to tell Kaldur what will happen.
The team gave Kaldur their looks of good luck and hoped Kaldur won't be on the receiving end of anything. Kaldur followed Batman to the private room used by Black Canary for theory.
"What is this regarding?" Kaldur asked.
"You. As you know, the dimensional spill that separated children and adults resulted in Zatarra scarfing himself for Kid Flash when Nabu refused to let him go, which has left a gap in the League regarding magical threats. Fate can only intervene in certain situations to maintain the balance."
"My apologies, Batman. I need clarification on how this is concerning me?"
"We need you to continue your sorcery education to help us defend ourselves from magical threats. I've spoken to Fate he has told me the type of magic Zatara uses is similar to Atlantean magic. I'm only asking because Conner has made many connections regarding the operations of the Light."
"I understand, Batman."
"Fate has agreed to give you access to the tower and some of his knowledge. In addition, Queen Mera has also decided to teach you more advanced Atlantean sorcery."
"What of the conservatory?"
"Mera is on Parental leave to care for their child. When I asked her, it was supposed to be after the child was born. However, since you saved Orin from Savage's control, she agreed to teach you personally to repay the debt of freeing Orin."
"Understood."
So sorry for the late update. Exams and Projects have kicked my ass over the past 2 months. So I opted to make Kaldur the team and League's magician. I have nothing against Zatanna, but her arrival into the show was very late, and as the later season would show, she's more of a side character. This also allows me to develop Kaldur's character more. In the show, Kaldur was nearing side character territory for his lack of on-screen time and character development compared to the rest of the team in Season 1. I was hesitant to involve Wonder Woman but opted to put her in since she is one of the few leaguers besides Superman that can train Conner. Plus, this gives me another opportunity to redo her image. Her criticism about Batman taking in Robin and lying about Captain Marvel (Shazam)'s age in the first season made many people hate this version of her character. Conner's birthday had to be celebrated. I was devastated when in Season 2, it was revealed no one said Happy Birthday to him. It showed everyone was growing up, Conner's lack of development without M'gann, and how loosely connected everyone is.