Hey guys before this chapter begins I just wanted to say that now that we're back to me writing chapters instead of re uploading old ones that I'm still thinking about what schedule I'm going to be using I might go back to once a week or I might try and fit twice a week but honestly that depends on the schedule of my new job. Anyway love you guys please enjoy the chapter although I did have a lot of trouble writing it due to some serious writer's block I had so it might be a bit shorter than usual.
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[July 17th, Star City- Docks]
In the cover of the night, two people are unloading a truck. As they remove the first long, flat, container an arrow drops between the two of them. Red fletching showing off and the nock blinks bright red before releasing gas. The two stumble and the container goes flying, popping open to reveal a high-tech gun. Which slides to the feet of one of their associates. He takes aim, the barrel gaining three red streaks. He looks at the construction set up over his head, finally zeroing in on Speedy, who seems to have fully ditched the hat.
"You again!" Brick yells at the teenager. "I'm starting to get insulted Green Arrow's not messing up my operation personally." then narrows his eyes as he aims for Speedy.
The Arrow-themed protége dives right grabbing onto the next support column, just barely staying in front of the shots. As Brick shoots at the bridge that he nearly grabbed he drops down one level and runs across that bridge instead. Brick shoots just in front of the young man, who changes his momentum so he flips as he nocks an arrow and releases it. Shooting it right down the barrel, causing it to explode in Brick's hand, leaving him physically unharmed even though it shreds his suit.
"Do you know what I pay for a suit in my size?!" he yells even more angry at the Arrow-themed eighteen-year-old. "Scorch the Earth, boys." he commands.
The other four raise their guns to do just that, but a blur comes through and two of them are suddenly left weaponless. The other two turn towards where the blur ran off to, only for their guns to be knocked out of their hands. Robin swings into an opening in the crates with his happy cackle. Bring their attention right to Aqualad.
The Atlantean drops down with his water-bears turning into whips which hit the smugglers in full force. Knocking them into the back of the truck and to the ground, unconscious.
Brick lifts a chunk of concrete and throws it at Speedy who is also using the crates to his advantage as he waits to strike with his already nocked arrow. He comes to a stop, bracing himself in a downward diagonal with his foot on one of the crates as he launches an arrow that explodes as it hits Brick's massive shoulder. It doesn't stop the metahuman from throwing another piece of concrete at Speedy. However, this time Speedy jumps out of the way, nocking another arrow as Aqualad jumps where Speedy was with a mace and sword formed from his WaterBearers. Chopping the concrete in two. Giving Speedy the opening to hit Brick with a gas arrow.
Speedy walks to the slightly out of breath Aqualad as he releases the magic that lets his water-bearers take shape. "The cave is perfect. It has everything the Team will need." the Atlantean tells the older hero.
"For covert missions." Robin says dropping down behind Speedy. "You know, spy stuff."
Kid Flash runs up the crates and lands just shy of the edge with inverted half. "And wait till you see Superboy and Miss Martian." he says excitedly. "But I saw her first."
The gas wasn't enough to take out Brick, which is made clear as he lets loose another war cry and throws another piece of concrete at the four conversing teenagers. Speedy, Robin, and Kid Flash all dive out of the way, but Aqualad remains firm. Taking out the concrete with twin maces. Speedy uses two arrows that stick to Brick's chest and release three spurts of flame to knock him back. Though the villain just chuckles. "Tell Arrow he shouldn't send boys to do a man's job." Speedy nocks another arrow taking aim. Brick stands tall, his arms out wide. "Go ahead." Speedy grinds his teeth as he shoots this arrow. Which hits and for a moment nothing happens, then foam releases from the capsule stuck to Brick and traps him in it.
Kid Flash skids to a stop crouched under Speedy's aim, just in case. "High-density polyurethane foam. Nice."
Speedy turns and walks away, but in order to fully get out of the docks, he needs to walk past Robin and Aqualad. Who stand on either side of two crates that create a path that will lead right out of the docks, if you know the way.
"So, Speedy, you in?"
"Pass." the oldest says strongly but does pause to give them the answer. "I'm done letting Arrow and the League tell me what to do. I don't need a babysitter or a clubhouse to hang out with the other kids. Your Junior Justice League is a joke." Aqualad stops leaning against the crate. "Something to keep you busy and in your place." Speedy growls looking right to Robin before walking off. "I don't want any part of it." All three can only watch as their oldest friend, and the one the three of them look up to not only turns it down but insults it as well. Then they turn to each other with shocked expressions.
[July 17th, mount justice]
Hybrid POV
The zeta tube opens and out comes my very sad sounding teammates. Something about Speedy not wanting to join the team or something. Not really my problem though as currently I've been bing watching all of Star Wars in release order and I just finished Rise of Skywalker.
See while my friends here at mount justice have been getting very bored at the lack of serious missions. As for me I've been making some simple adjustments to the timeline as well as research.
It's obvious that cannon was going to go down the gutter the moment I went on the internet. From what I could tell this world was a mix of several off my favorite series. Lucky for me I made myself pretty strong with my wishes. The problems are that first off I have no idea how to activate most of them. Second I don't actually know everything that I can do. Thirds that being that sent me here said I can't use my full strength right away. Fourth is that some of my abilities either aren't working or I can't use them right now.
So in order to fix that you problem I got started training right away. Of course I soon discovered a simple issue training with Black Canary. Mainly the whole she's got the body of a regular human and I could probably tank a missile strike to the face and walk it off. Of course I'm not completely invulnerable even Superman isn't. Sure the guy is tuff but not invincible [insert title card here] just go ask any heavy hitter like Darkseid or Mongul.
Even so if a bullet to the face will bounce off me a couple of fists won't do the trick. Especially when she literally can't make me budge. In fact the only people here can physically keep up with me are Superman adjacent. Although I haven't experienced it yet I do think that he screams might have an effect on me though. If I remember correctly a high pitched noise has some really negative effects on Viltrumites plus the fact I have super hearing would definitely affect that as well.
But speaking of Superman he's been ignoring the clones like a divorced father does child support payments. Even so I managed to make a wee but of progress on that front. For example I managed to give us all names. First off I gave the version of Superboy from the young Justice show the name Conner just like in canon. As for the comic book version with the shades I named him Chris. Thought I'd stick with the letter C with those two. I also considered a C name for Match but then I thought maybe a M name would work better. I considered Mark but then seeing as the guardians of the globe exist I thought invincible would to so Mark was a no go. We ended up going with Matt after a while. I used the fact that it both sounds like Match and he only truly listens to me as reason enough for the group to accept.
As for myself it took some time to find out what I would prefer. I eventually settled on taking a name that started with the letter C myself, mainly to keep with pattern of my brothers. At first I wanted to go with something cool and unique like Cain. But I thought that was a bit too edgy so then I stormed up Cassius. SI also played around with the name Cole as well but I ran into the same issue. At first neither name really suited me or my looks but I had done some adjustments to my human appearance. Now I feel like they fit me well enough, although I mainly go by Case or Cole. I decided that I would just have Cassius be my first name and Cole be my middle name. That way it'll just sound like I'm one of those people who go by their middle name. I don't know I really just want to stick with the C theme but maybe something else? Maybe an H name for hybrid? No I don't really like H names. Maybe an O name for Olympus? No I don't really like that either. I think I'll stick with Cole for now.
Either way doesn't matter because my real problem is my training. Or rather the fact that half of my potential powers aren't working. So I asked the league if I could train with Martian Manhunter instead. When they asked why I said that I had trained with a martian before. From there it was question after question. Until finally J'onn revealed the whole that was probably my brother thing. I then proceeded to surprise pikachu face and pretend to not already know. After that my request was taken under consideration as J'onn was a busy man after all.
I had also continued to strengthen my mental defenses so that I could completely cover that weakness. Speaking of weaknesses I had noticed a certain person who had been joining me in my movie marathon. Raven had been sitting on the opposite side of the couch and watching every movie I had been putting on since Tuesday. I think it only took her so long to join me because she only noticed my pattern then. If that was a case she was rather perceptive. Still she sat there using magic to eat from a floating popcorn bucket. I took a little white to study the simple display of magic. It outlined the bucket and every kernel of popcorn taken out in predominantly black and hints of white.
I stopped looking at her magic for a moment and started studying the girl herself. She didn't talk much but when she did her voice came out mostly monotone. She was also rather beautiful in her own unique way. Very pale skin with unique purple hair and a blood red gem in her forehead. He began to wonder if perhaps she could jump start his magical training.
I turn my attention back the tv and decided see if I could sense anything from her. I closed my eyes and tried to feel something, anything not with my enhanced senses but his feelings.
"You're doing it wrong."
I hear a monotone female voice beside me. Opening my eyes I look to my side to see a pair of purple ones looking back at me.
"Oh, and how do I do it right? Also how do know what Im trying to do?" I said slightly teasing but more questioning than anything. It was funny we hadn't spoken much but the moment I so much as try to do magic she instantly spoke up. Had she somehow managed to detect what I was trying to do so quickly.
"Im an empath, I can feel your emotions going all over the place. That and the fact you are trying to detect my magic. Tell me have you ever actually used magic before." She was still relatively quiet but sounded a bit more curious than before.
"No, but I know for a fact that I should be able to do so. From my DNA file I should have the blood of Giovanni Zatara. Since you use magic as well I'm sure you have heard of him." I said smile appearing on my face at this opportunity.
"Possess his DNA? Is he your father?" She questioned to me it seemed like she was growing even more engaged with the conversation. Kind of odd considering how she basically
"Hmm well from what I recall he uses a different branch of magic from mine but… maybe I could… help you… a bit." She said softly growing more and more quiet.
"I would really appreciate that if you don't mind." I said trying not to seem pushy or anything. I know that Raven no matter the version tends to have a rather reserved personality. Still as the conversation continued I managed to convince her to teach me what magic she can. I even managed to get her to agree to regular training sessions with me in addition to our regular training. With her help I may have a way to remove any vulnerability I may have to magic.
To be clear Kryptonian's aren't weak to magic they simply aren't immune to it. But this might gain me something like that. Simply mastering what I already have isn't enough. If I want to stay competitive and use all my powers I'll need to keep training.
[July 18th ,Mount Justice]
3rd pov
Hybrid was just relaxing in his room thinking up some future plans. But still he was getting bored so he decided to try out an ability he hadn't tested before he wanted to see if he could make something with his powers. He knew that Sentry could create things and absorb energy so he wanted to start training on that.
Just as he was about to begin a sudden thought arugula though. First off there was basically no way that Batman wouldn't have cameras around here somewhere, and if Cole started showing up with random objects he would definitely take notice. That lead to the question of if he wanted to reveal he was capable of that to the league.
Sure he knew the league had probably read his entire file by now but it wasn't exactly complete. In fact it was really more of a list of the DNA they put together and observed abilities and behaviors. Something which had already looked through himself and was luckily not very extensive on what he could actually do or at least will be able to in the future. He decided that he would need to be careful what powers he would later display. Sighing he got up and left his room. Maybe a bit more tv would help him kill his boredom. It had been over a week since the team was formed. This left him with ample time to think but other than that he could only train or talk to the others. Sure establishing those relationships was important but it wasn't exactly the stimulating adventure he was hoping for.
Meanwhile outside
Recognize:
Robin; B-0-1,
Kid Flash; B-0-3.
Both boys appear in their civilian clothes. Smiling brightly, then running out of the Zeta Tube to the room they're connected to. Finding Miss Martian, Aqualad, and Superboy standing before a HoloScreen.
"Did you ask him?" Robin asks.
"What did he say?" Kid Flash follows up.
"He is arriving now." Aqualad tells the two of them as calmly as always.
Kid Flash friendly punches Robin in the chest. "Then what are we waiting for?" before running off, Robin follows close behind, and finally Aqualad. Leaving Miss Martian and Superboy, the redhead smiles at the clone as she puts her hands on her hips. Superboy turns, crossing his arms over his t-shirt before walking off. Miss Martian smiles and takes flight to follow the boys. They arrive at one of the entrances which is a ramp that falls down into the cave from the ground above them. All five walk up the ramp, as Red Tornado lands before them.
"Red Tornado!" Kid Flash calls out with a wave as the heroic android lands.
"Greeting." he offers. "Is there a reason you intercept me outside the cave?" his monotone voice makes it rather hard to discern the question portion of his sentence.
"We hoped you had a mission for us." Aqualad conveys to the hero.
"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility." Red Tornado states simply.
"But it's been over a week and nothing-" Robin tries, but is cut off.
"You'll be tested soon enough." the android states firmly. "For the time being, simply enjoy each other's company."
"This team is not a social club." Aqualad objects strongly.
"No," Red Tornado agrees. "but I am told social interaction is an important team-building exercise. Perhaps you can keep busy by familiarizing yourselves with the cave." Tornado says, walking past the five teens and into the cave.
All five can only watch as he does.
Kid Flash turns to Robin, punching him in the shoulder again. "＂Keep busy＂." the speedster nearly growls.
"Does he really think we're falling for this?" Robin questions angrily, catching Superboy's attention in his anger.
"Oh, I'll find out." Miss Martian says excitedly, then turns towards Red Tornado and her expression relaxes slightly.
Recognize:
Red Tornado; 1-6.
Miss Martian sighs. "I'm sorry, I forgot he's a machine, inorganic. I… cannot read his mind."
"Nice try, though." Kid Flash offers.
"So, uh, you know what I'm thinkin' right now?" he looks up at her with a flirtatious smile.
"We all know what you're thinkin' now." Robin grumbles and elbows the speedster's turned back.
"Ow." he complains, but only seeming half-hearted about it.
"And now we tour the clubhouse." Aqualad says sourly.
"Well, Superboy and I live here with a few of the others. We can play tour guides." Miss Martian offers, looking to Superboy.
Robin and Kid Flash instantly turn to Superboy. "Don't look at me." he tells them seriously.
"We won't. A private tour sounds so much better." Kid Flash says, looking to Miss Martian again.
"Sh- she never said private." Robin objects.
"Team building. We'll all go. Gather everyone else we'll meet back here." Aqualad says, breaking up the argument before it can even start.
Later
Cole was still sitting in his room legs crossed on his bed. A look of concentration across his face as his hands cradled around a ball of light. Then suddenly the light dimmed and in his hands and instead a small wooden cube appeared.
"Damn is that all I can due?! So much for the all mighty powers of the Sentry!" He sighed in exasperation he had gotten tired of having nothing to do and started to try out more of his powers. He knew he was nerfed by the strange entity that reincarnated him but the fact that he could basically only make things that could fit between his hands. Still he thought it might be more like a muscle he just had to exercise. After all he hadn't been in this world very long and was still getting used to his powers. For example he had nearly addressed his super hearing or need for better more precise control over it and his other abilities. Plus without Raven around magic had been a total bust for him. Now he could at least release a little bit of magical energy.
He was just going to keep training when there was a sudden knock on his door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Megan. They hadn't talked too much but he had interacted with her more than Conner or Chris.
"H-hey so umm Im sorry to bother you. Sure your umm busy doing something but I was wondering if you would be open to the idea of helping me be a guide to our friends around this place?" She said not meeting his eyes.
He took a small amount of time to consider the idea and decided to help.
"Sure I'm not doing anything too important right now." Cole nodded and stepped forward through the door as she backed out his way. She had to look up at him as he was taller than most of the others. He had been doing something mild body mods for a while trying to find a form that suited him more. Right now he was about the same height as Aqualad but he still resembled his super clone brothers albeit with a different skin tone. He was closer to tamerainien orange than Caucasian looking but was still within the normal spectrum of human skin tones.
"Also one last thing." The young Martian girl said hesitantly.
"What is it?" He replied a bit colder than he had intended to be.
"Um… could you get Raven I…. I can't get her to open her door and you're the only person here I've ever seen her talk to. Same with Cyborg he hasn't left his room except for at night and doesn't talk to anyone. So I was thinking maybe you could get him to talk like you did Raven?" She started rambling towards the end.
He considered what to do. On one hand maybe he could get Raven but cyborg well they hadn't even spoken. Plus this version was less the teen hero and more the "My father turned me into a monster woe is me!" Type of Cyborg. Aka the most difficult type to work with in this kind of setting.
"Sigh I'll see what I can do. No promises though." He walked away from her towards Raven's place she might be more interested in it. Still there's so much left to do so perhaps this could be a start.
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Hey guys so I'm thinking that after this chapter I'm going to increase the pacing of the story as I'm starting to grow board with it. I don't want to drop it though as it has so much potential for cool moments but as it is right now it's a bit of a pain to write as I have so many ideas for other stories but I don't want to full neglect this one. So I think I'll try to get to those more interesting parts more quickly. So it will be more like a episodic thing with some short time skips between chapters and we won't follow every irrelevant thing that happens.