And here's the first chapter! No real big missions will happen until a while, roughly chapter 5 I think. Maybe 6.

Co-Writer: GhostKaiser23

Disclaimer: Don't own DC Comics or Young Justice

Young Justice Season 3

Apocalypse

Chapter 2: The First Day

*flashback*

"RECIGNIZED: BATWING- B01." The robotic voice called as Dick Grayson emerged from the Zeta Tube onto the WatchTower, where some friends were waiting

"Hey." Dick waved to them.

"Hi..." They responded

Those there where Roy, Blue Beetle, Cheshire, Static, AquaLad, SuperBoy, Miss Martian, Red Robin and Tigress

"I guess we all know why we're here." Dick asked

"No... what's up Dick?" Superboy asked, who looked exactly the same

"We're still waiting for Bart and Garfield." Megan added

"Well...it's important. And we can't start without them." Dick answered and almost like clockwork Bart and Garfield appeared through the teleporter.

"Hey sis!" Garfield, also known as BeastBoy or Changling, greeted

"Yo guy's, sorry. I had five dates at basically the same time." Bart shrugged

"What? FIVE dates?" Static asked

"Yeah. All at different locations." Bart felt proud

"Wow kid, talk about being busy." Dick laughed "You get caught?"

"Nope." Bart grinned

"Be careful Bart. Sooner or later you WILL get caught." Superboy answered

"In FIVE different states? No chance." Bart smiled triumphantly

"When you call them the wrong name you will." Static Shock, Vergil, said as he rolled his eyes

Bart looked worried now "Didn't even think on that." His face lost colour

"Enough! We're not here to comment on Bart's dating status, we're here for something MUCH more important." Dick interrupted

"Such as?" Artemis asked, raising an eyebrow

"I am making a new Team." Dick said simply

"A new team?" They mutters among themselves

"Sure that's a good idea Dick?" Bart asked

"I'm sure. THEY need it." He nodded

"Well we do KNOW you're the smart one, Dick." Megan answered

"This... is a TERRIBLE idea." Conner snapped, standing up "Or do you not remember what happened to BumbleBee? Guardian? L'gan? Rocket? ... or even Barbara?"

Dick flinched at the last one, while everyone else looked at said red head who looked down sadly. The Joker had shot Barbara one day. Crippling her and nearly KILLED her.

"I remember. I remember EACH one Connor! THAT'S why this needs to happen! The next generation learns from the past one and doesn't repeat the same mistakes!"

"Whatever." Connor glared, leaving

"Connor, wait!" Megan yelled, chasing after her lover

"You sure you want to do this Dick?" Garfield asked

"Yes Gar, I'm sure." Dick nodded "Hey Arti, can I speak to you before we head off?"

"Sure." Artemis nodded. Dick and Artemis walked off to get some privacy. Bart and Garfield were talking about Bart's five dates. "So, what do you want to talk about?" Artemis asked with a raised eyebrow

"It's about me reforming the New Team. I want you to help me out." Dick answered

"You... want ME... to help?" She asked, a TINY blush on her face and shock

"Yeah. I trust you, you're a great leader, PLUS you know how to put people in their place." Dick smiled

"Yes. That I do." She smiled, pulling out a crossbow and spinning it "And it's all thanks to a kid who taught me 'Traunt'." He grinned

"So you're in?" Dick asked smiling

"Of course." Artemis nodded, looping an arm around his shoulder "It was my team as much as much as it was yours Grayson. I'm in."

"Thanks Arti." He smiled

"You're welcome." She smiled... before she grabbed his cowl by the nose and yanked it down so it blocked his view and he nearly fell over

"OW!" he called, straightening up as she walked away laughing playfully... and he couldn't look away from her ass

*flash forward*

"This is crazy! YOU'RE insane Dick!" Damian snapped at his foster brother

"You already agreed D." Dick chuckled

"Grr!" Damian gritted his teeth knowing that he promised to do this.

"Come on Dami, it'll be fine." Lian answered trying to reassure him

"Dami?" Mercery snorted

"You...!" Damian gritted his teeth in anger and embarrassment. "No-one calls me that!"

"Why not? It's cute." Lian answered

"I don't do cute!" Damian rebutted

"But it is cute like the bunnies!" Starfire added

"D'oh...!" Damian blushed under his hands as he covered his face

"Alright, alright. Enough winding Damian up. We've got work to do." Dick answered

"As in hell." Roy grinned, standing off at the side

"Daddy!" Lian smiled

"Oh god..." Damian rolled his eyes

"This ought to be good." The Metal Men answered in that sort of gist eager to help out

"Training time for three hours and then you will each have half an hour with Tigress to ass's mental stability while my findings will go towards physical capability." Roy explained

"Ah. Mental and physical training stability. Like the rituals of my home planet." Starfire smiled

"Yeah...wherever THAT is." Damian rolled his eyes

"Tameran." She answered automatically

"Let's do dis." Lead said, ready for action

"Yea!" Iron agreed

"Since there's nine of you we'll split you into teams of three. Gold, Mercury, Tin. Lian, Iron and Lead. Which means..." Roy listed off

"What?! Why am I with the girls?!" Damian snapped being left with Starfire and Platinum.

"Okay." Platinum said, her voice having a truly sad tone

"Glorious!" Starfire cheered, hugging Damian "Tbis shall be most fun!"

"Hang on a second." Dick answered looking at his foster brother

"What? Hey!" Damian looked at Dick only to be lifted up by the scruff of his collar. His eyes connecting with Dick's intimidating stare

"What?" Damian hissed lightly

"Stop acting like a spoiled prince. You aren't with the League of Assassins, Damian. You need to trust your team implicitly. And that means: get your head in the game and not judge people based on their gender or appearance!" Dick answered dropping his bother to the floor.

"Tch." Damian hissed, turning away

"Gold, Mercury, Tin. You first." Roy smiled

"Yes sir." They answered with a nod

"Er... what are we doing?" Tin asked nervously

"We're going to see how strong you three are." Roy answered beginning the training session. The three Metal Men charged 'Rookie move.' Roy smiled as he dodged them by using his arrows.

"Argh!" The three Metal Men crashed into each other into the wall. Foam quickly encased them, all but their heads

"Nice try." Roy smiled

"Oh...sorry guys." Tin apologised

"Not your fault." Mercury tried to seep out

"Next." Roy grinned, spinning his bow

Lian, Lead and Iron were next. They positioned themselves ready to try and capture Roy. And even though she hated the idea, Lian readied her arrow against her father; hoping to stun him.

The four where still... and then Lian fired her NetArrow, Lead and Iron charging a second later. Roy jumped up, drawing a knife and cutting the net in half. He then grabbed the two halves of the net and wrapped it around Lead and Iron's necks, slamming them into each other

"No!" Lian tried to fire another arrow but Roy retaliated with an arrow of his own cutting her bow in half. "Hmm..." She pouted as her weapon was broken and that they had lost...but more to the heart Lian had let her father down, in her own eyes.

"Next." Roy spoke again, after a quick glance at Lian.

"Let's get this over with." Damian sighed, cracking his neck

"Don't get cocky." Dick warned his brother

"Platinum, Kori, come here for a second." Damian ordered the girls. Roy waited patiently, he allowed them a thirty second talk just so they can, maybe, get a head start on him; but they'll have to be quick "Got it?" Damian asked

"I believe so." Kori answered

"Yeah, got it." Platinum nodded as she liquefied herself to wrap around Damian's arms.

"Clever trick...but not good enough kids." Roy gave a half smile. Kori flew in the air hoping to get a strategic vantage point that Damian told her to do; while the Bat-Son had Platinum LITERALLY in his hand as a whip. He threw Platinum up at Kori, who caught the female Metal Man, and then the alien girl basically threw the two into the air. Platinum then shifted into a massive hammer. Damian used the hammer to strike at Roy as he descended 'Clever girl...' Roy quoted in his mind though he dodged the brunt force; Damian nodded to Platinum who shot out what appeared to be a leg lock onto their teacher's ankle.

Damian was zip lined to collide his foot to Roy's face. The teacher smiled at their ingenuity and adaptability, but this wasn't going to be a one and done lesson. He grabbed Damian's knee and basically sent him flying into a wall. But at that moment, Roy was hit in the back by Kori's starbolts which sent HIM into the wall

"Ow..." The boys groaned from the impact of both star bolt and centrifugal force. Although Platinum couldn't feel pain she WAS concerned for Damian, she melted away back to her normal form and held the lad in her arms. Starfire had relieved Roy of his weapons so that he couldn't fight back with them.

"Are you okay?" Platinum asked in worry. The world seemed to be spinning like crazy for Damian, everything blurry and out of focused... besides for a silver haired and skinned angel that was clear as day to him while everything refocused. The young boy shook his head trying to get his focus back but all he managed to do was give himself a worse headache.

"Congrats you three...hmm...you pass this trail run. Tomorrow: the REAL test begins." Roy spoke; he went back to Lian who was still trying to fix her broken bow. "Hey...sorry about that baby-girl..." He spoke sincere to his daughter

"I'm sorry I wasn't good enough..." Lian gave a sniffled response

"Hey, hey, hey, calm down." He soothed "You were fighting a superior opponent with two people you didn't know and where not use to fighting alongside. I didn't expect anything else from you. And yet you where clever with the NetArrow, I was expecting the BoxingGloveArrow. You did fine Lian. I am proud of you." Lian didn't say anything but just hugged her dad. While the others looked on with kind looks; Damian was regaining consciousness and gazed up at Platinum, now whether it was from being held in an unusual yet comfortable situation or being coddled by a woman, he blushed and jerked up trying to get it out of his head. "Tch. The help... was appreciated." He muttered, walking away

"You're welcome." Platinum smiled weakly

*with Artemis*

"Knock, knock." Dick grinned as he opened the door to Artemis's office and walked in. Artemis was sat at her desk, chewing some gum and reading the Team's files. Damian and Lian's where up to date thanks to their family. Meanwhile Kori's and the Metal Men's only had what they knew about them. The files lived in a holder on her desk when she was IN this room. The holder was split into five sections so it was easier to find everyone: Human Males, Human Females, Alien Females, Robot Males and Robot Females. Of there where alien males on the team theyd have a section added for them

"So how was the first day of training for the team?" Artemis asked

"I dunno, ditched it when Damian's team started." Dick shrugged "First team was too over confident, that was Gold with his brothers Mercury and Tin; Mercury seems to have an arrogance problem and Tin seems to be very shy and doubts himself. Second did okay but they were a bad team, that was Lian with Lead and Iron. Those two are massive knuckle heads. And I can tell Damian's team, he was pared with Starfire and Platinum, where doing well from the sounds of it. Starfire is very naive, it seems, and Platinum seems to be depressed."

"Hmm... Well it's the first day. I'll get them to work together after the sessions." Artemis smiled

"You're not going to give them "Personal Tasks" during their hours off are you?" Dick asked with a worried smile

"Oh? Whatever do you mean Mr Grayson?" she asked innocently

"You know what I mean." Dick chuckled

"As if I would." Artemis gasped playfully; Dick just raised his eyebrow disbelieving her.

"I know you better than that Arti." he said simply

"Great. NOW you've gone and hurt my feelings." she said, pretending to be sad

Dick rolled his eyes and asked a silly question "Do you want some chocolate?" He asked in a babyish voice.

"Please." she said, completely straight with a grin and taking the gum out of her mouth before flicking it into the bin by her desk

The two left the office and Artemis locked the folders away for later.

*with the team*

"Guess we have to try and adapt more, don't we Gold?" Iron asked

"Yeah. Platinum and her team was amazing. That Damian's a great strategist." Gold agreed

"He WAS trained by the League of Assassins since he could walk." Lian explained

"What?" The Metal Men asked in shock and confusion, since not all of them had even HEARD of the League of Assassins.

"... look it up on the League's database once you've got access." Lian sighed. Why did she feel like she just messed up?

"What're you talking about?" Damian walked up holding a tray of food in his hands

"Nothing!" she quickly said, laughing nervously

"... tch. Whatever." Damian scoffed, walking away to sit alone

"Phew." Lian sighed

"I'm going to talk to him." Platinum got up.

"He's not really the social type Tina." Lian answered

"I'm just going to talk." She responded kindly

"For the last time: we don't serve Antiochnian Beezle-Burgers!" The chef groaned at Starfire's order

"B... But they are GLORIOUS!" Starfire said in disbelief

"Tch." Damian scoffed lightly, an amused grin on his face at the scene Starfire was making. She was defiantly entertaining. Not that he found her naivety cute or anything! Not at all! That would be a STUPID thought! 'Completely stupid and deranged.' he thought, looking back at his food

"Seems like Kori has a bit of trouble getting used to the local cuisine." Platinum stood in front of him, trying to make small talk.

"That's what you get with teenage aliens that have only known their local environment." Damian said simply

"Still, she'll adapt quite well. Myself and my brothers have our own problems. We can't exactly go through an airport gate without setting the metal detector off." Platinum gave her own variation of a joke

Damian just made a noise that he heard her and kept eating

Platinum saw that he was being anti-social and decided to sit with him. "Why are you so distant from everyone?"

"Because I am?" He frowned

"You can talk to me you know. We ARE team mates." Tina responded "You don't have to keep things bottled up."

"I'm not." He glared lightly but then he backed down at seeing the face of the angle whose lap he awoke in, looking away again

"Seems like you are." Tina continued not knowing when to stop.

"I. Am. Fine!" He growled, not looking at her

"Why don't you want to talk about it?" Tina asked

"Oh boy..." Lian looked worried, she knew of Damian's rising ire.

"Have you tried this delicious soup in a bottle?" Starfire asked as she squirted mustard from the bottle into her mouth

"Get that gunk away from me!" Damian snapped at the princess, taking a bite out of his salad

"Why are you acting like a baby Heryon'dile?" Starfire's asked comparing Damian to one of her planet's creatures.

"... I don't know what that is and THIS is who I am!" He yelled

"It's a creature that is defensive, always denying who he is until they accept a mate and finally open up." Starfire answered taking another suck from the mustard bottle.

"... what?" He deadpanned "Whatever. I'm gone." He glared, walking away. As Damian trudged off he noticed that he was being watched by the others. "What're you staring at?!" He snapped racing off

"... wow." Gold sighed

"Yeah...it takes time but he rubs off on you." Lian commented

"You aren't like that." Mercury answered

"I mean like a friend." Lian responded 'Yea... a friend.' She thought

"Okay newbies. You have five minutes to finish your lunch." Artemis's voice called out

"Oh crap!" They all panicked

"Can I take this delicious soup?" Starfire asked kindly

"You-Sure...I can always get another." The chef sighed heavily

"Many of the thanks." Kori smiled shaking the chef's hand

*at Artemis' office*

The team where now sitting outside Artemis's office, waiting to be sent in to talk to her "So... you think we're going to be tested on the training session?" Tin asked in worry

"I doubt it." Lian answered

"Where's Damian? He should be here." Tina was worried for her team mate.

"He'll be here." Lian smiled. Damian casually walked from wherever he was and sat down on the last seat.

"What kept you kid?" Mercury asked

"Can't I be on my own without people asking me that?" He snapped

"Calm down." Lian frowned

"Can Tin come on please?" Artemis' voice echoed through an intercom next to the door

Tin's knees were shaking, they sounded like a tin can rattling with nails inside of it. "It'll be fine." Gold reassured his brother.

Tin nodded and slowly, nervously, walked inside her office. A few minutes passed until Tin was let out, he was a little shaken but no worse for wear.

"Gold, please?" Artemis' voice called. Gold gulped lightly, considering Tin's nerves, but headed inside anyway in confidence. The same thing happened but he didn't look TOO bad. "Mercury, please?" Artemis spoke again.

Mercury went inside. Instead of silence Tina turned to Damian and asked "Where were you?"

"I was in my room, for all it's worth to you." He scoffed "Lian please." Mercury elongated his neck to say who was next.

"*gulp* Okay..." She felt nervous. Lian sighed, slowly walking into the office to see the 'Legend'

"Hello Speedy. Take a seat." Tigress said professionally, sitting behind her desk

"Hi Auntie Artemis." Lian answered

"Tigress." Artemis corrected with a frown "This is official."

"Sorry." Lian answered apologetically

"So…. What do you think of your new team?" Artemis asked with a raised eyebrow

"Well… Kori is fine and I have known Damian for years." Lian explained "Kori is…. Eccentric and strange and the Metal Men… I feel so sorry for them."

"Why?"

"They lost their father." Lian shrugged simply "I would be so devastated if my Dad died….. I….." she stopped as she looked at the ground in anger "I would kill whoever was responsible."

*outside*

"You know you could be supportive of her." Tina spoke to Damian

"What?" Damian asked, not paying attention

"Are you always like this?" Kori asked feeling more impatient at Damian's responses by the minute.

"Yes." He nodded

"You ARE a Heryon'dile." Kori reassessed her answer and drunk from the mustard bottle

"... whatever." He said, pulling out a knife and sharpening it

"Where did you get that?" Lead asked. Lian walked out a few seconds later and went to where the other team members went.

"Looks like our turn Iron." Lead spoke

"Lead, next please." Artemis spoke

"Not both?" Iron asked as Lead walked in

"You'll be next Mr Iron. Rest assured." Artemis answered

"Seriously Damin; are you just hard to reach?" Tina asked

"You know nothing." Damian answered

"Because you won't share." She frowned

"My problems are mine to keep." Damian answered "Hey!" He was pulled to Tina by her arms and felt her soft metal chest against his face making him blush. "Let go of me woman!" He hissed

"Not until you tell me why you're cold and distant. We have time." Tina answered

"Mr Iron, please?" Artemis asked

"Get. Off. Me." He growled

"If you won't tell me I'll resort to something VERY unusual for a boy of your age to experience." Tina spoke

"You are going to put him through the Trails of Dargom'brul?" Kori asked

"... The what?" Damian deadpanned

"Last chance Damian." Tina forewarned him.

"Let go of me Platinum!" Damian snapped back. He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed back

'Don't say I didn't warn you.' Tina thought as she gave him a kiss on his cheek REALLY close to his lips. He froze for a second, before he glared and pushed her away and onto the floor like her very touch burnt him "Is that any way to treat someone Damian?" Platinum asked

"Starfire, please enter." Artemis asked

"O... okay." She muttered, walking away

*with Kori and Artemis*

"Starfire… Koriand'r…. how are you settling in?" Artemis asked

"Oh! Most glorious!" she cheered "Me new friends are all so different, funny and interesting!"

"And Earth?"

"Oh, I have NEVER seen such a beautiful planet! Tamaran is amazing… but this planet is SO bright!" Kori cheered "And the sun… it is….. Just glorious!"

"The sun?" Artemis asked

"Yes. My body absorbs sun rays and it gives me my powers!" she nodded "Well… not all of them. Flight and strength are natural Tamaranian abilities but I was given my starbolt ability by the slavers who kidnapped me."

"Interesting." Aremis frowned "And you escaped just as you landed on Earth?" Starfire nodded, looking a bit sad "Do you mind explaining what happened?"

Starfire looked at her lap and nodded sadly

*with Damian and Platinum*

The two stood there, still arguing about what happened "What's WRONG with me?! I don't know WHAT that wackjob of a Professor 'programed' into you about 'persuading people' but I do NOT like being manipulated in ANY way!" He snarled

"Dr Magnus was NOT a 'whack job'! He was a brilliant professor!" she yelled in his defence "And I wasn't manipulating you. I was just..." Platinum tried to explain herself

"You were just being: manipulative, disrespectful and WAY outta line!" Damian interrupted her/ He turned away from her and stormed off, zip-lining into the rafters

'Why are you like this Damian?' Platinum thought since human defensive emotions were still an alien world to her.

"Platinum. Can you come here please?" Artemis asked

"Okay." She nodded, going inside

"Hello Platinum." Artemis nodded

"Hello Miss Tigress." Platinim nodded back

"Very polite. So, I heard everything out there. I'm guessing Damian's done a runner." Tigress answered

"He actually zip lined away." Platinum unintentionally corrected her.

"He'll be here when I call for him." Artemis sighed "Now, tell me, how do you feel?"

"I... I do not understand?" Platinum asked in confusion

"Your father died left than a week ago." She sighed "How do you FEEL?"

"I feel...sad...is that the emotion?" Platinum asked

"Yes it is." Tigress nodded gently

"I am also...hurt...angry...yet...happy." Platinum tried to answer as best she could

"Why are you those emotions? Why are you happy he is gone?" Tigress asked

"I miss him...it's like a piece of me is missing. That is the...hurt and anger...but...I am happy to know new people. But Damian..." Platinum tried to answer

"Go on." Tigress egged her on.

"He makes me feel...conflicted. I want him to open up to me and yet: he pushes me away." Tina answered

"Some people are like that. Sometimes people are closed off and only open up AFTER getting to know them. Forcing him to you is the WORST thing you could do, it makes them resent and resist."

"So…. what should I do? I do not know many boys except my brothers." Tina answered

"First, back off." She said "Don't try and MAKE him say anything he doesn't want to. Just try and be his FRIEND."

"I may have already pushed that boundary already with him." Tina answered

"What happened?" Artemis asked

"I kissed him near his lips." Platinum answered honestly

'Yeesh...' Tigress thought.

"Okay... not a smart move. Since birth Damian has been trained to be a killer. Compassion, love, caring. All that is strange to him, he doesn't understand it besides how seduction and a few other similar things are used to make someone do what you want or to manipulate them." Artemis explained

"Oh...I didn't know that." Tina answered

"Of course you didn't." Artemis sighed "Just TALK to him later on. Now... tell me about yourself."

"Well..." Platinum begun to talk about herself: what she assumed she liked, what things she liked to do and whom she had kind affections for. Damian was of course part of the list...just in what she called "The Mixed Category"

"This has been interesting. I shall see you another time Plarinum." Artemis nodded

"Good day Ms Tigress." Platinum bowed politely and left.

"Robin. You're last." Artemis said, pressing the intercom button. Damian didn't appear right away, he waited until Platinum had left. Then he landed like a ghost and entered the room as such "Hello Robin." Artemis nodded

"Tigress." He answered simply siting down in the chair. He honestly felt like "this must how children feel in public schools when they see the principal."

"So... how are you settling in?" She asked

"Fine... just can't believe you slumped me with these newbies." Damian answered sharply

"Newbies? Please Damian. How do you feel about your teammates?" Artemis smiled

"They're annoying, idiotic; they get in my way, intrusive..." Damian listed off just thinking of the negatives hoping to get them kicked off the team but also so he'd be on his own again.

"And?" Artemis asked with a from

"I heard you, Starfire and Platinum worked well together."

"Well...yeah...they were good for the training session..." Damian looked away, hating to admit that he wouldn't have beaten Roy without them.

"And?"

"And... they...weren't...TOTAL...drawbacks...I guess..." He answered but kept mumbling so it would be incoherent.

"Ah." Artemis smiled "Good."

"Your teammates spoke highly of you, you know." Tigress answered

"... they what?" He gulped

"They called you: a great leader, intelligent and determined, praising you on your adaptability and ingenuity." Tigress answered looking at the lists.

"What about Starfire? She kept on comparing me to a wild animal." Damian answered

"Yes. SEVERAL wild animals." Artemis nodded "But they were all GOOD things in comparison."

Damian looked down; he had judged his teammates harshly. Who could he turn this back? "I..."

"She was basically comparing you to the ferocity of a lion, the power of a bull, the speed of an eagle, the wisdom of an owl... and being grumpy and closed off till you found someone to love." Artemis smiled laughing at the end

"Oh man..." Damian felt even worse now, but at the same time...proud

"Tell me... bow do your teammates make you feel?" Artemis asked

"They...*sigh* they make me feel...better. Not so...pressured, I guess. With them...I don't know, I'm not the assassin-raised child of Batman...I'm Damian, just Damian." He explained as best he could "That doesn't make sense does it?"

"You're saying that you can be anyone else now. Not what people immediately know you as. Starting again." Tigress digested it down "Is there anything you wish to add?" Tigress asked

"I... I'm not sure...just...still freaked out at Platinum I guess." Damian answered

"Elaborate please." She smiled "Doctor patient confidentiality."

"She...well...she kissed me. Not fully on the lips just...REALLY close you know..." Damian added

"Seriously. What did that perverted professor program INTO her to have THAT be her first option?!"

"She probably thought you needed to vent out some of your anxiety and frustration. And that was the first thing that came to her mind." Tigress answered

"Again: perverted professor for programing THAT as the first thing to pop into her mind." Damian muttered "We done yet?"

"I believe so. Thank you Damian." Tigress smiled letting him leave.

Damian nodded, walking off 'MAN that was embarrassing!' Damian groaned internally

"... That went well." Dick chuckled as he came out of a trapdoor in the office

"Learn something new every day don't we Dick." Artemis smiled

"Yea. I'll let you and Roy talk and we'll have a meeting later today." Dick nodded

"Will do. You're not going to torment your little brother are you?" Tigress asked with a inquisitive grin

"Nah. He's had enough for one day...I might wait a week." Dick smiled

"You're such a dick, Dick." She chuckled

"And you love it." He smiled, making her blush

*with the others*

"So, your dad's the main coach..." Tin tried to make small talk trying not to sound awkward.

"Yep." Lian nodded

"Weird fighting him?"

"Kinda...just haven't done it with a team before...it was mostly practice we do it." Lian answered

"I can understand that." Gold nodded

"Still you did better than us with Lead and Iron."

"Yeah...guess we did." Lian accepted the praise.

"I coulda done it by myself." Mercury muttered

"Mercury, don't be like that." Gold rolled his eyes.

"Dad's too good. He's like Dick, very experienced and hard to pin down." Lian explained

"Please. I take Grayson on every day." Damian scoffed as he walked in

"Damian." Lian turned around

"How was your talk?" Mercury asked looking at the hero

"Fine." He said simply

"But it's confidential, you know that."

"Oh. Right. So..." Tin asked

"Where're Kori and Platinum?" Damian asked

"Not sure." Lian shrugged

"Ah, right. It's just I need to talk to them." Damian answered

"About what?" Lian asked in worry

"Just...about earlier. That's all." Damian answered unusually calm in his response.

"Okay?" Lian said, raising an eyebrow

"See ya." Damian answered and walked off

"Is he always like that?" Mercury asked

"Never..." Lian answered with a cold shudder. She WASN'T expecting that.

But... it was a NICE change

*With Kori and Platinum*

The two where in Kori's room, Kori explaining information about her planet to her new friend

"Tamaran sounds quite the location Starfire. Did you have many friends there?" Tina asked kindly sitting around the table from her friend/teammate

"Not really since I am a Princess." She shrugged

"A princess? That sounds amazing." Tina gasped in awe

"It is, but it isn't." She admitted

"I take it it's much more than a fairy tale." Platinum asked

"A what?" Kori asked back

"Stories, some have princesses, mythical creatures, life lessons etc. Most of them end with happily ever after." Tina explained

"Yes. More than that." She nodded

A knock came at the door.

"Hello?" Tina asked turning her head at the location

"Hello." Damian nodded

"Damian...what're you doing here?" Kori asked in a light tone

"I want to talk." Was all he said

"Oh? Okay. Can I offer you a seat?" Platinum asked

"There isn't one." Damian observed their location

Platinum quickly fixed that by turning INTO a chair.

"... No." He frowned

"Oh...what did you want to talk about Damian?" Platinum asked

"... I wanted to thank you for what happened in the training room." He sighed

"Oh. You're welcome." Platinum answered

"We couldn't let a friend and teammate down." Kori added

"... you think I'm your friend?" He frowned lightly

"Yes. You helped us both out previously. Why shouldn't we consider you our friend?" Kori asked

"You don't know me." He said simply

"Strangers are friends you haven't met yet. And we could be friends if you let us." Tina answered

"... weird saying." He shrugged, leaving with a peace of paper left on the floor

"Bye Damian." Tina spoke kindly but solemnly

"What's this?" Kori muttered, picking the card up. It was an invitation to a party at Wayne Manor

"It seems to be an invitation of sorts. To: Wayne Manor." Tina answered observing the card.

"A gathering honoured by this slip of paper." Kori tried to understand it

"Er... yes?" Tina shrugged

"Ooh will there be "The Mustard"?" Kori asked happily

*with the Metal Men*

Gold sighed, walking into a cylinder. It is basically a sleeping tube kinda thing, a status pod because... well... robots

"Good night brothers." Gold yawned

"Night." Iron, Lead and the other powered down for the night.

In the other room Kori and Tina were...somewhat excited since they haven't been invited to a human party before.

Lian wasn't there in the bedroom just yet, she was trying to find her dad so they could have a father/daughter talk. She heard voices coming from behind a door, so she put her ear against the door to listen in. She tried to figure out who it was, but the only way for her to coherently hear it was to: open the door slightly.

Inside she saw her father, Artemis and Dick talking

"So, how'd you think things are going?" Artemis asked

"To early to say, but they all show potential." Roy answered

"Lian looked a bit upset earlier." Dick pointed out.

"She felt like she let me down." He shrugged. Lian looked down lightly but she kept her wits while listening in.

"She WAS a bit disheartened earlier." Artemis added

"Is that from what she told you or some aunt instinct?" Roy asked

"Family instinct, body language and vocal pitch." Artemis reassured him

"Well... honestly, I couldn't have been prouder." Roy smiled

Liam's heart lightened, even though her dad said it to her previously and not to worry, she almost cried happily.

"She's her mother's daughter...with a LITTLE bit of me thrown in." Roy smiled with a small joke at the end

"God help her if she taps into the YOU bit." Dick followed up

"Hey!" Roy snapped playfully

"God help her if she taps into my sister's worse side. Or worse... her grandfather." Artemis sighed

Roy shook his head. "She's a gem. She's surrounded by loved ones and family. She won't go that way." He answered with confidence

"... Dad..." Lian muttered, smiling wide

"So... thoughts on the teams mental and physical health?" Dick asked

"Not that I can say without breaking confidentiality. But in my honest opinion: maybe get them at a party or a gathering to be themselves." Artemis answered

"You can say if they are stable and state dangers like... say... risk of depression or something?" Dick sighed

"Damian's a bit anti-social. Kori is a bit out of sorts since she's on an alien world. The Metal Men are still learning about how to be human and Lian has some confidence issues...nothing TOO severe." Artemis answered

"Good." He nodded

"So… head down to the cafeteria for a bite to eat?" Dick asked

"I'll catch up. I've got to find Lian." Roy smiled

"Okay, don't take TOO long." Artemis answered subtly her eyes quickly darted to the front door.

"Nah, I won't be long." Roy chuckled at his sister-in-law.

As Dick and Artemis began to leave Lian quickly hid herself from their gaze and path.

"Alright young lady. You're getting good. But not QUITE there yet." Roy answered

Lian couldn't hold back... she jumped at him, hugging her father tightly

"Guess you heard." Roy asked. Lian answered by nodding into his chest. "I meant it you know: you ARE a gem." Roy hugged her back tightly; Lian teared up slightly from joy.

"Thanks dad." She whispered

*with Dick and Artemis*

"Hey Arti?" Dick asked

"Yea? What?" Artemis asked

"Well... we been friends for years and... you mind being my date for this stupid party Bruce is holding this weekend?" Dick asked

"Hmm maybe. I'll have to check my calendar..." Artemis teased

"Great!" Dick grinned

"IF..." Artemis smiled

" "If" what?" Dick asked

"If you act lovey-dovey for that night." She joked

Dick was gobsmacked, knowing she was threatening his reputation as a playboy... but he grinned and sighed "Fine... you're lucky I like you, you know that?"

"Meow..." She mewed playfully

"Good kitty." He joked

*in the girl's dorm*

Lian and Kori were the last two awake. Tina had powered down earlier for the coming day. "I hope you're liking Earth Kori..." Lian asked sleepily

"Oh I most certainly am!" She nodded happily

"Don't...forget to..." Lian tried to speak but she nodded off in her bed leaving Kori wondering what she was going to say.

"Oh..." Kori pouted a little but saw that Lian's age was a factor in the time they were going to sleep. "Good night my friend." She bid her new friend a good night. "Good night sister." She looked up to the ceiling and imagined the night sky.

And there's the second chapter! There are hints of Damian's love life going in ANY of the three directions as we are still waiting for your replies.

Currently Platinum and Lian are tied for first with three votes apiece while Starfire only has one. And, to be clear, MOST of these votes came over PM! We asked for your answers in REVIEWS people. We accept PM reviews but we WANT them to be reviews! So PLEASE review!