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- to new friends -

VOICES SWIRLED IN HIS MIND, FILLING HIS SENSES WITH THEIR CONVERSATIONS AND THOUGHTS. Cole bounced his leg in nervousness, the chai latte in front of him slowly cooling with each passing second. Terran was scrolling through her phone, a half eaten muffin and empty to-go cup beside her.

He was so focused on the voices around him, he didn't even notice that Terran had started talking to him. Not until she kicked his shin. Cole cursed as pain shot through his leg and he quickly spun to Terran, staring at her with wide eyes. "You weren't listening, were you?" Terran asked, tilting her head at her brother.

"I was listening," Cole said, sheepishly, folding his arms over his chest.

"To everyone but me," Terran snarked, taking a bite out of the muffin. She grimaced and held it out to Cole. "Here, eat this." Cole took the food from Terran, immediately biting into it to distract his mind. "Anyway, like I was saying the first time when you ignored me." Cole sneered and Terran flipped him off. "I was looking through different last names-"

"I thought we were waiting for Hazel," Cole said, his eyebrows furrowing.

"I haven't picked anything, I just wanted to let you know that everyone and their mother had a way of spelling Martin," Terran pointed out, "Your name is either very popular or very bland."

She spun her phone around to Cole so he could look at the list of Spanish last names, but his eyes flickered up to the text message that popped up. "RaeBae texted you," Cole teased, grabbing Terran's fingers over the phone so she couldn't pull her hand back. "Can you get me a coffee pleeeease sweetie! Lo-"

"Hey!" Terran shouted, accidently raising her voice. A force smashed into Cole's face, and his head whipped back as something in his nose snapped. Terran gasped, her hand snapping up to cover her mouth, her eyes blown wide. Cole cupped his nose in pain, blood dripping down his face onto the muffin.

Terran bit her knuckle, wincing slightly, "You have blood on. . . your. . . muffin."

Cole winced as he shifted his nose back into place, more pain shooting through his face as his eyes drifted down to the blood soaked half eaten black berry muffin that tasted almost completely of flour. "Yeah, well, neither of us were going to finish that." Cole laughed softly, and Terran hung her head back, chuckling softly.

Cole groaned and grabbed a tissue, whipping away the blood on his skin. Cole groaned, leaning his elbows on the table, "When you get your girlfriend a coffee, can you grab some tissues?"

Terran smiled and stood, "I'll get another muffin. And she's not my girlfriend," Terran hissed, walking toward the cafetiere counter.

Cole tossed the tissue aside, looking up as Hazel pulled the chair out. She waved at Terran at the counter and she gave a thumbs up. Hazel sat down with a huff, her eyebrows furrowing as she looked at Cole. She stared at Cole for a moment, "What the fuck happened to you?"

"Is Terran dating Rachel yet, or am I forever forced into watching that car crash?" Cole teased, trying to wipe the blood from his face.

"Undecided and touchy topic," Hazel shrugged, grabbing Cole's coffee and taking a sip.

Cole leant back in his seat, his head tipped back slightly. "Did you know Martin is one of the most common Spanish names?" Cole suddenly sat up, his eyebrows furrowed. "Are we even Spanish? I mean our dad is not Spanish. Heavy emphasis on not Spanish."

Hazel hummed and set the to-go cup down, "Well, my blood tests say Spanish, so we're probably space latina."

"That's such a better name then Titans," Cole laughed, making Hazel chuckle.

Terran walked back over, plopping the coffee tray in the middle and tossing the tissues at Cole. "Alright, spill, what happened?" Terran said as she sat and handed the coffee out. "What is going to ruin this road trip?"

"Nothing," Hazel shrugged, grabbing her coffee. "My light is doing a thing, but nothing to worry about, Videl left instructions," Hazel explained, sipping her coffee.

Cole and Terran shared the same look before Terran set her cup down and looked at Hazel. "That is the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard, and one boy said I couldn't be a lesbian and this good looking." Terran scoffed.

"Yet you prove him wrong daily," Hazel teased.

"Focus!" Cole hushed. "What happened?"

"It's actually nothing, my body is creating extra light, but Doc and co are looking into it but they said it's nothing," Hazel assured, looking between them. Cole hummed sceptically and Hazel kicked his shin. "Don't hm me, Martin. I'm telling you the truth."

Cole hissed and rubbed his shin. "I'll believe you, for now," Terran muttered, turning her tea in her hands. "Now most importantly. You think of a last name yet? Martin is-"

"Unoriginal," Hazel cut in and Cole rolled his eyes. "Claire-"

"Makes me sound like a really bad Porn star," Cole complained. "Oh I'm Cole Claire, what can I do you for?" Terran winced, cringing in on herself as Hazel stared at him with wide eyes. "Lillis, a sea serpent. I aint no snitch or snake."

"Please never say ain't again, it's like watching your grandmother curse," Hazel teased, laughing softly. "And yes I have been thinking. Alejo, meaning royalty or protector of mankind." Hazel picked up her drink, sipping it as Terran recited their names with the new name.

Cole leaned his chin on his palm and huffed, "Why are you so good at everything?"

"The need to feel accomplished," Terran muttered and Hazel kicked her under the table.

"Are we meeting the others?" Hazel asked, cupping her drink to warm the tips of her fingers.

"The others are meeting us," Terran corrected, "Rachel and Kory will be here any minute."

Slowly the others joined their siblings, adding chairs so they could sit around the small table and order coffees and overpriced sweet treats. Eventually Dick and Tim joined them, Kory and Cole already having ordered for the pair. Dick ushered them out of their seats and on towards the doors. Gar walked beside Hazel, showing her his suit stored in the gem glove on his right hand.

Bernard walked beside Dick, chatting as they stepped outside to the car park. "One more thing," Bernard spoke up, stopping the group. "We did a quick retrofit of your recreational vehicle while you were inside," Bernard relayed and an RV rolled out in pitch black. "I hope you don't mind." Bernard clicked a button on the keys and the side opened up and a silver Porce was ejected out. "A gift from Bruce Wayne. Something about saving Gotham city."

"This is ridiculous," Tim commented before running toward the car.

"Who is driving that thing?" Gar questioned with a smile.

"I am," Dick snapped, his impressed smile dropping.

"Are we allowed to sit in it?" Kory asked.

"You are," Dick confirmed. "Everyone else can start a sign-up sheet. You can go first." Dick passed a pen to Gar and he smiled.

"Where do I sign?!" Gar yelled running to the car.

"I'm the only one with a licence! I'm driving!" Hazel screeched, running after him.

"Don't you leave without me!" Cole shouted. He and Dick ran for the car, throwing themselves in with Gar and Hazel. Dick paused and pulled Tim from the front seat.

They messed around in the small car until Kory sauntered over, opening the car door and making Dick jump. Cole and Tim quickly stopped laughing as Kory stared down at them. "Are you done playing? I would like to go home," Kory complained.

Dick quickly ushered everyone out and onto the RV. Dick stored the car in the RV before rushing to the driver's seat, waving goodbye to Betnard and the others.

Gar and Hazel sat next to each other, Gar's arm across Hazel's shoulders as she scribbled in a notebook. Rachel and Terran sat by them, Rachel laying across Terran's lap, letting her braid her purple hair. Conner sat on the middle table with Krypto, both watching Tim mess around with the Bo staff he was gifted and Cole laughed at him.

Tim spun the staff, twirling it in his hands before looking over at Cole. "Hey Cole, can you take a photo?" Tim asked, tossing the phone his way.

"Grindr profile pic?" Cole asked, taking the phone.

"You're an ass." Tim flicked the bo staff and posed anyway as Cole lifted the phone.

Cole took a few pictures before scoffing, "Dude your phone sucks."

"Yeah, his phone sucks," Terran teased, looking over at Cole.

"Just sucks," Hazel echoed with a laugh.

"Could you not?" Cole snapped, turning back to them.

Cole turned back to Tim, raising the phone, trying to turn the phone on again but it refused to switch on. "What?" Tim questioned as he paused.

"My phone died," Cole muttered, slapping the phone in his hand. "I just charged it." The lights and electricity in the RV flickered rapidly with an electric buzzing. Gar unwound his arm from Hazel as she pushed herself to stand.

Conner looked at Hazel when he suddenly seized, his knees buckling as he held his head and shouted in pain. "Conner?" Hazel called, rushing toward him, as he fell against the table.

"Hey. Hey. Conner? Conner?" Rachel echoed, running to his side. Conner held his head in pain, his jaw tense as Hazel and Rachel held him steady. Conner gasped and his hands hit the table,

"Conner, are you okay?" Tim questioned, his grip on the staff tightening.

Dick pulled the RV to the side of the highway and rushed to Conner. "What the hell's going on?" Dick demanded and Kory joined him. "Conner!"

Conner gasped and pushed himself up. "Take it slow," Hazel muttered. "Are you okay?"

Conner looked at Hazel and nodded softly, "Yeah." He panted and Rachel rubbed her hand across his back. Conner raised his head to look at Dick, his brows still turned down, "We have to go back to Metropolis."

"What?" Kory asked, her hands coming up to rub her collars.

April 7, 2021

Lex Luthor Tower

GUARDS AND MEN WERE TOSSED AROUND, SLAMMED INTO FURNITURE AND KNOCKED DOWN AS STARFIRE AND VENOM FOUGHT TO REACH LEX'S PENTHOUSE. Lex sat at one of his glass dining tables, pouring himself a wine, ignoring the men Kory tossed onto the floor. Hazel threw a man back into a piano, smashing the piano making it let out a terrible screech. Hazel turned back just as Kory grabbed the final guard, throwing him into the table next to Lex Luthor.

Kory took a breath and gave Hazel a nod, bothing walking to stand beside Lex. "Sorry to disturb you at lunch hour," Hazel hummed, looking over the pasta dish in front of him.

"I would have beamed a message into your head, but this seemed like more fun," Kory added, fiddling with her gold gloves.

Lex nodded and stood, using the black napkin to clean the sides of his mouth. "Well, what a pleasure to meet you, Starfire, Venom," Lex spoke formally. "Or may I call you Koriand'r?"

"You can call me Kory," Kory smiled. "Lex."

"May I offer you some Spaghetti Puttanesca?" Lex offered, gesturing to his meal. "Or perhaps a glass of wine?"

"No, I'm okay. Thank you," Kory nodded.

"Miss Lillis?" Lex spoke.

"Hazel, please. I'll pass on the dish, but I will take the wine," Hazel corrected.

"Nonsens, Tristen please have a Spaghetti Puttanesca prepared," Lex called to a guard that has stirred awake. "I wouldn't want to make a bad impression on royalty." Kory and Hazel glanced at each other as Lex grabbed a fresh wine glass. "Speaking of royalty, I understand there've been some changes on Tamaran," Lex spoke as he poured the glass. "Komand'r has now rightfully taken the throne?"

"That's right," Kory confirmed.

"And now, she possesses the power you've always thought of as your own," Luther continued and passed Hazel the large glass of wine.

"Yes, yes, but, you know, it's for the best, really," Kroy nodded. "She's- She spent her whole life feeling denied. Overshadowed. Less than." Kory paused slightly and met Lex's eyes. "But of course, you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Lex laughed softly and buttoned his suit jacket. "We have much to discuss. This way, please." Luther motioned ahead and the girls followed.

Hazel swished the wine and her eyes took in the suite. "The view from here is amazing," Hazel commented. "Choose well I see."

Lex nodded, "Allow me to show you around. May I give you a tour?"

Across from the Luthor tower, in a building under construction, Tim leant against a few stacked boxes, listening through the computer to Kory and Hazel's conversation with the egotistical billionaire. Dick paced around, fixing the gloves of his armour as Cole walked to Tim's side, leaning on the box beside him. "So far nothing," Tim sighed, glancing up at Cole.

Dick took a breath and glanced at the two boys. "Just give them some time," Dick instructed, his eyes looking up at the Luther tower.

Daily Planet Archives

"WELCOME TO THE DAILY PLANET ARCHIVES," THE MAN, LOUIS, CALLED RAISING HIS ARM HIGH, MOTIONING TO THE TALL SHELVES STACKED FULL OF BOXES. He led Gar, Rachel, Conner and Terran through the tall aisles, taking shortcuts to reach the section of the archives holding all the news of Lex Luthor. "Outsiders usually don't get access to this kind of stuff, but considering it's you guys, I'll make an exception."

"Thanks," Gar said with a nod.

"Every single issue dating back to our very first day of publication, November 2nd, 1775," Louis continued.

"This is insane," Rachel commented. "How do you find anything?"

"Ah, it's all catalogued," he shrugged. "Well, most of it. We're digitising as fast as we can." He trailed off as he turned down a final aisle, toward the end of the right shelf, "The Luthor section is just down there."

"According to Dick, Lex Luthor never tips his hand," Conner relayed, speeding up slightly to walk beside him. "So, we need to see what cards he's showing and then try to figure out what he's holding."

"TLDR, we need everything you have on Lex," Terran cut in.

"Everything? I mean, that could take months to go through," Louis said in amazement.

"Don't worry. He's a fast reader," Gar chuckled, glancing up at Conner.

"I mean, I believe you, but still," He scoffed softly. "Can we narrow it down? I mean, we got a lot on the guy." Louis stopped in front of a shelf, gesturing to different boxes as he spoke, "We got felony arrests, felony convictions, capital crimes, crimes on the high seas, space-based crimes, philanthropy."

"Oh, definitely the pirate-'

"Philanthropy," Conner cut in, stopping Gar.

"Okay," Louis nodded and slid the box from the shelf. "Let's head to my office. We can pull it up on the server."

Lex led Kory and Hazel through the room, the sun pouring through the room, bouncing off the gold lining to the walls and light coverings. Lex continued on to a liquor tray but Kory and Hazel stopped in front of a large oil painting displayed on the tall wall, curtains hanging from the wall to frame it perfectly. Hazel sipped on the wine as Lex walked back to Kory's side, handing her a small glass of golden liquor.

"Powerful, isn't it?" Lex questioned as Kory sipped the liquor. "Gautier 1762. I acquired this bottle at auction. It was found in the sealed-off compartment underneath Jean Paul Marat's bathtub."

"It tastes like it," Kory commented, smacking her lips, and making Hazel chuckle.

She swapped her wine glass with Kory and Hazel sipped the gold liquor. Hazel sipped it and spun the glass. "Impressive," Hazel muttered.

Luthor smiled at Hazel, "To new friends," Luther toasted.

"To new friends," Hazel recited in Spanish, grinning at the man.

"We'll see," Kory hummed. As they sipped their drinks, Kory let her hand drop, and she released the small flying chip.

"I have so many questions for you both," Lex spoke. "So much I want to learn about your planets, history, your abilities." Luthor turned his eyes to Hazel, "More than what I already do."

"We have a few questions for you, too," Kory mirrored, missing the look Luthor shot Hazel.

Hazel set the empty glass aside, "Why do you want to meet with Conner?" Hazel questioned.

"Doesn't a father have a right to meet his son?" Lex countered.

"A desire doesn't equal a right," Kory fought.

The computer beeped and Tim spun to the computer, watching as the small chip loaded all of the data to their servers. Cole rushed to the computer, smiling up at Tim. "It worked," Cole called, looking over his shoulder at Dick. "Unbelievable."

"The unbelievable thing about Bruce's toys is never that they work," Dick commented. "It's what they do."

Tim rushed to Cole's side and read over the screen. "I got personal, medical, financial, schedules, calendars," Tim read, his smile growing as he searched through all the data and files. "Hell, I've even got his Twitter account. What do you want?"

Lex handed Hazel another drink. "I want Conner to stay with me," Lex finally said. "Here in Metropolis."

Hazel laughed softly in shock and Kory shook her head. "No, no. That's- that's never gonna happen."

"It might. After all, it is his decision," Lex reminded.

"He knows who you are," Hazel said, "What you are. All of it. You can't offer us a good bottle of liquor and have all that go away."

"That's exactly the point. He doesn't," Lex snapped and he started to wander to the window and the telescope set up. "I wanna give him the benefit of my knowledge and guidance. And I want him to be prepared to one day take over as President of LexCorp."

Kory shook her head and stepped forward. "You know what I think?" Kory called, "I think what you really want is to own the thing you created. You consider Conner your possession. He is not. He has compassion, empathy, moral intelligence. All of which make him far stronger than you. In every way. You want him to be your personal weapon. He will never be that."

Luthor walked to the telescope and looked through it. "Isn't that exactly how you're using him, Richard?" Lex spoke. Dick stepped away from Cole and Tim and looked up at the top floor of LexCorp. Cole stepped back from the computer and looked at Dick. "Hasn't Bruce taught you any other way?" Lex waved and the boys could see the silhouette in the window. "I'd like you to meet some friends of mine." Dick stepped away and Tim grabbed the Bo staff. "Remember, Richard, this is me being gentle."

Dick stepped around the sheets of plastic hanging from the roof. Tim glanced up at Cole before grabbing his bo staff, he and Cole following Dick, pushing aside the plastic. Dick's eyes skimmed the space, his eyes moving between the half finished framing and ladders scattered around. Tim raised his staff and Dick looked back at him. "Both of you, stay down." Cole made Tim step back, retreating behind the plastic sheets, but Cole peaked out.

Dick reached for his batons, resting his hands on the handles. In a flash half a dozen ninjas dressed in all black raced out from the stacks of boxes, raising their weapons high. Dick sighed through his nose and flicked his batons out, "Ninjas."

They threw dozens of shurikens toward the three, Dick readying his batons to hit them away but Cole threw his hand out, magnetising a ladder with his bright purple lightning. The shurikens attached to the metal, along with a dozen wrenches and nails. Cole yelled for his suit to activate as Dick charged forward toward the Ninjas.

The ninjas were fast, jumping around Dick, slashing at his armour. The blades bounced off the platting giving him time to hit the men with his electric strikes. One man spun quickly, knocking a baton from Dick's hand before slicing down at him again, forcing Dick to catch the sword with the other. Tim tried to step forward but Cole pushed him back. Cole flashed his eyes red, the ninja stumbling back as Cole pushed pain through his bones. Dick quickly kicked his sternum and slammed his baton across his face, the electric blue light running over his body.

"You good?" Tim asked.

Dick huffed and pushed himself to his feet. "I hate ninjas." More footsteps echoed behind them and Dick turned back, walking as another half dozen raced toward the three. Dick shook his head, "More ninjas."

Dick went to pick up a sword but Cole flicked his hand, the men crumbling to their knees. Dick used his baton to launch a paint can at the ninjas, bouncing between them. Dick looked up but his eyes widened as a ninja rose behind Cole. Tim was quicker however, slamming his staff against the ninja's head, knocking him to the floor.

"Grab the computer, let's go," Dick ordered.

- rapture -