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***HR. Sol System, Watch Tower Station. Simulation Hall***

Training day! Of course everyday was training day on the station. Even with half of the station under construction that didn't change. The training hall was packed full of JLI members. Ranging from full fledged heroes, to sidekicks. Though the word sidekick was hardly ever used since it was believed to be politically incorrect. Apprentice? Journeymen/women? Etc, etc. The training hall was expansive with a host of different rooms, and space. It was also linked up with the simulation hall, school, and library for obvious reasons.

Currently in the simulation hall was a team of young heroes. These heroes were taking a journeymen/women exam to be assigned to their own city, under the supervision of a single instructor or as they were lovingly called, 'Den Mother.' The testers were Martian Manhunter, and Black Lightning.

Manhunter aka J'onn J'onzz stood next to the monitor while Black Lightning sat at the computer interface doing random insertion points for the test. The simulation hall normally did that on its own, but the data base was going through a overall thanks to the upgrades. On the screen showed a familiar hot headed individual that made J'onn, and Black Lightning frown together.

Kon-El, Connor Kent aka Superboy was raging across the simulation hall with reckless abandonment. Superboy rarely ever had a chance to let loose and he loved the simulation hall for that very reason. Even if it was the determent of the exam. Superboy stood at approximately 6' (182 cm) with short black hair stylized with hair gel. His blue eyes looked cold, and distant. While he had an inverted triangle figure. He wore a black polymer shirt with a crimson S on it. Along with black JLI cargo pants, and boots.

Superboy was in the process of tackling a meta-human with similar powers to his own. The problem was that Superboy was losing. Just like his 'blood' relative, Superman. Superboy was a brawler with little to no skill in close quarters combat. He used his Superhuman Strength and had very little finesse for anything else. So when he face an individual with the same power set that actually had training he would lose. Badly.

His opponent was a giant man wearing a black tank top, and black pants, with boots. He had a shit eating grin on his face and kept trashing talking Superboy who get letting his anger get the better of him and kept falling for the trap, over, and over again. It was one of his common problems, and Black Lightning made sure the computer knew that. Their fight had destroyed the neighborhood they were in. 62 simulated civilians were injured, while 15 had been indirectly killed. All because of Superboy's fight.

The background was a city center in the middle of down town. A meta-human gang had attacked a bank and were in the process of loading up the money when the team showed up to stop them. Aside from Superboy there was... Raven, Beast Boy, Artemis, Aqualad, and Aquagirl. Each one faced an opponent with similar powers, and or skills. Essentially fighting mirror versions of themselves. However, the rest of the team reacted accordingly. They traded dance partners and grouped up to help. The only one that went off books was Superboy. When Superboy's fight killed another 15 people the simulation paused and reset. Sending each of them back to their own rooms.

“What are we going to do with him?” Jefferson Pierce said. (Black Lightning) As he rubbed his face, he began to type up the report and compile it into a review for the team.

“If he can't take training seriously then he has no place in the JLI. But the issue is if we release him then he'll just go off on his own with no support, and no training. He's a danger to himself, and others.” J'onn said, as he turned around to look at Jefferson.

“We could give him to Kimiko, she'd beat it out of him real quick.” Jefferson said with a grimace. That was mirrored by J'onn.

Kimiko the android in charge of the training hall was a terror to the JLI trainees. She was a harsh task master that did her best to teach, and educate everyone in the skills they needed to survive. She did not suffer fools. But she also wasn't a bully. However, when it came to people with inflated ego's she made sure to put them in their place real quick. When you get your ass handed to you by someone that was 5'5” and barely weighed 125 pounds it made a lot of men, and women really bitter, really quick.

“Come on...” J'onn said to Jefferson. They both stood up and left the room together. Before they even reached the debrief room they heard a shouting match.

“You are a fucking idiot, Connor!” Artemis shouted at the man.

Artemis Lian Crock aka Artemis the huntress. Was a beautiful young woman of about 18 maybe 19. She had rich blond hair tied back into a tail that was secured to her uniform. She wore a form fitting JLI light weight green exoskeleton suit with polymer weave under armor. The uniform like all JLI suits was form fitting and showed off her curves nicely. She had an athletic hour glass figure, and stood at approximately 5'8” (176 cm). Her half face mask was pulled down to reveal tanned skin, and her blue eyes blazed in fury. On her back was a tech-bow, with a quiver of arrows. She was an archer.

Before Connor could give his retort the door opened up and J'onn, and Jefferson walked in. J'onn glanced at Connor and the boy shut his mouth. J'onn was the strongest person in the room. If there was one thing Connor respected it was strength, plus J'onn could put him down with a thought. All of the trainees took their seat, Connor took the back...Or tried to until Jefferson pointed at him, then at the front. Connor looked like he would rather eat glass but did it anyways.

“How many people died?” Beast Boy aka Garfield Logan asked.

Beast Boy stood at approximately 5'8” (176 cm) with short stylized green hair, green eyes, and green skin. He had an athletic rectangular figure that was slowly turning into an inverted rectangle. He wore a light green, dark green tiger stripped polymer weave under armor suit that shifted with his change. (Spatial Item Shifting). He currently sat in his seat with a note pad out. Garfield had taken a 180 on his attitude lately and was quickly turning into a model team mate, and possible leader. However, when he was out of uniform he was still the party animal that so many loved him for.

“82 injured, 42 of them critically, and 30 dead from Superboy's fight.” Jefferson said with a glare at Connor who shrugged like it wasn't a big a deal.

“6 guards, and 3 police officers were injured on your end. But each of them would have made a full recovery if this had been a real mission.” J'onn said to the rest of the team.

“Will we be running it again?” Raven asked.

Raven was off to the side sitting cross legged and floating a few feet off the ground holding a position of meditation. Her eyes were closed but she kept complete attention on the debrief. She stood approximately 5”10” (177 cm) with shoulder length purple hair, with red under tones. Her skin was pale, and she had an hour glass figure. She wore a black form fitting polymer weave under armor suit. With flex armor plates across her vitals. An assortment of enchanted pieces of jewelry was around her neck, and waist. While she also had a midnight black cloak, and hood on.

“No you wont, Connor will be. As of this moment, Connor is off the team and is grounded to the station until he can prove he is not a danger to others.” Jefferson said.

“What the fuck! You can't do that!” Connor screamed at him, jumped to his feet and tossed the chair he was in at the wall. He then took two steps forward and promptly fell straight to sleep as J'onn simply looked at him.

“Damn it, I really thought being on a team would help him.” Aqualad aka Kaldur'ahm Jackson Hyde said.

Kaldur as he was often called by his friends stood approximately at 5'8” (176 cm) with a swimmers body. Lean, tight, compact muscle. He had chocolate skin, shaved platinum blond hair, and ocean blue eyes. He wore a combination of JLI light weight exoskeleton suit, and spell crafted gear. It had a fish scale style of ocean green. On his back was a hard water generator backpack given his ability set. He stood up and came to Connor's side and flipped him over. Connor had fell face first, but his head, and more specifically his nose was to durable to break from a simple fall.

“It was a good try, Kaldur.” Aquagirl aka Tula Marius said to him as she stood up from her seat and came to her friends side.

Tula stood at approximately 5'5” (165 cm), she had a swimmers body type that bordered on hourglass. (So much hourglass!) Short brown hair kept free from her eyes, pale skin, and a JLI light weight exoskeleton suit with spell crafted gear. A lot like Kaldur, the armor was stylized with fish scale but she had deep ocean blue for her color scheme. Like Raven, Tula had several enchanted pieces of jewelry to strengthen her spell craft.

“It was a good idea, Kaldur. But Connor has... Deep seeded issues that he has to resolve before he will be allowed to leave the station. I hate to have to do it, but Connor as he is. He is a danger not only to others, but to himself.” J'onn said as he keyed onto his communicator and a spring jump spell script started to envelope Connor.

“Aside from Connors fight, you all passed the exercise with flying colors. So, with that now you get to go to your chosen city you wanted to be stationed in. Yes, you are all still on active duty. But this is where you will be on your off time.” Jefferson said next with a proud smile on his face.

“San Francisco, California!” Beast Boy shouted in glee, breaking out of his professional demeanor.

“Have you given any thought to the name of the team?” J'onn asked, an amused expression on his face.

“The Titans.” Raven said softly from her spot.

“We are currently running through possible supervisors. However we already have a home for all of you if you want to start packing and head over.” Jefferson said with a smile has he brought up a holographic display of a tower in the middle of the city.

“Living space above ground, the rest of the building or bunker is underground. Same standard package that every JLI bunker has in ever city. There are separate teams, and solo operators in the city that have their own smaller bunkers. But the tower will be the main HQ for the JLI in the city. Keep that in mind.” J'onn said to the new team.

“Woooooo!” Beast Boy shouted and danced around the room. Everyone had a similar reaction, even Raven cracked a rare smile.

And thus, the Titans were born...

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***HR. Sol System. Watch Tower Station***

Jason Todd aka Robin was 17 years old, and would be 18 in little over a year. Despite his short life one could argue that Jason had lived a harsh and long life. His birth parents had been... Well they tried their best with what they had. But it wasn't long before Jason was on his own. A kid growing up in Gotham, outside the system? Life expectancy had been a few weeks. But Jason had proved the statistics wrong. Not only had he lived, he had thrived!

Though more than once it had been on the charity of others. Though charity is not the right word to describe the people he ended up with. It was a business exchange. Jason had seen what drugs could to do people first hand thanks to his birth parents own experience. So Jason stayed well away from it. As he did from alcohol. This made him rather unique when it came to living on the streets of Gotham. But it kept his head clear. Though getting into fights didn't help his developing mind much.

It was high IQ that saved him. Or ruined him depending on who you asked. Jason was bright, brave, and or foolish. For his age when he was 16 he found the Bat-Mobile parked in an alleyway. He had seen the Batman race off. More than likely to break up the drug cartel in the neighborhood. So Jason knew the Bat would be gone for a while. So what did Jason do? He stole the tires from the Bat-Mobile!

He had learned from some of his fellow street rats how to lift a car with cinder blocks, and a pipe in the use of a fulcrum. Soon Jason had three tires off, and he was working on the fourth. He got the last nut off and stood up with a smile. Only to see the Batman standing next to him with an amused look on his face. Jason looked at Batman, then looked lug wrench in his hands. Jason knew better than try to deny anything. So he took off on a run. Batman of course chased him!

Jason knew the neighborhood like the back of his hand. He easily outpaced, and outmaneuvered Batman... Or so he thought. It was only a few minutes after he got back to his home in the abandoned apartment building that Jason realized he didn't lose Batman. The Bat simply let Jason guide him back to his hide out. Batman easily subdued Jason. But instead of arresting him, Batman offered him something else. A chance.... A chance at a better life.

It wasn't long before Jason was living at Wayne Manor. That had floored him! Billionaire playboy orphan Bruce Wayne was Batman!? Of course once Jason sat down at thought about it. It did make sense. He had near unlimited resources, owned most of Gotham. So building, and keeping secret installations across the city would be easy. Plenty of military contracts, so his company could build all the toys he used. What he didn't understand was why? Until Bat...Bruce told him.

Bruce had lost his mother, and father. To a stupid mistake. Jason understood that better than most. Muggers didn't kill people, it was a great way to end up in prison. Especially mugging people were well off. Which is exactly what happened to the man who supposedly killed the Wayne's. Jason had learned from Alfred that it was never confirmed if the man was the true killer, or if he just took the fall for it. Bruce was younger than Jason when he lost his parents. Jason knew that feeling all to well.

So, Jason joined up. Who wouldn't!? Join a hero vigilante type in his huge mansion and train to fight the criminals in the city. At least that was why Jason originally joined. Then Jason saved someone. He saved a little girl, and her parents. Bruce made sure they ended up safe, and sound with Wayne Industries footing the bill. Then the fight stop being fun and games to Jason. It started to turn into the war. The change in Jason couldn't have come sooner. Because the metaphorical table got flipped with an alternate reality of Earth invaded their own.

Jason had people to protect. People he cared about. Friends...Family. Bruce, Richard, Barbara, Alfred...Selina. Selina most of all. Jason would never admit it out loud, but Selina was like a mother to him. She had grown up on the street just like he did. They were both broken in their own way. They had both been saved. Though Selina's savior was a giant reptile, Jason didn't hold that against Lash. If anything a monster who acted more human actually made Jason like him more.

The war... The invasion had been an eye opener to Jason. The world was so much bigger than he thought. A whole world hidden behind a tear in reality. Maybe a reality where Jason and his parents were happy? No, that was dangerous thinking. Also wrong! The reality was a hell hole with a brain washing tyrant that enslaved his world. The invasion had been hard on Bruce, it had been hard on all of them.

Batman doesn't kill. That wasn't to say that people didn't die around him. Accidents happen, but Batman always tried his best to save everyone. Something that he enforced with brutal efficiency on his own people. But the invasion? Jason saw Batman kill them. Specifically the meat puppets. The hollow men, and women with out souls. Jason had argued with Bruce that they weren't alive. That he hadn't broken his rule. Until later in the invasion Lash...Wraith had developed a treatment for them. It had crushed Bruce. He had taken a life that could have been saved.

The only reason Bruce didn't completely fall into despair was Selina. She gradually helped him out of his own depression. It was a long, and hard fight. But Selina knew better than most how to handle the big bad Bat. But to Jason? It was a moment when he realized that Batman wasn't as strong as he thought he was. It was a war! People die in a war. Yes they fought against their will but Wraith had killed thousands of them and he didn't bat an eye at it.

When the invasion was over they started to clean up the world. They started to clean up Gotham. Jason had believed he had seen the worst of humanity while growing up in the streets of Gotham. How wrong he was. Humanity could do horrible things to each other. It would have been so much better if they all came together to help. But no, they fought and killed over a can of soup! Jason hated it! Hated them! So much that he beat a man to death. He felt nothing but satisfaction that the human piece of waste was dead and would never hurt anyone again.

Jason never told anyone about that. He had gotten away with it, as it were. Then he did it again. Stopped a man from raping a woman. Then killed a thug was was stealing medicine from a clinic. Then...An then.... Then.... Jason felt satisfied with every kill. He was helping damn it! Crime in the area dropped dramatically. It made a difference, the criminals in the area were terrified that they would be next. Then Dick caught Jason beating a man to a pulp and pulled him off.

“What are you doing!? You nearly killed him!” Richard shouted at Jason.

“He just killed those people! I was teaching a lesson he wouldn't forget!” Jason shouted at him.

“Killing isn't the answer!” Richard shouted.

“Maybe it should be!” Jason yelled back.

Jason was benched after that. Richard had told Bruce what had happened. It didn't help that someone from the JLI came down and read his 'aura' what ever the fuck that meant. They had learned that Jason had killed several people. That Jason didn't feel any remorse for his actions. That he felt justified. It had helped. But the moment that Jason was gone from his patrol route in the city. Crime went sky high, and the fatality rate climbed higher than ever.

It was months later that Jason was allowed back on patrol. He had kept busy by training in the Watch Tower, and helping new trainees through training. Despite his short term as a street hero, he had more experience than most. Kimiko, the training hall instructor advised Bruce that it would be good for him to remain active. Bruce agreed, and Jason thanked Kimiko by running the trainees into the ground. First day back on the job in Gotham. What did Jason do? He visited the joker gang territory. That proved to be a mistake.

Torture is not something that one normally goes through when training in the JLI. Maybe it should be? Jason had thought he knew pain, but how naive he had been. The jokers took their time, they were careful. Even had a doctor/medic come in and check on Jason. Fed him some dark liquid, tasted like blood. Jason felt amazing afterwards and that was when they went back at him. Again, and again, and again.

Why was he thinking about that... He didn't want to revisit that time. It was odd, what was happening to him? Jason felt like he was watching his life on fast forward. From start to finish. He had read about this. It happened sometimes when people are about to die. Their whole life flashed before their eyes. But Jason didn't feel dead... He remembered a roar... He knew that roar. It was Wraith in his primal form. He heard the screams of horror, and pain from the jokers. It had made Jason smile.

“I've got you...” Wraith, with his primal voice made Jason so happy. He was safe...

-----

Jason opened his eyes and saw a familiar sight. It had been a while since he woke up in the JLI medical wing. The celestial white ceiling was eerie as ever. It was too white, to clean, to perfect. Next to his bed was a wall/window? That showed a video recording of a river pushing through a mountain grassed area. It was soothing, and made Jason's eyes close. But when he moved the window paused and a nurse came in to check on him.

“Good evening, Robin. Are you feeling?” The feminine synthetic voice asked. The medical droid looked like a robot. A skeleton frame, covered in a plastic film, with a LED screen with highlighted eyes, and mouth. Wearing a nurse gown.

“I'm....OK. Actually, I'm always impressed with the medical services here.” Jason said, and meant it. He had seen the chief medical examiner, Ethan rebuild a destroyed body and brought them back to life.

“Good! Are you thirsty?” The nurse asked and provided a drink bag with a dark liquid in it. A straw was placed and Jason was beside himself when he snatched it from their hands and drained it dry in under ten seconds.

“God!? What is this? That tastes amazing!” Jason asked, as he tried to look for another bag.

“It's blood.” The nurse said, and Jason paused.

“What?” Jason asked, looking at the nurse.

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***HR. Sol System, Earth, Gotham City Harbor***

Lash was in lost in a moment. A single breath, a heart beat to make a decision. He stood face to face with Talia al Ghul. He was in his Transformation state, in his daemonic/warden armor. He could easily escape the ship he was on. Vyllith would back him up with out a word. They could take the whole ship, capture Talia and go to the Watch Tower. Or... Or he could talk to her and figure out why she was in Gotham. In Gotham to specifically see him it seemed.

She had said his name, Lash. Though that wasn't a terribly big surprise to him. Ra's al Ghul was connected in the mundane, and even the supernatural world. If he wanted to dig up information he would get it eventually. No, Talia hadn't said his name to threaten him. It was a simple courtesy, to let him know she was aware of him. Talia breathed softly when Lash gestured for her to continue with his clawed hands. The tense moment passed.

“Would you like something to drink?” Talia said, gesturing towards the bar filled with exotic brands.

“I don't think you have anything that would work on me.” Lash said softly as he turned on his heel and went towards the bar. He looked over the different brands, and bottles. Sure enough there was nothing that could effect him.

“Apologies, we hadn't thought of that.” Talia said, and bowed her head again.

“It isn't in any of my files as far as I know. So it's to be expected. But I'd be more than happy to have some hot chai if you have any?” Lash asked, as he turned to look at her. A spark of enlightenment flashed through her eyes. She nodded and walked towards the door, she cracked it open and said a few words to the servant out front.

“It will be ready in a few minutes.” Talia said as she turned around. She moved with the practice grace of a martial artist. Despite what many believe walking in heels is a skill one had to practice to perfect.

Talia, and Lash stared at one another from across the room. Neither said a word as they waited. Not a word out loud by any means. They were studying one another. Lash was in his hybrid lizard form, wrapped in a fae glamour of a grim reaper outfit. The shroud writhed, and moved about like a living thing all the while shielding Lash's body language. Lash decided to concede and not only pulled off his shroud but returned to his default state.

Scales gave way to skin, claws returned to nails. Six reptilian eyes reverted back two yellow green reptile eyes. Caramel skin tone, tribal marks across his bald head. Standing at 6'6” (198 cm) with a rectangular figure covered in daemonic/warden armor. Tail, tentacles, and another pair of arms merged back into his main body. The suit adjusted so he didn't have holes in his back, or above his ass. Thankfully he wasn't barefoot, he had boots on. The change had been abrupt, and a surprise to Talia. But the smile the grew across her face was reward enough.

“You are being a delightful host, it would be rude of me not to take my 'coat' off.” Lash replied simply.

This was a risk of course. Just because they knew his name, didn't mean they knew what he looked like. It was an olive branch that Talia took gratefully. A gentle knock on the door soon followed by an 'enter' from Talia. A servant walked in with a tea set and poured a hot chai for Lash. When the servant walked in Lash quickly cast a glamour over himself returning to a grim reaper momentarily until the servant left. Talia noticed the change and didn't say a word.

Lash walked to the table but then soon pulled out the other chair and looked at Talia as he pulled it out. Most women in Lash's life may have paused, but Talia didn't she walked over with practice grace and took the offered seat. Then Lash took his own and sat. He reached for the his drink and took a careful sip. No reaction from his different skills, abilities, or racial traits. So it wasn't poisoned, or drugged. It did taste good though.

“I do have a wide variety of drinks, and foods I enjoy. But I make all of them. Chai is one of the few things I let others make for me.” Lash said softly, as he finished half of the drink and reached to pour more for himself. But Talia beat him to it and simply stood up and refilled his glass.

“I'll remember it next time.” Talia said, she had leaned over the table to refill his glass. Once again revealing her bouncing cleavage. She took her seat once the glass was refilled, and crossed her legs.

“Lady Talia why are you in Gotham?” Lash asked, after he finished his second glass.

“To see you.” Talia replied, a smile tugging on her lips. She revealed nothing else.

“Is the Demon's Head enjoying the jungle in Africa?” Lash asked next, a slight head tilt from Talia and she smiled a little more.

“Yes, he finds it fascinating. He's building a new home there.”

“The plants there respond to a specific harmonic frequency. If used on people and vehicles they will become more docile. Should be easier to transport goods through the jungle.” Lash offered up a bit of advice. Talia's eye brows went up just a bit.

“Thank you, I'll inform him after our meeting is over.” Talia said, and glanced at his glass with her eyes. He shook his head in a clear no, he was fine for now.

Talia's back was perfectly straight, her shoulders back, chest out, chin up. Legs crossed knee over knee. The dress fell to the side artfully revealing her long legs. Her hands in her lap. She was perfectly poised, and perfectly still. She breathed through her nose, and she breathed easy. While Lash had his back straight, and shoulders back. He had his feet planted, and spaced out. His hands on his knees. He however was looking at Talia with interest. Deductive Reasoning was trying to read her and it was...Frustrating. So he cast Insight on her.

Name: Talia al Ghul, Daughter of the Demon's Head.

Title: Mother of Demons, Mother of Nails. Assassin. (See tool tip.)

Origin: Mundane. Sub-Origin: Magical.

Rank: C-

Skills: Weapon Master, Martial Artist, Actor, Dancer, (See tool tip.)

Powers: Decelerated Aging, Longevity.

Domains: Occultist.

Traits: Magical Blood (Dormant)

Affiliation: League of Assassins, League of Shadows, L-Corp.

Flaws: Her Father.

Disposition: Friendly.

Description: Talia al Ghul is a strong willed woman that has seen many years. She has survived her fathers training, and the schemes of so many would be manipulators. She is a power unto herself. She is ruthless, cunning, and fiercely loyal. Gaining her trust, let alone her love is nigh impossible for most. But once you have it, you never lose it.

“Tell me, what relation do you have with L-Corp?” Lash asked after he read through the profile. Talia raised a single brow a half an inch.

“That is a very useful ability, Warden Lash.” Talia said softly. “What else does it say about me?” She asked.

“Answer my question, and I'll answer yours.” Lash replied, with an easy smile. Talia's own lips tugged just a bit.

“Lena Luthor and I are friends. We went to school together. I invested in the company, and we have lunch every few months. Though its been a while due to obvious reasons. She talked about you, extensively.” Talia said, and nothing else.

Talia was older than she looked, old enough to be Lena's grandmother. So that meant she went to school either to specifically to befriend Lena. Or on the rare, rare chance their meetings was completely accidental. They were actually friends. Lash noticed that Talia didn't say whether or not Lena knew who she was. It was not her secret to tell. Though it was frustrating, Lash bit back his remark and prepared to answer her own.

“It gives me basic information. The name, and aliases of the target. Titles, origins, rank, skills, powers, domains, traits, affiliations, flaws, disposition, and description. Nothing to invasive, but enough to get a general understanding of who they are. There are several ways to block the information, or even give false info. That is what it does.-->>

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