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“Thirty years?” Robin both repeated and asked. “We went that far ahead?”

“I know. Feels like only yesterday, right?” Impulse asked both he and Starfire, both giving him annoyed looks. “You’re right. More like five minutes.”

Robin shook his head before looking to Star and saying “None of this looks like what you describes went you went to the future.”

“Yes. But last time I had only traveled twenty years.” She explained. “And that was purely by accident.”

“Oh yeah, I remember hearing about that in the history vids.” Impulse said while overhearing them as he looked over the Warp armor. “You and the guy who owned this armor got into a scuffle and wound up in the wrong decade. At least this time we went were we wanted to get go. Got to be careful with the only means of time travel for the next couple of centuries.”

Hearing this Robin asked “Wait a sec. If Warp’s armor is the only way to time travel, how did you come back to our time when Echo was using it?”

“Easy. I just ran really fast and broke the time barrier.” He said with a ‘matter-of-fact’ tone.

Both were stunned to hear this as Starfire asked “You are….that fast?”

“I couldn’t call myself part of the Flash family if I couldn’t.” he added. “But I try not to do it too much. A lot of time travel by running can have some major consequences if you get cocky. Like when you put too many scoops on ice cream. Everything falls apart.”

Robin, annoyed now, said “Alright, enough games. Why did you bring us hear?”

Impulse looked worried as he explained “Hey, easy now. No need to get all hot-headed. I figured this was the safest place from anymore attacks from Garguax’s cronies and it was the best place to get the armor fixed. Win-win, like I said.”

“But you left our friends behind. And now they’re stuck dealing with Echo while we’re still here.” Robin countered.

“Look I’m sorry, okay? I just kind of went off on a spur-of-the-moment thing. Besides once the armor’s fixed we’ll send you back the same time you left. It’ll be like you never went anywhere. We win, you win, and Garguax doesn’t get what he wants. Complete score for the good guys.”

Robin rubbed his eyes from the strain of talking to Impulse, while also trying to keep up with how fast he kept talking, before Starfire asked “Please, who is this Garguax?”

“You guys don’t know?” Impulse asked, sounding a bit surprised. When the shook their heads he slapped his forehead and said “Oh right. Doy. That won’t be for a few years. Anyways, he’s some shot alien criminal who came to Earth to try and take it over. Plans to make it a new base of operations before selling it off to whoever pays the highest bill. He’s had some close calls but the team’s managed to stay one step ahead the whole time.”

“Team?” Robin asked. “You mean the Titans?”

“Yeah. Well no. Well yeah. Well maybe yeah and no.” he answered before shaking his head and explaining “We haven’t exactly gone by that name for a while. But tell you what, we’ve got to get to the base to fix up the armor anyways so don’t I just show you?”

Robin and Star looked to each other before she said “I suppose it would not hurt.”

He in turn sighed before saying “Fine. But we need to hurry.”

Impulse gave a fist pump as he said “Sweet. Trust me, you’ll be so wowed once we get to the island.”

“Wait….island?” Robin asked.

In response Impulse brought them over to one of the streets of the city overlooking the bay. Robin and Starfire were surprised to see what was in place of Titans Tower. The Tower was there of course only instead of being on a small poke of land, it stood on a larger landmass with a number of metal towers and hubs sticking out amongst the rocks. Even the tower itself looked as if it had a sleeker makeover with a few extensions to it, like a landing pad and a few small satellite towers and spires on the top.

Impulse looked back to the two Titans and said “I give you Titan Island.”

As they looked Starfire said “The only Earth term I can think of for this is….‘wow’.”

As Impulse lead the Titans over to the island, none of them realized they were being watched by someone. A girl, looking in her young teens, wearing a pink hoody. She eyed all three of them before seeing the Warp armor being carried by Impulse. With all of that in mind she watched as they left before turning and running for where she needed to go.

********************

Impulse brought Starfire and Robin through Titans Island, where they had a better view of the additions to what was once their base of operations.

Everything looked so much more fortified and secure, Robin actually pointing out the cameras hidden about and the hidden defense weapons as well. Eventually they came to the base of the Tower where Robin and Star were surprised by what they saw, aside from the front door inside being larger than their own.

In front was a statue memorial for the Titans, the original team. Robin’s likeness stood at the front with Starfire to his right. Cyborg stood tall behind the others while Raven’s statue was positioned to look like it was flying and Beast Boy crouched near Robin’s left. A small plague of gold was at the base and it read “The ones who started it all” then listing all their names.

While Robin and Star took a moment to soak in the sight Impulse walked up to the front door and knocked. A scanner went over his entire body before clearing him. Then, looking to a small intercom panel, Impulse walked over and pushed the button to speak with whoever was on the other end.

“It’s me. I got the armor.”

Someone, a girl, said “Nice job.”

Then Impulse said “But there’s more. I kind of picked up some hitchhikers.”

“What?” In response Robin and Star walked into view of the small camera on the panel and, after seeing them, the voice said “Inside. Right now. Just Impulse.”

The three looked at each other for a moment before the large door into the Tower opened. Once it did Impulse indicated for the two to wait before he zipped inside.

As they waited Starfire looked back and said “The statue is very nice.”

Robin added with “This whole place is amazing. Makes our place look like a clubhouse. Wonder if Cyborg had any hand in this.”

“I wonder what has become of Cyborg. And the others.” Star said with a downed tone. “And ourselves.”

Robin looked back, hearing how upset she sounded, and tried to say something before Impulse reappeared in front of them. He wasn’t carrying the armor this time.

“Alright. Time to say ‘hi’ to everyone.” he said.

Impulse lead them inside where already the Titans could see how advanced everything looked. The hallways were sleeker, all having sleek bars running through the walls with small blue lights that often blinked. Starfire couldn’t help but feel they were being watched in a sense but kept it to herself.

Eventually they came to the main room of the Tower. Instead of looking like a living room area it was more of an actual control room or monitoring room you’d expect to see in a superhero base. Instead of monitor on the wall there were many, one large one surrounded by at least six others of smaller size but different from each other. They could see an opening leading to the landing platform they’d seen from the outside as well. There was a table in the center of the room with three couches around it but nothing of the kitchen area that Robin and Starfire would recognize. And standing in the room were a number of people that, after seeing them, the two Titans realized were the current heroes of this time and the occupants of the tower.

Once they looked around Impulse said to them “Okay guys, welcome to the main base of operations for Young Justice!”

“Young Justice?” Robin both repeated and asked.

One of the heroes walked over and said “It was something of an upgrade after a lot of shifts through who was on what team went around. It was hard to keep track so we felt a change in titles was best.”

The hero in question was a girl wearing a dark red and yellow costume with a hood on that covered her head. And she wore a mask that covered her eyes like Robin’s. The costume exposed both of her arms and had a small yellow arrow symbol over where her heart was. Over both of her shoulders were a quiver of arrows and a bow.

Once she met them she held out her hand and said “Hi. I’m Arrowette.”

Robin shook hands with her and said “Arrowette, huh? Are you related to Speedy in some way?”

“You could say that.” She answered with a smirk. “But dad didn’t like it when I went with a new name instead of inheriting his.”

“Wait! Speedy’s your dad?” Robin asked with a shocked face.

Starfire looked happier and said “What joyous news. We must congratulate him once we return to…”

“I’ll stop you right there and say bad idea.” She said. “Don’t want to risk running anything in the timeline, you know?” She looked to Impulse and said “Already made one slipup.” With an aggravated tone and he giving an awkward laugh. She looked back to the Titans and said “Best just to keep it a secret for now.”

Robin nodded and said “Will do. Still, I’m just surprised he managed to settle down and have kids. Uh, if it’s not too personal, who was your mom?”

Before she could answer another hero walked over and said “No one of real consequence, I would wager. Unlike myself who has descended from kings.”

Arrowette rolled her eyes after hearing this and said “Here we go.”

The new hero was a boy who looked of Egyptian decent. He wore a fully body costume that was mostly black except for the golden design of a lightning bolt over the chest and leading up to the shoulder; as well as golden arm bands around his wrists. He had short brown hair and bold eyes to match.

“And you are…?” Robin asked as he approached.

“I am Osiris.” He introduced himself. “And I must say it’s an honor to meet you in person, Robin the Boy Wonder. If not for you and the original Titans, this team would not exists. And I would be stuck amongst the more droll prospects of society.”

“You seem to think pretty high of yourself.” Robin commented.

Osiris huffed and said “I’ve been blessed with some of the greatest magic that could be bestowed to anyone in the world. And I come from great heritage. Why shouldn’t I be considered better than most?”

Arrowette commented with “Too bad they weren’t more modest about it.”

Osiris looked annoyed by this, almost ready to shout at her, before another hero floated over and said “Easy, Osiris. Save it for the REAL enemies.”

It was a boy, one who looked younger than all the other heroes, who they could tell right away was a Green Lantern. His uniform was different from the ones Hal Jordan or Kyle Rayner wore. Instead it was more slimming with no pieces of armor and the lantern symbol stretched out so that it went over his entire body like Impulse’s red lightning bolt. He was of Asian descent with a bald head. He floated around with the green energy of the power ring keeping him afloat while he kept his legs crossed as if he was sitting.

“I see you must be the newest Green Lantern of this time then?” Starfire asked after he arrived.

He smiled and bowed while saying “Kai-Ro. An honor to meet you both.”

“You seem a bit younger than the others.” Robin commented.

“As long as you have the will, age never matters.” He said with confident smile.

Impulse then zipped up next to him and said “Kai here actually used to be a monk-in-training before he got the all magical ring. Luckiest one in the bunch.”

“For the last time, it’s not magic.” Kai said with an annoyed tone.

“Whatever you say, magic man.” Impulse retorted, only for Kai to roll his eyes.

As they looked around a little more Robin said “This is a pretty nice set up you have. Although I do miss some of the living room stuff. Made the place look homier, you know?”

A familiar voiced sounded out as it said “Well over the years it was more a matter of function over fashion. We basically moved the living room to where the basement would be.”

Upon hearing this Starfire looked around and said “Cyborg? Is that you?”

“You know it.” He said again, over what seemed like a loud speaker. “Good to see you again, Star. At least the younger you. Same to you, Robin. Brings back memories.”

“Where are you?” Robin asked looking around too.

“That’s kind of a complicated answer.” He said. “Tell you what, let’s make this easier.”

They looked as they heard the largest of the monitors turn on. Robin and Starfire were surprised when it displayed Cyborg’s face, or rather a virtual representation of his face.

“That’s better.” He said as Robin and Star walked over, bewildered as ever.

“You’re a computer now?” Robin asked.

Cyborg explained “Well over the years I kept advancing myself to the point of needing a new body to keep up with me. Got to a point where I felt it would be better for me to integrate with the Tower’s internal systems to keep better control over everything. I was getting kind of old for the missios anyway. So I pretty much downloaded myself into the mainframe. And me and my baby Tower have been closer ever since.”

Starfire floated up to the screen and said “This is such an odd change for you, Cyborg. But still it is good to know you have stayed close with Titans tower. I have often said how you have a way with computers. And now you are one.”

“Trust me, Star, if I had arms they’d be hugging right now.” He said with a smile.

Robin smiled at this as well before saying “So I guess that means you’ve been running this team from here?”

“Who me? Nah. I’m more for security and monitoring. Let’s face it, Robin, you were the only one qualified to lead any mission.”

“Does that mean I’m still here?” he asked looking around.

“Not exactly.” Kai-Ro said. “Even you reached your point where you had to move on. Can’t exactly stick to Young Justice when you’re not so young anymore, can you?”

Star and Robin glanced at each other since it pertained to the argument they’d had earlier, before he asked “So who’s in charge now?”

“You’ll see.” Arrowette said. “She’s on her way now. And so is our part-time member.”

Impulse perked up and said “Wait, part-time?” He gasped and asked “You mean you called him?”
“Something this big goes on and you think I shouldn’t have?” Arrowette asked sarcastically. “He’d have found out one way or another.”

Impulse groaned an “Aw man. When he finds out what I did he’s going to be so peeved.”

“It was your choice now you have to pay for it.” Osiris said as he crossed his arms.
Star floated back down and asked “Now who do you speak of?”

“One of our other members.” Kai-Ro said. “Though he tends to work on his own most of the time. Kind of a loner type.”

Hearing this Starfire commented “That does sound a little familiar.” Before looking to Robin.
Before anyone else could say more one of the side doors to the room opened and everyone looked to see who was coming through. Instead of another hero however Robin and Star were surprised as a large dog, about seven feet tall, rushed out from the darkness and jumped towards them.

The dog was black with a red collar around his neck. The small tag on the collar read the symbols “YJ” in yellow. Given how big he was it was assumed he was something of a mutation.
Once he landed in front of Robin and Star he barked loudly at them, Robin asking “What the heck is that?”

Someone from behind the dog said “Sorry! He’s just needs time to get used to strangers is all. Ace! Calm down.”

The dog Ace stopped barking but stood ready to chomp at them if need be. Star and Robin on the other hand looked towards who had spoken and, of course, were surprised by who they saw.

It was a girl wearing a dark purple outfit that, upon closer inspection, was actually Tamaranian designed. It was a leotard that covered her entire body and had baggy sleeves attached to it to cover her arms. She wore matching boots as well and around her forehead was a silver tiara-like headpiece with a star in the middle. She had skin like Starfire’s confirming she was a Tamaranian, and even had green eyes and long dark hair.

The girl walked up to Ace and petted him, making him relax more before she said “See? He’s not all bad when you get to know him.”

Taking a good look at her Starfire asked “You are….Tamaranian, yes? You look so much like Blackfire and yet….not.”

“Allow me to do the honors.” Impulse said before running up next to the girl. “This is Nightstar. Our fearless leader.”

She gave a modest smile before Robin asked “You’re the new leader of the team?”

“Well someone had to be.” Kai-Ro remarked. “And Nightstar here proved to be the best candidate.”

“Even gave the recommendation myself.” Cyborg said. “And the experiences with you, she proved to be a pretty good stand-in.”

Osiris huffed and said to himself “I still feel I would have been better suited.”

Starfire walked up to Nightsar, taking a closer look at her, before asking “Are you….?”

“Related?” Nightstar asked. “Sure am.”

Starfire gasped and said “Not only has another of my people come to Earth, but she is also a relative. Oh joyous day!”

She quickly hugged Nightstar, who took a moment to return her hug with her own. She reacted oddly, as if hugging Star was a bigger experience for her then it would be to anyone else.
When they finished Robin asked “Wait, if you’re both related does that mean….?”

Cyborg interrupted before he could finish with “That she’s Blackfire’s daughter? Of course it does.”

Impulse said “Wait, what?” before Arrowette elbowed him to keep him quiet.

Starfire gasped again before saying “My sister has had a child? Glorious. That makes me your aunt!”

Nightstar gave a small giggled before saying “I guess it does.” Before being hugged again.

Robin walked over and said “Good to see you didn’t follow in your mom’s footsteps at least.”

Nightstar shrugged and said “Well you know, didn’t think it right to follow her example. So instead I followed yours.” She indicated Starfire when she said this. “Besides who wants to go through life always being bad, am I right?”

“You do talk pretty well for being from Tamaran.” Robin commented.

“I was raised here on Earth most of my life.” She explained. “Worked out a lot more when I started off with the team.”

Star fire hummed with curiosity and asked “I find that a bit strange that Blackfire would settle here on Earth. Especially given how things had gone last time.”

“Uh well you know.” Nightstar shrugged again. “Things just change overtime. Like Ace here.” She petted the big dog’s head before explaining “We rescued him from an illegal mutation division of Garguax’s criminal underworld.”

“And believe me you did not want to be near him then.” Impulse added. “Kept barking. Snapping. Heck I couldn’t even walk past without him looking ready to bite my face off.”

“But all he needed was some time and patience and he was as friendly as could be.” Kai-Ro added as he floated next to the big hound.

Hearing this Starfire slowly held her hand out towards Ace. He growled at first but Star didn’t pull back, instead letting him take a moment to sniff her. When he did he calmed even more and started licking her hand, making her giggle.

“It reminds me of holding Silkie during his molting season.” She commented, making Robin give a gross look.

He shook it off before bringing things of topic with “It sounds like this Garguax is more than just some alien criminal overlord.”

“That pompous peon has caused more trouble for this team than any other advisory.” Osiris stated. “And it all started when he took control of the H.I.V.E. Five and fitted them with his advanced technology.”

“And after that his numbers slowly grew and grew.” Arrowette added. “And now the H.I.V.E. Five has become the H.I.V.E. Five-Hundred!”

“Sounds like things have changed for the worst as much as for the better.” Robin commented.

“Well we’ve been doing our best to take them down.” Nightstar explained. “It’s not just in our city. The H.I.V.E.’s evolved into a full-fledged criminal empire, expanding all over the world. Garguax just has such a chip on his shoulder with us he’s decided to set up his main shop in our city.”

“But when we do find him I intend to make him suffer for his crimes hundred times over.” Osiris said, slamming his fists together.

Arrowette leaned over and said “Cool it, tough guy. Save some for the rest of us after all.”

“It would appear you all hold some grudge against this Garguax.” Starfire commented.

“Some of us more than others.” Kai-Ro said.

Nightstar was aggressive in tone when she said “After everything he did? Of course we all want a piece of him. Especially me.”

“Why?” Robin asked. “What did he do that was so bad?”

Hearing the question all of the Young Justice members looked awkwardly at each other. Obviously whatever the answer was it was too delicate to just up and say. Robin and Starfire however caught this and gave questionable looks to them.

Suddenly something beeped on Cyborg’s scanners making him say “Oh, what do you know. Our last member’s here.”

Hearing this Impulse gave a little “Oh boy.” Before everyone heard the sounds of something approaching from the air.

They looked towards the landing platform to see a large flying vehicle. It was black and shaped like a metal tube with two sharp prongs at the front. Robin could see these were parts to how the ship managed to maneuver by hovering so high in the air. After it landed the top hatch opened up and everyone could see as the one driving it stepped out and walked towards the group.

He wore a black suit that covered his entire body. They could see his mouth and eyes were free but it almost looked like they were part of the costume itself, unless he moved them. Robin however found it interesting when he realized the suit had two pointed ears and the red symbol of a bat on the person’s chest.

The new hero walked over, looking at Starfire and Robin, before saying “Had to see it to believe it.” He crossed his arms and looked towards Impulse before saying “And frankly I’m starting to wish that wasn’t the case.”

Impulse gave an awkward laugh before saying to himself “I knew he’d be peeved.”

Robin looked oddly at him and asked “And you are?”

The hero turned and smirked as he said “It’s it obvious? I’m Batman.”

********************

The pink hoody girl was now in the middle of a secret lair where she stood before a small flight of stairs leading to a throne where Garguax sat.

The room she was in was dimly lit around where Garguax sat but all around were other members of his infamous H.I.V.E. Five-Hundred. Some were older members while other were around her age or at least far younger, demonstrating how the gang had indeed evolved over the years.

After hearing the girls report Garguax, with his low but imposing voice, repeated “So the brats have the armor again? And after all the expenses I went through just to have it stolen.”

“There’s actually more than that, sir.” She added, catching his and other’s attention. “The Speedster brought two of the Titans back with him. One looked a lot like that Tamaran girl leading the Junior Justice gang. And the other…..looked like Robin.”

“What?” Someone blurted out. “Robin’s here with his girlfriend?”

The person in question was actually the old Titan villain Mammoth of the original H.I.V.E. Five, only far older. He’d grown in size as well as in how hair he was. He’d grown a full beard that helped cover most of his face along with his already long hair. What also indicated his age was how older he sounded and looked, wrinkles under his eyes as one indicator.

“Oh this is just too perfect.” Another member of the group, a younger one, said. “Now we have the chance to take them down here.”

Another person said “It’s only two of them. Where’s the rest then?”

“Maybe Echo managed to get half the job done.” Mammoth suggested. “Doesn’t matter. I’m ready to give those two a beating 30 years overdue.”

Garguax suddenly bellowed “No. Our priority is getting the armor back. It’s far too valuable an asset to lose. And I’m in no mood to waste more resources to take it once it’s back in secure storage.”

“So what’s the plan?” the pink hoody girl asked. “You plan to storm Titan Island?”

Garugax leaned back in his seat for a moment as he folded his hands. He then leaned forward into the light to expose himself to everyone. He was tall, standing about 8 feet tall, and was bald with green skin. He looked fat and yet anyone could tell he had hidden muscles amongst whatever was hidden under the dark purple alien robe he wore. His other pieces of clothing were the red triangular earrings and the sliver headband that covered his forehead.

After humming with interest he said “You know, Goldilocks, that’s actually an interesting idea.” Before chuckling with delight at the plan he formed.