Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:51:04 -0800 (PST) From: mar ME Subject: Justice League Chapter 1 Justice league is owned by dc comics... Written by mouudy Comments are appreciated... Michiganmark26@yahoo.com Please check out my real comic book on face book, and like the page as well please...Thanks guys. http://www.facebook.com/TheCelticWarriorComicBook P.S.S If you like my stories, I have others. Alexander the Newest of the X-men, The Batman, and The Charmed Sons, Lucian the Vampire Slayer. Heir of the Amazons and the Titans. Supernatural Boys. Darkhunters. Justice league Chapter 1- the end of innocence There are so many things I wonder about, like why is life so hard ,why is there so much death and pain. Have you ever had these thoughts, the thoughts that wander thru your mind like the Moon across the night sky? With all these thoughts I wonder Will I ever rise from this deep well of life, Will I ever know his plan? If you do not comprehend, I am not yet close enough to grasp that in Life One can only Wonder. I've had nightmares. Nightmares. Every night for two weeks, I've awoken screaming. Drenched in sweat, pulling raging breaths as I sob hysterically. My nightmares haunt my waking hours. They've taken over my entire life, leaving me weak and tired. I look in the mirror and see the dark circle around my eyes, my skin so pale. I haven't been able to eat, the thought of food bringing the promise of nausea. Why the nightmares? What are my dreams trying to tell me? Why am I having the same nightmares over and over again? It begins the same...every night... First is the sound of his laughter...deranged...psychotic laughter... The sound of it paralyzes me, though I expect it, know that its coming it still paralyzes me every time... He's standing above her. He's holding a gun in his hand, pointing it at her forehead while I look on in horror. I try to run to her...but as in every nightmare one has, where your trying to run as fast as you can...but the more you run, the more you get absolutely no where. It's the same in my nightmares. The harder I try to reach her, the further away she becomes... He looks up into my eyes, still laughing that blood curdling laugh... BAMM!!! He pulls the trigger, blowing off my mothers heads... I see it all so clear, as if everything is moving in slow motion... He pulls the trigger, the bullet slowly move toward her head, then through her head, then out the back of her skull. I see the projection of blood spraying out. Parts of her brain flying through the air. Then her body collapsing to the ground... Dead... All the while he stands above her laughing...deranged...psychotic laughter... It ends the same way every night. My mother dead at the hands of a madman... That was a year ago... I sit here in front of all that is left of her...a tombstone. I sit here remembering the nightmares I had for two weeks...two weeks before she was murdered... I had two weeks to warn her, to tell her of the nightmares I was having. But I never said a word. `They were just nightmares.' I would tell myself. Now they were `just nightmares' that would haunt the rest of my life. I know he's there. I could feel him, even before I could hear him. He's known as the worlds greatest detective. He's known as the Batman. "Hello Batman." I said, never turning my head to look at him behind me, hiding in the shadows. "Impressive Tristan, only I've been here since before you arrived." he said as he walked up next to me. "I knew you were there, I just wasn't ready to speak with you yet." I said, knowing he probably didn't believe me. But I had known. "I'm sorry Tristan..." he started. "Please Batman, don't! I really don't want to hear words. They don't change how I feel inside, they don't take away the empty feeling." "Tristan, we need to talk about your late night excursions." his voice taking on a more serious tone. "What's there to talk about Batman?" I asked. "You can't keep doing this, Tristan. Sneaking out of your foster home night after night, chasing down a madman." he said. "Really, why is that Batman? Have you caught the madman? Is he in Arkham? Is he DEAD?" "They are going to lock you up in a juvenal detention center if you continue to sneak out at night, or worse your going to get yourself killed." "I have one year till I turn 18, and then I'll be free to chase after him. I'll do what you can never do, what you won't do." I said, finally looking away from all that was left of my mother. A Tombstone. I turned and looked him straight in the eyes, daring him to say anything. "What's one more year Batman, I can be patient and wait that long." "Tristan, your mother wouldn't want you to do this, your mother wouldn't want you to waste your life chasing after him." he said. I wondered what my mother would think of what I was doing... No, I knew what she would think. She was an Amazon. Part of the Bana-Mighdall Amazons of Paradise Island. She was Wonder Woman's cousin, or so they say. (Please see Batman and the Outsiders for the story) "Amazons avenge each other, she would want me to avenge her death." I said. "I worked side by side with your mother, and I know her better than most. She would not want this for you, Tristan. She would not want her only son to throw away his life, hunting down and killing a madman." I could hear the compassion in his voice. Since her death Batman has made it a point to watching over me, he thinks I didn't know, but I knew. My mother had special abilities, and being her son she passed some of them on to me. Superhuman strength, my mother possessed an incredible level of superhuman strength. She had managed to lift weights beyond the range of most met humans with superhuman strength. Superhuman durability, super speed, super stamina, flight regenerative healing. That's the only thing she passed on to me. I've never known who my father was, weather he was human or mete-human I didn't know either. However, I must take after him in looks, for I looked nothing like mother. Where you had red hair, my hair was black, her eyes were blue, and mine were green. She was seven feet tall, I'm only 6'2, leaving me to believe I must have looked like the bastard that fathered me. My mother was BI-Sexual, while I'm gay. "Why do you care, why don't you give it up already. Chalk me up to a lost cause, and move on already." I asked. "I care because I was you once upon a time. I know what it feels like to lose a parent, to a gun wielding maniac. I care because I know what your going through, I've been there myself. I care because I promised your mother a long time ago that if anything happened to her, I would make sure you were okay." he said adamantly. "I release you of your obligation to her, your free to go." I said, turning away from lest he see the emotions I have pass through my eyes. After my mother was murdered, Batman wanted me to go live with Bruce Wayne, but I was having none of that. I knew what I wanted to do, I knew what I had to do, go after the bastard that killed my mother. I wouldn't be able to do that living with Bruce Wayne, so I said no. The only other options was a foster home, and that was fine with me. I was just coming into my powers, when she was murdered. She had promised to begin teaching me how to use my powers, but that never happened. I knew Batman was trying to help, that he truly cared and wanted to help. However, when she was murdered something in me died, the part of myself that felt any emotions. I was empty inside. Only one thing sustains me. Knowing that a madman is out there, with my mother's blood on his hands. "This has to stop Tristan, this has to stop. I won't allow you to throw your life away, chasing after him." he said, grabbing me and forcing me to look at him. "You can't stop me Batman, no one can." I said dejectedly. Just then the Foster home security man came walking up. "It's time to go Tristan, I need to return the van to the orphanage." he said, giving a slight nod to Batman. "I'm ready Henry, thank you." I said, as he turned and started walking back toward the car. "This ends now Tristan, this ends now." Batman said. "Lock me up for a year, or not, I don't care. Now, or a year from now, it doesn't matter to me...I will find the Joker!!!" I promised as I turned and walked away leaving Batman standing there, as his cape blew in the wind. I arrived at the foster home, only to find all the lights turned off. "Maybe there is a power outage in the area?" Henry said, more to himself than to me. "This is the only building that doesn't have any lights on, so I seriously doubt it's a power outage." I answered anyway. "Stay close to me Tristan." he said, as if I had any choice in the matter. We walked through the front door. Using the light from the streetlamp shinning through the window, to guide us towards the office door. "Hello? Anyone here?" Henry called out, as he walked through the office door first. As I started walking in behind him, I heard the sound of the bone chilling laugh of the man from my dreams. I froze in place, the fear gripping my brain. Henry never had a chance. BAMM!!! The Joker pulled the trigger killing Henry, his body dropping to the floor. "Hahahahahah! I heard you've been looking for me kid?" it wasn't a question, it was a statement of fact. I've been dreaming of this moment, since the night he murdered my mother. I've thought of a million ways that this meeting would go down, yet as I stand here I can't seam to recall a single one. "What's the matter kid, cat got your tongue? Hahahahahah!" he asked, as he stepped on Henry's dead body to come stand in front of me. He squeezed the flower on his coat, spraying me in the face with some sort of gas. I was frozen. I tried to move, but I couldn't. What ever he sprayed me with, I now stood there paralyzed. "Here I am boy, standing right in front of you. So tell me, why you been looking for me kid? Did I kill your father? No, that can't be it. Your brother? No, that's not it either. Maybe a sister! No, that ain't right either! Oh...Oh...I know...I know...YO MOMMA! Ahahahahaha!" he laughed...that deranged...psychotic laughter. My fear was overwhelming me, I wasn't able to think straight. This isn't right, this was supposed to be my chance and I'm stuck frozen here. "It was nothing personal kid, she was just in the way. She didn't suffer...much. That splint second when she was looking down the barrel of my gun, must have been an eternity of suffering though. There is nothing more exquisite as the look in ones eyes, when they know they are about to die. The look in your mothers eyes, right before I pulled that trigger was priceless. Hahahahaha..." He pulled me tightly against his body, while moving his gun to the side of my head. "Ahahahahaha...Is that all your going to do, just stand there? I killed your mother, blew out her brain and your just going to stand there? Hahahahahah." he laughed, as I stood there unable to move. I couldn't blame him. He leaned his head towards my ear, and began licking my earlobe before lightly biting it. I could feel the length of his cock, as he rubbed it up and down the crack of my ass. He was truly a psychopath, finding sexual pleasure in killing or harming someone. "If you make any sudden moves, everyone in this building will die. Ahahahahaha...I have the placed rigged to explode. Do you understand me, boy?" he asked, yanking my head back hard and looking into my eyes. I nodded, unable to speak. "Now answer me when I talk, or we're going to have a very serious problem here. You've been searching for me for over a year now, what where you planning to do if you found me? Answer honestly or this can get very ugly, very quickly." he laughed. "I wanted to kill you with my bare hands. I wanted to strangle the life out of you, as I looked into your eyes. I wanted to shoot you in the head, the same as you did to her. Only that would be to quick, and I wanted you to suffer slowly. I've read about every form of torture I could find, so that when I found you I would tie you up and make you beg for death. I want to make you scream till your voice becomes so hoarse, and you pass out only to wake you up and begin again. I want to take you to the cusp of death, and keep you there as long as I can before allowing you to heal so I can begin again. I want to make you long for death. To have you hope and pray that each time you pass out, death would come take you. Only you wake up to find that the horror that has become your life, has no quick death in sight..." I answered honestly. "Why that's the most beautiful thing anyone has every said to me, kid." he said, licking my jaw line. He was truly a madman, in a world gone mad. I was nothing more than a coward, standing in fear of a madman I wanted dead. For a year now I've plotted his death, planned every eventuality of what I would do when I found. Now that he's found me, I'm not ready. My heart is pounding so loud in my ears, I almost hadn't realize he was talking to me. "Answer me boy, I'm talking to you!" he yanked my shoulder length hair hard, to get my attention. "I didn't hear the question." I said. "I've gone through all the trouble of planting Joker bombs all over this place, used Joker gas on the people, the least you could do is listen to me when I talk! Maybe I need to try another approach, maybe I need to force you to pay attention." he said. He grabbed my hips pulling me hard against his crotch, causing me to gasp in surprise. He began grinding his cock against my ass, bending my forward by pushing my neck down with one hand. "Just kill me already and get it over with, you sick fuck!" I spoke through gritted teeth. He laughed that deranged...psychotic laughter. "I've got your attention now boy, don't I? That's good, that's real good. Harley has been gone a long time, and Mister J is feeling randy! This hot bubble butt is just begging to have a piece of Mister J inside it, wouldn't you say? I asked you a question boy, now answer me?" he demanded. "Do what you will, I don't care. I lost the ability to care the day you killed my mother, so do your worst but make sure you kill me when your done. If you think to leave me alive, know that I will hunt you down and make you regret the day your bitch of a mother got raped by your father!" I promised. "I love it when you talk dirty to me baby, it really does make me want you more. Had I known when I killed your mother I was creating a monster, I would have blew her brains out sooner. I came here to kill you, but now, now I truly believe that would be a waste. Ahahahahah, no, I'm not going to kill you. I want to destroy you, destroy your mind, truly create a monster made in my image. It will be marvelous...just marvelous...why think of all the amazing things we will do together. I can see it all now, you, me, the Batman...Ahahahaha!" he rambled. "Your insane if you think I would ever be like you, that I would ever work with you. I'll kill you, do you understand me, I'll kill you." I screamed at him. "Insanity will make you do all the things you never thought you would do, I should know. I've broken you once already, by killing your mother. I'm going to break you a second time, here, tonight. What do you think will happen to your mind after the guy who killed your mother, rapes your ass?" he asked, as he used a knife to slice a the back of my pants, leaving my ass hanging out. Fear ran though me at the reality of what was happening, at the vulnerability of being frozen, unable to do anything to stop the madman standing behind me. This was truly a world gone mad. "No words, no witty comments, no suggestions, no begging? Nothing?" he asked, when I hadn't said anything. Tears streamed down my face, and I realized it was the first time I had cried since the day I found out my mother had been murdered. "I'm not going to beg you Joker, no, I'm going to stand here frozen while you rape me. I'm going to stand here paralyzed by the drug you sprayed on me, unable to kill you with my bare hands, while you do what your sick, disgusting self is going to do. Let's get on with it already, I'm growing bored here listening to the ranting of a lunatic." I had no choice, no say in what he was about to do to me, the same way I had no choice in what he did to my mother. I closed my eyes, and concentrating, I separated my mind. Sealing a part of my mind away from him, a part that he would never be able to touch. I left only the anger, the hate, the pain, so that I would be able to use them to get through this whole insane ordeal. I used the anger, the hate, the pain to hunt him down and send him on a one way ticket to hell. He spit on his hand and rubbed it up and down the crack of my ass, sliding his finger in and out of my hole. He leaned down and began whispering in my ear, after biting my earlobe. "Your going to remember this night, dream about this night, relive this night again and again. I'm going to be inside you real soon, and then I'm going to leave a part of me inside you, that part of me will grow within you, change you, define you. I'll be in your system, I'll be all you will ever think about, I'll be all you'll see when your awake and when you close your eyes I'll still be there. A year ago I killed your mother, but today you will be reborn...reborn a monster made in my image. Whilst I was reborn in a vat of liquid, you shall be reborn with my liquid...Ahahahahahaha. He laughed his deranged...psychotic laughter... He held the tip of his cock to my hole, and biting hard on my earlobe he slid his cock in. He rammed it all the way in, causing me to scream a blood curling scream. I was a virgin till this day, now he took that away from me too. He continued laughing his deranged...psychotic laughter... He never skipped a beat, laughing as he rammed his cock in and out of my tight hole. I silently cried, as the realization that the last of my innocence was taken away from this madman. Everything that was good and right in my world, has been stripped away by the madman raping my ass. His laughter resounded in my head, his deranged...psychotic laughter... "Mister J! Mister J...oh...oh...I'm sorry Mister J..." a fat round clown came running in shouting. "What is it you fool, can't you see I'm busy right now!" Joker shouted, never stopping his rhythm of plowing into me. "I'm sorry Mister J, I see that your busy...I see that it's not Harley and some boy..." he began. "You better tell me why you're here, or I'm going to get very angry and you don't want to see me angry." "That's right...um...Mister J, it's the Batman...Mister J, the Batman is here..." he squirmed. "Thanks!" the Joker said, as he pulled his gun out and shot his Hench man in his head. It was truly a world gone mad, and he was the madman leading the way. "That only makes this hotter, knowing the Batman is here somewhere. Close, he's so close I can taste him, I can smell him. This is so invigorating, can't you feel it? This is destiny, you, me, the Batman. Ahahahahahah." he laughed his deranged...psychotic laughter... I was sure he would stop, knowing the Batman was now here. Instead it only made him ram harder into me, with a renewed sense of energy, as if he truly was more turned on knowing the Batman was here. "Enough Joker!" came the gravely voice of the dark knight. "It'll be enough when I say its enough Bats, and I'm just getting to the Grand finally. So stick around, it's going to be quite explosive. Ahahahaha." "Joker, get away from him now!" Batman said, slowly moving towards us. "Kill him Batman, throw one of your bat toys, I don't care just kill him!" I shouted. "He won't do that, Bats wouldn't risk killing you." the Joker said. "I DON'T CARE!!! Kill him, kill us! Do it Batman, you owe me, kill him!" I screamed. The Joker continued moving his cock in and out of me, his rhythm becoming faster, harder. I knew he was close, and the closer Batman got to us, the closer the Joker got to shooting his load inside me. "Batsy knows that I have this place rigged to explode, he knows that if he makes the wrong move everyone in this building dies, including you. He won't take that chance, will you bats?" "Damn you Joker, Damn you!" Batman shouted angrily, frustration clearly evident in his voice. I began to cry at the hopelessness of the situation...here was the great and powerful Batman, and even he couldn't stop the Joker from raping me. "Is this what you did while he stood there with a gun pointed at my mothers head, stand there? Did you stand there watching as he pulled the trigger killing her, did you stand there doing nothing? Your just as much to blame as he is, in all of this. Go ahead and stand there, I don't care. I hope you enjoy the show, I hope you enjoy watching him ramming his cock in and out of me! I hope you later go back to your bat cave, and beat off a huge load replaying what he's doing to me right now. You may as well have been the one raping me, you've both taken something from me. Your both responsible for what's been taken from me, and if it's the last thing I ever do, I will make sure you both pay...I swear to you, you both will pay..." I said as vehemently as possible, before closing my eyes so I wouldn't have to look at him. "Joker stop this insanity, damn you Joker just stop." "Here it comes, the grand finally...Hold on kid, I'm about to give you a load of Joker babies. Ahahahahahaha" He pounded his cock all the harder into me, as he shot his load deep inside my ass. I could feel his body shudder, his breathing heavy, as he pressed his body against me. He kissed the side of my face, moving down to my neck before pulling out of me. "Now that was truly a mind blowing Joke-gasm!!! Was it good for you kid...Ahahahahah, I know it was good for you. Well, this has been fun, but I need to exit stage left. Don't forget bats, one wrong move and this place goes KOPLOIE!!!" He kissed me on my lips, before he began walking away leaving Batman and I standing there. He laughed his deranged...psychotic laughter... "I'm so sorry Tristan, I'm so sorry." Batman said, as he made his way in front of me. He pulled something out of his utility belt, and sprayed it on my face. Within moments my body began to tingle, feeling began spreading through my body. The overwhelming pain of what the Joker did to me began taking over, I fell to my knees with the pain of it all. The Batman kneeled down in front of me, taking me into his arms. The rage inside me began to swell, and I started pounding on his chest. "Why didn't you kill him? Why didn't you kill him, damn you!" I screamed as the tears poured out. "I have to check the others Tristan, I need to defuse the bomb. Will you be alright, if I leave you here to do that?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Go, just go!" I said. He held me for a second longer, and I knew he wanted to say something more but must have thought better of it. He left. I laid down on the floor, and cried as the sound of the Jokers deranged...psychotic laughter...rang through my head. I don't know how long I laid on the floor before Batman returned, and I didn't care. He took his cape off and wrapped it around me, before picking me up off the ground. {Watchtower, this is Batman. I have two for transport.} Batman spoke into his ear com. {This is Watchtower, we're ready in three, two, one.} We were surrounded by bright white lights, when one second we were in the foster home, and the next were on the a deck that looked like something out of a Star Trek show. "Batman, what's going on? Who is this?" a male voice asked. "Martian Manhunter, this is not the time. I need a doctor to meet me in the med-bay now." Batman answered. He made his way to an elevator, pushing a button. I don't know if we went up or down, but before I knew it the door opened into a hallway. He made his way out, and headed to a medical room. He laid me on a bed, keeping me covered with his cape. "Tristan, a doctor will be in here any second to check on you..." he began. I laid there on my side staring at the wall, not knowing where I was, or why he had brought me here. I didn't care, I couldn't care. I was in a hell made by the Joker. He was right, everywhere I look I see him, when I close my eyes I saw him. His laugh, his vile, evil laugh ringing through my head. "Batman, I was told you brought a patient in. What happened?" the doctor asked. "He was raped by the Joker, he's in shock...His name is Tristan...help him, please." Batman sounding so unsure as he spoke. "Tristan, I'm doctor Adams. I'm going exam you, I'll do it slow and easy so as not to hurt you further." he said reassuring me. Only when I felt his hand touch my backside, I began to scream. I began kicking my legs and punching air with my arms, losing my mind at the thought of another persons hands on me. "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to sedate him." the doctor said. Before I knew what happened, he stabbed a needle into my arm and everything went black. POV- Batman Damn Joker, damn him for ruining another persons life. Tristan had been through so much already at the hands of the Joker, and now, now he rapes him. Taking another part of this poor kids life, taking away the innocence of his youth. I wanted to kill the Joker, I wanted to stop him from raping Tristan, but to many peoples lives were at stake. It doesn't make it any easier, it's never easier. Watching him thrash around on the bed, only broke my heart all the more. Superman and Wonder Woman made their way into the room, just as Tristan knocked out. "What's going on, we heard you brought a boy in?" Superman asked. "Who is he?" Wonder Woman asked. "Come on, we need to talk. Doctor Adams, I'll be back in a little while to check with you." I said. I walk out of the room, leading my two best friends to our private office. I can feel their concern, knowing that they know its not like me to bring someone to the Watchtower. We entered the office, each of us taking a seat. I took a deep breath before I began, filling them in on everything that has happened at the Jokers hands. "As if that wasn't enough, the head of the foster home has decided its to dangerous to keep Tristan there. I fear no one will take him in, nor do I feel he will stay anywhere to long. Once he's back on his feet, I fear that he will be on a one way mission to kill the Joker." I explained. "But then, why bring him here?" Superman asked. "Yes, why not take him to the bat cave?" Wonder Woman asked. "Keep him in Gotham, where the Joker is most known to be. I've failed his mother, I've failed him...I...need to do right by him...I..." "Bruce, it's not your fault. We can't be held responsible for the crimes committed by villains that we battle, no matter who they are. You are not responsible for what the Joker did to his mother, or him. I know you don't need me to tell you that, and I also know that just because we know that, doesn't make anything easier. So tell me old friend, what do you need us to do?" Superman asked. "You brought him here for a reason, how can we help you Bruce, what will you have us do?" Wonder Woman asked. "I knew there was a reason I love you two so much...I want him to stay here on the Watchtower, I want us to help train him, guide him, help him. It's the least we can...it's the least I can do for him." There it was, I put it on the table and hoped they would understand, and agree to help him. "Bruce, you want us to help train him? That would be like putting a gun in his hand, and helping to pull the trigger. The first thing he'll do is go after the Joker, we'd be signing the Joker's death warrant." Superman said. "I'm hoping that if we train him, teach him, help him to understand what it is we are fighting for...he won't want to kill the Joker, but instead help fight for justice." I said, trying to dispel the notion of revenge. "Clark is right, and you of all people should know what its like to have a parent murdered. We will be helping him to kill the Joker, that is all he will do with what we teach him." Diana said. "Diana, there is something else I haven't told you. His mother was your cousin Grace, Tristan is her son." I explained. "What! How can that be, Grace never said she had a son? By the Gods, I never knew. Does he know she was an Amazon?" she asked. "He knew. He also knew that his mother didn't want anyone knowing about him, so that she could keep him safe." "That doesn't make me feel any better, Bruce. You should have told me, I could have been there for him..." her eyes began to water. "I'm sorry Diana, I should have told you sooner. I was respecting his mothers wishes, she felt he would be safer if no one know he was her son. I should have thought better of it, after she was killed. He needed family, and he wouldn't stay at Wayne Manor. I haven't handle this right at all, I've felt so responsible for his mothers death...that I was blinded to what the boy really needed." I said pounding my fist onto the table. "I'm sure you did the best you could, given the circumstances. Why do you want him to stay up here on the Watchtower, why not Paradise Island or somewhere else?" Clark asked. "The way I see it, he will be stuck up here in a situation we control. Where as if he were anywhere down there, he could easily run away and chase after the Joker. He's already proved that, running away each night from the foster home to look for the Joker. I don't want to take the chance, I can't take that chance. Up here we will be able to monitor him..." I began. "Don't you mean imprison him, Bruce? He will fight us every step of the way, this is almost beginning to sound like kidnapping." Clark asked. "Clark, too much has been taken away from already. If he stays down there, he will throw away the rest of his life killing the Joker. He will then rot in a jail cell till he's old, or dead first. I won't have that, this is a risk I'm willing to take. He has all of his mothers abilities, and we don't know who his father is or weather he had any special powers that he's passed down to Tristan. I owe him, I owe his mother. I'm begging the two of you help me, please..." I pleaded. "Count me in, I say we help him. He is family after all." Diana smiled. "I just don't know, Grace was very powerful, Diana powerful, if he's anything like that, I think we're asking for a lot of trouble." Clark was hesitant to agree. "Clark, I've watched this kid grow up. He was the kind that when his mother came home from a mission, he would draw her a bath, have a medical kit out ready to clean her wounds. He would make her something to eat, and care for her and he was only five years old. He was alone most of the time she was out fighting, yet he did all his school work, took care of himself, kept the house cleaned and never gave her any trouble. How many birthdays did she miss, or Christmas presents did she forget, but he never once said a word. Why? Because he understood what she was doing, he understood that she was making the world a better place for him to grow up in. He loved his mother, she was all he had, and he willing let the world have a bigger part of her than he was ever allowed to. That's the type of kid he is, that's the reason I want to save him from himself." I said adamantly. "Is there anything I wouldn't do for you, Bruce? I will help him, but much as you didn't trust my cousin Kara when she first came, I think we should all remember where the kid has come from, and never forget that he wants the Jokers blood." Clark said. "Agreed. Thank you both, for everything." I said, grabbing their hands and squeezing them. "We have a long road ahead of us, first we need to help through what the Joker did to him. We must help to heal his mind and heart, help him work through all the pain and grief." Diana said. "He holds me responsible for what happened to his mother...and for standing there watching as the Joker raped him in front of my eye, while I was able to do nothing to stop it. I won't be able to help in this, he will hate me for as long as he lives." "It won't always be that way Bruce, in time he will come to understand that you had no choice, that others would have been killed had you acted." Diana tried to reassure me. "I hope your right, but in the end it matters not if he hates me, it only matters that we save him." I said. "We will do everything in our power to help him, and I'm sure the Justice League will be willing to help as well. With the Watchtower filled with heroes, one of us will get through to him. I'm sure of it." Clark said enthusiastically. I don't know what the future holds for Tristan, my only hope is that we will be able to save him from his self. I feel so responsible, I have to save him. I need to save him. I only hope that there is a part of him hidden in some safe place that will come out and fight to save himself, because in the end if he's not willing to fight, nothing we do is going to ever make a difference. It's all up to you Tristan... One Month Later- POV- Tristan They've trapped me here...I've tried to escape every night, only to find out I'm trapped in outer space. I hate Batman, I hate him. Day in and day out Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Black Canary, and many others come to me. They try to talk to me, try to get me to talk to them. Talk about my feelings, my emotions. Talk about what that bastard took from me. I scream, and fight, and then get sedated... They say they want to help me, well I say that they've kidnapped me. Meanwhile, the Batman never shows up. He hides behind his friends, afraid to face me. He can hide all he wants, but one day I will get him and when I do he's going down. Wonder Woman tried playing the Cousin card. Seriously, the Cousin card. Where was she all my life? Where was she when my mother was killed? No where. They can't keep me trapped here for ever, I will find a way out if it's the last thing I ever do. "Good morning Tristan, I trust you slept well?" Superman said walking into my room, or I should say jail cell. "Go screw yourself!" I said. Most people tremble in fear of the great Superman, obviously I didn't get the memo. "Tristan, it's been a month since you came here, don't you feel its time to stop fighting us?" he asked. "Don't you think it's time you freed me, Mr. Kidnapper?" I shot back. "Tristan, no one has kidnapped you, you live here now. You couldn't stay at the foster home you were living in, what would you have Batman do? Leave you on the street?" his voice sounding all sincere. "Color it anyway you want, this is kidnapping. You keep me locked in this room, you strap me down on the bed, you sedate me everyday. I don't know what your definition of kidnapping is, but if the shoe fits wear it!" I said angrily. "Tristan, you leave us no choice. You fight us at every turn, you've hit everyone that has walked through that door trying to help you. What would you have us do?" "Let me go, just let me go." I mumbled. "Let us help you, just give us a chance. You have a whole group of superheroes willing to help you, wanting to be there for you. Give us a chance Tristan, please." he looked so sad there, his eyes filled with such defeat at being unable to help me. What was I doing, here were all these people trying to offer me a chance, trying to help me and I was spitting in there faces. I didn't even know who I was anymore, that bastard took everything away from me...well, not the part of my mind that's locked away for safe keeping. That didn't matter, I couldn't very well release that part of myself, that was the weak part of me. No, I needed the anger, the hate, the pain if I was to kill the Joker. "Tristan, talk to me. Tell me what your thinking?" he asked. "What do you care, why do any of you care?" I demanded. "Because that's who we are, a group of people dedicated to helping one another. To helping our fellow man, its what we believe in." he said with such conviction. "In other words you all feel guilty for what happened to my mother, and you feel guilty about the Joker raping me. So guilt and pity are the two reasons you have kidnapped me, guilt and pity is the reason you want to "help" me. Take your pity, your guilt, and your help and shove them up your ass. I don't want them, and I don't need them." I said, not looking him in the face. "No one pity's you, and no one is doing anything out of guilt. These are just good people, with good hearts. Many of them have been through their own ordeals, much like you have. Many of them watched as there parents were murdered, many of them were abused children. Everyone has their own struggles that they come from, their own fears and pains. You don't hold the corner on pain Tristan. If you gave anyone of them a chance, you'd see that they each have their own pains they deal with every day. That they use that pain to strengthen themselves, so that they can do something good with it. Like fighting to help those that are weak, fighting to stop another person from feeling the pain they have lived through. They used what happened to them to do something good, not as an excuse to be cruel to others or spew their anger, or fill themselves up with hate. That is your choice, your doing it to yourself. Your wasting an opportunity some people would kill for, a chance to work through the pain, a chance to heal yourself, a chance to work towards making a better future for yourself. These people don't have to come in here day after day, just so you can spew your flippant tongue, spouting angry, ugly words. They endure your threats, your anger, your violence because they've been where you have been, they understand your pain and long to help you. They remember what is what like to be you, and some of them wished they had had someone to help them, but they weren't so lucky, and here you are squandering a chance of a lifetime. What do you think your mother would say, how do you think she would feel about the way you've been acting? She'd be very disappointed in you, that's how she would feel. She would tell you to stop being a brat, and wake up and take the lifeline we're offering you..." he suddenly stopped realizing that tears were streaming down my face. He was right, in everything he had said. He was also right about my mother, she would have been furious to see me acting like this. I wasn't the only kid in the world who's been through something horrible, I wasn't the only one to lose a parent. None of the things that happened to me gave me the right to act out against good people who were only trying to help. My mother fought to protect people, to give people a fighting chance in this world. She sacrificed her own life to save others, she even sacrificed time with me, her only child, just to save others. I tried to never show her how much it hurt that she chose the world over me, that she was out every night saving someone's life, while a part of me was aching with the need to be held, to be loved. I knew she loved me, she told me that every time she saw me but that's not the same as having her be a mother to me. I raised myself, while she was out in the world crime fighting. I cooked my own meals for as long as I could remember, did the cleaning, the laundry...I mean for Pete's sake, what five year old knows how to do the laundry. I never let her see how much it hurt, because I knew how much it hurt her. She loved me something fierce, but she had a calling, a job she couldn't leave for someone else to do. It was something she needed to do, for herself, for me. Knowing that didn't make me feel any better, but looking back on it now it made me proud of her. So hell yeah she would be angry at me, she would probably kick my ass all over the place if she saw the way I was acting. These people had nothing to with what was done to me, I didn't have to take my anger out on them. They wanted to help, or I could let them help. Wonder Woman had told me how they wanted to train me to use my abilities, well why couldn't I let them do that. Why couldn't I learn everything they had to teach me, and use it when they time comes to kill the Joker. I'm going to be trapped here anyway, I might as well use the time productively. I'm wasting my energy, taking out my anger on people that had nothing to do with why I was angry. They were my mothers friends, people she loved and trusted. I owed them respect, my mother would want that. Enough of this crap, time was now mine. There was only eleven months till I was 18, I would use that time. The Joker had eleven months to breath easy, cause when I turned 18 I would be coming for him. "Your right..." I said. "About what exactly?" he asked. "About everything you said, all of it. My mother would be disappointed with me, for the way I've been acting, for all of it. I have no right to take out my anger on people I don't know, people who are trying to do something they really don't have to do. They are choosing to help me, not because they have to, but because they want to. I've let my anger control me all this time, I haven't been able to see what is right in front of me. I haven't given you much of choice have I, fighting you at every turn. Of course you have to strap me down, sedate me, I've been acting like a wild animal. You've given me a wake up call today, and though I'm sure it means little, I apologize for the way I've been acting." I explained. I really did mean everything I said, he was right, and I did need to snap out of it. "So, just like that you've snapped out of it? Seems pretty hard to believe that one little conversation with me, and bam your head is back on straight." his voice filled with doubt. "What you said was like a slap in the face, not that I expect you to believe me. You don't know me, or I should say know who I was before this past year. So you wouldn't have any reason to understand why what you said to me would strike a cord, why I would be effected so much by it. But it did, and it has. I guess only time will show you, that your words carried weight today." I explained. "Hmm...well, I guess your right. Only time will tell, but if its true I'll be really happy. We only want what's best for you, and I just hope for a chance to be able to help you." he smiled. "Thank you Superman, and I know that means little to you now, but thanks." I smiled back at him. "I'll be back in a little while, do you need anything before I leave Tristan?" he asked. "No thank you. I'm just going to sit here and reflect for a while, I'll be fine." I smiled again. I don't know who was more shocked, him or me. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled, it had been way over a year now. But I was smiling, because today was a new day. The beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I was going to seize this opportunity. Nothing was going to be the same. POV- Superman I walked out of the room leaving a smiling Tristan, feeling like I just stepped out of Bizzaro's world. I didn't know what to think, I mean could yelling at the kid suddenly snap him out of his anger? I didn't think so. So I made my way back to an office area, going to talk to Bruce. I knew Bruce would have been watching everything that transpired. "So what do you think?" I asked walking into the room. "I don't know what to think. It's possible that what you said snapped him out of it, or it could just be a simple case of he realized he wasn't getting any where kicking and screaming. So he decided to stop fighting, and try a different approach." Bruce said, while he continued watching Tristan on the monitor. "What about what he said about not knowing him from before, you knew him. Do you think this is part of the old Tristan waking up, and realizing that he didn't like what he's become?" I asked. "It's possible. Like I said before, he was always a good kid. One of those kids who grows up way before his time, and manages to get it right. Maybe he really took to heart what you said, and it snapped him out of it, I just don't know. We will just have to continue watching him, but start to give him enough room to hang himself if he's lying." "Sounds like a plan to me, at least this will be a step up from him fighting us at every turn. Who knows maybe the kid will surprise us all, I know he just surprised me. I couldn't even believe I saw him smile, it was like he lit up the whole room with that smile. It caught me by surprise, and warmed my heart to see it." I said enthusiastically. "It was good to see it, it's been a long time since he`s smiled. If I didn't say it before, thank you Clark." A Few Day's Later- POV- TRISTAN They finally took the restraints off, giving me a chance to get up out of bed and stretch. Superman said they were going to give me a chance to prove myself, and so I'm taking the opportunity seriously. Wonder Woman, or I should say Diana as she asked me to call her, took me on a tour of the Watchtower. To say it was huge was truly an understatement. There were training rooms, armory, dining hall, dorm rooms, showers and so much more. The amount of Superhero's that stayed here, was more than I could have ever believed. At first I was embarrassed, not knowing who knew what was done to me and who didn't. Superman, or as he asked me to call him Kal, told me that only Batman, Diana, Dinah (Black Canary), Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter knew the truth of what happened. Everyone else just knew that my mother had died, and Diana was the only living relative that I had, so for now I was staying here. Martian Manhunter was my least favorite person to deal with, mostly due to that fact that he was a telepath. Though I struggled to think of anything other than the Joker, whenever the Martian was around Joker was always on my mind. There was no point in thinking about him, since there was eleven months before I would have the chance to leave here and find him. I wanted to try and use this time to strengthen myself, and prepare in every way to finally take him down. Though I couldn't help crying myself to sleep some nights, remembering what he did to me. Today, Kal, Diana, Dinah and I were meeting in one of the sparring rooms. They wanted to see what I could do, and to tell you the truth I was excited to see what I was made as well. "Hey Tristan, how are you today?" Kal asked when I walked in the room. "Nervous, but good. Thanks for asking." I said, smiling sheepishly. "Don't worry, your in good hands." he smiled. "Ok sport, were going to start off seeing what you can do before moving on to other things." Kal said. "You do realize I've never used my abilities before, Kal." I said looking down at my feet. "Don't worry Tristan, we all had to start somewhere. Let's start with some weights, shall we?" he said, leading me over to the weight lifting machine. Much to my surprise, I actually lifted over three tons. We worked through some other tests, checking for my strength, agility, and speed. It was actually liberating to see what I could, since I've never tried before. My mother had kept me home schooled, leaving me with little chance to be out doors having to use any of my powers. I did however use some strength to lift of couches, and vacuum under them. Though I'm sure the man of steel wouldn't want to hear about my house cleaning habits, nor was I willing to volunteer the information. After a couple hours of testing, we stopped so I could catch my breath. "One last thing today, Tristan." Kal began. "You haven't put me through enough already, Kal? I'm not made of steel, I actually do get worn out." I said teasingly. "I am sure this will be something that will excite you, at least it did when I learned how. I want to try your power of flight, nothing to complicated." he said. My eyes opened wide, now that was something I've feared to try. "I don't know Kal, what if I fly up and can't come back down?" nervousness creeping into my gut. "I'll just have to float up and bring you down, Tristan." he said as he flew up into the air to prove his point. "Don't you think your rushing things here, I mean really flying?" I said. "Kal...I don't know...maybe...well...maybe we could wait on that one?" I asked hesitantly. "This is probably the easiest thing we're going to do, and the most fun, and your...oh...your scared to fly aren't you?" he asked as he put his hands on my shoulders. I unconsciously flinched, moving away from his hands. "I..er..." "I'm sorry Tristan, I shouldn't have touched you. Maybe that's enough for today, your right I'm pushing to hard." concern etched on his face. "No...Kal...It's fine. I'm fine. Gawd, I hate this...I hate what he's done to me. You're the safest person on the face of the planet to be with, and I can't even let you touch me. I hate him, he's ruined my life. He's ruined everything, damn it, he's taken everything..." in a fit of anger, I punched a hole through the wall. "Tristan, it's okay...your safe now, I promise. You'll get through this, I'll help you get through this, we all will. I promise Tristan, just give it some time." Kal said, looking so much like he wanted to wrap his arms around me, but thought better for it. I leaned my back against the wall, and dropped to the floor putting my face in my hands and just began to cry. Was this how it was going to be for the rest of my life, never allowing another person to touch me? "Tristan, talk to me...I'm a great listener..." Kal asked, squatting down in front of me. "Do you know what its like to be violated? To have the psycho who killed your mother, rape you? I'm never going to be able to have someone touch me, without thinking of him. He told me this would happen, he told me I would never be able to think of anything else but him. I'm damaged, damaged beyond repair. This was stupid, this is all stupid. What am I trying to do here, what did I actually think I could accomplish? What do any of you think your going to achieve, I'm a lost cause..." I rambled through sobs. "Tristan, your not a lost cause. You're a brave young man, who's been through a horrible ordeal, give yourself time to heal. It's my fault, I wasn't thinking, I shouldn't have put my hand on you. I should have known better, Tristan, I'm sorry." Kal pleaded with me. "Kal, please don't. You have nothing to apologize for, you did nothing wrong. You've been so kind, even when I've been so angry as to throw things at you, and name call. I have issues, I just have issues. Kal, I've never told anyone this...I don't even know why I'm about to tell you...I knew my mother was going to die before she was killed, I saw it. I had been dreaming about the Joker killing her, shooting her in her head. I seen every detail in slow motion, as I tried to run and save her. I heard his laugh in my nightmare, before I heard him laughing in my ear while he raped my ass. The point is, I could have saved my mother had I just told her what I had been dreaming about. But I thought it was just a nightmare, I didn't know it would come to be...I didn't know..." I cried all the harder. Diana came into the room as I was crying, and wrapped me in her arms hugging me to her chest. I realized in that moment that there was a difference in being touched by a woman, as opposed to being touched by a man. The Joker left me unable to let a man touch, and no one knew what that really meant...no one knew that I was gay...that I would never be able to know the touch of a lover, the feel...oh God, yet another thing he took away from me...I guess at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. In eleven months I'm going to kill him, there won't be a chance for me to have to worry about falling in love, or touching another man. "I'm sorry...I'm a blubbering idiot, and I punched a hole in the wall." I said standing up. "We will just have to take it out of your allowance, Tristan." Diana teased. "Oh, I get an allowance now, huh." "Batman already set up a fund for you, so you actually do have money." Diana answered. "I don't want anything from him, he can keep his money." I said bitterly. "Tristan, don't be like that. Batman cares a lot about you, he's the one that set up all of this. He wants to help you, as we all do. He set up a collage fund for you, money for clothes and other things you need." Kal said. "I really don't want to talk about the Batman, nor do I want anything from him. I'll be happy if I never see him again, ever!" I said adamantly. "We'll put the subject of Batman away for another day, but we will talk about him." Diana said. "So, let's try some flying." Kal said. "I'm still not to sure I want to give that a try, do we have to?" I whined. "Come on Tristan, it will be fun, I promise." he said giving me a puppy dog face. "Ugh, that's cheating...fine, but if I fall on my ass, you better not laugh." I grumbled. "We'll try not to laugh to much...so, first I want you to just relax. Just take some deep breaths, and relax your body. I want you to concentrate on floating upwards, focus on willing yourself upward." Kal explained what he wanted me to do. That was easier said, than done. The more I tried to clear my mind, the more I heard the Joker's vile laugh in my head. I tried to shake it off, tried thinking of that game, light as a feather stiff as a board. I even closed my eyes, while chanting the words in my head. Nothing happened. "Okay, this is never going to work." I said opening my eyes. "Tristan, look down." Kal said. I looked down, only to realize I really was floating. "I'm doing it...I'm really floating...Kal, Diana, I'm doing it...I'm really doing it..." And then I was falling back down, Kal caught me and quickly setting me down so as not to make me uncomfortable. "You did great Tristan, especially for your first time." Diana said, patting my back. "See buddy, it wasn't that scary. You did great, I'm so proud of you." Kal said enthusiastically. I didn't understand the feelings I was having in the pit of my stomach, as he said he was proud of me. There was just something about the way he beamed at me, his eyes sparkling, and his big smile. It truly was an experience I've never felt before, or even knew how to describe. All I knew was that it sent bolts of electricity through me, my stomach tingled, my face felt like it was burning as I knew I was blushing. I quickly averted my eyes, unable to look at him any longer. "Thanks for not laughing." my cheeks burning all the more. "Why don't you hit the showers Tristan, and we'll get something to eat afterwards." Kal said. "Your actually going to eat with me?" I was shocked because they had been bringing me my dinners to my room, having been forced to force feed me. This would be the first time I would eat with them, as well as the first time I ever ate in the commissary. "Your not planning on throwing your food at us again, are you?" Diana asked, her eyes looking amused. "Please don't remind me of my embarrassing behavior, Diana. I'm never going to live that down, am I?" my face turning all the redder. "I promise, we won't hold it against you. That doesn't mean we won't tease you about, after all looking back it was quite funny." she laughed. "Oh brother, on that note I'll be taking that shower now." I said, turning and heading for the door. "We will meet you at the commissary, in a half hour." Kal said. I waved and walked out of the room, heading to the locker room. I hadn't thought that there would be all these superheroes in the locker room, and I really wasn't expecting it to be co-ed. Putting my head down and looking at the ground, I walked to my locker. I quickly opened my locker, pulled out my towel and took off my clothes. I wrapped the towel around my waist, and headed for the showers. Lucky for me the showers were filled with steam, and though you could see the silhouette of men and woman, no one was really paying attention to anyone else. I washed up as quickly as possible, though my hair being shoulder length, I couldn't make it as fast as I would have liked. When I was finally done I walked to my locker, and proceeded to dry myself off. I was sitting on the bench, when someone walked up to the locker next to mine. I tried not to look up, but I noticed the hairy legs of a man next to me. He removed his towel, and his long flaccid cock nestled against his large ball sack, swung only a few feet away from my face. I gasped, and knew he must have heard me. My heart began beating a hundred miles a minute, while my cock began to rise. "Are you okay kid?" the voice from above me spoke. "I...um...yeah...fine...no problem...fine...that's me..." I rambled nervously, while trying to force myself to breath. "You don't sound alright, you kind of sound like your hyperventilating." he said. "I'm good...I swear...I'm good." I tried to make my voice work, but that wasn't happening. "I haven't seen you around here before, I'm Carter, Carter Hall. I'm known as Hawkman, and you are?" he asked, holding his hand out for me to shake it. I slowly looked up, taking in the full length of his body, towards his face. Unfortunately, I never made it past his cock that just hung there. I mean seriously, who shakes someone's hand while their cock is hanging out. I freaked out. "I'm sorry I can't...I just can't..." I stammered as I got up in only my towel and made my way to the door. I left the locker room in only my towel, what was I thinking. I groaned as I walked through hallway after hallway filled with people staring. I was walking as fast as I could, trying to get to my room. I could hear whispered voices, as people gasped in shock at what they were seeing. I finally made it to my room, opening the door and running inside. I sat on the floor, leaning against my bed as I struggled to control my breathing. "Your okay you moron, he wasn't even going to hurt you. What's wrong with you, gawd Tristan, your acting like a spaz. Get a grip, Tristan, get a grip." I shouted at myself. I can't live like this, I just can't. This isn't right, this can't be my life. I'm going to kill that son of a bitch, I'm going to kill him. My door opened, and Kal walked in followed by Carter. "Tristan, are you alright?" Kal asked, his voice filled with concern. "I...I'm fine. I'm fine." I said, coming to my feet and securing my towel around my waist. "I'm sorry kid, I didn't mean to scare you." Carter said. "It wasn't you sir...it...its me." I said lamely. "Please call me Carter, and really I'm sorry if I scared you." he said. "Okay, Carter, but truly it had nothing to do with you." I said not meeting his eyes. "Thanks for getting me Carter, but if you don't mind I want to talk to Tristan alone." Kal said. "No problem, see your around Tristan." he said, as he turned and walked out the door. "Now, Tristan, do you want to tell me what really happened." Kal asked. Great. How do I even begin to explain such an embarrassing moment. "Kal, I just panicked that's all. I'm fine now really." I tried to sound convincing. "Right Tristan, that's why your heart is pounding. The only way for me to help you is if you trust me, so please Tristan, trust me." he pleaded. "When you put it like that, I guess I don't have a choice. It was hard enough being in a room filled with naked people, but having a man standing above me with his...with his...cock dangling in front of my face was just to much. Kal, please don't hate me for what I'm about to tell you, please I couldn't bare it right now...Kal, I'm gay...I'm gay Kal. I'd never been with another boy before, and Joker raped my virgin ass. Well, when Carter was standing there in all his glory, I started to get an erection...ok...I actually got a full erection...but then I just panicked, my mind flashing with what the Joker did to me. He ruined me, no man will ever be able to touch me. Do you know what that feeling is like, to know your attracted to men, but know that you'll never be able to do anything about it. OH MY GOD...I just told Superman I'm gay...some body kill me please." I said, falling face first on my bed. "Tristan, I don't hate you, I could never hate you. Even when you were being a total brat, I didn't hate you. Being gay is nothing to be embarrassed about, nothing at all. I promise you with time, and a lot of talking, you will be able to be with a man if that's what you want. I promise you, you will get through this. I should have thought the locker room would be to much, I just wasn't thinking. I'm sorry Tristan, I'm really sorry." he said, sitting on the bed next to me. There I was lying on my bed, my large ass sticking up in the air, as the man of steel sat next to me. "Why did he have to do this to me Kal, why? I hate him, I hate him for everything he's done to me. He said he would always have power over me, and now I know he's right. I hate my life Kal, I hate it." I cried. "I want to hold you, comfort you, tell me what I can do, please...my heart is breaking buddy." I heard his voice breaking, and in that moment I wanted nothing so much as to ease his pain. Without even realizing what I was doing, I turned up and looked at him. Tears streaming down my cheeks, my bare chest exposed, towel wrapped around my waist, I turned around and laid my head against his chest and hugged him tight to me. I cried like I had never cried before, finally feeling safe enough to release everything that was inside me. He rubbed my back with his hand, as he held me to him. He whispered over and over again, for me to just let it out. That I was safe, and he would always be there for me. For the first time ever in my life, I didn't feel alone. We stayed like that for a long time, Kal just letting me feel the safety of his arms. I never wanted to let go, but I knew we couldn't stay like that forever. Before I had a chance to move, Diana came walking in the room. "Tristan, are you alright? I was so worried, I heard that you ran to your room in a towel from the locker room. What happened?" she asked. I released Kal, and sat up on my bed. My face going ten shades of red, knowing I was the talk of the Watchtower. "Great, does everyone know I ran to my room in a towel?" I grumbled. "Well, you were running on spaceship in your towel. These people don't get to see my excitement on the ship, they're just looking for any juicy thing to talk about. You just happen to give them an eye full, literally." we all laughed at Diana's words. "I've done everything wrong since I was kidnapped and brought here, haven't I?" I teased back. "Kidnapped huh, we're still sticking with that story are we." Kal said. "Can we just start all over, so I can show you all that I'm not such a dork?" I said, running my hands through my wet hair, pulling it back out of my face. "Don't feel bad, when Kal here was a teenager, there was no one more dorkier than him. Isn't that right Kal?" Diana teased. "Hey now, I happened to be the quarterback of my high school football team, miss I grew up on an Island as Amazon Princess." Kal shot back. "Great, a quarterback, a princess, I was home schooled my whole life, how do I even compete with that?" I laughed. "Come on, get dressed and let's go eat I'm starved." Kal said. I quickly got dressed while they waited outside for me, after which we walked to the commissary. POV- Batman Watching everything that happened to Tristan, anger at the Joker ran my blood cold. I wanted to kill him for what he did to Tristan, make him suffer unimaginable pain. I just want the chance to talk to Tristan, but right now I know that's not possible. He hates me, blames me as much as he blames the Joker. Why are all the troubled, orphaned boys put in my life? Why do they always have to start off hating me? Well, at least in the past they start off hating me, but in the end they come around. I truly hope it will be the same with Tristan. I don't know why, but watching him this whole year, he has managed to capture my heart. "So what do you think Jon (Martian Manhunter)?" I asked. "He's being honest about his feelings, honest about changing. He wants to learn, truly wants what you and the others have offered..." Jon began. "I hear a but. What is it Jon?" "He still plans to kill the Joker, and never hopes to lay eyes on Batman." Jon explained. "I didn't really think that feeling was going to go away anytime soon, he just needs time." I defended. "I don't know Bruce, I think you are walking a fine line here. It's like training him to become an assassin, and in eleven months sending him out to find his target. Mainly the Joker. He's counting down the days till his 18th birthday, when he'll be free to go after the Joker. After seeing everything in his head today, seeing what the Joker has done to him, I'm afraid even I can't fault him for feeling that way. He has much to deal with, a little time to do it in." Jon said. "While working side by side with the Justice League, we will give Tristan understanding of the value of our ideals. He's no different that I was, then Dick or Tim, or any of the other hero's who have lost a loved one and wanted revenge in the beginning. With time, training, getting to know what it is we are fighting for, he will see how revenge is much different than vengeance. I believe he will make the right choice in the end..." it almost came out a plea, as if I was trying to convince myself. "I hope your right Bruce, I truly do. He's been through more than one should at such a young age, and only has more to deal with. Once again, you are playing a dangerous game and not just with his life, but the life of your friends. They are becoming attached to him, and will only grow more attached as the time passes. It will truly be a sad day if they must stop him from killing the Joker, after having spent so much time with him." Jon said, resting his hand on my shoulder. "It won't come to that, I know it won't. But if it does, I will be the one to stop him. I could not ask anyone to do what I alone must, but I know it won't come to that." I had to believe I could save him, save him from himself. I let the Joker ruin so much of his life, I won't allow the Joker to destroy his future as well. Only time would tell how this would end, and with the help of the Justice League, Tristan would be saved... END CHAPTER 1 This is the first chapter...I don't know where the story is going, but I'm excited to see where I can take it... Please feel free to write to me with comments or suggestions. 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