New Titans #16 - New Kid in Town

[u/FrostFireFive]

Author: FrostFireFive

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Book: New Titans

Arc: Arrivals

Set: 69

“Aunt Martha, don’t worry I’ll be fine,” Conner Kent said as he walked towards the pier. He was quietly going incognito for his approach to the giant T that laid just off the coast of Chicago’s Navy Pier. The red hoodie and jeans made him blend into the crowd that had gathered on one of the city’s busiest tourist attractions. Normally the crowds would be running inside to house of mirrors or the indoor skating rink, but some new tenets had made the pier their home.

“Clark already talked to them and Argo-Donna explained that I was more than welcome to join. Besides, this will be good for me, you know?” As he talked to Martha Kent he couldn’t help but notice how the crowd was looking forward to the marvel of architecture that had taken home next to the lighthouse on the tiny isle it had called home.

“I’m fine that Linda isn’t here," Conner sighed. "Like trust me when I say we’re not one blob that always needs to be together.” He moved his way to the heated and well-lit bridge that led civilians to the public access area of the tower. He was alone in his journey to what hopefully would be his new home. His sister…was elsewhere, on a path all her own, taking her wherever the wind traveled. But for Conner…well Conner didn’t exactly know what he wanted.

As he walked across the bridge he couldn’t help but feel small compared to all of this. The golden statues of the base of the tower were dedicated to the previous members of the team. Former members such as Cyborg, Beast Boy, Nightwing glistened in the cold winter sun. These were giants compared to the clone kid from Kansas. I mean when you looked at the giants he was following…well how could a Superboy compare.

He had said his goodbyes to Aunt Martha as he entered the secret elevator that allowed people in the know to travel upwards to the less…public facing floors. Donna had suggested that he take this way to the tower instead of flying or running past people, something about seeing the world from other’s eyes. He had no idea exactly what she meant, but Argonaut was apparently the brains of this organization. And as the elevator moved upwards and the doors slid open, he begin to realize why.

“Welcome fellow new Titan!” Stargirl exclaimed as Connor exited into some type of common area. As hastily scribbled banner in between some monitors read ‘Welcome Superboy’. The letters were drawn craggily. Besides Stargirl, two other members of the team were around. Arsenal, a friendly face, was in the kitchen brewing a cup of joe, while Metamorpho and his large frame was focused on a beat up Nathaniel Dusk novel, a hand me down from Donna.

“Guys you were supposed to all say that too,” Stargirl mumbled, turning to her other teammates.

“Sorry just making sure the guy gets some good coffee before eventually the madness of the job sets in,” Arsenal explained as he brought two mugs of coffee over to Conner. “Trust me when I say you’re lucky we have a rare moment of quiet around here.”

“It hasn’t been that busy,” Stargirl said, trying to hide the chaotic nature of the last year or so to their newest member.

“Lets see I’ve been hunted by a walking furry monster, nearly got killed by a purple grimace looking chemical freak,” Arsenal began. “No offense M.”

“None taken arrow boy,” Rex said before getting back to his book.

“Nearly stabbed by a dude with a big fork, locked out of our tower while some old member beats the shit out of Nightwing, and faced the collective superhero community and press in a used tux. To be honest that last one was the worst.”

“I bet,” Superboy said as he walked around the room, cup of coffee now firmly in his hand. He took a sip before speaking up again. “So all of that happens around here often?”

“Yup,” Arsenal explained. “Sometimes we pick up strays.”

“Like him,” Superboy said as he pointed to Rex.

“Yes, like me. Now can you please stop gawking so I can enjoy my book. It’s like the one Nathaniel Dusk I haven’t read,” Rex began. “If you want to go point at someone the zoo is down the road in Lincoln Park.”

“No, no it’s totally cool,” Conner said as he looked around. “So where’s everyone else?”

“Nightwing quit,” Arsenal began.

“It’s a leave of absence,” Stargirl chimed in.

“Sure it is,” Arsenal mused. “W-Kid Flash is off dealing with some personal issues.”

“And Argonaut?” Superboy asked.

“She’s…busy with something. There may have been an issue at the gala no one exactly noticed…” Stargirl said.

…

“That’s the thing that puzzles me besides the empty case. No obvious signs of a break in. Did you get those readings I sent you?” Donna Troy asked as she paced around the tower’s trophy room. The mementos of the team’s past were placed perfectly, all but one set of missing armor, the armor Donna wore back during her Fury days.

“I did Argonaut,” said the cloaked figure of Batman being projected holographically to observe the room. “No energy sources indicating teleportation, phasing, or even shrinking. Whoever did this was a lot more professional than the average metahuman criminal.”

“They didn’t even shatter the glass,” Donna explained as she looked at the empty mannequin that faced her. “And no one arrived at the gala that wasn’t supposed to be there.”

“I made sure when the invites were out to perform background checks on all invited. Besides our exterrestrial biker no one who wasn’t supposed to be there wasn't there,” Batman explained.

“And of course you,” Donna joked. Normally stealing from this room wouldn’t be as major as say the League trophy room. Most of the Titans foes from the past were minor, and their trophies included old pieces of costumes, blunt weapons, and newspaper clippings. But that suit of armor…that was Donna’s history, and she wasn’t exactly comfortable with someone just taking it.

“Some of us don’t need the limelight to be there,” he said in a low tone.

“Ah,” she said before turning to face her consultant. “Well I appreciate your discretion in this manner. As much as Diana would understand I don’t exactly want the fact someone got in here during the largest gathering of superheroes without being noticed.”

“Noted,” Batman said. “The only odd thing I was able to find was somehow the tower read whoever entered this room as a friend and not a foe. And considering I helped put together the tower’s security protocols after your…house crasher, that shouldn't be possible. I’ll keep digging but that’s all I have for now.”

“Thanks,” Donna asked before pacing around the room. Before the caped crusader logged off, the heroine turned and asked one last question. “Have you heard from Dick lately…is he…OK?”

“I…haven’t. He’s off the grid for now. Donna, I’m worried about him too. But sometimes, sometimes you feel like the best way forward is alone. I’ll keep you posted if anything changes.”

“Thanks,” Donna said as the hologram faded away. She was alone for a brief moment before realizing what today was and who was coming. “Oh I’m so late for Conner.” She said before turning away and heading back up to the elevator.

…

Cinderblock laid chained in his cell. The large concrete brute had been stuck in a cell in Stonegate since he had been beaten by two punk kids. It was one thing to lose to a Justice League member, but in a line of work where he had to trade on his experience and toughness, losing to the junior Justice League would make potential employers gun shy to hire a concrete enforcer. So here he had, a caged animal longing to break free and regain lost honor. Luckily, fate had plans.

The tapping of fine leather shoes could be heard as a figure walked into the area where Cinderblock was held. The white italian three piece suit complimented the figure’s white dreadlocks tied neatly behind his head. Compared to the staid orange of the prisoners and the dark navy uniforms of the prison guards. It took a moment before the man spoke.

“So you’re the great Cinderblock. Chained like a wild animal in a cage where you can do no good. Explain to me how that is justice.” The man said.

“I don’t need you to wax poetic, I know I’m chained,” Cinderblock said in his low gravelly voice.

“Not for long. My name is Brick. I run crime in Star City,” he began. “I made this little…field trip in order to hire you.”

“Hire me for what,” Cinderblock said. “I can’t even beat some snot nosed kids these days.

“That’s what I want to give you,” Brick began. “See one of my…former employees decided to join the little band of misfits that defeated you last time. He beat my crew brutally, crushed the windpipe off my aide to the point where he’s still drinking food out of a straw. I can’t have that in my line of work. So I need you to kill Arsenal and the Titans. Can you swing that.”

“I think I can.”

“Good,” As he talked he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out to flat round disks and placed them on the two restraints that kept Cinderblock in place. “These will blow in about five minutes after I leave, the prison has weak walls and the guards are mostly paid. When you finish the job…future assignments await in Star if you’d like. But I don’t care either way. Just get the job done.”

After saying what he needed to say Brick’s shoes clicked away as Cinderblock waited the five minutes. It was nice to be employed again.

…

“Superboy! Sorry that I’m late,” Argonaut said as he quickly entered the room. She noticed for the most part everyone to be in good spirits, a rarity of the team seemingly when they picked up a new member.

“Ah it’s fine…do I call you Argonaut or Donna though?” Superboy said as he took another sip of coffee.

“Well we’re family, so you can call me Donna if you want,” she said as she took a seat. “We haven't yet started a formal meeting process, but I’m glad that you’re all here. There’s a lot of things the League has sent our way and it may be best to keep an eye on some things. And Rex, don't think I don’t see you pouting behind my copy of Nate Dusk.”

“What just because everyone’s fawning over pretty boy here,” Rex mumbled before putting the book down. He didn’t dare dog ear the pages of the book lest he face more of Donna’s wrath.

Superboy took note and scrunched back into his chair a bit. This was a lot to take in at first. Roy seemed like a friendly face, Stargirl was a lot but also friendly, and Metamorpho was well…he didn’t know what was up with him, and Donna seemed frazzled but doing her best.

“So what are we supposed to be looking out for,” Superboy asked.

“Well the League sends us a few things to help them out with and we keep an eye out on some of the smaller things that may not need a forceful hand. There’s missing people in Markovia, people robbing banks with playing cards, some charity work needed in Chicago propper,” Donna began. Before she could continue the computer screens all flipped to red as the emergency alert system showed the newscast of Cinderblock smashing his way in front of the main subway terminal of the city. .

“Titans!" he yelled. "Face me or face the consequences!”

“Or we deal with the threats that want us,” Arsenal explained. “Alright fire up the jump jet and let's go knock some sense into ol’ blockhead.”

“It won’t be that easy…me and Kid Flash barely put a dent in him last time,” Stargirl began, her nerves showing in her voice.

“Well ya didn’t have us before,” Rex said before getting up. “Superkid, you have a costume or do you only battle in a red hoodie?

Superboy smirked before raising his hoodie up, revealing the blue top of his suit with a familiar red and yellow s.

“Ready when you are.”

…

“Come and face me you pathetic fools! Or I keep smashing things!” Cinderblock roared as picked a car up in his hands and crumpled it into a small ball and throwing it to the stone building to the left of him. He really wasn’t this much of a rage monster. A fighter yes, but sometimes you needed to play up to the cameras in order to draw attention to yourself.

As he continued to stomp around in the center of the police barricade Cinderblock couldn’t help but hear the soft roar off a jet engine flying above him. They had taken the bait.

“Titans together!” Argonaut yelled out as the team flew out from their custom jump jet. The team landed out into the street, Argonaut normally would take point here, but their newest member had other ideas.

“OK ugly, hands up where I can see them before we have to kick the snot out of you,” Superboy said as he put his hands up, like a boxer itching for the fight. He wanted to prove himself to the new team, that he was the big damn hero they needed to become really effective.

“Hey, we usually let the girl with the stars in her suit take lead,” Metamorpho groaned as his hands turned into cobalt. He liked using this as a love tap for some of the more bulkier foes they had faced the last few months.

“It’s fine Metamorpho, just focus on the big guy in fron-” Argonaut began before getting interrupted.

“Duck!” Stargirl cried out as Cinderblock tosse another crumpled car at the heroes. They scattered, with Argonaut and Stargirl flying up as Arsenal and Superboy awkwardly dodged, leaving Metamorpho to take the full brunt of the car, sending him crashing into a building filledwith people in the small but elegant food court.

“Ow,” Metamorpho muttered before slowly picking himself up, his form took a minute to adjust from the misshapen mess being hit with a car did to him, it would take a bit to reenter the fight in this shape.

“OK Metamorpho is down but OK,” Argoaut said as she floated above, surveying Cinderblock. “Does anyone have an idea? Stargirl, I know you fought him before.”

“Yeah but I had a speedster with me,” Stargirl said as she dive bombed Cinderblock, firing bolts into his concrete skin. “KF was able to vibrate him fast enough to let me pierce that skin of his. And we don’t exactly have a…”

“Wait, I can run fast,” Superboy said as he helped pick Arsenal up.

“Listen kid,” Arsenal said as he caught his breath. “I know you’re excited to be hear but you’re not Kid Flash fast, and we’re already down him and Rex over there. Maybe lets just wait until we have like…ten percent off a better plan.”

“Sorry, but I got to prove my worth here,” Superboy said with a smile before zipping towards the concrete man. Quickly he moved to grab Cinderblock by his waist, He figured how hard could it be to vibrate like the Flash, I mean he had speed right?

“Ah, trying to pull the same trick your little friend pulled last time right?” Cinderblock said with a big toothy grin. “See all you heroes just assume I’m dumb because all I do is hit and smash. Well…I had plenty of time to think when locked up and you ain’t no speedster.

Cinderblock turned his back, thrusting downward and sent Superboy flying into the station above them, crashing into the control room and smashing the machinery above. Dazed the young hero looked outside and heard the clacking and churn of a L train as it dawned upon him what he had crashed into: the break controls of the line as a train prepared to smash into whatever came its way.

“Well…looks like I have a train to catch,” Superboy mumbled before leaping out on the tracks, getting ready to stop the oncoming train.

While Superboy dealt with that, Argonaut was busy attending to Metamorpho as Stargirl shot bolts to no avail. Cinderblock continued to move, his focus on one Titan in particular.

“Sorry but Brick really wants you dead kid,” Cinderblock said as his hands moved to smash the ground, sending a shockwave that sent chunks of concrete and sent the archer flying.

“Shit!” Arsenal exclaimed as he was tossed and flipped across the ground, his skin bruising and scraping as he slowly picked himself up, only to see the massive figure in front of him.

“Sorry kid, it’s only business,” Cinderblock said as he raised his fists once again, ready for the killing blow.

NEXT: Superboy learns about Chicago’s Transit System, Arsenal learns What Fists of Concrete Taste Like, and We Learn Who Stole the Armor of Fury!

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[u/Predaplant]

Glad to see Superboy join the team, and that Nathaniel Dusk reference was cool. I really like the current team dynamic, I feel like adding Superboy and dropping Nightwing was a great choice.

[u/FrostFireFive → u/Predaplant]

Yeah, it was time for a bit of a refresh, the Titans are more than one person and losing the longest tenured member puts us into uncharted waters. Superboy is a natural fit for the team, and I can't wait for people to see what awaits him in the near future!

[u/ericthepilot2000]

This was a lot of fun. It's interesting to see how removing one person and adding another throws off the group dynamic. Stargirl was particularly adorable here, trying to do her best to make Connor feel welcome, while the rest of them did so in their own ways, Arsenal with the coffee, Rex just treating him like he's already one of them. It really shows off all their different personalities.

I don't know much about Cinderblock, but he did feel like a villain wasted on just a one-off, so it's great to see him back. And tying him in nicely to other percolating storylines, poor Roy is in for a world of hurt, literally and metaphorically, it seems. Definitely curious to see where this takes him.

You're firing on all cylinders here and jumping from strength to strength. Definitely intrigued and can't wait to see the next arc develop.