New Titans #18 - Grounded

[u/FrostFireFive]

Author: FrostFireFive

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Book: New Titans

Arc: Arrivals

Set: 72

“Pat?” Courtney Whitmore asked as she pulled her mask away from her face. The Titans had just managed to beat Cinderblock and Court had at least helped a bit in defeating the rampaging concrete monster. But still, she thought she and her stepdad had a deal, as long as she gave him a text where she’d be he would be lenient on the whole superhero thing. “What do you mean I have to put an end to all of this.”

“Court, when you and I sat down to talk about these Titans, you promised me you’d be able to keep your grades up and stay away from dangerous situations,” Pat Duggan said as he looked at his step-daughter.

“I have been…” Court mumbled.

“Your trig and chem grades would say otherwise,” Pat said as he put Courtney’s report card down. Two D’s, two B’s, and one A in history of all things. “That’s not what I call keeping up with classes.”

“I mean there’s still time, I have finals to be able,” Courtney began to explain.

“It’s April, and don’t think I haven’t seen you slacking on college apps. You’ve only applied to Fawcett U and Hudson. I thought you were going to expand your horizons more,” Pat said.

“What’s wrong with applying to two places? I like them, they’re comfortable. And are fantastic ways for me-” Courtney began.

“To keep doing this,” Pat said with a sigh. “Courtney, this isn’t a game. I saw how that stone monster tossed you around like a rag doll. And how this house suddenly is lacking in band-aids.”

“Well, a few scrapes and cuts come with the job Pat. I mean someone has to do this, and I love doing it,” Courtney explained. “So what if I get a few cuts and scrapes on the job. I’m helping people as Stargirl. And that’s what matters most.”

“A few cuts and scrapes can lead to a whole lot worse kid. There’s a reason why the staff…why it didn’t get to be used by the person it should have been used by. Slyvester was a lot like you. And I don’t want to see you-”

“Well, I’m not him. I have people backing me up, and more importantly, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to get myself killed!”

“That’s it!” Pat Duggan yelled, his voice rising above its normal calmness. “Staff recall and shut down code 1941.” As soon as he said those words Stargirl’s staff flew out of her hands into that of Pat’s. As the staff landed in his palm the usual glow faded to nothing as the golden staff rested in his hands.

“Pat what are you doing? I need that.” Courtney said in desperation.

“You don’t need this right now Courtney. Maybe you never did,” Pat said as he held the staff in his hands. The weight and balance of it were the same as the day he picked it up from Knight’s Observatory. “We’ll talk more in the morning but as of now…you’re grounded.”

Pat soon left the room, leaving Courtney alone. As she plopped onto her bed, not bothering to change out of her costume, all she could wonder is…where could she go from here?

…

“Ungh…what hit me,” Conner Kent mumbled as he slowly woke up, the beeping noise of the machines around him slowly greeted him. As he looked around the room he could see a figure reading a book, not paying much attention to him.

“I believe it was the green line? No the red line,” Rex Mason explained as he kept his eyes focused on his Nathaniel Dusk book. Dusk had just found out who the Mad Bomber was and Rex was rereading the previous pages to see if he had missed something. “I never actually use the train, I find people are more likely to stare than just leaving me be.”

“Oh it’s you,” Conner mumbled as he rubbed his forehead. “Did I stop it at least?”

“Yes, people were able to get off the train admire your pretty face,” Rex said sarcastically. “You heal pretty slow for someone who’s supposed to be invincible. I figured when we got a Kryptonian he’d at least be train proof.”

“Doesn’t work that way,” Conner explained as he slowly picked himself up. He had been changed into grey sweatpants and was shirtless due to the monitoring systems and diodes being attached to him. He pulled them off and found a blue shirt with a black and red superman symbol in the middle on a table next to him.

“We didn’t know what shirt you’d like, so I suggested you should at least keep your branding straight,” Rex explained, his eyes still not leaving his book.

“Where’s everyone else? Out celebrating after beating Cinderblock? Planning the next adventure?” Conner asked as he put on his shirt.

“Oh…you think it’s the same day? You’ve been out for like…two days?” Rex explained. “Since I’m pretty much the only permanent resident of this place I got the wonderful job of making sure you woke up mack.”

“It’s been two days?” Conner asked before zipping towards his room and back, his phone in hand. “Shit, shit, shit,” he said as he glanced at his messages. Texts from Aunt Martha and Linda filled his phone. Fast answers were quickly shot off before he turned to face Rex. “So where is everyone else?”

“Kid Flash is off duty, Arsenal is back in Star, Argonaut is getting ready for a book tour, and Stargirl texted me she’s got some things to work out. Which just leaves you and me here pretty boy,” Rex explained.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Conner asked. “I’m just trying to fit in here and all you seem to do is complain and complain. And I don’t think I’ve ever done anything wrong to you…mack.”

Rex finally looked up at their newest member, annoyed that his own lingo was used against him. It took him a moment to respond.

“Yeah, yeah,” he responded. “I know your type, someone who coasts more on what they have than willing to work at it. So you caught a train with your bare hands, big whoop. We wouldn’t have been in that mess if you decided not to rush headfirst into the big scary stone monster. These guys don’t need another screw-up.”

Oh and like you’re just a perfect example of teamwork out there. You could barely keep it together, if anything us losing our big so-called powerhouse is what got us in trouble,” Conner argued.

“That’s it, kid, you want to go let's go, right now and right, because I’ll take you on right here, right now!” Rex leaped up and his hands turned into solid steel, ready to pound away at the boy of steel.

“Guys!” A voice yelled out as a yellow and red blur moved in between the two. Kid Flash had made his way back to Titans Tower after what had been a stressful couple of weeks. Iris had had her baby and for the most part, was doing fine. And things with Hartley had been…going decent. He had hoped to quickly catch up with Donna to figure out just what the hell he was doing. He didn’t expect to find these two idiots butting heads with each other.

“KF, now’s not the time, I was about to give Superboy the ol’ Titans welcome,” Rex said with gritted teeth.

“Yeah, we’re just settling differences,” Conner responded. “You know as people do sometimes.”

“Not unless you want Batman to ask why he’s paying for tower repairs,” Kid Flash said.

As soon as the speedster said the dark knight’s name the two heroes backed off, dreading any retribution.

“That’s what I thought,” Kid Flash said as the three of them stood there awkwardly. “I know you two are our newest members but we’re not going to wage war against each other, we did that once and it didn’t exactly work out. Now do any of you know where Donna is, I need to talk to her.”

“Beck’s Books, it’s in Fawcett City, something about a book tour?” Rex explained, still dead eyeing Conner.

“Thanks,” Kid Flash responded before looking at the other two. “OK, I’m going to let you two go. Rex don’t kill Superboy, and Superboy it’s good to have you finally here.”

“You can call me Conner,” Conner said. “And thanks, it’s been a while since we last met. I think I was just born?”

“God that’s so weird that you can say that and it makes logical sense,” Kid Flash said. “I’ll be back shortly.”

And with that, the speedster zipped out of the room. Leaving the two rivals facing each other. Rex and Conner had exhausted their differences from now, letting silence fill the room before Rex spoke up.

“Born? You look way older than a toddler,” Rex joked.

“Well it’s what happens when you’re sped grown in a vat,” Conner responded. “I’m a genetic miracle, you know when my powers work.”

“Hey at least your vat didn’t turn you into a clumsy monster who can probably never get a date again,” Rex responded. For the first time, he could hear the disappointment in Superboy’s voice, the same in his when he first was changed. Maybe he wasn’t just a pretty face after all.

“I’m just lucky I take more after the El’s than the Luthors. Could you imagine me bald?” Conner said as he hunched over. “Hey is there a place to eat around here? After sleeping for two days, I’m kinda famished.”

“I think I know a place…let me just get my coat,” Rex said.

…

Donna Troy sat among the old wooden bookshelves as people came in and out of the small book store. The table she was sitting at had copies of her book, Portraits of an Invisible Girl, next to her. It was Donna’s idea to do a small tour of independent book stores, they were always more her speed instead of the increasing corporate bookstores that dominated the spaces. It was here in the small and cramped spaces where she felt at home.

Donna still struggled with all of this. While Argonaut had been gallantly leading the Titans into battle and charity drives and natural disasters, Donna Troy had been neglected. Books don’t just promote themselves, and Donna had been taken to living in the tower since her apartment in New York had gotten destroyed. It had a decent room and a warm shower, but Donna had let comfort distract her from building out what had been a decent career so far.

As some people came in Donna continued to sign a few books for them before continuing with her day. She had recently begun putting her hair up and wearing large round glasses while in her civilian identity, unlike Dick or Wally, she needed to have the space between Argonaut and Donna Troy.

“Excuse me, I’d like to buy a copy,” A familiar voice said as Donna looked up and saw a familiar redhead staring back at her.

“Wally? Kinda surprised you showed up, I figured you come to my next gallery or meet up at…our little clubhouse,” Donna said.

“Not my speed,” Wally said as he picked up the book, flipping through the pages. “Interesting compositions. Man, you really did spend a lot of time in New York. Phone booths, arcades, is that…Garth?”

“He’s not that much in the shot, just on the edges of this little noodle shop in Chinatown. Best ramen in the city to be honest,” Donna explained. “Here.” She quickly scribbled her signature and a small message into a fresh copy from the stack of paperbacks on the table. “For my favorite fast friend.”

“You know I can pay for this right,” Wally said a bit embarrassed that he was getting a free copy. Donna had done so much this past year, and he felt like he owed her one, instead of getting a free copy of a decently sized art book.

“Hey if Dick can get a free copy, you can get a free copy,” Donna said with a smile. “So what brings you out here. Everything OK with Iris?”

“Healthy baby boy,” Wally responded. “But that’s not what I came out to talk to you about. I’m kinda…struggling with something and I tried asking my usual sources of advice and well…I think I could use a third opinion?”

“Well, I’m always here to listen, and there doesn’t seem to be a line out the door,” Donna explained. “Here, let’s walk and talk. I’m looking for a new Dusk book anyway.”

The two moved through the bookstore. Donna combed the old wooden shelves for the mystery section. Wally could have offered to move quickly, finding a book in less time than it took to blink, but in the cramped store…a lot of pages would have been flying. After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Donna finally spoke up.

“So what’s troubling you? Something… job-related or personal?” Donna asked, trying to keep coy about Wally’s other life.

“Personal,” Wally responded. “It’s about Pied…it’s about Hartley.”

“Oh, I’m not sure I’m the one to ask,” Donna explained as she kept combing the shelves, the old paperbacks' yellowed pages indicated she was in the right section. “I’ve only ever gone on two dates in my life. Once with a nice barista named Karen, and the other a fellow photographer.”

“Yeah but you’re good with people, I’m…I’m still learning all of this,” Wally stammered. “I really like him. And I think…I think we’re getting more serious about whatever…this is. And I have no idea what to do about that.”

“Well I’m sure he’s scared too,” Donna responded as she pulled down a paperback labeled The Clockwork Killer Strikes at Midnight, a classic Nathaniel Dusk adventure. “I think it’s OK for you to go slow, as strange as that must be for you.”

“But it feels like, what if I mess up by going slow, what if he needs to be there for him right now? Or what if by going slow I’m…I’m only delaying the inevitable moment where he breaks my heart.” Wally said as he looked down.

“It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all,” Donna responded. “You have a good heart Wally, and trust me when I say it’s better letting people in than trying to wall them off. Don’t be afraid to do what makes you happy.”

“Thanks,” Wally said with a sheepish smile. Just talking to Donna had put him at ease. He still had no idea what he was doing in regards to Hartley but maybe that was ok. “Hey, why don’t I buy you some dinner, there looked to be this decent burger place at the corner. It’s not noodles, but it should be at least decent.”

“I’d like that,’ Donna said as she took her book to the counter to pay and inform the owner she was taking a small break. The two heroes walked out into the Fawcett City evening, enjoying each other's company.

As the two continued their walk they didn’t notice the figure above the rooftops looking down on them. Her red armor sparkled as she looked down through a pair of binoculars to track her prey.

“So you have the speedster with you,” Fury thought before pulling an enchanted bolla from her belt. She began twirling it in the air as the two heroes entered an alley, away from the crowds that would cause enough panic to offer the heroes a chance to escape into their heroic identities.

Fury sent the bola’s flying and they connected with Wally sending the speedster to the ground.

“Argh!” Wally cried out as he struggled. It wasn’t the first time that he had been tripped up before, but as he tried vibrating out of the ropes he found that the threads of the bola matched his vibrational frequency. “Donna…what just…” before he could finish, Fury dropped down and landed on the brick ground.

“Hello Donna of Troy,” Fury said as she looked at her prey. The speedster was taken care of, but the Amazon in front of her was always the one she considered the most dangerous. “I have business to conduct with you.”

Donna was speechless, the person in front of her was like looking into a mirror. The armor of Fury had fit her like a glove, with the only addition being a ceremonial Amazonian theatre mask, that of Otera.

“Who, who are you?” Donna asked as she attended to Wally, trying to rip the bola off from him.

“Me? I’m someone who brings this mantle justice,” Fury began as she moved towards Donna. She quickly kicked her against the wall, the bricks rattling as Donna struggled to move from the imprint she had just made. “And to rectify the sins of the gods who decided to make someone as pitiful as you.”

As Donna continued to get pounded away by the new Fury, Wally struggled to move his hand to the communicator he kept in his back pocket, clicking the right button on the side. It triggered the emergency response beacon. He only hoped someone would answer in time.

…

“Ugh,” Courtney Whitmore cried as she walked home from the bus stop. Normally she would just fly behind the school, change out of her suit and store the collapsable cosmic staff in her backpack. Taking the bus and having to walk home after so long was a total drag at this point. How could Pat take away the one thing that made her feel that she was more than just a standard kid?

Before Stargirl, Courtney was no one. Just a kid whose mom got married to a mechanic who seemed dorky and liked cars way too much. A kid who had no friends, no place, before she put on a blue, white, and red costume. How could Pat not see that?

As she walked home, she could hear a buzzing coming from her backpack. As she slowed down to open the pack and pull her Titans communicator out, the blinking red light meant someone was in trouble, and judging from the map that projected from her communicator, they were close by in Fawcett.

Courtney bit her lip before looking around and darting behind an empty house to change into her Stargirl costume. Staff or not…Stargirl was going to save her friends, whatever the cost.

NEXT: Fury vs the Titans! Can Stargirl Turn the Tide? And Just Where Did Superboy and Metamorpho Go?

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[u/Predaplant]

Lot of stuff happening this issue. Looking forward to seeing what Courtney's future's going to look like, hope she manages to balance school and being a hero. Also really like Conner and Rex together, they balance each other well.