S.W.O.R.D.s and Metas (DISCONTINUED)

The Tower of Fate

Mount Justice
August 19, 2011
1630 HRS EST

Joe stands off to the side and watches Aqualad and Superboy spar. He takes notes on their techniques and moves--mostly for personal reference. He is literally another hour of pointless training away from going stir crazy. And it's only been two days!

"Black Canary taught me that," the Kryptonian states proudly when he slams Aqualad into the training floor.

Just then, Red Tornado enters the room from his private quarters located above them. As the Android lands, Wally jumps in front of him.

"Do you have a mission for us?" the speedster inquires.

"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility," RT answers unemotionally.

"Yeah. But the Batman is off with Robin in Gotham, doing the whole Dynamic Duo thing," Wally reiterates, capturing the attention of everyone else in the room.

"You're heading somewhere tonight, though right? A hot date," the speedster taunts. "Or, perhaps, a miishon."

"If we can be of assistance," Aqualad interjects.

"This is Kent Nelson...," Red Tornado starts, but Joe tunes him out.

He knows all about Dr. Fate. And, although he has been exiled here, some of his brothers in arms have kept him in the loop on all things spooky. He is aware of Kent's disappearance. But, he isn't concerned about that, right now.

Instead, he is more interested in the resident speedster's new found admiration of magic. Something that Artemis calls him out on during the flight in the Bioship.

"I've seriously considered becoming a wizard myself," Wally replies to her snarky question.

Before anyone can question him further, they arrive at their destination. The rest of the Team disembarks as Wally runs around the field--looking for anything. When confronted, he turns down a highly technical definition for why nothing is here. Instead, he nervously claims that mystic forces are at work.

Aqualad rolls the key around in his hand, as he confidently states, "A test of faith, then."

The Atlantian approaches the center of the clearing and orders everyone to stand behind him.

He inserts the key into a pocket of empty air. He turns it, and he hears a door unlatch.

Suddenly, a tall, slender brick structure appears in front of them. The Team stands there in shock. Joe included.

"Well," the soldier starts. "That's something you don't see everyday."

Joe follows them through the door. They are greeted by an apparition. It takes the appearance of Kent Nelson. It asks them for why they are there. In response, Wally states a bold faced lie. For Wally is no true believer. The apparition vanishes; a grim look graces its face.

Suddenly, the floor gives way underneath them, and they start falling toward a pit of lava.

Acting quickly, Joe grabs his grappling gun and fires it at the walls of the pit. He sighs in relief when the line goes taunt and stops his fall. He looks around to see how the rest of the team fared.

It appears that Artemis had the same idea as Joe. Aqualad and her lie against the far wall, suspended from her crossbow. Joe then hears Superboy complain about losing his favorite boots.

Artemis and him call the speedster out on his relentless flirting.

"Yeah," Joe says annoyed. "Really man. Right now?"