Project Sidekick

Epilogue

Jason yawned as he opened the large fridge. He stood in an old base, The Birds Nest as Match deemed it, that was formerly used by Batman when he worked by Capital City for a long period of time. It was an old base designed similarly to Mount Justice. Batman had assigned it to them after they moved out of the Cave. Jason and Match had been fixing it up for a few weeks and it was finally complete.

Match was still in bed sleeping. He was having a little trouble adjusting to lying down in a bed, rather than in a pod.

Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern that'd helped Match, had offered to stay with the two at the Nest. Batman decided that they'd also need another 'den mother'. He'd spoken to Batwoman and asked her if she'd like to take up the role. She was more than happy to accept. Jason was greatly looking forward to meeting her.

The Birds Nest was on the border of Happy Harbor and Capital City. Batman had Jason and Match down to go to Happy Harbor High with Megan and Conner. But they'd watch over Capital City. Batman would deploy them on missions, just like Young Justice. Match liked to refer to him and Jason as the 'Omega Team.'

Robin had contacted Jason and Match a few days ago, saying something about Vandal Savage, Starro Tech, and a mind controlled Justice League. No big deal, right? Nighthawk and Match had to supervise Earth to make sure no villains went crazy while the Justice League was away. Jason hadn't heard from them since, but he'd heard that they 'beat the bad guys'.

Finding nothing but liquid nitrogen and cold fusion reactors, Jason closed the fridge. He wore a pair of dark grey sweat pants and a wrinkled white T-shirt. He stretched his arms and ran his hand through his messy hair. He wiped some drool from the corner of his mouth and walked into the living room.

"Is this a bad time?"

Jason yelped as he suddenly turned around with a red batarang in his hand.

"That's some welcome," Zatanna said, leaning on the doorway.

Jason sighed and clutched at his heart. "You scared me," he said.

"Obviously," Zatanna said. She walked forward and Jason smiled at her.

"Couldn't wait to see me again, huh?"

"It's been three weeks since I last saw you."

"I know." Jason's eyebrow shot up. "What are you doing here?"

Zatanna pulled out a party hat and put it on him with a snap. "Housewarming party," she said, smiling.

Wally burst into the kitchen with a loud 'whoop!' and filled up the counter with food. The rest of the Team walked into the living room, smiling.

"Party!" Robin said, blowing into a party blower. He slung his arm around Batgirl's shoulders.

Artemis walked into the kitchen and pecked Wally on the cheek as he stuffed his face.

Jason smiled bashfully. "Why don't I go change?" he suggested, edging towards his room.

"Good idea, thief boy," Zatanna said, smirking.

Jason blushed and made for his bedroom.

"Someone broke into the Nest!"

All heads looked up at the sound of Match's voice. He zipped into the living room, wearing nothing but a pair of Batman boxers and a Green Lantern T-shirt (a present from Guy), and slipped on a banana peel Wally dropped. "Whoa!" Match grunted as his body hit the floor.

Jason laughed. "Oh, nice move, Super-dork," he said, walking to Match and slapping him on the head.

Conner chuckled and offered his hand out. Match accepted it and stood. He looked down at the banana peel that slipped him up. "Who put that there?"

Wally paled and zoomed off to the bathroom. Artemis chuckled and stole the cookie he'd dropped on the kitchen counter.

Jason smiled as he and Match walked off to their bedrooms to change into some real clothes.

Five minutes later, the whole gang stood in the living room. Music was being blasted in the background thanks to the sweet sound system Batman had hooked up for them.

Bruce had given Jason his credit card and told him to buy whatever necessary for Match's wardrobe. So, they want to the mall and bought him some clothes. He sported a white T-shirt with a black M on it. He also wore a pair of navy blue combat pants tucked into tan boots. To make himself look less like Conner, he'd also gotten a haircut. It was now shorter and stood up slightly in the front.

Jason ducked around Artemis trying to smack Wally with her crossbow (she took an emergency one with her everywhere and it scared the heck out of Jason) and walked into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter and grabbed a cookie from the tray. He took a bite.

"Having fun?" Zatanna asked, scooting next to him.

Jason smiled at her. "Now that you're here, definitely," he said.

She laughed a little and grabbed a cookie of her own. "So," Zatanna said, "how are things with you, Nighthawk?"

"They're great," Jason said. He smiled as he watched Roy grab Robin in a noogie. "Match and I have settled in and…things are just great."

Zatanna smiled. "What made you decide to be 'Nighthawk'?" she asked, using air quotes.

"Well, I was pretty fond of Sparrow," Zatanna smiled, "but Guy Gardner told me a story." Jason dumped the last of his cookie into his mouth. "He was visiting this distant planet and there was this folk hero who called himself 'Nighthawk'. I thought that it suited me so now, I'm Nighthawk the Teenage Thunderbolt."

Zatanna nodded. She nibbled on her chocolate chip delicacy, courtesy of Megan.

"But, enough about me," Jason leaned forward and brushed the cookie crumbs from his hands, "I heard you kissed the Boy Wonder."

Nearly choking, Zatanna paled and stared at him. "How did you—"

"I may have hacked into the Justice League Watchtower New Years footage," Jason said slyly. "Wally and Artemis…" He grinned, looking up at the ceiling. "A match made in heaven."

Zatanna's cheeks flushed pink. "Why would you—"

"Go snooping through the footage?" Jason finished for her. "I wanted to know what happened while I was cooped down here on Earth." He shook his head. "You guys could've called me."

"We had to keep radio silence," Zatanna reasoned, "or else the League might've been able to track us."

"Fine," Jason said. He looked away and smiled. Zatanna brushed some hair behind her ear as she avoided his eyes. He cast a sideways glance at her. "You're blushing," he muttered.

"Shut up!" Zatanna shoved Jason in the arm, her cheeks completely pink. He laughed at her. "You're awful!"

"That's pretty fathomable," he said, smiling smugly. Zatanna slapped his arm. He laughed again and tossed a grape in the air. He caught it in his mouth and smiled.

"Showoff."

"You know you love it."

"…Maybe." Zatanna smiled grudgingly.

Batgirl smiled as she watched the two lovebirds. Robin noticed and took her hand. He kissed her on the cheek and smiled.

"So, you're the newest addition to the Team," Jason said, holding his hand out. "It's nice to meet you, Raquel."

"You too, Jason," Raquel said, shaking his head. Kaldur smiled from his spot next to her. "I've heard a lot about you from Zatanna."

"Oh, really?" He raised a suspicious (and smug) eyebrow at Zatanna and she shoved him in the arm. "That doesn't surprise me," he said, folding his arms. She play glared up at him.

Raquel smiled knowingly. "Right," she drawled. "So, are you guys, like, a thing?"

"What?" Jason and Zatanna asked simultaneously. "No!"

"So, there's nothing going on between you two?"

"Nothing," Zatann assured her.

Raquel placed her hand on her hip. "Uh huh," she said.

"Hey!"

Everyone looked up at the sound of Wally's excited voice. He waved the remote control in the air and pointed to the massive TV screen.

"Check out what's on the news!"

The teenage superheroes gathered around the couch and looked up at Cat Grant.

"And in other news," the reporter said cheerily, "Batman seems to have a new protégé." Robin grinned as he nudged Jason with his elbow. A picture of Nighthawk standing on the top of a Gotham tower with lightning flashing behind him popped up on the TV screen. "This new hero, Nighthawk, has been seen running around Gotham with Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Nighthawk has made quiet a reputation for himself already. Gotham reporter Vicki Vale has even dubbed him the Teenage Thunderbolt."

"Woo!" Jason cheered, lifting his cup full of grape soda into the air.

"Speaking of new heroes…"

"Nice segway, Cat Grant," Match scoffed sarcastically. Jason laughed and bumped him with his elbow.

"A new hero has also emerged," Cat Grant said, "and he seems to have similar powers and appearance to that of Superboy and Superman. This hero goes by the name of Match."

"Yeah!" Jason said, hoisting Match's thick arm in the air.

"Match seems to be Kryptonian, having the same powers as Superman. His appearance is identical to Superboy's and he has been seen patrolling Capital City with Nighthawk. According to Batman, these two will now be watching over Capital City and acting as an alternative team for Young Justice. No word yet if there will be any additions to this team."

Wally turned to the two clones. "You guys made the news!" he said. "Props." He held his fist out and Jason bumped it.

"Hey, Match," Robin said, "what's your civilian name gonna be?"

Match raised a thoughtful eyebrow. "Huh," he said, looking up at the ceiling, "I never really thought about that."

Conner stepped forward. "Kent," he suggested, "for a last name. You could be my cousin."

Match grinned. "Really?" he asked hopefully.

Conner nodded and smiled.

Match looked at the TV. It showed a picture of him and Nighthawk fighting a group of villains. They both struck battle poses and Match wore his solar suit. Batman said that he'd have a real costume designed and made for him soon. "Desmond called me the match that would light the flames," he said. "He said I'd be the coals that fuel the fire." He looked up at the others. "Cole Kent."

Jason smiled. "That works," he said, rubbing his chin and nodding.

Conner smiled. "Welcome to the family." He held his hand out and Match shook it.

"Oh right," Jason said, smiling, "Big Boy Blue finally interacted with his son."

Conner looked startled. "How do you—"

"He hacked the Watchtower footage," Zatanna deadpanned.

Jason smirked. "Master hacker," he said, pointing to his chest. "Be afraid."

"Be underwhelmed," Batgirl quipped, ruffling his hair. He smiled.

"Wait," Robin said suddenly, "that means you know Zatanna and I…?"

Jason smiled evilly. He nodded slowly. Robin gulped.

Batgirl raised an eyebrow. "You and Zatanna what?" she asked suspiciously. Zatanna paled and turned away.

"Nothing!" Robin promised, backing away and holding his hands up innocently. Batgirl advanced on him and the two backed up into the hallway. The others watched them disappear from view. They waited a moment.

Thump.

Jason laughed. "Either Batgirl's beating Robin up right now," he said, shaking his head, "or he's beating treated as nicely as Zatanna treated him at the Watchtower." The magician blushed furiously and punched him in the arm. "Ow!" he yelped, laughing. "Reminds me of the one you gave me in the face."

"You deserved it both times," Zatanna quipped. She cocked an eyebrow at him.

Artemis smiled. "She punched you in the face?"

"Yeah," Jason said. "How do you think I got this?" He pointed to a faint purple spot on the left side of his jaw.

Zatanna gasped quietly. "Oh, my gosh," she said, reaching up to lightly brush her fingers against his jaw line. "I'm so sorry. I—I didn't realize—"

"Relax," Jason said reassuringly. "It's just a small shiner. No big deal." He waved his hand carelessly and shrugged. "I gotta say though," he smiled, "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of another punch to the face."

Zatanna smiled. Her hand still rested on his jaw. Artemis smirked. Wally raised an eyebrow at them. He stuffed a piece of cake into his mouth. Zatanna, realizing her awkward position, pulled her hand down from Jason's face and backed up to stand next to Raquel.

"Nothing, huh?" the girl asked, folding her arms. Zatanna blushed and glared at her. Raquel smirked.

Jason smiled. He looked around at his new home, Wally and Artemis sneaking glances at each other, Megan and Conner sharing endearing smiles, Robin and Batgirl walking back into the room, the former with a bruised cheek, the latter with a smug smile, Kaldur and Match sharing polite conversation, Zatanna avoiding Raquel's amused gaze. His smile grew into a grin.

Dr. Fate flew through the air. He raised his arms and blocked a beam of energy from Felix Faust. He sent a golden chain at the villain and tied him up. He sent Faust to the ground and he passed out. Fate landed on a cliff of rocks and looked over the mountain terrain.

"Doctor," a polite voice said.

"Thief," Fate responded, turning towards the voice. "You can show yourself."

Nighthawk stepped into the light and smiled faintly. "May I speak with you?" he asked.

"I have business to take care of," Dr. Fate said. He turned to take off.

"I meant with Zatara."

Dr. Fate stopped and looked at the young vigilante. "Zatara is this body," Dr. Fate explained. "You are speaking to me."

"But Zatara can hear me," Nighthawk pressed on. "He can see everything you see."

"That is correct," Dr. Fate said.

"Good." Nighthawk took a few steps forward. "I assume that you know who I am."

"Yes."

"I have been assisting the Young Justice Team," Nighthawk said. "I have been helping Zatanna."

Fate was silent for a moment. "Have you?" he asked.

Nighthawk nodded. "Yes," he said curtly. "I've come to ask for your approval."

From behind the helmet, Nighthawk saw his eyes widen. "My approval?" he asked carefully.

"Yes," Nighthawk said. "I'd like to know if it's okay that I interact with your daughter."

"This is Fate you are talking to, boy, not—"

"I know," Nighthawk cut in. "I'm talking to Dr. Fate. But Zatara is listening." He narrowed his eyes. "I'd just like to know his opinion on the matter…and me."

Dr. Fate looked Nighthawk up and down. "Zatara believes that, after everything you've done," Fate said, "and with how much Batman trust you, that he can also trust you." Nighthawk smiled. "But he warns you that no helmet will stop him from protecting his daughter."

Nighthawk nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less," he said.

"Zatara also warns you about Batman's 'policy' on relationships with fellow teammates," Fate added.

Nighthawk's smiled faded slightly. "I know," he said. He turned away and looked over the land. "Thanks, Giovanni." And before Fate would object, Nighthawk disappeared.

Dr. Fate looked down at Felix Faust. "I'll never understand you humans," he sighed, shaking his head.

Match looked around at the wrecked laboratory. He pushed a broken pod over and kicked aside some shattered glass. "Someone definitely broke in," he said bluntly. He wore a newly designed costume, as promised by Batman. He wore a scarlet and silver bodysuit. The leggings were metallic scarlet and extended up to his torso, ending in a V-shape. His torso and arms were silver. He wore scarlet fingerless gloves that went to his elbows. Two white rings reinforced them on his forearms. His chest held a blue and white Superman symbol and his shoulders were scarlet, stretching down his chest in a V. He also wore scarlet boots with two white rings, like his gloves.

Nighthawk scoffed. "Thanks for the newsflash, captain obvious," he said sarcastically. He looked around at the smashed pods. "Whoever was here was looking for something," he touched the surface of the glass, "but what?"

"Dunno," Match said. He walked through an archway that looked like it'd been smashed through. He gasped when he looked inside. "Hey, Nighthawk," he called over his shoulder, "you should see this."

Nighthawk ran over to him. "What is it?" He stopped in his tracks when he saw the path of destruction. "Oh." The cryogenic freezing room was completely demolished. It looked like someone had taken a hammer and smashed all the pods and capsules. Nighthawk walked to the stairs. "Come on," he said to Match. "Let's check it out."

The two jumped over the railing and examined the damage. They slowly walked through the wreckage, stepping over broken glass.

"If you hadn't rescued me…" Match wondered, looking around.

"Let's keep moving," Nighthawk said. He took out his communicator. "Nighthawk to Green Lantern," he said, "so far, nothing of significance found. No sign of Roy Harper."

"Keep looking, Nighthawk," Guy Gardner responded.

"Roger that," Nighthawk said. He shut his communicator and looked around. "Match?" He couldn't find him. "Match," he called, walking around another shatter capsule, "where are you?"

"Over here," Match said. Nighthawk found him staring at a wall, looking completely entranced.

"Match," Nighthawk said, approaching him, "come on. We gotta keep looking."

"Wait," Match protested weakly. He stared at the wall and reached out. He touched the rocky surface and suddenly slammed his fist into it.

"Match!" Nighthawk said, dodging falling rubble.

Match ignored him and delivered a second punch to the wall. The rock crumbled away to reveal a set of metal doors. He stuck his hand into the middle and pried the doors open. They creaked as though they hadn't been opened in a while.

Nighthawk stared. "Whoa…" he breathed. He and Match stepped into the long room. It was rectangular and dark. The air felt musty, like no one had been there in a while. Nighthawk walked to a wooden desk on the left side of the room. He narrowed his eyes as he picked up a brass table off it. He blew some dust off the surface. "Dr. Von Gunther?" he read. "What?"

"Nighthawk," Match said, staring at the end wall. "Look at this."

Nighthawk set the tablet down and walked to his friend. "What?" he asked, looking at the rocky wall. "I don't see anything."

"X-ray vision," Match reminded him. He reached for the wall, finding its surface to be as weak as paper, and tore it off. He and Nighthawk stared. A misty pod moved out from the wall. The words 'Project Demigod' were written at the bottom of the pod. It looked frozen over and they could barely see inside. The top slowly opened.

"That better not be what I think it is," Nighthawk said.

The pod opened. The teenage girl inside wore a white solar suit with a gold W across her chest. She opened her eyes.

AN: Woo, I finished. Ugh…now I have homework. Kill me!
To get a kind of visual image of my idea for Match's costume (with color alterations), you can go here: .

***Contest!***
The first person to tell me which DC Comics hero Vicki Vale had a relationship with will win a free Young Justice one-shot from me. I assume that you all know the rules by now ;)