When Time Flies By

The invasion had changed everyone.

Some where sorrowful, thinking the speedster they all loved was dead. Others where glad the aquatic hero was back on their side again, as well as the blonde archer. Others, where angry. Angered at the bluebird for the lies he told, yet pleased when he was no longer leader.

That was almost a year ago. Since then, things had seemed to go back to normal. The heroes had gone back to missions, training, and everything seemed as well as can be. Except for that of a few older heroes.

Artemis, Aqualad, Superboy, Miss Martian, Kid Flash, and of course, Nightwing.

Throughout the year, many things for them had happened. Wally West had returned from the dead, and for the most part, he felt nothing but pleased by his return. Except for those odd moments where everything seems to blur, and darken. During these moments, he forced himself to believe that all he was was sick, or tired.

Artemis was nothing but glad once they had defeated the villains, and stopped the invasion. But, her time on the other side reminded her that her family was composed of many villains, and she began to find herself being drawn to the life of villainy, no matter how hard she tried to rid herself of these thoughts.

Superboy never thought he would have to deal with any problems. He was finally accepted for who he was, and the past was in the past. But, one anger fueled mistake reminded him he was only a project. A test subject. And, he continued to grow angrier, more violent.

Miss Martian had a great life. And she wanted to make sure it stayed that way. For everyone. She began to work on making everything perfect, for nor only her, but her younger brother as well. The reason behind this being she was truly a White Martian, her past anything but perfect. As her need for perfection grew, it took a toll on everyone, and she began to wonder if she truly belonged, or if she should leave, this was never truly her home.

Nightwing had given up. On regaining the team's trust, on apologizing. And, Nightwing was never one to give up. This time, it felt as if nothing would return the way it once was. He grew angered at himself, disappointed in the mistakes that he made. The lie he had told. And he took all this disappointment and anger out on thugs and low lives. And found himself resorting to loneliness.

Aqualad couldn't be. He had never before found interest in those of the same sex, so why now? Maybe it was just a phase. That what he forced himself to believe. What would Aquaman think? Surely, he'd never accept the hero any longer. Dealing with these feelings, the male began to push these feelings aside, until realization hits him.  As time passes by, he found it harder to keep his secret, yet somehow did.

These heroes grow strong, yet weaker at the same time. Their secret haunts them, and everyone notices something is off, and decide on bringing in those that may help. Members of the Justice League.

-

Aqualad stood in the training room, his eyes scanning the area, he took a deep breath before beginning to take out all of his frustration and confusion on the dummies. The aquatic hero stopped, standing still once his eyes landed on the head of a dummy, which he noticed had been sliced off. He sighed, running his hands down his face when the door opened.

"Rough day?" The sound of a female was heard, and the dark skinned hero turned to face her.

"What would make you think that?" He replied to the archer, who placed her hands on her hips.