It had been one week since their Cadmus dilemma and the team was itching for some action. Aqualad, Miss Martian and Superboy were waiting for Destiny and Red Tornado to arrive so they could ask for a mission. Red Tornado was easy to understand and predict. Given his robotic nature, he should have been the harder one to understand, yet they were able to do it.
But Haru, on the other hand, was incomprehensible. They had spent one week with him yet they hadn't been able to tell what he was feeling or thinking.
The man was friendly and welcoming to every one of them, but the constant pressure lurking around him made it harder for the team to approach. When that particular issue had been brought to his attention, he had resolved it with a "you'll get used to it in time just like the Justice League" and a small smile, without explaining the nature of the overbearing pressure around him.
The pressure hadn't lessened throughout the week, though it had become manageable just like Haru had said it would.
Recognized, Robin, Kid Flash
The two Sidekicks materialized in front of the Zeta beam tubes and ran to the center of the cave, where the rest of the team was standing
"Are they here yet?" Kid Flash asked with excitement.
"What did they say?" Robin asked with equal giddiness.
Aqualad pointed to a large screen showing two points approaching their general location quickly. "They are arriving now. Let's go outside and meet them."
The team nodded and ran to the exit of the cave.
As soon as they stepped out, a sudden blur and a controlled tornado alerted them to the presence of the Leaguers, Haru in his usual regal and dignified glory and Tornado in his robotic glory. Destiny floated to the ground without making a sound followed by Red Tornado in his usual tornado-style of transportation as Wally waved his hand in greetings. "Tornado and Destiny."
"Greetings, is there a reason you intercepted us outside the cave?" Red Tornado asked confusingly.
"I believe they want an assignment," Haru stated knowingly. The looks of surprise and shock were both amusing and expected. Honestly they should have learned by now that he could read them like an open book.
"Ah… you're correct. We were hoping to see if you have an assignment for us." Aqualad explained politely, getting over his shock of being discovered so quickly. There was just no hiding anything from Haru whatsoever.
"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility." Red T replied in monotone.
"But it's been over a week and nothing has..." Robin started but stopped when Tornado raised his hand.
"You'll be tested soon enough. For now, simply enjoy each other's company."
"This team is not a social club." Aqualad stated with a frown.
Seeing as the situation was getting out of hand, Haru interjected with a soft smile "Miss Martian, why don't you entertain the team by showing them your Bio ship and maybe take it for a test drive. There are no assignments as of right now, but I'll be sure to inform you should one come up."
That seemed to satisfy the team if the wide grins were any indication. Wally and Robin gave each other a high-five and entered the cave with Megan telling them about her Bio ship and the layouts of the cave. Tornado gave Destiny a look akin to confusion, still not getting the influence and authority he had over the team as well as the Justice League.
"May I ask how you're able to convince them with the same aspects they had disagreed with before when I mentioned them?" He advised them to get acquainted with each other, but they sharply opposed, yet when Haru mentioned to take the Bio Ship for a test drive which would accomplish the same objective he had said, they agreed.
The difference between what he had said and what Haru had stated eluded him.
"It's an unpretentious style of verbalizing something that has identical implication yet different outcome." The redhead king clarified and floated in the direction of the cave, followed by a contemplating Tornado.
Haru was floating in a crossed legged meditative position and listening to national news on a wide screen in the cave while Tornado was standing like a statue behind him. A particular report about abnormal tornados raging around in England caught his interest and knew the team would be happy to investigate.
"Destiny to Miss Martian, an emergency alert has been triggered at the Happy Harbor Power Plant, I suggest you investigate albeit … covertly."
"Acknowledged, we're just on course!" Megan replied swiftly and tried to conceal her happiness.
"This is so cool! Our first official mission!" Wally exclaimed and pumped his fist to the air.
"Indeed, it is," Kaldur replied with a smile while Robin grinned in anticipation.
"Let's do this!"
"Miss Martian to Destiny."
Haru looked up from reading a book to a wide screen showing the image of a dejected and downtrodden Miss Martian. "What is it, Child?"
"Sorry to say this but we… no … I messed up and thought this Twister character was Red Tornado in disguise and thus hurt the team. They are pursuing him right but I know we'll need your help." She explained dejectedly.
"No need to be so down, dear. Inaccuracies are to be made. It's the greatest thing about being young, when you make a mistake, you have time to redeem yourself. Notify the team, I'll be there before you can say Mount Justice." The deep and regal voice of Destiny affirmed.
"Yes sir!"
Haru arrived at Happy Harbor a few seconds later to find the team fighting a red robot with the same ability as that of Tornado. "That would be quite enough."
The calm and regal tone of voice got the attention of the team and the red robot as they stopped their battle. Haru descended to the ground in front of the robot and gave the team a small smile. "You have done enough Team, rest now"
"But we didn't win, aren't you disappointed?" Robin asked in confusion, getting over the shock of Destiny's sudden appearance.
"Battles are not always about winning, nor are they fought to win but rather to protect something precious." Destiny explained calmly with a soft smile and dodged a sudden tornado attack from a fuming Mr. Twister. "My sincere apologies for ignoring you, my name is Destiny"
"I don't care who you are, you're in my way, step aside or get terminated!" the robot stated in an angry voice.
Haru didn't seem the least bit bothered by the insult or the threat as he held his ground with his hands behind his back and eyed the red robot with calculating calm eyes, his lips stretched into a delicate smile while the team looked on with rapt attention.
Seeing as his threat didn't work, the robot violently plunged his hands behind him and sent an enormous tornado at the unmoving redhead who didn't even flinch or move from his position as the tornado swallowed him up. Before the robot had time to even gloat about his victory, a blur shot out of the tornado and struck him in the torso.
Creeeeek!
The machine looked down at his torso with something akin to shock to see a large fist disappearing into his chest cavity and out of his back.
Haru retracted his fist and took a hold of the robot before sending it flying to the deep sea with another devastating punch. The flight path of the robot was filled with robotic limbs and parts from the powerful punch all the way to the wide sea.
The team had their eyes wide in astonishment. They hadn't even blinked before it was all over! He defeated an enemy they had spent hours to defeat… in a few seconds!
"So this is the legendary speed and strength of Destiny, it's truly amazing!" Kaldur said in an amazed tone.
"Now I understand why Batman is so cautious of him." Dick Grayson voiced in an amazed tone.
Wally was too stunned to even talk. The speed with which Destiny took out Mr. Twister was something he could only dream of. Destiny's speed made him look like a snail trying to run! It's no wonder all the Leaguers claim him to be faster than even Flash himself.
"That should take care of it. I hope none of you received any substantial impairment."
"English please?" Wally asked dumbly while Haru smiled.
"You're not hurt, are ya?" Haru asked in a silly tone of voice.
The look on the team's face was amusing to say the least.
"If you can talk that way, then why were you torturing us with those complicated words every time you spoke!?" K.F whined childishly while Robin and Aqualad nodded in agreement.
Haru simply gave them a soft amusing smile. "Miss Martian should be here in about five seconds. Wait for her arrival and return to cave."
"Why don't you just carry us with you?" Wally blurted out before he slapped his mouth.
"Carrying you would be no problem at all; however your bodies won't be able to withstand my speed"
"T-that's okay, we'll wait for Miss M, right KF?" Robin interjected with pointed look at Kid Flash who nodded vigorously. Haru gave them one last smile and shot upwards with incredible speed, a loud boom signifying his breaking of the sound barrier.
Haru appeared out of a large distortion inside the throne room in all his regal glory as his crimson uniform turned to his royal clothes. It had been 2 months and almost 2 weeks since he had joined the League, in all that time he hadn't returned to his beloved Kingdom.
He had to alter his appearance as his original appearance would've left everyone deprived of the ability to speak or breathe even, as well as his height and voice. His abnormally tall height would have certainly attracted a lot of unwanted attention.
His voice on the other hand was a different story altogether. Its natural deepness and authority would have been a major problem in gaining the trust of others since they would have been too busy respecting him out of fear for their lives.
The Throne Room was as glorious as always with his magnificent Throne situated upon the pedestal. He floated to his throne with his bloody red fur cap fluttering with a soft breeze and calmly sat down with his head on his fist. The redhead King smiled softly when the door to the Throne Room was knocked a few times.
"Enter."
The door opened and walked in the ever stoical and obedient Oken. As soon as he reached the start of the stairs to the pedestal, he kneeled down.
"Welcome back Sire, I hope the journey back to the land was pleasant as well as your quest to join the Justice League. The inhabitants have missed your presence." he stated submissively.
"It proved reasonably entertaining. I hope things have been peaceful in the course of my absence." Haru spoke calmly.
"Of course, though the Masters and Mistresses have been quite vocal about you not visiting them upon awakening from your slumber, Sire."
Haru let out a soft chuckle at the mention of his sons and daughters. All these years and they still behaved like children pouting over not receiving the full attention of his/her parents. Just like all other children, human or otherwise, they always waited for him to visit them instead of coming themselves, believing it to be his responsibility to see his sons and daughters.
He would have to visit them soon; else they would be sulking for another decade or so.
"Is that so? They never learn, but then again children will always be children." he said amusingly while Oken showed a rare show of amusement … that being a small smile.
"Should I inform them of your visit?" Oken asked unsurely.
The redhead gave him a calm smile and raised his hand." That won't be necessary. I want my visit to be a surprise "
"As you wish, Sire. May I recommend the visit to be right now since the servants are starting to fear their temper problems. The oldest master, Master Kurama, has blown up the entire west wing of the palace during one of his usual episodes. The damage has been repaired of course but … the issue of more fear and fright is still unsettled."
Haru couldn't help the loud melodious laugh that escaped his mouth when he heard the dry tone Oken used to describe his oldest son since he was in charge of the palace, meaning all the damage was to be repaired by him.
Haru had given him the power to carry out all the duties, but it didn't make it any less bothersome. Kurama was always the most volatile and emotional of all his children since he had spent more time with him in the past, but he was also the most protective and possessive.
He was the strongest among his siblings and thus had the biggest ego.
"I believe I should probably take your suggestion into consideration. I may not show it, but I have missed them."
With that said, Haru floated down the pedestal and out of the room with his Right-hand following him obediently to the chambers of his children.
Meeting and listening to their constant rants about not being a proper father was sure to be amusing.