The Key To Our Hearts. (Celebration)

Open To: Everyone except Villains, unless they want their @$#! kicked by Batman.
Characters Appearing: Teen Titans, Justice League of America, Mayor, various heroes.
Theme: Hero
Time: Noon.
Summary: The Titans have finally earned their way back into the public's good graces; they were absolved of all crimes thanks to the efforts of JaK & Honest and saved the city, as well as the world from certain doom recently and time and time again before and afterwards. Today they will be commemorated for their hardwork and given the key to the city, just like the 1st and 2nd generation teams before them.
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Today was the day, the day the names JaK Sage, Deep Freeze, Psychosis, Ben 10, Capricous, Honest, Silent Night, Lightning Wolf, and the various others became legendary. Forever and again these teens would be etched into the Hall of Fame for heroes. Shown by how the many in attendence were not only the citizens of Jump City, but of Gotham, Coast City, Metropolis, Keystone City and other places around the globe, plus many members of the JLA.

The Teen Titan's new themesong blared as both teams approached the red carpet and walked forward past their adoring fans, greatful citizens, as well as mentors and friends. As they passed other legends like 2 of the Green Lanterns, Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, Red Tornado, and many more. The row of heroes went all the way up to a newly built octogon with a large statue in the middle of it covered with a tarp and standing just below the statue was the current Mayor of Jump City with a long back box in his hand. The crowd cheered the teens as they all stood front and center on the red carpet and waved to the audience that surrounded them. The place was fanatic with TV crews, police and security detail, etc. As they finally approached the podium the Mayor opened the box and revealed that in the long black box was the key to the city.

"Titans, for too long you have protected us, for too long you have beaten back those who would try to do our fair city harm, and for too long you have worked tirelessly with no days off, breaks, or vacations...For that, and I think I speak for all of us in attendance here, we thank you."

The crowd then clapped tremendously as the team stood for their admirable mention.

"It is through your dedication and bravery that we all stand here today; parents with their children safely clasped in their arms, lovers in eachothers warm embrace, and the men of our fine Police force with their families after a near fatal brush with a supervillain only to have a Teen Titan answer the call and save the day."

The mayor then paused as he walked over to the tarp and took it off revealing a 15 foot statue commemorating the essential team leaders: JaK, Grace, Will, Liev, Ben, and even Zack.

"We don't expect you to be perfect all the time, and the same cannot be said about us. As you can guess I'm referring to the negative press and past events from before, but overall we recognize the Titans for always attempting to act in the interest of the people. You have earned our trust new Titans and with it our hearts. An honor the original five had to earn as well and to commemorate the moment I give, The Teen Titans, the key to our fair city."

That being said the entire crowd clapped as the mayor handed out the key to JaK, since Zack didn't seem all the interested in receiving it and JaK held it up for the world to see. This was it, they were finally getting the recognition they deserved, but never asked for. None of them asked for this life, it was dropped in the laps of every Titan. However, they did rise to the occasion and risked their lives time and time again to protect those closest to them and this...This event and entire day, had finally proven that it hadn't gone unnoticed.

Ben smiled and waved adoringly to a group of fan girls as they cheered. He wanted to of course transform in front of everybody, make a speech, address the world and steal the spotlight, but Jules held him back. She didn't want his ego to go mad crazy...Too late.



Afterall, it was he who orchestrated the last minute plot to save that entire plane load of people, but eh, it's whatever it's not just his special day, it was everyone's. Ben was used to ceremonies and being given numerous rewards, just not from this universe, but once you've been commemorated for being a hero on over 20 other different planets and by their champions, it wasn't such a big deal. Although, this was the only time he had received such honor's from heroes beyond his own caliber or greater. After the ceremony he went to talk to his favorite comic book hero from his dimension, Superman, but was cut off by the many cameramen/reporters and couldn't help but too ham it up just a tiny bit.

"Ok, Ok, ask away guys."

"Oh~OOOh~Ben 10 ova' here. How does it feel to be absolved of charges stating that you had broken into STAR Labs earlier on in the year and stole some invaluable equipment?"

"Past is the past, I did what I thought I had to do back then to try and save lives and as you can tell by my extended absence, I paid for it. Next."

"How does it feel to have a statue in your honor and be welcomed into such a prestigious league with other heroes like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Hawkman, and of course Superman."

"You think that's big!? You should see the one they have of me back in--OUCH!"

Ben suddenly felt a hard elbow in his backside from Julie, reminding him that he wasn't the only hero here.

"Right, erm, ya it feels larger than life and I feel honored to be considered one of this world's finest, right next to Superman. In fact, I was actually trying to have a word with him before he le---"

"Ben 10, just one more question?!"

"Ok, shoot."

"What do you have to say about the numerous murders that surround specifically your Titans team?"

"Uhh, what do you mean?"

"There have been reports that your leader has maimed many and even killed a villain via skinning him alive earlier on, last May. Also, we have pictures of Fury brawling in live public over food with civilians, there have been reports from an anonymous tip of Titan influence in Africa involving a terrorist group called the Red Dagger where multiple body counts piled up, and finally there have been connections between Capricious and the death of the mayor. As well as near 50 plus civilians who met a shocking demise just over a month or two ago, thoughts?"

"IIII thiiiink, before you start accusing Silent Night or Capricious and anyone else on my team of anything, you better get your facts straight. Were the good guys, they're the bad guys. We do what we have to to keep the people safe, but none of us would ever resort to taking a human life. That's what separates us from them."

The statement that put Ben's foot in his mouth, if only the teen knew what had really gone on, on his team behind his back. Although, he was aware of at least one of those instances being true.

After accepting the key JaK held it up for the world to see and then handed it to Psychosis, who then passed it along to Scope, and then the rest of the team. After all, it belonged to all of them, not just him. JaK then stared off for a moment at the statue of himself and the others, made in their honor, with a feeling of accomplishment growing inside him as he looked upon his own image. A few members of the JLA started to give their own final congratulative words on the team's job well done; such as Cyborg, Black Canary, Captain Marvel, and Hawkman. Although, JaK's gaze had not been broken by these grand gestures. he was to busy spacing out in the moment, because for a brief and rare instance, he allowed himself to actually feel...Wanted. He allowed hismelf to open up and not feel so alone in the world for the first time in a long time. He knew he wasn't alone of course, but his heart was always closed off. However, the admiration he held was, of course, short lived because Liev had to ruin the moment by making Sage aware of his presence. The empty almost boysih look on his face immediately re-contorted to his normal unconcerned scowl that nearly mimicked Batman's as he met his peer's eyes.

"It's going around, now get out of my face."

Sharp words delivered in a slanted tone; JaK did not try to hide his contempt for Honest. In fact, he felt he deserved to be part of the monument less than Zack. At least Zack knew what he was somewhat and admitted it. Liev was a living contradiction; the word hero and him were on the opposite sides of the spectrum or scale depending on how you wanted to look at it as far as JaK was concerned.

Interviews. It was now time for the Titans to deal with the press and have some alone time with the heroes if they felt it necessary. JaK could see everyone looking towards their mentor; Grace speaking with Dr. Fate, Scope eyeing Green Arrow, Honest was for some reason glancing at Batman, and Ben...Well, Ben was as usual whoring himself to the media. JaK on the other hand was confronted by none other than the founders themselves, minus one.

Spoiler:

"Hello JaK Sage of the Titans East and congratulations. I am very pleased to meet you, my name is---"

"Starfire. I think we met before, but you had to go because of something urgent. Either way you're like a freakin legend, all of you are, no need for introductions."

"Oh, but you don't get it dude. You're a legend now to. This whole ceremony today was for you guys. You're on an even playing field now, with the big boys, like us."

"Right...You a big boy...that'll never happen."

Beast Boy had enthusiastically taken control of the conversation momentarily after JaK was addressed by Starfire with Scope and Psychosis approaching from his side. However, was then shot down rather comedicly considering who had said the insult by Raven, stealing just a bit of his thunder.

"What BB means to say is, that you made it man. You proved me right about you guys. It was a gamble taking a bunch of rag-tag metas and sticking you in a city full of problems and threats and calling you crime fighters, but I saw something in you and Psychosis that impressed me. Ya I'm sorry to hear the others turned their backs on you guys, but overall I'd say you both amde up for it with the new team. All and all, it was good judgement call on my part. From now on don't look at me as a mentor any more; from this point forward were peers, allies, and most of all friends."

"Speaking of founding members, where's?"

"Nightwing?"

"He's on a mission, but sends his best regards and that you'll get to meet him someday."

"Yaaa....Someday..."

JaK said that with a rather disappointing tone. He had met all the original team members now except for the one he probably wanted to get to know the best...Robin. He briefly knew his past from a past run-in with Batman & the new Robin, but never actually got to talk to the first wonder boy himself and gandered if he ever would.