The training room occupied an entire floor of Titans Tower, its space carved into different zones: obstacle courses, combat simulation platforms, reinforced sparring areas. Holographic targets flickered to life as the team entered, responding to Cyborg's wrist commands.
"Speed test first," Robin said, moving to a control panel. "Straight sprint, no obstacles."
Hikaru stretched his shoulders, feeling the familiar coil of energy beneath his skin. "How far?"
"Two hundred metres. Kid Flash will run with you for comparison."
Kid Flash was already at the starting line, bouncing on his toes. "Don't feel bad when I smoke you, new guy."
Hikaru took position beside him, grinning. "We'll see about that."
Cyborg's countdown echoed through the space. "Three… two… one… GO!"
Kid Flash blurred forward, a streak of yellow and red. Hikaru let his body shift—cells converting to pure photons, matter becoming light. For a handful of heartbeats, he existed as illumination itself, moving at speeds that made Kid Flash look stationary.
He crossed the finish line and rematerialized, stumbling slightly as physics reasserted itself. The world spun for a moment before his enhanced constitution stabilized everything.
Kid Flash arrived two seconds later, eyes wide. "Dude, that's ACTUAL light speed!"
"Can't sustain it long," Hikaru admitted, "short bursts work. Different power source—you use the Speed Force, I turn into photons." He met Kid Flash's competitive gaze with a genuine smile. "I'm sure you'll surpass me someday."
Kid Flash's competitive grin didn't fade, but something appreciative entered his expression.
Robin continued to make notes on a tablet, analyzed my powers. "Next—strength test."
Donna stepped forward, rolling her shoulders. "Arm wrestling?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Against an Amazon?"
"Scared?"
"Nah, just thinking I can cross arm wrestling an Amazon off my bucket list."
Donna gave a challenging smile in response as they settled at a reinforced table—one of Cyborg's designs, built to withstand superhuman stress. Their hands clasped, Donna's grip firm and controlled. Cyborg officiated, his metal hand hovering above their joined fists.
"Go!"
Hikaru pushed, feeling his angelic strength surge through enhanced muscle and divine inheritance. Donna matched him. For long seconds they held position, neither gaining ground. Then, after a long struggle, Donna's superior strength tipped the balance. Their hands hit the table with a solid thunk.
"Not bad." Donna released his hand, genuine approval in her voice. "Stronger than you look."
"About forty tons on a good day." Hikaru flexed his fingers. "You?"
"More than that." She smiled. "We'll have to spar sometime. Properly."
"I'd like that."
Robin gestured toward the targeting range. "Power showcase. Show us what you can do."
Hikaru moved to the center of the room, feeling the team's attention focus on him. He raised one hand, and light gathered—weaving together into a sword, balanced and glowing in his grip.
Donna leaned forward, interested. "Can you actually use that?"
"Well enough."
"We'll definitely have to spar."
Hikaru dismissed the blade and created others—a shield that shimmered with defensive energy, threads that wrapped around a target dummy before dissolving back into light. Photon beams shot from his finger tips, striking bullseyes with precision.
Robin's expression remained neutral, but Hikaru caught the slight nod of approval. "Anything else?"
"Hmm, there is one thing." Hikaru let a grin form before he took a stance and light exploded outward—blinding, like a miniature sun filled the training room.
Kid Flash yelped, hands flying to his eyes. "Hey! Warn a guy before you turn into a flashlight!"
The radiance faded. Hikaru stood at the center, still grinning.
Beast Boy rubbed his eyes, blinking away afterimages. "DUDE… did you just do a solar flare?"
"Ah, you caught that. Yeah, it's close enough. More of a support technique."
Cyborg blinked as his optical sensor adjusted back to normal light levels. "Still impressive, man."
Robin tapped his tablet, pulling up a new program. "Combat simulation. Let's see how you work with the team."
The room shifted, holographic enemies materializing around them—armed robots, their weapons tracking multiple targets. Robin's tactical mind assessed the situation in seconds.
"Seraph, you're with me. Raven, provide cover. Everyone else, standard formation."
The simulation began.
Hikaru moved on instinct, years of solo work translating into fluid combat. A robot aimed at Robin's blind spot—Hikaru's photon beam took it out before the shot fired. Raven's dark energy swept left, clearing space. Robin called out positions, coordinating attacks.
"Seraph, high ground!"
Hikaru's wings burst forth, carrying him upward. From above, he rained light constructs down—precise strikes that eliminated threats without interfering with his teammates' movements.
"Kid Flash, sweep right! Seraph, cover him!"
A shield of solid light appeared just as enemy fire targeted the speedster. Kid Flash grinned his thanks and blurred forward.
More callouts. More coordination. When Beast Boy took a hit that sent him sprawling, Hikaru was there—light construct barrier forming between the shapeshifter and the follow-up attack.
The simulation ended. Holographic enemies dissolved.
The team caught their breath, scattered across the training room. Beast Boy sprawled on the floor, dramatically declaring his exhaustion. Cyborg checked readouts on his wrist display. Raven had already retreated to a shadowed corner, meditating to restore balance.
Robin approached, his expression thoughtful. "You're skilled. More than I expected."
"Thanks." Hikaru wiped sweat from his forehead. "Been doing this a while."
"I noticed." Robin's analytical gaze remained steady. "You fight like someone used to working alone."
Hikaru felt a flicker of defensiveness. "Is that a problem?"
"It can be. In a team, you can't just do your own thing."
"I know." Hikaru kept his tone even. "Think we synergised well enough in the simulation."
"You hesitated before following callouts."
"Let's call it first day jitters." Hikaru smiled as he met Robin's eyes—still hidden behind his domino mask. "Don't worry, I'm a quick study."
Robin paused, something shifting in his expression. The rigid assessment softened slightly, and Hikaru glimpsed the teenager beneath the tactical mask. "I get it. The team hasn't been working together that long either, so you're not that far behind."
He extended his hand. "But if you're willing to work together… welcome to the team. Officially."
Hikaru extended his hand, his smile morphing into a more genuine version. "Thanks, Rob."
Robin's eye twitched but he reciprocated the gesture nonetheless. "It's Robin."
"Right. Robin. Got it… Cap."
Robin sighed, but the corner of his mouth quirked upward—almost a smile.
Beast Boy bounced upright with supernatural energy recovery. "Dude, you're IN!"
Kid Flash appeared beside them in a blur. "Tower tour time! Gotta show you the important stuff—like where Cyborg hides the good snacks."
"I don't hide them," Cyborg called from across the room. "You just eat everything the second I buy it."
"Exactly why you should hide them better!"
Laughter echoed through the training room as Hikaru felt it settle around him it was comfortable, unexpected but welcome.