Chapter one
Common, common, common, common, common! I was in my last class of the day and it was taking forever! "So in 1963…." The history teacher, droned on and on. It was the last day of school and she was still forcing us to learn this useless crap.
"But you don't want to know that." She said still in her boring robot voice. No we don't! I screeched in my mind. Especially when I already know all of this. My name is Ryan Beck. Ya, ya a girl name Ryan? That's weird I've heard it all before I told every one I resented the name, but in all honesty I loved it. It made me different.
Every one saw me as just a normal girl. Long blond hair, green eyes, average body shape. But on the inside I was a whole other person just afraid to come out of my shell. I wanted to fit in badly but at the same time I didn't care what others thought of me. I was part of numerous fandoms, loved reading books, comics, even fanfictions.
"I figured we should talk about more recent history." Ms. Grenzer stated, "The Justice League." Every one sat up a little straighter. They were the world's protector everyone loved and adored them. Including me, but unlike everyone else I saw the downsides. Always having to put others first, do the honorable thing. There was no room t=for mistakes in the League, or you'd be publicly criticized to no end it was life in the spotlight.
"As you all know," Ms. Grenzer started all of her lectures like this I looked at the clock we still had 5 minutes left of Senior year. Then it'd be Summer for me! And I couldn't wait to get out of Gotham. It was great and all but this is the only place I've ever lived and I wanted to see the world! "The Justice League is made up of numerous members, all with special powers, or talents. The founding seven, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, Batman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and the Flash decided that in case they were to fall in battle or die of natural causes they should have someone to say, fill their shoes. I know what you're thinking, 'but what about the sidekicks?' Well just because they have side kicks doesn't mean that the sidekick per say would have the same powers or talents, and decided that every generation each member of the league will choose an apprentice, someone that they could pass all of their learning and skills, and even powers too, so that one day they could take on the roll of which ever mentor they had. To be chosen is a great honor. Each apprentice is hand selected by a member, the only vice, once your chosen, that's it. That's your life you can't quit, you can't just decide once you have the power to give it back."
I scoffed in my mind. Who the Hell would want that life? It was completely unfair. Everyone should have a say in their future and being 'chosen' sounded like a death sentence to free will.
"In fact this year will be the year each member chooses their apprentice, granted most of the members choose their sidekicks, but there is the not so rare occasion that a member will choose someone that has no relation to them what so ever. Look around boys and girls, some one in this room could in fact one day be a member of the Justice League." Riiiing. The bell went off and I was out of there.
I met up with my friend, Perry. Who ran up to me and screeched "Happy Birthday!" I laughed "Shush will you? I don't want people knowing."
"Who not 18 is a big year! Your officially an adult!"
"So? I can vote whoopee, its not like I'm turning 21 or anything." Perry sighed and tucked her brown curly hair behind her ear. I jumped into the shotgun seat of her car and we were off. The talk in History class had really got to me. I was always big on choose your destiny and if you don't like it, re-write it. The whole situation sucked I'm just glad I would never have to deal with it. That thought was the biggest troll of my life ever.
In the watch tower
The founding 7 all sat before a table discussing the matter of the choosing, they were going over all of the members choices. "Green Arrow?" Superman asked Batman, who had been tasked with researching the choices to make sure they truly were League material. "He chose Artemis." That hadn't surprised anyone. Most of the members with affiliations with people on the Young Justice team chose that person as their apprentice. Plus Artemis was already Arrow's protégé.
They had finished the regular members now they were on the founding 7's choices. "Flash?" Superman asked the hero in question. "Kid Flash obviously." Flash said. Batman rolled his eyes. "J'onn?"
"I shall continue to mentor my niece Megan."
"Green Lantern?"
"It is not my place to choose a future Green Lantern that is The Core's responsibility."
"Of course, Hawk Girl?"
"A human named, Hannah Berkly"
"Batman?"
"Robin." Was all the dark night said.
"Ok and I'll be taking Super Boy under my wing which leaves you Diana."
"There were so many young woman I considered, but one stood above the rest, she has the heart of a true Amazon. Ryan Beck."
Back on Earth
Punch, kick, duck, repeat. I chanted in my head. After school I had headed to the gym a few blocks from my house like I did every day.
I worked on my flying sidekicks and after two hours of endless practicing, I went to a bench that my water bottle was on. A family friend owned the gym so he made sure I got the gym to my self for two hours every day, to which I was eternally grateful for.
I wiped a towel across my neck to mop up my sweat I started walking towards the door, when a bright light surrounded me "What the hell!" I shouted as the gym faded and the light grew brighter. A second later the light died down but instead of the gym, what I saw before me, was a huge mass of people, all of them looking my age. I was standing on a platform on a circle There were 6 other people on the platform with me standing in their own circles. I looked out the huge windows in front of me and I saw Earth. My jaw dropped to the floor. I was in space. What was going on?! Was the only intelligent thought my mind was able to create.
"Please stop off the platform and await further instruction." A woman's robotic voice said over an intercom.
I walked down the steps into the crowd every one was talking I was able to catch a few words of some conversations.
"I can't believe we were picked!"
"I always wanted to be a member!"
Realization dawned on me. Space center with a transporter. Mass group of teens. All this high tech looking stuff. I was at the watch tower for the Justice League. I had been chosen.
"You look terrified you know that right?" Came a voice from behind me. I turned to see a girl with her long blond hair in a pony tail, she wore a green make and a green crop top looking thing and green tights, she had a bow and quiver of arrows over her shoulder. "I'm Artemis." She stated. "Ryan"
"Well Ryan I suspect you know what's going on right?"
I nodded my head. "Thank God cuz if I had to explain it to another clueless idiot I think I'd drop dead." I cracked a smile "Sucks."
"You have no idea."
"I am so sorry for this terrible fate that has become you." I told her jokingly. She laughed. "I like you." She stated. "Want to suffer with me?"
"Sure." I shrugged I followed her through the crowd as she had to explain to numerous people where they were and no they were not here for alien probing.
"God people are stupid." We muttered at the same time. We grinned. After another few minutes Artemis said that we were don't "Thank the lord" I said. We chatted for a little while she introduced me to some of her friends.
She was part of the Young Justice team which is why she looked familiar and all of her friends were too. I met Kid Flash, Aqualad (Who I thought was kind of cute but to stiff), Ms. M, super boy (Who was hot) and Zatana. We all chatted but a silence fell on the crowd. I looked up at the platform and saw why There in front of me were the founding 7.
"Welcome." Superman's voice boomed. "Well incase you haven't figured it out, all of you in this room has been chosen. Chosen to be taken under the wing of a specific member of the team. You will be training here for the next 6 months. At the end of those 6 months if you are deemed worthy by your mentor. you will take part of a power transfer were you will gain all of your specific mentors powers or skill set. You of course, will still have to go through training. Tactical training and physical training. Martian Manhunter, Batman and other members will instruct the tactical training. Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Hawk Girl and other members will teach physical training. There will be special courses that you can choose to learn that will be taught by a specific instructor to fit the needs of the course. And of course you'll be taught by you mentor. Half of your day will be spent with tactical and physical training and the other half with your mentor. Extra courses are on your own time, but we strongly suggest them. I will now read off your names and whom you've been chosen for. You will leave with them and they will give you further information and answer your questions if you have any."
I looked around. He couldn't be serious this was not happening. This was all a horrible nightmare. The most sickening part, everyone seemed content with this. The Young Justice team I could understand. They were going into this life style anyway, but everyone else, didn't we get a choice?! Apparently not.
"James Adams. Mr. Marvel.
Victoria Berch. Black Canary." The list went on and on.
"Ryan Beck. Wonder Woman." I looked up. What? Wonder Woman?! Who was one of the most kick ass females on the planet?!
Every one looked confused as to why some one named Ryan got Wonder Woman but when I walked up to the platform everyone seemed to realize that yes, I was a girl.
Wonder Woman smiled at me and led me off the other end of the platform. We walked down a hallway that had a beautiful view of Earth. "You must have some questions." Wonder Woman said. I looked dead at her. "Look no disrespect, but well, this life, isn't for me. I can't become you." She smiled gently. "I know the system might seem unfair but trust me, you'll see it'll work you, you might find it that you like this life style."
"I don't have powers. How are you supposed to train me."
"You don't need powers to learn how to fight, which you can already do."
"How did you know that?"
"Well I had to do my research before I officially chose you, well technically Batman did but I wanted to know for myself."
"So spying on me."
"Yes I am sorry." That surprised me. "Now every morning you'll receive a schedule for you the physical training should be easy. There will be rankings for everyone in the class I expect you to be near the top of that list. The tactical training, your smart, you'll do fine."
She led me farther down the hallway until we got to a door which she opened to another hallway. All the walls and doors were made of steel. She walked to the third door in the hallway and placed her hand against a scanner. "This will be your room for the duration of your training. Your hand print has been programmed in the system ."
"Wait! I'm not going home?!"
"You will for visits but until then.." I stared at her in shock.
"You know on earth I can count this as kidnapping." Wonder Woman just smiled. "You can go anywhere you wish that will open to your hand prints. Feel free to mingle and meet the other recruits. See you tomorrow Ryan." She left without another word I looked around m room. Steel. "Of course." I muttered to my self. On top of the bed was my suitcase. They went through my stuff!?
Feel free she says. Please this is a prison. I unpacked my bags. I knew any attempt to escape would be pointless. There was a knock at my door.
I went to open it and there was Artemis in the door way "Me and the rest of the team are going to the rec room. Wanna come?" I smiled at least I had friends. But it was a prison nonetheless. Sure I nice prison But still. "Sure." I followed her to the rec room. If I thought my life couldn't get any more screwed up, man was I wrong.
