Re-watching recorded video of Fawcett newest hero fighting a gigantic robot rampaging through the city earlier last week. Bruce let out a long sigh.
A few years ago, there were rumors of a white cloaked figure protecting the good citizen of the city. The people of Fawcett (and the majority of the internet) dubbed the figure "Angel". Bruce didn't look much into it back then. Seeing as this "Angel" did not pose any trouble to anyone. Afterall he had expected the city to get it own vigilante. But this, this was not what he had in mind. The vigilante in the video was a young boy. A very, very young boy who was definitely younger than Robin.
While the general public was not concerned about such a young child in the heroing business. Batman certainly was.
Fawcett City-July 7
The sound of siren rang in the air as the polices took away the knocked out criminal. Sitting on top of the nearby building, ten years old Billy Batson watched the scene playing out below and smiled to himself. It was late, way past the bedtime of any kid. But Billy wasn't any normal kid, at least not with the magical power he possessed.
At first, he didn't think of actually becoming a hero. The thought did cross his mind. But with the loss of his parents at an early age, and moving from foster home to foster home until he ultimately becomes a street urchin. Billy was more focused on when the next meal will come than swinging around the city. And despite the major advantage that his power gave him. Life on the street, especially in the winter, was not easy for Billy. Things changed when his friends, Cissie and Scott, got kidnapped.
He knew Cissie back when he still lives at Ms. Minerva's orphanage. They were close. But after Scott, their other friend at the orphanage got transferred to a better facility. Billy ran away while Cissie got adopted by a wealthy family in Fawcett, the Summerly. The three of them kept contact of course. With Scott and Cissie going to the same school, and Billy sneaking into the said school at recess to play with his friends. They were the first to know about Billy's mystical ability.
The Summerly was notorious for being one of, if not the richest family in Fawcett. Which Billy suspected was the reason why Cissie got kidnapped. Scott was more of an add-on. After three seconds of hearing the news, Billy promptly went off to help his friends. It wasn't hard for the seven years old to find the place where the kidnappers held his friends. Billy had most of the lower parts of Fawcett city memorized in his head and knew a few hobos who would gladly give him the information he needs.
It was child's play to find the building, and even easier to get into it. The next step posed a problem to Billy, getting his friends out. By the time he got there, Scott was badly injured and Cissie was holding him close. Surround them were three grown men armed with guns. And while Billy had started to practice his magic capacity, his main focus was on how to heal injuries. Not fighting people. So with immense luck and a white curtain nearby, Billy managed to scare the men away. He also somehow started a rumor about a mysterious vigilante protecting the city at night.
Things got better since then. Billy started to go out and help people at night on a regular basis ( Not the smartest thing to do base on a lot of factor but he had never claim to be a smart kid) , using the old curtain that he found that night as a sort of cape. Eventually earning the name "Angel" from the city (Which Billy is sure that most of his old foster parents would disagree with his name). Along the way, Billy manages to befriend a very interesting man called John Constantine. And eventually got himself adopt by one Dudley H. Dudley, who Billy likes to referred to as uncle Dudley. Yep, things definitely had gotten better for him since then.
The police cars were now a distance away, but Angel stayed still at his seat at the edge of the building. There were still parts of Fawcett Billy had yet to patrol. But the night is young and Billy wanted to enjoy the peacefulness at the moment just a bit longer.
" You could have finished the fight much faster." A voice echoed from behind him, pulling Billy out of his musing. Whipping his body around, Billy got on his feet.
He held up his fist up, ready for a fight. Surveying the area around him. Billy's eyes widen at the sight of the Dark Knight standing at the other side of the rooftop.
" Back there with the thugs, you could have knocked them all out in minutes. But you chose to talk them out of it." Batman of Gotham walked toward him, his face held an unreadable expression. At this point, Billy was unsure whether or not he should cease his fighting stance. It was unlikely that Batman was going to attack him, he was a member of the Justice League after all. There was no way that Batman would hurt him, right?
"I was trying to give them a chance," Billy held his pose."Why are you here Batman? If you're here to-"
"I'm not here to stop you." Batman cut him off. His voice, even though was monotone, sounded as if he was amused."But rather, I'm here to offer you something."
"What?" Billy lowered his arm completely taken off guard. This was not what he had expected when he saw Batman.
" You have good intentions William," Billy body went stiff when his name come out of Batman's mouth. Of course, the world greatest detective would know his real name. " But you're not properly trained. That itself is very dangerous, for both you and these people you're trying to help. That's why I'm asking you to join the Team."
"Team? What team?" The ten years old asked tilting his head.
" The Team," Batman repeated. " Is a group of young superheroes assigned to undertake covert operation for the Justice League. It would be beneficial for you to become a member."
"I would love to join Batman." Billy perked up, he tried to keep both his volume and excitement in check. Just wait until Uncle Dudley hear about this!
Batman didn't say anything. Instead, the dark knight fished out a small box and tossed it to Billy, who promptly caught it. He slowly opened the lids, revealing several domino masks laying neatly inside. Contrast to Billy's craft foam one which allows people to see his blue eyes. These dominos mask actual have pieces of cloth that covered His eyes. " are these for me-"
Looking up Billy blinked, Batman was no longer where he stood. In his place was a piece of paper. The rooftop was empty, no one was there but him. Creepy.
"Okay then."
The Cave-July 8
Carefully followed Batman's written instructions. Billy found the abandon photobooth which was a zeta beam in disguise. Now he was standing inside a tube shape contraption. Alongside with Martian Manhunter and his niece (who is a very bubbly green skinned teenager who decided to go with Miss Martian as her superhero name). Waiting to join the conversation between Batman, Aquaman, the Flash and the teenage heroes.
" The six of you will be that team."
"Cool," the smallest boy in the lineup in front of them said. Only to stop for a moment as if he just realize something. "Wait, six?"
And that was the cue to show themselves. " This is the Martian Manhunter nice, Miss Martian and Angel, Fawcett's local hero."
" Hi." The Martian girl said, clearly shy.
"Hello." Billy put on his most charming smile while covering up this nervous feeling in his gut.
"Liking this gig more every minute," One of the teenage boys, a redhead, told a raven-haired boy wearing a pair of shade. "Welcome aboard! I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Aqualad. It's cool if you forget their name."
"I'm honored to be included." Miss M replied as the three boys: Kid Flash, Robin, and Aqualad walk closer.
" And what about him?" Billy pointed at a black haired boy who wasn't introduced. He looked very similar to Superman, not to mention he had a big 'S' on his black shirt.
"Oh that's Superboy," The boy wearing shade, Robin, turned around and gave the other teenager a wave. Signaling him to come over. "Hey, Superboy. Come meet Miss, M, and Angel."
They spend the next few minutes marveling over Miss Martian's ability to change the color of her shirt to match Superboy's. Maybe this was the right choice after all.