A/N: I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack. Please don't kill me...
Anyway, sorry for the reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long wait. School, band, procrastination, NaNoWriMo. You know, the average life of the American band geek and writer.
Have fun. And to shamelessy beg: More reviews=More updates in less time!
The cavernous conference room of Mount Justice was teeming with heroes, Young Justice and Justice League alike. They were all clustered in small groups, spread across the room. Beast Boy was standing with some of the other Team members, including Impulse, Blue Beetle, and Robin. He had a bandage wrapped around his head, effectively covering a rather large knot and cut parting the green hair. The young hero was recounting the previous night's events to his concerned-looking friends.
"…and I was walking around near the crime scene, looking for more evidence. But then someone grabbed me from behind and stuck something in my side, then cracked something hard across my head!" The gathered sidekicks gasped.
"That is not crash, dude." Impulse exclaimed, folding his arms across his chest in anger. "Not crash at all."
"Do you know what he stuck in your side, Beast Boy?" Robin asked. "Maybe if you know, Red Tornado can do a scan."
"He already did a chemical scan," Beast Boy replied. "He didn't find anything." Robin looked a little skeptical, but didn't say anything. Before the young heroes could continue discussing what had happened the previous night, Batman strode into the room, along with Superman, Black Canary, and Miss Martian, who immediately swept her gaze across the room. She found Beast Boy and gave a quiet sigh of relief. Batman stepped up to the holographic computer in the middle of the room and everyone fell quiet, looking at the Dark Knight expectantly. He typed a few commands onto the computer, and the crime scene from the night before flickered up on the holographic screen. Batman began speaking, his deep voice carrying across the room.
"As you probably all know by now, there was another body dump last night, this time in Happy Harbor. We believe it is the same killer, as shown by the similar condition of the body. However, last night at the scene, one of our own was attacked." Everyone stayed quiet during this revelation, but most glanced at Beast Boy, who looked like he was trying to melt into the crowd of friends around him. Batman also glanced at the young sidekick, an expression related to concern and pity flickering across his half-covered face, then continued.
"We believe that the person who attacked Beast Boy is also the one who dumped the body, although it is impossible to know for sure. But to be safe, no more sidekicks will accompany their mentors to the future crime scenes, if there are any." At this, a few young heroes protested, Impulse especially; he began talking very fast, as if he were trying to fit as many words into his argument as possible. But most of the sidekicks remained silent, scowls of anger and annoyance darkening their faces. Batman seemed to sense that the young heroes were upset about the situation because he glared in their direction and said, "And any sidekicks who want to argue will take it up with me."
Every member of Young Justice went silent immediately, and their expressions quickly turned neutral. Satisfied, Batman adjourned the meeting and the gathered heroes began to disperse. The sidekicks remained clustered in their group, quietly voicing their protests.
"I can't believe this!" Bart exclaimed and he paced back and forth fast enough to wear a hole in the stone floor. "Batman can't do this to us! Just because one criminal decides that it would be fun to attack one of us, the entire Justice League goes insane and locks us down!" Beast Boy, for some reason, suddenly felt extremely guilty.
"Guys," he began softly. "I'm sorry about what Batman ordered. If I had just been a little more cautious-"
"No." Robin cut him off with a swift movement of his hand. "None of this is your fault. Regardless of where or who you were, that guy would have probably jumped you anyway. It seems like he must have been looking for any sidekick to ambush. It just happened to be you."
That made Beast Boy feel a little better, but he still felt like the guilt was almost smothering him. He opened his mouth to say something else, but was cut off by the sound of Miss Martian's voice calling him from across the cavern.
"Beast Boy! Could you come here for a minute?" He turned and she beckoned him with her hand. The young hero turned back to his friends.
"I guess I'll see you later, guys." The others nodded and Beast Boy hurried to where his mentor and figurative sister was standing. She had been talking to Nightwing after Batman had left, but now she turned to her younger brother and gently put her hands on his shoulders. Nightwing seemed to take this as his cue to leave.
"I'll see you in the briefing room, M'gann," he called over his shoulder as he left. Miss Martian nodded and waved as the other hero walked out, then directed her full attention to the young mutant by her side.
"How are you feeling, Gar?" The Martian asked softly.
"Guilty."
Miss Martian's heart broke for the child.
"I've told you before; it's not your fault." She dropped to her knees so she could look into his eyes. They were seemingly endless pools of sadness. Gar dropped his head and studied his green furry feet.
"But I ruined the chances of any other sidekicks going out to the crime scenes." He mumbled, wringing his hands together. "If I had just been more watchful-"
"Garfield."
Beast Boy looked up to see Miss Martian staring at him with compassion and understanding. She didn't even have to say another word; her eyes said it all.
"Thanks, M'gann." Gar managed a small smile, earning a grin from his sister.
"You're welcome. Now, go hang out with your friends. I'll make sure I update you on anything else we find."
Beast Boy's face lit up with joy. He nodded and gave M'gann a hug before leaving the conference room, presumably heading back to the main room with all the other Young Justice members. Miss Martian smiled after him. Her little brother would be all right, she was sure of it.
