September 23rd
Mount Justice
6:34 EDT
"Thanks. But no, thanks."
"Yeah. What we want are answers about Red Tornado and his siblings."
"Exactly! Leave the bowl."
I sighed and set my head down on the table, wings tucked against me. We spent the night at the cave after the whole Reds fiasco and my mini breakdown. I made them swear not to tell anyone that I cried.
Out of all of us, I was the only one dressed in civilian clothing. I had on a white t-shirt with a green hoodie with two dark blue stripes on the front and down both of the sleeves. It was paired with a pair of brown shorts with a brown belt and black boots. My hair was tied in a single braid with a small blue ribbon on the end and my blue butterfly wings were materialized.
I looked over and saw Kaldur talking to Batman. I presumed that they were talking about what had happened yesterday. And then I saw Superboy launch and grab Kaldur. I immediately flew over and got between the two of them. "Conner, stand do-"
He shoved me out of the way and I stumbled back, but caught my balance as he continued to yell at Kaldur.
"Conner what are you doing?" M'gann asked as she flew over.
"Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us and said nothing!", he yelled. I instantly knew Kaldur must have told Batman about the suspicions of a mole from Taipai and Conner over heard.
" You knew?"
"But didn't tell us?"
"I sought to protect the team from-" Kaldur started but was cut off by Artemis.
"Protect us from what, knowledge that might have saved our lives?"
"You almost died!" Conner said to M'gann, concerned. If they were hiding they were dating, they did a horrible job.
"Enough."
Batman silenced the team and Conner released Kaldur. I made a move to stand between Conner and Kaldur. I cast a worried glance up at Kaldur before looking back towards Batman
"With Red Tornado missing, the team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift. "
"I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys." As Captain Marvel said that, the first thought that crossed my mind was 'Oh great. Leave the 10 year old in charge of the teenagers.' Yes, I knew Captain Marvel wasn't really an adult, just looked like on. Didn't take a genius to know that and I'm pretty sure Batman knows as well.
Conner made a move to say something to Kaldur, but I took another step between them and glared up at him. I was a good amount shorter than Superboy so was basically able to ignore me. "After I dismantle Red Tornado, you and I are gonna-" he started towards before being stopped by Batman.
"Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League. That makes him a League responsibility. You will leave him to us. " He said giving them a glare. "I have another assignment for this team." A newspaper article appeared.
""Gotham Mayor attacked by guerilla gorilla"?", I asked slightly chuckling at the play on words. My teammates didn't think the same.
"Batman, please! Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase."
Is it just me or are Dick and Wally doing most of the complaining? Batman gave us a glare.
"I never joke about the mission. I've checked the sources. I've studied the patterns. Mayor Hill's encounter is only the latest in a series of incidents." , He turned to Kaldur, "Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out."
The team minus Kaldur walked off but not before Wally slipped in a last comment, "Hmph. Your team."
I looked up at Kaldur. "Kaldur, should I-"
"No. Do not tell them you knew. It will only create a wider rift." And he walked towards the bioship, with me hot on his heels.
Right before we got on the ship, we heard Robin and Wally talking.
"-for Red fiasco. Doesn't trust us."
Wally noticed us or at least Kaldur. "It's a big club." Before getting on the ship.
I couldn't help but worry. Was this the end of the Team?
September 23rd
Northern India
21:36 IST
I exited last as we landed in the Indian jungle. I dulled the light I gave off, switched the white on my costume to black and made the green a darker green.
"Switch to stealth, and we'll review mission parameters." Aqualad said but that's when it all went downhill.
"Parameters? We don't need no stinkin' parameters."
"It's recon. We know what to do."
"Kid, Robin-"
"The 3 of us started this team because the Justice League was keeping secrets from us."
"Or did you forget that like you forgot to tell us about the mole? "
KF and Robin were gone.
"Come on. I'll keep you safe."
"You're my boyfriend, Connor, not my keeper."
"Stop behaving like a character from a seventies sitcom."
"I just want to protect you."
"Like Aqualad protected us? I'm not sure your protection or your patronizing is good for our health."
Miss Martain and Artemis stormed off.
"Why didn't you stop them? You're supposed to be in charge."
"I am-"
Superboy leaped into the night.
"I'm just gonna, um, gooooo. Sooo..." I said hesitantly, but when he didn't say anything, I took off into the sky. Well, that went well.
As I flew over the jungle, I took the time to relax. The air was brisk and relaxing. I landed in a clearing and started walking. I could at least help with the mission while everyone's mad at everyone.
It seemed pretty quite until I felt the ground start shaking. I looked up saw 4 rhinos burst out of the forest. 'Shit.' I started running in the opposite direction, rhinos hot on my tail.
"That is not what a rhinos' suppose to look like!" I said as I ran faster through the jungle. 'Turn and fight Sapphire!' I suddenly heard Kono shout in my head.
"I am NOT hurting the innocent animals!"
'They are not innocent if they're trying to kill you!' He said as I took a right and that led right to a cliff. I turned back towards the forest.
'Use that giant brain of yours! They're all wearing inhibitor collars aren't they?'
"They are?" I said cluelessly.
'Did you not see them BEFORE you started running!'
"Well thanks for the info!" I said as the rhinos approached. I manfestied some needles are took a stance as the rhinos burst out of the forest.
'What are you waiting for!'
"Give it a second..." I took aim. "Now!" I shouted as I threw eight needles at the rhinos. They hit their marks, right at what held the collars together. They sparked and fell of the rhinos.
The rhinos stopped right in front of me and then turned and went back into the forest. I dropped on the ground. "That went well."
Link established.(MM)
And here comes the arguing.(S)
Should you really still be giving us orders? And should you really be following them?(AR)
Listen, please.(AQ)
Oh, good, Aqualad's voice in my head. I've so missed that.(KF)
Hey, Kaldur, KF. and I were attacked by giant vultures. 'Course, since we're moles, you probably think we attacked ourselves.(R)
If he did, he wouldn't tell you.(AR)
Hey, ever been chased by giant rhinos, it's not fun. I say over the link as I pulled myself up.
Superboy, are you online or just pouting?(MM)
Busy. Call back later.(SB)
What gets me is how nonchalant he is about not telling us.(KF)
He should be chalant. Way chalant. Extremely chalant.(R)
How can we be a team if he doesn't trust us with his secrets?(AR)
Or if Connor doesn't trust us to take care of ourselves?(MM)
Or if some of us avoid us?(R)
Hey! That one part of the Taipai mission was- shit. You weren't suppose to know I was on that mission.(S)
You knew there was a mole and didn't tell us!(AR)
Hey-(S)
Did you two really think Rob or I could have been the mole? We've known each other for years!(KF)
Trust is a two-way street, and you know they'd hate it if we kept secrets from them.(MM)
Not that we'd do that. Never.(AR)
Enough. Captain Marvel has been captured, and we must act as a team to save him.(AQ)
Under your leadership? I don't think-(KF)
This is not up for debate. You all chose me to lead. When the mission is over, if you wish to select a new leader, I will happily step down. But until that team, I am in command here.(AQ)
Well then, that was interesting.
I landed in a tree next to Miss Martain. Comet and I will fly over.(MM)
Negatory. The field is stamped like a dome over the whole compound.(KF)
Pylons are insulated, but one good shock could cause a momentary gap.(R)
I see a target.(AR)
Then be ready to hit it. Be ready, all of you.(AQ)
Aqualad ran up to the shield made an opening.
Now!
Artemis shot an arrow through the opening and disabled the shield. We joined Aqualad on the ground when I noticed a monkey. 'Great.'
I formed two daggers as an alarmed blared. "Is it just me or can we never actually do a SUCCESSFUL stealth mission!"
The monkeys came storming off the roof. I took noticed that they were also wearing collars. I slashed the collar of the first monkey my sight. "Remove their collars!" Aqualad shouted.
'Yeah, I got that figured out.' I thought as I slashed another collar off. Then a gorrila holding a freaking machine gun came out!
Miss Martian tried sneak past him but got knocked out. KF took a running start but bounced off him. "So this is the guerrilla gorilla!" I shouted. I formed a fist and knocked him through the wall.
We ran in through the opening to see the Brain. "It's the Brain!" KF shouted.
"Uh, I can see it's a brain." Artemis retorted back.
"Not a brain, the Brain."
"In the flesh, so to speak. Mallah." He said at the gorilla pulled out a remote. Pylons appeared from the floor and we were knocked down.
Miss Martian, Superboy, now.(AQ)
Miss Martian used her telekinesis to grab the remote and disabled the pylons. Then Superboy punched a hole in the wall behind the gorilla. A giant white wolf jumped the gorilla. While the rest of team dealt with the gorilla, I was deflecting shots from the Brain while Aqualad released Captain Marvel.
Eventually, we had them surrounded." Try it. I hate monkeys." Superboy said.
"No, Mallah, this will not be our Waterloo." And the Brain turned into a deadly looking weapon.
"Au revoir, mes amis." And he started making a werid noise.
"Get down! "
I put up a green shield and the room went dark. Until the lights came back on and they were gone. I lowered the shield.
" Wait, that big weapon thing was...a light switch?"
"That's the last of the collars?" The tiger growled in response to Captain Marvel.
"And I can count on you to keep the other animals out of trouble?" He growled again.
"Good. I'll be back for a visit. I promise." and the tiger took off.
"I think I'll call him Mr. Tawny." 'How has no one realized he's a kid yet!' I sighed from where I stood next to Robin. I looked over at Conner and M'gann who were with the wolf and Wally.
I walked over and looked at Conner's shoulder. "Okay, your coming with me to get that patched up." I said to him he looked like he was about to argue but M'gann gave him a stare. I smirked and we walked over towards the bioship.
"Look, I need to know, why did you and Comet keep the mole intel a secret?" We all heard this and stopped, waiting for Kaldur to talk. I beat him to it. "The tip came from Sportsmaster." I said, running up in front.
"What? You can't trust him!" Artemis shouted.
"I do not. It seemed possible, even likely, that he was attempting to divide the team with false information." Aqualad said.
"And given how this mission went, he nearly succeeded." Robin finished.
"But we had to consider it might be true." I stated at looked at Kaldur.
"Yes. As leader, I did. In which case, I did not wish to alert the traitor." he stated.
"Hate to say it, but makes sense."
"I am still prepared to step down."
"All in favor of keeping Aqualad as leader?" KF said. We all raised our hands. " Guess it's unanimous." Captain Marvel said and shook Aqualad's hand.
"See you tomorrow."
"You're not coming back with us?" Aqualad said surprised.
"Nope, gotta fly." and Captain Marvel took off.
"Comet, are you gonna stop avoiding us?" KF asked with a smirk. I smiled.
"I solemnly swear I will spend more time with the team." I said and I got on the bioship.
"So, what are you gonna call him?"
"What's wrong with Wolf?"
"Generic, but acceptable."
"Conner! I still need to wrap that wound!"
Everything's back to normal for now at least.