I don't own DC.
Chapter 10—
It was June and Boy Wonder had returned to the shadows, rarely working with the Batman and never let the press spot him. This led to the news assuming the worse and the casual questions had become an onslaught on the League; most of the members couldn't answer and so turned to Batman, who in turn hadn't seen the boy either. Batman had begun to worry but his concern was Richard. Dick seemed distant at the best of times but his destructive habits were behind him. They had agreed Richard was to stay home-schooled for the foreseeable future.
Boy Wonder had hacked the Justice League's ear pieces and had been monitoring it all. Four ice villains were attacking simultaneously and Batman wouldn't get to Gotham in time to stop Mr. Freeze. Aqualad and Aquaman were in Pearl Harbour fighting Killer Frost. Flash and Kid Flash were caught up with Captain Cold in Central. Speedy and Green Arrow were up against Icicle Jr. on the bridge in Star City. Gotham had no one. It was in daylight, surrounded by people but as Trace sat on the roof, watching Mr. Freeze ready his gun, he knew Batman wouldn't get there in time.
The scenic was filled with happy families having barbeques and boys and girls playing in the sun. Bee just about felt a pang a grief for the death of his own childhood, but then a wave of ice changed the park dramatically. The barbeque froze over and people were sent screaming before the ice stopped them in their tracks. Mr. Freeze rose up a slant of ice, firing his fun and smiling wickedly. His monotone voice broke through the chaos.
"Enjoying family time? My family has other plans." Was he referring to his wife or the other ice villains who were attacking; it couldn't have been a coincidence.
Just as Mr. Freeze was about to shout a second time, Bee threw aimed his slingshot, the explosive pellet knocked the gun from its target and attracted the criminal.
"Batman, I was wondering when—" He just laughed, jumping off the roof and landing his somersault on Freeze's helmet before rolling to the ground behind him, firing another pellet at the fallen villain. When Freeze turned, Bee saw the damage he'd done and smirked. Then his smile dropped remembering he wasn't hidden by shadows.
"Oh. Boy Wonder." He said in way of greeting as he got to his feet, meanwhile, Trace saw a dark shape move in the distance. "The Bat sent you to drag me off to prison? Frankly, I'm underwhelmed." Freeze raised his gun but the teenager wasn't looking, the dark shape shifted again—what was Batman doing?
"Great. But I'm kind of in a hurry here." Boy Wonder snapped, not to Freeze but to the Bat; he waned to get out of the public eye.
"Kids, always in such a rush."
"Not talking to you."
Batman jumped up, cape casting a shadow to liken his to his namesake, and Freeze span to face him in fear. As he descended down upon Freeze, he raised a fist and shattered the glass. Police were already running toward to duo, cuffs ready. They took the crook away and Bee tried to disappear, although at noon in Gotham with the warm sun casting rays and melting the ice around him, it was hard to do. Batman caught up him and, stopped, tapping the boy's shoulder so he would do the same. Trace faced him, barely but kept his head down, messy bangs hiding what the mask couldn't hide.
"I have something to show you, come on. We don't want to be late. Today is the day."
"Oh my God, Boy Wonder."
"He's shorter in person."
"Is tat really him?"
"It has to be."
"Do you think he would give me his autograph?"
Bee grit his teeth, trying valiantly to ignore the whispers of onlookers, "This better be worth it." He whispered to Batman, who didn't comment, of course.
Speedy glanced at the younger boy out of the corner of his eye; he'd been pleasantly surprised to see the Boy of Gotham's night actually beside his mentor in the public's view but on second thoughts, he didn't seem pleased to be there. He looked at Aqualad, of whom he knew hadn't met the Boy Wonder. The young Atlantean was indeed glancing at Trace ever so subtly, through his King didn't care for subtlety; it seemed his eyes were permanently glued to the back of the boy's head.
"Welcome to the hall of justice." Green Arrow introduced, snapping the them from his thoughts.
"Headquarters of the Justice League." Orin continued.
"Oh, man! I knew we'd be the last ones here." KF exclaimed skidding to a stop, then saw Trace and smiled.
Together they started walking towards the hall, the closer they got, the more people saw him and the more photos were taken, the more Boy Wonder had the urge to turn and flee. It confused. Okay he understood he didn't like attention but he hadn't thought it that bad that he was scared of being seen. Either way, a fear was a weakness; he'd have to look into it another time. He was taught and stiff as he walked, keeping his head dead on straight and keeping his face neutral. Every now and then, his legs would lock up for a millisecond, interrupting his controlled and even steps. This was more then just a fear, it became harder and harder to move and the voices weren't helping.
"Is that Batman?" Someone is the crowd uttered.
"Oh, I see Flash and Flash jr."
"His name's Speedy."
"Duh."
"No."
"Speedy's Green Arrow's sidekick."
"Well, that makes no sense."
"Ready to see the inner sanctum?" Green Arrow asked, casting a glance at his ward.
"Born that way." He sneered.
"I'm glad we're all here." Aqualad noted.
"Have all 4 sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?" Kid Flash asked, nudging Boy Wonder.
"Don't call us sidekicks, not after today." Speedy snapped agitatedly and the ginger cringed.
"Sorry. First time at the hall. I'm a little overwhelmed."
Boy Wonder didn't say anything, to busy trying to keep himself under controlled. H felt like curling up, like whimpering under the pressure even though no one was pressuring him. He decided he wouldn't let Batman trick him into this again as he entered the Hall, completely unaware of his surroundings. His head had dipped slowly, he hadn't even realised that he was now staring at the floor in front of his boots. He thought over the chance of the one time slipping into sight and him turning up, on this day of all days.
Of course, Batman had turned up late, knowing I would be watching and would step in. He seethed in his thoughts, gritting teeth and clenching fists. He then forced all muscles to slacken and remain neutral once more. It won't happen again, that's for sure.
"Boy Wonder, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, welcome." Trace jumped at the smooth voice; saw Martian ManHunter before a door leading deeper into the Hall. He should have paid attention to his surroundings; he cursed himself then told himself to listen as the Martian continued. "You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully stocked Galley, and of course our library."
The rest of them followed him and Red Tornado through but Trace couldn't move, his legs had barely worked when moving, now he'd stopped he didn't want to start again. He didn't want to go inside, he wanted to go home; Alfred might go looking for him. Becoming associated with the League was a dangerous thing for keeping his identity from Batman. On seeing his hesitation, the Dark Knight placed a hand between the boy's shoulder blades and urged him on through the doors.
"It's safe, I promise. I personally ensured it was secure before the League set up here."
Set up? They had a second HQ, what happened to the Watchtower? Boy Wonder had no answers for his own uestions but found he was following the other heros, Batman's hand still on his back. Martian ManHunter led them through several rooms before stopping at had to be some sort of control room. It looked like a server room and someone had just pushed everything to side to make space for table and chairs, a few sofas and a massive computer bank. Lastly, there was another door, just like the one at which, they'd met Martian ManHunter.
"Make yourselves at home." Flash proposed, widening his arms to show them the room; KF and Aqualad jump into the sofas while Speedy looked troubled.
Boy Wonder stopped again, nearly relaxed before he saw the window of tourists. "Are you joking?"
Batman walked past him, again ignoring his question, instead pulling the Leaguers to the next door, "Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of 4 ice villains attacking on the same day." He looked back to the young heroes, particularly, Trace. "We shouldn't be long."
They all turned to the door and the computer read out their names like the Zeta beams did. "Recognized: Batman, 0-2; Aquaman, 0-6; Flash, 0-4; Green Arrow, 0-8; Martian Manhunter, 0-7; Red Tornado, 1-6."
"That's it?" Speedy spat, making the Leaguer's turn, "You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified Backstage pass."
"It's a first step. You've been granted access few others get." Aqualad explained to calm him.
"Oh, really?" He gestured to the glass and tourists beyond with a yellow glove. "Who cares which side of the glass we're on?"
The older Archer stepped forwards, "Roy, you just need to be patient." Boy Wonder's brows creased in the use of name, was the room that secure?
"What I need is respect." He turned to Aqualad and Kid Flash, "They're treating us like kids. Worse—like sidekicks! We deserve better than this…" When there was no answer, Roy continued, "You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? Why? Today was supposed to be the day, step one in becoming Full-fledged members of The League."
Kid Flash finally spoke, "Well, sure, but I thought step one was a tour of the HQ."
"Except the hall isn't The League's real HQ. I bet they never told you it's just a false front For tourists and a pit stop for catching zeta beam Teleporter tubes to the real thing, an orbiting satellite called the watchtower."
It was all old news to Trace but Aqualad and KF's reactions were funny. GA looked guiltily at Batman, who crossed his arms in a silent scold. Oops, was that meant to be a secret?
"I know, I know, but I thought maybe we could make an exception." Green Arrow defended but with one look at the Batman's face, slouched. "Or not. Boy Wonder probably knows." Everyone glanced at the thirteen-year-old who nodded resignedly.
"But Batman didn't tell him." Flash interjected.
"You're not helping your cause here, son. Stand down or—" Aquaman started forward in a reasonable tone but Roy was having none of it and interrupted.
"Or what? You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son! I'm not even his." He looked pointedly at GA, "I thought I was his partner, but not anymore." He threw his hat down startling everyone except the stoic ones. Roy turned to the teens again. "Guess they're right about you three." He muttered on his way out. "You're not ready."
Boy Wonder contemplated staying to find out if there was anything more he could find out but his urge to leave won over and as Speedy walked past, he fell into step.
"Trace." Batamna called to get his attention.
Boy Wonder merely glanced back, conveying all that he wanted to say in a look and Batman understood even if he didn't like it. That was what meant they worked so well, in just a glance, they both knew what the other was thinking and in this case, Boy Wonder just couldn't deal with so man people right that second.
As the two heroes found their way back, Speedy cast a thankful glance at Boy Wonder for not deserting him. The he stopped and Roy stopped to, curious. It was the radio on the Justice League's frequency. Boy Wonder pulled it out and they both listened as Batman and Superman discussed the fire at a lab called Cadmus before Zatara interrupted with a massively threatening issue—something to do with the Amulet of Aten. Trace didn't know what that was, nor did he care. All he knew was there was a problem that Batman wanted fixing but couldn't.
He switched off his radio and gave Roy and evil smile; suddenly the older teen went from angry to just uncomfortable.
"Bee?"
"What do you say we check up on this Cadmus?"
Roy smiled back, "You know I love science almost as much as I love going behind the League's backs."
"First let's check up on Project Cadmus."
Trace beckoned the archer to one of the smaller computers banks, and sat down. Since it was just a simple we'll-have-to-search-the-internet computers it took an extra few seconds for Boy Wonder to get through to the main server, the top secret server with extensions to the Batcave and Watchtower. It was a binary mine field full of alerts and triggers. It took longer then Boy Wonder had hoped to find the file safely without alerting the computer to his presence in the banks. Nevertheless, Speedy was still surprised at the skill and fast moving fingers that flew over the QWERTY keyboard.
"Alright, Project Cadmus, genetics lab here in D.C. That's all there is, waste of time."
"We'll just go over there. Come on. Trace and Speedy off to fight a meagre fire."