Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Young Justice.

Beta: Jebest4781, and Chaos-PSD.


Chapter XX: Illusion Of Control.

Last Time.

Gotham City November 17, 16:16 EST.

Beast Boy is sitting on his bed looking at the photo that he took with the fangirl, again. He notices that the photo now has 52 million Likes before suddenly it goes up to 52.1.

In Naruto's penthouse, Artemis is letting Lian feed her ice cream before she turns to watch Naruto washing the dishes in the sink and smiles. Brion, Violet, and Tara are all in the living room drinking coffee. Brion notices that Violet seems distant. "Violet, are you OK?"

"Yes, just a little tired," She replied before Naruto calls from the kitchen for a little help. Brion gets up and walks into the kitchen to assist. He kisses Violet on the forehead, letting her know how wonderful it is that she came into his life.

Once he's gone, Violet thinks back to when Boomerang said "proposition" and the memory that it triggered: Henchy offers Gabrielle money which Gabrielle takes. Later, she is walking down a hallway at the Markovian Palace. She types a code on the keypad of a door that opens, allowing the killer of the King and Queen to enter before she was knocked out.

Distressed by the memory, Violet watches as Brion and Tara help Will with the dishes. "He can never know." She said as Naruto glanced towards her for a moment.

Now.

Gotham City November 20, 19:16 EST.

"OK, we've got that."

Naruto, who's pushing a cart inside the grocery store looked to see Zatanna in a blue shirt and black jeans putting a large turkey in the cart as she looked at a list on her phone.

"You sure? We're expecting company at the house."

"The others got the food over the weekend, this is just extra if we need it," Zatanna replied putting a can of cranberry sauce in the cart as they passed the aisle.

Taos November 22, 13:59 MST.

The workers are setting up a carnival outside the Meta-Human Youth Center. Bart's dashing around the area, setting up chairs and stands for the event before joining Ed in greeting Jaime, Traci, and Virgil who's wearing a black baseball cap black hoodie with yellow stripes on the arms a blue vest and fingerless gloves before giving all three of them a hug.

Happy Harbor November 22, 16:00 EST.

Forager is helping Megan in the kitchen by opening a can of cranberry sauce. Megan turns to see Naruto putting Athanasia in a high chair as his wives were in the living room. Using her powers, she opens the fridge and dumps all of the food, for dinner, in Naruto's arms. She kisses him before turning back to see Forager trying to take a deviled egg.

She slaps all four of his hands away by using four spoons. Outside, in the Bio-Ship, Victor watches the snowfall. Will then walked in with a disguised Blackfire and Jilliand'r as Violet and Artemis are peeling potatoes. Paula was reading a book to her grandkids as the others were talking to each other. Talia was putting a turkey in the oven as a couple of her guards were setting the tables for them and the kids.

Dakota City November 22, 15:02 CST.

Helga Jace is hard at work, examining the strand of hair under a microscope before pulling away with a frown.

Taos November 22 14:08 MST.

Kage with his half mask on, a leather jacket and black pants stood with Bart, Ed, Virgil, Jaime, and Traci as a helicopter flies down and lands.

"Looks like 'Gardita's' in the house!" Bart exclaimed as Garfield exits, along with Perdita.

Traci then hit Jaime with her elbow. "Ow!"

"Why didn't you tell me Tork was coming?!"

"I told him not too to keep reporters from here," Naruto said walking up as the two started to walk down from the helicopter. "Hey squirt, you coming over later?"

Traci gasped at how Naruto greeted Garfield. "Yes, Naruto." Garfield quietly said as Perdita giggled and hugged Naruto.

"Hey, Perdita. Keeping Gar in line?"

"Yes, Naruto."

"Garfield Logan, Queen Perdita. I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Traci Thurston." Jaime said arm around Traci who looked ready to explode in happiness. "She's a big fan."

"I'm a big fan!"

"Hello, Traci, lovely to meet you."

"Hey, Traci."

"(Squeal!)" Traci squealed before elbowing Jaime in the chest.

"Ow!"

"OK, let's go," Naruto said ruffling Garfield's hair.

"Quit it!"

"It's my job to embarrass my little brother."

"This was supposed to be a team-building thing right?" Virgil asked as Traci and Jaime held hands. "Because I'm feeling like the… Seventh Wheel, where's the rest of the Team? You know, Cassie?"

Traci looked back to him before speaking. "Cassie's in Gotham trying to patch things up with Tim."

"I got to get a girlfriend." Virgil sighed before walking to a bumper car ride.

Happy Harbor November 22, 16:12 EST.

Paula sat on the couch with Lian on her knees both singing.

A-B-C-D-E-F-G.

Yes sir, yes sir three bags full.

Q-R-S-T-U-V.

Like a diamond in the sky.

Baa baa black sheep have you any wool?

How I wonder what you are.

Stephanie opened a bag of chips in the kitchen before putting them in a bowl as Violet walked in. "I thought Brion was going to Taos," Violet said as Stephanie looked up.

"Since you decided to join us, he decided to stay. Naruto usually has Thanksgiving here since the house is bigger for everyone." Steph explained walking to the living room to the coffee table in front of the couch.

"And Tara?"

"Tara's been through a lot. I know she doesn't talk much, but… She's here. Crash huh?"

"Yes. Very asterous." Violet said as Helga walked in.

Taos November 22, 14:20 MST.

The Team laughed as they rode in the large circular bumper cars.

(Groan!) This car moves so slow!" Bart yelled as he let go of the acceleration stack. "Will someone please explain why this is even remotely crash?!"

"My friend," Ed said in the seat beside Bart. "Sit back, relax and watch me terrorize the other drivers."

Bart grinned before bringing his left leg up to rest it on his right as he put his hands behind his head. "Well now, that does put a new spin on things. Drive on amigo. (Friend.)"

They then bumped into Garfield's and Perdita's car. "Oh, you're going to pay for that peasant!"

"I got to get a girlfriend," Virgil said after being bumped by Traci's and Jaime's car.

Happy Harbor November 22, 16:29 EST.

Forager walked into Bio-Ship and saw Victor was sitting in one of the bunk beds. "Forager has decided that Earth has all the best holidays. Halloween has candy and Thanksgiving… Thanksgiving has everything!" Forager said with clicks. "Forager asks Victor Stone if the holidays here are always… Crushing that magic?"

"Sorry Bug, ask someone else," Victor said standing ad puts his hands in his pockets. "I'm not crushing anything."

"Then come inside."

They looked to see Naruto wearing a black coat holding a case of bottled drinks. "Or are you going to sit and pout? So come on, everyone's waiting. We've also got the game on." Going outside, they saw Brucely and Wolf outside walking to the trees. "Hey, Bio-Ship. Victor's coming in so you can rest if you want."

Bio-Ship beeped before transforming into her egg form and floated into the garage. They all walked to the porch and walked in where Naruto saw Karen stopped by with a man.

He is a rather tall and muscular African-American male who's bald with a beard and brown eyes. He's wearing a grey long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

This is Malcolm Duncan, Karen's husband, a former member of the Team and third person to take up the Guardian mantel.

He then saw Lian, Quentin, and Damian at a small table by the TV with Xiang and Athanasia on high chairs by their mothers.

Taos November 22, 14:30 MST.

The teens were at the concession stands getting food and drinks before Perdita noticed Ed looking at a depressed Wendy. "What's wrong Eduardo?"

"(Sigh) It's nothing, your highness."

"No, no stop that right now," Perdita said, hands on her hips. "Garfield and I have a rule: No 'Your highness'' no 'Your majesty' or any of that among friends." She said before speaking Spanish. "We are friends, no?"

Ed smiled at that before replying. "We are friends Perdita."

"What is wrong Eduardo?" Perdita asked in English. "You stare at that girl. You are concerned about her?"

"I failed her. She's a newly minted Meta-Human, and I was helping her to learn to control her powers."

"And that didn't go well?"

"No, she convinced herself she needs that inhibitor collar. I suppose it gives her the illusion of control. When she put it on, something inside of her just… Died."

"And it breaks your heart," Perdita said before walking to Wendy. "Hi, I'm Perdita."

Wendy gained a surprised look before speaking. "I… I know who you are… Your majesty." She then bowed.

"No, today, I am no one's majesty. I love your hair."

Back with Ed, Garfield walked up eating cotton candy on a stick. "Your girl… She's pretty great."

"Believe me, it's been noted," Garfield replied as Bart sped beside them with two empty cotton candy sticks.

"Got you some cotton candy, amigo. (Friend.)"

"You sure about that?" Ed asked, looking at the empty stick.

"Hey! It's a long way from the booth to here. I got hungry!"

Garfield looked to the cotton candy stand they're beside before speaking. "How's it going with the Meta-Kids at the Center?"

"Mixed bag," Ed replied before looking at Wendy and Perdita. "Some are really having trouble. I wish I could do more."

"More?! You've set this whole part up!" Bart said as Ed sighed.

"True. But I wish there was a grand gesture I could make to truly inspire them."

"That's the problem with the Team! The covet thing gets in the way of the inspiration thing." Garfield said as Naruto leaned against the candy booth and crossed his arms. "This is not what I wanted when I came back." He finished as the other Team members walked up.

"TV stars like the spotlight!" Jaime said before Traci elbowed him.

"Ow!"

"Not cool!"

"It's not about that." Garfield sighed. "It's… It's about setting the right example. Offering hope to Meta-Teens, and kids."

"Could've used some more of that when we became Meta," Virgil said taking a bite of his candy as he stood beside Ed.

"Exactly."

"And that's not all." Garfield continued. "The game's rigged against us by the Lex Luthor's of this world. We need to change-!" Garfield stopped as Naruto walked past them to stand in front of the group as Count Vertigo and Henchy walked towards them before everyone but Naruto fell down to their hands and knees.

Naruto glanced back before looking at the duo. "Nice try Psimon. But your mental attacks don't work on me. Although I see I gotta reapply my seals on my friends here." He said as instead of Vertigo and Henchy, Naruto saw Psimon and Devastation who dashed to him.

Naruto Kawarimi (Substitution Jutsu) with a trash can before throwing a tri-pronged kunai to Psimon. Time seemed to slow down for Psimon as the kunai went past him before Naruto appeared in front of him and punched him in the face.

Crack!

And broke his nose before spin kicking him to a telephone pole and broke it.

"Baby!"

Naruto jumped in the air, flips and creates a large Rasengan (Spiraling Sphere) before dropping down on Devastation. "Ōdama Rasengan! (Big Ball Spiraling Sphere!)"

Flipping back, Naruto saw Devastation on her hands and knees before turning to see the Terror Twins drop down with crates as a truck pulled up having Icicle Jr. and Holocaust walked out. "Gar, guys, you wanna help?" Naruto asked before reaching for his belt showing it was covered in seals and unsealed his bow and quiver.

Garfield transformed into a bear and roared as the others got up and Jaime's suit formed around him before they all attacked.

Happy Harbor November 22, 16:35 EST.

Naruto noticing Paula and Jade have been gone for a while, stood up and walked to the hall behind the kitchen and saw Paula talking to her daughter on quitting being Cheshire.

He walked up to his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "Naruto, go talk to her."

"I'm not going to do that. I promised I wouldn't be with Talia when she was in the Shadows I won't do it for Jade."

"Mama!" Jade walked in and up to her before reaching up.

Jade smiled as she picked her daughter up before leaving.

"I know you're just worried about her, but you just got to trust they'll be alright. Plus, I'm there to protect them." Naruto said before seeing a fox the size of Wolf walk past with his kids riding on him.

"Horsey!"

"I always knew you were good for something Kurama," Naruto said to the fox as he turned to face him.

"Screw you!" The fox spoke before walking into the living room.

He then walked back before seeing Violet run out into the other room before Helga ran after her. A few minutes went by before Violet walked back without Helga before Naruto went to check on her. He stopped at the doorway as she was on her phone.

"Yes, it has been a long time… But I need your help."

Naruto raised an eyebrow before turning to walk back to the kitchen.

Taos November 22, 15:01 MST.

Naruto stood off to the side and sighed as Beast Boy, Kid West and Blue Beetle stood in front of reporters after beating Onslaught.

'Jaime I understand due to the Reach wanting to reveal him.' Naruto thought as he remembered the Reach invasion several years ago.

"It's not about the limelight." Beast Boy said as Kid grinned.

"I'm more of a lemon-light person myself!"

"Look, we were here, so we helped." Beetle said as Traci, Ed, Naruto, and Virgil stood off at a tree watching.

"This is crazy!" Virgil said to the others. "I mean against the rules crazy! Right Naruto?"

"Yes, but I'm not their parent I advised against it but they wanted too. Bart's from I guess now a different future fighting the Reach where no one hid their identity. And Jaime for pretending to be controlled and had to give away his identity." Naruto said before seeing Wendy speak to Perdita.

"Your man… He's pretty great."

Naruto smiled as that was the first time she's talked without being talked too since her accident before turning to the others. 'Hope they know what they're doing.'

"Those hero boys are pretty cool, mon."

Looking back, Naruto saw the other Meta-Teen girl talking beside Virgil with a Jamaican accent.

"R-Really?" Virgil asked flustered.

"And not just cool… Hot."

"Well you know I'm a… A friend of theirs."

"Sure you are." She said before walking away as Virgil groaned and facepalmed.

"You gotta get a girlfriend," Traci said as she crossed her arms.

To Be Continued.


A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes.

Beta: Jebest4781 and Chaos-PSD.

OK sorry, the other stories aren't updated, got a case of writer's block for them. OK, this is a bit of a spoiler of me talking about something that's a big part of the rest of this season so if you want to stop reading that's fine.

:SPOILER:

I just want to give my thoughts on this half just so I won't forget it at the end. Nothing big for spoilers though but do give thoughts on the end.

It didn't bother me that the focus was on the Social Media for the Outsiders/them getting higher fame than the Justice League. But then again, it takes something really bad for me to dislike it in a show as most of the time for me is an "Oh that's not something I'm into/not for someone like me" sort of a thing and then I'll stop watching the show if that's the main focus.

A good example for me is I'm not a fan of gross-out humor. In fact, the only show that I didn't mind that it was in was the original Ren & Stimpy Show, NOT the awful one that came out on SpikeTV now Paramount Network and even then I think it wasn't as bad as other shows did it.

So if a show has that I'll probably won't be a fan of that show.

I also got a few PM's and I think guest reviews on them not liking Black Lightning leading the Justice League as they felt he wasn't the right one to do so. And to that I say, wait until the next season as a Time Jump as been announced. Black Canary was given the leadership role at the end of season 2 and I was looking forward to that but a 2-year time skip went by and Kaldur and Diana are the leaders.

I feel they did that as Kaldur was young and probably thought he wouldn't be taken seriously by the public/media/some members of the League or didn't want to burden him with the responsibility. So I wouldn't be surprised if there was another hero(es) as the leader for season 4 but we'll see.

:SPOILER:

Nothing else to say.

Talk To You Later,

Lone Wolf Out.