I do not own Young Justice or any of the characters.


Split

"Excellent work, Alpha Squad, textbook op," Megan smiled, looking over at Cassandra and Rose's team, Cassius's own having not gone well under Tim's leadership. "Gamma...you could learn something from-"

"Recognize Steel, Three-Six, Black Lightning, Two-Three," the computer announced as the two heroes stepped out of the Zeta-tube.

One was a behemoth made of his namesake with a red cape and a Superman emblem on his chest and the other a middle-aged African-American with a black and blue lightning-themed costume, a goatee, and a black mask over his eyes. Currently, though, he was in civilian clothes, and had been since he'd tried to fight a lava monster on Rann a few days ago and accidentally killed it because it was a human girl of fourteen years old forcefully turned into a meta-human and sent to fight for Darkseid, who was trying to take over Rann. Cassius suspected the girl had been a victim of Bedlam's trafficking ring, but had no proof yet.

"Where are they?" Black Lightning asked.

"Already in the conference room," Megan said. "Most of them, anyway."

"Why isn't Lightning in costume?" Wonder Girl asked, most of the team not knowing about Rann.

"Well that's everyone but the League's fearless leader," Bart said.

"Recognized Aquaman, Two-Seven," the computer announced as Kaldur arrived.

"And speak of the devil," Bart said.

Kaldur had updated his costume in accordance with his promotion. He now had greenish-gold plating over his shoulders and arms, as well as around his neck, the armor having slits for his gills and having his upper arms plated on the outside only, Cassius's assassin-trained brain once again pointing out how ineffective it made the armor. He also had a set of new, upgraded Water Bearers, which were more blocky than his last set.

"They're, uh, all waiting for you," Connor said, still coming to the briefings, despite not being a member of the Team.

Kaldur sighed. "I am not looking forward to this," Kaldur said. "M'gann, as leader of the Team, you are invited to observe."

"And, do I want to observe?" Megan asked.

"Probably not, but please come," Kaldur said. "I believe I could use the morale support."

"You have that, Kaldur," Megan said. "Always."

"Go," Cassius said, stepping forward. "I can finish the briefing."

"Alright," Megan nodded, using Telepathy to quickly show him what she observed of both squad's mistakes.

"Got it," Cassius nodded. "See you in a couple hours."

"I hope not," Kaldur said. "Garth and La'gaan wish to take me on yet another blind dating session."

Cassius snorted. "I keep telling you, just tell them you're dating a nice surface world girl they'll never meet."

Kaldur sighed. "I believe part of me is hoping they will be successful this time. I must go."

"Have fun," Cassius grinned as he and Megan walked away, Megan giving him a deadpan look before turning back to the front as she passed through the door. "Alright, now then. Ass chewing time."

The others, minus Cassandra and Rose, all grimaced, knowing full well that Cassius was the most nitpicky and harsh when it came to judging successes or failures. About thirty minutes later, Cassius had just finished when the door to the conference room opened, Batman and Green Arrow walking out of it. Cassius frowned. Why were they leaving the meeting so soon? And alone? He looked to the rest of Batman Inc and instantly realized something was wrong. Cassandra, wearing in a replacement black costume that was all black and similar to her last but with a solid helmet-like mask and a cape, though the mask was currently off, and Rose looked as confused as him, but Tim's expression showed that he knew exactly what was happening, and Cassius could tell by the look in Stephanie and Cissie's eyes that they did too.

"It's time," Batman said, those three walking over to the two Leaguers instantly.

"Time?" Wonder Girl asked. "Time for what?"

Tim slipped his hand out of hers, walking away.

"Void, Orphan, Ravager, we're leaving," Batman said flatly.

"What?" Cassius asked. "Why?"

"Because I said so," Batman said. "Now you're either coming with us, or you're no longer a part of Batman Incorporated. That is the only thing you will not be a part of." He made eye contact with Cassandra to reassure her she wouldn't be disowned.

Cassius looked to Rose and Cassandra.

"I'm with you," Rose said.

"Stephanie," Cassandra said.

"Sorry, Cassy," Stephanie said. "I'm going."

Cassandra looked to Cassius.

"It's up to you," Cassius said. "Even if we stay and they go, it doesn't mean you can't be friends with her. She just won't be going on missions with us. But if you want to go, Rose and I will go with you."

Cassandra was silent for a second before taking his hand and shaking her head. "Stay."

"Very well," Batman said. "We're leaving."

The others all left just as Black Lightning walked over, apparently having also resigned.

"Join us Jeff," Batman said. "I think we want the same things."

"The same things?" Lightning scoffed. "Really? Batman, I just resigned from the Justice league! At least their leaders were elected democratically. I want nothing to do with...Batman Incorporated. The truth is, I don't trust you. Especially after what you pulled in there today."

"What?" Bart asked. "What did he pull?"

"Later," Cassius said. "I'm sure we'll find out."

"I'm sorry Virgil," Black Lightning said to his protégé. "Maybe you can find a new mentor. One who's...less damaged."

"Will someone please tell me what's going on!" Bart said.

"Enough, Bart," Cassius said. "Just stay quiet for a minute."

"Perhaps Dick had the right idea," Kaldur sighed.

"Was it just them?" Cassius asked in a low voice, walking over.

Kaldur shook his head, sighing, keeping his voice low. "Half the League. Besides those two, there was also Katana, Batwoman, Hardware, and Plastic Man. They all planned it out beforehand. Except for Jeff. He is retiring because of Rann."

Cassius shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Kaldur shook his head. "I'll need to talk to you later."

Cassius nodded. "Well, at least the meeting's over in time for your date."

Kaldur grimaced. "I believe I may take your advice about the surface world girl after all."

Cassius chuckled.

"Speaking of which," Kaldur said. "How are things going?"

"Oh, the usual," Cassius smiled. "Rose pushes for more, Cassy's happy enjoying what she has."

Kaldur nodded. "You are incredibly lucky. For many, many reasons. Be good to them."

"You're telling me," Cassius chuckled. "I couldn't get rid of them if I tried. In fact, I did try, and look how that worked out."

"Yes," Kaldur grinned. "You tried to get rid of them and ended up in an unofficial relationship with them both instead."

Cassius chuckled just as he watch beeped. "We'll have to have our chat another day. I have a date to get to."

"One that doesn't involve your girlfriends?" Kaldur asked.

"Well, this one likes to play rough," Cassius shrugged. "I'll see you soon."

Kaldur nodded and Cassius gave Cassandra and Rose a kiss goodbye before taking the Zeta-tube to Moscow. A couple hours later, he and Nightwing were overlooking a factory where currently being used by Bedlam for meta-human trafficking. At least, according to their intel. They'd raided a total of four potential locations, which was how they found out he was using Tar, but it had been tainted by blood and they couldn't get a good analysis of it.

"You ready?" Nightwing asked, putting his Darkwear mask on to complete the suit, which was a completely plain, black set of formfitting armor and a mask based on Cassius's own armor preference, along with the contacts and earpieces.

"I hope there's some Tar here for me to absorb," Cassius said. "I'm do for a boost, but I can't collect that clone I left at the manor for another day or two."

Nightwing chuckled. "Well, if there is, let me get a sample analysis first."

Cassius nodded and flew them both to the factory before they moved to the skylight. Then, they slipped in, quickly beating down the handful of thugs inside. There were boxes stacked all over, some of which Cassius could see children in with his contacts' x-ray vision, a couple of pods similar to the ones Cadmus had used so long ago, one of which still had tar in it, and and about six guards, all now unconscious.

"Intel was on the money, Oracle," Nightwing said.

"Of course," Barbara said as Cassius freed the children, telling them to run in Russian.

"It's definitely another meta-human trafficking lab," Nightwing said, taking a sample of the Tar, then nodding to Cassius, who absorbed the rest, including the vat of Tar waiting to be used behind the pods.

"But is it Bedlam?" Barbara asked.

"Pods filled with what I can confirm is Tar," Cassius said, grimacing. "Not very good Tar, though."

"Personal preference aside, he uses that Tar to turn kids into full-on meta-humans," Barbara said. "Assuming the kids survive the process."

"Yeah, drowning in black goo that burns your body isn't all it's cracked up to be," Cassius said. "Go figure."

"Let's shut 'em down," Nightwing said, hurling his newly upgraded explosive disks into the crates, pods, computers, and support struts.

"Really?" Cassius asked. "I'm still in the building."

Nightwing shrugged and they both ran out of the building, Cassius dropping the thugs in the street as he leapt to a building across from it less than a second before the entire factory turned into a fireball.

"Nightwing?" Barbara asked worriedly. "Nightwing, do you read!?"

"Worried about me?" Nightwing asked.

"Worried you didn't get a sample of the Tar before you blew the place," Barbara said.

"Way ahead of you," Nightwing said, transferring the sample analysis to her. "Sending data now."

"Got it," Barbara said.

"I'm fine too, by the way," Cassius smirked.

"Oh I'm so relieved!" Barbara said dramatically.

"Mhm, sure you are," Cassius said. "Just remember, if I die, you have to tell Cassandra and Rose, since you're mission control."

"Good point," Barbara said. "Nightwing, give him the Tar as an apology."

"Oh yay," Cassius smirked as he absorbed the Tar sample. "As much Tar as I hock as a loogie. you're so thoughtful."

"You're welcome," Barbara said cheerfully. "So, this is crash."

"Hey now, Bart," Cassius said. "Put Barbara back on the phone."

"Oh, sorry," Barbara said. "I guess I won't tell you that I got a solid lead of the source of the Tar."

"You can tell me," Nightwing said. "I'll listen to anything you want to say."

"The Tar contains a clay only found in one place," Barbara said. "Markovia."

"Then Markovia, here we come," Nightwing said, taking his mask off.

Just then, Cassandra's icon appeared and she sent a message. "Rose wants pizza tonight. When will you be home?"

Cassius chuckled, sending a silent message back, he, Cassandra, and Rose being the only three that used that function. "About thirty minutes or so. Go ahead and get changed. Oh, and make sure you and Rose have a dress ready each. Something classy. Alfred can help."

"Okay," Cassandra messaged. "Love you."

"Love you too," Cassius messaged back.

"Dinner plans?" Nightwing guessed.

"Yup," Cassius smiled. "We should get going."

Nightwing grinned, nodding and they both headed for the nearest Zeta-tube.


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