Chapter 21

A/N: I just own this story. I don't own TFP or YJ, and Emerald is my friend's OC.

/comm/

Telepathy

'Bee's speech

Taipei, September 13

"This is Cat Grant reporting live from Taipei, where the historic peace summit between South Rhelasia and North Rhelasia has completely broken down. As a last resort, Prime Minister Tseng of South Rhelasia, and North Rhelasia's General Singh Mahn Li, have agreed to bring in two independent arbitrators. But who are they? Speculation has run between the Secretary General of the UN to Superman. But the Man of Steel is unlikely because I've been told they will arrive by car, not cape, at any moment.

/Aqualad/

"Red Arrow," Roy identified. "I need access to the Justice League's database, and the exact height of the League of Shadows assassin known as Cheshire."

/Checking…Cheshire is 1.67 meters/

"Uh…"

/She's 5'6'' and extremely dangerous. Do you require back up?/

"Please, the last thing I need is the Jr Justice League," he scoffed clicking a button on his glasses. It began to scan the crowd till it got a match. A girl in a baseball cap working in one of the booths.

/Just our computer/ Kaldur chuckled. /Good luck my friend. Aqualad out/

Roy pulled out his bow and arrows as the cars holding the two arbitrators arrived, surrounded by police. Cheshire climbed up onto the top of the booth, aiming her rocket launcher at the lead car. An arrow hit her hand as she pulled the trigger, knocking the missile up into the air.

People ran away screaming as the leaders were instantly hoarded by protective personnel.

"Did you get that?! Did you get the shot?!" a reporter called.

Cheshire flipped off the stand, hopped of someone's head and landed near the cars. Guards came and started attacking her. Wriggling out of their grasp, she pulled out two knives and raced for the vehicles. Roy rushed out, jumped onto the hood of the second car, firing an arrow. She stopped to cut it out of the air, during which he used the opportunity to tackle her to the ground. The missile landed on the booth, and Cheshire took his distraction to roll on top. However, before she could act over a dozen guns were aimed at her head.

"We have just witnessed a live attempted assassination, thankfully no one seems to be hurt, including our mystery arbitrators; Orion Pax and…Lex Luthor?"

-.-

The cops shoved the assassin into the back seat and drove away, as Roy was restrained but Orion hung up the phone and nodded at Luthor.

"We have confirmation that this is one is Green Arrow's pal, Speedy."

"It's Red Arrow now," Roy retorted, only to look behind them and see that both Erica West and Brandon Pax were smirking at him as they leaned against the cars.

"He must be questioned," an officer said.

"We vouch for him," Orion said. Luthor looked like he was about to object, when Pax tossed a glare that instantly shut up all protests.

"Release the sidekick."

"Ex-sidekick," Roy growled rubbing his wrists. "And I don't need any favors from you Luthor."

"Sorry, didn't know you wanted to join the young lady behind bars," the man chucked. "And why go for me? It was Pax that released you?"

"Well, unlike you, he doesn't pretend to be something he's not."

"I don't pretend to be an angel, it just so happens this time I'm on the side of the angels," Luthor smiled.

"Are you done Luthor?" Orion asked from near the door where Erica and Brandon stood next to him.

"Yes," he said smiling at the teens. "I take it this is your son, Brandon?" 'Bee smiled and shook his hand, while refraining from grimacing from both the man in front of him and the growing ache behind his temples. "And you are?"

"Erica West, Brandon's friend," she smiled. "I'm actually doing a report on this for school."

"Well," he said taking her hand. "I'm sure Mr. Pax and I wouldn't mind answering a few of your questions for you."

"Thanks."

"Now that introductions are out of the way, we really should get inside," Orion reminded. "We do have a war to stop."

"Of course," Luthor agreed.

Walking in they saw that the two representaives were arguing.

"Hiring assassins Li? Had you no one among your own troops to do the dirty work?!" Prime Minister Tseng snapped.

"I need no assassins! Such is the method of a Southern coward!" the general replied.

"Tensions are running high and troops are amassing on the border, right now, our arbitrators seem to be the best, and only hope for peace."

"Why should either side trust you Luthor?" Roy spat.

"Because, LexCorp founded on peaceful enterprise for all humanity."

"Cut the act! I've got intel showing LexCorp's been selling weapons to both sides," Red Arrow growled. "You're profiting off this war."

"War income is pocket change to the billions made in peace," Luthor replied. "And isn't peace better? Even if that scoundrel Lex Luthor makes a few bucks off it?"

"Enough, both of you," Orion said. "We came here to solve on conflict, not start another. At this rate, the two countries will go to war and the assassins may even succeed in killing us."

"Which begs the question of who hired them?" Luthor asked.

"And were you really the targets? Your deaths could've been convenient ways to sabotage the summit," Roy realized.

"Allow us to hire you to find out," Luthor said.

"Who said we wanted to hire him?"

"What assassin misses their target?" Megatron questioned. Bumblebee chose to ignore the irritating voice in his head. "Pretending I'm not real? Hmm, and here I thought you were more mature than that?"

"Go to hell."

"Already there."

"No thanks," Erica said with a sheepish smile.

"So you'll give us your services, but for free? I can live with that," Luthor chuckled.

"Luthor! In this century please," Orion said standing at the bottom of the steps.

Luthor noticed his partner's impatience and hurried over. Orion Pax was a horrible enemy to make, he had powerful connections with the US government, the UN, the League, CIA, FBI, US military, rumor had it that his wife was a high ranking Interpol officer and that he was formally a high ranking agent himself, he was connected to several other major governments, and was a leader in the development of new weapons and technologies; this was one potential ally he could not afford to lose.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, can we not attempt some smiles for the cameras?"

-.-

Mt. Justice

Superboy knelt on the ground fixing his bike. Sphere rolled up and bumbed his back, trying to get his attention. "Jealous?" The massive metal ball beeped at him and bumped him again. "Alright, alright."

"Ready for school?" M'gann asked flying on the clone petting the giant ball. "I made our lunches!"

"The first day of the scholastic season carries great cultural resonance," Martian Manhunter stated. "We want to wish you both well."

"Guess it's not a Kryptonian thing."

"You may wish to change," Kaldur suggested.

"I spent hours choosing this outfit!" M'gann said morphing her clothes into a pink skirt with a white top and small pink cartigain, along with a pair of flats. "What do you think? Can M'gann M'ortz pass as an Earth girl now?"

"Well…"

"JK! Meet Megan Mortz!" she said changing her skin color to Caucasian. "What's your new name Superboy?!"

"I chose the name John Jones for myself," Manhunter said turning into a dark-skinned man in a suit. "And suggested John Smith for Red Tornado. You could be a John too."

"Pass."

"Connor's always been my favorite name," Megan smiled.

Superboy shrugged, better than nothing. "A last name is also required," Kaldur pointed out.

"How about Kent?" J'ohn suggested.

"Oh! In memory of Dr. Fate, the late Kent Nelson," Megan said.

"Sure."

"Works for me, guess it'll be an honor or something," he shrugged.

"Well Connor Kent, time to change your shirt!" she smiled as he just looked at her. "You don't want to give away your secret identity!"

Connor removed his shirt and turned it inside-out. "This work?"

"Works for me," M'gann sighed.

"Wait, shouldn't I be Connor Nelson?" Superboy questioned as they walked off.

"They grow up so fast," Manhunter sighed.

-.-

Taipei

"Aren't you going to ask me anything?" Cheshire smirked as she worked on some training in her cell.

"You already know what I'm after," Red Arrow growled.

"I do actually, do you?"

"Who hired you?" he said.

"Shadows."

"And who hired them?"

"I don't ask," she said with a wink.

"What's the end game? The Peace Summit or Luthor and Pax themselves?"

"Three birds," she smiled making a gun with her hands towards him, "one stone. Hey, where are your little sidekick friends? They're always fun to play with, especially Ar-chery girl. I like her."

"She—They aren't in my league," he huffed.

"And you think you're in mine?" she asked grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer. "Where's Green Arrow when you need him?"

"I don't."

"Sure about that?" she said wrapping her arms around his neck before letting do and dropping down.

"Oh no," Roy said as the wall exploded and he was tossed back.

"It had to be you!" the assassin snarled, glaring at Sportsmaster.

"Beggers can't be choosers little girl," he stated. "Coming?" He slid down the rope and she hopped on, sliding after.

Roy ran to the roof, looking down he saw the pair racing across the rooftops towards a helicopter. Firing a line, he put his bow over it and slid after.

"I admire persistence, but…" Cheshire said hurling a throwing star at the line. Jumping off he rolled to his feet and gave chase as the line was cut.

"Go!" Sportsmaster ordered once they got into the copter.

Red Arrow managed to attach a line to the helicopter as it flew away, being dragged along with.

"Are you even trying to ditch this guy?!" he snapped at the other assassin.

"I hate to admit it, but he has a point," she said cutting the line.

Roy fell towards the roof, before he could fire an arrow he landed on a green matress. "Having problems?" Emerald asked setting him down.

"I didn't need your help!" he snapped.

"Says the guy falling from a helicopter," she snorted. "But hey, you want to do it by yourself, fine by me. I better get back before Orion notices I'm gone anyways. Just call if you need 'Bee or I." With a salute she flew off in a green flash.

-.-

Because I'm a professional I won't kill you. At least not while we're on the job," Cheshire snarled.

"You wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for me little girl," Sportsmaster sneered. "Grow up already."

"The evening's agenda was to create strife between nations," Ras Al Ghul said stepping out. "Not my assassins."

"Master," Cheshire bowed.

"And client," he said. "So, twice disappointed in your failure. Luthor has been a thorn in my side for too long. And Pax is too much of a threat. Peaceful countries rarely call upon the League of Shadows. So I expect better outcomes, and less interference from that boy!"

"Perfect," Roy grumbled as they all looked at him. Climbing up onto the roof he shot an arrow at Al Ghul, Sportsmaster stepped in the way, using his sword to cut it down. The leader of the Shadows smiled and retreated as the two assassins went after him.

Cheshire leapt onto the roof, ducking, and leaping over arrows as they came her way. Kneeing him in the gut, they began to to hand-to-hand combat. Sportsmaster vaulted onto the roof, tossing a few shrunken as he flipped. Cheshire ducked, giving Roy just barely enough time to use his bow to block them, but unfortunately, the bow broke, leaving him weaponless.

"I hear you go by Red Arrow now," Sportsmaster sneered. "More like Broken Arrow."

-.-

Happy Harbor

A guy skateboarded through the different groups of the high school, when he got close to Superboy he reached out and grabbed him. "What's this?" the clone asked glaring at the shirt he was wearing.

"What's your problem?" a guy larger than Connor growled. "Put my man Marvin down."

"I don't think he likes my shirt," Marvin stated.

Connor looked through the crowd seeing the icons for Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, the Autobots, and a few others. "Your shirt's fine, everyone's shirts are fine," he growled dropping him.

"Someone's fine," the girl next to the larger guy commented.

"Hi, we're new, I'm Megan Mortz and this is Connor Kent," M'gann introduced.

"Cool," Marvin said. "Nice to meet ya."

Connor and the other guy sized each other up, when a teacher snapped his fingers. "Ok, time to head to first period," he said.

The other guy walked past, shoulder checking him. Superboy was about to snap when Megan stood in front of him. "Connor!" she warned.

Superboy muttered something as Marvin and a cheerleader walked up to them. "Hi, I'm Wendy. I was new last year, so I know how hard it is to fit in, but you look like instant Bumblebee material to me," the cheerleader smiled.

"Bumblebee? The Autobot?" M'gann said confused.

"Oh, no," Wendy laughed. "That's our mascot for the school. Though I will admit he is my favorite member of the Autobots. Tryouts are after school for the cheerleading squad."

"Thanks! I'll be there!" Megan smiled walking off with her.

"Dude, facing down Mal Duncan, fierce," Marvin said punching Connor's shoulder, "not that bright, but fierce."

-.-

Taipei

Erica typed away on her report, using some of the answers she got from her brief interview with Luthor before he and Orion had to discuss their course of action.

"So, how's it going?" Brandon asked from where he sat on the bed as he flipped through the tv channels.

"Do humans have anything interesting?" the warlord in his head muttered.

"Yes, now shut up, I'm not trying to please you."

"Better, but I wish I could have the chance to finish that interview with your dad and Luthor," she grumbled.

"Don't worry, you can harass Dad on the flight back to Jasper, not like he'll be able to leave the plane," 'Bee commented. "On top of it we're actually at the scene of the event; you'll get to see it all first hand anyways. And Luthor, face it, we both know he has an ulterior motive."

"Like making an alliance with your dad for his connections to multiple foreign governments, major crime units, the military, and the fact that he's the head of the new technologies division in the government?" Erica stated.

"Exactly."

"There's also the fact that your IQs are in like the mid two-hundreds," she said.

"Once again, from a completely different planet, and we're way, way older than you. And besides, your IQ is right around what ours are."

"True, buy you guys have a lot more to offer him if he's successful," Erica pointed out.

"Do you really think in a million years Dad would make an alliance with Lex Luthor?"

"No."

"My point exactly, I just can't wait to see the look on his face when he realizes it!"

"You're impossible," she grumbled.

"Don't you have a report to work on?"

"Shut up," she hissed glaring at him. She went quiet, before looking at her friend. "Hey Bee?"

Hearing the tone in her voice, he turned off the tv and looked at her. "Yea?" he questioned, his gaze softening from the normal mask he kept on. Reading her expression, he got up and locked the door before sitting down next to her.

Searching through his mind he for the weight he was fearing wasn't his imagination, thankfully it seemed to be off in the deeper depths of his mind…and now oddly enough he had the opening song of Shingeki no Kyojin playing in his head. However, he pushed the entertaining song aside to handle the serious situation.

"What is it?"

"Y-You remember the-the accident?" she stuttered and he nodded. "Well…Hal found out who caused it…"

Bumblebee's eyes widened before a split second later his expression turned dark. "Someone caused it?!" he spoke darkly, and Erica almost shrunk back from the pure malice she felt radiate off him, but she nodded knowing that his fury wasn't directed at her. "Who am I killing?"

"The bridge was built on an old Manhunter temple and it collapsed," she stated. "None on the Manhunters inside reactivated."

Seeing she was about to cry, he pulled her into a hug, letting her softly cry into his shoulder.

-.-

Roy looked between Sportsmaster and Cheshire, who waved at him. The elder assassin hurled his spears at the archer. Roy took a step back, but the blast sent him flying into the water. Sportsmaster tossed his second spear down after. He looked down for a moment to see that he wouldn't surface. Once an acceptable amount of time passed he walked away, leaving Cheshire staring into the water.

Further away, Red Arrow surfaced, gasping for air. Laying on the ground, he tapped his comm, calling Aqualad and Emerald. "It looks like I might be over my head here," he stated.

-.-

"The League of Shadows wants you both dead," Red Arrow said looking at the two men getting ready.

"Doesn't every League?" Luthor snorted.

"Being hunted by assassins is nothing new for me Red Arrow," Orion stated. "It's actually something I'm more familiar with than I should be."

"It's not just Cheshire, it's Sportsmaster and Ras Al Ghul himself."

"Not surprising Ras is a competator of mine," Luthor stated.

"Maybe I should step aside and watch you two take each other out."

"Adorable Red Arrow, but you and I know that this summit relies too much on both of us being alive," Orion stated.

"Though, if the Shadows think he's dead, perhaps we could surprise them?" Luthor suggested looking at his colleague.

"I have a better surprise," Roy said.

"You can explain it to us on the way," Orion said. "Right now I need to let Erica and Brandon know they're staying here."

"You're not bringing them?" Luthor asked. "Ms. West seemed quite eager to witness the event."

"You may have no issue putting children's lives on the line, I, however, do," he stated. "I'll have Ivan film it for her. But I'm not sending my son or his friend anywhere near more assassins. You're not a parent, so I wouldn't expect you to understand."

Luthor hid a wince, he just made a dangerous step towards the man's bad side. He should've figured that despite the fact Brandon Pax was a blackbelt in multiple forms of martial arts and absolutely brillitant, Orion would still keep him away from any potential danger. Not wanting to say anything to crush any chances of a potential business partnership he just nodded.

"WHAT?!"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T GO?! THIS IS THE WHOLE REASON WE CAME!"

"I know, but I'm not sending you two into unnecessary danger," Orion said glaring at both. "Ivan will film it for you."

"Fine," they sighed.

"But I do expect your alter egos to be there," he whispered and they grinned. "Just watch some tv, or play a few old recordings."

-.-

Happy Harbor

"If Orion Pax's and Lex Luthor's unknown stategy for peace fails, the two Rhelasias could be looking at all out war before morning."

The teacher turned off the tv and looked at his class. "So, who can tell me more about Rhelasia?" he asked looking around the class. "Marvin?"

Said student woke up from his doze with a jump. "Well Mr. Karr…at least it's not Fakeasia."

A few chuckles resounded throughout the room as the teacher rolled his eyes. "Anyone else?"

"Modern Rhelasia was created in 1855 and ruled by the Bokun Dynasty before it was divided by the Great Powers into North and South Rhelasia after WW2," Connor answered.

"Very good."

"But why are they fighting? They're all humans—well Rhelasians," he corrected.

"Right on both counts actually."

"It's no different on Mars. The White Martian minority are treated like second-class citizens by the Green majority. Of course I'm Green, but that still doesn't make it right," M'gann said.

-.-

Taipei

"Reunification is unthinkable!"

"Our peoples no longer have anything in common!"

"Gentlemen, we aren't saying you must reunify, however, despite your differences, your people still share many things," Orion said.

"Such as the exquisite art of the Rhelasian Tea Ceremony," Luthor suggested as said cart was being pushed through the crowd towards them.

"That is far enough," Kaldur said turning around, holding out a waterbearer, "Cheshire."

Behind the two arbitraitors, Red Arrow knotched an arrow at her. Smirking she pressed a button and shoved the cart towards the table. A green shield came down just as Roy shot his arrow. The arrow just barely made it throught, making the cart explode.

"You really think we'd miss out on all the fun?" Emerald said lowering the shield and landing next to Aqualad.

"It's over Cheshire," Red Arrow said.

"You would think so," she smiled as a helicopter flew up behind her and Sportsmaster along with a dozen other assassins hopped out.

"Aqualad! You get Sportsmaster! Emerald, the other assassins! Cheshire's mine!" Roy snarled.

"So territorial and it's only our third date," she smiled as he fired an arrow. Knocking it out of the air she ducked under Aqualad as he leapt over her, heading for Red Arrow.

Emerald fought knocked another guy out of the way with her baseball bat. One guy leapt up behind her when a rope wrapped around his leg and yanked him up. He grunted as an armored fist hit him in the face and sent him slamming into the ground. Emerald turned at the thud behind her and saw the guy that was unfortunate enough to be jumped by 'Bee. Smirking she picked him up and hurled the unconscious assassin at his buddies rushing towards her.

"You called your little sidekick friends," Cheshire smiled. "But didn't you say they weren't in your league?"

Aqualad was punched in the face by Sportsmaster. Getting up he saw him pulling out his own mace. Resummoning his, they swung at each other.

By the table Orion and Luthor sat with the leaders watching silently as the fight continued. "Sir, we need to leave," Ivan, Orion's bodyguard, said.

"I want to see how this goes," he replied.

-.-

Happy Harbor

"Ok Megan, you're up."

Megan took a breath and began cheering. "Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. Hornets. Hornets can't be beat! Bzz-ting! Ow!" Finishing she bit her lip as they talked amongst themselves. After a moment, the other two girls went off and Wendy walked over. "How'd I do?"

"I thought you did great," she smiled. "And I'm really sorry about this."

Megan gasped as water was dumped over her head. Up in the stands Connor snarled and got to his feet, taking bits of the seat that got caught in his fist with him. "Connor no!" Trying to stop, he fell off the bleachers.

"Sorry, it's a stupid initiation ritual that I wish my teammates would abandon," Wendy informed tossing a glare at said teammates.

"Wait…initiation ritual?" she questioned. "Hello Megan! That means I made the team! I did make the team right?"

"You're a Bumblebee girl!" another girl said.

"Thank you!" she said hugging them.

"So is that your boyfriend? Cause he's hot, but kinda a freak."

After some chatting they started to leave. "You're carrying my books?" Megan asked.

"You want them to get wet?" Connor asked.

-.-

Taipei

Red Arrow ducked a spinning kick from Cheshire. Leaping back, the assassin tossed several shrunken that were intercepted by several coming down from the roof. Growling in frustration she went back to hand-to-hand combat.

Emerald decided to experiment and made a go kart, she then began driving after the assassins, who started running away or being hit by the vehicle.

Sportsmaster and Aqualad dodged the kart, exchanging maces for swords. "Not bad 'Lad, better than your team did in Santa Prisca or Bialya," Smportsmaster sneered.

"How did you…?"

"I have a source on the inside, very inside," he replied.

"Ok, I'm bored again. Aqualad!"

"You would be less bored if you were to go down there and fight," Megatron stated.

"And let you run rampage, yea right."

"I hate you."

"Feeling's mutual."

The sprinkler system suddenly turned on, and Aqualad summoned the water to create a giant eel, which started swallowing the assassins running from Emerald's kart. Cheshire landed next to Sportsmaster, putting on her mask she tossed a bomb into the eel's mouth, making it explode and disappate.

One assassin leapt out of the smoke and Bumblebee jumped down, landing on his back. "You missed one." They all turned to see the rest gone. "And lost the rest."

"And here I thought you had a natural gift for strategy, you demonstrated that when you proposed assassinating your own father, and in other moments I've seen you show a more twisted side, more so than any other Autobots have demonstrated. Allowing those humans to handle it was foolish," the voice of the warlord hissed.

"Yea, they fended off the assassins just fine! I probably wouldn't have even had to help if I didn't want to!"

"And then they let them escape, you were the only one who managed to capture one. By interfering you kept the one that slipped through their defenses from killing their targets."

"Exactly, the one, they performed admirably, keeping them all from getting them. Even if I hadn't jumped in Emerald was already preparing an attack that would've hit him just as he began his descent towards the targets."

"You noticed that through the smoke?"

"Uh…yes?"

Megatron chuckled. "You rely too much on weaklings, humans are such predicatble creatures. Think about it, how many times have your so called teammates held you back? In a mission, against us? You waste too much of your efforts protecting them. No matter how strong they seem they're always going to be weak, fragile beings; they live such short lives, mere blinks compared to us. Doesn't even seem worth the effort to befriend them, why you Autobots insist is something I will never understand. The only thing they're good for is entertainment, otherwise they're worthless. The sooner you recognize that the better."

"Thank you young heroes," the General said making the young Cybertronian swiftly realize he wasn't alone anymore.

"We owe you our lives," the Prime Minister added as they both bowed to the heroes.

"You ok?" Emerald whispered raising an eyebrow at her friend who was rubbing his temples—something that had been occurring more frequently since the patch.

Bumblebee gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm fine," he answered before quietly adding "…I hope."

-.-

"…South Rhelasia and North Rhelasia are signing a treaty, which could eventually lead to reunification," a reporter filled in as the two ambassadors signed their copies.

Red Arrow and Aqualad leaned against the wall, Emerald and Bumblebee had already left, something about a recording about to end. "I can't believe we just did a solid for Lex Luthor," Roy grumbled as they left.

"Not for Luthor, for peace," Aqualad reminded. "Besides if the contract was for the summit to be saboutauged, then the treaty renders the contract useless. It is over."

"Is it?" he asked. "I heard what Sportsmaster said. You really think there's a mole in the team?"

"I cannot ignore the possibility," he replied. "But if there is I must investigate quietly."

"Not tell them?"

"If there is I cannot let him or her know I am on to them," he stated. "The unit cannot unravel over baseless suspicions."

"Good luck with that."

"One moment my friend. Tonight, you could've called Green Arrow or the Justice League, instead you called the team."

"The team has my respect," Roy confessed. "I'm still getting used to this whole solo thing, but if you need me, I'll be there."

-.-

"Thanks for answering all my questions," Erica said shaking hands with Lex Luthor.

"It was my pleasure," he smiled. "Though why didn't you question Orion Pax?"

"Please, he's going to be trapped with me for at least eighteen hours on the plane ride back. I'm going to harass him then," she smirked. "Not like he can escape."

"Hey Erica?" Brandon asked entering. "You ready? The car's outside to take us to the airport."

"Yea, thanks again," she said leaving with her friend, closing the door behind her.

"Reporter?" Ras Al Guhl said stepping into the room through another door.

"No, she's a high schooler and is a close friend of the Pax family. She just so happened to be doing a report on the peace summit," Luthor said pouring two drinks. "Good news is, the two Rhelasias are quite literally buying into the peace."

"And another corner of the world, sees the light."

-.-

Central City, September 14

/Erica West, please report to the pricipal's office immediately/ a voice said over the intercom as she was about ready to leave school.

Groaning she trudged her way to the office, the secretary nodded her head and she went in. "I swear whatever it was this time it was Wally's fault!" she immediately said.

"Ms. West, you and your cousin's mishaps are not what we're here to discuss," the principal said practically jumping with excitement. "I'm sure you know Lex Luthor, the founder of LexCorp Industries?"

"Ms. West, good to see you again," he smiled shaking her hand.

"Nice to see you again too Mr. Luthor, but may I ask: why are you here?" she said.

"Your principal sent me a copy of your Taipei report; it was very good. I'd like you to write another essay for me to see if you may qualify for an internship at my company," he said.

Erica wanted to refuse, but since she didn't have a valid excuse there was no way to get out of it. "And what is it about?"

"The Justice League."

A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Cliff hanger!

Alright, I feel I could've done better with this chapter, but oh well, what's done is done, and I can't go over it a billion times.