A/N: So, due to lack of a plot line for anyone other than Wally in Coldhearted, and, believe it or not, I'm actually not a fan of the episode Image, so I'm skipping ahead to Agendas. If you've got a problem with that, too f*cking bad. And as a treat for you all, this episode is entirely the deliberation of the Justice League.
Agendas
The Watchtower
November 25, 06:54 EST
Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman stood together in the Watchtower gardens, gazing out over the earth as the sun began to crest over the Western Hemisphere.
"Times like these, one feels the weight of the world upon us." Wonder Woman said solemnly. Her male companions continued to look on in silence, only moving when Aquaman stepped up behind them and cleared his throat.
"Everyone is here."
The foursome walked in silence to the deliberation room. There, they saw the entirety of the Justice League standing before them as the windows began to seal themselves shut. Nothing spoken in this room was to be heard by anyone outside of it.
"Our agenda is clear. What's at stake should not be underestimated." Aquaman began.
"The decisions we make today will reverberate for years to come." The Man of Steel continued.
Wonder Woman added, "And influence whether or not the world continues to put their trust in the Justice League."
"Please, take your seats." Batman stepped forward, calling the meeting to order, "We have work to do."
Once everyone was settled, Batman stood from his seat.
"I'd like to bring this annual meeting of the Justice League to order. First and only order of business being nominations for new League membership. The floor is open to anyone with a nomination."
"Another expansion of the League could generate another escalation of hostilities from our enemies. No one needs or wants another Injustice League." Martian Manhunter was the first to speak.
"Point taken." Superman acknowledged his comrade before turning to the others, "But the option still remains to vote no on one or all candidates. So, I nominate Icon for League membership."
A holographic image of the hero appeared in the center of the room. Green Arrow scoffed.
"Why? Because you think he might be Kryptonian like you did with Captain Marvel?"
"You thought I was Kryptonian? Cool!" Marvel smiled childishly, earning some uncertain looks from other Leaguers. Wonder Woman set a hand on Superman's arm.
"Icon interests me, also. As does his protégé, Rocket. Athena knows the League could use more female members."
"Agreed." Black Canary grinned.
"Hear, hear." Hawkwoman cheered.
"We can all agree that diversity is a must for the League." Captain Atom said, "But we should also be considering heroes that are still new on the scene. Heroes that have a lot to learn from working with experienced Leaguers. That way new members can pass on what they learn to other incoming members. Which is why I nominate the Atom for League membership."
Captain Marvel chuckled, "Seriously? The Atom? How much use could he be at that size?"
"It's the size that makes him useful." Batman countered.
"Absolutely." Flash agreed, "Plus, the League could also use more raw power. And Earth has a third Green Lantern, Guy Gardner."
"No." Both Lanterns said firmly.
"But we could really-"
"No!"
Flash slunk back in his chair, looking deflated.
"If we want more raw power, then I'm nominating Blue Devil for membership." John Stewart offered.
A large devil-looking man appeared next on the holo-screen. Captain Atom nodded in agreement.
"He's assisted us on multiple occasions, including the Injustice League crisis in October. He has plenty of power and is willing to learn from us." The Nuclear Man argued.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean he's League material." Hal Jordan butted in, "He's been on the scene for only two years. Not to mention he still doesn't know the full extent of his abilities yet. He could wind up losing control of his 'devil side' and wind up causing more harm than good."
"Hal's right." Arrow stood up from his seat, "And if we're thinking of nominating Blue Devil, then I nominate Red Arrow."
The archer's former protégé appeared on screen, "Roy has more experience and he's no kid anymore. He's 18, a legal adult."
"True, but he has also been uncooperative and disrespectful." Aquaman rebuttled. Arrow sat down, arms crossed over his chest.
"And since when has age ever restricted a hero from doing good work?" Wonder Woman asked, "If experience is what we want in our new members, it seems only fitting that the obvious choice for the position be made. I nominate Wildcat for League membership."
"Diana! You can't be serious!" Black Canary gasped. She had always been protective of her protégé, having known her for so long.
"I am, Dinah. Kara has more experience than any other among the Team. She's proven herself time after time to be a capable leader and team member. Not to mention her skill set is unparalleled."
Green Arrow sighed, "I hate to say it, but Diana's right. Kara is more than capable of handling herself. Hell, she's taken half the League down hand to hand in sparring sessions. If we Diana nominates her, then I second the nomination."
"But she's only 16." Superman pointed out, "How can we be so sure that the public would accept a teenager into the League? They may lose faith in us, they may start to believe that we're willing to take what we can get. I don't believe we should be inducting kids into the League."
"Wildcat has proven herself to be much more than a kid in a uniform." Batman cut in, "Not only is she respected among her teammates, but she's respected among us. That respect has not been easily gained. And if Diana is confident in her nomination, then so am I."
"Then what about the rest of the Team?" Superman shot back, "Are we allowing them to be candidates as well? They're only kids."
"That seems myopic. I have been one with both Aqualad and Kid Flash." Doctor Fate spoke up, "They are both ready to handle the responsibilities of the Justice League."
"And what of Zatanna?" Diana asked. Fate slammed his fists on the table.
"Absolutely not!"
"That sounded almost protective, Doctor." A sly grin formed at the corners of Wonder Woman's mouth, "At least we know Zatara is still in that helmet somewhere."
"Why is Doctor Fate a member? You coerced Zatara into giving up his life, or lose his daughter instead. Not cool." Captain Marvel glared daggers at the Lord of Order.
"Should such behavior be condoned?" Red Tornado asked.
"Zatara desires Doctor Fate remain in the League." Fate crossed his arms.
"Oh, please." Marvel rolled his eyes.
"It is true. Zatara's trust in Nabu is... measured. He desires the League maintain a close watch upon us." Fate confessed.
"Then for the time being, Fate will remain." Batman decided, "Moving on from the Team, I'd like to enter my own nomination. Plastic Man."
"I don't know." Flash was wary of the nomination, "The guy's got a pretty substantial criminal record."
Captain Marvel couldn't hold in a laugh, "I'm sorry. Sorry, the guy just cracks me up."
His fit ended quickly when the entirety of the League directed their gaze upon him.
"Eeehhh… maybe we should discuss the elephant in the room?" Flash stated hesitantly, "Should Captain Marvel remain a member of the League, now that we know he's really a ten year old kid?"
"He does possess an adult body and the Wisdom of Solomon." Tornado pointed out.
"Wisdom does not equal maturity." Wonder Woman shot back.
"Hey, I'm sitting right here!" Marvel exclaimed. Canary offered a kind smile to him.
"Then, Billy, maybe you should leave, until we hash this out."
"No." Batman said firmly, "Captain Marvel is a member and is entitled to participate, until or unless he's voted out."
"It's not just his age. It's the fact that he lied about it." Wonder Woman's fist tightened.
"I didn't lie... exactly. I just... left out the part about me being a kid." Marvel tried to defend himself.
"A lie of omission is still a lie. You kept an important secret from us. No one in the League knew the truth."
"I knew." Batman said, directing the League's gaze toward him.
"I shouldn't be surprised." Diana spat, "Since you indoctrinated Robin into crime fighting at the ripe old age of 9."
"Robin needed to help bring the man who murdered his family to justice." Batman replied coolly.
"So that he could turn out like you?"
"So that he wouldn't."
A pregnant pause filled the room. For a moment, no one knew what to say. Then Martian Manhunter spoke up.
"With the exception of Wildcat, it seems we've reached the consensus that 18 is a reasonable minimum age for League membership. But what of Miss Martian?" An image of Manhunter's niece appeared next, "Though she is a biological adolescent by Martian standards, she was born 48 Earth years ago."
"So what is the deciding factor? Chronology or biology? Take Superboy." Tornado asked his comrades.
"Exactly. He's less than a year old. Does he have to wait 17 more to stand beside us?" Canary argued.
"You seem to be very supportive of him, Canary. So tell me, why are you so against your own protégé joining our ranks?" Hal asked smartly.
"That's my business, Lantern. Not yours."
Batman stood from his chair.
"That's enough. Does anyone have any other nominations?" He received no response, and so, pressed a button on his keypad, pulling up images of each of the candidates. "Then here are the candidates for new, or continued, membership. We've debated origin, gender, size, age, temperament and background. But, what is the fundamental criteria for membership?"
"When all is said and done, the question must be, whom do we trust?" Wonder Woman said solemnly, "Trust to fight beside us, trust to have our backs, trust to uphold the high standards and ideals of the Justice League."
"Time to vote."
It took only a few minutes for everyone to finish their ballots.
"All those in favor of ratifying the results?"
Every hand in the room went in the air, "Aye."
"Opposed?" Silence followed.
"Then we are adjourned."