A/N
Welcome home, friends and YJ family. Before you say anything, this was pushed back to Wednesday, simply because I needed a short break.
Come on season three of YJ! I know you are coming!
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Reviews
Elvisfonz23: It's good that you enjoyed the Lex part, as at first I expected people to be... meh, but apparently quiet a large number of you (two, lol) enjoyed it. Be sure to answer the question at the bottom of the page!
MoustachedCat: Do these reviews keep on getting longer? It sure feels like it, in a great way. First answer: Around 3/4. The last two chapters are going to be named 'In Brightest Day' and 'in Blackest Night' and No 2: Tough question, but I have to go with Black Beetle. He gave me the creeps!
Chapter 26: Together, We Are Powerful
Kyle Rayner's POV
Hours later- Mount Justice
Here we are... home/Mount Justice/hand-me-down from the mentors. Who knew that something which was begrudgingly passed down could actually become so warm and welcoming. Minus Batman's intimidating and overall depressing presence from the location, it's a good place to start out any heroic career. So... why does it feel so awkward to be at the only place I call home? Oh, right, the Dark Knight is dampening the area with his brooding aura.
Add in the Man of Steel, the ferocious Amazon, the fastest man alive, the last son of Mars and Hal- since he doesn't necessarily have a cool nickname- and you get a parade of self-righteousness being jammed into the darker places of your mind.
"And, that's why you need to obey orders from us. We are trying to help, but protect you at the same time." Superman abruptly closes out, ending the tirade I was too busy daydreaming to listen to. "Are you listening, Kyle?"
Hearing my name called out, I snap out of the trance and shoot my head up. "Yeah, uh, obey, uh, got it, uhhhh, anything else?." I nervously stumble out the words, avoiding the facepalm that Hal is currently doing. Out of everyone, they have to single me out as always.
"Superman, we don't have all day to lecture them. Slade Wilson is in custody, but it doesn't bring an end to Luthor's plans." thankfully, Batman saves me from further embarrassment, directing the conversation to a topic, that we youngsters have no clue what they are talking about. However, anything that is connected to Lex Luthor tends to involve Superman, and not in a friendly way.
"What are they supposed to do about it, Batman? They are just kids." Superman counters, directly slighting us without a second thought.
"Slow down there." I interrupt the two veterans. Once again, Hal's face has drained of all colour and the veins on his forehead are screaming for me to stop. Grudgingly, they face me and suddenly I am under the gaze of the two most imposing figures in the Justice League. To be lost for words is a severe understatement. "Well, I... I, uh... just wanted to point out that we... uhhh, are, uhh... not children. " I let out a nervous chuckle at the end.
"Right," Batman sighs and looks at Superman again. "we need to f-"
"Hold up, I'm not done yet." I cut off the Batman before covering my mouth, realising what I had done. Well, since I have come this far, it's only prudent that I show some spine and continue. "I, along with the rest of the team," I quickly look over my shoulder at them and Wally opens his mouth to speak, but mulls on it and soon closes his mouth. Thanks for all of this support, guys. "would love the opportunity to prove to you that we aren't kids, and we will be the heroes you want us to be. Tag us in... coach... Batman."
"Are you serious?" Superman incredulously shakes his head. "To tell us that you aren't children, you interrupted a highly important conversation and called Batman 'coach'" he exhales in a sound similar to a small laugh. "You definitely are Hal's apprentice, aren't you?"
Over in the corner, the Green Lantern does a quick, awkward smile. "He sure is."
"We could use all the help we can muster." Batman's eyes sharpen whilst gazing over the team.
"Don't tell me you are actually considering this?" Superman asks, shocked.
"Let's put it to a vote." was the Caped Crusader's short, decisive answer. "Flash, thoughts?" he firmly asks the scarlet speedster.
"Well, the way that I see it: these guys- and girls- have proven themselves already. Maybe, let them help without shoving them into too much danger." he responds, to the vocal agreement of Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter.
"Like sending us to apprehend Ra's al Ghul." Kid Flash raises an eyebrow, or would be without the face coverings.
"And, sending Kyle and Wa-Kid Flash into a practical war zone, full of super villains." Artemis finishes it off.
"They are kind of right, Barry, we have been dumped into seriously messed up situations." I say, forgetting at the moment that Wally wasn't supposed to have hinted to us that Barry Allen is the Flash.
"Seriously? Batman, did you really send them into these types of miss- wait... did you call me Barry?" the Flash does an amusing double take midawy through his question. "Great... does that mean everyone in this room know my secret identity?" he mutters, yet we can still hear him.
"Join the club." me and Hal puff in unison.
"Back to the matter at hand; whether the Justice League warms to the idea or not, Young Justice has proven to be a valued team." Martian Manhunter returns the focus to the immediate matter. "If the decision does come down to a vote, I believe that they deserve the chance to fight alongside us." he adds, looking to each of his peers.
"Thank you for your input, Martian Manhunter. Now, all of those in favour, Young Justice excluded from the vote." Superman addresses the founding members, all of whom apart from Superman himself raises their hand.
Apart from his obvious disapproval and underestimations aside, there remains no real reason why he refused. Ideally, he must understand that everyone needs an opportunity to defend themselves and others, so his skepticism must come from somewhere. Obviously, there may be a slight portion of concern for those he deems not ready to face the dangers of the real world. Yet, I believe his actual concerns lies to the side of Robin- frowning, boring, and shortfused. Superboy has to be a factor, otherwise Superman isn't as caring as he is made out to be, in my opinion. Still, as a team, we can handle the odd problem on our own.
"Very well, then. For the forseeable future, the members of Young Justice will act in unison with the Justice League in supporting... and combat roles." the compassionate Kryptonian announces, although with a critically high level of doubt and wariness.
"Finally." Conner just had to ruin the momentous occasion. "when do we get started?"
"Easy, Conner, we still have to plan out our next moves carefully. Which means that we need the full details, Batman." Robin holds Superboy's metaphorical reins.
"Not too long ago, me and Green Lantern infiltrated a LexCorp charity event, under the suspicion that Luthor is readying to do something in relation to Young Justice. What we found was concerning, to say the least. Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke the Terminator was hired to protect an unknown whereabouts, nicknamed 'Project Solar Dawn' and so far, I havent been able to figure it out. Since solar is in the name, we are assuming it has something to do with Superman... or Superboy." Batman informs, swiftly going over the key details.
"During over missions, we discovered a secretive faction codenamed the Light. Maybe, they have something to do with this." Aqualad speaks.
"Yeah, those guys do seem like the type that would want to end you two. Queen Bee did take interest in Conner, remember?" Artemis sparks up the floodgates, unleashing the correlations and relationships that point directly to Lex Luthor.
"We already guessed that Luthor was involved, but this might be evidence." Miss Martian says to the leaguers, Martian Manhunter in particular.
"Tell me everything you know about this group- members, goals, and research capabilities." Batman commands, bringing up a computer.
"Queen Bee had some serious science hardware in Bialyia, and it was pretty secret when we first arrived. She seemed to be agitated when he confronted her." Kid Flash details Queen Bee.
"Ra's al Ghul has a lot of manpower. More than enough to provide security to any covert research facilities. Other than that, we didn't really know how he slotted into the Light." Superboy was the next team member to reveal clues. "He's also smart enough to provide a location for a lab."
"That 'Grodd' and his cronies were really, really smart. Easily, they could be the brains behind any research or experiment." Artemis nods in realisation.
"Black Manta and some unknown magic user were tough; could be the enforcers." Miss M's brow clenches in thought.
"What about the brain in a glass? Those animals were enhanced, most probably genetically manipulated. He could have provided a template for something." I click my fingers together. "All of these are heading in the same direction- science. A Kryptonian killing virus?"
"We'll figure that out. For now, prepare yourselves and get some rest. It's going to be a long day tommorrow." Batman gestures for us to go with a hand.
Exchanging triumphant, yet deeply concerned glances at each other, we file out towards the showers and guest bedrooms. There is one thing that makes me the most anxious, and that's how truthful Batman was sounding when he said we are having a tough day tommorrow.
Hal Jordan/Green Lantern's POV
"Now that the team is out of the way, what do you really think of them?" Superman commences the usually civil proceedings that follow an important vote, however it sounds slightly cynical of him to say. "Do you think they stand a chance in the field?" he questions, eyes dancing between all of us.
"We stand by what we said, Clark." Wonder Woman affirms, clearly annoyed by the insinuation.
"Yeah, Supes, we do. But, we need to plan this out carefully before we involve them." Barry slowly breathes in, conveying the tense atmosphere.
"Why are you so against the idea anyway? If their missions are something to go by, then they can handle themselves perfectly fine. Their record is spectacular, even compared to our standards." I ask Clark. Whatever is bothering the normally stalwart man must be immense, because he's never opposed something as staunchly as this, and frankly, it's quite disturbing to believe he doesn't have complete faith in the future of the Justice League.
"Because," he sighs, deeply. "They are different from us, friends. We have experienced this life too much for us to seek out any other way of living. These heroes are young... they have a chance to escape this life and live in peace. If the youth is so entrapped by the world's affairs, how can they know what it means to live? We, at least, had time to go through life before all of this violence erupted. I don't want them be changed, because of this life they are choosing so blindly."
In a remarkably rare display of affection, Batman places a hand on Kal's shoulder. "Be that as it may... they are willing to sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of ordinary innocents."
"And that's the reason why we made this, right? To help people who can't help themselves." Barry encourages Superman, reflecting his unofficial status in the league as the chief peptalker. Whenever you need a quick motivation or inspiring quote, Barry Allen is the one to approach.
"I thought we made it to get an awesome space satellite." I joke, but no laughter follows. "Tough crowd."
"Since we have already established a clear pattern detailing Luthor's involvement, we need to act decisively to counter the growing threat. Using the computer, I managed to piece together potential locations of a research facility. Although, we need to split up and destroy these sites in small groups. My suggestion is dividing us between the team members." Batman briefs.
"Like... one of us teams up with a Young Justice member?" I ask.
"Yes. However, to make the absolute most efficiency we can, splitting up powers and varying the groups is optimal. Which means that I want Flash with Robin- speed with hacking capabilities. Superman, you take Miss Martian for her telepathy skills, and Green Lantern takes Artemis and Superboy- versatility with marksmanship and raw power. Finally, Manhunter gets Kid Flash and I will fight with Aqualad. That leaves..." he speedily runs through the setup.
"Me with Kyle. All the better for me to keep an eye on him." Wonder Woman finishes off the speech.
"Good, are we all agreed?" Superman asks, however none of us openly object. "Now, this task will not be easy, of that I am certain."
"On that, every one of us agrees. Lex has always kept his operations well guarded, both from the public and unwanted visitors." I say.
"Perhaps, the smaller groups will be ideal for avoiding attention from LexCorp security." Martian Manhunter hopefully points out.
"It's a possibility, although many of us aren't suited for covert espionage compared to some among us." Superman nods to Batman as though we didn't already know. "For the time being, we will stick to our plan- search and destroy, seizing as much information as you can." he continues, exuding the confidence we normally value as his most crucial aspect.
"This meeting is officially adjourned, get some rest. Something tells me that Lex has a surprise planned out for us." Batman announces, already striding out of the room towards the zeta-tube.
"Where has all this mess come from?" the Flash asks, bewildered. "One moment we were cruising along, well on our way to securing peace and now this? Will our troubles ever end?"
"That, Barry, is best left to the gods." Diana warmly smiles, becoming the next founding member to exit.
Despite the confusion and bewilderment in my old friend's tone, he understands the answer. The truth is... none of us genuinely can see a future where we actually achieve the goals we laid down all that time ago. Back when we first met each other, battling Darkseid and his path of annihilation, it was amazing that there were others out there that believe in the same things as us. Yet, a part of me believes the novelty has worn off and we are facing our biggest, most dangerous rival. A crisis of the heart.
"Come on, BA. Best go home to Iris before she freaks out... again." I slap him on the back, making him startle.
"Thanks for the reminder, old pal." he shoots a rapid one finger salute before zooming off to the zeta-tube, reducing our numbers by one.
"Hal, is it okay if I speak with you for a second... in private?" Kal gestures for me to follow him to the leisure room. Exchanging curious looks with Martian Manhunter, I scurry after the man of steel, almost slipping and smashing my forehead on a wall.
Once caught up with him, he wearily sighs and motions for me to sit down. Gratefully seating my rear onto the couch, Kal does the same at the other end. Something is warning me that this will be about my particularly annoying apprentice.
"This is about Kyle Rayner as you might have guessed." he starts. "Is there anyway that he can be removed safely from his rings? Not forcing them off, but replacing them with another... less hostile emotion?" Okay... not the way I was expecting this to go.
"Technically, the rage power ring is synched to his heart, comparable to a life support. I have heard rumours that a hope wielder can remove the impurities caused by the rage ring, but there might not be accuracy to it." I respond.
"A few nights ago, I has this... strange dream about a creature completely coloured in shining white, and it told me to help him 'ascend to emotion' and replace the rage within his heart. At first, I thought that it was just a dream, but when Kyle spoke to me earlier, I heard the same voice whispering in my head." Clark describes a vivid sounding dream, his face portraying his confusion.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Clark: that's weird and messed up, but I believe you. For starters, I'll take a look in the databases, see what I can uncover."
"Thanks, Hal. To be honest, I was scared to bring this to you. I thought that you would laugh in my face and say that I'm losing it. I should put more trust in you, as a friend and an ally."
"No problem, Supes!" I yawn, stretching across the sofa in exhaustion. "Do you think we can pull this off?"
"Absolutely. If there was one thing that has remained with all of us from the beginning, it's each other. Together, nothing will defeat us."
A/N
Thank you all for taking the time to read this! The next chapter will be up on Friday... I hope.
Since you guys always ask me questions, how about I return the favour?
If Young Justice is renewed for season 3, what would be the one thing you would love for it to include? E.g. New characters, and etc!
Signing out, YJ style.