Arriving at Mount Justice was chaos. Artemis shouldn't have been so surprised when the Dark Knight ordered that her, Wally, and the twins leave the house immediately. As well as telling them to leave no traces that they were there and ensure their secret spaces in which they concealed hero stuff, costumes and or weapons, were completed concealed.
Members of the JLA, team and assorted allies were frantically moving around the cave. Neither her or Wally could recall a time this many people were here. Irey looked over to her parents. "Mom, what's going on?" she asked skeptically.
Before Artemis could even tell her she didn't know, Green Arrow approached them quickly. "Ollie what's happening?"
The archer looked at them blankly as if it was impossible they couldn't know.
"He didn't tell you? The ass…" He muttered. "Hey, Tornado, turn on the news!" Oliver called over. The Android used the holographic controls and the large news screen appeared overhead.
"Good Evening this is Vicki Vale reporting live for Washington DC. Where we have breaking news of the Justice League conducting secret experiments on civilians, animals and even their own. It was just two weeks ago when strange occurrences began happening, surrounding the Gotham City's Star Labs facility. Locals noted loud sounds and screaming. This only escalated when the Star Labs facility in Star City, the original laboratory, was in similar circumstances, and a lightning storm erupted from the grounds. Clearly not of natural causes. The storm led to power-outages nationwide, sparking a full-scale investigation which was kept confidential by authorities until today. The CIA released a statement saying they found the Justice League of America has been using the Star Labs, a government funded program to do illegal experimentation. Also failing to report what they were doing and lying on any of the very scarce reports ever submitted. Upon the further investigations, the CIA has confirmed the JLA experimented and illegally operated on children."
The room had all stopped and everyone stared at this report. It seemed like the biggest pile of bullshit they ever heard.
"What the hell is this?" Artemis yelled at Oliver, gaining the attention of everyone else.
Vicki Vale's voice seemed to drown out as Artemis went on. "How on Earth are we just hearing about this now? Why didn't anyone tell us?"
Oliver put his hands up defensively. "Hey, hey. We were just as surprised as you are. And half of this is total and complete-"
"Bullshit!" Artemis interjected.
"Yes, yes. We know…"
"It's complete and utter bullshit. They think we're doing terrible things, do they even know what kind of monsters we-"
"Artemis…" Wally started.
"We do we we do for the greater good of this country and the entire world sometimes even the mother fu-"
"MOM." Irey and Jai yelled simultaneously. They glared at each other immediately following. Artemis stopped yelling and rambling and breathed for the first time in a while. Nightwing walked up, if the whole cave wasn't chaotic enough. Wally immediately felt awkward even when he had no context from what Artemis had previously said about her and Dick.
"Hey. I heard yelling are you okay?" Dick was talking fast indicating his clear frustration.
"Fine…" Artemis grumbled. Nightwing sighed and turned to the twins. "Why don't you guys go join The Team in the conference room." He said calmly. They knew better than to argue with him and the pair reluctantly walked off through the sea of superheroes to join the rest of The Team.
A tense silence took over briefly, and it crossed Dick's mind that she might have told Wally about their relationship. The gut-wrenching feeling pasted when he soon remembered there was crisis they had to deal with.
"Okay listen, Batman is meeting with some General or some CIA goons. Apparently, they want to set up some kind of deal."
"Where do you want me?" Artemis asked crossing her arms. Wally suddenly felt left out. He was still technically on a medical, but now there was this tension…
"I want you to suit up and come with me and Bats for the negotiation. We'll debrief our strategy on the way."
"When?"
"Now." Dick said. They started walking off into this maze of people, leaving Wally.
"Wait. Hey!" Wally caught up to them, still a little sore. Artemis had almost forgot about him. They both turned around and faced him. She immediately felt bad. Not bad, terrible. In her defense, she wasn't yet use to his return, or even having him back or around. Artemis didn't see this as an excuse.
"Wally. Jesus. I'm sorry. Uh-"
"You've still need some time to recover man." Dick said looking at him sympathetically. "Artemis and I got it, you rest. We shouldn't be long."
Wally narrowed his eyes. His cheeks welled up red and he took a step towards them. "Yeah. 'Got it'. That's for sure." He spat.
"Wha-"
Wally immediately cut Artemis off to continue. "No. Shut up."
"Hey! Don't talk to her like that." Dick said stepping in front of Artemis. "Dick. I can-" Artemis tried to stop him but Wally wasn't done.
"How long did it take huh? How long did I have to be dead for you to swoop in and be the big hero steal her?!" He started yelling louder.
"Stop yelling and listen to me for a second. Relax." Dick said trying himself to stay calm.
"No. No. You've both clearly had enough time to 'talk', now it's my turn. What kind of best friend takes advantage-"
"You have a lot of balls suggesting that he would ever do something like that Wally West." Artemis stepped in now, pointing a finger in his face. He still stood much taller than she. But it did not stop her from being firm and intimidating.
Iris' face was scrunched up. Her ear pressed against a glass which was pressed against the door. Much to her and her brother's dismay, apparently, waiting with the team in the conference room wasn't just getting them out of the way of the adults. It was locking them in the conference room with the team to keep them out trouble.
"West. There is no probable way. A glass can allow you to-" Damian began
"Shhhhh Shut up." Iris waved her hand at them. They all looked at her skeptically at this almost childish way of trying to figure out what was going on.
"You know I have super hearing, right?" Chris Kent now spoke up. Irey sighed "And I can vibrate through walls but Nightwing took it upon himself to meta-proof this room."
"You shouldn't be vibrating through anything. Didn't you listen to Dr. Leslie?" Jai said. "Hush Turtle." Irey said and Jai rolled his eyes. "Our parents are fighting."
"What on earth could they possibly have to fight about?" Jai asked.
"What do you think?" Irey brushed past him putting the glass on the conference room table. She faced the rest of her team, Damian, Colin, Chris, Milagro, along with Rachel, aka Raven and Miguel, aka Bunker, the two newer members of the Team looked at her. They were all equally annoyed with being locked away, but Irey was the only one trying to do something about it.
"We have to get out here. I'm going to go crazy." Irey said looking at Damian.
"And do what? We don't even know what's going on." Colin said sitting in one of the chairs.
"Well that's problem number one. Chris, smash the door!" Irey demanded.
"You just said it was meta-proof. What makes you think it isn't Kryptonian proof?"
"I don't know. Wishful thinking."
"Stop pacing…." Jai complained.
"You think I can vibrate through this?" She tapped the wall.
"Are those two even my kids or are they his?" Wally asked angrily. His fists curling and turning white.
"Are you kidding me?! Are you seriously inferring the twins aren't yours?" Artemis and Wally had been going at it for a while now. Dick anxiously checked the time, they needed to go. Batman approached the once close friends.
"Wheels up in 5." He said in his deep, brooding voice. Nightwing nodded as his mentor stalked off towards the hanger.
"Okay that's it." Dick grabbed Artemis by the shoulders catching her mid-sentence, of what was likely a brash insult. "We need to leave. You two need to relax and talk...civilly. Later."
"He's right." Artemis said looking away.
"Fine." Wally turned away as Nightwing and Artemis, soon to be dressed as Tigress, headed off.
"How long have we been in here? Do you think they forgot about us?" Irey now sat on the floor, in front of the door of the conference room that confided her and her team.
"Iris. It's been like a half hour." Jai was about done with his sister's impatience.
"I know it sucks but they'll let us out eventually." Colin chimed in, the meta-teen laid on his back on the long table that took up the center of the room. The rest of the team sprawled out around the room, some in chairs some still standing or leaning against various walls. Suddenly the sound of the door being unlocked filled the brief silence that overtook the young heroes. They all perked up and got ready to burst out to ensure they weren't just being checked on and being locked in for stay in there any longer.
Wally opened the door, much to everyone's surprised.
"Did…. did they lock you guys in here?" He asked surprised. "Praise!" Miguel said running out. Everyone else did the same, leaving Jai and Irey with their father.
"Yeah...I guess they just wanted us out of trouble." Jai shrugged. Wally looked almost disturbed. In his mind, it hadn't been too long he was on the team. If they got locked up, the whole team would unleash hell. "Damn. If they think that this is the answer to keeping you guys out of trouble…"
"Yeah, yeah sorry to interrupt but I'm starving what's going on?" Iris asked brushing pasted Wally and Jai. She headed to her favorite place: the kitchen. The other two followed and Wally started filling them in.
The cave had settled somewhat. There was still a decent number of Leaguers and allies seemingly pacing around. But they were probably doing something important, it just seemed aimless with the lack of information really anyone had.
"Well, it looks like Star Labs is under some heat for their projects…" Wally began. Him and Jai sat at the small breakfast bar as Irey quickly moved about the kitchen making some kind of snack.
"Like trouble? Legally? They haven't done anything wrong…" Jai asked curiously.
"Of course. But we obviously do some things we keep private to...you know, conceal identities. And they usually can get by, but they made a little mistake and have the government's attention and it looks like they don't like what they see…" Wally said reaching for something to eat himself.
Irey had finished concocting one of the most colorful sandwiches either Jai or Wally had ever seen. She began devouring it.
"Is it because of me? What happened you know?" She asked, it just being barely able to understand her through all the food in her mouth...she somehow managed to keep her charm...
"Well it's definitely not directly your fault. It's more like it just-so-happened it was the procedure with us that something didn't go right and got everyone's attention." Wally said. Looking at her, Wally already developed the "she's-my-beautiful-young-daughter-how-
could-I-ever-say-no-to-her feeling. Thinking of this, only made Wally regret some of the things he said to Artemis. Of course, they were his kids. Look at them, red hair and thoughtful. The pair just felt like family to him, and he's hardly known them a week.
"So, where'd mom go?" Jai asked, changing the subject. Wally cringed. First off, it was weird hearing them refer to Artemis as 'mom' and secondly, he had to think of Artemis and he was already feeling guilty about the fight.
"Her and uh, Nightwing went on a mission-type-deal…"
"What do you mean 'type-deal'?"
"I'm not sure myself actually…"
"So, to be clear, you want all Justice League members and their protégés to turn themselves in as what? Prisoners?" Nightwing asked. He took on a slightly deeper more intimidating voice as Nightwing, Artemis found it kind of sexy, but she couldn't exactly think about that at the moment.
Nightwing, Tigress, Batman, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman sat at a large table. Across from them, sat some kind of chiefs or agents of the CIA and government. All dressed in either uniform or neat suit. Behind them stood security men all in dark shades despite being indoors with the blinds shut. The five heroes had remained respectful during the presentation. They had gone over the happenings and facts. Some seemed a little stretched, others far from the truth or down-right made up...But Batman suggested a strategy of listening intently to gain their trust and respect. They then proposed a long plan with graphs and charts that looked made-up to Dick...but in short, the plan suggested all sworn members of the Justice League and their protégés be registered with the government so they could be monitored. It basically sounded like the biggest invasion of privacy. It also didn't matter if they were super powered or not. If they were trained to fight crime they wanted them "registered" as they kept saying.
"Not prisoners. Just to keep record of those who are doing what you do." The main man who identified himself as Joseph Reid said.
"And what is it that you think we do?" Nightwing replied skeptically.
"Fight crime, save the day, whatever you call it." Joseph's partner, Will Bennett spoke next.
"We call them secret identities for a reason. To protect ourselves and non-involved loved ones from the bad-guys. You suggested Leaguer's identities become public information...what makes you think we would ever submit to that?" Nightwing was growing more defensive now, it worried Batman, he wasn't about to fight these high-level government goons...they'd just publish another article about how they attacked their peace treaty or something.
"Oh, we are not asking you to submit. We are telling you what will be happening. You all will be taken to custody and registered." Reid firmly spoke. Now Batman was perfectly okay with someone completely exploding at them.
"Mr. Reid, I assure you, no one has been hurt or unwillingly operated on at the Star labs. What happened was a minor side effect no one anticipated." Superman offered.
"Minor? If it was so minor why is making national headlines huh?" Bennett asked.
"You also cannot and have failed to prove any of your claims." One of the other men said, seeming the most level-headed of their group.
"We have explained, doing so would expose identities that we wish to keep protected. As the Justice League, we strive for just that. Protection. Of everyone. You cannot expect us to only protect everyone else. We have our own to look out for as well." The Amazonian Princess stated confidently. "Agreed. Everyone, human and nonhuman has put their lives on the line. This also brings in the matter of minors. Protégés begin training at 13, some have started even younger. You really want to expose and potentially endanger children?" Batman imposed.
The men on the far side of the table looked to each other as those they were speaking in silent code, exchanging glances and eventually nodding.
"You have 24 hours to submit or become wanted fugitives." Reid declared coldly. He gathered his possessions and the others grabbed their briefcases and left the room all at the once. It all seemed so fast. They couldn't even get a final word in or debate any longer. The heroes all stood and looked at one another in the now otherwise empty office.
"We're not doing this...we can't...Right?" Tigress asked, addressing the others.
"We'll discuss this as a League." Batman said standing. Superman and Wonder Woman also stood nodding in agreement.
"...is it weird to be called dad? Do you want us to call you dad? Or would it be even weirder if we called you just Wally…." Irey babbled, she wasn't trying to make the man feel uncomfortable, but this was her first time alone with the man without Artemis and she had a lot of questions.
"Uh...I don't know...I guess? It's just strange to hear but you don't have to no-"
'Recognize Batman 02, Nightwing B01, Tigress B07' The computer announced loudly, interrupting Wally's awkward response to Irey.
"I'll send out an alert to everyone. Meeting at the Watchtower?" Nightwing asked.
"Correct. As soon as possible. We'll begin in 10 minutes. Superman and Wonder Woman already went up." Batman replied. The Dark Knight zetaed once more to the Watchtower leaving Tigress, Nightwing, Wally and the twins alone in the mission room of the new Cave.
"So... what's going on?" Wally asked calmly.
"Some pretty messed up BS that's for sure." Tigress crossed her arms, as Nightwing went over to the League computer and pulled up the screens to send out a message to everyone.
"Meaning…?" Wally asked still waiting for the real answer.
"Some idiot bureaucratic dirt bags wanna expose us, for "the better of the people" and keep track of all of us so they can control everything we do and work on. I mean what's next? Using us for their own advantage?" She ranted, gaining the attention of her kids.
"Wait what?" Jai asked.
"Uh...aren't you guys supposed to be with the team?" Artemis asked.
"What? You mean locked in a conference room?" Jai crossed his arms now.
"With no food!?" Irey called over. Jai ignored her and went on. "You don't think we could be helpful? I-I mean you probably just think we get in the way but face it, you'll need us." Jai raised his voice slightly which wasn't normal for him.
Despite Jai not being a crime-fighter, he played a big role on the team. His title was Ops-Manager. He would stay at the base they were operated from, and monitor what was going on, making sure systems and comms were up. Hacking cameras to get that bird's eye view and help the teams along. Dick and Barbara had trained him themselves. It began with him watching and that sprung into something more and the next thing he was doing it alongside Batgirl and after that, Batgirl was letting him do it alone. And Jai was good. He could communicate and stay calm. He was organized and was able to stay on top of everything even when they had multiple squads out. Jai was just as much a member of the team as his sister or anyone.
"You're all-" Artemis began but Jai had more to say.
"Kids? Children? To young? You let us risk our lives daily and assisting you deal with some government ass holes, is too much?"
"Hold on a minute, I don't think you understand what's going on here…" Artemis responded, raising her own voice.
"And why exactly are volunteering to do this? Joseph Reid asked narrowing his eyes at the moving figure before him. Whoever, whatever this man or thing was...drove an interesting bargain…
"Easy. I get to do exactly what I've been wanting to do. Expose my greatest enemies and their beloved allies for what they really are. And in return all you have to do is let me go free once I'm finished." He spoke lowly and his voice didn't sound quite human…. or maybe it was disguised somehow.
"And that's all you want?" Reid asked skeptically.
"I'll sign any legal document you want and pledge so." This inexplicable figure spoke back.
"And you'll take care of them...all of them?"
"Yes. I'll apprehend the Justice League and their sidekicks, and deliver them all to your custody."
"You understand we need them all alive, correct?"
"Yes. But you must also understand they won't be unharmed?" He paused. "some a little more so than others but...I have scores to settle with a few speedsters. But nevertheless, they'll put up a fight."
"Then we have a deal."