Welcome to Happy Harbour Part 1: Meetings

Gotham: 10:23pm, July 9th, 2010:

P.O.V: Matthew

I zeta tubed from the cave to Gotham to pick up my Charger. While the bike is good, I can't leave the OG behind...besides it gives me another reason to be in Gotham. After joining the team, I figured that I would finally get something off my chest...my name. My mother's name is something that I hold no joy too and my father's... I would rather forget about it. So here I am in Gotham...outside Bruce Wayne's house.

I rock up to the front door and knock. After a while, an older gentleman opens the oak door. "Hello...can I help you?" He asks with a British accent. "Yes...I'm here to see Bruce Wayne." I ask as politely as I can. "Sorry but Mr Wayne is not taking any visitors today." He says as he goes to shut the door. "Perhaps Batman then?" I say as the man stops and stares at me. "My name is Matthew and I'm the Ghost Rider. I need to see Batman about something...something personal." I say as the man gazes at me, unblinking. "Follow me." He says as he opens the door wider, letting me in. He leads me into a formal living room with a massive fireplace and mantle. "Wait here while I'll go find Mr Wayne." He says as he leaves. "I sense a lot of pain and anguish in this house...memories and feelings of a better time." The Rider says to me as I take in the mantle. I see photos of a little boy with his parents. Must be Bruce...before he became Batman...of course it was...dumbass. "I can imagine that it must be a reminder. He has all these photos. He could have taken them down at only time but he didn't. He became Batman to avenge them...over time it became something more. If he removed the photos...I guess it would be like removing them completely. If I had photos of my sister...I would wish to keep it...just to remember the good times." I say as I feel someone is coming. "Wise words." I turn and see Bruce Wayne with the older man. "Thank you, Alfred. I got it from here." The older man, Alfred, bows before walking off.

I stand before the man behind the mask...and I got to say...he is still terrifying even when out of the suit. "Thank you for not turning me away." I say to him. I pulled up to his house...I am surprised he is even allowing me to stand in here. "Alfred said you need help with something. While I wish that you called from the cave, I suppose that I can hear you out here." He says as he gestures for me to sit. I nod thankfully. "I didn't want the team to interfere with my personal life. This is something that I wanted for myself. I didn't want them to concern themselves." I say as he nods. "I would be hypocritical to say that you shouldn't keep secrets away from your team but I understand the need." He says as I nod in agreement.

I look back at the mantle and the photos. "Do you miss them?" I ask, probably, knowing the answer. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of them. I heard what you said and you're right...I could have taken them down at any time but that would just be forgetting that they were here once." He says as I nod in understanding. "I wish that I could have something of them...something of my sister at least. The Rider helps with the memories but it's like a fog...I can see them...only barely." I say to him as he gets a pondered look on his face. "Why can't he help you remember them?" He asks as I shake my head. "It's not that I can't remember them...it's more that they are becoming something that I don't think about anymore. I don't pay any attention too. The Rider feels that any emotional connection to the past will affect the connection between us. The powers of the Rider can be controlled better when the host and the Spirit are in full concentration with each other." I say to him as he sits there with a concerned look. "He decides what you can and can't do?" He asks as I shake my head. "No...not really. He knows that I know that if he wants something done, he can take control fairly easily and go and do what he wants. But he knows that he has to have a bodily host to tether his Spirit to this plane...if he uses me like a body to possess and take control... he'll use me up. Anytime I turn into him, it drains me, like I'm tired and just waiting to die...it's why, I'm always tired after I'm him, long enough. He drains my life force with each turn. I gain it back though...after a while." I say as I sit there. "It seems that you and him have an uneasy relationship." As he says that, I feel a slight headache coming from the Rider's growl. "We have a mutual understanding. I help him deliver punishment to those that spill innocent blood." I say as he narrows his eyes. "That's another thing, how can you be sure that the people you are punishing deserve it? How can you be sure that the people you are killing can't be redeemed?" He says accusingly at me.

I growl and blow my eyes at him. "Because I can tell the difference." I say as I breath and reel the Rider back in. "Have I ever told you, how do I figure out who lives and who dies?" I ask him as he shakes his head. "Their souls." I say to him as he gets a pondered look. "I've heard you talking about souls before but I don't really understand it. Zatara told me that souls are the very centre of a living being...that they make up the life force or something." He says as I nod. "Souls are like a battery. They are the very source of life within a person. The Rider can read these souls...similar to how Martian Manhunter can read minds but unlike minds...souls can't be tampered with. Nothing is hidden and everything is open. It's how I discovered your identity." I say to him. "When the Rider makes eye contact with someone, he reads their souls, sees everything about them. Their hopes, dreams, ambitions. But also their greed, their lust. Their sins. The Rider reads the souls and decides who can be redeemed and who can't. But it's a fine line. The Rider deems everyone who preys on the innocent should be punished. I try to teach him the difference but he is a few millennia old entity of Vengeance. It's hard trying to get him to listen." I say finally as Bruce just hums. "It seems that I can't stop you from what he wants but know this. If you ever go too far, even in your case. I will find a way to stop you." He says with...not arrogance but determination. He knows that it will possibly be impossible to stop me but he is determined to try...I respect that...as does the Rider.

"Well...now that our philosophical discussion is over. Can we please get to why I'm here?" I ask as he nods. "What do you need?" He asks as I take in a deep breath. "I need you to change my name...on every database on Earth." I ask as he raises his eyebrow. "That's it?" He asks as I shrug. "I can't exactly go in and change my name like a normal person...besides...if you do this for me...I'll be in your debt." I say as he ponders for a minute. "I'll do this but you got to do one thing for me." He says as I nod. "You got to deliver me information on the teams progress. You are the most observant of the bunch and the most effective. You keep personal tabs of their personality, trust and faith and deliver to me." He says as I ride my eyebrows. "You don't trust them?" I ask. "The only people I trust are the ones I deem trustful and that is a very, very small number. They are young. Reckless, you can be the bridge between the League and them. You are an outsider, not a protege to anyone. You can read them unlike anyone else. While I wish that I could trust them, but I can't. Not until I know that they are worthy of that trust." He says as I sit back. "You drive a hard bargain... I'll do this but if this fails and the team finds out...on your head be it." I say as he nods. "Agreed." We shake on it as he walks off. "Wait here for a bit. Changing your name will take a while. What do you want it to be?" He asks as I think for a minute. "Spectre...Matt Spectre." I say to him as he nods.

The Cave, Happy Harbour: 11:12am, July 18th:

"Recognize. Ghost Rider. B06." I drive the Charger through the 'front door' of the cave. I rock up to the separate hanger near the main square for my vehicles. I get out and lock the car and walk over and see Aqualad, Superboy and Miss Martian standing around a hologram screen. "How's it going?" I say to him as Aqualad nods to me, Miss Martian waves and Superboy stands there stoically. "We are doing well. Just waiting for Robin and Kid Flash to get here." He says to me as the zeta lady sounds off. "Recognize. Robin. B-01. Recognize. Kid Flash. B-03." The zeta opens as the two thick heads walk over to us. "Nice to see the Charger again." Robin says as I look over to the car. "Why does he get all the cool stuff?" Kid Flash complains as I just roll my eyes. "Did you ask him?" Robin asks Aqualad as I notice the Red Tornado symbol on the hologram. "He is just arriving." Aqualad states. "Then what are we waiting for?" Kid Flash says as he runs towards the front door. Robin follows as Aqualad trails behind. Superboy looks back at myself and Miss Martian before walking off as well. "Come on, let's not be the last ones there." I say playfully to her as she smiles and flies off. "Everyone is a damn cheater." I say to no one as I follow after her.

We walk out of the hidden door to see a red vortex of wind coming down to the ground. The android in control is revealed as he descends. "Red Tornado!" Kid Flash yells as he waves. "Greetings. Is there a reason you intercept at the Cave entrance?" Tornado says in a monotone as he looks at all of us individually. "We hoped you had a mission for us." Aqualad says to the android. "Mission assignments are Batman's responsibility." Tornado tells us as I cross my arms. "It's been a week and we aren't here to play games." I say to him as he holds up his hand. "You'll be tested soon enough. For the time being, simply enjoy each other's company." He says. "This team is not a social club." Aqualad says as he gestures to everyone. "No but I am told that social interaction is an important team building exercise. Perhaps you can keep busy familiarising with the Cave. I ponder about what he said. Yes, we are not a social club but he is right about the interaction thing. If you don't know your teammates, then how can you be sure that you can operate as a coordinated team. "Keep busy." Kid Flash says angrily as he nudges Robin. Both of them, plus Aqualad have frowns on their faces. They wanted to be included with the League and now that they are here, they are having doubts about the League's seriousness concerning us. "Does he think we are falling for this crap?" Robin exclaims as Miss Martian perks up. "Ohh. I'll find out." She says as she focuses her eyes at Tornado who enters the cave. "Recognize. Red Tornado. 1-6.

"I'm sorry. I forgot he's a machine. Inorganic...I can't read his mind." Miss Martian says as Kid Flash walks up to her. "Nice try, though. So uh, you know what I'm thinking about right now?" He flirts with her as I roll my eyes and grab him by the scruff of his neck. "We all know what you're thinking." I say as I push him towards the entrance. "Oww. That hurt." He complains. "Good. It was supposed to." I say as I push him further away from Miss Martian. "And now we tour the clubhouse." Aqualad says scathingly. Him, Robin and Kid Flash went somewhere last night. They didn't tell me but I can hazard a guess. We don't have an archer and I'm guessing since that he's not here that Speedy is still a whiny bitch about the league. "Well, since Superboy and I live here. We can play tour guides." Miss Martian says as we all look at Superboy. "Don't look at me." He says with widen eyes. "We won't. A private tour sounds alright." Kid says to Miss Martian as I slap my forehead. "She never said private." Robin complains before the voice of reason speaks up. "Team building. We all go." Aqualad says as we all head back through the entrance. I kick back to stand next to Aqualad. "Well done." I say to him as he raises his eyebrow. "What for?" He asks as I just smile and walk ahead of him, leaving him with a confused look. "So this would be our front door...

"...And this would be the back door." Miss Martian finishes as we finish the tour of the cave and reach the supposed back door. Which is just a sheer drop down the mountain. "Hmm. Perfect place to dispose of a body." I say aimlessly as I turn back to the group. All of which have wide eyes. "Just saying. Not like I'm actually going to do it." I say as I feel and hear the Riders amusement. "Moving on, the cave is actually the entire mountain." Miss Martian continues as he head back into the zeta hanger. "It was hollowed out and reinforced by Superman and Green Lanterns during the early days of the League." Robin says as we reach the hanger. Superboy perks up at the mention of Superman. "Why abandon it for the Hall of Justice." He asks as Aqualad answers. "The Cave's secret location was compromised." He says as Superboy tolls his eyes. "So they traded it in for a tourist trap. Yeah that makes sense." He says as I put my two cents in. "It's also because the League didn't have the following as they do now. With the Hall as their base. If they were ever attacked, the whole world would know about it in split second. Everyone has a phone these days so all it would take is a crazy supervillain to attack the Hall and one person phone recording and the whole world would know about it." I say to him as he ponders and nods, agreeing with the statement. "If villains know about the Cave. Then we have to be on high alert at all times." Miss Martian says as she raises her finger. Robin comes up and holds onto it, drawing her attention. "The bad guys know that we know that they know about the place so they'd would never look here." Robin says as I raise my eyebrow. How the fuck did I hear that rubbish and actually understand it...we've been friends for too long. Miss Martian has a confused look on her face so I butt in. "It means that we are hiding in plain sight." I say as she nods. "Ahh, now that makes more sense." She says as I look at Robin with an amused expression. He just childishly sticks his tongue out.

I feel the familiar feeling of burning as Superboy sniffs the air. "I smell smoke." He says as Miss Martian eyes widen. "My cookies!" She exclaims as she flies off to the kitchen. We follow after her as we enter the common area and kitchen. We arrive to see Miss Martian telekinetically pull the tray out of the oven and place it on the bench. The cookies are burnt back as I pick one up. The burn sensation is pleasing to me as I place it back down. "I was trying Grammy Jones recipe from episode 17 of...oh never mind." She says sadly as Robin turns to her. "I bet they'd would've tasted great. He doesn't seem to mind." He says cheekily as Kid eats one of the cookies. We look at him with worried looks. "I have a serious metabolism." He says with his mouth full...come on mate, manners. "I'll make more?" Miss Martian says questioningly as Aqualad steps in. "It was sweet of you to make any." He says as she shyly thanks him. "Thank you Aqualad." Aqualad waves her off. "We're off duty. Call me Kaldur'ahm. But my friends call me Kaldur." He says as I raise my eyebrows. Secret identity revealed. So glad that I don't have to call you by your codename forever. "I'm Wally. See? I already trust you with my secret identity. Unlike shades over there. Batman has forbidden him from revealing his identity to anyone." Wally quips to Robin who glares at him. "Mine's no secret. It's M'gann M'orzz. But my Earth name is Megan Morse. Well since I'm on Earth." M'gann says, I don't feel comfortable calling her by her Earth name, feels...like a lie. "I'm Matt Spectre. I don't really have a secret identity...it's just how it is." I say as she nods in understanding. I see Superboy go to leave as I notice M'gann's eyes focus. I hear Superboy grunt as he turns and looks at her, his eyes are wide with surprise and slight pain. "Get out of my head!" He screams as we all turn surprised at M'gann, her eyes widen in surprise and fear.

"What's wrong? I don't understand. Everyone on Mars communicates telepathically." I hear her voice in my head as well as feel the Rider's rage. "Get out, Martian!" He screams as I can feel everyone's shock and fear at the deep dreaded voice of the Rider. M'gann jumps back in fear as I feel the Rider force his way into my voice, my eyes blaze with fury. "You ever do anything like that again. I'll burn your brain into nothing but ash!" He screams as I reel him back in. I breath heavily as I feel the Rider calm down. Everyone, especially M'gann is terrified of what transpired. "I'm sorry. He is very sensitive." I say as I shake the headache out. "What was that?" Superboy says as I gaze at him. "It was the Rider. He doesn't like it when someone tries to invade my mind...his mind. And trust me, you don't want to see nor hear what he thinks about." I say in warning as I glance at M'gann. She has a sorrowful expression on her face. I approach her as she backs away fearfully. "I'm terribly sorry. Things are different on this planet. Your telepathy is an extreme invasion of privacy. I'm sorry about what he said but please try not to do it again." I say as she nods in understanding. "Besides, apart from his crazy mind roommate." Wally says to me before pointing back at Superboy. "Cadmus's little G-gnomes left a bad taste on his brain." He says as M'gann turns to Superboy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-." She goes to say but Superboy interrupts. "Just stay out." He says scathingly as she hangs her head low. Superboy walks off and sits on one of the couches in the common area.

"Hello Megan. I know something we can do." She says as she flies off down the hall. The rest of us look confused until Robin shrugs his shoulders. We follow down the hall as I see M'gann fly back. Possibly back to Superboy. I don't hear the conversation, but I can feel M'gann's hope and Superboy's anger. I feel her sadness and Superboy's resolution. I see them come down the hallway as I smile on the inside. Cute, almost adorable. We enter the elevator as we head down to the aero hanger. The lift opens as M'gann dramatically opens her arms. "It's my Martian Bio-ship." She says as we gaze at the red egg-shaped ship. "Cute. Not aerodynamic. But cute." Wally says as M'gann laughs. "It's at test, silly. I'll wake it." She says as she raises her hand and the ship starts to morph. It takes the appearance of a large pointed ship with wings. I feel the Rider's desire for it as I try and keep total control. "Matt...are you all good?" Robin asks as I clench my fists. "Yeah, absolutely. All good, no problem here." I say as I grunt softly as everyone turns to me. "He wants the ship really bad. I'm trying to tell him 'no' but he doesn't want to budge." I say as Robin's eyes widen at the implication. I grunt and close my eyes. I feel the Rider relax as he accepts, however reluctantly, that he can't have the ship. "Ok. I'm alright now." I say as the ship rotates on its own and opens a door for us. "Well, are you coming?" M'gann asks as we look between ourselves and enter the ship. I feel the Rider's anger at not having it but he's wonder and praise for it seems to have no bounds.

We enter the bridge of the ship. "Strap yourselves in for launch." She says as we race to find a seat. We do and find that the seatbelts strap us in on their own. I feel the texture and it feels...alive. My eyes glow for a second as I feel...a soul! "This ship is alive." I say in wonder as everyone looks at me. "How did you figure it out?" M'gann asks me with a surprised expression. "I can feel it's life force...it's soul." I say as everyone becomes wide eyed. "You can read souls?" She asks in awe as I shake my head. "Not me...him." I say as I point to my temple. She nods in understanding but also slight fear. 'You really didn't have to do what you did.' I say in my head. "She invaded our minds. She's lucky that I left her with a warning." He says to me as I roll my eyes. 'She doesn't understand our customs. Unlike the Genomes who wanted to control us, she only thought that it was normal to communicate telepathically. She didn't deserve your treatment.' I say to him as I hear him scoff. "Now she knows for next time." He says as I roll my eyes at him. Typical Rider, never apologizes for something that you did wrong. "Ok...Red Tornado. Please open the bay doors." She says as the heavy steel doors at the end of the indoor bay open to reveal the open sky and sea.

The ship hovers above the ground as it speeds out at an incredible pace. As we leave the Cave, I gaze out and stare in awe at the speed and the view from the ship. "Incredible." Robin exclaims gleefully as M'gann smiles. "Ahh. She sure is." Wally says aimlessly as I narrow my eyes. Everyone turns to him as he fumbles his words. "I...I mean the ship. Like all ships. It's a she." He says as I laugh on the inside. "Fast with his feet but not so much with his mouth." Robin says as I chuckle. "Dude! Seriously?" Wally complains as I just laugh at he ridiculousness of this. I see that Kaldur and Superboy are having a conversation but since I'm at the back of the bridge, I can barely hear what they are saying.

I notice M'gann's sad expression as she gazes at Superboy. "Don't worry. He'll come around." Robin assures her. "He doesn't seem to like me very much." She says as I enter the conversation. "He's trying. It might not seem like much but he is coming to terms with his existence. He'll come around and if he doesn't, he'll answer to me." I say loudly hoping that Superboy hears me, even with super hearing, I want him to understand that he overreacted. He turns back to glance at me as I hold a hopeful look as I gesture to M'gann. He turns back to the window in front as I sigh in frustration.

"How about you show us some Martian shapeshifting?" Robin asks M'gann, changing the conversation and defusing the tension in the ship. M'gann stands as we all focus on her. She shifts into a female version of Robin, with a quick glance and turn, she turns into a female version of Wally...flexing her arm as he stares at her with obvious attraction. "Is it wrong that I think that I'm hot?" He says aimlessly as I kick him in the leg. "Oww." He says as he turns to me. "Yes, it's wrong. And very disgusting." I say as he turns away from. "Very cool but you know that you aren't going to fool anyone with that." Robin says to M'gann as she shifts back to her human form. "Mimicking boys is a lot harder." She says as she sits back down, blushing shyly at Robin's praise and criticism. "And your clothes?" Kaldur asks. "Their organic...like the ship. They respond to my mental commands." She says as I feel Superboy's anger. "As long as they are the only ones." He says as I narrow my eyes. "You just had to point it out, didn't you?" I say to him as he narrows his eyes at me. "What about that ghosting thing that Manhunter does?" Wally says excitedly. "Density shifting? No...it's a very advanced technique." M'gann replies. "Flash can vibrate his molecules to phase through walls. When he tries it...bloody nose." Robin says teasingly to Wally. "Dude!" Wally complains as I laugh. "Oh. Here's something I can do." She says as we see the ship go invisible to the naked eye. "Camouflage mode." She says as I nod my head. Very impressive. " Since we are talking about my powers, what can you do Matt?" She asks me as I raise my head. "Uhhh. It's...complicated." I say with hesitation. Before anyone else can say anything, a voice sounds over the sound system. "Red Tornado to Miss Martian. An emergency alert has been triggered at the Happy Harbour Power Plant. I suggest you investigate. Covertly. I'm sending you coordinates." Red Tornado says as a hologram screen shows up with the coordinates. "Received. Adjusting course." M'gann says as she turns the ship around.

Robin scoffs as we turn to him. "Red Tornado's keeping us busy." He says as I pull up the hologram screen of the power plant. "Well, boy wonder. A simple fire led us to Superboy. Who knows what we may find here." I say as Robin sits back against his chair. "Still, we should find out what caused the alert." M'gann says as Superboy speaks up. "I think I figure out what caused it." We turn to see what he's looking at and see a massive tornado coming at us at full speed. M'gann tries to pull us out of the way but the vortex pulls us in. "This is gonna suck." I say sarcastically as we are pulled into the eye of the vortex.

To be continued...