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The morning of the induction ceremony, Mallory, Zatanna, and Rocket were up early. They got dressed and zetaed to the Hall an hour before the ceremony, too excited to sit around the cave all that time.
"Is Darius coming in person or is he gonna watch it from home?" Zatanna asked after the first ten minutes passed with the girls pacing in the basement.
"My dad's gonna bring him through the zeta tubes, I told him he could watch it in here with the team."
Mallory smiled. "That brings back some memories, huh?" she said, thinking about the day they'd met Raquel, the last League induction ceremony.
Rocket smiled and shrugged. "How about your people?" she asked.
"Well, Peter's probably gonna watch it with the team, I'm not sure about my parents. I haven't talked to them about it since we got the invitation," she said.
"Why not?" Zatanna asked.
"Well, I have no idea how they're gonna react to me saying yes. Honestly, I didn't tell Peter either. I just said he could come watch it if he wanted to."
"Well, there's still time, you could go tell them now," Zatanna said.
Mallory glanced at the zeta tube and shook her head. "No, there's not enough time for a talk this big."
The zeta tube whirred to life, announcing Captain Marvel and Green Lantern. The girls looked over in surprise as the heroes appeared in separate tubes.
"Hey, guys!" Captain Marvel said enthusiastically.
Zatanna smiled and tilted her head. "What are you doing here this early?" she asked.
"I came to see if there was food here," Billy said with a half shrug.
Zatanna shook her head, not buying it, but Mallory looked at Hal and raised an eyebrow. "How about you?" she asked.
"Well, I came to see how my pupil is feeling," he said.
Mallory laughed. "I'm fine. And I was only your pupil for like a week, and you didn't really help me that much," she said.
Hal feigned a hurt look. "Well, if that's how you feel about it…" he said, turning back to the zeta tube.
"No, wait, ok, fine," Mallory said, laughing. "I could never have gotten my strength under control without you. Just don't tell Donna I said that."
Hal nodded, smiling. "Don't worry, I won't," he said. "So, in all seriousness, how are you guys feeling?"
Raquel jutted her hip out, but before she could say anything, more Leaguers were announced. Black Canary and Green Arrow came in together, and Canary immediately went to the girls, a smile on her face.
"I just wanted to tell you that I am so proud of you," she said.
The girls nodded, and she crossed her arms, studying Mallory's suit in particular. "You seem to be taking a lot of inspiration from Star," she said.
Mallory looked down, then back up at her trainer. "I don't know what you mean," she said.
Canary nodded. "Uh huh." Green Arrow walked away to talk to Hal, and Canary leaned in closer so that Mallory was the only one who could hear her. "We miss Red Arrow, too. I think it's sweet that you mimicked his suit. I know he's going to be proud of you, too, when he sees the broadcast."
Mallory sighed. "Is it really that obvious?" she asked.
Canary shrugged. "To us, yes. But I don't think the public will connect the dots. It's ok, Mallory. I think you did a great job with it. I love the jacket."
Mallory grinned. "Yeah, I took that from you," she admitted.
Canary smiled. "I know," she said, and she moved over to talk to Zatanna and Raquel. Mallory glanced at her reflection in a mirror in the corner. Exactly four years ago, she'd been in this very room, congratulating Roy for the last time before he officially became a Leaguer. Four years ago, before anyone died or disappeared, before any of the earth-shaking changes had happened, back when their biggest grief was not knowing how to prove that the Light was behind all of the connected villains. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped, then smiled.
"Well, I didn't think you'd be able to get up this early," she teased.
Wally rolled his eyes, his yellow sweater reminding her of his old suit. "Hey, I couldn't miss this," he said, giving her a hug.
"Thanks. Where's Artemis?" she asked.
"Yeah, about that," he said, and Mallory raised an eyebrow. "What? Don't tell me she's gonna miss three of her four best friends' big day," she said.
"No, but we may have made a stop on our way here," he said. Mallory looked behind him to where Artemis was walking over, Peter jogging in front and Elaine and Darrin following on either side, their eyes locked on her. "I'm sorry, Mal, but I had to tell them. Your mom pretty much knew, and when I went to pick up Peter she threatened to never make me another lasagna again, and you know I can't-"
Mallory cut him off, wrapping her arms around him, and he returned the hug and smiled. "Thanks," she said. Before she could let go, Peter had his arms around her waist, squeezing as hard as he could.
"How could you not tell me?" he asked.
Mallory let go of Wally and hugged her brother. "I know, I'm sorry," she said.
"Wow, your suit is so cool!" he said when he let go.
"Thanks, did you see Z's? It's pretty great too."
"No, where is she?" Peter asked.
Mallory scanned the now crowded room. Most of the League and team were here now. "She's over there, talking to the Hawks," she told her brother.
Peter started to go over, then turned around and gave her another hug.
"Oh! What's this for?" she asked.
"You're the coolest sister ever! You're gonna be great on the League!" he said before scampering off to find Zatanna.
"Awww," Wally said, and Mallory grinned and looked at him. "He's never said that to you," she pointed out. "I know, and it cuts me to the core, that he doesn't think I'm a cool big sister," he said, grinning.
Artemis and her parents finally reached them, and Artemis gave her a hug. "Congrats, Inferno," she said.
"Thanks. It feels weird. I always thought if we went into the League, we would be doing it together," she admitted.
Artemis slipped her hand into Wally's and shook her head. "Yeah, me too, but we're happy where we are, and we're happy for you." She looked at Elaine and Darrin and added, "And we still need to go talk to Z and Rocket, so we'll let you guys talk." She pulled Wally away gently, going off in the direction of the team.
Mallory looked at her parents, facing away from the crowd and taking her mask off. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, I just didn't know how you would react, and I-"
Her parents wrapped her in a hug, leaving her in a stunned silence.
"Baby, we love you so much, and we are so proud of you," Darrin said quietly. "How could you even think that we would give you a hard time about this?"
Tears pricked behind her lids, and she shook her head, willing them to stop. She couldn't go out there looking like she'd been crying. "Thanks, guys. For everything. I love you," she said.
Her parents let her go, and Elaine took the mask out of Mallory's hands and put it on her face, brushing some hair back as she did. "I like the suit," she said. "You didn't make it skimpy or showy like those other women."
Mallory chuckled. "Do you guys want to watch the ceremony in here? The team and Wally and Artemis are gonna be here," she offered.
Elaine shook her head. "No, we don't want to cramp their style. We'll be outside in the crowd, so we probably won't see you after. We just had to come tell you how proud we are of you, Inferno."
It was the first time her parents had called her by her hero name, and it almost broke her.
"Elaine, come on, we'd better leave before we make her cry," Darrin said. He gave Mallory one last hug, then her parents started through the crowd towards the doors.
Mallory took a moment to compose herself, lighting her eyes so her tears would turn to steam, then she started walking over to the team. Robin and Wren were across the room, and Peter, Gar, and Lagaan were a few feet away, so it was just the old team gathered in the center of the room to wish their friends well.
"I wish you guys had accepted," Zatanna said.
Dick shook her head. "Nah, out in the open isn't really my thing, but I'm glad you guys said yes. I would have felt bad if I found out later you said no for me."
Zatanna chuckled. "No, you wouldn't," she said.
He shrugged. "Ok, no, not really," he admitted.
The others laughed, and Megan looked at the spot that they had instinctively left open. "Too bad Kaldur has to miss this," she said. Mallory nodded.
"Donna's here, though," Zatanna said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Where? I haven't seen her yet," Mallory said.
"I don't know, I saw her a little while ago, she was with Wonder Woman."
"I haven't seen her yet, either."
"Are Superman and Batman even here yet?" Conner asked.
"Well, Robin and Wren are here, so I assume they came with Bats," Rocket said.
Dick shook his head. "No, they came with me. But he'll be here soon. They can't have the ceremony without two of the founding members."
Blue Beetle came over, and the team greeted him warmly. "Well, they told me that you girls were joining, but I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet," he said. They thanked him, and he added, "and if the past is any indication, we'll be a good team."
The zeta tube came on and Batman and Superman appeared, Batman getting right down to business. "We'll need to start outside," he said, and the League started lining up in front of the door. Superman started to walk over to Mallory, but Batman stopped him with a hand on his arm, and they went outside first. Mallory, Zatanna, and Raquel lined up behind Ted, a sense of excitement and sadness building as they looked at their friends and realized that after this, they would never again be on the team that had been their home for so long. The line started to move, and Mallory forced her feet to keep up with Zatanna, moving into the sunshine.
Cameras clicked and flashed, news crews talked over each other, the crowd stared transfixed as the entire League stood together in front of the Hall, their four newest members waiting to be officially accepted into the most powerful and revered group of individuals in the world. Mallory stared out over the crowd while Clark said his speech, her excitement building, her impatience fighting its way to the surface as her mentor just kept talking. Finally, it was time for the cards to be given out. He came around to the new recruits, first giving Blue Beetle his card. Mallory watched from the end of the line as each of her friends received their cards, and then he was in front of her. He handed her her card and extended his other hand. She shook it, looking into his eyes for the first time since their fight. The pride and love she saw in them made her chest swell.
"Welcome to the League, Inferno," he said, releasing the card.
She smiled. "You can call me Torch, if you want," she said quietly.
He looked at her sadly. "No, I don't think so. You were right, you outgrew that name a long time ago. It's about time I got used to the idea."
He turned back to the crowd, and the League started flying off to find zeta tubes nearby. "Superman! Inferno! How is it going to feel working as equals?!" was the only question that Mallory made out before she and the other new recruits went back in the Hall.
"Did you hear that?" she asked her friends.
"Yeah, how could they think the League's gonna retire members just because we joined?" Zatanna said.
"What? No, they asked Superman and me how it was gonna be working as equals. I resent that. I've never been under him."
Raquel smirked. "Sure, Mal. I'm sure he thought working with ten year old you was the same thing as working with Wonder Woman."
Mallory rolled her eyes, smiling a little.
"Actually, I've always thought of Mallory as an independent hero," Clark said as he passed them.
Mallory grinned, and Raquel sighed. "I'm gonna have to get used to that super hearing thing," she said.
"Conner can hear just as well as he can, you never complained about him," Zatanna pointed out.
"Yeah, well, I never really cared what Conner thought of me. And I never really wanted to keep anything a secret around the cave," Raquel replied.
They walked back down to the basement, and Mallory half expected to find it empty, but there the team was, ready and waiting to congratulate them. Peter met Mallory at the door, throwing his arms around her. Wally and Dick weren't far behind.
"You actually did it," Wally said, and Dick added, "The first of us to stick, I hope."
Canary was passing by, and she paused. "You know, the three of you will always have an open invitation to join the League. Whenever one of you wants to join, all you need to do is tell us," she said, smiling at the last of the old team warmly.
"Thanks, Canary, but I think we're ok for now," Dick said, and Megan and Conner nodded.
"Well, congrats, I guess," Wren said, the newer members coming over now, Darius leading the group, wrapping an arm around Raquel's waist.
"Hey, I'm just glad to get them out of the cave. It was getting way too crowded," Gar said.
"Well, I've got news for you, Gar," Megan said, "they're still living in the cave."
"What?" he asked, pretending to be dismayed.
"You little-" Zatanna said, grinning, and Mallory made a swipe for his arm, but he easily hopped away, hiding behind his sister. They laughed, and Dick opened his mouth to say something when Hal and Barry came over.
"Come on, it's time to go. We're gonna finish your initiation at the Watchtower," Barry said.
Mallory suddenly felt tears prick behind her eyes, realizing that this was where she was going to leave the team behind for good. Luckily, the older heroes left, giving the old team time to say goodbye in peace.
"Why does this feel so permanent?" Zatanna asked quietly, giving Megan a hug.
"'Cause it is," Conner said. Megan elbowed him, and he added, "if you want it to be, that is."
"Yeah, only if you want it to be. If you ever quit the League, we'll be glad to take you back," Dick said.
Mallory gave him a hug, then Conner, even though she would see the clone that night at dinner. Zatanna was right. This did feel permanent. Once they went through that zeta tube, something would be different between them, with their dynamic, and part of her wanted to burn it and stay where they were forever. They stood in silence for a while, then Rocket cleared her throat.
"We should go," she said. Mallory and Zatanna nodded, and they said goodbye to Wally and Artemis before following her to the zeta tubes.
When they appeared in the Watchtower, a full party was in motion. They exchanged a glance, fighting back laughter as they watched the people who had been their mentors, trainers, and all around babysitters cutting loose a little. They started mingling, and Mallory tried to swipe some of the scotch they had at an open bar, but the second her fingers wrapped around a glass, five people were watching her every move, so she decided it would be safer to just get some soda. She found Zatanna later and groaned.
"We just went from being the senior members of the team to being the babies of the League," she said.
Zatanna laughed. "I know it, but just think, in about twenty years, we'll be running this show."
"Oh, goody. Only twenty years to go," Mallory said sarcastically. They laughed, and Mallory saw Clark standing by the window away from the others. "I'll be back, I need to go talk to Superman," she said. Zatanna nodded and Mallory left her drink on the table, weaving her way through the crowd, not wanting to flame up in such a crowded room.
"Hey, Inferno," Clark said.
"Hey, how come you're not out there dancing?" Mallory asked.
"I could ask you the same question," he said.
Mallory shrugged. "It's more fun to watch them. I never thought I'd see you guys doing anything that's actually normal. I gotta say, it really cuts down the intimidation level," she said, smiling.
"Yeah, that's why Batman doesn't join in on the parties," Clark replied.
Mallory chuckled and looked out the window. From there, you could see the earth, the sun behind it. She remembered the view, remembered the burden one felt when they saw the world and knew that it was counting on her and her team. It was a burden that she'd never felt the need to shoulder alone when she was with the team.
"Do you think I did the right thing? Joining the League?" she asked quietly, her eyes glued to the earth.
Clark sighed and she felt his hand on her shoulder. "I can't tell you that, Mallory. You have to decide that for yourself."
Mallory nodded and heard his soft footsteps as he walked away. Yeah, she thought, I guess I do.
Ok, this was a big chapter, so I expect some reviews! What do y'all think about her joining the League? I want your thoughts! Please review!