The sedan rattled along the worn highway, its engine groaning with every hill. Zane sat behind the wheel with one arm draped lazily over the side, mask off for once, letting the cool air from the cracked window sting his face. It had been a week since they'd left Washington, a week of quiet rooftops, alley camps, and stolen moments of rest.
They were heading back home now.
Artemis sat in the passenger seat, hood down, legs tucked up against the dashboard. Her tablet rested on her knees, scrolling through cached articles and reports she'd managed to snag on a weak signal. The glow lit her sharp eyes, but she wasn't fully reading — more scanning to keep her hands busy.
In the backseat, his raccoons were sprawled on the seats. One was curled up against a ragged backpack, tail flicking now and then in dreams. The other pawed relentlessly at an empty potato chip bag, crinkling it loud enough to make Artemis glance back in irritation.
"Do you ever think," Artemis muttered, poking at her tablet, "that maybe teaching raccoons to enjoy junk food is a bad life choice?"
Zane smirked without looking at her. "Not a bad life choice, more like toughening up their immune system. They're learning to thrive in the human wasteland."
The raccoon let out a pleased chirp as if agreeing, shoving its entire head into the bag.
Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're raising scavengers."
"Exactly," Zane said, his grin lazy. "Survivors, just like me. Future kings of the dumpster kingdom. When civilization falls, these little guys will be running Wall Street."
The sedan bounced over a pothole, making the raccoon squeak in protest. Artemis fought the tug at her lips, trying to keep a straight face. "You're ridiculous."
"And alive," Zane shot back. "That's what matters Arrowette."
---
The road stretched on, lined with trees stripped bare by early autumn. Traffic was sparse; only the occasional truck roared past, leaving their old sedan trembling in its wake. Artemis leaned her head against the window, watching the blur of scenery pass by.
"It's weird," she said quietly. "A week without any action at all feels, weird."
Zane adjusted the wheel with one hand, eyes on the horizon. "Don't jinx it. I was starting to enjoy the quiet."
"Enjoy it?" Artemis arched a brow. "I didn't think you would enjoy...uhh...calmness."
"Sure I do," he said, smirking. "Just that some people wouldn't let me. So I just had to Adapt. Although I have to admit, I do enjoy the excitement as well."
She huffed out a laugh, though there was no real humor in it. The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, just heavy with the weight of unspoken things.
Zane tapped his fingers against the wheel. "Heading back to Star City, huh? You think your old man's watching the news? Seeing his daughter riding shotgun with the purple freak of the week?"
Zane knew exactly who her father was, but they never mentioned it in conversation that much before.
All he knows is that she gets her gadgets from her mother, who actually lives in Star City as well, and that her Father is on a 'Business' trip.
Her jaw tightened, but she didn't look away from the window. "Doesn't matter what he thinks. He never really saw me and my sister anyways."
Zane glanced at her but didn't push. She had her walls, just like him.
He just wondered how she would feel if she knew that her Father is part of the people who are after him....and that he may have to kill him one day...
If it comes to that...
---
Papa Roach in the back gave up on the chip bag, collapsing across its companion with a sigh. Zane flicked his eyes to the rearview mirror, softening just a fraction. For all the chaos of the last few weeks, the little creatures had survived right alongside them. He envied their simplicity.
Maybe that's why he kept them around.
"We should probably lay low for a while, don't want those two coming after us after the ruckus we caused in Washington." Artemis finally spoke again.
Zane shrugged. "Home sweet concrete jungle. Works for me."
---
The Hall of Justice
The air in the Hall of Justice felt heavy with ceremony. The great chamber gleamed with polished stone and banners bearing the Justice League's insignia, but beneath the grandeur was an undercurrent of tension.
Four figures stood tall at the front: Batman, cloaked in shadow and silence; Green Arrow, arms crossed, watching with a stern but familiar look; Black Canary, poised, her presence steady but kind; and Martian Manhunter, calm and unreadable, his hands folded behind his back.
Before them stood the protégés, lined in an uneasy row.
Kaldur'ahm, the Atlantean, stood firm and composed, his expression a mask of discipline. Beside him, Robin shifted with casual confidence, the edge of a grin tugging at his lips, the classic Grayson Confidence.
Wally West practically vibrated with restless energy, tapping his foot, eyes darting between the League members and his team restlessly.
Speedy stood apart, arms crossed tightly, jaw set, a 'I'm better than you' expression on his face as he looked at the others.
They had all been summoned here, but none of them yet knew why.
Batman's voice cut through the silence, flat and commanding. "You've been brought here because the time has come to decide your future."
Before anyone could ask, Martian Manhunter stepped forward, his voice calm but resonant. "Not as shadows of your mentors. Not as sidekicks. But as heroes in your own right."
---
The doors opened with a low hum. Two more figures were ushered in.
Conner Kent entered first, his posture tense, fists clenched at his sides. The black shirt with its bold red "S" clung to his frame, but it was his eyes that drew attention — sharp and defensive.He walked with stiffness, not really used to be so free yet.
Beside him floated M'gann M'orzz, her smile bright and uncertain, her green skin catching the light. She waved shyly, telepathic warmth brushing the edges of everyone's minds even before she spoke aloud. "Hi! I'm M'gann. It's… nice to meet you all."
Robin tilted his head, grin widening. "A Martian, it'snice to meet you. Im Robin."
Wally leaned toward him, whispering not-so-quietly, "Dibs on the Martian girl. She's cute."
M'gann smiled embarrassingly, her hands twisting behind her back uncomfortably.
Conner's glare silenced Wally almost immediately.
Kaldur stepped forward, bowing his head slightly. "I welcome you both. We are honored to fight beside you."
"Fight beside us?" Speedy muttered, tone sharp. "Thier not even really one of 'us'"
By 'us', he clearly meant human.
Megan looked hurt hearing that, with Connor's veins bulging as he glared at Speedy.
Conner's jaw flexed, "The hell you say!?"
Green Arrow shot Speedy a warning look before he could reply.
Martian Manhunter raised his voice once more,"They are Young heroes with potential to do good, and are more than qualified to do so. Please refrain from from speaking ill of them."
He was clearly a little upset of someone speaking about his niece like that, especially in front of him!
He doesn't like conflict, but you would be mistaken if you think you can insult his family!
"Young heroes," he began, now calmer, "you stand here because you have proven your courage, your skill, and your heart. But the world faces threats greater than any one hero can face alone. The League has agreed: it is time for you to step from the shadows. Time for you to learn not as apprentices, but as a team."
He paused, scanning their faces.
"You will face dangers that test more than your strength. Trust. Cooperation. Sacrifice. These will be your greatest weapons. United, you will grow into the protectors the future needs."
Batman's voice cut in, blunt and cold. "This isn't training. You'll be on your own. You succeed — or you fail — together."
Green Arrow added, "Trust is earned in the field. That's where you'll find it."
And finally, Black Canary stepped forward, her gaze softening as it passed over each of them. "And when you stumble — because you will — you'll get back up, together. That's what makes a team."
---
For a moment, silence hung. The weight of the words pressed on the young heroes, each reacting in their own way.
Robin's grin sharpened into determination. "About time."
Wally clapped his hands together, nearly bouncing. "Finally! Do we get a name, like Justice gang? Gear? A base? Please tell me there's a base."
Kaldur bowed his head solemnly. "I accept this responsibility with honor. I will give all I have to my teammates."
Conner remained stiff, eyes shadowed. He glanced toward Superman — standing at a distance, unreadable — then looked away in anger.
M'gann clasped her hands, smile tentative but hopeful. "I believe in us. I know we can do this."
Speedy's arms stayed crossed, his voice low and bitter. "A team of kids, why the hell do I have to babysit."
But even his skepticism couldn't erase the mission he was given by his mentor. Given Speedy's attitude, he definitely would not have played along with a bunch of kids.
However, Green Arrow gave him a mission to monitor the 'Kryptonian-Clone', known as Connor.
If needed, he would use a special Arrow to take him down.....
Martian Manhunter's voice echoed in the hall drawing speedy from his thought's: "Today, you begin not as protégés. You begin as a team."
---
The young heroes stood together, six faces lit by equal parts doubt and determination. The air was thick with the unspoken promise of battles to come, of victories and failures that would bind them closer than blood.
A beginning.
The foundation of something greater.
The future, waiting to be claimed.
....
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/Williamstewart