Gotham, the Batcave
The footage flickered again, but here the screen was sharper, stabilized by advanced algorithms. Batman stood before it, cape draped, arms folded.
Robin—Dick Grayson—sat on the railing, leaning forward, eyes glued to the replay.
The Batcomputer hummed, lines of code scrolling across the main screen. The frozen image of Kamen Rider—mid-transformation, half-transparent from the Invisible Memory—still hovered in place.
Robin's eyes widened at Batman's words. "Wait… hold up. You're telling me he's joining us? Like—officially? With the team?"
Batman didn't move. His cape hung still, his voice gravel calm. "He's already fighting enemies that will expand beyond National City. If he stays alone, he'll either be killed… or used. Both outcomes are unacceptable."
Robin slid off the railing, pacing. "And you just… convinced him? Just like that? You barely trust me half the time, and now you're recruiting an armored mystery student you barely know?"
Batman finally turned, his eyes sharp under the cowl. "I don't trust him. I trust what I've seen. He doesn't hesitate to fight. He doesn't hesitate to protect. And…" Batman's gaze flicked back to the screen. "…he doesn't hesitate to keep secrets. That makes him dangerous, yes. But it also makes him valuable."
Robin frowned. "So when's the welcome party?"
Batman brought up the calendar. A red-highlighted date glowed across the screen.
July 4th. Independence Day.
"On Independence Day," Batman said, voice final, "the League will gather. He'll join the team then."
Robin let out a low whistle. "Man. You move fast."
Ryotaro zipped up his jacket, adjusting his tie with a sigh. His uncle hollered from the kitchen, frying something far too oily for breakfast.
"Ryotaro! Don't forget, your mom sent money again! She said study hard, don't waste it on video games!"
Ryotaro muttered under his breath as he grabbed his school bag. "As if video games are the problem."
But the truth was, books, school, homework—those were camouflage. His real education came from the shadows, from the monsters he hunted, and from the man in black who kept appearing uninvited.
And today, Batman wanted him elsewhere.
The Frog Pod at his belt chirped. [Reminder: Gotham coordinates. League summit.]
Ryotaro clicked his tongue. "So soon, huh? Guess even bats can't wait."
July 4th – Across America
Fireworks cracked across the sky. Crowds celebrated. But for the protégés of the Justice League, the day wasn't just about independence for a country.
It was about their own.
In Gotham, Robin swung beside Batman, hacking firewalls before fire trucks even deployed.
In Star City, Speedy loosed an arrow, cutting through a blazing support beam.
In Happy Harbor, Kid Flash blurred past the smoke, dragging civilians to safety.
And in Metropolis, Aqualad's water-bearers crushed an inferno that had spread to the docks.
Each young hero, in different cities, proved themselves capable. Yet each knew—they were still seen as "sidekicks."
The Hall of Justice – Independence Day
By noon, the protégés stood together outside the Hall of Justice, the public face of the League. Crowds gathered, reporters buzzing.
Robin grinned, elbowing Kid Flash. "This is it. Today, we're in."
But Ryotaro stood apart.
He wasn't in a cape or domino mask. He wore his Rider Armor, Joker Memory active, helm hiding everything. The Frog Pod hummed faintly at his side.
To the public, he was just "the Rider"—a mystery who'd fought monsters on camera weeks ago. Even Superman hadn't pierced his armor.
Batman's voice was low as he approached the group. "The League appreciates your patience. But the Hall of Justice is only a front. The real base is elsewhere."
Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad exchanged frustrated looks. "Wait, what? You brought us here just for show?"
Green Arrow tried to soothe things. "It's about trust. You'll get there—"
But Speedy—Red Arrow now—snapped. "No. We've been lied to. You don't trust us. And if you don't trust us, why should we trust you?"
He stormed off. The others were left stunned.
Ryotaro's voice, distorted by the helmet, finally cut in. "So this was never about making us equals. Only pawns on display."
Batman's eyes narrowed under the cowl. "Watch your tone."
But before the argument could escalate, alarms blared across the Hall. A massive firestorm had erupted—unnatural, like magma unleashed.
"Cadmus," Batman muttered. "Something's wrong."
The League moved—but the young heroes didn't wait.
Robin smirked, eyes flashing. "Well, looks like Speedy was right. If they won't treat us like a team—let's act like one."
Kid Flash grinned. "Now you're talking."
Aqualad nodded silently.
All eyes turned to Ryotaro. The Rider's helm glinted in the light.
"…Fine," he said at last. "But don't slow me down."
The heroes infiltrated the underground labs of Cadmus. Robin disabled cameras, Kid Flash zipped through doors, Aqualad carried the fight when guards appeared.
Ryotaro moved differently. He didn't rush—he stalked. Every strike precise. Every Orphnoch-like guard dropped with efficient force.
Kid Flash noticed. "Man, you fight like you've done this a thousand times."
Ryotaro didn't answer.
They descended deeper. Robin hacked into a console, eyes widening. "Guys… Cadmus isn't just research. It's weaponizing. Genetics. Monsters."
The air thickened. A roar echoed from below.
They reached a chamber—and froze.
A boy floated in a pod, pale skin, black hair, the Superman crest burned on his chest.
"Superboy…" Aqualad breathed.
Before they could decide, Cadmus scientists discovered them. The lab trembled as creatures were unleashed—genomorphs, mutated experiments.
The heroes fought desperately.
Ryotaro clicked the Blade Memory into the Driver.
"BLADE!"
The metallic armor flared, sword crackling. He cut through genomorphs with brutal efficiency, his movements sharper than any of the teens expected.
Robin watched between kicks. "Okay, seriously—who even are you?"
Ryotaro ignored him. His blade shattered the restraints around the pod. The glass cracked—exploded outward—Superboy gasped his first breath.
But instead of thanks, the clone attacked, fists blazing with Kryptonian strength.
Kid Flash skidded across the floor. "Ow! Definitely got the original's punch!"
Aqualad's water-bearers barely held him back.
Ryotaro, in contrast, didn't flinch. He slid a second Memory into the Driver.
"INVISIBLE!"
His form shimmered, turning translucent. Superboy's blows passed through blurred armor, missing vital hits. Ryotaro countered with ghostlike precision, striking just enough to push, not to kill.
"Listen," Ryotaro said, voice steady. "You're not a weapon. You're a person. Don't let them decide for you. Also we are not your enemies."
Superboy froze at the words—hesitation cracking through Cadmus's mental programming.
The others piled in, reaching out, talking him down. And slowly, painfully, Superboy stopped fighting.
He looked at them—not as enemies, but as allies.
The Cadmus labs collapsed as alarms blared. Genomorphs swarmed. Scientists fled.
The young heroes ran through crumbling corridors, dodging fire and claws. Ryotaro alternated between Blade and Invisible forms, cutting paths for the others.
Kid Flash panted. "Man, remind me never to play tag with you."
They burst onto the surface just as the League arrived, smoke billowing behind them.
Superman stared at Superboy—his clone, his son, his shadow. The silence was heavy.
And then Batman's gaze shifted to Ryotaro. "You brought them into this."
Ryotaro's armor gleamed. "No. They chose. Just like me."
Later, in the League's hidden base within Mount Justice, the young heroes gathered. For the first time, they felt like something more than sidekicks.
Batman's voice echoed. "From this day, you are a team. You will operate independently under supervision. Robin. Kid Flash. Aqualad. Superboy. And…"
His eyes flicked to the armored figure.
"…the Rider."
Superman frowned. "We still don't know who he is."
Ryotaro's helm tilted slightly. "You don't need to. What matters is the fight."
Batman's expression gave nothing away. "For now, that's enough."
Robin grinned, bouncing on his heels. "So… we're in. We're actually in."
Kid Flash whooped. "Young Justice, baby!"
Aqualad placed a hand on Superboy's shoulder, steadying him. The clone said nothing, but his eyes burned with silent determination.
Ryotaro stood apart, arms folded. His thoughts whispered only to himself.
This isn't just about Cadmus. The same people who create Gaia Memories, who turn humans into Orphnochs… they're tied to this. And if I stay with this team, maybe I'll finally find the mastermind.
Outside, fireworks lit the sky. The country celebrated independence.
And deep in the mountain, a new team was born—fragile, fiery, uncertain.
Among them, a Rider cloaked in secrets.
*********
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