บท 15: Chapter 15: Young Justice Starts.
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-General P.O.V-
The sun hung high over Smallville, casting a golden light across the Kent farm.
Jon stood outside the barn, eyes gleaming with excitement as his Ma straightened the seams of his new Super suit- made from the same material as his Dad's costume with the house of El emblazoned on the chest. Though it was missing the iconic cape.
He couldn't stop bouncing on his heels, eager for the day ahead.
"How do I look, Ma?"
Jon asked, grinning.
Lois smiled warmly, adjusting his red and blue costume one final time. "You look perfect, sweetheart. Just remember—this isn't just any day. It's a big step."
His Dad stood by, watching the scene with a quiet smile.
"Well, I still think it's missing the red trunks. They're iconic, you know."
Lois shot him a stern look.
"I'm not sending our son out there looking like a clown, Clark."
Jon chuckled as his Dad's face dropped into a mock pout.
"They work for you, Dad."
He assured.
"You're Superman, after all."
Clark ruffled Jon's hair, a proud smile on his face.
"That's right, and one day, you'll carve your own legacy. Larger than even mine."
With a final wave to Lois, Jon followed his Dad into the barn, which had been fitted with the sleek Zeta beam technology that linked Smallville to the League's Hall of Justice.
They had Green Lantern to thank for that, now Jon could join Robin for Batman's training without having to fly to Gotham every other week.
The familiar hum of the beam surrounded them, and in an instant, they were whisked away.
The sun was just as bright at the Hall of Justice, Washington D.C. The massive structure gleamed in the afternoon light, its towering columns stretching toward the sky.
For Jon, it wasn't just a place—it was a symbol of everything he'd grown up admiring in both his lives.
Today, it was no longer fantasy or fiction, but his reality. He was here, at the beginning of the Young Justice canon. Though most of his memories of the plot had been forgotten over time.
On the other side of the Zeta beam, in front of the Hall of Justice, they were greeted by the sight of Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Speedy standing alongside their mentors.
Jon's heart raced, a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling up.
"You're almost late."
Batman's voice cut through the moment, dark and direct as ever.
Superman raised an eyebrow.
Green Arrow chuckled.
"That's a first. I usually expect the Flash to be skating on thin ice with time."
The Flash, never one to let a quip slide, smirked.
"Hey, I'm fast, but sometimes I like to make a dramatic entrance."
But Jon's attention was quickly drawn to Robin, who had snapped a picture of him in his new suit.
"Not bad, Kent."
Robin said with a sly grin.
"What? No glasses today?"
Jon stiffened, exasperation rising within him.
It was one thing to have his identity out in the open with people he knew, but two faces were unfamiliar here—Speedy and Aquaman.
His instinct was to glare meaningfully at Robin, but Speedy cut in.
"Relax, Superkid."
Speedy waved off his concern.
"Only an idiot would think a pair of glasses actually hides anything."
"They're iconic."
Jon muttered defensively.
"Maybe you should watch your mouth, or I might take that as an insult. And for reference, it's Superboy not Superkid."
Speedy's smirk didn't waver.
"Go ahead. I don't care if you do."
The archer's eyes narrowed, words cutting,
"But getting all worked up over something so small? That's immature. You sure you're League material, Superboy?"
Jon's hands curled into fists, annoyed at the condescending tone. His eyes burned with the telltale heat of his vision powers. But Speedy wasn't done.
"You're just proving my point," Speedy continued, his voice dripping with disdain.
"What if a villain makes you mad, huh? You gonna fry them because you can't control yourself?"
The weight of Speedy's words hit Jon like a ton of bricks. Memories of what he had done to Livewire and Metallo flashing through his mind.
'No, I had to do it. They left me no choice...'
"I would never—"
Jon began, his voice weak, but Speedy cut him off.
"You don't even sound sure of yourself."
Speedy spat.
"This isn't a place for kids. Do us all a favor and go home, Superboy."
Somehow the air had turned heavy with tension.
"That's enough."
Superman's voice, calm but firm, filled the space as he placed a hand on Jon's shoulder.
Speedy opened his mouth to retort, but the expressions on the other mentors' faces—Batman, Aquaman, and even Green Arrow—kept him quiet.
Robin stepped forward, visibly angry.
"What's your deal? You're acting like an Asshole."
He shot at Speedy.
"Superboy can hold his own so take back what you said."
"Whatever."
The archer shrugged, clearly done with the conversation. He turned toward the Hall's entrance and left, but not before shooting Jon a dirty look.
Batman's glare shifted to Green Arrow, who sighed heavily,
"He's been… difficult lately."
"No excuse for that behavior." Batman replied coldly.
Green Arrow turned to Jon, his tone apologetic.
"Sorry about that, Superboy. Speedy can be… abrasive. Don't hold it against him."
Jon nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. The words Speedy had thrown at him kept echoing in his mind.
Was he really a liability?
'No, I saved the world from Starro. Just that achievement is more than anything the discount Robin Hood has ever done. I won't let him ruin this day for me.'
Not after he had trained so hard to become a great hero. Like Superman and Batman.
He followed the others into the Hall of Justice, but a part of him was still back on the steps, wondering if Speedy had a point. After all, heroes don't kill...
A few months ago, things had been simpler. Now, the pressure to prove himself—both to the League and to his peers—felt heavier than ever.
He glanced over at Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad just as they reached the grand entrance.
They were his friends now, after months of training and a few light missions here and there.
Speedy had always been conveniently absent, and now Jon understood why. The dude hated him. Which made no sense at all as Jon couldn't remember when he'd offended the Archer.
Aqualad's calm voice broke through his thoughts.
"It is a great honor to be here,"
he said, his Atlantean tattoos glowing faintly.
"Today, we prove ourselves."
Jon nodded in agreement, his fists clenching with determination. Despite or maybe inspite of what Speedy thought, he was here to stay.
-Jon's P.O.V-
The doors swung open with a soft hiss, revealing a marble atrium beyond, bathed in sunlight streaming through the high windows.
The beams of light created sharp contrasts on the pristine floor, but my attention wasn't on that.
In the center of the room stood statues of the League- my Dad's standing alongside—Batman and WonderWoman with Aquaman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Shazam- the founding members of the League.
The newer members had statues as well, though farther back.
Kid Flash couldn't contain himself, grinning from ear to ear.
"This is it, guys."
He whispered excitedly, staring at the statues with yearning.
I nodded, sharing the anticipation.
"Do you think we'll get statues too? Once you join the League, it's a guarantee right?"
The speedster asked. And while the other two agreed, I thought...differently.
Today was the day we would step out of the shadows, no longer just the protégés(Robin hates the name Side-kicks) but heroes in our own right. Though...not as part of the Justice League like the others thought.
As we moved through the Hall, we caught a glimpse of civilians- the Hall of Justice was a museum of sorts as well. Most of the public believed it was the Justice League's true headquarters. But that was the Watchtower.
Cameras flashed our way. I wasn't used to the attention yet, and for a second, it made me feel exposed. Especially with the El Symbol on my chest. Unlike the others, this was Superboy's first debut.
Aqualad's gentle smile wavered, and I knew he expected something a little more private for a day this monumental.
"Come on."
Dad gently urged me forward, tension building with every step.
My earlier confidence had been somewhat disrupted by Speedy but feeling my Dad's gaze on me, gave me the smallest bit of comfort. He believed in me. I just had to prove him right.
We entered through a door and found ourselves inside a library(thankfully private). Speedy and I made a point to ignore each other.
Before us, stood our mentors.
Dad was the first to speak,
"You've all done well to get here." his voice was full of pride, gaze flickering my way. I stood a little taller.
Robin was beside me, chest puffed out a little, clearly hoping for a nod from Batman.
But Batman remained stoic, face unreadable, his eyes hidden behind his mask. Ouch. I didn't know how Rob dealt with that.
Then Green Arrow stepped forward, his face unusually serious.
"Today was meant to be a big step for you all."
He began, and for a second, my heart leaped in anticipation, knowing what was coming. And the disappointment that would follow.
"But things have changed."
He said.
The words cut through sharply. I subtly glanced around at the others.
Aqualad straighten up beside me, his calm demeanor faltering.
"Changed?"
He asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Batman stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the tense silence.
"You're not ready for the League."
I blinked. Even knowing it was coming, I still felt some disappointment.
But not as much as Rob and the others. The room felt too large, too empty, like the air had been sucked out. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed quiet.
Someone didn't share the same reasoning.
Speedy's face darkened, his expression filled with anger as he stepped forward, pointing a finger accusingly.
"Not ready? We've been ready for years!"
Green Arrow tried to calm him down, but it was no use.
Roy wasn't having it. His frustration spilled over like a dam breaking.
"You promised us! Today was supposed to be the day we'd join you—*as equals*!"
Flash tried to step in, his voice gentle.
"You're still young, Kid. There's more to learn—"
Wince. Not the thing to say...
Speedy looked ready to kill.
"I'm not a kid. None of us are, except mini-Superman over there."
He shot back, pointing at me.
I rolled my eyes, letting it slide due to the situation.
His gaze darted to the rest, hoping for support.
Neither Kid Flash, Aqualad, or even Robin said anything.
They appeared frozen, unsure of how to respond to what was happening.
Speedy took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal. And for a brief moment, I felt for the guy, even if he was an Ass.
"You're holding us back. You don't trust us."
He took a step back, pulling off his cap and tossing it to the floor.
"I'm done being your sidekick."
He seethed, turned and strode toward the exit.
His words echoed in my mind. You don't trust us.
A part of me feared it was true. But it also made sense in a twisted parental sort of way.
Wally swallowed hard beside me, his usual lightheartedness completely gone. This was supposed to be The moment. The time to step up and prove ourselves. And now it was all slipping away.
I glanced at Dad. His face remained neutral, though I knew him well enough to sense the disappointment he was trying to hide.
It was time. I stepped forward. Every eye turned my way.
"We're not ready for the League? Fine. But we're ready to be heroes. Let us form our own Team- affiliated to the Justice League but separate. You can assign us missions. Real missions. Unsupervised missions."
I stressed, feeling the other's eyes boring into my back. But I wasn't done,
"Speedy was right about one thing. We don't have your trust. So give us the chance to earn it."
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