Kid Flash looked at the members of the Justice League — practically all of them were present, watching him and Superboy, Superman's clone. The League seemed tense when Superboy said he was Superman's clone.
"You're a bit late to the party," he said, while Superboy helped him stand after the hit from Blockbuster, which had seriously injured Kid Flash — he had broken ribs, a twisted ankle, and his arms were numb.
Batman looked at the speedster. "Kid Flash, report," he said seriously, speaking before anyone else could.
"At your command," he said with a military salute. "After Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Batman left the Hall of Justice, Robin, Aqualad, and I decided to support the firefighters at the Cadmus fire, which wasn't an accident — it was caused by Cadmus' creations asking for help to free Superboy." Wally coughed up some blood, worrying his friends and a few League members.
"When we arrived, Superboy attacked us because he was under Cadmus' control. When they captured us, they tried to extract our DNA to clone and replace us so the League wouldn't suspect anything," he said, and some members looked concerned.
"When we escaped our cell with Superboy's help, we got out of Cadmus' secret labs, but not before fighting the mad scientist who now calls himself Blockbuster. That thing's no longer human, in my opinion. We defeated him, everything collapsed, and here we are. Robin extracted all the data we managed to steal from Cadmus, and with your permission, I'm going to pass out. I've got three broken ribs, a twisted ankle, and I can barely feel my arms. Good night, ladies — shame we didn't meet under better circumstances," he said before falling unconscious. Superboy caught him before he hit the ground.
"He needs medical attention," Batman declared. "The League will discuss this incident."
"I won't be put in a capsule," Superboy growled.
"No one's putting you in a capsule," Robin said, looking seriously at his mentor.
"First thing's first — help Kid Flash," Aqualad reminded everyone.
Flash picked up his protégé to take him to the medbay. Robin handed a data drive to Batman, who nodded. Superboy just watched as Superman avoided looking at him.
The next day
"My whole body hurts. I can't even scratch my chest," Kid Flash said when Robin came in with Batman, Flash, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman.
"Wonder Woman! Where's a camera when you need one? I'm your fan — please sign my goggles," Wally tried to sit up, but his body seized up, leaving him paralyzed. "My nervous system still hasn't recovered. It'll take another two hours," he growled in frustration. He'd have to stop being so reckless.
"You shouldn't push yourself so hard," Diana told Wally, who laughed.
"If I'm this out of commission, I still have a long way to go before reaching the League's level," he chuckled. "What happened to Superboy? Did you encapsulate him?"
"No one encapsulated anyone," Batman said, taking control of the discussion.
"Cadmus' recent actions show that criminals are becoming more cautious," he said. Batman knew Kid Flash could piece it together — and he hadn't disappointed.
"Then you need a covert team specializing in infiltration, sabotage, and data theft," Wally responded, looking at Batman, who nodded.
"Looks like you're smarter than Flash," Diana laughed at the betrayed look on Flash's face.
"I'm not against it, but I need some things for my suit, and I don't have the resources," he said seriously.
"I'll cover the team's expenses. Just keep it reasonable," Batman replied firmly.
"Fair enough. Now, can someone get me food and let me rest?" he said, and Robin laughed at his friend's words.
"Tomorrow at noon, you'll see your team's base," Batman announced.
"The Cave? The old base the League used before Joker found it?" asked Kid Flash, and both Batman and the others looked at him surprised — but Batman didn't show it. He was Batman.
"How did you know?" asked Diana, staring at Flash's protégé.
"You're becoming predictable," Kid Flash grinned.
"Now, where's my food? And Robin, I need your help," said Kid Flash.
Robin looked at his friend, then remembered Wally couldn't move his arms.
"Sorry, but this is where our friendship ends. I'd help you hide a body, but I'm not going to scratch you," he said seriously before walking away.
"I just needed help going to the bathroom," Wally muttered, and Flash helped his protégé to his feet.
Batman watched the two speedsters leave the room. Kid Flash was more than he let on — more serious and analytical than people realized. And Batman could respect someone who was careful.
"He doesn't seem like just a kid," Diana said beside him.
"He's not. He'll surpass his mentor," Batman said as he walked away.
"That sounded like a compliment — from the great Batman," Diana smiled.
Watchtower
"So, the kids will have their own team," Hawkman commented to the League. Some looked doubtful.
"The Cadmus incident showed we need covert eyes and ears. We're too obvious. This team will allow us to gather intel without sparking an international incident," Batman declared.
"You think they're ready?" Superman asked seriously.
"Yes," Batman replied. Everyone looked at him.
"Why so much faith? That's rare for you," Black Canary asked.
"I've known Robin since he was 8 — I trained him myself. Aqualad is a former Atlantean soldier. And Kid Flash is more than capable of keeping the other two in check," Batman declared.
"Your faith is in Kid Flash, not Robin," Green Arrow said, and Batman looked at him.
"Those two behave better than your protégé and Aquaman's," Batman said, making both mentors feel a verbal slap.
"Maybe I made a mistake," Arrow admitted.
"You did," Batman confirmed.
"Fortunately, it didn't affect Kid Flash, who took action to keep Robin from acting like a child — something your protégés didn't do," he stated firmly. "Kid Flash has shown maturity since getting his powers. He knows how to stay calm in tough situations. He's defeated Captain Cold solo, taken down Ultrahumanite, and protected Central City when Flash couldn't. That's why I asked him for the report at Cadmus. He's shown more maturity and wisdom than many I know." Some frowned at Batman's words but kept silent.
"They're still kids," Superman said.
"Spare me the hypocrisy," Batman said, silencing the room. "You were 16 when you started using your powers in your hometown. You have no right to judge how they use theirs. They've chosen to use them under our supervision. Who was supervising you?" he asked the Man of Steel, who said nothing.
"The team will be formed. Actually, it's already formed — Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, and Miss Martian are its founding members. Whether it works or not depends on them," he declared.
"Who will lead? Kid Flash?" Diana asked.
"No," Batman replied.
"I don't understand — you praised the boy but don't trust him to lead?" Black Canary commented.
Batman looked at her. "When did I say I didn't trust him?" he asked, silencing the blonde.
"I simply said he isn't the leader, not that he couldn't be. They'll choose one. If they don't, Kid Flash will take command. Though he's mature, he's lazy when it comes to responsibility," Batman said calmly, unfazed.
"So it's decided — Young Justice will be formed?" Martian Manhunter asked.
The members nodded in approval.
"The Cave has already been equipped and inspected to serve as the team's base," Batman informed them.
"Didn't we abandon that place because of Joker?" Hawkwoman spoke for the first time.
"It's been over two years since the last attack on the Cave," Batman said. "There's no longer any risk. The defenses are being updated."
"They hide in plain sight," Diana said, looking at Batman, who nodded.
"We should tell the kids," Captain Marvel said.
"Kid Flash already knows," Batman said.
"You told him?" Zatara asked.
"He guessed. Batman said a few words, and the kid figured out the base," Diana said, still surprised by how Wally deduced it with almost no clues.
"That boy's always had a sharp mind — it's a shame he's skeptical about magic. Not that it stops him from asking me for favors," Zatara said mysteriously. The others looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Flash asked, looking at Zatara, who shrugged.
"The kid asked me for a few things to make him faster. I gave him some methods to help," he said, not revealing details.
"He also asked me for gear to upgrade his suit. Seems like he doesn't rely only on speed," Batman added, approving of Kid Flash's preparedness.
"The boy's exceeded my expectations. Even if he doesn't believe in or care to practice magic, he has asked for ways to detect when someone is under magical influence — whether by artifact or user," Zatara explained.
"Very curious topics," Diana said, looking at Zatara, who nodded. Both were seasoned magic users, and Kid Flash's requests showed the mindset of someone planning for magical threats — something that reminded them of a certain companion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
if you want to help me:
https://www.patreon.com/c/dtarioo_2009