CHAPTER 88

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[David Lance POV]

Twenty-four hours later after my talk with Batman, I moved with Rachel to the base Batman had allocated for the team, the base like in canon was located in Mount Justice, one of the many headquarters the League used before the tower.

The base when we arrived wasn't empty. Having a few known heroes, like Green Lantern, working inside to restore the base back to its original glory, installing equipment and such.

Greeting the heroes with a wave, we moved to the residential area of the base.

Seeing I would spend most of my time here, at least for the time being, I had brought with me a few of my things to set up a comfortable area for me, so I was going to pick one of the rooms at the base, with Raven doing the same, picking the one beside mine, as both were in the farthest corner on the base.

"How long do we have before the team arrives?" Raven asked, helping me unpack, as she had already unpacked her things thanks to her magic.

~Half an hour,~ I replied, before grabbing some clothes from one of my boxes and putting them in the closet. 

"Do you want me to translate you?" Raven asked.

That was a very good question, I mean, the only one that I knew that knew sign language, was Robin, Aqualad probably did as well, but it was probably the Atlantian version of it, instead of the American one. 

~I do,~ I nodded, accepting her offer.

"Very well," Raven nodded, as she continued helping me put my clothes in the closet. 

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Half an hour later, the first members of the team arrived, alongside other heroes, finding us inside the cave. 

Amongst those heroes, there was Aquaman, Red Tornado, Hawkman, Shazam, Batman, Flash, and last but not least, my sister, who simply smiled at the sight of me.

Meeting Batman's gaze for a brief moment, I turned to Raven and waited for Batman to explain to the members of the team, what this base was, and what the purpose of the team was.

As I turned walking toward Raven who was levitating in a sitting position, I saw the expressions Superboy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Robin wore when they caught sight of me.

Superboy seemed indifferent but curious. Simply keeping his arms closed.

Aqualad seemed interested, and for the most part, neutral.

Kid Flash seemed angry at me for whatever reason, and interested in Raven.

Robin reacted as he did on CADMUS, avoiding my gaze in general direction, his body language shouting he was feeling guilty, and ashamed.

"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. We're calling it into service again. Since you six are determined to stay together and fight the good fight... ...you'll do it on League terms," Batman began, gazing in our direction, before turning Red Tornado. "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary will be in charge of training, and I will deploy you on missions."

For a moment, no one said anything, until Kid Flash took a step forward, beaming. "Real missions?"

"Yes, but covert," Batman replied.

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff," Flash said, joining the conversation. "There's a reason we have these targets on our chests, and dress like this."

"Indeed," Aquaman nodded. "Your incursion into CADMUS proved that the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly, as we cannot."

"The last member has arrived," Raven muttered, opening her eyes.

I nodded, seeing Superboy react ever so slightly to Raven's comment, being quite possibly the only one to hear it, besides me.

"The seven of you will be a team," Batman continued.

"My apologies Batman, but didn't you say at the beginning we were six?" Aqualad asked, glancing at us before turning his attention back to the Dark Knight.

Batman at this, simply looked behind them into the zeta tube tunnel, before answering, making everyone turn around to see two figures walk out of the tunnel. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian."

"Hi," Miss Martian replied, trying her best to hide her nerves, and excitement. 

Kid Flash grinned at this, giving Raven and Miss Martian a look before whispering to Robin. "Liking this gig more every minute. Two total hotties."

I might need to make some sort of HR system just for Kid Flash. If I remember correctly, he was but one step away from being a carbon copy of Mineta from MHA.

"Welcome aboard! I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin. Aqualad. Superboy. Down there is Raven, and… I don't know who the other person is. So… it's cool if you forget their names," Kid Flash said, trying painfully to flirt with Miss Martian, while also managing to throw an insult at me in the process.

"His name is Black Bolt, you know that," Aqualad replied, his tone bearing no hostility, just confusion as to why Kid Flash was pretending to not know me.

Kid Flash said nothing, ignoring Aqualad.

"I'm honored to be included," Miss Martian replied, beaming at everyone, completely oblivious that Kid Flash was hitting on her.

"Now that introductions are out of the way," Batman said, getting back the non-existent microphone. "I have decided alongside the League, to position Black Bolt as the leader of this team."

Way to break the news, Batman…

At this, everyone turned their gaze to me, save for Robin, who simply looked at Batman. 

"What!? No! We barely know him!" Kid Flash was the first one to complain. 

Batman said nothing, simply narrowing his eyes at him.

"I… I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to raise my voice, sir," Kid Flash realizing what he had done, took a step back, apologizing, cowering under the trademarked gaze of the Batman.

"He has a remarkable record working solo, and with others, as well as the skills necessary to lead this team efficiently," Batman said, giving me a look. "This position is not one he wants, but one that he is needed to fill, for the time being; a fact that he acknowledges. He picked Aqualad as his successor for the role, for when I deem him ready to fill that role, should he want to."

Aqualad tensed, giving me a look that conveyed his evident shock at the fact I considered him the best candidate to fill the position.

"I… I'm honored," Aqualad said, trying to find his words. "I am not sure if I would want to lead the team, but if needed, I will." He finished, his tone carrying a sense of duty one would only expect to see in an army movie, or the army if you are lucky.

"I… but why him? Robin could lead, or… I could," Kid Flash said.

"I have no leadership skills, and you have even less," Robin replied much to my surprise, making Kid Flash flinch at this. "Superboy is not interested in the role, Miss Martian is starting as a hero, and Raven is new by our standards, which leaves the best two possible options, Aqualad and Black Bolt. Aqualad has military experience that could translate well to leading a group, and Black Bolt has a flawless record, both working with others, and alone."

Kid Flash muttered under his breath, saying it was not fair before sighing. "Fine…"

"I agree," Aqualad nodded. "We should trust the League's judgment, and trust in the leader they picked for us."

Aquaman at this smiled, his body language telling me he was proud of his sidekick.

"Indeed," Martian Manhunter said, smiling ever so slightly. "I have worked with Black Bolt personally on more than one occasion, and I can vouch for him."

"Hi!" Miss Martian waved, as I turned to look at J'onn.

I smiled under my mask, waving at her.