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(General P.O.V)
The atmosphere in Mount Justice was tense the following day.
The events of the last week and Jon's resignation as team leader still loomed over the team, adding a new layer of unease that permeated the base.
As Jon and Connor stepped into the main hall, Dick, Wally, and M'gann immediately swarmed him.
"Dude, are you okay?" Wally asked, his voice laced with concern. "I mean, stepping down like that? What's going on?"
"I'm fine," Jon replied, holding up his hands to calm them. "Seriously. I stepped down on my own terms. No one forced me, and I'm happy with the decision. So, relax."
"Happy?" Wally repeated, looking skeptical. "You do realize you gave up being the leader of the *Teen Titans*, cool name right? Just thought of it on the spot. Seriously though, are you sure you're not an imposter? Or maybe possessed? Or worse… a clone? No offense Powerboy"
Connor crossed his hands. "Plenty offense taken, speedboy."
Kaldur's hand fell on Wally's shoulder. "We should respect Jon's decision. He clearly has his reasons."
Miss Martian nodded in agreement, but Robin remained unusually quiet, his sharp eyes fixed on Jon.
"Seriously, guys," Jon said, shrugging. "It's not a big deal. The team will be fine without me leading it."
Wally still looked unconvinced. "You're weirdly okay with this. I'm just saying—"
"Enough," Kaldur interrupted gently. "Canary is waiting for us in the Training Room. Everyone suit up."
---
The self-defense lesson with Black Canary proved to be a good distraction.
The team gathered in the large training room, working through subdue and take down techniques.
Jon was paired up with Canary during a demonstration, his focus sharp as they exchanged moves.
At one point, he managed to pin her in the same arm lock she had been teaching them.
"Nice work, Superboy," Canary said with a smile, "You might have a talent for grappling."
"I have a good eye for leverage."
Jon replied, blatantly checking her out. Black Canary blinked, not used to such a surgical inspection of her curvy body. She would have thought he was using X-ray vision if it wasn't for the Red Sun radiation bracelet on his wrist, limiting his powers.
"R-right, everyone, pair up and practice the technique."
She called out.
Jon found himself paired with Robin, whose expression was unreadable as they squared off.
"You're quiet," Jon said, feinting a move.
Robin countered with ease, his gaze locked on Jon's. "You're avoiding something."
Jon raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
"You stepped down as leader," Robin said, his tone cutting. "You weren't in the wrong, so why?"
Jon hesitated, momentarily caught off guard. He considered brushing it off but decided against it. Robin was his best friend—he deserved honesty.
"It wasn't about being right or wrong," Jon admitted as they continued sparring. "It was about the team's future. If I stayed on as leader, the League would've withdrawn their support eventually."
Robin frowned. "So what? We could still be heroes without the League. We don't need them."
"And where would we go?" Jon countered. "Who would pay for your gadgets? How would we fund our operations without the base? It's too early to go rogue, Robin. We need resources, more members, and stability. Without the League, we'd fall apart."
Robin didn't respond immediately, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he sighed. "You've got a point. But now we have another problem—we need a new leader."
---
Later in the day, the team gathered in the mission hall for their next mission.
Batman, Black Canary, and Green Arrow stood at the front, their presence commanding attention.
Beside Green Arrow stood a blonde-haired girl dressed in green, a quiver slung over her back and a bow in hand.
"This is Artemis," Batman introduced, his voice steady and direct. "Green Arrow's new protégé and your new teammate."
Before anyone could respond, Kid Flash blitzed to Artemis's side, a grin plastered across his face. "Hey, I'm Kid Flash, second fastest man alive. What's your—"
Another burst of speed interrupted him as Jon appeared beside him, arm slung over Kid's shoulders.
"Tenth fastest,"Jon corrected casually.
Wally blinked. "Wait, what? Tenth? Who's faster than me?"
"Off the top of my head?" Jon began, ticking off names on his fingers. "Black Adam, Shazam, Cheetah, Wonder Woman, me, Superman, The Flash—"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Wally groaned, throwing his hands up.
Artemis chuckled. "You guys are nothing like I thought."
"Enough."
The moment of levity ended as Batman's authoritative voice cut through the room, immediately pulling everyone's attention. His tone was as sharp as ever, ensuring no one missed the gravity of the situation.
"Your objective is to protect Dr. Serling Roquette," he began, pulling up an image of an attractive woman with glasses on the Hall's console. "She's a scientist targeted by the League of Shadows. Dr. Roquette developed a program called the 'Fog,' a nanotech-based weapon capable of infiltrating and dismantling any computer system. The League has already stolen the program and is using it to disrupt critical communication channels and steal classified data."
Batman's gaze swept across the Team, his expression gloomy. "However, the Shadows fear Dr. Roquette might create a countermeasure to disable the Fog. That makes her a liability to them—and a target for assassination."
The room grew tense as the weight of the mission settled over everyone.
"Your mission is to ensure Dr. Roquette's safety at all costs," Batman concluded. "Failure is not an option. If the Shadows succeed in eliminating her, the consequences could be catastrophic."
Jon's mind raced. He remembered this mission vividly from his future memories. If things unfolded the way they had before, the team was in for a serious challenge.
His eyes fell on their new Archer. His future knowledge wasn't absolute, so he really hoped they could trust her.
Robin raised a hand. "Will Artemis be joining us?"
"Yes," Batman confirmed.
"Hope she's better than Green Arrow's last protégé," Kid Flash muttered under his breath.
Artemis frowned. "Former protégé? What happened to him?"
As if on cue, the Zeta Tube lit up, and a familiar figure stepped out.
"Recognized Speedy B-05." The computer chimed.
"First of all, I go by Red Arrow now," the newcomer said, his tone sharp. "And second, no two-bit amateur is better than me."
Artemis crossed her arms. "Excuse me? Who do you think you are?"
Red Arrow smirked. "The guy you're trying to replace, little girl."
"Not replace," Artemis shot back, stepping closer. "I'm the upgrade."
The team chuckled, but Red Arrow wasn't amused.
"Roy it's not what you think. Artemis is-"
Green Arrow tried to intervene.
"Stay out of it, Ollie," Red Arrow snapped. Turning back to Artemis, he added in a low growl, "I dare you to repeat that."
Before things could escalate, Jon stepped between them, his expression calm but firm.
"Still mad about last week, Speedy?" Jon asked, his voice dripping with mock politeness.
"You..."
Red Arrow's eyes narrowed. "I see right through you, Superkid. You might have everyone fooled with the Boy-scout routine but not me. Sooner or later, I'll expose you for the pretender you really are."
"Correction, my father's the Boy-scout, not me. He'll play nice even with undeserving A-holes like you whereas, I prefer to call them out on their bullshit."
Jon's smirk faded, replaced by a cold seriousness. "So let's set the record straight. I don't like you, Speedy, Red Arrow or whatever you go by. I think you suck, and I'm not alone in that." He gestured to the team, who remained silent but supportive. "Behave, or we'll do this without you."
The tension in the room was palpable.
"You threatening me?" Red Arrow growled, settling into a battle stance.
Jon floated slightly off the ground, his eyes glowing red, the short red cape behind him flapped gently in the air. "If I were, you'd know."
Robin stepped forward cautiously. "Superboy—"
Jon didn't break his gaze from Red Arrow. "What's it going to be?"
Red Arrow's glare swept across the team, his voice brimming with disbelief. "You're fine with this?! Letting 'him' speak for you?" His accusatory tone hung heavy in the room, but none of the team members flinched. They stood in silent, unspoken solidarity with Jon.
Red Arrow shook his head, frustration etched across his face. "I can't believe this!"
He turned sharply toward Batman, his words biting. "This is my mission! *Mine!* I found Dr. Roquette! I rescued her from the Shadows!"
Batman remained calm, but his voice cut through Red Arrow's indignation like steel. "And then you asked for help to keep her safe. That's exactly what this team is trained for. Like it or not, Red Arrow, you will work together on this mission. Dr. Roquette's life is the priority—not your petty pride."
Red Arrow's jaw tightened as he swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat. His glare lingered on Jon, eyes burning with resentment.
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "I'll play along. But don't you think for a second that this is over, Traitor."
With that, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the hall, the tension following him like a storm cloud.
"Good talk," Jon said, landing softly.
As Red Arrow stormed off, Artemis shook her head. "What a douche."
"We know." Robin sighed.
"Right?" Kid followed up.
"He wasn't always like that." Aqualad sounded regretful.
"I don't know him well but he was rude to Artemis."
Miss Martian commented.
"Douchebag." Powerboy grunted.
Jon faintly chuckled. "Not very nice, but accurate."
Robin clapped his hands. "Now that that's settled, I have a suggestion—I vote we reinstate Superboy as leader."
Jon blinked in surprise. "What?"
Before anyone else could respond, Batman's voice cut through the room, agitated and stern. "OVER MY DEAD COLD BAT CARCASS. DISMISSED!"