chapter seventeen. ( in my heart and in my head. )
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Yue didn't remember coming to the Cave that morning.
She didn't remember being told about the alien ship invading their solar system, their planet's atmosphere, and she didn't remember Batman leaving to space in the Batwing. It felt like something she would remember, why in the world would she forget something so significant in just under an hour?
Standing in the meeting hall, she crosses her arms over her suit as she watches the transmission from the League's celestial defence squad. Both Green Lanterns, Hal and John she remembered from Batman's personal files on the heroes, were the first to perish in a flash of light from the warship's weapons. Superman was the next, followed by other members of the Justice League, and when the warship's ray strikes the Batwing, Yue only feels numb inside.
Bruce Wayne, though he could be annoying at even the best of times, had been like a father to her in the last three years. Now, staring at the static filled screen that almost certainly meant he perished in that flash of light, she can only think that he couldn't be gone. He couldn't be because he was Batman, he was resourceful and smart, and he had made it out of worse things than this.
Her eyes flicker over to Dick; just like her, he doesn't let his reaction to the static transmission show. Instead, his gaze hardens behind his domino-mask and he lowers his head.
Another holo-screen appears to replace the static. Zatara sits in the centre, his brows pinched together in worry. "Tornado, did you-?" He cuts himself off, a heavy sigh falling from his lips as he finds himself unable to explain what he just saw.
"Yes, Zatara. We saw," Red Tornado steps away from the screen, revealing the team of young heroes standing behind him. Zatara's eyes widened, as if he was unsure how to feel about the teens watching the decimation of over half the League. "Celestial defences have failed. Initiate all terrestrial measures."
"Affirmative." Zatara nods. "See you in the field."
Yue is the first of the teens to step forward, her head held high with determination. "What do you need us to do, Red?" She asks.
"I must join the League," he states firmly, his eyes scanning over the faces of the young heroes. "We will protect the planet at all costs. But should we fail, the responsibility falls to you."
Any other day, his words would overwhelm her– but today doesn't feel like any other normal day. Just like Bruce's death had filled her with determination, Red Tornado's words strengthen her resolve. She's a hero, she tells herself, and heroes don't cower in the face of evil.
Kaldur nods his head. "We stand ready."
While Red Tornado leaves the Cave, the teens scatter through the meeting hall on edge. Wally, however, remains seated as he stares at the GBS news broadcast. Unblinking, he watches the camera shift from Cat Grant to Iris West-Allen, his aunt, as she relays the news.
