The Rider of Young Justice Season 1: Beginnings

Alpha Male

Mount Justice, 6:34am, September 23rd, 2010: P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre

The cave was being repaired. Manhunter and Captain Atom were fixing the power charges. Jon Stewart was helping Shazam repair the zeta generator. I was in the boiler room, fueling small pieces Hellfire into the furnaces. I come up to the hanger and see everyone sitting at the table, I notice Blake leaning against the wall. I approach him as I gesture to the table. He nods and follows me.  We sit at the table as everyone looks downcast. Artemis sits across from Blake as she looks at him, he stares back with narrowed eyes. He nudges me and signs. "Why is she looking at me?" He asks as I chuckle. "Must like you." I say as both of them narrow their eyes at me. Green Arrow walks over an puts down a bowl of pretzels. "Thanks, but no thanks." Wally syas dejected. "Yeah, what we want are answers. About Red Tornado and his siblings." Robin follows up. "Exactly." Wally says as Green Arrow takes the bowl and begins to walk away but Wally grabs it. "Leave the bowl." He says as he eats a pretzel. I look over and see Kaldur speaking to Batman, I notice Connor staring as well. I sense great anger as Connor marches forward. "Oh boy." I say as I get up. Everyone follows after me. "You knew?!" Connor shouts as he pushes Kaldur up against the wall. "That android and his manic family nearly killed M'gann!" He shouts as M'gann flies over to him. "Connor, why are you doing?" She asks. "Kaldur knew that we had a traitor on the team and said nothing!" Connor shouts as I march over and pull him off. "You need to back off." I say as I push him away.

"Wait. Matt? Did you know about this?" Robin asks as everyone looks at me. "I was in Taipei. Kladur had told me that he was told about the possibility of a mole. The source is unreliable and we don't believe there to be one." I say as Kladur follows up. "But we couldn't risk the possibility. I sought to protect the team." He says as Artemis speaks up. "Protect us from....what. That one of us is a mole? That knowledge could have saved our lives when Tornado attacked." She says as Connor walks over to M'gann. "You almost died......and they didn't care enough to try and prevent it." Connor says as he clenches a fist and walks over to us. Blake holds him back, Connor looks back in surprise as Blake shakes his head, no. "Enough." Batman says as he glares at everyone. We are calm down but the tension is still very high. "With Red Tornado missing. The team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Shazam has agreed to take the first shift." He says as Shazam walks up to us. "I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys." He says cheerfully. I hear Connor says something to Kaldur. "After I dismantle Red Tornado, you and I are gonna-." He doesn't finish as Batman interrupts the conversation. "Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League. Which makes him the League's responsibility. You will leave him to us." He says that last part threateningly and with his signature glare.

"I have another assignment for this team." He continues as a hologram popa up of a newspaper. 'Guerilla Gorilla'? "Gotham mayor attacked by Guerilla Gorilla?" Wally says questioningly. "Batman, please! Tell me that you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase." Robin says as Batman glares at him. "I never joke about the mission." He says as Robin looks away. "I've checked the sources. Studied the patterns. Mayor Hill's encounter is only the lastest in a series of incidents. Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out. Ghost Rider will serve as your second in command. Black Bolt." Batman says as everyone turns to Blake who stands emotionlessly. "You have a choice.....we can send back home......or you can join this mission." Batman asks as Blake looks at me. I shrug my shoulders, not up to me. Blake nods and walks over to join us. Looks like we have a new team member. "Good choice. Your sister will be notified of your decision but for now. I have something for you. Ghost Rider requested it." He says as Manhunter passes a case over to Blake who raises an eyebrow. Blake opens the case and lifts a cowl, it's black with silver markings and a metal pitchfork prong on the forehead. Blake smiles as he nods his head in thanks.