B3 (Blue Beetle X OC): The Unchangeable

Chapter 13: The Return of the Reach... or not

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Chloe's POV

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"Okay, Garfield, you called this meeting." M'gann said as we stood in the Watchtower. Gar nodded as he turned to look at Kaldur, Artemis, Conner, and M'gann. "And I appreciate you hearing me out. Kaldur, though the Justice League's ranks are divided, you stand center stage, defending a world seemingly committed to stopping your good works. And M'gann, you lead the team against our adversaries, while avoiding the spotlight. Despite all obstacles, you're both making a difference. But something is missing." My eyes widened at Gar's speech. He definitely practiced that in the mirror. "Okay, I'll bite. What?" Artemis asked. "A public version of the team. Young heroes rebelling against the system to fight the good fight, in clear view." Gar said, and my eyes got wider. A new team?

"No, we do not put that kind of target on our underage heroes. That is what the Justice League is for." Kaldur replied sternly. "The League can't do what we need because we're playing on the Light's game board. Have you seen the headlines lately?" I looked up as a picture of Lex Luthor pulled up holographically. "Lex Luthor's grip on the United Nations, the public fear of meta humans, meta teen trafficking." A picture of people protesting, and teenagers pulled up as Gar continued. "Bad guys like Granny Goodness and Baron Bedlam are capitalizing on all of it. We've lost the hearts and minds of the people we're trying to protect. Demagogues and fear mongers cause folks to give up on the heroic idea, the reason the Justice League was formed in the first place!" Gar exclaimed.

"Great, now I'm thoroughly depressed." Artemis muttered. "Don't worry, I've got you covered! See, we're gonna break the rules the League can't. We're gonna connect with people, in ways that can't be blocked by governments. We're gonna quiet the fears of the public, terrified by the meta gene generation. And we'll do it all by inspiring that generation, because we are them! Raised alongside them in the fallout of a scary world, we can be the heroes that empower them to conquer their fears!" Gar said. "That's a great speech, Gar. Sincerely, But, how's that any different from what the League's trying to do now?" M'gann asked. "The League and the Light are fighting spin campaigns and the Light's winning! That's not what I'm talking about." Gar said as he turned back to and pulled up a hologram of him, Bart, and Jaime when they did the interview.

"Look at this. Without even trying, these actions have generated something organic. Something beyond spin. Something that can never emerge from under the thumb of Luthor, or Granny. It's something relatable. It's something we can build on, by giving people something they can brand! Something they can own on social media! Something that makes them part of the story." Gar turned back. "We're gonna be highly mobile, and sociable. And together, we're gonna start a revolution!" Gar pumped his fist in the air as I smiled. "A small one, anyway." He added. "You have given us much to consider-" "No, we haven't." He cut Kaldur off. Even I didn't have the confidence to do that. Jaime, Bart, Brion, and Cassie all took a step forward to be with Gar, and I looked at them in confusion.

"Get on board, or get out of the way!" Conner groaned at Gar's comment. "We all heard the story!" Bart said. "You guys built this team-" Jaime began. "It's time to take it to the next level!" Cassie finished. "Are you sure you're ready for this kind of spotlight?" Artemis asked. "Green skin, can't hide." Gar said. "The Reach outed me two years ago." Jaime agreed. "Kid Flash is back too, from out in Wally's day. Public doesn't get that I'm a different guy, plus, I never really rocked the whole secret ID thing anyway. You?" Bart added as he turned to Brion. "Markovia and the world already know what I have become. Now, I need to show them who I have become." Brion said. "And there was no way I was gonna let this be a no girl squad." Cassie said as she grinned. "Group needed a little color." Virgil muttered. "Hey! Brown skin here!" Jaime exclaimed. "Might as well be blue skin with the face plate." Virgil said as he knocked on Jaime's armor.