Night's Shadow || Dick Grayson x Ariana Wayne

Chapter 8

There was plenty of discussion during the few days it took for the young team to heal. After a fair bit of persuasion on the parts of Red and Sayeh, the fate of the teens was decided. They'd be allowed to be a team but it would be under League supervision.

Several members of the League helped to get everything set up in the former base of operations for the League, the cave inside of Mt Justice. The teens, now healed up, were gathered. "Batman needs a covert team that can operate on the sly. That is you guys. The League will still handle the obvious stuff. After all there's a reason we have these large targets on our chests" Flash said as he tapped the symbol on his chest.

"The six of you will be trained by Red Widow and Black Canary. Red Tornado has volunteered to stay here and be your supervisor. And I will deploy you on missions" explained Batman.

"Cool!" Robin's face of excitement changed to one of confusion. "Wait, six?"

Batman gestured behind them to where Martian Manhunter was standing with a teen girl. "This is Manhunter's niece Miss Martian."

"My name is M'gann M'orzz but you can call me Megan. It's an Earth name." Megan smiled warmly and immediately gravitated towards Shadow. They were the only girls on a team full of boys so it meant forming solidarity almost instantly. Kid Flash, or Wally as he said his name was, set about trying to flirt with both girls now.

Aqualad said his name was Kaldur'ahm, but his friends called him Kaldur. Of course Robin and Shadow didn't divulge their identities. Batman wouldn't let them, but it didn't seem to bother the rest of the team.

It was nice to be on a team. One that wasn't based around secrets. Even if there was one annoying member of the team. Shadow paced about while waiting for the next mission. Sadly she'd had to sit out the mission to Santa Prisca due to her having choir practice that she couldn't blow off.

The computer announced the arrival of Black Canary and Red Widow. "It's time to train" said Red while Canary explained the basis of the training session for that day. Red started up the training platform while Canary moved to the center and asked for a volunteer. Wally eagerly offered, hitting on Canary as he did so. He lasted all of 10 seconds before being knocked onto his back.

Superboy made the comment that since he was a living weapon, he didn't need training. He had super strength to turn the tides in his favor. "Red, shall we show the boys a real fight?" Shadow smirked as did Red. They were about to get to it when Batman appeared on the computer screen.

"Earlier today the League encountered an android that was capable of absorbing the powers of most of those within the League." Bats explained.

"A robot with the powers of the entire League? Wow..." Commented Wally.

Batman cleared his throat then continued. "We were able to take it down and dismantle it. We were lucky that the android didn't absorb the powers of Ebon Angel or Red Widow." He then went on to explain why he was contacting the Young Justice team. They'd split into two squads and follow the parts while being undercover to ensure their arrival to their destinations safely. "Shadow Hawk, you're sitting this one out."

"I am fully capable of joining this mission. I see no reason why I should be left out." Shadow argued, glaring at her father.

Batman shook his head. "In the event things go south I don't want to risk that android absorbing yours, Ebon Angel's, or Red's powers. You are to stay in the cave with Red Widow." He logged off and everyone else left to go take care of their part in the mission.

Shadow screamed loudly and punched a hole in the wall. To say she was angry was an understatement. "As much as I don't want to, I have to agree with your father Ari." Red used the girl's real name since they were entirely alone within the cave. "That thing getting the powers of you, your mother or I would be a recipe for disaster."

Red knew that they'd be able to still take down the robot, but it would be difficult. Still at this point she wanted to comfort her niece. Red also knew that right now the girl needed a physical outlet for her anger and to be honest, she could use one as well. "No weapons, no special powers, just our normal physical ability."

The two of them squared off against one another at they began their fight. Neither of them had to really hold back since both Red and Ari possessed enhanced strength and speed. It came down to a case of skill, experience, determination, and grit.

The spar ended with both opponents feeling winded and bruised but they were also smiling and laughing. "I bet that Father wouldn't be able to withstand an onslaught from both of us like that." Shadow said as she went to go get some water and tossed a bottle to Red.

"You know, you reacted far better than your mother to being told she wasn't getting involved in the incident." Red confessed as she downed the water.

"Oh?" Ariana was intrigued as she removed her mask and flopped down on the couch.

"Yeah. I believe her exact wording was 'unless you like sleeping on the couch, you'd better let me join the others!' to which Bruce said it was worth it to keep her out of harm's way." She chuckled a bit at the thought of how badly Sayeh would kick Bruce's ass once this was done.

Ariana laughed and put her mask on at hearing the computer announce the arrival of her team and a few League members. She saw the cuts and bruises on her teammates and decided to hold off questions until they were tended to. As she did that, Batman debriefed the team before the League members left.

Kaldur walked over to Shadow and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am glad that you did not come with us. I am sure that Wally, Superboy and Robin would say the same. The android was put back together and a fight ensued though the others have the full details." He noticed the frown on her face and gave a soft smile. "You were greatly missed out in the field Shadow Hawk. You are a member of the team and we were not whole while you were back here."

"Thanks Kaldur." She gave him a quick hug before going to find the boys to get the whole story. Wally sped over and was eager to tell her the details from his perspective. Of course he was showing off and fudged some of the details. Things that Robin was only too quick to correct and tell Shadow his version of the events. As she listened to the boys argue, she chuckled, figuring there was one person who would tell her the honest truth. "I think I'll ask Superboy, but thanks for sharing boys."

Shadow walked towards Megan and made a sign for her to open a telepathic link between them. 'Just letting you know I'm going to go find Superboy and talk to him. But don't worry, I have no interest in him as more than a friend or perhaps a brother. I just want to know what really happened earlier.'

'Thanks for letting me know, though I can see that you have feelings for --'

'Okay found Superboy and gotta concentrate. Bye M'gann' Shadow forced herself to concentrate and shut down the link, her cheeks turning red as she spoke to Superboy about the incident with Amazo. The two of them talked about the rage within since they both dealt with it though the reasons for it were different. Then came the discussion about who they liked and Shadow eventually confessed to liking...

A/n: Yes I purposely left it like that. Not going to tell who it is even though I'm sure you can guess.