Fire and Lightning (Book One) [Young Justice fanfic]

Chapter Thirty-Two- Mother

November 26, 2010. 06:54.

Watchtower.

"Please take your seats," Batman instructed the Justice League.

"We have work to do."

Black Canary and Hawkwoman sat next to Wonder Woman, the only three women of the League. Martian Manhunter reminded everyone to consider their choices carefully, no one wanted another Injustice League. And Superman was the first to nominate a candidate.

"I nominate Icon." The hero of Dakota City was projected as a hologram in the middle of the room for all to see.

"Why? Because you think that Icon could be Kryptonian like you thought with Captain Marvel?" Green Arrow asked rhetorically.

"You thought I was Kryptonian?" Captain Marvel asked, on the verge of squealing like a fanboy, "Cool!"

"Then I nominate his protege, Rocket," Wonder Woman said smoothly, deterring the conversation from the awkward silence brought about by Marvel's comment. Some Leaguers are not  certain about working alongside a seeming adult who is in actuallity fifteen years old. 

"Athena knows the League could use more female members."

"Hear hear!" Hawkwoman roused.

"Agreed," Black Canary said with a smirk, provoking all the men in the room to share a few uncomfortable glances. There were only three women on the League, but they also had five young female proteges waiting down on Earth, along with well as the five young men they had been training for some time now.

"Guy Gardner," Flash suggested. An image of a Green Lantern I recognized was projected from the center of the meeting room. He had helped Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Red Arrow in protecting Star City against the Injustice League the month before, but but no one knew enough about him to think through the decision, except for the League's two resident Green Lanterns, who instantly rejected the idea.

"But-"

"No." They insisted.

"If we're nominating Blue Devil," Green Arrow stood up, "Then I nominate Red Arrow." A hologram of Roy replaced the one of the blue-skinned magic-user.

"He's eighteen, a legal adult. He's ready." Green Arrow insisted. Black Canary seemed to be the only one to agree.

"Is he?" Aquaman asked, "He has been uncooperative and disrespectful. If we reward that sort of behavior, what will the team think?" He didn't mention anyone by name, but it was obvious that he was referring to Red Arrow's close relationship with his own protege, Aqualad, as well as Robin's and Dragonfire's and Kid Flash's. Could Roy Harper's insolent attitude rub off on the team? Something told Black Canary that one way or another, it already had.

Batman and Flash were also thinking of their own proteges' relationships with Roy. Could Red Arrow's insubordination be a good thing, or a bad thing?

The next hero to be suggested was Plastic Man, who had the ability to stretch his body into any shape or form. While Flash expressed doubt at having a former criminal join the League, Captain Marvel started laughing.

"I'm sorry," He apologized, "The guy just cracks me up!" 

The rest of the League was silent, staring at each other or at Captain Marvel.

"I think it's time we talked about the elephant in the room." Flash offered politely.

"Huh?" Marvel asked, confused.

"Billy, maybe you should wait outside until we hash this out," Black Canary said kindly, trying to not sound patronizing.

"No," Bruce said darkly, "Captain Marvel is a member of the Justice League, and is entitled to participate until or unless he is voted out."