Five heroes stood in front of the Hall of Justice. Because today was the day. The day two of the present heroes would finally get access to that very hall. A third chosen one and his mentor arrived a bit late, making the younger of the two groan in annoyance.

"Aw man! I knew we'd be the last ones here!" the boy complained loudly.

"No need to be so loud, Kid," a teenager dressed in red with a bow strapped to his back and red hair, commonly known as Speedy, scolded the fifteen year old.

Kid Flash, our young speedster in yellow, smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, first time at the Hall, I'm a little overwhelmed." he excused.

"Funny. Freeze was underwhelmed, you're overwhelmed. Why isn't anyone ever just whelmed?"

All seven heroes turned to look at the person who had unexpectedly spoken. Batman was the only one who did not seem at all surprised to see a thirteen year old boy, who was dressed in a black, red, and yellow costume, completed by a black and white domino mask, that was covering his eyes. However, that did not mean the others did not recognize the boy. While Kid Flash looked about to run towards the boy and give him a hug, the others mostly looked unsure, and slightly suspicious.

"Robin!" Kid Flash greeted happily.

Robin did not reply as he studied each hero's expression, before focusing on his own mentor.

"You did not tell them."

Only Kid Flash and Batman himself noticed the well hidden spark of dissapointment in the thirteen year old's voice.

"I have my reasons," was all the man replied.

Then he turned back around, walking towards the entrance of the Hall of Justice. But he was soon stopped by Aquaman, who, apparently, did not approve of the Dark Knight's doings.

"Batman." Not waiting for him to turn around to face him, because he knew the man was way too stubborn for that, Aquaman continued to propose his criticism. "Are you sure about this? Do you really think it is safe to let him into the Hall?"

Now though, Batman saw it fit to turn towards blonde man. Probably to be able to influence his opposite's opinion with a batglare.

"He is my protégé. That makes this my decision."

The other leaguers obviously thought differently. The one next to Speedy, Green Arrow, spoke up.

"You could have told us, you know."

"And what, exactly, was there to tell you?" came the gruff response.

It was Flash's turn to step into the conversation now.

"That you intended to give access to the Hall of Justice to someone even you don't know."

Batman intensified his glare as he set his gaze on the man in the red suit.

"That is not true. I know enough about Robin."

"Really? You don't even know his name."

Batman was getting annoyed by how childish the adults were starting to sound, complaining about something so unnecessary. Robin had not taken his eyes off his mentor once, still feeling too disappointed to bring himself to care about the three other leaguers. Kid Flash was worried about Robin, angry with his uncle, and also close to saying something that was probably incredibly stupid. So the four adults better get done with their argument soon, or this might just escalate even further.

"How does this matter? Most league members don't know my identity either."

"But Robin is not a league member."

"No. He is not. But how can he become one, when he isn't even allowed inside the Hall of Justice?"

"Oh come on! Just let him in already! He's a sidekick, too, so why shouldn't he!" Kid Flash interrupted.

"Don't call us sidekicks," Speedy corrected. "Not after today."

Kid Flash merely shrugged, and looked at the leaguers expectantly. Robin was still looking at Batman.

Aquaman, Flash, and Green Arrow shared a meaningful look, before nodding and following Batman into the Hall of Justice.

While they were walking Kid Flash came up next to Robin, a concered frown present on his face.

"Dude, you okay?"

Robin only glanced at him before staring back ahead. Kid Flash sighed.

"Maybe you should just tell them."

This time Kid Flash managed to get an actual response from the boy.

"No."

"But-"

"I said no. Besides, if it isn't enough that Batman and I have been partners for four years, it's their problem. Not mine."

The somewhat angry tone at the end of the hero's statement made the speedster shut up immedietly. He knew when to stop. He and Robin were best friends after all, and best friends did not push each other to were they felt uncomfortable. So they walked the rest of the way in silence.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

"You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? Why?" a very angry Speedy asked the other sidekicks present.

They were now inside the library of the Hall of Justice, and Speedy was currently complaining that the League did not let them go any further. Aqualad, Robin, and Kid Flash did not seem to mind this much. They shared a look and shrugged.

"Today was supposed to be the day! Step one in becoming full fledged members of the League.", Speedy continued.

"Well, sure," Kid Flash cut in. "But I thought step one was a tour of the HQ."

"Except the Hall isn't the League's real HQ," the archer revealed.

Both the other protégés and mentors were shocked. Each for a different reason. Speedy narrowed his eyes.

"I bet they never told you. It's just a false front for tourists, and a pit stop for catching zeta beam teleporter tubes to the real thing. An orbiting sattelite, called the Watch Tower."

Batman crossed his arms, glaring at the boy's mentor, who sheepishly tried to explain his slip up.

"I know, I know. But I thought maybe we could make an exception?" Green Arrow said.

Batman's glare only intensified.

"Or not."

That's when Aquaman decided to step in.

"You are not helping your cause here son. Stand down, or-"

"Or what?" Speedy angrily interrupted. "You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son." He looked at Green Arrow. "I'm not even his! I thought I was his partner. But, not anymore." he declared as he slammed his yellow hat down on the floor in front of his former mentor's feet.

All the other heroes stared at the red headed archer, not quite believing what they had just witnessed.

"I guess they were right about you three," he muttered on his way past them towards the exit. "You're not ready."

Silence filled the room, until suddenly Superman showed up on a screen.

"Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at project Cadmus. It's on fire."

The Leaguers turned towards each other to discuss the matter at hand.

"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus," Batman started. "This may present the perfect opportunity to-"

The Dark Knight was interrupted by another window opening on the screen.

"Zatara to Justice League. The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Attan to blot out the sun. Requesting full League response."

Batman glanced at the other caller.

"Superman?"

"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control."

"Then Cadmus can wait," Batman decided. "All Leaguers rendevouz at Zatara's coordinates. Batman out."

Turning around to Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash, he ordered, "Stay put."

His own protégé immedietly protested.

"What? Why?"

"This is a League mission." Aquaman explained, stepping forward.

"You're not trained." Flash continued.

"Since when?" the younger speedster angrily cut in.

"I meant," Flash went on. "You're not trained to work as part of this team."

"There will be other missions, when you're ready." Aquaman assured.

"But for now," Batman warned, "Stay. Put."

After the Leaguers had left, the three remaining people couldn't help but finally agree with Speedy. Did their mentors not trust them? Maybe they should have left with the archer.

"What is... project Cadmus?" Aqualad then wondered aloud after a while.

Robin smirked.

"Don't know. But I can find out."

Robin promptly went over to the computer, easily hacking into the League's files, impressing the other two boys.

"Alright. Project Cadmus," Robin began. "Genetics lab here in D.C. ...That's all there is. But if Batman's suspicious, maybe we should investigate." he suggested.

"Solve their case before they do. It would be poetic justice." the atlantean agreed.

"Hey, they're all about justice!" Robin exclaimed.

"But they said stay put." Aqualad said, not quite sure about this whole idea.

"For the blotting out the sun mission, not this." Robin corrected.

"Wait," Kid Flash stepped in. "Does this mean you're going?" He looked at Robin. "Because if you're going, I'm going!"

Aqualad looked at the two grinning boys uncertainly.

"Just like that? We're a team on a mission?"

"We didn't come for a play date," Robin stated, smirking. "I'll show the League what a nameless boy can do."

Kid Flash grinned while Aqualad creased his brows in confusion, as the three started on their way towards project Cadmus.

"You do not have a name? Is that why-"

Robin rolled his eyes while Kid Flash right out burst into laughter.

"No, no. I just said that, because they don't know my name. Of course I have a name." Robin chuckled at the atleantean's relieved expression. "You have a lot to learn, Saltwater."

And the confusion was back.

"Saltwater?"

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

Superboy, Robin, Kid Flash and Salt-, err, Aqualad stood together, about to be scolded by the Batman and his fellow League members. We just discovered superboy and got him out of that horrible place, fought I-don't-know-how-many monsters and bad guys, and had a building collapse on us, Robin thought. And the League is mad at us. Way to cut us some slack.

Batman, apparently, didn't care.

"Cadmus will be investigated. All fifty two sublevels. But let's make one thing clear-"

"You should've called!"

The Flash received an obvious batglare from the Caped Crusader for the interruption, before continuing.

"End results aside, we are not happy. You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again."

"I am sorry, but we will." Aqualad stubbornly replied.

"Aqualad, stand down." his mentor warned.

"Apologies, my king, but no. We did good work here tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together on our own we forged something powerful, important."

Flash then jumped into the conversation again.

"If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the three of you-"

But was interrupted by his protégé. Maybe this was a speedster thing...

"The four of us, and it's not."

Robin chose that moment to adress his mentor directly.

"Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us. Or why teach us at all?"

Superboy didn't even try the whole convince-the-league thing, and just said what all the teens were thinking.

"Why let them tell us what to do? It's simple, get on board, or get out of the way."

Batman only narrowed his eyes.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

"This cave what the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. We're calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms," Batman explained.

They were currently inside Mount Justice, Happy Harbour, where the League's former HQ had been at.

"Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions." he continued.

"Real missions?" Robin asked suspiciously.

"Yes, but covert."

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests. "

Flash pointed to the symbol on his chest.

"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly." Aquaman told them.

"The five of you will be that team." Batman informed.

"Cool. Wait, five?"

They all turned around as Martian Manhunter entered the room, together with a red haired girl, that looked to be about sixteen years old. Her skin was, as well as the Leaguer's, green.

"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian.", Batman introduced.

The  martian girl smiled shyly and waved a little.

"Hi."

"Liking this gig more every minute. Welcome aboard!" Kid Flash exclaimed as he approached the alien. "I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Aqualad - it's cool if you forget their names."

"I'm honored to be included." Miss Martian replied politely.

Robin then noticed that their new kryptonian friend was still standing a distance away, and decided to wave him over.

"Hey, Superboy! Come meet Miss M!"

When the clone arrived at the small circle, Miss Martian shape shifted her upper clothing to look like the other's shirt, before again smiling shyly.

"I like your t-shirt." she explained.

It looked like the day turned out good for all of them in the end. Robin, however, could not help but glance at his mentor, and wondering what he would have to do to finally earn the man's full trust. And without needing to tell him his identity, too. He didn't know why, but he felt like he would ultimately do anything. Deciding to worry about this more at another time, he focused back on his new team, just in time for Aqualad to triumphally declare that, indeed, "Today's the day."

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

I do not own Young Justice or any of the DC Universe characters.