reborn in young justice1

Here's Chapter 6:

Reborn in Young Justice

Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or any of its characters. They belong to DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. The only thing I own is my original character.

The hours stretched endlessly after the team left. Alone in the Cave, I felt the weight of my isolation more than ever. They were out there working as a cohesive unit, trusted by Batman, trusted by each other. And me? I was here, stuck in a limbo of uncertainty and self-doubt.

I returned to the training room, determined to push myself further. If I couldn't join them yet, I'd make sure I was ready when the time came.

As I focused on creating another orb of energy, the Cave's alarm system blared, startling me. The computer's calm voice filled the room.

"Intruder alert. Unauthorized access detected in Sector 2."

My heart jumped. The team was gone, and Red Tornado wasn't in sight. That left only me.

I rushed toward the terminal, my mind racing. The map displayed a blinking red dot in one of the less-frequented parts of the Cave. It wasn't far, but I had no idea who—or what—had triggered the alarm.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. "You wanted a chance to prove yourself," I muttered. "Well, here it is."

The hallway leading to Sector 2 was dimly lit, and every sound seemed amplified. My palms tingled with nervous energy, ready to summon a blast at the first sign of danger.

I rounded a corner and froze. Standing before a sealed door was a figure cloaked in shadows, their face obscured by a hood. They worked quickly, a device in their hands blinking with red lights as they attempted to override the Cave's security system.

"Hey!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the corridor.

The figure turned, their face partially revealed. A mask covered the lower half, leaving only cold, calculating eyes visible. They didn't speak—just reached for something on their belt.

A throwing knife hurtled toward me. I barely had time to react, ducking as it embedded itself in the wall behind me.

"Okay, then," I said, raising my hands. Energy surged to life, crackling in the air around me. "Your choice."

The intruder moved with terrifying speed, lunging toward me with twin blades drawn. I dodged, summoning a burst of energy that forced them back. They rolled with the impact, landing on their feet with inhuman agility.

Whoever this was, they weren't just skilled—they were trained.

The fight was fast and chaotic. I threw energy blasts, but the intruder was quick, weaving through my attacks like they'd seen them a hundred times before. I managed to graze their shoulder with one shot, but it only seemed to make them more aggressive.

They closed the distance, swinging one of their blades at me. I instinctively raised a shield, the energy forming just in time to block the strike. The impact sent a sharp jolt through my arm, but I held firm.

"Who are you?" I demanded, pushing them back.

Still no answer.

The intruder pressed forward, their attacks relentless. I felt myself tiring, my control slipping. The energy inside me was unpredictable, fluctuating between too much and not enough.

Desperation took over. I slammed my hands into the ground, releasing a shockwave that sent the intruder flying. They hit the wall hard but recovered quickly, retreating down the hallway.

"Oh, no, you don't," I muttered, giving chase.

The pursuit led to one of the Cave's hangars. The intruder reached for their belt again, this time pulling out a small device that looked like a remote.

"Nope," I said, firing a concentrated blast.

The device was knocked from their hand, skidding across the floor. For the first time, the intruder hesitated, their eyes narrowing as they sized me up.

"Not bad," they said finally, their voice distorted by a modulator.

"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises," I shot back.

Before I could act, they threw a smoke bomb, the room filling with thick, choking fog. I coughed, trying to see through the haze, but by the time it cleared, they were gone.

Red Tornado arrived moments later, his mechanical form gliding into the hangar.

"Kade," he said, his tone as calm as ever. "What happened?"

I gestured toward the hangar's empty space. "An intruder. They were trying to breach the Cave's systems. I stopped them—or at least, I tried. They got away."

Red Tornado's glowing eyes scanned the area, then turned back to me. "You acted appropriately, given the circumstances. However, this breach raises concerns. We must inform Batman and the team immediately."

I nodded, still catching my breath. "Who do you think they were?"

"Unknown," Red Tornado said. "But their skills suggest an affiliation with a professional organization. Perhaps the League of Shadows."

The mention of the group sent a chill down my spine.

"Did you recover any of their equipment?"

I retrieved the device I'd blasted earlier, handing it to Red Tornado. He studied it for a moment before placing it in a compartment on his arm. "This may provide insight into their intentions."

When the team returned hours later, Batman wasn't far behind.

"You encountered an intruder?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Yes," I said, recounting the event as clearly as I could.

Batman listened, his expression unreadable. When I finished, he nodded. "You held your own under pressure. That's a start."

A small spark of pride ignited in my chest, but I didn't let it show.

"However," Batman continued, "this breach is concerning. The League of Shadows doesn't act without reason. If they sent someone here, it means they're aware of the team—and possibly you."

Me? Why me?

Robin frowned. "Why would they care about him? He's just getting started."

"Perhaps that's exactly why," Batman said. "They may see him as an unknown variable—a potential ally or threat."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over us.

"Kade," Batman said finally, his gaze piercing. "You've been given a rare opportunity here. If the League of Shadows is aware of you, it's only a matter of time before they act again. You need to be ready."

"I will be," I said firmly, more to convince myself than anyone else.

As the meeting ended, the team filed out, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease.

For the first time, I felt like I'd taken a step forward. But in the back of my mind, one question lingered:

What did the League of Shadows want with me?