Shadowflame

The Watchtower conference room was about as lively as a math class on a Friday afternoon, which is to say, not very. The Justice League was assembled, and when the Justice League assembles, you know things are either about to get serious or weird. Today, it was both.

Superman, aka Clark Kent, aka "I-was-possessed-by-a-demon-and-I'm-still-processing-that," stood at the head of the table. He looked like a guy who'd spent a little too much time thinking about existential questions like, "What if Trigon secretly rode shotgun in my brain for months?"

"Okay, let's get started," Superman began, his voice the picture of calm, even if his words screamed apocalypse-lite. "I'll cut to the chase. For a month now, I was... uh... unknowingly harboring Trigon."

There was a long silence as everyone digested this. Batman's expression didn't change—classic Bat-stoic—but you could practically hear the gears turning in his brain. Meanwhile, Flash looked like someone had just told him his favorite pizza joint was out of pepperoni.

"Hold up," Green Arrow finally said. "Trigon, like the fire-breathing demon overlord guy? That Trigon?"

Superman nodded. "The very same. He latched onto me, used me to hide his influence. I didn't even realize it until the battle with Voldemort forced him out."

Flash held up a finger. "Wait, wait, wait. Back it up. Did you just casually drop a dark lord from another world in the middle of a demon possession story? Like that's normal?"

"Yes," Wonder Woman said, completely deadpan. "But Voldemort's dead now, thanks to Shadowflame."

If the room had been silent before, now it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Or, more likely, Batman silently judging everyone.

Green Arrow broke the silence. "Shadowflame? That's the British kid, right? The one with the fiery wings and the whole Chosen One vibe?"

Superman actually chuckled. "That's the one. And during that fight, he's gotten... some upgrades."

"Define 'upgrades,'" Aquaman said, crossing his arms.

Wonder Woman, ever the educator, took the lead. "Harry united the Deathly Hallows during the battle: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak. According to Wizarding lore, uniting these items makes one the Master of Death."

"Sounds ominous," Flash muttered.

"It gets better," Wonder Woman said, her lips twitching in what might've been a smile. "The title was actually a ruse by Death herself—who, as it turns out, is a person. She goes by Deedee. She's... Harry's betrothed."

Flash's jaw dropped. "Hold up. Shadowflame is engaged to Death? Like, 'Hi, I'm the grim reaper, nice to meet you' Death?"

Superman grinned. "Pretty much. I spent Halloween with them. Deedee, Harry, Kara, and Kori. It was... an experience."

"Did she bring a scythe?" Flash asked.

"No, but her sense of humor's pretty sharp," Superman replied.

Batman, clearly done with the chit-chat, brought things back to the point. "Focus. If Shadowflame's friends are going to work with us, then they will need codenames. Anonymity is crucial."

"And training," Wonder Woman added. "Harry's friends—Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the others—showed incredible potential. But they're inexperienced in battles of this scale."

Aquaman jumped in. "If we're talking about new recruits, Mareena, Tula, and Garth should be on the list. They're Atlantis's finest."

"Donna Troy as well," Wonder Woman suggested. "And Raven. She's been living at Mount Justice and has already formed bonds with Harry's group."

Green Lantern looked skeptical. "This is starting to sound like a youth club."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "It's a team. Shadowflame, Supergirl, Starfire, Robin, Batgirl, Aqualad, Speedy, Kid Flash, Zatanna, Miss Martian—they'll need each other to handle threats we can't always address directly."

Flash raised a hand. "New team name: Young Justice. I'm just saying—it has a nice ring to it."

The meeting continued, discussions ranging from how to handle future possessions (cue Batman's fifty-point contingency plan) to codename brainstorming for Harry's friends. By the time they adjourned, the League had a solid plan, and everyone looked at least marginally less stressed.

As the room cleared, Superman lingered with Wonder Woman. "You know," he said, smiling faintly, "spending Halloween in Smallville might've been the most normal part of this whole week."

Diana laughed softly. "Normal, Clark, is relative. And with Harry around, I'd get used to relative chaos."

—

So, we walked into Mount Justice, and it felt pretty much like I had stumbled into a superhero sleepover. The place was a sanctuary for refugees from the Wizarding World (yeah, that's a thing now), but it also doubled as our base of operations. I mean, sure, it's mostly filled with wizards and now a few random superpowered teens, but hey, it's starting to feel like a second home.

Kara, Kori, and Deedee followed me in, their steps light but with that buzz of excitement that only happens after you've been part of a crazy battle involving Voldemort's goons and a bunch of Trigon's freaky, demon-possessed followers. You know, standard Tuesday stuff.

I caught Deedee's eye as we entered the common room. She was grinning that grin she always gets when she's up to something, which probably meant she was planning to casually destroy anyone who tried to outsmart her. Nice.

"Let's go see what the gang's up to," I said, because, honestly, what else were we going to do?

I wasn't surprised when I saw everyone gathered around in a circle, papers and pens everywhere. It looked like a planning session for some world-changing mission. And it kind of was, because the topic? Our superhero names. Yeah, that's the thing now. We're all superheroes, and apparently, that means we have to have cool names.

Hermione, naturally, was in the middle of it, trying to make sense of it all, like it was some sort of high-stakes intellectual game. "Okay, listen. We need names that reflect our powers. Something smart. Something meaningful."

Ron, who had clearly not gotten the memo about how "smart" this was supposed to be, jumped in with, "How about 'Blaze'?"

I nearly facepalmed. "Blaze? Ron, you almost burned down the Burrow with a sparkler. 'Blaze' is definitely not your superhero vibe."

"I'm just saying it's a solid name," Ron muttered. "It sounds powerful."

"Yeah, it's powerful enough to start a fire," Fred shot back, laughing.

"You know, Blaze sounds like a great name for you, Ron," George added, "but I'm thinking more along the lines of 'Fire Hazard.'"

They all busted out laughing while Ron just grumbled.

Ginny, standing beside him, rolled her eyes. "You want to be Blaze? Alright, but don't come crying to me when you set off the sprinklers."

Fred leaned in to whisper something to George, but it was totally meant to be heard. "Honestly, at this point, Ron might be more 'Torch' than 'Blaze.'"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. "I'm just gonna say it. Ron, you are 'The Torch,' because honestly, you're just asking for it."

Luna—who was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a piece of paper filled with what looked like random words—gazed at us with her usual air of dreamy confusion. "You know, Blazequeen does have a certain mystique to it."

I almost snorted. "Luna, are we seriously going with Blazequeen?"

"Hey, there's potential," she replied, tapping her chin. "It's fiery. Regal. Mysterious."

"Yeah, mysterious like a bonfire on the Fourth of July," Ron muttered.

Fred turned to me. "Blazequeen? That's it. We're calling Ron 'The Torch.'"

"Fine," Ron said with a dramatic sigh. "The Torch it is. But only because Luna's name ideas are worse."

Luna didn't seem bothered. She was already on to her next idea, reading from the list she had written down: "How about Silvermist? It's very sneaky, like the fog, the way it creeps up on you."

I glanced over at Neville, who had been strangely quiet through this whole exchange. "What do you think, Neville? Got any names?"

Neville blinked, clearly not paying attention. "Huh? Oh, right. I was thinking something like… Earthquake?"

I couldn't help it. I had to tease him. "Neville, you're the only guy I know who can move rocks around and still manage to look like you're about to pass out. Maybe Mudslide is a better fit."

"I do move rocks!" Neville said, getting defensive, though a little smile tugged at his lips. "And it's a tough job!"

Hermione, clearly at her wit's end, clapped her hands together. "We need to come up with something cohesive. Names that reflect our personalities, our powers. Something strong."

"Yeah, strong," I said, nodding sagely. "Like 'Shadowflame.' It's simple, it's edgy, and it totally gets me."

Deedee shot me a playful look. "So, you get the cool name, huh? Nice."

"Well," I said, giving her my best innocent face, "when you're the embodiment of Death itself, you don't need a cool name. You already win at life."

"You sure about that, Shadowflame?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm the one who could literally end your life with a single snap."

I grinned. "That's why you're Death. You've got the style."

Ron leaned over to me. "Mate, I think you're really pushing it with the whole 'death' thing."

"Oh, shut up, Ron," I said, nudging him lightly. "I'm not really pushing it. I'm owning it."

"Well, I guess that's that," Hermione said, looking at the rest of the group. "We'll work on the names, but it's a start."

"Yeah, and now we need to think of a team name," Ginny added.

"You mean, like a name for the entire superhero group?" Fred asked.

"Exactly," Ginny said. "Because we're all superheroes now. Might as well have something cool to call ourselves."

"Oh, we're definitely going with 'The Squadron of Awesomeness,'" I said, trying to sound serious.

Everyone stared at me for a beat. "What?" I asked. "It's catchy."

Luna, of course, was all in. "I think it's perfect. 'The Squadron of Awesomeness' is exactly what we are."

"Okay, fine," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes. "We'll work on it. But first, we need to make sure we've got a plan. For training, for keeping everything organized."

"I've got it!" George shouted. "We'll be superheroes by day and strategy masters by night!"

And just like that, the banter continued, because honestly? With this group? It was either laugh or start questioning my life choices. And I wasn't about to start questioning anything. At least not today.

One thing was for sure: this ragtag bunch of wizards and superheroes was going to make some serious waves. And I, Harry Potter—Shadowflame—was definitely going to make sure of it.

—

The Batcave was exactly as you'd expect: dark, cold, and filled with enough high-tech gadgets to make Tony Stark green with envy. The kind of place where you'd think twice about touching anything. Dick Grayson, a.k.a. Robin (if you're not up-to-date with superhero nicknames, that's him), was spinning his escrima sticks in a way that only people who know how to fight—and don't mind being annoyingly smug about it—can pull off.

"Bruce," Dick said, leaning back in a chair, clearly not worried about the whole 'being in Batman's lair' thing. "So, new team, huh? Is it more like a baby Justice League with training wheels?"

Barbara Gordon, perched on the edge of the Batcomputer's massive console, shot him an amused look. "I'm pretty sure the Justice League doesn't do 'training wheels,' Dick."

Dick winked. "They should. They might avoid some of the messes I've seen."

Bruce, of course, didn't entertain the banter. He was too busy being Batman, which apparently involved standing still, looking broody, and pulling up holographic screens that made him look like the world's least fun tech support.

"We're forming a new team," Bruce said, his voice that gravelly monotone that made it sound like the Batcave itself was talking. "Young heroes. They'll handle smaller threats, things the League doesn't have the time or resources for."

Dick grinned. "A new team, huh? I'm guessing Shadowflame is involved. It's gotta be him. I mean, if anyone is qualified to lead a bunch of chaotic teenagers, it's Harry."

Barbara raised an eyebrow. "Shadowflame? Seriously? Is this the guy who uses magic wings made of fire to fly and still somehow manages to crack jokes?"

"Yup, that's him," Dick said, clearly fond of Harry. "I worked with him before. He's got the magic, the skills, and—despite his best efforts—he actually cares about keeping his team alive. So, yeah. I vote for him."

Bruce looked up, his expression unreadable. "The League has agreed to let Shadowflame take the lead. He has the experience. But, like I said, he needs guidance. They'll need you."

"Me?" Dick blinked, clearly not prepared for the offer. "What, you want me to play big brother to a bunch of angsty, magic-powered teens?"

Bruce's lips twitched ever so slightly. "You're the best candidate to keep them focused. Teach them how to be heroes, not just... sidekicks."

"Nice one, Bruce," Dick said. "I'll make sure they don't blow anything up—unless it's in the name of justice."

Barbara tapped her fingers on the console, looking over the projected team roster. "Supergirl. Starfire. Kid Flash. Zatanna. Miss Martian. And... Aqualad?" She paused. "This is going to be an interesting mix."

Dick grinned. "Yeah, but Harry can handle it. Trust me, I've seen him talk down more bad guys than I care to count. With a smirk. And maybe a cup of tea."

Bruce didn't seem impressed. "They'll need more than smirks and tea to work together. They'll need leadership."

"Speaking of leadership," Barbara interjected, "is Shadowflame actually ready for this? I mean, we've all seen the guy's power and attitude, but leading a team is a whole other thing."

"That's why I'm recommending you, Barbara," Bruce said. "You'll be the strategist. You'll make sure their missions are coordinated. And you can teach them the importance of brains over brawn."

Barbara looked at him, considering. "Alright, I'm in. But if any of them try to turn into a goth version of you and start brooding at random, I'm calling dibs on making them run laps."

Dick chuckled. "Let's just hope no one accidentally trips over their own cape. We don't need another 'Batmobile' incident, Bruce."

Bruce gave them both a look that was as close to 'you're on thin ice' as he ever got. "Focus."

"Don't worry, we'll keep things in line," Dick said, slinging his escrima sticks over his shoulder. "This is going to be awesome. Shadowflame at the helm, Supergirl zipping around, Zatanna casting spells... I can't wait to see how this turns out."

Bruce nodded, his eyes narrowing in on the team's roster. "This is important. We don't just need a team of heroes. We need a team that can work together, not just for the mission, but for each other. They'll face dangers they can't even imagine."

"Got it," Dick said, already thinking about how he was going to fit into all this. "I'll play babysitter. But, just so we're clear, the first time one of them accidentally sets off a magic spell and blows up the cafeteria, I'm blaming you."

Bruce didn't even flinch. "I'll be waiting for that call."

And with that, Dick and Barbara exchanged an amused look. They didn't need to say anything more. They both knew the team was going to be messy, unpredictable, and so much fun.

But if anyone could handle a bunch of teenage superheroes, it was them.

And maybe, just maybe, Harry would be the one to finally teach Batman how to enjoy a good, old-fashioned superhero team-up.

—

In the grand throne room of Poseidonis, the underwater city of Atlantis, Aquaman—king of the seas, wearer of the world's most intimidating beard—sat on his massive, pearl-encrusted throne. Mera, his wife and queen, stood beside him, radiating power and elegance. Together, they made a power couple so legendary even the ocean waves seemed to bow in respect.

But none of that was as important as the news they were about to deliver.

Aquaman's voice boomed, cutting through the soft hum of the currents. "Alright, listen up, team. The Justice League has chosen you to be part of a new team of young heroes."

Aqualad—Kaldur'ahm—stood at attention, as always. Mareena, Aquaman's slightly too-enthusiastic daughter, looked like she was ready to break out into a happy dance. Tula and Garth, her fellow Atlanteans, exchanged skeptical glances, but even they couldn't hide the flicker of curiosity in their eyes.

"Are you serious? A new team?" Mareena's voice was full of the kind of excitement only a teenager who spends too much time around her parents could have. Her shimmering teal hair swirled in the water as she floated just a little higher than the others, barely able to contain herself.

"Not just any team," Aquaman added. "A team that's going to work alongside some of the best heroes the world has to offer."

Mera, with a raised eyebrow, shot a look at her daughter. "Mareena, I suggest you save your excitement until after you hear the whole plan."

Tula crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, the coral armor gleaming across her chest. "So, we're joining this 'superhero team.' Are we just backup for the big league guys, or are we getting to lead missions and save the world?" She didn't do modesty, and honestly, it was hard to blame her.

Aquaman gave her a level stare. "This is not about backup. This is about stepping up. And you will be saving the world. Probably more than once."

Garth, the quiet one who always seemed like he had more important things to do than listen to people talk, spoke up. "Shadowflame's leading it, right?"

Mera nodded. "Yes. Shadowflame will be the leader of this team."

Mareena practically jumped out of her skin. "Harry? The Harry? Oh my gods, that's amazing!" She swam in a tight circle, creating little whirlpools of excitement. "I knew he had that leader vibe, but I didn't realize it was official. We're gonna be teammates! Can you believe that?" She looked at Tula and Garth as though expecting them to share her enthusiasm.

Tula looked less than impressed. "Yeah, but do you really want to follow him around? I mean, it's not like he needs more people to fan over him."

Mareena waved a hand. "Oh, I'm not talking about just fan-girling, you know. Harry's strong, smart, and—let's face it—he's got that mysterious bad boy thing going for him. Plus, he totally pulls off that dark, brooding hero thing. I like that vibe." She nudged Tula with a sly grin. "You should see how he looks in his armor."

"Ugh," Tula muttered, rolling her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

Aquaman, who'd clearly dealt with enough teenage drama to fill a few oceans, cleared his throat to regain attention. "Right. Moving on. You're not just joining any team. This is a team of young heroes, some of whom you might already know. Supergirl, Starfire, and Miss Martian, to name a few."

Tula's eyes lit up, and she exchanged an excited glance with Garth. "Okay, that sounds promising."

Mareena's grin widened. "Wait, you're telling me I'm going to be on a team with Kara and Kori? This is gonna be awesome."

Aquaman gave a half-smile. "It's not all about excitement, Mareena. You'll need to work together, even if you're not always that excited about it."

"Oh, come on," Mareena shot back, "Who wouldn't be excited about working with such a roster? You know what they say—a team that kicks butt together, stays together."

"Actually," Garth said, his voice dry, "I think that's not what they say at all."

Aquaman raised a hand to stop the snarking. "I get it. The team sounds like a dream. But it's not all fun and games. This is real work, with real consequences. And don't think your skills in the water will make you exempt from getting your hands dirty." He glanced pointedly at Mareena. "You're not always going to be playing around with Harry."

Mareena made a face, then smirked. "No promises."

Tula spoke up again, clearly trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Okay, so we get that we're teaming up with some seriously cool heroes. But who else is on this team? How's it all gonna work?"

Mera answered this time, her tone steady. "The team will be diverse. Not just in powers, but in backgrounds. You'll learn from each other and you'll be expected to adapt quickly. This will be your chance to grow, as both warriors and leaders."

"And remember," Aquaman added, "This isn't about just picking up your powers. This is about owning them. You're representing Atlantis on this team. You're not just heroes from the surface. You are the best Atlantis has to offer."

The room fell silent as the gravity of his words settled in.

Garth, ever the realist, nodded. "Understood. We won't let you down."

"I'm in," Mareena said with a determined look. "Can we start, like, right now?"

Aquaman chuckled softly, though there was an edge of seriousness in his voice. "Not yet. You'll get your chance. Just be ready. The world will need you. The team will need you."

And just like that, the new wave of young heroes—their futures uncertain, their fates intertwined—was set in motion.

—

Central City was having one of those rare, magical days when things were actually calm. No exploding buildings. No rogue gallery roll call. No time-traveling speedster messes. Naturally, Barry Allen, the Flash, decided to seize this fleeting moment of peace to do something he'd been dreading: The Talk with Wally West. And no, not that talk (they'd had the awkward puberty-speedster-chat years ago, thank you very much). This was The Team Talk.

The setting? Star Labs' basement—a place that looked like a cross between Tony Stark's garage and an escape room designed by a physics major on steroids. Barry was pacing the floor, looking uncharacteristically serious, which meant this was either important or he was about to drop some emotionally scarring news.

"So," Barry began, doing that thing where he crossed his arms like a dad trying to sound cool, "the Justice League is putting together a new team. A younger team. Think of it as the Justice League...Junior. Only cooler."

Wally perked up from where he was lounging against a counter. "Cooler than the League? Bold pitch, but I'm in. So, what are we calling it? 'Super Sidekicks Assemble'? 'League Lite'? Or wait—how about, 'The Teen Justice League But With Better Branding'?"

Barry smirked. "You can workshop the name later, Wally. The important thing is, you're on the roster."

"Sweet!" Wally grinned, pushing off the counter. "A chance to flex my speed, save lives, and show everyone why they'll never be as fast or as charming as me. I'm game." He leaned back casually. "So, who else is on this All-Star lineup?"

Barry hesitated just long enough to raise suspicion. "Some people you know. Supergirl, Starfire, Miss Martian…"

"Nice. Nice. Nice," Wally said, nodding like he was reviewing a buffet. "Solid lineup of heavy hitters and hotties. This is going to be fun. Who else?"

Barry hesitated again, and that was all Wally needed.

"Oh no." Wally groaned dramatically. "It's him, isn't it? Mr. Magic Hands? The guy who thinks fire and sparkles count as actual combat tactics?"

Barry sighed. "Yes, Wally. Shadowflame is leading the team. And before you say it, no, you don't get to call him 'Mr. Magic Hands' to his face."

"Magic," Wally said, complete with sarcastic air quotes. "Right. The guy waves his hands, mutters some random Latin—or is it Greek?—and everyone just buys it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it's not magic. It's advanced tech. Or some kind of science we haven't figured out yet. Probably lasers. Or holograms. Or holographic lasers. But magic? Come on, Barry. You don't actually believe in that, do you?"

Barry stopped pacing and gave him the look. "He's flies using fire wings, fought an actual demon, and stopped Ra's Al Ghul with a single spell. Pretty sure none of that falls under 'science we can explain in a lab.'"

"Yet," Wally shot back. "None of that falls under science yet. You know how these things work. First, it's 'ooh, magic,' and then some nerd cracks the code, and bam—turns out it's all quantum physics with a side of nanotech."

Barry pinched the bridge of his nose. This was like trying to explain algebra to someone who insisted numbers were a government conspiracy. "Wally, you've teamed up with Shadowflame before. Multiple times. Are you seriously still convinced it's all smoke and mirrors?"

"Exactly!" Wally snapped his fingers. "Smoke. Mirrors. Maybe a sprinkle of LED lights for flair. And don't get me started on Zatanna. Her whole 'talk backward and make magic' shtick? Sounds more like someone hit rewind on a karaoke machine."

Barry was officially done. "You're impossible."

"And you're too gullible," Wally countered, wagging a finger. "Don't get me wrong—I like Shadowflame. He's a cool guy. Solid leader. And honestly? Great with advice when it comes to impressing girls. But let's not pretend he's out here breaking the laws of physics."

"Right," Barry said dryly. "Because clearly, you're the expert on magic."

"Science," Wally corrected. "I'm the expert on science. Big difference."

Barry decided to cut his losses. There were some battles even the fastest man alive couldn't win. "Look, the point is, you're going to be working with him. A lot. So, try to show some respect. He's earned it."

Wally held up his hands innocently. "Hey, I respect the guy. Like I said, he's great in a fight, and his fire-bird thing is pretty epic. Just…keep the magic mumbo jumbo on the sidelines, and we're golden."

Barry smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I'll be sure to pass along your thoughts. I'm sure he'll love hearing your laser pointer theory."

"Glad we're on the same page," Wally said, grinning. Then, after a beat, he added, "So, when's this dream team kicking off?"

"As soon as everyone's assembled," Barry replied. "And Wally—try not to pick a fight with Shadowflame on day one, okay?"

"No promises," Wally said with a shrug. But deep down, he was excited. New team, new adventures, and maybe—just maybe—a chance to finally prove, once and for all, that science would always have the upper hand over magic.

—

Star City was having one of those rare, almost mythical days where the crime rate was as low as the chance of finding a unicorn riding a rainbow. It was the kind of day that made you think you could take a break—just a quick one—without worrying that some villain was going to blow something up. In fact, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Speedy were all sitting around the table, waiting for their sidekick to come back from the edge of a major existential crisis.

And by "existential crisis," we mean "Roy Harper thinking that his career as Speedy was officially over, and it was time to become a disgruntled former child star."

"Roy," Green Arrow said, trying to sound casual as he leaned on the counter, probably pretending he didn't just hit thirty-five and was still feeling cool. "So, the Justice League's making a new team. For younger heroes. You know, to train and all that. It's like their version of summer camp, but with fewer trust falls and more, you know, punching bad guys."

Roy Harper, also known as Speedy, wasn't looking at his mentor. In fact, he was eyeing his bow with a look that could only be described as "someone who's got a lot to think about but has no idea what to think about it." "A younger team," Roy repeated, his voice as flat as a pancake. "Yeah, that's... just great."

"Right?" Black Canary added, trying to keep the energy up, because if Roy went full-on broody teenager, this conversation was going to go south faster than a lead balloon. "It's exactly what you've wanted, right? A chance to show them what you've got?"

"I mean, yeah," Roy said, still not looking up, like maybe if he stared hard enough at his bow, he could unravel the meaning of life in the wood grain. "But not like this. I thought I'd be getting the call from the Justice League soon, you know? The big official invite. Not stuck in some Sidekick Squad. Like I'm the second choice." He snorted, shaking his head. "And I was hoping that if I did get the call-up, I'd be leading the team. I mean, come on. I've been at this for years. I know how to handle a bow. I've got arrows that can literally blow stuff up. What's Shadowflame got, huh? A few months in the field and some firebird tricks?"

"Roy, I get it," Green Arrow said, making an exaggerated "calm down" gesture. "But leadership isn't about how long you've been in the game. It's about knowing when to step up and when to hold back. And Shadowflame? The kid's got instincts. He can handle himself in a fight. He might not have the years, but—"

"But I've got the skills," Roy shot back, finally looking up. "And years of experience. I was doing this before Shadowflame even knew how to spell 'superhero.' I've been out there since—what—thirteen?" He ran his hand through his hair, half annoyed, half incredulous. "And now I'm supposed to just be some backup?"

"You're not backup," Black Canary said, leaning in with a look that could melt a glacier. "You're one of the best. But this isn't just about being the best. It's about knowing when to play it cool. And right now, Shadowflame's the one with the right skills for the role. He's got the leadership skills necessary."

Roy crossed his arms. "Yeah, okay. I'll just sit here, sharpening my arrows and waiting for my turn at the helm while he flies around like a firebird. Maybe I'll join him next time for a battle with some demon, and we'll see who's really got the chops."

"We're not saying you don't have the chops, Roy," Green Arrow said, giving him a look. "But sometimes, it's about timing. The League sees things that maybe you don't. And for now, Shadowflame is the right pick. For this team. But that doesn't mean you're done."

Roy rolled his eyes dramatically, his sarcasm cranked up to eleven. "Right. Sure. And maybe next time, I'll get the firebird treatment."

"Roy," Black Canary said gently. "You're one of the best we've got. You know that. But the world doesn't always need the same thing at the same time. Sometimes you've got to let the new guy lead and see what happens."

Roy sighed, glancing back at his bow. He wasn't mad at Shadowflame, really. The kid was good, and Roy had teamed up with him a few times. But come on—three months in the field and suddenly he was the next big thing?

"Alright, alright," Roy said, standing up and grabbing his bow. "I get it. I'll be the supporting sidekick. I'll let Shadowflame do his thing with his firebird moves and 'mystical' powers." He smirked. "But if he ever gets kidnapped by a villain, I call dibs on saving him."

"That's the spirit," Green Arrow said, clapping him on the back. "Just try not to brooding in the corner too much, okay? This is a team effort."

Roy flashed a grin. "No promises, but I'll try to keep it to a reasonable level."

With that, Roy walked out of the room with a little less edge to his step. Sure, he wasn't leading the team, but that didn't mean he was out of the game. There were still plenty of bad guys to punch, a lot of arrows to shoot, and hey—he could always prove himself later. Maybe next time, he'd be the one holding the reins.

Until then, he'd just have to deal with Shadowflame—this week's fire-breathing, demon-fighting hero. And maybe, just maybe, Roy would find a way to shine without getting too caught up in the whole "leader of the team" business.

But first, a quick training session. He had some arrows to break in.

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Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!