(General POV)

 

The Zeta tube let out a gentle hum as Aiden, Manhunter, and Megan materialized in the destination, revealing a spacious room.

 

"Here we are, Team headquarters," Manhunter announced, sweeping his arm to encompass the surroundings.

 

Taking a moment to soak it all in, Aiden observed the layout of the cave, noting its cleanliness but also sensing an air of abandonment. Nevertheless, he could already envision it bustling with life soon, becoming a place he could call home.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by the presence of the group gathered at the center of the room. They stood as a diverse yet cohesive unit, bound by a shared mission to safeguard the world from all manner of threats.

 

"Team," Manhunter's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention. "Allow me to introduce our newest recruits: The Master of the Mystic Arts, and Megan Morse, my niece and fellow Martian."

 

Stepping forward, Aiden met the gaze of his new teammates, silently acknowledging each one as he mentally cataloged their abilities and aliases.

 

"Hey, hey, hey!" Kid Flash's exuberant voice broke through the moment, his grin infectious as he bounded forward to greet Aiden.

 

"Welcome to the team, fresh blood!" Kid Flash exclaimed, offering a handshake with genuine warmth. "I'm Wally West, a.k.a. Kid Flash. And these folks," he gestured to the others, "are the crew you'll be saving the world with."

 

"Their names? Not important, milady," Kid Flash remarked, casting Megan a charming glance.

 

"About earlier, man," Kid Flash's tone turned apologetic, addressing Aiden's title. "I was just messing around. My bad for ribbing you."

 

"No worries," Aiden replied, his expression understanding. "I didn't even catch the acronym until you mentioned it. Let's just move forward, okay?"

 

"Got it," Kid Flash nodded earnestly, a relieved grin spreading across his face. "Cool, cool."

 

"Now, onto the lady of the hour!" Kid Flash turned his attention to Megan with a flourish. "Your hair's rad, by the way. I'm Wally West, but you can call me Kid. Pleasure to meet ya!"

 

Aiden shook hands with Boy Wonder and received a warm welcome from Aqualad, who insisted on being called Kaldur. He couldn't help but notice the unresolved stature of Superboy.

 

Meanwhile, Boy Wonder and Kid Flash seemed to be fixated on Megan, who was starting to have a hard time keeping up with their enthusiastic chatter.

 

"She's amazing, isn't she?" Aiden joined in, nodding towards Megan.

 

"Absolutely stunning," Boy Wonder agreed, his gaze lingering on Megan.

 

Their admiration, however, was short-lived as an announcement echoed from the Zeta tube, signaling the arrival of Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Flash, Aquaman, and Batman to address the team.

 

Batman stood at the center, commanding the attention of the assembled team.

 

"I believe you have all been introduced," Batman began, acknowledging the presence of the newcomers. "But let me elaborate."

 

"As you know, Megan is Manhunter's protege. However, the Master is the League's protege, codename: Young Justice." Batman clarified.

 

"The League's protege?" Boy Wonder questioned aloud. "What makes him so special that the entire League is considering him as their protege?"

 

"Sorry man. No hard feelings." Boy Wonder regarded Aiden and Aiden nodded in understanding.

 

"I'm certain you'll find out why, but he is as special as all of you. What makes him the League's protege is because one mentor alone is not enough to sway his principles entirely to the side of true justice," Batman explained. "He needs variety."

 

"So, he's the League's protege because..." Kid Flash began to deduce, but Batman interrupted him to continue addressing the team.

 

"You will all be staying here with Red Tornado, who has volunteered to stay and take care of you in this discreet location simply called the Cave," Batman continued.

 

"Our first choice for your operational base was our former base, Mount Justice, but we have decided that a Covert Ops team needs a covert base of operations," Batman enlightened them. "However, when you are not on covert missions, Mount Justice will serve as a place of retreat. Not just for you, but for anyone else in the League."

 

"A place to escape the Life," Black Canary chimed in. "From experience, we know that this job can be quite demanding."

 

"Very demanding," Batman reinforced. "Black Canary will be in charge of training and counseling, and I'll be in charge of deploying your missions."

 

"And as for me, I'll be the first mentor to the League's Protege, Young Justice" Wonder Woman added.

 

"It still feels like he's getting some sort of special treatment," Boy Wonder muttered. "I've always wanted to train with Wonder Woman."

 

"I'm sure you'll get your chance, and all the time you need." Batman assured his protege with a glance that sent a shiver down Robin's spine.

 

"But for now, just get acquainted with your new headquarters," Batman said, signaling the end of the briefing.

 

Stepping forward, Wonder Woman turned her gaze to Aiden, causing the boy to blush. "I'll take the liberty to show you to your quarters. Follow me, Young Justice."

 

As the two walked away, Aqualad approached Robin and glanced in Wonder Woman and Aiden's direction.

 

"I see what you mean, Boy Wonder," he said to Robin. "What makes him so special?"

 

---

 

(Aiden's POV)

 

So much was swirling in my mind as I processed the briefing. For one, the Team's base of operations in the canon was Mount Justice, yet here we were in a covert facility called the Cave.

 

Moreover, it was July Fourth, and the Team wasn't supposed to be introduced to their base of operations until the eighth. It was evident that my presence had already influenced a significant change, and much was going to be different from what I knew.

 

"At least I get the chance to experience something different from what I'm familiar with," I mused, taking the changes as a sign of adventure.

 

"What's on your mind, Young Justice?" Wonder Woman's voice interrupted my thoughts, her perceptive gaze catching my distraction.

 

"A lot," I admitted. "But let's start with that codename. I don't recall agreeing to be referred to as Young Justice. While I understand that the choice of mentors is out of my hands, I still don't appreciate my narrative being so dictated."

 

"It's okay to feel that way," Wonder Woman responded kindly. "But Young Justice is simply the codename we are using to refer to you as the protege of the Justice League. We've all witnessed the conflict you had after subduing Wotan, and we know that even a hint of uncertainty can spread like wildfire. So, we've chosen that codename to mold you into the true embodiment of Justice represented by the Justice League. You don't have to embrace it, and you are free to choose your own codename for the Team."

 

Her words gave me pause. "Why do I feel like you're going to be overbearing with me? From your attire, I imagine you more as a warrior."

 

"And a warrior can't have a nurturing side?" Wonder Woman challenged.

 

"Nurturing?" My mind immediately recoiled at the thought. Wonder Woman was undeniably beautiful, regardless of her age. I couldn't bear the idea of her seeing me as her child. It would crush the fantasy burgeoning in my mind.

 

"Never mind," I interjected hastily. "I'm sure you won't take it easy on me."

 

"You should be hoping for the opposite," Wonder Woman replied, her tone making it clear that I was in for a challenging journey.

 

"We've arrived," she announced, gesturing toward the door. "Your quarters."

 

She opened the door to the room and gestured for me to step inside.

 

"I'm sure you'll make something of it for now. Supplies will be arriving shortly," she said, her tone reassuring despite the simplicity of the room's furnishings.

 

As I entered the room, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the lack of amenities. It was just a bed with white sheets, and not much else. However, I reasoned that the short notice must have caught them off guard, and the Cave likely hadn't been used in quite some time.

 

Wonder Woman followed me into the room and closed the door behind her, prompting me to glance back. In that moment, my teenage imagination kicked into overdrive, envisioning all sorts of scenarios that were best left untold.

 

"Are you alright?" she asked, interrupting my train of thought. I quickly shook off the fantasy, hoping she hadn't noticed the inappropriate direction my mind had taken.

 

"I-I'm good," I stammered, regaining my composure.

 

"Okay," she said with a smile that put me at ease. I was relieved that she didn't seem to think any less of me.

 

"I thought you might not have seen it, so I closed the door," she explained, gesturing to a wooden structure behind the door that looked out of place. "This is why I brought you here."

 

Turning to face the indicated spot, I discovered a small closet filled with a few changes of clothing.

 

"Again, it's not much, but I'm sure you'd love to take a shower and change into something fresh," she suggested. "Once you have an allowance, I'm certain you'll enjoy shopping for better alternatives."

 

"Great. An allowance. How cool is that," I thought to myself, excitement bubbling up inside me.

 

Meeting my eyes, Wonder Woman added, "You don't have to lose the mask if you still prefer to keep your identity a secret."

 

"Mask?" Her mention of it caught me off guard.

 

"The one on your face," she clarified, gesturing subtly towards where my mask might be. I realized I had been wearing it unconsciously. No wonder they took strongly to me keeping my identity a secret.

 

"I don't think Boy Wonder will ever lose his," she mused more to herself than to me.

 

"Okay, I guess that's it," she concluded. "Your Justice lessons start tomorrow: training with me or Black Canary, while bonding with the Team."

 

"Freshen up and meet the team for supper and bonding," she suggested as she closed the door behind her, leaving me alone in the room.

 

~Prime.