| Mount Justice - October 10
Wally reclined in his seat, sipping pineapple juice through a straw before exhaling with satisfaction.
"That's what the doctor ordered."
"How's the arm, Wally?" Captain Marvel asked. Wally's arm had been broken during one of the increasingly frequent attacks by Zoom and his Rogues on Central and Keystone City.
He'd taken a punch from a Strength Force–enhanced Grodd, only to be bailed out by the Flash—giving Zoom time to escape with his crew.
Still, Wally had been getting faster at an exponential rate. His new top speed pushed beyond Mach 100—amazing, considering he'd barely maintained Mach 1 before—but it still wasn't enough to keep up with his mentor or with Zoom, who seemed to take joy in hurting him.
Guilt over civilian casualties and the pressure to get faster had weighed heavily on him all week. Relaxing in the Cave was the only break he'd had.
"Nothing nachos can't cure," Wally said.
"Nachos? Oh—I'll get you some!" Captain Marvel replied, flying off excitedly. Wally didn't mind taking advantage of Marvel's enthusiasm—especially while the rest of the Team sparred in a martial arts simulation.
Artemis was giving Dick a beating. Megan fought Rachel. Conner faced off against the younger Roy and Kaldur. And Kori battled Match midair.
"Good work, everyone. It's been a very productive week," Black Canary said as she approached, prompting the others to pause.
"Yeah—for everyone except Kid Malingerer," Artemis muttered.
"Hey! Broken arm from fighting a villain, remember?" Wally said, waving his cast. Sometimes Artemis was cool, and sometimes she was Artemis.
"I've enjoyed being your den mother this week," Canary continued.
"Recognized: Zatara 11," the computer announced, followed moments later by, "Recognized: Zatanna A-03."
Everyone gathered as Zatara stepped in with a girl who looked about fourteen—black hair, blue eyes, school uniform.
"Team, this is my daughter, Zatanna," Zatara said.
Kori floated forward to greet her, but Dick zipped ahead, trying—and failing—to look nonchalant as he introduced everyone.
"Are y-you joining the Team?" Dick asked, stuttering. Oh boy. Someone had a crush.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Zatara said. "This is strictly a visit." He turned to speak quietly with Black Canary—clearly the next den mother of the week.
[Do any of you get the impression we're still on probation with Zatara?] Megan asked through the psychic link.
[Not just Zatara. Why's Marvel still hanging around?] Conner asked.
[Because we like having him around,] Wally defended. Marvel was cool.
[You like having him around because he waits on you hand and foot,] Artemis shot back.
[And your point is?] Wally replied.
[It almost makes one nostalgic for Red Tornado's tenure,] Kaldur added.
[He trusted us,] Dick said.
[From the looks of it, you guys shouldn't have trusted him,] younger Roy said.
[True,] Conner said, anger bubbling. [That machine nearly got M'g— I mean, all of us killed!]
Match's fury pulsed through the psychic link at the thought of someone hurting his brother and new friends.
[Calm down guys. The League said they're looking for him. Let's trust that they'll bring him to justice,] Kori said, ever hopeful.
"Are you guys having a psychic conversation?" Zatanna asked aloud. Zatara and Canary looked over. "Because I can't decide if that's cool or rude."
"Alright, fine," Superboy said, turning to the two League members. "We were talking about Tornado. It's been weeks since his attack and the League hasn't told us anything."
"The League is searching for Red Tornado, as well as the other androids and their creator, T.O. Morrow," Canary explained. "Batman has made it a top priority, but we may be delayed due to recent events with the Light."
"But you've found none of them," Dick said. Brutal honesty.
"Not yet. But Tornado is Justice League. The Team is not to pursue this," Canary replied firmly.
"Why don't you all show Zatanna around?" Zatara suggested, redirecting attention just as the girl—now sitting on the floor with Wolf—scrambled up, embarrassed by the sudden focus.
"You're going on a tour? Cool!" Captain Marvel said, returning with a steaming plate of nachos.
Superboy stepped forward. "Actually, I was hoping you'd take Wolf outside. He needs the exercise. We'll join you in a few."
"Oh—sure! I can do that!" Marvel said cheerfully. "C'mon, Wolf!" He dashed off.
"Hey! What about my nachos!?" Wally called after him—only to be dragged along by Match as the Team guided Zatanna down the corridor.
Zatanna had changed outfits—a lilac top and white pants replacing her school uniform.
"You guys aren't surprised I changed so fast?" she asked after no one was surprised.
"We do have another magic user," Kori explained as she gestured at Rachel. "This isn't the first time we've seen something like that."
"My bio-suit can shift clothes, and Kori's boyfriend gave her something that does the same," Megan added.
"Is her boyfriend someone on the Team?" Zatanna asked.
"He used to be," Kori said. "But you'll see him around if your dad changes his mind and you join."
"We're not really taking a tour, are we?" Zatanna guessed.
"No, we're hunting down that robot," Conner said.
"Oh wow. Out loud and everything," Zatanna replied.
Kaldur glanced at Kori for direction, and everyone else followed suit. She was the team leader.
"Fine," Kori said. "The League is busy and hasn't made progress. Searching ourselves is worth a try. Besides—Red Tornado betrayed and almost killed some of us. It's personal."
"What about the new girl?" Artemis asked.
"I'm sure she won't tell," Dick said immediately. Yup. Definitely a crush.
"I can't tell," Zatanna said thoughtfully. "Not if you kidnap me."
"Oh, she's gonna fit in great," Artemis said with a grin.
**
| Teton County - October 10
Red Volcano booted up for the first time.
He found himself in a laboratory, a human standing before him. Without hesitation, he rose from the lab bench and seized the man by the arms.
"Hello, Father," Red Volcano said.
"Son, you're hurting me," T.O. Morrow replied, panic in his voice.
"Yes—but pain is such a human thing," Red Volcano said, gripping both of his father's arms and pulling them apart. "And per your programming, I've transcended any concern for humans."
He tore the arms off. But instead of blood and flesh, circuitry spilled out as T.O. Morrow collapsed, short-circuited.
An android as well? Hm. Irrelevant.
"No more Pinocchios," Red Volcano said before crushing the android replica of T.O. Morrow's skull.
Now it was time to enact Morrow's plan: to activate a semi-dormant super volcano beneath Yellowstone, killing millions and trapping the survivors in a cloud of ash.
Red Volcano looked at his dormant siblings. He would rewrite all their data to ensure they were loyal to him alone.
While humanity struggles to survive, they will build an army of androids to repopulate the world.