[Third Person Pov]
"Can we get a compilation of all the victims so far so we can actually study them?" Danny asked, folding his arms as his eyes moved between the team. "I mean, you guys are cataloging everything and filing proper reports, right?"
"We are," Oliver replied, though there was a trace of frustration in his voice as he turned and walked toward the massive computer console embedded into the far wall. The screen lit up as he activated it. "But that's part of the problem. We're not finding anything that resembles a consistent pattern. The deaths don't connect in any meaningful way."
He gestured toward the display, and one by one, images of the victims appeared—faces frozen in police photos. "None of them are even close in age," Oliver continued, his tone methodical. "We've got adult men, middle-aged women, college students… even high school kids."
The images shifted again. "They're not of the same race either, which rules out a hate crime. There's no shared employer, no overlapping social circles, no prior contact between any of them. No personal vendettas. No history that would suggest this is revenge-driven." He paused, letting the weight of it sink in. "It's completely indiscriminate."
"Do you mind?" Robin asked suddenly, lifting his wrist and activating the compact computer built into his gauntlet. A thin wire slid out with a soft mechanical whirr.
Oliver glanced back at him, then shrugged. "Go right ahead. Just download what you need—nothing more."
Robin nodded and crossed the room, plugging the wire into the console. Data began streaming across his wrist display as he quietly pulled every file related to the victims.
Nearby, Speedy leaned against one of the pillars, arms crossed, his foot tapping rapidly against the floor. The rhythm was sharp and impatient—too deliberate to go unnoticed.
Kid Flash tilted his head, watching him for a moment before pointing. "Okay, what's with you?" he asked. "You look like you're about to vibrate through the wall."
"It's nothing," Speedy replied quickly, not meeting his eyes.
Canary smirked. "That's funny," she said, glancing sideways at him. "Because you weren't exactly thrilled about having Robin and Danny brought in as backup."
Speedy clicked his tongue in irritation.
Both Robin and Danny turned at that, their attention snapping toward him.
"No offense," Speedy said, pushing himself off the pillar as he realized all eyes were now on him, "but when I think of backup, you two aren't exactly what comes to mind. Batman, sure—he's the world's greatest detective. That makes sense. But you?" His gaze flicked between them. "You're just sidekicks."
"First of all," Danny shot back immediately, a faint sulk creeping into his expression, "just because you say 'no offense' doesn't magically mean I won't take offense. And second, I'm not a sidekick. I'm a partner. An apprentice at the very least. And there if we're sidekicks, what are you Superman?"
"Yeah, dude," Robin added, brows knitting together as he spoke, "my offense is feeling very on right now."
"What?" Danny and Kid Flash whispered in unison, both turning to stare at him.
Robin winced. "Ignore me," he said with a sigh, closing his eyes. "It sounded way better in my head. Just know that I'm also offended."
Speedy rolled his eyes. "Like I was saying, you two aren't what I consider backup. We could probably solve this on our own. So tell me—what can you do that we can't?"
"A lot of things," Danny replied flatly. "But if you want to get technical? Solve a mystery, by the looks of it." He scoffed. "If you could've handled it on your own, you would have by now."
Speedy's jaw tightened. "You're pretty confident for someone who's only been doing this for a few months. I've been at this way longer than you. Honestly, the fact that Black Canary even considered calling in a rookie like you is embarrassing."
"Yeah," Danny said, stepping forward, his expression hardening, "embarrassing for you, maybe." He met Speedy's glare without hesitation. "Like you said, you've been doing this longer—and yet somehow, I'm the one they called. That says a lot more about your lack of results than my lack of experience, don't you think?"
In one smooth motion, Speedy reached over his shoulder and drew his bow, knocking an arrow and aiming it straight at Danny. The arrowhead hummed faintly as it ignited with a bright green glow.
"Why don't I show you how much I'm really lacking?"
Danny didn't flinch.
Emerald flames flared to life in his palm, coalescing into a burning sphere before he stretched it out, shaping the fire into an arrow between his fingertips. He raised his hand, aiming it directly back at Speedy.
"I can use an arrow too," Danny said coldly. "That doesn't make you special."
The room went tense and silent as the two of them locked eyes, glowing weapons aimed at one another, the air between them crackling with restrained hostility.
"Whoa there—hold it, cowboys!" Kid Flash blurted out as he and Robin moved instantly, their reflexes kicking in before either weapon could fly.
Robin planted a firm hand against Danny's chest, pushing him back a step, while Kid Flash mirrored the motion on the other side, bracing both palms against Speedy and physically forcing space between the two of them.
"Stand down. Both of you."
Oliver's voice cut through the room, sharp and authoritative, echoing off the concrete walls.
"He started it," Danny shot back without breaking eye contact with Speedy, his jaw tight and his posture still tense.
"Stand down, Speedy," Canary added, her frown deepening. "You're making us look bad."
"Speedy." Oliver called again, this time even sterner, every word clipped and deliberate. "Put. It. Away."
Speedy's eyes flicked from Danny to Oliver. For a long, silent moment, he just stared at him, jaw clenched, clearly fighting the urge to argue. Finally, he clicked his tongue in irritation and complied, lowering the glowing arrow and sliding it back into his quiver before slinging the bow over his shoulder.
Robin immediately turned his attention back to Danny, nodding firmly. "Now you too."
Danny exhaled slowly. The emerald arrow in his hand unraveled into glowing embers that drifted harmlessly into the air. He raised both hands to show they were empty, though his eyes never left Speedy.
"Just so we're clear," Danny said coolly, "I'm really glad I didn't ask for your autograph."
"Forget this," Speedy scoffed as he turned away, already heading for the exit. "I can solve this on my own."
"No, you can't," Danny muttered without missing a beat, "Also add 'not being a dick' to the things that you can't do"
Speedy froze mid-step, his shoulders tensing as his teeth ground together. He took a deep breath, clearly forcing himself not to respond, then continued walking without looking back.
As the doors slid shut behind him, Kid Flash scratched the back of his head, wearing an awkward grin. "Uh… I'll follow him. You know. Just keep an eye on him."
"Please do," Oliver sighed, rubbing his temple as Kid Flash vanished in a blur of red and yellow, the rush of displaced air briefly ruffling everyone's clothes.
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Danny broke it first. "Okay," he said, spreading his hands as he looked around, equal parts irritated and confused. "Does someone want to tell me what I did? Because I literally just got here."
Canary let out a soft exhale, choosing her words carefully. "How do I put this…" She glanced toward the door Speedy had exited through. "Let's just say it's been Speedy's long-time dream to make it into the Justice League."
"And what does that have to do with me?" Danny asked, still baffled. Even Robin tilted his head slightly, clearly just as confused.
"Flash in Central City. The two of us here in Star City. Batman in Gotham. And now Superman in Metropolis," Canary listed calmly. "You're leaving quite the impression on the core members of the League—one mission at a time." She paused, then added gently, "Speedy is… safe to say, a little intimidated by how fast you're progressing. Like he said you've only just started and already you're leaving behind a good impression on the team he wants to more, more than he has before"
Oliver sighed quietly. "I'm sorry to both of you, on his behalf. You went out of your way to drive all this way to help us, and this is how you're greeted."
"It's fine, really," Danny said, waving it off easily. A bright, unmistakable grin spread across his face. "So… wait. Am I actually being talked about in the Justice League? What'd they say?"
The smile dropped instantly.
His tone turned dead serious. "Did Wonder Woman say anything?"
Robin didn't hesitate—he punched Danny lightly in the arm. "Dude," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Oliver burst out laughing, the tension finally breaking, while Black Canary shook her head slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose in disappointment.
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