( A;N : Short chapter cuz I haven't whether to go in a different direction from the show from here or follow it through like the older chapters honestly I might go off the main route to make it spicier 🔥. Also sorry y'all i got tangled up playing Mlbb yesterday and the day before hehehe seasons ending so had to rank off with the missus )
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The dropzone loomed ahead, and Leon's nerves flared with a surge of excitement. He was now part of the very show he had once watched eagerly, though the memories of it had faded nearly to nothing over the years. That was a small price to pay. After more than a decade, memories wither and blur as naturally as time itself passes.
He scanned his team, each member wearing a hardened expression balanced by a smirk—silent declarations that they were ready to prove themselves, ready to show they belonged. Yet Leon's mind was heavy with a deeper awareness: he knew, without doubt, what awaited them—the suffering, the hardship, the relentless trials they'd face simply because of this hunger to prove their worth. Such was the cruel paradox of desire—the pursuit of joy and happiness often demanded enduring great struggle to truly reach one's peak.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, Leon exhaled a steady, cold breath he'd been holding. The voice of M'gann echoed crisply through the ship's cramped interior. "Dropzone incoming in twenty seconds. Everyone ready?"
As the ship approached the designated coordinate, the crew began to move methodically toward the hangar bay. When the bay doors slid open with a hiss, Raven slid smoothly next to Leon and nudged him gently with her elbow. Her face held a blend of concern and encouragement, a silent reassurance in the tense moments before the jump.
Leon's voice rang out with calm authority, masking the storm inside. "Alright, everyone knows the drill. We drop in, recon the situation, and find out whether the venom is being sold and distributed here—plus map the shipment routes. If the plan falls apart or obstacles arise, we improvise. But stay close. Don't drag anyone down."
Conner and Raven nodded sharply. Robin and Wally offered confident smirks. M'gann smiled sweetly, casting a quick glance toward Conner before nodding decisively. And then, one by one, they leapt.
They dropped through the thick air, Raven's telekinesis gliding them softly through the air before their silent footsteps hit the ground first with practiced grace. Wally stretched his limbs, muscles coiling in anticipation before settling into a ready stance. A reassuring hand rested on his shoulder.
"Be calm, Wally. Remember the plan," Leon reminded him quietly, eyes fixed forward as they moved steadily toward the uncertain mission ahead.
Moving carefully through the dense forest, Robin and Wally advanced with precision in their steps. Although both were visibly irritated by the slow pace, they endured it solely because of the team's serious atmosphere. Hovering slightly above the ground, Leon, Raven, and M'gann were constantly scanning the perimeter, trying to sense any signs of enemy life forces.
"This is inefficient," Wally whispered in frustration. "I could just slip straight in and infiltrate in no time."
Robin smirked at this and replied, "KF, I think you've got our roles reversed. I'm clearly the expert in infiltration." He paused, then admitted with a reluctant nod, "But yeah, this pace is definitely slow."
Their casual banter, however, did not sit well with the rest of the team. Raven scoffed quietly, barely restraining herself from smacking the backs of their heads in exasperation.
Leon, amused by their exchange, saw an opportunity for growth. "As slow as it feels," he said calmly, "you're not alone in this. We all are, and that's the whole point of being a team. When you lead a group, Robin, you have to understand one crucial thing: being a leader doesn't just mean taking the point, running ahead. It also means managing the team's pace so no one gets left behind. Are you really willing to abandon a member if danger strikes just because they couldn't keep up?"
Robin and Wally exchanged perplexed looks, the weight of that question sinking in. The others fell silent, contemplating the idea. Finally, Robin spoke, his voice confident, "I'd train them to keep up. I'd make sure they don't lag behind."
Leon leaned in with a gentle but firm smile. "What if it's an escort mission, and the people you're protecting are civilians? Would you tell them to keep up then? Or would you leave them behind to fend for themselves?" His words made both Robin and Wally pause, caught off guard and silent for a moment.
Leon continued, "Sometimes leadership isn't about being the fastest or the strongest. Sometimes, it's about making sure no one gets left behind."
Wally grumbled under his breath, "Leon just started being a leader and he's already going on tangents... he's still new."
Leon chuckled warmly. "Am I wrong?" he challenged.
Defeated, Wally and Robin simply decided to listen.
Meanwhile, Raven and Conner exchanged knowing smirks, watching the exchange with some amusement. M'gann hovered closer to Leon, her curiosity piqued, "What exactly were you talking about? I couldn't quite follow."
Leon shook his head with a wry smile, realizing that M'gann's poor social skills were still very much present. "Still hopeful she can be salvaged," Leon mused inwardly. "Maybe that monster in the later seasons won't be born after all."
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