Washington, D.C. || December 30, 09:16 EST ||

All the Teams are watching the live news to see the newest members of the Justice League. Aaliyah is involved to join the ceremony but she despised paparazzi and preferred to stay hidden. Doctor Fate and Black Canary insists on the idea of her joining them because some League voted her to become a League member. Aaliyah didn't like the idea of leaving her friends behind and joining the group of adult people whereas she's the youngest. The Team are being persistent and didn't bother to stop Aaliyah until she said yes on one condition. She didn't want to join the ceremony to show her face. The League has no choice but to accept her wishes but they wanted her to join them later on the induction which she reluctantly agrees.

"You are watching live coverage of the Justice League's induction of its five newest members." Cat Grant explained and show the whole world of the League members. "Looks like the entire League showed up to welcome the new blood. Everyone, from Batman to Captain Marvel."

"I'm glad they didn't kick Billy out." Wally spoke up while munching his apples. "And I love the fact that there's a 10-year-old on the League."

"There is!?" One of the newest members of the Team, Raquel or known as Rocket, asked with a surprised look on her face.

"Ow!" Wally yelped as Robin elbowed him hard. "I was surprised they never mention the sixth new member, which is you, Aaliyah."

Aaliyah shrugged her shoulders. "I hate being the center of attraction and I'd rather stay hidden than having a huge bounty on my head for being a League member."

"Girl, that is a huge opportunity to show everyone you're part of the League!" Raquel exclaimed with a disbelief look on her face. She never expects the blonde girl to be so calm and decided to join them than standing on the stage.

"I did reject their offer but apparently, most people are being persistent and annoying pests that I should accept their offer." Aaliyah pointed out bluntly and glaring at each one of them as they look away.

"You kind of deserve it Liyah." Arthur spoke up and smiles sheepishly. "After all, they saw each one of our individual actions and choose who they want to become part of them."

"I don't want to leave you guys behind." She muttered under her breath. Aaliyah is worried about them being in danger and grow fond of them.

Kaldur placed his web-hand on her shoulders. "You can still hang out with us, Aaliyah."

"Kaldur..." She blushed slightly and nodded her head shyly.

Aaliyah finally revealed her past relationship to Kaldur and he understands why her actions are cold. The Atlantean made a promise to take their relationship slow until she's gaining more confidence in becoming together as a lover.

Wally snickered at Aaliyah's shyness before he gets a whack by Zara's famous paper fan. "I'll snatch that one away, you pesky cat." He grumbled under his breath.

Ruby laughs nervously and holding Zara to ensure she won't whack someone's head again. "Superman is now handing out official League membership cards. Starting with Doctor Fate." Cat Grant announced as they see Superman is handing out the card towards Doctor Fate.

It pains the mages and Arthur to see Caleb is still stuck on the helmet. He sacrificed himself to be the last bearer of the Nelson family before finding the new one once he's retired. Caleb didn't want his brother to share the same fate as him and trying to end everything by cutting him off from being the next Fate's helmet protector or bearer.

"Hey..." Arthur turned around to face Zatanna with a mellow look on his face.

"Hey back." He muttered softly which earned a soft smile from the black-haired girl.

Zatanna made a small achievement to reconcile her crush. She wanted to fix their relationship and hoping Arthur forgives her completely.

"You know, I was the one who convinced Icon to become a hero in the first place..." Raquel rambled and scoffs. "I should be outside, celebrating with him. Not hidden away in here!"

Arthur chuckled softly and smiling at her. "Welcome to our world, Raquel."

"Well, I suppose there's an upside, too!" Raquel blushed slightly and looks away. "Darn, he looks like a Prince charming here." She whispered the last part and Zatanna couldn't help but feel jealous.

"Finally, Green Arrow welcomes his former protégé, Speedy, now known as Red Arrow. to this roster of heroes."

"Way to go, Roy!" Wally cheered for his friend.

"At last, he has his wish." Kaldur spoke up with a soft smile before looking at Aaliyah. "It wouldn't hurt to show yourself up there, Aaliyah."

"A deal is a deal and I don't want it." Aaliyah gives him a pointed look. "I hate paparazzi."

Ruby giggles softly. "Don't forget you've been also chased down by the boys to ask you out, Aaliyah."

"Shall I dress as a boy then?" Aaliyah suggested.

Zara shook her head. "Same thing. You'll be chase down by the girls." She raises her eyebrows. "You already have- yeow!" She cried out in pain as Robin holds her tails tightly.

"Don't tease Aaliyah, Zara." Robin scolded the half-Exceed. "It's actually my job to tease Ruby or Aaliyah."

"Robin!" Ruby exclaimed with a blushed all over her face.

"Heh, I didn't even start yet and you blushed." He smirked and Arthur smacks his head lightly.

"No more fluffiness please." Arthur exhales before smiling softly. "At least Roy and Aaliyah are the first of us to make it."

"No one will call him 'a sidekick' anymore." Robin commented and Raquel rolls her eyes.

"Wait... since when is being a sidekick a bad thing?" She asked them with a look on her face. "You sidekicks were my inspiration."

"Well... you see, six months ago." Robin's watch beep and looking at it.

"Robin, what's wrong?" Ruby asked her boyfriend curiously and tilting her head.

Robin smiled with a mischief look on his whereas she flinched by his look. "How do you feel going on a snow trip?"

"I knew he's planning something." Ruby muttered under her breath and Zara smirked.

"He's your boyfriend and deal with it, Ru." Zara whispered back and causing Ruby to smile nervously.

Smokey Mountains || December 30, 10:48 EST ||

"A-are you sure it's her?" Artemis asked nervously. "I mean, are you absolutely positive?"

"See for yourself." Robin spoke up while typing his hologram computer and showed them their mission today. "This is the security footage from the Asheville Regional Airport." He zooms in the culprit to reveal a woman. "Facial recognition confirms that's Jade Nguyen. But... you've seen her without a mask. What do you think?"

Kitsune noticed the huge tension between Kid Flash and Artemis but remained silent. It's none of her business to meddle with their problems and hoping it won't compromise the mission.

Artemis looks down on the ground. "It's Jade. Cheshire."

"Agreed." Aqualad nodded his head. "But focus on what she carries." Robin scroll down the picture of what Cheshire is carrying. "Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?"

"Yes." Artemis answered.

"Ok. I'm guessing from the mug shot that this 'Cheshire' is the bad guy." Rocket spoke up. "But what's so important about that case?" She asked curiously.

Robin goes to the next picture of the Injustice League. "Remember the Injustice League?"

"And their giant evil plants? Uh... yeah!"

"The Team and the League put them in prison." Kitsune spoke up while crossing her arms. "But their allies still scheme. Whatever inside of the containment case, it also involves their plans." She discreetly observed Saber and he remained silent.

"We had the chance to grab it in New Orleans, but SOMEONE screwed up." Kid Flash glared at Artemis and she replied by glaring at him back.

"Enough with the blaming." Kitsune scolded the yellow speedster.

"Approaching Cheshire's jet." Miss Martian and Artemis silently gasp to see it's destroyed. "Looks like there are no survivors."

"We're about to find out." Narrowing her gaze at the screen before looking at them. "We should get down and investigate it."

All of them are getting out of the bioship and begins to investigate the plane crash.

"How come the Homeland Security and the NTSP aren't all over this?" Kid Flash asked curiously.

"Cheshire's ID was a League alert." Robin answered and examining the broken box. "Authorities didn't pick it up and her jet didn't follow it's flight plan. Flew under the radar. Literally. But the Watchtower audited the jet and recorded the crash."

"Then why isn't the League here?" Rocket asked the boy wonder curiously.

Celestial laughs nervously and smiles sheepishly. "We've done this before... Robin used his hacking skills to get through the League's system to alert us first before them."

"And because Cheshire and that case represent our unfinished business." Aqualad spoke up.

Superboy throws the wing of the airplane and noticed there are no bodies in the plane. "Where are the bodies?"

Kitsune sniffs and looks up. "It's a trap and she's not the only one in here!" She exclaimed and looking up to see Cheshire.

Cheshire smiles in amused behind her mask. "The vixen is right and it's stunning!" She spoke up.

Angel noticed Artemis relieved but couldn't help but noticed if she and Cheshire knew each other before.

"I am flora, not fauna." They heard another voice and look on the other side of the mountain. "I am foliage, not trees. What am I?" The man with sunglasses, Riddler, asked curiously and snapping his fingers. Each one of the pylons showed up and trapping them inside of the green sphere. "Come on, you can get this! I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I? I..."

"Am bushed." Angel answered with a grim look on her face while gripping her twin swords tight.

"Didn't you think we'd be tipped you were on Cheshire's trail?" Riddler asked them curiously. "We're tired of your interference, kiddies. This is the end game. Ordered from above and executed by their master strategist. Moi."

"Miss Martian is everyone linked?" Aqualad asked the Martian girl through the mind.

"Yes." Miss Martian answered.

"Go." Aqualad ordered them.

"Superboy and Angel, the pylons!" Aqualad ordered them.

"Aye!" Angel flew high and starting to destroy the pylons.

Celestial placed Xingcai's key on her chest to change her outfit into a plain white yukata with dog ears and tail. "Star dress: Xingcai's form!" a white magic circle in front of her. "Kōri no hahen! (Ice shards!)" Summoning the ice shards to hit the enemies.

Kitsune runs over to Rocket and throwing her arms. "U~ōtādoragon: Muchi! (Water Dragon: whip!)" She destroyed the red frisbee.

Saber runs towards the enemy and slashing at them. He froze to see Superboy is flying. "Since when did you start flying Superboy?"He asked the clone curiously before deflecting the attacks.

Robin tackled Shimmer and knocking her out unconscious whereas Celestial trapped Riddler by freezing half of his body. "No, no!" Riddler is shivering by the cold around him. "I am not the straightjacket type! I am strictly Belle Reve, not Arkham!"

Celestial sighs softly and Zatanna helped her out by gagging Riddler around his mouth. "Is it always like this?" Rocket asked them curiously once she joined the two girls.

"Yeah, pretty much." Zatanna answered and Celestial's outfit reverts back to her original hero costume.

Mount Justice || December 30, 15:45 EST ||

"Tell me if this sounds familiar." Batman spoke up and clearly not pleased with what mischief they did today. "You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol and endangered your lives. And your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons, proving Warden Strange runs Belle Reve as a cover for criminal activity." He smirked. "Well done." Most of the Team are shocked to hear compliment words coming from the dark knight. "And then, there's this. Bio-technology integrated with some form of nano-circuitry."

Icon grabs one of the biotechnology and looking at it closely. "Though I am unfamiliar with species, the bio-component is clearly not of Earth." He explained before putting it down.

Batman closed the containment. "We'll take it to the Watchtower for further study." He walked away while carrying it.

Black Canary smiles at Kitsune and she returned the gesture. "Kitsune, are you going to join us?" She asks her curiously.

"Soon, Black Canary." She answered with a soft smile.

"Okay, we already slack you off during the ceremony but you can't miss this important event." She patted her head.

"I know and I'll catch up soon." Kitsune assured them as they're going to the Watchtower first.

"You realize we were set up." Robin breaks the silence once the League are completely gone.

"Yes, Cheshire and Riddler were tipped. And ready for us." Aqualad pointed out.

"Not the mole thing, again!" Artemis groaned and shakes her head lightly.

"Mole thing? Again?" Rocket asked them curiously.

"We had intel that there was a traitor on the Team." Kid Flash answered.

"Namely Artemis, Aaliyah, Ruby, Zara, M'gann or me!" Superboy spoke up aggressively.

"It is more complicated than that." Aqualad spoke up softly and Superboy shoved his hand. "But your recent behavior does concern me. Your attack on Mammoth nearly got Artemis and Saber killed." They noticed Superboy's strange behavior. "Superboy?"

"There's something I need to do." Superboy answered and faced them. "Something I need to tell you. Last month, on Thanksgiving, I went back to Cadmus... and found a few things out."

"What did you discover, Superboy?" Kitsune asked softly.

"When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman's. The other half was human. That's why I don't have... will never have full Kryptonian powers." Superboy answered with a solemn look on his face after he discovered about himself.

"You sure? Cause you seemed to have 'em today." Robin pointed out since he happened to see Superboy fly as well.

"Not unless he has something to make him fly." Saber pointed out. "I mean, we saw him fly but his behavior changed and nearly got Artemis and I killed."

"Saber is right." Superboy spoke up and pulling his right sleeves up to show the black patch. "I've been using these. Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight, the heat vision... but I think I also get angry. Well, angrier. I'm sorry."

Aqualad looked down on the floor before staring at Superboy's blue eyes. "Where did you get those?"

"From my human father." Superboy answered and showing him the small containment for his patch. "Lex Luthor."

All of them are shocked to find out Superboy's human side DNA is Lex Luthor. "The baldie Lex Luthor!?" Zara exclaimed with a shocked look on her face. "That is so wrong."

"He is your dad?" Robin asked Superboy with a shocked look.

"He's summoned me to Santa Prisca." Superboy informed them.

"Uh..." Artemis clears her throat. "Listen... Superboy's not the only one suffering from bad DNA." She goes to the hologram computer to show them pictures of Sportsmaster, Cheshire and the retired assassin, Huntress. "My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. Rest of my family... aren't even 'ex'. My dad's Sportsmaster. And he's sending my sister, Cheshire, to fly me to Santa Prisca, soon."

"That's why..." Kid Flash finally realized why Artemis screwed up the last mission because she's related to them.

"Yeah... I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out..." Artemis was cut off by Robin.

"Saber and I knew." The boy wonder and the young knight smiles softly at her. "Hey, we're a detective. Saber may not look like it but he is always once steps ahead of me to solve mysteries."

"Whether you're born from the bad people or not, you're the one to choose who you want to be, Artemis." Saber spoke softly with an understanding look on his face. "It's your choice to become who you are and never letting anyone control your life."

"Saber is right." Robin nodded his head. "It doesn't matter. You aren't your family. You are one of us."

Kid Flash approached Artemis by placing his hand on her shoulder with a smile. "So... who's next?" He asked the others with a joke.

"I am." Miss Martian answered while hugging her arms.

"Queen Bee's been... blackmailing me." Miss Martian spoke up in a hushed tone. "She wants me in Santa Prisca, too."

"How did she blackmail you, M'gann?" Celestial couldn't help but ask curiously.

"She knows my... true Martian form." She answered and didn't have the right to look in their eyes.

"Bald M'gann?" Robin asked the Martian girl. "Who cares if-"

"No..." She closes her eyes and sighs softly. She transforms herself into a white monster, long limbs and a hunchback. Everyone gasps at her new appearance as Saber and Robin discreetly dragged Celestial and Angel. "I realized you would never accept me if you saw what I really am." M'gann noticed their expressions and hugging herself.

"M'gann, did we truly seem so shallow?" Aqualad asked the Martian girl.

"I couldn't take a chance." She sighs softly and almost tearing herself. "Being a white Martian among the Green on Mars... I endured constant rejection. I couldn't face that from..."

"From me?" Superboy asked softly and approached to grab her arms.

Celestial smiled to know they're having mental conversations. The yellow speedster is looking at each one of them. "Please tell me no one is going to reveal next?"

Kitsune, Angel, Celestial and Saber are looking at each other before nodding their head. "We do and you guys deserve to know." Kitsune spoke up.

"We came from a different dimension called Earthland." Celestial spoke up nervously and Robin is encouraging her to continue with a calm smile. "It is a place where humans use magic and different creatures exist as well."

"We don't have our very own hero like you guys but only a guild, Magic council and among other things." Kitsune added and exhales softly. "Us mages have been encouraging to join a guild like Blue Pegasus, Mermaid Heel, Lamia Scale and our guild, Fairy Tail."

"My adopted sister and I are new to join Aaliyah's guild because we're formerly guild members of Cait Shelter." Celestial answered and masking her sadness. "Anyway, long story short... Aaliyah, Zara, me and the others are at Tenroujima to do the S Class Wizard Advancement Exam."

"We're going to show you our memories of what the exam is all about and how we ended up here." Ruby used her magic to use Oichi's form and her eyes glowed brighter.

The scarlet-haired girl is going to bring everyone of their minds as it would be clear what the exam means to them. How Ruby is chosen by one of the candidates.