Alpha Male

Northern India; September 10th, 14:43 IST

The birds call to each other across the dense forest of the mountainous and hilly landscape the region is known for. In the soft earth is a large footprint that clearly belongs to a predatory animal.

Two fingers reach down and brush against the shallow print. “Indian Tiger print, boys.” the lead man in the group of three says to other two behind him. All three of them are armed. “I told you Hamilton Hill didn’t any superstitious guide to lead us to big game.” he throws over his shoulder. “Devil Beasts. Ha!” he barks out a sarcastic single laugh.

He stands and the other two are easy to follow him.

The three come up on a rise, hearing something growling from the lower area beneath them. Or rather in a tree that took root in the lower area. The tiger turns towards them, a low growl in its throat. Despite this the lead man takes aim.

Watching as the tiger makes its way down the tree with his scope. The Big Cat moves slowly forward, the floor is undisturbed, except for three small spheres to create a triangle that seems haphazardly placed.

Until the tiger steps in the middle of that triangle. The leader gasps as the three spring up from the ground showing that their Tesla Coil style.

The emit a triple pitched whine and create what almost looks like a disturbance field. The tiger roars for a few moments before falling over.

“What is that?” one of the other men asks, spooked.

The leader smirks. “Who cares. I just made my quota.” he takes aim again.

Something growls behind him, and it sounds a lot bigger than the tiger.

Turning towards the source of the sound the first thing the men can see is a machine gun and a large silhouetted figure. As the figure moves forward, it continues to growl. Stunning the men as they realize it’s a large Gorilla.

The lead man is the first to take off running.

The gorilla growls as it fires off the machine gun. The only thing that can be heard in the distance is them screaming and the gunfire.

THEME SONG!

Mount Justice; September 23rd, 06:34 EDT

A very different type of birds call goes through Happy Harbor and the tenseness in the darkened Mountain does not disturb them.

The second Green Lantern uses his ring to create a crane to lift a large part to the second story, where another hero is waiting to help guide it in. Once it locks into place the lights begin to turn back on.

Sphere rolls down the stairs, coming to a pause beside Martian Manhunter and Captain Atom, who are working on a holo-computer and a complex respectively. As Sphere stops the Manhunter smiles and pats it before turning back to his work.

“Synchronizing Security Protocols with WatchTower Mainframe.” the mountain’s AI calls out.

Green Arrow places a bowl of pretzels on the table. Wally has both his shoulders on the table and is resting his chin on his crossed wrists. Artemis sits on the same side of the table as him, leaning her right elbow on the table as her head rests in her hand. Conner stands opposite of GA defensive in his body posture, but the worry is clear on his face. M’gann sits across from Artemis, looking expectantly at the hero clearly mirroring the Boy Wonder who sits beside her.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” Wally says harshly.

Green Arrow backs off instantly.

“Yeah, what we want are answers,” Robin points out, looking to Wally as his only other means of support since Kaldur is not sitting with them. The redhead sits up straighter, following the Boy Wonder’s trail of thought before they both turn towards the blonde hero. “about Red Tornado and his siblings.”

Nothing shows on Green Arrows face, he doesn’t even flinch.

“Exactly.” Wally snarks, though it loses some of its heat as he sees GA reach for the bowl and start to walk away with it. He doesn’t even manage to fully turn around before Wally’s hands are around the bowl, taking it back. “Leave the bowl.” he murmurs quietly, taking a handful of pretzels into his hand and eating them.

Conner keeps his back mostly to the Team, Green Arrow and Black Canary. He changes his attention to Aqualad and Batman, who stand on the far side of the room. Their conversation only noticeable by the fact that Kaldur’s mouth is moving.

Conner, however, can hear all of it now that he’s paying attention. “It was during the Taipei mission with Red Arrow, Sportsmaster revealed the possibility of a mole within the team.” the Team Leader informs The Dark Knight. “In light of last night's attack, Red Tornado would appear to be the traitor. But whether he betrayed us willingly or was pre-programmed is still-”

“YOU KNEW?” Conner shouts from across the room. Both turn to the source of the sound. Kaldur barely has time to recognize who spoke before Superboy launches himself at him. Putting his super strength to good use. “That android and his maniac family nearly killed M'Gann!” (and Kaldur himself… you know what, fuck it, I give.)

M’gann flies over, confused. “Conner, what are you doing?”

“Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us and said nothing!” the Kryptonian teen snarls.

“You knew?” Robin questions, betrayal clear in his voice.

“And didn't tell us?” Kid speaks so closely behind Robin that it’s hard to tell if they’re just that in sync or it was actually meant to be two separate questions.

“I sought to protect the Team from-” Kaldur only looks to Conner as he speaks.

“Sought to protect us from what?” Artemis finally speaks up and she’s just as mad at Robin and Wally. “Knowledge that might’ve saved our lives?”

Conner turns to a mostly silent M’gann. “You almost died.” she doesn’t say anything but looks shaken nonetheless.

“Enough.” Batman gets the instantaneous respect he demands. Everyone turns towards him and narrowing his eyes is all it takes for Conner to release his hold on Kaldur’s straps.

“With Red Tornado… missing the Team will now be overseen by rotation supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift.”

The mountain of a man, in a red and gold super suit, with a white cape over his left shoulder, face completely unobstructed to show off his blue eyes and slicked back black hair, stands taller the Dark Knight as he stands beside him. “I’m really looking forward to hanging with you guys.” he says simply, a small smile coming over his features.

Wally, Robin, Artemis, and M’gann share a look behind a still tense Conner and Kaldur.

The clone turns to the leader, speaking in a low snarl. “After I dismantle Red Tornado, you and I are gonna-”

Batman started walking the second Conner looked away, clearly knowing what the teen(s) was thinking as he unabashedly cuts him off. “Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League. That makes him a League responsibility. You will leave him to us.” no one says anything so he turns and calls up a holoscreen of a newspaper article. “I have another assignment for this team.”

NEWS OF THE PLANET newspaper

Gorilla Trades Bananas for Bullets is the main headline.

“Gotham Mayor attacked by Guerilla Gorilla?” Wally reads the skepticism is clear in his voice.

“Was this the only thing he could find to distract us?” Conner asks telepathically.

“Batman, please!” Robin begs. “Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase.”

“I never joke about the mission.” the Dark Knight gives his protége no room to try to argue. “I’ve checked the sources.” he continues. “I’ve studied the patterns. Mayor Hills’ encounter is only the latest in a series of incidents.” he turns to the eldest. “Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out.”

Aqualad nods, and the Team is already walking towards the Bioship’s hanger.

Wally stops in front of the Atlantean, making a small noise of disagreement. “Your Team.” he taunts.

Kaldur watches the entire Team walk away with a determined look in his eyes.

Conner, Artemis, and M’gann head into the Bioship, Sphere coming up quickly behind Conner, who is the last one in line. Conner turns towards Sphere, holding out his hand. “Uh-uh. Go.” he points back inside the Mountain.

Sphere whirs and beeps before heading back, coming under a flying Captain Marvel.

“You're coming with?” Robin asks skeptically as he and Wally head towards the ship.

“Sure!” the hero says brightly. “We'll have a blast.”

“Translation: he blames us for Red Fiasco.” he mutters, turning to Wally. Kaldur walks by. “He doesn't trust us.”

Wally realizes Robin is looking past him and turns to face Aqualad. “It's a big club.” he remarks darkly. Both of them heading into the BioShip without so much as a word from Kaldur.

The Team Leader looks offended for barely half a second before determination sets in again.

Northern India; September 23rd, 21:36 IST

The Camouflaged BioShip flies over the darkened landscape. Before it even lands the bottom opens to let Robin and Artemis belay out as a unit. Landing almost silently, before releasing the handles and pulling out a pair of Birdarangs and nocking an arrow before they head out to secure the perimeter.

The BioShip lands behind them and the door opens. Letting Captain Marvel, Aqualad, and Kid out.

Robin and Artemis come back as Superboy lands behind Aqualad and Miss Martian close behind him.

“All Clear.” Robin informs.

Aqualad’s gear switches with a tap. “Switch to Stealth,” M’gann is the only one that does as he turns to face them. “and we’ll review mission parameters.”

“Parameters?” Kid asks, tapping his suit to change color. “We don’t need no stinkin’ parameters.”

Robin is quick to agree. “It’s Recon, we know what to do.” with that the two of them turn and head into the jungle.

“Kid, Robin,” Kaldur tries.

Robin turns back instantly. “The three of us started this team because the Justice League was keeping secrets from us.” Robin points out harshly.

“Or did you forget that like you forgot to tell us about the mole?” Kid asks both sarcastic and rhetorical as he puts his goggles on.

The two take off, and Captain Marvel looks both disappointed and angry at Kaldur’s lack of a response to it. Not that the Atlantean could see it with his back to the hero.

Conner grabs M’gann’s arm. “Come on. I'll keep you safe.”

“You're my boyfriend, Conner. Not my keeper. Stop hanging on me like a character from a 70's sitcom.” M’gann tells him telepathically, clearly annoyed as she crosses her arms. (Unlike some of the things that she says this one of those things that NOT FUNNY after knowing her backstory.)

“I just… wanna protect you.” Conner tries to explain, clearly confused as to what he’s doing wrong.

“Like Aqualad protected us?” Artemis steps up beside the only other girl on the Team. “I’m not sure if your protection or patronizing is good for our health.” accenting her point by poking him the chest with her bow. Eliciting a very dark look from Conner that has M’gann looking at him with more annoyance than before.

The two girls walk off without any word from Kaldur.

“Why didn’t you stop them? You’re supposed to be in charge.” Conner points out angrily. Again, Captain Marvel is looking at him with a scathing look behind his back.

“I am…” he tries, his voice calm and easy, but trails off as Conner holds out a hand. Turning away and preparing to jump.

“Um, did I miss the part where you actually said what the plan was?” Captain Marvel asks.

Finally, Kaldur shows how much the situation is weighing on him, and his lack of a response other than a small sigh is the only one the Justice League hero needs. Though the hero doesn’t say anything more as they head off in their own direction.

From the brush, something growls. Red eyes clearly having seen everything.

M’gann flies just above Artemis’ head as the two make their way through the jungle under the full moon. Moving alongside a large river, a waterfall to their back.

What they don’t notice is the large shape moving in the water.

Kid and Robin make their way through a thicker part of the jungle. The towering canopy hiding the large shadows flying in the moonlight above them.

Conner crashes through the forest with the strength to snap fallen trees under his feet and speed that nothing should be able to follow him. Except for the flash of shadow and red that does.

Aqualad walks through the easiest path, pausing as the Captain lands beside him. Across the jungle floor are a multitude of footprints and bullet casings.

“Guess this is where Mayor Hills’... monkey business went down.” Captain Marvel stands up as he comments to Aqualad. The teen’s eyes, however, are focused on something in the distance. “So at least we’ve confirmed his story, right?” still no response. “Aqualad?” he questions curiously.

Finally, the teen turns back. “My apologies, Captain. I am… plagued by doubts.” he looks away from the older man, ashamed of his weakness. Though the man says nothing, merely raising an eyebrow. “Perhaps I was wrong to withhold.”

Something rustles in the trees, taking away both their attention. Whatever spooked the birds is large, by the sound of the steps, but they can’t see it in the darkness. They two continue to look around as the steps get louder, but Kaldur moves his gaze to the ground, watching as small, loose rocks shake under the steps.

A massive elephant breaks through the tree, looking more like a woolly mammoth with the length of its tusks and size than an actual elephant. The trumpeting sound it makes, however, is neither.

Captain Marvel grits his teeth and jumps to stop the behemoth. It works, but only shortly as the mammoth creature grabs the man with his trunk and throws him away with ease. And with enough strength to break a few trees before he slows.

Shocked, Kaldur looks to opposite direction the creature is coming from. Seeing a grey behemoth come out of the trees. Not seeing him, just the other creature its size.

Kaldur barely manages to jump out of the way of the massive foot.

Capt. Marvel comes to at the sound of a growl. Finding himself face to face with a red-eyed tiger with a Belle Reve collar on. The oversized tiger roars as the man regains consciousness.

Off to his left Kaldur, kicks off a tree. Avoiding the tusks of the large elephant, but not its trunk which knocks him to the ground the tiger leaps to vacate.

The captain turns to see the elephant standing behind him, snarling at the two of them.

Conner makes his way at a normal pace, until a dark wolf jumps out a nearby bush, attacking him with a growl. Another pouncing on him from a higher vantage point since the first on missed him.

He shoves it off, standing up just in time to punch another one away with his left hand. Leaving his right arm open to bitten by one of the wolves. Another pouncing lower.

From high above a white wolf watches.

A caw brings Robin and Kid’s attention behind them. Watching as three vultures screech and dive at them. Both of them barely missing the claws at are nearly as long as the younger boy’s forearm.

Wally takes the lead in clearing the way.

“I thought vultures only ate dead meat.” Robin shouts, throwing an exploding Birdarang before following. Though the device did nothing to even slow them down.

“Yeah, these are some very proactive scavengers.” kid gripes as they duck under the claws.

“Proactive and super-sized. You thinking what I'm thinking?” Robin asks easily.

“Kobra-Venom?” he and Robin barely split in time to avoid being caught. “Yeah.”

A gaping mouth jumps out of the water at M’gann’s turned back. The gigantic alligator barely being stopped by her foot and hands, keeping its mouth open.

Artemis grabs an arrow, taking aim and firing. Only for the log she stepped back on to have another come underneath and knock completely out of the water.

The snapping teeth barely miss her once, but the second time it catches her quivers and drags her down as gravity catches up.

Artemis tries to grab ahold of her quiver, but the alligator starts to spin.

M’gann dives in, heading straight for her teammate. Getting a hold on her forearm as the supersized gator stops spinning. Ripping the strap of her quiver so Artemis can swim away.

The gator turns towards them, but M’gann creates two more hands and uses her telekinesis to create four spirals of water to stop the creature.

Shooting the gator completely out of the water and leaving her and Artemis is a dry circle in the middle of the river.

Artemis coughs up the water out of her lungs, as M’gann goes back to having two hands. “Okay, nearly drowning two nights in a row is way less fun than it sounds.”

A vulture screeches as it goes for Robin again. Barely missing him as he vaults over a fallen tree root. Running towards the base of the fallen tree to give himself so height, he backflips, seeing the vulture land swinging away with some of the tangled vines.

Kid has to use his superspeed to evade the other three, running up a tree and bouncing between the two of them to turn himself into a pinball to knock one the birds out.

It crashes to the ground not far from where Wally manages to catch a vine and swing to safety.

Conner moves backward, trying to keep his eyes on as many of the wolves as he can. When jumps, it catches him on the upper arm, while it doesn’t bleed, he has to get it off him. He throws it into a tree, turning to punch the other wolf as it went for his blind spot.

All of the darker wolves whimper or are unconscious. Only the white wolf remains, but it stays up and away from Conner’s rage.

Until it growls, forcing Conner to tense up as he knows another attack is coming. It growls even louder before running down the face of its high rise.

Captain Marvel hits the brown mammoth, finally managing to take it down.

Only for the grey one to come up behind him and swat him out of the air.

Kaldur eyes catch something sparking around the beast’s neck. A mammoth sized shock collar.

He takes out his Water Bearers, surprising the animal to fight, but dodges the giant foot, and landing behind its shoulder to get a good angle on the collar. Jumping high, slashing at the metal with one whip as he wraps the other around the collar before taking another slash at it and yanking the collar to the ground with sheer force.

There’s an instantaneous change as the beast calms from its rage, then turns to leave. Completely undisturbed by Kaldur’s presence.

He hears the other continuing to attack Captain Marvel. “Remove the collar!” he shouts to the hero.

“On it.” the man replies with a smile. Easily punching through the collar so that it falls off the beast as its front two feet land back on the ground. Stomping the collar to pieces.

Both beasts leave, uncaring of the two they were just fighting.

The Captain lands beside Kaldur. “Pretty sweet the way you figured out the problem was the collars.”

“But the collars indicate an intelligence behind this attack.” Kaldur points out, and Captain Marvel’s dark look is back. “The rest of the Team may also be at risk.” he turns to his earpiece. “Team, report status.” it rings back at him. He winces at the high pitch whine. “Comm is jammed, and Miss Martian failed to establish telepathic link before we split up.”

“Actually, you let everyone split up before communications were set.” the captain points out.

“They would not listen!” Kaldur argues.

“I guess.” he admits, putting his hands on his hips and smirking. “But back at the cave, Batman stopped everyone from fighting with just one word.”

“Because Batman is…” there is only one way to describe the man, as redundant as it may be. “Batman.”

“Hey, you don’t have to tell me.” Captain Marvel winces out, but it’s a sympathetic wince nonetheless. “When I first joined the League, all he did was boss me around. And it’s hard not to take it personally. But…” he smiles. “I never disobeyed an order and that’s probably what kept me alive.”

“Batman takes command.” saying it like that shows the exact and stark contrasts in their leadership. “He has to… for the good of the League.” he gives a small smile back to the hero. “Thank you for helping me understand.”

“Hey, Wisdom of Solomon.” the hero points to his head with a smile.

“Aqualad, can you hear me?” M’gann calls out.

“Yes, Miss Martian. Report.”

“Artemis and I were attacked by animals wearing Inhibitor Collars like those used on convicts at Belle Reve Prison.”

Unable to hear the conversation Marvel lets himself keep an eye out. Something the distance catches his attention.

The soft growling of the tiger from before. It only stays for a little moment before turning to leave.

“Cool, a tiger! I'll be right back!” he calls out, but Aqualad no time to stop him.

“Captain, wait!” but he’s already gone. “Hey. Speed of Mercury.” he mutters.  (OMG Aqualad were you just sarcastic? lol)

The tiger runs, roaring as it gets zapped by the collar.

The captain’s smile fades it comes to a stop, turning towards him.

The tiger growls again.

“Hey there, mister.” he flies slowly over to it. “Betcha’d like good ol’ cap’t to take that nasty collar off ya, huh?” he lands easily and the tiger doesn’t attack.

The collar zaps again, causing the animal to roar in pain and stumble back a few steps.

Captain Marvel takes one closer and that’s all it takes to spring the trap.

The hero instantly falls to the ground, unable to move, but still able to see as something wearing a red beret jumps out of the tree. Armed, heavily. The gorilla that attacked the Gotham Mayor roars, banging on its chest when he sees the hero in the trap.

Captain Marvel is now stunned on top of his paralysis.

By the river, the wildlife is recovering from the fright faster than the girls are. M’gann is mostly alright, mainly looking over Artemis as she empties water of her still (SOMEHOW, because that doesn’t make any sense!) arrow-filled quiver.

“Miss Martian, I need a telepathic link up with the entire Team. Now.” she hears the change in Aqualad’s attitude almost instantly.

She brings two fingers to her temple, only needing to blink to complete the link. “Link established.”

“Should he really still be giving us orders, and should you really be following them?” Artemis asks M’gann.

“Listen, please…” Kaldur tries, both Kid Flash and Robin visibly tense hearing his voice in their head again. Clearly disapproving of his presence.

“Oh good, Aqualad's voice in my head.” thinks sarcastically, but his face is defeated. “I've so missed that.”

As a stark contrast, Robin is surprisingly upbeat with his news. “Hey, Kaldur! KF and I were attacked by giant vultures. 'Course, since we're moles, you probably think we attacked ourselves.”

“If he did, he wouldn't tell you.” Artemis quips as she buckles her quiver back on, resting on one of the logs.

“Superboy, are you online, or just pouting?” Miss M asks curiously, though the edge is clear.

Conner grunts through the link, fighting off the giant white wold. “ Busy. Call back later.” he barely manages to think as he tries to pry the wolf’s teeth from his shoulder.

Though a slight slip in his grip, due to trying to respond, gives the wolf time to sink in further and throw him across the clearing and into a large rock.

Kaldur walks through the vines to where a trap like what the tiger and Captain Marvel were captured in has already been sprung. “What gets me is how nonchalant he is about not telling us.” KF gripes.

“He should be chalant. Way chalant. Extremely chalant!” Robin agrees easily.

Kaldur is barely listening to them as he sees two tracks in the ground from the trap.

“How are we supposed to be a team if he doesn't trust us with his secrets?” Artemis asks.

“Or if Conner doesn't expect us to take care of ourselves?” M’gann follows Artemis’ train of thought, though a little too far.

Kaldur is still barely listening as he moves closer to the tracks, seeing something in between them. A five-fingered print larger than his hand.

“Did he really think you or I could've been the mole?” KF asks Robin, though clearly keeping Kaldur and everyone else in on the question on purpose.

“We've known each other for years!” Robin agrees.

“Trust is a two-way street!” Artemis pipes up, clearly realizing the dig the boys just made at her and M’gann.

“And you'd know they'd hate it if we kept secrets from them!” M’gann snaps.

Kaldur is beginning to lose his patience with the constant arguing in his head.

“Not that we'd ever do that. Never.” Artemis gripes.

Finally his restraint snaps. “Enough!” that was all he needed to get their attention, but rips one of the pylons from its base, watching as the electricity crackles in the darkness, but nothing else happens. “Captain Marvel has been captured. And we must act as a team to save him!”

“Heh. Under your leadership?” Kid questions, his expression mostly deadpanned, though he and Robin clearly share in the sentiment of betrayal, despite his sarcastic tone. “I don't think s-”

“This is not up for debate!” Kaldur snaps, both Robin and KF’s eyes go wide at the sudden switch from the Atlantean’s normal demeanor. On top of the fact that insulting his leadership is the last thing you should do since nothing else seemed to set him off. “You all chose me to lead.” M’gann and Artemis share a look. “When this mission is over,” Kaldur looks over the tech in his hands “if you wish to select a new leader I will happily step down.” Robin and Kid look down, ashamed.

“But until that time, I am in command here.” Kaldur throws down the pylon with a grunt, heading off in the direction the trails lead, for once the link is silent.

Inside a windowless base, deep in the jungle, Captain Marvel comes to with a twitch at the growling and the feeling of something sticking to his face followed closely by something holding him down.

Looking down his nose he can see the tiger he was following to be the source of the growling

“Ze brain enhancement of this tigre already pay dividends, no?” a male voice with easy French accent questions. The tiger steps away from Captain Marvel as the voice continues. “For has brought us a prize most glorious. Le Captaine Marvel. ”

“Why can’t I move?” the hero asks in a calm tone.

“It is obvious, non .” a robotic hand hits a button to rotate a tray of sharp tools towards the robotic center. “Your collar is set to prohibit votre mouvement from ze neck down. I have allowed you to retain ze power of speech,” the robotic hand pictures up a small circular saw. “as your reactions may be instructif during la procédure. ” the saw blade spins at its full speed, but no sound can be heard from it.

“La procedure?” Marvel attempts to repeat the foreign word, missing a little, but he knows what was said. “What procedure?”

“I have often pondered the effects of your powers on the cerebral cortex.” the robot has now turned towards a screen, using one of the three-fingered hands to choose what sectors of Marvel’s brain to look at. After selecting two it moves to his brain stem to see the readings there “I long to see le wisdom de Salomon up close. Monsieur Mallah, prepare for surgery.”

The red beret-wearing gorilla, now wearing surgical clothes, grunts.

Birds call throughout the jungle but go suddenly quiet as shadowy forms run across the forest floor, and a camouflaged form flies behind them.

Robin moves through the tall brush up the sharp hill from the building that the Captain is being held in. Kid Flash slowly comes up behind him, sliding on his goggles and turning on the infrared.

Up in the tree behind the boys, Miss Martain’s camouflaged form lands. She looks to her right to see Artemis and Aqualad slowly making their way down the hill, the blonde nocking an arrow. The only one missing is Superboy.

She looks over the open space before the structure, noticeably empty. “I’ll fly over.” she offers.

“Negatory.” Kid says sharply. (no CC this is not Robin!) “The shield extends like a dome over the whole compound.”

“Pylons are insulated,” Robin remarks, looking at his holoscreen. (This isn’t KF, CC) “but one good shock could cause a momentary gap.”

“I see a target.” Artemis has her eyes set on a large red button in the outside wall.

“Then be ready to hit it. Be ready, all of you.” Robin and Kid share a small look, with both their eyes covered the true extent of their emotions is hard to see, but they are both frowning.

Aqualad runs up to the nearest pylon, stopping less than two feet away before his tattoos begin to glow and he pushes the electricity into the shield.

Kid is watching the shield’s integrity through his infrared and when he sees a small gap form over Aqualad’s head he doesn’t waste time. “Now!”

Artemis releases her arrow and it flies through the gap and hits her target right on.

The panel beeps and Kaldur pulls back the electricity as the shield deactivates. Then waves the rest of them forward.

Kid races towards him, M’gann lands while still camouflaged, but as Robin makes his way out of the brush his eyes go wide. Seeing a howler monkey sitting on the roof, it has been watching them. He gets a sharp look at its enhanced size and the collar around its neck before it lets out a howl.

The two older boys jolt in surprise, just before the actual alarms turn on and an entire pack of howlers charges at the team.

From the camera that rises up, Mallah can see the team fighting.

“Go, Mallah. Deal with these intruders.” the robotic man speaks easily. “I can handle mon Capitaine brain extraction myself.” bringing a sharp blade in front of the captain’s line of sight, and speaking with complete nonchalance.

(I want to call him the Brain now, please, I knew he was the Brain like three scenes ago the first time I watched this. To be fair I also used to watch Teen Titans and I couldn’t think of any other French robot that would work with Mallah.)

Mallah growls, ripping off the clothes he’s wearing and storming out of the room.

A howler monkey screeches as it jumps at Kaldur, who has both his WaterBearers shaped like maces. The Atlantean takes a sharp swing at the monkey, knocking it several feet away. When the monkey stops skidding he gets a good look at the familiar collar around its neck.

His eyes narrow as the monkey prepares to jump. Moving first, but to put his weapons away, the monkey jumps at him, but he catches it by the shoulders and slams it to the ground, his tattoos still glowing. When the monkey turns to try and bite him, Kaldur rips the collar off.

The monkey looks confused for a few moments before scurrying away.

Kaldur stands tall, looking to his team. “Remove their collars!”

Robin, while struggling with two that is nearly as big as he is, grumbles. “Sounds easy when he says it.”

Artemis kicks the one closest to her, away, before pulling out an arrow and nocking it. Taking out the two attacking Robin.

The collars fall off with a small spark, and Robin stays defensive as the two monkeys look around before running away.

He turns towards Artemis, where two more drop down behind her. Instead of saying anything he throws two disks, taking out their collars.

She yelps when they get close to her, but has enough time to see them scatter to know what he did.

This when Mallah makes his appearance, coming out with another machine gun. He growls and sniffs as M’gann tries to sneak back him in camouflage.

Just as she makes it through the doorway, he grabs her by the shoulder and throws her into the dirt. Knocking her unconscious.

Mallah goes to grab her again when Kid speeds in. “Get your paws off her, you darn dirty ape.” his voice a far angier growl than he’s ever been before. He goes to shoulder check the gorilla, but the enhanced animal turns so that Kid bounces off his massive chest. (What even is Kid’s line?! I laughed and I don’t know why.)

“You’re not taking my brain.” Marvel says sharply, as a container full of water comes out from the wall by his head.

“Š'il vous plaît, capitaine, do not struggle.” the machine moves through the shadows as the male voice speaks. “Brain extraction is largely painless,” the machery over Marvel’s paralyzed body moves to a new position. “but the benefits are enormous.” the center peice of tech extends closer to Marvel, as the robot finally closer. “Just look what it has done for me.” finally in the light, Marvel can see that the male voice is coming from the robot with a brain at the core processor.

He gives the Brain a deadpanned look, before looking back up at the still extending laser. “That thing won't work on me.” he comments.

“Perhaps. But it works on solid steel so I'll try my luck.” the laser continues to move, tracking out its course before it begins to turn on. “I'm told you have the courage of Achilles, non ? Perhaps you should have asked for his invulnerability instead.”

The tiger jumps the table and takes out the Brain, knocking his robotic body to the floor. It continues to growl at him as he moves back upright.

“Traitor!” the Brain snaps. “You will suffer for that!” a compartment open on the side of the capsule, turning on the electroshock collar.

The tiger snarls as it twitches on the floor in pain, while Marvel shouts at the Brain. “Stop it! Stop!”

The wall behind the Brain suddenly breaks inward, the Brain turns to see Mallah having been thrown through it. As the Brain turns to the dust, as it falls away Miss Martian flies in. As she lands the rest of the Team joins her.

“It’s the Brain!” Kid is able to pinpoint who it is in a matter of moments, and suddenly the enhanced animals make sense.

“Uh,” Artemis scoffs. “I can see it’s a brain.”

Kid grits his teeth as he glares over his shoulder. “Not a brain, The Brain.”

“In the flesh, so to speak.” the Brain confirms, then turns. “Mallah.”

The gorilla holds something in its hand, and when he presses the button, pylons rise up from the floor. Taking out the Team the same way he did Captain Marvel.

“Miss Martian, Superboy, now.” Kaldur commands.

M’gann’s eyes glow white as she telekinetically takes the remote from Mallah. Stopping it over her face so she presses the button to turn off the pylons, just as Superboy breaks through the wall on the other side of the hallway.

The white wolf is at his side, snarling, as the dust clears. The Kryptonian doesn’t need to say anything to get the wolf to charge at Mallah.

As Mallah gets back to his feet, KF kicks him back, then dodges the gunfire as Robin swings high. Finally M’gann drops in and lifts the gorilla into the ceiling then lets him drop. Though it doesn’t do anything to knock him out, only make him angry.

Now he is focusing his firing on M’gann.

Superboy jumps at his turned back, attempting to slam his fist into the gorilla, but Mallah’s reflexes are just fast enough that he can dodge. While Superboy lands, Mallah takes aim to shoot Superboy back as he jumps. Though he doesn’t get any marks, the shots move so fast and hit so hard that he lands by the wolf.

As the bullets run out, Artemis launches an arrow at the pack on his back, causing it to release smoke.

Robin comes up to her side and both pull out detonating weapons which fully knock the machine gun off of Mallah.

The Brain fires laser Kaldur’s WaterBearer, which gives him enough time to dodge out of the way of it as the shield cracks under prolonged exposure. Then he narrowly dodges the next shot. Seeing that the Atlantean moves too quickly, the Brain switches to short, fast shots that still miss.

He and Mallah end up surrounded by KF, Robin, Artemis, and M’gann.

While Kaldur snaps the collar off of Captain Marvel. “Thanks.” he says brightly as all the restraints fall away then moves to the tiger. “Now, one good turn deserves another.”

The tiger rises in front of him, and Mallah turns towards the three of them as Kaldur pulls out his sword WaterBearers. Turning again he sees Superboy and the wolf guarding the hole in the wall.

Mallah roars in rage.

“Try it. I hate monkeys.” Conner growls alongside the wolf as he cracks his knuckles.

“No Mallah, this will not be our Waterloo.” the Brain says as multiple compartments begin to open around his body. “ Au revoir, mes amis .”

“Get down!” KF yells as the humming hits a new pitch, almost drowning out his warning.

Conner tenses, Robin and Artemis back up, and then suddenly everything goes dark. When the lights start to turn on again, they’re gone.

“Wait, that big weapon thing was… a light switch?” Kid asks, confused as he straightens up.

As the sun begins to pinken the sky over the trees the team is back at the BioShip.

“What are you grinning about?” Artemis asks KF.

KF holds the red beret in his hands. “One word: souvenir.” then put it on.

“Two words: gorilla lice.” she says right back.

“Huh?” then he processes what she’s saying. “Oh, man!” he takes it off and holds it away from him as he groans.

Kaldur removes the collar from a howler monkey, watching as it leaves.

“That’s the last of the collars?” Captain Marvel asks the tiger.

It growls lowly.

“I can count on you to keep the other animals out of trouble?” he checks.

It growls again.

“Good. I’ll be back for a visit. I promise.” he pets the tiger before standing and watching as it heads into the jungle.

“I think I’ll call him Mr. Tawny.” Marvel says brightly. (This was the exact moment when I finally lost it and shouted at the screen “what are you ten?!” bc I knew nothing and it was starting to get on my nerves.)

The tiger runs past M’gann, Conner, and the wolf on his way out. “The rest of the pack is gone.” Conner tells the wolf as he pets it. “What are you still doing here?”

“I think he wants to stay with you.” M’gann tells him.

“Can I keep him?” Conner asks her, sounding like an excited child.

Wally lets out a laugh in the background. “First the sphere, now this beast. Dude, you sure make a habit of collecting strays.”

“Maybe because he's such a stray himself.” says easily with a smile.

“Aren’t you?” she asks him telepathically.

“M’gann, I’m sorry. I was just worried.” he tells her honestly.

She kneels down beside him, placing a hand on his knee. “And that’s sweet, Conner,” she puts her hand on the back of his neck. “but on a mission I’m your teammate, not your girlfriend. Agreed?”

Conner smiles at her. “Yeah.” he says with a bit of teasing annoyance in his voice.

“Well, he’s gonna need a name.” Wally pulls them out of their personal conversation. “Uh, how's about Krypto?”

The wolf growls. “Pass.” Conner says instantly.

“Besides, isn't that taken?” M’gann asks. (Haha, funny, but this means I better hear SOMEONE mention Krypto in a future season.)

Robin stands on the ramp up to the BioShip, clearly waiting for Kaldur.

“Look, I need to know, why did you keep the mole intel secret?” Robin just as Kaldur goes to pass him on his way up.

Kaldur stops and everyone else slowly moves towards the BioShip for the conversation. He doesn’t turn away from them as they all wait for the same answer. “The source of the tip was Sportsmaster.” he says simply.

“What?! You can't trust him!” Artemis snaps.

“I do not. It seemed possible, even likely, that he was attempting to divide the team with false information.” Kaldur informs them simply.

“And given how the mission went, he almost succeeded.” Robin realizes that he and KF were betraying someone they had known for years as much as they felt betrayed by him. Not to mention Kaldur had a whole other level to put the tip through as the leader. “But you had to consider it might be true.”

“Yes, as leader, I did. In which case, I did not wish to alert the traitor.” he looks directly at Robin as he speaks, knowing that the Team will one day fall to him and explaining this will help him.

“I hate to say it, but it makes sense.” Robin says with a one sided smile.

“I am still prepared to step down.” he says simply.

Wally raises his hand. “All in favor of keeping Aqualad as leader?” M’gann, Conner, and Artemis all raise their hands instantly.

As Kaldur turns to Robin, his hand is raised too and he shows a few his teeth with his smile. The Atlantean nods silently.

“Guess it's unanimous.” Captain Marvel says easily as he places a hand on Kaldur’s shoulder then removes it and offers a shake. Which the teen takes. “See you tomorrow.” he waves off.

“You’re not coming back with us?” Kaldur asks, confused.

“Nah, gotta fly.” the JL member says as he takes off.

The wolf drops his giant head into Conner’s hands for a moment.

“So, what are you gonna call him?” M’gann asks as they head up the ramp.

“What’s wrong with Wolf?” Conner asks.

“Generic, but acceptable.” Wally says from inside the ship.

Kaldur looks down before heading into the BioShip, rattled by the fight they had throughout the mission.

Fawcett City; September 24th, 22:16 CDT

A song plays on the TV and a few dogs within the apartment complex. Captain Marvel drops into the living room, with a balding heavy-set man on the couch reading a book. Not even glancing up at the JL member in his living room.

“Well, boy, how'd it go?” the man asks lowly. (the Wiki had it as “sport” and honestly with the way “boy” can go it would almost be better to swap that out.)

“Ah, it was so cool!” Marvel says brightly, opening the cookie jar. “The Team's way more fun to hang out with than the League! They go on these secret covert-ops missions that rock!” the man on the couch turns the page and only seems to be half listening to what the Captain is saying. “And I got nabbed by the Brain, and I met this tiger, and-”

“Okay, okay, I'm glad you had fun sport but it's getting pretty late. Brush your teeth and hit the hay.” he tells him despite the fact that he’s talking to another adult, a younger adult, but an adult.

“Okay, okay, I'm going.” Marvel says, putting the lid back on, and sounding just as childish as always.

“Ahem! Aren't you forgetting something?” he asks as Captain Marvel makes it a doorway.

Captain Marvel smiles. “Nah, just seeing if you were paying attention. SHAZAM!” a bolt of lightning comes from nowhere, striking him in the chest, and when the bright flash leaves. A twelve-year-old with the same hair, skin, and eye colors as Marvel stands in his place and position. Wearing a red sweatshirt, a white top, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes.

The boy yawns. “Good night, Uncle Dudley.”

“Good night, Billy.” Uncle Dudley says calmly.