Chapter 19

-[New York]-

-[Dante]-

"You know, most guys take girls to fancy restaurants on dates." Zatanna teased, as she turned to Dante.

The boy smirked in response. "I think we can agree that I'm not most guys and that you aren't most girls."

"Both true." The smile on her face said enough about how she felt about that compliment.

They were currently on the roof of one of the many buildings in New York, takeouts in their hands as they talked. He'd picked up some food before coming to meet her.

Zatara was somewhere handling League related issues which gave Zatanna the chance to once again sneak out.

"So how's the team? Dad accidentally mentioned it a while back." She added at his slightly surprised look.

"I guess that explains it." He said with a small laugh.

"And when were you going to tell me, o fearless leader?" She asked in faux anger which only made him laugh more.

"Eventually. It just never came up." He said, causing the faux anger to melt away.

"I've been asking him about letting me join but he just won't budge. He still treats me like I'm an eight year old who needs a babysitter." She complained as she took a bite of her food.

"About that…are you sure he won't find us here?" Dante asked.

They couldn't take a Zeta Tube to another city due to how risky it was. With Zatara being overprotective as usual, Zatanna wasn't even registered in the system and Dante couldn't take the risk of registering her when the League could monitor the database.

"Dad doesn't do the whole patrolling an area thing. He just hunts down cases that have signs of magic or demons." She said, assuaging his worries.

"Is that why he has you going to a catholic school?" He asked.

Zatanna nodded. "Partially. It's something I grew up with. Plus the iconography helps because demons and magic go hand in hand."

"You plan on becoming a demon hunter?" He wondered curiously.

"Part-time but mostly as a side gig for my traveling magic show." She said, causing him to arch an eyebrow. "Being a hero doesn't exactly pay the bills. I'll schedule my tours where I find cases, kinda like how my dad does. Plus, I'll get paid to travel the world. What girl doesn't want to visit Paris or Venice?"

That got a laugh out of him as he idly wondered if it was possible for him to learn magic. He was part Martian and Martians had their own school of magic on mars. 'Something to look into later.'

-[Later]-

-[Mount Justice]-

«Recognized! Dante B-0-5!» The Zeta Tube announced as Dante walked into the cave. Batman had called him to the cave where the rest of the team were apparently already waiting.

"What's the emergency, Batm…" he trailed off as a frown emerged on his face.

In the middle of the mission room was the ginger haired Red Arrow with the rest of the team also present. "If I recall correctly, only members of the team and Justice league are allowed here. What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice lacking emotion as he floated off the ground.

"Dude! Not cool!" Wally exclaimed but was ignored as Dante floated towards Red Arrow.

"So the newbie deigns to show himself. Some team leader you are." The archer mocked.

"I won't ask again." Dante said as Red Arrows body suddenly stiffened, arms forced to his body as an imposing pressure pressed on him. "Why are you here?"

He recognized the mental signature from that night and it belonged to this faker in front of him.

"Dante, stand down!" Green Arrow ordered, not even getting a glance from the teen.

At this moment, Dante had considered oustin him as a clone but that was…too easy, too merciful. His eyes shifted to Green Arrow. "Though you may be familiar with him, I need not remind you that it doesn't give him special privileges to come and go as he pleases."

"Dude let him go!" Wally exclaimed as he sped towards Dante only for his legs to go stiff, causing him to fall face flat.

"Enough." Batman said, bringing everyone to a halt. He had been silent thus far. "Your grievances with each other can wait, right now you have a mission to get to."

Just as Dante released his hold on Red Arrow, the archer had a smug smirk. "Is it really a good idea to let someone like him lead this team?"

"For someone who claims to be a solo hero, you can't seem to do anything right on your own. You're so incompetent it's not even funny." Dante said dismissively as he walked past him.

He caught the angry look from both Green and Red Arrow as he turned to Batman who chose not to comment on the tension. "Aqualad and Robin will brief you on the specifics of the mission."

The dark knight gave him a look that said one simple thing. 'We will discuss this later.'

As he nodded, he caught the glare that Wally was giving him as Red Arrow stomped out through the Zeta Tube.

-[Later]-

"What the hell was that?!" Wally screamed as they were in the bioship on the way to the highschool where Red Arrow had stashed Dr Roquette.

"Just because you trust him doesn't mean I have any reason to trust him. What I've heard of him doesn't help his case." Dante answered nonchalantly.

"Roy is our friend! You can't t-"

"Allow me to spell it out for you. Despite your emotional attachments, I do not want nor do I have any need for another archer on the team." Dante said before turning to M'gann. "How much longer till we get there?"

"Just a few minutes." She answered nervously due to the tension.

"You can't just decide that!" Wally complained.

"Um, I think he can. Batman basically gave him the final say on who gets to join the team." Robin said at Wally's complaint.

"What? That's not fair!"

"If I recall correctly, did he not call this team a joke?" Dante asked, silencing the speedster. "I have no need for a teammate who is too busy basking in his own arrogance and self importance."

"Yo-"

"That is the end of this discussion. We have a mission at hand." Dante said firmly, causing silence to reign in the bioship.

Part of the reason why his words were that effective was because up until today, none of them had seen Dante in a state other than his usual calm demeanor.

Dante reached out to connect to Kaldur's Mind. [You might as well be screaming for my attention.] he said.

[I apologize but it was the only way to get your attention without further causing a scene.] Kaldur said as politely as usual. [You are not the type to react like that without reason. If I may ask, is there a reason you regarded Roy with such hostility?]

[Since you asked so politely, I'll tell you. Your friend attacked me.] He revealed as Kaldur's eyes widened in his seat.