With them, he could be a teacher, a leader, a mentor. He would guide them in the proper use of their extraordinary abilities, teach them how responsibility must follow power. Unfortunately, lately, he began to doubt just how good of a job he had done.

It started when Firebird defected, nearly killing the team in the process. Starting with that battle, the team's missions became very public. The techno-organic Phalanx in Chicago, Angar the Screamer in Springfield, the Point Men in New York, the Mutant Liberation Front at the World Trade Center, and, of course, the colossal showdown against the Hellfire Club. Following that big one, Red Tornado, along with some advice from Captain America, decided to temporarily ground the team until things calmed down.

They didn't. Wonder Girl's powers began to change, until she exploded like a furnace. That caused damage to public property and drew more attention. But the Tornado hoped for the best. He had faith in his kids. But then that faith was shattered. His entire team broke their house arrest. They just up and left.

And now the Tornado didn't know what to think.

Robin was the one member of the team who was allowed to still operate, presumably under the guidance of Batman. Wonder Girl and Arrowette were sent to their respective homes to live normal lives for awhile. Superboy, Impulse, Cannonball, Jade, Magik and Firebird were to remain at the team's secret headquarters in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. So far, they had been following the rules. But then they left.

But where did they go . . . ?

>>BEEP<<

The Tornado turned to the team's communications center, answering the incoming call. "This is the Red Tornado."

"Hello, Tornado," Captain America greeted him. "I'm guessing by now you've realized your charges aren't at home."

"Yes," Red answered. "How did you . . . ?"

"Amidst all the recent trouble we've been experiencing, we've kept in close contact with the government," the Captain explained. "And we were just alerted to the location of Young Justice and were asked to go in after them."

"What?"

"They were operating for unknown reasons in an abandoned castle in upstate New York. Ten minutes ago, that castle blew up with an incredible amount of force. There's been pressure on government officials for some time now to deal with Young Justice."

"To deal with . . . ?" the Red Tornado was in disbelief. "Pressure from whom?"

"I don't know. But I do know I'm going to try and delay my team going into action for a little while . . . maybe you can still salvage some of this. But I recommend you get to them quickly. The Department of Extranormal Operations has released a task force to take them in."

"This is . . . a bit much," he replied, his robotic face in as much of a frown as possible.

"I know. And I'm sorry. I'd better go. As should you. Captain America out."

The Tornado stood for merely a minute more, locating the team's current position based on what the Captain told him. Then, he merely looked up and began to fly.

A glowing green sphere floated slowly to the ground in the middle of the ruins. It took most of her concentration, but Jade lowered herself and the few teammates she could find to the ground. Arrowette and Robin were the only two she was able to reach in time.

"Others . . . ?" Robin asked, looking around.

Impulse sped over to them, carrying the girl, Hallie Takahama, that they had just 'rescued' in the castle. "I bolted with her, 'cause she was the only one I could carry. Figured you guys'd be okay. And you are!"

Firebird, Superboy and Wonder Girl flew down from the fire, their own respective powers providing them minimum protection from the flames. Cannonball came out behind them, carrying Magik in his arms, both protected by his blast field.

"We all made it," Superboy said. "Including our little 'Jolt' over here."

"But the bad guys are long gone," Wonder Girl frowned. "And . . . And I still feel so . . . so . . . violated! So wronged!"

"We'll find them," Robin said. "We did it once, we can do it again. But right now, I think it'd be in our best interests to leave the scene of the crime here."

"Oh, man," Superboy frowned. "The Super Cycle! It got totally trashed in the explosion!"

"There goes our wheels," Jade frowned.

"Magik can get us out of here," Impulse said.

"No she can't," Cannonball frowned, holding her. "She's unconscious. Ah think she got hit before Ah could get to her."

"Well," Robin said, "Superboy, Cannonball, Wonder Girl, Jade and Firebird can fly. Impulse can speed off. Just carry the three of us that can't, and we'll be fine."

"I'm afraid you'll be anything but fine," a voice called.

"What?" Robin asked, turning around. "YJ, form up! Defensive positions!"

An entire regiment of DEO troops had entered the scene. Helicopters, air skimmers, man-bots, and armed soldiers stood ready for action. "Young Justice, you are under arrest. Surrender now, or we will be forced to take you down."

"On what charges?" Superboy asked.

"Many, including most specifically vigilantism," a DEO trooper said. "New York has outlawed vigilantism, and you have broken that law repeatedly. On top of that, you have damaged public and private property, injured civilians, and have assaulted government officials. Either you come quietly with your hands on your heads . . . or you come down battered and beaten. Your choice."

"Robin, what do we do?" Arrowette asked.

"I . . . I . . . " Robin looked around, pondering the situation. We can't do this . . . we can't fight them . . . they're just doing their job, right? But . . . we can't surrender . . .

"Robin?" Superboy asked. "If you don't give an order soon, I'm taking over . . . "

"We . . . " Robin started. "We can't hurt them . . . they're only doing their jobs . . . "

"Sounds like he made his decision," Superboy said. "YJ . . . let's go!"

Kon-El flew forward, leading the assault.

Batman sat in his chair, watching the events unfold. He frowned. Robin's existence was now known. And his team was in deep trouble. Could Batman afford to assist them? No . . . not with the Avengers League being brought in against the junior heroes. He was on his own. Bruce Wayne hoped for the best for Chuck Barnes. But should this conflict be resolved somehow with a happy ending? He might not be able to count on his Robin anymore . . .

Doctors Moira MacTaggert and Rory Campbell watched the news carefully.

"Ach, Sammy and 'Yana," Moira frowned.

"You know them?" Campbell asked.

"Two o' Charles' former students," she sighed. "I wish he woulda sent 'em here, where we could help them. But now . . . they're all alone . . . "

"Look at this," the Flash said, calling Iron Man's attention to the TV. "Those upstart heroes are in deep doodoo."

"No kidding," Iron Man frowned. "It must be especially bad for you. Is Impulse related to you somehow?"

Flash shrugged. "Kinda. But us speedsters, we've got some connection."

Wonder Woman entered the room. "Captain America says we should prepare to disembark on our next mission."

"Oh?" Flash asked.

"Yes . . . we're to assist the DEO and take in Young Justice."

Valor and Chamber also watched the events unfold.

"How come we weren't called in for this?" Valor asked.

Chamber shrugged.

"They don't think we're up to it?" he asked. "We're Generation Next! We can take those little guys . . . "

"I don't know," Chamber said, speaking telepathically. "I don't see why they're so bad . . . aren't they supposed to be heroes? And isn't one of them Paige's brother?"

"I dunno," Valor shrugged. "But we've been put into this team . . . I think we should get a mission already!"

"Generation Next," a voice came over the loud speaker. "Please report to the briefing room for your next assignment: Young Justice."

Sebastian Shaw and Emma Frost sat, watching the TV screen. "It begins . . . "

"Yes," Frost replied. "Pulling favors with government officials and DEO officers has made our revenge quite easy."

"Indeed," Shaw replied. "If they are captured, they will be tried and found guilty. If they escape, then their names will have been dragged through the mud so much that they shall never recover. I prefer the second option."

"But will we press the attack?"

"Of course," Shaw answered. "I still have plenty of pull on Congress. I believe it is about time for them to put their Project: Wide-Awake into action."

"You mean?"

"Yes . . . the Sentinels."

Cannonball rocketed forward, taking down a troop of armed ground soldiers.

"Let's do this!" Superboy said, flying off into a soldier in hover-gear, punching him down.

The team busted forward, engaging the DEO troops in full force. Robin held back, standing by the unconscious Magik.

No . . . he frowned. This isn't what I wanted. We should have talked our way out . . . and now we're in a futile battle that we'll lose even if we escape! And Magik's unconscious, fully incapable of defending herself, leaving me a sitting duck!

Arrowette pulled off a few trick arrows, gassing the troops. Wonder Girl flew at a helicopter and pushed it away from the fight with a hard toss. Jade let a few giant green bowling balls roll across to the ground troops, who scattered. Firebird engaged to the troops on air-skimmers while Superboy attacked the man-bots. Even Hallie Takahama got involved, bouncing around and hitting ground troops with electric 'jolt' punches.

"Make an opening, team!" Cannonball said. "Let's get us outta here!"

"Whoa, the wind's picking up like crazy!" Jade yelled.

And it was. Because the Red Tornado had arrived.

"Uh-oh," Wonder Girl said.

"Now we've done it," Arrowette frowned.

"All of you will stop immediately," the Tornado ordered. "Both sides, stand down. Young Justice is my responsibility. As such, they will answer to me."

Now what do we do . . . Robin pondered.

"No, sir," a DEO agent said. "We have jurisdiction here. You are a part of Young Justice, and you are under arrest as well."

"It is doubtful that any of you could take me by force," the Tornado replied, his voice cold.

"This is worse than Ah thought it'd be," Sam said to himself.

"Don't just stand there, guys!" Superboy said. "We've got a break in the fight . . . now let's make us an exit!"

Superboy charged at Red Tornado and decked him, sending him flying into the DEO, making them scramble.

"Now we've got it," Superboy said. "So let's take it!"

"He just . . . he just . . . " Wonder Girl was in disbelief.

"There's no time," Robin said. "We've gotta go, whether we want to or not!"

"Everyone grab someone and go!" Cannonball said.

"They've got Magik!" Jade said as she began to fly off.

"Leave her!" Superboy yelled. "Firebird, grab Robin! Wonder Girl, grab Arrowette! Cannonball, grab Hallie! Let's go!"

Superboy led the charge, and the rest of the team followed. They had officially gone rogue, leaving Magik and the Red Tornado behind.

Now, the real adventure would begin . . .