Chapter 59

As the new leader of the Titans, I had a few new responsibilities. So, it only makes sense if I sought to balance those responsibilities with benefits. Not only that, but it was also natural for a newly appointed leader to start off with a series of reforms.

This was currently one of the most pivotal moments in my leadership after all. It was the perfect time to implement changes into the Tower. Changes that benefited me, but also benefited the Titans as well.

“I would like to start this meeting off with a word from Aqualad. Aqualad, if you would.”

I sat back down, allowing Aqualad to take center stage. A week after my inauguration to the position of team leader, he had approached me in private. Likely because he didn’t want what he was about to say to seem like some sort of slight against me, or be seen as a rebuttal against my new position.

“Thank you. After leaving Atlantis for quite a while, and getting injured in the line of duty, it’s made me think about a lot of things. About what I should be doing with my life, and who I should be spending it with. Which is why…I plan to leave the Titans and return to the Conservatory of Sorcery in order to further my studies.”

That seemed to surprise a few people, causing them to widen their eyes in shock. Including Beast Boy.

“’Who you should be spending it with?’ Sounds like you have a certain person in mind. Who’s the girl?”

Cyborg immediately deduced before gaining a large smile on his face. Suddenly the other Titans became much less tense, and a bit more jovial. Especially when Aqualad reacted by blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. Notably not making eye with Cyborg.

A reaction that was VERY out of place for the no nonsense Aqualad.

“Er, well, I studied with a few other Atlanteans closely during my time in the Conservatory. One of which I…”

Aqualad trailed off, all but admitting his reasons for leaving. Cyborg himself was quick to slap Aqualad on the back with a laugh.

“Then what are you still doing here then? Go get her.”

Most of the Titans gave him a round of nods. Galatea wasn’t even here, so I’d likely have to inform her of what occurred later. As even with her ambivalent nature, she’d surely notice a missing member of the Titans.

…Probably.

Aqualad breathed out a sigh of relief as it seemed he was met with universal good wishes. I wasn’t sure what he was expecting. Anger? Indignation? He likely was just overthinking things.

Still, it was a blow to the forces of the Titans to continue without Aqualad. Both combat wise, and in the decision-making process. No matter what the topic, Aqualad would usually question someone on it. Even if he agreed with the outcome.

He was also one of the few Titans that actually challenged me on certain issues. Without him in the Titans…well, things would get pushed much easier.

Now, it was time for me to address the Titans once more.

“As you may have already noticed, there’s a bit of construction going on in the Tower. I’m making adjustments to a few places, including the floor where I do most of my lab experiments. As well as refurbishing the rooms for the new Titans.”

All out of my own pocket, of course. If I wasn’t the current leader of the Titans, I would have already appealed to the Justice League for more funding. Which would likely have passed after awhile.

Unfortunately, I was now in control of the Tower, and I’d rather not further the idea that the Titans answer to the Justice League. Something that was all the more important with impressionable new members.

Annoying, but necessary. Simply another cost to pay now that I was leader. But at the very least, I was able to pay it. Even with me sticking my fingers into various properties and businesses, I was able to afford to do this. No, if anything due to the amount of money I was currently making it barely made a dent in my wallet.

Though after checking the math and graphs sent my way by Batman, I would likely start seeing diminishing returns by the end of next year.

“The new members of the Titans have already been notified that we’ve taken a vote and accepted them. And of course, of the fact that there will be a one-month period before they are completely integrated into the Titans. That way there will be no hard feelings on either side if someone decides this wasn’t what they wanted.”

That got a round of nods. Not surprising, I was just giving them a reminder when that was. Though now that we were on the subject…

“However, there is now a problem with the designated mentorship we have set up for a Titan to show them the ropes around the place. Starfire will still mentor Miss Martian, but now that Aqualad is leaving, someone new will have to mentor Zatanna. Not to mention that someone now needs to mentor Artemis.”

Once more everyone’s attention was focused on me, and following along. Well, most of them were following. Some didn’t seem to care for the meeting at all or were just bored. Like in Beast Boy’s case.

“…And I believe the best person for Zatanna is Raven.”

“…No.”

I hummed at this. She had already rejected it the first time this was brought up. So it was expected that she would do so again. The reason I brought it up again was not due to the fact they both controlled magic.

Rather, I chose Raven in particular for two reasons. The first being if she participated in the mentorship program it could only prove beneficial for her and the team at large. She was already somewhat cut off from the rest of the Titans. Not only due to her attitude but the fact that she didn’t seem to like to participate in most other events the Titans do.

Strengthening her ties to the team and the team to her was a priority.

The second reason was simply because both Zatanna and Raven were in some form outsiders to the Titans. Yet were still a known quantity. It was likely that a bond would form between the two of them from this.

And I had just the secret weapon to push Raven into accepting.

“As an added incentive to the Mentorship program, for the acclimating month that you help the new recruit, your chores will be given to them.”

That got a few looks. Especially from Beast Boy who seemed excited. I think I know who’s gunning for the Artemis mentor position…

Raven sighed as a few seconds of silence descended over her. Her eyes rolled beneath her cowl before she finally nodded. Consenting to her inclusion.

Good.

“Now for Artemis-“

“I’d like to be the mentor of her.”

Surprisingly, Beast Boy wasn’t the first to speak up. Instead, it had been Kid Flash. An odd choice. Especially considering his initial push back from her inclusion in favor for Speedy, or as he goes by now, Red Arrow.

Aqualad and Kid Flash approached him a few days ago but weren’t able to get a hard confirmation out him. Though it did sound like he was considering it.

He was probably on the fence about it due to Robin’s departure, and possibly even Aqualad’s. Though that was just conjecture based on how Kid Flash didn’t react to Aqualad’s news that he was leaving. Which would have meant that Kid Flash would be the only one he really knew in the Titans. And that was without even mentioning that Artemis would also be included in the Titans. Being on the same team with the sidekick of Green Arrow might cause some problems.

So, if he did join, that would mean someone else would mentor him. At least, if he joined in the next month.

“Is there any reason in particular that you want to?”

Kid Flash rubbed the back of his head.

“You mean besides the fact I wouldn’t have to do chores for a month?”

Well…I shouldn’t really be surprised at that reasoning. Kid Flash continued.

“I also just want to make sure that she’s…right for this team.”

…Oh? Now that was an interesting response. Still, it would cut down the potential animosity that would occur between Kid Flash and Artemis. Who knows, maybe they would even get closer as a result?

I nodded my head at Kid Flash, which left him giving me a grateful nod. Causing Beast Boy to groan a bit in displeasure.

Now came the bigger changes I planned to implement. The actual reforms.

“I also plan to implement a few changes as to how the Tower and the Titans operate as a whole. I’m sure that you’ve already noticed in several missions in the past that most of the Titans responding to an alert is usually more than a little bit of overkill. And with a bigger roster of Titans, this problem will only be exaggerated more so.”

That got everyone’s attention.

“So, I plan to institute that unless the situation calls for more, that only three to four titans maximum go out to a mission. With one chosen Titan calling the shots. Everyone will be given a chance to lead a mission as to see what they’re capable of. Except of course the new Titan members, who will only get the chance after their one-month trial period.”

That drew a frown or two from the Titans, though no one spoke out against it. Likely they wanted to see what it was like before possibly complaining. No even before then the only people who would argue with me on these types of things were Robin and Aqualad.

And Aqualad didn’t feel he had the right to say anything, so he didn’t.

Huh. Interesting. I had thought I’d get more pushback from that. Guess it was time to keep going.

“Furthermore, while I may have everyone’s physical health well in hand, mental health is something completely different. For that reason, I would like to institute an occasional mental check up for each Titan member to attend. That way we can be sure everyone’s of sound mind. This will not be optional.”

That was a much harder sell for the Titans. Already they seemed to be against the idea.

“And who will be conducting these mental checkups?”

“It would have to be someone who can be trusted and is neutral to the Titans. Which is why I think Black Canary would fit the position quite nicely.”

Of course, I had already broached the topic with her awhile ago, so I knew she was willing. Just as she cared about the Titans, they too had a semblance of trust in her. Even Kid Flash.

But that didn’t mean everyone was suddenly happy about this.

“I will also be restricting access to two floors for the Titans. The first is the core floor, who only Cyborg will be allowed access. Not even I will be able to go there.”

That also wasn’t a liked decision. Even if no one went there anyway but Cyborg, they didn’t like having the option taken away from them.

“The other floor will be where my Laboratory is based.”

“Huh? Why?”

Beast Boy immediately asked in confusion. To which I answered.

“With my new equipment, I plan to conduct bigger and more dangerous experiments. Nothing that would cause damage to the Tower itself, as I plan to make the Lab as insular as possible. But in case something breaks out in the lab, or if someone accidently knocks something over, I wouldn’t want them to be injured.”

I of course could handle something in that case. My resistance to such things isn’t to be underestimated. Whereas a rather clumsy Titan member might knock over something very dangerous and possibly die because of it.

Though of course this wasn’t the only or even the main reason I was doing this. There were projects that I didn’t want the Titans to know about. I also cared a lot about my privacy and didn’t want anyone to pay an unannounced visit to my Lab.

This was only the first of many measures to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Just as some Titans were considering to speak up, I quickly started to finish up my reforms.

“There will also be a change in how pay is distributed in the Tower. Instead of being funded by the Justice League, it will now be funded by the Titans, for the Titans. As such, I have taken to increasing everyone’s current pay by triple.”

“Woah!”

“Seriously!?”

“Booyah!”

“…Hrm.”

“Amazing! I can now get even more of the mustards!”

The Titans almost collective cheered on this change to the Tower. Of course, they did, it was pretty much my secret weapon. It had a plethora of benefits to it. Not only helping me pass these reforms, but also taking another step to disassociating from the Justice League.

As well as having the Titans feel partially indebted to me.

It also gave me a lot more authority to make certain changes. Especially when these changes involved the money, I supplied to them. Which is why I added on that pay was tied directly to them doing their chores, missions, and patrols.

Of course, they didn’t really care about that, as they were still over the moon with their payments increasing by three times the amount, they had been given beforehand. Which honestly wasn’t too hard to do. Most of the money the Justice League had been giving us went to the Tower. The amount given to us individually was a lot less in comparison.

The only one who seemed mildly perturbed at this development was Aqualad. Who seemed like he wanted to say something, but held his tongue.

…While I think getting pushback is a healthy thing, I can’t argue with how pleasant it was for my orders to just be accepted. I could get quite used to this power.

Perhaps being a leader wasn’t such a bad thing after all?