Watchtower Cafeteria, 12:15 PM
The Justice League, several members of Young Justice, and a few Titans were gathered around the lunch tables.
The large screen mounted on the wall was playing today's news.
NEWS REPORTER
"As always, HoloSpecter assisted the Justice League remotely during yesterday's operation. Despite numerous eyewitnesses reporting holographic constructs, the mysterious hero himself was never seen."
The report continued.
"Online discussions regarding HoloSpecter's true identity have once again exploded..."
The camera switched to social media posts.
Theory #1421
HoloSpecter is actually Batman's AI.
Theory #1840
There are twelve HoloSpecters.
Theory #3008
He's secretly Martian Manhunter pretending to be a hacker.
The cafeteria burst into laughter.
Kael calmly continued eating his ramen.
"...Needs more seasoning."
Nightwing looked between Kael and the television.
"I still can't believe no one's figured it out."
Kael shrugged.
"I don't exactly make it easy."
Blue Beetle leaned forward.
"Dude."
"...One guy online thinks you're a sentient Wi-Fi signal."
Kael nodded.
"I saw."
"And?"
"I gave his theory a like."
Everyone stopped.
"You WHAT?"
"I thought it was funny."
Barry nearly choked on his drink.
"You encouraged them?!"
"They looked like they were having fun."
Cyborg pulled out his tablet.
"You want to know the funniest theory?"
Kael sighed.
"Not really."
Victor ignored him.
"They think HoloSpecter doesn't actually exist."
The table erupted again.
Robin wiped tears from his eyes.
"Imagine being so stealthy the internet concludes you're fictional."
Green Lantern smirked.
"We should invite HoloSpecter to the next League press conference."
Kael looked up.
"I'll be there."
"No."
John grinned.
"I mean as HoloSpecter."
"...I'll still be there."
"You know what I mean."
Miss Martian giggled.
"They'd probably think you're another hologram."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"...You're probably right."
Superman smiled.
"You know, most heroes would be bothered by this."
Kael sipped his coffee.
"I became a hero to solve problems."
He gestured toward the TV.
"Not become one."
Clark smiled.
"Fair enough."
A Few Days Later
The Justice League held a public charity event.
Every major hero attended.
Children lined up for autographs.
Batman.
Superman.
Wonder Woman.
The Flash.
Green Lantern.
Even Cyborg.
Kael was there too.
As...
Kael Ardent.
A volunteer helping operate the event's computer systems.
Nobody gave him a second glance.
Meanwhile...
Fans kept asking,
"Where's HoloSpecter?"
One child approached Batman.
"Mister Batman!"
Batman looked down.
"Yes?"
"Is HoloSpecter coming?"
Batman glanced across the room.
Kael was twenty meters away, helping an elderly woman connect her phone to the event's Wi-Fi.
Without changing expression, Batman answered,
"He's already helping."
The child looked around in confusion.
"I don't see him..."
"...Exactly."
Batman walked away before explaining.
Young Justice Headquarters
That evening...
The younger heroes were scrolling through another viral discussion.
Robin read dramatically.
"There's absolutely no way HoloSpecter has a civilian identity."
Blue Beetle laughed.
"That's my favorite."
Superboy looked at Kael.
"You literally streamed for six hours yesterday."
Kael nodded.
"I know."
"They're convinced you spend every hour inside the Watchtower."
"I also know."
Artemis smirked.
"We should post a picture of you."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Doing what?"
"Sitting at your streaming desk."
"They'd say it's AI-generated."
"...True."
Static grinned.
"Okay, how about you stand next to Superman?"
"They'll assume I'm a fan."
"Batman?"
"They'll think I'm WayneTech support."
"Cyborg?"
"They'll think I'm repairing his software."
The room dissolved into laughter.
Barry suddenly had an idea.
He pulled out his phone.
"I'm making a new anonymous forum account."
Kael looked suspicious.
"...Barry."
"I'm posting..."
He typed furiously.
'Guys, I met HoloSpecter yesterday.'
The replies arrived instantly.
Fake.
Nice try.
Source: trust me bro.
Clearly edited.
Barry stared at the screen.
"I was rejected in twelve seconds."
Kael smiled.
"The internet has standards."
Batman entered the room just in time to hear the laughter.
"What happened?"
Nightwing answered with a grin.
"Barry tried convincing the internet he met HoloSpecter."
Batman nodded once.
"They were correct not to believe him."
Even Batman's mouth twitched into the faintest hint of a smile.
The room fell silent for a beat.
Then everyone burst into laughter again.
Kael simply leaned back in his chair, content to let the mystery live on. Fame had never interested him. Knowing the people he cared about understood who he really was was more than enough.