The Mercy Protocol
Summary: Deciding that to take revenge on the Team, the Light initiate the Mercy Protocol - Incapacitating the Team, while forcing them live in their world of their heart's desire fulfilled. There will be distrust, betrayal, heartache.
The old will fall, the new will rise. And The Light wins all. Post-Invasion, but not Apokolips.
A/N: This is inspired a bit by the Judas Contract storyline from the old 'New Teen Titans' comics (yes, juxtapositions), and A LOT from the Justice League episode 'The Man who Had Everything.' It takes place Post-Invasion (season 2) of YJ, so … no Wally (…for now), but I won't be doing any Apokolips storyline, which is what season 3 would have covered (…for now). If you feel a dying need for an Apokolips storyline, maybe you can consider this some kind of buffer in between Post-Invasion and that, yeah?
Okay, storytime. Enjoy!
Undisclosed Location
3 July 2016, 23:00 UTC
"As planned, the Warworld has been successful in convincing the Apokolitipan Lord Darkseid to grant us audience, and undoubtedly further negotiation would be fruitful," L-1 spoke, his thickly-accented voice echoing against in the empty hall. "While there have been some...minor setbacks, all in all, everything is proceeding as planned."
"Minor setback?" L-6 put in with no small out irritation, if not a bit of worry. "Our alliance with the Reach ended badly and we were unable to retrieved the technology that we would need for our next phase. And because of the interference of those children, as of now of ours are either out of commission or incarcerated."
"While this is indeed regrettable, the main objectives have been fulfilled, " L-3 remarked evenly, though this was unremarkable, considering things went well on his end.
"Nonetheless, I do agree with Queen Bee," a feminine voice and figure took over the usual place of L-2. "Even five years ago, this Team has been a disruptor in my father's plans, and I believe it would advantageous to take them down." Her eyes hardened. "They will pay for they did to him."
"Purrr-leaseee! Your old man will be up and running when you dump him in the pit again," the ever scornful, just slightly bored voice of L-7 rang out. "Besides, it was kinda that Black Beetle's fault anyways. No biggie." Across the panels, the stand-in for L-2 glared at him, but only he responded with his usual evil grin.
"Klarion." The tone was quiet, but sharp. The witch-boy just rolled his eyes, but he did shut up, returning to stroke the orange cat rests in his arms.
"...I believe now would be good time to implement the Mercy Protocol," L-3 suggested.
There was a silence so thick one could almost cut it. The stand in for L-2 spoke first. "I'm afraid that I am unfamiliar with this ... protocol."
"Quite understandably, Mistress Al Ghul. It's a pet project mine that has been shelved for some time, so it is unlikely your father would have ever mentioned it to you," L-3 explained, his manner still cordial and calm. "Initially, the protocol had been designed to incapacitate and control the League. It was eventually discarded, in favor of the much simpler plan we had in 2010. Recently however, I have restarted work on it again, just adapting it to a newer target."
"Geez, another science-y project? Booooooring!" L-7 scoffed. Running his hand, down the back of his cat, which seemed to purr in agreement with him, he continued in his usual whiny fashion, "We'd be better off with my own project. It has so much more ... style, pain," –a glint lit up in his eyes, "chaos."
"Undoubtedly it would," L-1 interjected, "but Deathstroke was in charge of that project, and with him taken by the League, we cannot put into play." L-7 pouted, but L-1's reasoning was very sound, so he just sulked in his little corner, muttering inaudibly to his tabby.
L-3 was quick to follow up here. "So, I assume that I should make preparations, then?"
"Better than that, Luthor," L-1 told him, a grim yet sinister smile formed on his scarred lips. "I want you implement immediately. It is time we make the Team see the Light."
Dakota City
12 July 2016, 20:30 CDT
"Artemis? You've been rather quiet. You okay?"
The blonde girl jerked back to reality, where her wineglass in her hand had warmed, yet her fingers twined around it still felt cold. Focusing her on her thoughts, she tried pull herself together.
"I'm fine, M'gann. Spaced out for a while, I guess," the usual dry voice in her mind replied, while she glanced around, trying to remember where she was. Blinking, she observed the crowds of people, all dressed in formal attire, gathered around tables of food.
Ah, yes. The wedding reception. Now it came back to her.
Lifting her glass, she brought it to her lips, allowing the lukewarm beverage to run down her throat as she allowed herself to drink in the atmosphere.
Even though this was a private reception, it still appeared as it the humongous ballroom wasn't big enough everyone in, but the lack of space didn't bother many. In fact, many took the opportunity to bond together. She noticed the younger kids, many whose names she had yet to learn, were currently engrossed in playing pranks on each other. One of the boys -the 'mini Black Lightning', - had fallen asleep on the table, and Garfield and Bart were carefully adding cookies -stolen from kitchen, no doubt,- on the growing pile on his back of his head. Connor, who had somehow been thrown in with them, could only sigh as he watched them giggling and whispering between themselves.
Somewhere not to far, the three John's of the League; Stewart, Jones and Smith, were seated together. Red Tornado had downloaded his consciousness into his human-looking counterpart for this event, perhaps keen on learning for about human customs. Not far away, Barry Allen had taken the opportunity to tell some other civilian-dressed Leaguers the most embarrassing stories about Hal Jordan, while the victim himself was busy burying his face in his arms. The manner Barry spoke in was so animated and cheerful, that only the sharpest would have noted the pained look in his eyes.
It hurt Artemis to watch him any longer, so she allowed her gaze to settle on the other end of room, Super - Clark Kent was in deep conversation with King Orin. The Atlantean King was garbed in his traditional Atlantean attire, as were L'gann and Kaldur, though former had been to wear a holographic image projector like Gar had, which displeased him.
Swinging her head to the side, she saw where all the bridesmaids had gathered- all gowned in elegant pastel coloured dresses, as not to outshine the bride.
Bridesmaid. She gazed down at the tight, beige dress she was wearing. Of course, she was one too. Why wasn't she over there then? With Barbara, and Zee, and all the other girls-
"Artemis."
It was M'gann, this time in physical form instead of just mental. She had taken on her usual 'Megan' look, donning the same bridesmaid gown. Even though she hadn't been there for the fitting, being undercover and all that, they had managed to piece together a dress for her anyway, with the help of Zee's magic, Barbara's ingenuity and Karen's amazing sewing skills.
M'gann watched her closely for a moment, before sending a mental message. "Do you want to talk?"
Her presence in Artemis' mind was actually comforting. While the five years on earth had in a way hardened the old naïvete, the Martian still had such great compassion for others, especially her friend, that it could not avoid warming her heart.
"Not now. It is a party, after all." Artemis tried to smile, but failed. She dropped the empty glass back on the table, which would have rolled off if M'gann hadn't it back upright. With that done, she placed her own hand over Artemis, giving her a gentle squeeze. No words, mental or verbal, but it was spoke volumes.
They just stood in a while like that, without saying anything, pretty much oblivious to the clamour in the rest of the
room.
"Oh, hello Megan! I almost forgot!" M'gann suddenly threw in outloud, slapping her forehead the way she used to. Artemis smiled despite herself. M'gann was a such good friend.
"Raquel wants to introduce you to her fianc- husband! Her husband!" She corrected herself, -rather over-dramatically it seemed, probably trying to tease a laugh out her friend too. "You guys haven't met, after all."
"Well, I don't have much else to do," Artemis commented, good-humouredly pushing herself to her feet. Before following M'gann to the wedding stage, she picked a box that she had brought placed on the table earlier.
Raquel was there in her beautiful, tailored-made, pearl studded silk gown, courtesy of her husband, but even in such a graceful, feminine gown couldn't take out the spunk of her.
"Artemis!" The woman, gown and all, flung herself on the blonde girl, wrapping her in tight embrace. To her credit, Artemis didn't squirm, but instead return the hug warmly.
As they separated, Artemis said, "Well, how does it feel to be the first of us to get married?"
"Old, but I'll get over it," Raquel proclaimed, feigning a martyred expression though her eyes dancing humorously. The three of them burst into laughter, though Artemis did feel a jab of sadness. She would have probably been the second...
She pushed the thought aside quickly, hoping M'gann hadn't picked it up by accident. "So, am I going to meet the mysterious Mr Raquel Erwin?"
"That is definitely how it should be," Raquel agreed, nodding her head approvingly. Turning for a moment, she called the tall dark man behind her, who was engaged conversation to Jefferson Pierce. "Micheal, got as a sec, hun'?"
'Mr. Raquel Erwin' politely excused himself, before joining his wife's side. Linking arms with him, Raquel gestured at Artemis. "Micheal, this is Artemis, one of closest friends. Artemis, my husband Micheal."
"Nice to meet you at last," he spoke first, leaning out a large, steady hand at her. Artemis took it, returning the greeting in kind.
She had heard about him from the others; Micheal Holt, owner of CyberTech Industries, athlete, scientist, doctor, all-wrapped in one. Very good-looking, too.
"Raquel's one lucky woman, Mr. Holt," she told him, having to raise her voice slightly against the competing noise.
He looked rather amused by her comment. "Well, I consider myself the lucky one. And please, just Micheal would do."
"Flattering isn't going to get you credit, hun," Raquel interrupted, a wicked glint in her eye as wound his arm more tightly around his. Micheal Holt only returned a small mocking small, not unlike his wife's, as both of them gazed into deeply into each other's eyes.
"Ahem!" Artemis cleared her throat awkwardly before they had a chance to kiss, or anything. It felt so wrong, being on the receiving end. Waving her thoughts away, she told them, "I got you guys wedding present or sorts."
Holding out the box toward them, she opened it to reveal small wooden chest, with lacquered images onto it.
"I found this while digging through my mum's old stuff. The twin cranes on it are supposed to symbolize longevity, kind of that both of you would live long, happy lives."
"Girl, now you're really making me sound old," complained Raquel jokingly, as she took the wooden chest to admire it.
"Live with it," Artemis just answered wryly. On a more serious note, she said, "It's probably not worth a lot, but I wanted to give something meaningful, and after missing your bridal shower..."
Raquel cut her short. "Artemis, it's perfect. Thank you."
Her voice was thick with sincerity, and perhaps... sympathy?
The conversation broke off for a moment when an squeal came from Cassie, and the bridesmaids quickly shushed her, with mysterious smirks all over their faces.
"Well, I guess the other girls want crash you now. Some crazy performance, I think," Artemis remarked, nodding at the table of excited bridesmaids.
"Oh yes!" ejaculated M'gann, clapping her hands together. "The duet!" With that said, she tore back to bridesmaid table.
"Duet?" The newly weds repeated simultaneously, puzzled. Artemis gave a small knowing chortle, fully aware of her embarrassment in store for the happy couple.
"I should wish you guys good luck, but ...nah." She shot them one last smirk, before heading off the stage. Instead of stopping at the bridesmaids' table, she made a beeline for the exit, ignoring the questioning looks she got from M'gann.
Only when she finally burst out of the ballroom did she permitted the tears to flow.
Raquel and Micheal had all the luck they could ever need. More they would ever know.
Palo Alto
13 July 2016, 00:24 PDT
"Please tell me you got that all on record."
"Every single bit of it. I even have Icon's reaction, and let me tell you it is epic."
"He had a reaction? That guy's as stiff as Batman. You sure?"
"Well, out of tune singing can sometimes work wonders, let me tell you-"
The communicators were all still up, just for tonight, because everyone didn't want to stop talking even after the wedding, especially the bridesmaids. M'gann didn't really contribute the whole conversation with the other girls, but she did listen on intently. She wondered if Artemis still had hers on.
Well, given how she disappeared earlier that night that would be unlikely.
Just as the wedding ended (if that was possible), M'gann had sent out a few calls, by commlink and phone, but Artemis wasn't picking up. Not that M'gann blamed her or anything; if she had learnt anything from her experiences from Gar, it was that loss was a difficult wound to close, but sometimes a friend could help.
That reminded her; she wondered how he was doing in the Watchtower. He had been complaining that he was getting acrophobia from staying on the watchtower - if that was possible for a boy who could transform into any bird he thought of. Still, she had promised him that they'd get their own place soon, probably near Uncle J'onn's, or perhaps in somewhere in Ivy Town. She made a mental note of checking out the apartments later.
As she strolled pass houses of the university town, so caught up was she in her own thoughts and the chatter of her friends that she almost didn't notice when she walked right into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She immediately apologized to the woman she had crashed in, even laughing slightly at her own carelessness. The woman, who was dressed in a black waistcoat with her brown hair falling over it, just stared at her, unfazed and emotionless. Without saying a word, she zipped past M'gann, as if the entire incident hadn't taken place at all. M'gann couldn't deny that she felt rather annoyed by that, but since no harm was done, she just straightened out her own coat and headed on.
She finally arrived at the right road. Taking another turn, she found herself at small, double decked house. Remembering that Wall- Artemis's place was upstairs, she climbed the stairs up to apartment, stopping at the door. From the windows, she noted that houselights were still on, so she just knocked on the door.
"Artemis? It's M'gann," she called out. "I wanted to see if you're okay."
Hearing no reply, she tried the door. Both the screen and the door were unlocked, so she just entered, knowing that Artemis wouldn't mind that much.
The place was almost bare, save some furniture and a couple of boxes, full of various object, leaning against the walll. After Wally passed, Artemis had said there wasn't much point renting the place anymore. Brucely was nowhere in sight of course, since Artemis had dropped him off at the West's home a week ago as she packed up the place. As the cold emptiness swept around M'gann, she felt a pang of guilt. Was it right that they were celebrating when here, one of their friends, was still suffering so?
"Artemis?" She called again, but once more only silence greeted her. Making her way to the dining area, she found Artemis, keeled over at the table, her head down with her hair all over the place - from exhaustion, M'gann hoped, rather than despair. Then, she spotted a bottle of wine standing a few inches from her head, with a glass next to it. Shaking her head sadly, she headed to the table, sliding herself into the chair beside her friend. She could hear Artemis shallow breathing and was glad. There was a saying that sleep was the best cure for grief after all.
Stroking her friend's blonde hair back, M'gann caught a glimpse of her friend's face, and then she froze.
Pulling back more hair before gently turning Artemis's head, M'gann incredulity only doubled, as did her alarm.
Artemis' eyes were open, and she was smiling.
It wasn't the creepy wide grin from Joker gas, oh no. It was a small smile, full of joy and contentment.
M'gann never felt so disturbed in her life. She held Artemis by the shoulders, shaking her firmly. "Artemis! Artemis!"
But the girl just stayed in her limp form, the smile still stuck on her face. M'gann tried to telepathy instead. "Artemis? Can you hear me?"
Again, no reply. In a matter of fact, M'gann could not even feel Artemis' presence. The Martian girl considered delving deeper into Artemis subconscious, perhaps to see if she could shock the girl awake. Then, her eyes feel on the wine bottle and the glass.
Picking up the glass, she stared at it suspiciously. Could it be that –
BBBOOOOOOOMMMMMM!
Suddenly the entire was place was shaken as M'gann found herself thrown across the kitchen. Shaking her head, she tried to clear the spots in vision. The cold, empty apartment that she had entered had suddenly transformed into an inferno, blazing flames eating up the living room, and spreading to the kitchen. Artemis had been thrown back with her, but she was still oblivious to it all, that smile still plastered from cheek to cheek. M'gann coughed, weakly trying to adapt her lungs to block out the smoke, but with so much fire around it was difficult. Mustering all the strength she could, she lifted the debris off herself, shoving it aside. She felt a slight pain on her left hand, and she glanced down at it. During the explosion, she had still been holding the glass cup. Maybe she had squeezed in shock, because all she had in her hands was a few glass fragments, staining with her own blood. It wasn't often that she bled, but she was in her human form at that time, and being engulfed in flames didn't really allow her to adapt quickly enough.
Still holding onto one of the fragment, she moved to quickly to removed the debris on her friend. She could feel sweat trickling down her forehead, and her vision was blurring, but she still worked determinedly, finally freeing her friend. Doing a brief mental scan, she was glad that whoever rented the lower level of the apartment was not home at the moment, because she was certain she couldn't make a second rescue.
Picking up the almost-lifeless body, she crashed through the apartment wall, throwing both her and Artemis out of the apartment onto the road. Had she more strength, she would move them both onto the pavement instead, but somehow she felt to tired, to weak to do anything. Lying next to the smiling, comatose Artemis, her fist tightened around the glass shard in her hand, while the other, trembling, went to her ear, pressing the button on her communicator.
"W-watchtower," she forced out a whisper, trying to focus. "Ex-explosion…Artemis…n-n-neeedd…help. Please…help."
Her arm fell back against the gravel of the road, she turned her head slightly to watch the blazing house dissolve into a blur of orange. She couldn't fight the drowsiness, the pain. Vaguely, she could hear voices in her ear, but for some reason, her brain couldn't understand it.
Eventually, she succumbed, and the world turned into black.
A/N: There isn't any info on who Raquel's husband, so I chose Micheal Holt, who is Mr. Terrific II. If you don't, he supposed to be this like the third smartest in the dc universe. Is he a hero in this story? Maybe, maybe not.
Anyway, the 'heart desires' will start appearing in the next chapter, so stay tuned. By the way, if you guys have any ideas what various team member's heart desires are, you can review it or pm me (pm preferred, though). I have some ideas planned out, but I'm open to suggestions.
Review if you like it, Critque if you don't!