Afterlight
Chapter One
"Hallo, Rabbit," he said, "is that you?"
"Let's pretend it isn't," said Rabbit, "and see what happens."
― A.A. Milne
November 24, 2015
At five in the morning, my eyes flashed open and I rolled out of bed. Like every morning, I pulled on a pair of loose pants and tank top and began to run through my warm-up routine. It involved a series of moves that slowly become more difficult as I moved through the routine. I breathed deep, feeling my core burn as I held my position.
The heavy metal filtering through the wall told me that my coworker had finally gotten up, an hour later as usual. If she wasn't careful about it, she would regret waking up after the specified time. Our teachers did not appreciate a break in the carefully crafted routines. It was amusing how they taught flexibility but were rigid with the handling of the apprentices' lives.
Finished with my routine, I stood and walked over to my closet. As a senior apprentice, I had been given a uniform in preparation for my final tests. Mine was a black military coat with a skirted bottom and black pants. As usual, Kevlar covered everything and black boots were worn. I pulled on my gloves, making sure that they worked properly. I patted the pockets of my coat, feeling the various tools I keep in there. Unlike the utility belt I had used when I was As-
I squeezed my eyes shut as I thought of who I had previously been. Thinking about my time with Batman and the Team led to doubts about my loyalty to the League of Assassins. I couldn't afford to have those, not this close to becoming a full-fledged assassin. Besides, I didn't know them anymore.
The mask was cool against my hand as I carried it to the dresser. I stared into the mirror, facing the thing that I was. Dead eyes stared back at me: two shattered orbs that were the color of gold, a sign of what I had gone through. Well, the most obvious sign.
My hair had grown into a wild, curly mess that fell to my waist, all of which was pulled into a pony tail. I placed the mask onto my face, tying it with black ribbons. I traced my finger around the edges, leaving a line of light that crystalized and sealed the mask to my face. The skull-shaped mask made me look more terrifying than I actually was.
Tearing my eyes away from the mirror took a lot of strength, but I managed. I stepped into the hallway, joining the throngs of apprentices rushing to their classes. They cleared out of my way as I walked, falling quiet and not daring to meet my eyes. I grinned jaggedly at one poor soul, making him back up until he hit the wall. I was the apprentice of one of the highest authorities in this hell hole, and they knew it.
Once I walked out of the dorms, the crowds cleared. I enjoyed the bright sunlight rippling across the square as I walked to the cafeteria. I quietly accepted the carefully tailored food and made my way to an empty table. My bouncy neighbor took the seat across from me.
"Hey, Little Miss Sunshine," I glared at the purple haired girl, "What's up with the mask?"
I slid the mask off my face, "I have the test today."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?" She hissed, "Come on! I would have betted on today instead of next week!"
"There's a betting pool on when I'm going to be tested?" I rolled my eyes, "Great. How many people have betted on my failing no matter when?"
"Only the people who hate you, so all of them," She shrugged, "Please pass! I need to get some money out of this!"
"It's illegal!" I kept my voice low, "You know the rules: any people caught gambling will be severely punished. Kate, you're going to get yourself sent on a suicidal mission for your test."
"So what? It's not like I'll actually pass. Everyone knows that the only thing I can do here is yoga and crocheting," She sighed, "I'm going to die eventually."
I looked at the hopeless girl who had no chance of survival. While she was very smart, she didn't have the ability to kill, fight, or anything that was useful to the League. Kate had been the older of two siblings. Her mother had been in debt to the League and had been unable to pay it. The League had wanted to take the younger sibling as payment, but Kate had volunteered instead. A noble, stupid sacrifice.
"Kate, there's a chance that you'll be okay," I insisted as the girl wiped at her eyes.
Her eyes flashed, "Says the girl who can hold her own against every apprentice here! You can't tell me it will be alright!"
She stopped as her mind caught up to her, "I-I'm sorry. I've got to get to class."
I dropped my spoon into the bowl and carried it to the drop-off area. My class didn't start for another hour, but I didn't want to be here anymore. I placed my mask back onto my face and began the journey across the campus.
The training facility I was in spanned a few hundred acres, most of which was farmland. At the heart of the farmland was a sprawling campus of old stone buildings that served the assassins-in-training living there. Trainers were brought in from around the world, most having been trained by the League of Assassins themselves.
One of the trainers was leading a class as I walked across a courtyard. The twenty apprentices were clearly beginners, if their poor forms were anything to go by. The trainer was in their faces about their mistakes. He caught sight of me and flagged me down.
"Talia's al Ghul's apprentice," A murmur rippled through the crowd, "Would you mind demonstrating form fifteen?"
"Yes, sir," I dropped into the stance, in perfect form. He nodded his approval and began to use me as a model for the apprentices.
Ten minutes later, he released me with a nodded thanks. I hurried through the halls, aware of the fact that I only had five minutes left before my class. I would make it, but just barely. I kept my pace at a careful walk to follow the rules and slid through the crowds.
Five seconds before class started, I slid into the room and closed the door behind me. The room was empty of people besides the woman sitting in the center of the room. I removed my boots and stepped onto the mat. After looking at her meditative pose, I sat down and took the same pose.
Five minutes later, Talia spoke, "You were almost late."
"I had five seconds. One of the trainers wanted me to demonstrate a pose, and I couldn't refuse," I explained, focusing on my breathing.
"I see. How do you feel about your final test?" She continued.
"I'm ready. I will join the master's army," My voice was firm, "Nothing will stop me."
"Very good," Her voice hummed with rare approval, "When I took you on as my apprentice, you were lost and confused. Many thought that you couldn't be saved, but I believed that you could. Look at you now, my apprentice, you have come so far."
"Thank you, that means a lot," I kept my voice low, "You have trained me well."
"Yes," I heard the whisper of air that told me she had stood. I knew better than to stand before she told me to.
My arm snapped out to intercept her punch. I looked up, grinning wildly. Training had begun. She continued to attack while I was on the ground. I grew tired of blocking blows and snapped out a hand, a golden whip snaking around her feet and pulling her off her feet. I rolled backwards and onto my feet, swords already in my hands.
Talia pulled out her sword and darted in with a wide array of attacks. I easily blocked them, having learned her style years ago. I began to go on the offensive, moves easy and controlled. Talia knocked one of my swords away and blocked the other one. We were locked together, hilt to hilt.
"Really? I thought we worked this out already?" Talia kicked me in the stomach, throwing me backwards. I fell into a handspring, my sword dissolving away.
We continued to exchange blows. Talia grabbed my arm when I tried to punch her and twisted it behind my back. Before she could force me to my knees, I sent a ripple of spikes across my arm, making her let go with a hiss. Talia nodded with approval.
"Excellent," I ignored her and kicked her in the side.
She grabbed my leg and threw me to the ground. I rolled away, leaving a trail of spikes in my wake. They hardened into something that would have to be pried up later by the cleaning crew. Talia dance around them and continued to attack. We continued to attack each other for several more minutes before Talia managed to pin me to the floor.
"I am disappointed in-" I sent a sheet of light surging upwards.
She was thrown backwards by the surge of power, and I took advantage of that. I swept a leg behind her knees, toppling her. Her arms were pinned to the ground first with heavy gold manacles, and then her legs. I continued until she was cocooned, but left her head exposed.
"Disappointed?" I asked, smirking slightly at the rare win.
"No," She sighed, "I yield. Let me out."
I waved a hand at the structure and watched it dissolve. She rolled to her feet and stretched, joints cracking and popping. The look of approval on her face told me that this session had gone well. Talia walked over to the only table in the room and opened the folder laying on it.
"As you know, an apprentice assassin can only become a member of the League through intense training that takes place over years. Even if they complete all of that, they must complete a mission at the end of their training in order to be approved. This mission always involves an assassination," Talia slid the folder to me, "Here is yours."
I looked at the papers, "This is really simple. I thought these were supposed to be hard."
"Hush, child. You know better than that," I looked down in shame, "It would be simple, except for the Justice League and their little brats. Nightwing and his team are guarding him. They rotate shifts so that one person is with him, and one is outside."
"Nighwing?" I burst out. A faint memory drifted just out of reach. I shook it away and focused.
Talia al Ghul looked at me curiously, "Yes, Nightwing. Perhaps I should clarify the meaning of the test. Not only does it prove your skills, but it proves your loyalty as well. If you mess this up, I will make sure you are put to death no matter what my father says."
"I understand," I nodded, "What exactly is this?"
"Gabriel Maurice is a prospective buyer of a small company that went bankrupt. The company made groundbreaking research in the field of genetics. We cannot allow him to get that information. Maurice is a known supporter of the Justice League, which is pushing him to purchase this company. If you fail, do not bother returning for your execution," Talia finished.
"Yes, mentor. When do I leave?" I asked obediently.
"A helicopter will be lifting off this base in an hour. First, go to the armory. Your weapon is ready," I brightened considerably, "Gustavo has outdone himself."
I stood and saluted, "Thank you. I will not fail."
I bounced out of the room and headed for the armory. Apprentices weren't allowed personal weapons, but senior apprentices were given their weapons at the start of the test. Gustavo had spent months working on my weapon. Apparently, he had developed an idea involving my weapon and my powers.
I entered the armory and searched for the man. He was at the very back of the armory, messing with the wiring in a mini EMP emitter. I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He screamed and whirled around, brandishing his wire cutters like a knife. The heavily muscled man glared at me, "I should write you up for that."
"You wouldn't write up your favorite apprentice," I pressed a hand to my chest and acted hurt.
"Don't underestimate me, Lightbulb," I rolled my eyes at the nickname, "Be happy I hate filling out paperwork."
"Trust me, I am. My mistress said that my weapon was ready," I informed him.
Gustavo raised an eyebrow, "She did? No, no weapon here."
"Fine, I guess I'll go," I turned around.
"Wait, Lightbulb! You'll need this!" Gustavo rummaged around and pulled out a box.
I caught the box and lifted the lid. A smile worked its way across my face as I hurried to the table and set the box down. Two beautiful swords sat inside. The hilts looked like they were made of the glass, and the metal blades were a light silver. I cautiously picked one up and gasped. I could feel the sword pulling light from me. The feeling ended after a few seconds, after which the hilt was filled with golden light. Happy, I picked the other one up.
"These are amazing," I tested the weight and balance, "You've outdone yourself."
"Anything for my favorite," He smiled, "Now go and complete your test."
"Thank you!" I accepted the back sheaths and snapped them on, "I'll see you soon."
"Hey, what name have you been given?" He asked as I walked away. I smiled softly as I remembered the naming ceremony.
The name fell of my tongue easily, "Oblivion."
"Excellent!" He cackled.
The helicopter landed on the helicopter pad at noon. I stepped out and was met by a pair of businesspeople who ushered me inside the League of Assassins branch. They shoved me into a dressing room with a garment bag and a suitcase. I pulled on the pencil skirt and white blouse, followed by black heels. My uniform was shoved into the suitcase. I wrestled my ponytail into a tight bun and stepped out of the room.
"Oblivion, here is your identification and GPS. You are Sasha Ronaldo, a journalist attending the auction. Your room is three floors below his penthouse and directly below the balcony," The blonde woman shoved the papers at me, "Here is your reservation for the Grand Bludhaven Palace. Your car is waiting outside."
She led me through the hallways, still talking, "Once you assassinate your target, you are to return to your room and change into your Sasha Ronaldo persona. Then, you must rush out of the hotel, talking about something that came up that required you to leave immediately. Return to this building and make sure you are not followed. If you are followed, you will be punished. Severely."
She handed me the keys as we reached the parking garage, "Spot twenty three. Try not to scratch it."
She left me to find the car. I quickly spotted it, a black Prius. I unlocked it and tossed the suitcase and reservation inside. The GPS was placed on the windshield, while the ID and license was tucked into my purse. I started the car and pulled out of the parking space, giggling at the quiet hum of the small car.
I tapped at the GPS until it found my destination. The automated voice filled the otherwise silent car. Uneasy, I turned on the radio. The heavy electric sounds of a new pop song set me on edge, so I punched the volume button and settled for quiet.
The GPS eventual got me to my destination, after several announcements that it was "recalculating" or for me to "make a U-turn when possible." I slammed the poor car into park and pulled the parking break up, glaring as I entered the hotel.
"Welcome to the Grand Bludhaven Palace," A hotel worker chirped, "Do you have a reservation."
"Yes," I offered the printout of the reservation and my ID, "Sasha Ronaldo."
"Just give me one second," She typed something into the computer, "Everything is in order. You have a single room on the twentieth floor. Here is your key card and a ticket to use the luggage cart."
"Oh no cart, please," I waved the ticket away, "I only have one little suitcase. A reporter has to travel light, you know? We never know when a breaking story will require us to leave."
I accepted the offered key card and walked back to my car. A worker directed me to the parking lot where I parked my car and pulled my suitcase out of the trunk. I took everything that could connect the car to the League of Assassins with me.
Once inside the hotel, I took note of the placement of the cameras and security. Two security guards in civilian clothing sat in the lobby. There were few blind spots for the camera, but it would be easy to avoid them. The elevator only had one camera, and I noticed that the penthouse required a keycard, but that would be easy to solve if I decided to come up this way.
The elevator dinged as it opened. I stepped out and to the side to avoid a young man. He apologized as he knocked my purse to the floor. I quickly gathered it into my hands and waved his apologies off, "It's okay. You obviously have an important place to go to."
"Yeah, I have to meet a friend at the diner down the street-" He made a choked sound.
I looked up from where I had been examining my purse. The man was staring at me with a surprised expression. I stifled my own surprise, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, I'm sorry. You just reminded me of someone I knew. You couldn't be her though, she's dead," Superboy rubbed his neck.
"Oh, I didn't mean to remind you of her," I blushed. Of course they were here, my mentor had warned me that they would.
"No, it's okay," He insisted. He continued to stare at me for several seconds. I met his with a carefully arranged, confused expression.
"Well, I have to go. Jet lag is a pain," I backed away, breaking the stare.
"Hey, have you ever been to Gotham City?" Superboy called, so, he had recognized me.
I shrugged, "No, why would I ever want to go to that dump?"
I turned before he could answer and walked down the hall. I slid my key card into the slot on the door and pushed the door open. Once inside, I shoved my suitcase against the door and sank to my knees. My heart was pounding at a frightening rhythm. Seeing Superboy had surprised me, but that wasn't what had caused my current state.
He had said I was dead, but they knew I wasn't dead. Ra's al Ghul had sworn that he wouldn't fake my death. I was still alive, wasn't I?
Author's Note: And so it begins…