So, I really felt the need to redo "How to Cage a Songbird" since looking back at the plot, I was not impressed with myself but still loved the character. After watching the first few episodes again of Young Justice I felt the urge to redo it. Let me know what you think.
Her foot tapped on the elevator floor with each ding the elevator made as she glanced around the small metallic box as she waited for her stop to arrive. When the elevator doors opened, the young woman wasted no time going through the doorway and down a narrow hall. The hallway was bare, with the exception of one black door at towards the end. Using a large gold key, she entered into the room.
A meow could be heard as she perked up her ears before a sharp and shrill voice followed. "My songbird, come to me." The Songbird removed her boots before walking down the small hallway into the lavishly furnished living room. On the dark couch sat a boy in a form fitting suit, with a high collar and black tie. He was lanky, with dark hair and horns. Klarion, the Witch Boy, and also a member of the Light.
He smirked at the girl standing in front of him while making a 'gimme gimme' motion. Moving her hand into an inside pocket, she pulled out a usb drive. Placing it into his hand, Klarion grinned before putting into his own pocket. "Good, my Songbird." He praised before patting the seat on his one side as she sat down and shrugged off her leather jacket. On one of arms had some bruising and scratches but nothing serious. Klarion immediately laid down with his head on her lap as he pulled down one hand to rest in his hair. The Songbird knew this ritual very well.
Klarion would lay on her lap and get her to stroke hair as he complained about any or everything, when he tired of speaking Klarion would order The Songbird to sing. Sometimes there would be other commands but for Songbird, she was content doing this- after all it was the only life she knew since she was given to the light and Klarion had taken a shining. Since then, she was his pet- or rather second pet after Teekl.
Stroking his hair, Songbird listened to Klarion and responding in the way she knew was suited to keep Klarion happy. Looking down at Klarion, he squinted at Songbird. "You know I hate it when your hair is up, put It down." Songbird used her free hand to remove the hair elastic and allowed her hair free.
Klarion was her master and Songbird knew nothing but to oblige. Fingers stroked his hair as Teekl laid on Klarion's abdomen. If someone had seen this, they would think it an endearing couple but it was far from it. Songbird continued stroking as Klarion's attention drew from her towards the cat Teekl as they carried a conversation between the two as she let herself relax and basically become another piece of the furniture. Perhaps Klarion would be away for a while and Songbird would have time to herself in the apartment to relax and train.
Black Canary was with the other members of the Justice League as she saw the screen. If she wasn't there to witness the camera footage then Black Canary wouldn't have believed it. On screen was a younger version of herself battling through the crowd of security, using her canary cry and taking valuable information from the scientists of Star Labs.
She could feel the sympathetic look of Superman as she processed the information. There was a clone of her – albeit younger. The girl in the video matched what Canary looked like as a teen but with her hair pulled up and a different set of clothes, if she didn't know any better it would look like Black Canary went rogue. The other league members- mainly Batman were discussing their course of action, at least this wasn't broadcasted on the news. Black Canary did not enjoy the thought of dealing with that bad press. Green Arrow placed a hand on her shoulder as he gave her a soft reassuring smile.
Canary finally spoke up. "We need to find this girl and help her. See if she is with Cadmus and how she came to be." Her voice was firm and solid but her heart was racing. "Then we train her to refine the skills she has." The other members seemed to agree as Batman decided he would attempt to track the girl and see where she ended up or where she may be next. "But until we find her, no one is to breathe a word of this to anyone."
Songbird was waiting patiently in the living room, as Klarion busied himself in one of the separate rooms. She knew that it was something to do with The Light, curiosity struck her as she laid her head against the wall that adjoined the room Klarion was in. She could hear the name of Abra Kadabra as well as Klarion reciting some of the information that Songbird knew was the information on the flash drive. The sound of shuffling pulled Songbird from the wall to make her attention be drawn elsewhere.
Songbird let her fingers wander in her hair and loosely braided small pieces of her hair as she stared blankly at the ground as Teekl first came into the room before Klarion as he glanced towards Songbird. "Time for fun, Teekl." Klarion walked over to Songbird as he pulled her chin up to look him straight in the eye. "Remember, I'm always watching my Songbird so don't do anything stupid." She nodded as Klarion smiled before letting go of her chin.
"Come Teekl." The cat whined in response before being scooped up by Klarion as he teleported away. Songbird waited for a few minutes in her spot before she felt free to walk around. Singing softly, Songbird put on her boots and jacket quickly before walking towards the bathroom. In it was a window that was two feet wide and about a foot and a half tall. Songbird climbed onto the edge of the tub to hoist herself into a position to climb out of the window. Songbird was aware of the risk, but she was also aware that the window was one of the few not monitored in the building- after all, it was a tight squeeze between the buildings and plenty of times she was scraped climbing onto the nearby windowsill until she could jump down to the fire escape.
Some days, Songbird would just sit there, others she may go to the roof or even sneak on the streets for a chance to feel free. Songbird climbed out of the window and jumped down towards the fire escape, the spare key in her pocket in the case that she may need to come in through the main doors. It was growing dark out as she climbed down the fire escape towards the pavement below. Songbird dropped to the ground before wrapping her jacket tighter around her body over the white tank top that covered her torso.
Walking down the street, Songbird made herself look small and blend in with any crowds that she was near. If any heroes caught her in the street, she would be in trouble and if Klarion found out… well Songbird did not want to think about this. Songbird wished she brought a warmer jacket, since there was just a constant shiver down her spine. Glancing around, Songbird slid into a familiar used bookstore. The warm building was doing little to sooth the shiver. Perhaps it was a warning of something. Grabbing a book off the shelf that seemed interesting enough, Songbird took the money she had taken from a crook during one of her tasks for Klarion. Exiting the shop, Songbird looked down to see a woman who looked similar to herself. Black Canary. Gulping, she walked quickly while tucking the book into an inner pocket of her jacket and ducked down to the nearest alley as she began to pick up her speed until she saw a man in a green suit with a blonde beard. Green arrow.
Shit. Panicking Songbird looked behind her only to see Black Canary blocking off the entrance to the streets. Behind Green Arrow was the fire exit, as she planned her next move. Turning to Green Arrow Songbird let the canary cry out as he was pushed back enough for Songbird to jump at the fire exit. Gripping onto the metal fire exit she felt her leg caught with rope as she gripped tightly to the metal. Glancing down, Songbird saw Green Arrow and Black Canary standing below her as she tugged at her leg.
Panic filled Songbird. She needed to return back to the apartment, it was safe there. She couldn't get into trouble if she returned before Klarion did. She let out a canary cry downwards only to have it stopped by Black Canary. They were going to take her away and then Klarion would be enraged she snuck out. Tears filled her eyes as she cried out. "Let me go, if he finds I left, I'- I'm dead." Songbird felt embarrassed and ashamed for how she was acting. In any other situations, she'd be cool headed but this one had the extra effect of her master wanting to kill her.
Canary seemed to be sympathetic as she cut the rope. "That isn't a way to live, when you want help… please contact us." She spoke as she waved Songbird away. "Wait, what's your name?"
Songbird looked down as she smiled. "Songbird is the only name I know." Moving up the fire escape, Songbird went from roof to roof until she could duck back to the fire escape close to the bathroom. Slipping in, Songbird sat in the bathtub as she let herself breathe and process the events.
The only thought that came into her mind was " The Justice League knows I exist."