January 5 19:07 Mt. Justice
Batman gathered the Team in front of the computer for a mission briefing. "The Team will be going after a new member of the League of Shadows. They go by the name Leech." Batman pulled up various images of people. They all looked different save a dark hooded sweatshirt, black leggings and boots and a pair of stunning green eyes. "He or she is always changing."
Wally raised his hand. He had found that though the Dark Knight never liked to be interrupted, he was less irate when Wally raised his hand and waited to talk, as opposed to him just blurting things out. Batman turned to the red head. "Yes, Wally."
"I know I run the risk of sounding like an idiot-"
"Like that's ever stopped you before," Robin teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
Wally ignored his friend and kept talking. "-but how do you mean he or she changes?"
"I mean that, much like the Martians, Leech has the ability to shift his appearance at will. Sometimes a man, sometimes a teenage girl, sometimes a young boy. The only thing that stays the same are the clothes and his eyes. We aren't even sure if he's really male, or a female trying very hard to hide from the League of Shadows and us who she really is."
"Oh." Was the speedster's only reply.
"Does he-or she-have any other powers we should know about?" Robin asked.
Batman nodded. "She has the ability to take your abilities. Superhuman or otherwise."
"You mean like Parasite," Conner stated in monotone.
"Almost. Leech doesn't need to keep touching you to have your powers or strengths. She touches you once, and that's all that she needs. It's permanent."
Artemis chimed in, "So he's more like that psycho robot, Amazo."
"Correct." Wally smiled and playfully nudged his girlfriend at this, silently congratulating her on her new found bat approval. Artemis blushed.
Batman pretended to ignore the couple's interactions and continued. "Leech has been breaking into various engineering labs and stealing blueprints, parts, computer chips. We believe that the Shadows are building something. What, we don't know. Your mission is to intercept Leech and subdue her. If you can't, then keep her from getting whatever it is she's trying to steal next. We've received intel that Leech is going to this lab tonight." Batman pulled up an image of Kord Enterprises. "You're dismissed." The young heroes left to suit up.
Once they were in the bio-ship, Kaldur divided them into groups. "Robin. You, Kid Flash and Rocket will search the lower levels of the Kord building. Superboy, Artemis and I will take the upper levels, and Zatanna and Miss Martian will keep watch outside." Everyone nodded, acknowledging their assignments.
"We're here," Miss Martian announced, cloaking the ship and lowering it to the ground. (Everybody online?) The team nodded again.
Rocket shook her head. (I'm still weirded out by the psychic link thing.)
Zatanna smiled and shrugged. (You get used to it.)
(I'm still not used to it,) Artemis offered. (No offence, M'gann.)
(None taken.) Miss M smiled.
(Team. Deploy.) Aqualad ordered, getting the girls' minds back on the mission. Everyone went to their assigned areas. Miss Martian went into camouflage mode and flew above the building while Zatanna made doppelgangers of herself and kept watch on the ground. Robin, Rocket and KF went to the door behind Kord Enterprises to get to the basement door.
(We'll start in the basement. Work our way up,) Robin explained.
(Do it.) Aqualad agreed.
Robin hacked into the security keypad on the door and opened it. (Dude. . .5432 . . . that is the worst passcode I've ever seen. I'm a little offended.) KF and Rocket rolled their eyes.
(Seriously? The lack of difficulty bothers you?) Rocket shook her head.
(It's like they want to be broken into!) Robin complained. Kid Flash shoved him through the door. (What?)
(Let's get this over with. The mission was not to critique the security system.) Kid reminded the boy wonder.
Rocket and the boys wandered around the basement. There were lots of boxes and machines and prototypes covered in sheets. She stopped and ran her finger over one of the old computers that was moved to the basement when it became obsolete. (Aside from being really dusty,) Rocket said. (There's really nothing down here. Should we just move on?)
Robin shook his head. (We have to be thorough.)
KF froze when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He reached over to tap Robin's shoulder. By tap, I mean slapping it like a girl does when she's scared or excited. (Rob! Robin did you see that?)
(See what?) Robin asked when suddenly a foot flew out of the darkness and knocked Robin over. Kid Flash laughed a little at this. Some punk snuck up on Robin. Wait until Batman found out. (That would be what I was talking about.) KF mocked.
(Thank you, Captain Obvious.) Robin grunted. (Now do you want to come help me? Or are you still gloating?) Robin was wrestling with Leech. He was trying to get on top, but the kid kept slipping out of his grasp and regaining control.
(Oh, I suppose.) Kid snickered. (Oh, by the way guys. We found Leech.) KF then ran into the fray to help his friend.
(Understood. We are on our way.) Aqualad replied.
(I'm coming you guys!) Miss Martian added. She flew in through the door Robin left unlock and over to help the boys. Seeing Kid Flash get kicked into a pile of boxes, and Robin put in a choke hold, Miss M levitated Leech off the ground. The kid's eyes glowed. (What?) Miss M gasped in shock. He raised his hand and Miss M went flying back. She then lowered herself slowly to the ground.
(Uh, guys,) Rocket thought. (You might want to get here sooner, rather than later. She's pretty good at the telekinesis.)
(Ow. . . . I'll say.) Miss Martian commented as she lifted fallen boxes off her body. She had never experienced a telekinetic so strong aside from her uncle J'onn and a few others on Mars. Rocket tried to contain Leech in one of her energy balls, but the boy easily broke it with his own power.
(Okay, update. Apparently this kid can use Rocket's power too.) Robin said as he threw an exploding bird-a-rang at Leech who caught it with her telekinesis and threw it back at him. (Oh crud.) Robin quickly dove behind a wall as the bird-a-rang exploded.
(How's this even possible? Leech has powers like Miss Martian and Rocket?) Superboy questioned the team in confusion.
(Seriously. She's never even met Rocket. And unless she somehow infiltrated the League, she shouldn't have Manhunter's power either.) Artemis added.
(And she is really good at fighting . . . like me . . .) Robin ducked a punch (or Bats.) He added. He was facing off with Leech. There was something so familiar about the way they fought. It wasn't that Leech had his skill. No, it was like she watched him fight. Knew how he moved. Not even Parasite had been this good. This took practice. Training. Robin somehow landed a good kick that threw Leech into the wall. She crumpled on the floor, dazed or unconscious, Robin couldn't tell. He saw a piece of long, black hair fall out of the hood that covered Leech's face. She turned her head slightly...Oh, yes. Leech was definitely a she. Robin watched as she stirred. He saw fear in her eyes. (Oh no.) Robin thought as Kid Flash ran at Leech.
(I got her.)
(KF, don't!) Robin said too late as his friend grabbed the girl off her feet by grabbing handfuls of her sweatshirt.
Leech appeared not to be one to be underestimated. She kicked her foot out hard, causing an agonized speedster to drop her. Once on her ground, Leech opened her mouth and let out a Canary Cry, throwing Wally into the wall behind him. She slid down along the wall she was standing in front of. By this time, Zatanna had been watching the whole thing. Standing with Rocket, both were unsure of how to get in the fight. Aqualad, Superboy and Artemis came in just as Kid Flash was throwing into a wall.
(WALLY!) Artemis yelled. She ran over to help her boyfriend. Superboy, on the other hand, walked over to Miss Martian who was standing by Robin.
He put a hand on her shoulder. (Are you alright, M'gann?)
(I'm fine, Conner. Don't worry.) Megan smiled.
Robin looked back to make sure KF got back up. Seeing Artemis slipping her arm under him, Robin knew he'd be fine. Then, he look to the girl sitting against the wall hugging herself. She was surrounded. From the looks of it, she was exhausted too. Leech knew that she couldn't fight the team. She was under their power. (Guys, give me a second, okay?)
(As you wish, my friend) Aqualad motioned for Robin to go try and talk to Leech.
Robin walked over to the girl, who shrank back from his outstretched hand whimpering in fear. "P-p-please don't hurt me."
Robin slowly knelt down next to the girl and held his hand out to her, an offer to help her up. "Hey," he smiled. "We're the good guys. You don't need to be scared of us." Robin told her reassuringly. "Do you know who I am?" He asked gently. She nodded. "Then you know that I don't let anything bad happen to kids. You can trust me." Leech slowly reached a hand hidden in her sleeve out to grab Robin's gloved hand. He held it and sat down next to her. "See?" He kept smiling. (Take it easy, guys. She's just a kid.) Robin warned.
(I feel a lot of fear coming off of her) Miss Martian told the team.
Superboy tilted his head. (Her hearts beating really fast.) The rest of the team slowly formed a half circle around Robin and Leech. The girl shrank back into the wall.
"It's okay," Robin soothed. "These are my friends. That's Superboy. I know he looks a little scary, but he's a good guy, promise. He has a pet wolf that he's super nice to. That's Rocket, she likes chocolate. That's Zatanna. She knows magic tricks."
(Robin. What are you doing?) Kid Flash questioned.
Robin didn't look back. (I'm trying to show her that you guys are just people. Now shush.) "This is Miss Martian and she makes the best cookies ever." Miss M smiled. "That's Aqualad. He swims really fast."
(Okay...but why?) Artemis asked.
Robin sighed. (Because she's like...ten years old and she's scared. She thinks we're going to hurt her.) "Artemis, the pretty blond one, likes to sing."
Artemis blushed. (I...how did you know?)
(I'm a bat. All knowing.) Robin smirked. (And I heard you singing in the shower at the Cave.) He was now sitting next to Leech with his back against the wall with hers, facing the team. "And the one in red in yellow? He's Kid Flash, my best friend. KF knows all kinds of things about science. Between you and me," Robin whispered in Leech's ear, "it's about the only thing he knows about." Leech smiled. "So see? They're all just people. It's okay."
"But...aren't you supposed to kill me?" Leech asked quietly.
Aqualad crouched down. "We do not kill people. We save them," he replied earnestly.
"But...but the people in the Shadows said-"
"They lied," Artemis cut Leech off. "Whatever they told you, it's a lie. We don't kill. We stop killers and all the other bad guys."
Leech looked at the archer. "What if they come after me...if I don't bring them what they want, they'll be mad."
Artemis got down on her knees. "They can't hurt you if you come with us."
Miss Martian leaned over Artemis' shoulder. "How old are you, Leech?"
"I'm ten," she said quietly.
The heroes exchanged looks. "Why are you with the Shadows?"
Leech looked down. "I...I didn't have anywhere else to go."
Robin turned around. "Well, now you do. You can come with us." He stood and pulled Leech up with him, who immediately sagged into his side. Robin caught her and picked her up. "Do you mind if I carry you?" Robin asked sweetly. Leech shook her head and wrapped her arms and legs around the boy wonder's waist when he picked her up. Robin started walking towards the door. (Are you guys coming?) He asked.
(That is so cute!) M'gann gushed.
Artemis put a hand on her chest. (There is nothing cuter than a boy being nice to kids.)
(Just . . . oh, just look at him!) Zatanna sighed.
Rocket nudged her. (Well, that'll come in handy later, won't it)
Zatanna blushed. (Rocket!)
(I can hear you girls, you know) Robin chuckled. (And . . .thank you?) He looked over his shoulder at the girls and shook his head. The rest of the team followed Robin to the bio-ship.
Kid Flash shrugged. (You all do realize that he just barely stopped being a kid himself, right?)
(KF, shut up. I'm barely three years younger than you) Robin replied.
Miss Martian flew ahead to de-cloak the bioship and open the door. Superboy turned to Aqualad. "What are we going to do? She's just a kid."
Aqualad ran a webbed hand over his head. "We will do what we were told. Bring her in. The League will know what to do."
AN: I hope that those of you who have followed the story since the beginning will continue to support it now, and that those who just now get into the story will enjoy it! I originally intended to keep it where this took place shortly after the New Year's kisses at the end of season 1, but I'm going to shift up the timeline a little bit. So the ages are as follows:
Kaldur: 20
Wally: 19
Artemis: 19
Megan: 18
Conner: 18
Raquel: 18
Zatanna: 17
Robin: 16
And a special thanks to Reina Grayson who beta read this chapter!
