Welcome back to the "Howl of The Trickster" series part 2! Hope you like!
Boring Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever profitted from this (though that would be cool if I could!). Nor have I ever stolen anyone else's s***. All recognizable characters, places, and the parade of dignitaries belong to their respective owners. The story, Coyote, and his hyena belong to me however! So don't touch!
ENJOY!
Ok, please don't think I'm dense or anything, but could someone explain what exactly we're doing here? Zatanna thought across the psychic link.
She was down amongst the crowd with Black Canary, both women wearing trench coats to hide their uniforms.
She craned her neck to see over the heads of the people in front of her, desperately trying to follow Canary's lead as the taller more experienced crime fighter pushed her way closer to the police barricades.
Robin peered down at the crowds from his vantage point on the roof beside Batman. It's the Gotham Parade of Foreign Dignitaries. Half the U.N. delegates will be riding in the cars going through the parade today.
Artemis shook her head.
She was stationed on a balcony with Green Arrow, about three floors up in a hotel overlooking the parade route. Those delegates are gonna be wide open. This parade route is going to make them sitting ducks! Seriously, could they be served up on a bigger silver platter?
Wally snorted.
Not unless you put an apple in their mouths. He answered, adjusting the collar of his windbreaker so it hid the cowl of his uniform.
He stepped closer to his uncle, who was going through much the same process. Those lightning bolts on the sides of their cowls looked cool but they could be a real pain sometimes!
From above them in the bio ship with her uncle M'Gann frowned. If this is so dangerous, how come they still have this parade?
I have no idea. Robin answered. But for whatever reason the mayor sanctions it and they do this every year.
Conner shook his head, glancing at Superman. Then they're idiots.
Despite the man of steel's private protests to Batman, clone and Kryptonian had been paired together. The tension between the two of them was so palpable Conner felt certain you could cut it with a knife.
Hasn't anyone pointed out how dangerous this is for them?
They have been made aware. Kaldur answered from his own hiding place with Aquaman. They simply choose to do so despite the danger. Perhaps to prove that they are not afraid to face their fears, and to stand up to those who would prey on the fearful. That is why we are here with our mentors, to see to it that their vulnerability is not exploited.
There was a long moment of silence, each observing their own part of the as yet untraveled parade route.
Conner? Are you doing ok…? M'Gann asked hesitantly.
The clone glanced at the man of steel and away again, quietly chewing the inside of his lower lip as he leaned forward to rest his chin on his arms. He was exceptionally glad that Superman and the other leaguers weren't privy to the conversation. M'Gann hadn't included them in the link up, since they preferred to use the coms.
He heaved a quiet sigh. We're not speaking.
So…the usual then? Asked Wally.
Conner winced and nodded.
He and his teammates might have their issues at times, but it never ceased to amaze him how understanding and supportive they could be when it came to his parental problems.
We're standing less than six feet apart, but it might as well be six light years for all that we interact! I don't know what to do…
His team silently nodded, most able to sympathize, if not entirely understand what he was going through.
Afraid that's a question that's gonna have to wait till later Conner. Robin stated grimly. The parades starting up. There've been threats made so stay sharp!
"Batman to all points. The parade is starting. Keep your eyes open for any sign of trouble. My contacts say there's a snatch and grab planned for today." The dark knight said over the com's mere seconds later.
Wally grinned and rolled his eyes. Batman really should get in on the 'Boy Wonder Bulletin', it's a heck of a lot faster. He silently joked to the others.
Barry frowned at his nephew, having spotted the rolled eyes. "Kid, you paying attention?"
Wally nodded, readjusting his windbreaker again. "Yes sir, I heard."
Lex Luthor smiled as he sipped the clear, bubbly fluid from his glass.
Seated in the opulent interior of the convertible car that would carry him and the U.N. delegates he was to accompany, he had a front row seat of the parade. The two oriental delegates seated across from him were deep in their own conversation, and his Mandarin wasn't good enough to really follow what they were saying.
The feeling of his trouser pocket vibrating informed him that he might have an incoming distraction from the boredom. He fished his cell from his pocket.
"Luthor."
"We've got the target in sight Mr. Luthor. Seeking final confirmation on our instructions."
Lex smiled. "Very good. Take him down hard and fast. I don't want the Justice League involved if at all possible."
"Yes sir. Mr. Luthor, I've just received word that our secondary target has also apparently arrived. Do those instructions apply to him as well?"
Lex frowned thoughtfully. He had planned for this contingency, but given the taciturn nature of this particular quarry he hadn't been sure… Ah well, no matter. Both his targets were here, and he was prepared.
"Yes." He answered into the phone. "But be sure to accomplish your primary goal first. The secondary target is only an added bonus. Don't take the risk unless there's a reasonable chance of pulling it off."
"Yes sir."
Luthor flipped the phone shut and returned it to his pocket. Seeing the quizzical looks on his companions faces, he gave them a cordial smile. "My people back at Lexcorp had a few questions that needed clearing up."
His Chinese companions smiled and nodded, returning to their conversation.
Luthor sat back in his seat, taking another sip from his glass. Oh yes, things were proceeding quite according to schedule. As the car began to move forward, entering into the parade route, he glanced at his watch. If all went well he would have his captive within the next twenty five minutes. Possibly two captives.
All according to plan.
Conner snuck another glance at Superman.
The man of steel was floating a few feet above the roof of the building they were sitting on, apparently for a better view. A small, cynical corner of Conner's mind wondered if he was just trying to put as much distance between himself and his clone as was politely possible.
Because if there was anything the man of steel was, it was well mannered.
He didn't know who had raised his Kryptonian DNA donor, but whoever it was, they'd really done a good job hammering in the basic good manners and social graces.
No wonder he'd been nicknamed the 'Big Blue Boy Scout'!
He sighed and rested his chin on his arms again, leaning forward to peer over the side of the building at the parade below him. But more and more he found his eyes coming to rest, not on the delegates or the potential threats to their safety, but rather on the children in the crowd lining the street.
Specifically the little boys there with their fathers.
He smiled a little as he watched one dark haired little boy sneak out a bit further into the street to snatch a piece of candy thrown by someone on one of the floats.
Granted this was a parade to show off the various U.N. dignitaries, but they had to have something for the kids too. Hence the large, elaborately decorated floats and the giant balloons making their way down the parade route.
The boy's father laughed and scooped his little son up, ignoring the happy shrieks and squeals the boy was emitting, or maybe secretly encouraging them with a tickle or two as he lifted the boy up and set him on his shoulders.
But that sort of father figure was something Conner highly doubted he'd ever have to call his own.
How long is this parade? He asked silently.
Wally cast an incredulous look in the general direction of the clone's hiding place. Seriously? Dude, it's been barely ten minutes!
Conner frowned. So? I've never been to a parade before. I don't how long these things are supposed to go.
There was a stunned silence from the team. Apparently parades was yet another experience that was an inherent part of childhood. A childhood he had missed.
Ok we're gonna have to fix that the next chance we get. Artemis answered. She pulled an arrow from her quiver and turned it over in her fingers. What do you guys think?
I say we hit up the Macy's Thanksgiving shindig. Wally answered.
I am interested. Kaldur smiled. However, I believe it would be wise if we continued this discussion at a later date. At the moment, we must attend to the safety of those placed under our care.
Right. Ok, shelving topic for later. Robin answered. And as to how long the parade goes Conner, the average running time for the Parade of Foreign Dignitaries is about an hour, to an hour and a half.
Conner heaved another sigh. Another hour to an hour and a half with the incredible man of steel silence.
Ok.
Superman cocked his head, his super hearing picking up the quiet sigh.
He watched as his clone leaned forward, watching the parade below. He followed his clones gaze. The boy was starring down at the parade route, but every now and again his gaze would slip to the people lining the street.
What is he thinking? Superman wondered, curiously watching. To be honest the clone perplexed him. And worried him. He didn't know what to make of this copy of himself. It was weird to think that there were now two of him…
Realizing that Conner had looked up and seen him staring he quickly looked away.
Conner frowned. Did Superman really find the very idea of his existence that repulsive? Movement behind the man of steel caught his eye and he started.
"Superman look out!"
Superman starred at him, confused, then whirled around.
But that split second of hesitation was all that was needed.
A large tranquilizer dart with a kryptonite tipped needle embedded itself in his side, the clear, reddish fluid it contained emptying out in a matter of micro seconds. The man of steel landed on the rooftop. But he only managed to take a few steps toward his attackers before he fell to his knees.
Conner didn't hesitate, racing forward to try and help Superman. Guys, someone just shot Superman!
Yep, them and every single other crook he's ever busted. They just can't seem to help themselves. I'm pretty sure everyone's shot him by this point. Wally answered. Nonetheless, he started to move towards the building Conner was stationed on.
Glancing back at his nephew, Barry frowned. "Wally?"
But Superman getting shot shouldn't be an issue right? I mean, don't they just bounce off of him the way they do Conner? M'Gann asked.
Everything bounces off him! Including common sense and decency when it comes to his clone. Robin grumbled in answer. But he was retraining his binoculars to check on the Super's as well.
Conner growled at their attackers as he listened to his friends comments in his head. He reached around, pulling the dart out of Superman's side.
The team was still fussing in his head over the way Superman treated him. They hit him with some kind of dart. He thought back, interrupting them mid-thought. And it didn't bounce off.
The clone suddenly rushed the men who'd taken his namesake down, dodging the darts as they came. The men yelled, hurriedly backpedalling as he bore down on them. He felt a sharp sting in his upper arm but he ignored it. Then his world tipped over on its side.
He stumbled and fell, crashing headlong on the roof and sliding to a stop only a few feet from his tormentors.
Conner! Are you ok? I'm having trouble maintaining the psychic link with you! M'Gann asked worriedly, tensing in the pilot's seat in the bio-ship. She didn't have to worry about it crashing, the darkly colored ship had a mind of her own. She wouldn't crash if M'Gann was distracted for a moment or two.
Across the ship Martian Manhunter frowned, picking up on his niece's sudden fear.
Conner groaned, trying to struggle back up to his feet. I'm hit. The world was spinning and tilting at crazy angles in front of his eyes. Whatever's in those darts is really strong. We need help here. Now.
Understood. Kaldur thought. He activated his com link. "This is Aqualad. Superman and Superboy are under attack. Superboy says that Superman is already down."
"Understood." The dark knight answered. "Flash, Kid Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Miss Martian, go help them. The rest of you stay at your posts, we can't leave the U.N. delegates open to attack."
"Got it."
"Understood."
The selected mentors answered back. Their protégé's were already moving.
"You knew what was going on ahead of time!" Flash called as he and Wally hurried from the crowd, pulling their cowls up and shucking their windbreakers and breakaway pants as they ran.
"Psychic link." Wally called back, pulling on his gloves. "It's better than the com's so long as there isn't another telepath nearby. The bad guys can't hack it. And there's no 'I'm in trouble but can't activate my com' crap. All you have to do is think."
"Clever." Barry answered. The two raced for Conner and Clark's last known position, their super speed allowing them to run right up the side of the building.
Wally smiled as he completed the jump at the top of the wall without a hitch and landed on his feet.
That had been one of the hardest things to learn when he became the Flash's protégé, that jump at the top of the wall that allowed them to land on their feet rather than run straight up into the air. Wally had lost track of how many times Barry had had to catch him because he hadn't nailed it just right and had fallen off the roof.
His smile disappeared as he surveyed the rooftop, now completely devoid of life either human or Kryptonian.
Heck there weren't even any of those blasted pigeons every major city seemed plagued with!
Flash zipped around the roof and came back. The scarlet speedster activated his com. "This is Flash. Bat's we've got a serious problem. Apparently that snatch and grab you heard about was on the Supers!"
"Flash!" Wally zipped back to his side, holding up some sort of dart.
Barry frowned and grimly took it. "Whoever they were, they came prepared…"
Lex Luthor smiled and waved to the crowd.
He was about halfway through the parade route now, within' sight of well over a hundred thousand people. If all went according to plan, he would have the perfect alibi should the Justice League get suspicious.
He fished his buzzing phone out of his pocket and flipped it open.
"Luthor."
"Mission accomplished Mr. Luthor. Primary target acquired."
Luthor smiled. "Excellent." He answered, waving to the crowd and nodding politely to his Chinese companions. "And your secondary target?"
There was a proud, almost smug sound in the voice of the man on the other end of the line. "Both targets sleepin' like babies." He answered. "We're loading them into the truck now."
Luthor nodded. "Well done. Rest assured you and your men will be handsomely rewarded for bringing in both targets. Payment will be made in the usual manner."
He shut the phone and sat back in his seat, the smile on his face that of the cat who swallowed the canary.
Everything according to plan…
Oh the suspense! What oh what could Luthor's devious mind have in store for the supers? Review, and I'll tell you! Lol, I'll have chapter two up tomorrow, probably around noon.
Until next time...