Ch. 03: Unmask
[Gotham Academy: Gotham City, New Jersey]
[October 8, 12:10:12 EST]
The mission in Central City was a bigger success than Jake had thought. Central City was in a large lockdown due to the duo, claiming that "highly trained assassin" were in the area. It was enough to draw the attention of the Justice League, something that Jake had avoided for a good reason. If the JL found out who he was, he would have no choice but to move closer to his new employers' base.
Phone ringing, Jake sighed before answering it.
"Morning Boss Lady." Jake droned.
"X," Talia began her message. "We have a new mission for you." Jake rolled his eyes. Why else would she be calling? "Your target is Artemis Crock."
"Wh-what?" Jake stammered, moving to a less populated area.
"Your job is simple. Keep an eye on Miss Crock. Nothing more and nothing less. Are we clear?" Talia said.
"Crystal." Jake replied before hanging up. "What a messed up world."
"Hey Jake." Jake then looked to see his new target, approaching him with Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson.
His eyes narrowed in thought as he figured out the meaning of the mission. Years ago, Jake Wilson broke into Titan's Tower and stole the Red X suit from Robin's vault. While there, he discovered that Cyborg hid porn in his closet, Starfire had a strange maggot-like creature in her room, Beastboy had a journal filled with pages on Terra, Raven actually wore make-up, and a certain briefcase that was in Robin's room. Said briefcase held a picture of the Flying Graysons and a news article about their deaths. Dick Grayson was the only known survivor.
It was years ago that Jake found out that Richard Grayson was Robin. It was months ago, when Jake pieced together that Bruce Wayne was Batman. And now he had to find out how Artemis tied into this.
"Morning, Goddess," The nickname gained a smile from Artemis as Barbara gave them a curious stare. "I see you brought your friends."
Dick glanced at the quite popular quarterback, Jake Cross. The boy was of some class, Dick could tell by the way he dressed, and was nowhere near the dumbest kid in school as many teachers praised his intelligence. But there was something off about the kid. He liked to keep to himself, despite the attention he received from females, and hardly raised a finger towards those who once attempted to bully the new kid.
"It kind of makes eating lunch alone, alone." Jake said to Artemis, Dick now interested in their conversation now.
"Oh. I didn't know that you-" Jake raised a hand.
"It's okay." Jake said as the four found a table and sat down.
"Practice?" Jake frowned at Artemis question until she pointed to his scratched wrists. He nodded. "They really don't take it easy on you, do they?"
"Well the phrase goes," Jake replied nonchalantly. "Same shit, different day."
Dick's eyes widened. That voice! That tone! That phrase! It couldn't be, could it? Jake, calmly realized that Dick was the ward of the world's greatest detective and put two and two together. Though he was quietly hoping that Dick would not be able to, and thus taunt him secretly for a while longer, Jake was prepared for such an event. If Dick revealed who Jake was, then Jake would return the favor and then some.
"X…" Dick's words slowly changed as he stood up. "Excuse me."
As Dick walked off, Jake eyed Barbara.
"Your boyfriend's kind of a birdbrain, don't you think?" Jake asked.
"We're not dating." Barbara stated, causing Jake's brows to rise. "What? Don't believe me?"
"You're around him every second of the day. I only assumed that that's what was going on." Jake said before standing up. "I'm going to run to get a soda. I'll be right back, Goddess."
Jake did not miss the blush on her cheeks as he walked around the corner. Almost instantly, he caught Dick's thrown punch and spun around, pinning the younger boy up against the brick wall.
"Not here." Jake said firmly.
"You're him!" Dick retorted. "You're-"
"You should be thanking me for softening your fall. I could have let you fall two floors, but instead you fell one." Jake said releasing Dick's wrist and stepping back. "Besides, that's only my job, and if you didn't figure it out, I didn't kill her. I was too busy handling the guards in her room."
"You're a criminal!"
"So are you. Or do you not remember working for my dad or wearing the very suit I stole from you?" Dick sneered. "Don't look so angry Birdbrain. As I told you last year, I don't care for your identity. I hold no grudges with Dick Grayson. Your alter ego is a different story."
Dick's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here X?"
"Classes. Enjoying lunch with a friend. You?" Jake returned casually.
"Don't feed me that bull!" Dick demanded.
"You still don't know anything about wearing masks, do you?" Jake replied. "Listen Birdbrain, if I was like you, you wouldn't be standing here. I could've taken you out years ago when I found out your identity. Hell, I could've let Ding Dong Daddy run off with it. But I didn't. And that's because Dick Grayson and I have no beef. In fact, we just met. Don't let your job become your life kid. It never ends well."
"Like I'm going to believe anything you say." Dick said. "You've done nothing but lie from day one, making everyone's lives miserable."
Jake shrugged. "Believe what you want. But again, unless you want people to know who you are, I suggest we do this later. Besides, the girls are waiting for us."
"What do you want with Artemis?" Dick questioned.
"She came to me. I want nothing from her other than someone to talk to at lunch." Dick's eyes narrowed. "Is it hard to believe that I am a normal guy behind the mask? You've worn that mask before and you're not half-bad, Birdbrain."
Dick stared at his longtime rival before releasing a heavy breath. Jake spoke the truth. People were not always as insane or friendly as they pretended to be. He would know, considering he found Raven to be one of his closest friends despite the mystic being very unsociable.
"If I find out that you've done anything, I will take you down." Dick said.
"Let's be honest," Jake said pulling a soda from his pants pocket. "You couldn't beat me on your best day." Dick growled. "Come. The girls wait."
Dick followed the older boy with a sneer. People saw Jake Cross as a decent guy. He was well-liked by his peers and the girls simply kissed the ground he walked on. If only they knew that he was Red X and played a part in Selena Gonzalez's death. Then they would see the guy like Dick did.
Returning to the table, Dick was forced to sit beside his foe while Jake sat across from Artemis.
"Are you okay Dick?" Dick nodded at Barbara, his eyes still glaring at Jake.
Jake saw the younger boy glaring at him though he did not react. He had come across several colleagues and foes outside of their jobs, Raven especially, and knew that there was a difference between the hero/villain and the person behind the mask.
"So," Artemis said. "The game is tonight. You think with those scratches that you'll be able to play okay?"
Jake smiled. "Don't worry about me Goddess. I'll be fine." Jake's eyes moved towards the cloudy October sky. "That is, if the game even happens."
"It's only a forty percent." Barbara announced. "I'm sure you'll be able to throw at least one touchdown."
Jake released a small chuckle, though he wanted to berate the redhead for such a statement. He was a good quarterback, no matter what the weather was, and averaged at least three touchdowns (one game he had thrown six which raised his average) a game. He would get at least three, which would not include those he rushed for.
"I'm sure you'll do fine." Artemis said.
"Thanks for the confidence." Jake said, Dick grunting slightly.
"Liar…" The younger teen muttered quietly.
"I'm sorry. Was I stealing Artemis's attention from you?" Jake asked, picking his choice of words carefully. This gave him the reaction he wanted.
Dick's eyes became a hardened stare that told Jake that he was crossing the line somewhere. Barbara's eyes were the same, obviously out of jealousy. And Artemis looked at Dick with mild curiosity as if to be wondering the same thing Jake was.
Finally, Jake grinned.
"I'm kidding Dick. Lighten up." Jake said. "Besides," Jake's brown eyes turned to meet Artemis's gray ones. "Who wouldn't want her attention?"
This new mission was going to be a fun one, Jake thought. He could watch over Artemis, playing her flirting games, while being able to piss Dick off at the same time. And that was too much for him to pass up, regardless of the pay.
[Gotham City, New Jersey]
[October 8, 16:58:03 EST]
Block, duck, spin, dodge, and then block again. Reading Jade's movements were becoming easier thanks to his training with Talia. And while he would prefer to fight in his suit, he sparred with his partner without it, so long as she did not use any of her weapons as well. Though, neither of them were serious at the moment, this being their "bonding" time.
"So," Jade said throwing a punch, only for Jake to easily dodge it. "What's the new mission?"
Sending her a roundhouse kick to the head, which she ducked beneath, Jake casually spoke.
"Watching after some girl at my school." He spotted Jade's brows raise, something that only happened when something piqued her interest. "Artemis Crock. Don't know her- Hey!"
Jake's outburst came when Jade tackled him onto the ground, pinning him.
"Do. Not. Kill. Her." Jade hissed.
Jake allowed his face to show fear to lure Jade into thinking she had him beat. He waited a while, feigning her into loosening her grip just a bit. And once that happened, he had flipped them both, pinning Jade onto the ground with a tighter grip on the collar of her black shirt and one of her knives in his other hand.
"Who is she?" Jake questioned. Jade only glared at her younger teammate, causing Jake to release a grunt. "Tell me Jade."
Realizing that Jade was going to give him the silent treatment, Jake released his grip and moved off of her. Despite this being the first time it has been him to finish their spars as the apparent victor, he did not celebrate at all. In fact, his face remained void of all emotions as he attempted to read Jade. The thief, despite being a fairly blunt person, could mask her emotions quite well. He found it ironic that it was easier to tell what she was thinking with her always-grinning mask on than it was without it.
Jade stood up slowly, preparing herself for any attack Jake might make. There was a standoff between the two before Jake began to relax his posture.
"My sister," Jade finally said as she stood straight up, no longer in her defensive stance. "Artemis Crock is my younger sister."
Jake's eyes widened. He wondered if Jade and Artemis shared the same father for a moment, but eventually assumed they did as Artemis and Sportsmaster had blond hair while Jade's was black. His mission had now become more confusing. Why was he following the daughter of a League member and why didn't Jade get assigned to it? Obviously it would be a lot easier for Jade to follow her sister than it would Jake.
Jake then flipped the blade in his hand, now clutching the blade gently as he held it out to its owner.
"You have my word," Jake said. "I won't kill her, even if I could."
Jade nodded. Jake Cross may be one of the most obnoxious guys to ever plague this planet, but when he was serious about something, he normally made sure that whatever happened. Whether it was taking down a few guards in fewer than three minutes or stealing a diamond because he thought it "looked cool", Jake Cross always attempted to keep his word. Brushing off the fact that Jake had already told her that he does not kill (she had no idea on how Talia's training affected the boy mentally) Jade knew that her sister would not die by his hands due to his promise.
"Don't think that I'll go easier on you." Jake smirked at Jade's statement as she took the knife from his hand.
"You're welcome." Jake told her as he turned for the door. "By the way," Jade's eyes narrowed at his playful tone. "Your sister is hot."
The assassin grunted, but did not throw the knife at the boy's head like half of her wanted. She did not know what the League of Assassins' plan was for Artemis and she knew that questioning Talia or Nyssa would go against the unspoken code to never speak out against someone else's mission. She assumed that Jake was chosen due to him and Artemis going to the same school. But there had to be another reason why Jake was chosen and not someone else.
Maybe it was time to visit her sister in person?
[Gotham City, New Jersey]
[October 8, 21:20:58]
There were two things that Jake has learned in the last two hours that had somehow trumped the thought of Artemis and Jade being sisters. The first thing was that the North Gotham High quarterback was the size of a tank yet threw like a five-year-old girl. The second thing happened moments ago when he tailed Artemis home. After watching her change in her room (something he would do well to not tell Jade), he found out that Artemis was a female Green Arrow. Or at least, she dressed like hero.
Now here he was, perched on a roof, watching the female vigilante take out some pathetic robber. In all honesty, the man had only run off with about a hundred dollars, four cans of beer, and a pack of cigarettes. He could have been let off the hook in Jake's mind. But, Artemis was having none of it and quickly subdued him.
Jake's eyes then picked up on someone moving behind Artemis and things began to click in his head. The man that Artemis had so easily defeated came with a partner who was obviously the driver of the getaway vehicle. If Jake was not such a master thief himself, he would think that the plan was at least halfway decent. But being Red X meant that he could successfully rob a convenient store without the need of backup of any kind.
"Hey!" The second man said, gun pointed at Artemis's back. "You should've-"
Artemis heard the rest of the man's words become muffled and turned to see no one. She looked around, trying to find the man and whatever it as that silenced him. Without Green Arrow nearby, she could only rely on her skills to get her out of this and back home before her mother realizes that she escaped while being grounded.
"Looking for someone?" A new voice said. Artemis quickly turned, bow loaded with two arrows, and glared at the skull-masked thief.
"You!" Artemis hissed. "You're Red X!"
"You know my name," Jake said. "But I don't know yours. So what do I call you, archer?"
Artemis glared at the thief. "You don't need to know."
"You honestly think that I'm here to hurt you?" Red X mused before pointing to the unconscious man lying on the ground beside him. "That's what he was here for. I'm here simply to talk."
"I don't feel like talking." Artemis's fired her two arrows, causing the skull-masked thief to see the resemblance between the archer and her assassin sister.
They were both shoot first ask questions later kind of people.
"Now that wasn't nice." Artemis gasped when Red X's voice came behind her, the thief teleporting to dodge her shot.
Artemis quickly turned, swinging her bow to knock the other vigilante away. He proved to be much better than she had thought, easily catching her bow with one hand. And despite his mask, she swore that she saw the amusement on his face.
"Is this the part that I retaliate?" Jake asked.
Artemis would never get to reply as the boy raised a foot and pushed her away with a kick to her midsection. The space gave her a chance to load another arrow and fire it at Red X, her aim spot on. However, the veteran proved to live up to his reputation, simply craning his neck to dodge the near-fatal shot. The archer went to fire a fourth arrow, only for Red X to release several smoke bombs off around him.
"Can't hit what you can't see." Artemis looked around, trying to find the source of his voice. However, when the smoke cleared, Red X was nowhere in sight. "What's the matter archer? Miss me already?"
"Where are you?!" Artemis demanded.
"I'm in front of you, of course." Jake taunted. "Oh come on. I'm sure someone with your abilities can see me, can't you?"
Jake saw the girl grimace and smiled. His mission was starting to make sense, to a degree. Green Arrow was the mentor of Artemis, which he figured out minutes ago, and the League of Assassins wanted an archer on their side. Or at least, that was one scenario. There was the fact that she was Sportsmaster's daughter that could play a role in her importance. Or maybe they wanted someone close to the Justice League to work with them? Either way, Jake knew that Talia did not want him to kill the blonde girl for a reason and wanted a detailed report by tomorrow.
Artemis felt a small blow to her back and quickly turned to fire an arrow. The arrow flew aimlessly through the air and eventually skipped off of the concrete sidewalk.
"Close." Another tap on her shoulder which caused her to grunt and turn to her right. "Warmer."
"Show yourself!" Artemis roared. No answer. "Hey! X!" Still no answer. Artemis sighed. "Great Artemis. You let him get away."
Jake, who was quietly standing to Artemis's left, raised a brow. He could voice that he had learned her name, but that would give away his position. So he just followed her silently as she fired a grappling hook to the top of a nearby building and scaled upwards. Jake simply teleported to the roof and waited for her to emerge before following her from roof to roof, in the direction of her home. All the while he could hear her mutter about how she greatly disliked Red X.
He smiled. Artemis Crock liked Jake Cross but hated Red X. Then again, they were two different people. One was the quarterback who was just trying to graduate high school and the other was a thief looking out for number one. Of course, there were similarities. The two both had a problem with Slade/Deathstroke and missed Adeline and Rose/Ravager dearly. He found that he and his counterpart, Jake, found the Crock sisters and their alter egos to be quite interesting. And attractive. Jade/Cheshire and Artemis were both attractive. They were just so feisty and, in Jade's case, sadistic.
Perched on a building on the opposite side of Artemis's apartment, Jake watched her slip into her window before turning around. He was a thief, not a Peeping Tom. Seeing her change once today was enough for him, despite liking the private show he was giving. Ending his camouflage for only a second, Jake soon found himself on his stomach with a foot pressed on his back.
"Were you watching her change?!" The voice was hardly above a whisper, but Jake knew it all too well.
"Yes. Because I have eyes in the back of my head!" he argued. His partner did not remove her foot, only pressing harder. "Seriously Jade, I just followed her home because it's my freaking mission!"
"Like-" Cheshire's words were interrupted when Jake teleported and appeared behind her, landing a flipping dropkick to her back. The assassin stumbled forward and hit an air unit. "Damn it!"
"Can we go now?" Jake asked. His teammate quickly turned to glare at him, her sai in her hands. "Come on Jade, my mission is to follow her around. Not find out her bra size. Though from just looking at her I can guess that they're probably a-"
"I will kill you if you finish that statement." Cheshire threatened.
Red X crossed his arms. "For someone who hasn't spoken about their sister until now, you're really protective over her."
"Just like you are." Jade shot back.
Realizing she had a point, Jake moved for the ledge.
"Meet me for a burger. I'll tell you there." Before Jade could even reject the offer, the boy had vanished.
Jade glanced into her sister's room from her spot, watching Artemis close the blinds before turning to chase after Jake. If only he knew the childhood they had…
