"Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Gotham
"Master Conner, Miss Megan."
The two companions wheeled round, standing in front of them was a slender man. Dressed immaculately in a pressed suit he smiled at them invitingly. His eyes crinkling at the corners as he moved the overcoat slung across his arm into a more secure position.
"Uh, hi?" Superboy replied, his blue eyes uncertain.
"Master Dick asks that I take you to the car," the elderly man inclined is head towards the station's exit. "He is rather excited that you could join him now that the school term is finished."
"Term?" Megan whispered.
"Ah quite, you're American," the older man paused. "Semester," the word rushed off his tongue, as if it were so dirty the faster it were spoken the less its evil.
"Right," the Martian beamed.
"This way then," extending an arm the man invited the two to take the lead.
Conner walked stiffly beside Megan, glancing over his shoulder every so often. He was wary of the situation. Robin had told them to rely on this Grayson character; he had warned them that Grayson would not be there in person to meet them but they should trust him implicitly.
"Why isn't Dick here?" Conner blurted out.
"You don't strike me as the type to keep abreast with news of the upper echelons of society."
"No?" Superboy replied, confused.
The man smiled, "Master Dick is somewhat regarded as the Crown Prince of Gotham, the adopted son and heir to Bruce Wayne. I trust you know he is?"
"Um..." Conner started.
"The philanthropic industrialist," Megan interjected.
"And now you understand."
Megan nodded fervently as she shot Conner a look; the clone clearly still wasn't grasping it. Frowning she sent him a telepathic stream of thought.
"Grayson's the son of one of the wealthiest men in the world. He cant just walk into a station and meet some 'school friends', photographers and the general public would get too excited."
The Martian continued to muse:
"But why would Robin want to set us up with Bruce Wayne's son... unless they're all somehow involved. Batman and Robin rely on technology and it doesn't come cheap. Bruce Wayne could be bankrolling or - "
Shutting down the connection Megan stifled a gasp, her hand shooting out to grab Conner's, squeezing tightly she glanced towards her companion. The unspoken conversation was resonating between them.
"The car will be pulling up shortly," the man broke through their shared reverie. His eyebrow's raising slightly the suited individual gave them an apologetic smile. "In all the excitement I have forgotten to introduce myself. Alfred Pennyworth at your service, and welcome to Gotham."
Megan and Conner shared a look, they were gradually stepping closer to the answers that Robin had promised them.
The Citadel
Artemis sat shaking, a large plate of food had been placed in front of her, thick furs thrown over her shoulders and she had been permitted to bathe in hot water. The archer swallowed heavily, the meal before her looked inviting, but she didn't trust it. Whilst Ra's al Ghul would sooner cut off her head than waste precious time and poison on her, Artemis was still unsure.
"You should eat, recover your strength," the man opposite her smiled benevolently.
"I'm not hungry..." Artemis whispered.
"Come now, we both now that is a lie - eat the food Artemis." Ra's voice hardened slightly, his subjects rarely spoke out of turn.
The blonde remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ra's, deliberately she picked up a spoon before shovelling a large quantity of rice into her mouth. Chewing slowly she continued to stare at her captor. Washing down the food with a swig of tea she let the spoon clatter onto the table top.
"Did you cripple my mother?" the archer questioned, her voice quavering.
Ra's smirked, "I rarely do anything these days."
Artemis fingers gripped the wooden table, her knuckles turning white, as her eyes filled with tears and memories of her mother washed over her. Clearing her throat she roughly wiped away any dampness from her cheeks.
"But you told someone to do it?"
"You're not really in any place to be asking questions. You really ought to remember that you are the prisoner here and I the interogator. Chains and fists have been replaced for dinner and conversation but I am still the one in control." Ra's narrowed his eyes, quickly snatching out his hand to grab at a large goblet of wine.
Artemis breathed heavily, her palms suddenly clammy as sweat dripped down her brow. "You want information, I want the truth about my family that hardly has any meaning to anyone else."
"Are you attempting to broker a deal?" Ra's surmised, laughter tickling at his throat.
"Yes..." the blonde whispered.
"You have already met your mother's attacker. The Lady Shiva tried to offer your mother clemency but she did not take it and she was rewarded for her incolence."
"What did she do to you? What did she do to deserve..." Artemis questioned, tears pricking at her eyes once more.
"She had a disastrous affair with your father, fell pregnant with you and instead of getting rid of you, decided to keep you. Not only that, but she seemed to have some sort of epiphany. She saw the error of her ways, so to speak, and tried her best to sabotage me. Of course your father Lawrence denounced her; and your Aunt Jade, well she was unestablished and being the opportunist that she is, decided to forsake your mother also. Paula was friendless but she had you, something that provided her limitless joy. I ordered Shiva to end your miserable little life, but your mother defended you and bore the consequences. Of course Shiva was punished for her failures. You however, were granted life." Ra's paused, allowing the words he had just spoken a moment to sink in. "You see Artemis, your entire life you have been surrounded by people who are willing to sacrifice everything for you. And what have you done to repay them? Nothing.
"Now, do you see why your mother tried so hard for you not to follow your father? You who had begged him to teach you his ways and begged her to let you do them. Artemis you have been supremely selfish, even when the Detective offered you a way out from this world you chose to betray him and all those he holds dear. You are more suited to this life than your mother ever was. Perhaps it's time you embrace it fully."
The blonde whimpered, tears running freely down her face, the rims of her eyes red as she tried to force his words from her head. The guilt was beginning to fall upon her, like snow landing on a rooftop, with each second the pressure mounted, the strain increased and the willingness to hold on weakened.
"I didn't have a choice..." Artemis muttered, her voice cracking.
"I am sure Wally West will accept that reason the next time you run into each other. I'm sure he'll brush away your tears and kiss you, whispering some mindless platitude in your ear. I'm sure your mother will understand when her last drop of blood leaves her veins and she falls at your feet." Ra's mocked, his eyes dancing with fire.
Artemis trembled, her whole body racked by uncontrollable spasms of fear, finally the words were forced from her lips as a scream reverberated throughout the chamber. "But I did it all to save her!"
"Now look where it has taken you. I don't think you should expect much gratitude from all those concerned. You have shown your colours my dear, now it's time you join your brethren."
Without further explanation Ra's withdrew a thin blade from his side, sliding the dagger across the table he waited for Artemis' reaction. Shaking fingers grasped at the ivory handle as she pulled the blade towards her, her breathing was becoming shallower, her heart pounding against her chest. Was she willing to do this? Was her life beyond saving? Was she ready to take the steps into the dark?
Clutching the dagger she lifted it up, studying the glinting metal she stretched out the palm of her left hand. Her fair skin was taught, waiting to be broken. Glancing up towards Ra's she tried to decipher what he was thinking, but his face was impassive. Merely waiting for her to make the move. A shaky breath was exhaled from her lungs as the knife point landed against her skin, the cool metal was strangely tantalising. Pressing down harder a small prick was made, red blood rushing to the surface. Her breathing was suddenly calmer, there was no hope left for her with the Justice League. Her mother may hate her but at least she would be alive to do so. Hissing she dragged the blade along her hand, a long wound opening up on her palm.
"With this blood I pledge my life to the Demon Head. With this blood I forsake all that I have known. With this blood I become Shadow."
Gotham
The remainder of Young Justice, stood assembled. Opposite them was tall, dark and brooding. Or rather, in the light of recent revelations: tall, dark and handsome. Megan tried to reconcile the fact that the Dark Knight was actually the man she continually saw footage of tripping out of nightclubs with a buxom blonde on either arm. Strangely the images did not marry, a playboy millionaire secretly moonlighted as a crime fighting vigilante, and not just any hero. He was Batman, the one that just seemed to know everything. The one that could do everything. Doing her best not to stare at the older hero she was suddenly struck by how lonely his life must be. It was just him, Robin and Alfred, and despite the fact that Dick had been missing the Dark Knight seemed to hold everyone at arm's length. Whether it was a defence mechanism or a genuine display of sociopathic behaviour Megan didn't know.
"The League is currently running a recruitment drive, we need the numbers before we can take the fight to the Shadows. That leaves some gaps and I need you to fill them. I've received some intel that suggests one Paula Crock is to receive a visit from the assassin known as Cheshire. I need you all to protect her."
"Why does she need protecting exactly?" Superboy questioned, his voice strangely hard.
"I think what Conner means is, why is Cheshire after her..." Wally quickly interjected, qualing as Batman directed his stare towards the speedster.
"Because she is Artemis' mother," Wayne replied.
A collective breath was drawn by all those in the room, this was the first time she had been mentioned since their arrival in Gotham.
"You need to set all personal feelings aside, Paula Crock paid for her crimes long ago, she deserves our protection."
With a brief nod towards Robin it seemed that the conversation was over, turning back to his computer Batman began typing furiously. Wally scratched the back of his neck, he was nervous. The thought of meeting the mother of the girl that had betrayed them was weighing heavily on him, how much Mrs Crock knew about her daughter's deception was not clear. What if he let something slip? He didn't want to be responsible for that type of knowledge.
"How much does she know?" the speedster called out. Staring in horror as Batman turned around to address him.
"I don't know..." the Detective paused, deliberating how much he ought to tell the teenagers. "Mrs Crock has always been aware of her daughter's activities, good or bad." Once again Batman stopped his address, he had yet to tell them of his role in the deception. "I have always been aware... Artemis was introduced to the team because of a joint effort on mine and Green Arrow's part. We thought we could turn her, help her overcome the Shadows and use her knowledge."
"Looks like it really worked out for you," the angry retort of Red Arrow echoed through the cave.
"Believe me Roy, I know... And don't think for one second that I haven't stopped trying to understand where I went wrong." Batman shot back, his gaze penetrating.
"I," Roy stuttered. "I always knew she was hiding something but I didn't..."
"There's nothing you could have done Roy, I was guilty of the sin of Hubris and I'm the one that will face the consequences. And right now I'm asking you to help Paula Crock."
The archer nodded, the tattered remains of Young Justice closed ranks around him.
The apartment seemed all but empty, taking a few uneasy steps into the hallway Kid Flash shot Robin a look. Why it had been decided that they take point when there was an invulnerable clone of Superman in their arsenal the speedster had no idea. Roy was currently on the roof, whilst Conner and Megan guarded the remaining exits. Shaking his head Wally turned to hit the lights, pressing against the plastic switch he waited, but the bulbs stayed dormant. Turning back to his companion Kid Flash froze, Robin was gone. Blinking rapidly Wally tried to make out any possible forms in the dark, instead a well heeled boot smashed into his back. Before he had time to orientate himself, his comms link was ripped forcibly from his ear, a fist swinging at his face almost instantaneously. Tumbling to the floor the speedster found his back resting against a large wheel, a soft groan escaping someone's lips. Presumably he had found Mrs Crock.
"What have you done with Robin?" Kid Flash called out defiantly, his eyes frantically searching for his attacker.
"Not your concern, I wanted to have a conversation with you uninterrupted."
"What do you want Cheshire?" Wally spat, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.
"I want to take my sister, presumably you have been sent to stop me." Cheshire laughed, as if the possibility of Wally hurting her was completely beyond the realm of reality.
"To hurt her?"
"It all depends on how Artemis plays her cards. My dear sister is leverage..." Jade clarified, her voice soft.
"What do you mean? Why do you need leverage? Artemis betrayed us to the Shadows, she's working for you guys!" Wally forced out quickly, his eyes wide with confusion.
Jade laughed, it was strangely beautiful, entirely at odds with the rest of her demeanour. "You really don't understand do you?"
Forcing himself to his feet Kid Flash shot towards the assassin, too fast even for her. Driving the two into the plaster board he held her pinned against the wall.
"Maybe you should tell me then..." Wally found himself speaking in a voice hardly anything like his own.
"Artemis had a choice, it was between her mother dying or giving away your secrets. What option do you think she chose? She never wanted to betray you, I convinced her to, you have no idea what would have happened to her if she didn't." Jade quickly explained, contempt running through her words.
Wally's hands dropped from her sides, the revelation hitting him square in the chest. Artemis had not chosen to betray them, she had been forced into it. Maybe she wasn't past redeeming. The red head was strangely elated, it meant that Artemis still cared, still cared about him. Noticing the speedster's sudden lack of concentration Jade seized her advantage and head butted Wally. A round house kick had him stumbling backwards, several sharp jabs to his side before her right hook connected with his jaw. Kid Flash was now sprawled out on the ground in front of her, withdrawing one of her sais she stepped towards the fallen hero.
"I'll make it quick," the assassin promised, unsure of where the sudden leniency had come from.
Wally bit his lip, waiting for the cold flash of steel to hit his skin, but it never came. Cheshire stood where she was, her hand pressed to some soft of communication device. Quickly sheathing her blade she reached down and pulled the still groggy red head to his feet, offering him a wide smile she threw a fist into his head. Staggering backwards black spots began to mar Wally's vision. A sharp yell escaped Jade's mouth before she threw her leg into the speedster, careening backwards Kid Flash crashed into a glass coffee table.
Picking up a wooden chair leg the assassin threw it bodily towards the window on the side of the building, smiling she was rewared with the breaking of glass. Dashing forward she leapt head long through the hole, flying through the air she began falling. Stretching out her arms she grabbed the neighbouring building's fire escape, with a grunt of exertion her entire body weight pulled down on her arms. No sooner had she secured a hold then an arrow landed with a thud in the mortar work beside her head. Hissing, Jade swung her feet on to the rungs of the ladder before clambering down the stairs to street level.
Diving down a back alley Cheshire avoided several more shots, her feet pounding against the ground she wondered why the order to bring in her sister was cancelled.
A/N: Ok... so I'm not really loving this chapter, a little tricky to write. Anyway, feel free to let me know what you think :) Once again thanks to a reviewer who I can't PM.