After coming back from the mission, I simply laid on the common room couch. Natalia still wasn't back from where ever she had disappeared to. I was worried. But not as worried as I was about my mother. She was planning something. But the thing is, if I told the league they'd simply think I was a mole for both sides. I hated my mother sometimes, but without her I wouldn't be me.
"What is wrong Scarlet?" I looked up to see Kaldur standing there. I simply shrugged.
"You're a great leader Kaldur and I respect you for not telling us about the mole. I understand how it feels to have something that may affect the team.. But not be able to say anything."
"What is this secret? Surely you may tell us if you trusted us. As long as you don't have the same reasoning as I had then you should be able to say something."
"It's not that I don't trust you guys. It's just, I don't know... I need to get home I guess. My mother should be worried." I sighed knowing that was a complete lie. I quickly fled through the Zeta beams and soon regretted it. Robin was leaned against the opposite wall of the alleyway, smirking his smug little smirk.
"You seem shaken, what's wrong? You're not hiding something, are you?" Robin asked, walking up next to me as I tried my best to be nice.
"Do I have something written on my face that says 'I'M HIDING SOMETHING' or something! Gosh!" I lashed out. "I'm sorry Rob. It's just ugh! If I don't tell you guys, you won't trust me, if I do, you won't trust me! Either way, I lose! It's not fair." I put my head in my hands, my head aching from all this thinking. "Natalia's s gone for so long and usually she would help me in a situation like this."
"Well I'm here. I'll be the substitute Natalia for now, uhh... Why don't you just tell me? I won't judge, I promise."
"Sorry Rob. I'm not telling you, I can't. If I do... Ugh, hate life sometimes."
"Don't we all."
"Shut up Boy Wonder." I chuckled.
"It's Robin, once again."
"I know, the name's grown on me. I gotta go anyway, see ya."
I woke up the next morning excited and ready to go! I had my recital today and nothing could ruin it. I quickly walked into Nat's place first just to check if she was back.
"Hey Scar? How long have I been out?" I heard, I quickly ran into Nat's room and saw her rubbing her eyes. She was in her pajamas and looked normal without a scratch.
"A week. You didn't miss much besides some team drama but besides the point. My recital is today!"
"Oh thank goodness I didn't miss that! You have the largest role of the whole recital, Odette!" Nat smiled at me and I smiled back, happy to have her back home.
"Alright, what should I do with your makeup," Nat peered at my face as I sat in a chair next to a table with a bunch of girly stuff sprawled over it. "Glitter!" She shouted suddenly, reaching for a bunch of stuff I don't even know what. She patted my face hoarsely as I groaned. I hate her feminine side sometimes.
"Ahh be careful with the family jewels. Don't go too hard I really hate products."
"Yeah yeah." She waved me off and I let out a sigh. "You have to look real pretty. Richard and the team is coming, I sent them tickets."
"W-what! Without my permission!" I shouted but she put me back in place.
"Yeah. You wouldn't have given me permission anyway. Besides, I think they would love to see your feminine side!"
"My feminine side? I don't have a feminine side!"
"Oh please, when you dance you're a whole 'nother person. Don't lie to me."
"Well I don't watch myself dance now do I?" I snarked back, crossing my arms.
"Stand still you little!"
An hour later and I looked like a clown.
"You look gorgeous!" Natalia fangirled in the background as she pulled at me cheeks like I was a child. "Gosh you are just adorable!" I groaned before walking away and putting my headband with two swan wings on either side on my head to pull back my bangs.
"I'm gonna get dressed over at the auditorium, wouldn't want people staring at me on the street." I said while putting the tutu in my sport's bag. "Let's go."
"No! I have to get dressed myself. You're supposed to be really fancy to recitals like this!"
"What you're wearing is fine!" I groaned, looking her up and down. She was wearing her usual blouse with a skirt and knee highs. "It's not a New York type ballet thing. It's just a recital."
"Whatever, let's go." Natalia rolled her eyes and began pulling me out of the apartment.
We arrived at the auditorium five minutes late. My dance instructor glared at me and started pulling me by the ear backstage. Natalia waved like an idiot before walking out of the auditorium preferably to meet the team. I let out a sharp yelp once my instructor let go of my ear.
"Get dressed, now!" The thick french accent yelled at me. I rolled my eyes and went to the dressing room.
Thirty minutes into the show. THIRTY MINUTES. My solo. One of many in this ballet but still! I've been training for a role like this all my life. After all, been dancing since I was six. It was the one thing that kept me happy. Now I was not happy. I was NERVE WRACKING. I peered out through the curtains noticing my friends well Natalia, Wally, Artemis and Richard. I thought she said the whole team, liar.
"You're up darling." My dance instructor whispered in my ear. I nodded and quickly lept out on stage. I closed my eyes the whole time, memorizing every step, leap and twirl. As my partner guided me around the stage I simply danced, not a care in the world. And then someone turned off the lights. I quickly tripped over my feet in the darkness and despite all the screams, everyone could hear my colorful language.
"Now take note you fearful people! For Night Vision is here to relinquish all your happiness!" I heard as I finally stood on my feet to be kicked back to the floor. I quickly used my technique of dancing with my eyes closed to lead my way backstage and into the dressing room to change into my costume. I bumped into others on the way but despite the fact I still made it and changed quickly, the light from the moon encasing the room so I was able to see the slightest bit. I quickly slid out of the window and ran straight to the front where I found my friends all armored up. I pulled my mask up with a straight face as Natalia prepared for what was to come.
"I'm going to kill him!" I screamed as I lept forward, Wally and Nat grabbing me.
"We don't kill! We don't kill!" Wally repeated as they both tried to hold me back.
"Can I quit the team then rejoin after serving time in Arkham FOR KILLING HIM!" I shouted once more, trying to jump in the auditorium. Five minutes later, I was fully calm. Well actually, Nat just pulled my mask down and held my hands together so I wouldn't freak out or anything. I stood there, aggravatedly listening to Boy wonder's plan.
"Kid Flash and Radican, you both head straight for night vision, take these with you." Robin threw us both pairs of night vision goggles.
"Wait, she's gonna kill the dude! I'm not gonna be able to hold her back!"
"Give her a break, he interrupted her performance." Artemis crossed her arms glaring at Wally.
"A very boring performance might I add." Wally muttered, I slapped him upside the head muttering my very colourful language under my breath.
"A~anyway," Robin interrupted before I killed Flashboy over here. "Athens and Artemis, you guys can head to the roof and patrol just in case any recruits decide to swing by."
"What about you boy wonder?" Natalia asked, crossing her arms.
"I'll head to the basement and try to switch on the lights."
"Always give yourself the easy job." I muttered glaring at Richard.
"Alright, so how do we get in?" Wally asked once we both realized that all doors inside were locked.
"Uhh, break a window. Duh." I stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah because destruction of property is always the answer." Wally rolled his eyes at me and I simply crossed my arms.
"It is for me." I mumbled. "We can pick the lock to the backstage?"
"Do you even know how to pick a lock?"
"Sure do bucko." I chuckled, taking a pin from my hair and sticking it in the lock, twisting and pushing until finally I heard a click. "Thanks for the help."
"Anytime sugar."
"Yeah, don't call me that." I rolled my eyes as we walked into the backstage area, Wally closing the door carefully behind himself. "You attack while I distract, you're better at combat than I am." I whispered, hateful to admit it.
"A-a-aah! I hear you two, don't think you can sneak past me!" I heard from the stage before something exploded from overhead and rubble came falling down on us both. Wally quickly picked me up and zoomed us out of range, putting me down.
"Thanks,"
"No problem sug- um I mean Radican."
"Better Kid, better." I nodded at him patting his head. I was quickly interrupted when something kicked me over into the wall. I looked up to see a half dog half... Woman? "What the-" My thoughts were interrupted when the thing sent a kick in my stomach.
"Master, the target is down. May I have my treat now?" The thing said as she turned toward a large man in a suit. The man agreed and handed the thing a large bone treat. I looked over to see Wally on the ground also. Shit! I quickly stood up and kicked the thing in the face, jumping up and reaching one of the wires from the ceiling so I could swing over to the large man. I kicked him in the face also and swung over to Wally, landing next to him. I held a hand out to help him up.
"You okay Kid?" I asked as he stood up with a groan due to my help.
"What is that thing?!" He shouted, I looked to where he pointed as the girl was helping her 'master' up.
"Some sickos, I'll deal with them. You go on ahead and check out the situation, phone me in if you need help." Wally nodded and quickly sped off to front stage. "Now you two, I'm more of a cat person!" I shouted running at the girl and punching her away from her master as I kicked the fat bastard back down.
"Animal abuse! I call animal abuse!" She whimpered.
"Animal abuse?! Well what do you think of PLANT ABUSE!" I shouted pushing her over to a wall.
"Leave my dear Clorabella alone!" The man grasped me from behind, holding my arms back. The girl lept forward and ripped my night goggles off with her teeth. Now that's bullshit. I can't see a darn thing. I pressed my headset in my ear with my shoulder.
"These freaking freaks got my goggles! Can't see a darn thing!"
"I'll be there in a sec, let me deal with this 'night vision' guy first!" I heard Kid say in my ear.
"Be careful Rad." Natalia said next.
"I can take care of myself," I said just as the dog girl bit me right in my arm. "AGH YOU LITTLE!" I yelled, that's when I lost it.
"Tastes just like salad, icky. More of a meat person." The dog girl spat my skin which had now probably turned into a leaf. I stomped on the creep's foot and elbowed him in the jaw, grabbing one of the other wires to hoist myself up and kick him away in the stomach. I flipped over still using the cord and the dog girl grabbed my feet, both of us dangling. "You hurt my Master! You will pay!" She snarled at me, I tried shaking her off but she wouldn't let go as she climbed further up my legs.
"Think fast, think fast Radican." I muttered to myself as the girl neared with her pointed teeth sticking toward me. And then it hit me! I quickly kicked against the wall we were nearest and spun us so that when we collided with the next wall, the dog girl got hit. She let out a loud whimper before she fell to the ground, I jumped down on the rubble from earlier and quickly ran to front stage, it turned out to be a wall. I rubbed my face as I collided with the brick and turned a full 180, running toward the direction I now knew was the front stage.
"Wait! Rad-" Something punched me hard in the stomach, I fell hard to the ground. Then the same something kicked my back so I fell even harder, flat now.
"We have the girl." I heard a voice say.
"Good, put the collar on her and quickly get out." That voice...
"M-mom?" I asked before coughing a bit.
"Shut up girl." That was the last thing I heard before something kicked me in the side and I blacked out.