A/N: Ok, so I have another plot idea for my next story! Just thought I would share that… it should be out at the beginning of November, because my mom wants me to do this novel-writing thing for November, which is National Novel Writing Month, and they count Fanfiction for it. Also, I have a book I would recommend you guys get! It's called Tales of the Batman, and it is a collection of short stories written by all different authors about the adventures of Batman, and some of Robin. I'm only on the third story, but I must say, if you're looking for something to read, check it out (haha I'm listening to that song ^^)
Chapter 6
Trust Me
When Scarlet Jewel finally woke up, her situation wasn't what she expected. She was in a hospital bed inside the mountain, and on her hands were gloves and leather restraints on her wrist.She tried to release beads through the gloves, but her power backfired.
"Graphene," a voice said, and she looked over and saw who must have been Superboy standing in the doorway. "New paper that's ten times stronger than steel."
"What's that for?" she asked. Why would they put those one her when they didn't know her powers?
"It's a precaution," a new voice said. She turned and saw Batman coming out of the shadows, walking with crutches. He dropped a file onto her lap, "Scarlet Jewel. You've been fighting crime for three years, yet your mother is none other than the Scarlet Queen, a villain who only targets men."
"So what?' she asked, looking between the two, before she finally caught on. "Wait, so you think I'm a villain now?"
"Why else would you be here?" Superboy asked.
"Because I came to help you find Robin."
Batman's head shot up, "You know where he is?"
She nodded, "I talked to him."
"Where is he?" Bruce asked.
"Diceville," she replied.
"I don't trust her."
All three turned and saw Roy shoving his way past Superboy.
"Why not?" Superboy asked.
"It could be a trap. She could be working for Joker."
"You really think I'd join the Joker after fighting crime for three years?"
"How come I haven't heard of you?" Roy asked.
"Different towns?" she offered. "Oh, and who are you supposed to be?"
"Red Arrow," Roy said.
"Oh, right, Green Arrow's sidekick."
"I'm not his sidekick."
"Have it your way," I said. "But you sure sound like a sidekick with a name like 'Red Arrow'."
"Both of you, shut up," Superboy ordered. "Jewel, where is Robin?"
"Lab in Diceville," she replied. "I'll take you if you remove the restraint."
"You're not going anywhere," Bruce said.
"Why not?" she asked.
"You lost a lot of blood; you're in no condition to be going out there."
"I'll close the wound."
"Besides, I want to be the one to take Joker down."
"Wait, do you're going to let Robin stay with Joker andScarecrow, all because you have a grudge?"
"Exactly. Robin is strong; he'll be fine."
"Robin would rather Batman be there to get him, anyway," Roy said, narrowing his eyes.
"You can stay here until then, if you'd like," Bruce said. "Just… watch out for Kid Flash."
The man nodded to Superboy, who removed the graphene gloves and restraints. "I'm Superboy, by the way."
"Got another name?" she asked, sitting up and rubbing her wrists where the restraints had been applying pressure.
Batman nodded to the clone and he said, "Conner."
"What, we're telling her our identities now?" Roy asked, turning to Batman. "Do you really trust her?"
"I do," Bruce said. "She seems to know exactly where Bruce is, and she's from the Diceville area. I don't doubt her."
Roy stormed out of the room and the computer announced his departure. The rest of the team ran into the room, and Kid Flash was the first one at Jewel's side.
"So, Beautiful," Wally said, leaning against the bed. "I'll share my identity if you share yours."
"Baywatch, weren't you obsessed with M'gann like, yesterday?" Artemis asked, crossing her arms.
"But then we broke the news to him," M'gann said, floating over to Scarlet Jewel. "I'm M'gann, but on earth, you can call me Megan. It's kind of my earth name."
"I'm Artemis," the archer said. "Just Artemis."
Wally smiled at Scarlet Jewel, "I'll Wally. And if I were a pirate, my parrot would be right—" he paused and put his arm around her shoulders. "Here!"
That earned him a slap in the face.
"Don't you ever try that again," Jewel snapped.
Kaldur finally stepped forward, "Please, Scarlet Jewel, ignore him. My name is Kaldur'Ahm, though you may call me Kaldur."
SJ nodded, "I'm Susanne," she said, deactivating her powers as her black and red hair faded into plain black and her eyes turned brown.
"Whoa!" Kid Flash said. "Built in costume!"
Robin, Diceville
Two days. It had been two days since Scarlet Jewel left, and I had the nails hammered into his flesh. These scars I wouldn't be able to cover up, so I had no idea how they would explain to my school how I got them.
Scarecrow had come in the mornings with his new fear drug, which he would use and put me to sleep for a few hours. About an hour after I would wake up sweating, Joker came in with laughing gas.
I honestly didn't know which was worse; the fear gas, or the laughing gas. The laughing gas hurt physically, but the fear gas was like a barrage of mental bullets, shooting me everywhere that wouldn't kill me. Just enough to hurt, and keep me alive.
I didn't allow myself to cry after the nails. I wanted to, so many times, I just wanted to let it all out, but I couldn't. I couldn't give Joker the satisfaction, and I couldn't wipe my eyes afterwards.
I heard the door opening and saw Joker coming in with his laughing gas. Every day went another 15 minutes, but even that couldn't entertain Joker forever. He would switch tactics soon, even if Scarecrow didn't want him to. I knew the crowbar would be coming out soon.
I didn't bother trying to fight against the restrains anymore. I could normally easily break out, but the nails made it impossible. I would have just lifted my hands and ignored the pain, but they were long enough that no matter how high I lifted my hands, the nails would remain in the chair and the handcuffs would keep me from going any farther.
"Dickie?" Joker asked as he strutted in, stopping in front of me and looking me in the eye. "What's the matter?"
I didn't say anything. "Answer me." Still nothing. "Don't just sit there!"
I broke eye contact and I could tell her was getting angry now. "Why," he said, slapping me across the face. "So." He slapped me again. "SERIOUS?" he punched me in the stomach, knocking the air out of me.
He then started laughing to the point where he fell over onto his back, holding his stomach as if it would burst. "You're just like Bruce," he said. "Depressingly boring!"
He pulled out a syringe this time, instead of using the IV. He didn't explain anything, just did the usual; injected me, then sat back and watched, laughing along.
The Young Justice League, Mount Justice
It had been a week since Scarlet Jewel got there. Batman was walking normally again, and the bullet wounds in Susanne's side and shoulder had become mere scratches.
Black Canary entered the mountain holding a massive box. She made her way to the infirmary where J'onn was giving the OK to go get Robin.
"I was hoping I could catch you before you left," she said, setting the box down on a table next to the bed where Susanne sat. "I had something made," she motioned to the box.
Susanne reached over and pulled the massive box onto her lap, opening it and finding a pair of red, above the knee boots. Underneath the boots was a black spandex costume with a belt matching her old one, red sleeves that covered her breasts and a new, sharp scarlet sai.
"I—I don't know what to say…" Susanne said, looking at the new costume, pulling out the costume and finding Kevlar lining in it.
Black Canary smiled, "Welcome to the team."
Susanne looked up and saw Kaldur in the doorway. "We are ready," the Atlantean said.
SJ nodded and stood up, making her way into a room, she slid on the new costume, taking in the sight in the mirror. She stepped into the hallway and made her way to where the team was waiting. She heard Wally whistle to himself, very quietly.
"You ready?" Batman asked, and the team plus Susanne all nodded. "Then let's go save Robin."
…To be continued…
