Welcome back to Young Justice Fall of Cadmus and can I just say it's fun to be writing again. I am still taking requests for characters, any and all ideas are welcome and I will try and honor any I'm given . My story will encompass not only the television series but the more important comics from Young Justice as well. The story will follow a plot line in which some features of JLU are tied in. I do not own JLU or Young Justice but my OCs are my children so no stealing. Now let's Drop into the newest Adventure.
Young Justice Chapter VI
Drop Zone Part One
Santa Prisca, June 19, 00:43 ETC
The largest structure on the jungle island looked like the child of a factory and a fort. Masked guards decked in red and black walked the walls, gripping their guns tightly as they stared out into the night. Ever guard had their eyes peeled for native insurgents, just in case any tried to launch another attack to free their leader.
Inside the factory several vat's bubbled with toxic chemicals, waiting for processing and refinement. More guards walked amongst the vats checking containers and crates, making sure they were ready for shipment. Further inside the complex was a series of hurriedly made cells, where the former master of the island now stood.
Bane, accomplished super villain, now stood defeated amongst his men. Bane was a kingpin in the drug trade and because of this he had gained a large following of loyal mercs and dependent addicts. He had trained each and everyone of them in combat, against super and regular threats. So he along with the rest of his captured men were shocked by the fact that a group of only two dozen men and women, albeit with very advanced technology, had overtaken the entire island and ousted almost all of the cartel.
A group of the intruders arrived with rifles, motioning for Bane and some of his lieutenants to follow them. Bane, who was dressed in a black muscle shirt, cargo pants, and combat boots alongside his signature black-and-white luchador mask, glared at the assembled intruders. He contemplated if attacking the nearest one was worth getting shot with the high powered rifles the others were pointing at his head. Instead spat at the lead guard's feet before following after his men, all of whom held their hands behind their heads. Bane refused to be shamed in this way and walked with his arms at his sides.
He scowled at the lead guard, who stood off to his left, "Where are you taking us pendejo?"
The lead guard smiled reverently and replied in perfect Spanish for the benefit of Bane's underlings, "Our sublime Master, decrees he will leave this facility if and only if one of your number defeats his champion Mammoth, in single combat."
They stopped in front of a closed gate that opened into an open courtyard that looked like it had been hastily turned into a gladiatorial pit. Bane stepped towards the door confident in his ability to defeat any man, after all he was the man who had almost broke the Bat.
"Just make this interesting." Bane told the guard nonchalantly as the gate opened for him. He missed the smirk the guard gave him as he entered the arena.
At the other end the arena another gate opened, and out walked a skinny, messy brown haired, young man, wearing tight black pants, a blue midriff baring tank top, shin high leather boots and a black neck choker. Next to him stood a woman with bright red hair, and a snake tattoo that covered the right side of her head. She wore a pair of pants and shirt similar to the young man along with a pair of elbow length gloves.
Bane glared at the pair across from him, he assumed the boy was Mammoth, a very unfitting name, he hardly came up to Bane's chest, and Bane hadn't even taken any Venom. His injector had been taken from him once he had been captured.
A clatter from behind him made him turn around. On the ground behind him sat his injector, filled to the brim with Venom. Bane bent down and picked it up, before shooting the man outside the gate a skeptical look.
"You would give me back my greatest weapon?" Bane asked, "What is the catch, tunante?"
"No catch," the man said with a mocking smile, "It would hardly be a challenge for my Master's champion's prowess if you were not at your best."
Bane laughed at the thought of this so called "Mammoth" hurting him now, let alone when he was strengthened with Venom.
"You want my best, hombrecito?" Bane asked, attaching the trigger mechanism of the injector to his wrist and the feed tube to the base of his skull, "You got it."
He squeezed the trigger, and a red fluid began to flow into his head. His pupils widened and his already impressive musculature expanded to the point where his clothes were almost ripping at the seams. Bane now stood about a foot taller and his chest was several inches wider. He cracked the tendons in his neck and glared across the room, as the woman pulled out a needle and injected a purple liquid into "Mammoth's" arm.
She then quickly retreated out of the gate behind him and smiled sadistically at what was taking place. Mammoth's whole body seized up and arched upward. Foam appeared at the corner of his mouth as a crazy laugh escaped his lips. His body twisted in unnatural shapes, his canines growing. After another half second of laughing and twitching a monster stood where the skinny looking weakling once stood.
Mammoth now stood at least ten feet tall and his skin had hardened into a scaly hide. His musculature had expanded so much it had split sections of the hardened skin revealing the strengthened red flesh beneath. The mutant smiled with the teeth of a tiger before charging forward towards Bane. Mammoth was so fast that Bane only had seconds to prepared, as a huge scaly fist came flying at his head. Bane lifted his arms just in time to block the super powered punch, despite that he was pushed back several feet. He growled in frustration before taking a step back, then launching at his opponent punching him hard in the stomach then slamming a fist into the side of the brutes face. Mammoth took a step back and gave a gruff laugh, clearly unfazed by the two high powered blows to his body.
Shock played across Bane's face as Mammoth leapt forward, grabbed him by the neck with his one hand just as he hammered the other into Bane's stomach. Mammoth then picked up the now dazed Bane and threw him into a nearby wall where he collapsed in a heap coughing up blood. Mammoth snorted in anger and charged once again, and proceeded to punch Bane deeper and deeper into a crater. Mammoth only stopped when he saw Bane had fallen completely unconscious, he then turned and roared at Bane's men, all of whom backed up with looks of shock and fear plastered across their faces. The lead cultist smiled reverently as he began shouting
"Hail Kobra! Hail Kobra! Hail Kobra!"
This chant was soon picked up by the other members of the Cult of Kobra. The chanting continued to spread until every cult member inside the facility was giving praise to their 'divine' lord.
"Hail Kobra! Hail Kobra! Hail Kobra!"
At the top balcony of the courtyard a tall muscled figure in a cloak watched from the shadows, his oddly pale skin seemed to absorb the shadows around him which only made his snake like smile even more disturbing. Kobra stepped out of the shadows and watched as Mammoth and the other cultists went to a knee, bowing their heads in reverence to their great leader. The cult leader basked in the love of his followers before disappearing back into the shadows with a sadistic grin on his face. He had great things planned even though for now he was yoked into serving lesser men, his thoughts turned back to his followers and his grin deepened.
"Soon even the Light will hail Kobra as their saviors."
Mount Justice, July 22, 17:07 EDT
Aqualad, Kid Flash, Robin, Hawkgirl, Superboy, Steel, Kid Devil, and Miss Martian stood in the briefing room preparing for their first real mission as a team. Several of the members had changed up their attire to match the new mood of the team. Robin had added a hood to his cape along with a new green holo-gauntlet that upgraded his hacking abilities. Kid Flash's suit had gained shoulder pads for better protection when using his "cannon-balling" technique. Hawkgirl had added a black kevlar body suit under her Nth metal armor.
Meanwhile Kid Devil had gotten a whole new look, his white hair was now pulled back into a ponytail, while his custom made bio-suit looked like a pair a loose fitting black shorts and two grey belts which crossed his bare chest forming a X. He also wore a black collar of sorts around his neck. In the middle of the X was an emblem that looked like a pair of flaming halo.
Superboy, Aqualad, Miss Martian and Steel all looked the same except for Steel's scarf which he wore constantly only taking it off when not in the presence of the others. The group's main focus was a set of holograms showing maps and charts of a small island. Next to these maps was Batman and Flash, both of whom had been waiting for everyone to arrive. Batman began as soon everyone settled down and gave him their full attention.
"Isla Santa Prisca, this island is the primary source of the dangerous and illegal neo-steroid a strength-enhancing drug known as Venom," he said, gesturing at the screen, "Infrared scans of the island show that the main factory is still operating at full capacity, and yet all shipments of Venom have mysteriously stopped."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Hawkgirl asked.
"Under normal circumstances like a UN or League raid, yes this would be wonderful news," Batman said with his usual grimace, "Yet no such task force has been employed. The League has been keeping a close eye on Bane ever since he turned the whole town of San Juan, Mexico into a Venom infused army. He had pulled back on his shipments and was trying to lie low, but to completely cut off profit just to avoid the League is not his MO."
"So this is were you guys come in," Flash said with a smile, "It's a covert recon mission, and that's it. You'll go in, observe and report your findings to the League, so we can find out a way to handle the situation."
Batman nodded at his compatriot before continuing, "The plan will require two distinct drops zones..."
"That's great," Robin interrupted, "But who's in charge?"
Batman and Flash looked as each other for a moment before turning back to the Team.
"That will be for you to decide." Batman said with a hint of a smile.
Santa Prisca, July 22, 20:08 ETC
"We are approaching Santa Prisca," Miss Martian announced from the pilot seat of the cloaked bio-ship, "First drop zone in thirty seconds, Aqualad, Hawkgirl, Steel you're up."
Aqualad and Hawkgirl stood up from their seats and walked to the back of the bio-ship. Aqualad reached down and touched the golden A in the center of his belt. Instantly his normally red vest turned dark gray, while his blue pants turned black. Hawkgirl touched the center of her breastplate which instantly retracted into her kevlar body suit along with her gauntlets, boots and skirt. She was left in a skintight black body suit which allowed her wings to really breath. She twirled around and gave Aqualad a big smile.
"How do I look?" she asked, blushing.
"It is very-form fitting." Aqualad said with a small grin, which made Katie blushed a deeper shade of red. Before she could say anything else the back hatch opened to reveal a floating Steel waiting for them. He too had been upgraded with stealth tech, he now stood only about six feet tall and was much slimmer with much of his body mass being resized in reflective black plates, his face was covered in a tinted sheet of glass that hide his features. His gem was now circular and glowed a soft blue color while his tattered scarf fluttered in the breeze. Kid Devil had started calling this mode Steel Ninja as a joke but it seemed to fit the new sleek design.
"Are you ready?" the android asked his voice sounding calmer than normal.
"As we'll ever be," Aqualad said, walking to the edge of the hatch, "See you on shore."
He jumped out of the bio-ship and hit the water feet first, without even a ripple. Steel and Hawkgirl took to the air seconds later and flew low to the water so they wouldn't alert the island security systems. Aqualad landed on the beach first and raced towards the nearest missile battery, he smacked a small disk on it's side and watched as the blinking lights all turned green.
"Heat and motion sensors down." he said into his communicator. He looked up to see two black shapes race overhead, then separate, one flying further inland while the other landed amongst a copse of trees.
A second later Hawkgirl sounded over the comms, "Cameras down."
Half a minute later Steel checked in, "Designated landing zone free of any mechanical or organic signatures, Miss Martian you are go for landing."
"Alright guys see you at the rendezvous." She answered as the bio-ship flew over Aqualad causing the sky to shimmer.
"Alright we reached the rendezvous point," Robin said as he checked his holo-gauntlet, "Time to go stealth."
Robin pulled up his hood while Kid Flash pressed the lightning bolt in the middle of his chest and his color pattern changed from yellow and red to grey and black with the lightning bolt staying a bright red.
"How cool is this," KF said with a smile, as he looked over at Miss M, KD, and Superboy, "Are you sure you guys don't want the new stealth tech?"
Miss Martian shook her head as her bio-suit morphed from a white shirt blue skirt combo to a black one piece outfit, the red X on her chest stayed the same while she gained a belt of the same color, her blue cap darkened and grew longer, adding a hood. KD's suit morphed as well, the shorts grew to cover his legs while the collar grew to cover his shoulder and his mouth.
"Impressive," Kid Flash said with a grin, "But what about you Superboy? It's not too late to try out the new stealth tech! "
Superboy scowled and crossed his arms, " No capes, no tights...no offense."
"It totally works for you." Miss M said dreamily, staring at Superboy, causing KD to smile behind his mask as he saw the look on his brother's face.
Miss Martian blushed before trying to amend her previous statement, "I meant th-that you can totally do good work in those cloths."
Kid Devil laughed and punched her lightly on the arm, "Sure you did sheila."
Superboy shrugged off their odd behavior and prepared for deployment, while Miss M pulled her hood over her face to hide her embarrassment, which just renewed KD laughter. Robin and KF just shook their heads at how oblivious the clone was.
Miss Martian pulled herself together and gestured at the ceiling, causing tether lines to deploy, while holes opened on the floor in front of each hero.
"Time to make our descent." she said casually, trying to avoid looking at Kid Devil. KF and Robin clipped on tethers and descended to the jungle floor with a floating M'Gann right behind them. Standing below them were Steel, Aqualad, and Hawkgirl. KD appeared right next to Steel in a burst of flames as the others touched the ground. Steel looked up just in time to push the others out of the way with a hard-light hand, as Superboy slammed to the ground where they had been standing.
"Knew I didn't need a tether." Superboy said with a grin, standing up.
"And yet, creating a small seismic event may not have helped us with the covert." Robin quipped irritably.
"Yeah Supie that migh' no' 'ave been your smartes' idea." KD said with a grimace.
"Now is not the time to be squabbling amongst ourselves," Aqualad said severely, "We have to focus on the mission."
Robin and Superboy nodded in acknowledgement.
"All right, now that that's settled," KF said with a quick grin, "Let's get going."
Before he could run off Robin motioned him and KD over. They approached slowly with confused looks on their faces.
"Shouldn' we be goin' with them mate?" Kid Devil asked, pointing over his shoulder at the other's retreating forms.
"We will, I already sent Steel the coordinates for the main factory complex so we'll catch up with them soon enough," Robin said, "The three of us however are going to be doing some scouting and reconnaissance."
"Shouldn't we tell the others this?" KF asked, giving his friend a harsh look, "Besides Hawkgirl would be better for scouting."
"Nah, she doesn't have goggles that sense heat or energy, now doesn't she." Robin said with a smirk.
"No offense dude but I think I'll stick with the others for now, you and KD are a lot better at the stealth deal anyway." KF said with a grudging smile as he ran to join the others.
Robin looked a little angry that KF wasn't listening to him but he shrugged it off and turned to KD.
"Are you coming or are you going with the others too?" he asked somewhat accusingly.
"You kiddin' mate," KD said, disappearing before Robin's eyes, "I was made for this, jus' call me the Boy Wonder II."
"There's already three of us but okay." Robin joked before jumping into the tree, with the camouflaged Kid Devil right behind him.
The rest of the Team had continued through the underbrush quietly following Steel, who had taken the lead due to him being the only one that knew the correct heading. Aqualad and Superboy followed close behind while Miss Martian and Hawkgirl walked off to the one side. Aqualad turned around to make sure everyone was keeping pace and noticed that three of their number were missing.
"Where are Robin, Kid Devil, and Kid Fl..." He began to ask when KF burst out of the underbrush to his left.
"Sorry I'm late," KF said with a grin, "But Boy Wonder decided to take a little detour and he took the Devil with him."
"Where did they go? Miss Martian asked
"We decided to scout ahead to check for any traps or checkpoints," a voice said behind her and Hawkgirl, which made both of them to jump into the air. The air shimmered and Kid Devil appeared holding his sides as he tried to contain his laughter, "You should see the looks on your faces.
Robin dropped to the ground behind Steel before nodding at Aqualad, "We didn't see anything incriminating yet but we did notice what looked to be a small wall up village to the east. I think we should check it out."
He looked at the others for approval but no one really seemed to think it would be a good idea. Aqualad was about to say something when both Superboy and Kid Devil straightened and looked in the same direction.
"Did you hear that," Superboy asked the others as KD jumped into a tree and climbed up into the canopy. The other's looked really confused at the clone's odd behavior.
"Here what?" Kid Flash asked
"A gunshot, and someone crying." Superboy responded taking a step forward, pushing aside some of the foliage and sending his vision into the infrared. His eyes glowed blue for a moment.
"I see an armed group heading towards the village." he reported.
KF stepped forward and pulled his goggles down over his eyes. He hit a button on the side and they changed to infrared as well.
"He's not kidding guys, there's a big squad of heavily armed jerks walking rather quickly to that village," KF reported to the others, "I also see another group running full tilt towards them, they also seem to be packing some serious firepower."
"Oi', we've go' problems," KD said, dropping back down with a mix of anger and panic in his eyes, "From the top of that tree I could see righ' into the village, some bloody bastard carrying a rifle is holding several ankle biters hostage."
Before he could say anymore a series of explosions and gunshots rang out. The team leapt behind a large set of boulders and looked through the trees surprised.
"Sure don't need super-hearing now" KF quipped, peering over the boulders.
"What's happening?" Aqualad asked Superboy, who was still watching the battle out of cover.
"The two groups have opened fire on each other but I think the villagers might be in danger, both sides are chucking explosives."
"Alright, Robin you take Haw…" Aqualad stopped and looked around for Robin, but in his usual infuriating manner he had disappeared, "Great as usual, he's run off somewhere. Never mind, Hawkgirl, Kid Devil go to the village and protect the civilians, take down any guards but don't engage the main groups, understand."
"Go' i' mate." KD said, jumping back into the canopy, where a flash of hell fire showed he had teleported to the village. Hawkgirl gave Kaldur a determined smile and slapped the medallion on her chest, causing her armor to reactivate. She leapt into the air, mace in hand and flew off towards the village.
"All right, the rest of us will try and avoid getting involved with the fire fight." Aqualad said, addressing the others. They all nodded in agreement, except for KF.
"Sure, we can avoid them," KF said offhandedly, "After I find Robin."
Before anyone could stop him he raced off into the jungle. He tried to circle around the fighting, but hit a patch of mud which sent him rolling full tilt into the battle. Both sides froze as they stared at the intruder in their midst. Kid Flash shook his head and looked up, only to find himself at the feet of the native's leader, Bane. The kingpin glared at the speedster before leveling his gun at Wally's head.
"So much for being stealthy." KF muttered to himself, dodging out of the path of the incoming bullet. He leapt to his feet and ran as fast as he was could, avoiding the gunfire around him, but he knew he couldn't keep it up forever. He heard a high pitched whistling noise and saw a flash of blue pass by him.
Steel landed next to KF and pointed his hands at both groups. Two hard light katannas appeared and he charged, causing mayhem in both group's ranks. Superboy and Aqualad appeared out of the brush and charged a now enraged Bane. Superboy punched the drug lord in the stomach, while Aqualad used his water bearer's to smack aside any fighter's who tried to get in their way. KF and Steel stood behind a barrier that was slowly beginning to chip away under the more refined groups never ending barrage.
"I recognize their outfits from my data banks," Steel said, "They're the Cult of Kobra, a fanatical militant religious group, who follow a 'god' made mortal, who of course is named Kobra."
"Well thank you for the history lesson Professor," KF said sarcastically, "But I think we should focus on taking them down, not on who the worship." Steel nodded in agreement as he re-strengthened his barrier to block an incoming barrage of bullets.
One of the cultists ran forward and went down to one knee, a futuristic rocket launcher propped up on his shoulder, before pointing it at the young heroes and firing.
"Oh shit!" KF swore as the rocket soared towards him and Steel, when it suddenly froze in mid air, turned around and flew back towards it's shooter. M'Gann appeared in the air next to Steel, her eyes glowing. The rocket smashed into the ground in front of the cultists and caused mass panic. M'gann smiled at the surprised looks on the KF's face and flew towards the cultists at top speed. Steel and KF looked at each other, the later with a goofy grin on his face, and took off after her, with the intent of fist meeting face.
Several minutes later KF raced into the village and saw a group of bedraggled citizens run out to meet him. The lead villager, an elderly man with an eye patch, shook his hand vigorously. The other's appeared several seconds later, Aqualad and Superboy in the lead carrying the confiscated weapons, with Miss M and Steel in the back using their combined powers to carry the trapped cultist and guerrillas.
"Gracias, Señores and Señoritas," the elderly man said with a big smile as he shook the other's hands, "You saved us from those Kobra pendejos, though I must say La Ángel and el Diablo gave us quite a fright when they dropped out of the sky."
The man introduced himself as Uno Amoria, and began to tell the group that this village had paid "protection" fees to Bane's men for a long time so they would leave them be. That had all changed when Kobra had arrived a month ago and put down the crime lord and his army. The cult had taken over most of the island except for several holdouts, including the village.
"If you chicos hadn't have shown up, I imagine tonight would have been my last." Uno said as he lead the Team through the village towards their comrades.
"We are very glad to have assisted you sir." Aqualad said with a kind smile. Uno stopped and watched as Superboy handed some of the weaponry off to a group of hard eyed villagers. Aqualad followed his gaze and looked back to see the man frown.
"I must also thank you for the chance you have given us," Uno said though he didn't seem very excited about the prospect of more conflict, "Many of my people have lost loved one's to Kobra and before that to Bane and his group of cabrones, with what you have given us we may finally free ourselves of our oppressors.
"You are very welcome Señor Amoria." Steel said as they turned a corner and found KD, Hawkgirl and…Robin, who was currently getting chewed out by the former.
"How could you just run off like that without even saying a word to any of us?!" Katie yelled, "What's wrong with you?!"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with all of you?" Robin fired back, "What happened to being covert? Why didn't the rest of you follow my lead and disappear into the jungle?"
"Two reason's Boy Blunder!" Kid Flash yelled at him,inserting himself into the conversation, "First off there were civilians in trouble, and second off we aren't mind readers."
KF broke off as he saw Miss Martian use her telekinesis to chain the cultists and guerrillas to separate trees in the village square, "Not all of us anyway."
"You told me I could only read the bad guy's minds." Miss M. protested.
"Whatever!" Robin yelled, "At least we know why the Venom shipments have stopped now, the Cult ousted Bane and his men, took control of his factory, and are now trying to gain full control of the island."
"Well tha's good ain' i' mate." Kid Devil put in, "We can go 'ome now can' we?
Steel walked over to Bane's men and scanned all of them including the super villain himself.
"None of them have Venom in their systems," the android said, "Kobra must be stockpiling it for some reason."
"We can't leave," Robin said, "Not until I know why."
"Until you know why?" KF and Hawkgirl asked at the same time.
"This team needs a leader!" Robin yelled
"And it's you?" Kid Flash asked with a scowl, "Dude you ducked out on us without a word, what kind of leader leaves his team behind?"
The two continued to argue with Hawkgirl interjecting at sporadic moments. KD walked over to stand next to Steel, Miss M, and Superboy. Aqualad and Uno both walked over to try and break up the fight but all they managed to do was calm down Hawkgirl, who walked off to stand by the others.
Kid Devil turned to the others with a question in his eyes, "Any of you mates wan' to be leader, cause I sure as 'ell don'."
"I have no need to be leader Brother Devil," the android said,shaking his head, "What about you Brother Superboy, Sister Hawkgirl?"
Superboy snorted and shook his head, Hawkgirl pondered the question for a minute.
"It doesn't really feel like my cup of tea." she admitted. Superboy turned to M'gann who had been silent the whole time. "What about you?"
"I don't have what it takes," she replied sadly, "I found that out after our fight with Twister."
"You did okay." Superboy said with a smile, which caused Miss M to blush furiously, and KD to playfully punch him in the arm.
Superboy was distracted from saying anything else, when his super hearing picked up one of Bane's men speaking in a low voice. He looked and saw that KD's long ears had perked up as well which meant he too was picking up on the conversation. Superboy also noticed that Uno had stopped talking and was staring at the ground intensely, somehow this old man could also hear the near silent conversation.
"Look at them argue!" the goon said in Spanish, "You should free yourself, take them down, and then burn these traitor's homes to the ground!"
Before Bane could answer however Uno stormed over and grabbed the man who had spoken by the chest and lifted him high over everyone's head.
This shocked Kid Flash and Robin in silence, while Aqualad took a step forward to stop the man from doing whatever he planned to do. Before he could do anything though KD caught his arm.
"Don' worry mate the old bloke hasn' gone mad," the Genomorph said, his eyes glinting mischievously, "The idio' wanted Bane to burn down this village, and take us ou', le' them talk i' out."
They turned to see the Uno had pinned the man to a wall and was busy berating him.
"Burn down my home will you, toxicómano?" Uno asked angrily, "I would love to see you or your "great" leader try!"
He then lifted the man into the air again and chucked him back to his place besides Bane. Uno walked towards Bane and re-chained the frightened guerrilla to the tree. He turned to the young heroes, all of whom stepped back when they saw that Uno had changed. His eye had become snake like but the most distinguishing feature was the fact that glowing green and gold snake tattoos much like Aqualad's now covered his face, neck and arms.
Bane was also taken aback before he pulled against his chains angrily. "You!" he roared, "I warned you never to return to my island pendejo!"
Uno turned to the masked man and punched him hard in the stomach, "This was never your island, and the plant's you stole from me and the other Azteca were never meant for use by you or any other untrained individual. Now thanks to your bravado and stupidity you brought the Heathen Kobra to our doorstep and he too has perverted the sacred plant of Quetzalcóatl!"
"Uh…what the hell are you talking about?!" KF asked, voicing the other's confusion. The only one's who didn't seem confused where Steel and Aqualad.
"Allow me to explain," Uno began, his face a cold mask,"I am one of the Azteca an ancient sect of warriors priests loyal to Quetzalcóatl. We used a special herb which was created by our god to strengthen our bodies and gain the power of the Feathered Serpent."
Uno then gestured at Bane, "This fool was once an initiate in our order but his anger and rage were too great so we refused to give him the sacred plant, feeling betrayed he stole the plant but it refused to work for him. He did however learn how to distill the actual nectar of the plant into the steroid Venom, with it he almost destroyed the Azteca, and stole most of the sacred herb. I am one of the last Azteca and I had planned on remaking the order on this island our former homeland, until the Heretic appeared that is."
"You are a mystic like me." Aqualad stated simply, activating his Atlantean tattoos.
"Indeed Atlantean, these tattoos allow me to control the fury the plant releases and focus it for better control. The fools you see here never were a part of the order so instead of controlling their rage, the rage controls them. They only receive the strength the plant bestows but none of it's greater gifts as well."
Robin had been silent for a while when something clicked in his head, "You're Aztec! Batman talked about you, back when you were a member of the Society, but he never said told me anything about mystic tattoos, he said you got your powers from the suit you wore."
"A unwanted but necessary lie," Aztec stated calmly as his tattoos dissipated, "I was sworn to secrecy by my order, not even my closest allies could know, but now that the order has been dissolved I now longer see the reason to keep my identity nor my powers a secret."
"Well that's one mystery solved but we don't know where Kobra is, or what they plan to do with the Venom." Hawkgirl deadpanned.
In that instant Bane saw his chance.
"I now where Kobra and his fanáticos are," he said, gaining everyone's attention, "The pendejo took over the factory in the center of the island, my factory, only I can lead you to the secret entrance."
Miss Martian bent down and stared into Bane's eyes as her own began to glow, "There is a secret entrance, but he is also hiding something."
"Ah, ah, ah, chica," Bane said as he felt M'gann enter his mind, "Bane is not that easy."
Miss Martian sighed in frustration, "He's mentally reciting fútbol scores, en español...this could take a while."
"Or it could only take a few minutes." Uno said, cracking his knuckles and stepped towards the kingpin.
"No need for senseless violence," Bane said, gaining a snort from Aztec, "It is all very simple yes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
The Team looked at each other trying to figure out what to do next, they knew they didn't have much of a choice all things considered but they still felt anxious. Superboy stepped forward and freed Bane who stood up and stretched, he then began to head towards the east end of the village.
"Come niños, it is not very far from here." Bane said without turning around, the Team reluctantly followed all except for Aqualad who was held back by Aztec.
"You now you can't trust him correct niño?" Aztec asked a look of concern in his eye.
"We do not have any other viable options." Aqualad said with a grimace, "You could come with us just in case."
Aztec shook his head a look of shame and sadness passing over his face. "I can not, it is true that I hate the Heretic, but the fall of the order didn't just nearly rob me of my sight, it robbed me of my spirit, the man you see before you hasn't been a hero for a very long time."
"That is sad to hear," Aqualad said as he turned to follow the others, "But your actions here and the way you hold yourself say otherwise."
Aqualad left Aztec and followed the others out of the compound, he looked back and saw that Uno had was looking up at the stars with a look of regret and sadness plastered across his face. The older man then made a move that looked like he was going to follow the young heroes but instead he turned and walked back towards the other edge of the village. Slightly disheartened Aqualad made to catch up with the others, who had almost disappeared into the underbrush.
And End! First off I wish to explain Steel's transformations, if you haven't guessed already they're are linked to the other colors of the emotional spectrum so expect some fun new forms and abilities later in the story. Now about Aztec, he is an actual DC hero but I thought making him a follower of Quetzalcoatl but having him use technology was a little dumb, so instead he's a badass magical warrior. Linking him to Venom was also a split second decision so I hope you enjoy it. Remember Vox just loves flames, this has been Damont Evermore Peace!
