The WatchTower
December 29th, 2016
15:30 EST
"911 what's your emergency?"
"Th-they're, they're going to hurt a lot of people. They want to kill."
"Who is trying to hurt people ma'am? Can you tell me where you are? Are you in a safe pla-"
"Mayor Fermin's campaign party. El Paso Convention Center, 5pm. They all have superpowers. Please, I-I think they might kill him.
"Who is-"
"Metahumans. Please, stop them."
The voices of the 911 call rang through the common area of The Watch Tower. Aqualad and Batgirl stood in front of the floating computer screen. Blue Beetle, Wonder Girl, Static, Bumblebee, Tigress, Batgirl, Rose, Nightwing, and La'gaan stood around them. They watched as the voice analyzer jumped up and down on the screen. The dispatcher, a throaty older woman, clashed with the high pitch of young girl on the other end.
Jaime felt his stomach drop at the sound of Mayor Fermin's name.
"Approximately two hours ago we received a copy of this 911 call from the El Paso police dispatch." Aqualad addressed them with a firm gaze. "In case you are not aware already, El Paso mayor Wesley Fermin is running for Governor next year. Tonight is his official announcement party. The guest list includes about 400 of his wealthiest and most influential supporters." He pulled up several news articles about the Mayor's scandals on the screen. "Mayor Fermin has recently been under spotlight. He has been accused of illegal taxation, questionable business practices, and sexual assault. All of these charges have recently been dropped but that does not mean that everyone believes he is innocent. The El Paso PD believes it is possible that the people the 911 call is talking about may be seeking their own form of justice."
"And that's why they asked for our help," Static questioned. "Because they might be metahumans?"
"Correct." Batgirl answered. "But Mayor Fermin has made it explicitly clear that he wants protection done undercover. Which is why we've arranged for all of you for this mission instead of League members. He is worried that costumed heroes watching the crowd and guarding the doors might make his guest...uncomfortable."
Wonder Girl scoffed, "Glad to know appearance trumps safety."
"Interesting enough," Aqualad raised one of his brows. "When The League was contacted, Mayor Fermin wanted to know if we knew Blue Beetle," Jaime jumped at the sound of his name. "And specifically asked for him to be on the team." Kaldur's eyes met his gaze. "He said that it may be tied to your... 'investigation'. Is there something that you would like to fill us in on, Jaime?"
"Yeeeah…" Jaime rubbed the back of his neck. All eyes were upon him. He sighed. "A couple months ago, Mayor Fermin caught me out on patrol one night and asked me for some help. Some superstores and pharmacies were getting robbed while loading and unloading shipments. And some of the employees were getting roughed up. Some people saw the thieves flee to the Tiguan Indian Reservation. But I haven't been able to catch them."
"And I haven't received any reports on this, why?" Kaldur chided. "Jaime..do you suspect it might be someone you know?"
Jaime pursed his lips. It appeared as though he could not keep his suspicion hidden any longer. "Yeah, I think Tye might be involved with it."
Everyones' brows perked at Jaime's response. He elaborated, "Tye's been basically off the map for a while. He started hanging out with a new crowd, got a new girlfriend. She's….manipulative to say the least." His words dripped his irritation at the thought of Jenny. "Her Dad's the Tribal Chief, and I'm fairly certain they're taking the product and giving it out to the people there." He growled to himself. "But I don't have any hard proof."
"You can't find any?" Kaldur questioned. "Or maybe, you didn't want to find any?" Jaime's gaze fell to the floor. He would be a liar if he said that Kaldur's words weren't a little bit true. All he had to do was let the Scarab scan their backpacks back at Jenny's home. But that could have held consequences that he desperately didn't want the responsibility of.
"Jaime, Tye is a metahuman." Batgirl's words were stern. "And what you say he might be involved in, could make him suspect for today. Do you know if the others in his group could be a concern for us? Do you believe that they are capable of extreme violence?"
"I don't know." Jaime shrugged, a fleck of sadness flashing across his face. "I really don't know anymore."
Kaldur hummed low in his throat. "You and I will discuss the importance of reporting information after the mission, Jaime." Jaime's eyes fell. He rubbed the tip of his right shoe on the floor. He felt like a scolded child. Kaldur addressed the rest of the team. "As for the rest of you, the squads and duties will still remain the same for the most part." He pulled up a blueprint of the Convention center on the screen. "Nightwing and I will be Alpha. Our job will be to follow Mayor Fermin around as his personal bodyguards. Bumblebee, Static, Wondergirl: you three will be Beta. You will be rovers. It is your job to continue to move about the floor, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activities. Blue Beetle, Tigress, and Batgirl will be Gamma. You will position yourself by the main doors. You will be our first line of defense, keeping a lookout for any known Metacriminals...As well as Tye now. Rose, La'gaan, you are Delta. Miss Martian, Beast Boy, and Superboy agreed to Zeta between Mars and Earth for their mission today so we may use the Bioship. You two will fly it to the convention center where you will observe from the roof. And, worst case scenario and Mr. Fermin is attacked, Nightwing and I will usher him to the roof where you will fly him to safety."
"Awww what?" Rose whined. "We're the gettaway car?"
"Is there a problem Rose?" Kaldur addressed.
"No." She pouted, crossing her arms. "I was just hoping I'd get to punch somebody today."
"Sorry chum." La'gaan nudged her with his elbow. "Newbies get the soft gigs. Have to make sure you can handle the job first."
Rose sneered at his touch. Artemis leaned into her, whispering in her ear, "Who knows. If La'gaan annoys you enough, maybe you'll get to slap him around."
Rose grinned and hummed in amusement. She liked the way Artemis thought.
"Seems like a lot of people for one mission," Karen interjected.
"Our tip said that there might be metahumans but it did not say how many or how strong." Aqualad explained. "We should be prepared. And though I doubt the whole space will be used, the center is 80,000 square feet. So we need as many eyes as we can get. We are going with the 'better to be over prepared than under prepared'." He pulled up a weather radar for Texas. Heavy rain clouds crept across it. "The weather in El Paso does not bode well for tonight so Zeta travel may not be available later. We will take the Super Cycle as well as the Bioship. The thing to remember in the mission is to not make yourself look obvious. You may eat and engage with others but still pay attention to your surroundings."
"Make sure your communicators are functional and gather any weapons you may need," Batgirl added. "The attire for his mission is formal wear. So don't bring anything you can't hide under your suits, sports jackets, or dresses. We leave in one hour."
El Paso - Convention Center
December 29th, 2016
16: 27 MDT
A nervous tension weighed heavy across the small security surveillance room. Tye, Jivan, Sebastian, Summer and Adalae scattered about the area. Lost in their own thoughts as they sat in their dilapidated chairs. Summer sat at the desk that held the monitors. The screens showing every angle of the building as guest arrived. Her fingernails clacked on the desk with ferocity. She was unknowingly chewing on her other thumb nail as her eyes darted from screen to screen. A growing knot tighten in her belly.
Jivan ground his teeth at the sound of Summer's tapping. They were all nervous, on edge and, quite honestly, a little afraid. The noise was the last straw for him. "Summer," he snipped. She whipped around at the sound of her name. "I am about two seconds away from ripping those nails right out of your fingers."
Her upper lip curled in to a snarl. A small growl rang from her throat. "Try it, and you'll find yourself neutered, mutt."
Summer yelped as a cold hand snatched the back of her neck. Jenny had snuck up behind her. Jenny's voice was cold and unnerving. "I will not have such behavior from either of you." Her eyes shot over to Jivan. His gaze fell to the floor. Jenny released Summer and unzipped the gym bang slung around her shoulder. "Not today. It is the most important day of our movement. And I will not tolerate your attitudes and tempers soiling it."
"S-sorry, Jenny." Summer stuttered, rubbing the back of her neck with her hands. "I'm just anxious."
"As you should be," Jenny advised. She pulled out a few items of clothing from the bag. "These are the waitstaff uniforms." She threw each of them, aside from Tye, a pair of black slacks and a black longsleeve buttondown shirt. "Put them on. Make sure your weapons are on underneath."
The sound of Jenny's voice faded from Tye's concentration when out of the corner of his vision, something seemed out of place. He narrowed his eyes at the top left monitor. The label at the bottom of the screen read 'Rooftop Access'.
"Oh no." His voice was almost a whisper. He rushed over to the computers. The others followed his movements with their eyes. He grabbed hold of the mouse, enlarging the screen. "We have company."
As though they appeared from thin air, the red vessels that Tye had come to know as the Bioship and Supercycle landed on the rooftop. Tye's hand shook with worry as Cassie, Barbara, Karen, Dick, and Jaime exited the vehicles. They were clad in suits and formal dresses. They gathered, discussing last minute details of their assignments. Rose and La'gaan stayed in the Bioship.
Adalae let out a small gasp of excitement, she tried her best to hide her smile.
Tye's jaw slacked in awe. "No no no no no." He shook his head. "Jaime's not supposed to be here."
On the screen all but Rose and La'gaan disappeared into the building through the access door.
A deep growl rumbled in Sebastian's chest. "Are you freaking kidding me!?"
Adalae flinched as his raising voice. She quickly put space between them. She knew all too well the consequences of his quick rage. The bruise on her cheek and cut on her lip as a result of their 'sparring match' that morning attested to that.
Tye spun around to face him. Sebastian jolted his pointer finger at him. "You said he wasn't going to be a problem. Now he's here with his team members? This is already a disaster!" Tye's breath hitched as he watched Sebastian's canines morphed into fine points.
Jenny placed herself between them. She held her palm out in front of Sebastian's chest. Her eyes and Talisman started to glow. Her brows furrowed. "You will calm yourself." A light flickered in his eyes. The muscles in Sebastian's face slacked into a blank stare. His shoulders fell as the anger fled his body.
The light dissipated from Jenny's eyes. She turned and gazed up at the screen. "I expected something like this." She placed the gym bag on the desk and rummaged through it, as if she were looking for something. "One cannot create change without expecting some resistance. It is not a major concern."
Tye's eyes went wide as his jaw dropped. "Not a major concern?" He scoffed. "Jenny, they all know me. Jaime has seen everyone here. We will not go unnoticed." His voice cracked with panic.
A smirk played upon her lips. Her fingers curled around his chin. She placed a light kiss on his mouth to placate his worry. "You must have more faith in me love." She rummaged through her bag once more. "You and I will remain hidden until our time comes. Jaime has only seen them once. I am doubtful he will remember them." She glanced over at her underlings as they fixed the final buttons on their new clothing. "Especially not in their uniforms." She pulled out a glass vial from the bag. A finely ground tan powder rested inside
"What is that?" Tye asked.
"A backup plan." She smiled. "A concoction of herbs and roots passed down from the medicine men of my tribe. I predicted something like this would happen" She rolled the vial between her thumb and pointer finger.
Tye swallowed hard. "It-it won't kill them, will it?"
A small laugh escaped her. "No of course not. I still want them to be able to watch after all. Just a mild paralytic." She turned to face the group. "Now all of you, listen to me. We've had a slight change of plans."
Aqualad, Tigress, Static entered through the front doors with the rest of the guests. A delicate chandelier scattered the light through its crystals. It rested above a stage centered at the back of the room, directly across from the front door. In the left front corner there resided a wrap around bar. The right corner held a long buffet of delicate and expensive finger foods. Round tables were scattered about the room for guests to sit if they so desired.
Artemis fidgeted and fixed herself as they walked, pulling up the top of her strapless dress. Formal wear? Why the hell did it have to be formal wear? The only things formal she owned was a homecoming dress from high school. However the hem came up to her shins now as opposed to the ground. The top dug into her rib cage, but it was the only thing with ruffles think enough to hide her compact crossbow on her thigh strap.
He made a dramatic inhale, "I really hope I don't have to fight anyone for this mission because I am literally about to pop out of this."
Kaldur smiled and shook his head, "You know, if Wally were here, I am sure he would have something grotesque to add to that."
Artemis laughed, "God that idiot would too."
Kaldur noticed the others filing into the room as well. He chimed in on his communicator, "Alright team, take your positions."
Barbara took a seat at the bar, Artemis lingered by the buffet, and Jaime sat at a round table in the center. Their eyes screen everyone as they walked through the front doors. Cassie, Virgil, and Karen began to meander about the center of the room, walking between tables. Kaldur and Dick took notice of Mayor Fermin, laughing boisterously with several other men. They approached him.
"Mayor Fermin?" Kaldur shook his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you. The name is Kaldur. My...assistant and I." He motioned towards Dick who had come up next to him. "Are here on behalf of the phone call earlier. We will be escorting you today."
Mayor Firmin narrowed his eyes at him, trying to decipher his code. His brows perked in realization. "Ah yes! Yes, very good." He gave Dick as firm handshake as well. "I do appreciate you boys." The wrinkles on his face crinkled with a wide smile. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back on his head. A thin black mustache rested on his upper lip.
As an hour passed, Kaldur found himself nodding off. He wondered if begging to the gods for death was a reasonable request. He had already grown tired of Mayor Fermin's mundane and pretentious business conversations. Mayor Fermin laughed just a little too loud, made jokes just a little too crude, and sucked up just a little too much for him to be tolerated for an extended period of time. It also did not help that Mr. Fermin was on his third glass of champagne.
"Oh I forgot to ask." He turned towards Kaldur and Dick. The near empty glass resting in his hands. "Is that Blue Beetle fellow here?"
Dick cleared his throat, lowering his voice. "Uh..yes. Under cover though."
"Ah." Wesley responded. "Yes, well he's been quite helpful and generous. Spending his own time tracking down those looters." His face bunched in irritation. "No doubt in my mind it's those...reservation filth." Kaldur's eyes widened at his words. Dick couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Oh, I suppose I shouldn't say that too loud." Mayor Fermin chimed with a smile. He finished off his glass. "Wouldn't be 'politically correct.'" He waved over one of the waiters. He carried a silver tray of thin glasses that held the mayor's favorite bubbly elixir.
The waiter approached them. His latino skin only did more to highlight the white of his smile. His brown hair was pulled back into a small bun. He had been following them around, waiting for the mayor to finish his glass. Because unbeknownst to him, his name was Sebastian, and Jenny's powder had dissolved into the drinks just moments before.
He held out the tray, head tilting with a forced grin. "More champagne Mr. Mayor?"
"Why yes my boy, thank you." He grabbed two glasses, handing them to Dick and Kaldur before grabbing one for himself. Sebastian snuck away, a mischievous smile forming on his lips.
The mayor cleared his throat, "Ah yes, now, where was I?"
"You were talking about your inability to be politically correct," Dick replied monotone.
Wesley boomed with laughter. "That's what happens when I get too much champagne in me." He raised his glass. "Ah well, wouldn't make a difference." He leaned into them, lowering his voice. Well, as much as he could lower it in his tipsy state. "Not like anyone cares what those dirty Indians have to say anyways." He laughed again, raising is glass a little higher. "Cheers." He smiled, waiting for them to raise their glasses as well. Kaldur looked over at Dick with a scowl. And although Dick had his sunglasses on, Kaldur knew he was doing to same.
They sighed. They things they had to put up with for public safety.
They reached out their glasses, tapping it on his. All three of them took a swig together. Mayor Fermin brushed between them, attending to an rich supporter who had just arrived. His greeting was ever too exuberant. They turned to follow him.
"If I may be so bold to say," Kaldur chimed, just out of hearing range for the mayor. "But he is a vile human being."
Dick sighed again, rubbing his fingers on his temple. "God I hope he doesn't get a seat in office."
Across the room, Summer stepped behind the bar. She threw on a red bartending vest she snatched from the supply closet. She placed ingredients into a shaker, tapping in some of the tan powder that Jenny gave her. After several hard shakes, she poured the drink into a martini glass. She carried it diligently in her hand, eyes locked on a certain red head at the bar.
"Miss?" Barbara was pulled from her concentration by the bartender. A thin smile formed on her lips. Her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. She pushed a red drink in front of her. "Cosmopolitan." She nodded to her left. "Compliments of the gentleman at the bar."
"Oh," Barbara responded, turning for a brief moment to see if anyone was looking at her. "Thank you," she told Summer and placed her fingers at the bottom of the glass and placed her attention back to the front doors.
Summer stood there for a moment, impatient at Barbara's lack of thirst. She cleared her throat. "Uh...sorry." She caught Babs's attention once more. Summer threw on an over zealous smile, sporting a fake valley girl accent. "This is like super embarrassing. But um...it's like, my first day. I wanna make sure I do a good job. Will you tell me if it's any good?"
Barbara groaned under her breath in annoyance. "Sure. No problem." She took a generous gulp. Her eyes went wide as a lump formed in her throat. It was quite possibly the worse thing that she had ever drank. The green of the girl's bartending skills definitely showed. She forced herself to swallow and feign a smile. "Um, little heavy on the lime but, great otherwise," she lied.
Summer smiled again, "Great! Thank you." She walked away to tend to other customers, relief flowing through her.
Jivan made his way through the crowd as well. He placed the finishing tan powder touch on top of his tray of desserts. With swift strides he approached a toned blonde in a short yellow dress who was picking at a small plate of finger food.
He held out the tray to her. "A chocolate eclair for the beautiful miss?"
Cassie turned to find she was being addressed by one of the waiters. Her eyes went wide as she smiled. Free fancy food and desserts? This was the greatest mission ever!
"Wow! Thanks!" She chimed as she nabbed one of them, stuffing it into her mouth.
Jivan chuckled as he smiled back, "My pleasure miss." He tried his best to stifle his laugh as he walked away. Superheroes were so easy.
Lastly, Adalae sifted between guests. She held the tray high above her head. Being short was not conducive to keeping her tray from getting bumped into. She approached Karen. Her arms were crossed as she studied the room. Adalae lowered the tray, it held a three glasses lined with shrimp, a red sauce sitting in the middle. She pulled out the vile of tan powder from her pocket. She made sure no one was looking and….
Tossed the vile into the trash can next to her.
She cleared her throat. "Um excuse me, Miss?" Karen turned towards her. "Shrimp cocktail?"
Karen flashed her a smile before reaching for one of the glasses. "Yes, thank you."
Adalae nodded and walked away. She bit her lip as nervousness rested heavy upon her. It was almost time. She hoped that she was able to help them.
Virgil's voice chimed in on their communicators. "Um I just wanted to say...in case you guys haven't noticed already…." Everyone perked their attention to the area around them. Virgil continued, a smooth cockiness flowing through his words. "But we look gooood."
Everyone relaxed as they realized there was no cause for alarm. Karen stifled a laugh behind her hand. She pressed on the communicator in her ear. "Yeeeah you got that right! We're probably the best looking bunch here." She took a nibble of one of her shrimps. "Free food and fancy dresses? These are the types of missions we need."
Dick sighed again as Mr. Fermin's annoying and loud laugher boomed around him. He pressed on his communicator. "Personally, I would much rather be punched in the face by Bane."
Barbara sported a wide grin as she whipped her head around. Mayor Fermin was surrounded by a group of his 'friends', laughing at some sort of joke he made that was in no doubt distasteful. She noticed the sour expressions on Dick and Kaldur's faces. They stood, hands at their front, one gripping the other wrist. They seemed to sigh in unison. They look so done.
She laughed as he held her pointer finger to her ear. "Hey Dick, I got a free drink. How's being with big and greasy over there treating you?"
Dick looked over to her spot on the bar. Though she could not see his eyes behind his sunglasses, his furrowed brows were enough to give hit at his irritation. She laughed and flashed him a teasing smile. Barbara watched as Dick's and Kaldur's attention was brought back to the mayor. Wesley pointed to the stage.
Kaldur's voice came across the communicator, "Mayor Fermin is about to give a speech. Be on alert for any potential attackers."
Mayor Fermin stood at the podium on the stage, speaking into the microphone. He greeted and thanked his guests and urged them for donations. A large screen flashed a montage of photos of himself behind him. As Wesley held the attention of the entire room, Jivan, Summer, Sebastian and Adalae scanned the room for one another. Sebastian gave them reaffirming nods. Sebastian approached the front of the stage while the other three stood by the front doors. Summer pulled out a small black disc from her pocket. It was just big enough to cover her palm. She placed it on the small patch of wall between the two main doors. They stood waiting for their final signal. Summer jumped as a loud crack of thunder rang from outside. She shivered with excited anticipation. It was almost time.
Mayor Fermin finished and climbed down from the stage. He was greeted by an array of applause. Several minutes passed and there was still no sign of trouble.
Jaime chirped on the communicator, "No sign of Tye or any other known criminals from what I can see. All clear where I'm at still."
"Yeah, same." Virgil added. Everyone also added their 'all clear.'
Jaime sighed, "Maybe it was a false alar-"
Jaime was cut off at the sound of a slow clap filled the speakers. They turned their attention to podium again. Behind it stood Sebastian. A smug look played upon his face as he clapped into the microphone.
"Now, wasn't that a wonderful speech?" He finally spoke into the microphone. He pulled it up from the stand, holding it in his hand. He motioned towards Wesley. "Let's give it up for the man of the hour folks, Mayorrr Wesley Fermin. Come on, give it up." He clapped with the microphone in his hand. His voice mimicking that of a show host. Wary and confused looks were exchanged among the guests. A few of them clapped, if only in disorientation. Barbara and Artemis abandoned their posts, walking closer towards the stage in suspicion. Barbara tripped a little as she stood. She shook her head, feeling light headed. She brushed it off to getting up too quickly.
Sebastian leaned on the podium, a cocky smile formed on his lips. "You know, Mayor Fermin has done so much to help our city, bringing El Paso to the thriving utopia it is today." He stood upright. "Mr. Fermin has never been afraid to be a go-getter. To go out and take whatever it is he wants." His eyes darkened. "Even if it's without consent." He look directly at the mayor as he gave him a large, false smile. He leaned in, pointing towards him. "Just like when he raped those native women from the reservation." A few quieted gasped escaped the audience. Conversation began to still. The muscles in Wesley's face tense with anger. Sebastian chuckled. "Oh no no no. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I meant 'supposedly' raped." He raised his voice. "It's easy to get charges dropped if you threaten to tax their family into starvation if they speak up."
Mayor Fermin snarled. He snapped at two of the other members of the waitstaff. "Get him down now!" They nodded and charged at Sebastian.
"Oh nooo." Sebastian feigned concern, the pitch of his voice raising. It was almost sing-song. "People coming after me? Whatever will I dooo?"
He pressed on the center of his chest. His shirt shredded off of him as six red and black discs sprang from under it. The black band that held them was wrapped around his chest. The discs spiraled towards the two wait staff members charging towards him. The discs stopped around them in the air. They shocked them with a red electrical pulse. They cried out in pain and landed on the floor. Sebastian reached behind his back pulling out a laser gun that was attached to the band on his chest. It was black, its edges lined with a red light. He fired a shot onto the ceiling. He smiled, "Now, if you'd let me finish..."
Dick's jaw dropped. He recognized them as Apokolips weapons.
The guests began to panic. Their cries rose and they rushed toward the door. But The Mayor held firm. He glared at Sebastian with a savage snarl.
"Everyone hold your positions. Wait for my signal," Kaldur demanded. He and Dick went to place themselves in front of Wesley. The boys found their steps heavy. As they took their defensive stances, but the room seemed to wobble.
"Oh, no one is going anywhere." Sebastian advised. "You haven't seen the main act."
And with that, Summer smashed the disc she placed on the wall with her fist. It emitted a red light as it sent electric signals to the wiring in the walls. The doors slammed shut. The clash of the metal startling everyone inside. They locked with a loud 'click'.
Summer, Jivan, and Adalae tore off their black shirts. Black bands wrapped around their chests over their undershirts. Summer reached behind her, pulling an Apokolips laser gun off of her back. Jivan pulled a red lasor whip from his band. And Adalae pulled out a curved bayonet, the handle elongating into a staff. The razor tip began to glow red. Summer fired another warning shot into the ceiling. Some of the guests screamed as they stumbled away from the door. They pointed their weapons at them to keep them away from the doors. Summer and Jivan smiled with excitement.
Virgil could hear the pounding of his heart in his ears. His electricity sparked in his hand as he waited for Aqualad's signal. He was ready to pounce. He snapped his head around as the table next to him fell over. Cassie collapsed onto the floor and brought the table down with her as she attempted to use it to hold herself up. But it was no use. Virgil rushed to her side. He rolled her over.
"Cass? Cass? Are you alright?" Panic twinged his voice.
Her breathing was slow but her words were almost normal. She darted her eyes all around her as her body remained limp. "I can't-I can't move." She swallowed hard. "Everything's...heavy."
Virgil pressed onto his communicator, "Guys, Cassie's out...Paralyzed."
Karen raced to Barbara's side as she fell to the ground. "Barbara too." Karen chimed in on her communicator.
Nightwing and Kaldur toppled as well. They groaned, trying to fight off the toxin. But it was no use. Wesley dropped to his knees.
"What's the matter Mayor?" Sebastian asked with a smile. "Feeling groggy?" He approached the mayor and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. Sebastian sat him down on a chair, his body was limp. "Oh no, you get to have a seat, like I said you haven't seen the main event."
"What do we do?" Jaime yelled to Artemis. She reached for the bow on her thigh.
A loud crack of thunder rang inside of the room. The guests gaped in awe at the ceiling as a dark rain cloud spiraled and expanded until it grew to each corner of the room. Lightening flashed inside the cloud. Its the thunder roared through their chests. Another flash of lighting blinded them. Two wind funnels emerged from the cloud and crashed upon the stage. When the lightning ceased, two figures stood on the front corners of the stage.
On the left was Jenny. She wore a black cloth dress that came down to her knees. A long red cloth with green trim was tied around her waist. A small leather satchel was strung around her shoulder. Her gold, bison-etched talisman rested around her neck. The fur of a black buffalo head with big grey horns rested on her head. A strap around her chin held it in place. The eye holes of her fur mask lined with her eyes. A train of fur hung from the back of the mask and trailed down her back. Disheveled hair was splayed upon her shoulders. She held a tomahawk in her left hand.
On the right was Tye. He was shirtless. Two red wolf paws were painted on each one of his pectorals. He wore tan animal skin pants and warpaint covered the entirety of his face. It was painted black from the eyes up and red the rest of the way down. His orange headband wrapped around his forehead. A fierce expression rested on his face.
"I am Black Bison," Jenny boomed. Her words were slow and fierce.
"And I am Apache Chief," Tye spoke with the same booming ferocity.
Jenny continued. "And we are here to seek justice for the crimes against our people."
Sebastian beamed into the microphone. He held his free arm up to the air. "We are 'The Pack'" He pointed at Wesley. "And we have come here for you, Wesley Fermin."
Wesley's face contorted. "I haven't done anything," He spat.
Jenny lept in front of the mayor. She raised her tomahawk. "No more lies," she hissed.
Artemis pulled out her crossbow. She fired an arrow at Jenny's weapon, knocking it out of her hand.
"What's going on down there?" La'gaan barged in on the communicator. "Do you guys need assistance?"
"Negative La'gaan," Artemis answered, now placing herself in command. "You and Rose stand ready for extraction."
Jenny growled. "Stop her!" She bark at Sebastian, pointing towards Artemis. He charged towards her, firing his weapon.
She rolled out of the way as she ordered on the communicator. "Blue Beetle, get the mayor. Bee, take out the other two kids."
Jaime extracted his Blue Beetle armor. Karen, pulled up her mask, shrinking and flying towards the three other kids. Artemis threw a smoke bomb at Sebastian. He coughed and stumbled until he found himself on the other end of Artemis's aerial kick. It hit him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. He lay there and groaned, seeing stars. Artemis ran to help Karen with the three other kids with weapons.
Blue Beetle charged for Black Bison. But he was tackled to the ground by Tye. Tye straddled him, holding his wrists down to the ground.
"Tye, please don't do this," Jaime tried to plead.
Tye narrowed his eyes. "Yes I do. And you will not stop me."
Jaime grit his teeth. "Then you leave me no choice." He opened up the plasma cannon in his chest. It sent Tye flying off of him.
Jenny gasped, seeing that Tye was not getting up. She trembled with rage. She pointed a finger at Jaime. "You think you have defeated us but you are NOTHING," she spat. She turned towards the other kids and shouted, "Release the beasts!"
Sebastian, Jivan, and Summer leaped high into the air and landed on three of the round tables. Growls erupted from their chests. The Team looked on in horror as the three teenagers hunched over the tables. Their bodies began to morph. But is was not smooth and streamlined like Beast Boy's. Their bones and joints cracked under their skin. They trembled, digging into the tables as their fingernails turned into claws. Fur grew all over their bodies as their mouths painfully pulled into snouts. Their clothing shredded around them.
When they were done, beasts, indistinguishable from their human forms, stood on all fours in front of them. Jivan and Summer resembled that of hyenas. And Sebastian resembled a cheetah. But their arms and legs were longer and more slender than that of regular animals. Their 'paws' still resembled that of human hands and feet. They reminded Jaime of werewolves.
Drool dripped from their sharp snarls. Sebastian jumped at Jaime. And Jivan and Summer pounced upon Artemis and Karen.
Sebastian wrapped his clawed paw around Jaime's throat. Panic rose inside of him as he felt his windpipe being crushed. Jaime heard loud yell as Rose appeared, drop kicking Sebastian off of him.
She stood. Her brows perked at the sight of the Cheetah in front of her. "Woah," She smirked and motioned towards herself. "Heeeere kitty kitty." Cheetah growled and charged at her, engaging both her and Blue Beetle in battle.
La'gaan joined the battle as well, assisting Artemis and Karen with Jivan and Summer.
Jenny's stomach turned. They were losing. She heard a throaty laugh emerge from the seat in front of her. Wesley look up at her with a wicked smile.
"Didn't quite think this through. Did you girl?"
Jenny's nose crinkled with her snarl. "You did this? You had this planned, didn't you?"
"I always have everything planned." He chuckled. "And after today, I'll have no problem using you as an example to finally get you filth the hell out of my state.
Jenny's hands curled into fists. She leaned towards him, "So you do admit it?"
He beamed at her, his nose crinkling in disgust. "Of course. Who are you going tell, hum? No one will believe trash like you."
Jenny snatched the front of his shirt with her hand.
He laughed again. "You Redskins are nothing but leeches on the economy. Stealing government money while you do nothing but drink. You're lazy. All of you. You raise the crime rate in my city. Making it difficult for my political campaign. So yes, I will stop at nothing to tax you and harass you out of my state."
Jenny tightened her grip, "And I suppose the women you assaulted were just a side benefit then?"
A smug look splayed on his face. "Concerned citizens coming to my office complaining that they can't 'survive' such taxation. I merely offered them a trade."
"More like forced them," Jenny corrected.
He licked his canine. "You Indian whores already suck enough money from government aid. I think it's about time you actually sucked something to earn your keep. Don't you?"
Jenny clocked him across the mouth. His face furrowed with rage. "I will see that your whole kind rots in prison for this." Blood spat with each of his spiteful words. "You stupid, savage, prairie nigger."
But instead of striking him again, she smiled. Wesley felt the pit of his stomach drop. Jenny stood up straight. Around her neck on a chain, just below the Talisman, rested a small black box. A red light blinked from it. "Smile for the camera Mr. Fermin." She had gotten almost everything she came for. He gasped. "In an hour, you, your confession, and your death will be on national television."
Her smile turned into a snarl once more. Her eyes and Talisman began to glow. Mayor Fermin felt himself lifted into the air and Jenny revealed her telekinetic abilities. She slammed his body down onto the table. She raised him and slammed him down over and over again. As Dick and Kaldur lay there, they could hear his bones cracking. They were able to twitch their fingers and the toxin was starting to wear off.
Across the room Blue Beetle was thrown to the ground by Cheetah. He rose only to find that Adalae charged towards him. Her staff raised high into the air. He turned the armor on his arms into razors to protect himself. She clashed the staff against his arms. He bunched his face in confusion however as he found she wasn't exerting any force.
She leaned into him, almost whispering. "Blue Beetle. I don't want to fight you. I just have to make it look like I am."
"What?" He asked, puzzled.
"Her talisman." Adalae advised. "Her talisman is the source of her power. If you take if off her body, or break it, she can't do magic anymore."
"Oh, uh, thanks."
She looked over at Jenny and then back at Jaime. "Now push me down." Her narrowed his eyes at her. "Come on," she whined. "I have to make it look like I'm fighting."
"Uh...oh. Ok." He stammered. He pushed back against her staff, knocking her down. He spoke into his communicator. "Guys her power is coming from the talisman around her neck. Try to tear it off of her or break it."
"On it!" Rose announced as she gave Sebastian a quick kick to the face. She charged towards Jenny, who was still crashing the mayor against the table. Rose unsheathed one of her daggers. She spun around, pulled her arm close to her and then extended it, crashing the dagger onto Jenny's chest.
Jaime's eyes widened in horror. "Rose! Stop!"
To his relief, the dagger only hit the talisman. Jenny yelled as it cracked the in half. The final beam of light that emitted from it shot Rose backwards.
Jenny trembled, holding the broken talisman in her hand. Her stomach dropped. She looked over as she heard a groan. Tye was finally getting up from being blasted by Jaime's plasma cannon.
"Useless," she hissed behind her teeth. She ran up to him, putting his arm around her shoulders. She saw Artemis blow a dart at Cheetah. He collapsed onto the ground, unconscious. This was turning into a disaster. She reached into the satchel around on her hip. "Retreat!" She called out to her team members. "Retreat!"
Jivan, and Summer ran towards her. They morphed back to their human forms. Their naked bodies leaping between terrified partygoers.
Jenny looked around her. "Where's Adalae?" She asked, frantic.
"Who gives a shit?" Jivan spat. "Let's go!"
Jenny grit her teeth as the heroes ran towards them. The grotesque taste of failure sitting on her tongue. Wesley was still alive and she was about to lose two team members. She pulled a Fatherbox out of her bag. She held it to her mouth. "Home, please." They disappeared into the ground as a boom tube opened below them.
With their exit, the doors unlocked and opened. The guests spilled out. Artemis ordered their retreat. The authorities were already on scene. She watched as an officer placed an inhibitor collar on Sebastian.
They helped usher Kaldur, Cassie, Dick, and Barbara to the Bioship as the toxin slowly began to wear off. They made their way back to Bludhaven.