Reaper: This is my longest chapter yet! :D I'm so happy, and I hope you like it!
TAIPEI
SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
19:20 NST
Tabitha sighed walking among the many gathered to see how the peace summit between North and South Rhelasia would go. She was dressed in a black tank top under a grey leather jacket. Then she had on dark skinny jeans tucked into black combat boots. Sunglasses were perched on her nose because she was in the middle of the job. Roy had called her to help him out, and it took a lot of begging to get Dinah and Oliver to let her tag along. She probably would have sneaked out in the end, which is probably why the two had agreed to let her go.
"Any sign?" Roy said as he stopped by her side while not looking at her.
Tabitha nodded towards a woman by stand, and Roy looked up in that direction. Tabitha was sure it was Cheshire, but it was slightly hard to tell due the distance between them and her. Roy then said he was going to call the Cave for help, which had Tabitha looking at him in surprise.
"Aqualad." He replied as soon as Roy hit the button.
"This is Red Arrow." Roy said. "I need access to the Justice League's database, and the exact height of the assassin of League of Shadows known as Cheshire."
"Checking...Cheshire is 1.67 meters." Aqualad replied.
"Um..." Roy trailed off.
Tabitha snorted behind her hand, and Roy resisted the urge to whack her over the head.
"That means she's 5'6", brother." Tabitha replied in a whisper.
Aqualad repeated what she said, and then added that Cheshire was extremely dangerous.
"Do you require back up?" Aqualad asked.
"Please, the last thing I need to the Junior Justice League." Roy scoffed. "Besides, Shade is already here being a pain."
Tabitha frowned up at Roy because he was the one to ask her to join him, not the other way around. She had to resist the urge to hit him as he used his glasses to scan people.
"I'm telling you she's there!" Tabitha said in a whisper.
She nodded back to the girl at the stand. Even if it was dark with people in the way, Tabitha was 99% sure that it was Cheshire she was looking at. Roy looked in that direction, and the glasses gave a match to the height they were looking for.
"Well, I wish you and Tabitha good luck, my friend." Aqualad said. "Aqualad, out."
Roy didn't reply as he hit the button to the suitcase he had, which was really just a compartment for his bow and arrows. Tabitha reached under her leather jacket to place her hand on her shortened battle staff as Roy readied his bow. The arbitrator then arrived, and that's when Tabitha saw Cheshire, who was now in costume, readying her rocket launcher.
"Overkill much, Jade?" She grumbled.
She shook her head while kneeling down in the bushes. Roy readied an arrow, and just as Cheshire was about to pull the trigger, he shot an arrow. It sent her shot up into the air, and people started to scrabble. Tabitha was already out of the bushes with her battle staff at the ready. She jumped at Cheshire, and blocked her sai when she went to take out some guards.
"Oooh, I seem to be running into you more often, Tabi." Cheshire cooed at the blonde. "Here with Artemis?"
"Nope." Tabitha replied.
Tabitha then kicked Cheshire away, and quickly following her attack, she knocked away Cheshire's weapons. Cheshire was quick to return the favor, and soon the both of them were fighting hand-to-hand combat.
"Shade, watch out!" Roy called out as the missile started coming down.
He jumped at her and Cheshire, and the three of them went rolling across the ground. Roy ended up underneath Cheshire with her straddling him, and Tabitha had rolled a few feet away from them.
"Hey, hey, legs off my brother." Tabitha said firmly.
Roy groaned rolling his eyes as men surrounded them while pointing their guns in their direction.
"Don't move!" One of them shouted.
Soon all three of them were in handcuffs, and Tabitha sighed because this wasn't how she wanted the mission to go. As Cheshire was being loaded up into a cop car, Roy had Luthor contact the League to clear up the mess he and Tabitha were in. Once his secretary was off the phone, she nodded to Luthor.
"We just cleared everything up." Luthor said. "These are Black Canary and Green Arrow's pals, Speedy and Shade."
"It's Red Arrow now." The two said in unison.
Roy sounded defensive while Tabitha just sounded plain bored. She wanted these handcuffs off her too. She could easily escape, but she shouldn't since 'heroes don't resist the law'...especially the law in a foreign country.
"They must be questioned." One of the officers said.
"Lex Luthor vouches for them, Captain." Luthor said. "Release the sidekicks."
Tabitha winced because Luthor used the forbidden 's' word, but the cops did let them go.
"Ex-sidekick." Roy said as he rubbed his wrists. "And we don't need any favors from you, Luthor."
Roy then checked Tabitha's wrists really quick, and he nodded when seeing they were alright. He nodded for her to follow, and she went after him.
"Apologies, I didn't realize you wished to join the other young lady behind bars." Luthor said innocently.
Tabitha grimaced at the thought of sharing a cell with Cheshire because she was sure one of them would kill the other.
"You may have everyone here fooled, Luthor, but I know what you are." Roy said glaring up at the man.
Tabitha said nothing as she looked between the two. She really hoped Roy didn't lose his temper when there were cameras around.
"Oh, I don't pretend to be an angel." Luthor said. "It just happens that this time I'm on the right side of the angels."
Tabitha blinked while exchanging a look with Roy. She shrugged her shoulders because she had nothing to say to that.
"Wait here." Roy said to Tabitha. "Keep watch."
Tabitha nodded her head as Roy went inside the building with Luthor and his companion. She crossed her arms over her chest, and closed her eyes. Her shadow strings stretched out to get a 'feel' of the area around her. Nothing seemed to be casting suspicious shadows, but she kept on alert. She highly doubted Cheshire came alone. Cheshire is a top assassin, but with a job this big, Ra's would send at least one other assassin and maybe foot soldiers from the Shadows. She was sure Sportsmaster would be the other assassin, but Cheshire is known to have worked with Black Spider and Hook.
"Let's go." Roy said as he walked from the building. "We're paying Cheshire a visit. Think you can get her to talk?"
"Jade only speaks if she wishes." Tabitha said as she walked along side Roy. "If she wants to give information, she does, but if not, she doesn't. She also likes to speak in riddles because she enjoys messing with people."
Roy frowned because that wasn't what he wanted to hear. He just shook his head in the end as he, and Tabitha went to catch a taxi back to the hotel room that Oliver bought for them...well, it was more like two adjoining rooms, so they could get changed.
Shade and Red Arrow, who were now at the police station, stood in front of the cell that was holding Cheshire.
"Aren't you going to ask me anything?" Cheshire asked as she flippantly moved through fighting stances. "Cat got your tongue, Shade?"
Shade rolled her eyes at Cheshire as she leaned her shoulder against the bars of the cell. She didn't fear getting to close to the assassin, and she knew Cheshire wouldn't do anything to her.
"Funny, Jade." Shade said. "But I just enjoy this silent bonding that I don't want to ruin it."
Cheshire smirked at Shade as she continued going through her fighting stances in perfect ease.
"Anyway." Red Arrow cut in. "I think you know what we're after."
"I do, actually." Cheshire said. "...do you?"
Shade rolled her eyes once more at Cheshire as Red Arrow crossed his arms over his chest.
"The Shadows obviously hired you." Shade said. "Now, who hired them, Jade?"
"I don't ask." She said with a wink in Red Arrow's direction.
Shade resisted a shudder as Red Arrow became more annoyed with the Shadows Assassin.
"What's the end game? The Peace Summit? Or Luthor himself?" Red Arrow demanded.
"Two birds...one stone." Cheshire said as she pointed to Red Arrow with her hand in the shape of a gun. "Hey where are your little sidekick friends? I mean, Shade is here, but what about the others? They're especially fun to play with...especially...Ar-chery Girl. I like her."
Shade glared at Cheshire sharply, and Cheshire smirked over at Shade in return. Red Arrow knew Shade grew up with Cheshire and her younger sister, but Shade never gave names. This was the first time he knew Cheshire's real name.
"She -they- aren't in my league." Red Arrow said.
Shade glared at Red Arrow this time, and she slugged his arm. To his credit he held back a yelp of pain as he rubbed his now aching arm.
"Oh, don't be so defensive, Shade." Cheshire said with a smirk. "We both know you and I are in a completely different league, right? But honestly, Red Arrow, do you really think your in it?"
She reached through the bars to grab the front of Red's uniform, and she jerked him forward. Shade frowned at the flirty grin on Cheshire's face while feeling a tad sick to her stomach.
"Where's Green Arrow when you need him?" She mocked Red Arrow.
"I don't." Red Arrow growled.
"Sure about that?" Cheshire asked.
Shade watched in horror as Cheshire brought Red Arrow in close as if to kiss him. She was about to bust it up herself when Cheshire suddenly ducked down while holding the bars.
"Oh no." Red Arrow said as Shade cursed.
An explosion happened with the wall inside the cell imploding inwards. Once the dust cleared, Shade, who had been knocked to the ground due to the force, looked up to see Sportsmaster was the one to come for Cheshire.
"Oh, it had to be you?" Cheshire asked annoyed.
"Beggars can't be choosers, little girl." Sportsmaster said. "Tabitha, long time no see."
Shade just glared at Sportsmaster as he and Cheshire went to make an escape. Beside her, Red Arrow cursed before running from the room. Shade, who really wished to stop using this power, slunk into the shadows to give chase. She caught up with ease, and popped out of the shadows with her staff already drawn. She swung it at Sportsmaster, and he barely dodged in time. He and Cheshire came to a halt as Shade stood in their way to the helicopter.
"Not bad, kiddo." Sportsmaster said. "You moved just like your mother there."
Shade narrowed her eyes while launching herself forward to attack both of them, but she was suddenly stopped by Black Spider. Taking advantage of her halt, Cheshire and Sportsmaster ran on with Red Arrow hot on their heels.
"Spidey." Shade greeted as she got into a stance to face him.
"Been a long time, Shady." Black Spider replied with his usual cocky tone. "Look at you...all grown up."
Shade rolled her eyes as she and Black Spider faced off. She used to think of the man as an older brother, but things have changed. She was a traitor to him, and he was an enemy to her.
"So, the boss man wants you back." Black Spider informed her. "Now, you just play nice and things can go back to how they were. I know teenagers...they just have to act out sometimes, am I right?"
"Bite me." Was Shade's reply.
Black Spider just chuckled as he mirrored her stance. The two stared at each other silently for a moment before jumping forward. Shade kicked out her foot, and Black Spider easily flipped over her. She frowned knowing Spider was going to be hard to fight. He was one of the ones who assisted in her training, and he knew how she moved. That and Spider was the more flexible out of the two. They almost seemed to dance with each other as they weaved around on top the roof. Though this dance consisted of throwing kicks, bunches, and webs around.
"Look at you." Spider said as he dodged again. "I think you might have improved since last time, Shady."
"Really? I think you're just getting slow." Shade retorted.
Black Spider let out a laugh while flipping away from Shade when she tried to hit him with her staff. She growled as she tossed the thing to the side, and Black Spider paused in interest as she got into a stance with her fists raised.
"Hand-to-hand, huh?" He asked. "This just got more run."
He came at her this time with his fist thrown out, and she blocked it. She spun around to deliver a kick to his head, so he ducked down, which is what she expected him to do. Following the momentum of her kick, Shade had both feet off the ground for a second as she continued to spin, and her second leg knocked Black Spider right int he jaw. He stumbled backwards as Shade landed on her feet.
"Point one goes to you." He said with a chuckle as he rubbed his jaw. "But I'll be wining this game."
The two continued fighting on, and Black Spider got in a few hits here and there. Shade kneed him in the gut, but instead of jumping out of it, he leaned in to put his arms around her.
"What the?!" Shade exclaimed.
Something was put around her neck, and when Spider jumped back, Shade saw some sort of collar around her neck.
"What the hell is this?!" She demanded.
Black Spider just pulled out a small remote as he pointed it towards Shade, which had her stomach give a flip.
"Sorry about this, Shady." He said as he pressed the button.
An electric shock hit went shooting through Shade's entire body, and she cried out. Black Spider didn't stop the shocking until Shade's body went limp. Just as she started falling towards the ground, Black Spider caught her in his arms.
"Grab her weapon." He said to one of the lower shadows, who had been ordered to come along in case he needed assistance, which he hadn't.
The Shadow did as told as Black Spider adjusted Shade in his arms, so she was resting against his chest bridal style.
"I'll apologize again when you wake up." He said to her unconscious form.
Spider cradled her in one arm for a moment, so he could get rid of the earpiece in Shade's ear.
"Can't have them tracking you down, can we?" He muttered as he tossed the thing over his shoulder. "Let's go."
He jumped off the building with Shade still in his rams, and he vanished into the darkened alley below.
MOUNT JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
03:18 EDT
"What do you mean you don't know where she is?!" Kid Flash demanded Red Arrow. "How could you lose her?!"
Red Arrow didn't even blink with Kid in his face. He knew he screwed up, and he was already pretty pissed off at himself for everything.
"We were chasing Cheshire and Sportsmaster, but Black Spider jumped her." Red Arrow said. "I didn't think she would need me for that."
Kid Flash grit his teeth together as he tried not to punch the closest thing to him, which happened to be Red Arrow.
"Why would the Shadows want Shade?" Miss Martian asked looking worried.
Black Canary and Green Arrow exchanged a glance that only lasted a millisecond, but Robin had seen it. He also noticed how Artemis had stiffened up. Red Arrow had controlled his reaction better, but the young detective noticed the slight tension in his jaw.
"You all know something you aren't telling us." Robin said looking to the Justice League members that were there, which were the previously two mentioned, Batman, Red Tornado, and Martian Manhunter.
"Yeah, what's the secret?" Kid Flash asked then pointed to Artemis. "Does it have anything to do with the fact that Shade and Artemis know watch other? Why was that kept a secret?"
Artemis bit her lip wishing that she and Shade had known better than to greet each other warmly in front of the others back in Bialya. Sure, their memories had been wiped, but they should have been more careful.
"It is Artemis and Shade's choice if they decide to tell you." Batman said. "Right now we need to work on retrieving Shade from the Shadows."
Kid Flash looked down at the ground while wishing he had been there. He wouldn't have let Shade be taken. He would have protected her...now, he was going to get her back.
"So how are we going to get her back?" Kid Flash asked.
"You and the rest of the Team will do nothing." Batman said. "The League will handle the Shadows."
"WHAT?!" Kid, Robin, Artemis, and Superboy asked at the same time.
Miss Martian and Aqualad exchanged a glance, and both were not happy with the thought of not going after their friend and teammate.
"With all due respect, Batman, Shade is part of our team." Aqualad said as he stepped forward. "We have every right to go after her."
"No." Batman said giving the bat glare. "You all will remain here, and not go after Shade. She is out of your hands now."
Kid Flash watched as the League members, but Red Tornado, left the Team. They were probably going to discuss what they planned to do to get Shade back, and they'd probably take their sweet time in doing it. Red Tornado studied the teens for a moment before he silently walked away...wasn't he supposed to be making sure they don't leave?
"Well, I'm not sitting around here." Artemis said to break the silence.
"No way in hell I am." Kid Flash said glaring forward. "If I have to take on the entire League of Shadows, I'll do it."
Red Arrow at any normal moment would have mocked the younger redhead, but considering his little sister was missing, he'd pass on the opportunity.
"Then we're all in an agreement." Robin started not asked.
Superboy, Miss Martian, and Aqualad all nodded their heads as they all looked at each other.
INFINITY ISLAND
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
10:34 ECT
Shade frowned sitting in the cell she was thrown in with her hands chained behind her to the floor. That stupid collar was still around her neck, and it apparently cancelled out her shadow powers, which made escape harder...but not impossible. And she did plan to get off this island no matter what it took. The door to her cell opened and Ra's al Ghul himself walked into the cell with Sportsmaster and Black Spider flanking him.
"Shade." Ra's greeted as he stepped in front of her. "I am sure you have a few question you wish to ask, my child."
Shade said nothing as she glared at the man who had watched over her training in the Shadows and with her father.
"Hmm, not going to speak, I see." Ra's said. "Then I suppose I shall. You are here because we have gotten word that your father is trying to make contact with you."
Shade said nothing though she wasn't surprised that the Shadows knew Slade was trying to speak with her. She also knew Ra's had never been close to Slade. Ra's only put up with Slade because Shadow, his top student and assassin, loved him and he was the father of his 'granddaughter'.
"We do not wish for you to go with your father when we know your mother would wish for you to be here." Ra's went on. "You could return to us, and take up your mother's position."
Shade stared at Ra's wondering if he was being serious. He and her father both wanted her...And Ra's wanted...
"You want me to become your new Shadow." Shade said.
And she literally meant shadow because that was what Shade's mother, Shadow, was. She was Ra's al Ghul's closest and most trusted bodyguard. Shadow, also known as Anya Rasputin-Wilson, would use her powers to melt into her master's shadow, and whenever he needed protecting she would easily dispatch the attacker as she came out of the shadows.
"Not just my shadow, Tabitha." Ra's said using her name. "We can use you to help our cause."
Shade frowned in confusion as she looked Ra's in the eye. Their cause? Shade was sure Ra's and his shadows were doing fine in their trade as always. They were fine before Shadow, and they'd be fine without a new one. Unless they have gotten their hands into something else.
"Since the moment you were born, you have been trained to replace Anya's position." Ra's said. "You have to know this."
"Of course, I know." Shade said glaring. "I took your top assassin away. I killed her, so naturally I'd be her replacement."
Shade knew his plan was to make her into her mother. Shadow had died giving birth to Shade, and the moment Shade was old enough to walk, she's been training to be the next Shadow. The only one who pulled her away from her training as Shadow was Slade, which was another reason Ra's didn't like Slade. Slade was the only one to try and teach her to find her own style though he had passed on his skills with the battle staff and sword.
"There is no replacing Anya." Ra's said looking truly upset. "She was a wonderful woman. You look very much like her."
Shade almost snorted because she wasn't sure if that was sure. She got her hair color, eye color, and skin complexion form her father. Though maybe Ra's meant Shade had her mother's appearance in the face with just different eyes and hair colors. She didn't know since no one has ever showed Shade a photo of her mother, and it wasn't like Shade would remember her.
"Well, you're wasting yours and my time." Shade said. "I'm not returning to the League of Shadows or my father. He wants me work along side him because he's convinced I should continue the family business. You want me to use me as one of your pawns in whatever business you have gotten the Shadows into. So, either let me go or kill me."
Ra's sighed looking at Shade patiently as a adult would look when dealing with a difficult child.
"Even if you do not agree to join us, you will not return without the Justice League thinking of you as a possible threat." Ra's said.
Shade felt her stomach instantly sink when hearing his words. What could he possibly mean by that?
"Yeah, I filled Aqualad in of the mole on your team." Sportsmaster said with a chuckle. "He'll have undoubtedly told Batman, and Batman will tell the rest of the League."
Which means that the people, who had already been unsure of her, will now have something to convince the others, who trusted her, that she shouldn't be on the Team. They'd want her locked away. She's worked so hard in proving she wants to be good, and now this is going to set her back.
"They will undoubtedly have the Martian Manhunter search through your mind once more." Ra's said. "And they will most likely keep you locked away until they are sure you are not a threat. However, I wonder what your Team will think of all this when you finally return. The questions they'll ask...what kind of answers can you give them?"
Shade grit her teeth together tightly while wishing she was out of these chains. She's tried to use her powers, but they weren't working. She could only guess it was due to the collar around her neck.
"We will keep you a few more days to see if you change your mind." Ra's said. "We will also be moving you out of here. If the Justice League does decide to come for you then you won't be here when they arrive. By the time we release you the doubt will most undoubtedly be planted."
Ra's left the room with Sportsmaster right after him. Black Spider looked at Shade for a few moments before he finally followed after his master like the good puppy he is. Shade sat there knowing she had to get out of here, quick.
MOUNT JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
16:13 EDT
"Anything, Rob?" Kid Flash asked standing behind the Boy Wonder.
After making the decision of not waiting for the League to find Shade, the team split up. Robin and Kid Flash, who had thrown a fit when receiving his orders, were at the Cave looking for any trace of Shade on video feed, her tracker, and all other sources of media. Miss Martian flew with Aqualad and Superboy to Taipei where they will try to pick up Shade's trail from there. Red Arrow was going alone to Infinity Island since he's been able to break in before to see if Shade was being held there.
"Nothing." Robin said. "Black Spider ditched Tabi's comm where he took her from, and the Shadows have worked hard to make sure not to have Tabi seen when they transported her. I'm trying to see if I can try to track her any other way, but so far...nothing."
Kid Flash practically growled in frustration as his hands bunched up into fists. Once he found Shade, he was going to kick the crud out of the Shadows. He wouldn't let them get away with this!
"Wally, we will find her." Robin said pausing in his typing to look back at his friend. "No matter what it takes or how long. We won't give up."
"I know that!" Kid Flash said. "It's just...we should have been there to protect her! Roy shouldn't have left her in the first place either!"
"Hey, Shade is tough." Robin said. "And she knows what kind of trouble comes with the job. We all do."
Kid Flash glared down at the ground knowing that was true, but it didn't make him feel any better.
"I still don't see why the Shadows would want her." Kid said. "It doesn't make sense! Tabs doesn't have a connection to them."
"That we know of." Robin said as he returned to typing. "What do we really know about Tabitha, Wally? All we know is that Canary took her in four years ago, and her life since then. We know nothing of her past because she never mentions it. Artemis obviously knows something, but isn't talking. And why did the two not tell us they knew each other when Artemis first joined the team?"
Kid Flash frowned because he couldn't answer that. He knew Robin was right. The Team barely knew Shade's past. The only ones who might be able to give them anything would be Artemis, Red Arrow, and maybe Kaldur. Shade did say she knew Aqualad before they were even proteges.
"Think if we ask Artemis she'll say anything?" Kid asked.
"Maybe if we told her it could help us kind Tabitha." Robin said. "The more we know about her...the more information we have to go on, and that information can lead into ways of finding her."
Kid Flash nodded in agreement when an image of Red Arrow appeared at the right corner of the holographic screen.
"Red Arrow reporting to the Cave." He said. "Shade isn't on Infinity Island, but I believe she had been at some point. They most likely moved her, so she wouldn't be here when someone came looking."
Kid Flash had to once again resist the strong urge to hit something as his hands clenched into fists once more.
"What makes you believe she was there?" Robin asked.
"She left a clue." Red Arrow said holding up a ripped piece of black fabric. "It's part of her suit. I found it in one of the underground cells."
"At least we know she's...alive." Robin said while glancing over at Kid Flash.
"The Shadows wouldn't want her dead." Red Arrow said with a shake of his head.
The two younger heroes looked Red Arrow sharply because of his choice of words. How would he now? Robin then almost face-palmed because it was obvious. Red Arrow, Black Canary, and Green Arrow know Shade the most, so of course they'd know of her past.
"Red Arrow, can you think of any reason why the Shadows would want Shade so badly?" Robin asked.
"Her powers." Red Arrow said bluntly. "She'd make the perfect assassin. She can literally fade into the shadows. Her powers would help the Shadows in wonders. I mean, would you be fast enough to stop her if she came out of your own shadow?"
Robin and Kid Flash guessed that made sense, but Shade didn't start using her powers until recently. And even then she tries to use them to a minimum.
"Do you think Artemis might know something?" Kid Flash asked. "During the Bialya mission Tabitha said she and Artemis practically grew up together, but before that they pretended to not have known each other when Artemis joined the Team."
Red Arrow frowned as he looked off to the side, which made the two younger boys even more curious.
"Shade doesn't like talking about her past." Red Arrow said finally as he looked to Robin and Kid Flash. "It's dark...and the less people know about it the better. I mean, after losing her parents like she did...I don't blame her for wanting to ignore it. It was probably easier for her to pretend not to know Artemis because then you all wouldn't ask questions."
Kid Flash and Robin could buy that, but Kid Flash was sure there was something else being left unsaid.
"I'm going to continue my search." Red Arrow said. "If I find or hear anything, I'll report in."
He signed out with his image leaving the screen, which left the two boys back to searching through the computer for anything to help them find Shade.
URAL MOUNTAINS, RUSSIA
SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
TIME UNKNOWN
Shade frowned looking out the window to the room she was stuffed in. She watched the snow fall violently outside as the wind howled. She hasn't been in Russia for years, and truthfully she hated being back. She's tried several times to escape, but Ra's al Ghul put his best assassins as her babysitters. Black Spider, Hook, Cheshire, and even Sensei were guarding her. Sportsmaster had left for some kind of business, and having him and Cheshire near each other was a bad idea anyway. If they didn't have this collar on her that shocked her with a single press of a button, she would have waltzed out ages ago.
"Hey, Tabikins, I have your lunch!" Black Spider said coming in with his full masked-cowl pulled down.
"Thanks, Eric." Shade said with a roll of her eyes. "And don't call me that!"
Black Spider, aka Eric Needham, chuckled as he set the tray of food on Shade's nightstand.
"Why not, Tabikins?" Spider asked. "Too old for it?"
Shade gave him a glare that rivaled Satan's, but Black Spider just laughed it off as always.
"Come on, you've got to eat." Black Spider said. "You're a growing girl after all."
Shade said nothing as she returned to looking out the window. Spider actually sighed as he jumped onto her bed to lay back on it.
"Come on, Tabi, quit with the sulking." He said. "I've been told we can let you go tomorrow if you behave, and don't try another escape attempt."
Shade frowned guessing that meant her plan to make a run for it tonight was pointless. Still she couldn't believe she was unable to get out of here herself. She's going have to train herself harder from now on...but training was actually the last thing she should be thinking of at this point. She still had the Justice League to think about. She sighed not looking forward to go through the whole interrogation process again. Shade then looked down at the floor as she wondered how her Team was doing.
MOUNT JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
"Okay, we are three teammates down in the search for Tabitha because Superboy and Miss M are undercover with Aqualad on standby." Robin said to Kid Flash, Artemis, and Red Arrow. "We still haven't heard anything or seen any sign of Tabitha in the last week since her abduction. The League hasn't told us anything either, which leads me to believe they've come up empty too."
The others nodded in agreement while all wishing they knew where Shade was. They were getting worried, and every hour that went by made them worry even more. Suddenly the computer screen popped up, and when everyone looked towards it, only a single message appeared on the screen.
"Russia...Ural Mountains." Robin read. "Find her there."
Red Arrow frowned while only guessing who sent them this message, and Red Arrow wasn't happy he was about to get into their database.
"I don't know who sent this, but I'm going." Kid Flash.
"Oh yeah?" Artemis asked. "And how are we going to get there? The bioship is with the others on their mission."
"...We'll take Oliver's private jet." Red Arrow said. "We might not be able to take it to the mountain range, but we can get close enough."
"Then let's go!" Kid Flash said impatiently. "We're getting Tabitha back today."
RUSSIA
SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
Shade let out a deep breath as she sat in the middle of her bed in a meditative position. Being around these people again is making her jumpy, and it makes her want to get out of here. However, she didn't see that happening with this stupid collar around her neck. The jerks were totally cheating with the whole shocking her every time she misbehaved crap. Shade was just finding her center when she heard an explosion. Her eyes snapped open in surprise as she heard a loud fight happening outside her door. It was then bust down with Red Arrow appearing in the doorway.
"Red Arrow?!" Shade asked in shock.
"Let's go." He said tossing Shade her weapons.
Shade caught her weapons, and she strapped them on quickly. She hurried out the door seeing Robin, Artemis, and Kid Flash dealing with Cheshire, Black Spider, Hook, and Sensei.
"We can't let her escape!" Sensei said as he brought out the remote.
Shade frowned because she did not want to be shocked again. Red Arrow quickly grabbed an arrow, and he fired at the remote. It was knocked loose of Sensei's hand, and Shade flipped through the air to catch it.
"Now...how does this work?" Shade asked with a tilt of her head.
After looking it over, she pressed a button. The collar clicked, and fell off of her neck. She grinned while tossing the remote and collar over her shoulder.
"Oh...Shady got loose." Black Spider said as he dodged Kid Flash. "This should be fun now."
Shade narrowed her eyes at the Shadows as they all paused in their fights. Her friends looked to her as Shade stepped forward with her hands clenched into fists.
"Who's first?" She asked getting into a stance.
Black Spider stepped up getting into a stance as well that mirrored her own.
"We don't have time for this!" Red Arrow said grabbing her shoulder. "We're leaving, now!"
Shade frowned though she did not as she backed away towards the group.
"Stay close to me." She said.
Everyone gathered around her, and they all, but Red Arrow, looked confused. Suddenly a large black shadow gathered around their feet, and they sunk into it. The four members of the shadows jumped towards them, but they were too late. Once the teenage heroes were gone, they straightened up.
"I wonder if our master will be upset that she left early." Spider said with a chuckle.
"We've done what was asked of us." Sensei said. "The doubt has been planted, and I am sure that a bit more pressure from the League...will send Strike back too us."
The group of teenagers arrived down the mountain near the local town, and Shade was leaning against a tree while gasping. She's been practicing her shadow traveling with other people since Bialya, but it was still hard on her.
"SHADE!"
Shade was suddenly tackled into strong arms, and her eyes widened in surprise. Kid Flash held her tightly to his chest as she stood there in shock. Robin and Artemis both snickered at the scene, but Red Arrow was glaring daggers.
"You're okay." Kid Flash said resting his head on top of hers. "You're safe."
Shade blinked wondering what has gotten into him. She didn't pull away though because she felt safe in Kid's embrace. The two didn't pull apart until Red Arrow cleared his throat. Shade smiled at her older brother, and he pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry." He said. "I shouldn't have taken my eyes off you."
"It's not your fault, Roy." She assured him. "You were going after Cheshire and Sportsmaster, I understand."
Red Arrow didn't reply, but he did tighten his hold on her. He finally let her go, so she could hug Robin and Artemis.
"Let's go home." Robin said.
"Sounds good to me." Shade said.
MOUNT JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
00:35 EDT
"So once again you disobey orders, and go out on your own." Batman said as he paced in front of the teenagers.
Aqualad, Superboy, and Miss Martian were still away on their mission, so they weren't here to hear the lecture.
"Yes, we did." Kid Flash said. "But we couldn't just standby! Not when one of our own was in danger."
He gestured to Shade, who was currently being squished in between Black Canary and Green Arrow. The moment the two had arrived to the Cave, they brought her into their arms without letting go.
"Yes, we will have to discuss your absence, Shade." Batman said turning to her with narrowed eyes.
Shade nodded her head while surprised that she didn't feel any suspicion from Batman. She would have thought he'd call her out, or at least look at her as if she's some kind of traitor.
"The rest of you are dismissed." Batman said. "Shade, Red Arrow, Green Arrow, Black Canary, you're with me."
The four Star City heroes nodded their heads while following after Batman. Shade looked to her friends to give them a small smile before they disappeared around the corner.
"Why do you think they need to talk in private?" Kid Flash asked with a frown.
"Don't know." Robin said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I just wish all the secrets would stop."
Artemis looked down to the ground as she bit her lip. She knew Shade wouldn't be sharing her past anytime soon, and the boys would just have to understand that.
"So, the Shadows were trying to plant doubt among the League and the Team." Batman said once Shade finished explaining.
"Yes." Shade said with a nod. "Ra's said that the League would become even more suspicious of me, and that they might even wish for me to leave the Team, which would lead to questions from them...which might lead to them discovering the truth."
Batman nodded his head while knowing that Superman and a few other Leaguers had written off Shade as a traitor the night she went missing.
"I will handle the Justice League." Batman said. "However, they might want you to have another session with J'onn."
"...I understand..." Shade said.
Canary placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort as Shade looked off to the side. She worked so hard to gain what trust she had among the League, but now she was back to square one.
"Until everything is taken care of, go on as if nothing has happened." Batman said. "Only Aqualad knows of a mole on the Team, but that is the only thing he knows. I do not believe the Team would have a mole, but look out."
"Understood." Shade said.