"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." – Edgar Allan Poe
The Citadel
Night had fallen and all was still, save for one lone woman powering down the long corridors. Dark hair flaying about her Jade Nguyen would not be deterred. Every so often she passed one of the many underlings Ra's seemed to collect, it was with an imperious stare that she brushed them off. The alarm had been sounded in the Citadel; they were to be expecting company.
Upon hearing the news Ra's had merely smiled, muttering something incoherent about the Detective. Cheshire resisted the urge to roll her eyes, if Batman was indeed about to drop in on their base of operations she had half a mind to leave, not offer up Talia as some sort of sexual plaything – a walking womb – that would ensure a suitable legacy to the Demon Head. Perhaps it was time she struck out on her own. She had never been one to take orders and being an effective member of the Shadows often required self sacrifice, Jade had always been a fan of the opposite – self preservation.
"Where do you think you're going?" A demanding voice echoed down the corridor.
Cheshire bit back a hiss of annoyance; turning gracefully she fixed the speaker with a challenging stare.
"I am going to check up on Artemis,"
"She is my ward Cheshire, she no longer concerns you."
"We share blood Shiva, don't forget that," Jade shot back, almond shaped eyes narrowing dangerously. She had spent years under Lady Shiva and she was spoiling for a fight, before this night was done they would meet in battle.
"You have long since forsaken her Jade, don't tell me you're trying to make amends?" Shiva softly mocked, taking light steps towards the younger woman.
"You really need to watch yourself Shiva, this sounds a lot like jealously talking. If you're not careful you might just find yourself caring." Cheshire rejoined, singsong.
Shiva smiled tightly, "I know where my loyalties lie Jade. I care only for the Shadows, it is you that is toeing the line."
Nodding her head Lady Shiva quickly swept away, her robes brushing against the stone floor.
Cheshire grit her teeth before she continued on her journey. This wasn't about caring, not really. This wasn't an act of kindness, this wasn't compassion – this was merely a way of hurting Shiva. Cheshire tried to push her thoughts back, she tried to find the place where she could kill at will, the dark recess of her mind that didn't give a damn if she took the life of hundreds. What she was about to do wasn't out of the goodness of her heart; it wasn't an act of weakness.
Artemis lay unmoving, staring at the ceiling, her eyes wide as she took in the uninspiring plaster. A cool breeze fluttered across her skin, causing goosebumps to rise, clutching her arm to her chest the blonde wriggled under the covers. Shuffling awkwardly Artemis closed her eyes, trying to ignore the lumpy mattress, a far cry from the memory foam that was used back in her quarters at Mount Justice. A single teardrop fell onto her upturned cheek before drifting into her long blonde hair. Just the thought of her former home base and teammates brought a lump to her throat.
Grasping the sheets in her hands Artemis tried to stifle her sobs, she had to stop feeling sorry for herself. She needed to pull it together and save herself – nobody was going to do it for her.
A sharp kick at the door followed by a tremendous gust of wind had her sitting upright on the bed. Squinting her eyes against the cold air she tried to see who had decided to disturb her quiet misery.
"Wakey wakey Artie," Cheshire grinned widely at her. "It's time we blew this joint."
Throwing the covers off her Artemis sprung to her feet, adopting a half-hearted fighting stance. She was still wary of Cheshire, and any of the help her Aunt had to offer.
"And just when did we decide I was going to go with you?" the blonde archer snapped, as her feelings of despair curiously morphed into anger.
"The Citadel is going to be swarming with capes in under a half hour, do you really want to be here when they catch up with you?" Cheshire snapped, hands akimbo.
"They're not just going to fling me into prison – not before they hear what I have to say. They're not like the Shadows." Artemis rejoined, confidence surging through her. She might not believe in herself anymore but she had an unwavering faith in Young Justice.
"You honestly think that? Batman might have a no kill policy – but that doesn't mean they wont hate you."
Artemis blinked, doubts swarming and threatening to crash down on her. They might not forgive her, Wally and Megan would do their best to understand but they wouldn't be able to let it go. They would resent her; hate her for what she had caused them to go through. When it all boiled down, it was her fault.
The Bioship
Wally's fingers were drumming a violent tattoo against his armrest; his eyes were blinking rapidly as he chewed on his lip. Never had he been this nervous, never had he wanted to be somewhere so much but at the same time wanted to be running as fast as possible in the opposite direction. He was torn. He wanted to see Artemis, he wanted to ask her why, he wanted to help her home. But he was afraid, he was afraid she'd say no, that she really had said goodbye.
"We're coming up to the base now," Robin muttered to the assembled heroes as he pulled up a holographic image of the complex' schematics
"You found a way in yet?" Hawkgirl questioned, as she leaned round the seat in front of her to get a better view of the layout.
"Not exactly, there is a complex plumbing system that we could use to our advantage." Robin mused quietly.
"The sewer? I'm not getting in any damn sewer Rob, so you better think of another way in there." Red Arrow shot across from the ship, his arms crossed firmly across his chest.
A loud bleeping suddenly filled the cabin, Megan looked frantically towards her instruments.
"Looks like they're expecting us guys," Miss Martian commented offhand before adding. "Hold on, it's time for some basic manoeuvres."
Within seconds the Bioship listed to the right before plummeting towards the ground, the sound of a missile shooting past them. Biting her lip Megan led the ship through the skies; every so often it would spiral towards the ground only for Megan to abruptly stop the decent and have the ship climb up once more.
"Does the ship have any defences?" Hawkgirl questioned harshly as she ripped the seat belt from across her chest.
"Not really no," Megan replied apologetically.
"Then open up a door and I'll run distraction, you guys will have to land and get up into the fortress."
"But..." Kid Flash interjected. "There's no way you can beat all of them."
"Kid, there's no other way. Batman's somewhere in this damn mountain range, you've just got to hold your own until Wonder Woman and the Flash get here." Shayera replied as she rose to her feet.
"Wait, think about this a minute," Robin spoke up.
"I already did," Shayera muttered.
"You think he's dead don't you?" Roy accused roughly. "You want to die so you can be reincarnated along with Hawkman right?"
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Hawkgirl half snarled just as the plane took another dip.
"I know what Green Arrow's told me about you two, he might be a little clouded by his dislike for Carter but facts are facts." Red Arrow defended. "You can't just go on some suicide mission because your boyfriend might be dead."
"Boyfriend? This isn't some fling," Shayera chocked with disbelief. "I'd say it's more along the lines of enduring love. Now open a damn door Megan."
Nodding mutely, the Martian sent the requisite command and a hole soon appeared in the side of the ship. Giving the team a quick nod Shayera dove through the gap in the ship.
With her wings pinned to her back she fell through the air. Grappling with her belt Hawkgirl withdrew her mace, a ferocious cry ripped from her throat as she sent the weapon crashing into the first of the oncoming projectiles. In a magnificent display of pyrotechnics it fell to the ground, extinguishing in the snow. Extending her wings Shayera let the updraft of wind push her higher; beating down powerfully she flew forwards, readying herself for the second target.
Dodging the cumbersome metal object with comparative ease Shayera hovered behind it before she swung her mace through the motor mechanism, a few small splutters and the missile pitched forward. Tensing, Hawkgirl heard the unmistakable whine of a bogey coming up behind her; shooting upwards she cut an elegant arc before sending her weapon crashing through the cockpit of the enemy plane. With an easy smile she fell towards earth once more, her eyes narrowing as she cleared the cloudbank and the fortress' stonewalls came into sight. Eyeing a lone guard on the battlements Shayera let loose her fearsome battle cry, moments later she stood with the Shadow unconscious at her feet. Turning to face the enemy she smiled, she did not fear death.
Away from the sounds of battle the Bioship touched down lightly on virgin snow, the engines pushing away the soft clouds in droves. Grunting Kid Flash wrapped his arms around his chest as he dropped out from the Martian vehicle, the cold air ripping through his costume, numbing his very bones. Glancing to his right he scowled, the Boy Wonder looked quite positively toasty.
"How are you not freezing? Don't tell me you've got your very own Bat-long johns?" Kid Flash accused incredulously.
"What can I say? Batman thinks of everything." Dick replied nonchalant.
"Guys, as much as I'd like to discuss the merits of boxers versus thermals, we need to get a move on." Red Arrow interrupted before brushing past the two quibbling heroes and marching towards what looked like an impregnable wall.
The Citadel
The main hall was dark; the normally large fire was now all but spluttering embers as the attendants had long left for the armoury. Lex casually picked up a blackened poker, nudging the flickering pieces of coal he was rewarded with a few flames. Quickly scrunching up some of the straw that was strewn about the floor he dropped them into the hearth. Ra's had long deserted him in order to ready his forces, but Luthor couldn't give a damn. He was about to be reunited with something he thought lost, the prodigal son had returned. Smiling to himself the industrialist warmed his hands by fire. If like Ra's suspected, that the pitiful team that was made up of former sidekicks was about to launch an assault, it would mean that the remainder of the Justice League would soon be on their way. All in all it was the perfect storm - the perfect trial run for his latest project.
"Lex," Mercy called out as she shut the door carefully behind her. "It's all going to hell here. We need to cut our loses and get out."
"No," Luthor replied, his eyes firmly fixed on the dancing embers.
"No? Jesus Lex, we're about to face an attack – you don't want to be caught anywhere near this shit storm."
"If I didn't know you better Mercy, I'd say you were scared." Luthor softly mocked as he walked towards his bodyguard.
"Not scared Mr Luthor," Mercy countered, her jaw clenched. "I'm just trying to protect your interests."
"My interests are here and we stay until we say so. Is that clear?"
"Of course Mr Luthor," Mercy nodded curtly.
Grappling with a grate Wally cursed for the umpteenth time, Megan had somehow failed to establish a telepathic connection and the comms links were useless in the tunnels. Wading through the muddied water the speedster tried not to breathe through his nose. Eyeing the grate once more Wally decided to focus on the hinges, gritting his teeth he hoped that whatever protected him from the stresses of running at the speed of sound would protect his hand from slightly more damage. Drawing back his arm Kid Flash threw his fist against the grate; to his pleasure the iron doorway fell open leaving him access to the upper levels of the citadel.
Quickly tapping the front of his chest Wally dropped into camouflage mode, wriggling up the narrow passageway he pulled himself up into what appeared to be some sort of storage room. Hitting the patch on the side of his head he cursed, he was still experiencing static, so much for the combined technologies of Mr Terrific and Batman. Leaning against the door Kid Flash pressed his ear against the wood – desperate to hear if there was anything on the other side.
Jiggling softly on the spot Wally rallied, bolting through the door he exhaled his breathe sharply - the corridor was empty. Taking several steps forward Kid Flash kept a wary eye out, he was very much aware he was without the team and in the middle of Ra's al Ghul's strong hold. Quite suddenly there was a clattering behind him, shooting a look over his right shoulder he noticed a door leading off the hallway, leaping headlong towards it Wally could only hope what was on the other side wasn't a full complement of Shadow's soldiers.
Stepping back slowly into the room his breathing steadied, shifting on his back foot his jaw dropped. Of all the rooms he could have walked into, the red head swallowed heavily. She was standing in front of him, long gone was her uniform; she was dressed as a Shadow. Her blonde hair was flowing down her back; her blue eyes were wild and staring. She was a picture of fragility, held together by tape and glue.
"Wally?" Her voice broke with emotion. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't believe that after all this time he had come for her. She wasn't alone.
"Artemis," the speedster nodded his head. Stepping forward his gloved hand reaching out to skim her finger tips.
"I didn't think you'd come, I thought you'd hate me," the archer whispered, her voice shuddering with every breath.
"I don't hate you," Wally blurted out quickly.
Artemis' eyes widened as she jumped backwards, but she couldn't move any further, her hand was interlocked with Wally's. Glancing down she stared unseeing at the interwoven fingers, blinking slowly; her eyes pulled the image into focus. Kid Flash was there, standing in front of her and waiting for her to move.
"You should," Artemis mumbled, the bitterness creeping into her voice.
"No," Wally replied firmly. Pulling Artemis towards him he wrapped both his arms around her, it was a move he wouldn't have dreamed of pulling before she left. He most probably would have ended up with a black eye, but not now. Things had changed. Before he knew it he was placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.
"Come on, it's time to go home."
Swarms of men were driving down on Young Justice; the courtyard they found themselves in was surrounded on all side. Smiling Lex pulled open the door and left the hearth behind him, the fire spluttering in the draft. Walking slowly down a snow-covered staircase he casually dodged the various projectiles that were being lobbed at the young heroes. There in the midst of things was Conner, his shirt torn as he buckled under the weight of several men piled on top of him.
"Hello Superboy," Lex' voice drifted across the stone courtyard, he was the picture of amiabilty.
"Luthor?" Conner replied as his forehead furrowed.
Lex merely nodded before four words broke free from behind his lips. "Aut vincere aut mori."
A/N: Ok, guys, new chapter and I'm pulling on some comic book lore. Hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think :)