To Be a Hero
To My Reviewers:
AgnetCoCo: I know. I know...I do too.
Molly Grace 16: To quote Jigsaw from Saw 'Oh yes...there will be blood.' And you're right, it isn't.
Guest (1): You're language is pardon...because she is a b*&%. And for your question...who knows.
Guest (2): Thanks, I was hoping it would be cute.
Anime hotty lover.18: I'm glad you loved it. And I know, poor Kou`ki. But it's the first time his parents have been 'away' from him, so it's natural that he's upset about it.
Inu-Hanyou2016: The answer: Not well.
chibi-Clar: Thanks, that's what I was leaning towards. I'm trying to keep Karin's Team activities and sibling bonding balanced, but it's still overwhelming for her. And Superboy had seen Karin's caring mother type side when she took care of Kou'ki during the 'Gone' chapter. And trust me, he still does.
AmayaTaisho19: Thank you so much and I hope he does too.
Thank you all for your reviews and ,Til We Meet Again, kanamelover101, The Plot Doctor, and ReiStriker for your support. Much love to all!
Disclaimer:
I do not own Inuyasha (Otherwise Kikyo would have stayed dead and Inuyasha and Kagome would have got together sooner.)
I do not own Young Justice. (Because there would be a season 3...and 4...and 7 XD!)
I do own Karin/Moriko, Hitomi/Fox, Riku/Okami, Kou`ki, H`iro, and Ai`mi. (*plays with marinates of the characters* Dance puppets. Dance! Mwahahaha!)
Anyway, please don't...you know, sue me.
Chapter 25: From Bad to Worse
GBN Station: March 19 11:11 EDT
"It's time for Godfrey's Bonehead List," Gordon Godfrey announced during the show.
"Oh joy," Hitomi said sarcastically.
Godfrey chuckled unamused, "Oh but it's such a good one this time Hitomi. I'm talking about, of course, the launch of Ferris Aircrafts new Earth-Mars Communication Satellite. That's right folks, it's not enough we've been invaded by aliens. Now, we're going out of our way to contact them! My friends, if you're asking yourselves: What's wrong with this picture? You're not alone."
"But Gordon, aren't we simply just knocking on their front door?" Hitomi asked, pointing out on how hypocritical Godfrey was being.
"Yes the words of G. Gordon has finally reached some ears. But I fully intend to see what exactly these people at Ferris Aircrafts plan to do with this satellite," he pointed out.
"Oh Gordon, you know you're not going to Florida without me are you?" Hitomi asked with a fake smile.
Godfrey smiled right back at the kitsune hanyou, "Wouldn't dream of it."
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The Cave: March 19, 11:42 EDT
Mal sighed as he looked at the holographic images of the recently found Roy Harper, the original Speedy and Bart Allen "They're both gonna wind up our responsibility, aren't they?" Mal asked his team mates.
"Doesn't everything?" Karin pointed out while she petted the yōkai formed Kirara's head. The little wolf neko's were all gathered at their mother's feet, playing with each other. Karin had yet to actually meet the original Speedy but Bart was definitely one sweet, although a little hyper, speedster. She lightly chuckled at the memory of the first time she met him.
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Flashback
"Recognize Moriko B05," the Zeta-tube announced at The Cave. Karin walked in and saw Flash, Kid Flash, Nightwing, Robin, Mal and Beast Boy all in the Mission Room. Along with a young boy whom she'd never met before.
"Hey guys," she greeted, "What's going," she began to ask before she was suddenly trapped in a vice grip hug.
"Karin it's you," the young boy said overjoyed, while talking a little fast. "This is so crash! I mean I knew that you were going to be younger but, wow! But you were right though, you do look a lot like."
"Impulse," Flash interrupted the young speedster in warning.
The young boy, Impulse, covered his mouth quickly. "Whoops, sorry. I almost forgot. No more spoilers," he said still talking fast.
Karin raised a brow, "Umm, who is this?" she pointed to Impulse who had just now let her go.
"The names Bart Allen," answered Impulse with pride, "Future grandson of the Flash and Iris West and son of,"
"Impulse!" Kid Flash and Nightwing warned.
The speedster winced again, "Geez sorry. Don't be feeling the mode."
Karin gave a look of confusion, "Mode?"
"The 'mode' is bad," explained Beast Boy before doubting his knowledge, "I think."
Karin nodded with mild understanding, "Okay...No feeling the mode."
Flash snickered, "Anyway, it looks like my grandson is stuck with us for now since his time machine is fried."
Karin saw the time machine, which she assumed the League would now confiscate, and looked back at Impulse. "So, you're from the future...Is that where you know me from?" she asked the future speedster.
"You bet," said Impulse, "I've known you all my life, since you," he quickly paused to rethink about what he was supposed to say, "Uhhh trained me."
"I did?" Karin asked surprised, "I mean, I do? Will. Someday...Maybe," she rambled giving herself a mild headache. "Wait, I train you? Why me?" she asked him, wondering why she would train this young speedster. 'Why not Flash, or Kid Flash? Hell, why not Nighwing?' she speculated.
"Uhh, because you're awesome," Impulse answered, as if it were obvious.
His answer made Karin smile wide, "Oh, I love this kid already," she told everyone before giving Impulse a tight hug of her own.
From her angle, she couldn't see the knowing smile on Impulse's face.
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Present
"No actually," Nightwing assured Mal, answering his question. "Bart, err Impulse, is staying with Jay and Joan Garrick in Central City. Roy is recuperating at Royal Memorial Hospital in Star City. Arrow's Green and Red are watching over him."
Mal wasn't convinced, "They're both gonna wind up our responsibility."
"Duh," Hitomi and Riku said in union. The kitsune hanyou had arrived at The Cave a while ago, when she was 'misinformed' by Gordon Godfrey about their departure time for their plane to Florida. She would have been pissed off but luckily they had Zeta-tubes in that area of Florida.
"Where are we on identifying the Light's new partner?" Superboy asked Nightwing.
The former Boy Wonder sighed in frustration, "No progress."
"You know, I can get off the GBN mission and help you find out," Hitomi suggested, practically begging the leader of The Team, "I can even help out on tonight's mission."
"Negative Fox," Nightwing declined, "Besides isn't it your human night tonight?"
"Damn it," the kitsune hanyou cursed, almost forgetting.
Miss Martian suddenly arrived with La'gaan into the Mission Room. "La'gaan," the Martian giggled at her boyfriend eating her recently made a plate of Crab Cakes, "Don't eat so fast."
"I can't help it, Angelfish," the Atlantean replied as he continued stuffing his face. "The idea of cooking crabs is amazing enough. But making them into little cakes!" he said amazed.
"You're going to choke," the Martian pointed out but giggled in amused, "Here let me," she offered to feed him, which he gladly accepted.
Riku gave a silent growl at the couple. He was jealous of the attention that his ex was giving to the Atlantean. M`gann used to cook for Riku all the time and gave him the affectionate attention that she was giving La'gaan. He missed it...He missed her.
Karin and Hitomi gave a quick knowing look to one another before looking back at their childhood friend. It hurt seeing Riku in such obvious pain.
"If that's not true love, I don't know what is, chum," La'gaan said to the others, mainly Riku.
The wolf yōkai sent a death glare to the Atlantean before leaving the Mission Room.
"Stupid jerk," Karin stated in Japanese so that only Hitomi and Superboy could understand her as she insulted La'gaan.
"I know," Hitomi replied, "He already got the girl. He doesn't have to rub the flea bag's face in it."
Suddenly, the Zeta-tube announced a new but familiar arrival, "Recognized: Artemis, B08."
"Artemis!" Moriko, Hitomi, and M`gann cheered as they all ran to hug their long missed archer friend.
Artemis and Wally had retired from the hero business, a little bit after Tula's death, and moved to Plato Alto together to attend college. The Team was surprised when Nightwing announced that the archer would be joining them on their new mission, but no one was complaining.
"Hey girls," Artemis greeted her friends, welcoming their group hug. Kirara walked over to the young archer and rubbed her head against her arm.
"Where've you been, Artemis-chan?" Hitomi questioned.
"School, work, home...That's about it," the archer admitted as she petted Kirara's head, "But hey at least me and Wally get to see you all the time on T.V."
The hanyou rolled her eyes, "I'm so close to just bashing Godfrey's head into the desk during the report."
"Do it! Do it!" Karin chanted, wanting the alien bashing reporter to suffer for the blasphemy he says in his reports.
Artemis felt some little paws at her feet and saw the three little wolf nekos smelling her, most likely smelling her and Wally's dog, Nelson. "Nice to meet you three too," she said amused, while petting each of their heads. "How are Hi and Ai?" Artemis asked using her nick name for the half Martian twins.
Karin tried to find the right words, "They're...whelmed," she answered.
Miss Martian chuckled at the word, "How's Wally?" she asked the archer.
"He's," Artemis tried to think of the right word but came up blank, "Wally."
All the girls laughed.
"Well, thank Kami for that," Hitomi said amused, "I miss my favorite red head."
"What up, girl," Mal greeted to his old friend.
Artemis smiled back, "Hey Mal."
"We have so missed you around here," Superboy admitted giving her a one armed hug.
"I missed all of you too, Conner," she replied.
"I relish this opportunity to finally fight beside you, archer," La'gaan stated to Artemis.
Everyone minus Miss Martian rolled their eyes at the Atlantean.
"Umm, thanks La'gaan," Artemis replied, not really knowing how to respond.
Nightwing stood back and let everyone enjoy their little reunion but knew time was of the essence, "Listen up Alpha Squad," he said getting everyone's attention. "The mission is Cape Canaveral. A covert op mission to safeguard the first Earth-Mars Comsat. There are people out there who don't even like the idea of aliens and will do anything to scrub this launch."
Miss Martian turned her gaze to the floor.
"Because they're all morons," Karin said giving her cousin a side hug. She may not agree with M`gann's decisions lately but they were still family.
"And that's why I came back," Artemis pointed out, "Not all people feel that way."
"Here here," Hitomi agreed.
Miss Martian gave an appreciative smile to her friends.
"I have a question," Mal asked Nightwing, "Why are you going? You rarely go on missions anymore."
"Exactly," the former Boy Wonder replied. "I'm peckish for some action."
"Wish I was going too," Karin admitted with a mild pout.
"You're not coming?" Artemis asked confused.
"I've got to check on my Nii-chans and Nee-chan," Karin explained her reason for being left out of the mission.
Nightwing gave her a sympathetic look, "How's Kou'ki? Any better?"
Karin gave an unsure shrug.
Superboy gave a look of concern, "Is he okay?"
"I don't know how to explain it," Karin admitted, "Yes, Kou-chan's the same, but...something just seems off about him. Like he's hiding something from me."
"You're probably just imagining things, girl," Mal suggested, "He's just a kid dealing with his frustration in his own way."
Karin shrugged, "I guess so."
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Woods Next To Higurashi Shrine
"We're almost there," Kou`ki told his younger siblings, leading them through the woods.
Ai`mi was holding Kou`ki's hand as they walked. "Is the lady nice?" she asked her older brother.
Kou`ki nodded, "Yeah, Kikyo's really nice. And she lets you talk about whatever you want. Good or bad. I talked about you two a lot and she said she'd like to meet you. And the best part is she's not scarred of what we look like," he said the last part excitingly.
H`iro was walking alongside his twin sister when he gave Kou`ki a confused look. "Why would she be scarred?" he asked, innocently.
Kou`ki almost forgot just how naïve his younger siblings were, "Because some people are."
The children still didn't understand and would have asked more questions, if the fog didn't suddenly appear around them.
Ai`mi clung to her older brother for comfort, "It's okay, Ai-chan" Kou`ki told her. "Kikyo makes the fog so people won't accidently see us."
The twins nodded together.
Kou`ki kept guiding his siblings until he spotted Kikyo on a nearby rock. Her shinidamachū were dancing around their master like always.
"Hello Kouki," Kikyo greeted before addressing his siblings, "You two must be Aimi and Hiro," she acted assumingly.
Both children nodded.
The undead miko gave a forced smile, "It's nice to finally meet you both. You're just as cute as your older brother."
Ai`mi was the first to approach the undead woman, "You look like Kaa-san."
Kikyo brushed some of the half Martian girl's black hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear, "That's very kind of you to say, since Kouki told me that you have a very pretty Kaa-san...You must get her beauty from her."
Ai`mi smiled at the compliment.
"Tell me Aimi, would you like to meet some friends of mine?" Kikyo asked. Ai`mi looked hesitant. "They're little children. Little girls, just like you."
This made Ai`mi look more eager, "Okay."
Kikyo waved her hand to summon her two shikigami servents. "This is Kochō and Asuka," the undead miko introduced the two young 'girls.' "They've heard a lot about you all and would like to be your friend."
Ai`mi ran up to the two shikigami that looked her age, happy that she was making new friends.
Kou`ki watched as his sister played with the two young 'girls.' "Did you make them?" he asked astonished.
"Yes," Kikyo answered truthfully. "I'm unable to have children of my own. Kochō and Asuka are the closest thing I'll ever have to a family."
Kou`ki looked at Kikyo's sad eyes, "You can be a part of our family," he suggested, "I know once Otou-san and Kaa-san meet you they'll want you to be with us too."
The mention of his parents made Kou`ki frown.
Kikyo looked concerned the half Martian child, "What is it Kouki?"
"I forgot...My parents aren't here," he told her, "They left us alone."
"But don't you have an Onee-san?" Kikyo asked as if she didn't know. Of course, she couldn't forget the insolent girl she had 'met' all those years ago. Kikyo had seen footage from the Light of Karin's heroic escapades. It reminded her of Inuyasha...and her copy. 'It's almost sickening,' she thought to herself.
Kou`ki nodded, "Yeah but...My parents just left...They didn't care that they were leaving us behind."
Kikyo got up from her seat to hug Kou`ki, "I'm here for you Kouki."
H`iro stood in his spot, watching his siblings play with the woman and girls. He didn't know why but this Kikyo woman scared him.
And he didn't like the fact that she looked like his mother either.
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Cape Canaveral March 19, 20:59 EDT
"I'm so sorry for the miscommunication, Hitomi," Godfrey apologized to his co-worker, who claimed to have got another flight to Florida in time.
Hitomi gave a sarcastic smile, "I'm sure you are. It's not like you would purposely want to leave me behind on an important report, right?" Her annoyance for the man had increased tenfold since it was her 'human time'. Luckily, she had a wig that looked just like the red hair she used for work for the nights of no kitsune magic.
"Of course not," Godfrey stated before he raised his hand when Carol Ferris, the head person of the whole Earth-Mars satellite project, had asked if there were any questions. Carol picked him from the crowd with obvious loathing. "Miss Ferris, maybe I'm the only one not drinking the space-cola, but has anyone asked whether Earth wants more communication with aliens?" he asked Carol.
"Our galaxy contains billions of stars and yet Earth and Mars are warmed by the same sun," Carol replied, "The Martians aren't aliens. They're our next-door neighbors. Isn't it time we got to know them?"
Godfrey wasn't impressed as he looked into the GBN camera, "So that's your plan? Borrow a cup of Martian sugar while our world is being invaded."
"We do know these invaders are not the Martian's from Mars since we know for a fact of what they look like," Hitomi said while pointing to 'Martian Manhunter' on the stage.
Miss Martian had to use her shape shifting skills to imitate her uncle. Since a few of the League members left for Rimbor, The Team had to keep up the charade that those heroes were still around. Not wanting to alert any super villains or the Light to know that they were short-handed.
"If I may," the Martian interrupted using her uncle's voice. "This possible invasion is all the more reason both worlds must stand together. This satellite represents a new spirit of cooperation between sister planets. The beginning of an alliance that can protect us all."
Carol nodded, "Thank you and well said, Martian Manhutner."
"Nice work, M`gann-chan," Hitomi said impressed through The Team mind link, as Carol continued speaking.
"Thanks," Miss Martian replied.
"Can you guys hurry up," Superboy urged from his spot above the facility. Miss Martian was using her telekinesis powers to give him the illusion of flight. Something the Boy of Steel wasn't a big fan of at the moment.
"Coming," the Martian replied as she flew into the sky.
This made Godfrey furious, "That's it? No more questions for the mighty Manhunter?" he asked. "Now tell me this Hitomi, doesn't that name sound ominous to any decent Earthling?" Godfrey asked his co-worker.
"I'll ask when I find one," the hanyou retorted, allowing her smart mouth to slip.
Godfrey laughed her comment off.
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The Bio-Ship Twenty Minutes Later
"I heard you and the others back at The Cave," Miss Martian said very upset to Superboy. "You guys are being very rude to La'gaan."
Superboy snorted, "You mean like how he was to Riku," he said defending him. Sure, in the beginning the Boy of Steel may not have liked the wolf yōkai but after a few years of getting to know each other better they became good friends.
"I don't know why you and Karin are on Riku's side," the Martian continued, "He broke up with me!"
"Oh please," the Boy of Steel replied as he turned around from his spot in front of the ship, "Don't act like you don't know why he did it."
The Martian sighed, having heard the excuse a million times. "I know. I know, Riku disproves on how I use my psychic powers."
"It's not just him," Superboy exclaimed. "It's me and Karin too. And you're not using your powers, M`gann! You're abusing them! You're ripping intel form the minds of your victims without any concern for their psyches!"
"They're not victims," Miss Martian argued, "They're the bad guys. And that intel is helping The Team, the League, and the entire planet!"
"And leaving your victims in a catatonic state," Superboy reminded her. "It isn't right, M`gann! Your behavior is no better than Psimon!"
Miss Martian couldn't believe that her friend had compared her to that vile super villain. "If you three feel that strongly about it, then why haven't any of you told Nightwing or the League?" she challenged.
"Believe me I want to," Superboy assured trying to calm down, "But I promised Karin and Riku that I wouldn't. They had hoped that we mattered enough to you that you'd stop on your own...We didn't think you'd actually attempt to mess with our minds to make us forget we were mad at you."
"Conner," Miss Martian said regretfully of when she attempted to do that to people she cared about. She thought that if they'd all forget, they could move past her methods. "I'm so sorry," she apologized for her act for what felt like the hundredth time.
"You're sorry," he repeated in disbelief, "Did you think you wouldn't get caught? Karin grew up with psychic stepfather and siblings. Did you really think she wasn't going to notice what you did and not tell us? I had never felt that violated since Cadmus! And Riku...Having to tell him that the person the he was in love with had perverted her powers like that...Do you know how devastated he was after that?"
The Boy of Steel's words brought tears to Miss Martian's eyes. Of course she knew how much she had hurt Riku. The wolf yōkai practically told her so when he confronted her after that. The Martian tried to play stupid and act like Riku's accusation was a sign of his mistrust in her.
They both knew that it was a lie.
'But what about me?' the Martian thought to herself. Riku had hurt her when he said that he could never be with someone who manipulates people. He didn't' understand that Miss Martian was trying to help people by using her psychic powers, 'It's for the greater good.'
"But hey how replaceable was Riku?" Superboy continued, "As soon as he ended it, you began dating the rebound guy from the Black Lagoon."
"La'gaan is not my rebound guy," Miss Martian said appalled by the accusation.
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, M`gann," Superboy retorted.
Before the Martian could protest, Lagoon Boy told them of the trouble in the ocean.
And that trouble's name was Kaldur.
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Thirty Minutes Later
Hitomi tapped her foot impatiently from her position in the crowd of reporters. She was fully aware that the Gamma Team was in trouble with Kaldur and Black Manta'. The hanyou desperately wanted to go to the fight, but in her human form she wouldn't have been much help. Plus with Godfrey at her side, Hitomi couldn't possibly leave without him noticing.
Things got worse when the satellite blew up in midflight as soon as it was launched.
The Light's plan had succeeded.
Hitomi gasped horrified by the explosion while Gordon Godfrey smiled triumphantly.
Little did the human Hitomi know that at the beach, less than five hundred yards away, something much worse had happened.
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Higurashi Shrine March 20, 01:43 EST
Karin knew something was wrong the moment she smelled Conner in the Zeta-tube. He called her earlier and told her he'd be coming to the shrine. Karin grew very nervous when she could smell Conner's distress from all the way inside the house.
"Kon-El," she hesitated to ask when Conner came inside and saw his face matched his scent of dread. "What is it?"
Conner looked at his girlfriend with saddened eyes, "Karin...You might want to sit down."
Karin shook her head, "No. Just tell me what's wrong," she demanded.
The Boy of Steel clenched his fist, "The mission...It went wrong...Very wrong."
"Yeah, I saw the satellite get blown up on the news," she told him and hoped that was all he was upset about.
"That's...not all that happened," he continued, knowing how hard it was going to be to tell his girlfriend the horrible news.
Karin wrapped her arms around herself, bracing for whatever news was about to come. It had to be bad if Conner was having this much trouble telling her.
"Kaldur was the one who blew up the satellite," Conner hesitantly continued, "Before he left he kidnapped La'gaan and...Karin...He killed Artemis."
Karin's eyes widened in disbelief, "No...No that's not true," she said in denial. 'Nothing can take down Artemis,' she thought to herself, 'Nothing.'
Conner grabbed his girlfriend's shoulders, "It is Karin. I was there. I saw Kaldur stab her in the chest with his Water-Bearers...And I was there when Artemis's heart stop beating...She's dead."
Tears began falling down Karin's face as she shook her head, "No...No, not Artemis," she cried for her friend and teammates death. "Ar-Artemis," she sobbed, before Superboy embraced his girlfriend as she cried into his chest.
Conner didn't even notice that he was crying too.
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The Cave
M`gann cried into her pillow.
Artemis, her Earth sister, was dead.
Killed by someone she once considered a friend.
And La'gaan...he was gone.
M`gann wished that her Aunt and Uncle were here or that Karin was staying at the Cave tonight. She needed to talk to someone...But M`gann was all alone in her grief.
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled her.
"Who is it?" M`gann asked whimpering at the door.
"It's me," Riku answered from the other side.
The Martian sat up and wiped her eyes, "Come in."
Riku hesitantly opened the door and frowned at M`gann's red puffy eyes. "Hey," he told her softly.
M`gann couldn't keep the tears at bay, as she bawled and covered her face with her hands.
The wolf yōkai walked over and sat next to her on her bed, wrapping his arm around her in a half hug. "I'm going to miss her too...And La'gaan...M`gann we're going to find him."
The Martian wiped her eyes and took a few moments to calm down, "I want Kaldur to pay for what he did," she stated in sadness and hatred.
Riku pulled back and shook his head, "Revenge won't bring Artemis back."
"I don't care," she told him, "Artemis deserves justice for her murder."
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Hitomi's Apartment
Htiomi refused to believe it. 'There is no way Kaldur would go that far to maintain his cover,' she thought.
So Hitomi waited, knowing that her boyfriend would come.
And she was right.
Kaldur had snuck his way inside his girlfriend's apartment, bracing himself for what was about to come.
"What the hell was that?" Hitomi yelled as soon as she saw him.
"It was necessary," Kaldur tried to explain.
"Necessary," she repeated completely furious, "Does Nightwing have any idea of what he's done? Of what emotional damage he's caused everyone?" she said practically yelling at her boyfriend's face. She knew that it wasn't entirely Kaldur's fault, but she had to be mad at something right now to keep from crying.
Kaldur blinked in surprise, "You know?"
"That Artemis-chan is alive?" she interrupted, making her boyfriend nod. "Of course I do. I'm not an idiot. You wouldn't go that far, even for a mission. And you and Artemis-chan had trained together for four years. You know each other's moves by heart. There was no way you could have taken her down that fast if it was real."
The Atlantean sighed in relief. He was actually expecting Hitomi to end things with him tonight, believing that Artemis's staged death was real. "It was the only way to convince my father I am on his side. Now, I am closer to being brought into The Light and their secret partner."
"At what cost?" Hitomi yelled, before she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She wiped away a few tears that escaped from her eyes, "Where is she now?"
"Artemis is with Wally in Blüdhaven," Kaldur answered, "I will be meeting up with them in a few hours."
The human formed Hitomi let out a sigh of relief, "Wally-kun knows." She couldn't even imagine what Wally would do if he believed that Kaldur really did kill Artemis. Hitomi probably would have cracked under the pressure and told the speedster herself if he didn't.
"But Artemis will be coming with me in disguise as my lieutenant," Kaldur continued, "I will have back up on the inside if something should happen."
Hitomi's human emotions began overwhelming her, "The Team...If they didn't hate you before, they will now. And this time, they'll be out for blood."
Kaldur kissed Hitomi's forehead, "I do not care of how the others feel. All I care about is you, my love. You knowing that I am not a killer is all I need to keep going."
Hitomi gave an unamused laugh, "How can you still be sweet to me at a time like this?"
The Atlantean cupped her face, "It is just who I am," he repeated the words she had said to him years ago the first time he saw her human form.
Hitomi managed to smile, remembering when she told him the same thing. "It-It may be a while before I can come see you again," Kaldur told her with regret.
Hitomi nodded understanding, "I'm not going to say good bye, Kaldur'ahm," she told him.
"I would never ask you too," Kaldur replied her before kissing her passionately.
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Ivy Town March 21, 19:15 EDT
Conner was sitting on a bench reading a chapter from a book that one of his professor assigned. Doing something like this at The Cave was next to impossible with all the distractions going on right now.
The Boy of Steel was so focused on his task that he didn't hear Karin coming up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek startling him. "Found you," she said while she giggled.
"Hey," Conner said turning his head to kiss her lips. "I thought you were going to Raquel's bridal shower today."
"I had breakfast with Raquel this morning and we did a little shopping afterwards," she said while going around the bench to sit next to him.
Conner smiled understanding what that meant, "So you're."
Karin nodded before he could finish, "I'm all yours, Birthday Boy."
The Boy of Steel was amazed that his girlfriend did that for him. With everything that had happened recently, with Artemis death and La'gaan missing, he didn't think that Karin would even remember his birthday. 'I should have known better,' he thought delightedly.
"So what do you want to do today?" Karin asked him.
Conner thought it over, not sure on what to do. His birthday would be different this year since Karin's parents and his father wouldn't be here to celebrate it with him. But at least Karin was still here, "The Boardwalk?" he suggested, since they rarely get to go.
Karin chuckled at the idea, "Of course the Boardwalk. Rides, toys, treats. Where else would a six year old want to go?" she joked, teasing about how he'd only been alive for six years.
"Hey, legally I just turned twenty two," Conner corrected her.
Karin still shuddered, "Still, it makes me feel like a cradle robber."
Conner stuck out his tongue playfully at her.
Karin stuck her tongue out teasing him back before she smiled. "Well come on, Super-Stud. Let's go have some fun and eat lots of junk food. I'll even share my cotton candy," she promised, practically dragging Conner to the nearest Zeta-tube so they could get to Happy Harbor. "But you better keep your hands off my curly fries," she playfully warned.
"We'll see," Conner teased her back, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world.
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The Cave March 23, 21:00 EDT
Moriko had returned from dropping off Jewel, Daisuke, and Lycaon off at the Shrine, since the three wolf neko's were finally old enough to be away from Kirara. Her siblings were happy to finally have their long awaited companions, but were disappointed that their parents weren't there to see them. Moriko shook her head of the memory and walked into the Mission Room, where Nightwing busy working on something. The former Boy Wonder had been more distracted these past few weeks then anyone. 'Not that I blame him,' she thought.
Nightwing turned his attention to her a moment later, "Hey."
"Hey," she greeted just as mellow, "What are you doing?"
"Just trying to figure this out," he gestured to the Intel that was retrieved from Malina Island.
"You haven't found anything yet?" Moriko asked surprised.
Nightwing shook his head, "We know that the Kroloteans were snatching humans to use as guinea pigs. They were hoping to find something...Something inside us."
Moriko raised a brow, "Looking for what?"
"The closest translation we have for the term is 'Meta-Gene,'" Nightwing explained.
"What's that mean?" she asked, wondering what the term could mean.
"I have no idea," he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Moriko put her hand on his shoulder and gave a supporting squeeze, "We'll figure this out."
Nightwing nodded, "I know...Where's Superboy?" he asked curiously.
"Probably down below," she gestured to where they kept the memorial of the fallen members of both The Team and Justice League. They had put one up for Artemis a few days ago. Everyone had visited her memorial at least once every day. "It's been hard on him," Moriko admitted.
"It'll get easier," Nightwing told her.
Moriko snorted, "Is that what you told yourself when we lost Jason-chan?" she asked him. Moriko knew that the loss of Jason Todd, the second Robin, was a touchy subject for any member of the Bat family.
"Yep," Nighwing replied, "...Still hasn't worked yet," he admitted with a weak smile.
They were interrupted by the Zeta-tube announcing new arrivals, "Recognize: Blue Beetle B22, Impulse B23."
"Ha ha," Impulse cheered, "Left them in the dust."
"Left who in the dust?" Nightwing immediately questioned before noticing an unknown object in the speedster's hand. "And what is that?" he asked in alarm.
"Souvenir," Impulse said excited.
Blue Beetle sighed, "Souvenirs are Beast Boy's thing, esé."
"Leave him alone, Blue," Moriko defended the speedster, who ran up to hug her. She smiled at Impulse's affection and hugged him back. Moriko couldn't explain it but she felt very protective over the speedster. 'Maybe it's because we're friends in the future,' she figured to herself.
"Could we get to it?" Nightwing said losing his patience.
Blue Beetle winced, "Umm sorry. Aqualad attacked us with Icilce Jr., the Terror Twins and a ninja chica I didn't recognize."
Impulse gave the device he had to Moriko, "This is how they tracked Blue. I made sure they couldn't do it again."
Nightwing glared at the two young hero recruits, "So you brought foreign, possibly alien, technology into the Cave?" he lectured them, "That's a rookie mistake!"
Moriko sniffed the device, "That's definitely alien," she identified before handing it to Nightwing.
The former Boy Wonder immediately began scanning the device on the holographic computer, trying to decipher the contents. It took a few minutes to find out the results. Once Nightwing read the information he cursed, "Damn it! I'm an idiot!"
Before Moriko could question him, she smelt Superboy coming behind her.
However, she didn't smell the other person with him.
Tommy Terror threw the unconscious Superboy at Nighwing, knocking him down.
Moriko growled and charged at the muscle headed villain. She quickly jumped over the villains head and landed the other side to spin kick behind Tommy Terror's legs, knocking him to the ground.
"How did you get in here?" she demanded him once she brought her claws to his throat. 'Why couldn't I smell him?' she thought to herself before she noticed the bracelet the villain was wearing. The enchanted beads that hid a person's presents from yōkai senses. "Where did you get that?" she gestured to the bracelet.
"Why not ask me?" a voice from behind startled her.
Kaldur walked up into the hallway carrying a duffle bag.
Moriko raised herself from the ground and growled, "You've got a lot of nerve showing yourself here after what you did!"
Kaldur kept a neutral face, "Not nerve. Purpose," he corrected.
Moriko was about to reply with a snarky remark when Tommy Terror suddenly placed an inhibiter collar around her neck, the ones they use on super powered villains in Bell Reve.
"You bastard," she cursed before Kaldur pressed a button to electrify her collar.
Moriko screamed in pain from the electric shocks before passing out.
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Forty Minutes Later
"Karin," Superboy shook his girlfriend's unconscious form, "Karin, wake up."
Moriko groaned as she woke up, with her ears ringing. "Wh-what?" she quickly realized that she wasn't inside The Cave anymore. She was laying on the Super-Cycle in the ocean not far from Mount Justice. Nightwing, a small Kirara and Wolf, were all lying unconscious on the Super-Cycle. But that wasn't the worst of it when the smell of smoke hit her nose. Her eyes widened in horror once she saw the source, "No."
Mount Justice...The Cave, was engulfed in flames.
The Team's base, their home, was gone.
"What happened?" Moriko asked horrified.
"Later, The S-Cycle's sinking," Mal told her as he swam to grab the unconscious Nightwing. The teenager had seen the explosion on his return from Ivy Town and lucky was able to find them and wake up Superboy before they drowned.
Moriko quickly grabbed Kirara and jumped into the water, while Superboy grabbed Wolf and did the same.
"Is she alright?" Moriko asked Superboy, referring to Sphere as she began to sink to the bottom of the ocean.
"Yeah," the Boy of Steel promised her, "She's folding up to heal." Moriko nodded trying her best not to panic. "Can you both make it to shore?" he asked her and Mal.
The young teens nodded as they all quickly swam to the shore line.
"What the hell happened?" Moriko asked Superboy as she began to heal Nightwing.
"I don't know," Superboy shook his head. "I think Nightwing got us on the Super-Cycle before the explosion."
Moriko quickly noticed another important factor, "Oh my Kami! Where are the boys?"
"Who?" Mal asked panicking.
"Blue Beetle, Impulse, and Beast Boy too," she answered, remembering that Garfield was in his room inside The Cave.
Nightwing groaned when he woke up, having heard the question, "He took them."
"Who did?" Superboy questioned.
Moriko growled, "Kaldur."
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The Hall of Justice One Hour Later
Every member of The Team was in a frenzy.
"It's gone," Riku said in disbelief.
"How did this happen?" Batgirl questioned.
Nightwing nodded. "It was Kaldur and a few of his men. They placed a bomb like they had used on Malina Island to destroy The Cave and took Impulse, Blue Beetle and Beast Boy as hostages."
M`gann looked at her cousin relived that she was still alive and then felt angry toward Aqualad. 'The minute I see him, I'll take him down myself,' she promised.
"Now what do we do?" Robin asked Nightwing.
Moriko was the one who answered, "What do you think?"
Superboy looked at everyone with a determined stare, "We're going to get them back."
A lot of hits coming from all sides and it feels like theirs no end in sight. Luckily our young heroes won't give up. Only five more chapters to go folks. Next time: Secret confessions, a daring rescue, and an old face resurfaces.
Till Then My Readers