Bruges
December 22
Addie
"Madams and Monsieurs," We hear over the speakers. "Ladies and Gentlemen!"
A big flash fills the stadium, and fog explodes. It all clears within a few seconds, revealing a larger caucasian man in a red suit with black lapels, and golden stars on each, also wearing a large top hat, much like a magician.
"Welcome to the Haly International Traveling Circus!" He announces as the crowd starts to cheer. "Where the world of deceivery is your oyster! And theses are our latest pearls! The Daring Dangers!"
The spotlight moves up to where Robin and M'gann stand as acrobats wearing white, and red decorated spandex outfits.
"Dan Danger!" Robin leaps off of the podium, and swings on the… swing-y...thing…
"Dawn Danger!" M'gann and Robin switch places with a flip in mid air, the spotlight following them.
"Diane Danger," He introduces Artemis as she notches her arrows.
"Dane Danger!" He says to Red Arrow.
"Dean Danger! And Demeter Danger!" He announces as Conner and I juggle, then throw up a couple of hollow barrels into the air, just as 'Diane and Dane' launch their arrows through them.
'Dan and Dawn' fly through the barrels, and the arrows explode in a glittery bomb of colors and sparks.
"You'll never see another trapeze act like this, folks!" Haly shouts above the roaring crowd. "And all performed without a net!"
Just as Robin releases himself to launch at M'gann who was ready to catch him, his jump fell short, and their hands brushed by each other.
'RICHARD!' I shout in my head as he falls to the ground.
"Don't blow our cover!" He says through the link.
"But saving your life is okay?" Conner asks as we both toss up barrels for Robin to launch himself up, and off of.
He does jump back up to meet M'gann's arms, but I can just barely spot the difference in calibration as M'gann can't reach him.
For a split second, I see her eyes glow green, and Robin is lifted to her.
"What did I just say?" He asks as we sigh a collective breath of relief.
"The crowd couldn't see me use telekinesis from below!" M'gann defends. "Besides, I've… been using it all night… Not all of us are the acrobat you are…"
They both land on the podium, smile, and wave to the crowd as if it were a planned event.
"Yeah, neither am I right now," He admits. "I think I got that 24 hour bug that's been going around the circus. But, the show must go on."
Conner lines up, and lifts the stacked barrels over his head, and I climb on top, sitting on the highest barrel, and waving like a… well… like a Princess I suppose…
I'll admit, when Robin told us about the mission, I couldn't help but feel as though he had an emotional connection to it.
Not the mission, but the Circus.
So I took my journey to the Google, and saw what came up when I typed in Richard's name.
I know that I could've asked him face to face, but something told me he'd brush it off, not wanting me to feel sympathy for him.
I haven't brought it up to him that I know, but until such a time arises that I should tell him, I will.
"Put your hands together, for the Daring Dangers!" Haly concludes our act.
"Didn't think you'd make it through…" M'gann says as we wave to the crowds.
"Neither did I… help me backstage," Robin pants inwardly, sweating on the outside.
"I'll get him, M'gann," I say moving towards him, still smiling and waving. "Amazons are less susceptible to illnesses."
I walk next to Robin closely as we make our way backstage, just as the tightrope clown begins his performance.
"You're up next, Scar," Conner says, patting Haneul on the shoulder in passing. "Don't fall to your death."
'S.B shows his love through sarcasm,' I say in my head, knowing Haneul can hear me. 'Don't freak out.'
He rolls his electric blue eyes, and secures his black mask around his head.
"Who says I have stage fright?" He defends, placing the comically large top hat on top of his head, hiding his bright, blood red hair. He twirls his black cape around dramatically, and bows to us. "Do I look like a basic magician now?"
"If basic were a Sailor Moon rip off," R.A comments.
"I cannot even take offence," Han begins. "I didn't think you knew what Sailor Moon was. I'd applaud you, but… I also don't like you. But if I did, I would have."
I chuckle, and roll my eyes.
"Get out there, Scarlet Witch," I tease, pushing him away from the mirror.
"Ray, have you seen my other torch?" The fire breather asks the large stage hand.
"Here," He smiles. "You dropped it outside the train."
The demon faced man smiles.
"Thanks! You're a lifesaver!"
"Break a leg," Ray smiles.
"Tell me, Arrow," I begin as I sit Robin down on a stool. "Is it socially acceptable for men to wear eyeliner?"
"I wouldn't say it's not socially acceptable-"
"But he is a stage hand," I say. "Who would he be seeing that would require his use of eyeliner?"
"It could just be his style," R.A sasses.
"I'm a female, Arrow," I begin. "When people want to make their eyes pop, make them noticeable, to stand out, they wear eyeliner. He is not going on stage. So who is he trying to impress? Who is he seeing?"
"Leave his style choices to him, Princess," He spits.
I am taken aback by his repeated use of the term 'Princess'. But then I cross my arms, and narrow my eyes at him.
'Keep doing that, and you'll end up being the fingerless archer…' I growl in my head.
Seconds later, a man with white hair and a nice suit approaches us.
"Faraday, Interpol," The man introduces, pulling out his badge. "New act?"
"Yeah, just joined the tour," Robin says innocently.
"Probably clears you. But don't get too comfortable," The detective states, putting his badge away. "Haly's going down for this."
He walks away, hopefully to go collect a personality.
"Gee, great attitude on him…" I cross my arms.
"You'd be bland too, if you were working circus cases all day," Conner says, glaring at the clown make-up.
"True…" I agree, noticing the unnecessarily bright colors of the costumes.
I saunter over to the curtains to watch Haneul perform.
Shut up.
I'm curious.
I peek through the red velvet curtains, and watch as he does the typical 'dove out of nothing' routine.
I could've laughed when I saw some of the foreign girls fawn, and swoon whenever he looked their direction, but it wasn't funny when he winked at them.
Then I hear him begin to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for my next work of magic, I shall require a volunteer," I hear the crowd scream. Mostly girls though.
Not that I care.
Or anything…
"-So let me go find one!" He finishes, jogging back to the curtain as the crowd laughs.
I was the first one he bumped into.
He looks me over, then takes me by the arm.
"Han?"
He begins to run us outside into the ring.
"What? NO!" I shout, tugging on my arm.
"I don't trust anyone else!" He argues, pulling me through the curtain.
"NO! Han I don't want to-" Right as he pulls me outside the curtain, I switch my demeanor, and smile and wave to the crowd.
"Prepare for a slow death," I grit through my smiling teeth.
"My volunteer!" He announces, holding up my hand. "The lovely, Miss Demeter Danger!"
"Your death. A slow one. I'll make sure of it," I smile.
"Now, if my volunteer would please," He begins, walking me to center stage. "-Pick an animal. Any kind."
"I'm not sure you're prepared for this one," I joke, attempting to make the crowd laugh.
The audience gives a light chuckle, as does Han.
"If you please?" He smiles.
"Hmmm…." I ponder. "A unicorn."
The audience chuckles again.
"Any particular reason you chose such a...strange creature?" He inquires.
"To challenge you," I admit.
"As is the point!" He shouts to the crowd, making them cheer. "Now, Miss Danger, I would like for you to think about your horned horse in your mind. Close your eyes, and imagine it. The color of it's mane. The length of it's horn. The height. The width. Every little detail… Do you have it?"
I nod my head yes.
"Go ahead, and draw it out for the audience. But do not show me," He turns his back towards me.
"Excuse me, Mister Magician," I begin. "With what paper?"
He pulls a piece from his cape, and hands me a pen from his sleeve.
"Will this do?" He asks.
I glare playfully at him, taking the paper and pen from his hands.
He walks over to the other side of the ring, and begins to chat with one of the ladies, as I begin to draw, and indicate colors on my unicorn.
"What's you're name?" He asks.
"Sharon," The thirteen year old coos.
I roll my eyes.
"That's a nice name," He flirts. "Now, Sharon, many people often claim that I have a device in my ears telling me what color, and shape my volunteer has drawn on their paper. Care to check, and announce for me what you see?"
"You have really nice ears… but nothing in them," She practically swoons.
'Can I vomit? Because I'm about to vomit,' I grumble to myself.
"Thank you, Sharon," He smiles at her.
'He smiled at her? Is he really the type? What a child… And she is an actual child! Don't you have some softball practice to get to?' I roast in my head.
"Miss Danger, if you would, lift your drawing to the crowd, but do not let me see it," He commands.
I do as he asks me to.
"I'm sensing… a green mane… yello- no orange hooves… and… a hide made of… cupcakes? Demeter, what kind of animal has a cupcake hide?" He asks incredulously, his back still turned to me.
"Uh, mine?" I answer as if it were obvious.
"Red Velvet cupcakes? A Unicorn made of Red Velvet cupcakes?" He asks again. "What an imagination on her, ladies and gentlemen…"
The crowd laughs, and claps at his accuracy.
He turns around, and sees my drawing.
He takes my picture in his hands, and holds it up to the crowd, then holds my hand up to the crowd as they cheer.
"Give it up for John Magic, and Demeter Danger!" Haly wraps up the performance.
We exit the stage, and as soon as we are concealed in the curtains, I break his hold on my arm, and storm away.
'Who does he think he is? First he kisses me on the cheek, then he flirts with other girls? She was twelve for Hera's sake!' I rant in my head.
"Addie," Robin's voice enters my head. "Be ready to patrol in five."
"Copy that," I respond.
We sit on multiple rooftops, spread out, and so we can all see each entrance of the warehouse facility.
M'gann, Haneul, and Robin are teamed up, Artemis and Red Arrow, and Conner and I.
"If Interpol's already on this, why are bothering?" Conner asks on top of the roof with me.
"Because Batman said so. Why? You got something better to do?" Robin challenges.
I spot Conner glare out to where Robin and M'gann might be hiding.
"How do we know the thieves will hit here?" Artemis asks.
"There are more obvious targets," R.A agrees.
"-And Faraday will have them covered. But I analyzed the tech already stolen, and the patterns suggest this is the place." Robin shares.
"How are you feeling?" M'gann asks Robin.
"For real, Robin, you didn't look so good," I agree. "Perhaps it is wise for you to sit this one-"
"Lousy, actually, but I'll manage," Robin admits.
"Contact, North-East quadrant," Superboy reports, looking next to the warehouse where a dark figure flips over the barbed wire fence. "Looks like we know why 'Carlo' missed their performance,"
"Could be Carlo, could be his brother. Keep an open mind. And move in!" Robin orders.
I move to fly overhead, when I don't see Superboy jump down.
I turn around to see him still on the roof.
He opens a small device, and places a black Superman shaped shield on his arm.
"Superboy?" I ask out loud.
He either ignores me, or didn't hear me, because he then jumps down, and into the action.
"Did you see where he went?" Robin asks as we line up against the building.
Superboy looks around for a minute, using his X-ray vision.
"The warehouse," He growls out loud.
Robin gives the signal, and we sneak inside. I swing myself up onto a support beam, where I spot the acrobat using a crowbar to open a wooden crate.
"Caught red-handed! Red faced too, I'll bet," Robin cackles as he stands next to me on one of the metal support beams.
"Acrobatics won't get you out of this," Artemis threatens, as she and Red notch arrows in their bows.
The man pulls out a baton, and it sparks to life on one end.
He takes a deep breath, and the flames leap out at the archers, and Superboy.
We all take cover behind various large objects, except for Haneul, who diverted the flames away from himself.
He wasn't too happy to discover the singed fabric of his glittery trench coat.
He pulled up the knee length fabric to inspect it sadly.
"And to think, I was going to look nice today," He spat, throwing the fabric back down to his knees.
"Those crates are full of live ammo!" Red yells. "Move!"
Seconds later, the ammo lit up like a firework, smashing through the windows, and doors.
"Robin!" I shout jumping over him to protect him from the flames.
I didn't have time to notice that Artemis, Red Arrow, Superboy, Magician and M'gann had been protected by a few pieces of the caved in roof.
Superboy tosses a few pieces off of our huddled group, and Robin lifts up M'gann, who was semi-unconscious because she has a very low tolerance to fire.
"That guy is dead meat!" Superboy growls, stalking after the thief.
"Superboy, no!" Robin yells. "You need to get her out."
He holds up Miss.M, who's clothes were ripped in some places.
"He's getting away!"Superboy defends angrily.
"And that matters more than Miss M? The fire's killing her!" Robins yells at him.
Superboy looks at his struggling girlfriend, and his features soften.
"Right... right!" Superboy has a realization, taking her into his arms, and jumping away to safety.
"Artemis, Arrow! Find the thief…" Robin collapses on the ground.
"Robin!" I shout, moving to his side.
"Because he matters more than you? You're still off your gig, pal," R.A states."We're getting you out too."
I pick him up, and fling his arm over my shoulder, and Artemis does the same to his other arm as we begin to rush him out.
Haneul grabs my arm, and Red's forearm, stopping us.
"Han!-"
I feel the familiar lift in my stomach as he teleports us out of the building, where debris was about to fall on us in a heap of flames.
"...Thanks…" Red Arrow says, surprised that Han would save him to, despite not being well liked.
"I'll fly Robin back to the train car," I announce. "Han, teleport them there. I'll see you in a few."
"I can teleport all of us," Han tells me.
"I don't want to cause anyone else any unnecessary stress. With Robin and M'gann down, Aqualad absent, and Kid Flash at home, we need to preserve as much strength as we can right now."
He nods, and disappears with a puff of glittering blue smoke, as I take off into the clouds, carrying Robin in my arms.
As tough as he may be, Robin's pretty light.
Well… I suppose you have to be when you're an acrobat. And a ninja… and 13… and well… Robin…
"Another weapons plant is hit, and once again the circus is in town. I don't believe in coincidences," The agent from earlier tells Haly.
"I don't care what you believe. My people are not responsible," We hear Haly argue with the investigator. "I did a bed check last single member of my troupe was asleep in their bunks."
"Well, we sure weren't! And if he's lying about us…" M'gann says through the link.
I spot Robin lowering his eyes.
We all make our way to our shared train car.
"So two thieves, right? The fire breather and one of the acrobats," Artemis sums up, taking a seat next to Robin as he puts on his uniform glove.
"Dressed in identical clothes," M'gann adds, sitting across from Artemis.
"Maybe not just two. Here's the Madrid security footage. And now, Paris," Robin puts up the security footage, showing a man bending the bars apart on a barred window, and also a tightrope-er on telephone wires.
"So the strong man and the clown, too," R.A notes, leaning against the wall by the window. "If the entire circus is involved, Haly himself may be the mastermind."
"You don't know that," Robin states.
"It would explain his lies-" M'gann says to him softly.
"I told you to keep an open mind!" He shouts out loud at M'gann, storming out, rushing by Conner.
"Hello, Megan! I'll read Haly's mind!" She says as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I'm not sure we can trust you to do that without tipping him off," R.A states, no shame evident in his voice.
"What is it with you and this 'we' nonsense?" I ask him. "We trust M'gann. You don't. Don't get it twisted."
"Or maybe you don't trust her, period!" Conner accuses."I heard you talking to Robin back at the Cave. I know you're only here to spy on the five of us!"
"There's a mole on this Team," R.A growls. "And good reasons to suspect all five of you. Both Artemis, Wonderbat, and Miss Martian have already been caught in lies. And you two could be programmed by Cadmus without even knowing."
"Or maybe I take your head off without even trying!" Conner threatens.
'As entertaining as that might be…' I inwardly sigh.
"Okay, let's all take a time out. Before we do something we'll regret," M'gann diffuses the two.
"Speak for yourself!" Conner storms out.
I begin to follow him out.
"Where do you think you're going?" R.A asks me.
"To go fix your mess," I growl, chasing after Robin.
"Addie!" Haneul calls, attempting to stop me.
"Not now," I wave him off, not really in the mood to deal with anyone right now.
I follow the footprints in the snow out the door.
I fly over them, and behind the train cars where all sorts of aged, circus paintings were plastered on the side of the cars.
I spot Robin staring at the one with acrobats titled 'The Flying Graysons'.
"Richard?" I ask softly, landing next to him, my feet crunching softly on the snow. "Are you alright?"
"Not now, Addie…" He sighs.
"Wha-...?" He begins to walk away.
But I'm a hot-head.
I grab his arm to stop him.
"Yes, now, Dick," I protest. "Talk to me. Please. I know that what R.A said wasn't the best, or phrased right, but I do need you to talk to me. I need to understand what you're feeling."
He sighs, and looks back up at the poster.
"It's not about the case…" He says. "It's… this place. It's my home. I can't-no, I won't believe that this place is full of criminals. Or that Haly's behind all of this."
"And it's great to keep that state of mind," I say. "But, perhaps you need to consider the possibility that after you were gone, Haly, and the circus, ran into some dark times? I'm not saying this is the only reason, or that it's true at all! But I do need you to consider it. Deduct your possibilities, and reach a conclusion."
As a moment of silence passes over us, our comms. beep to life.
"Uh yeah?" Robin answers.
"Dude, where are you?" Wally's jovial voice fills our heads.
"Confidential mission. From Batman," Robin answers.
"Wow! You know what I'm doing? Making a bologna sandwich, kinda like you just did," Wally jokes. "I talked to Tornado. You guys are not on a mission. Not an official one, anyway."
"A friend, Jack Haly," Robin answers.
"The circus guy? From your old Flying Graysons days?" Wally asks in confirmation.
"Yeah. He's implicated in this global crime spree. Someone in the show's dirty, but I need to prove old Jack's clean or he might lose the circus!" Robin defends.
"Then why not bring me along? I know your backstory, I know what that circus means to you. It's where you grew up, it's where you lost your-"
"I left you behind because you know my back story. I didn't want my best pal questioning my objectivity," Robin says.
"Dude, that's what a best pal's for," Wally says, probably with a big cheesy smile on his face.
"And don't worry, Wally," I say throwing my arm around Dick's shoulders. "That's also what I'm here for."
That Night
"And that's our show! Farewell, good people of Bruges!" Haly concludes. He appears through the curtains seconds later. "Pack it up! The train leaves for Geneva in two hours!"
Conner, M'gann and I are assigned to go lift some of the heavier things into the train cars.
Just as we finish up, M'gann begins to lift her suitcase, only for the large stage hand to take the handle at the same time.
"Need a hand?" He asks with a smile.
"I-I'm good, thanks," M'gann stutters. "Maybe one of the others could use some help? A lot of them seem to have that flu."
She motions back to the fire breather, and the trapeze artist who are both sweating like horses after a wild run.
I haul two of my luggages onto my arm, and begin to make my way to the train car Artemis, M'gann and I share.
"Yeah, it's going around," He waves off, moving to help them.
"All aboard, everyone, now!" Haly shouts at everyone as he jumps into a train car.
"Someone's in a hurry…" I hear R.A say to Robin.
I use my free hand to help propel myself into a car, just as a luggage fell off of my other one.
Just before it hits the ground, the stagehand dove for it, and caught it in both arms.
"That was a close one," He laughs.
"Very," I agree. "Thank you."
"No problem," He smiles, placing it back on my other one, his arm brushing my shoulder. "We all gotta act like a well oiled machine around here!"
I nod my head, and leave to my car.
As I make my way to the room, I spot Haneul coming my way.
"I would ask if you need help, but I presume you have the situation under control," He chuckles, seeing me balance my luggage.
"Your presumptions are correct," I agree. "Wavering, but correct."
Little did I notice it until now, but the luggage felt as though it kept getting heavier, and heavier.
"Actually, Would you mind opening the door for me?" I ask, moving to hold them with both arms now.
He moves to slide the door open, and just in time too.
The luggages both fell as my strength failed to hold them.
"Ade-Demeter?" He asks, giving me a questioning look.
"I-I don't understand…?" I wonder, looking at my arms in disbelief. I also begin to feel light headed, and cold. "What's happening to me?"
"Princess?" He says. "You don't look so good."
"You know just what to say to a gi-" I begin, but don't finish.
In that very moment, my strength fails me completely.
My knees buckle, my spine slackens, and I feel like every bone in my body is made of lead, yet they feel like they might break at the slightest contact.
"Adeline!" Han shouts, catching me on my fall to the ground.
"Wha...What is this…?" I question weakly.
"Let us get you to the others," He concludes, beginning to walk me to the others.
"What's goin… go-going… HAAACHOO!" I sneeze.
It blows us back seven feet down the hall.
"Jeeze, Princess," Han exclaims.
"Sorry…" I apologize weakly, as he helps me up. "I really don't feel… all… all that grea-great…"
"I think I can see that," Haneul says, throwing my arm over his shoulders.
"Han…" I say. "I… I don't think I can… can…"
My vision goes black.
Haneul's P.O.V
"Princess?" I ask. I look down to see her head slouched over.
"Adeline?" I whisper, after making sure no one is around.
I receive no response.
I sigh, and pick her up all the way, not intending to drag her all the way to the guy's shared train car.
I place my arm under her knees, and hoist her into my arms.
'She's lighter than I had anticipated…' I note.
I begin to walk down the hallway with her facing sideways.
She's already sick. She doesn't need to be hit by the train walls too.
Once I reach the door, I tap on it with my foot.
Robin opens it.
His eyes widen when he sees his sister in her current state.
He pulls us in, and slams the door shut.
"What happened?" He yells at me, as Superboy takes her from me to set her up on the top bunk above the Martian girl.
"Don't accuse me of knowing her exact condition," I snap. "First she was acting just fine! Then her strength drained, she dropped her belongings, sneezed us across the train, then fainted."
"How do we know you didn't use your magic to take her out?" The Red Archer instigates.
"What reason could I possibly have-"
"Your reasons may be your own," He crosses his arms.
Little does he know, I wouldn't.
Yes. You heard right.
I would never intentionally bring harm to the Amazonian Princess using my magic.
My life is in debt to the 5 foot 3 Princess.
And a Magician- good or evil- always repays a debt.
"Look, when did you first feel sick?" Robin diffuses, asking the Martian, and myself in place of Addie.
"Just after boarding the train. It came on suddenly!" M'gann answers.
"Same with Adeline," I agree.
"Same with me, the other night. I remember Ray rubbed my head for good luck right before we went on," Robin recalls.
"I saw him helping Addie with her luggage earlier! She dropped one, and he gave it back to her," Artemis says.
"Ray? That roustabout? He touched her before we boarded. That guy must be a walking Petri dish," Superboy states.
"Yeah… Yeah, maybe," Robin ponders, exiting the car with Artemis.
The rest follow in suit, except for Superboy.
"Listen… You can't tell anyone, and I didn't want to have to ask you to do this either," Superboy pulls a small metal case, and hands it to me. "Put one of these on her arm. I should've given this to her earlier… but…"
I take the case questioningly.
"You can't tell anyone about this," He says. "Understand?"
I nod, but I still question his motives. And what is in the casing.
"Do it when we're gone," He instructs. "Stay with her."
"Superboy, what is this?" I ask him seriously.
"It's going to help," He answers cryptically.
He exits the room with the Martian girl, who was in too much pain to recognize our conversation.
"Poor lad's down with the same flu as the rest of them," I hear Haly state.
"We'll check on him," Artemis says. "It's the least we can do."
"If you insist," Haly replies, as the team speeds down the hallway.
I glance at the metal case in my hands, then I sweep my eyes over to the sliding door.
'Supposed to help her, is it?'
I sigh, and wave my hand, shutting the door with my magic.
I then place my hand on the casing, closing my eyes, and seeking answers.
When I seek, the object in my hold tells me where it has been, who designed it, and what it's purpose is.
Red and blue cloud my mind, until images start to appear.
It was Thanksgiving. I see a tall, intimidating bald man with green eyes. Lex Luthor if I'm not mistaken.
Next, I see Superboy battling this clone… no, two clones. One is his, then other is… Adeline?
But this is impossible. She was assisting The Martian, and Zatara's daughter with the meal.
It must be her clone. She was fierce, dark, and… confused.
Almost like this version of her was more closely related to her Batman genetics, rather than her Wonder Woman genetics.
If this is who she will become if I place this patch on her, there is no guarantee that she will be on our side.
But, on the other hand, she will be more reflexive, and aware of her surroundings… and she will still remain as strong as Wonder Woman…
'Don't hate me for this one, Princess,' I silently hope as Robin's voice crackles to life in my ear piece.
"Dawn, come in!"
"Uh, Dan?" The Martian replies.
"I tried to reach you the other way," Robin says.
"I think the flu's knocked out my other way," She admits with a stuffy nose.
"That clinches it. Dane, Dean, Diane, come in! We're chasing someone who's stolen 'Dawn's act'. Her whole shtick,if you catch my drift," He says hinting that he can't say it, but we should understand.
"I got him!" Superboy states. "But he's on to me. Exiting the dining car now. He's gone top side!"
I open the case, and stick the Wonder-Bat logo sticker on her arm, and pull her sleeve down to cover it.
Her eyes shoot open, and she struggles against the power for a moment, then she relaxes.
"Adeline," I say uncertainly. "Adeline. The team needs your help. M'gann, your friend, and Robin, your brother are in danger."
Her eyes slide over to mine, and I am frozen under her gaze.
Not because I am afraid. No. But because her eyes are… empty…
They are usually a dark blue, with a green ring around her pupil.
Now, they are dilated, green, and not hers at all.
She moves to sit up, her gaze never leaving mine.
"Adeline…" I say softly. "Are you… there?"
It was in this moment that I realized that this is most definitely not Adeline, and I am most certainly her prey.
"Princess, wait just a moment-"
She leaps off of the bunk, and attacks me.
She comes at me with a fierce growl, nails out, and a look of a predator.
As she comes for my neck, I attempt to hold her back with my arms, keeping her at bay. But this wouldn't work for long. She does have the strength of an Amazon, after all.
As much as I hate to use magic to harm her, I never said anything about restraining her.
I pull out a burst of my magic, throwing her off of me, and into the bunk beds, but she recovers quickly, attempting to launch at me once more, but this time I am prepared.
I throw out my hand, and trap her within my magic that I first restrained her in.
"Princess, you are not yourself-" I try to reason.
'She's gone feral. She doesn't understand,' I remind myself.
"Alright Adeline, We are going to take a nap," I say as if I were a caretaker.
She lashes out at me.
"Let's get that pesky little patch off, and we'll take a nice long nap," I say softly, using my restraints to burn the patch off of her arm.
She screeches, and growls, but it eventually burns off.
As she begins to calm down, I retract my magic, and catch her before she falls.
Again.
As she slumps down into my arms, I can only think of two things:
1)Let's not tell anyone about this.
2)Let's also never let these patches see the light of day.
I use my magic to slide open the window, and I toss the case out. Hoping that it will be buried in the snow, and no one will ever find them.
When the others return, I am instructed to get into uniform.
We all sit around Robin, who pulls out a flash drive, and hooks it into his glove.
"It's not a complete debacle. I picked Parasite's pocket. I got this flash drive. Looks like Parasite's working for Intergang," He reports, using his hacking skills to gain access into Parasite's plans. "Everything he's stolen They're all pieces of something! They're putting together a weapon that generates...Black holes?"
"Oh, come on! To build that, you need a particle accelerator!" Red Arrow scoffs.
"There are many ways of gaining access to an Accelerator," I state. "I would know."
"How about the Large Boson Collider in Geneva?" Robin asks.
"The circus's next stop! But now that Parasite can fly, he's got a big head start on us!" Red Arrow informs.
"... Sorry…" Miss Martian apologizes.
"Not your fault," Robin says. "And it's not Adeline's fault either. But this thing could wipe out entire cities. We need to hurry."
"You and I need to hurry," Red Arrow corrects, reaching for a bow. "Without powers, the others would hold us back."
"I don't recall being sickened," I state, crossing my arms.
"Hey, you're not the only one with a backup bow," Artemis informs pulling out a crossbow.
"My powers are back!" Superboy informs loudly, by punching a large dent in the wall
"How?" Robin asks.
"I'm still-" Miss Martian begins.
"I guess Kryptonians recover faster than humans or Martians, or even Amazons," He glares at me.
"Don't even think about leaving me behind," Miss M smirks.
"Alright…" Robin says. "Let's get a move on."
Superboy stops me as I exit with them.
"I told you to-"
"I did," I inform. "It would have been great if she hadn't tried to kill me!"
"She wouldn't have-"
"She did! I have the bruises to prove it!"
"It must've been because she was asleep," Superboy deducts.
"I'm not taking another chance," I say. "It's gone."
"You threw it away?"
"I tossed it out the window," I say. "No way in any universe would I fight her like that again."
He growls at me, then lets me pass.
Geneva
As we approach the lab, we see several security guards on the ground, passed out.
"Trail of destruction, this way," Robin says, making sure that they are all alive.
We run/fly into the lab, following Robin through the halls, until he stops us, and pulls out a pipeline snake from his glove.
"Need to take him down," Robin says, using a snake to show us a live feed of the Purple Parasite. "Or at least lure him away so we can safely disengage the No, wait!
"What's wrong with-" Red Arrow begins, about to launch an arrow.
"Wait!" Miss M stops him. "Gather around!"
"Alright, Dangers, come on out! Only a couple of minutes before this baby's done warming up and eats Geneva," The Parasite taunts.
"What do you think?" she asks us, after telling us her plan.
"Big risk to take on a theory," R.A says.
"Do it. Go!" Robin orders.
"What do you have against Geneva, anyway?" Miss M asks, beginning her plan.
"Never liked the food, but the menu keeps improving," Parasite states, lifting his arm out to grab her using her very own powers.
"I'm just the appetizer, remember?" She reminds him, as he uses telekinesis to lift her to him. But at the last second, she dives down and out of his grasp. "Here's the main course!"
She sweeps her leg underneath him, kicking him to the ground.
As he begins to stand back up, The Red Archer shoots him with the cement foam.
"Foam? You think foam can hold me?" He uses the Martian's powers to lift him up, and begin to squeeze the life out of him. "Or stop me from crushing you with a thought? Combined Martian and Kryptonian powers here!"
"But do any of those powers free you before I sabotage your death thingy?" Robin asks, beginning to s
"This one does," He shoots Superman's laser eye beams at Robin, but thinking quickly enough, I use my magic to deflect it away from the Boy Wonder.
As he continues to fire, Artemis sneaks up on him, and shoots a gas in his face, making it explode with his continued use of the laser eyes.
"So clever," He mocks, now surrounded in flames. Red Arrow is dropped to the ground next to Artemis as Parasite is forced to release his hold on the archer. "Trick me into igniting inflammable gas. But you forgot... Doofus has double dose of ...invulnerability. Fire can't ...touch me …"
He begins to look around at the flames, clearly confused as to why his powers were failing.
"Unless you make a meal on my powers and get my weaknesses as a side dish!" Miss M sasses at the purple parasite.
"No... No!" He exclaims, falling to the ground in defeat as he grows weaker, and as Robin shuts down the Accelerator, making the lights in the room fade.
"Aw, poor baby Something you ate?" Miss M taunts as the Interpol men enter the building with fire extinguishers, and a collar to keep the baddie in check.
"We'll take it from here," Agent Faraday says. "Thanks for the tip, by the way. Definitely helps to prep the inhibitor collar in advance."
"Glad to be of service!" Robin states with his signature smirk.
"I guess I never really saw you four in the thick of it before. Superboy's a hot-head, but I know I'm not one to talk," Red Arrow says. "You could each have betrayed us here. You didn't. I'm sorry I doubted any of you. There is no mole."
"Does this include Wonderbat?" Artemis asks.
"Yeah… I suppose it does," Red Arrow gives in.
"Let us return," I suggest. "After all, who is going to explain to Addie what she missed when she wakes up?"
Undisclosed Location
An eerie yellow glow decorates the large room, making it seem as though it were made of gold.
But those who knew it's resident, know better.
In the center of the room stands Nash Jordan. Green Lantern.
Sinestro circles him, looking him over with a predatory smirk as he watched his new play thing become the perfect pawn in his game.
"What is your name?" Sinestro asks.
"My name is Nash Jordan," The Green Lantern answers, just like they had practiced.
"Who were you?"
"I was a Green Lantern of Oa. Defender of the Galaxy," He answers as gold slowly creeps up his green uniform from the ground up.
"Who are you?"
"I am a Yellow Lantern. The Fear Inducing," He answers, his green eyes becoming engulfed with gold.
"What is your purpose?"
"To end the Green Lantern Corps. And find my mother," He answers again, his eyes narrowing, and head bowing threateningly.
"Who are you to end?" Sinestro asks, passion making it's way into his voice.
"The Justice League."
"And where shall you begin?" Sinestro interrogates
"With the side-kick team," Nash growls, his ring forming into the Yellow Lantern ring.
"And who shall you start with?"
Nash closes his eyes as the final bits of yellow and gold seep into his hair, and uniform, making his pulse lights a golden stream.
"Wonderbat."
I HAVE A TOTALLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR TARDY-NESS!
I've been moving, and unpacking, then re-packing, then going without the glory of Wifi for a few days.
And Pokemon Go. That's the main reason.
Game's making me walk more than Michelle Obama ever could have.
Review replies!
Luna Star Phantom: I like em! And no prob! I totally understand! Family first!
.L: Yay! Glad you liked it! Now how did you like this!? For reals! Tell me what you thought about Haneul's POV! I want to know if you think I should do more!
Wise-Girl-From-Gotham: Here's Nash. Lol. And yes, Badsassery is a word (to me) and I use it to describe Addie.
josephguy217: Thanks!
Anime Hotty Lover.18: I KNOW RIGHT!? Roy had me all kinds of mad. And thank you! You're awesome!
Brandon1289: Thanks you! I would have liked to explore Addie and Kaldur's relationship a bit more, but the situation never really called for it. Glad you liked it!
READ READ READ! IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR YOU TO MAKE PEOPLE!
Alright guys! We're almost finished with Project W.B! :( BUT:
I am happy to announce that I will begin Season 2 of Young Justice very soon! So, I need help on deciding a title:
1)Project W.B 2.0
2)W.B Invasion
3)Project W.B: Upgrade
Let me know which one you want in the comments, and I'll tally up the votes, and announce it on my last 'official' chapter!
ALSO!
Don't forget that I made a deal with you guys!
At this point, I am only supposed to have 125 comments because of my 5 comment= 1 chapter rule, but I have 148! ( love you all so much!) So I said a while back that if I have more comments than 135, I would give you all some one-shot chapters! I obviously have many more comments than 135 as of this moment. So right now, you all are getting more than 3 extra one-shots as chapters. Keep this up, and I'll give you two more, and make it an even 5 chapters. So keep on reviewing, and you might just get some fluffies heading your way!
-Gargoyle77, is now hunting for Pokemon.
I gotta be the very best, man! Like no one ever was!
I wanna catch 'em all!