AN: Okay, just a heads up, the next two episodes will happen on the same day.
Eric - The way I see it, both Roy and Jade would be a common law couple. From the show, I think they would hate to be tied down to each other but find it 'fun' to be around each other, sort of like an agressive friends with benifiets sort of thing with Lian learning the trade of her parents. So it would appear to be a traditional family when their really seperated but living together.
The Darkman - I'm a Roman Reigns fan over those two but more of a Cena fan than Brock. And that be great for the modern Batman to meet 60's Batman. Oh the kooky hijinx that could happen.
Black' Victor Cachat - Another Disney side story, maybe. I did have some ideas other than what I posted that would go well with it. As for Raven taling about what could have happened during her spell, that's a question only she could answer with, 'Not really, but seriously, it could have happened. Maybe.'
Ben A - Nope, that was one of the remaining members of The Light.
Okay, hope I answered everyones questions, my Yahoo email's inbox has been wonky lately and I've been getting week old messages for the last few days. If I didn't answer yours, PM me and I'll PM you back. Enjoy the new ep.
6. Prophecy
1.
Watchtower
July 9
10:01 UTC
High above Earth's atmosphere, the primary base of the Justice League traveled along its preprogrammed course to get into the best position for absorbing the sun's rays to power itself. As always, all lights were on to welcome League members as they reported for a morning briefing Batman had called in for. Unlike other meetings, this one was held for the leaders of each team, something Batman stressed to the black ops and Titan units.
With the fading of the bright light from the Zeta Beam, Aqualad stepped out in full mission gear and headed for the main meeting room of the station. Already ahead of him were Wonder Woman and Superboy who were just entering the room with the others inside. Quickening his walk, the Atlantean made it into the room and was the last one to take a seat, not including Batman who stood at the head of the metal table with the window showing Earth behind him.
"I will make this short and to the point," the Dark Knight began once everyone was sitting. He brought up a holographic image of a well known criminal over the table. "Two days ago, a group of homeless transients stumbled upon the hidden lair of Edward Nigma, known in our circles as The Riddler. What information that has been gathered has Nigma killed at the hands of an as of yet unknown person or persons."
"But who would take the time to kill someone like Riddler?" Mrs. Martian asked. "He's relatively harmless."
"She's right," Wonder Woman added. "He's only a threat when working with hired guns or when he was assisting The Light."
"Which cuts the number of possible perpetrators down." Switching the image of Edward Nigma's mugshot, Batman had it show photographs from Gotham City's main morgue and autopsy building. "This was not a random killing. This was an assassination. The markings left behind the weapon which killed him is a dagger. A three pronged dagger."
Seeing the image of the weapon's point of entry on Edward's torso, those in the room knew exactly what Batman was referring to.
"The measurements of the puncture marks and diameter shows the same weapon was used on Nigma that was missing from the case Blue Beetle scanned in South America. Unfortunately, had Blue Devil and Eddie Bloomberg's family allowed me to examine Edward, we would have more to go on. However, there is more to this than meets the eye."
Switching the weapon marks on Edward Nigma's torso to the scanned carving the dagger was held in, the holocomputer displayed a 3D rendering of the suspected weapon used to murder at least two people.
"Computer analyzation has reviled several fresh leads. Intricate carvings on the dagger suggest at least three cultures with clues to what this cult worship."
Bringing up three maps, Batman had each image take different places over the table.
"The first of the markings suggest a Mesopotamian origin. I currently have Helena Sandsmark, Wonder Girl's mother, researching the text. The second is an as of yet unknown language; however, some of the words are Portuguese with a Southern American usage to them. Supergirl and Starfire will be dispatched back to Brazil to retrace their steps from their exploration of Earth. The last language is clearly Atlantean and with Aquaman currently on a League mission, I am sending Aqualad and Mrs. Martian to study what the meaning of this is. From what I have been informed by Queen Mera, it is an ancient Atlantean language equivalent to those found on land."
"That's well and all, but why have this as a leadership only meeting," Wonder Woman asked.
"In the time since Eddie Bloomburg's passing, I have noticed some of the black ops team have become distant from others and are carrying a grudge against this cult. While that is understandable, it is not what we need." Looking at Aqualad and the Titan leaders, Batman added, "This information can be passed on to the teams with your discretion. All I ask is you stress to them not to have a revenge type of mind setting. Our job is to bring criminals to justice, not get revenge."
"Understandable, Batman," Aqualad answered. "I will make sure my squad does not slip into that single mindedness. By when do you wish for us to depart on these missions?"
"Later today. Supergirl and Starfire have both left for South America. Once you and Mrs. Martian arrive in Atlantis, you will rendezvous with former team member La'gaan. From what Queen Mera has informed me, he owns a salvage operation and may have something of use for us."
"Great," Conner muttered as he crossed his arms. To this, M'gann gave him a mental nudge and a small grin.
"Batman." Appearing on a large holo-screen, Atom waited for the League veteran to respond.
"Go ahead, Atom," the Dark Knight said with all eyes landing on the masked League member.
"We're done."
In the short time it took for the three founders of the Justice League and the three branch team leaders to head to the research wing of the Watchtower, Atom and Red Tornado were just finishing getting everything ready. Both man and machine had been hard at work with salvaged equipment found on Despero's ship Blackfire was held captive on. Overnight, the two cleaned up all wires and tools to make sure the area was as clean as possible for the first official showing of their work, presentation was everything after all.
"Alright, first thing's first." Heading over to the other side of the room, Atom grabbed a mannequin dressed up to look like a typical civilian and brought it to the center of the mostly empty metal room. "This is our volunteer, Gustav. In his pockets are a few items, an apple, a poptart, a cola, and a live frog."
"I have taken the liberty of naming the amphibian, Cassidy, after Hop Along Cassidy," Red Tornado spoke.
"We have already tested this seventeen times in normal weather and severe, and each time, Gustav and Cassidy have been brought back." Grabbing a tablet from a small tool table, Atom brought up a screen with a map of Earth and a circle in the right corner with a number one in its center. "We've finally repaired the technology Despero had and now, we can teleport anywhere at any time. Watch the holo-screen."
On Atom's words, a large holo-screen appeared overhead with a live satellite feed of a nearly rebuilt Hall of Justice before switching to an empty room yet to be furnished.
"Ready when you are, Red."
From his spot at a computer terminal, Red Tornado nodded then typed in several commands. "Three, two, one."
On the wind controlling machine's mark, Gustav the Mannequin began to glow like someone who stepped into a Zeta Beam. Less than a second later, it reappeared inside the room on the holo-screen.
"And now," Atom said as he fiddled with is tablet computer, "to call it back."
Again, the mannequin flashed a bright light before vanishing, only to reappear again in the room before the heroes. Jogging up to the plastic representation of a man, Atom reached into a pocket and retrieved Cassidy, the guinea pig for the demonstration, who was alive and safe.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we now have our own version of a Boom Tube. A portable Zeta transporter, if you will."
"Amazing," Superman said. "So this is what you've been working on for the past few months."
"Yes and no." Handing Cassidy to Red Tornado, Atom reached into another of the mannequin's pockets for the cola. "We started off reverse engineering its computer systems, then the engines for hyperspace travel before finding a way to make the Zeta transporters work properly again after the whole Blackfire episode. We now have faster processors, a hyper space engine capable of sending a shuttle from Earth to Pluto, which is still a planet no matter what the overpriced scientists say, in about five minutes. All thanks to these little devices we discovered on Despero's ship."
Holding a rectangular piece of metal up, Atom showed off what looked nothing more than a small, blank dog tag with copper colored 'legs' on each side. "This is what allows Zeta energy to surround an object or being and transport them without the need for a Zeta platform. Tests have been successful and we are still working on a few minor details, like preventing them from heating up anything non-living. The cola is now room temperature when it was ice cold for example."
Reaching back into the pockets of Gustav, Atom pulled out the apple and poptart. "Any one want a warm apple or heated poptart? It's strawberry," he said in a sing-song voice.
Aqualad, Mrs. martian, Wonder Woman, and Superman all chuckled at the question with Superboy grinning and Batman remaining as emotionless as ever.
Mount Justice
July 9
10:17 UTC
"So...so when...when are we gonna do...this thing?"
Resting on a knee, Jaime was drenched in sweat from a few rounds of sparing with other members of the black ops team. His sweats felt like they weighed a ton with the white tank top he wore looking rather transparent. "I'd like to at least get some sleep before we do...whatever."
Wiping his brow clear of perspiration, Tim took a long swig from a water bottle as he too caught his breath. "I usually go on patrol around nine, ten. Usually by that time the criminals are coming out and just starting to cause trouble."
"Where do you want to start tonight?" Fransisco asked while joining the others. A towel was draped across his shoulders and unlike his two friends and partners, he had already taken his shirt off to cool down.
"We'll start on the southern end of Gotham and work our way west, covering the area Riddler's hideout was located by a few miles. Hopefully we'll find something the police or Batman missed."
"Dude," Jaime said, putting his bottle down. "You're looking for clues Batman may have missed? The Batman? The world's greatest detective? The Dark Knight himself?"
Shrugging, Tim looked at both of his friends. "Wishful thinking?"
"I'll say."
"Or a busted brain perhaps?" Bringing the third Robin closer, Francisco playfully knocked on his head. "Hello? Anyone in there? I can see lights on but nobody seems to be home."
Laughing, Tim pushed him away. "What can I say? Brain fart?"
"Apparently," Jaime told him.
"Hey guys." Dashing into the training area, which was now the center of the rebuilt base, Bart screeched to a stop with a large bag of Chicken Wheezies in hand. "Sorry I'm late."
The three stared at him as he attempted to chew a large handful of the fried treat. His cheeks stuck out like a chipmunk's and a few peeked between his lips. "Whuft?"
"Fastest one here and you can't make a nine A.M. sparring session," Tim said with a shake of his head.
"Hey, even speedsters need sleep. So, what are doing tonight?"
Titan Tower
July 9
13:53 UTC
Recognized, Aqualad, B, Zero, Two.
Stepping out from the Zeta Tube, Kaldur, in his mission gear, entered the living area of Titan Tower and was immediately greeted by Wolf. Giving the large animal a pet on he neck, he spotted Raven sitting crosslegged in front of the large window facing the city, floating in the air as she stared outside. Like always, she wore basic black, reminding him briefly of the armor he once wore while serving as a deep cover agent and working with his father, although he had to admit, denim and cotton was a lot more comfortable than battle armor.
"They're in the hanger," Raven said without looking at him. "Except for Garfield. He's outside with Terra."
"Thank you for informing me on their whereabouts." Moving next to her, Kaldur stared out the window she was at and rotated one of his wrists in his hand. He knew what she was doing as he once did the same years ago in Atlantis. "I know how you must feel."
Watching the two teenagers on the ground, he saw both laugh as Terra had part of the Earth form into the bodies of Batman and Wonder Woman. The two placed their heads where the necks were and used their arms to make gestures the Leaguers would not even consider making, like pretending to pick their noses.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Switching her gaze to the city, the Gothic girl crossed her arms.
"Take it from someone who has been there and lost. The more time you confine yourself away from someone, the less time you will have with them."
Looking at her sister team's leader from the corner of her eye, Raven had her eyes flash white momentarily. "Still don't know what you're talking about. But shouldn't you take your own advice?"
"Empathy. You have me there."
Giving her a pat on the shoulder, Kaldur left her to her thoughts as he left the room for the hanger. Raven, in the mean time, went back to watching how Garfield shied away from something Terra said to him. She knew he was blushing. Letting out a sigh, she let her feet touch the ground and went back to her room.
Walking down the hall towards the elevator, Kaldur had time to think himself. He had not counted on Raven to have been so advanced in her empathy ability. The last he heard, she needed to be near two people to feel a connection between them, regardless if they were friends, enemies, or romantically inclined. It had actually surprised him she could feel something like that on him with no one else there.
Happy Harbor - July 4 - 22:15 UTC
Knocking on the door to Lilith's apartment, Kaldur, still in his Gilligan attire sans hat, waited for any response whatsoever. It was the fourth time he did so with nothing but quiet coming from her domicile.
"Lilith," he said in a hushed voice as to not disturb her neighbors, "I'm coming in."
Pulling out a set of keys, the Atlantean unlocked the door and slowly pushed it open. Inside was dark with only the light from the TV on and a rerun of 'I Love Lucy' playing. A light trail of blood was on the floor leading from the door to the hallway with the faintest of lights coming from out the bottom of the door.
Not taking any chances, Kaldur took hold of his water bearers and quietly made his way to the hall. His bare feet did not make a single sound as he moved across the wooden floor. Cautiously, he aligned himself next to the door and had one of his weapons from into a shield, just in case he were attacked. Turning his second sword-formed water bearer upside down, he grabbed the handle and shoved the door open, expecting a confrontation.
"Lilith?"
Sitting on the floor of the dimly lit bathroom, Lilith was in a fetal position next to the bathtub. The shower curtain was ripped from the rod above the tub and was covering her like a blanket. It was hard to tell with a small nightlight providing the only source of illumination, but he could see dried blood on the floor leading up to her with more on the curtain as she had it balled around her hands. As for the woman herself, she only stared at him with wide, fright filled eyes.
"Lilith."
Dropping his water bearers, Kaldur quickly made his way to her side. He backed off a bit when he saw her finch away from him.
"Easy. I am not going to hurt you. I, I just want to make sure you are not injured severely."
Seeing her not react, he tried talking to her with his hands up to show he meant no harm.
"Roy, my friend who was watching over you, he left me a message. I was in the middle of an emergency and could not get back here. He explained more to me, but I had to come see you for myself. Please."
Reaching out, he waited for her to give him her hand. He watched as she looked at his webbed hand then looked back into his eyes, shaking her head.
"Please, Lilith. I mean you no harm. I only want to help and protect you. Just please, give me you hand so that I may see to your wound."
Shaking her head no, she began to cry and balled herself up even more.
"Lilith-"
"No. Don't touch me," she ordered.
"I only-"
"I said no!" Tying to get up, the Brazilian woman attempted to run into the hall when she tripped on the curtain and fell. She never hit the ground as Kaldur caught her. She instantly stiffened in his grip.
Titan Tower - Present
Entering the elevator, Kaldur pressed the button for the top floor where he would meet the others. Letting out a sigh, he ran a hand over his head and crossed his arms.
Happy Harbor - July 4 - 22:23 UTC
A moment after he caught her, Kaldur saw the woman stare up at him with frightened eyes, more so than the ones she had when he first saw her. His heart skipped a beat as she let out a blood curdling scream like she had just seen something terrible.
"Lilith! It's okay!" Try as he did, he could not get her to settle down.
"You're dead! All of you are dead!" Struggling against his grasp, Lilith threw herself into the tub and tried to push herself into the wall back first. "You're dead! Y...you're dead!"
"Lilith, calm down. Let me help you."
"You're dead," she cried. "You're dead!" She then began to bawl as she wrapped herself in her arms tightly.
Jumping into the tub with her, Kaldur wrapped his arms around her and drew her in tight. "Lilith, I am here. I am here with you." He did not notice the remainder of the curtain was between them as he continued to hold her.
Titan Tower - Present
Arriving on the top floor, Kaldur was alerted the elevator had stopped with its bell dinging. Once out, he ventured the last of the way to the entrance of the hanger where he could hear Conner and M'gann speaking.
Happy Harbor - July 4 - 22:56 UTC
It had taken some time, but she had finally calmed down. She was still shaking slightly but was better than how she was earlier. As he held her, Kaldur got a glimpse of her inured hand. It was wrapped in toilet paper with dry traces of iodine. He was relieved she had doctored it.
"Why-"
"What?" Looking down at her, Kaldur saw she was still in her fetal position.
"Why did you...why are you doing this? Why did you touch me after I said not to?" It was hard to hear her with how softly she was speaking.
"You fell and I caught you. I did not wish for you to be injured any more than you are."
Sniffling, Lilith wiped her face free of a few remaining tears. "I don't like it when people touch me."
Moving his head to see her better, Kaldur repositioned himself, partly due to his left leg, which had fallen asleep and now had the tingles. "Lilith, did they do anything to you while holding you hostage?"
Shaking her head, she stared at the side of the white porcelain tub.
"Then why?"
She was silent for a few moments. Only the sound of their breathing could be heard. "I...I see things."
"What do you mean?"
"I, I see things. When people touch me, I see...I see what's going to happen to them. I know what they are going to do."
Her words hit him like a car slamming into a brick wall. "Sees through touch," he whispered. "Lilith, is, is this ability why you were held by the Blood cult?"
"I...I don't know. I told you. My boyfriend said he needed me and they got me shortly after that."
Moving to where he could look straight into her eyes, Kaldur was careful not to touch her bare skin. "What do you see? When you touched him, what did you see?"
"He, he was bought by a man. A man in a robe. Tall. Mean looking. He loved me once. But after meeting him, he loved money more."
"You did not see that?"
She shook her head. "No. Only what was going to happen if he stayed on his current path."
Another moment passed with silence surrounding them. "What did you see when I touched you?"
"Please," she muttered. "Please don't make me tell you. You're, you're a good man." She looked up at him. "The first good man I have met in months. Don't make me relive what I saw. Please."
Nodding, Kaldur pulled her close again. "You do not have to tell me. I just want you to relax. I will be here with you and make sure nothing happens to you." Feeling her snuggle into him more, Kaldur looked down at the top of her head. "I promise."
She soon fell into a deep sleep as he stayed up all night, keeping that promise.
Titan Tower - Present
"So we'll be back as soon as we get this taken care of. Should be no more than a day."
"Think he'll do fine in Atlantis?"
Entering the hanger, Kaldur saw the bioship prepped for take off with the roof of the building open wide. Next to the rear entrance to the Martian ship, Conner and M'gann were saying their goodbyes with Carter in her arms. Outfitted in her mission gear, M'gann had Carter in a near matching outfit, a black onesie with red piping forming a shield design over his chest with a red 'X' in the middle.
"He will do just fine." Joining the others, Kaldur greeted the two Titan leaders with a handshake for Conner and a hug for M'gann. "I see we are ready to depart."
"Absolutely. It won't take us long to get there."
"New outfit for Carter?"
"Yup. Thought he could use a little mission outfit of his own, blending Martian and Kryptonian family crests."
"He looks ready for a mission of his own." Kaldur could not help but smirk when he saw Carter turn the color of his skin to match his. "My queen and her royal entourage will take great care of him while we search for answers to our questions. I am glad you want him to see more of the world and with no danger, this would be the perfect opportunity for him to visit Atlantis."
Turning to Conner, Kaldur reached into a pocket and retrieved a flash drive. "The other night, when I arrived at Lilith's apartment, I discovered something of high importance. I have given the League the same information after you departed and have a copy to give to you as well."
Taking the small storage device, Conner flicked the metal plugin out then popped it back in. "What did you find?"
"The riddle she had told us when she first stayed at Watchtower. I believe she is the third sacrifice the Blood Cult is looking for. I have worked with Dick on this in his spare time as well as Barbara and together we have begun deciphering the cult's words and discovering a great deal of its history and objectives. Everything we have gone through and deciphered is copied to that drive."
"I'll give it a look after you leave. I just don't know how helpful I can be."
"Any help would be most appreciative, my friend. Even if it is just looking things we have already found over to make sure we may not have missed anything."
"Will do."
"Sis," Garfield said as he came running in. "Lost track of the time, glad I got here before you left."
"We will be back most likely by tomorrow morning. Again, thank you for looking over that information." After a farewell handshake, Kaldur boarded the bioship as Garfield gave his blood sister and nephew a hug each.
"Say bye to daddy." Waiving Carter's hand like he was saying bye, M'gann gave her husband a kiss goodbye after he hugged and kissed the top of his son's head.
Watching as the ship ascended into the air then rose out of the building, Garfield nudged Conner's side. "Super softie."
Conner just grinned and rolled his eyes as the hanger doors slid closed.