Shadow Ghost the Night Child
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice, just my OCs.
"Talking through Familiar bond"
'Talking through mental link'
"Talking through communicators"
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Laila's POV
On Saturday morning I woke up just as the sun rose on the horizon. I prepared myself, mentally and physically, for the training that Master is going to put through me later at night. I made sure that I ate appropriately for the training, which were mainly fruits and vegetables. Also I did the little homework I was assigned from school to get it over with.
I spent my time divided into the training room practicing combat and in my secret room practicing Spells. I took a break now and then and was with Conner, M'gann and Kaldur and talk for a while in any subject they were discussing. Rontu was with me most of the time and had telepathic conversations while training.
Wally, Artemis and Robin came by and I also talked to them, though I wanted to talk to Robin privately, but I couldn't find the right moment to approach him.
Eight o'clock in the evening in Mexico's time-zone was just minutes away and I informed the team that I had to leave for Master's training session. I told Conner earlier that I had no idea at what time I was going to come back and that I don't want him to wait for me.
I Shadow Traveled to the cave and waited in the equivalent of a living room in the cave which was called the 'Living Chamber'. Master appeared seconds later and explained that today we were starting on Shadow Spells and use them in combat, then precede with our Ghost Powers. After that Master went to experiment on how strong the bond that Rontu and I share has become and he said they it did became stronger and will continue to do so. Following that we did physical combat and then moved on with fighting with weapons which for me were the Sais, double katanas and a six foot long silver chain. We then finalized with patrolling the neighboring towns for supernatural and criminal activity and stopping it.
It was a long night. I did not return Mount Justice until it was nearly four in the morning and to say that I was exhausted was putting it lightly.
Sunday came and thankfully Master said that he wasn't going to train me that day until next week, but that he expects that I have made progress with weapon training.
It was close to evening and Black Canary had the entire team, minus Wally, who was sitting in a chair and couldn't fight because of his broken arm, into pairs and made us fight each other for training. Artemis was against Robin, Kaldur against M'gann, and Conner was against me.
It was a non-powers fight and I was holding my own fairly well against Conner. Conner has progressed greatly with combat skills thanks to Black Canary and I was glad for him.
But even with his training sessions with Black Canary, I still had many more years of experience. Right now, I had blocked all of Conner's attacks successfully. Just as I found an opening, I went for the offensive and put in action of what I had learned from Master and Canary. I made it look as I was going to punch him just under his chest and as expected went to grab my right wrist but in that moment I had grab Conner's forearm, the same arm that was holding my wrist, with my free arm and propelled my legs, one hitting him on the shoulder and the other one curled towards my body but when it was on the right height, I straighten it so that it can hit him in the center of his chest. That movement took less than five seconds and when I made the last kick Conner let go on my wrist and I made a couple of back flips to slow down my momentum and to make space between Conner and I.
I was in a fighting position and was waiting for Conner's next move, but that wasn't to come.
"Good work everyone." Black Canary announces interrupting the fights. "In fact, it's been a productive week."
"Yea, for everyone except Kid Malingerer." Artemis said as she pointed at Wally in his chair near the training circle drinking something.
"Hey!" Wally said in defensive mode. "Arm broken in combat against the Injustice League here!" He said as he waved his broken arm for emphasis.
I looked back at Canary and saw her shake her hand in amusement with a smirk showing on her face. "I really enjoyed being your… umm… den mother this week."
The computer then announces the presence of Zatara. He walks in and then activates a holo-keyboard and types in something.
The computer then announces Zatanna. I went to move to be behind Conner. Why did Zatara invite Zatanna in the cave?
"Zatanna, this is the team. Team, my daughter, Zatanna." Zatara announces to us.
Zatanna walks towards our direction and I didn't even have to sense that she was unsure about herself being here.
M'gann, being the nice Martian girl that she is, flies towards her. "Hi, I'm-"
"Robin." Robin said interrupting M'gann as he went in front of her. "I mean, I'm Robin. She's M'gann, and that's Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, Conner and Laila." I felt her gaze on me and I move over so that I was next to Conner. I sense that she was annoyed with my presence. What did I ever do to her? I do not wish ill feelings towards each other.
"Rontu, can you please be here with me, at least for a while?" I asked mentally.
"Of course, Laila." Rontu replied mentally and I heard him fly towards me from his place on top of Wolf's shoulders. I felt his familiar weight on top of my head and I made my hand move to rub on top of his head momentarily.
"Welcome to the cave." Kaldur said invitingly.
"Thanks." Zatanna replied with gratitude.
"So, uh, ya joining the team?" Robin asked with hope in his voice.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Zatara interrupted and I can sense his overprotectiveness for his daughter. "This is strictly a visit." He then faced Black Canary, "Though I am sorry we missed the training. It's something that Zatanna could benefit."
'Do you rest of you get the impression that we are still in probation with Zatara?' M'gann said through the mind link while looking at us, the team.
'Not just Zatara. I mean, why is Marvel still hanging out?' Conner thought.
'Because, we like having him around.' Wally thought with a grin in his face.
'You like having him around because he waits for you hand and foot.' Artemis thought annoyed.
'And your point is…?' Wally asks leaving the question hanging.
'It almost makes one nostalgic for Red Tornado's tending us as supervisor.' Kaldur said grimly. I feel the same but, more. I still can't believe that Red Tornado did that. A part of me just not wishes to acknowledge that.
'Yeah, at least he trusted us.' Robin stated.
'If you ignore the fact that we shouldn't have trusted him. He was a traitor.' Connor thought angrily. 'That machine nearly got M'g-all of us killed!' Conner said as he change what he was going to say.
"Are you guys having a psychic conversation?" Zatanna said more than asked.
The team and I looked at each other. Well, they did make it obvious while they were doing gestures. I didn't make any movements when we had psychic conversations, unless when we were alone so that it didn't make it obvious to the people around us.
"Cause I can't decide that's cool or really rude?" Zatanna continue to say with the tone of being lost in what to judge.
There was a brief silence until Conner broke it. "Alright, fine. We were talking about Tornado." He then made eye contact at the two Leaguers. "It's been weeks since his attack and the League haven't told us anything." Conner said accusingly.
"The League is searching for Tornado." Black Canary informed. "As well as the other androids that invaded the cave and their creator, T.O. Morrow. Batman made tracking them down our highest priority.
"But you found none of the above." Robin stated.
"Not yet, but Tornado is Justice League. The team is not to pursue this." Black Canary demanded.
How can she ask us this? Red Tornado was our supervisor. He and his siblings were the ones that attacked the team. The team deserves that they should also take part of the search. I also want to look for him, though with different reasons. I don't want revenge or fight him like most or all of the team would do. I want to personally ask him why did he did what he did. I want something from him that convinces me that he truly is evil, because deep down I know that he isn't. There must be a reason why he did this. There must.
"Why don't you all take Zatanna on a, uhh, tour of the cave." Zatara offered to break the tension.
The team and I look at where Zatanna is, petting a resting Wolf.
"You guys are giving a tour? Cool!" Captain Marvel said excitedly as he had nachos with him.
"Actually, I was hoping that you would take Wolf outside. He needs the exercise. We'll join you in a few." Conner said.
"Yes, and I hope that you don't mind, Captain, but can Rontu accompany you guys? He needs to do his flight exercises and practice." I said catching on what the team was planning. "I hope it's not too much of a bother."
"Naw, it's no bother Laila. It would be nice that Rontu came with us." The Captain said to me and then he faced Conner. "And sure, sure. I can do that." He then looks at Wolf and Rontu. "Come on Wolf, Rontu."
"Please go with them Rontu. The team and I are going to do something and I have a feeling that we are going out of the cave and I need you here so that you can inform me what happens." I said mentally to Rontu.
"Okay, Laila, but we don't know yet if the bond has become strong enough so that we can communicate through much longer distances than before." Rontu stated through our bond as he started to fly away towards Wolf and the Captain.
The team, Zatanna and I were walking around and I could hear the protesting of Wally, something about his nachos. "I know Rontu. I just hope that with whatever the distance we will be able to communicate with each other. Just see it as an experiment. We are going to test the distance while we are out of the cave, okay?" I said trying to convince Rontu and myself. I hope that we won't have to travel that far.
"Okay Laila."
"Okay then, so if you can't hear me that means that is our distance limit so far. So don't panic and inform me if something important happens, got it?"
"Got it." That ended our conversation and we were in the kitchen. Zatanna walked up next to Robin with different clothing than what she had earlier.
"When did you- how did you-?" Robin asked flabbergast.
"We are not really taking a tour are we?" Zatanna said more than asked.
"No." Conner stated. "We are hunting down that robot." He said with suppressed anger.
"Yes we are." Kaldur affirmed.
"Oh wow, out loud and everything." Zatanna replied with hints of sarcasm.
"What about new girl?" Artemis asked.
"I'm sure she won't tell." Robin said as he was so confident that Zatanna won't tell.
Zatanna then turns towards Robin's direction. "I can tell. Not if you kidnap me." She said cockily.
I can't say that I wasn't surprised about her answer. When I had met just a few days before, I knew that she was rebellious.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll fit in great." Artemis stated with a smirk and I can see that when Zatanna looked at me in the eyes, she was feeling cocky and smug about something as if she was trying to prove something to me, but what is she trying to prove to me?
We were in the Bioship in camouflage mode flying above Happy Harbor. Everybody was quiet. I had made sure that my hood on my leather trench coat covered face so that it didn't hit any of the remaining sunlight that was in the sky. There is still at least a good hour give or take some minutes until the sky became completely dark.
"M'gann, the Bioship wasn't authorized for departure." Black Canary's voice was heard through the communicator.
"We're kidnapping Zatanna." M'gann said cheerfully. "T-to uh, show her Happy Harbor." She falters the rest.
"Yes, we are Black Canary." I said sounding confident, helping M'gann out. "And can you please inform Master that I am out of the cave. I believe that he has informed you about how I am allowed to leave the cave as long the supervisor is informed." I said neutrally.
"Yes, I remember that Ghost Master informed me that personally. Why did you wait until now to inform me?" Canary questioned and I felt stares at me.
"Please forgive my tardiness, Miss Canary. It's just that I was just so excited to show Zatanna around that I totally forgot to inform you beforehand. Please forgive me." I deceive with such genuine regretfully tone.
"It's alright, Laila. I'll let it slip, this time." Canary said and I can practically hear the small smile that is on her face.
"Thank you very much, Miss Canary." I said with a grateful tone.
"You're welcome. And team and Zatanna, have fun." With that the communicator was cut.
After a moment of silence Kid said, "Where are we going?"
"Batman is the world's greatest detective and he searched for Tornado and Morrow in every logical location." Robin begins in his informative voice. "If we're gonna do better, we need an illogical solution." He then turns at Kid as well the rest of us. "A truly dumb idea."
Kid then looks around and notices that everyone's attention is on him.
"As a matter of fact, I do have an idea." Kid stated proudly.
After he said his idea we were all heading towards Belle Reve.
We were all were walking in front of the prison for super-villains and I didn't like that I had to come here. I would have probably gotten to live my life a little better without having to step into the prison again, but I just had to suck it up and get it over. I made sure that my voice was in my echoing woman's voice to hide my identity and that my hood covers my head and that the shadow covers from the top of my head to the bridge of my nose.
When we finally arrive at the doors, prison guards stop us. It was decided as a team that I would do the talking. They said that I am the best deceiver out of all of them and that I am quite the persuader when I want to be. I took it as a compliment because that is what Master has been teaching me, well the deceiving part anyway.
"We wish to speak with the warden." I said passively in my disguised voice. I felt the surprise from the guards but they composed themselves.
"And who are you to ask to speak with Warden Strange?" One of the guards, the one with more muscle said as he came looked down at me since I was a lot shorter than him, I barely went up to his chest.
"Some of us were the ones that help stop the prison's break that occurred a month ago." I said with my passive voice. "Now will you let us in?" I ask purposely with impatience.
"Um, sir, she is speaking the truth." The other guard said. The muscle guard looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I recognize the Martian girl."
"Fine. I'll lead you to the warden. Follow me." Muscle guard said as he let us in and lead us to Warden Strange's office. I never knew that Hugo Strange became the warden after Amanda. What happened to her? Well, my bigger question is why did Strange became warden? With these thoughts in mind, my face was stoic as it usually was in my Shadow Ghost persona.
We arrived at Strange's office and the guard knocked and I can hear a faint 'come in' and the guard opened the door and put his head and some of his torso in and I could faintly hear 'some heroes want to speak with you' and I can barely hear that he approved and the guard open the door for us and all of us went in.
"Please leave and go to your position." Strange said to the guard and the guard nodded stiffly and close the door behind us. "You wish to speak to me?" Strange asked casually.
"Yes. We wish that you allowed us to speak with one of your prisoners, the man known as Professor Ivo, privately." I state passively getting to the point.
It was silent for a moment. "That is quite the bold favor that you ask of me? Tell me, does the Justice League know that you are doing this?" Strange asked as he raised an eyebrow while drumming his fingers against each other.
"If the League knows this or not we cannot reveal so I'll leave you with the benefit of the doubt." I say as I walk forward and stand in front of Strange looking at him straight in the eyes, though I know he was having a hard time looking at my eyes since they were hidden by my hood's shadow. "And talking about bold favors, you owe us one since some of our members boldly infiltrated into your prison and stopped the prison break that was going on." Then I slam both hands on the edge of his desk and made my body move forward thus making him, the team, and Zatanna in shock of my actions. "So… how much time are you going to give us with him?"
I saw him moving his mouth like a fish for a few seconds but then turn to normal. "Three minutes." He stated.
"Five."
"Three."
"Five." I firmly stated.
"Four." He said with some hint of unease.
"Six." I stated as I made the illusion that my eyes glowed a dark red.
"Five." He said quickly.
"Deal." I said before he realized and shook his hand with him. "It's nice making business with you." I said and let some sarcasm be heard as I let out a smirk.
"Yes." Strange said unsurely and called a guard for us so he can lead us to the room that we are to talk with Ivo.
The guard left and said that he was going to bring Ivo in a moment. It was silent until Kid Flash interrupted. "Wow, Shadow! I was anticipating something like that would happen, but nothing like that. Just… wow…" Kid said in awe and then the team and Zatanna looked at me and I can feel that they are waiting for an answer.
"Well, there is a reason that you choose me to talk." I said with a hint of humor.
"Darn right we did. And our choice couldn't have been better." Robin said with a smirk.
"Though, Shadow, it's not that I appreciate that you manage to let Warden Strange talk to Ivo, but why five minutes? You could have asked for more, if you wanted." Aqualad said.
"Well, I was planning on ten minutes, but I realized time is something that we cannot waste. Five minutes should be enough if we get in action immediately and not delay. Plus we have Miss Martian on our side to help speed up the process." I said looking at said Martian and she nodded in response and understood what I was trying to say. "If you get what I mean, Aqualad." I finished looking at him.
"Yes, I do now and you're right. Time is something we cannot waste." Aqualad said determinedly and was directed at everyone.
It was silent after that and I went to lean on a wall and I massaged my temples, concentrating on my bond with Rontu. "Rontu, can you hear me?" I telepathically said to Rontu.
"Yes, Laila, I can. Where are you?" I heard Rontu reply.
"I'm in Belle Reve and before you panic, the team and Zatanna are here with me and we are not under arrest." I quickly thought to him.
I heard him sigh in relief. "Well, what are you doing in there anyways?"
"We are here for information that a prisoner may have about Red Tornado."
"Oh… so you're not in danger, right?"
"No, not at all. So has anything happened?"
"Not really. Black Canary and Zatara haven't suspected anything yet and Captain Marvel has been trying to teach Wolf catch a log."
"Alright then… I'll communicate with you later. I sense them coming. Bye for now." I thought quickly and cut it off just as the door opened and reveal Ivo and made him sit down in a chair that was behind a desk.
He hasn't noticed me yet, so I turn invisible and walked so that I was in between of Ivo and the team without out him or the rest have a clue. Once the guards shut the door, I turned visible and I felt and saw the shock on Ivo as well as Zatanna's.
"Warden Strange owes the team a big favor for stopping last month's prison break. He has given us five minutes with you." I said getting to the point for him being here since I can feel his confusion about us.
"Spill Ivo." Superboy said impatiently. "How do we find T.O. Morrow and his Reds?!"
"Now, why in the world would I know how to find Morrow?" Ivo asked smoothly, too smoothly for me. I think he does know, but I am not sure yet.
"Because, and here's the truly dumb idea: You're Morrow's biggest competitor in the android game. Who better to keep track what's he up to and where?" Kid stated his hypothesis which I believe does have a sense of logic if you think about. How did Batman not think of this?
"Ah, I see your point. So, let me rephrase; why in the world would I tell you on how to find Morrow?" Ivo said and that was all it took for me to be assured that he does know. I didn't even have to sense his aura to know the truth or lies that he tells next.
Aqualad walks forward so that he was next to me. "He knows." He then looks at Miss Martian, who also walks forward towards us. "Do what you must." Aqualad ordered and Miss Martian's eyes glowed green.
I saw Zatanna move so that she was on Ivo's side. I was surprised that the team hasn't noticed yet.
"Oh, please, as if I've never faced a telepath before." Ivo said smugly.
Zatanna then recites a spell while looking at Ivo. "Morrow's in a secret underground base beneath the Yellowstone National Park, one hundred meters south of Old Faithful." Ivo blurted.
Everyone's, minus mine's expression were of shock and/or awe. Zatanna looked at my direction and I saw her giving me a smirk, but my face remained unemotional and I sensed her annoyance from her again. However, now I don't really care about her attitude towards me anymore. The team and I have more important things to do.
"Wait-what just happened?" Ivo asked in complete confusion.
"Magic happened, Ivo." I replied passively. I then walked towards the door and let my body phase through it. Outside I saw two guards looking the opposite direction of mine. "Guards." I said making them look at me and I saw their surprise at me. "You may take the prisoner now." I said neutrally while turning back and phase through the door again and was in the room once again.
The door opened seconds later and the guards took Ivo who still had a bewildered expression on his face.
I started to walk out and some guards were outside waiting for us. "We're here to escort you all outside." One of the guards said and I nodded and all of us started to follow them and we were outside in no time and on the Bioship taking off towards Yellowstone.
We flew for a while and I looked outside and it was night already so I let my hood go down.
"Block out all external communications." Aqualad said from behind me. "Soon, Canary and Zatara, Batman, too, I imagine, will know of our… visit with Ivo. Shadow Ghost is right, we haven't much time."
"Look, I'm trying to be nonchalant here." I heard Robin said to Zatanna.
"Why? Be as chalant as you like." Zatanna replied.
"I think what we are trying to get is a handle on your powers. Could you teleport us to Tornado or Morrow to a cell? Or force his bots to surrender?" Artemis asked and all of us looked at the magician.
"Or create peace on Earth for all time? Zatara couldn't do that and I am nowhere near my dad's level." Zatanna said and she then raises her palms up. "I need to learn a spell cold or else have time to prep it. Plus, all magic requires energy which usually comes from within. I just can't make the impossible happen at will." That is true. All my Shadow Spells and Ghost Powers come from me within me. Some requiring more energy than others.
"What's our ETA to Yellowstone?! I'm way pass ready to stuff Tornado into a trash compactor." Superboy shouts as he clenches his hands into fists and I can feel all his anger.
"Are you so certain that he betrayed us?" Aqualad asks Superboy.
"Aren't you?!" He asked with suppressed anger while looking back at Aqualad.
"I am not convinced." I'm glad I am not the only one that has doubts about Red Tornado. "And even so it makes him but a victim from his creator's programming. Certainly he deserves a chance that he is more than a weapon that others designed him to be." Aqualad said wisely and I know that he was referring to Conner's case. He looked away from Kaldur and closed his eyes and I can sense his conflicting emotions.
I went to grab his hand and tried to send some soothing energy to Conner so that he can relax while rubbing my thumb against the back of his hand. He looked back at me with a grateful look and I looked back at him with a small smile and letting my eyes show that 'it's alright' and that I am here for him.
The Bioship in camouflage form finally lands in Yellowstone. About an hour earlier I had contacted Rontu and told him that we were heading towards Yellowstone.
"Stealth mode." Aqualad ordered as he activated his own stealth uniform as well as Kid Flash, Artemis and Miss Martian. I just put my hood up and let the shadows cover the majority of my face, the only thing that you can see is from my lips down.
Zatanna is near the door as it opens for exit. "I recommend you stay behind." Aqualad said.
"Is that an order?" Zatanna asked defiantly.
Aqualad shakes his head, "No. You must do as you see fit."
"Good." Zatanna says and then she recites a spell that changes her into a magician uniform that resembles a lot like her father's.
The team, Zatanna, and I go out of the Bioship, some of us running and some of us flying, which were just Miss Martian and I. However, I made myself invisible. Just in case someone, either one of the Reds or Morrow appears, I can be the surprise element.
After some running Robin stops before a clearing and actives his wrist computer. "Ivo was right. Something is down there." He then turns it off.
Aqualad runs ahead of us and the rest of us follow. Moments later, very strong winds start to build up which makes the team and Zatanna be throw into the ground. I let the wind phase through me so it didn't force me into the ground like the rest, however I still remained invisible, but I was hovering on top of the team for at least ten feet in height.
The winds then somehow calm down for a while as it reveals that it was Red Tornado who is the cause of this. Tornadoes then surround us, caging us in.
"Why Tornado?! Why are you doing this?!" Miss Martian yells to be heard over the roaring winds.
I fly above even more, without being noticed, and saw that the winds were creating words on the ground leaving a message. 'M'gann can you hear me?' I asked mentally at her trying to let her in.
'Yes.' She responds.
'Connect a mind link with everyone, they need to see what I am seeing above here.' I thought urgently.
'Everyone online.' I heard M'gann say through the mind link. I heard agreements from everyone so I wasted no time.
'Everyone, Red Tornado made a message, look.' I thought as I sent the mental pictures through the link about the message that Red Tornado wrote into the ground with the wind which has the words 'PLAY DEAD'.
'Messaged received.' Miss Martian said and everyone did as the messaged said.
"Who cares why?! Nail him!" Superboy shouted. He and Aqualad started running and I saw that they were preparing for maneuver seven.
Superboy runs ahead of Aqualad as he kneels down and puts his hands together and boosts Aqualad up towards Tornado's level. However, once Aqualad is at Red Tornado's altitude level he punches him and knocks him into Superboy and both crash and stay on the ground.
Artemis then pulls out her bow and arrows and shoots two arrows at Tornado as Robin gets closer to Artemis. Red Tornado simply redirects the arrows towards them and the arrows explode near Artemis and Robin which they get knock out.
Kid Flash then makes himself into a black tornado and spins towards Red Tornado's direction.
Miss Martian in camouflage mode tries to get behind Tornado to punch him, but Tornado catches her fist and throws her towards Kid Flash and both of them get knock out.
Zatanna walks forward and is trying, but failing to recite a spell. Red Tornado then flies towards her and puts one of his hand around her neck and throws her at the rest of the 'unconscious' team.
Tornado crosses his arms across his metallic chest and looks at them. I still stayed quiet and invisible, but I moved closer to Red Tornado just in case he is trying to do something and I am there to stop him. I know that he can't sense my presence since I am in 'ghost mode' which is when almost anything can't detect me, heat sensor, motion sensor, things like that.
"Quite a performance, brother." A voice said from behind us. I turn around and saw another Red on a ground pillar that is rising to Tornado's altitude. "But we both know that is all it was. I have all your memories Tornado, plus a next gen processor. I know your next moves before you do." The message that Tornado wrote in the ground is raised so that it's behind the new Red and the team and Zatanna 'wake up' from the ground and looks at the new Red. "Blowing a message into the sand."
The new Red then makes the messaged ground and makes it into pieces and throws them at the team. I quickly flew in front of them and I turn myself visible and I let out a Ghost Wail which makes many of the large rocks coming towards us into much smaller pieces. Superboy and Aqualad in the meanwhile, are destroying the stray boulders that my Ghost Wail didn't destroy by Superboy using his strength while Aqualad using his water-bearers. Miss Martian uses her telekinesis to move the rocks away from her and the rest. I fly down and land looking at the new Red and watch as Tornado flew away.
'Red Tornado is getting away.' Zatanna said through the mind link.
'Is he abandoning us?' Artemis asked while all of us were running away in no direction in particular.
'I don't believe that.' Miss Martian said as she is flying above. I don't know what to do. I wanted to chase Tornado, but I didn't want to leave the team behind.
I saw back where the new Red was and I saw Kid Flash speeding towards his rock pillar and go running straight up. "You stand no chance against me, human." The new Red said as he punches Kid. That made my decision and I stay here waiting for the right moment to attack.
"We're not human!" Both Superboy and Miss Martian yelled at the same time as she flew towards him while he super-leap towards the new Red.
"Apologies." The ground below then transforms into hands. "I suppose the proper inclusive term is meat bags." The hands them comes out and gets each on the aliens' sides and then come together but crumbles once it claps together.
The new Red makes a hand movement and the land under Aqualad's and Artemis' feet fall down, making them fall. I quickly flew down towards them and go past them and face upwards and saw both of them coming down towards me. "Cover your ears!" I warned and I saw then do as told and I let out a Ghost Wail, concentrating on the force of the sound waves so that it can push the weight of both of my teammates up towards the surface all the while flying upwards.
The ground was closing in at us for with the last of my breath I made the Ghost Wail a lot stronger so that Artemis and Aqualad were both in the surface while I made my body to be phase able as I exited the recently closed ground.
When we looked at each other we nodded and we separated ways. I saw Robin throw a birdarang at the new Red but it simply caught it with his hand and it exploded, but no damage was done, not even a dent or scratch.
"Tornado's memory files and my superior processing speed allow me to anticipate your every move." The new Red said, almost mockingly.
Zatanna recites a spell and makes a black band to blind the new Red. "Tornado never knew my moves."
Robin jumps down next to Zatanna. "And I bet you got some good ones." Zatanna then looks at him and Robin then realizes what he said. "Oh, sorry, that may have come out a little too Wally." Robin said sheepishly.
"Ha, I don't mind." Zatanna replied.
I looked back at the new Red and saw that his eyes were glowing and that red laser lights appear out of it, destroying what has been blinding him, while facing the sky. Soon lava is coming out of the volcano that was behind him. The new Red is initiating a volcano eruption, either on purpose or by accident, I don't know.
The new Red then throws flaming rocks towards us and I dodge them while throwing ice at the rocks to cool them down.
'He's activating a stage two eruption. If it gets to stage three, kiss the hemisphere good-bye.' Kid Flash said through the link.
'Hit him in all sides.' Aqualad ordered as he got his water-bearers and got them transformed into swords.
I quickly flew in front of the new Red which I am going to call him, Red Volcano, to get his attention. And I did get his attention. He quickly made two hands and made them towards me, and flew around and stop so that I was at least fifty feet away from him but still in front of his vision.
When I stopped I let the hands in case me so they can 'squish' me. I let my body phase through it and I concentrated so that the hands were covered completely by ice and I let a telepathic blow so that the ice was in different sizes of shards and I escaped it. I concentrated again so that I can control the ice shards and I made them come together so that it formed like a giant javelin and hurl it at great speed at Red Volcano.
The ice came in contact with the android and the ice shards left very small dents in the shoulder areas. Hmm… so that could mean that the 'joint' areas are weaker and easier to dent, but it still takes a lot of force to dent it. I barely dented it with my ice.
I saw that Red Volcano be pulled back and I sensed Miss Martian was behind him. Red Volcano then move his hand and the ground next to Miss Martian opens and lets out a heat blast in her direction and she screams and her camouflage is gone.
"M'gann!" Superboy screams as he runs towards her.
However, Red Volcano gets to the unconscious Martian first and holds her by her cape. I turn invisible and flew as quickly as I could to get behind of the evil android. I hear Zatanna recite a spell from the distance and say something along the lines about how it's a down-scaled version when she escapes from her house. I saw that there were multiples Kid Flashes all running towards Miss Martian. I sense the real one running at a different path.
Red Volcano just threw flaming rocks at the duplicates which they only vanished when they came in contract. I was close behind of Miss Martian and then I saw that Kid Flash sped past me and got to the Martian much sooner than I and got her away from the evil android. I didn't stop so I directed myself at Red Volcano and I phase though his metallic body while I concentrated to ice parts inside of him. I stayed inside his body, still phasing through it while making ice form in his joint areas. I did this for a few seconds but then I felt heat rising inside of him and it was getting uncomfortable so I got out of his body and went to where Kid Flash had the unconscious Miss Martian.
I turn visible as I landed near them. I made an ice pillow and I crouch down and put it under Miss Martian's head so it can help her cool down. I looked at Red Volcano and saw that the ice on his shoulders and knees were melting at a very fast pace.
"Shadow, did you do that?" Kid asked near me, indicating the ice that was on the android.
"Yes, but unfortunately, I couldn't freeze his whole body. It was getting very hot inside of him." I said looking at him.
"Inside of him?" Kid asked wide-eye.
"I'll explain later." I said cutting the discussion.
Water then comes forth and it is directed at Red Volcano and it knocks the evil android into the lava.
"Nice hit." Robin complemented at Aqualad.
"That hit was not mine." Aqualad said confused. "Look!" He then points at a direction and it reveals one of the Reds. It had a male structure and it was controlling the water. It then made the water lift him and shoots two other water tubes at the barely rising Red Volcano.
Red Volcano is thrown at the lava again, but it makes a rock column behind it and is rises again. I was about to destroy it with my Shadows, but Tornado appears and comes at Volcano and destroys the column with his winds which makes Volcano fall back into the lava again.
I saw Superboy come towards us and I nod at him telling him that M'gann is alright as he saw the ice on her head. He nods back but stays in front of the unconscious M'gann in a protective stance. I stood up from my place and floated up, waiting for a correct moment to help the good androids.
Once again Red Volcano emerges but is attacked by fireballs that are produced by a female structured android. She then lands in the lava and grabs Red Volcano's hands in a wrestling manner.
"Sister, brothers, stop." Red Volcano said to the other Reds.
The water-controlling android falls towards the lava and makes his leg hit Red Volcano to push it down into the lava and soon the three Reds are under the lava. Red Tornado comes down as well at push Volcano further down.
I flew towards Tornado as I saw that he was sinking and made nothing to get out of the lava. I grab him from under his arms and tried with all my force to get him out, but sadly his legs, from his knees down, were gone, melted from the lava. I took him a little a ways from where the team were, all together.
When we landed, the volcano was shaking violently. The team and Zatanna then came running towards us. "Tornado, listen." Kid Flash said urgently. "We are on a stage three super-volcano eruption. There's no turning back from that. We need to vent pressure fast, but the ash cloud would bring our world into nuclear winter unless you divert it."
Red Tornado nods understanding.
"Triangulate around the pressure focus." Kid said to Robin.
"Right." Robin said as he activated a hologram of the volcano in his wrist computer. "There, there, there." He said as red dots appeared on the hologram.
Artemis shoots an arrow and then the arrow separates into three small missiles into the designated area and it explodes and causes the pressure to lessen on the volcano.
Red Tornado then flies up at the top of the volcano and makes a large tornado and the ash is getting sucked into it at a steady speed. I fly towards him just in case and also if I could cool down the lava faster.
I was in between the top and bottom the volcano, just floating and I closed my eyes and then opened them knowing that they were glowing purple and thin ice was being spread under me very quickly and as it touched the lava, steam came out. I made sure that my ice covered the entire volcano. I continued with this process until I was sure that my melting ice in the lava had caused it to harden into rock. I shattered the remaining ice with a thought and sent it on top of the volcano.
I felt so drained at I looked up and I saw that Red Tornado managed to dissolve the ash and there was no more of it in the night sky. I saw him going down and I flew towards him and help him land by grabbing his arm with both of my arms and trying to slow his decent. We landed a little roughly and I felt the tiredness and the sweat of my forehead.
I saw the team running in the distance, but I didn't pay too much attention to them but at the android in front of me. "Are you okay?" I asked worried.
Red Tornado just nodded and I help him get balance as I put his arm under me and put my hand on his chest. He was quite heavy, but I hold my ground until the team came. Conner took Red Tornado from me and I was swaying in place.
Kaldur then put his arm around my shoulders to steady me. "Thank you, Aqualad." I said gratefully.
"Are you alright, Shadow?" He asked worried.
"Just a little over-heated and tired, but nothing that moonlight can't fix." I said tiredly.
Aqualad nodded and help me to gently sit on the ground and I put myself in lotus position. I felt the moonlight absorbing inside of me and my energy returning to normal.
Few minutes later, I felt rejuvenated and I stood up and looked at the team, Red Tornado and Zatanna. "I'm good, we need to fix Red Tornado." I said.
Everyone agreed and Red Tornado signaled all of us of the secret entrance of where Morrow's lab was located.
Ivo indeed said that Morrow's lab was underground and I could not help but be impressed on how Morrow managed to put all this equipment under here. When we came here Superboy place Red Tornado on a metal table and Robin and Wally started to fix him. I stood next to them watching fascinated about how they were fixing him so easily. I wanted to learn about modern technology and learn to use it properly and maybe to the extent to learn to fix it, but Master said that it is unnecessary. Our trade does not involve the modern technology, but ancient power and knowledge.
About twenty minutes passed and I can see that they were finished. "There, that should do it." Kid said.
Red Tornado's face plate moves so that it is over his face. "Yes, I can speak again."
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save the planet." Aqualad said as he walked forward towards Tornado.
"The planet would have survived. It was humanity that was saved." Tornado replied and then he turned to face the team and I. "Though not by me, my sister and brother were the true heroes this day."
"My point is this: you were never the mole, never a traitor." Kaldur announced and I can sense the team's anticipation of his answer.
"No. I left to protect you from further attack and to find my creator, Morrow." Red Tornado answered.
"I knew it." I said softly in relief. I looked at Tornado and I saw his gaze was on me and I looked at him curious. I wonder what emotions he would be having if he were a human or something similar to it. Master said that we can sense someone's or something's emotion and feelings as long they have a soul. Can a machine have a soul? I asked myself and shook my head mentally of that idea knowing that it is impossible. Or is it? The universe is a really big place and there are aliens living out there. Maybe there are metal robotic beings out there in a far corner of the universe and they have a soul or something similar.
"Cool. Souvenir." Kid said happily as that interrupted my thoughts. I looked back and I saw that he and Robin were in a different table that had mechanical parts and Kid was holding a metallic arm in his hands.
"Red, we can rebuild you. Better than you were before." Robin said.
Red Tornado just looked ahead and said, "I don't believe I should be repaired."
I sense that Conner had some conflicting emotions inside of him, at any moment to explode and I tried to send soothing emotions to him to relax a little bit once again. "Why did you volunteer to become our den mother in the first place?" He asks as he faces Tornado since he didn't want to look at the android earlier.
"I was the pragmatic choice. I do not require sleep. I have no secret identity or second life to live." Red Tornado responded.
"But you do have advance AI programming. Designed to learn, adapt, evolve." Wally pointed out.
"Hello, M'gann." The Martian girl said as she slapped herself in her forehead. "You wanted to become more human."
At this revelation, I blink a few times looking at Red Tornado in a new light. A robot wanting to become human… it reminds me of the story Pinocchio. Even though Pinocchio was not a robot but a puppet, he wanted to become a human. Both Pinocchio and Red Tornado know that they are not human, they can think for themselves and act humanly, but Pinocchio became alive by the wish of the old toy maker that created him and Tornado became alive by the hands of an evil scientist, not by magic.
"And you couldn't do that with the League, they're stiffs." Artemis added.
"You're sure not going to learn emotion from Batman. Trust me." Robin said.
"Then the cave was not only approving ground not only for us, but for you as well." Kaldur stated.
Red Tornado went to look at us again. "I do not know if these statements are accurate, but perhaps they are true. And if I understand the term correctly, I believe I have come to… care about you all."
Wow. That was what came into my mind first, but then a warm feeling in the stomach. I feel honored that Red Tornado, a robot thought not to have emotions, to care for us, the team.
"See, practically a meat-bag already." Conner commented with a small smirk in his face.
It was silent for a moment which Red Tornado breaks, "Which reminds me. Why are you here? I would have thought the Justice League would come for me." He then sits up and gets down from the table and stands in front of the team, Zatanna and me and his robotic eyes looking at each of us.
Everyone was silent and no one made a move to say anything. I sighed and put my hood down and went closer to Tornado. I saw him looking at me. "Well, let's just say the team wanted to find you because the League didn't tell us about you and the team was getting… frustrated that you weren't found yet, so we took in our own hands." I explain.
"Then why is she here?" Red Tornado pointed at Zatanna.
"She is not part of the team. She wanted us to kidnap her so that she didn't have to blackmail to Zatara and Black Canary about what we were going to do. She just came to the cave just a few hours ago." I explained to the point and I sensed the surprise of the team and Zatanna of my outward explanation.
"Shadow!" Wally yells in disbelief of my actions.
"What? It's not that I lied. It is the truth, is it not?" I asked the team with my hands on my hips while looking at each of them.
"Well, yeah, that's the truth, but you still didn't have to say everything." Robin said as he got in front of me.
"Well, the League was going to find out sooner or later. Soon being the closer one." I stated passively while looking at Robin in the whites of his mask where his eyes would be.
"Shadow Ghost is correct and I guess we have to go back to the cave if we don't want the League to start searching for us." Kaldur said in a neural tone, stepping in between us and holding our shoulders to separate us in distance. I broke away eye contact and I walked away from him and the team hugging myself.
"I guess you all should start heading for the Bioship, I will catch up later." I said not looking at the team while changing into my disguised voice.
The team slowly went out of the room and when I was sure they were out I turn around and saw that only Red Tornado stayed.
"Why are you still here? I thought that you would leave with the rest and make sure that they are going to the Bioship?" I asked softly in my normal voice, looking at Tornado since I knew that he has great hearing.
Tornado walked toward where I was standing and stopped just a foot in front of me. I looked up so that I could see his 'eyes'. "I believe that they will do that with no doubt, so I do not see that I should accompany them." He stated.
"I see your point." I said. It was silent for a while. "Why did you stay here with me? Is there something that you want to talk to me about?" I asked.
It was silent for a few seconds until Tornado spoke, "I heard you say, 'I knew it'." He stated and I nodded. "Did you not think that I betray the team, not even for a moment?" He questioned.
It was my turn to be silent, I looked away from him and took a deep breath and looked at him directly in his 'eyes', "When the team said that you made them unconscious, I felt hurt and I was in denial. I did not want to believe that you would do that on purpose. But my mind and some of the team voiced themselves about that you betrayed them and went with your siblings. However, my heart and soul told me otherwise and that is stronger than my mind. I wouldn't… couldn't believe that. I was always in denial about your suppose betrayal." I took another deep inhale. "I could not believe that the android that I would talk at night when I wandered in the cave betray the team, betray me, because…" my voice became softer and I floated so I was in his height and I put both of my hands on the sides of his face, "I see that android as my friend, a friend that I have trust in." I finished with a whisper. I looked at him for a few seconds before I took my hands away from him and floated down to hug myself. I looked away and headed for the exit.
"Wait." Red Tornado said and I stop in my tracks and look back at him seeing that he was walking towards me.
"Yes?" I questioned softly still hugging myself.
Tornado stopped when he was directly in front of me and looked into my eyes. "You consider me your friend?" He asked.
"Yes, I do." I said without wavering.
"Not many have said that to me. I consider you as a friend as well." Red Tornado confessed.
"So... we are mutual friends?" I questioned with hope.
"Yes." He stated and as soon finished those words I tackled him with a hug even though he stayed still and was frozen in place.
"I am glad, friend." I said still hugging him around his waist. I felt cool arms wrap around me.
"I am too, friend." He replied. Even though I could not sense his emotions, I can bet that he was happy just as I was.
I broke away from the hug. "Well, I need to catch up with the team. Are you coming with?" I asked with my head tilted slightly to the side.
"No, I need to do something first." He said while looking at me. I nodded in understanding.
"Are you coming back to the cave?"
"Yes, but at a later time. Will you inform that for me to the League?" He asked.
"Of course. What are friends for?" I asked with a smile. "So without any further a due, see you later Red Tornado." I waved as I Shadow Traveled to the Bioship and saw that the team just finished entering. I was the last to enter and I saw all of them looking at me.
I looked back not showing any emotion and I sat in the back behind Aqualad. We soon took off without a word.
We were in the air for a few minutes. I hear Robin say to Zatanna, "So… good kidnapping?"
"Actually, yeah. Best ever." She replied.
"First of many, I hope." Robin said.
"If my dad doesn't ground me for life." Zatanna replied with a sigh.
It was silent for a few moments. "Hello, M'gann." The Martian said as she hit herself in the forehead as usual when she said that. Everyone's, including mine's, attention is on her. "Laila, can you communicate with Rontu through your bond?"
Now everyone's attention was on me. I just close my eyes and put my pointer and middle fingers on the sides of my forehead and concentrated on the Familiar bond with Rontu.
"Rontu, can you hear me?" I asked mentally.
Seconds passed, "Laila… you sound faint…" Rontu replied.
"You do too." I said through our bond. It felt like I was talking to him through a thick glass wall, but we are still able to hear each other. I hope that is it only because of the long distance.
"I can communicate, though his voice is faint. I shall ask him about what is happening at Mount Justice." I informed the team, not letting my hands move from their position in my head. I knew that my eyes were glowing when I look at them. I closed them again and concentrated.
"Rontu, can you tell me what has happened?"
"Well… Captain Marvel has still been trying to teach Wolf tricks, but it has started to rain so we went inside. I flew ahead since I went inside of the cave before it started to rain because I sensed the pressure and wetness of the sky. When I got there I heard Zatara tell Black Canary that Zatanna is grounded for life and kind of mimicking Canary's voice about 'They're good kids, Giovanni…' something along those lines. Right now Black Canary is trying to communicate to the Bioship while Zatara is pacing around." Rontu informed.
"Thank you for the information, Rontu. I will tell this to the team and Zatanna. We will arrive there shortly." I thought to him as I ended our conversation.
I opened my eyes and everyone's attention is on me. "Well… what happened?" Wally asked from his seat.
"Currently, Black Canary is trying to communicate the Bioship and Zatara is pacing around the cave saying that Zatanna is going to be grounded and mocking Canary about how we are good kids, which were the words that Canary told him. Oh, Captain Marvel tried to teach Wolf tricks and it is raining in Happy Harbor." I informed the team passively.
I sensed the dread from the team and I felt sorry for them. "M'gann I believe it's wise that you make the Bioship fly as fast as possible." Kaldur said.
"Actually, Kaldur, I think I can transport you all to the cave at a much shorter about of time." I said.
"What do you mean, Laila?" Artemis asked.
"I can Shadow Travel the Bioship with all of you in directly inside the cave." I stated seriously.
"But doesn't Shadow Travel occur on the ground?" M'gann asked.
"Yes, so if you land the Bioship in a secluded area I will be able to perform the Spell. If you guys want to Shadow Travel, I do warn that Shadow Traveling is not the most pleasant way of transportation for the rookies." I said looking at everyone.
"I think I can manage. What about you guys?" Robin said with a smirk, challenging the rest. There were nods of approval.
I looked at Kaldur, "It is your decision, Kaldur. You are the leader."
Kaldur's aura gave the essence of being thoughtful. "I guess it is alright. M'gann let's land."
M'gann nodded and we soon landed on a desert. "M'gann can you make a hole appear on top of me so I can absorb some moonlight to get prepare for the Spell?" I asked.
Soon a hole appeared and I felt the moonlight on my body. I closed my eyes and took in deep inhales and exhales for five times. "You can close it now." M'gann made the Bioship close the hole. "Make sure all of your seatbelts are on. We don't want anybody to lose a limb along the way." I said in a grim tone.
"What?!" Was the voices of all the occupants voices and I quickly Shadow Travel them and the Bioship in the hangar in a few seconds.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and move so that I can see all of the team. I sensed their shocked state and I saw them looking at me still in shock expressions. I put left hand on my hip and my other under my chin while looking deep in thought.
"Fortunately, nobody has wandered off during the Shadow Travel." Then I clapped my hands together and said cheerfully while closing my eyes and titled my head to the side slightly, "And the better news, no one's limb was lost either."
Zatanna was the first one to get out of her shock and I sense her anger at me which I really don't care. "What the heck! You could have maimed one of us?!"
I was quiet for a moment looking at her in my serious face and in my most serious voice, "You know I just said that to prank you guys."
There was silence and everyone's gazes went at me in disbelief. "What you said was a prank?" Wally said.
"Yeah, I apologize for the prank. I couldn't resist myself." I said while I covered my mouth to suppress my giggles. "Your guys' emotions when I said that was priceless, then same with your expressions afterwards." I said with a small smile. "So, I want to know how was the Travel?" I asked with curiosity.
"It felt cold." Conner said.
"That is expected. Staying in the shadows is not exactly a warm feeling." I replied.
"I felt like were going at very fast speed, faster than I have ever ran, in a cold place." Wally said.
"It felt awesome to some extent, like riding an extreme roller coaster."
"Yes that is how I felt it." Robin agreed.
"Shadow Traveling for the first timers is different for everyone. Some feel it as… awesome, as Wally said. Some feel accelerated. Some feel it terrifying. The point is some have good experience with it others do not." I looked at everyone in the Bioship. "Also by sensing your emotions, I can tell if your experience was good or bad." I said simply and the door to the Bioship opened and I exited. "We need to come out. The Leaguers are not exactly the most happy of people right now."
I continued my way to where the three Leaguers were, I also sensed that Rontu and Wolf in the training room with them too. I heard the team walking behind me. All of them had different emotions within them, but one thing in common was they do not really want to face two Leaguers in particular.
I made it to the room and I had Black Canary's, Zatara's and Captain Marvel's attention. I felt their relief when they saw the rest of the team plus Zatanna coming behind, but then into anger. Rontu and Wolf and I guess Sphere, too, were looking at us.
"Where have you been?" Black Canary ask coldly while she looked at each one of us with her hands on her hips, her aura radiating the feeling that we should all be truthful or else we are not going to like the consequences. Zatara had a similar stance, but his gaze was more directed at his daughter and I can sense her squirming under his gaze.
It was silent, no body wanting to speak until Kaldur walk in front of us. "Well?" Canary asked with a raised eyebrow.
Just as about Kaldur was going to speak I step forward to be next to him and touch his shoulder gently. He looked at me and I gave the look that I wanted to talk first and he nodded back giving me permission. "Well…" I started, "What do you know of where we have been?" I ask in a smooth voice not letting anything betray my face and body language while looking at them.
"Laila, I am not going to answer that until you or someone answers what I have asked." Canary replied with her passive voice and I can sense her patience was running out.
"I am sorry, Canary, but I will not answer your question, until you answer mine." I said also passively, walking a few steps ahead.
Normal POV
'Is Laila being stupid or really brave?' Zatanna asked sarcastically through the mental link that consisted of her and the team minus Laila.
'Laila is not stupid.' Conner defended his spirit sibling. 'She must be planning to do something.'
'But do what, exactly?' Artemis asked.
'Laila asked Canary what she knows about our whereabouts. Maybe she is trying to figure out if Canary and Zatara know of us being in Belle Reve and or Yellowstone so she can possibly make a possible lie or half-truth or something so that we won't be in that much trouble.' Robin theorized to the team.
'That is possible. Let's just see what happens and let Laila talk.' Kaldur thought to them and everyone was looking at the female Leaguer and the young girl.
"Why are you insisting that I answer first?" Black Canary asked.
"To see if the information is true or false. If false, I have no problem in correcting it and if true, well, I won't deny it." Laila said in her signature passive voice.
It was silent while Canary looked at the young apprentice. "Very well. We know that you went to Belle Reve."
"Is that all you know?" Laila asked as she looks at Black Canary with a raise eyebrow.
"Yes. That is why we were worried." Canary said in angry and worried mix tone.
Laila just stood place, in her perfect posture looking at the woman Leaguer. Every person in the room was waiting for the young girl's response. Laila just looked away and looked at Zatara for a while and then turn to look at Black Canary again.
"You know Canary…" Laila started as she walked around the two Leaguers as she was a predator circling around her prey. "I have been train by my master and you should know by now that he can detect a lie and truth in a person's words. And I can sense your lie. You are one of the greatest actresses I have encountered; I'll give you that, but even with all the poker faces a person can give to me, all the emotion that radiates out from their voice, I can sense that you, Black Canary, are lying." Laila told in a calm voice while still circling around them. "So I suggest that you or Zatara tell the rest of the information." Laila finish coolly as she stopped to look in front of the two Leaguers.
Rontu flew towards Laila and landed on her head, while Wolf and Sphere stood by her sides, Wolf on the right and Sphere on her left.
'Man, she's really good.' Wally said through the link. 'Laila is almost as scary as Batman when it comes to interrogating.'
'Yeah, no kidding. She just needs to make her own version of the Batglare and I bet people would shake and tell her everything that she wants to know.' Robin said.
'You guys do remember her mentor is Ghost Master?' Artemis asked.
'How does this involve Laila's awesome lying detecting skills?' Wally asked confused.
'Probably, I don't know, everything?' Artemis asked sarcastically. 'Green Arrow has told me that Ghost Master can be a lot more scarier than Batman when he gets really pissed off. Also when it comes to interrogations Batman and some of the League would sometimes call in Ghost Master for help to know for sure if the information they got is valid.'
'Yes, my king has also informed me of how an angry Ghost Master is more frightening than the Batglare directed at you.' Kaldur informed.
'I am now more nervous about Laila's mentor. From the first time I saw him, he looks intimidating, but then after a while he is not that scary. However, I remember when he came to take Laila away to their cave because she went outside of Mount Justice without his permission, his glare is very intimidating.' M'gann said through the link.
'Yeah, tell me about it.' Wally said with a cringe, remembering that day.
"We know that you asked the warden permission to speak with a prisoner. What it was about? We do not know. When you all finish talking with the prisoner, you just left Belle Reve to who knows where." Zatara said.
"Does the League know about our trip?" Laila asked.
"Batman has been informed." Canary replied.
"Very well." Laila said. "All the information you both have said are true." Laila confessed. The young apprentice then sent a mental message to her Familiar and said Familiar flew out of her head and went towards the exit and into the hall informing the arriving guests what had happened.
"So now inform us where have you been?" Canary asked.
"We were in Yellowstone National Park." Laila responded.
"Why would you all be doing there?" Zatara asked.
"Let's just say that the prisoner we talked to knew where Morrow's lab was located and Yellowstone was its location." Laila replied. "And before you say anything else I have a message from Red Tornado which he says that he will be returning back to Mount Justice."
The three Leaguers were silent for a while. The young apprentice could sense the bubbling emotions inside of the elder magician. "Zatara, if you want to say something just do it." Laila said passively.
"How could you let my daughter go with the team?!" Zatara yelled at Laila in frustration clearly shown in his face and voice. Laila was emotionless of his actions; she learned that it is best to be quiet in these types of situations. Laila just receive a mental message from Rontu and obey the orders that are being sent to her from the request one of the guests has made.
Superboy and Wolf were angry at Zatara for yelling at their friend and were about to go at him, but Laila stopped them both with a look. Black Canary and Captain Marvel were surprised at their fellow Leaguer for yelling but they decided not to intervene.
Before Zatara could say something else, the room felt cold and the lights were flickering. Everyone in the room, minus Laila, were startled and nervous of the setting.
From the ground in front of Laila, a black swirling hole appearing and coming out of it, came out Ghost Master with his hood on. The hole disappeared once his whole body came out. Most of the living occupants in the room were surprised at Ghost Master's appearance.
Ghost Master was looking at Zatara. "Why are you yelling at my apprentice?" Ghost Master said in a cold serious voice that made the elder magician uncomfortable and very nervous. The rest of the people in the room cringed at the tone reminding them of a certain angry Bat.
"I, um, I…" Zatara stumbled, not knowing what to say and actually felt embarrassed for yelling at the young girl.
"I am waiting." Ghost Master said coldly.
"You see, I didn't mean to yell at her. I am sorry, young Laila." Zatara apologize to her and she nodded in return.
"Then why did you yell at her?" Master asked again in his present cold tone.
"The team, allowed Zatanna, my daughter, to join them to look for Red Tornado after they have been told to not to pursued." Zatara explained. Ghost Master looked at Black Canary's direction and she nodded at this information.
"The team clearly disobeyed direct orders so it is up to the Batman to give them a proper punishment." Ghost Master said passively at the Leaguers and they nodded accepting the statement while the team cringe at little, wondering what Batman was going to do to them once he arrives. "However, this still not explains why you have done that to Laila." Master said.
"I did not mean to do that. I was frustrated and my anger got the better of me. I was just worried about my daughter." Zatara explained trying to be brave in front of the intimidating Leaguer.
"Very well, I will let this slip, but I am expecting that you can control your emotions better the next time." Master stated coldly and Zatara only nodded in acceptance.
The computer then announced the Batman's arrival and he stood there looking at the team. "I am waiting for an explanation of everything."
Ghost Master moved away and stood on the side lines, while Batman moved and looked at the team. Soon the Atlantian started explaining about everything that happen ever since they decided they were going to look for Red Tornado. The team explained everything and Zatanna quipped in on about the blackmail and Zatara was surprised at his daughter behavior, but after that everyone had a neutral face.
When they finished, Batman only stared at the team with a calculating gaze. "Red Tornado said that he was going to come back to the cave. Do you know where he was heading?" Batman asked at Laila.
"No sir. He never told me where he was heading. He just told me to inform the League that he was going to head back here." Laila explained.
Batman was silent for a while. "The team clearly disobeyed direct orders and made a person that is not involved in the team, involved. You know that if something happened there would have been a lot more consequences." Batman started. "However, fortunately, nobody got hurt, but this does not mean you are off the hook. As consequence the team, only the team, shall be trained for a longer time period and more days in the week by Ghost Master and Black Canary. However, Ghost Master is going to put more on the discipline side of training than you are used to." Batman emphasized to make clear that Zatanna is not going to be part of the punishment since she is not officially part of the team that is under the Bat's supervision.
Batman looked at Ghost Master but Ghost Master didn't do anything to acknowledge what Batman had said.
"It is never tiring to deceive many of the Leaguers at once." A voice said coming from the hallway. Multiple footsteps were heard and everyone minus Laila and Ghost Master took in defense stands.
When the mysterious people came to light, many of the occupants were confused and shocked. One of the guests was Red Tornado, the cause of shock for the Leaguers. But the confusion was directed at the appearance of another Ghost Master with Psyche at his shoulder. "I have to say, illusions pranks on the League make my night." The Ghost Master with Psyche said in a humorous tone while coming towards where everyone was. Rontu flew towards Laila and took his usual place on top of her head.
"You are the real Ghost Master." Batman said at the talking Ghost Master. He and everyone else relaxed their fighting stances.
"Of course I am." The real Ghost Master said with small humor. "I have to say, my apprentice is quite skilled and I am glad that all of her hard training is giving wondrous fruits." He finished with a proud tone while looking at Laila and said apprentice only bowed in modesty.
"I am only skilled because of you, Master." Laila said respectfully while closing her eyes, still bowing at her master and mentor, careful of the Familiar on her head.
"Whoa, wait up… the Ghost Master that appeared from the swirling black hole in the ground was all an illusion?" Wally asked.
"Yes, Master had ordered me to make a dramatic appearance for him." Laila replied looking at the speedster. The fake Ghost Master walked to where Laila was and put her hand at his chest but it was phasing through. "See, all of it was an illusion that Ghost Master had ordered for me to do. I even made the illusion more realistic so that you can all hear his voice coming out of his mouth." Laila explained to the team and with a snap of her fingers the fake Ghost Master disappeared into silver mist and then nothing.
"Yes, I did order that didn't I?" Ghost Master said with a slight chuckle. "Though to be noted everything the illusion of me said is what I wanted to be said by me. I communicated this to Rontu and Rontu to Laila through their bond. So…" he then looks at Zatara, "I do expect that you control your emotions." He said coldly at the elder magician. "And to answer your question Batman," Ghost Master continued while looking at said Leaguer, "I accept what you have purpose for punishment. I promise that by the end of this they will learn of a new meaning of having all of their body sore." Ghost Master said with a devilish smirk. "Or is that pushing it too hard?" Ghost Master asked.
"No, that is fine." Batman said with approval. "Also as part of punishment, there will be no missions for the next week."
The team looked in disbelief at Batman, but didn't dare to make sound of disapproval, afraid that the Bat could be triggered more and add more things to their punishment.
The Bat and the rest of the people put their attention to the android. "Red Tornado." Batman stated and looked at him with narrowed calculating masked eyes.
Said advance android looked at the Bat waiting for his response. "Welcome back. I expect that you will continue to stay here in Mount Justice as supervisor." The Batman said in a passive voice.
"Yes, I shall stay here." Red Tornado replied in his ever monotone robotic voice.
"You will need to be at HQ tomorrow. I'll send the information later. For the meanwhile, everyone go home and be prepared for training after school." Batman stated and went to the Zeta-tube and headed for his cave in Gotham with Robin right behind him.
Soon, the team members that did not live in Mount Justice, Zeta-tubed back to their home cities. Black Canary and Captain Marvel also headed to their own homes. Finally, it was Zatara's and Zatanna's turn.
Zatara made Zatanna go first and before he teleported himself he looked at Ghost Master, "You have trained your apprentice very well." And with that said, he disappeared through the Zeta-tube.
It was just Conner, Kaldur, M'gann, Red Tornado, Wolf, Sphere, Rontu, Laila, Psyche and Ghost Master in the room. "Well, Laila, I need to leave, but I will be back tomorrow and I expect nothing less of you during training." Ghost Master said at Laila with a serious voice.
"Yes, Master." Laila nodded. "Goodbye, Psyche and Master."
"See you later, child." Psyche said and Ghost Master nodded and left by Shadow Traveling.
Laila looked back at the rest of the occupants in the room. "I guess we should all go rest, it has been a long day and tomorrow there's school."
There were murmurs of agreement and everyone went to their respective rooms each saying their 'good-night' to each other.
Laila's POV
I was lying in my bed already ready for sleep having finished of taking a shower, brushed my teeth and all the other stuff. Rontu was perched in his branch and I was under the covers and comfortable in my pajamas.
I hummed a soothing melody to Rontu so that he could fall asleep and when he did, I fell into a dreamless sleep wondering how the upcoming week was going to be.
AN: This is my longest chapter I have written so far, the reason why it took so long to update.
I tried very hard to make this episode a little different and add a few things to make it more original. I hope you readers like it.
Please don't forget to review, follow and/or favorite! :D
-MSM
