It Runs in the Family Ch. 34
That insufferable sound...it wouldn't stop. It kept going and going. Sounded like a buzzing on wood that wouldn't stop, add the throbbing pain in your head made it worse. Finally...it stopped. Peace at least...for two seconds and it starts up again. Just what was that noise!? Having enough forcefully wake from your slumber and displeasantly look around for it. Your vision was blurry while it adjusted. That noise was close...you could feel it. You could definitely hear it. Slowly looking around spot it right next to you laying on the bed on top of the nightstand. Reaching out, pick it up and silence it without even looking at the calls and texts you missed. Turning back over just as someone comes in and takes your phone.
It surprised them, that you hadn't picked up. Well, maybe not that surprised really, then again getting a call or message from them you'd surely pick up. Or at least respond in some way.
But, there was nothing. Tempted to try again for the 20th time...or maybe 25th time, to be stopped. Sighing they put their phone away and mentally remind themselves to try again later.
Time was becoming late and by late into the night. Very late night. The time when most would be either asleep or if a night owl up at a dangerous club. To have a good time. Though for a very special few this kind of time was just like a normal morning. In fact, they felt more alert and alive in the mysteries of Lady Night. The smell of freedom it gave and clearness. Trained and also raised in it, it was no wonder April and Tigress felt calm and enjoyment. Though it was concealed by the task at hand. Upon an empty rooftop, they waited geared and ready in their other...attire. Waiting patiently. While keeping their eyes and ears open. Along with April's extra senses.
Everything was oddly still, not quiet considering the below noise on the streets below. "You sure they're coming?"April asked rather doubtful. "We've been waiting here for around two hours. Kind of past the actual time."
Artemis couldn't agree more, the waiting was longer than the thought. "Don't worry," she assures her cousin."They'll be here. Trust me. If there's anyone who can do it...they can."
Her words didn't really settle April's feelings. Tigress knew because some of it was rooted personally from when they were younger. Which is understandable considering how they were to her. Made April see them rather differently. Just a little. Even so, Tigress's confidence in them was what April held onto. Sighing mentally, April didn't enjoy being played with like this. A part of her felt they were enjoying this.
Walking a few steps from Tigress, April peers over the side down below. Watching others, tempted to read their minds she held back for a reason. Becoming board turns back around to her cousin and walks back. Stopping suddenly when she sensed another presence coming. Before she could even utter their arrival, they arrived and couldn't help but crack sneering smile at April.
"A bit slow there are you Carrot Top?"They snide with an equal chuckle for their own amusement. April groans rolling her eyes at them. They hadn't changed the least bit since she was younger. And it showed. They found her reaction entertaining. "Come now, aren't carrots suppose to be good for you?"They kept jabbing, taking off their mask that resembled a cat with red stripes and a wide grin. Revealing themselves. "Been a long time, April."
"Jade," April said with less thrill than her older cousin. The two stare at one another. Jade kept her grin on, pushing it upon April would feel victim and couldn't help but smirk back. "Look what the cat dragged out."
Jade's smirk spread impressed. "Looks who's grown up now. Hmm, and to think all this time I thought you were nothing but a sheltered house cat."The smirk turns into a warm smile."It's good to see you, you've grown. Surprisingly."She adds snarkily, though all in good humor. "So, it seems you've joined the Righteous Band,"She looks at her sister who comes over.
Jade looks at the two. Shaking her head."You both still are inseparable. Geez. It still makes me sick."Chuckling lightly, folding her arms.
"What can I say,"April said."Apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
For Jade to laugh now."Rich, but, I'm sure it does in some areas."She said a bit dark."Trust me. Heard you have a younger sister."Rather surprised.
"Heard you're a mother."April retorts with equal shock.
Tigress watched and listen as the two banter and take jabs at one another. April standing her ground against Jade's verbal attacks, unlike years ago April would easily fall prey. Always Jade's favorite target. After a few more shots they end, with Jade slightly nodding respect to April. Just a little. Not too much. What fun would that be?
"So,"Jade starts off."You know this is going to cost you, both."Looking to April and Tigress. Who understood."Good, cause Lian going to need extra babysitting. Alright, listen up...one of my resources managed to get some information. With this new partner, apparently, they've been testing out something."
"That's not enough information to go on,"Tirgress said.
"Well, do you know who this new partner is?"Jade asked.
"Yes."April said bitterly."We're fully aware. Everything matches up. They've never been really good at hiding themselves, very well. I don't need to know about them. I'm looking for more."
There was subtle vengeance in her words. April was careful to mask them. But the hurt clearly surfaced in her eyes. Tigress puts a hand on her shoulder to both calm and console her."Sorry," April apologizes. Collecting herself."What is it that they're doing? The past few missions have been involving genetic facilities. And now recently Black Market arms dealings. From May's previous last mission. What's being moved around? Why is their old equipment suddenly be salvaged? By Eco-Friendly companies, I might add. And most importantly...how did they manage to bring them..."She stops herself, struggling with acknowledging it. Swallowing her feelings. "They've somehow managed to bring them back. But, differently somehow."
Jade knew what she was talking about."I don't have that much information on that. Except that the Shadows have begun enlisting and working on new recruits. Special kind. Skills of a warrior, empty vessel."
"Isn't that how the Shadows work?"Tigress points out."How they make everyone, anyway?"
"Yeah,"Jade agrees to add more."Though, they said this is different. They're empty. Like a blank canvas. To be painted with nothing but red and black and grays. They're soulless. Whatever part of them is gone."Her words spoke the painful truth. April held her anger down. Jade saw this was starting to become personal for her, looking to her sister. Hesistant to continue. But April assured her to keep going."There is one final thing, they told me...it's called Rebirth."
"Rebirth?"Tigress and April repeat confused.
It was clear neither of them heard of it."Yeah, strange name. There isn't much information they could find out about it. Or what it's linked too for that matter. Though, there might be a minor lead. Here."She hands them something."I think this might help."
"Thanks,"Tigress takes it."Jade."
Jade shrugs her shoulders putting her mask back on."You two were always helpless without me. See ya."With that, she leaves.