Chapter 32
A/N: hey guys! I'm back for another chapter! Glad to see y'all're enjoying the story so far. Remember, I just own my hybrid OCs and the story, otherwise I don't own YJ or the JPs.
/comms/
"Bold is raptor."
Telepathy/flashbacks.
Washington D.C, December 30, 0916:EST
"The Justice League was formed for two reasons. First, as an acknowledgement that no single individual, no matter how powerful, can solve all the world's problems alone. Second, to uphold the values of truth, liberty, and justice. Uh, that last one's even in the name," Superman smiled and the crowd laughed. "These five heroes have sworn to uphold those values."
"You are watching live coverage of the Justice League's induction of its five newest members," Cat Grant began. "Looks like the entire League's shown up to welcome the new blood. Everyone from Batman to Captain Marvel."
"I'm glad they didn't kick Billy out," Wally said taking a bite out of and apple. "And I love the fact that there's a ten-year-old on the League."
"There is?" Remix, Nightmare, and the new girl sitting with the Team in the Hall of Justice spoke up in confusion.
"Way to keep a secret genius," Robin said elbowing the speedster.
"Hey, they're on the Team now right? Besides, Onyx was missing when we found out," Wally defended.
"Superman is now handing out official League membership cards, starting with Dr. Fate, the Atom, Plastic Man, and Icon."
"You know, I was the one who convinced Icon to become a hero in the first place. I should be out celebrating with him, not hidden away in here!"
"Welcome to our world," Kaldur shrugged.
"Finally, Green Arrow, welcomes his former protégé Speedy, now known as Red Arrow to this roster of heroes."
"Way to go Roy!" Wally cheered.
"At last he has his wish."
"First of us to make it, no one will call him a sidekick anymore."
"Wait? Since when is being a sidekick a bad thing?" Rocket questioned. "You sidekicks were my inspiration."
"Well…" Robin began only to stop as his watch began beeping.
-.-
Smokey Mountains, 10:48EST
"Are you sure it's her?" Artemis asked as the Bioship flew through the snow-capped mountains. "Are you positive?"
"See for yourself," Robin said projecting the file. "This is the security footage from the Ashfield Regional Airport. Facial recognition confirms that Jade Nguyen, but you've seen her without her mask, what do you think?"
"It's Jade—Cheshire."
"Agreed, but focus on what she carries," Aqualad said and the image shifted down to the case in the assassin's hand. "Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?"
"Yes."
"Ok, I get from this mug shot, that this is the bad guy, but what's so important about that case?" Rocket questioned.
"Remember the Injustice League?"
"And their giant evil plants? How could I forget?" she grumbled crossing her arms.
"The Team and the League put them in prison, but their allies still scheme. And whatever's in that case seems important to their plan."
"We had a chance to catch them in New Orleans," KF growled glaring at a certain archer, "but someone screwed up."
"Remix, you worked with the bad guys," Superboy spoke up, "You got any ideas?"
"Wait—she was a bad guy?!"
The Pteranodon hybrid tossed a glare at the newest member before looking at the case. "I'm not sure. Rogue was the one who was fully apprised on everything. She just gave us the orders. But, I do know that the Injustice League was just a front for the real group."
"WHAT?!"
She nodded, "The real masterminds call themselves the Light," she said typing and images began to appear on the screen, "there are a total of seven bosses overall: Vandal Savage, Klarion Witch Boy, Queen Bee, Lex Luthor, the Brain, Ocean Master, and R'as al Ghul. They run the entire operation, sending us—my old team out on missions to collect items or eliminate targets that could interfere with their master plan. Unfortunately, I was never told what the endgame was, sorry." She turned to look at Onyx, "I don't suppose they told you anything?"
The other hybrid shook his head, "No. I think they were too worried I'd be compromised again."
"No matter, that is far more information than what we had before," Aqualad said.
"We so have to tell the League about this!" Rocket exclaimed.
"We will," Artemis reassured, "once we finish the mission."
"Approaching Cheshire's jet," M'gann spoke up as they came around a bend.
Everyone gasped at the sight in front of them. Lying in a low valley the jet lied scattered across the ground, showing evidence of a crash. The Bioshipe landed and everyone got off to begin looking around. "How come Homeland Security and NTSB aren't all over this?" Wally asked.
"Cheshire was a League alert," Robin said. "Authorities didn't pick it up and her jet didn't follow its scheduled flight plan. Literally flew under the radar. The Watchtower autotracked the chip and the crash."
"So why isn't the League all over this?" Remix questioned.
"Cause our Boy Wonder has some mighty hacking skills, for us to get the Alert first," Zatanna smirked.
"And because Cheshire and that case represent our unfinished mission."
"Here's what I'm concerned about," Onyx spoke up crossing his arms, "I've seen a fair share of plane crashes on Sorna. And the only reason those ones didn't have bodies is cause they were torn apart and eaten. Last I checked, there wasn't anything here that could completely devour a human being in a single bite in the US."
"He's right, where are the bodies?"
"Here's one! And it is stunning," Cheshire spoke.
"I am flora, not fauna. I am foliage, not trees. What am I?" the Riddler asked as he stood on the ridge with Mammoth and the other Hybrids. He snapped his fingers and pilons began rising from the ground on the surrounding ridge. "Come on you can get this. I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I?"
"Ambush."
"Did you really think we didn't know that you were keeping an eye on Cheshire?" Rogue sneered, looking down at them with a smirk. "The bosses are tired of your interference, we're in the endgame."
"So I'm guessing Savage is about to go through with his master plan?" Remix snarled.
Amber eyes widened and the other hybrid looked pissed. "You told them…TRAITOR!" The Indominus hybrid lunged, and Remix flew up, meeting her punch with equal force.
"Is everyone linked?"
"Yep."
"Go!"
"Evig su eht revoc fo wons!"
Onyx shot into the air, throwing out his lasso, he grabbed Rogue by her ankle and yanked down. A crater formed from the impact and she stood up, glaring at the two traitors as they landed on either side of her.
The other members of the Team rushed forwards to handle the shadows as the assassins all hopped down from the ridge. Aqualad swung his mace up, knocking two foot soldiers aside before he rolled back as Seaspray landed right where'd he'd previously been. "Hello Kaldur, good to see you again," she smirked.
"I wish I could say likewise," he replied raising his weapons as she pulled out two short knives. "Superboy, Nightmare, Remix the pylons!"
"We're busy!" the two hybrids exclaimed.
"Just a sec," Conner replied running behind a piece of the crashed plane. Pulling out a small box, he looked at the little red shield sitting in it. "Last one. Better make it count." Rolling up his sleeve he put the patch on and covered it up, grimacing as he felt a slight burn. Feeling it subside, he sighed. Time to get to work.
Remix grunted as she was slammed against the cliff wall. Shaking the snow off, she smirked as Nightmare tackled Rogue, giving her time to get to her feet and grab her weapon.
"Father should've listened, mixing hero blood was always a bad idea. They're nothing but weaklings and traitors."
Standing up, Skylar glared at Barbarian as he approached her. Oh God, she's been looking forwards to knocking him off his high horse for a long time. "How about I show you who's the weak one," she snarled lunging at him.
Rocket flew around the battlefield, taking out the small fry attempting to attack the others. This was crazy. Her first mission and they were already in a full-blown battle against advanced tech, assassins, and hybrid monsters. Was everything always this crazy? Flying up to pinpoint her next target, she screamed as something began electrocuting her. Falling to the ground, she could barely make out Aqualad running towards her, ripping the object causing the pain away. Sitting up, she had just enough time to see Kaldur sinking down into the ground as one of the hybrids rushed at him. Flying at him, the ankylosaur slid under her arms, rolling to his feet and grabbing her ankle tossing her to the ground.
Rogue snarled punching towards Nightmare. Grabbing her arm, the male hybrid flipped her over his shoulder and tossed her towards the cliff. Only, she didn't slam into it like he planned. Rogue stopped herself midair, steadying herself as her hands began to glow violet. "You really think you're the only one still developing powers?"
Growling, Onyx bared his fangs and flew up to meet her. His electrified fist make impact against an energy shield.
"SB you're flying!"
"What?!" Onyx exclaimed turning to see his teammate currently carrying Mammoth in the air.
The glow next to him got brighter and Onyx cursed himself ducking as Rogue blasted a column of energy at him. Flipping over, he grabbed his lasso and tossed it out at her again, successfully catching her ankles. Yanking down, she yelped as he pulled her towards him and punched her into the cliff, causing a large white plume of snow to rise up.
That's when there was a loud rumble, and the cliffside began to give way.
"Robin!" he exclaimed tossing his rope out and yanking his friend back from the avalanche coming his way. The Boy Wonder rolled to his feet tossing the hybrid a thumb's up before going after one of the other dudes. "Did I do that?"
"That would be the doing of our fellow clone," Remix said flying up. "Something's wrong with him. Where's Rogue?"
"Where's Barbarian?" he countered.
"Eit mih pu!"
"NO! NO! I'M STRICTLY BELE REV NOT ARKHAM!"
"Gag mih."
Looking at each other, the two hybrids flew up, landing beside Zatanna and Rocket.
"Is it always like this?" the new girl asked.
"Considering our last mission, I'm gonna go with yes," Remix answered.
"Hguone htiw eht ebolgwons."
The snow cleared and everyone examined the battlefield frowning. "Where'd they go?" Wally questioned lifting his goggles as he looked for the other hybrids.
"I don't know, but something tells me this was too easy."
-.-
Mt. Justice, 15:45EST
"Let me see if this sounds familiar," Batman began, "You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol, and endangered your lives. Plus, your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons, proving Warden Strange runs Bele Rev as a cover for the criminal activity of the Light; which is lead by Vandal Savage, Queen Bee, Klarion Witch Boy, R'as al Ghul, Lex Luthor, the Brain, and Ocean Master. Who use their interconnected criminal resources to send various supervillains and the hybrids on missions to complete their objective."
"Sounds about right!" Remix spoke up as the others panicked.
"Well done," he smiled taking note of several sighs of relief. "And then there's this," he stepped forwards and opened the case, pulling out a small chip within, "biotechnology integrated with some form of nanocircuitry."
Icon reached in and grabbed a chip, "Though I am unfamiliar with this species, the bio component is clearly alien."
Batman nodded, setting the chips back into the case. "We'll take it to the Watchtower for further study."
"Recognized: Batman—02. Red Tornado—16."
"Congrats on the League thing!" Rocket said hopping up beside Icon. "Sorry I skipped out."
"Yes well, we both seem to have found teams that suit us," Icon smiled giving Rocket a nod.
"We should go too," BC spoke up, "don't wanna miss the League's induction party."
"Recognized: Black Canary—13. Icon—20."
"You realize we were set up," Robin spoke up the moment the adults were gone.
"Yeah, that was way too easy," Nightmare agreed crossing his arms.
"Yes, Cheshire, Riddler, and the other hybrids were tipped and ready for us."
Artemis groaned loudly, "Not the mole thing again."
"Mole thing? Again?"
"Sportsmaster sowed seeds of trust a few months ago in the effort to make the Team fall apart," Remix informed with a shrug. "The bosses figured it'd be easier to take you out while fighting amongst yourselves."
"So…there isn't a mole?"
Everyone looked to Remix as the Thangarian girl sighed, "I never said that; I just don't know. I wasn't Rogue's right hand on the team, that was Barbarian. They were the only ones who knew everything. The rest of us just followed orders."
"So basically what she's saying is that the suspects for being a traitor are Artemis, M'gann or me!" Conner growled storming away.
"But your recent behavior does concern me," Kaldur spoke up. "Your attack on Mammoth nearly got Artemis and Robin killed."
Conner continued stomping away before gabbing his ears as a high-pitched ring came through them, he could barely make out Remix and Nightmare yelping as their sensitive ears picked up the noise as well. "Superboy, I believe you used up the last of your shields. I have more. Meet me on Santa Prisca."
The ringing cleared and Remix flew over slamming Conner into the wall and holding up her mace, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
"Whoa!"
"Remix!"
"Conner…" Onyx spoke looking wary, still holding a hand over one of his ears, "why did I hear Lex Luthor?"
All heads turned to the superclone for answers. "I'll tell you, just let me up."
Slitted green eyes glanced at the others and she reluctantly stood down at Kaldur's nod. "Well?"
"Last month, on Thanksgiving, I went back to Cadmus. Found a few things out," he began. "When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman's. The other half was human. That's why I don't have—will never have full Kryptonian powers."
"You sure seemed to have them today," Robin remarked.
"I've been using these," he answered rolling up his sleeve, revealing a black shield on his forearm, "they're called Shields. They suppress my human DNA; I get the flight, the heat vision, but I think I also get angry—well, angrier. I'm sorry."
"Where did you get those?" Kaldur asked.
"From my human father, Lex Luthor."
Eyes around the room widened. "Lex Luthor is you dad?!"
"He's summoned me to Santa Prisca."
A tense silence settled over the group, Artemis breaking it not too long later with a sigh, "Ugh, listen. Superboy's not the only one suffering from bad blood." She strode to the monitor pulling up her family. "My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. The rest of my family aren't even ex: my dad's Sportsmaster, and he's sending my sister Cheshire to pick me up and take me to Santa Prisca."
"That's why…"
"Yeah, I was so desperate for you all not to find out—"
"I knew," Robin spoke and all heads turned to him. "Hey, detective. But it never mattered, you aren't your family. You're one of us."
Wally stepped forwards, placing a hand on the archer's shoulder. "So, uh, who's next?"
"I am," M'gann spoke.
"I swear I was kidding."
"Queen Bee's been…blackmailing me, she wants me in Santa Prisca too."
"Blackmailing, how?"
"She knows my real Martian form."
"Bald M'gann?" the boys questioned and Onyx raised a brow, sharing a confused shrug with the others who were out of the loop.
"No," she said. Taking a step back, she sighed and…changed. In her place, stood a tall, white, alien being with long arms and pink growths.
"Whoa."
"I realized you would never except me if you saw what I really am," she stated hugging herself.
"M'gann, did we truly seem so shallow?" Kaldur questioned.
"Girl, two of us have scales, wings, and tails," Remix said. "You're more normal than us."
"I couldn't take the chance. Being a white Martian among the green on Mars…I endured constant rejection. I couldn't face that from—"
"From me?" Conner interrupted stepping forwards and taking her hand. "I've known since we mind melded in September in Bialya."
"But…that was before we even became a couple. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I figured you would tell me when you were ready."
"Ok! Anyone else?!" Wally shouted.
Onyx hesitantly raised a hand, "I may or may not have also been requested to go to Santa Prisca."
"What?"
Onyx nodded, "When we were at Lockwood Manor, I found Dr. Wu," several of the other stiffened at the mention of the infamous mad scientist. "I was about to arrest him when he told me something…something about my father."
"Your father?" Robin asked.
The male hybrid nodded, "As y'all know, my mom's an Amazon; my father's named Darkseid."
"That name doesn't sound intimidating or anything," Rocket muttered.
"About a week ago I went to Isla Nycta…Savage was waiting for me. Apparently he and my father are old friends. They've apparently known each other since the Mongol Empire was a thing. Other than that I don't know much; Savage said if I want to find out more, I needed to go to Santa Prisca."
"That's all he gave you?" Artemis frowned.
The hybrid shrugged, crossing his arms. "He gave me enough to keep my attention. Otherwise for all I know my father's a frickin fairy!"
"Could be a trap."
"It might be, but…"
Conner nodded in understanding, "But you also want answers."
The younger man gave a sharp nod, "I need to know. How can I control my powers if I don't even know what I am?"
"Well then," Remix smirked raising a brow, "maybe we should get a little payback. Play them like they played us."
-.-
Santa Prisca, 17:57ECT
Superboy flew on the supercycle towards the tropical island where the Team had their first unaccompanied mission. Landing in a clearing, he turned to greet Lex Luthor and Queen Bee and her two sons.
"Welcome Superboy!" Luthor greeted, "I'd like to introduce you to my associate, Queen Bee. And her sons, Drake Savage who you know as Barbarian, and Tyrone Bee or Tyrant, her eldest the heir to the throne."
"Long time no see."
"Stop being an idiot brother."
"Boys," the Queen scolded lightly, "that's no way to greet our guest."
"I believe you know everyone else, Sportsmaster, Mercy, Blockbuster, and our new friend Bane. Who's allowed us use of his island in exchange for certain…considerations."
"So the Injustice League was just a distraction," he pretended to connect. "You two have been behind everything from the start."
Luthor chuckled, "A flattering notion, but we have many friends."
He motioned to the helicopter that began to fly over. "This one of your friends now?"
"No my boy, one of yours."
Hovering over the clearing, the aircraft began to descend, allowing Artemis and Cheshire to step out. "Artemis?"
The archer looked away, stepping between her sister and father. "The hero thing wasn't working out, you get how it is: no trust," she said as Sportsmaster put a hand on her shoulder. "This is where I belong."
"It's a fast growing club," Queen Bee smiled as the Bioship flew over, allowing Miss M to drop down. Lowering her hood, the Martian girl's eyes widened in shock.
"Why are they here? You promised!"
"I've kept your secret and my promise. Time to fulfill your end of the bargain."
"I see everyone's arrived," a new voice spoke and they all turned to see Vandal Savage standing with Remix and Nightmare.
"What the hell is this?" Nightmare hissed, "You promised me answers!"
"And you'll get them," he replied calmly.
"Remix, why are you—" Conner began only to be cut off as she laughed.
"You really think I went good? What can I say, being bad is so fun," she smirked twirling her mace. "At least I got a cool weapon outta it."
Narrowing his eyes, Conner looked at Luthor, "Give me more shields, and I'm in too."
Luthor chuckled, striding up to him with a small smile, "My boy, you're a terrible liar."
He'd been made, eyes widening he stepped forwards ready to fight.
"Red Sun."
"So, what are we doing?" Remix smirked.
"You two, follow me!" Sportsmaster ordered motioning to Artemis and Miss Martian.
"What about Superboy?"
"He'll be fine. He just needs a few…adjustments," the queen replied coyly.
The girl nodded, walking forwards reluctantly past her friend. "Bring him," Luthor ordered turning to Blockbuster.
Artemis's eyes narrowed and she ran forwards knocking her bow and firing at Blockbuster, trapping in the high-density foam. Flipping around, she whirled on her family, "Sorry Dad, wanted to play you like you tried to play me, but I can't let them mess with Superboy's head."
"M'gann be a dear and take Artemis out," Bee ordered.
The Martian girl turned, eyes glowing she used her telekinesis to yank Artemis in the air as her father attempted to attack her. Turning her head, she slammed Queen Bee, Barbarian, and Tyrant into a tree. She knocked the Queen out cold, her two sons on the other hand were less than pleased. "Queen Bee is down, Superboy, Onyx, you two are safe from her control."
Without missing a beat, the raptor hybrid punched Savage in the face, knocking him back across the field.
"Nice hit," Remix congratulated before flying over and tackling Barbarian. "Now, I believe we have an unfinished match!"
"Like you ever beat me in training," he sneered. "You were always weaker."
"Guess what you asshole, I've learned a few new things," she snarled charging forwards. Barbarian spun around, swinging his massive tail. Sliding to her knees, Remix flattened herself along the ground, feeling grass skim along the back of her wings. Once the spiked tail passed over her, she launched off the ground, slamming her mace into his jaw. Taking advantage of his stumble, she kicked out, landing her heel in his gut before jumping up and delivering a spin kick to his face.
"Ha! You're more like your father than you know," Savage chuckled as he wiped the blood off his jaw from Nightmare's latest strike.
"I may not know who he is, but I'm nothing like him," Nightmare snarled pulling out his lasso and tossing it.
Savage grabbed the rope, attempting to yank the teen down, only he was caught off guard by volts of lightning arching down the rope. There was a shout and Savage found the ground disappearing from under him as he was swung across the field. The lasso slipped from his grasp and the immortal collided with Bane's men.
Getting up, Savage looked at Luthor who nodded, helping pick up the unconscious Queen as her eldest used his telekinesis to send the Atlantean flying back. Gazing across the field, he found his son battling the traitor. Grey eyes met his own and Drake used his limited telekinesis to knock her back, taking the opportunity to join them in their strategic retreat.
Conner sighed in relief as a familiar lasso wrapped around Blockbuster's arm. Above him, Nightmare yanked on the rope, causing the mutant to hit himself in the face and stumble off the clone. Getting up, Superboy jumped forwards, punching his former-keeper between the eyes. Continuing to use the momentum to his advantage, he grabbed the beast's shoulders, flipped over him and planted his feet on the ground before hurling Desmond.
Blackbuster gave a startled shout as he was pulled into the air, crying out as a lasso wrapped around his ankles and Nightmare spun him around. "BATTER UP!"
Conner smirked when he let Desmond go and sent him flying into Remix's mace. As Desmond began to fall, he jumped up, punching the ex-doctor again, sending him crashing down on Sportsmaster that Artemis had trapped at some point in some mud.
"Whew! It is always like this!" Rocket said as they regrouped after restraining all the bad guys.
"Told ya," Zatanna sighed.
"Hey disaster averted, feeling the aster."
"Agreed."
"You know I think I'm gonna enjoy being a hero much more than being a bad guy," Remix smiled.
"See," Onyx smiled playfully elbowing her.
"I don't know about you all, but I think this calls for some celebratory food!"
-.-
Watchtower, 23:46EST
Batman looked over the scans of the chip, finding the results more and more concerning.
"So are you ever joining the party?" Red Arrow asked.
"This biocircuitry is disturbingly sophisticated," he replied.
"I'll take that as a no," RA said slapping a chip onto the Bat.
Leading the way, Batman walked between the other frozen Leaguers right to the Zeta Tubes. "Override: Batman—02."
"Recognized. Access granted: Vandal Savage—A04."