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Conner

Conner and M'gann returned to Mount Justice in high spirits. Together, the duo had thwarted a prison break that would've had drastic ramifications on a national scale. Even more importantly, at least in Conner's mind, they had come out the other side as something more than teammates. All things considered; life had never been better for the clone of Superman. At least it seemed that way, right up until the moment he and M'gann entered the Cave's lounge.

On one sofa, Artemis sat with her knees hugged to her chest. Her face was sporting a nasty bruise, and her hands were trembling where they gripped her legs. Wally was sprawled across another couch, seemingly relaxed, but with eyes that told a different story. His glare, as intense as Superman's heat vision, was locked on Artemis. Meanwhile, Robin was slamming away at his wrist computer in a way he only did when he was truly desperate.

A palpable sense of despair loomed over the three. It hung so thick that simply standing near them threatened to dampen Conner's good mood. As he waited for one of them to congratulate he and M'gann for a job well done, he was suddenly struck by the absence of one of their team. Kaldur, their trusted leader, was gone. Considering the gloomy air, it didn't take a genius to figure out why.

"What happened?" he dared to ask.

None of them answered. Hell, he wasn't sure if they'd even heard him. Wally's gaze didn't waver, and Robin didn't even look up from his wrist. Artemis was the only one who reacted, but it was only to hug her own knees tighter.

"Damnit!" Conner growled. He slammed his hands on the coffee table, shattering both it and the silence. "I asked you a question. What. Happened."

"I don't know," Wally replied, eyes still glued to Artemis, "Maybe you should ask her."

All eyes turned to Artemis and, if possible, the girl sank even deeper into her seat.

"Artemis," M'gann said, voice soft, "What is he talking about?"

"I– I made a mistake, alright? I thought we got through to him, but then I– He…"

Wally opened his mouth, no doubt to make some snide remark, but a scathing look from M'gann forced him to hold his tongue. She floated over to Artemis' side and placed an arm over her shoulders. Conner just stood and watched. M'gann was better at these things than him.

"Why don't you start from the beginning?"

Artemis swallowed, let out a shuddering breath, and then she spoke. She told them about the mission briefing. About the Celestial Bronze and Wonder Woman's concern for her lost cousin. She told them of the train, the explosion, and the moment she and Kaldur confronted Percy Jackson. She described the hope she had felt when Jackson reached for her hand. Finally, she impressed upon them the panic and fear she had felt in the split second before everything went dark.

The longer she spoke, the greater Conner's anger grew. Batman made it clear that they understood the threat Jackson posed, and still the team had been sent after him. The fact that he and M'gann hadn't been there to help, the fact that Kaldur was sent after a son of Poseidon, hell, even the fact that it was Wonder Woman who should've gone… All of it ate at him. It made him furious. They should've been there, but instead they'd been playing pretend in–

'Conner, stop.' M'gann's voice in his mind dulled the rage. 'You're scaring them.'

He returned to the real world, where his hand was currently drilling a hole into the cave wall. Wally and Robin were eyeing him warily, while Artemis looked even guiltier than before. Conner took a deep breath and imagined his anger leaving with the air as he exhaled. It didn't help very much, but it cooled him off just enough that he could speak without it coming out as a growl.

"Sorry," he said, "I'm not mad at you Artemis, I'm just–" he turned to M'gann, hoping she could find the words that he couldn't.

"He wishes that we had been there," M'gann finished for him. "We both do."

"So do we," Robin agreed, chiming in for the first time. "But it doesn't matter now. Kaldur's gone, and we have to figure out where we go from here."

His words were met by deafening silence. Accompanying the quiet was the full weight of everything they'd been told. Conner was no longer blessed with blissful ignorance. Instead, he was burdened by the harsh reality they now faced as a team. Kaldur was gone, either captured or worse, and with him he had taken the beating heart that made their team a team.

"If he's still–" A look from M'gann told him not to finish that thought. "Do we have any idea where they could've taken him?

"It wouldn't matter if we did," Robin replied. "Batman already barred us from going after him. Said it was a 'league responsibility' and that we needed to 'Rest and recover'. Even if he hadn't, well, they're called the Shadows for a reason. Finding whatever hole they're hiding him in will be like trying to pick out a specific drop of water from the entire ocean."

"So, what? We do nothing?" M'gann challenged. "Kaldur wouldn't rest if it was one of us that had been taken. Doesn't he deserve the same?"

None could dispute that point, even if they wanted to. Slowly, they all began to nod along. They had come to an agreement then. One that Conner was quite pleased with.

"It's decided then. We're going to look for Kalduruntil we find him, and we're going to bring him home."

Kaldur

Kaldur's eyes fluttered open, yet he remained in darkness. His face throbbed, and somewhere in the back of his mind, a lingering thought struggled to be heard. The scent of blood and mold clung to his nostrils, and the sound of a rat nibbling away at some wires vied for his attention.

He tried to move, but his hands were held in place by a light, yet impossibly strong metal. After that, everything came back to him in a flash. With those memories came the beginning of panic. If he was here, that meant he'd been captured. And if they'd gotten him… His eyes widened.

"Artemis!"

Immediately he began to fight against his bonds. He had to escape. Needed to be free. His mind was so focused, his struggle so violent, that he didn't hear the door creaking open behind him. It wasn't until the lone lightbulb dangling from the ceiling flickered to life that Kaldur realized he wasn't alone anymore.

"Enough of that," A now familiar voice said. "You're going to hurt yourself."

Not a second later, Percy Jackson strode into view. He was a wearing an amused look and holding a closed toolbox in his hands. Both were unnerving, but Kaldur found his eyes drawn to the toolbox, which he seriously doubted held the typical socket wrenches and measuring tape. When Jackson noted his line of vision, the half-god let out a disconcertingly inhuman chuckle.

"Oh, this? It's nothing to worry about. I'm just doing a bit of home renovation. This place is kind of a dump if you haven't noticed." He pointed to a camera mounted in the far upper corner of the room, where a red light blinked back at them. "We do have some nice things though."

"Ra's is watching?" Kaldur asked.

Jackson grinned.

"He's a big fan of this show. Hasn't missed an episode yet."

"Good," Kaldur said, "Then he can hear me when I say that he's a coward. A two-bit, half-witted villain that resorts to recruiting teenagers to–"

Jackson silenced Kaldur with a backhand so powerful it sent him and his chair careening. Kaldur landed face first in a puddle of what – based on the smell – he could only pretend was water. He stalked over to Kaldur's fallen form, where he used a booted foot to shove Kaldur's face even deeper into the filth.

"Watch your mouth when you speak of the Demon's Head," the half-god hissed.

"Or what? Is he going to turn me into his puppet as well?"

Jackson snarled and kicked him in the side. Kaldur groaned in pain as he was introduced to life without intact ribs. He coughed up blood, which mixed with the 'water' on the ground to make a positively repulsive stew to wallow in.

"There are worse things than death, Atlantean. You'd be wise to consider that before you speak out of turn again.

Part of him wanted to snark once more, but Kaldur was quite fond of his remaining bones. Against his feelings of spite, he forced himself to remain quiet. His silence was rewarded when Jackson hoisted his chair back into the vertical position, allowing him to breath in fresh (comparatively) air once again.

"I have some questions for you," Jackson began. "If you answer them, then I won't have to do anything rash. If not…"

Jackson patted a hand on the toolbox. It was a clear message of what was to come if he didn't comply. Unfortunately, his better nature meant that he had to speak his mind, even when his self-preserving instincts said he shouldn't.

"Is this really who you are now?" Kaldur asked. "Nothing more than glorified muscle for Ra's Al Ghul? Wonder Woman thought you were better than this."

"Wonder Woman is a star-spangled bitch with a superiority complex."

It was far from an encouraging sign, but Kaldur wasn't ready to quit just yet. It was clear that Jackson was not himself, and Kaldur only hoped that his words could break through the fog. If they did, great, if not…

"She was worried sick about you. She cared more about seeing you safely returned than she did about recovering the celestial bronze. This is how you repay that affection? By playing fetch for the League of Shadows?"

Jackson's eyes narrowed. Without a word, he marched over to the mysterious toolbox. When he swung it open, Kaldur's worst fears were confirmed. A wrench was far from the most dangerous thing waiting for him within.

"What is it they say? 'Those in glass houses'? Are you not the same Kaldur'ahm that's been running errands for the real heroes for months now?"

"My team and I do good work. Our 'errands' save lives. We stop people like Ra's Al Ghul from toying with the minds of people like you. We both serve, but only you need to be freed."

Jackson ignored him, opting instead to rummage around in the toolbox. He bypassed knives, pliers, and all sorts of nasty things until he came across the object of his search. With a wicked grin, Jackson donned a pair of brass knuckles. Kaldur swallowed a lump in his throat as the freshly armed demigod approached. Perhaps he had pushed his luck too far.

"It's funny that you say that," Jackson said. "Because the way I see it, I'm not the one who needs saving."

Percy

The Atlantean was quickly proving to be more trouble than he was worth. Percy's frustration grew with each passing day, and in turn so did his savagery. Despite his increasingly violent efforts, Kaldur would not break. Percy doubted he'd even be able to get a Webkinz login from the bastard. Were it not so irritating, he might've come to respect the young hero's resolve.

Though his attempts seemed pointless, Percy was not ready to give in just yet. Ra's Al Ghul had impressed upon him the importance of this interrogation, and there was little Percy would hate more than disappointing the Demon's Head. Ironically, it was that very same loyalty which eventually ended his mission. After days of trying, it was Ra's himself who summoned Percy from Kaldur's side.

Leaving Kaldur to wallow in the pit that had become his lodging, Percy made his way to the communication center of his little hideout. Much to his surprise, it was not a face on a screen that greeted him. Instead, the Ra's himself stood before him. Though his shock gave him pause, Percy was quick to bow his head in deference. He kept his eyes averted until Ra's grunted his assent, giving him the permission to speak as equals.

"You summoned me?" Percy asked.

Ra's nodded.

"Tell me how your interrogation progresses."

"Not well," Percy was forced to admit. "I've done everything exactly as you taught me, but it hasn't mattered. I don't know if it's training or undying loyalty, but he won't be helping us any time soon. If I had more time, then maybe I could–"

"There is no need," Ra's said. "He never had the information we sought."

"Then why–?"

"It was your resolve that needed to be tested, not young Kaldur's."

Percy's eyes narrowed. He didn't like being played for a fool, and he certainly didn't like having his loyalties questioned.

"Have I given you any reason to doubt me?"

Ra's' eyes brightened ever so slightly. It wasn't a smile, but for Ra's, it was the closest it would get.

"No," Ra's replied, "but one can never be too certain. Now that you've proven your loyalty, you're ready for your true assignment."

Ra's made his way then to the nearby computer – the one normally used to commune with him back on Infinity Island – where he spent a few moments typing something into the interface. When he was finished, an image of a completely foreign, yet inexplicably familiar city popped up on the screen.

"This is Themyscira," Ra's said. "Home of both the Amazons and your target."

He typed a few more key words into the computer. The image changed again, this time revealing a packed arena full of combatants and adoring fans.

"The Amazons hold a weeklong festival at the end of every summer. Every year, the ceremonies are opened by gladiatorial games to determine the champion of combat for the coming year. It is customary that when a winner is crowned, Queen Hippolyta gives a speech honoring their valor. Today, that speech will be cut short."

When Ra's words sunk in fully, Percy felt his heart skip a beat. He understood now why Ra's had been testing him. The League had handled many contracts both big and small in its time, but this? This was everything. The final flourish on a deadly dance that had been going on for millennia. And he? He was being entrusted to deal the killing blow.

"It will be as you command," Percy assured the man. "With the gods as my witness, I swear that Hippolyta's next meal will be served in hell."

Artemis

The streets of Themyscira were as packed as any Artemis had ever been in. Navigating the unfamiliar city would've been a pain enough on the average day, and it was only made more difficult by the pandemonium of the Summer Festival all around them. Street performers, vendors, and artisans at work lined every road, and people swarmed them en masse. It was only by virtue of Conner's large frame and immense strength that the team was able to make any headway at all through the densely packed crowd.

"I can't believe we agreed to this," Artemis shouted over the chattering masses. "Kaldur's still missing, and we're taking a field trip?"

"Field trip?" Wally asked. "Why don't you call it for what it is? We're looking for his replacement."

"Right, so again. Why did we agree to it?"

"Because none of us want to argue with Batman," Robin replied. "And like it or not, this might help us in the long run. We've spent days looking for Kaldur and we have nothing to show for it. It could do us some good to take a break for a while. We'll come back at it with fresh minds."

"That, and we could use the extra hands," M'gann added. "Batman thinks this 'Kara' girl would be a good addition to the team. If he's right, then maybe she's the missing piece we need to find Kaldur."

"I don't know. It sounds like you guys are just trying to rationalize taking a vacation day."

Artemis regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. Seeing M'gann's look of hurt only further solidified her guilt.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," She rushed out. "It's just, I feel responsible, y'know? And–"

"You want him back. We all do," Robin finished. "So, let's get this over with and get back to our search. Everyone agreed?"

His suggestion was followed by a chorus of nods. That decided, the team returned their focus to splitting the crowd. It was a slow going, but eventually Conner managed to lead them beyond the plaza and to the Colosseum proper. There, a small side entrance gave them free access to the Queen's private suite. Normally guests – especially the male ones – wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Queen, but Wonder Woman had pulled some strings that not even Superman's strength could've moved. Thanks to her, they had an all-access pass to Themysciran royalty.

Once inside, the team was introduced to the Queen herself. Hippolyta was kind enough, and she wasted no time in making them feel at home. She introduced them to her soldiers, explained the importance of the festival and its rules, and even offered to let them stay for the games themselves. Naturally, they chose to take her up on that offer.

Time passed quickly in the Queen's company. As the games went on, she regaled them with fascinating stories of life on Themyscira and treated them to platters full of the finest cuisine. It truly was a wonderful first impression, but it was that which gave Artemis pause.

She wasn't the most familiar with royal behavior, but she sincerely doubted most Queens were so receptive of strangers. Especially strangers that were thrust upon them on such short notice. In fact, Artemis swore she could see in Hippolyta's eyes a glimmer not of joy, but of hope. Hippolyta didn't invite them into her private suite simply because Wonder Woman asked it of her. She had invited them because she wanted something from them, and Artemis could think of only one thing that a Queen could want from a ragtag team of sidekicks.

"So," Artemis probed, "Kara's been staying with the Amazons for what, two months now?"

"Two months and seventeen days." The Queen shifted in her seat, and her eyes flickered between the team and the Colosseum floor. "She has impressed many in her time here."

"How so?" Robin asked. Artemis shot him a look, and his wink told her that he had picked up on the same clues as her. Just like that, the impromptu interrogation was on. "Batman didn't really tell us much about her. Gave us nothing but her name, really."

"Oh, well, that's because Kara must be seen to be believed," The Queen replied. "Just wait. She'll be up soon and you'll see."

"If she's so impressive, why offer her up to us?" Robin pressed. "Wouldn't she fit in well here?"

Artemis watched the Queen carefully. Her initial reaction was small, but in a world where centimeters were the difference between life and death, Artemis had learned to read 'small'. What she saw wasn't exactly encouraging. However impressive Kara was, one thing was clear. Hippolyta was not a fan.

"She's a wonderful girl," the Queen said, "but she wants more from life than Themyscira can provide."

"Really?" Wally said through a mouthful of brisket. "Because I think I could stay here forever."

Hippolyta smiled the smile of a soccer mom who'd just been snarked at during a PTA meeting.

"Kara is not as in love with feasts as some."

"Then she's got bad taste," Wally muttered.

Artemis made to comment on Wally's levity, but the now familiar feeling of a mind-link being established cut her unspoken words short.

'I don't think Hippolyta is being honest with us,' M'gann said.

'You don't say,' Artemis grumbled back. 'Can you read her mind? Find out what she's hiding?'

'Already tried,' M'gann replied. 'I think she's dealt with telepaths before. I'm getting nothing.'

'She's on our side thought, right?' Conner asked, speaking his mind for the first time. 'I doubt Batman and Wonder Woman would set us up.'

'They wouldn't,' Robin agreed. 'But they'd definitely send us on a wild goose chase to keep us from searching for Kaldur. This 'Kara' might be about as useful as a bag of cats.'

'Or maybe–'

"Oh, look, here she comes!" Hippolyta cheered.

She pointed to the far tunnel, where the silhouette of a girl slowly distinguished itself from the shadows. Kara's name was announced, and a surprisingly unenthused round of cheers rolled through the arena. There was a moment where the team held its breath in synchrony, and then Kara emerged from the shadows.

She was a beautiful girl, that much was clear, but her beauty was far from the most remarkable thing about her. What drew Artemis' eye instead was the sigil splayed across her chest. The very same sigil she saw every time she looked in Conner's direction.

"Is she… You know… Like me?" Conner asked.

Hippolyta cast him a sidelong glance.

"Something like that."

Conner tried to push the matter further, but his questions were drowned out by the announcer's voice shaking the Colosseum once again.

"And her opponent, in place of last year's champion, is last year's runner-up. Introducing… Io the Unbreakable!"

From the opposite tunnel, a massive woman with an equally oversized sword and shield took to the sands. Again, cheers – much louder this time – rocked the arena, but Artemis' focus was not on the challenger. Neither, it seemed, was that of her team.

"Runner-up?" Conner asked. "What happened to the champion?"

Hippolyta frowned, and for the first time all day Artemis felt she was being completely honest with them.

"Terrible business, that. Diana's cousin, Percy, was staying with us during the games last year. He wasn't popular when he entered, but by the end he became a fan favorite. Unfortunately, he can't be with us today. Vile men continue to do vile things, and now our champion is gone."

'Hippolyta liked him too.' M'gann thought to them. 'Maybe Jackson –"

'We can figure that out later.' Robin interrupted. 'The fight's starting.'

On cue, the two combatants closed the gap between one another. Io made the first move, choosing to swing her sword in a nasty overhead swing. It was a blindingly fast attack, and it landed with enough force to cleave a person in two. And yet, when Io's blade hit Kara's shoulder, it just stopped.

"That's just like Sup–"

Artemis never got to finish, because the show Kara put on from that point forward was simply too impressive to talk through. With a flurry of blows nearly too fast to follow, Kara pushed Io back using her fists alone. Each punch left a dent in Io's shield, and before long it looked like the Amazon was strutting about with a bowl strapped to her arm.

As the fight continued, Artemis found herself growing more and more confused. Kara was every bit as impressive as Hippolyta had promised. Even moreso, actually. It was hard to tell for certain, but Artemis was willing to bet that Kara could hold her own against Superboy. Maybe even Superman. That raised the question though. Just why did Hippolyta want to get rid of her?

That question was answered soon enough. After weathering the pounding from Supergirl for a while longer, Io actually managed to avoid an attack. Using the opportunity she made for herself, the Amazon delivered a punishing swing to the back of Kara's head. Again the blade didn't break skin, but this time it did move the girl off her spot. In fact, it was enough to send her face first into the dirt.

When Kara rose from the blow, it was with eyes glowing red. Hardly had Artemis noticed the color before beams of pure heat were spouting from the girl's eyes. They flashed across the arena, carving a path through sand and stone before they struck Io. Io was only dealt a glancing blow, but it was more than enough to send her to her knees.

Cries of outrage tore through the arena. If what Artemis remembered from Hippolyta's breakdown was correct, then Kara had broken an unspoken rule of the arena. The jeers that were beginning to rain down confirmed her theory. It seemed that powers, even badass, superman-esque laser eyes, were forbidden.

As the boos rained down, Kara's eyes only grew brighter. Taunts and jeers shook the stands, and Kara's visible rage seemed to be mounting. This time though, her heat vision would not be aimed for Io. Her issue, quite clearly, was one shared by Conner. She was a hothead. Worse, she was a hothead with powers that were eerily close to Superman's. Putting someone like that in the middle of a society that thrived on tradition was recipe for disaster.

"So, what happens now?" Artemis asked Hippolyta. "Is she disqualified, or–?"

She never got her answer, because just as the questions left her lips, an explosion shook the arena. There was a shockwave, followed by dust and fire and a swarm of men in dark clothes. Artemis' ears rang, her eyes watered, and her mouth dried. The Colosseum was under attack. Chaos had befallen Themyscira.

AN

This was supposed to take much longer, but I stayed up late to rush it as a late (slightly) birthday gift to MethWishes. Wish him all a happy birthday for me please.

Anyways, this chapter was another in the ancillary category. For now, I'm working to establish Percy's presence in this story. As things progress, he will slowly be integrated into the hero side of things and more of his backstory will be revealed. Hopefully that's suitable to y'all.

That aside, I hope you guys enjoyed this. I'm having a lot of fun just coming up with ideas for both this story and Heroes Unwanted (Which I will be updating next at some point in the "who the fuck knows when" time frame). While writing will likely continue to be sparse, know that I'm constantly thinking about both of these worlds and how I can make interesting shit happen in them for y'all to read. Anyways, as always, I love y'all, I wish you the best and, until next time,

Peace