Haunted

Mount Justice.

July 8th, 08:09 EDT.

~Arackniss' POV~

So the Team was formed. Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Superboy has met me and Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian.

Batman turned to Superboy, "Superboy, most of us will be leaving. You are not to go anywhere. Just sit tight until Red Tornado returns."

"What's the sitch, Batman?" Robin asked Batman.

"We're headed back to Gotham." Batman answered.

"We will be leaving soon as well to gather M'gann's belongings." Martian Manhunter explained to Superboy and myself, "I brought her to familiarize herself with the new living environment first."

Kid Flash placed his hand over Superboy's shoulder and smiled, "Hey, while we're gone you should pick out a room. It's gotta beat sleeping upright in a closet the way you do..." Superboy glanced at him, "You know, all Dracula-like."

I raised a brow, as Superboy turned to Kid Flash. But Kid Flash dashed toward The Flash and waved, "No worries, Supey! We'll be back before you know it!"

Then he and the Flash turned and made their way to the zeta-beam tunnels. "Recognized. Flash 0-4. Kid Flash B-0-3." And with that, the two speedsters were gone.

Miss Martian nodded in agreement, "It might not be a good idea to pick out rooms. We're the only three from the Team who will actually be living here full time." Then she flew off, "I think the rooms are back this way."

I quickly followed after her, "Miss Martian, slow down!"

"Have fun, dude." Robin waved, as he and Aqualad made their way to the zeta-beam tunnel, then whispered to Aqualad, "He gets to live with her here in the Cave full time? I don't think Kid Flash picked up that little tid-bit. He's gonna be so jealous."

With that, Robin, Aqualad and the others, except for Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado, were gone. Superboy and I turned and followed after Miss Martian.

"There are a few rooms here to choose from." Miss Martian spoke up, "So, I guess we can have our pick."

We entered the first room and Miss Martian smiled, "These look great! There's a lot of potential here. I can't wait to put up some posters." Then her eyes lit up, "Ooo! I have to see if we get television reception in here!"

My eyes lit up and I clapped my hands together with a small smile, "Oh! I can do that, while you guys pick rooms."

"Are you sure?" Superboy asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah. I'm used to picking last. Besides, I'm pretty good with electronics. Don't want you guys getting hurt, do we?"

With that, I made my way toward the main living room and kitchen. Attached to the stone wall was a large plasma tv. I opened one of the hatches below the tv, and there were a few wires that were out of place.

Following my gut instinct with computers and electronics, I started fiddling with the wires, crossed the ones that felt like they needed to be crossed, and then plugged them into some of the empty sockets.

"Stay tuned for later tonight is a new episode of 'Hello Megan'!" The television announcer spoke, from the tv. I smiled, closed the hatch and turned off the television. We have television reception, and a very good reception at that. I wonder if the Cave has internet access?

Suddenly, I heard laughing. A haunting, familiar laugh coming from inside the Cave, it sent chills up my spine, making my fur stand on end. I narrowed my eyes at the darkness of the Cave. I know that laugh all too well. But... How did he get in here? Where is he?

"SHOW YOURSELF!" I heard Superboy's voice shout from deeper into the Cave.

I closed my eyes and stood still, listening to the laughter. I followed the echoing laughter and found Superboy in, what looked like, the main control room of the Cave. But he wasn't alone. Typing in a computer was another young man with shoulder-length brunette hair and grey eyes. He wore a white t-shirt under a red vest coat and blue jeans.

"This is Snapper calling all members of the Justice League!" The young man called, as he typed on the computer.

Superboy scratched his head, "This doesn't make sense!" He turned to Snapper, "You-" Then he looked around, "This room- Everything keeps disappearing and reappearing. It's almost as if this place is-"

"Haunted?" I guessed his final word was gonna be.

Superboy nodded, "Yeah."

Suddenly, there was a smash coming from outside the room.

"What was that?" Snapper asked.

"I don't know." Superboy answered.

"I think someone else is here." I noted.

"Oh man!" Snapper gasped, "I think there's someone else in here!"

"I just said that." I muttered under my breath.

"I need to get the Justice League here ASAP!" Snapper answered, as he resumed tapping on the keyboard.

"I have trouble believing any of this at this point." Superboy shrugged his shoulders.

Then Snapper called out into the cave, "What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here! You can't be here!"

"Who are you talking to?" Superboy asked Snapper.

"By the sound of the laughter from before, and the level of fear I'm sensing... I think this guy is talking to-" I was cut off by two darts into my left upper arm.

Superboy got two in the chest, and Snapper got two in the back of his neck and his back.

"I guess that answers that!" Superboy spoke up, "Ghosts... Can't shoot you!"

"Superboy... It's... He's..." I tried to alarm Superboy, but I started to feel lightheaded and fell to my knees.

Superboy caught me, as a familiar voice spoke from behind him, "Oh, you're feeling it now, aren't you? Loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, confusion. It's all part of the effect." Then he asked, "But you know what you'll feel more?"

Suddenly, THWACK! Superboy was hit on the back of his head. Superboy fell to his knees in pain, then turned to face the man responsible.

"Aawww. Did the little boy get a bump on his head?" He chuckled, "You led me right to them, you know." Superboy looked at the man, "You're famous, you know that? You're going down in history as the guy who sold out the Justice League."

The voice laughed, "You're a riot, kid! But you gotta admit... You didn't see this one coming, did you?" I looked at the green-haired man, "Don't you just love surprises?"

The man's face was the last thing I saw before my body gave out and darkness welcomed me into its cold embrace.

Mount Justice.

July 8th, 11:28 EDT.

After a few moments of dark slumber, I woke up to the sound of voices. They were coming from inside the Cave. I opened my eyes to find that Superboy, Snapper and I were tied up and gagged, hidden behind a rock and there was a large purple present in the center of the Cave, with a large banner that read 'SURPRISE' in big purple and green letters. Circled around the present were Martian Manhunter, The Flash and Hawkman.

"Something is not right here." Hawkman spoke up, once the voices cleared, "I don't understand, is this for a party?"

I narrowed my eyes at the scene. Something is not right. Martian Manhunter was here, shouldn't he be able to hear Superboy's or my thoughts, since Snapper is still out-cold? I struggled to wiggle myself free from the ropes.

"If Snapper contacted us, I do not think it would be for a party." Martian Manhunter spoke up.

Hawkman looked around, "He must be around here somewhere."

Superboy started to struggle himself free as well.

"Why wouldn't it be for a party?" The Flash wondered, "I don't know if you guys have noticed, but there's a big, giant present in the middle of the room. My guess is it would be a surprise party." Then he raised a brow, "Snapper called us all in. Is it our anniversary already?"

Hawkman rolled his eyes, "That kid is always celebrating something." Then he looked around again, "Where are you, Snapper?"

"That kid is something else." The Flash smiled, "He went all out with a present and everything." He grabbed a ribbon of the bow, "I'm gonna find out what's in here-"

I was finally able to free myself from the ropes, removed my gag and stepped out of the shadows. At that same moment, Batman came charging in, and we shouted in unison, "No! Don't touch that!"

But we were too late. The Flash tugged on the ribbon and the present burst open with a boom. Flying out of the present was a large group of green, laughing monkeys with purple backpacks and white faces. I froze on the spot with wide eyes. Those were definitely Joker's monkeys. The same monkeys from... No...

As if they couldn't see me, Flash raised a brow, "Monkeys? Seriously? Who thought this was a good idea? Oh, man! I just know they're going to start flinging their own-"

"Flash!" Batman cut Flash off, "We need to-" Then there was the laughter again. Batman turned to the source of the laughter and growled, "Joker!"

"Hey there, Bats. How ya doing?" Joker grinned.

"How did you get in here?" Batman asked.

"Oh, Bat-Brain, your security was lapse, to say the least..." Joker answered, then shined a flashlight at Superboy and Snapper, "And Snapper totally dropped the ball in the vigilance department."

"Snapper!" Martian Manhunter gasped.

"Seriously? Come on, man! You can't possibly think that a box full of monkey clowns would stop us." He paused for a second, "I can't believe I just said that." Then he turned to Joker, "What kind of deadly threat is that anyway?"

Joker chuckled, "No. But I did think it was funny." He pressed a button on a switch in his hand and the monkeys' backpacks dropped small, smoking orbs around the Cave, "And I think this is the deadly part."

I gasped and shouted to everyone in the Cave, "Joker bombs! Get down!"

~BOOOOM~

The bombs exploded one after another. I raised my hands, summoning blue and white energy to form a shield around everyone, however an aftershock explosion knocked me off my feet and threw me into the wall behind me. My head hit the wall and...

Blackout... Again...

*Dream*

I opened my eyes to find myself in Gotham City... Just outside of a giant circus tent. Two men exit the tent and started talking.

I knew these men. They were Jack Haly and Tony Zucco. I remember this night.

Jack Haly shook his head then Zucco walked away. I clutched my head with tears welling up in my eyes.

Please don't show me this! I tried to save them. I tried to warn them. I was too late. I couldn't save them!

The scene faded to black and I found myself in a realm of fire and brimstone. No... Not here... Familiar voices echoed around me as they spoke.

'You should have done better. Now we're dead because of you!'

Please, don't say that. I tried, I really did. I didn't want you to die, you're like family to me.

'LIAR! You let us die because you truly didn't care. Now we wonder aimlessly.'

I clutched my head again, with tears running down my face.

I'm not lying! I wanted to protect you, I tried to warn you.

My body began to engulf in flames.

I'm sorry!

*Dream End*

Mount Justice.

July 8th, 13:11 EDT.

I woke up and sat up with a sudden gasp. I caught my breath and wiped the cold sweat from my brow. I looked around to find myself in an empty bedroom, laying on the bed. My head throbbed, so I put my hand over my head, to find my head bandaged.

"Superboy?" I called.

"Uh... I'm not Superboy." A familiar voice answered from my right. I turned and saw it was Miss Martian.

"Miss Martian?" I rubbed my bandaged head, "How long was I out?"

"2 hours." Miss Martian answered, "Superboy found you knocked out and brought you here."

I rubbed my forehead, "But... Batman. Flash. Martian Manhunter..." Then I gasped, "Joker! Joker has infiltrated the Cave! We gotta stop him before he-"

Miss Martian placed her hands over my shoulders, "Easy, Arackniss. The entire attack was just a mental illusion from a G-Gnome that followed Superboy here."

I rubbed my bandaged head again, "But it felt so real."

Miss Martian smiled and stood up, "You should rest. I'll go tell Red Tornado and Superboy that you're okay."

I nodded and rested my head over the pillow, while she flew out of the room. Once she was gone, I looked at my hands, I can still feel the flames on me, trying to burn away at my soul.

I hugged my knees close to my chest and rested my head on my knees. Tears welled up in my eyes again, remembering that night that Jack Haly declined Tony Zucco's offer of protection money. That was the night the Flying Graysons perished. It was all my fault, I should have acted sooner. Now they're dead, and I'm the person to blame...

I'm so sorry...