Hello everyone, and Happy Halloween! I am SuperHeroTimeFan, and after a long time, I have returned. Coming to you on FanFiction is a brand-new Chapter for my best Story, Journey of the Knight: Honor Bound! Thank you all for continuing to support this Story. Sorry I haven't updated since the Fourth of July, but things here have been a bit hectic. I've been gathering ideas and helping others with their own Stories, but I'm back now. Thank you, everyone, for your continuous support. My thanks extends to MinuteMan76, MartyrFan, The Mandalorian Terminator, Jacqueline Karst, Logan GC, FusionBase27A, Ezra Wren, Ultimate Advent Story Dude VII, Eubulon Zenith Extreme, Geo Hikari The 2nd, Cycomatrix Eternal, fire-storm-amagi, Jack Sparrow 475, Hay Lin x Tsukasa Kadoya, Ross Blum the IV, Rebel Sabine Bridger, HarmonyGirl567, Riku Soncazenosee, Dwayne McDuffie, Bowser3000000, animebella09, Slade The Terminator, High Supreme King Of Awesome, Tines Sensahthe, Ultra Neo Kamen Rider 15, Awesometacular Extravaganza, 17lakect, the conman w, PHL360, Spartan of Chaos, GundamTachiagate, Phily76, dragonslayerajahn, LadySerentity22, DJ Meltdown of Ground Xero, Dragon Slayer John, Just a Crazy-Man Wolfman2010ism, Joey Lumbley, Mr. StrangerMan98, Rebecca Chambers Rules, Sleeping Skeleton, Nibra Ha Rishon, Mr. FNAF Fan-Gamer, LadyStar10, Neos the Final Builder, Maniiikz, 1049, Taiski, ToLegitt2Quit, RebeccaSnow23, Carlos Jacob, Armando Andres Romero Lozano 7, Wolfslick, CT7567Rules, Outplace, TheGreatGodzilla, Darth Sicarius, AbbyDobbie, Maximus Potter, Darth Khan, Virgil1989 The Crossover King, and of course, all of you Guest Reviewers. It really means a lot that this Story continues to get so much love, despite its fallbacks. Thank you all so much. Now, as usual, here are some questions that need to be addressed. To T-Bone, formerly known as Carlos Jacob, I will not be including George Washington into the Story. I don't think I'll have Count Dooku and Admiral Tarkin fighting each other. I saw the new game play footage, it looks exciting. I am also excited for the LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga game. I'm enjoying the second half of Young Justice Outsiders, yes. I've only seen bits of Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, not all of it, and thank you for the news on everything Star Wars and DC. I know my last Chapter got some mixed reviews, but I promise this one, and the others moving forward, will be better. Without further ado, here is my newest Chapter! Please be sure to review, rate, and as always, please be sure to enjoy!
Chapter 26: The Freeshooter Society
In Memory of Cameron Boyce (May 28th, 1999 – July 6th, 2019)
And…
Peter Fonda February 23rd, 1940 – August 16th, 2019)
And…
In Memory of Robert Axelrod (May 29th, 1949 – September 7th, 2019)
Choose the side that is right, not the side that is best.
The DarkSiders spread! Following a revealing demonstration of power, the Jedi and the Young Justice have become more aware of a cult group of the Shadow Collective, known as VAAPAD RAGE. Now knowing their operations are on four different planets, the heroes divide and conquer, Ahsoka with her team having already taken care of the forces on Shei'Ten Kar. Now, Anakin Skywalker, leading Saw Gerrera, Superboy, Artemis Crock, Barriss Offee and Jaybo Hood, take their mission to the shady Planet of Tehar, where surprises await for them in the most unexpected ways!
Out of Hyperspace, the Martian Bioship flew out roughly. Inside, Anakin and his team grunted as Anakin used the Force to halt the living Martian Ship while everyone else struggled to get back into their seats.
"And this is why I usually pilot the Bioship," Artemis groaned. She put away the book she was reading and walked over to Anakin. "Move aside please, Skyguy." She said, taking the pilot seat.
"First off, only Ahsoka can call me that," Anakin said. "Second, I thought piloting the Bioship would be like any other fighter. I never thought it would be so rough," he added before the Bioship let out some noises. "Sorry," he apologized. "Still getting used to a living ship."
"Don't worry about it," Connor said as he and Saw got back in their seats as well. "Artemis had a tough time flying at first too."
"And I learned, just like Anakin will," Artemis said. She pulled up the data on Tehar. "Okay, we don't have much on Tehar, other than it's an anagram of Earth," she mused. "Best to get down there and see what we can do before the Shadow Collective gets away with its crystals." She said, almost sounding like she was in a hurry.
"I'm sure you'll have time to read your windy book once we're done." Anakin said, sitting down in a free seat.
"Wind in the Willows," Artemis corrected. "And it's a good read, I just need to finish it before the month ends. We were on Earth for so long that I fell back on the assignment while we still attended school."
"Let's just get this over with and go before there's any more trouble." Saw said.
"Down we go." Artemis said, flying the Bioship down.
The Bioship soon made its way down to the surface smoothly. Anakin and his team looked around with awe at the city at night, as well as the valley and mountains. They made their way to a nearby landing platform, only to see a familiar face.
On the Landing Platform, Hondo was being questioned by a bald man with a black suit with red trim. Several other men were looking his crates, with an Anooba barking loudly at it while other men were keeping onlookers away.
"I swear, Officer," Hondo said frantically. "I didn't know what was in that crate."
"What's going on?" Jaybo asked. "Hondo in trouble again?"
"Wait," Connor said, looking at the man questioning Hondo. "Isn't that… Yejyo?"
"Yejyo Vanzig?" Barriss asked, looking out as well before the Bioship landed. Everyone got out and made their way towards the scene.
"No one's accusing you, Hondo," Yejyo told Hondo. "I need you to calm down, and answer a few questions."
"Okay, okay. I can do that." Hondo said, calming down.
"Did you happen to see who handled that particular set of crates?" Yejyo asked.
"Not really," Hondo replied. "It looked like an ordinary crate to me. I thought it just had spices."
"Once it was loaded aboard your vessel on Dantooine, did anyone come back to check on it?" Yejyo asked.
"No." Hondo answered.
"Do you if anyone, Pirates, Republicans or Separatists, have been involved with transporting illicit goods?" Yejyo asked.
Hondo placed his hand to his chin and looked aside. "Well…" he trailed.
"Yes?" Yejyo asked, an eyebrow raised.
"There's a rumor going around in the Underworld that a coalitionist is on the take… but I don't know who." Hondo replied.
"Interesting," Yejyo said. He put away his datapad and held his hand out, which Hondo accepted before they shook. "Thank you, Hondo. I'll be sure to look into this," he said before looking to his men. "Alright, we have what we need," he told them. "Mark the crates, and let's move on."
As Yejyo turned around, he smiled as Anakin and his team came over.
"Evening, Yejyo," Anakin said. "I hope you weren't interrupted."
"Only a House of Cards marathon from Earth, but that will still be on Netflix tomorrow," Yejyo said with a smile. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Knight Skywalker, and the Young Justice as well," he added on as everyone smiled at him. "Where is Knight Tano?"
"Investigating another Planet for the Shadow Collective," Artemis replied. She looked to Hondo as he was loading up his ship. "What happened over there with you and Hondo?"
"The 31st Crime Investigatory and I discovered something aboard his cargo," Yejyo replied. "And it was not spices."
"Looks like smugglers are getting creative," Connor mused. "I wonder how they are able to sleep at night."
"Surprisingly well, I imagine," Saw remarked. "If they had any morals, they wouldn't even be in this line of work."
"Then it's a good thing we have people like Yejyo and the 31st to take care of guys like them." Anakin said with a grin.
"Indeed," Yejyo asked. "So, what brings you all the way out here to Tehar?"
"Shadow Collective," Barriss replied. "They've been taking Kyber Crystals from Planets like here and Shei'Ten Kar."
"Interesting. What a coincidence," Yejyo said as he placed a hand to his chin. "A big coincidence."
"Something wrong?" Jaybo asked.
"The 31st Chaps and I have been looking into a similar string of thefts here," Yejyo said, gesturing to his men. "We have gotten word that the Shadow Collective is here right after crystals started to go missing. This only adds onto the case."
"We can help," Anakin said. "Jaybo and I can help look into this with you while the others search around."
"Much appreciated," Yejyo said. He took out his datapad and pressed a couple of buttons, causing the comlinks of Anakin's team to beep. "I have sent you all the locations me and my men have found with suspicious activity of Kyber Crystal smuggling."
"I'll check out this area over here," Artemis said, pointing to a holographic area of the city on her wrist-comm. "I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Good luck," Anakin said before looking to Barriss. "Barriss, drop Artemis off there and then report over here," he ordered, pointing to an area of the valley. "It looks like another likely place, from experience."
"You got it." Barriss nodded before she took Artemis. The two sent a salute before she flew off.
"Alright," Yejyo said. "Let's move."
Barriss flew over the city until they reached the place Artemis was talking about. She dropped her off onto a rooftop, where she then used a zip-line to get down to the ground. As soon as she was down, she took off her helmet and looked at the entrance to what appeared to be a tunnel. Looking around, she saw no one else around, but she did hear some yelling from the passage. Curious, she made her way down.
Underground, several men and women were racing around an arena, all armed with firearms of some sort. They all took their time firing either at each other or at moving targets around the arena. One of them was shot, causing him to falter back before he was taken away by Gammorean Guards wearing bronze plating and rifles instead of axes.
Artemis entered in the crowd, who were all cheering for the competitors around. She placed part of her mask over her mouth and some shades on to help conceal her identity as she walked around. As she did, she activated the scanner from within her glasses and looked around. She could see the probability of success of the competitors, as well as how much everyone was betting on each one.
"Come on, Ringa!" a Gand man with breathing equipment and a large rifle called out to a woman with blonde hair, a pilot's suit with red trim, and a blaster as her left hand. "If you keep falling behind, I won't continue to look after you!"
"Don't be such a pushover, Zuckuss," Ringa replied, shooting down seven competitors and ten targets. "I'm in it to win!" she exclaimed as soon as she landed. Without even flinching, she aimed her hand back and shot at another contestant, only this bolt going right through his chest.
"Whoa, she's good," Artemis said. "Take out Boba, and she might be the best person with a blaster I've ever seen," she mused before her shades caught sight of something. "Hmm?" she muttered, looking up. Narrowing her eyes and enhancing, she saw a familiar Kryptonian with a prosthetic-limbed archer. "Merlyn, Zod. What are they…"
"CLOCK OVER!"
Artemis's train of thought was interrupted by this sudden announcement over the speakers. She looked down, seeing Ringa, Zuckuss, and seven other competitors left in the arena. The others were all either dead or severely injured.
"To complete this competition, be sure to enter within the next four hours!" the announcer, who looked very similar to the auctioneer from Tatooine, announced. "Winner gets the Kyber Crystals!"
"Kyber Crystals?" Artemis asked. "No doubt this has the Shadow Collective written all over it." She muttered.
"We need ten contestants for a better fight!" the announcer called out. "One position available! No restrictions! Enter now!"
With that, the crowd departed. Artemis departed with them, but kept an eye on General Zod and Malcolm Merlyn. Once everyone was out, she activated her Stealth Mode and went after them. Unknown to her, Ringa saw what was happening.
"Ringa, get back and rest for the next tournament!" Zuckuss called out. "I won't have Sly come by to wake you again!"
"I'll be right there," Ringa said. "I just need to check on something."
Zuckuss scoffed. "Fine," he muttered. "But back before the 31st arrive."
"Whatever you say." Ringa said before running off.
Back with Artemis, the archer deactivated her Stealth Mode and watched as General Zod and Malcolm Merlyn spoke with the announcer at an office in the back.
"You're really pushing it here," General Zod said as Artemis watched, still holding her disguise. "Offering them the crystals?"
"Trust me, a push is exactly what they need," the announcer said. "And don't worry, I'll make sure you have a decent amount to work with when this is all over." He said, showing them the crate of Kyber Crystals.
"Yejyo was right," Artemis said to herself. "They are getting creative."
"You'd better hope these mercenaries make it," Malcolm Merlyn threatened. "We need fresh new troops for the Shadow Collective."
"I'm only doing this for the money," the announcer said as Artemis started to write something into the ground. "Once I'm paid, you're on your own."
"If you fail us… you know what happens." General Zod said, motioning to several Vaapad Rage members, including a younger one, around the age of Robin.
The announcer sighed. "Alright," he said. "Let's head into my office, and we can discuss more there. We have to hurry, or else my husband will start to worry."
Artemis looked back as soon as she finished writing. She was about to leave until General Zod stopped. She covered her mouth and prepared to attack, but at the last minute, someone grabbed her and took her away.
"Come on," Malcolm said to General Zod, who looked back to him. "Let's not keep him waiting."
"What's this, then?"
Artemis looked up to see Ringa covering her mouth. She looked to Artemis before turning to see what she wrote on the ground. She raised an eyebrow. "'Obumbratio Eunt Domus'?" she read. "'People call shadows, they go the house'?"
"First off, that says, "Shadows Go Home'," Artemis corrected. "Second, what are you doing?" she asked before getting up, only for Ringa to push her down as General Zod looked back again.
"Saving you, obviously," Ringa said. "And, no, it doesn't say that."
"What would you know—?" Artemis started out before looking back at Ringa. "You're that sniper girl from the arena."
"That's me, Ringa Shi," Ringa confirmed. "Now, what are you doing here, Crock?" she asked, surprising the archer. "Want to enter?"
"What?" Artemis asked. She lowered the lower part of her mask and removed her shades. "You know me?"
"Everyone worth their aim knows who you are," Ringa said. "I've adapted my firing style after you."
"I'm… honored," Artemis said, feeling herself blush. "So… you wanted to know if I was entering?"
"Look, if you don't want to, I can understand," Ringa said. "Not everyone can be perfect. I'm sure you've lost your—"
"Do not say I've lost my touch, I know you're trying to goad me," Artemis said. "I just need to know… do you really think they're giving out the Kyber Crystals?"
"The gems that power the lightsabers of any wielder of the Force?" Ringa asked. "Too right. I plan to get a new arm with them."
"Trust me, you do not want to use them like that," Artemis said. "Me and my team need to get them to safety."
"Well then, you're gonna have to enter," Ringa said. She grinned as Artemis looked to her with confusion. "Because I'm not gonna let you take them without a fight."
Artemis narrowed her eyes at Ringa. "Get your hand off of my chest." She said sternly.
"You'd better look at the hand." Ringa said with a smirk.
Artemis looked down, and her eyes immediately widened. Aimed at her chest was Ringa's blaster arm, the safety about to be turned off.
"Okay, I see how it is," Artemis said before Ringa suddenly felt a blade at her own chest. "Now… on the count of three, we remove our weapons and leave."
"You know why we even pulled you into this, Ceresu." Malcolm Merlyn's voice said.
Artemis and Ringa both looked up as they heard a door open.
"Outside, go!" Ringa whispered.
Artemis nodded before she and Ringa departed, just in time as Merlyn, Zod and Ceresu walked back down.
"I'm only doing this tonight, and then I'm done." Ceresu said.
"You keep telling yourself that," General Zod said. He suddenly noticed the writing on the floor. "'People call shadows, they go the house'?" he read.
"That says… 'Shadows go… home'?" Ceresu replied. He realized what it meant and gulped.
Merlyn looked down and shook his head. "No it doesn't," he said as Ceresu looked back and forth from it to the two members of the Legion of Doom. "What's Latin for shadows?" he asked before holding him up by the hair. "Come on, come on!"
Outside of the Society, Artemis and Ringa walked out. The two looked to each other, still with their weapons out. Artemis was the first to speak up.
"What do you know about the Kyber Crystals here?" Artemis asked.
"Only that they're extremely rare, hard to come by in the city," Ringa explained. "You'd have to pay a hefty fare to get to the mountains to mine for them, and don't get me started on the price to pay to bring them back down."
"So, very pricey, huh?" Artemis asked. She looked back to the entrance to the Freeshooter Society and narrowed her eyes. "Why hasn't anyone tried to just, you know… take them? That's what's going on here, right? Crime and such?" she asked. "No offense, but I thought extortion would be somewhere on that list."
"People have tried, but the 31st Crime Investigatory has doubled their patrols around the Planet," Ringa said. "This is the only surefire way to secure them without their jurisdiction getting in the way."
"So I've seen…" Artemis noted.
"Look, I'm serious about what I said. I'm in it to win it, and that means getting those Kyber Crystals," Ringa said as Artemis looked back to her. "And if you or your Young Justice friends want to get in the way, you can go ahead and try."
"Relax, I'm not here to mess with you," Artemis said. "When does the next match start up again?"
"Four hours from now," Ringa said. "Though I'm guessing you were trying to postpone it with that preschool propaganda?"
"'Preschool pro—'?!" Artemis almost yelled in disbelief. "Illiterate war orphans are able to grasp the topic of what I was trying to send across!"
"Hey, there are a lot of criminals on this Planet who don't give a damn about what they're called, but you'd best be prepared for a beat down if you call them illiterate." Ringa said, feeling offended.
"Okay, okay. Sorry," Artemis said. "But look, these are dangerous guys who are distributing the crystals. Those two over there, you don't want to get in their way."
"AGH! NOT DATIVE! NOT DATIVE!" Ceresu yelled frantically.
"See what I mean?" Artemis motioned.
"Still won't stop me," Ringa said. "Now if you're done discouraging my spirits and failing, I'm heading back to rest. If you want the crystals for whatever reason, you'd better be prepared to participate," she remarked before walking off. "Buh-bye."
Artemis narrowed her eyes at Ringa before looking back to the club. She removed her helmet and looked to it. She pressed the symbol on it, turning it to stealth mode. "Guess I don't really have a choice." She said.
Artemis walked over to an alley and removed her mask. She looked around before removing her top and flipping it inside out, placing it back on afterwards. She placed her mask back in stealth mode before tearing it and wrapping it around her eyes, giving her a bandit look. She then removed her scrunchy and let her hair down before using a sharp arrow to give herself a cut on the cheek. Finally, she placed both of her bowcasters together into a single heavy-duty rifle before keeping her swords hidden away. With her new improvised disguise, she put a voice filter onto a bandana and placed it over her mouth before walking back in.
Artemis first looked to Ceresu, who had two Death Watch Devils watching over him as he started to write Obumbratio Ite Domuum. Shaking her head and raising an eyebrow in confusion at the same time, she made her way towards where a member of the Vaapad Rage was standing guard. She walked up and took out her blaster.
"Where do I sign up?" Artemis asked.
"Name?" the Vaapad Rage Elite asked.
"Black Siren."
Elsewhere, several members of Vaapad Rage were patrolling the streets. Everyone got out of the way immediately upon seeing them. The members looked all around to everyone watching them before continuing to move forward.
Saw removed the hood over his head and went back to talking with several underworld criminals. After getting some answers, he saluted them.
"Alright, thanks for your help." Saw said before walking off.
Anakin was with Yejyo, talking with Xasha near a local cantina. While they were talking, he turned on his comlink.
"Barriss, how are we looking near the mountains?" Anakin asked. "You find anything yet?"
Near the mountains, Barriss was searching around, the light from her helmet helping her to see through the pitch black night. She lifted up her comlink after coming across a tunnel.
"Only a passageway, but it looks cut off from my side," Barriss reported back. "I tried cutting through with my lightsaber, but found nothing. It's almost run out of power now."
"Get back to the Bioship for a recharge," Anakin said. "Yejyo and I are almost done with someone here," he ordered. "Over and out."
Barriss ended the transmission on her end as well. She was about to fly out before she suddenly heard something from the other side of the alcove. She narrowed her eyes at it before closing her eyes. Painfully, her spider legs sprouted, and she started to dig away.
"I am really hoping for this to go away once Dr. Boll finds a cure for the Symbio-Enhancer," Barriss muttered as she continued to dig. "What's behind here? It wasn't making a sound the first time."
Barriss continued to dig while looking to her lightsaber. She opened it up and looked to the alcove, slowly starting to loosen up. Knowing she had time, she took a spare energy cell from her robe and opened up her lightsaber hilt to replace the drained one.
"Humph!" Xasha remarked as Yejyo questioned her. "Good riddance to bad pirating, I say."
"You're not making yourself any less of a suspect, Xasha." Yejyo said, getting Xasha to frown.
"Sorry, Officer," Xasha said. "It's just… the crime here is rather unforgivable, and I can assure you, anyone harboring crystals, or selling them off to guys like the Hutt Clan or the Shadow Collective are truly lowlifes, and I can guarantee, there is no chance of redemption for anyone who aligns themselves with Darth Maul."
"That remains to be seen," Yejyo said as Jaybo finished questioning three female criminals. "Can you account for your whereabouts yesterday between 4 and 11?"
"I was… running a job from Lady Proxima," Xasha said with a blush on her face. "And checking on a transgender operation of a friend."
"Right," Yejyo said as he deactivated his scanner. "Thank you."
"Now withstanding my attitude, Inspector, but… to try and weaponize Kyber Crystals… just isn't right," Xasha said as she got her helmet and called for her hover board. "It is not a part of our Assassins' Creed." She said before getting on and flying away.
Yejyo sighed. "How did I know she was going to say that?" he asked exasperatingly before Saw came back, Connor as well. "How did you lot get on?"
"I swear, an hour of interviewing survivors from Yellowblade's Landing, and I got vastly different answers." Saw said with a roll of his eyes.
"Such as?" Connor asked. "Can't be different from my sweep of the city."
"'The Sith stink', 'These crystals are hefty', 'Klaatu Barada Nikto', 'Sith are complete bores'," Saw listed. "I don't know if we should be feeling sorry for those manipulated by the Sith or not, given that Vaapad Rage watches the streets almost every five minutes."
"The courts are the ones who pass judgment, Gerrera," Yejyo said. "Not anyone else."
"At any rate, what's our next move?" Jaybo asked.
"Seeing as we're on the western side of the town, and given the people we've interviewed, this area houses only a few known criminals involved with smuggling," Yejyo said before turning to see a male Sakiyan walking out of a building. "One of whom has a history with the Hutt Clans."
"Really?" Superboy asked. "Who?"
The male Sakiyan was soon brought for questioning at a warehouse nearby. Several members of the 31st Crime Investigatory were also present for the current interrogation.
"Are you serious?!" the Sakiyan asked in disbelief. "I fail to assassinate one spiteful Hutt, and that makes me your prime suspect?!"
"It's nothing personal, Djas Puhr." Yejyo said.
"Feels pretty personal to me!" Djas Puhr remarked.
"If you can just account for any whereabouts of Kyber Crystal smuggling, we'll leave you be." Anakin said, crossing his arms.
"I was checking up on a friend on the other side of the town." Djas Puhr replied.
"Can you be more specific, please?" Jaybo asked, rolling his eyes.
"The Freeshooter Society," Djas Puhr replied. "That specific enough for you?"
"Right, we'll check it out," Yejyo said, motioning for his men to remove the cuffs around Djas Puhr's hands. "Keep yourself available, Djas Puhr." He said.
"Ugh, fine," Djas Puhr said. Before Yejyo, his men, Anakin and the Young Justice left, he scoffed. "Honestly, Jedi, Sepie, or other, you coppers always go for the black fellows first."
Everyone looked to each other with guilty looks on their faces, knowing he was not that far off.
At the Freeshooter Society, Ringa and Zuckuss had returned. As other contestants were lining up for the big event, Ringa started to look around.
"What's with you?" Zuckuss asked. "Looking for someone to bury into the ground?"
"No, I thought a… friend… was going to be here," Ringa said as she turned back. "I guess I was wrong."
At that moment, a new figure arrived. Everyone looked to who was coming. It was a female with a black coat with a gold zipper going down the middle, as well as a metal pauldron on her right shoulder, and several magazines along her belt. She had a blue mouth plate covering her mouth, a transparent visor and a black mask over her eyes. In her hands was a large bowcaster, as well as a sword hilt hidden at her side.
"'Sup?" the new figure asked Ringa once she reached her.
Ringa's eyes widened. She leaned in towards the newcomer. "Artemis?" she whispered.
"Black Siren." Artemis whispered back.
"All contestants!" a voice called out, causing everyone to be lifted up on different floating platforms. "The goal of this contest is simple! It goes on for the next six hours. Everyone has sixteen life points from the wristbands they were given," he started out, causing sixteen glowing bars to appear on the wristbands of everyone. "Your goal: take out as many people within the hour. This is all underground, and the tunnels of the city is the arena, but the first round starts here. The last three remaining contestants will move on to the final round at the last hour. Whoever wins will gain… the Kyber Crystals!"
Everyone looked to see the announcer using a Vibro-Blade to cut open a box to reveal the Kyber Crystals. Artemis narrowed her eyes at them before seeing that another Bounty Hunter was eyeing them as well. She made a throat slit motion, causing the Bounty Hunter to gulp.
"We have some interesting choices for recruits here, Zod." Malcolm Merlyn said as he and General Zod watched what was happening from a cross-corridor not too far away.
"Yes, we do," General Zod said as he looked around. When getting to Artemis's Black Siren disguise, he found he could not see through it. "Tell me more about her."
"Black Siren," Malcolm Merlyn said. "According to the guard we had interview her, she came from Dantooine, had practice shooting broken Battle Droids and even killed her sister to move on. Word from him is that she even made the attempted assassination on Padmé Amidala after the death of Xion."
"Interesting," General Zod said, placing a hand to his chin, clearly intrigued. "She seems to know what she's doing, wearing lead protection. I may not be able to make out who she is, but I hope she has skill."
"GAME START!"
The platforms started to float all across the area, and Artemis and Ringa leapt off, avoiding shots that immediately came their way. Artemis took out a small grenade and tossed it, blinding one of the Bounty Hunters, before she shot at him with her bowcaster. Two more shot at her, causing her to perform a barrel roll to avoid getting hit. As she did, she shot back, knocking them off, and knocking a few bars from their braces as well.
"All too easy." Artemis said before off-handedly shooting away another contestant about to stab her with a knife.
As Zuckuss was shooting away more, Ringa leapt over him and strafed down several Wookie Bounty Hunters above. As soon as they were out, she loaded an extra cartridge into her arm blaster and fired into the air. Everyone looked up at the sight, but Artemis dodged under several debris on the ground before the blast rained down everywhere, hitting a large number of Bounty Hunters. She grinned before grabbing the blaster of a fallen mercenary, using it with her own blaster to take down even more of the contestants.
"Watch your aim!" Zuckuss called out. "We entered together!"
"I know, Dad," Ringa called back, throwing the blaster she took to a Weequay. Before he could catch it, she fired at it, causing it to explode. "Don't have to tell me twice."
"Your father is Zuckuss?" Artemis asked, firing away several Ithorian Bounty Hunters.
"It's a long story." Ringa said before she grabbed Artemis's right hand. Artemis knew where this was going, and the two kicked off of the ground, allowing themselves to spin midair. As they did, they fired all around them, taking out even more of the contestants before landing, leaving only themselves, Zuckuss, and at least fourteen more contestants while the remaining twenty-nine were either dead or disqualified.
"PRELIMINARY ROUND OVER!"
Everyone, about to fight again, stopped what they were doing upon hearing this. They all looked up as a new announcer hovered over them.
"Take an hour break," the announcer called out. "With the numbers having dwindled, we need to discuss a new change in the way this will go down."
"As long as we get our boons, we're good." A Bounty Hunter remarked.
"Fine by me." Sugi said.
The announcer nodded before seeing Malcolm Merlyn and General Zod, with a handful of Vaapad Rage members, motioning for him. "One hour, we resume through the city!" he called out before walking over to his employers.
Ringa looked to Artemis and smiled. "You know, you're not that bad," she said. "It's no wonder you're such a celebrity."
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Artemis said, rubbing the back of her head. "I'm just lucky, that's all."
"Trust me, Artemis, luck had nothing to do with it, especially with someone of your caliber," Ringa said, patting Artemis on the shoulder playfully. The two chuckled before she turned around, seeing Zuckuss was checking on his gun. "I guess you want to know what it is with me and Zuckuss, huh?"
"I'm a bit curious," Artemis said. "If it's something you don't want to touch on, I'm okay with that."
Ringa chuckled. "He's not my father, but he tends to act like one," she explained. The two turned to Zuckuss once again. "He found me after the Shadow Collective attacked the Coruscant Underworld. He saw my skills with a blaster against the crime families there, and took me in. Looked out for me ever since, I call him a Dad since he's the only family I know." She added on, letting out a sigh afterwards.
"Trust me, I know the feeling," Artemis said, thinking of her own family. "Was this before you got that cool hand?" She asked, looking at Ringa's Blaster arm. "Because, I have to admit, that's pretty cool."
Ringa froze up at that moment. She looked to her hand and sighed. "That… that's one of the touchy subjects," she said softly. "I don't really want to go into that."
Artemis nodded. "I understand," she said. "Sorry about that."
"No. No, you were curious. I completely understand," Ringa said. She looked to Zuckuss. "He's almost done. I'd better rest up."
"Me too," Artemis said. "Good luck on the tournament."
"You too," Ringa said, patting Artemis on the shoulder again. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."
Artemis chuckled as she turned to walk away. "I wouldn't dream of it." She replied before walking away.
Ringa smiled. She looked to her blaster prosthetic one more time before making her way to Zuckuss.
"A nice girl," Zuckuss noted, walking over. "Ten minutes of conversation with her, and it already seems like you've made a friend."
"Against your wishes," Ringa snarked. "Look, I know what you said about friendships in the line of work, but I can assure you, she's not that bad."
"I've told you time and time again, Ringa, to always be careful of who you trust," Zuckuss said. "I've told you about Dengar, Bossk, and even Jango and Boba, how they all faced that kind of deceit at one point in their lives," he said. "And if this Black Siren gets in your way, you know what to do."
"Yes, yes, I know," Ringa said. She felt her hand and sighed. "I've always known."
At a nearby bench, Artemis found a place to sit down and situate herself. Reaching into her jacket, she pulled out her book. Removing the bookmark, she continued reading where she last left off. As she did, another girl, one with Caucasian skin, red hair like M'gann's, and a blue top and leggings, walked over. Artemis looked to her, who in turn looked back, before scooting over ever so slightly. The new girl did no such action to try and stalk her.
"I've read that book, you know," the new girl said. "It's a good read. Gets me every time."
"Oh?" Artemis asked, continuing to read. "I didn't realize they started exporting items to the Expanded Universe already."
"Oh, well, I visited Earth once, and fell in love with the book," the girl said quickly. "Love every bit of it. A favorite of mine."
Artemis looked up. "You're a book reader?" She asked.
"I can't think of a World without books," the girl said. "Fahrenheit 451, maybe, but there's a lot of good reads out there. I'm gonna enjoy a lot of them."
Artemis smiled. "Good for you," she said. "I wish Wally shared the same feelings."
"Who knows? Maybe he does," the girl said, causing Artemis to look at her strangely. "Hypothetically speaking, I mean. There could be a million people named Wally. No idea who you're talking about."
"Right…" Artemis said. "He's a special guy. I want to have a kid with him one day, but we've always had trouble thinking of a name."
"Girl and boy?" The girl asked.
"We thought about Wolf, but it seemed a bit rude considering the pet we have." Artemis said.
"How about Willow?" The girl suggested. "Think about it. Wally, Willow. Sounds like a good match."
"Not bad, that could be the girl," Artemis said. "Now, if it were a boy…"
"What about Leo?" The girl suggested. Like before, Artemis shot her a strange look. "Like a lion. Strong, fierce, a real Hotshot."
"Leo, Hotshot…" Artemis thought out loud. "Not bad."
"Yeah, there's a lot of ways the name Leo can be seen, I think that's the strongest," the girl said while looking at a picture in a locket around her necklace. "I have a feeling when you and this Wally finally do it, you'll find those names to be the best."
"Oh," Artemis said, smiling and blushing at the thought. "Thanks. I never did get—"
But as Artemis turned around, the girl was suddenly gone.
"Your name," Artemis trailed off. She narrowed her eyes and looked around. "That was odd." She said. She looked around before putting her book away. She checked her watch, seeing it was fifteen minutes until the Games started again. Placing her visor back over her eyes, she made her way back to the arena.
Meanwhile, the announcer was meeting with Malcolm Merlyn, General Zod and the rest of Vaapad Rage. As they were taking him somewhere to talk privately, they noticed Ceresu still writing on the ground, the same two Death Watch Devils keeping guard.
"If that's not done by sunrise, I'll cut his balls off," Malcolm Merlyn muttered before looking to the new announcer. "The numbers dwindled too quickly back there. This wasn't supposed to even happen."
"A lot of people are just that good," the new announcer said. "I'm not in charge of what they're capable of."
"The Freeshooter Society is being paid top dollar for bringing us new recruits," the younger member of Vaapad Rage spoke up. "Ceresu was let off easy. If we don't have a good selection by the time the mines are extracted of their crystals, you'll know what it's like to be on the receiving end of my lightsaber."
"Would you tell your kid to please shove it?" The new announcer spat.
General Zod grabbed the new announcer by the neck. "Don't think you have any authority to tell us what to do," he said sternly. "We can end you here and now if we didn't still have a need for your services."
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," the new announcer choked, trying to breathe. "Please… let me go."
"That's enough," Malcolm Merlyn said. With that, General Zod let the announcer go, allowing him to breathe again. "The Acolyte has a point, though. We need as many new recruits as we can, that means prolonging the tournament by any means necessary."
"The Crime Investigatory is doubling down on their operations," the new announcer said while trying to catch his breath. "If they find us in the middle of the tournament…"
"Let them," General Zod spoke up. "A little chaos is enough to keep the game going. We'll have our men ready to intercept Yejyo and his men should they try to arrest the contestants."
"And if we're shut down completely?" The announcer asked.
"Then you will be too." Malcolm Merlyn said sternly.
The announcer nodded nervously. He headed back to check on the contestants without a second thought.
Outside, the Young Justice, Yejyo and the 31st Crime Investigatory arrived. Several people in the slums looked to them and got out of the way quickly.
"Djas Puhr's Intel was right," Saw said, looking to his scanner. "Seems something big is going on down there."
"As tends to be the case with the Freeshooter Society most of the time." Yejyo said.
"What do you mean?" Connor asked.
"You see, the Freeshooter Society is no stranger in the Underworld," another member of the Crime Investigatory, a muscular female, started to explain. "They run underground marksmanship tournaments, and draw in any criminal who wishes to make themselves known as the best snipers in the Galaxy. Rako Hardeen was known to frequent this place a lot."
"And with him currently off the grid, he's not that much of a threat anymore," another Crime Investigatory member, a tall male, added on. He looked around. "What happened to the girl in your group who had Mandalorian armor?" he asked.
"Artemis?" Anakin asked. "I haven't heard from her lately. Neither have I heard from Barriss since the last time I spoke with her."
"Still, keeping in mind Lenny's notice of your friend, and Eliza's note of the Freeshooter Society, we should move with caution," Yejyo said as he reached into his jacket. "Be ready for anything, Knight Skywalker."
"Right, Officer," Anakin said, drawing his lightsaber. "I'm sure Artemis is nearby, anyways."
Back inside, Artemis was walking back to the arena. She looked to Ringa as she walked up next to her. The two stood side by side and bumped their fists together, unaware that Malcolm Merlyn and General Zod were watching over them.
"She really is an enigma, that one." General Zod said, focusing on Artemis as Black Siren.
"There's something familiar about that other one too," Malcolm Merlyn said, looking at Ringa Shi. "Does she ring a bell to you?" he asked, getting General Zod to look at Ringa.
General Zod placed his hand on his chin. "She does look familiar, now that you mention it," he said. "I keep thinking of Pleem's Nexus when I see her. Why is that?"
"We did get rid of the Kozinarg Trading Guild there before making ourselves known," Malcolm Merlyn said. "I don't recall much on the survivors we left, but I do know that she may have been one of the people there fighting us."
"Is it bad that I start to pity those who stood up to us now?" General Zod asked.
"I don't know," Malcolm Merlyn said before looking to two Vaapad Rage members, as well as the young acolyte. "Follow those two," he ordered. "Don't let them out of your sight."
"Yes, Merlyn." The tallest of the trio said before they disappeared into the shadows.
"You ready?" Artemis asked as she readied her bowcaster.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Ringa said. "Good luck out there."
"You too." Artemis said.
"Ready… set…" the announcer started off.
All of a sudden, the door was shot down. Everyone in the crowds looked over to see several members of the 31st enter, as well as Saw and Jaybo, aiming their blaster around before Yejyo entered, followed by Anakin and Connor.
"Attention, Freeshooter Society! Remain where you are, contestants included!" Yejyo announced. "This guild has been suspected of smuggling Kyber Crystals! You are all wanted for questioning!"
"Yejyo!" the announcer called out.
"Hello, Wendell." Yejyo said.
"Take to the streets!" Malcolm Merlyn ordered, taking out a gun before shooting down one of the 31st. "This doesn't end!"
"I'm out of here!" Sugi called out, running to where some of the 31st were waiting to take her in for questioning.
"Ringa, let's go!" Artemis called out, causing General Zod's eyes to widen upon hearing the name. "We can't take them like this!"
"Ringa, I knew it!" General Zod exclaimed as Zuckuss, who saw his alarmed face, loaded up another blaster. "All contestants! Double the Kyber Crystals for whoever brings me the heads of those two girls!"
"Zod!" Anakin called out, running over. He leapt over a divider and kicked him down as the rest of the contestants scrambled to get the contestants. He activated his lightsaber as he entered the arena, all the contestants making their way around him while he was unaware that the Acolyte noticed him. "You're not going anywhere or taking any lives this time!"
General Zod felt his face, feeling a bit of blood. He grinned and wiped it off. "Nice kick," he said. "Too bad it'll be your last."
"We'll see." Anakin spat.
At that moment, Anakin was suddenly shot in the back without warning as Connor flew down. Narrowing his eyes and using his shade scanners, he saw the Acolyte walking out, holding out his own hilt. Connor flew down and readied his gloves, which formed into brass knuckles with Superman's symbol on them, before punching at the ground, creating heat-vision that shot up and knocked many of the contestants away, as well as break the focus of the Acolyte.
"Anakin, I'll handle Zod!" Superboy called out. "Take care of that guy!"
"Got it!" Anakin called out. He used the Force to jet himself to a wall before making his way down, getting into an Ataru Ready Stance while the Acolyte activated a dark green blade. "Let's hope Vrak trained you well."
"He taught me enough," the masked Acolyte said, holding up his dark-green lightsaber in front of him. "I've always wanted to kill a Jedi."
"Keep dreaming, Kid." Anakin spat. He charged at the young Acolyte, who charged back.
Artemis and Ringa looked around as several of the contestants started to surround them. "I didn't know you were a target of the Shadow Collective." She mused.
"Small world," Ringa said, taking out a blaster that had a blade on the end. She bent it so that it was now a straight, thick sword. "How many on your side?"
"Fifteen," Artemis answered, readying a sword in her left hand. "You?"
"Same," Ringa replied. "Let's get out of here."
Artemis shot several blasts towards some Neimoidian Bounty Hunters before slashing away a Bothan. As she did, Ringa fired away several Droid Bounty Hunters while slashing down Gammoreans with large rifles. The two kept their ground as the contestants kept coming. Eventually, they split from each other and ran at the competition out to kill them, quickly making short work of the assassins.
Connor ran at General Zod, using his brass knuckles from his gloves to knock him back. General Zod growled as he tried to evade each punch before sending back several punches of his own. As he did, Connor flew back and delivered a kick to his legs, getting him to fall. General Zod just hovered before his back could hit the ground, allowing Superboy to send down heat-vision towards him. The Kryptonian General flew back and rocketed at him, causing Superboy to fly up to safety.
As Superboy and General Zod were fighting, Anakin and the Acolyte were in their own duel. The two battled Ataru against Vaapad with each other, neither backing down. The Acolyte slashed over Anakin, who rolled out of the way just in time. He held up his lightsaber behind him to block another swing from the dark-green blade before twirling around. As he did, he first elbowed the Acolyte in the stomach, then knocked him away with the pommel of his hilt, and finally, coming to an end with the spin, kicked him away before placing his lightsaber at the ready again.
"Not bad," the Acolyte said before taking out a blaster-bladed tonfa. "But not goo enough!" he exclaimed, shooting at Anakin afterwards.
Anakin held up his lightsaber and deflected the shots as quickly as he could. He held out his hand and sent the blaster flying out before he slashed it in half. As soon as he did, however, the Acolyte ran and kneed him in the chest before slashing at his arm. Anakin held up his lightsaber in his left hand to block it before the two carefully circled around each other, their blades still locked. Finally, they broke off, Anakin and the Acolyte spinning to lock once again.
Back at the mountains, Barriss was continuing to make her way through the alcove she found in the cave. As she continued to dig, one of her spider legs came off. She flinched a little before the rest of the alcove fell apart. Exhausted, she retracted her extra limbs before making her way in towards the light.
"What's in here?" Barriss asked. She looked around, keeping her lightsaber at the ready. As she was looking, the light suddenly became brighter. She narrowed her eyes and readied her helmet before walking closer. She found a large rock, a twenty-sided holocron in the middle. "A… a Holocron?" she asked. She held her hand out and used the Force to cautiously take it. As soon as she did, it started to glow green. "Well, it's not Jedi, but it's not Sith, so… what is it?" she asked.
"Barriss, where are you?!" Saw's voice suddenly came in.
Barriss jumped in surprise, trying to compose herself while also trying to keep the Holocron intact. She caught it just in time before placing her hand to her helmet.
"Gerrera, don't do that!" Barriss yelled. "You'll give a Bounty Hunter a heart attack!"
Saw rolled his eyes at the comment. As if on cue, however, one of the Bounty Hunters he was facing jerked back and fell over.
"You see?!" Barriss's voice called.
"Sorry, Barriss," Saw apologized. "It's just that… we've found the Shadow Collective!"
"You won't believe what I've found," Barriss said. She turned around and sprouted her wings. "I'll be right there! What's your position?"
"Near the place you dropped Artemis off at," Yejyo's voice came in. "You should find Lenny outside."
"On my way!" Barriss called out before flying out back to the city.
At the same time, Artemis was jumping away from a Terrelian Jango Jumper. The two locked legs with each other before she slashed at a Zabrak mercenary. She and the first Bounty Hunter strafed each other down just as Ringa was punching away a Duros Assassin. The two females looked to each other before they performed a barrel roll in tandem, causing the shots sent at them to be redirected to other opponents. As soon as they landed, they sweep-kicked two other Bounty Hunters away and got back up.
Just then, several arrows were fired towards the two. Artemis and Ringa slashed them apart, but one of them broke Artemis's mouth plate, revealing herself to everyone.
Malcolm Merlyn lowered his bow. "Artemis… I might've known." He hissed.
Just then, Zuckuss appeared and shot at Merlyn. Merlyn leapt out of the way and shot more arrows, causing Artemis and Ringa to take cover.
"Get out of here!" Zuckuss called out. "Through the tunnels!"
"What about—?" Ringa started out, only for an arrow to hit her blaster hand. She shrieked in pain.
"Ringa!" Artemis yelled.
Jaybo tossed a grenade towards several Bounty Hunters before lifting up his sword to block an attack from a member of Vaapad Rage. As he did, he noticed Artemis.
"What have you gotten yourself into?" Jaybo asked.
"I'll cover you!" Zuckuss called out. "Go! Take care of Ringa!"
"Got it!" Artemis called out. She placed Ringa's arm around her neck and carried her through the tunnels, all while Zuckuss bought them the time that they needed.
Connor and Zod locked fists together. As they did, the General noticed what was happening, and looked to several members of Vaapad Rage.
"After them!" General Zod ordered. "Don't let them escape, especially the rebel-rouser!"
"Your fight is with me!" Superboy snarled, punching General Zod away.
Anakin and the Acolyte continued to clash blades until they noticed what was happening as well. Anakin looked to see Artemis getting away with Ringa before the Acolyte struck him. He simply used his prosthetic to grab him and toss him to the side before running after the two.
"There's another one, who just doesn't know when to quit." The Acolyte mused before running after Anakin.
Inside of the tunnels running underneath the city, Artemis continued to help Ringa. As soon as they were out of sight from the rest of the Bounty Hunters, she set her down.
"You okay?" Artemis asked.
Ringa winced as she felt her hand. "That arrow… it messed up my hand."
"Translation?" Artemis asked as she used her fabric mask to stitch up the wound. As she inspected Ringa's hand, she found a lot of wiring inside. "Whoa."
"That was my real hand," Ringa said, letting out a groan. "One to replace my old one."
Artemis looked up. "Can… can I ask now… what happened to your hand?" she asked. "Please… I need to know."
Ringa sighed. "I was young, about a year younger than I am today," she started to explain. "Sometime after the Battle of Tython. I was hired to protect the sole heir of the Kozinarg Trading Guild, at Pleem's Nexus. There was a city blocking all flight routes. I hardly knew what the Shadow Collective was capable of at the time. I thought they were like the Separatists or the ORDER, when they were still terrorists. I stood up to one of them and called them out. It drew the attention of the other forces there. They weren't too pleased with the tone I was using."
Artemis looked at Ringa aghast. "Sounds like you were brave to call them out," she said. "What happened?"
Ringa sighed. "Maul was one of the people there, leading them, by the looks of it," she continued. "He was the most ticked at my tone. So, he made an example to the people in the city after I was finished with my rant. He took my hand and tried to cut it off. I slipped away before he could cut it completely… but his lightsaber cut right through my fingers. Then they branded me…" she started out, showing Artemis a brand on her right shoulder. "A sick reminder to let others know that the Shadow Collective is not a group to joke around. Why he spared my life afterwards…" she went on, choking on some tears. "I don't even want to know."
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Artemis said as she finished up wiring back Ringa's inner workings on her hand. As soon as she did, she pulled Ringa into a hug. "You were brave, not foolish. The fact that the Shadow Collective decided to make an example of you… it means they were scared, scared that a Planet would rise up against you. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"But you saw…"
"I saw a girl who was able to move on from the pain, and use that to become someone stronger," Artemis said. "Besides, I'm sure that harnessed power was what led to Zuckuss taking you in, am I right?"
Ringa nodded. "Yeah, he was impressed with me, especially with my story," she confirmed. "He also hates the Shadow Collective as much as I do, which is why we have such a strong bond."
"I can see that," Artemis said. "You should see me and my Mom in action together… or me and Green Arrow. Either way, we make a good team. Even Ahsoka and I, like the first mission she and I had together."
Ringa chuckled. "I'd like to hear about all of them," she said. As soon as she was fully patched up, Artemis helped her up, and the amputee pulled her into a hug. "Thank you," she said. "This means a lot."
"Any time," Artemis said. "I can tell when you're on the right side and not the side that's best."
All of a sudden, several footsteps were head in the distance, followed by several arrows and blasts flying past Artemis and Ringa. The two dodged to the side before Malcolm Merlyn emerged, aiming his bow and arrows out while the rest of the contestants, as well as some members of Vaapad Rage, followed behind him.
"You all patched up okay?" Artemis asked, forming her combined bowcaster again while combining her two bow swords into a single large sword.
"A hundred percent," Ringa said, placing her shotgun in sword mode again while loading cartridges into her arm blaster. "But for these guys… I'll knock it down to sixty… just so they can keep up with us."
"How's your aim?" Artemis pressed.
"Honestly, I think I'm a better shot than you," Ringa replied. She looked to her bladed revolver before looking back to Artemis. "This loads all on its own," she said, holding it out to her. "Think you can handle it?"
"We'll see." Artemis replied.
"Enough!" Malcolm Merlyn yelled. "You're both going down!"
With that, several of the contestants fired at Artemis and Ringa. The two used their melee weapons to deflect the shots before firing with their own weapons. However, the faster they fired, the more the contestants scattered until they all surrounded them. The two looked to each other and grinned as they stood back to back. Within seconds, they separated and started to blast and slash at the Bounty Hunters, disarming or incapacitating them on sight. As they continued to fight, Ringa performed a low sweep kick while Artemis performed a high roundhouse kick right above her in the opposite direction. They rolled under several blasts away from each other and stabbed forward, taking out one contestant each.
Barriss flew down to the Freeshooter Society, where she noticed the fight going on. As she saw several members of the Crime Investigatory fighting either the Death Watch Devils or members of Vaapad Rage, she took out her lightsaber and flew down, where Zuckuss was continuing to take on the contestants, preventing more from entering the tunnels. She was most surprised to see him.
"Zuckuss?" Barriss asked, running over to him before locking blades with the lightsaber of a member of Vaapad Rage. She kicked him down before cutting down a mercenary he was gunning down. "I didn't expect you to be here."
"Long time no see, Offee," Zuckuss replied, loading up his blaster. "You just missed Skywalker. He went in not too long ago."
"What about Superboy, Gerrera and Drol?" Barriss asked.
As if to answer her question, Barriss saw Connor fly up and punch away General Zod. Saw leapt down and fired at several members of Vaapad Rage before Jaybo was then seen blasting at several Bounty Hunters, scattering them.
"Does that answer your question?" Zuckuss asked.
"Yeah, pretty much," Barriss responded with a nod. "Wait. Where's Artemis?"
"With Ringa, in the tunnels," Zuckuss said. "You'll find Yejyo down there too."
"Thanks, I'll make sure they're safe," Barriss said. She was about to fly in until a member of Vaapad Rage cut her off, activating a lightsaber pike. "On second thought, I have my own party to attend to." She said, activating her lightsaber in response.
Barriss and the pike user stared at each other and narrowed their eyes. Upon a loud shot from Zuckuss being fired, they charged and immediately clashed blades.
At the same time, Anakin ran through the tunnels, with the Vaapad Rage Acolyte right behind him. He turned around and narrowed his eyes before focusing on the path in front of him. He somersaulted over a large rock in the way, in which the Acolyte did the same. The moment the two landed, they activated their lightsabers once again and locked immediately.
"You know, I'm impressed," Anakin said. "You don't have the Force, but you're definitely strong enough to have given me such a challenge so far, I'll give you that."
"Keep talking, Jedi," the Acolyte spat. "I'll savor every moment in killing you."
"I wouldn't bet on it." Anakin spat before the two kicked each other away.
Anakin kicked a rock into the air before kicking it at the Acolyte. The Acolyte slashed it apart before running at him. Anakin leapt off of the ground and ran along the wall, where the Acolyte ran and slashed at him with every chance he got. Anakin slashed back, partying away the dark-green lightsaber at every opening he had. Finally, he landed, and the Acolyte punched him in the face. As the Chosen One was regaining himself, the Acolyte slashed downwards, only for Anakin to hold his lightsaber up in defense quickly.
Connor flew up and rocketed himself back down towards General Zod. General Zod held his ground and punched back, causing a large sonic wave to go off the moment his and Connor's fist collided with each other.
"You're done, Boy of Steel!" General Zod exclaimed.
"Not yet!" Superboy yelled back. He leapt back and charged at Zod, tackling him into the wall before flying back. Once in the air, he spiraled right at him and delivered a series of punches at his chest. After landing the last punch, he leapt back again, and General Zod fell to the ground in pain.
In the tunnels, Barriss continued to clash with the Vaapad Rage member wielding the lightsaber pike. She and the member stared each other down before he deactivated his weapon. Barriss was caught off-guard, as this action caused her to trip and nearly fall. As she did, the member of Vaapad Rage pressed his lightsaber pike against her chest, but she managed to sprout her wings, knocking him back. As he was regaining himself, Barriss tossed her lightsaber into the air before activating her gauntlet. She pressed it against the member's chest and sent an electric pulse through him, enough to knock him out cold. As soon as he fell, Barriss caught her lightsaber and deactivated it before placing the hilt back onto her belt.
Deeper into the tunnels, Yejyo was making his way towards Malcom Merlyn. However, five Vaapad Rage members leapt out of the shadows and landed in his way, all activating their lightsabers.
"Sorry, Vanzig," one of the Vaapad Rage members said, aiming his lightsaber forward. "I may respect you and your authority, but that won't stop us from taking the crystals without a fight."
"I respect that," Yejyo said, removing his hand from the inside of his jacket. He was now holding a baton with a blaster as the guard. "And while I hardly resort to violence, I will use lethal force if necessary. Do not underestimate me because of my age, Chaps. It will be your last mistake, and your only warning as of now is to stand down, else you face the consequences."
The five Vaapad Rage members remained where they stood, all with their lightsabers still aimed at Yejyo. One of them charged at him, but he quickly electrocuted him in the back before the head of the 31st Crime Investigatory motioned for the rest to attack him. Another one complied, but was blasted with a stun shot, rendering him unconscious. The remaining three charged at him afterwards, one raising his blade. Yejyo blocked it with ease before sidestepping to taser another one down. When the last one standing approached him, he tried to stab him, only for Yejyo to shock his hand, causing the lightsaber to fall out before sending a low level pulse through him. The last of the five members of Vaapad Rage fell, and Yejyo sheathed his weapon.
"You're a git, you know that?!" The last Vaapad Rage member spat.
"Yes, but at least I am a law abiding one." Yejyo remarked as the Vaapad Rage member finally fell unconscious soon afterwards.
Artemis and Ringa continued to slash and blast at the rest of the contestants around them. Soon, only a few were left. The two looked to each other and nodded before linking their elbows together. They leapt up and started to run on each of the remaining contestants before kicking into the air. As soon as they were up, they fired down, taking them all down before landing once again.
"Don't forget about me!" Malcolm Merlyn called out, sending forth several arrows.
Artemis and Ringa used their respective melee weapons to slash apart the arrows. Merlyn continued to fire on them though, before shooting a single crimson arrow at them. It split apart, creating dozens of explosive arrows that rained down on the two.
Artemis slashed most of the arrows apart before Ringa shot at Malcolm Merlyn, destroying his focus. With him still stunned, she then tossed her bladed revolver at him, which he sent into the air with his sword.
"Ringa!" Artemis called out, throwing her combined Bowcaster to Ringa Shi.
Ringa caught the Bowcaster and rolled on the ground, using both her firearms to knock Merlyn back, who attempted to deflect the shots as fast as he could.
Artemis grinned as she caught the bladed revolver, still in Sword mode, in her right hand. She ran towards Ringa, who kicked her into the air, before landing at Malcolm Merlyn, landing a series of slashes on him. The Dark Archer tried to keep up, but Artemis slashed him away with both her bladed weapons.
"Artemis, let's go!" Ringa called out, charging up both her weapons. She fired at Merlyn, just as Artemis charged up her blades with energy. She spun out of the way of the blasts and slashed at them, charging them up. The charged blasts exploded all around on Merlyn, sending him into the wall, which cracked upon impact.
Anakin and the Acolyte leapt down from a ledge within the tunnels, back down onto the ground. He rolled under several slashes made by the Acolyte before parrying off his attacks with Soresu. Using Shii-Cho, he knocked the Acolyte back before the two locked blades. Anakin broke off and sent forth several Makashi jabs, forcing the Acolyte back before he countered with several wild slashes. Anakin caught onto the pattern and locked blades again before the Acolyte sent a punch at him. Anakin spun around and kicked him afterwards before slashing down at him.
The Acolyte had a single strand of hair cut off as he dodged out of the way. He growled and countered back with a downwards slash of his own. Anakin spun to the side and kicked the Acolyte away easily, sending him to the side. However, he kicked off of the wall and leapt at Anakin, who was too exhausted from the long battle to prepare a counterattack.
"Look out!" Barriss called out as she flew in. She rammed into the Acolyte, sending him crashing back onto the ground.
Barriss landed next to Anakin and activated her lightsaber while helping him to get back up. "You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, now that you're here," Anakin said. He looked to the Acolyte, who was breathing heavily. "You want to give up now?"
"Not a chance!" the Acolyte spat as Artemis and Ringa aimed their weapons at him.
"Choose your next words very carefully." Artemis said.
Malcolm Merlyn regained himself and looked at what was going on. Grinning, he armed an explosive arrow and shot it, which split into several explosive arrows upon firing.
All of a sudden, a green lightsaber was thrown, destroying each of the arrows, causing them to go off. Everyone turned to what was happening before the lightsaber knocked down the Acolyte and flew back to destroy Malcolm Merlyn's bow. Both were taken by surprise and knocked down before the lightsaber landed in the ground.
"What the—?" Ringa asked.
"Well," Anakin said, inspecting the design of the new lightsaber. "That's a first."
The new lightsaber design was a black handle with a golden pommel at the end. At the emitter end, there was a golden x-shaped guard, and a red line was going down the center of the handle.
"Whose—?" Artemis started off, only for the lightsaber to lift off the ground and fly into the shadows, where it deactivated.
"That was… odd." Barriss said.
Later on, the 31st Crime Investigatory forces were arresting all of the contestants and downed Vaapad Rage members.
Connor and Artemis were about to take in Malcolm Merlyn and General Zod, only for a red streak of lightning to suddenly dash by and take them away, knocking the two into the air in the process.
"Thawne!" Artemis yelled.
"What happened?" Anakin asked as he and Yejyo ran over.
"The Reverse-Flash happened," Superboy said, right as the Acolyte was recovering. "Took away Zod and Merlyn."
"Let them be," Anakin said. "We'll have another chance to get them."
"Indeed," Yejyo said before looking to Ringa as she walked over shyly. "I have heard of your actions on Pleem's Nexus, young Ringa. While not the appropriate action to take against terrorists, I must commend you for taking a stand."
"Thank you, Chief," Ringa said. "But we would have never stopped this without the help of Artemis."
The Acolyte stared down the heroes and Yejyo. He took out a blaster and prepared to shoot Anakin in the head until a hand touched his shoulder. He looked around to see Vrak standing behind him.
"You're here." The Acolyte said.
"Best not to do something so reckless," Vrak said. "We'll have our chance. We may have lost the crystals today, but we will have other chances."
"But…"
"Kreel," Vrak said sternly. "I got you off that Planet because I saw your talents. I will bring you back and leave you there without a second thought if you do not follow me."
Kreel snarled. "Fine," he said. "My skills with a lightsaber have improved enough anyway."
"Carry on this training, and you will be able to kill a Jedi." Vrak said before he teleported himself and Kreel away.
"I would like to offer you a proposition," Yejyo said. "Rather than spend your time here, how would you like to work with the chaps and me in the 31st?"
"Me?" Ringa asked. "You're proposing… I work for you?"
"You will still be neutral in the conflicts, and you will be given compensation for your past actions," Yejyo said. "We could use someone like you."
Ringa smiled. "I accept," she said as Artemis patted her on the shoulder. "Thank you."
Zuckuss smiled. "Good job, kiddo."
"You always know to choose the right side." Artemis said.
"Too right," Yejyo said. He turned to Anakin. "You say your friends are fighting the Shadow Collective on other Planets too?"
"Najra-Va and Castillon, yes." Anakin confirmed.
"I will send my men there to help out in any way I can," Yejyo said. "We must put an end to whatever they're planning."
"Hopefully, not without us," a voice said over the Comms. "We finished up on Shei'Ten Kar, so we're ready to help out."
"Good to hear from you, Snips," Anakin said. "Okay, let's move out."
Everyone left, but Artemis looked back. "I feel like we forgot something." She said.
Back inside, Ceresu was finished writing the slogan, and looked to the two guards watching over him. "Finished!" he called out.
"Right," a guard said as he and the other Devil picked up their blasters. "Now don't do it again." He warned before walking off.
Ceresu looked to his work, carved all over a Shadow Collective ship, proudly. Three other Devils approached and looked to the ship with confusion before Ceresu took notice of them. Realizing his position, he ran away, with the three flying after him.
As the Bioship and the Twilight left Tehar, a Jedi Starfighter de-cloaked itself, the same girl from before watching. Feeling the lightsaber hilt that saved them at her side, she flew off, the Starfighter humming like the Bioship.
Author's Notes: What did you think, everyone? This took a lot of hard time and thought. Sorry for the delay, I had a lot going on. I hope you enjoy this Halloween Chapter. I'll try to end this Arc on Thanksgiving, and have a special Chapter out on Christmas, if all works out for me. Please review, rate, and if you can, Private Message me for anything on the story. After all, I'm always keen to hear from you, so long as it's positive. For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off. Happy Halloween, everyone! See you soon!