#ATaleofTwoSisters
In an unexpected situation, the Super Hero Girls could see various possibilities arising in their minds. Above so many setbacks, the beginning of the end had approached. The team of heroines, at the Lexcorp building, along with Question, Renée Montoya, heading towards the rescue of Artemis Crock, the vigilante and ally Tigress and her friend, Johnny Young, the hero known as Atlas. Faced with Lex Luthor's plan, trying to tarnish the name of the heroes in Metropolis and proclaim himself as the only hero of the city, with the help of Cheshire, Jade Nguyen, she, step by step, took measures to attack the heroines, in ways that seemed to show how the public opinion was against them in the meantime. However, the tide turned against her, when Sportsmaster, her own father, joined the fray and took the entire operation, showing how she had to take back the control, that was slowly escaping from her hands. Discovering Atlas' secret identity, she had changed her plan: To take from Lex Luthor the one thing he wanted so badly to be able to study the boy's energy manipulation powers, the mercenary would use something to get rid of these plans.
In another hideout, Black Canary, Huntress and Supergirl dealt with Jinx and Mammoth once again, going head to head against a battle that was balanced in every aspect, showing how paths were crossing in every way for the final conflict in the city while slowly, Cheshire found herself willing to manipulate her own employers just to get out of the mess she was now, showing a side of her soul that still cared for Artemis and the other people around, even though they were enemies in that story. The fight between the two sides continued, and inside Lexcorp, Poison Ivy, Star Sapphire, Catwoman, Livewire and Icestreak were still standing, confronting Batgirl, Zatanna, Question, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Bumblebee, making the fight very intense on both sides.
(Livewire) - Finally we will have a reckoning worthy of my reputation! - Absorbing the energy of the building around her, Livewire went all out to attack Wonder Woman, putting her bracelets in front of her once again and that way, Poison Ivy started conjuring some vines from under the ground, trying to immobilize Batgirl, however, using one of her spears, Barbara managed to cut some of the plants, making Pamela angry, while in the middle of everything, Jess used her ring to create a sphere shield between the two sides, pushing the group of villains behind.
(Catwoman) - All right. Leave it to me! - Spinning the whip in her right hand, Selina went with everything for the attack, facing Batgirl and in that, tying the whip in one of Zatanna's hands, she pulled the magician, giving a kick to her face, while suddenly, she just gave a smile, showing how she had the control in the fight.
(Zatanna) - Eit reh pu htiw eht pihw! - The whip then turned on Selina, binding her entire body and immobilizing her, taking one of the villains out of circulation and leaving only four to deal with for the moment. - Now they did.
(Question) - Don't be too confident, Zatanna.
(Icestreak) - This situation is demanding something difficult to be accomplished. I am not sure what will happen.
(Zatanna) - Why do I have this feeling that this story is taking a route just like in an anime? - Taking everyone by surprise and leaving the two sides in shock, Zatanna looked confused to the groups. - What?
(Icestreak) - Do you think it's more like the Twelve Palaces or a long arc from other anime?
(Zatanna) - I don't see this, but this situation involving our friends seems to have every bit of a Japanese cartoon.
(Green Lantern) - I guess I will never understand where you find these "surprises" from.
(Livewire) - Why am I hearing this? - The villains then, jumped to the attack, making Question attack Livewire and using her skills and fighting styles, pushed Leslie back, landing in Icestreak and leaving both of them nervous. - To be fair, even if we could show where your friends could be, we would, but... it's the bones of the office.
(Green Lantern) - You may not know it, but we are ready for anything. - Using her Power Ring, Jess went all out to attack, creating a shield and repelling Livewire's attacks, however, it was clear that she was only providing the distraction. Seeing Zatanna appearing behind Leslie, the magician attacked from behind, throwing her into the ground.
While the fight was going on, Artemis and Johnny were still in serious danger, considering how Cheshire was doing everything to keep them alive. Slowly, the mercenary saw what would happen. She was sure that Lex had summoned her for a reason, but the fact that she had lost control of everything only made it clear how deep a fear she had. Remembering everything, she could see the city. Metropolis overrun with doubt. She had planted this seed and now she wondered how much more could go wrong.
(Artemis) - You are doubting yourself, Jade. As always.
(Cheshire) - And what makes you think that, little sister? I'm just following the tide that is before me. You are only postponing the inevitable. - Her double sai was in her hands, in case of an emergency. - You came to me, looking for an answer, but got nothing. Artemis, it is difficult how things work. We have the choice to adapt to what we can do, or let the changes take over my body.
(Johnny) - Apparently, the family reunion is not the best. - That was enough to make Cheshire put her hand into the button in her arm, releasing a little electric discharge on the two heroes. - Ok, I take back that one.
(Cheshire) - You always were the idealist, Artemis. Trying to find answers to all our problems. I came to see heroes as a certain flaw before this society for a difficult reason. They always put themselves on a pedestal, but didn't interfere in mundane matters, like family situations. You can understand very well how I feel. In a way, heroes are seen as the pinnacle of perfection, but imagine what happens when we deconstruct this ideal and see them for who they are. - Deactivating the cameras in the main room, keeping them on a loop in Lexcorp's internal system, Jade could see how her body felt affected. The time she spent training with her father before becoming Cheshire seemed to symbolize how much she had some resentments. - They dealt with bigger issues, but when they needed to interfere with everyday things, they didn't do it. You understand this very well, Artemis.
(Artemis) - Why do you say that, Jade? Are you afraid of the answer you want to find?
(Cheshire) - I don't know. In fact, there are some things that I haven't completely solved. You wonder how we should act, but in fact, you don't have answers to your own problems. One way or another, we are stuck in this scenario where we have no middle ground. - Cheshire had the advantage, but to her, it was a curse in some ways because to what could happen now in her plan. - I have to get out one way or another.
(Atlas) - Why do you say that?
(Cheshire) - Because, Atlas, you don't understand what it's like to be me. His powers are something quite unusual, almost a time bomb about to explode at any second because of the lack of control that surrounds him. Lex Luthor wants to understand his powers, but he will not give up his greatest asset, just as I will not give up my advantage. After all, for him, knowing someone's secret identity is practically a defeat because it would be no fun knowing a secret like that.
(Artemis) - And what are you going to do now? You already have us captured and dear old daddy will not hesitate to do what it has to be done, in his point of view.
(Cheshire) - The heroes are already in serious trouble in the eyes of the public, but I think there is still hope for you. In the same way that I don't see hope in my plans.
For the first time, Cheshire had doubts about her plans. The fact that she had helped Lex meant how much her resentment over the past seemed to have spoken louder, yet now the question remained: What would she do after that? Almost as if she had no definite goal. With this thought, her mind turned to thoughts in which she herself had her doubts.
A few years ago...
In her room, Jade started to pack her bags, worried about what was happening in their lives. Seeing how all of their training was starting to consume her own soul, Artemis looked to her sister, worried about what she decided to do now. The blonde girl seemed to be more confused to what she would do in this story.
(Artemis) - You can't do this, Jade. Please.
(Jade) - I'm sorry, sis. But I can't stay in this house with Dad any longer.
(Artemis) - You, me and Dad. Please. What I'm going to do? - Artemis was more worried than ever, seeing how things were falling apart in her mind.
(Jade) - There are some issues that the two of us need to face. Our own mother is in jail and we need to do something to change our situation. Artemis, you really have something to do. But he's trying to turn me into something that I can't. To use my rage and do more than I can expect, it's to open hand of my soul. - To Jade Nguyen, it was more than she could hope for. To her, rage was a weapon, to be used in far more dangerous situations. And to Jade, she was out of ideas now. - That's why I need to go. Far away as possible.
(Artemis) - Take me with you. If you're going, at least, bring me. - Artemis Crock. In her mind, she was trying everything at her mind to make her sister stay, or at least, accompany the only person in the moment.
(Jade) - I can't. This kind of job, is something that will consume you every minute. You're better than me, Artemis. And with this, little sis, you have more heart. More optimism. When I'm gone, you're gonna need to be strong. For both of us.
(Artemis) - And what will you do?
(Jade) - I have the training. The skills. Finesse. Just need to find something that shows how good I can be. - Standing near the window, she felt her own inner turmoil taking over. - We're all mad. Madders hatters.
Now...
Jade felt her heart beating faster than she could count, asking herself how many times she relived the same thought in her mind, unsure of the answer she wanted to find. Looking at Artemis, she moved closer, looking at her sister, while on the other side, the blonde felt her fear rising with the nick of time.
(Cheshire) - I wasn't lying when I said that this work would be soul consuming. Sometimes, we do not choose our path, but sometimes, something greater than we can count may be in our hands. Remember when I said that you were the best of us? It was all true.
(Artemis) - You let yourself be consumed by this urge to want to do whatever is necessary for the sake of Luthor's plans. Now you've lost control of everything by finding the one team that wouldn't let you go through with it. You see, the Super Hero Girls are more than just a team of heroines. They protect this city because it is their mission. They haven't stopped fighting because they know how much Metropolis needs its protectors.
(Cheshire) - Just as you told yourself that you could be a better heroine than imagined? Think about that scenario. You've been playing the same game since you were a teenager. And yet, you've changed your look quite a bit. - Picking her double sai, Cheshire just looked at her sister, worried with the situation. - You even took the name that our mother used in the missions.
(Artemis) - I guess at the end of it all, I really needed a fresh start. But I stand by my argument. This cynicism of yours doesn't suit you very well.
(Cheshire) - Then let it be me dealing with you rather than Sportsmaster. Because if it's up to him, he'll spare no effort in taking out every single one of you. - Activating the internal camera feed again, Cheshire looked at the two heroes again, realizing how they still had some problems to solve. - We're done talking.
Poison Ivy seemed to be getting cornered on one side, seeing how Green Lantern had left her on the defensive. On the other side, Giganta stood up, going face to face with Question, making Renée use every single one of her fighting skills to keep herself on feet with her opponent. Seeing the scene, Wonder Woman began to confront Livewire and Icestreak once again. Using her Lasso of Truth and repelling her opponents' attacks, this allowed Zatanna to allow her magic to flow freely. Her eyes turned purple, making the magician open her right hand, creating a shockwave that threw the Super Villain Girls behind. Zatanna then, made some runes appear in front of her, creating a defensive shield and with this, pushed herself further into the battle, on which the magician helped to give the advantage back to her friends.
(Icestreak) - I refuse to lose to them! It is already becoming a totally unfunny joke.
(Livewire) - You talk about your jokes and I can't even hear my own voice anymore now! - Surprisingly, Jason seemed to be in shock that Leslie was not being able to take the sarcasm they used in the fights, making the problem a little more complicated on their side.
(Poison Ivy) - Will the two lovebirds stop arguing about sense of humor and settle this story? - With this scene, Diana seemed to be getting more nervous as time went on, as did Zatanna, who exchanged glances with each other.
(Zatanna) - Since when these two are dating?
(Icestreak) - We have some things that we share in common, all right? - Facepalming herself, Zatanna just didn't believe what he said, until Jason looked to his group. - What?
(Livewire) - Did you just realize you gave away the answer, idiot?
(Poison Ivy) - Now they really don't know when I can make some jokes. - Looking at the Super Hero Girls, Pamela put her hands on the ground, in which several giant plants appeared in a surprising way, heading towards the group. Question looked at the scene, noticing the patterns of movement, confident beneath her mask, Renée just looked at the girls, keeping a little calmer.
(Question) - Divert!
Batgirl launched herself from the side of Question, and with that, threw several batarangs towards the plants, cutting each one, but each vine and root kept growing, making it clear how the Green surrounded Poison Ivy in a unique way, concentrating her strength in an unimaginable way. Each attack seemed to make clear the villains' conviction to achieve victory at all costs. Shrinking even more in size, Karen flew through the plants, using her stingers to bewilder Pamela. With that, Diana readied the sword in her hands and slashed at each of the plants, however, several of them began to crush her body, leaving Zatanna and Green Lantern worried. Star Sapphire, on the other hand, seemed to be reveling in the scene.
(Star Sapphire) - It's amazing how it all works. You never know what's going to happen while you're playing this little game. - Lifting her ring high into the air, Carol created a giant heart with all her power and in that, wrapped herself in it, confidently. - Love, from my side, is a pretty amazing thing. But you're not going to get through this.
(Green Lantern) - We have our doubts in this. - Jessica then concentrated all the power she could muster, in which both released a huge wave of energy from their rings, colliding with one another and throwing each of them behind, however, Star Sapphire ended up being knocked out. - You can muster up all the love you have in your body, but my willpower is a little more than I can claim.
(Question) - That's the spirit. - Looking at the rest of the villains, Poison Ivy simply closed one of her hands, almost crushing Renée with them and at that, threw the vigilante with everything in the opposite direction, standing firm on the current problem. Slowly, Wonder Woman put her shield in front, blocking Pamela's attack and in that, Livewire raised her left hand, feeling her strength increasing with time.
(Livewire) - This time, you will miss out for good, Super Hero Girls!
Releasing a surge of electrical energy from her body, Leslie felt what felt like victory approaching. However, suddenly, Wonder Woman threw herself forward, trying to absorb the full impact of Livewire's attack. The Amazon then got a shock seeing her metal bracelets absorbing not only the impact, but the villain's energy, leaving Icestreak perplexed by the scene.
(Icestreak) - By the brightest lady in the stars...
(Poison Ivy) - What did you say now? - Icestreak's mind was so in shock to what he was seeing that his own mind became distracted from the battle, leaving everyone in disbelief.
(Livewire) - I can't believe it! Even with all my power being used, she still managed to absorb the impact, just like before! - Leslie couldn't understand what was happening, but to Diana, sensing the electricity run through her body, bracelets and arms, it was a clear sign of how things were different now.
(Wonder Woman) - Livewire, you're the fool to think that my power only limits to certain points. My own power is something far more than all of you can imagine. You want to believe in chaos. But us... we believe in the truth. And in the love.
(Livewire) - I'm gonna destroy you, Wonder Woman! And then one of us can say later who was right in this story!
Opening her hands, Leslie launched another blow, concentrating more and more of her strength, yet Diana only absorbed the energy. With another smile on her face, showing all her optimism, the Amazon slammed the bracelets with all the strength in the world into her body, not only concentrating what she could imagine, but also feeling the strength of her friends with unique power. Throwing all the villains backwards, knocking them out, Lexcorp began to shake, catching Lex and Sportsmaster off guard, as did Cheshire, who felt the force of the impact in the main room.
(Sportsmaster) - What was that?
(Lex) - That's it, Sportsmaster... - Turning on the cameras in the other rooms, watching the defeated villains, it was clear how Lex seemed to be getting way ahead of himself in some details. - This is what happens when certain people get out of hand with their powers. It looks like the Super Hero Girls have managed to win this fight.
(Sportsmaster) - And what do we do now?
(Lex) - Didn't you want your chance to shine, Lawrence? This is your moment. You have a reputation in this line of work for a reason. Now prove what you're really capable of.
(Sportsmaster) - Cheshire has discovered every one of your weaknesses. But I also know countless things they don't. - Putting the mask on his face, Sportsmaster began to leave the room, standing up to the challenge once again.
Lex Luthor's plans seemed to be on a collision course with the heroines of Metropolis, but he still had his trump cards, unsure of the future but fully believing in his decisive victory against the protectors of this city.
At the hideout where Jinx and Mammoth were, Supergirl, Black Canary and Huntress, the trio of heroines began to turn the tide of the fight against the villains before them. Gradually, Kara took advantage of the scene to counterattack, landing a punch that made the entire floor shake, leaving Jinx herself in shock at the scene, seeing how far the Kryptonian would go to win the fight. The pink aura of her powers enveloped her body and as she launched a small wave in Kara's direction, Dinah stood in front of her, receiving all the impact and thus opened her hands, starting to manipulate the luck of everyone in the place again, willing to turn the fight around. Punching Mammoth, the fists of both collided, but Kara was thrown into a frame, showing how Jinx had manipulated the outcome in the fight under those circumstances.
(Jinx) - Do you really think you're gonna be able to defeat us?
(Supergirl) - We still have some tricks under our sleeves, Jinx. - With this line, Black Canary split her staff in two, managing to hit some punches and strikes with her weapon on Jinx, however, even when the villain managed to hit Dinah, the pink-haired girl seemed to be at disadvantage with this struggle. Switching her attention to Mammoth, Kara hit some punches on the villain, on which a battle started to take place between the two sides, making everyone stay focused on the fight. - Stay still!
(Mammoth) - Never!
Using her super breath, Kara created a gust of wind that began to push Mammoth around, which gave the Kryptonian the opportunity to punch his chin, throwing him high into the air and slamming him into the ceiling of the hideout, showing his true strength. Huntress then fired another arrow, where a metal rope emerged from the tip, hitting Jinx and pinning her against a wall. Trying to use her powers to free herself from the rope, out of nowhere, her body was hit by a small shock discharge, much to the surprise of Dinah and Kara.
(Huntress) - I still have a few things I know how to do. Modifying arrows is one of them.
(Black Canary) - Well, Jinx, I guess that wraps up your participation in this fight. - Trying to use her powers again, she felt another shock in her body, leaving Jinx completely worried about what had happened now.
(Huntress) - Arrow with a motion sensor. If it tries to do anything, it is programmed to release a shock charge that should keep it immobilized.
(Jinx) - From the looks of it, you have really thought of everything. Little do you know what will happen now. Mammoth! Your cue!
Punching Supergirl, knocking her to the ground, Mammoth felt his anger rising more and more as time went on, just as the villain also felt his muscles tightening, bringing his body face to face with the trio of heroines. Running full tilt at Dinah, Kara and Helena, the Birds of Prey leader, Black Canary, just walked towards her enemy, throwing a part of her stick at the villain, who grabbed it, but in this, Dinah used her sonic scream once again, trying to push him back, however, Mammoth put his hands in front, forcing his body to walk towards his opponents. Kara then, used her super breath again, helping to push the villain back. Slamming her fists full force into the ground, Mammoth caused a tremor, trying to unsettle the heroine duo, but with that, Helena readied her crossbow, shooting another arrow in his direction, creating a small cloud of smoke around it. Sighing, Kara just looked to the side, using her infared vision to see where Mammoth could be. Next, using her ears and super audition, she sensed the next strike.
(Supergirl) - Watch out!
Kara and Helena dodged the strike, however, without seeing, Dinah was hit by Mammoth, throwing her on the floor. Enraged, she prepared her throat, and with this, released a scream, very much loud than the previous one, showcasing all of her anger now with this story. Putting his hands on his ears, in a surprising way, it was clear that Dinah was concentrating all of her attack now to subdue the villain. This managed to provide a gap for Kara to land such a powerful punch on her opponent, knocking him to the ground and knocking him out. Slowly, Dinah fell to her knees, feeling her throat burning, which left Kara and Helena worried.
(Supergirl) - Black Canary? What happened?
(Black Canary) - When I push my powers too hard, I end up physically exhausted. And to top it all off, my throat... - Feeling her throat burning, bothering her, Dinah just sighed, trying to contain her voice. - It is completely damaged if I use my power too much.
(Huntress) - The worst is over. - Out of nowhere, hearing an almost insane laugh, Jinx just looked at the trio in front of him, with another smile, but this time, with a more insane look on his face.
(Jinx) - On the contrary. We are just beginning. Do you really think that you have managed to defeat us? While we are talking, you can't imagine the dangers that await you. And your friends? How are they doing?
These words made it clear how concerned Kara, Dinah, and Helena had become about the scene. Slowly, Jinx just used her powers, forcing her body, even with the shock it was taking, to create a small smoke screen and disappear, leaving only Mammoth in place. A sign that Jinx had left his own partner behind because of an escape attempt.
(Supergirl) - I think we now have a big problem ahead.
All eyes were turning on Lexcorp. Lex Luthor's elaborate plan seemed to be nearing completion, willing to do anything to ensure his victory. Now Kara Danvers, Laurel Lance and Helena Bertinelli needed to get to Lexcorp. Because now, the trio was sure of one thing.
The beginning of the end in fact was inevitable.
Running through the halls of Lexcorp, Diana, Zee, Jessica, Renée, Karen and Barbara found themselves in a race to save Atlas and Tigress, putting everything they had at risk to make it to the main room. For them, it was more than the lives of partners, but two friends in the hands of someone who used their philanthropy to manipulate the events around them.
"I guess things can't go much worse now, am I right?" Zee said, trying to make sure of this whole story involving Cheshire and at the same time, trying to see a certain spot in this battle.
"Not sure yet. If we know our enemies, is that they will never stop until all of us are defeated." Said Diana, while keeping the sword in her hands, running through the halls, and opening each door to reach their friends.
"We aren't that far now. According to the sistems in my suit, there's only five rooms left to reach our friends." Karen seemed to be more optimistic than the expected, deciding to do everything to solve this story.
Reaching into the next room, however, when the girls entered, a smokescreen appeared, on which a mysterious figure punched Batgirl and Zatanna, pushing both of them behind and leaving everyone in worry about what happened. Question stood in fighting stance, remembering all the martial arts knowledge she had, blocking some of the attacks, until a kick hit her face, knocking her to the floor with everything, while Diana put her shield at bay too, on which Jessica and Karen got ready too. With this, a man with daggers appeared, wearing a hockey mask. The figure of Sportsmaster.
"I guess we're finally face to face, Super Hero Girls." The words said by Sportsmaster seemed to be from someone with a sizeable amount of knowledge, which he could use to do everything in his power. A presence that claimed to be powerful, a professional mercenary who can do his jobs to perfection.
"What..." Diana talked, becoming more nervous than she could ever imagine now. Fighting like an Amazon and doing everything to save the World of Men, she knew very well how complicated her journey was, but now, she was faced with an even worse situation and not even her friends seemed to be willing to fight.
"You can call me Sportsmaster. At your service. Or better... to your end." Preparing the daggers he had with him, Lawrence attacked Barbara, putting her gadgets in front of her, but ended up getting kicked in the leg, knocking her with one of her knees to the ground.
"Fear not, Batgirl! I am here to help! " Diana threw her Lasso of Truth into Sportsmaster's arms, pulling him with all her strength, but suddenly, the mercenary began pulling on the rope using almost equal force, leaving the Amazon worried.
"This is all you can do? In all my years of service, I learned many tricks and one of them was how to use an opponent's advantage to your advantage." Pulling on the rope, Sportsmaster took advantage of the scene and managed to punch Wonder Woman, hitting her chest and knocking her down with all her might, leaving the Super Hero Girls worried.
"This guy looks like he's stronger than ever." Question spoke, but at the same time, incredulous at the scene he was witnessing.
"I have done many things over all these years. I have improved my physical attributes, willpower, everything you can imagine. Unlike Cheshire, who seemed to take it easy on you, I'm not going to be as nice as you think.
"Siblings." - Diana stood up and with that, her friends stood at the ready. "If that's the way it's going to be, at least let's give it all we have in our souls. At least one of us has to reach out to our companions."
"All right. You really want to see the truth? You can come."
In a rather tense moment, the Super Hero Girls found themselves facing yet another obstacle. Lawrence Crusher, Sportsmaster. Father of Artemis and Jade. Now about to enter a fight in the service of Lex Luthor and ensure the success of his plans. A battle that Metropolis' greatest heroines were to give their all to win and get to Atlas and Tigress, no matter the cost. It was a rescue mission. But on the other side, it was also just what he needed most right now. It was time for them to start closing this battle and save the soul of the city.
To be continued...
Author's Note: Okay, folks. We're back once again, and indeed, with some surprises ahead. By the title, you can see that this final part of the Cheshire is also putting Artemis as one of the center pieces, showcasing how the two of them are polar opposites. This arc was envisioned like one that put Atlas, Green Lantern and Supergirl as the main characters, alongside with the Birds of Prey, and I've might have said that a few chapters ago. But the next chapters will be far more surprising, because as a part of the end, it will lay some questions around? What will be Cheshire's fate? How will the Super Hero Girls defeat Sportsmaster? And how will their final battle against the mercenary hired by Lex Luthor unfold? I can assure that some surprises will be far more ready than the expected.
And as you can see, I decided to change the writing style for a while, trying to mash two different types just to change the dynamic sometimes. In most, I will be specific and in others, you may be in awe to what will lie ahead. Very soon, we're gonna begin our next arc involving Doctor Fate and some breather episodes. But as I will say, this next arc will have some of THE wham episodes that will leave everyone in disbelief. And as you can say, more changes will catch all of you off-guard.
That was it for today, folks! See you all next time!