Disclaimer: I do not own Max Steel or Young Justice.

Chapter 1: At Her Mercy

Max frowned as he felt a sudden wave of cold water wash over him, waking him up from his brief unconsciousness. The last thing he remembered was taking on Deathstroke, Black Spider, and some League of Shadow's foot soldiers. He and Steel were about to-

"Steel?" realized Max as he blinked his eyes a bit, getting some of the water out of them as he tried to stand up, but felt a sudden tug on his neck.

Blinking his eyes a bit more, he saw that he was seated in a metal chair that was bolted to the floor. His legs were chained to the front legs of the chair while his arms were cuffed behind his back. An Inhibitor Collar had been placed around his neck and had a chain connected to the short backrest. Another thing he noticed was he was missing his shirt and was just in a pair of pants.

"Look who's back," noted a smug voice.

Looking in the direction of the person, Max saw Black Spider and Deathstroke in front of him. The latter was holding a bucket, which he assumed was previously filled with cold water.

"Have a nice nap?" asked Black Spider mockingly.

"I've had better," replied Max, his tone even as he knew there wasn't much he could do right now, especially with the inhibitor collar.

"I imagine you have," noted the League Assassin as Slade reached up to his communicator and pressed on it.

"He's awake," informed the master assassin.

It was then the door to the small room opened up and Deathstroke stepped aside to allow someone Max was regrettably familiar with: Lady Shiva.

Shiva was wearing her usual attire: a tight red bodysuit with a window displaying her impressive cleavage, gray leggings, and a black sash held by a gold ring around her waist. She was currently without her broadsword, but that didn't make her any less dangerous.

Max straightened himself out as he sat up, a neutral expression on her face. Neither of them said anything for a few moments before the enforcer of the Light and sensei for the League of Assains, after Ra's Al Ghul left the Light, spoke first.

"Hello, Maxwell," greeted Shiva as she stepped past Deathstroke and Black Spider, her arms held behind her back.

"Shiva," replied the young man, knowing that he needed to choose his words carefully. While Lady Shiva wasn't one to lose her composure or lash out, she wasn't above using certain methods to make some regret what they said.

"You two know each other," noted Black Spider.

"Lady Shiva and Cheshire tested him a few years back," stated Deathstroke, being familiar with Max's history, a new hero is a dangerous one, especially this one, "To see if he was worthy of the League of Assassins."

"Really? Wow," said Black Spider, a little bit surprised to hear that, "You must've left quite an impression."

"He proved his capability," informed Lady Shiva, glancing over her shoulder before returning her gaze to Max who had a frown on his face.

"Didn't leave me much choice," declared the hero bitterly, remembering her 'test' if it could be called that, "Now where's Steel?"

"The Ultralink is still with you, but he can't help you," replied Shiva, maintaining her soft-spoken tone, "The inhibitor collar you wear has locked him in and placed in a sort of standby mode. Only the dampeners are functional, in order to prevent you from overloading."

Max hummed, while he was relieved to hear that Steel was okay and he would be too, it didn't really help him all that much.

"Okay, thanks for that," replied Max slowly before he had another question lined up, "Now what do you want?"

Lady Shiva didn't say anything for a moment before she eventually issued an order, "Deathstroke, Black Spider: I request the room."

Deathstroke and Black Spider glanced at each other for a moment before the two left. The heavy door closed behind them and locked, leaving Max and Shiva alone in the room with a single overhanging lamp illuminating the small space. The only other thing in the room, besides the metal chair Max was chained to was a small video camera that was placed in one of the corners of the room.

Without even looking, Lady Shiva drew a small dagger and threw it at the camera, slicing the cable, and cutting off the feed.

"Now, that we are alone," began the most skilled fighter in the world, coming closer to Max. The young man tensed a bit as she leaned down towards him and reached out, cupping his chin in her right hand, "How have you been, Maxwell?"

"I've been fine," replied Max, knowing he better go along with her questions, mainly because he didn't want to find out what happened when he didn't answer her. As soft as her hand was, he knew that many people died at her hands.

"Your skills have improved greatly since the last time we crossed paths," noted Shiva, the faintest of smiles appearing on her dark lips.

"Yeah, well," said the young man, pulling away from her hand and glancing away, "You and you're bosses' thugs give me plenty of practice."

"I am aware," said the Light's enforcer, as she let her hand fall before coming to rest on his chest. Shiva internally smirked as she felt Max shudder under her touch as she started circling around him, like a predator eyeing its prey, all the while dragging her nails gently across his chest and shoulder, "I am also aware that you have been looking into my history and past actions."

Bringing her hand back behind her, Shiva leaned down to Max's ear, "Do you wish to explain yourself?"

Despite her seemingly soft tone and somewhat, innocent question, Max couldn't help but flinch slightly at the way she said it. It was like his mom caught him doing something he shouldn't.

"W-Well when the deadliest woman on the Earth says she's 'taken an interest' in you, you can't exactly fault me for wanting to make sure where she is and what she's doing," explained Max, stuttering slightly as he looked over to Shiva, seeing the same faint smile on her face.

"Perhaps," replied Shiva as she straightened up, circling him once more, this time using her left hand to drag her nails across his skin, "One must be aware of the actions of his enemy."

Max let out a sigh, relaxing just slightly, but froze when he felt Shiva stop suddenly, her nails resting on the back of his neck, right at the base of his skull.

"However, it does make me curious about your actions," stated Lady Shiva, adjusting the placement of her hand on Max's next, noting how tense he was under her touch.

"In what way?" Asked Max, suppressing the urge to wince as he felt Shiva begin to dig her nails into his neck.

"Do you fear me, Maxwell?" asked Lady Shiva suddenly, causing her captive to pause for a moment.

"What?" Max didn't know how to answer the question, however, his response wasn't what Shiva was looking for as she tightened her grip even more; her nails digging in even further while a pained yelp escaped Max. Keeping her hand where it was, Shiva circled around her captive before leaning down to look him right in the eyes.

"Do. You. Fear. Me?" demanded Shiva, her brown eyes meeting Max's blue ones.

Taking a moment to regain some composure, Max steeled himself as he met Shiva's gaze, "I don't. I'm just aware of how dangerous you are."

Lady Shiva said nothing as she looked into the eyes of the Linked Hero before her. Studying his body language, noting that nothing let her know he wasn't lying. Body language is something most people can't hide, it is the one thing that will truly reveal a person's intentions.

Satisfied with the answer, Lady Shiva's soft smile returned as she released her grip on Max's neck with her nails. But did let her hand linger, gently stroking the tender flesh while Max let out a relieved sigh and a slight shiver as he felt Shiva's fingers drag over his skin.

"Very good, Maxwell," praised Shiva as she righted herself and brought her hand back, but she did resume circling him, "I knew you were a warrior when we first tested you. That raw potential you possess."

"Yeah?" asked Max, a bit confused as he tried to follow Shiva, attempting to keep her in his line of sight.

"Yes," confirmed the Light's enforcer, stopping just behind Max before stepping towards him. She leaned down towards the hero, extending both her hands to gently grip his shoulders before snaking around his neck and to his chest, "So much potential."

Max did his best to suppress the need to let out a groan, feeling Shiva's hands glide over his skin, "A-And?"

"And," continued the mother of Orphan, leaning in even closer, so much so that Max could feel her cool breath on his skin as she whispered into his ear, "I want to help you realize that potential."

Now that really caught Max by surprise. His eyes widened in shock as he looked back at Shiva, slightly unnerved to see her soft smile had grown a little bit.

"I-I'm sorry, what?!" asked Max, still trying to process what was just said to him.

"You did not mishear me, Maxwell," the deadly woman assured her captive, circling around him one last time before closing the distance even more, by seating herself in his lap, "I want to help you realize your fullest potential."

She leaned into Max a bit more, her generous bust pressing in his chest. It wasn't lost on Max how incredibly soft Shiva's breasts wear, even through the fabric of her bodysuit.

"To help achieve your mission," soothed Shiva, her hands trailing up Max's torso, one hand coming to his shoulder while the other cupped his cheek. The deadly woman used her thumb to wipe some water that was still on Max's face away, "Our mission."

"'Our mission?'" echoed Max, not sure if he heard Shiva correctly.

"Yes," whispered Shiva, leaning in even closer, so much so that Max half expected her to press her dark lips against his, but at the last moment she stopped, a quarter of an inch away, "To create a world where all are safe and protected."

"That is what you want, yes?" Inquired Shiva, using both her hands to cup Max's face, looking at him, in almost a motherly way, "To protect and keep safe those who deserve it?"

At this point, Max was at a loss for words, so he could do the only thing he could think of and nod. Shiva smiled as she adjusted herself, placing herself in between the hero's legs. The woman leaned in more, her bust pressing even more into his chest as Shiva moved closer as her hands came to rest on Max's shoulders.

"I can show you how you can keep those who deserve it safe and protected," the woman said in Max's ear, "If you fight for me."

Now that caused Max to get some composure back as he steeled his emotions.

"I won't work for the Light," stated Max, his tone leaving no room to argue. However, Shiva wasn't deterred as she pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes.

"I did not say you would," corrected Shiva, "Only that you would fight for me."

"But you're-," started Max, however, he was cut off when Shiva pressed her index finger to his lips, silencing him with a hush.

"Shhhh, you won't answer to the Light, only to me," explained Shiva, removing her finger after a moment, "I will be responsible for you. You have so much potential, so much promise."

Bringing him closer, she cradled Max's head in her hands, accidentally resting him on her bust, "Would you deny yourself the chance to grow and be able to defend so many others?"

Max didn't really know how to respond as he has had help countless times, growing stronger each time. Be it from Berto making it some new gear for Steel to interface with, or Canary helping improve his training and skills in combat. He has had help so many times, would this really be any different?

Max knew he couldn't trust her, but something in the back of his head told him that he should hear her out. Worst case scenario, he could leave with more knowledge of the Light's agenda. Maybe even knowledge about what Dread is doing.

While Max was thinking about the pros and cons, Shiva remained silent, patiently waiting for his answer. Though, she did not remain idle, running her fingers through Max's chestnut locks while her other hand returned to a particular spot on Max's neck, the spot where she had gripped tightly with her nails. She gently massaged the area, soothing the wounded flesh, taking extra care of the center where her nails dug into his neck.

"I...," started Max, gaining Shiva's attention as she brought her hand down from the top of his head to his cheek, tracing circles with her thumb, while her hand that was on the back of his neck pressed down ever so gently, "I need time to think about this."

"Weighing the outcomes of your decision?" Guessed Shiva, earning a nod from Max. The Light's enforcer smiled as she hugged Max a little tighter, "Very well, my dear. I will return in a week to see what your final answer will be."

"You'll respect whatever decision I make?" Asked Max, just being cautious and wanting to hear what her response will be.

"Of course," confirmed Shiva releasing her captive just a bit to look him in the eyes, "I am a woman of her word. Whatever you decide, I will respect it."

Removing her hand from the back of his neck, Shiva cupped Max's face, her eyes meeting his. Neither of them said anything for a few moments. The deadly warrior and the hero just stared at each other for a few seconds, before the former finally decided to make a move.

Leaning in, Shiva gave him the softest of kisses on his cheek. The Light's enforcer lingered for just a moment before pulling back, a warm smile on her face. An odd feeling of affection filling the air.

"But I have faith you will make the right decision, my dear," stated Shiva as she removed herself from Max's lap. She did, however, allow one of her hands to linger on Max's cheek before slipping under his chin before slipping away, almost as if she did not wish to leave.

"One week," she reminded before leaving the room. The door locking behind her as she made her way down one of the compound's many hallways.

As she made her way, one of the Light's scientists approached her.

"I trust the device will perform as promised?" inquired the woman.

"It will, my lady," nodded the scientist, showing a tablet to Shiva, displaying the statistics of the device, "While it won't control either of them, it will make both the boy and Ultralink more suggestible."

Shiva smiled, "So all that is left is to further convince Maxwell to join us."

End...