BAYOU BARTHAOLOMEW
OCTOBER 1ST, 2010 18: 34 EST
Conner watched his best friend warily out of the corner of his eye as he sat on the Bioship. Honeybee was staring straight ahead, her eyes narrowed angrily, and she had said not a word since her and Robin had entered the Bioship. Their seemed to be an understanding that had passed between the two youngest members of the Team before they boarded, as they had silently separated once they arrived and not bothered to look at the other. But Honeybee wasn't angry at Robin – no, it was easy to tell who Honeybee was mad at when she was, and it was someone not on this ship. He could remember the vicious way Honeybee had said Poison Ivy's name. There was something personal between them, something that caused Honeybee to be so angry she did not speak and barely blinked.
There was still so much he did know about his friend – her name, for starters. But no one knew that, at least not that Conner was aware of. But there were other things too. Honeybee, for how much she hated secrets, kept many of her own. What happened to Waspia, who she was to Honeybee, and why she hated Batman. All of that was wrapped in her brain and in the months that he knew her, she was unwilling to share. The only one who knew all that information was Robin, and he tried to ignore the flare of jealousy at that. Robin had known Honeybee for way longer, they shared a city, he probably figured it out on his own, but still Conner felt like he was second-best to Robin for Honeybee. Conner wondered if he would ever know the secrets Honeybee kept close to her chest.
Then again, Conner thought, sneaking a look at M'gann, he was keeping secrets of his own. He wasn't trying to keep his relationship a secret from Honeybee, but it was nice to have something finally that was his own. M'gann was the nicest, sweetest person he knew, and he didn't want to mess this up with her by letting the whole Team on their relationship when it was so new.
Conner was drawn from his thoughts by Kid Flash saying something to Kaldur.
"What's that?" Kid Flash asked. He was eyeing the duffel bag at Kaldur's feet while finishing off a pre-mission banana.
"Plan B," Kaldur intoned mysteriously. Conner furrowed his brow and looked down at the bag. What could possibly Plan B contain?
"Ugh," M'gann groaned, bringing her fingers to her temple. Worried flooded Conner's system and he turned sharply to where M'gann was piloting the ship. Wolf was at his feet and did likewise.
"You alright?" Conner asked. M'gann looked up at him, face contorted from discomfort.
"Dizzy," she said. M'gann shook her head to try and clear it.
"Martians get airsick?" Robin said, head tilted in confusion.
"She does look a bit greener than usual," Kid Flash offered, and Conner frowned at him. Was now really the time for jokes?
"Not me, her," M'gann said. Artemis shook her head when everyone turned to her.
"I feel fine," Artemis assured them. M'gann groaned again and petted the arm of her seat comfortingly.
"No, the Bioship," M'gann said. "She's trying to shield us, but –"
A crackle of lightening cracked outside, and the camouflage of the Bioship disappeared, and they became a sitting duck in the air. Something from under the Bioship hit the underside, sending them off-course. The Bioship spun around dizzyingly, and Conner couldn't keep in a groan as his body slammed into the control panel in front of him. They landed in the water below, and bough of the ship started filling up with water. The ship and them was granted no reprieve, as vines rose from the water wrapped around the Bioship and attempted to pull them completely under the water.
Something scram a primal scream, and then there was a hole in the top of Bioship.
"He's hurting her!" M'gann said in horror, looking up at Black Atom through the hole he created.
Conner growled and stood up, punching Black Atom through the hole and back away from the Bioship. Water continued to fill the Bioship at an alarming rate and Conner tried to wade his way through the water when he heard Artemis speak.
"No! No way am I nearly drowning three missions in a row!" She took a rebreather out of her belt and stuck it on, before handing one to Kid Flash who was at her left.
"Wow, oh, uh, thanks," Kid Flash said in surprise. He took it from her and put it on. Conner turned to M'gann, who was still clutching her head from the Bioship's pain.
"M'gann, open a hatch!" he called to her. M'gann shook her head and looked up from her hand.
"Hello, Megan!" she said. She hit her head lightly and grew a pair of gills on her neck. She disappeared beneath the waves to create a hole. Aqualad stuck his head below to see if it was completed, before popping back up and commanding them all to leave.
"Everyone out now!"
They all left and began to swim through the waves. Honeybee swam at his heels, and M'gann swam in front of him with her gills. In the chaos, Conner had not noticed that Honeybee had put on a rebreather. Conner wished he had the foresight to bring one otherwise he would have not had to hold his breath for so long. The bayou was muddy, making it hard to see and various creatures would skim past them on their way to their destinations, heedless of the battle about to unfold in their ecosystem.
Conner finally broke air and he coughed wildly, trying to spit the water out of his system. Honeybee pulled off her rebreather and inserted it back in her utility belt, while M'gann rid herself of her gills. Conner checked her over once to make sure she was okay. She seemed sad over the Bioship, but otherwise she looked uninjured.
The Team turned to see Bioship be pulled under the water by the dark green vines that overtaken around it.
"She's in shock," M'gann said sorrowfully. "She'll need time to recover."
Kaldur opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the collective Team being hit with a wave of dizziness and nausea. Conner fell to the ground, gripping his head. His head looked down at the muddy ground and he heard Honeybee groan from next to him.
"Vertigo," Kid Flash seethed from nearby. Conner could see the outlines of shoes at the edge of his vision, and he looked up to see the blond Count Vertigo before the group.
"It's Count Vertigo, to you, peasant!" Count Vertigo corrected. Conner roared, gathering his strength up and stood. He raced towards Vertigo, raising his fist to punch. But it was no use, as the man narrowed his eyes and sent another blast from his vertigo machine Conner's way.
It hit him straight on, and Conner's head spun in a tizzy, his stomach nearly ready to explode. He was sent flying back to the ground, and he groaned as his head hit the dirt and grass. The wave of nausea was so strong that Conner felt himself start to slip out of consciousness, his head throbbing beneath the dizzy spins.
"Superboy!" He heard a voice call out, but his head hurt so much he could barley tell that it was female, let alone who it was exactly. He groaned one final time, and then he was gone into unconsciousness.
Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days?
Always a bigger bed to crawl into
Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything
And everybody believed in you?
BAYOU BARTHAOLOMEW
OCTOBER 1ST 2010, 19: 23 EST
The sky was starting to turn from orange to plum, and if it hadn't of been for the fact she was on her way to confront her mother's murderer and try and save the world, Honeybee might have found the sight to be pretty. Honeybee followed after Miss Martian and Robin, her boots squishing in the mud softly and covering them in the thick, slimy substance.
They had been forced to leave the others behind once it became clear that Black Atom and Count Vertigo were not going to be letting up their attack any time soon. The others provided a distraction while her, Robin, and Miss Martian rushed off to where the exact coordinates of where the control center was located.
Honeybee's stomach turned over and over as they got closer. Poison Ivy was just within her grasp, her fingertips nearly scratching the surface, and she felt her anger and anticipation pile up in her.
"I've lost contact with Aqualad and the others," Miss Martian announced into the silence after a while. Miss Martian looked over her should nervously. "Should we – "
"Sorry, that's not the gig," Robin said. "This is." Robin dropped his hologlove and pulled back a tree branch, revealing a glass-domed building in the center of a clearing. From the top of it sprouted a large green plant, vines wrapping around themselves and sticking up like thorns. "The Injustice League Central Command Center. Looks like that plant is acting as a control beacon for the plants worldwide."
"Why, hello."
Honeybee's blood ran cold at the sound of that voice, and she turned on her heel in a flash. She gritted her teeth at the appearance of one Poison Ivy in front of her. She stood carelessly, almost breezily in the center of two trees. Behind her dropped the Ultra-Humanite, who cocked his large gun and pointed it at them.
"And goodbye," she purred. She shot out vines at them, Honeybee dodging the one aimed at her. Bullets were sent their way, but M'gann managed to deflect them with her telepathy. Honeybee growled and pulled out two stingers, she sent them Ivy's way, which cut down two of the vines with the blades at the edges.
She knew her job. Be the distraction so Robin and Miss Martian can get away to destroy the plant. And for once, she was going to enjoy being it.
"If it isn't little Bee Brat," Poison Ivy said. "Ready to join your precious Waspia?"
Poison Ivy sent out two vines, and Honeybee flipped over them to dodge. She landed on top of one and ran up the side of it for as long as she could, flying off two stingers. Poison Ivy managed to avoid them and pulled back the vine she was running on, Honeybee falling to the ground. She managed to land on her feet, and she turned to run. Vines followed after her and she jumped up into the trees to avoid them, the vines following after and twisting up into the trees.
"Not in the mood for a reunion," Honeybee shot back. Honeybee heard the sound of gunfire, and knew that Miss Martian and Robin were engaging Ultra-Humanite.
Honeybee raced through the trees, jumping between limbs. She hanged onto the some with her hand, with others she landed on her feet, whatever she could do to avoid the vines headed her way. She landed back onto the ground and stared down Ivy.
Honeybee let out a roaring sound and released two stingers. One managed to scratch Ivy's arm, but the other was dodged completely. Honeybee looked over head to see a golden cage escorted by Wotan, Black Atom, and Count Vertigo. From nothingness appeared the Bioship, who blasted Wotan out of the sky. The cage disappeared, and her teammates fell to the ground. Honeybee smiled, taking the distraction to escape Ivy's gaze and hide in the trees. Ivy seemed to lose interest in her, as she went over to where her teammates had fallen into the muddy water.
The Ultra-Humanite stood over Wolf and Superboy, who stood with a snarl and charged at the enhanced gorilla.
"I hate monkeys!" he said with a roar. Poison Ivy stood from behind Artemis and Aqualad, who stood from the water to face their opponent. They reached for their weapons, and Honeybee narrowed her eyes in the trees as she realized they did not have any.
"Ugh, I feel naked, but not in a fun way," Artemis groaned.
"We will make our own fun," Kaldur said. "As we have been trained. Maneuver seven!"
Aqualad made a step with his hands, and Artemis ran and jumped into it, turning into a flip that hit Ivy dead on. Ivy had been rising with her vines at that, but she was knocked away at the motion, landing to the ground.
Honeybee took this as an opening. She raced from the tree and raised a punch at Ivy, which she blocked.
"Honeybee!" Artemis said. Artemis jumped to the other side of Ivy so that they had two opponents coming at them at once. Artemis sent a kick flying Ivy's way, which landed in her back, sending her forward. Poison Ivy was knocked in the face with Honeybee's fist, which caused a crunch and then blood poured form her nose. She growled and grew up vines that wrapped around their ankles and pulled them to the ground.
Then Ivy looked up, and she gasped.
"My baby…" she whispered. From her spot on the ground, Honeybee looked up to see dozens of birdarangs in the giant plant protruding from the top of the building. Miss Martian and Robin stood next to it on the roof. Honeybee had a small smile of satisfaction as she watched the plant be destroyed, the plant exploding into thousands of tiny pieces that rained down on them.
Ivy sent vines with an enraged screech at Robin and Miss Martian, but Miss Martian managed to destroy them telepathically. Artemis stood and slipped away, while Honeybee stayed. She had to finish this, here and now.
Honeybee ran, splashing in the water, alerting Ivy that she was coming. Ivy turned, still enraged, and missed the roundhouse kick that Honeybee leveled at her face. Ivy sent a vengeful punch at her, and Honeybee dodged, taking her fist in Honeybee's hand. She twisted her arm so that Ivy fell to her knees, but Ivy called three vines that pulled Honeybee's arm back roughly. Honeybee pulled a stinger and used the blade to cut herself free of the vines and did a handspring backwards to avoid the vines growing by her feet.
"Murderers!" Ivy accused. And Honeybee frowned and narrowed her eyes, face in a near snarl.
"I could say the same about you!" Honeybee said. She launched two stingers at Ivy, but never got to see if they hit as she was hit with Wontan's magic. The lightening coursed through her system and brought her to her knees in the water.
The lightening did not let up, and Honeybee slipped deeper and deeper into the water, her knees sinking into the muddy bottom of the bayou.
And then just like that, it was over. The magic hitting her was gone, and she looked up to see Kaldur holding the golden Helmet of Fate, an empty duffel bag at his feet.
"The Helmet of Fate," Wontan breathed.
"Aqualad!" Kid Flash said. "No –"
Kaldur slid the helmet on, and there was the sound of a chime and a flash of light. Aqualad was dressed in gold and blue suit, a long billowing yellow cape shooting out from behind him. It was Doctor Fate, just as Wally had described.
Doctor Fate flew upwards to face Wontan, cape flying and hands outreached in a fighting stance.
"You are mine," Doctor Fate said, and Honeybee could hear the edge of Kaldur's voice in it.
Honeybee turned to see Poison Ivy taking after someone in the forest, and Honeybee frowned. No.
Ivy was hers.
Honeybee took off, and she heard the sound of someone following her. If it was friend or foe, she did now know, but given no attack came she was willing to bet it was probably Artemis or Superboy.
Kid Flash sped past her to where Ivy had stopped, Count Vertigo beside her. Miss Martian fell to the ground from the vertigo machine leveled her way, dropping out of thin air from camouflage. He hit Vertigo's shoulder, tearing off part of his cloak, and ending his stream towards Miss Martian. Artemis roundhouse kicked the Count, who fell to the ground. Honeybee raced forward and then kneeled Ivy's punch leveled her way, using her low stature to knock Ivy's feet out from under her. Vertigo and Ivy fall to the ground together, and do not stand back up. Honeybee stepped back and took a breath, looking at the unconscious form of Ivy.
A shining feeling of joy overtook her heart, causing a ringing in her ear and tears to fill her eyes. She hardly noticed Artemis make a sling for Kid Flash out of the piece of cloak, still focused on the villainess in front of her. Ivy was done. They could take her in. Finally. Finally.
"Honeybee?" Kid Flash asked, finally breaking her way from her thoughts. Artemis and him looked over from where they had made the sling, and Honeybee cleared her throat and wiped at her tears.
"Let's finish this," Honeybee said, and she turned on her heel back to the fight. There was no need as Ultra-Humanite was coming at them, throwing Wolf, which hit Artemis dead on.
"Oh boy," Kid Flash said. Kid Flash grabbed Honeybee's elbow and Honeybee and him took off, and Honeybee's ears whistled with the speed and the air around her was whipping her short hair around her.
They appeared far enough way to be out of the crosshairs, but Honeybee felt dizzy and leaned against a tree.
"Warn a girl next time," Honeybee said, and Kid Flash scoffed.
"You're welcome."
"Ekirts natoW nowd!" a loud voice boomed, and Honeybee looked up to see Wotan fall out of the sky from a yellow beam. From the clouds appeared Zatara on an orange platform, several Leaguers descending after them.
"Not tonight, Wotan," Zatara said. The newly conscious Ivy and Vertigo backed into a circle with the other members of the Injustice League. Honeybee looked to see the Justice League, all of them, had arrived in the bayou. Honeybee looked to see Batman among them, who looked at the villains with derision.
"It's over," Batman said simply.
Vertigo and the others shared a look before he sighed and held up his hands.
"There will be another day."
"Another day?" Joker said, scandalized and enraged. "Another day! No! There will not be another day! Not for any of us!" Joker raised his hand that had some kind of control system on it, and red spores appeared from the vines. Honeybee's eyes widened as she realized what they were at the same time they burst.
"Joker venom!" Batman said. He punched Joker, sending him straight to the ground. "Don't breathe!"
"Fear not!" The symbol of Doctor Fate appeared in the sky, and up flew Doctor Fate. He raised his hands and the venom started rising up and disappearing into the symbol. "Fate has intervened!"
And then just like that, the venom was gone, and it was over.
Wasn't it easier in your firefly-catchin' days?
And everything out of reach
Someone bigger brought down to you
Wasn't it beautiful runnin' wild 'til you fell asleep
Before the monsters caught up to you?
MOUNT JUSTICE
OCTOBER 2ND 2010 00: 34 EST
Honeybee threw herself back onto her bed in her guest room at Mount Justice, wondering if it would be the best idea to text Aunt Melody and say she was staying the night here. She was just so tired, and she really didn't feel like making the trek from the Zeta port to her home. She pulled off her sunglasses and slung her arm over her eyes to still keep them hidden if someone were to walk in. That was another consideration – she couldn't sleep with her glasses on, at least not for very long. If someone walked in, they would see her face, and then….
A knock on her door broke her thoughts away and she sat up with a yawn, putting back on her glasses.
"Come in," she called. The door slid open to reveal Conner, who looked rather tired himself. Wolf was not with him most likely the enhanced animal had already taken his rest. "Oh, hey Conner."
Conner smiled and stepped into the room, and Honeybee stood. She straightened out her dress and grinned at him.
"Are you staying the night here?" Conner asked.
"Thinking about it," Honeybee said. She yawned again for good measure and put her hands on her hips. "That mission took a real number on us today."
The mission had been just about the hardest one they had ever been on as a Team. Not to mention that it got so bad they had to call in Doctor Fate, which had led to a tense few minutes where they thought maybe they were going to lose Aqualad to the Helmet. But then they had released him at the end of battle, which made them even more aware of just what this battle had taken.
Conner looked down at his feet nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
"That's uh- actually what a wanted to talk to you about," Conner said. "The mission."
Honeybee titled her head to the side. "What about it?"
"Today you –seemed – ugh, how do I say this?" Conner said. "You-you were deadest on Ivy today."
Honeybee narrowed her eyes and took a step back.
"Of course, I was," Honeybee said. "Ivy killed my mother."
Conner eyes widened. "Y-your mother is dead?"
Honeybee blinked. Had she really never told Conner about her mother?
"I-I never told you," Honeybee said. She crossed her arms and looked down at her feet. "I've been so used to the heroes just…..knowing about Waspia, I forgot to tell you."
The League, the other sidekicks, they had known about Waspia. Maybe the sidekicks (save Robin) didn't know they were her mom, but they knew she had died, and that Ivy had done it. She had assumed someone would tell Superboy, even if it was just the outline version. She sighed and motioned for Conner to sit on the bed next to her. Honeybee sat down and sighed, playing with the folds of her dress.
"Waspia…Waspia was my mentor," Honeybee said. "But she was also my mother. And—and Ivy killed her almost a year ago. She's been – she's been hiding since then." Honeybee looked up at him, smiling a soft smile. "But tonight, I was able to—to get justice for her, you know? So I took it."
Conner was quiet for a long moment, but then he coughed awkwardly.
"Th-that would explain it," Conner said softly. "If I had a mom, I would try to get justice for her too."
Honeybee looked down at her hands. She could not imagine never having a mom, not even for a little while. No one to kiss your boos-boos and make cookies when you're sad. No one to hug you back to sleep when you're scared. Honeybee had had one for a short thirteen years. But at least she had years with them.
Honeybee reached over and took one of her friend's hand in her own, the size difference between his large hand and her small one almost comical. She squeezed it, hoping it said more than her words could. That she was sorry. That she wished she could give him a mom. That she was here for him too.
"What's it like?" Conner asked slowly. "To have a mom?"
Honeybee knew what it was like on both sides of the question. To have one, and then not to. Aunt Melody was a wonderful parent, she was trying her best, but she wasn't Mom. She never would be. It wasn't the same. There was still a hole where her mother was that could never be replaced.
"It's – it's like having a friend that is always on your side," Honeybee said. "Like having a warm blanket to fall back on, and a bigger bed to crawl into when you're scared. They're your biggest advocate and best friend." Honeybee smiled melancholically. "And all you want to do is make them happy."
Honeybee knew every mom was different. Some (like Catherine Todd) weren't that great at being one. But her mom…. was the best. She was a friend and comrade, a battle partner and a mentor. Nothing and no one could take away that memory of her mother. Her mother had been the one to stay with her, the one to pick her back up when Ivo left and make a happy home. Sarah Bryons was not just a mother. She was a mom.
Conner digested this information for a long moment and then let go of her hand.
"Look, I need to tell you something," Conner said. "About me and M'gann."
Honeybee raised a brow, pretty sure where this was going. They had been spending so much time together, and M'gann was one of the few people Conner was always nice to no matter what.
"We'-we're a couple," Conner said. "And you-you're my best friend. I thought you should know."
Honeybee blinked.
"I-I'm your best friend?" Honeybee asked softly. Conner nodded, face soft.
"Of course, you are," Conner said. Honeybee smiled, warmth filling her heart.
"Well then, I believe congratulations are in order," Honeybee said. She punched his shoulder lightly and he laughed. "I'm sure you and M'gann are going to be very happy together."
"Thank you, Honeybee."
"Betty."
"What?"
Betty was surprised she had said it, but it felt right. If she – if she was going to be his best friend, he deserved the truth. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing if other people knew who she was. She took off her glasses and revealed her deep brown eyes to him, smiling.
"Betty. My name is Betty," she said. "Well, really, it's Elizabeth. But-but my friends call me Betty. I thought you should too."
Conner blinked, staring at her for a moment that seemed to drag on forever. Betty looked down and away from him, blushing scarlet. Had she made the wrong decision? Did Conner not want to know? Did –
She was suddenly wrapped in a large hug, and she made a humph noise at the movement. Conner's arms were wrapped around her shoulder, shoving her face into his shoulder.
"Betty's a nice name."
Betty grinned and hugged him back.
"Thank you."
Chapter Bible Verse:
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." - Matthew 5:6
The final scene has convinced. I've tried to fight it, but it's clear to me Conner and Betty just have more chemistry than Dick and Betty, so I think the pairing is going to switch.
Review Replies:
MsRosePetal: The confrontation happened! Ivy was a little subdued about it because that's just who Ivy is, but I liked the scenes with the two of them. I'm just glad Betty got justice. Originally it was Joker that killed Waspia, but I thought that had been done before by other people much more talented than me. Thank you for leaving a review, and have a blessed day!
Guest #1: I can see why they would be unpopular, as I know not everyone wants to read the same things over and over again, even if it doesn't bother me. But for me, I actually saw a surplus of WallyxOC when I first started in the fandom, so I thought Robin was a bit rarer of a pair. But I think I am going to change it, because the deeper I get in drafts the more I see chemistry between Conner and Betty. And I use said a lot because I read some writing advice that said not to use descriptive talking words too much, but I guess I went too much in the other direction. I tried to be more aware of my usage in this chapter as after you pointed it out, I noticed the issue too. And thank you so much for saying that about Honeybee! I love her to death, and I'm grateful she's gotten any love at all. Thank you for leaving a review! Have a blessed day!
Guest #2: I've tried not to make their relationship predictable, but I guess I fall into tropes just like everyone else. And I am going to take the character pairing off for awhile, at least until romance starts happening for real. Thanks for leaving a review! Have a blessed day!
Arianna Le Fay: I'm glad you liked it! I've worked really hard on it, and it makes me happy to hear people like it! And short hair Betty will not be permanent! We do have two more seasons. And I just imagine her being the kind of person to make rash hair decisions while in crisis, so she cut her hair after Waspia and just keeps it that way. Long hair Betty will be back at some point. Thanks for leaving a review and have a blessed day!
Questions, comments, or concerns? Let me know! Have a blessed day!
-PrincessChess