Gotham City || December 4, 07:30 EDT ||
Dick is laying down his head on Ruby's lap as they are watching the sky. It's cold because it's winter and thanks to Ruby's spirit, Xi Men, is using his powers to keep them warm.
"Hey, Ruby." She stops reading her book and looking at Dick's blue eyes. "How much have you learn that crystals of yours?" He asks her curiously. Dick secretly ask Batman to find out Ruby's curse but so far, he couldn't get any information about her lost magic.
"Only her ancestors and why my lifespan is going to be short if I rely on them more." Ruby answered and silently hoping she could ask Lucy to find out her curse. "Why the sudden question, Dick?"
"It scared me you know..." Dick holds her right hand and squeezes it. "Having that magic to give you a second chance. Is there a way to lift the curse?"
"There is but- I'll be dead if someone takes it away from me, Dick. This crystal is my source of life without it, I'm good as dead." Ruby answered truthfully and pursed her lips. "I don't even know if there are any Mendes clan alive. I just need to know more and it frustrates me sometimes. I have limited knowledge of it."
"Hey..." Dick raises both hands to touch her warm cheeks. "We're going to figure it out. We can ask Arthur if he has any information about your crystals or even Aaliyah."
"I don't want to burden them, Dick." She sighs heavily and noticing Aaliyah recently have nightmares whereas Arthur is always busy. "They have lots of things going on their head. I was wondering if you could help me investigate? Just two or three, if you want to count Wally."
"Hmm..." Dick thoughts of her suggestion very carefully before nodding his head. "What are you going to investigate first?"
"Before Lola passed away, she gave me a book. The spirits and I are trying our best to understand her notes... but-" She lowered her emerald eyes and looking at his black hair. "It doesn't make sense to us and the language is different."
"Hmm... maybe we could look at it together." Dick answered and caressing her cheek. "I'm here for you, always."
"Yeah." She smiles as they enjoy themselves together without any interruptions.
Mount Justice || December 5, 17:04 EST ||
Arthur is not the only one who's back on the team but also Roy is joining them. Everyone looks surprised to know Roy wanting to join their team whereas Aaliyah is masking her suspicious of his intentions. The blonde girl feels uneasy whenever Roy is with them without a reason and she's going to accept him for their sake.
"Aaliyah." Roy nodded his head and wanting to be respectful towards Aaliyah.
"Roy." She nodded back and wishing to join Ruby's patrol rather than being with them. "Ru-chan wouldn't be able to join us today." Aaliyah explained it to Red Tornado and he nodded his head.
"Is she in Japan?" Wally asks her and she nodded. "Aww, man! Can I join her?"
"Actually... Ru-chan is with Robin-kun and knowing him- he won't appreciate having another company." Aaliyah smiles weakly and Wally flinched in fear.
"Yea-yeah, you're right. He wanted Ruby all to himself." He sulks and crossing his arms. Robin wouldn't hesitate to threaten Wally if ever crashes their dates or spending time with each other. Who knew Robin could be so possessive when it comes to Ruby?
"Are they together?" Roy asks them and never knew the boy wonder would have interests towards the shyness scarlet-haired girl.
"I believe they are dating as we speak." Kaldur answered and Aaliyah nodded her head.
"I only trust Robin because he's the only one who respects Ruby and suitable to be with her." Arthur answered and ignoring Zatanna's blue eyes.
"Recognized: Artemis B-0-7." The computer announced Artemis' arrival.
Green Arrow looks pleased to see her. "Artemis. Just in time. Look who's agreed to join the Team?" He questioned her.
"Finally!" Wally exclaimed happily whereas Zara noticed Artemis' intense look.
"Sure. Team has needed a real archer." Artemis commented bitterly while Aaliyah is masking her worried.
"Okay, people, listen up." Green Arrow went towards the hologram keyboard. "Batman's on a case in Gotham by himself since Robin is helping Celestial out in Japan. However, Batman gave me a heads-up." He showed them the picture of Sportsmaster. "Sportsmaster was spotted coming through Louis Armstrong... New Orleans International Airport."
"In full costume? Nervy." Zatanna commented bluntly while looking at him.
"In street clothes." Green Arrow answered while Aaliyah crosses her arms. "Facial recognition software picked up the ID. Find out what he's up to."
"All of us?" Conner asks the male green archer curiously. "Seems like overkill for a shadow job."
"I won't be able to join this mission." Arthur answered truthfully. "I have to patrol Tokyo soon since Ruby and Robin are taking care of Kyoto. It would be suitable to have a small squad from that mission."
"I agree with Arthur. Miss Martian's camouflage abilities seem ideal." Red Tornado suggested.
"Thought the sidekicks-" Zara whacks his head using paper fan out of nowhere. "Ow! Are you always this violent, kitty?"
"We're not sidekicks anymore- well on their case." Shrugging her shoulders and sits on Aaliyah's shoulder comfortably. "I'm more than just a kitty!" An angry thick mark appeared on her forehead and gripping her paper fan tightly.
"Sorry!" He cringed and should've listened to Black Canary to be careful of his poor words. "Ex-sidekicks. Could suit-up on this. Aqualad, Kid Flash, Red Arrow and Kitsune."
Aaliyah mentally sighs being the only girl on today's mission but didn't say anything. "Good. Stakeouts make me crazy." Conner commented.
"We could use the night off." M'gann suggested and Zara didn't want to join their night out.
"I want in." Artemis informed everyone. "With M'gann and Robin out, no one has logged more hours piloting the bio-ship."
"Artemis, are you sure?" Green Arrow asks her and Aaliyah noticed he's worried about her.
"Absolutely." Artemis answered and narrowing her gaze at him.
Kitsune hums in deep thought as she's in the medical room to check medical supplies in case they are hurt. She couldn't help but thinking first Master's warning of their real enemy behind them.
"What's your real reason for joining them, Aaliyah?" Snapping out her thoughts and she holds back her annoyed expression. "From what I heard, you didn't want to join them in the first place."
"Does it has a reason and purpose for joining them, Roy-san?" Kitsune asks calmly and turning around to face him. "You even quit and walked away from that day when you guys are gathering around. You haven't let go that one of us is the mole here."
"I don't even trust you either and I hate the fact Caleb would accept you three in open arms." He crosses his arms and Kitsune remained calm behind her half-mask. "Who are you three, really? You girls don't even exist in this world as I tried to-"
"Do you have to run a background check behind our back despite Caleb-san and Arthur-kun knows us very well?" Kitsune asks Roy calmly and never loses temper from the likes of him. She always deals with someone who has a rude and short-tempered attitude. "You never even dropping out the mole and didn't join the team because you prefer solo. I understand-"
"You don't... because you have no emotion and allowing Rubina or Zara to do what they wanted!" He exclaimed and they never noticed Aqualad is behind the door. "You push them away and you call yourself a powerful sorcerer? It was just pure luck for nearly destroying two red androids by your own magic."
The temperature begins the dropout and Kitsune walks toward Red Arrow calmly. "I still have my respect for you because you happened to be their friends. Despise us all you want or hate us. You don't have a right to think I have no heart and irresponsible girl to abandoned them. Let me tell you a short story, Ru-chan was raised by her spirits before she met her foster sister. Her spirits trained her on how to protect herself until they began to realize behind Ru-chan's shy and timid attitude, she knows what to do. Zara-chan grew up alone and self-taught to use swords. Despite their age difference, they're mature enough to make their own decisions." She explained and looking at his face. "I have feelings and there are times I pushed them away- but they never gave up on me. I don't believe in luck, I knew what I'm capable of to defeat my enemies."
"Oh, really?" He scoffs and never believes her even one bit. "Find it hard to imagine-" Red Arrow suddenly froze and couldn't move his body.
"Don't push your luck for thinking lowly of me, Red Arrow." Kitsune spoke up coldly. "I would say it to you, I'm not a mole or even the girls because we would never betray them. I don't like you and the feeling is mutual but- you ever laid a hand to Zara-chan and Ru-chan, friend or foe, don't make me become your enemy. You wouldn't even last my fight." Releasing him and she walked out of the medic bay.
Roy sighs shaking and he would never imagine Kitsune would control his body. She didn't manipulate his mind but only physically because Kitsune controls water. "You shouldn't confront her like that, Roy." Aqualad showed up as he overheard their conversation loud and clear.
"How the heck did she froze my body?" Red Arrow demanded and he's still shaking the fact Kitsune threatened him by her unusual cold look.
"I remembered she said all of us have water inside of her system." Aqualad answered calmly but feels disappointed because he confronts her. Red Arrow is accusing one of the girls could be the mole. It irks Kitsune for jumping into conclusion and even thinks of her magic lowly. "Kitsune can control our body but hates doing it."
"She had done it to me." Red Arrow muttered bitterly and his suspicion towards Kitsune would never disappear.
"You provoke her and threatened them, my friend." Aqualad pointed out and Red Arrow remained silent. "I trust the girls with my life. They would never betray us."
Orleans Parish || December 5, 21:27 CST||
Kitsune is under the ocean and waiting for Sportsmaster to ride on the boat. He jumps into it and drives as she heard Red Arrow's voice.
"Target's heading north." Red Arrow informed them. "Pursue. But maintain a discreet distance. And that goes double for you, Artemis." He warned the blonde female archer. "Sportsmaster has proven adept at spotting Martian camouflaging when in motion."
Kitsune controls her anger and didn't want to compromise the mission. She followed right next to Aqualad as they swim together in the bottom of the lake. "He's stopped. Hold your positions. I'm moving in for a closer look."
Kitsune noticed Aqualad is glancing at her often and she shook her head. "You heard everything and I'm not going to apologize."
"What you did is wrong, Kitsune." Aqualad spoke softly and placing his web-hands on her shoulder. "You shouldn't provoke him like that and you know his temper."
"Trust me, I dealt with a worse person like him." Kitsune spoke up bluntly and looking down at her hands. "That doesn't give him the right to underestimate me or the girls. He easily judge us because he doesn't have any information about us. I also hate the fact for him to think Knight-san and Saber-san's are pitying us to accept."
Just when Aqualad is about to speak. "Aqualad and Kitsune, the target has made me so I'll take a dive." He informed them while they followed Sportsmaster. "He'll think he's clear, you two can track him below. We'll be right behind, using the tracer."
They stopped to see a tracer is falling down. Kitsune grabbed it and realizing Sportsmater knew he's being followed below as well. Watching three small explosive bombs heading towards them as Kitsune immediately casts a spell for protection.
"Suirō: Suikyū!(Water dragon: water sphere!)" Creating a huge water sphere to protect them from the explosion as they get pushed by it.
"Aqualad! Kitsune!" Red Arrow cried out their names.
Kitsune pushes her sphere up to dissolved seeing herself and Aqualad are unharmed. "We're fine. We should call them."
"I agree." Aqualad nodded his head. "Artemis, Kid." He tried to call them but didn't respond.
"We should meet them, who knows what will happen to those two." Kitsune suggested as she's worried about them.
Aqualad, Red Arrow and Kitsune met up to Kid Flash. He and Artemis fought Cheshire as she escaped from their grasps.
"So we threw the fight as ordered after Artemis planted the tracer." Kid Flash explained to the three.
They turned their heads to see Artemis is approaching them with a tracker on her hands. "Cheshire is heading north."
Red Arrow is looking at Aqualad and Kitsune despite he hates from what she did to him back in the medic bay. "Sportsmaster was headed south, kind of like this mission."
"Maybe he'll double back. Maybe she will." Artemis pointed out.
"Either way they'll rendezvous and we'll find them." Kid Flash spoke up while holding his helmet.
"We had better. Sportsmaster acquired an attaché case." Aqualad spoke up. "We need to learn what it contained." He's looking at Artemis with a scolded look. "If you had stayed aboard the bio-ship-"
"I saw Cheshire sneaking up on him." Artemis cuts him off with a stern look on her face.
"Then you radio a warning." Red Arrow snapped her back and Kitsune remained silent.
"And if she found you by hacking our frequency?" Artemis retorted back.
Kitsune sighs heavily and looking at Red Arrow and Aqualad. "I can't deny that you're right, Artemis-san. We always rely on Miss Martian's telepathy than using ear comms."
"So let's stop looking to place blame and start looking for Cheshire." Kid Flash spoke up, clearly seeing the hatred between Artemis and Red Arrow.
"Here. Since clearly, I can't be trusted, you track her." Throwing the phone towards Red Arrow and he caught it.
Kid Flash snatches it from his grasp and giving it back to Artemis. "Artemis." Holding it up.
Artemis sighs heavily and looks away from his grasps. "It's fine. I'll follow in the bio-ship." She walks away from them.
Kitsune is staring at Artemis with a worried look on her face and secretly despise Red Arrow. "Go, Kid. Arrow, Kitsune and I will return to the river, and we will all follow as originally planned." Aqualad gives the yellow speedster a command.
She sighs quietly and hoping this mission would end quickly before hell breaks loose.
Kyoto, Japan || December 5, 19:00 EDT ||
Ruby and Dick have finally known the real truth behind lost crystals. Longing for the answers she's seeking, Ruby's fate has two sides. The more she uses it, her life span is getting decrease and death or looking for another Mendez to have a showdown. Going to proof from the Mendez clan that she uses crystal for goodness and never abuse it.
"Ruby... she never mentions anything of her families or even friends." Dick spoke up and he schemes reading the notebook. Lola's journal wrote in very old Gaelic words as they brainstorm the deep words.
"I don't even know if there are any Mendez family around here or has magic crystal as I do." Ruby spoke up and feels tired. "I used crystal magic for only weak spells and defense. Dick, what are we going to do?"
"Don't lose hope." He assured her and caressing her soft cheeks. "Once we encounter a Mendez clan and have a showdown, prove it to them you use to protect someone you care for."
"What if I rely on the more while doing the showdown... could end-" She rambles and gets worried about the consequences.
"Hey, you're supposed to be the optimistic here, not the timistic." He chuckled and leaning his head against her. "No matter what happens, I'm here. Who says you only use crystals? Your entire spirits are with you all the time, including myself."
She smiles weakly and holding back her tears. "I've never been so scared in my life whenever I carried it inside of me- to continue to live." Ruby sniffs and tears starting to fall from her eyes. "I didn't expect the one I carry is a curse for none Mendez clan like me."
"It gives you a second chance to meet wonderful people." Robin wipes her tears. "I'm also glad to see you personally the moment we met each other at the Hall of Justice."
"How did you know about me?" Ruby asks him curiously. She never met him before the moment herself and Zara joined them back in the Hall of Justice.
He smirked and staring at her beautiful emerald eyes. "Caleb would never shut up about you and whining about your short hair. He never mentions your name but only your looks and shyness."
"You started to connect it all together the one Caleb mentions about." She smiles and he smiles back. "I hate long hair because it always gets in my way. That's why I prefer short hair but not really short like pixie haircut."
"I like just the way you are, my gem." She blushed and Dick couldn't stop his flirting or compliments towards Ruby. "I love you."
Ruby froze hearing 3 syllables coming from his mouth. She didn't expect Dick would fall for her deeply. He chooses Ruby over the girls that have confidence and socializing than her timid shy attitude. She cries in tears of joy while looking at Dick. "I love you too, Dick."
Dick didn't hesitate to kiss her on the lips as they sealed for their love. Their first kiss on the lips. He finally gets the girl of his dreams and never letting Ruby out from his grasps.
New Orleans || December 5, 22:18 CST||
Kitsune silently gasps and feels dark magic around this area. She couldn't shake off the fear and worried being the only mage in this team. The blonde girl is wondering why she senses strong dark magic unless Klarion is nearby.
"Arrow to Aqualad and Kitsune. Located Cheshire and Sportsmaster." Snapping out her thoughts to hear Red Arrow's voice through ear comms. "Rendezvous at my coordinates."
"Acknowledge. Sending Kid ahead." Aqualad answered and completely oblivious by Kitsune's worriedness as the yellow speedster goes on ahead of them.
"Kitsune, is Artemis all right?" Aqualad asks her worriedly.
Kitsune shrugged her shoulders. "She's not herself and I'm not sure why." She lied and already have a feeling Artemis is hiding something from them. "I just wish Angel is here to carry me or even Celestial so we could catch up quickly." The blonde girl didn't sense any dark magic anymore.
"I don't think Celestial is suitable enough to be on a stealth mission since she always glows whenever she calls her spirits." He pointed out as they are still running.
Kitsune and Aqualad are finally made it to the warehouse to see ice shattered on the floor by the body of Sportsmaster. "They escaped." The nine-tailed blonde girl spoke up to see their defeated look.
They failed their mission to know Sportsmaster scheme. It irked Kitsune but she couldn't do anything and never blame anyone for failing the mission.
Mount Justice ||December 6, 03:21 EST||
Kaldur is going to brief their latest mission towards Red Tornado, Conner, M'gann and Zatanna with a grim look on his face. "Though the Injustice League is in custody, their allies still scheme... and we have learned nothing of their plans."
"Gee, I wonder why." Roy growled and crossing his arms while Aaliyah didn't appreciate his temper.
"Hey!" Artemis exclaimed angrily. "Who found out Sportsmaster was working for Brain, Klarion and Ivo?" She asks him coldly.
"Yeah, great intel. Except Ivo's been in Belle Reve the whole time. And the guards just check. It's the real, not a robot." He pointed out and still blaming Artemis for compromising the mission.
Wally had enough of Roy's temper and going to defend Artemis. "You know, I'm getting tired of you dumping on her." Roy showed Artemis tracer. "Her tracer. So? Cheshire ditched it."
"No. Artemis ditched that-" He points at Kaldur's hand. "To send us on a wild goose chase. She put this one on Cheshire."
"Artemis?" Wally called her and looking at her brown eyes. "Are you that freaked out about Arrow joining the team... you had to prove yourself by bringing down the bad guys solo? Please tell me I'm wrong." Artemis tries to speak but she didn't know where to begin with. "Well, nice going. What you proved is that you're insecure and selfish. Keep the sai. This is the right souvenir for the mission." He walked away from them.
"So how will you betray us-" Roy was cut off by Aaliyah's slap.
Everyone looked shocked by Aaliyah's actions. "That arrogant and hinting the fact of us making the mole here- would make us all the traitors. I had enough of your accusation and pinning over the fact Artemis could be the real mole here!" She exclaimed angrily and removes her half-mask. They could see her rare anger and Aaliyah would summon a storm in a minute. "I get it that you're overprotective to your friends. That doesn't give you the right to accuse us that- maybe one of us is the mole here. You abandoned them and never wanted to join the team in the first place. You wanted to prove everyone-"
"Calm down, Aaliyah." Arthur shows up of nowhere and they looked surprised to see him. "Deep breaths, I can sense your magic is leaking now. I'm sure everyone is tired and we can all get some rest or sleep." He rubs her back to calm Aaliyah down.
"Arthur is right, I must report this to Batman." Kaldur spoke up and giving Arthur a look as he smiles in understanding.
"Come on, sis. Walked away." Arthur is giving Roy a silent conversation that he's going to have a word with him later on. "Let's go home."
Aaliyah reluctantly followed Arthur and would never apologize Roy for slapping his face. She's going to get an earful from the brunette later.
Kyoto, Japan || December 5, 19:00 EDT ||
Arthur gathered the girls inside of the meeting room before closing it. Casting a spell to avoid overheard their conversation and stays the secret for the four of them.
"Why are gathering here for, Arthur?" Ruby asks while looking down on her hands. Her mind is still on cloud nine when she had her first kiss with Dick.
Zara's right eye twitches and never bother to hide her scowled look. She grabs a paper fan out of nowhere and slaps Ruby's head. The scarlet-haired girl cried out in surprise and clutching her head. "Stop daydreaming to your boyfriend, Ruby!" She snapped the poor girl and she yelped in fear. "My gods! If this is what the relationship looks like, I'm staying single forever!"
Arthur chuckles and smiles in amusing. "Be careful what you wish for, Zara. You might have one when you grow older. We're not here to talk about the relationship." His expression turned into a serious look. "Whatever conversation we have, only the four of us shall know this."
"Arthur-kun, are you okay?" Aaliyah asks him worriedly and he shook his head with a grim look on his face. "What's going on?"
"It really bugs me about the mole." Aaliyah's shoulder looks tense but her expression is serious. "I actually know who the mole is and swear it to me. You girls would never reveal it to anyone especially you, Ruby." Arthur is staring at her emerald eyes and she looks shocked. "I know the promise means everything to you and you can't tell Robin about this. I know that you and him are investigating regarding your lost crystal behind our backs."
Ruby flinched as she senses Aaliyah and Zara's gazes at her. She couldn't get away from Arthur's sharp observation skills. "Ahaha... please tell me you didn't stalk me?" The scarlet-haired girl pleadingly asks and wanting to dig herself a whole.
"I didn't and you should know that I have lots of connection." He smiles mysteriously. "Promise me you won't tell it to Robin until I'll explain the whole story." Arthur asks Ruby in a calm tone but hints with seriousness.
"I promise, Arthur." Ruby nodded her head with a serious look. She rarely saw Arthur looked serious unless there's a reason.
Arthur is looking at them to see they are ready enough to know the mole behind the team. He opens his mouth and explains everything from what he gathered information. It leaves Ruby shocked, Aaliyah and Zara remained calm and already knew it would happen.