Green Bettle holds two Reach juices that Luthor and The Reach created for everyone to drink. "This consumable contains the Reach's additive, which combines microscopic quantities of two chemicals. One is dopamine polymerase the other is an adrenaline inhibitor. Taken over generations, they will slowly addict the entire population to Reach." He explained calmly about the drink. "And make the people of Earth placid, literally incapable of revolt."
"That matches up exactly with Flash and Atom's analyses of the additive sample acquired from Lex Corp." Nightwing commented and staring at the drink.
"Ah, I see." Green Beetle's eyes widen in realization. "Still I am... tested."
"Look, we're sorry, but..." Nightwing was cut off.
"No, it is wise. As they say in your world, 'all cards must be off the table.'"
Hera smiles nervously at Green Beetle's error phrases. "'On the table' Uh... I mean... never mind. Ignore me." Blue Beetle noticed their looks.
"Not all of us learn English as our first language, Blue." Luminous commented bluntly and crossing her arms. Blue Beetle smiles nervously.
"On the table. Yes." Green Beetle nodded his head. "That does make more sense. So here is my final card on the table. My scarab informs me that the additive also contains a mitochondrial maker which works as a meta-gene tracer, allowing The Reach the identify and isolate potential superpowered individuals."
Nightwing's eyes widened in surprise. "Celestial has a rough thought about the meta-gene. Making it easier to harvest and weaponize the meta-gene!" He exclaimed and how he wished Celestial join them. She could help them to solve their problem but her main priority is to look after their son. "Our analysis didn't reveal that. Thank you."
"Can't we go public with this?" Blue Beetle asked their leader.
"I'll pass it on Captain Atom." Nightwing answered and holding his chin. "But the League's credibility is at a record low right now. We'll probably have to bide our time. Good work, everyone. Meeting adjourned."
Hera stretches her hand up and looking at her mentor and Luminous. "Can I crash at your place, guys? It's been a while we hang out with each other?" She asked politely at them. It's been a while she hang out with them but only on missions.
Saber smiles softly and patting her head. "You're always welcome Hera. I'll be at her place to check her."
Hera nodded her head in understanding and smiles. "Call us if there are changes, master!"
He chops her head lightly. "Stop calling me that." Hera chuckled and Luminous simply shook her head.
Chicago || April 9 06:20 CDT ||
Eris is driving the submarine and sighs softly. "It's only us and no one put a bug on my ship." She breaks the silence. "I had my own ride and no one uses it but myself."
"How will I know you're our Aaliyah?" Tigress demanded answers and wanting to make sure no one is going to expose them.
Eris closes her eyes to reveal her true self and Tigress gape in surprise. "You and Wally are always arguing with each other like an old married couple. You used to like Conner until you found out he was dating M'gann. Despite your family background are criminals, you choose who you want to be- a hero."
Tigress cried in relief and hugging Aaliyah tight. "We miss you so much, Aaliyah. How?" She asked in a hushed tone. They were grieving and mourning for her death until she's faking it all along.
"Saber helped us a lot to go this far and planning to sabotage Magnus from merging our worlds." She answered and smiles sadly at her. "I was in the same situation as you to fake our death. In my case, letting the enemies know I'm dead. The others, on the other hand, I'm comatose for two years now."
"How did Saber execute this plan without letting Nightwing or Aqualad know about it?" Tigress asked curiously.
"Before Knight offered his body to become Nabu's host. He and his brother are related to Master Mavis's sister, Inza. Mavis Vermillion is the first Master and founder of Fairy Tail." Aaliyah explained. "Inza was the first mage who was transported here on Earth. Until she found someone and get married by Kent."
"How did this relate to their family tree?" Tigress asked curiously.
"Knight foresee someone who will end us all. Once the Earth and Earthland are going to merge as one in a few years time which is now." Kitsune grips the wheel tightly. "He asked his great-grandmother, Mavis, to choose one of us to bring us here and save the entire world."
"You guys didn't come here as a fluke." She muttered under her breath.
"No. Ruby is going to join me for the undercover mission but due to her situation... I am only one to find out their plans and destroy the anima." She smiles softly at Artemis. "I'm sorry for keeping this dark secret from you guys. We don't want anyone to get more involved especially you and Kaldur have a task to save them."
"Why can't you tell anyone about it!? Heck, you broke Zara completely for taking away her other half!" Tigress snapped at her angrily. "Do you have any idea-"
"It's also the same way you, Wally, Nightwing and Kaldur know this undercover." She explained calmly and brushing off her ranted. "Zara didn't lose her part being an Exceed but keep it hidden until all is revealed in time. Miaka took her place on the day I stripped her other half so I can gain Magnus trust that I'm heartless as I can be."
"What?"
Aaliyah sighs heavily and reverting her disguise back as Eris. "I can explain everything once we sabotage them together. All you need to know Zara is acting like a broken girl despite I didn't strip her other kin."
"What about those light magic?" Tigress asked her curiously and it makes her relief to know Zara is still their sassy half-Exceed.
"It's part of her magic and didn't expose until this came." Eris answered softly and feels guilty for their selfish actions. "I'm sorry for putting everyone in pain but I can guarantee you. Once everything is over, we can explain it. When we have M'gann- you can't reveal her yet of my identity."
Tigress is looking at her with an intense look before sighing heavily. "It seems like we're not the only ones who can keep dark secrets." She respects her decision and wasn't her place to reveal them.
"I know." She smiles weakly and found their Martian girl is with her new boyfriend. "Found them. I'll be joining M'gann soon once she's starting to fix Kaldur's mind."
Eris and Tigress leave their ride as they hear their lovers quarrel. The dark lilac-purple-haired girl needs to pull herself together and starting to act like a villain. "Aww... are we interrupting your trouble in lover's paradise?" Eris asked sarcastically with her usual dark mischief look. "My, my, my... it appears we're interrupting their Romeo and Juliet scene." She chuckled darkly as Miss Martian and Lagoon Boy are frozen to see them. "We have some business with the Martian and it's nothing personal here~" She summons her hologram wings and it glowed to make them blind.
Eris begins to attack Lagoon Boy whereas Tigress is dealing with Miss Martian. She begins to throw punches at the Atlantean boy but he dodges it and pressing his comm to call the others.
"Lagoon Boy to Team. We're under attack at the Chicago Zeta tube. Requesting back-ahh!" Lagoon Boy cried out in pain by Eris grabs his neck.
"It's futile to call a backup so soon, Atlantean." Eris smirked darkly and gripping his neck tight. "We just want your pretty Martian and poof! We're gone."
"You wo...n't ta...ke he...r fo...ul wi...tch." Lagoon Boy gritted his teeth angrily and she tilted her head with a dark look.
"Shall we have a test then?" She asked before glancing at Miss Martian. "It's over Martian girl!" Eris yelled and catches Miss Martian's attention. "Surrender now or this boy will be dead because of your stupidity."
"La'gann!" Miss Martian cried out her lover's name. "You!" Her eyes glowed.
"Ah, ah!" Eris waves her finger while gripping his neck tighter and he cried out more in pain. "Any move and he's dead with one snap before you could even blink, little murderer." Miss Martian flinches by that nickname while Tigress subtly gives Eris a look. "Now, I won't ask again. Surrender or he'll die as his blood is in your hands." She asked darkly and Miss Martian is shaking in fear by her threat.
Miss Martian was there when Eris brutally fight Luminous. Stripping her Exceed part right in front of them. She can defeat Eris by destroying her mind but after what happened to Kaldur, Miss Martian is terrified to use her mind powers again. Eris's taunt haunts her in a few nights because of what she committed. The Martian girl has no choice but to surrender and Tigress puts her inhibitor collar on.
Eris smirked darkly and looking at Lagoon Boy with a smug look. "Isn't she a sweet girl? You're no use for us or even the Light. Send my love for my kitty cat." She slams Lagoon Boy hard on the ground to create a huge crate. "Let's go."
Tigress press the controller of the collar to shock Miss Martian before grabbing her. They leave Lagoon Boy alone unconscious.
Eris hums in amusement and forcing Miss Martian to sit down. The blond fairy smirked and patting Eris's shoulder. "You've done well, Eris." He complimented Eris's hard work.
Eris shook her head and smiles. "I would've done it without Tigress's help."
Black Manta nodded his head in thanks for the two females before glancing at Miss Martian. "Welcome aboard. Let me make your situation perfectly clear. You are here to psychically repair the damage you have done to my son's mind." He explained before gripping the collar on her neck. "This inhibitor collar negates all your Martian abilities. In a moment, we will selectively reinstate your telepathic power only. But before we do that, understand... Eris is watching you at all times from beyond the range of your psychic power." Eris waves at Miss Martian with her usual mischief look. "If she perceives even a hint of trouble, she will press a button, which will activate a substantial explosive charge in your collar. So don't lose your head." He pushes her back.
Eris chuckles in amusement. "So, can I activate her telepathy, Black Manta?" She asked while waving the remote and he nodded his head. "Activating telepathy coming right up." Pressing the button to activate her telepathy.
Black Manta is looking at the Martian girl. "Now, save my son... or die." He walked away.
Magnus looks at Miss Martian and licking his lips while she shivered in fear by his presence. "It's too bad that I couldn't examine you but I am the man of my word." He commented before looking at Eris. "Eris, I need to speak with you privately for a minute, it won't be long."
Eris nodded her head and looking at Tigress. "I'll be back and I hope you done your job correctly, Miss Martian~ After all, you're excelled at breaking people's minds and restoring is impossible~ " She mocks the Martian girl with a smile and following Magnus behind.
Ruby rushes inside the hospital after hearing La'gaan's condition. Her, Zara and Arthur were informed by Aaliyah they were going to kidnapped M'gann in order to fix Kaldur's mind. The scarlet-haired girl knew they need to keep up their image or they might compromise the mission. They've been working for so long to save two worlds. There's no time to make mistakes.
"Ruby?" She turned around to face Conner with his surprised expression. "What are you doing here?"
"Nightwing called me because La'gaan's leg is broken and I need to heal him." Ruby answered and noticing he's controlling his anger. "Conner? Is everything okay?" She asked him worriedly.
"I'll take you to his room." He ignored her question and leading La'gaan's room.
"Hey..." Ruby called him softly and grabs his arm. "Talk to me, please? Does it have something to do with M'gann's abduction? We can save her from their grasps-"
"Did you know Artemis is alive?" Conner asked her with a serious look on his face. Ruby looks surprised to hear the revelation. "Kaldur isn't a traitor but both of them are doing undercover mission." He's completely furious at Nightwing for keeping this dark secret to them.
"What?" Ruby whispered and blinking her eyes. "Wait, hold on a minute- you're saying all this time... Kaldur didn't betray us from the beginning and Artemis is alive?" She asked and Conner realizes Nightwing left her in the dark.
"You didn't know either." Ruby shook her head sadly. "I thought Nightwing told you everything."
"Not everything." She answered truthfully and it wasn't her place to reveal their part as well. "I actually thought it has something to do with The Reach and them." Ruby knew Artemis is alive thanks to Arthur's prediction. She needs to act or they might get suspicious.
Conner frowned and nodded his head in understanding. "I guess Nightwing wanted to protect you and Orion." It wasn't surprising the moment they have Orion in their lives, Nightwing tried to stop Ruby from joining the mission.
She smiles softly. "He should know that I can protect myself. My spirits are always with me. After what happened to them... he's worried."
"You happened to be our powerful house." Conner smiles softly while leading her to La'gaan's room. "I wouldn't be surprised if you always disobey his orders."
Ruby simply laughs softly. It wouldn't be the first time she disobeyed orders behind his back. The next thing she knows, Nightwing would punish her. To ensure she won't walk in a couple of days and letting Zara or Arthur look after their son.
"Yeah, and it's worth it, in the end, to see everyone are okay." She smiles softly and rubbing the key pouch on her right waist. "I know that I should be retired because of my son. But sometimes... after what happened to the Mount Justice and them." Ruby pursed her lips in deep thought. "I couldn't help but worry you know?"
"That's the reason why Nightwing is worried about you, Ruby. You're always been selfless ever since we met." Conner patted her shoulders. "He wanted you to think of yourself for once and your child. After all, you're the mother of his child and forget to use the protection." He teased the last part and Ruby's cheek are red as roses.
"Bla-bla-blame him for that and I was sure I'm on my pills on that day." She sighs heavily. "After that talk with Doctor Fate, he insisted that I should take pills because of my relationship. Look what happened between us now? A newly young parents."
Conner simply shook his head with an amused look. "You're good at looking after children. I wouldn't be surprised if you're natural to look after Orion."
"Yeah, you're right." She smiles softly and couldn't wait to go home after healing Lagoon Boy.
Ruby silently prays for their safety and hoping their mission wouldn't compromise.