FOUR BOYS: The Path We Seek
Chapter 14: Two times Two
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
...Mount Justice...
Hearing the zeta-announcement of The Flash and Batman, L and S who were sparring stopped immediately both punches caught millimetres away from each others gut and jaw.
Upon entering the cave Flash and Batman soon noted Black Canary, Green Arrow, S and L, Artemis and Red Arrow.
Flash waved, the Dark Knight nodded mutedly to the archers.
Flash chuckled "I see you haven't been losing any free time. Guys, hello. Speedy, Artemis great seeing you here."
"Hey Flash" she said grinning.
"I'm Red Arrow now."
"So what are we doing now?" S asked impatiently.
L nodded, "Did you find out something in R´s files?"
/
Batman nodded and called out the hollow-screen displaying a photo file of 'The Fog' "Red Arrow and Artemis had been in covert in the League of Shadows for some time, they traveled to Infinity Island to rescue Dr Serling Roquette a bio-analyst graduated from Star City University, she works for Star City Labs."
Artemis nodded "We infiltrated the Shadow's base and successfully rescued her, but not in time to prevent her from almost completing the Fog for the Shadows."
Red Arrow continued, "We were forced to leave before we could take the vault containing the nanotech, though we manage to relocate Dr. Sterling into Happy Harbor Public School so she could track it back and neutralize The Fog."
"A research on nanotech?" L asked.
"I've been following her research closely as Renegade's files suggest it may be a target for the Light."
"Ren knew about that? Of course." he mumbled, Batman and Canary exchanged a glance.
"Ah but why what is the Fog exactly?" L asked once again, Artemis rolled her eyes at the ginger's impatience.
Batman continued, "The Fog is millions of microscopic robots that can not only destroy everything in their path, such as concrete, steel, flesh, and bone, but can also hack into any system and retain the information." Batman continued.
The scarlet speedster whistled lowly, "Well thats advantageous, If it falls in bad hands, they will have access to all information without anyones consent. A world controlling tech." Flash muttered.
Batman nodded, he displayed a video from security cameras at a lab, a metallic fog covered the room and soon it began to desintegrate.
"They have already broken into Star Labs facility, my only logical guess, they are looking for Dr. Sterling. Once the doctor begins tracking the Fog, you will be tracked back down. Be ready."
"Okay. But what does this have anything to do with R and W? " L asked practically vibrating in place.
Artemis scoffed, "Hello L! Who do you think the villains wouldn't want their hands in that sort of tech? I think your masters agree it would come in handy to use fog for extorsión, blackmail, and theft, no matter what their goal is." Artemis said as it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"...Oohhh. Hey! Well excuse me Miss-know-it-all I really don't care about playing heroes, I just want to now if my friends are okay."
The heroes obvoiusly knew that the boys were not superheroes, they didn't try to change them into it either, but they at least hoped to give them a choice as to whether they might choose to become a hero.
Before they could head out. An alert went off.
INCOMING CALL.. ATOM
The large screen proyected The hero, that seemed to be in a kind of battle. Shouts and ... The jokers laugh could be heard in the back. "Requiring immediate League assistance-' He said before he was shut down, batman frowned and quickly began typing looking for coordinates.
"Bats what should we do?" Green arrow said.
"Sure seemed they need help." Canary supplied.
"All other members are off globe which means we are the only option." Batman said.
"You know we are here right" Artemis said outloud, "You go for the injustice League, we'll go for the doctor, so what's the great deal about, it is Red Arrow's and my mission to complete."
"The fog, if you are right and it is beneficial to our maste- to the light, I'm sure W and R will be there. S and I will be going wether you like it or not."
Batman, Flash, Canary and Green Arrow seemed to think about it. S and L looked at them bewildered, sure they had had there fair amount of disagreements with the heroes but here they couldn't help but feel like equals.
Batman looked at Green Arrow at which he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, Artemis is still a bit new in all this hero buis but you sent them on a successful undercover mission right? Give em a chance."
"I don't think you going against the Light without League assistance would be wis-" Flash began.
L stepped forward, "I think Artemis is right, you do remember, S and I are practically part of the Light we know how they work, this sounds just like the jobs they would only send us four to complete, I don't doubt they will be sending only R and W... I need to know if they are okay." L half-begged.
"I'm heading with the archers, if that is were W and R will be, aside from that we just need to secure doctor Roquete and the fog right? Not the worst deal." S supplied.
"Superboy, what did we talk about reacting." Black Canary began.
"I'm not" S answered truthfully "...we were never trained to fight alongside others, they made it pretty clear that if the time comes, we should be able to fight against each other. We are ready to face them. S finished, L nodded determined.
He raised his head "We can handle ourselves so don't worry, we'll head off now." He said as both boys turned out to leave.
Leaving the heroes staring at them, none planning to stop them. None having the right to.
"Hey we're going with" Artemis called and they didn't object.
"L, take care kiddo."Flash called waving at which L couldn't contain the light that filled his eyes and the large grin that spread in his face.
"Sure thing Flash."
"You too Superboy." Black Canary called as S nodded confidently.
And so both groups departed to each of their destinies.
.
...The Light´s base, R, S L and W quarters...
He couldn't sleep, at 3 in the morning R decided to train for a bit, changing into gym cloth, grabbing a towel and a water bottle he headed to the gym in need to clear his mind.
BAM!
BAM!
CRACK!
PUNCH!
Stopping dead in tracks as he watches 6 destroyed dummies around Water, not even panting slightly but rather remained in a straight rigid posture. He turned to R, eyes deadly and mouth set in a firm line.
R swallowed thickly and diverted his gaze from the new leader. He supplied a small nod in acknowledgement as he headed to the rings.
Water had appeared an hour after he was allowed back into the dorms, having ended the 'interrogation'
It was not the Water he knew, but a weapon. Their new leader. merciless, unemotional, firm, threatening and powerful.
The gym was silent other than sounds of punching and the cords movement as R did his flips.
One flip
Two flips
On air flip
Catching the rings
Another flip
Even though it hadn't been long since they had gotten their space in this headquarters, the faint laughs and bonding times they could share if it wasn't for everything, everyone, themselves and the choices they've made only help as an incessant reminder of his failure..
One flip
Two flips
Air
He was now trapped as Ra's had found out about his plan all along, and not only that. Once L and W knew what he had done to them. Once the found out R had blocked their memories they would surely never trust him again. They would surely turn their backs at their idea of fighting along his side to seek for their own path and with Superboy knowing the support he's had from Luthor, he could follow them as well. In reality he was alone, the only one who had had a loving family, a loving and colorful life before everything was taken away because of CADMUS and The Light.
Catch
One flip
Two flips
Three flips
Air
A failed catch, falling to the mats...
Water didn't even flinch or turn to see if his comrade was all right before he left the gym leaving the raven-haired alone.
R cursed silently, reprimanding himself for his mistake.
On the cameras Queen Bee stared at the screens as she drank a glass of bourbon in the same room the brain and Ra's Al Ghul. "When are we planning on getting the other two back." she demanded in a heavy accent.
"Don't fret lovely queen. The Last Substance in its raw, was a succes in the atlantean DNA. However we have reasons to think it won't work on the others well, once the 3 other doses are balanced enough, we can make them the absolute living weapons, their only purpose being the accomplishment of the Light's goals even if it costs them their lives." The Brain supplied as Queen Bee smirked and Ra's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then we will need to retrieve Project Lightning and Superboy next." Queen Bee said. Just in time for Lex Luthor to make his appearance, his way as professional as ever, stalking confidently.
"No, we will focus on the Light's purpose. Our next step and outmost priority will be completing The Fog therefore retrieving Dr. Roquette, aquire the data we need and then dispose of the scientist. Prepare the weapons for the mission, Ra's Al Ghul request for Chesire assistance, she will accompany them."
...
After training...
R limped into the sitting area and found himself starring at the stoic figure of his teammate. His face devoid of emotion and firm posture.
As soon as W was aware of the other presence in the room he turned regarding his frie- his fr- ...
He nodded in acknowledgement... "Renegade."
How could such a cold, firm greeting hurt so much. Hardly keeping his face neutral R nodded, "Leader."
R then headed to his room closing the door and leaning against it looking to the floor, bangs covering his eyes that were now filled with pain and tears as he whispered. 'I failed you. Im sorry, Ka-ldur'ahm.'
...
"Leader Water, Renegade report to mission chamber" The brain announced.
Next thing R knew, he found himself standing besides W both firm and attentive to their masters orders. Silence reigned in the dark space, being illuminated by the 7 white screens.
"Leader, stand." A voice said, Water took one firm step forward. R clenched his fists. It was his fault, he had let this happened.
Was it the feeling of being lost or the past hour of nonstop crying, maybe it was Water's stoic attitude or further worries about L and S that had R lost in thought. So much going through his head that he had apparently drifted out of the debrief.
"-Renegade" he jumped at the harsh shout that came from one of the screens.
He looked ahead slightly terrified although he did not show it. 'How could I be so careless.' He reprimanded while looking at the screens tensely.
"Excuse me masters." He heard Water say.
R's stance tensed further when Water turned around and grabbed his collar pulling him close.
The glaring grey eyes of the atlantean gave away nothing but anger and bemusement, "You will stand in attention to our masters, understood Renegade." He commanded.
R got out of his initial shock and glared at the atlantean. After some time he nodded slightly, "Yes, leader."
There was nothing he could do for now. Not without knowing what they had given to Water, not when S and L were still with the League, and definitely not when Ra's kept a close eye at him.
"Now child, as I was saying." Luthor said bemused seeing as he had been ignored, "You will head out once we get notified as to where The Fog is being taken. You will track it and get a hold of the nanotech."
'So the time had come.' R thought.
"-Renegade dispose of the doctor after attaining it."
'Of course...'
R nodded bitterly. Is not as he had never done it before, killing. And... it was not as if he was trying to become a hero instead, but he hope he wouldn't have to be responsible for more civilian lives.
"Yes master." The debrief ended, as both headed towards the heliport. The pilot and Cheshire were waiting.
...Happy Harbor School...
"Heya Doc." Artemis said amused.
The doctor sat in front of a desk computer in the computer lab. She looked bemused and upset. "Oh so you decided to finally come back. I was hypothesizing on wether you left me here to become the new science teacher, or you just got yourself killed."
"Have a little faith, Doctor." Red Arrow said smirking as he entered after.
Dr. Serling looked around, "Where's backup?" she said bemused.
L and S entered after having taken some time scouting outside in lookout for R and W.
"... Wait is it those two? Aside from you." she sighed heavily, "faith you say." She said as she continued typing on the prehistoric computer.
"What's wrong with the crazy scientist?" L asked confused as they entered the lab.
Artemis smiled mischievously "Oh you know, your charm does not seem cover your inexperience ooor your lack of skills."
"Hey! first thanks for saying i'm charmful, second I possess far more skills than the Flash itself and we don't need experience when we were trained for this since we can remember." L stated rapidly then turned to the window peeking out through the blinds.
He did not notice the blushing archer "He-hey! Thats not what I meant!"
Superboy stared, "Is it?"
"IT ISN'T!"
"FOR HEAVENS SAKE! Will you please SHUT UP, World's Fate at stake here!" Dr. Serling reminded.
Artemis sighed heavily, "I'll just walk the perimeter" she turned to Superboy, "you coming Supey?"
S nodded he wanted to be out in case he could hear better. This comm unit thing was a bit uncomfortable but he admitted it came in handy.
"So now we wait." L said as he sat on a low shelf. Some time passed were just the clicking of tabs was heard. L did not particularly enjoyed not being able to talk, but his mind was elsewhere, with Renegade and Water. Were they ok? What happened? Are they coming?
"I made connection." Dr Serling said stopping his train of thoughts. L turned to Red Arrow, the hero nodded, "Ready." He said to the scientist.
She sighed, "It will start moving towards us, in three... two... one." They had to face the great possibility that they were being tracked back and would hopefully face their contender who wanted to use the Fog for their own evil purposes.
NEXT: R opened his eyes fearfully, deep blue suddenly starring at wide green ones. Before the other plummet to the floor.