Invaded
Chapter Three: Double Agent
Author's Note: Thank you for reading and please enjoy. This chapter is definitely more emotionally driven, but it sets the darker tone I've been aiming for. Leave a review.
Queen Manor, Star City
December 20
09:23 AM PDT
"Phoenix, one of Star City's former vigilantes, has made her first public appearance in almost three years. It seems Phoenix arrived on scene to help the rogue rebel group, which the government confirms is now led by Nightwing since Batman's capture, escape from Task Force X's custody. Phoenix, who was presumed inactive, previously ranked number nineteen on the UN's Most Wanted List. She is now ranked at number nine and considered armed and dangerous. If you have any tips that lead to the arrest of Phoenix, or any other active vigilante, please call the number at the bottom of the screen," the female news reporter concluded.
With a sigh, Ashley muted the live feed, returning her attention to the holographic screen in front of her.
"I was watching that," Hunter frowned, glaring at the brunette from his seat.
"How can you watch that garbage?" Ashley questioned, scoffing.
"I forget that you're still used to the glory days," Hunter admitted.
"Glory days?" Ashley repeated.
"You know," Hunter gestured aimlessly, "The days when the media praised us. I mean, you were one of the most popular heroes, so I'm sure you're not taking this fall from grace… well, gracefully."
Ashley's frown deepened, "Why does it sound like you're calling me vain?"
Hunter chuckled, "I'm only stating the obvious. It's only bothering you because they're painting you in a negative light. The media's influence on society is truly a powerful force that should be studied."
Ashley gasped, "Hunter, you're a genius."
"I know that," Hunter smirked, adding, "But why am I a genius?"
"Our main objective is to liberate everyone currently in custody, right? But, if we liberate everyone without clearing our names, then we're just prolonging another manhunt," Ashley explained, rising from her seat to pace.
"Yes, we established this," Hunter nodded.
"What if instead of convincing the UN council that we're innocent, we convince them that someone else is guiltier?" Ashley pondered.
"You mean… we need a scapegoat? That doesn't clear our names. It just throws more dirt on someone else." Hunter countered.
"Not if that scapegoat clears our name. We have to convince them that Lex Luthor is guilty," Ashley stated.
"How do we do that?"
"I… I don't know— yet! We know the Light is behind the attack on Bialya. Now, we just have to prove it," Ashley concluded.
Hunter resisted the smirk that tugged at his lips as he watched the brunette pace, lost in her own train of thoughts. Admittedly, he missed her more than he was comfortable acknowledging, even to himself.
"Good, you're here," Ollie announced, exiting the express elevator and beelining to the supercomputer.
"One of my sources just reported an incoming delivery of Venom," Ollie explained, typing as quickly as he could. Multiple holo-screens materialized as Ashley and Hunter approached the retired archer.
"Do we know when this shipment is expected to arrive?" Ashley questioned, quickly sifting through the screens.
"Tonight," Ollie answered.
"Tonight? Fuck," Ashley cursed, "Jaime and Dick went with Kara to meet Superman's parents. Bumblebee and Guardian are in Jump City following a lead Dick gave them from Waller's laptop."
Ollie furrowed his brow in confusion, "That leaves you with Hunter, Artemis, Impulse, and Beast Boy. Pretty solid line up."
Hunter glanced at Ashley, noticing her demeanor; her body language was tense, yet the way she pressed her lips into a firm line was a clear giveaway to her true emotions.
"You're right," Ashley nodded, "I'll take lead. Ollie, can you be our eyes in the sky?"
Ollie nodded, "Of course. Shipment is supposed to arrive sometime after ten through the docks."
"Hey, I just wanted to check on you," Artemis admitted, watching Ashley carefully prepare her utility belt for the seventh time.
"Because you're worried I'm going to go haywire again?" Ashley questioned; Artemis chuckled at the brunette's bluntness. If there was one thing Artemis always appreciated it was Ashley's directness.
"Well, not only because of that," Artemis assured, "Hunter said you're taking the lead tonight. Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, it's your first mission since…"
"Since Wally died," Ashley finished.
"I know you well, Ash," Artemis sighed, sitting across from the brunette at the large conference table, "You took the lead because you have something to prove. I just don't know what you're trying to prove or to who."
Ashley raised her utility belt to eye-view, inspecting it carefully.
"Why don't you let Hunter take the lead?" Artemis suggested as Ashley stood to her full height, securing the utility belt around her waist.
"I didn't take the lead because I have something to prove. I took the lead because this is still my city which makes it my jurisdiction. I appreciate you taking care of me, Arte, but I'm not gonna go haywire every time someone mentions Wally."
Artemis chuckled wryly, "Why is that I don't believe you?"
"Which part don't you believe?" Ashley asked, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
"The part where you don't have something to prove."
Ashley visibly hesitated before exhaling loudly, "When I retired, I didn't just let my city down… I let everyone down. I was so happy living in my fantasy that I didn't realize how it affected everyone else. Everyday, I have to look at Ollie's arm and Aunt Dinah… I can't help but think that I could've changed the outcome of that day."
Artemis nodded, "You're right. You could've changed the outcome, but we don't know if it would've been a better one. Ollie lost his arm, but not his life."
"But they lost a life," Ashley countered.
"We all grieve in different ways," Artemis said, "Dinah isn't just grieving the loss of her unborn child. She's grieving the loss of everything. You both were raised to be heroes and that comes with its own trauma. You focused on Wally's loss, but Dinah… she focused on the loss of everything."
"I guess that's what I'm trying to prove," Ashley paused, "I'm trying to prove that we didn't lose it all."
Star City Docks
December 20
10:09 PM PDT
"Is everyone in position?" Phoenix questioned as she positioned herself to be carefully hidden by the shadows of the metal crates. A series of confirmations from her teammates flooded her mind.
"I never knew Star City had a drug problem this bad," Hunter admitted.
"It's always been bad," Phoenix paused, "It's gotten worse throughout the years. Venom has been pushed through Star City since the early 2000s. Since then, it's been mixed and diluted with other drugs and components which has led to a lot of overdoses."
"Damn," Hunter exhaled.
"A boat just entered the harbor," Artemis informed.
Phoenix inhaled sharply as she attempted to ignore the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. It had been so long since she had enjoyed the thrill of being a hero, yet here she found herself again chasing that familiar high.
"The boat is docking," Artemis updated. The boat was a relatively medium sized yacht, unfit for moving large quantities of Venom. Phoenix's analytical gaze scanned the docks, giving in to the familiar nagging feeling that something was off.
"Something's wrong," Phoenix stated.
"What? What's wrong?" Impulse questioned.
"That boat is too small to move large quantities of Venom," Phoenix noted.
A series of armed men walked down the ramp, scoping the docks.
"Everyone get low," Hunter instructed, "I count six heavily armed men."
"They can't see us," Phoenix revealed.
"Those guns have scopes," Hunter persisted.
"They can't see us because I'm masking our physical presence telepathically," Phoenix explained.
"Woah," Impulse marveled, "You can do that?"
"There's one more person exiting the boat," Artemis informed, interjecting
"Any positive ID?" Phoenix questioned.
"No," Artemis sighed, "Definitely male, brunette… I'm putting his height at around six feet."
"Must be someone important if he's armed," Beast Boy noted.
"Or he's meeting with someone he needs protection from," Artemis countered, "I have eyes on Cheshire."
"Artemis, Phoenix," Cheshire crooned, watching with disinterest as Impulse and Beast Boy hogtied the unconscious men. "Others."
"You're back with the Shadows," Artemis stated flatly.
"You knew that already," Cheshire retorted.
"Who is this and why are you meeting with him?" Phoenix questioned, gesturing towards the unconscious man Artemis failed to identify.
"His name is Paris Franz," Cheshire stated.
"Seriously?" Beast Boy questioned.
"He's Carlos Francesco's nephew," Cheshire continued.
"Francesco's a major crime boss in Gotham's underworld," Artemis informed.
"Why was he meeting with you?" Phoenix continued.
"Why else would he arrange a meeting with me?" Cheshire retorted rhetorically, "He wanted to hire me to take out his uncle."
"That would cause a massive uproar in the criminal world," Artemis said, "The transition of leadership could cause a war within the underworld. Why would you help him?"
Cheshire scoffed, "Why else? He was willing to pay the right price."
"Why are you cooperating?" Phoenix asked, crossing her arms over her chest. After Cheshire and Franz made contact, Phoenix had led the squad into a swift victory by taking down Franz. Cheshire simply watched the heroes work, not once engaging or attempting to escape.
Cheshire hesitated, narrowing her eyes at Phoenix. Phoenix uncrossed her arms, igniting an orb out of precaution.
"Relax," Cheshire sighed, "I have no desire to hurt anyone who doesn't deserve it… I know what you've done for Red."
Phoenix's orb flickered before disintegrating completely. "What can you tell us about the Light?"
"Not much," Cheshire answered, "Ever since the League's untimely demise, there hasn't been much chatter. Though, there is this rumor going around."
"Don't keep us waiting," Artemis threatened.
"A major catalyst for the League's fall was public opinion which was controlled by the Light's personal public relations liaison, G. Gordon Godfrey," Cheshire explained.
"We know this. He swayed public opinion against the League which helped Luthor become president," Phoenix said.
"Well, what you don't know is that apparently he's a double agent," Cheshire revealed.
"A double agent? For who?" Hunter persisted.
"That's all I know," Cheshire promised.
"That's not much," Artemis frowned.
"But it's something," Cheshire smirked.
"Godfrey is a cunning bastard. If he's a double agent, he has to be working for someone who's more powerful than the Light to ensure his survival," Phoenix deduced, rubbing her temple in annoyance.
"And here I thought the Boy Wonder was the brains of the operation. Anyways, since my business meeting has been cut short, I'll be going now," Cheshire stated.
"You're in my head," Cheshire noted calmly, watching Phoenix materialize several feet away from the assassin. "I thought that was more of the Martian's speed."
The two stood in Cheshire's empty childhood bedroom.
"I want to show you something," Phoenix explained, moving her dominant hand in a wiping motion. The dark bedroom slowly morphed into a decent sized living room and Cheshire found herself watching the daughter she abandoned running past her and into her father's arms.
"Why… Why are you doing this?" Cheshire whispered through clenched teeth.
"I want you to help us," Phoenix admitted.
Cheshire watched as Lian nestled into her father's chest; her giggles echoed loudly.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Lian laughed, "I escaped!"
"Oh no! Lian escaped our clutches Artemis!" An unmasked Ashley dramatically sighed, collapsing onto the couch with defeat.
"It seems we have failed to capture and tickle her," Artemis said, collapsing beside Ashley.
"I know you left because you think Lian's life is better without you," Phoenix admitted, "I don't know how true that is, but what I do know is we will protect her."
Cheshire watched as Will lifted the giggling toddler in the air. Ashley outstretched her hand; Lian's giggles became louder as she floated through the apartment before landing between Artemis and Ashley.
"Daddy!" Lian shouted as her aunts began tickling her.
"What does this have to do with me helping you?"
"You and I both know that we can't evade capture forever. If the Light was able to successfully capture the League's heavy hitters, it's only a matter of time before they capture us too."
Cheshire's frown deepened as the memory Phoenix shared with her seemed to come to an end. The two women stood in the midst of the memory in complete silence. Cheshire gazed at the small family she left behind, engraving her daughter's smile into her own memory as best as she could.
"I want you to supply us information," Phoenix explained.
"You think showing me this will convince me to help you?" Cheshire scoffed.
"I do," Phoenix nodded, "because deep down you care about Lian. And even deeper down you know the Light will eventually come to collect their losses. Will and Lian are only safe because we're protecting them. You and I both know the Light will eventually come looking for him. Do you think they're above hurting a child?"
Cheshire wryly chuckled, "I have to hand it to you. And here I thought the Martian was more of the 'by all means' type."
Phoenix frowned, retorting, "You don't know what I'm capable of when pushed."
"Is that a threat?" Cheshire probed.
"It's a promise," Phoenix countered, somber.
Cheshire folded her arms over her chest, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she processed her thoughts.
"Fine," Cheshire finally sighed, "I'll help you."
"Thank you."
"What is happening?" Impulse questioned, waving his hands rapidly in front of Cheshire's stoic face. Impulse stumbled back as Cheshire glazed over eyes returned to normal, glaring at the speedster.
"Artemis, Phoenix," Cheshire stated, "Others."
Phoenix watched as the assassin simply walked away, opting out of a stealthy escape.
"We're letting her get away?" Impulse asked in disbelief.
"You convinced her to help us," Artemis deduced, "How?"
"We had a talk. Let's head back to the Manor. Hunter, call this in to the Star City PD," Phoenix instructed.
Queen Manor, Star City
December 21
02:23 AM PDT
"Are you busy brooding or can I bother you for a second?" Artemis asked, knocking on the open bedroom door.
An unmasked Ashley sat on the edge of her bed, sifting through holographic screens.
"I don't brood," Ashley retorted, gesturing for Artemis to enter. The blonde trudged into the large room before collapsing onto the bed beside the brunette.
"How did you convince Jade to help us?"
Ashley paused, glancing at the blonde before continuing to sift through the screens, "I didn't try to break her mind, if that's what you're wondering."
Artemis leaned forward using her elbows, glaring at the younger woman, "Ash, I would never think that."
"Yes, you would," Ashley argued.
"Okay, I lied," Artemis admitted, "We lived together for three years and I barely saw you use your powers and now you could do all these things… You can't blame me for asking."
"Just because you didn't see me using my powers doesn't mean I wasn't practicing," Ashley said.
"So, you didn't force Jade to help us?" Artemis continued.
"No, I did," Ashley confirmed.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Artemis frowned.
"Jade is an opportunist, you know that. I gave her a deal she couldn't refuse," Ashley explained. Artemis remained silent, sprawling on the large bed with her feet dangling off the edge. She watched as the brunette continued to work, unfazed by her presence.
Artemis has always hated how secretive and aloof Ashley could be at times. Prying information out of her sometimes made Artemis feel as if she were begging and she hated that, too.
With a sigh of defeat, Artemis pushed herself forward, rising off the bed and standing to her full height.
"Well, goodnight then," Artemis yawned, stopping short at the threshold of Ashley's bedroom, "Wait, before I forget, did you speak to Dinah today?"
Ashley's attention completely shifted as her eyes finally broke away from the holo-screens, staring at the blonde archer with childlike interest, "No, why?"
"Well, she's been running training simulations since we got back so I thought maybe you had talked to her," Artemis said before exiting completely.
"Are we going to talk about it?" Ashley asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the threshold of the makeshift gym. She watched as her tired aunt continued to swing at the wooden dummy, dodging expertly when needed.
"Talk about what?" Dinah countered through heavy breaths.
Ashley stalked into the room slowly, stopping short only a few feet away from her mentor. The wooden dummy froze mid spin; Dinah regulated her breathing, removing the bandages from her bruised knuckles.
"I'm sorry for letting you down," Ashley said firmly, "I'm sorry for abandoning you—our family, everyone. I should've been there to protect you and I wasn't. I'm sorry."
"It's not your job to protect me. In fact, it's the other way around," Dinah countered.
"I wasn't talking to you," Ashley clarified, "I was talking to the sibling I never got to meet. I was reading this article that said during pregnancy, the fetus' cells can change the mother's DNA forever, even if the pregnancy isn't carried to term. Even if we never got to meet it, it lives through you."
"She," Dinah whispered.
"She lives through you," Ashley corrected.
"Ollie wants to try again but… how can I bring a child into this world? I wasn't able to protect her so why should I burden another child with the same fate?" Dinah sobbed. Ashley crossed the space between them, embracing the blonde into a tight hug. The older woman sobbed openly, collapsing her tired frame into her niece's. The two slowly lowered, sitting on the floor; Ashley rocked Dinah back and forth, calming her.
"I'll just have to make this a better world," Ashley whispered.
"What?"
"I'll just have to make this a better world. You're always going to have to protect your child from the world, but I'll make it easier for you."