Hello everybody!
And welcome back to another chapter Alchemic Justice!
First, let me say that I'm happy to see all of the guesses put forwards by you guys for the canon and OC characters to join the team. I've seen some great comments, and some really inventive ideas, especially for the canon characters. I won't be commenting on any in particular so as to avoid spoilers and premature confirmations, so the speculation can continue. But I imagine that soon it will become easier to tell who the answers are.
On another note, Sandman Unlimited is getting close to reaching 100000 views! I never imagined that it would get to that point, but I am so glad it did. Looking back, there are some things I would change, and chapters I would update, but I feel that where it is now is good. It's where it should be, and so I'll just be happy to see you all continue to enjoy my little fic. The one that started it all...
But anyways, let's get on to the reviews (While still avoiding the spoilers):
rmarcano321 - I had to keep them intact. They're far too pure for this world.
MajorBrony95 - Glad you liked it. It was fun to write.
xbox432 - Heh, Keemia's internet history is not some place you'd want to explore. It gets... sketchy. And yes, that was a reference to Megumin. You're getting really good at catching these obscure references I add. I'm glad that the comedy still goes over well, and I'm glad to see you receiving Ace so positively. She'll be fun to develop in the future for sure. As for your point about my editing issues, I will admit that I was rather... lax with them. While I won't be going back and editing the previous chapters, any future installments of this story, as well as my other stories I make, shall have more diligence in watching for them. But I'm happy you enjoyed it nonetheless.
Ronmr - I like adding these surprises. They keep it interesting.
7-Eleventh - The child of King Shark and Killer Frost was born before the events of this story. Frost was at the end of her first trimester in the finale of Sandman Unlimited, so their kid was born six months into the year dividing the previous story from this one. Hopefully that explanation alleviates any confusion as far as that is concerned. As for the X-Men... they likely won't show up at all, at least in a teaching capacity for the team. It's just not integral to what I'm working with. However that Thor idea does have some merit, and I would have fun playing with it. Keemia will have a relationship in the story, however I'm not giving any spoilers yet. I already have it planned. Though I'm not sure why the assumption she and Ace will get together is at all concerning...
Dion ComicWiz - I'm glad you enjoyed the departure from canon, because there will be more in the future. Hopefully it continues to hold up well. I'm always worried about it not being as good as the original material. Waller being the surprise target just helped so much from a literary stand point in tying up loose ends, and it helped build the conspiracy, as well as introducing Ace. That's three birds with one stone! Hopefully Ace's inclusion continues to please. I always adored her character and wanted to see more done with her. As I mentioned earlier, I will be trying harder to catch my grammar mistakes, but I'm glad that they weren't too overbearing that the story was in any way harmed. I also like hearing that my writing has improved. It really means a lot to hear that. I haven't given much thought into the ultimate fates of Tornado's siblings yet, but I imagine I could work in something regarding their past history with the JSA. The Wonder Twins... will not be appearing. Only because Shifter and Downpour exist (Albeit in the marvel universe as Avengers trainees, but still). Tomorrow Woman could be fun though. Not sure If I'll use her but it has potential. And finally, Nina Dowd... I did not expect you to suggest her at all, but my god is that hilarious. So hilarious, I'm gonna have to use her. It's too good to pass up on. I have to bring Mighty Endowed to the Alchemic Justice universe! I will also be checking out more Wildstorm in the future. It should give me some fun stuff. Thanks again for the comment my friend, no need to worry about its length at all. I hope my story continues to please.
Dez Guardius - I honestly forgot beast Boy was mentioned in the Timm-verse before. And that certainly brings up an issue. I do have an excuse prepared for it (Albeit it is a very convoluted one involving the Doom Patrol and mind wiping), but I've decided to forego that to instead follow The Incredible Muffin's lead. I am ignoring it entirely. It's a small part of the canon anyway, and it can be easily over looked as unimportant. But thank you for pointing that out.
Lucian Naruto - A meeting between Vision and Red Tornado would be fascinating. The true human android meeting an android who desperately wants to be human. It would be such an interesting conversation to behold honestly. Not sure if I'll do it, but it has a lot of merit for sure.
Thanks again for the reviews everyone! I love receiving them and I was honestly overwhelmed by how many my last chapter got. Keep them coming, it means so much to me just to get them.
One final note; when you see this "{}", it means the dialogue is translated from another language. In this case, Spanish. I hope that alleviates confusion.
And with all that done, time for the disclaimer:
I own nothing but the original idea of this fic. Keemia Marko and all related characters are property of Marvel comics and Disney. Young Justice, the Justice League, and all related characters are property of DC and Warner Bros. Please support the official releases.
And away we go!
Santa Prisca – June 19th, 00:43 ECT
Once a lowly and run-down Spanish colony, the island of Santa Prisca saw a resurgence in use during the late years of the 19th century. During that time, the failed plantation island was turned into a prison, where several high-risk criminals from all over Central and South America were sent to serve time behind bars. This prison soon gained a reputation as being a veritable hell on earth, thanks to the cruel guards and even crueller quality of living for the interned prisoners.
However, one day that all ended. A young man was sentenced to serve time in the stead of his father, a violent drug lord who had escaped conviction on the mainland. This boy grew up in the prison, however, instead of torturing him as it was used to doing to others, the prison itself only hardened his resolve. Once the boy had grown he easily overtook the prison and returned it to the local drug lords, on the condition that he rule the island himself.
The drug runners helped the man to create a powerful neobolic steroid, and the man happily used it himself, increasing his own strength and fighting prowess with it. Soon enough, he had left the island to conquer the world, becoming Bane; the man who broke the Bat.
His reign of terror had only just begun, and he was already one of the most feared criminals in the world. Renowned for his strength, brutality, and keen-intellect, he was a force to be reckoned with, easily earning himself a place among the most feared of Gotham. Soon enough he returned to his humble island home, refusing an invitation from Grodd to join his so-called "Secret Society", to instead continue production of his precious Venom. Its sales had become quite lucrative to him, and he only refined the formula further to tighten his grip over the island.
However, even the mighty Bane was unprepared for a sudden and crippling attack by the elitist and neo-religious Cult of the Kobra. The fanatics quickly swept the island, proving themselves to be well-armed far beyond the Spanish revolutionaries and criminals that had owned it for nearly fifteen years before the Cult's sudden invasion.
Instead, Bane found himself faced with a new feeling, one he was angered to have; defeat. He and his empire had been crumbled by a few dozen fanatics within an hour. It was crushing to see his hard-earned work laid before him so haphazardly.
Bane and the last of his surviving lieutenants soon found themselves surrounded within the very factory they sought to protect above all else, with several of the Kobra cultists surrounding them. Each member of the Cult of the Kobra was adorned in the same red robes and black mask, with some of them having the sigil of the cult tattooed on their bodies. The cultists were armed to the teeth with high powered rifles, as they cornered the survivors next to the last vestige of the old prison this factory once was; a small arena walled an all sides with a walkway for observation. The old guards had often used it for sick competitions where they pit the prisoners in death matches for money.
One of the cultists would soon approach the survivors, Bane eying him suspiciously. "{Our sublime master proclaims he will depart this facility if one of you defeats his champion in single combat.}" the cultist said.
Bane's eyes narrowed as he pushed past his lieutenants. He wanted his factory and his island back at all costs, and he was easily the most combat accomplished man among his people. He approached the door to the arena, not wanting to waste any time before a buzzer sounded and the door slowly slid open.
"{Just make it interesting.}" the villain demanded before entering the arena, the door closing behind him while the cultist simply smirked triumphantly.
Across the arena a door opposite to Bane opened, revealing what appeared to be a set of twins. A thin young man stepped inside, his arms gangly and long, and his whole body almost uncomfortably frail. Despite this, he ran his hands through his fire-red hair, a smirk on his face, while Bane scowled. Was this supposed to be their champion?
A metallic click could be heard hitting the ground behind him as Bane turned to see his Venom injector, returned to him. It was confiscated from his during the initial invasion by the cultists, who obviously feared what he could do in a powered up state. "{You give me back my greatest weapon?}" He asked, almost intrigued as he picked it up. "{What's the catch?}"
"{No catch,}" the cultist replied, clearly amused. "{It would hardly test his champion's prowess if you were not at your best.}" He reasoned.
Bane almost snorted at that. His champion was a frail young boy, what danger could he pose? Yet, he knew better than to underestimate his opponents. There was clearly something that the cultist wasn't telling him. He fastened the injector back to his body, pressing the tube into the back of his mask. "{You want my best?}" He asked before the Venom flooded his system. Almost instantly his muscles bulged and grew, as his height increased and adrenaline was pumped into his bloodstream at an incredible rate. When it was done, he was now close to seven feet tall, panting slightly from the strain it put on his body. "{You got it.}"
He cracked his neck in anticipation as Kobra's champion flashed him a confident smirk. A thin teenaged girl suddenly stepped in behind him. She was the boy's twin sister, sharing his same fire-red hair and slim figure. However, half of her head was shaved with the symbol of the Cult of the Kobra tattooed there instead of her hair. She injected her brother with some sort of purple chemical before stepping out again and closing the door behind her.
The boy fell over almost immediately as his muscles rippled and grew. They increased his mass ten-fold, a sudden explosion of skin and muscle forced his left arm to dislocate before relocating painfully as the rest of his body swelled with new bulk. His teeth grew into dangerous fangs as parts of his skin tore away all over his body to expose the muscle underneath. He gave an animalistic roar before standing up, now close to eight feet tall. He panted before rushing forwards towards Bane.
Despite his bulk, this new monster was incredibly fast, advancing on Bane quickly. The veteran drug runner blocked the first blow, but only barely. This monster's strength was unbelievable. Not to be outmatched, Bane quickly went on the offensive with a vicious uppercut before following with a powerful haymaker to the monster's solar plexus.
However, his blows didn't even seem to effect this mammoth of a man, as the monster grasped the back on Bane's head before delivering his own powerful flurry of blows. Several punches struck the former ruler of the island, before the monster grasped his left arm and threw him across the arena where Bane collided roughly with some of the numerous pipes that ran along the wall. The force of the blow caused the pipes to bend under the stress before his opponent rushed forwards again and slammed Bane into the pipes with his shoulder.
Steam escaped the pipes with a hiss before Bane was once again thrown across the arena and left prone on the floor. Mammoth leapt after him before delivering one final blow, a savage punch that left Bane embedded several inches into the stone floor.
Bane groaned feebly, having not felt such ferocity before. This monster could attack him almost as hard as Superman could, and the criminal knew he had lost his island to the invaders.
The cultist who offered Bane the challenge simply smirked wider. Mammoth had proven himself to be a worthy champion for their glorious leader. It was with a broad grin that the man started chanting. "Hail Kobra… Hail Kobra!"
The rest of the cultists who were watching soon joined in, chanting and sending praises to their leader. Kobra simply watched from the rafters, his arms folded triumphantly as his subjects continued to praise his name for their victory.
Caribbean Sea – June 22nd, 20:08 ECT
M'Gann's Bioship cruised just above the clouds, stealthily approaching the island of Santa Prisca. Inside the ship, the team sat silently, preparing themselves for what was to be their first official mission in the field. Robin's gaze was hardened, focused ahead. Kid's arms were folded impatiently, while Superboy intermittently clenched his fists, eager to get to work. Kaldur was the calmest, mentally repeating his role in the plan, while Keemia simply took the time to meditate and calm her nerves.
They'd all fought crime before, and each time they held their own easily and admirably. But this time they were in the heart of uncharted and hostile territory. Anything could go wrong if given the chance.
"We're approaching Santa Prisca," M'Gann said, calling all their attention forward as the island slowly faded into view from the distance. It was smaller than expected, but the jungles that covered the island were incredibly dense.
Robin nodded slightly, his eyes narrowing as he remembered their initial briefing for the mission from earlier:
-Flashback-
"Isla Santa Prisca. This island is the primary source of a dangerous and illegal neo-steroid. A strength enhancing drug sold under the street name "Venom""; Batman explained, showing the team a map of the island which pointed out various hotspots of activity. "Infrared heat signatures indicate their factory is still operating at full capacity. But all shipments of Venom have been inexplicably cut-off. That's where this team comes in."
Batman turned to the team, looking at them seriously. "This is a covert recon mission only. Observe and report. If the Justice League needs to intervene, it will." he said before turning around and calling up another map, this one with two highlighted zones. "The plan requires two drop zones."
"Jumping head first into the island headquarters of Bane? This should be fun." Keemia grimaced slightly, folding her arms with a sigh.
"So who's in charge?" Tim asked curiously.
Batman seemed to regard him blankly for a moment before finally answering. "Work that out between you."
-Flashback End-
Robin smirked remembering the discussion that happened after, wherein he was made the leader of the team for the duration of the mission. Hopefully, if all went well he would continue being leader afterwards too.
"Drop zone A in thirty," M'Gann said, derailing Robin's train of thought as Aqualad stood up from his seat, pressing the buckle on his belt. Instantly, the normally red and blue costume he wore slowly melted into two dark shades of grey.
"Ready," he affirmed her as M'Gann nodded.
"Putting Bioship in camouflage mode," she said before the ship shimmered and faded from view the island now barely a kilometre away. It descended close to the surface of the water before a hatch opened, and Aqualad dove out into the water.
Carefully swimming around the scattered mines left under the water as a deterrent for ships, he made his way to a large guard net before cutting through with his water bearers and continuing towards the beach. He soon leapt from the water, landing on the shore before he placed a special jamming device on the security sensor. Once it activated, he pressed a finger to his communicator. "Heat and motion sensors are patched, data is now on a continuous loop. Move in"
The Bioship continued slowly through the air before hovering in place above a small clearing in the trees. "Drop zone B." Miss Martian said before she and the remaining members of the team all stood. She focused her telepathy before bringing out some drop lines for the boys. Robin and Kid Flash both fastened theirs before Kid Flash pressed the logo on his uniform. Much like Aqualad's costume, his own suddenly changed to the black and grey stealth mode.
"How cool is this?" the speedster asked, looking at Miss Martian.
"Very impressive," she replied before she mentally changed her clothes to her own stealth tech. The skirt was replaced with a full body suit, as the white was replaced with a sleek black, and a hood was added to her cape.
"Uh, that works too." Kid Flash said with a dumb grin while Keemia rolled her eyes. Kid Flash noticed her actions before looking to her and Superboy. "Hey Supey, Djinn. Not too late to put on the new stealth tech."
"I already wear mostly black, so there's not really a point." Djinn shrugged.
"No capes, no tights. No offence." Superboy declared, folding his arms.
"It totally works for you…" M'Gann mused, a love-struck smile on her face before she blushed upon realizing what she said. "In that you can totally do good work in those clothes." She said awkwardly before hiding her face in her hood to avoid further embarrassment, as well as camouflaging herself so she was hidden from their view.
"Heh, smooth." Keemia chuckled quietly, smirking as she did before sitting back on her staff. She was fine to float down like M'Gann, as opposed to using the cables like Robin and Kid Flash were.
The ship opened a porthole for them as she flew out, descending to the ground below. She was joined by Robin and Kid Flash on their cables just a few seconds later. They had just enough time to detach them before narrowly avoiding Superboy who simply leapt from the ship before hitting the ground with a heavy impact, shaking their surroundings.
"Knew I didn't need a line." The clone mused before Robin reappeared with the others.
"And yet creating a seismic event may not have helped us much with the covert." Robin snarked, scowling at his teammate before Djinn floated down to the ground at last.
"I dunno Rob, I give him full points for the flare of it." She smirked, fist bumping with Superboy before they regrouped.
M'Gann took to the air above them, carefully watching their surroundings before activating her communicator. "Aqualad, drop B is go."
After a few seconds, he responded. "Head for the factory. I'll track your GPS and rendezvous ASAP."
"Roger that." Robin nodded, as he looked at their map on his holoscreen. The others crowded around to look at it as well before Robin took off, leading them into the underbrush of the jungle.
Under the light of the full moon, and covered by the branches of the trees overhead, the team moved quickly as they made their way to the factory. Robin took lead as he scaled up a small cliff face, watching their surroundings carefully.
"Any sign of activity?" Djinn asked as Robin shook his head.
"Not yet." He frowned before bringing up his holoscreen to check for motion around them.
Superboy was taking up the rear, his eyes primed for movement before the sound of a branch cracking underfoot caught his attention. It was still several dozen feet away, but it was close enough to put him in alert. "Did you hear that?" he asked carefully.
"Uh, no." Kid Flash said, turning to face him. "Wait, is this a super-hearing thing?"
"You do have great ears," M'Gann said with a smile while Keemia rolled her eyes a little.
"Keep yourself in check there Meg." She said before her eyes glowed. "Laever efil sngis ot em!" she cast before the magic spread out through the jungle. It soon returned to her, confirming what Superboy had said.
"I've got life signs, I just don't have any particular details about them. They're big though." She frowned.
"Okay Rob, now what?" Kid asked before all four turned to see their leader missing. He'd disappeared into the underbrush when their backs were turned. "Man I hate it when he does that"
"It's becoming a real trend with him." Keemia scowled before Kaldur radioed them again, having picked up on the same signal.
"Superboy, Kid, switch to infrared. See if you're being tracked." He advised, rushing through the brush to meet them at the rendezvous.
Kid nodded before pulling his goggles down and turning on the infrared sensors within the lenses as he scanned the jungle. About a hundred feet ahead, he got his first signal. "Got a squad of armed bozos incoming."
He moved to cover to continue observation while Superboy looked around with his own enhanced vision to check his blind spots.
"Two squads." Superboy corrected, finding a second group of armed thugs a similar distance away. "But they'll meet each other before they find us."
As the squads met, the sudden sound of rapid gunfire could be heard echoing through the trees. M'Gann gasped as Keemia frowned thoughtfully.
"No super-hearing required now," Barry said.
"Is it a gang-war? It would explain the sudden lack of shipments." Keemia mused.
"But not the continued production." M'Gann continued.
"Swing wide, steer clear," Aqualad ordered, having heard the same commotion.
"Yeah-yeah, just as soon as I find Rob," Barry replied before tearing off downhill at breakneck speed to find their missing teammate.
With the continual rain that the island had received in past weeks, the ground was left slick and wet with mud. Coupled with the downhill slope and the high speed that Barry was maintaining, the lack of traction swiftly became a problem. He slipped part-way into his run before promptly sliding the rest of the way down the hill, rolling and crashing through mud and bushes as he went.
At the base of the hill, the two squads engaged in the fighting were revealed to be Bane and the last of his officers against a squadron of the Kobra cultists that were dispatched to find them. They exchanged heated gunfire from behind their cover, each trying to eliminate the other when their fight was interrupted by sudden screaming from further up the hill. Both parties turned in time to see Kid Flash crashing and rolling through the bushes, off a small embankment before landing in the mud in front of Bane, who regarded the sidekick first with confusion, then with ire.
Kid Flash grimaced, pulling his goggles off to see several armed men staring down at him, each one less than pleased at the current situation. "So much for the stealthy…" he said nervously before quickly moving to avoid the gunfire that was now aimed at him, as both partied briefly halted their attacks on each other to dispatch the young hero.
Bane and his men had a silent strategy among them; they would provide cover fire to herd their quarry, in this case Kid, to where Bane would simply take careful aim to bring him down. However, this plan was halted when Bane was tackled into the mud by Superboy. The large Hispanic man swiftly dropped his gun before immediately engaging the clone, using his greater expertise with wrestling to subdue him, and put him in a tight hold.
Superboy's strength proved to be a great asset, however, as he wrenched his hand free before grasping Bane's shirt and throwing the mercenary off of him and into the trunk of a large tree. He fell to the ground painfully, before Keemia helped him up.
"Great strategy there." She laughed before conjuring a barrier to block some of the bullets fired her way. "Nrut rieht snug otni snekcihc!"
The gunmen attacking her would soon find their rifles replaced with very irate poultry, as they proceeded the attack the gunmen instead. As they were distracted, Djinn moved in closer. "Eit meht rehtegot!" she said before the men found themselves tied tightly together with conjured ropes.
Two of Bane's men continued their barrage on Barry, who was easily leaping through the branches at a high sped to avoid their shots. Their focus proved their undoing as Robin suddenly dove down on them, knocking them to the ground. "What is wrong with you guys? Remember covert?" Robin chastised them, before kicking one of the gunmen in the chest before upper-cutting the other sending both to the ground. "Why didn't you follow my lead and vanish into the jungle?" he asked, before drawing and extending his Bo staff and using it to strike the first gunman in the face, knocking him out.
"That's what you were doing? Way to fill us in." Barry snarked, rapidly punching one of the other gunmen just a few feet away. "We're not mind readers you know!"
Just behind Barry, M'Gann used her telekinesis to knock two of the Kobra cultists into a tree, taking them out of the fight.
"Er, I'm not anyway." Barry corrected before M'Gann landed on the ground again.
"You told me I could only read the bad guys' minds." the Martian pointed out as Keemia landed next to her with another unconscious Kobra cultist in tow.
The last cultist tried to escape from the group, running back up the mountain path while Robin prepared a batarang to throw at him. However, the cultist was cut off by the sudden arrival of Kaldur who grasped the man before shocking him with electricity to knock him out.
With their battle over and the team having regrouped, they tied the gunmen up to two of the trees. Robin frowned as he looked at the cultists who were all tied together. "I recognize those uniforms. They belong to the Cult of the Kobra."
"I am certain Batman would have mentioned it if he knew a dangerous extremist was running Santa Prisca's Venom operation" Kaldur frowned, his arms folded.
"Agreed," Robin nodded. "And since there's clearly no love lost between the cultists and those goons, I'm betting Kobra came in and tossed them out. That's why normal supply lines have been cut off."
"We get it. Kobra wanted super cultists. Mystery solved." Kid Flash said quickly. "Radio Bats, and we'll be home in time for-"
"These cultists aren't on Venom," Robin said, cutting him off quickly. "Kobra's hoarding the stuff. We don't leave. Not until I know why."
"Until you know why?" Barry scoffed.
"This team needs a leader." Robin countered.
"And it's you? Dude you're a fourteen-year-old kid, who ducked out on us without a word."
"Ha, and you're a mature fifteen? You blew our cover first chance you got!"
Keemia watched the two argue with her arms folded, M'Gann and Superboy standing next to her. All three were clearly frustrated by the actions of their teammates.
"They're both idiots." Keemia scoffed before leaning on her staff again.
"Don't you want to lead?" M'Gann asked, looking at Superboy.
He scoffed a little at that, shaking his head. "You?"
"After the Mister Twister fiasco?" she said, looking a little unsure of herself at the prospect.
"You did alright," Superboy assured her with a smile, as she blushed faintly.
"Which is more than I can say for Pigeon Boy and the Brainless Wonder." Keemia drawled as Robin and Kid Flash continued their argument. Superboy was about to say something else before he turned his head, hearing Bane and his men talking to each other.
{"Look at them argue! Free yourself and take them while they're distracted."} the lieutenant suggested before Bane shook his head.
{"Quiet! For now, I play along. They'll give me what I need."} He assured the lieutenant while Superboy simply smirked. The G-Gnomes in CADMUS had given him the ability to understand more than a few languages, with Spanish being among them.
"Oh my god, they're still going? Ugh!" Keemia grimaced. "Is it too late to just hide in the House of Mystery?" she asked as Robin and Kid Flash passed by Bane with their argument.
"Yeah? You don't even have superpowers!" Kid Flash pointed out.
"Neither does Batman!" Robin defended.
"Duh, you're not Batman," Barry said.
"Duh, closest thing we've got," Robin said confidently before Bane suddenly started chuckling.
"Such clever niños. But you only know half the story." The man explained, his accent thick as the other members of the team took notice and gathered around him. "Let me show you the rest. Get you into the factory via my secret entrance."
M'Gann briefly scanned his surface thoughts before crouching in front of him to focus. "There is a secret entrance, but he's also hiding something." She said before attempting to read his mind.
"Ah, ah, ah, chica" Bane smirked. "Bane is not that easy."
"Ugh, he's mentally reciting football scores en Español. This could take a while" she sighed.
"It's not complicated." Bane chuckled. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
The team look pensive at that. While they didn't necessarily want to trust Bane, his knowledge of the island would prove to be an invaluable asset for them if they wanted to continue their mission as efficiently as they could.
Finally, after having weighed their options, they had come to an answer.
Kaldur nodded.
Inside the factory, numerous large crates were carefully shuffled around by forklifts, as armed cultists continued to patrol the doors. As Bane and his men proved earlier, they had to be prepared for anything. Somehow, the drug lord had managed to free himself, along with his surviving cohorts. They were out of the factory before any real damage was done, but it proved that they were not to be underestimated at any cost.
Kobra watched the movement of the crates from one of the walkways overhead, his face was neutral, giving away no hint to his thoughts. As he surveyed the work, one of his many cultists approached him with a radio in his hand.
"Sublime master, he approaches." The cultist said.
"Activate the radio jamming net," Kobra ordered, his eyes narrowing. "Nothing must interfere."
The cultist bowed to Kobra before quickly hurrying to do as he was ordered.
Assisted by Bane, the team continued their trek through the jungle together before the masked villain led them to a cliffside. He gestured to the ground below, where his factory laid, the lights in the windows on signalling that its production line was active. Robin and Kid Flash both stepped forward, using binoculars to get a closer look at the operations down below them.
Through the goggles, they saw a large stack of several crates, each with the Kobra logo, and a forklift bringing out yet another crate to add to the collection. All around, numerous armed Kobra cultists watched the pile carefully, mindful of intruders. However, they hadn't detected the team or their villainous ally on the cliff above them.
"Look at all that product," Robin muttered. "A buy is going down. But if Kobra's not selling to the usual suspects then…"
"We need to identify that buyer." Kaldur continued.
"Just what I was thinking." Barry nodded.
"Yeah, you're the thinker." Robin laughed.
"Sarcasm? Dude…" the speedster groaned while Keemia nodded.
"I'm with Kid for once, now's not the time to act all high and mighty." She said seriously, with Kid agreeing to her sentiments.
"A real leader would focus on getting answers." He said before Bane easily lifted a large boulder resting nearby to reveal a tunnel into the ground, hewn out of what was once a large mine.
"Answers are this way." The large man smirked before proceeded down the tunnel. Barry watched him from the tunnel entrance, his arms firmly planted on his sides.
"So… now El Luchador is our leader." He snarked before Robin pushed past him, the others following behind. The tunnel extended for a few miles into the ground, before finally coming to an end with a large and heavy steel door. Bane pressed a button on the side before the door unlocked and slowly slid open with a dull metallic thud.
Just past the door was a side entrance into the factory. Bane opened the door first, taking a quick look before Robin took over as lookout. Once he determined the coast was clear he rushed out ahead. "All clear."
The others followed behind him into the empty factory, only to find no trace of Robin. Bane scoffed before turning back to them. "Has that little fool already been caught?"
"No, he just does that." Kaldur sighed while Barry pulled his goggles back on.
"Stay put. I'll get our intel and be back before the Boy Wonder." Kid said before speeding off.
"Wait, kid!" Kaldur said trying to stop him, but to no avail as the speedster quickly disappeared into the factory.
"And Kid Flash just does that…" Keemia groaned while Bane seemed amused.
"Great chain of command" he smirked as the others simply sighed at their team mate's brash actions.
In a communications room above the team, a lone cultist typed away at the computer, filing data and keeping track of the sensors. Both the heat and motion sensors relayed to him that the coast was clear before a batarang suddenly buried itself into the console. He barely had time to blink before a gas hissed out, knocking the man unconscious.
Robin unceremoniously tossed him out of the chair before sitting down and plugging his cable into the console. He began typing away furiously, digging up any and all relevant information he could. The earlier argument with Barry played over and over in his head. It was true, he didn't have powers. But to make up for that, he would prove himself the more capable detective and strategist.
He had to.
"It's a massive shipment," Kaldur whispered from his cover behind some crates. Keemia, M'Gann, and Superboy were all crouched beside him, while Bane simply ducked behind one of the large columns nearby due to his size.
"Yeah, but they're only taking new product off the line. They're not touching this Venom." Superboy pointed out. The cultists were in fact taking only the new product, the product that they themselves had made.
"Maybe freshness counts?" M'Gann suggested before Superboy suddenly looked up.
"Helicopters coming." He said as the others looked up. Sure enough, just coming into view from the distance was a large military-grade helicopter.
Back in the communications room upstairs, Robin had managed to pull up a file containing the chemical formulas for the latest batch of Venom. He was busy looking over them when Barry sped in, chewing on one of his many protein bars. The speedster stepped over the unconscious Kobra cultist as he looked over Robin's shoulder.
"What you got?" he asked curiously.
"Chemical formulas," Robin said, his brow furrowed in thought. "I'm guessing it involves Venom but…" he trailed off as the screen suddenly brought up two separate chemical structures. Kid Flash looked at them carefully, pointing to one.
"This one's Venom, and that one's… whoa." He grimaced. "The Blockbuster formula from CADMUS. Mixed correctly, Kobra's new juice is three times stronger than Venom… and permanent." He said gravely. "But how did Kobra get access to Project Blockbuster?"
"Our mystery buyer must also be Kobra's supplier!" Robin deduced. "Using the cult to create a Blockbuster-Venom super formula!" he said, standing up before pressing a finger to his communicator. "Robin to Aqualad, we got… static." He grimaced, getting no response from the comms due to an external radio jam.
Outside the factory, the helicopter had landed before a side door opened, revealing the mystery buyer to the cult. He was tall, built like a rugby player. His shoulders were broad and tough, and over his left shoulder he had a reinforced armoured shoulder pad, as well as arm guards all down his left arm. His outfit was a dark grey and clearly made of Kevlar, with a utility belt holding numerous punches. Finally, he wore a modified hockey mask that only had two slits for his eyes. This was Sportsmaster, an elite assassin, second only to Deathstroke.
He was incredibly dangerous, easily capable of fighting the Justice League on his own if he had enough time to get ready for them. The assassin took stock of the surroundings before approaching Kobra. The cult leader was waiting for him, flanked on both sides by Mammoth and his sister Shimmer, as well as numerous armed cultists watching over them.
"Lord Kobra." the assassin greeted, his voice neutral, with the faintest hint of a cockney accent.
"Sportsmaster." The cult leader nodded. "The shipment is ready." He said before Shimmer opened a small metal case to reveal five vials of the new Kobra-Venom.
Sportsmaster took one, carefully examining the tube. "The new Kobra-Venom?"
"A complete success," Kobra said with a rare smile, gesturing to Mammoth. "Our friends will not be disappointed."
"This is a game changer." Sportsmaster chuckled lightly. "Finally, we can go mano-a-mano with the Justice League." He said before pocketing the vial in his hand.
Unbeknownst to the villains below, Miss Martian floated overhead, using her own natural cloaking abilities to camouflage herself so she wasn't seen. 'Aqualad, sending you a telepathic image of the buyer now.' She said telepathically, before focusing on Sportsmaster and transmitting her own vision to Aqualad.
Inside the factory, Aqualad had moved to one of the numerous balconies, with Superboy and Bane flanking on either side. Keemia had used her magic to move about unseen, so she could safely watch the door for them in case more trouble arrived.
Kaldur closed his eyes, focusing intently on the images M'Gann sent him before suddenly opening his eyes wide in alarm. "Sportsmaster. He is the buyer?"
That got Bane's attention as he looked to Aqualad with mild interest. Sportsmaster's reputation had made itself known to Bane rather early on. In fact, both he and Sportsmaster were once approached by the League of Shadows on occasion. However, Bane's own activities prevented him from accepting such things. The fact that such a reputable assassin was buying this new formula was interesting… and alarming.
Kaldur grimaced before quickly pressing a finger to his communicator. "Aqualad to Red Tornado, do you read?" he asked, waiting for an answer. After a few seconds of static, he realized they'd been jammed. "Ugh, can't reach the League, Robin, or Kid. Comm's jammed. We need a plan, now!"
Bane looked to the floor below before smirking wide. "I have a suggestion." He said before suddenly leaping from the walkway and onto two hapless cultists below. He struck one across the face before grasping the rifle of the other, redirecting the man's panicked burst of gunfire.
However, the sudden gunfire outside caught the attention of the villains as Mammoth turned, snarling. Keemia's eyes widened in alarm from her hiding spot as she quickly moved out of the way. "Oh shit." She muttered.
Up above, Kaldur watched in morbid fascination as Bane continued to throw the various cultists around, even as more opened fire on him. Superboy, however, took notice of Keemia's hasty retreat before looking to Kaldur with his eyebrow raised slightly.
The Atlantean however, had not noticed their teammate's retreat, instead continuing to watch Bane. "What is he-"
His thought would suddenly be cut off as Mammoth leapt through the wall behind them, and landing on the walkway. The old iron supports gave way to the sudden force, sending the whole thing plummeting to the ground. Aqualad and Superboy landed safely before seeing Mammoth land in front of them as well, the large monster giving a savage roar before he ran at them, flanked by more Kobra cultists.
"Destroy them!" Kobra ordered before Superboy rushed forwards to meet Mammoth head on. The monster immediately engaged the clone, while Kaldur drew his water bearers and formed a shield to deflect the bullets being fired at him. While one made the shield and kept its shape. The other one was used to fire rapid shots of water to take out the cultists.
Another group tried to flank around the side before Keemia landed in front of them. "Let's give this one a try, shall we? Melog rof em ot lortnoc!"
The ground in front of her rumbled before a large stone man emerged, ten feet tall and built just like the Juggernaut. Keemia smirked before making complex combat motions with her arm, akin to martial arts. The golem followed her every movement knocking the cultists aside with ease and blocked their bullets with its arms.
Another group of cultists attempted to fire at her, but she was ready, looking back to the golem. "Tcetorp ruoy ssertsim," she said, as the golem suddenly broke off to attack them as well, while Keemia swapped to firing magic fireballs at her opponents.
Bane watched their fighting from where he had hidden behind a column, before chuckling and retreating back down the tunnel they came in from.
Sportsmaster, drawn by the gunfire, entered the factory as well to stand alongside Shimmer and Kobra while they watched their troops fighting the three young heroes. Miss Martian flew in overhead, using her telepathy to fling around the cultists. However, numerous encounters with Mirage and Martian Manhunter had taught Sportsmaster how to spot an invisible opponent, as he watched the air appear to ripple around her slightly.
With her teammates distracted, he pulled a small cylinder from his pocket before pressing a button as it suddenly became a javelin. He took aim before throwing it at the invisible girl, with M'Gann just barely dodging it in time. Sportsmaster anticipated her to dodge however, and once the javelin was alongside her, it suddenly exploded. The blast sent M'Gann flying elsewhere in the factory as Keemia ran off to check on her.
Robin and Kid Flash reappeared as well, hearing the commotion as Barry rushed to ground level while Robin pursued Kobra himself. Kid Flash plowed through several gunmen before knocking more aside, preventing them from attacking Kaldur. A sudden stream of bullets forced him behind cover before Kaldur nodded to him.
"Miss Martian, radio is jammed. Link us up!" he called out as Keemia had found the Martian girl, helping her up.
M'Gann nodded before focusing her telepathy until she'd found all their teammates. 'Everyone online?'
'Yeah, and I think I'm getting better at this now. Didn't flinch once." Keemia said with a grin.
'Yeah.' Superboy answered with a dull frustration in his tone before he threw another flurry of punches at Mammoth.
'You know it beautiful.' Kid Flash said with a grin from behind cover.
'I heard that Barry!' Keemia said telepathically before making a quick barrier to block more of the bullets as her golem finally succumbed to the attackers and crumbled away.
'Good. We need to regroup!' Aqualad said seriously.
'Busy now!' was Robin's only response as he landed in front of the helicopter to meet Kobra and Shimmer.
"Batman must be desperate if he sends his whelp to task me." the cult leader said snidely as Shimmer stood next to him, ready for orders.
"What's wrong Koby? You look disconcerted." Robin joked, drawing his Bo staff again, and twirling it easily.
The cult leader was unimpressed. "This is beneath me. Shimmer, take him." He ordered before the girl rushed forward to attack. Robin easily used his staff to leap over her before getting into a battle ready stance behind her. He was about to attack her himself when Aqualad contacted him again.
'Robin, now!" he ordered.
Reluctantly, Robin threw a flash bang to the ground just as Shimmer rushed him again, distracting her for long enough that he could escape unnoticed by her and her master.
'We need to retreat. Kid, clear a path.' Kaldur ordered, throwing more cultists around with his water bearers. Barry was quick to respond as he used his speed to easily plow through the cultists before running ahead, with Robin and Aqualad close behind. They ran back through the secret tunnel they used earlier, with Miss Martian and Keemia coming in behind them. Finally, Superboy threw Mammoth into more of the cultists before he too entered the tunnel and closed the large iron vault door that blocked it off.
The team moved quickly, however it wasn't long before Mammoth had broken the door down, allowing the cultists to continue their pursuit.
"Superboy, the support beams!" Kaldur called out as Superboy used his strength to easily knock down several of the old wooden supports. Without the sturdy planks to hold it up anymore, the roof of the tunnel suddenly started to cave in.
The cultists dove out of the way to avoid the falling rocks and debris. When it was all over, a massive wall of rock and soil had cut them off from the escaping heroes. Mammoth snorted once in disapproval before reluctantly turning back.
Twenty feet ahead, on the other side of the cave in, Kaldur took out a glow stick before cracking it to give them some extra light. The cave in had severed the cables that used to give the lanterns in the tunnel power, leaving them in the dark. Robin simply looked at the cave in itself with a frown.
"How could my first mission as leader go so wrong?" he asked as Keemia bit back a laugh.
"Because you weren't being much of a leader Pigeon." She stated bluntly before Kaldur elbowed her in the ribs.
"You do have the most experience. But perhaps that is exactly what has left you unprepared." He reasoned. "Fighting alongside Batman, your roles are defined. You two do not need to talk. But this team is new, and leader must be clear, explicit. He cannot vanish and expect others to play parts in an unknown plan."
"Oh, so I'm supposed to hold everyone's hands?" Robin said with a sneer before the sharp sound of skin hitting skin was heard, and he was left holding his face after Keemia had slapped him. Hard.
"No, but you're supposed to tell what we're doing. You're our leader, you make the plan, but you delegate it to us! You and Batman communicate without talking, you know the strategy, but we don't. You have to let us know, or else you're not much of a leader. You're sending us blind into a fight, with an unknown strategy, while you act like we're beneath you because you're leader." She scowled, folding her arms. "Speak to us Tim! For once in your life, act like we're important in your plans of action."
Tim stared at her for a moment, his hand rubbing his still sore cheek while the others watched in surprise. Finally, he sighed before nodding. "You're right, who am I kidding?" he said before looking at Aqualad. "You should lead us Kaldur. You're the only one who can."
"Please, I can run circles aroun-" Kid Flash started before Tim cut him off again.
"Barry come on! You know he's the one, we all do."
"Hello Megan, it's so obvious!" Miss Martian reasoned.
"That's what you get for being trained by a king." Keemia laughed while Superboy nodded.
"Could have told you." The clone voiced with a smirk.
Barry seemed a little reluctant, but after weighing the options, he nodded before looking at Kaldur with a grin. "Okay."
Kaldur nodded gratefully in return before walking towards Tim and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Then I accept the burden until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders. You were born to lead this team. Maybe not now, but soon."
Tim nodded at that before looking to Keemia with a coy smirk. "And Keemia should be your second-in-command."
"I… what? You're kidding right?" she said in surprise, looking around at the others. "Why me?"
"Because you're not afraid to keep us in line, and you're pretty much Kaldur's right-hand already." Tim shrugged while M'Gann nodded eagerly.
"Robin's right. You should be our second!"
Keemia looked to Superboy for assistance, but he only shook his head. "Ugh, fine. I'm second-in-command. But don't expect me to delegate."
"Don't worry, we won't." Barry laughed. "You're too blunt for that."
Keemia shot him a death glare before Kaldur called their attention again. "Alright, our first priority is preventing that shipment from leaving this island."
"Funny, I had the same thought," Tim smirked before everyone gathered around for the plan.
Back with the helicopter, the blades tried in vain to rotate, slowly creaking to life, only for them to stop just as fast, unable to move. Sportsmaster exited, a less than enthused expression on the other side of his mask. "Sabotage. Robin?" he asked as Kobra gave a reluctant nod.
"Undoubtedly. Find the problem, fix it." He ordered Shimmer, before the girl did as she was told and went to repair the rotors.
As she left, another cultist approached, with Mammoth close behind. "Master, shall we send search parties after the intruders?"
"Don't be absurd." Kobra scoffed. "They'll come to us." he reasoned before walking off, knowing that the heroes would be back to try and stop them again.
"Sportsmaster's the supplier/buyer, but it still doesn't track." Robin frowned as the team ran back through the tunnel, heading to the surface. "He doesn't have the juice to acquire the Blockbuster formula, or to get Kobra to do his dirty work."
"And neither of them have the chops to bond Blockbuster with Venom." Barry chimed in. "That took some major nerdage."
"Then they clearly both have outside contacts. This could be bigger than we thought." Keemia said with a sigh.
"I believe the expression is 'tip of the iceberg'" Kaldur added before the stopped just a few metres from the entrance of the cave. Waiting for them outside was Bane. The man was clutching a detonator in his hand, with a confident smirk etched on his face.
"Halt niños. I'm feeling… explosive." He ordered as the team looked around them to see the numerous charges planted in the wall.
"Eh tu, Bane?" Keemia sighed in annoyance.
"You betrayed us, why?" Kaldur asked.
"I want my factory back." Bane said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, while Kaldur cast a side-eye at Barry.
'Kid you'll need a running start!" he ordered as the speedster slowly stepped back behind the others so he was unseen by Bane.
"So, I forced you into a situation where you would either take down my enemies, or die trying." Bane continued. "If the latter, the Justice League would certainly have come to avenge their sidekicks. And when the smoke cleared, Santa Prisca would be mine once more! Blowing the tunnel with you inside," he smirked, raising the detonator. "Should have the same effect."
With that, he pressed his thumb down to activate the explosives, before his eyes widened in surprise. He no longer had the detonator for the tunnel. "With what?" a smug voice asked, before Bane turned to see Kid Flash behind him, holding the detonator. "This trigger thingy?"
Bane looked at the speedster before giving a furious roar and attempting to strike him. That's when Keemia made her move.
"Dnib sih sbmil!" she cast as Bane's legs and arms suddenly locked to his body, rendering him unable to move while M'Gann used her telepathy to hoist him in the air. She rotated him around to face the rest of the team as they exited the tunnel before Superboy got into a ready stance below him, an eager smirk on his face.
"Finally. Drop him." He asked before M'Gann released her telepathic hold on him. The last thing Bane remembered was the ground rushing towards him as Superboy's fist rushed towards his face.
Slowly, the blades of the helicopter whirred back to life as it prepared for takeoff, much to the relief of the cultists who wished to escape Kobra's ire. One of them approached their leader before bowing reverently.
"The helicopter is operational, exalted one." He said as Sportsmaster nodded gratefully, taking the last suitcase of Kobra-Venom from Shimmer before he walked towards the helicopter. As he made his way over, a sudden blur would rush in front of him, taking out several of the armed guards.
The offender would soon reveal himself to be Kid Flash, as he kicked another gunman through several crates. "Take the shipment!" Kobra ordered as several more cultists came to cover Sportsmaster's escape.
They would soon be joined by Superboy, who landed roughly on the ground in front of Mammoth, sending more of the cultists sprawling across the ground. "Go again?" he asked with a cocky grin as the monster charged towards him. However, it would suddenly be knocked out of the way by a powerful geyser, courtesy of Kaldur, who flung him away across the tarmac.
"Sorry, not the plan." Superboy grinned before moving to engage Sportsmaster as Kaldur kept Mammoth pinned down. Sportsmaster soon made his reappearance holding what appeared to be a crossbow. However, it revealed itself as a high powered rifle that shot dangerous energy bolts, as he fired two shots into Superboy's back. Sportsmaster kept up his barrage, while M'Gann stealthily made her way into the side compartment of the helicopter.
Superboy kept up as a distraction as M'Gann made her way to the opened back of the helicopter, before attempting to take the assassin by surprise. Sportsmaster was ready for that as he simply back flipped over the surprised Martian before putting her in a tight choke-hold. He used her as a shield to keep Superboy away, before continuing his assault.
Kobra watched in disdain as the new, organized attack that the heroes made swiftly took down more and more of his cultists. Kid Flash in particular was especially effective as he punched out another gunman in front of the cult leader before stealing his mask with a grin. "Souvenir!" he grinned before rushing off, just as two bolas struck Shimmer, tying her up and forcing her to the ground.
Kobra turned in the direction they came from to see Djinn and Robin waiting for him. "I know you hate getting your hands dirty," Robin smirked.
"True," Kobra confirmed before removing his hood and robe to reveal a well-toned, muscled body underneath, with frighteningly pale skin. "But sometimes, even a god must stoop to conquer."
Shimmer meanwhile, focused before the bolas around her suddenly turned into sand and crumbled away. Keemia saw this and flashed Robin a grin. "You can take Kobra, that one there can use transmutation. She's mine." She grinned before vanishing her staff and moving to engage Shimmer. Shimmer looked at the other girl curiously, while Keemia smirked.
"So, you can transmute stuff too? This should be fun." she laughed before removing her gloves and revealing the transmutation circles tattooed on the back of her hands, the circles glowing faintly from her magic. Shimmer was now more enthused as she gave a smirk of her own.
"Finally, someone interesting." The girl taunted before focusing on the air in front of her and suddenly igniting the oxygen, throwing a column of fire at Keemia. Keemia rolled nimbly out of the way before pulling sand out of the pouch on her belt.
"Please, that's amateur." She scoffed before transmuting the silicate of the sand into glass and flinging numerous shards, propelling them with her magic.
Robin meanwhile rushed towards Kobra before jumping up to kick him in the jaw. The cult leader simply caught his foot with little effort before Robin fell to the ground. Robin was quick, attempting another sweeping kick before leaping at Kobra's face again. Yet again the leader halted him with one hand before kicking him aside.
Robin caught himself carefully, sliding on his feet along the ground, while Kobra simply folded his arms behind his back. "What's wrong, boy? You look disconcerted."
While their battle began Kid Flash continued rushing around the field, taking out all of the gunmen he could find, while Kaldur finally stopped pushing Mammoth back with the water. While keeping the stream on the monster, he flooded the water with volts of electricity, as many as he could transmit. Mammoth roared in pain at the electric shock before finally seizing and collapsing on the ground, out of the fight.
Sportsmaster slowly backed into the helicopter as Superboy continued to approach him, the numerous shots from the gun having destroyed his shirt, but not harming the clone in the slightest. The assassin didn't seem put out by this though. "Thanks for the workout, but I got to fly." He chuckled before throwing M'Gann into Superboy, sending them both sprawling as the helicopter closed and he started to fly it away.
Superboy glared after it before looking at M'Gann expectantly. She nodded slightly before raising the detonator with a smile and activating it. In an instant, all of the explosives they retrieved from the tunnel detonated where she had hidden them, all over the inside of the helicopter. The explosions wracked the aircraft, as Sportsmaster struggled to keep it airborne. With the helicopter quickly descending towards the factory, Sportsmaster decided to cut his losses, leaping from the craft before parachuting into the jungle below, while the helicopter collided with the factory, resulting in a massive explosion that destroyed the entire building.
Far above the battle below, on the same cliff where had attempted to betray them, Bane now found himself tied to a tree. The rhythmic thumping of the helicopter blades had awoken him, and he turned his head in time to see the rear of the helicopter explode, before the craft crashed into his factory, sending the building up in a massive column of fire and smoke.
He watched his life's work once again crumble before him, and all he could do was glare.
Back near the ruined factory, Shimmer and Keemia continued to exchange attacks back and forth. It was quickly evident however that Shimmer was far more used to using her alchemic talents to their fullest potential, as she easily turned a stream of water launched at her into steam before condensing it into a spear of ice and throwing it back at Keemia.
"You're an amateur playing an expert's game. Just give up now little girl." She taunted.
"Please, and you're much older? Have you even started puberty?" Keemia scoffed, dodging the spear and turning it harmlessly back into water.
"Oh, you did not go there." Shimmer scowled, clenching her fists.
"Damn right I did. I'm fighting a talking surfboard!" Keemia continued to taunt, before Shimmer screamed angrily, planting her hands on the ground. Immediately the earth seemed to crumble away beneath Keemia, eroding rapidly. Keemia took that moment to dive in the ground, rapidly transmuting the soil out of her way before she launched out of the ground right underneath the teenaged villain.
She grasped her by the throat before tossing her onto the ground. Shimmer grunted, the wind being knocked out of her before trying to stand as Keemia pressed her hand to her forehead. "Ekam eht draobfrus llaf peelsa!" she cast before Shimmer was suddenly overcome with fatigue, passing out soon after.
"Heh, gotcha." Keemia chuckled before pulling her gloves back on.
Robin's battle was not going as well as he soon found himself tossed into the ground hard before Kobra stomped on his chest, holding the boy wonder on the ground with little effort. "I am plagued, by mosquitos!" he said, clearly very frustrated by the turn of events.
"Good," Robin grunted from underneath him. "Because this mosquito's mighty concerted over your pain!" he said before rolling out from under Kobra and leaping back to his feet. Once that was done, he back flipped over to his team, who had regrouped, ready to take down the would-be god.
Kobra stared them down, prepared to engage, before thinking better of it. "Another time, then." He whispered before disappearing into the trees, choosing to cut his losses and retreat from the battle.
Robin hurried into the brush to search for him before scowling when he saw that Kobra had managed to get away. After sighing at the disappointment, he returned to his team again, smiling at Kaldur. "We picked the right guy to lead."
"I should say we did." Keemia nodded, her arms folded expectantly. "I'm surprised you doubted that."
"Like I was saying, we picked the right guy to lead. Which, automatically making you the right guy to explain this mess to Batman." Robin continued before laughing and watching the remains of the factory slowly burn.
Kaldur couldn't help but grimace at that.
Mount Justice – August 4th, 01:06 EDT
"A simple recon mission. Observe and report." Batman said with a scowl, his bat-glare in full force as he stared down Kaldur. Ever since the team had returned, he was far less than impressed with how the mission had turned out. After glaring at Kaldur, he moved along the line of the other teens, giving them each the same reprimanding glare as they stood before him in their civilian guises again. "You'll each receive a written evaluation detailing your many mistakes."
At that, Keemia took an opportunity to elbow Barry while Batman's back was turned, the speedster simply huffing in response.
"Until then…" Batman paused, turning to look at them from in front of the console. "Good job."
The six's eyes widened in surprise before they each shot Batman their own looks of wonder and confusion.
"No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. How you adjust to the unforeseen is what determines success," Batman explained before giving the faintest of smiles. "And how you choose who leads determines character."
At that, Kaldur shot Tim a brief smile of gratitude, which Tim was more than happy to return.
'So I guess this team thing is gonna work out after all.' Keemia thought to herself, sighing softly in relief. 'Just as long as it's not this hectic in the future. I don't think I can handle the stress of waiting for Batman to explain how we went wrong every time it goes wrong.'
-Unknown Location-
"All I managed to recover is a single ampoule of Kobra-Venom," Sportsmaster reported with a sigh, holding the single tube that he had pocketed earlier. He was standing in front of seven screens, each one transmitting a silhouette to him as the Light held his audience.
"Peut-etre," one said, in a very distinct French accent. "The drug can be reverse engineered. Mais, what of our young heroes? First CADMUS, then Mister Twister, now Santa Prisca."
"Once is happenstance," the gravelly voice of their leader began. "Twice is coincidence. But three times is enemy action. And enemies of the Light must not stand."
Washington, D.C. – August 5th, 02:23 EDT
"Brother, I have something that you must see," Dubbilex said, entering Guardian's office with a file clutched in his hand. Guardian looked at him with a frown before taking the file. Just from glancing inside he was immediately set on edge, but the details within left him not only startled, but horrified.
"I can't believe this. And Desmond knew?" he asked.
"I believe so. After all, his research was used in the process. However, most of the research involved in the ageing came from Hamilton's research in the Galatea project, much like with Project Kr."
"Is this another clone?"
"No, it is an original being."
"Then CADMUS stole a…. And they used it as blackmail? Held it and experimented on it for blackmail?" Guardian grimaced before standing up. "To what end?"
"I don't know, but I imagine it had something to do with the events last month on your Independence Day." Dubbilex continued, in reference to the super-villain attacks, before leading Guardian to the elevator, before stepping in and hitting the button for Sub-level 7.
Guardian took a breath to steady himself before nodding. "Yes, that makes sense. Although if that were the case the true reason is much more obvious. Just from reading this file alone it has to be." He said before the two walked down a hall to one of the laboratories.
"Since they have awakened, I have had G-Gnomes provide the proper education and knowledge for one of their expected age. I imagine that a proper exposure to the outside world would assist in that endeavour as well." Dubbilex mused before looking through the glass into the lab. "But I believe if we are to help her any more, then we should inform the League."
"Or if not the League, at least the team. They'd be happy to help us out with this. Maybe they can set her up with a good home." Guardian nodded before he too looked through the glass. "But until then… what do we do with her?"
Boom! Another plot twist! But what could this one mean?
Some general housekeeping to go through though:
Ace is not on the team yet because of what Batman alluded to last chapter regarding her combat training. But she will join them for the next chapter. So be excited for that.
Shimmer has her powers early. I know she technically gets them in Season 2 of YJ, but she is so useless otherwise and I just wanted to extend the fight a little bit. it helped give her something to do anyway. And while I have seen all of FMA and FMA Brotherhood, Shimmer and Keemia's alchemy is more akin to Shimmer's powers in the original comics. Those being: anything will become anything without needing proper equivalencies and portions of the various properties. No precision necessary!
Sportsmaster gets a nice little reference all to himself rather early in his appearance here. Anyone who can guess it will be my hero.
Kaldur is still team leader. I know some of you might have wanted Keemia to lead, but Kaldur is more suited to it. Keemia is second-in-command though, mostly because she and Kaldur trust each other the most. This will make future chapters fun as well.
Bane's canon in YJ gets tied a little closer to the DCAU canon, including a reference to our dearly departed Gorilla Grodd (May he and Tala have... uncomfortable relations wherever they both ended up).
And that should just about cover it all. Let me know what you think of this chapter by leaving a review, and be sure to continue guessing the identities of the OC and canon character. The suspense will only build surrounding them until they finally appear, and I can't wait to see if any of your guesses change at all. (Props to AutobotSeeker98 for guessing Cameron Mahkent though. That one blindsided me. But it was an awesome guess).
Next time however, it's time for the team to get Schooled. And Superboy's relation to Superman starts nearing a breaking point.
Be sure to read and review!
Ciao for now!
~WafflesTheApprentice