Invaded
Chapter Two: Earthlings
Author's Note: Please note that this entire work has been revised and republished with minor/major edits. Enjoy.
Downtown Star City
January 5
12:15 AM PDT
The snow crunched loudly underneath my weight as I landed in a crouching stance on the rooftop of the old building. Below us, the nightlife of Star City was in full swing, even with the snow falling.
"Touched that you'd come all this way for me," Red Arrow sarcastically admitted, revealing his presence from behind a large turbine. I ignored the obvious bitter tone in his voice as I rose to my full height.
"I need your help," I admit. For a brief moment, Red Arrow dropped the hard demeanor he had worked hard to maintain to reveal his shock. Quickly, a scowl overcame his features.
"I told you that I'm not joining—"
"Deathstroke is back," I blurted out, adding, "and he has another apprentice. This one is different, I can feel it. I need for you to use your contacts and find out anything you can."
Red Arrow crossed his arms over his chest, scoffing, "And why should I help you?"
"You're a hero for hire, right? Well, this is me hiring you," I explained.
Red Arrow momentarily hesitated before giving in, "How much?"
"Two hundred if you say yes. Four hundred if you find something good," I said.
Red Arrow smirked, "You must be desperate if you're asking for my help."
"If I'm desperate, what does that make you?" I questioned, holding out the money for him.
Star City
January 5
09:34 PM PDT
Black Canary and I slowly approached the visibly broken skylight, analyzing the crime scene carefully.
"It's just this one skylight that's broken," Black Canary noted, glancing around the rooftop.
"It was definitely broken with something," I added, pointing at the jagged edges of what glass remained.
"From the lack of professionalism, I'd say we're dealing with a Class D rogue," Black Canary said; she slowly stepped onto the skylights ledge, peering below.
"Agreed," I nodded, watching her jump into the opening. I chuckled, flying behind her.
"I'll bet you twenty bucks that it's Cupid," Black Canary smirked, watching land quietly beside her.
"I'll bet you double it's not," I countered, crossing my arms over my chest. Canary rolled her eyes at me, slowly investigating the clear glass casings housing the beautiful jewelry.
"They're very sloppy," Canary muttered, "but it seems like nothing was stolen. They must've known these were fake diamonds."
I furrowed my brow in confusion as I peered at the broken displays, "Fake diamonds?"
Black Canary slowly trudged up the carpeted steps to the second floor, explaining, "The real diamonds are locked in the safe as a security measure. The second floor is supposed to be heavily guarded at all times."
Four unconscious men lay motionless on the floor. Blood caked their noses and mouths as the bruises and swelling slowly formed.
"Alive," I confirmed, "but we need the paramedics in here now."
"Agreed," Canary nodded, glancing around the second floor, "Looks like whoever broke in didn't find what they were looking for."
"On the contrary," a familiar, deep voice rasped, "I found exactly what I was looking for."
Deathstroke's foot connected with my chest effectively pushing me over the broken railing of the second floor. I clutch my chest, floating mid air.
"You've improved," Deathstroke paused, "but not much."
"You're getting old," I retorted, clenching my fists as orbs ignited around them, "and I'm getting tired of you."
Deathstroke grunted, leaping towards me. I wrapped his hands firmly around my left ankle, yanking me down to the first floor. With my free foot, I kicked repeatedly at his face. After several successful kicks, he finally let my foot go. He landed in a crouch, tilting his head back to watch me as I landed several feet away from him.
Slowly, he stood to his full height. I clenched my fists, my orbs igniting a bright red. With a sharp inhale, I charged at the assassin. I swung my fists, growing more angrier as he dodged each attack effortlessly.
Deathstroke ducked, successfully dodging my sudden kick. He leaped forward, grabbing my neck and squeezing. I wheezed, clawing at his hands as I struggled to breathe.
"Take this as your first and only warning," Deathstroke hissed, "Stay out of—"
Deathstroke released me, taking several cautionary steps back just as an energy orb exploded where he once stood. I heaved, massaging my sore neck as his unnamed apprentice jumped down from the broken railing. Deathstroke held up a motherbox; a boom tube erupted below them. Within seconds, they were gone.
"When were you going to tell me Deathstroke had an apprentice?" Black Canary questioned from the second floor. I swallowed hard, wincing at the soreness developing in my neck.
"What makes you think I knew?" I retorted.
"Well, for starters, you weren't too surprised when she made her debut," Canary paused, walking down the stairs.
"He's had apprentices before," I argued as she opened the front door. Almost instantly, police flooded into the jewelry store.
"Canary! Phoenix!" Lieutenant Torres greeted us as she placed her gun in her holster.
"Crisis averted," Canary assured.
"We have four injured civilians on the second floor," I informed Lieutenant Torres.
"Thank you ladies," she sighed tiredly, asking, "Do we know who did this?"
"Yes," Canary answered, "An assassin."
"But no one was killed...right?" Lieutenant Torres asked unsure.
"He wasn't here to kill anyone. He was here to send a warning message," Canary explained as she gazed at me.
"Why did he tell you to stay out of his business?" Black Canary questioned; her tone was firm, unwavering. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring slightly as she waited for my answer.
"I've been investigating his apprentice," I admitted.
"You know how dangerous this man is," Black Canary said, exasperated, "Why would you do something so stupid?"
"He's only ever had male apprentices before and they've all been known Shadow operatives. He's been presumed dead for the past three years and now he's back with a female apprentice. She's good— really good. I need to know who she is," I explained.
Black Canary pinched the bridge of her nose, scowling, "So you can do what? Draft her into the Team?"
There was a brief moment of silence as we both processed her verbal slap.
Black Canary's angry scowl softened as she reached for me; I pulled away, taking a step away from her.
"Phe, that's not what I meant," Canary muttered.
"Then what did you mean?" I challenged. Canary remained silent, visibly struggling as she searched for the correct words.
"Deathstroke almost killed my teammates," I paused, inhaling deeply, "He almost killed me, too. I'm not investigating him and his apprentice because I want to. I'm doing it because I have to. For the past three years, there has been no confirmed sight of Deathstroke and now he's back. I need to know what he was doing in those three years and why come back now."
"You don't need to know," Canary countered, "you want to know. What Deathstroke put you through was very traumatic. It's understandable—"
I scoffed, "I knew you wouldn't understand."
"Of course I don't understand!" Black Canary exploded, "He nearly killed you and all your teammates."
"Which is why I need to have the upperhand this time," I reasoned, "He's up to something and I'm going to find out what."
"Not you are not," Canary stated firmly, "I hereby suspend you from any Deathstroke related cases."
"You can't do that," I argued.
"And why not?" Canary challenged.
"Because," I paused, choosing my words carefully, "because I'm not your partner anymore."
Black Canary's angry scowl softened again; her face softened, revealing her hurt. "Since when?"
"Since I was asked to join the League," I answered.
"But… you turned it down," Canary stated flatly.
"You and I both know that we haven't been partners in a long time. I'm not a little kid anymore. I can hold my own and then some without your help," I said.
Black Canary stood in utter silence, processing my words as I prepared myself for her reaction. Without a single word, Canary turned around and walked away. I stood, stunned, watching as she climbed down the fire escape and into the alley below. I could hear the roar of her motorcycle's engine coming to life before she zoomed away.
"Phoenix, this is Red Arrow. I have the information you wanted," Red Arrow said as his voice broke through the static in my earpiece.
Downtown Star City
January 5
11:59 PM PDT
Red Arrow stumbled to a halt before gathering himself. He dug in the pocket of his pants before holding a flash drive.
"That was quick," I noted, raising an eyebrow at the archer.
"Deathstroke's apprentice goes by Renegade. From what I've gathered, she's been working under the radar for some time until now," Red Arrow explained.
"Renegade," I repeated, "What else did you find out?"
"Some of my sources kept mentioning talk of a counter team for, well, your little League," Red Arrow answered.
My eyes widened as I processed the information. "They're building a team of young villains?"
"That's what I was told," Red Arrow shrugged, "Everything I've uncovered is in the flash drive, but there really isn't much."
I reached for the flash drive; Red Arrow jerked his hand back, giving me a knowing look.
"Right," I sighed, "the money."
With a satisfied smirk, Red Arrow processes the exchange. He counted the money, glancing skeptically at me.
"You gave me an extra two hundred," Red Arrow noted.
"I know. Take care of yourself Roy," I said as I walked past him.