A/N: Going down the final stretch. I'll be working on a couple fanfics at the same time for my next stories so that should be fun. I LOVE the reviews I've gotten, so thank you so much for that. If you have any ideas for my upcoming Harry Potter and Supernatural fics, just let me know. So let's get on with the story.
Raven's Justice
Chapter 24: Usual Suspects
Raven's P.O.V.
The tension has been rising. With the accusations of people being moles was not helping anyone. Then of course everyone was keeping secrets. The most frustrating of all was that Connor was keeping secrets from me.
At first I dismissed his issues in the hope it was nothing. But his temper was getting out of control, and I believe it has to do something with his secret.
We had to put all of our tension away. This isn't just between Connor and I but the whole team's tension. Because today was the day that the Justice League was inducting new members today, and that includes one of our own. Roy Harper, a.k.a. Red Arrow.
Thankfully we didn't have to stand in the cold with the rest of League. Our team was nice and cozy in our street clothes and are inside the Justice League headquarters in Washington D.C. We got to watch everything on the screen.
Superman was standing at the Podium while the whole League was on each side of him. The inductees were standing at the steps right below them. He began his speech by saying "'The Justice League' was formed for two reasons. First, as an acknowledgement that no single individual no matter how powerful can solve all the world's problems alone. And second, to uphold the values of truth, liberty, and justice. The last one's even in the name. These five heroes have sworn to uphold those values."
The news anchor cut in and addressed the audience by whispering into the camera "You are watching live coverage of the 'Justice League's' induction of its five newest members. Looks like the entire league has shown up to welcome new blood. Everyone from Batman to Captain Marvel."
Wally spoke up after what seemed like forever in silence "I'm glad they didn't kick Billy out. And I love the fact that there's a 10 year old boy on the league." Billy is Captain Marvel. He appears to be a man as Shazam but in actuality he was a 10 year old boy. But the way Wally said it was kind of attitude-y, he was eating an apple. That's Wally for you.
But we were in mixed company, as in there were others who weren't from our team with us. So a girl who was standing next to Kaldur said "There is?" This girl was connected to one of the other inductees, so of course she was granted access into the room.
Thankfully Robin elbowed him in the gut for all of us and whispered to him "Way to keep a secret, genius." It's a surprise that he's kept his identity a secret at all. Wally muttered an "Hey, she's on the team now, right?"
Wait, what? Damn I wasn't paying attention again.
Our focus was drawn back to the screen when the anchor woman said "Superman is now handing out official league membership cards start with Doctor Fate." I glance over at Zatanna who was sitting with Cyborg, who was doing an excellent job at comforting her.
The anchor woman continued "The atom. Plastic Man. An Icon." Huh, why wasn't Roy called? If he wasn't being inducted, what are we doing here? All this drama that's been going on has been messing with my focus and I feel like I have the memory of a goldfish right now.
Ugh, it's very annoying.
The new girl brought me out of my self-loathing and began to ramble "You know, I was the one who convinced Icon to become a hero in the first place. I should be outside celebrating with him not hidden away in here."
Kaldur just simply said "Welcome to our world." That just sums it all up, literally.
This girl replied "Well, I suppose there's an upside, too." Damn, this girl is flirty. If she keeps going like this I can see some serious potential for something to start up something. I love pairing my teammates with people, at least mentally. Kaldur and Robin were the only ones who didn't have anyone. For Robin it is okay, he is the youngest (minus Billy) so he's fine. But Kaldur is just awkward with above-world relationships and everything, and he's not home enough to start something down there. So I am hoping for the best.
"Finally, Green Arrow welcomes his former protégé Speedy, now known as Red-Arrow to this roster of heroes." Ah, there he is. That tool FOREVER to happen, but I'm glad I was wrong. He really has been through hell to get this spot, he definitely deserves this. Despite his anger issues.
Wally then yells a celebratory "Way to go, Roy!"
Kaldur does his own version of this by saying calmly "At last, he has his wish."
I say to no one in particular "Good job Roy." I looked to my right, Connor was completely space out. I was literally sitting on his lap and he was out in space. Most of the couples were sitting with one another due to the lack of seating. That's why a bunch of us were standing, the Justice League headquarters needs more chairs.
Robin pointed out "The first of us to make it. No one will call him a sidekick anymore." This brought me back to the very beginning of when I 'joined' the team. The reason this team was formed was because we were competent enough to not be sidekicks anymore.
The new girl cut in and said "Wait. Since when is being a sidekick a bad thing? You sidekicks were my inspiration." I could feel the sass from all the way across the room. I guess she doesn't really 'agree' with what Robin said.
Robin began to explain "Well, see, six months ago it…" But before he could continue his story his watch started going off.
After a moment of browsing through his message he said "We have a mission."
"From Batman?" Wally asked.
Robin just shook his head and told us as we gathered around him "No,…it's Cheshire."
We all nodded, and gathered our things immdiately.
Right before we left the room a voice stopped us "Hey, what about me?"
All of us stopped, I honestly forgot she was even there. But she's a sidekick of her own caliber and if she wanted to come she could. So I told her "Come on,… if you want to that is."
"Hell yes I want to." She said.
And that was that.
[_[-]_]
We headed towards the Smokey Mountains, which were frickn' cold since we were the dead of winter. It was about an hour until anyone said anything, which is the usual way things go with long rides. Our silence was interrupted by Artemis nervously asking "A-are you sure it's her? I mean, are you absolutely positive?"
Robin then started tapping around and then said "See for yourself. This is footage from the Ashfield Regional Airport. Facial recognition confirms that's Jade Nguyen. But you've seen her without her mask. What do you think?"
"It's Jade. Cheshire" She sounded really sad when she said this, but that could be directed towards a number of things.
Aqualad said finally said something after being quiet for the entire flight "Agreed. But focus on what she carries. Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?"
Artemis just said "Yes."
Our guest brought our attention back to her when she asked "Okay, I'm guessing from the mug shot that this Cheshire's the bad guy. But what's so important about that case?"
Robin took the burden of beginning explaining everything to her. "Remember the 'Injustice League?'"
She nodded and said "And their giant evil plants? Uh, yeah."
Aqualad then further explained "The team and the League put them in prison but their allies still scheme. And whatever is in that containment case seems important to their plans."
Next was Wally "We had a chance to grab it in New Orleans but someone screwed up." And he was directing that gaze at Artemis.
But before she could say anything I had to announce that we were getting close to Cheshire's jet. "Approaching Cheshire's jet."
But I had only looked on the monitor before, but when I looked out the window I saw that the jet had actually crashed. I also reported to the others "Looks like there were no survivors."
I left the Bioship parked in the air while we investigated the crash site.
There wasn't much there. It was already covered in snow. But after a few minutes of looking around Wally pointed out "How come homeland security and the NTSB aren't all over this?"
Robin explained that "Cheshire's ID was a league alert. Authorities didn't pick up and her jet didn't follow its flight plan. It flew under the radar. Literally. But the Watchtower auto-tracked the jet and recorded the crash."
Our guest then also helpfully pointed out "Then why isn't the League here?"
Zatanna explained "Because Robin has some mighty hacking skills and arranged to get the alert first."
"And because Cheshire and that case represent our unfinished business." Kaldur added.
Connor who was angrily shoving plane parts around stopped and asked "Where are the bodies?" I nodded and then said in agreement "Yeah, a crash like this we should at least have the pilot and co-pilot's body somewhere in this wreckage."
We were answered by a voice in the distance saying "Here's one. And it is stunning." It's Cheshire, and she was wearing her normal little green kimono outfit. How was she not freezing, I was wearing a full body suit, a blue cloak, and warm black combat boots. And I was still cold. Damn villains and there imperviousness.
But then another voice came into to play and I saw Robin cringe as he spoke "I am flora, not fauna. I am foliage, not trees. What am I?" It was riddler, and he was accompanied by a bunch of henchmen and a guy who was hyped up on some kind of venom, it could still be cobra but by now it's hard to know if that is true now.
Riddler then snapped his fingers and metal rods that sounded electronic in nature. We were surrounded on each side of the canyon. It was a set up. It took only a couple seconds before a green bubble encircled all of us. I'm pretty sure that it would act like an electric fence of sorts, but a little more high tech.
Riddler continued his rant by saying "Hey, come on, you can get this. I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I? I…"
Robin finished his sentence "Ambush."
So of course Riddler then took this act of uncomfortable silence as room for more time for rants "Didn't you think we'd be tipped you were on Cheshire's trail? We're tired of your interference, kiddies. This is the end game. Ordered from above and executed by their master strategist, moi."
Kaldur was smartly using this time to strategize. He asked me telepathically "Raven, is everyone linked?" It took me a while link everyone but once I did I told him "Yes."
Kaldur then ordered to all of us "Go."
And so we did.
It was an all-out battle between us. Their henchmen versus our team, it was chaotic to say the least. Within the chaos Kaldur ordered Connor "Superboy, the pylons."
Connor then replied "Working on it."
But then that was that. We all started to try and do our own things, and we just ended up being a mess. I tried to get the ones stationed higher up by flying but before I could stop him our tag-along was hit by one of the henchmen. She was the first that was taken down by the enemy.
But then my attention was drawn to Connor. Ever since he's been acting weird I've been subconsciously keeping an eye on him. During this entire fight I've been glancing at him every few seconds. But after I finished off my fighting partner I just stood there and looked at him. He was shooting lasers from his eyes, and flying. That was unusual but what was worse was that he wasn't surprised by doing this. Before I could do anything Robin said through our link "SB, you're flying."
Connor didn't acknowledge him, and through the monster like guy at the green bubble. My theory was correct; he frazzled on it for what seemed like a really long time and then fell back to earth. On the way back down Connor shot his lasers at him, while yelling of course. Then he started to go even more overboard and began punching him superhumanly fast. He was punching so hard that he was causing a rock slide. Time for me to break it up.
I flew up and used my powers to grab him before he fell. He kept struggling, he seemed like he was blinded by his anger. I literally had to yell "Superboy, knock it off. What the hell are you doing? Please stop!"
I was desperate. How could I not see him fall apart like this? Is this my fault for letting him get this far gone?
It took forever for him to calm down. I could feel myself tear up. I couldn't even look at him anymore. How could he not tell me?
I eventually released him once things seemed to have ended. He had this guilty look in his eyes. I flew up to the Bioship before he could even start to talk. I honestly didn't want to hear it. Something is definitely wrong and he didn't even bother to tell me. How is this relationship supposed to function if he won't tell me when things are changing? I told him, why didn't he tell me?
I don't know what to do anymore.
But thankfully before I could become fully consumed by my worrying Star Fire flew up to talk to me. I didn't even hear her, but I was alerted when she said "Friend is everything alright?"
By this point tears were streaming down my face. The panic was beginning to set in. I just simply said "No, no it's not."
She quickly enveloped me in a hug and I instantly felt a hell of lot better.
I need to pull myself together; I still need to fly home.
I take about 5 minutes before Robin asks through the link "Bring the ship down, we have prisoners to take bake to the Cave."
"I'll be right there." I say. I wipe the tears away, and star just looks at me with a sad look. I knew that she see that something is wrong with Connor. But neither of us have the time to deal with this issue right now.
When the time comes, there will be hell to pay.
[_[-]_]
Well we were in some deep shit. The League was NOT happy. Right now we were being reprimanded by the League, but mainly Batman. Or least that it what it looks like is going to happen.
"Tell me if this sounds familiar. You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol and endangered your lives. And your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons proving Warden Strange runs Belrev as a cover for criminal activity… Well done. And then there's this. Biotechnology integrated with some form of nano-circuitry."
Our guest 'Hero' (I forgot his name, I've been a little distracted lately) added "Though I am unfamiliar with species the bio component is clearly not of Earth."
Batman then finished off with "We'll take it to the watchtower for further study."
And with that they were gone. Our guest quickly said goodbye, but from what little snippets I did hear she was given the okay to stay with the team.
Once all the 'adults' left Robin pointed out "You realize we were set up."
Kaldur acknowledged and responded back with "Yes, Cheshire and Riddler were tipped and ready for us."
Artemis then realized were this conversation was going "Not the mole thing again." I agree with this, all of us are really stressed out, and this isn't helping anyone. But I begrudgingly have to admit that this would have to be dealt with sooner than later.
It was kind of hilarious, but also not when the new girl said "Mole thing? Again?"
Wally explained "We had intel that there was a traitor on the team."
Connor of course couldn't help but cut in and angrily yelled "Mainly Artemis, or me." Lately it feels like all he does is yell. I feel myself breaking apart, and it's getting harder and harder to deal with.
Kaldur didn't take any shit, and respectfully corrected him "It is more complicated than that. But your recent behavior does concern me."
This is when I choose to speak up "And me. What is happening to you?"
Kaldur continued after slightly acknowledging me "Your attack on Mammoth nearly got Artemis killed."
Connor didn't pay attention to any of us. He was walking towards the exit, and didn't stop to answer any of us. It was only after a couple seconds after the appropriate time to respond did he pause for a moment. His back stiffened and then turned around after Kaldur said "Superboy?"
Connor responded without even listening to what we had to say earlier, or at least it seemed like he didn't when he told us "There's something I need to do… Something I need to tell you. Last month, on Thanksgiving I went back to Cadmus and found a few things out. When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman's. The other half was human. That's why I don't have, will never have full Kryptonian powers."
I tried to say something but I just couldn't. I'm not sure if it was because I couldn't physically say anything. Or maybe it because I was so hurt that he didn't tell me any of this. Either way Robin beat me to the punch by saying "You sure? Cause you sure seemed to have them today."
Connor looked ashamed as he continued his explanation, and I couldn't help but agree with him. "I've been using these. Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight, the heat vision but I think I also get angry. Well, angrier. I'm sorry." There was a shield patch on his forearm, and he was rubbing at it self-consciously.
I for some reason let out a sigh of relief. But I'm not really sure why. He's basically an addict, a superhuman addict. I could feel the tears run down my face as I asked him "Why didn't you tell me?"
He walked up to me and took my hands into his as he told "I knew you wouldn't approve and I didn't want to get talked out of it. Looking back I regret everything, most of all lying to you. I love you and I promise that I won't ever lie to you again."
I use my powers to gently check if he was telling the truth.
He was.
I could feel the shame and guilt of his actions. And that's all I can ask for right now.
Wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek and burry my face into his neck and tell him "I love you too." I feel his arms surround my waist and pick me up as he ran his hands through my hair. I could feel him relax into my embrace. His buried his face into hair and he sighed. It's times like this I'm happy that I can read his thoughts (consensually, of course) because I could feel how happy he was that I didn't reject him. That I still loved him.
Kaldur cleared his throat, and we broke apart. But I still gripped onto his hand when Kaldur asked "Where did you get those?"
Oh, right. That is a big part of it. Damn it I hope it's not bad.
"From my human father, Lex Luthor." His grip tightened as he said that name. You didn't have to be a mind reader to know he was uncomfortable with that information.
Robin of course couldn't help but blurt out "Lex Luthor…is your dad?"
Connor continued by revealing "He summoned me to Santa Prisca."
No one knew what to say. So we just stood there in uncomfortable silence until Artemis chose to speak "Ahh, listen. Superboy's not the only one suffering from bad DNA."
She turned around and pulled up pictures of three villains. I of course recognized two of them, the third was designated retired. Cheshire and Sportsmaster were the other two villains. She then pulled up their identities up as well.
Artemis then turned around and began to explain "My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. The rest of my family aren't even ex. My dad'd Sportsmaster. And he's sending my sister, Cheshire to fly me to Santa Prisca, too."
Wally then pointed out quite stupidly "That's why…"
"Yeah. I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out."
Robin spoke up next "I knew. Hey, I'm a detective. But it never mattered. You aren't your family. You're one of us." And that was very true. We are a family, through and through.
"This reminds me of when we came over here. You guys made this change livable. The sense of family this team emits consumes you, and I couldn't imagine doing this without you guys. Especially you Zatanna." Cyborg said and then kissed Zatanna's hand. She blushed and agreed with him by saying "Same here. I wouldn't want to think what would have happened if I didn't have you guys after what happened to my dad."
Star Fire, who was holding Beast Boy's hand, told us "Friends, I would also like to add the love and friendship given here has made our time here very memorable. " Beast Boy then continued without missing a beat "I can't help but agree with my love here. After dealing with all this our team will be stronger than ever."
We all nodded, the mood was definitely rising here. I'm just glad we were finally whole again with no more mistrust or confusion.
I then cleared my throat and said "Now let's go set up a trap." Everyone began to smile. We finally had the upper hand on them. We can use this to our advantage.
Finally things felt right.
[_[-]_]
By the time we got to Santa Prisca it was in the middle of the night. Connor and Artemis had to arrive separately to the island. The team followed behind them in the Bioship, which was cloaked at the moment.
I was hidden the trees as I watched Connor arrive first on sphere, who was now a flying motorized tricycle. My nerves were killing me, but this confrontation was bound to happen sooner or later. Now that it was actually happening, it is nerve racking to watch.
Luthor was standing there with his 'bodyguard' Mercy and Queen Bee. He told Connor "Welcome, Superboy. I'd like to introduce you to my associate, Queen Bee."
"My pleasure." She said with a sense of royal arrogance.
Luthor continued by saying "I believe you know everyone else. Sportsmaster, Mercy, Blockbuster and our new friend Bane who's allowed us use of his island in exchange for certain…considerations."
Connor then stated "So the 'Injustice League' was just a distraction. You two have been behind everything from the start."
"Heh. A flattering notion, son. But we have many friends." Luthor said as a helicopter approached the clearing everyone was standing in. This is where Artemis would come in.
But Connor had to play dumb, so he said "This one of your friends now?"
"No, my boy. One of yours."
Connor then faked being surprised and nearly whispered "Artemis?" She walked out of the Helicopter with Cheshire.
Artemis put up a big front and walked towards her father and declared "The hero thing wasn't workin' out. You get how it is, no trust. This is where I belong."
Queen Bee acknowledged that "It's a fast-growing club."
Connor took this opportunity of silence that followed her statement as the time to ask "Give me more shields, and I'm in, too." He truly sounded like an addict, I just hope he doesn't break.
Luthor then walked up to him and told him "My boy. You're a terrible liar…Red sun."
Shit.
Connor warned me beforehand about how there could be a series of words that my do something to him psychologically. Should we come out now? Should we wait a little bit longer? I don't know.
Artemis came forward and asked "What do you want us to do?"
But then surprisingly Sportsmaster addressed them and "You, follow me."
Luthor then said "Bring him along." Blockbuster started to approach Connor but thankfully Artemis was watching out for him. She shot a foam arrow that immobilized him before he even touched Connor. This was time but we have to time this perfectly. Artemis declared "Sorry, dad, wanted to play you like you tried to play me but I can't let them mess with Superboy's head."
This was that moment. I lifted Artemis up right as her father was about to tackle her. I also threw Queen Bee against a tree, knocking her out. I rotated Artemis enough so that she could shoot at her family. Not at 'at' them but to make them move.
I came out from the shadows and said to Connor "Your mind is safe now."
He nodded in my direction and then turned to face Luthor. He told him as he walked towards him "May not be much of a liar but I fooled you."
Luthor replied "And I'm so proud. I take it Raven cleaned Red Sun from your mind?"
Connor continued, while I motioned for the others to begin to surround the group of villains. He said to Luthor "And confirmed Aqualad, Robin, Raven and Kid Flash rescued me from Cadmus before you had time to install any other programming."
Luthor shrugged this off "All true. Personally, I blame ."
Then Blockbuster broke out of his hold and slammed Connor to the ground. But before I could go help him Luthor said something to Bane and then they started to fire. Sphere began to fly and shoot back at the hoard of Bane henchmen. Then I began to fly around to draw fire away from my team.
While I was doing this Sportsmaster said to Artemis "You have been a very naughty girl."
This is when the others came out from the background. Our newest member flew in a grabbed one of the shooters and then dropped him off far away, and star fire did a similar tactic. Wally came running through knocking down a bunch of the other shooters down.
Luthor picked up Queen Bee and then told Mercy "Time to go." But before I could help, Aqualad jumped in and yelled "Luthor! Neither you nor Queen Bee is going anywhere."
Luthor retorted back with "Young man, if you expect to detain me contact my attorney."
Mercy then shot at Aqualad. I try to get closer but I still need to draw the attention of the shooters. Robin and Beast Boy took this distraction as the opportune time to take down the last batch of shooters. I was coming down to the ground when I was caught by surprise by another henchmen, but before I could react Zatanna used one of her spells to take him down.
I returned the favor by grabbing Bane who was about to tackle both Zatanna and Robin by throwing Bane across the clearing.
I notice that a helicopter with Luthor and Mercy and probably Queen Bee was leaving. But then I saw a magenta streak of light and it took me a second to realize that it was our newest member of our team. She's got this.
So I moved on to go look for Connor.
But on my way I saw that Artemis was having a little trouble with her family I heard Sportsmaster say "You know I don't tolerate disobedience, Artemis."
I waited a second, I know with family matters its better deal with on your own. I heard Artemis say "Sure, dad. Jade and I learned that the hard way."
Uh oh I should step…
Wally just barreled into Cheshire, okay good they can handle it. And that should give them sufficient relationship bonding. I decide to keep moving on, but then I hear a large crash. I turn back around to see Wally being thrown through a tree. Relationship bonding aside I need to help them out. I come in and use my powers to through Sportsmaster to the ground, hard. He tries to get up but I through him to the ground again.
I here Robin take down Bane.
But I'm busy with saving Connor. I ran over to go look for him and found him climbing off of a cliff. So I threw Blockbuster to the ground. I believe I am developing a signature fighting style. But it works, and I threw him from a high enough height that he didn't get back up.
"Superboy, are you okay?"
"Yep, just getting my breath back. Hate climbing cliffs." Connor said while lying on the ground.
Aqualad and came over with a power controlling collar. As Blockbuster woke up Connor walked up to him and said "You should really learn to channel that anger."
Nice, babe. Great line. My sarcastic thoughts seemed to be leaking over to Connor because he started blushing and whispered "Sorry."
The fight was finally over. We all began to gather what villains were still here. Connor had his arm around my shoulders while we were waiting for the others to come back. I leaned into his chest, ahh finally back to normal. I smiled when we the new girl said "It is always like this."
Zatanna replied with "Told you."
Robin mentioned afterwards "Hey, disaster averted. Feeling the aster."
Kaldur nodded and said "Agreed. This has been a good day."
I then ask the others "Everyone ready to go home?"
It's been a long day but after all that heart ache we can finally relax. I hope we can actually have a break now.
I mean come on, what else could happen?
Right?
A/N: One more chapter to go! Yay!
Thank you for the positive review Guestz. Animehottylover.18 thank you for the continuous help. And to address Whitemiko12 Raven won't have s scene exactly like that but they do meet, kind of. Thank you for reviewing.
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