Disclaimer: I do not own YJ or DP, only my ocs and how they fit within the storyline
Secrets
Mount Justice
October 31, 19:34 EDT
Leila's eye twitched in irritation as Wally howled within the Cave. Usually she could ignore anything while meditating, but it seemed Wally had been howling for hours. She didn't blame Wolf for being asleep and ignoring the annoyance; she wished herself to be put out of the misery.
It was Hallow's Eve, the prime night for ghosts and all things supernatural, even the psychos to have fun, and Wally was dressed up as a werewolf. Halloween was now her least favorite holiday, no thanks to a loud mouth speedster who was close to losing his head if he didn't stop her ears from bleeding. Luckily, Wally finally gave up in protest,
"Really? You're not gonna join in at all? What kind of wolf are you?"
"Wally, stop torturing him."
Superboy objected in annoyance as Leila muttered to herself,
"Or else I'll start torturing you."
She twirled her shuriken through her fingers as she rolled her eyes behind her closed lids, having the innocent thought of seeing how fast Wally could actually dodge when surprised. He just had to be so rash, impulsive, and, worst of all, annoying.
"Hold still, please."
M'gann was helping Superboy with his costume, wrapping half of his body in toilet paper. Leila peeked an eye open, wasn't that impressed, but at least Superboy wasn't being as childish as Wally. The speedster himself walked up between the couple, oblivious as usual,
"Megan, stop torturing him. Awkward for him anyway, being the third wheel on our date."
"Wally, I invited the entire Team to the dance. Zatanna too."
Wally smirked as he leaned closer to M'gann,
"Good, keeps us on the down-low. So...you going as my favorite Martian?"
"Not exactly."
M'gann smiled as she took three steps back, shapeshifting into a stunning, zombie bride. Wally stared longingly,
"Whoa. Babe, eat my brains anytime."
"Great minds think alike."
Captain Marvel exclaimed as he entered, his face covered in white, black and gray zombie makeup. Leila closed her eye again, meditating, as she kept aloof, knowing the discomfort that was about to come to Captain Marvel. She almost was going to rescue him from the confusion and embarrassment, but figured that if he was going to keep his secret better, he'd have to learn on his own.
"Captain, you look terrific. Are you going to a Halloween celebration, too?"
"Well, sure. I'm going with- I mean, you did invite the whole team, right?"
"Yeah, we'll all be at the dance. So don't worry about us. Go. Have a good time at your party."
The swooshing from the Zeta Tubes announced new arrivals to the Cave, Leila's mouth twitched into a frown at the latter announcement.
Recognize. Artemis. B-0-7. Zatanna Zatara A-0-3.
Artemis walked in wearing black and red, a cape and fangs to match for her vampire outfit. Zatanna walked in with the same color scheme, only difference was in being a witch with a tall black hat. Leila was the only one not in some silly costume of dress up. She would like it to stay that way.
"Oh hey Zatanna. You look great."
"Oh, thanks. You too. Oh look, zombie Captain Marvel. That's hilarious, heh. Is the Justice League having a party? 'Cause my dad didn't mention it."
Captain Marvel held panic in his eyes as he switched his focus between M'gann and Zatanna,
"No, no, no, no. See, I...fine. I'm going trick-or-treating."
Captain fled to the Zeta Tubes, hurrying to escape further embarrassment.
Recognized. Captain Marvel 1-5.
"And I'm not sharing my candy."
Captain Marvel vanished from sight as the Zeta Tubes whirled him away from the Cave. Leila couldn't help but silently chuckle to herself as everyone else stared at where Captain had vanished; she almost felt sorry for the hero.
Suddenly she felt a cocky presence leaning in towards her with a grin, she regrettably peeked back open her eyelid to see Wally wiggling his eyebrows at her,
"What about you Raven? Going as a ghost hunter or maybe the essence of grumpiness?"
Leila shot Wally a glare as she turned to face him, pushing herself up to lean in towards him, her hand clutching her shuriken as to avoid the desire to throw it at his head,
"A mercenary ninja, guess who's my next target."
Wally's grin sheepishly disappeared as he inched away from Leila. She was not in any mood for Wally's games, especially not on a night like this. She could sense a shift in the world; an unequal balance seemed to occur within her as well. There was a reason tonight is known as Hallow's Eve, and Leila felt a solemn omen that it would be a long night. She did not want to be stuck in a lame costume party either.
She walked over to Artemis, overhearing her conversation with Zatanna,
"So, how long have Conner and Megan been a couple?"
"Ha! Couple? No. They're not a..."
A second glance at M'gann and Superboy's interactions revealed the truth to Artemis. Leila raised an eyebrow, for it seemed obvious to her that the two liked each other from the beginning. She knew Artemis thought Superboy was highly attractive but never realized how deep her feels possibly were. As if betrayed, Artemis frowned at the couple before storming off towards the Zeta Tubes. Zatanna chased after her while Leila followed quietly behind,
"Uh, I-I'm sorry. It just seemed so obvious. I didn't realize- wait, the dance?"
"Not in the mood. Course, sitting at home with my mom doesn't sound any more appealing."
"Well, there is another option. Egnahc sehtolc otni ruo smrofinu!"
Swirls of magic clouds became ambient around the two heroines, transforming their Halloween costumes into their respective hero attire.
"Girls' night out. You in, Raven?"
Sharing a sly glance with Artemis, Leila simultaneously smirked with her,
"The crazies always come out on Halloween. Tracking them down sounds better than going to a lame costume party."
Leila glanced up as she felt the awkwardness rousing from Superboy and Wally, M'gann's crestfallen aura reminding Leila that she spoken too loud. Artemis and Zatanna stared skeptically at her. She only shrugged, it was true but she knew she had spoken out of line,
"Sorry. You three have fun though. Just not my kind of party."
Leila quickly gave a small wave goodbye. Despite not favoring Zatanna's company, she wouldn't miss a night out, especially one to help cheer up Artemis. She'd also be able to observe if the number of natural portals to the Ghost Zone increased on such a night.
Mount Justice
Waterfall Room, 19:50 EDT
"Computer, secure the room."
Room secured.
"I'll cut to it. Do we believe there's a mole within the Team?"
Batman stood in the middle of the waterfall room, arousing the question towards Aqualad, Robin, Red Arrow and Red Tornado who stood around him. Aqualad took a step forward as he answered,
"I am convinced there is none. When Sportsmaster claimed he had an inside source, he was merely sowing dissent."
Robin, who sat with his fingers laced together, leaned forward as he added,
"His intel could easily have come by comparing notes with the other villains working for the Injustice League. And think about it, if anyone on the Team was working with those creepoids-"
"He or she would have betrayed us during our fight against them."
Red Arrow was the first to object,
"I'm not convinced. Sure, you two and Kid Flash are above suspicion, but I know Artemis isn't shooting straight. For starters, she's not Green Arrow's niece."
"What?"
"Well yeah, in fact she's related to-"
Batman placed a warning hand on Robin's shoulder,
"Enough. Artemis relations may indeed make her suspect, but she's still entitled to a secret identity. I'm more concerned about Superboy. We still know very little about what Cadmus programmed into their weapon. Connor could be the mole and not know it."
"And what about Miss Martian? She is Manhunter's niece. But he told Black Canary he has a few hundred nieces and nephews. And the first time he met M'gann was five months ago, when she stowed away on his last trip from Mars to Earth. Or what about Raven? I heard how she attacked Kid Flash when the Team was rescuing Red Tornado. Doesn't that show you right there who the mole is."
Aqualad folded his arms as he rejected Red Arrow's accusations,
"This changes nothing. In the matter concerning Raven, it was confirmed that there was indeed a ghost after she, Robin and Kid Flash reencountered him and his ally last week. I have fought side-by-side with these people. None are traitors."
Manhattan
October 31, 19:57 EDT
The riveting of tires squealed as Artemis and Zatanna zeta out of the secret passage under a bridge on motorcycles. Leila held tightly to Artemis's waist as she sat behind her, gritting her teeth as she breathed slowly through her nose. She much preferred jumping between rooftops, but knew with Zatanna accompanying, that motorcycles would be faster than simply walking. It was easier: riding a motorcycle than a car. She could at least get Artemis out of the way faster if anything happened, but she still had troubled breathing normally. Luckily, Artemis suggested to ride with her and Leila held a reminder to thank her later for it. Zatanna wasn't that bad (if one didn't account the attraction between her and Robin) but Leila still had no intentions of revealing her weakness to her or anything else for that matter.
The three girls rode out, following the police channel and started to head towards the Art and History Museum in downtown Manhattan. Arriving at the scene, police cars and ambulances blocked the entrance, already starting to pack up from their investigation. Artemis complained with a scuff,
"Whatever happened here is over. I want some action."
"But maybe you need to talk...about Connor or Megan, or whatever."
Artemis sped away; wishing Zatanna would drop the subject. Leila understood her dilemma completely. Sometimes talking wasn't enough for a crestfallen heart.
"What I need is something to beat up."
Leila glanced behind her as Artemis zoomed down the street, feeling a presence watching. It couldn't have been a ghost, otherwise her ghost sense would've been activated, but she still felt uneasy.
Someone was watching.
Glancing back ahead, Leila saw their first target as they sped through the streets. A man held a couple at gunpoint in front of a local ATM.
Zatanna's spell caused the gun to burn blazing hot, the man dropping it as he clutch his hand from the scorching heat. Artemis easily notched several arrows, firing each one to pin the criminal to the building. An easy target to defeat.
Next, two robbers were escaping from a local store. Leila flicked her tessen, sending it on flight to knock the first robber's gun out of his hand. Artemis shot the second one's gun before punching the guy into the other with her bow, knocking both to the ground.
Again, that presence was near. Leila darted her eyes around the rooftops as Artemis turned into the local park. Something was billowing in the wind but then her vision became blocked by the trees. Leila stiffened, about to warn her companions about the possible threat, before hearing a girl cry out in distress. Parking the motorcycles on the street, all three rushed over to find the girl trapped under the bridge by several men. Leila almost was going to join Artemis, but instead, held back and watch as Artemis single-handedly knocked out each man. She knew Artemis needed it and could easily defeat each of them. Zatanna meanwhile kept the girl from harm by hovering her above the fight scene. After kicking the last man unconscious, Artemis turned to smirk at the magician and fellow assassin.
Leila smirked back before eying her surroundings. For the third time, she felt a presence watching. Slightly behind, Leila followed Artemis and Zatanna back to the motorcycles.
"There were easier ways to take them."
"They had it coming. No harm done."
Suddenly, Leila eyes burned as she was propelled backwards: an explosion destroying the two motorcycles. Slamming into the asphalt, Leila grunted as she pushed herself up. As she stared into the embers, a tall, pale man with a scar smeared across the right side of his face appeared from the smoke. Leila fanned her tessen out, holding it in anticipation as she observed her opponent.
"No, indeed. Harm is not done. Much harm left to do."
He walked slowly, a sense of pride and narcissism could be sensed as he prowled towards the three heroines, speaking,
"The Its cannot escape Harm."
Artemis swiftly aimed two arrows at the man,
"Escaping isn't on the menu."
It was merely pesky flies to the man, easily slashing each arrow in half with his large sword as it flew towards his walking form,
"With arrows, it does not impress."
"Fine. Etativel drows ot em!
"Neither does its magic. Both must do better or suffer harm. What about the third it? Too scared to even try?"
Leila studied her opponent, peering at his form and demeanor. He stood tall, proud and overconfident in his accomplishments of desire. His dialect indicating a sociopathic mentality and his left pectoral glowed with some force of magic. Although he was lean, she could tell that he was stronger than first impressions revealed; his chest and arms bungling with toned muscles. Just as she braced herself to attack, aiming to block his sword before a nerve punch to render him inert, a chill of breath escaped her. Darting her eyes around, she searched for the ghost. She hesitated, catching a questioning look from Zatanna in the process, as she noticed no ghost nearby.
Not good.
Artemis kept her focus on the man standing before the burning fire with arrows notched in her bowstring.
"We get it. Your name is Harm."
"Their ridiculous garb and rudimentary skills indicate instruction from Green Arrow, Zatara and Batman. Harm will study these three to learn methods for killing their mentors."
Leila frowned at the commentary, stiffening as she refocused on the threat before her. She studied Harm's sword closer, noticing the scabbard attached to his belt loop to be of a gray, humanoid arm. She could sense a magical aura ambient to both the sword and the scabbard. The same glow of energy as Harm's glowing core surrounding his heart. A slight ring pierced at Leila's eardrums as Harm lifted the sword with his threat.
He wouldn't be able to Batman without the sword's magic. Leila and Zatanna spoke on right after the other,
"I'll like to see you try."
"Oh, you did not just threaten my dad. Etativel drows ot em!"
The sword rattled within Harm's grasp, indicating the strength of the magic it held against Zatanna's. Harm only grinned wickedly,
"It wants Harm's sword? Very well."
A bullet and Zatanna- along with Leila- ducked out of the sword's line of target. Artemis dashed to the side, aiming two explosive arrows at Harm,
"Big mistake, harmster."
Harm didn't faltered as he ran towards the three, leaping up to grab the arrows before throwing them back at the heroines. Zatanna pushed Artemis out of the line of fire as Leila threw her tessen at him. It glided through the smoky air, only to be slashed by Harm's sword. It cluttered in half to the ground and Leila growled under her breath. The sword was giving the power and it had to be taken away. She tilted her head at Zatanna's next comment,
"On second thought, running."
Leila quickly objected,
"What? Why?"
Artemis glanced back at Harms stalking form before giving a nod of agreement,
"Okay, yeah. To regroup."
"Erif nrub, nordlauc elbbub!"
A blaze of fire encircled Harm. Smoke rose as Leila ran alongside Artemis and Zatanna. She did not like the idea of running, she was trained to fight and win no matter what, but figured it best to keep her teammates safe and keep her human pretenses. If she used her powers, she wasn't even sure if Artemis would accept her either.
Leila almost stopped as she saw the pale girl waving behind the corner for them to follow. A chill smeared within her core, before snaking up her spine and escaping as a soft wisp of breath. They were following a ghost.
Artemis was first to question the girl's appearance,
"Wait. Who's that?"
"Do you care right now?"
"No."
Leila stared questioningly at her teammates, doubting they wouldn't not care once they found out the girl's paranormal existence. So why had Zatanna so willingly accepted help?
The three girls rounded the corner. An impasse was blocking their way while the girl had disappeared. Artemis whipped her head around in confusion,
"Dead end. Where'd she go?"
"Why are we trusting her? She could be working with Harm."
Whether ghost or not, Leila wasn't just going to trust a girl who so happened to came to their aid of escape. Just as she posed the question, a fire escape ladder rattled down for them to access, the girl waving from the rooftop. Leila rolled her eyes at Zatanna's comment,
"I like her already."
"We don't even know who she is. And she could get hurt if she's really trying to help us."
"Well, let's go up and find out."
A dejected sigh slipped through her lips as Leila climbed up after Artemis. Sometimes, Zatanna was too nonchalant about everything.
Jumping over the rooftops ledge, Leila was finally face to face with the girl.
She was petite, just inches shorter than Leila, and had pale complexions throughout all her features: pale, platinum blond hair, pale green eyes and pale lips. Even her aura of ectoplasm was a pale golden tint that surrounded her. She looked barely 15, more accurately probably 14, and for an instant, Leila grieved in having suspicions against her.
"Thanks for the assist but, who are you?"
Only one word was uttered to Zatanna's question,
"Secret."
Leila tilted her head in confusion, never before encountering a ghost with minimal communication abilities.
Was it possible she hasn't been dead long? Or was the possible reason because she didn't belong here? Either way, Artemis didn't accept her answer.
"That won't cut it. We need answers. Do you know Harm? Does he have any weaknesses?"
"Secret"
The girl muttered before pointing behind them, cringing as Harm appeared on the rooftop. Leila raised her eyebrow at the girl's body language, sensing a fear arousing within her aura. What was Harm's connection to her?
"At least they make the hunt interesting."
Harm stalked towards them, slashing his sword back and forth as he approached.
"He's fast. I'll give him that."
Artemis muttered as she turned around, firing an arrow at the water tank on the rooftop. A gush of water spew from the cut hole, Zatanna chanting a spell as it poured around Harm,
"Dloc dniw wolb! Dloc dniw wolb! Dloc dniw wolb!"
Frozen, Harm was suspended in the air. Leila eyed him wearily as the ice started to crack, a brilliant glow luminescing from both Harm's heart and the sword.
"That's not good."
A shattering crack echoed before shards of ice scattered through the air. A lighting form of energy zapped the water tank to explode, allowing Leila, Artemis and Zatanna to escape through the smoke as they ran.
"Where'd little miss secret go?"
"There! Okay, these boots, adorable, but for a chase sequence- Lacitcarp raewtoof won!"
All three jumped to the next rooftop, Harm roaring as he followed close behind. Rolling onto the roof, Leila noticed "little miss secret" had disappeared from sight again, appearing on the following rooftop. Leila dread when the situation turned to Artemis and Zatanna realizing the girl's paranormal state. Would they accept her presence? Accept the concepts of ghosts and the supernatural. She was more curious on where the girl ghost was taking them though: to what secret was being kept?
After jumping pass another two rooftops, an another impasse came as their path became blocked with striking magical energy. Sliding as she turned around, Leila had spun around in time to see Harm throw a knife at Artemis's bow. The knife whizzed to its target, splitting Artemis's bow string in half, before becoming stuck in the access door of the roof.
"Hold him off while I restring."
Zatanna ran first, but was easily apprehended by Harm's fast striking moves. He had swiped with his sword, throwing Zatanna off balance as she leaned back, before kicking her out of the way. Leila blocked Harm's second sword strike with her spare tessen. Metal screeched against metal as the sword's tip lashed upwards on her weapon. She kept in control, blocking the next downward thrust of the sword before leaning left to strike back. She jabbed at Harm's pressure point near his rib cage, before warping her arm around Harm's sword one. Locked in her holding position, Leila sensed Harm's surprise and began to smirk. About to use his own weapon against him, she slid her arm to his elbow, forcing him to loosen his grip around the hilt.
Her mistake was touching the hilt at the same time.
A zap of energy surged through her, creating a yelp to escape through her throat, as she was propelled backwards, leading for Artemis to intercept him without her main bow.
Leila groaned as she pushed herself up. Artemis and Harm were now at a stand off, her mini crossbow pointed at his head while his sword was ready to pierce her as well.
"You want to play without the toys?"
"It tries to bait Harm, leave him weak," Harm sheathed his sword, the humanoid hand grasping its grip around the hilt, before plunging it into the rooftop.
"But Harm has no weakness."
Artemis smirked as she stashed her crossbow away in one of her many pockets; Harm nonchalantly took off his gray trench coat before taking a combative stance.
No sweat perspired as Harm merely blocked each of Artemis's kicks and punches. She was too unfocused, even Harm could see that. Leila muttered under her breath as she dust the gravel off herself,
"He's good. Especially with Artemis's irritation dictating her moves to be predictable. It's the sword that's giving him power. Take that then, we can take Harm."
"Now's our chance then."
"Wait. Zatanna."
Leila was too late to stop Zatanna who grabbed the hilt of the sword. She yanked on the sword while Leila tried to pull her away. Another zap surged through both girls as the sword rejected them. Both groaned as they dropped to the rooftop in pain.
"Zatanna! Raven!"
Harm slapped Artemis across the face, knocking her backwards into the rooftop as well.
"And It cares about others- another weakness. The sword rejected both Its impure hearts. Both Its have not made the sacrifices Harm has to become pure."
An eyebrow raised and a frown deepened at the same time. Leila wondered if Harm's sacrifice was related to the ghost's "secret". Feeling a slight chill, she peered across the rooftops to see the girl, once again, waving towards them. Zatanna inched her head towards the girl's direction,
"Look! It's Secret. She hasn't led us wrong so far."
Throwing a smoke pellet along with Artemis's smoke arrow, the girls began to run. Leila knew they couldn't keep running: they had to find a way to get the sword away from Harm. They had to find Harm's weakness.
The three landed on the roof of an apartment complex; the end of the line as the only building was across the street: a magic shop. Leila found it interesting that the word secret appeared in brilliant luminance just where it seemed the ghost was leading them to.
"Aw, she's gone again. Now what?" Artemis grunted in a small panic. Zatanna stared their obvious dilemma,
"End of the line. And we can't go back the way we came. He's coming."
"We'll zip line to that magic store."
"Why not fight-"
A blaze of lighting strike from behind and Leila was cut off as Harm announced his arrival,
"This can be no coincidence. They alight on Harm's very roof. How did they know? Tell Harm, now!"
"Wait, this is your place?"
Leila ignored Artemis's question. She couldn't run anymore. Three shurikens flew through her fingers as Leila charged Harm. If she could figure out the connection between the girl ghost and Harm, then she'll be one step closer in defeating him. At least she hopes there is a connection. She'll have to transform, to use her powers to try and communicate with the ghost more, but that doesn't mean revealing her secret yet. She wasn't ready for that, but if she could be "knocked out" first, she could disappear without notice. Then, as Wraith, figure out the connection and save Artemis and Zatanna.
Harm, again, easily deflected the little trinkets of weaponry. He was weary of this It, for It seemed more powerful and skilled than first impressions implied. His sword was no match for her though. She blocked his downward strike, pushing up to flip over him as she jabbed at another pressure point in his shoulder. Arm numb, Harm growled as he turned to face the despicable It. No one could nor was going to defeat Harm. One sloppy, slash downward, his sword piercing the roof's flooring, to send zaps of energy to ensnare the It. Leila grunted as she was lifted in the air with spams, Artemis cried out,
"No! Raven!"
"No more games!"
Harm quickly turned back around; a last zap of energy surrounded the two heroines before darkness. Leila quietly disappeared from sight.
An ache arched through her back as Leila leaned against the alley wall. She had merely enough energy to escape to the near alleyway, her head throbbing from the negative magic that shocked her. Her time was limited though, so she grunted through the pain.
Suddenly, a chill spiked through her bones as the girl ghost appeared before her, phasing up from the ground. Leila stared at the girl. Somehow, she was the connection in revealing Harm's weakness to retrieve the sword and Leila just knew it.
Luckily, she also knew Harm wouldn't attack Artemis or Zatanna until he got answers on how they knew where he lived. In which case, Leila desired answers of her own.
Somehow, her hand acted on its own and reached towards the girl ghost slowly. A brush across her cheeks and Leila flinched as her vision blurred to memories not her own.
She could feel a knife twisting in her side, a sticky coolness of liquid seeping around the weapon, the last thing seen was the word secret.
A gasped escaped Leila as she pulled her fingers away. She stared at the girl, this time with specks of horror in her eyes, before staring at her hand. She never touched a ghost in her human form before, but never expected...that to happen when she did. Was it due to her powers, herself being half ghost?
Slight shakes of her head had her pushing the matter aside, Leila had to keep herself focus. For now, Artemis and Zatanna were in trouble. This girl was the key to defeat Harm. So, however the relation, this girl was murdered by Harm.
A secret.
Seconds pass, only deep, shaky breaths echoed between the two girls, before Leila muttered,
"That's your secret- your obsession. Harm killed you, and...and you can't pass on yet. But why? If you are able to tell me, then why are you still stuck here?"
Only a mere nod passed from the ghost, before she disappeared back to Harm's home. Leila quickly transformed, her strength returning more as her powers worked to heal her aching body. It baffled her how she was able to feel the ghost's last experiences before dying, but those answers had to wait. Disappearing through the air, she followed the ghost back to the house. Artemis and Zatanna needed saving.
Breaking and entering were simple basics of espionage, even easier with ghost powers. Senses heightened, Leila was able to locate Zatanna and Artemis within seconds from entering through the front door. Harm's deep voice could be heard from the hallway upstairs, interrogating Artemis for information, as Leila listened.
"It will tell Harm Its secrets, or Its partner will pay the price. How did It know of Harm's home?"
"Ask your partner. She lured us here."
"Harm has no partner. Harm is pure and works alone."
"Wait, where's Raven? What have you done with her?"
"It doesn't ask the questions. But...if It doesn't answer, Its second partner won't be found."
**Great. Well least Harm is helping my cover up.**
Leila followed the ghost, phasing through the wall into the second room across from the one Harm held Artemis in. Zatanna sat, tied and gaged in front of Artemis's loaded crossbow, chanting muttered spells to try to escape. Panic surged through her eyes as she noticed the girl ghost reach towards her.
Slight hesitation before the ghost ripped the duct tape off Zatanna's mouth, then Zatanna sighed in relief.
"Sepor, emoc esool. First you lured us into a trap, now you free me? What's your game?"
"Secret."
Zatanna narrowed her eyes before darting them towards Leila,
"Do you only say one word too?"
"No. My name is Wraith. Don't be alarm, I'm here to help."
Leila kept her hands in a surrendering position, waiting for Zatanna to trust her.
"How'd you-"
"I'm sorry, there's not much time to expand. I'm an...acquaintance of hers." Leila jabbed her thumb in the ghost's, realizing she hasn't even figured out the ghost's name yet, before continuing,
"That psycho took both of your friends and is currently interrogating the blonde one. I saw what happened on the roof and if my observations are correct, to defeat Harm, you need to get that sword away from him."
Zatanna paused, staring at this newcomer. She looked exactly like an inverted Raven: snowy-white hair with the same side-bangs hair style, brilliant, violet eyes, and a contrasting black and white hazmat suit. She even sounded like Raven, although with a wispy echo through her vocals, but still just as analytical and observant. Zatanna blinked in suspicion and disbelief,
"Raven?"
Leila tilted her head, keeping her pretenses of not knowing anything about herself.
"Who? Oh you mean that other girl Harm took? The black haired one? No, I'm not her. I only took her resemblance to cause less alarm. For you see, I'm...a ghost."
The statement seemed odd from her lips, having not recognize the truth in how it fully pertained to her before. She always clung to her human half, rarely relying on her powers for she was trained as a Shadow. And shadows didn't need powers to win. However, realization dawned on her that moment, Leila was just as much of a ghost as she was human.
Whether she shook her head in disbelief or deciding to sort out the new information later, Zatanna turned her attention to the room. It was neither large nor fancy, decor with a simple four-post bed and various picture fames and small, personal sentiments of knickknacks. She walked quietly towards the bedside table, picking up the sole picture on the desk; a young girl was posing with her taller, brother who held his arm affectionately around the girl. Both smiled with laughter at the camera. It was Harm and the ghost: both in happier times.
Leila peered at the photo from behind Zatanna, darting her eyes between the picture and the ghost. The dots connected: the ghost was Harm's sister.
Zatanna turned to questioned the pusillanimous ghost,
"Is this your room? Do you live with this nut job?"
"Secret."
"Secret, right. Naturally."
Zatanna tossed the photo on the bed and Leila pursed her lips in a tight line.
"I think I found how to get the sword's power away from Harm. It's just a theory but first, we need to free your friends."
"Way ahead of you."
Zatanna smirked as she quietly chanted a spell, duplicating herself with an illusionary image. The duplicate set herself to seem like she was about to attack the crossbow's stand, while the real Zatanna rushed out to hid in the darkness of the hallway. Leila followed suit (the girl ghost disappearing from sight) before briefly touching Zatanna's hand to turn invisible. A slight shuddered could be felt from Zatanna but Leila merely held still as a roaring growl rang through the apartment. Harm came rushing out from the second room, unsheathing his sword to strike.
Zatanna rushed to the second room, untying Artemis easily with a spell before both heroines rushed out and down the hallway. Leila instead positioned herself along the stairway with the ghost, waving at the two to hurry. Artemis gasped as she pulled Zatanna to a stop above the stairway.
"Raven? What did Harm do to you?"
"No time to explain but I'm not who you call Raven. Now come on, you have to trust me."
Zatanna took a step forward before Artemis pulled her back again.
"Zatanna, wait."
"Both she and the other girl helped. Why else would they?"
"I don't know- "secret'. Where's Raven?"
A roar erupted and Leila's ears could hear a zapping spark. One second, she was below her friends, then the next, she was shielding them from Harm's magical strike of energy.
"Look out!"
A barrier reflector of ectoplasm blocked the lightning strike about to hit Artemis and Zatanna, Leila grunting at the force of impact. Smoke rose around the room, and Leila dropped her shield, shooting a blaze of ectoplasm through the smoke at Harm.
She rushed towards the kitchen, following after Artemis and Zatanna as they set a trapped for Harm. Setting the oven on high, Zatanna pulled the cover open to expose the heat, before all three rushed through the backdoor. Harm charged through as Artemis fired an incendiary arrow in the room, one easily caught in Harm's hand. Slamming the door shut, Leila fired her ectoplasm at the handle, locking Harm within the explosion of heat and combustion.
The three heroines followed the ghost, whom led them through a basement latch to the backyard, before she disappeared again.
The backyard was small and fenced; a petite mound of dirt was smoothly padded beside a miniature, homemade headstone towards the back of the area. A vase of handpicked flowers decorated the small grave.
Leila slowly drew forward towards the grave, sensing the ghost's presence just beneath the surface. She was so close. So close to being free from her secret.
Zatanna and Artemis walked up wearily behind Leila. Both peered at the headstone in awe. Then Zatanna read,
"Greta Hayes. Beloved sister."
It was as if she was being summoned, for Greta phased up through the ground in a pale, shimmering gold of light before Zatanna and Artemis gasped in surprise.
"This...this is your grave. This is your secret. This is you."
Greta eyes conveyed her sorrow; a small nod of acknowledgement was given at Zatanna's conclusion. Artemis stared in disbelief.
"A ghost. An actual ghost. Raven was right. Does that mean you're..."
Artemis paused her question as she glanced over towards Leila. She too was solemn in her response,
"I'm a ghost, yes. But not all ghosts are evil like the misconceptions. For you see, I've been trying to help."
Zatanna seemed to try to keep her emotions concealed from her face as she asked in cautious curiosity,
"Uh, h-how did you die?"
Leila peered over at Greta, perceiving the question to be more towards her at the moment.
A small, 5-inch knife image appeared between Greta's hands. It was no wonder Greta couldn't pass on yet, her secret was still being hidden.
Not anymore.
Artemis gasped in realization and horror,
"Harm's dagger."
A small explosion erupted; electric sparks of magic embedded the smoke before Harm appeared. A frown of anger was spread through his features. Greta had disappeared again. Harm growled in anger,
"They defile Harm's holy place."
"We defiled it? You did this. To your own sister!"
A sly smirk etched across Harm's face at Artemis's accusation. Leila narrowed her eyes in deadly anger; Greta will pass peacefully, she'll make sure of it. She subconsciously took a step in front of Greta's grave. Artemis voiced the heroines' anger,
"You're proud of it. And you have the gall to write 'beloved'"
"Not gall, truth. She was the only thing Harm ever loved. That's why she had to go. Harm's heart had to be pure. Greta had to be cut out, excised like an inflection."
A cold sensation of breath escaped through Leila's lips as Greta appeared once again from the ground. Harm gasped in shock before disregarding the possibility,
"Ah, It casts another illusion spell."
"Except I didn't speak. Harm knows It can't cast a spell without speaking"
Zatanna declared as she let Greta pass by.
Greta walked calmly towards Harm as he held his sword in front of him in panic. A slight shaking could be noticed as she walked closer with each step. Artemis growled at Harm,
"You asked how we found this place. Face it Harm, your secret's out."
The sword began to shake heavily, the impurity of Harm's seeping in just as fast as his strength was failing to hold the sword up.
"No. Harm's heart is pure. Harm's not sorry. I'm not!"
A slash across Greta's head missed as it simply phased through her transparent body. Greta kept walking, the sword impaling her, as she stepped right up to Harm before phasing her hand into his chest. The glow of the sword's power clutched within Greta's hand as she pulled it out, then it disappeared. Harm gasped in pain as his legs debacle from under him. He yelled in ire before trying to slash at Greta again. He was losing control, the sword gaining weight with each passing second. His arm dead weight, the sword swiftly pulling itself from Harm's grasped before sheathing itself and becoming struck into the ground.
Harm gritted his teeth as he glare at the three heroines.
"I-I don't need the sword."
Harm withdrew his dagger, rushing towards Artemis. Artemis swiftly knocked Harm's dagger out of his hand,
"So unfocused. It can't fight us while fighting itself."
It was over in three seconds, one for each kick and punch Artemis threw at Harm. Striking at his stomach, she kicked her leg up to strike at his face before roundhouse kicking him into the dirt. Leila smirked as Harm laid defeated on the ground, sensing the smile of relief from Greta. Zatanna held her hand out as she chanted,
"Egnahc sehtolc otni sgnidnib."
Ripped along the sides, Harm's trench coat bound him like ropes. Greta merely walked towards her grave, finally at peace. Artemis and Zatanna watch with solemn relief.
"We'll make sure you receive a proper burial. We won't forget you, Greta."
"Secret."
With a single word, Greta was gone. Leila pulled her lips at the corners, a small smile.
"Greta has passed on."
"What do you mean pass on?"
Artemis stared quizzically at Leila, posing her question. Somehow, Leila knew the answer and she spoke barely a whisper, as her thoughts became words.
"A person only stays a ghost if what he or she desires is not fulfilled in life. An obsession or a reason to return to the world of the living. Greta's was to reveal her brother's truths in killing her. His 'secret'"
Zatanna, though listening, was staring again. Leila could sense her curious suspicions.
"How...how did you die, Wraith."
"Since ghosts are those who pass on with a fulfillment to up hold, it's usually the last thing that was on the person's mind or the way they die that causes the obsession. I was murdered by electrocution. I died thinking how I didn't want anyone to feel the pain I did, so I'm obsessed in helping people. Like a sort of hero mechanism. I'm least trying to help that is. When people only see the ghost, well…that's harder. I probably won't ever be able to pass on."
Artemis and Zatanna became silent as Leila stared at Greta's grave sight. She couldn't sense Greta anymore, but a sensation of peace filled her.
Artemis was the first to speak,
"Wait, we still have to find Raven."
"I can sense her coming. It's my time to go though. Greta is only the first of many tonight. Thank you, both of you. Thanks to you, Greta is at peace."
Leila had to act fast. She knew it'll most likely be obvious to see the connection between Raven and Wraith, but she wasn't ready to reveal her powers. Wraith disappeared, followed by Zatanna calling out,
"Wraith wait."
Leila doubled back through the house, letting the electric green rings transform her back to Raven. She grabbed soot from the kitchen explosion, smearing it across her face and neck, before storming out the broken back door while rubbing her wrist,
"Batman would kill me for taking so long."
"Raven!"
Artemis and Zatanna exclaimed as Leila stared down at Harm who laid unconscious on the ground,
"How'd you guys defeat him? Where's that girl?"
"She's a ghost Raven, an actual ghost!"
Leila raised her eyebrow questioningly at Artemis,
"Don't you remember Skulker? I figured she was since she kept disappearing and reappearing."
Zatanna quizzically glanced over Raven, theories flowing through her mind,
"Raven, where have you been?"
"Harm tied, gagged and hand-cuffed me to some bedpost in a room. It wasn't difficult but took sometime with the bedpost between my arms. Ran through the kitchen, nice touch with blowing it up."
A silence held between the three as Artemis frowned to herself. Leila held tensions within her gut as she waited for Artemis and Zatanna to pester her further. It seem Greta's secret weighed more in their minds; Artemis was first to break the silence,
"I still can't believe anyone could do that to his own sister. If my..."
"If your what? Artemis, talk to me. Secrets don't stay buried, obviously. It's better to bring them into the light."
"I don't have any secrets," Artemis turned away from Zatanna, annoyed by the pestering. Sirens could be heard as they rang closer to the street. Artemis sighed in dejection,
"Cops are coming."
"We did blow up the kitchen."
Artemis walked towards the fence, peering through a hole between the wooden boards,
"Zatanna, Raven, look!"
Leila stepped up to peer through the aperture, the magic shops' sign illuminating one word: secret. Artemis muttered everyone's thoughts,
"Must have been the last thing Greta ever saw."
A/N: I'm so sorry for the long wait! College happen and its just been crazy but still gonna try to write and update as frequently as I can! Excited to post more chapters and please review and comment any suggestions! Thank you all for reading, favoring, following and staying with the story!
