(Gotham August 3 5:00)
(Sin's P.O.V)
"Run!" I hissed at my companion, who stumbled awkwardly in front of me. I wanted to jump in front of him, to sprint away from the incoming danger. But if I did that, then there was a good chance that he wouldn't be able to keep up. And there was no way I was leaving him.
"Go ahead of me," a panted response came. I grit my teeth. It was like he could read my mind…but no, that was my power. I shook my head, too out of breath to answer. I turned sharply down a dark street, wishing that the sounds of pursuit would die down already. "I have a plan," he amended, managing to flash a grin at me. I hesitated, but then obeyed, scampering down the dark street.
When I risked a look behind me, I found my fellow escapee already closing the distance between us, a deep puddle of water flooding the street behind us. The tall buildings that blocked out escape path were slick with water as well, frost building up from where he had chilled the liquid. That should slow down Batman for a few moments, even if he used his grappling gun.
I suddenly veered of course, bounding into a small closed of area, with a fence to close us off from prying eyes. Leaning on the wall, I took in lungful's of air, trying to blink away the black spots that covered my eyes. When my breathing regulated from the gasps of a dying man, to the small pants of an exhausted soul, I managed to speak again. "Can you go on for much longer?"
"As long as it takes, Will. How many arrows you got left?"
"Enough to last, Manu. If we can reach the Metropolis border, then Batman won't follow us in," I breathed. Manu nodded.
"Will?"
"Hmm?" I looked up at my friend, in time to see his face lean close. Then, suddenly, his lips were on mine, brushing gently. His hand had gone up to cup the back of my head, hesitantly pushing us closer together. At first I was too shocked to react, but gradually the realization came over me. My best friend, my partner for years, was kissing me! And I, Mr. way-too-busy-with-the-whole-being-forced-to-train-and kill-as-an-assassin-for-a-relationship-straight-guy, was kissing back. And, honestly, it was wonderful. The way he was lightly pressed up against me. The way his fingers gently traced small patterns on my wrist, as our lips danced perfectly. The way explosions of fireworks were going off in my stomach Wonderful.
Finally we had to break apart, gasping for air once again. I felt a small blush travel across my cheeks, as he grinned at me. "Just in case," he whispered. I opened my mouth to say something, but I was cut off by a small noise a few feet off.
"Let's go," I said instead, twisting around to run back down the street. As I did, I prayed desperately, that if there really was a god up there, to please let us reach Metropolis safely…
(Metropolis August 3 5:00)
(Dragon's POV)
"Oh, come on guys, it's not that bad….is it?" Rose was walking around the abandoned warehouse she'd found, her hands absentmindedly beating water into the walls to get the dirt off.
"It's…umm…big?" Starr offered, looking around the place distastefully.
"…and I bet this glass will…come in handy…sometime," I murmured, nudging the huge pieces of broken window.
"Yeah, and the dirt proves it hasn't been used by the Joker as a…hideout…yet," Cole added. He was sitting on the floor with Ellie and Sahil, using chalk to play Tic-Tak-Toe on the floor.
"Told you we should've just gotten a hotel room like normal people," I muttered. Rose looked at me with an angry glint in her eyes.
"Well I couldn't find a hotel that wouldn't notice us moving in, all right?"
"Then why not just buy an actual room for once?"
"Because we used up all our money already! Why can't we just-"
"Don't even say it."
"Say what?" Sahil asked, looking up from the game with his eyes narrowing. "Are you keeping secrets from us?"
"Wait, what? What secrets?" Eliie asked.
"No, don't worry guys. No secrets…" Rose soothed.
"No secrets my ass," I muttered. All of us knew that everyone in the room had at least one major secret. Cole was wanted for murder for crying out loud! And I'm pretty sure we all wanted to know why Sahil was exiled. Rose glared at me.
"…Apart from the usual ones." She amended lamely.
"Then what did you guys mean?" Cole asked. Rose looked at me, now looking completely lost for words. I sighed. Looks like there was going to be a repeat of the argument me and her had yesterday….but maybe the others would back me up so that we could settle this once and for all.
"Rose wants to go asking the Justice League for help, like a bunch of bloody beggars."
"Bloody?" Ellie asked, raising her eyebrows.
"No! I want to go and ask them for help before we get killed, or worse, captured," Rose said, looking straight at Starr for help. "They can protect us. Maybe even take us on as their sidekicks."
"I think you may need to get your priorities straight," Ellie muttered, before going back to her game with Sahil. Cole and Starr, however, stuck to the argument at hand.
"We can't go asking them for help! You know how that would make us seem? After helping their precious sidekicks like that…and then admitting defeat... No, just no! We've managed to earn just a tiny bit of respect for all Meta humans out there that aren't heroes. Don't make us take that away," I argued, pretty much just repeating my thoughts from yesterday.
"Well, we do need help," Starr pointed out. I grit my teeth as I felt the start of a burning sensation at the back of my throat. Of course Starr would help Rose. Ever since we joined this little festival of freaks, it was like our past together never happened. "We're out of money…and, I mean, we're living in a warehouse for Pete's sake."
"Wait a second," Cole interrupted, "First of all, why would they help us? In case you haven't forgotten, I'm wanted for murder!" Finally, someone who was thinking straight.
"Well...you never actually told us about what really happened with the...murder...thing..." Starr murmured quietly, looking down.
"Guys?"
"Really, we're getting into this?" I snapped. Of course this'll be brought up now.
"Guys..."
"Well, he did murder someone Dragon. Whether he wanted to or not," Rose cut in. Her bright eyes flashed defiantly at Cole, who flinched at her words.
"Guys."
"Okay, look," Ellie said, jumping up to join in the argument, "We all have our secrets, don't we? We all have our pasts. But that shouldn't matter. This team should be for those who want to start over. I don't know about you, but I would trust Cole with my life and what he's done in the past doesn't matter!"
"Well, to you it might not matter, but if we're going to have to be avoiding both the Liberty Core and the Justice League at the same time …. I don't know if I can do that."
"Guys!"
"What, Sona?" I snapped, turning around to face him.
"The device thing Robin gave us is beeping..." We all spun around to look at the 'device thing', our argument momentarily forgotten. What Sahil had said was true. It was beeping and lighting up rapidly, like a Christmas tree, or signal-...Damn!
"Guys, we gotta get-" Suddenly the door to our warehouse sprung open. In came a flash of red, with a blue streak right behind it. If I had blinked, I would've missed the arrival of the exact people we were trying to avoid. We were idiots...
"They're kids?" the Flash asked, blinking as he finally stopped running circles around us.
"The team did say they were young...," Superman murmured, blocking the door with his hulking figure.
"And you're the kid who killed so many people?" Flash asked, turning to Ghost. He received no answer. By now the six teens had grouped in the middle. Sona and Lumanate pulled out their weapons. I could feel roots moving under my feet. I hoped Ceridwen would throw some Roses in there…some thorns would be handy.
"Oceana, ce facem?" I asked, accidently slipping into Romanian. Luckily they didn't seem to notice. We all stood frozen, as if someone had stopped the clocks. A few seconds went by, covered with a stare down.
"Are we really going to fight the Justice League?" Ceridwen asked.
"Technically it's only Flash, and Superman," Ghost pointed out.
"So, we're only facing the most powerful heroes in the League. Not that big a deal right?" Sona asked, glancing at me nervously. I smirked back at him.
"We can take 'em!" I yelled. Suddenly with my feet, I pushed up the shards of glass (I knew it'd some in handy…) into the air. "Ghost!" He nodded soundlessly. The pieces of glass pivoted in mid- air, to then be sent backwards, towards The Flash. Of course, he easily dodged it, and went right into the huge blast of flames I sent his way. At first I thought we'd gotten him, only to find myself in one of the corners and hand-cuffed to a wall. Next to me were Ghost, Oceana, and Ceridwen. I cussed loudly, watching as Lumanate lashed her whip at Superman. She blinked in surprise as it harmlessly bounced off his skin, doing nothing but tearing his shirt. Sona got the same result. The two soon found themselves chained to the wall with us as well.
"I thought that would've been harder," The Flash muttered, grinning at us.
"So did we," Lumanate murmured truthfully. Well it was official; we were screwed.
(Washington D.C August 3 7:22)
(Hall of Justice)
"With all your high-tech gadgets and superpowers, and it still takes us two and a half hours to get to D.C?" Ceridwen asked mockingly. I smirked, wishing I could point out how stupid Superman and Flash looked in the tiny jet, but they'd put a fire resistant gag over my mouth. And this weird metal bar was wrapped around my chest so that I couldn't use my wings. Ceridwen and Oceana had their hands tied behind their backs, shoulders at awkward angles. They needed their hands to control water and plants, so there would be no hope for a rescue on their part. They hadn't been sure how to stop Ghost's telekinesis, so they simply knocked him out with something green in a syringe. Lumanate and Sona had their hands tied as well, with small rags around their faces with anesthetic on them. So now the two were laid out on the floor with drunken dizziness filling their heads.
When we arrived Superman and Flash said nothing, just pushing us forward through a back entrance that the media didn't know about. "Where should we take them? Not the Watchtower, right?"
"We'll leave them here until the cops can come. Put them in cell 002." Superman decided.
"Or you could let us go?" Oceana asked, looking up at them. The two heroes ignored her, instead staring intently ahead.
"Wait a sec, I know Ghost apparently murdered some people, but why are you arresting the rest of us?"
"Way to be loyal, Dragon." Oceana muttered with venom, rolling her eyes.
"You were protecting a criminal," Flash pointed out, smiling at me as if…actually I had no idea. Maybe he just smiled a lot or something?...I never really understood heroes. "Here we are," Flash added.
Ahead of us was a row of cells, with small glass windows and empty cement rooms. After typing in a long and complicated code, Superman pushed us through a door and into one of the cells. I growled savagely at him, narrowing my eyes. I watched as he dragged Ghost over next to me, tying up his hands as well.
"You know, we can escape anytime we want. I can control the water in your body," Ocena said.
"No you can't," Flash replied, staring at us as he punched in the code again.
"Well I can make a tidal wave break the door down."
"Rose Cane, you can do nothing with water when your hands are tied. And your teammates here can do nothing."
"How do you know -"
"Your file. We do our homework on criminals." With that last remark, Superman and Flash left us.
(Washington D.C August 3 7:40)
"Ceridwen, 'ill oo please s'op dat kno'ing?" Sona asked, his voice slurred with drowsiness from the anesthetic. Knock Kn-knock. I felt the urge to break Starr's hand.
"Ceridwen, stop it!" Oceana snapped.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry…" Knock Knock Knock
"Starr, I swear-"
"That wasn't me, Oceana." I looked up at them all, blinking.
" 'en who wah kno'ing?" Lumanate asked. 'It was the ghost of Christmas past!' I thought sarcastically. I was really missing the use of my voice right now.
"I don't know," Oceana told us. Looking at the wall suspiciously, she wriggled a little forward, having trouble with her bound feet and hands, and then threw her fists against the wall. Silence. "I guess it was n-" KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. She pushed herself away from the wall as if it had burned her.
"….I knew it! Santa's real" Ceridwen cried, jockingly. I raised my eyebrows at her. "Hey, we're being held in cells by a league with four aliens, guys with rings that work on will power, a dude that dresses up as a bat, and someone who can break the sound barrier with their sneakers."
Point taken.
"Be quiet for a second," Oceana hissed, as Ceridwen wriggled her way over to Oceana and me. Using her head, she tapped the wall lightly. There was an instant reply, copying the same rhythm. "Hello?" she asked.
"Hey," came a muffled reply. I gasped in surprise.
"Are you in the other cell?" Starr asked. I glanced at Oceana, who seemed a little but put-out that she wasn't the one speaking. I smirked.
"Yup. What'd you guys do?" the voice replied, sounding light and amused. This was all a game to them…
"We did nothing…"
"Uh huh."
"….Okay, one of our friends killed someone."
"Small world."
"You killed someone too?" Ceridwen asked, surprised. Great, we were talking to a psycho killer. This day just kept getting better and better!
"Many, many people my friend. But we were forced to, you know?"
"Err no, not really. Did you say we?"
"Yup, there's two of us."
"Does either of you two know a way to get out of here then?"
"As a matter of fact, we do. We'll let you come with us if you don't slow us down."
"Uhh…."
"Great. We'll be right there." Came the cheery voice. I blinked at Ceridwen. That was the last time she was doing the talking. Suddenly there was a clanking noise next door. A loud yell, followed by a groan and thud.
"I guess they got out?" Lumanate asked, smirking. At that moment the door was blasted open, revealing two boys smiling at the opening….Yeah we were doomed.
(Washington D.C August 3 7:40)
"So who exactly are you?" I asked one of the boys, who had recently removed my gag and bindings. His hair was black, cut to a very neat buzz cut. His light brown eye sparkled with life and amusement, which made absolutely no sense to me. He was clothed in what looked like a scuba suit with a shark jaw picture on the front. He had no shoes, but a mask covered his cheek bones and forehead. I could see deep burns peeking out of the edge of his costume, along with an array of scars.
"I, uh…I used to be called Shark Bait…" he replied.
"Used to?"
"We quit the assassin business last year, but Batman still wants us for murder."
"You too?" Ghost asked, unexpectedly. I looked over to see one of the assassins had woken him up…somehow. I really didn't want to know, although the syringe in his hand seemed as much an explanation as I needed.
"What do you mean?" Lumanate asked her boyfriend.
"Those assassins were the ones who forced me to kill for them."
"Great, we're helping three assassins," Ceridwen muttered, shaking her head.
"Actually, we're helping you." Shark Bait corrected.
"Whatever. What are your real names?"
"Manu Kahuanui."
"And him?" I asked, pointing to the other assassin. He had white, spikey hair that grew from his head like weeds. His bright blue eyes shone like stars, with no mask to cover their light. He was thin and wiry, and a few inches shorter than what would have been considered normal. Like his friend, he had a scatter of scars across his tanned skin. He wore black pants and boots. His jacket was also black, but had white along the hemming and waist. He also has a black bow slung over his shoulder, and a white quiver with matching arrows. His face held a dangerous cold to it, and his voice was like frost as he spoke.
"You can call me Sin."
"You don't have a real name?"
"Who told you that?" he spat. I glared at him back, but he just ignored me.
"So…do you guys want to continue this tea party, or can we leave now?" Shark Bait asked, smiling as Oceana's binds came loose.
"Let's go," I muttered, pulling ahead of them. When I got out the door, I was met with the limp form of Hawkwoman, laid out on the floor. Well, now I knew how Sin got his quiver back. "Ummm…"
"Don't worry, she's not dead," Sin replied, narrowing his eyes.
"That's not what I was thinking."
"I can read minds." He pushed ahead of me, with Shark Bait close behind his companion. 'THEN STAY OUT OF MINE!' I was rewarded with watching Sin flinch, before stopping to glare at me. Surprisingly, Shark Bait glared at me too, even more fiercely then Sin. Over protective much….
"Come on guys, stop messing around," Oceana chided. We all nodded, deciding to put away our conflict….for now. "Sin, do you know who else is here?"
"Just Martian Manhunter."
"How do you know that?" Shark Bait asked, sounding surprised. "I didn't know your range was that far."
"It's not. He's right behind us, invisible." I twisted around, coming face to face with the tall alien.
"Your telepathy is impressive, young one."
"Oceana, get the others and get out. Me and Sin can take him."
"But, Dragon-"
"Go, now. You too, Manu," Sin told them. 'You better have a plan.' He added to me, mentally.
'Have a little trust, Sin.' We both turned to Martian Manhunter.
"I cannot let you leave. You are criminals, wanted for murder."
"I'm sorry to hear that," I replied. My throat was scorching, and I could feel the flames jumping out of my mouth.
"No you're not," Sin said.
"Yeah, your right." 'Hold him still' Sin's head arched down ever so slightly; a nod. His eyes narrowed towards the Martian, his features took on a look of concentration. The green humanoid smirked…if you could call it that.
"Your telepathy is no match for mine, I suggest you stand down."
"It is when your dodging fireballs," I corrected. Suddenly huge flames came pooling out of my mouth, arching towards Martian Manhunter. With a cry he moved away. The flames barely touched him, but it was enough. He fell to his knees, clutching his head, until he fell to the ground; asleep
"It won't hold long. I told him to go to sleep, but he's stronger than me."
"Then let's get out of here," I agreed, smiling. We had just escaped the Justice League….
THANK YJ LOVER FOR THIS IDEA IT'S WAY BETTER THEN WHAT MY ORIGINL PLAN WAS. So I might not be able to update as much because of finals. But I will try.
I added two more characters because, mainly, I needed someone who could read minds and I wanted another chance for a kiss because I didn't like my last one. And since the next couple won't be coming up for at least a few more chapters, Will and Manu came to be. Will is my character by the way, and Manu was made by Diencephalon (although I had to turn down his power a little for him to fit into the story, sorry)