Sorry about how late I'm getting these out. Stress is killing me. Almost literally. Finals are in two weeks and I have a Biology (my worst subject by far) assessment Tuesday. Its really no excuse. But, on the bright side, School ends offically on May 21st, and I'll have a bit more time. I do have summer homework (damn AP Euro) but I'm pretty good at juggling.
This chapter is a bit short, and rushed, so excuse the messiness. And if I went OOC on anything, forgive me. First Fanfic here, it ain't gonna be perfect.
Enjoy.
Find Me
*3rd Person*
-The Same Time, in the Watchtower*
It was the same thing that had happened for three weeks straight. A few of the Justice League members, Superman, Batman, Flash, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Green Arrow were sitting in a large room at the Watchtower, having a meeting. No one ever knew what it would be about, but they all knew it would be boring.
Flash was currently drawing meme faces, thanks to his nephews' recent obsession with the stupid things, while half-listening to whatever Superman and Batman were arguing about. Black Canary was busy worrying about what she was going to do for dinner with Green Arrow. Martian Manhunter and Aquaman were talking quietly to each other about mundane things. Wonder Woman was watching the arguing heroes, wondering whether she should break it up or let them run the time down so that they could end the meeting. The same thing had been happening for the past three weeks, and all the heroes were sick of it.
The arguing heroes were interrupted by a sudden change on the screen behind them. Everyone, even Flash, turned to see a young girl looking out from the screen.
"What the fuck?" Green Arrow hissed. Black Canary effectively hit him in the arm, a silent gesture to stop the language.
Batman and Superman stepped away to get a better look at the girl. She looked to be about sixteen, Robins age, with brown hair and silver eyes. She was relatively pale, almost to the point of unhealthy, and every hero in the room could see the skin sagging off her face. Her eyes had a dangerous glint to them, as if something cold and broken lived inside her. They were all startled when she started to speak,
"This is to the Justice League. I can only hope this gets to you while you're together, because I need all the main guys to hear this. In fact, not only my life, but all of your lives depends on this broadcast.
"I guess you're wondering who I am, let alone why I'm contacting you. Well, my town calls me Runner, and if you're getting this message, then I've been kidnapped."
Black Canary gasped, much to the surprise of the other League members. She got closer to the screen, trying to imagine this girl in a black face mask, grey pants, and a black shirt. Yes, it could be her. It was her.
The Runner smiled, almost as if she heard them, "I hope at least one of you knows who I am. Then you might understand this better. You see, I set up a safety protocol for my allies, in the event of my kidnapping and/or death. You just happen to be the most influential people I could find, and the only ones who can help us now. Help me now.
"Luckily, if you get this message, then I've not been killed, yet. This sets the question in place. What are you going to do about this, Clark Kent?"
Every hero in the room went wide-eyed, especially Superman. It wasn't possible. This girl, who was probably barely old enough to drive, knew their secret I.D's? There was no way. Even Robin hadn't been able to hack their computers and remain undetected. They were still dumbfounded when she started again,
"That was probably a shock to you all, right?" She gave them a half-hearted smirk, trying ineffectively to make it look like a smile, "Yeah, I hacked your database. Yes, I did it undetected. Why do you think you have nothing on who I am? But that's beside the point. Right now, I'm the most dangerous element in this world. Kidnapped with information on the Justice League. I know how much I can take before I talk, but you don't. What are you going to do?"
Flash turned to Batman, trying to hide the concern in his eyes, "She can't possibly know everything, right? Not everything was on our database."
"No," Batman answered, "But everything was on MY database."
"Yes, Batman, that means I hacked your computer. I needed the info. I know who all of you are, where you work, who your family is. I know your sidek—partners information. As far as you know, I know everything."
"I know you probably won't believe me, with only one name, so I'll tell you what else I know. Green Arrow, Oliver Queen, millionaire residing in Star City. Superman, Clark Kent, news reporter in Metropolis. Black Canary, Dinah Lance, girlfriend of Green Arrow. Wonder Woman, Princess Diana. Flash, Bartholomew Allen, husband of reporter Iris West-Allen. I won't mention Batman, because I'm sure he could kill me with his Batglare through a TV screen, even though I'm not actually there."
It was a lame attempt at a joke, but the jest gave them even more information. She obviously had more info on the Justice League than anyone wanted. If she'd really said Batglare, she knew way too much. Batman was already planning on bringing her in, but with that statement, he realized that she was almost too dangerous. There was one thing he could do after they got her back, have Martian Manhunter erase her memories.
"Is that enough? Or should I tell you the identities of your partners? I'd rather not. And anyway, you're probably planning on either keeping me in a tiny room for the rest of my life or erasing my memories. I would say kill me, but you heroes don't kill. I don't either, but I know the Rebels have no qualms about it. This is why I'm contacting you.
"Justice League, YOU, although I hate to admit it, are my only hope of surviving till my seventieth birthday. The Rebels would cause a controversy. The police will refuse to help. I need someone who can help me without causing a scene.
"I'm sorry I had to do this, I really am. I understand how much your partners mean to you, and to put them in danger is a terrible offence. But I can't do this on my own.
"The Rebels have been notified, and their leader is possibly watching this right now. I've given them instructions, if you agree. I can't force you. No way in hell will I ever be able to force the Justice League into anything.
"Again, I'm really sorry for this. I know none of you will believe me, but I am. I know what it feels like to have your friends and families put in danger. This is the only way I can keep mine from dying.
"Well, that's all I have to say. There are instructions after this video for if you decide to help. The Leader of the Rebels will receive reciprocal info. If you open the file, it will send a notification to the Rebels that you will help. When that happens, you have two days to get to Hopeton and find me. My enemies will probably kill me on the third.
"Now that my whole spiel is over, I'll leave you with one question: What are you going to do?" With that sentence, she smiled sadly. Though she'd said she was sixteen, now she looked almost one hundred. Runner then placed her hand over the camera, blacking out the screen and ending the video. A white screen popped up, slowly revealing an email with one attachment. Flash almost smiled at the message underneath the attachment.
'In the event that you actually decide to help the vigilante who is blackmailing you, please open the attachment. You will have two days to get to Hopeton.
'This message will then self-destruct. Not really, but I wish I could do that.'
The members of the Justice League stared at the message composed. The attachment, labeled "What to do", stared at them, almost as if it wanted to blink so that they could see it better. All the heroes in the room turned slowly to Superman as if to say "What next?"
Superman stared at the screen as if he could burn through it, which he could. Finally, he seemed like he came to a decision, turning to make eye contact with each League member once. Then, he turned to Batman.
"What are we going to do?" He asked the Dark Knight.
Batman narrowed his eyes at the screen, "She's dangerous. Knows too much."
"And did you see her? She knows she's dangerous. She also answered each question we had without knowing what we'd ask." Wonder Woman added.
The League members paused again; a heavy silence filled the room. Each member was thinking about their partner, thinking of The Team. This girl was putting everyone in danger.
"She wears a mask."
Everyone turned to stare at Black Canary. Green Arrow had noticed how quiet she was, this was the first time she spoke up since the message started. The woman's normally tanned face was pale and drawn, as if she'd seen a ghost.
"What do you mean?" Martian Manhunter asked, speaking up for the first time as well.
Black Canary cleared her throat, "The girl, the Runner. She wears a mask. No one's ever seen her face before. I saw her on the news one day, she never goes without it. But she took it off for this. Why?"
No one answered, though many seemed to come to the conclusion that Canary had. Only Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman still seemed to be confused.
"She doesn't think she'll make it out alive." Batman finally said.
Silence again descended upon the League members. Why blackmail them if the girl didn't expect to survive? What was the point?
"Well," Flash broke the silence, stretching in his chair, "What are we waiting for? You heard Runner. We have two days, which means The Team will have one day to find her. Open the damned attachment."
He turned to Batman and Superman, raising an eyebrow, "The Team is getting her, right?"
The two men looked at each other wordlessly for a moment, before Batman sighed. The attachment was opened and read. Eyes widened among the heroes.
This time, it was Batman who broke the silence.
"I'll assemble The Team and debrief them."
Yeah, I know. It kinda sucks. But I had to introduce the League sometime. Seemed like the best thing to do.
Please review. I do need to know how I can improve. And if you can possibly give me any tips on how to write in 'superhero perspective', please help and give them.