Author's Note: Hi guys! Sorry I haven't updated sooner, my life has been complicated... To any of you who want to know, my puppy just died.
I've been having a hard time finding the will to do anything let alone write an actual GOOD story. I don't know how well I did on this newest chapter so leave me a review so I can get back on the right track or just change it in any way.
Also, I wanted to give a great big thank you to all of those of you who reviewed my last chapter; they were so motivating and made me so happy!
And one more thing before we move on, my puppy's name was Zim; he died at a mere 6 months. He was the best Chihuahua that ever lived.
I am going to be starting a story within the next few days that was inspired by my sweet baby. If you want me to post/continue it I will be happy too, it is a Fanfic about Young Justice and is a Robin centric. It is not going to have Zim anywhere in it but I just thought of it while thinking of him.
If you love Chihuahuas or if you care even the smallest bit about a dog you never met, than please put a few words on your profile dedicated to him. He was 3.4lb, black and white, my own personal squirrel, was adopted, and died suddenly without a single warning. If you want to hear more about him please feel free to pm me, also, it would make me more than happy if just one person could keep him alive with a few words, to me or to the public.
Anyway, if you have no interest in this than I'm very sorry you had to read that annoying piece of sentiment.
I will try to continue to write, I have countless more ideas but I could really use some support.
So, without further ado, I hope you like the chapter!
Thoughts...
/Link up/
"Talking."
Narration...
Enjoy! ^.^
Chapter 2 –The Mission
Batman remained strait faced but the sight that greeted him would have discouraged any team "captain".
They all reminded him of 6 year olds, or just young bickering siblings, he supposed that it was to be expected, the main cause of this disturbance was Flash's nephew after all.
This is what the Dark Knight of Gotham saw when he entered the living room of the Young Justice's base:
Bickering, annoying, dysfunctional, hopeless, naïve, and really just a group of teenagers, he had to remind himself that they were actually capable of doing more than argue and show off.
He was however, amused by the look his ward no, his son was sporting. It had been a while since he had seen Robin so happy, he had his defined but small arms wrapped around his middle as if he thought that maybe if he gripped tight enough he would be able to squeeze the last of his laughter out. Even through the boy's cowl Batman could see the pure joy sparkling in the eyes he knew all too well.
Aqualad was standing slightly hunched over as his head shook back and forth, with his hand over his eyes the young Atlantian looked mortified as his team slowly digressed in age around him.
Superboy on the other hand couldn't care less; all that was on his mind was the remaining disdain and wanting to hit the cause for his lack of sleep.
He wasn't blessed with a good night sleep like everyone else, the memory Cadmus still stained his dreams the color of his pain. Little did the boy of steel know at the time, but his pain and recurring dreams would seem as easy as breathing compared to the horror he inevitably would see.
Megan looked out of place, rocking back and forth on her heals she was sinking deep in thought. The poor Martian girl was still thinking about what Artamis had said, seriously considering the possibility that she had been serious.
Megan knew that she was unfamiliar to this world and its culture but the furious archer wouldn't really try to cook Wally, would she?
Contemplating that thought she continued to move, almost completely oblivious to the scene around her.
Wally had collapsed on the couch, he was arguing about something inaudible with Artamis. He looked relieved but also nervous, agitated, the reason why was obvious.
The green clad sniper had her eyes locked onto the couch; she wanted to maim the boy that slouched there in some way. She looked like she might even be willing to risk it in front of THE Batman.
The dark vigilante wasn't called the world's greatest detective for nothing; he looked them over with highly trained eyes, the pieces of the puzzle at hand all too obvious to Gotham's own personal Dark Knight. He had to restrain a smirk when the last clue snapped into place.
Now that he knew he also realized that this would cause problems if one of them decided to kill the other before their enemy even had the chance to. Now, to get them to cooperate...
"I have an important mission for you."
Everyone's eyes locked onto Batman, they had instantly stopped whatever they had been doing and began to stare at the Dark Knight with piqued interest. Their figures were all alert, moving to shift their positions they all subconsciously and consciously readied themselves for immediate action.
It was Aqualad who broke the heavy silence that ensued.
"What do you need us for?"
Batman's eyes shifted as he locked onto the Atlantian, his solid glowering expression continuously etched into his face.
"It's not the kind of mission you are used too; this is a track, hunt, and take down job."
Continuing with blunt force he spun on the spot and started streaking towards the large computer screen, without ceasing to speak he reached the monitor in record time. Without a word the Young Justice fell in silently behind the now furiously typing figure, all the while listening intently on his every word.
"Your mission is to track a group of Robbers or thieves,"
Just as Robin opened his mouth to complain Batman made one motion that dried the sounds before they even left the boy's lips.
With one hand raised he continued strongly.
"This is not your normal garden variety thieves Robin."
He paused only so he could bring up a video feed on the gigantic holographic computer screen.
Instantly an image appeared, momentarily dark it took until the door to what seemed like a fancy store to open for anything to be seen through the thick night. Out emerged three or four relatively large men, they all wore what seemed to be blank masks until one turned to yell something back into the light pouring from inside. Suddenly light streamed across an eerily white face as vaguely familiar face paint made Robin inwardly jump.
Joker.
Upon seeing his ward's almost unnoticeable reaction the Dark Knight began to speak again.
"No, it is NOT the Joker; it is however, either a pathetic attempt at a knock off or..."
"Or they are his new and improved psycho squad." Robin solemnly finished.
"Correct."
At this point there were quite a few jaws that were having to be caught so as to prevent them falling to Batman's feet.
"Bu-bu-but I thought he was in Arkham Asylum! He can't have escaped! Could he?" Wally blindly stammered.
After shaking off the initial information he had started ranting at high speeds, he had heard horror stories about the Joker, and now he's escaped.
A cold dark gaze met the almost twitching Kid Flash, hardening even more if that was at all possible.
He answered in a grave tone.
"Yes, he could. And he did."
"Three nights ago a guard was found dead and the monster himself was gone."
A collective shiver shuddered through those who knew the seriousness of this situation.
"Your mission is to track and locate these men." He continued gesturing up to the paused photo.
"They have been sporadically robbing museums, jewelry stores, and banks. The only proof we have that it might be related to the Joker is this."
With one movement he reviled one of his arms previously hidden by his cape and shot something into the air.
Robin reacted first and caught with ease the blurred object. He turned it over in his hand and showed the small thing to the room.
He sucked in air fast upon realizing what he was holding.
It was the madman's calling card; an almost perfect portrait of himself, the card of the joker.
"You are NOT to try to locate or fight the Joker," The black vigilante continued.
"This may be an unrelated incident but either way, your job it to prevent them from stealing anything else and to capture them as covertly as possible. If this is the Joker's work, then we don't want to tip him off."
Pausing, he swept the room with his nerve racking Bat glare, stopping on each teen in turn he made sure they got the point.
They all nodded their heads fervently, trying to avoid the Dark Knight's scrutiny.
"You will split up into teams of two, each one covering a different lead."
They all tilted their heads ever so slightly at this new development, as they each in turn snapped to attention when their names were called.
"Aqualad, you and Superboy."
"Robin you and Miss Martian will work together."
"Artamis and Kid Flash, you two WILL cooperate."
Every word dripped with authority and the finality of his decision, also the obvious emphasis he had put on WILL.
Over all the pairings were ideal, except for one.
The instant Batman finished, Kid Flash started buzzing relentlessly on the spot as he bit down nervously on his lower lip.
He swallowed loudly.
"Uhm, is there any way possible for me to go in, you know, solo?"
He faltered slightly at the end, his eye brows knitted together as he looked up at the black vigilante with pleading eyes.
A pointless effort.
"No."
Wally's eyes quickly darted away from the Dark Knight and locked onto the blond archer who, at the moment, looked like if Batman wasn't here she would be slaughtering him, slowly, painfully.
She settled for cracking her knuckles and watching shivers run up and down the almost panicking speedster's spine.
"Heh, heh, heh, is anyone else hearing the evil music in the background or is it just me?"
His nervous laughter filled the void as it echoed around the silenced room.
...
"That's it.
Rain check please, I'm OUTTA here!"
Tapping into his super speed Kid Flash zipped to the transportation pad, hoping that he could get there fast enough.
Unfortunately for him, you can't slip past the Dark Knight no matter HOW fast you are.
With sniper like precision Batman was half way across the room in an instant and in the direct path of the retreating Wally West.
As he tried to dart around the figure that was now in his way, Kid Flash let out a small gasp when he ran right into a steel hard arm which had shot out into the exact spot the unsuspecting speedster was bouldering into.
Proceeding instantly to a grab the momentarily dazed yellow "sidekick" by the scruff, Batman spun around on the spot and started walking back towards the awe struck teenagers who all but two were having a hard time comprehending what they had almost not been able to see.
After reaching his original position, the Dark Knight took no time in being "gentle" with the disgruntled teen that had given up trying to free himself from the larger hero's one arm.
He dropped/threw Kid Flash in such a way so as he skidded ever so slightly and subsequently fell face forward at the feet of the rest of his team.
After trying and failing to stifle their giggles and or cackles, they all received a Bat glare that instantly bore into their souls, easily shutting them up.
However, that may have worked on the volume and some of the grins; it had no affect on the colorful boy wonder.
He swallowed his cackle hastily though so as to be respectful to his "father".
His smirk however, lived on; refusing to vanish from the face that was now attempting to look serious.
After shutting off the power of "the glare" he continued as if absolutely nothing had just transpired.
"Before you will be allowed to leave you WILL resolve what happened this morning, understood?"
Not waiting for their reluctant reply he finished his orders.
"You have 15 minutes, be ready."
And with that he left the speechless super teens behind as he streaked off towards the zeta beam transporter pad.
"Recognized, Batman, 02"
...
After a few minutes of pounding silence someone finally dared to break it.
"Soooooo, what happened this morning?"
KF noticeably sunk were he stood, shying away from imminent fury.
He eventually caved to Robin's ever so blunt question.
"Wellll, I was bored..."
But he didn't get the chance to finish as he was interrupted by a growl of a voice that came from behind him.
"You call that an excuse?"
Yelping slightly the scarlet speedster took no time in zipping as far away from the murderous Archer who had suddenly appeared in his blind side.
She had fire burning in her eyes and revenge itching to be sought as it egged her on.
"Umm, maybe? Ahhhh! Don't kill me!"
Artamis had lunged forward; she truly looked like she would kill him. She was only stopped by Kaldur extending an arm and holding her in place.
"Calm down."
Crossing her arms she receded slightly, giving in, just this once.
"Fine."
As she started to return to her original position, she quickly spun on the spot.
"You." The green archeress growled with deadly intent.
"Tell the truth, or your dead. Got it?"
He gulped loudly.
"Uh huh." He said in a small voice, beads of sweat starting to appear.
"Good."
And with that she resumed walking, a smirk present on her face as she marched back to the patiently waiting team.
"Ok then, KF? Care to fill us in?"
"Alright." He finally sighed, defeat hanging on for dear life.
================FLASHBACK==============
The morning was cold as the night continued to be unyielding to the persistent sun, grasping at its hold in the sky, it clung on until the very last second.
It was a Saturday morning; the whole team had spent the night for once in their new found home at Mount Justice. It was a relatively normal morning except for a few things.
First of all, Robin was not awake. This was far from normal, his normal sleep schedule was: Wake up before everyone else and go to sleep long after when normal humans go to sleep.
Also, it was undeniably quiet, even for early on a weekend morning usually something was happening. Lastly, the prince of laziness, Wally West was awake, this was not a good sign.
Still being dark out with only tints of color staining and seeping at the edges into a stubborn sky, Kid Flash, had nothing to do.
For some unknown reason, the hyper-active scarlet speedster had woken up waaaaaay before any one else.
Proceeding to run around the ENTIRE Mountain he was desperately searching for something to entertain himself with. Finally, after doing a complete sweep and wiping out almost all of their breakfast supplies, he paused for a few seconds.
SOOOOOOO BOORRRREEEDDDD! This is terrible! There must be something here to do! Somewhere! OH! I know! I'll go bother someone!
And with that he sped off, stopping at each door in turn, never spending more than a few milliseconds in front of each.
Aqualad? No, no, don't want to bother him...
M'gann? No, I don't want to wake her up...
Connor? God no! He just might kill me! *shudders* Talk about death by broken bones...
Robin? NO WAY! If he's tired enough to actually sleep, he must be EXAHUSTED! If I woke him up... Yeah, after burning my soul to a crisp with his bat glare he would probably stab me with something... Not a good idea...
That just leaves one person...
At that moment he skidded to a halt in front of the said person's room.
Perfect!
He let a sly grin spread across his face.
He slowly opened the door, there was a lock on it but he made short work of it. After rubbing his hands up against a countless number of times he then gave the now weakened metal a good thump and it was off.
He poked his head around the entrance, after peering around the room he was surprised when he did not find a sleeping form in the bed that lie there.
It was when he decided to take a step into the room that he heard a noise coming from the separate door that was closed to his right.
Huh, that's weird. She must have not spent the night here. I was sure she did... Oh well.
I wonder what that noise is though; I guess she forgot to turn something off. Strange...
After deeming the room empty he took another full step inside and quietly shut the door behind him.
By that time he was no longer tip-toeing and started to meander around the archer's room. Wanting to savor the moment, he moved around at a normal pace, his grin getting larger by the second as he messed with every object he could find.
Sadly, he couldn't locate any items possibly worth black mail or even anything interesting.
Hmmm, this is so much fun! Who knew that I would actually see inside of here? I have been curious about it for a while now. If only there was something here! There's only some posters and I think txt books nothing of intre... What's this?
His sight locked on to an object he had just found while rummaging through her dresser, it was black leather, very worn, and it had her name on it, only it wasn't a book. It had hand written pages inside.
OH YEAH! It's her diary! Oh man this is awesome! Absolutely perfect! Now, let's see what's inside shall we?
With his eyes brimming with anticipation and his giddy form jumping up and down slightly he opened the book to its first page...
Soooooo? What did you think? I worked really hard on it so I hope it is as good as the first chapter, this one sure as heck is longer. Anyway, please review! They make me write fast, they inspire me too. ^-^
And thank you for being patient with me, I'm sorry it took so long to update. I will try to write faster in the future, in the mean time, REVIEW! Please? I loves them... _._
ALSO! Can you guys guess what is going to happen? How about what else Wally will do to seal his fate? OR! How about telling me how you think Artamis should kill him! The suspense...
So anyway, I'm going to be traveling this weekend so if I don't update, blame it on that! ^.^
OK, so, the next chapter things start to really heat up!
I think the rest of the team will probably hate me for this... That is if Wally lives that long...
Kid Flash: Wait a minute, what do you mean by that?
Oh, nothing... ^.-
Kid Flash: I'm so dead. v.v
Until next time!
~Automail-gHost