Disclaimer: I own nothing besides Desmond.
Chapter Nineteen
All Hollow's Eve
It was shaping up to be a good Halloween for Young Justice. Des, Conner and Megan's school was throwing a party, and the whole team was going. Well, not Robin or Kaldur; Robin had business in Gotham, and Kaldur said something about 'Atlantian Halloween' or something like that. So it would be Des, Conner, Megan, Wally, Artemis, and Zatana, who Megan had decided to invite as well. First thing was first, and that had been explaining Halloween to Conner. He wasn't really sure what the appeal of costumes and candy was, especially to the other members of his team, who wore costumes every day. But they got through his thick skull, and got to picking out costumes. It took some thinking, but after a while everyone picked something they liked. Conner was a mummy, wrapped up chiefly by M'gann, who was going as a zombie. Wally was being Teen Wolf, which was by far the funniest of the costumes. Zatana, appropriately, was going as a witch. Artemis had considered being a vampire, or Robin Hood, but didn't like either. Desmond interjected, and made a solid argument.
"If I go as Robin Hood," he propositioned. "Then you go as my Maid Marian." Artemis smiled. This was the perfect idea. They were still at a weird stage relationship wise, but this was something that would ease them into it. No pressure, no real expectations, just some innocent fun.
"It's a deal," she said, and the two had gotten their costumes later that day. Now it was about twenty minutes before the dance, and everyone converged on the cave. Des and Wally sat around while M'gann finished wrapping Conner. He kept fidgeting, and Wally would occasionally make remarks about the rest of the team putting a damper on their 'date.' Desmond and Conner rolled their eyes, still not telling Wally the truth. Suddenly the Zeta-tubes flashed brightly.
"Recognized, Artemis, B07," it blared. "Zatana Zatara, B08." The girls walked in, complimenting each other on their costumes. Desmond couldn't take his eyes off Artemis. She looked good! Desmond had initially been afraid the old fashioned garments might have been unflattering to Artemis, but the contrary was true. She looked amazing, and Desmond felt inadequate in his green vest and quiver. But Artemis smiled as she approached, and Desmond couldn't help but grin as well.
"You look like Green Arrow," she said after a minute. "But… in a cute way." Desmond's smile broadened as he stood to greet his sort-of-date. Just then, Batman Zeta-beamed in as well.
"Uh, hi Batman," said Superboy, trying not to look dumb covered in toilet paper. "Robin already left for Gotham." Batman held up a hand.
"That's not why I'm here," he said. He adopted a stern expression. "I know it's a holiday. And I know you all have the night off. But please, keep your communicators on you at all times. You never know when evil might strike." With that, he turned and left. The team exchanged a few confused looks, but then made a collective shrug, and continued the preparations, before finally leaving for Happy Harbor High.
XxXxX
The dance was already in full swing when they arrived. The lights were dimmed, the music was pumping, and all the teens were dancing or chatting to each other. Wally immediately started making moves on Desmond's classmates, but it was evident Zatana and Artemis weren't nearly as comfortable as their friends. Desmond put an arm around Artemis' shoulder and dragged her towards some of his friends, and M'gann did the same with Zatana. Mal, Wendy and Marvin were chatting away when the heroes approached them. Much to Superboy's distaste, almost everyone was wearing a superhero costume. Wendy was Black Canary (and rocking it, Desmond might add) Marvin was Batman (ironic, due to their opposite personalities) and Mal was, believe it or not, Superman. Or some form of him, as he was also wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket. Besides them, Desmond spotted Wonder Woman, Flash, Hawkman, and many others. Someone even went as Shaggy from Scooby Doo. M'gann and Wendy immediately started complimenting each other, while Mal, Conner, and Desmond sized each other up.
"Burn victim and Green Arrow?" Mal guessed.
"Robin Hood," Robin corrected.
"Mummy," said Conner. "What're you?" Mal smiled and stepped back, spreading his arms wide.
"Superman," he said. "Done right." Conner and Des rolled their eyes. Mal didn't notice, however, as he was too busy checking out Artemis, who was desperately trying to avoid his eye contact. He moved towards her. "Hey hottie. Who're you supposed to be?" Artemis grinned and stepped closer to Desmond.
"Maid Marian," she said. Then she wrapped an arm around Desmond's waist. "You know, Robin Hood's girl. I've always had a thing for archers." Desmond and Artemis shared a smirk at Mal's clearly disappointed expression.
"Guys," M'gann said, addressing the team members who didn't attend Happy Harbor. "This is Mal, Wendy, and Marvin." She then held a hand and gestured to the team members. "And this is Artemis, Wally and…" they realized Zatana didn't have a secret identity.
"Joan," she said suddenly. The other teammates exchanged some glances, but eventually shrugged it off. The next hour or so was spent dancing away, talking, getting punch. Dance stuff. There was, at long last, a slow dance. Desmond awkwardly moved to Artemis, who smiled and grabbed his hand.
"Come on, lover boy," she said jokingly, pulling him onto the dance floor. 'You and Me' by Lifehouse was playing, and Artemis immediately took to swaying rhythmically with Desmond's hands on her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he caught a quick glance of Conner and Wally, both giving him thumbs ups. He smiled, and the two continued to sway back and forth. Desmond gently rested his head on hers, and wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. They just swayed there, but it was pretty damn near perfect. Then there was a ringing in Desmond's ear, signifying that he was needed elsewhere.
"Do you hear that too?" Desmond whispered to Artemis. She sighed and nodded, pulling her head off his shoulder.
"Yeah," she said, not even trying to hide the depressed tone in her voice. "It's Batman. Says he needs us in Gotham." They begrudgingly moved off the dance floor and found their teammates. As they walked to the exit, Artemis exchanged a look with Desmond. "It was fun while it lasted."
XxXxX
They had their assignment, and found they would be moving from one party to another. Calendar Man, a villain notorious for causing havoc on holidays or notable dates, was planning on assassinating the mayor of Gotham, Hamilton Hill. Hill would be at a party at the Regal Hotel, and Batman had reason to believe Calendar Man would be joining him. He had told the team he shouldn't be hard to find, as the man had a flare for the theatrical. They were tasked with finding the villain, and capturing him, but they couldn't alert the guests. A hotel full of flustered upper-classers could prove to be just the distraction Calendar Man needed to off the mayor. For this mission, conveniently, they could stay in their costumes. The Bio-ship arrived at the location, and the team deployed. They walked in the front door, and were greeted with a man who at once asked for their names, and what exactly they were doing at a 'grown up party.'
"We're friends of Dick Grayson," said Wally, out of nowhere. The man stood straight up, and quickly pulled a guest book out. He handed it to Wally, while the rest of the team looked confused.
"My mistake, sir," said the man. "I was not aware. Master Grayson is not here, I'm afraid, but any friends of his are welcome. If you would kindly sign the guest book, I'll let you on your way." Wally smiled and took the book, passing it along through the team. They had no idea who this 'Dick Grayson' was, or why being his friend would gain them entrance, but they decided to go with it. Desmond got the guest book, and as he went to sign his name, something caught his eye.
"Look who's here," he whispered showing the book to Artemis. He pointed to a name a few spaces above them. "Julian Gregory Day. Calendar Man." Artemis nodded as she signed her name under Desmond's, and passed the book to Conner.
"He's nothing if not theatrical," she noted. Desmond nodded, and the team entered into the party room. It was a very extravagant affair; streamers and confetti everywhere, and Gotham's most influential shakers and movers partying it up under one roof. Everyone wore costumes, and Desmond was sure Calendar Man would be in one as well. Coincidentally, several of these men and women were also dressed as heroes, but not as all out as the teens had been. A Batman mask here, a Superman colored jacket there, and the occasional cape. The others were mostly dressed in fine clothes and decorative masks.
"Calendar Man shouldn't be too easy to find," Wally reasoned. "He's a big guy. And if what everyone says is true, he isn't one to blend in with the crowd." They nodded at this idea.
"You guys realize we don't have an official leader here, right?" Desmond noted. "Kaldur and Robin are both off somewhere else."
"So?" asked M'gann. "Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to prove ourselves. Kaldur won't be leader forever you know." She then mentally linked everyone. Now let's split up, and look for a clue that'll lead us to Calendar Man.
Sure thing, Freddy, thought Wally. Desmond couldn't help but chuckle as Wally compared M'gann to the Scooby Doo character. The funny seemed to be lost on M'gann, however, so they let it go. Wally sighed. Me and Des will take the ground floor. Desmond nodded in agreement.
Okay, then Conner and I will take the basement, M'gann said. Artemis, Zatana, you guys okay with the top floor? The girls nodded, and the whole team shared looks of good luck, and then departed. Wally and Desmond wound their way through the throngs of dancing rich folk, trying not to disturb anyone.
"What do you think he's wearing?" Desmond asked. "Calendar Man, I mean." Wally thought for a minute.
"The guy's clever," he said at last. "It'll be a costume with some sort of significant meaning. Look out for costumes that actually take a second to figure out." Desmond nodded, and they continued the search. Just then, Conner called in.
Any luck yet? He called. When everyone else responded in the negative, he sighed. Us either. We think that… wait, M'gann just found something… M'gann took over from there.
Guys? She said, sounding confused. I might have found something we can use. There's a note here. All it says is 'the blind world.' Mean anything to you?
Inferno, Desmond said. In Inferno by Dante Alighieri, the poet Virgil says to Dante 'Let us descend now into the blind world. So… Calendar Man is ripping off Dante?
Maybe… thought Artemis. That sounds like it isn't the whole clue. Maybe there's more. This reasoning made sense, and the team had decided to continue the search. Just then, however, the lights were cut, and the room was filled with startled gasps, and a few screams.
Guys, said Kid Flash, apprehensively. You might want to get over here. Something's about to go down. Just then a voice came on in the room, sounding like it was coming from a PA system.
"Let us descend now, into the blind world," it said, signifying that Desmond's hunch had been correct. The lights were still out, but there was no doubt this was Calendar Man. "I will be first, and thou shalt second be." He continued, but now he began switching around lines of the epic poem, picking ones that fit his occasion. "The darkest places in Hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of crisis." Now it made sense. Calendar Man was punishing those who would be voting for Mayor Hamilton in the upcoming election. Hamilton was a main beneficiary of Arkham Asylum. With him out of the picture, the freaks would be free. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." There was a sudden scream, and the lights went back on suddenly. Desmond realized two things. One, the rest of the team was there. And two, the room was much emptier than it had been previously. Several guests had been abducted. Then there was another scream, from above this time, and everyone in the room looked to the ceiling. From the rafters of the high ceiling dropped a dozen men and women, bound and gagged, knots of rope tied around their ankles. The team sprang into action.
"Artemis, M'gann, get the hostages down," Desmond said, suddenly taking charge. "Wally, crowd control. Zatana, Conner, we'll find Calendar Man. Superboy, can you—"
"Already on it," the Kryptonian said, using his x-ray vision to scan for Calendar Man. In a moment, he pointed to a place in the ceiling. "He's a floor above us. There's a trapdoor on the rafters, that's how he dropped the hostages." Desmond nodded.
"Let's go!" Artemis began shooting the ropes down, and M'gann would levitate them down. Kid Flash began calming down the wealthy party goers. Zatana waved her hands in front of Shifter and Superboy.
"Etativel su eerht!" she proclaimed. The three heroes began levitating towards the area Superboy had pointed out. They reached the ceiling, and the Kryptonian and the magician locked hands with Desmond, who phased the three of them through into the next floor. They found themselves in a storage room of sorts, and quickly spotted Calendar Man. He was dressed in flowing white robes, and a green wreath was placed upon his chubby head.
"He's dressed as Virgil," Desmond reasoned. "The ghostly poet that guided Dante through Hell and back." Calendar Man chuckled.
"You are well read, young hero," he said, giving Desmond a small clap. "And just as Virgil guided Dante through Hell, so too shall I guide our beloved Mayor Hill to Hell, on this All Hollow's Eve." He pulled a large switch that was at his feet, and the large tarp that had been behind him was removed, showing the heroes a death trap that Calendar Man set up. Mayor Hamilton Hill hung suspended above a pit of fire, decorated to look like a Jack-o-Lantern. Thus bringing the scheme back to the date, Halloween.
"Zatana, deal with those flames," Desmond commanded. "Superboy, maneuver twelve!" Superboy nodded, and grabbed onto Desmond's hands. The Kryptonian flung his friend at Calendar Man, and Desmond collided with him, knocking him off the platform he'd been standing on.
"Hsiugnitxe semalf!" shouted Zatana, and the flames beneath the helpless mayor were quickly doused. Desmond grabbed Calendar Man by his chubby neck, and was about to pound his face in, when he held up a finger.
"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," he warned. "You see, there is a bomb currently inside of poor Mayor Hill. It's at around his esophagus. Once it reaches his stomach, well, kaboom! I'm the only one that has the code. Let me go, and I'll tell you what it is. Don't, and you'll need to figure it out yourselves." Desmond exchanged a look with Superboy and Zatana, and they both shook their heads.
"Sorry, Day," said Desmond. "We're not buying it. Happy Halloween." He punched Calendar Man in the face, and the body went limp. Desmond dropped the unconscious body on the ground, and went to un-gag Mayor Hill. As soon as he did, the mayor started shrieking.
"You IDIOT!" he shouted. "There is a bomb inside of me! He knew the combination, and now he's out cold!" Desmond's eyes were wide, as were his friends'. They had all assumed that the bomb was a bluff. Desmond sighed.
"Okay," he said, coming up with an idea. "Hold your breath, Mayor Hill." Desmond closed his eyes, lowered his density, and plunged his hand into the mayor's stomach. The poor man made a sound like he was about to vomit, and Desmond found the bomb. It was a small metal disk, and as he pulled it out, Desmond noticed the countdown timer. They had forty five seconds before it blew up. That wasn't enough time to get it out of the hotel, or away from the innocents.
"What could the code be?" Superboy asked. Zatana tried defusing the bomb with a spell, but it seemed to be impervious to everything. Calendar Man took his precautions seriously. Desmond looked at the dial. There were three sections, the first two having two slots for numbers, and the last one having four slots.
"It's got to be a date," Desmond reasoned. "Knowing Calendar Man, the first two slots are 10 and 31, for Halloween. The last one…"
"When was the first Halloween?" asked Zatana, as she watched the timer hit twenty seconds. Desmond quickly pulled out his phone. It was no holo-computer which Robin would have, but it did have Google. He quickly searched for the date of the first Halloween.
"1556," he said. "October, 31st, 1556." He entered this date, and the timer froze at four seconds left. Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. Mayor Hill was sweating.
"Thank you, kids," he said. "Thank all of you, so much." Desmond smiled.
"It's our job, sir," he said. "We're Young Justice." As cool as that line was, something had to ruin the moment. It came in the form of Superboy.
"Uh, Shifter…" he said slowly. "Calendar Man is gone." Desmond's eyes grew wide as he whirled around, looking for the villain who was nowhere to be found. Suddenly Artemis, Miss Martian and Kid Flash rushed in.
"Calendar Man's gone," said Artemis, and when she was met with nods from the others, she held something in her hand. It was a note. She opened it, and read it aloud. "'Come November, what will you be thankful for?'" This was clearly a clue to the next time he would strike.
"Give it to Batman," said KF after a moment of silence. "I've had enough of this guy for at least the holiday season."He H
That was weird writing a Halloween themed chapter after Halloween has already happened. It'll be weirder writing the other holiday episodes after their holidays had passed. Either way, it was still fun. I hoped you all enjoyed, and continue to read and review!