Author's Note: This is the final episode of season one, "Auld Acquaintance." However, this is NOT the last chapter! Let me repeat; THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHAPTER! It will wrap up all of season one. But more on that later, for now, enjoy the second to last chapter of 'A New Addition.'
Disclaimer: I own none of this story aside from Desmond.
Chapter Thirty Two
New Year, New Enemies
The next day was New Year's Eve. The team members gathered at Young Justice to revel in their victories over the past year.
"And don't forget the Injustice League," noted Artemis. "We showed them a thing or two." The others nodded.
"And the night we took out the Falcone gang in Blüdhaven," remembered Wally, looking to Desmond, Conner, Kaldur and Robin. "That was the first time Des and Conner worked with Roy."
"Yeah, because that went over so well," Desmond joked, prompting laughs from Conner and Artemis. "And who could forget the Ice Fortresses? When Conner and I teamed up with Superman."
"Oh my god," groaned Artemis. "We know you two teamed up with the big blue Boy Scout. You've told us a thousand times!" Conner and Desmond exchanged cheeky smiles.
"And of course," said Robin. "Santa Prisca last night." This caused several members of the team to cheer, feeling as if they were a group of veterans sharing old war stories, reliving the glory.
"Attention Young Justice," came Batman's voice over the loudspeaker quite suddenly. "Gear up and meet in the mission room." The team exchanged confused looks, but went to do the Dark Knight's bidding.
The walked down the hall towards the meeting room, still discussing their exploits. Conversation turned to Santa Prisca, and Aqualad began to bring up a good point.
"We have reason to feel proud of yesterday's victories," he noted. "But one thing has not changed."
"Somehow the bad guys are still getting inside intel on us," said Robin.
"Yeah…" said Kid Flash, trying to put a positive spin on things. "But at least we know none of us are the mole." The team arrived in the mission room to find Batman standing there with Red Tornado.
"That's correct," said Batman. "The mole was Red Arrow."
"Roy?"
"No way!"
"Batman, that cannot be," said Aqualad. "He was Green Arrow's protégé, we have all known him for years."
"Unfortunately, the Roy Harper we have all known for the last three years is another Project Cadmus clone," said Red Arrow. Eyes went wide. Desmond looked to Superboy, who had a mixed look of surprise and anger.
"We've learned the real Speedy was abducted and replaced, immediately after becoming Green Arrow's side kick," said Batman. "The clone was pre-programmed with a drive to join the Justice League, which is why he was so angry any delays to his admission, and why he refused to join the team. This Roy Harper had no idea he was a clone, or a traitor, and his subconscious drove him to become… League worthy. So he struck out on his own, as Red Arrow.
"When he was finally accepted, his secondary programming kicked in, and he was instructed to betray the League by Vandal Savage."
"Savage was subdued," said Red Tornado. "But Red Arrow escaped. He is now a fugitive, armed and dangerous."
"What…" said Robin slowly. "What happened to the real Roy?"
"We don't know," said Batman. "He's not at Cadmus. We have to face the possibility that the real Roy Harper… is dead." Robin and Kid Flash hung their heads. Zatana put an arm on Robin's shoulder, and Desmond gently patted KF on the back.
"The clone Roy," said Aqualad suddenly. "The team will find him."
"Negative," said Batman. "Red Arrow is a member of the Justice League now. Leave him to us." Suddenly Batman held a hand to his ear, getting a radio transmission. "I'm needed at the Watchtower. Tornado, stay with the kids." And with that, he Zeta-beamed away.
Clone or no clone, Aqualad thought to the rest of the team. Red Arrow was one of us. We will go after him. Red Tornado walked over, a hand raised as if to say something. Suddenly, however, he froze in place. The team gathered around, and Robin began to scan him.
"He's totally offline," he confirmed. "Everything just… shut down."
"Guys," said Zatana. "I'm sensing a low-level mystic force here. I don't know if it caused his shut down but… now that I think about it, I was getting the same buzz of Batman."
"Batman…" said Robin. "He… he called us kids. He never does that."
"Hey, check it out," said Desmond, grabbing something from Red Arrow's hand. He held it up for all to see. "One of those biochips that we got off Cheshire."
"Something is not right," said Aqualad. "Robin, Kid, Zatana. See if you can get Red Tornado back online. The others with me to find Ro— I mean, Red Arrow." The team exchanged nods, and Desmond, Artemis, Superboy, Miss Martian and Aqualad ran off to the Bio-ship.
XxXxX
The Bio-ship flew over the Hall of Justice in Washington D.C. The computer logs had informed them that Red Arrow had Zeta-beamed to the Hall from the Watchtower. But it didn't mean he'd stick around.
"Where could he be?" asked Shifter, looking out the window at the Hall.
"After Roy went solo, he installed equipment caches in several major cities," said Aqualad. "And one is here." He commanded the Bio-ship to fly further into the surrounding D.C. area. It landed atop an apartment building (in camo mode, of course) and Aqualad got up to leave.
"Wait up," called Superboy, as he and Desmond got up to follow.
"No," commanded their leader. "Not to be rude, but Roy has been my best friend for three years. Clone or not, that relationship is authentic. He will want to see me, and me alone. I will return soon." Aqualad left without leaving it up for debate.
They sat in silence for the duration of Aqualad's absence. It didn't take long; he arrived with Red Arrow in tow in about two minutes.
"Where're the others?" the archer asked, boarding the Bio-ship.
"Kid, Z, and Robin stayed at the Cave," Desmond said, and he explained the incident with Red Tornado.
As the Bio-ship began its ascent, Superboy said, "Batman and Tornado said you were a Cadmus clone. Like me."
"Then that explains it," Roy said with a sigh. "I was a sleeper agent. Preprogrammed to infiltrate the League. I think Sportsmaster was my handler. He used a phrase, 'Broken Arrow' that could shut me down. Allow them to feed me false information or have me carry out orders."
"Red Sun," Superboy mumbled, realizing the connection between the two.
Roy turned in his chair to face Superboy, Miss Martian, Artemis and Shifter. "I think… one of my orders was to focus suspicion on the four of you. I'm sorry." The four heroes exchanged looks, then gave a sympathetic nod of acceptance to Roy.
"How did Batman discover this?" asked Aqualad. "And prevent you from betraying the League?"
"He didn't," Red Arrow said. He then told the team a very long and somewhat confusing story. Those biochips we'd found, known as Staro-Tech, were used to infect the minds of the League. It was all Vandal Savage's plan. Savage was the only living man older than Ra's al Ghul, and Desmond knew that the two ancient beings had worked together on several occasions. Savage had used Roy to infiltrate the League and plant the Staro-Tech on each member, effectively giving him access to the Watchtower.
"But why aren't you enslaved anymore?" questioned Desmond.
"No Staro-Tech for starters," Roy said. "Just my own Cadmus programming. And once I had satisfied it's last parameter, my mind began to clear. I'm sure Savage planned to Staro-Tech me, but I escaped."
"I can wipe any residual programming from your mind," offered M'gann. "And we can—" Just then she stopped talking, and put a hand to her head. When she pulled it away she announced, "Robin and the others are at the Hall of Justice. We need to get to them."
Without a moment's hesitation, the Bio-ship flew towards the hall. When it arrived, M'gann levitated the other members into the ship. Robin, Kid Flash and Zatana stood there. Accompanying them were half of an android (John Smith, the human counterpart of Red Tornado) and a bound and gagged Black Canary.
"We really need to compare notes," said Robin.
XxXxX
In the matter of a few hours, the team had accomplished much. They had removed the Staro-Tech from Black Canary, and began to formulate a plan. Canary, Tornado, and Red Arrow would return to the Watchtower, under the guise of still being mind controlled. Meanwhile, Young Justice would infiltrate the orbital space station via the Bio-ship. Canary and the others couldn't pull of their plan, Young Justice would step in.
The ride into space was, for lack of a better word, amazing. Desmond was awestruck, and didn't even want to leave the Bio-ship when the time came. He did, however, and phased Artemis, Conner and Robin into the Watchtower's base. He made a second trip for M'gann, Wally, Zatana and Kaldur.
They were currently in a small, dark hallway, gathered around Robin and his wrist computer. RT did it, he thought to the others. He bypassed the security as soon as he arrived. Savage shouldn't know we're here.
Move out! Thought Aqualad. The team split in separate directions. Shifter and Aqualad took a left path. They moved along, keeping as silent as possible. Eventually they came to a more open hallway. Desmond continued to move, but Kaldur put a hand to his chest and pointed. Desmond followed the Atlantian's gesture, and saw Captain Adam walking through the hall. He carried a large crate with him.
I'll distract him, Desmond suggested. You come in from behind, and plant the anti-Staro-Tech on him.
Affirmative, said Aqualad with a nod. Desmond lowered his density and quickly phased through the surrounding walls. He stepped out in front of Captain Atom, who jumped back slightly in surprise.
"Hey Cap," Desmond said. Captain Atom blasted him with one of his special beams (Des was never really sure what to call them) but it passed right through the teenage hero. "Missed me." Just then, Aqualad came up behind Captain Atom. Using his weapon as a whip, he placed the 'mind control eraser' on Captain's neck. The silver hero groaned, and slumped to the ground.
"He's… alive, right?" asked Desmond.
"Yes," confirmed Kaldur. "Red Tornado assured us this technology would not harm the League members. Come, let us regroup with the others."
Shifter and Kaldur met up with the others, and took positions near a Zeta-tube that they suspected would bring more Leaguers in. The others had already taken out Hawkman, Plastic Man and The Atom. The Zeta-tube flashed alive for a moment, and in walked Captain Marvel, Icon and Doctor Fate. The team sprang into action. Miss Martian planted one device on Doctor Fate, while Shifter quickly attached one to Icon. Captain Marvel charged Zatana.
"Trulb tuo 'Mazahs'!" she shouted.
"Shazam!" yelled Captain Marvel. In a flash of lightning, Marvel was gone and Billy Bastion replaced him. He fell into Zatana's arms, and she helped him stand. Desmond walked over.
"Hi Billy," he said.
Uh guys, came Kid Flash over the mental link. If you aren't busy…
On my way, thought Aqualad. Desmond, come with me. You three, rendezvous with Robin and Superboy. They nodded, and Aqualad ran off again.
"Let's go," said Desmond. "We've got to find Robin and Superboy." He ran off, with M'gann floating just behind him. Zatana waited a moment, but eventually caught up with them. Desmond didn't feel it necessary to ask why.
The three arrived in a large room, which was, surprisingly, full of trees and other plant life. Desmond saw Robin fighting Hawkwoman, and he leapt to his aid. He grabbed the Thanagarian by the wings, pulling hard. She couldn't break free, and Robin took the opportunity to plant the biochip on her neck. As she slumped to the ground, a golden rope came out of nowhere, and encircled Shifter. He looked, and realized it was Wonder Woman, with her lasso of truth. M'gann swooped in, and planted a chip on the Amazon's neck while she was distracted. The Martian flew away again, and Shifter ran off to fight another battle.
As Shifter ran, a large, green hand wrapped around his torso. He looked to see John Stewart, one of Earth's Green Lanterns, commanding the light construct to squeeze harder. Des quickly phased out, and when Green Lantern swooped down for a punch, Shifter delivered one to his jaw. The hero fell to the ground, where Desmond planted a chip on his neck.
Shifter looked above him to see Superboy and Miss Martian fighting both their mentors. Miss M suddenly shifted into a White Martian, and did something telepathically to make Martian Manhunter slump to his knees. Just as M'gann succeeded in felling her mentor, Superman socked her in the jaw. Superboy growled loudly, and sprang at his mentor, but the older Kryptonian spun on his heel and punched the clone through three floors of concrete. Desmond floated down to his friend, and Robin fell to the ground next to them, after a punch from Batman.
"We're not going to beat them one on one," he shouted.
"Plan B then!" Shouted Superboy.
"Sixteen!" Desmond concurred, referencing their favorite maneuver. As Superman and Batman glided towards the three teens, Desmond grasped Robin's hand. He flung the smaller boy towards Batman, and the two collided. Then he did the same for Superboy, and the clone hit Superman dead on. As Batman hit the floor, Robin planted a chip on him. Shifter ran after Superboy, who was keeping his 'father' in a choke hold.
"Do it!" he shouted to Desmond. "I can't hold much longer!" Desmond phased a hand through Superboy's thick arms, placing a chip on the man of steel's neck. Superman slumped down. Robin walked over and helped Conner to his feet. The three young heroes stared at the fallen Leaguers.
"We just took out Batman and Superman," Conner mused.
"Guys…" said Desmond, looking around. "I think we won."
XxXxX
Desmond, M'gann, Robin and Conner all arrived just in time to watch Klarion the Witch Boy and Vandal Savage escape through a vortex. The other members of Young Justice stood around a de-limbed Red Tornado.
"Congratulations, team," he said. "You have won the day." The teenagers exchanged happy glances, an overwhelming feeling of pride and accomplishment flooding over them. Or in Robin's case, a whelming feeling.
Just then a small holographic image popped up. It displayed the date and time; January 1st, 00:00. "Happy New Year, Justice League." It announced in its robotic voice. Chimes sounded, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." Conner and M'gann turned to each other, embraced, and kissed. Zatana grabbed Robin, pulled him close, and smooched him. Desmond smiled, lifted Artemis in his arms, and lowered his density. He floated the two of them upwards, high above the other members. There they floated, embraced, and kissed. Neither teen knew how long they floated there, just enjoying each other's lips on their own. Eventually, though, they did slowly float down. When the landed, the others smiled in their direction. Conner gave Desmond a thumbs up.
Wally nudged Kaldur in the ribs. "Don't worry, man," he said with a smile. "We'll get the girl one day too." Kaldur smiled, and wrapped a friendly arm around Wally.
Red Tornado sighed from the floor. "Human customs still elude me."
Now for the important stuff. I know a lot of people tend to skip author notes, but please DO NOT SKIP! If you're still reading, good. Now, I tried to post a poll, but I'm not really clear on how those worked. If you can get to it, great. If not, I have a request. Please write a review saying if you want Desmond's story to jump five years in the future (season 2 time line) or go through all the years leading up to season two. Keep in mind that a lot of my non-canon things will happen if the second object is chosen. Whichever you choose, one thing is clear; Desmond Marigold's story is FAR from over! I'd also like to say that, no matter what the people chose in regards to the rest of Desmond's story, the final choice is still mine. Anyway, like I said, please review, and stay tuned for the concluding chapter of 'A New Addition.' If I'm lucky, I can get it up tomorrow. I've been on a hot streak with writing for the past couple days. Until next time!