Author Note: The jewels are actually sort of real. Real in the sense that they are mentioned in Japanese mythology. Thank you for all the reviews!
~CWA
Chapter 6:
Third Person:
About two weeks was all it took for the Poltergeist to steal several other paintings, statues, and the occasional odd thing. Of course, Danny stole because frankly, he was enjoying the thrill. He wasn't stupid, however, he was stealing from towns around Happy Harbor. While he had fun facing the sidekicks, he wasn't sure he would have much fun if their mentors got involved.
Robin, however, was smart. He was a detective after all. He, along with Batman, noticed that the heists were avoiding Happy Harbor. So when the team was assigned to guard over a special jewel in the museum of Happy Harbor, he wasn't too concerned that Poltergeist would show up. Still, the thought lingered in the back of his mind because the idea of anyone getting their hands on the jewel was a bad one.
The jewels in question were the two Kanju and Manju gems. Precious because of their magical properties (confirmed by Zatara) and their use in Japanese mythology. According to the myths, the jewels were tide jewels, Empress Jingū used the tide jewels to conquer a Korean kingdom in 200 CE. The abilities the jewels gave, however, were almost unknown. Said to be made by a Japanese Sea god, it was common to assume the jewels would allow one to control the tides.
"Clear," Artemis informed the team, "No one on the roof."
"No one surrounding the jewels yet either," Kid Flash announced as he continued to circle around the jewels.
Robin was on the roof of a nearby building, looking through binoculars to keep an eye out. Kaldur was with Kid Flash as M'gann and Superboy checked the upper and lower levels.
"Guys we got some activity," Robin informed his team, "Second level- dark shadow passed by the window."
"On it," M'gann said firmly.
Superboy and she flew off towards the second floor- listening and looking for any signs of an intruder.
"There," Superboy stated gruffly, "Guys- it's Chesire."
The villain in question turned to the two heroes. Her head cocked slightly and even with the mask on, they could tell she was bursting with confidence that she would be able to defeat them. M'gann's eyes glowed as Superboy attacked. Chesire easily dodged and sent a few knives towards M'gann- knowing full well that it wouldn't do much to the Superboy.
M'gann hissed as a knife grazed her arm. Artemis, along with the others, showed up and started to fire at Chesire.
"Didn't think the Justice League would take the tide jewels so lightly," Chesire taunted as she dodged an attack, "Sending just their sidekicks to take care of it."
"We're not sidekicks," Superboy roared once again in frustration as he charged.
Chesire dodged, causing Superboy to hit the wall- causing a minor hole in it. Not even phased, he quickly turned back to the criminal, who was dodging Artemis' arrows along with Kaldur's water whips. Kid Flash zoomed to the scene, knocking Chesire off her feet momentarily.
He gave a cheeky grin and a thumbs up to the team, who looked less than pleased.
"KF," Robin growled, "If you're here who's guarding the jewels?"
Kid Flash's eyes widened as he headed back to where the jewels were. He let out a frustrated groan.
"Guys," Kid Flash said over the mental link.
"This better be important," Superboy growled.
"…The jewels are gone."
Kid Flash looked at where the jewels once were. The case was seemingly untouched and none of the alarms went off, yet the two sea blue jewels were gone from it- leaving a gray card with a neon green ghost in their place.
"…And it was Poltergeist."
Danny whistled to himself cheerfully as he sat down on the couch, juggling the jewels in the air with one hand. Piece of cake- Chesire was a pretty good distraction… But if she's after it then these beauties must be worth a lot. He caught the stones and looked down at them in his palm. They weren't very big, so it surprised him they would be so interesting to get a villain such as Chesire interested. The two jewels were sea blue, but as he looked closer, he realized they weren't really sea blue. No, they were all the colors of the ocean- seemingly swirling as if they were waves.
Okay yeah, they're totally gorgeous, Danny thought awed, I can see why they're worth a lot now… But they're still fun to juggle. He tossed one of them in the air, not noticing the gleam of blue that seemed to shine briefly on it as it tossed in the air before landing back on his palm. The second the stone hit the other stone in his palm, his kitchen sink burst- sending water everywhere.
Danny jumped as he looked at the sink and then back at the stones. No, no way these little stones caused that- it was just a coincidence. He tossed the stone in the air. Just like last time, the stone hit the other one as it landed in his palm, causing the water coming from the sink to amplify and he heard a sink upstairs burst. He gently set the stones down, careful not to let them touch.
Okay get your shit together Danny- magic stones aren't that far off right? I mean, I am a half ghost… If his sinks burst just from the stones accidentally grazing each other, he wondered what they could if he knew how to use them- how powerful were they? His eyes got a red gleam into them briefly before he shook his head, turning them back to his sparkling blue. No, I will not use magic. I am an honest little thief… I'm half ghost, not a magician.
Not knowing exactly what to do, he did what he thought he had to. He called Gear- he quickly dialed her number. After the fifth ring, she picked up.
"Joe's whorehouse, you got the dough we got the ho, how can I help you?"
Danny faltered slightly.
"Uhh I'm sorry I- I m-must have the wrong number…"
After a brief awkward silence, he was about to hang up when there was laughter.
"It's me Double D. I was just kiddin'. What do you need?"
"Uhh yeah," Danny said confused, "I have two jewels I just nabbed. They're called the kanji and man-gee or something like that…"
"You mean the kanju and manju jewels? The tide jewels? You got them?"
"You know what they are? So they must be pretty-"
"-Look dude, I'm a mastermind, but I'm not a magician. I don't know how to work those jewels so don't ask. What I do know is that they're extremely powerful and you need to turn them back in. They not only cause wicked waves like typhoons and shit, but legend has it they also can corrupt."
"-But I could sell them-"
"-No. You're in way over your head. Those jewels could easily land in the wrong hands. I mean, we're criminals, but not heartless. Not going to give those jewels into the hands of, say, Vlad, or someone. So do yourself favor and turn them in. The partners-"
"-Partners? Do you mean the sidekicks?"
"-I mean what I said, dude. They have a base called Mt. Justice in Happy Harbor. Could be shut down, could not be, but it's your best bet…"
"-Are you sure we can't sell them?"
"Dude I will personally kick your ectoplasmic ass if you do."
"Oh come on," Danny whined, "Even if they were magic-"
"-Danny, they're magic. I believe in magic- foolhardily and don't you dare go dissing my beliefs."
"Honestly I am just surprised you believe in magic," Danny admitted, "I mean, you're a techie."
"-Techno geek, mastermind, and genius," Gear corrected, "And yeah, I met this magician- a real one. A couple of 'em actually. One, however, was a prankster and ended up magically turning my hair vivid blue for like two weeks."
"Okay when did you met not one, but a few magicians?"
"Back in Denver- shortly before I was banned."
"Okay one of these days I have got to know what the hell happened in Denver."
"Maybe but I gotta run. Get rid of the jewels dude."
She hung up, causing him to frown. He set the phone down and looked back at the jewels. The tide jewels, apparently powerful enough to spook even Gear. If they were that powerful just imagine what he could do with them. Imagine how many places he could conquer- how many-
He shook his head. What the heck…
The team was crestfallen, shamed, and embarrassed. Yet again the Poltergeist escaped from their grasps, this time not even noticed at all, and Chesire got away. What was worse was that they failed. The tide jewels were stolen, possibly even sold to the highest bidder, by the Poltergeist. As they were about to enter the cave, they wondered how they were going to explain everything to their mentors.
"Hey Robin," Kid Flash said as he pointed towards the ground near the entrance, "I don't remember putting up any décor."
Robin narrowed his eyes. As they neared the entrance, they looked at the décor in surprise. The décor in question- two bright blue stones that shined brightly under the sun, a reasonable distance apart with a neat little neon green bow on them. On the bow was gray card with a neon green ghost- the Poltergeist was there, or at least had been there, and apparently brought back the tide jewels. There was no point in him returning frauds.
Robin picked up the card gently between two finger tips, turning it over to reveal a sloppy-written note.
Didn't know it was power-filled with magic
Do not let stones touch
"What an odd thief," Kaldur mused.