Ch.20: Auld Acquaintance
Washington D.C.: December 31, 00:16EST
In an underground subway under the National Mall, Red Arrow panted as he ran down between the two railroads. He stopped when he reached a pillar, and got out his bow and arrow. He barely peaked out from around it, but that was all he needed to be cut on the cheek as an arrow flew by.
Red Arrow jumped out from behind the pillar and aimed the arrow. His foe was faster and shot an explosive arrow that sent him flying. He was able to maneuver himself though and skidded backwards on his feet. He put up his arrow, ready to shoot.
Another figure ran towards him though and punched his face. Red Arrow's hands flew up from impact and he accidently let go of the arrow. It exploded on contact with the indent between the wall and the ceiling.
Red Arrow got up and his foe walked forward calmly. He used his bow to try and hit the man but it broke on contact with the man's skin. He could only stare in shock at his broken bow, and then at the man who punched him backwards.
Red Arrow struggled to get up, his nose bleeding profusely. He saw a light up ahead and heard a train's whistle. He thought quick and the train raced by.
The three figures hunting Red Arrow stepped back into the middle of the tracks. They were Green Arrow, Aquaman, and Flash.
The three heroes gathered around a vent, and saw that their prey had escaped them.
Red Arrow was still alive. And that angered them.
Mount Justice: December 31, 07:16EST
"We have reason to be proud of yesterday's victories, but one thing has not changed." Aqualad said as he and the rest of the Team walked down the hall of the Cave.
"Somehow the bad guys are still getting inside Intel about us." Robin said, Danny walking next to him in thought. Kid Flash had to smile though.
"Yeah, but at least we know none of us are the mole." Kid Flash said as they walked into the Cave to see Batman and Red Tornado.
"That is correct." Batman said and brought up a picture of Red Arrow on the holographic computer. "The mole was Red Arrow."
The teens stared at the picture in shock.
"Roy?" Robin asked.
"No way!" Kid Flash said.
"Batman that cannot be. He was Green Arrow's protégé. We have all known him for years." Aqualad said.
Danny sighed. "Ok, I haven't known him for that long, and I may not have really liked him at first, but I agree with everyone else. Red Arrow can't be it. There's just something about him that wouldn't betray us like this."
"Unfortunately, the Roy Harper we have known for the last three years is another Project Cadmus clone." Red Tornado said, gesturing to a picture of the Cadmus building.
"We've learned the real Speedy was abducted and replaced immediately after becoming Green Arrow's sidekick." Batman said, bringing up a picture of Speedy. "The clone was preprogrammed with the drive to join the Justice League, which is why he was so angry over the delays to his mission, and why he refused to join the Team. This Roy Harper had no idea he was a clone or a traitor, and his subconscious program drove him to become League worthy. So he struck out on his own as Red Arrow. When he was finally admitted, his secondary programming kicked in and he attempted to betray the League to Vandal Savage. Fortunately, I had already deduced Red Arrow was a clone. We were prepared."
"Savage was subdued, but Red Arrow escaped. He is now a fugitive, armed and dangerous." Red Tornado informed.
Superboy rubbed his neck. "If you guys hadn't rescued me from Cadmus…" He trailed off.
Danny narrowed his eyes at the adults. "Then what happened to the real Roy?"
Batman did not seem to notice Danny's suspicions. "We don't know. He isn't at Cadmus. We have to face the possibility that the real Roy Harper is dead."
The Team bowed their heads, except for Danny, who refused to accept that.
Zatanna placed a hand on Robin's shoulder in comfort, and Artemis went to do the same with Kid Flash, but stopped before she could.
"The clone Roy, the Team will find him." Aqualad announced boldly.
"Negative, Red Arrow's a member of the Justice League now. Leave him to us." Batman said after closing everything out. He got a message from the League. He withdrew his hand a minute later. "I'm needed at the Watchtower. Tornado, stay with the kids."
With that, Batman left.
As he left, Aqualad turned to the Team. "Clone, or no clone. Red Arrow was one of us. We will go after him." Aqualad said determinedly.
"The Red Arrow we have been in contact with for the last six months is the real deal. Clone's auras are practically the same as their donors but they have... For lack of better words, a flaw in it. This flaw contains the things on how the clone really is. Both Superboy and Dani have this flaw. Dani's flaw contains her free spirit, independence, and the small violent tendencies, as we have seen her do to Superman." Danny explained.
Behind the Tean, Red Tornado reached out to Aqualad's neck, but as he did, he shut down. The teens turned to him, surprised. They surrounded the android.
"Tornado!" Megan said.
"What happened to him?" Superboy asked.
Danny shrugged. "I think he shut down."
Robin gave him a dead panned look. "No!"
Danny rolled eyes and smirked. Robin began scanning Red Tornado, Danny looking over his shoulder. "He's totally powered down, all functions offline." Robin said astonished.
"Guys, I'm sensing a low mystic force at play. I don't know if it caused his shut down but now that I think about it, I was getting the same buzz off Batman." Megan said.
Danny turned to her. "Glad to know I wasn't the only one."
That reminded Robin of something. "Batman... He called us kids. He never does that." Robin said.
Danny nodded in agreement, and then saw something. "Look, there's something in Tornado's hand."
Kid Flash took it. "One of those bio-chips we confiscated off Cheshire." He informed.
"Something is not right." Aqualad said, going into leader mode and thinking of a quick plan. "Robin, Danny, Kid, Zatanna, Rocket, see if you can get Tornado back online. The rest with me to find Ro- Red Arrow."
Artemis, Superboy, Megan, and Aqualad ran off. The others got to work.
"The problem's hardware, not software, but where do we start?" Robin asked himself. Zatanna walked to the center of the room and looked to where Red Tornado's apartment was. "I have a thought."
Danny looked at it to. "I guess we're heading back into the Tornado's lair."
They got a few metal tables, to Danny's nervousness, and brought them to the entrance of the Cave, grabbed Tornado's soon-to-be alter ego, John Smith, down and started making Tornado John Smith.
(I will always and forever hate that name because of Pocahontas. My siblings will never leave me alone! They keep shouting '- wants to marry John Smith!' What, did you actually think I'd let you know my name?)
They hooked a wire to John Smith's neck and started downloading Tornado into John Smith.
"Download in progress." Robin said.
Danny smacked his head. "We can see that from the screen above us." Robin glared.
Rocket looked at the two robots weirdly. "So, Tornado built this android… to party?"
Danny shrugged and leaned on Robin's shoulder. "He didn't say those exact words but, yeah, more or less."
"Recognized. Black Canary; 13."
Their trainer walked in. "Hey guys. Wanted to check in. See how you were handling the- What are doing to Red?!" She shouted. They were quick to defend.
"It's not how it looks!" Kid Flash shouted.
"It looks like you're downloading his consciousness into a new body!" Canary yelled.
The downloading completed, and Kid Flash shrugged. "Ok, it's pretty much exactly how it looks."
Danny shook his head in annoyance. "Oh real smooth, Kid, real smooth."
Tornado's body suddenly shot up. "Team, get out of the Cave, now!" They were too startled to do anything, and Canary took this as her que to use her Canary Cry.
Tornado's new body ripped in half and some of the metal on his face was torn away and he fell back into Kid Flash and Danny. Tornado's dismantled legs hit Zatanna, Rocket, and Robin. Danny got up though, and stood his ground. To everyone's shock, he sucked his breath in and let out a mini, less destructive, Ghostly Wail. The two cries collided, but after adding some more power behind it, Danny won when his Ghostly Wail hit Canary, sending her back into a wall.
Robin got up and threw a bomb, which exploded in her face and sent gas everywhere. Rocket got up and made a sphere around Canary. She coughed for a few seconds before passing out.
The teens walked forward.
"Black Canary attacked us?" Zatanna asked the rest of the Team. Tornado's upper half of his body pushed himself up. "Black Canary's the least of our problems. We must abandon the Cave."
Reacting to their wishes, Sphere, who was nearby, turned into the super cycle extended.
"Recognized. Icon; 20."
"Dr. Fate; 17."
"Captain Marvel; 15."
Danny cursed silently. "Ok, this is where we abandon the ship, people!"
The three heroes from the Watchtower walked in and saw an empty hanger.
The heroes were already flying away. Robin was driving with Wolf in front of him. Danny flew next to Sphere since there wasn't enough room. There were two rows in the back. Kid Flash, Tornado, and Rocket were in the first, and Zatanna, the offline Tornado, and a gagged and bound Canary were in the back.
"Stay off your radios. Let the super cycle track Superboy. Instruct her to mask all signals. We cannot allow the League to track us." Tornado instructed, hanging on to Sphere.
Kid Flash nodded. "Right, of course. Just one question, WHY IS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE AFTER US?!"
Danny smacked him… hard. "Shut up! We are trying to stay under the radar! Yelling will get us nowhere since some of the members can hear better than us! My word, do you have a brain?"
Kid Flash glared at Danny.
"You know he's right, Kid." Robin said smugly, making Kid Flash hate both brothers.
"Computers log's indicate that Red Zeta-ed to the Hall from the Watchtower. But he could be anywhere by now." Artemis informed.
"After Roy went solo, he installed equipment caches in several major cities. One is here." Aqualad said and went alone into the apartment building.
He went to the cache and tried opening it. It was locked. So, he went with kicking it down. Sure enough, Red Arrow was in the back of the room, an arrow already poised at his heart.
"I have not come to harm or apprehend you, but the Team requires answers." Aqualad said, walking forward into the room.
"Me first. Tell me something you haven't told anyone else. Tell me who broke your heart." Red Arrow said cautiously.
Aqualad sighed at the memory. "Tula. The girl I loved chose my best friend Garth over me. While my best friend on the surface world aims an arrow at my chest."
The tension in Red Arrow's body calmed.
Red Arrow let himself be guided to the Bio-ship and taken up to it as they flew away, safely keeping Red Arrow a secret.
"We were told you were the mole, but we have reason to doubt." Aqualad said, as they continued to fly in camouflage mode.
Red Arrow's face hardened. "Forget doubt. I was the mole."
Everyone around Red Arrow stared in shock.
"Batman and Tornado told us you were a Cadmus clone, like me. But Danny trashed that theory. So if you're not a clone, why did you carry out those orders?" Superboy asked.
Red Arrow sighed. "I was a sleeper agent, preprogrammed to infiltrate the League. I think Sportsmaster was my handler."
Red Arrow was cornered by Sportsmaster and Cheshire. Sportsmaster smirked under his mask. "I here you go by Red Arrow now. Heh, more like broken arrow."
"He had a key phrase, broken arrow, that could shut me down. Put me in a hypnotic state to steal secrets for his superiors or incorporate further programming. I then carry out all orders subconsciously; completely unaware of what drove me. I think one of those orders was to focus suspicion on the three of you and Danny." Red Arrow explained.
Artemis, Megan, and Superboy shared a look.
"I'm sorry." Red Arrow said.
"How did Batman discover this, even if his theory was off, and prevent you from betraying the League?" Aqualad asked.
Red Arrow's eyes narrowed. "He didn't."
"The entire League is under the complete mental domination of Vandal Savage. Red Arrow seems to have been his means. His method was something Savage referred to as Starro-tech. An alien bio-organism used with nanotechnology and magic. It shuts down the mind's autonomy, allowing Savage to reprogram the individual to suit his needs. Even my inorganic brain was not immune. But the process requires 0.16 nanoseconds to fully integrate with its host's nervous system. That delay allowed me to create an internal subprogram, which would disconnect my power cells if I attempted to infect another person." Tornado explained and turned to the group. "Fortunately, the Starro-tech is body specific. As John Smith, I am now free of outside control."
Robin briefly turned his head to the others. "This Starro-tech... It worked on super powered humans, four species of alien, an android, even Dr. Fate, defeating all of you without a fight?"
Danny sighed as he flew above the others. "That is some sophisticated tech."
"Indeed, a remarkable achievement, one not easily countered." Tornado said.
Danny narrowed his eyes. "Not easily countered, but it can still be done. We've done the near impossible- No, we have done the impossible before, and we'll do it again."
"I'm sorry, but how was it that you were no longer enslaved?" Megan asked Red Arrow.
The older teen turned to her. "No Starro-tech for starters. Just my Cadmus programming. And once I've satisfied its last parameter, my mind began to clear."
Red Arrow grimaced and grabbed his head. Then looked around startled. His eyes found Vandal Savage.
"I was the mole."
Savage looked at him. "Yes, yes you were." He said coldly. He walked past Red Arrow and the bowing League members, and to the observation window where the sun was setting behind the earth.
"I'm sure Savage planned to Starro-tech me, but he paused to bask. I escaped." Red Arrow explained.
"I promise I can clean any residual programming from your mind." Megan said.
"Miss Martian, you in range? Cause Danny said you were if you're even getting this message." Robin's voice came in suddenly.
"Danny's right. We're here, Robin. Linking both squads and de-camouflaging." Megan replied.
The Sphere flew under the Bio-ship and was allowed in by a hole in the bottom.
"Great because we really need to compare notes." Robin commented.
As they came in, they didn't notice Canary's eyes open.
Danny landed on the floor, eyes looking at the wall separating the small room from the main one. "They found Arrow."
The Team behind him was startled. Robin smiled and ran to the front with Kid Flash. Zatanna and Rocket were behind with Tornado.
They beamed at their older friend, getting close as possible without making him uncomfortable, even when Red Arrow was sullen. Danny hesitantly walked to stand in front of him.
"If it helps any, I was programmed a few times. It sucks. My... Captors... Had me do small stuff... Like, steal tech from leading government companies... It gets better." Danny consoled, shrugging.
Red Arrow nodded but his eyes held questions. "If I'm not a clone, then why don't I remember being programmed?"
Danny sat down by him. "A psychic can make you forget. It's an easy skill. They probably captured you, did the programming, and manipulated your memory so you'd think you watched TV, and ba-bam! Programmed Roy."
"Can you make me remember?" Red Arrow asked.
Danny nodded. "I'll need help from Megan since she's a natural psychic and I am nowhere close to her level yet, except when it comes to blocking people and entering minds."
Red Arrow nodded, and Megan and Danny coped his actions to each other. A few minutes later, Red Arrow gasped as he remembered.
"You did it." He said.
Danny opened his eyes and smiled. "Hey, it's what we do."
Watchtower: December 31, 23:16EST
"Recognized. Black Canary; 13."
"Red Tornado; 16."
"Red Arrow; 21."
The three heroes walked in. Vandal Savage was there to not so warmly welcome them.
"Any problems?" He immediately questioned.
"Despite an initial set back, I was able to re-infect Red Tornado and Red Arrow." Canary said obediently.
"As well as the entire Team. They await reprogramming back on earth." Red Tornado added.
Savage apparently wasn't convinced. "I think not. You see Starro-tech does not reprogram the mind. It offers us remote control of it." Savage moved out of the way to show Klarion in a bubble, controlling the League.
The stupid Witch Boy smirked. "We know exactly who's infected and who's not! And none of you are!"
A green gag appeared around Black Canary's mouth and green bounds were placed around all of the Leaguers by Hal Jordon Green Lantern.
"That is easily rectified." Savage said with a smirk. All the Leaguers struggled against their bonds. "Fifty thousand years of life, and nothing's ever troubled me like the founding of the Justice League. Dedicated to maintaining society's calcified status quo."
Savage grabbed Canary's head and put the Starro-tech on her neck.
"The League would protect mankind from disaster, crime, tragedy of any kind."
The chip sunk into her skin, as Savage continued his speech.
"Have you never heard of the survival of the fittest? In essence, you heroes sought to protect humanity from its own glorious evolution. As such, you forced my more enlightened colleagues and myself to organize a response. We created a co-opted network of operatives, placed key individuals in key positions, made sure we were on the cutting edge of all new technologies."
Savage placed Starro-tech on Red Tornado's and Red Arrow's neck. The tech sunk into their skin/metal shell also.
"Genetic engineering, bio-chemical engineering, robotics, nano-robotics, even techno-sorcery, not to mention every conceivable method of mind control. Cold hard science and a little misdirection and now you champions of stagnation are our agents of change, forcing the human race to evolve on a more advanced schedule. Allowing the earth to take its rightful place at the center of the cosmos." Vandal ended.
In one of the many halls of the Watchtower, Megan flew back to the rest of the group.
"RT did it. He bypassed security as soon as we arrived. Savage shouldn't know we're here." Robin said, looking at his computer, Danny looking over his shoulder, hood up.
"Move out." Aqualad ordered.
Plastic Man continued to move boxes from one space into the Watchtower. An arrow hit his back and sent him back some, also sending smoke everywhere. He stretched his body to get out of the smoke and someone placed another chip, called Cure-tech, on his neck. Much like Starro-tech, it sunk into his skin. Plastic Man gasped before fainting.
Hawkman continued to walk down the hall. He stopped when he heard something. He had just turned around when Superboy punched him in the face. He skidded backwards and fell to his knees. Robin dropped down and placed Cure-tech on his neck. It sunk into his skin and he fell to the ground, out cold. The Boy Wonder and clone high-fived, smirking.
Atom cut another piece of the echinoderm with an Apokoliptan weapon.
"Etativel taht ssorg gniht."
The piece that was just cut lifted into the air. Atom looked at it weirdly and grew to reach up and get it. Megan flew forward invisibly and placed the Cure-tech on his neck. He fell down unconscious.
A blue bubble appeared around Captain Atom. He threw a blast at the dome, and it came down. Aqualad jumped down behind him and used his Water Bearers to place the Cure-tech on his neck. Captain Atom face planted into the ground.
"The brats are aboard!" Klarion complained as more people left his radar. "They've taken away four of my toys!"
Savage turned to him. "Recall all Leaguers away training. It's time to put these children in their place once and for all."
Klarion smiled brightly. "Finally!" Teekl meowed on his shoulder. "Oh yeah. Hey Vandal, shouldn't those three be back online by now?"
"What?" Savage turned to the League members in front of him. Black Canary let out a Canary Cry, sending Hal into a wall and making Savage skid back some. Red Tornado threw a tornado, and occupied Savage. Red Arrow ran forward and placed the Cure-tech on Hal's neck. He dropped to the ground, unconscious.
Canary aimed her Canary Cry at Klarion, but he merely made red headphones to block out the noise.
"You'll be sorry." The Lord of Chaos seethed.
A Boom-tube, a portal that all Apokoliptan's and the Forever People use as transportation between worlds, opened up. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, John Stewart, Hawkwoman, and Martian Manhunter exited the tube.
Canary released a Canary Cry, but Martian Manhunter density shifted through her. Hawkwoman ran up next and smacked Canary with her mace, instantly knocking her out.
Red Arrow released a fire arrow at Martian Manhunter and he density shifted. Though intangible, the fire still severely hurt the Martian. He fell to the ground, holding his chest in pain. Red Arrow let loose another arrow, and Batman easily deflected it and ran forward. He grabbed Red Arrow's head and kneed him in the stomach, sending him back.
John made a green holder for Red Tornado as Wonder Woman and Superman ripped off his arms and legs. The rest of Red Tornado fell forward next to the other unconscious heroes.
Savage looked at them angrily. "The children have clearly reverse engineered a Starro-tech cure and vaccine. So there's no point in taking them alive."
Klarion was all for that suggestion. "Goody."
"Recognized. Captain Marvel; 15."
"Icon; 20."
"Dr. Fate; 17."
Captain Marvel, Icon, and Dr. Fate walked into the room holding the Zeta-Tubes. Megan, who was above them, levitated the Cure-tech onto Dr. Fate's neck. He fell forward unconscious.
Icon and Captain Marvel turned around and Icon fired a blast, disintegrating the chips, and blasting Megan out of hiding. Rocket jumped up behind him though and placed a chip on her mentor's neck. He fell forward, out like a light.
Captain Marvel zoomed forward as he spotted Zatanna. She raised her hands. "Trulb tuo "Mazahs"!"
"SHAZAM!" Billy Batson screamed and rammed into Zatanna, sending them both to the floor. Aqualad, Rocket, and Megan came out of hiding. Aqualad helped Billy up.
"Too bad Cure-tech doesn't work as fast as Starro-tech. We could use these guys." Rocket said disappointedly.
Zatanna walked towards Dr. Fate.
"It is a small miracle Queen Mera and Dr. Roquette's pension-vocal were able to reengineer our cure and vaccine at all." Aqualad commented.
"Hey, if you guys aren't busy…" Kid Flash trailed off, somewhere else in the Watchtower.
"On my way, you three Rendez-vous with Robin and Superboy." Aqualad ordered.
Danny groaned in their head. "Why was I placed with Kid Flash again?"
They heard Robin groan after. "Will you stop complaining?"
Most of the Team ignored Danny's comment, like usual.
Zatanna smiled at the rest of the Team. "I'll be right with you." Rocket and Megan nodded before taking off. Billy stayed with Zatanna.
After they left, Zatanna walked over and tried to take the Helmet off her father. She was immediately shocked. She backed away after screaming. "Temleh, esaeler ym rehtaf!" Lightning cracked around the Helmet, but electricity was sent back at her, knocking her away.
Billy ran up to her, and helped her sit up.
"I can save Fate from Savage, but I still can't save my father from Fate." She said sadly.
Artemis let loose two more arrows. Flash grabbed both of them, and knocked Kid Flash to the ground. Danny sighed as he leaned against a box casually.
"Would you mind helping us?!" Kid Flash screamed.
Danny stuck out his foot casually and Flash tripped over it as he ran by, doing one of the most epic face-plants in history. "Happy?"
Flash got back up, growled, and got ready to charge. Artemis let loose her arrow and it exploded near the spot where Flash was standing. He was sent flying across the room, and next Aquaman and Green Arrow.
"Aw, I was going to fry him with my laser vision." Danny complained.
Green Arrow released an arrow at Artemis. She dodged and it hit the wall, sending her flying forth. She was able to regain her bearings though and stumbled next to Kid Flash and got ready to shoot. Danny flew over and stood on the other side of Kid Flash.
"I'm amazed we're still alive." Artemis said.
Danny shrugged. "I'm not."
Kid Flash nodded, agreeing with Danny. "It's because they're being controlled, limited by whoever's pulling their strings. The very thing putting us in danger is the only thing giving us a chance."
Danny growled. "Never liked the brat of a Lord."
"Artemis, Danny, Kid!"
The three heroes turned around to see Aqualad run in, close the door behind him, and lock it. "Artemis now!"
Artemis let loose an arrow that had a rope attached it. Kid Flash put his arms around her waist and Danny made extra bindings that tied around the two humans to him. "Hold on!"
The humans nodded. "Holding!"
Aqualad pressed a button and the airlock opened up. Danny kept himself stable in his flight, even with the extra weight of Artemis and Kid Flash.
"Warning. Cargo bay venting atmosphere."
Flash ran by the three teens, intending on battling Aqualad. There was a pause where he was going to punch Aqualad but he slipped. Green Arrow, Aquaman, and Flash were heading towards the exit. Right before they could though, Aqualad pressed the button and the three heroes slammed into the bay doors. They fell to the ground and didn't get up.
Artemis and Kid Flash also fell but remained conscious. Danny let the green bindings disappear, and he landed on the ground. Kid Flash rushed forward and placed the Cure-tech on the heroes' necks before they could awaken.
The other three teens walked up and stared at the three Leaguers.
"Apologies my King." Aqualad said.
Suddenly, Danny smiled. "Anyone wanna do that again?"
Inside the main hall, Hawkwoman continually tried to kill Robin with her mace. Wolf ran up behind her, lunged, and pinned her to the ground. Robin ran forward and placed the Cure-tech on her neck.
Wonder Woman threw her Lasso of Truth at the Boy Wonder. Before it could get around him though, a blue bubble appeared around him protectively. Wonder Woman withdrew it, and the dome disappeared.
"Now!"
The dome appeared around Wonder Woman. She dropped her lasso and started punching the dome around her.
"Can she escape your force bubble?" Robin asked as Rocket landed.
"Not if she keeps punching energy only makes it stronger. But I'm stuck here because anything I do risks freeing her." Rocket informed as Robin placed a Cure-tech on an unconscious John, who was stuck under Sphere.
Batman jumped down from the ledge above.
"Look out!" Rocket yelled.
Robin charged forward and jumped over Rocket and tried to kick Batman. The Caped Crusader dodged and tried to get Rocket. The teen girl floated in the air before he could. Batman set his sights on Robin. The Boy Wonder stood his ground though.
Batman cracked his knuckles in an intimidating gesture but only made Robin's eyes narrow. The Boy Wonder threw some bombs, but Batman threw up his cape, skidding back some as the bombs exploded, sending smoke everywhere. Robin jumped head first in and tried kicking his mentor again. The Dark Knight dodged and punched his protégé.
Above, Superman was kicking Superboy's butt badly. The clone was punched into a wall and he weakly got up. Martian Manhunter walked up behind, but Sphere ran him over, almost comically, and Wolf lunged at the Man of Steel. He bit Superman's arm, but the Kryptonian threw him off easily.
Sphere charged from behind and dug him into the rubble. Superman easily picked her up though, and threw Sphere into the ceiling above. Superboy tried to punch from behind but Superman moved his head just in time.
Megan snuck up behind her uncle and tried placing the Cure-tech on his neck. Martian Manhunter grew extra limbs from behind and grabbed her arms. His face went from the front to the back. Megan changed into her White Martian form.
"Sorry Uncle J'onn. You leave me no choice." Megan said and her red eyes glowed, as did Martian Manhunter's.
Inside his head, Martian Manhunter was surrounded by flames. He screamed as the Cure-tech was imbedded into his neck.
Martian Manhunter fell to the ground and Superman punched Megan's jaw. Superboy watched in horror as Megan flew into a wall and fell to the ground. He rushed forward screaming in anger, but Superman turned around and punched him through the floor, into the level under.
Robin jumped by Superboy, still facing his mentor. Batman landed in front of his protégé, and the two traded blows. Batman was able to kick Robin to the side. Robin flipped himself backwards and landed in a crouch. In an instance, he had out his eskrima sticks. He ran head first at his mentor.
They once again traded blows. Batman grabbed Robin's ankle as he tried to kick him again and threw him to the side easily. Robin used his weight to back flip again and landed safely. When he landed, he looked around and did not find Batman. He caught on quick and turned behind sharply. Batman punched him through the hole Superboy made.
Danny had just phased through the wall and was met with the sight of his mentor punching his younger brother. He growled and got ready to charge but he felt something under his eyes.
Robin landed by Superboy in a crouch.
"We're not going to beat them one on one!" Robin said desperately.
"Plan B then!" Superboy answered.
They looked up in time to see Superman and Batman jump over the side, the latter using his gliding feature on his cape.
Superboy grabbed Robin, swung him around a few times, and let go. Robin soared towards Batman and kicked him into the wall. Batman's breath was lost and the two fell to the ground. As they fell, Robin placed a Cure-tech on Batman's neck and the Caped Crusader passed out mid-air. Batman landed painfully on the ground. Robin landed safely by his mentor though.
Superman watched the whole ordeal and forgot about Superboy. The clone jumped forward and pinned Superman's arms to his chest as they fell to the ground. Superboy's back slammed into the wall, but he continued to hold Superman.
Robin ran up to the two. "You sure about this?"
Superboy struggled as Superman fought back. "Do it!"
Robin took out a special case and opened it. Superman and Superboy both groaned as they felt the Kryptonite's power. They slipped to the ground, the older being knocked out completely; the younger tried to keep himself up.
Robin placed the Cure-tech on Superman's neck before closing the case again. Superboy groaned again and kept himself stable. "Kryptonite hurts." (No! I so couldn't tell by your groaning and moaning.)
Robin stood above him and held out his hand to help Superboy up. "And that's why Batman keeps it in an overwhelmingly impenetrable vault in the Bat-Cave… Well, more like a whelmingly penetrable vault."
Superboy took Robin's hand with a smile and let himself be helped up.
The two looked at their fallen mentors.
Savage exited out of a video showing the League's defeat. "Time to go."
Klarion exited out of his controls and whined. "Come on! We can take them! And we still have him on our side."
Savage thought for a moment. "One last chance. Call him here."
Klarion smirked and got back to his station. "Finally! I've always wanted to do this."
The Team came rushing in, ready to take Savage and Klarion.
"Surrender Savage and this will be easy." Aqualad said as he and the others regrouped.
Savage smirked. "Aqualad, where is your little Ghost friend?"
Aqualad narrowed his eyes. "What have you done with Danny?"
They heard a drop behind them, and turned around sharply. The figure got up. Danny's cloak was black and the whites of his suit were now grey. His eyes were the blood red again, the same from the first time this happened. The only difference was the crescent moon shaped devices under his eyes.
"Hey guys. How's it going?" Danny said smirking.
Robin turned to Klarion. "What is that thing?!"
Klarion laughed. "A device that integrates with his nervous system and brain waves! It's like he has an evil switch in his brain, his mind is so fragile! It's surprising how strong he is like this!"
"Are you scared I'll kick your butt again, Robby? Don't worry; I'll make your death quick and painless, though I can't say the same for your friends." Danny said, his eyes dancing.
Klarion clapped. "Do it! Do it! Do it!"
Danny smirked got in a battle stance and his hands lit up. "Who's ready to have some fun?"
The teens attacked their friend, but just like the first time, it was no use. Danny destroyed Rocket's blue dome, threw Aqualad's Water Bearers away, dodged everything Robin sent, kicked Artemis's bow away, sent Kid Flash into a wall, easily countered Zatanna's magic, beat Megan in the mind department, and out-did Superboy in martial arts. He did it so easily, it was ridiculous.
Danny swung Robin around him and sent him into a wall, and laughed as the Robin fell to the ground and groaned.
"You guys think you can defeat me? Please. I'm beating you without my powers. You're going to need some powerful friends to kick my butt." Danny said.
There was whirring sound and Danny shot around and caught the arrow Red Arrow had sent. The archer glared at Danny, but the Ghost Boy smiled and shook his head. "Ah, ah, ah, no sneaking up on me Roy. I can hear better, remember?"
Red Arrow growled and the other teens got up painfully. Danny laughed again. "I do have to compliment you on your will power. It takes some serious determination to try and defeat me."
Kid Flash growled. "We will save you, Danny."
The hybrid rounded on him. "There's nothing to save."
Danny clapped his hands and an ecto-wave sent Kid Flash into a wall before he could move. Superboy ran forward with a punch aimed at his head but Danny grabbed it and threw him into Artemis who aimed an arrow after getting her bow back. Robin ran up behind him with a readied kick but Danny merely grabbed his foot and threw him away. Then, he rounded on Red Arrow, broke his bow, and kicked him in the head.
Rocket tried to capture him in another bubble but Danny unleashed a very powerful Ghostly Wail, instantly shattering the dome and sending Rocket away. Zatanna tried saying a spell, but Danny covered her mouth with a gag, stopping her. He kicked her in the head, making her confused and fall to the ground.
Danny turned to the last remaining of the Team, Aqualad and Megan back in her green form. Danny smirked. "Well, this should be easy."
Megan tried lifting him into the air but he stayed rooted to his spot. Danny made a disapproving clicking sound. "Pathetic Megan. Really? I'm one of the most powerful ghosts in the Ghost Zone. My enemies fear my name. You should too."
An ecto-blast appeared in Danny's hand and threw it at her. Megan screamed upon feeling it. It was so cold but it burned. She convulsed on the ground.
Danny smirked. "She'll be out for a while."
Aqualad growled and ran forward, making water swords, after getting his water bearers back. Danny made two green swords and charged forward.
The two clashed. They threw their swords back and forth, trying to get the other. Danny had murderous intent. Aqualad wanted to knock him out. Danny ducked behind Aqualad and pressed the two swords to his neck. "Don't move, Aqualad, or I'll make a clean cut."
Aqualad did as he was told and stayed still.
"Now, how should your friends go? Your fate is sealed but what about theirs? I already promised Robin a quick one. Maybe a stab through his heart? Or a slit to his throat? Or cut his wrists and let him bleed out all over the floor?" Danny asked.
Aqualad growled. "You will do no such thing!"
Danny laughed again, right in his ear, mocking him. "Who's going to stop me? You? You're in my hands. All of your lives are in my hands now. What's stopping me from taking them?"
"Us."
The two teens stared in joy/annoyance as the adults came up. Danny let go of Aqualad and kicked him forward with his grey boot.
"Great. All the adults are awake. Fun." Danny muttered and backed up some, the swords disappearing.
"What? Scared Danny?" Canary taunted.
Danny's smirk returned. "You wish."
The Ghost Boy lifted his hand to be level with his shoulder. There was a light and it formed into the Sword of Beowulf. Danny took the sword from the sheath and placed the sheath on his back. He fell into a fighting stance, sword held up ready.
Plastic Man attacked first. Danny pointed the sword at him and electricity cracked before shooting the raven-haired man. He fell to the ground, electricity coursing through his body.
A few more of the low-powered Leaguers attacked next but Danny knocked them out in a few, quick movements.
Canary charged. She and Danny exchanged quick and fluid blows. They ducked and dodged, punched and kicked. The sword created a disadvantage to Danny. It was a tad bulky and took his right hand to use it. But even so, Danny was using his disadvantage to be an advantage.
The Ghost Boy made sure the blade was always in striking distance of Canary, so he could use it against her. But at the moment, he seemed to eager just to toy with his sparring partner.
Superman tackled the teen to the side. Danny's sword flew from his hands and slid away. Hawkwoman and John Stewart got in front of it, as it was potentially fatal to touch it.
Danny struggled under the adult before just phasing through him. He angrily shot an ice-beam at his back before growling and turning to the League and Team members. A bat-a-rang flew straight for his face from the side. The throw was precise. The blade of the weapon sunk into Danny's skin, right under his eyes, and cut the two devices out from under his eyes.
The teen let out a startled cry, hands flying to his face. He drew away as his eyes turned green. Blood was covering his hands.
Danny looked at his friends confused. There were a few wires sticking out from the wounds. Danny's mentor rushed forward, tilting his head up and tugging the wires out from his skin before the wound healed over them.
The teen looked so confused by what was going on.
"Savage and Klarion controlled you to defeat us." The Dark Knight said simply, letting go of the teen's chin.
There was a flash and Natick took Danny's place, surrounded by his Totems in their bigger, white forms.
"You might want to stand back some. Natick's Dragon Form is very… destructive." Dr. Fate advised.
The Totems and Natick were caught up in a vortex of gold, silver, and red. In its place, it left a giant golden dragon with a silver and red shine. The dragon caught Klarion in its jaws and flew through the window without harming it.
In space, the dragon flung Klarion away.
"Klarion, you better hope I don't kill you." The dragon said and began releasing beams from his mouth. Klarion screamed, still holding Teekl through every blast. He created a portal as the dragon gathered energy in his mouth. He jumped into it as his foe let the beam go. The dragon let out a cry of anguish at his enemy's escape, but nonetheless, flew back to the Watchtower and transformed back into Danny, who looked sad.
"You ok Danny?" Batman asked, placing a hand on his protégé's shoulder, noticing that Savage got away with one of Klarion's portals.
The boy shook his head. Dr. Fate's eyes danced, smirking. "And why is that Natick?"
Danny glared at the Lord of Order. "Didn't you see!? He got away! I wasn't done kicking his bratty little butt to the Chaos dimension!"
Dr. Fate actually laughed, to everyone's shock. Dr. Fate placed a hand on Danny's shoulders. "Ah Natick, you still love your revenge."
Danny grumbled. "Hey, every Lord of Order is chaotic every once in a while!"
Dr. Fate nodded. "Very true, Natick."
The others chuckled at Dr. Fate's and Danny's conversation. The tension that was between them had thawed.
It was then that 'January 1, 00:00EST' came up on the holographic computer.
"Happy New Year, Justice League."
Auld Lang Syne started playing and Kid Flash picked Artemis up bridal style.
Danny groaned. "Oh Lord, not now."
The two lovebirds ignored him.
"I should've done this a long time ago." Kid Flash said.
Artemis smiled. "No kidding." They two started a make out session, followed by wolf whistles and Danny's gagging.
Megan and Superboy shrugged before doing the same thing. Danny fell backwards, being caught by Batman, still gagging to everyone's amusement.
Zatanna grabbed Robin's shoulder and dragged him into another make out session. Danny actually jumped forward murderously and Batman had to grab his waist to stop him from totally mauling Zatanna. (Hey, protective older brother. It's what they do.)
"Liking this Team more, everyday." Rocket said and pecked Aqualad's cheek. Danny went from murderous to gagging again. Then he started running when some of the adult women wanted to give him a peck on the head, just to annoy him. Batman leaned back and smirked.
"Human customs still elude me." Red Tornado said, his limbs still disembodied.
"Batman, Batman help! Batman, please!" Danny pleaded as he flew away from the women.
"Nope."
Danny screamed again. "PLEASE!"
"Uh-uh."
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Superboy held Megan close to him as they stared at the never ending space. They shared a kiss before Megan walked away, to Superboy's confusion. Or at least, until Superman landed behind him. Before Superboy could say anything, Superman did. "The Team did good work here. You did good work."
"Um, thanks?" Superboy said awkwardly. Then it grew awkward for both of them.
"So, um, I heard you took a name." Superman said.
Superboy nodded. "Uh yeah. Connor Kent."
Superman looked at him surprised. "My secret identity is Clark Kent."
Superboy's eyes widened drastically. "I didn't know! I wasn't trying to-"
"No, the thing is…" Superman started, cutting Superboy off. "I'm glad. Connor Kent, it seems, right."
Superboy was shocked for a moment before he smiled.
Danny slid in on his knees, some stray lipstick on his face. "FINALLY!"
The two Kryptonians looked at Danny weirdly before he ran off. "Rob! Robby! Yo Robby! Yoo-hoo, Robbie Pooh!"
"WHAT?!"
"Superman finally likes Superboy!"
"Really?!"
"OH YEAH, AND I GOT IT ON TAPE!"
"YES!"
The two Kryptonians could only stare as their relationship was blurted out by a hyperactive Danny. They actually heard cheering go throughout the Watchtower. From everybody.
Danny, Robin, Aqualad, Batman, Black Canary, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Green Arrow, and Red Tornado (who had extra parts) sat around the table.
"Danny and Megan earlier opened the walls in my mind that kept me from remembering the events when I was programmed. Sportsmaster had taken me hostage when I first started out as Green Arrow's protégé and he programmed the drive and instructions into me. I am not a clone like everyone thought, but I was programmed and I was a traitor." Red Arrow said.
Black Canary took his hand. "Roy, you had no control. No one had any idea anything like this could've happened. Come on, we're taking you home." Black Canary said and she, plus Green Arrow, escorted him out.
Once they left, the rest got down to business.
"Something else is wrong." Aqualad said. The Bat-family shared a look, and Robin started working on one of the computers. "The entire League was under Savage's spell for just over a day. We've accounted most for that time but these six-"
The six were Wonder Woman, Batman, John Stewart, Hawkwoman, and Martian Manhunter.
"-went missing for a full sixteen hours we can't account for."
"Sixteen hours, what did we do?" Batman asked.
Danny thought for a moment. "Megan and I could break the barriers that are keeping you from remembering. Just gather these six in here and Megan and she and I can do our magic."
They did as he said and gathered the six Leaguers and Megan. The two discussed how they were going to do it for some time, passing theories back and forth and finally agreed with making the League stand in a circle in an order. It was Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, Martian Manhunter, Superman, and then John.
The two psychics then stood on opposite sides of the circle. Danny turned to Robin. "Make sure there are no interruptions. Taking down six walls at once in no easy task."
Robin looked at him confused. "Then take them down one by one."
Megan shook her head. "It doesn't work like that. You have to break them down together or the memories can never be retrieved."
Robin still looked confused. "How does that work?"
Danny sighed. "It's hard to explain. Now stay quiet. Ready Megan?"
The White Martian nodded and the two teens closed their eyes and stretched out their hands. After a few seconds, their eyes opened to reveal green glowing eyes on both of them.
Everyone held their breaths for a few seconds. They were surprised with the next course of action.
"NOW!" Danny shouted and he Megan slashed their arms vertically. All the Leaguers grasped their heads.
"Don't move." Megan ordered, and the Leaguers strained to do as they were told. Megan and Danny's fists clenched and they put their arms out open.
The Leaguers fell and the glow in the two teens eyes died down, and then the two teens fell down with them. Martian Manhunter and Batman went to their protégés respectively. Robin also was by Danny's side.
"I hate doing that." Danny mumbled.
"I do too." Megan said.
Superman groaned and rubbed his head. "What did you do? It was ok at first but then it was like a wrecking ball went into my head."
Danny shrugged. "Well, a mental wrecking ball did hit the wall stopping you from remembering, but yeah, you were hit with a wrecking ball."
John looked at the two teens. "What do you mean?"
"We tried taking the bricks down one by one, like Robin said, just to see if maybe it would work." Danny started.
"But that didn't work. We had to crash a psychic blast into the wall and break it completely. That takes a lot of energy and concentration." Megan finished.
"Now, what did you find out?" Danny asked.
"We were sent to a pocket, training dimension to train for a mission we never went on." Hawkwoman explained.
"Ah, you mean the Battle Box. I'm surprised Klarion and Savage were able to get you there without frying your brains." Danny said and chuckled.
Batman rolled his eyes. "What matters is that we didn't 'get our brains fried' and that we didn't do an intergalactic crime." The Caped Crusader said.
Megan nodded. "Totally."
Danny shrugged. "Whatever, and I know the time doesn't call for this but I'm going to do it anyway." Danny lunged forward and wrapped Batman in a hug. Robin smirked and did the same thing from behind.
Batman scowled but the two teens hanging off him knew it was his 'I'm-trying-not-to-smile' scowl. "Who wants ice-cream?!" Danny shouted, smiling.
"ME!"
Don't be fooled. The whole League and the Team screamed that. I'm serious. Everyone. Don't give me that look. Ice-cream is amazing, and that's why Danny suggested it. Because ice-cream is amazing. And because he wanted to celebrate the end of a giant fiasco, and he can't wait for the chaos that is bound to happen in the future. He just hoped he could trust the people around him and himself to get the job done.
Well wasn't that lovely? The next chapter is the beginning of the stuff I made up and the ideas you people gave me!
Kadzait: This is gonna be fun...
Oh, stop being a killjoy, killjoy!
Thanks to these people for favoriting and/or following: Astroshadow, Dragon-Wolf-Mustang Rider, and Sornek.
I'd like to thank Nathan. Lee. 180625533 for favoriting and following me! I don't think he's reading this story though...
Reviews:
KuriMaster13: You wrote a comment? DANG IT! Sometimes I forgot, like, one person and it ticks me off every time... Grrr... And hahaha! Hope you loved the chapter!
Nina Sayuri-Chan: Oh my gosh, that's AWESOME! XD
Skymuse: Well, you just made me feel happy! XD
BringbackDannyPhantom: I totally agree with you! He should've shaken Vlad in the thermos! XD
Supaherolena02: So glad you like! XD
Breyannia: I loved all your comments. You made me laugh. :D
Azorawing: His little ability is both a gift and a curse. XD
GreenDrkness: Your review made me crack up. THANK YOU. :D
Bibbledoo: If he does have a 'I can tell when something's awry' power, it doesn't come into use when he needs it. XD
Hitmoi-tama: :D You're welcome for the excitement!
Lee: You would be correct. XD