AN: Okay, another week and another chapter/episode. Before you all get to reading, I'm also posting another YJ story set apart from the two seasons I've come up with and starts after season 2. It was inspired by a posting on Tumblr and Deviant Art by iskidzz so go check that one out, she had such an interesting idea in her art that it really got me thinking. Also, Raven is now up on my Tumblr so go click the link to see my version of her for season 4.
Seychelles - Oh, I see. Well, there is a reason why I made her like that and it could be explained sometime later. :)
Eric - The truth about Blackfire's origins is scattered in what she said. Some of what she was up to was said in an earlier chapter with the rest being said last chapter. In short, Blackfire rigged a contest to hand her sister over to an alien warlord, Mongol picked her up for transport and when War World was shut down the first time, she had no way of knowing if the deal she made for her sister was complete so she went in search for Despero who she was promised to. When she found she was not where she was supposed to be and Despero wouldn't honor the deal they made, they fought and he just barely managed to capture her. Fast forward and we're here at this chapter. As for the deal, it was for power, something she basically said in this episode, and of course, there were the males she ran into. Will there be more Blackfire later on? Same Bat channel, same Bat day. (Cue the music)
Ben A - You just brought back so many Starfox memories for me. And honestly, I meant to put an inhibitor collar on her but that would have interfered with her sudden escape. Plus, one would have to be adjusted especially for her given how they worked in the episode 'Terrors'. They were cued to specific people and their powers.
4. Rain
1.
Below ruins of Mount Justice
May 3
13:42 UTC
"You sure you don't need backup?"
"No my friend. We are just going in for a recon mission, nothing more. If we are discovered, we will leave as soon as we can. We are not looking for a fight, just information."
Walking through the underground hanger of what was once known as Mount Justice, Kaldur and Conner finished loading the Bioship with supplies for a mission both the Justice League and black ops team put together. Those heading out were busy making sure they had everything necessary for what needed to be done.
It had taken some time but Batman had come up with a plan all members cold agree with. In order to understand this particular enemy, they needed to start from as close to the beginning as they could. In this case, it was deep within the Brazilian rainforest where Oracle had traced the stolen plane from previously discussed a few days ago that originated near where Blue and Red Devil were sent to investigate. Only senior and heavy hitters were chosen from the League and black ops teams for what was determined a 'High Danger Mission'. Taking no chances, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Green Arrow, and a returning Blue Devil made up the squad from the League. Aqualad, Blue Beetle, and Wonder Girl represented the black ops team.
Apart from their usual field gear, each was packing a little something extra for their objectives. Given they were only going in on a recon mission, and Blue Devil was the mission adviser, it was determined they all pose as a documentary crew. At least their cover would be enough for the locals and they could feel free to venture into the dense jungle without to much trouble.
"Right, because that always happens with us." Handing Kaldur a leather backpack, Conner turned to watch several of the other team members going over their gear one last time.
"But unlike the times we went in, we now have an idea as to what we will be up against should we be caught. Blue Devil will be informing us on where we need to go on the way there. He knows the area and knows the location of this Church of Blood."
Rolling beside him, Sphere beeped a few times, causing Conner to look at the device Cyborg had made for him. "Looks like Sphere's anxious to get back to the tower. I think she likes being able to integrate with the computer systems there."
"So the translator works perfectly?"
"Yeah. Victor knew what he was doing."
"Kaldur, your group ready?" Oliver, Green Arrow, asked as he came within view in the cargo area of the Bioship.
Looking to where Cassie and Jaime were finishing up with their packs, the Atlantian gave a nod. "We are ready."
"Good," Blue Devil said as he appeared behind Oliver, "because we leave yesterday."
Titans Tower
May 3
14:07 UTC
"Good, keep it up. Watch your foot work and stay on the balls of your feet. Never stay stationary and always act, never react."
Pacing along the outside of a large training circle, M'gann carried Carter who was chewing on a rubber teething ring. It was the forth one he had gone through given his Martian teeth were just about finished forming for his young age. Inside the area, Beast Boy, the young Green Lantern, and Arrowette were sparring with holographic representations of themselves.
Each Titan member fought their blue shaded doubles and worked on not only defeating them, but were also dodging various attacks aimed at them. Computerized circles underneath each living person's feet kept score, adding points for hits landed on the holograms and deducting points for each time hey were struck with an attack from their doppelganers. Arrowette was currently in the lead, using her slashers for her form of hand to hand combat. Every once in a while, she would drop them and fight unarmed just as she was taught and did rather well considering she was more adapt at using her bow.
Just outside the training area, footsteps echoed off the walls as Raven's cloaked figure stepped within earshot of the entrance. She could hear those inside grunt from their dodges and attacks as well as M'gann issuing instructions. Stepping through the entrance, she passed a wall of treadmills and step machines and saw where the others were currently training. To the left of her were weight benches, machines, rope climbs, gymnastic bars, and heavy bags. Just a few feet from where the Martian co-leader was, was the computer terminal where they would stand behind to activate programs as well as stand clear of large clear walls that would drop down from the ceiling to shield them when powers were required.
"Keep it up! Remember to parry into an attack. Take the fight momentum and watch your double for weaknesses in your own style. Everyone has a tell when they're about to attack and this is a good opportunity to see what yours are."
Turning to look down at her son, M'gann smiled as he let out a raspberry and watched the action going on when she saw Raven from the corner of her eye. "Back so soon? I thought Zatanna would keep you for a while longer."
"I had to get out of there," Raven told her while making sure her fingerless gloves were on tight.
"If you don't mind me asking, did something happen?"
"It's nothing, just...stuff."
Switching Carter in her arms, M'gann lightly bounced him as he continued to bite down on his teething ring. "Raven, if there's something going on that makes you uncomfortable, we need to know. We train, fight, and live together, so what effects one, effects us all."
Looking into the large training circle, the gothic teen girl went back into her thoughts. It was just one of those things she had noticed once she began to work with Zatanna on harnessing energy to use with her powers. In fact, it wasn't all Zatanna but the one called Doctor Fate who was the main instigator of what would happen at the Tower of Fate. What started out as a silent vigil over her, grew to where it would almost feel like he were looking for flaws in her abilities without her noticing. He would never make it obvious, subtle was his goal by the way she felt his mystical energy lightly poke and prod at the incantations she would cast. She could also feel as if her were trying to find a way to block her when she attempted to gather the required energy for her use. It had taken her some time, but she finally had enough personal proof to see Zatanna was keeping her mind off of what was going on when he was around.
"It's nothing, just tired I guess. Garfield kept me up with his singing last night."
Letting out a soft snicker, M'gann shook her head slightly. "He does like his music."
"Then he should learn to carry a tune. Didn't you hear him?"
"Sound proof walls in our room. Conner's enhanced hearing makes it difficult for him to sleep without them."
Letting out a huff, Raven flipped her hood onto her head as a buzzer sounded to signal the end of the spar period. "Really need some of those." She then made her way to join the others for the next round of hand to hand combat training.
Brazilian Rainforest
May 3
13:26 UTC
"I hate the rainforest!"
Swiping the air round her, Cassie wanted nothing more than to kill every last insect to touch her as she and the others made their way through the thick jungle. Small, red bumps from where she had been bitten covered her exposed arms. She was thankful she had not chosen to wear shorts and a tank top like she had seen native Brazilians wear and only wished her cargo pants and button up shirt were a little cooler to offer her some relief from the heat.
"Keep it down," Oliver told her. "Documentarians love the rainforest, not hate it." He maneuvered a large pack strapped to is back to give his shoulders some relief as he carried a sophisticated camera in his hands. Like the others, he was mostly covered up in jeans and long sleeve button up shirt.
"You're not the one the mosquitoes are feasting on, I am. I deserve to voice my opinion."
"Then why don't you put on more bug spray?"
"Lot of good that does. It's not working." Stopping for a moment, the demi-Amazon maneuvered her pack around to grab a bottled water. "So humid."
"I think Cassie has the right idea," Hal said. "We should take a break. We've been hiking since around eight."
"Are we even close to this temple or shrine?" Jaime asked. He too pulled out a bandanna from his back pocket to wipe his brow and neck.
Emerging from the dense foliage and setting his spear down, Blue Devil checked his GPS before taking a seat on the leftovers of a fallen tree. "We should be around a mile away. Also, if I can hear you, they can to."
"Found any sign of that cult?" Oliver asked.
"No. I've been keeping out of sight and watching the area around you but I have not seen any trace of the ones responsible for Eddie's murder. I was hoping they would at least see you by now but it does not look as if they are in the area."
"Then we shall travel together," Kaldur stated as he sheathed a water bearer he had been using as a machete. "There is no use in keeping separated if our quarry is not around to take the bait this close to our target."
"Agreed," Blue Devil said. "After a short rest, we should call the Bioship and have it take us the rest of the way."
"Let me get this straight," Cassie said as she killed yet another, in her words, Squito-zilla, "We've been walking around since sun up to attract these guys and they may not even be here?"
"Um, Cass," Jaime said but was cut off when her hand came up to silence him.
"I've been bitten by mosquitoes, tripped over vines, struggled to breathe in this humidity, swam in a disgusting river when I could have flown over it, leaned on a tree with a snake the size of Texas trying to slip me tongue, and carrying fake sound equipment just so we can give up and use the Bioship like I suggested we do in the first place to simply take the cult by surprise? Now you want to do that?"
"We also wanted to try and interrogate any cult members we came across if we ran into them," Hal explained. "We were also planning on taking their robes and sneaking in that way too."
"Just relax, Cass," Oliver told her. "I thought you were a tomboy. You should like this stuff."
"Uh, no. I can handle a farm, not the jungle that time forgot. Even if I were a blue skinned cat-alien, I would still hate it here."
Placing a hand of her shoulder, Kaldur tried to get her to calm down. "Once we are in the Bioship, you can relax in the cool air and tend to your bites. We just have to wait five minutes for it to get here."
"The sooner, the better."
Leaning back, Cassie let out a huff of air before she took another swig of her water when Jaime nudged her. "Hey, when we get back, how would you like to go out to a movie?"
"A movie?"
"Yeah. I know it's not Cassidy or anything like that, but, you know, just to kickback and relax."
"I'd like that. And maybe we can go to Chico's Tacos afterwards."
"Told you you'd be hooked."
"Hey, as long as it's not caviar and I don't have to use a certain spoon or fork, it's all good." She then gathered the material of her shirt and tied it in a knot above her stomach.
"That I can promi-" Stopping the Hispanic teen hero was a small object on his girlfriend's lower back. "What's that?"
"What's what?"
"Stand up. Just for a sec."
Doing what was requested, Cassie nervously stood and watched as Jaime moved behind her before having her turn slightly. "Um, Jaime?"
"Is there anything wrong?" Kaldur asked when he saw the two.
Standing behind Cassie, Jaime's eyes grew wide with his lips forming a thin line. He then looked at the others who were all wondering what he was looking at.
"Ja...Jaime? What's wrong? What are you looking at?" The nervousness in Cassie's voice was clear as day.
"Um, well, Cass. I don't think you're...oh no." Lifting the back of her shirt up more, Jaime's eyes grew even wider.
"Jaime, what's wrong?" Hal asked.
Jaime Reyes, you do not need to be alarmed. Those are simple-
"I know what they are," Jaime told his scarab. "Um, Cassie, I just need you to turn this way for just a second."
"Why?" the blonde asked as she felt her boyfriend slowly turn her around to where the others could see what he was looking at. "Jaime? Guys? What's wrong?"
"Holy-"
"Oh my gosh."
"Oh man."
"Neat." The sound of a camera clicking was barley heard by the now slightly panicked young woman.
"Jaime, what is wrong?" Cassie all but yelled.
"Don't freak out or anything, but," he then formed his armor on an arm and had it create a small scraper at the end of his fingers. "Since we don't have salt or a lighter, I'm going to have to take these off by hand."
"Wha...what?" Cassie's eyes were now much larger than even she thought possible and it was near impossible to get her bottom lip to stop quivering. "Why would you need a lighter or salt? What are you taking off?"
"Hold still, Cass. You've got about eleven leeches on your back."
No one thought she would react the way she did. They had all readied themselves to be deafened by a shrill scream of terror given how much she hates anything slimy. She was clearly panicking before being told the news but after hearing what was on her back, Cassie did not let out a sound. She simply rolled her eyes back and fell face first into the moist dirt. The bright side to her fainting was that Jaime had one plump leech in his hand and only ten more to go.