Schooled

Matthew's Apartment, Happy Harbour: 7:40am August 3rd, 2010:

I got up early today, see if anyone is thinking about doing something stupid in the early hours of the morning. Turns out, Happy Harbour is quite chill compared to the other cities that I lived in. The Rider hates the quietness but I told him that we are fighting the bigger now. The thugs and scum of the streets are bait fish compared to the sharks that we are now hunting. The Rider accepted my logic but that doesn't mean he doesn't whine about it every now and then. My apartment is nothing truly special, a good part of town, wasn't cheap nor expensive and with Batman's help, I set up quite nicely. When the team asked why I bought an apartment near the cave. I simply said that I'm used to being amongst the people of a city. Being in the cave...it's quiet, too quiet to my liking. I have to hear, see and feel everything that's going on, otherwise the Rider will rip into me for being lax. They accepted the reason, although they didn't like it. I wanted to say that M'gann and Superboy are the only permanent residents but I kept my mouth shut.

I turn on the TV to see what's up and low and behold...Superboy is in Metropolis helping Superman. The news says the bridge was starting to collapse, Superman flew underneath to keep the weight of the bridge and to fix the tear in the metal. Superboy almost brought the bridge down when he super leaped onto it. I cringe at that, even after all this time, he still hasn't learnt subtlety. He pulled a falling car onto the bridge and tried to pull a bus back on but he couldn't. He flung back on his ass as Superman lifted the bus before placing it back down. The news feed for the news chopper zooms in on the duo as I can see Superboy's frown. Still an uneasy relationship. I thought that the Big Guy would do something about it but it appears he's trying to avoid responsibility...huh, like any other father that didn't want kids... typical.

I scoff and turn the TV off before heading back to the kitchen. I pour myself some coffee as I feel someone nearby. I walk into the living room and hear a tap on the window. I frown as I recognise Jade. I walk over and open the window. "What do you want?" I say in an annoyed tone as she pushes past me. "Can't a girl just drop by and say hello?" She says as I close the window. "You could...if you were my friend. Which you're not by the way." I say as she laughs. "Good, friends are a good way to get either manipulated or killed." She says as she takes in the place. "And now I know why you don't have any." I say as she playfully pouts at me. "Nice place. It was better than I was expecting." She says as she passes my room. "No one to keep you company?" She teases as I frown. "What do you want, Jade? It's 8 o'clock in the morning, couldn't it wait until later." I say as she sits on the couch. "I've been trying to find you but you been a ghost...that was until now. Plus, I'm here to just check up on your progress with my sister." She says as I stand behind her. "My progress is going to take a while. I've been busy and if I know your sister in the short time that she tried to poke me full of holes. Plus the account of knowing you...I'm sure she can take care of herself for the time being." I say as she stands and makes her way around the couch to me. She stands very close as she graces her hand over my exposed chest. "That's disappointing. Surely the great and powerful Ghost Rider can make time to do something that he agreed to." She says as I smirk. "I did agree...just not to the speed that you wanted." I say as she smirks. "Clever." She states as she moves past me and to the window. "You do know where she is, don't you?" She asks as I feel a slight tinge of worry in her voice. "Gotham...she's fine, Jade. I checked on her last night." I say as she smiles. "Thank you." She says as she goes to leave. "Jade." I call out as she turns to me. "Take care of yourself." I say as she smiles seductively. "Oh, don't worry baby. I'll be careful." She says as she winks at me and leaves out the window. I breathe a sigh of tiredness. Jesus, 8 in the morning and I'm already done for the day.

Mount Justice, 1:06pm, August 3rd:

I drive my Charger into the hanger of the Cave. I get out and head to the zeta hanger as I see Kaldur and Wally playing hologram table hockey. I notice that Wally is winning, a smug expression on his face as he eats a banana. Everyone par Superboy is present as I join the group. "Is he winning again?" I ask sarcastically as Kaldur turns to me. "Yes he is." He replies as Wally eats another piece of the banana as he waves cheekily to me. "Recongize. Superboy. B-04." The zeta opens as Superboy walks in, an angry scowl on his face. "Hi, Superboy. How was Metropolis?" M'gann asks as Superboy walks right through the hologram, he doesn't answer nor even look in her direction. A throat clears as we turn and see Black Canary and Martian Manhunter walk into the hanger.

"Ready for training, everyone?" She asks. "Black Canary. Uncle J'onn! M'gann says loudly as she flies over to Manhunter, giving him a loving hug. "M'gann. I was in the neighbourhood. So I thought I would come by and see how you're adjusting." Manhunter says as M'gann answers. "A few bumps but I'm learning." I feel jealousy as I look over and see Superboy walking away. Black Canary catches him and calls out to him. "Stick around. Class is in session." She says as Superboy turns back around.

The training floor brightens as it's system comes online. "I consider it an honour to be your teacher. I'll throw a lot at you. Everything I've learnt from my own mentors-s-." She groans on pain as she removes her jacket, revealing her figure and the bandage on her arm. Got to give Green Arrow credit, he hit the jackpot. "And my own bruises." She says as she throws her jacket out of the ring. "What happened?" M'gann asks concerned. I share with her the same thought. "The job. Now, combat is about controlling conflict. Putting the battle on your own terms. You should always be acting not reacting." She says as Kaldur speaks up. "Like Matt as the Rider. He is unrelenting in his combat. Always pushing towards the enemy, never giving them a chance to focus." He says as he glances at me. "I have seen Matt's performance as the Rider and I can say that he is very skilled. But being unrelenting also has its disadvantages, you are heading forward into conflict, with no time nor opportunity to escape if you get outnumbered." She says as I feel the Rider's anger and hear him growl. "I have been in combat for nearly all of existence. She dares to question how I fight!" He yells as I shake the headache out. "I'll need a sparring partner." She says as my arm shoots up without my consent. I look up in confusion as I try pulling it back down, it doesn't budge as everyone looks at me, clear cut confusion on their faces. "He is very determined." I say as I force my arm back down. The Rider voices his anger at my denial. "If he won't do it, I will." Wally says as he bites another piece of the banana. He walks into the ring and stands in front of Canary.

"After this. Swish." He says as he throws the banana peel in the nearby bin. "I'll show you my moves." He says as I lean down to Robin. "Ten bucks says he gets his arse kicked." He chuckles and leans into me. "That's a sucker bet." He says as I chuckle. Black Canary smiles and lunges with a right hand. Wally is able to quickly deflect it but Canary drops and sweeps his legs from under him. We all smile at his failure. "Uhh, it hurts so good." He says painfully as the 'Fail' sign displays on the floor. "Good try. But did anyone see what he did wrong?" She asks as Robin puts his hand in the air. "Ooh, ooh. He hit on the teacher and was served?" He says as I sarcastically follow up. "He arrogantly believed that he could win even though you were the one assigned to train us?" I say as Wally just glares at us. "He allowed me to dictate the terms of-." She doesn't finish as Superboy interrupts. "Oh please. With my powers, the battle's always on my terms." He says as Canary turns to face him. "I'm a living weapon and this is a waste of my time." Superboy states as he walks away. "Why don't you prove it?" Canary challenges as Superboy turns back sharply and steps into the ring.

The both of them ready themselves as Superboy lunges with a wild haymaker. Canary catches his arm and throws him onto his ass. "Ha ha ha ha." Robin laughs as he points out Superboy. Kaldur nudges him as Robin muffles his laughter with his hands. Superboy gets up and growls in frustration. "You're angry. Good but don't react. Channel that anger into-." Canary's interrupted as Superboy roars as he throws a haymaker again. Canary jumps over him and ducks under the backhand as she sweeps his leg out. Superboy falls to the ground as the 'Fail' sign projects on the floor. Robin muffles his laughter as we look concerned at Superboy. Canary offers to help him up but Superboy shakes it off. "Training is mandatory." She goes to put her hand on his shoulder but he shakes her off. A screen opens revealing the big bad Bat. "Batman to Cave. Five hours ago, a new menace attacked Green Arrow and Black Canary." He says as a video pops up revealing a large red head man that is shown to be overpowering Superman. "It was capable of duplicating and replicating the abilities of its opponents. Arrow called in reinforcements from the League but it proves to make the problem worse as our foe proved more and more powerful with which new leaguer." Batman says as we are all bewildered. "Whole. One guy with all the powers of the League." Wally states as Batman continues. "In the end, it took four hours and eight leaguers to defeat and dismantle the android." Batman states as Robin perks up. "An android? Who built it? T.O Morrow?" Robin says quickly as Batman shakes his head. "Good guess Robin but Red Tornado has ruled out that." Batman says as I feel Superboy's jealousy spike again. "The technology bears the signature of Professor Ivo." Manhunter says as Kaldur interjects. "Ivo? But Ivo's dead." He says as Canary responds. "So we all thought...or hoped." I put my two cents in. "The dead aren't dead until the soul either ascends...or descends." I say. "To make sure that the threat is permanently neutralized, we're sending two trucks carrying the android's parts to two separate S.T.A.R.S lab facilities in Boston and New York for immediate evaluation and possible removal. Every precaution is being taken. We'll have four additional decoy trucks to create confusion, in case Ivo or anyone tries to recover the remains. You will split I to undercover teams to safeguard the two real trucks."

Wally screams in excitement. "Yes! Road trip." We all look at him as I feel Superboy's irritation. "So we're now taking out your trash." He says as Batman holds his gaze. "Got something better to do?" He asks sarcastically as Superboy looks away. A ping is heard as Kaldur takes out his communicator slash phone. "Coordinates received. On our way." He says as we head to the vehicle hanger. I look back to see Canary saying something to Superboy but he doesn't respond and simply heads in the direction that we are headed. I look back at Canary as she gives me a look. I nod my head at the unasked question before following Superboy.

We reach the hanger as the others go to their allocated civilian bikes as I head to my Charger. "Hey Matt, we have our bikes, why aren't you using yours." Wally says to me as I look back at him. "We are supposed to be undercover, if we all go on bikes then it will look more suspicious. I'll take the Charger and keep back from my group." I say as I get in the car and hear it's engine roar to life. I drive out of the hanger and head towards the meeting place.

Litchfield County, Connecticut, 8:08pm, August 3rd:

We are in an open field as the remains of the android are loaded onto the trucks. We wait in the trees until Batman gives us the word. As I'm sitting in the car, I feel Superboy's irritation and... hurt. I reach out to find the source and low and behold, Big Guy is still not acknowledging Superboy as anything more than a clone. It's really starting to piss me off. Me and Superboy are two big hitters of the team so we operate in sync to take down stronger enemies. Him and I have a level of understanding as I always go out of my way to make him feel that he is more than a clone and that he's my friend. It makes me angry to see my friend being hurt by the only person that could make him feel...better. But no, life doesn't give us what we want. We all get the ping from Batman and start the engines. Myself, Robin and Superboy will go with one truck while Kaldur, Wally and M'gann will go with the other.

I drive a bit behind Robin and Superboy. Not only a safety issue but also if comes up behind me and wants to try something, the Rider will deal with them. The Sun begins setting as I feel the Rider's anticipation for something to happen. While I can turn at any point, the night and its darkness feels like the proper hunting ground for the Rider, he feels so much better when he comes out during the night...which leaves him to be more sadistic as he becomes more happy...ironic, really. "If dislike is the opposite of like, is disaster the opposite of aster?" Robin says to Superboy as I hear him over the comms. I sense Robin's hope to start a conversation but Superboy is having none of it. "See, instead of things going wrong, they go right." Robin continues as I sigh. "Rob." I say as I see him glance at me. "So you're not feeling the aster. What's wrong?" He asks Superboy. "Canary. What business does she have to teach combat skills to someone with super strength?" He growls out as I speak. "Our enemies are always getting stronger and smarter. If we can't match strength for strength, then we must improve our skills to outsmart and overcome them. Like it or. It, Superboy, there's going to be someone stronger than you. What are you going to do if you can't match their strength with your own?" I ask him but he remains quiet. "Canary has her cry but she still has the strength of a regular human, she doesn't have super strength like you. She must find another way and she did. She's trying to teach you what she knows so you can have it easier than what she had." Robin follows up as I feel pride in his statement. Superboy revs his engine as he speeds away from us and towards the truck. "Good job, Rob." I say to him.

Suddenly, flying green and black monkeys fly out of the cornfields and surround the truck. I see that they are machines, but their continuous laughter is really starting to bug me. "Superboy, Robin, Ghost Rider. Our truck is under attack!" Kaldur yells over the comms. "Kind of figured." Robin replies as I rev my engine and move to the side of the truck. "I hate monkeys." Superboy growls out. One of the monkeys jumps on my car as it bangs its head on the windshield. "Oh, hell no." I growl out as I let the Rider out.

P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider

As I take charge, I command the car to change too. The monkey robot burns into molten steel as it falls to the ground. I see in the side mirror that Robin has changed his bike to one wheel as the back wheel becomes a combat drone. Superboy leaps from the bike and lands on the roof of the truck. He takes his helmet off as he tears the monkeys apart. I see Robin jump off his bike as Superboy's bike crashes into his. Robin shoots his grapple to the back of the truck. I speed beside the truck, I command the car to drive automatically as I crawl out the window and stand on top of the roof. I swing my chain and pull a monkey to me. I grip it and tear it in half. Superboy is going to town on the monkeys but their numbers are getting the better of him. Robin's drone tries to shoot some monkeys but it too is taken down. Robin bats monkeys away from the back of the truck as I swing my chains to cut the monkeys from climbing to the top or the front. I hear Superboy cry in agony as I see him holding his eyes. Four robots carry him off before dropping him. I plan on going back to get him but he just leaps forward, trailing behind in pursuit. I twirl my chain and pull an unlucky monkey underneath the wheels of the car as its steel body is turned basically into glass.

Robin jumps up onto the roof as he pulls out his batons and hammers away the monkeys with such skill that I'm impressed. I swing my chain at the two monkeys coming behind him as I pull them towards me. I grip them and place their heads behind the blower, the robots are just eating hellfire as they disintegrate into nothing. Superboy lands on the roof as he bashes more monkeys away. I just noticed two monkeys burning the rubber of the truck's wheels with their laser eyes. I swing my chains but the damage is already done. The truck starts losing control as I kneel down and hold onto the car. Robin pulls the driver out and jumps into the cornfield. The back of the truck explodes as the monkeys fly off with the remains. The truck finally tips over and rolls. I command the Charger to slow down to a complete stop. I stop near Robin as Superboy pushes the truck off of himself and narrows his eyes at the escaping monkeys. He leaps after them as Robin calls out to him. "Superboy!" Said Superboy doesn't listen and continues on his way. I see Robin place his fingers on his ears, most likely listening to Aqualad. "It's gone and so is Superboy." He says it as it goes quiet for a while. "I think he ditched his comm." Robin says as I grunt in frustration. Superboy has gone rogue, we don't know where the parts are going. "Maybe we do." Robin says as he kneels down besides one of the destroyed monkey robots. He pulls off the back and plugs his gauntlet computer into the monkey. "We'd have heard by now if the decoy trucks had been attacked. So how did these monkeys know exactly which trucks to target?" He questions as I walk up to him. "Radio waves? Electro magnetic signal that responds to the android's pieces?" I question as Robin stares at me. "I'm thousands of years old, I'm not stupid." I say in a growl as Robin holds his hands up non threateningly. A hologram shows up in his wrist. "Ha! The pieces have GPS. The monkeys can track the signal. And with the one I captured, I can track them and the android's parts down. It looks like both parts are converging on...Gotham?" Robin says surprised as I perk up. "Gotham? Looks like we're going home." I say as Robin listens to Aqualad over the comms. "Ok. Wally is going to meet us on our way to Gotham. Let me call my bike and we'll get going." He says as I hold onto his shoulder. "Your bike is too slow. Come with me." I say as his eyes widen. I call the Charger over as I get in. "Hop in. We haven't got time to waste." I say as Robin gets in the car. "First time I've been here...well with you driving." He says as I glance at him. "Don't make it a habit." I say as I drive at full speed towards Gotham. "Oh my word, this is fast!" He screams as he hangs on for dear life. Fire is left in our wake as I give the car as much speed as possible.

Gotham City, 9:25pm, August 3rd:

I slowed down when we reached the city limits. Robin hopped into the back and took his time changing. I made him remember that this was the last time that he will ever be in my car. He is now trying to isolate the exact location of the android parts. I feel something coming and look in the side mirror to see Kid Flash coming. "You changed too?" Robin asks from his seat. "You kidding? I fell naked in my civvies." Kid says as I roll my eyes. "Hey Rider. Since you let Robin ride in the car. Perhaps maybe-." He goes to say but I interrupt him. "Don't even think about it." I growl out as I accelerate. Kid catches up as he speaks to Robin. "Still tracking the parts?" He asks. "They were headed through Gotham but now they've veered. Wait, dude. They're at my school." He says. "Let's not waste any more time then." I say as I speed up. Robin hangs on for dear life as Kid is left in the dust. "You could earn someone when you start doing that!" He screams as I laugh at the irony of the statement.

Gotham Academy:

We arrive at the school as we hear crashes echo through the hallways. Kid speeds forward as myself and Robin trail behind. "It's in the gym." He says as he turns a corner. I followed after him as the crashes got louder. We enter and see the android preparing to crush Superboy but Kid Flash had sped through and pulled him out of the way. Robin threw a birdarang. "Access Martian Manhunter." The android said as it goes intangible and the rang passes through him like nothing. I swing my chains at the machine. "Access Superman." It says as it catches my chains and pulls me in. I get clothesline as I feel the android kick me away. "So you want to play rough, do ya? Alright...let's play rough." I say as I charge the android. "Access Back Canary." It says as its mouth opens and releases a loud sonic wave. I dodge out of the way and send a punch straight for its face. "Access Superman." It says as I make contact but it means nothing as the machine is sent flying into the wall. "How did you do that?" I hear a voice and turn to see a small, older man staring down at me in fright.

"Access Captain Atom." The android says as I feel the full blast of energy as I'm sent flying through the wall and down the corridor. I get up and crack my neck before charging back in. The android is thrashing the others around as I tackle the machine. Throwing down to the machine, its head making a crater in the floor. "Martian Manhunter." It says as my fist goes through it as it gets up. "Access Superman." It says as it grips my neck and lays haymakers and kicks. I dodge and block what I can but the machine is fast. Faster than anything I've ever fought before. It headbutts me as I return the headbutt and wrap my chains around the android. "Martian Manhunter." It says as my chains drop useless. I growl in frustration at this damned machine. I light my fist with hellfire as I go to punch. "Access Red Tornado." It says as it generates a vortex that sends at me. I'm sent flying into the stands. I push myself up as I see Kid Flash being crushed. I hear a twing of a bow. "Martian Manhunter." The android says as Kid Flash falls to the ground as an arrow flies through the android's head. Said arrow lodges in the ground next to Robin. I look up and sense a familiar soul. "It's her. About time she showed up." I hear Matthew say as the soul begins to leave. "One year. She must've gotten away from Sportsmaster. I don't feel his soul nearby. Interesting." I think to Matthew as I turn my attention back for the android. Robin throws some birdarangs at it. "Superman." The android says as it fires heat vision. Kid Flash speeds past and pulls Robin out of the way. I leap over and wrap my chains around the machine. "Access Martian Man-." The android doesn't finish as I grab it's mouth and slam the head of the machine into the ground, the resulting tremor starts to break the ground and the wi does shatter. I pull the android up and twist the chains to cover its mouth, neck and pull its arms in a crucifixion position. "Superboy!" I yell out as he leaps and brings his fist down on the android's head. The head is bent and almost broken off, but the chains had loosened around its mouth. "Access Captain Atom." It says as it blasts us away. Superboy sent back into the bleachers and myself skidding across the ground.

I hear Ivo yawn as I stare up at him. "Normally Amazon would duplicate your powers during battle but what's the point? You're all, par the match stick, poor copies of the originals. However, Amazo! Duplicate that flaming meta. Priority Alpha." Ivo says as the android stares me down. "Scanning...duplication failure." It says as I grin. "What? Scan him!" Ivo screams as I begin laughing. "What's so funny!?" The little man screams as I stare at him. "I'm not enhanced, nor an alien or a meta. I'm something beyond your understanding." I say as I swing my chains at the android who catches them and pulls me in. I don't fall for it this time as I level my feet and kick against the machine which sends it skidding across the floor. "Poor copies huh?" Superboy says as he leaps for Ivo. "That pisses me off!" He shouts as he crashes against the bleachers near Ivo who starts to panic. "Great. He's gone ballistic again." Wally complains. "Don't jump to conclusions yet." Wally says as Superboy tries to crush Ivo. "Amazo. Protect your master! Priority Alpha." Ivo says Ashe runs. "Caption Atom." The android sends energy blasts at Superboy as I see my chance. I light my chains as I send them at the android's open arm. The hellfire chains cut through the metal like butter as it falls to the ground. Robin sends a birdarang. "Martian Manhunter." The android says as it goes intangible. Superboy sees his opportunity and punches through the android's head. "Access Superman." The android says as it solidifies around Superboy's forearm. The head explodes as I pull up and send my chains in every which direction, cutting through the metal. The android falls into dozens of pieces as we all stand over it.

"Looks like we weren't needed." Aqualad says as Miss Martian flies over to Superboy. "Are you ok?" She asks him. I notice him smiling at her concern. "I'm fine...feeling the aster." He says as he looks at myself and Robin. "Hey! Where's Ivo?" Kid says as we look around for the man, only to find him gone. "Was hoping he would stick around. I wanted to see if he would piss himself if I approached him." I say as everyone laughs.

Mount Justice: August 4th, 1:06am:

P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre.

"The Amazo android is in pieces, thanks to the quick thinking of the Rider, the pieces won't be able to be reassembled because of the burns. And with the pieces at S.T.A.R labs, they can study without consequence. But Ivo escaped and since he created the android. He is a much higher threat than the android." Kaldur finishes his report to Canary and Manhunter as we gather around him. "Capturing Ivo will be a League priority." Canary says as Manhunter follows up. "We understand that your mission encountered other complications." He says as Batman stands in front of us. "Complications come with the job. Your ability to handle them has impressed the League." Superboy speaks up. "The whole league?" He asks as my heart goes out to his hope. "Given time, yes." Batman states. "Kryptonians, as you know. Have very hard heads." Batman says as Superboy smiles. "Of course, there is no shame in asking for help. That's why the league exists. There are some problems that we can't handle individually." Batman says as I feel Robin's anger spike. "Please, if we need help, we'd never get the chance to ask. Look familiar?" He says as he holds up the arrow from earlier. "You were following us! Babysitting. You still don't trust us." He states angrily as Green Arrow takes the arrow and compares it to one of his. "We didn't follow you." Batman says as Robin's eyes widen. "And that's not your arrow. But that means-." Robin starts as Wally finishes. "Speedy." Kaldur joins in. "He has our backs." He says as I shake my head. "You're wrong. All of you." I say as everyone turns to me. "How so?" Robin asks as I take the arrow from Green Arrow. "Because I know exactly who this arrow belongs to." I say as I meet Batman's eye. "Well, who?" Wally insists as I shake my head. "Everyone is entitled to a secret identity Wally. And it's not mine to tell." I say as I see Superboy finally accept help from Canary. Good job, mate.

Later that night.

The Batcave, Gotham:

"You knew who the arrow belonged to, but you didn't tell anyone. Why?" Batman asks me. "Because her family history would be the first thing that the team would judge." I say to him. "Her name is Artemis Crock. She is the second daughter of Lawrence Crock, the Sportsmaster. The team already had a run in with him, the team would have judged her based on that fact alone." I say as Batman narrows his eyes. "You think them that shallow?" He questions. "I think them human. Superboy and M'gann might not be but they are close enough. I couldn't take the risk." I say as Batman turns away from me. "How did you meet this Artemis Crock?" He asks. "She engaged me as the Rider. She said that she was sent to kill me but after reading her soul, I found out that after her mother was imprisoned, she was ritually trained and abused for five years. When she found me, she wanted to die. I didn't kill her but I wanted to help her. I tried at the gala when the Shadows attacked but the Rider had other plans." I say as he hmms. "I haven't seen her for a year but that arrow belongs to her." I say to him. "Do you know where she lives?" Someone asked as I see Green Arrow come out of the shadows. "Her father had a safehouse here in Gotham but I never found it. Her mother, Paula, is imprisoned in Blackgate or she was. So maybe both of them live here in Gotham." I say as Batman pulls up a camera and zooms in on a blonde woman walking down the street. I recognise her instantly. "That's her. That's Artemis." I say as Batman hmms. "Looks like we are going to pay Miss Crock a visit." He says as I look back at the screen. Jade's either going to be really happy or super pissed off. I hope it's the former.