Homefront
Paula Crock's Apartment, Gotham, 6:00am, September 22, 2010
I parked outside of Paula's Apartment as I head inside. Paula's called me asking for a favor and I decided what the hell, shouldn't be too hard. Turns out she wants me to drive Artemis to Gotham Academy for her first day of school. It made my morning much more boring. I knock on the door, it opens revealing Paula. "Matt, welcome. Come on in." She says as I nod. It's been a while since I've been here, or on Gotham in general. "She's just getting ready." Paula says as she wheels out of the kitchen with a tray with breakfast filled plates. "I didn't know if you had eaten so I whipped you up something." She says as I nod and take the plate from her. "I haven't. Thank you." I say gratefully as I hear a groan and see Artemis walk out of the hallway. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Matt." She says as she does a double take and walks into the kitchen doorframe. "Ow...what the hell? What are you doing here?" She says as she rubs her arm. Me and Paula are laughing at her as I wipe fake tears away. "Oh, if only a certain redhead saw that." I say as she glares at me.
"I called Matt for a favor. He will be driving you to school." Paula says as she eats her bacon and eggs. "I don't need a chaperone." Artemis groans as she sits on the couch. "Trust me, I don't want to be here any more than you want me...but Paula was adamant so I relented." I say as she raises an eyebrow. "Plus...it's quite a long way from here to Gotham Academy." I say. "I could have taken the bus." Artemis argues. "You would take the bus...in Gotham? I would sooner walk than trust those buses. Kids are bad...Gotham kids are worse." I say as Paula laughs.
Artemis takes her plate and heads to her room. "I don't need this." She says as I just smirk. "She likes you." I hear Paula say as I raise an eyebrow. "Not like that...though, I wouldn't mind. She might not show it but I see that she likes you. Likes talking to you." She says as I have a pondered look on my face. "She never really had anyone to look up too. Her father is not a good role model and Jade...left." Paula says sadly. "Artemis has been alone for a long time, long enough that she doesn't connect with people like she should...it makes me guilty that I was never here for her." She says as I get up and rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You made a mistake Paula. The past is written, we can't change it...but what we do now, that is all that matters." I say as she smiles gratefully up at me. Artemis walks back into the room wearing her uniform. She is fixing it as she notices us. Paula smiles proudly as I hold my laughter. "Not...one...word." She growls as I raise my hands. "Got it, my lips are sealed." I say as I pick up my keys.
We head out of the apartment block to the Charger. "Hop in...touch the radio and you can walk." I say as I get in. Artemis hops in as she buckles herself in. "First time, I've been in here." She says as I start the car. While we are driving, she just stares out of the window aimlessly. "Exicted for school?" I ask her. "Oh yeah, spending the day with posh snobs while wearing this ridiculous uniform. Super exicted." She says sarcastically as we stop at the lights. "Feels weird, doesn't it?" I ask as she nods. "School is for normal people and we are far from normal...but school is necessary." I say to her as she laughs. "I don't need it." She says for which I sigh. "Your mother thinks you do." I say as she turns to me. "Paula wants you to have the opportunity to be more than what you are." I say but she just glares at me. "This is none of your business. Why do you care anyway?" She says as she turns away from me. "I don't. What you do with your life is ultimately up to you...but Paula wants you to have the choice, to have the skill, to be something other than what you were trained to be." I say to her. "Paula told me that you agreed to go to school for her sake. To have the opportunities that she didn't have or refused to accept. She doesn't want you to end up like her, Artemis." I say as I resume driving. "It's not up to her." She says as I nod. "True...but ultimately, she'll be right in the end." I say as she looks at me. "I don't have your opportunities, Artemis. Zarathos is a determined spirit that will always be with me, being normal is not an option for me anymore, but you are not me. You have the opportunity." I say to her as she sits back.
The rest of the drive was spent in silence as I drive up to the for t of the school. The posh kids are all admiring the car as Artemis gets out. "Artemis." I call out to her as she looks at me. "Have a good day." I say sincerely as she nods and walks off. I sigh as I drive off, heading towards the boom station. Time to get to cave and get to work. As I'm driving, I Bluetooth a call to Bruce Wayne. "Bruce Wayne speaking." I hear him say. "Bruce, it's me." I say as I hear the shift in tone. "What can I help you with?" He says as I notice that talking to Batman now. "Just calling to see how Rachel is going?" I ask him. "She's doing well, a few mishaps here and there but Zatara is helping...do you want to talk to her?" He says. "Yes please." I reply as I hear silence for a few moments. "Matt?" I hear Rachel says as I smile. "Hey, how are you?" I ask, while her speech is very monotone, I can hear the slight joy in her voice. "I'm doing ok. Zatara is really helping me. I feel great." She says as I just smile at her happiness. After what the vampires did and her experiences, it's nice to hear that she's doing alright and is happy. "Hey, how about later, after work, we go to a waffle house?" I say as I hear her chuckle softly. "Yes please." She says as I laugh. "After work though." I say. "That's ok...have a good day." She says. "You too, have a good day." I reply back as I hang up. Rachel has completely turned my lift upside down. She's quiet and reserved around new people but when she's comfortable, she's an angel...when she is calm and reserved. She speaks monotone but I can sense her feelings of joy, happiness and appreciation whenever I talk with her and it warms my heart to feel those emotions. She has captured a part of my heart that I never thought would be filled again...Luna had that part and I never thought I would care for someone as much. Rachel reminds me of her. It makes me happy when I see and hear her happy. A surprise...but a welcome one.
Mount Justice:
"Recongize. Ghost Rider. B-07." The zeta opens as I walk into the hanger. I see Kaldur talking with Red Tornado. They turn to face me as I recongize the serious expression on Kaldur's face. "What happened now?" I ask. "Aqualad was explaining to me about this 'mole'. Care to share your thoughts?" Tornado asks. "Well for one, I'm not trusting Sportsmaster word. But to take the information and not acknowledge it, is stupid. I don't think there is a mole but we can't be sure." I say as Kaldur raises a question. "Can't you use your soul reading to find out?" He says as I shake my head. "Soul reading is not the same as mind reading. If someone is the mole, they would be trying to hide it, hide the knowledge. Soul reading doesn't work like that. Besides, if it did, we would have found the mole by now." I say. "Maybe we should contact Batman, get him up to date on this." Kaldur says. "Generally, the Batman expects the team to handle its own problems. But the decision is yours. I will return after monitor duty on the Watchtower." Tornado says as he walks past us. "I thought that you didn't have to do monitor duty. Not since you volunteered to watch over us." I say to him as he puts the Watchtower zeta code in. "Recongize. Red Tornado. 1-6." The zeta lady says as Tornado walks in. "I agreed to cover for Green Arrow. He has an interpersonal event with Black Canary- a hot date." He says as he beams away.
Myself and Kaldur are left in the training hall. Kaldur has an uneasy expression on his face. "What's up?" I ask. "I don't know what to do. Should I tell Batman or should I not?" He asks as I think for a minute. "The mole could be anyone, anyone who knows about our operations. The team, Tornado, Batman, Flash, Canary, Aquaman etc. Not that I believe any of them to be the mole but we should be cautious. Tipping our hand in any direction could spell disaster. We wait...we wait and see but ultimately, the decision is yours." I say as Kaldur nods and walks off. "Kaldur." I call out to him as he turns back. "I know that this isn't easy for you but whatever you choose to do...I'll back you up." I say as he nods gratefully and walks off. This mole business is starting to piss me off. It's getting to Kaldur's head, I can feel it. He feels like he's betraying the team but also trying to keep them safe. The responsibilities of a leader falls that he or she does what's best for the team, regardless of whether they like it or not...Batman told me that. No wonder he leads the League.
I enter the zeta hanger as I see Wally helping Connor and fixing up his bike. M'gann is standing close as she levitates tools to him. The Sphere is also close by sitting near Connor. "Torque wrench." Wally says as M'gann levitates said tool. "Thanks, green cheeks." He says as I roll my eyes. Still immature. "Hey, everyone. I've been meaning ask something." Kaldur says as I walk up beside him. "Yeah, whats up?" Wally asks. "Any problems juggling schoolwork with your responsibilities here?" He asks as I raise an eyebrow. What's your plan Kaldur? "Nope." Connor says simply. "Juggling is just one of my many talents." Wally says as I laugh. "Yeah, that along with running your mouth." I say as he glare at me. "Socket wrench." He says as M'gann levitates the tool. "Daily cheerleading practice has presented a challenge. But my first loyalty is always to the team. This team, not the Bumblebee's." She says as I smirk. "Artemis started school today. Do you think she will have trouble maintaining her loyalties?" Kaldur says as I glance at him. That's a weird way to present a question. Plus, it's also rude to talk about Artemis like that, being that she's not here. "Nah, she'll manage alright. I mean, how much more hostile and annoying can-."
Wally doesn't finish as the adjacent explodes as we are all sent flying. The blast sends me crashing into one of the rock wall, fracturing said wall on impact. I come too and see the water reaching up into three large arm-like tendrils, sending water all through the hanger. "What is it? Any one got eyes on?!" I shout out as a blast of water sends me back into the water. Zarathos fuels my muscles as I release Hellfire from my hands. The water boils away as I try to get away. I reach the others but another explosion sends as fire enters the hanger. Wally and Connor are sent flying into the water. Kaldur shields M'gann from the blast as I cover myself with Hellfire. This matchstick of fire is barely anything against me.
The fire moves as I see a red robot in the shape of a woman backhands me away. I groan under the pain as I feel something grab hold on from behind. I glance back and see another red robot, this shaped like a man hold me and squeeze. I groan as I burn with Hellfire. The robot let's go of me as I whip my chains and wrap it around him. Roaring in rage, I swing the robot into the other one. "Who are you? What do you want?!" I scream out but water is ent flying at me as I crash against the floor. The robots walk down the stairs in sync. The Sphere charges at the robot who simply catches him and throws him into the wall, the Sphere completely indents it. I hear a roar of rage as Connor leaps at them. The robots expertly dodges and deflect his attacks. The male one punches him across the face as the female raises a knee to his gut. The female grabs his arm and slams hi. To the ground twice with the authority, the stone floor cracks under the impact. Wally dashes forward but the male robot catches him and headbutts him. The robot spins and lands a side kick which sends Wally flying. Kaldur, manipulating the water catches Wally before sending a full frontal attack. The female blasts searing fire as the water evaporates. I burn with anger as I charge forward. Theale intercepts me but I don't give a damn. Dodging his punch, I level a strong blow to his knee which brings him down to a knee. I grip his hand level Muay Thai knees to his head, the metal is super strong or he would have hold a knee size dent in his face. The robot breaks free from me and wrapping my fist with the chains, I level solid blows against his torso, he sends water at me but I dodge and swing a backhand chain which him flying. The female burns a ring of fire around M'gann who collapses from the searing heat. "Leave her alone!" I shout as I whip the female to me. She punches me with such strength, that it reminds me of Blake. The punch lands a kick which sends me back. I kick up to my feet as I charge her again, this time I level punches to her head, elbows, knees and kicks to wherever I can. She dodges and deflects but I mirror her skill. Maneuvering behind her, I wrap my chains around her neck as I pull back, her body becomes upside down as I drive her head into the floor. She levels her torso as I grip her face. "Get out of our cave!" I shot as I kick her in the chest which sends her flying to the other robot.
The both of them stand and stare at me. The male levels a barrage of water at me as the female blasts fire. Both elements level agaisnt me as I'm pushed back. The barrage stop as both of them coverage on me and punch me down the hallway. Ok, that's enough. Zarathos, your turn to play. I feel his anticipation and his anger at the disrespect that these robots have. This is Zarathos's home and these robots dare to disrespect it.
P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider
I change but I don't light my hellfire yet. Let's see if these robots can be intimidated, I doubt it but dramatization is always appropriate. I drag my chains along the ground as I step into the light of the hanger. "I'm only going to say this once, you sons of bitches." I growl as I light my skull with Hellfire, the fire blaze's in aggressive flickers, the embers dance like hungry wolves waiting to be unleashed. Whipping the chains around my arms, letting the end of them hang loose, I glare at the robot duo. "Get the fuck out of our cave!" Charging forward, the robots and I meet in the middle. The female's fire does nothing to me and the water from the male evaporates before it even touches me. Now, I could just cut them up with the Hellfire chains, but where's the fun in that? This...this is personal and I'm going to make them regret ever coming here. Bashing the female's head with a backfist, I catch the male and drive my fist into his chest, he backs up but the female grabs my arms as the male punch after punch. I kick up and kick him away. Breaking free of the female, I pick her up and slam her into the wall, gripping her leg I swing her anover my head and slam her into the stairs. The male tackles me but my strength overpowers his. Gripping the stone floor with my feet, I drive an elbow into his back as he collapsed to the ground. He kicks up and goes for a punch but I deflect and kick him away. The female jumps on me again as the male adjusts himself. Grappling the female, I bash her into eh ground but the male runs up and hops onto her back before driving a knee into me, I feel back as the male grabs the female and sends her barreling into me. I crash to the ground as they stand tall. I growl and rush them again. The both of them attack me simultaneously. I dodge, block and deflect their attacks but their unrelenting in their attack. Pushing the male away, I block a punch from the female, only to get pummelled by her other fist. The male comes back and lands a punch to me but I swing back and deflect his next fist into the female. Kicking his leg out, I grab his head but he blast water at me, while it evaporates, the female comes up and kicks me away. I slowly get to my hands and knees, these guys are not playing around. I hear metal tearing. I turn and see the female kick me in the face as the man begins wrapping steel around me, incasing me in a metal cocoon. The female blast a stream of fire at me that doesn't even bother me but the metal starts superheating. She drops her hand as I stare at her. "Is that all you got? A little heat?" I say mockily but the male reaches up as water comes crashing down on me. The steel behind hardening as it's melted form begins covering my face and hands. I take in rage as I become trapped in the super strong metal wrap. I'm becoming exhausted from the combat but also the level of strength that I'm trying to exert. I'm trying to fuel Hellfire but it's becoming difficult when I can't focus. The male robot wakes up to me and lands a thunderous punch to my cranium. The force of the hit took a lot out of me, that's it. I'm done.
P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre
I come too after Zarathos gave up control, he didn't realise that I would be knocked out. I feel everything that he feels. And the last punch, that rocked me. I open my eye and see that the hanger is virtually destroyed. Sphere still lodged in the wall. Wally and Connor are trapped in a similar situation that I'm in. Because the worst it Kaldur and M'gann trapped in a cage made of fire. I try to push my arms out but the metal is too strong. But I don't give, the metal behind to warp and bend from my force as I get my arm free. I reach into my jacket and pull out a phone before dialling the only number on it. I hold the phone up and out of the way of the robots as it rings. "Hello, Matt?" I hear the voice of our salvation. "Crystal, thank God. Is Blake with you?" I ask quietly. "Yeah, we're in Hawaii. What's up?" She says as I curse under my breath. "Ok, listen. I need your brother's help." I plead with her. "What do I need to do?" She says seriously. "I need you to tell your brother to fly back to San Francisco and head to Shotwell Street. In the alley, there is an out of order phone booth. Tell him to put his codename in with the buttons and follow up with Ghost Rider, afterwards, type in C-O-D-E, then the numbers 69258. Afterwards, tell him to press the leveler, he should have access to me." I say her. She calls out to Blake as I can hear the air whooshing over the line. "He's on his way." She says, before I can say anything. A red hand pulls me over and rips the phone from my hand. The male robot breaks it before kicking me in the head, knocking me out cold.
I come too and see everything is still the same. "What happened?" I ask as Wally answers me. "You got knocked out. It's been hours. Robin and Artemis are here trying to help." He says as my eyes widen. I couldn't stop them, Zarathos couldn't stop them. I know that Robin and Artemis are capable, I'm holding out hope for them to help us. The male robot comes back as he lifts me up and throws me up to where M'gann and Kaldur are. I land with a thud as I grain in pain. "You could've been more gentle about it!" I shout out. I see the male robot lift the water from the cave bay. The water levels at Wally's and Connor's neck as it stops. "Nine minutes and 45 seconds." The male says, very reminiscent of Red Tornado. Seems that Robin and Artemis have very little time. I push the metal off as I start slipping out. "8 minutes." The male says as he dives under water. The female walks about while staring at me. "It is pointless to fight. You can not win." She says as I rip a piece of the metal off and throw it at her. She blocks it. "Piss off, you piece of machine fuck." I growl out as I keep trying to get out.
I hear a gasp and see Robin and Artemis breach the surface. "Look out!" Wally shouts as they dodge a fireball. The female robot forms a projection of fire hair which lets her hover over the water. She blasts Robin and Artemis with unrelenting blasts. They dive under the water and breach up near Wally and Connor. "You guys ok?" I hear Robin say. "Forgot about us. Help M'gann!" Connor shouts as they look up. "Aqualad! Is she?" Artemis shouts out. "She's unconscious. I fear she-we cannot survive for much longer. I reach over and draw the fire into my palm. Kaldur relishes in the less heat as the female comes back. She makes the cell hotter as I fuel Hellfire into my palm, sending her a blast. She dodges and lands before punching me. I groan in pain before I start slipping in and out consciousness. I come too again as I look around. The male has returned and there is no sight of Robin and Artemis. "Six minutes." The male says. I reach out with my senses as I feel Artemis distraught and self doubt. She doesn't believe we can be saved. The zeta tube glows as everyone turns towards it. "Access granted. Black Bolt. A-02." The tube says as Blake stands there with his civilian wear on. He stands there stoically, the Reds turn to him as does everyone else. "Black Bolt!" I shout out as the female robot shoots a stream of fire at him. I see Blake's eyes widen as he flies to avoid the flames. He levels out and blast his electron blast at the female who is sent flying. The male shoots water at Blake who flies inbetween the water before charging the male. Blake hoists him up and flies him up to the ceiling. Forcing the robot deep into the stone, he lets go and watches as the male falls. Blake speeds around and spear tackles the falling machine into the wall, completely cracking it.
I hear Robin's voice as I turn and see a birdarang near Wally's head. "What's going on out there?" He says as I notice Blake going ot town on the male robot. "Apparently we have some back up." Wally says. "Cool. Listen up, we have a plan. Kid, is a EMP doable with the time that we have?" Robin says as I try to push the metal off. Blake is being pushed back as the female comes back, Blake's flight is giving him an advantage over the machines who can not reach him with their abilities. Blake's strength, flight and his electron blast is giving the machines a really hard time. Blake batters the female away with a shoulder tackle before blasting the male. The male robot appears to have some damage around his torso. Blake charges him again, punching with relentless strength. The male tries to surround Blake with water but the metahuman simply flies through the water. With his new height, Blake hits the male machine with a devastating blast of electron energy. The males left arm is torn off as most of his torso and right side of his face is blown off. The female fires a surprise attack which Blake narrowly avoids before speeding towards her. He grips her face as he scraps her face along the rock wall. He lets her hover for a split second before he punches her away. The force sends her agaisnt the stone. The male jumps up and grabs Blake by the leg who had a surprised expression on his face. The male slams Blake down near me as the robot forces him down. Blake has a scowl on his face as he tries to blast the machine but the robots leverage and strength, keeps him down. Blake looks and sees the female approaching him with her hands encased in fire. I look to see Blake open his mouth...horror fills me face. "Black Bolt, don't! Cover your ears!" I shout out as everyone does so.
"No more!"
Blake's sonic wave whisper blasts out as the female robot is nearly shattered apart from the massive soundwave. Connor is screaming in agony of the sonic wave. I can only imagine what he is feeling with his hyper senses. The male robot is sent flying as the rock, stone, metal, anything and everything around us begins breaking, bending or shattering from the echoing whisper.
P.O.V Change: Artemis
Muscled and Robin follow up along the vents until we reach a vantage point above the hanger. We look out and see the newcomer, Black Bolt, throttling the Reds. This guy is indeed very powerful...glad he's on our side. Robin places a anchor point on the wall as he swings down to the generator. I load my last arrow as I follow the battle. The male robot grabs Black Bolt's leg and slam him into the ground. The machine holds him down as the female approaches. "Black Bolt, don't! Cover your ears!" Matt shouts. I hear the worry and fear in his voice as I cover my ears.
Black Bolt whispers something which echoes across the hanger as the sonic wave is blasted from his mouth. I groan in pain as the wave is quite literally pounding my ears and brain. Connor's scream is very piercing, his senses must be really, really, feeling the pain. The noise stops as I see Robin slip from the generator as he uncovers his ears, he falls back into the water below. "Robin!" I call out. I change my arrowhead as I aim but a blast of fire buckles me as I miss my shot. I look back to see the male robot, pieces on him are almost completely broken. The female only has one functioning ark while the other hangs loose. The male lands a blow agaisnt Black Bolt's head which knocks him out. The Reds are looking at me as I fell no other arrows. I run as more fire comes my way as I hop back into the vent.
I escape the flames as I see a broken portion of the vent, I look through it and see all of my friends completely out of it. Robin is lifted from the water by the male Red. Black Bolt, despite his sonic whisper, was still not enough to take them out. Even Matt and Zarathos weren't enough. What am I suppose to do. I cradle my knees close as I feel nothing but despair. "No, no, no, no, no." I cry out as I fall onto my side, curd up in a little ball. We're doomed. We are all going to die and it will be my fault...my fault.
"This is not the end, child." I hear a familiar voice as I look up and see Zarathos, in his flaming form before me. I back up as he holds up a hand. "This is all in your head. Time is not passing on the real world...if you wish to say something...now is the time." He says as I hold my knees close. "It's hopeless. I can't beat them. Black Bolt couldn't, so what chance do I have?" I say as I hear him laugh. "Hopeless? No, Artemis, nothing is ever hopeless. You are not hopeless. You think you have failed?" He says as I nod while wiping tears away. "You failed. So what? Failure is never the end, it's necessary for growth. You think you have failed and I say no, you haven't. Because you haven't given up. You may think you have but you haven't. Your heart demands you stand and fight. You might not believe you can win...I believe you can because you possess the one thing that no one on this time has." He says as I look at him. "What?" I say as he smiles. "Unbridled tenacity." He says as his spectral form disappears and I walk up from where I was originally. "I surrender...I die with the others...bit of I find a way out. Out of the cave, out of the mountain, I can get help. Contact the League." I say as I miss the drop and fall right down. I fall out of the vent and land with a thud. I groan in pain as I shake my head. I look around and see that I'm in Wally's souvenir room. "3 minutes." I hear the male Red say over the P.A. "Who am I kidding? I don't know why you believe in me, Zarathos, since I can hardly believe in myself." I say as I see Cheshire's mask on the shelf, along with Doctor Fate's helmet, the cultist hood and mask. Mr Twister's eyeball, my arrow that I shot at Amazo and the sword that Wally and Matt found on their adventure a few days ago. I stare into Cheshire's mask's eye holes. I imagine that the owner of the mask is staring back at me. "I know you understand." I growl out as I remember the memory of when she left. She abandoned me, left me alone. Saying that I would be a drag to carry. She thought of me as a hindrance more than her sister. I should have turned her in the day that I saw her again. I had her right where I wanted and she manipulated me, played on my insecurities to let her go. And even after everything, the betrayal, the false promises...I still love her. I miss her...everyday. Every night, I remember the town that we had with each other. When we would act like normal girls, not worrying about what the next day would bring. I miss those days. I miss her. She was my best friend, my protector. Even when she left, I loved her. She told me before she left that in our family, 'its every girl for herself.' I used to believe that but these people. Robin, Kaldur, Connor, M'gann, Matt...even Wally. They took me in and treated me like family...at least it's better than the one I grew up with.
I pick up the mask. "That might have been true for our family. But I found a new family. And I'm not going to abandon them like you abandoned me." I say with a growl as input the mask back on the shelf. "One minute." The male Red says as I gaze at my arrow. "Zarathos was right. I'm not hopeless." I take the arrow and hoisted it in my quiver. I make my way out of the room and into an elevator. I step out of the lift as I collapse my bow. The Reds turn to me, I notice the damage that they have taken, now I'm really glad that Black Bolt is on our side. "I surrender. Stop the clock." I say with fake sadness. I stand in front of the Reds as I gaze at everyone. Matt is still pushing against the metal, which surprising is still holding strong. Kaldur is sweating up a lake in the fire cage. M'gann is still out of it and the water level has nearly risen over Wally's and Connor's heads. Black Bolt is suspended in a small fire cage as Robin is laid out, unconscious. The male Red holds out his hand for my now as I jump up and kick off of him, the female Red sends a stream of fire as I push her arm out of the way as I backflip. I grab my arrow and fire it at the EMP in the generator. The arrowhead connects the EMP to the main generator as I activates. A blue ripple is sent out as I waves over the Reds who fall disabled to the ground.
The fire cages around Kaldur, M'gann and Black Bolt all honour as the Easter level goes back down to its natural level. "Kaldur! How's M'gann?" Connor shouts from below. "She breathes. I believe she will recover. What if Robin?" He says as I rush over to the boy. I roll him over as he spits and coughs up water. "He's breathing, too." I say as I hear metal tearing and I see Matt stand while pull pieces of metal off of himself. "That...took...way...longer...than...it...should...have." He says as I stare at him. "The metal burrito that I was in, not what you did. You did great today." He says as I smile gratefully. Matt walks over to Black Bolt. "You are a sight for sore eyes, my friend." Matt says as Black Bolt comes too. Black Bolt smiles and places a hand on Matt's shoulder, he nods as they pay each other on the back.
We all gather around Wally and Connor as Matt tries to free them from their confines. "So I figured to pretend to be unconscious so I could have the time to figure out a plan. Blacked out, though." Robin says as I try to figure out this laser weapon thing. "Will you quit playing with that thing and cut us free already?" Wally says sarcastically as I glare at him. "It's not working dumbass. EMP took out all the machines, remember?" I say sarcastically back as I hear a chuckle. I look down and see Matt looking at Black Bolt who is communicating in sign language. "Yep, right you are, my friend. They indeed fight all the time." Matt quips as I kick him. "Oww, ok. Why are you violent all the time?" He says a we hear a vortex coming. Red Tornado appears as Black Bolt stands in front of us with a blue energy forming on his forehead. "Wow, easy, big guy. That's Red Tornado. He's a member of the Justice League." Matt says as Black Bolt calms down and moves back. "What has occured?" Tornado asks.
"We had a little visit from your family." Robin says as I follow up. "Your extremely nasty family!" I shout. "I was not aware I had relations." He says as he walks past us and towards the Reds. "Where have you been?" Connor asks. "Monitor duty on the Watchtower. When it became clear, cave communications were down, I attempted to investigate. But only one of your zeta tubed were functioning, which Ghost Rider had used to transport Black Bolt. The last of the zeta energy was used getting him here. So I teleported to Providence and proceeded here. We hear whirring as the Sphere breaks off from the wall. "Hey, boy." Connor says. I feel recoil as the laser turns on and off. "The pulse wore off!" Robin and Wally say in tandem. Red Tornado turns back to us with evil dead eyes as he hovers above us as he draws in all the sit around us. I clutch my throat as M'gann and Kaldur collapse. Robin soons follows as does Wally and Black Bolt. Matt and Connor are able to hold out longer but they soon fall unconscious. I collapse to my knees. I see blurry images and than nothing but black.
I come too, hearing a voice. "Artemis? Artemis, can you hear me?" I open my eyes and see Superman looking down at me. "She's all right." He says as he helps me to my feet. I see Green Arrow and Batman standing off to the side, Robin standing close to the Caped Crusader. Flash and Captain Atom are working on getting Wally and Connor freez Matt and Black Bolt are also helping. M'gann is being comforted by Manhunter. Kaldur is speaking with Aquaman as I remember something. "The Reds! Tornado? Where are they?" I say as Robin answers my question. "Gone. All three of them. Gone."