Secrets

Mount Justice: 7:32pm, October 31st, 2010

"AAAAHHHHHHOOOOO!!!" Wally howls to the high heavens as I enter the room. I sway back and forth but am able to keep my balance. I'm not drunk but Zarathos is getting angsty and moody. Halloween is not his favourite night and not for obvious reasons. Halloween, originally, was feared and respected because the realms between Heaven, Earth and Hell were at their closest. Zarathos and his kin used to cross the veil in the real world and interact with the souls of mortals. However, Evil, had also crossed and influenced, possessed and exterminated the souls of mortals. After Zarathos became the Spirit of Vengeance, every year, on this night, he would hunt down any demon, ghoul or vengeful soul that crossed into the World of the Living. Centuries have passed and demons have learnt not to cross, not physically at least. But they can spread their influence into mortals without ever crossing. Zarathos hates that because one soul is bound for damnation...guaranteed.

"Can you shut up...please?" I say as I walk over and sit on the hood of my car. "Well, aren't you a mood?" Wally replies back to me as I stare at him. He had decided to dress up as a high schooler werewolf. I personally think that he decided on that because of the large bread that came with the costume. Knowing him, he brought it cause he can't grow one. "And back to my point before I was interrupted. "Are you going to join in at all?" He says to Wolf who is sleeping away without a care in the world. "Wally, stop torturing him." Connor says as M'gann wraps mummy bandages around him. "Heh. Sit still." She says joking as she looks at her handy work. I work up to them as I raise an eyebrow. "Mummified Superman?" I say as he glares at me. "Nice. Good work. So...exicted?" Wally says flirtatiously to M'gann. "Yes. With everyone at the dance... it'll be fun." She says with a swallowed stutter. "Ah, yeah, sure. Sounds fun." He says as I chuckle. "So, what are you going as? My favourite Martian?" Wally says as I notice Connor roll his eyes. "Not exactly." She walks away as she shifts herself into a zombie bride. Pale skin and torn wedding dress and whatever else. She growls, trying to be scary and it just comes off as cute to me. "Whoa." Wally says in surprise as I cough under my breath. "Cheater." I clear my throat as M'gann playfully glares at me. "What are you going as?" Wally asks me as I wave him off. "I'm not a fan of Halloween and besides, Zarathos is getting edgy. Don't want to stress him anymore than what he already is." I say as I hear someone coming. "You guys ready for trick or treating?" Shazam says as we turn to him. He looks the same, just with badly putting on zombie makeup.

"Shazam, you look amazing. Are you going to a Halloween celebration, too." M'gann asks as Shazam stares bewildered at us. "Well, yes, I'm going with-I mean, you did invite the whole team, right?" He asks confused. "Yeah, besides Matt and Blake, we'll all be at the dance. So don't worry about us, go. Have a good time at your party." M'gann says the zeta lady sounds off. "Recongize. Artemis. B-08. Recongize. Zatanna Zatara. A-03." Both girls walk out of the zeta tubes. Artemis is dressed as a vampire. Let's hope, she doesn't run into Blade. Zatanna went with he cliche of being a witch. That's too cliche, even for Zatanna. "Hey Zatanna. You look great." Artemis says to her as both of them approach us. "Thanks, you too. Oh, zombie Shazam. Is the Justice League having a party, cause my dad didn't tell me about it." Zatanna asks him as he stutters and looks between us. "No, no, no, no. See, I...fine. I'm going trick or treating." He says with frustration and flies to the zeta tubes. "Recongise. Shazam. 1-5." He stands in the zeta and looks back at us with crossed arms. "And I'm not sharing my candy." He says as he beams away. I laugh and walk over to my Charger. Almost time to head and sate Zarathos's paranoia. I feel intense jealously and slight anger, I trunk and see that Artemis is walking away, Zatanna is running up to catch up. I glance at M'gann and Connor. Ahh. Right. "That sucks." Zarathos says as I nod in agreement. "Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how you look at it." I say as I get in the car. I look up at the rear view mirror and see Zarathos staring back. "I sensed something...something evil." He says as I raise an eyebrow. "Demon or something else?" I ask him as he shakes his head. "No demon. They're not that stupid. But this is human evil. Someone has done something, really bad." He says as I hear the zeta open as Artemis and Zatanna, in their hero hear, ride out on their motorcycles, and into he tube. "So what do you want to do?" I ask him but I sense someone in the cave. Kaldur, Robin, Batman...and Roy. What the fuck is he doing here? I get out of the car and track where they are. I make my way to the common area and try to open the door. "Access denied." Denied? I live here most of the time. "Batman. I know you can hear me. Open the door before I burn it down." I say. After a minute of silence, the door opens and within stands. Batman, Red Tornado, Roy, Kaldur and Robin. "Appreciate it. Now, what's this about?"

I say as I stand off to the side. "Since that this includes you, I'll get to the point. Do you think there is a mole on the team?" Batman asks as myself, Kaldur and Robin speaks at the same time. "No." "Possibly." Kaldur and Robin turn to me. "I said 'possibly'. Do I want to believe there is none? Yes. But I'm still holding out. Someone could be mind controlled, bribed. We don't know all the facts." I say as we turn to Batman and Roy. "I personally believe there is none. Sportsmaster was merely only sowing dissent amongst the team." Kaldur says as Robin follows up. "His intel could easily have come by comparing notes with the other villains if the 'Injustice League'. And besides, if anyone on the team was working for these creeps." Robin starts as Kaldur finishes. "He or she would have exposed themselves during our fight." He says as everyone turns to me. "Like I said...'possibly'. We don't know how deep, the mole is in. I don't want to think of our friends like this but we can't throw out the possibility. I've told all of you this before. I'll believe there is a mole, when he or she spits it from their mouths. And until that time, I'm keeping my eye out." I say to them but Roy scoffs. "I'm not convinced. You seem pretty paranoid about who your friends really are?" Roy asks sarcastically as I raise an eyebrow. "Look to your right and say the same thing to his face...and talk to me like that again, I'll break your face." I say to him as he glances at Batman. Everyone knows of Batman's paranoia and his need to know everything. Roy saying that I'm paranoid, while true doesn't make me think of my friends any less. It doesn't make me an asshole...it makes me a realist. "Maybe so but your opinion don't give me a whole lot of confidence. Moving on, Kaldur, Robin and Kid Flash are above suspicion but I know that Artemis isn't shooting straight." He says which perks my head up. "For starters, she's not Green Arrow's niece." Ok that's enough. I march over and grab him by the collar of his suit and push him against the wall. "You watch your mouth. You come in here and do the same thing that Sportsmaster was doing, who the fuck do you think you are? Artemis is my friend and you ever say anything about her that I don't like, I'll make sure that you'll wish you were never born." I say with a growl as my eyes glow with rage. "Matthew. That's enough." Batman says as I drop Roy from my hold. "Matthew is right. But so is Roy. Artemis's relations may indeed make her a suspect. But she is entitled to a secret identity." He says as I notice Robin's pondered look. "I'm more concerned about Superboy. We still know very little about what Cadmus programmed into their weapon. Connor could be the mole...and not know about it." He says while looking Tornado. While I hate it, that is a good point. Superboy was made to either replace Superman...or destroy him. It's entirely possible that the latter was the only reason for his creation. Pre developed programming would be a fucking nightmare to unravel. That's if Connor goes along with the idea. And with his temper...I doubt it.

"What about Miss Martian? She is Manhunter's niece? But he told Black Canary that he has several hundred nieces and nephews. And the first time he meet M'gann was five months ago, when she stowed away on his ship on his last trip to Mars from Earth." Roy says as I glare at him. "The fuck is your problem? I don't care who you think you are or what your trying to accomplish but I will not let you talk shit about my friends." I say as he raises an eyebrow to me. "So you would rather be blind to the facts than see the truth? Something is not right and the team needs protecting." He says as I get in his face. "Last time I checked...you're not part of this team...are you?" I say to him as he glares hatefully at me. "Matt is correct, Roy. This changes nothing. I have fought side by side with these people...none are traitors." Kaldur says as he pulls me away. Zarathos pounds my head as I hold it in pain. "Evil has been done...we have to go!" He shouts as I leave the room. "Matt!" Robin calls out of me as I yell back. "Something came up!" I head to the zeta hanger and get in the Charger. "Tornado. Vehicle zeta, Manhattan." I say as the zeta opens and I drive through.

P.O.V Change: Artemis: Manhattan, New York:

Zatanna and I drove up to a museum and see a squad of coo cars everywhere. Nothing seems to be going on...boring. "Whatever happened her is over. I'm bored and want some action." I say with frustration as Zatanna turns to me. "But maybe you need to talk...about Connor and Megan or whatever." She says as I roll my eyes and drive away. "What I need...to something to beat up." I say as I spot a mugger holding a gun at two people. I point it out to Zatanna as she holds her hand out. She says something backwards and I see that the man has dropped the gun, which is burning bright like it's on fire. I level three arrows and fire at the man's jacket. He becomes lodged in the wall as we drive past. "That was alright...need something better." I say as we turn a corner and see two guys holding a store. I fire an arrow at one of the men's guns which is sent flying out of his hand. I fire an arrow at the other on, this arrow is reinforced steel club and it knocks the robber on his ass. The man who has the gun stood up. I jump up and spin a wheel kick to his head before leveling out on the bike. The robber is knocked back into his friend and both are down and out. "Happy yet?" Zatanna asks as I drive ahead. "No."

We come to Central Park for a quick break. Zatanna sees something as she points it out to me. A blonde woman that is being surrounded by four men. Oh hell no. Zatanna levitates the woman away as I run in. No arrows, no tricks, I'll just beat the shit out of them. I send a flying knee to one guy which breaks his jaw and sends some teeth flying. I land and flip over another guy. Grabbing his collar, I land and drive him over my back and onto the back of his head. Another one charges me and throws three punches which I dodge, I send a spinning heel kick to his cheek, he groans in pain as he wobbles, I grab his head and drive it into my knee, a crack sounds off as his nose starts bleeding. The last one has a knife, he tries to shank me but I grab his arm, driving my fist up into his elbow, he screams as his arm breaks, I hip toss him to the ground before driving my fist right into his temple. I breathe heavily before turning back to Zatanna who has a look of shook and awe on her face. "Brutal." She says as I smirk.

We approach our bikes. I'm better now, I needed that stress relief. "There were easier ways to take them." Zatanna says to me. I scoff. "So. They had it coming. No harm done." Just as I finish, our bikes explode as we are sent flying. I groan in surprise and pain as I look to the fiery smoke and see a tall man walk out. He is wearing a silver trenchcoat with no shirt. Plain black pants. He has four scars that run down his left one. The most shocking is the sword in his hand and the...arm...in the other. "No indeed. Harm is not done. Much Harm left to do." The man says as he approaches us. "The It's cannot escape Harm." He says as I take my bow out and level an arrow at him. "Escaping is not on the menu." I say as i fire two arrows at him. He lazily deflects them with the sword. "Arrows do not impress." He says cockily as Zatanna gets to her feet. "Fine." She starts speaking as she holds her hand out. She says the same speel earlier on the mugger. The sword glows bright with heat but the man is unfazed. "Neither does Its magic. Both must do better or suffer Harm." He says. He is really starting to piss me off. "Ok, we get it. You're name is Harm." I say as I point an arrow at him. "Their ridiculous garb and rudimentary skills indicate instruction from Green Arrow and Zatara. Harm will study these two, to learn methods for killing their mentors." He says as he points his sword at us. "Oh, you do not just threaten my dad." Zatanna says as she speaks another spell. Harm's sword rattles as he smirks at us. "It wants Harm's sword? Very well." He draws his hand back and throws the sword at Zatanna. She manages to dodge, by the skin of her teeth as the sword lodges on the wall behind us. "Big mistake, Harmster." I say as I fire row explosive arrows at him. He grabs them and throws them back. Zatanna tackle me out of the way. I groan and look up. I see a shadowy figure on the roof of the building. I can't see clearly but I definity see the sword attached to his back. "On second thought. Running." Zatanna says as I get my bearings. "Yeah. To regroup." I run past her as she speaks another spell. The fire behind Harm becomes larger as they surround him.

"Nice." I say to her, that spell was pretty cool. "Thanks. Something I've been working on since Red-." She starts as I interrupt. I see a young girl, who is silently gesturing us to follow. "Wait! Who's that?" I say as I point her out. "Do you care right now?" Zatanna says as I shake my head. "No." We turn down the alley where she went, only to find nothing. "Dead end. Where'd she go?" I say as we hear a ladder dropping. We follow the ladder up as we see the girl on the roof waving down at us. "I like her already." Zatanna says as we climb the ladder. We get to the roof and see the girl before us. "Thanks you the assist. But who are you?" Zatanna asks. "Secret." The grill says softly as I raise an eyebrow. "That won't cut it. We need answers. Do you know Harm? Does he have any weakened?" I say but the girl is unfazed by my questions. "Secret." She says as she points behind us. We turn and gasp in shock as Harm shows up. "At least they make the hunt interesting." He says as he approaches us. Twirling the blade in the process. "He's fast. I'll give him that." I say to Zatanna. I fire a crossbow bolt at the water tower. The water spills over Harm as Zatanna furiously casts a spell. The water freezes over him. The sword glows as the once begins cracking. You got to kidding me. The ice shatter s as we make a run for it. "Where'd little miss secret go?" I say as we see her on a roof about two building away. She's fast as well. "There! Ok, these boots, not working. While cute but for a chase scene-." Zatanna says as she casts a spell and her heel boots change to boot...sneakers? Useful. We jump to another building but Harm follows close behind. "Piss off, asshole." I say as I fire another crossbow bolt but this time at him. He grabs it and throws it back at me with blitzing speed. Suddenly, a sliver...stake... intercepts the bolt which breaks its momentum. "The its have a third party. Harm wants to know. Who else does Harm have to kill?" He says as I continue running. "What the hell was that?" Zatanna asks as I shake my head. "No idea." I look to my left and see a shadowy figure running parallel to us. The fuck is going on?

We arrive to where Miss Secret was but don't see her anywhere. I turn and see Harm throw a dagger at me. I block it but the dagger cuts through my string. "Hold him off while I restring." I say as Zatanna throws some punches but Harm kicks her away. He swings the sword as I dodge and barrel my bow into his face. He kicks it away as I pull out my crossbow. His sword swipes at me as I deflect it and level the bow at him. His sword twirls around and levels against my neck. Standoff. "Want to play without the toys?" I say to him but he smirks. "It tries to bait Harm. Leave Harm weak. But Harm has no weakness." He says as he puts the sword through the severed arm sheath and drives it into the concrete. He takes off his trench coat before taking a fighting. Finally...time to end this. I put my crossbow away as I charge him. Throwing the best strikes that I can, he just dodges without effort and blocks lazily. I throw a strike and he knees me in the gut. "So unfocused. It struggles with inner demons. And can't fight Harm without fighting itself. Harm doesn't battle his demons. He embraces them." He says as I grit my teeth. "Would Harm please shut up?" I say in frustration. I hear a scream and see Zatanna get shocked by the sword. "Zatanna!" I scream out but that moment of lost focus is all he needs. He slaps me to the ground. "And it cares about others. Another weakness. The sword rejected it's impure heart. It has not made the sacrifices Harm has to become pure." He says as he puts his coat back on. I hear a whistling. Harm's eyes widen as he dodges from something. I look to see a boomerang blade twirling back to an open hand. A shadowy figure steps out into he light. He is wearing black body armour with a black trench coat over the top. Sliver stakes are seen. The man is tall dark skinned and is wearing... sunglasses, at night? "Harm is curious of new arrival. Harm wants to know its name." Harm says as me and Zatanna back away slowly. "Harm can fuck off." The man says as he throws two smoke bombs and a silver cylinder. The mystery man clicks the button on the top as the cylinder expands into a deadly looking stake, the man throws the stake into the smoke as we hear Harm yelps and groans in pain. "Run." The man says as he turns to us. We get up and run to the roof edge, Zatanna spots Secret who gestures to us. "What the hell?" I say as we run after her. The dark man follows us and catches up. "Thanks for the help. But who are you?" Zatanna asks. "Live first, than talk." He says simply as he runs ahead. I'm no slouch when it comes to running and neither is Zatanna but this man is fast. Not Wally speed but fast enough to be superhuman. "This night is a total mind fuck." I say.

We jump down to a building and see that Secret is gone. "Uhh, she's gone again. Now what?" Zatanna says as the man looks down the street and back up tot he roof, we were just on. "Dangerous place to be." He says as I glare at him. "No shit... we'll zip line to that magic store." I say as I take my zipline crossbow out. "Look out!" The man shouts as we jump out of the way of a lightning bolt. Harm jumps down and a look of fury is on his face, he pulls the stake out of his shoulder and throws it away with disgust, the open wound closing up like it was never there. "This can be no coincidence. They alight on Harm's very roof. How did they know? Tell Harm, now!" He shouts as the man steps in front of us and takes out a gun and his sword. "Get downstairs, find your way out of here." He says as Harm charges him. The man deflects the sword with his own and returns with slashes and gunfire. Harm has a look of shock but is able to dodge or deflect the bullets. "Better get going." I say as we go through the door. We reach an apartment that is just...creepy. Dolls, toys, ornamental axes on the walls. "Weird taste...but expected from a psycho." I say as we enter a bedroom. This is different from the rest of the apartment. It's girly and...spit clean. "You!" Zatanna says as we see Secret standing in the corner. "You lured us here...why?" She asks. "Secret." She says as we hear a grunt as the roof starts dripping dust. Whoever that guy is, he's able to hold his own. Zatanna walks to the bed side. I follow her as she picks up a photo, I look over her shoulder and see it's a photo of Harm and Secret. Both of them look happy...normal. "Is this your room?" I ask Secret who is now behind us. "Do you live with this nut job?" Zatanna asks bewildered. "Secret." She says as Zatanna tosses the photo on the bed. "Yeah, secret. Right... naturally." She says as she walks to the door. I follow after her as we turn a corner and see Secret standing there. "Wait...how did you?" I say as I hear floor creaking. We turn to another door as I level my crossbow and Zatanna holds up her hands. The door handle rattles as we prepare ourselves. The door opens and I fire the bolt. It's caught by a smoldering hand and a familiar face. "Matt?" I say as he looks at the bolt and me. "You shot me?" He says in disbelief at me. "What are you doing here?" I say but the roof breaks as Harm and the other man crash to the floor. "Go. Now!" He shouts at his as he pushed us away.

With no choice, we follow Secret. We reach the lower floor as we are held up by lightning. The other man lands before us in a heap, parts of his jacket are cut and smoking from Harm's lightning. I look up and see Ghost Rider swinging his fiery chains, the fire burns through the wall but Harm is able to deflect and levels his sword, lightning dancing along the blade. Ghost Rider is blasted down the stairs towards us. "The sword...it gives him strength. More so than what it should." Zarathos says as we run into a kitchen. The other man floors after us. "Nice to see drop by." The man says to Zarathos. "Been busy." He says as I pull the oven open and turn on the gas. I push Ghost Rider out of the room before it blows us to hell. Harm enters the room as I fire a fire starter arrow at him. I close the door as we make our way out.

We find a cellar door. The other man breaks the lock and we hop out. The garden is lovely but something catches my eye. All four of us walk forward as Zatanna kneels. It's a grave. "Greta Hayes. Beloved Sister." I say the words etched into he wood tombstone. Suddenly, a whispy figure merges from the ground as Ghost Rider and the other man pull myself and Zatanna away. The man levels a gun at the figure who solidifies into Secret. Ghost Rider pulls the man's gun down. "It's a child, Blade. Not sure your gun would have done anything anyway." Ghost Rider says to... Blade. "This...is your grave. This is your secret. This is you." Zatanna says on shock as Secret hangs her head. "A ghost. An actual ghost." I say as Ghost Rider approaches Greta. He kneels down before her. "How did you die, child?" He says softly, more so than I have ever heard him say before. Greta forms an image of a knife. "Harm's dagger." I say as I recongize the blade. The door behind us busts open, revealing Harm. "They defile Harm's holy place." He says with venom. "We defiled it? You did this. To your own sister!" I say as he smirks. "You're proud of that? You are the lowest scum that I've ever met." Blade says as he pulls his sword out. "And you had the gall to write 'beloved'. I say with anger. "Not gall. Truth. She was the only thing that Harm ever loved. That's why she had to go. Harm's heart had to be pure, Greta had to be cut out...like an infection." Harm says as Ghost Rider's head glows brighter with rage. "I hate souls like you... I'll enjoy killing you." He says with rage. I look back and see Greta form again. Harm gasps in shock but is able to claim his shock. "Ah, it cast another illusion spell." He says cockily but Blade laughs. "Except she didn't speak." Harm's eyes widen at that. "And Harm knows that It can't cast a spell without speaking." Zatanna says as Greta approaches him. He gasps in fear as he points the sword at her. "No, Harm's heart is pure. Harm's not sorry. I'm not!" He shouts but Greta walks through the sword. "The soul speaks true to one's guilt...and yours is the most bile one that I've ever seen." Ghost Rider says as Greta reaches into Harm's chest, where his heart is and pulls a glowing ball out. Harm collaspes to the ground as Greta dissipates the ball. Harm tries to lift the sword but refuses to move. The severed hand closed on his own as he lets go. The sword and severed hand levitate before the sword holsters itself. "I don't need the sword." He says with venom as he charges at me. Ghost Rider intercepts him and pushed him to the ground. "You're soul is strained but the blood of the innocent." He starts. Blade walks over and turns us around. "You don't want to watch." He says as we hear Harm's scream. I close my eyes as Zatanna covers her ears. After about a minute of screaming, silence is heard as we turn and see Harm lying still. His eyes are smoldering with molten rock. We notice Ghost Rider walking over and kneeling before Greta who is standing on her grave. "I'm sorry that this happened to you." He says, I can hear the sadness and guilt in his voice. Greta smiles sadly and wraps her arms around Ghost Rider. He has some trouble but wraps his own arms around her. I noticed that his blazing orange hellfire had taken on a more gentle, blue flame. Greta lets go as the blue flame turns back into a raging orange. "Secret." She says as she lowers into her grave. Ghost Rider turns back into Matt who is wiping tears from his eyes.

"I still can't believe anyone could do that to his own sister. If my..." I start but catch myself. "Your what?" Zatanna asks but I wave her off. "Doesn't matter." I say as we hear sirens wailing. "We better go...be tough to explain this to the cops." Blade says as he holesters his sword. Matt stands and nods in agreement. "Wait...why did you help us?" Zatanna asks Blade who is about to leave. "I was bored." He says before leaving. That's it? He was bored. Matt chuckles. I notice something and walk over to a hole in the garden wall. "Zatanna, look!" I say. We look and see the magic store's neon sign has blacked out...all except the word 'secret'. "Must be the last thing that Greta ever saw." I say as I walk away. I hear Matt say something with venom and anger. "I hate Halloween."