Fall of Vengeance Part 1: Friend or Foe

A.N: These next two chapters are of my own design. "Performance" is a decent episode but I feel that it just moved away from where the show was going. A filler episode. These chapters will fill in for "Performance".

Mount Justice: 8:49am, December 6th, 2010

P.O.V: Artemis Crock

The League had arrived but the damage was already done. This was worse than when the Reds attacked. Those...things, opened a portal and walked right into our home and took Matt, Batman had dedicated all his effort into trying to find him. Checking everything. ATMs, security cameras, traffic cameras, anything on the digital network...all of it came up useless. We sit within the common area as Canary and Green Arrow help out with our injuries, we were chewed up and spat out like we were nothing. Even Tornado, one the League's most versatile and powerful member nearly became scrap.

The door opens as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman enter the room. "I know that this is diff-." Superman starts but Connor gets in his face. "Where's Matt? Have you found him?" He asks as Superman narrows his eyes. "We are looking but we found no sign of him." The Man of Steel says as Connor huffs and walks away. "Then what good are you? Matt is out there, somewhere, with those things and you are all in here, trying us news that we don't want to hear. So why don't you go out, leave us alone and find our friend." He says angrily as we look between the two Kryptonians. "We are trying, but any sign of Matthew has been lost. We don't know where he is nor do we have a good focus to start from." Batman says as I hear a sniffle and see M'gann wiping her tears away. I walk over and hug her, she holds tightly onto me as she just breaks down.

"They're demons." I hear a voice as we turn and see Rachel in the corner. "Demons?" Wally asks questioningly as Rachel looks up. "Yes...the horned one. The one that led them, his name is Kurse. He is an ancient and powerful Elder Demon." She says as Robin shakes his head. "Ok, wait a minute. Demons? Like...real demons?" He asks as Rachel narrows her eyes at him. Robin backs off as he cowers under her gaze. "Is there any way to find Matt? Or find these demons?" Zatanna asks, Rachel nods her head. "Yes...a spell. Done correctly can find the spirit and life force of the intended target. It will take some effort but with your help, we might be able to do it." She says to Zatanna as Batman steps forward. "What will you need?" He asks as Rachel walks forward. "I'll need an empty room, candles and my spell book. That's all." She says as I approach her. "Please...find him." I say as she nods her head. Zatanna joins her.

I head to the door as Roy calls out to me. "And where do you think you're going?" He questions as I turn to him with anger. "My friend was taken! Right before my eyes and I couldn't do a damn thing about it! So do me a favor and leave me alone! I need some air." I say as I walk off, tears are selling in my eyes. I walk out of the cave and head to the secluded beach. I drop to the sand as all the emotions build up, I let them out as I feel nothing but anguish. I could have done something, done something to keep Matt from being taken...but I didn't. I did nothing. I punch the sand in anger as something falls out of my pocket. I look down and see Matt's phone. He always has this with him, I've seen him message but I never could figure out who. I've asked him about it, and he simply said that it was a date. That's fair but it was quite irregular. Matt never showed any interest in dating. Not with anyone. I pick up the phone and slide it open. I see that it only has calls and messages. What kind of phone doesn't have a clock or at least some games. I click on messages and see three no ID banks. Who has he been talking too? I close messages and open calls. I see the same three ID banks as I randomly click one.

The phone starts dialling. I hold it up to my ear as the dial stops. "Hey sweetie, what's up?" I hear Cheshire's voice as my eyes widen. I'm so shocked that I don't say anything. "Matt? You there?" She says as I cough. "Who is this?" She says with venom as I shallow my nerves. "Jade?" I say as I hear silence. "Artemis...how did you get this phone, where is Matt?" She says quickly, fear is in her voice but my brain is going a hundred miles an hour. "I... I can't talk about it over the phone...can we meet?" I ask with hope in my voice. Something is going on...and I want to know what. After a moment of silence, I hear a sigh. "Meet me at 1275 Blackforth Avenue." She says as the phone hangs up.

Jade's Hideout:

I arrive on Matt's motorcycle. The warehouse is decrepit and needs a serious renovation. I hear a rumbling as a ramp opens, revealing a secret passage. "Oooo...kkkk." I say as I make my way down, I enter a large open living area. I go to walk forward when I feel a blade press agaisnt my throat. "Are you alone?" Jade says behind me as I nod. She starts patting me down. "No weapons, no tracers, no nothing." She says as she steps in front of me and removes her mask. We just look at each other. "Where's Matt?" She says as I scowl. "Wouldn't you like to know? Tell me about what's really going on and I just might." I say as she rushes over and pushes me against the wall. I shake my head and see that she is pointing her sai at my throat. "I'm in no mood for games, Artemis. Where is Matt?" She says angrily as I stare back with equal intensity. "He was taken...by demons." I say as her eyes widen. She steps back and drops her sai. I hear a sniffle as she wipes a tear away. "So it's happened. He said it would."

I shake my head. "Wait, stop. Stop. What do you mean, 'said it would'? You telling me that Matt knew that they were going to take him? And what the hell is going on between you two...wait. Is he...the mole?" I ask as she turns to me and shakes her head. "Matt's not a mole...I am." She says as I just widen my eyes. I start pacing as I go through everything. "So... you're telling me. That you are a mole and that you have been delivering information strictly to Matt. Am I on the right track?" I ask as she nods. "For how long?" I ask as she sits at the table. "Since July." She says to me, I mock laugh. "So all of this was for nothing. The Infiltrators? Sportsmaster? It's all a front for you to deliver intel...what do you get out of this?" I ask her. "What I always wanted...freedom. I'm a wanted criminal, I won't deny that I've done some messed up shit. But I hoped that the information that I deliver would give me a chance to escape this life. I...I wanted to see my sister again...to make amends." She says as I look at her, I see the sadness in her eyes. "I know that when I walked out, that I abandoned you. I was foolish and arrogant...I, left you...with him." She says in anger as he pushes the chair away and walks over to the fireplace. "How did Matt get drawn in all this?" I ask as she glances at me. "I met him before...at the gala. He seemed nice, I thought I could play with him but he proved to be above my pay grade. That night was one of the only few times that I felt real fear. But he gave me a hope that I could escape it. So after a while, I approached him...I wanted to know how you were doing. I hired him to keep a watch on you."

I turn sharply to her. "You had me watched!? By Matt, of all people!" I shout as she sags her shoulders. "Matt was already trying to find you...I gave him an extra reason to do so." She says as I sit down. "So, you told Matt about the Injustice League and their allies?" I ask as she laughs. I raise an eyebrow at her laughter as she sits across from me. "The Injustice League are a front. The real masterminds are the ones that you think to be their allies. Luthor, Brain, Klarion, etc." She says as my eyes widen. We were duped and played for chumps. "Matt has most of the information and has passed it off to Batman." She continues as my eyes widen. "Batman knows about this?" I ask incredulously. "Of course." She simply replies a so sit back. "This is a lot to take in...Matt gave me his phone before he was taken. The numbers show no ID and I randomly clicked on yours. He said that I could trust the people on this phone." I say as I pass her the phone. She looks at the ID patches. "If Matt said that they are trustworthy than they most likely are...we both know that secrets are rarely kept from him." She says as I take the phone back. Suddenly I remember what she said when I called and what she said two nights ago. "Are you and Matt...you know?" I ask with a knowing look. She smirks. "Ewww...that's...I don't know why I asked that question. How? Why?!" I ask rapidly. "It just started as a physical thing. He's very good looking and he just couldn't resist all of this." She says getting to yourself. I fake a gag. "I think I'm going to throw up." I say as she chuckles. "We never really thought about it going further than sexual, but months of talking, him having his moments of 'ahh, adorable'. I began to have deeper feelings for him...and him for me. He made me feel safe... especially with my situation." She says as I nod. Seems that things are going well but I need to get back on track. "Will you help me find Matt...and bring him home?" I ask her as she stares at me. "You have no idea of what you are about to face. You said demons took Matt. He told me that demons will take him and it'll be under Lilith's orders." She says as I raise an eyebrow. "Lilith? Who the hell is Lilith?" I ask as I see the fear in her eyes. "Lilith is the Mother of All Demons. An ancient demon sorceress that has been freed from her imprisonment. She has a history with Zarathos, which implies that Matt is caught in the crossfire between two, very, very powerful beings. The demons you fought are powerful but are nothing compared to Lilith. Matt gave me something which he said could...stop him if he is brought under Lilith's control." She says as she walks over to a chest and unlocks the three locks, she takes out a very familiar souvenir. "The sword?" I say as she lays it on the table gently. "What does this have to do with Matt? How will this stop him?" I ask her. I notice the forlong look in her eyes. "This sword was created by Zarathos's sister, Azrael, The Angel of Death. This sword was forged with Heavenly Fire, it's one of the very few things that can harm the Ghost Rider. Matt said to use this sword if the worst case scenario came." She says as I stare wide eyed at her. "You would kill him?!" I shout at her as she scowls angrily at me. "I don't want to!" She screams as tears start weeping out of her eyes. "He trusted me to see him to the end...he believes that there is no cure for whatever Lilith will do to him. He said only death will free him...I don't want to, Artemis, believe me...but there is no other way."

I turn away from her and look into the fire. I shake my head. "No, there must be another way. Rachel, back at the Cave. She's half demon, maybe she can do something." I say hopefully but Jade hangs her head. "Artemis...do you not think that Matt would have done something by now if there was?" She says, I turn back to the fire as I complement, well...everything. My gaze into the fire turns to confusion as K see shapes forming. "Artemis." I hear Matt's voice as I kneel down. "Matt?" I say questioningly as Jade kneels beside me. The fire forms an image of Matt's face. "Matt! Thank God. Are you alright?" I ask him as he groans. "Uh, could be better to be honest...this is nice." He says after a moment. "What?" Jade asks as he turns his fiery eyes to her. "Seeing you...both of you...together." He says as we look at each other. We smile as he groans. Our smiles become looks of concern. "What's wrong? What are they doing to you?" Jade asks in worry. "Doesn't matter. Listen...both of you. I don't know where I am but Lilith has an army of demons here. Ra's Al Ghul and his Shadows have been acting as security. Lilith and Kurse have been torturing me for the last day both mentally and physically, I don't know how much longer I can hold out. It's taking all my power to keep this communication between us, any minute now, Kurse is going to come back." I say to Artemis as I turn my gaze to Jade. "What ever happens...know that I love you...and I'm sorry that we couldn't have more time." He says, tears well in both mine and Jade's eyes. His image disappears as the fire becomes normal.

I sit back on my butt as I watch the logs burn. Jade inches closer to me, I raise an eyebrow and she awkwardly wraps me in a hug. I smirk as I lean into it. "You've gotten soft." I say as a tear falls down my cheek. "I know... blame Matt." She quips which I laugh at. "What are you going to do?" She asks me as I just shrug. "Probably head back to the cave. Rachel has a spell that can find him...just have to wait." I get up and head off to the exit. "Artemis..." Jade calls out as I turn and see her approach me. She hugs me tightly as I wrap my arms around her. "I'm sorry, sister." She says as I smile happily and tighten my embrace. I back from her as I leave the room. Walking up the ramp, my mind is going a thousand miles an hour. So much learnt in the past few hours. It's a lot to take in, I don't think that everything has hit me yet. "Artemis, do you read?" Batman says over the comm as I place the comm. "I read you." I say back.b "Rachel and Zatanna has found Matthew, head back to the cave." He says as the comm cuts. I hop onto the motorcycle and ride back to the Cave.

Mount Justice: 1:07pm, December 6th, 2010

"Rachel and Zatanna have located Matt. He is being held in a police station in Gotham." Batman says as our eyes widen. "Demons have Matt imprisoned in a police station? Why does that sentence make no sense?" Robin says as a dark chuckle sounds in the shadows. Everyone turns and prepares for conflict. Two men step out of the shadows. One of whom, I recongise. "Blade." Rachel says next to me as she runs up to the dark man. She embraces him in a warm hug, something that seems out of character for the usual quiet and withdrawn girl. The second man is unfamiliar to me but the white skull on his chest, the pistol on hand and the angry scowl on his face makes me feel a deep, instinctual fear of this man. "Who the hell are you two?" Green Arrow asks as Martian Manhunter's eyes glow. "Ah, ah, Martian. That's incredibly rude." Blade says as he pouts to his temple. "It's not much of a fucking hassle to ask for our names." The other man says with anger. "You're Frank Castle. The Punisher." Robin points to the newly named, Castle. "Yeah, what's it to you short stuff." Castle says as myself and Zatanna hold a chuckle. "First off...rude. And second, Matt asked me for help when he was tracking you down. Your ledger runs red, very, very deep. "I know of Castle's actions but never could get his name. You're very good at covering your tracks." Batman says with veiled anger towards Castle who stares back at the Dark Knight with an angry scowl. "That's the point. So people like you can't find me." He says with venom. "Can we get back on track? And ask, how the hell did they get into the cave?" Roy asks as Blade and Castle take out phones. Phones identical to Matt's. "Matt approached us about helping out when the time came. And with the blondie calling from his phone, our phones connected to this cave which recognised us...so we simply walked in." Blade says as everyone turns to me. I take out Matt's phone and give it to Batman. He sees the ID patches as he looks at the two newcomers. "She called you?" He asks but they shake their heads. "Nope...someone else picked up the phone, a woman...never heard the voice before." Blade says as I realise that it was a four way call. I look at Blade who gives me a subtle nod. Castle rains silent. "Well...since you're here and Matt believes you can be of use, you can help." He says, much to the surprise of the Leaguers present. "Batman, you can't be serious?" Green Arrow asks as Batman states back at him. "Matt is the best of the best when I comes to judging someone's character. His particular ability makes that even more. If he trusts them, then they have my trust...for now." He says in his usual tone.

"Ok, now that all that is cleared up. Why would demons keep Matt in a police station?" Connor asks as Blade steps forward. "I know this station. It's a front for human trafficking for vampires." He says as Red Arrow shakes his hands. "Wait, vampires now?" He asks incredulously. In the blink of an eye, Blade had removed his glasses and bolted in front of Roy. His prominent fangs expose for all to see. Roy backs in fear as Blade laughs. "Best change to the brown pants." He quips as I hold a laugh. Everyone par myself, Zatanna and Rachel are surprised by Blade's revelation. "Back to what I was saying...this station has been on my list to raid for a while but the human presence, not to the mention the horde of vampires that operate the nightshift, I would never get close." He says as I step forward and twirl the hologram around. "Why would demons take Matt there?" I ask as Blade laughs. "Vampires and demons are chubby buddies, related...faintly but they same similar goals...which of course...is global domination." He says as Castle chuckles. "What evil person or persons doesn't want global domination?" He sarcastically states. "So we have demons that can take on our strongest hitters and now vampires, who I'm guessing are stronger and faster?" M'gann asks as Blade nods. "Yes...but we'll have something faster." He says as both he and Castle walk over and place two large duffle bags on the table. We walk over and open them, revealing dozens of guns and bullets. This is going to be a long day.

Gotham City: 6:57pm, December 6th, 2010:

Batman decided that the team had to be small but versatile enough to be able to infiltrate the station and get out with Matt. Myself, M'gann, Robin, Roy, Wally, Zatanna, Kaldur, Blake, Connor, Blade and Castle were chosen to go. We were overlooking the station. "So what's the plan?" Roy asks to Blade who simply looks at him. Roy gets the message and backs off. "The suckers will patrol the station, my guess is that Matt is locked in the most secure part of the stations, either the evidence room or the holding cells." Blade says as Castle loads a silencer on his sniper rifle, he puts the gun on the ledge. "I'll wait up here, keep my eye on any targets." He says as he loads a round into the gun. "So what now?" Robin asks as Blade points to the roof. "Two suckers, they patrol the roof. Even undead, they never do their job properly." He says as he fires his borrowed grapple gun as he zooms over. Myself, Robin and Roy fire our own lines as M'gann lifts Wally, Zatanna and Kaldur. Blake and Connor simply leap over. We land on the roof as the vampires notice us. They snarl but Blade had already taken out his two huns and blew their brains out. The bodies disintegrate into ash. "That's what silver does to vampires?" I ask incredulously as Wally hurls a gag. "They will not hesitate to rip your throat out...so show them no mercy." He says to all of us. We make our way into the station as we silently enter a vent. We crawl through the vents, we hear voices and snarls. I see through a vent crate of a large demon that picks up a covering man and simply sanos his neck. I look away before continuing on. Blade holds us as he points down. I like down and see the evidence room. Matt at the far back, suspended by his own chains. "Shh." Blade whispers as he softly breaks the crate and hops down, without a sound.

We follow him as we enter the room. Robin, Roy, Connor and Kaldur check for anything that could alert the demons and vampires outside. I make my way over to Matt. "Matt...can you hear me? Are you ok?" I say but he is dazed. Completely out of it. "We have to go." Blade says as he takes out a gun and his sword. Wally rushes over and pulls the chains off Matt. He collapses to the ground but I catch him. "Blake, Connor." I call out as they both come over and swing one of Matt's arm over their shoulders. "How are we going to get out of here? We can't go back the way we came?" Roy asks as Zatanna steps forward. "I can open a portal. I'll need time." She says as we give her space. "Time...such a demanding focus." We hear a dark voice, we turn and a green mist manifest into a tall woman with horns. She is terrifying as we all back away on terror. "Such fear...it's almost succulent...almost." She says with an unnerving glee. Roy loads an arrow and fires at the figure but it passes right through her. "Foolish boy. Even if I was here, you think your arrows will do anything?" She mockingly says as Kaldur steps forward. "Who are you?" He asks with his water bearers formed into maces. "I am Lilith...Mother of All Demons." She says as our eyes widen in fear of who is here. "What do you want with our friend?" M'gann says with an anger that I've personally never seen. Lilith laughs mockingly at her. "It's not him that I want...it's the spirit within." She says as she paces around us, like a predator stalking her kill. "Zarathos and I have a long history. The demon half breed that you have will tell you all about it. So I shorten it for you, he imprisoned me, I break free...now I want revenge." She says with an almost sad tone. "We don't want any trouble...we just want to take out friend and go...please...let us go." Zatanna says a she stands in front of Lilith. The demoness gazes down at her with a pondered look. "You have power...but are too afraid to use it...interesting." She says as she looks at every one of us, her eyes particularly focus on me a little longer. "Ok...you can go." She says a she steps to the side. We stare wide eyed in bewilderment. "Just...just like that?" Wally asks as Lilith smiles. "I already got I what I wanted for him...take him." She says as the door opens. Demons and vampires are looking at us as we slowly make our way through the station.

The demons stare down at us with hunger as does some of the vampires but most of them stare up and down at us girls. Connor was very confused when a male vampire walk by him and pressed him a note with the famiar 'call me' gesture. I had to hold M'gann back from that one. Blade kept his gun at the ready as the vampires spit hateful and derogatory comments at him. Hisses and snarls, etc. Roy is the most freaked out, especially when a female tentacled demon caressed his cheek. "I like the pretty ones...they always are the first to break." The demon says with lustful intent as Roy wipes his cheek.

We make our way out as Castle comes down from his vantage point. He stares shocked as the demons and vampires follow us outside. Lilith makes her way through as the demons kneel I reverence as the vampires bow in respect. Zatanna chants a spell as a portal begins opening. We stare back at Lilith who has an amused smile on her face. I grit my teeth as I stand before her. "What are you smiling at?" I say with venom as she states down at me... I'm completely unnerved by her stare and feeling that instinctual fear build up through my spine. "Oh nothing child...just wondering who will land the fatal blow." She says as I narrow my eyes. "Artemis! Let's go!" Wally shouts to me as I turn and run through the portal. I step through and see the cave, I look back and see Lilith still smiling as the portal closes behind me.

I turn and see Matt being laid on the floor. M'gann places her hands at the side of his temple, Zatanna chants a healing spell while Rachel hovers her hand over his heart. "Is he alright?" "Come on, guys. We need something." Wally and Robin say respectfully. I see Blake in the corner of my eye as his eyes narrow while looking at Matt. "Blake...what is it?" I ask him as he approaches Matt. Everyone stops and watches as Blake twists Matt's head to the side and folds his ear inward. A symbol is revealed before us, like a backwards '5'. I hear an intake of breath as Rachel backs away. "Rachel? What's does that mean?" I ask but she shakes her head. "Rachel!" I scream as she faces me. "What does that symbol mean?" I ask as she sniffles. "Slave." She says.

No P.O.V:

Matt's eyes open as they glow with an ominous green. He grabs Zatanna by the neck and throws her away. Everyone looks shocked and surprised by the turn of events, Matt gets to his feet faster than anyone can notice and barrels into Blake. Blake tries to put up a fight but Matt lands devastating blows against the metahuman. Connor leaps over and grabs hold of Matt. "Matt! What are you doing?" He questions but he gets headbutted as he is thrown into Blake. Matt groans as he feels arrows and bullets puncture him as he turns with fire burning in his eyes. His hand glows with green fire as he fires a blast of hellfire towards Roy, Blade and Castle. They dodge out of the way but the intensity of the blast is so powerful, the ground explodes when it is impacted by the fire. Matt gets blinded by a smile bomb but his senses are as sharp as always. He turns and catches Robin's surprise attack before slamming him to the ground, he grabs his arm and slams his fist into his elbow. Robin screams in agony as he feels his arm break, he quickly blocks the kick to his sternum but the force of the blow sends him flying. Wally barrels himself into Matt who tries to catch him, attack or something. Matt blocks his body as Wally increases his speed and begins attacking from all sides. Matt focuses his senses as he feels Wally coming. Enhancing his speed, Matt delivers a powerful blow to Wally's face as he gets knocked out. Kaldur and M'gann work in tandem against him but Matt covers himself in fire and makes the room heat up...so much that stone starts to melt on the walls.

Kaldur has a hard time trying to breath as he collapses to the ground. M'gann tries to hold out and tries to reach for his mind. Matt reels the fire in and clasps his hand around M'gann's neck before snapping. M'gann falls limp to the ground. While Martians don't have bones, the feeling of a broken neck can be felt, while they won't die, Martians still feel the pain and cut from brain. Matt looks around sand sees most of the team mostly out. Matt walks away but he feels and hears someone coming. He blindly dodges an arrow as he turns and sees Artemis leaping at him. He catches her by the throat and slams he to the ground. He grabs her bow as he leans his head down. "Forgive me." He says with a sad tone and expression as Artemis's eyes widen. Matt pulls her bow from her. He stares down at her as he glows his fist with hellfire. "Matt! No!" Artemis screams about Matt throws his fire infused hand down at her.