-Three Years Ago Gotham City During Thanagarian Invasion 2009-
Blood. There was so much blood. It covered his hands, the floor beneath his boots and the walls. The young man blinked glancing around, all around him were bodies. Men and Women dressed in high quality dresses and suits, white masks adorned their faces, making them look like owls. In between them, black and gold suited figures also lay, not bleeding but stiff as corpses. He was confused looking around, a confusion that somewhat passed as he heard a groan from the other side of the room. Turning he saw a man surrounded by ninjas standing over the groaning person as they tried to crawl away.
He was a tall, daunting man with bright green eyes. He had black hair with gray streaks near his temples. He had a long black mustache and wild black eyebrows. Like the downed men and women he was dressed in a regal manner. A black vest with gold hems, a white undershirt, and a golden sash. Black pants and knee high black boots encased his legs and over the top of all this a high collared green cape with gold buttons. This man was Ra's Al Ghul, head of the League of Shadows. Though he looked to be in his fifties he knew the man was much older.
As the young man approached Ra's spoke in an even voice not looking at him; "Hault." The young man froze, finding himself unable to move.
"I don't understand." The man Ra's was staring at groaned as he pulled himself so he was now sitting against the gazing up at Ra's; "You made us our new Talon, we did as you asked, why betray us?" He hissed out glaring at Ra's who simply smirked down at him.
"You truly believed that The Light trusted you? We knew you would try and betray us eventually, we simply beat you to the punch and you were so eager for your latest weapon you made it so much easier than even we had hoped." Ra's said, pointing to the currently frozen young man whose eyes widened a little beneath the Talons mask.
"Step forward." Ra's said and the young man felt compelled to move standing beside Ra's as he was handed a sword, "Kill him." Ra's ordered and not for the first time the young man felt his arms move forwards impaling the man beneath him.
The moment the target stopped moving the young man felt himself regain his faculties. He pulled the sword from the man beneath him and swung the blade towards Ra's only for the much taller man's own blade to easily block it.
"Not bad, one day you might be a challenge. But right now we both know you can't beat me." Ra's said, sounding impressed though bored. The young Talons brain seemed to spin into overdrive looking at every possible attack pattern, each weapon he had on hand, and even at his best right now against Ra's it would be more flailing angrily. Yet still part of him wanted to try, better to go down swinging than be made a puppet again.
"Think carefully you wouldn't want to throw a life with such potential away." Ra's warned.
The Talon growled preparing to attack when a small gray creature jumped landing on his shoulder, eyes glowing talon's own eye glowed briefly before he dropped the blade.
"Yes, sir." He said calmly.
"Good, now come along we have a new assignment for you." Ra's said.
"And the uniform?" The boy asked, gesturing to his own Talon uniform.
"Keep it, a reminder of our victory today, and what happens to those who refuse to see The Light." Ra's said leading his ninja's and the Talon out into the night.
-Central City, July 4th 2012-
Captain Cold was running through a back alley, emerging into the street he blasted a large ice wall to his left side causing a car to swerve to avoid it. As he prepared to fire again, a blast of pink energy knocked his gun downwards making him freeze the ground. He looked up and growled in frustration.
On a nearby roof stood a young woman, she had pale gray-white skin with pink blush marks on her cheeks, and pink cat-like pupils. Her hair was the same pink shade as her eyes horseshoe shaped and curving out at the tips and sectioned off with metallic black bands near the top of her head.
She wore a short black long-sleeved dress with a jagged trim and a jagged violet collar that covered her shoulders. Her legs were covered in a black and violet striped leggings and black platform boots with violet Soles. Around her neck was a black choker with a violet charm that had a yellow lightning bolt inside a white circle in the center. Jinx sighed as she jumped downwards flipping to avoid another blast of ice.
"Seriously Snart, how many times do we have to do this?" She asked, firing a blast of magical energy that Cold was forced to roll out of the way only to be met with Jinx's boot in his face knocking him backward.
He rolled with the kick coming up and firing another blast of ice at her which she spun around; "Suppose, I can't get you to let me off, Jinx? I mean we used to not be too different after all."
"Not a chance, I turned over a new leaf years ago you know that. So why not give it up before the others get here? It'll save you a lot of trouble, and some pain."
"Not a chance."
"Well, I tried." Jinx said with a shrug as suddenly Cold found himself surrounded by two whirlwinds of red and gold." Cold tried to fire, but didn't manage to hit either of them.
"Alright, kid I draw his fire you move in for the knockout." The Flash said.
"Yeah, I got it, let's wrap this up in a Flash!" Kid Flash said excitedly.
"Oh that one was bad." Jinx sighed into the comm.
"Now!" Flash called out stopping as Cold took aim Kid Flash rushed in landing a punch to the gut followed by an uppercut that knocked out Cold.
"Good work babe, but you could have gotten here a little faster." Jinx smirked.
"Well, what can I say we got a little sidetracked on the way here." Flash said.
"No, you got a little sidetracked thinking about dinner." Kid Flash said defensively.
"Well, I uh…I'll make it up to you tonight?" Flash said awkwardly smiling at Jinx who rolled her eyes before looking at him with lidded eyes.
"Oh trust me I intend to make you keep that promise." She said, running a hand down his chest.
"Can you guys flirt later? We need to get Cold to the cops fast, today's the day!"
-Star City July 4th, 2012 09:01 PDT-
As cars drove across the Star City bridge a figure jumped down and landed in the center of the bridge before creating a wall of ice causing several cars to flip over. The figure stood laughing like a mad man. He had spiky white hair, and blue eyes with light blue skin encased in a shell of wore a black sleeveless shirt and black pants. Icicle Junior kept laughing as he fired off blasts of ice in all directions causing more chaos.
That was until several green arrows impacted in the wall behind him before exploding. He was thrown forward only to be hit with another arrow in the shoulder staggering backward. He looked up seeing two Green clad figures.
The first was a man with Blonde hair and Goatee and bright blue eyes. He wore a dark green shirt with a hood beneath a long light green vest with three dark green oval shaped fasteners, black pants and Green boots. He had a Quiver along his back filled with arrows held by a black strap across his chest. He also had a black domino mask, long green gloves and a green belt with a gold "G" as the buckle.
The other was a girl closer to Junior's age. She had olive-toned skin with long thick blonde hair tied up into a ponytail. She wore a dark green mask that extended from her hairline to her cheekbones. A Sleeveless dark Green top with a light Green Stylized arrow tip on her chest. Dark Green fingerless gloves, and pants. With black knee pads and combat boots. She had a black pouched Utility belt and a pouch strapped to her left leg. And on her back held in place by two straps one on each shoulder was a quiver full of arrows.
"Finally, I was beginning to wonder how much noise a guy had to make to get some attention around here." Icicle Junior said smirking as he launched several ice spikes at them, forcing the two archers to dodge and run along the bridge supporting firing arrows.
"He's just doing this for attention? Seriously, today of all days!?" Artemis demanded avoiding another wave of ice as Green Arrow took point.
"No need to be inpatient, we'll wrap this up quickly and be on our way." He said as they both fired concussive blast arrows at Junior.
"Hey, babe why not ditch the old man and come take a walk on the wild side?" Junior offered, creating a wall that both arrows impacted into causing them to blow a window into it which launched more ice into.
Artemis shuddered.
"Not interested blue boy." She said front flipping over the ice and firing a boxing glove arrow through the window in the wall and punching Junior in the face knocking him out.
"Kid had a glass jaw, I told you the boxing glove arrow would come in handy!" Green Arrow said smirking.
"Like this one time it's come up, can we just wrap this up please? Today's the day!" Artemis said excitedly.
As they helped the police bring in Junior, neither of them noticed a red and black clad figure with a quiver of red arrows growl in frustration before heading away into the city.
-Gotham City, July 4th 12:00 EDT-
As people were enjoying the sunshine in the park, suddenly screaming men and women began to scatter as a wave of ice crested over the center hill.
"Sorry to interrupt family time, but my family has other plans." A cold metallic voice said as onto the ice hill stepped a blue skinned man in a large Blue and Gray suit, with a dome over the top of his head. Plugged into his suit was a large cannon that he used to fire ice down at more civilians, freezing them solid before sliding down the hill. As he took aim at another group of civilians an object hit his gun knocking it upward and causing him to to miss. There was a rustle as Freeze turned to face the thrower only to find nothing.
"Batman. I was begging to wonder when you'd…" He began only for a batarang to hit his helmet followed by an Escrima stick that cracked the dome. As Freeze was knocked backward he spun to find himself facing two people, neither of them a bat.
The Escrima Sticks was tall and muscular with long black hair hanging down to his mid back. He wore a Black domino mask and jumpsuit with gray steel sword breaker gauntlets. A gray pouched utility belt was around his waist and he had black steel toed boots with gray soles. Across his chest was a symbol of a hawk-like bird spreading its wings that stretched from one shoulder to the other.
Beside him was a teen boy with a lean build and short black hair. He wore a long sleeve Red and black suit with three yellow rectangular fasteners on the front and a stylized yellow "R" just over his heart. His hands were covered in black gloves, and around his shoulders was a black cape which was yellow on the inside with a jagged pattern at the end.
"Nightwing and Robin? The Bat sent you to try and bring me in? I must admit myself underwhelmed."
"Yeah well, he had better things to do so here we are." Nightwing shrugged, causing Freeze to fire at them and forcing both of them to dodge as they rushed towards Freeze from either side.
"So, you excited?" Nightwing asked over the comms as Robin threw an R shaped shuriken towards freeze who just managed to dodge it and fire at him
"Is now really the time to talk about this?" Robin asked back, avoiding the blast and giving Nightwing the opportunity to throw his Escrima and hit the dome, cracking it further.
"Yeah, when I was Robin I had to form an entire team of my own to even come close to a day like this." Nightwing said flipping over Freezes blast and allowing Robin to glide off the ice and smash into Freezes Dome breaking it open the man gasped clawing at his face before Nightwing hit him hard in the face knocking him out before he froze the man's head shut with a Freeze Grenade.
"So?" Nightwing asked, smirking at Robin.
"Yes, I'm excited, how could I not be? Todays the day!"
-Pearl Harbor, July 4th 06:02 HST-
The usually warm and sunny day for midsummer Hawaii was not so in fact if one stuck their heads out they might assume it was midwinter with the light snow that was falling down from above. This was due to the blue skinned woman dressed in a blue and white costume. She was firing at two young men who were forced to dodge her blasts.
The one closest to her had light skin with long black hair that appeared slicked back that ran down to his shoulders. He was fairly muscular and wore a blue and black turtleneck unitard with white Zig-Zag patterns all over it. He managed to avoid one of her blasts, but the second one hit him, freezing him up to the neck. The other young man flipped over him making his way towards her.
He had deep brown skin, pale green eyes, high cheekbones and a lean build. He had blonde hair cut short, with black eel like tattoo's running up each of his arms, with a set of gills at his neck. He wore a skin-tight red and blue body suit that left his arms and feet exposed. As he ran towards her Tempest the former Aqualad broke free, and joined the new Aqualad in his charge.
"Can you really say you aren't excited?" Tempest asked as they zig zagged to avoid her attacks.
"Right now I don't think that's the priority." Aqualad said drawing his water bearers and turning the water they produced to maces as he got in close Killer Frost fired another blast that he blacked with his maces freezing them solid. He brought the now frozen weapons upward and shattered them against Killer Frost's jaw knocking her out cold.
As they cuffed the ice villainess, Tempest smiled to his partner and brother in all but blood.
"Well?" He asked slinging Frost over his shoulder as they headed towards land.
"Yes, I'm excited today's the day!" Aqualad said smiling.
-Washington DC, July 4, 14:00 EDT-
Nestled amongst the national monuments stood a gleaming building made almost entirely of white marble. The words Hall of Justice written in large letters above the entryway. A few feet away staring at the hall were Batman with Robin and Nightwing. Green Arrow with Artemis. Aquaman with Aqualad and Tempest. And just arriving The Flash carrying Jinx with Kid Flash by his side.
"See, I told you we would be last." Bart Allen said folding his arms and rolling his eyes at his mentors.
"Sorry Kid, old habits and all that, we'll be on time next time." Flash said, causing Nightwing to snort.
"You've been saying that since you were Kid Flash, and I think you've been on time like once. I really don't know how Jinx puts up with you."
"Lot's of patients, and occasional threats." Jinx said, smirking.
"Now that we're all here, let's get to it." Batman said seriously, leading the way towards the Hall.
"Nice to know some things never change." Artemis muttered to Robin as they followed their mentors.
"Believe it or not Nightwing says he's mellowed out, apparently he used to be way more grumpy."
"I find that hard to believe." Artemis said before they both chuckled a little, smiling at each other.
"Twenty bucks says they're a thing by the end of this year." Kid Flash muttered to Aqualad.
"I don't take bets I am likely to lose." He said as they entered the hall and observed giant bronze statues of the seven original League members: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, and despite everything that had happened Hawkgirl.
"Wow, that's kind of amazing." Aqualad muttered as the younger heroes approached the statues that were currently swarming with paparazzi as a door opened up and Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado stepped out.
"Robin, Artemis, Aqualad, and Kid Flash welcome. You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully stocked gally and of course our library." Manhunter said as he led the large group into the library.
"What about the Watchtower?" Kid Flash asked hopefully.
"You won't have full access to that, more restricted access." Green Arrow said carefully.
"Restricted like how?" Aqualad asked, curious but calm.
"You'll need a fully fledged League member to accompany you. No going up there alone, you haven't made it that far yet." The Flash said.
"You'll also need to listen when you're told you can't go up. Sometimes there's things going on up there that need to be kept private." Jinx added.
"But we will get to go up today right?" Robin asked.
"Yes, you will however not just yet for now take a seat we need to do a quick debriefing." Batman said as the older heroes gathered together.
"I find it unlikely to be a coincidence that four ice villains all attacked on the same day." Batman said.
"Yeah, severely unlikely, there has to be more especially for Freeze. His whole goal is usually to help cure his wife, not just attacking at random." Nightwing pointed out.
"Perhaps there is more to it than we're seeing? I mean Killer Frost has never been predictable but attacking Pearl Harbor without any goal in mind that we could see that isn't like her either." Tempest pointed out.
"The only one who wasn't doing anything too out of the ordinary was Jr, chaos is his style." Green Arrow admitted.
"Let's compare notes top side to see if we can't find a connection." Batman said, giving a motion for all of them to join him.
"Let us go through first, once we're on the other side. We'll update permissions to let you up." Batman said as a small scanner slid out and scanned the older heroes up and down
"Recognized Batman: 02, Aquaman 08, Flash 04, Green Arrow 09, Martian Manhunter 07, Red Tornado 16, Nightwing 18, Tempest 20, Jinx 24." A computerized female voice said before the doors opened.
The sidekicks were all smiles as they prepared to watch their mentors step through and then the alarms began to blare and off to the side on the main computer Superman clad in his blue and red costume appeared.
"Superman to Justice League there's been an explosion at Project Cadmus, it's on fire!" The man of steel said as the League members made their way over to the screen.
"I've had my suspicions about CADMUS. This could be the perfect opportunity to…" Batman began before another Screen appeared showing a man in a full Tuxedo and Top Hat appeared on screen.
"Zatara to Justice League the sorcerer of Wotan is using the Amulet of Attan to block out the sun requesting full League response!"
"Did anything he just said make sense to any of you?" Kid Flash asked his three friends who all shrugged.
"Superman?" Batman asked, looking at the man of Steel's image.
"It's a small fire, local authorities should be able to deal with it." He responded.
"Then Cadmus can wait," Batman said pressing a button, "All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara's coordinance Batman out." The Dark Knight said before turning to the four sidekicks.
"Stay put." He said as if it were that simple.
"Excuse me?" Artemis said seemingly just slightly offended.
"Yeah why would we stay behind?" Kid Flash asked.
"This is a League mission." Aquaman said seriously.
"Yeah, you guys aren't trained to…" Flash began.
"Since when exactly?" Robin asked, cutting off the speedster.
"That was a poor choice of words, what he meant was you aren't train to operate as a part of this team." Jinx said, stepping in for her husband.
"Exactly, there will be other missions when you're ready." Aquaman added.
"For now though, stay put." Batman said as if that were the final word as he and the other Leaguers stepped up to the Zeta Tube entry point and the doors closed behind them. However before doors closed Flash shot a covert wink towards the sidekicks.
"When, 'we're ready'? That's rich how are we ever supposed to be ready when we're being treated like sidekicks!? No Watchtower access without supervision, and then they tell us to stay put like we're a bunch of misbehaving children!" Artemis growled.
"I thought we were partners, that I had earned that right." Robin muttered.
"My mentor, My king. I thought he trusted me like he trusts Tempest, it seems I was mistaken." Aqualad said, hanging his head.
"Yeah, that's most of the League for you, but then they never had to be sidekicks so they never really had to deal with earning approval or having a mentor doubt your skills." Nightwing said, catching the four younger heroes off guard as they turned to find him and Tempest leaning against the far wall and smiling.
"Fortunately, for all of you we have." Tempest added.
"And opportunities are harder to come by." Nightwing added his smile becoming more of a smirk.
"So we figured why not give you all the chances you deserve?" Tempest added.
"Wait seriously!? But Batman and the League said to stay put won't that make things a little awkward for you two?" Robin asked skeptically.
"Nah, I've been disobeying Batman for years he'll be annoyed at worst. Especially when we're right." Nightwing shrugged.
"Besides, they only said to stay put for the blotting out the sun mission. Cadmus on the other hand is a completely different ball game." Tempest shrugged.
"And if you were to have two handsome and dashing League members tell you something along the lines of oh I don't know…Go aid in the fire suppression and investigate Cadmus reporting back anything you find. Why could the argument be made that you were acting on League orders." Nightwing shrugged, causing them all to smile at the former Aqualad and Robin.
"So, just like that we're a team on a mission?" Aqualad asked.
"You know I think we are." Artemis smirked.
"I'm in!" Kid Flash said as they all looked at Robin, who while nervous nodded.
"Good, now get moving we need to go catch up to the rest of the League. Cadmus is a genetics lab here in DC." Tempest added as they headed towards the Zeta Tubes.
"However if Batman has his suspicions, there's probably something more going on." Nightwing added before turning to them.
"Good luck, I know you all can do this." Nightwing said watching the four of them exit the Hall.
"Nervous?" Tempest asked as they opened the tunnel to the Zeta Tubes.
"A little, but better than how we proved ourselves. I don't want them to go on a trip to hell."
"Same." Tempest nodded as the two former sidekicks vanished in a flash of light.
-Cadmus Facility a Few Moments Later-
Fire crews and rescue workers were trying to put out the fire on the second floor as two scientists yelled for help.
"Remain calm, we will get you out." The Fire Chief called up to them through the megaphone.
No sooner had he said it however then something behind the men exploded sending them tumbling out the window towards either death or an extended hospital stay. Fortunately for them Kid Flash rushed to the scene running up the wall and managing to grab the men as they fell before throwing them onto the roof of the building. He was unable to continue running upwards however and as he fell he just managed to grab the window ledge at a point where the fire hadn't spread.
"Hey, look it's the Flash's sidekick uh…Flash Boy!" The Fire Chief said excitedly.
"Flash Boy really? Why is Kid Flash so hard to…well actually…nah Flash Boy doesn't roll off the tongue as well." Bart muttered to himself.
Down on the ground the other three sighed, as they approached the building.
"I wonder if The Flash was this bad when he was Kid Flash?" Artemis asked the other two.
"I've heard it's debatable." Robin shrugged.
"We need a plan before we move, in this case Robin you get Kid Flash in the building. Artemis, can you save the scientists?" Aqualad asked.
"Shouldn't be too much of a problem." Artemis nodded.
"Good I'll put out the fire, and meet you all inside." Aqualad said as they all moved in.
Robin grappled onto the Fire Trucks ladder leaping to the window ledge and pulling Kid Flash up and into the building. Meanwhile Artemis pulled out a grappling arrow and fired it into the roof. It pulled her up and she landed beside the two men and tried to smile reassuringly.
"Hang on." She said pulling out another arrow before firing it down towards the ground where it latched onto a light post leaving behind a line for them, "Use your coats to slide down, don't worry the lines are strong."
The men nodded, taking off their jackets before sliding down the line. They were about halfway down when one of their jackets tore. The man screamed as he began to plummet towards the ground. Only to find himself caught on a platform made of water. He looked up to see Aqualad nod down at him before taking him back to the ground.
Once the scientist was safe Aqualad took the platform back to the roof and Artemis stepped aboard.
"Sorry, the line was strong. I didn't think the lab coats would be so flimsy." Artemis groaned.
"It's fine, they're safe, that's what matters." Aqualad said, receiving a nod as he lowered them to the window Robin and Kid Flash had gone into, before he redirected the water to more precisely hit the fire as the firemen sprayed and he and Artemis jumped inside to find Kid Flash and Robin going through files and computers.
"Make the save?" Robin asked worriedly, pausing in his search through a computer to look at the two new arrivals.
"Of course, we did." Artemis said a bit defensively.
"Anything of note yet?" Aqualad asked.
"Not yet, but pick a file cabinet or a computer and we might find something." Robin said going back to searching a computer as Artemis joined him.
Aqualad made his way over to a nearby file cabinet looking right and left carefully, and paused down the hallways to his right was an elevator. And within was a shadow that looked like a demon straight out of a horror movie. Aqualad froze for a second as the demonas eyes glowed red and the elevator door closed.
"Aqualad you okay? You look like you saw a ghost?" Kid Flash said having finished going through his file cabinet as he saw the red down arrow glowing.
"Shouldn't the elevators be locked down?" Artemis asked.
"Yeah they should, but that's not the only thing wrong here, hold on." Robin muttered, bringing up a scanner and scanning the elevator before a screen popped up for them all to see from his gauntlet.
"That's what I thought, this thing is a high-speed maximum weight express elevator. They use these things in weapons facilities, manufacturing plants and even some extremely high class hotels. It doesn't belong in a two story seemingly ordinary research facility."
"Nor does what I saw." Aqualad said approaching the door and prying it open for them all to look down and see a long elevator tunnel that led so far down they couldn't see where it ended.
"And that's why they need an express elevator." Robin muttered as Artemis fired a grappling arrow into the ceiling.
"Going down." Artemis said sliding down the rope followed by the other three. They slid down the rope watching the sublevels slip by as they went Artemis' rope ending at Sub level 26.
"Guess this is where we stop." She muttered pumping her legs and swinging over to the wall and landing on the ledge followed by the others as Robin began to hack into the systems and just managed to get into.
"Good to go." He nodded as Aqualad opened up the doors and the four of them stepped out into a long hallway that looked like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie.
"Welcome to the real Project Cadmus." Artemis muttered as they all stared dumbstruck at the whole place.
"I'll scout ahead." Kid Flash said, pulling down his goggles and rushing down the hall and around the corner before any of them could stop him.
Kid Flash sped down the hall taking in everything and then as he rounded the corner and caught sight of something it surprised him so much that he skidded to a halt, or tried to what actually happened was he slid falling over and rolling into another hallway where he was almost crushed to death by, well he wasn't sure what to call it. It was a gigantic creature and looked like a cross between a troll and a demon.
Its back legs were hoof like, with its body and front legs looking like large Gorilla hands. Its head had long horns growing from each side, its entire skin was gray, almost scaly and its eyes were bright red. On top of its head was a small demon looking creature. He rolled out of the way as the other caught up and all four of them stared at the creatures in shock.
"Yeah, totally normal scientific research." Artemis muttered sarcastically. None of them noticed one of the small creatures' horns glow as they passed by.
-Sub-Level 13: Project Blockbuster-
He watched from the rafters, as the ponytailed man was bent over a test tube very carefully adding drops to a blue crystal. He had been at this for days now, watching over this scientist. Or maybe it had been weeks? It was hard to tell when going outside wasn't in your job description much. Still, at least here he didn't have to kill, not often anyway and it gave him time to think. Think about how he could get out and how he could get Project KR out as well.
Not that planning anything was easy, he did after all need to behave or a Genomorph would rat him out and they would make him. Sighing the Talons ears perked up beneath his helmet he heard footsteps approaching outside the door to Project Blockbuster. He raised his arm pointing it at the door as long feather-like blades protruded ready to fire if a threat came in. Just as Doctor Desmond finished the crystal inside melting a glowing bright blue, the door pinged open and the Talon lowered his wrist as Desmond sighed.
Stepping into the room was a man with a powerful build and blue eyes. He wore a dark blue jumpsuit with a Golden Helmet as well as Golden Shoulder and wrist pads. On his shoulder was a G-Gnome.
"Doctor Desmond." Guardian said, stepping inside.
"Tell me Guardian, do you not understand the meaning of no interruptions?" Desmond asked, taking the now glowing test tube and placing it in a container with other similar tubes.
For his superior attitude, Desmond didn't look like much physically. He had long brown hair done in a ponytail the temples at each side of he head were graying. Square wire rimmed glasses framing brown eyes. And he was dressed like a typical scientist lab coat and all. Yet his condescending tone never failed to get on the Talon's nerves. For once he just wished that Guardian would punch Desmond in the face or let him do it.
Guardian however remained calm, almost stoic as he spoke to Desmond; "A G-Gnome on Sublevel 26 is reporting four intruders."
Desmond sighed, barely taking the time to glance over at the larger man; "Did the Talon and I miss a perimeter breach alert?" He asked.
"No."
"Then the G-Gnomes confused, simple as that. For all that may happen in our faux lab above ground the real Cadmus is the most secure facility in D.C." Desmond said going over and examining a microscope.
"I know that, just as you might recall it's my job to keep it that way." Guardian said carefully though the Talon could note a low almost threatening tone in his voice.
"Fine, take a squad and why not take Project Talon as well, I'm sure he could do with stretching his legs." Desmond said, giving an almost nonchalant wave as the Talon dropped down in front of Guardian staring up at the older larger man and giving a slight nod. Much as he hated being treated like he was a dog he had been getting bored so he would let it slide for now.
Before the two costumed figures could move, someone else stepped through the door. A tall slender man with blue skin. His head and face, stuck out as he had no nose and long curving golden horns on either side of his had pointed fin-like ears and two long ribbons of flesh emerging from his cheeks. He wore plain scrub like pants and a matching shirt and his eyes were a dark red shade.
Dubbilex nodded at Guardian and the Talon as he passed them speaking directly to Desmond; "Might I suggest that Guardian leave his G-Gnome behind? If there could be trouble, and violence should occur…" The G-Goblin as he had been designated trailed off.
"The little guy could get in my way." Guardian finished.
"No!" Demond said a little too quickly before he seemed to calm himself down, "The advantage of instant telepathic communication outweighs any other concerns." He finished petting his own G-Gnome even as its eyes glowed bright red along with the one on Guardian's shoulder.
"I need my G-Gnome with me at all times." Guardian said in a somewhat flat tone of voice before bowing and gesturing for the Talon to follow him out of the room. The Talon didn't say anything, behaving was more than worth it in the long run if it meant not having to have a Gnome brainwashing him like that. Besides Desmond was probably right no one who wasn't supposed to had discovered this place yet, what were the odds they would now?
-Sub-Level 26: Power Generation-
Robin was typing away and the computer came from his gauntlet. As he opened the door the four teens stopped in their tracks, jaws open wide. Before them was a large room filled from top to bottom with Blue Grasshopper-like creatures which were glowing blue and crackling with electricity.
"Well, that explains how no one ever found this place; they're totally off the grid. Generating their own power." Robin said, looking around seeming almost impressed by it all.
"Hell of a way to keep yourself hidden, but what are they doing down here that they really don't want the public to know about?" Kid Flash asked.
"My guess is a lot of things." Artemis said as she and Robin plugged into a nearby panel and began to scan into the system.
"Breeding creatures for power and who knows what else? Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the Earth." Aqualad said.
"Right under everyone's nose where no one would think to look." Kid Flash swallowed
"Yeah and this Cadmus has been pretty busy creating new life too. They call them Genomorphs, and oh man are there a lot of them." Robin muttered as he and Artemis waved the other two over.
"Look at some of the stats on these things, Super Strength, Telepathy, Razor Claws, energy generation, combat. These things are living weapons. Someones building an army beneath D.C." Artemis muttered to the others.
"Wait there's something else projects Kr, and Talon? It's triple encrypted. Artemis help me out between the two of us we should be able to…"
"Stop where you are!" A new voice said as Guardian and a squad of Genomorphs flooded in along with another figure.
They had a lean athletic build like a swimmer or a runner. They were dressed in a skin tight black suit with pockets all over it. Over their right shoulder was a strap of knives, his wrists were covered by gauntlets that were shaped like owls heads. On their face they wore a helmet that gave their face the appearance of an owl including glowing orange eyes. As they tilted their head staring at the four of them, Robin's eyes widened as he figured out why Project Talon seemed so familiar, the legend of the Court of Owls.
When Tim had become Robin, he had written the myth of the Court of Owls off as just that, a myth. After all, if Batman couldn't find anything about a secret group ruling Gotham from the shadows it had to be right? And yet there was a Talon staring at him and his friends. Before he could think about it more, Guardian spoke up.
"Robin, Aqualad, Artemis, Kid Flash? What are you all doing here?" He asked.
"Guardian, you're a hero." Artemis said carefully.
"I do the best I can." The gold helmeted man said surrounded by the Genomorphs with a Talon at his side.
"Then, what are you doing down here?" Aqualad asked suspiciously.
"I'm chief of security, and you're trespassing, but we can contact the League and sort this out. I'm sure it's nothing but a misunderstanding." Guardian said as Artemis gave Robin a few hand signals behind her back and he kept downloading whatever he could as Kid Flash stepped up to speak.
"I may not understand everything in this place, but I doubt that the League would approve of you helping to breed weapons."
"Weapons, we haven't been, what are you…what have I.." Guardian began defensively confused as Artemis noticed the eyes of the Genomorph on his shoulder glow red causing Guardian to bring a hand to his head and the Talon to finally turn its gaze from them to Guardian even as the man lowered his hand blue glinting with resolve.
"Take them down hard, no mercy!" Guardian declared as the Genomorphs rushed forward.
Artemis had been ready, firing a smoke bomb arrow in front of herself and giving them all a layer of cover and allowing them to get the jump on the Genomorphs. She twisted out of the way jumping up and over one hooking her bow under its jaw and using her momentum to throw it at another. Kid Flash ran along the wall before launching himself off the wall like a torpedo and bouncing into the other's just as Guardian slammed into Aqualad bouncing him along the floor and into a panel. Meanwhile the Talon swarmed after Robin who managed to unplug from the console and draw his bo staff.
He managed to block the Talons downward attack and was surprised when feathers seemingly burst from the Talons wrist impacting on and even slightly pushing Robin back.
'What the hell are those!?' Robin thought before one fired from his the Talons wrist forcing him to tilt his head to avoid it firing right into his face. The Talon slipped beneath him and his staff and wrapped his arm around Robin's neck, one of the feather blades pressing into his neck. Robin let go of his staff with his right hand slamming his elbow into the Talon's side. The Talon Grunted but held firm before speaking into Robin's ear.
"Project Kr, is on sub-level fifty two. Get..to it." The male voice muttered.
"Why? What do you gain out of it?" Robin asked, hesitating before hitting the Talon again.
"I have my reasons. Now make this look good." The Talon muttered, loosening his grip around Robin's neck and allowing the boy wonder to slip his arm underneath the Talons and his other around the back of the Talons head throwing the Talon over his shoulder and into Guardian and his Genomorph who had just been shocked by Aqualad.
Robin Threw down another smokebomb and yelled to the other's: "Run!" Before sprinting off down the hallways around the corner he saw the elevator ahead, quickly plugging into the consol as the other surrounded him.
"Come on, hurry it up Robin." Kid Flash said, rapidly tapping his foot as the Genomorphs rounded the corner, just as Robin managed to get the door open. The four of them scrambled in with Artemis firing an arrow containing putty at the ground catching some of the Genomorphs in it as the doors slid closed and the elevator began to descend.
"Uh, Robin did you hit your head, we're supposed to be going up you know where out is." Artemis said worriedly.
"I know, but that guy…that Talon said that Project KR whatever it is, is down stairs on Sub-Level 52."
"And you're trusting the guy who just helped attack us!?" Kid Flash asked, looking at Robin as if he had lost his mind.
"He told me that, and then he let me slip away. He could have got me right there but he wanted us to go down. Plus the information I did manage to get says that he's telling the truth."
Aqualad rubbed his head, "This is getting out of head, maybe we should call in the league."
The elevator was silent, all of them knew that it might be the right thing, but Nightwing and Tempest had faith in them and they didn't want to let them down. They wanted to prove themselves to the League as well. What if failing here made them even less trusted? Before any of them could speak, the elevator stopped, the doors sliding open into a large hallway that for all the world looked like it was made of flesh and muscle.
Robin gave the others a look of determination, and before any of them could stop him, he ran from the elevator and down the hallway towards a split.
"Can't let him go alone." Artemis muttered, setting off after The Boy Wonder.
"We are already here." Kid Flash shrugged before the speedster followed. Aqualad sighed and set off after his friend.
-With The Talon-
They had stalled the elevator, that was good it forced himself and more importantly Guardian and the Genomorphs to go down via the stairs. More importantly, it looked like Robin had listened to him and the elevator had stopped at sub-level 52.
'Perfect, if they can get Project KR out maybe we can all make it out of this. We just need to do this carefully, and I need to beat the rest of them to the punch.' He thought, glancing at the Genomorphs before springing forward flipping over the stair railing and letting himself fall a few floors before grabbing the railing of another floor, finding himself now six floors ahead of the Genomorphs.
Smirking beneath his mask, he continued to run down the stairs. Hopefully he could make it in time.
-With the Sidekicks-
The four of them took cover at a split in the hall each covered in shadows. The four of them looked either direction, Robin pulling up a map on his holo computer.
"Which way?" Kid Flash asked.
"Yeah, creepy hallway number one or creepy hallway number two?" Artemis asked sarcastically.
"Is now really the time for…" Aqualad began glancing at her before he was cut off, seeing a demon-like figure that he was sure he had seen in the shadows upstairs when all this had started.
"Halt!" It declared in a booming voice, eyes glowing red as it lifted two large containers with telekinesis and hurled them at the four.
They ducked just as the containers exploded behind them, "Hallway Number two it is!?" Kid Flash received nods from the other three as Robin and Artemis each launched an arrow and batarang at the figure who caught them with his mind only for them to let off a blinding flash of light, making the Genomorph groan.
Once he managed to blink his line of sight clear, he could just see Artemis' ponytail whip around the corner. A door to Dubblix's left burst open, and the Talon ran in feather like blades protruding from his arms.
"They're headed for Project Kr." Dubblix said calmly, almost knowingly.
The Talon didn't take time to think about that, running down the hallway just as Guardian and the Genomorph squadron arrived in the elevator.
'Guess they didn't jam it well enough.' The Talon thought still in the lead rounding the corner he saw the four sidekicks making their way into Project Kr's containment room.
'Yes, come on just a little farther.' He thought, picking up his own pace. He was nearly there when Aqualad kicked the container holding the door open out and sent it flying into his chest knocking him backward as the door slammed shut and he heard it lock.
"Damn it!" He muttered, getting up and glaring at the door, and trying to think of a way inside as Guardian and the other Genomorphs rounded the corner.
-Inside Project Kr-
Robin was rapidly typing away as they heard the door seal itself closed. The Boy Wonder nodded, "I've sealed the door, we're safe."
"No, we're trapped." Artemis pointed out looking around the dark room for an escape route.
"Maybe there's got to be a vent or something they can't just not breath in here and having one way out is just not wise for a lab. Maybe if we can get the lights on we'll find something." Robin said, still typing on his gauntlet.
"Guys! You're gonna wanna see this." Kid Flash said getting the attention of all his friends as he tapped a few buttons on the console in front of him the lights came up and the four of them stared in shock at what was before them.
In the center of the room, was a large pod and something or rather, someone sat within the large Kr across the front of the glass. She had long blonde hair and a powerful build similar to Wonder Womans. Though she looked like she was in her mid to late teens just like them. She had a light skin tone and was dressed in an all white suit with Superman's distinctive red "S" emblazoned across her chest. Her eyes were closed, and above her head were three Genomorphs.
"Whoa." Robin muttered, stunned.
"What the hell is she?" Artemis asked as she and Kid Flash approached the pod.
"Project Kr, I never saw it worded but that makes sense. Big K little R."
"The atomic symbol for Krypton! Of course! But what is she, a clone maybe?" Artemis asked, looking over to Aqualad and Robin who hadn't yet moved.
"Robin, hack." Aqualad received a nod as Robin plugged into the console and in seconds was through the defenses and looking over information.
"No way, this isn't a cloning thing. This is basically a kidnapping! Weapon designation Supergirl, a Krytonian captured from space in a stasis pod. She's been held here for just over a year. The suit lets her absorb yellow sun radiation 24/7" Robin muttered.
"And those things?" Aqualad asked, pointing to the creatures above her head.
"Genomorph Gnomes, their force feeding her an education about Earth and attempting to brainwash her." Robin said, stunned.
"To do who knows what. Can't believe there's another Krytonian, no way the big guy knows about this right?" Kid Flash asked.
"Not a chance. They're making a slave out of this girl." Artemis said, shaking her head.
"Now we contact the league." Aqualad said as he and Robin each tried their communicators only to get static.
"No signal." Robin muttered.
"We're literally in too deep." Kid Flash sighed.
-Outside Project Kr-
The Talon had pried off the panel to get to the doors circuitry, if he could get in he could still salvage this. This was the best shot at freedom they'd ever had. He just had to hope they hadn't let her out yet, before he could explain himself. He heard panting behind him, and stopped for a moment to glance over seeing Dr. Desmond running up to Guardian and the Gnomorphs before turning his attention back to the circuitry.
"They're still in there, with the weapon!?" Desmond demanded looking at Guardian.
"We can't get the door open, Talon's working on it."
Desmond spun looking at Dubblix, "Use your Telekinesis!"
"I have tried, I'm afraid to no avail." Dubblix replied calmly. Desmond threw his hands up in frustration.
"Useless! This is a debacle. Get some G-Trolls down here to muscle the door open. Now!" Desmond ordered.
"Already on their way." Guardian said a slight note of annoyance in his voice.
"You realize once we get in there, we can't ever let them leave." Desmond said, looking at Guardian.
'Not if I can help it.' The Talon thought even as he kept listening while he worked.
"Doc, these aren't your typical meddling kids, you don't want to get on the wrong side of the Justice League." Guardian warned.
"Better than getting on the wrong side of the Cadmus board of directors believe me." Desmond said as the Talon shivered a little at that thought but kept working, focusing his full attention on the circuits and wires so much so that he didn't hear Desmond until it was too late.
"Contact the G-Gnomes inside Kr." He ordered his own G-Gnome who closed its eyes, the small horns on its head glowing red.
'That's not good.' The Talon thought, trying to keep focused still on getting the door open and swallowing nervously.
-Inside Project Kr-
"This is wrong." Artemis declared with a glare turning to her friends.
"We can't just leave her like this." Robin agreed, even as Aqualad stood and thought before nodding, "Set her free, do it."
Robin nodded, typing a way and a few seconds later the pod slid down into the ground.
For a moment they all stood, waiting then her hand twitched balling into a fist. Her eyes shot open revealing bright blue orbs. Then before any of them could say anything she pounced forward at astonishing speed tackling Aqualad down as she began to unload punches to his face. She looked angry and determined.
Quickly Kid Flash ran over, with no real plan he tackled her at super speed, managing to knock her off Aqualad.
"Calm down there, we're trying to help you!" He said.
"Heard that before, you won't fool me this time!" Supergirl said before charging Aqualad and Kid Flash again.
"Please tell me you've got Kryptonite." Artemis and Robin said in unison before turning to each other eyes wide; "WHAT!?" They both asked together as Kid Flash avoided the girl's first punch only to be met with another that sent him flying through the control panel.
"You think I've got Kryptonite!? I deal with Street level criminals, mob bosses, the occasional Supervillain, not rogue Kryptonians!" Artemis said drawing a few freeze arrows and firing them at Supergirl who swatted them aside like flies, backhanding Aqua and sending him staggering backward.
"You think Batman just lets me carry those glowing green rocks around, especially after they nearly killed Luthor!? He keeps that stuff under lock, key and lead. Only him and Nightwing acn get to it." Robin said, pulling a taser and firing it into Supergirl's chest.
She barely even flinched before seizing the cable leading back. Swinging Robin around like a toy plane and smacking him into Artemis, and Aqualad. The four sidekicks groaned trying to get their bearings expecting her to attack again. They were surprised when she turned away from them, making a break for the door.
This was it she was going to get free, they couldn't hold her anymore she would get out, find her cousin and then deal with whatever this was. She reached out denting the door as she gripped it before ripping the door clean open and tossing it aside.
'Guess those Gnomes weren't lying about these powers. This I could get used to.' She thought turning to the door and freezing for a second as she saw a black and orange clad figure with the mask on his face making his eye look large and glowing orange. She knew that face and instantly her own face hardened in fury.
"You!" She shouted glaring at him.
"Oh shit." The Talon muttered as Supergirl leapt at him with a cry of rage.
A/N: So, originally I was going to post this only on archive of our own. But, recently it occurred to me I do have some people who like reading my stuff on this site. So I have decided to cross post this new version of Black Feathers. Go check out my co-author and editor awesomerebel55 his work is incredible! We hope you like this first chapter, and I'll see you in the next chapter.