[22nd December 2010]

[Mount Justice, Rhode Island, United States of America]

'Okay I like this setup...not so much the audience nor the pressure, but hey...the equipment and materials are up to snuff at least' I thought to myself placing the chest piece of the armour unto the metal rack-skeleton over current spandex top and bottoms Artemis had provided for completion. Kind of worrying really when it was shoved in my face; it was one thing knowing she was basically going around in light, quasi-stab resistant, cross between skin-tight day wear and lightest armour available. Because, apparently, certain badass normal superheroes did not believe in body armour -despite not being super-tough, or bullet and/or knife proof...then again her mother had believed basically the same till her spinal injury. Nor did Black Canary or Green Arrow either I suppose...

"It's a bit bulky looking Skulls isn't it?" said audience member queried, pottering around the stand now that I had the assembled the various parts that formed the entirety of 'body suit' "...you know I have to be able to move it don't you?"

It wasn't criticism, and cheerful enough likely owing to my pestering of her these past few months since meeting to wear something that might actually stop a bullet. Or cover her mid riff in truth, but as pretty as she was to look at it be much better to sensible protection than looking stylish. And honestly; my own armour was heavier, not by much, and I could move around plenty fine in it despite being less athletically skilled than either of my ninja wannabe teammates. Aqualad at least had the excuse of skin hardening magic skills, and natural resistances, and what Robin wore was probably some sort of cutting edge fibres designed by Batman by his superpower of Wayne Enterprises R division.

"Hey, it's the lightest I can manage while being functional. It's the same gear as available to the ARW...anyway, that's the whole point of the strength enhancements to ensure you don't notice any increased weight. Or have it slow you down, nor ruin your agility...once we're finished anyway. Honestly I'd have preferred urban camo rather than the woodland DPM but..."

"Green Skulls, I wear green"

I sighed raising my hands up in the air in surrender as my two lovely assistants giggled at me apparently "Fine, fine you've won the argument already as you can see. I could have made it pink you know like your..."

Thwack.

"For the last time...I AM NOT CALLED PINK ARROW!"

I grinned back at her, the smack to the back of my head being playful along with a huff of indignation "Sorry, sorry"

Zatanna of course was more interested in the work I'd spent all morning preparing; such as the time consuming ritual circle the armour set was in the middle of, and the individual enchantment work done on the various pieces that made up the set. Permanency was an energy intensive spell, and generally the major constraint on my item creation as it tired me out afterward utilising it, and I'd found the best results (at least for myself) lay in a methodical and systematic approach by 'layering' the spell work. Others, in another lifetime, could do it in a superior and more rapid manner but I'd always been more of a ritualist than a magical blacksmith or engineer so what one did could as you could.

"You've inscribed...runes?...into the armour?"

I nodded "Runes, and Sigils, and Wards, either stitched or engraved into the armour or under-armour, and then cast unto them directly so they'll hold the effect till I can use the spell circuit here to activate, and lock them into existence once we've cast. Enhanced strength, protection from projectile weapons, and what should be decent enough resistance to energy based attacks "

"So you want my daughter to cast atop these spells as laid out in your own in this order of casting you have written..." Mr. Zatara queried from where he stood reading said instructions that I written out, and agreed with them, in advance of this session "...then cast this spell of Order Binding to latch your magic unto the materials yes?"

"Yes..." I confirmed, again, with a nod as the Justice League member cut off his daughter's on query on the subject most likely. Ever step was being 'double-checked' by him, and honestly if not for the need for the time needed to prepare the rituals, and then to talk them through with Gemma part of the lesson for today. She wasn't going to be casting such things for quite a time, but she could help in them and it was merely a continuation of what I'd already been teaching her "...Binding the spells to the equipment as you put it, without either burning out the spell or the equipment, is the last step. As my gear for Artemis is nearly complete, compared to Connor's, it seemed the best option to explain as I'd documented what I've done, and planned on doing, in more detail"

In all honesty Connor's own suit was going to be a slightly more complex affair, making use of the remnants of the Cadmus solar material under the actual metal of the armour breastplate. Solar energy was vital to him, as it was Superman, after all and part of the enchantment then meant Continual Light seemed to be the best bet as it provided the needed energy requirements as well as Cadmus had. Once that was anchored in...then I lock in the Flight spell and other armour. Least that way if anyone figured ever figured our magical empowered anti-flesh weapons like I had, or blades sharp enough to cut Kryptonian flesh like this Vietnamese Samurai-Ninja Connor had mentioned during the Pentagon debacle, he'd be protected by the armour from slashing damage.

I glanced at my own apprentice "And can you follow everything we're going to do Gemma? Need me to go back over anything? We'll be starting it in a few moments otherwise, same with you Zatanna – question time is now not mid ritual"

"I would have expected Constantine to be teaching his niece rather than a boy near her age..." Zatara noted as I walked over to the table nearby to take up a scroll after no questions were forth coming from my apprentice, or from either of the Zatara family. Thankfully, I was getting tired of covering the same ground, while not giving out my secrets of specific parts of the casting on my side, over and over again "...or your parents acceptance of such Miss Master's"

"Uncle John's not allowed to teach me magic Mom says..." Gemma replied before I could open my mouth "...and that Young John is a responsible adult and I am to listen to him when he talks about magic an' stuff loik that. Unless he asks me out on a date course; then Mom told me to kick'em in the balls really 'ard. But John wouldn't do that, cuz he knows wots good for him"

I sighed, rubbing my hand over my face, as I heard the laughter from certain individuals nearby. Maybe I should just be glad the rest of the Team were off on a mission leaving only those 'needed' for my work today, like Artemis who'd be 'modelling' them later on, behind "Thank you Gemma, thank you very much for that. Now, I think it's time we get started..."

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[22nd December 2010]

[Secure Room, Bunker Complex, Beneath Temple of the Shrouded Lord, Tropico]

Jade Nyugen found her almost missing the dull tedium of her prison cell here as she barely ducked under the kick to her head. Instead she stumbled under it, recovering as hands planned on the matt over the hardened concrete to allow her to roll-shove backwards and out of range of the next incoming attack as her opponent flowed with the kick; spinning in the air for a second before the other leg landed where Jade has just been. Still, there was no time to catch her breath as elbow banged painfully as she rolled, then came out of her movement into a fighting stance...

...just in time too as running feet charged at her, arms flowing in swift punches now. Block, block, swing, block...

Pain exploded in her stomach as the knee hammered into it and drove her backwards a step...barely getting her right arm up to block the follow-up hand strike towards her head. It was hard to move now, like fighting in molasses as every exertion drew away precious strength even as she desperately tried to make so distance between her and the attacks. Flipping backwards on bare hands and feet gained that space...

...but only for a moment before a high kick came into to be barely, and awkwardly, blocked by Jade bracing her arms. Then she flowed out of it, breathing hard as she launched a flurry of her own kicks and punches. To the head, to the joints, to merely block the return blows as her aching feet were a whirlwind of exhausted movement beneath her. Hands slapped and blocked at each other in the air as Jade extended her strike and...

Pain.

...arms like a snake slide over her own, hand strike failing as, pressing upwards and then her breath was slammed out of her again as the elbow of the other arm smashed home. Even as her breath exploded out of her lungs, and she was pressed upwards, her mind was struggling to figure out what was going on...just as it told her she appeared to be flying...

Pain.

"Uughhhhhh" she managed to groan out after a moment of darkness, her eyes blinking as they appeared to be staring upwards at the rather dull ceiling and nasty bright lights shining down upon her. For a moment her muscles responded to her demands to get back up, or merely roll to the side, but instead as soon as she managed to push herself up unto her elbows...her strength failed her and she tumbled back to staring helplessly at the ceiling above.

"I do believe that it is my victory Jade dear" Mom stated coming to view of blurring eyes as Jade managed to turn her head towards the voice "...do you yield?"

"Hah...hah...hah...yield...not fair" she managed to whine back continue to lay on her back desperately trying to recover some measure of her strength. So much for great plans of even debating escape she thought to herself emitting another groan as Mom stood there looking triumphant. Which she was Jade figured, but she'd gotten a right trashing here and now by someone she'd lost respect for years ago...and now seemed almost back in her prime if anything.

"Not fair Jade? That's hardly a response to be given by a trained assassin of the League of Shadows"

'No its not, but old women who'd had their backs broken shouldn't be able to beat their trained younger daughters either' she groaned internally, then sighed as her breath came started to come back to her "Not fair...turns me innna cat...and...gives...you...superpowers"

Mom gave an amused snort, arms folded across her chest, still she seemed as sweat soaked and exhausted as Jade felt herself despite the smirk on her face "I asked nicely dear, and they're hardly superpowers...just healed and restored for the here and now...but in time there maybe, perks, let's say to being the loyal servant to a skilled mage and healer has its perks"

"Thought you...giving up the...life...ugh...you gonna help...me up"

"Yes I will, long as you behave yourself?"

Jade took the proffered hand; gripping wrist to wrist after mouthing she'd accepted defeat. Not much she could do since Mother had clearly proved she was a...match...for herself right now, and the shock collar around her neck wasn't going to let her get far if triggered. This time training stomped down on the urge to groan as aching muscles protested having to stand back up, or the fact of blood that appeared on the back of her hand as she wiped off her face. Even as she came to stand up she found herself forced to rest hands on knees and breathe in, breathe out, to recover herself properly.

"As to my life, it's rather pleasant dear now compared to what it was; a house to live in, working legs, and pleasant enough employer who pays well...step up in the world I would say"

"He's another supervillain Mom is what I meant"

"Only a little bit Jade, only a little bit..." Mom chuckled back "...and you'll be having dinner with him and your sister on Christmas Eve"

Jade sighed as Mother grinned "Unless you'd like to stay in your cell all day, or I can kick your butt some more?"

"Fine...dinner, me polite, got it"

"Oh, I know...we can watch training videos of our spars for entertainment. I'm sure Artemis will love that I expect, as will the young master of course for different reasons"

"Mom, you wouldn't!" Jade protested jerking upwards to stand straight at the thought. Mom just grinned evilly, striking a victory pose as she stood there in her sports top and shorts that matched Jade's own, and Jade found herself glaring back at the supervillainess...

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