Chapter 8
Rhelasian
The tension between the Northern and Southern Rhelasian had become nearly violent as a peace summit gathered in a large hotel, rented for the event, with a crowd of reporters and a sea of onlookers trying to get a glance at the two representatives of each nation.
A news reporter stood in front of her camera man with microphone in hand and a bright smile plastered across her face, she looked directly into the camera and motioned to the events behind her, "This is Cat Grant reporting from Taipei where the historic peace summit between South Rhelasia and North Rhelasia has completely broken down. As a last resort Prime Minister Tsang of South Rhelasia and General Sing Mon Li of North Rhelasia have agreed to bring in an independent arbitrator but, who could it be? Speculation has run from the Secretary General of the United Nations to Superman but, the man of steel seems unlikely as I'm told the arbitrator is due at any moment by car, not cape," she smiled until the red 'recording' light vanished as she took a breath while the camera was off, "This had better go well or we're looking at World War Three."
As the crowd of reporters and political figures as well as their body guards circled around the steps of the building, one ginger haired man in dark sunglasses and a suit similar to one of the body guard's stepped behind a support pillar out of sight and placed his finger to his ear, "Red Arrow to Mount Justice.
Mount Justice
Draken was silently reading a book in the holo-ring while mentally preparing for his first day at school when an alert came through that someone was attempting to access their secure frequencies for communication into the cave; closing his book, he approached the center where he pulled up a holographic computer, " Red Arrow to Mount Justice."
"Dracula responding, how can I help you?" Roy heard this and paused.
" Where's Aqualad?" Roy spoke almost confused.
"He's in Atlantis."
There was a brief moment of silence before Roy cleared his throat, "Oh, well, I need access to the Justice League database."
"What for?" Draken asked.
"I need the exact height and weight of the League of Shadows Assassin known as Cheshire."
"She's is 1.67 meters tall and weighs 54.4 Kilograms or 5"7 and weighs 120 pounds." Draken said casually without even bothering to use the caves computer
"That was fast." Roy muttered. "How did you know?"
"I've encountered her once." Draken said
"And you were able to get her height and weight just from encountering her?" Roy asked
"Half Vampire." Draken said
"Uh," Roy muttered as he allowed the line to go silent.
"She's seems quite dangerous to handle alone." Draken said. "Do you need assistance? Though no one is available I should be able to teleport to your location and back to school quickly."
"Please, the last thing I need is the junior Justice League," Red Arrow tapped the frame of his glasses and looked out into the crowd scanning them for the exact height and weight given to him moments ago.
"No, just our computer," Draken said dryly and severed the connection. Deciding to play safe, he took one of the comm's from the cave before noticing M'gann approaching him, probably to get ready for school.
Later
As Draken and M'gann walked across the room and into the entrance hall, Draken didn't fail to notice her walking closer than usual next to him. Behind them were Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter as they slowly approached Superboy working on his custom-crimson motorcycle with Sphere sitting behind him, beeping at their approach.
"Ready for school?" M'gaan called out as she levitated across the room and landed next to Superboy whom stood and wiped the grease from his hands with a rag, "I made our lunches!" She smiled brightly holding out a paper-bag with her name on it, another with Draken's name and the last one with no name.
Martian Manhunter approached them sparking a conversation considering Superboy stayed silent, "The first day of the scholastic season holds great significance and cultural resonance; we want to wish you both well."
"Guess it's not a Kryptonian thing," Superboy muttered tossing the rag on the motorcycles handlebar. Draken sensed his distress at Superman not being present but said nothing
"Oh! I spent hours working on this outfit!" M'gann's costume morphed and shifted into a white tank top under an open long sleeved crop top maroon sweater, a skirt that extended down to her lower thighs and knee high socks, "Meet, Megan Morse! What do you think can your resident Miss Martian pass for an Earth girl now?"
"Well…" Draken said unsure of what to say next obviously noticing the one flaw with her new look.
"Just kidding!" Her lime-green skin tone blended into a milky Caucasian color, she could definitely pass as an Earth girl now.
"You look great." Draken complimented her causing the Martian to blush slightly
M'gaan turned to Superboy who had been standing passively the whole time, "What's your human name going to be?"
"My what?"
Draken chuckled, "I certainly hope you did not expect to register in school as 'Superboy', did you?"
Martian Manhunter morphed into a bald African American man wearing a formal business suit, "I selected John Jones as my human name and suggested John Smith for Red Tornado; You could be a John too..."
"Pass."
"I've always thought you looked a lot like a Conner," M'gaan suggested casually, turning back to Superboy for approval.
"Sounds… appropriate, I guess."
Draken spoke up, "A last name will also be required."
"Perhaps Kent?" John suggested giving a glance to Red Tornado who understood the reference to Superman.
"Right, in memory of Dr. Fate; the late Kent Nelson," she put a finger up as-a-matter-of-factly.
John morphed back into his Martian form giving her a nervous smile and scratching the back of his neck, "Of course."
"I guess it would be an honor? or something," Superboy muttered as he turned away.
M'gaan turned to Draken after noticing he was now wearing glasses. "So, glasses huh?"
"Wonder Woman suggested I wore them to conceal my identity." Draken said. "Though I fail to see the need since I don't have a reflection so it would be difficulty for people to take pictures of me to tell if Draken and Dracula are the same."
"Then why wear them?" Superboy asked
"She insisted." Draken shrugged
"But won't you not having a reflection be a problem?" M'gann asked
"I can cast a spell to temporarily have one if the need arises." Draken said
"Neat." Superboy said
"So," Draken said, "How are we getting there? I don't think we'll all fit on Conner's bike. And I doubt students are used to seeing a Martian Bioship drop people off."
Conner smirked and walked around his bike, tossing aside his wrench. The ball that they'd rescued in the Bialyan desert spun in a circle around them excitedly. "Sphere here helped me find a good deal on this baby," said Conner as he ripped a blue tarp off of an old, beaten up muscle car, "He rolled over a newspaper that was lying around and the classifieds landed in my lap."
"Impressive." Draken said
"She doesn't look like much, but keep your hands right there," with a flash and a grin, Conner flipped the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine roared and the hood vibrated like a cell phone. Conner revved the engine and motioned for the other two to join him.
M'gann and Draken looked at each other, a slow grin forming across M'gann face. "Dibs on the front!" M'gann cried as she flew to the other side of the car and slid in. Draken chuckled and ducked into the backseat, feeling the old leather before strapping in. "Here!" said M'gann, leaning back towards him. She handed him a Black backpack and a paper bag with his name on it.
"Thanks," he said as he took the bag. Conner put the car into drive and sped out of the Cave's hangar. Once he was on the mountain path that led towards Happy Harbor, he and M'gann shared a look.
"So, Draken." said M'gann carefully, "We actually wanted to talk to you alone."
Draken leaned back in his seat. "Something wrong?"
"Well," M'gann said hesitantly, "It's about Bialya. When I restored our memories…" She glanced at Conner, struggling to find the right words.
Conner sighed and opted for a blunter approach. "M'gann told me she felt an intense wave of loss from you when she restored your memory."
"More like loss and guilt but just as it came, it well, just disappeared like you just buried it down instantly. Draken, are you alright?"
Draken stayed silent for a while before speaking. "It's nothing."
Conner scowled. "You're lying."
Draken raised a brow at this as Conner tapped his ear. "Super hearing, remember? People's heartbeats speed up when they lie. Even still yours was very subtle if not too subtle for me to notice. I had to strain myself to pick it up. I think you would have been able to hide it if you were actually trying to lie."
Draken then signed. "I never intended to lie, it's just something personal I had hoped to bury."
M'gann chewed on her thumb. "It's not that we don't trust you, Draken." she reassured him, "It's just…I don't think it's healthy for a teenager to bury his emotions. We want to make sure you're okay."
"I understand." Draken said
For a few minutes, they drove in awkward silence. When they stopped at a light a few blocks from the school, Draken looked out the windshield while observing the sight of the tall, beige building.
"Remember when we protected Dr. Roquette here?" M'gann asked as she gazed up at the school.
"That was only a month ago," said Conner as he turned off the engine, but suddenly a boy on a skateboard slammed into him. Conner acted instinctively and grabbed the scrawny boy by the collar. He lifted him up so his eyes were level with the boy's shirt; a white t-shirt with an 'M' emblem scrawled across it. "What's this?" he asked harshly as he poked the boy in the chest.
"I-it's just a shirt!" squealed the boy in fear.
"What's going on here?" Draken turned to see a tall black kid in a Superman shirt with his arms around a girl in a yellow and black cheerleading uniform. "Put my man Marvin down."
Draken sighed and rubbed his forehead. "It's only our first day," he muttered, "Put him down, Conner." Conner blinked, but put Marvin down.
"Hi," said M'gann nervously, "We're new here. I'm Megan Morse, this is Conner Kent, and this is Draken Tepes."
"Triple alliteration," squawked Marvin, "I like it." The bell rang inside the building and the kids hurried inside. Draken turned to lead M'gann, but she was already talking to some cheerleaders and seemed to be doing well already. Conner, on the other hand, marched dutifully and angrily into the building.
"I know what you're thinking," Draken whispered as he sided up with him
Conner growled as they marched into their new homeroom, M'gann running behind them to catch up. "I was born to be a hero," he muttered, "I wear the shield because I am worthy of it. What have these people done to deserve their symbols?"
"They don't need to earn their rights," Draken said simply as he sat down next to Conner
Conner raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"People can wear and do what they want so long as it's within the confines of the law. Even the Justice League operates on a United Nations charter. By wearing the symbols of their heroes, these people are flaunting their right to support whoever they want. Just be thankful they're wearing the marks of heroes, not villains."
Conner grumbled in dissatisfaction as their teacher entered the room. "Good morning, Mr. Carr," the entire room recited.
"Morning, gang," said Mr. Carr as he wheeled in a television, "Today, I thought we could start off by introducing our new students." He motioned to M'gann, Conner, and Draken as he began to plug in the TV.
M'gann stood up nervously. "Well, I'm Megan Morse. I just moved here from Illinois to live with my Uncle." There were appreciative nods and a few claps and she sat down in relief. She nudged Conner in the ribs and he stood up with a grimace.
"Um, Conner Kent. I'm from, uh, Kansas." He quickly sat down and glanced at Draken.
"Draken Tepes, from Romania." He said with a low bow
Mr. Carr stood up from the now plugged in television. "Who can tell me more about Rhelasia, Marvin?"
"Huh!" Marvin muttered. "Well, um, Mr. Carr, it's better than Fakeasia." This caused most of the class to laugh
"Anyone else?" Carr asked
"Modern Rhelasia was created in 1855 and ruled by the Bokun dynasty until it was divided by the great powers." Draken said
"It was divided into North and South Rhelasia after World war II." Conner added
"Very good." Carr said impressed with the performance of the new students
"But why are they fighting? They're all humans." Conner asked
"I mean, Rhelasians, right? Right on both counts, actually." Carr said
"It's no different on Mars." M'gann said creating a mental link with Draken and Conner. " The White Martian minority are treated as second-class citizens by the Green majority. Of course, I'm green, but that doesn't make it right." The way M'gann voiced the last part caused Draken to raise a brow but said nothing
"Humans have always had a tendency for starting wars over beliefs and superstitions." Draken said with a sign. "Then again Vampire's weren't so different in some cases."
Rhelasian
Roy scanned the area for the details he obtained from Mount Justice with his high-tech sunglasses until he spotted a barista at a coffee-stand with no mask dressed completely in civilian clothing handing out drinks with a smile. Roy turned back and opened his brief-case as it mechanically transformed itself into a crimson bow leaving the casing behind; the bow extended in his hands as the crowd began an uproar.
Several white cars and police vehicles escorted one single limousine through the cross way as spectators were moved aside for the limousine to park. Roy narrowed his eyes finding Jade Crock missing from the coffee-stand; he immediately readied his bow searching the area with an arrow pulled back on his bow string.
"The arbitrator has arrived," Cat Grant spoke towards her cameraman whom broadcasted the event nation-wide.
As the vehicles slowed to a stop, Roy ducked under a bush leaving his eyes visible to scan the area for the assassin he was looking for. Suddenly, a woman, obviously Cheshire, stood atop a fruit-stand and aimed an RPG at the arbitrator's vehicle; She aimed accurately at the car and placed her finger on the trigger but, just as she pulled on it and arrow flew from the distance and knocked her upwards firing the explosive into the sky.
Everyone spotted the explosion as body-guards pulled their guns out and protected the two political figures moving them inside as the crowd scattered in a panic; Cheshire sighed, "Ugh," she leapt from the stand and jumped on top of people's heads leaping into the middle of the crowd, disarming and dismantling the arbitrator's security in seconds as they fired at her she dodged the bullets without much effort. She sprinted across the road and towards the arbitrator's limo with her sai prepared to attack as Roy stepped out and fired a net-dispersing arrow but, was foiled when she jumped and slashed through it. Before she could land, Roy leapt at her and tackled her to the ground pinning her until she grabbed him by the torso with her legs and pulled him off. As she stood, over a dozen men pointed their automatic rifles at her point blank surrounding her.
She placed her hands in the air and behind her head, sitting on her knees and looking down as they screamed at her in a foreign language.
"We have just witnessed an assassination attempt live," Cat spoke excitedly, "No one seems to be hurt including our mystery arbitrator…" the man stepped out of his limo and straightened his suit and revealed himself to the world as, "Lex Luthor?" she questioned.
Cheshire was arrested on sight and placed in a police vehicle with multiple escorts taking her away, meanwhile, Roy was being held by two men surrounded by five more even buffer men standing before Lex Luthor. Lex turned to his assistant, an attractive woman wearing a suit with shoulder length hair whom nodded to him.
Lex smiled with his hands behind his back, "We have confirmation; this one is Green Arrow's sidekick, Speedy," the men released their grip as Roy closed his eyes trying not to be upset about the use of the name Speedy or the use of the word Sidekick.
"It's Red Arrow, now," he said insistently.
One cop moved towards Luthor with haste, "He must be questioned!"
Lex kept his smile, "Lex Luthor vouches for him, please, release the sidekick."
Roy's handcuffs were undone by an officer on the scene, "Ex-sidekick," he said as he approached Luthor, "And I don't need any favors from you."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to join the young lady behind bars?"
Roy turned and looked him dead in the eye, "You may have everyone here fooled but, I know what you are."
Lex chuckled, "Oh, I don't pretend to be an angel; it just so happens that this time I'm on the side of the angel's," Lex walked away leaving Roy with his thoughts as he followed and entered the building where the Peace Summit was about to take place.
Roy entered the massive Hotel lobby used as a center for the Peace Summit and wasn't surprised to find dozens of men surrounding both representatives of both countries arguing with one another and blaming the other for the assassination attempt in their native tongue.
Roy walked side-by-side with Lex and Mercy, his assistant, as reporters and news crews snapped photos with flashes of light covering their entrance; shouting from both sides of each nation completely attracted the rooms attention.
"Tensions are running high and troops are amassing on the borders between the two countries, right now; Lex Luthor seems to be the best or only hope at peace," Cat Grant spoke into the camera as Roy spoke quietly to Luthor in the back of the room.
"Why should either side trust you?" He asked as Luthor waved and smiled.
"Because, LexCorp is a company built around peaceful enterprise for all humanity."
"Cut the crap, Luthor; I've got intel that links LexCorp to the sale of military-grade weaponry in both Rhelasias," he narrowed his eyes on Lex, "You're profiting off this war, so; what's your angle?"
Lex smiled coyly, "War income is pocket change compared to the billions to be made in investing in a peaceful, united, Rhelasia; and sent it better to have peace… even if that scoundrel Lex Luthor profits off of it?"
Roy smiled back with the same coy grin, "That scoundrel may not survive to profit; Cheshire may have failed but, the Shadow's won't stop until the contract is fulfilled," Lex walked away from him and towards the arguing nations before turning back to him.
"Which begs the question, who hired them?" Lex asked as Roy looked up in thought.
"And were you the target? Or was your death just a convenient way to sabotage the Summit?"
Lex turned to him seriously, "Allow me to hire you to find out."
Roy nearly snarled, "Your money has blood on it and I'm not here to make a buck!" he shouted in a loud whisper.
Lex smiled putting a hand on Roy's shoulder, "Ha-ha, so, you'll provide your services but, for free? I can live with that, hero," He walked away and towards the arguing parties once more, "If you'll excuse me, I have a hemisphere to save."
Lex approached the bickering politician's with a smile as cameras snapped photos of him, "Gentlemen, gentlemen; may we attempt some smiles for the cameras?"
Taipei Police Department
"Aren't you going to ask me anything?"
Cheshire stood in a Taipei jail cell doing tai-chi to pass the time; flexibly moving in different poses as Roy now dressed in his Red Arrow uniform stood directly on the other-side of the bars with his hands on his hips.
"I think you know what I'm after," he stated boldly.
She moved and flexed her curvature body, revealing her thin waist-line and midsection, "I do actually, do you?" she lifted her foot into the air until it nearly touched her nose, clearly distracting the would-be hero.
"Who hired you?" He didn't bead around the bush, he got straight to the point but, she continued to stretch and move in provocative, yet, technically perfect tai-chi positions.
"Shadows."
"Who hired them?"
"I don't ask," she flashed him a wide grin before moving back to her tai-chi.
"What's the end game?" he asked boldly a question she should know the answer to, "The Peace Summit? Or Luther himself?"
She flexed into the air and formed her hands into the shape of a pistol, pulling the trigger at him, "Two birds, one stone."
Silence rang through the room as Roy processed what she'd said before she broke the silence, "Hey, where are your little side-kick friends? They're always fun to play with especially Ar-" she stopped herself, "-chery girl, the one with the arrows?"
"She…They, aren't in my League," Roy narrowed his eyes.
She approached the bars of the cell and grabbed Roy by his body-armor, "And you think you're in mine?" She got in his face so that he could feel her breath on his nose, talking coyly almost as if seducing him, "Where's Green Arrow when you really need him?"
"I don't."
"Sure about that?" She grabbed the back of his neck pulling him closer as their lips were inches apart but, seconds before they met she ducked down and gripped the bars tight closing her eyes, "Oh, no," he mumbled as he backed away slowly. An explosion consumed the room, flooding it with smoke and ash; as Roy stood up now on the other side of the room, the metal bars were in tact but, the wall behind it was not. Ropes flew down for her to escape by when a man shimmied down shouting at her, "Let's go, girl!"
"Ugh, it had to be you!" She shouted getting up from the ground and covering her mouth from the smoke.
"Beggars can't be choosers, little girl," SportsMaster chided sarcastically as he climbed back up to the helicopter that had brought him there to begin with.
Alarms began to sound as the ringing in Roy's ears didn't fade anytime soon, he pulled an arrow back on his bow but, missed completely from the disorientation. As Jade climbed into the helicopter and flew upwards, she witnessed Roy barging through the roof access door and aiming his bow up at her chopper.
They flew higher as he aimed and fired hitting the bulk of the chopper with a grappling line, he ran with it until it pulled him off of his feet and into the air several hundred feet above the ground, "I admire your persistence but, I have to cut this relationship of ours short!" She shouted over the sounds of the helicopter flying pulling a shuriken from her belt and slicing the bind between the arrow and the wire leaving just an arrow attached to the chopper. Roy fell hundreds of feet for several seconds, he quickly pulled two arrows out and fired them at the roof-top he was approaching landing on their explosion of some-sort of putty glue-like substance that broke his fall. He sat up in the goo and wiped it from his face, pulling out a device that tracked the arrow-head still dug into the chopper.
Meanwhile
"Because I'm a professional," Jade started as SportsMaster passed her, "I won't kill you; at least not while we're on the job."
SportsMaster scoffed, "You wouldn't have this job if it weren't for me; grow up already," he chided confidently as he turned to a voice speaking from the center of the temple.
"The evenings agenda was to create strife between nations," Ra's Al Ghul; The Demons Head, The Leader to the League of Shadows stood forwards, "not my assassins," he stroked his 400-year-old beard as he stepped down towards them.
Cheshire immediately got to her knew and ducked her head down in respect whilst SportsMaster did nothing, "Master…" Jade started but, Ra's continued again.
"And client, so twice disappointed in your failures; Luthor has been a thorn in my side for quite some-time," He spoke and turned towards his temple as Red Arrow used binoculars and sound equipment to hear and see their conversation from roof-top hundreds of feet away.
"Ra's Al Ghul," Roy muttered as he looked back through the binoculars.
"And so, I expect less disappointment and less interference from that boy," he looked directly into the binoculars as Roy gulped for a moment.
Both Cheshire and SportsMaster were surprised turning around and spotting the little bird, "Perfect," Roy muttered as he stood and fired an arrow directly at Ra's who caught it mid-air and snapped it with his fingertips before dropping it completely.
"Take care of him," he said nonchalantly as he reentered his temple leaving the two assassins facing Red Arrow whom had the high ground and a long-ranged weapon giving him the advantage, however; he was out numbered and out classed. Roy leapt onto another side of the temples roof-top border, running and firing arrows which Cheshire managed to dodge long enough to get close to the wall. She jumped onto a Buddhist stature before back-flipping onto the wall and springing forwards on the roof sending shuriken towards Arrow as he narrowly dodged them.
She jumped and pulled out her sai coming down on him with nothing left to block with but his bow which served its purpose as he back flipped out of her range.
SportsMaster approached from behind cornering him with the temple on one side and the ocean on the other, "I hear you go by Red Arrow now, pff, more like Broken Arrow."
Happy Harbor
So far, Draken's first day of school was going well, that was until the comm he carried started to beep causing him to tell Mr Carr he wanted to used the bathroom
While alone, he activated the comm and was greeted with the voice of Red Arrow. "Red Arrow to Cave..."
Draken sighed before answering. "Dracula responding, what do you need this time?"
A heavy breathing and the sound of rushing water came through the comms for about a minute before he spoke, "It may be possible that i'm a little in over my head, here."
"Is that so." Draken said dryly
"Dracula!"
"Fine, I'm on my way." Draken said before being engulfed by shadows as he was now wearing his hero or regular attire with his Scythe behind his back. "Let's just hope I can deal with this before M'gann finds out that I ditched school."
Rhelasian
"The unification is unthinkable!" the Prime Minister shouted in a thick accent at the committee overseeing the event, Lex Luther stood between both stands with the Prime Minister on one end and General Sing of the opposing nation on the other, "Our nations no longer have anything in common!"
Red Arrow stood behind Lex in a suit resembling the body-guards that were protecting the Leaders of either nations, the reporters and attendants surrounded the stage listening in on the supposedly peaceful discussion.
"Gentlemen," Luthor smiled and stepped forwards placing a hand on either of their shoulders, "Spite your differences you still share an appreciation for many things; such as the exquisite art of the Rhelasian Tea Ceremony," He motioned to the crowd as it split to reveal a women dressed in the ceremonial garbs covering her face, neck, and a white dress sinking down to her ankles pushing a cart with with a full-set of tea-pots and small breaded treats.
As she approached, a shadow rose up from the ground and grabbed her by the shoulder. "That would be far enough, Cheshire."
Red Arrow stepped forwards and placed his suitcase down, allowing it to spring open as a bow, he drew an arrow from his quiver and aimed it at the assassin in disguise. Cheshire smiled before pressing a button on the cart's handle and hurling it at the crowd before jumping back quickly.
Draken thought quickly and placed a large force field between him and the cart just as it exploded with a dozen C-4 charges held within, the force was powerful enough shatter the windows and most of the room was in covered in soot and burn marks but, the people behind Draken were kept safe and unharmed although, a few may have received some ear-damage. Draken let his shield fall as Red Arrow stepped beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "You good?"
"I am unharmed."
"Fights not over," Red Arrow aimed his still tightened bow up at the windows where attack-helicopters hovered and let several League of Assassins agents into the galley.
Draken got ready as Cheshire tossed the garb off her face revealing her mask before tearing her dress for mobility and pulling out two Sai, spinning them between her fingers.
"Where was she holding those?" Red Arrow raised a brow beneath his domino mask as Draken simply shrugged; Both Tsang and Sing ordered their men to assist the vigilantes in their native tongues as armed guards with rifles and pistols lined up next to them. The men fired rounds at the agents who dodged most of the attacks, however; occasionally a bullet would make contact with an assassin's leg or arm slowing them down but, they met the heroes before that happened.
Behind them Sportsmaster stepped off the helicopter and narrowed his eyes at Draken; Suddenly Cheshire threw her Sai with such accuracy that it made a small cut on Red Arrow's cheek before passing him, "I'll take Cheshire you take Sportsmaster!"
"With pleasure." Draken said before swatting a random assassin out of his way and into a wall
"I was about to say the same thing," Sportsmaster pulled a baton from his belt which extended into a sharpened javelin like a bow-staff. Draken moved his head back as the assassin swung his weapon nearly slicing his throat; he took a step back until his opponent swung the javelin back
Dodging the attack Draken used this opportunity to sucker-punch Sportsmaster in the chest sending him onto his back and rolling to his feet, "You're not bad, for a kid... Better than your gang did in Santa Prisca or Bialya."
Draken narrowed his eyes at this. "How did you-"
"Let's just say I have an inside source… very inside," Sportsmaster whirled around and launched his javelin at the Draken who caught it with one hand inches from his face but, didnt expect a an explosion to go off in his hands. Draken huffed and got to his feet as Sportsmaster's fist came through the smoke but Draken caught his hand before it could make contact. Still holding his opponents fist, Draken sent an bolt of electricity that blasted and stunned Sportsmaster sending him stumbling back leaving his javelin behind.
Tossing Sportsmaster weapon aside Draken began approaching Sportsmaster. "I'll advise you start telling me how you knew of those missions." His opponent got to one knee and watched as Cheshire was on the ropes and the other assassins were either dead or unconscious
"I told that girl to bring more than a few knives," Sportsmaster pulled two ping-pong balls from his belt and a grenade. Tossing the grenade towards Luther, he then tossed balls on the floor with an explosion of smoke. Seeing this, Draken sped towards the grenade before flying out the window, tossing it into the cloud. Cheshire saw this and rolled her eyes before doing the same, causing Red Arrow to fire a projectile through the smoke hitting nothing.
"Damn it." Draken muttered as he got back into the building
"Can't win em all," Red Arrow muttered
The helicopters departed leaving one last mercenary hiding in the shadows, he leapt out from behind a pillar and pointed a sword at Lex Luther who stayed perfectly calm the entire time, "Mercy?" with that, Lex's female 'assistant' dressed as a driver raised her left hand to the attacker and allowed her arm to open up into some sort of energy weapon firing it at the assassin who fell to the ground in a smoking heap all in the span of five seconds.
"Gives new meaning to the term 'arms' race, doesn't she?" Lex quipped without breaking a sweat, his body-guard retracted her arm and stood by his side, picking up and handing him his brief-case. Tsang and Sing shook Lex's hand and congratulated him, thanking him on saving their lives along with admiring his android body guard, obviously looking to get one of their own.
"They owe him their lives?" Red Arrow questioned as Cat Grant stepped up after the destruction settled and had her camera man set up his equipment on a moments notice.
"Yes, quite a coup for Lex Luther, as with his leadership, North and South Rhelasia have agreed to sign the peace treaty that may eventually lead to reunification..."
"I can't believe we just did a solid for Lex Luther," Arrow sighed and stepped away towards the exit with Draken not too far from him.
"We didn't do it for him, we did it for peace; plus, now that the treaty's been signed, the League of Shadow's contract should be moot," Draken commented as they walked out of the building and onto the sidewalk outside, "So it's all over."
"Is it? I heard what Sportsmaster said, do you really think there's a mole on your team feeding him intel?" He crossed his arms as Draken took a moment to think.
"I don't trust his words, but I can't just disregard his knowledge of a mission he wasn't there for."
"So what's your plan?" Red Arrow asked
Draken looked down at the former sidekick. "I'll investigate… quietly."
"Not telling them huh?" Red Arrow raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Won't that break some sort of trust?"
"I do not which to cause distrust in the team over nothing and if there is a mole? I'd prefer not to tip my hand at them," Red Arrow gave a mock salute before turning away.
"Good luck with that."
"Wait." Red Arrow stopped to listen as Draken spoke. "You could have called the Justice League or even Green Arrow but, instead you called the cave, why?"
"You're right," He sighed and turned back around, "The team deserves- has my respect. I'm still getting used to this solo thing but, if you need me? I'll be there," Red Arrow stuck his hand out for Draken to shake which he accepted and shook gladly.
"I just might take you up on that." Draken said before looking at his watch. "M'gann is going to kill me."
Happy Harbor
After getting back, it didn't take long for Draken to find Conner and M'gaan on the school field. Apparently, he had missed his remaining classes, but he was sure he could get the notes from Conner or M'gann. Heading towards Conner, he then greeted him. "Hey."
Conner jumped in his seat having not heard him approaching and glared at him. "You're not supposed to use your powers."
"I didn't use them. What are we doing here?" Conner motioned to the field. Lines of teenage girls were patiently waiting their turn to audition to other teenage girls in cheerleader outfits. Draken scanned the crowd and found M'gann shaking anxiously at the back of one of the lines. "She's really going through with that, huh?"
"Yup," Conner yawned, "I'd be careful around her, she's really upset with you."
"Why?"
"No idea. If I had to guess, it's because you missed class."
Draken just signed at this. "Do I need to ask?"
"She has a very idealized vision of earth culture," Conner shrugged, "I guess she wants things to work out perfectly."
Draken grunted and leaned back in the bleachers. "Things never work out perfectly, even for us."
"I know that, but she can dream, can't she?"
"I guess." Draken signed
Draken gazed down at the field. M'gann was doing her audition for the cheerleaders. M'gann was approached by a few of the cheerleaders. Behind her, more cheerleaders snuck up with a bucket of water.
"This doesn't look good." Draken said, with Conner leaning forward and gripping the bleachers
"Relax," Draken said, causing Conner to lowering his arm. The cheerleaders dunked the water over M'gann and they cheered. After a little talk, M'gann squealed and hugged the nearest girl. "Looks like things went well."
"Good,"Conner yawned, "Can we go now?" They stood and walked down the bleachers to the field. "Can I offer some advice?"
Draken rolled his eye. "What is it?" Conner reached down as they arrived on the field. He grabbed a bag and shoved it into Draken's arms. M'gann began walking towards them, a towel around her shoulders.
"Whew!" she breathed, "I did it!"
"Good work," Conner congratulated her with a pat on the back.
M'gann looked around him and saw Draken. Her eyes widened as she saw what he was carrying. "You're…carrying my stuff?"
Draken glanced at Conner who merely smirked. "What?" he said, slinging the bag over his shoulder, "I did not want it to get wet?" M'gann smiled as they headed back to Conner's car.
"Do you even have a license?" Draken asked as he stepped into the car
"Cadmus implanted the knowledge of how to drive in my mind," Conner muttered as he drove out of the parking lot, "They must have thought it would come in handy."
They drove back to the Cave in silence. As they entered the hangar. While they drove in silence, Draken was thinking about the mole situation.