Washington DC; December 30th, 09:16 EST
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The Hall of Justice was closed to the public for almost the first time since opening day. The Justice League's induction would be taking place outside in just under twenty-minutes, and even with the winter snow piling high, crowds of civilians gathered outside for the occasion.
Mason couldn't believe just how much things had changed since the last time he was here. Not in September, in the middle of the awful simulation that each member of his team was still trying to shake off. But in July, the day that was supposed to be the day. Even after burning almost all of his bridges and almost being strangled by Mason after he was told everything that happened in the mission in New Orleans, Roy would be the first original sidekick to join the big leagues.
Kaldur: How are you feeling?
He asks, his arms crossed over his jacket and a soft smile tugging at his lips. The original sidekicks himself, Mason who wore a beanie, Dick, Wally, and Roy, aka the big 5 stand off to the side in the Hall's library, proudly discussing the induction while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Artemis and Zatanna already sit on the couch giggling amongst themselves, while their newest member, Raquel, joins in.
Roy: Like it's about time.
Roy smirks. With his hands tucked into the pockets of his winter jacket, Mason nudges Roy's arm with his elbow.
Mason: Don't forget us now that you're in the League. Remember we always wanted you on our team first.
Recognised: Miss Martian, B-Zero-Six.
Superboy, B-Zero-Five.
The zeta-tube at the back of the room sparks to life, a yellow light illuminating the library as M'gann and Conner walk through the teleporter in their civilian clothes. With the Hall of Justice closed, the team were allowed to gather inside without their disguises.
Dick: Hey!
He raises his voice to gather the team's attention, his lips curl into a teasing smirk as he walks away from the original sidekicks and towards the couch where the others begin to settle.
Dick: C'mon, guys, one picture of the whole team before Roy joins the League and gets too good for us.
Though Roy rolls his eyes at the younger boy's words, there isn't an ounce of hesitance in his body as he moves to stand next to the Gothamite.
Conner: And who's exactly supposed to take this picture? We're the only ones here.
Mason glances around the library with a shrug of his shoulders. The rest of the League were still going over their various speeches to the public, ensuring each and every word would reflect their hope for the new members. They had long since left the team to their own devices.
Mason: We'll set a timer. Or we can ask Inviso-bill.
He suggests as he moves to stand behind the couch.
M'gann: I can do it!
She offers with a smile. While her phone hovers into the air, the rest of the team get into place; Zatanna shuffles to the side and allows Raquel to sit between her and Wally on the couch, Dick and Kaldur lean against the armrests on either side, and Roy leans down to be in the centre.
Mason can't help the way his grin grows brighter when he feels Artimis' arm fall into place over his shoulders. His dark eyes flicker to the archer, watching as her free hand wraps around Superboy's shoulders while M'gann moves to stand next to the half-Kryptonian, then glances back at the phone. A flash of light emits from the phone's camera, and as the team begins to move away from one another, Roy glances down at his watch.
Roy: I should get going.
He informs them all, hastily unzipping the hoodie he had been wearing over his hero-suit.
Mason: The next time we see him, he's gonna be all grown up.
He wipes a faux-tear from under his eye.
Mason: Just last week he finally ordered something that wasn't on the kiddie menu. Where did the time go?
Roy: Screw you.
Mason: Sorry im not into redheads.
Artemis laughs, her arm unwraps around his shoulders as she leans slightly into the warmth of Mason.
Mason: Good luck, dude.
He calls out as, for the second time that year, he watches Roy leave the Hall of Justice with his back turned to them all.
Dick: It's starting.
Dick announces to the team. Mason glances toward the large screen, his gaze softening as the reporters point the camera toward the Hall just in time to see each new member join Superman on the steps of the Hall.
Superman: The Justice League was formed for two reasons. First, as an acknowledgement that no single individual, no matter how strong, can solve all the world's problems alone.
Superman speaks to the large crowd, his hands braced on either side of the podium.
Superman: And second, to uphold the values of truth, liberty, and justice. That, uh, that last one's even in the name.
While the crowd laughs, the camera pans to the side.
Superman: These five heroes have sworn to uphold these values.
He announces, waving his hand out to motion toward the new heroes; Red Arrow stands beside Doctor Fate, Atom, Plastic Man, and Icon – Raquel's mentor and the reason she had been placed on the team.
Cat: You are watching live coverage of the Justice League's induction of its five newest members!
The camera pans back to Cat Grant as she reports on the event.
Cat: Looks like the entire League has shown up to welcome the new blood. From Batman to Captain Marvel.
Wally: I'm glad they didn't kick Billy out.
He plucks an apple from the fruit bowl on the table, biting into it as he watches the screen. During the program, he moves to sit beside Mason on the seat across from his friends, his arm resting on the back of the couch as Artemis sits next to him.
Wally: And I love the fact there's a ten year old in the League.
Raquel: There is?!
Raquel's eyes widened in surprise. Mason glances at Wally, playfully throwing a ball of paper at his head.
Mason: Way to go, Kid Mouth.
Wally: What?
He glances between his teammates, his brows furrowing as they all share a deadpan look.
Wally: She's on the team now.
Cat: Superman is now handing out official League cards!
Cat Grant announces to the viewers excitedly, her lips curling into a bright smile just before the camera pans back to the Justice League.
Cat: Starting with Doctor Fate.
Mason's eyes flicker to Zatanna. The magician sits across from him, a sullen look taking over the once bright smile she had shared with the rest of their team. Sensing the sudden change, Dick reaches forward to gently rest his hand against her shoulder. Zatanna places her hand over his. The camera moves from person to person and when it settles on Icon, Raquel huffs and crosses her arms.
Raquel: You know, I was the one who convinced Icon to become a hero in the first place. I should be outside celebrating with him, not hidden away in here.
While Dick snorts at her words, Wally and Mason share a look of amusement. Earlier that year, they would've had the same complaints. But Mason knows he's not the only one to have found peace in their little team. Kaldur smiles in Raquel's direction.
Kaldur: Welcome to our world.
Her eyes slowly flicker from the television over to the boy, a sort of fondness taking over her expression as her dark eyes soften ever-so-slightly.
Raquel: Well, I suppose there's an upside, too.
Mason watches the exchange with furrowed brows, before his eyes widen.
Mason: Artemis.
Gently, he nudges his girlfriend to capture her attention. When Artemis glances up at him, she meets his brownish gaze with a teasing grin. He follows her eyes back to the two; while Kaldur turns back to the television, Raquel watches him for a moment longer with a fond look.
Cat: Finally Green Arrow welcomes his former protege, Speedy, now known as Red Arrow, to this roster of heroes. Maybe one day we'll see Red Robin join his sidekick companion.
When their friend's alias is announced, each of their attentions are snapped back to the television. Mason finds himself clapping in excitement, while Wally throws a hand into the air.
Wally: Way to go, Roy!
Kaldur: At last, he has his wish.
Kaldur comments proudly. Dick crosses his arms as he stares at Roy's masked-face on the television.
Dick: The first of us to make it. Also do people forget that there's two robins?
Mason: Jealous baby brother?
Dick: You're older than me by a month!
He then takes a glances at the original sidekicks.
Dick: But back with Roy. No one will call him a sidekick anymore.
Raquel: Wait. Since when is being a sidekick a bad thing?
Raquel's brows furrow, and she turns to look over at the four of them.
Raquel: You sidekicks were my inspiration.
Dick: Awww, Raquel, you actually made my heart skip a beat. But the whole sidekick thing, it's a long story. You see, six months ago, it–
Mason cuts himself off as a loud beep emanates from his wristwatch. He glances down, his eyes narrowing into a glare behind his sunglasses.
Mason: Alert on Cheshire.
Artemis: Seriously?
She gasps. Hastily, she sits up and allows Mason's arm to fall away from the couch. His eyes flick in Artemis' direction, only to find his girlfriend already staring back at him with a worried look. The smile falls from his own face as he jumps to his feet, ready for action despite having been relaxed just a few seconds prior.
Wally: Where?
He questions the leader.
Mason: Ashfield. Spotted boarding a plane.
With her arms crossed over her brown sweater, Artemis stands up from the couch.
Artemis: We're going after her, right?
She asks as she looks around for everyone's answer. Kaldur frowns, his brows furrowing in thought.
Kaldur: The League told us to stay here.
He reminds everyone.
Mason: All the more reason to go.
He meets his leader's gaze with an amused smirk as deja vu washes over the both of them.
Mason: Alright team. Let's roll out!
And just like they had done six months ago, the team departs from the Hall of Justice without a word to their mentors.
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Artemis: You're sure it's her?
Artemis questions for the nth time since leaving the Hall– the average person wouldn't be able to notice the subtle hint of distress in her voice but, as she turns her seat around, Mason could tell the rest of the team caught onto it as easily as she did.
Artemis: I mean, are you absolutely positive?
Robin: See for yourself. This is the security footage from the Ashfield Regional Airport.
Robin nods towards the holographic screen emitting over the front window of the Bioship. Security footage plays on the screen, before it pauses and zooms in on the face of a black-haired asian woman.
Robin: Facial recognition confirms that's Jade Nguyen, but you've seen her without her mask. What do you think?
Artemis' gaze hardens and she seems to sink in her seat.
Artemis: It's Jade.
She answers with a sigh, then jumps to correct herself.
Artemis: Cheshire.
Aqualad: Agreed. But focus on what she carries–
The photo zooms in on the dark briefcase in Cheshire's grasp.
Mason: Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?
Aqualad: It must be important if Sportsmaster and Cheshire are working together to carry it across the country like this.
Rocket: Okay, I'm guessing from the mugshot that this Cheshire is the bad guy.
Rocket crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly as her brows furrow.
Rocket: But what's so important about that case?
Cheshire's mugshot disappears from the screen and the Injustice League appears.
Robin: Remember the Injustice League?
Robin asks, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to look back at Rocket.
Rocket: And their giant, evil plants? Uh, yeah.
Staring up at the photo of the seven super-villains brings a bitter taste to Mason's mouth. He could remember the night in Louisiana too; the Injustice League was too strong, too powerful, and he had donned the Helmet of Fate in an effort to buy his team some time. Even now, the dark abyss within the Helmet sends a chill down his spine.
Aqualad: The team and the League put them in prison but their allies still scheme. And whatever is in that containment case seems important to their plans.
Leaning back in his seat, Mason nods in agreement.
KF: We had another chance to grab it in New Orleans, but someone screwed up.
Kid Flash sits behind Mason, his emerald eyes narrowing into a glare at Artemis from behind his cowl.
Mason, as the boy speaks, turns his seat around to face his best friend. Gently, he stretches his foot out to kick his calf and his head snaps in his direction.
Mason: Kid.
He warns him with a hiss and the signature Bat Glare.
Mason: Drop it. We all make mistakes.
Kid Flash rolls his eyes, but rather than say another word to invoke the wrath of his best pal sitting in front of him, he simply crosses his arms and stares out into the white mountains passing by in a blur. At the back of the Bioship's cockpit, Miss Martian clears her throat.
Miss M: Approaching Cheshire's jet.
She announces. The Bioship slows to a stop, and as they all peer down, Miss Martian gasps in shock. Mason's throat goes dry, her hands clutching the armrests of her seat as her dark eyes flicker from the wreckage to his girlfriend. Artemis sits to her left and squeezes her eyes tightly shut, she turns sadly away from the plane crash.
Miss M: Looks– Looks like there were no survivors.
Sucking in a deep breath, Mason looks back down at the wreckage. The plane had split apart in the crash, with the front-half buried in snow while the back was miles away. Nobody could have survived that but as he watches Artemis refuse to open her eyes, she decides to believe.
Mason: Cheshire's smart. I doubt a plane crash will be the thing to take her out. Let's get down there.
Cut to Mason crouching beside the plane, with one hand covering his cowled face as a strong gust of wind blows over the canyon, the other brushes over scorch marks littered along the once pristine-white side of the plane. He rises to his feet, a sigh falling from his lips and his gloved hands moving to rest on his hips.
Mason: Maybe it's not as bad as it looks. Cheshire could be out here somewhere still.
Kid Flash nods as he steps past his leader. There were no bodies; not the pilot, not a single passenger, and not even Cheshire. There wasn't a sign anybody had been on the plane in the first place.
KF: How come Homeland Security and the NTSB aren't all over this?
He glances over his shoulder at Robin.
Robin: Cheshire's ID was a League alert. Authorities didn't pick it up and her jet didn't follow its flight plan. It flew under the radar... Literally.
Robin informs him. Mason stares down at the rubble beneath his feet, then kicks the metal onto its side as he listens to his brother.
Robin: But the Watchtower auto-tracked the jet and recorded the crash.
Rocket, who has been searching through the rubble of the back-end of the plane, turns around to face the Dark Knight's second protege.
Rocket: Then why isn't the League here?
She wonders; her words bring the smallest of grins to her teammates' faces. Zatanna stands next to the girl, wearing the brightest grin of them all, and explains.
Zatanna: Because our Boy Wonder has some mighty hacking skills and arranged to get the alert first.
Her blue eyes flicker over to Robin, who stares back with a soft smile.
Aqualad: And because Cheshire and that case represent our unfinished business.
Aqualad chimes in. Superboy lifts the broken jet wing into the air, tossing it off to the side with a loud huff, then faces the team. His brows are furrowed with confusion.
Superboy: Where are the bodies?
???: Here's one!
A familiarly smug voice calls out over the howling wind and, as the team jump into defensive positions, they look up onto the nearby cliffside. Cheshire stands above them, one hand on her hip and the other wrapped around the handle of the attache case.
Cheshire: And it is stunning.
???: I am flora, not fauna.
The voice that follows hers makes Mason eternally scream cause out of everybody why did it have to be this guy. Slowly, he turns around to face the Riddler as he walks out to stand at Cheshire's side; Shimmer and a seemingly monstrous boy, the duo they had met on Santa Prisca, stand behind the two villains.
Riddler: I am foliage, not trees. What am I?
His dark eyes, covered by the whites of his cowl mask, narrow up at the man.
Mason: A pain in my ass.
He answers under his breath, his right hand slyly reaching for the bo-staff attached to the back of his utility belt. Riddler snaps his fingers and, in a matter of seconds, over a dozen pylons emerge from the ground. A green dome is formed over the team, trapping them inside with the villains and their henchman.
Riddler: Hey, come on! You can get this. I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I? I–
Mason: –Ambush.
Unfurling his bo-staff, Mason can feel his mind begin to sprinter. Dozens of thoughts that aren't his own fill his head and, in a corner of his mind, he can feel Rocket's confusion course through his thoughts.
Riddler: Didn't you think we'd be tipped you were on Cheshire's trail?
Riddler props a knee up on the rock in front of him, a smug smirk tugging at his lips as he stares down at the group of teenage heroes.
Riddler: We're tired of your interference, kiddies; this is the endgame. Ordered from above and executed by their master strategist, moi.
The thoughts begin to silence themselves as the team becomes acquainted with the mind-link formed between them. Aqualad's voice emerges from the silence.
Aqualad: Miss Martian, is everyone linked?
As he thinks, his eyes narrow at the assassins beginning to surround them.
Miss M: Yes.
Aqualad: Good. What's the call Red?
Riddler: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT RED ROBIN?!
Mason: You're still a pain in the ass. And you're still a sad little man who's nothing but a villain of the week who hides in his basement begging and crying, wishing that Batman would finally notice you.
Riddler: What did you just say?
Rocket: Umm... what is our co-leader doing?
Robin: It's how he throws Riddler off his game.
Zatanna: And... this is gonna work?
Robin: Just watch.
Mason: I mean come on you place trophies around Gotham and you think you're Batman's number 1 threat? Face it Nygma. It always ends the same, we outsmart you and you have an aneurysm. That's why when it comes to the entire Rogue Gallery you're the least of our worries, hell even Condiment King poses more of a threat than you.
Riddler: Condiment King? CONDIMENT KING?! How dare you stoop me down with embarrassment of a villain!
KF: Wait for it...
Mason: You're right. I'm sorry. I meant Calendar Man.
Riddler: THAT IS IT! ITS TIME I GUT YOU LIKE A FISH YOU PUBESCENT SMART MOUTHED-
Mason: Alright his ego's shattered. Go.
His order is all that's needed for the team to spring into action. Mason swings his staff forward, easily blocking the assassin in front of him. His sword slashes in a downward strike with a loud clang as it slices against his staff and, as he retracts his arm, Mason pulls his staff back and strikes his stomach with the blunt tip. The assassin stumbles backward, his sword falling into the snow without a sound. Zatanna lifts her hands into the air.
Zatanna: Ekahs siht ebolgwons!
Her shout echoes through the mountains and the snow beneath their feet rises into the air once more, creating a snowstorm within the dome. With the heavy snow as her cover, Mason dashes forward and vaults over the assassin. He lands behind him and spins around, kicking his legs out beneath him and as he hits the snowy ground, he knocks him unconscious with his staff.
Rocket: Damn he's good and fine. Is he seeing someone?
Artemis: Focus!
Aqualad: Superboy, the pylons.
Aqualad orders. His intentions to destroy the only things keeping them inside the valley were made clear to the rest of the team. Superboy growls.
Superboy: Working on it!
Tucking his bo-staff back into his belt, Mason takes off into a sprint toward the rest of his team. He could faintly feel the hairs on his arms rise, a sudden feeling of anger that wasn't his own rushing through his veins.
Mason skids to a stop in the snow, hiss eyes widening as Cheshire kicks Artemis in her direction; the two collide with each other and stumble back until they each collect their balance. A nod of Artemis' head is all Mason needs to rush at the assassin, knocking one of the sai from her hands.
Robin: SB, you- you're flying!
Robin's shocked gasp echoes through their minds. Carefully, Mason's eyes flicker up to the skies. Superboy, with his hands clenched around Mammoth's neck, soars through the cloudy sky before slamming the monster into the edge of the snowy cliff; his fists pummeled him further into the snow, and the rocks begin to crumble under the force.
Mason stumbles forward, the ground beneath his feet shaking. He can barely hear a voice shouting avalanche, screaming it in his direction, as he locks eyes with a fearful Artemis. Slowly, his eyes move up to stare at the landslide headed their way.
An arm wraps around his waist, the figure using all of their strength to push both him and Artemis out of the landslide's warpath. He falls into the heavy layer of snow with a grunt, stunned to silence when he begins to recognise the green kimono-clad figure rising to their feet between him and Artemis.
The two stare at each other, Cheshire's lips curling into a snarl as she lifts her mask up. It would have been so easy for her to leave Mason behind, to save her sister and get rid of the one person whoso found out their secret in one fell swoop. Why didn't she? Sliding her mask back over her face, Cheshire turns to face Artemis.
Chesire: Fine, you're my sister, I don't really want you, or your secret-boyfriend, dead.
The assassin drops a bead onto the ground, and as smoke fills the small area, she disappears from view. Mason presses his gloved-hands into the snow, his brows furrowed.
Mason: I'm not imagining things, right? Cheshire just saved my life.
Artemis seems just as confused as he was. Her brown eyes are narrowed in the direction Cheshire had disappeared to, yet hints of a smile begin to tug at her lips. Maybe Jade did have some redeeming qualities after all.
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Batman: Tell me if this sounds familiar.
Batman's deep voice growls. His eyes narrow behind the cowl as he looks between the nine teenage heroes gathered in front of him in the Cave's mission-room.
Batman: You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol, and endangered your lives. And your initiatives resulted in the capture of three escaped felons, proving Warden Strange runs Belle Reve as a cover for criminal activity. Did I miss anything?
Mason: Broke Riddler's ego by calling him a villain of the week.
His lips curl into a smirk.
Batman: Well done.
The members of the team excitedly turn to each other, sharing proud expressions that come only in the rare times Batman would compliment their work. Though in front of them, his mentor's smile falls and he turns to glance down at the case retrieved from their mission.
Batman: And then there's this.
He motions to the open case.
Batman: Biotechnology integrated with some form of nano-circuitry.
Icon reaches into the case, gently lifting one of the small red chips between his fingertips.
Icon: Though I am unfamiliar with this species, the bio-component is clearly not of Earth.
He informs them, then carefully rests it with the others. Batman closes the case and turns back to the Team.
Batman: We'll take it to the Watchtower for further study.
With a nod of his head, the League heroes disappear through the yellow light of the zeta-tube and Kaldur turns to his team with a heavy sigh. Dick crosses his arms over his suit.
Dick: You realise we were set up.
He says to the others. Mason shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
Mason: Yeah.
He agrees in a whisper, his eyes scanning over the faces of his teammates as he admits the one thing he had been denying since the creation of his team.
Mason: Somebody informed Cheshire.
Artemis rolls her eyes.
Artemis: Not the mole thing again.
Raquel: Mole thing? Again?
The team shared a look, silently deciding who would be the one to explain the long story to their new teammate. Wally is the first to speak,
Wally: We had intel that there was a traitor on the team.
Conner: Mainly Artemis, M'gann, or me.
Mason: Not that we believed it!
He adds, his gaze softening as she looks between the three accused by Roy.
Mason: We have no reason to, you three have proved time and time again that you'd do anything for this team.
Kaldur: Mason is correct.
Kaldur nods, then slowly rests his hand on Conner's shoulder.
Mason: Though your recent behaviour does concern me. You acted the same way in Washington when we were at S.T.A.R. Labs. And your attack on Mammoth nearly got both me and Artemis killed today.
While Artemis averts her gaze, Mason frowns and crosses his arms. She he want to shift the blame onto him, but Kaldur was right. The landslide could've easily killed them had Cheshire not thrown herself into the crossfire.
Conner huffs in response, though before he can part his lips to speak, he bends at the waist and groans in pain as his hands shoot up to cover his ears. Mason's eyes widened.
Mason: Conner?
He calls out to him in concern, taking a step forward before stopping himself. His anger had been out of control recently, it almost reminded him of when they met. He needed to be more cautious. Inhaling a deep breath, Conner turns his back to the team.
Conner: There's something I need to do.... Something I need to tell you.
He pauses, lowering his head.
Conner: Last month, on Thanksgiving, I went back to Cadmus and found a few things out. When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman's. The other half was human. That's why I don't have– will never have full Kryptonian powers.
Mason: But in Washington and earlier. You were flying, and using heat vision in your fight with Mammoth.
Conner: I've been using these.
Conner rolls his sleeve up. A blackened patch in the shape of Superman's hero insignia rests against his bicep.
Conner: Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight, the heat vision... But I think I also get angry. Well, angrier. I'm sorry.
Kaldur's eyes flicker from his face to the patch.
Kaldur: Where did you get those?
Conner: From my human father. Lex Luthor.
The entire team falls silent, except for Dick, whose eyes widen as he asks.
Dick: Lex Luthor... is your dad?
Still reeling from the shock of the revelation, Mason whispers.
Mason: I did not expect an evil supervillain to be a sperm donor— ow!
His eyes snap in Zatanna's direction as the younger girl elbows his arm with a dead-pan look. Ignoring his friend's comment, Conner continues.
Conner: He summoned me to Santa Prisca. Tonight.
Artemis heaves out a sigh, then rolls her shoulders back.
Artemis: Listen.
She speaks up to gain the team's attention.
Artemis: Superboy's not the only one suffering from bad DNA.
Taking a step toward the controls at the front of the room, she turns the screen on to show the mugshots of Sportsmaster, Cheshire, and a reformed villain.
Artemis: My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. The rest of my family aren't even ex. My dad's Sportsmaster, and he's sending my sister, Cheshire, to fly me to Santa Prisca, too.
Mason grins in relief. Secrets had always been the bane of his existence. There were no words to describe the sense of relief he felt with the burden lifted from his shoulders. Wally looks between the two, his emerald eyes lighting up as he puts the pieces together.
Wally: That's why–
Artemis: Yeah. I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out, I'm sorry.
Mason smiles back at her.
Mason: Don't be. You were entitled to a secret identity just like all of us. Besides I've always known.
He chimes in, and the four turn to him with varying looks of surprise. Artemis' frantic eyes fall back onto him.
Artemis: How—
Mason: Come on, I'm a detective, of course I knew. But it never mattered, you aren't your family. You're one of us.
Artemis smiles sheepishly, then averts her gaze as Mason throws an arm around her shoulders.
Mason: You're not just one of us, Arty, you're our family.
Wally's lips curl upwards.
Wally: So, who's next?
M'gann awkwardly takes a step forward.
M'gann: I am.
Wally: I swear I was kidding. Man this was worse than the time Red told us he was the son of Lady Shiva.
Raquel: He's what?!
Mason: WALLY!
Wally: Sorry!
M'gann: Queen Bee's been blackmailing me. She wants me in Santa Prisca, too.
Mason: Blackmailing?
Kaldur asks as he turns to face the Martian.
Kaldur: How?
M'gann stares at the ground beneath her, tears welling up in her eyes and a frown etched across her lips.
M'gann: She knows my true Martian form.
Dick: Bald M'gann?
He shrugs his shoulders with a laugh.
Dick: Who cares if-?
M'gann: No.
She cuts him off. A sigh escapes her lips before slowly, her humanised form shifts from green to white and grows into an alien that towers over the team. Mason stares up at his friend with widened eyes; not from fear, but in awe. He had always assumed the Martians looked similar to Martian Manhunter.
It all made sense now. In her true Martian form, M'gann relies on the open mind-link between her and her friends. Somehow now it feels more intense.
M'gann: I realized you would never accept me if you saw what I truly am.
Kaldur: M'gann. Did we truly seem so shallow?
Her long, lanky arms hug around herself.
M'gann: I couldn't take a chance.
She whimpers, almost as if she were about to cry.
M'gann: Being a White Martian among the Green on Mars, I endured constant rejection. I couldn't face that from-
Connor: From me?
Conner asks. He walks forward, gently taking his girlfriend's larger hand in his as he stares up at her with a softened gaze.
Conner: I've known since we mind-melded last September in Bialya.
She looks away.
M'gann: That was before we even became a couple. Why didn't you say anything?
Connor: I figured you'd tell me when you were ready.
Mason crosses his arms, reluctant to speak up and break such a heartwarming moment between his best friends.
Mason: So.
He finally says, directing the team's attention back to their current problem.
Mason: I think it's pretty safe to say these guys have been working together if they all want you in Bialya. Looks like we have a plan set already.
Raquel: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go kick some bad guy ass.
Mason: I like how she thinks.
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The mind-link, as it always does, leaves a pressure in Mason's head as Artemis' thoughts echo through the minds of the nine teenage heroes. He stands in the camouflaged Bioship, his dark eyes narrowing down at the villains gathering in the empty Santa Prisca field below. Queen Bee, Sportsmaster, Cheshire, and Lex Luthor, were all together and it brought a sense of relief to Mason. Tonight could be the end of months of work if they played their cards right.
Artemis: Reinforcement time.
Artemis' signal rings clearly through their minds. A hatch in the centre of the Bioship peels open and the team, one by one, jumps down to join the fight in the centre of the field.
Mason's boots hit the dirt with a thud, and he's swift to raise his staff and block Sportsmaster's bola from reaching his daughter.
Mason: Oooo and you were so close to gold.
Sportsmaster: So you're the bird who's been with my daughter. To think it'd be the bastard son of Lady Shiva.
Mason: If it makes you feel better Artemis calls me dad too if ya catch my drift.
He comments with a grin. Ducking below his fist, he swipes his bo-staff across the ground and knocks the man off his feet.
Artemis: Red, look out!
Mason can barely register Artemis' voice as Cheshire body-slams against him, the two assassins tumble back into the jungle surrounding the open field where the rest of the fight takes place. With one look down at Mason, Cheshire pulls her twin sai from her belt and takes off running toward Artemis.
Groaning, be braces his hands against the ground and begins to push himself up. With his eyes narrowed in Cheshire's direction – the assassin fights toe to toe with the archer, and Mason briefly recognises the similarities in their fight-styles – he misses Sportsmaster walk through the treeline, until his laughter sounds through the jungle.
Sportsmaster: Think you can take me down that easy, little bird?
From the ground, Mason's glare flickers in the man's direction. Cautiously, be looks from him to his staff. His foot weighs down on top of the weapon, just out of his reach, and he curses himself for getting distracted enough to let it happen.
Mason: A guy can wish.
As fast as he can, he slips a bird-a-rang out of his utility belt and slams it into the ground at his feet.
Sportsmaster: Gah! Why you little-
Mason: Was that your good foot?
He rolls away as an explosion rocks through the jungle. Artemis reaches him in a matter of seconds, and the couple stand back-to-back as both Cheshire and Sportsmaster creep closer with every step. Sportsmaster cracks his knuckles, a cruel smirk plastered across his face as he stares his daughter down.
Sportsmaster: You know I don't tolerate disobedience, Artemis. And I don't like how your little boyfriend spoke to me.
Mason: Think that's Merc code for: "I like him."
Artemis: Sure, dad. Jade and I learned that the hard way.
Mason could count facts he knew about Artemis' family on one hand, but he knew that when this was all over, the two of them would have to sit down and talk about it; Lady Shiva may have never laid a hand on her, but he knew better than anybody else on the team that a mercenary's training wasn't all it was cracked out to be.
A blur of black and red speeds past the two teens, a gust of wind washing over Mason that he soon begins to recognise as his buddy. Kid Flash slams into Cheshire, a grin on his face as he watches her fall into the bushes a few feet away.
Sportsmaster grabs hold of the speedster, and with all of his strength, tosses the boy further into the jungle. Mason winces as the familiar disorienting feeling of crashing into a hard object rushes through the mind-link.
Mason: KF, are you-?
KF: I'm good... Great.
Kid Flash responds weakly, no doubt picking himself up off the ground while Mason and Artemis keep Sportsmaster distracted.
Artemis: Ready babe?
Artemis glances over her shoulder to meet Mason's gaze, then follows her teammate's line of sight toward the discarded bo-staff lying in the dirt just a few feet from them.
Mason: Ready.
It all happens fast. Mason throws himself forward and lands on his arm, ignoring the pain that shoots through his body, his hand wraps around the bo-staff and she throws it toward Artemis. The archer catches the weapon with ease and uses it to block her father's javelin as he moves to strike her down.
Kaldur: Artemis, now!
Kaldur's plan flashes through their minds. Artemis sprints toward Sportsmaster, vaulting over him and grabbing onto the tree-branch above his head as the dirt beneath him begins to melt. A quicksand like substance quickly pulls the man down to his shoulders. Artemis laughs as she drops out of the tree.
Artemis: You're right. It was easy taking him down.
Mason: Babe, I'm so gonna have a headache tomorrow.
He adds, one hand resting against the side of his head. Without a second thought, he throws his free arm around her shoulders while they stares over at Sportsmaster– the archer and bird crouches in front of her father and whispers to him.
Artemis' eyes happily flicker from the villain to her boyfriend, and she gently wipes a speck of dirt from his cheek with her thumb.
Artemis: Lucky for you, I'm an amazing nurse.
Mason: Oh, I know.
His lips twist into a dopey grin, he looks around seeing the team was busy talking and then leans down to kiss her softly.
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Hm. Where'd this come from?🇵🇷🕺