Targets (Young Justice)

Taipei; September 7th; 19:20 NST

The cityscape rises high into the sky, but only one place is of importance. Before a modern-styled building with a small grass cul de sac with a fountain adorning the center stands a blonde woman, her hair falling to her red jacket covered shoulders, simple silver earrings and a chain necklace compliment her dusk blue eyes. In her right hand is a notepad and in her left is a microphone. Across the bottom of the screen, it says  Cat Grant > Reporting from Taipei Taiwan; GBS News > Rhelasian Peace Summit at Impasse. And in the top right corner, there’s a small tag that reads  LIVE.

“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 Tseng of South Rhelasia and North Rhelasia's General Singh Manh Li have agreed to bring in an independent arbitrator. But who is it?” Cat’s voice continues even as the camera changes and there is a close up of both Prime Ministers who are both being swarmed by the press. Tseng is an aging man with grey hair and his only other notable feature being a mole under his left eyebrow. While Singh is a younger looking man with completely black hair and glasses. “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 to arrive by car, not cape, at any moment.” Cat says, briefly glancing down at her notes and signing off. (I honestly want to know if Cat is short for something because I’ve watched Supergirl and from what I remember everyone just calls her Cat. Not even if someone is trying to be formal.)

The white limo before the building for the Summit pulls away from the press-dense area. Roy Harper, decked out in a suit of his own and dark glasses stands with his back to a pillar, watches over the area. Tapping the Bluetooth in his left ear he listens to it beep and someone responds on the other end.

“Aqualad.” the Atlantean replies instantly.

“Red Arrow.” he informs him who is calling in. “I need access to the Justice League's database.”

Aqualad walks around the Zeta Room in Mount Justice. “and the exact height of the League of Shadows assassin known as Cheshire.”

Aqualad moves his right hand out, a keyboard and screen appearing instantly. “Checking.” he draws out as the data comes in. The access to the database is displayed like a vault even virtually, as the assassin’s image appears before him. “Cheshire is 1.67 meters.”

“Um…” Roy mutters, as per typical American student he knew about where that put her, but he relied more on standard measurements for exact points.

“She is 5-foot-6,” Aqualad reads the conversion with a smile.

“and exceptionally dangerous. Do you require backup?” Aqualad asks.

“Please.” Roy scoffs, tapping the frame of his glasses. The last thing I need is the Junior Justice League.” the program engages, reading off the height of every woman in the area. (Didn’t think much of it until I saw a woman dressed up like an official whose height said 5’10”, so this might not factor in heels, which is a tiny bit dumb.)

“Just our computer.” Aqualad murmurs.

Roy focuses in on the woman that is framed in red in his lenses, zooming in on her face, to test her match.

Aqualad looks at the results once more before signing off. “Good luck, my friend. Aqualad out.”

Roy removes his hand from the Bluetooth, looking down at the briefcase in his other hand. Pressing the handle the two sides fall away to reveal his compound bow inside. Removing the top of the case and the handle lets the bow extend to match his height.

Motorcycles are heard heading towards the steps of the Summit building, Roy looks over and sees that it is an escort, meaning the arbitrator has arrived. The sirens engage, two motorcycles before the limo and four after it.

“The arbitrator has arrived.” Cat Grant says to the camera.

Roy nocks an arrow, crouching down so that despite his stature he’s less visible.

From above the stand, Cheshire stands tall, a rocket launcher resting plainly on her shoulder. She drops the nose, looking through the sight at the Limo, where four guards stand around it. Just as she squeezes the trigger and arrow hits the guard. Startling the woman and knocking the rocket launcher up so it shoots into the air.

The police call out to the screaming crowd in the language of the area. While the guards for both Rhelasian officials step up.

Cat Grant stays low to the ground but doesn’t move an inch. “Did you get that? Did you get the shot?” she asks her cameraman, who turns his camera back up towards the action.

Cheshire drops the rocket launcher and hops off the stand roof, causing more people to scream. She moves with ease, going from ground level to jumping off of men’s shoulders with grace. Taking out one guard with a hook kick to the face and another she throws over her hip. A man gets his arms around her middle, locking her arms to her sides. Two men charge at her from opposite sides, she kicks her feet up in a perfect splits to knock them both away with a cry. Flipping out of the other man’s grip she roundhouse kicks him in the side. He drops. She brandishes two sais and takes off towards the limo. (Took me way too long to remember what those were called.)

Guardsmen shoot at her as she runs, then leaps towards the limo, but none of the shots hit.

High above their heads the rocket still spins in the sky. Then suddenly drops towards the ground.

Roy jumps out from behind the pillar, stepping on the trunk then the roof of the limo, so he can shoot at Cheshire. The arrowhead opens to release a net that she cuts through. Roy tackles her to the ground, just as the missile explodes. Cheshire lands on top of Roy, looking about.

A gun in thrust forward. “Mia kyhab!” then in English. “Don't move!”  (Not entirely sure if this is supposed to be Mandarin or Thai, but I just did Google Translate’s Thai “don’t move” and it sounded pretty similar. I know, GT is bad and I’m sorry, but that’s what I did. Suggestions and criticisms are welcome.)

Surrounding the two are five North Rehlasian guards, two South Rehlasian Secret Service, two cops, and a man that can only be assumed to be the arbitrator’s protection due to the size of his gun. Cheshire raises her hands and Roy drops his to his sides and simply lays flat.

Cat Grant stands slightly away from the circle as the police bring Cheshire’s hands together to cuff them despite the finality Cheshire doesn’t resist in any way. “We have just witnessed an assassination attempt live.” a blonde-brown haired woman steps out of the front of the Limo and walks to the back.“Thankfully, no one seems to have been hurt, including our mystery arbitrator.” she opens the door.

Following the flashes of the cameras and the bustling crowd Roy’s eyes go wide under his sunglasses when he sees who it is. “Huh?” is all he can manage in his overwhelmed and rampantly emotional state.

“Lex Luthor?” Cat questions, surprised and unsure as the business tycoon straightens his tie and looks at the cameras that increase in their shuttering.

THEME SONG

(I’m only doing this once, and it’s sort of like an apology for being a jerk and giving you no explanation for months, but I will start pointing out where it is in the episode from now on.)

Aqualad’s hands reach behind him for his waterbearers, as his hands touch the Atlantean Tech his eel tattoos light up and do the symbol on his back and on the handles of his weapon of choice. His eyes snap up and he holds no bars at his combatant.

Surrounded by red is a yellow R encased in a black circle, Robin keeps his crouched position with ease, looking up behind masked eyes.

Wally drops his chin slightly as he puts his goggles on, looking off to the right out of the corner of his eye as he does.

The red S surrounded and backed by black gives away Conner’s signature shirt, wind ruffles his hair but his gaze in unrelenting.

M’gann’s eyes glow red as she waves her left hand across her chest and she levitates higher. Backed by the moon.

Artemis pulls back on her bowstring, looking down her target. She kneels, three arrows nocked at once, she squints slightly before releasing the arrows.

Inside Mount Justice, Batman stands centrally before the Team, explaining the mission with holoscreens. On his left is Black Canary, and on his right is Red Tornado.

Across the map different points are highlighted.

Superboy and Robin jump from an exploding aircraft. Aqualad has his back turned on a down looking Superboy, but his eyes remain strong.

M’gann telekinetically tears an airplane apart. Robin’s eyes narrow behind his mask, Artemis looks away.

Kid Flash runs at high speed towards an open doorway, dodging gunshots. Artemis stands tall with her bow strung, while Robin hacks away slightly in front of her and low to the ground. Aqualad’s two waterbears move fluidly as he demonstrates his excellent sword skills.

Robin is ducked behind a small outcropping, Batman on his hologlove as he throws something harshly beyond his cover. Superboy is working a panel off of the wall. Kid Flash glances to the side before taking off in a blur. Artemis looks unemotional down the shaft of her arrow.

Megan looks to Conner with a smile, her hands on his crossed forearms in an attempt to appease him. Roy brings his fingers to his Bluetooth, hidden behind a pillar and decked out in a suit. Cheshire charges across the screen. Separated by bars of a Jail Cell, Jade sneaks her hand through the bars to grab the cross strap of Red Arrow’s quiver. She pulls and his hand wraps around the bar just above her own. Mercy stands before the Limo. Lex Luthor stands tall, looking up with a smug smirk.

The Team is silhouetted by an explosion. CADMUS crashes down, creating a billow of dust.

The Team stands together, Superboy turns almost instantly, seeing his movement Aqualad and Artemis look out of the corners of their left/right eyes. Kid Flash smirks as he turns, seeing his movements Robin follows instantly, Miss Martian slightly behind. They all stop, turned towards the center, with Superboy facing left, their shoulders rolled back and their gazes strong.

Red flashes across the screen becoming  Young Justice.

Cheshire is loaded into the back of a police car, her mask removed. She glances out the window, giving a confident smile as her eyes lock with someone beyond the tinted glass. She leans back, relaxed.

The police wave the cars onwards as they all make their way down the drive.

The blonde-brown haired woman steps forward, holding a phone up, then ending the call and nodding.

The person she nodded to was Lex Luthor, who turns to the police where Roy is currently waiting in handcuffs. “We have confirmation. This one's Green Arrow's pal, Speedy.”

“It's Red Arrow now.” he corrects, but not beyond the name he used.

The cop closest turns to Luthor. “He must be questioned.”

“Lex Luthor vouches for him, captain.” he says with a simple smile. “Release the sidekick.”

“Ex-sidekick.” Roy snaps, as one the cops release his handcuffs. “And I don't need any favors from you.” he steps forward, rubbing his wrist.

“Apologies. I didn't realize you wished to join the young lady behind bars.” Luthor says as Roy walks past the tycoon.

Roy turns on him instantly, snarling. “You may have everyone here fooled, Luthor, but I know what you are.”

“Oh, I don't pretend to be an angel.” Luthor says with no return malice as he moves to get between Roy and the exit once more. “It just so happens that this time, I'm on the side of the angels.” his smile proves that he doesn’t mind being a demon. With that, he walks away and Roy has no choice but to follow him inside.

Inside, at the bottom of a grand staircase are all the media, while on the first landing are the North and South Rehlasian heads. Both of them backed by their guards.

“The violence outside has not helped the peace process.” Cat comments.

“Hiring assassins, Li?” Tseng questions, both mockingly and angered. “Had you no one among your own troops to do the North's dirty work?”

“I need no assassin, Tseng.” Li snarls, his own guard holding an arm out to make sure he doesn’t step forward. “Such is the method of a Southern coward.”

Tseng and Li start yelling at each other in a foreign tongue.

Cat turns towards the camera, raising her mic. “Tensions are running high. And troops are massing on the border between the two countries. Right now, Lex Luthor seems to be the best or only hope for peace.”

“Why should either side trust you?” Roy questions darkly.

“Because LexCorp is a company founded on a peaceful enterprise for all humanity.” the bald man says calmly.

“Cut the act, Luthor.” Roy snaps. “I've got intel linking LexCorp shell companies to the sale of weapons in both Rhelasias.” Lex doesn’t deny it and Roy finally gets to the heart of why this bothers him. “You're profiting off this war. So, what's your angle?”

“War income is pocket change compared to the billions to be made investing in a peaceful, united Rhelasia.” Lex admits, leaning closer to Roy’s ear. “And isn't it better to have peace even if that scoundrel Lex Luthor profits from it?”

“That scoundrel may not survive to profit.” Roy points out, and Luthor steps away from the young adult. “Cheshire failed, but the League of Shadows won't stop until the contract is fulfilled.”

“Which does beg the question, who hired the League?” Lex asks, seeming honestly unsure of who could’ve done this.

“... And were you really the target?” Roy mumbles, looking up the stairs. “Was your death just a convenient way to sabotage the summit?”

“Allow me to hire you to find out.” Lex offers lightly.

“Your money has blood on it, and I'm not here to make a buck.” Roy snarls.

Lex chuckles lightly. “So you'll provide your services, but for free?” he places his hand on Roy’s shoulder. “I can live with that, hero. Now, excuse me. I have a hemisphere to save.” Camera shutters click as Lex walks up the stairs. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, shall we attempt some smiles for the cameras?” he offers.

Mount Justice; September 7th; 06:41 EST

Inside the ‘garage’ of the mountain, Superboy works on a red motorcycle, as Sphere whirs behind him. Then moves irritably behind him as he ignores it.

“Jealous much?” Superboy taunts.

Sphere beeps irritably as it spins around in circles then gets close to Superboy.

“All right, all right.” Superboy appeases, patting Sphere.

“Ready for school?” M’gann calls out as she flies down the hall, then bypassing the stairs with two paper bags in her hand. “I made our lunches.” Red Tornado, Kaldur, and Manhunter follow her.

“The first day of the scholastic season carries great cultural resonance. We want to wish you both well.” Manhunter tells both of them, as Superboy stands up. Even Kaldur gives them a smile.

“Guess it's not a Kryptonian thing.” Superboy mutters as he wipes his hands off.

“You may wish to… change before you depart.” Kaldur offers the two.

“Ah, I spent hours choosing this outfit.” she changes into black flats, white knee high socks, a burgundy skirt, a white top, and a burgundy short sweater. “What do you think? Can M'gann M'orzz pass as an Earth girl now?”

“Well…” Kaldur offers hesitantly.

“Just kidding." she assures, turning her skin tone from green to caucasian. “Meet Megan Morse.” she does a small spin and a curtsy. “What's your new name?”

Superboy’s eyes go wide. “My what?”

“I chose the name John Jones for myself.” Manhunter changes to a bald dark skinned man in a suit. “And suggested John Smith for Red Tornado. You could be a John too.”

“Pass.” Superboy shoots down, crossing his arms.

“Conner's always been my favorite name.” M’gann offers, grabbing the arm and shoulder closest to her. (Bitch the fuck is wrong with you?! Can you not see how badly this could go if they find out about the show? I’m not including the other thing you’re hiding, just that. You’re an idiot!)

“A last name will also be required.” Kaldur informs him.

“Perhaps Kent?” J'ohnn offers.

“Oh, in memory of Dr. Fate, the late Kent Nelson.” M’gann says brightly. (Remember how I complained about not being able to call Superboy Conner and now I turn around and pull this, yeah, I’m special like that. Also, fight me, M’gann will always be M’gann unless someone is talking and literally calls her Megan.)

“Of course.” J’ohnn murmurs, changing back to avoid the look of surprise on his face.

“Okay, sure. I guess it'd be an honor or something.” Superboy grumbles.

“Well, Conner Kent, time to change your shirt.” M’gann teases but stops when she sees Conner grab the shirt’s logo. “You don't wanna reveal your identity.” she tells him tapping the logo. (This team is supposed to be stealth, there should be no one that knows his identity, also masks are a thing.)

His face gives nothing away as he suddenly reaches back and pulls on the collar of his shirt, taking it off with no shame. M’gann’s eyes go wide for a moment and only relax as a heavy blush settles on her cheeks.

“Ugh, will this work?” Conner offers his inside out shirt.

M’gann half swoons. “Works for me.” she says clearly star-struck.

“Oi, shouldn't I be Conner Nelson?” Conner questions as he slips his shirt back on and M’gann follows him, their lunches following them.

“They grow up so fast.” Manhunter muses.

Sphere comes back in front of them and beeps.

In the Police Station in Tapei, Red Arrow stands in a single celled room, Cheshire doing drawn out martial movements fluidly, completely at ease.

“Aren't you going to ask me anything?” she asks, not even looking at him.

“I think you know what I'm after.” Red Arrow says lowly.

Cheshire pauses, her leg still high in the air as she looks over her shoulder. “I do actually. Do you?”

Red Arrow steps back as she nearly presses her heel to the bars. “Who hired you?” he asks.

“Shadows.” she replies simply, moving through what would be detrimental combat moves if she did them at even a touch faster than she is now.

“Who hired them?” Red Arrow questions, the anger starting to leave his tone.

“I don't ask.” she tells him with a wink.

“What's the endgame?” Red Arrow snaps, his patience gone again. “The peace summit or Luthor himself?”

Cheshire raises her hands over her head, finally remaining rooted in her spot. “Two birds…” she turns towards him quickly, her hands making a mock gun. “one stone.” when she gets no reaction she changes it up. “Hey, where are your little sidekick friends? They're always fun to play with. Especially Ar-chery Girl. I like her.” Cheshire’s slip is barely noticeable.

“She... They aren't in my League.” Red snarls.

“And you think you're in mine?” Cheshire asks calmly as she reaches through the bars, and pulling on the horizontal strap of his quiver. He gasps, as he’s pulled forward, his hand grabbing the bar just above hers. “Where's Green Arrow when you really need him?”

“I don't.” Roy says with complete confidence.

Cheshire grabs the back of his head and pulls him down slightly. “Sure about that?” in complete change she drops low.

It takes Red Arrow just long enough to see her holding the bars tightly, as his instincts make him take a step back for him to realize what’s happening. “Oh, no.” he mutters, just before the explosion goes off. Smoke covers the room and the force causes Red Arrow to grunt.

Sirens wail as a rope is dropped past the hole in the outside wall.

“Ugh, it had to be you.” she snarks.

“Beggars can't be choosers, little girl.” he says, completely undeterred. “Coming?”

Cheshire throws only one glance over her shoulder before she jumps out of the hole, bouncing off the wall on either side before she slides down.

Red Arrow coughs as he slowly pushes himself off the floor. Running up to the bars he groans at the now-obstacle.

The door on the roof throws itself open as Red Arrow grunts at the impact of his shoulder. His bow down at his side and an arrow already nocked. He reaches the edge of the roof, looking down to see Cheshire and Sportsmaster running across the lower roofs as a helicopter lowers itself to seemingly pick them up.

His eyes narrow behind his mask as he draws back the almost-harpoon tipped arrow. A length of rope following from where it connected to a lower building. As he slides down the line, he comes to be just left of Cheshire and Sportsmaster.

“I admire persistence, but…” Cheshire doesn’t need to finish as she brandishes a star, which she throws and it cuts through the line.

Red Arrow flips backward, just before the line is cut and he lands the same roof as the other two. They make it into the helicopter and Sportsmaster turns towards the pilot.

“Go! Go!” he commands and within seconds the chopper is in the air.

Red Arrow can’t catch up to them, but he already has another arrow nocked. He shoots with ease, the flat tip of the arrow holding to the side of the chopper and a length of rope catches him as he drops off the edge of the roof.

“Are you even trying to ditch this guy?” Sportsmaster demands of Cheshire.

“I really hate to admit it, but he has a point.” she tells him, though she brandishes a sai and cuts through the connection of the arrow.

His support gone Red Arrow falls through the air, he turns so he facing the roofs, pulling out another and firing. This one hits the roof and explodes into foam, which cushions his fall. Though he grunts as he hits. Maneuvering slightly, though he does still have some goo on him, he pulls out a small device, flipping it open he is shown a small screen with a dot and the word under it says  TRACKING. Evidently, it can track the head of the arrow.

“Because I'm a professional, I won't kill you.” Cheshire snarls at Sportsmaster from behind her mask once again. “At least not while we're on the job.”

“You wouldn't have this job if not for me.” Sportsmaster growls. “Grow up already.”

“The evening's agenda was to create strife between nations,” a voice speaks from the shadows of the doorway. Cheshire drops to a knee. A man dark skin and hair, an almost grey tone starting behind his ears, and green eyes steps out. “not my assassins.” he glares at both.

Cheshire bows her head. “Master.”

“And client.” Raysh reminds her. “So twice disappointed in your failure. Luthor has been a thorn in my side for too long. And peaceful countries rarely call upon the League of Shadows.”

Red Arrow lays on the roof of the outlying wall, using binoculars to see what is happening. “Raysh al Ghul.”  (Okay, so, the cc says Ra’s and I’m not going to get into the argument of which one is wrong or right, but instead I’m going with how the characters pronounce it. Of the name, and when I do it outside of cc if it’s his full title I will do Ra’s [or possessive] if it’s not I’ll do Raysh.)

“So I expect a better outcome,” he tells the two, now standing level with them as Red Arrow zooms in on his face. “and less interference from that boy.” now Roy has Ra’s al Ghul staring him down.

“Perfect.” the ginger says sarcastically as he pulls the binoculars away and sits up slightly. Roy stands up and nocks an arrow, aiming for Raysh.

The Demon’s Head doesn’t even move, instead of letting Sportsmaster step in front of him and use his staff to knock the arrow away.

Cheshire runs towards Red Arrow as the leader of the League of Shadows falls back into the cover from whence he came.

Red Arrow jumps down to the lower level roof, grunting from the impact as he lands on the slant. He finds his balance easily enough, nocking another arrow as he runs, aiming for the courtyard.

He misses Cheshire, twice, who runs without even slowing down. She kicks off a statue to get herself on the roof with Red Arrow.

As she lands she finds Red already turned towards her, this time he’s kneeling and his aim following her into her jump. She dodges the first but uses her sais to knock away the second and third.

Red Arrow stands up as he reaches back to his quiver again.

“Hyah!” she cries out, trying to strike him, he back handsprings away. She narrowly dodges the arrow this time, her hair getting cut in the back.

She leads with a high left hook kick, that knocks away his bow, her right sai following the same path, that Red Arrow barely dodges under. At that moment, however, Cheshire knees him in the stomach. He stumbles but tries to strike her head with hook punch that uses the extra reach of his bow. She drops under and back kicks him in the gut.

Sportsmaster runs across the courtyard with a vaulting pole, he kicks into a high arc, and as he faces the hero he releases a metal discus. (Oh look, all of Sports knowledge is finally coming into play.)

Cheshire continues to strike at Red Arrow, each of them blocking and countering without pause. Until she suddenly stills and cocks her head slightly, before diving left.

Roy finally gets to see the discus, only having enough time to raise his bow so it won’t him in the face. Though his bow breaks in two at the impact.

The discus continues until it crashes into the corner of the wall behind Roy, taking out a fair amount of the higher level roof. He barely catches Cheshire’s kick from the corner of his eye. Jumping over the highest point in the roof to be on the opposite side, closer to the moat. That he looks down on with severe dislike and a definite note that he can’t see anything below the pitch black surface of the water.

He looks to Cheshire, who stands on the highest part of the roof on his left. However, Sportsmaster, who is slightly lower than Cheshire and on his right, catches his attention when he speaks.

“I hear you go by Red Arrow now.” Roy can almost hear the taunt before he even continues. “Heh, more like Broken Arrow.” Roy’s narrowed eyes barely widen beneath his mask. (Son of a half-troll… I both love and hate YJ for this reason, when I first saw the show I thought nothing of it until Roy mentioned it WAY later. Going back I realize how far ahead of time they were leaving little ticks. Also Jade is standing RIGHT THERE! Which means she knew his phrase and never used it on him, ever.)

Happy Harbor; September 7th; 07:58

(Okay, I’m calling bullshit. What sort of high school doesn’t start until 8?! ON THE FIRST DAY!... Well, I mean my school had a late start, for returning students, on the first day. Not to mention the whole “gotta be inside the school” thing that prevented us from hanging around outside the building before classes- again this was after this show came out, but only 2yrs.)

Students chatter in front of the school, in small groups that easily divided into their cliques. A student on a skateboard weaves between the groups, executing a small trick, but as he looks up he’s stunned to find Conner walking in front of him. “Aah!” there was no crash. “Hey!” his skateboard clatters to the ground. Conner holds him by the collar of his jacket, which disorientates the helmet-wearing teen a bit. “Ugh,” realizing that he is, in fact, three feet off the ground he looks at Conner, floored. “whoa!”

Conner lifts him up a little higher, bringing the logo near his eye level. “Explain this.” he snarls, pointing directly at it.

The helmet-wearing teen is extremely confused. “Ugh, whoa, what?”

“What's your problem?” Conner turns to find a buff male with his arm over the shoulders of a petite cheerleader. His own shirt having the lighter pallet Superman colors on it. Behind him is a boy wearing a dark pallet Superman shirt, and another wearing a Green Lantern top. “Put my man Marvin down.” the taller teen says lowly, clearly expecting a fight.

“Uh, I don't think he likes my shirt.” Marvin tries to comprehend the issue while still three feet from the ground.

Conner looks around. Seeing quite a few more people have stepped up, a Flash and reverse Batman logo joining the mix. “Your shirt's fine. Everyone's shirt is fine.” he says tensely. (Poor Conner.)

“Ugh.” is all Marvin can manage as he’s suddenly dropped.

“Someone's fine.” the cheerleader muses, sarcastically, as her boyfriend walks towards Conner.

M’gann faces no one as she finally introduces them. “Hi. We're new. I'm Megan Morse. This is Conner Kent.”

“Double alliteration. I like it.” Marvin tells the girl, both of them watching Conner walk towards the other teen. (Goddammit Mal I want to use your name now!)  They both stop, staring each other down, though Conner admittedly has to look up to do that.

Someone snaps their fingers. “Okay. Time to get to homeroom, gang.” the voice belongs to a lackadaisical blonde with long hair and a black jacket.

The darker skinned teen purposefully shoulder checks him on his way in.

Conner glares and turns to follow him, but M’gann calls out “Conner.” and physically gets in his way.

Conner grumbles lowly everyone starts heading in, though his eyes are on the tallest of the bunch. (He actually says something along the lines  hamina hama, which is gibberish for “I’m gonna *fill in the blank*.” I use it enough, I’d know.)

“Hi. I'm Wendy.” a ravenette steps up to the two, Marvin by her side. “I was new last year, so I know how hard it is to fit in. But you look like instant Bumblebee material to me.” both Megan and Conner seem confused. “Cheerleaders. The Bumblebees. Tryouts are after school.”

Megan gasps in realization, gaining a bright smile. “Thanks. I'll be there.” then steps up to follow Wendy to get more information.

Conner is set to follow her, but Marvin puts his hand in front of him. “Dude. Facing down Mal Duncan? Fierce.” he tells Conner. “Not too bright, but fierce.”

The School Bell rings.

Cheshire moves in slowly while Sportsmaster moves higher up on the roof both his bo staffs being shifted to neutral positions with ease. Roy sighs as he tilts his head down, then looking back at Cheshire. Seeing her standing completely relaxed and waving at him. Sportsmaster throws one of his staffs at Roy.

The ginger takes a stutter step back, just enough so the staff explodes against the roof rather than hitting him. Using the explosion as a cover he dives off the roof into the moat.

Sportsmaster runs towards the edge throwing the staff just as Roy dives below the surface. The staff follows and it’s only two seconds before it explodes as well. The masked blonde glares down at the water, moving to walk away as Cheshire steps up to glance down as well.

She sees him walk away, but as he doesn’t even pause she glances back down at the water for a long moment before finally following the other.

Roy breaks the surface a far distance away from where he submerged, breathing heavily as he pulls himself out of the water. He crawls out and ends up lying down for a few moments. Within seconds he seems to have a purpose as he sits back on his heels and taps his earpiece.

“It's me.” he says simply. “I may… possibly be in over my head.”  (*Gasps* Really?! NO DUH! Seriously, Roy, I love you, but sometimes you can so stubborn I have to wonder when your intelligence starts to suffer for it.)

Back in Taipei, Red Arrow stands in a high story office with Lex Luthor and his bodyguard. “The League of Shadows wants you dead.” he states.

“Doesn't every league?” Lex teases the young man.

“It's not just Cheshire, it's Sportsmaster. And Raysh al Ghul himself.” Roy tries to get his point across.

Lex continues what he’s doing, and his bodyguard helps him get his suit jacket on. “I can't say I'm surprised. Raysh is something of a… competitor of mine.”

The white lenses in Red Arrow’s mask narrow as he tries to keep his temper in check and figure out what Lex is trying to hide since it’s obviously big. “I should stand aside and watch you take each other out.”

“Your stab at pragmatism is, well, adorable.” Lex smirks at the young man finally looking at him. “But the summit and the peace are at stake, remember?” the taunt is clear in his voice, as his bodyguard tightens his tie, and looks away as Roy marches towards him. “We'll increase security. Though if the Shadows think you're dead, maybe we can surprise them.”

Roy stops walking. “I've got a better surprise.” there a small flicker of a smirk on the corner of his lips.

The class watches Cat Grant’s report of the Summit on the TV in their classroom. “If Lex Luthor's unknown strategy for peace fails the two Rhelasias are looking at all-out war before morning.” she tells the camera.

The teacher turns off the TV and turns towards his class. “Who can tell me more about Rhelasia?” he catches the fact that a particular student is sleeping. “Marvin.”

“Huh!” the dirty blonde yelps as startles awake. “Well, um, Mr. Carr, it's better than Fakeasia.”  (Excuse me while I go rethink everything because I just learned why his voice sounds familiar. One: he’s Conner {and Superman and Zatara, but duh}. Two: HE’S STOICK FROM RIDERS! Three: he’s Iverson AND Sam Holt from Voltron?!?... I need a minute…)

The entire class chuckles.

The teacher sighs. “Anyone else?”

“Modern Rhelasia was created in 1855 and ruled by the Bokun dynasty until it was divided by the great powers into North and South Rhelasia after World War II.” Conner states monotonically.

The teacher actually smiles. “Very good.”

“But why are they fighting?” Conner asks. “They're all humans- I mean, Rhelasians, right?”

“Right on both counts, actually.” the teacher says, slightly resigned.

“It's no different on Mars.” M’gann’s use of telepathy startles Conner for a second. “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.”  (Conner… now would be motherfucking good time to speak up!)

Conner looks down for a moment, but as he slowly closes his eyes, he turns back towards the board.

“Reunification is unthinkable!” Tseng shouts.

“Our peoples no longer have anything in common.” Li angrily agrees.

Sitting between the two of them at a long table is Lex Luthor. “Gentlemen, that is mere rhetoric.” the green-eyed man says, calmly. “Despite your differences, you still share an appreciation for many things such as the exquisite art of the Rhelasian Tea Ceremony.” both looked surprised that he brought the ceremony up, but neither argues with his idea.

Behind the mass of reporters a young woman with white face paint and a traditional red dress pushes a cart towards the stairs that currently separate the reports and the delegates. Kaldur turns around just before the woman reaches the reporters, brandishing a single Waterbearer. “That is far enough, Cheshire.”

The reporters hear his accusation and gasp in shock.

The woman’s eyes narrow, seeing Roy step up behind Luthor over Kaldur’s shoulder she leans forward slightly and presses a button on the handle of the cart and shoves it towards the Atlantean with a “Hyah!”

Kaldur pulls his Waterbearer in a strong arc with his own shout.

Outside the building, an explosion blows out the windows.

The gigantic room is shown from an aerial view near the head of one of the statues. “That is far enough, Cheshire.” Aqualad states strongly.

Cheshire glares at the teen as she presses the button on the cart.

Time seems to slow as Kaldur pulls out his second Waterbearer, Roy shifting his stance to take proper aim as the water from inside the glasses on the table start to rise up.

“Hyah!” Cheshire cries out as she pushes the cart. Kaldur turns the rising water into a doming shield. Roy takes aim at the cart and shoots right past Kaldur’s shoulder and the rapidly dropping shield to hit the cart.

The explosion it creates throws Cheshire back. It also pushes against the barrier Kaldur is holding up, his tattoos take so much power that they rip the sleeves off his jacket, but it holds.

The room is silent as the shield falls, Kaldur’s heavy breathing is easier to pick on. With the shield and the explosion, two of the statues fell to the ground before the shield, but they don’t block Kaldur’s view of a fallen Cheshire.

As she pushes herself to sit back Roy and Kaldur make it over the statues. Roy nocking another arrow and Kaldur rips off the ruined remains of his jacket.

“It's over, Cheshire.” Roy snarls.

Cheshire smirks. “You would think so.” as she stands a helicopter comes up to the hole in the window. The side door open, showing off Sportsmaster and some ten+ henchmen.

“Shau zo sa so.” Tseng calls out to his guardsmen. They charge forward as the henchmen behind Sportsmaster also get off the chopper. The blonde man moving slowly, taunting the young men who stand defiantly before him. (I love how if we’re not supposed to know what they’re saying the only thing I get in the cc is “speaking in a foreign language”, yes, thank you I’m aware of that. Would it kill ya to at least give out what you had the VAs saying? Also, I have NO IDEA what this says, so yeah I guessed.)

Cheshire does a high backflip, blocking Roy’s shot at Sportmaster as she brandishes her sais. “Take Sportsmaster, Cheshire's mine.” he tells Kaldur over the noise.

“So territorial, and only our third date.” Cheshire taunts, completely ignoring Kaldur as he runs forward and jumps into a high vaulted front flip, lands solidly behind her and takes off towards Sportsmaster.

Sportsmaster steps up to one of Tseng’s guards, who just beat down a henchman with a nightstick. The guard wastes no time turning towards Sportsmaster, aiming for his head with a cross-swipe of his stick. Sportsmaster drops under it and begins the circling of the two. The guard charges forward, but as he does Sportsmaster catches his wrist and throws him over his hip. He dodges a second guard at was aiming for the back of his head, stepping aside to see the strike go past his face and knee the man in the stomach. Two more guards come up on either side of Sportsmaster. He easily sidekicks the one on his right, watching as the man on his left misses the back of his head, but tries to swing back to hit his mask. Sportsmaster dodges and then kicks the man away with a tornado kick.

A bright blue chain mace, about three inches in diameter, hits Sportsmaster in the face. The way it doesn’t actually have a chain, and moves fluidly give away that it is Aqualad’s chosen form for his waterbearer.

Sportsmaster hazily looks up to see Kaldur holding both his waterbearers, the maces flowing with his movements. As the teen charges at Sportsmaster, he swings his arms back and moves them in broad, crisscrossing arcs. The first strike misses Sportmaster, but with his movements and the fact that Sportsmaster had to jump back to avoid being hit again, Kaldur is free to charge in closer with a battle cry and remain on the offensive. His next strike hits Sportsmaster’s left forearm-block but hit still jars the man enough to make it obvious that he is extending another sharp-ended staff.

Aqualad moves right as Sportsmaster with at his left, giving him more than enough time to find his footing behind the man. The two circle each other, Kaldur’s left strike is blocked by Sportsmaster and he then crosses the two ‘chains’ in an X in front on him to block Sportsmaster’s strike. Sportsmaster steps forward to strike at Kaldur’s head, but the dark-skinned teen easily slides out of the way.

Roy has three arrows nocked and aimed at Cheshire. He releases them, but Cheshire uses her sais to knock them away, striking the first two with changing her stance and executing a back walkover to knock away the third before dropping low to the ground. “You called one of your little sidekick friends.” she taunts loudly. “But didn't you tell me they weren't in your league?”

Kaldur turns his head and pays the price for it as Sportsmaster clotheslines him. The blonde man has more force behind him that lets him flip Kaldur over and crash onto his stomach on the floor. The masked merc pauses, looking at the teen as he pulls out his own chain mace.

The hard metal denting the stone floor. Sportsmaster spins it quickly and slams it down, aiming for Aqualad’s head. Kaldur rolls away to dodge the strike.

Around the rest of the room, Rhelasian soldiers fight off the masked henchman Sportsmaster brought with him. All in all, it’s a madhouse.

The two Rhelsian leaders stand with two guards on their sides, while Lex Luthor is the only one who remains seated, his bodyguard standing unmoved, as he glares out at the chaos before him.

On the track, by the football stands are six girls in cheerleader uniforms and M’gann. While Conner is the only one in the stands, about ten rows up.

“Okay, Megan, you're up.” Wendy tells M’gann with a smile.

The brunette nods and executes a simple cheer routine. “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. Hornets, Hornets, can't be beat. Bzz, ting, ow.” M’gann drops her raised hand, and plants both her feet on the ground. Holding both her hands in front of her chest as she awaits the verdict. (Don’t make explain the routine, one I had actually forgotten about it and cringed when I saw it again, {and if I ever see it again after this it’ll be too soon} but I would love to never have to explain a cheer routine again in my life- the joy of being a coach’s kid eh?)

Wendy, the dual bunned girl from before school, and another ravenette who seems Asian all converse lowly for a few moments. Megan worries nervously, as the two other girls head off to the right, leaving Wendy to be the only one in front of M’gann.

“How'd I do?” M’gann asks worried, as she bows her shoulders in and seems to almost curl in on herself.

“I thought you did great.” Wendy says with a small smile. “And I'm really sorry about this.”

The two girls from before bring out a tub of water over M’gann’s head and dump it on her.

Hearing her yelp, Conner snarls, standing up and not even realizing he hadn’t unclenched his hands from the bench as he takes to pieces with him.

M’gann turns and her shout of “Conner, no!” is enough to make his body to stop instantly, but momentum keeps him moving and stumbles down the stands (and the small wall) before crashing heavily onto the ground. (Which everyone would be running to make sure he’s okay because not only is the wall of most stands like that at least eight feet off the ground- to concrete!- he also managed to get himself all turned around to the point where he fell back first.)

“Sorry.” Wendy offers to both of them. “It's a stupid initiation ritual that I wish my teammates would abandon.” she gripes directly at a few of the other girls.

“Wait. Initiation ritual?” M’gann needs to say it herself to process it, then chuckles once as she hears herself say it. “Hello, Megan, that means I made the team.” she double checks, though. “Um, I did, right?”

“You're a Bumblebee, girl.” the dual-bunned girl confirms. (Karen, I want to use your name now.)

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” M’gann cheers as jumps smally before hugging Wendy and the other girls join in.

Though the bunned girl looks Conner. “So is that your boyfriend? Because he's hot, but kind of a freak.”  (Who can HEAR you. But if you’re saying that because he’s not wearing socks- which I just now noticed, last minute- then fair. )

Conner picks up the stack of three books. While M’gann, who is now wearing his jacket, looks surprised. “You're carrying my books?”

Conner shrugs. “What, you want them to get wet?”

M’gann pauses for a moment before smiling brightly. (Also that surprises you? Girl, he gave you HIS JACKET!)

Roy moves backward but runs out of the room as he encounters the fallen statues. Stuck, with Cheshire charging at him, he raises his bow to block her strikes. Then swings at her head, which she drops under and remains in a handstand as he legs give her some breathing room from the ginger. As Roy tries to strike down she lets her feet touch the ground before rocketing into a high jump, both her sais ready to knock away the arrows that don’t come, and put nearly twenty feet between the two of them. She huffs a small breath before throwing her sais at him, which Roy once again uses his bow to block.

Sportsmaster stikes at Aqualad, with a foil, who evades the strike with a simple sidestep. The teen takes a few small steps back and his waterbearers become twin falchions. As he brandishes them at Sportsmaster the man simply raises his foil as if a match is about to start between them.

“Not bad, Lad.” he says casually. “Better than your team did at Santa Prisca or Bialya.”

Kaldur’s stance doesn’t move, and his face doesn’t change, but his voice gives it all away. “How did you...?”

“Let's just say I have an inside source. Very inside.” he tells the teen. Narrowing his eyes as Aqualad shifts into an even stronger stance and Roy has now taken a spot on top of the fallen statues. Another arrow nocked, as Roy draws his string back he sees something on the ceiling.

“Aqualad, let's end this.” he says as he releases the explosive arrow that hits the sprinklers.

Aqualad barely glances up as his tattoos glow almost white and he raises his arms up and out. From the shallow water, a twister rises up and becomes a serpent that charges at any of the foes still standing.

Sportsmaster’s eyes narrow, but Cheshire drops in front of him and puts on her mask. Pulling something from her back and throwing it into the mouth of the beast. Which Aqualad let drop as Roy lands beside him, but as the covers them they start coughing.

From inside the dark smoke, mere inches in front of the teens is a final henchman. Holding two swords and aiming for the Rhelsian leaders.

“Mercy.” Lex growls.

His bodyguard says nothing as she raises her arm, but it opens up to reveal a laser gun set up underneath her fake skin. Which knocks the man to the side and to the ground with nothing more than a grunt.

Kaldur and Roy turn back towards the window, finding Cheshire and Sportsmaster went and no one else is moving.

The Rhelsian dignitaries look at Mercy in shock as her arm collapses back to hide the gun and if it wasn’t for her torn sleeve there would be no visible evidence that she had done anything.

Gives new meaning to the arms race, doesn't she?” Lex asks the men.

Tseng and Li sigh in relief. (No CC that is not a groan.)

“That technology is most impressive, Luthor.” Li tells the man.

“We owe you our lives, sir.” Tseng agrees, shaking hands with Luthor.

“They owe him their lives?” Roy asks Kaldur, feeling slighted.

“Yes, quite a coup for Lex Luthor.” Cat continues to broadcast. “Under his leadership, North and South Rhelasia are signing a treaty which could eventually lead to reunification.”

Kaldur and Roy watch the signing and Luthor for a few more moments before they head towards the door. “I can't believe we just did a solid for Lex Luthor.”

“Not for Luthor, for peace.” Kaldur corrects. “Beyond that, if Ra's and League of Shadows wanted to sabotage the Summit the signing of the treaty renders their contract moot.” the two stop just before the first outside step. “It is over.”

“Is it?” Roy asks skeptically. “I heard what Sportsmaster said. Do you really think there's a mole on your team feeding him intel?”

Kaldur shows none of his thoughts on his face but looks away from Roy to stare at the fountain. “I cannot rule out the possibility. I will investigate quietly.”

Roy raises an eyebrow. “Not tell them?” he questions, shocked. (It wasn’t until I was reading this for my last proofread that I realized the reason Roy is shocked is that he KNOWS why Kaldur, Wally, and Rob all went to CADMUS, why they agree with him on his choice to go Solo. It was BECAUSE someone was hiding something from THEM. Now here he is doing the same.)

Kaldur turns towards Roy again. “I do not want the unit unraveling over baseless suspicions. And if there is a mole, I have no wish to tip him or her off.”  (Hooray for gender equality! Admit, anyone that wasn’t Aqualad would’ve said him and just left it there, not even saying them just him.)

Roy gives Kaldur a small salute and a slight smiling-smirk. “Good luck with that.”

“One moment, my friend.” Kaldur speaks up, making Roy pause. “Tonight, you could have called Green Arrow for help or the Justice League. Instead, your first instinct was to call the Cave.”

“You're right. The team deserves… has my respect.” Roy admits, turning towards Kaldur again. “I'm still getting used to this solo act stuff. But if you need me, I'll be there.” this time he simply smiles, offering his hand to the Atlantean the two shake on it.

In the tower, Luthor pours two drinks. “That went well. Both Li and Tseng were quite impressed with Mercy's… equipment and are quite literally buying into the peace.” he turns away from the bar and to his guest. “Our plan to ensure the eventual reunification of Rhelasia under LexCorp's political and economic…” his guest takes his own offered glass. “guidance is a success.”

Ra’s al Ghul stands proudly before the billionaire. The two toast and Raysh gets the final word. “And thus another corner of the world sees The Light.”