9.
I decided to go in a different direction with this chapter than the episode goes in, hope ya don't mind.
Taipei
September 07, 19:20 NST
Red Arrow stood with his back to the pillar, watching the crowd through his sun glass covered eyes. He put his hand to his ear piece, eyes never leaving the crowd. "Robin, I need you to find the exact height of the League of Shadows operatives known as Cheshire and Scarlet Witch."
Quicksilver rolled his eyes but bit his tongue, knowing that if he defended his sister and said she wasn't a Shadow they would find him suspicious. He held his position in the crowd instead, looking around at the people for his sister and Jade until he heard Robin's reply. "Cheshire is five foot six inches and Scarlet Witch is five foot five."
"Both are exceptionally dangerous." Aqualad added. "I'm glad you asked us on this mission, Red Arrow."
Red Arrow looked through the crowd, glasses switched to scan for women that matched the heights of the two Shadows. "Yeah, well, even I can admit when I am out of my depth." He's glasses locked in on a Vietnamese woman behind a stand and a brunette teen in the crowd of people that was waiting for the car to arrive with the Rhelasian arbitrator. "Heads up. I think I got a hit."
"Where?" Quicksilver asked, watching as the car that held Lex Luthor pulled up.
"Right here." Quicksilver turned around just in time to dodge a hex blast to the face from his twin sister. Instead, the blast went past him and hit the building.
Sorry, 'tro. Have to make it look 'real'.
"I found Scarlet Witch! Do you have eyes on Cheshire?" Quicksilver called through the comms. He looked up as a rocket went flying through the air, only to be taken out by an arrow. "I'll take that as a yes."
Sorry for this Wands.
Quicksilver saw Robin and Aqualad approaching him and his sister so he sped around her, sucking the air out of her until she passed out. He looked to see that the authorities were taking Cheshire into custody. He picked Scarlet Witch up and carried her over to them. "Here is the other...assassin."
Lex caught his eye as he was stepping out of the car and gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Quicksilver was following the plan. Lex turned to the authorities as they went to grab the team and Red Arrow. He held a hand up to them. "Hold on. These young men were not aiding the assassins, they were trying to stop them."
"They must be questioned." The captain said.
"Lex Luthor vouches for them."
"We don't need any favors from you." Red Arrow spat.
"Apologies. I didn't realize you wished to join the young ladies behind bars." Lex smirked.
"You may have everyone here fooled, Luthor, but we know what you are." Red Arrow growled. Aqualad put a hand on his friends arm.
"Oh. I don't pretend to be an angel. It just so happens that this time I'm on the side of the angels." Lex walked past the team, glancing back at them. He motioned for them to follow him inside, which they did. They walked inside to see the two leaders of the Rhelasias verbally fighting.
"Why should either side trust you?" Aqualad asked, looking at the bald businessman.
"Because LexCorp is a company founded on a peaceful enterprise for all humanity." Lex smiled.
"Cut the act Luthor." Robin crossed his arms over his chest. "I've got intel linking LexCorp to sales of weapons in both Rhelasias. You're profiting off this war. So, what's your angle?"
Lex chuckled. "War money is pocket change compared to the billions to be made in a peaceful united Rhelasia. And isn't it better to have peace, even if that scoundrel Lex Luthor profits from it?"
"That scoundrel Lex Luthor may not survive to profit. Cheshire and Scarlet Witch failed. But the Shadows won't stop until the contract is fulfilled." Red Arrow pointed out.
"Which does beg the question, who hired the League?" Lex asked.
"And were you really the target? Or was your death just a convenient way to sabotage the summit?" Quicksilver finally spoke up.
"Allow me to hire your...little team to find out." Lex whispered.
"Your money has blood on it. And we're not here to make a buck." Red grumbled.
"So you'll provide your services, but for free? I can live with that, heroes." Lex chuckled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a hemisphere to save." Lex walked away from the four teens, leaving them to glare at his back.
"We should've accepted his money." Quicksilver shrugged when his friends turned to look at him. "What? It would be free money."
"We don't work for money." Aqualad sighed. "We should head to the prison, see what Cheshire and Scarlet Witch know."
The quartet made their way to the prison where the authorities had taken the two young women, entering and explaining who they were to the workers in the building. They were led to the holding cell, finding Cheshire and Scarlet Witch in the same cell. Cheshire was doing Tai Chi while Scarlet Witch had her eyes closed and legs crossed beneath her.
The ebony haired assassin grinned when the quartet entered the room. "Hello, boys. And here I was, thinking you forgot about us." They stayed silent, staring at the two. "Aren't you going to ask us anything?"
"I think you know what we're after." Red Arrow grit out.
"I do actually. Do you?" Cheshire smiled, spinning around to face them as she stood on her tip toes.
"Who hired you?" Robin asked.
"Shadows." Cheshire replied shortly.
"Who hired them?" Aqualad followed up.
"I don't ask." Cheshire winked at Red Arrow.
"What's the end game? Luthor or the peace summit?" Quicksilver joined in the questioning.
"Two birds." Cheshire brought her arms down from over her head, forming a gun with them as she aimed it at Red Arrow. "One stone." She suddenly perked up. "Hey, where are the rest of your friends? They're always fun to play with. Especially Ar...chery girl. I like her."
Scarlet Witch's eyes flickered to Cheshire for moment before she relaxed again, unfazed by the questioning going on around her.
"They had other obligations." Red Arrow replied.
"But you made time to be here with me? How sweet." Cheshire reached through the bars and grabbed Red Arrow, pulling him close to her. "Where is the Justice League when you really need them?"
"We don't."
"Sure about that?"
Scarlet Witch's eyes opened to reveal red orbs. "He's here. Time to go, Cheshire."
"Wait, how can she be using her powers with an inhibitor collar on?" Robin asked, just now noticing the lack of collar on the teen. "Oh, no."
"Oh, yes, Boy Wonder." Scarlet Witch aimed her hand at the wall and let out a psionic blast, creating a hole. She and Cheshire ran towards it, leaping out and landing on a disk made of Scarlet Witch's powers. They continued to run away, leaving the quartet behind to make their way to the roof.
Once outside, they noticed the duo were heading towards a helicopter. They ran after them, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Red Arrow shot a tracing arrow at their getaway helicopter before it got out of range, as they had been unable to catch up to the two.
"This blows." Quicksilver groaned. "Now what do we do?"
"You and Red Arrow follow that helicopter. Robin and I will head back to the peace summit, make sure Luthor isn't doing anything shady." Aqualad decided. "Be alert."
"Alright." Quicksilver turned to Red Arrow. "Coming?"
The duo went off in the direction of the helicopter, making their way to an old temple like building. They hid in one of the towers, watching as Cheshire stood with Sportsmaster and Scarlet Witch, the former two glaring at each other. "Because I'm a professional, I won't kill you. At least not while we're on the job."
"You wouldn't have this job if not for me. Grow up already." Sportsmaster walked past Cheshire to the door of the building.
"The evening's agenda was to cause strife between nations...not my assassins." Ra's al Ghul stepped out of the shadows of the doorway, staring down at the three before him.
Scarlet Witch and Cheshire fell to their knees. "Master."
"And client. 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." Ra's continued.
"Ra's al Ghul?" Red Arrow whispered, looking through his binoculars.
"So I expect a better outcome...and less interference from those boys." Ra's looked directly at Quicksilver and Red Arrow.
The three turned around and looked at them. "Perfect." Quicksilver muttered.
Cheshire jumped from a statue to a lower roof to the upper roof, running at Red Arrow. Scarlet Witch used her hex to lift herself up to the roof. Sportsmaster used a pole vault to fling himself up onto the roof. The three surrounded the two. Red Arrow fired an arrow at the male assassin, one he easily dodged. Sportsmaster threw a discus at Red Arrow, breaking his bow. "Quicksilver, could really use you right now."
Quicksilver ran at the three assassin, dodging their attacks. He kicked out Sportsmaster's legs, hitting him upside the head and knocking him off the roof into the water below. Turning to the two female foes, he saw his sister with her eyes glowing red, looking directly at Red Arrow, who also had a red haze to his eyes. He went to intervene when Cheshire stepped in, grabbing him.
"No. Red Arrow is out of commission and your little gang of heroes are at the peace summit. Let your sister do her work, Quicksilver." Cheshire whispered.
"What is she doing to him?" Quicksilver asked, looking on at the scene before him.
"She is carrying out the Light's will." Quicksilver nodded. He watched as the red left Red Arrow's eyes and he shook his head, a confused expression on his face. "Sorry about this, Quicksilver, but have to keep up appearances."
"W-" Quicksilver got cut off as Cheshire hit him with a nerve strike, knocking him out.
When Quicksilver woke up he was in an office with Lex Luthor, his body guard, Robin, Aqualad, and Red Arrow, who was explaining to Lex that the League of Shadows wants him dead.
"Doesn't every League?" Lex mused.
"It's not just Cheshire and Scarlet Witch. It's Sportsmaster and Ra's al Ghul himself."
"I can't say I'm surprised. Ra's is something of a competitor of mine." Lex put his suit jacket on.
"Then maybe we should step aside and let you two take each other out." Quicksilver sat up, earning looks from his friends.
"Your stab at pragmatism is adorable. But the summit and the peace are at stake, remember? We'll increase security."
At the summit, the two leaders of the two Rhelasias were arguing and Lex Luthor was trying to calm them down as the quartet was scattered through the crowd. "Gentlemen, this is mere rhetoric. Despite your differences, you still share an appreciation for many things, such as the exquisite art of the Rhelasian tea ceremony."
A young woman walked through the crowd with a tray full of tea supplies only to be stopped by Aqualad. "That is far enough...Cheshire."
Cheshire grins before pressing a button on the cart, pushing towards the crowd. Aqualad used his water bearers to create a wall to protect against the explosion. Once the blast calmed down, the other three ran down to stand behind Aqualad, Red Arrow with an arrow aimed at Cheshire, and the other three in fighting stances. "It's over, Cheshire."
She smiled. "You would think so." A helicopter appeared in the hole in the wall created by the blast, Sportsmaster and Scarlet Witch jumping into the building along with Shadow foot soldiers.
"Cheshire is mine." Red Arrow declared.
"Mm, so territorial and only our third date." She mused, leaping into battle with Red Arrow as Aqualad confronted Sportsmaster.
Robin and Quicksilver turned to each other. "Scarlet Witch is mine." They narrowed their eyes before nodding. "Together."
They ran at the young brunette, who was throwing hex bolts at the body guards who dared attack her. She saw the approaching heroes and grinned, ducking under Robin's kick. "Hello, Boy Wonder. You're a resourceful one, aren't you?"
"I get by." Robin shrugged, dodging a psionic blast. "Aren't you rather young to be working for the Shadows?"
"Aren't you supposed to be some great detective?" Scarlet Witch shot back. "And here you are, not having figured out the puzzle that is right under your nose."
Sestra...
Oh, relax, 'tro. A little teasing never hurt anyone. Besides, he's kind of cute...
Oh, ew.
What?
You're my sister, I don't want to hear this stuff.
Please, grow up, 'tro.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Robin asked, hitting Scarlet Witch with a chop to the stomach.
"It is no fun if I tell you, Robin." The duo felt a rainfall of water as Red Arrow hit the sprinklers, giving Aqualad an advantage to flush the Shadows out. Before the wave hit her, Scarlet Witch blew Robin a kiss. "See you around, junior detective."
A Shadow had gotten through and was about to take Luthor out when Mercy, his body guard, shot him with her cannon arm. The summit wrapped up and the team head out side. Red Arrow pulled Aqualad to the side as Robin and Quicksilver started to walk towards their transportation home. Quicksilver looked at the younger teen. "Are you alright, Robin?"
"Huh? Yeah, yeah. Just...thinking."
"About?"
"Scarlet Witch." Quicksilver raised a brow and Robin flushed, backtracking. "Not like that! I'm trying to figure out why she would work with the Shadows. She doesn't seem much older than us, if at all. They've got to have some sort of leverage on her, making her work for them. A captive family member, perhaps."
Quicksilver gulped, not liking how close Robin was to the truth. "Maybe they have good health benefits?" He joked. "But seriously, you will drive yourself crazy trying to figure out the Scarlet Witch. Don't give her too much thought."
Ouch. You wound me, brat drahý.
I'm just trying to pick up the pieces you left, Wands.
Who said they needed to be picked up? I'm trying to create a mosaic.
Quicksilver rolled his eyes, looking to see as Aqualad and Red Arrow returned. "Are we set to return home?"
"All good, my friend."
Dozens of stories above the departing quartet, overlooking the city stood Ra's al Ghul and Lex Luthor, the latter pouring drinks for the two of them. Scarlet Witch was standing in the corner, looking down on her brother.
"That went well. Both Li and Tseng were quite impressed with Mercy's...equipment and are quite literally buying into the peace. Our plan to ensure the eventual reunification of Rhelasia under LexCorp's political and economic...guidance is a success." Lex handed a drink to Ra's.
"And thus another corner of the world...sees the light." They clinked glasses, turning to Scarlet Witch. "Your...adjustments...to Red Arrow...were you successful?"
Scarlet Witch nodded, turning away from the window to look at the two men before her. "Yes. I implanted the subconscious objectives into his mind. He has no idea what I did to him. He believes the only thing I did while I was in his mind was find out his identity."
"And your brother...does he know of this?"
"I did not tell him. He still believes he is the only mole on the team." Scarlet Witch looked down.
"Wanda, you did the right thing. We need, reassurance, that our machinations will succeed. And once we have our success, you and your brother will be united once more." Lex put a hand on the teen's shoulder.
"I just hate lying to Pietro. He is my twin."
"Yes, and sometimes we must do things we are uncomfortable with to protect the ones we love." Lex spoke gently. "Did Cheshire sow doubt into Red Arrow during the summit?"
"Yes. She tipped him off about a mole being on the team." Scarlet With rubbed her arms. "I'm...I'm worried. If they find out about Pietro-"
"They won't. And if they do, we will be there to protect him." Ra's gave the teen a small smile. "After all, the Light takes care of their own."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro