We didn't get very far into planning before I found out most of Artemis's plan involved working with Robin.
Cadmus belonged to Lex Luthor—one of the smartest, most ruthless businessmen and supervillains in the world. Stealing from him wouldn't come without consequences.
That's why we needed Robin—to scramble our faces and hide our identities. For low-level vigilantes like us without League protection, killing us was child's play. For League-affiliated, it was a death sentence. Not that anyone had been crazy enough to actually try it.
Artemis knew Batman would have her head if she went through with the Cadmus raid—and I agreed with him. After everything she'd been through, I had to wonder why she'd risk it all for someone who probably didn't deserve her help.
But my biggest concern was Robin.
I didn't trust him.
"Unless you've managed to cram five years of computer science and hacking into the three months you've spent playing high school student here, then he's the only way we can avoid detection completely," Artemis argued.
"I haven't gotten around to computer science yet," I said, "but I've memorized all known sword forms and trained extensively with a mace, shield, bo staff, whip, baseball bat, and a construction hammer."
Artemis blinked. "Why a construction hammer?"
"Mostly for fun," I said. "It gets a bit boring after your fifth weapon."
"Do you want complete anonymity or not?" she asked. "I know you want to help, but you're not thrilled about putting the girls in danger either."
"Careful now," I said. "Sasha might hear you. But yeah. Set the meeting up." I folded my arms. "But remember, you came to me. I've been nice so far, but you really don't want to piss me off."
Artemis looked more startled than afraid. "I'll make the boundaries clear. He won't rat us out."
"Uh… uh," I said.
She let the conversation drop, and I didn't push the issue any further.
This wasn't how I wanted my introduction to the League to happen—especially not after the Venom factory debacle—but I supposed there was no time like the present.
Truth was, I was buying time in Austin. Sure, I had a nice life and people I was starting to like, but it would've ended the second Batman showed up on my doorstep and called my bluff.
Black Mask's intel died with him. The only real leverage I had left was Batman and Robin's identities.
If push came to shove, I'd make good on my threat. But that would create more problems than it would solve.
I needed the Justice League. They were the only ones with the resources and power to go up against the Sorcerers—and actually win.
After three months of training and side missions, I was still a middle-of-the-road Second Grade. Even with my physique, I didn't stand a chance against an experienced First Grade or Special Grade—especially when you factored in their Techniques.
By now, Batman should've confirmed that my claims about Sorcery weren't bullshit, which should make him at least open to negotiations.
I had offers—and other threats—if he wasn't.
It was risky, swinging out like this, but there'd be nowhere to run if Artisan succeeded in turning the world into a hellscape.
My ulterior motives aside, I did mean what I said about repaying her, somewhat. It was what Eddie would've done, even if it wasn't the smartest choice.
The drive to Metropolis was mostly quiet. Artemis and I traded barbs but avoided anything too deep, afraid of setting each other off.
She came prepared: stealthwear for both of us. I appreciated the gesture, even if it was a bit snug on someone my size. I stuck with my own clothes but took the mask, the bracer, and the tranq guns she'd prepped.
Apparently, my reputation preceded me.
We were supposed to meet Robin later that day to go over the plan. In the meantime, Artemis drove us to a building across from Cadmus. She was explaining the layout when it happened.
An explosion ripped through the upper levels of the Cadmus building. Glass cascaded down. Smoke churned in thick plumes, tasting of scorched metals and alien chemicals, and the heat wave hit us across the street before we saw fire.
I turned to Artemis, brow raised. "That wouldn't happen to be part of your plan?"
"No," she said, already unbuckling her seatbelt. "We should check it out."
"In broad daylight? Without Robin's scrambler?" I asked. "We'll be on Luthor's radar before we hit the front steps."
Artemis had a confused look on her face.
"People could be hurt," Artemis said.
"I tried the hero thing once," I said. "Didn't really end well for me."
"Okay then," she said, eyes darting in the direction of the burning building. "They might be moving him. This might be our only shot."
Another blast rang out—sharper, closer, as if to illustrate her point. Then came the screaming.
She was out of the door before I could reply, draped in stealthwear.
Her face, hair, body—even her eyes—were covered in black and grey matte clothing. Every step she took was soundless.
She vaulted over a parked car, twisted mid-air to avoid an oncoming fire truck, and let loose a grappling arrow with her recurve bow as soon as she landed.
The line zipped up—tethering the ground to a third-story window.
She pulled a strange contraption from her utility belt and slid it up the rope incline.
"Use the line!" she shouted at the scientists trapped inside. Flames roared one floor below them.
"Hey, is that Speedy?" a firefighter asked as he dismounted from his truck as it parked.
"I thought Speedy was a dude?" another commented.
I let out an agonizing sigh and created a Curtain corridor leading into an alley. I burst from it, sprinting toward the building.
The acrid sting of smoke burned my throat. Sirens howled. Civilians staggered from the building—some coughing, others wild-eyed. Fire crews worked the hoses, water arcing toward the second floor where the fire raged hottest.
"And who's the new kid?" someone asked.
I shot a glance at Artemis. "I'm going in. There might still be people pinned down."
The heat intensified inside. The lobby stank of melting plastic and fear. I pushed through the crowd, urging people toward the exits. On the second floor, a collapsed lab door revealed the worst scene yet.
A man lay pinned under a toppled refrigeration unit, pale and gasping. Two women hovered beside him, frantic. They flinched when they saw me.
"I'm here to help," I said, voice low but firm. I crouched, gripped the edge of the unit, and lifted. It groaned but came free with a grunt of effort.
They pulled him out, hands shaking. The man looked up at me through watery eyes. "Thank you," he whispered.
"Don't thank me yet," I said. Then I heard it—footsteps above. Voices. Fast, young.
Blurs zipped past the windows.
"Get him out," I told them. "Now. Building's not safe."
I bolted for the stairs, taking them two at a time.
On the fourth floor, I slowed. Smoke curled along the ceiling, a low hiss in the distance like a gas line rupturing. Artemis stood with Robin and the others—Kid Flash, Aqualad—all mid-argument. Their silhouettes flickered in the haze.
"Artemis?" Robin said. "Why are you in stealth gear?"
"We were supposed to meet here, remember?" she said.
"You know the bad guys?" Kid Flash asked, squinting.
"We both… intern. With Batman," she muttered.
Just as I was about to reveal myself, the elevator dinged open on the far end of the hall.
Something stood in the carriage. Horns. Grayish skin. A long, twisted face. The thing looked straight at me.
I stopped breathing. A sharp, alien pressure pushed into my thoughts, like icy fingers prying open my skull. I winced. So did it.
What the fuck?
D-Did it just try to read me?
What the hell did I just get myself into?
The elevator doors closed. Aqualad had caught a glimpse. His eyes flicked to where I stood, but my Curtain was already up.
"You need to see this," he said, calling the others toward him.
"That elevator's not on the blueprints," Kid Flash muttered.
Robin's holographic interface bloomed on his wrist. "That's a high-speed express elevator. It shouldn't be in a five-floor research facility."
"Underground lab," Artemis said under her breath.
"What underground lab?" Kid Flash asked.
Artemis hesitated, glanced at Robin, then sighed.
"A few months ago, I trusted the wrong people, and somebody paid for it. Mark Desmond. He was kidnapped. Batman tracked him here, but he's had us on standby for weeks now."
"So you thought you'd come and rescue him alone?" Kid Flash asked. "Crazy, but kind of metal."
"Batman made the right call, considering Luthor's influence in this city," Aqualad added. "Storming the lab without due cause would've started a national outcry about superhero overreach."
"Yeah. Yeah. Batman right all of the time," Artemis muttered.
"Eh, more like ninety-five percent," Robin said. "But this? This is the five. Secret monster in a secret elevator? Freak fire and strange monsters in elevators? It's all the reason they'd need. In fact, it'd be irresponsible not to investigate."
Wally grinned. "Alright. First mission and we already get a damsel, a conspiracy, and a mysterious lab?"
"Did you just call me a damsel?" Artemis snapped.
Before anyone could answer, Aqualad forced open the elevator doors. They peered in.
That was my cue.
"Forgetting someone?" I asked, stepping into view. My voice cut through the lingering smoke.
They turned—surprised.
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