Capítulo 392: 54
Chapter LIV: The Fix.
Last Time.
LexCorp Farms April 9, 09:45 CDT.
"The damage wasn't that bad." Lex said as Vandal was walking beside him near a bottled drink line.
"The most profitable piece of business was left untouched and undiscovered. The first crop have been harvested and distilled." Lex said picking up a pink colored bottle with 'REACH' over the flavor of Strawberry-Mango.
"They're already shipped to needy nations and will be available worldwide. Amazing, one bottle has everything the body needs."
"Or more accurately: Everything the Reach needs it to need." Vandal said looking at the bottles on the belt.
They went to Lex's office where Vandal spoke. "Did they get a sample?"
"Yes. The Team was quite effective." Lex replied pushing a file with pictures of the runaways that the Team saved from the Reach. "We really must form one of our own."
Now.
Atlantic Ocean April 9, 01:16 EDT.
Black Bat sighed as she laid on her bed in Manta's sub. "How did it all go wrong so fast?" she asked herself before sitting up. 'I'd say I have no one to blame but myself, 'cept it's getting harder to remember who 'myself' really is.' She thought lifting the visor before taking her helmet off as she walked towards the mirror beside the bed.
And saw her real self in the reflection. 'Thanks to this glamour.' She touched the choker on her neck. 'Everyone just sees Black Bat, Kaldur's hand picked trusted member of Black Manta's organization. But I see myself every time I look in the mirror. Why did I take this mission?'
'Wally and I were happy in retirement. But as soon as Naruto called me to help, I couldn't say yes fast enough.'
Crack!
She punched the mirror before hearing a beep over her intercom. "Black Bat. Report to Kaldur'ahm's room at once." Manta said having Stephanie put her helmet back on and walked several rooms down the hall.
Once reaching Kaldur's room, she saw Manta without his helmet and a man in a hooded coat with the hood up.
"Black Bat, meet Psimon. He's here to repair Kaldur'ahm's mind." He said as Psimon pulled down his hood.
"Perfect." Black Bat said looking at them. '(Sigh) Perfect! If you don't mind Psimon finding out who we really are!' She cursed in her mind as Psimon explained he would know everything about Kaldur than even Kaldur knows about himself.
"My son never spoke of his feelings. But his words couldn't hide how much he cared for you, Black Bat." Manta said placing a hand on Black Bat's shoulder.
"I don't speak about my feelings either. Not with words, at least."
"Your actions define you, I respect that. So you'll be glad to know that I plan on taking revenge on the Martian witch that did this to our beloved Kaldur'ahm." Manta said getting Black Bat to nod.
'Great, now I've gotta save Miss Martian, too.' She thought as Manta left while Psimon sat down and looked at the comatose Kaldur.
Taos April 9, 00:20 MDT.
The Team looked on as Miss Martian was conversing with Green Beetle, missing Naruto E.'s eyes narrow.
"I don't feel comfortable doing this." Miss Martian said as she stood in front of Green Beetle. "Delving into your mind, it's… it's an intrusion."
"You have my permission." Green said as Naruto walked over. "We must be able to trust each other." Green Beetle finished with a grin. A rather creepy grin.
"Never do that again." Naruto said as Miss Martian gasped and reeled back. "You can do this, M'gann. There'll be cookies in it for you."
She gave an embarrassed blush at that before taking a deep breath and had her eyes glowed green.
"Link establish."
"Ah, you are a White Martian. You came to Earth in order to pass as Green. That must have been difficult." Green said through the link as his eyes glowed red.
"I-I'm supposed to be reading you." Miss Martian replied.
"But your reluctance to probe deeper is clear. I don't have the specifics, but I believe you had a negative experience during a hostile mind link. But I'm willing to volunteer my thoughts. In this way, you can be certain nothing similar occurs."
After a moment, both their eyes stopped glowing.
"He's on our side."
Atlantic Ocean April 9, 01:30 EDT.
Psimon looked at Kaldur before Black Bat shot a small dart at him. Psimon slapped his neck, destroying the dart before groaning as he started using his powers.
"YOU!" He yelled psychically, lifting the undercover hero in the air "You drugged me! Why?!" He yelled throwing her around the room. "Psimon says: Reveal yourself!" Black Bat groaned as she told him who she really was through the link.
"Spoiler… That's who you really..." Psimon trailed off falling to the ground unconscious as Manta bursts through the door.
"What happened?!"
"I don't know. (Cough) He just attacked me. Could the Martian have left a telepathic virus in Kaldur's mind?" Black Bat asked coughing.
"(Sigh) If she did, I fear anyone else we send in will suffer the same fate."
"There's still one person left. Miss Martian, herself. It's our only choice, send me to the mainland!" Black Bat yelled getting Black Manta to look at her.
"No. Kaldur would never forgive me if you got hurt." Manta replied after a moment.
"I'll take a squad up with-!" Black Bat was interrupted by Manta.
"No… You'll take Deathstroke."
Manta said turning to see Deathstroke was leaning against the door.
"Perfect." Black Bat said as she stared. '(Sigh) Perfect.'
Taos April 9, 04:05 MDT.
Kage just stared at the TV screen as he turned it on.
Become a citizen of the Milky Way.
By holding out your hand.
A young man singing a jingle in a park and grabbed a bottle of Reach.
He then threw it to a young woman.
Grab the taste that'll make your day
One sip and you'll understand.
The camera then panned to show the Reach's ship then zoomed out to show the Ambassador.
Our friends have come from far beyond.
(Our friends have come from far beyond)
He is joined by a group of children young adults, and G. Gordon Godfrey.
To help us and to teach.
(To help us and to teach.)
Quench your thirst while we all bond.
Don't wait, reach for a Reach!
Yeah, in strawberry-mango or in peach. Reach for a Reach!
Crack!
"Oh they broke the cringe meter! I just got that!" Kage yelled out hearing something break before turning off the TV.
Later, the Team, his future self and Grifter came in as Green Beetle followed holding each flavor of Reach.
"The drink contains trace elements of two additives. One: A dopamine polymerase. And two: An adrenaline inhibitor. Taken over generations, they will slowly addict the entire population to Reach. And make the people of Earth placid. Literally incapable of revolt." Green Beetle explained.
"That matches the test on what the Team brought in." Nightwing said getting Green Beetle to look at him.
"Ah. I am still being tested." Green Beetle said after Nightwing finished.
"Sorry, just wanted to make sure-!" Naruto spoke up but was quickly interrupted.
"No, it is wise. As they say on your world: All your cards must be off the table."
"It's 'on the table'. I-I mean, never mind, ignore me." Blue spoke up getting Green to nod at that.
"That makes more sense. So here is my final card: My Scarab informs me the additive also contains a mitochondrial marker that works as a Meta-Gene tracer. Allowing the Reach to identify and isolate potential super-powered individuals."
"Making it easier for them to extract and weaponized the Meta-Gene! The tests said nothing about that!" Nightwing said quickly coming to the conclusion Green Beetle was getting too.
"Can't we go public with this?" Blue asked as Naruto walked up.
"No, not as long as the Reach has the media and U.N. on their side. Good work, everyone. Meeting adjourned. Oh! And don't go anywhere alone. The Reach knows we're onto them and don't want to give them a chance at getting one of us."
Naruto said before walking to Green Beetle who took off his armor showing his Martian form that had a similar head to M'gann's White Martian's before turning into a man with shaggy black hair, a jean shirt with the sleeves rolled up under a black vest and blue jeans.
(A/N: For a better picture look at The Fix Ep. or Green Beetle's Wiki Page.)
"You need a place to stay?"
"No, I will find a place here, in Taos and attempt to blend in."
"OK, M'gann I got an errand to run, I'll meet you at home." Naruto said walking to catch up with Donna and Superboy.
"Yeah, I've gotta stop by Uncle J'onn's place."
"Got it. La'gann, can you go with her?"
"Yeah."
As they left, Naruto E. turned to Grifter before speaking. "That security measure I have from the temple in Bialya?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Grifter asked as Naruto brought up his arm that had seals and ruins come up on it and glow.
"I gotta use it on Green Beetle."
"Why?"
"Because when the invasion happened… Really happened with the Reach. I went up to Mars to try and get help. Only for the same to be happening there with the Green Beetle already under the Reach's control."
"What?!"
"Yeah, he didn't come down the first time as I guess Black Beetle turned Jaime's Scarab over to the Reach instead. But when Green got here, the spell on my arm started to glow. And it's only supposed to do that for Reach controlled Scarab's. Let's go before he gets Blue!"
Chicago April 9, 06:20 CDT.
"Recognized: Miss Martian: B07, Lagoon Boy B19." The two heroes came out of a shed in a junkyard before stopping as they heard a voice.
"Pardon me. We have pressing business with the Martian."
They turned to see Deathstroke resting his sword on his shoulders, arms over it, as well as Black Bat holding two stun batons. Deathstroke pulled his sword out of its sheath. This caused the morning sun to reflect off the blade, blinding the two heroes. Deathstroke dropped down on Lagoon Boy before Miss Martian flew up and deflected a kunai.
"Stephanie? That's you, right?" Miss Martian asked threw their link.
"Yeah, it's me, M'gann. And I'm here to kidnap you!"
"WHAT?!" Miss Martian yelled flying back.
"I need your help with Kaldur. But Deathstroke can't suspect I'm on your side. Neither can La'gann. Make it look convincing!" Black Bat said before leaning back to dodge a car thrown at her.
"Not that good, damn it!"
Lagoon Boy called for help as he dodged swipes from Deathstroke's sword.
"Lagoon Boy to Team. We're under attack by the Chicago Zeta-Tube by Deathstroke and Black Bat. Requesting backup!"
"Got it! We're a few minutes from the nearest Zeta-Tube!" Naruto yelled over the earpiece. And had a car door hit Lagoon Boy.
"Calling for help just pushes up the time table. Now I can't savor the battle."
"You want something to savor?!" Lagoon said going into his Puffer Mode and kicked Deathstroke who punched Lagoon Boy back and threw a small ball that exploded in a fireball.
"La'gann!" Miss Martian yelled out as Lagoon who flew into a pile of junk and screamed out in pain, holding his leg.
"That leg doesn't look good. Though, I hate to see a poor animal suffer. You're not on the Light's hit list. So how about a little anesthetic?" Deathstroke asked before knocking Lagoon Boy out as a ring of fire formed around Miss Martian.
Deathstroke put an inhibitor collar on her neck that shocked her into unconsciousness before leaving with Black Bat as a jet came to them
"Recognized: Kage, 17 Superboy, B05 Troia, B06." Kage, Superboy, and Troia ran out of the shed, Naruto holding his bow out seeing no one was in the junk yard before hearing Lagoon Boy groan.
Taos April 9, 05:38 MDT.
Blue and Green Beetle both depart STAR Labs.
"My cards are on the table. The Scarab's controllable now, more or less. Says it wants nothing to do with the Reach. But… what if that changes?"
"You fear it will take full command? Transforming you into an agent for the Reach?" B'arzz O'oomm asked as Blue looked to him.
"Got a prophecy hanging over my head saying just that! And worse! I'll do anything, try anything to make sure it doesn't happen."
"I believe I may be of assistance, training and meditation can help you control the Scarab." B'arzz said as he stopped them. And missed two shadows in the woods.
"Is that how you did it?" Blue asked having the Martian look down.
"In part. I used my shape-shifting abilities to reach inside my Scarab and took control." B'arzz said turning his armor on.
"Do it to me!"
After a few minutes of convincing Green Beetle to do it, Blue Beetle turned around and came face to face with Grifter holding his pistols at the both of them.
"What the hell are you-!" Blue stopped hearing Green Beetle scream just as Naruto E. jammed his metallic hand that had turned its fingers into spikes into his Scarab.
"Sorry Blue, the Reach has control over B'arzz. And they were using him to do the same to you!" Naruto yelled out as his arm glowed bright blue as an ancient writing came off in holograms over it.
Atlantic Ocean April 9, 07:54 EDT.
Miss Martian awakens aboard the Manta-Sub and saw Black Manta and Black Bat staring at her.
"Welcome aboard, Martian. Let me make your situation perfectly clear. You are here to psychically repair the damage you inflicted on my son." Manta said before roughly grabbing the collar.
"This inhibitor collar negates all of your abilities. In a moment, we will select your telepathic ability. But understand this: Deathstroke is following, out of your telepathic range, and observing the procedure. He will trigger a bomb on the collar if he suspects you of using that ability for any other reason."
"Deathstroke. Activate her telepathy." Manta ordered as a light turned off on Miss Martian's collar. Manta then leaves Black Bat with M'gann and Kaldur. "Now, save my son, or die."
"Spoiler. What... What should I do?" Miss Martian asked the undercover hero with their link.
"What do you mean? Help Kaldur! We'll figure out the rest after that!"
"I don't know if I can. Breaking a mind is easy. But fixing one might not be possible. What if I make things worse? He could think my helping is another attack."
Black Bat looked at the mirror behind her before sighing.
"Take me with you. He'll see me as a friend. Not a threat."
"Or I could lose you, too."
"I'd rather lose all of us like that than Black Manta finding everything out and warning the Light. We don't have much of a choice." Black Bat said as Miss Martian's eyes glowed.
"I suppose we don't."
(Mindscape.)
The heroes, with Spoiler in her original costume opened their eyes, and saw Kaldur's broken memories are represented by Atlantis in ruins.
"(GARGLE!) M'gann looked to see Spoiler drowning before 'swimming' over. "Spoiler! It's in your head! We're not underwater!" She said having Spoiler take deep breaths.
Suddenly, the two are attacked by Tula.
Chicago April 9, 07:15 CDT.
Kage, Nightwing, and Superboy held a struggling Lagoon Boy down in his hospital bed as Troia stayed at the door.
"Settle down, La'gann! There's nothing you can do in this condition!" Naruto yelled as Lagoon Boy glared at him.
"Why are you standing here?! You should be going after M'gann! If you truly loved her!"
"Don't you dare question my feelings for her!"
"Neptune's beard, why are we not going after the Aqua-Traitor's personal ninja girl, Black Bat?!" Lagoon Boy asked.
"Because Kaldur's undercover for us, as is Stephanie. She's Black Bat. We faked her death to help Kaldur out as he was being tested by the Light." Nightwing explained his, Naruto's, and Kaldur's mission getting Lagoon Boy to glare at him and Naruto.
"Why am I only hearing this now?" Lagoon Boy asked.
"Because the fewer people who knew this the better. Psimon was out there and you needed to not hold back against Kaldur or the Light would have suspected something." Naruto explained before walking out with the others.
"Don't hold back against Kaldur or Stephanie." Naruto ordered his daughter and her boyfriend. "Dick you can tell Kori as well."
Atlantic Ocean April 9, 13:05 EDT.
(Mindscape.)
"Not real, not real!" Spoiler said having the attacks go through her and hit Miss Martian who starts to feel too guilty to stop the attacks.
"Damn it! I gotta find Kaldur!" She swam around before seeing Aqualad sitting on a bench in a building. She swam down and gasped seeing he was missing a face.
"Keh eh-GO, keh eh-GO… (And I, and I…)" He said in Atlantian. "Udam-OS en keh-RO teh-LES-so... (I'll never finish in time...)"
"(Sigh) I knew I should have paid attention in Junior Atlantean Class!" She said before swimming closer. "Kaldur. It's me, Stephanie. M'gann and I are here to help you!"
"LIHS-soh-meh, Stephanie. LIHS-soh-meh! (Please, Stephanie. Please!)"
A portal opened up and started to pull them both in.
"No! No, you're not alone! We're here! We care about you! What's the word? Sim-bih-OH-se! (Together!) Together! Let us help you! Sim-bih-OH-se! (Together!)"
The portal died down having Spoiler take them over to Miss Martian and got rid of the Aquagirl memory as Aqualad's face came back.
"You wanna blame yourself?! Fine! But only if you're willing to do something about it!" Spoiler yelled pulling Miss Martian up and had them hold hands. "Sim-bih-OH-se. (Together.) Together."
She finished as Miss Martian and Kaldur started putting things back together.
(Real World.)
Black Bat was jolted by Black Manta. "Black Bat. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just feels like I've been standing for hours."
"You have. Six hours to be precise. I came to check on the process."
"It'll take time." Miss Martian said tiredly. "It could take days, maybe weeks."
"You'd better not be stalling, Martian!"
"Father..." Kaldur spoke up weakly. "Father..."
"My son. I am here Kaldur'Ahm." Black Manta said before Miss Martian spoke.
"He's not all there… Not fully, anyway."
"No. But I see you are making progress. Keep it up and you'll live. Black Bat, a word."
Manta took them outside of the room before speaking.
"The witch has been more cooperative than I thought."
"Meaning you're having second thoughts about killing her?" Black Bat asked raising an eyebrow inside her helmet.
"She's safe. Until she finishes repairing mt sons mind. Then, she dies."
"Perfect." She said as he left. 'Perfect.'
Taos, April 9, 10:11 MDT.
B'arzz looked at his hands, free for the first time in two years.
"We've placed a Genjutsu (Illusion Technique) over you, but it'll probably be best to have your Scarab pretend to be controlled from here on out until the right time." Naruto E. explained as his arm turned black as his nose bled.
"You sure that's wise?" Blue Beetle asked as Impulse sped over.
"Yes. That cleansing spell for this time is almost done, we'll give it to you as a safety measure when it's ready. The Reach won't know what'll hit them!" Naruto said with a grin.
Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse, April 10, 08:36 EDT.
Naruto walked in his kitchen and saw Mari feeding Lian as she agreed to watch her as Jade was out on a trip.
"Mornin'." Naruto greeted going to the sink and grabbed a cup of coffee from his coffee maker.
"Morning."
Naruto took a sip, and saw Artemis, Dinah, and Zatanna were outside on the balcony having him walk out.
"What's wrong?" He asked as they looked to him.
Artemis explained that they all had a dream that he died during a storm that destroyed a city.
"It was a dream. Plus my future self is here."
"And is changing the future. He saved Flash and just did something that changed his arm!" Dinah said as Naruto rolled his eyes.
"We want you to quit." Zatanna said having Naruto shake his head.
"Not happening."
"But you need to help raise the kids! What would happen if there was a threat th-!" Artemis was interrupted by Naruto.
"What would happen if there was a threat and I didn't stop it? Then you and the kids could get hurt if not worse."
"Then we will figure it out together!" said Dinah.
Naruto was shocked with what's going on he didn't know what to do but he said what may sting. "No. I've lost too much. My home, my friends, and family. Unlike you guys, I was born into this, you all had a choice." The room became quiet. The women were mad and hurt, then a slap was heard.
Smack!
"Are you freaking kidding me?! Is that your answer for everything?! I can take the hero thing and the jobs we take, but when I had that dream it was like cold water was splashed in my face! Get it through your thick skull, you are not immortal! You can't solve everything! Does our family mean nothing?!" Dinah yelled at the top of her lungs.
The girls can't believe what just happened, but they chose to stand their ground, but Naruto was a different story.
Naruto couldn't stand this. He had to leave before he ended up saying something he'll sorely regret. He tried to walk away but the women blocked his path.
He looks at all of them, about to say something else, until he hears Lian starting to fuss. He sighs.
"We can discuss this later. All of us." he tells them.
The women look to each other as Naruto walked inside getting a cry from his daughter knowing that there is trouble within the family.
To Be Continued.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder