December 2000 is Young Justice Month!
Young Justice Month
#6
Late December 2000
Young Justice
Betrayal Most Bitter
by Paul A. Hahn
Central Park in New York City.

On a beautiful, summer day, it's no surprise to see plenty of people taking a stroll through the most beautiful area in the city. People jog, ride a bike, play games with friends or their kids...it's just the kind of thing you do.

So no one looks twice at a man and a woman casually taking a walk.

And why would they, you ask? Because the young woman happened to be Linda Danvers, and the not-as-young man happened to go by the name of Jason Wyngarde. Both of whom happened to be attached to the ultra-secret Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club.

Just over a month ago, Linda happened to be a member of the team of heroes-in-training called Young Justice. As Firebird, she was arguably their most powerful member, yet she was also, in many ways, the team's heart. And, speaking of hearts, she held the heart of Superboy, and he her. What could change all that?

Jason Wyngarde. That is his real name, isn't it? Wrong. Only one person alive knows his real name, and if she were to utter it, she'd be dead. But Jason happened to be an extreme manipulator . . . a . . . mastermind, if you would. And Linda's allegiance to him seemed to be complete.

What did she mean to him? Did he love her? No, not at all. Yes, he loved the way she looked...at eighteen, she had an incredibly body. Bright blue eyes, blond hair, legs...everything a man could physically want in a woman. He loved the way he could control her into doing just about anything he wanted. But what he mostly loved, was the fact that she represented power. No one in the Inner Circle dared challenge him so long as Linda served him.

"Come, darling," he spoke, holding on Linda's arm. "We've got places to visit...people to see. Things to enjoy."

"Yes, lord," Linda said, almost absently.

She's fighting it...a young woman thought to herself. Her name was Martinique Jason, at least to anyone who asked. Jason's true daughter...yet, again, to anyone who asked, she was a second cousin. The things she knew could harm him. But he would harm her far more. She continued her observations from her hidden spot up in a tree. Though Linda's actions are apparently completely under his control...and though, to most telepaths, she would seem to be fully acting of her own will and was actually loyal to my father...I know better. She is fighting him, on a subconscious level, perhaps. I know Young Justice has taken an interest in the runnings of the Hellfire Club, especially since their clash with the Hellions*...so how much longer until they attempt to learn the truth of their lost comrade? And what will I do? Help save them...or help bury them?

*(YJ #3 - Paul)

An abandoned, almost unknown island.

Once, the island was owned by a being calling himself the Ani-Mator. Currently, to the terrorist group the Point Men, it was home.*

*(You didn't miss YJ's first Annual last week, did you? Go check it out for more on the Point Men! - Paul again)

The group, consisting of eight people, (an apparently magic number in this book), eight mutants, rather, the group fought for a world where mutants could live alongside humans without having to be hated or feared. If they had to kill people to get their point across, they'd do it.

Grey Lady, the team's leader, was a living gargoyle with razor sharp wings and claws. Blockade was the team's heavy-hitter, super strong and invulnerable. Serpenteen was one of the team's trackers, whose heightened senses helped him in that goal. However, his claws, tongue and tail helped him physically follow his almost insane personality. Blank Slate was a mysterious woman who was constantly cloaked by white sheets, and whose body might actually be mist. Shortcut used line-of-sight teleportation to his advantage. Groundswell was the team member who was rarely seen, as he would become one with the very ground of floor beneath you and attack when least suspected.

That left two more members, both who were once a part of the X-Men in-training, a team called the New Mutants. The ferocious animal Feral and the Cheyenne telepath Danielle Moonstar.

Their exact reasons for joining were unknown to everyone else.*

*(Well, okay, if you've gone and read the annual, then you might know more on Dani's motives! - Yeah, me again)

"Our attack on Project: Armageddon in Alamogordo, New Mexico, went over well," Grey Lady said to the rest of her teammates. "As, technically, that installation was not supposed to exist, the government had to cover up what actually happened. No one knows we were responsible, which means we're not going to have to be careful. We've still got plenty of room to operate. And now we're taking it up a notch."

"Got a new mission for us, boss?" Blockade asked.

She nodded in response. "We all know Project: Wideawake is the predecessor to Armageddon. I've located one of the main research facilities for Wideawake. We're going to run the same job we did at Alamogordo. We'll destroy the place and everyone in it!"

Happy Harbor, Rhode Island.

The secret headquarters of Young Justice.

It had been just over three weeks since the team's encounter with the Phalanx. Having found no further incidents involving the techno-organic lifeforms, Red Tornado, the team;s robotic mentor, had given up his search for clues.

A period of general inactivity had followed for the team, which most appreciated. Downtime was something they all loved having. Well, except Impulse, because he would always get bored way too quickly. Needless to say, his Blockbuster card was really getting worn out.

Yet, after so much boredom...the team found themselves pit against each other in a fierce battle.

Robin stood hunched over, moving the ball in his right hand as his masked eyes carefully watched Superboy. Kon-El stood, staring back, the bat in his hands. Behind him sat Wonder Girl as the catcher.

Yes, the team had engaged in the deadly game of...softball!

"Are we gonna get a pitch anytime soon?" Illyana asked from second base.

"Calm down," Cissie replied from her position guarding 'Yana. "He'll pitch when he's ready. Besides, whose not enjoying the view?"

"Talk about disgusting," Superboy moaned.

"I know you're gonna hit a home run, Kon," Cassie said.

"Cassie, you're supposed ta be discouraging' him, not helpin' him build up confidence!" Sam complained from the outfield.

"Is it my turn yet?" Bart asked from the bench. "You guys are so slow..."

"Come on, boy wonder...through it!" Superboy complained.

"Just don't hit it near Sammy," Jade said from the bench. "He's got strong arms."

Illyana rolled her eyes. "Forget this..."

"She's stealing third!" Cassie yelled.

"We don't have a third baseman!" Robin realized. He charged forward towards third base, but he got their just too late and missed her. She kept running towards home.

"Throw it home!" Cassie called, pulling off the catcher's mask.

"Don't throw it home, she's gonna choke!" Cissie replied.

Robin's fast ball went flying towards home.

"Oh, Lordy," Sam said. He rocketed forward towards home...he caught the ball...and...

Superboy, Cannonball, Magik, Wonder Girl, Jade and Impulse wound up in a dog pile after smashing the bench.

Robin held back and only allowed himself a smile. Cissie doubled over, laughing.

"You were out," Sam said, despite the fact he was buried beneath Superboy and Impulse.

"I was safe," Illyana replied.

"Umm, Cassie?" Superboy asked. "Do me a favor?"

"Yes, anything!" she replied, enthusiastically.

"Get your elbow outta my chest!"

"That better be your hand on my butt, Sammy," Jade complained.

"This is why I play video games," Impulse said, speeding off.

"Alert!" a computerized voice came from out of nowhere. "Identification of level three priority!"

"Say what?" Cissie asked.

"Since our meeting with the Hellfire Club, I've been doing a lot of investigating," Robin answered. "Sebastian Shaw, whom Sam told us about as the Hellfire Club's leader, is also the CEO of Shaw Industries, Inc., and is a very rich man. I programmed the computer to keep my apprised of any developments with any Shaw Industries warehouses. Level three means someone's attacking something belonging to Shaw."

"Good," Illyana frowned. "I hope it costs him big time."

"Ah think we should investigate," Sam replied. "See what's happenin'."

"My thoughts exactly," Robin nodded. "Suit up, guys...meet at the Super Cycle. We're airborne in five!"

Approximately seven minutes later in upstate New York...

"We there yet?" Impulse asked.

"It's down there," Robin said, pointing to a tall building. It was isolated, which made things easier.

"Look!" Arrowette called. "I see people coming out of it...and believe me, those aren't normal civilians!"

"Ah don't see it," Sam replied.

"My power is my eyesight," Cissie shrugged. "Land this thing, Rob, and let's get the dillio!"

And as soon as Robin brought the Cycle closer to the ground, the team was off and leaving the vehicle to land itself so they could confront whatever situation they might be walking into.

"Young Justice?" Serpenteen asked as he spotted them. "Gonna have to give out some beeeeatings..."

"What's going on here?" Superboy demanded.

"We're saving mutantkind," the Grey Lady replied. "Now get out of our way!"

"Ah don't think you're goin' anywhere," Sam stated.

"I don't think you have much say in the matter."

A psionic arrow burst across the sky, nailing Illyana in the head and taking her temporarily out of the fight.

"D...Dani?" Sam asked, totally caught off guard. "And...Feral? What in the world are you two doin' here?"

"We're doing what you're too afraid to do, Mason-Dixon," Feral growled. "We're taking the fight to the flatscans...we're gonna make force 'em to stop hatin' an' fearin' us...even if it kills 'em!"

"You're insane!" Sam's jaw dropped.

"Enough talking," Grey Lady yelled. "If you're not with us, you're against us...Point Men! Take them down!"

"Ooh no you don't!" Jade replied. She instantly created a green cocoon to protect the downed Magik. Her next move was to create a battering ram and slam it into one of the Point Men. However, she had a poor taste of target.

Shortcut teleported behind Jade, dodging her attack and landing a punch to the back of her head.

Wonder Girl began smashing her fists into Blockade, but had little affect.

He grabbed her. "I know what you're thinking...'how good is invulnerability if it don't stop you from being smacked around?'. The answer is...not good at all!"

Blockade delivered a punch that, naturally, smacked Cassie away from the battle.

"Nice one," Superboy said. "How'd you like to try it again when you're not facing a girl?"

"Nice talk," Blockade replied. "Actions speak louder than words!"

A punch sent Blockade flying into the building. He smashed into the wall.

"They sure do..."

Robin put the right amount of pressure on a small, metal object, and it extended into his bo staff. He charged directly for the Grey Lady. He swung his weapon, but she deflected it with her arm.

Meanwhile, Serpenteen was having fun keeping Arrowette on the defensive. "My bite's poisonous, you know...all it takes is one!"

"Then I'll be sure you don't get one!" Cissie replied. She kicked while Serpenteen's mouth was open and got her foot shoved into his mouth. She pulled out a gas arrow. "G'night!"

Impulse spun faster and faster around Blank Slate.

"It's...not...fair!" she complained. "By creating a vortex...you...keep me from...being able to move!"

"Dani, what're you doin'?" Sam asked, confronting his longtime friend. "When the New Mutants disbanded, we offered you a home with YJ...you turned me down so you could become a terrorist? So you could be no better than the Hellions, or the Brotherhood, or anyone else we faced?"

"I don't expect you to understand, Sam," Dani replied. "But trust me...I know what I'm doing."

"Then Ah hope ya can forgive me for havin' ta take you down!" Sam replied, about to swing into action.

"If only you had the chance!" Feral yelled. Her claws ripped through Sam's chest with ease. Without his kinetic blast field, he was completely vulnerable. Her claws dug deep and blood gushed out. "Way I figure it, you'll never have the chance to do anything else...except be buried!"

If Dani Moonstar's face looked on with horror, her mask prevented it from being known.

"Point Men, fall back!" Grey Lady called. "We did what we came here for...let's go!"

"This was good," Feral smiled, licking her blood stained paws. "Not only did we kill a buncha flatscans...but I killed mister X-Man-born'-an'-raised, Sam Guthrie!"

The Point Men disappeared, courtesy of Shortcut's teleporting abilities.

"Sam?" Robin asked as he ran up.

"Sam?!" Jade screamed as she flew over towards him. "Sam, can you hear me? Sam?!?"

Robin bent down over his teammate. He shook his head. "He's dead...Sam Guthrie is dead!"

Next: Young Justice: Screams of Angar hits in one week, tying into both YJ Month and the Losers fifth-week event! Is Sam really dead? And if he is, will the team be able to survive an assault by the all-powerful, all-insane Angar the Screamer? And in three weeks, look for issue 7 as Robin decides to get the skinny on the Hellfire Club once and for all!