Young Justice #12

#12
Late March 2001

And Hellfire Is Their Name
by Paul A. Hahn

Central Park.

He moved slowly and cautiously. As Superboy, he was nigh invulnerable and virtually unstoppable. As Kon-El, or Kid, or whatever he calls himself outside of costume, he was relatively unknown. That's why he stayed out of costume on this morning. He was watching someone. Well, two people really.

Jason Wyngarde and Linda Danvers.

The second was the woman he loved. The first was the man who, he believes, made her turn against him and the rest of his teammates in Young Justice. She was once a member of that team, until she nearly killed them all. Both became associated with the Hellfire Club, strict enemies of the team's former New Mutant members, and new enemies of Young Justice themselves.

The point of this morning's excursion was to try one last time to get through to Linda. He had been trailing the two of them for over a half hour now. It disgusted him, seeing them together. It also hurt...a lot. Because one day she was in love with him...and the next, she was in the arms of that man. And since then, the two have almost never separated.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Wyngarde pardoned himself from Linda to go talk to someone else in the park. Kon made his move. He walked slowly up to her, pretending to read the Wall Street Journal.

"Hey, pretty lady," he said quietly when he walked up to her.

"Excuse me?" she asked, turning to see him.

"It's me," Kon said. "You remember me, don't you Linda?"

"I..." she started. "You...should go. My fiancé doesn't like me talking with other men."

"Fiancé?" Kon asked. "You're going to marry that sleazeball?"

"What right do you have to call him names?" she demanded. "I don't even know you!"

"I have every right, because you do know me," he replied. "And keep your voice down. I mean, don't you even miss me? Or Young Justice? I mean, how could you just try to kill us? Where'd you get all this power? And have you noticed that you never spend more than two minutes away from your Fiancé there?"

"I think you're pushing your luck," she frowned. "You must leave now, before I get angry."

"Linda, it's Kon..." he shook his head. "Remember? I love you? You love me?"

"The only man I love is Jason. Now get out of here! Jason, Jason, dear!"

"Yes, my love?" Jason Wyngarde came running. "What is it?" "I--" she turned around...Superboy was gone and nowhere to be found. "I just...missed you, is all."

"I hate when we're apart as well, my love," Wyngarde smiled happily. "But soon, we shall be married...and after we take care of Shaw, we shall never need worry about being apart again!"

And from inside a tree, Superboy watched...thought about throwing up...and eventually sighed as he started his way back home.

Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. Inside the medlab of YJ's secret headquarters.

"How're you feeling, Impulse?" Robin asked.

"I'm peachy," he replied. Just a day ago he had been injured and taken out by the mutant Post, a member of the Mutant Liberation Front who had taken the World Trade Center hostage. "He ruined my costume, but I've got more...so I'm all set."

"Are you sure?" Robin double checked.

"Yeah!" he replied happily. "Good as new and whatnot."

Robin nodded. "I hope so...we're gonna need everyone in full health today."

"Why...what're we doing?"

"There'll be a meeting in a few minutes in the briefing room...I'll explain everything there."

"I'll be there!" he replied. Hopping up from the bed he was just sitting on, Impulse sped away in a blur of light, followed by a gust of wind. Robin stood there a few moments more before exiting as well.

The Briefing Room.

All eight members of Young Justice sat around their table. Red Tornado stood towards the back of the room, merely watching and supervising. Sam Guthrie and Illyana Rasputin, Cannonball and Magik respectively, had a hunch what this meeting was about. Jennifer-Lynn Haden, the emerald Jade, was ready for anything. Best friends Cassie and Cissie, Wonder Girl and Arrowette, sat awaiting whatever mission Robin had cooked up. Impulse impatiently twiddled his thumbs at 60 miles per hour. Superboy took his chair last, already knowing what was ahead.

"Alright," Robin said. "We're going to move out as soon as this briefing is done...and we're going to move against the Hellfire Club."

"About time," Cassie commented.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Sam asked.

"It's got to be done," Robin replied. "We've let things go on too long. Ever since I stole computer files from the club, I've been in contact with a Martinique Wyngarde. She's been something of a contact for me inside the club...and she's told me that we have to make our move soon."

"And you trust her?" Cissie asked. "Sam said she's the daughter of the Wyngarde guy who Linda's been hanging with!"

"She is," Superboy replied. "But I've been keeping tabs on Linda and Wyngarde...they take a morning walk through Central Park every weekday...Jason usually meets someone to discuss some business...but when I talked to Linda, it's like she doesn't even remember me."

"Martinique is something of a telepath," Robin continued. "I also believe she can alter people's perceptions with various images. I suspect her father has the same ability. Linda may not know what she's doing...and he may be in control of her every action."

"That's disgusting," Jen frowned.

"But there's more going on with the club," Robin explained. "I haven't finished decrypting all the files...but I know some things. I know the Hellions are only the club's first step in building a mutant army. Shaw also is the major funder and provider for a Project: Wideawake..."

"The mutant control project," Illyana frowned. "They've been around for awhile...supposedly working on robots of some sort designed to hunt and detain mutants."*

*(As seen in recent issues of X-Men - Chip)

"Only reason they haven't been released yet is 'cause the government can't find any way to release 'em that's constitutional," Sam replied. "But why would Shaw, a mutant himself, want to release Sentinels?"

"Do you think he's found a way to control them?" Cassie asked. "Maybe he wants to use them to take out whatever mutants won't bow down to him...and to gather together those that will?"

"That's a scary thought," Superboy frowned.

"But there's more," Robin said. "There's a very fragile balance of power in the Inner Circle. Wyngarde and Shaw are opposing Kings. Shaw has Tessa and Emma Frost on Wyngarde's side, and Wyngarde has Linda on Shaw's side. It's looking like very soon, one side or the other's going to make a move...and it's all going to go to hell."

"So why don't we wait?" Impulse asked. "Let them beat each other up, and then take on the victor?"

"I'm too afraid of who will win," Robin replied. "What if the victor moves too fast, consolidates his power, unleashes the sentinels? We've got to take them both down fast."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Cissie asked.

"Yeah," Cassie replied. "Let's do it to it!"

Robin nodded. "Suit up and meet at the Supercycle...we'll move out in ten minutes."

A block away from the Hellfire Club's mansion.

"Alright, Sam," Robin said. "This is your chance to shine. Take YJ and lead them in there. Cissie and I will stick to the lower levels...your back-up. Pray you don't need us...but don't hesitate to call."

Sam nodded. "Let's move."

The six broke and sped off towards the Hellfire Club's mansion, preparing to break in and cause maximum damage in a minimum amount of time. Cannonball took the point, smashing through the ceiling and giving the team an opening. Wonder Girl and Superboy flew in after, with the other three flying in on a green disc created by Jade's powers.

"Alright, Wyngarde, show yourself--huh?" Sam was caught off guard by the sight of all eight Hellions standing in costume, waiting. "A set-up?"

"Not quiet," their leader, Bedlam said. "But with so many telepaths around, it's kind of hard to miss you."

"YJ," Sam said, "Hit 'em hard! No quarter given nor asked!"

Bevatron opened the assault with some bio-electric blasts flying about. Firestar took to the air and began pouring out her waves of heat and fire energy. Thunderbird ran to engage Superboy in a slugfest.

'We've still got the advantage...' Sam thought. 'Magma can't do much without destroyin' the place...and Tarot and Roulette's powers aren't very confrontational. All we have to do is watch out for Empath and Bedlam, and we can win this fight!'

As Sam thought, he collided head on with Empath. Though Empath was a skilled telepath, he was not prepared for the speed or brute strength with which Cannonball collided with him. Slamming him into a wall, the first telepath was soon out of the fight.

"I'm immune to Bedlam's powers," Impulse recalled. "I'll take him!"*

*(As seen in YJ #3, Impulse's mind is moving at a pace far faster than the normal person, making him impervious to any telepathic influences - Paul)

"A couple of bad luck discs and you'll all be in for a loss!" Roulette threatened.

"Maybe," Magik said, teleporting behind her. She drew her Soulsword and her armor appeared, slightly more than normal. "If you're given the chance!"

A swipe of her sword and the Hellion was down.

"Eat electricity!" Bevatron yelled as he sent his energy bashing into Wonder Girl.

"Hey, it tickles!" she replied. She flew in low and punched him across the face. Using her super-strength, it only took one hit.

Impulse's flying fists of fury moved faster than the eye could see, pummeling Bedlam into submission.

"You can't use your cards if you can't move your hands!" Jade called, creating green energy handcuffs around Tarot. "And then a good sucker-punch is all I need to waste on you!"

"Stay back," Magma threatened. "I'm warning you..."

"Come on, Amara," Sam smiled. "You an' Ah both know you won't risk using your powers here."

"I..." she frowned. "Fine. I surrender."

"You can't win!" Firestar called. "I won't let you!"

She poured her radioactive waves down onto Wonder Girl. She yelled in pain.

"That's enough of that," Impulse said. He sped by and created a whirlwind vortex around the Hellion. It was only a matter of time before the oxygen was sucked out and Firestar was unconscious.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked to Wonder Girl.

"I think I'm gonna puke..." she replied. Then she did. "Oooh, gross..."

"Y'know, your friends are all down," Superboy said, punching Thunderbird.

"They're not my friends," he said, punching back.

"Then why do you work with them?" Kon asked with another punch.

"Because this is the only home I've got," he replied, trading yet another blow.

"That's a dumb reason," Superboy grinned. He pulled his fist back and delivered a staggering blow, sending young Thunderbird flying back.

He slowly began to rise, looking for more.

"Oh no you don't!" Magik called. Another wave of her sword dropped this Hellion as well. "Don't know anyone who can withstand this baby."

"Alright," Sam said. "We beat the Hellions..."

"I'm not feeling too well," Wonder Girl frowned. "Not like I'm going to puke again...but...my body feels weird."

"Well, we can't stop now!" Superboy said. "Where's Wyngarde and this Inner Circle? Time for some payback!"

"Strange that someone so young would be so eager to die," the voice of Sebastian Shaw called from atop a staircase. "You're on private property, you know."

"We've come for Wyngarde and Linda," Superboy called. "Give us his head and her back and we'll be on our way!"

"I'm afraid that won't happen," Shaw replied. "I advise you to surrender...or you will be hurt."

Sam ordered, "Hit him!"

Superboy flew at Shaw, punching him across the face. Shaw merely laughed, and punched back. The blow sent Superboy flying.

"I absorb and rechannel energy, you fools," he grinned. "You cannot win!"

"Not that they'll have the chance," the voice of the White Queen called. She, alongside Lady Tessa, Sunspot, Contessa and Klarion the Witch Boy came from the downstairs.

"Time for us to take down the Inner Circle!" Jade called.

"It's your funeral," Frost said. "Destroy them!"

And thus, the fight began. Various Hellfire troops stormed the room at various times as each member of YJ began to clash with the mutants of the Inner Circle.

Klarion and Contessa held back and watched.

"This is hardly our fight, I'd say," Contessa commented.

"Indeed," Klarion replied. "We seek power...this is work for grunts. Come, Contessa...let us find other places to entertain ourselves in for awhile."

And with a wave of his hand, Klarion teleported the two away.

"Fools," Tessa said in response to the two deserters. "This fight shall not last long anyway...I can go inside their minds one at a time and shut them down."

"Or so you'd like."

"Eh?" Tessa turned around and received a blow from a pipe to the head from Martinique Wyngarde. She never even saw it coming.

Martinique hid just outside the fight, watching the futile battle unfold. Where is Robin...?

Underground.

"You know these are sewers, right?" Arrowette asked.

"I know," Robin replied. "But it's the best way to move in without being detected.

"Can't you hear it upstairs? They've started fighting."

"I know...we're the ace in the hole. Here we are...time to go up..."

"Good," Arrowette replied. "My costume wasn't designed for this."

The two hopped up a drain and soon found themselves inside the club's kitchen.

"Now what?" she asked.

"Now we find Wyngarde and Linda and do what needs to be done."

"Not alone!" Superboy said as he flew into the room. Martinique followed closely behind.

"Shouldn't you two be fighting in there?" Robin asked.

"I'm not ready to reveal myself just yet," Martinique said. "But if anyone's going to take down my father and free Danvers, it's us."

"Cissie, help with the fight," Robin said. "Cover us."

"Oh, sure," she rolled her eyes. "First I walk through sewers, then I get bumped down with the rest of the team..."

As she went back to the fight, the two men followed the woman up some stairs to where they hoped would be the penultimate battle of the day. It didn't take them long to enter a room where Jason and Linda both stood, waiting.

"What is this?" Linda asked.

"It appears my daughter is betraying us," Jason frowned.

"Daughter?" Linda asked. "I thought she was your cousin..."

"It matters not, darling," Jason said. "These are the enemies of Hellfire! Destroy them!"

"Not so fast!" Martinique said. Before the fight could proceed, she used her powers to link the minds of Superboy and Linda Danvers. One last desperate attempt to break Wyngarde's hold.

Downstairs.

Cannonball and Sunspot found themselves in the midst of their own little battle.

"What're you doin' here, Bobby?" Sam asked.

"You wouldn't understand," he replied.

"Try me!" Sam yelled. "After all, we were best friends...but how could you be in league with our biggest enemies?"

"Would you rather I had joined Young Justice like you and Illyana? That's not where I belong. There are things you don't understand, Sam...things I can't explain. But you'll just have to trust me."

"Then you better leave this fight, Bobby," Sam frowned. "And fast...cause we're tearin' this place apart, whether you're here or not."

Impulse was once again taking advantage of his 'loose thoughts' to deal with Emma Frost, the White Queen. Against him, her deadly psibolts were nothing. It didn't take long for him to find a way to beat her by sucking out all her oxygen.

Sebastian Shaw was all that stood in their way. The only problem was that they couldn't seem to hurt him. A punch sent Wonder Girl flying.

She shook her head after hitting a wall. What's going on...I'm feeling so dizzy...not as strong...I...what did Firestar do to me?

"Let's end this," Arrowette called. Pulling a gas arrow out of her quiver, she took careful aim to launch it straight into Shaw's mouth.

"Argh!" he exclaimed, choking on the gas.

"Let's make sure this beats him!" Jade said. Using her powers, she created a green globe to circle Shaw's head and keep him from breathing anything besides the gas.

Still, the man struggled forward. He managed to grab a hand on Jade's throat before he finally fell unconscious.

"That was a little close for comfort," she frowned.

"Come on, guys," Arrowette said. "Rob and Superboy are upstairs, going after Wyngarde!"

Sam nodded. "Let's go!"

Upstairs and inside the mind of Linda Danvers.

"Now this is an experience," Superboy said. He looked around and found himself surrounded on all sides by a whole lotta white. "Umm...hello?"

"Kon?" Linda asked, appearing out of the white. "What...are you doing here?"

"Linda!" he exclaimed. "Thank God I've finally gotten through to you...we've got to--"

"You'll do nothing, boy," Jason Wyngarde appeared, a pair of swords in his hands.

"Oh, Jason!" Linda said, running to his side.

"You see?" Jason asked. "She is mine, body and soul..."

"She recognized me," Superboy said. "She's not as much yours as you'd like to believe!"

"There is but one way to settle this," Wyngarde said, tossing a sword before Superboy. "En garde."

Kon El carefully picked up the sword. It felt real. Despite their white surroundings, everything seemed real. "En garde."

Jason swung his blade, which Superboy carefully countered. He swung back, and Jason easily side-stepped.

I don't know bull about swordfighting...he's got the clear advantage here...so I've gotta make this fast!

Another perry, another thrust, the fight moved on with Superboy quickly going on the defensive.

"You haven't a hope, boy," Jason said. Another swing knocked Superboy's sword away.

"If I were a chivalrous man, Superboy, I would allow you to surrender," Jason grinned. "But I am not a chivalrous man...and our duel was to the death!"

Jason swung his sword forward, but just before it could pierce Superboy's chest, a shield made of photonics appeared in the way.

"Impossible!" Wyngarde exclaimed.

"Impossibility is in the eye of the beholder!" Superboy exclaimed as he shoved the shield into Wyngarde's chest. "And this fight is over!"

Still upstairs, but no longer in Linda's mind.

"It's over, Wyngarde," Superboy said. "You lost."

The rest of Young Justice burst into the room.

"It is not over!" Wyngarde exclaimed. "Linda, my love...kill them!"

All eyes turned on Linda. Her own eyes began to glow fiery red. Her orange fire wings spread behind her and she began to lift off the floor.

Martinique's eyes went wide. Such power flowing from her every pore...more than I ever imagined!

"Linda..." Superboy hesitated. "I love you..."

Her eyes burned with the fury of a thousand stars, her wings glowed brighter than the core of the sun...she prepared to deliver the killing blow...and turned on Wyngarde!

"Wh...what is this?" he asked, frightened.

"You have used me, Jason," she frowned. "Turned my world upside down...and twisted my perception of things...you've led me against those that I care about...and for that, you cannot be forgiven. But for all you've done to me...you must know that this power has always been mine. You did nothing to make me this strong. But I will show you what it's like...And you will never bother me again."

Her wings turned inward, their bright and magnificent fire unleashing themselves upon him. He screamed. And when it was done...he was sitting, slumped against the wall, a pale, unconscious shadow of the powerful man he once was.

"L-linda?" Superboy asked.

"Oh, Kon..." she collapsed slightly, falling into his arms.

"I...I missed you."

"I love you," she answered, looking up into his eyes. The two then kissed. It was a passionate kiss, one that neither had ever experienced before. And they both knew everything was going to be all right.

"Come on," Robin said. "We should make our exit."

"Right," Sam nodded. "Police are probably about to swarm the building..."

"Are you coming with us, Martinique?" Robin asked.

"I can't," she answered. "My place is here...for now."

"But after today?" Superboy asked.

"The only people who know what happened are you, and my father," she said. "And I don't think he'll be talking anytime soon."

"We owe you, big time," Superboy said.

"Go now," she answered, turning away. "And to you, Linda...good luck."

Linda Danvers nodded. For the first time in months, she was a free woman. And as the nine members of Young Justice made their escape, they knew things would only get better from here.

Next Issue: The aftermath, and a big surprise in the 13th issue!
Thanks to everyone who's been reading and following the adventures of YJ...I hope you enjoyed my take on the Phoenix Saga here at DCM. But don't be fooled...this isn't really the end! We just got Linda back...how could it possibly be an ending? This was YJ's first story arc...but believe me, the next story arc is gonna knock your socks off! Don't miss it!
-Paul A. Hahn
Editor's Note
Due to technical difficulties, we are making a slight adjustment to the Young Justice schedule for the next three months. Issue 13 will be coming out one month from now. Then, for the two months following, YJ will still be monthly, but two specials will come out, thus making it seem biweekly. The first is Young Justice: Manhunter Madness, and the second is a Robin/Spoiler one-shot. The real biweekly schedule will resume with #16.
-Chip Caroon