[Caribbean Sea July 22 2010]
--Mc's POV--
The bioships almost motionlessly across the cerulean sea which was coated in the silky lining of the moon's illuminance.
And as the water rippled slightly by our presence, the inside of the ship was left in deafening silence that could almost be felt by the human touch.
"~What's with this serious atmosphere its been like an hour since we got on and up till now all you have either been speaking in hushed tones or nothing at all~" I broke the silence casually and watched how my teammates turned towards me like meerkats, "~wait! you guys are brooding, aren't you?". I comically hit my fist against my palm whilst showing a knowing look
"Dude, maybe you haven't noticed but all of us are readying ourselves, you know for the mission," Wally responded while Superboy only scowled a little bit after being called out though quickly lost interest and grunted.
"~yeah you guys are reading yourselves *cough* I can literally bet everything I own (not a lot) that Wally's gonna be the first to screw something up as soon as we land *cough* ~" I 'accidentally' muttered, audible for everyone to hear, without thinking.
"Am not!" Wally replied a little annoyed by my words, "in fact I'm probably gonna show all of you up." announced Wally smugly with a extremely punchable grin.
"Please be quiet after all we're on a mission, this is not a game," Aqualad stated to which Wally scoffed while pointing at me but I could only confusedly respond to why he was accusing me for.
We were left in silence once again but after a few minutes I couldn't help but blurt out, " I mean did no one think to bring a card game like you know, Uno or maybe even Poker?~"
Wally, Caldur and Superboy glared at me - well Superboy's always glaring so he doesn't count, "~Fine-fine, be like that~" I threw in the towel reluctantly and decided to slouch back into my seat.
'Tch, bores,' I returned to the crowded bubble of thoughts known as my head and daydreamedly sat waiting to be deployed like an anticipating soldier ready for war.
This was our first 'proper' mission since what happened with Hurricane, and you could literally smell the scent of eagerly awaiting anticipation coupled with excitement oozing off my teammates.
'Saying I wasn't excited was like saying waffles weren't better than pancakes - it's such an obvious lie' I finally got to try on my costume for this and spoiler - it was an exact copy of the Jujustu Uniform with a few trademarked differences.
Like Wally's or Megan's my suit had the customisable colour change where the suit can go from the usual darkish purple to a silky white which I had to fight for with Batman about the necessity of it. I had to explain to him that it was for snowland missions - complete lie.
'It was totally not to match my hair colour or for dramatic entrances noooooo...,' I shook my head vigorously in denial, 'Though even the uptight Batdaddy has to agree it looked sick.'
"We're approaching Santa Prisca now," Megan stated after what seemed to be 10minutes but that's when our surrounding suddenly melded together into a maestrom of gritty dull colours forming a brightly filmed scene.
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++ Flashback++
"-Santa Prisca. This island nation is the primary source of the dangerous and illegal neo-steroid," Batman began the briefing of the operation to us without skipping any details at all, "A strength-enhancing drug, sold under the street name as venom."
We all individually gazed at the backs of both Red Tornado and Batman, as well as the constantly changing holographic images that lay in front of the two leaguers.
His eyes became more sharp and analytical when it came to the next slide of images, "Infrared heat signatures of the area indicate their factories are still operating at full capacity, but all shipments of venom have been inexplicably severed." He pauses for a second before turning around and surveying us.
"That's where this team comes in. This is a convert recon mission, observe and report - nothing else," He strictly points out his index finger like a reprimanding teacher would, "If the justice league needs to intervene, it will"
He faces his back towards once again and the holographic images pulse back into view with amazing time ; He gestures to the two coordinates based on the map before speaking, " There are two drop zones."
Robin who could hold in that beckoning urge to ask the question that had been plaguing both his and Aqualad's mind since the start of the briefing, " So ...who's in charge?"
Both leaguers turn towards each other with knowing looks and turned back to us with Batman answering, "Decide amongst yourselves."
I could stand still and watch as a dubious smile crept its way onto Robin's face
'Isn't that a pretty shitty thing to say cause I know for a fact Robin will try to take lead which ultimately prove to be terrible decision with Robin being too dependant on Batman," I mused silently in my head, 'Wouldn't it be a better decision to choose the hierarchy now so 'the chain of command' can remain stable and we you know - don't risk our lives maybe?' I chose to shoo away my thoughts and doubts away,
'Who cares? Even if they mess up, I'm still here. I'm Gojo Satoru after all...
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"Dropzone A in thirty," Miss Martian called out to make us aware of our surroundings
Aqualad stood up from his seat, letting it shrink and meld down into the obscure floor as he changed his suit into a darker shade of his usual flamboyant colour.
A spiral hatch opened under him to which he only accepted gravity's hold on him and dived into the sea.
His job was to deactivate the anti aircraft sensors down below so we could fly down safely without hindrance or chance of being located. - he did this in what I timed to be 4 minutes and 39 seconds with his voice in our earpieces being taken as confirmation.
"Dropzone B," Miss Martian said and we all stood up along with gooey bungey jumping cords with latches descend from the ceiling
I stretched casually, finally being relieved of the bothersome task known as doing nothing while on a boring car journey,' I better get paid well by my generous sponsor *cough* extremely weird patron who likes to dress up as bat..' I thought before something urgent dawned on me
'WAIT doesn't that make... my precious sponsor... a-a... FURRY?!' The turmoil inside my head grew more violent then ever drowning out the chatter of teammates as just white noise.
I started questioning myself how I didn't connect these dots sooner, 'A technically fatherless kid winds up falling down in a dark pit of his life, stumbles upon a discovery that beating up thugs (unleashing his is pent-up feelings) while dressed up as an animal....THIS IS THE PERFECT FURRY BACKST-!'
"Yo dude! Wake up!" Wally waves his hand in front of my face to which I responded gently with by slapping his hand," Finally, you get out of that head of yours, I've been trying to get your attention for a solid minute, here." He hands a cord to me but I simply shake my head and turn to Superboy with a mischievous grin whilst a wide hatch opened in the middle of the ship
"Superhero landing on three!" I spoke and saw as the cogs turned in his head for a couple of seconds the flashing a rare grin.
"You're on!" I followed his lead as we both ran to the centre annd jumped through the hatch.
"Guys don't!" Robin called out but we were already half way down so there was nothing he could do to stop our fast plunge to the ground.
The both of us created decent sized craters with Superboy's one being just a smidge bigger than my own .
"Knew we didn't need lines," Superboy said pridefully, though annoyed Robin in the process
"And yet creating seismic events that could alert the bad guys seems like a fair trade off for you?!" Robin frustratedly exclaimed.
Superboy ignored his reaction before facing me and speaking with a smirk, "Mine is bigger than yours."
+
"That's what she said," I responded after dusting myself off. The clone cocked an eyebrow in confusion at my words and I could only snicker soundlessly at his puzzlement.
"Aqualad, Drop B is a go," Miss Martian said to the earpiece.
"Head for the factory. I'll track your GPS signal and rendezvous with you ASAP!" We all collectedly heard Aqualad's voice in our earpieces and we nodded silently at his words.
Robin crouched down towards the ground and pulled up a holographic map display of the island where we we all moved over head stared at the factories location, "Roger that!"
Robin gave us time to survey it before closing it down and signalling for everyone to move out. Miss Martian floated above, Superman and Kid rushed through the trees and Robin and I moved swiftly through the trees.
'Hell yeah! I finally get to try out Naruto style of moving through forests,' I reminisced through past memories as a kid admiring the show and aspiring to become a ninja whilst also meandering past the thick vines and sea of trees ahead.
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We arrived at a clearing of marshland and swamps just after 10 minutes of travelling where everything lay in silence for miles on end.
"Did you hear that," Superboy's ears perked up and his head robotically swivelled sideways in hopes of seeing whatever made that sound.
"~Nope~" I folded my arms into an X position.
"Me neither -wait! Is this a super hearing thing?" Kid asked.
"You do have good ears...," Miss Martian stated to the side with lovestruck eyes fixated on Superboy.
'Did I miss something?' I wondered inquisitively.
"Ok...Rob now wha-," Kid called, turning towards in front of us where the previously standing Boy Wonder was no where to be seen. Kid threw up his hands in annoyance, "Ahh man. I hate it when he does that!"
"Superboy. Kid. Switch to infrared, see if you're being scanned," Aqualad ordered through the speaker.
Kid put his goggles over his eyes, pressing a few buttons which morphed their dark hue into a scarlet visor set up.
He ran over to a log that could hide us from enemy view and his gaze few upon a group of trees a good distance away, "Got a squad of armed bozos incoming."
I lifted up my blindfold out of view from the team and saw the two divisions of swirls - both appearing as hazes of colours entwined - on opposing sides, walking closer to each other
""Two squads,"" me and Superboy said in unison but before the clone could turn towards me, I slipped down my blindfold.
"How'd you know?" He gaze a questioning look.
"~Got good eyesight~," I replied.
"Next time add that onto your superhero resu-," Kid says but is cut off by the sound of gunshots that rip through the air like knives through butter, "Guess no super hearing, required now."
"Swing to the side and stay clear!" Aqualad ordered decisively into our ears thought it went out the other for Kid.
"Yeah-yeah, one minute. Just gotta locate Rob," With that he zipped through the swamps leaving a black after image-like trail with streaks of red behind.
In almost no time though, the cry of his fall into the enemy's line of fire could be heard for all.
"That idiot!" I blurted out, 'He's trying to get himself killed...'
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Gunshots dripping in intent to kill, echoed throughout the chasm of silence and confusion, breaking it like a well hidden secret finally coming to light.
Kid zoomed around in panic just narrowly dodging the bullets with non existent grace and charm in his actions as seen from his clear disregard and lack of spatial awareness.
Shaking my head - similar to that of an alcoholic father finding out he forgot to beat his child - I tightened my fingerless gloves and nodded at my teammates as a signal that we were about to commence a battle.
Superboy roared with might dripping in his voice; he punched hard into Bane who could do nothing but allow the blow to the chest without resistance as he was too preoccupied with shooting at his cobra enemies
But it was not enough as Bane used his newfound momentum to counter attack by flipping the clone into the dirt with arm behind his back.
However, Superboy quickly regained his footing, utilising his superior physical prowess to grab Bane by the collar and fling into a nearby tree
I clasped my hands together to stand before two clueless Cobra shooters, allowing them to recover their bearings and empty their gun into my infinity.
'Sometimes I'm just too nice a guy,' I thought watching as the colour drained from them and desperation took hold.
One took out an army grade knife and slashed at my neck - a vain attempt as it couldn't even reach me let alone touch me due to my technique while another stabbed at my neck once again, then at my chest, stomach and leg but, all to no avail.
"Ok-ok my turn," I sent a slap, a backfist, a jab and a left hook to the first one's face allowing for him to face the full brunt of my strike - effectively removing from the equation.
I rushed over to the one trying to escape my grasp and sent a kick to the side of his leg knocking him down on one knee where I then sent a knee to the right of his face and an uppercut to his chin, sending him flying onto his back a few metres away
HIs body lay, back to the ground, teeth and blood scattered across the ground unknowing for what's about to come
I jumped into the air and planted both feet into his torso with pinpoint precision, " [Bushido Brown Style - Kick ass]!"
After marvelling at my 'art' for a couple of seconds I turned over to where my teammates were and say they were also wrapping up accordingly.
Robin jumped down from the trees and knocked down two armed cobra shooters whilst Wally managed to pull off (though I hate to admit it) an impressive back flip off a nearby tree transformed into mortal kombat finisher similar the cobra kick from Karate Kid.
Though they missed one that desperately ran to escape us but was soon put to rest by an electric shock to the chest by Aqualad.
'Have to admit, that was pretty cool,' I moved forward with hand in air, "Yo! Face any trouble getting her."
"I encountered no guards on my journey towards your signal and just happened to arrive at the right time when I heard the gunshots," He stated and turned to Robin who was talking with Kid about his disappearance, "We need to tie them up for security."
Robin disengaged from the conversation with Kid before pulling out some ropes, "Already got that covered....."
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"I recognise those uniforms, they belong to the cult of the cobra," Robin said as the dawn of realisation was bestowed upon him.
Aqualad turned to face Robin, "I am sure Batman would have mentioned it if he knew a dangerous extremist was stationed on the island running Santa Prisca's venom operation."
"Agreed. And since there's clearly no brotherhood between the cultists and those goons, I'm betting cobra thugs came in and chucked them out," Robin gripped his chin with an analytical look in his eyes, "That's why normal supply lines have been cut off."
"~Excellent deduction, Watson but we still have not found out why cobra's hoarding the stuff like magpies~" I stated, pretending to have a tobacco pipe in my hands while I pace around.
"Exactly," Robin said, "Also I'm Sherlock not the other way around."
I simply rolled my eyes, though I have a feeling that because of my blindfold the expression wasn't carried over.
"Maybe Cobra just saving up the stuff, trying to build up a super roided up army to take over the world - you know the very popular villainy ambition," Kid threw his hands into a shrug position, "Radio Bats and we'll be home in tim-."
"Still we need to investigate, and we don't leave - not until I know why," Robin interrupted
Kid sent a questioning glance at the furry prodige, "Until you know why?"
Robin shot back with a similar questioning gaze laced with stubbornness, "This team needs a leader!"
"And what? You think that should be you? Dude! You're a 13 year old kid who ducked out on us without a word."
'Damn Bats likes them young, and he collects them like Pokemon at that - makes me wonder what I was doing wrong in my past life (joke....kinda)'
Robin erupted in fits at laughter at that last point, "Hahaha and you're a mature 15? You blew our cover first chance you got!"
"~Pfftt! He got you there~" I laughed moving back to the sidelines of where Superboy and Miss Martian were standing where I caught sight of the blushing mess that was Miss Martian.
She turned to me to diffuse some of her nervousness, "S-so Satoru, what about you?"
"~What about me?~" I replied confused
"Wouldn't you want to lead?" She corrected herself
My face quickly contorted into the signature Gojo disgruntled face just thinking about leading, "Way too much effort needed." [1]
"Yeah you're right about that one," She smiled also imagining how difficult it would be.
"-you don't even have superpowers!" Kid's voice cut through the bubble of chatter easily.
"Well neither does Batman!" Robin argued against him
"Tch, you're not Batman," Kid said with a 'matter of facto' tone
Robin scoffed, "Well tch, I'm the closest thing we got!"
But as soon as Kid was about to rebuttle with another snide comment a sinister laughter was heard from the reoccurring Batman villain, "Hahaha Such clever niños, but... you only know half the story."
"Let me show you the rest, get you into the factory via my secret entrance," Bane enticingly said.
Miss Martian crouched down near Bane, her hand brushing up against the side of her head, "There is a secret entrance, but I can tell he's hiding something from us."
Her brows furrowed in concentration and focus and her eyes glowed white like Aang in the Avatar state.
"Ah ah Chica. Bane is not that easy," a smug grin adorning his masked face.
"Ugh, he's mentally reciting football scores en Español - this could take a while," MM stood up, vexed by the complexity of the villain's schemes to avoid her prying eyes.
"It's not that complicated, after all the enemy of my enemy is my friend," spoke Bane
We all stared at each other with indecisive looks.
"~Not like we have any other choice~" I shrugged and they nodded though still noticeable uncertainty decorated their faces
"Fine...."
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[1] Imagine the face Gojo had when he saw Megumi's face resembled Toji's
[A/N* Hey guys sorry I haven't updated in a while which to be honest there isn't really some big excuse like I had to get my leg amputated or my goldfish just died so I had to attend a funeral
I was just too lazy and procrastinated a lot when it came to this chapter
I also felt there were a lot of things wrong with this chapter which dulled my motivation to fix them and continue writing
Also did you guys see the new Jujustu Kaisen chapter and episode, post your thoughts in the comments
Anyway thanks for reading this chapter I'm gonna post another soon
See ya
https://ko-fi.com/honouredwriter*]]