It was a perfect day in Happy Harbor, as if the universe was teasing Wade with the idea of peace. The sun bathed the coastal town in a warm glow, and the Young Justice team was making the most of their downtime. They walked along the busy boardwalk, laughing and enjoying their rare break.
Wade, aka Youngpool, strolled a few paces behind the group, his eyes scanning the streets with a vague disinterest. His mask was pulled up just enough to eat his ice cream cone, though he barely tasted it. His thoughts were elsewhere, swirling dark and fast.
"You don't belong here." The voice was a familiar one now, slithering into his mind. It had been there for weeks—cold, anxious, relentless. "They'll never understand you. Not really."
He clenched his jaw, pushing the voice down with forced cheer. "Shut up," he muttered under his breath, licking the ice cream like it might somehow silence the nagging presence.
Kid Flash zoomed ahead of the group, flaunting his speed. "Beat you all again!" he called out, grinning. "You guys really gotta step up your game."
"Yeah, yeah," Robin replied, rolling his eyes, but there was a smile on his face.
Miss Martian floated gently beside Superboy, her usual calming presence keeping the group relaxed. "It's nice to have a break from all the missions," she said, smiling softly. "We hardly ever get to just... be normal."
Superboy grunted in agreement. "Not sure what 'normal' is, but this is close enough."
Wade trailed behind them, the ice cream now a melted mess in his hand. He glanced around, his eyes narrowing as his gaze fixed on the old warehouses near the harbor. The voice was back, more insistent now.
"They're wrong about you. All of them. They think you're just like them, but you're not. You'll never be."
Wade blinked, shaking his head slightly. "I said, shut up," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the harbor.
Miss Martian noticed his distance and floated back toward him, her face gentle with concern. "Wade, are you okay? You seem... distracted."
He forced a grin, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, I'm good, M'gann. Just savoring the peace, you know? It's not every day we get ice cream and sunshine."
The voice growled, low and mocking. "Peace? You know this won't last. It never does."
Robin, always the suspicious one, narrowed his eyes at Wade. "You sure you're alright? You've been off lately."
"Off? Me?" Wade chuckled, a hollow sound. "Nah, I'm golden. Just enjoying the show, like everyone else." He tossed the melted ice cream into a trash can with a little too much force. "But, hey, I just remembered—I forgot something back there." He gestured vaguely toward the warehouses.
"What did you forget?" Robin asked, his tone sharp with doubt.
Wade grinned, but there was an edge to it now. "Just something personal. Don't wait up, kiddos. I'll be back in a flash."
Before they could question him further, he turned and walked away, his stride casual but his mind anything but.
"They'll find out sooner or later," the voice whispered as he made his way toward the shadows. "You're not like them. You never were."
The warehouses were dark and cold, just the way Wade liked it. He could almost feel the drama building, like a cheesy noir flick where the hero stumbles into danger while looking way too cool for the situation. The League of Shadows had been tailing him for weeks, and now they were finally making their move. The soft rustle of fabric, the barely-there footsteps—they might as well have been carrying neon signs reading ASSASSINS HERE.
Wade grinned under his mask and spun his katana lazily in one hand, the blade catching the dim light as he surveyed the area. Then, with the flair of a guy who spent way too much time in front of the mirror, he crouched down in a stance straight out of a martial arts handbook. His right hand extended in front of him, palm open like an invitation, while his left arm swung behind his back, casually gripping the katana in an easy, ready position.
"Alright, boys," Wade said, barely hiding his grin. "I know you're there. Let's wrap this up quick, alright? I've got a date with Netflix~"
The shadows moved, and four assassins stepped into view, their faces hidden, their movements silent. They closed in, but Wade didn't flinch. Instead, he straightened slightly, keeping his eyes locked on them as they advanced.
And with perfect, dramatic timing, he added, "You know what they say, right? "
"Maximum effort ~"
One of the assassins took the bait, charging at Wade with a dagger aimed at his throat. Wade sidestepped with a lazy flick of his wrist, the katana slicing through the air with a whisper of death. The assassin's throat was laid bare, blood spraying out in a ghastly arc. The man hit the ground with a thud, his life extinguished in a single, clean cut.
"See that, folks?"
"that's what happens when you are just extras~"Wade announced Wade announced, wiping the blade clean with his bare hand.
"w..wade...we are not in the original script...."
"of course i am not they can't afford to pay me you dumpass!"
Another assassin tried to close in with a series of rapid, deadly strikes. Wade danced around the attacks, his movements a blend of grace and derision. He was having too much fun, his laughter ringing out as he deflected blow after blow.
One of the assassins managed to land a deep, searing cut across Wade's side. Blood welled up from the wound, but Wade's reaction was far from what one might expect. Instead of grimacing, he threw his head back and laughed, the sound darkly amused.
"Well, well! That tickles!" Wade chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a mix of pain and mirth. " you didn't read my info ?! I'm basically unkillable! A little scratch like that? shaaame...what happened to the mighty leaue,tsk tsk!"
another assassin moved in with brutal efficiency, and Wade's katana met him with a series of deadly, precise cuts. The blade sliced through armor and flesh, painting the warehouse floor with blood. The final assassin, clearly frustrated, pulled out one handed crossbow and fired a bolt aimed at Wade's chest. Wade deflected it with a sharp swipe of his katana, but the distraction allowed the assassins to pull out their ropes
In a desperate attempt to subdue him, the two remaining assassins used thick ropes to bind Wade's arms . "kyaaa! .. I didn't realize this was a bondage party. But sorry, boys, only Ivy gets to tie me up."
With a sudden burst of strength, Wade pulled on the ropes, sending one of the assassins stumbling. The rope wrapped around the assassin's legs, causing him to fall and drop Wade's katana. Wade seized the opportunity, grabbing the fallen weapon and charging at the remaining assassin. He battered the assassin with brutal strikes, the blade cutting through flesh and bone with a wet, sickening sound.
"See? This is why you don't mess with me," Wade said, his voice dripping with dark amusement. He pivoted and delivered a brutal punch to the next assassin caught in the ropes, his fists connecting with a series of exaggerated, mocking emphasis.
"...It's all fun," punch "...and games," punch "...until someone loses," punch "...an eye!" punch "Or a head!" punch "Or a leg!" punch "Or, you know," punch "...the whole mess of limbs!" slap
The fight had left the warehouse in ruins, but Wade's victory was short-lived. The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted him.the Young Justice—Robin, Miss Martian, Aqualad, kdflash and Superboy—their expressions a mix of a shock and disbelief
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sorry guys....but i really couldn't get any good ideas without getting him out.....
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anyway....i know i feel like a cheap author rn.....but a friend told me that "to poor mfs like you"...the biggest motivation is money...so here is my patreon if anyone felt it
patreon.com/SirAhmed