Of Ashes and Embers

Klarion and The Junior Justice League

I stand warily a few feet from Klarion and the rest of the magic users. The helicopter lifts from the ground behind me, whipping the air around me, tugging at my clothes. Klarion stares at me, a grin forming on his face, I'm glad the mask hides the look on my face. I hate this boy and his demon cat.

"Demon," he grins once the chopper is out of sight, "it's been a while." He goes to say something else but another magic user, Wizard, I think his name is, scoffs.

"This is the protection they send for you? A small child, she'll be useless," he declares. My eyes narrow.

"Demon here is quite capable" Klarion hums, his hand finding my shoulder. I suppress a shudder. "She's beaten Batsy all on her on after all. And she was even smaller then." He's not lying...exactly. But he's stretching it quite a bit. I wouldn't exactly call a stab and run beating Batman. It was more...let me use his surprise as a way to stab him and run away before he can recover.

"I can assure you; the League of Shadows would not send someone they believed uncapable. Shall I inform Ras Al Ghul of your doubt of his judgment and training capabilities" I ask, trying to make a drawl or purr in a way that Cheshire does.

"That won't be necessary," Wizard answers quickly. I give a curt nod, satisfied that he wont question my abilities again. At least not out loud. Klarion leans closer to my ear. I swallow.

"Why don't you get somewhere where you're going to do your job until the kiddies get here," he whispers. A suggestion, not a question. I nod.

"I'll be in a tree," I tell him. I walk towards the outskirts of the woods, scanning for a tree that will suffice for my purposes. I fine one. It's nice and tall, thick limbs with lots of leaves. Easy cover. I climb it, as quick as possible, I feel like the magic users' eyes are still on me. I stop a little more than halfway up the tree. It's at least a good forty feet or so from the ground. I settle in, sort of. I crouch so I am hidden but I stay on the balls of my feet. Ready to jump down as soon as I need to. My eyes find the group of magic users as they begin to chant. There's flashes of gold light and all but Klarion and his familiar disappear. I begin to scan the surroundings. It's unlikely that the kids would find us so fast but it's best if I anticipate their arrival now. It's just a matter of time before they get here.

It feels like forever when a notification on my holocomputer pops-up. I set it up so I would get alerts if the junior League made any appearance online. I pull it up. Aqualad, Robin, and Kidflash stand in the frame of the screen.

"Attention, children and teenagers of Earth. I am Aqualad. These are my friends, Robin and Kidflash," Aqualad introduces.

"We are using Justice League tech to cast and stream to every TV, radio, computer, and smartphone on the planet," Robin explains.

"We know you must be scared and angry," Kidflash sympathizes. "We know that with your parents missing there's a temptation to run wild. But please, stay calm."

"We will find a way to bring the adults back," Aqualad promises. "But for now, the oldest among you must step up."

"Take care of your younger siblings. Take care of kids who have no one," Robin says.

"Protect them," Kidflash adds.

"It is up to you. Please, help in any way you can," Aqualad finishes before the video ends and the screen goes blank once more. I sigh and shake my head. So, they and the League are still stuck on the distraction then. There's no hope of the adults figuring out that its just a ploy either. I wonder how long it will take the kids to find us. The magic user on the League has a daughter, I think. Something close in name with himself. I get the two confused.