Young Justice Season 4 - The Red X Factor

Episode/Chapter 3 - Cupid's Day Part 2

"Everyone, welcome to Metropolis." Miss Martian announced as she told the Bioship to park atop a building, out of sight.

"It really doesn't look like there's much chaos going on right now..." Blue Beetle scanner the area.

"Hey guys, it's me." A female voice said in their ear comms.

"Hey Bette." Artemis replied. Bette Kane took over Mal Duncan's job of coordinating ever since he and Karen left.

"Just a suggestion, but this villain is hitting all the jewelry shops in Metropolis, so the best way of catching her would be to stakeout at a jewelers that hasn't been hit yet, then she'll come out." Bette suggested.

"That's perfect. Think you can find us a location?" M'gann asked.

"Already found one." Bette replied, "there's one at fifth avenue. Irons Jewelers. It's pretty close to your location."

"Thanks. We're already headed there." M'gann said as she opened an opening in the bottom of the Bioship, "Impulse, Kid Flash, perimeter check. Blue Beetle and Superboy, you two stay here and watch the ship. Artemis and I will go to Irons Jewelers to talk to the owner." Everyone nodded in understanding and went off. Impulse and Kid ran out and ran through the streets as Blue and Superboy waited and watched in the Bioship. Artemis and Megan walked down the sidewalk in their everyday clothes and entered the jewelry shop.

"Hi, can I help you?" A man asked as he walked out from behind the counter.

"Actually, we're here to help you." Artemis smiled.

"If this is about the jewel thief, we're all okay here." The man said.

"Look, Mr. ...Irons?" Megan asked.

"If I can't help you, you can leave." Mr. Irons said.

"Dad!!" A small girl called from the back. A small girl, about 13 years old, walked out, "do you know who these girls are?" Artemis and Megan looked at each other in surprise, "They're Artemis! And Miss Martian!" she almost whispered so that no one else could hear.

"Is it true?" Mr. Irons asked.

"Yeah." Artemis said as Megan nodded in agreement.

"My most sincerest apologies. Please, uh, this way." Mr. Irons led the girls to the back room.

"My name's Natasha! I'm a HUGE fan!" The 13 year-old girl beamed.

"Wow, it's awesome to meet you, Natasha!" Megan smiled.

"Nat, we have business. Sh." Mr. Irons said.

"So why won't you let anyone else help protect your store?" Artemis asked.

"Through the news, anyone associated with the security of the jewelry store, the police for example, were, first, seduced, then killed." Mr. Irons explained, "I don't want to be responsible for that, just because of my store. Human lives are more valuable than any jewel in the world."

"And why do you trust us?" Megan asked.

"Because you have abilities the police don't have." Mr. Irons answered.

"He's got a point." Artemis shrugged, "Do we even know what type of guy we're searching for?"

"Actually, when detectives went to investigate the scene, they found these." Then Mr. Irons pulled up a picture on his laptop and showed the girls.

"Whoa..." Megan gasped.

"Oh my gods...where...is this from?!" Artemis gasped at the sight, her eyes sparkling in amazement. They were arrows. Red Ruby crystal arrow heads on a slim sterling silver and gold feathers, "these must cost a fortune!"

"These are extremely deadly, and reports have been shown that he's robbing the jewelers of their rubies to make more...or so they think." Mr. Irons said.

"What do you mean?" Megan asked.

"Take a look at this. They found this in his bag." Mr. Irons pulled up a picture of a torn up photograph...of Superman, "they think she was trying to get someone's attention."

"I believe the first story more, to be honest." Artemis shrugged.

"We need a plan...we need to lure him here. I'm sure this is an archer." Megan thought, then turned to Artemis, "what would he want?"

"Rubies! Do you have any rubies, Mr. Irons?" Artemis asked.

"We do, actually. But can I really put them at risk?"

"You can trust us to keep him from stealing them." Artemis said, giving a thumbs up.

"Perfect. We can start tonight. Get them ready, and put them up front. We need to draw his attention now." Megan nodded, and they all nodded in response to her plan.

- To be continued! -