The Tale of Black Jaguar (Young Justice Fanfic)

Into The Woods Part 2

Sorry if you can't read what's about to happen... And thanks to @the-pirate-fox for translation.

"What do you mean? Who are you?" Robin asked, glaring at the man with suspicion.

"Ye kids be fools fer wantin' ta learn 'bout tha' demon, is wha'. As fer me name, ye can call me Yassen." The man, Yassen, answered.

"Care to explain why? We know of the dangers in that forest. People have been disappearing for years. We can handle whatever is in there." Wally said flippantly.

"Ya don' know tha half o' wha' yer gittin' yerselves inta. I did'n' either. Look where tha' got me." Yassen seemingly self consciously ran a hand over the burned section of his face.

"Does it look like we care what you think?" Artemis sassed while rolling her eyes.

"Artemis! That was uncalled for." Robin glared at her.

Artemis was about to snap something back, but she was cut off by the man. Yassen had previously gained a thoughtful look before seemingly coming to a decision. "I ob'iously can't stop ye from goin' in tha' there forest, bu' I can a' leas' warn ya o' what I 'ave seen 'n thar. Come sit o'er 'ere, though. Talkin' openly 'bout wha' goes on in tha forest makes people a might skittish." Yassen offered. Even as he spoke I saw the woman who served us slowly trying to inch away from the conversation. The hole Cafe of people seemed tense. I suppose that man is right.

Robin looked like he was about to decline the suspicious man, but I nudged him. He looked at me and I nodded slightly. He gave me an 'are you sure?' look. I nodded again, giving him a look of certainty and determination. He nodded back.

Yassen watched the silent exchange. "Well? I ain't go' all day." he said impatiently.

Once the team was all situated at the secluded table, Yassen spoke.

"I say, ye all got a black mark on ye, but I'll tell ya abou' tha kid anyways." Yassen began.

"I noticed you said something about a crying boy earlier, and now a kid," I spoke up, "Why?"

"'Cause that's 'xactly what 'e was when I saw him tha' night. Ya see, I used to hunt in those woods, up 'ntil wha' happened two weeks back. I was tha only one e'er willin' ta keep the big game 'n there 'n check 'cause o' those disappearances. Once e'ery two weeks I woul' go 'n there all mornin' an' af'ernoon ta hunt. Ne'er af'er dark. I be brave, not stupid. Two weeks ago I chased a deer to far inta tha forest, i' was 'mpossible ta git outta there in time 'fore dark, bu' I tried anyway. I was almos' ou' too, bu' I came across a clearin'. There was a lake, an' an old, rottin' cabin next ta it. I no'iced a week lad sittin' on tha lakes edge. Naturally, I wen' ta see if 'e was alright. 'fore I coul' git tha lad's attention, he looked up a' tha house, I did too, an' jus' barely saw some figure movin' 'n a window. Tha lad suddenly turns ta look a' me a' break-neck speed. Tha kid looked like somethin' outta a nigh'mare, an' 'e was cryin' tears 'o some purple liquid. I didn' git much o' a look at 'im other then tha'. Soon as I saw tha kid I hightailed i' outta there." Yassen sighed and ran his hand through the slightly singed hair.

"I mus' 'ave done somthin' ta piss tha kid off, 'cause next thin' I know 'e's chasin' me. I looked back a' 'im while runnin'. Big mistake. I tripped an' tha kid was over me in a second. 'is hands were drippin' wit tha' purple crap. He touched my face, an' tha stuff felt like acid. It burned my face an' I screamed. Thought fer sure I was a gonner. Then 'e was jus' gone. I eventually stumbled back inta town, got ta tha hospital. I los' me eye and got a bunch o' pretty scars. Tha kid coul' 'ave killed me easily. I don' know why 'e didn'." Yassen crossed his arms as he finished.

"Wow. That sounds awful." Megan whispered.

"Yeah, I was supposed ta go back ou' tanight, too." Yassen looked down at his clothing, "Probably won', though. It's too soon."