Chapter 28: Chapter 27 Red Arrow and Growing Mind
Megan and Aqualad carefully secured The Fog in the transport ship, the ominous device emitting a faint, pulsating glow. Its design was intricate, its potential for destruction palpable. The two exchanged a brief glance, the weight of their mission evident on their faces. Without a word, Megan piloted the ship back toward the Happy Harbor School.
As they approached the School, Megan activated the communicator. "This is Miss Martian. Aqualad and I are returning with The Fog. ETA two minutes."
Superior Spider-Man's voice came through, sharp and precise. "Ensure it remains intact. I'll personally oversee its deactivation and repurposing."
"Understood," Aqualad replied, his voice steady. He turned to Megan, his expression resolute. "Let's make sure this doesn't fall into the wrong hands again."
Moments later, the ship touched down at the rendezvous point, where the rest of the team was waiting. Superior Spider-Man stood at the forefront, his piercing gaze immediately locking onto the secured container holding The Fog. Red Arrow and Dr. Roquette stood nearby, their attention drawn to the returning duo.
As the ship's doors opened, Aqualad and Megan emerged with The Fog in tow. The tension was thick as Superior Spider-Man stepped forward, his mechanical arms extending slightly as he inspected the device.
"Excellent," he said, his voice devoid of emotion but tinged with approval. "You've ensured its containment. Efficient work."
Dr. Roquette took a tentative step forward, her gaze locked on The Fog, equal parts awe and dread filling her expression. "I never thought I'd see it again," she admitted softly, her voice trembling slightly. "To think it's back under control…"
Superior Spider-Man's lenses shifted as he turned his attention to her, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "Control is a relative term, Doctor," he said coolly, one of his mechanical arms tapping the containment unit with a metallic click. "This device is still a weapon, one that could devastate entire populations if misused. That is why it will not leave my oversight."
Dr. Roquette flinched at his words, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I never intended—"
"Intentions are irrelevant," Superior Spider-Man cut her off sharply. "What matters is action, and you're fortunate this device is now in the hands of someone capable of repurposing it for something greater." He leaned closer, his voice lowering. "Rest assured, Doctor, The Fog will no longer serve the League of Shadows' agenda."
Megan stepped in, sensing the rising tension. "Dr. Roquette, you've done your part," she said gently, offering a reassuring smile. "Now it's time for us to make sure it's never used to hurt anyone again."
Aqualad nodded in agreement. "Miss Martian is right. You've helped us ensure that The Fog is no longer a threat. That's what matters now."
Dr. Roquette hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You're right," she said, exhaling shakily. "Thank you—for stopping this before it got worse."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The hum of the bioship's engines filled the air as it soared through the night sky. Inside, Superior Spider-Man stood near the front, his mechanical arms folded neatly behind him. His cold, calculating gaze scanned the interior of the ship, his thoughts clearly occupied with the next steps.
Seated across from him were "The Avengers," Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Miss Martian, Each of them wore expressions ranging from tense focus to quiet satisfaction. Red Arrow leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, his bow resting beside him. His sharp eyes darted toward the back of the ship, where the restrained bodies of Copperhead, Black Spider, Cheshire, Shade, and several League of Shadows foot soldiers lay secured, bound tightly with reinforced restraints designed to counteract their unique abilities.
Dr. Roquette sat nervously near Red Arrow, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She glanced around the bioship, clearly uncomfortable, her gaze lingering on the unconscious assassins before darting back to the heroes around her. "I can't believe they're all here," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're some of the deadliest assassins alive."
"They were," Superior Spider-Man corrected her, his tone clipped and devoid of emotion. "But in their current state, they are no more dangerous than unconscious civilians. Though I do commend your knack for understatement, Doctor." His lenses flickered as he turned his attention back to the restraints. "Rest assured, their bindings have been triple-checked. They will not be escaping."
Red Arrow let out a dry chuckle, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Let's hope you're right. Last thing we need is one of these lunatics waking up mid-flight."
Kid Flash, leaning casually against the bioship's wall, smirked. "Relax, Red. Between Spidey's overengineering and Robin's paranoia, they're practically gift-wrapped. Not even Houdini could slip out of those."
Robin didn't look up from his holo-computer, where he was double-checking the status of the restraints. "Paranoia keeps us alive," he said simply, his voice calm but firm. "And trust me, no one's escaping."
Miss Martian glanced back at the prisoners, her brow furrowed slightly. "I'm monitoring their mental activity. They're all unconscious for now. If anything changes, I'll let you know immediately."
Aqualad nodded, his calm demeanor a steadying presence. "Good. We'll deliver them to the proper authorities soon enough. Until then, we remain vigilant."
"No," Superior Spider-Man interjected, his voice sharp and unwavering, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the bioship. "They will not be handed over to those pathetic primitives you call authorities. These are assassins—highly trained killers, each of them a threat far beyond the capabilities of any 'normal' law enforcement agency to contain."
The room fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air. Red Arrow narrowed his eyes at Spider-Man, his tone laced with suspicion. "So, what exactly are you planning to do with them? Because last I checked, we don't get to decide what happens to prisoners."
Spider-Man turned his head slightly, his glowing lenses narrowing. "What I plan to do is ensure these individuals are no longer a threat. I have no intention of leaving them in the hands of an institution that will inevitably fail to contain them. If you need reassurance, know that my methods will ensure no innocent blood is spilled by their hands again."
Kid Flash leaned forward, his arms crossed. "That sounds... ominous. Care to elaborate on what 'methods' you're talking about?"
"I will," Spider-Man replied coolly, "but only when necessary. Rest assured, I am not in the habit of making decisions without logic and reason guiding me. What's more, my methods are a substantial improvement on the outdated systems you rely on."
Aqualad exchanged a look with Robin, who raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Outdated systems, huh?" Robin muttered under his breath. "Like the Bell Reeves prison, where they stick all the high-risk criminals. You know, the one run by Amanda Waller? Yeah, that's a place of cutting-edge security… if you like a bunch of power-hungry government officials keeping tabs on everything."
Spider-Man's gaze remained unwavering, his tone as calculating as ever. "Bell Reeves is a prison. A containment facility, at best. It's only as secure as the people managing it, which is precisely why I'm not relying on it for this task."
Robin's lips curled into a slight smirk. "So, you've got something better in mind, then?"
Superior Spider-Man's posture shifted slightly, his arms folding across his chest. "Indeed. I've designed a more secure containment solution. One that is isolated, hidden, and far more effective than anything Waller's facility can offer. The League of Assassins and their ilk will not escape. Not while I'm in charge."
Aqualad's expression remained neutral, but there was a glimmer of concern in his eyes. "Where exactly do you plan to house them?"
Spider-Man's lenses flashed as he looked around at the team. "That's something only I need to know. The location is off the grid—hidden from even the most sophisticated tracking systems. The prisoners will remain there, under my supervision, until we decide what to do with them. You'll be briefed on the situation when the time is right. For now, trust that I've thought this through."
Aqualad didn't press further, his gaze narrowing slightly as he processed Spider-Man's words. While he trusted Superior Spider-Man's intellect and capability, the secrecy surrounding the containment plan made him uneasy. There was a fine line between control and overreach, and Spider-Man had already proven he walked that line with confidence—perhaps a little too confidently for some of the team's comfort. Still, Aqualad understood the importance of maintaining trust in the team dynamic.
"If you say so," Aqualad replied with a measured nod, though his eyes remained sharp, watching the situation closely. "Just... be sure this plan doesn't compromise our collective goals."
Robin, ever quick-witted, leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. A cheeky grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Speaking of secret facilities—are you finally going to join us permanently, or are you planning to go solo again, Red?" He glanced over at Red Arrow, raising an eyebrow, his playful tone masking a hint of genuine curiosity.
Kid Flash, unable to resist jumping in, flashed a grin. "Yeah, man. You know you've still got a spot with us. We could always use another arrow in the group, just like old times." His tone was light and teasing, but there was a genuine warmth behind his words. "Team's better when we've got all our pieces in place."
Robin chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Exactly. We've got a good thing going here. Don't leave us hanging."
Red Arrow paused for a moment, his arms crossed as he considered the question. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze was sharp as he looked between his old teammates. Finally, he shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"As much as I appreciate the offer," Red Arrow began, his tone steady and unwavering, "I'm going to have to decline. Joining the team, Avengers." He glance at Spider-Man. "isn't in the cards for me right now. I've got my own path to follow—unfinished business that only I can take care of."
There was no bitterness in his voice, only a quiet conviction. He met each of their gazes, his expression resolute. "I can't go back to being part of a team—not because of you, but because this is something I have to do on my own. I'm not a sidekick anymore, and I can't pretend I am. I've got missions that require my focus, and the truth is, flying solo just suits me better."
He gave a slight shrug, his body language relaxed but purposeful. "That doesn't mean I won't have your backs when you need me. You can always call if things get bad. But for now, this is the way it has to be."
Red Arrow's words carried no regret, only a sense of closure and determination. His choice had been made long ago, and he wasn't looking back.
Aqualad nodded solemnly, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed Red Arrow's words. "I understand," he said, his tone calm and measured. "You've always been driven. You have your own mission, your own purpose. We can't ask you to abandon that."
He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Red Arrow's shoulder. "But know this—you are always welcome here. No matter what path you walk, you're part of this family. If you ever need us, don't hesitate to reach out."
Red Arrow gave a faint, appreciative smile. "Thanks. That means a lot. And don't worry—I'm not cutting ties. I'll be around when it counts."
Kid Flash chimed in with his trademark grin, trying to lighten the mood. "You better be, dude. We're not above tracking you down if you ghost us for too long."
Robin smirked, folding his arms. "Yeah, you don't get to skip out on our occasional mandatory team-ups. Think of it as a tax for all the times you ditched us."
Red Arrow chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind."
Aqualad stepped back, his gaze steady. "Then we'll respect your decision. But remember, strength doesn't always come from standing alone. Sometimes, it's found in leaning on others."
Red Arrow nodded, his voice softer now. "I know. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind as well."
The moment hung in the air, a quiet but heartfelt exchange between comrades who had shared countless battles. Despite their different paths, the bond they shared remained unbroken.
During the exchange, as heartfelt words were shared between Red Arrow and the team, Superior Spider-Man's gaze subtly shifted toward Megan. His expression remained unreadable, but there was an unmistakable shift in his demeanor as he activated a private mental link.
[Martian]
There was a brief pause before Megan's voice responded, calm and composed. [Yes.]
Superior Spider-Man's mental tone was precise, calculated. [Dr. Serling Roquette is a potential candidate. Her knowledge could be invaluable to your growing mind. I suggest you copy her information discreetly—without revealing your intentions to anyone. Do you understand?]
Megan's brow furrowed slightly, sensing the weight of his words. [I understand. But why keep it a secret?]
His response was cold and deliberate, the implications clear. [Knowledge is power, Megan. And there are things better left hidden for now. Trust that I've made this suggestion with the future in mind.]
A faint shiver ran down Megan's spine, but she remained silent, acknowledging the gravity of the request. The decision, while subtle, would likely have profound consequences. She knew better than to question him now. [Understood.]
As the link closed, Megan's focus shifted back to flying the bioship, though a part of her mind lingered on the task at hand. The implications of Spider-Man's suggestion hung heavy in the air, but for now, there was no turning back.
A/N
Updates for the chapters may be slower than usual as I'm currently juggling some personal matters. However, I want to assure you all that I am still committed to continuing the story. Your patience and support mean a lot to me, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you who has stuck with the journey so far. Thank you for your understanding!
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