R&R

Young Justice:

The Nile Chronicles

Prologue

I was told I was found along the riverbank of the Nile river on a day like any other. I was found by an inhabitant of the small town of Zaket who had come to the river with the simple task of washing the family's clothes. She took me in, the small bundle of flesh wrapped in several layers of wool, after hearing my cries. She took me to her home, and despite the hesitation presented by her husband, took me in as one of their own.

Iteru. That's what they named me. Of course, now I go by the name of Nile.

I came to know them as mother and father. I had a brother, his name was Gahiji, and I looked up to him like any other little sister would. I think that when I found out about the truth of my origins, he was as surprised as I was. He was only three years older than me, so I assumed he didn't remember that fateful day. I miss him so much. I miss them all.

I hadn't wanted to leave. I wanted to live a normal life in Zaket. Go to school with the other children, help mother with the tasks at home and play with Gahiji and Habibah. That would have been good enough for me. But I wasn't normal. Now I know the truth of those words. We first discovered this truth when Gahiji had been been poisoned, he had accidentally come across a scorpion while searching for a ball I had thrown. Its tail had stung and poisoned him.

I remember it so clearly. His face contorted into one of pain, his body curling in on itself as the poison burned through his system. We were all so frightened for him. I was ten at the time, and I had felt so guilty. We had called in a healer, but she did not know if she had the right antidote. We had not noticed what kind of scorpion had stung him. I had cried my eyes out that day as I refused to leave his side. Perspiration filled his forehead as he began to become delirious. He began to mumble obscene things that made no sense, that frightened me further.

Then he began screaming. Screaming so loud it made my ears ring. He began thrashing on the cot he lay, and I was more scared than ever. I panicked, trying to comfort him, make him calm down. I called to mother and father, but they were already rushing into the room. Mother began to cry, and father tried to seem strong as we surrounded him. We all whispered to him, trying to coax him into relaxing. But he wouldn't. He only screamed more and thrashed harder. Then he began to scream that he wanted to die. I remember how my whole body stilled as I stared at him in shock. To die? To leave forever?

I became hysteric then, as more tears rushed down my face. I pleaded, begged, that he stay. I threw my body on top of him as I continued my hysterics. I remember closing my eyes tight and wishing with all my might that he become better.

And he became calm. His thrashing and screaming came slowly to a halt, and before I knew it I could only hear his soft breathing. I slowly opened my eyes to see that his eyes were closed, and the rise and fall of his naked chest told me he was sleeping. But I was still afraid. I slowly removed myself from him and when I looked up to my parents, they looked at me with disbelief, and maybe... fear?

I became confused, had I done something wrong? Something I wasn't supposed to do? Had I brought shame to them with my hysterics? But they said nothing for the longest time, so I only lowered my gaze as I remained by Gahiji's side. I fell asleep on the ground next to him, tired by the events and tears of the day.

When I awoke, he was not next to me. I quickly rose to my feet, already I assumed the worst had happened and I felt more tears beginning to form. I rushed out of the room, but stopped when I heard the voice and laugh of Gahiji. I ran to it, and came to see him sitting at out small table, eating food and surrounded by mother and father. I called out to him, and he looked at me, smiling. The happiness that filled my heart made me smile as I rushed to him, wrapping my arms around him.

He was okay. He had stayed.

What happened next shocked me. Mother came to me and took me into her arms. Tears were in her eyes as she held me tight. She thanked me. And when I asked her why, she told me I had saved Gahiji's life. I did not understand how that was possible, so I asked her. She told me what they had seen. How when I threw my body on top of his my hands had glowed a white color that enveloped Gahiji's body. How he had calmed and slept, and now he was better. It was a miracle they had said. Thank the Gods, for they had chosen to touch me with their grace.

I had been confused by the news, how could I be able to heal? But at the same time, I didn't care. Gahiji was alive, that's all that really mattered to me. If a God had chosen to give me powers that saved Gahiji, than I was thankful.

But things changed after that. The news of my healing abilities reached others, and soon anyone that needed healing came to me. I didn't know how to act at first when they began coming to me. I was scared and nervous, specially when they brought the sick. It reminded me of the day that Gahiji almost died. They pleaded that I heal them, and I had to try didn't I? So I did, I tried to recreate whatever it was I had done that night with Gahiji.

It took me awhile, to call forth those abilities, but I learned, and I practiced, and I saved. I became known as The Healer of Zaket. I was happy, being able to save lives. But it also became a burden. The kids my age never treated me the same again. They treated me as if I was superior, and distanced themselves from me. It had hurt, and I tried to tell them I was just like them, but they didn't believe me and kept the distance. Even Gahiji treated me differently, and despite the fact I knew he was thankful I saved his life, there was a certain resentment for the favor I gained by everyone. For the gifts I received by the families of those that I saved, for the pride that mother and father now held for me. That's what I hated most.

Then, they came.

They came looking for me, demanding to see this Healer of Zaket and her magic powers. My family had been hesitant at letting me into their presence, until they promised that they would not harm me, they were merely curious if the rumors were true. They looked different than anyone I had seen before up to that time. They were the most beautiful women I had ever seen, covered in the most elegant silk garbs I had ever laid eyes on.

They told us they were Priestesses of Isis. The Goddess of Magic and Life. I had heard stories of her of course, everyone here knew about the Gods, but I had never heard of priestesses. They asked me if the rumors were true, and if could heal at will. I nodded and they shared a look, as if sharing a secret. Then they told me I was special. That Isis had favored me among many and had shared her powers with me. That they wanted to take me to a place where I could worship the Goddess that had given me my powers and where I could hone my skills and maybe discover what else I was gifted with.

I hadn't known what to say. I felt that if it was true that I owed these powers to the Goddess Isis, then it was fitting that I learn to worship her, but at the same time I did not want to leave my family.

But they wanted me to go.

I was shocked when they told me I should go with them, that from the beginning I was never theirs to begin with. That it must have been destiny when I came to them, and it was destiny that I leave with the priestesses. They told me of how they found me, and it seemed to convince both themselves and the priestesses that it was my duty to leave with them. It was a lot for me to take in, but I nodded in agreement. I would go with the priestesses.

I remember numbly going for my few possessions, they told me only to take the most precious, everything else would be provided for me. I remember saying my goodbyes and hugging each of those I came to think of as my family tight. We all cried, even father who I had never seen shed a tear.

And I traveled to the Western Temple of Isis. Where priestesses worshiped the Goddess. It was a beautiful place, hidden from those not welcome within the Desert of Libya and opened to those who accepted Isis as the Goddess they would worship. And that's where I stayed for four years. I learned ritual after ritual. To worship and thank the Goddess. I learned to heal not just with my powers, but with herbs and ointments and what was available.

My life was a constant cycle. I would start my day with a ritual, bathe, go about my learning and priestess in training tasks, and end the day with more rituals. It was always the same thing. I learned, and I grew to accept this life despite the fact I knew I would never be able to live what I once considered normal. I was to be a priestess. My life now revolved around my Goddess. That's how I thought the rest of my life would play out.

Only it didn't.

A/N: Hi! So this is my attempt at a Young Justice story. And a challenge at seeing how well I can bring an OC into such a world and tie it into the episodes. I've always loved Egyptian heritage and such so of course it would sort of revolve around it. Isis being the Goddess of Magic and Life kind of offered a reason for superpowers that seemed to fit great with an Egyptian background. I hope that those that read it like it and the plot looks real and possible. I'm not sure about any pairings romantic wise, if I choose to bring in any at all. But how does it look so far? Let me know with that pretty review button. I'll only continue posting if people find it interesting.