I tug at my skirt and glance around nervously. I hate uniforms. Gotham Academy being a private school meant stuck up private school uniforms. To make matters worse, my uniform shoes are not comfortable and I still have four blocks to go to Wayne Tech. Sure, I'm taking the most populated route and it's longer but with Dad working overtime this week I'm stuck walking. He doesn't have anyone that can pick me up and I don't trust public transportation since my mom died, so I'm stuck walking the dangerous streets of Gotham.

I've lived in Gotham all my life and the weather is getting colder. Sure, it means my birthday is coming up, but I'm not a fan of snow and it snows in Gotham. Dad's been working overtime for a presentation to Mr. Wayne that happens to be today.

I manage to make it to Wayne Tech unharmed and show them my permanent visitor's pass, seeing as I spend half my time here with Dad it only makes since for me to have one. I readjust my backpack and hit the up button for the elevator. As I'm waiting for the elevator's arrival, I feel someone bump into me from behind.

I turn to snap at them but realize it's boy a couple years younger than me. He's wearing a Gotham Academy uniform but I've never seen him before so he's probably in the elementary level. He's got bright blue eyes and his jet black hair is slicked back. I just raise an eyebrow at the kid and he gives me a sheepish look.

"Sorry," he apologizes.

The elevator dings and we step on it together.

"It's fine," I assure him.

He just blushes red and scratches the back of his neck. He presses the button for the twentieth floor and glances up at me. "Uh, what floor?"

I chuckle and reply, "You already pressed it." I pause for a moment. "Is one of your parents working on the Dimensional project?"

The boy raises an eyebrow. "Uh, no. My foster dad owns the building."

My eyebrows raise again at his statement. The kid's Richard Grayson, foster kid of Bruce Wayne a.k.a. my dad's boss. "That's sweet," I tell him, leaving it at that.

Richard scratches the back of his neck, which is obviously a nervous tick. "What about you?"

I grin and shrug, "My dad's the head of the Dimensional project."

The boy's eyes go big and his mouth drops a bit. "Your Keaton Miller's daughter?"

I chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm. "That's what I've been told all my life."

Richard just blushes again and the elevator dings, signalling our arrival. We step off and I lead the way down the hall to my dad's lab where he should be getting ready for the presentation.

"So are you here to find Mr. Wayne?" I ask, curiosity getting to me.

Richard shakes his head with a slight blush. "Bruce said I could watch the presentation. I kind of admire your dad's work."

I shake my head and mumble, "Well, that's a first." He gives me a curious look and I respond, "It's the first time someone your age has told me that you admire his work." I give Richard a side glance. "You know, we're kinda early for the presentation. Would you like me to introduce you to my dad?"

Richard grins brightly. "That would be awesome!"

I chuckle slightly. "I'm Kimberly by the way, but you can call me Kim."

Richard continues to grin. "I'm Richard Grayson, but you can call me Dick."

"Nice to meet you Dick." I pause outside my dad's lab and grab hold of the doorknob. "You ready?"

Dick's face lights up and he nods. I laugh and open the doorknob of my dad's lab only to be blow back by an explosion. I try to cover Dick the best I can and end up with deep burns on my arms. I look down and see Dick's passed out from the blast. I look up through the gaping hole that was once my dad's lab door. Inside I see a man in a mask standing over my dad with a gun to his head.

"Give me the device now, Mr. Miller," the man in the mask demands.

I look on in horror as my dad stands up and faces the man. "I'd rather die than give you the belt."

The man chuckles as if pleased with his answer. "Have it your way."

I scream as the man starts to pull the trigger but is instead thrown backwards. I leave Dick passed out in the hallway and rush towards my Dad. He pulls me into a hug and then looks me in the eye.

"You have it, don't you?" he whispers so only I can hear.

I look at him in horror, not understanding what he's talking about. Before I can respond the man in the mask does.

"Your daughter, Mr. Miller?" he sneers.

Dad pulls me behind him, shoving some sort of bulky belt into my blazer. "Leave her out of this," he states calmly.

The man holds the gun out in front of him and points it at my dad. "I think you'll hand over the belt before something unfortunate happens, Mr. Miller."

I grip my dad's lab coat and squeeze my eyes shut. I just want the man to disappear. I just want him gone and away from us. All of a sudden my dad turns to me and shakes me.

"Kimberly? Kimberly, it's okay now. I think you've sent him away now," my dad states calmly.

Tears start to fall, I'm afraid. I don't understand what's going on.

"Kimberly, look at me. Kimberly, look at me right now," he says calmly but with authority.

I open my eyes and see my dad is level with me. Our matching blue eyes meet and I see pride. "It's okay Kimberly. You did good. I'm proud of you."

Dad kisses my forehead. He opens his mouth but the next thing I hear is a gunshot .

I wake in a cold sweat and glance about my room in the tower. I look at my alarm clock and groan. My hour nap turned into a five hour nap. It's almost nine thirty at night. I groan and climb out of bed.

I undo my frizzy braid and re-braid it. I close my eyes and reach out with my mind. I don't detect Kent anywhere, great. He still hasn't returned. I'm not worried though, he's disappeared for over a week before. He's old and likes the little adventure's he gets every now and again.

I exit my room, intending to enter my bathroom but end up in the main foyer. I let out a small growl, "You stupid Tower. I wanted my bathroom not the foyer!"

I hear a voice clear and I whip around to see a group of people my age. I put my hands on my hips and glare at them.

"Who the hell are you five and what are you doing in the Tower?" I snap. I'm not in the mood for asylum seekers today. It seems like every other week someone's wonder through.

The red headed boy grins and exclaims, "We are true believers and are here to find Doctor Fate!"

I roll my eyes and suddenly the tower opens the floor beneath them. They drop and I shout at the Tower. "Their stupid but they don't deserve to die!" I take a running leap and drop down into the hole with them before the Tower closes it up.

To counteract the Tower I'm gonna have to verbally do a spell. I extend my hand and shout, "Stop the descent!"

The five stop falling and I as well. I point to the floor and shout, "Cool the lava!"

The lava at the bottom of the pit cools to an even ground. Once I'm sure the lava is cool I snap my fingers to counteract my own spell into gently lowering us to the ground. Once the six of us are on the ground I glare at the stupid ginger idiot.

"What the hell did you think you were doing? You can't lie to the Tower!" I stop speaking only to him and glare at the other four. "Now, tell me what are you doing here before I let the Tower resume it's work," I demand.

The dark skinned guy steps forward. "We apologize. We were sent by the Justice League to make sure Kent Nelson is okay and the Helmet of Fate doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

I roll my eyes and state, "Whoever sent you must have either not known about me or think I'm chopped liver."

The blonde with the long ponytail steps forward and snaps. "Who are you?"

I cross my arms and snap back, "Kimberly Miller. I'm a witch."

The ginger guy chuckles, "You said it."

I glare at the boy and state, "Witches are born with magic and can be extremely powerful. I am descended from a Witch that was granted her powers by a Lord of Order. Nabu himself, to be exact. Would you like me to show you these mighty powers."

The boy rolls his eyes. "Magic isn't real."

The green girls speaks up now-she's obviously an alien. "But Wally, I thought you believed in magic."

The boy now clarified to be Wally crosses his arms. "Fine. I don't believe."

I roll my eyes and glare at the boy again. "Obviously seeing as the Tower detected your lie and sent the five of you into the lava pit."

The dark haired boy that has stayed silent so far finally speaks up. "It sent you here to."

I sigh. "No, it didn't. I jumped in to save your sorry butts from becoming toast. Now, if you'll kindly be quiet and let me concentrate I'll get us out of this pit."

I close my eyes and concentrate, trying to sync my magic with the Tower to get it to open up a door to the foyer. I open my eyes and see a trap door below us. I grin and gesture for someone to get the trap door. The dark skinned guy grips the handle when the ginger guy speaks up again.

"Wait, the back draft from the lava will roast us alive!"

The dark skinned guy ignores him and pulls the door open. I cross my arms and shout aloud. "You stupid Tower! I wanted the foyer! Not the arctic room!"

I look at the five questioning stares and throw my hands up in the air angrily. "It's the stupid Tower. It hates me. I ended up in the pool five times last week when I wanted the kitchen."

I see the ginger guy looks at my right arm where my scars are and breaks out into a grin. "Wait, Kimberly Miller, as in daughter of the great Keaton Miller!"

I roll my eyes and jump through the trap door. I'm standing with my arms crossed when the other five jump through. The ginger is still grinning. "Your father is a genius."

I shift uncomfortably. "Was, he died two years ago. You should know. Died the same night I got these scars."

The blonde with the ponytail crosses her arms and says, "I'm sorry. But for those of us that don't know who that is, can it be explained."

The silent guy speaks up and states quickly, "Keaton Miller was an expert in theoretical physics. He proved string theory and was building a device to go between the dimensions freely. He died before completion of the device."

I just raise an eyebrow at the guy and nod my head. "Yeah. He was shot in the head by Sportsmaster after I accidentally teleported him away. But your wrong, everyone is. My dad did finish the device. It just needs a power source." I turn and wave my hand in a follow-me motion. "Come along if you want to get out of here alive."

I don't have to be a genius to know that the five start following me. Once we have walked a few feet in awkward silence the dark skinned boy speaks up. "We have been rude. We know who you are, but you do not know us. You may call me Kaldur."

I glance over my shoulder and nod. The others go around and introduce themselves. The blonde with the ponytail is Artemis, ginger is Wally, the green girl is a Martian named Megan, and the silent boy is Superboy.

Wally brings my father up again after introductions. "You said your dad finished the device. How come Wayne Tech doesn't have it?"

I sigh and respond, "Because my dad stuck it into my jacket pocket moments before he died. No one thought to check me for the device. It's safely hidden where no one can find it."

"Then why are you here and not hopping dimensions?" Wally asks.

I turn to glare at Wally but my eye catches sight of a cane. I gasp when I realize it's Kent's. "He's in trouble," is all I state as I walk forward towards the cane.

"What is it?" I hear Megan ask.

I hear Wally say skeptically, "Maybe it's Nelson's magic wand."

I chuckle and say, "Almost right there Wally."

I reach out to grab it but two other hands grab it at the same time I do. I try to let go but it's stuck to my hands. Wally and Artemis start freaking out, especially when we are lifted into the air and are suddenly deposited in the hall of stairs.

I look around and see Kent with Abracadabra and Klarion the Witch boy.

"Kent!" I shout.

Wally and Artemis whip their heads around in time to see Kent soaring towards us. He grabs hold of the cane and it breaks the hold on the three of us. The ropes binding Kent fade and he swings his cane dramatically to make the elevator appear. I snort and step into the elevator with him, Wally, and Artemis.

Kent glances sideways at me and gestures towards the other two. "Friends of yours?"

I roll my eyes and state. "Not really. They were looking for you, ya old coot."

Kent chuckles and introduces himself. "I'm Kent Nelson."

Wally rolls his eyes and says, "No duh."

Artemis elbows him and introduces herself. "I'm Artemis and Mr. Manners over here is Wally."

Kent grins, "Well Artemis, we are up against someone with great mystic powers."

Wally snorts, "Please. Flash proved that Abracadabra uses tech from the future. He's all show and no biz."

Artemis looks surprised. "Really?"

I nod my head. "Yeah, Abracadabra's a phony but Kent's talking about Klarion the Witch boy. He's a Lord of Chaos. I've fought him before. Not really pretty."

Kent chuckles. "I told you not to go after the cat."

I roll my eyes. "Please, any cat named Tinkles needs to die."

"It's Teekle, Kim," Kent corrects.

I roll my eyes as the elevator dings. "Whatever. We just can't let Klarion get the helmet. He'd throw the worlds into pandemonium."

We exit the elevator and start towards the bell. As Kent raises his cane to strike the bell, a door opens and Kaldur and Superboy fall through. Megan floats down. Kent raises an eyebrow at me. "More friends?"

I go to respond when electricity shoots past. We all duck, Artemis runs to her friends but Wally stays by Kent and me. Kent stands and strikes the bell with his cane. Wally, Kent, and I walk into the bell and come out on top of the tower.

Kent reaches for the helmet when a red bolt shoots out and hits him. I throw my hands up and a protective shield surrounds us. Klarion yells in rage.

"Good job, Kim," Kent encourages me from behind.

I glance over my shoulder to retort but I see Wally holding Kent. "Kent!" I shout, panicked. "Kent! Are you okay?"

I hold my shield as Klarion starts to attack it with his Chaos magic. I hear Kent murmuring something to Wally. I can't turn to see what's going on because Klarion is shouting about him wanting the helmet and blasting the shield. I hear counting and chance a glance behind me and tears spring into my eyes.

Wally's performing CPR. He stops and looks up at me. "I'm sorry, Kimberly. He's gone."

I choke out a half sob when I'm jolted back a bit by the force of a hit. I turn back to face Klarion.

"Give up Witch! I want the helmet and I want it now!" Klarion shouts. He rears back and casts red claws over the shield. The tips of the claws dig in through my shield.

"Wally," I say. "I can't hold the shield much longer. Are you ready to fight?" I don't hear a response and glance over my shoulder to see Wally slipping the helmet on. "No Wally!" I scream. "You may never get it off!"

Klarion starts shouting and suddenly I'm thrown back as he sends a powerful bolt, shattering my shield. I fly past Wally and watch in horror as Wally finishes putting the helmet on. Klarion sends a huge blast of energy at Wally and I throw up a shield of my own, protecting myself, knowing Wally's protected. When the blast is gone I stand up and see Doctor Fate standing where Wally was.

I grit my teeth and mutter, "Stupid idiot."

Klarion sends another blast but Fate throws up his hands and blocks it with his trademark Ankh symbol. Klarion continues to blast Fate with energy, only making himself madder. Fate and Klarion start to banter but I pay no mind. With Fate there to take care of Klarion I rush to Kent's side.

Tears fall down my cheeks, myself unable to control them. I just sit there holding Kent's hand crying as the battle rages on. Once Fate gets a clue to attack the damn cat, Klarion disappears in a zap of energy. Fate stands still and turns to me.

"Kimberly, Kent Nelson was a good man," Fate says.

I stand up and stalk towards Fate and stab the Lord of Order in the chest with my finger. "Release him right now, Nabu! He doesn't have magic and isn't capable of holding his own against you." Fate just stands still. I shove at the Lord of Order but he doesn't move, not that I care it's more of a point anyway. "Release Wally right now. I've already lost one person tonight, I'm not losing another!"

I cross my arms and wait for a response. I raise my hand, about to attack the Lord of Order with magic when he raises his hands. I stop mid spell and watch as he takes the helmet off. There's a flash and Wally's grinning at me, holding onto the helmet.

My eyes flash with anger and I punch him in the arm as hard as I can and snatch the helmet from him. "You dumbass! Nabu could have held you for decades! Kent served as Doctor Fate for nearly fifty years!"

Wally smirks, "Nabu told me to tell you that if you dare attack him with magic again, he's taking the magic back. Oh, and Kent says hello."

My face contorts from anger to confusion. "He's in the helmet?"

Wally nods. "Something about being the coat for so long his soul got sucked in when I put the helmet on. Oh, he also told me to tell you that he believes in you. He says you'll make a great Lady of Order one day. Still confused about that one."

I cock an eyebrow. No doubt he got confused. I can't be a Lady of Order, not now not ever. "Anything else?" I ask.

Wally shakes his head. "Nope." He pops the p.

I glare at Wally then glance at Kent. "Well, genius. Where am I supposed to stay now? Kent's was the last person I had."

Wally throws an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to him. "Oh, I have an idea."