Okay, so I finally finished the first chapter of Emma's new story. Who's Emma? It's Spirit. I told you I was making some changes, and her name ended up being one of... many changes that were made. I'm hoping that people are right and third time is the charm. To the best of my abilities, I'll also be trying to update more. I want to try and update every Monday or Tuesday(potentially every other since I get pretty busy with school and life in general), but I cannot promise anything. I'll definitely try to update more though, so please look forward to that.
I don't own Young Justice. If I did, we'd have gotten season 3 by now.
In this small house in the suburbs of Fawcett City, all seemed quiet. The only sounds were from video game consoles; a Nintendo 64 and a PlayStation, on which two teens were playing their respective favorite games. The pair was nearly identical, were it not for their genders. The girl, who played on the PlayStation and wore a silver Chocobo charm around her neck, was playing Final Fantasy VIII for about the millionth time, while the boy, using a different game, had several piercings, a black and gray henley, and played his own favorite game, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Thus far, the male had been attempting to get through the same dungeon he always struggled with, before his blue orbs averted to his sister, who seemed to be struggling to decide what to do next. "Hey, Em?" he said hesitantly, sitting up a bit straighter. "I... may or may not need help with the Water Temple again... it's not being nice to me."
The girl, Emma, sighed and finally made her choice on the strategy she was going with. Without looking away from her screen, she simply said, "Just let me finish up with Ifrit and I'll be right with you; I'm almost done with him."
A few more button presses later, and Emma smiled, scooting over to help her brother, who handed her the controller in hopes she could figure out what he couldn't. After several squabbles about who got to use the old, outdated TV they'd originally used, they'd both given up and gotten jobs, working until they managed to get two small, but adequate TV screens so that they wouldn't have any more of those petty arguments. Once she'd gotten him through the puzzles, she handed him the controller and simply said, "Y'know, one of these days, you're going to have to do this for yourself, Mikael."
Mikael frowned, averting his eyes from his other half to stare at the floor, suddenly finding it quite interesting. "I know, Ems, I know, but... We're a duo, a single soul split between two bodies... I don't want our team getting split up, not like what almost happened when our powers first kicked in," he said quietly, cringing as he the memory flashed through his eyes.
Emma frowned a little, removing the controller from his hands and setting it just to the side of the console before giving him a warm embrace. "Stop it. We both know that it wasn't you; you weren't yourself," she said firmly. "Our first case wasn't your fault."
"Yeah, it was. That thing was only able to do what it did because I was so jealous, and because of that, not only did I almost miss out on a relationship with you, but I almost hurt you," he argued. "We're twins, and we're connected in a way that not all twins are. I never would've forgiven myself if I lost that bond with you."
She sighed, honestly understanding where he was coming from. She wished to comfort him, but she wasn't sure what she could say that would help. She was about to respond with the best thing she could come up with, but then a loud voice reverberated through the house, calm but firm: Their mother. "Em, Mikael, there's people here to see you!"
The twins took a moment to lock blue eyes in confusion. All their friends were either at some kind of camp or vacation, aside from Billy, who tended to just use the spare key in their hanging plant basket and usually spent the evenings with his uncle, so who could it possibly be at this hour?
Deciding they should get it over with, they began heading downstairs to their rooms, Mikael taking the lead and Emma following hesitantly behind. They immediately straightened up when they saw the superheroes waiting in the living room for them: Batman and Wonder Woman.
"Mom, why are there superheroes in our living room?" Mikael said slowly, him and Emma doing everything they could to keep distance between themselves and the supers as they found seats on the couch. He then grasped his sister's hand firmly, noting that her social anxieties were getting to her and that she was trying not to hyperventilate.
"Mikael, Emma," Dang, it was weird to hear their names coming from the Amazon's mouth! "We've heard that you're both quite special."
Mikael was about to ask her what she meant, before tensing as Batman handed a printed piece of paper to his mom... Crud... Say goodbye to the new Kingdom Hearts game they'd been wanting for their birthday. Why exactly? Well, when you go into the field of paranormal investigation at the ripe old age of 13, make a website so it'll be easier to find cases, and don't tell your parents about it...
"Emma, Mikael," Yep, there was the Mom voice and not just any Mom voice, but the Mom voice of Brigitte Danielson. The twins had this theory that the reason they'd actually stopped pulling their mom's hair, was because of her Mom voice, scaring them out of doing it. "Why am I finding out from superheroes instead of you that you're ghost hunters?"
"Paranormal Investigators," the twins corrected out of habit, before realizing the error in this and sharing a look to figure out what to say. After some silent deliberation, Emma turned towards her mom and said quietly, "W-We wanted to tell you, we really did-" "But we didn't know how to tell you, or more importantly, how you'd react," Mikael jumped in, sensing how uncomfortable his sister was talking about this.
The blonde woman gave her children a stern look before sighing and turning her gaze to her lap. "I suppose I should've seen it coming. You two have these amazing abilities, and I can't really blame you for wanting to use them," she decided. "I just wish it'd been you two that told me instead of Batman."
"We're really sorry Mom," Mikael promised. "We originally didn't even want to do it, but the ghosts wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to do it; Emma just kinda got roped in when I started running into the violent ones."
"But... the print out doesn't explain why you're here," Emma said honestly, slowly gathering the courage to look at the Justice Leaguers.
"Yeah, unless you just didn't approve of us doing this without our parents knowing we were doing it," Mikael said casually, subconsciously playing with his industrial piercing.
"It wasn't about your parents approving of your line of work," Wonder Woman said honestly, her stance firm but gentle. "However, we do require your mother's approval."
"The League is forming a group of young heroes to perform stealth operations, and we believe that your particular skill set would be ideal," Batman said simply, cutting right to the chase. "However, we're only interested in Emma."
The twins both tensed, quickly locking eyes in shock. For as long as either of them could remember, they'd never been apart for any longer than three hours at the most. However, by Batman's tone, Emma wouldn't be able to spend much time with her brother anymore if she did this. After a moment, they diverted their eyes to their laps. What to do? Mikael wanted Emma to do this, but he highly doubted she would unless he was there. He was about to make the choice for her, tell her to go and do this for herself if nobody else, but before he could, Emma stood instead.
Her form was tense, and though she was shaking, her voice was firm. "I'm very grateful that you considered me for this, but I'm afraid that unless you allow my brother to come along as well, I'll have to decline. Mikael and I are a package deal, the Dynamic Duo of Paranormal Investigations; we can't be separated. While I'm quite honored, I'll be staying in Fawcett City with my brother unless he's included as well.
Mikael was honestly shocked. He meant no offense, but his sister was normally a freaking wuss outside her ghostly form! She never stood up to playground bullies, let alone superheroes! Was it just different when it came to him? It suddenly occurred to him that every time Emma had been brave in human form, it had been when he was involved somehow. In sixth grade, she'd shakily stood up to a teacher when he tried to give her brother a bad grade because of sloppy handwriting(it wasn't his fault his right arm had been broken!), and then later in 8th, she'd pulled every string she could to help them get the same classes.
Even Wonder Woman(not Batman, being all stoic and stuff) was surprised at the girl's boldness. Whatever file they might've had must've told them that Emma wasn't normally like this.
The two supers shared a look, like 'is she serious? I think she's serious', before they returned their gaze to the twins. "Very well, we can accept those terms," Wonder Woman agreed. "Mikael, Emma, you're both welcome, so long as your mother says it is okay."
They quickly turned their gaze to their light haired mother, who sighed softly but smiled. "I doubt I'd be able to stop you two. You can join, but be careful; I want my children in one piece."
"We'll be careful Mom," Mikael promised as the twins enveloped their mother in a big hug. "And hey, it's shadow work, so we should be fine."
"They'll be safe Mrs. Danielson. Not only because it'll be stealth operations, but because their teammates will be looking out for them," Batman said honestly, passing the twins a second sheet of paper. "The Martian Manhunter will meet you both at that address tomorrow morning at 7 with his niece, who will also be joining the team. Please be suited up, and ready for your introduction."
The twins simply nodded, though they internally groaned at the time. They hated early mornings, but they'd already had to convince Bats and Wondy to let them both join, so they'd gladly be there.
"... Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly," a distinctly male voice explained to the other members of the team.
"The seven of you will be that team," Batman finished.
"Cool!" another male, but seemingly younger, voice exclaimed. "Wait, seven?"
The Dark Knight merely lifted his head, ever so slightly, to signal as the twins, Manhunter, and the young Martian girl exited the tube-shaped contraption.
"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian, and Spirit and Shadow; Paranormal Investigators from Fawcett City."
"Hi," Miss M said shyly, barely waving at the group.
"S'up," Mikael said with a smile, waving ever so slightly. Just at a first glance, he could see a raven that he figured had to be related to Superman in some way, a kid that he'd have to make sure was a natural redhead later, a sandy blonde who he'd have to ask about his real eye color, and a scrawny kid in sunglasses.
"Pleasure," Emma squeaked out, kinda hiding behind her brother. Try as he might, Mikael hadn't been able to convince his sister to change forms before they left, so all the confidence she usually had as Spirit was nowhere to be seen.
"Liking this gig more every minute," the redhead mumbled to one of his friends before walking closer. "Welcome aboard! I'm Kid Flash. That's Robing, Aqualad; it's cool if you forget their names."
"I'm honored to be included," Miss Martian said simply, the other teens walking over, though the kid with the black and red 'S' shirt was still brooding, though his friends soon invited him over as well.
As he approached, Miss M shifted away her cape and turned the t-shirt underneath to pitch black. "I... Like your shirt," she said shyly.
Emma slowly backed up, incredibly overwhelmed. What had she been thinking?! Her social anxiety and being social? It just didn't mix! Her brother soon noticed she'd slipped away, going to join her. "You okay?"
"I-I just need time to adjust," she said quietly, holding herself tightly as she played with the Chocobo charm around her neck.
"You like Final Fantasy?" Emma lifted her head, turning to see the scrawny raven approaching and gesturing to Emma's shirt and necklace.
"Y-Yeah, it's my favorite game series," she said quietly, subconsciously readjusting her green sweater.
"Which one's your favorite?" he said softly, holding his hand out for a handshake. "I'm partial to VI myself. Name's Robin."
Emma took a breath before shaking hands with him. "E-Emma... I like VII and VIII," she said quietly, almost silent.
"I can see why," Robin said with an earnest smile. "Yeah, the graphics are dated compared to the newer games, but they've still got great stories, and they're still fun, and having fun is all that matters."
"I know," Emma agreed, smiling softly as she began to relax, even if only a bit. Any Final Fantasy fans she might happen to meet on the street tended to put her down for liking FFVII, so it was refreshing to meet someone who acknowledged what those games gave to the franchise. "I might be biased because VII was my first Final Fantasy game, and Squall and I have similar scars though..."
"Hey, it's cool to be biased. I mean, I like VI because it was my first game in the franchise, but I still like all the others," the Boy Wonder said with a smile, pocketing his hands.
Mikael slipped away as they continued to talk of the world of Final Fantasy. He enjoyed seeing his sister get along so well with someone instead of getting bullied, so he thought it'd be good for her to let her own friendship bloomed. So, he simply moved to talk with his other new teammates.
Today was turning out to be a great day.
And that's the first chapter for Spirit's (Hopefully) Final reboot. What'd you think?
Constructive criticism only please.
Signing off,
MckennaTennyson-Harper12