The Importance of Omegas
L.A.: And I'm back!
Amu: With a shiny new chapter.
L.A.: Hope you enjoy!
Azarath Cat: Thanks for the review! Eh, I know it was an info dump but if you enjoyed it then that's all that matters. And, sorry, no spoilers you just have to wait and find you, ha.
Cracked Shot: Thanks for the review! Yep, an info dump. I'm trying to keep this story short (as if it were a 30 minute episode on tv) so I couldn't think of a better way to do it. But that's what fanfiction is for, right? To practice. (and don't worry, you didn't hurt my feelings. I appreciate you took the time to review)
You would think that since they were representations of my teammates, I would have no problem convincing them. Maybe… if I could even talk to them.
Cyborg's teammates were like a impenetrable wall that would shove me back without even being aware I was there in the first place.
Starfire's cheerleader friends created a different kind of wall. I would get within a few feet and they would turn and give me their best withering glares. I'd feel my knees lock up and my mouth dry out as I watched them lead her away.
Raven would be easy to talk to, if she wasn't as antisocial as the real one. If we met in the hallway, she'd immediately turn around and walk the other way before I could even raise my hand to wave.
Then Robin…well, like the real one, he'd simply vanished without letting anyone know where he went.
So, a day passed and no results. At least, I assumed a day had past. Now that I'm aware it's a dream, I'm noticing the strange inconsistencies. Like how I'll be at the beginning of English class, blink, and then I'm sitting in the cafeteria.
If this keeps up, I'll never have a chance.
"You're not eating."
I look up and see my Mom watching me worriedly from across the dining room table. It's dinner time and my Mom had gone all out with a pork roast, mashed potatoes, and peas. I think she's trying to get me to eat meat because I've been constantly avoiding it. I'm pretty sure she thinks my vegetarianism is just a fad. If she only knew…
"I'm fine. Why?"
She points to my plate. "Because you're playing with your food."
I glance down at my plate. As I was daydreaming, I had decorated my mashed potatoes with peas. I'm not hungry anymore so I've apparently been doing this more and more often. I don't know if it's because I know it's a dream or if there's something wrong with my body in the real world. I don't know which I'd rather prefer to be happening. "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind."
She props her head up with her right hand. "You know you can always talk to me."
I'm tempted. I really am. When my mother was still alive, she'd always know the right thing to say no matter the problem. Even when I got older, and wasn't a blabbering cry baby, she'd know that a bowl of ice-cream and comedy on the tv always made me feel better.
But, this isn't my mom. She's just a figment and possibly, secretly working for the person keeping me trapped here. I can feel a lump in my throat.
"I'm fine," I manage to say then quickly destroy my mashed potatoes and green peas masterpiece by shoveling it in my mouth.
My mom watches me with a sad look on her face, but she doesn't press me.
Even though she isn't real, it doesn't stop the feeling of guilt that creeps up in me.
I stare up at the high school building that looms before me. It like its mocking my inability to even start this plan in motion. Students brush past me as if I'm not even there. I secretly hope that by some miracle one my teammates will brush past me, but that will be sheer dumb luck.
Who am I kidding? I'm no leader. That's Robin's job. I'm just supposed to be the good looking comedic character who lightens the mood. This is impossible. All I have is today and-
"Tomorrow."
Although it's a whisper it cuts across the school yard as if it were shouted. Everyone has faded away again and as I turn around I already know who will be there.
"Come to mock me?"
Clara shakes her head. "Just to talk." She motions to her left. "Care to join me?"
I turn and am only slightly surprise to see that we are now standing in front of the cafe again. Dream logic will never make sense.
I shrug as I take a seat across from her at the table. "It's not working."
She cocks her head at me. "How do you if you haven't even tried."
I frown at her. "You're spying on me?"
She just stares back, unblinking.
I sigh. "It's a lot harder than it looks. I mean they don't even know me here and I can't just go up and tell them they're dream representations of the Teen Titans."
She shakes her head. "That wouldn't be a good idea. You can't fully trust them. He could control them if necessary."
I narrow my eyes at her. "How do I know that I can trust you?"
Her lips quirk. "Touche."
I groan as I slouch back in my seat. "This is hopeless. I can't do this by myself."
"Then stay here forever and let your body waste away."
I glare at her. "You're helpful."
She shrugs.
"Is that what happened to you?"
For once there's a crack in her armor. I see a glint of sadness in her eyes. "I didn't know until it was too late." Even though she's looking at me, I don't think it is me she is seeing. Her gaze is unfocused, as if she is far away. "I can still feel my body. It's breathing but as each day passes, the connection becomes less and less." She smiles weakly. "It's about threadbare now."
I fidget in my seat. "I'm sorry."
The armors back up. She fold her hands in her lap. "That doesn't matter now. You still have time."
"Don't suppose you can help me?"
She shakes her head. "If I did, he would notice and stop it." She leans forward. "Do you know about wolf pack dynamics?"
I'm caught off guard by the question. Why on earth are we talking about wolf packs when each second that passes, I'm more likely to be stuck here forever. "I used to transform into one so I'd say I know some."
"So you know the importance of the omega?"
"I… no?"
"For a long time, everyone thought the omega was the weakest." She leans forward. "He never could compete with the Alpha and Beta and pretty much his only purpose in the pack seemed to be the goofy uncle to the pups."
I frown. "What's the point to-"
She holds up a finger to silence me. "However, it was soon revealed that the Omega is one of the most important members." She pauses as if she's daring me to question her.
Despite not wanting to satisfy her, I still ask it. "Why?"
"Besides giving the females a break from their cubs, he also intentionally broke up fights between Alpha and Beta by distracting them with his silliness. In fact, without him, the pack would most definitely destabilize and disperse." She stares intently at me as if she's willing me to understand. "You don't need to be the leader to bring your team together. You're omega. The team will form and stay strong because of who you are."
"I…" I don't know what to say. Sure, everyone's always made me feel important like I'm a integral part of the team but the idea that I have the strength to keep us together? That's just… crazy.
Clara smirks. "You'll see. I'm right."
I blink and we're suddenly in front of the school again. "Wait. That's it? That's all I get?"
Clara shrugs. "That's all I've got time for." She smiles at me, reassuring this time. "Good Luck, Omega."
I didn't blink this time but it didn't matter. It was like one second she was there, and the next everything was back to the way it was when I first got there.
The bell rings and I rush inside.
Day Two is a fail. Once again, the obstacles that were causing problems for me before were still hindering me.
There was something I was missing but for the life of me I can't figure it out. What am I supposed to do? Turn into a wolf and run around goofily and wag my tail? Even if I could still transform, it sounds like a stupid move.
A loud clang snaps me out of my revelries.
My Mom is sitting across from me. Her face is flushed and the knuckles are white form her gripping her cup so hard. I'm guessing that's what made the noise.
"Something wrong?"
"Obviously." She sighs as she calms herself down. "I just hate seeing you like this."
I frown. "Like what?"
She motions to me as if that explains everything. "Shut off. Not talking to me."
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. "I am talking to you."
"Not about your problems." She relaxes her grip on the cup. "Ever since the incident you've been like this."
I feel a pang of guilt run through me. I hate to see my Mom like this. This isn't real but to her it is. I bite the inside of my cheek. "It's just a lot to take in."
She reaches out to take my hand. "Do you need to see Dr. Mackey again?"
I resist the urge to yank my hand away in fear. Despite his desire to help, something out that guy makes my hair stand on end. "No. I'm fine just having problems making friends at school."
It wasn't a total lie. It wasn't a total truth either. But, talking to Mom made me feel better. Just like old times.
Mom laughs. "Really? How is that possible? How could anyone resist my sweet boy."
I roll my eyes as I pull my hand away. "Ha. Ha."
"Okay, maybe I'm biased," her expression softens, "but, it doesn't matter. They'll see in the end."
"If I can ever get a chance to talk to them." The words slip out before I can stop them. Crud, I'm getting too relaxed.
Mom frowns. "What do you mean talk to them?"
"They're just surrounded by their friends. Don't have time." I'm saying too much. I know I am. Any minute, she'll put two and two together and this mysterious guy who's holding me captive is going to appear and kill me.
Instead she just slowly shakes her head. "I know I'm your mom and I'll never understand someone not talking to you but…" she pauses and looks me in the eye. "if they won't talk to you, write them a letter. With your charisma, there's no way they can resist you."
I smirk. "A letter? Are we back in the pony express days?"
She narrows her eyes at me. "I'm not that old. And, what works in the past still works now. If it ain't broke…"
I can't help but smile as a warm feeling spreads throughout me. Despite not being my real mom, she still gives me the same support and comfort as my mom did. It was just what I needed.
Judging from her expression, I can tell she knows. She begins to clean up. "All right, get to bed. I'll clean up."
I nod as I head to the stairs. At the base of the stairs, I pause and glance back at her.
She's humming to herself as she washes the dishes in the sink. Her red hair is pulled back except for one piece that hangs loosely by the side of her face. Her eyes practically glow though I feel part of that comes from the serene smile on her face.
It's a good image to keep in my mind and, if everything goes to plan tomorrow, probably one of the last I'll ever have of her.
Despite the hint of sadness I can feel lingering in the back of my mind, it feels like this moment, this experience, is the way things were supposed to go. It feels right.
"Mom?"
She pauses and glances back at me. "Yeah?"
"I love you." I put as much emotion as I can into those words. Even though this is just a representation of my mother, I feel that through her, my real mother will hear them.
Her whole face lights up. "I love you too, sweetie."
That was all that was needed to be said. I'm ready now. With a strange absolute certainty, I know that tomorrow everything is going to work out.
L.A: Or will they?
Amu: Why are you acting that way. You already know what's going to happen.
L.A.: Anywho you know what to do Read and REVIEW!
