Ok...so here is chapter 4! Yay! Trying to crank these out as fast as I can. Again thanks for your support and I hope you continue to enjoy the story! Also reviews are welcome! ^_^
-Relaiya
She awoke at three in the morning unable to sleep. She sighed as she stared at the clock. This was the sixth time she had woken up. Maybe she was more nervous than she originally thought. She hopped out of bed realizing that sleep was something that would keep eluding her. She decided to finish the modifications on her costume. After two hours of cutting and sewing she decided that she liked her costume design. She hung to up in her closet next to her Embrasian armor. She still however was not sleepy. So she decided to finish the present she was making for her Aruyei. She took the plushie she had made and cut the back open. She then stitched it up again after adding a zipper. She sewed straps onto the side and smiled down at the now plushie backpack. She stuffed it full of origami that unfolded to reveal little figurines of Batman, Robin, and Robin training her. She also put her heartfelt thank you letter in the backpack. She then zipped it back up and placed it inside of a medium sized box. She then took the plushie she made of herself out of her closet. She cut open the back and placed a voice box inside before sewing back up. She squeezed the doll's belly and it began to speak in her voice.
"Hankeim loland Aruyei…tokomantai!" She smiled at the doll knowing full well that he wouldn't know what it meant. She then took the pictures that they had taken together and placed them inside of a scrapbook. The cover held both Robin and the Embriss insignia. She closed the book after writing little memos next to each picture. She then placed the book into the box with the plushies. She then took the quilt she had made and placed it inside. She then closed the box and wrapped it in yellow and black paper. She then tied a red bow around it. She picked the box up and carried it outside her room. She walked down the corridor quietly and smiled when she reached Robin's room. She placed the box down outside of his door. She stared at the box that was clad in Embriss colors and smiled. It was why she chose that color scheme for her room as well as her costume. She then made her way back to her room and cleaned the mess that she had made. She then passed out on her bed. Sleep finally coming to her.
-Relaiya's Dream-
She ran down the marble corridor that led to the poinsettia garden. When she reached the garden she plopped down happily. She gingerly touched the petals and hummed a nursery song that her mother used to sing to her when she was little. She bubbled with laughter and then a small baby phoenix landed on her head. She picked up the tiny bird and cradled it to her chest.
"Aw…what's wrong little one. Did you get tired of flying?" She asked softly. The bird chirped happily. She giggled. The sky then turned dark and Relaiya glanced up at the oddity. A huge looming shadow came over her and then a beautiful black dragon with a red gem embedded on it's forehead landed in front of her. Inside she felt raw terror, but her body remained calm and continued to sit, cradling the baby phoenix to her chest. She looked the dragon in it's eyes. Beautiful golden orbs that shined like gems. In turn the dragon stared back at her, breathing evenly. Relaiya stood then. She made her way over to the large beast and stood directly in front of it. She then patted it's large muzzle gently with her free hand.
"Yes you shall be the one. The chosen one to bear my powers…and my burden." Relaiya could hear the dragon speaking to her in her mind and realized that he was talking to her telepathically. She looked at him, brow furrowing in confusion.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I shall gift you with powers beyond your imagination and in return you will help me to achieve my ultimate goal. The dragon announced in his deep sultry voice.
"Help you how?" Relaiya asked, and the dragon faded from her sight. A black oval shaped pendant with a dragon engraved embedded in it appeared and a thin chain encircled her neck. The pendant hung delicately on the chain right above her cleavage. Relaiya gently fingered her new necklace. The baby phoenix pecked the pendant lightly and was absorbed into it. A single adult phoenix feather now hung form the necklace. Relaiya gasped in shock as the pendant grew warm. She felt her own powers react and before she could get a handle on them, her powers burst forth and she was surrounded by a flame pillar. She screamed as her powers began to overwhelm her and she was swallowed in a sea of her own flames.
-End Dream-
Relaiya woke up screaming and sweating profusely. Her skin was burning hot.
"Shh…it's ok…it was just a dream." Relaiya blinked the sweat out of her eyes and found Conner sitting on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair gently. She took a deep calming breath and sighed. She smiled up at him, trying to ease some of the concern from his features.
"Guess you felt me burning up huh." Relaiya said playfully.
"No…well yeah, but I also felt extreme fear. Fear that wasn't coming from me." He said quietly still stroking her hair. Worry evident on his face. She touched her hand to his face and gently smiled.
"Oh…I wasn't aware that you could feel my emotions. Guess I'm still learning about the connection we share. The connection between Kryptonians and Embrasians I mean." She said laughing lightly.
"Yeah. Also I have super hearing so…even though these rooms are supposed to be soundproof, I could still hear you screaming." Conner said with a smile. Relaiya laughed at that. She then shooed him out of her room, assuring him that she was fine. Once he was gone, she got into her meditative state, floating above her bed, her legs crossed Indian style.
-Robin-
He awoke at 5am unable to sleep. He decided to go work out in hopes that it would make him back sleepy. He walked over to his closet and put on a pair of sweatpants. He grabbed his mask off of his nightstand and slipped it onto place over his eyes. He opened his door and found a beautifully red, black, and yellow wrapped box. He smiled at the choice of colors and right away knew it was from Relaiya. He took the box and placed it on his bed. He made short work of the wrapping and threw it in the trash. The first thing he took out was a plushie of himself. He unzipped it to find neatly folded origami inside. He picked one up carefully, smiling at it until he felt something hard. He blinked at the folded paper and carefully unwrapped it. He found a little figurine inside and laughed. The paper itself held a poem. He decided to unfold all of the origami and placed the figurines on his nightstand and the poem in a stack on his bed. He also found a thank you letter that he read with a smile. He then zipped the plushie back up and also set it on his bed. He then took out the plushie of Relaiya and smiled at it. He hugged the doll tightly causing him to squeeze it's belly.
"Hamkeim loland Aruyei…tokomantai!" The doll said in Relaiya's voice. Robin broke into a fit of laughter then. He squeezed the doll and it repeated the phrase. He set the doll on his bed. Robin then pulled the scrap book out of the box and flipped threw it. He laughed at the little memos he found next to each picture. He put the scrap book in his closet on the shelf. He then unpacked the quilt. It was checkered in design, with a color scheme of black and yellow. There was a tiny red robin in the corner with a tiny red phoenix next to it. He folded it neatly and sat it on the end of his bed. He then broke the box down and threw the piece in the trash. He made his way out of his door and began walking towards the gym, when he saw Conner running towards Relaiya's room. He followed stealthily. Conner ripped off the security system that served to automatically lock the door, and burst threw the door. She was screaming that was t only thing that Robin was aware of. She grew silent and then after a moment was ushering the boy of steel out of her room. He stared at the door for about five minutes before walking away heading back to his own room. Robin finally left the shadows he had been hiding in. He walked to Relaiya's door and raised his fist intending to knock. He then decided against it and slowly opened the door. He found her floating her bed in a meditative state. He smiled at the unaware girl and then took a seat at the end of her bed. After 15 minutes she floated down to her bed and slowly opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw him and he smiled back.
"So…bad dream?" Robin inquired.
"Huh?" She asked in confusion.
"You were screaming. Conner all but killed your door trying to get to you."
"Oh yeah…something about super hearing and being able to hear me through the sound proofing. Yeah, I had a random nightmare." Relaiya said smiling. Robin nodded and then noticed something he hadn't before. There was a thin chain around Relaiya's neck with a small black pendant and a red feather hanging from it.
"Sooo…did you get my present?" Relaiya asked still smiling.
"Uh huh." Robin replied still staring at the necklace.
"Did you like it?" She asked.
"Uh huh."
"Ok…what's wrong?"
"Huh…oh nothing. It's just…well…when did you have time to get that necklace?" Robin asked still eyeing the offending object.
"Necklace?" Relaiya asked confused. She then looked down at the necklace and fingered it lightly. It was the same one from her dream.
"Aruyei?" Relaiya said shakily.
"Yeah?"
"I think I need to tell you about my dream."
"Why?"
"Because that's where this necklace came from." Relaiya said staring at the masked face of her mentor. He sat there calmly staring at the necklace. He held his chin between his index finger and thumb, and then tilted his head thoughtfully.
"Yeah…you'd better tell me about this dream." He said seriously. Relaiya nodded and launched into the story of her dream. She omitted nothing telling him everything from start to finish.
"This confuses even me. You don't feel any differently do you?" Robin asked genuinely concerned.
"No…I feel fine." Relaiya said as she looked over her body.
"Let's just say it's safe to assume that it didn't change you physically, but your powers. Do you feel any stronger?" Robin asked and she shook her head and Robin sighed. "Well just get some rest. You never know when a mission will pop up." Robin said smirking at her.
"Ok…but could you…um…stay with here just in case I have another weird dream?" Relaiya asked giving him a puppy dog face. Robin laughed and nodded. Relaiya squealed and jumped under her blanket, pulling Robin with her. She cuddled up next to him and he laughed.
'Ya know…if you wanted to sleep with me this badly, you could've just asked." Robin said playfully. Relaiya elbowed him and then smiled up at him.
"Gaila Aruyei." She said happily.
"What does that mean?" He asked.
"Peacful dreams teacher."
"Well…I'm not exactly your teacher anymore. Oh…that doll of you… what's it saying?" Robin inquired, his smirk still in place.
"Hankeim loland Aruyei…tokomantai! It means you're the best teacher and I love you. Go forth fighting!" She said proudly.
"So…you love me huh." Robin said sarcastically.
"Of course I do. Oh wait…that's a more emotional word on this planet isn't it? Well I guess what I meant is that you're a close friend. Yeah…friendly love." Relaiya babbled blushing profusely. Robin laughed and held her close to him.
"Sure…sure. Whatever you say." He said as he ruffled her hair. She buried her face in his chest trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Thank you for staying Syry." Relaiya said tiredly.
"Seer-ree?"
"Close friend." She said and then yawned.
"Well get some sleep Syry." Robin said as Relaiya drifted off to sleep.
According to his internal clock it was seven in the morning. Robin slid out of the bed slowly, careful not to wake Relaiya. He quickly got to work on her security lock, fixing it so it would work correctly once again. It would totally blow if people were able to just walk in her room without her consent. No, he thought. He just didn't want anyone to ruin his moment with her. After fixing the lock and double checking that it worked Robin quickly hopped back in bed with Relaiya. He held her close, inhaled her scent, and smiled. She smelled of vanilla and mangoes. A weird combination, he thought, but a nice one. Was that even normal? Robin chuckled as he drifted back off to sleep.
-The Team
Artemis walked into the kitchen at 10am. Me'gann was making breakfast and holding a conversation with Conner. Wally was playing a video game while Kaldur watched. When breakfast was ready they all came together at the table. As they were eating Artemis noticed that Robin and Relaiya were missing.
"So bird boy and his protégé still sticking to their training schedule?" Artemis asked, to no one in particular.
""Not that I know of." Kaldur replied.
"Then where the heck are they?" She asked as she glanced around the kitchen.
"Probably training. You know Rob is a bat freak. Though it's a shame he's turning the new girl into one. She's hot!" Wally said around a mouthful of food. They all laughed then. They all continued eating and when everyone was done Artemis and Me'gann cleaned up. As they were putting up the last of the dishes Relaiya floated into the kitchen and Robin walked behind her. They were laughing at something they found amusing.
"Well…they look chipper this morning." Me'gann said smiling. She loved seeing her teammates when they were in a good mood and happy.
"Yeah too chipper." Artemis said as she glared at the couple suspiciously.
"Ok…so it's…la la men tike." Robin said smirking at the small girl as he pulled a chair up to the table. She shook her head vigorously.
"No…no. Your pronunciation is terrible." She giggled. "It's…lana mientak."
"Right that's what I said." Robin said cracking up. Relaiya laughed too as she shook her head at him.
"What are you guys laughing at?" Artemis asked as she walked over to the table. Robin looked at her and then his face went instantly serious.
"Artemis…" he said watching her closely.
"What?" The blonde replied.
"Lana men tike." Robin said.
"What…what in the world does that mean?" Artemis asked incredulously. Me'gann came over then. Wally, Kaldur, and Conner stopped playing the video game to observe the scene from over the couch.
"It means…tights make your ass look great!" Robin said seriously and then he and Relaiya broke into a fit of laughter. Artemis hit the boy wonder across the back of his head making Relaiya laugh harder.
"What the hell is your problem?" Artemis yelled blushing deeply.
"Rob I didn't know you were staring at Artemis' ass when she's in tights." Wally said with a sly smile.
"Neither did I." Kaldur said giving his younger teammate a disappointed look. Robin laughed harder at that.
"Wanna know what else I've observed. Kumo ni natte Conner roman." Robin said laughing.
"Why would you say that?" Conner asked looking down at his shirt.
"What the hell are you saying now?" Artemis demanded. Robin laughed harder, if possible, and Relaiya blushed deeply.
"Hey Supes…you know what he said?" Wally asked. Conner blushed and gave a shy nod.
"Well don't leave us in suspense. What did he say?" Me'gann said as she floated over to Conner.
"He said…that my shirt is…uh…skin tight. That the S leaves a pattern to for you to trace on my muscled chest." Conner stuttered out, beet red from embarrassment. Me'gann blushed deeply and Wally and Kaldur looked at each other confused. Artemis jaw fell open in shock and Robin doubled over with laughter.
"Rob…is there something you want to tell us?" Wally asked staring at his best friend.
"Yeah there is." Robin said as he got up from the table. He walked pointedly over to Conner and sat in his lap. Conner blushed deeper and Me'gann and Artemis had nose bleeds. Wally's eyes bugged out of his head while Kaldur stared in confusion. Relaiya's mouth dropped and Robin winked at her.
"Conner…Supey…I love yo-" Robin started.
"NOOOO!" Me'gann yelled and glomped Conner effectively knocking Robin off of him. "Conner is my boyfriend Robin! You can't have him!" Me'gann said holding onto Conner tightly. Robin laughed and Relaiya stared at the couple. Boyfriend?
"Don't worry Me'gann…I was only gonna say that I love his ability to understand languages even though he can't speak them." Robin said as he stood from the ground, dusting himself off.
"So…you're not gay?" Wally asked.
"No…I'm not. But if my being gay makes you make that face you're making right now I will be. Your face is priceless! Hahahah…I'm so whelmed!" Robin burst into another round of laughter. Wally then tackled Robin and the two began to play fight. Kaldur sighed. Me'gann smiled at the two companions and then kissed Conner. Conner sighed and leaned into the kiss. He then felt an extreme amount of pain. He jolted upright, and then realized that he wasn't the one in pain. He turned to where Relaiya was sitting and found her gone.
"Uh…hold on a sec Meg…I have to go to the bathroom." Conner said as he stood placing Me'gann on the couch gently.
"Ok ." She said and smiled at him. Conner then rushed down the hallway letting his instincts guide him. He found her in the girl's bathroom. Relaiya's breathing was erratic and she was lying on the floor in fetal position, sweating profusely. He walked towards her slowly. He stooped down and gently pulled her into an embrace.
"Relaiya…Relaiya what's wrong?" He asked concern coloring his voice. She didn't answer, just continued to breathe erratically. She let out a light scream, her body began to tremble violently, and her temperature began to increase.
"Kole…kole ver on toya?" Relaiya asked. It was obvious she wasn't talking to Conner. He held her tightly, listening intently to her conversation. Kole…kole ver pn toya? Why… why are you doing this? Conner mentally translated what the small girl was saying.
"Namida ton ale mierala conquist la re." Relaiya whispered and then fainted. I'll do what you only if you help me protect my new friends. What was it that she had to do. Who was it that she had to do it for? What did she need to protect them from? Conner's mind was screaming with questions. Relaiya's body began to float and become engulfed in a blaze. Conner tried to reach for her, but found that the flames were to strong for him to. The flames took on the shape of a phoenix, enveloping her in it's wings. It blazed brightly in a blinding light before being absorbed into her body. She fell and Conner caught her before she was able to hit the ground. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked at Conner. She stared up at him and smiled.
"This is the girl's restroom silly." Relaiya smiled.
"Are you ok?" Conner as he quickly began to examine her body to make sure that she hadn't sustained any injuries.
"Yeah…I'm fine. Conner please calm down. Your extreme worry is kind of giving me a headache. You have some really strong emotions ya know." Relaiya chuckled as she began to rub her temples.
"You were on fire and having a conversation with someone…" Conner began on his rant.
"Calm down…I'm an Embrasian. It's not unusual for us to catch on fire. Relaiya laughed. Conner pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I could feel your pain…there was so much of it." He whispered.
"I'm alright now." Relaiya whispered back. She hugged him too then pulled away from him, but not out of his embrace.
"Uh…Conner. What's a…um…boyfriend?" Relaiya asked curiously.
"Why would you ask that all of a sudden?" Conner dodged, blushing deeply.
"I heard Me'gann refer to you as her boyfriend. Does that mean you're her close friend, but you happen to be male? Are you my boyfriend too?" Relaiya asked eyes gleaming.
"Um…well…if you put it that way. We should really get back to the others." Conner said still blushing. He stood then, pulling her up with him. She smiled and floated up so that she was eye level with him.
"Thank you my Kryptonian. I know that I will always be safe with you." Relaiya smiled at him and then placed a gentle kiss on his nose. She floated back down to the ground and bounded happily out of the bathroom. Conner stood stunned in place. She sis just refer to him as her Kryptonian, right? A small smile graced his lips. Her Kryptonian. The thought made him feel giddy inside and then he thought of Me'gann and the smile faded. He needed to avoid being alone with Relaiya. That thought made him feel miserable. He couldn't help the pull he felt towards her. His body just reacted on instinct. His Kryptonian blood boiled at the sight of her, and his heart fluttered every time she smiled. Yup, Me'gann was going to kill him. He took a deep calming breath and made his way back to the kitchen.
"So happy you could rejoin us Conner." Black Canery said as soon as he entered the area.
"Now that all of you are here, we can begin the mission briefing." Batman stated in his usual extra serious voice. "Your next mission is in the rainforest of Brazil. We found traces of a extremely dangerous chemical substance known as hydro-chloro nucleic acetaminophen. It appears to be being horded and shipped out from a factory somewhere in Rio. Investigate. Covertly, Let us know whose running the operation and whatever else you find there."
