Sixteen Years Ago:
Carmen hadn't felt right all day. Because of this, she stayed in bed content to read the various newspapers that couldn't shut up about her disappearance. She smirked as she red them. Little did the world know.
"Something isn't right," she grunted.
She was quick to call Sarah who said exactly what Carmen had feared.
"The baby's coming now,"
"She can't! It's too early!"
But there was no way to stop it and Carmen spent the next twelve hours in excruciatingly painful labor. She was bleeding far too much and on the cusp of death when her baby entered the world. She was so small she was swallowed by Sara's hands. Carmen was barely conscious at this point those around her working to save her.
She has a birthmark Carmen thought when she saw the star on her tiny daughter's heel.
She passed out with that image in her mind only to wake up with an empty cradle beside her and Sara on the floor with a good-sized knot on her head.
…...
Present.
Melissa sat on the roof of the building overlooking the bay. Her phone had died and in her rushed state earlier she had forgotten to pack her charger. Oh well, she wouldn't be out that long. Once she set to work in her sketchbook all time was lost to her until...
"Hello, Avalon,"
Melissa jumped, turning to see Carmen smirking at her. "My name's Melissa," she curtly informed Carmen as she took a seat next to her.
"It wasn't supposed to be,"
"What do you want?"
"To talk. To tell you the truth,"
"What truth?"
"You were stolen from me at birth. I wanted you so badly but he took you from me and I was unable to stop him,"
"I find that hard to believe,"
"You were born early, there were complications and I nearly bled to death. When I regained consciousness you were long gone. He stole you from me. Stripped you of everything even your true name. I've been searching for sixteen years and I regret not finding you sooner,"
"How did you even find me in the first place?"
"Batman. He gave me enough clues.
Bats and I need ta talk.
"So what was the point of that elaborate "mystery" you set up?", Melissa hissed. "Was it just a big joke for you?! Just another of your sick games?!"
"Of course not, Avalon", Carmen said warmly. "Your...father boasted that he'd broken you, he was proud of it. Obviously, you proved strong enough to put him in prison, but I still feared for you. I HAD to see how well, if at all, you were healing from the brutality he'd inflicted on you," Her 'mask' softened, a glimmer of the caring inside her showing through, "I cannot express how sorry I am for everything he did to you...because of ME."
"I'm pretty sure he was intent on killing me," Melissa growled, "That's how I was found. Sitting half-starved in a toxic waste dump,"
Carmen was angered and pleased that Sarah had made the arrangements for John to have plenty of visits.
She heard footsteps and saw Nightwing vaulting across the buildings towards them.
"It seems we have company", Carmen smirked, subtly moving her head over her shoulder. "My-my, where's the trust? So I have to fly for now. If you really want to know me - and who you REALLY are - you know WITCH way to turn. See you next crime, my dear Avalon."
With that, Carmen Sandiego leaped off the roof activating her glider to make her escape just as Nightwing arrived a moment too late to capture her!
"Melissa, what were you-"
"Not in the mood, Bird Boy," Melissa cut him off.
"Jenny's worried about you,"
"I told her I was going for a drive,"
"It's midnight,"
"I wouldn't know. My phone died and I've been drawing,"
"Come on, we're going home,"
…...
"You're forbidden from leaving this house after eight unless it's with the gang or Dick"
That's what Jenny told me when I got home. Even though I apologized 12 freakin' times. I only meant to be out for a short while. But my phone died and when I get to work there's no stopping me at all. You would have to pry my sketchbook from my hands. Anyway, she's gone to work and I'm by myself right now. I finished my schoolwork an hour ago so I have nothing to do. It's really frustrating. If I'm quiet they worry. If I go out they worry. If I take a nap they worry.
Worry.
Worry.
Worry.
And yes, I know that they're only trying to look out for me but still!
In other news, I had a chat with 'Mommy Dearest' last night. She swears up and down that she had every intention of keeping me and well, she seemed like she really meant it. Something about her parting words has me puzzled though. She said I'd know which way to turn but the way she said it...
Wait!
She said, WITCH!
But what does that mean?
Suddenly I have a feeling.
Melissa put her journal away. Standing up from her desk she marched to the closet, retrieving the doll from the shelf. She went to grab scissors to cut the doll loose only to discover she wasn't even tied in. the only reason she was in place was because of a nearly invisible stand in the back of the box.
"I knew you'd figure it out, Avalon," came Carmen's voice as Melissa lifted the doll from its stand.
…...
Meanwhile.
Christina was settling in. Finding a place to call home was easier said than done considering she had quite literally dropped out of nowhere So, she resorted to the method of just creating a home. Easy enough. After procuring a moderately sized lot a little ways out in the country she created a house. Not a big house. She didn't want to attract attention. Now, that she was settled she did some research. New Salem was nowhere to be seen but that didn't mean it wasn't there. With a little magic, she discovered that it was there. Just cloaked in magic hidden from human eyes. Her family was there but she wasn't.
Mom must have died before I could be born.
She had only encountered one other timeline where she didn't exist. Drew had quickly left as there was no Shaggy either.
It was hard to tell how long she had been at this. Weeks, months, years? She had a way to find out so even though it pained her she ordered her mirror to show her, her Shaggy. Christina gripped the handle of the mirror as the glass fogged trying to brace herself.
And there he was. Newly married to Velma no less.
With a shuddering sigh, she put the mirror away.
"I hope you're happy Shaggy"
…...
"I hate math!" Melissa grumbled as she tried to solve for X.
It had been a few weeks since Jenny had implemented the no leaving the house after eight rule and Melissa was dying to do something other than schoolwork. She eyed the drawer where the Barbie now resided, as far as Bruce and Dick knew it was just a toy that she'd thrown out.
Later. Melissa shook her head.
Her head hit the desk and she groaned. She stood up, abandoned her math worksheet and stalked outside to her art studio. Grabbing her photo album from her chair she plopped down with a sigh. Melissa stared tiredly at the wall honoring her boyfriend. Worry, worry, worry indeed. She didn't understand why they worried so much. She had told Jenny she was going out and yes, it was late but she hadn't meant to be out that long. She apologized. What else should she have done? The weeks since the incident Jenny hung over her shoulder at every chance.
"UGH"
Something's gotta happen! Melissa stressed.
As if to answer her silent plea her phone beeped. Yanking it out of her pocket she saw what she'd been hoping to see.
Shaggy had texted:
Got a case. be ready in five.
Eagerly, Melissa ran to the front porch just in time to see Dick pull up on his bike.
"Hey, Bird Boy," Melissa smirked.
"Hello, Firecracker. What are you doing out here?" Dick asked after kissing Melissa.
"We've got a case,"
Dick looked crestfallen, "We haven't been on an actual date in forever and I miss you,"
"You saw me yesterday!" Melissa replied poking her boyfriend in the ribs, "But I get what you mean. What do you say to an ice cream date when I get back later?"
"Wouldn't miss it,"
"See you later, Handsome," Melissa winked as the van pulled up.
"I'll be waiting, Beautiful,"
…...
"How in the heck do we end up in these kinds of places?" Melissa asked as she looked around the barren, seemingly abandoned airfield.
"Like, we're just lucky I guess," Shaggy replied, turning to leave.
"Hang on! Where do you to think you're going?" Melissa demanded, seizing the two by their collars.
"The mess hall?"
Melissa rolled her eyes, "This place has been abandoned for ten years I highly doubt you'll find anything in there but go ahead. Meet me here in an hour,"
"Okay,"
Fred had thought putting Melissa with Shaggy and Scooby would keep her out of trouble. Luckily, Shaggy had enough faith in her to let her strike out on her own. So, while the boys headed for the mess hall, Melissa headed for the hangers. There had been reports of strange aircraft flying at all hours. UFOS the people surrounding the airfield had said and Melissa couldn't help but wonder if those spaceships were hiding in one of the hangers.
I wonder if they're trying to phone home? Melissa laughed to herself as she entered the first hanger.
The first one was empty as were the next two. The third, however, was a different story. Two shiny new airplanes.
Stolen airplanes.
Now, why would an alien be stealing airplanes? Melissa pondered this question as she crept around the hanger. There was something odd about the airplanes. They appeared to have some really strange modifications. As Melissa bent down to get a better look the door opened Melissa dove for cover only to come face to face with Fred and Daphne.
"Melissa, why aren't you with the boys?"
"Because Shaggy said I could do this on my own?"
Daphne shook her head while Fred pulled Melissa to her feet, "Go find Shaggy and Scooby. Don't wander off again-"
"But, I didn't-"
"Now!"
Melissa tore out of the hanger angrily. She located the mess hall and found Shaggy and Scooby arguing over some pasta they'd found.
"Like, what happened, Melissa?"
"Fred and Daphne think I wandered off and told me to stick with you,"
"But, you've been fine on cases,"
"Take it up with them."
"I will,"
…...
The monster was a slimy, snail-like thing with bulbous black eyes and a circular mouth filled with poisonous teeth, Melissa and the boys had been following its slime trail all over the place and Melissa was growing agitated. Convinced that it was leading them in circles. Shortly after this, the gang regrouped and that's when things got tense. A full-fledged argument broke out over whether Melissa could be trusted on her own during cases. Shaggy and Velma argued her defense while Fred and Daphne kept pointing out reasons she shouldn't be left alone. Scooby's only concern was keeping Melissa calm during the ordeal. He failed as the mounting tension resulted in an ear-busting scream as Melissa couldn't take it anymore. She crumpled to the ground with her hands clamped over her ears as she rocked back and forth.
"This is why someone should be with her!" Fred declared, Daphne nodding her agreement.
"Like, this happened because you decided she needed a chaperone!"
They were so busy arguing that not even the monster could grab their attention. In fact, he even seemed interested in this argument.
Melissa continued to rock back and forth with her hands clamped over her ears screaming all the while. Shaggy dropped to the ground, grabbing Melissa's arms and trying to get her to stop.
"Melissa, Melissa! I'm sorry, we're not fighting anymore see?" Shaggy tried to coax.
Her heart was thumping against her rib cage with such intensity that she was sure it would burst. All she could hear was the fighting! the fighting. It raged in her mind mingling with memories of her father's rants until she couldn't discern the difference anymore. The coppery taste of blood entered her mouth. She must have bitten her tongue.
I am a problem for everyone
this thought spurred her tears on. She cried herself to exhaustion. Cried herself to sleep.
When she woke up she was in the back of the van. The mystery was still going on she could tell. There was a note left for her which read:
Melissa, stay in the van. Please, for your own good.
-Velma.
Melissa curled herself into the corner by the back doors. Watching through the glass as her friends raced away from the alien. Back and forth. Back and forth. Fred threw a net over the alien and case closed. Criminal selling off land to other criminals. The 'alien was a mere diversion to keep local law enforcement away.
Typical.
…...
for the sake of her sanity, Melissa kept her ice cream date. Avoiding the topic of her case. If she said anything about it he'd start treating her differently. Try to reason with her. Try to make her understand where Fred and Daphne were coming from. She didn't need to hear that right now. She needed something normal. When he asked about the case she gave him the facts.
"There's something you aren't telling me,"
"What makes you say that?"
"You usually tell me about your mysteries in vivid detail. This time it sounds like you're reading facts from a paper. What happened?"
"None of your concern," Melissa sighed.
"Melissa, it's very much my concern. I'm worried-"
"About me? That I'll hurt myself? That I'll hurt someone else. That's all I've been hearing lately. You, Jenny, the gang! Everyone says it. What do you think I'm going to do? Jump off a building? Murder someone?"
"No,"
"Then what? What are you so worried about?"
" You, just you,"
Melissa groaned.
"What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it,"
"Melissa-"
"You know what? Just go!"
"Melissa-"
"I SAID GO!"
Thankfully, he actually listened and went.
…...
Melissa through open the door to her art studio with a loud bang. She was angry, no she was FURIOUS. Why couldn't he just listen and respect her privacy? She hadn't wanted to talk about it but he just kept pushing and now Melissa needed to de-stress.
"Hello, Avalon,"
Melissa jumped.
Carmen was sitting in the armchair opposite the Nightwing wall with Melissa's album in hand.
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard something happened today,"
"If you say you're worried about me I'll scream. That's all I've been hearing lately"
"I won't. I just want to talk," Carmen swore, "Tell me about these,"
Melissa grabbed her desk chair eager to talk about something other than her more recent problems.
"This was the first mystery I helped solve..."
…...
Meanwhile.
Christina couldn't help herself even though it hurt. Hurt like a knife to the heart. She just couldn't bring herself to stop. Stop looking in on her Shaggy and his new life. Stop looking in on other Shaggys from other timelines. Happy versions of herself either married or dating. The adventures they went on. The challenges they overcame. They each had happily ever after and it was killing her from the inside out.
She put the mirror down. Maybe listening to music would help?
I want to be Somebody's Chelsea
Somebody's world
Somebody's day and night
One and only girl
A part of a love story
That never has an end
You know that's what every woman wants to be:
Somebody's Chelsea
She didn't need to hear this. So, she changed the station.
I'm calling dibs
On your lips
On your kiss
On your time
Boy, I'm calling dibs
On your hand
On your heart
All mine
Again, she changed the station.
If you're gonna hold me, hold me like I'm leaving
If you're gonna kiss me, kiss me like you need it
Baby, if you're not, you best get to leaving
If you're gonna love me, love me like you mean it
If you're gonna talk the talk, you better walk it
If you wanna keep me, keep me like you lost it
If you're gonna say it and make me believe it
If you're gonna love me boy, love me like you mean
The tears were coming.
And I'm unapologetically in love
And that's unapologetically enough
No matter where it takes me
Even if it breaks me
I'm unapologetically all in
From the second that I started falling
And it don't even faze me
When they call me crazy
I'm unapologetically in love
I'm unapologetically in love
Again.
Stay, stay, stay
I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay
Again.
That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said, "stay away from Juliet"
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you, "please don't go," and I said
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say "yes"
The floodgates opened and Christina sobbed.
"I'm sorry, Christina. I love you just not like that,"
"It's okay, I understand,"
But it hadn't been okay and she hadn't understood.
Christina stood from the bed. It did no good to dwell on the past. It brought pain and misery. She decided to go for a flight. Opening the window she spread her wings and took to the skies. On autopilot she found herself landing in the park. The exact park that she and Shaggy always went to. Okay, a version of it but it was the same. Right down to the giant oak tree she always sat under. She let out a sad sigh as she stared up at the stars if there were any passerby she had no need to worry. She'd learned to hide the telltale signs of her being a monster with just a simple thought much like New Salem was hidden.
"Like, is that you, Christina?"
Shaggy was coming toward her and judging by the way he was squinting he either couldn't tell or couldn't see. Maybe both?
"Yeah, it's me,"
"What are you like, doing here?"
"Came here out of habit. The town is exactly the same in every timeline so I had no trouble finding the park. You might want to watch out for the-"
Shaggy tripped, falling right on top of Christina.
Thump
Thump
Thump
Well, there went her heart.
"Tree root."
He always tripped over it. Always.
They stayed like that for a few beats. Nose to nose, heart to heart until they realized just what position they were in. Shaggy stood up stammering a thousand apologies while Christina sat up doing the sane. The apologies slowly dissolved into laughter. It felt good to laugh. She hadn't laughed in a long, long time.
"Like, tell me about the timelines you visited,"
"There were pirates in the last one,"
"Pirates?"
"Yes, and you, were the captain,"
"Go on,"
…...
"...Now, I can't be by myself during cases!"
Melissa wasn't sure when or how but she found herself crying angry tears as she spilled to Carmen who listened intently.
"It's like I'm a problem! Like they don't even trust me!"
"And when did things change, Avalon?", Carmen asked, knowing the answer already. "What could have caused your friends, superiors, even your boyfriend to treat you differently?"
"It was...", Melissa gasped as the answer hit her like a ton of bricks. "...when they found out about you being..."
"Your real mother", Carmen nodded. "As if you have ANY control over your birth or the identity of your parents. Did they react this way when they learned what kind of man your father was? Or that you were raised by Ivy and Harley?"
"No...they didn't", Melissa sniffed. "Th-they were supportive, despite my...anger issues."
"And yet, now they can't trust you because of ME; a woman you never knew until now", Carmen walked over to her crying daughter and opened her arms to offer a comforting embrace. After only a moments hesitation, Melissa eagerly accepted. Beneath her calm, comforting demeanor, Carmen was elated. Finally. Finally, she was holding her daughter for the first time; something so precious that Avalon's father had robbed her of for years. Giving comfort to her child who was in pain felt...indescribable. A warmth in her heart that she'd never felt before.
Once Melissa had all cried out, Carmen released her.
"I must go now, Avalon. Go to Jenny. She is a good woman, and I am grateful to her for caring for you, just as I'm grateful to Harley and Ivy for saving you. We will speak again soon. I promise. And when you're ready, I'll show the life you were intended to have with me. See you next crime, my dear Avalon."
Carmen left the same way she had come, through the window. Melissa left her art studio closing the door behind her and returning to the house. Jenny was working late and wouldn't be back for some time so, Melissa decided to shut herself inside her room and try to process the up and down events of the day. Upon entering she found a surprise waiting for her on the bed. There was a long black leather duster, a crimson Stetson with a black band, and an apricot colored scarf. Beside it there was a note which read:
Black and red suit you, my dear Avalon. So I thought I would add to your wardrobe. Enjoy.
Melissa smiled for the first time in hours.
…...
"I royally screwed up didn't I?" Dick asked Alfred.
"Yes, yes you did," Alfred nodded.
Dick slammed his head on the table, "Where did I go wrong?"
"How about when you started following her around?"
"Jenny was panicking-"
"But was it your place to lecture her?"
"No, what do I do?"
"Give her space to breathe. Wait until she comes to you,"
"But-"
"I highly doubt anything you try will be well-received at the moment,"
Dick sighed heavily, "I guess you're right,"
…...
Carmen was livid! They were mistreating her daughter! Acting as if she were incapable of helping them on their cases now. Not only that but she had heard from her sources how the other ACME agents had been treating her. Zack and Ivy were alright with her thank goodness but every other ACME agent outside her division treated her like a suspect. Word of Avalon's relation to her spread faster than C5 travel and it angered Carmen to no end.
She would show them.
Their next case would be one for the history books. One that Avalon would be crucial in solving and if they shunned her...well, they would fail.
Just the thought of Avalon's success brought a smile to Carmen's face.
If they thought witches were difficult they had another thing coming.
…...
Okay, that's a good stopping place for now. Big thanks to DRAGONDAVE45 for his help. Now, if you excuse me I've got to try and top the witch mystery. Looks like I'm about to have a meltdow...I MEAN MARATHON Yeah, Marathon! I'm not going to lock myself in the closet and cry. That'd be ridiculous.
I'm off to the closet...I mean...
Oh WHATEVER!
I'm panicking!
Review!