A/N: I have decided to use the name 'Ace' for various reasons. 1: Justice League: Unlimited (Only if you watched it) And if you're wondering, no, Batman does not know his name in this chapter; 2: Batman's Bat Hound is named Ace (Bat Hound is in here); 3: A lot of people like it. Enjoy!


Chapter 6

Healing

S1: 3rd Person Omniscient~

S1 held up his hand, making a 5 with his fingers.

"Ace? You want Ace to be your new name?" Artemis asked.

'Ace' nodded his head. Artemis beamed at him, thankful that she could help him with something. She then realized something, he never really showed a true smile. All his joy was fake. Why?

"Why do you never smile? I mean, a true smile." She asked, obviously not pleased.

He looked at her, confused. Ace started to write.

What is a 'true smile'? They did not teach me that at the facility.

Artemis was horrified. How could a person not know a true smile?

"It's when you…" She thought for a moment, trying to figure out a way to phrase her words. "A smile is…well, a smile. It's like a gateway, almost. It tells a person when you're happy and enjoying yourself. Like, an example is when we rescued you. The whole team and I smiled, knowing that we did something good by saving you. Everyone has their own smile. Each is unique. Does that help you?" She asked, hopeful. How would you explain a smile to someone who was never shown any love?

He wrote, A little. Can I see your smile?

Artemis read the paper. She was honored that she was the first person who had shown him kindness in a while.

Artemis looked at him and smiled. She saw his face lighten up a bit, obviously pleased.

He started writing again, I like your smile. Can you teach me? I've never learned how.

Artemis stared at him in disbelief. He never learned how? Smiling is something that comes naturally. What all did they do to him?

"Y-Yeah, yeah. Of course. Um…what is something that makes you happy?" She stuttered.

He looked confused. What is happy? Is it like when I get food instead of ectoplasm?

He was fed…ectoplasm? What is that? Is that like the ghost form of food?

"Uh…I guess. How do you feel after getting food? And, what is ectoplasm?"

Ectoplasm is the life force of ghosts. I need at least one portion per week. Though, at the facility, they only gave me ectoplasm. Human food was a rare occurrence. I feel different when they give me it. I guess it is happy.

"Um, okay. I guess that means we need to get some for you. So… Oh! I know. I'm happiest when I'm with the rest of the team. And when we are all together, I smile." She smiled, showing him an example.

He stared at her, enjoying the view. Ace smiled a bit, and Artemis realized that it was a genuine smile. Artemis blushed.

"W-What?" Her face was almost beet red.

I just haven't been treated like this before. I don't know this emotion. What is it?

"I think that you're happy. I can see a little smile." She bit her lip.

I think it is something more. I do not know this. I feel that I have felt it before, but I cannot place it.

"I know someone who could help. Her name is M'gann. She is a martian." Artemis said.

Ok, I guess. But, what can she do?

"She has powers. One of them is telepa-"

Ace waved a hand at her, cutting her off and getting her attention.

No telepaths.

"Why not?" She asked after she read.

Ever heard of a man named Psimon?

Yes, she had. She had heard the name all too well.

Her hands clenched, and her teeth gritted, "Yes. Yes, I have. What did he do?"

I can't exactly remember. I only remember the pain and then…nothing. I do not like telepaths. He is the reason I have no memory.

Memory wipe. She knew it well. She had her own memory wiped by him.

"Look, Psimon was a bad guy. M'gann is a good person. She won't do it unless you want to. She could try to recover your memory. I know you don't like telepaths, but will you give it a try." She pleaded.

I don't know. Maybe.

"For…For me?" She was willing to try anything at this point.

He grinned.

Alright. I'll give it a shot.

LINEBREAK – Miss Martian: 3rd Person Omniscient~

M'gann was meditating. She did this often in her free time to exercise her mind. Sometimes, she would have someone with her, so they could better connect. Today, she was alone. Connor was off training with Kaldur and Robin. Wally was out with his mentor on a run. Zatanna was in the kitchen, making lunch. It had been a day since they came back from their mission. M'gann was getting worried about the new guy. Would he join them? Would he be against them?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door.

"One second." She floated over to the door and opened it to find Artemis.

"Hey. Do you have a minute?" Artemis asked. She was in her civilian outfit.

"Yeah. Why?" M'gann asked.

"Well. Ace wants to try to see if he can get his memories back." She rubbed the back of her neck.

"Who's 'Ace'?" M'gann was confused.

"Oh. Right. You don't know. S1 changed his name to Ace. He was getting tired of being called S1." She replied.

"Oh. Ok, sure." M'gann beamed.

They walked down towards the med bay. Batman met them in the hallways and stopped them.

"Where are you two going?" He asked.

"We're going to see Ac-uh, I mean, S1. He woke up and wanted to see if he could get his memories back. So, I'm bringing M'gann to see if she can recover them." Artemis answered.

Batman's eyes narrowed. "When did he wake up?"

"Around this morning. He seemed out of it and asked me to stay with him for a while." Artemis blushed.

His eyes narrowed more. They were almost closed. "I do not want M'gann to be performing the memory recovery. Martian Man Hunter will. He is more experienced in the field."

"But, I'm experienced enou-"

Batman cut her off, "No. Martian Man Hunter will do it, no exception."

"Yes, sir." M'gann lowered her head, defeated.

"Gather the team, but, you are to stand outside the room. We will allow you in once the coast is clear or once we call you in. Any disobedience will result in punishment. Got it?"

"Yes, sir." Both girls replied.

The girls ran off, gathering the rest of the team. They left Batman in the hallway. He headed down to the med bay.

LINEBREAK – Artemis: 3rd Person Omniscient~

It had been an hour. They had heard slight shouts and a couple of thuds. Someone was not having a good day. Artemis was about to step in the room when Batman stepped out. He was holding his head.

"Artemis, come in. You seem to be the only one he trusts. The rest of you, stay out here." He ordered.

"But-" Wally started, but stopped when Batman glared at him.

"No argument." He said.

He gestured for Artemis to follow him. She walked in the room after him. She was shocked when she saw Superman and Martian Man Hunter on the floor, stunned. Green Lantern, Flash, and Aquaman were standing in one corner. Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl were standing next to Ace, trying to soothe him. All she heard from him was 'Where is Artemis?'

Wait, his voice is back? When did that happen?

Artemis rushed to his side and grabbed his hand. His eyes were glowing their toxic green, but they turned to emerald green once he saw her.

"Are you ok?" She asked him.

"Yeah. I thought you said that 'M'gann' would be working with me, not him." He growled, pointing at Martian Man Hunter.

"Sorry. Batman had a change of plans." She glanced at Batman who stood in the corner with his arms crossed. "That is Martian Man Hunter. He is M'gann's uncle. He is also a good guy. Will you give him a chance?" She leaned in close to him, her lips next to his ear. "For me?"

Ace calmed down more. He folded his arms across his chest. "Sure. But, only for you."

"By the way, when did you get your voice back?" She asked.

"I told you, fast healing factor." He smirked.

She lightly punched his arm. He flinched. She remembered where he came from.

"Sorry." She looked down embarrassed.

"It's ok. I just need to get used to not being there." He lifted her chin up so their eyes met.

"Ahem." Batman cleared his throat and got their attention.

The two looked at him.

"Well? Shall we get started?"

"Yeah, sure. One condition. Artemis stays." Ace said.

"Sure. Whatever. Can we get started?" Batman was getting impatient.

"Yeah. I'm ready." Ace said. He grabbed Artemis' hand, hoping to ground himself before this started.

"J'onn. Are you ready?" Batman asked the now standing martian.

"Yes. You are quite powerful, kid. Do I have your permission to enter your mind?" J'onn asked.

"Uh…Yeah." This was the first time someone asked him what he wanted, minus Artemis.

J'onn nodded and his eyes glowed green. Ace squeezed Artemis' hand. She started petting the top of his hand, reassuring him that everything was okay.

"I will begin."

Everyone went silent.

LINEBREAK – Ace: 3rd Person Omniscient~

Everything was dark. Ace couldn't see a thing. He even tried to switch on his night vision, but it was still black. He knew this, where he was, but he didn't know what was going on.

"Hello?" Ace called. His voice echoed. (No, his head is not hollow.)

A man appeared. He had green skin, no hair, and was wearing a cape.

"Hello, child. Do you know who I am?" The man asked.

"You are Martian Man Hunter, the one who is helping me recover my memories. Am I correct?" Ace answered.

"Yes. What is it that you are called? When I am not Martian Man Hunter, I am J'onn." He said.

"I have adopted the name 'Ace'. Artemis helped me pick it."

"It suits you. Shall we get started?"

"Please."

LINEBREAK – Artemis: 3rd Person Omniscient~

It had been 2 hours since J'onn and Ace started. Artemis was getting worried. What was taking so long?

About and hour later, Ace stirred. He sat up.

"So? How did it go?" She asked.

"Not well. There is nothing there. His memory was completely erased. We need someone who knew him before his life in the facility." J'onn replied.

"Like who? Who was with him in the beginning?" Artemis was frantic.

"I think I know someone." Batman said.

LINEBREAK – Batman: 3rd Person Omniscient~

10 Years Ago…

"Follow me, kid." Batman ordered.

"W-Wait. What about my brother?" The little girl, Batman was requested to rescue, asked.

"You have a brother here?" Batman was incredulous.

"Yeah. At least, that's what they told me. He is on the first floor. I haven't seen him in two years. Please." Batman could see tears spilling from her eyes. He had a soft spot for kids.

"I'll look, but first, I'm taking you to safety." Batman picked up the little girl. She was fragile, like a bird.

"No. You need to save him first. Please. He is all I have left." She struggled against him, trying to break free.

"Listen, kid. I can work better and faster knowing that the person I was hired to save is safe. I will find your brother, ok?" He said softly.

The little girl nodded her head reluctantly.

"Good."

Batman ran as fast as he could without hurting the girl. The hallways were like a maze, a maze that he had a map to. He turned down some corridors, not spotting a single guard.

They must all be on the lower levels. He thought.

He rounded a corner, and just his luck, there were at least a dozen guards there, all pointing weird looking guns at him. The men were all in white with black shades.

Batman studied his surroundings. He gently put down the little girl and pushed her behind him, protecting like a father.

"Give her back." One of the men ordered. He looked like he was in charge because he held no weapon.

Every other guard had charged up and aimed their weapons at the Dark Knight. He heard whirring noises behind him. Batman turned around just in time to dodge a blast that was aimed at his back. He picked up the girl and jumped through the ceiling, making sure to protect the girl from the impact. He was in another section of the facility. Alarms blared from all around him. The Caped Crusader started running again, ignoring the distant shouts and gunshots from behind him. He turned into another corridor, this one empty, and spotted an air vent. He pushed the girl inside and then followed himself, trying his best to cover their tracks. They started crawling, Batman giving directions to the little girl. Then, they came to a dead end, except for the choice of going up or down. Batman grabbed his grappling hook and shot it upwards. He heard a metallic clink and grabbed the girl. They shot upwards and out of the air vent, onto the rooftop. There, his Javelin was waiting, hovering over the roof. He opened the passenger side of the Javelin and pushed the little girl inside. She buckled herself in and pressed her face against the window.

It was then that he heard it. A small beeping noise, but a noticeable one at that. He saw five white vans, ten white cab-like cars, and at least twenty white motorcycles.

They were running from a bomb.

Batman ran towards his side of the Javelin and jumped in just in time.

The bomb went off. The whole facility was in flames, green goo splattered everywhere. The vans and other vehicles were long gone. He hadn't saved the little girl's brother.

She was screaming and crying. The only word out of her mouth was 'Danny'.

LINEBREAK – (Same Time)

Batman took the little girl to a friend of his, Dinah Lance. She took the little girl in and gave her a home. For about four years, the little girl would go to Dinah's aid to help her with her trauma. Dinah had taught the little girl and kept her until she was 18. The girl, who Batman later figure out was Jasmine Fenton, or Jazz, went off to college and was still there till present day. Bruce Wayne gave her a full scholarship, but she never forgot her brother and his supposed 'death'.

LINEBREAK – Jasmine (Jazz): 3rd Person Omniscient~

It has been 12 years since she saw her brother. She thought he was dead. Jazz did see an explosion, but she didn't see the vans that took him. She had lived most of her life in mourning.

Today, she was at her college, Gotham State University, walking to psychology class. She had gotten interested in it when she was staying with Dinah. Jazz looked at her wrist watch and saw that it was ten after two. Her class started in five minutes. She started rushing to make it on time but was stopped by a shadow that cast over her. She knew that shadow.

"Hello, Batman." She said.

"Jasmine." He replied.

They stared at each other for a while. This was her rescuer. She hadn't seen him in a while.

"What's wrong?" She said when she saw his slight frown. Sure, he is always frowning, but this one looked…different.

"We may have found your brother."


A/N: So this is why my friends call me 'Satan Incarnate'. They actually do. I chose Dinah/Black Canary for Jazz's foster parent because she is a psychologist and it just made sense. Hope you enjoyed! Till next time!