Chapter Six: The Proposition

"Morning, would you like some breakfast?" M'gann offered Rush and Zatanna as they strolled into the kitchen. The two girls smiled and obliged. As they sat down, M'gann gladly went about whipping up something eat for them.

She was slightly surprised when Rush joined her at the stove, mixing the pancake batter for her and pouring it onto the pan. M'gann smiled and thanked her for the help. Rush simply shrugged off, it was the least she could do.

As far as any of the team members could go, Rush fascinated her. She made no secret that she was much older than all of them. To have lived for thousands of years, M'gann was completely awestruck by it. And yet, Rush didn't look a day over eighteen.

"M'gann, the pancakes are burning." Rush smirked and pointed to the smoking pancake. M'gann laughed and quickly removed the now charred food. Oh well, she thought, surely Wally would eat it.

The next set of pancakes were flawless and soon the girls were settled at the breakfast bar, eating.

"I'm way too worn out from that mission, I really hope Black Canary doesn't make us train." Zatanna was saying, and M'gann couldn't help but agree. As they reminisced over the mission, she noticed a distant look in Rush's eyes.

She remembered the older girl's strain as she had lifted the rubble off of her and their charge. There was no doubt that she was powerful, but it was as though it had been a long time since she'd used them. Yet, when Batman told them about her, he made it seem like she was just some obscure hero who saw action all of the time.

Had he been lying?

"M'gann, please." Rush suddenly admonished and M'gann realized she had been involuntarily trying to probe the girl's mind.

"Ohmygosh, I'm so sorry." Guilt washed over her as Rush stood up and abruptly left the breakfast bar. Sighing, M'gann cast an apologetic look towards Zatanna, who smiled reassuringly.

"She's not mad, she's just got a lot on her mind." From the sound of Zatanna's voice, the Martian knew that the young mystic was aware of something that she was not.

"It was an honest accident, I just..." She wasn't sure how to go on, but she had Zatanna's attention, so she spoke, "She seems so distant, does she not like us?"

Zatanna felt guilty, though she had expected this. She had warned Rush that the rest of the team would notice her cool behavior towards them. It was bad for the team dynamic and could lead to mistrust. All this she told her, but Rush had refused to consider any of it. She was used to being alone, so it didn't matter what others thought.

Not wanting to leave M'gann waiting, "She just has a hard time forming friendships." It was all Zatanna could offer, though she truly wanted to tell M'gann the truth.

Frowning, M'gann shook her head. There was more to situation than Zatanna was letting on. Contrary to what some might believe, she was not dumb, "It's more than that, isn't it?"

Zatanna desperately wanted to hold on to the knowledge and keep it locked away, for Rush's sake. However, she was well aware of the older mystic's true intentions. She was going to leave eventually, and by then, her secret wouldn't matter.

"I am such a terrible friend for doing this," Zatanna started, "But you have to promise you won't tell anyone, alright?"

M'gann held up her pinky finger, "Promise."

-rush-

The sound of thudding resounded through the training room as hit after hit landed on the punching bag. Breathing harshly, Rush felt tension release from her body as she engaged in the strenuous exercise. Years before, meditation was her only option for relieving emotional stress. She liked this alternative much better.

"You've been at this for fifteen minutes, are you ready to talk about it?" The person holding the punching bag in place asked.

It was Batman.

The Dark Knight had come to pay a visit, mostly to check in on her. She knew he was making sure she was cooperating, and as far as he was concerned, she was. She did wonder, though, if Fate had let slip that she had gone to see Spectre. If Bats forbid her from leaving the cave, it would put a real damper on her plans.

"What's there to talk about? I'm finally free after a thousand years, only to be right back where I'm started. Trapped." She griped as she whipped around and kicked the bag. Batman let out a grunt at the force of the hit.

"Why don't you put a stop to your self-pity party for once? For what it is worth, you are free." Rush rolled her eyes at this, "Other governments and agencies would keep you under strict lock and key. We have not, so the least you could do is show some appreciation?"

Rush sighed, "And how exactly am I supposed to show my appreciation?"

Batman gave her a long hard look before replying, "Stop acting like it's you against the world. In case you haven't noticed, your teammates are worried about you. Quit being a selfish brat, and go to them."

In all her life, only one person had ever talked to her like that, her father. As her gaze met the Batman's, she found herself forming a grudging respect for the Dark Knight. Others tried to appease her, fearful of her power. He did no such thing and that wasn't going to change anytime soon.

"Fine," She conceded, "I'll talk to them."

"Good, and I believe you should start with who you are." Batman told her and she amusedly raised an eyebrow.

"Robin's getting a little too curious, huh?" He didn't need to answer her question, the small smirk on his face told her as she needed to know.

"Mission briefing is in two hours, you've got until then," He strode past her and disappeared through the doors.

Rush found the team gathered in the living room. It was a typical day off from school for many of them, and they were all sprawled out. Artemis and Zatanna were talking, while M'gann sat with Connor , a magazine in her hands. Wally and Robin were playing a video game, while Raquel and Kaldur exchanged comments and bets.

Clearing her throat, Rush steeled herself as all eyes turned to her. She could see the expectant looks in them and knew this day was going to come sooner or later.

"So, it's really obvious that many of you have questions for me. Some of you know the truth, and some of you do not. And since I'm going to be here for a while, you all are my team. I don't want to keep secrets from my team. So, here it is..."

Arienh's eyes were wide with wonder as she read the inscriptions on the walls. They were prophecies, events that would soon come to past. And she was their subject. Born from a dying star, a supernova, she was the Aeterna.

A being of light, her father told her, a wielder of great and terrible power. No one could stand against her, not even the Lords of Order and Chaos. Her power would tip the scales in the coming war, whatever side she chose would gain victory.

"Such a child should not be allowed to have such power! She could destroy the Earth, should it be her whim." The monks interjected.

They did not like her, felt that she was dangerous. So her father let them take her, and force her power out of her to form a key. It was an armband, and whoever wore it would have dominion over the Aeterna. She would never have free will ever again.

"It's not fair!" She cried as she was forced to fight, battle after battle. Towns and cities fell before her, because the key had fallen into the possession of a power-hungry king.

Through murder and terror, he ascended the throne, only to be killed by the very weapon he utilized when he foolishly gave the armband to a rebel servant. She remembered him, his name had been Jace. He'd given her the key and thus, returned her freedom to her.

In anger, she let her rage and fury pour out across the world. Hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, and much more followed in her wake. She found herself in the company of Klarion a few times. Though she did not like him, he made her feel the havoc she wreaked was justified.

Nabu convinced her otherwise.

"Arienh, please, these are the people the seers said you would protect. Why are you bringing such harm to them?"

She had fallen in love with the Lord of Order. He taught her how to use her power for good and she began to heal the land she had destroyed. The people were finally starting forgive the Aeterna, and then the war started. The war in which she would cause whatever side she fought for to become victorious. Though many did not know her choice, she had picked a long time ago.

"It is a choice my heart rejoices in making."

Except, she never got to make that choice.

There was silence as Rush finished telling her story. Feeling slightly awkward, a reassuring glance from Zatanna renewed her confidence.

"Now, you can stop probing my mind," She shot a look to M'gann who blushed, "and quit trying to needle Batman for information." Robin merely smirked.

"I am glad you finally decided to confide in us. What inspired the change of heart?" Kaldur asked and Rush shrugged.

"I figured, I was going to be here for awhile. I might as well make the best of it," There were murmurs of agreement, "Now, if I'm not mistaken, we have a mission briefing...now."

-rush-

"I told M'gann," Zatanna confessed to Rush as they closed in on their mission target, "Before you told everyone, I mean. I know it was a complete violation of trust and I am so sorry."

She was going to go on but a sharp look from Rush quieted her.

"It is alright Zatanna, I promise. Now, would you please focus?" The young mystic nodded as they reached a halt.

Kaldur mentally issued their orders to them, Zatanna and Rush would provide the distraction while Robin and Artemis slipped inside and gathered intel. Giving his signal, Rush's eyes began to glow, white and perfect. Zatanna looked on in awe as the Aeterna stepped forward and revealed herself to the guards.

"Good evening, boys, how about a magic show?" She smirked.

Zatanna, joining her, said a quick spell that caused a chasm to form between them and the guards. Bursting from the rift was white fire, courtesy of Rush. It both dazzled and enraged the guards. They came rushing towards the girls in droves.

Robin and Artemis are in. Zatanna, keep the guards busy. Rush, move in to make sure no one spots Robin and Artemis.

Rush nodded to Zatanna and, stopping on briefly to scrawl something onto the ground, she leaped over the chasm and headed inside. Confused, Zatanna looked at what was written and realized it was a spell. No doubt a powerful one too, only to be used in case of an emergency.

Holding her ground, Zatanna watched as Rush disappeared inside the compound.

-rush-

Once inside, Rush immediately took down several guards. She kept close thoughts on Robin and Artemis to make sure they were alright. So far, no trouble.

Running down the hall, a bright light from a nearby room caught her attention for a moment. She planned to keep moving, but something told her to investigate. Opening the door, she stepped inside. The entire room was white and seemed to be empty save for one man. His eyes and the wicked grin on his face sent waves of alarm through Rush. Realization quickly dawned on her.

She had walked straight into a trap.

"Hello Arienh, though I hear you go by Rush nowadays," He chuckled, "My name is Lex Luthor and I have an offer that you just cannot refuse."

"Oh yea?" She asked, "And what's that?"

That's when he held it up, the key she had been searching for all this time. It gleamed in the light as he tossed it through the air towards her. Nimbly, she caught it and gazed down at it. It was real, her power was pulsing through it.

Looking up at him, her eyes met his. Nodding, he answered her silent question and watched as she slipped it on. Power swept through her as she finally regained her free will, her freedom.

"I believe it is right to return items to their rightful owners," He told her, "Especially an item such as that one. If I remember the legends correctly, you are now free to do as you please, am I right?"

"Yes, you are right." And he was. Now she was finally free, but that did not stop the stirring within her.

At what cost, because surely there was one, had she gained what she had wanted for so long?

In the next chapter...

"Arienh, what have you done?"