Edit: Chapter was messed up on my end? It might've been fine for you guys, but I had to re-upload it. Sorry it's not a new chapter- yet!
Young Justice is not mine.
Homefront
"The more violent the storm, the quicker it passes."
- Paulo Coelho
GOTHAM ACADEMY
"Happy birthday!"
Two voices happily chorused together, causing Kayanna to jump at the sudden commotion. She looked up from her phone, ready to greet her two best friends, only to feel two pairs of lips press themselves to each of her freckled cheeks. They tinged red at the contact, and the brunette shoved Dick and Barbara away with a laugh.
"Ack, you guys are gross!" A coy smile graced Kayanna's lips as she playfully rubbed her cheeks.
Barbara blew a raspberry at her friend, hands on her hips, "This is the thanks we get for being amazing friends?"
"Tch. You guys slobbered all over my cheeks!" Though her tone was mildly disgusted, the smile on the brunette's face told her two friends that she was only teasing.
Dick beamed at Kayanna, and when she made eye contact with him, he began to move his hands, signing out 'Happy birthday'. She smiled as Barbara looked confused, and the brunette placed her fingertips to her chin before moving her hand outwards, signing 'thank you' in response.
Kayanna had become obsessed with American Sign Language when she was younger, after she befriended a Deaf student that was in her class in elementary school. She had picked up the language with relative ease, her parents providing her with ASL books until they could afford proper ASL lessons.
At one-point Dick learned Kayanna knew ASL and asked her to teach him. He used this as a chance to better get to know the brunette as, as Robin, he was already fluent in the language.
But she didn't need to know that.
Kayanna had attempted to teach Barbara ASL, and though the ginger picked up some ASL skill, she just wasn't all that interested in the language herself. Her interest did peak, however, when Kayanna and Dick started having mild ASL conversations in front of her, but the words never really stuck with her.
Barbara moved her hands in the way Dick did, trying to mimic his signs. Based on what Kayanna had signed back- the ginger did recognize thank you- she assumed that meant the mathlete had signed happy birthday.
Kayanna giggled as Barbara signed towards her. However, the ginger moved her hand wrong for the first sign, which turned what was supposed to be happy into a totally different word.
"That's breathe birthday." The brunette made the sign for breathe, flat hand going towards and away from her chest, "This is happy." With the same hand, she signed happy, flat hand going slightly up and down the front of her upper chest.
Barbara nodded, signing happy birthday correctly this time, "Oh, I see!" The two shared a laugh before the ginger looked around, a sudden frown finding its way onto her face, "Hey, where'd Dick go?"
Kayanna's own lips curved downwards as she glanced around, also finding the mathlete to be missing. They didn't hear him leave, and it wasn't like Dick to not say goodbye if he was going to ditch him, so it was weird he was just up and gone.
"Oh, there he is!" Barbara called out, pointing across the courtyard "What is he doing?" Her voice turned questioning as the brunette followed her finger.
Blue eyes going wide, Kayanna saw a sight she did not expect to see at Gotham Academy.
It was Artemis- the same Artemis from the covert superhero team she was on.
But what was she doing at Gotham Academy?
Kayanna didn't tell Barbara that she recognized the blonde, and the two stood, confused as they watched Dick toss a friendly arm over Artemis's shoulder. He pulled her down slightly, as he was a few inches shorter, and lifted his phone into the air. With a bright smile on his face, he snapped a selfie of the two, with Artemis's expression being on the more confused side of the spectrum.
Just as quick as Dick had arrived at the blonde's side, he was gone. Artemis glanced around the courtyard, searching for where the sneak photographer had gone, but instead her steely grey eyes landed on Kayanna. Recognition washed over her, eyes widening, and the brunette lifted up a hand, giving the archer a slight wave.
Artemis didn't respond, however, instead turning back to Bette and pretending as if she hadn't seen Kayanna. The brunette felt a tinge of pain at not being acknowledged by the archer, but she brushed it off as Artemis just having first day of school jitters.
"Dick, what was that about?" Kayanna glanced over as Barbara addressed Dick, who had just returned.
"Just being friendly to the new girl, Babs." He kept his voice light and friendly, only answering vaguely and Kayanna eyed him weirdly.
"Do you take pictures with all the new kids? Or just the pretty ones?"
"Why?" Dick glanced up from his phone, turning his attention to the new girl. A coy smirk stretched across his face, and Kayanna felt as if she recognized that look from somewhere else, "Jealous?" He teased lightly.
Kayanna snorted at the friendly accusation, brown hair swaying as she shook her head, "Hardly." She flashed the mathlete a joking pout, "but you never took my picture when I was the new girl."
Dick beamed, "I guess we'll have to rectify that then!"
The brunette quickly regretted her words as Dick suddenly tossed an arm around her shoulder. They were similar in height, with Kayanna being an inch or two taller, so he didn't have to pull her down too far. He didn't give her much time to prepare herself as he positioned his phone above their faces.
With a quick click, he snapped a selfie of the two and Kayanna pulled away from him.
Dick began to laugh as he looked down his phone, the sound attracting Barbara's attention. The ginger leaned over his shoulder, getting a good look at his phone before a wide grin stretched across her face, a loud snort escaped her lips before she broke out into a fit of laughter.
Dread settled in the pit of Kayanna's stomach as she feared the worst. She made a mad swipe at Dick's phone, but he as quick to move it out of her reach.
"Dick, come on!" She whined, "Show me the picture!"
"As you wish, birthday girl!"
The mathlete did as he was asked, turning the phone screen towards Kayanna, but he made sure to stay out of her reach and positioned Barbara between the two.
Kayanna's eyes widened as she took in the picture before her. Whereas Dick looked great- somehow he always took perfect pictures- the brunette was a whole other story. She hadn't been prepared for the sudden photo, so her eyes were partially shut, lips parted unattractively and hair a wild mess from the fast movement.
"Ohmygods." She breathed out, glancing at the picture one more time before flashing Dick a stern glare, "I look terrible! Delete it!"
"Nah," The mathlete beamed, turning his phone back towards him to smile at the picture, "I think I'm going to keep it."
"It's my birthday, you're supposed to be nice to me!"
Dick shrugged and Barbara rolled her eyes, "Why? You look-" He was suddenly caught off as the shrill sound of the minute bell cut through the courtyard, "Oh, time for class! See you guys later!" The raven waved at his two friends before disappearing into the crowd of students that were making their way into the prestigious school.
"Richard John Grayson!" Kayanna nearly screamed, moving fast to catch up with the cackling Dick Grayson, "You get back here right now and delete that photo!"
MOUNT JUSTICE
"Recognized: Nightfall: B-Zero-Five."
The brunette blinked as the light of the zeta died down around her, the familiar tingling sensation the teleportation device gave her lingering within her body. Though she had made use of the zetas multiple times, her body still wasn't used to the sensation of seemingly being torn apart and put back together.
Maybe one day she'd get used to it.
Nightfall glanced around the cave, eyes falling on Aqualad and Red Tornado, the two huddled slightly together. At the declaration of the waterbender's name, the two heroes had faced her, whatever topic they had been discussing suddenly dropped. Nightfall could feel the tense atmosphere and felt as though she had just interrupted something important, but she tried to brush off the feeling.
It wasn't her intention to interrupt them, of course, but she was just so excited to hangout with her teammates in a more casual manner- though Miss Martian wanted them in hero garb?- so she zeta'd to the cave a little (okay maybe a lot) early. She was more than willing to help if they needed any as well.
The brunette offered Aqualad and Red Tornado a soft smile, and after a small internal struggle, she forced herself to walk towards them. The Atlantean greeted her first, "Hello, Nightfall. M'gann tells me today is your birthday."
Nightfall nodded, a bright smile on her face, "It is!"
Aqualad smiled at her enthusiasm and placed a hand over his heart, tipping his head her way slightly, "Charoúmena genéthlia."
"Is that?" The brunette quirked a brow, head tilting slightly.
"Yes, that is happy birthday in Atlantean." There was a twinkled in the Atlantean's eye and Nightfall's face split in a large smile.
"Cool! Thanks."
"Yes, I believe it is a human custom to wish one happiness on your day of birth." Red Tornado chimed in on the conversation and Nightfall faced him with a soft laugh.
"Thanks, RT."
The android nodded his head at the young waterbender before beginning to turn on his heel, "I must bid you both farewell."
Aqualad and Nightfall shared a look. They both knew Red Tornado lived in the cave, so they weren't sure where he'd be going, "If you do not mind me asking, where are you going?" The former questioned.
"Monitor duty on the Watchtower."
"My dad told me you were exempt from monitor duty?" Nightfall frowned.
Red Tornado stepped towards the zeta beam, the computer scanning him before the android turned to face the two young heroes.
"I agreed to cover for Green Arrow. He has an… interpersonal event with Black Canary. A hot date as he put it."
Nightfall's nose crinkled and the android was swept away by the zeta. She shook her head before facing Aqualad, who looked rather bemused, "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" Upon entering the cave, she had caught the tail end of some conversation, but the subject had been immediately dropped once her presence was known.
Aqualad looked thoughtful for a moment before vaguely answering, "You did not, no. Red Tornado and I were having a brief conversation about team logistics."
"Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?"
The Atlantean stiffened at the sudden accusation, eyes widening slightly as he opened his mouth to respond. Nightfall took note of his reaction, her accusatory look easily shifting into a lighthearted and joking one as she waved her hand, "I'm just kidding, Kal." Aqualad exhaled slowly and his body began to relax, "I understand it's leader stuff and not my business."
An uneasy smile settled on his lips as he tilted his head. Nightfall was still smiling up at him, and he could see the absolute trust within him swirling in her blue orbs. A pang of guilt tugged at his heart, knowing full well he could easily tell her- and the others- about the potential mole issue, but he just needed a little bit longer to quietly investigate.
Plus, today was supposed to be a day of celebration. Aqualad was positive if he dropped word of the mole issue to the team, Nightfall's birthday would be spoiled.
So for now, it would remain secret for a little while longer.
Aqualad breathed out, the sound similar to that of a shaky laugh, "Thank you for your understanding, Nightfall," She hummed in response and he began to turn, gesturing to the waterbender to follow him, "I believe M'gann is in the kitchen baking, shall we go see if she needs our help?"
Nightfall playfully pouted, "But it's my birthday. I shouldn't have to help!" The joking twinkle in her eye clued Aqualad into the fact that she was only joking, and he chuckled.
"Then let us go see if M'gann needs my help."
The kitchen was a mess.
Miss Martian was a mess.
And Kid Flash was absolutely no help whatsoever.
Nightfall and Aqualad had entered the kitchen, the two enjoying the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies that wafted through the air and found a slightly frazzled Martian attempting to bake one too many things at one time. There was a pile of dishes in the sink, and the floor was covered in various baking materials, such as flour and sugar.
Whereas the kitchen might've been a right mess, the living area and dining space were neatly decorated with streamers and banners of varying colors. Kid Flash was sat at the dining table, an army of blown up balloons littered the floor around him as he continued to blow up balloons and tie them. Nightfall giggled as his fingers fumbled and one of the balloons slipped through his grip, the air making a spluttering noise as the now loose balloon flew around the space.
The speedster grumbled at his mishap before his eyes brightened as they landed on the giggling waterbender, who was stood beside an amused Aqualad, "Babe!" Kid Flash grinned before zipping across the room. Nightfall squealed as she suddenly found herself wrapped up in his strong arms, feet leaving the floor for a hot second as he lifted her, "Happy birthday!"
Nightfall laughed and breathed out a quick thank you as the speedster set her down, but as soon as she was free from his arms, the waterbender found herself swept up into Miss Martian's arms. Excitement radiated off the older girl in waves, and Nightfall was quick to return the Martian's hug, "Yes, happy birthday!" She pulled back, amber eyes bright, "I hope you like the decorations! I wanted to make sure everything looked perfect! This is my first Earth birthday party."
"It looks great, M'gann." Nightfall smiled, her words causing Miss Martian to beam.
"I'm so glad you like it," She clapped. A timer began to beep, and the Martian turned to address the noise, only for her eyes to widen at the mess that was the kitchen, "Hello Megan!" She slapped her forehead before floating to the kitchen. Pots and pans and other kitchen paraphernalia began to float in the air as the dishwasher opened, "I forgot to clean the kitchen. It's such a mess, and we can't have the party in here with the kitchen a mess!" Miss Martian began to ramble, and Nightfall shared a look with Kid Flash as Aqualad stepped forward to help.
"She's been like this all afternoon." The speedster told the girl as they watched Aqualad and Miss Martian get to work on cleaning up the kitchen.
Nightfall chuckled and shook her head, "She didn't have to put this stress upon herself. I was fine with a simple get together."
"You heard M'gann," Kid Flash shrugged, "This is her first Earth birthday party, so everything has to be perfect. She even kicked me out of the kitchen!"
"Why am I not surprised?"
He pouted, "Not my fault I have a serious metabolism. Everything she was baking smelled so good!"
"Is that why you were placed on balloon duty?" Nightfall glanced up at him.
"Yeah," Kid Flash's shoulders sagged. He glanced longingly at some of the fresh cookies sitting on the counter before perking up and shifting his gaze to the girl beside him, "Speaking of, care to help me?"
The waterbender feigned offense, "You're going to make me blow up balloons for my party on my birthday?" In all honesty, she may tease people about it, but Nightfall didn't mind helping- even if it was for her own party.
Kid Flash snorted, "Correct." And before she knew it, the two were suddenly in the dining area, the speedster pushing Nightfall gently into a chair before shoving a balloon in her air, "Besides, I'm running out of air to fill these balloons!"
"And here Robin told me you were filled with hot air."
It took the speedster a few seconds to digest what she had said, and when it processed, he whined, "Babe!" Nightfall flashed the mildly offended Kid Flash a coy smile as she stretched a balloon before placing the open end in her mouth and blowing into it.
It increased in size and when it took on a nice shape, she stopped blowing and pinched the opening to prevent air from escaping. She quickly tied the end, ensuring it was tight so no air would escape, before smacking it towards Kid Flash.
The balloon dinked the side of the speedster's head, who had a half-filled balloon in his mouth, and he blinked as it gently fell to the ground. Nightfall beamed at him as he rolled his eyes and finished filling the balloon. After tying the end, he returned the gesture and knocked it towards the waterbender. She slapped it back at him and the two began knocking the balloon back and forth.
"Are you two having fun?" An amused voice asked. Nightfall turned her head just as Kid Flash hit the balloon back at her, and it bounced off the side of her head as Miss Martian smiled at the two.
"Think we have enough balloons, Megalicious?" Kid Flash asked, and for emphasis he kicked the balloons at his feet, sending them into the air in a frenzy and Nightfall giggled.
"It's Kayanna's party, so what do you think?" All eyes turned to the waterbender, and she shrugged.
"Honestly, I think it's more than enough!"
Miss Martian beamed, happy everything seemed to be going according to plan and that Nightfall was happy. She clapped, "Great! The cookies are done, and your cake just finished baking. It needs to cool so I can frost it, but otherwise, we're just waiting on the others!"
"Sounds good." Nightfall grinned. The decorations and the baked goods were way more than she was expecting, but this all seemed to make Miss Martian really happy, so the waterbender didn't mind.
"And when are the others supposed to be here?" Aqualad questioned, curious as to what the answer was for two reasons. The first being, of course, for the party, but the second had to do with the mole intel. He figured, with everyone gathered at the cave and just hanging out together, he could use this time to slyly snoop and investigate the mole issue.
"Superboy's down in the hangar," Miss Martian answered, "and I think Artemis and Robin should be here soon."
"Dimitri said she'd be here later. She had some prior engagement with her father or something." Kid Flash supplied.
"Shall we go find Superboy?"
Miss Martian perked up at the thought of seeing the clone, while Nightfall's shoulders slumped. She frowned, her sullen 'no' being drowned out by the Martian's cheery 'yes'. And with that consensus, the group set out to find Superboy, Kid Flash having to drag along the grumbling waterbender.
Nightfall was at the back of the pack as they entered the hangar. Sphere rolled up to the group, beeping happily and seeking attention. With his free hand- as his other one was occupied by a sandwich Miss Martian had smartly had at the ready for him- Kid Flash patted the happy machine as the group approached Superboy.
The clone glanced up from his position on the ground. He was kneeling by his bike, a wide variety of tools and devices strewn about him.
"'Sup, Supey?" The speedster asked, taking a large bite of his sandwich.
Nightfall continued to hang back as the others formed up around him, hands behind her back as Superboy looked at Kid Flash, "I'm just trying to tune my bike."
"Trying?" He chuckled before- in two large bites- he finished off his sandwich, "looks like you need the Wallman's expertise!"
The clone's brows furrowed as he stood up, and Kid Flash knelt in his place and leaned in close to the bike. Meanwhile, Superboy glanced over at Nightfall. He rubbed the back of his neck as they made eye contact with each other.
"Uh, happy birthday."
The waterbender glanced away, rubbing her arm, "T-thanks."
"I think I see the problem, Supey!" Kid Flash chimed in, breaking the awkward tension that was beginning to fill the area, "Can someone hand me a torque wrench?"
"I got you, Wally." Miss Martian chirped before using her telekinesis to pass him the desired tool.
The speedster grabbed it and tossed her a wink, "Thank you green-cheeks."
Aqualad glanced at his teammates as Kid Flash set to work, and Miss Martian began to talk with Superboy. Nightfall still hung back a bit, and the Atlantean opened his mouth, "I have been meaning to ask," He started, drawing the attention to himself, "have any of you been having trouble juggling schoolwork with your responsibility here?"
"No," was Superboy's simple answer.
Nightfall shrugged, "I've been managing alright."
"Juggling is just one of my many talents!" Kid Flash boasted as he continued to work on the bike, "Socket wrench."
The desired tool lifted into the air, and Nightfall found herself mildly wondering how Miss Martian knew which tool was which. After all, even though the waterbender was from Earth, even she couldn't really differentiate between the tools. She could tell you what a flathead screwdriver and a Phillip's screwdriver was, and that was about it.
"Daily cheerleading practice has presented a challenge," Miss Martian admitted as Kid Flash grabbed the tool. She realized what she had said and went on to further clarify what she meant, "Oh, but my first loyalty is to the team! Uh, this team- not the Bumblebees!" She finished with a chirp and Aqualad nodded.
"Artemis started school today," The Atlantean relayed nonchalantly and Nightfall quirked a brow, "Do you think she will have trouble maintaining her loyalties?"
The waterbender wanted to speak up and mention how Artemis went to the same school as her, but she decided better of it. It wasn't her place to reveal that information, and she felt it didn't matter much.
"Nah," Kid Flash was the first one to speak up for the absent archer, "she'll manage alright." He carried on as he stood up, hands propped against his hips, "I mean, how much more hostile and annoying can she-"
A sudden explosion knocked the gathered heroes off their feet, cutting the speedster off and effectively sending them into battle mode. Nightfall attempted to climb back to her feet as the others around her did the same, when a huge wave washed towards them. She tossed up her arms, only managing to make it to her feet, and pushed back against the incoming tidal wave.
It was enough to provide a momentary reprieve for the heroes, as they all scrambled to their feet and darted off into battle. Nightfall finally managed to climb up to her feet, and pushed back against the wave even more. It fought back against her push, the force causing her feet to skid backwards some.
Nightfall eventually revoked her control on the wave, instead allowing it to steadily flow towards her. With a wave of her hand she cut a slit into, directing streams of water around her instead and the wave passed her harmlessly by. She wasn't in the clear, however, as a fireball suddenly landed at her feet.
Her name was called as she landed harshly on the concrete ground, head smacking against the gritty surface. Her forehead stung as blood began to seep down a gash that had formed at the contact, and a dull ache settled in her skull as a disorienting feeling washed over her body.
More water rushed towards her, and the girl jerked her body to the side, rolling and holding her arms up. The water dodged her body at her command, passing within mere inches from her face and she used the cover to roll onto her knees.
Vertigo washed over her as she stood up once the water was clear, and she numbly slipped into a fighting stance. Another stream of water came careening towards her, this one more stream-like and vicious. Nightfall was quick to redirect it, but she still couldn't find the source of the water, so the water sailed in a random direction.
In her peripherals, she saw Miss Martian go down, fire flickering at her feet as Aqualad tried to protect the incapacitated Martian, but even he was growing weak. Kid Flash was nowhere to be found, and Nightfall saw Superboy get harshly knocked into a wall by another stream of water. It swelled up and consumed him, the clone struggling to escape the watery trap as his oxygen supply was being depleted.
The waterbender made a move to help him as his movement began to slow, but the first step she took sent her crashing to her knees as her mind began to fade away. The view in front of her continued to worsen as her vision became blurred and distorted. Kid Flash had reappeared, but he had been knocked out and was now laying limply beside a freshly knocked out Superboy.
Aqualad had fallen as well, the heat of the fire weakening his body, and Nightfall felt her conscious begin to further slip away.
Happy birthday to me.
SAN FRANSCISCO
"Again."
"I can't do it."
"Yes, you can. You just need to relax and-"
"-and breath, release yourself from physical bonds, project." Dimitri replied harshly, finishing her father's sentence that had been recited to her over and over and over again during the course of their training. Normally, she wasn't one to talk back to her father, and she immediately regretted it when she saw his frown, "I-I'm sorry." She apologized hastily, "It's just that we've been at this for hours, papa, can't we take a break, please?" Dimitri's shoulders sagged as she asked the unmasked Shadow Hunter, who sat before her on their living room floor.
Aaron looked at his daughter, who was a splitting image of her deceased mother, and sighed. When it came down to it, he could never say no to her, "Yes, we can take a break."
Dimitri brightened slightly at his agreement. The two had been training for well over two hours, trying to perfect a new technique: spirit projection. It was an ancient ability of those that come from the Children of Hades, the mystery cult and chosen mortals that Hades bestowed the power of the spirit to in order to protet the balance of life and death.
Dimitri was typically a quick learner, not only in academics, but with her abilities as well. However, there was something about this ability that gave her trouble. It involved relaxing and letting go, something with which the young spirit energy wielder had never truly been able to do.
With a sigh, Dimitri uncrossed her legs and laid back onto the carpet, staring blankly up at the ceiling fan. Her eyes followed the blades slowly as they turned, and Aaron frowned.
"Agápi mou, what's bothering you? You seem… off?" Her father questioned softly, voice laced with worry.
Dimitri shook her head, though she wasn't sure if Aaron could see, as she continued to stare at the ceiling. She fumbled for words, "I just want- I hate no being able-" Each time she started a new phrase, the words just didn't seem right so she'd pause, "I just don't like not being able to do something." The words finally came to her and Aaron's eyes softened as he began to understand what she was feeling.
"Dimitri, you can't be perfect at everything. Even I had a hard time mastering spirit projection." Her father admitted, words soft as he tried to comfort the frustrated Dimitri, "but once you do master it, it will open up a whole new set of possibilities. You just need to relax."
His daughter let out a quick laugh, which caused Aaron's kind expression to morph into one of confusion, "Me? Relax?" Dimitri sat up, bring her knees to her chest, "When was the last time you've seen me relax?" She glanced up at her father, seeing the sad expression on his face, the one that she caused, before looking away, "Sorry."
Aaron shuffled over and wrapped a protective arm around his daughter's shoulders. These small outburst at home had been becoming more frequent than Aaron would like to admit. At first the single father had chalked it up to being a phase as Dimitri adjusted to being a teenage superhero, but the excessive worrying, restlessness, and sleepless nights hadn't gone unnoticed by Aaron over the years.
"Is it getting too much for you again?" Aaron asked softly, and Dimitri tensed under his arm, "You know you have the option to walk away."
The young spirit energy wielder pulled away from her father, a baffled look on her face, "I can't walk away from it all! What would happen to you if I wasn't there? Or to the team? If I'm not there and something happens, it would be all my fault, and I couldn't live with myself if that happened. Not again."
MOUNT JUSTICE
Nightfall awoke with a start, the sharp throbbing in her skull greeting her immediately. She squeezed her eyes shut and gasped in pain.
"Kayanna!" A familiar voice shouted. It sounded so far away, yet oh so close as well as it echoed in her aching mind. The voice called out to her once more, and the waterbender willed the nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach to go away as she slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision was blurry and distorted, but as the seconds passed, it began to clear and the world came into focus once more. The first thing her blue eyes settled on was Kid Flash, who's emerald orbs were wrought with worry as he stared at her.
"W-wally?" She breathed out, gaze shifting to Superboy as she digested the scene before her. They were trapped within something metallic looking, and it took a few seconds for the girl to realize it was the clone's motorbike- or, what was left of it at least, "W-what happened?" Another sharp pain stabbed at her mind, and Nightfall tried to grab her head. She realized with horror, however, that her arm was trapped and when she glanced down, she noted that she was trapped within the metal confines as well.
The waterbender began to struggle as panic bubbled up within her. Her body jerked side to side as she tried to wiggle her way out of the entrapment, but it was no use. She couldn't even move her fingers.
Breath now coming in quick, Nightfall found herself beginning to hyperventilate as her struggling became more erratic. She could feel the metal digging into her body, no doubt leaving bruises and cuts, but the girl couldn't bring herself to care.
She had to get out of there.
Blood pounded in her ears as her heart rate quickened, pain flaring in her head even more at her struggling. As someone who's powers relied on movement, Nightfall had an immense fear of being trapped and confined, which left her feeling vulnerable and useless. This fear was a mixture of claustrophobia and merinthophobia, and just like how she was sent into a panicked frenzy when podded at Cadmus, the same was happening again here.
"Woah, woah, woah, hey!" Kid Flash called out to the girl, who was still struggling in her confines, "Kayanna, relax, look at me! Relax, breath." The panicked Nightfall made eye contact with the speedster, who was doing his best to channel his inner Aqualad, who's cool demeanor could calm anyone, "Breathe." He stated once more.
The two continued to maintain eye contact, and slowly but surely Nightfall's breathing began to return to normal, though her heart rate remained slightly elevated. The speedster managed to offer her a reassuring smile as her panic began to lessen.
"Good-"
"Attention Robin. Attention Artemis. You have exactly ten minutes to surrender or the lives of your teammates will be extinguished."
The robotic voice cut Kid Flash off and sent another stab of panic jolting through Nightfall. A female android lifted into the air and hovered above the platform where Miss Martian and Aqualad were trapped within the confines of a fiery cage. She lifted a hand, and Nightfall could see the cage glow brighter and hotter. The waterbender could only imagine the state their resident Martian and Atlantean were in as, from her viewpoint, she really couldn't see them.
The water suddenly split from Nightfall's right, which startled the girl, as a male android, the same sheen of red as the female, rose from within the liquid. He also lifted his hand into the air, and the water level before Nightfall, Kid Flash, and Superboy began to rise up, slowly overtaking the trio's entrapped feet before continuing to rise upwards.
Nightfall's blue eyes widened for fear as she struggled once more. It was her first instinct to lift her arm up and stop the water, but with her arm firmly cemented within the melted remains of Superboy's bike, she could do no such thing.
For the first time ever since gaining her powers, the site of water elicited a strong sense of fear within the girl.
SAN FRANSCISCO
The room had gone silent at Dimitri's outburst, her words and anxiety filling the air. Aaron looked towards the kitchen, more specifically the cabinet that was located above the sink, "You don't want to try them again, do you?" His daughter followed his gaze, trying to calm down her quick breathing that her anxiety and outburst had caused.
"No," She shot him down quickly with a shake of her head, "they make me feel… numb. I can't concentrate, and if I can't concentrate, I can't do my job, and if I can't do my job, I can't-"
"I know, I know." Aaron cut his daughter off as her breathing picked up once more. He brought Dimitri to his chest, embracing her in a strong hug, and she let herself be soothed by her father back to normal breathing, "We'll figure it out, alright?" Aaron murmured, running a soothing hand up and down his daughter's arm, "Just please, be open to me, be open to your friends. I've seen how they make you happy, focus on that for now, alright?"
Dimitri pulled back and looked up at her father, her mentor, "Okay, I'll try." She agreed with a soft nod. She made a move to stand up, Aaron shifting alongside her, before the two climbed to their feet. The young spirit energy wielder took a deep breath, further attempting to calm herself down, "Could we try spirit projecting another day? I don't think I can do it with this state of mind…" She admitted as a sudden feeling of tiredness washed over her.
Between training and the anxiety attack she was on the verge of having, she felt drained.
Aaron kissed his daughter's forehead, "Go and rest up. I'll start on dinner and call you down in a few. Italian sound good tonight?"
"Sounds good," Dimitri responded, giving her father a soft smile before heading off to her room.
Aaron watched her leave, and when she was out of sight, he let out a deep sigh. Rubbing his temples, he walked over to his armchair before taking a seat. He reached out to the coffee table and retrieved his laptop before opening it.
I wonder if it would do her any good?
The thought crossed his mind as he opened up an email Koda has sent him a few days ago.
Subject: Service Dogs.
MOUNT JUSTICE
The minutes ticked by slowly, with the androids slowly counting down the time. The hope Nightfall had felt at the mention of Artemis and Robin's names had significantly begun to diminish with each passing minute. Her hope for rescue was slowly being consumed by the thought of a watery death.
A relative silence had filled the hangar, the only real sounds being the crackling of the fire cage that was slowly killing Miss Martian and Aqualad, as well as the soft sounds of water as it sloshed against the metallic material that had Nightfall, Kid Flash, and Superboy trapped. It acted as a constant reminder of what was to come.
Nightfall continued to struggle against her restraints, but her strength was vastly diminishing. The pounding in her head continued to gain strength, and the waterbender could feel the stickiness of blood as slowly dried and caked the side of her face.
There was a loud splash, and the waterbender managed to twist her head around enough to view the source of the noise. She feared it was the male android returning, but her blue eyes widened in mild happiness as they settled on Robin and Artemis.
"Look out!" Kid Flash warned the two as the female android launched a barrage of fire balls at them. The two reacted quickly, diving deep below the water just as a fireball landed where they had once been floated. It sizzled as it died out, and the female android turned her head to study the water.
The sounds of gasping filled the area as Robin and Artemis resurfaced, this time treading water besides their three trapped friends.
The boy wonder's masked gaze trailed over the trio, "Are you guys okay?" His eyes landed on Nightfall, and he quickly noted the gash on her forehead, and the blood that caked the side of her face. She looked rather pale, her normally tanned skin tainted with a white hue, "Nightfall?" Robin singled the girl out. The others seemed alright, but it was obvious she wasn't.
"I'll be fi-" was all Nightfall could get out before Superboy interrupted her.
"Forget us!" He shouted, voice pained, "Help M'gann and Kaldur!" The clone tilted his head upwards, worried blue eyes settling on the fire cage and drawing Artemis's attention towards it. Robin spared Nightfall once last worried glance, before also following Superboy's eyes.
"Aqualad!" Artemis called out, "Is she-? Are you-?"
"M'gann is unconscious," The Atlantean replied, voice faint and filled with weakness as he cradled the Martian, "I fear she- we- cannot survive much longer."
Another wave of fireballs was launched at the two free teens, and they scattered. Nightfall flinched away from the flames as they dissipated in the water a mere few inches from where her and the others were trapped.
Artemis and Robin resurfaced by the stairs, each sucking in deep breaths as they began to trudge up the stairs. They were forced to pause midway, as the female android appeared at the top of the stairs, a raging hot inferno burning behind her. The two turned to retreat the way they came, only to be cut off on that end as well. The male android lifted from the water, and Nightfall could see the scowl on Robin's face.
The boy wonder backed up the stairs until he was near Artemis once more, the two pulling out their designated weapons as they prepared to face off against the androids. Robin called out something to the archer, but Nightfall couldn't make out his words, and the two suddenly split.
Artemis launched an arrow at the female android while Robin laid attack upon the male android. He released a flurry of birdarangs, the majority bouncing harmlessly off the android's thick, metal skin. One flew through the air before it stuck in the metal a mere few inches from Kid Flash's head. The speedster cried out in shock.
The male android didn't seem perturbed by the attack as he lifted his hands, two spouts of water curling up from the pool below. He jolted his hands forward, the streams doing his bidding at the same time the female android launched another fireball. The two elements met in the middle, a haze of steam billowing upwards, but Robin and Artemis were already gone.
The two dove into the water, disappearing into the depths and when they didn't resurface, Nightfall assumed they surfaced elsewhere to regroup. At least, that's what she hoped they did. She didn't want to assume the worst.
They wouldn't leave their teammates for death, right?"
Nightfall found some relief from the pounding in her skull by tilting her head back as much as she could. The coolness of the metal against her skull felt nice and staring up at the ceiling also meant that she could ignore the water as it lapped at their chins.
"Oh, duh! They're machines!" A familiar voice suddenly called out, though it seemed distant and static-y. Nightfall tilted her head down and glanced to her left, where Kid Flash was staring out of the corner of his eye at the birdarang that was positioned by his ear, "One electromagnetic pulse will shut down any machine within range!"
"Is that Robin?" Superboy questioned. He was the furthest from the two, but he also had super hearing.
"Yeah, yeah!" Kid Flash answered before making a hushing noise, "Now shhh. I can't hear Artemis."
Nightfall frowned as the speedster did his best to tilt his head closer to the device, straining his ear as he attempted to listen. The waterbender couldn't hear anything else, but she assumed Robin was conversing with Artemis somewhere, but she wasn't sure if Kid Flash could actually hear the archer or not.
"I'm fresh out!" Robin's voice wafted through the birdarang once more and Nightfall was mildly curious as to what he was referring to, "but I'm betting we can make one. What do you say, KF? Do-able?"
"Totally do-able!" The speedster agreed.
"Five minutes."
The android continued to count time down, and Kid Flash frowned, "You know, if you had more time…" At the worry in his voice, Nightfall found herself beginning to panic once more.
"It's the only plan we've got right now, so it's worth a shot."
"Med lab. X-ray machine." Kid Flash explained to Robin, "You'll find a small vacuum tube called a vircator that converts high energy pulses. Reprogram the units microwave conversion from X-rays to EMPs, with a cascading energy directed outward."
Nightfall tried to follow along with what the speedster was saying, but the science was stuff she hadn't learned about in school yet. Robin, however, seemed to understand, "A ripple effect. It's like dropping a stone in a pond."
Well, that simplified things for her.
"Yeah, a stone with a ten to the twelfth power wattage, yeah." Kid Flash snorted.
"So I'll need to hook it up to the cave's main generator."
"And where is that at?" Nightfall questioned. She wasn't sure if Robin could hear her, but she knew the speedster was. He made eye contact with her briefly, before shifting his gaze and head to look at the corner of the hangar.
There sat a large, cylindrical machine. It was floor to ceiling in length, and Nightfall could only assume that that was the generator Robin and Artemis needed to attach the EMP up to.
Perfect.
"Four minutes."
Nightfall stared up with the others, three sets of eyes gazing at the two androids as they stood up on the platform. Their lifeless eyes glowed red as they peered down at the trapped teens.
The waterbender's heart raced as the seconds continued to tick by, and a tension built up in the air. Nightfall swallowed thickly as she waited for Robin's orders. Her, Kid Flash, and Superboy were to make a distraction so him and Artemis could hook up the EMP and, hopefully, shut down the murderous bots.
Then this whole nightmare would be over.
I'm never celebrating my birthday again.
"Okay," Robin's voice crackled over the comm, "Make with the distraction."
"Hey, Red Tomato!" Kid Flash called out, a smile on his face, "Who's your girlfriend? Red Onion?" The two android's focus remained on the three heroes.
"Yeah! And by the way, worst death trap ever!" Superboy chimed in, "We can escape any time we want!" The clone taunted, and Nightfall wasn't sure whether to be comforted by the calmness the two seemed to exhibit or concerned.
She opened her mouth to join in on the mocking, as it seemed to be her turn to say something, but her voice caught in her throat and nothing would come out. Kid Flash glanced at the girl with concern, eyes tying to comfort her into saying something, but she still found her voice to not be working.
Instead, the speedster turned his attention back to the android's, not wanting to keep too long of a lull between jeers, "I can vibrate my molecules out of here before your binary brains can count to two!"
"And you can't drown a Kyrptonian, dumb bots! We don't breathe air."
"You see all this water?" Nightfall started as she slowly found her voice. It started off weak, but she tried to add in more confidence to, as she let out a jeering laugh, "This is my element! The more water you give me, the stronger I become! And I don't need my arms to control it. I can destroy you with it whenever I want!"
She wished that was true. But alas, her arms were very much necessary to control the water.
The androids didn't need to know that though.
"And Miss Martian?" Kid Flash took over after the waterbender, "I can't believe you're buying her act!"
"Yeah. You know how hot it gets in the caves on Mars?" Superboy added onto his comment, "That cage is just making her homesick."
"Duh!" The speedster laughed, Superboy joining in on the mocking laughter.
Nightfall opened her mouth to make another searing remark, but instead a scream tore through her throat as she shouted, "Robin, look out!"
A large tidal wave had built itself up from the large pool of water below, and it was making its way towards the boy wonder. Robin whirled around at the girl's pained scream, but it was too late, and the wave crashed roughly into him. It knocked him off the generator, the water consuming him and Nightfall lost sight of him.
She strained against her confinements once more, seemingly finding more strength as a rush of adrenaline washed over her body. Her face contorted in anguish as she desperately searched the waters for any sign of the boy wonder, while simultaneously missing the retreat Artemis was forced into.
The water around her sloshed violently as her emotions ran wild, and small chunks of ice began to form in the waters before the trio. Kid Flash and Superboy eyed the girl with surprise, mouths slightly agape. The disturbance alerted the attention of the female android, but she merely casted Nightfall a bored look, as the girl was still fully confined.
The male android lifted his arm up, a funnel of water raising up from the depths below. Nightfall stopped thrashing when she noticed who was inside. Robin lay still within the water, body lifeless and limp and she felt her heart drop.
Robin was dropped from the watery prison, body landing harshly on the platform above, and he slipped from Nightfall's view. The two androids loomed over the unconscious boy wonder as they shared a blank look.
If I get one birthday wish, it's that we all make it out of this alive.
"One minute."
Death was soon upon them, and Nightfall could feel the fight further leaving her system. After her outburst upon Robin's capture, the adrenaline had disappeared from her system, and she was left with an overwhelming sense of tiredness.
She strained to keep her eyes open, but between the aching in her skull that had come back full force, and the soreness of her body from all her struggling, the girl was ready to slip into darkness. Nightfall did her best to fight this feeling of fatigue, however, but it was a losing battle.
"I surrender." Artemis's voice filled the air. Nightfall glanced up, but all she could see were the two androids and the top of the fire cage, "Stop the clock."
Nightfall shared a glance with Kid Flash, the two wondering what the archer was up to, before they returned their attention to the platform.
Artemis walked forward, head hung, and bow held out in her hands. Aqualad shifted from his position within the fire cage, and the two made subtle eye contact.
The next events to transpire were lost on Nightfall, as the water fully consumed her and the other two boys. She managed to suck in a deep breath, heart rate skyrocketing as a rush of water consumed her sense. They were each fully submerged underwater, left in the control of the element as their oxygen supplies became depleted.
Nightfall could normally hold her breath for longer than the average human, but after all the strain her body had taken throughout the whole ordeal, her lungs were screaming for air a mere few seconds after she was plunged under. The lack of oxygen caused her already fuzzy mind to grow even more weary and tired, body going numb.
She had always heard drowning was one of the worst ways to go.
The need for oxygen suddenly forced the girl's mouth open as her body tried to suck in a deep breath of air. Instead all she got was a mouthful of sea water. It was salty on her tongue, and she tried to spit it out of her mouth.
The next thing she knew, she could suddenly breathe again. Nightfall took in as deep of a breath as she possibly could, a great sense of relief washing over her. The relief was short lived however, as it was quickly replaced by confusion.
Instead of clearly seeing the platform and the hanger before her, it was hazy and distorted, almost like she was still underwater.
And that's when it hit her.
There was a bubble around her head. They were still very much underwater, but this bubble provided her with air and let her breathe freely for the time being. Nightfall had no recollection of making the air bubble, nor did she know that she could make something like that, but it gave her air and that was all that mattered.
Until something else dawned on her.
Her head snapped towards Kid Flash and Superboy, Nightfall ignoring the pain in her head at the sudden movement, before her eyes widened. Through her air bubble she could see the two struggling as they continued to drown.
Dread washed over Nightfall as guilt filled her body. She had saved herself, but not her friends. The waterbender blew outwards in a vain attempt to increase her air bubble in hopes it would at least encompass Kid Flash. She wanted to help Superboy too, of course, she wasn't a monster, but the speedster was way closer to her.
Nothing seemed to work, however, as the bubble around her head didn't move. It remained the same size and Nightfall screamed out.
The water level suddenly began to drop, her air bubble being burst as the water continued to move downwards. It eventually was completely depleted, the water slipping back into the little lagoon that sat before the hangar doors.
Nightfall tugged against her restraints once more, voice panicked as the two boys beside her sucked in deep breaths, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Kid Flash glanced at the waterbender, noting her distraught expression and asked, in a confused tone, "What are you-"
The speedster was cut off, however, as Superboy called out, "Kaldur, how are you and M'gann?"
"She breathes." The Atlantean started, voice strained, "I believe she will recover. We both will." He turned his attention to the boy wonder, "And what of Robin?"
Nightfall could vaguely make out the top of Artemis as the archer cross the platform before she dropped to her knees beside Robin. There was a few second pause, the waterbender waiting for Artemis's response with bated breath.
"He-he's breathing too!" She finally announced, and Nightfall felt her body relax, eyes filling with relieved tears at the realization that they were all okay.
Maybe birthday wishes do come true.
"Figured my only shot was to surrender," Robin explained as the group gathered around Superboy, Kid Flash, and Nightfall, who were still trapped within their confines, "pretend to drown before I actually did. Blacked out though." The boy wonder shrugged.
Nightfall shook her head, only to regret the movement immediately, as she glared at Robin, "We thought we lost you."
Kid Flash grinned, "Man, Rob, you should've seen her reaction to your 'drowning'. The water was going nuts, there was ice-"
"Don't make me hurt you." Nightfall suddenly cut in, voice dark as she avoided Robin's masked gaze.
"You can't," The speedster taunted with a shit eating grin, "We're still trapped." His friendly tone shifted into annoyance as he flashed a glare at Artemis, "At least, until she quits playing with that thing and cuts us free!"
Artemis shot him a harsh glare, "It's not working genius!" The two began to bicker and Nightfall wished they would just shut up. The pounding in her skull hadn't relented. The pain came and went in waves, but the girl was pretty sure that just made it worse.
Robin glanced at Kid Flash, who's eyes were narrowed in a dangerous glare at the archer, before he shook his head and stepped closer to Nightfall. The waterbender glanced up at him as he approached.
The boy wonder noted her normally bright eyes were dull. They were filled with various emotions and pain, and he swallowed thickly, "You alright, Nighty?" Robin's voice was soft, as if knowing her head had ten thousand drummers going nuts in it.
"I-I think so." She admitted with a distant voice, "Though I can't feel my legs." Nightfall let out a soft laugh, and Robin managed a small smile.
The waterbender eyed Robin curiously as he lifted an arm up, bring his hand closer to her face as he gently pushed back a strand of soaked hair. His gloved fingers brushed up against the gash on her forehead, and Nightfall immediately flinched away at the tinge of pain that flared up.
"Sorry, sorry." Robin murmured, immediately pulling his hand back, "I just wanted to see how bad it was. I don't think it'll need stitches."
"I guess that's good." The waterbender huffed, blowing out a breath of air and puffing up her bangs, "but, how are you? You almost drowned."
"So did you." Robin shot back quickly.
"Touché."
"EMP shuts down all machines, remember?"
Nightfall and Robin shared one last look before their mini convo was dropped as they focused back in on Artemis and Kid Flash's bickering. Aqualad looked ready to intervene, but Red Tornado showed up before he could do so.
"All machines present at the time." The android spoke as he flew towards the group. Nightfall flinched at his voice, as it was the same one the male android had. "What has occurred?" He asked as he landed before the worn out teens.
"Had a little visit from your family." Robin explain, a little snark in his voice before he glanced over at the two downed androids.
"Yeah, your extremely nasty family." Artemis snapped.
"I was not aware I had relations." Red Tornado admitted as he walked over to the two androids.
"Where have you been?" Superboy questioned with heat in his voice.
Nightfall knew the answer, but the friendly android beat her to it, "Monitor duty at the Watchtower. When it became clear that cave communications were down, I attempted to investigate, but your zeta tubes were also nonfunctional." Red Tornado further explained. He knelt down to examine his 'siblings', "I transported to Providence and proceeded here."
A familiar beeping and whirring noise filled the area as Sphere began to move. He twisted and turned in the crater in the wall he was stuck in before ultimately freeing himself. With a happy beep, he rolled up to Superboy.
"Hey boy." The clone greeted with a soft smile.
A bright beam of energy suddenly shot out from the laser in Artemis's hands, startling the archer.
With wide eyes, Robin and Kid Flash shared a look before exclaiming, "The pulse has worn off!" They turned their heads towards Red Tornado, who was reaching out towards the two androids.
Robin prepared a warning for the Leaguer, but he was too late as Red Tornado's hand made contact with the other androids. There was a zapping noise and a bright flash of light before the female android's eyes lit up red, which cause Red Tornado's to do the same.
The team watched as the Leaguer suddenly whirled around and lifted into the air. A red whirlwind of air twisted violently around him as he held out his arms. Two red funnels spun in a backwards direction, suctioning off the air from the area and creating an unbreathable vortex.
Nightfall gasped out, eyes going wide as, for the second time that day, she found herself unable to breathe. Only this time, she couldn't create an air bubble to give her air.
One by one the team began to fall. Miss Martian and Aqualad were the first to succumb, as they were already in a vastly weakened state due to the fire cage. Robin crashed to his knees before Nightfall, clutching his throat as he blearily looked up at the girl.
The edges of the waterbender's vision was tinted with darkness, and it was rapidly expanding as her mind dimmed. Darkness consumed her before her head lulled forward, the last thing she saw being an emotionless Red Tornado turning on the team.
SAN FRANSCISCO
Dimitri frantically ran around her room, quickly putting together her outfit as she fumbled with her gift as well. She panted heavily as she looked for her cape, internally cursing herself for not paying closer attention to the time. It was Kayanna's birthday today, and M'gann had thrown together a little party for her. Due to Dimitri living in California, there was a three hour time difference between her and Rhode Island, and she was still getting used to the adjustment.
The spirit energy wielder finally found her cape. She quickly pulled it on and grabbed her gift before tearing out of her bedroom. She felt guilty she was going to be late for Kayanna's party, but between the time difference and her almost anxiety attack earlier, it was safe to say the girl was slightly out of her.
Her feet thudded against the floors of the hallway as she raced down it. Bursting into the kitchen, she took a deep breath as she faced her father before saying, "Ohmygods, dad, I'm so sorry, but I totally forgot that I need to get to the cave! It's Kayanna's birth-" Dimitri began stuttering out her apology through short breaths, only to trail off as she noticed the grave expression etched onto her father's expression, his League communicator tightly gripped in his hand, "Dad?"
Aaron numbly turned towards her, unsure of how this devastating news would affect his already slightly emotionally compromised daughter. She stared at him with mild alarm and concern, and he sucked in a deep breath.
"Mount Justice was attacked."
And she wasn't there to help them.
MOUNT JUSTICE
"…anna… earth… Kayanna…"
Blurred and distorted voices danced through Nightfall's ears as consciousness began to take hold. The voices sound distant and far away as they continued to call her name, drawing her back towards reality. They faded in as they grew louder and the waterbender squeezed her eyes shut as she began to feel the pain in her mind once more.
"Kayanna, panik, can you hear me?"
Nightfall shifted and groaned, a comforting hand finding purchase on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as the distorted figure of her father came into view. His brown eyes were wrought with concern, a relieved smile stretching across his lips.
"Paappak?" She murmured quietly, "What the- wh-what happened?"
"We were hoping you all could tell us." Nighttide responded softly.
Nightfall glanced up before looking around the cave. Her grogginess had subsided some, and the events of the night that had transpired suddenly came rushing back. They had been attacked by two androids baring similar signatures to Red Tornado, who, when he came to check up on the team, subsequently attacked them.
Flash appeared at the younger waterbender's side, the laser blaster in hand. He offered Nightfall a friendly smile as she stared up at him in confusion, still mildly out of it. With a warning for her to hold still while he worked, the laser started up as he worked to cut the girl out.
"She's alright!" Superman suddenly announced, and Nightfall glanced around her father to see the Man of Steel helping a groggy Artemis into a sitting position. Green Arrow was on her other side, a steady hand on his niece's shoulder as they helped her to her feet.
"Can you tell us what happened her?" Green Arrow as the younger archer.
"What happened?" Artemis started, voice incredulous and strained, "The Reds happened! Tornado and his-" The archer finally took note of her surroundings, eyeing the League members that were scurrying around the hangar and making repairs, as well as the ones that were crouched by their proteges. If the League was all here then where was-? "Wait, where are they?"
"Gone," Robin turned his attention away from his mentor, shoulders slumped and voice grave, "All three of them. Gone."
Nightlight paced back and forth in front of Kid Flash, the anxious feeling from earlier washing over her body as a few Leaguer's worked to get the speedster, Superboy, and Nightfall free. So far, the waterbender was the closest to being free.
The spirit energy wielder floated slightly into the air and opened her mouth to speak. No words came out, however, as Robin interrupted her, "This isn't your fault Nightlight, you don't need to apologize again."
"But if I was-"
"If you were here, you might be dead." Kid Flash was the one who chimed in this time, "This bike is filled with iron and we soaked in salt water for what felt like hours. You know what this stuff does to you." He offered the panicked girl a soft smile, "Trust us, Lighty, it was for the best that you weren't here."
Aqualad placed a hand on Nightlight's shoulder, "We are alright, my friend, you do not need to worry."
The girl deflated slightly. She wanted to protest and argue that she should've been there, but she knew it wasn't going to do much good. What happened had happened- and it happened with out her. Kid Flash was right though. All that iron and salt could've seriously hurt her.
Either way, she wouldn't have been much use to the team.
With a frustrated sigh, she turned her pink gaze towards Nightfall. The waterbender was flexing her arm- which was now free- as the Flash continued to work on freeing her.
"I'm sorry about your birthday party, Kayanna." Nightlight started, a genuine expression on her face.
Nightfall shrugged, glancing at the girl before casting her gaze away, "Oh, uh, don't worry about it. I've had worse birthdays."
Robin snorted, "Yeah? Like when?"
The waterbender pondered for a moment, mouth opening and closing before she shook her head, "Okay, you called my bluff."
Nighttide chuckled as he approached the two, Shadow Hunter in tow. He had a bowl of warm water in one hand and a soft rag in the other. He dipped the rag in the warm water before reaching out and gently rubbing it against the side of Nightfall's head, trying to wipe off some of the caked blood.
"Daaaad," She groaned, trying to pull her head away from him. Since half her body was still stuck, she couldn't move very far.
"Just sit still."
Nightfall huffed, but relented to her father nonetheless, "I just want to get out of this thing."
"I think I can help with that," Shadow Hunter chuckled. He stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Nightfall's shoulder. With some concentration, his glowing blue eyes brightened, and a weird sensation washed over the waterbender's body. It was like her body wasn't there, and she was suddenly incredibly cold.
The next thing she knew, Shadow Hunter had used his intangibility power to pull her the rest of the way out of the metal entrapment. She gasped as her body solidified herself, the weird and empty feeling washing away, only to be replaced with nausea and grogginess.
As Flash moved onto Kid Flash, Nightfall vaguely remembered Shadow Hunter mentioning how he- and Nightlight- couldn't use their intangibility powers to pull them through right away, as the iron concentration was too much. Once half of the waterbender's body had been freed, however, he was easily able to use his powers to get her the rest of the way out.
The feeling was incredibly off-putting, however, and she didn't want to experience that ever again.
And had the room always been spinning?
Nightfall stumbled forward, barely registering hands latching onto her arms as she swayed side to side. Voices called out to her, but her ears had suddenly seemed to stop working. Whereas she had felt slightly fine a few seconds ago, it was like the strain on her body from Shadow Hunter's powers had suddenly escalated the weary feelings she had felt on and off all night.
All at once her legs gave out, Robin and Nighttide catching the girl before she could land on the ground. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, vision going dark as her mind faded away once again.
Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday dear Nightfall… Happy birthday to you.
A/N: Hey guys! Terribly sorry this took awhile. Like I said in the last Author's Note, I was hit with a pretty bad bout of writer's block. I really want to get better at updating so I can finish up s1 and move onto s2 and then hopefully s3, but I'm not sure that's ever going to happen.
I WILL, of course, finish s1 and this story.
Thank you all for being amazing and patient! I truly appreciate it!
Page count: 25
Word count: 11,078
Hopefully this extra long chapter is enough to tide you all over until the next chapter! This one was fun to write~! I wanted to put my own unique twist on it, and what better way to do so than to make it Kayanna's birthday and that's why everyone was gathering at the cave! lmao
Also, if the parts with Dimitri don't really seem like my writing, that's because they're not! I tweaked things here and there, but I got my friend- who owns Dimitri- to write a little bit for her for this chapter! I want to make sure that you guys get to know her as well because Dimitri is such an amazing OC.
This chapter was also meant to build up some canon/oc relationships too~
And I think that's all! Don't forget to drop a review and let me know what ya'll think! I love hearing from you 33
-SnowWolf22
Headcanon corner: Kayanna is teaching Dick ASL. Nightfall and Robin sign fluently with each other.
(I want to try and add in some random HCs to the bottom of each chapter for you guys~! Sometime HCs are hard to show in a chapter- so I'll place them here!)
