So will she fall, or fly ? And I just realized how much I really hate chapter 9. Everything seems to go by so quickly… Well, I'll probably go back and edit a lot of it anyway XD.
Angel took in a shaky breath as she peered over the edge of the cliff. If she turned back now, it would make her seem like a coward. But she had just figured she had wings, and was now expected to jump of a precipice.
"You can do it." Hawkwoman encouraged.
Angel made a face at her new mentor.
"You'll be fine!" Robin said cheerfully from behind her.
"Easy for you to say," She muttered under her breath. "You're not going to jump of a freaking cliff!"
But she stepped forward hesitantly, tensing from time to time as the strong wind buffeted her.
Ah well. She thought to herself miserably. At least if you die you can see Mom, Dad, Jonas and Mira again.
She flinched inwardly. At the excitement of become Shayera's sidekick, she had almost forgotten the horrible news she had received earlier; because of her, all of her family was dead.
Almost unconsciously, she continued to step forward in a daze. Her feet were nearing the edge. She kept going.
Another footstep, and she was flying for a second.
But then gravity tugged at her body and she fell.
Angel gasped as the air left her lungs and tried to straighten herself out and remember how birds flew. She dully realized the they normally didn't fly on their backs.
But the ocean was coming closer and closer. Angel closed her eyes, certain that she was going to crash against the rocks when a hand wrapped around her wrist.
She came to a jerking halt, swaying unsteadily above the churning sea.
"You know, the purpose of this exercise was for you to fly." Shayera said disapprovingly. "No use being a superhero if you can't use your talents to the fullest."
Angel let out a choking laugh. Only now did her heart rate slow down as she realized the winged hero had a firm grip on her. They were making their way back to the top of the cliff, where Robin was staring with a pale face.
From time to time, Angel tried to give helpful beats of her wings, but they were weak and feeble.
" I guess I should have remembered that the atmosphere on Earth is heavier than on Thanagar." Shayera said sheepishly. "It's a lot easier for us to learn how to fly, since it's literally lighter there. I'm guessing that we should work on your power first."
"Yea, that seems like a good idea." Angel answered. "But next time, could we maybe keep away from any cliffs?"
Hawkwoman's laugh was her only answer.
"We need to find out what they wanted with her." Batman reminded the League.
"They might have just done it to have another henchman." Green Lantern pointed out.
"But they said something about her DNA being the reason why they kidnapped her in particular. Why would they take a normal girl?" Wonder Woman argued.
"I agree with Diana. We should investigate Angel further, take some tests." Superman said.
"No way!" Shayera burst out, feathers fluffed up. "Don't you think she's been through enough these past few days? Now we have to experiment on her?"
"They didn't mean it that way…" Hawkman said soothingly.
But his wife only glared at him.
"No. At least wait a few weeks!" Hawkwoman changed tone, becoming more pleading. "Give her time to mourn."
Batman stared at her stonily, but inside, his heart gave a squeeze. Shayera was right; it wouldn't be fair on the girl.
"Alright." He said abruptly, startling the present League members. "Well give her one month to get used to her surroundings and accept her family's death. But no longer," He added.
Shayera nodded. "That's all I'm asking."
"And this is the kitchen slash living room." M'gann flew in, followed by Angel, Zatanna and Superboy.
Robin probably would have been there too, but he and Batman had to leave to do some business in Gotham City.
Determined to make Angel feel more comfortable and relaxed, Zatanna and M'gann had taken it amongst themselves to drag Angel on a tour of the Cave the moment she came back from her fearful experience.
"I don't know how you can make a cave so… Friendly." Angel commented in surprise, casting an appraising glance around the large room.
"Well, it has to be since we live here." Superboy said straight-forwardly, causing M'gann to crack a smile.
"Yea, we do everything we can to make it comfortable-" Zatanna began, but was cut off by the loudspeakers.
"All Team members currently present, come to the training room." A robotic voice said.
"That'll be Red Tornado, our den-mother." M'gann said airily.
Angel gave the trio a funny look. "Den-mother?"
"It's a long story." Superboy put in.
"Now." Red's voice echoed again throughout the Cave.
"Aqualad thought it best that Angel learned a bit of hand to hand combat." Tornado's robotic voice said, emanating from the metal being that was his body. "We called Black Canary for her training."
A tall blond woman with blue eyes smiled at Angel. "Hello there," She said pleasantly.
Angel nodded back, hoping that she wasn't seeming room. But to be honest… She was feeling a little overwhelmed by the day's events.
"Connor, you and Aqualad can do a bit of sparring. M'gann, Zatanna, instead of physical work, how about a bit of power? Beast Boy, I still want you lifting weights. And I'll take Angel, teach her the basics."
Immediately, the five went to separate areas and commenced sparring, or in Beast Boy's case, lifting weights as an elephant.
"Alright then. Angel, isn't it?" Black Canary said.
"Yes." She answered, her hand reaching up to brush a stray hair from her face.
"Ok, so as I said, we can start with the basics…"
Two hours later, Angel was exhausted.
She had almost collapsed in relief when Black Canary finally called out, "Class dismissed."
At least I can defend myself now. Somewhat. She told herself.
Yes. It was definitely worth the bruises and aches.
"All available Team members, report immediately." Batman's voice said through the loudspeakers. "Except Angel." He added.
She felt slightly disappointed, but more than a little relieved. It would take some time for her to get used to being a superhero, she was sure of that. And definitely a lot more for her to be fit enough to stand these training sessions. Sighing, Angel turned and wearily made her way to the showers.
After a long, hot shower and a short nap, Angel felt fine. No one was back yet, except Red Tornado, who was holed up in some unknown place.
So Angel took it upon herself to explore every nook and cranny of the Cave. She found a library, a gym, even another living room. She didn't bother to go into any of her team mates' rooms. She respected their privacy. But it was at the furthest recesses of the Cave that she found something to do.
It was a simple room really. Tasteful decoration, a few sofas and a long coffee table. But it was what occupied the room's center that caused Angel to gape.
A glistening, perfect-condition black grand piano stood there, along with several other instruments such as the guitar and the harp. Angel could play all three, although her favorite was by far the piano.
She stepped forward hesitantly, her long, smooth fingers trailing on the top of it until she came to the keys. She lifted the lid up and sat down. She put her hands in position when she wondered if she was even allowed to play it. But no one was around, so she guessed that she would be fine.
But then came the pondering. What song should she play first? She knew so many…
The perfect idea hit her. She grinned, and her elegant fingers flew over the piano, making the tune for the Harry Potter theme. She had always loved the books, and even though she never quite agreed that the movies were up to par, she had loved the music. As she played, she began to hum, something she often did with pieces she enjoyed in particular.
Once she finished that piece, she started another she hadn't played in a long time; My Funny Valentine. She had learned it to please her father, who had always been a big jazz fan. But now, it brought back memories. Her fingers tapping the keys almost absently, she started thinking about how much her life had changed in the space of several hours.
"My funny valentine. Sweet, comic valentine. You make me smile with my heart." She sang quietly, the lyrics coming to mind. Her dad had belted along the lyrics when she had presented the piece, and soon, her Mom and siblings had joined in as well, laughing like crazy.
A smile touched her lips as she thought of them. She would miss them, she was certain. But it was times like this when her best memories resurfaced. Before now, she had had childish memories come to mind, like when Jack had given her her first kiss. But those times were long past.
Once she had thought through only about a fraction of these happy memories, the song ended. For a moment, Angel stared blankly at the keys.
"Aw, don't stop! You were doing great!"
Angel tensed and turned quickly, a blush creeping up her neck.
Oops… Caught.
Robin was leaning against the door, a faint smile on his lips. "Guilty!" He laughed, throwing his hands up in the air.
Angel cracked a smile, which seemed to please him. He walked towards her, his hands now behind his back.
"You know, I've never heard you sing while you play." He commented.
Angel stared at him in surprise. "How would you know that I play at all?"
Robin reddened a little and muttered something similar to, "Since we had to watch over you, I saw you play piano a lot."
"Oh." Angel felt slightly embarrassed, but slightly relieved too. At least she knew who had been watching her.
"So… Got anything else up your sleeve? I play the piano too, but not as well as you." Robin said, changing the subject.
Angel shrugged. "A lot of things actually. Normally when I like some song or other, I find the music for it, or I manage to play it by ear, but that's a lot harder."
"Wow." The Boy Wonder seemed impressed, and Angel could feel the same annoying blush trying to give her away. "Well, do you know any four hands?"
Angel smiled, a full, proper, warm one this time. "Sure. Wanna play with me?" She gestured towards the piano.
Robin grinned back. "Sure."
Yes, Angel is reminiscing and Robin comes to make her feel better. And yea, I took advantage of the fact that so far, Timmy doesn't like anyone in the TV show XD. I know I skimped out on the training, but to be honest, I have no idea where they would start o.O