A/N: Okay, so this is the last Chapter of Day of Silence! Please review!
Disclaimer: No. I don't own Young Justice, Cartoon Network, or DC Comics.
Chapter 10: We Need a Change
It was about ten in the morning on another quiet Saturday in Happy harbor. The people were relieved that they had their break from their long week at school or work. Children played in the streets, parents watched television or cooked. It was all fairly peaceful and laid back.
But in the Cave, it was anything but. They were very eager to share what they had learned by taking part in the Day of Silence. M'gann and Zatanna were in the kitchen, preparing some food, while Conner stared at the static on the screen. Even though they were allowed to speak, no one did. M'gann didn't even use her psychic link.
Slowly, each Team member arrived. Ironically, Wally was last. All eight teenagers gathered in the living room. On the table were big bowls of chips, cookies, marshmallows, and crackers with liters of soda and cups on the edges. Nobody spoke for a long time. They all exchanged feverish glances and sad looks. "Okay, I've had enough quiet. I'm going first." Artemis said pretty loudly. She looked at each one of her Teammate's face before continuing, "I got made fun of more for being quiet. Some jerk tripped me. I wanted to yell at him. Kick his ass. But I just… couldn't. I remembered the Day of Silence, but that wasn't really it. I think it was more that I was afraid to fight back, because I think that's what he wants. He wants to see me get suspended from the school." Artemis hugged her knees to her chest. Her teammates looked sort of sad.
"Yeah. It was like that at my school. Blades almost pounded me. I couldn't tell them why I was being quiet, like writing it to them. They just have this insane hate for gays. I mean, they don't even call them gay, they call them faggots! How messed up is that?" Raquel had a look of pure disgust on her face. "I know. In Gotham, all everyone cares about is themselves! Most rich people, they just want more! They leave nothing for the poor, and the poor must resort to crime just to live. No one pays any attention to the struggles anyone, faces. Most people in Gotham, they see gays, lesbians, transgenders, as inferior. I hate it!" Dick said. His small hands were clenched in tight fists.
"I think we all do. My friends at school, all they cared about was a Star wars marathon. They don't really pay attention to anything else other than that sort of stuff! Its just so… wrong!" Wally said loudly in only two breaths. He huffed and leaned back on the couch. Everyone felt better as they spoke. "I wish there was a magical spell to fix this mess we, as a society, have gotten ourselves into. To wipe away the tears of the broken. To, to end this!" Zatanna declared several moments later. Tears stung her eyes. Dick put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and then moved to rub her back. "I know, Zee. I know." he whispered soothingly. No one spoke for a few minutes. M'gann held Conner's hand. He squeezed it a little. His blue eyes met her hazel ones.
M'gann sighed. "It's just like on Mars. People being discriminated for who they love. Or being hated for the people hating the bodies they were born into." She looked at her feet, sniffling with tears. "Yeah. One guy, I'm pretty sure, thought I was weak for not talking. I think the same can be said for people who are actually gay or lesbian or transgender. They must be stronger than even Superman." Conner stated. He was met with approving nods.
Kaldur was quiet up until this point. He had listened respectfully to each of his friends. Finally, he stood up and spoke. "It seems we have all reached a similar conclusion. That we were mocked or outcast. And that we did not enjoy the experience. I did a lot of thinking yesterday, and I began to think: If we are such fantastic heroes, why can we not prevent at least some of this hate from spreading?" he spoke clearly and his words seemed to hang in the air. The Team looked at him, exchanged glances with each other, or looked at their shoes. No one spoke for several minutes, for they were engrossed in thought.
Artemis stood up next to Kaldur and began speaking. "I think I know why. The League and us, we're too concerned about the big picture. We're too wrapped up in fighting the supervillains, that we lose touch with the real villains. Bullies and everyone else that is homophobic. To be honest, those, are the people we should be fighting. Or at least paying more attention too." She crossed her arms over her chest. Wally sped up to her give her a quick kiss on her cheek. "I couldn't have said it better myself, babe." They smiled slightly to each other.
Soon, Zatanna, Conner, M'gann, and Raquel got up and stood next to them. Dick stayed at his position on his couch. He smiled his famous troll smile. Everyone knew there must be something good going on in the kid's mind. "You have a point, Arty. We can fight them in our civvies, but that could be dangerous and we won't be making a dent in the problem. But I know some people that will be able to help."
A couple days later, the Team saw in the newspapers that Bruce Wayne had just launched a new charity program to help with bullied kids everywhere with a special division for lesbian, gays and transgenders. They all smiled to themselves. May be now, the world can begin to change.
A/N: Okay, I know that was twice as long as the other ones, but I got idea after idea that I had to incorporate into it! I'm thinking of doing a sequel, but let me know what you think! Thank-you to everyone who read and reviewed my story. A big thank-you to everyone to who participated in the Day of Silence. And big hugs to all the LGTG people to there. You guys are my heroes! :D