Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice!

Chapter 25

It was November 2nd.

It had been exactly two days since the meeting with Batman, Aqualad, Robin, Red Tornado, and…Red Arrow. Since…that episode.

The entire team has been on edge. Some were lost in their thoughts while some were lost in their emotions.

There had been no progress whatsoever, which was a good thing and a bad thing.

I failed to believe anything good could happen right now but I had no choice to find one. If I didn't, I would fall into depression.

"What happened!?" yelled Conner, with Megan holding him back. But not really. Physically, she had her hands on Conner's arm, reminding him she was here and to keep control. However, mentally she was holding back the senseless rage back.

I scoffed. I wouldn't have mind if Conner decided to pummel Red Arrow's face.

Aqualad had stepped in, trying to hold back his comrade while trying to protect his best friend on surface.

Artemis, stood right by Conner's side, with her arms crossed. With her eyebrows furrowed, she reminded me of her father.

Yes, I was aware of who Artemis was really. It's hard not to see the family connection when their father tried to kidnap you before. I didn't see the need to enlighten the others of who Artemis's parents were. After all, who was I to talk?

Returning to the present, the olive skinned girl had her fingers gripping her arm. I had expected her to lash out at the older Archer, as she has done in the past, but I commended her for her self-control.

While I on the other hand? My self-control was slowly waning and being tested like this was not helping me. I wanted to burst out and break this calm demeanor. I wanted to cry out and yell. I wanted to leash out all this pain and make them feel my pain. The desire was so strong, I could feel myself shaking.

Alas…I kept myself in check.

I had to.

I had promised, I would.

"It's all your fault!" burst out Conner. His face was slowly reddening. I could sense his control over his strength breaking. I could see the cracks starting to form beneath his feet, if it was any indication. If he hadn't been given the consul we were giving him, the results would've been different.

I remember helping him meditate, talking it out with the three of us. We encouraged him to use his words and not rely on the mental link to express himself. I remember watching him control several degrees of his strength and remembering how proud we were.

Good thing, Superman wasn't here.

We didn't need two enraged Kryptonians, did we?

"Conner, calm down" said Megan, trying to speak to her boyfriend.

"Why? He was the one that made Avery go into shock!" defended Conner, "I get you don't trust us but from what I know, Avery has been around for just as long as Robin and Wally."

Artemis glared at Red Arrow. "If I hadn't had my bow and arrow taken away, I would've shot an arrow between your eyes" she threatened.

Zatana stood awkwardly to the side. Her eyes were shifting between both sides. She was very new to the team and had no preference to any side. However, I could consider how she was feeling. The team had split themselves into two, one trying to defend Red Arrow while the other was against. I stood in between but I was slowly leaning to the "Against".

"Look- I'm sorry, alright?" snapped Red Arrow. "If I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn't have-"

"You wouldn't have what?" Artemis snapped back. "It doesn't change the fact that Avery was suffering all this time and thanks to you, she's now-!"

"It wasn't like it was Red Arrow's fault!" defended Wally, glaring at the blond.

"Well, how do you explain this then?!" waved Artemis to me.

"Enough, all of you!" barked out Aqualad. He looked at everyone then at me. His eyes turned guilty for a moment before he recovered. Putting on the persona of a leader, as he is, Aqualad spoke.

"Yelling and fighting amongst ourselves will not improve Avery's current state. We must put an end to our discourse soon. Avery would not approve of the current state of our team. Or do you wish to make her feel worse?"

It seemed like an invisible force had hit everyone. Immediately, they all had different emotions ranging from guilt to regret.

Aqualad sighed and I could see the weight crushing him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took in a deep breath, while clenching his other fist close.

"For now, Batman and the others will take care of Avery. If anything else should arise, we will know. All we can do is help each other and those in need, while keeping our bond strong. Robin will keep us updated about Avery's state" said Aqualad.

Everyone nodded.

Aqualad turned to Red Arrow and placed his hand on the archer's shoulder. Gripping it firmly, he spoke. "I believe it is best if you leave my friend. I will talk to you later" he said.

"Alright" said Red Arrow.

He turned to leave and when he did, he looked at me apologetically but I didn't want it.

Black Canary, Martain Manhunter, and Red Tornado arrived.

Where were they during our dispute?

Captain Atom appeared as well before walking over to me. "Come on kid" he said.

I nodded before leaving out of the room. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I couldn't trust myself.

I noticed Aqualad's face turn heavy and I ignored him.

We walked into the Zeta Tube and allowed the bright light to envelop me. My body felt off for a moment before finding myself in the Watch Tower.

Space was so expansive yet beautiful. It was hard to believe it only took a moment from our beautiful blue planet then up into space.

I ignored the looks from the other Leaguers while following Captain Atom.

All of the halls became a blur before we came to a room. Flash stood by the door and he tried to give me an encouraging smile. "Hey kid, how are you feeling?"

I just shrugged and his face fell. The door opened and immediately we were faced with Batman, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman.

The Amazonian sat by the bed, with the machines going off steadily. However, they were slow. Slower than I have liked. Machines pumping oxygen could be heard and it made me remember bad times.

I glared at Green Arrow whose face fell even more.

We walked in and Captain Atom stood at a respective distance.

"For now, we have managed to stabilize her" Batman told me.

I just stared at the bed, my eyes scanning everywhere. I tried to find anything wrong but my emotions were getting to me. I didn't like it. Tears were threatening to well up at my eyes and I wanted her to comfort me.

I wanted her to tell me everything was going to be fine. To tell me she was fine just to reassure me. For her to say my name and hug me, reminding me of happier days. Before everything became shitty.

"She has slipped into a deep sleep on the borderline of a coma. Her body is recovering and at this rate, she should wake up soon" said Batman.

"Why is he here?" I whispered angrily.

"What?"

I snapped my head and pointed my finger at Green Arrow. "Why is he here!? Thanks to him, Avery's in this state! How many times does it have to take that Avery can't do this anymore!?" I yelled. "Because of him and his decision to take in that fucker Roy- thanks to his big mouth, Roy is now like this! ALL BECAUSE OF HIM!"

My power was slipping and everyone was wincing.

"Look, I'm sorry-" Green Arrow tried to say but I slammed my hands against my ears. I shook my head furiously, screaming. I didn't want to hear anymore. I didn't want to hear anymore words from these adults.

"GET OUT! JUST GET OUT! LEAVE! DIE! GO TO HELL FOR ALL I CARE! SHE IS FAMILY! MY SISTER IN ALL BUT BLOOD! SHE IS IMPORTANT ME AND YOU MADE ME LOST HER! IF SHE DIES, FUCK YOU! FUCK ALL OF YOU!" I screamed.

I felt the band snapped. The seal that Avery placed over me. It was like the building water inside me burst and there was a flood. Everyone stepped back and their bodies were twitching in pain. Wonder Woman hissed and placed a hand on my shoulder.

I reacted and threw her off. "Don't you dare touch me!" I yelled. Wonder Woman slammed into the wall and I crushed her against it. She resisted well enough and everyone was going onto their knees. The door opened and the Flash used his speed to run over.

Like a switch, my hand flew and the Flash fell. He tripped and slammed onto the floor, his powers negated. He fell onto the floor while I was pining him down with my power. I heard him groan and somewhere deep in me, I was relieved I hadn't stopped his heart…doubt I could kill a speedster.

"Alex enough" grit out Batman.

I glared angrily, flaring up in anger.

Batman rose up despite the pain and inched towards me. "It's your fault" I spat out with venom.

"I know" he said.

"You said you would keep her safe"

"I did"

"Y-you said-" I choked out, "Why didn't you prevent this happening?!"

"We both know that no matter how much we prepare ourselves, you can't prevent everything" Batman reasoned with me. His voice wasn't as tight as before.

"She doesn't deserve this" I said, trying to break here and there. "She's a good person"

"Bad things happen to good people…that's how the world is."

My arm faltered. "It's unfair" my voice said, breaking.

"The world is unfair…we can't do anything."

Tears started to fall. "Why does this keep happening?" I sobbed. My power was slowly fading.

"I don't know, Alexander. I don't know" said Batman, while he rose to his feet.

My knees started to become weak. "She doesn't deserve this. Avery doesn't need this….she didn't do anything wrong" I sobbed.

Batman came closer, my arms rising around myself. "I know, Alex. I know."

"I can't lose her. I won't lose her" I said with an oddly straight voice.

"You won't. We won't."

I turned to the bed and reached for her hand. My fingertips were close to her skin but I saw how small her hand was. I pulled my hand back but before I could reel it back, Batman placed his hand on my shoulder. I jumped before my hand grasped her hand. I sobbed at how cold it was and tried to bring it to my mouth. I had to warm her up. I had to keep her alive.

"I promised her" I said, aware of the answer.

"You promised her."

I breathed in shakily and ignored the people around me.

I forced my violet eyes to look from the end of the bed to her face. IVs were in her arms, an oxygen mask on her face. She couldn't breath and produce as much oxygen she needed. Like the first time I had met her. Her skin that was already than paler than the average, was almost white like mines. Her face seemed almost sunken on and I tried to look past the scratches she gave herself. I tried to ignore the burns that she inflected on herself. The darkening bags underneath her eyes. The paper like skin. The small patches of skin through her otherwise, beautiful black hair. I tried to ignore the lightning scars all of her body, that seemed to pulse. I tried to ignore look past all everything and searched for the lively Avery…not this…dying version of her.

I can't. I can't do it. The dam started to leak and I tried to choke back a sob. I had to be strong. I had to be collected. When she wakes up, she'll know. She always know. Avery was Avery. She was my best friend, my saviour, my sister…my fairy… I cried, burrowing my face into Avery's stomach. My hands gripped her thin fingers.

"Why won't she wake up?" I cried.

"She will…she's just tired, Alex" said Wonder Woman, hugging me from the side.

"I want her to wake up" I begged.

"She'll wake up….just not now."

I let my emotions free and let myself fall into despair.

Vandal looked past the glaring daggers both Lex Luthor and Ra's Al Ghul were giving each other. Klarion just grinned in amusement while petting his cat familiar. The Brain did not provide any indication of this while Ocean Master just looked at both sides.

Queen Bee tried to remain composed and not let the current situation get to her.

He smirked at the royal's face. Sometimes it was fairly easy to see what was bothering her. This made it easy for him to manipulate her and use whatever means necessary.

The Light were aware of "Sprite" but only the most important few were aware of who "Avery" was.

The immortal sipped his wine and gave a sly smile.

He remembered meeting Avery when she was a mere child. Catching her often hanging around with his son. Savage saw the potential the girl had and even more so, when he arrived to retrieve his son. It didn't matter how he got him, his own son was powerful.

That night was not at all lost. He got a glimpse the power Avery had and knew how beneficial it would be for him once he got his hands on her. It was surprising to find out who she was really. Ra's al Ghul's niece from another side of his family from hundreds of years.

The immortal lived for 50,000 years and families came and go. However, somewhere in his mind, he remember her family, Avery's ancestors. They managed to survive thick and thin, constantly surprising him.

Not to mention, the fates had brought Luthor and her to establish a bond. A pity Avery's aunt had to act out of her emotions and attempt to kill the young girl. If she had waited, Luthor would've put the plan into place and "married" the woman. Once that had been done and considering events would continue as is, Luthor would've had Avery in his legal possession.

How different would the Light be if they had that fire power? And his son would follow Avery like a lamb. Two birds with one stone…

If Ra's hadn't orchestrated the death of Avery's aunt, things would be much different.

Oh well.

He was patient. There were ways to bring Avery and Alexander to the Light's side. Ra's would have another Al Ghul to family and Luthor would be able to see his niece as much as he liked without limit; whether to be used as an asset or simply as is. She would act as the mediator between the two. Alexander would serve by his side with the premise of keeping his entire family safe and crush those who stood in their way.

"Now, now gentlemen" said Savage, once he had enough of the assassin and the businessman's fight. "We should be thankful that our mole has placed Sprite out of commission."

Luthor rubbed his temple. "I have my men working to give me the location of A…Sprite's location once the Justice League transport her onto Earth. That way, it will be easy to put the plan into place."

"Though according to our mole, the League will keep a close eye on her condition. We must exercise carefully if we are to succeed." Ra's sipped his own drink, pointing a look at Luthor.

Savage grinned malicious, "All will go according to the Light's plan"