Hey people! Well, my parents are out for their anniversary, so my parents left me with my sister! So, I thought I'd post a new chapter while they're out. Anyway, ON WITH THE FIC!
OoOoOo
"So, we know that your mom's powers come and go with her emotions and are held back by their bracelets, right?" said Lora. She and Celeste sat on their knees across each other in the training room. "Raven's powers are the same and she meditates to keep them in check. I have to concentrate really hard to even activate my laser eyes and ice breath. So, were you feeling any sort of way when you sneezed?" She had her short black hair in a low ponytail while wearing a blue sports bra and black yoga pants.
Celeste thought back to yesterday. "Actually, no," she answered honestly. That was actually one of the only times she hadn't been thinking about Slade or Rose. She hadn't been stressed or bothered at all that day. "I just...sneezed. That's it." She herself was wearing a similar purple sports bra and black yoga pants with her raven black hair in a braid cascading down her back.
Lora tapped her chin in thought. "Ok then, try creating some right now," she insisted.
Celeste gave her a questioning look. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. "What if I burn the place down? Or, you know, hurt you?"
Lora grinned. "I'm indestructible, remember?" she teased playfully. "And if your hellfire gets out of hand and you can't call it back, I'll put it out, okay? I promise."
Celeste took a deep breath. "Ok," she agreed. Tentatively, she put a hand forward, closing her eyes in concentration. A small flame appeared in her palm. Slowly, it began to grow. She opened her eyes. "Should I stop?"
Lora nodded. "Yeah," she said. "Try holding it there."
Celeste nodded and did as she was told. Sure enough, the flame stopped increasing. "Lora?"
"Yes?"
"D-Do you ever worry that you'll lose control?" inquired Celeste. "That one day you'll lose control of your powers and end up hurting someone?"
Lora stared at the girl for a while, then sighed. "A lot of times," she confessed. "My dad and I are constantly ridiculed for our power. People are afraid of us. That one day we'll mess up and blow up the planet or something. And then there are times when I feel so much raw emotion that I feel like blowing someone's head off or hurtling them into the sun."
"Like when?" Celeste pressed, then caught herself. She really needed to learn when to keep her mouth shut. "Sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Lora chuckled. "No, it's okay," she assured. "The last time I felt like that was when Ravager kidnapped you."
Celeste winced slightly at the mention of Rose. "Really?" she asked.
"Really," confirmed Lora with a small smile. "Your one of my best friends...you mean a lot to me. The fact that she had hurt you like that made me angry. Really angry. I'll be honest, I wanted to hurt her really bad. I'm not sure how far I would have gone if Damian and Rex hadn't been there."
"What if that happens to me?" asked Celeste. "What if I lose control? What if I end up hurting someone?"
Lora grabbed Celeste's shoulders, forcing the girl to look at her. "You won't," she promised. "Celeste, your a very well-controlled person. You can keep your emotions in check way better than me. Trust me, you got this."
Celeste beamed brilliantly. "Thanks Lora!" she exclaimed. "That means a lot."
OoOoOo
Wonder Bat went over the report again, making sure she didn't miss anything. Yes, she was studying Slade again. She didn't do it as often, but she still made an effort to revisit his files at least once a week. Slade pushed her buttons. He got under her skin like no other. He was the only villain that had puzzled her time and time again.
"Studying Slade again I see."
Wonder Bat didn't even need to turn to see who it was. "Hello Father," she greeted. She'd recognize that deep, brooding voice anywhere. "Must you always come in the middle of the night? It's a bit creepy."
Batman crossed his arms. "I heard about your new...powers," he informed his daughter.
Wonder Bat froze for a split second before resuming what she was doing. "Yes, like Mom I have an influence over hellfire," she said vaguely.
"Can you control it?" Batman asked bluntly.
"I'm learning," answered Wonder Bat. "Don't worry, I won't step foot in your city unless I have a total handle on it."
Batman's face softened. "That's not what I meant," he insisted almost gently. "You're always welcome at the manor. I'm just concerned about your ability to withstand these flames."
Wonder Bat smiled; she knew what he was trying to say. "Don't worry, Father," she said comfortingly. "I'm 95% positive that hellfire has no affect on me."
Batman placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Promise me you'll careful," he demanded.
"I promise."
OoOoOo
"Has training with Lora been helpful?" Diana asked her daughter. They were currently at her childhood home. Celeste had decided that she wanted to visit with her mother for a short while. Diana had been delighted when her daughter had called her asking if she could come over.
Celeste nodded. "Yeah, she's more helpful than I thought she would be," she admitted. "I think I can control it pretty well."
Diana smiled. "That's good," she praised. "I wish that I could give you a pair of bracelets like Donna and I."
"Aunt Donna can control hellfire like us?"
Diana tapped her chin. "I'm not entirely sure," she confessed. "Donna was actually made from clay, that much I know. I think that Mother modeled her as Hades daughter as well. The original mold of their child intended to be me may actually be Donna now that I think about it. Mother could have sculpted her later, after I was born. She seems to have all of my other abilities, so the ability to control hellfire may not be so left field."
Celeste hummed in agreement. "Mom, are you scared?" she asked.
"About what?"
"Ares," answered Celeste. "You've been so calm since you woke up. I mean, he put you in a coma and it didn't even faze you. You're not afraid of anything."
"I was very afraid that day," admitted Diana.
Celeste gave a look of surprise. "You were?"
"Yes. I was afraid that after he was done with me, he'd go after you. You mean so much to me. I love you."
Celeste smiled. "I love you too, Mom."
