A/N: First, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for the reviews! It's so awesome that you guys are enjoying the story! And now, as a bit of a reward, I shall tell you that Connor and M'gann are going to be canon in this fic, leaving only Kaldur and Roy. BUT, for those of you who wanted Connor to end up with Kara, I plan on having him and Kara develop a close friendship in later chapters, with a lot of friendship moments. It was a tough decision for me to make, considering how they do work well together, but I don't see them as being a couple.
Disclaimer: Do I really need to post it?
Denial
Mount Justice
August 19, 19:39 EDT
With Black Canary on monitor duty at the Watchtower, I was overseeing sparring matches for the evening. At the moment, I had paired Superboy with Kaldur.
"Remember what we worked on, Superboy!" I called out as they began to wrestle each other, "Control yourself and you control the situation."
Within about thirty seconds, Superboy had managed to throw Kaldur onto the floor with a flourish, before brushing off his hands. I grinned with pride at how much progress the clone had made over the past few weeks.
"Black Canary and Kara taught me that." He said with pride.
"And you executed it perfectly. You're a fast learner, Superboy. I wasn't able to do anything like that until I had completed four years of intensive training. Great job." I said, clapping Superboy on the shoulder and smiling up at him.
"Indeed. Your skills have greatly improved." Kaldur added with a small smile as he stood up with help from the clone. On the other side of the floor, M'gann and Artemis burst out laughing and Wally was loudly finishing off a snack. Above us, Red Tornado descended from his apartment.
"Do you have a mission for us?" Wally asked as he sped over to the robot. RT continued to walk away as he responded.
"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility."
"Yeah, well, the Batman is with the Robin doing the dynamic duo thing in Gotham. But you're headed somewhere, right? A hot date? Or a mission?" The speedster pressed.
RT hesitated for a moment but then turned to the computer and pulled up a file. My eyes went wide and I was unable to hold in a gasp.
"This is Kent Nelson. A friend of both mine and Wildcat's. He is 106 years old."
I heard Wally whisper over to Artemis, "Guy doesn't look a day over 90."
"And he has been missing for 23 days." Red continued, "Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentors' Justice League."
"That's right." I replied, my arms crossed over my chest and my head bowed, "Kent was Earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate... How am I only hearing about this now, Red? Why didn't Ted contact me?"
"He did not wish to alarm you. But it is possible that Kent may simply be on one of his 'walkabouts'."
"No. Kent is the caretaker of the Helmet of Fate, he wouldn't leave it unguarded for long. Something happened to him." I growled angrily.
"He's like the great sorcerer priests and priestesses of Mars." M'gann marveled, "I would be honored to help find him."
"Me too!" Wally injected himself into the conversation, firing a hand into the air, "So honored, I can barely stand it. Magic...rocks."
Artemis and I shared looks of indifference before rolling our eyes. Red stepped forward, handing Aqualad a golden key.
"A key to the Tower of Fate?" I asked with an arched brow.
"Yes. You will need it when you arrive at the designated coordinates. I suggest you begin your search in Salem."
I nodded as I overheard Wally trying to flirt with M'gann, "What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?"
I groaned and grabbed Wally by the collar of his shirt and began dragging him to the Bioship with Artemis laughing the entire way.
I released Wally in front of the Bioship and he went on board with a pout, followed closely by Artemis. As I was about to board, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I spun right into Kaldur's chest.
"Are you going to be alright?" He asked me, his hand lingering on mine, "I know that you and Kent Nelson know each other. But if you think you won't be able to control yourself-"
"Kaldur." I interrupted softly, "I understand why you would think that. But I can handle it. You don't need to worry about me. I'll be okay."
Kaldur hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to press me to stay behind. But he nodded anyway, if not reluctantly and finally released my hand. As I turned to enter the Bioship, I could still feel his eyes following me and I was glad that I was facing away from him so he couldn't see my blush.
I took my seat next to Artemis while Wally continued to pout. Artemis leaned over to me.
"Your blushing." She pointed out with a grin.
"Believe me, I know." I muttered, wishing that I could just disappear for a while.
"So tell me, who's capable of making the Wildcat blush like that?" Artemis whispered.
I shrugged, "As of right now, only one person."
Salem
August 19, 20:22 EDT
As we approached Salem, Artemis continued to try and crack Wally's 'I believe' act.
"So, Wally, when did you discover your honest affinity for sorcery?"
"Well," Wally leaned back in his chair and looked over his shoulder at M'gann, "I don't like to brag, but, uh, before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and held back a loud groan.
"We've reached Tornado's coordinates, but-"
"Nothing's there." Superboy observed. We landed near a small park in Salem which stood across from a few abandoned buildings.
"Take us down." Aqualad ordered.
When we stepped out into the open air, I shivered, not realizing how brisk it had become. Wally took off and began to search the area at super speed. He came back seconds later reporting nothing.
"This isn't simple camouflage." Artemis crossed her arms.
"So what do you think? Adaptive microopto-electronics and phase shifting?"
"Yea-" Wally noticed M'gann watching him, "I mean, no! Clearly, mystic powers are at play."
Then it hit me. The key.
"Kaldur. The key. Use it." I instructed. The Atlantean stepped forward with the key in his hand. He held out his hand and made a turning motion, revealing the Tower of Fate to us. I slipped on my clawed gloves, feeling like I would probably need them.
"Have you ever been inside the Tower before, Kara?" M'gann asked.
"Only once, when I was nine. It was the first time I met Kent. But I'm not sure if the Tower will recognize me anymore." I explained, remembering that day. I was with my grandfather, and he took me to visit Kent before I began my training. Kent became like a second grandfather to me after that.
We stepped inside the tower and the door vanished behind us.
"Uh, where'd the door go?" Superboy asked. A ghost-like apparition of Kent appeared in front of us.
"Greetings. You have entered with a key, but the Tower does not recognize you. State your purpose and intent." The apparition said. I was about to answer, but Wally beat me to it.
"We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate!"
The apparition kinda stared at Wally for a second, then he disappeared as did the floor underneath us. Everyone screamed as we all fell, but I was able to quickly regain myself and dig my claws into the wall. I reached out and managed to grab Kaldur with my free hand. I pulled him up and allowed him to wrap an arm around my shoulders while my arm moved to his waist.
M'gann grabbed Wally and levitated above the vat of lava that lingered below us. Artemis managed to pull out a handheld crossbow and hold herself above the lava. Superboy dug his hands into the wall but he managed to slide his feet into the lava, he yelled in pain as the lava burned his boots away.
"Those... were my favorite boots. This Nelson guy better be worth it!"
Above us, M'gann was growing tired and beginning to descend slowly toward the lava.
"Having trouble... maintaining altitude... so hot."
"You certainly are." Wally flirted.
"WALLY!" Artemis and I scolded.
"Hey! Inches above sizzling death, I'm entitled to speak my mind!" He shot back. I could feel Kaldur's grip on me start to lessen as he grew weaker too.
"My physiology... and M'gann's are susceptible to extreme heat. We must climb out quickly." The Atlantean panted. Almost instinctively, I tightened my hold around his waist.
"Hello, Megan! We never truly answered the question!" M'gann realized, "Red Tornado sent us to see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe!"
Beneath us, a platform formed over the lava pit, allowing us to land safely. I released Kaldur and let him leap down, Artemis, Superboy and I followed close behind him. M'gann lowered herself and Wally slowly to the floor.
"This platform. It should be red-hot, but it is cool to the touch." Kaldur observed, reaching out to touch the platform. Meanwhile, Wally was helping M'gann stand.
"Don't worry Megalicious. I got you."
"ENOUGH!" Artemis shouted, shoving Wally away from M'gann, "Your little 'impress Megan at all costs' game nearly got us all barbecued!"
"When did this become my fault?" He shot back.
"When you lied to that... whatever it was, and called yourself a true believer."
"Wally... you don't believe?" M'gann asked, genuinely surprised. We all glared at him for a bit before he finally fessed up.
"Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic! But magic is the real lie, a major load!" He said, crossing his arms.
"Wally, I studied for a year at the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my water bearers." Kaldur argued calmly.
"Dude, ever hear of bioelectricity? Hey, in primitive culture, fire was once considered magic too. Today, it's all just a bunch of tricks." Wally countered.
"You're pretty close-minded for a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers." Artemis spat.
"That's science. I recreated the Flash's laboratory experiment and here I am. Everything can be explained by science."
I walked over to a trapdoor that had formed on the platform and grabbed the handle. I looked up at Wally with a smirk.
"Wanna bet on it?"
"Wait! The backdraft from the lava will roast us-"
I lifted the door open and a flurry of snowflakes erupted from the hatch.
"It's snow!" M'gann exclaimed.
Artemis looked over at Wally with a cheeky grin, "Do you ever get tired of being wrong?"
We all jumped through the hatch and found ourselves in a frozen tundra. After Wally jumped through, the door closed, leaving us with no way out. Artemis looked over at the speedster accusingly.
"Well?"
"Ever hear of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension."
"Ugh!" The archer groaned.
The rest of us turned to survey the area, when M'gann pointed out an object suspended in midair not too far from where we were standing. It was a cane. Kent's cane.
"Ooh, maybe it's Nelson's magic wand." Wally mumbled sarcastically. He sped over to the cane and grabbed just as Artemis did.
"I got it." They said simultaneously as the cane began to glow, "I can't let go!"
Suddenly, they were lifted into the air and vanished in a bright flash of light. The others turned to look at me for some kind of explanation, but I had nothing. I shrugged.
"I guess we start walking." I suggested.
As we walked, we discussed Wally's unwillingness to believe in magic and sorcery. I kept the fact that I was getting cold hidden during our con
"I don't understand Wally. It's almost like he needs to believe the impossible can't happen." M'gann started. I nodded in understanding and agreement.
"Wally has always been the kind of person who thinks that everything can be solved by logic. The idea of their being something beyond that is something that he can't bring himself to believe." I explained.
"Agreed. For him to relinquish the control he has over what he cannot comprehend would shatter everything he once thought he knew." Kaldur added.
A creaking sound then brought us to a halt. Up ahead, on a small hill, appeared steps and an open doorway. Our way out of the tundra. We made our way out quickly, worried that the door may disappear again, and ended up on our backs in a sort of limbo area with a large golden bell in the center of a platform. In front of us, stood Kent, Wally and Artemis. The archer rushed over to help us up as a young demon-looking boy with a cat and Abra Kadabra began to attack us.
"Good to see you again, Miss Grant. I do wish we could have met under better circumstances." Kent called out.
"Never mind the formalities, Kent! Go! Protect the Helmet!" I yelled back. He gave me a kind smile and turned to the bell, rang it and disappeared with Wally and the demon kid, leaving the rest of us to face Abra.
Superboy and I charged at the villain, but he trapped us under domed cages of lightning, sending pain through every inch of us. Kaldur and Artemis tried to take him down but suffered the same fate as Superboy and I.
"M'gann! Send a message to Wally! Tell him we need help!" Kaldur cried out as electricity coursed through him. The Martian managed to send a telepathic message to Wally in time, but was trapped shortly after.
We waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity, but the pain made me lose all track of time. The pain finally subsided when a large glowing ankh appeared behind Abra Kadabra, taking away his tech and clothes and freeing us from the cages. Superboy approached him and knocked him out with one punch. With Abra taken care of, all we had to do was wait for Wally to return.
He came back a few minutes later, sadness lingering in his eyes, the Helmet of Fate in his hands. I choked back a sob.
"He's gone, isn't he?" I whispered hoarsely. Wally nodded solemnly and held out the Helmet to me.
"He said that he would always be there for you. And that he wants you to be the one that tells your grandfather." I paused for a moment, staring at the Helmet. Then, slowly, carefully, I took the Helmet in my hands.
"Okay. I'll tell him."
Happy Harbor
August 20, 01:15 EDT
Calling my grandfather was one of my least favorite activities. There was only two reasons that I ever called him. His birthday and Christmas. But this... this was so much harder.
With everyone sitting around me, I felt a sense of support, but it didn't help much as the call went to voicemail.
"You've reached Theodore Grant. Leave a message at the tone." A muffled beep rang and I took a deep breath.
"It's me, Ted. I know I don't call as often as I should, but I needed to be the one to tell you this. Kent is gone. He wanted me to be the one who told you. I know how much he meant to you as a friend, and I want you to know that, if you need anything, you can just give me a call."
I stopped, not sure of what else to say, so I ended the call and made my way to the back of the Bioship as we landed. With the Helmet of Fate in my hands, I strode past everyone and went to the trophy room. As I set the Helmet next to Cheshire's mask, I was joined by Wally, who pulled me into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry, Whiskers. I can only imagine how you're feeling."
"Thanks, Wally." Over his shoulder, I saw Artemis waiting to talk to Wally, so I pulled away and left them. I pulled out my phone and texted Dinah and Oliver.
To: Dinah and Ollie
We lost Kent. Don't really wanna go home. Staying at the Cave.
After getting the okay from both of them, I walked out to the common area and sat alone in my thoughts, too tired to fall asleep.