Mount Justice || November 22, 09:42 EST ||
Zara's birthday is coming and Ruby couldn't wait to give her a homemade photo album contains the picture of everyone including themselves. Robin couldn't help but feel amazed by her creative skills as he, Mei and Wally help her out.
"Where are Zara and Aaliyah?" Wally asks the scarlet-haired girl curiously. Ruby is usually with Zara or Aaliyah which is rare for her not to be with either of them.
"Oh?" Ruby is blinking her emerald eyes behind her glasses. "Aaliyah lied to Zara that I need to bond more time with my spirits alone."
"Zara didn't know you're planning to have a surprise party." Robin commented and Ruby nodded her head.
"We don't know why she hates celebrating her birthday but we wanted it to make it a good experience for her." Ruby explained and sticking a photo of Zara and her new friend, Lydia. "We're not mentioning Zara's birthday."
"I see..." Wally nodded his head in understanding. "Wait- I thought you knew her for a long time. You three are so close."
"I've known Aaliyah and Zara for a year, Wally." She answered and pushing her glasses up. "She never told us her dislike birthdate. The only person who knew Zara very well is Lily. He and Zara grew up together before they met us."
"Who would name a child as a girl?" Robin scoffs and shaking her head. "I'm sure there is a reason why Zara doesn't want to celebrate."
"Ye-yeah." Glancing at Wally to see him with a serious look on his face. "Wally?"
"Rubes, you're the person." Grabbing her shoulders and she yelped in surprise. "Who can answer my questions."
"Que-que-questions?" Stuttering while blushing embarrassing while Robin looks curious. "Wal-Wal-Wal-Wally... you're making me feel nervous." Her palms begin to sweat and her spirit patted her hand.
"Did you or did you not know of Aaliyah liking someone?" Wally asks bluntly and Ruby looks speechless by the question. "She said and I quote, 'falling for someone is not one of my main priorities'." He tried to mimic Aaliyah's voice and failed to do it.
"Aaliyah..." Ruby's eyes turned sad and understand why she's not interested in a relationship with someone else. "I do understand her why she said it... there's a part of me saying she's terrified of open up to someone."
"Have she ever been in love before?" Robin asks her curiously.
"I actually don't know, Robin." Shrugging her shoulders. "Why are you so interested to know Aaliyah's love life, Wally?"
Wally laughs sheepishly. "A couple of days ago, Arthur called and was proud of my mission. He asked Aaliyah to express her feelings to Kaldur."
"Eh? Kaldur and Aaliyah?" Ruby is blinking her eyes with a disbelief look on her face.
Robin chuckles in amused and frowned. "Didn't Kaldur like someone? Tuna or Tulu?" He asks his red-haired friend.
"Tula." Wally corrected him. "I think our fish boy is still confused about his feelings. Hard to choose which girl he likes more."
"Why closing her heart, my young maiden?" Ruby didn't say anything as she's consumed by her thoughts. "Rubina?"
"Eh?" Blinking her eyes and staring at them. "Aaliyah is scared."
"Scared?" The two boys repeated her words.
"Yeah." She nodded her head and smiles apologetically. "You should ask her yourselves."
"Like that would happened." Wally scoffs the idea of him asking Aaliyah bluntly regarding her feelings for Kaldur. He would surely receive a famous whack of a paper fan by her. "You? Any trouble at school?"
"No." Shaking her head and smiles gently. "I have two friends and both of them are quite overprotective."
Wally sniffs and hugging the poor girl with her spirits. "My baby girl is growing up!" He wailed and Ruby goes panicking.
"Hey!" Robin cried and pushes Wally to hug them. "She's off-limits!"
"Of-off li-limits!" She stuttered and her whole face is red like a rose. "I-I-I-I-"
Someone interrupted their moments. "Robin, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Celestial. Report for mission briefing." Batman ordered a specific young hero to meet him immediately.
"I'm going to finish this one up later." Looking down at her work as the boys help Ruby to clean up the mess and hiding the gift for Zara. "I wonder what kind of mission we're going to have?"
The five of them are changing their respective costumes as Batman begins to brief the mission for them. "Rumaan Harjavti is the democratically elected President of Qurac." He showed them the picture of a man in his mid 40's with a beard. "Harjavti has been praised as a fair, wise leader. A humanitarian." He explained to see Harjavti is shaking hands to Bruce Wayne, a billionaire from Gotham.
"Sure, any friend of Bruce Wayne's..." Kid Flash whispered closely to Robin and the boy wonder rolls his eyes.
"But five days ago... Harjavti allied himself with the dictator of the neighboring nation of Bialya. Queen Bee." Showing them the picture of Queen Bee.
Superboy scoffs and scowled to see her picture again. "Not a fan." He commented bluntly.
"Few are." Batman pointed out. "But Harjavti suddenly backs Queen Bee's baseless claim that Qurac and Bialya were one nation in ancient times. And he has announced the countries will reunify in two days at a ceremony in Qurac."
"That fast?" Celestial whispered and looks surprised at hearing it.
Batman showed them the news clip of Harjavti's announcement for stepping down his position by being Presiden of Qurac. "After the ceremony, I will step down as President so that our rightful monarch, Queen Bee, may rule."
Another news clip of Queen Bee. "I laud President Harjavti for unifying our people's and I would gladly come to Qurac to be crowned sole leader of our nation." Batman ends their news clip.
"And the Quracies are ok with this?" Kid Flash asks with a shocked look on his face.
"Hardly." He answered and showed them the protestants. "They're well aware of the brutality of Queen Bee's regime but Harjavti has censored the press, silenced all legitimate protesting and invited the Bialyan military into his country, to enforce Martial Law."
Celestial is masking her sadness seeing innocent people get hurt because they didn't give them a right to vote whether to accept Queen Bee or not. "Queen Bee has to be controlling Harjavti." Robin pointed out. "Doesn't she have the power to enthrall most men?" He asks his mentor curiously.
"And some women." Batman answered. "But not long distance. And we have confirmation she hasn't left Bialya. Something else is at work here. Find out what. Robin, you're team leader."
Robin looked shocked and Kid Flash is happy for his best friend. "Promotion! Sweet!" The yellow speedster compliments his best friend and raising his left arm up.
"Me?" Robin asks and ignoring Kid Flash. "What about Aqualad or Kitsune?"
"Aqualad is busy helping Aquaman." Batman answered. "Kitsune and Angel are busy helping Zatara and Doctor Fate. You're the next logical choice."
"Great..." He looks down while Celestial is worried about him.
"Dude! You totally left me hanging!" Kid Flash whined and Celestial just shakes her head.
Qurac || November 22, 23:56 UTC+2||
Celestial is wondering why Robin is hesitant to become a leader. She knows how much it means for Robin to be in that position but somehow he's hiding something from them. Noticing he becomes overprotective after he faces a traumatic experience from the exercise.
"We're right above the Quraci-Bialyan border." Robin informed them.
"A border the Bialyans are in the process of ignoring." Kid Flash commented sarcastically.
Superboy is looking at the screen closely. "No opposition. I guess Harjavti really is in bed with Bialya." He spoke up.
"I wouldn't expect opposition here. It's an animal sanctuary." Robin explained as he uses his computer hologram.
"The Logan Animal Sanctuary?" Miss Martian asks with a shocked look on her face.
"You know that place, Miss Martian?" Celestial questioned the Martian girl.
"Guys... tanks have caused a stampede." Kid Flash informed them as he uses his goggles to observe the environment. The civilian's in harm's way!"
"I see them. A woman and a small boy." Superboy explained them and Celestial looks worried.
"We have to help them!" Miss Martian explained and Celestial nodded her head.
"We're way off mission here!" Robin denied the idea of them helping civilians out.
Celestial glares at Robin and she stands up before removing the seatbelt. "I don't care. You can leave me out of this mission whether you like it or not. I'm not letting them get hurt." Switching her once scarlet clothes to black in stealth mode.
Robin is startled by her glare and cold tone against him. It's unusual for her to be this cold as she usually is timid or shy around them. He's worried about her leaving stranded to save their lives. Sighing heavily and never intended to leave her by his side. "I'm not leaving you behind Celestial. I'm not going to abandon you." Staring at her emerald eyes. "Deploy. But in stealth mode!"
"Robin is falling our innocent Celestial hard." Kid Flash whispered at Superboy and he couldn't help but agree with him. "He's officially smitten by her."
"Robin..." Her facial expression changes from cold to soft. "Thank you."
He secretly smiles by her softness but remained serious. "If the Bialyans know we've hit them, this becomes an international incident."
Miss Martian drops Celestial off where the civilians are. Thanking the martian girl and calls Dong Zhuo and ordered him to calm down all wildebeest. Dong Zhuo did as all animals stop stampeding and look calm. "Are you two alright?" The scarlet-haired girl asks them worriedly as Kid Flash and Robin joined her.
An 8-year-old ginger-haired boy with a freckle on both cheeks looks shocked to see three young heroes in front of them. "Mom. Mom! Mom!" He called his mom to bring her sense back. "We were just saved by Celestial and her spirit. Robin and Kid Flash!"
"Course, Superboy and Miss Martian helped too." Kid Flash spoke up and raising his right arm at Superboy's direction.
"Oryx!" The boy cried out to see his wildebeest is completely unharmed.
"We diverted the Bialyans around the sanctuary." Robin explained to the woman. "You should be safe now." He assured them.
"Uh... yeah! Coast has cleared, Miss M! You can decamo now." Kid Flash told Miss Martian.
Miss Martian reveals herself and greeting them shyly, however, the woman is not pleasing by their actions. "You may have made things worse. Bialyan border-crossings are a way of life here. Usually, they wreck a few fences and move on." She explained to them. "Engaging the might have made us a target."
Dong Zhuo gives the ginger-haired woman a scowling look on his face. "A thank you would be nice. All of us are taking risks to save you and your son's life."
"Dong Zhuo." Celestial gives him a pleading look to stop talking and smiling nervously at the woman. "Sorry about him, ma'am." She grips at the back of his blue shirt tightly.
The woman is shaking her head. "If anyone wants to apologize, it should be me. I should thank you." She smiled and holding the child. "This is my son, Garfield. I'm-"
"Marie Logan!" Miss Martian couldn't help but gush to see her favorite former actress. "I can't believe I'm actually meeting you in person! I've... I've admired your stands on animal rights for years." She rambles and Celestial blinks her eyes.
Marie approaches one of the wildebeest to see it limps. "The oryx is sick. And I think you injured this wildebeest."
"Uh... sorry?" Superboy apologizes and Celestial grabs one of her spirit keys.
"If you want, I can heal him?" Celestial offers her aid. "I can ask Kurama to heal your animal. My spirit is specializing in purification and healing magic."
"I shall take my leave, Celestial. You don't require my presence anymore." Dong Zhuo bows down at his Mistress before disappears.
Maria is still wary about Celestial's ability and Kid Flash sees it. "Trust her, her spirits are powerful and caring. Kurama is a cool fox."
"A fox!?" Garfield exclaimed and holds Celestial's hand. "Can I see him! Can I!? Can I!? Pretty please!?"
Celestial looks flustered but smiled seeing his contagious grin remind her of her foster sister. "Sure, if your mom is okay with it?" She stares at Marie with a hopeful look on her face.
Marie couldn't help but sighs softly. "I suppose it was unavoidable."
"That's a great idea, Celestial! You and Kurama are healing those animals. The boys are going to fix your fences." Miss Martian suggested.
Robin is startling at Miss Martian's command. "That's not exactly our..." He was cut off by Miss Martian and Garfield.
"Robin..."
"Please, mom!"
"Fine."
"Yes!"
Celestial laughs nervously and feels sorry for Marie and Robin for being pressured by Miss Martian and Garfield's cuteness.
Celestial comes back with Kurama after treating wildebeest to join the boys whereas Miss Martian is helping Marie out to fix the fence. Blinking her eyes with a curious look on her face to see Garfield is searching for an item. "Kurama said all the wildebeest are healed but they need some rests." She explained and patted Kurama's head.
"Mew!" He answered happily and Garfield turns his head to see a real-life fox spirit. His fur is yellow like a golden sun. Having a piece of jewelry around his neck as he has two blue stripes on his tail. Wearing a tiny helmet around his head, eyes are cover blue shades and wearing blue and purple shoes.
"Wow!" Garfield dropped the remote and approaching Kurama with a fascination look on his face. "Is this Kurama?" He asks the scarlet-haired girl curiously.
"Yeah, he is my healer and purifier spirit fox." Celestial answered and letting Garfield patted Kurama's head. "He's always been there for me whenever I'm sick. What are you guys doing?" She asks them with a skeptical look on her face.
"Apparently our Miss Martian resembles his mom." Kid Flash pointed out and Celestial is not surprised to know about it. "You knew?"
"I thought you guys knew and didn't say anything at all. Ms Marie and Miss Martian are the same except she's green and close to Kid Flash age." She tilted her head curiously and looking at Kurama. "Thanks for your help, Kurama. You can go back now."
"Mew!" His whole body glowed and disappeared to go back to the Spirit World.
"Celestial is right." He's disappointed as Celestial sent Kurama home but he needs rests due to healing wildebeest. "My mom was a TV star in 'Hello, Megan!'" Garfield explained.
"Wait... 'Hello, Megan' is a TV show?" Kid Flash asks with a shocked look on his face.
"I just thought it was something she says all the time." Robin pointed out as they shared the same look with Kid Flash.
"Yeah... on the TV show! Way before we were born. Only one season! You can't even find it online. I know mom has a tape somewhere..." Muttering the last part and going to look for the tape.
Celestial nearly squeal to find Robin's arms wrap around her waist to sit on his lap. She blushed furiously and her heart is beating up so fast. The scarlet-haired girl could tell Superboy hears her heartbeat by his super hearing.
"Do-do-do-don't yo-yo-you thi-think sitting on your lap is a bit too much?" Celestial asks weakly and feels his warm body around her.
"Nope. You're so light and I can barely feel you, my crystal maiden." Placing his head on her back and sniffs silently. He could smell cherry blossom scent and gripping her gently. "I don't want to let you go."
"Eh?" Blinking her eyes behind the mask and trying to look at Robin's face but he buried his face on her back. "Robin?"
"Shh... trying to have a nap here." He whispered while ignoring Kid Flash smug look and Superboy's overprotective look.
Garfield smiled widely for finding the right tape and blew the dust all over it. Turning around to face them. "'Hello, Megan!' The pilot episode." and putting it on the VHS.
"Wow! You still have VHS!" Kid Flash looked shocked to see the old videotape player. "Where is your 8-track?" He asks the boy curiously.
"Wait!" Superboy stopped them and uses his super hearing. "Aircraft! Headed this way."
Celestial jumps off Robin's lap and immediately head out the house. She noticed Miss Martian and Marie came back from fixing the fence. "What is it?" The Martian girl asks them curiously.
Hearing a loud aircraft headed towards their direction. Starting to shoot towards them and Celestial calls Xi Men to create the fire shield to protect herself, Superboy, Marie and Miss Martian.
"Where is my son?" Marie grabs Superboy's shoulder with a fearful look on her face.
"I ordered him to stay inside." Robin answered as he and Kid Flash joined them.
Xi Men and Marie are not pleased by his statement. "He's eight! He doesn't do 'orders'!" The ginger-haired woman exclaimed.
"Xi Men, find him-" Celestial was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Mom!" They turned around to see Garfield is releasing all the animals. "It's ok, I got the animals out!" Assuring his mom and hearing a gunshot headed towards his direction.
Celestial tries to save the boy but Xi Men hold his Mistress back as Superboy hold Marie as well. The scarlet-haired girl is scared of his condition seeing the gas tank explode by a gunshot and involve the explosion. The Martian girl catches him before he could cause more damage to his body.
"No..." Celestial whimpered and Xi Men just hold her gently. "We must stop those aircraft, now! Xi Men, I order you to destroy those aircraft now!" Ordering her spirit in a strong voice.
"As you wish, Lady Celestial." Releasing his Mistress and bowing at her before destroying the aircraft by just a single swing on his right arm.
Kurama finished tending Garfield and uses his tail to wipe off his sweat. He used too magic by healing animals and didn't want to use his Mistress magic. "Mew! Mew!" Marie and Robin are looking at Celestial for an explanation.
"Kurama said he's alright but in shock." She sighs shaking and hugging her arms. "His magic is draining him much and couldn't heal Garfield in full recovery."
"Mew! Mew!" He stared at Marie's blue eyes. "Mew!"
"Garfield needs a blood transfusion, now." She finished the translation.
"Is either of you three O negative?" Marie asks them with a hopeful look on her face.
"No." Robin answered and checking his hologram computer.
"I'm sorry." Kid Flash answered but the two young heroes and Marie are looking at the scarlet-haired girl with a hopeful look on their face.
"I do." Celestial answered and Kurama is shaking his head. "Why not, Kurama?"
"Mew! Mew! Mew! Mew!" Kurama is scolding her furiously and Celestial frowned knowing he's right.
"But still-"
"Mew! Mew!" Hissing at her angrily and Celestial tries to convince him.
"Um... Cellie, what is he saying? Not all of us understand him." Kid Flash pointed out. He's still not used to Celestial able to understand her spirits fluently.
"If Garfield has my full blood, there's a chance he's going to have magic. Considering I'm a mage." She sighs heavily. "Kurama only allows me to give half of my blood and we need another blood donor."
"Why half?" Marie questioned the girl.
"We don't know the consequences if we give him full blood." Celestial answered and looking at Kurama. "All of us born with magic but Kurama done this case before I form a contract with him."
"I'm not O negative either. It's the hardest to match." She stares at her son with a worried look on her face. "I've kept a supply in the clinic."
"I can run into the nearest hospital." Kid Flash volunteered.
"The nearest hospital with this type of blood supply, half an hour away at your top speed." Robin explained while checking his hologram. "Longer by bio-ship."
"What if I send Sora instead?" Celestial suggested. "He can get there for 2 minutes in the hospital and get the blood."
"Mew! Mew!" Kurama is shaking his head. "Mew!"
"Cel, how many times you call your spirit?" Robin asks the scarlet-haired girl curiously as he remembered Angel is telling him calling the spirits more than 3 times could drain her magic. Celestial's condition is going to be worst if she calls another spirit.
"3." Celestial answered immediately.
"Don't call Sora, you're draining your magic to call your powerful spirit." Giving her a stern look and Celestial looked away to mask her anger.
"He doesn't have that much time. What's Superboy's blood type?" Marie questioned them.
"He's Kryptonian. And Miss Martian-" Robin was cut off by someone.
"Might be able to help." They turned around to face her and Superboy. "My shape-shifting occurs at the cellular level." She explained and walked towards Garfield. "I think I can modify blood to match his."
"Please, try!" Marie pleads and couldn't take the risk of losing her only son.
Miss Martian touches her head. "I'll need to concentrate. No distractions. Kurama how much blood you need?" She asks Celestial's spirit.
"Mew!" Kurama answered.
"That's all I could ask." Celestial looks shocked after finding out Miss Martian could understand Kurama. "We need Celestial's blood because it could make his recovery a bit fasts."
"Out all of you!" Marie kicked all the boys out as Kurama started to draw Celestial's blood quietly.
Xi Men uses his own magic to summon into this world without using Celestial's body. His Mistress needs a rest due for donating blood to save Garfield's life and he would aid them without hesitation. Not all of her spirits are free to summon their will without using her magic. There are few them including himself, who can use their magic because their bonds are stronger compares to others. Celestial needs to bond other spirits more so they would be able to summon their own will.
"Is she going to be okay, Xi Men?" Snapping out his thoughts to see Miss Martian is looking at him with a worried look on her face.
"She is, Lady Celestial owns 12 Chinese Zodiac including myself and 5 silver spirits." Xi Men assured her. "If we sense Lady Katsumi is in danger, we're going to use our magic to summon ourselves without her magic."
"I see..." Miss Martian and Xi Men go to the living room and telling them the news. "It's done. All we can do now is wait." She informed them.
Kid Flash throws the remote into the air and was shocked to see them and rapidly pressing any buttons. Xi Men has a suspicious look on his face seeing Superboy and Robin startled expression. "Are we missing something, boys?" He asks with a serious look on his face.
"No-nothing at all!" Robin lied and blinking his eyes to see Celestial's spirit. "Where's Celestial?"
"She's still weak due for donating blood. I use my own magic to summon here." Xi Men explained and looking at the news of Harjavti once the yellow speedster manages to get the right channel regarding the politician.
"My fellow Quracians..." He greeted his people.
Miss Martian is looking at the news. "Is that Harjavti?" She asks the boys.
"Queen Bee's rule is a gift to Qurac." Harjavti is explaining to his people and Xi Men noticed his eyes are blank without showing emotions.
"Hey, that guy in back!" Superboy noticed a familiar white man with a hood to cover his face is behind the President of Qurac. "I know him."
Robin is using his hologram computer to zoom in closely. "It's Psimon! The psychic we fought last time we were in Bialya! He was working for Queen Bee then, he must be controlling Harjavti for her now!" Miss Martian explained with a grim look on his face.
Kid Flash slaps his head and groan. Remembering he lost his memories back in Bialya. "I still remember the headache from when he brain-blasted us. Kitsune is lucky enough she didn't lose her memories."
Robin is observing Psimon with a serious look on his face. "We have to get Harjavti away from him." He explained to the team and Xi Men excluding Celestial.
"It worked." Marie showed up. "Garfield is stable and Celestial is on the other room to rests." She explained to the team.
"Good. Because, we have our mission." The boy wonder informed Marie. "Can you look after Celestial? She looks exhausted after summoning her spirits and donating blood for your son." He hates leaving Celestial behind but she won't ever forgive him if they stayed because her health is more important than the mission.
"I will." Marie assured Robin and his team. "She's resting in my room. Be safe."
Dhabar || November 23, 22:11 UTC+2 ||
Xi Men is taking Celestial's place and having faith for other spirits to protect their Mistress, the mother and son at all costs whereas he is helping them. Robin is using a small camera to check if Harjavrti is alone in the room or not.
"Harjavti is alone." Robin informed them through telepathy.
The four of them in their stealth mode, excluding Xi Men who's still on hiding, landed safely from the air vent. Robin is waving his hands at Harjavti's face to stop him from dazing.
"Where's my daughter?" Harjvati asks them with a thick accent and holding his head. "Where is Psimon?" His head is still aching from the brainwashing.
"Forget him." Robin answered. "Let's get you out of here."
The soldiers are barging in Harjavti's office with a weapon in their hands. "Well, well. American heroes here, to assassinate the President. Such a shame we arrived too late to stop them..."
Xi Men narrowed his eyes and he couldn't let the young people hurt by those dangerous weapons. "Those are Apokoliptian weapons." Superboy explained to them.
"Which they'll use to kill Harjavti, we get cleaned and Queen Bee gets to rule Qurac." Robin pointed out.
"President Harjavti is looking for his daughter. There's a chance Queen Bee is going to use his daughter to take over the Qurac." Xi Men explained with a grim look on his face.
"We can't let that happened." He scowled at Xi Men's opinion knowing he's right for Queen Bee is going to control Harjavti's daughter. "Full roundup around the President."
Miss Martian is glancing behind her to see Psimon. "I found Psimon." Decided to confront the telepathic and leaving them behind.
"Miss Martian!" Xi Men tries to stop the Martian girl but she ignored their pleas.
"I'll get her." Superboy assured them and tried to catch her up.
"No! The mission is Harjavti." Robin stopped the clone. "Miss Martian can take care of herself."
The soldiers are starting to shoot them as Xi Men showed up in front of Harjavti and using his magic to protect Harjavti, Kid Flash, Robin and Superboy. "My fire shield would deflect any bullets and I'll be here to protect him." The Chinese Dragon spirit is assuring the young heroes and they managed to defeat them.
A young woman in her early 20's heard gun shoots and sighing in relief to see her father is unharmed. She looked surprised to see three familiar young heroes and a man with a horn is saving her father's life. "Thank you for saving my father." She thanked them and hugging her father tight. "We will take care of him now."
The four of them left the meeting room to help Miss Martian out. "M'gann, we're coming!" They're crying out in pain by the brain blast to knock them out coldly.
Xi Men is opening his eyes and groaning by a massive headache. It's a miracle for him he didn't get back to the Spirit world after the brain blast. Usually, the spirit can go back to the Spirit world whether they've done their task or get defeated but it's none of the above.
"And there's the headache..." Kid Flash commented and holding his head.
"Now I understand what Lady Celestial's pain by the brain blast." Xi Men muttered and his world is spinning around by that powerful mind blast. "Where's Psimon?"
"He brain-blasted you. I stopped him." Xi Men noticed Miss Martian is keeping a secret from them and decided not to push it.
Xi Men, Miss Martian, Robin, Kid Flash and Superboy manage to save the entire nation. They save Harjavti's life from Psimon's manipulation and Miss Martian portrays herself as Queen Bee, pretending to get angry and have revenge on Harjavti to take over Qurac. Celestial miss out the actions as she's resting from donating blood and using magic.
Celestial is still upset for leaving her behind but she completely understands the mission is important. Xi Men reported everything to his Mistress before he could go back to the Spirit world after knowing she's well. Staring at the ceiling in deep thought and sensing someone is coming inside of the room.
"How are you feeling, Celestial?" Blinking her eyes behind the half-mask to see Robin is sitting on the opposite side of her bed. "I'm sorry for leaving you behind."
"Don't blame yourself for this, Robin." Celestial smiles and holding his hands gently. "The mission is more important and if we delayed because of me... who knows what will happen."
"Still... I don't want to leave you behind, my gem." He whispered and making Celestial froze.
The voice, actions and overprotectiveness. Two different boys yet they're one, Celestial is starting to connect the dots. She often to ignore her spirits are right and rarely gets wrong. Why Celestial didn't think of Robin's real identity is the same boy she befriends with.
"Dick?" Celestial whispered and staring at his domino mask as his eyes grew wide. "There's no mistake, it is you... your actions and never-ending teasing to me... the boy I befriended at my school. It's you, isn't it?"
"Celestial... I-!" Robin stuttered and remembered Knight and Saber's advice that these girls could find out his real identity because of their abilities without any intentions. "How?" Sighing in defeat and going to receive an earful from Batman for this.
"Gem." She answered and laying her head on his shoulder. "You always look after me both hero and our life. Showering me lots of affections and I even tried to approach Artemis... you never allowed me to see her. Xi Men and Xingcai smell your scent as I ignore their advice of you and him are one."
"You should always listen to them, my gem." Kissing her temple and it's not a lie for Robin showing his affections for her. He's completely smitten by her and will do anything to make his gem happy. "I'm sorry for keeping it from you."
"It's fine." Celestial never gets mad of Robin's identity from them without a reason. "It eases my heart to know someone is there for me. Thank you, Robin."
"I'm always here for you, Celestial. No matter what happens... you're stuck with me for the rest of your life." Holding her face to meet her soft emerald eyes. "No one is going to take my young celestial maiden while I'm around."
Celestial's cheek flushed by his declaration. Robin's word is true seeing his determined look. Usually, it's her sister and their friends are willing to look after her. No boys are willing to be with her because she's always timid and shy. Robin makes her feel comfortable and the first boy who's going to make her feel safe.
"OHH! CELESTIAL! YOUR BROTHER KID FLASH IS HERE!" Celestial didn't mean to push Robin hard and he falls off the chair.
"Sorry!" She whispered and Robin waves it off.
Robin is going to kill the yellow speedster for ruining their moment. He sits up and pretends nothing happened of him being pushed by Celestial.
Kid Flash barges in the room and holding Celestial's hand with a worried look on his face. "You okay, Rubes? Feeling nauseous?" He asks while holding her cheeks to check the temperature.
Ruby giggles and smiling at him. "I'm fine, Kid Flash. Thank you for asking."
"Great, are you able to walk? The news is going to start soon." He explained and Celestial nodded her head.
"Yeah." The four young heroes goes down towards the living room to meet up with Marie, Superboy and Miss Martian.
Superboy smiled lightly to see Celestial is getting better as the news start regarding Harjavti. "The Wayne Foundation is here to do whatever it can to help you and your people rebuild Qurac." Bruce assured the President of Qurac and Celestial would never ask how he managed to be in Qurac that fast.
Marie turns off the television and Kid Flash breaks the silence. "Gee, Bruce Wayne surely got here fast." He commented with a smug look on his face while crossing his arms. "Almost like he knew-"
"Ah! I remember something!" Celestial snapped her fingers and never intend to cut Kid Flash off. "Aren't we suppose to watch a video before we get interrupted?" She asks while looking at Kid Flash with a curious look on her face.
"You're so adorable, Celestial!" Kid Flash gushed and hugging the poor girl. "Can't just I adopt you? To become my little sister?"
"Um...um... um..." Celestial stuttered and she blushed furiously.
"Kid Flash, you're making her embarrassed." Marie spoke up gently and pulling Celestial away from him gently.
"Sorry, thanks for reminding me, Celestial. 'Hello, Megan!'" Slapping his forehead and using his speed to grab the tape then showing it in front of Miss Martian. "Something you'd like to tell us?" He asks the Martian girl with a serious look on his face.
"What was that all about?" Celestial whispered at Superboy.
"You're right about them almost identical except for the skin color." Superboy answered while crossing his arms. "Especially saying those phrases..."
"Aren't exactly her original phrase?" Celestial suggested and he nodded his head.
Miss Martian sighs heavily and looking at them with a sad look on her face. "Growing up on Mars was... not a happy time for me. But I started watching the broadcast my Uncle sent from Earth... to teach us about our sister planet... when I saw 'Hello, Megan!" something just... clicked." Explaining to her team while looking at Marie. "Maybe it was the similarities in our names... maybe it was the way all Megan's problems could be solved in 22 minutes. All I know for sure is... that Megan helped me smile through a lonely childhood. So when I came to Earth... and had to adopt a human form... I chose you. Well... Megan."
Kid Flash and Robin are sharing each other's look whereas Celestial remained silent while looking down at her lap. "Which begs the question..." The boy wonder trailed off his thoughts and glancing at the scarlet-haired girl slightly. "What do you really look like?" He asks Miss Martian.
Miss Martian stands up and showing her true form. Bald without hair and eyebrows while looking at them with a sorrowful look on her face. She couldn't take a risk of them finding out her real form and scared they might push her away. "Bald M'gann... still hot!" Kid Flash whispered the last part.
Superboy stands up and holding his girlfriend's hands. "You know, you don't have to put on the mask for me." He spoke up in his rare soft tone.
Miss Martian pulls herself away from Superboy and reverting back to her appearance. "I do it for me." She hugs herself. "This is who I am. Inside. Please, don't be mad." Staring at Marie with a pleading look on her face.
"Mad?" Marie finally spoke up. "I'm honored. M'gann, you and Celestial saved my son." Celestial raises her head up to face Marie with a shocked look on her face. "He says he's yours and Celestial's blood-brother now. And I agree. You and Celestial are my family."
Celestial's breath stopped and clasping her hands together while looking at Marie. She did for a reason because Marie looks is the doppelgänger Lola Mendez, her former foster mother and mentor. Whenever she is looking at Marie, she's seeing Lola through her and often shaking up without being noticed. "You're always my daughter, blood or not, my dearest Ruby." Echoing through Celestial's mind.
Miss Martian approached Marie and hugging her gently and Robin noticed she didn't move to join their hug. It makes him worried about her unusual behavior. She usually hugs someone or even brushed off their gratefulness towards her. "Thank you! You can't know what that means to me." Pulling her away and wanted to see Garfield.
"Celestial, you're crying?" Marie gasped to see her tears falling down her half-mask.
"Eh?" Celestial stands far from them and turning her back to remove half-mask. Wiping off her tears and the ache of her heart couldn't stop. "Sorry! I- um... I easily get emotional." Laughing weakly and trying to stop her tears.
"Celestial..." Robin whispered her name worriedly. He approached her and placing his arms on her right shoulder. "Hey, he's alive and grateful for you and Miss Martian."
"I know." She sniffs and wearing her half-mask back then facing towards them. "Sorry, I easily get emotional by this kind of situation." Celestial explained and looking at Marie. "I just feel relieved to know he's okay and fast recovery because of my blood."
"Is there a chance he might inherit the same abilities as you?" Marie asks her curiously and remembering the part of him a possibility Garfield might have magic inside of his system.
"I can't say for sure." She smiles apologetically. "You see there are different types of magic and all we have to do is wait until you see the signs. It could be anything."
Marie appreciates her honest answers and hugging Celestial gently. The scarlet-haired girl looks shocked by the sudden gesture and able to return the hug. "Thank you. Aside from saving my son... you also heal all my animals."
"It's my-"
"It's not your job." She pulls away and holding her soft cheeks. "I can see it in your emerald eyes... you're willing to help other people out despite I'm just a stranger to you. Behind those eyes... it's like you knew me before."
"You remind me of my guardian." She smiles sadly. "She sacrificed her life for me to gave me another chance." Revealing her half part story. "I know that I can't save many people's lives but- at least I can try, right?"
"Your guardian would be proud of you, Celestial." She kissed her forehead. "I'm also proud of what you become."
Tokyo, Japan || November 23, 10:30 EDT ||
Ruby decided to take a day off while Aaliyah and Zara are off to save the city. They finish the mission without the rest of the Team and save Garfield's life. Marie and Garfield have her special whistle crystal to call her in case of an emergency. Just one blow and it would shatter into pieces as the scarlet-haired girl would be with them by riding Sora. Aside from succeeding and saving people, Ruby knows Robin's real identity and swore to him not to tell anyone unless he says yes. Relaxing inside of her bedroom while gazing of the autumn leaves are falling down.
"Mim?" Her Nikola spirit is looking at Ruby with a curious look on her face.
"I almost had a breakdown in front of everyone, Mimi." Ruby spoke up softly while stroking her key spirits gently. "Luckily... they didn't ask any further."
"Mi! Mim!" Patting her Mistress's hand and smiles gently. "Mim!"
"Thank you." She hugs Mimi and looking outside of the balcony to see Dick is climbing up the tree to jump over her balcony safely. He grinned seeing her bewilderment expression and waving his arms.
"Hey, my beautiful gem! Open your window, please! It's cold!" He whined and Ruby immediately open her window. "Thank you." Grinning as she closed the window. "Nice room you have."
Walls are designed by constellations and Dick didn't expect she's interested in Astronomy. Her room is simple and it's neat as the books are placed properly in the bookshelf. Noticing a picture of herself and a girl who's similar to Roy's age. Her hair is long and matches Ruby's hair as the eyes are brown. "Who is she?"
"Mim!" Mimi is waving at Dick with her usual shivering body.
"Hey Mi!" He carries her gently. "She looks like you but a bit older around Roy's age?"
"Yeah, she's my older sister, Erza." Ruby answered his question. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking up on you since you didn't join them." He shrugged and sitting down on her small sofa. "How come?"
"I just need a day off that's all." She answered truthfully and wasn't in a mood to join Aaliyah and Zara. "Why are you here aside from checking up?"
"Well... I um..." Rubbing his neck and sighs heavily. "It never gets out of my thought. About your guardian giving you a second chance for."
"Oh, that..." She looks down on the grey carpet and sighing heavily. "I was supposed to be dead on that day." Ignoring his tense and continued to speak. "Lola uses a forbidden crystal life spell. Bringing back the dead to trade your life from them. Where do you think I gain this crystal from?"
"Her..." He muttered and Ruby shows the scar to her spinal back area by pulling up her pink jumper. "Ruby... how come we didn't see it?" Robin is staring at her back sadly.
Ruby pulls down her jumper and smiles sadly. "I was scared of what you guys think of me. You've seen me how I easily get emotional."
Dick couldn't help but agree with her point of view. Standing up and hugging the girl he falls for deeply. "I'm not. You're strong girl, Rubina... don't think too little of yourself. Whenever you're upset, I'm here for you, always."
Ruby tears up and hugging Dick tightly. Everyone thinks of her being a strong girl however, deep inside, she's broken. All Dick could ever do is comforting her. He may not know the full story for this woman, Lola, he's going to wait until she's ready to explain everything.