Disordered
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or Danny Phantom. Just my ocs and how they fit in the storyline.
168 hours.
168 hours since the nightmares began. That didn't include the traumatizing experience from the err failsafe exercise. Leila had barely spoken a word to her mentor or partner since; even was more rarely seen by the Team.
She would wake up screaming, clutching herself and trembling. It became worst if the lights flashed on. Instead, Dick learned to simply sit beside her, rubbing her hand in the darkness until she would embrace him in a tight hug. It calmed him as well, their embrace, but her screams always reminded him of what he did. He had sent his team, his friends, to their deaths and all for a stupid, meager mission. Both birds had broken wings and Batman blamed himself.
Mount Justice
October 23 18:21 EDT
Leila's death glare bore into Black Canary. Sure Canary could pretend her concern, but Leila could see right through her. Canary would never understand because she was alive. Fully alive while Leila was half dead.
Strike one.
Canary didn't have to watch her family die while she kept surviving.
Strike two.
Canary didn't have to live with the guilt that she would keep a secret more than save her friends.
Strike three.
Leila growled under her breath as Black Canary started off with her cliché line,
"I know-"
"No. You don't know Canary." Leila harshly interrupted as she turned her death glare to the small waterfall in the room,
"You don't know a thing about me. So don't pretend like you 'understand'."
"Leila- " Leila's eyes sparked violet with an icy burning of energy at the use of her real name. Black Canary quickly fixed her mistake,
"Raven. I may not understand but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned. What I do know is that you been through a lot."
Leila gave a puff of breath, her voice heavy in sarcasm and monotone,
"What was your first clue, my dead family."
Leila kept her hard stare on Canary: emotionless. She wouldn't let the tears slip. She couldn't let go. No emotion. Her voice came out harsh and rasped still,
"You don't know what it is like...I'm a Shadow. I was trained to kill and what do I do as a hero: send my friends to their deaths. All the while I keep surviving. And I knew it wasn't real, back in my subconscious, I could remember that something was wrong with the whole scenario, that it was only a test, but I still killed them all. That's not even the half of it. My second family died just like my first and it was all my fault for not saving them. You don't know what it's like Canary, so tell me again, just how much I've been through."
Silence was held, the anticipation and discomfort could be sliced with her tessen. Leila got up and walked to the door, just before exiting, she paused,
"If Batman told you everything about me, then no one will 'understand'."
Leila walked out and let the door slam behind her. Aqualad's eyes widen at the brute force, the door frame shaking. He had never seen Leila lose her temper as such before. Leila paused as she and Aqualad shared eye contact. She could still see his bones disintegrating before her; the flash of light taking him away. An awkward silence held before Aqualad looked away, muttering,
"I'm sorry. I'm not meant to be the leader."
She narrowed her eyes, remembering how not a few weeks ago Aqualad still felt the same when dealing with the mole Intel. Aqualad cringed as if she was going to yell at him, instead Leila stepped forward to look him squarely in the eye,
"So you made a mistake, that doesn't mean you're not a great leader. I'll still follow your lead, Aqualad. I'm the one that should be sorry...sorry for not keeping them safe."
Leila then brushed passed Aqualad, heading back to the kitchen. Everyone was still silent and aloof as before, only Superboy was missing as he had stormed out of his session and flew off with Wolf and Sphere. She almost followed suit, desiring to fly across the darkening skyline but she couldn't help but listen to Aqualad's session once she heard his resignation request,
"I am not fit for command and must resign as team leader."
"Who do you recommend to take your place?"
"Artemis is too raw and untrusting. Kid Flash too rash and impulsive. M'gann remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger."
"Leaving either Raven or Robin."
"Raven has proven herself logical and highly skilled to take command, but after this...she seems less assured about herself. To give her that burden as well-"
"So, making Robin the logical choice now."
"But he's so young."
"Kaldur, you're all young."
"I cannot shift this burden to him either. Not yet. Heh. It appears I must withdraw my resignation."
The corners of Leila's mouth inched in a slight smile at overhearing Aqualad. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she was glad to know Aqualad was, at least, okay with still being the leader. That he was healing even just a little from his mistake. It even surprised her that he would ever considered her for the position, but glad he didn't hand it over to her.
**Not a hero...I didn't keep them safe.**
Leila stiffened as a chill slithered up her spine. Guilt instantly seeped throughout her body as her thoughts haunted her. She wrapped her arms around herself as she shivered in the corner. Glancing around, she saw Robin hesitating to show his concern as he peered at her sudden tension. She quickly shook her head towards him before swiftly walking out of the room. She just needed a break, calm her thoughts and gain back control. She hurried past Batman, Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter, gaining access to the Zeta Tubes before answering Batman's protests,
"I'm going out."
"Raven. Hold-"
Leila disappeared before he finished, teleporting to Gotham City before letting herself transform to disappear. She hadn't been this way in a month, and she felt...alive once again. It frightened her. It exhilarated her. The sensation of flying, the loss of gravity lessening also the weight of guilt. The wind blew her hair like snowflakes as Leila sped throughout the city. Letting her mind take her, she ending up at the local park.
She landed near the swing set: the same one she found Penny in. The same one she lost her too.
**Not human...not a hero.**
Leila stiffened as a chill snaked up her spine again: escaping as a lavender wisp of breath. She turned around to find the green blob of ghost watching her. His eyes rolled forward in glee, a mischievous grin spread like his crimson eyes,
"Well well well. Isn't it the little girl who can't find her way home."
"I am home. And you picked the wrong night Spook. It's been you all along, hasn't it. Why are you following me? Who are you?" Leila fisted her hands, making them glow a violet hue as she anticipated her opponent. She didn't have the thermos.
"Not very friendly this night either, are we? Do you like being a lonely, little girl? I know Penny didn't."
A blast of purple ectoplasm barreled through the sky, silencing the night of euphoria into a chaotic chase. The ghost laughed as he zoomed out of the way, streaking through the starry night. She knew he was only baiting her to follow, but she couldn't let him escape, not again.
**Would the Team believe me if I...no it's only one ghost. I can do this.**
Leila narrowed her eyes as she observed her opponent, swirling through the air with her wispy tail to propel her faster. He never seemed to fire back, merely engaging the chase further as he flew past the city limits.
**Where is he going? To Vlad? No, he's heading east. If only I had that stupid thermos, at least try to see if it'll work on another ghost with one already in it.**
A frown etched its way to her face, curious and cautious of the ghost's abilities. He was a shapeshifter but it seemed that was his only ability other than the basic flight and invisibility. Nothing compared to the threat Skulker held, so why would Vlad use such a merger ghost? Suddenly, the ghost swirled and disappeared. Leila skidded to a stop mid air, glancing around.
She had made it back to Happy Harbor.
A screamed of help pierced the air, sending Leila speeding in that direction. Whatever the ghost's true motives were, she'll have to find out later. Zooming across the horizon, Leila found the ghost harassing an elderly woman near the local high school. He was itching closer to her face in a wasp form, the stinger right above her cheek.
"Leave her alone."
Leila sent an ectoplasmic blast at the ghost, hitting him square in the chest and propelling him 30 feet away. She landed just in front of the gray-haired lady, her hands glowing as the ghost struggled on his crushed wings,
"Get away from here. Call for help if you need it. Just get away as fast as you can."
"What a sweet, young girl. You're very brave. Tell me sweetie, are you as strong as they say you are?"
"What?"
Leila turned to see the lady's eyes gleamed a crimson red before she lunged. Leila brought her hands up, creating a reflective barrier and the lady was repelled backwards. The lady glowed magenta and Leila realized where the ghost was running to: his mistress. Wind whipped her bangs back as Leila shot back into the sky, dodging the male ghost's attack from behind. He buzzed beside the woman who now had a very sunken, young adult look about her. She had striking green eyes, a red, devil hairstyle and a wicked grin to match. The first ghost transformed as well, posing as a snout, gray-hair man in a butler outfit. Leila reminded herself not to let Alfred become as grumpy. The lady held out her hands as if surrendering,
"Now Leila, we just wanted to talk. Your father has been worried about you."
"He's not my father." Leila spat as she tried to formulate a plan. Now she had two hostile ghosts, sent by Vlad none the less, and no means to capture them. Maybe she did need the Team's help after all.
"But why not? You don't actually think your so called teammates still trust you, do you? That they're actually your friends. I've heard them myself, how they believe you're a creepy, know-it-all freak. Do you honestly believe they like you?"
There it was again, the taunting, the harsh words of reality. Both of the ghosts knew her position on the Team. Both knew that the Team wouldn't accept her if her secret was revealed. Both stared at Leila in voluptuousness. Her head was pounding again as Leila's thoughts swirled around her. She knew the ghosts were only messing with her, but she also felt truth to their words. Barely any of her Teammates believed in ghosts so why would they believe in her?
She didn't save them either, even if it was only a test, the failsafe exercise proved that she wasn't a hero. She was only trying to save herself.
Leila didn't realize she had lowered herself to the ground, until she heard a crackling of laughter. The female ghost grinned in glee as a circle of flames surrounded her, her hands glowing in her magenta ectoplasm as she transformed into a black, shadowy wisp.
"You see Leila. You're one of us. A ghost. Come with Bertrand and I. We'll help you."
The ghost's voice cooed and echoed like the thoughts that have been imbuing Leila's mind the past few weeks. Her thoughts began to change, herself remembering each of her teammates. How Aqualad trusted her still, enough to possibly consider her to be team leader. How M'gann kept eagerly trying to talk to her or how Artemis still valued her friendship. How Robin accepted her even as she was, a ghost. It was then Leila made up her mind. Her eyes glowing a violent purple, Leila took a defensive stance,
"No. You're wrong. I may be a ghost but I'm not like you."
The ghost known as Bertrand growled as he leaped at Leila. Once a grumpy butler was now an angry panther, tackling his prey to a tree. Leila gasped as her back slammed into the bark, claws digging into her shoulders.
"You think you can defy us? You? You're just a scared, little girl who doesn't know where she belongs."
A large paw reclined back, aiming to scar the ghost girl as it powerfully swiped down. Leila instantly turned intangible, escaping the attack by inches. The panther stared in bewilderment at the scratch on the bark. Sinking below the tree, Leila shot back up through the ground, punching Bertrand in the face and sending him flying over the rooftop and past the school.
"Spectra!"
Leila's smirk of accomplishment vanished as Bertrand reminded her of the second ghost's presence. A black arm snared her neck as the ghost known as Spectra strangled Leila from behind. She struggled to escape, clawing at the tight grip. However, not only was the grip strong, but Leila's energy was being sapped. She heaved heavily with every breath,
"Let. me. go."
"Why would I do that? Your doubt, your misery. It's delicious. Just look at you. What are you? A ghost trying to fit in with humans? Or some creepy, little girl with creepy little powers."
Two rings appeared around Leila's core, each snaking up and down her body, and transforming her human as her energy depleted. She needed Robin.
Robin sat quietly by himself on the couch in the kitchen. Canary's session did give him some relief, but he still felt penitent. He still had sent his friends to their deaths, worst of all gave Leila nightmares each night. He was more worried about her the longer she stayed out. Batman had informed him that she had zeta to Gotham, but haven't heard back from her since. That was over two hours ago. The seconds ticked by and agitated him even further. He just needed to make sure she was okay.
Wally came up and sat across from him, tapping his foot as he couldn't sit still. The ticking grew louder and Robin's face deepen into a frown.
"Dude, your Batman is showing."
Normally, Robin would fire his own comeback; Wally and him would always joke they were becoming like their mentors, a usual habit. But, Robin stiffen at the comment. Wally looked at him quizzically,
"That bad?"
"Worst. Totally not feeling the aster, heavy on the 'dis'. I messed up."
"Dude, we all messed up."
"No, you all gave your lives. I just sent you to all to your deaths."
Wally looked like he was about to object when a small beeping noise reverberated through the room. Robin's eyes widen as he reached within his jacket for his utility belt, a red flash beeping from the center latch.
"What is it? Hey, wait! Rob!"
Robin dashed from the sofa, switching into his uniform as fast as he could. Wally zipped in front of him, folding his arms as he blocked the exit.
"I have to go KF. Raven's in trouble."
"In trouble? Raven is in trouble?"
"Yes. Now are you gonna help me or not?"
"Wait, Rob. Just what kind of trouble? This is Raven we're talking about. Where is she?"
Robin sighed in frustration but knew Wally was right: he couldn't walk in blindly if he was going to help her. Stretching his arm before him, Robin scanned for Leila's location on his holographic computer. A red dot appeared just beside Happy Harbor High. Pondering the information, Robin tried to predict what caused Leila's distress call. It had to be paranormal activity. Slowly, Robin unclipped the cooled thermos from his utility belt. Ever since Leila's mishap with Red Volcano, Robin always kept the thermos with him.
"I need you to help get me to the high school."
"With a thermos?"
"Just trust me, okay KF. I'll explain later. We need to go now."
Wally paused before nodding. One instant Robin was pleading with KF to trust him, the next, he was slung on his back and speeding out of the Cave. Wind howled outside and nipped at Robin's ears before Kid skidded to a stop beside the bleachers of the school's football field. He quickly dismounted from Kid's back, peering around the building to the front parking lot. A humming sound buzzed within the air as Robin turned on the specter deflector mode. Kid Flash eyed the utility belt in confusion, whispering,
"Rob, what's going on?"
"Leila is being attacked by a ghost. I need you to grab her while I cause a distraction."
"You're joking right? A ghost?"
"See for yourself KF. On my signal, you run."
Kid peered around the school as well, spotting a large, shadow-like creature holding Raven by her throat from behind. Raven looked paler (if that was even possible), sunken and seemed barely able to fight off her attacker. Kid could see the searing crimson eyes smiling in glee, the shadow seeming to take a darker presence the longer it held Raven. He couldn't believe it. No way was that...thing a ghost. Ghosts aren't real. Yet, he felt miserable and frightened just by being mere feet from it. It wasn't suppose to be real, but here it was, a ghost in the flesh. Thoughts swirled through his mind, ones he thought that had long been forcibly forgotten. The worst was he kept seeing Artemis dying. He couldn't image what Raven was experiencing with being within the ghost's clutches.
Robin had disappeared, causing Kid Flash to panic on being left alone. Doubt crept back in his mind. He wasn't as fast as the Flash, could he really be fast enough to go against a ghost? He wasn't fast enough to save Artemis.
Kid shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts despite the fear. Raven was in trouble, almost to her death bed, as the ghost tighten her grip around her throat. She was becoming more limp and still by the second.
"You're a freak! Who would like a thing like you."
Kid's cheeks boiled in ire. Raven may not be the friendliest person, but that didn't mean she deserved this. For a split second, Kid wondered why the ghost was even attacking Raven; a mere coincidence? But then Kid heard Robin's signal and brushed the thought aside,
"Hey, dark, cold and ugly! I would be more turbed if it wasn't for your horrid features."
The dark ghost gave an ear-splitting shriek of fury. Robin had gained her attention, but she only gripped Raven tighter in defiance. Raven gasped for breath, her hands writhing at the struggle to breath. Kid wasn't sure what to do. If he tried attacking, the ghost would surely just disappear with Raven. He lowered himself to the ground, bracing for when he could run to grab Raven. He had to trust Robin to know what to do.
Meanwhile, Robin slowly backed away as the ghost shadowed over towards him. Laced between his fingers were three birdarangs, but he was afraid of the effects on Leila with her blocking the ghost. The ghost sneered out in a vexed pleasure,
"Well, well, well, isn't it the bat brat. I've heard much about you. I can sense your fear too. Your despair of failing your teammates is beautiful. How does it feel, knowing you sent everyone you love to their deaths. Couldn't do anything about it either. Just the same fate with your parents."
Flashes of falling streaks in red and blue blurred his vision. Robin could feel his heart spiking in acceleration, his fists clutching as he tried to blink away the images. It was fear and despair the ghost was feeding on, and Robin couldn't let her win. He had to be like Batman again; this time to save Leila. Striking blue eyes met ire gray ones, an agreement between the two, and then a slicing of infused, ectoplasmic steel rang through the wind. A howling shriek followed, a blur sped away and finally three explosives decimated the silent parking lot.
Leila clung tightly around Kid's neck as he zoomed away from the ghost. A cloud of smoke could be seen from the explosives and she closed her tessen to prohibit any damage to one of her rescuers. If her life wasn't just on the possible brink of death (if that was even possible), she would have immensely protested against Wally carrying her. She barely had the strengthen as it is to stay awake.
Kid skidded to a stop beside the football field's fence line, following Robin's command as he had waved him over.
"I don't know what you're thinking of Rob, but normally people run away from ghosts. Not stay and run towards them." Kid expostulated as he placed Leila on her feet. She soon staggered, Robin catching her, as she breathed heavily to explain,
"We have to capture them. They'll terrorize everyone if we don't stop them, Kid."
"Raven, you can barely stand! How do you even expect to defeat her?"
"It won't be easy but it's not impossible. Batman and I have been enhancing our weaponry to fight against ghosts. Robin, you have the thermos right?"
"And I ask again, what's with the thermos?"
"You'll see, no time to explain. Help me distract Spectra so Robin can capture her."
A growl was heard as the smoke cleared, Spectra glowing an indignant magenta while pointing at the three heroes,
"Bertrand. Sic 'em."
"Whatever you do, don't listen to anything she says and especially don't let her touch you!"
Leila cried as she and Robin were split away from Kid. Bertrand had kept his panther form, leaping with his claws stretched out at the three heroes. Leila staggered away, more being pulled out of the way by Robin, as she could barely stand or breath. She felt sluggish, her head pounding against her skull as she tried to fight the haunting thoughts. Spectra's power seemed to imbue her since having her energy drained for youth. She literally felt ten years older now. Her muscles ached and she didn't know how long she could stay awake.
Bertrand struck again, swapping Robin aside, before leaping on top of Leila. She cried out as the impact weight slammed her into asphalt. A slash scarred her back, cutting deep pass the durable fabric of her costume. A stinging sensation rang through her back like the doubtful thoughts in her head. Just as heavy paws crushed her into the ground, they were gone. Kid had ran full speed towards Bertrand, slamming him away like a ram. He gingerly helped her up, hissing spat from Leila's mouth as her back arched in stinging pain. Blood stains began soaking her top, but Leila tried her best to focus at the paranormal problem at hand.
Robin threw down a flash explosive, blinding Bertrand as he struck for the third time. All three heroes dashed away back towards the bleachers, Kid helping Leila along as she struggled to keep up. Luckily, Spectra seemed to have no pleasure in real dirty work, seeming to wait for the right opportunity to strike, floating peacefully above the chaotic fight. Leila glared at the shadowy ghost, contemplating,
"Bertrand is not powerful enough on his own, that's why he takes orders from Spectra. It's more important to get her first. Think that big mouth of yours can get her attention, Kid?"
"Why do I have to be bait?"
"Cause you don't know how to work the thermos and we only have one shot. Don't worry, I'll help too."
Leila unbuckled her damaged utility belt, latched it around Kid's waist before engaging the specter deflector system. It sputtered to life, buzzing a low hum at already having the belt scratched in damage. It was better than nothing though, and Kid needed the protection more. She kept her tessen and several birdarangs within her pockets. Kid signed in wrenched acceptance before branching off from the duo. He skidded behind the tree under Spectra, calling out to her,
"That the best you got, you plain, old shadow."
Leila rolled her eyes, realizing she may have put too much hope in Kid's loud mouth, but somehow even that petty insult angered Spectra. It seemed anything regarding her youth and beauty sent Spectra in a fury rage. The shadow growled as she turned to face the cocky speedster, her hands glowing a threatening magenta before blasting the burning energy towards him. Kid zipped out of the way, leaning against another tree twenty feet away,
"You missed, grandma."
It was cat and mouse between the two. Meanwhile, Robin positioned himself to be ready as Leila turned to face her own opponent. Bertrand smiled in glee as he prepared to pounce, his tail flickering,
"You really are bad at this aren't you. Calling for help like the pathetic girl you are. Aren't you going to show your friends who you really are."
"They know who I am: a heroine who will beat you."
Bertrand lunged at Leila, a smirk crept on her lips as she waited. Her strength was deleted but she could least give Robin and Kid time to capture Spectra. Just as Bertrand was about to pounce on top of her, Leila slashed upward with her tessen and shifted out of the way. She dropped an explosive birdarang as she sidestepped, smoke fogging the area as Bertrand yelped in pain. Shaking his head, Bertrand struck again, slashing towards Leila. She blocked him with her closed tessen, struggling to keep him at bay with her weakened state.
A zap of energy pulsed through the ghost, causing him to stagger away instantly with a whiny yelp.
Leila looked up to see a grinning Robin as he pointed to his utility belt,
"Seemed pretty whelmed in that unfair fight Raven."
"I could've taken him. You're suppose to be helping Kid."
A cry of glee rang as Leila and Robin turned to see Kid trapped beside the main building.
"You left Artemis. Watched her die and you couldn't do anything. What's the point of super speed if you're not fast enough. You're just a whiny, teenage boy who will never catch up."
"Don't listen to her KF."
"Leave him alone!"
Leila sloppily ran towards the dark shadow as she laughed at Kid's misery. She wasn't touching him, but her hovering presence seemed to paralyze Kid as she cornered him. She fired a blast of ectoplasm at the utility belt, damaging it more as it fell loose from Kid's waist, before clutching Kid's throat with her right hand, leaving for her left side exposed in Leila's opinion. Kid struggled but just like Leila, was growing weaker as Spectra had him in her clutches. He was losing energy, his eyes losing his spark of cockiness and his face seemed to become sunken the longer Spectra held him. Meanwhile, swirls of ectoplasm were ambient above Spectra's head. Hiding the ectoplasmic birdarang within her palm, Leila miraculously dodged Spectra's swiping claw of her hand, ducking under to stick the weapon on her. The mental lit up, flashing in a bolt of lighting as it denoted, forcing Spectra to release Kid from the separating impact. Kid pouted at having ectoplasmic goop covering him, landing against the school building, but Leila was throw back with impact from the weapon. Smashing into the ground, Leila groaned as she looked up to hear Spectra shrieking,
"No! My beauty, my youth! You wrenched girl!"
Spectra did not look good. It seemed halting the process of obtaining youth and beauty only desiccated her from it. Her foam sagged, wrinkles surrounded her face and she seemed to be growing more brittled. She was growing older by the second. Ire flashed from her eyes as she watched her hands grew faint and wrinkly, then Spectra struck. She thrust herself at Leila, despite appearing old, Spectra was still bullet fast. Again, her claw-like fingers strangled Leila's throat and suffocated her airways.
Leila couldn't even force herself to struggle against the constricting grip. Her energy was gone and she could feel herself losing consciousness. She just had to hold on a little longer.
Suddenly, Leila's legs slapped against the asphalt, herself choking on air as she felt she could breath again. Her back writhed and ached in protest, forcing herself to roll onto her side. A shrieking wail was splitting through the air as Spectra was being sucked into the thermos.
"Ah! No, no, no! I'm nothing without my youth!"
Then Spectra was gone, swirled into the thermos as Robin capped the lid. He grinned cheekily as he shook the thermos in his hand; a notion to victory. It ceased when Robin saw Bertrand tackle Leila. The two rolled, Leila slamming into the ground as Bertrand growled over her, pinning her in the dirt,
"So the little girl thinks she's so clever. You may have taken my mistress but you will pay for this."
"Get off her you darn, horrid ghost!"
Bertrand flew off of Leila, having been barrel rammed by Kid Flash again. He merely growled as he floated to regained his balance. Looking down at the three heroes, he hissed in acceptance.
"One day little girl. For now, I'll tell your father you say hello."
As like a puff of smoke, Bertrand disintegrated through the air. An eerie silence bathe the school parking lot as Robin rushed over to help patch Leila up. Her clenched jaw showing she was trying to suffer silently through the pain. Kid helped her up, Leila leaning heavily on him in exhaustion.
"Raven. Don't move, let me at least patch you up till we get back to the Cave."
"Don't need to tell me twice Boy Wonder."
Leila muttered as Robin started to wrap her back wounds. Dried blood covered her costume and Robin sighed in relief that the cuts weren't deeper than he expected. Kid awkwardly stood as he studied Raven on her feet, weary of what all just happened. He couldn't fathom it: he had just fought off two ghosts, even captured one of them. It all felt surreal. Yet, he knew Spectra and Bertrand were here, sapping their energy and fighting the three heroes. He had hundreds of questions filling his mind.
"How-how was Spectra..."
Kid sheepishly paused mid-sentence, realizing that he was admitting that ghosts were real. Leila glanced at him quizzically, a smirk creeping on her lips as she saw Kid struggling to formulate words,
"Ghosts exist because of an obsession they had before they died. Based on those obsessions, ghosts can have specific powers in order for them to 'satisfy' that need. For example, Spectra's obsession was her youth and beauty so she was able to obtain those qualities as a ghost by making one miserable to then sap them of their energy for youth."
Kid was stunned into silence, still trying to wrap his mind around the whole concept. Something else was bugging at Kid's conscience,
"Raven? What did...Bertrand mean by 'saying hello to your father'?"
Leila grimaced at this, sharing a concerned look with Robin through their masks eyes. He was now carrying her bridal style back to the Cave.
"I don't know. My biological father is already dead. I don't think he had an obsession to become a ghost when he died. I wouldn't worry about it too much Kid."
"But why attack you then?"
"I wouldn't know. Maybe my parents had an enemy I didn't know about when they were doing research. Whatever the reason, I'm sorry you had to be dragged into this. I was expecting only Robin to come to my aid."
Kid retracted back into his thoughts, realizing that there was much about Raven he didn't know about. Given tonight, he didn't know if he'd like to know more. Still, she was his teammate and came to his aid when he thought all hope was lost against Spectra. He still felt a slight chill in the air, but the presence wasn't as foreboding. Instead, he felt safe, even as he eyed the ghost-catching thermos attached to Robin's belt.
"So...science right?"
"If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be truth."
Leila smirked as she saw Kid's eyes lit up in excitement, Robin chuckled quietly as Kid exclaimed,
"Spock said that! You know Star Trek Raven?"
"Sound surprise Sneakers. I'm not a big fan. In actuality though, Spock was quoting Sherlock."
Kid's mouth went slack before he frowned, pouting slightly at not realizing the reference first. Although, he felt pleased to know Raven will be alright.
Madison, Wisconsin
Masters Manor, 01:28
A wailing shriek could be heard as a man roared in anger,
"You fool, you imbecile! Give me one reason why I should even spare you. You have failed, Bertrand. And you had the gall of returning."
The green blob of a ghost coward in fear, flinching away as he hurriedly try to explain,
"I can still get her bac-back sir. She's weak. I can go now. They won't-"
"No! That wasn't your mission. Especially not now that Spectra is captured. You were suppose to make her doubt herself and her so called friends, not encourage her to stay. And you ruined it all."
The man drew back his hand, a swirl of red ectoplasm was about to be struck, when a man from the shadows called out, stopping him
"Plasmius."
Burning red eyes narrowed as they dart towards the second man, the latter stepping quietly further into the room,
"Losing your temper won't give any satisfaction to this outcome. Quickly dispose of this... pest so we can discuss in solitude."
Vlad growled under his breath before clutching Bertrand within his grasps. Ra's Al Ghul merely looked away, observing the large portal at the back of the room, as a haunting wail lapsed within the cool laboratory. After a few seconds, he turned back to find Vlad standing alone, frowning in disgust over the deceased, pathetic ghost. A dejected sigh escaped his lips as Vlad turned to face Ra's,
"Henchmen can be so petty sometimes. At least it'll only be a minor setback. Are the others ready for the next step?"
"Naturally. Klarion has expressed his boredom multiple times. He can be so impatient. And what of your work here Vlad?"
"Tricky in of itself. Even far more complicated than creating Superboy. But, I believe it should be finished in time.
"Then once we obtain back what Ocean Master lost, we'll be one step closer in completing phase one."
A/N: I was a few weeks without computer access, so sorry about the delayed update but hope this chapter is as good as previous ones! Hope all enjoyed and thank you all so much for the continual favorites, follows and reviews!
