November 25
Watchtower
A flock of birds fly up, and over the Big Three, in the aviary of the Watchtower. Orbiting thousands of miles above the Earth's surface, and floating in space.
"Times like these," Wonder Woman begins, staring out onto the blue planet. "One feels the very weight of the world upon us."
Wet, but heavy footsteps are heard from behind Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
"Everyone is here," Aquaman announces.
The three sigh, and prepare themselves for the long, tireless meeting.
They enter the conference room of the large Watchtower, spotting every known Justice League member around the U shaped table.
The large windows begin to darken as the conversation might be heard by some alien force against the Justice League. And this meeting is no joking matter.
"Our agenda is clear," Aquaman begins, addressing the group. "What's at stake should not be underestimated."
"The decisions we make today will reverberate for years to come," Superman adds in.
"And influence whether or not the world continues to put their trust in the Justice League," Wonder Woman weighs in.
"Please, take your seats. We have work to do," Batman orders.
"Another expansion of the League could generate another escalation of hostilities from our enemies," Martian Manhunter explains. "No one needs or wants another Injustice League."
"Point taken," Superman agrees. "But the option remains to vote 'no' on one or all candidates. So I nominate Icon for League membership."
"Why, because you suspect Icon might be Kryptonian, like you did with Captain Marvel?" Green Arrow assumes, as Superman brings up a picture of a dark man in a red suit, and dark green cape.
"You thought I was Kryptonian? Cool!" Captain Marvel exclaims.
"Icon interests me also," Wonder Woman comforts, changing the picture to a shorter chocolate skinned girl with short, spiked hair, and darker clothes. "As does his protégé, Rocket. Athena knows the League could use more female members…"
"Agreed," Black Canary agrees.
"Hear, hear!" Hawk Woman cheers.
"While we are on the subject of women on the League," Canary begins, "I would like to nominate yours truly, Wonder Woman, Wonderbat."
"No," Batman glares.
"Absolutely not," Wonder Woman states. "As proud of Adeline as I am, she is in no shape to be a Justice League Member. Not yet."
"But, hear me out," Canary stops. "I train with her. Maybe not every day, but I've sparred with her enough to know that she is powerful. She still has more about herself that she needs to discover, I'll give you two that. But given the right mentorship, dare I say, she could be better than Batman."
"And what drives you to this conclusion?" The Dark Knight glares. "She is nowhere near ready to take on such a role in the Justice League society."
"And how would you know this?" Canary asks. "You refuse to barely talk to the girl. Let alone spar with her."
"If I may," Captain Marvel interrupts. "I've been on a mission with Addie. I know what she's like in the field. She is strong, and when she sets her mind to something, nothing can stop her. She might be naive, but she's not dumb."
"Huh! We can agree on that one," Flash states. "Talked to the girl for a minute at Kid Flash's surprise party. She's got a mind as quick as a whip."
"She hasn't even been to a proper school-"
"I don't think you have a right to interject your personal opinion about Adeline's education when you refuse to be apart of her life," Wonder Woman shoots at Batman before he could finish.
"That was some serious shade…" G.A whispers to Flash.
"Perhaps I should interject an observation?" Martian Manhunter begins. "She harbored, and aided a known criminal in her home. Your home. She wished to bring him to the side of justice, and safety. How can we be so sure that she won't do the same thing again? How can she be sure that she is not being used to get information about the Justice League?"
"Perhaps we should move on?" Aquaman asks, noticing the tension in the room.
Mount. Justice
"Gobble gobble!" Wally exclaims, eating some form of red berries. "Aw, I love Thanksgiving!"
A wooden spoon floats up, and smacks his hand.
"OW!" He exclaims, now nursing the top of his hand.
"Those are for dinner, Wally!" M'gann laughs, as Zatanna helps her cook food for this… giving of thanks day.
"There, seasoned to perfection, and ready for the oven!" Zatanna brushes her hands off after using her powers to season the turkey.
M'gann uses her telepathy to float the large bird into the oven.
"Wally, I thought you were eating with your family?" M'gann asks.
"Oh, yeah! Dad will kill me if I'm late!" He shoves another handful of… whatever it is into his mouth, and runs off. "See ya!"
"Wally!" M'gann reprimands.
"There's no point in it, M'gann," I sigh. "I believe the phrase goes: 'Boys will be boys'?"
We both chuckle.
Except for Zatanna.
Her shoulders shake violently as she snivels, turned away from us, but wiping away tears.
M'gann and I come to comfort her.
"Oh… it's nothing, really," She says, wiping away stray tears. "It's the onions. These are all the things I used to cook for-"
We pull her into a hug.
"It's my first Thanksgiving without my dad…" She says softly.
We embrace her.
"Hey," I pull away slightly. "This is my first giving of thanks day ever. Why don't you show me a thing or two about the festivities for this day?"
I attempt to lighten the mood.
We break apart, and Zatanna takes me over to this orange… thing? It's definitely not a fruit…
A sharp ringing begins throughout the Cave.
I let out a short cry of pain, and clutch my ears to stop it's sound.
I glance over to Conner, who was in the living room with Wolf, who were both attempting to block the sound as well.
"With Superman off world, only two things alive, with less than four legs can hear this frequency, Superboy, and Wonderbat," A voice begins in the noise. "And that's you two. Superboy, meet me in Washington DC, East Potomac Park. Come alone. I promise, it will be worth the trip."
He looks over to me too, and gives me a knowing look.
I nod, and he stands up, and begins to leave with Wolf.
"Conner?" M'gann asks.
"Figured you don't want my help in the kitchen," He says. "Remember the last time?"
'What 'last time'...?' I wonder.
"Uh...yeah...but-"
"I'm just walking Wolf," he says walking to the hangar doors. "No big."
"Hey, has anyone seen Haneul?" I ask.
"I think he's meditating in his room or something…" Zatanna states.
"I'll go get him!" I say. "No way he's getting to miss out on this experience!"
I fly through the corridors until I reach his room.
"Haneul?" I knock on the door. "We need help!"
"Not in the mood," I hear his muffled voice reply from the other side.
"What? You tired or something?" I tease. "Come on! We're having fun! And, we get to eat it all together! M'gann, Zatanna, Conner and I can't eat it all by ourselves! As much as we might try…"
"I said not now!" He sasses.
"Don't make me come in there," I growl.
'Please? I need you around so I don't think about...him…' I think to myself.
"Or what? You'll force me to socialize?" He lashes out.
"You know, you're acting like a real jerk," I spit.
"And this is news to you… why?" He asks.
I slam my fist on the door, and storm away.
'I just don't want to think about Nash. Where he could be, what he could be doing, who he's doing something with…' I begin to let tears roll down my cheeks. 'I didn't mean for him to run off like that… I just want him to be safe.'
It takes a few minutes to walk from his room, back to the kitchen, but within that time alone, I recollect the times when Nash and I were...okay.
When he took me to try new foods, and go meet new people, and have fun at the zoo's…
Now that I think about it, I haven't taken down that picture of us in my room.
I look at it every night for hours on end. Praying to Aphrodite that he'll return home. Safe and sound.
Haneul
That hurt.
I could hear her thoughts, and feel her pain.
I know she's hurting, and I know I was a jerk, but I can't let her know what I'm doing.
And before you ask: No. I'm not doing evil, villainous crap in my room. I'm trying to locate her Lantern.
Yeah, yeah. I know.
"But you hate him!?"
True.
But be that as it may, I don't hate Adeline. I hate seeing her pretend to be happy, when I know she's deeply wounded.
I reach my consciousness out into the world, searching for my connection.
"Was that your little interruption?" The voice of Constantine returns to my head.
"Wonderbat is anything but an interruption when I delve into my mind," I reply. "Back to the subject at hand, have you found any clues as to where this Lantern might be?"
"Listen, Scar," He uses his nickname for me. "I don't think you want her seeing him."
"And why is that?" I ask. "Wonderbat wants nothing more than to bring him home. Keep him on the light side, and away from Sinestro. Why wouldn't she want to see him?"
"She would love to see him. But she wants to see the caring guy. Not… this," Constantine replies.
"And why is that?" I huff.
"Because now… let's just say he's sporting a bit more… Homicidal maniac look, than Caring Green Lantern style," Constantine snarks. "Intergalactic war? Him standing right beside Sinestro? He's got to be off-ing a few civilians here and there."
"Homicidal?" I question to myself.
"When someone commits murder-"
"I know what homicide is!" I shout. "But how can I be certain of this?"
"What do you mean, shrimp?" He huffs, probably lighting a cigar.
"Your bloodline is known for tricking the Gods. How am I to be sure of this, when you are known for your deceitful ways?" I inquire.
"First: I'm better than nothing. Second: I'm the only chance you got. Third: You don't know. And that's the beauty of the adventure." Constantine remarks. "Have fun Shrimp."
Our connection is cut off.
'Nash? Homicidal?' I wonder. 'The Lantern might be full of himself, but not enough to be blinded by the murderous ways of Sinestro.'
I glance over to the door.
'To tell… or not to tell. That is the question,' I think, knowing that Adeline would attempt to find Nash, and bring him back to her side.
She won't let him go, but she can be distracted from the though of him...
'Not to tell, that is the answer,' I conclude.
Addie
"Haneul's not coming?" M'gann asks.
"He's too busy being pissy," I pout.
"Oh," Zatanna frowns. "I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's not your fault that he decided to bring his attitude to my attention," I comfort, elbowing her lightly. "Besides, this just means we have a girl's day in."
M'gann orders me to begin to stir the mix for a pie.
I begin to stir at my fastest pace, thinking that it will be done quicker if I do.
"Addie!" M'gann shouts. "You need to do it slowly! Otherwise the consistency will feel strange."
I pause, then restart at a slower pace, raising my eyebrow.
"Like this?" I question.
M'gann smiles, and nods.
A few hours later, and dinner was ready.
"This… is a lot of food," Zatanna remarks, looking over the large table covered with large portions of food.
"Well… you mustn't forget that we are feeding a Kryptonian, an Amazon, and a Magician," I note.
"I say we dig in!" M'gann smiles, as we take our seats.
"Should we go back and invite Haneul?" Zatanna asks. "Sure he was a jerk, but we should still ask…"
"And where is Superboy?" M'gann wonders. "We even made Wolf a bowl of chicken and gravy…"
"I shall retrieve Haneul," I stand up, bringing a plate with me. "If you two would like to begin without us, you are more than welcome to."
"No, we'll wait up," Zatanna says. "After all, we are supposed to eat together on Thanksgiving."
"Oh… I was unaware…" I state softly. "No matter. I will see if Haneul would like to join us."
I walk through the hallways to reach Haneul's room.
I take a deep breath, and knock on his door.
"Hey, Scarlet Witch," I tease good-heartedly. "Dinner is ready, if you'd like to join us?"
No answer.
"Listen, we both got off on the wrong foot earlier," I begin. "But we've know each other for a while now, we shouldn't let one little bump ruin our companionship."
I hear sheets ruffle.
"Come on," I plead. "I even brought you a plate…"
The door slides open.
His electric blue gaze meets my bright grey eyes, and I take a step back in shock.
He cocks his head to the side slightly, and I raise the plate up a bit more, a nervous smile on my face.
He reaches his hand out to my face, and brushes my cheek lightly with his thumb.
My eyes widen in shock, and I'm frozen in place by his gesture.
As he pulls his hand back, he reaches down to take the plate from me.
"You had batter on our cheek," He remarks lowly.
I reach up to where his thumb was, and I feel small, dried up, left over pieces of the batter.
"O-Oh... " I stutter. "M'gann and Zatanna didn't notice…"
'Why the stutter?' I ask myself. 'You know Haneul. He's a subtle flirt. You know how to deal with him.'
"Good thing I did," He says, a flirtless tone crossing his accented voice.
"Uh...yeah…" I look away from him. "This… this is awkward…"
"Incredibly," He agrees. "Shall we?"
I nod my head 'yes' and we make our way back out to the dining room.
"So the beast finally emerges?" Zatanna teases.
I spot Haneul roll his eyes, but not like he was annoyed.
'Is he actually...happy here?' I question.
Seconds later, Conner walks in with Wolf.
"And the other beast returns," I laugh, giving Wolf a scratch on the head as he curls up next to Sko.
"Well, we're all here!" M'gann cheers. "Dig in everyone!"
We all begin to pile all sorts of food onto our plates. Conner, and myself with the largest piles.
"Before we begin," Zatanna begins. "We should all go around and say what we're thankful for!"
"That's a great idea, Z!" M'gann agrees. "You go first!"
Zatanna looks around, he she straightens out.
"I'm thankful for new friends, and a happy family," She smiles.
I can't help but smile with her.
"I'm thankful for a new life on Earth! A-and new relationships, of course," M'gann blushes sheepishly as Conner gives her a caring glance.
"I guess I'm thankful for… life? For the team?" He puts out. "I have a lot to be thankful for I guess…"
"I… I'm not quite sure where to begin…" Haneul begins, scratching his neck. "I can't say that being a 'good guy' has been easy, or without it's hardships… but I suppose it's not what, but who I'm thankful for. Without Adeline, I'd be dead. So I give my thanks to you, and your hospitality."
I can't help but blush at his words.
'He's thankful that we met? But… we tried to kill each other…?' I wonder.
"O-oh… my turn," I stutter. "I guess that I'm thankful for the acceptance all of you have given me. Technically, I'm not supposed to be alive, and yet, you have all welcomed me with open arms, as though you've known me your whole life. But I'm also thankful for food. I really like food."
"Well, we better dig in then!" Conner smiles at me.
Whoa, he can show facial expressions other than angst and anger?
That's a shocker.
"I meant it," Haneul whispers to me. "My life changed. For the better. Thank you."
I don't need to look at him to spot the sincerity in his voice. I just grab his fork, and pick off a piece of his mashed potatoes.
"It's what I do, Han," I smile, eating the potato piece.
He side glances me, and I smirk at him.
He knows what I mean.
He can read minds after all.
I place his fork back in his hand, and return to my food, only to realize that he had done the same to me.
This means war.
I playfully glare at him, and he gives me an innocent look.
'You know what you did, you over glorified tomato…' I tease in my head, knowing he can hear me.
I see him look away, but I can still see his smirk.
I raise my eyebrow, and steal his drink, and a sip of his ginger ale.
Placing it back on the table, I see him glare at me playfully, and I silently challenge him to try something.
"War indeed," He smirks.
"Could you two just feed each other and kiss already?" Conner teases, but clearly not in the mood for our crap.
My back straightens out, and my eyes widen as a deep blush crosses my cheeks.
'But Nash-' I try to remind myself. 'Nash is gone… he made his choice… but this might still be-'
I feel a slight pressure on my cheek, and my head snaps around to see Haneul backing away slowly, and inconspicuously.
I'm sure my blush darkened to the color of his bright hair.
I notice the silence enveloping the table.
Looking at the fork in my hand, then back up at everyone, I nervously laugh, then shove my mouth full of corn.
Anything to escape the embarrassment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Han smiling.
Not smirking, but an actual, sweet smile.
'Facial expressions are surprising me quite a bit today,' I note.
Still technically the weekend! It's 11:55...
I'm sort of on time...
Wildfiresflame: I know... I was attempting online sarcasm as well... It did not work.
Anime Hotty lover.18: I know!But wtih Zatanna being... well, not sadistic, she would have to make a small comment about her being allured to the fun of dunking people under water :D
L.: Well, now you know! And I promise, she and Nash will meet up soon.
Luna Star Phantom: to quote 'Road to El Dorado': Both. Both is good. Please! And send me a link to the pics, so I can put it up on my profile!
Brandon1289: Yes they are oc's, but I'm looking for connections to Haneul... any ideas? XD
Whelp, t-t-that's all folks!
Gargoyle77 out!
