*Runs on screen and hides behind a trash can* (Whispering) Hi guys, here's a new chapter. Don't be too loud! I'm hiding from reviewer mobs. *Glances up and see's torches getting closer* I gotta go, but please review! *Makes a break for it and jumps into a dumpster as mob turns the corner*

Chapter 5: Task Force X

Phantom stared at the mirror before him, moodily changing his hair different colors as he tried to sort through his thoughts. The voice in his head had really bothered him, and he had made an effort to try and be as good a person as possible since then. He hadn't heard it since, except for some whispers that sounded suspiciously like they were coming from his own head. He anxiously began to pace, stopping when his hair turned a dusty brown. He frowned, feeling the inklings of a memory begin to stir in his mind. Had he- had he looked like this once? He turned his hair white again, trying to bring the memory out farther.

"Hey, paging Doctor Upside-down!" Phantom looked down toward the floor, seeing Star girl waving at him. The two had become fast friends, after Stargirl had caught him talking to himself in the mirror and declared them kindred spirits. He flipped over and floated down. "Hi Twinkles, what's up?"

She bopped him on the head with her staff, pretending to look annoyed. "You know I hate it when you call me Twinkles."

Phantom feigned a shocked expression. "You mean to tell me that isn't your real name?" He ducked as she took another swing at him.

"Shut up, you big dweeb." Stargirl tried to be serious, but her face quickly melted into a sappy grin. The two of them laughed for a minute, then Stargirl broke the silence. "I'm on my way to the mess hall. You wanna come get some lunch with me?"

Phantom shrugged. "Sure." Stargirl began walking, with Phantom floating beside her. "What are they serving?"

"Don't know yet."

Phantom raised an eyebrow. "So you're just going to eat whatever random thing they give you?"

She shrugged. "Maybe not. I might force you to eat it, though."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Yes it- oof!" Phantom fell back, looking up to see he had run straight into someone.

-Line break-

"I almost lost it when Boomy here set off the metal detector." (A/N: I don't actually know what Plastique said, bear with me) Plastique muttered.

"Seventy five cents is seventy five cents." (Don't know what he said after that)

"Shut your mouths and focus on the job." Flag snapped. The group kept walking and was preparing to go into the elevator, when someone ran into Deadshot. The toolbox fell open, and a bunch of 'Lightspeed bars' fell out.

He was a short guy, with white hair and acid green eyes that seemed to look straight through you. Flag was a little shocked by how young he was. He filed the information away for later.

"Oh man, I am so sorry!" The kid stood up and immediately began gathering up the 'bars', muttering to himself. Flag only caught a few words, but they were the weirdest things.

"Stupid little-"

"-not going to-"

"Shut up-"

"-head, you stupid voi-"

He finally stood up, holding the box for Deadshot to take. Deadshot did, keeping a straight face as the kid apologized again and walked off.

The group walked away and split, all of them grateful that they had avoided another close call.

-Line break-

Phantom walked back toward Stargirl, trying to drown out the insistent voice that had taken its sweet, freaking time to show up!

They are spies, kill them before it's too late!

Shut up! They are not spies!

You will regret this!

Finally the voice was silent, and Phantom had to stop himself from sighing in relief.

"I didn't know you could change your hair color."

Phantom looked up, surprised. "You saw that?"

Stargirl rolled her eyes. "Well, you weren't exactly doing it in private."

Phantom blushed slightly green. He really needed to be more careful. "Well, yeah. I can change my hair color. And by eye color. And little changes in body structure."

"You do know that technically makes you a shape shifter, right?"

Phantom frowned. "I never thought of it that way."

The two arrived at the mess hall, picking a table slightly to the side. Stargirl went to get a tray. "Are you coming?"

Phantom pulled out his sketchpad and set it on the table. "Nah, I've got something I want to draw."

"Okay. See you in a few."

Phantom began to draw. His original intention had been to draw Stargirl, but something inside him tugged his fingers in a different direction. Without really knowing what he was doing, he let his fingers go by themselves. His eyes grew wide as he stared at what he was making, but he didn't stop- couldn't stop. He set his pencil down and stared at the picture, feeling a memory so close and yet so far away.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Phantom jumped, looking up to see that Stargirl had sat down and was giving him a concerned look.

He quickly hid his troubles behind a practiced smile, not wanting to worry her. "Yeah, I'm fine." He quickly changed the subject. "I thought you hated tapioca."

If Stargirl noticed the subject change, she didn't let on. "Well, I did." She poked at the pile with her fork. "But I figured I could give it another chance."

"That's a good ide-" Phantom stopped abruptly. A sharp tingle ran through his fingers and back, causing his hands to twitch involuntarily. Death sense, coming on strong.

"Phantom? What's going on?"

The entire watchtower rocked, the lights shutting off. Phantom stumbled back as a sudden weight filled his arms, and when the lights came back on, Stargirl was clinging to him and shaking like a leaf in the breeze. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Uh, Stargirl? You okay there?" He was starting to feel uncomfortable.

She promptly fainted.

Phantom tried not to, but he groaned loudly. He would have to carry her out, bridal style. He listened to Martian Manhunter's announcement, then flew as level as he could toward the javelin bay.

-Line break-

I told you to kill them. You didn't listen. See what happens?

Phantom ground his teeth together, clenching and unclenching his fists in an attempt to drown it out. Shut up.

You're afraid. Afraid to admit I was right.

SHUT UP!

"Phantom, are you okay?"

Stargirl put her hand on Phantoms arm, but he didn't react. He continued to stare unblinking at the mirror. Stargirl put her hand under his nose. Yep, still breathing. Not knowing what else to do, she walked away, leaving Phantom to his thoughts. She really worried about him sometimes.

-Line break-

You've killed before, you know.

Phantom scowled. You're just saying that.

Do you know what happened to her?

Phantoms eyes narrowed. Who?

The girl. The one you drew.

Without really thinking about it, Phantom pulled out his sketchpad. He flipped to the latest drawing, frowning as he stared at it. I… I don't know who she is.

Wrong. You knew her. Loved her. Killed her.

YOU'RE LYING!

Am I? What do you remember from before?

Phantom stiffened. What?

Do you remember anything from your first life?

I… Phantom shook his head. I don't- It doesn't matter!

Really?

Why should I let you tell me? Phantom thought angrily. I don't know you either. Phantom stalked away from the mirror, determined not to let this voice get to him.

Oh, you are wrong. The voice sent a symphony of chills down his back. In his minds eye, he caught a flash of a dark, indistinct figure. The next words would haunt Phantom for weeks to come.

I'm not as much of a stranger as you want to believe.