Chapter 10
9:00 PM January 20th 2011, Watchtower
No matter how much Joey, Dick or I tried, we couldn't coax Jasmine to open up the door to her recovery room. I have the code to unlock the door from the outside, but that would be more detrimental than helpful in this situation. Eventually we gave up, figuring she has to come out eventually. We will talk to her then.
In the meantime, the League and Team have all gathered in the conference room. Joey is explaining everything he has already explained to Selina, Alfred and I. Doctor Fate should arrive any minute, until then we are waiting in here.
Dick is sitting with his team, still catching up with them. Roy and Wally seem to be more relaxed than before. Although they weren't too happy when Dick chastised them for being so harsh to Jasmine. Apparently both of Jasmine's brothers are protective of her. The only member of the team who isn't engaging with the group is Superboy. Connor has been pretty quiet ever since the blow-up about him occurred. Every once in a while he will ask Joey or Dick about it, but both of them brush it off.
Right now Joey is explaining Daniel's abilities and the differences between his own and Daniel's. Everyone in the room is attentively listening, hanging onto every word Joey says. Clark has a relieved expression on his face, the information explaining his odd behavior in Vegas. He still looks guilty, but it's good that he knows it isn't entirely his fault.
"So if Daniel can control someone's mind or make them do something willingly…why was Jasmine able to fight it in the clip we have of the auto shop?" Oliver inquires. "Can your kind not use your powers on each other?"
"Nah that is just Jas being stubborn" Joey answers. "As you have witnessed, it takes a lot to change her mind on certain subjects. Plus she's used to me communicating with her telepathically, so she knows how to mentally fight it."
Diana asks "Can anyone fight your or Daniel's abilities?" She sneaks a look at Clark.
"Unless we really cement it into their mind, a person can snap out of whatever trance our powers have them under. Especially if they are really hard-headed."
"Now Daniel has to use his powers verbally, right?" Barry asks.
Joey shakes his head, "No. I think he just enjoys watching everyone else around him freak out. But I've seen him use his abilities on people without saying a word to them. Although it is easier, I have never had to speak to a person before using my powers. Comes in handy when cops are chasing you."
Everyone frowns at the last comment. I say "Let's put a pin on that conversation for right now. How was it you were captured in the first place?"
"Jas and I were staying in a motel and I went to a gas station for a pack of smokes" he explains. "They didn't have my favorite, so I went looking for another store that would sell them. A few blocks away I ran into Daniel who was on his way to the motel to get both Jas and me. Mind linked Jas before they knocked me out, that's how she got away."
Dick scoffs "You were captured over a pack of cigarettes. You really need to break that habit."
"Why do you all keep saying that?" Joey smirks.
"Because they are bad for you" Dick retorts.
"Awww, worried about my heath. How sweet."
"Joey…"
"I could just eat you up."
"I'm serious."
"You're cute when you're serious."
"I am not cute!" Dick snaps.
Joey's eyebrow raises in amusement. I can tell he is finding Richard's annoyance funny. He continues "Really? Because right now you are."
Dick sends him a furious glare, one that could rival my own. He sneers "I am a master acrobat, martial artist, computer technician, hacker, marksman and detective. I speak several languages and have skipped three grades in one of America's academically brightest schools. Batman, the world's most feared hero raised me and has trained me since I was six. I've been fighting criminals since I was nine and am part of a highly skilled covert team that has gone on many high risk, dangerous missions all over the word. I am not cute!"
The room is silent, everyone except for Joey, Selina and I have looks of shock and fear, similar to ones I receive when I get angry. Joey watched Dick's outburst with a stoic expression. Selina has a proud smile on her face while I'm trying hard to hide mine.
Joey breaks the silence with a chuckle, "Just so freaking adorable."
"How did that not freak you out!" Roy exclaims. "I've known him for years and that still scared me."
Shruging Joey answers "Well I grew up being able to feel other's emotions. Now that I can't, people are a lot less threatening when mad. Now all there is, is a scrunched up face and a loud voice. I don't have feelings of anger and hatred being shot at me like before. Cutie patootie right here may have scared me when I was younger; at least before I made a block."
Dick sends Joey another glare about the nickname. "I'm remembering why people liked Jasmine more when we lived in the circus" he remarks.
"Everybody likes Jasmine more" Joey laughs. "Well except for these guys" he points around the room at the League and Team.
I ask "What did you mean 'before you made a block?'"
"A few years ago I made a block in my powers so other's emotions and thoughts weren't creeping into my head constantly."
"You can do that?" Dick inquires, his interest overtaking his anger.
"Yeah" Joey nods. "But it's difficult. Jas has a small one so objects aren't always floating around her, but she never had the drive nor reasons to strengthen it. I found mine necessary as she got older."
"Why?" Dick asks confused.
"Well I have a very attractive younger sister who is skinny, nice, smart, athletic, funny, likes cars, motorcycles, home repair and always offered guests at our home or apartment beer. Then we both always made friends with guys who hung around our place a lot and had active imaginations. Great guys, but after Jas started looking around the same age as me and my friends, I started noticing how dirty minded some are."
Frowning many in the room stare speechless at Joey, not knowing quite how to react to the story. Dick although obviously uncomfortable, is the first to recover and redirects the conversation "Anyways, after Joey was captured, Jasmine came and got me from Gotham."
"Why?" Wally asks crossly. "Daniel didn't know where you were. He was just after Jasmine, she didn't need to drag you into her problem." Dick sends his best friend a glare as Joey says
"Let's just say if Daniel was in America, he knew about Richard Grayson being his third child. If Jas hadn't gone and grabbed James, Daniel would have."
Oliver is next to ask "How did Jasmine get caught?"
Dick frowns, "She was still healing from what happened in Vegas. At that point she was physically back to normal, just not moving as fast and got tired really easily. Daniel had caught up to us at a train station. Jas locked me into a train car that was about to leave, saying she would meet me in West Virginia at an abandoned apartment we stayed in one night. Then she ran off into the station to distract Daniel onto another train. When I got to West Virginia and Jas didn't show up for three days, I knew Daniel had caught her."
A voice sounds from the doorway, "You should have stayed hidden after that." Turning I see Doctor Fate entering. It is hard to tell his facial expression because of the helmet, but by his body posture I can tell he is not happy. Fate storms over to where Joey is standing and grabs his chin harshly. In reaction, Joey violently swings at the odd attack
"What the hell!"
"Hold still" the Lord of Order commands. Joey stiffens as Fate takes ahold of his head and examines. After a very long awkward moment, Fate moves from Joey over to Dick and does the same. At first Dick moves away, but stops when Fate grabs him and pulls Dick to stand next to Joey. When Fate lets go of Dick, he demands "Where is the girl?"
"In the recovery room" Orin answers cautiously.
Doctor Fate keeps his focus on Dick "You should have never gone to the clone. You have put the entire world at risk because of your actions."
"Hey lay off!" Roy sneers. "He went to Connor for help."
"What he should have done was disappear and stay hidden. If he had done that, Russello wouldn't be in control of four types of magic right now. I am taking these three with me."
I stand from my chair, "You will do no such thing. They are staying here."
"This is not a League issue" Fate challenges. "I need to keep the wizards somewhere their father can't get to them. Then I will take care of Russello."
"My son stays here with me along with his siblings."
"He is not your son, he is a magic bearer who should not exist. I am taking the three with me until the problem is taken care of, then I will decide what to do with them."
"Decide what to do with us!" Joey hisses. "What the hell does that mean?"
Turning to Joey, Fate states "Your kind was supposed to be taken care of centuries ago. Since you three haven't done anything wrong yet, I will be generous and keep you in the Tower of Fate to keep an eye on you."
"Who do you think you are!?" Joey yells. "I'm not going anywhere with you. And even try to put a hand on Jasmine or James and I will personally kick your ass."
Fate threateningly takes a step towards Joey. "Do not test me. It is precisely this reason your kind was demolished. You are all power-hungry, stubborn, insubordinate beings who are constantly causing trouble. You know how many of you wizards I've had to strip from power? As I see it you and your siblings will turn out just the same and I would have to eventually take all three of you down. Unfortunately I have to get rid of your father first."
"Do what you want with Daniel, but leave us three alone. We haven't done anything wrong."
"Yet."
I approach Fate, "Listen to me. These three are not like the other wizards you have encountered. I raised Dick, I know what type of person he is. I have also spoken to Joey and Jasmine. None of them have done anything besides be born with powers they barely understand. They don't even know what they are, that's why we called you in."
Taken aback, Fate asks Joey and Dick "Is that true?"
Both boys nod. Joey adds "We only found out like three hours ago we are called wizards and that we use magic. Unfortunately the three of us didn't get our letters to Hogwarts when we turned eleven."
Fate seems to contemplate his next move. He looks to me "You trust the three?"
"Completely" I firmly state.
"Then you will be responsible for their actions. If any of them try to pull anything, I will hold you responsible. I will also keep an eye them and make sure they don't overstep their bounds."
"You make us sound like criminals" Dick accuses.
"Your kind is. Almost every ancient plague, war, downfall of a perfectly healthy civilization can be traced to a wizard trying to gain more power. What we thought was the last wizard was brought down in the 14th century when she caused the Black Death. The only time we a Lord of Order has taken down a wizard is when they have done something horrible. So I would watch my actions if I were you."
"Do not threaten my son" I sneer at Fate.
Joey steps in between us, "Okay, everyone settle down."
"Why aren't you upset!?" Dick exclaims. "He's insulting you too you know."
"Please" Joey rolls his eyes. "I've been affronted worse by girls the morning after."
Dick's eye scrunch, "Wait…What?"
Raising an eyebrow, Joey asks "Did Wayne never give you the..."
"I understand what you mean! Geez, Jas wasn't kidding when she said you don't have a filter."
"Some call it being blunt" he smirks. "So Dr. know any ways to bring down dear old dad. Because Jasmine and I have been at a loss for years."
"Depends" Fate states. "Do you know the status of his match?"
"His what?" Oliver questions.
Ignoring the archer, Joey answers "I'm assuming you're talking about our mother, Jas and I always called her a partner instead of a match. She's dead."
"Wait" Wally says with a tint of sorrow. He along with the many others look to Dick with pity "You're mom's dead. Dude…I'm so sorry."
Dick's face remains stoic, he avoids eye contact with everyone giving him sad looks. Joey tells Wally "Don't be. She was a bitch."
"What!" Wally exclaims, distaste at Joey's comment in his voice.
"Well…I never found her that bad. But until a couple years ago, Jas hated Emily more than she did Daniel."
Fate inquires "How did she perish?"
Joey is a bit too quick to answer "Car crash. Fast driver, runs in the family."
"He's lying" Dick states.
Joey's eyes widen as his head whips to look at Dick. They stare at each other for a while, before Joey's turns into an apologetic gaze. Dick continues "I killed her."
The room tenses. Joey places a hand on Dick's shoulder "It's not your fault."
"Tell that to Daniel. He made it a point to let me know it was. She did die giving birth to me."
"You couldn't control that" Joey says firmly. "It was hard for Emily to give birth to Jasmine, her and Daniel shouldn't have been trying for a third child."
"Thanks Joey" Dick frowns, hurt by the commenta.
"I didn't mean it like that. It's just…don't blame yourself…god damn it! Jasmine's a lot better at this sensitivity crap. Look, don't listen to Daniel. He's an idiot."
"Aster pep talk" Dick says sarcastically.
Joey's expression scrunches in confusion, "Did you just compare my fail of a speech to a flower?"
"It's something he does" I explain.
Dr. Fate interrupts, "Are you positive Emily dead?"
"Yes" Dick and Joey answer simultaneously.
"Then it is possible to stop Daniel" he declares. "Once a wizard's match is gone, it is much easier to defeat them. But we will still have to tread carefully. Daniel has the strength of four wizards at the moment, making him more powerful than some Lords of Chaos or Order."
"Excuse me" Barry interjects. "What is a match?"
"A match is a wizard's control" Doctor Fate explains. "The person chosen to be a match can either strengthen a wizard's powers or weaken them. It is different for each match pairing how the connection works. But after a match is dead, the wizard's powers are automatically unhinged. Basically they can be turned human. A match's job is to support a wizard and keep them in check."
"So like the friend at a party who gives you alcohol, but then takes your keys away" Joey reasons.
Dick gives him an exasperated look, "What kind of simile is that?"
"Jas would have laughed."
Ignoring the two, I ask Dr. Fate "Does every wizard have a match?"
"Yes."
"So eventually Dick and Joey will come across girls and…"
"They may not be female" Fate corrects. "While a match is often someone from the other gender, they don't have to be. Matches aren't chosen to reproduce with a wizard or be their romantic companion, although they often are such as Daniel and Emily. I've seen matches be friends, mentors, once even brothers. A match's job is to basically keep the wizard in check. So the wizard is matched with someone with a personality cohesive with their own, and who they usually come to greatly respect and care for. Although the connection isn't necessary. In fact a wizard doesn't even need to accept their match, they can live their lives without any interaction."
Diana questions "How does one know who their match is?"
"The connection is obvious at their first glance. Each one will automatically trust each other, care for the other's well-being…"
Fate is interrupted by Connor, who has a strange expression on his face. "Remember every feature of the other. They don't ever stop thinking about the other, no matter how hard they try. When they are in the same room, their senses heighten incredibly. It takes one look to know what the other is feeling, if they are injured where it hurts the most, how to make the other feel better. The information will be obvious to each other."
A pregnant silence fills the room. The League, Team and I are staring at Connor with a nervous tension. Dick and Joey exchange knowing glances. Dr. Fate states "The bond is usually very strong."
"Connor" Clark says concerned. "How did you…"
Connor stand from his seat and heads to the door, "Jasmine is in her recovery room?"
"Yeah, wish you the best of luck man!" Joey calls after him. After Connor is out of the room, Joey turns to Dick and asks "That's the guy who's like a year old right?" Dick nods in response. Joey smirks "Hmmm, don't know how I feel about Jas being a super cougar."
"Wait….What!" Clark stutters in shock, obviously still trying to process what just happened. "Connor is….what?"
"You have got to be kidding me" M'gann angrily mutters.
"This actually explains a lot" Artemis tells Roy and Wally who are staring at the door flabbergasted. "No wonder he's been so weird about this whole thing. Remember Batman showed us Jasmine's picture the day after Robin left."
Turning to Dick I say "You knew about them. That's what you meant by Connor would eventually be involved."
"And why Connor helped us escape" Dick confesses. "He didn't know though, I had thought Jas would want to tell him when she woke up. But instead she wanted to keep it a secret."
"You should have told him" Superman states angrily, finally out of his stupor.
"Uh no, he did the right thing" Joey defends. "It only puts Superboy in danger knowing about the connection. If Daniel found out about Connor, there is no doubt in my mind he would go after him to either use against Jasmine or to kill him. That's why Jas wanted to keep the secret."
"You think it was better to keep him in the dark!" Wally snaps.
Joey raises an eyebrow, "Yes. As Dr. Fate said, it is possible for matches to live without each other. Connor would have learned to move on eventually and Jas wouldn't have to worry about him being in danger."
"Yeah, because Superboy can't protect himself" Wally snarls sarcastically.
"I know he can" Joey states. "What do you think I was trying to tell her a couple hours ago? But Jas has quite a few reasons to be hesitant."
"Like what!"
"Not my place to say" Joey states. I can practically feel the room roll their eyes, not happy about the siblings keeping secrets again.
"Seriously!" Roy yells. "What happened to 'We promised to tell the League everything?' You are just as bad as your sister!"
"Roy" Oliver growls warningly.
"No, no, let him get it out of his system" Joey says nonchalantly, his face impassive.
This only seems to infuriate Roy more. "You think you are above all of us; keeping secrets, lying, coming and going from Dick's life as you please. You act as if your actions don't effect anyone else. Do you honestly think that what you and Jasmine have done is right? That there was no other better options than abandoning your brother then taking him away from people who actually care about him?"
"ROY!" Dick yells shocked.
Joey places a hand on Dick's shoulder to hold him back and tells Roy with an almost chuckle "Please continue."
Instead, Wally joins in Roy's lecture "Are you laughing? This may be a joke to you, but it's serious to us! Unlike you, we care about others, not just ourselves. We take care of our family and friends, and try to keep the world safe. Unlike you and Jasmine who only put people in danger. You are both just arrogant, selfish, untrustworthy criminals. Frankly it's a good think Dick didn't grow up with you around. He was so much better off with Batman and us, his real family. You two don't have the right…"
"WOULD YOU TWO STOP?!" Dick screams. Both Wally and Roy flinch at the outburst and go quiet. Joey is still sitting emotionlessly, watching the three original sidekicks closely. Dick on the other hand is practically fuming "Nobody is saying that you're not my family. You two are the only ones acting as if that has changed. Ever since we were kids, we've called each other brothers; to me that hasn't changed. Joey and Jasmine are my biological siblings, but that doesn't affect my relationship with you. They haven't replaced you or even tried to, our relationship is different. Don't you dare say they don't care about me; you have no idea. You don't know the sacrifices they made or what they had to do to keep me safe from Daniel. Joey and Jasmine didn't abandon me, they left me where I coud have a better life."
My eyes narrow at a still stoic Joey. He sees me out of the corner of his eye. He raises an eyebrow and asks "Anything you want to add Wayne?"
"Just remembering a conversation we had earlier. Something's telling me you haven't been as honest with Richard as you were with me."
"He has been Bruce" Dick states. "Both Joey and Jasmine have been more than honest. Trust me…no feelings were spared" he finishes, staring at Joey. For the first since Roy began yelling at him, Joey's eyes turn from attentively watching each speaker, to almost shamefully gazing at the table. Dick turns back to Wally and Roy "They may not have been around to watch me grow up, but Joey and Jasmine took care of me just like Bruce, Selina, Alfred, the League and you did. They protected me, kept me safe even if I didn't know it at the time. They are my family just as much as you are. There isn't a competition, it isn't either or. You two are the only ones who are making it a choice."
"You did choose Dick" Wally states, hurt filling his voice. "You left. It only took you five minutes after Jasmine showed up at the manor for you to decide to leave."
"And you think that was easy for me?" Dick asks, filled with even more hurt. A long moment of silence fills the room. Roy and Wally's expressions slowly turn to ones of guilt. "You really think I decided to leave in five minutes? It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, one I did not take lightly. I pondered about what to do if Daniel found out about me for months, not five minutes."
Another long silence passes, nobody knowing quite what to say.
Eventually Diana turns to Joey and comments "You have been quiet."
Joey smirks "Surprised?"
"Yes actually" she chuckles.
Shrugging, Joey says "If I had spoken up, you would have all thought I was trying to control what he said. I learned a long time ago that silence can be beneficial, I just only choose to use it on certain occasions."
"And where did you learn that?"
"Prison."
Everyone in the room blinks, processing what Joey just answered. Dick's head snaps toward his brother and he exclaims "Really Joey!? Prison!"
"Shhhhh" Joey whispers, brushing Richard aside. "Don't worry about it."
"You went to prison!"
"So?"
"SO! You went to prison!"
"It actually wasn't that bad. Made some nice friends while I was there."
"Of course you did" I state, rolling my eyes. "Let's save this conversation for a later time and get back to the problem at hand."
"Batman…he was in prison. Normally we have rules against working with known criminals" Captain Marvel states nervously.
From the other side of the room, Selina rolls her eyes. She is about to say something, but Joey beats her to it. "Please. If I hadn't wanted to go to prison, do you think I would have gone?"
Even I frown confused at the statement. "What does that mean?"
"It's complicated. Look, don't worry about it. It's nothing."
"Did Jasmine go too?" Dick whispers, half to himself.
"Oh god no" Joey scoffs. "I wouldn't have allowed that. Can we just move on? It's really not a big deal."
"To you maybe" Roy mumbles. "Back to secrets, huh?"
Joey again rolls his eyes. "We all have secrets Harper; things we don't care to talk about."
"Even if it effects people other than yourself" Roy challenges.
Chuckling, Joey answers "My criminal record does no good or bad for anyone today. To the point where you probably wouldn't find it on most computers, at least not all of it. The time I went to prison I know is expunged from every piece of technology. I learned a long time ago how my actions affect other people. It was a hard lesson to learn when it's by experience. After that I did what was needed of me. Believe it or not Harper; sometimes things aren't all black and white. Sometimes you have to do what is necessary to keep others safe, even if it has bad repercussions for you."
Taken aback, Roy's eyebrows raise in surprise. He stares for a moment before it almost looks as if he is impressed by Joey's answer. Dr. Fate on the other hand, is not.
"From what I have heard already, I should strip you of your powers and keep you locked up in the tower for your crimes."
Joey sends Fate an annoyed look "Well I'm already stripped, so half your work is already done!"
Dick mumbles to him "Don't test Fate Joey."
"I think that sentence sounded more inspirational than you meant it to" Joey chuckles.
Dr. Fate states "I will need to have an investigation into you and your sister."
Joey yet again rolls his eyes and groans "Why?"
"Because frankly you have already shown that you have flawed moral judgment, criminal history, and do not handle your powers or responsibilities with the seriousness that is required. Since you were her primary caregiver, I can only assume your sister is the same."
"Leave Jasmine out of this. Besides, like you're one to judge" Joey scoffs.
"I am" Dr. Fate snarls.
"What will your investigation even consist of?" Joey mocks.
"A review of your entire history."
"And how would you get that?"
"Scanning your inborn magic once we retrieve it from your father. I would be able to see each instant you used it and determine if you have caused too much trouble. If I do not think the results are positive, you will be taken away."
"Excuse me!"
"I thought I was very clear."
"You can't judge if me or Jasmine deserve to be locked up by that."
"I agree" I interject.
Ignoring me, Dr. Fate tells Joey "The fact that you are so quick to fight the idea tells me it needs to be done. You and your sister must have done some pretty horrible things to want to hide them this urgently."
"Leave Jas out of this!" Joey hisses. "You can't only judge actions without knowing the reasons behind them. I'll be the first to admit that I have done some nasty things, but like I said before. Some things have to be done."
"Well unfortunately for you and your sister, I don't have a test to determine your intensions."
"Unfortunately for you, you don't have a test to determine what my actions even were" Joey stands from his chair, his voice growing louder.
"Ah yes, because you and both of your siblings were reckless enough to have your magic stolen out of your bodies" Dr. Fate challenges.
"Because you were inept at doing your job. If you had demolished wizards like you said you did, we wouldn't be in this situation right now."
Fate's hands ignite. He snarls "Don't worry, I fix my mistakes. I shall start with you."
A bight ball of light shoots out of Fates hands. A blue and red blur pushes Joey out of the way before it can hit him. Clark appears a few feet away, protecting Joey behind his back. He orders Dr. Fate "Stop. We did not call you here for this."
"Step out of the way. I must take care of this parasite before I go searching for the girl."
"DON'T YOU DARE GO NEAR HER!" Joey roars furiously, about to charge Fate. Diana jumps up from her seat to hold Joey back behind Clark, away from Dr. Fate. I pull Dick, who is watching the scene in horror, up from his chair and pull him away. I drape my cape over his body, protecting him from the Lord of Order. I am afraid Fate's anger might turn onto Dick. Everyone in the room is tense.
Dr. Fate sneers "As you said yourself wizard. I must do what is necessary."
"Both of you calm down" Superman demands. "We will sort this out. I am sure there is a way we can prove Joey and Jasmine are trustworthy and Dr. Fate won't have to take such drastic action."
"Do you have any suggestions, or are you just hoping Kryptonian."
"If we just talk this through…"
"How can believe a word out of that monster's mouth?"
I see Joey about to retort, but Diana whispers something into his ear, hushing him. Clark continues trying to reason "The boy has been very honest with us so far."
"He is not a boy" Fate hisses. "Even if he doesn't look his age, that pest is a grown adult. He has had many years to master the skill of lying. His kind is known to be very apt at that."
J'onn steps in and offers "I may have a solution." He turns to look between Joey and Dick "But it would require the cooperation of the three siblings."
"If it suffices, I will consider it" Fate states.
Joey takes in a breath, still trying to calm his anger, and mutters "What do you have in mind?"
"I think we should bring Jasmine in to discuss this" J'onn tells the room. "She might have some reservations, but it would help the League understand both her and Joey."
"I'll com the room" Barry offers. After punching in a code into the computer he waits for a minute for someone to answer.
Suddenly Connor's voice sounds through the computer. "WHAT!" he shouts, irritation obvious in his speech. Crap. His conversation with Jasmine must not be going well.
"Uh…" Flash mutters before saying. "Connor are you in the recovery room with Jasmine?"
"Yes. How else would I have answered this com!" he snaps. There is a pause before Connor takes a deep breath, he tries again more calmly "Sorry, just a bit frustrated at the moment. Yeah, I'm in here with Jasmine. What do you need?"
Barry hesitates before asking "Could you both come back to the conference room? We need to discuss something with Jasmine."
"NO!" Jasmine yells from the com. She must be on the other side of the room, because her voice is muffled, but we all still clearly heard her shout.
Connor says annoyed "We'll be there in five minutes" then cuts the com link.
The room takes a moment of awkward silence and looks to each other nervously. We just broke up a fight in here, now another one is most likely coming our way. Dick, takes a step forward and mumbles "Geez. I've never seen Jas so mad since today."
"She's in rare form. So J'onn, what's this plan of yours anyway?" Joey inquires, taking a step out from behind Clark while stile keeping an eye on Fate.
"I would like to telepathically share your memories with the League" J'onn explains. Joey's expression drops as he stares wide eyed at J'onn in disbelief. "It would only be memories you choose to share, I would not pry into your mind."
"Jas is not going to like this" Dick says.
"I don't think I like this!" Joey affirms. "You want to display our lives, every major event and private moment, in everyone's heads as some daydream movie?"
J'onn defends himself "Only events you choose. If you wish not to share a memory, I would not force you."
Joey sighs and rubs temples, "How much of the memory would you all experience? Like…would you know our thoughts and all that?"
"Yes. It would be as if we were experiencing what you went through."
Joey takes a seat and thinks over the idea. He mumbles "There really isn't any other option?"
"No" Dr. Fate asserts.
Dick chimes in "I'll do it."
Looking up, Joey watches Dick for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. "Fine, I'm in too. But Jas is not going to go for this."
"You must help us convince her to then" I state. "How do you win arguments with Jasmine when you two fight?"
"We don't."
"I highly doubt that."
"Look, we've only had one major fight. And that only ended because Daniel showed up and started causing crap. Other than that, we never argue. We disagree sometimes, but not argued…with anyone. In fact I think I've done more verbal fighting in the last two days than I have my entire life."
"I doubt that even more."
"I believe it Bruce" Dick says. "They haven't really shown it since being here, but Jas and Joey are the two most laid back people I've ever met. Even all the months I spent with Jas on the road, she only got into one argument with someone."
Pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration, I say "Well there must be something we can do to convince her. You seriously have no ideas…" I'm interrupted by the sound of the door opening. A moment later Jasmine walks into the room with Connor behind her, both with angry expressions. Jasmine is rubbing her right wrist as she enter.
Stopping halfway to the table, Jasmine scoffs "What is it?" to the room.
"You must be the third wizard" Dr. Fate says.
"Jasmine" she states, turning towards Fate. Holding out a hand she adds "You must be Dr. Fate." Taken aback by the greeting, Fate suspiciously shakes the girl's hand. Jasmine turns back to the League and snaps "Now what do you want!"
"We have a proposal for you" J'onn begins explaining. "Dr. Fate needs to check yours and Joey's history, and we have a way of doing that. I would display memories of your choice to the League so…"
"Hell no" Jasmine growls, turning back to the door.
Connor steps in front of her, blocking Jasmine's escape. "You're not going anywhere until you decide to cooperate."
"I am not a child, you cannot tell me what to do!" Jasmine snarls.
"Listen to what J'onn has to offer! It would probably solve what we were discussing earlier."
"NO! It would just give you and your team access to snoop around in my mind and explore every secret you think you deserve to know."
"Well if you would just tell us, we wouldn't need to snoop."
Connor and Jasmine glare at each other, almost daring for the other to act. J'onn steps in and tries to explain to Jasmine "I would only display memories of your choosing. There would be no snooping, no exploring, I would respect what you choose to keep private. But just know that what you don't show us, Dr. Fate will find out eventually. He has another, stricter method to gain information that would not be in your favor. Doing this could help us take down your father and better understand you and your brother. My process would be simple, just take my hand and have the memories you choose surface in mind."
Jasmine takes in a deep breath, thinking over J'onn's words. Then she glares at Connor, "You want to know everything. Fine! But you get all the crap that goes with it to." She grabs J'onn's hand and the two stare at each other for a moment before J'onn lets go, showing the process is done.
Jasmine tries to leave the room again, only to be blocked by Connor. He commands "Sit down."
I see Jasmine's fists clench as she slowly turns and walks to an empty chair next to Joey. Digging into his pocket, Joey takes out a small white box and opens the lid. "Smoke?" he offers his sister.
"Please" Jasmine mumbles pulling a small white stick from out of the box. The entire room sends the two disapproving looks, including me.
I am about to say something as Joey pulls out a lighter and ignites the end of Jasmine's cigarette. But Dick beats me to it "You smoke to!" he exclaims to Jasmine as she takes a drag.
Jasmine pulls the cigarette from her mouth and begins coughing. "Nope" she wheezes and hands the stick over to Joey who takes a drag. "Sometimes it just feels good."
"Oh yeah, your coughing tells me differently" Dick scoffs.
"When did you become such a preacher?"
Frustrated beyond belief, I command "Put out the cigarette and let's continue with the memories."
"Batman" J'onn begins. "From what Jasmine has shown me, this may not be a good idea. I'm afraid it may affect some like the telepathic simulation exercise did to the Team."
"What, now that I'm finally agreed to do something you people told me to, you want to stop" Jasmine snaps.
"This is such a bad idea" Joey mumbles to himself.
"You know what, No!" Jasmine yells. "You have all been pestering us for answers since we've woken up. Now that you finally have what you want, you don't get to back down. Besides Joey, 'We agreed to tell the League everything.'"
"Well that line has slapped me in the face twice now" he mumbles again and holds out a hand to J'onn.
J'onn apprehensively takes Joey's hand, then lets it go a while later. A deep frown has made it's way onto the martian's features. Dick takes a deep breath and walks over to J'onn to exchange memories. J'onn then turns to Connor and asks "It may be beneficial to know your side too." Connor hesitates, but offers up his hand. After releasing Superboy, J'onn takes a deep breath and makes his way to the table and sits down. Everyone standing silently follows his lead, including Dr. Fate.
When the entire room is seated, J'onn speaks "Anyone who does not wish to view the memories may leave. For those staying, relax your minds." Nobody moves.
I settle into my chair. Dick is sitting next to me with a nervous look on his face. I place a hand on his shoulder, hoping to comfort him. Dick turns to look at me, but the nervousness doesn't lighten any.
J'onn's telepathic touch begins making itself prevalent in my mind. I notice Jasmine and Joey squirm a bit in their seats, not used to the feeling. The touch almost feels as if I'm about to fall asleep, I guess J'onn will be displaying the memories as a dream. Right before I lose consciousness, I hear J'onn murmur
"This is a bad idea."
The world goes black.
.
.
.
Lights begin twinkling in my vision, slowly growing into shapes.
A large glow forms in front of me as my body begins to feel an object underneath me. The soft cushion practically engulfs my body which is resting in it. I recognize the strange touch, but from years ago, my childhood. Discovering that I'm sitting on a large couch, I realize that it is engulfing me because I am so small.
The room comes into focus. Walls form and begin gaining detail as I watch. The lights floating around me turn into picture frames, furniture, and metal objects, reflecting light from a window somewhere in the room. I can tell that it is nighttime, so light must be from the moon.
The illuminating ball in front of me has settled into a form. A television, an older one. It still has a box and is sitting on a table next to a book shelf. There is a VHS player underneath the table with a few boxes and tapes laying around it. I must be watching a movie.
My mind begins to cloud once the room is in complete focus. Someone else's thoughts begin taking over.
'This is the last time I steal a movie from a guard.'
The thought has a voice to it that I recognize. Joey's. It must be what he was thinking during the memory. J'onn did say we would know their thoughts.
'I can never figure out what is going on half the time.'
My first instinct is to fight for control, but I don't. This is what I agreed to. It hits me for the first time that I am going to experience the memories. Not watch, but live through them. Every emotion, thought, action. I will go through it. I suddenly know the cause behind J'onn's apprehension. This will not be an easy process. It will affect us all greatly. Dick was nervous because he knows what is coming…and it's not good.
'What is the one I am watching now?'
The memory has almost taken over completely. Only a small part of me is still in control. I let my mind take a mental breath to calm myself.
Then…I let go.