The Flight of the Blue Beetle 19
"Is too late for this," Bart said starting to close the door.
"I need to know what I said," Jaime kept the door open with his foot.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," Bart said glancing into his room. Though almost entirely dark Jaime knew he wasn't seeing things. There was someone lying on Bart's bed deeply asleep, "let's go somewhere else."
He didn't ask who it was and Bart didn't offer to tell him either. He wondered when his friend had finally stopped ignoring the opposite gender. The kid he remembered always shrug him off when it came to the subject. He wasn't sure back then if his friend was just not comfortable with the subject, or had not really thought about it because of all that happened in their lives. Bart led him to a private lounge room. They sat across from each other on the softest sofas he had ever seen. It was a miracle he didn't fall asleep right then.
"Nothing?" Bart asked him. When Jaime could only give him a questioning look, he continued, "this is the last place you and I had talked before this whole mess started."
"Nothing," Jaime said.
"You sat in the same place and told me that you wanted me to be your man of honor. I asked you why you didn't ask Conner instead since he was the only that didn't oppose you leaving us. Is not like he doesn't care, but just accepts that this is what will make you happy. You said that you wanted me to be your man of honor because I was your closest friend," Bart said.
"And what did you say?" Jaime asked.
"I asked you if Traci would be fine with it. You said you didn't know, but it would have to be. It was your choice to make, not hers," Bart said with a smile which quickly faded "I asked you if you would still come to the tower. Kids love you, you know? You teach them about new tech, but also help them with the school homework. They seek you for advice in everyday stuff since you are the most normal of us. You are like a big brother to all of them."
"And what did I say?" Jaime felt he wasn't going to like it.
"You said you wouldn't be able to anymore. As soon as you two finished your degrees you said you were moving to Chicago and wouldn't have time for that anymore. I asked if we would still be able to hang out, and you said you weren't sure since your new job and life with Traci might take some juggling. Now, don't get mad, I know it was a low blow; I asked you about Milagro if you were actually okay not seeing her when she was at the tower. You got upset. Said that I had no idea how difficult this was for you and for me to bring up your sister was wrong."
"It was," he was weak when it came to his sister's happiness.
"Yeah, I got it. You have little sister complex," Bart ducked when Jaime threw him a cushion, "hey, I just call them as I see them. Anyways, I then reminded you of Khaji-Da. We knew even then it wouldn't be long before it healed completely. I asked you, as I ask you now; what will become of the Blue Beetle?"
If Khaji-Da were completed, he could go back to being the Blue Beetle. He couldn't imagine his life without wearing the suit anymore. The joy of flight called to him every time he looked up at the sky be it day or night. There was the thrill of the fight, and the joy of protecting others. Those were things he found he couldn't live without. Then, there was Traci; though his memories were gone he could still feel something for her. His feelings for her were that strong that even as a stranger his thoughts always ended on her.
"Well?" Bart said tapping his fingers on his knees, something he always did when he was anxious.
"I don't know," he said finally. Maybe when he got his memories back things would become clearer.
"Just like last time," Bart said with a sight before standing, "you said the exact same thing last time. This is so messed up. I am going to sleep."
"What? Was that it?" Jaime asked.
"Oh, you called me a few names when I mentioned your sister. And I said I would be you man of honor though I didn't tell you back then I did it partially to piss Tracy off. She is stealing my best friend and teammate, after all," Bart said as he reached the door and before Jaime could say anything else he was gone.
He sank into the couch exhausted and wanted to doze off. However, as it was his mind couldn't rest just yet. He didn't want to think about any of this anymore, but the thoughts kept on coming. Three years had passed, but he felt as if he hadn't grown one bit. His indecision was tearing his life apart. His memory loss was only adding more wood to the already raging fire.
You could have both
I think Traci would notice if I had an alien scarab attached to my back
If she cares for you, she will understand
Khaji-Da? Are you giving me love advice? I must be going crazy
I recognize you care for her though continuously I have counseled against it. As you are now, it is unmanageable for you to go on deprived of her. However, your world also requires of you as either Jaime Reyes or the Blue Beetle. As Bart Allen explained; many depend on you and among them your sibling.
So, you are not the one behind this?
No, Jaime Reyes. Even if you were to choose for me to become bonded with a different host, I would accept it. I trust your judgment.
Thank you, but then you have no idea why this is happening to me?
I do know Jaime Reyes, but you asked me not to tell you until you reached a decision.
Wait, are you saying I did this to myself in purpose?
Yes.
But how? And Why?
Those are questions I can't answer now. But, through our time together just as I have reached a better understanding of matters relating to human behaviorism, you too have learned to see things from my perspective. However, I recommend for you to rest before making any decision in your state of exhausting will lack sense.
Just answer one question for me.
Depends on the question
Were we able to communicate like this since before I lost my memories?
Yes.
He was finally able to fall asleep, even though, the question kept on running inside his head. Why would he do something like this to himself? And how did he do it? Khaji-Da had admitted he hadn't done it and he trusted his old partner as much as he trusted his teammates.
"Blue, is there something wrong?"
"I need your help."
"What is it?"
"I need you to take my memories from me. Make it three years before today."
"What? Why?"
"I need a different perspective. I need myself from before I lost Khaji-Da."
"If you want to be the Blue Beetle again, you should."
"I want that, but I also want her. You know how that is like. We can't have everything."
"Whatever your choice is Jaime, you will always be a Titan."
"Thank you Conner."
When he woke up, he had well in mind to talk to Conner. He knew he had asked him to do this and hide it from him, but he couldn't stand it anymore. This had been a mistake. He couldn't go on knowing about his life by the word of others. He had to remember.
"Some thoughts are actually louder than others," he saw Conner sitting across from him. It was the same place Bart had been sitting on the night before, "are you sure you want me to undo it?"
He opened his mouth to say yes, but no word would come out. What was wrong with him? He needed to know the truth.
"It seems a part of you does remember," Conner said with a pained smile, "Traci will be here in a short while. Have breakfast and then talk to her." Superboy stood up and he noticed that on one of the small tables there was a tray with food. "We are a team, don't ever forget that."
He ate and then went to the large living room. He couldn't help feeling a little surprise seeing the place was spotless in comparison to the mess of popcorn and kids sleeping about. He found Tim sleeping and sat on the couch to wait for him to wake up. He knew his friend probably had a very long night.
"You look like you went through hell," Traci sat next to him. He knew this talk was inevitable, but still hoped for more time.
He didn't turn to face her and wished for Tim to wake up already. He was tempted to just throw one of the cushions at him.
"I am sorry if I have become a burden to you," she said.
"Don't apologize when I don't remember everything. I have probably hurt you as much with my indecision. Even now, this is my fault," he said intertwining his fingers together. He had to come out clean to all of them. It wasn't fair that he was making them worry like this.
"An old enemy didn't do this?" was that what she thought? He didn't really have enemies to call his own at large, and he knew his friends would have already looked into it.
"No, I choose it for myself," he admitted after taking a long deep breath.
"What do you mean?" she asked placing her hands on top of his. He could already hear the hurt in her voice.
"I don't know how, but I was able to remember a little. I wanted to lose my memories so it would be easier for me to decide. As you can see, it didn't make it any easier," he told her before she removed her hand from his. It was just as he had expected.
"So even though you don't remember me, you still can't decide?" she asked him in disbelief. He couldn't help flinching.
"Yeah, pathetic, isn't it?" he said with a strained smile formed.
"I am sorry," she said taking his hand and putting something on it, "I have been selfish."
He opened his hand and saw the engagement ring. It felt as if his heart was being torn out of his chest. He turned to look at her, but now she was the one that couldn't look at him.
"For you to do something like this, it must mean that it was actually hurting you. However, I find it difficult to understand how you could have made a decision if you couldn't remember me," she said, "Why is that Jaime?"
"Because," he said holding the ring between his fingers, "you are everything I have ever wanted on a woman. You are brilliant, gorgeous, funny, and you get me even if you think you don't. I would have to be crazy to say no to spend the rest of my life with you. Yet, here I am making a bigger mess of things. I don't blame you for giving this back to me."
"I am not saying no. I just want you to have some more time to think without having to do this sort of crazy stuff. You might be used to all this madness but not me. It scares me what could happen to you if you decide to do something more extreme," she said with a tired smile. "You can continue living with me, or you can come live here. I can't ignore the kids here that need you. Also, I know you enjoy helping them too. I have to admit there is a part of me that loves that part of you, but I am also selfish. Is it wrong that I don't want to share you with them?"
"Very," Tim said stretching before giving a long yawn, "sorry for eavesdropping. I will give you some space." He stood up and stretched, "I am going to help Conner with the morning training. See you in a while."
They waited for him to leave, but afterward they found they had little to say. There was only one thing that kept coming to his mind and he was afraid of telling her.
"I should get going," she said standing up, but as soon as she was on her feet he took hold of her wrist to stop her.
"Khaji-Da still exists," he told her studying her face careful. She saw her worry and then fear, "is healing and will be complete soon. Actually, it has been communicating with me for a while. From time to time I can hear it. It wants me to be the Blue Beetle again," she pulled her hand from his, "but it also understand that might not be possible. If that were my choice, I would pick the new Blue Beetle and help them as a mentor. I would still be involved, at least until he or she no longer needed me."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked him. Tears threatening to spill from her eyes, "first you do this to yourself and then you tell me that you might go back to that life."
"Because I was afraid of what you would say; of hearing what I hear right now," he made sure to look at her in the eyes. She had to see this was hurting him too, "of having my choice taken away from me when you either decided to leave me or not."
Because he believed if she left him he would go after her. He couldn't watch her give up on him. It would be too painful. She understood this. He could tell by the way her upset expression shifted to one of resignation. She wouldn't manipulate his decision because she loved him too.
"There is something I need to tell you too," she said with a sigh.
"Whatever it is, it can wait," they both turned to see Superboy fly into the expensive living room followed by those who could keep up with him. "We are under attack."
The panoramic sized windows turned into screens that showed ships which he recognized quickly.
"I thought you said they were gone," Jaime said turning to face Superboy.
"You helped defeat them, but they aren't all gone. The K-DRA (Khaji Da Revolutionary Army) is still out there hunting for what remains of the Reach. They must be crazy to think they will stand a chance against Earth with only a few ships," Superboy said. Then started sending messages to other teams on a holographic console that appeared before him, among them the Justice League. They wouldn't take it easy on them.
"That's unless they are after something else," Tim said joining them, "they are heading straight to us. Bart!" he called and a few moments later the floor opened and Bart emerged. It seemed he had been listening to the situation on his guard of Khaji Da.
"No changes," he informed.
"Deltas to Zetas go home," Conner said. Then, before any of them could complain he added; "those who disobey will not be allowed into the tower for a year. I will be the one to make sure you do nothing on your own."
He heard muttering and cursing, but more than half of the kids started moving out of the room. His little sister went to give him a quick hug before leaving too. He was thankful she wasn't fighting their decision. Bart started working on another virtual console which controlled the transporters. There were about two dozen of teens and young adults left. Tim started giving them assignments. Some were to stay in the city and make sure the damage didn't extend there. Others were to remain on the tower and standby as a backup. And their big guns were to fight side by side.
"You should stay here," Tim told them, "the Reach knows how you look like from the time they captured you. They don't know you don't have Khaji Da anymore so they might come after you with all their guns."
"And I don't even have a slingshot," Jaime said with a grim expression. He was defenseless against them. But, he wanted to help however he could, "I need my memories back."
"It takes time," Superboy told him, "it will have to wait."
"Wait, what?" Bart asked looking between them.
"Blue asked Conner to take his memories," Tim said, "but that also will need to wait. We are leaving in five minutes. Everyone needs to get ready."
As soon as he said so everyone started moving.
"You are unbelievable," Bart said punching Jaime on the shoulder, "can you believe him?" he said to Traci.
"For once, I agree with you," Traci said with a sigh.
"Let's get moving," Conner said placing a hand on Bart's shoulder, "the ships are ready for takeoff."
"We are not over talking about this," he poked Jaime on the chest before disappearing. Conner gave him an apologetic smile, as he had been the one to agree to help him, and followed after Bart.
"You can monitor the situation from here if you like," Tim said opening a new virtual console. "No matter what we won't let them hurt you or anyone," he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder before also leaving the room.
"You want to go with them, don't you?" Traci asked him.
"Just to give hell to the Reach once more; did I ever tell you what they tried to have me do?"
"You did," she sighed, "you also told me of your trip to Bart's time and what became of you there."
If he trusted her with that, then there was nothing else he could add. He trusted her probably with all that he had gone through, including that year in space fighting the Reach, which he couldn't remember. He wondered if the memories of what they did to him were what drove him to keep the fight for so long away from home. Once there were so many worlds out there under their thumb with beings being manipulated into hurting those they loved. He knew what the other him did and every time he recalled his hate for the Reach became stronger. The idea of his friends fighting them made him furious, now seeing them reach their ships as they floated just above the city made him wish to be there and take them all out on his own.
"Oh God," he heard Traci said as the fight started. He watched as his friends attacked the ships with all they had. They were soon joined by some heavy hitters of other teams. The Justice League, the Team, The JL International, the Outlaws (his head buzzed when he saw them), and others who fought on their own. He was amazed at some of the abilities he saw. "Is he okay!?" he saw Superboy be tackled by a scarab and be thrown into the sea.
"It takes more than that to take him down," he told her wondering if this was actually the first time he saw them fight. "He took Reach fleets on his own back in Bart's time. He is just careful as to not lead the fight into the city even if it means he gets some hits."
They watched as Tim lead their ships to attack the Reach's. He saw a blur running on the surface of the ships and knew that was Bart and other speedsters.
Hide Jaime Reyes
He didn't question Khaji Da's warning and grabbed Traci before pulling her with him to the center of the elevator that led to Khaji Da's chamber. Half way down they heard an explosion and looked up to see the living room engulf in flames. They heard fighting and shouting as they continued their way down. Now he understood Tim left of their team in the tower not as back up but to protect him.
"Jaime," Traci whimpered in his arms as she held tightly to him. She was frightened and he couldn't blame her. They finally reached the bottom and he picked up in his arms before going into the chamber and locking it. He sat her on a corner and he sat next to hear as they listened to the fighting outside. It had felt like an eternity before everything went quiet.
Reparation complete. Jaime Reyes, it is highly recommended you-
But he couldn't concentrate on what Khaji Da said next. There was a bang on the door and saw tremble.
Traci screamed in fright and held tightly to his arm.
"It's here commander," he wasn't sure how, but he was able to understand the alien language of the Reach. He guessed it was thanks to being so close to Khaji Da.
The door to turn red as they blasted it; it wouldn't be long before they broke through.
"Eliminate any organics and retrieve the corrupt scarab. It is the key to undoing all the damage it has done," one of the enemies said.
Jaime Reyes, there is no time to lose. All you have done will be meaningless if you don't fight them back and in your current state that will be impossible. They will kill you and Traci the moment they spot you.
He didn't need to be told twice as he pulled away from Traci.
"Jaime don't!" she shouted knowing well what he was going to do.
"I won't let them hurt you, even if you end up hating me," he told her as he placed his hands on Khaji Da's case.
The glass glowed recognizing his fingerprints before he was able to remove it. He picked Khaji Da and a moment later the alien bug crawled up his arm and then to the base of his neck back to its old home. Metallic legs dug into his skin and molded into his spine becoming one with his nerves and bones. It was as painful as the first time, but he didn't care. He could feel Khaji Da's mind connecting fully with his again. It's voice was no longer like a faraway whisper. The artificial black skin covered him before generating the blue armor. A moment later the Reach had broken through and the moment they saw him they started shooting.
He didn't need to think about. They were in perfect synchronization as he generated a shield to protect him and Traci.
"I am really sorry," he said as he created his cannon.
"No, you are not," Traci said between sobs. "You wanted this all along."
And it was true, he thought as he blasted at the Reach soldiers. Once they were down, he picked her up with one arm and brought her close to him. He couldn't feel her warmth through the armor and the yellow lenses made her look smaller and frail. He felt he would hurt her if he only applied a little bit more pressure.
"I may not remember you, but I know I love you," he said to her as he had Khaji Da take down his helmet. For once the armor didn't complain about it being unnecessary. He was thankful because he had to tell her this as Jaime, not a masked fighter, "I love you so much that I would this and so much more just to protect you."
She took his face between her hands and kissed him. Tears were running down their faces because they knew this was their last kiss. After the kiss, she buried her face in his metal covered neck and didn't say anything else. He flew out of the chamber and handed her to one of the fighters in the tower. He ran a hand through her hair hoping she would look at him, but she kept her face down. An explosion sounded outside and he turned to see more ships appear through the Bleed. He cursed realizing they probably had pulled all their remaining forces to fight them. If Khaji Da was what they needed to place the other scarabs on Mode, of course they were going to fight with everything they had.
"Go, they need you," Traci said still not looking at him, but the scene before them.
He bent one last time, and though his face was once again with the armor he gave her a chaste kiss before flying away.
The moment he was out he was tackled by at least six other scarabs. All of them clawed at his back desperate to get to Khaji Da. Like hell he was going to let them win so easily.
"Jaime!" he heard Traci shout, and he knew he would never see her again.
"KHAJI DA!" he shouted before the scarab covered him so much energy that he swore his skin was cooking inside. Everything became a bright white light and he could feel the bodies of his enemies burning away with the blast.
888
"KHAI DA!" someone was holding him down. He started forming his cannon to blast them away. Khaji Da was telling him something, but he couldn't capture it. It didn't matter, he would make them pay for daring to attack his planet again.
"Blue! Is okay!" he heard Superboy say before his helmet came down without warning.
You are safe Jaime Reyes. There is no need to engage in battle.
He finally was able to make sense of Khaji Da's words. His heart was beating so fast he swore it was about to explode. Once he stopped fighting he felt the force holding him down go away. He realized it was Superboy's TK. Slowly he sat up on the bed he had been lying, and saw his friends lying on other beds nearby. The only one awake was Superboy and he looked anxious.
"Do you remember what happened?" and the moment he asked he started to remember.
"God, that was…" he held his head and started cursing, "mierda! Maldita sea! Hijos de su-"
"Hey, leave our mothers out of this. You agreed to do this," the Red Hood said from a chair in the corner looked so calm he had the urge to blast him into next year.
"Dammit!" he shouted again before looking at his friends that were still sleeping.
"They will figure it out on their own," Superboy told him.
"I know," he said though he still wished to help his friends.
888 hours ago 888
"Did you really have to knock us out to do this?" Jaime asked as he rotated his shoulder. All his muscles hurt from that sonic thing they used on him. He and his friends were all sitting on white-sheeted beds.
"Just making you aware of your weaknesses in case you didn't know them," Arsenal said with a smirk. He bet they loved the idea of bringing them to their knees. "It took them a while to figure out some of you, but it was all worth it."
"Why should we follow with this test of yours?" Tim asked as he rubbed his bruises. Starfire had already tended to them, but they still hurt.
"Don't think of it as a test, but a revelation. We went through it and believe me; it will put some things into a whole new perspective about yourselves," The Red Hood said with a faraway look. He wondered what he had seen.
"How does this work?" Superboy asked with a frown.
"Is hard to explain," Jason said before showing them a small cloth bag, "none of us is very knowledgeable on magic."
"So again, why should we follow with this?" Tim asked.
"Let me put it this way," Jason said with a sharp smile, "this will make you live your darkest and most hidden desires. You will love it, or maybe hate it depending on how soon or if you will realize is all fake. Still, you will wish it was all real. You will come to a point where you have to make a choice, the choice of being your real self. When that happens, you might be giving up your dream or decide to make it a reality; when that happens you will wake up."
"I hate to admit it, but I am curious," Kid Flash said lying back on the bed, "hit me with it."
"You are crazy," Jaime said lying down too, "but I am also in."
"If any of us get hurt, I will make you pay," Superboy said lying down.
"How long will it last?" Tim asked lying down as well.
"It depends on each individual. Some last a few minutes, others hours, but rarely days," Arsenal said looking serious. He reminded them of his old self. He wondered how long Arsenal had been in that dream world.
Once they were all lying down Arsenal went to each one of them and placed some of the blue powder from the pouch on their faces. He started to feel sleepy.
"Where did you get this?" he heard Tim ask as his vision began to blur.
"From the Sandman of course," the Red Hood said with a chuckle. "I know his sister; Death, and said that as long as we use it for good things she would keep getting it for us as we need it."
"Leave it to you to make friends with Death itself," Superboy laughed sounding as sleepy as he felt.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Jason said making them all have their eyes go wide for a moment, "you might also get glimpses of your future through it; nothing to worry about."
"Bastard," Tim said before the lights went out and they forgot they were dreaming.