Author's Note: On my profile page I promised that I would put in the translation for Robin's tirade. Here it is.
English Translation for Romanian Tirade of Chapter 3:
Dammit. Why the hell does this shit always happen to KF? Damn, when I get my hands on the bastards that thought it would be a good idea to capture my best friend I will make them suffer. Fuck! Shit!
There it is, I am sorry for not including it in the previous chapter, I just wanted to get my chapter up.
Central City High, Two Weeks Later:
Rudolph had signed over custody of Wally to his sister, and now Wally was immensely happy, he no longer had to fear returning home. He was currently sitting next to Rachel and supervising her use of chemicals, the only science Rachel excelled in was astronomy. They both stiffen when they hear the windows shatter. Wally grabs several beakers and chemicals while Rachel grabs the test tubes. Sometimes she loved having a science geek for a boyfriend. They dive under the table just in time. " Everyone, stay still or people will die. "
Wally curses under his breath, his uncle was on a mission for the Justice League, so he and Rach were screwed. Unless she could get ahold of some serious help, even if he did create a smokescreen, wait, that was it, the smokescreen would allow Kid Flash and Quick Flash to save the day. With Rach's telepathy they could easily make everyone think that Wally West and Rachel Hunt were still in the room. Rach, I'm gonna create a smokescreen, then you're gonna 'port us out, make it so everyone thinks Wally West and Rachel Hunt are still in the room when Kid Flash and Quick Flash save the day.
Got it, Wally.
The plan was set into motion. Wally had always been a chemistry wiz, which was a damn good thing. Once the smokescreen was up and running Rachel 'ported them to the basement, where there were no security cameras, Batman had made sure of it, just in case they needed a quick costume change. Before Rachel can change into her costume her head starts pounding and suddenly all sorts of thoughts that weren't hers were in her head, " Dammit, not now. " she hisses.
" Rach? " Kid Flash asks.
" Telepathy evolving, I gotta get outta here. "
" Gotcha, I'll handle schoolwork and the like, you just go. Have Aunt Iris call you off. "
Rachel nods and Kid Flash watches her teleport off, then he zooms into his science class, disarming every foe in the room and quickly tying them up. " Thank you, Kid Flash. "
" No problem, the police should be here soon to round them up and take them away, " Kid Flash says and heads back to the basement and manages to get back into the room and under the table without anyone seeing him. Getting through school without Rachel there was hell for him though. No one knew that Wally happened to be an empath and without Rachel for him to focus his power on he was getting hit by everything. He barely made it through the rest of the day. He hated knowing how the girls lusted after him, how some of the guys did too. He hated feeling the melting pot of emotions that he did, lust, happiness, sadness, despair, agony, fear, hatred, anger, frustration… the list just went on. If he wouldn't be a teenager himself then there was no way in hell he would ever survive this kind of sensory overload.
That had always been his worst problem with his dad, he could feel how he really felt about him and it tore him up inside. He hated that his dad could feel absolutely no love for him. With Rachel it was different, she truly loved him, not the same as Aunt iris and Uncle Barry, but deeper, truer. That was why Wally didn't want anyone knowing about their relationship, he knew losing her would kill him. It was why he always got so terrified when she was captured or hurt.
Not even Rob knew about his empathy, but for the most part, he could handle the team. Rob he was used to and the rest of the team he was getting used to. Well, Conner wasn't too bad, and Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry had adopted Beast Boy, BB, to the general populace his name was Brandon Banks, and between him, his uncle, and Rachel they had managed to create a small device that would stay with him through all his changes and allow him to look normal. Being green all the time kinda made you stick out, so, yeah, it was definitely warranted, plus, the device also made it so Batman couldn't track BB's powers.
He liked having BB around, he liked BB's emotions the most and always would, next to Rachel's of course. BB was like a brother and Rachel, well, she was everything to him. His empathy was a constant pang, except for when he could focus solely on Rachel's emotions, of course, hers weren't always fun and games, he knew first hand, as she had said several times, Trickster was the only decent member of her mother's family other than her. He'd felt every emotion she had to offer, he was, for the most part used to it as well. Every now and then he'd get blasted by her emotions, mostly if she was sleeping somewhere other than in his arms. After the fifth night of her waking up screaming from nightmares and her just ending up in his arms anyhow Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry had decided it was just easier for them to sleep in the same room.
Which Wally was perfectly fine with, he just didn't know how much longer he would be able to hide his power of empathy from everyone. Wally knew he came of as outspoken and happy, but that was just a front, oh he was outspoken but he wasn't open and honest about everything. He only gave Artemis a hard time because he knew it was expected of him, like Robin, he knew her secret, figured it out after the first time of dealing with Psimon. Being a speedster meant that he was able to think far faster than most anyone else. He had put it together, especially after the match up with Cheshire and Sportsmaster, he just hadn't said anything to anyone. When Artemis was ready to talk she would, though Roy would have to get off of his high horse first. Rach could probably help with that.
He stops by home to stock his cupboards and check up on Rachel. When her telepathy evolved she was normally down for a few days, it annoyed the hell out of her. She could only be around people that she knew well, he and BB could block her decently enough and Aunt Iris always had happy thoughts when she was around Rachel. Uncle Barry, after years of working with Martian Manhunter had learned how to block his heavier thoughts. So Rachel only got to hear the happy thoughts. Which was fine for her.
Wally was off to Mt. Justice and he hoped to hell Batman was not there, he did not need to deal with that huge ball of angst. Though if Rob were around he'd act as a buffer, which was a damn good thing for him, not that Rob knew this of course. He stumbles to a stop one hundred feet from his goal, swearing like a sailor in Italian. His empathy was choosing now to evolve. Rach.
What!
Empathy, evolving, what do I do?
Shimatta, this is not good, every other time you've been able to focus on me. Well, you'll just have to redirect, like I taught you, or, and you won't like this, tell Rob, now, and you can lock in on his emotions and ride out the storm that way, those are your only options.
Perfect.
No sarcasm, Kid Idiot, it hurts my head.
Sorry, babe, got to go and hope I can pull off a chat with Robin in private.
Already on his way to see why you stopped.
" Wally, what's up, why'd you just stop? " Robin asks, wearing his shades.
" Bro, I've got something to tell you. "
Robin sighs, " First, where's QF? "
" Telepathy evolved out of commission for a little while. "
" Okay, what haven't you told me? " Robin asks.
Wally sighs, " Go easy on the emotions, please. "
Robin groans, " Empathy, really? "
" Yeah, and it chose now to evolve, normally I'm with QF and I can just drown in her emotions, but right now I'm kinda gonna need yours, cause I don't want anyone knowing. "
" Why not, Wally? "
Wally sighs, " Because it would mean admitting that I've felt what my father really felt about me and other things. Rob, you know that I just can't stand to be alone or to be pitied. "
Wally hated pity and sympathy and now Robin knew why, he could feel what everyone felt. So he always knew when someone was sincere or lying to his face, " Dude… "
Wally cuts him off, " We're in the hero biz, Rob, I don't hold what you don't tell me against you, only if you outright lie without a good reason, and with Daddybats, well, I can understand. "
Robin grins, " Good, now, sync up, we have a mission though he won't be happy QF is off the roster for a little while. "
" Can't be helped, she'll be out of commission until the beginning of the next school week. " Wally retorts as they walk into the base.
" Kid Flash, where is Quick Flash? " Batman demands.
" Telepathy evolved, she's sidelined until this upcoming Monday. " Wally states.
Batman nods minutely at this information, knowing that until she got her newly strengthened power under control she would be a liability. Wally got his suit on and was back in time to get the gist of that little feeling. He'd be telling Rachel for sure. She'd probably picked it up anyhow from their telepathic link. Quick Flash teleports in and glares at Batman, wincing slightly as she gets bombarded with everyone's emotions, " I am not, nor will I ever be a liability, you ever even conceive to think that again, I will rewire your body for two years, got it, Bats. Oh, KF and I are telepathically linked, something I set up, so don't think you're safe just because I'm not here. "
With that said she teleported out and Kid Flash grins, " What, how do you think I found her? "
Batman winces, " All right, the mission today is to head for the Congo, strange things have been going on there and I need you to find out the cause. Kid Flash and Robin will be a team because I don't feel like having Quick Flash kill me if anything happens to Kid Flash. "
Artemis smirks, " Oh, she wouldn't kill you, Batman, possibly trap you in your mind with the Joker as your lover or something along those lines but never kill you. "
Batman blanches under his cowl, he hadn't thought of that. Kid Flash grins at this, " Nice one, Arty, you and Quick Flash are definitely going to get along just fine. "
" I just wish she'd trust all of us more, but I can see why she doesn't. " Artemis says.
Red Arrow sighs, " So can I. Doesn't mean I'll go out of my way to be nice to her, the hell spawn. "
Kid Flash rolls his eyes at this, " I think I'm going to have to ask Mind Scream if you are her son, it would explain why you torment Quick Flash so often, and most of the time without provocation. "
Red Arrow stares at him, " I… ah… "
" KF, I think this is the first time since we've known him that RA is speechless. " Robin says.
Kid Flash smirks, " Can we go, cause Quick Flash gets really bitchy when her telepathy evolves and she can't get any sleep. "
Batman winces, the one time the speedsters had stayed at his place for a week, and he still doesn't know how Barry talked him into that, her telepathy had evolved and he had kept her and Wally separated. Not a good idea. She had been ten then, he could only imagine how much worse she would be as a teen. No one really knew why Wally was the only one that could actually get her to sleep and not wake up from nightmares all night, but he was, and it just made life easier for everyone else if Quick Flash was well rested. " Kid Flash is right, you need to get going. " Batman says.
" Zatanna, you're with me, okay. " Red Arrow says.
" Got it. "
" M'gann and Artemis will guard the ship and cover our retreat. Conner and I will be working together as well. " Kaldur says.
" KF and I will do recon as he's the fastest and as he puts it, I've got freaky ninja skills. " Robin says.
" I will have the telepathic link up and try to maintain it. Quick Flash has been working with me on distance. " M'gann says.
" Then let's go. " Artemis says, other than dealing with Wally's father, she and Red Arrow hadn't worked together much. Tha was the one time they had been in complete agreement, and she could see why Wally was friends with Trickster and Piper. It just made some kind of weird sense, what with Quick Flash and Trickster being cousins. She knew the Rogues never killed anyone, and they abhorred child abuse. Wally must have gone to them a time or two for a safe haven.
They board the bioship and head off for the Congo. Robin looks at KF carefully, he could feel what Wally was feeling, though with him as a buffer KF could function. He just wondered how many more secrets KF had. He knew the biggest one, the KF and QF were in fact dating, he was happy to have been trusted with that one, and he could see where KF was coming from, to actually know what your father felt about you while he was beating the shit out of you, that was way harsh. QF had always been close to Wally, even if she weren't actually there, if she was needed she got there, no matter what the cost to herself. Robin often wondered how she could be so selfless and put everyone else above herself, though that was what Wally was for, he put her above his needs.
He and Wally never thought about QF's name around M'gann, when she was ready for them to know her civilian identity she would tell them and not a moment before. Though Artemis may get that privilege before the others, as they had similar backgrounds. QF had warmed up to Artemis fast and treated Artemis as an equal, and trusted the female archer to have her back. She may not trust Artemis enough to tell her who she really was, but Robin knew she was longing for a girlfriend, someone that she could do girl things with. She needed a female best friend, and she didn't have that, had never had it.
He knew Wally was hoping Artemis could give her that as well. He hated seeing that longing look in QF's eyes when she saw girlfriends just hanging out together. Sure, QF, preferred hanging with guys most of the time, because she just was not a girly girl by any stretch of the imagination. She hated dresses of all kinds, damn near avoided make up, except for finger nail polish and you could tell her mood by the color. Normal red meant she was happy, dark red angry, pink depressed, and so on.
QF had a different mood system and no one had a problem with that. She was different and therefore the colors that indicated her moods should be different as well. While Robin was musing M'gann sighs, she knew Kid Flash and Robin never thought about Quick Flash's name around her, she hoped one day the female speedster would trust her enough to tell her herself.
Kaldur too was thinking of their missing female teammate. She never linked up with the others, only Robin and Kid Flash, and now Artemis. He supposed that he shouldn't feel as though she didn't trust him, he knew she trusted him to protect Kid Flash and Robin, but trusting him with herself was different, he'd been researching her mother's family and was quite surprised she had turned out the way she had. He also suspected that there was more than friendship between the teen speedsters but guessed they were keeping quiet to protect each other.
Zatanna didn't really know what to think of Quick Flash, she'd been impressed with how she had dealt with Rudolph West, and was awed by her utter selflessness, not many people would risk themselves like that for anyone. No one knew about that either, about Quick Flash saving her. The League had decided she would go to school too. She'd been cornered by a bunch of jocks and out of nowhere Quick Flash had teleported in and dealt with them in seconds. She'd put a finger to her lips and 'ported back out. Zatanna knew there was something more to Quick Flash, but first they had to unearth all of Kid Flash's secrets. She knew damn well that he was hiding more from them, what she didn't know, but she did know that.
Ever since her brief stint as Dr. Fate she'd been able to tell things, sure, she missed her dad, but she also knew that out of everyone she had the best chance of figuring out the mystery of Quick Flash, but as aforementioned Kid Flash came first. Robin and Kid Flash were almost always partnered together, mostly when Quick Flash couldn't attend the missions. She baby sat sometimes after school, and Batman understood that she needed a job and to have money. Quick Flash had been, according to Kid Flash, stocking up for quite a while, and with his help she'd be able to get an academic scholarship, though rumor had it that both were being looked at by Wayne Tech for scholarships.
What was astonishing was the fact that they both had two more years to go before high school was over, though Kid Flash at least was seriously considering where he wanted to go to college. He was seriously considering Caltech and Quick Flash was considering Berkeley for visual arts. Another reason why both of them worked odd jobs when they could, so they could have an apartment close to campus. Unlike the others Zatanna knew they were dating, but she played dumb because she knew why they were keeping quiet.
Upon touch down in the Congo Kid Flash switched his uniform over to Stealth Mode and he and Robin were off. Zatanna followed Red Arrow while Kaldur dives into the river and Conner, along with Wolf follow him in the trees. M'gann had established the telepathic link, this way they could all stay in contact.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice.