Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Young Justice. Do you really still need to ask?

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Mist: Ok, new chappy is a foot!

Whistle: Don't worry, that isn't a riddle, just Mist being Mist.

Mist: And mad. Remember that bully I told you all about yesterday? Well she was bothering me this morning to, and again after school while I was walking to my dad's car. I wish she would just leave me alone.

Whistle: She just doesn't understand the term 'go away'. She is extremely stupid after all.

Mist: Are you trying to make me feel better?

Whistle: Yes.

Mist: yay! *Hugs* Whistle's being nice!

Whistle: Hey! I'm always nice. Just very blunt.

Mist: Oh, and Loco, please do beat up the bully. I'll even lend you my slingshot.

Whistle: Umm… maybe its best not to play with deadly weapons… Lets start the story instead…

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(Special Chapter 2) Chapter 16: More than one

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{Just after mission failure}

(Third person POV)

The team was sulking in the main room, sprawled out on the couches. No one was in the mood to talk, not after what happened. They had nearly gotten him back; but then they got distracted and lost him again to those maniacs. Now their friend was back with that creep, who was doing god knows what to him.

They were currently waiting for the Flash to return; all wondering how they were going to tell him that they had failed to recue Wally.

They sat in silence for quite a long time before finally Artemis decided to break it.

"It wasn't your fault," She said somberly, "You thought you were breaking through to him. How could you have known he would leave?"

Aqualad offered her a small smile. Her words were unlike her, and greatly appreciated. "I wish I could agree with you," He sighed. "But the fact of the matter is this; we failed. The Rogues won this round."

"But they haven't won the war," Roy growled, pushing himself to his feet. "We WILL get him back!"

Robin around looked at his teammates, none of them looked all that sure. "And what about Trickster?" He questioned.

"What about him?" Artemis asked, uncaring.

"That's right, you're group was fighting the Pied Piper when we made our discovery," Robin mumbled about. He was still down about missing his chance to rescue Wally.

"What discovery?" Zatanna asked him when he failed to say more.

"We have reason to believe-"

He was interrupted by the sound of the zeta tube activating.

"Hey guys! I'm back!" An overly cheerful voice greeted them. "Did you rescue Wally?"

They looked over at the scarlet speedster, and had to turn away. How could they tell him that his nephew was still with those monsters? Falling further and further into their control…

Aqualad stepped forwards. "No, I'm sorry," He sighed heavily. "We failed to rescue him from the Rogues."

The Flash's smile dropped. "Oh…" He said.

"But we believe we might have learned something important," Aqualad added, hoping to divert the topic from Wally.

The Flash looked confused. "What did you learn?" He asked.

Roy stepped forwards as well. "We have reason to believe that Wally isn't the only one that the Pied Piper is brainwashing," He informed him.

The Flash looked shocked. "They kidnapped someone else?" He asked in horror. "Who is it? How long have they had them?"

"Slow down," Robin told him, bouncing forwards. "We aren't talking about someone new."

This caused the Flash to look more confused. "Then who are you talking about?" He asked the team.

"We're talking about Trickster," Roy told him gravely.

"Trickster?" The Flash exclaimed in surprise.

Roy nodded, but the Flash still seemed confused.

"Please, let us explain," Aqualad spoke calmly.

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It took some time, but Aqualad, Roy, and Robin somehow managed to explain to the others the reason they believed that Trickster is being brainwashed by the Pied Piper. After some debate, and a total retelling of what had happened, the others all seemed to agree.

"The poor thing," M'gann said sadly. "How long has he been under their control?"

"A few years at least," The Flash sighed. "It all depends on how it came to that. He could have been a willing member of their team for a while then wanted to leave so the Pied Piper took action, or, they could have kidnapped him in the beginning and have been controlling him since."

"Will you be able to break his mind free as well?" Aqualad asked the Martian. Even though he did not know the boy, he still couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

M'gann looked down at the ground. "I don't know," She admitted sadly, "I'll have to see how far in he is. And if any of his mind is still fighting back."

"What do you mean by that?" Robin asked her, confused.

M'gann sighed. "When it comes to mind control," She began to explain, "Someone can only be freed if a piece of their mind is still fighting back. Even if it's just the tiniest sliver. I can only save them if they are still putting up a fight."

"Well why wouldn't part of him be fighting back?" Artemis asked her.

"If he's been under as long as we fear he has, his mind may have simply given into the control," M'gann told the other girl. "He could have lost all hope of ever breaking free."

"That's… so sad…" Zatanna all but whispered.

The Flash straightened himself. "For now we will work under the assumption that they can both be saved," He decided.

"So what's the plan then?" Robin asked him. "We already know that we can't talk him into coming back with us. The Pied Piper has some sort of failsafe on him. It causes him extreme pain every time he tries to think for himself."

"Then we won't try to convince him to return of his own free will," Roy growled, "We'll just grab the two of them and drag them back here!"

"Too risky," M'gann objected. "If they begin to see us as the threat, their minds may sink into full control, thinking that the Pied Piper is the one really protecting them."

Roy growled. "I really hate this guy," He hissed, "Just wait until I get my hands on him…"

Aqualad put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will rescue them," He promised. "And we will bring the Pied Piper to justice. He will not get away with what he has done."

Roy nodded in agreement before stalking off, muttering something about making his arrows even sharper.

"Do you think Wally's alright?" Artemis asked the others after a brief moment of silence.

"He should be fine, so long as the Pied Piper doesn't get angry with him," Aqualad assured her. "He does not seem like the type who would hurt someone without reason."

"Ya, 'cause brainwashing is so nice," Robin hissed.

Aqualad sighed.

"What I'd like to know is why Wally hasn't figured out that he's being brainwashed yet," Artemis growled, punching the wall in frustration. "How could he be so stupid?"

"It's not his fault," The Flash defended his nephew, "He can't think for himself anymore."

"I know that!" Artemis said. "I just… I mean… the way you guys were describing him. That isn't really him. He sounds like a completely different person."

Robin nodded in agreement. "They changed him to fit what they wanted," He sighed. "And they wanted him to be mindlessly obedient, like a small child."

"I always wondered why Trickster acted the way he does…" The Flash mussed off-topically.

"But, he's still… in there. Right?" Artemis questioned him.

Robin cringed. "O-Of course!" He stuttered out loudly. "He has to be!"

Aqualad put a comforting hand on Robin's shoulder. "He's in there," He said in a definite tone. "And we will set him free."

They will get there friend back. And they will never let him be taken from them again.

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Mist: Ok, sorry this is so short. I just needed to get this out, the next one will be longer.

Whistle: Also Mist is still upset about that bully.

Mist: I also had to go bowling. And I didn't get home until around 6:30.

Whistle: So sorry if anyone's ooc. But you should also keep in mind the stress they are all under.

Mist: And can someone send me a virtual cookie to make me feel better?

Whistle: *face-palm*

Both: Please review!