Fate Be Changed

by Sairey13

My idea on what if Dick prevented Zatanna from putting on the Helmet of Fate and became Doctor Fate's host instead of her. Thought about it, since Kaldur and Wally put on the helmet before them and both them and Dick were the first three to form their own team before they rescued Conner and officially became a team. Hope you like!

3. The Truth will Set You Free

In case you guys get confused with Nabu and Dick talking:

[Bold]: Nabu talking in mind/head to Dick

[Italic]: Dick talking in mind/head to Nabu

"Bold/Italic": "Doctor Fate (mixed with Dick's voice) talking"

'Bold/Italic': 'Doctor Fate (not mixed with Dick's voice) thinking'

Also, decided he can use spells like Zatanna and Zatara, where they talk backwards and summon that spell, while having some spells be called by different language.

Anyway, enjoy!

---

The Next Day, at Smokey Mountains...
[Are you certain about your decision, Boy?] Nabu asked the boy, as he, while using Dick's body, flew his way towards the snow-covered mountains, which was where the Team has went to minutes ago.

To a normal human and if Dick wasn't connected to Doctor Fate, he would've been freezing to death and his skin would go pale. However, thanks to his magic, Doctor Fate had the cold not bother his host's body and didn't feel cold in the very least, even when there were snowflakes falling rapidly in front of his eyes and trying to blind their vision.

[We have to do this, Nabu.] Dick thought within his mind, watching the event going on from within the helmet. [If we want our plan to take effect and help us save them and the League from the Light, we need to have them help us by having them into our plan... It may be our only choice that we'll have in order to prevent the vision from coming.]

Understanding that this was the only and best option the boy could think that would help them, Doctor Fate nodded his head.

[Very well, Boy.]

And with that said, he continued their way towards the mountain, where he sensed sorcery being used within the two mountains.

[I sense the Magician Child, the one who you know to be as 'Zatanna Zatara'; she has summoned a spell, and yet, I cannot find the spell she has cast.]

From hearing the name of the teen, Dick felt relief and anxiety coursing through his soul and through the eyes of the helmet, he saw and even felt a bunch of colors coursing through and behind the hard surface of the mountains.

[I see a bunch of auras, Nabu. They must be there.] The boy then noticed that most of the auras are Muddied Red. [If the Muddied Red auras are the enemies, that means the others could be in danger and our in a fight.]

[Then, it would be best if we hurry.]

Within about twenty-three seconds, did they found the Team fighting against a bunch of men in white.

They noticed that some of them holding metal-spears, others holding two red-disks and the rest having a sort-of cannon-gun that's connected to some power-pack strapped to their backs. Doctor Fate and Dick also noticed that they were trapped within a green bubble-like shield, along with an unnatural blizzard that was going on in the inside of the shield that they both believe Zatanna has summoned into the fight.

As they watch the fight going on and while finding a way to free them from the shield, Dick noticed that one of the Muddied Red was growing much bigger and the preteen could've sworn that he could feel the burning emotion through the shield.

[You sense something wrong, Boy?] Doctor Fate asked, feeling the thirteen year-old from within having trouble keeping his balance and if he were standing or was having control of his body, Dick would've fallen from the mere exhaustion of the sudden emotion and could've more likely black out if Doctor Fate wasn't in full-control of his body.

[I sense an emotion, a major source of anger overwhelming me and my senses.]

Nabu could hear the sudden tiredness within Dick's voice, but he chose to remain quiet and let the preteen continue his words.

[I don't know who, but I have a feeling that this sudden emotion is coming from one of the Team.]

Knowing on how much his host has this sudden effect of people's negative emotions can take its toll on him and with his training on sensing the sudden emotions, Nabu knows that they have to find out who is the cause of the dangerous anger.

[If that is the case, then we must head inside and find the one whose anger is taking control over, before that person puts him or herself in danger and those around them.]

Doctor Fate then held out two hands in front of him, sensing the shield in front of them to detect what it's made of and what its weakness' are. Finding out that the shield isn't created by magic, he smirked.

[This shield can be easily destroyed,] he stated. [We can easily get in without having any problems, in the very least.] And with that said, his hands glowed and once they touched the green-bubble, he forcefully pulled a part of it apart to create a hole for him to let himself through.

When the hole was halfway big enough to go through, did he and Dick noticed something off in the battlefield: They watch Superboy, with Mammoth in his hold, actually flying up in the air and stopping in midair. Then, a lot like with Superman's strength and without noticing them pulling apart part the shield, the Half-Kryptonian tossed Mammoth towards the center of the shield.

[Conner...! He's flying?!] Dick cried out loud within the helmet, not believing what he's watching.

[You did not know that he could?] Nabu asked, as they watch Mammoth come crashing down to part of the mountain.

[I thought he shouldn't have flight ability, since he couldn't fly when we were at Cadmus to rescue him!]

Then, to a startling sight, they watch Superboy fly towards the falling giant and used Heat-Vision to shove him towards the rocks quicker.

[And he has Heat-Vision, too?! He told us he didn't have Heat-Vision when he was helping us to get out of our pods! When did he suddenly have these powers, and why is he full of so much rage?!]

[We shall find our answers in another time, Boy. For now, we must get in there and stop your friend before he most likely kills off your friend down there.] Nabu replied, as he turned his gaze towards Cheshire and Artemis, who were both dueling each other on the ground... Who were also underneath to where Superboy is continuously punching Mammoth in the gut, which is also causing a rock-slide to happen.

From within the helmet, Dick's eyes widen in horror and fear.

[Oh no, Artemis!]

Then, without realizing it, he took control of his body from Nabu and launched himself into the shield before it closed up behind them. Once they were inside and saw the rocks coming down towards the two females, did he flew towards them and used Doctor Fate's Energy Blast to destroy most of the rocks that were coming down on the two sisters.

With the two girls safe from harm and the rocks hadn't injured them, did he relaxed and unconsciously allow Nabu to control his body again.

[You've rescued them,] the helmet said. [You were able to take control from me and save their fates. It is truly remarkable.]

From within, Dick widen his eyes in surprise from the news.

[I took control from you?] He asked, earning a nod from Doctor Fate, while keeping his eyes on the two girls from down below.

[Yes, you did.] Nabu replied. [And do not fear, Child; I am not angry at your stunt. You reacted by instincts, and allowed those instincts to take over in order to save the archer and assassin.]

From within, he could feel Dick's worry and fear coursing through his body. Though he was simply a helmet with magic powers, Doctor Fate could feel anger coursing throughout his own entire being and would've most likely go to Gotham and attack the Dark Knight if he hadn't made a promise to his host.

'Does his previous mentor punish him for making his own decision that still succeeds their mission?'

[But, still, I feel bad I did that without your permission... Also, Bruce would want us to stick to his plan. Messing up or doing a different tactic without permission will result to extending training after the mission is over or when I'm recovered enough to fight again from a tough battle, but I can handle it.]

Remembering that the boy can hear his thoughts and despite feeling his anger of hearing the punishment, Nabu chuckled at the boy's politeness and the respect he was gaining from the thirteen year-old.

[Admitting what you truly feel sets you free, which also keeps bonds much stronger than false words that will break the strong connection. And for that, you shall not be punished.]

Knowing that the boy was relieved and happy, since he could sense happiness flowing through his body, made Nabu happy as well.

[Thank you, Nabu.]

[Might be best to express your thanks another time, boy. For now, we must help out your friends.] Doctor Fate turned his gaze towards a metal-suitcase, which was hidden underneath some of the rocks that were meant to fall on Artemis and Cheshire. And speaking of the two sisters, both were still kneeling on the ground and staring up at the Lord of Order, who was using Artemis' youngest friend as a host. [It seems that they have missed you.]

[You think? I don't know about Cheshire, but I sure know Artemis does.]

If Artemis could see the boy smile, she would've most likely smiled back in gratitude and greetings. However, they were in a battle at the moment and Cheshire has some explaining to why she suddenly stop their fight and almost sacrificed her own life to save Artemis'. Even in the air and in the blizzard, Doctor Fate could still be able to hear them and hearing Cheshire's answer to his unasked question.

"Okay, fine, we're sisters. I don't actually want you dead," the older sister explained. And with that said, she got to her feet and like the actual Cheshire Cat from 'Alice in Wonderland', vanished without a trace. Once Artemis go to her feet and saw that her sister was nowhere in site, she turned her gaze back to the Lord of Order and saw him levitating the case out of the rocks and towards his reaching hands.

"H-Hey, wait!" She called out, which was around the time when the case was now being held by its handle within Doctor Fate's left-hand and when the Lord of Order looked as if he was going to leave. "You c-can't leave us!" She stuttered out, which indicated that she was most likely cold and could be a bit nervous on talking to Doctor Fate. "W-We need to talk to you."

[Most likely to try and free you from being my host, again.] Nabu replied, knowing that whatever the Team will say or do will all go to waste.

[Yeah. But like you told me earlier, Nabu, we can do this another time. For now, we have to stop this fight and get the others to help us.]

"We shall talk later, Archer." Doctor Fate replied, as he formed a golden-bubble around the case and have it vanish with just the wave of his hand. "For now, we have a battle to stop and only then, shall we be allow to discuss some business with you all." And with that said, he grabbed both of Artemis' arms and flew them in the air, making their way towards the area where Shimmer and the Riddler are watching the fight going on. "Get ready to fire, Archer."

Despite herself being shocked from being lifted in the air by her youngest friend, who was still being taken over by the Helmet of Fate, and not having to see him for more than a month and a half, Artemis grabbed for a bow that held smokescreen inside of the head and set it on her bow. The moment they were above the two villains, did she release the bow and watch the smoke blind Shimmer and Riddler's vision.

With the smoke preventing the two villains from seeing them, Doctor Fate placed Artemis on a rock that was a few feet away from Shimmer and Riddler but close enough for her to see through the smokescreen and deliver a perfect sneak attack, and made his way towards the blind Shimmer and Riddler.

[Ready to cast some spells, Boy?]

[You bet! I always wanted to do magic ever since I was three!]

With that being said, Doctor Fate flew into the smoke and held out his right-hand towards the two criminals who were at least a foot from them.

"Suriškite jos(Bind her)!" Suddenly, three golden-chains came out of his hands and as if they were snakes, coiled themselves around Shimmer's arms and bound them against her body. He then grabbed at the chains and pulled her towards him, which had her being punched in the face by his left-hand, though she was punched in the chin. Knocking her out from the force of his strength, he released the chains from his hands and held out his right-hand towards Riddler when the Master of Riddles caught him in his sight in shock and fear. "Takmörkun(Restriction)."

Riddler didn't move an inch when he caught sight of the Lord of Order, but soon found himself bound in a straightjacket that came out of nowhere.

"No!" He cried, freaking out from having to be wearing the material that he would be forced to where at Arkham Asylum. "No! I am not the straightjacket type! I am strictly Belle Reve, not Arkham!" He then fell to the ground when Doctor Fate lowered his hand towards, which was most likely the cause to how and why the straightjacket suddenly gotten heavy.

[Can we please silence him? He's one of the few villains that annoy me, especially to his continuous talking of riddles and demanding to know how Batman and I would be able to escape his traps.]

[Very well. He also annoys me with his screaming.]

"Silenzju (Silence)," the Lord of Order commanded. Before the Riddler could say another word or scream out his fear and/or frustration, a white-strap went around his mouth and kept him quiet.

[Thank you, Nabu. Hopefully, we'll get a bit of piece and quiet with him unable to talk.]

[But what of the storm? Isn't it hard for you to hear your teammates and have it block your vision?]

[Good point... Guess we should stop it; it looks like the others are done beating up the bad guys.]

[Agreed.]

"Comprimi procella ira et furore (Calm the storm of anger and rage)!"

With the cry of his command and with a raise of his left-hand, the mighty blizzard finally calmed and the shield suddenly shattered. Parts of the shield fell, with sparks flying off of them, but they eventually vanished the moment they hit the ground or the mountain. Doctor Fate then raised both hands in the air, his eyes glowing golden-yellow.

"Lla esoht gniraew lla etihw, eb tnes ot Mumixam Ytiruces Nosirp! Dnes rieht snopaew ot Rewot fo Etaf (All those wearing all white, be sent to Maximum Security Prison! Send their weapons to Tower of Fate)!"

All those wearing white that the Team had been facing, with more than half of them unconscious and the rest still conscious, were lifted in the air and had their weapons yanked away from their grasps or backs. Then after seven seconds hanging in the air and having their struggling to break free fail, they vanished without a trace, with their weapons disappearing five seconds later. Doctor Fate then turned to Shimmer and Riddler, who one was still knocked out and the other trying to get out of the straightjacket.

"Dnes eht Relddir ot Mahkra Mulysa, dna Remmihs ot Elleb Ever (Send the Riddler to Arkham Asylum, and Shimmer to Belle Reve)!"

Unlike with the men in white, they remained on the ground but their body has been surrounded in the golden-yellow light that Doctor Fate use to use magic or attack and then were gone a few seconds later. When there seems to be nothing else that needs his magic, did he release a deep sigh within him and lowered both his hands.

[How are you holding up, Child?]

From within, Nabu could hear Dick gasping for breath and could even sense his energy more than halfway down. The helmet knew he shouldn't have overdone his use of spells, but he also knew that the boy will do better and last longer when he's being pushed to the limit.

[I'm doing alright. Just need to catch my breath, but I'm still good. It just drains me, is all.]

Nabu noticed that the boy is gasping a bit harsher and knows that it was more than just mere exhaustion, which gotten the helmet concern about the boy's health.

[Don't worry about me, the Team is coming.] Just as Dick said, Doctor Fate found himself slowly being surrounded by the teenagers that were once his host's teammates and friends.

A few of their faces, which are mostly the girls, held emotions that describes their shock and desperate need to see their little brother, while the rest held their faces as calmly as they could, even when they're feeling the exact same. From within the helmet, Dick could see multiple colors coursing through his friends' entire being.

Conner was still surrounded by Dark Red, indicating his Anger and High Temper, but he was also surrounded by bright-lemon yellow, which stands for struggling for control. He also had the Grey, which indicates he's the lone wolf type... A lot like how the Boy Wonder is also like a lone wolf, himself, either as his civilian or hero appearance and life.

Kid Flash was also surrounded by Dark Red, only it reflects only on Anger since he doesn't have much of a high temper, and also holds his nervousness.

Aqualad's aura was Orange, which shows his worry. A perfect Green, that tells he's one of the most reliable and dependable.

Surprisingly, all four of the girls, including Rocket, held the same colors: Orange, that reflects their worry. Violet, for Warmth and Transmutation. Then there's White, which reflects their purity.

And the one color that they all have is Black, that represent Sadness and of them hiding their secrets or protecting him/herself... Also, Golden Yellow to shows their happiness and good health. Blue, for the development of telepathy. They even had Pink, which stands for Love they have for each other... The same love they still have for their youngest teammate and little brother of the group.

From within the Helmet of Fate, Dick smiled sadly at his friends' feature of auras and the look they have on them. His heart in his chest was beating frantically, wanting and begging for its master to go to his team and return to them, to once again feel the warmth and love they all still have for him instead of having to be forever isolated within the darkness of the golden-helmet without having to feel any kind of affection or even emotion from Nabu. However, the boy held in his heart's greatest desire since he gave himself to Nabu and allowed Doctor Fate to focus on the Team instead of the cry of his emotions.

Though it shouldn't have been a surprise, Aqualad walked up to the Lord of Order.

"Doctor Fate, we are truly grateful that you came to our aid, when we needed more help than we thought we could handle on our own." The Atlantean spoke, staring up at Ancient Sorcerer, whose using his youngest friend's body to be in their presence that pains them all very deeply. "If you do not mind, however, will you please tell us to why you came to our rescue?"

"Or better yet, why did you bother coming here when you didn't bother to see us for more than a month and a half, after you took Robin away from us?!" Conner blurted out, shoving the Atlantean aside and stomping over to position himself in front and underneath Doctor Fate. If the Half-Kryptonian's yell was anything like Black Canary's Canary Screech, he would've made the mountain they stood on and from afar to crumble and fall into pile of rubble.

Within the air, Doctor Fate narrowed his Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes at the still enraged teen, who was surrounded with even more Dark Red to almost make him look as though he's on fire.

[It seems that he still holds more rage within himself, that the fight with Mammoth wasn't enough to lessen his anger. Despite him having to miss you since the fight with Klarion on Roanoke Island, he shouldn't be having this much rage from your absence.]

[I know, this isn't like him to still be angry when the fight is over. Even if a mission hasn't been successful or completed, he would immediately calm down and his anger will be gone until the next mission is to come. He's still channeling his anger, but he was getting a lot better the last time I saw him... Something is definitely wrong with him and we need to fix him and the rest of the Team, if we want to succeed with our plan.]

Knowing that the boy is right and that the 'whole' Team are an important part to their plan, Doctor Fate lowered himself to the ground and now stood face-to-face with the Half-Kryptonian, who had to stare up at Conner because of his host's height and size.

"There is more of a purpose, rather than a reason, to why we came." He replied, having some of the Team to turn and stare at each other in confusion. "Though, from what the Archer has told me, that you all wish to speak to me about something important, there is something my host and I must show and speak to you that you must know."

Having to hear 'host and I' within his words, Wally speed up towards the Lord of Order and placed both his hands on Doctor Fate's shoulders.

"Wait a sec. Are you saying we get to speak to Dick? Are we actually going to see him?!"

He was so anxious and jumpy, that he didn't realize that he spoke his friend's name until he realized what he just asked Doctor Fate and turned to see the whole Team staring completely startled at what he called their Little Bird.

"Dick?" M'gann questioned, staring at the Speedster and Ancient Sorcerer in confusion. "Is that Robin's actual name?"

Wally let out a nervous sigh, while Doctor Fate held a calm feature on his face, even though it's being covered by the golden-helmet.

"The boy knew that you would learn of his true-self," he explained. "He has wanted you all to know of his identity and since he is no longer under the care of the Dark Knight, I am giving him permission to let him show you all his true-self."

The Lord of Order then raised both hands in the air and closed his eyes, focusing to perform another spell.

[Forgive me, Child, but I must perform another spell in order for them to be with us without me having to remove the helmet from your head.]

[It's okay, Nabu, I understand. And like I said before, I just need to catch my breath after having to use some spells nonstop. Besides, I'll probably collapse in exhaustion if you remove your helmet.]

Though he didn't have to ask or gain any permission from the boy, Nabu thought it would be best to warn and inform the child of his actions, which was to keep their bond solid and stronger without having anything to destroy or shatter their trust with one another. After he has gained his host's approval, did Doctor Fate opened his eyes and glowed golden-yellow.

"Gnirb rieht sdnim otni sruo dnim. Dnes su ot Rewot fo Etaf(Bring their thoughts into ours mind. Send us to Tower of Fate)."

At the command of his words, a giant-yellow surrounded them all and lifted them in the air. As they floated into midair, telekinesis suddenly came towards the Team from either Doctor Fate's helmet or his hands and laid gently on top of their heads, a lot like M'gann has done for the Team in Bialya when they lost their memories. After feeling a tickle on top of their heads and a bit of a dizzy spells, the Team suddenly fell to the ground of the bubble before darkness came and they all went into some sort of deep sleep.

---

Within the Helmet...
One by one, the Team awoken from the sudden darkness, only to find themselves surrounded in darkness and only having lights to shine down from above. Being the first to recover and fast on his feet, Wally was the first to get off the ground.

"Man, it's been awhile since I was here." He said to himself, staring up at the light shining down above him. It also took him a few seconds to find himself not wearing his Kid Flash costume and just his usual clothes: Dark-blue jeans, black-and-white sneakers, a light-cream long-sleeve shirt with a maroon short-sleeve shirt over it, and his black-wristwatch around his left-wrist. "Huh, I guess when you become Nabu's host, you wear civilian clothes instead of your hero outfit."

"Agreed, since I've worn my civilian within the Helmet of Fate when I put it on while our fight with the Injustice League." Kaldur replied, getting himself off the ground and helping Raquel to her feet.

Conner was also to his feet and is helping M'gann to hers when she finally regained consciousness, while Artemis and Zatanna helped themselves off the floor. The Team then found themselves wearing the exact clothes they were while at the Hall of Justice.

"Boy, it sure is dark in here." Zatanna stated, crossing and folding her arms in front of her, as if cold.

"Yeah... Can't believe Robin has to be here for so long." Artemis added, staring off into the darkness but being sure to keep herself close to the group and don't get lost within the darkness.

"Actually, Kent Nelson has been here much longer than I have, but I guess by your standards since Wally and Kaldur put on the helmet before me, then yeah."

A voice replied to the blonde's words, which made the teens jump in surprise when they heard the voice they all haven't heard for a month and a half. With his super-hearing, Conner search to where the voice came from, since the voice of the person echoed throughout the darkness, and according to his hearing, the voice is coming from behind them. The moment he turned around, his light-blue eyes widen when he saw who it was that stood behind them. He gasped to the sight of who he never thought to see again.

"R... Robin?"

His choice of word caught the rest of the Team's attention and got them to turn, only to also be shock to who they see now in front of them: It was a small boy, who looks to be younger than he is, with short ebony-black hair that almost looks like Conner's. He wore a green-shirt and black-skinny jeans, with a black-sweater hanging over the shirt and, like Wally, also wears black-and-white sneakers for shoes. However, instead of having sunglasses to conceal his identity, the boy had Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes that only Wally and Artemis have seen in their civilian lives.

Said boy smiled at the teens, which was his usual trademark of the person he is.

"Hey, guys. It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

Though he was thirteen years old, the age where he's not considered a teen though is still a preteen, and the tone of his voice should've changed when he hit the age of thirteen, his voice seems to have kept part of his child-like voice within his voice box when he was eight, that were almost a lot like chirping Robins singing in the Spring.

The Team were completely stunned to be seeing and hearing their youngest member, and they weren't sure if they should run up and embrace him or stay in their spots in case they were seeing things within the Helmet of Fate. However, knowing that there are no illusions within the helmet and that the boy in front of them is who they know and love, Wally immediately ran towards the thirteen year-old and embraced him with a bear hug.

They both fell to the ground, with Dick sitting on the ground and the redhead kneeling over him, as he kept his arm around the preteen who became the little brother he had always wanted. Not caring that the others will be hearing him say the Boy Wonder's name, Wally said it, anyway.

"Dick..."

As his response, said boy wrapped his arms around the redhead and laid his head on Wally's right-shoulder.

"I missed you, too, Wally."

Right as the redhead pulled away from the preteen and was about to help him to his feet, M'gann took his place to the floor and having the boy within her hold. She had tears streaming down both of her cheeks, but had a smile on her face and though with her eyes closed shut, it was pretty clear that she's happy to see her younger Earth-Brother again (her youngest Earth-Brother is Garfield, whose eight years old and is more or less her actual biological blood-brother, since she give her blood when his life was in danger).

One by one, ever so slowly, the rest of the team came towards the small group of three; afraid that if they were to run up to them, the thirteen year-old would only be an illusion that they all wanted to see with all their heart and vanish from their gaze. Though she doesn't know much of the boy except for being Batman's young partner and being the first partner to be known to the Justice League, Raquel felt a huge relief within her chest to find the Boy Wonder alright and to finally meet him in person.

However, she and the rest of the team weren't expecting to know his actual identity, especially if that person were to be the ward to the famous Bruce Wayne, Gotham's Billionaire Playboy: Dick Grayson.

"What? It's you?!" Artemis cried in shock, staring down at the boy getting back to his feet, with M'gann still holding him within her hold and standing next to him. "You were that kid that took that picture with me on my first day of Gotham Academy!"

Acting innocent to her words, the boy gave her his smile and his cackle, which seems to be filling the void within each of the teams' chest; including Raquel.

"I told you we would laugh about it, someday." He replied, which got Wally to snort a bit from his explanation to the stunned blonde and then let out a big cry of laughter, along with falling to his back and to wrap both his arms around his stomach. The whole team stared down at the laughing redhead; all watching in curiosity and confusion. "Though, I didn't expect or included Wally to laugh with us, especially when we didn't start laughing."

That time, everyone stared at the boy and then all let out their carefree laughs, including Artemis. Dick happily gazed at everyone laughing, feeling and seeing that it's been a while since they've truly laughed. To brighten the mood up even more, the thirteen year-old let out his carefree cackle, the sound that everyone has missed and wanted to hear for so long (it's a first time for Raquel, but she already likes the sound of his cackle like the rest of the team did).

It felt like it's been forever since they've all laughed together, but has only been three minutes and even for that long, they still continued on laughing. However, just as it seem that it would continue on, the team noticed that Dick, without warning, has suddenly ceased his cackling. Then slowly, one by one, they all quiet their laughter and stared down at the youngest of the group, who had shifted his head towards the darkness behind him.

He then nodded his head to the darkness, confusing the older-teens and wondering if Dick can hear someone that they cannot. The preteen then turned back to the others.

"I'm afraid we'll need to end our little get together right now," he said. "We didn't bring you guys into our thoughts to simply have a laugh and catch up."

"'We'?" Artemis asked, staring towards the darkness around them to see who Dick was referring to.

"He is including himself and Nabu, Artemis." Aqualad told the blonde-archer.

"That is correct, Atlantean."

A deep voice spoke out of nowhere, startling most of the team except for the two had worn the helmet and the preteen who is wearing the helmet. The voice came from above, specifically above Dick and when they looked up at the light shining down on the thirteen year-old, did a blinding light came into few and once it has dimmed down, did they all see the Helmet of Fate make his appearance and lowered itself until it was halfway from them all but still too high for any of them to reach for it.

"Though I do regret on interrupting your little get together and having my host to finally have guest, I'm afraid we're here to discuss something very important, rather than visitors within our mind."

Having to hear the helmet calling Dick his 'host' instead of referring to him by either his civilian or hero name, more than half of them glared at Nabu and could already feel their tempers rising for calling their little brother a person who is his to control like a puppet instead of an actual person.

The one who are more angry are Wally and Conner, with the clone being more angrier than the Ginger because of the rage still coursing through his veins from the previous fight not satisfying his hunger, which was all thanks to the Shield. He then felt a censoring pain within his head, with his sharp-hearing catching the sound of statics that sounded a lot like the statics are attacking his brain. The worst part about it, though he has endured this sudden feeling when Lex Luthor contacted him and Wolf during Thanksgiving or when M'gann went into contacting the way her people do by using the Mind-Link, he couldn't hear who was contacting him. The only thing he knows was the few words the voice was saying faintly to him.

Out... Shields... Santa Prisca... More...

It took him a few moments to find out that it was Lex Luthor who was trying to contact him, since the adult was the only person who knows about the Shields besides Wolf and himself, and he seems to have found out that he has used the last of the Shields.

A part of him wanted to have more of the Shields so that he could be more useful and may even gain the respects he wanted from Superman, but the other part of him didn't want to leave this special moment on being with his baby brother with the rest of the team. Because of those two thoughts in his heads, it made the aching feeling in his head increase and his anger grew even more than it usually do whenever one of the teammates annoys him with their problem.

With no control over his action and because of his sudden anger, did he moved up and placed himself in front of the preteen to get something off his chest.

"He has a name, you know." He growled, wishing that the Shield hasn't already worn off so that he could use his Heat-Vision to melt Nabu. "He's not some sort of pet or puppet that you can control and make him do as you wish!"

Behind the clone, Dick noticed the red-aura Conner has been surrounded by has grown even greater and became more noticeable than the other colors he also possessed. He also know that Nabu noticed the anger Conner has, but he knows that the helmet must be treated and spoken to with respect, or else the opposing person will be in major punishment. He knows how it felt when he prevented the attack to hit Kent when he pushed his luck and demanded for the helmet to release him during their fight with Klarion.

Knowing that they need to get the situation under control, Dick walked around the clone and gently pushed him back as much as he could with both hands on Conner's chest.

"Conner, you need to calm down." He gently commanded the clone, who could very much match up to be his big brother because of the couple similarities they both possessed. "He's not referring to me as if I were his property, that's just how he let's other Sorcerers and strangers know who I am. It's also another name to protect my actual identity in case they try to get back at Nabu."

His words were able to get through the Clone-Kryptonian, but they didn't seem to help calm him down. Instead, it made Conner a bit more angrier that his little brother is backing up the one thing that kept him away from their family. Even though his anger and may seem ready to pound someone to get rid of some of his rage, he was able to hold back from having to injured the youngest of the group before he chose to talk.

"Why bother backing up to that, that thing?!" He demanded, pointing towards the golden-helmet but keeping his sky-blue eyes to Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes. "That thing is the reason why you're no longer with us, and why all of us are barely hanging on to a thread!"

The red-aura grew even more, and that alone was enough to have both M'gann and Dick to feel weak in the legs and to nearly collapse to their knees in exhaustion.

"Ever since you given yourself up and had left us at Roanoke Island, we've all changed: We're no longer happy, nobody seems to smile much, especially Wally when his birthday came by." He then gestured his right-hand towards the Speedster, who seemed to too stunned like the rest of the group to stop him. "Mount Justice no longer felt like a home anymore, not to any of us, when you were no longer with us! Not only us, but the whole League are barely keeping themselves together! And Batman, he grew colder and snaps at anyone who even tries and bring you up to a conversation!"

When the boy couldn't handle his anger any longer and as if his energy has been sapped from him, he finally fell to his knees and was gasping for breath.

His sudden collapse got the rest of the team to surround the boy and check up on him, with Conner standing awestruck on what he just watch happen in front of him and M'gann almost collapsing with the boy when she grew closer to her boyfriend to kneel in front of her baby brother to check him over.

Her eyes glowed green, scanning his brain to find out what has caused the child to collapse from the sudden burst of angry words from Conner when it looked as though someone had just strangled Dick to have him gasping for air. She gasped when she found out what she found within the boy's mind, her eyes no longer glowing green and back to their amber-brown eyes, and gotten the team to grow even more worried if she found something really wrong with their youngest member.

"He can sense and see both our emotions and auras," she replied. The whole team stared astonished on what the martian has said. "He's sort of like me, now. He can sense emotions, but gets drained easily from negative emotions... He's an empath."

From seeing the team's reaction, Dick chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head with his left-hand.

"Yeah, I was planning on telling you guys that when you would ask me if I've been training or not, but it seems that the secret is already out."

Wally chuckled with his little pal and held his right-hand out, to give his friend the help to get back to his feet.

"You still a newbie to the whole sensing emotions thing, Dickie? Because M'gann can handle Supey when he's angry, and she hasn't collapsed like you just did."

Knowing that the Speedster is wrong and before he chose to accept his brother's hand, the Boy Wonder turned to his martian-sister and gave her the look that means 'you know that it isn't true, and you have to tell them the truth'.

In response, M'gann nodded her head and looked up to the rest of the team.

"Uh, actually, Wally, I almost did collapse from Conner's sudden burst of anger." She admitted, as she slowly gotten to her feet and helped Dick up to his own instead of allowing the redhead to do it. "In fact, during our fight in the mountains and while he was attacking Mammoth, I was already nearing to the point where I was going to blackout and go unconscious."

Soon, all eyes were turned to Conner, who was feeling very uncomfortable to have everyone's attention.

"I have also noticed your sudden anger during our fight, my friend." Aqualad stated, who was behind the left-side of the Kryptonian. "Your rash behavior would've had Artemis killed during our fight in the mountains, if Doctor Fate hadn't showed up to help us end the fight quicker." He then placed a hand on Conner's shoulder, only to have it pulled away from his hold and having the clone look to his right to not stare at the eyes glancing towards. "We wish to know what has caused you to lose control, and your sudden burst of rage."

"We also wish to know on how you were able to obtain the ability of flight and the power of heat-vision, since my host has claimed that you were not suppose to obtain those powers and were not able to do so when rescuing you from Cadmus."

Nabu added, knowing that the clone will have to face the truth and admit what he has done. Conner knows that he wasn't going to be easy but seeing on what his anger almost caused Artemis to be crush to her death, having Dick collapse from the negative emotion and almost having M'gann in the same condition his baby brother went through, it was time to tell them what he's been keeping ever since his first Thanksgiving.

"There's something I need to tell you guys," he finally said. "Last month, on Thanksgiving, I went back to Cadmus. Found a few things out: When I was cloned, half the DNA was Superman's, the other half was human. That's why I don't have, never have full-Kryptonian powers."

While Conner explained what he found out, Nabu decided to talk with his host, who didn't seem that much surprised that his brother-figure was only half Kryptonian.

[You knew about this all along, didn't you?]

Dick let out a soft sigh from the question he's given by Nabu.

[Yes, I did, around the time we finished are mission on stopping Amazo from the beginning week of August. After are report on how well we did on the mission, I went back to my school to see if Professor Ivo left anymore Robot Monkeys or if we forgotten anymore of Amazo's parts. That was when I noticed some blood on the ground and after I collected some of it and took it back to the Batcave to analyze it, that was when I found out that it was Conner's and when I found out that he was Half-Kryptonian. I chose to keep that a secret and decided to let Conner find out the truth for himself.]

"You sure about that, Supes?" Wally asked, giving him a friendly smile and thinking on how can the clone claim that he doesn't have Full-Kryptonian powers when he had used the ability of flight and heat-vision to prove him wrong. "Because it seems that you had them today."

That was when Conner held up his right-arm and used his left-hand to pull the sleeve back, showing a black object on its arm that looks to be in a shape of a certain crystal.

"I've been using these," he explained. "Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight, the heat-vision... But I think I also get angry. Well, angrier." He corrected himself, as he pulled the sleeve back and over the Shield to cover his greatest regret that he chose to take when he knew it wasn't right. He then looked down and, for what seems like the first to the team, he looked very sad. "I'm sorry," he apologized.

Conner then turned to stare at Dick and M'gann, who both seemed to be doing alright after hearing his confession and now that his anger has lowered itself.

"Where did you get those?" Aqualad asked, wondering who gave such a terrible and dangerous gift for their brother to have, so that he would be strong and be like Superman. Before he answered the Atlantean's question, the clone pulled out the small container that used to held many more Shields.

"From my human father: Lex Luthor."

Nobody on the team know what to say and they didn't really see that common; Conner and Lex Luthor hardly look the same at all or even think alike. The only ones who aren't shocked or surprised are Dick and Nabu, which was completely obvious that they already knew about the clone also being the son of Lex Luthor.

"Lex. Luthor. Is your dad?!" Wally yelled out, not believing what he just heard.

"He summon me to Santa Prisca," the clone normally replied.

The moment he said 'Santa Prisca', Artemis and M'gann felt startled and scared; they were also told to go to Santa Prisca on the same day Conner has to be there, with Artemis being told by her father last night and M'gann by Queen Bee four days on the day after Christmas. They know that if they were to leave right after their little discussion with Nabu and Dick, the team will believe they were the mole this whole time and may even believe they want to betray their team, who are also like siblings than just friends or teammates. The last thing they want to do is betray the team's trust but if they don't do what they're told, their most deepest and darkest secret will be exposed and the team will no longer see them as part of the family anymore after they learn the truth.

[What's really important right now? Your secrets, or the safety for the Justice League and your team mates?] Nabu

Both girls turned their gazes towards the golden-helmet from above, staring up to the voice they heard within their minds. Though with having no eyes to use on his own within the mind, he could very much feel his gaze staring deep within their souls.

[You both know what you must do, and that is the right decision... Just as Conner has done.] Dick

That time, the girls lowered their gaze from the golden-helmet to their little brother, who happened to join in the conversation and help feel less nervous from the Lord of Order's hidden gaze. Dick simply smiled at their stunned and uncertain looks on their faces.

[You think it was easy for Conner to tell you all about his discovery last month from Cadmus? I felt and saw his fear after Nabu and I brought up his sudden change... It wasn't easy for him to tell us, but he knew what he did was the right choice and because of that, he now knows that we'll be there for him when he needs to head for Santa Prisca and that he isn't the mole.] Dick

[Wait a sec... You knew about this?] Artemis

The preteen simply shrugged.

[I already knew about him being related to Lex Luthor in August, while I just found out five minutes ago that Luthor gave him the Shields while you were all still unconscious.] Dick

He then tapped his right-temple with his hand.

[Nabu and I read his thoughts and looked through his mind to see what had happened when he gotten those Shields. Turns out Conner has a code word that puts him into a temporarily hypnotic trance. From what Nabu and I found out, it's 'Red Sun'. It was those two words that caused Conner to black out for several hours, before he could do anything to Lex Luthor.] Dick

[It took him that long to finally snap out the trance?] M'gann

[Yes] Dick

He then turned his gaze towards the Kryptonian, who looked very relieved to finally have that secret off his chest and happy to see their gazes are not staring at him in judgement or disappointment.

[If just two words could put him in a hypnotic stance, then I'm worried on what other codes Cadmus implanted inside of him and if Lex knows anymore of them.] Dick

[Which is why, once we arrive to our home and bring you all back to the conscious world, my host and I shall erase the code word and any other codes that would put the Kryptonian at a disadvantage or even force the boy to fight against you all instead of with you in battle.] Nabu

M'gann stared down at their little brother, shocked when Nabu has told her and Artemis about the both of going to use Psychic-powers to erase the code Lex Luthor used on Conner.

[You can do Telekinesis like me, Dick?] M'gann

The boy shook his head to her question.

[Not on my own; I'm still learning to withstand both the overuse of magic and negative emotions, along with sensing emotions and magic from afar. In order for me to do Telekinesis, I'll need Nabu's help to allow me to use the same powers you would use. Without him, I can't do any Telekinesis powers... Though, I can actually read people's mind on my own.] Dick

[Boy, and I thought you've been keeping secrets on how you kept on disappearing on us during a mission or when you're hanging out at Mount Justice, along with speaking in different languages that quickly and the way you can communicate with animals like Wolf without any of our help to do these things... You sure have a lot of power now, since you became Doctor Fate.] Artemis

Her voice may sound surprised and happy for him, but Dick could here how sad she is. He knows why, because at the moment, she was now the only human on the team who has no superpowers or special ability to help them out, with only a strong bow and specialized arrows to help her keep up with the group and when they needed some long range help.

Despite himself not wanting to put his two sisters in the middle of the spotlight like Conner, he knows that they need to tell team about them going to Santa Prisca as well. Because of that, he chose this time to speak out for the rest of the team to hear.

"And speaking about secrets, Artemis, isn't there some sort of secret you have to tell us about?" His words caused everybody to turned their gaze towards the green archer, with Wally stepping up in front of the group to stare at her anger but also with confusion.

Artemis truly despised herself for what she did on her last mission with the redhead Speedster, which involved tracking down Sportsmaster and battling Cheshire in New Orleans, who are also her father and older-sister. She wants to prove to the team that she isn't the mole, along with wanting to tell them that her whole family are villains and her father wants her to join the family villain business. But because they're her family, she could never bring herself to put them into Belle Reve. It wasn't because she knows that they can easily escape the high-level security prison, it was because she didn't want to go through not seeing them for years, just like her mother has done.

Since the price of being a villain cost her mother to lose the use of her legs and had be put to jail for so long, Paula had her daughter join the Young Justice and be put under Green Arrow's care to have her daughter have a better life than she ever had when she was Huntress.

Artemis knew that not telling the team the truth or explaining why she let Cheshire and Sportsmaster get away, meant she was trashing her mother's dream to have her in a better life as a hero and that was something she wasn't going to do to her mother, to have her go through the days of her life as if she were in Hell with the thought of her youngest daughter being hunted down like an animal and to experience the feeling of ultimate guilt to become and haunting reminder the price of being a villain.

Knowing it was time to let the truth out, she let out a sigh.

"Uh... Listen, Conner's not the only one suffering from bad DNA." She finally spoke, which felt like hours since she finally said anything and everyone had been staring at her, when it had only been a minute and forty-six seconds. She then lifted her head to gaze at the golden-helmet. "Can you have this place become like the Briefing Room from Mount Justice? I need to show them some images that they all need to see."

Nabu, who had stayed quiet to allow everyone to speak their thoughts and mind to each other, along with having Dick to reveal his true-self to the team and still needs to explain their reason to finally come by, needed no time to think over her request before he chose to answer.

"You do not need me to fulfill your request, Young Archer." He replied, though he didn't sound angry or annoyed from answering her question. "You can simply do that task on your own, with the help from the mind of your own or the mind of another." If he did had eyes, they would see Nabu turn his gaze to Dick. "Do you mind to assist the Archer's request, boy?"

To reply back, the preteen smirked at the Lord of Order.

"Sure, I don't mind." He stated. "I needed to do some illusion practice, anyway." And with that said, he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

In a matter of seconds, he snapped his eyes open, with his Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes turning to a silver-grey color after four seconds from being hidden underneath his eyelids. Before anybody could say anything about his eyes changing, they soon found the darkness around them changing to the Briefing Room from Mount Justice.

It was unbelievably amazing to the team on how their little brother could just have them now be in Mount Justice from within their heads that if the preteen hadn't been taken away to become Doctor Fate, they would believe to find themselves truly back at the mountain to wait for either training from Black Canary or a mission from Batman, along with seeing someone walk through the Zeta-Beams to announce what they would be doing. Today, however, they would actually be waiting in the Briefing Room to see Red Arrow and congratulate him for finally being able to be part of the Justice League, even though some of them envy him for finally getting the respect they all want to get and fight along side with their mentors.

Ignoring what they were thinking, the team watch Artemis bring up a holographic keyboard that Dick was able to bring up with his thought, and watch as three images came up from behind: One was an image of a female-woman wearing what looks to be a tiger-like suit, with an image of herself without the black stripes underneath her eyes and cheeks that reads 'PAULA CROCK' on the bottom of the image. The next was one Sportsmaster's, with an image of a man's face in front that says 'LAWRENCE "CRUSHER" CROCK' on the bottom of his image. The third one was of Cheshire, with an image of a girl that has the same thick-long hair she has that said 'JADE NGUYEN' on the bottom. On Cheshire and Sportsmaster's image, they both had ACTIVE on the side of their picture, while both Huntress and Paula had RETIRED on their pictures.

Once the images came up, the keyboard vanished and Artemis turned to face the others.

"My mother is Huntress, an ex-con." She started out. "The rest of my family aren't even ex... My dad's Sportsmaster and he's sending my sister, Cheshire, to fly me to Santa Prisca, too."

It all finally made sense to the team, especially to the redhead Speedster, to why she always seems uneasy whenever a mission involves with either Cheshire or Sportsmaster and to why they seem to always get away whenever Artemis goes after them.

"That's why..." Wally whispered, now understanding why Artemis had Cheshire escape from New Orleans or why she wasn't very comfortable with Red Arrow around; because he knew that she was a villain's daughter and chose not to tell him or the rest of the team about it.

"Yeah... I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out." She confessed, who looked really upset and if she were still wearing her hero-suit, she would be able to hide the tears that would soon be falling.

"I knew." Dick spoke out, now gaining everybody's gaze to look at him, including the blonde-archer, who seemed startled and scared that he knew before the rest of the team did. "Hey, I'm a detective." He reminded everybody, giving her a caring and kind smile. "But it never mattered; you aren't your family... You're one of us."

Those last four words, that made the feeling of doubt on telling her friends and to be rejected, finally vanished from her mind and heart and even made her smile in gratitude to her youngest-brother of the group.

Knowing that they were done with the image of the Briefing Room, Dick allowed the images to fade away and to once again become the darkness of Nabu's mind and the last to once again shine down on all of them. His silver-grey eyes reverted back to their natural Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes and he then let out a couple of gasps, indicating that he needed to regain his breath from having to hold the image for a good while.

The team looked ready to run up and help, him but the preteen shook his head, getting himself to sit on the black-ground and to keep on catching his breath until he wasn't gasping for anymore air like a dying fish out of water.

"I'm alright," he reassured everybody. "It just takes a lot of concentration to keep an illusion in place for a good while. It's not really an easy task to do for too long, but it's very useful when trying to confuse and catch an opponent off guard." He then lifted his gaze towards Nabu. "How did I do, Nabu?"

"Perfectly, Boy." The helmet replied, surprisingly sounding very proud of his host for performing an illusion spell.

Back when Dick was still with the team as Robin and whenever Batman is around during training or after hearing the results of a mission, they had never heard a single word of praise slip through the lips of the Dark Knight to his young protégé but only "you need to do better" or "Next time, I won't accept a failed mission". If they were honest and if anybody were to ask them who seems to be better to Robin, they would have to say Nabu, for being a more supporting and praising mentor, than Batman.

What confuses the team was even when he would receive no praise or encouraging words from the Dark Knight, he would still smile and show his loyalty to Gotham's Protector. The team were so astonished by the preteen's loyalty to the Dark Knight, that they were certain that the boy would even give his own life or even die in battle for Batman.

Knowing that the boy will be alright, Wally went up to Artemis and placed a hand on her left-shoulder, smiling at her to let her know that she was forgiven and no longer mad at her.

"So, who's next?" The Speedster joked, now laying his whole right-arm over the girl's left-shoulder and thinking that their secret-problems are over. In about seven seconds, a voice came up.

"I am..." M'gann replied softly, knowing there was no going back once she admits her actual-self on Mars but knows that she'll finally be free from the guilt of hiding from the team, especially Conner.

"I swear I was kidding." Wally quickly said, raising both hands as if surrendering to the police and his eyes widening when his joke actually became an actual question being answered.

"Queen Bee's been blackmailing me," she started. "She wants me to Santa Prisca, too."

"Blackmailing?" Kaldur questioned, wondering what sort of secret would have a sweet and kind martian like M'gann to be forced to go to Santa Prisca. "How?"

"She knows my true martian-self." M'gann replied, lowering her gaze to the floor.

"Bald-M'gann?" Wally said, thinking on why Queen Bee would blackmail M'gann because of her true bald-form. "Who cares if-?"

"No..." The martian interrupted the redhead, a sign that tells those who went to the Qurac Mission she lied to what her true martian-form is really.

Though he wasn't with them on the mission, Dick and Nabu had sensed Psimon's Telekinesis in Qurac and after they read his mind from their home, that was when they saw what Psimon has done to the team and M'gann.

So, when M'gann let out a deep breath hunched over, they didn't looked scared or even moved a muscle when her appearance changed into a white-martian. After her transformation of her white-martian form, everybody except for himself, Conner and Kaldur took a few steps back away from M'gann.

"Whoa..." Raquel gasped out, wishing that she didn't just see one of her new friends and teammate turn into something so shockingly scary and big.

M'gann turned to face her friends, and then wrapped her long-arms and two-fingers around herself.

[I realized you would never accept me if you saw what I really am.] M'gann

The team could tell that she was truly upset and sad to learn her answer for her discovery, when they didn't mean to back away in fear from her sudden appearance; they were just startled to see her change from her friendly appearance to a tall and scary martian that seems to be able to take them all down with just her mind and physical strength.

"M'gann, did we truly seem so shallow?" Kaldur asked, stating to let her know that they would never abandon nor shun her because of her appearance.

[I couldn't take the chance. Being a white-martian among the green on Mars, I endured constant rejection. I couldn't stand that from-] M'gann

"From me?" Conner finished, as he made his way towards the now white-martian and grabbing for her left-hand, with her gently wrapping her two-fingers around his hand. He seemed a bit shock, but he didn't seem mad or disprovable about her appearance.

[I've known since we mind melded last September at Bialia.] Conner

The news surprised M'gann, and it completely confuses her to why her boyfriend didn't say anything about her true-form. Dick would've told her that he also knew about it, but he had a feeling that she may either know about it because of his training with Nabu or she doesn't really know and chose to keep it a secret for his sister's sake.

[But that was before we even became a couple. Why didn't you say anything?] M'gann

[I'd figured you'd tell me when you were ready.] Conner

No more words had to explain anything about each other anymore and on that moment, M'gann soon realized that she no longer has to be afraid on being rejected from her team mates or her boyfriend. She then morphed back into her green-martian form, with her hand still grasping onto the Boy of Steel's hand and a smile of relief planted on her face.

Wally then wrapped both his arms around Artemis, trapping her in his embrace as if silently apologizing for giving her such a hard time after their mission in New Orleans and keeping her safe in his hold like someone would came and take her away from him.

"Okay, are we finally done with the whole 'secret-thing' yet?" He asked, not wanting to know who else has a secret and having to be force to work with the villains they're going to be fighting soon. "Because, once we get the Santa Prisca problem over with, I want to go back to Mount Justice and personally congratulate Roy for making into the League."

Dick knew that was the moment he needs to tell the team why some of them needed to go to Santa Prisca, besides why he and Nabu chose to make their appearance.

"It is time, Boy." Nabu told the preteen, also knowing that it was time to tell the older teens what was at the matter of hand.

"'Time'?" Conner repeated, cocking his head to the side while having his right-arm wrap around M'gann's left-arm, with both their hands still entwined with each other. "Time for what?"

Dick sighed out the air that was held within his lungs, knowing that the others will have trouble to believe what he's going to say.

"Guys, there's something you need to know about." He started out. "There's a reason why Nabu and I came in the first... We need you to help us save the Justice League from Roy."

"What?" Wally said, not sure if he heard what his brother said was true. "Save the league from Roy? Why? Is he going to drop a massive-size balloon full of chocolate syrup on the League, all for making him wait another six months before he could finally join the League?"

"Wally, this isn't a prank or a joke." Dick replied. "If it were, then Nabu and I wouldn't had bother to have you enter our thoughts or take you to our home." Now they think about it, the teammates who knew Robin longer knows that the preteen would never make anything up as a joke if it were something important. "Listen, I know this may be hard to believe, but you have to hear us out." He then took in another deep breath. "Nabu and I believe that Roy is actually a mole we've been searching this whole time, and is working for the Light."

That time, the whole team wished that this was actually a dream and that they went deaf when he said those words; it was hard for them to believe that Roy Harper, who grew out of Speedy and went as Red Arrow, would betray them and the League for the Light. They can't even think up a reason to why he would work for the Light, when he's been helping them out with stopping some of the member of the Light.

Trying to believe that their brother was joking, Wally let out a couple of forced-out laughter from within.

"Okay, Dick, that was hilarious." He stated, while trying to keep up the laughter. Nobody joined in the laughing, nor did they say anything to have them back up the redhead. "It was very funny and all, but seriously, tell us the real reason why you came down."

Dick's only response was a blank face.

"I really wish that I was joking, Wally, but I'm afraid I'm not... Roy is the mole." Again, Wally was having trouble to believe the preteen's words. However, before he could say anything, Kaldur stepped up.

"Brother, how can you claim proof that Roy has been the mole this whole time?"

"It's simple, Kaldur: It was his attitude and behavior that caught my attention when we were brought to the Hall of Justice, on Independence Day." Everyone was confused on what he meant, even Wally and Kaldur were wondering what the child was trying to say. "Urge... Alright, here's some things and realization I compared to the Roy we've known when we were young and to the Roy when he left on the Fourth of July."

He was able to get a couple of nods from the teens, which was something he can accept that meant they'll both listen and understand what he has to say.

"Okay... First off, Roy would never insult us or call anything lower than a couple of goofballs or a bunch of mischievous children. However, back when we tried to recruit him on becoming a Young Justice Team from Star City's Harbor, he claimed to not wanting to be in some daycare to simply babysit some preschoolers for the League. Roy had never thought about us being a bunch of preschoolers, and he knows that we can take care of ourselves. Doesn't that seem odd that he would say something like that?"

Kaldur and Wally thought through on what Dick has said and now that the boy mention it, they did find it odd that Roy would claim them to be preschoolers and their home base as a daycare.

"Also, if he knew about the Watchtower in space, wouldn't he had known about Mount Justice being another way to help him get to the Watchtower, since he was able to use it to go in and out of the mountain when he needed our assistance?"

Instead of just the Atlantean and Speedster thinking, the rest of the team, including Zatanna and Raquel, are beginning to see and get on how Roy has been acting strange.

"Well, okay, you have a point there, but that doesn't explain to his decision on leaving us during Independence Day." Wally replied, his arms removing themselves from Artemis and making his way towards his baby brother. "C'mon, Dick, how and why would Roy betray us? I mean, we're his brothers. He would never hurt or do anything to put us in danger."

"Yeah, he wouldn't, unless he has a code like Conner to put him in a hypnotic trance to do subconsciously to take orders from the members of the light." Dick stated back, knowing that he was winning the conversational fight. "It would actually make sense, Walls." He then turned to the other teammates, whose eyes were on him and nobody but him, with Nabu staying quiet to let the boy say what he needs to say. "Back when we were younger and while growing up together, the only times Roy ever snapped is when he's being force to go to charity parties, Green Arrow making him wait while talking to the police after a successful mission, or when Uncle Ollie drags him on his dates with Auntie Dinah."

Both Wally and Artemis snickered at the boy's claims, with one remembering those times as well and the other imagining the look on Roy's face from having to go through all that.

"When we were heading for the Hall of Justice, he didn't seem mad or to care at all. Even when Uncle Ollie told him about the Watchtower and possibly the Zeta-Beams, too, he was still whelmed enough to know that he wants to stay with us."

"Hmph, yeah, until we were told that we were lied about the Hall of Justice not being the actual base." Wally reminded, still frustrated and hurt on that day.

"Yes, but Speedy was the one who brought it up without warning." Again, the preteen won the combat of the conversation. "Roy should've kept his business to himself, like he would always do when he isn't pleased about his day not going as it should, and then he and Uncle Ollie should've talk on what they and the League should do to have both them and us come to an agreement if we ever found out about the Hall of Justice not being their true base. Instead, he snapped and claimed we deserve more and that he wants the respect he wanted... That didn't sound like the big brother I knew when I was eight, doesn't it, Wally?"

His words were beginning to make more and more sense as they all thought about it, and both Kaldur and Wally weren't sure what to say as a combat.

"I also noticed when we told him about Mount Justice and that we still needed him, he seemed to hesitated on answering the question and he look as though he was going to agree and join us. However, his face changed to anger and that's when he chose to call us toddlers and our base a daycare. However, he still comes to us for assistance and even at times stay a few days or even more than a week at Mount Justice. And during his stay, he never once complained or commented anything bad about the mountain during his stay."

Dick turned to Kaldur.

"Kaldur, didn't you say that Roy told you about our team having a mole from having to hear it from Sportsmaster?" The Atlantean nodded his head.

"He told me right after we were able to save Lex Luthor's life, that he heard Sportsmaster mentioning of a mole upon the team." His eyes then widen when he realized what he told, along with remembering what else happened on his mission with Red Arrow. "He also took his time on making his appearance on helping me secure the people when Cheshire placed the bomb, and while he went after Cheshire when she went to make her escape."

Dick nodded his head upon the Atlantean's realization, which makes his claim more believable and shows more evidence to his claim of Roy being the traitor.

Tears are beginning to form in the redhead's lime-green eyes: Angry because he didn't want to believe Dick's words, but sad and hurt because he knew that the thirteen year-old is right and that he chose not to believe him or face the truth on what his words bring to them.

"Which is how and why I believe that there was something wrong with Roy, and to come to the conclusion that Roy is the actual mole we've been hearing all this time." He then watch everyone's expression change from shock to upset and confusion, with Wally falling to his knees and letting the tears glide down his face to land on the dark ground underneath him. "I'm sorry, guys. I really am. I didn't want to believe it myself when I was searching on who was the mole Roy claims to be on the team, but I'm afraid all the evidence points out to the man who doesn't even know he was the traitor Sportsmaster was talking about."

Artemis went over to the Speedster on the ground and kneeled beside his trembling body, wrapping both arms around Wally's shoulders and chest to give him silent comfort. They could hear him sniffling quietly and his breath shuddering for breath as the tears continued on falling.

"Why?" He whimpered out, but the question didn't seem to be directly to the preteen. "Why him? Why Roy?" He then lifted his gaze towards Dick and Nabu. "Is he even our Roy?"

The next question wasn't going to be easy for the boy to tell them what else he and Nabu found out after doing some Telepathic talk they had with Dubbilex last night.

"I'm afraid there's more news to tell for that question, Wally." He then turned his gaze to the ground, not wanting to see his older brother's change of gaze once he said the words. "Not only is Roy the mole, but he's a clone... A Cadmus Clone, like Conner."

The quiet sobs ceased, and replacing the sound are gasps from the females and a low growl from Conner. Wally, who ceased his crying, felt anger replacing his hurt feeling.

"What?"

"It actually made sense when I thought over the past and compared it to our Roy." Dick explained. "A while back, when I was nine, Uncle Ollie told me that when Roy was thirteen, he was taken down during a stakeout on LexCorp and went missing for weeks. He eventually found him in a warehouse, around the time he and Aunt Dinah went facing with Icicle Sr." He then placed a hand on his chin and thought it over. "If my hunch is correct, Roy could've been cloned after he's been taken down and once the clone was done being born and given the memories of the original Roy Harper, the Light must've made some sort of agreement for Icicle Sr to have Green Arrow save his protégé and have the clone to get into the Justice League to make an attack."

Some of the team whispered to each other on what they've been told, while some thought about what they were told and Artemis went into helping Wally to his feet. Some still had doubt, but they knew that the preteen is right and that they have to find a way to stop Ro- Red Arrow from doing the Light's dirty work.

"If what you say is true, then how can we stop this matter from coming?" Kaldur asked, ready to go out on the battlefield and save his king and his surrogate-family from the Light. Dick smiled at his older-brother.

"Thought you never asked," he replied. "Which brings up to why Nabu and I came: For you guys to help us snap Red Arrow from his hypnotic trance and to save the Justice League from the Light." The teens eyes widened in shock from what he just said, but he didn't cease his talking. "I know this may be one of the dangerous and hardest mission or fight we would ever do, but I know that we're ready to take them on and rather we're ready or not, we'll have to be ready and be prepare for the greatest battle of our life."

Silenced spread through the empty air of their thoughts, the words of Dick Grayson still repeating itself over and over inside their own thoughts and subconscious minds. Eventually, a voice came up.

"Let's do this." It was Wally who spoke and, unlike his breakdown, his tears had finally ceased and his voice wasn't trembling; it sounded low and serious, like the way he would always speak in when there's a problem that needed to be fixed. His lime-green eyes turned to his baby-brother. "If we do this, we'll find out where our big brother is being held up all these years ago."

Dick smiled at the redhead, glad to see he had pulled himself together and is no longer sad or depressed at the moment.

"And even if we do find the real Roy Harper, Red Arrow will still be one of us and will still be a member of our family."

Kaldur added, walking over and placing a hand on Dick's left shoulder. The thirteen year-old then turned to the rest of the team, who all gathered closer to him and all looking ready for the end to come.

"Are you all in?" Kaldur turned from his left to his right, staring into the faces of the other teammates, and then back to the Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes of their youngest member.

"We are all ready to fight along side with you and Nabu, Brother."

Just as he said those words, a bright light from above sudden came flashing down on them all. All but Dick went into covering their eyes, to shield their visions to prevent from going blind, even though that they're not really awake and can't go blind in a sort-of dream-state.

"It is time to awaken," the helmet said to the team. "It is almost time for the plan to begin."

Right before the light engulfed them and once again go unconscious, Dick waved his hand to the teens.

"See ya, guys. And remember: Get Traught, or get Dead."

Those were the last words the teenagers heard from the preteen and before any of them could do or say anything, their world and mind went black into the darkness.

---

Now Back in Reality...
When they all opened their eyes, they found themselves laying on brick-ground and their eyes told them that it's getting close to sundown from the multi-color created by the sun and sky. They then noticed that they were outside and more likely on a roof of a certain building.

"We must depart," a voice told the teens. "In order for our plan to succeed, you must all be prepare for the meeting at Santa Prisca."

Once they were to their feet, the Team saw Doctor Fate over the edge of the roof and levitating himself in a lotus position in midair. He then gotten himself out of his position and turned to face the team.

"We shall send you all to your destination, but I'm afraid we cannot accompany you to the battle."

"Why not?" Wally asked, stepping up in front of the teens.

"My host and I must gather certain ingredients in order to create a Cure-tech, which we shall implant to us all and to the League in order to prevent the effect of their Starro-tech to take control on us and make us follow their orders."

The Ancient Sorcerer held up one of the Starro-tech in his hand, showing it for the team to stare upon on.

"Klarion will most likely come here and get the case that I've hidden within my home, who will then command the Archer to give each Justice League Member a Starro-tech and have them all under Vandal Savage's control. Before he goes and begin his goal, we must first cure the Elder Archer and have him help us with our plan."

He then lowered himself to the ground and made his way towards Conner, who seemed a bit startled and surprised that he came to him, and lifted his right-hand towards the left-side of Half-Kryptonian's head and covered Conner's temple, that also laid on part of his hair.

"Martian Girl, if you will assist me into erasing the word that puts the Kryptonian into a subconscious state and possible control programming, along with implanting the memory when he was rescued from Cadmus and of Lex Luthor using him for the Light's Plan."

"Uh, yes, of course."

Walking next to the Lord of Order, the green martian placed both hands on both side of Conner's head, with her own-right covering the Ancient Sorcerer's hand that belongs to Dick, and then her eyes turned green, with Doctor Fate's eyes turning golden-yellow. Even as he was helping Conner, the Lord of Order continued his explanation.

"Once the Elder-Archer is cured and when we finish a couple of battles with the other members of the Light on Earth, we shall immediately return to the Watchtower and give the League the Cure-tech, but we must do it swiftly and without them knowing what's going on. Unfortunately, they'll be unable to help us and will be out for about half an hour to a full hour, two hours at the most, which means we'll be fighting Vandal Savage and the Witch Boy on our own."

"What? How come? We could use their help." Raquel asked, feeling uncomfortable about having to knock out her mentor and having to go into a battle with few of the toughest villains the League has ever fought.

"Like many other illnesses and diseases that humans will come into contact with and from the help of medicine, sleeping or resting is what helps rid of the virus within the body quicker. Once the League wakens from their slumber, will they be completely restored and the effects of the Starro-tech shall be of no use to the Light or effect the League, with no chance in the slightest for them to be under control of the chips."

Doctor Fate's eyes then returned to Dick's Cerulean/Sapphire-eyes, with M'gann's eyes going back to Amber-Brown, and they both pulled their hands away from Conner. When the Half-Kryptonian reopened his eyes, he actually felt at peace and even seemed a lot calmer than usual. He then turned his gaze to Doctor Fate and M'gann in questioning.

"Did it work?" The Lord of Order simply gestured to the green martian beside him.

"Watch, and hear for yourself." He replied, who sounded very confident that they completely cured the clone from his command word. Taking a deep breath, M'gann did the test.

"Red Sun," she said.

Conner's eyes widen from the words, recalling Luthor saying the same thing when he was about to punch him and soon found himself alone at the bridge in the middle of the night, with Wolf and Sphere still with him. However, instead of finding himself alone or seeing the day has already passed, he was still in the present and that it was still the beginning of a sunset. He then let out a smile in gratitude and approval.

"It worked," he said. "I'm cured."

"Yes... The Martian Girl and I were able to erase the programming within yourself, and made sure it would be irreversible if one of our Psychic Enemies were to try and bring back the reprogramming word to once again try and take control of you." Doctor Fate explained, feeling relief surging through his host's body that also made him happy. "Also, I have some weapons for you to try." He raised both his hands in the air. "Evah eht snopaew taht erew denommus ereh ot raeppa erofeb su! (Have the weapons that were summoned here to appear before us!)"

From the command of his words, the weapons that the Team were attacked by were suddenly in front of them, on the ground and ready to be used.

"Use these weapons to increase your chances on taking down your opponents at Santa Prisca and for your field advantages."

The Team simply stared down at the weapons and in the end, only Kaldur and Raquel took two of the weapons Doctor Fate has taken from their opponents they fought; with Raquel choosing Energy Disk that had attacked her earlier in the mountains, and Kaldur with the Apokoliptan Weaponry that can trap people in the earth. Before the Lord of Order was about to send the weapons back inside of his home, Zatanna stopped him.

"Wait," she said. "If you don't mind, will you let us keep them and send them over to Mount Justice?"

If his face weren't covered by the helmet, the Team would've most likely see the Lord of Order raise one of his eyebrows.

"Do you wish to keep them as souvenirs?"

"I do not think they would be safe to be souvenirs, Doctor Fate." Aqualad suggested. "However, we believe that the League will like to study and perhaps use these weapons for analysis and perhaps if they would be of use to them." It took Doctor Fate seven seconds to think it over, until he nodded his head.

"Very well," he said. The Lord of Order's eyes then glowed yellow again. "Gnal lerran ardaradatut'yan (Go to Mount Justice)."

Just like before, the weapons were levitated in the air and in a few seconds, they vanished. He then turned to Aqualad.

"You shall find them in the Speedster's Souvenir Room, they'll be leaning against the wall to where the entrance is but next to the dresser with your other souvenirs."

The Atlantean nodded his head.

"Thank you, Doctor Fate."

The Ancient Sorcerer nodded his head in accepting the Atlantean's gratitude. He then turned to M'gann, who was staring at the sunset with Conner, both holding-hands in a death grip of determination on completely their new missions and standing over the edge, and quietly walk towards the couple until both turned to face him from behind them.

"Martian Girl, once you have completed your goal, have the Bio-Ship take you all and meet my Host and I at Cadmus. After that, send her back to Mount Justice."

M'gann nodded her head, understanding what the Lord of Order wants her to do.

"Right," she replied. Doctor Fate gave her an approval nod to her correct response to his instructions.

"I shall find the Elder Archer and show him what he's being controlled to do, while convincing him to help us with our plan to prevent a terrible disaster to befall upon us all and give him a Cure-tech before the Witch Boy or Vandal finds out."

Before Doctor Fate turned to leave them alone, Conner stopped him by placing a hand on his right-shoulder.

"If you can, can you have both Wolf and Sphere to come to the Watchtower, too?" He asked, looking a bit shy on asking for a favor but is starting to feel comfortable on asking for that favor. "It's like you said, we can use all the help we can get if we're going to save the League."

Conner could've sworn that he was feeling happiness and relief fluttering around his baby brother and, even though he has X-ray vision or even if he wouldn't have obtained that power, he could imagine Dick smiling and heard Doctor Fate chuckle in amusement.

"You're finally allowing yourself to ask for help," he stated in satisfaction. "That is wonderful news for the boy; he had hoped you would allow yourself to ask for help when you would need it."

Conner and M'gann turned and faced each other, and stared back at Doctor Fate.

"Very well. I shall bring the Engineered Canine and New Genisphere to the Watchtower with us, after we finish with the Cure-Tech procedure. Be sure that you bring them along with your fight at Santa Prisca; we must all the time we have, wisely."

The Clone-Kryptonian let out a sigh of relief from the Lord of Order's words.

"Thanks."

The Lord of Order nodded to the Clone-Kryptonian, then turned his gaze towards the setting sun. Though they've been on top of the roof for no more than ten minutes when they've all awaken, he knew that it was getting closer to the time to depart and for the plan to take action.

[Are you ready, Boy?]

Though he knows that Dick is always ready for mission, whether he's injured, sick, or even half-dead and is on the battlefield, he would always be ready. However, when he had asked if his host would be ready, he really meant if he's ready to knock out his surrogate-family in order to keep them safe, take down some of the most powerful villains the boy and team ever faced, and then once again leave the heroes like they did on Roanoke Island.

[Ready as I'll ever be, Nabu.]

Dick knew why Nabu asked him that question and he knew that unless they were to come to their aid again or if something were to happen to him, this will most likely be the last time he'll see his surrogate-family for a long time. Which means it would be the last time he'll be and see his siblings, his aunts and uncles, but most of all, it would be the last time he'll see his father until something bad would happen to the heroes again and that will be the day he'll see them once again, but that will also reverse the cycle of ever seeing them again.

Even with the team still here with them and are ready to be sent to their destination for their plan to start, his heart still bang heavily of the thought to once again be alone in darkness for many years to come. However, if anyone were to ask if he regretted putting on the helmet and becoming the host for Doctor Fate, he would claim to not take it for granted; to him, as long as his family is together, then he'll have no regret on being Doctor Fate for the rest of his life until sudden death will come to him.

Doctor Fate then raised both his hands in the air.

"It is time..."

TBC

---

Had to look through many websites that talks about auras and many of them have different definition of the colors that represents the emotions and such.

Also, this may be the last update until I get a new computer/laptop. Sorry guys, but don't worry, I'll still do stories and get to work on the fourth chapter. Until I can get back on Fanfiction, enjoy!

R&R