Denial part 1

Disclaimer- Only own Shade and plot changes

Italics- telepathic communication

Shade's POV

I stood beside Megan and Artemis at the mountain's main hangar, watching Superboy and Aqualad getting ready to spar in the computerized training circle.

I sparred with Megan yesterday so I don't have to train today. Because of this I decided to wear dark blue skinny jeans, a tight short-sleeved dark purple shirt that cuts off just above the belly button, an unbuttoned black short-sleeved midriff jacket, and a pair of knee-high black boots. Out of all the clothes in my closet this is by far one of my favorite outfits, although I don't think Bruce agrees.

I remember the first time he saw me wear it and it took me hours just to convince him to let me keep it on. And don't even get me started on how he reacted to my hero costume! That's definitely a day to remember. I cracked a smile just thinking about it. It took the combined power of Aunt Sue, Dinah, Diana, and I to persuade him into letting me keep it.

I glanced at Artemis and Megan and noticed that they were both making goo-goo eyes at Superboy who decided to go shirtless for today's session. The girls were practically drooling as they stared at his massive muscles.

I chuckled softly and leaned over so they could hear me clearly.

"You two might want to close your mouths before you catch flies or get caught staring" I whispered softly and they quickly snapped their mouths shut.

Everyone is at the cave except for Robin since he's with Bruce in Gotham researching the new criminal organization that's been running around Gotham City the past few months. Unfortunately we haven't been able to gather much info on them yet, but from what little intel we have gathered it seems like Gotham isn't their only target.

As we continue to look deeper we've noticed that multiple cities across the world have experienced similar crime patterns that all seem to trace back to this new organization.

Every time the group strikes they hit facilities or buildings that hold large amounts of advanced tech and weapons, but instead of stealing everything in sight they only steal one or two specific pieces. This leads us to believe that they have a specific hit list and are carrying out a plan instead of looking for a quick and easy payday.

Surprisingly the group's actually good at planning heists; and when I say good I mean scary good. They're one of the best criminal organizations we've seen in years.

They're exceptional at covering their tracks and avoiding the cops so we still don't know what they're planning or who their leader is, which is driving Batman up the wall. If there's one thing Bruce hates more than the Joker it's when he doesn't know something, especially if it's associated with Gotham City.

I would've stayed behind and helped with the investigation, but I knew they'd be fine without me. They're better at the hacking and computer genius stuff than I am anyways. If I tried to help I'd only slow them down. I'm more useful in other areas and if something big does come up then they'll call me.

I shook my head to clear it and focused on the training match. The two boys were circling each other, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

"Initiate combat training" the computer blared and they lunged for each other.

They threw punches and kicks but no damage was done since they both managed to dodge the others attacks.

Artemis, Megan, and I started a conversation as the battle continued.

"Kaldur's, uh, nice don't you think? Handsome, commanding, you should totally ask him out" Artemis said to Megan.

Megan laughed as she answered, "He's like a big brother to me."

I smirked and chuckled.

"I don't think Aqualad's really her type Artemis. She much more prefers the tall, built, and handsome," I whispered.

Megan blushed knowing what I was implying and Artemis quirked an eyebrow.

Megan quickly diverted the conversation before Artemis could question me further.

"But you know who would make the cutest couple…you and Wally" she said to Artemis.

We all looked over to the corner of the room where Wally was watching the fight while munching on a burrito.

"You're so full of passion and he's so full of uh…" her sentence trailed off as she tried to find the right word to describe Wally.

"It?" I finished for her and we all laughed.

Once we got our laughter under control Artemis smirked.

"But we all know the greatest couple ever would be Robin and Dawn."

I told Artemis my real name once I got to know her a little bit better and knew she wouldn't tell anyone.

Megan smiled and nodded in agreement.

I turned my head away from the fight to face them and raised an eyebrow while suppressing the blush that threatened to flood my cheeks.

"Robin and I are just friends" I stated calmly.

"Uh huh sure you are, you just keep telling yourself that" Artemis scoffed obviously not believing me.

"The fact that you're best friends is precisely why you'd be so great together," Megan added. "You already know everything about each other and if I'm being completely honest you two already act like a couple anyways."

I turned and returned my attention to the sparring match.

"We do not act like a couple" I grumbled.

"Fail Aqualad" the computer blared as Superboy grabbed Aqualad's arm and flipped him over his shoulder. His back collided with the floor knocking the wind out of him and thus resulting in Superboy winning the match.

"Black Canary taught me that," Superboy stated proudly before offering Aqualad a hand to help him off the floor.

"Nice job SB" I cheered as I jumped on his back and climbed onto his shoulders.

He grinned and held my legs to keep me steady on his shoulders.

"Thanks kid" he said as the rest of the team walked over.

"Dude seriously how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not a kid!" I grumbled before knocking my knuckles against his head a few times.

He just grinned and acted like he didn't hear me, even though I know he did.

Ever since the heart to heart Superboy and I had after the Amazo mission we've grown extremely close. I've even gotten him to loosen up a bit around the rest of the team.

Now we hang out all the time inside and even outside of the cave. Last week I took him to his first NBA basketball game. Everyone else was spending the day with their various family members so Superboy was left at the cave all by himself. I told Aunt Sue about it and we both agreed that we should get him out of the cave so he could experience some family one on one time of his own. Superman might not see him as family just yet, but we sure do.

We even periodically train together when we have some free time. I'm teaching him how to make his hits more precise and controlled and how to be quick and light on his feet. Ever since Superboy took Canary's advice and actually started listening to people when they teach him new fighting techniques he quickly transformed into a better fighter.

Suddenly Red Tornado flew down from the hatch in the ceiling where his quarters were located and landed on the ground beside the training circle. As he walked towards the exit Wally ran over and blocked his path.

"Do you have a mission for us?" he asked Tornado hopefully.

"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility" RT answered.

"Yeah well the Batman's with the Robin doing the dynamic duo thing in Gotham, but you're headed somewhere right? Hot date or a mission?" Wally pressed.

"If we can be of help" Aqualad interjected not wanting to be a bother if Red didn't need our assistance.

Tornado silently thought about the offer before ultimately deciding we could be useful. He turned and formed a group of holographic screens in the middle of the room. The biggest screen was a full body photo of an old man who I immediately recognized .

He had a full head of short silky grey hair and wore a nice tailored black suit. Clenched in his right hand is his special black and gold cane, which he carries with him everywhere he goes. The handle is a shiny rich gold with light engravings etched in the metal while the body of the cane is long, smooth, and black.

"Nelson?" I said confused on why Tornado was showing us his picture.

I folded my arms and placed them on top of Superboy's head before leaning down until my chin was resting on them. Superboy didn't seem to mind so I didn't move.

"Correct Shade. This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is 106 years old" Red told the group.

Wally leaned over and whispered in Artemis' ear "guy doesn't look a day over 90."

"And he's been missing for 23 days. Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentor's Justice League" Tornado continued as the picture of Nelson changed to show him in his Doctor Fate suit.

"Of course! Nelson was earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate" Aqualad said finally recognizing him.

Wally scoffed "more like Doctor Fake. Guy knows a little advanced science and Dumbledore's it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes."

Upon hearing his comment I turned to face him.

"Wally, Nelson is a good friend of mine. I know you don't believe in magic and I respect that, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't insult my friend by saying that what he's been doing for over 30 years is all just cheap party tricks."

Wally rubbed the back of his neck before muttering a soft sorry.

"Kent may just simply be on one of his walkabouts, but he is the caretaker to the helmet of fate, the source of the doctors mystic might, and it is unwise to leave such power unguarded" Red said while de-activating the holographic screens.

"Nelson would never leave the helmet unattended for more than 3 days at a time Red; you and I both know that. If he hasn't been seen or heard from in 23 days and the helmet isn't with him then something is wrong, very wrong" I said starting to get a little worried about the old man.

"He's like the great sorcerer priest and priestess of Mars. I would be honored to help find him," Megan said.

Wally quickly raised his hand and waved it around after hearing Megan's comment.

"Me too. So honored I can barely stand it. Magic rocks" he said while making the rock sign with his hands.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to Tornado.

"Take this" Red said as he held out a golden key "it is the key to the Tower of Fate."

I lifted my hand and quickly floated the key out of Tornado's hand and into my own.

Nelson would've wanted me to hold onto it since he knows and trusts me, plus I owe him for helping me on a couple of missions that involved powerful magic users.

"What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?" Wally said once again flirting with Megan.

"Yeah what an unexpected coincidence?" I mumbled sarcastically.

I tapped Superboy's shoulder and he released my legs so I could flip off of his back.

"Come on guys let's get going, Nelson needs us," I said as we walked to the bioship.

Once everyone was strapped in Megan plugged in the coordinates Red sent us and zoomed out of the mountain.

The team, minus Robin, is currently in the bioship flying towards the Tower of Fate, which ironically is located in Salem.

The trip was silent up until Artemis broke it to ask Wally a question.

"So Wally when did you realize your honest affinity for sorcery?"

Wally leaned back in his chair and folded his arms behind his head.

"Well I don't like to brag but uh before I become Kid Flash I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself."

Artemis rolled her eyes and turned to face the front of the ship.

Megan's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion when she looked down at the navigation device.

"We've reached Tornado's coordinates but-"

"Nothings there" Superboy finished for her.

"Take us down" Aqualad ordered and Megan landed the bioship.

We walked out and looked at the empty patch of land in front of us. Wally ran around the area to make sure there wasn't anything we couldn't see, but when he didn't find anything he skidded to stop in front of Artemis.

"Nothing, this isn't simple camouflage" he said.

"So what do you think? Adaptive micro-opto-electronics combined with phase shifting" Artemis guessed.

"Absolutely" he started but then noticed Megan walking over and quickly covered "not! Clearly mystic powers are at work here."

Artemis just gave him the 'are you kidding me' look.

I looked down at the golden key resting in my hand. I've never been to the Tower of Fate before but I know Nelson, and if there's one thing I know about him it's that he always does the unexpected.

"A test of faith" I whispered as an idea popped into my head.

"Stand behind me" I told the team as I walked further into the field.

I held the key out in front of me like I was putting it into a door and the end disappeared like it was going into an invisible hole. I turned the key and heard a soft click like a lock turning and the Tower of Fate slowly appeared. The team stared at the tower for a few seconds before finally walking inside. Once we were in the door shut and disappeared behind us.

"Uh where'd the door go?" Wally asked as a life-size Nelson projection appeared in the room.

"Greetings, you have entered with a key, but the tower does not recognize you. Please state your purpose and intent," the projection ordered.

Before I could answer the question Wally stepped forward.

"We are true believers here to see Doctor Fate."

The look of disappointment and sadness that flickered across the projection's face before it disappeared left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Uh Wally I don't think you should've said that" I stated hesitantly as I heard the floor creak beneath us.

Suddenly the floor collapsed and we started to free fall towards a pit of boiling lava. Everyone screamed as we fell through the air.

Megan grabbed Wally since he was the closest to her and floated them both in the air. Artemis pulled out her portable crossbow from her pocket and shot an arrow into the rock. She used one hand to grip the crossbow as she swung over to Aqualad and used the other to catch him. I flew over to Superboy and caught him around the waist.

With Superboy in my arms I flew up to the top of the pit planning to set him safely on the ground before going back for the rest of the team, but right before we escaped an invisible barrier formed over the exit hole. Since it was invisible I couldn't see it and crashed right into it. An extremely painful energy blast shocked through my body when I collided with the barrier. The impact was so powerful that it made me lose consciousness causing Superboy and I to fall towards the lava once again.

"Shade, Superboy!" the team yelled as we fell.

Superboy grabbed me from the air and pulled me into his chest before digging his hand into the rock wall to slow our decent. Although our fall was slowing down Superboy noticed that we were getting dangerously close to the lava and knew we weren't going to stop in time. He lifted me higher up in his arms so I'd be safe and only his feet would slide into the lava. He screamed from the slight pain of the heat before pulling himself up a little so his feet were out of the lava. His feet were unscathed, but his shoes were completely burned to ash.

"Those were my favorite boots," he growled to himself "this Nelson guy better be worth it."

"Superboy how's Shade doing" Wally yelled worried for his friend.

Superboy looked down at the girl clutched tightly in his arms so she wouldn't accidentally slip out of his grip. She's unconscious, but otherwise seemed unhurt.

"She's unconscious, but other than that she seems fine. I don't see any visible injuries," he yelled up at the team causing everyone to sigh in relief.

"We need a plan," Aqualad said as he looked around for a new escape route.

"We can't fly or climb up or we'll end up getting zapped like Shade, but we can't go down or we'll burn to death," Artemis said stating the obvious.

"Way to be little miss sunshine Artemis," Wally said sarcastically.

"Hey I'm just trying to be realistic here, I don't see you coming up with any ideas" Artemis snapped.

"Ugh, my head" I groaned as I started to come around.

"Guys Shade's waking up" Superboy yelled and I winced from the volume of his voice.

"SB, what happened?" I asked rubbing my head to ease the pain.

"You tried to escape by flying out, but you hit an invisible energy barrier at the top and the impact knocked you unconscious. I wasn't affected because I didn't crash into it like you did," he said quickly filling me in.

"Having trouble maintaining altitude, I'm so hot" Megan said as she slowly started to fall towards the lava.

The heat was making it hard for her to function properly and as a result she's struggling to keep herself and Wally in the air. Her breathing is labored and her forehead is soaking with sweat from the strain of keeping them afloat.

"You certainly are" Wally flirted.

"Wally!" Artemis screamed in irritation.

"This is so not the time for flirting KF," I sternly reprimanded.

"Hey, inches above sizzling death, I'm entitled to speak my mind!" Wally defended.

I lifted my hand and used what little energy I had left to control the wind around Megan and Wally to help keep them in the air. I used my other hand to command the wind to lift Superboy and I up a little so we weren't so close to the lava.

Just like Megan, Kaldur was panting and slowly losing energy due to the extreme heat.

"My physiology and M'gann's are susceptible to extreme heat, we must find a way out quickly. Shade can you create a platform from the rocks" Aqualad asked.

I tried to move the rocks around us, but something was keeping me from doing so.

"Something's blocking my powers over the earth, probably some type of enchantment put on the rocks to prevent escape" I yelled.

I continued to float Megan and Wally in the air giving them my full attention, but as Megan lost energy and couldn't help me sustain their altitude anymore it got harder and harder to keep them up.

I started to get really tired as I felt my energy draining. My strength is slowly being sapped out of my body from having to keep them in the air when my energy levels are already dangerously low from the hit I received from the barrier.

"Guys I don't know how much longer I can keep this up" I huffed as Megan and Wally started to lower again.

"Hello Megan" she said while lightly hitting her hand on her forehead. "We never truly answered the question."

She raised her hand to her mouth and yelled out "Red Tornado sent us to see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe."

The minute the words left her mouth a platform closed over the lava and the air inside the pit instantly cooled. I relinquished my control over the wind and Megan floated herself and Wally safely to the ground.

Superboy detached from the wall and jumped down while still holding me in his arms as I tried to catch my breath.

"SB you can let me down now," I told him once his feet touched the platform.

He looked at me and shook his head.

"You don't have a lot of energy left Shade, you need to regain your strength before I put you down."

"You can set me down on the floor SB. I can regain my strength just as well on the floor as I can up here in your arms" I reassured him.

After a moment of hesitation he reluctantly set me down as Artemis and Aqualad lowered themselves to the ground.

"Are you ok?" Wally asked as he ran to my side, concern flowing off of him in waves.

"Yeah, I'll be fine KF. Stop worrying so much" I told him while lying on my back with my hands clasped behind my head.

It's a technique I use when I need to recover faster and allows more air to fill my lungs

"That barrier sure knocked the wind out of me, I haven't felt a hit like that in a long time. Only a Lord of Order could've summoned a barrier that powerful," I said as Wally helped me stand once I'd regained most of my strength.

Kaldur crouched down and touched the platform under our feet.

"This platform should be red-hot, but it is cool to the touch" he observed.

"Don't worry megalicious, I got you" Wally said to Megan as she tried to recover from the heat she was just exposed to.

Artemis stormed over to Wally and pushed him away from Megan.

"Enough! Your little impress Megan at all costs game nearly got us all barbecued" she yelled.

"When did this become my fault?" Wally yelled back.

"When you lied to that…whatever it was and called yourself a true believer," Artemis growled.

"Wally you don't believe" Megan said shocked.

"Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic, but magic is the real lie a real load" he confessed before angrily crossing his arms.

"Wally I studied for a year at the conservatory of sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my water bearers" Kaldur said.

"Dude you ever heard of bioelectricity? Hey in primitive cultures fire was once considered magic too. Today it's just all a bunch of tricks," Wally said.

"You're pretty closed-minded for a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers" Artemis sneered.

"That's science. I recreated Flash's laboratory experiment and here I am. Everything can be explained by science," he countered.

"Let us test that theory," Kaldur said while reaching for the handle of the tiny hatch in the platform.

"Wait the back draft from the lava will roast us alive" Wally warned as Kaldur opened the hatch.

Instead of an excruciatingly painful heat blast, icy cold wind and snow blew out of the hatch.

I smiled "It's snow."

Artemis turned to Wally and gave him a smug grin.

"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?" she asked.

We all jumped through the door and landed in what appeared to be a mountain range surrounded by snow. I shivered as the last member of the team jumped through the hatch and the door disappeared leaving us stranded in the freezing cold. Everyone looked at Wally expectantly waiting for his reaction; well everyone except for me. I already know Wally isn't going to admit to the existence of magic, no matter what evidence he's given that says otherwise.

Artemis impatiently placed her hands on her hips "Well?"

"Ever hear of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension," Wally stated quickly.

"Ahh" Artemis yelled frustrated by his stubbornness.

"You all might as well give up now. Wally's never and will never admit to the existence of magic, so just drop it," I told them while looking around the area for an escape door.

I lit my hands on fire in an attempt to warm myself up, but the intense cold was making it hard to keep my fire burning.

My fire would've been more useful if I set my whole body on fire. This would've given the fire a bigger platform to burn on so it'd burn longer, but as of right now that's not really an option.

I didn't have my fireproof Shade uniform on and it wouldn't have been very smart to burn off all my clothes in front of everyone, especially in the freezing cold. Now I'm starting to regret wearing a crop top shirt. Why couldn't Nelson have transported us somewhere warm, like a beach.

"What's that?" Megan asked pointing to something behind me. I turned and saw Nelson's cane floating above the snow.

I flew over to it and grabbed the handle at the same time Wally and Artemis grabbed the end.

"I got it," the three of us said at once.

Then the cane started to glow and I tried to pry my hand from the handle but I couldn't. It was like some invisible force was keeping my hand locked around the handle.

"I can't let go," we screamed before the cane lifted into the air and transported us out of the room, leaving the rest of our team behind in the snow.

Not one of my best chapters but I wanted to get it out the way. The next chapter is something I've been waiting to write for a long, long, long, long time.

Reviews are appreciated!