Chapter Eight: Down Time
A/N: Finally so much content in this one as it covers several points of view. there will be mistakes due to the large size of it and i will fix any you point out for me. this one brings in the unexpected i can assure you on that. this is extra big as it is the one which will make the story over 100k words long.
so anyway enjoy!
Wally felt his eyelids open slightly as he heard the rheumatic beeping of the heart monitor beside him; he glanced around looking at a the stark white hospital room surrounding him, he groaned as he pushed himself up and heard a voice from his left.
"Well its about time you woke up you knuckle head." Came the voice of his lifelong friend Richard Grayson dressed in a black jacket and jeans and looking at him with a massive grin plastered on his face as he embraced his friend tightly.
"Hey dick where am I whats happening?" he asked confused looking at his friend as he placed a hand into his pocket and withdrew a cell phone.
"Hey its dick here he's awake I'll fill him in just get down here as fast as you can alright." He said before hanging it up he turned to look at wally smiling again. "Sorry about that wally but the others would kill me if I waited any longer to tell them your awake."
"What was I unconscious or something?" Wally asked confused; he didn't knew what was going on right now.
"Wally you've been in a coma for three months now, ever since you were knocked out of the anti-vortex by Barry… we didn't think you were going to make it." Dick said as the sound of running footsteps could be heard; they looked to the door as it was opened revealing Conner, Megan, Artemis, Kaldur and Barry.
"Wally!" Artemis screamed running over to him and embracing him, bursting into tears as she did.
"Artemis!" Wally said quietly as he embraced his long-time girlfriend as the others began talking to him asking him how he was doing.
"So glad to be back home." Artemis said smiling as they walked into their shared apartment, their bulldog had come running over barking happily at their feet.
"Couldn't feel any better to be back." Wally said kneeling down and scratching behind the dogs ears causing it to roll over letting him rub its belly. "Missed you too little guy."
"Okay mr dog whisperer, I'll sort dinner ok." She said leaning over to kiss him before heading in the direction of their kitchen; soon they were seated down with a large feast of food in front of him. "Every thing you like."
"I love you babe." Wally said smiling before placing a hand on Artemis's hand, she smiled holding his hand tightly.
"So were you dreaming while you comatose or what?" Artemis asked him as they eat together; Wally paused considering his response before looking at her.
"Yeah kind of." He said simply as she raised an eyebrow at his words.
"Care to explain what you were dreaming then?" She asked with great interest smiling at him coyly; he rubbed the back of his head before replying it.
"Bear in mind I was probably on hospital drugs when I was out of it." He said as she grinned now clearing looking forward to his story. "I… imagined I had been somehow transported to my body in a parallel universe at the moment of my birth… only."
"Only what Wally?" she asked with anticipation now.
"Only I was a girl in this universe." He said as she burst into laughter at his words; after a while he went on to tell her about the differences in the coma world and reality as she smiled at his supposed experiences of being a girl if only in his head.
"So what about me in this dreamscape then?" she asked as she brought out a bottle of wine and poured two glasses handing one to wally who thanked before answering her.
"You were evil… an assassin working for the league of shadows with cheshire… you tried to kill in happy harbour high school by drowning me." He replyed taking a long sip of the wine.
"That'll teach you to take your eye off Cheshire and her paralysing darts." Artemis said causing wally to frown looking at her suddenly confusion on his face as he held the glass to his lips.
"How do you know about her paralysing me with a dart?" he asked her suspicion raised; she smiled not the warm loving smile from before but the cold merciless smile of tigress; wally felt his body seize up as he dropped the glass and collapsed to the ground.
"The shadows don't leave half-finished jobs." Artemis said rolling him over with her foot as he saw that she was now deck in the full tigress outfit, pointing a drawn arrow at him still smiling that cruel psychotic smile as she loosed the shaft at him.
Evelyn woke up with a start as her body flung forward, her breathing ragged; she soon realised that she was completely drenched in sweat that even she thought that she might have even emptied her bladder. Thankfully that was not the case and she had only sweated out buckets, she wiped her sodden forehead with her right hand pushing the wet locks out of her field of vision.
'it was only a dream… no… not a dream, a nightmare.' She thought as she glanced at her bedside cloak groaning when she saw what it read. 'its only 3:21 in the morning; this is the second night with the same theme of nightmare, i thinks I'm wally again and it always ends with Artemis paralysing me and killing me, albeit the first time she did slit my throat.'
'I can't seem to get a good nights sleep without the ring on or close by me; I don't like the dependence such a thing could cause me if I depend on the ring for peace o mind.' She thought as she clambered out of bed and began the laborious process of trying to pull off her damp clothing; once she was completely naked she headed into the bathroom and toweled herself off of the sweat as best she could before walking back through and putting on a onesy before stripping her bedding and replacing it with clean sheets.
'Time for an early morning drink I think.' She thought as she walked over to closet and taking out the sealed box holding the star sapphire ring and heading down stairs quietly, she poured herself a large glass of water to re-hydrate after losing so much to sweating.
"What to do with you?" she spoke softly looking at the ring as that hobbit guy did in the lord of the rings. "I don't trust you, yet I really want the peace of mind you seem to provide me, plus being a ring slinger is cool too… I've made up my mind; I'll tell the truth to hal during the funeral later today"
'" but first it's time for some sleep.' She thought returning to bed wearing the ring on her finger; unaware that it was glowing faintly as she sleep on peacefully this time.
12:20 CDT West residence Central City August 21st 2010
Evelyn had managed to get some hours of sleep once she returned with the ring to bed; now she was awake, showered and had just finished adjusting the black dress as she headed downstairs to meet with Barry who was dressed in a black suit, he nodded to her and they left towards the Zeta beam platforms near to her house.
14:35 EDT Tower of Fate Salem August 21st 2010
The pair arrived at the funeral site, they were meet with the sight of the gathered heroes of old, the current and the new. She headed over to where the team was standing solemnly; Dick in a black suit beside Kaldur dressed likewise and Kathy in a rich black funeral dress; they turned when they saw her come.
"Amelia is on her way with Kara, Conner and Clark, Mia, Roy and Ollie are paying their respects to Blaine, Adrian and Dinah are heading over with Dinah's mother and Megan is arriving soon with john." Dick informed her as she nodded before heading in with them, Barry was talking with Jay and Joan while Evelyn nodded to the pair who smiled at her and the team sadly. They eventually heard the arrival of Dinah senior, Dinah junior and Adrian.
"Dinah long time no see." A gruff voice sounded as Evelyn and the team joined they teammate, they turned to see a tall man in his nineties, the old woman smiled at him.
"Hi ted wish it was under better circumstances." She said hugging him as he turned to Black Canary who beamed at him.
"Well if it isn't my little songbird, hope you've been teaching these kids proper like i did to you." He said hugging her before turning to Adrian who was on par with him height wise.
"So you're my successor aren't you boy; heard good things about you." He said holding out his hand as he shook Adrian's.
"Its an honour to meet you sir Dinah has told me of your exploits; I liked the st Patrick day one with the chicken, the mobster and the box of fireworks." He said with grin, causing the aged hero to burst out in a fit of gruff laughter.
"I'm beginning to like you already kid." He said as they headed inside to take their seats, eventually the rest of the team arrived one by one, with them heading over to pay their respects and to give their condolences to Blaine. Evelyn walked up to him; he was a young man in his twenties with dark brown hair and eyes.
"I'm sorry for you lose." She said looking at him, he turned to smile at him before looking at Kent's peaceful figure.
"He's at peace now, perhaps I might attain that one day if the fates are kind." He said wisely.
"But he so rarely is." Evelyn said thinking back to the things Nabu had done in the name of Order. Eventually it got to the point where they were all seated before a podium where Red Tornado walked up to in order to give his eulogy.
"Greetings friends old and new." He began gesturing to the JSA and JLI members as he spoke. "We are here to pay tribute to the memory of a great man and long standing hero. Kent was a good soul from his early days to the moment of his passing, he stood for what was right in the world and believed that all people should be treated with kindness and respect regardless of their religion, their race, gender, species or even if they are not truly living at all. He placed his life in fates hand each time he place that helmet upon his head, he was righteous man a good man; and he will be sorely missed. yet his spirit has touched us all, from those that fought beside him as heroes of old, to those who looked up to his example as they donned their masks to take his place, and even to those who were there at his end ready to carry on his legacy when they're time has come to take the mantle of duty. To my fallen comrade, to my brother in arms, to my dear friend I say this: goodbye Kent may you find the peace you so rightly deserve in the afterlife with your beloved Inza, rest assured that we who remain will neither forget you nor let your sacrifices be in vain."
Evelyn had was touched by the robots words, she noticed Hal sitting at the end of his row beside Barry.
'I guess now is as good a time as any.' She thought as she made her way to him as quietly as possible, while the next person to speak came on.
"Hal can I have a quick word with you?" she asked drawing looks from Barry who frowned but said nothing, Hal looked surprised but agreed following her away from the service and over to a spot out of alien hearing.
"So what's up kid?" he asked smiling slightly folding his arms; in response she held out her hand revealing the star sapphire ring, his smile died as picked it up and examined it with his own green ring.
"Identify object." He said as the ring light up before a male voice sounded through it.
[Object is comprised of star sapphire crystal, identified as a star sapphire power ring wielded by members of the star sapphire corps.]
"Where did you get this Eve?" he asked seriously, she couldn't help but rub the back of her head as replied trying to look him in the eye.
"On Zamaron by the Queen of Zamarons… after she kidnapped me back when we fought the league of assassin's in happy harbour." She told him watching his jaw drop.
"And you didn't tell anyone immediately, Eve you've been inducted into a lantern corp that makes you a target for anyone with a score to settle with the Zamarons and I can tell you they've ruffled a few feathers out there." He said rather urgently looking at her suspiciously.
"I came now so is it safe to use, it won't take control of my mind will it?" she asked looking at him as he seemed to be in deep thought at the sudden question.
"No not that I know of, the ring can only make you more open to love and I haven't heard any reports of people being mind controlled by it… you're not thinking about keeping it are you?" he asked looking at her wide eyed now.
"Well… why not I mean if It's safe to use then maybe I can keep it as a last resort I mean Hal its not like I'm going to flying around space healing every broken heart there is, I checked the database and it says my 'assignment' is to watch over earth and since I already do that with the league then maybe having the ring as a back up the bad guys don't know about might not be such a bad thing after all, beside I never actually joined the corps. The queen herself said that even if I didn't join their ranks the ring still chose me so why not keep it?" she said looking at him as she spoke.
"It isn't that simple kid but you do make a valid point, you're a target now and I'd feel better if you had a ring to keep you safe… you won't be green lantern level but with some addition training then you can become competent with it, but I'm sorry to say the only lantern on earth with the time to give you lessons is Guy Gardner." He said as she winced at name.
"Beggars can't be chooses I guess so will you at least give me a lesson here or there." She asked him, he shrugged before replying.
"Maybe but you do know I have to tell the league about this before anything is decided; they might not be too pleased you waited this long to tell them." He said before walking back to his seat while Eve sat down next to Kara who looked at her puzzled but kept quiet about it.
"Evelyn we need to talk." John Stewart said as a number of Leaguers came to her as the service ended, she nodded and headed off with them.
16:23 EDT Watchtower Earth's Orbit August 21st 2010
"So this is a violet lantern ring, its quite beautiful, truly does it not symbolise love made manifest." Diana said as she examined the ring up close while John examined the lantern, Evelyn had been shown to a room to change into her friction suit while on the station: the original seven plus john and Black Canary were standing in front of her discussing what to do about it, Hal had staked his claim about her keeping the ring.
"What if she gets called off to some distant world?" Barry asked looking at her worried; she rolled her eyes at the gestured.
"She's been assigned to earth so that won't happen, besides they probably want to use her to build a working relationship with the league and really when you think about it; is that necessarily a bad thing?" Hal said telling them about the times green lanterns have been saved by Star Sapphires.
"What is your opinion Eve in the matter?" Batman said looking at her as she rubbed the back of her neck nervously.
"Well the star sapphires are pretty much the same as green lanterns aren't they… is it really bad if I part time as one?" she said looking at them, this caused them to frown looking amongst each other, a sudden bright violet light appeared as the figure of Queen Aga'po stood there smiling at them, the league took a fighting stance looking at her.
"I guess I should have announced my arrival shouldn't i?" she said smiling looking at Evelyn who sighed before replying.
"That might have helped, league this queen Aga'po leader of the Zamarons… they like teleporting everywhere." She told them as the league did not stand down.
"So you're the one who gave my niece a ring and forced her into your corps." Barry said angrily.
"I no more forced her then when the green lantern rings took your two friends over there, I saw that she could spread love and order to earth and felt that she would be best liaison between the justice league and the Star sapphires corps." She told them honestly, what she didn't tell them wasn't lying.
"So you want me to be your go between on earth?" Eve asked feeling a lot more in control this time with the league at her back… then again she did just teleport into their headquarters.
"Yes I do, the corps of fear and rage are the foes of those who seek to protect the innocent people, the blue, green and violet corps are natural allies. Why we all are led by guardians are we not; If it pleases you I can restrict Evelyn's duties to earth, unless her fellow star sapphires of the sector need her help she won't need to leave the planet at all. That is unless you want to train on Zamaron for a few months?" the queen asked her, her face impassive.
'I have felt better with the ring's presence besides it might be beneficial to have the added firepower to face future variables.' Evelyn thought unaware that her emotions are what the ring had altered specially the love of this normality it had given her and the peace of mind she craved.
"If we were to agree to this proposal then Eve would remain on earth and answer to league first and the Corps second as with the two green lanterns, she would be trained by them and would be first and foremost Kid Flash of the team and a star sapphire second… but if our lanterns do not have anything negative to say on the matter then I feel the decision lies with Evelyn." Batman said looking at her.
" I'm willing to go for it for the time being at any rate." She said watching the Zamaron smile before responding.
"Then we are in agreement; I hope this is the start of lasting friendship." She said before leaving in a flash of violet light. They leaguers looked amongst themselves before turning to look at Eve who was fidgeting with her hands waiting on their verdict; they turned to face her handing back the ring and lantern to her.
"Use this power wisely, least you get corrupted by it." Hal said stating the ancient lantern saying about the power rings. She nodded smiling as she took the ring and activated it, the gathered heroes looked at the duel insignia on the suit, bolt and lantern combined.
"So Eve when are you going to tell your parents the truth?" Barry asked her taking her over to one side as they leaguers returned to their previous tasks, she looked at him confused.
"It shouldn't be that big of a shock for them Barry?" she replied looking at him as he signed before continuing.
"I was referring to your sexuality… I saw a video of the sleepover." He said watching her turn pale as the colour drained from her face. "Relax Eve I've got nothing against you being gay and I have I no right to be, but you're better off telling you parents sooner rather than later, lest they found out from a second hand source."
"I know… dad should be fine with it but its mom I'm worried about." She said looking at him pleading for some help.
"Mary does want grandkids but being gay doesn't mean you can't have children, adoption or hell even a sperm bank, besides you're her daughter and she loves you dearly no matter what." He said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as he embraced her affectionally. "Come on we better go home, I suppose you'll be keeping this quiet from the team until you get better at it, please tell me your keeping kid flash right?"
"I agree I can make a dome and that's it, so no need to excite them with the news just yet as to the name hell yes I'm keeping kid flash, but I am thinking of switching up when I hit eighteen of course; I've got a list of names to choose from." She responded as they headed towards the zeta beam platforms.
7:22 EDT Baltimore August 22rd 2010
"Hello Mr Gardner are you here?" Eve pressed the com button for what she had been told was Guy's apartment in Baltimore.
{That you violet girl come on up?} the response came from the speaker; before the door opened and she headed in, she walked up the stairs to apartment 334 and knocked on it.
"Come on in kid." Guy called to her as she walked in rucksack on her back, she was dressed in a pair and slim fit jeans, combat boots and strap t-shirt with usual black jacket on. See saw Guy already in his green lantern uniform. "So you're the earth's new star sapphire… you know you're lucky I agreed to train you, considering you're in a different corps from me, put it on."
She took out the star sapphire ring and placed it on, this time however it different form the combined friction suit uniform and instead took the form of the one Tela was wearing. Blushing heavily she took the ring off immediately.
"Nice uniform really shows off you're assets." Guy said grinning, she glowered at him while still blushing.
"I think hal might like to know how much of a pervert my instructor is." She said and he stopped smiling at once.
"Clearly it's set to go to default when your not wearing that yellow suit, so why don't you change it from the default then." He said as she raised an eyebrow, he sighed and explained how she just needed to imagine the new uniform design. She walked into the bathroom before doing it, swapping out for a skin tight full body jump suit while keeping the star sapphire mask.
"Personal I preferred the original but hey its your choice babe, now then if you'd follow me we'll head to the training site." He said before glowing green and flying out of the window, Eve grabbed her rucksack and fly after him at high speed. She preformed a few rolls and spins as she fly enjoying the experience immensely.
"And I thought you and your uncle liked running." Guy joked as they left the city and headed towards the countryside; passing trees and heading to a remote clearing in the mountains.
"Right so ring slinging one O one; doesn't matter what light your packing you ain't making shit without the will to do it. A strong will makes lasting constructs and I will be pounding that mantra into your head for the day's training." Guy said smirking as they began with simple forming techniques, more complex consturcts were usually stronger but needer more willpower to make them examples being jets, guns, moving part ones. What they worked on were same shapes, a bat, a shield, a wall.
"Well you got the will down but you need the love to make the constructs stronger, will maintains it but the light makes it strong or makes it brittle." He said as smashed her construct and sent her flying through the air with a groan of pain. "I suggest you look up the full capabilities of your ring in your corps archive, not all power rings will be able to do the same things as each other and knowing those differences are what matters when you're a ring slinger… we'll meet every morning from 6 till 10 assuming your free Kid."
10:23 EDT Gotham city August 22nd 2010
"Thirty one… thirty two… thirty three." Kathy said her red hair plastered to her sweat covered pale skin as she preformed her usually morning push up routine; well it would have been had she gotten up at six, but she had been out on a patrol and ended up getting in at four and so after a nice six hour rest she was making up for the later wake up; there was the sound of a door being slammed opened as a voice rang throughout the house.
"Katharine Rebecca Kane where the hell are you!" the female voice balled at the top of her lungs before a set of feet could be heard running up the stairs in the direction of her room; she looked up to see her door getting kicked in and revealed a blonde haired girl in a tennis outfit wielding a racket like sword.
"For the past six months I've been trying to re-established contact with my lost cousin to see how her 'journey of discovery' was going and wondering why she lost touch with me, so imagine my surprised when I get a call during a tennis match. It was Lindsay Baker telling me that a new student was transferring back to the Academy and that since she was my cousin I could help her to become familiar once more with the campus. But I told her my cousin was abroad and I called your step-mom Catherine, you know what she said to me?"
"Listen Bette I'm sorry I forget to tell you I got back in town but-" she began getting to her feet before Bette walked over and prodded her in the chest with the racket.
"July 15th, you arrived back in July 15th according to your step mom and its 22nd of fucking august, over a month! What do you have to say for yourself." She said looking equally pissed off and angry; Kathy just smiled before answering.
"Its good to see you again Bette still playing tennis." She said walking forward and pulling the smaller girl into a tight embrace, she returned it wrapping her arms around her.
"It's good to have you back Kate; still playing soldier I see." She said flashing her, a white toothed grin as they began to catch up on lost time, since her sister becoming comatose, Bette had become a surrogate sister for Kathy and the two were very close since.
"So what is up with the push ups; still want to be a GI Jane." She said before lowering her voice as she whispered the next few words. "Find the girl of your dreams yet?"
"I may have." Kathy replied cryptically as the pair laughed heading off to get a bite to eat, Bette was the first person she told about her homosexuality after she confessed it to her dad during her two years abroad.
"Spill the goods girl who is she and have you asked her out yet?" Bette said excitedly, she was fully supportive of her cousin's sexuality and along with kathy's dad had given the red head all the support she needed accepting who she was.
"Well she has red hair the colour of polished copper, a pair of bright emerald eyes, she's really smart and confidant, yet shy and cute at times and her smile brightens the day." Kathy said thinking about Evelyn the girl who saved her life, one of the reasons that inspired her to become Batwoman and had welcomed her onto the team with open arms.
"But have you asked her out yet, I mean it's not like you've got a wide selection and it seems like this one is quite the catch." Bette said getting a raised eyebrow from her pale cousin who thought on the matter.
'maybe I should ask her out… lunch or a movie maybe?" she thought before remembering what Kent had told her and how the things she took for granted were taken away from her again and again in her life. 'no I will ask her out before the end of the month at least!'
11:03 PDT star labs Jump city August 22nd 2010
When Victor woke up he knew something was wrong. Whether it was the fact that his vision was so incredible detailed and precise that he could make out every crack and crevice in the wall opposite him. Or that he could actual see read outs whenever he look at an object; hell or even the fact that he felt fundamental different from before he wasn't sure. He raised his hands and screamed in shock at the sight of his own limbs: they were a blend of metal casing pulsing a vibrant blue colour while some small section were his own skin and flesh, clambered to his feet he felt a presence inside his head all of a sudden.
{so you have regained consciousness Mr Stone.} the female voice said in his head as looked around the deserted laboratory.
"Who's there what happened to me?" he spoke out scared as remembered how Eve had been kidnapped by a crime boss then; he collapsed as the memories of what happened flooded his mind.
{You were severely damaged and your body was failing, unable to support vital functions and would have resulted in death had your parents not used several mechanical analogs of your organic organs and used me to successfully fuse you with them in to a cyber-organic lifeform.} the voice told him as he realised he could feel what his hands touched, smell or identify odours in the air.
"What are you?" he asked softly now as he saw his reflection in the mirror, his outer body was mostly replaced with machinery with mostly internal elements being organic, his left side of his face was still flesh however.
{I am motherbox, a living sentient machine created by the new gods of new genesis to aid those in need and preserve life and I am now one with you Victor Stone.} Motherbox said as the lab doors opened and his parent ran in looking both scared and yet relieved that their son was alive.
13:13 PDT Natasha Irons workshop Jump City August 22nd 2010
The underground lab/workshop was alive with the sound of Nickle-back playing throughout the complex. The short girl was working on the back of a rather bulky gray steel powered exo suit which was held in place by a series of large clamps. She was right now tuning the motor functions of the suit's opening and closing chest which had a dull gray S shield on it. Why she was doing well when she was ten years old; she had been looking through her uncles discarded projects depot, he had given her permission to pick a project from there to tinker with if she wanted too, and she had found the remains of the suit and the databanks on the projected hidden away there. Being a ten year old girl with a major case of superman worship she read the words steel battle suit and saw the s shield on it and immediately moved the whole thing to her workshop. While she lost the child like dreams of becoming a superhero, she continued to work on the suit for a number of reasons, one it was one of the hardest things she had ever undertaken and so presented the ultimate challenge to her engineering skills, and two it was a form of soothing and mediating for her, she worked on it when she needed to think things over or to cope with a problem in her life, right now she was working rather than worrying about victor stone who she hadn't seen in a long time.
'just where are you victor and why won't you let us see you?" she thought to herself as she typed away at her computer running system checks on the suits performance, before grabbing the wielding arc and heading over to the suit; she was nearly finished with the suit's motor functions and calculated that she'd have it done in a year or more depending on whether she added the weapon systems. She wondered what project she would start once it was done with this one. It was then that she heard it, a faint crackling on the wind; looked up frowning as she turned the music off hearing the sound much clearer now that the music was gone, she got to her feet laying down her wielding arclight and heading down the narrow corridor into the old buildings hallway, another gift from her uncle the underground facility made the perfect workshop for the kid genius to work on her own pet projects. She walked down the large corridor now till she saw something she couldn't explain, a ball of red energy crackling as it expanded in the middle of the hallway, before it roared as it seemed to burn the very air revealing a roaring red maalstorm as thick clouds of smoke filled the space, Natasha recoiled coughing heavily as she blanched at the strong smell of brimstone and sulphur filled the air around her.
"What the fuck was that, what is going on!" she spluttered out as she managed to get her breathing under control; what happened next caused a icy cold wave of fear to run down her spine. As she was dusting what seemed to be ashes from her clothes a deep bestial and malevolent growling seemed to vibrate in the air and resounding from the very smoke before her.
"Hello, is someone there?" she spoke out loud hearing her voice become rather shrill and breaking up with fear as she backed away slowly in the direction of the ramp to the surface and the ten tonne blast door that sealed the underground workshop from it. She saw movement in the mist as a creatures from the deepest recesses of human nightmares came pacing out, blood red with boils and blisters covering its scaly body, a large draconian head and a longling tongue flayed the air as it's three curve horns turned to face her. It was some sort of daemon roughly the size of a tiger and it was looking at her with hungry eyes as saliva trailed from its mouth in thick rivers. She stared at it in utter disbelieve.
'That's not possible; what the hell the is that thing?" she thought as she began to move more quickly turning around and running full pelt towards the ramp to the surface, she heard the bounding of the creature and its sadistic excited howls as it gained on her. She glanced behind her and from the the few seconds she spent looking at it calculated one simple face. It would reach the ramp before she did and that meant it would reach her long before that happened. She turned suddenly running back down the hallway towards the work space where the exosuit was. She heard the familiar gurgling sound of the creature on her heels as it rushed behind; she ran into the room slamming the door behind her hitting the locking mechanism control and hearing the deadbolts locking into place. Suddenly a large thudding sound resonated from the door as the creature continuously pounded itself into the door frame howling for her blood.
"FUCK OFF FUCK OFF FUCK OFF LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shirked at the top of her lungs as she became hysterical at the relentless monstrosity that was currently baying for her blood, she clutched her head sobbing as she retreated from the door seeing the dent in the centre getting bigger and bigger with every hit as the hinges started to come loose.
'I'mgonnadiei'mgonnadiei'mgonnadie.' The mantra washed over her every thought as she hitting a solid object looming over her; she looked round and saw the eight feet tall exosuit standing there with it's chest open awaiting its operator. She started laughing madly as a crazy suicidal plan reached her.
"Its simple all I have to do is to run the suit over to the portal and seal the blast door behind me, its full proof I mean the suit is practically indestructible since it can withstand superman's attacks… in theory." She spoke out loud to reassure herself as she checked over the suits functions.
[weapon assessment-completed]
[palm ion-beam: Non-function]
'so that was what the hand focusing array did?'
[flak mortar: not instilled]
'I'm building a suit not weapon… though that mortar could be useful right about now.'
[electrified hull dischargers- operational]
'that'll do it for me all I need to do is to reach the door and seal it.' She thought as she began quickly running through the calibrating process for the motor functions, the suit won't be running at it's top speed of 75 mph but it would at least be able to jog. The minutes passed by to the banging of her door clock beats while she finally got the motor functions sorted, she stripped off her clothes completely running over to the neuro skin suit and got it on as fast as she could her heart pounding in her chest. She rushed over to the suit and got into it, slotting her arms and legs into the spaces in the corresponding limbs of the powered armour suit as it came to life, she couldn't help but grin as the thick metal chest plates fell back into place forming an interlocking armoured layer of a rare form of a ultra-dense steel alloy with a long list of elements some of unknown origin to her. All that mattered was that testing showed the alloy was very similar to the one Alyssa was working on, only it didn't rely on energy forces holding the atomic bonding of the metal and the collegan together being indestructible and instead relied on a strange property which dispersed high energy forces across the metal lattice structure preventing a single point reaching enough force to break its bonds, in laymans terms not even the man of steel could break through this suits armour with fist or heat vision and it was highly likely the same could be said for the monster at her door.
{suit-operator neural synchronization at 99%... 100%, began system start up test now.} the computerized voice said as she moved the limbs in various directions preforming more complex motor actions before it was done.
'finally things are going my way.' She thought as she took a step forward as the one point two tonne suit lurched to life; in hindsight she jinxed herself as she was suddenly hit by a warning message on her monitor screen.
{warning suit power systems have been evaluated and a power surge failure has resulted in the main battery system being unable to cope with energy demands of basic suit functions, at current rate of power usage operation time is tracked at ten minutes fifty-five seconds.} the voice warned her, this was bad once she ran out of power her suit would opening up to prevent her being trapped inside since she hadn't installed a manual release yet.
'but without the electricity discharger I'm defenceless… unless.' She looked at the large metal clamp which was used to hold the suit's heavily limbs in place. The metal head was very large and weighted in at hundred and fifty kilograms of solid metal and with the stand would be like a bludgeon in her hands. She picked it up wielding it like a hammer as turned to face the door which was almost caved in at this point; she mustered her courage at this point before charging forward yelling out a warcry as the suit's servos powered forward going through the door and pushing it and its assailant down the corridor before crushing it into the wall at the other end. Stepping back she watched the creature groaning on the ground as she brought the clamp head down on it's frame with her severely enhanced strength pounding it's head and upper torso into a bloody pulverized paste.
"I did it, I did it, I di-" she began speaking in triumph before a series of low growls drew her attention to her right. "Oh fuck."
There were at least fifteen more of the creatures rushing towards her; she turned and powered towards the ramp as her power levels dropped with her speed level.
"Computer began closing blast doors now!" she screamed as her power levels dropped with her current level of exertion, but due to the horde of hellions on her heels she had no choice. She saw the door ahead and realised she would make it… before her leg servo in her left leg jammed and she fell skidding along the ground and resting inches from the door as it shut in front of her. The suit ran out of power as the front chest plate opened up; a series of talons clamping around the suit rolling it over and exposing the terrified girl to the horror above her, it was like a beast of hell as she stared at it in paralysing fear it reared it's head back roaring as it did about to reach down and feast on her still living form. Natasha was shaken from her shocked state by a whooshing sound which turned into a sick wet thud, her face was splashed with several droplets of black red liquid which smelled horrible to her nostrils as she blinked looking at the creature above her; it had a long spear protruding from where it's heart would be located as it looked shocked before falling to the side and off of her.
13:23 EDT Point-X Steelburg city August 22nd 2010
The underground facility beneath Xander estate was blaring with the sound music as the terri typed away at a large computer control panel updating the suit system while in the sparring room next to the monitor room was occupied by two individuals, one was the billionaire heiress Abigail Scarlett Xander A.K.A Red-X Steelburg city's resident heroine and sponsor of the city rejuvenation project; her opponent was the twenty-two year old former gang member of the red hoods turned corporate CEO Frankie.
"So I heard right, when it's midnight of the 16th of November you turn eighteen and I don't have go to anymore board meetings?" Frankie asked looking ecstatic at the news; Scarlett rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's words.
"A lot of others can happen when I'm eighteen you know… or sooner if you want, I mean its not like anybody would know right?" she said smiling seductively, he looked at her hard faced as he shook his head.
"I'd know and It wouldn't sit right with me, the things I saw on the street, I've got morals Scarlett and besides you're high profile and I'm a no named street orphan." He replied pulling her into a headlock which she broke out of in seconds.
"Don't put yourself down Frankie, you're a good person and that's why I love you ok, besides you just want to go out into the field with me red hood." She said emphasizing his potential hero name considering his armoured suit was black with a red coloured helmet. He opened his mouth to reply when an alarm sounded, they looked at it confused since it wasn't the one that signified emergencies.
"Hey guys your not going to believe this but a X-tech satellite picked up a massive reading of xanaton energy in Jump city, it lasted fifteen seconds and was over five times the energy readings of the last event." Terri 's voice came over the intercom as the two rushed to the monitor room. The last event was four years ago with a six second lifespan and a reading of forty tonnes of kinetic energy and had happened in Scotland and another one the same year three months before that in Madrid with the same energy levels and life span and one two years before that with fifty tonnes of kinetic energy and the first recorded one before that happened almost sixteen years ago in central city and lasted just under a second with only a few kilograms worth of kinetic energy.
"Can you pinpoint it's site of origin?" Scarlett asked as she walked over to the long ling of black suits before standing on a circular plate while mechanical arms came to life assembling the suit around her body before a large pair of arms lowed themselves holding a small metal objected that was placed in the chest gap before the suit plate sealed around it and the red lines glowed into life.
"Sorry it didn't last long enough and was partially shield so it might have happened underground sending coordinates." The girl responded as the heroine ran over to her newest addition to her arsenal, a long jet black aircraft, the X-wing opened up to admit her into the cockpit before she took off down the long exit tunnel.
13:29 CDT Central City CSI lab Central City August 22nd 2010
"Well that's me clocking off guys see ya." Barry called off to his fellow CSI's as he left for home and Iris, they were still looking for the right gift for Jay's Birthday; he paused when his other phone went off. "Whats up eye's in the sky
"Sensors picked up a strange energy signal coming from the industrial district of Jump City; it bears similarities to Red-X's energy signature, are you free to check it out?" Martian Manhunter's voice sounded from the speaker as Barry frowned; he had been meaning to find Red-X and thank her for helping to bring down Deula Dent.
"Sure I'm free." He said walking into a secluded spot before flashing up and heading out."
13:33 PDT Natasha's workshop Jump city August 22nd 2010
'You've got to be kidding me.' She thought at the sight that meet her eyes: a tall man stood there, he was dressed in a bronze breastplate with a curess skirt which was blue with white star shaped metal studs at the bottom of each strip, his chest plate had two golden coloured wings stretching to his shoulder plaudrons which were covered with blue cloth and a steel gray double set W rested in the middle of the wings, his wrist had bright steel bracers and his legs were covered with a pair of bright greaves leading down too metal armoured boots. His face was hidden by a Greek full face bronze helmet with a long plume atop it which was red with small stripes of white between each red patch. At his waist was a golden rope and in his left armoured hand was a bright bronze shield with the same double W icon and he was drawing a sword with his right. She also noticed he was covered in blood of the creatures that attacked her; the remaining beasts hissed at him enraged.
"I wasn't done with you beasts; now then why don't we finish what we started back there." He taunted them in a deep powerful voice which sent shivers down Natasha's spine. They growled at him before they charged him as a frenzied horde, he raised the shield in front of him like the guys from 300 and charged roaring a battle cry which sent made a few of the beasts flinch, he charge forward smashing through the ranks of hellions throwing his arms wide the scatter them in either direction, slashing his sword down one's gullet spurting black blood everywhere, he ducked smashing another one away with is shield with impaling a third with his sword through the eye. He let go while preforming a roll to avoided a long swipe of talons which skimmed along his plumage as he uppercut the beast into the ceiling with his fist before leaning back to dodge another's bite, pinning it to the wall with his shield and wrapping the long golden lasso around its neck before swinging the rope towards the three beasts racing towards him, battering the aside with the lynched hound before pulling the rope hard towards him and kicking the beast into ground before slamming the shield into its exposed neck parting its head from its shoulders. The man walked over and grabbed his sword before charging into the remaining beasts hacking and slashing left and right limbs and blood flying in every direction until he stood alone panting amongst a pile of body parts.
"Open blast doors now." Natasha said having extracted herself from the suit before the figure walked over to her; she recoiled against the door curling up into a tight ball as he towered above her.
"Are you ok Miss?" he asked gently removing his helmet and revealing a rather youthful face of someone in their late teens, his jet black hair falling around his face set at odds with his pale skin and his clean shaven face was like a sculpture of some Greek hero… he had a pair of brilliant blue eyes and was without a doubt one of the most handsome boys she had ever seen.
"Y-Yes I am now… could you maybe." She began pointing to the suit which was still locked in place on the ground; he nodded hanging his helmet by the rope on his side and grabbing his spear from the beast with wet slicking sound as he flicked the shield arm wrist, the shield seemed to segment before sliding along until it had folded into a tear-drop shaped small metal shard attached to his wrist allowing him to wrap the hand around the retracted chest plate and dragged the 1.2 tonne hulk of metal with one hand across the threshold of the blast door.
"Thanks." She said as she closed the door behind her and the suit which the Spartan had rested up right in the middle of the warehouse like room, as he moved to lay against the wall sighing as he did.
"No thanks needed my lady though I am curious as to where I am… Is this my earth or perhaps some sort of parallel universe that Atomica used to go on about." He asked her fixing her with his blue eyes as she walked over to sit next to him, lying down beside him and resting her head against his chest feeling safe with the unknown warrior.
"Depends who are you and who's Atomica?" Natasha asked him watching him look distance now.
"I am Darius Troy of Elysium also known as Troy or Wonder Boy, brother of Prince Dane also known as Wonderman and I am a Amazon, Atomica is a member of the Justice league of America in what my people term 'women's world'… you wouldn't have any food now would you, only now that the beasts have all been slayed and you are now safe I was hoping to get the chance to eat some fruit if you have any?" he asked her very politely as she looked at him oddly before nodding slowly; she got up and lead him to the little apartment she had set up here for when she pulled an all nighter and had to stay here to sleep. Darius began digging into food with gusto thanking her repeatedly for every new piece of fruit he took.
"As to your questions, the closest we have to 'atomica' is the Atom, but he's not in the Justice league International which is what we have not a Justice League of America while there is a captain Atom in it… as to the Amazon thing well here Amazons come from an island called themyscia… and they are all women." She informed him hearing him choke when she mentioned about the Amazons being woman. "By the way are all those things dead there's nothing else that got through?"
"I'm sure that was all that got through; what ever happened during the ritual it wasn't expected by the daemons who were preforming it… perhaps you could give me access to the history of your world?" he asked as she lead him over to a computer to research just where he was.
14:00 PDT Industrial District Jump City August 22nd 2010
{I'm at the rough coordinates it's an Ironworks facility that could be the site of the event?} Red-X spoke into her com channel as she scanned the building sighing when her scans came up as being blocked by jammers and shielding systems.
{looks like I'm going to have to break in…} she said into the com link as a voice spoke up behind her and she whirled around at the sound.
"You seem rather deep in thought everything ok Red?" the flash asked smiling widely at her as relaxed from the fighting stance she had entered and folded her arms at him.
"can I help you flash or is it another reason that brought you here?" she asked him as walked up to looking at the facility with a grin.
"Depends on whether that massive surge in energy was your doing or not?" he asked her curiosity leading him now.
"No it wasn't but I want to find out what caused it; especially so if your instruments were able to pick it up… unfortunately it means breaking into that steelworks facility." She responded looking down at it.
"Your kidding that's natasha's workshop; I doubt Eve's friends would be involved in anything shady." He said forgetting who he was with and slapping his face as Red-X glared at him.
"Eve as in Evelyn West how would you know her-, you have be kidding me tell me it isn't true?" She said looking at him wide eyed… at least he thought she was.
"Well yeah okay but the point still stands her friends aren't in anything bad." Flash said rubbing the back of his head nerviously as realised the bats would kill him for the slip up. "How about I get her to investigate ok?"
"As long as I'm kept in the loop… Barry." She said sharply before turning and teleporting with a bright red light.
{Batman is going to kill you.} Martian Manhunter said matter of factly over the com-link; Flash sighed before turning and speeding away trying to think of the best way to broach the subject with Eve.
21:45 CDT West Residence Central City August 22nd 2010
"Good meal as always mom." Evelyn said as she cleared her plate of food before turning to face her parents nervous this time. "I've er got something to tell you two, something important."
"Well so do we dear." Her father said as he looked over to his wife and held her hand tightly; she turned to look at her daughter.
"I'm pregnant you're going to be a big sister!" she said excitedly Evelyn felt her brain shut down as she processed this information.
'I'm going be a big sister… I'm going have a little brother or sister… WHAT!' she thought shocked now.
"What since when, how far along are you right now?" she asked both surprised and slightly giddy with the thought of having a little sibling, wally always wanted one, a brother in particular to bond over but Evelyn would be happy either way.
"Three months, we were going to tell everyone at Jay's birthday, you know to cheer him up after the funeral but we thought it would ok if you found out early." She said as Evelyn rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
"This is incredible news… I'm going to be a big sister, is it boy or girl?" she asked looking at them beaming.
"We'll keep the surprise… so what was it you wanted to tell us dear?" Mary west asked looking at her daughter, Evelyn felt her smile falter at her mother's words she took a few steps back now looking at her parents' nervously once more.
"You might want to be sitting down first." She said as they frowned before taking a seat on the couch and turned to face her as she sat in the single chair opposite them. "Ok then… mom… dad… I'm gay."
"I'm sorry what was that you said?" Mary said her smile faltering as she looked perplexed at her; Evelyn felt her heart sinking as her fears rose.
"What I'm saying is that I am a lesbian." She said slower and more clear as her mother frowned at her still smiling faintly now.
"Oh… are you sure, are you really sure that your… a lesbian?" she asked as Rudy placed his hand on his wife's shoulder now.
"I'd imagine she would be quite sure before coming to us dear." He said as Mary looked at her hands before getting to her feet and clearing the table of plates.
"Oh Well… I's better get a start on the dishes, its ok I can manage by myself." She said leaving the room quickly without glancing at her daughter, Evelyn looked down at her hands her shoulders hunched as she found herself holding back tears.
"It's alright love; she's just been surprised by this revelation… give her time to process it." Rudy said walking over and hugging his daughter.
"You're alright with it right dad?" she asked looking at him downcast.
"Of course I am, your still my baby girl and I'll love you for who you are unconditionally." He replied as she tightened her embrace before heading up to bed.
'if this is their reaction to this I guess I'll never be able to tell them about wally… great so this was how megan felt like when she keep the whole white martian thing secret.' She thought trying to get comfy as she drifted off to sleep a long while later.
22:01 PDT Natasha's Jump City residence Jump city August 22nd 2010
"Well this is a bit of shock for me." Darius said looking at the images of wonder woman fighting Black Adam with Captain Marvel. They had relocated to Natasha's house since her parents were away and she could just tell them a friend was staying over with her when they got back; he was currently wearing a black shirt with jeans from her fathers wardrobe.
'I can't believe I have an actually superhero in my house… well from a different dimension sure but its still the same thing.' She thought as she watched him condense the history of the world and turned to face her.
"I hope I'm not being rude by asking if I could stay here until I can figure out my plan of action in this world?" he asked her politely as always.
"Sure after all with my suit needing fixed I could use a super powered Spartan to protect me." She joked as he smiled at her.
"I'd still fix the suit if I were you… maybe get a weapon to wield like a hammer or a club." He suggested as she smirked.
"Already ahead of you there mate." She said thinking back to the blue print for the kinetic discharger weapon or 'thunder' device capable of storing huge quantities of kinetic energy and releasing it in massive go, it was so powerful that the energy cracked like thunder when it was discharged at a target.
14:23 EDT Mount Justice August 23rd 2010
"Began combat sequence Wildcat vs Aqualad Began!" the voice called as the two boys circled one another fists raised, before Aqualad raced in for the first strike he launched with a fast jab with his right, while bringing his left up in a upper cut to catch Wildcat out. The former underground fighter smirked as he ducked and weaved the blows landing a series of fasting hitting 'one two' jabs aimed at the atlantean's abdomen and arm nerve clusters, Aqualad grunted in pain but barely flinched as he ducked under a blow form Wildcat and tackled him at the waist knocking him off his centre of balance before following it up with a right uppercut to the jaw while also pulling back his left fist for haymaker to face. Wildcat ducked under to blow swipping the atlantean's feet from out under him and placing his head in a choke hold.
"Get him Wildcat." Kara, Mia and Conner shouted over to blonde while Megan, Amelia, robin and Kathy cheered on Kaldur; Evelyn decided to stay out of it in the interests of being the impartial leader.
"Ready to give up AL?" Wildcat said as he increased his pressure on the atlantean's neck; his reply came in the form of two hands seizing his head as the tattoos on his arms glowed sending crackling bolts of magically lightening into the boy stunning him and allowing Kaldur to break free, pushing his advantage he landed a series of hooks before upper cutting Wildcat and grabbing him before driving his knee into his gut knocking the fight out of him as he collapsed to the floor.
"Victor: Aqualad." The monotone voice called out.
"No fair you're not suppose to use your powers." Wildcat said smiling as Aqualad helped him up.
"No water bearers besides I wasn't going to beat 'two strike Hollow' in a fight using only hand to hand combat." He replied patting the boy on the back as they chuckled at his use of his old fighter name.
"You ain't wrong there fishboy." He said punching him on the shoulder in a show of camaraderie, they walked over to where the others cheered them on before the next two got ready for their fight.
"Begin combat sequence: Super girl vs Power girl!" the voice called out as the two girls faced off against each other, they circled each other eyes glued to their opponents body language before both moved forward with inhuman speed that only two of the watching teens could see what had happened clearly. Power-girl launched a haymaker at the blonde who deftly blocked it while countering with a pair of quick jabs to the face; Power-girl sidestep both ducking down to launch a sweeping kick which super-girl recovered from with her flight to keep her poise. They returned to circling each other before diving forward to grapple each other… only Power-girl's head didn't stop coming forward and smashed into the blondes face stunning her and opening her guard for the girl to grab her around the waist tightly and and moving her body back over her as she bent back smashing the girls head into the ground with all the force she could muster.
"Victor: Power-girl" the computer announced as the girl cheered triumphantly.
"Begin combat sequence: Kid Flash vs Batwoman!" the two darted in throwing and dodging blows and punches as they others looked on with great interest as Kid grabbed Kathy and used her momentum to throw her over her shoulder, the girl somehow landed on her feet and counter threw Kid over her catching the red head by surprise as she turned the impact into a roll; once more they launched a series of strikes and kicks at each other aimed at breaking their poise and guard, Batwoman had better over all combat training but Kid had faster reflexes and movement, though she was slower than normal right now, something a few of the spectators had noticed. Batwoman moved forward launching a faint hook which Kid saw and dodged only to see her foot spin as she passed Kid as she executed a spinning kick catching the speedster by surprise and breaking her guard enough to land a series of rapid fast jabs and kicks before Kid was able to get out of by rolling turning it into a sweeping kick which knocked Batwoman off her feet and who would have recovered into a handstand had kid not repeated the sweeping kick in reverse knocking her face first into the ground.
"Victor: Kid Flash" the computer announced as Kid helped the girl up.
"You seem slower Kid something on your mind?" Kathy asked as Robin and Super-boy took the stage now.
"You could say that; I'm going shower up now bye guys." She replied as she headed off to get showered; her mind was still off with her mom's reaction to her coming out of the closet and it was pulling her mind off her surroundings. She felt the water shock her out of her thoughts with how cold it was, she adjusted the temperature and showered quickly before toweling up and headed off to get changed; as she was in the middle of changing when she heard footsteps behind her as Kathy walked in her mask off as she looked at Evelyn with a nervous expression.
"Everything all right Kathy?" Evelyn asked her as she placed her bra on and changed into her civvies; Kathy walked over to get changed too as she used her cubical.
"Hey Eve I was wondering are you doing anything tomorrow?" Kathy asked from inside the stall, Evelyn thought about it before replying.
"No I'm free from around lunch time on wards why?" she answered the girl as she turned to watch her leave the cubical dressed in her civvies; she seemed flustered about something.
"Well to be straight to the point i was wondering if you might like to go out with me on a date." She seemed to blurt out the last part causing Eve open her eyes wide in shocked surprise.
'well that was certainly unexpected.' She thought as the girl waited for her reply, this was the second time Eve had been asked out on a date and considering this had never happened to wally once it was unnerving for her.
'well you are a girl now and it is the norm for people to ask the girl out isn't it?' she realised she was leaving Kathy hanging as she waited on her reply.
"I didn't know you were gay Kathy?" Evelyn responded with a question; the girl rubbed the back of her head with her hand looking at her nervously.
"I kinda found out over the two years I was away… so are you interested in maybe giving us a go?" she said giving her a small smile, Evelyn was still trying to process things.
'one the girl who is taking artemis's place on the team in this universe was asking her out, two the girl was asking her out and she didn't know what to do.' She thought as wondered if she was ready to try dating again. 'Why not I mean I like Kathy and she is very attractive, why not give it a go to see if we can go further.'
"I don't see why not, there is this place if I remember correctly in Central City called the Violet garden maybe we could meet up there tomorrow for lunch say around 12:20?" Evelyn told as she smiled at her now.
"Sure see you then." She said smiling as she headed off to get changed; Eve left the changing room and headed towards the zeta platform noticing Kara smiling at her knowingly, 'damn kryptonian hearing.'
12:22 CDT Violet Garden Central City august 24th 2010
Evelyn was sitting on a stone bench not far from the café as waited for Kathy to show up; she had went with a nice black low neck t-shirt with a brown short jacket and a nice pair of black jeans with a pair of black boots. She was feeling rather nervous right now as she remembered how she was currently having a date with the girl who had essential replaced Artemis in this universe as a hero and a member of the team.
'what if this turns out the same way as before?' she thought as she heard a voice from her right, she turned to see Kathy standing there dressed in a black skirt with black tights and red blouse; Eve smiled when she noticed the matching colour scheme to her costume.
"So this it that one over there?" Kathy asked pointing at the café with's violet flower and nautical star on the outside; Eve nodded and they headed into it, both girls were surprised by the how business the place was, they were showed over to a nice little corner table where they could get a decent view of the rest of the café goers.
"So this would be a lesbian café wasn't expecting that." Kathy said with a smile as they ordered their food; a smile which widened at the waitress reaction to Evelyn's order size. "Been here with anyone before?"
"No this is my first time here, I heard about it a few weeks back… so then how's life back in the states after two years away?" Eve responded as they waited on the food; Kathy chuckled at the words.
"Well I have an actual bed to sleep on now, I get to shower with warm water and oh the coffee I can't believe how I used to coffee for granted; there is of course the extracircular activities too, it been a major life experience and I can't believe that since coming back home I have not only became a hero but also joined the team of the league's protogee's as an equal in such a short space of time." She said with a look of pride in her face.
"What about you why do what you do?" she asked as their food was laid out in front of them.
"To help people because i can, its the right thing to do after all." she said giving the only real reason she had for it all. "No real tragic batman style back story or superman with great power comes great responsibility stuff."
"While i already told you why... yesterday during training you seemed distracted can you tell me why?" she asked looking at her with a friendly demeanor.
"I recently came out to my parents and while my dad was supportive.. my mom didn't seem to want to face it and left the room quickly; we haven't brought up the matter since, i'm kinda waiting for her to bridge the void first on it rather than force her to face it before she's come to first you know." Evelyn told he looking down at her food as she spoke; she felt a something warm to hold of both her hands looking she saw Kathy holding her hand in her own looking at her square in the eye.
"Give her time, in a perfect world all parents would accept their children for who they are and not for who they want them to be; you've got your dad, you've got the girls in the team and you've got me now if'd you have me." she said smiling at her warmly which seemed to brightening up Evelyn's life right now, it was also infectious as she couldn't help but smile back before nodding; suddenly something vibrated in her pocket playing her ring tone ruining the moment.
"Hello?" she asked taking it out and answering the call.
"Hey Kid bad time?" Barry's voice sounded on the other end causing her to sigh at his timing.
"I'm on a date right now so yeah kinda bad time Barry what's up." she said giving an apologetic look to Kathy who smiled and gestured for her to take the call.
"Yeah first off i slipped up and Red-X knows you KF-" he began as her eyes went wide at the words.
"BARRY!" she said crossly at this news.
"She's your friend right so it shouldn't be that bad its not likes she's evil or anything." he went on to say in his defence; she just rubbed her head groaning in frustration.
"Please tell me that's all your calling for." she said her bad mood seeping into her tone now.
"to be to the point she and us too: detected a massive Xanaton, thats the name for the energy source she uses by the way, in the vicinity of your friend Natasha's Workshop in Jump city in the 22nd of August... and i know that was a few days ago but this was the best time for me to call you when you wouldn't be able to hurt... sorry sorry bad joke anyway if you could please check it out for me it would make your uncle so happy have a nice date bye now." he ended the call fast; she clasped her head in her hands.
"Bad news?" Kathy asked looking at her concerned.
"He slipped up my identity to red-X, who's identity we know by the way, and asked me to go check up on my friend who was connected in someway to an energy spike in a strange energy source so yeah not what you want to hear on your first date... sorry this isn't fair on you Kate." Evelyn apologized to her; she smiled and placed a hand on Eve's again.
"It comes with the life... besides do you really need to go right now why not tomorrow instead?" She said leaning in close to her now, Eve could smell the perfume she wore and it reminded of roses somehow. "And if you want to make it up to me we could go see a movie tonight maybe we could see Cairo Time i heard it was good."
"Alright i think that's fair but i will warn you know i can be... noisy with the popcorn i try to be keep it quiet but well." Evelyn started her cheeks turning a bit pink when i finger on the lips silenced her as Kathy just smiled at how cute she was right now.
"I can handle noisy just fine so until then how about a tour of the city show us this 'Flash museum of yours'." she said getting up and taking money out of her purse as Evelyn did likewise. "What are you doing i asked so i pay?"
"I'm not kind of girl Kathy so we splitting or standing on ceremony here?" Evelyn said looking at her determined; she chuckled mirth her in eyes as she thought it over.
"Fine but i get one thing first." she said as they stood facing each other eye to eye as she leaned in close again.
"Which is?" Evelyn asked staring into the depths of her gaze as she closed the gap locked her lips with Evelyn s; she felt the smooth texture of them on her own, felt the warmth radiating off Katharine as she was pressed up against her body. she felt her heart beat increase, felt a warmth flood her system and a feeling of bliss wash over her body, it seemed to last an eternity but really ended in after a few moments as both girls stared into each others eyes sharing the same look of bliss as they smiled before they paid and left together.
13:21 PDT Natasha's workshop Jump City August 25th 2010
Evelyn rang the bell for the third time waiting for the girl to let her in; she had headed over to fulfill her uncle's request investigating the energy disturbance in the area. 'I doubt that it has anything to do with Natasha I mean she's a pacifist at heart she doesn't like hurting people outside of self-defense.' She thought to herself as the door opened and Natasha's head poked out looking at her frowning.
"Eve what brings you here?" she asked looking at her confused; Eve raised an eyebrow at this question.
"I came to check on how my friend was doing; so still working on the suit means somethings on your mind… mind if I come in?" Eve asked her watching the girl pause thinking before nodding and opening the door to her; stepping into the place the red head was immediately struck with the powerful smell of industrial cleaner and bleach in the air.
"What's with the smell Tasha you cleaning up a body or something." The girl asked as they headed over to the door which lead to the living space where the girls along with Victor would stay in when the three used to work in their pet projects here as a team.
"I guess that's one way of putting it, I had pest problem which left a bad odour when it was dealt with." The girl said smiling at her words as they heard the sounds of a person walking around coming from the room. "So what brings you here in particular Eve?"
"Just wanted to see how you were doing there was sort of power surge in the area and I wondered if it affect you or if you knew anything about?" she asked looking at the room as the girl ran ahead of barring the door.
"Not to sure what you mean Eve I have noticed anything strange lately no siry; how did you find out about this anyway?" she spoke loudly and then asking the question sharply; Eve's eyebrow raised higher as the replied calmly.
"My Uncle heard about it from a member of the JCPD and told me about it, are you ok Tasha your acting kinda of weird… is there someone else here?" Eve asked looking past trying to see into the room.
"Yeah an old friend is here, haven't seen him in a while you won't know him." She said seeming to regain her composure now.
'So is it an old crush or something that might explain her behaviour.' Eve thought as she looked at her friend more intently now.
"So this would be Evelyn the red head from Central City." A deeper voice sounded from behind Natasha causing both girls to look at the source; Evelyn's eyes opened in surprise at the tall older boy standing there wearing only a pair of jeans and combat boots, he's visible upper body was very toned and his muscles looked like they were cut from marble, he had a pale face with almost noble like features, jet black hair which was short and a pair of brilliant blue eyes. Even Evelyn could tell that this guy was extremely attractive and would have problem beaten Conner in a shirtless looks contest, and yet something about him was familiar but what she couldn't place. "Well are you going to introduce me Tasha or are you going to let your friend stand there staring at me like that."
"Yeah Evelyn this is my friend Darius Troy he'll staying with me for a while and offered to help out here in the workshop; Darius this is Evelyn one of my friends from school." Natasha said turning her back on Evelyn as she spoke to him; he smiled walking forward holding his hand out to her.
"Nice to meet you at last Natasha was trying to keep you out while I found my clothes, I was showering since she let me stay here for the time being." He said shaking her hand firmly smiling brightly at her.
"Guess she didn't want me walking on you in a state of undress and jumping to conclusions; though I don't remember her ever mentioning you before?" Evelyn replied looking at him curious trying to place what it was about him that was very familiar to her.
"It has been a long while since i last saw her perhaps she forgot about me until I turned up now; so is there something in particular you came here for or was it just to spend some time with your friend?" he said warmly heading with the two girls following as he grabbed a t-shirt and put it on.
"Just got worried about my friend since hearing about that power surge… you know anything about that?" Evelyn asked him looking for a Tell to show that he was lying; he held her gaze calmly before replying casually.
"I only got here on the twenty-fourth and I didn't notice anything then… why is it she should be worried exactly?" he asked with interest keeping it friendly as he laced his boots up.
"Given whats already happened to one of my friends I guess I'm just being over concerned about it; so how's the suit Tasha still got that Superman obsession or what?" Evelyn asked looking at her friend who shrugged at her words.
"I'm really in it for the challenge factor now, besides it's going on fine: so you ready for school on the eighth?" she replied as they headed out with Darius lingering to finish getting tided up.
"Hopefully mikron won't be as much of a pain this term… are you sure nothing happened on the twenty-second?" Evelyn asked again looking at her concern in her voice, the girl nodded once more folding her arms as she did.
"I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary but if you tell me what it might be that's making you worried then we can go look together?" she offered at which Evelyn sighed before replying.
"It's probably nothing I'm just seeing threats where there isn't any, it was nice meeting your friend Natasha and I gotta say he's a keeper." Evelyn said smiling at the blush that appeared on the dark skinned girl's face as she spluttered out how he was just a friend as she showed Evelyn out of the workshop.
"Well I wasn't expecting her to show up asking questions still no sign of your expected leaguer response Darius." Natasha said once she had re-entered the living space seeing the Amazonian remove his gear from the closet where he had been forced to strip quickly and change from into his current attire; he smiled at her in response.
"I'm correct in assuming that her 'uncle' is a CSI and his spouse is a reporter in Central City and his name is a something B Allen?" he asked all of a sudden catching the girl off guard with the question.
"His name is Barry Allen and her aunt is Iris who is a reporter why?" Natasha responded looking at him suspicions raised at him.
"Well that explains the golden ring in her finger; your best friend is Kid Flash." He said clipping the steel bracelets onto his wrists as she stared at him confused before thinking it over in her mind connecting the dots now that she knew what to connect them too.
"She is the right body type height, eye and hair colour. I guess it explains why she's so defensive whenever someone insults the flash… I can see the possibility but are you really sure?" she said looking at the super powered being born from a marble carving of Dane in his youth.
"She fits the criteria of my universe's Wendy West and her aunt Beth West who married reporter Ivan West and who was both the flash and a female CSI, guess not everything is a simple gender swap from my world as was my previous suspensions, that ring she had contains her suit and she was probably sent here on her uncles request since she's your friend... small world after all." He finished grinning now at her stunned face as she ran over to the computer to begin her own research into his claim.
18:33 PDT Star City private clinc August 26th 2010
"Well you tests are showing some minor improvement, how are feeling any side effects of the drug combo?" the doctor asked as she looked over Mia's test results while Ollie and Roy sat in the corner quietly watching.
"Some minor pains and nausea now and again but nothing much apart from that I pretty much fine doctor Lewis." The blonde replied honestly rubbing her shoulder nervous since she was missing team training tonight.
"Well its good to see you improving Mia I want to remind you that this doesn't mean you can't have a normal life." The doctor said encouragingly to her.
"Except I can't kiss a boy without wondering if he'll get infected, the girls don't want to be in the same swimming pool as me, I have to check for cuts when do swimming and the rumours of how I got it in the first place kinda point to the opposite." She replied quietly.
"Just tell me who's making the rumour's and I promise you they'll stop!" Roy shouted jumping to his feet and ignoring Ollies words or restraint.
"Roy I'm fifteen years old and I'm not only HIV positive but also have developed AIDs people aren't just going to over look that fact about me." She told him as Ollie walked over and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"It will only ruin your life if you let Mia remember that." Ollie said wisely.
20:45 EDT Gotham City Mercy care home August 26th 2010
Kathy walked passed the closed doors of rooms with her father and cousin at her side; she held a large bouquet of flowers as she arrived at room 213 and entered. She felt herself hold her breath when she saw the still figure of the her identical twin sister Elizabeth who apart from some minor brain spikes was as response less as the day of her admission years ago, she replaced the old flowers with the new ones as Bette and her father waited outside with the door closed to give them some privacy.
"Hi sis sorry for not visiting in a long while; truth is I've been pretty busy over the last two years and that work load hasn't let up since getting back, but I'll make time to visit don't worry." She said clasping the girl's motionless right hand with her own as the monitoring machines hummed quietly in the background as the girl talked softly. "I visited mom not that long ago, don't worry I gave her flowers from both of us, lilies from you of course you always loved giving those to people you cared about… listen I'm doing some important stuff with some incredible people, we're saving lifes day in and day out and it's worth the pain and hours. and I thought you might like to know this but your tomboy sister finally had her first date, sure it was a lunch date but it turned into a day out ending with a movie it still counts right, anyway Its with a special girl who reminds me of you somewhat also looking out for others, smart a red head with greens eyes so maybe there's a type I'm more attracted to or it could be simply me craving the bond we had only for it to be a more intimate one with someone else. Here I go rambling about nonsense sis, keeping it short: I like her, the date was interesting, she was interesting and boy did it feel good kissing her, I wish you could be there to tease me about it alongside Bette… I'll let dad have his time with you now sis, haven't forgot about our up and coming birthday see you then bye and remember I'll always love you."
She finished standing up and kissing the girls forehead before laying down her hand gently and heading out to wait with bette while her dad got to have a few moments with Beth; she wiped her tearful eyes as she sat down beside her cousin who smiled sadly an arm around her.
20:33 EDT Smythe resisdence Metropolis August 26th 2010
"So remember guys the aim is to make her feel welcome alright?" Kara said once more wearing her brown hair wig and glasses looking over to her three friends, the Hispanic girl Jessica Harold with her green eyes and purple streaked black hair, the red head blue eyed sweet clarie marshal and blonde haired brown eyed Alice Grant. They all nodded before knocking on the door and seeing a nervous Siobhan open the door.
"So are you guys ready for the sleepover?" she asked smiling nervously letting them in; her mom was out late working and had agreed to kara's idea of a sleepover with her other friends to help the girl settle in to the new country.
21:08 EDT Mount Justice August 26th 2010
"At exactly 8:15 a creature with shapeshifting abilities known as 'clayface' attacked the Wayne Foundation building, while robin and I were able to reach the site within minutes we were unable to defeat the creature before it could escape into the sewers; you mission is to find it and capture it good luck." Batman finished as they assembled heroes stood there, they were a few members short this time with Kara staying over at a friends and being unable to take part, Mia on one of her routine health check ups and with Kathy visiting her comatose sister in hospital to which batman didn't even question. This left the team short three key members but considering they still packed two kryptonians plus five more members meant they were still pretty much able to take on most threats considering what wally's team had handled worst threats and this team was more professional than the last one at this point.
"So everyone got your cryo capsules?" Kid asked her team as they all showed her the small high pressure capsules which would freeze the clay villain in place when struck.
"Arctic breath here so I'm fine although do we have to be crawling through sewers at night god knows what lives in gotham's sewers." The brunette said with a shudder hugging herself as Robin and Wildcat gave her a raised eyebrow look.
"Coming from the girl who is practically indestructible to most forms of attack?" Wildcat asked smiling as they headed towards the Zeta beams form this mission; she just shrugged looking back at them.
"I'm still a girl and girls don't think it's a good use of their time to go hunting down slime monsters in a sewer at night am I right or what girls?" she added looking over to two red heads that were the only other girls taking part in this mission.
"She's got a point guys gotham ain't exactly known for its pristine environment." Kid returned as Megan nodded when they walked into the teleported and materialized in gotham city out of a phone booth; they headed over to the sewer cover and dropped down into it.
"All of you maintain the mind-link at all times guys; this creature can assume any shape and so will try to trick us, in the event that the link is broken the safety word is Boy and the reply is-" Kid Flash informed her team before Power-girl cut her off.
"Blunder." She said smiling at the sigh Robin made at his treatment by the older girl who grinned at him.
"You have it then." Kid said smiling before continuing on. "two teams of two and one team of three: Robin Power-girl team one, Wildcat Miss Martian and Superboy team two and Aqualad and me Team three lets go guys."
They set off in different directions maintaining telepathic silence for emergencies; the smell was almost unbearable for the girl who turned the thermal vision off after seeing the amount of lifeforms moving in the water around her alone almost made her puke.
"Guess Power-girl was right about girls not coping with sewers." Aqualad said with a grin, Kid grimaced as she looked at him in disgusted.
"Normally I'm not in places like this long enough to let the smell get to me." She replied seeing him nod at her words before returning to their search.
"Guys quick question but there aren't any alligators down here or what?" Power-girl asked over the link causing Evelyn to grin at the words before replying herself.
"Depends on whether he broke out of Arkham yet or not." Kid replied over the link getting a laugh from Robin and Wildcat who got the meaning.
"Oh you're talking about that psycho killer Croc; only in Gotham I guess, give me New York any day." The krypto-human said after figuring it out. At that point Evelyn stopped to look at something down a side passage, only to recoil a few moments later when it turned out to something else brown and sludge like but definitely not clay.
"False alarm Aqu-" She began turning to look at her partner only to see no sign of him before calling out to him loudly. "Aqualad where did you go?"
"I'd be more worried about yourself." Came the sound of her own voice from her left as she was hit by wave of clay she tried to dodge getting clipped in the process seeing a carbon copy of herself with clay gushing from her hands as she sent a psychic alert to the team over the link before reaching for the capsule. Clayface had other ideas as the clay stumps morphed back into hands with the shapeshifter now forming clumps of clay over his/her form as he solidified and tackled her causing the capsule to fall from her grasp as she tried flick her wrists and activate the shock dusters. The sound of feet materialized into Aqualad's form who arrived looking between the two confused.
"Aqualad the pass phrase say it." Kid said urgently as the Clayface turned to face him mirroring her look.
"Don't listen to her its really Clayface , he already heard the phrase earlier." The fake shouted at him.
"No Aqualad it's me the phrase is boy blunder now help me the clay has pinned my legs under the waterline." Real Kid shouted unable to move her feet as Aqualad looked unsure of what to do; it looked like he didn't know the safety code or bought that clayface already knew it.
"Ice us both Aqualad I can vibrate through the ice." The fake shouted causing a wave of fear to travel down Kid's spine realising that the clay monster knew her weakness to ice and sheer subzero temperatures, before she could cry out a warning Aqualad had already thrown the cryo capsule which exploded and flash froze both Kid Flashes. She was unable to move anything but her eyes which were behind the goggles and watched in horror as a second mound of clay rose up from behind Aqualad forming a giant figure before engulfing the Atlantean whole.
"Let him go you Scooby Doo reject." Power-girl roared powering through the villain and knocking Aqualad out of his torso as a second cryo capsule hit the figure freezing the right one this time.
"Kid why the hell did you ice her Aqualad!" Robin cried appearing out of nowhere and running over the real Kid Flash as pointed to by Power-girl before attaching several devices which sent vibrations through the ice structure breaking it and freeing her. She collapsed into the sewer water shivering violently as she tried to regain the heat lost by her flash freezing while robin wrapped his cape around her and began rubbing her trying to get some friction heat.
"I-I am sorry Kid I forgot the password and couldn't be sure that you were you." Aqualad asked as Power-girl tried to get the muck off of her cringing in disgust; Robin glared at him as the others arrived.
"Then ask her something the real Kid Flash would have known before flash freezing her, and why did it get to point where you lost track of the real kid if you were next to her the whole time?" he grilled the atlantean harshly watching him look away in shame.
"I didn't notice her stop, it won't happen again Kid ." he said looking at her sorrowfully, she smiled as her teeth chattered away.
"We all make mistakes, besides I should have called out to you that I was stopping lets alart the batman so I can get a hot chocolate." She said as they transported the claycicle and headed homewards.
03:33 EDT Mount Justice August 27th 2010
Recognised: Kid Flash B03, Robin B01, Aqualad B02, Power-girl B06, Superboy B05, Miss Martian B07, Wildcat B010
The rag tag team left the platform some covered in clay, others not all equally as foul smelling. Batman was waiting for them his dread pattern smile in place as they shuffled over to him for the debrief.
"First off someone get kid a thermal blanket, speedsters and sub zero temperatures don't get a long nor does suddenly halting they're extremely active cells help their health or well being either." Batman said as power-girl flew off and returned with the item wrapping it around the still shivering speedster. They proceeded to give him the debrief after hearing what he deemed was enough he dismissed them.
"hit the showers and head home." He began as Power-girl sped off to the showers with the others making a more steady pace there. "Not you Aqualad I want a word with just you."
"You lapse in concentration nearly cost Kid her life, had those capsule's not been designed after captain cold's own cold gun then the slower freezing process would have ruptured every cell in her body and caused her an incredible painful death." He informed the Atlantean who looked at him shocked.
"As it stands she was only flash frozen, but all the same when people are placing their safety on you then you can't afford to have your attention and mind divided, especially in the team's second in command." He went on pausing to allow the atlantean to give his reasons.
"You are right lately with how the team members have been interacting with one another has caused my mind to drift back to those I left behind in atlantis." Aqualad informed the dark knight looking at him as he spoke.
"You can divide your time between a civilian life there and a hero one here Kaldur, several of your teammates have no issue in maintaining both; but you can't divide your mind, atlantis or the team pick one or I can no longer permit you on this team and entrust you with your teammates lives." Batman said before leaving to deal with Clayface.
Oh that feels so good at least now I don't feel like I'm being molested and filthy." Amelia exclaimed in the female showering room as the three girls got cleaned up, frankly Evelyn was still shivering under the hot water given her sudden temperature drop.
"Filthy I get but molested?" Evelyn asked looking at the brunette who was still scrubbing her cleavage with a sponge repeatedly.
"Well if that guy is made of living clay and feels what it feels then what happened when I got some between my breasts… it felt slimily and wrong." She said shuddering again before scrubbing harder.
"If you feel that way then set yourself on fire, your flame proof and the clay isn't." Kid said as she finally felt warm enough to try and wash her hair of the stuff. "So you two looking forward for school?"
"Yeah well I never really went before so the experience will be a new one." Amelia said telling them about how she stayed home to look after her mother and preform the general household chores, the fact that she could read and write to an acceptable level for someone of her age now was down to the league giving her private sessions since she was too ashamed for the team to openly know she couldn't read that very well before hand now she was much, much better.
"Well at least the three of us won't be alone in that mindset." Megan said referring to Conner who was also attending happy harbour with them.
"Well I've got to go get ready for Jay's party bye guys." Evelyn said leaving the tow as she dried off and headed home still shivering slightly.
"Hey Kaldur can I ask you something?" Amelia spoke to the atlantean once she was dried and dressed up; he nodded before walking with her to a corner of the living area. "Would it be ok if I came with you to Atlantis for the day; batman said I should take a break from the search and the chance to visit the under water city of atlantis is a good distraction for my frustrations at a lack of success."
"I will ask my king but if he has no issue then I would be happy to show you around the capital city." Kaldur said with a smile as she grinned and hugged him tightly.
10:02 UTC-2 Poseidonis August 27th 2010
Recognised: Aqualad B02, Power-girlB06
The pair left dressed in their uniforms as Amelia gaped in awe at the architecture before smiling brightly.
"Can't believe I'm in atlantis of all places, Kara would love the art style I'd bet you on that." She said as she followed Kaldur down the hallway until a familiar figure appeared. "Oh hi Aquaman."
"My king." Kaldur said preforming some sort of atlantean salute to him which he returned smiling.
"Kaldur, Amelia welcome to atlantis I hope you find your time in my kingdom enjoyable, know that your both invited to dine with my family latter this evening." Aquaman or King Orin as he wanted to be called by the two while off duty.
"So this amulet thing translates what your people are saying into English for me and vice versa for me to them right?" Amelia asked as they left the place and swim towards the conservatory of sorcery where Kaldur's friends were; he nodded and explained how the tattoos on his arms powered his water bearers and electric abilities.
"Since I stopped my studies sometime ago my abilities will physical appear strong are in fact rather weaker magically then what they could be if I had maintained my studies… if I had then I would better equipped for fighting powerful opponents such as yourself as a kryptonian for example." He explained as they reached the underwater 'hogwarts' as Amelia put it and entered.
"So you get invisible gills, visible gills, half forms and humanoid fish people right?" she asked seeing the varied appearances of atlanteans such as one guy she could have sworn was that guy from star wars episode six.
"I guess that is one way to put though it shouldn't matter there are those misguided individuals who believe the closer to human you are the 'purer' and more superior it makes you." Kaldur informed her as they passed a pair of mermaids and a cod headed atlantean who waved at them clearly knowing Kaldur and looking curiously at Amelia as well.
"So even under the sea there is racism guess even your world's not perfect." She responded as them reached a wide courtyard where a two fish people and a mermaid were all performing magic.
"Did it work I can't tell." The girl said before spotting Kaldur and Amelia and gasping at her. "A surface dweller here in atlantis."
"Calm down Lori she is one of surface warriors who fights along side Kaldur power-girl I believe." The boy who looks like an extra from monster from the black lagoon told her and greeted them. "I am L'gaan and it is an honour to meet another warrior of justice like Kaldur."
"L'gaan wow you're a walking reference to the horror flick aren't you?" Amelia said grinning as she shock his hand; after explaining what she meant to him and shacking lori the mergirl's hands Kaldur came back from talking with a squidboy to lead them to his friends.
"Wow guess you should've kept up with the lesson's after all." Amelia said in awe of the magic battle in progress before their eyes.
"Kaldur!" the girl cried swimming over to embrace him along with the teacher and the boy who clamped his shoulder in gesture of friendship.
"it is good to see you again this must the surface dweller guest you were bringing with you." The woman said holding her hand out to Amelia. "I am Queen Mera and it is a privilege to meet you Miss?"
"Starr Amelia Starr… you majesty." She said blushing slight as she accepted the hand before turning to see the others.
"these are my friends Tula and Garth both learned students of the conservatory by that display along, Garth, Tula this Amelia Starr the girl I and the others rescued from Cadmus along with superboy and a valued member of the team." Kaldur said as they both shock hands with her.
"Will you both be able to join us for the dinner tonight?" Kaldur asked his friends after he asked the queen if may also come.
"I will be free to come, unfortunately Garth must complete some academic work tonight and won't be able to join us." Tula said as Garth nodded sadly.
"This is good as I have something important to discuss with you Tula afterwards." He said before leaving with Amelia to show her the sights of the city.
"We have to tell." Amelia heard the words and looked back at the pair frowning now before following after Aqualad.
20:01 UTC-2 Palace of Poseidonis August 27th 2010
"Everyone I have an important announcement to make." The queen said standing up with her husband. "I am with child."
"This is most joyous news." Tula exclaimed while Amelia just smelled and raised her contained bottle to the king.
"Knew you had it in you Aquaman." she said watching him chuckled at her words
"At last an heir." Kaldur said before glancing at the prince and bowing his head. "My apologies my prince I did not mean to offend."
"Nonsense Kaldur this is a joyous development and one to be celebrated." Prince Orm waving away the offence.
"The league calls I must go my dear." Aquaman said suddenly placing a hand to his ear and departing shortly after that.
"So how was time spent in Atlantis so far?" Kaldur asked her as they dinned in the palace.
"Amazing this city is like nothing upstairs; although it wasn't my fault I thought she was an actually fish ok." She said referring to the embarrassing incident earlier before punching Kaldur playfully when he sniggered at her.
"Its not your fault you got confused although I do see your point some what." He said before turning to face the queen now. "I have been considering returning to the conservatory on a more flexible routine something batman pointed out to me to have a life in both worlds."
"You are already very far behind Kaldur, an irregular teaching schedule would mean that you wouldn't be able to attend normal classes and you would also have to return to the level you left that as well." She said looking at him seriously as he turned to tula placing his hand on hers.
"Maybe a tutor would help me catch up to speed with others." He said smiling as she smiled sadly at him. "would you walk with me Tula?"
The two departed leaving Amelia to chat with the prince.
"I was hoping to find a way to balance my time on the surface with my time here… or to be more precise my time with you Tula." He said looking at her; he was dismayed to see her look sad as she turned to look him in the eye.
"I'm sorry Kaldur but me and Garth are together." She said placing a hand on his shoulder as he looked down; a sudden series of explosions ripped through the city in the distance surprising both of them.
"What the fuck that was bombs someone's attacking the city… who the fuck attacks an underwater city!" Amelia shouted in amazement as she moved to follow the group of soldiers heading out of the room. "Thanks for the food guys but duty calls."
"Power-girl." Aqualad called to her as she raced towards the city and who switched direction to zoom towards him and Tula. "The city is under attack we must provide what ever aid we can."
"Same idea Aquala-" she began stopping before closing her eyes and concentrating. "Weird I can tune in on radio signals now must be the water or something… they launching an attack on the palace!" she said shocked before following the others back the way they came.
"Manta!" Aqualad spat with venom as they saw the large force of soldiers firing away at the surprised and out numbered guards. The booming sound of a bright lance of light struck the palace as the three of them spotted a long heavy weapon on a nearby cliff.
"They have cannons underwater; handle the queen and I'll handle the gun." She said zooming towards the gun before it could destroy the palace and its defenders. Tula and Kaldur raced towards the soldiers left flank as the queen went all calipso on their asses, Kaldur formed a shield as he distracted the troopers form Tula as she formed a massive ball of electricity which sped towards their position and exploded stunning the squad and allowing them to regroup with the queen.
"This is gonna hurt." Power-girl said as the gun emplacement swirled suddenly to face her as it fired; she blocked the beam with her arms as it pushed her back, groaning with the effort she moved down the beam until she reached the gun and caused it to exploded before swiftly taking down the manta troopers.
"My Queen all sectors bar this one and sector four have been hit with bombs and are under attack by Manta troopers." Garth said heading towards them when tula suddenly cried a warning, turning he saw a red beam heading towards him unable to dodge or block he closed his eyes as it was about to hit.
"Well this is fun isn't it?" Power-girl said from in front of him body blocking the beam and ignoring the others hitting her frame; she turned and brought her hands together hard sending a shockwave through the water blasting the Manta troopers back.
"Sector four that is the science lab… the creature that's what their after." Aqualad said looking at the queen and the prince.
"I cannot leave the queens side Aqualad or send away the trooper s under my command and risk the queens safety." Orm said firing the carbine at the approaching Manta troopers as several drop ship like mini flyers appeared dropping squads and heavy weapons and firing on the palace at the same time.
"Then I shall face him, Tula Garth your magic would be of great assistance." Aqualad said to the two with authority in his voice now.
"What about me?" Power-girl said grabbing a broken pillar and hurling it at the heavy gun on a nearby cliff destroying it.
"I need you to protect the Queen and take out their heavy weapons lest they turn them on the city." Aqualad said as he watched her nodded sulking as he lead the others towards the center.
"Well hopfully something will give me a challenge." She said racing forward and hurling a flyer at the next gun emplacement scattering its crew as the munitions exploded in a satisfying show of light and sound.
"Then perhaps you would like to fight me instead child." A deep voice sounding from behind her; turning she was hit by twin beams of red light blasting her into a ruined wall demolishing it utterly.
"Black Manta right well don't you look fucking retarded in that outfit." She said before flying to engage him in close combat dodging his beams as best she could racing to meet him head on.
"I will lead, Tula will support me and Garth you will watch our backs and flanks make sure we aren't attacked from behind." He said as he approached the building watching the two nod in response hearing the sound of battle in the distance. They creeped inside sneaking and senses alert for any soldiers. "Let them pass if we engage now Manta will know we're here."
They eventually reached a balcony and saw a full squadron of soldiers attaching cables to the frozen beast.
"Look out!" Garth called from behind them as he formed a bubble around them as a mass of hard water smashed them into the wall across the room; the bubble burst and they scattered behind cover their military training kicking in, as they returned fire with balls of electricity and water whips from Aqualad. He noticed a series of water daggers heading towards Tula and he moved like lightening to block it with a water shield coming face to face with a girl in black armour and controlling the water around her arms.
"Shall we dance handsome?" she said mockingly before forming a barbed whip of water and a mace in the other, Aqualad formed a hammer and shield deflecting the whip with the hammer and blocking the mace with the shield as he came face to face with her. "Bad move little bro."
Before he could process her words a high pitched sound was emitted from her mouth region as he was distracted allowing her to headbutt him hard before smashing his chest with the mace sending him flying back. The others weren't faring better, between the heavy disciplined suppression fire pinning them down and the slow advance of the others they were being pushed into a corner and were open to attack from above.
"Tula draw their fire… Garth take out the creature." Aqualad said forming a shield and hiding behind it while Tula tried to heal his wounded chest.
"But Aqualad the only spell I have is the tempest and if incorrectly done it could-" he began before he was cut off by a hand from Aqualad smiling.
"I have faith in you my friend we shall distract them and you will deny them their prize." He said before roaring as he charged towards siren girl clubbing her with a hammer blow and smashing something against her chest right before; her shock as the water around her froze causing her to drop to the ground encased in ice as Tula formed a n electrified water whip and began striking soldiers abandoning cover to draw their fire while Garth chanted.
"Behold the warth of the tempest!" he roared throwing the expanding vortex at the soldiers and at the creature before exploding throwing everyone back and shattering Sirens ice prison. When they began to recovery only a large slap of ice with sections containing visible flesh was left of the creature.
"You win this time brother but next time I won't hold back." The girl said before deploying a thick oil screen and escaping while the others swam over to his bleeding body.
"So I'll admit Manta's tougher than I'd thought." Amelia said back in the place as remembered the battle with him and his damned shock gauntlets which actually hurt her if it didn't damage her.
"You should be proud my lady it is no light feat to face Black Manta alone and survive." Prince Orm said as them helped move the wound guards to the triage station and seal off the captured troopers. "You have my eternal thanks for safe guarding the queen and my unborn liege you truly are a hero."
"Hey I was just doing my thing." She replied blushing at the praise and beaming at it; that changed when she saw Aqualad's wound ed form being carried into the palace. "Jesus Christ are you okay Kaldur."
"Just a minor flesh wound nothing life threatening … I am sorry Prince Orm but we had no choice but to destroy the creature lest it fail into Manta's hands, only a small block survived the battle." Aqualad said to the Prince as the Queen came in watching Garth place down the ice block in front of them all.
"Well that's put me off calamari." Amelia said blanching at the sight of the creature as a pair of shark guards carried it away.
"Better gone than in Manta's hands any day Aqualad you have nothing to be sorry for." Orm said diplomatically as the League response force arrived: Superman Captain Marvel, Green Lantern and Aquaman looking at the devastation and rushing to his wife concern evident.
"My king there is an issue I must talk with you about concerning a certain Mantra Trooper during the battle." Kaldur said looking at him determined.
20:05 CDT West residence Central City August 27th 2010
"Happy birthday Jay!" they gathered people yelled as the old couple walked into the house, Eve Iris and Mary gave him a hug and showed him to the dinning area where they all sat down.
"92 jay and you have the health of a man in his fifties, you've gotta tell me secret." Rudy said smiling as they dug into the meal, roasted pork with a lot of side dishes.
"Well I have a nagging wife who makes sure i don't get lazy and fat." he said with a chuckle kissing Joan.
"Heard you figured out a few tricks we couldn't do kid, making duplicates of yourself creatively of you isn't it." Jay went on as they continued the discussion.
"Had to redesign the suit since the old one got torn apart by it; but enough about that lets enjoy each others company here since today is about you not me." She said handing over the gift she got him, a a gold watch with a lighting bolt for hands.
"So Mary you hinted at something important you needed to tell us?" Iris said as Mary smiled as glanced at her husband before showing ultrasound.
"I'm three months pregnant; the doctor managed to keep the gender hidden in the photo we want it to be a surprise." She told them as they all congratulated her as the atmosphere lightened up significantly.
"Hey Eve can I have a word with you in the kitchen?" Barry asked as they left for the room. "So what did you find out at your friend's workshop."
"She says she knows nothing about the surge, she does have a friend staying with her, a guy called Darius Troy but I've never heard of him before so maybe you can check him out for me." She told him as he nodded looking thoughtful at her.
"How did your parents take the news?" he asked afterwards to which she sighed before responding.
"Dad was supportive but mom's still processing the news I'll handle the matter since its between me and her Barry so you don't need to involve yourself ok?" she told him to which he nodded placing a hand on her shoulder.
"If you need me and iris to have a talk with her." He said looking at her before flinching at her raised eyebrow.
"Since when does Iris know; you told her didn't you." She added after a few moments sighing deeply again. "Come on lets not ruin Jay's birthday with work."
01:11 UTC-2 Palace of Poseidonis August 28th 2010
"So I am the son of Black Manta one of your mortal enemies." Kaldur said finally after taking in the truth he had been given, the league, Mera, Orm and Amelia were gathered in the room to hear it all. "How could you ever trust me Orin."
"Because the sins of the father are not the sins of the son; you are a good person Kaldur'ahm regardless of who your family is and tonight you showed that by denying him his prize and protecting my people I did not want you thinking any less of yourself." Aquaman said solemnly looking at him as Amelia walked over and hugged him tightly.
"Come on fish boy who cares about your dad being evil; hell I don't even know who my dad is and I don't care it's the people who care about you that should matter and they don't think any less of you so suck it up soldier." She added punching him on the shoulder as he smiled and nodded at her.
"This won't leave the room Kaldur unless you want it too." Superman said looking at him supportive.
"Amelia here this is for you." Mera said holding out a pearl necklace with a golden A symbol on it. "A thank you for your aid in the battle and something to remind you of your time spent here; feel free to return to us."
"Wow it's beautiful." She said trying it on as beaming again.
"I suppose it is time to return to surface for now." Kaldur said getting up and glancing at the league. "I will not let my linage determine my course in life as Kaldur'ahm or as Aqualad."
A/N: Well that was long and had a lot of points to go over, most important is that Wally didn't came here alone and the door doesn't seem to have shut just yet it seems. i wanted Cyborg to be both man and machine yet still a living organisms of sorts. Natasha now knows Eve's secret well one of them, but the bigger question is how the world will react to the knowledge to the arrival of the 'Titan of Justice'... if it got out that is.
A lot of points as i said this was the best time to try starting a relationship between Kathy and Eve, both fit each others type strong independent and yet vulnerable in their own ways. a relationship would help fill the void in Eve's heart and make her life more enjoyable to live.
Aqualad shipping now he doesn't interact with many girls outside the team and it never mentions any others he's close with in atlantis so he'll be tricky maybe some suggestions from you guys might help.
I like painting Roy as the over protective big brother to Mia in this a nice flip on his initial relationship with Artemis; though giving Kaldur the evil dad and sister has its potential results too.
The league wouldn't have much reason to take the ring from Eve if they had a measure of control over the situation she is in with it so with that i can say they would be fine with her having it.
Gender of the baby is up to you guys baby boy or girl you decide!
So next time is the Memory loss Episode... should be interesting to write. remember to give suggestions, highlight any errors, and give constructive criticism in the reviews; no flaming though we're not savages after all or PM a point or Idea or even a question if you want too.
till next time dear reader Sincerely Greywolf41 Esquire!