{*}
I'm back! Yes I made this into two parts posted at the same time, and yes I took down that author's note it was annoying me and also it's against the rules to post one as a chapter. Sorry! This picks up directly after the first one so you may want to review before continueing. Anyway, enjoy!
{*}
Miss Martian nodded and tilted her head to the side, thinking. "Shadow, are you telekinetic?"
Shadow replied plainly, "I don't think so."
"Shadow," Red Arrow said before Miss Martian could continue her polite inquiries and turning to face her. "Do you remember where you and Robin were held? Can you give details about who was there?"
"Da, I think so," Shadow said, rubbing her head. "Can this thing go up?"
Soon her stomach twisted as she felt the plane moved a digital up. She could also feel the nagging feeling of the group not liking her, like it was in the back of her mind, but she shoved the annoying impression aside and concentrated.
"Go fprah-vah," Shadow directed
"Go what?" Miss Martian asked, sounding very confused.
"Er-right, go that way." She pointed her finger in the direction and felt the bioship swivel around and fly off at an easy speed, but Shadow still felt woozy, and that annoying feeling was now turning to a dull ache. Whatever, she just needed to focus on saving Robin.
Shadow waited a second before answering Red Arrow's question, trying to recall the memories and how she should word them.
"Before we were...captured," She started and they all leaned in to listen. "Robin and I were in..."
She tried to think of the city name. "Goatherm park?"
That earned many confused glances, Artemis offered, "You mean Gotham Park?"
"Da, and we were...how you say 'ambushed', by..."
Shadow realized at how ridiculous the characters she was about to describe would sound, but hopefully they will know who I'm talking about.
"There was a man with green hair, a white face, and wearing a purple suit. His...roof seemed to have...slid off."
I'm not sure I said that right...
It seemed like the last part threw them, and Aqualad growled, "Joker..."
"Neeyet, I am being serious." Shadow responded hastily. Great, they don't believe me! She continued before they could say anything. "There was a woman. She seemed to control plants."
"Poison Ivy?" Zatana offered.
Okay...maybe they did believe me.
"I guess," Shadow said. The aching feeling was getting more intense now. What is their deal? She thought and continued. "There was...I think Robin said his name is, Scarecrow?"
Aqualad and Red Arrow nodded for her to go on.
"And another guy named, Wizard-"
"Wizard?" Zatana blurted, sounding alarmed.
"Da, Wizard, and, a man with a cane…who could control darkness,"
"Shade?" Kid Flash said.
Shadow automatically, but discreetly, twitched at that name, before saying. "Da, and a man with a helmet making him look like he had one red eye."
"Professor Ojo," Superboy growled.
"And lastly," Her body shuddered at the memories, and her head hurt from feeling the group's dislike for her. "A… a brain in the jar and he had this big gorilla with him."
"And, Brain is there too?" Kid Flash said, now eating a...protein bar? During a mission?
"Da, a brain in a jar is there, with a giant gorilla." Shadow confirmed while she used one hand to rub her temples. Her head was hurting even more, waves of distrust hit her and her stomach was woozy even though they weren't going fast. What if I get sick again? The thought worried her.
"I hate monkeys..." Superboy said quietly.
"What was the facility like where they kept you?" Aqualad asked.
"Ya, what was it like?" The snarky mark made her pause, was that said out loud? She couldn't be sure so shook her head and looked out the window trying to clear her mind and think of the place.
"It was…" She had begun, but the images wouldn't come. They were passing trees, rivers, lakes, a waterfall, more trees-...waterfall?
"Wait, go back," Shadow said, "I think I recognize that."
Miss Martian backed up the bioship.
"Now what?" Again, Shadow wasn't sure if that was said out loud or not, people need to keep their mouths shut. She breathed deeply to keep her cool, it was probably Kid Flash who kept making the remarks.
"I passed that waterfall, it was to my ost-ahee-ol, er-a...left, when I passed it." Shadow said to the Team, some brought up floating blue-glowing computers and typed stuff in. It reminded her painfully of Robin.
"Roger that." Miss Martian said, veering the ship so that they passed the waterfall in that direction.
The dislike for her pounded on, it was really irking Shadow, but she elected to ignore it, for now.
"I...I only remember a room." She closed her eyes in thought. "Everything else is hazy."
"I bet it is." That comment had to be audible, and it was more than she would take from a Team who couldn't locate their lost teammate even after three days.
"Look," Shadow said trying to turn around to face them, but the seat was stiff. "I know what you think of me and that you do not like me, and I do not like you either, but I am trying to help you save Robin," She glared at them all and was met with bewildered faces, yet she continued. "So would you keep your no-de-yeah-dviddly [TWC1] comments to yourselves?"
Questionable looks were exchanged among them and Artemis was the first to say, "Shadow, nobody said anything."
She felt herself pale. Was she going crazy? She could have sworn that they had said something, or at least…she was sure that they had said something. She couldn't think of what to say as she tried to puzzle this out in her head, until Miss Martian said hesitantly, "Um, Shadow? I think you're hearing the ship."
Shadow slowly turned to her and repeated in disbelief. "I am hearing the ship?"
"Uh ya, that's what she just said," Kid Flash spoke, in defensively to Shadow and taking another bite from his snack.
"If you are telekinetic, why not?" Miss Martian said as if she were coming on to something. "It would explain how you kicked me out of your mind so easy, why I couldn't find you mentally, and-"
"Miss Martian," Aqualad interrupted, "Your hypothesis is all well and good but need I remind you that one of our own is missing?"
His tone was hard, but his gaze a little softer. Shame and worry replaced Miss Martian's pondering expression, and Aqualad continued, addressing Shadow, "Allow us to get back on track, whether or not you are able to communicate with the bioship is irrelevant. Please, tell us more details you can remember about the building."
So Shadow described to them what she could, leaving out the part where she went through their lightning tests, only saying that she saw a bunch of blue lightning in a ball. She did tell them they drew blood. For some reason, it was really painful to think about that much less talk about it.
"I think we are close," She informed, recognizing the landmarks more and more.
"The bioship isn't picking up any wavelengths or frequencies," Miss Martian stated.
Oh no… what if they moved since I've been there! Shadow was hoping that they hadn't, who knows where they could have gone.
"Miss Martian, can you do a mental sweep to check?" Aqualad asked.
"Sure thing." Was the response, she stopped the ship as her eyes turned green.
"I think someone has tried to put a mental barrier up," she reported. "But I'm not sure."
Shadow relaxed at that. "Well if someone put up a barrier, then that must mean that there are people there."
"Not necessarily," Aqualad said. "They may have set a trap, but it is still worth checking out. Miss Martian, land the bioship, and everyone,
prepare for stealth mode."
At that Kid Flash, Artemis, Red Arrow and Aqualad touched the symbols on their uniforms and their outfits turned black. Miss Martian's clothes morphed into her stealthier ones and Zatana said the incantation of "Tiftuo htlaets."
Shadow was a little impressed at the apparent high level technology.
"Shadow," Aqualad said, turning to address her as the ship gently landed amongst some trees. "We shall need your assistance during this mission, as you have been here before your knowledge is important, so we would like for you to accompany us."
While that may be true, you also want to keep an eye on me to make sure that I don't get away. Her eyes had narrowed in suspicion but she replied. "Da, I get it."
She unbuckled herself, with a little difficulty, and stood up.
"Wait," Aqualad held up his hand, and she slacked her position, arms crossed. "When we do missions, we do not use com links in order to avoid interceptions of our conversations."
Shadow didn't like where he was going with this.
"So with your permission, will you allow Miss Martian to add you to our physic link?" Aqualad concluded.
Her face must have shown her dislike because Zatana spoke up.
"Please," Her blue eyes were wide and she had a pleading look. "We need to save Robin."
Crap! "Fine," Shadow answered threw gritted teeth and glaring eyes. For Robin.
Instantly, she felt an invasion of her brain, her headache returned, and Miss Martian's voice echoed, "Everyone online?"Shadow involuntarily shuddered, apparently causing everyone else to do the same.
"Dude, that was weird!" KF said. They had all felt Shadow's shudder go through them.
"Everyone, we need to focus on the mission. Shadow, are you ready?" Aqualad asked.
Shadow replied. Let's just get this over with."Davayte pokonchim s etim."
Everyone shouted at the same time.
"What?""Can you repeat that?""I'm sorry?""We don't speak Russian!""You're going to have to talk English from now on.""Speak English!"
Aqualad angrily quieted them. "Everyone calm down! Shadow, unfortunately you will need to communicate in English for us to understand
you."
Shadow had experienced many things in her life, hating a bunch of them, but this, so far, out did them all. All of these people were in her head, crowding around there, she felt like she was going insane! And now, above everything else, she was going to have to translate her own thoughts into English!
Shadow, not really meaning to do what she was doing, started thinking in her head. "Vy , dolzhno bytʹ, shutishʹ! Snachala vy vtorgnutʹsya moy mozg i teperʹya dolzhen Translat mii sobstvennyye mysli dlya vas glupyye lyudi ![TWC 2] "
Kid Flash soon responded with. "Eng-lish!"
Aqualad could be heard saying. "Shadow, if this will be too difficult for you-"
"Neeyet." She had to concentrate to think of the correct translations. "Fine. I will. Be okay."
Grinding her teeth in aggravation she went to stand up once again, only to fall to the ground again as another spasm attack took place.
"Oh my gosh!""Is she having a seizure?""What should we do?"
The thoughts raced around in her head, which felt like it was coming apart, her blood prickled, everything was fuzzy, and she had to clench her teeth tight to keep from crying out. Soon though, everything slowly came back into focus as the pain ebbed away and she was aware of Miss Martian directly over her and the others leaning in behind her. "Shadow, can you hear me?"
Shadow snapped at Miss Martian, mentally. "YA slyshu vas khorosho! Prochʹ![TWC 3] "
"Sounds like she's okay to me," Kid Flash retorted, though worry still showed in his eyes.
Shadow took a minute to stand, ignoring hands offering to help her up. Still dizzy, she managed to get out, "Give me. Min-you-ta."
"Perhaps you should get some fresh air?" Miss Martian offered hopefully, not sure what to do in this situation.
Aqualad had his eyes narrowed. "Good idea."
She was escorted out by everyone except Aqualad and Red Arrow, thankful that she did not throw-up.
Aqualad had remained on the ship with Red Arrow so they could contact Batman. He soon answered, to Aqualad it sounded like he had just woken up.
"Any news?" He asked gruffly, his hand reached outside the screen and when it returned a cup of coffee was in it.
"We have the Shadow, and she has led us to where she claims they took her and Robin," Aqualad informed.
Red Arrow cut in. "But we're afraid it might be a trap, Miss Martian hasn't had the best of luck reading her mind, and the Shadow seems to have epilepsy."
Batman's eyes narrowed in thought. Yes, it could easily be a trap, but it was the only clue to Robin that they had. But the epilepsy threw him off.
"I'm on my way, but it will take a while, so go ahead and follow her in, but be on high alert and keep a close watch on her. The seizures could be someone giving her orders telepathically so there might be a psychic, or someone could be trying to control her and she's attempting to fight it." He wasn't quite sure, anything was possible.
"Could Psimon have escaped and be the source?" Aqualad asked dubiously.
"No, Psimon is still locked in St. Mungo's. Could be another one though," Batman said. "Make sure Miss Martian does a thorough scan of the area."
Aqualad and Red Arrow nodded before signing off.
"I don't trust her." Was KF's first thought as he exited the bioship with the others, arms crossed.
"None of us do." Artemis reassured him, holding tightly to her bow.
"I don't know guys...maybe we should give her a chance?" Miss Martian said, always wanting to see the best in people.
They all glanced at where Shadow stood looking out into the woods. Her arms were crossed, but she seemed alert and okay after her seizure.
Miss Martian had linked her telepathically, but kept the Team's conversation private.
Rocket snorted. "It's gonna take a lot to get my trust." She was still harboring a few feelings of resentment at being suffocated.
"I keep sensing this...dark magic, almost, around her...and what was with that seizure?" Zatana was eyeing their guest with uncertainty.
Superboy was curious. "Dark magic, like Klarion?"
"I don't know," Zatana said frustrated."Maybe she's a magician. Like me."
Miss Martian was a little surprised. "I thought I sensed she was telepathic."
Aqualad interrupted their conversation, "It does not matter, she is our only link to Robin, and therefore we need to trust her...to an extent. Miss Martian, I want you to keep close to her when we infiltrate the building. Watch out in case she has a seizure or tries to attack you. Batman is on his way, but until then we have permission to go in and save Robin."
"Not that we wouldn't go in even if we didn't get permission." Kid Flash said smartly.
Aqualad ignored him, but silently agreed. "Now we need to plan, Miss Martian, if you would include Shadow back into the group?"
Shadow had the feeling that they were doing the psychic communication again without her...but she couldn't be sure. It was like a fly buzzing in her head, but it was so small that she could hardly tell if it was there or not. It doesn't matter. They could gossip all they want about her. Her focus was getting Robin out of there.
She kept thinking at the horrible things they were probably doing to him, and she couldn't help but feel that it was her fault. If he would of just left her alone! But she couldn't blame him, it seemed all heroes, even from different dimensions, had the instinct to help everyone any way they could.
It reminded her of the X-men...No! She couldn't lose focus! She had to keep her mind on what was happening now and what was about to happen. Besides, she needed to try to be prepared in hopes of preventing another seizure or going out of control again.That thought terrified her. Sure sometimes her powers were hard to manage and not easy to get used to. Professor Xavier had said that was part of being a new-found mutant. But she had never gone completely berserk like that though. It was like being thrown onto the backseat of your mind while some strange thing grabbed the controls and went on a murderous rampage. It reminded her of...she shook her head. She didn't want to think of who it reminded her of.
She was interrupted by Aqualad's voice in her head. "Shadow, are you well enough to proceed with the mission?"
She cringed and replied. "Da." She sure hated this telepathic stuff.
"Are you sure?" He persisted.
"Ya-eveerin-shto! Da!" [TWC 4] She said irritably.
"Alright," Aqualad tried to remain calm and addressed everyone and they all faced him expectantly.
"Now, here's what we are going to do, I want Superboy, Miss Martian, Red Arrow, Kid Flash and Shadow to scope the left side of the area while me, Artemis, Rocket, and Zatana will take the right. Report back what you see to me and we will make plans from there."
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, before splitting into their designated groups and heading for the direction they were supposed to go.
Red Arrow took the lead, followed by Kid Flash and Superboy. Shadow and Miss Martian elected to fly a few feet off the ground, rather than risk creeping between the trees and trying to not to step on any sticks as the others had to avoid.
They went like that for a little while, everyone silent and eyes roaming for a sign that they were coming up on something.
Miss Martian paused and asked for the other to do the same. "I'm definitely sensing some minds close by. About a hundred yards from here, more to the right."
"Alright," Red Arrow stated."Aqualad, did you get that?"
"Yes, we shall proceed in the same direction."
"Okay,"
He turned to face his teammates and Shadow. "Let's move."
They went more carefully in the direction Miss Martian had pointed out, and soon found themselves looking down in a small crater, but nothing was there.
"It must be camouflaged," Miss Martian suggested.
"I got it," Superboy interjected as he stepped forward.
Shadow looked, waiting for something to happen, and was a little surprised when Superboy responded, "I see a building in the shape of an E, it looks like they're trying to repair it. There are walls being rebuilt and canvases stretched over parts of it, but I can make out eleven doors, three guards per door, and more patrolling outside and inside."
He paused for a moment, head slowly scanning the area."I think I see…four bodies, all lying down. One of them looks like Mallah, and it seems that Brain is hooked up to some machines."
That was odd, but before anyone could have their input Superboy's mood changed.
Because of the psychic link, Shadow could feel his alarm quickly form into anger and uncertainty. She could also sense everyone else's apprehension; it was like an entanglement of emotions. She couldn't see why anyone would ever want to do this; risking the comm links would have been better.
"What is it Superboy?" Aqualad asked, wondering what had made his teammate pause.
"I think-I think I see Robin."
A mix of excitement, anger, and a fresh wave of determination came across the odd band of teenagers.
Shadow spoke up, asking, "Kak vy mozhete skazatʹ[TWC 5] ?"
"Don't forget to speak English, Shadow," Kid Flash reminded her."And I can tell, too."
Glancing over, Shadow noticed he had lowered his red goggles.
"Uh. How…can you…tell?"
Answering for Superboy, Miss Martian responded. "Superboy has X-ray and heat vision. So he can see through the buildings and tell if anyone is there."
Kid Flash added, "And my goggles view various light spectra. So I can see some of the rooms and people."
Shadow nodded, and Superboy continued.
"I also see six devices sticking up from the ground surrounding the building. I think that is what's causing it to be invisible."
"I could probably short circuit those, but undoubtedly an alarm will be raised," Aqualad mused but hesitated.
Red Arrow, impatient as ever, growled out, "I say go ahead and do it. Six of you took on the Injustice League by yourselves, so with all nine of us it should be a cinch."
Aqualad nodded. "Agreed, I will see if I can take out the devices. Kid Flash, Miss Martian, and Shadow, I want you three to go after Robin and focus on getting him to the bioship. The rest of us will cover you, got it?"
They all agreed, and waited for Aqualad to shut down the cloaking devices.
{*}
Did anyone catch that Harry Potter reference? Sorry it took me so long to update, but I've beeen busy. Lame excuse I know, but I think (hope) that I'll get a chance to write more often and post sooner.
Translations:
[TWC 1] irksome
[TWC 2] You have got to be kidding me! First you invade my brain and now I have to translate my own thoughts for you stupid people!
[TWC 3] I can hear you fine! Get away!
[TWC 4] I'm sure! Yes!
[TWC 5] How can you be sure?