”Maybe after. Thanks,” She told Pei, before Will started yapping.

Cora looked at Will, then lazily looked over at the others. Then back at Will.

On any other day, she might have been putting up with this shit for longer. But if she were being completely honest with herself, she wanted nothing more than to curl up under a blanket and cram half a bottle of ibuprofen into her mouth. Will was testing her patience saying this shit.

Kassy was right, and Cora had this weird, knee-jerk feeling someone was going to give her shit for what she’d just said.

”…Oooookay… Lemme fuckin’ tell you somethin’…”

Cora took in a deep, shaky breath and started floating again. Her skin and flesh were too devoid of red blood cells for her to feel the sting on top of the pain she was already in. Veins under her skin started to glow the same neon blue that her eyes always has going on, something that Cora hadn’t ever seen her powers cause thus far. She drifted closer until she was right in front of Will and used her powers to levitate her shaky, jittery hand. She pointed a finger at him.

”Metamorph might be fucked up, traumatized or just plain mentally ill. Maybe. Maybe all of the above, or maybe somethin’ else.” Deep breath out. Deep breath in. ”But he is not a fuckin’ villain. Apparently you-“ Cough ”Left. Cool. You missed everything the others did before I came here. This team’s like a family for them. Viktor. Kassy. Kila and Ja and Daphne. They all fucking love each other.”

Breathe out. Breathe in.

”What happened? Yeah. That’s fucked. But you’re shittier about it than he was- Then. By a lot. I talked to him after- After everyone left, I talked to him. You weren’t-“ Cough ”There when I asked if he’d ate the day after that, and he said he didn’t. It fucking hurt him, okay?”

The lights in the room were starting to flicker. ”You… Can be an ass for longer. Or you can do something about it. What. Are. You. Doing. About. It?”

She took a bigger breath and then looked away from him.

”Bad things happen. Don’t… Don’t make it worse for anyone.”

S E C R E T S A N C T U A R Y

---

The Knight was silent when Zatara and Mirage’s initial additions, and the response offered was a single nod.

”I see. This individual will definitely be accounted for during further missions upon further investigation on what was happening at that plant. Thank you for your analysis, Zatara. As for Mirage, I’m sure that could be arranged, I will corroborate with Black Canary and Red Tornado to arrange for more aid in that area.”

It seemed that as soon as his breath had finished, Quiver had exploded with words. All the while through his grievances, Batman kept an even expression. When it seemed that the younger man was done dealing out all his frustrations, the older one calmly divulged despite the younger’s attempt to push. Then he watched on for a moment longer as the group’s emotions unfurled around this situation. While everyone clearly had their own points, it was getting out of hand.

The voice of the Bat boomed through the monitor’s speakers, with Cora’s inherent interference causing an unintended echo. In the following silence, Red Tornado now at the table across from the monitor and raised his hand.

”If I may, as their caretaker, I will accept this flaw as I have chosen not to burden them all with incomplete information. It is clear that some confusion, skepticism, and tension has formed in the wake of a full explanation of Metamorph’s condition. However, seeing as it has all come to a head over recent months, I believe it is time we shared some of what we know to aid with easing their concerns.

Firstly in regard to how dangerous Metamorph is: The reality is that everyone’s threat level was assessed prior to their selection on the team. That level does not remain static as time goes on and circumstances change, as the members of the Young Justice Initiative are people. As people, their volatility is prone to change over time, especially during their youth. The purpose of this initiative is to aid young people with superhuman capabilities. For some of you with more troubled upbringings, it is also to have a second chance; to use your skills and abilities for the betterment of yourself and others.

For Metamorph, the circumstances are all the more unique. As I am sure some of you have deduced for yourselves, Metamorph suffers from both Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder respectively. Although not all who have DID are equal in manifestation, a common persona that may develop is one that acts as a guardian to protect the others. In the assessment of him during the course of this year, as well as some prior reports from Vixen, this third alter of his did not front as often the two you all have already met.

It was a variable that we did not and do not have a complete understanding of. Being that his record of activity prior did not incur fatal action towards innocents or his team members, we decided to simply monitor on a week to week basis. We believed that it was only when under circumstances that could alarm his PTSD, that this ‘Red Beast’ persona could appear. However, it has been recently uncovered that a trigger is at play to set off this particularly animalistic side of Metamorph.”

Batman could be heard pressing keys that adjusted the screen to shrink his image and display a graphic containing schematics of one of the sonic-guns used by the bank robbers.

”As you can see, the sonic gun used in Star City has several settings for how it fires. While the most prominent was to project sound into a concussive force, another setting seemed to be catered to releasing a specifically high frequency noise. This frequency, when discharged, is too high for the average human to hear.

After the rampage at the bank, I assigned your team to the mission here in Gotham to observe for myself how Metamorph behaved in the field, via a drone as well as to isolate any potential variables. What I didn’t anticipate was for the drone to pick up this same audio frequency. This should not be possible, given the circumstances of the mission, neither of the gangs involved had access to such technology.

Regardless, by the time I managed to get to the scene, the damage had already been done…An apology does not heal Quiver or Talos’ scars, but an attempt to prevent any further injury became the priority.”

Another momentary crack in his stoicism came through a sighed grimace. Where Batman stopped, Red Tornado continued.

“You are all well aware that after the incident at the docks, Metamorph was intended to be off of the mission for that purpose. We had given him the benefit of the doubt when he left the base. A tracking bracelet was placed on his wrist so that I could monitor his movement. Yet, the signal remains on the east coast of Florida, even now after you have all returned.”

The screen changed again to show the others a live map of florida, showing a red blip near south east florida.

“Clearly it was discarded when he decided, as Rain has detailed, to warn of you a trap he deciphered. While well intentioned, the lack of communication with us led to Metamorph himself falling into the exact situation he attempted to warn against.”

”None of you are to blame for his lack of trust in us. This debriefing was never intended for you to apologize for what was out of your hands. He is none of your sole responsibility. Leave it to us to find him again. In the meanwhile, everyone, keep your emotions in check. We will keep you all updated as the situation develops as necessary. For now, get some rest. Batman out.”

Location: Debriefing Room, Mount Justice
Interactions: The Team
Mentions:

---

Viktor sat in silence as Zach chimed in with some useful information on one of the does he faced. He actually raised his eyebrows at the mention of him subduing the person despite their abilities affecting him. Kassy then suggested a means of combating such a dangerous ability. We’ve all come a long way it seems. Viktor initially thought before Will spat out his disagreements to both Batman and the Team about Metamorph. Viktor was aware he had mixed feelings toward Will. Before leaving the Team, he and Will had always butt heads and they had a more than toxic rivalry between each other. Upon Will’s return, neither of them had done much to mend their relationship, so he figured they would only end up arguing at a time where it was not needed.

But he could not say he didn't understand his peer who lashed out due to the recent event that occured. Will was hurt and frustrated, feeling the Justice League was at fault. Viktor took a look at Batman. He too wondered if they knew more about Kila’s actions.

Kassy and Cora pushed back while Pei practiced some restraint by sighing to show her discontentment with what was occuring. Viktor parted his lips to finally speak, to perhaps put an end to the turmultuous discussion but Batman’s powerful voice quieted the room. With Batman and Red Tornado putting everything they were aware of out on the table, the gears in Viktor's head began turning. The corroboration of his findings and what Batman and Red Tornado revealed only solidified what he believed into facts on the matter. It wasn't long until Batman dismissed the debriefing, leaving the Team to themselves once more.

“Will. You and I need to talk. I'll be at the obstacle course in thirty minutes.” Without skipping a beat, Viktor looked at each of the others. “Cora, Pei, and Kass. It's thanks to you and the information we just received, we can now confirm that the frequency used by the guns at the heist, was also used by the mysterious man in the shipping container. Now that I am more than sure he's involved, allow me to share his description until I can perhaps have a friend create a sketch for us… dark-skinned complexion.
Age, between late thirties and mid forties. Height, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall. Build, lean. Hair, dark brown dreadlocks. His accent resembles one from Jamaica but could be from elsewhere amongst the Caribbean… It's not much but, it's something.” With that, Viktor made for the exit, Kila’s mask in hand.

Location: Debriefing Room
Interactions:

---

Vincent went straight to the debriefing room. He didn't necessarily want to be there, but feeling responsible for the fight on the jet, he felt that it was the least he could do to at least be present for the debrief. He watched as everyone else made their way into the room and took their seats at the table. The meeting started with Daphne and Viktor giving a play-by-play of the mission, after which Zach mentioned knocking someone out, to which Vincent couldn't help but smirk at, glad to hear that Zach's practice had a chance to pay off. After that, the debrief devolved into another argument once Will opened up with his grievances.

For once, it was a fight he wanted no part of, so Vincent tuned everything out. Everything he wanted to say, he had already said on the jet and he didn't see the point in bringing it up again, especially after Kassy had shut him down, something he knew she was in the right for. Instead, he sat at the table, spinning a coin he had made until Batman quieted everyone down with a command before he and Red Tornado resumed the debrief. Not long after, the screen went dark as the meeting drew to a close.

"I saw him," he blurted suddenly after hearing Rain's description, his fist closing around the coin. "In Florida. I fucking saw him. He was there with the guard and that Florida guy. He told the guard to shoot him, that's why I rushed in. I would've gotten him, too, but he managed to get away."

He was quiet for several moments after that. Eventually, he spoke up again, saying in a quiet voice, "You know, like a lot of us here, I've lost a lot. I lost my parents, I lost anything I could've called a home, the Old Man, who was like a second dad to me. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I'm not. I fucking hate it as much as I ever have and ever since I lost the Old Man, other than one or two times here and there, I feel like I've been doing nothing but losing." He stood up, his fists pressed against the surface of the table. A low groan resounded in the room as the steel supports of the building flexed ever so slightly until Vincent regained control of his building anger. Not again. Not here. He wasn't angry at any of his teammates, not even Viktor, who had made the call to hand over KJ. He understood why the call was made. No, he was angry at himself for being so weak that something like that ever had to happen.

"I'm sick of it. I'm sick of losing fights, of losing people, of being. Weak." With that, he stepped away from the table, hands in his pockets. "I won't let this happen again."

S E C R E T S A N C T U A R Y

---

Two days after their mission debriefing and losing Metamorph, the Team was called into the Debriefing Room yet again but this time, several individuals were there to greet them. Standing beside Red Tornado were Martian Manhunter, Hal Jordan, Martin Stein, John Constantine, and Cyborg. Seated at the briefing table was Starfire, Static, Jessica Cruz, and Ronnie Raymond. They all seemed to be making small talk amongst themselves and enjoying Red Tornado’s freshly baked cookies until members of the Team entered.

“They’re here.” Starfire announced with a welcoming smile.

“They remind you of the good ol’ days, huh Star?” Cyborg commented in reference to the Titan team.

“Good morning, Team.” Red Tornado greeted. “As a means to broaden and strengthen your skills in the field, you will each be partnered with one of the heroes that were more than happy to mentor you for a period of two weeks.” He outstretched his arm toward the other heroes all holding up colored index cards with the names of their mentees. “The details and agendas of your mentorships will be tailored by your chosen heroes to aid you in your needed and desired coaching. Some may have the chance to return to the Tower daily, while others will have room and board facilitated by their mentors. With that said, take advantage of these two weeks and please… help yourself to the post-breakfast cookies I’ve prepared.” Red Tornado wasn't concerned that it was too early for chocolate chip cookies. He was just too damned proud of them. The cookies and the Team.

After introductions and cookies, the Team was given time to make any preparations needed before they embarked on a new adventure! How much will the Team grow in two weeks?! Will Metamorph ever be found?! Find out on the next episode of Young Justice!

---

September 17^th, after the debriefing

Dropping off Metamorph’s mask at the Watchtower had taken more time than Viktor wanted, leaving him with no other option than to walk onto the obstacle course in his gear. Being late was not an option, even if he wasn't sure Will would show up to meet him. Removing his helmet as he approaches one of the stacks of large tires, Viktor revealed his ever-stoic visage.

From behind Viktor, a voice rang out.

“An obstacle course was not the setting I had pictured for our first fight, I’m not interested in racing you on the monkey bars.” His comment caused Viktor to make a slight and brief smirk.

Quiver, the clear outcast on the team, had entered the obstacle course from the other end. He was collapsing his bow back into his shoulder case as he spoke.

He was looking around, taking in the memories he had of the training sessions the team went through here. He hadn’t been here since he had left his Talon persona behind.

“If you invited me to talk, I don’t have much in me at the moment, I’m afraid. Some of your friends are upset I’m unwilling to give the League or Metamorph the benefit of the doubt, and my punishment was the implication it was my fault for leaving the team when I did.”

“And they're wrong for saying that.” He set his helmet down in the grass. “Leaving the team was clearly something you needed. Maybe the others haven't noticed but… you've changed. Perhaps that's what you needed. You weren't in a coma, and your body wasn't destroyed, but you required healing, yes?” He cocked an eyebrow as he asked.

Quiver could feel Viktor looking at him - really looking at him - and had to avert his eyes. His brow furrowed and he looked irritated, but he wasn’t really. It was the frustration of the exposure. Or maybe it was just the person he wasn’t expecting was the one to see it.

“Everyone here talks a big game about growing and trying to get better. Was it so wrong that this wasn’t the place for me to do it? Casper and Daphne were the only teammates that tried to connect with a version of me that wasn’t able to. When they were gone…let’s face it. I was just in the way. Even if Black Canary says we’re a team, I didn’t feel that way. And I’m not sure how to feel even now.”

While Quiver was talking, he felt himself fiddling with various pieces of equipment nearby.

“You think it’s worse to have someone on the team with my attitude or someone on the team who almost killed 2 of us?”

Viktor frowned and crossed his arms at the question presented to him. It was so easy to admit that the latter was worse. It was clearly the correct answer but he didn't like the idea of choosing between such a thing. But if he had to…

“The latter is worse… but KJ isn't just someone and neither are you. I won't justify what he did that night, and that is why I agreed to have him benched… But that moment doesn't define the person I know he is. And your moment of anger doesn't define who you are either.” Viktor shook his head as he walked toward Quiver’s position. “Do you remember what happened here? Our first time. Do you remember what happened to you?” He made a quick glance toward the large gap crossing on the obstacle course.

Quiver looked over. Absent-mindedly rubbing at his throat.

“Green Arrow would say that there are worse things to happen to you than a beautiful woman choking you.” His mentor’s sense of humor may have made its way out, but Quiver knew what Viktor was getting at.

“I don't blame you for your anger toward him or the League even… I felt similar when everything seemed to go wrong all at once.” Viktor furrowed his brow upon remembering what he considered the lowest time for the team. “So, I won't tell you how to feel. I can only tell you that I want you and KJ on the team. I will see that you recover, and not alone. And I will confront the one who attacked our team and ensure the incident at the docks never occurs again.” He balled his right hand into a fist. Not in anger but in frustration in not knowing what he would do when that time came. “And I know what I say next may not change anything but I apologize that ever had to happen to any of you.” Viktor averted his gaze with it being his turn to feel vulnerable.

Quiver was surprised to hear the things coming from Viktor. The apology, feeling as earnest as it was, sort of came out left-field. Or at least it just felt like that. Since the two of them had been on the team, there was an animosity based primarily on Quiver’s own toxicity and Viktor’s seriousness. Of everyone on the team, these two were the most similar in terms of their training and their abilities, and it didn’t take a therapy session with Black Canary to know that undoubtedly this was cause for a jealous rivalry, even if it just seemed one-sided. In truth, Viktor’s idea of their rivalry had changed into something healthier. Competition, without the animosity. The two could both learn from each other and in time, improve upon themselves while ensuring complacency was never a factor.

Part of Quiver got pissed all over again. Viktor being so considerate of his feelings. When all Quiver has been wanting this whole time from him was the chance to beat him in a fight? It was preposterous. But Quiver knew that that was irrational, and to disregard Viktor’s olive branch at face value when he had taken the time to hear him out and even agree with him on some of his points would be incredibly petty.

“You know I’d have thought you and I would have broken out into a fight sooner. That we’re heading straight to a collision that climaxes in some bloody confrontation.”

“You’re completely alone with that thought. This. I think this was better.”

Quiver turned around and headed for the exit, while Viktor walked over to retrieve his helmet. He’d stick around for a moment. He did leave this conversation with something- no. He left this conversation with someone to think about.

“Next time, then.”

“We owe that to each other, so yes. Next time.”

Cora wasn’t terribly happy lately, with everything that happened on that last mission. Everyone seemed to be looking for some excuse to tear each other apart as if it was really anyone’s fault that Metamorph did what he did. In her opinion, the only good thing to do was to let it go and fix it when they had a chance. Still, it did suck seeing everyone feeling down.

But she didn’t have time to think about that. She slowly grabbed her gear and a few things from the lab, feeling somewhat better after cooking herself like a crab in a pressure cooker. Cora wasn’t terribly sure how long she’d be gone, but she was sure it’d be at least the whole day filled out. She walked down to the Zeta Tube and told Red Tornado she was ready to go. A quick jump through, and she was somewhere far away.

”I’m here.”

Where she exited seemed to be a HQ of sorts, not too dissimilar from the tech lab on Mt. Justice. The walls and floor were lined with lights that gave the space a slight bluish hue. At her left side, the room seemed to be dedicated to gadgetry; such as staves, metal spheres that appeared to be for throwing, a suspiciously large metal disk, and…some kind of high-tech roller-blades? The center of the large room had a large rectangular island with a metal top. On it were tools and varying robotic body parts for what appeared to be a dinosaur— A velociraptor to be exact.

On the far side of the room from her were varying monitors connected to a super-computer, showing differing areas of a city. To her right was a corridor that led to a closed door. Encased on the walls at the sides were varying costumes displaying a familiar lightning emblem on the chest. Just when it seemed that she might be alone in this space though, the door at the end of the hall opened. Coming through it was a figure clad in a costume that was an interesting amalgamation of what were clearly previous designs.

Upon noticing her, the figure waved.

”Looks like you’re one of the League’s new young talents that Black Lightning told me about.” He called as he approached. As he got nearer, she was met with an ebony man with short dreadlocks that couldn’t have been too much older than she was. He smiled.

”I go by Static, but you’re clearly in on the whole superhero thing. So, if you want, you can call me V.”

”Cora. I go by Stormcaller…” She could not take her eyes off all the shit that was in here. Weapons, a fucking robot dinosaur, were those roller blades motorized?! ”How come Black Lightning never brought me here? I would’ve had a field day poking at all this stuff. Wait- Is that dinosaur thing shielded against interference?”

”Nice to meet ya, Cora, and yeah. Really, everything in here kind of is. Would’ve helped a lot if I had it when I first started doing all this but it is what it is. This is my lil setup, so that’s probably why Black Lightning didn’t just, uh…drop you off here.” V chuckled but gestured further in the room.

”Feel free to look around. I’ll admit, I was kinda surprised when I got the call for some kind of ‘mentor-swap’ thing, but Jeff said it’d be good for us to work together.”

Like a dog off its leash, Cora did, in fact, start looking around. She walked up to the edge of glass cases and peered in like the sun on a cool summer morning. ”Yeah. I haven’t had a chance to pester him about things yet, I think he’s just busy… He did say something about you being a better match for my powers than his, though.”

The elder electrician paced across from her with his hands in his pockets. ”Right, right, he mentioned that you’re actually having some issues with yours. I’m guessing that’s why I’m sensing a bit of feedback radiating from you. Has it always been like this…?”

”Since I got turned into a metahuman, yeah.” She paced around the room and gawked at some of the stuff on the other end of the room. The most she’d gotten up to so far was making that force glove work off her powers… And a gun. ”Ever since, it’s been that way. Black Lightning and I talked about it some, but just a bit. It’s like… It’s just static electricity, basically. Nothin’ life threatening if you hang around me, but phones or TVs or other stuff gets screwed with. I can reel it in, but only when I’m thinking about it, and even then, it’s not perfect. And that’s not even the bad part.”

Static’s head tipped to the side, causing some of the looser dreads to drift over his ear.

”Turned into one, huh…? That seemed to make him reflect, then he thought aloud. ”Somethin’ similar happened to me too. We call ‘em ‘Bang-babies’ around these parts, since our conditions were caused by an explosion of quantum vapor…Hold up, so what’s the bad part?”

”The bad part…” Cora held up two fingers and made an arc of neon blue lightning between them. ”Is that every time I push my luck with this, it slowly kills me. You ever seen someone develop hemolysis before they’re even eighteen? Or fry their nervous system so bad using their superpowers they can’t walk?” She asked. ”Haven’t really told the rest of my team this yet, but they can probably tell it’s doing a number on me with all the stuff I do to work around it.”

His expression took on a more empathetic sort of tone through a corner of his lip raising. Momentarily his eyes scanned the dinosaur, seemingly more so in thought than anything he’d been building.

”I’ve seen a lot of horrible things happen to teens with powers around Dakota. It never gets any easier to hear, but I tried to help them as much as I could. You can bet I’ll do my best to help you out too.” Static promised on looking back up at Stormcaller.

”So, you mentioned that it actually harms you every time you ‘push your luck.’ So is it that your powers overwhelm you really fast? And does electricity from external sources hurt you as well?”

She shrugged. ”You could hook me into an electric chair, and I won’t even feel it. But there’s a point where I don't feel my own powers, and then a point where I feel them a lot. It’s like… If you run for a while, you’re fine. Until you push your luck and your heart collapses.”

”I see…” V took a more contemplative tone and he walked around the table. He raised his hand for the disk that was on the wall to fly to it.

”What that kind of sounds like to me is that there’s a miscommunication between your brain and your pain receptors. There’s a kind of phenomenon that happens in the human body where your brain instinctively limits what you feel like you can do.

It’s a safeguard to keep from hurting yourself by accident. Like with your running analogy right? Your body gets fatigued so you can give your body time to recover so your heart doesn’t collapse. What I think happened is whatever incident that caused your meta-ability, also caused your body’s communication to go out of whack.

The fact that there is a threshold though that you don’t feel pain, tells me that maybe you could retrain it…” He paused, taking a few steps away from the table with the disk in hand. When he was a little bit away, he raised it up.

”To get some specifics, though, I’d like to sense it in action to test something. That is, if you’re comfortable with that? If not, I totally understand.”

”Sure. I brought gear with me in case you wanted to test stuff.” She unzipped a pack hanging on her shoulder and pulled out a modified repulsor glove, something she’d rigged up after she looted it from the bank mission.

”The worst it’s ever been, I spent something like eight hours unable to walk. I damn near overdosed on ibuprofen just to be able to sleep, and I blacked out for a few minutes. You want me to go that far?” That was probably a joke. Probably.

”Let’s try and hold off on any shocking injuries if we can. V chuckled, deciding to play along with the dark humor.

”Nah, I just want you to blast this for just long enough for you to start to feel stinging. As soon as it starts to hurt, cut the circuit. What I’m trying to learn from this is if I can get a feeling of the exact voltage that may start the range for your limit. Simple right?”

Cora nodded. ”Yeah, okay. You might wanna get some eye protection, though. Because this will give you cataracts if you’re not careful.” She held up her hands, and bright sparks started forming between her fingers.

Static smirked and tugged down his goggles with his free hand; raising his thumb. ”Ready when you are.”

The room was flooded with blinding light. The very heavens spilled open, the 90s returned from yesteryear. It was impossible to even see if Cora was hitting the damn disc, but she was.

She elected to simply unload into that disc with every last ounce of power she could pull out, to give Virgil enough to work with. And after roughly twenty seconds, she felt her hand begin to cramp up, so she stopped.

”Ouch. That’s the best I can do, full blast and everything. A little under half a minute, and it’s a lot longer when I’m not doing that nonstop.”

”Good, good… He nodded, holding the saucer down as he processed and calculated in his head. ”Can definitely see why you warned about the eye covering, you could give Venus a run for its money. While you were going, I had to keep some bolts from straying away which may confirm my theory about you letting off a little more energy than you intend to.

It’s still early, but I have some ideas for how you could maybe use the energy you have more efficiently. I could work with you for some tech upgrades to help you limit it while maximizing your versatility.”

At the mention of a planet, she couldn’t help but grin. ”Named myself after a moon for a while. Nobody got it. If you’ve got ideas for tricks I can learn, I’m up for it. I have one where I can just magnetize my skeleton to fly, I’m trying to work on ball lightning, too.”

Virgil smiled more genuinely.

”I’ve got a few moves I can share with ya, ball lightning’s for sure one of them. Have you ever tried manipulating electricity or magnetism outside of yourself? Actually, wait a second; Named after a moon? As blinding as that blast was, it’s totally gotta be Enceladus. Highest reflectivity in the whole solar system.”

”…Do you have any idea how many times I’ve had to explain that to people?”

Two days ago (because time is fake, fuck you), Cora basically flatlined and had neon blue light coming out of every vein in her body. One day ago, it was a struggle to even lift her arms, let alone drag herself out of a bed. Yesterday evening, she could hobble around and hold her hands steady enough to rub them together. She’d had a pretty significant amount of time to think about Metamorph, and what he was dealing with.

Cora thought he had something weird going on with his powers. Memory blanks that came when his powers got the better of him, not memory blanks when other people were at the wheel. Unfortunately, she couldn’t use a phone in her condition, and that was probably for the best since Cora was absolutely not going to read a wiki about psychology and then run in to back up Kila, or Ja, or whoever the third guy was.

Slowly, she walked through the cave and leaned slightly against a wall. Cora wasn’t willing to levitate right now, it’d probably rough her up more. She knocked on a door.

Black Canary opened the door, knowing Cora had scheduled a session with her.
“Come in Cora.” The Leaguer took her usual place behind the desk and gestured for the white haired teen to lay down on the turquoise chaise lounge.
”None of you ever sit there, probably because it’s a cliche. But in your condition Cora I have to insist you make yourself comfortable.”

Dinah would never discourage the Team to come and see her, but Cora was lucky to not still be in the infirmary. Red Tornado had discharged her, vitals were as stable as they were going to get. And being a robot that’s what he used as a measure to determine Cora’s condition. There was more going on underneath the surface.

”So what can I do for you today?”

Cora clambered around and fell backwards onto the chair thing that nobody actually sat on. Her legs burned. ”So… You know how brains work. You know better than anyone else what happens when something in someone’s head goes wrong, right? I’ve had a lot of time to think about stuff, and I’ve been wanting to help Metamorph with what he’s been going through.” It was easier to just refer to all three of them with one name.

”And it feels like everyone else is either too mad at someone else to think about him, or too pissed off at him.”

Black Canary uncrossed her hands and shot a quizzical look at Cora.
“So you’re telling me you’re not here for what’s wrong in your head as you put it. But you want to find out what’s going on with Metamorph…”

She had to give it to Cora. Even in her condition she wanted to be there for a team mate she hadn’t known for all that long, and on top of that had seen him do terrible things.

“What makes you want to help him?”

”He’s my friend, and he’s going through something pretty messed up. I’m asking you because you know this stuff better than me. I don’t really know who else to go to, and I’m definitely not going to just check the internet for something like that.” Was it really that unbelievable that someone would be on his side?

”Smart decision.’ Black Canary answered, more geared towards Cora’s decision not to use the internet, not necessarily coming to her. She deduced Cora wanted to know more about KJ’s condition. She had to be careful with the information she was going to share. KJ’s condition was a sensitive subject in the League, not everyone was on the same page. The last thing she wanted was to create more divide, especially in her own Team.

”Metamorphs' condition is something unique. There are three separate personalities inhabiting the same body. That in itself makes helping him challenging. What one of them needs may not be what the others need and vice versa. The third personality is also a recent development. Other than what we’ve seen of him so far we have no data, so there isn’t much to go on.”

Black Canary shifted in her seat, crossing one leg over the other and leaned back.
”How do you feel about his position on the Team?”

”Which one?” She asked. ”Both Ja and Kila were here before me… Maybe Metamorph Number Three was too? I’m not sure. Ja was torn up over what happened, I don’t know if Kila remembers it. I think we’d all be in pretty bad shape if they never came back.”

She fidgeted with her hands to stop them from trembling. ”It’s not right to put them in a box somewhere and forget about them, and I’m glad that didn’t happen. But you can’t just throw someone under the bus because of this, can you? I mean, there’s no way they’re the first superheroes to ever lose control of themselves.”

Black Canary nodded.
”You’re right about that. Even when we do everything right, bad things still sometimes happen. There are some things we have the power to control, but the hardest thing to admit is, especially for people in our line of work, is that sometimes we’re powerless”

”Yeah… Maybe it’s just another case of that for him. Animals can get feral just as fast as they can run or jump or breathe underwater. I don’t know…” She turned her head and stared straight at Black Canary. ”I know you’re looking for him, but is there something the rest of us could maybe do? Or me? I want to do something to help him, but I can’t go fight someone like this, and I wouldn’t know where to find Deathstroke anyway. How do you help someone in his situation?”

”Unfortunately Cora for now there isn’t a lot you can do for KJ, other than to follow League orders. I know you’re worried about your friend. I am worried about him too.

Black Canary pulled up her notebook and wrote down a few bullet points to address later. She looked at Cora again, a sympathetic look on her usually stern face.
”What you can do is be there for the Team mates who are still here. I know Kassandra has had a rough time with his absence.

”I know there isn’t much I can do, yeah.” She’d been incapacitated for a day or two, after all. ”Still, they’re all going to be back here eventually. I don’t know, Metamorph’s part of the team. I don’t get it.”

She did have a point though. Kassy probably felt like shit right now. Cora made a mental note to talk to her.

”I don’t get how they can be so willing to turn their backs Ja or Kila for this, when they’ve probably all made worse mistakes.”

”Everyone on the Team has made mistakes, sometimes even endangering others. And they’re still on the Team. No one has asked for KJ to be removed from the Team. I think this is their way of trying to help him and protect themselves at the same time.”

Black Canary sighed softly.
”This might not be the best comparison but take what Daphne went through by being connected to the Green. She couldn’t participate in missions which may have indirectly put the Team at a disadvantage during missions, if her skills were needed. The difference with KJ is that she wasn’t a danger to the Team, she just wasn’t there.

‘They probably feel betrayed by him in some way.

She had a point, Cora had to admit. ”...Pei was pretty vocal about him being kept off of missions, though. She wasn’t really nice about it either- At least Viktor wasn’t an ass about it. Just… I dunno. This sucks.”

”Everyone is entitled to their feelings and opinions and communication is key. Of course there is a textbook way on how to communicate your feelings properly, that’s not always easy when emotions are involved and they usually are. It’s important to not get stuck in the negative emotions that cause you to lash out. Pei being vocal about the situation doesn’t mean she hates KJ.

”Wasn’t exactly easy to tell. She was being awfully shitty about it the whole time.” It was really annoying, the way she snarked about how he could’ve hurt people. ”Honestly, it felt like she was just making fun of Metamorph or fun of us.”

Black Canary ticked off something in her notes and returned her attention to Cora.
”You’re always welcome to vent here Cora, but if this is something that will keep bothering you about Pei’s communication style you should talk it out with her.”

”Yeah. I know. I haven’t really been able to stand up, or even get out of bed until today, though. So… I’ll probably talk to her. Maybe. I hope I’m wrong and she just sucks at showing how she actually feels about it.” Cora shrugged.

Black Canary put down her notes and smiled sympathetically at Cora.
”You should take it easy for now Cora, you’ve been through a lot, mind and body both.”

Technically speaking, that was true. But that was absolutely not what Cora had in mind.

”Ehhh… If I sit still for too long, it’s going to be really hard to get back up. I’ve got stuff to do. Like seeing how the rest of my team’s been doing while I was fucked up in a hospital bed.”

First on her list was Daphne.

Location: Justice League Watchtower
Interactions: Cyborg
Mentions:

---

“Booyah.”

“Ehhh… You're gettin’ there but you need to put a little more oomph into it.” Cyborg commented as he and Viktor walked side by side through the main corridor of the Justice League Watchtower. “It’s helluva lot better than the first time though, so we're at least gettin’ somewhere with that.”

“Thanks but, I still don't see how this will help me improve my teamwork or mission oversight skills.” Viktor looked puzzled.

“You’re just looking at it in the short term, Vik. A QB could have all the hours of practice in the world, and the man won't see his good work paid off until game-day.” Cyborg nodded thinking back to his days of highschool football.

“Like training one's core or marksmanship fundamentals. But… Booyah?” Viktor replied before nodding at some passing heroes.

“It’s energy. The type you need more of if you're saying it the way you do. Vik, if you get anything out of these two weeks, it’s learning to live a little.” He put a heavy hand on Viktor's shoulder and the two stopped in the corridor.

“Live a little… I guess I cantake that into consideration, Cyb-, Victor… Vic.”

“There it is. All your own. It's finally starting to kick in. Now, are you ready for some combat drills?” Cyborg smirked.

“Of course.” Cyborg leaned in and put a hand behind his ear as if he was hard of hearing.

“Sorry, Vik. Kinda hard to hear you without that energy we've been talkin’ about.” He caused Viktor to avert his gaze.

What am I meant to say? My words aren't wrong. My approach seems correct but I lack… energy? I have to learn to live a little? Vitkor faced Cyborg again.

“Still can't quite hear ya, Vik.”

“Hear this then! You're losing this time!” Cyborg was briefly taken aback.

“If it's anything like the last time, y-” Viktor placed his on Cyborg's shoulder.

“I’m not losing twice.” Viktor said with a confident grin reminiscent of the Akakichi no Eleven Redraws meme.

"So you're doing this as a personal favor, to Green Arrow? Taking the team's problem child out on a mission?"

"Not so much a mission right now as it is a bite to eat. This burger place is the best spot in Coast City. I'd recommend the Green Lantern Burger - it comes in a lettuce wrap. Better for you-ish." Hal relaxed into a booth along the restaurant's edge. Quiver sat awkwardly across from him, taking time to absorb all of the Green Lantern memorabilia and news articles adorning the walls. Quiver was quick to notice that there were more than just Hal Jordan's photos up, but several different earth lantern's, and even a few aliens alongside them.

"So...how's the kid superhero gang going for you? I was never on one of those teen teams, but I bet it's a good time. Learning powers, sneaking around behind the teachers back, everyone crushing on each other. Probably a lot like college. Or so I'd guess, I never went." At that point a waitress came up to the two of them, and Hal took the initiative to order for both of them - two GL Burgers. Extra Willpower Sauce. (It's vegan.)

Quiver wondered what the others were doing on their first "day" with their new tutors. What kind of combat exercises they were going through. He felt starting here getting food was a waste of time. But Hal Jordan was the most championed Green Lantern in its history, and saved the world alongside the Justice Leage countless times. He must have his reasons. And Green Arrow must have his reasons for asking him to take Quiver under his wing, even temporarily.

"You're thinking that GA asked me to babysit you because of your bad attitude or something - I think you got the wrong idea. How much you know about the Lantern Corps?" Hal asked, almost conspiratorially. He pointed a steak-fry at Quiver across the table.

"You're space cops, with power rings that run on willpower." Quiver sipped out of a Strawberry Milkshake, looking ridiculous through his frown and pointed eyebrows. Hal smiled at his explanation, grabbed his GL Burger and jumped in.

"I resent the Space Cops thing - if the Corps are Space Cops, what's that make the League? If you called Ollie a cop, that guy would freak out instantly. Trust me on that. But you're mostly right on the willpower thing. Although that's just us who sport the Green." He made an effort to show his Lantern Ring to Quiver, it's insignia on it shining gold.

"I've had enough hearing about The Red and The Green and all this stuff. Trust me." Quiver felt a phantom pain in his ribs.

"Not like your friends Metamorph or Nymph. When it comes to the Corps, it's a spectrum. Green is the color of Willpower. Yellow equals fear. Red? Rage. That's just an intro lesson. But I'm not here to talk color theory with you. According to your teachers at Mt Justice, you started this whole hero gig barely able to communicate, and despite all that - you're apparently the most hot headed member on this team. Outspoken, volatile, opinionated. Even IF - and I'm quoting Dinah here - you're "not expressing the things that actually matter to you."

Quiver felt a moment of embarrassment at that, but it passed fleetingly.

"And that's the whole point. The Corps? You have to be passionate. No matter what that emotional spectrum is that you're feeling. And it's clear that you've got passion, even if you don't know which direction to point it. So to speak." With that, Hal took another big bite of his burger, after picking up a pickle that had fallen out of the lettuce wrap.

"So what then, you're going to help me regulate that? Give me some breathing exercises?"

Hal wiped his face with a napkin with his own masked face printed on it.

"No, we're going to space."

Location: Justice League Watchtower
Interactions: Cyborg
Mentions:

---

Cyborg and Viktor sat side by side conducting watch duty, which was mostly known as the most boring responsibility of the Justice League’s members. Sit in front of a super computer for hours while providing support to other heroes. It allowed for a way for the League to cover their bases across the globe. However, if there was little to no activity, the duty just made for a good icebreaker opportunity between you unfamiliar members or uncomfortable silence.

“This is incredible.” Viktor commented as he hovered over the control console.

“Every now and then someone appreciates it.” Cyborg commented as he stared at one of the monitors. He was often tagged for this duty considering he never needed sleep and him being here was like having two super computers working off of each other.

“They likely don't recognize the worth of this. Stormcaller would love this… she'd love the Watchtower.”

“She?” Cyborg gave Viktor a telling look who shook his head.

“No. She's just somewhat like the Mr. Terrific of our team. Was going to work with NASA before she received her abilities. Cora has plenty of knowledge and is always looking for ways to improve upon herself. For her, good is appropriate for today and better is appropriate for the next. She and I have this mindset in common. That is all.”

“Alright. Just checking, Vik. I can always give some advice on things that aren't so mission focused.”

“Like dating? It could ruin the dynamics of our team.”

“You sound like Grayson…”

“Well, he and I-”

“He folded. And guess what? Didn't change a thing when we had to save the day. Sure, maybe there were a few small hurdles but nothing big.” Cyborg shrugged before pointing at Viktor. “Vik, listen, when you're on a team like yours, stronger bonds don't make you weaker… I'm not sayin’ you gotta shack up with someone but don't be afraid of it… and don't overthink it.”

“But it requires some thought, no? Practicing favoritism is easily undertaken when you have a stronger relationship with someone versus the rest of the team. And that favoritism can lead to making poor operational decisions.”

“And recognizing that problem means you’ll keep that in mind, right? You're smart, sure, but you think too hard about the simple things, Vik. Enjoy the moment! Not everything's a mission. If you like someone, you like them. You told me Viktor and Rain aren't the same guy. One wears a visor with an almost decent HUD and the other looks at the world through his own two eyes.”

“Hmm.”

“And you're still overthinking it.” Cyborg shook his head.

“It's a habit.” Viktor shrugged.

“Sometimes a bad one. Especially, when you're not suited up… Listen, Vik, find a way to relax. I mean, really, relax. Make progress on that and I'll consider upgrading some of that equipment of yours. Deal?”

“Hmm…”

“Vik!” Cyborg caught him doing it again.

“Fine. Deal.” There was a brief moment of silence between them before Viktor shot Cyborg a look and spoke up. “Almost decent HUD?”

F O R E S T

---

Daphne was doodling in her plant diary, enjoying the tranquility of nature around her. She drew little hearts and initials all over her notes, not fully aware of what she was actually doing. There was a dreamy look on her face, eyes sparkling with something special, something new and exciting.

A gentle murmur coming from a patch of daisies interrupted her musings. She paused the song that was playing through her phone and listened more carefully. They sounded distressed and Daphne could occasionally catch a word, but so far it wasn’t making much sense. She furrowed her brows. What was going on?

Daphne touched the grass next to her picnic blanket and closed her eyes.
Breathe….
Her mind connected to the deep interconnected system of roots underneath the trees. They described what they were seeing several yards away.
A predator….

She gasped and drew back her hand from the grass. The brunette teen immediately started to survey the surroundings.

Amidst her absent-mindedness while enjoying her picnic, it was clear that she hadn’t noticed how quiet the woods had gotten. Normally this forest made itself to be obviously filled with animal life as well; but right now the cicadas didn’t buzz, and the birds didn’t chirp. It was as if all the woodland creatures were holding their breath, hiding, waiting.

Instead, it was just a soft breeze rustling through the leaves of bushes and trees. During the moment she took to look around, it would initially appear that she was alone. Then, a single rustle of leaves in a treetop a little deeper in the woods revealed the contrary. The figure looked somewhat familiar from this distance, almost human but where its head would be, appeared to be nothing but a round bushlike shape.

It was climbing across a rather high branch and, in a movement too fluid to be just human, swung its body to leap to another branch— disappearing from sight.

Daphne narrowed her eyes. She kept her gaze trained on the treeline. An ominous feeling spread through her. It made her skin prickle and her stomach turn uncomfortably. She looked down at the plates, cups and other small containers with various food items, debating if she would leave them behind and make a run for it back to the HQ.

She got up from the grass and began to take a few slow steps backwards. Like she was in a stare down with something unseen. With each step the feeling of being unsafe intensified, to a point where she wanted to bolt back to Mount Justice.

Don’t be afraid….

Stay, don’t run…

We’ll keep you safe…

The voices of plants she couldn’t see started speaking to her. From underneath the grass glaucous patches of white, mauve and red flowers started to grow at an unnatural pace. They spread out in a broad circle around her. Most remained closed, but some bloomed revealing dark markings at the base.
Opium Poppies.

While she was still deliberating, she’d find that it might have been too late. Despite having just seen it across the forest a few moments ago, only a slight sound indicated how close it had gotten so quickly. As silent as the night during the bright of the day, he had made it to a tree branch extending nearly just above her picnic setup.

Now, much closer though, she was able to see who it was more clearly. The umber mane of curls was a dead giveaway, even if they were hiding his face. With all the contention that surrounded his disappearance weeks ago, it may have initially been great to see him alive. However, further inspection would reveal that the scarlet light of his eyes pierced from within the shadows. His suit was worn and dirty, clearly weathered compared to how he normally maintained it.

The Red Beast, as Ja called it, perched calmly in the tree above; Watching. He could sense her fear, even from this distance. His nose twitched as he could sense a hint of what was below. Eyes roved over them. Sleeping flowers, freshly grown. Did she grow them?

Daphne barely recognized him, with his face obscured and his suit that looked like he’d been trudging through the wilderness for weeks. The image of Ja at the docks flashed in front of her before she pushed it to the back of her mind. She breathed slowly and tried to control her initial fear of him.

With every step she took towards him a flower opened, releasing their pollen into the air. She covered her mouth and nose with the cardigan that was wrapped around her shoulders.

What happened to him and where had he been all this time….?

As she slowly approached, a few moments passed before he lumbered down from the tree, crouching on all fours at the base. Despite the best efforts of the flower guardians, their pollen seemed to have no effect on him. If she noticed closely, darker lines appeared on his seemingly barely functional suit and seemed to shift to a pattern reminiscent to that of a caterpillar. Although her caution was clear, he allowed her to approach without making any sudden moves.

Daphne managed to safely maneuver through the poppy’s which were meant to protect her. She searched for any sign of Ja within the red glow of the force that seemed to possess him. The Green continued to whisper warnings to her but she ignored it. There was a slight grimace on her face at the effort it took to shut out their voices.

When her mind quieted down she searched for the right words to say. What if she couldn’t get through to him?

"Ja….? Is that you?

What she could see of his face was dry, and a little dirty. Near his eyes though was puffy, oddly in the way it would if someone were crying and rubbing their eyes. As she was first walking over, it was clear he was watching her, but his eyes were more clearly over at her picnic basket.

When the girl of the green said his name though, he perked up, turning his head to look up at her instead. His breathing was calm, but was clearly unsure of what to do while in her presence. Several sounds came from his lips, as if trying to speak, but it was mostly incomprehensible at first. After a few false starts, he decided to attempt to repeat what she said.

”J…aaaa…?” A familiar but growly rendition of her friend’s voice came from him.

Daphne’s heart jumped hopefully when she recognized a sliver of Ja and she clutched onto it fervently. Her hesitant smile grew more sure, brown eyes filled with warmth.

”Ja….that’s your name, that’s you…”

She signed for him to stay put and rushed back to her picnic set up. The poppy flowers were already starting to wilt just as rapidly as they’d sprouted. Daphne plucked a big blueberry muffin from the basket. This time she walked up right in front of him, only an arm’s length of distance left between them. She presented the sweet like a peace offering.

He initially leaned back when she ran off back to the picnic basket. The name jumbled around in his head. Ja…Him remember Flower say that. Him remember water and dark. Him remember Flower scared…Him was supposed to protect..- The poppies were dying away slowly. Why?

A new smell emerged that stole his focus. Fruit…food…His eyes followed her return with it. When she offered it to him, he stared at her for a moment. She was not mad or scared of him anymore…? She didn’t have to wait long for him to take it into both hands. Now this close, the smell was overwhelming to a stomach that hadn’t had people food in a while. So, he bit into it, wrapping liner and all until it was gone.

Daphne never got tired of Ja making food disappear in seconds. It was endearing and impressive at the same time. She smushed his cheeks with her hands, seeming to urge him to give up the muffin wrapper. Ja’s skin felt dry and rough. There were bumps and scratches under her fingertips when she caressed his cheeks.

”Why did you eat the wrapper silly, you’ll get a stomach ache later.” She said laughing. Although knowing Ja he could stomach nearly anything. He was one of the few people at the base who ate her failed dinners, breakfasts…..and well lunches too.

His eyes quickly switched wider, mildly startled when her hands first contacted his face. Though the longer the interaction seemed to go on, he got more comfortable with it. Despite the coaxing and questioning about the wrapping paper, she got tiger-like chuffs from him instead. She was not scared anymore, Flower was happy to see him. It made the hurt and anxiousness in his chest feel a little better.

In fact, the Prince of the Wild felt better enough, that he now became more curious about what she had left in the basket. His eyes shifted past her to it. His lips twitched a little as if he wanted to say something, but the concept of words seemed strange to his mouth. For a moment he blinked, trying to think of something. She said ‘Ja’ before, and when he said it back, Flower got him something from the basket. Maybe it would work again.? So, looking back at her, he pointed to the picnic setup.

”J-aaa?”

Daphne laughed, recognizing more of Ja’s behavior the longer she interacted with him.

”Yes Ja you can eat all of it.”.

They went back to the basket and Daphne flipped it open. There were small containers of pre-cut fruit, sandwiches, sweets and several kinds of leftovers from dinner. She’d packed way too much food, as per usual. Despite having been out here for a while all she ate was a handful of strawberries. Instead of eating she’d been listening to music and doodling in her diary.

The breeze had flicked the pages on the left side of her diary back and forth, but the pen forced the current right hand page to stay down. Daphne resumed her earlier position, face propped up with her one hand, using the other hand to draw flowers around the hearts which were already there.

’Yes Ja.’ Was all he needed to hear, and he followed her over to the basket with some excitement.

His nose twitched as he sniffed out each of the different things inside as she was pulling them out. With it all dumped out, he immediately went to work on the fruits and sweets. They were the quickest to eat, just in case he had to run.

”Kassy is going to be so happy to see you. When you’re done eating we should go back and surprise her.”

Amidst the food items being devoured and Flower’s drawing— Kassy. Her name roused him enough to pause eating altogether. He perked up and looked around. His nose and ears couldn’t find her. His headbush picked up no different movements.

”Kassy…?” His rumbling voice was softer when he repeated it. Upon not seeing her anywhere, his amber eyes turned back to Flower, his eyebrows sloped upward. There was longing in them.

Daphne stopped doodling when she heard Ja’s voice shift in tone. She closed her journal and sat up straight, facing Ja and his crumb covered cheeks. The way he searched for Kassy’s presence tugged at her heartstrings. Why were they still even out here? She should have been dragging him back to Kassy first thing.

Although bringing him home starved would for sure mean a pitstop in the kitchen and the pantry. So there would be time lost regardless. Daphne kneeled in front of Ja and wiped the crumbs from his cheeks gently.

”Do you want to go see Kassy?”

Understanding her question more by circumstance than by word, he slowly nodded his head. His eyes briefly surveyed the food, or perhaps what was left. A good amount of the things that weren’t in tupperware were consumed. Still he also knew well the law of the wild to never waste food. So those ones held in the little plastic things he hadn’t destroyed yet, as well as some of the half eaten food, the primal prince placed back into the basket to bring with them.

Daphne’s pace was leisurely but secretly she wanted to run back and find Kassy. Somewhere deep down she still had this nagging feeling of guilt, despite having it discussed at length with the Team during the debrief and even after. She felt she should have done more, should have been stronger. Maybe then this wouldn’t have happened to Ja and Kassy. Or maybe it still would have. Whatever the facts may be, her guilt didn’t care.

The wild child followed, carefully keeping pace with her. There was some excitement in his expression and body language. Being with Flower was good, and helped him feel better about his return. Getting back to Kassy would…— He froze, near the entrance to the mountain’s interior.

While staring up at the incline of rock and dirt, he remembered what happened when he escaped; What he had seen. Even though she did not come around here a lot, going by his memory, the hurt inside made him hesitate to move forward.

Daphne glanced back over her shoulder noticing Ja’s hesitation. She gently squeezed his arm, linking them together by the elbows.

”It’s okay, it’s safe here. Everyone missed you a lot, so don’t be scared. We’ll go back together.”

For a moment longer, he didn’t budge. Half of him wanted to retreat back to the safety of the forest…but looking back down at Flower, he understood that his pack lived in there. It should be safe in there if they were there…right?

They is inside. Home is inside.

W A T C H T O W E R

---

The Watchtower wasn't abuzz as one might believe. Few heroes actually remained up here when there wasn't a global or galactic crisis occurring. The view and silence of space gave it a somewhat tranquil atmosphere despite elements of the natural world being scarce. It was a location that would serve well in escaping one's troubles. At the same time, it could also serve as a prison for one’s negative thoughts. Martian Manhunter aimed for Kassy to experience the former.

It had taken Kassy a while to shake off the physical ramifications of the journey to the Watchtower. With an Atlantean body born to withstand double the amount of pressure that a human could, going into an environment with no atmosphere at all was taxing. But the vertigo and nausea had subsided, which left her mind free and clear to spin into whirlpools.

Within a large soundproof training room, Kassy and Martian Manhunter stood facing each other. When the Martian wasn't smiling, his face was the representation of neutrality, even putting Viktor’s stoic expressions to shame.

“Kassandra, we have worked towards strengthening your mental defenses but is there anything specific you might be interested in training? I may not possess your abilities but I have had experience and time with many heroes of the League I can draw from.”

The young woman looked exhausted. "Well… I feel that I am…" Kassy looked off, clearly struggling to express herself. "I am not doing my share when it comes to combat. The elemental magics my staff provides are a distant second to what the rest of the team provides. It's good for a backup, but if I-" If she had been stronger, she could have protected KJ. She knew that thinking was not actually helpful, and so she didn't let the guilt pass her lips.

"If I wish to continue helping, I need to learn to manage my own magic better. I need stronger illusions." Martian Manhunter gave Kassy an affirmative nod.

“Illusions are an exemplary tool with many uses in and outside of combat. However, the user requires not only a great deal of finesse but the ability to maintain what they know is real against their elaborate design.” Martian Manhunter floated away from Kassy, giving her some distance. “Remember your reason for improving yourself Kassandra, and I know we'll be successful in enhancing your abilities. We'll start easy. I'll draw out surface memories of locations from your thoughts. You will then change the scenery of this training room to that setting. Are you prepared to begin, Kassandra?”

Kassy took a calming breath. She wasn't sure how this was going to go. As far as she knew, no one else had read her mind. Nothing for it but to dive in, though. She shut her eyes and tried to relax. "Yes, I am ready."

“Good. We will be going with something familiar to you. The lounge at Mount Justice where you and your friends spend many heartfelt and casual moments. You are the architect, so build the scene around us. One sense at a time, the order does not matter. Only focus on the final product of your illusion. Convince me that we are in the lounge on a typical day.” His voice was calm and steady as he held a moment from Kassy’s memory while also keeping his senses vulnerable to her manipulation.

"Okay." Sight was always the easiest. The lounge at Mount Justice seemed to melt into place around them. The familiar sofa and cushiony chairs. The Big TV with speakers and a rack of DVDs. Two finely dressed rich women mid-argument about something inane - and then Viktor, hiding a smile while he watched. Daphne next, underneath her sun lamp and reading a book. Zach on his phone, texting at rapid speed. Cora sitting with a machine kit and a screwdriver. Pei with a dye cap on her head. Will trying and failing not to look interested in the television. Vincent walking in with a massive bowl of perfectly done popcorn. And Kilamanjaro with a smile and a laugh, in sharp focus.

Everything seemed to waver for a moment. Kassy focused her breathing and braced herself. And then, like a bubble was popped, sound came rushing through. It was a lively moment, the sort of warm chaos that could easily follow a group full of teenagers. Quite suddenly, it smelled like popcorn, and soda, and hair dye, and sea salt and the air after rain, and it was warm, because despite their arguments, they were comfortable. Her friends, her family.

Her home.

"...I… am not sure how to manage taste."

“Though, I believe if I were to try the popcorn of your illusion, it would taste as it's intended to.” Martian Manhunter replied as he surveyed the illusion. He expected such a familiar setting to miss the finer details due to the typical complacency seen from other illusionists but he found himself very impressed by Kassy’s demonstration.

“Kassandra, if you can fool most of one's senses, the brain will often fill in the gaps. There are exceptions. Such as someone having prior knowledge of your abilities or someone very in tune with their senses. Kilamanjaro and Viktor would make for good practice. Regulating their sharp senses to the natural world makes them harder to fool. It's better to overwhelm the mind when faced with adversaries of this type,” He informed in his calm, steady tone.

“Now, let us delve deeper…” He put a single finger on his temple, searching for a more tumultuous scene from her memories.

Kassandra shifted with discomfort. She could feel a subtle sense of something wrong, like an itch she couldn't reach. Was this what it felt like when she used her magic on others?

“This one… When you and the team embarked to Atlantis, you encountered a giant squid deep in the ocean. Bring me there, but a version of it where the situation plays out better than it had.” This time Martian Manhunter was asking Kassy to conjure an illusion with a vast setting with an enormous creature. Instead of forming an illusion of events she was familiar with, she'd have to change what she knew of the situation. Kassy’s illusions were strong in their ability to imitate but could they alter what she remembered into something she knew in her heart was not true?

"...Yes, sir. I'll try." She truly did not want to return to the scene of her failure. So many things had gone wrong - had been wrong from the beginning. Despite her fear, she'd been so happy to let the others see where she'd come from.

“I know you can do this. Don’t hold back the illusion, Kassandra. It is merely the past and I am here with you.” Martian Manhunter’s voice coached faintly.

The cool, pressing depths of the ocean, wrapping around like a hug and shield all at once. Safe and familiar. At that depth, it was a deep blue - but it was bursting with life. Coral and kelp feeding brilliant colored fish. The deep vibration of whalesong, and all around an almost imperceptible hum of ocean current. It was peaceful and beautiful.

Then peace and beauty went ink-black in the same moment.

“Team, we have a situation. There’s a giant squid out here and we need to chase it off without harming it too much. Rain, Cybergirl - protect the doctor! Metamorph, Brightheart, and Nymph, on me! Zatara, now’s the time to see if that merman charm of yours works! Let’s go!”

To Kassy's eye, the squid was not a mindless, blood-thirsty thing. No, it was more akin to a giant bear cub than anything else. Dangerous, but juvenile. It would fight if provoked, but more likely would be scared off.

The team shifted into gear at her command. Former and current teammates worked quickly together. Nymph used the thick kelp to keep it from further hampering the sub, while Zatara conjured up a bigger squid. Mirage's magic gave it an illusory reality. It took another push from Brightheart's combined strength, but soon enough the creature was starting to back down.

Kassy's breath started to pick up as she pushed the line between what was real and what wasn't. This had not been how it went at all, but… how she wished it had.

"...hold, team. It's leaving." Mirage exhaled, voice shuddering with adrenaline. "Excellent work, everyone! Head on back to the ship, I will make sure we're clear." The team obeyed her orders quickly, and she watched them all go safely back into the sub. By now, the squid was retreating in full. Mirage saluted the creature as it left.

"My apologies for all the fuss, old one. I know you're not a -"

“MONSTER!” Bingley's voice howled, sending a slight ripple through the illusory world. Martian Manhunter chose not to intervene, believing the effect was just Kassy reaching the limit of her abilities.

Merely a stumble she can recover fro- Martian Manhunter was caught off guard by what occurred next.

Without consideration for Kassy’s proximity to the squid or the decisions she had made to ensure a peaceful resolution, twin torpedoes struck the creature. It occurred so quickly and with little warning. All that had preceded the attack was the brief sound of whirring through the deep. She heard the muffled sounds of torpedoes exploding on contact. She felt the force throw her backward violently. She saw the rush of bubbles mixed in with blood and body parts. She could smell the high concentration of blood that spread through the water. She tasted…

“Kassandra… Kassandra…”

“YOU ABOMINATION!” She remembered this taste.

_{“Focus on my voice… Kassandra!”} Why here? Was she hurt?

“You know what she is, what she’s capable of!”

No, she was-. She was far from being fine.

_{“Kassandra! Kassan-… where-…. taking us-…”} Martian Manhunter’s voice faded while Bingley's remained so powerful.

“Sociopath…”

She'd heard it too many times.

_{“Kas-……. foc-……. st-...”}

“Menace…”

Not even her childhood was safe.

“Dangerous beast…”

Just how long would it take to convince them otherwise.

Kassandra turned her head to spit a cloud of fresh blood. “But - I didn’t do anything, Auntie.” Her tooth had cut the inside of her lip, and she knew she’d have another swollen bruise to hide at school tomorrow.

“Be quiet.” Her aunt’s voice was sharp and cold, devoid of everything but disdain. “How dare you embarrass me in public.”

“I was just putting it back. I never sto-” She flinched reflexively as her aunt’s hand clenched. Why did she bother to speak in her own defense? Why waste the air?

Her guilt was already decided; all that was left was the punishment.



"Your useless excuse for a father married a monster and leaves me dealing with his siren spawn-" Kassy tried to block out her words. None of it was true. Her father would come back, someday.

"My beautiful son tangling tailfins with some whore, trying to go to the big city… What does Poseidonis have to offer that can't be found here?"

"Auntie, they love each other! And they want a new start as adults once they marry!"

"They can marry here, and stay here.” She cast a glance down with a sneer like she had found a snail in her food. "No one asked for your thoughts on the matter."

“Worthless…”

“You’re nothing…”

“Unwanted…”

“Lucky to even be considered fam-”

“FAMILY!” Martian Manhunter’s voice boomed over her aunt’s insults. Just his voice sent ripples through the memory, rumbling and shattering the memory and revealing something else. Something warm, familiar, and pleasant.

Kassy’s treasure.

Her home.

Her family.

Kassy found herself returned to the Mount Justice lounge. The familiar sofa and cushioned chairs. The Big TV with speakers and a rack of DVDs. Viktor was still hiding a smile while he watched TV. Daphne sat up with her precious smile from beneath her sun lamp. Zach was grinning at his phone after receiving a text back. Cora held up a newly constructed gizmo. Pei looked in a handheld mirror at her hair’s new shade of neon orange. Will submitted to simply enjoying watching the television. Vincent held a handful of popcorn, ready to stuff his face. And Kilamanjaro, still with a smile and a laugh, in sharp focus.

“Kassandra.” Kilamanjaro motioned her with his hand to join everyone.

“Don’t look so sad.”
“Don’t look so sad.”

“You’re home. You're safe.”
“You’re home. You're safe.”

I'm home. I'm safe. Kassy relaxed, reaching out for KJ's hand. But just before they touched, she stopped short. "...Kassandra…" The smile slid off her face.

"You never call me that."

It took truth to break an illusion. Even while submerged in it, there was now a sheen of unreality over it. Like a movie with false lighting. Close - but not quite real.

With her realization apparent, Kilamnajaro’s smile faded as his expression became stoic. He uncharacteristically stood square and upright.

"...sir, you can let me out. I… I'm okay."

“Of course, Kassandra.” Kilamanjaro’s body shifted into Martian Manhunter as the lounge melted away into the plain white room the two had started the training session in.

“I would like to apologize, Kassandra. I did not want to resort to such methods but I needed to pull you out,” He explained with a concerned look. “On a positive note, I believe I know where you need improvement… It's not an issue of skill. You're distracted by your pain and you seem to carry it with you like a weapon on your hip.”

"You did what needed to be done. It is… okay." Kassy was silent for several moments, wiping her tear-streaked face on her sleeves. Perhaps she should have felt angry, but… it was nice to see KJ's smile, even a false one. "I didn't do it on purpose. But I'm tired of being that way. Can you help me be better?"

“We will Kassandra. You and I will both help you be better. Let us have a brief intermission before another exercise.” The Martian smiled warmly. He was confident Kassy would continue to grow more powerful. She only needed to find her balance… or perhaps it was more fitting to call it, her anchor.

"That's a good idea… Thank you, sir."

Cora didn’t really know where exactly she’d find Daphne. Not like Black Canary, who was usually somewhere predictable like a therapist’s office. So her first bet was that she might be doing damn near nothing and so she went to Daphne’s room. She knocked on the door, making sure not to walk too fast in case she could accidentally make her legs just fall off.

”Hey. It’s me. You in there?”

”Hi, yes I’m here, one sec.”. Daphne’s voice became louder the closer she got to the door. She opened the door with one half of her hair curled and the other half was still up in clips and rollers. The dyson air wrap dupe was still blowing out air. Daphne gestured for Cora to take a seat someplace. Either on her bed or in the reading corner.

”I’m almost done, just give me a few more minutes.”
She smiled at Cora through her mirror and continued to curl her hair and put on some light makeup.

Damn. Any time Cora tried doing anything with her hair, it just started crumbling like it was made of ash. She took a seat in the corner, eyes glancing around the room.

”I’ve been stuck in bed for two days,” She started. ”So I want to see if everyone’s okay after the Deathstroke thing happened. What’s up?”

”I’m still a bit shaken up. I mean I’ve been through worse, but you never really get used to it. At least I don’t. I’m glad we got some downtime to get back on our feet.”

She finished with her beauty routine and turned around to look at Cora directly instead of through her mirror. Daphne smiled.

”I could try and do yours if you want.” Daphne gestured to Cora’s hair. There was a chance Cora’s interference would screw with her tools, but she was willing to try anyway.

”You want to try, I won’t say no. But….” She ran her fingers through the ends, it frizzed up like someone had shocked her. ”Pretty sure the only thing keeping it from turning to dust is sheer luck at this point.”

”Don’t worry I’ll be careful. Trust me with your hair color it’s going to look really nice.” Daphne changed the heat setting to the lowest it would go, agreeing with Cora in not wanting to fry her hair even more. Daphne patted on the chair in front of the neatly organized vanity. After Cora took place there she started with brushing out her hair.

”I see you’re back on your feet already.”

Even without actively using her powers, Cora’s hair was naturally very frizzy when messed with. It clung to the hairbrush and Daphne’s hand as if someone had rubbed a balloon against it.

”Yeah… Two days in a bed with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling and fall asleep usually helps that.”

”You definitely needed that. Between the two of us you had it much worse.”

She tried a couple of hair ties and pins before deciding on an electric blue scrunchie. Daphne bundled up Cora’s still static but now also lightly curled hair into a neat high ponytail. The brunette teen admired her work in the mirror. She wasn’t sure if Cora liked it but she did.

”What do you think?”

It looked cool, and it wasn't even frizzing up at the ends like it usually did.

”Woah. I like that. I’m hot, suddenly,” She joked. ”Anyway- Yeah, I got messed up pretty bad but… You did nearly get set on fire. And that could’ve killed you. You wanna talk about it?”

”Yes it looks cute”. She fluffed Cora’s hair some more, not that it needed any more fluffing. She really needed to get some different hair products for Cora, in case she decided she wanted to look hot again in the future.

[color=Lightgreen]”You know I think I’m collecting being killed by natural disasters. I almost froze to death on my first mission, drowned in Atlantis. Fire in the swamp. All I need now is a tornado.”

Daphne said jokingly.

”I mean… We do have a robot around here that could throw you into a tornado,” Cora suggested. ”Go petal mode and get flung really far by him.”

”I don’t think I can afford many more mistakes if I want to stay on the Team. Daphne replied. It was a more serious answer than she would have liked, as Cora was clearly joking.

”What do you mean? Everyone makes mistakes, it happens,” Cora turned around. ”I literally fried myself, I think you’re fine.”

”Yes I’m glad you’re doing better now. That was scary to see.”

And as far as the Team goes, I think it really helped us when you Pei and Vincent joined and stayed on. We’ve had recruits join in the past with whom we barely had time to find common ground before they left. I feel like everyone has a place now and taking just one of us from the equation would be detrimental to the Team..

Daphne moved around some things on the vanity table, tidying up while she talked.
”Some of our toughest fights yet have been with you Pei and Vincent by our side.”

”Man. I hope that’s the toughest it gets.” Cora smirked. ”Not sure how many more times I can fry myself and live.”

”Let’s not find out okay?”

Daphne contemplated on what to do next. Before Cora’s surprise visit she didn’t have any plans. Getting ready was just part of her routine, even though she wasn’t going anywhere.

”Did you have lunch already?”

”Nope.” She shook her head. ”First thing I did was talk to Black Canary, then I came here.”

”In that case we should definitely grab some lunch. Get your energy up after the Canary talk. Although….”

Considering Cora’s condition it would be better to stay inside. Cora was one of the few people she wouldn’t mind having to drive around. Daphne was notorious for trying to avoid driving, always finding some excuse not to get behind the wheel.

”We should just stay in though. I saw there were some crab dumplings left. Vincent made them yesterday. Maybe we can have those.”

”Crab…” Cora slowly stood up and felt her bones protest the movement. ”That sounds great. Let’s do that.”

M T . J U S T I C E

---

Quiver had been back only long enough to rest in his quarters for thirty minutes. Upon his arrival he hung up sling bag on a hook on his door and nearly collapsed against it. The journey home hadn’t been as restful as he had hoped, but it was the time he spent with Hal that was the most taxing. Green Lantern was a little arrogant, a little smug, but incredibly revered by the rest of the Corps. It was strange to see so up close. Even when they were on the planet Scylla, surrounded by all kinds of weird sights.

But the work that the Lantern’s did, all powered entirely by their emotions - that was the kind of thing that really exhausted Quiver. Before he left earth, Quiver asked Green Arrow if he had ever used a Power Ring himself. Ollie looked serious and said it was the single most exhausting thing he’d ever experienced. GA had undersold it.

After resting his eyes, Quiver opened his suitcase and removed a small drawstring bag. He felt the weight of it in his hand and headed back out the door. He wouldn’t have time to decompress like he wanted, he had to go see Iceburn.

He knocked outside her door, wondering if she was in. He pressed his ear against the door to see if he could hear anything from inside.

Wump.

A little thump would smack right up against Will’s ear from the other side of the door.

Wump. It happened again.

Wump.

”Um. Iceburn? It’s Qui-it’s Will. Everything okay in there?”

He reached to see if the door was locked and was surprised when the handle turned easily - the door swinging open to see…

”Yeah-” Pei said, and the rubber ball she was throwing against the door smacked into Will.

”Oops, shit!” She said with a little laugh. She was laying upside down on her bed against the far wall, her pink hair dangling beneath her. The ball she had been throwing now rolled around at Will’s feet. ”My bad! I was trying to- forget it- sorry! ”

Quiver closed his eyes and rubbed at his forehead, Pei’s rubber ball had hit him dead on right above the eyes.. With a glance Pei would be able to see the blooming red mark it left.

”No hey thats fine I uh, barely felt…it?”Quiver was still half wincing, and embarrassed. Not exactly the picture of cool and collected. Quiver hadn’t had much one on one time with many of his teammates, and none at all really since the last failed mission that ended in a kidnapping and near blowout. He wanted to try and make a good impression. Unfortunately his main two guides for speaking to women were Oliver Queen and Hal Jordan. And, in a nutshell, he was clueless.

”So…do you throw things…often?”

Her hands were over her mouth. She suppressed some more apologetic laughter.

”I was trying to- I was trying to open the door with the ball. Like hit the handle and have it come back to me, or something.” She said, meeting him halfway since that was pretty embarrassing to admit, too. ”Like Batman or some shit, I dunno.”

Quiver put a hand to his chin in thought

“Batman does open a lot of doors….” He trailed off in thought, silent for a second too long…

“But it did kind of work. Just not in the way you expected.”

She giggles. ”Yeah I guess so!” She rolls backwards off the couch and bounds towards him. A chunk of ice appears in her hand and she plops it against his forehead.

”Maybe hold this there? The side facing me isn’t as cold, so, should be easier on your hand. Call that little number the Pack O’ Peas technique.” She said, placing her hand on her hips and nodding.

Quiver smiled - pack of peas, that was really funny. He felt the soothing relief almost immediately at its icy touch. He held it to his forehead with the one hand as he spoke.

”Do you have a minute? I have something for you. Would it be okay if we talked inside?”

”I suppose I could take a minute off from my ninja training. Maybe even two.” Pei said, stepping out of the way into her dorm room. She had elected for a pastel color palette, and on every wall were posters for superheroes. There was a corkboard with pinned selfies of Pei and various superheroes, and by various, there was three. Though there was plenty of room for more, she had only managed to take selfies with Hal Jordan, The Flash, and recently Jessica Cruz.

”Wait, have something?” She perked up.

Quiver nodded and took in Iceburn’s room decorations, nearly completely opposite from Quiver’s own near room. His could mostly be described as barren. Near, organized, but empty. Save for whatever stack of books he was making it through that week. He felt the colors and vibrancy of the room really matched Iceburn’s own energy. Her own “vibe” as Zatara has said previously.

“Yeah I do. Not from me though. I didn’t..it’s not- Sorry, how long have you been like a superhero fan? Did you grow up wanting to be one? I guess the rest of us kind of fell into this line of work. Or in Zatara’s case it’s in the family. Or if you’re like me you…” Will trailed off.

He doesn’t often like to think about his “superhero origin.” Back when he was essentially a nameless Talon for the Court of Owls. Rescued from a life of murder by the Bat-Family. For him, it was this life, this world of heroes, or end up as less than nothing. A hooded killer. With no personhood. Something he was still working on.

With a little hop, she sat down on the edge of her bed. Pei looked up at the ceiling and touched her chin. ”Oh, I don’t know. Since I was like seven, eight? Superman saved me and the orphanage as a kid and…shit, I knew what I wanted to be.” She said with a nostalgic smile, her eyes unfocusing as she recalled the memory.

”Yeah, I feel really lucky to be here.” She nodded. ”One day, I’m going to be a full time member of the Justice League!”

Quiver realized that he and Pei had similar upbringings, at least in the sense of being orphans. He wondered what kind of situation Iceburn’s childhood was like in an orphanage. However it was, she grew up to be a really put together person. Enthusiastic. And had even been up close to Superman. Quiver had never met Superman before, and wondered what that would have been like.

“The League, yeah? I wonder what our little team of ne’er do wells will be like once we “graduate” from this place. A few of us already have what it takes, according to Hal. Speaking of-“

Quiver tossed Iceburn a drawstring bag. It was almost a dark purple velvety color, smooth and soft to the touch. The item inside however had a strange heft to it. Reaching inside, Pei would find a stone no larger than a baseball, or the rubber ball she had been throwing against her door. But it was sheen and prismatic, with etched stone lines alongside it. It looked almost like a small glacier. The color however was this effervescent blue.

“Green Lantern said it was important that you hang on to this. He said to emphasize it was “from space” and to say that with gravitas.”

She took the rock in her hands and turned it over, her eyes sparkling. ”What, really! Green Lantern?! Space rock!” She held it up to the light with a gasp. ”Holy shit!” She hopped up and gave Will a big hug. ”Thank you!” She pulled away and kept feverishly looking it over.

”I wonder if it’s Martian? He said it was important? Are you sure?” She asked.

Quiver only half heard Pei asking about the stone. He was still reeling from being embraced by her. When Pei had effortlessly put her arms around him in excitement as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He had only managed to get one arm around her, and could feel the cool touch of her skin with his fingertips. He blushed and hoped Pei wasn’t noticing. But it could be one of the first times he was embraced by one of his teammates. He was grateful for her. Quiver thought back on their time together, and remembered that Iceburn had on more than one occasion saw things from Quiver’s perspective that others had overlooked.

She was examining the rock from all angles, and Quiver examined her at the same time. The pink hair, the sinewy muscles indicative of her physical prowess. Her excitement about being a superhero - it was like she was made for this world even if she hadn’t had cryokinesis on top of everything.

”Well, he had said that it was more important than you’d guess, and he told me to tell you: you have to keep it safe. When I was with GL and the rest of the corps, we experienced some…surprising things. Scary things. Let’s just say I’m glad to be back on solid footing here with you guys. When Hal gave me that, he told me not to tell anyone else, not even Red Tornado or Canary. He must have a good reason.”

”Oh I promise, I promise to keep it safe no matter…” She looked up at Will, her expression souring.

” What do you mean ‘solid footing’? He actually took you to space?” She asked.

”He never took me to space!” She exclaimed.

”Well it wasn’t like….deep space.” Quiver swallowed and lifted his hands as if in penance, now feeling incredibly guilty for being taken to space before Pei. He cursed Hal under his breath, always causing some sort of trouble, on purpose or otherwise.

“We’re talking like basically earth but with you know, with…aliens from…not earth.”

”You met aliens?!” Pei asked. ”On like— their homeworld?”

Quiver’s eyes widened, clearly making it worse.

”Well yes but like, they weren’t even that weird looking either they had only a few extra limbs and they weren’t even that strange a shade of purple!”

”Ugh!” Pei fell onto her bed, burying her face into her pillow.

”Will!” She protested, voice muffled. ”You’re killin’ me.” She lifted her face and held up the rock again.

”...I’ll still protect the space rock. It’s still fuckin’...cool.” She chuckled, and then flopped her face back down, letting her hand dangle. ”I’ll get a cool box for it.”

Quiver looked at his teammate sprawled acoss her bed, seemingly lost in thought regarding Hal’s gift. He felt he should leave, but something kept him in his friend’s room for longer. There was something he wanted to tell her.

“Back on the flight home from the Everglades, when Mirage got into it with you about Metamorph. I don’t think any of what you said was out of line. And I think it’s obvious that you, more than a lot of the other people here, know what it means to be a hero. Looking at your walls, it’s like you’ve been more prepared for this than a lot of the rest of us. As pissed as I…SOMETIMES get...I think Mirage was wrong to say you don’t think before you speak. Even if she was just angry and confused when she said it.”

Pei’s hand clenched thoughtfully around the rock. Setting it on her nightstand, she sat up in her bed. ”Um, thanks, Will.” She said with a little smile.

Then she shrugged. ”She apologized. And we were all a bit out of sorts. I just wish all of us could get along better, but this whole Metamorph business has really complicated things. And I didn’t even get attacked like you did.” Pei said.

Quiver nodded, brows furrowing.

”Yeah well…it is what it is. I’m not exactly over it but, if it’s really as complicated as Batman and the others are saying, that he’s got multiple people in his head vying for control or making him act violently like that…then my issue is only with one of him. And that’s the one I’ll scratch back.” He smiled at Pei.

”So to speak.”

Pei let out a little laugh, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. ”Well, hey. Go easy on him, champ.”

”Do you think you’ll be able to work with him, after everything?” She asks. ”Like, if he gets everything sorted and that kind of thing won’t happen anymore. Can you trust him?”

Quiver thought about it. On one hand, this whole second go at being on the team was to help establish connections with people, earn trust, give it freely, mature, and be a well-rounded person. Letting this go about Metamorph and moving on would be the logical step towards those things. But it was a harder step to get across than he’d anticipate, even when a part of him knew that forgiving him was the healthier option. But was it Metamorph he was mad at? Was it the team? Hard to say. That might be something he’d have to rely on Black Canary for.

”I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be wary of him. Or whatever version of him that would attack us. At the same time, if it wasn’t really him, and he didn’t know what was inside his head? Then it’s not really his fault. But if there is something that Nightwing has taught me from Batman, it’s the importance of being prepared in case one of your friends goes rogue. A tower of babel in place of one of us deciding to go the way of the bad guy. Everyone else on this team is having a better time at making friends with each other. Mirage wouldn’t ever hurt Metamorph, even at her own peril. Nymph, Rain, Talos…I bet the same. Sometimes I wonder if it’s more important to be the kind of person to make a hard choice. I’ve spent a lot of time wanting to be the person with friends and big feelings, choosing things based on heart. I wonder if instead I’ve overlooked the benefits of being more like…how I was. Like Talon would have been better equipped for this sort of thing.”

He looked over at Pei, wondering if she understood what he was getting at, how he was feeling.

Pei’s eyebrows were furrowed, and her mouth formed a few syllables, before smiling nervously and trying again .”Wh- um.”

”Listen, Will, uh.- y’know.” She stammered.

”You should be yourself. That’s a nugget of wisdom. That never goes out of style.” She managed. ”You don’t have to- ah, shit. I don’t really know who Talon is.”

She exhaled and put out her hands to the center of the room, like she was trying to signal an invisible truck to come to a stop. ”Listen. It’s not a big deal, okay. It’s no biggie. You’re overthinking it. If a teammate loses control of their powers, you try to reign them in. You don’t have to be any kind of way to do that.” Pei managed.

Quiver nodded, thinking back a bit over something another teammate had said to him earlier. Advice that wasn’t so dissimilar. But it was sparking another memory of his and felt the thread pulling at the back of his mind. Something to do with one of Metamorph’s personalities. Something they were all overlooking. But he couldn’t quite chase the thought down. It was already fading.

“You’re right. Ignore me. Black Canary told me lately I’ve been thinking out-loud. I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll see you around.” He turned and made his way out of Iceburn’s room. Pei hurried after him, surprised.

”You can think aloud! Honest! That’s what friends are for, Will!” She stressed upon him, leaning out her door with a worried look on her face. ”My advice wasn’t that bad, was it?”

Quiver laughed, in spite of himself.

“It was just what I needed to hear, I think. I don’t know if you noticed this but…” Quiver leaned in conspiratorially and shifted his eyes left to right. When he spoke next, he said so in all seriousness.

“I can be a pretty dour and serious guy.” He nodded, as if they were now both in on a well kept secret. Pei giggled, lowering her head into her shoulders to ensure no one else heard.

Quiver knew that this conversation he had with Pei was their first real interaction that was more based on friendliness than it was that they were teammates. Had he had many of these conversations with the others? Can he recall a time he just sat and talked with Talos in a way that wasn’t which bad guy to take out first? He thought about what Green Arrow would say to someone like that. He’d probably call him a “real wank.” Whatever that meant.

“I like being friends with you.”

”Me too! I mean, I like being friends with you, too. Not I like being friends with me, too. Because that wouldn’t make any sense. Thanks again for the super special space rock!” She waved, assuming that Will was still on his way out.

With no destination in mind, Quiver thought he’d head to the common area to grab something to drink before he finished unpacking from his mentorship with GL. He passed Stormcaller’s room but the door was closed, and otherwise there was no sign of anyone else. He leaned against the counter and sipped at a bottle of water. He felt his ribs - it had been some time since they had fully healed and caused him any issue. Enough so that he barely thought about it. Quiver was at peace momentarily. Unbeknownst to him however, the young man who had caused that injury was only a few hundred yards away, just outside the base.