”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.