"chin up kiddo, they'd kill to see you fall"
-unknown
~~~
Thanks to Bruce, Dinah wouldn't let me participate in training, which I hated. Wally on the other hand, who had hurt his arm, was having the time of his life not doing anything.
It was getting pretty cold in the mountain, so I had taken Wallys button up he had over a long sleeve and placed it over my legs for comfort as I mentally cursed at myself for wearing shorts.
I watched the others train with jealousy, I hated not being able to train.
"Coffee and Pineapple Juice?" Captain Marvel offered. I smiled and took the caffeinated drink as Wally took his.
"Just what the doctor ordered" Wally smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"Thank you Captain" I said with appreciation, he nodded.
"Oh no problem! And uh, thanks for last night"
"You're hanging out with Captain Marvel..?" Wally asked, I shook my head. I wasn't about to give up Billy's identity.
"No, I watched his nephew" I though of a lie quickly, I looked at the Captain who nodded catching on.
"Yeah, he had a blast...ANYWAYS Wally how's your arm?"
"Well.." The speedster started, holding the e "nothing wrong that nachos can't cure"
I redirected my full attention to the pair.
"Nachos? Oh I'll go get you some!" Captain cheered before flying off.
I hit Wally in the chest and stood up, walking over to the team.
"That's it, let me fight"
Kaldur paused and looked at me with slight pity "you are not fit to train."
"Try me Nemo."
"Dove-"
"Please Kaldur?" I begged and he sighed, "let her join"
I smiled and got in a ready pose.
"Absolutely not." Dinah spoke before I could start, I groaned loudly and turned to her.
"Dinaahhh" I whined childishly
"Dove you almost bled to death a week ago"
"But I didn't" I butted in
She sighed "but you didn't..." I smiled at her hopefully. We had a staring contest that seemed to last hours, finally she gave in.
"Fine."
"YES!"
I got ready again and checked to see who my opponent was, Robin stood on the other side of me.
Before we could begin the computer went off.
"Recognize: Zatara 1-1"
"Ugh!" I verbally complained at the entrance which held me back from my training. The team gathered around, including Wally.
The magician walked in and turned to the control panel before speaking.
"Access Granted: Zatanna Zatara A-0-3. Authorization: Zatara 1-1"
I smiled as a small black haired girl walked through the beam. I had met Zatanna a few times but I didn't know her that well other then that and speaking of her with Zatara himself.
"Zatanna this is the team, team this is my daughter Zatanna" Zatara introduced us.
We walked over, M'gann flying in front of us all.
"Hi!! I'm-"
"Robin!" Dick stood before the girl, talking fast...nervously? "I mean, I'm Robin. Uh..she's Megan, and uh that's Wally, Dove, Artemis, Kaldur, and Conner"
We all smiled, though I was more distracted by my brother's attitude towards the girl.
"Welcome to the cave" Kaldur greeted
"It's nice to see you again" I smiled with a nod.
The young girl looked at us and to her dad, she seemed nervous as well "uh, thanks"
"So, are you joining the team?" My brother asked again. I smirked looking at Wally, remembering our bet from a couple months ago.
"I win. Pay up West"
He looked at me confused then caught on, "what that is not what's happening he's just...oh my god you're right"
"Mhmm" I hummed, "Pay up." I held out my hand
He smirked slightly and shook his head, gently taking my hand and kissing the knuckles "later..wouldn't want to do what I'm thinking with the others around now would we?" He whispered so even Conner couldn't hear.
I felt my cheeks warm up and I looked away.
Zatara stepped closer to his daughter "lets not get ahead of ourselves. This is strictly a visit..though I am sorry we missed training, it's something from which Zatanna could benefit" the magician turned to Dinah as he apologized
"Do the rest of you guys get the impression we're still on probation with Zatara?" M'gann asked through the mind link.
"Not just Zatara, I mean why is Captain Marvel still hanging around?" Conner questioned as well, obviously annoyed
"Because we like having him around" Wally spoke.
"Please. YOU like having him around because he waits on your hand and foot." Artemis sassed.
"Your point is?"
"I think Dove is the only one who seems to fully enjoy his company. That's my point" She replied.
"Of course I enjoy his company...but Conners right. Captain has been here for quite some time.."
"It almost makes one nostalgic for Red Tornados time as our supervisor" Kaldur pointed out.
"Yeah, at least he trusted us" Robin chuckled.
"If you ignore the fact we shouldn't have trusted him. He was a traitor, that machine almost got M-"
He stopped for a moment and corrected himself, "all of us killed"
I looked at Zatanna who now looked slightly annoyed.
"Are you guys have a psychic conversation?" The black haired girl spoke up, everyone including the adults looked at her as she continued, "cause I can't tell if that's cool or..really rude."
I glanced at the others then to Zatara and Dinah as Conner spoke up.
"Alright, fine. We were talking about tornado, it's been weeks since his attack and the league hasn't told us anything"
Dinah sighed deeply before trying to explain, "the league is searching for Tornado as well as the other androids that invaded the cave and their creator T.O.Morrow, Batman has made tracking them down our top priority"
Robin crossed his arms, "but you found none of the above"
"Not yet but Tornado is part of the justice league, the team is not to pursue this"
I looked at her in confusion, "but what about-"
"This isn't your problem to deal with"
I tilted my head, "kinda seems like it should be"
"Why don't you all take Zatanna on a..uh, tour of the cave?" Zatara spoke up, we all looked around for the young girl only to find her petting wolf.
"you're giving a tour? Cool!" Captain Marvel entered again, this time with a plate of nachos.
"Actually" Conner stated "i was hoping you'd take Wolf outside? He needs the exercise. We'll join you in a few"
"Sure I can do that! Come on Wolf!" Captain called and flew away with Wolf.
"But what about my nachos?" Wally pouted, I grabbed his arm and forced him to follow the others with me, though I was still limping slightly. He noticed this and made sure not to walk faster then I was.
~ ~ ~
We all walked into the kitchen when I noticed Zatanna wasn't with us anymore. I looked back just in time to catch her jogging beside my brother to catch up, now in a completely different outfit.
"When did you-, how did you-" asked an extremely confused Robin.
"We're not really going on a tour are we?"
We all stopped and looked at her. Conner was the first to speak up, "no. we're hunting down that robot."
I gave a nod, "yeah. We are"
Zatanna joked, "ohh wow. Out-loud and everything"
I couldn't tell if she was trying to joke and be friendly or try to hurt our feelings. Trying to find out what kind of person she really is might be tricky.
"What about new girl?" Artemis asked.
My brother was a little too quick to defend her, "I'm sure she won't tell"
"I can't tell" the magician told him sweetly "not if you kidnap me"
I looked at Artemis and we both smirked, "she's gonna fit in great"
~ ~ ~
We quickly changed and went to the bioship, "Whoa" Zatanna gasped slightly as the seatbelt went around her naturally.
"Weird right?" I asked rhetorically, "you'll get used to it" I sat down between her and Artemis upfront.
We took off and I smiled as I watched out the window, "God, I missed this so much"
"It is fair to say we missed you as well" Kaldur spoke up, I looked at him and smiled.
"Yeah, it sucks having to deal with KF and Robin by myself" Artemis joked
"M'gann." Black Canary's voice started through the comms, "the bioship wasn't authorized for departure"
"We're kidnapping Zatanna!" She shouted cheerfully. I tried not to laugh as I listened to her speak, "to show her Happy Harbour..be back soon!"
"Um roger that, have fun"
"Were are we going?" Dick asked "Batman is the worlds greatest detective. He's searched for Tornado and Morrow in every logical place, if we're gonna do better, we need an illogical solution. A..a truly dumb idea"
The whole team turned to Wally, I sighed and looked as well.
"You too?" He asked, I nodded.
He sighed and sat up proudly, "as a matter of fact.."
~ ~ ~
"Warden Strange owed us a favour for stopping last month's prison break. He's given us five minutes with you" M'gann stated.
"Spill Ivo" Conner spoke up, "How do we find T.O.Morrow and his Reds?"
Ivo leant back on his chair "now why in the world would I know how to find Morrow?"
"Because" Wally spoke up and turned to is briefly, "and here's a truly dumb idea. You're Morrows biggest competitor in the evil android game"
I leant forward on the table, "who better to keep track of what he's up to, and where he is?"
"I see your point so let me rephrase" Ivo leant in as well, "why in the world would I tell you how to find Morrow"
"Maybe you'll get something out of it" I offered, "maybe we won't have a repeat of last time we met like this."
"Dove, do you really believe empty threats aren't our best go in this situation?" Superboy questioned.
"They aren't empty" Robin, Ivo, KidFlash, and I all said in union.
"I'm gonna give you one last chance to tell us ok?" I warned with a fake smile.
"Do your worst"
I sat up straight, thinking of my options.
"What's holding you back?" Ivo questioned, I stood up and took a deep breath.
"Miss Martian, your go. I don't want to cause any..." I glanced back at Ivo who was smirking "unnecessary damage." I stepped back beside Kaldur and Wally.
"That was a good choice on your half" Kaldur told me, I looked down and nodded.
"Aww but I like the scary one" Ivo pouted and looked at M'gann "you really think I haven't faced a telepath before?"
Just then Zatanna walked up to his side and chanted a spell.
"Morrow's in a secret underground base beneath Yellowstone National Park 100 meters South of Old Faithful"
I raised both of my eyebrows, impressed.
"Nice one Z"
The girl looked at me and smiled.
~ ~ ~
We sat back in the Bioship, Artemis and I had started playing tic tac toe on a spare notepad and pen I had around in secret.
"Block out all external communications. Soon Canary, Zatara, and Batman too I'd imagine, will all know of our visit with Professor Ivo. We haven't much time" Kaldur commanded out-loud.
I winced at the thought of Bruce finding out about this. Artemis noticed and chuckled quietly at my reaction.
"Look..I'm trying to be nonchalant here" Dick spoke up, looking at Zatanna.
"Why? Be as chalant as you'd like"
Oh. So that's why Dick freaked out on Wally.
The thought of him actually liking someone and having a chance was weird. He had crushes before and of course younger girls find him cute but...now it's mutual and looks like it's headed somewhere even though it hasn't been long.
I'm happy for him but wow, does this feel odd.
"I think we're all just trying to get a handle on your powers." Artemis spoke up, placing an X in the spot I had failed to notice. "I win"
The archer looked at the magician "could you teleport us to Tornado or Morrow to a cell or force his bots to surrender?"
"Or create peace on Earth for all time?" Zatanna joked, "Zatara couldn't even do that and I'm nowhere near my dads level. I need to know a spell cold, or have time to prep it. Plus all magic requires energy which usually has to come from within. I can't just make the impossible happen at will"
She explained.
"What's our ETA to Yellowstone? I'm way past ready to stuff Tornado into a trash compactor" Conner spoke up, anger laced his voice.
I thought for a moment before speaking, "are we sure he betrayed us?"
"Aren't you?!"
"No" i stated bluntly.
"I am not convinced either, and even so, that makes him but a victim of his creator's programming. Certainly he deserves the chance to prove he's more than the weapon others designed him to be"
Kaldur backed up our points.
I looked out the window as we flew then back to the game Artemis and I had out, furrowing my eyebrows.
"Wait you cheated"
"No duh. Hey after this we should actually show Zatanna around Happy Harbour"
"We should" I affirmed, "I think there's a diner not to far from the cave that looks good." I turned my seat to look at the others "Do you guys want to go?"
"Do you think Batman will let you two out after this?" Kaldur asked and I looked at Dick.
"No probably not" I thought out loud.
"Agent A would" Dick stated, I smiled and nodded.
"Who's Agent A?" Zatanna questioned curiously.
"He helps out Bats behind the scenes" Wally stated, "he makes good cookies. He also tends to let those two get free of Batmans evil wrath"
"You make him sound terrible" I defended Bruce.
"He's scary. You didn't have to go through 'the talk' about dating his daughter" Wally shuddered and Zatanna looked even more confused now.
"You two are dating?"
We both nodded "yeah" I said "but let's not get too off track here. How much longer Miss M?"
~ ~ ~
I stood at the ships door as everyone exited. The last to come out were Kaldur and Zatanna, the former turning to the younger girl as he stopped.
"I recommend you stay behind"
She raised an eyebrow, "is that an order"
"No" I answered, "you're welcome to do what you'd like"
"Good" She smiled and said a spell, changing her clothing into a uniform that resembled her fathers but more to her style. I noticed she wore shorts instead of full pants, I smiled as it reminded me of my own attire until I remembered my incident probably because of the lack of coverage.
"Avoid knives" I joked, Kaldur looked at me seriously.
"That is not a matter to joke about, you could have had much worse consequences "
I shrugged and smiled, "healing the world with comedy. Let's go Z" I walked beside the younger girl, enjoying her company as we spoke.
~ ~ ~
We approached a tree and I looked over my brother's shoulder at his computer which had a map open.
"Ivo was right, somethings down there" Robin informed. I looked at Kaldur and we both gave a nod.
The two of us lead the team as we ran into the open field only for a strong wind to knock us all down. I crossed my arms in front of my face and looked away.
The wind got stronger and stronger as multiple tornadoes appeared around, trapping us.
"Why Tornado?!" M'gann shouted at the android "why are you doing this?!"
"Message received?" She asked us through the mind link, we all nodded slightly.
"Who cares?! Nail him!" Superboy shouted before charging. I groaned as I got up and followed with Aqualad.
I stopped, skidding my boots along the ground. The wind blew through my hair. "You first" I told the Atlantean who nodded and kept running.
"Superboy Maneuver seven!" He shouted. Conner intertwined his fingers and lifted Kaldur up into the air. I followed and the clone did the same for me. I did a flip mid air, avoiding the now falling Kaldur who had been punched.
I got closer to Tornado but failed to battle as he picked me up by the throat with ease and threw me back into the ground.
With a loud thud I rolled along the dirt. I didn't bother getting up as not to mess with the plan.
Soon the whole team was knocked down. But another voice joined the fight.
"Quite a performance brother..but we both know that's all it was" there was loud rumbling before they continued "I have your memories Tornado, plus a next gen processor. I know your next move before you do"
I sat up and looked to make sure everyone on the team was alright, which they were. I looked back at Tornado and his sibling.
"Blowing a message into the sand?" The floating ground crumbled and started to fly at us.
Aqualad, Superboy, and Miss Martian worked on taking out the rocks while the rest of us dodged them. One came flying right at me and Wally pulled me out of the way just in time.
"Thanks." I said simply he smiled and took off. I followed his lead, watching as my team was struck down by Tornadoes brother. I got out a taser and sent a shock through the robot, it barley effected him and he grabbed me by the neck.
I struggled to breath and my vision was soon interrupted by one of Dick explosives, which just made him mad as he threw me.
"Tornado's memory files and my superior processing speed allow me to anticipate your every move."
Robin and I both landed by Zatanna as she casted a blindfold spell over the android.
"Tornado never knew my moves" She informed, smirking proud of herself.
"And I bet you've got some good ones" his eyes widened at the comment, as did mine. Wasn't exactly the thing you want to hear your little brother say.
"Sorry that may have come across a little too Wally"
"I dont mind"
I removed myself from the conversation, jogging beside the speedster.
"How are you holding up?" He asked, referring to my injury.
"I'm doing alright" I smiled at his concern, "better now that I can be out. I should be checking on you, you're hurt more then I am"
He smiled back at me, "I'm doing alright" he repeated before we looked back at the android who was currently causing a volcanic eruption. My eyes widened at the seriousness of the sight, a bright red light radiated from the lava.
I turned to Wally to speak again but he sped away.
"He's activating a stage two eruption, it gets to stage three and you can kiss the hemisphere goodbye" He spoke through the mind link and I could spot him running in the distance.
"Hit him from all sides" Kaldur ordered the team.
I ran up to Zatannas side, making sure she was doing alright. This was kinda of a lot for what was supposed to be a small visit but I was proud she was holding up so well. As she casted a spell, multiple copies of Wally appeared and ran at the robot, though only one, the real Wally, made it to him. Grabbing an unconscious M'gann.
I ran over and knelt down beside the martian.
I placed her head in my lap and got out an ice pack I kept in one of my side pockets, placing it on her forehead.
She groaned as she came to, we all watched as Tornado and his other siblings showed up but this time on our side. There were splashes of water against lava as the four robots sunk, Superboy grabbed Tornado just in time.
I helped M'gann stand and she thanked me.
"Tornado listen. We're on the verge of a stage three super volcanic eruption, there's no turning back from that. We need to vent the pressure fast." KF spoke up to everyone in general,
"but the ash cloud will bring on a world wide nuclear winter unless you divert it. Triangulate around the pressure locus"
He spoke the last bit to me, I got out my own computer projecting from my bracelet and pulled up the points, "there, there, and there" I directed
Artemis got her bow ready and hit the three points. I grabbed Wallys hand in fear as we watched the points explode on impact.
Red Tornado flew forward and used a tornado to redirect and avoid disaster. I exhaled once I knew we were safe.
"Yes" Wally cheered before smashing his lips into mind to celebrate. I smiled and kissed him back happily.
"AHEM" Dick cleared his throat loudly and we separated, still holding hands.
~ ~ ~
I looked around Morrows lab as the team and I helped get Tornadoes voice box back.
"...Dove?" Robin asked, I looked over at what he was doing.
"Here" I helped him out a bit and left him to do the rest, watching to make sure he did it right and helping him here and there.
"There" he sighed and smiled "that should do it"
We looked at Tornado who could finally reply, "yes. I can speak again"
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save the planet." Kaldur stated
"The planet would have survived, it was humanity was saved...not by me though" Tornado replied, "my sister and brother were the true heroes this day"
"My point is; you were never the mole, never the traitor" Aqualad continued, I sighed knowing it left the possibility of there being one.
"No, I left to protect you from further attack and to find my creator, T.O.Morrow."
"Cool!" I heard KidFlash cheer as him and Robin looked through crates, "souvenir!"
My brother looked up from his box, "Reddy we can build you better then you were before"
If the robot could sigh he would've "I do not believe I should be repaired"
"Why did you volunteer to become our den mother in the first place?" Conner spoke up, I nodded in agreement wanting an answer as well.
"I was the pragmatic choice. I do not require sleep, I have no secret identity or second life to live."
"But you have adaptive AI programming designed to learn, adapt, evolve" Wally stated.
"You wanted to become more human" I realized, looking up at the android.
"And you couldn't do that with the league, they're stiffs" Artemis joked, though she was right.
"You're sure not gonna learn emotion from Batman, trust me" Robin joked and I scoffed.
Kaldur spoke up as well, "then the cave was not a proving ground only for us, but for you as well"
"I don't know if those statements are accurate but perhaps they are true" Tornado confessed, "and if I understand correctly, I believe I have come to care for you all"
I smiled at the sweet comment, which probably meant more then he realized.
"See?" Conned joked, "practically a meat bag already"
~ ~ ~
I sat on the couch in the mountain doing some science homework. It was late and I assumed no one else was up.
Quiet footsteps approached in the hallway and I heard a quiet yawn, "Rory?"
I looked up and saw my half asleep brother looking at me from the entrance.
"You should be asleep" I told him, he just shook his head and came to sit down next to me. I sighed and moved the homework as I made room for him.
"What's up?" I asked as he leant into me, I wrapped a blanket around his shoulders.
"Can't sleep" he mumbled, "nightmares"
I smiled sadly and gave him a side hug, "how about a story?"
"I'm not a child." He stated and went quiet, "..yes please"
I sat more comfortably and began, "well...there were these two families right? They absolutely hated each other. Before the great war one member of the Lloyd family supposedly stole a horse from the other."
Dick smiled, knowing the story and shut his eyes.
"Years later the feud was still going. But then the youngest members of each family met.
Now they hated each other but one day, someone in the circus was shot. A cop from the city they were in managed to help them find who did it, and doing so he brought the two together. Do you know who that cop was?"
"Gordon?"
"Mhmmm. After Jim Gordon helped them out they realized they weren't so different and eventually fell in love"
"Gross" He commented.
"Shut up" I replied and he laughed, "as I was saying before I was so RUDLEY interrupted, eventually they fell in love, and had two kids who they loved very much."
He smiled at the memories that came back and I continued, "though I'm pretty sure everyone knew the sister was better"
Dick hit my shoulder and I chuckled, "ok, sorry...they loved us both very much. And would definitely scold you for being up past your bedtime..." I paused for a moment. "Well, Mom would, Dad would be proud"
"Think they'd be proud of us now?"
Sighing, I looked back at my little brother. I had always thought they wouldn't be proud of me but I couldn't tell him that.
"Yeah, yeah I do. Now lets get you to bed"
~ ~ ~