A/N: Zin: REWRITE. This chapter has been completely rewritten as of July 13, 2016. It was seriously needed.
Emu: The original was horrendous. Just trust us on that one.
Zin: So… yeah. We recommend you check out When Shadows Meet the Mind and Erstwhile Impression before that, but it isn't completely necessary.
We do not own DC or Young Justice.
I own Ren, Josh, and Creatonia.
Emu owns Autumn and the Owl Thanagarians.
Emu: Enjoy the better chapter!
1/16/19 Update: Marie Logan never died. Ren was raised by her mom. Changing some stuff in the chapters to fit this. Not done yet. Sorry for any continuity errors until it is complete. -Zin
July 23, 2010
The eyes.
It was the eyes.
She couldn't shake the memory of seeing the pair of bright amber eyes peering on from the treeline. She and the Team were investigating Santa Prisca and the questionable things that were happening on the island.
It was near the end of the mission and Ren recalled herself helping M'gann and Superboy against Sportsmaster when suddenly he was holding the Martian in a chokehold. He had a gun, and even with the force field Ren had imagined, her Mental Energy wasn't robust enough to have kept it up while being shot at.
So, she froze and looked around- watching the situations her friends were caught up in and trying to assess a way to assist at least one of them- when she saw the eyes.
They were staring at the battle.
Watching them.
It wasn't long that she had her eyes set on them, but long enough to tell that they didn't belong to a wild animal. And they were distinct enough that the Creatonian was pretty sure she would be able to point them out if she saw them again.
Her curious nature and strong need to have answers to everything kept Serenity Logan's mind whirring with questions.
Who were they?
What did they want?
Ren was shot out of her thoughts when a sharp knock at her door sounded. Rolling herself off from her bed, she trudged across her bedroom in the Gotham townhouse she lived in with her mom and little brother, opening the door. Standing on the other side was the idiot she called a best friend.
Opening the door all the way, she moved over to allow the Acrobat to enter her room completely. Dick flopped himself in her desk chair before spinning around in it to face her, "What's got you all quiet today? We won!"
Ren tucked a strand of her red hair behind an ear as she took a seat on her bed. Why did they give him a key? Sighing, she replied, "I saw something-someone-watching us on the mission today."
He sat up straighter and leaned forward, "Seriously? Who?"
"Exactly what I'm wondering. All I saw was a pair of eyes that I know belonged to another person."
"How?"
"I can just feel it."
Gut instinct was something Ren could nearly always rely on. Her Uncle Bruce told her that her father, Joshua, was the same way. All the knowledge she had on her father came from the limited memories she could recall of her first two years with him and her mother. The rest came from what her Godfather told her.
Dick rested his elbow on the back of her chair and sat his chin in his hand. His eyebrows furrowed, "You think it's anything we need to worry about? Want to tell Bruce?"
She glanced down, "I… I'm not quite sure yet."
Standing up, the Boy Wonder nodded towards the open door, "Well, think about it over dinner, your mom said she's almost done."
Ren nodded, following him as he exited her bedroom.
Why couldn't she shake the feeling that these eyes were prominent in one way or another?
Night had fallen and minutes kept ticking by, yet Ren still couldn't catch some shut eye. Her mind was still buzzing with thoughts on what she had seen at Santa Prisca. She wasn't sure why she was so hung up on a pair of eyes, but she couldn't help but think that there was something more to them.
Giving up on getting some sleep, she sat up and flicked on her bedside lamp. Her green eyes rested on a photo of her late father with her mother-Joshua and Marie Logan-that Bruce had taken when they were all in college together. Eleven years since that night-
She shook her head, not wanting her mind to drift down that path.
Whenever she was left in a mental rut, she would think about what her dad would do. The idea of her father and who he was made Ren smile beyond all reason.
All she wanted to do was to keep his memory alive.
To make him proud.
His influence mostly affected her when she was training with her powers. She was supposed to be her father's- called Image-protege under the name Fantasia. Her ability to manifest her imagination came from him and the race they were from: Creatonians.
Training was difficult. Her powers took quite a bit to control, and she had to be careful to ration her daily Mental Energy correctly, or bad things could happen.
But, if her father could do it, so could she.
How would Joshua Logan handle this situation?
Find out more. Evaluate and investigate. That's what Josh did when he began to question what his college roommate, Bruce Wayne, really did during his nightly disappearances.
But how would she gather more intel? Deciding on a plan of action caused the girl's mind to calm down, and a yawn escaped her lips.
She'd figure it out in the morning.
July 24, 2010
"Shayera, I don't know about this," Autumn Pines murmured as she and her mentor approached the Zeta-Tubes. "I mean, I've only been training for a year. Are you sure I'm ready to join an actual team?"
Her mentor rolled her eyes. They'd had this conversation at least three times already. She couldn't understand why her protege was so hesitant about this. "Autumn, you're just as good of a fighter as them. Just follow the instructions from your mission leader and you'll be fine."
"But I'm-"
"Only twelve and have trust issues, I know. And stop playing with that, you know it drives me crazy," she added as she pulled the young girl's hands away from the charm dangling off her belt loop.
"Sorry."
The older heroine's eyes softened, and she sighed. Kneeling down to match Autumn's height, she looked her straight in the eyes and said, "You'll be okay. They won't do anything to you, and you'll have no problem keeping up with them. You don't need to tell anyone anything that you don't want to, but this could be the perfect opportunity to finally make some friends. And if it doesn't work out or you just don't want to be there, you can always come home. Okay?"
The girl nodded with a small smile. "Okay, Shay."
"Good." Shayera stood up and gently ruffled her protege's dark hair. "Ready to go?"
"As I'll ever be."
With that, the two Thanagarians deactivated their civvie charms, and Hawkwoman and Screech Owl stepped into the Zeta Tube.
Recognized, Hawkwoman. 11.
Recognized, Screech Owl. B08.
As the computer called the names of the two people entering the Cave, the majority of the Team was already waiting for them. Earlier that day, they had been informed that they would be gaining a new member. While Fantasia didn't mind the idea of meeting someone new, she wanted to get away to do some research to see what she could find on reports of amber eyes being seen in areas around Santa Prisca.
But, when the two females stepped into the central section of the Cave, the Creatonian froze. Her gaze locking on the smaller of the two, attention going straight to the pair of amber eyes she sported.
Those eyes…
They were the exact same ones she had seen on the mission.
Batman stepped forward to introduce the new member, "Team, this is your new member, her name is-"
"YOU!" Ren pointed at the Owl Thanagarian, who stepped back in fear at the Creatonian's outburst.
Screech glanced over at her mentor, who also looked taken aback. What could I have done wrong in the time span of ten seconds?!
"It was you!"
"Who?" Robin glanced over at Fantasia in confusion.
"She was the one who I caught spying on us during last night's mission!"
"Spying!?" M'gann exclaimed.
"I spotted her eyes watching us from the trees!" Fantasia began to calm down after her little epiphany and started to get a good look at the new girl, who had begun to close in on herself. A pang of guilt pulled at her chest. Had she scared her? Speaking softer, she said, "So, you're on our side. Not theirs."
The Owl nodded in a small fashion.
All eyes turned to Screech Owl, and Aqualad stepped forward. "Is this true?"
Of all the things I had to forget that night, it had to be my eye color glamor charm. I didn't think I'd need it here! Screech thought as she shrunk back under the gazes of the Team and a displeased Hawkwoman. "Yes," she whispered. Louder and a little frantic, she continued, "I'm really sorry, I-"
Before Screech could finish, the infamous junior speedster- ironically known for being late- joined the party. He took a place next to Fantasia, "Hey, who's the new girl?"
"The 'new girl' is named Screech Owl, and she is your new teammate. You might have known this if you ever happened to show up on time to meetings." The Dark Knight deadpanned.
Aqualad rolled his eyes and brought the topic back to Screech Owl. "As you were saying..."
The girl was rather disappointed that the attention was returned to her, but gathered her thoughts and continued. "I heard Hawkwoman talking and... I got curious. I've heard of this team before and wanted to see you guys in action."
Aqualad looked rather pleased with this newfound information. "I see our reputation precedes us."
Batman interrupted the little bonding moment, "As sweet as this is, we're going to have to cut it short. Hawkwoman and I have League business to attend to, and all of you have training with Black Canary, starting now."
The Team began to file over to the training area, and Fantasia fell into step next to Screech Owl, curious about who her new teammate was. She had a suspicion that the Thanagarian wasn't revealing the entire truth about why she was on that island.
Screech, in turn, took a step away, apprehensive of being so close to the girl who yelled at her seconds after she entered the room.
With one last over-the-shoulder wave and nervous smile at her mentor, Autumn left with her new Team. Hawkwoman returned the gesture and stepped into the Zeta Tube.
Recognized, Hawkwoman. 11.
Recognized, Batman. 02.
Training came and went, and the Team dispersed to do their own thing around Mount Justice. Fantasia found herself hanging out in the lounge with Robin when she saw Screech Owl awkwardly walking around. She was looking about with wide eyes, taking in her new surroundings.
Robin turned and spoke up before the Creatonian could, "Hey, Screech! Good job in training today."
Pulled from her thoughts, Screech startled, spinning to look at the Boy Wonder. Realizing who had spoken, she calmed down and said softly, "Thanks. Same to you two."
Fantasia leaned her arms on the back of the couch, craning her body to face the smaller girl, "So, Spybird, need someone to show you around?"
Screech instantly felt uneasy. First, this girl yelled at her. Then, she called her Spybird. Was she just teasing, or being malicious? She was offering a tour and didn't sound mad, so it was probably the former, but…
Seeing the look of apprehension on her new team member's face, Fantasia placed a calming smile on hers, "Chill kiddo; I was just joking about the nickname thing."
"Oh," the Owl said, embarrassed. "Right. Well, if you're not busy, I would like a tour."
"I'm just sitting here with this dork," she replied, nudging the acrobat next to her. "It's no problem to do it now."
Standing up, she made her way around the couch and stopped next to Screech. After a moment, Fantasia began to walk in the direction of the library-where they would start their tour.
The Creatonian left nothing out when showing the Thanagarian around. She was sure to add in her favorite parts of each section, including the best times to eat- before Wally got there- when they entered the kitchen area. Finally, the duo came to the sleeping quarter's wing. Fantasia motioned towards the room that Screech could call hers if she needed to spend the night at the Cave, "Only Superboy and M'gann live here full time. The rest of us will crash once in a while, but that's about it."
When they reached the Owl's door, Fantasia turned and asked the question that had been on her mind for the past few hours, "The island, why were you really there?"
Screech shrugged and repeated her earlier half-truth, "Same as I said before. I overheard Hawkwoman talking about the Team, got curious, and went to take a look."
Scrunching up her face, the Creatonian disagreed, "I'm a very curious person, and even I wouldn't put myself into that situation. There's more to it, isn't there?"
"Not really."
"I don't believe you."
"Your problem, not mine," Screech said. She walked into her room and tried to close the door, hoping the other girl would take the hint.
Fantasia got the hint, but she didn't care. Blocking the door with her foot, she forced it open a bit wider with her hand, "We're teammates now, and I like to be friends with my teammates. But, we can't be friends if you're not telling me the whole truth. I was trained under Batman's rules, trust me, I won't tell a soul."
"Not a living soul, maybe," Screech muttered just loud enough for the Creatonian to hear. She was starting to get irritated with her.
"Dude. I don't mess with the dead. Too creepy. Too not my thing."
"Sorry, bad joke."
"You can joke?" Fantasia deadpanned.
Screech rolled her eyes sarcastically. "I've been told my sense of humor is dry as a desert, but yes, I can joke."
"Cool. Cool. But, stop trying to change the subject. Storytime." Forcing the door completely open, the Creatonian entered the room and plopped herself on the empty bed.
Exasperated and annoyed, the younger girl closed her eyes. "Fine." If it will get you to leave. "The Hawks told me about the Team a week or so ago. They said they wanted me to consider joining, but I was indecisive. I didn't think I'd be able to hold my own and didn't know what kind of people you were, so when I heard about the mission in Santa Prisca, I went to evaluate on those fronts. I'm still not sure if joining was a good idea," she opened her eyes and looked at her new teammate, "but Hawkwoman and Hawkman thought it was, so... Here I am."
Fantasia nodded, silent for a moment, before asking, "Why were you worried about what type of people we are? We're heroes."
Screech glanced at the wall and muttered, "Trust issues."
"Due to what?"
"Do you ever stop asking questions?"
"Not until I get the answers I want."
Screech groaned to herself, rubbing her hand over her face. "So, this could go on all night."
"Yes, it very much could. We can do this the quick way or the long way, depending on how stubborn you are compared to me."
Screw it, I just want her to leave me alone. "Okay, you win." She sat on her bed, as far from Fantasia as she could, fixed her eyes on the opposite wall, and began. "I'm from Thanagar, where there are two races. Many equalists, including myself, call the minority, Owls, and the majority, Hawks. I'm an Owl, which doesn't go over well where I'm from."
Screech went on to explain how she was a primary target in her classroom, and how nobody did anything about it until a Hawk named Gavina came along. She told her how that didn't last, and that the Hawk girl she had thought to be her friend turned on her less than a year later. "I wasn't worth the trouble, I guess."
She went on to when her parents, the only people she really cared about, were killed in an anti-owl hate crime that she had also been caught in. "I only got away because of them." Then, how she escaped Thanagar and made her way to Earth, spending two years on the streets of various cities until she was kidnapped by Venom makers and rescued by Hawkwoman.
During the recollection of the Owl's past, Fantasia remained an active listener. And when one question was answered, she asked another, hand absentmindedly combing through her pink bun she wore in hero form as she listened.
The Creatonian's heart felt heavy after hearing the trials the smaller girl had been put through. Scooting across the bed, she reached over and gave her new teammate a hug-getting the feeling she hadn't had one in a while.
The Owl tensed up instinctively but didn't push the older girl away. She hadn't received many hugs in past years, but she had to admit that it felt nice. As long as she doesn't touch my wings, I will allow it, she decided, relaxing a bit.
She wasn't sure how much later it was when they parted, but she was disappointed when Fantasia pulled away.
The Creatonian looked closely at the young Owl. "You good?"
"Yeah," Screech replied, slipping a small smile on her face.
The two were silent for a moment before the elder girl spoke up, "You've gone by Screech Owl so far, but do you plan to tell us your real name? Or has Hawkie sworn you to secrecy like Batdude has for Robin?"
Plucking at the quilt, the Thanagarian said, "Well, no, but..."
"But what? Is telling me a name going to kill you?"
"I guess not..." Finally turning her gaze from the wall, the girl looked shyly at her teammate. "My name's Autumn… Pines."
Standing up, the Creatonian grinned at the Owl, the violet eyes from her hero form glittering with excitement, "Well, Autumn, we are friends now."
A woosh of air blasted into the room from the slightly open door as Wally came rushing in. His attention was locked on Fantasia, "Tasia! I found you. Listen, you've got to come help me with something."
"With?"
"A thing. A funny thing-involving Rob."
A mischievous smirk made its way onto Fantasia's face, "Say no more. I'm in." She started to head towards the door with the speedster, but not before spinning back towards the Thanagarian to ruffle her hair, "And welcome to the Team, kiddo."
"Thanks," she said as the two left. The door closed, and she added quietly, "For everything."
Leaning back on her mattress, the Owl stared at the ceiling. What had she gotten herself into?
Maybe it wouldn't be too bad. She-possibly-had a friend, and it was only day one.
She smiled. This could work out.
Fin