Back	----- I can't believe this. It's still so hard... it's just hard to understand it. I don't understand! I've learned a little more from Donna. Ever so often she'll open up to me. If I ask about something, she tends to answer. Not literally. She doesn't actually 'talk', 'cause of course she can't. She shares memories with me. It is SO weird to remember something that never actually happened to me. But since I get them the exact why she remembers them it's like having my own memories of things I've clean forgotten. It's so disconcerting. I pick my head off the window of the bus and look at my phone. I wish Liz would call to check up on me. Of course she's in class right now or I'd call her. Besides, signals up here in the mountains are sporadic sometimes, I guess I just have to wait. I put my phone away and lean my head against the window. I look out the window, I wonder if I had a far off look on my face a few minutes ago. It is really pretty out there. Looks so serene and peaceful, even today not much technology has managed to creep its way to mar the landscape. I can't believe I'm actually leaving Canada. I've never left the country before. I didn't have any reason too. Canada's got anything anyone could ever want! Beaches, mountains, cities, tundra, everything! I guess it's just not the right stuff for us - Donna and I. I wonder what is. She won't tell me where we're going. Perhaps she doesn't know either? Maybe- The bus is falling. Wait, we're falling? OH MY GOD THE BUS IS FALLING! Come on Allie, get up! Get up! I get up... run for the front door. People are screaming. Clutching each other or the back of the seats in front of them so tight. I push open the folding door. I'm looking back at the people in the bus as I jump out the door. The bus driver yells at me to not jump. Odd considering the situation. I immediately begin to fly. It's not graceful at all. I still haven't quite gotten the hang of fine movement in the air. Doesn't matter now. I put my hands against the grill on the front of the bus. Slow it down. Straighten it a bit to get myself fully under its center of gravity. A little more... careful not to push too hard! ... there, it's not falling anymore. Now we need a place to set down.... Oh crap, shouldn't have looked down. I bite into my lower lip to keep from freaking out. Concentrate Allie: bus, people, don't think about the height, just keep looking up. Up, yes, we can go back up, back up to the road. Up is easy. Slowly, carefully, don't forget about the bus and having to be careful with it. There now, see? That worked just fine. One foot on the ground, steady now. Other foot. Whew. Okay, I can calm down now. Right? Oh, the bus. I slowly tilt the bus back to a horizontal position and set it on its wheels. The bus driver is looking at me as I do so, partially with fear partially with joy. I set the bus down, then back away a couple steps. I think my hands should hurt, so I rub them together. But they don't. Huh. Well, okay. I'm in shock over what just happened too. Some of the people start to pile out of the bus. They come over to me. Tears, laughter, pats on the back, hugs, shaking my hand. "Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you," they say. I try not to look back at the cliff we fell off, but as soon as I think about it I reflexively do. Yikes! That is SO far down! I... I'm shaking now. That was way too scary. I can't... breath, just breath. In, out, in, out. It's okay now, we're on the ground. See? Ground. Solid ground. I back further away from the ledge anyway. I must look really scared, people are asking me if I'm alright. I nod. Breath deeply again. It's okay. "Yes, I'm okay. Thanks." So, okay, yeah, everyone's okay now, right? Oh geez! I should go check on them! I push through the crowd, everyone out here looks okay. I run onto the bus. There are still a few people in here. A mother cradling a child. "Are you two okay?" The little boy nods. The mother doesn't appear to be hearing or seeing anything right now. "Ma'am?" I shake her shoulder lightly. Her head turns slowly to look at me. She blinks a couple times. She's okay for now, just total shock. I'll come back to her. Further back there's an older woman crying over an older man. He's lying oddly. "Ma'am? Sir? Are you okay?" "No!" she cries. "He passed out. He won't wake up!" "What's his name?" "George." "Here, let me," I try to say kindly and gently move her. She won't budge. "Ma'am, I'm a paramedic," I tell her. Well, it's kindof true. I'm a med student, and I took the paramedic training classes on my own time. I just haven't gone out practicing yet. Close enough. Hearing that she lets me move her just enough aside so I can get to the man. "George? Can you hear me?" I shake his shoulder first lightly, then more vigorously. No response. Move on to the next step. ABC check: No breathing. Is that a pulse? Yes, but it's irregular. "Damn." "What?!" she cries frantically. I turn and take her by the arms. Look into her eyes. "Listen to me. He's alive. Go find the bus driver and ask if he has an A.E.D." She looks reluctant, and confused. "An A.E.D.," I repeat. "Okay? You and I can save his life but you have to do as I say." "A... A.E.D.," she repeats. "Yes, good," I smile slightly to assure her. "Go on." She turns and hustles down the bus to get outside. Yelling for the bus driver before she even reaches the door. I turn back to the man. Check there are no apparent neck injuries, no broken ribs. Okay, slowly pull him into a lying position. Carefully move him to the aisle floor. I kneel on the floor between the seats to work on him. Open his shirt. Check for breathing the proper way: Look, Listen, Feel. No, nothing. Open his mouth and check for any objects that might be preventing breathing. I can't see any. Rubber glove... my bag is too far away. I hesitate but then do a finger sweep without a glove. Still nothing. Mental note: ask the woman if he had anything in his mouth when she gets back. I check his pulse again. Can't feel it at all anymore. Crap. I pull the breathing mask off my key chain and open it. Place it over his mouth and nose. Time for CPR. The first breath goes in, so there's nothing stuck in his windpipe. The bus driver and two other men are coming on board with the woman. The driver takes quick stalk then quickly heads off somewhere. One of the men grabs the woman when they see what I'm doing and pulls her back. She wants to get to her husband, the man won't let her interrupt me. The other man climbs over a row of seats to get to George's abdomen, then he looks at me. "I know CPR as well. Two-man it? Or take turns?" he offers. "That depends," I answer between breaths. "On the driver." I go back to compressions. "If he has an AED, we won't need to. If he can get ahold of emergency and know they're coming we'll two-man it. If not, we'll take turns so we last longer until someone can get through." The man nods. Then he stands up and opens the window next to the seats he's in. He yells out the window, "Somebody call 911 and TELL ME if you get through!" We start two-man CPR for the time being. About a minute later the bus driver returns laden down with emergency equipment. He puts the first aid kit next to the man working with me. He drops the rest at George's head, gets on his knees and starts sifting through it all. "Here!" he sudden says with triumph. "An A.E.D.!" I silently thank God and at the same moment pray to God it's actually charged. Oh it is! "Okay, we're good to go," I announce to all, flashing a reassuring look to George's wife. This part is easy, just follow the directions. I do everything the machine tells me to. It says there is an irregular rhythm detected. Another Thanks to God, for if there was truly no pulse there wouldn't be anything we could do. I tell everyone to back up. I tell the A.E.D. we're all set and wait as the machine does its thing. One shock. It checks George again. Another shock. It checks George again. I begin praying out loud now. The machine will only do three before giving up. Third shock... it checks him again... and says a normal heart beat is found! I check his breathing and pulse again manually. No breathing. Steady pulse. I inform my partner of George's status and begin rescue breathing. It takes us several minutes, but my partner and I manage to get George breathing on his own again. Then he and I take turns watching over George and checking other bus passengers for anything that needs tending. About twenty minutes later a pair of park rangers show up. They take over caring for George and checking all the other passengers for my partner and I. Then a state trooper finally makes it up to where we are. He wants to know everything that happened, down to every last exact detail. A few of the passengers are able and willing to talk to him. Most either don't want to or are still too affected by the event. I pull the officer aside and calmly tell him everything as I remember it. I politely answer all Twenty Questions he asks. After several minutes he is happy with all the information he has. He goes to walk around the bus taking stock of it and then back up the road to see where the bus had gone over the edge to determine how. I go back into the bus, to my belongings. I should call Mom and Dad, let them know. Liz too. Oh but first I think I'm going to just curl up here and go to sleep... if no one minds? Later I'm told it was nearly an hour before an ambulance actually made it. George's wife, Tina, has left a note on me telling me to get in contact with them and how. My partner, who's name is Roger I find out, has apparently kept an eye on me while I slept and kept everyone away. Now everyone wants to know my name. What do I tell them? I don't know if I want to give my real name. I haven't really thought this whole thing through yet. Is there harm in giving my real name? Is it even my real name anymore? I sigh, and shrug helplessly. "I don't know," I answer them as truthfully as I can. The little boy from before pulls on my jeans from beside me. I look down at him. "Are you the new Wonder Girl?" he asks hopefully. I had forgotten Wonder Girl had become the new Wonder Woman a couple years or so ago when Diana had ascending to Olympus as the Goddess of Truth. I suppose that is a consideration I should think on. After all I *am* heading to be a hero, right? Isn't that what this trip is about? Wait, is that what this trip is about!? I hadn't thought of that before just now. Wow, I guess it is. I shrug at the little boy, but smile some. "Maybe," I say to him. I kneel down and whisper to him like it's a secret, "If I am, you were the first to know." He smiles real big, then runs to his mother. The next day the local papers' headlines read "New Unnamed Hero". Guess I should pick a name soon. Or maybe I'll just let someone else name me. That would be a lot easier.
Back	----- I never knew every city in America looks like every other city. Same strip malls, same fast food restaurants gathered around each other, same tall buildings in the downtown area, same hotels, same movie theaters, same amusement parks, same urbanism, same suburbia.... Kind of a shame really. I know someone's told me of a time when every city had a unique personality to it. I suppose some of them still do in the sense that some cities have more problems with crime or litter or pollution, or more slums and more depressed neighborhoods than others. Some cities still have a unique building that defines their skyline or attraction that gives a reason to visit them from far away. Some build up, others build out and sprawling. But in general they are all alike. Standing here looking up at this building looks just like a building I looked up at in every other city I've been to on this journey. Same glass, same prefect reflection ability. It's actually kindof pretty. Especially when the sun starts to set and you can see the reflection in the side of the building making it seem like the sun is setting all the way around you. Very cool. Actually, now that I think about it, it's kindof comforting North America is so generic like this. I can go a lot of different places and still feel enough at home. Even the sirens sound the same. Oh geez, that's a lot of police cars. Hm.... I think I'll follow them. Heh, even the villains are the same. Look at this. Twenty guys all wearing matching costumes, except for one with a much fancier one, and the token favored girl side-kick in a really pretty yet still kindof matching outfit. Okay, bad guys mauling police is not good. I start flying to go over the line of police cars to help. No wait! Civvies on the sidewalk. Got to get the out of the line of fire first! One over the shoulder, "Piggy back ride" I tell the child, pick up the other two, one in each arm. Is that everyone? Looks like it. Let's see, other side of this building should be safe enough. Okay, let them down. Many thank-yous. Yes, "You're welcome." Back to the bad guys. The police are pretty much trounced now. But it looks like there's a trio of heros taking care of things. Make that, *trying* to take care of things. One of them lands unceremoniously at my feet. That will be a black eye on him later. He pulls himself up with a frown. He looks at me a bit surprised. "Are you okay?" he asks. I look at him curiously. "Yes," I start to respond when the other lands at our feet, and doesn't appear to be getting up any time soon. I immediately kneel down and check her over. "Are you?" I ask with a tone that indicates I think they are not. "Fine," he responds with what sounds like bitterness to me. "Right," I say. The woman hero starts to move a bit, but isn't quite conscious again yet, still that's good enough to know she'll survive. I push off the ground and start to fly towards the fight. I stop for a moment to look back at the man. He looks now very surprised with me. But he quickly shakes it off and catches up to me. "Something wrong?" he asks as he starts to pass me. "Actually, um... I, uh... I've never done this before," I confess. "What do I do?" I ask sounding a bit too frantic to myself. He shakes his head. "Just follow me." We dive into the fight. I time my punch to hit the guy in charge at the same time as the man hero next to me as told. That seems to take the ringleader out for the moment. We turn to the swarm of bad guys that are starting to come at us now. I punch the first that arrives swinging at me. I'm pretty sure I just broke that jaw clean through. Damn, still don't have how strong I am figured out. Three bad guys grab at me. Two manage to get hold, the other I kick away from me. Now there's five or six all around beating on me. I free myself from the one holding my left arm. The one holding my right I pull towards me, and as I duck into a crouch on the ground I pull him over me like a shield. As his friends hit him instead of me he lets go of me. I shoulder him the rest of the way over me and step to the opening where he had been standing. Not all of them have realized yet I'm no longer in the middle somewhere. I need something to capture them all with. I wonder if that street lamp bends well. I grab the bottom of the pole of the street lamp and pull it out of the ground, making sure all the wires are broke. I turn back to see the group of bad guys have realized where I really am and are heading for me. I bend the pole into a near semi-circle. Have to do so slower than I'd like to make sure it doesn't snap. Most of the group starts to turn and run away from me now. But I'm faster and manage to catch all six of them by getting in front of them. I push the pole from two spots on my side, as far away as my hands can get from each other, and it closes around them as I'd hoped. I quickly move around to the other side to grab the two ends of the pole, and a seventh bad guy on my way which I push in with the six. Then I pull the ends past each other to close the circle and make sure they all are caught tightly enough against each other that they can't squirm out. I go back to where the street lamp was and kick the loose wires on the ground into the hole where the lamp was to make sure no one accidentally steps on any live wires. Now, where is everyone else? Two of the hero trio are a couple blocks down dealing with the big boss and the sidekick. The third is rounding up three of the gang that's running away now. Let's see, five on the ground. One on an awning. That means there are two unaccounted for. There they are! I fly over and grab them each by the back of their outfits. "Up you go." I take them back to the line of police cars and put them in the back of one that's got a few coherent cops around it. Now off to help stop the ones in charge, if I can. I manage to get behind them by going around a block. Good timing too as I see the two heros seem to be dealing with something in their eyes right now. The two bad guys turn with grins on their faces. Which I quickly erase by crossing my arms and slowly shaking my head at them. The villains turn back probably hoping the other two heros are still distracted, but they're not. The third of the hero trio shows up beside me. I ask them to surrender. One of the trio looks at me oddly. The villains agree to surrender. Another of the trio looks really disappointed. I'm surprised to see the one next to me start to move aggressively towards the villains. I stop him. And now he's really mad at me. "They've surrendered," I tell him, clearly confused by his action and now reaction. He only gives me a nasty look as his friends pull the villains to the police, then he turns and storms off. I guess not all heros are the same across America.
Back	----- So much to think about. A name. A destination. This, that. Have I changed all that much? I mean really all that much? Don't I still believe the same things as before? Maybe I get a little more intense than I used to when it comes to people mistreating each other, but all in all my morals haven't shifted at all. Now I just have means to back 'em up. And I suppose I DO pay more attention to them now than I used to. So I've grown up. That's not a bad thing! I think I just heard something out of the ordinary. My hands are clasped behind my back as I float along. I've been trying to hone some of my powers. Flying, specifically, needs to become a second nature thing if I'm ever actually going to be effective using it. Of course I haven't managed to master my new found fear of heights. I can only go up a couple stories before I get scared of being in the air without a plane or, well, anything! So this might be a moot point altogether. I look up from watching the ground absentmindedly as it passes while I attempt flying and thinking at the same time. Nothing looks out of place. There's a strange sound coming from my left however. I turn my head to look. I barely see that a tiny black object is coming my way before I reflexively raise my arm. I didn't have time to think to be afraid before the bullet pinged off my bracelet. I'm pretty shook up right now though. WHAT THE HELL!?! Slowly I lower my arm. I'm shaking quite visibly. But I have to press through this. What's going on? There's a lot of yelling coming from down the street. A few cars are stopped in the middle of the road, some sideways, some not. Another car is turned up on it's side between two groups of the yelling people. Another round of gunshots erupt from the area. Instinctively I drop to the ground, and sure enough a couple bullets pass by overhead. Okay, this is *really* bad. I look around for civvies. Everyone's taken cover of one form or another. I don't see anyone shot down, at least not on this side of the fight. That's good. I don't hear any police sirens yet. That's not good. I pull out my phone as I get up to a crouch. Whatever that ricocheting bullets off my bracelet thing was, I can't trust that I can do that again! So, move carefully, use as much cover as possible... oh wait! I can go *around* the side here and come in from that cross street where they're not aiming! As I jump for the alley I'm right near I toss my phone to the closet person. "Call the cops!" Now, around, quickly. Come up the side street. I can see the fight. Shooting has stopped for a moment. But the yelling hasn't. Someone on one side it pulling out a big mean looking weapon. I run up - am I being an idiot or what?! I must be out of my mind.... "HEY!" I yell at the groups. No one seems to hear. Shooting starts again as the other side sees the big weapon being loaded. "HEY!" I yell again, forcefully, and trying to be louder than them all. A couple people hear me. They look at me like I must be a fool. I have to agree. But they stop shooting, and elbow their buddies. Quickly everyone stops to look at me. "Get out of here Sweetheart," someone yells at me. "Yeah, this doesn't concern you," someone on the other side chimes in. "I think it does," I inform them. "One of you almost took my head off!" I start walking towards the scene now that I appear to have their attention. But a couple people are antsy or trigger happy or something. One gun goes off. Which sets off a round of others. I put up both my hands, one facing each side. Guess I have enough faith in my reflexes and flight to get me out fast enough should it become necessary. I yell at the groups again, now marching myself up confidently to stand almost between them, but not in the direct line of fire. The shooting stops again. I see the big weapon being leveled at the other side. I turn to face the weapon. "Don't," is all I say. The operator stands down slightly, looks at me, takes up position again. "Please," I implore the person. "Don't do this. Talk to me." The operator stands down again, this time lowering the weapon some as well. "Why should I?" "Because, something had to make you this angry. But nothing is so bad that there can't be another way to resolve it than this. Tell me, maybe I can help." "What! You taking their side?" I hear from behind me. I raise my hand lightly, palm down, to the person I was just talking to, with a pleading look. Then I raise one finger to indicate to give me just one moment. I turn to face the other side. "Not at all," I reply. "I want to hear your side as well. But only person can speak at a time. And I chose this gentleman," I gesture to the man I had been talking to, hoping it is a man, "to keep him from unleashing that thing on you," I turn so I'm not facing either side directly, and look back at the first man, "and because he looked like the person with the most to loose right now." I have no idea how I do it, but I manage to get each side to tell me what they believed the problem was and why it had escalated to this fight without anyone taking another shot at someone. Most of what each side says matches up until events from three days ago are recanted. During it all I watch as the more people say and get into the discussion instead of reacting with the instinct to fight, the more they gravitate towards each other. Finally I am standing between two groups of people within arms reach of each other. Some still have guns ready, but most do not. I am careful to watch out for those who seem the closest to being set off again and diffuse them. I disarm one person of a switch blade before anyone else sees it. I give the person stern look. His is a sheepish one in reply. I'm not sure any of us noticed when the police arrived. I know I didn't. I had heard sirens at one point, but I couldn't afford to pay attention to them. When the two groups are finally at a place I felt they aren't going to jump on each other, I look around and see there are several police cars surrounding us with officers ready with guns, but otherwise just watching. "Put down your guns on the ground, slowly and carefully," I tell the two groups in a quiet voice. "Don't panic. Don't worry. As long as you don't make any sudden moves the cops won't do anything," I promise. The groups look around, some surprised at the police, some not. Some do as I ask right away, some hesitate, but a look from me convince them it's okay. Once that's done, the police start to move in. I walk out from the groups, telling them to stay there, and head towards the officer who looked like he is in charge. It turns out to be a she. She has everyone stay steady. I can't say I like the sensation of guns trained on me. But I refuse to let my anxiety show. Not now. I've come so far already! "It's under control," I assure the OIC. "No one's been hurt that I can see. It was mostly an escalation of a misunderstanding. Please, let them go. Take their weapons if you like. But they've been very co-operative, and some are even sorry." The OIC looks at me very skeptically. She thinks for a few moments. She orders her officers to go retrieve all weapons. She looks at me again. "Tell me again why I should let them go?" I motion towards the groups. "Why not hear it from them? They're good enough guys." She nods at me and starts to come with me. A couple other cops don't like the idea, but don't do much of anything after a stern order from the OIC. The groups seem to get skid-ish as I bring the officer up with me. But knowing they really are trapped, and are without weapons now, no one says or does anything. I formally introduce the officer to the group leaders in the manner my Mother taught me was proper. Quickly the groups and the officer have an open dialog going. The officer calls in two more officers to come take witness statements from members of the group. While that happens the OIC pulls me aside. "How did you get them to stand down?" she asks me incredulously. "And to be so accommodating?" "I... just talked with them," I reply with a shrug. "They were angry, but they didn't want to hurt me. So I used that. They needed to vent. I gave them another way to do so." The officer shakes her head with a smile. "You're insane. They could have just of easily have killed you." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "I know." I can't help but laugh slightly now. "I guess I was trusting that fortune favors the foolish!" I shrug again. "Something brought me here at this moment. I had to act." "If you say so," she replies. "Either way, you saved a lot of lives today. Thanks." "No problem." She pulls out a pen and a pad of paper. Her demeanor changes. "So. What's your name? And what exactly happened here?" "I... well...," I still haven't figured out what name I want to give people. "Let's take those in opposite order, okay? I was... oh... um... huh." I'm not sure how to tell her I was just hovering along minding my own business when I had the need to stop a bullet. I look at her, purse my lips a bit as I think. I wave my finger at her thoughtfully. "You know what? I can't answer these just yet. Sorry." Before she can reply more than just the surprised look on her face I take off. "They can answer everything," I call back at her indicating the people who had been the groups in the shoot out. As I head away, I see someone waving frantically at me. Confused, I head over. As I approach the man smiles and holds out an object. My phone! I almost forgot! I smile and thank him very much, then head off again. That could have really sucked.
Back	----- Newspapers are calling me the "New American Hero" now. Someone came up with it as a temp name since I've been doing things all across the country. Most heros tend to stay in their own locations unless something really big comes down. So far I've been sighted by papers in at least half a dozen locations, and each time not near the last. It's obvious to all I'm traveling the country. Some say I am part of a rare breed of traveling heros. Some say there's no such thing and are trying to predict my eventual ending point. Heh, it's actually kind of interesting. They seem to have a better idea of my destination than I do. A couple of their suggestions actually sound kindof tempting. I might stop by and see if they are what I'm looking for. However, avoiding reporters has become my new pastime. It would only be harder to do in those locations where I'm expected to show up. I don't mind civvies recognizing me. But I really have no desire to do an interview. Even if I wanted to I couldn't answer most of their questions. Now this is *really* interesting. Members of the Justice League? It looks like Superman and... Wonder Woman! Oh my God, it IS Wonder Woman! Are they coming towards me?!? Oh wow, they are! Oh my God WOW. Chill, Allie, chill! Blatant Hero worship is not cool. Huh, actually, Wonder Woman looks... mad? The two Super Heros land in front of me. I can't help but shrink back. Intimidation is at an all time high in my life right now. "Who do you think you are!" Wonder Woman demands of me. "Uh...." Uh... how am I supposed to answer that? Superman tries to put a hand on her shoulder, she shakes it off. "That outfit. How DARE you! Black hair, same build, and similar powers do NOT give you the right to impersonate Troia!" I can only blink at her as I try to understand what she's just said to me. "Do you mean Donna?" I ask. She starts to get even angrier. I speak quickly. "I'm not impersonating her. I mean, I don't mean to be," I'm fumbling over my words. I can't think fast enough! Wonder Woman starts to walk towards me in a way I really don't like. I start backing up at the same speed. My eyes dart to Superman then back to Wonder Woman. "She came to me. I don't even know what- how it all happened. One moment I was under attack, the next my clothes had changed and I had these powers!" To say Wonder Woman is pissed is a severe understatement. She doesn't believe a word I'm saying. Suddenly I understand she's angry I'm claiming to be someone who was very important in her life. But I seriously think she's going to take me apart! What do I DO?!? A sudden memory. Not mine. "Cassie...," I start to say,. She's surprised to hear her name from me. I didn't think she could look any angrier than she did a moment ago! "Please, listen to me!" I beg. "The Lasso," I get out quickly before she can do anything. Sure enough it causes her a second's pause. "Please. It will tell you if I'm telling the truth." She stops advancing on me. Her hand hesitates a moment over the Lasso of Truth. She frowns deeply. "We shall see," she growls at me. I can see in her eyes she's already starting to believe me. Does she not want to? I recant the entire story for her. I tell her about the night, the gang, the beating, the attempted rapes, how Donna came to me and saved me by changing me. We're both crying at the end of it, for different reasons I assume. I never want to relive that memory again. Cassie puts her arm around my shoulders and pulls me to her into a hug. Another memory that's not mine. Oh wow. While she had been alive, Cassie had thought of Donna as her Aunt.... "I'm sorry," I whisper between tears. "I'm so so so sorry." "It's okay," she assures me. "It's okay." "I don't know what to do. I'm so confused. I've been traveling so long, I don't know where to. I just want to stop. And learn. And get control. And help people. And-" "Shhhhh," she tells me. I know I'm rambling but I can't seem to stop. "Everything will turn out okay," she says. "Come on. I can help." I nod and let her pull me off the ground. We start to fly, she doesn't let go of my hand. I don't want her to. It's comforting, more than anything has been since the attack except maybe for my own Mother's hand or Liz's voice. As we leave the city I start to feel a little wrong. "No wait," I say and pull away from her slightly. She looks at me with concern. "I...," I look West of the direction we are heading currently. "I'm supposed to be going that way," I tell her. She looks in the same direction then back to me. I shrug uncertainly. It's all I can think to do. She looks off the way she was leading me. "We can help..." "I can't go." I shake my head. "Not yet at least. I have to find out where it is I'm going." She sighs. "Do you have to right now? I'd like to talk first. You can wait a little while to continue on your journey, right?" I nod and smile. "Yes, definitely. I'd like that very much."
Back	----- Titan Tower. This is where my feet brought me, figuratively speaking of course since I'm now flying. I hesitate before knocking. Is this really what I want? Junior Justice-er? My experiences on this journey showed me I have the amazing abilities of the former Donna Troy, as well as the knack for public speaking that all of the Wonder Woman legacy possess. And that I need a lot of help dealing with them! But I'm still confused. She's inside of me. I'm inside of me. It feels like we don't quite mesh. Like she's a part of me now, but still separate. Is it really her? Like is it that her spirit is sharing my body with mine? Does it even matter? I knock, ring the doorbell. I wait. Suddenly I'm nervous. Almost scared even. Just as I start to turn away, the door opens. "Can I help you?" a young man asks. Close my eyes, muster my courage, turn to face him. "I'm here to join you. The team, that is." He's a young 15-ish looking red head, wearing a white and red uniform that kind of reminds me of the Flash. He looks at me, somewhat skeptically. I Am hovering outside the door, which gives me a bit of credibility. "And you are...?" "Troia." "Troia huh. You came to join the Titans? Umm..., ok? " He looks confused for minute. "Sure come on in." All of a sudden it's as if the entire weight of the last several months has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel so relieved. This is what I've been heading for, and now that I'm finally here, it's like I'm finally able to relax. I smile at the boy as I pass by him going through the door. "Thanks." A breeze goes by me. Suddenly the boy is standing at the next doorway. Yup, definitely of the Flash legacy. "Names Kyle by the way," he says. "Or Impulse. Whichever." I nod. He grins. I can't help but chuckle briefly at the display. He's just like Kid Flash. Huh, I wonder who that is. "So why do you want to join the Titans?" he asks. "Um..." I pause as I try to think of an answer. Until several minutes ago I didn't know this is what I want to do. "Actually, I'm not really sure." I shrug. "I just feel this is where I belong." "That's cool.... Me I am following in my Father's footsteps." I nod as I start to really think about what I've just done, so odd and foreign to me, yet familiar at the same time. I start to look around as I reply to him. "Superheroing as a family business. Nice." He leads me to the Common Room. How do I know that's what it's called? "Yeah. You wantsometingtodrink?" he offers. Before I can answer he becomes a blur and is back in seconds with a couple of sodas. "Uh. I guess that's a yes." I take the drink offered to me. "Sorry..., I tend to get ahead of myself sometimes." As I look around the common room I can feel my brow furrow a bit. I know I've seen this place before. Talk about dejavu! But more intense. I'm almost certain I've been here before! No wait, not me. Of course, I've seen this place in one of Donna's memories. There were other people here too. Ah, that's where I know Kid Flash from. But there were a lot of others too. Wait, did Kyle say something to me? Ah, that's right, some joke type thing about his speed. "Oh, no problem," I finally respond. "Something wrong?" he asks me. I sigh, and shake my head. "No, nothing." I look back at him. "Say-" what was his code name again? "Impulse, right?" "Well if you're all about business then yeah." "Okay. Kyle, then." I shrug, it doesn't matter to me. "Who else is part of the Titans now?" I'm more then curious, part of me to know what the team is like now, part of me wondering what the heck I've really got myself into. He grins. "Well there is Krypton, Star Girl, myself, and well, you? If you're accepted that is." He shrugs. "Though unless I just let a Super Villian in here I don't see why they wouldn't accept you." He narrows his eyes playfully. "You're not a Super Villian, right?" I look askance at him from the corner of my eyes, playing along. "If I were would I tell you?" The corners of my mouth tug upwards as I try to hold back a smile. "Oh and Hawk Girl," he suddenly adds, "can't forget her." He grins again. Hm, so four members so far, not including me. "I don't recognize the name Krypton," I tell him. "The others I know... or rather, knew.... I don't suppose they are actually the people I'm thinking of?" Kyle arches an eyebrow at me. "Umm..., ok?" Yeah, I've confused him. Okay, note to self, keep comments indicating Donna and my situation to myself. At least until I'm ready to tell people what's going on. Not sure I want to at all. "Krypton has similar powers to Superman," he's telling me as I'm thinking on things. "I'll let him tell you his story if he wants." "Hmm...." I turn and look around again. Things are falling into place, fracturedly, but it's happening. Okay, so the personal quarters are that way. I put my drink down and heft my bag over my shoulder again. "If you don't mind, it's been a LONG trip and I'm really tired. I'll be in my room if anyone wants me." I start to head off in what I think is the direction of personal quarters. "Umm hold up." Suddenly Kyle is in front of me. "What do you mean your quarters? They haven't been assigned to you yet?" He looks really really confused now, and I think a little on edge. His statement surprises me. My room is gone?! Why? How? "They've been reassigned?" I ask. Wait... my room isn't here. *I*'ve never lived here before. I blink a couple times, then put my hand to her forehead. Now that's Really odd. I've never been so entrenched in Donna's memories before. "Oh, right," I say to myself as I try to force her and me back to our separate selves. Kyle gets a look like 'oh great I let a crazy person in'. I tilt my head slightly at him. "Sorry. Um..." I look back to the common room. How can I explain things without having to explain everything? "Oh, if you check the computer, there should be a record of a former member of the Titans named Troia." I walk back to the common room and sit down. "Well, a former incarnation of the Titans that is." "I knew that name sounded familiar," he says. He sounds much calmer again now. "You're named after the Wonder Girl from the Original team right?" I sigh. How ironic. I am my own legacy. "Yes," I answer. Close enough. "My Dad was on that team." He grins as more of Donna's memories start to mix with mine again. It must be this place. It was core to her life. So much, so much happened here, so many memories from here, so many things, it's... it's becoming overwhelming. After a moment I look up at him, trying to fight through to being just myself, not that I have been in a long time. Can I even be myself anymore? Who am I, who am I really? Wait, don't get lost. Not now. Not here. Here, I can start from stuff I know. This is Kyle standing before me. His father was... someone Donna knew. "I know...." Wow, he does look like a spitting Image of how Donna remembers his father. Now he looks confused. "Oh, did your research too, huh." He grins again. I grin wanly. "You could say that." Where's that drink from earlier? I could really use- ah there is it. I retrieve it for a sip. Kyle gets an uneasy look on his face. He probably doesn't do well with awkward silences, that would make sense. A girl enters the room. She literally bops in. She's wearing headphones, her long hair is in a braid, and she's wearing cut off shorts and no shoes. No clue at all as to who she is. I look from the chick with the headphones back to Kyle. And a boy walks into the common room. "That's Star girl," Kyle tells me. Suddenly he appears behind Star girl and taps her on the shoulder as he grins at the other boy. "They just come out of the woodwork, don't they," I say to Kyle. "That's Krypton," he says, indicating the other boy. I nod. "Ah." "Humm?" Krypton asks as he looks around the room. "Oh!" Star girl exclaims as she takes off her headphones, jumping slightly and nearly whapping Kyle in the head despite him more then able to duck under her blow. "Don't DO that." She glares pointedly at Kyle. "Brat." She looks at me. "Hi." "Hi," I reply. Kyle chuckles. I set down my drink and stand up to introduce myself. "I'm Troia." I look back at Kyle and my hand drifts to my opposite elbow somewhat nervously. "I'd like to join the team." Now why in the world am I nervous again!? Kyle looks over at Krypton as I speak. Star girl blinks twice, looks to Krypton, then back to me, and then finds a seat. I turn towards Krypton as it seems everyone else is deferring to him. "Who me? I get to pick or something?" he asks a bit surprised. "Sorry man," Kyle explains. "Used to deferring to the guy who wears the red S." I can't help but laugh lightly at the remark. Star girl adds, "I just hold the stick." She chuckles afterwards. Kyle joins in her chuckling. Krypton adjusts the bracers on his costume and looks to the rest of us. "When did I make...oy." He looks specifically at me. "Okay, okay, you said your name is Troia, right?" I nod. "Yes." "Well since you are here, you may as well join the party." He offers his hand. I'm so surprised by the suddenness of his acceptance that I can't do anything but blink at first. I smile, then take his hand, but just a little bit guardedly as this seems way too easy, it almost assuredly has to be some sort of test. "Wow. I feel sorely underdressed," Star girl randomly comments to no one in particular. It must be because she's the only one not in a uniform or costume. Hey," Kyle starts to protest to Krypton. "I had to jump through hoops at first, she gets a here ya go 'yay team'," he mock grumbles. "I knew you made me do that for your amusement Supes wannabe." He laughs and quickly hides behind Star girl. "Can we not call me Supes wannabe, Superman Jr. or for God's sake Superboy?" Krypton asks, a bit too defensively it sounds to me. Kyle appears to try to hold it in but can't and falls down laughing hysterically. "K-R-Y-P-T-O-N. Or I will turn this red, blue and gold jump suit back in..., it still feels funny." I smile properly at the joviality going on, but I don't really feel it. "I hate to say it James, it doesn't hide much...," Star girl comments. Okay, so Krypton's real name is James. I wonder if he wanted me to know that. "Oh man stop... I am just playing," Kyle says between laughs. "I like it. It suits you. Besides you have the build flaunt it. Right ladies?" Krypton sighs. I open my mouth to respond, but end up closing it without saying a word and look towards the hallway. I Really am tired.vStar girl's voice calls me back to the scene before me. "Now would be the time you'd get shown around." I look back at her. "Um...," I look at Kyle. "No need to. Thanks though." "Sorry..., my head's in the... right, stopping that pun there." Kyle looks flustered for a moment. "Was it something I said?" he asks. Krypton seems to blush and shakes his head. "Heh," is all I can think to say to Star girl. To Kyle I say, "No, not at all. I just...." Oh never mind. I sigh. "I really am tired." "Why?" Star girl asks me. "It's been a Loooooong journey," I reply. "Where are you from?" she continues. Ah, now we're getting into the stuff I expected before I'd be accepted into the team. Krypton just watches us all as we talk and leans on the table in the center of the room, listening. "Oh. Are you an Amazon?" Kyle asks. He looks to everyone else. "She has the same name as the original Wonder Girl. From the Titians my dad was on," he explains to them. I feel like a deer caught in headlights for a moment. "Uh... uh.... I mean, No. I'm... from Canada." "Not a clue," Krypton says responding to Kyle's comment about the former team. "I didn't know the original Titans, at least not personally." Star girl shrugs her shoulders as if she is clueless. "I read about them in the paper." I move to the nearest computer console and tap on. "You could read about them in the archives too," I inform them. Kyle sighs and gives the other the duh look as I point out the computer. Oh I hope that didn't sound like I was admonishing them. Though it is somewhat annoying only Kyle and I know anything about our collective history. "I've been trying to read up on the bad guys first," Star girl says in defense of herself. Then she throws a pillow at Kyle. Kyle catches said pillow and just when she finishes the follow through with the throw Kyle is in front of Star girl and gently boffs her in the nose with the pillow and then is on the other side of the room. "I will get to it," Krypton seems to protest to me. "I have a couple of things ahead of the archives." He pauses for a second, looking at me. Is that thoughtfully or skeptically? I shrug and as Krypton says "You seem pretty well versed. Who gave it to you?" I start to say, "So... if I am a member of the team..." I stop at Krypton's question and look to him. How can I best answer that? "I've had a lot time to learn my legacy on my trip," I finally explain. Star girl sighs with exasperation at Kyle, then flops back to listen. "Ok, good resources," Krypton concedes to me. "But as far as I am concerned you are in." "I knew it. Guys we have a Wonder Girl." Kyle looks excited as he says that. I smile a small but happy smile. "Finally home," I say softly to myself. Ah, so that's why I had been nervous again. There had been a chance I still could have been turned away. Krypton smacks his head own at Kyle's comment. "Wonder girl. She has a name." Kyle continues on as if he hadn't heard Krypton. "We are only missing a caped crusader and an Atlantian." "What about a partially machined man?" I add, just now realizing Kyle's expecting to get together a new version of the old team. "Oh yeah, can't forget a Cyborg. I keep thinking JLA at times." He grins. I shake my head playfully. Something about this boy just keeps making me feel happy, or rather, more youthful. Suddenly I realized we're being watched again. Star girl pulls her leg up to rest her chin on her knee as she watches us, and Krypton is leaning on the wall watching. But Kyle hasn't seemed to notice yet. He continues on. "Man this is gunna be great." He looks very excited. I can't help but go over and pat him on the back as I walk by him. "If no one minds? Bed time for me," I say. I start to head down the hall to personal quarters area. "G'night," Star girl calls after me. Kyle grins at me. "Sure. Hey Star girl. Can you show her to one of the empty rooms.... Never mind. She seems to know where she is going." "Night," I say to them all. "G'night," Kyle says to me. "You showed her around well enough, apparently," I hear Star girl say as I walk down the hall. "Wow I was faster than I thought," Kyle replies to her. "Don't remember showing her much." "That's you, too cool for words," she compliments him. No one's realized I never got a tour. Good, I prefer it that way. At least for now. No too personal questions to answer. Maybe Kyle does realize it and just isn't saying anything. That's really cool of him if that's the case. Though it’s also a bit too trusting for someone in our position. I'll have to have a talk with him later. Somehow. "What do you think?" is the last thing I hear from the common room. That's fine with me. They're about to talk about me, they should have their privacy. I easily make my way to my room and start to open the door.... No. Wait. NOT *my* room. Suddenly I realize I'm standing in front of what used to be Donna's room. I try to step back by my hand is frozen on the door. Memories flood into the forefront of my mind. Every thing behind that door I can see, I know down to the last detail every bit of the room. It's as if I can see right through the door. But seeing back in time. I feel myself sinking, the same overwhelming feeling from earlier. I feel like I should fight it. Then again I feel like I should let it happen. Doesn't Donna deserve to deal with her emotions too? But how do I keep myself from getting lost in her memories? It's too late now, I can't stop.... A breeze goes by. No, must be Kid Flash. No..., that was hers. Mine is... Kyle. Yes, mine. Me. Allie. Oh, but not Allie. I haven't been me in months. I'm sorry Donna. We can work together. But it has to be as us, not as you or me. I get that now. More me than you, because there is more me than you. But, I won't keep pushing you away. I'm sorry. Together. Just... I open my eyes. I'm still standing in front of the door with my hand on it. Slowly I pull my hand away. It feels like it's been there forever. My fingers start tingling with pain, they fell asleep. How long have I been standing here?? I step back and take a deep breath. Okay. It's okay. Together Donna, you and I. Just... not here. This room was yours. I need a different one. Things are different now. New life. New memories. New room. Okay? Cool. I pick the room across the hall and one door down. It opens without issue. I poke my head inside to see that it is indeed empty. Good, mine now. I walk in, locking the door behind me. I put my bag down and lean over to start to unpack. Only to find I am indeed way too tired. I manage to flop onto the bed before falling asleep.