Archive of Our Own ^beta

Eons ago, in an endless meadow of glowing pale green grass, a young man apearing to be about 15, sat with one leg folded under him, the other outstretched. All around him, a congress of ravens. The large black birds were standing around him in no particular formation. There was one seated upon his bare foot, another grasping the silvery fabric on the shoulder of his tunic. Yet another sat atop his head, lazily nipping at his spikey white hair as he spoke to them; giving instructions about places he wanted them to travel, things he wanted them to observe and report back. Mostly focused on his task, he did not notice the sound of his sister approaching.

"Lookit! Kitty!"

"Gah!"

So, when she shoved an orange puff ball in his face, he was caught off guard and flopped over in suprise. This was met with a flurry of wings and feathers as his familiars hurried to avoid their flailing master. From his new position, Gabriel scowled up at his smiling sister.

"Why do you do that?!" he growled as he rolled over. The birds squawked in indignation at the Light Mage and her furry intruder. One reclaimed its place atop his head, doing it's best to glare down at the new comers.

"Isn't she cute? I found her in a tree in the menagerie today. Poor thing was yowling because she was stuck up so high." Sylphine cooed as she stroked its head.

"Uh-huh. So where did the fleabag come from?" Her brother poked it, earning a hiss.

"I dunno. She was in the menagerie, so I guess Mama made her. I mean I know I didn't and you hate felines so..." She trailed of, not really sure what to say.

"...so you decided to shove it in my face. That's logical. Mama always shows us new creatures as soon as she creates them Syl. Something's weird about that cat."

"Hmm..."

Golden eyes met red, both sets equally curious. The kitten was a burnt orange color with red markings swirled across it's fur. The paws and tail tip were a bit darker and her belly creamy white. So tiny, she fit in Sylphine's palm. Considering her own pixy size, that was saying something.

Not to mention the strange aura surrounding it...

Her musing came to an end once she felt a slight tug on her head. The kitten had been batting at the golden beads on the end of a few braids. A flicker of light later, the butterflies became animate, detaching and fluttering just out of the cat's reach. Their rapid pulsing glow and bell sounding chimes communicating irritation to their mistress.

"Where did you come from? Got a name?" The young witch held the cat inches from her face, searching but not sure for what.

"Mew." In responses, a small rough tongue swiped across the girl's nose.

"Aww...well then..." She cradled the purring creature gently in her arms. "How about Teekl?"

The louder purring was interpreted as implied consent

At the same time, another set of young beings were seated on the shore of a lake. One with short red hair, looking about 7. The other, with long black hair that could pass for 15 or so. The redhead looked restless. His company appeared...bored?

It was impossible for Sagittarius to tell what was going on in his older brother's mind. He'd never seen him smile. Or laugh. Or make any facial expression really in all his star cycles of life. So when Castor's brow knitted and he began to rub his chest, Tari himself was just as confused.

"What's wrong?"

"I...my chest. It feels warm." He's displayed something other than a blank mask, his voice remained a creepy monotone.

/Pol, something's wrong with Cas./ The neutral mage reached out through their sibling bond.

/You mean besides the usual?/ A snort of derision was his reply.

/Yes. He keeps rubbing his chest...you know...where it was? He said it feels warm there. I thought he couldn't feel so what's going on?/

Pollux paused in manipulating an asteroid field closer to it's parent star. Ripping out his own heart had left his twin unable to experience emotion or tactile sensation. It had frayed his spiritual bond with him and their mother to a hair's breath from snapping and the one Castor should have with Sagittarius was nonexistent. So something was going on. But was it a good something?

*I am bum...bum...bum...a line break!*

Peeking around the oversized yellow bow, Raquel sighed at the clock. Two hours ago, another curveball had been hurled at the team. Squeezing Hello Kitty tighter, she lost herself in thought.

A choice. A choice she and the rest of Young Justice would have to make. One only they could make would determine the ultimate end game. This was nothing like anything she had encountered during her tenure as Rocket. All she wanted was to help people. Prove to the world that she was not a lost cause. This was not what she signed up for.

Nikkou had assured them all that those they loved most were safe, despite the nexus points being dropped in their backyards. She had (understandably) freaked out seeing Icon's emblem rotating above Dakota, now lost under a dome of black energy. Immediately her heart sank, the only family she had left was gone as far as she knew. The black haired mage smiled at her before revealing that she was fine, as were he loved ones of the team that may have been trapped. One of the second tier mages of from their reality, Lady Psyfire had the ability to create insulating energy barriers that shielded those within from the outside while forcing the occupant to sleep. Dreamspheres she called them.

Krishna...Captain Marvel...little Billy Baston

He had to die; no if ands or buts about it. Were there more time and Lady Gaia were not comatose things would be different. Unfortunately, their world's guardian was down for the count and everything was being held together by her unconscious will to preserve her realm. Still she grew weaker as time passed and once she was exhausted, reality would begin to unravel like a cheap sweater in the washer, That alone was not the cause of the gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach though.

Being told point blank that one gets to play god with real lives on the line was not nearly as fun as some would think. I made her think this truly was a mad world.

*I am bum...bum...bum...a line break!*

Robin elected to spend time with his mother when everyone dispersed; most numb with shock.

"Those you love most are fine Boreugwyn. Calm down."

"Yeah, but love is qualitative not quantitative mam, Bruce and Alfred mean more to me than anything but what about Babs and her dad? The few teachers that weren't total assholes to me? You?" His voice cracked a bit at that last part. Pisces smiled weakly at him. Turning from her mirror, she closed her eyes and exhaled before she spoke.

"I was not there bright bird. As for the others the strength of your love decided whom Psyfire could save. Those whose loss would cause you to lose the control you have gained over your gifts. It could only be two at most. Could you honestly say you would grieve the same way should Barbara die as you would for Alfred? Or Bruce?"

The Boy Wonder felt as if he were suddenly submerged in an ice bath, To suggest he didn't care enough to save the lives of his friends but...It boiled down to a choice he had already made in his heart, regardless of what he tried to deny. Who mattered more to him: one of the men who raised him, or his first real friend? What of Haley's Circus? Would he have chosen to save what was left of his first family had they been trapped as well? He love them all but only two could be spared.

It just wasn't fair. With the cards dealt, just like him, nothing was perfect.

**Flashback**

"I am afraid the most distressing news shall be what I say next. Even though tens of thousands of children have been taken as opposed to a greater several million trapped in the domes, the corruption they suffered was much more severe. As well as prolonged. Simply put, once Krishna is destroyed a choice must be made. Who will you save? The children forced into Vishnu's service...or the residents of the cities Krishna has turned into nexus points? The power taken from me is vast but not infinite and I myself will be too weak to affect any major changes to our reality immediately. But once the vessel containing it is shattered, all that energy will not simply linger while I recover. It must be decided at that moment. Only one group will be spared. Those you forsake will have their very souls torn asunder with no hope of restoration."

"WHAT?!" Was the instant response from everyone not a mage in the room.

"Do shut up as I'm sure you're all screaming now. You must also know that the decision is to be made not by the Justice League, but Young Justice as it will have to be their efforts that bring this nightmare to an end. Their abilities plus that of my children and Ebedi's are the only hope our world has.

Before I go, listen well. I have heard your concerns about we Zodiac Knights. Seen the distrust and contempt for our very existence in your eyes. We are all powerful so we must enjoy trifling with your lives and taking away what you love. That assumption is so far from the truth it's sad. We are just like you. We have dreams and fears; feelings that can be hurt. Responsibilities assumed voluntarily and involuntarily.I am the mother to not only my boys but to all of you. And like any mother I must do what is best for all of my children, I can have no favorites. This decision I am sure will be difficult but magnify it by 1000. That is what we face on a constant basis. Whole planets, nebulae are often at stake with winners and losers in each scenario. And my heart breaks each and every time. Do not envy us...be grateful you must walk in our shoes only a short while, thank affinity."

The crystal exploded into several tiny sparkles before dissipating.

The defenders of truth and justice were all left in silence. Some found shame in their own behavior or despair in the truth so harshly bared to them. With all the Mages dealt with, with all their power...is this what it's like? To still be bound by their affinity, the balance?

One would assume playing god would be an exhilarating experience. Until the concept of merely playing was erased and real lives were on the line.

*end*