Into the depths of April's mind ((Clark, Ed, Cipher Nine))

[slayers_desire]

J'onn was unable to tell April much about why her voices were not working, but he sensed a darkness in her mind. And rightly was concerned because it was starting to grow... slowly, but steadily.

After a long conversation about how to remedy the situation, it was decided that some of April's closest friends should go into her mind, and seek out the true situation.

Already Clark was at her side, but she had placed phone calls to both Ed and Cipher Nine detailing enough to let them know that she needed them. And a little about why. The whole story would be stated once they all arrived.

But she was nervous. Sick to her stomach. And just wanted her mind back... so she was restless.

((posting order April/ Clark/ Ed and Cipher Nine))

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark is anxious too, although he hides it better. The whole situation has him on edge. He's used to being able to solve most problems with his powers, but every now and then, something comes up where even Superman is powerless.

[fmalchemist160]

Ed has slowly noticed something's amiss too, even before April told him something was up. Some of the info she gave him while they were hunting down the intended new homunculus Greed wasn't entirely truthful. Somewhat true, yes, from a certain point of view, though he only noticed it in hindsight.

Now, even with only vague information, he's worried too. And he wants to help fix whatever's the matter with her powers, however he can, so he arrives as soon as he gets the call.

Cipher Nine, meanwhile, hasn't had a chance to work with April since the Initiative, and so hasn't noticed anything is different. The Treaty of Coruscant has just been broken, and fresh war has erupted between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Imperial Intelligence has been in overdrive, and thus he's been quite busy. But the moment he gets April's call, he immediately answers it. The Kents are his friends, and if April's in trouble, then by thunder, he's going to come to her aid, no matter what.

[slayers_desire]

April takes a deep breath, collecting herself for a moment after both Ed and Cipher Nine arrive. They don't know what happened to her. Or how the situation has gone to red-alert.

"A few days ago, Clark heard a burglary in process. When I sought guidance from my voices, they advised that Stargirl and myself answer the call. Clark was here at Watchtower with the kids."

"One of the robbers hated women. With a passion. He was suicidal."

"The police had to do what was necessary..." She chokes back tears. "It all went wrong..."

"Something is wrong with my voices. And we are not sure what...."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark squeezes her hand in support. It's about all he can do at the moment. "We need your help getting to the bottom of this."

[fmalchemist160]

Ed immediately goes to hug April, and answers Clark right away. "You've got it."

"Absolutely," Cipher Nine agrees solemnly.

Ed frowns for a moment, still keeping an arm around April's shoulder while he tries to puzzle at least a few things out. "April and I had to hunt a homunculus recently," he says after awhile. "Some of the information her voices gave her about it was... off. So it's been at least since then."

"Which begs the question of whether we know of it happening sooner than that," Cipher Nine adds. "I haven't worked with you recently," he says, addressing April, "so I can't really be certain."

[slayers_desire]

It is sort of a shock that this situation might have lasted longer than she had realized. She leans into the hug by Ed for additional support. "You could have been hurt because of me..."

"J'onn is going to establish a mind link between us, so you can investigate."

"But... that area of my mind that contains the voices... is dangerous. Even in a mindscape."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"It's not something we've really ever done before," Clark adds.

[fmalchemist160]

Ed gives her shoulder a reassuring rub, and gives her a brotherly peck on the cheek by way of reassurance. "It worked out okay. All I'm worried about now is making everything right again." He looks up to regard all four of them gathered together. "Whatever needs to be done, I'm ready to do it. No matter what the danger."

"Same here," Cipher Nine agrees with a small smile. "I couldn't call all of you my friends if I weren't willing to risk this sort of danger for you."

[slayers_desire]

"We have arrange for cots, so we can all lay down. J'onn will guide you into my mind, but from there you will have to gain assistance from my mental presences..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

In the room with the cots, J'onn prepares for what he has to do. He's not used to guiding others into other minds, but as a telepath, he has the capability. And of course he would do this without question to help April. "Are you prepared?" he asks, when they come to him.

Clark nods. "I am."

[fmalchemist160]

This is the first time both Ed and Cipher Nine have met J'onn, but now is not the time for pleasantries. They can take care of those when the problem is all taken care of. Ed and Cipher Nine both immediately nod. "Ready," Ed says.

"Ready," Cipher Nine echoes.

[slayers_desire]

April lays down on her cot, relaxing mentally and releasing shields so they can access the part of her mind they will need to. The mindscape that starts the exploration is the one that April uses quite often, the Oak Tree overlooking peaceful farmlands.

Right now, the only thing to lead them, is a path lined with sunflowers.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

By now, Clark is quite used to dealing with telepaths, and he lets his own mental shields down enough for J'onn to guide him more fully into April's mind. He recognizes their surroundings immediately, though the path is new.

"Follow the yellow brick road," he murmurs.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Ed's well-used to telepaths by now too, and readily lets J'onn into his mind. Cipher Nine has not had anywhere near so much practice, though he's also adaptable, and puts up as little fuss as possible.

Cipher Nine takes a moment to survey their surroundings. He's never seen sunflowers before, and is mildly curious upon seeing them for the first time, though he does not indulge that curiosity. Instead, he nods to Clark's statement and adds, by way of agreement, "Only path open to us. Shall we?"

[slayers_desire]

The sunflower path leads them through pleasant farm fields. And it is only after 'walking' for several minutes that they can see a darker mountain to the north. (Or as north as one gets in the mindscape).

Ahead on the path is a little girl, who is playing hopscotch.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Part of Clark stays on his guard. He knows that this isn't a place where things are as they seem, but they also might find help in the form of April's subconscious. "Hello there," he calls out.

[fmalchemist160]

Ed smiles a little as he spots the little girl. "Having fun there, sweetheart?" he adds, though he knows the girl may not be everything she seems. But until he has reason to believe otherwise, he's going to assume she is, indeed, a little girl.

[destinyborn]

The little girl looks up, a little scared and nervous herself. She backs up slightly, a little more when she spots Cipher Nine.

"You Demons won't hurt me!"

Geesh... she looks awfully familiar.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He'd rather expected something like this... fortunately he's very good at looking nonthreatening. "We aren't demons, I promise."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine flinches a little at that. Normally, he doesn't mind that people in April's reality assume he's a demon. For the most part, they don't react with fear, and it's a handy cover story. And he's more than used to experiencing xenophobia from adults in the Empire. Wariness, yes, treating aliens like second-class citizens, yes, snide derision, yes, doubt in his or any other alien's capabilities, yes. Outright fear? The kind that scares little girls? That he almost never sees.

He takes a cautious step forward and kneels down before the little girl (whom he suspects is an ickle April), and says, in the gentle and patient voice he always uses with kids, "I know I look really scary, miss, but I'm not going to hurt you. Promise. In fact, I'd like to help, if I can."

[destinyborn]

The little girl, who is indeed a version of April, leans in to study Cipher Nine carefully. "Gee... you aren't a Scourge, are you..."

Her eyes widen, and she looks hopeful. "Are you my protectors?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Yes," Clark answers, hoping that they can stay true to that. In a sense, all three of them are April's protectors when she can't protect herself. "We want to help you."

[nonvillainouscipher]

They all are, yes, from both Ed and Cipher Nine's perspectives. Cipher Nine immediately nods. "We are. And I'm not a Scourge. Just a Chiss." He stretches out a hand to her, diplomatically, hoping to reassure her. He's not even sure what a Scourge is, which should reinforce the truth of the statement. How can he be a Scourge if he doesn't even know what a Scourge is? "These Scourge," he asks, thoughtfully, "are they after you?"

[destinyborn]

Young April takes Cipher Nine's hand, and there is a little warm glow between their grasp for a second. She smiles softly.

"Always. For ever."

"I usually get help from Them..." She points towards the mountain. "But They have become scary."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark's memory of the Scourge is not a fond one, and he frowns a little. Is this a memory, or something more? "Why is that?"