Chapter 4: Even If They Weren't So Great

Wonder Woman held out the lasso. Or maybe I should think of it as Lasso, capitol letter at the start. Forged by mystic power once bowed to by ancient civilizations. And she was getting ready to wrap it around a paunchy nerd from San Jose. A paunchy nerd who had ended up with insane power and knowledge that put him near the top of the freaking Batman's paranoia shortlist.

"I'm going to say yes, but I want you to know I have serious reservations about this." I looked up at Wonder Woman. I think for the first time really. I'd been so caught up in who she was, that I hadn't actually looked at her. She was beautiful. And she was smiling gently. Understandingly.

"I'm… not a great guy. And I don't know if I want to see the parts of myself that aren't that great." I stared at the Lasso once more. "A woman who I respect once said the Lasso is 'a deadly weapon, that not only binds you, and follows its mistress' commands, the damned thing can see into your soul.' What do you think?"

Wonder Woman kneeled down from her statuesque height. "I think, that she is a wise woman. But I promise. This will only take a moment. You have my word, we only want to make sure you aren't a threat. I can't promise what you will find within you. But you must have faith in yourself." She looked at Latias. "The same faith that your allies have in you, if what Martian Manhunter has told me is true."

I felt guilt again. My Pokemon's faith in me was fake, the product of shoving pokepuffs into their mouths and training them to beat up my friends on game screen. Or maybe from a powerful psychic/reality warper screwing them and me over.

But I had to do this. Because I could never trust myself otherwise.

"Okay." I breathed deeply. "I will believe in the Pokemon who believe in me. Bind me." I winced. "And I meant that in a non-weird way."

She laughed at my creepy joke, probably to make me feel better, then slipped it over me.

PYJ

I don't want to talk about what I saw. I will admit to a lot of things. But never what I saw within myself.

I know, sounds pathetic. What the hell could a nerd like me do in his life that he's ashamed to admit it.

But the real question you should be asking, is what have you done lately? What are your doubts? Your fears? The things that woke you at night, night scared or crying, just woke you as you find yourself wondering what is wrong with you.

That is what I saw. I saw what was wrong with me, in every way possible. The things I never fixed, the things ignored, the things that killed me inside to think about. I was a monster.

But I also saw the good parts of me. Simple things. Things you never think about as good really. But the Lasso knows. It knows. It showed me the greatness within me, the things that make the people you love smile at you just because they love those small things.

That was what saved me from diving into a hole and killing myself. I may not be an angel, all full of my own jealousies, selfishness, doubts, and rage. But I wasn't a monster either. I'm… okay. Just like most people. I'm okay.

But hey, you don't want to hear me not tell you about my little insights into my own soul.

Because when the Lasso went on, the questions followed.

"Do you have the identities of every member of the Justice League?"

Even as I answered these questions, please remember I was also dealing with all that monster vs angel stuff I was talking about by the way. So my voice may have come out a bit shaky. Or a lot. No matter how lucid I may have sounded, a part of me was being burned.

"I don't know that for sure. I would need a full list of Leaguers to be sure. But I know almost every single hero and villains identity, and possibly those who have yet to even appear in this world."

That one got me wide eyes from all three.

"How is that-" Wonder Woman was interrupted by Batman who turned to give her a look I couldn't see, but that she returned with a respectful nod. He gave her what I guessed was acknowledging one back, then turned back to me.

"How is it possible for you to know this?"

I fought. Even as I saw parts of my life that shook my soul, I tried not to speak. To tell some different truth, to tell part of it. But the Lasso pulled it from me. The truth, in full.

"My universe is connected to others through metaphysical gateways." I felt my eyes widen. "Uh, wait what?"

Three of the most powerful beings in this universe stared at me with different levels of curiosity. Or suspicion.

Three guesses who the last is, and two don't count.

"What does that mean?"

I tried to force it now, to say what I had to. But even as the Lasso was forcing me to look within, it pulled the truth out. A truth that didn't feel like mine.

"I'm a nerd back home. And all my knowledge comes from books and movies. Like I said," I pointed the next words to Manhunter. "I read."

"So your world has documentaries about us?" Diana asked, seemingly confused. "You study us?"

"No." I prayed quietly for an explosion to cut me off, even as I felt violated by the Lasso tearing my soul down to the bare bones. "We just watch you. And other worlds as well. It's more emulation than anything. Creative minds get images from other universes in the form of fantasies and dreams, and convey them in art form. The images sometimes come through in a mangled form, which leads to odd versions. And sometimes the people who get these messages force their own interpretation of the truth onto them."

"But enough comes through for you to know about our identities." Batman is pissed. Well and truly pissed. "So, our histories are just entertainment to your world. Everything that happens to us, mass produced for maximum profit. With no regard for what we are forced to go through."

"It's not like that!" I yelled, emotion coming through.

"But that is what you are suggesting." J'onn said softly. "You must be clear. How much of our world is conveyed to yours? How much of our history, our capabilities? I am sorry, but while I promise you won't be harmed, we must know how compromised-"

"My world doesn't just treat yours as entertainment, we see you as an inspiration!" I couldn't stop now. The Lasso and my own need to be understood were in concert. "We don't look at your pain as a drama dammit! We have our own problems you know? And sometimes, when you want to think of a way out, you look to a hero for the answer. Hell, none of us even knew this world was real. I mean, we had our suspicions, but… as far as we were concerned, you, and heroes like you, were only real where it mattered. As examples to what we could be as people. We don't want to war with you. Hell, I can think of a whole lot of people who would love to apologize for this whole metaphysical thing."

Dammit, there it was again. Metaphysical. Is that even a word? Why was I saying that? Sure, people have made that suggestion, but everyone has a theory they pop up when they fantasize about their universe of choice being real. But if what I was saying was true, and the Lasso obviously believed it was, at least the Pokemon and DC Universes existed alongside my original universe.

But this whole thing was just another mystery on top of the others. Why was this truth about the nature of my universe inside me? Who dropped me here? Who gave me Pokemon, and then gave them memories that were simply impossible?

Wonder Woman smiled slightly as I breathed deeply. "It is… gratifying, I suppose. To know that we serve a role in your universe as well as our own."

"That's because you haven't heard of rule 34." Batman growled under his breath. Guess something are a constant everywhere "Regardless of our roles as 'inspirations', we still have threat of a serious security risk here. Is the rest of your world on its way as well? Are you the beginning of an invasion?"

"I doubt it." My words were shaky as the Lasso had forced out some guilty memories at the mention of rule 34, making things awkward in a big way. "My world isn't as advanced as most others. We don't even have aliens I think. And my Pokemon are not the kinds of beings that my world would be capable of controlling. And if we did invade, it would probably be with autograph books in hand."

That obviously didn't satisfy Batman. "Your world apparently has access to these creatures. And you got here. So while the Lasso is forcing you to tell the truth," His eyes narrowed. "Unless he can circumnavigate the Lasso."

"That is not possible." Diana did something that wasn't yelling, but also wasn't talking. "You know the power of this Lasso. It has never failed."

"Never is not always, and we don't know the power he might be hiding." A gravely growl responded. "Does he have more than simply control over these, Pokemon? Several of them have already proven to have psychic abilities. What if he has even more power than that?"

"Then it will be up to us to find out then." Martian Manhunter reasoned. "It is, indeed, suspicious that he has knowledge of us, yet he has shown no threat to us."

"I don't plan to either!" I interrupted, now getting damn annoyed at being ignored as they discussed this shit right in front of me. Seriously rude. "Seriously, I'm just some guy."

Wonder Woman nodded firmly. "The Lasso sees everything in his history, knowledge, and emotions. It has worked on beings across this universe, including those of a mythical and psychic nature. I agree we should be cautious but there are limits Batman."

"Not, where the safety of this world is concerned." Blank eyes narrowed at me, accusing. I glared back, still scared of him but now angry enough to not give a shit. "We asked how he knew about us, and now we have the threat of a world in control of these creatures, two of whom defeated four armed gunmen in seconds with clearly metahuman abilities. A world that has full knowledge of us, of our weaknesses, motivations, and histories."

"So what do you suggest we do? Arrest him?" Diana asked angrily, walking alongside me to glare at Batman as well. "He has done nothing wrong Batman!"

Guys, my favorite superhero just had my back. I was kinda fanboying. Hard to glare when your favorite hero is doing a double glare with you towards the Dark Knight.

"No, he has not." Batman said gruffly. "That is the only reason why I'm entertaining this."

"Let us at the very least come to a middle ground." Martian Manhunter said, stepping forward to look down at me. "Are you a threat to this world?"

"Not the world. I like Earth. And not the Solar System either."

"What about its people? Are you planning to do harm to them?"

"Depends on the person really." I winced at the glare Batman gave me. Damn, nothing can prepare you for how damn mean the guy is. "I mean, like the gunmen. They were going to hurt people. So I hurt them, enough to stop them. And I damn sure don't plan on killing villains. I'm not going to go nuts or anything. I just want to be a good guy."

The Lasso showed me the good inside, remember? And there was enough of it to comfort me.

"I may be a loser. But I'm not one-hundred percent a dick." I misquoted.

Wait, the Lasso let me call myself a loser? Goddamn ouch dude… fuck that hurt a lot.

Diana smiled slightly, patting me on the shoulder as she seemed to understand what was making me wince. "Say something good about yourself."

"Uh, sure?" I answered, confused. "I'm a great guy."

Oh. Right, we all have good and bad in us. Still, going to have to make the 'loser' thing a lie, and soon.

"Then what do you plan to do now. If you walked out, with no one the wiser about your existence, what would you do?" She asked, stepping around to stand beside the rest.

"Oh, uh." Shit. Also, I seem to be cussing a lot lately. My mom would be disappointed. "I guess first I'd get a job and a place to stay. Man, I'm not looking forward to that. Hey, is Waynecorp looking for twenty four year olds with giant monsters to work for them?" Batman stared at me. "Okay then. Well from there, I'd start training, and getting to know my Pokemon better. We need to learn how to fight better together, and if we're going to live here, I doubt anyone will leave me alone while I have super creatures under my command. Then, I'd like to help people. Be a superhero. You know, fight the awesome fight."

Well shoot, that came off a bit naïve. But it had the benefit of being True.

"And your Pokemon. What do you want to do with them?"

"They are their own people. They see me as a leader, and follow my commands, so as long as I am good, so are they. But their motivations are their own. And they are the thing I feel most guilty about."

"Explain that." Wonder Woman asked. "Why do you feel guilty?"

"Because I don't feel I deserve that loyalty. They have faith in me for things that I never had to take on. They had absolute loyalty in me, taking my commands and showing me faith in even the darkest of moments, and all I had to do was tell them what to do."

I lowered my head. "They are good people, who have defended their world from things that would make others falter. They deserve better than a loser to defend them."

It was quiet for a moment. Then J'onn spoke.

"If you like, you don't have to take care of them."

I looked up, shocked. "What?"

He nodded. "The League does have its resources. We could take care of them, find good homes for them to live in, while trying to find a way to get you home. You could stay somewhere else, be cared for. As a refugee of sorts. You could be safe, and your Pokemon as well." He leaned forward. "You don't have to be a hero."

I could have said yes. I should have. With what I knew, I could have stayed in a swanky hotel and lived it up on a Waynetech budget. It would have been easy. I don't know how to fight after all. Being a hero meant pain, horror, and death. And if Darkseid came, whether for the first or last time depending on the age of this DC…

I thought of the forges, and the tortures. I thought of the equation. And I thought of my Pokemon being subjected to that horror.

But the truth came out.

"I don't want to."

None of them seemed surprised. Still, Batman asked.

"Why not? You say you don't feel worthy of them. That you feel they could live up to their potential elsewhere."

I scoffed. "Yeah, because you guys know anything about Pokemon. Besides that, they are part of me." Anyone who has played the games and loved them knows that. "My Pokemon are mine, as much as my family, as my friends. I'm not worthy of them yet. But I want to be. They are my power now, and we can do more together than we can apart."

I grin up at the three of them. "That's why you created the League, right? At least in part."

I get a smile from Wonder Woman, an introspective look from Martian Manhunter, and a nothing from Batman.

"So… what do you want to do now?"

"You want to be a hero?" Diana smiled. "I believe we can work with that actually. After all, we are building a new team are we not? And we will need to keep an eye on you."

"You also need training." Batman looked down at my stomach pointedly, doing the ocular equivalent of poking my belly fat. "You will tell us everything about your world, the capabilities of your Pokemon, their weaknesses, and the contents in that bag. You are now on probation, and will be on watch at all times. No buying things on a non-League budget, no going out without a member of the Team."

I gulped. While the list was galling, I had expected something on that order. It pissed me off, and I wanted to scream at the sheer audacity of it, but the fact it was being handed down by Batman made it seem like law. "G-Got it."

"No." Wonder Woman and J'onn stepped forward and faced Batman. Diana glared. "Bruce." She rolled his eyes when he glared at her for using his name. "Bruce. You are going too far. Pull back."

He stared up at her. Then at J'onn.

The Martian Manhunter shook his head. "I understand your paranoia. But what you have described is nothing less than imprisonment."

Batman seemed to think. Then he looked at me.

"We will assign sessions. In order to… discuss, your world and your abilities. You will stay in a location of our choosing, and it would be best if you logged when you went out, but you may leave when and where you wish. You will be allowed to buy what you wish, though weapons will obviously have to be approved by myself or other League members. We will discuss other privileges, but do our best to stay in reasonable limits, with a defense lawyer of your choosing to help apply it. The lawyer may need to be fed a story, but we can apply it to your situation. Acceptable?"

I stare at him, then at Diana and J'onn. Holy… they smacked him down. Of course, when I look at Batman, he seems way too calm. Maybe it was his plan all along. If so, that is scary and slightly relieving.

"Yeah. That's a bit better. Thanks." A part of me really wanted to yell at him though. Dick move Bruce. This is why people don't like you sometimes.

He makes a facial expression that isn't a smile. "You may end up being useful to the team one day. But as of now, you have a high potential to be a danger to yourself and others, some of whom are the last line of defense for this Earth."

"Which ironically makes you a good fit for this team, considering some of the other members." J'onn said. "One last time. For certain. Are you sure of what you've chosen?"

No half-truths. The Lasso brought it all out in a massive scoop.

"I'm not sure. But not many people are, when it comes to big decisions. I am okay with it, and I want to try my best," I looked over at Latias. "Hey, you awake Latias?"

Y-Yeah. Just have something in my eyes. She lifted up, wiping at happy tears.

Wait, why… oh. She'd heard when they'd asked if I wanted to get rid of my Pokemon. As well as my answer, when I called her my family. And now she was giving me a soppy small, feelings of warmth emanating from her as she sniffled, her cute face staring as though she wanted to memorize me.

I smiled fondly at her. It home again, that they were sentient now. They may have been given to me, but whoever dropped me off knew exactly how to make me accept my Pokemon. They made themfeel. And that was made me trust them. They may be the only things here I can trust about myself.

I have to have faith in my Pokemon right?

"Never mind. I am absolutely sure of my path." I said, Lasso still around my chest.

Mugyuuuuu! Latias cried, rushing forward to hug me as new tears appeared. Guess she had heard the part of the Lasso forcing me to tell the truth. No, wait, I could feel her connecting her mind to mine. I looked over her shoulder at the three superheroes, blushing when I noticed how amused they were at the sight of my emotional dragon hugging me close while making weird noises.

"So uh, what is the team anyways?" Maybe I'd join the Suicide Squad? Scary, but I could try and fulfill my crush on Harley Quinn!

"Not yet." Batman turns his gaze to Latias. The cute dragon sees him and freezes. "We need to conduct interviews on all of your Pokemon. Starting with her."

The Batman stands as the stuff of nightmares, shadows and darkness as blank eyes stare outwards with a horrible glare. His lantern jaw only serves to further dehumanize him, almost a mocking gesture.

All pointed at the cute dragon before him.

She hiccups, staring back in fear. D-Darkrai!

It took me a while to calm her down. But once I did, I turned towards Batman. He gave me a look. I stepped forward, feeling the red rage in my chest.

"They won't wear the Lasso unless they want to."

He didn't say a word. He listened, calm as a cucumber.

"I choose to wear the Lasso. But I'll be damned if you force my Pokemon to go through that as well. It's their choice or you can have Superman dumb me in the sun."

"And if they all decide not to?"

I will. Latias said softly, floating up to look over my shoulder. She gave him a cute glare. Even though you're mean right now, even though J'onn keeps saying you usually nice.

Batman gave Martian Manhunter a look, which he simply returned with a smile.

"It wouldn't matter if they said no Batman." Diana said, stepping forward. "They have done us no harm. And until it is necessary, I see no reason to force every one of them under the Lasso." Her eyes were polished steel, her words diamond. "You know, as well as anyone, how terrifying this Lasso is."

We all stared at it briefly, this gently shining thing hanging in a small hand that coud bend steel. And Batman and I shuddered and turned away.

"Okay then." I said softly. I turned to Latias and pet her cheek.

"You ready?"

She nods, a sudden maturity in her eyes. Yes.

And so it began.

PYJ

Later, when the young man and his Pokemon left with J'onn and Diana, Batman went to the cave beneath his manor and sat at his computer. The sounds of the Cave were a comfort, the sounds of bats flying around a warm reminder of home. He was focused, writing up the profile.

This man represented a threat they couldn't ignore, on many levels. J'onn seemed to like him, but he shared a lot with Clark in that respect. And Diana trusted in both the Lasso and the honest response the young man's Pokemon seemed to have towards him.

But he hadn't gotten as far he had based on luck. J'onn's judgement was valuable, but he wasn't infallible. And Diana's trust in her Lasso, while justified, meant that someone discovering a way to dodge around it would come when she least needed it too.

After all, for all the power of the Lasso, one had to ask the right questions. It was good, but Batman would rather trust his own mind and instincts if he could.

His mind said to hold onto itself, not to get pulled in by the sob story. His instincts said this was a good man, but that the whole situation needed to monitored, simply for verification.

For example, when they'd interviewed the Pokemon. Their keeper had refused to force his Pokemon wear the Lasso unless they wished to, holding his ground.

"I choose to wear the Lasso. But I'll be damned if you force my Pokemon to go through that as well. It's their choice or you can have Superman throw me into the sun."

Batman hadn't expected that. But he'd respected it, especially when Diana backed him once more by saying she wouldn't put the Lasso on them unless they agreed. J'onn didn't say a word, but he did shake with laughter as he watched the formerly angry, scared and awed young man turn into something like a righteous father.

Two of the Pokemon refused. One hadn't surprised him. Zapdos, the enormous bird. It had glared at them all with a proud glower. Latias had explained things. And Zapdos scoffed, beak opening in a caw of noise. He hadn't needed a translation for that.

The second one was a surprise. A tiny piny blob called Chansey. The thing had looked at the rope, shook its head, then sat down and started talking. Nothing more, nothing less. That was telling.

Still, their stories all matched regardless. They'd needed a translation for most, but Latias and Jirachi were able to speak with telepathic thought, which the young man had called thought-speak. All the Pokemon had told of their memories of their trainer, of what they'd seen with him.

Chesnaught was clearly the mischievous type, and had immediately tried to lie under the Lasso, only to be shocked when it didn't work. He'd fallen in line after some words from his trainer, though if he was anything like Kid Flash or Robin he'd be back at it soon.

Heatran had immediately hidden behind her trainer at the sight of Batman. Her trainer, once more showing backbone, told Batman to turn away, and spent a few minutes with Diana and Latias coaxing her that it was safe, and that Darkrai wouldn't get her (He really needed to find out what a Darkrai was).

Slowbro fell asleep. And for some reason, his trainer said that the Pokemon on his tail didn't need to be interviewed as well. That had been odd all around. He woke quickly, and answered their questions just as fast, before going back to sleep.

Jirachi had been a mess. She was fascinated with everything, asking question about his constume, the room, Diana's beauty, if he and Diana were dating (Which the trainer and J'onn had smirked at). She never calmed down, even under the Lasso, her story rambling and going everywhere, her arms waving as she spoke her mind, unfazed no matter how he'd glared at her. It didn't help that he couldn't glare at her effectively.

Of all the tactics, cuteness was an odd one for fazing an interrogator.

Diana giggling at him as she hugged Jirachi to her hadn't helped.

Latias was much the same as Jirachi, only less energetic. She had the same innocent childishness, the same kindness. And the same story.

So he watched their trainer instead.

Guilt had rolled off him in waves as they described their adventures taking down gangsters and beating monsters. He had shifted uncomfortably with nearly every word. He showed confusion when the Pokemon gave details of his personal life, seemingly unable to understand how they knew so much.

One more thing on the pile of suspicions.

The Lasso, and his own deductions, told him that at the very least the young man didn't want to be anything more than a hero, even willing to go out into a world he had no foothold in to try and make a life of his own as a hero. Honorable.

But that didn't preclude any threat he might hold. Someone had left him in the outskirts for a purpose. In moments of waking, he had stopped a bank robbery, one that happened right when he was in the vicinity. He had checked with the gunmen. Someone had told them Superman would be preoccupied at that exact time, and hired them to rob the bank at their orders. The gunmen were novices, but known criminals, making them stupid enough to rob the bank with that small amount of information, and inexperienced for the young man to beat them.

He'd seen the footage. In the time the young man had entered, the gunmen had a full fifteen seconds to fire and kill him before the Pokemon had fully materialized. He'd have died if he had been facing gunmen in Gotham.

So someone had planned it. Someone who was most likely setting up the young man, his Pokemon, and Earth up in some giant game.

The question was who. Who was behind it?

The best way to know the answer was to play this out in a controlled setting. The Team. Put him in Mount Justice, with its hundreds of security cameras and Zeta Tubes to allow for quick transport when needed, with back up entrances just in case, all allowing for full league response if needed. Put him on a team of superhumans, many capable of at least holding off his Pokemon if needed. Make him dependent on League resources. And spend time, as much as possible, discerning what he knew.

But he had mentioned something interesting.

"But I know almost every single hero and villains identity, and possibly those who have yet to even appear in this world."

Yet to appear. Knowledge of future problems. Problems that might be whoever dropped him off course.

But they could also be enemies from this world soon to come.

Batman felt a slow smile on his face.

A man with knowledge of the possible future, with a group of metanimals, and verified to be a non-threat by the Lasso. A good man, by all accounts

Paranoia would be in play. But this young man represented a powerful advantage, combined with a kind demeanor. He was, to be Machiavellian about it, too useful to ignore.

At the same time, he was a lost young man in a new world, and his Pokemon were in the same boat.

Some part of Batman, the part where a boy named Bruce lived still, could not ignore that plight.

Unfortunately, Batman had gone too far in his paranoia. He'd tried to dictate terms that were far too strict, had pushed in the wrong directions, and Diana and J'onn had rightfully called him on that.

He'd taken it to far. When the fact that the young man knew so much… that an entire world has seen his life. Seen his pain.

Pearls glitter in a red rain. And three died that day.

He'd gotten emotionally compromised, so angered by a world mocking his... He had allowed that to dictate him.

Hopefully what he'd be doing now would make up for it.

While the young man had proven to be a danger, more than that he had also proven to be a good man, and strong willed once he'd gotten over his awe. The fact that will came into play when his Pokemon had been pushed into a position he didn't like spoke well for his character.

So now here was Batman, working on both building a file on the young man, and coming up with ways to make amends.

After all, what was the point of being a millionaire if you can't give extravagant gifts? (Actually, it might have been billionaire for a while. He'd have to ask Fox.)

He would also have to up the League members needed to mentor the Team. One had to account for the new security risk.

And after, to set up the first of many sessions to interview (interrogate) him for information on both his Pokemon and what sort of knowledge he had.

First, he wrote the file out. Beginning with the most important part.

"Computer, begin file. Name, Mahmoud Schahed, spelled…"

He ignored Robin hiding in the shadows. After all, Dick was doing so well.

It had taken him a full ten seconds longer to notice him sneaking up this time.

Then again, maybe Dick would know what would make a good gift.

PYJ

I won't go into the questions they asked my Pokemon. It was mostly the same stuff as they asked me, with the addition of their abilities and memories. Then they came back to me and asked if I had any extra powers, what my name was, where I had lived, how old I am, my life before. Enough of it blended with my Pokemon's memories, personal memories and members of my family my Pokemon believed they'd met, that they didn't dig too much deeper. Or at least, pretended to ignore it.

Still, they set up a series of sessions for the next few weeks, all to get as deep as they could into my history and life. I wasn't looking forward to that.

I didn't tell them. I knew, when they mentioned a new team, what this universe was. At least I guessed. The Young Justice one.

I remembered loving the show to death. I felt sadder about its cancellation than I did when they screwed up the Mass Effect endings.

Well, close second.

And that's what was screwing me up. I now know for certain. My Pokemon weren't the only ones with fucked up memories.

I couldn't remember anything about Young Justice.

Oh hell, I can remember a lot actually. I remember watching it, introducing my brothers to it. I remember reading fanfics about it, I remember the creators of it, I remember having a craving for my own action figure from it.

But actual details, like characters and story, are out of my hands. I knew I was in the Young Justice tv show. Earth 16. But I have no idea what's going to happen next.

So as an example, I've read a few fanfics based on it. But all I remember about those is certain actions the characters created by their writers did. Anything that has an impact on the direct plot of Young Justice? Gone.

Some has fucked with my mind, and the minds of my Pokemon.

The thought consumed me from inside the small room they'd given me. I was staying in a modest bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Philadelphia, one the League had apparently chosen in case of the need for Witness Protection. I could hear my guards talking outside my room on their radios. The windows were bulletproof and sealed tight.

In other words, this place was wide open if the League of Shadows decided to kill me.

I couldn't sleep, consumed with trying to get my memories back, trying to remember this worlds threats. My bag had been taken, and my Pokemon were now locked in a box next to my bed, so that I could keep them beside me, but only use them when allowed. And I didn't even have Latias with me to talk to.

I remembered briefly where she was now, and smiled.

PYJ

Earlier

"Wonder Woman." I asked Diana plaintively. She turned and smiled as we were driven towards the hotel in a large van, one big enough to hold Latias. Apparently it was used for large animals. Today it held me, Latias, Wonder Woman, and three armed guards.

"Yes Mahmoud?" I'd told her my name earlier. Thank god I could rememberthat. Didn't make up for the other shit though.

"I'd like to ask you for something." I looked at Latias, who smiled back at me. We'd already discussed this in thought-speak. "I'd like you to take Latias to Themiscyra. Or somewhere just as safe.

She blinked in shock. "What?"

"I know, it sounds crazy!" I said in response. "But I can't just have her hanging around me. She's amazing, but she'd be in a lot of danger in this world. She needs someplace safe, someplace where people won't go out of their way to hurt her. I can summon her with the Eon Flute whenever I need her! And the Amazons would be good for her."

"And if she is a danger to my people?" Wonder Woman said back, frowning slightly. "She is a telepath. She could intrude into my peoples mind, force them under their thrall."

"She wouldn't." I protested. Latias looked up, staring at Diana with wet eyes.

Wonder Woman thought carefully. Then she decided.

"Latias, do you mind if I wrap you in the Lasso once more?"

No Miss Woman. Latias didn't get that whole secret identity thing yet.

Wonder Woman smiled at the mistake, then gently wrapped the Lasso around the dragons arm. Then she wrapped it around her own gauntlet covered arm. For some reason, I could tell this was more than a simple interrogation now.

"I would like to make an oath with you Latias. I have the Lasso wrapped around you, so that if you have no true wish to make the oath, you will not be coerced to lie about it. What this will entail is you promising to do no harm to my people, and in return gain our shelter. In return, I will offer you the same, in full, as your trainer wishes.

Yes! I'll do it! Latias said proudly.

Diana thought briefly. Then she started. "Do you swear an oath on the Lasso on your arm, to live in peace and harmony with those of the Amazon Nation, and also swear not to abuse that safety for as long as they treat you with respect and kindness?

Yes I do! The dragon Pokemon chirped happily. And now it's your turn?

"Indeed it is." Diana breathes. "For as long as you are under my protection Latias, I will protect you, feed you, shelter you, and treat you as I would my own sister. I will teach of the ways of my people, and support you as I can. All in return for what you have promised. This, I swear, on the Lasso of Truth."

With that, she unwrapped the WMD from around her and Latias' arms. I stared at her as she did.

"Sooooo… can she go?"

"Not yet." Wonder Woman put the Lasso away. "This oath is on the Lasso of Truth, and so it has power. But I need to let the others know first. It is why I said Amazon Nation, rather than Themyscira. I will however, broach the subject to my sisters and mother, and discuss the arrangements. Until that time, she will stay with me as I get to know her better."

"In your house?"

"No." She didn't elaborate, though she did smile. "It will take time. But I will keep her safe from harm." Her smile was soft as she stroked Latias. "She is a young thing. Her and Jirachi. But so much strength."

She looks up at me once more. "It is my honor, to be her new teacher."

Well damn. I think Latias is going to get hardcore.

PYJ

So Latias was with Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter had gone home, and Batman had me under surveillance. My Pokemon and I had been mindraped on various levels to make our transition here both easier and harder. Worse, I was terrified my mind would start to go further. I had already told a 'truth' that I didn't understand, under the influence of the Lasso. What if there was more inside me? More secrets.

And what the memories of my Pokemon and me? Why fuck with our memories so damn much? Are their memories even wrong? Maybe I'm the screwed up one, and I only think I've been living in a modern world without Pokemon?

Worse, what if the things I've decided to warn the Justice League about don't exist? What if Darkseid, for example, is just me mangling Thanos into a DC equivalent.

Everything I know, all my memories, are now suspect.

Wearing the Lasso has helped me understand my soul. It's my mind I'm worried about now.

What if I'm a ticking time bomb, just waiting to blow the heck up? And if I do, what happens then?

I didn't sleep. And I wasn't planning on it.

PYJ

Omake: An Atrocious Name

This world is odd. I know its a new world because of the smell. Humanities hold must be strong here, if the pollution is so soaked into the air.

Walking towards the next town with my partner on my shoulder draws attention. He doesn't care, and so I don't either. That proves better armor against suspicion than an outright lie.

At least until the bank robbery. I went to see what they were using as weapons, curious. I was disappointed to find then using nothing but guns, ling since considered useless. My partner needs no orders when they move to aim at me, his reflexes making them seem to move in slow motion to him.

Four thundershocks crack the air, sending the gunmen down in seconds.

Pathetic.

I turn and walk out. As I do, I drop a Pokeball, now ready to explore.

As Charizard roars and I lift myself onto his back, I can't help but be curious about this world.

Before I go back home, I'll take down their Champion and take his title.

No hard feelings. It's just what I do.