The Blazed Trail (Part 3 of the Traveller - Young Justice Series)

The Blazed Trail

"So let me get this straight," Will said as he poured 19-year-old Roy Harper a glass of water. "You felt lonely at the wedding - felt off - so you went to Ollie for answers. He told you about a kid named Carson Kaze, said he had been looking for you for 8 - maybe 12 whole years - and now you want to try to find him to return the favor. Is that what I'm understanding here?" Roy nodded in thanks, then took a sip of water.

"Yeah." He confirmed. "I figured you might remember at least meeting him - that you'd know who I was talking about." The 27-year-old clone smiled a bit at his host material.

"A bit. I remember meeting him and him telling Ollie that it wasn't actually you." He answered Roy, sitting down by him. "He was a pretty skinny kid, had a brown buzzcut - that's as much as I remember." Roy nodded, sliding Carson's file over to the clone.

"That's what Ollie had on him. I wasn't able to figure out much. I dunno all he can do yet." Will nodded, taking the files. "I'm not the best at detective work." The redhead stood up, walking by Roy. "What?"

"There is someone who can help." he noted, going to his phone. "You're gonna have to be cool with being in a team with this one however. We don't know how dangerous Carson's become or if his health has gotten worse." Roy frowned. He wasn't the biggest fan of teams. He preferred to work solo. But if he wanted to find this kid... Will was right. He was going to need help. He sighed, then nodded. Will smiled a bit at him, making the call. They waited a bit, then Will finally spoke.

"Hey! Dick! Roy and I need your help with a case about a kid named Carson Kaze. Major detective work needed, not really our strong suits. If you can bring some others into it, that'd be awesome." He explained, looking over at Roy. He knew he was listening. This was his case after all. He just needed the extra hand. "Alright, sounds good. We'll be there." He hung up. "Tomorrow at 10 pm. At the docks."

"Dick's bringing some extra hands."

Nightwing, Red Arrow, Red Robin, Guardian, and Arsenal studied the file on Nightwing's computer, as he looked up Carson on the database. "Alright... I couldn't find a Carson, but I found someone who matches everything but the name - Cara Kaze. Teleportation metagene, twin brother named Carter - all of it fits except for gender and name." Arsenal tilted his head, looking back at the file he held. Everything did match what Nightwing had said, but why were those two things different. He closed his eyes, trying to remember.

"Hey, Carson, Ollie wanted me to get ya for-" 15-year-old Roy opened the door, his eyes widening at the sight. Carson screamed, clutching his shirt tightly. He had bandages tightly wrapped around his chest..

"ROY WHAT THE FUCK- KNOCK-" He yelled, shrinking a bit. "Please don't tell Ollie-"

"I won't-" Roy raised his hands in surrender, as everything calmed down. "Are you... binding with bandages?" Carson tried to hide them. "Ey. Nonono. Stop it." He walked over, trying to uncover them. "You're gonna hurt yourself. You can borrow my hoodies until you get a proper binder. Have you been doing this at night too?" Carson looked shocked, and let his arms loosen around his chest. Roy raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You're... not mad?" He asked softly. Roy sighed, going into his closet to grab a hoodie for him.

"I'm gonna be if you do this at night too."

"Not what I meant." Carson frowned. Roy gave him a confused look.

"Why would I be mad that you're trans? You've always been a dude in my book. This isn't going to change anything." He handed the hoodie over as he answered the question properly. "Now let's get those off before you snap a rib." Carson looked up at him, tears visible in his hazel eyes. Roy noticed, giving him a soft smile and offering a hug. "C'mere you big emotional wreck." The shorter boy hugged him tightly, the redhead hugging back. "This won't change the fact that we're best friends. Ever. Now before you impale a lung with your stupid ass decision."