Flaming wings don't fly(Jason Todd x OC)

Chapter 16: Revelations and Recollections

As the team worked late into the night, Jason's frustration was mounting. They had uncovered a troubling lead but still lacked a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"You know," Dick said, looking up from the data, "I could just ask Windy. She might be willing to tell me more."

Jason and Damian both turned to him with varying levels of annoyance. Damian's expression was stoic, while Jason's eyes rolled in exasperation.

"Seriously?" Jason said. "You're just now thinking of this? Call her."

Dick nodded, grabbing his phone and dialing Windy's number. It rang a few times before she answered.

"Hello?" Windy's voice was laced with concern.

"Hey, Windy," Dick said.

Windy's tone was cautious. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"

Dick jumped up, "Nothing's wrong, Windy. Jason's just being... inquisitive. It's nice to know you care though."

In the background, Jason and Damian made exaggerated gagging noises, causing Dick to shoot them a disapproving look.

Windy laughed softly. "Alright, what do you need to know?"

Dick took over, "We're trying to piece together Aubrey's early life. Jason figured out her name after meeting her in civilian form. Can you fill us in on her childhood?"

There was a pause on the other end before Windy responded, "Alright look, I can tell you, but you need to understand that this isn't a pleasant story."

Jason leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Please. I need to understand where she came from."

Windy took a deep breath. "Aubrey and I are not blood sisters. We were more or less born into an organization that trained people with abilities like ours. Each of us could control an element or force, and Aubrey was stronger than most. Fire was already a sought-after element, and her control over it was exceptional."

Dick nodded, following along. "So, she was a standout among her peers?"

"Exactly," Windy continued. "Our 'mother,' the leader of the organization, saw her potential and took her in after decided to train her as a weapon. When Aubrey rebelled against the brutal training and the expectations, she was punished severely. She tried to fight back, but eventually, she pushed too far."

Jason's eyes widened as he listened. "What happened?"

Windy's voice grew somber. "To make an example of her, our mother threw her off the side of a cliff. We all watched in fear. Aubrey died from the fall, or at least we thought she did."

Jason and Dick exchanged glances, the weight of the story settling over them.

"But a month later," Windy continued, "the city was burned to the ground. Aubrey was discovered to be alive. As far as we could tell, she had been revived by one of the ancient creatures that hid in the shadows of our homeland. A fire-drake is what most of us guessed."

Jason leaned forward, intrigued. "What's a fire-drake?"

Windy's voice softened. "The fire-drake was a powerful, dying creature that made bargains with those it deemed worthy. The idea is that it imparted its powers and strength into Aubrey before it died, making her stronger than any of us could have imagined. The bargain could have included all sorts of conditions though, so I dont know exactly what she sacrificed and gained."

Jason was silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of Windy's revelation. "So, that's why she's so powerful. It's not just her own strength, but something much older and more potent."

"Yes," Windy confirmed. "Aubrey was given a second chance, but it likely came at a great cost. "

Dick, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "Thanks for sharing this, Windy. It helps to understand the context of her abilities and her past."

Jason nodded, looking thoughtful. "Yeah, thanks. I'll keep this in mind as we move forward."

Windy's voice warmed. "Just be careful with her, Jason. She's been through a lot, and her past is a heavy burden. But she's resilient."

With a final exchange of thanks and goodbyes, Windy hung up. Jason put the phone down, his mind racing with the new information.

Damian glanced at him. "What now?"

Jason sighed, a new resolve forming. "We need to figure out the rest of her story, what happened before she ended up in Kansas. We also need to find out more about fire-drakes. I didn't even know those existed."

Dick nodded in agreement. "We've got a lot more to uncover."

The team resumed their work, the burden of Aubrey's past adding new dimensions to their quest for understanding. As they delved deeper, Jason felt a mix of empathy and determination. He had a clearer picture now, but the road ahead was still fraught with uncertainties. The truth about Flare—Aubrey's past—was unfolding, and he was determined to navigate it with the respect and caution it deserved.

Authors Note: Not gonna lie, these are probably the most boring chapters ive written. Even editing them im losing it. They are important for the story though! I know reading this seems messy, but bear in mind it's written that way on purpose. Aubrey's past is a web of tragedy and betrayal and secrets. The idea is that Jason and the others can't make sense of it because Aubrey made it that way, burying her past as best as she could.