How Many Colors?

•Part 1•

"It wasn't your fault you know," Artemis Crock told Jaime Reyes. Jaime was still blaming himself for Wally West's tragic, selfless death.

Jaime sighed. "My head knows, my heart won't let it go, hermana." The sound of himself admitting it out loud made his throat constrict. He hadn't know Wally very well, but he was a part of the team, and everyone missed him sorely, but especially Artemis. Wally and her were soul mates, as now that he was gone, she'd said, it felt like parts of her heart and soul were gone too. 

Artemis placed a hand on the Hispanic boy's shoulder. She gave him a weak smile. A tear slid down her cheek.

"You did as much as any of us could," she whispered softly, her own voice choked with grief.

"I feel like I could've, should've, done more," Jaime whispered back.

Just then, a man walked in in a blue shirt, burgundy vest, khakis, and brown dress shoes. His black hair was slicked back, a few stray pieces sticking out here and there. It was Ba'arzz O'oom, the Green Beetle of Mars. Right now, he was in his human state, a grin spreading across his sunken cheeks. 

"Your Zatanna Zatara of the Justice League has been able to recreate my scarab," he said. Ba'arzz then lifted his shirt in the back to reveal a bright green scarab beetle latched tightly to his spine.

"That's great hermano!" Jaime congratulated.

"I decided the Blue Beetle of Earth should be the first to know," Ba'arzz said formally. Ba'arzz was talking about Jaime.

You see, a few years back, Jaime was on his way home when the Kord Industries building exploded. Jaime discovered a blue scarab in the parking lot, catapulted from the building. It immediately fused with his spine, giving him the powers granted to the Blue Beetle. 

Apparently, the scarab was of extraterrestrial origin, its creators being know as the Reach. The Reach had invaded Earth months before, pretending to be a friend to Earth. In reality, they wanted to control Earth, but they needed Jaime's scarab back on mode. Basically, back online. 

The Team discovered the Reach's true intention and stopped them before it was too late. The Reach weren't too happy about that, and came up with one more plan to blow up the earth. Blue Beetle discovered that too, and they stopped it, at the high price of Wally's death. The Reach then finally left Earth. 

"Perhaps now I might have the chance to join the Justice League of Earth and prevent any more near disasters," Ba'arzz mused, traces of hope in his deep voice.

"Now that sounds like a good plan," Artemis said.

The Green Beetle will be a useful addition to the League, the scarab told Jaime. 

"He totally will!" Jaime answered, winning a weird look from Artemis.

"Scarab," he explained, pointing to his back.

AN: Finally! I'm posting a good Young Justice story! I love Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes! This is gonna be an awesome story! 

And good timing to post this, cuz Warner Bros. Animation just announced work is in progress for Season 3! Whoop whoop!!!

Also, if hermana isn't really a word, please tell me. I was just femininizing hermano, which Jaime uses often. 

-AlohaGirl27 🤓🌺