"I found myself at the edge of a cliff, with a roaring waterfall down below."
"What's happening?!" I shouted into the fire.
And then it hit me: I was in the Spirit World.
But I don't remember meditating... I took a step toward the flames, making them blow away.
I ran through the forest, determined to find that mysterious cave. The fire seemed like it was following me; like it knew every move I was about to make.
I found myself at the edge of a cliff, with a roaring waterfall down below. I jumped into it, and landed on a grassy shore next to a cave.
"Yes!" I got up and ran inside, looking for a familiar slimy serpent.
"Hello?" I called. "Dragon...Spirit...guy?" I realized that I had never addressed him by his name.
There was a loud sigh, followed by thunderous thumps.
"The Avatar..." his beady dragon eyes looked sad.
"What's wrong?" I asked, backing up a bit.
A puff of air flew out his mouth as he spoke. "The Lazarus Pit has the ability to take away the powers of a healthy person who falls into it."
"Really?" I snapped my fingers, but no fire formed.
"Erica...you are no longer the Avatar."
"I'm not?" I tried my best to make it sound like I wasn't crying.
"Yes."
"C-can you at least give me a clue on who will be the next Avatar?" I pleaded.
He sighed again. "The next Avatar will be an Airbender."
A huge cloud of air formed, pulling me away from the Spirit World.
"So long...Avatar..." I heard the Dragon Spirit say.
"F-farewell," I choked out, not sure he heard me.
"Yes! She's coming!" said a voice.
"Erica, are you okay?" said another.
I sat up and wiped my eyes, not saying anything.
Robin took my hand. "Erica, why are you crying?"
"My powers...they're gone." My voice was barely a whisper.
The team was quiet for the next few minutes, making the situation seem even more awkward.
"What about your superpowers? From your dad?" Superboy asked.
I hopped off my cot and steadied myself in front of the wall. "Here goes..." I punched it, but ended up with a broken hand.
"Her superpowers are gone, too," I heard Aqualad say.
Megan hugged me tightly, her voice shuddering.
I'm sorry, Erica. She apologized mentally.
"Thanks, but I think I need some time alone if you don't mind," I told the team.
They nodded, and let me go.
I went to my room and gathered my belongings. I had no idea where to go, but I decided I couldn't stay on Mount Justice anymore.
"You're leaving?" Robin asked as he came inside.
I sniffed and zipped up my bag. "Yeah. If I have no powers, why should I be here?"
He put his hands on my shoulders and spun me around. "Stay. Please?" His lips quivered.
I sighed. "What did you say to Batman?"
"They found Jason and sent him to Arkham Asylum. Batman already forgave you, so don't worry about it." He squeezed my hands tightly. "Please?"
"Rob...what am I gonna do? I can't just sit here while the team saves the world! Heck, I didn't even get to be my own superhero!"
He smiled. "I might just have an idea."
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm interested..."
"Batman thought it up," he admitted. "Follow me."
He took my hand and led me to the Mission Room, where Batman was looking at a map of Gotham City on the computer screen.
He turned around. "Erica, though you may not have your powers anymore, you may be of some use around here."
I didn't like where this was going. "Go on..."
Batman pressed a few keys. "I've pinpointed every Airbender on the planet, and so far Gotham City is undergoing some abnormal circumstances."
"So?"
"So," he continued. "The closest Airbender is Jeannette Thomas. She and her mother were the Airbenders in the family, until she was murdered when Jeannette was 12."
"Where do I fit into this?" I asked.
"You can train Jeannette into becoming the Avatar. That way you can stay on Mount Justice."
Robin looked hopeful. "Are you in?"
I leaned in and kissed him. "For you? Anything."
"For you? Anything."
