The first thing Dick realized when he awoke was that he had been moved from the medlab into his room at the warehouse. The next thing he realized was that his throat was bone dry. Untangling himself from his comforter, he slowly sat on the edge of his bed. Someone had set his shades on the nightstand next to the alarm clock that read four in the afternoon. After rubbing his eyes of sleep, he put them on. Nightwing stood with a groan as his injured leg protested. His whole body ached as he shuffled his way towards the kitchen.
It was empty save for a sleeping Wolf. The creature lifted his head as the ebony poured himself a glass of water. His hands shook from the effort and he covered a cough. Wolf rose and stood beside him, supporting his body.
"Oh great, they got you in on it too huh?" he asked the white wolf. It just stared at him with intelligent yellow eyes.
Bracing one hand on the wall and threading the other through Wolf's thick fur, the pair made a painfully slow walk towards the sounds coming from the training area. On the training platform were Robin and Artemis, sparing. The blond girl was dressed in a pair of workout clothes, giving the younger boy a run for his money. Nightwing and Wolf kept to the shadows of the hallway, not wanting to be seen by the team. Dick had to smirk knowing that his little brother had most likely put his foot in his mouth again. Wally watched with Conner and Megan, standing where Dick usually stood. The fighting ended when Artemis swept Tim's legs out from under him.
"Still think I'm a little rusty hmm?" she teased, offering him a hand up. The masked boy took it, grinning sheepishly.
"I didn't mean it like that," he blushed as the others laughed.
Dick's smirk vanished as a forceful round of coughing erupted from him. Wolf whined in concern and pressed his furry body closer to the boy. The rest of the team then realized that they were being watched.
"D-Nightwing! What are you doing out of bed?" scolded Megan, flying over to him, followed by the rest of the group. Robin was right behind her.
"Dude you look like crap," said Robin earning a glare from his brother.
"I…cough…just needed a…coughcough…drink," wheezed their leader as his coughing slowed.
"Whoa, what happened to your leg," asked Batgirl, giving him one of her own glares.
"Knife, it's not that bad." Conner scoffed.
"Yeah that's why M'Gann had to redo your stitches." Suddenly, Nightwing's communicator went off. They must have forgotten to take it out, he thought, reaching his hand to his ear.
"Nightwing receiving," he said, standing up taller. He listened for a minute, his face growing stern. "Acknowledged Captain Atom I will be there in just a few. Nightwing out."
"You aren't going anywhere," argued Barbara, stepping in front of her best friend.
"I don't have a choice Batgirl. Blue Beetle, prepare to transport in two minutes. Meet me at the Zeta tube. Conner, M'Gann you two will travel to Rimbor by Zeta tube and help with the trial." he ordered, standing up and walking off quickly, his leg slightly limping.
"Whoa there man," cried Wally as he sped to a stop in front of him.
"Move Wally, I don't have time for this."
"Not until you tell me what's going on."
"I don't know for sure myself, but when I know, you will be the first person I tell." The rest of the team had remained in the training area as the two friends went into Dick's room. Wally helped his friend pull on his suit, ranting the entire time.
"This is stupid Dick. You need to rest, not run up to the Watchtower."
"I'll rest when I get back, I promise," replied his friend before he put on his mask. Wally watched him leave the room.
"Yeah because you're so good at it. Whatever, it's not like what I say matters."
It wasn't thirty minutes later when the team was ordered to meet in front of the monitor at the warehouse. Nightwing stood on screen, looking pale to his friends and family that knew him.
"Team we have just received word that the Reach has placed failsafe devices around the world. If not stopped they will destroy the Earth and everyone on it in a matter of moments. We will meet with the Justice League in Metropolis in front of LexCorp. Move quickly, Nightwing Out."
After Luthor's speech, Nightwing assigned teams of two to the group of young heroes. He kept Batgirl as his partner and sent Tim with Cassie. His brother quickly hugged him before taking the girl's hand and flying away to Gotham. Nightwing looked at the girl who had been his best friend for nine years.
"Let's go Babs," he murmured. She took his hand, stopping him for a moment.
"For the record, I think this is absolutely insane. And when we are done, I am going to have Alfred strap you to a bed and make you rest." All she got in reply was a smirk.
