Yea, so since it was pretty much certain that Guardian was under mind control at the end of season 1, I just played it up a bit more. Fight scene coming on, and yes, we will find out what happened to Angel… *cheeky grin*
"Stand down kids." Guardian's voice rang out through the room.
His green eyes were just visible behind the gold helmet that protected his identity, expressionless yet at the same time glittering with malice.
"We don't think so," Superboy growled, Angel still limp in his arms.
"We won't let you harm this girl any more than you already have." Miss Martian added on, floating several inches off the ground.
Guardian let out a short, barking laugh. "You really think that you kids can take me on?"
Kid shrugged. "Well, yea, since Aqualad, Nightwing and I have already kicked your butt. Several times." He added unnecessarily.
The hero readied himself into an offensive stance. "That girl isn't going anywhere. We still need her."
"Who is they?" Aqualad demanded, stepping forward.
Guardian's face twisted into a grimace as he realized he had let slip valuable information. "None of your business."
"Oh really? Well, Miss Devine here happens to be under our protection, so that makes it our business," Artemis snarled, her bow already out.
Kid Flash placed a hand on her shoulder as a signal to back down. She took the hint and relaxed her hold slightly, but still held her bow in her hands, ready to shoot at the hero if need be.
Where are you guys? Nightwing's voice rang out in the Squad's heads.
Guardian is trying to prevent us from removing Angel. Robin answered, his hand posed on his utility belt, ready to take out a weapon if needed.
Mind control. Nightwing cursed in their minds.
Yea, I think we got that. Superboy said sarcastically.
"I'm giving you one more chance; stand down, or you're going to get hurt." Guardian growled.
Artemis seemed to think for a moment. "How about no?" She suggested.
Now! M'gann said.
At the exact same time, the whole Team launched themselves at Guardian excluding Superboy and Kid Flash.
I can get Angel out of here quickly. Kid Flash said. That way you can also help out pummeling Guardian.
Good idea. Superboy handed Angel to Kid, who was gone in the next second.
Turning back around again, the Boy of Steel launched himself into the fight they were currently winning.
Left, left, right, no, turn around then go left… Kid Flash chanted in his head as he zipped through the Cadmus underground. The maze of hallways was confusing, but with KF's super speed, he and Angel would be out of there quickly. For a split second, the speedster turned his head to see if anyone was pursuing him.
One moment he had been running down a long hallway with several doors along the sides, but he ran into a wall. No, not a wall. It was doughy and goopy… Almost like clay.
Kid Flash backed up as fast as he could without tripping as he stared up in horror.
"Well, well, well." A gravelly voice roared. "It's been a while since I've last pummeled you, hasn't it?"
"Well, that depends on what you consider pummeling," Kid Flash interjected as he stared up at Clayface, but the monster whipped his left hand forward, knocking Kid to the floor and Angel from his grasp.
"Hey! Let go of her!" He shouted angrily as the great brute leaned down to pick up Angel.
"No, I don't think so." Clayface answered, distorting his arm to turn it into a long, lethal looking whip. With a crack, he flicked it towards Kid, but the speedster had already darted away and was leaning casually against the wall.
"Wow, your aim has definitely improved." Kid Flash said critically. He then proceeded to launch himself forward and rammed himself into Clayface's leg.
The impact knocked the breath out of the speedster's body, but it gave the desired effect.
With a roar of rage, the clay man stumbled backwards, letting Angel slip through his gooey grip and fall with a light thump onto the floor.
In a flash making him worthy of his name, Kid sped forward and scooped up Angel into his arms. He had partially turned when he saw a streak of movement out of the corner of his eye.
Before he could react, a long stretch of clay had wrapped around his ankle and with an oomph, the speedster fell forward, unable to catch his footing.
He just managed to turn himself onto his back so that the impact would be absorbed by him and cushioning Angel.
Guys? Clayface has kind of joined the party. Kid Flash said warningly.
I'm on my way. Nightwing answered.
Yea, well hurry! Kid snapped.
He managed to dislodge the whip-like arm from his ankle and sped forward down the hallway and gently put Angel down against the wall. As she was still unconscious, it would be best for her to stay some distance way from the battle.
"Come over here mini-Flash! I want to pummel you again!" Clayface bellowed.
KF smirked. "You got it big guy." He ran towards Clayface and started circling him, becoming faster and faster until a mini tornado was in the middle of the hall.
"Kid! Move to the left!" Recognizing the voice, the speedster complied, throwing himself against the wall.
Not a moment too soon. Something small whistled past him and becoming enveloped in the beast's folds of clay.
There seemed to be a small explosion and Clayface bellowed in pain, smoke pouring out of his mouth.
Another projectile sank itself into his body and produced the opposite effect from the previous pellet.
Clayface stiffened slightly, and Kid Flash spotted ice quickly covering the villain, inside and out.
"Curse you Nightwing! I hate it when this-" Clayface was cut off as the ice reached his head.
"Whew. That was a close one. Thanks Ro-Nightwing." Kid turned with a smile to greet his friend.
Nightwing returned the smile. "No prob KF. Now let's have a look at Angel."
Nightwing strode towards the girl and dropped onto his knee. He placed his fingers against her neck.
"Heartbeat's stable…" He muttered. After a couple of moments, he stood up. "Nothing really seems to be wrong with her, but I might be wrong. We should get back to Mt. Justice soon."
Hey, you guys done with Guardian yet? Kid asked.
Yea. Black Spider and Sensei came to back him up, but they're all hog-tied now. Artemis said with satisfaction in her voice.
Alright. We'll finish up with Clayface, and then regroup at the bio-ship. Understood?
Telepathically, the Teal nodded assent.
Wait, is Angel alright? Robin asked anxiously.
A smile touched Nightwing's lips. She seems to be fine, but we'll double check on the bio-ship.
Oh. Thanks Nightwing.
No problem Rob.
The trip back to Mount Justice was uneventful. Every once in a while M'gann and Nightwing would check on Angel's vitals, but everything seemed to be in order.
After about a half hour, they reached Mt. Justice.
"M'gann, Superboy, can you two and BB take turns keeping watch over Angel tonight?" Nightwing asked. "I'll be staying here for the night as well so you guys can get some sleep."
"Sure." M'gann said before going off to find Beast Boy.
"I'll take first watch." Nightwing told Superboy.
"Be my guest." Superboy said wryly before turning and heading towards the living room, probably to watch static on the TV.
"Nightwing?" Robin said timidly.
"Yea, Tim?" Nightwing responded, looking over at the young protégé.
"Can I stay here for the night as well? I can help watch over Angel… And stuff…" He finished lamely. In truth, he just wanted to keep an eye on Angel. Even though she didn't even know he existed, the time he had spent watching over her had prompted affections from the teenager.
Nightwing hesitated for a moment. He remembered his conversation with Zatanna about Robin. That he shouldn't be getting close to Angel. But the look on the boy's face changed his mind.
"Alright, fine. Just make sure that watching over her isn't the only thing you do all night. You need rest."
Robin's face lit up. "Thanks Dick!"
Before the superhero could say another word, the protégé had already darted off. Nightwing wondered if this was how Batman had felt when training him.
Probably. He chuckled to himself. Next time he saw his former mentor, he would have to give him an apology.
And with these thoughts running around in his head, Nightwing gently picked Angel up and walked towards the medical bay.
Angel was tired. Really, really tired. And sore. The last thing she remembered was the blinding pain, being kidnapped… The memories were still fresh in her mind. But how much time had passed? She remembered something stopping the pain. It had felt… Familiar. Comforting.
She struggled to open her eyes, wishing that they weren't so heavy. She hoped that once she woke up fully, she would realize that it had all been a terrible dream.
But as her eyelids slid open a fraction, her heart sunk. She wasn't in the same place as before, although the smell of anesthetic was still in the air. She moved her head a bit, realizing that the light in this room was dim, offering relief as she remembered the bright light she had been subjected to before. The dimness was almost comforting. But she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and tried to snap her head around to see what it was, but only managing a weak twitch and a small whimper.
A shadow stepped closer to her, and Angel's heart stopped. The person was leaning down over her, observing her. Her eyelids fluttered, trying to make the image clearer.
Yes. A face. A mask was covering its eyes, and she could see shaggy dark hair above that. The person seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen them.
"Don't worry. You're safe." A masculine voice said gently.
"W-who are you?" Angel managed to croak out, only just noticing that she was wildly thirsty.
The person seemed confused for a moment, before his expression cleared. "Oh. I'm Nightwing."
Wait. Nightwing? Shock and wonder filled her at the same time. Nightwing the superhero? For a moment, she was wary. But she could tell that he was being honest.
She shook her head slightly. "This is too weird." She whispered weakly. Darkness was making her vision fuzzy, and this time, she didn't fight it. Her eyes closed again and she welcomed the cool blackness and rest.
Nightwing watched silently as the girl slipped back into unconsciousness. She was probably exhausted. Rest was what she needed now.
She seemed slightly restless as she slept, fidgeting. But it was only when she turned onto her side, facing away from him that he understood exactly what Cadmus had done to her.
Behind his reflective lenses, his blue eyes widened. Sprouting from her back, still small, were two wings. They seemed to be covered in down, like fledgling wings before they grew enough to be able to fly. Each of the feathers were black-tipped, but the main color theme was a rich, beautiful dark blue, although the shades varied depending on the feathers.
All of a sudden, Nightwing was reminded of, well… Blue Jay wings.
M'gann? Nightwing said cautiously.
Yes Nightwing? Is it time for my shift?
No… But I think you'd better come and look at this.
Yep. Cadmus messed around with her DNA so she ended up a little bird. And I think you all know what's coming next!