Chapter Seven: Revealings
Raven flew through the warm mid-day air of Jump City. It had taken only a few hours to get back from Gotham while going at the speed she was at. Of course, she was flying this fast because she wanted to get back to Liam a.s.a.p. He was probably alright but she didn't want to tempt fate by being lazy and being slow. That, and also there was a part of her that wanted to ask about his relationship with Bruce Wayne/ Batman.
She flew up high while going along the coast line. When she reached the entrance to Liams' base, Raven dove down to the hole and quickly went in. Somehow he must have known she was back, since the door at the end opened up and waited for her.
Raven landed and walked in the door, closing it behind herself. Over by the computer was Liam, wearing a black v-neck shirt and working on something on the computer. She sighed and went over to him, smiling at how much of a work-a-holic he was.
Liam stopped typing and looked over at her, still wearing his mask as usual. He hugged her, glad she came back safely, and asked how things went in Gotham. Raven didn't say anything and handed him the disk that Bruce Wayne had given to her. With a small look of concern, he took the cd from her and put it in his computers' disk drive.
The message uploaded in less than a minute, showing-up on the huge screen. Liam looked at it, reading on and feeling dread build-up inside of him. His worst fear was coming true and he had no clue as to how much time was on the clock.
Hanging his head, Liam felt like all his hard work was turning around and biting back at him. Raven sensed his dismay and put her hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner. Part of her wondered if she should tell him that she knew about his father or not, now seeing how hard the news hit him.
After a moment's silence Liam asked without raising his head, "Did he tell you anything? Tell me truthfully."
"...Yes, both he and Alfred did." Raven answered after a moment.
"Then that means you know about him and what happened, what he did to Gotham and its' people?"
"Yes, and about why you left there. Neither of them thinks that it was your fault." Raven told him quietly.
He looked back up at the message, reading the very last part of it. Liam knew that no-one blamed him for it, but there was a deep guilt that nagged at the back of his mind, telling him that there were people that did die because he wasn't there to save them. It was what drove him forward, even though everyone told him the opposite. With a shake of his head he looked away from the screen and to Raven.
She stood there in front of him with a sympathetic look spread wide over her face. Liam sighed and instantly knew that they had told her more than she said they did. He let it go though; knowing that there wasn't any time to waste on arguments.
"Well whether or not I'm responsible or not doesn't matter right now. At this moment, there are much bigger things to worry about...like stopping Bayard and his buddies." Liam told her ending that conversation.
Raven nodded and understood that he didn't want to speak about it anymore. Then she looked at the list of people that escaped from Arkham Asylum, seeing that there were quite a few. After a moment she thought of something that she had to suggest, even if he rejected it.
"I know you work solo, but, this is huge and we should probably ask for the other Titans help." She told him.
Liam gave one nod and sighed. He didn't seem surprised by this but there was a clear part of him that didn't appear like he was too glad about it. To put it plainly, it looked like a lazy kid that had to do homework.
"Yep, I had a feeling that I would. Ugh, this is going to be interesting...I haven't seen Dick in a long time." Liam said while taking out the disk and turning off his computer.
"You mean Robin?" Raven asked, slightly caught off guard by the comment.
"Yeah. You shouldn't be surprised since we both worked with him, and each other. This is gonna be super fun." Liam said sarcastically.
Raven smiled alittle at his expression, beginning to wonder what Robins' reaction would be. Then she made Liam let her heal his arm, which he actually didn't argue about. Flexing his arm to see that it worked fine, Liam got dressed in a spare of his uniform that he had. Then, with a glum nod the two went out the back exit and to Titan Tower.
Robin was pacing back and forth in the living room, wondering what he was going to do about this "White Knight". He didn't sound like a bad guy and he even wondered if he'd want to become an honorary Titan. Looking at his communicator, he decided that he would ask the team what they thought when Raven got back.
Speaking of which, right at that moment, Raven flew in the open window. Robin went over to her, glad that she was alright, and was about to ask how things went when she interrupted him. She asked if he could gather everyone to the living room, saying that she had important news for the team. He nodded, alittle confused, and went to get everyone.
Once Robin came back with everyone they asked what this news was. Raven froze and opened her mouth to tell them. She readied herself for their reactions to what she was about to say.
"I-I have some-one I want you guys to meet. He's waiting outside..." She said, feeling embarrassed as all of their eyes went wide and they all grinned.
"Dude! You've got a boyfriend!? I didn't believe it at first but now, that's, wow. Good for you." Cyborg said in a happy shock.
Starfire hugged her while Robin smiled and said, "Well don't leave him out there. Tell him to come in."
Raven nodded, now very nervous, and went to the open window. She glanced behind her and saw all of them waiting and looking on eagerly. With a sigh and a small smile to her friends, she went outside and told Liam it was time for him to come inside, being sure to not say his name.
Liam looked like he might want to jump off the tower instead but came in, walking along the large window sill and into the living room. He hid behind her for a mere second, seeing her friends striving to see him. Then he just stood next to her, hearing all of them gasp in surprise.
After a moment he said, "Hello" nervously and felt odd as they stared at him, still in shock. Turning to Raven he gave an expression that said, "What do I do" which she shrugged to. He looked elsewhere and was about to leave when Beast Boy broke the silence.
"You're dating the White Knight?! That's awesome!" Beast Boy said happily, running forward and tackling them.
Starfire and Cyborg, both overjoyed, went over and hugged them as well. They introduce themselves and asked several questions so quickly that they lost track of which one was first. It was a great moment until they told Robin to come-over.
He was still staring, but now it seemed to be one of angry surprise. Starfire didn't notice this however, and went over to her friend, pulling at his arm. Robin didn't budge and she let go of him, very confused.
Liam, knowing this was going to happen, pulled out of the group hug and looked at his past partner. Robin stared back and began to stalk over. Raven, after receiving a quick look from Liam, pulled the others back and watched what was happening.
Just as Liam was thinking of saying "Hi" Robin jumped in the air, bringing out his Bo staff. He yelled out and brought it down at Liam who dodged it with ease. Flipping back he avoided another hit from him and blocked the next hit.
Grabbing the staff Liam pulled it out of Robin's hands and tossed it over to Raven who caught it and hid it. Now angry, he charged even quicker at Liam, throwing punches and kicks with incredible speed. However, Liam blocked or dodged every hit, remembering how much they had trained with each other when younger.
But, just as he avoided another swing towards his face, he saw that the team was arguing with Raven. He knew that they'd help their leader and decided to end this small match now. Taking out one of the knives he activated it and threw it at his past partner.
Robin caught it in his right hand easily enough and went to get his own weapon...until the knife changed. It exploded and wrapped him in tiny but strong metal wires. Not able to move or do anything, Robin fell backwards and landed on his butt, now seething with rage.
"That was cheating!" He shouted at Liam angrily.
Liam walked over to him with a small smirk and answered, "No it wasn't and you know it. Besides, you got the first hit."
The whole team, minus Raven, stared at this strange exchanged of words in utter shock.
"Wait, do you two know each other?!" Cyborg asked loudly, his eyes wide and watching.
Robin grumbled and gave a very glum nod. Everyone shouted in surprise and looked at the two, trying to find anyting that connected them. Their out-fits were abit similar but they seemed to be opposites of each other.
Liam gave the team a small smile and told them, "Robin and me used to work with each other in Gotham. That and he's pretty much like my little brother that always wants to beat me."
"Not always! And I have beaten you before so don't act like I haven't! Now untie me!" Robin demanded, frustrated and alittle humiliated.
Liam said "Alright" and pressed a small button on the knife he threw. The metal wires retraked back into the tiny device and he then grabbed Robins' arm. Pulling him to his feet, Liam smiled at his old partner who glared at him for a brief second and looked back at his friends as they gave an "awwww" at the sight.
Robin groaned angrily and looked at them and their happy faces, utterly annoyed. Liam looked too and thought it was alittle funny and was glad he came here. Then he turned to Robin and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Is he really your old partner?" Beast boy asked, eager for the answer.
"Well, either you tell them or I do." Liam told Robin who nodded and sighed.
"Yeah, Beast Boy. This is my old friend and partner. Him and I both trained under Batman, although he was there way before me. He also went off on his own with-out telling anyone before I did." Robin told his friends, glancing at Liam at the last comment
"This is very good, yes? You have your brother back and Raven is happy!" Starfire said while flying up over to them with a grin.
"Well Star, he isn't my actual brother. We just kinda grew-up with each other." Robin told her, now feeling exhausted from all of the major emotions and fighting.
"But he said that you we. And you grow-up with your siblings, yes?" She asked, confused.
Robin was about to try and explain it in further detail but instead just gave a nod. Starfire smiled and flew around to Liam, giving him a killer hug which he seemed to be able to deal with. Then the rest of the Titans came over, happy once again.
They all talked with each other for a few minutes, excited to hear about Liam and how him and Raven met. After that story came the question of how he and Robin met and an awkward silence. But Liam laughed it off and told the "not-so-sad" version of their meeting and how they always sparred with each other and how Liam won and always told Robin that he was getting better.
"I'm really glad I came here, but, I have a favor that I need to ask you." Liam told Robin, who looked at him confused. "It's also something I have to ask in private."
Robin, after hearing that, caught the small hint a severity and nodded. He got-up and told the others to stay here while they talked. Then he motioned for Liam to follow him and they left the living room.
"So, that's how you beat those two guys on the roof." Cyborg said slyly, looking at Raven who turned away embarrassed and caught.
"What's happening and why is it so important?" Robin said after locking the door.
With a deep breath, Liam released it and said, "It's my father. He and a few others escaped Arkahm. Stalker is alive and told me that Bayard is coming here. I don't know when but until he gets here he's sent his buddies ahead to Jump City... I came to ask for yours and the other Titans help."
Robin stared at him in shock and felt an old fear emerge inside himself. He didn't like the news of people escaping from that asylum but there was something about this one person that made him feel scared. Bayard, the old White Knight, was one of the worst enemies, and one of the most demented, that he'd gone up against. As much as he wanted nothing to do with this issue he couldn't say no to him and nodded.
"I'll help you and I'm sure the others will too. Have you contacted him yet?" Robin asked.
Liam nodded and brought out the disk. He gave it to Robin who looked at it and went over to the computer. He turned on the device and inserted the disk, waiting for it to load. In a moment the list of escaped people appeared on the screen.
"Doctor Phosphorus I know, but who are the rest? I've never heard of Guillotine or Gemini." Robin inquired while starring at the screen.
"They're probably lower class inmates at the asylum...until now that is. I'm curious as to why Bayard chose to have Doctor Phosphorus on his team?" Liam asked, more to himself than Robin.
Robin looked over to his old friend and saw that he was glaring at that one name angrily. It took a moment but then he remembered that Liam despised him and for good reasons. Turning back to the keyboard he closed the window and shut down the computer. His friend looked at him and noticed that he had a sympathetic expression.
"Sorry...should we tell the others?" Liam asked.
"Yeah, they need to know that Jump City is going to be busy for who knows how long." Robin answered him.
Nodding him and Robin went over to the door and left the private computer room that was hidden in the gym. From there they went up the stairs quickly and back to the living room. There, waiting for them, were Raven and the others.
Everyone had been talking and laughing until Robin and Liam came into the room. When they saw their expressions they knew instantly that something was up. The two guys walked over and the rest of them sat still on the couch, ready to be told what was going on.
"We have some not-so-happy news and it's of the utmost importance." Robin told them.
They all nodded and stayed silent, waiting to be told this new info. Robin turned to Liam who took a deep breath and released it.
"Recently I bumped into an old enemy of mine. His name is Stalker and he had purposely come to me with a message from an even worse person from Arkham. This bigger and demented foe is called "Bayard". He caused Robin and I a lot of trouble back in Gotham and is planning to come to Jump City." Liam told them, pausing.
Beast Boy raised his hand up to show he had a question. Liam looked at him and asked what he wanted to know.
"If Bayard is in Arkham, what are you worried about? And why Jump City?" He asked.
"I was just about to get to that. He escaped, along with some other inmates. And he's coming here for me...he hates me with a passion. Bayard is sending the other escaped people ahead to here until he chooses to come here, which he will. I asked Robin for his help and he said he would. Because this is your city too, I wanted to ask the rest of you for your assistance; it'd mean a lot." Liam told them, ending his explanation.
They were all quiet for a moment. But it was only for that and then they all stood-up. Liam slightly feared they would say no.
"Of course we'll help you! We've been protecting this city for four years and we're not gonna stop because these new threats are from Arkham. I'm in!" Cyborg told Liam with an encouraging grin.
"I am also "in" and will help you battle these enemies." Starfire answered, smiling.
"You already know my answer." Raven said, "How about you Beast Boy?"
"Heck yes! I'm totally in man!" He said happily.
"Good. Then it's settled and we can start our research on these guys before they get here." Robin stated. Turning to Liam he asked, "Do you want to stay in the Tower?"
"Nah, all my things are back at my place. Besides, I'm on the outskirts of the city so I'll have a better chance to catch them when they get here." Liam answered with a friendly smile.
"Alright, then take this," Robin said while giving him his communicator, "so that if you do see any of them you can contact us."
"Thanks. Speaking of my place, I need to leave for there." Liam said while looking out at the setting sun.
Robin looked out the window and saw that it would be getting dark soon. He nodded and walked with Liam to the window. Raven came-up with them and after everyone said their goodbyes she flew him to the mainland where he ran off to him place. Then she went back to the Tower.
