Chapter 8-Devil's Homecoming

The next two weeks past without incident, as the Tower being filled with so many well spacious bedroom had no problem fitting so many people in it, and it prevented them from stepping on each other's toes. The Justice League Members as well as Dante and Lady were to witness their first among many meat VS tofu arguments in the morning. After the first hour of it, Dante shot a bullet in-between the two, and told them that if they keep it up they'll be eating metal in the morning.

As expected, Nero paid a visit, but only after the first week since he had unexpectedly brought with him Kyrie since she could help talk to Raven about Nightwing, and help the half-demon female out in some way. While some of group remained skeptical about it, the others knew that Raven needed all the support she could get, and it was clear that Kyrie was the right woman for the job.

"So how long do we even wait? I mean it was Months before Vergil showed up to under the influence of Mundus to fight you so shouldn't it be the same for Nightwing?" said Nero drinking a soda not caring that some people were staring at his Devil Bringer of an arm.

"No. Time has no meaning in demon realm. The days here can be an eternity there so if Nightwing is being brainwashed by Mundus, chances are it's going to be a living hell. If anything, I bet Mundus will send Nightwing out to test his powers in a trial run, and see how good the kid is within a short time under his command. Remember, Nightwing has Sparda blood in his veins, and a drive that matches Vergil's if not surpasses it when it comes to training. I've trained the kid myself, as did you when you came over to visit to learn a few things, and every time we fought he just kept getting better with each day of training. Why do you think I let him come back here to the U.S. after just a few short Months?" said Dante seeing the group listening have wide eyes at that bit of information since they had seen Nightwing use that sword with deadly efficiency.

"So what do we do? I don't like being stuck in a tower in the shape of a T all day and I'm sure there are a few demons running around that need to be killed," said Nero feeling the itch to hunt for some demons and kill them with his prized sword.

"I know. What were going to do is find Brother Blood. Apparently he's Mundus's contact to this world so once we find him, there's a good chance to find out where Nightwing is going to strike, and that my friend is when we get to have some fun," said Dante grinning at his fellow Devil, who grinned back, and after they clanked soda cans they finished off what was left.

"Is it me or do they not take things very seriously," said Cyborg seeing the two laughing and talking like all was fine in the world.

"Oh don't worry they get serious, but right now it's merely the calm before the storm, and they prefer to enjoy it as much as possible," said Lady eating some food before she looked at Kyrie having come into the room with Raven, who seemed to be less gloomy, and more positive when she went to make some herbal tea.

"Hey Kyrie! What did you talk to Raven about?" said Nero seeing the gothic like girl get out of her gloomy persona if only just a little.

"Oh just some girl talk, trying to help her be positive in getting her love back, and taught her a song that I sing during my time with the Order of the Sword," said Kyrie having taken some herbal tea from Raven after the half-demon offered her some.

"Oh you taught her that song? Awesome!" said Nero, as he loved to hear his love sing that song, and it soothed his heart when he felt depressed or angry.

"What song is that if I may ask?" said Wonder Woman, as she was a bit curious about this song, and wanted to possibly hear it.

"It's a song that she sings with the Order of the Sword that worships my old man for what he did for mankind 2000 years ago. If you want, I'm sure Kyrie wouldn't mind singing it for us," said Dante, as he saw the woman blush at his praise with Nero elbowing him in the shoulder, and Dante saying "What?" in response.

"Oh I couldn't. I mean I'm not really prepared to sing," said Kyrie feeling uneasy about singing that song even if she had done many times before with a larger audience.

"Don't be shy friend Kyrie. We would love to hear you sing!" said Starfire, as she had seen how humans sing, and wanted to hear this woman's voice to compare it.

"Well I do need the music that goes with it," said Kyrie since it did require a certain form of music to make it sound good.

"I just so happened to have the music for that recorded on one of my CDs," said Nero, as he went to one of his bags, and pulled out a CD that held the said music.

"This should be good," said Green Lantern, who got a nod from Wonder Woman, and Batman said nothing while watching Nero put in the CD before hitting the play button to make the music start.

"The floor is yours Kyrie!" said Nero running back to the couch and jumped over it to sit down on it while the classical music slowly began to play.

Listen to my voice calling you

Calling you out of darkness

Hear the devil's cry of sin

Always turn your back on him

The woman began swaying, as she felt the music move her like it did when she sang back at the temple, and soon fell into the rhythm of the music.

With the wind you go and still

I dream of your spirit leading you back home

I will give my gifts to you

While you're gone and watching on

She closed her eyes loving this part of the song since she knew Nero loved it too having seen him smile at her when she sang it during past singings of it.

The light in your eyes

An angel of dark

Lighting to ease the shadows' sight

Hearts will grow, the heavens will play

Leaving behind the things in the end

'Her voice is so angelic. It's incredible!' thought Wonder Woman wondering if some God blessed her with such a voice.

Listen to my voice calling you

Calling you out of darkness

Hear the devil's cry of sin

Always turn your back on him

On him

On him

With Kyrie singing the final words that echoed throughout the room the song ended and the people around looked at her with awe while the two male half-devils smiled. Bowing respectfully, Kyrie walked from her position in front of the large space in front of the large windows, and sat down in the couch next to Nero loving how he wrapped his arms around her form.

"Whoa! That was awesome!" said Beast Boy his jaw having hit the floor soon after Kyrie started singing.

"Yes! It was most uplifting. I am most pleased you shared it with us," said Starfire, as she had never heard anyone sing like that before, and she was sure very few people on the planet could.

"Her singing is quite heavenly," said Jason Blood clapping at the performance knowing that in the days of Camelot the woman would have been treated like a Queen with her singing.

"Now you know one of the reasons why I love her so much," said Nero kissing her cheek making Kyrie blushing up a storm before looking at Raven seeing that far away look in her eyes.

"When things get at there bleakest Raven, I know that song will help you when it matters the most, and bring Nightwing back to you when it seems nothing else will," said Kyrie seeing Raven look at her and give the singer an understanding smile.

More would have spoken, but the alarm sounded indicating trouble, and the group looked anxious since it could mean Nightwing had returned.

Going to the computer, Cyborg looked at the source of the disturbance, and sure enough there was Nightwing causing destruction at the Museum of Ancient Artifacts. The group watched the security camera footage showing Nightwing knocking away a no less then 10 security guards before he came face to face with an artifact with runes on it. They watched wide eyed, as the object glowed before a gas of sorts came out of it that soon materialized into a large demonic looking creature that was clearly hungry for blood trying to attack him.

Key word being tried.

"Nightwing's playing with him. If we hurry we can catch him," said Dante before they all ran to their transports with Kyrie staying behind since she wasn't a fighter though she would watch the screen to see what about to happening from the live feed.

(Jump City Museum of Ancient Antiques)

"I have no time to play with you demon. I've come for the artifact that you guard in the name of my master that is Emperor Mundus," said Nightwing in a cold almost robotic voice with his sword drawn and ready to kill his demonic foe.

The demon in question was massive in size making the ground tremble with every step its scorpion like body with beady eyes with pincers and the tail filled with poison. Upon its release to protect the artifact it was locked in, it tried several times to get Nightwing in its pincers, and when that failed it used its tail to stab him.

"Foolish half-breed. I do not care if you were sent by Emperor Mundus. I am the guardian of this artifact and I will not let one such as you near it!" said the scorpion based demon before shooting acid from it mouth that Nightwing dodged while the acid itself destroy an old 700 year old painting.

"Fine then, simply do this for me...DIE!" said Nightwing his power pulsing quickly, as he rushed forward with his sword carving into the floor itself tearing up the hard ground heavily in the process, and the demon in front of him preparing for battle.

The demon reached with one pincer only to miss, then the second pincer, and miss again before trying to hit Nightwing with the acid from its mouth. Nightwing leaped into the air to dodge the acid, twisted in midair to miss being hit by the tail, and sliced it off halfway before aiming Yamato down into the center of the scorpion demon's back. The demon howled in pain while thrashing around knocking over objects, smashing through walls, and creating a lot of destruction before Nightwing did a diagonal spin slicing the demon in half before sheathing his sword.

Upon seeing the demon's last howls of pain end with the body melting into nothingness, the object that Mundus wished him to seek out began to melt too, and like the demon it was destroyed too. Frowning, Nightwing didn't know what to make of this turn of events with the artifact being destroyed along with the guardian, and decided to leave to report his findings to the Emperor hoping that his master wouldn't be disappointed with him.

He was suddenly stopped by a light green wall in front of him turned into a dome that had covered him completely, which was created by a certain green power ring from one John Stewart from the Green Lantern Corp. Narrowing his eyes, Nightwing stared at his new foe while the other members of the Justice League, and the others he once called friends appear with him.

"Set me free," said Nightwing his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Sorry kid, I can't do that, and if you try to break out I promise you that you'll regret trying," said Green Lantern hearing Nightwing growl in frustration at the man for even trying to imprison him.

Deciding to take the more direct approach, Nightwing drew Yamato from its sheathe, and after a few good slices the dome shattered into harmless energy before he re-sheathed his sword once more. John couldn't believe that Nightwing had done that, but what's more is that right after putting away his sword, the young half-devil turned to walk away like it was nothing, and it made the Green Lantern feel some invisible blow to his pride.

"I don't have time to play with you. My master awaits," said Nightwing heading towards an exit only for black energy to take a desk and be place in front of the door making the half-devil raise an eyebrow.

"You're not going back to him Nightwing. You're going back home to us. To me," said Raven hoping he would understand and tried to open the link with him only to find she couldn't since he seemed to be preventing it for some reason.

"I can't go back Raven. I'm sorry," said Nightwing his voice now sounding tired, filled with regret, and full of sorrow all in one.

"What does he have over you that makes you serve him? Even Vergil didn't bend to his will so soon!" said Dante seeing Nightwing knock the desk aside and was only stopped when he was forced to fire on the door nearly hitting his Cousin.

"I cannot speak it. Only that I do this for the one I love. That's all you can know," said Nightwing before opening the door to leave with the group pursuing him.

"If you run I will shoot you," said Dante his voice telling Nightwing he wasn't kidding around anymore.

"Don't miss," said Nightwing before rushing off out of view while Dante fired a few rounds missing each time and swore under his breath.

"After him!" said Batman rushing after his adopted son and hoped they could catch him in time.

When tried to intercept him, they found Nightwing climbing up a ladder to the roof at remarkable speed with Dante following in pursuit while Batman used his grappling hook, and Green Lantern along with Wonder Woman took to the air. When they did get to the rooftop, they saw Nightwing running to the other side, and chased after him when he leaped onto another roof.

"It seems some of the things you taught Nightwing are coming in handy for him Bats," said Dante earning him a glare from Batman before looking ahead seeing Nightwing increase the gap between them.

Or rather Nightwing would have, had he not received a blow from Nero, who jumped kicked Nightwing with both feet into it sending him through three air conditioner vents, and nearly breaking through the rooftop wall. Looking up, Nightwing cracked his neck, and got off the ground now getting angry at seeing the other half-devil in front of him now holding his revolver aimed at him.

"Move and I shoot," said Nero aiming his gun at Nightwing's chest while Nightwing himself.

"Didn't I already go through this with the better half?" said Nightwing before he moved faster then Nero anticipated missed his shot, got his gun kicked out of his hand, and was then hit with right uppercut knocking him back to other side of the roof.

Seeing his chance, Nightwing continued to escape his pursuers, who had nearly caught up with him, and was soon surrounded on all sides forcing to fight once more.

"We'll give you one last chance for you to surrender Nightwing or we'll take you down by force," Wonder Woman getting ready to fight along with everyone else.

"You don't understand, I can't go back, and until I fulfill my mission I won't stop," said Nightwing getting ready to fight those he considered friends, family, and with Raven he called his lover.

"Why? Why do you serve Mundus?" said Raven walking towards him until she was only a few feet away.

"I can't tell you Raven," said Nightwing wishing she didn't have to press the issue, as the reason kept forcing itself to the surface of his mind, and was making him tense.

"Why?" said Raven taking another step forward using her mind to force the link open to his own that they shared and feel his emotions spiraling around like a tornado.

"Because I..." said Nightwing, but stopped when he saw it, and felt s sudden pain in his head before the call of Mundus compelled him to return to the Hive Academy where the portal between the worlds would be to take him back to Demon World.

"Nightwing what's wrong?" said Raven seeing his body sparking with demonic energy while screaming out in pain before he was teleported away by its power and using her own once last time to break through to see the reason that made him side with the demon Emperor.

It was then Raven saw it, the truth, the reason behind his betrayal to the world, and when it was over she fell to the ground crying.

The crying was mixed with joy yet with sadness all in one knowing that this reason was the why he was doing what he was doing.

'Is it true? Is that the reason why he serves Mundus,' thought Raven, as she continued to cry with Dante helping her up wondering what it was that made her cry to begin with.

"Raven what is it? What did you see?" said Wonder Woman seeing the tears run down her face and the jewel that was a gift from Nightwing glowing slightly in the process.

"I have to go. I need to...to get away!" said Raven turning into her soul self and flew back to Titans Tower to be alone.

"O-kay! That was weird," said Dante, who didn't know she could do that, and couldn't help wonder what else the girl could do.

"Same old Dante. No matter how many times I see you try to get a job done there are always delays," said Trish making herself known to the group having leaped off another building to get to them.

"Hey Trish. I was wondering when you were going to get my message. What's up?" said Dante seeing Trish reveal a disk and handed it to Cyborg, who brought it up on his arm screen showing a location underground, and saw the Hive Academy symbol on it.

"I spoke to that so called genius Gizmo, who after a little...persuasion of the violent kind, I got him to tell me where his boss's HQ was located, and I also got the blueprints to the whole damn place too though I don't if its all accurate considering they came from the little prick," said Trish looking around wondering where Lady was?

"Hey guys! What did I miss?" said Lady finally greeting them with Jason Blood now turned Etrigan behind her looking very serious.

"Some chasing, fighting, and all that stuff. Where were you?" said Dante seeing the look on Etrigan's face and knew something was up.

"We were looking at the area where Nightwing tried to take that artifact. From what we were able to learn, the item itself was very old, and as you know contained a demon that was sealed inside of it. Such items are designed to be nothing more then sick traps that are used to be disguises to guard real treasure demons of old possessed in their lairs that are filled with it," said Etrigan seeing the group realize that this was nothing more then a test for Nightwing in seeing how strong he was after being under Mundus's control.

"So it was a test," said Green Lantern just like Dante knew it would be.

"Yeah and I think Nightwing passed with flying colors," said Dante seeing Nero rub his jaw where the former hero slugged him and called his revolver to his hand before putting it back in its holster.

"So we must wait yet again?" said Starfire not knowing what to do next other then wait for Nightwing to return.

"I'm afraid so Sparky. If this was a test, then that means whatever it is that Mundus wants Nightwing to get next is going to be much more difficult, and until we find out what that is were going to have to play the waiting game," said Dante running his hand through his hair.

(Hive Academy)

Nightwing appeared in the Headmaster's Office without problems and kneeled before the portal that showed Emperor Mundus's form looking down on him. The Emperor had with the help of Brother Blood seen the events take place at the Museum and was most pleased with his servant for taking on that particular demon. It was of course a simple test to see the boy's progress in being his one man army like Vergil should have been when he first fell to the Emperor's power. It had been difficult to break Vergil at first due to the young half-devil's iron will, but Nightwing was different in the regard since unlike Vergil, the half-devil before him had something to lose should he disobey, and it was something that Mundus was going to milk out of his demon warrior for as long as possible.

"You failed to retrieve the artifact Nightwing," said Mundus sounding disappointed in his servant though it was exactly the opposite.

"The demon scorpion guarding what you asked me to retrieve was destroyed when I had killed it. The two were one and with the scorpion dead so was the artifact. Something I believe you knew would happen," said Nightwing, as he wanted to gauge his master's reaction, and see if this was a test or something else.

All Mundus did was just let out a demonic chuckle, as if he was amused by Nightwing's boldness, and thought of it like a game.

"Such an amusing half-devil you are. You are smart enough to make accusations to a point where I wouldn't retaliate when lesser demons then you have felt my wrath for such failures," said Mundus seeing Nightwing having a calculated look on his face whenever they spoke and the demonic Emperor felt this boy while defiant was quite refreshing to the usual mindless demons that served him.

"I ran into Dante and the others after fighting it," said Nightwing knowing that Mundus knew of this, but wanted to know what the demon thought of it, and how he would want to handle it.

"Ah yes. Your cousin along with your former friends, the Justice League, and that slut of a half-breed you love so much," said Mundus seeing Nightwing grit his teeth and the demonic energy in the boy spike at his words.

"She is NOT a slut master," said Nightwing trying to hold his temper together, but the fact that this was Raven the Emperor was talking about made it difficult.

"She is what I say she is my servant and do not forget that. Now for your real target, I need you to go to Greece, and go under an ancient long forgotten temple of Hades where your true target awaits you," said Mundus seeing his servant frown at this since the boy was clearly not prepared for long distant travel assignments.

"What is the target this time, my Emperor?" said Nightwing wondering what the lost temple of Hades possessed that his master could want?

"It is an ancient staff that was forged by the Gods themselves, which will be the key to my plan to taking over this world, and beyond. It is called 'Hera's Scepter' and if used by mere mortals, it can open the gates of Mount Olympus to me to conqueror," said the Emperor making Nightwing's eyes behind his mask widen in shock since he too knew of such things and the consequences rumored behind them.

"The Olympic Gods will not allow you or anyone you serve to open the gateway. They will use their powers to destroy the city or even the continent the scepter resides in to make sure it is never used," said Nightwing feeling his master becoming angry with him now at telling the demon what he already knew.

"Do not tell me what the Gods will do my servant! I am well aware of the risks, but I do not fear them for I am not using the scepter to open the gateway to Mount Olympus, and therefore cannot be punished by the Gods," said Mundus his anger aimed towards Nightwing gone and was replaced by a sinister chuckle.

"What do you plan to do with it master?" said Nightwing wondering what it was that his master could be planning to do with the ancient God empowered scepter.

"In time my servant you will know, but for now I will not say, and I expect you to do your job when I have Blood here send reinforcements to make sure you see your job done," said Mundus seeing Brother Blood nod knowing he could send some students and robots to the location to assist in the tomb raiding.

"I can get it without their help master," said Nightwing only to be hit with Mundus's power through the portal sending him into the wall.

"Do not think to test me boy! Do not think that I know that in your heart and mind you wish to usurp me when I least expect it from you. While you passed your test in killing the demon, you failed to kill any of warriors moments later that stood before you, and do not think I saw your moment with that slut of half-breed talking to you trying to make you tell her why you serve me. Do not forget that the instant you betray me, the deal we made is dead, and you will be the one that pays for it in the end!" said Mundus before killing the blast making Nightwing fall to the floor coughing up blood while the portal closed.

"Serves you right for doing that to the Emperor like that you foolish little half-devil," said Brother Blood kicking Nightwing in the ribs before walking away only to find his robotic hand had fallen off and the "clink" if a sword being put away was heard.

"And you are foolish for thinking I was beaten down so easily that you could get a free shot at me. When this is over...I'll kill you," said Nightwing getting off the ground and walking up to Brother Blood, who scowled at him, and had his eyes glowing red while trying to be threatening, and making it seem the former hero wasn't that much of threat to him.

"You can't kill me boy. Emperor Mundus won't let you and if you do now, I can give an utmost guarantee you will regret it," said Brother Blood grinning at Nightwing now, who much to the Headmaster's surprise grinned back, and mentally it unnerved the villain.

"You think you're going to be alive and kicking after this is over? Ha! Get real. You're already dead Blood. You just don't know it yet. However, when that time comes for you to die, I promise you I will be there to see it happen, and when I do I'm going to look down upon your dying form before I give you a smile worthy of a devil. Now do as our master had ordered to prepare the troops for the location Emperor Mundus has in mind, you arrogant swine," said Nightwing before pushing Brother Blood away and headed to his temporary quarters to regain his lost strength.

'Soon boy, I will make you suffer, and when I do I'll see to it that not even Mundus will stop me from destroying you,' thought Brother Blood smashing his teeth together before heading out to do as Mundus had ordered him to do.

(A/N: YAY! I updated. Go me! LOL! I hope you all liked this one since I needed to think of a way to make it really good. I would like to take this time to acknowledge the idea for the Scepter of Hera from the fic by Arcadia 81, who used the scepter in a SMxWW fic, which is called Union, and felt this would be perfect for this fic. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do, and praise that author for a job well done. Until next time...PEACE!!)