Chapter 9!
Here we will learn some stuff about stuff!
Enjoy!
The mentors who had been alerted for Robin's care were Superman, Flash and Batman. Nightwing, since his problem wasn't something really physically treated, had Dr. Fate, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter.
The adults merely undid Robin's bandages and put in stitches were needed. After putting on disinfectant, the injuries were re-bandaged. It only took and hour to completely patch up Robin. Robin even came back to consciousness.
"Oh man, what happened to my uniform?"
"You were tortured."
"Batman, Deathstroke is back!" Robin yelled. Robin winced, and grabbed his head. Batman stiffened, then reached down to help his second ward.
"Can you explain?" Superman asked.
"You guys might remember his more recent name, Slade." Batman explained. "Robin, try to go to sleep, you need some rest, not just being unconscious." Robin nodded the proceeded to fall asleep.
"Wait, Batman. Nightwing and the new chick are together." Robin muttered as his sudden exhaustion overtook him.
"Can you explain that too?" Flash asked, a grin reaching his mouth. Everyone remembered how reluctant Batman was to let Nightwing date. Batman scowled.
"I know why he told me, but I'd rather talk about Deathstroke."
"I remember him, he was that mercenary."
"Let's see if any of the other YJ members can explain further." Batman headed out of the room. Flash headed towards Nightwing's room. Superman followed Batman. They would be very disturbed about learning about Slade/ Deathstroke's clone.
Nightwing's body temperature was about ten degrees lower than normal. The fact he wasn't in a coma or even dead was amazing.
"We are lucky the Klarion was mad, otherwise Nightwing would be dead."
"What?"
"Well, if Klarion was being calm, he would only freeze a little bit of Nightwing's blood. That would kill Nightwing very painfully, and quickly. Instead, he froze all of Nightwing's insides. Ever heard of Cryogenics*?" Flash asked. He was just watching Dr. Fate counter the spell.
"Yes, that is when you freeze someone, or something to preserve it right?"
"Yup."
"So?"
"Well, instead of killing Nightwing, it seems he gave Nightwing a few extra hours of life, maybe even days. Some people, like Mr. Freeze, use cryogenics to keep themselves in a young physical state. It is very dangerous, and if done wrong in the slightest way, can kill you." Flash explained. Zatanna, who was also in the room to learn from Dr. Fate, and J'hn nodded. The knowledge was interesting, but not quite helpful at the moment.
"He looked in pain though." Zatanna whispered.
"Well, it would hurt to be frozen I would think." Flash said.
"I have countered the spell." Dr. Fate said.
"YES!" Flash whooped. Then Flash ran up to see if Nightwing had any injuries. He undid the zipper of Nightwing's suit and was greeted with about twenty bruises on Nightwing's chest. Ten of the bruises looked suspiciously like…
"Are those hickey's?" Zatanna asked. Her voice was a little louder than she meant it to be, and Dr. Fate had at that moment, opened the door to leave. Almost everyone outside the door rushed in.
"Starfire!" Batgirl said accusingly.
"It wasn't me! I promise! Really, we haven't done anything in like…" Starfire trailed off as mentors and teammates alike looked at her. She blushed furiously.
"I'm about 32 on this planet you know." She said.
"Nightwing isn't 18 yet." Batman growled. Starfire grew a deep shade of red.
"Wasn't me." She whimpered. Robin, who had limped in during the commotion was very confused, but put two and two together when he saw the hickeys.
"Oh man," Robin said.
Can I ever look at Nightwing the same? Eh, probably, I mean I haven't changed any opinions of Batman after his girlfriends. – Robin shrugged and went off to nap on the couch.
"Um, we can always do a DNA check right?" Artemis asked. She had a scowl on her face.
"Wait, I think I know who did it!" Batgirl said. Everyone looked at her. "Klarion." Dead silence.
"Is this a treat and move on deal?" Rocket asked. Flash nodded followed by everyone else. As they exited the room, the girls of YJ and JL stole Starfire and ran off to Megan's room.
In the med wing, Dr. Fate stopped Batman.
"Batman, countering the spell, might have done something to Nightwing."
"What?"
"Well, he might grow an extra inch, and I think his hair might grow faster, but other than that, Nightwing should be back to normal in no time."
"I wish that were true." Flash said stepping out of the operating room.
"Explain." Batman ordered.
"The whole long hair thing is true, I mean, I turn to make sure everyone is out, and boom, long hair. Anyway, it appears Nightwing has some bruises."
"We know that."
"No, Batman, I mean bullet bruises. Also, his shoulder, even though it stopped bleeding, there is a hole, similar to Scarabs…"
"So it was a laser whole?"
"Yes. Also, Nightwing does have a bleeding injury really low on the left side of his abdomen. I bet we didn't see it because the freezing spell froze the blood flow. Anyway, Nightwing has a couple broken ribs, a lot of bruised ribs, and I think maybe a bruised spleen. It won't take to long to heal, but I wouldn't let him work out until the bruises completely fade." Flash said.
"Thank you Barry." Batman started to walk away.
"Oh, and about Nightwing and Starfire, it is a shock at first to learn about you kid's relationship, but I think you can trust Nightwing."
"I was not worried about that at all."
"Really?"
"Well, look at my history."
"Oh God Batman. I didn't need to think about that." Flash laughed. "Anyway, I put Nightwing on painkillers and patched him up. He was actually I better shape that Robin, except for the bullet wounds." Flash walked away towards the kitchen. "Wally, is there food?"
"Speedsteres.' Superman huffed.
In Megan's room, all the girls had ganged up on Starfire.
"Ok, first, the lecture. Be careful. Lecture over. The gossip club may now commence!" Canary said. Wonder Woman rolled her head. Hawkwoman laughed.
"Ok. Starfire, as our newest member, please tell us about your relationship with Nightwing!"
"Um…"
"Well, first, when did you start dating?" Zatanna prompted.
"Zatanna, are you sure you are ok with this?" Artemis asked.
"Yes I am. Wing and I have a totally platonic relationship now."
"Ok. Well, I first fell for Nightwing when he saved me from slave traders. We didn't start dating until a trip to Tokyo last spring. Um, what else?"
"Girl, we all know you and Wing-boy did it!" Rocket squealed. The other girls looked at Starfire curiously. Batgirl, who was in the back, had a little jealousy on her face.
"Yeah. About a month ago."
"Wait, so you have been dating about three,"
"Four."
"Ok, four months and already you've?"
"Yeah, I really love him." Starfire got a dreamy look on her face. Only Batgirl could see the sad shadow behind it.
"Well, as a mentor, I'll say this once. Don't let your emotions interfere with work." Wonder Woman said fiercely. Starfire nodded.
"I declared this gossip group meeting closed.' Artemis said. The women went out to find their respective partners. Starfire, Megan, and Batgirl stayed behind.
"My uncle says it is ok to see Nightwing now." Megan said happily. Starfire smiled gratefully and flew off.
"She is really planning on leaving him?" Megan asked.
"How did?"
"I read her mind." Megan said sheepishly. Batgirl laughed, then frowned.
"What should we do?"
"I don't know."
"I'm going to see Robin." Batgirl began to leave.
"Make sure you visit Nightwing too." Megan said.
"Why?"
"So he knows you'll be there for him."
"Megan, you're awesome." Batgirl left the room.
I know this chapter just kind of ended, but I didn't have much more to say. Last Chapter next!
Love,
Burning Bright!