Chapter 9: Scorned
I'm so glad you made time to see me
How's life, tell me how's your family
I haven't seen them in a while
You've been good
Busier than ever
Small talk
Work and the weather
Your guard's up and I know why
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses
And I left them there to die
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you
Saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I had realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December all the time.
These days I haven't been sleeping
Staying up playing back myself leaving
When your birthday passed and I didn't call
Then I think back to summer all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I loved you in the fall
And the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love
And all I gave you was "Goodbye"
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you
Saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I had realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time.
I miss your tan skin
Your sweet smile
So good to me
So right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is just wishful thinking
Probably mindless dreaming
If we loved again
I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back and time and change it but I can't
So if the chain is on your door, I understand… but…
This is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you
Saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I had realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December all the time.
All the time…
"Back to December" – Taylor Swift
Fifteen years ago…
"TITANS TOGETHER!" Robin called out as the young heroes rushed Dr. Light. He tossed a batarang at the villain. Dr Light laughed as the small green ant riding on the weapon suddenly became an elephant hurling toward the mad scientist.
The villain created a light shield just strong enough to keep Beast Boy from crushing him. "You'll have to do better than that!"
"Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Raven, you're up! Cyborg, Starfire, Speedy, give them cover fire!" Robin ordered, tossing four more explosive batarangs at the villain.
Starfire and Cyborg launched a barrage of energy blasts while Speedy shot several trick 'fireworks' arrows distracting the villain as Kid Flash ran at breakneck speed, a hand of the flying Wondergirl and Raven holding tight to his.
"Ready, ladies?" Kid Flash asked, running up and along the side of a building.
"You're paying to have my hair fixed again, KF," Wonder Girl barked through the wind.
"Ready when you are, Kid Flash," Raven replied, struggling to keep her hood down with her free hand.
"GO GET HIM, GIRLS!" Kid Flash yelled, coming to a sudden stop and slinging his arms forward, sending the fliers soaring faster than they normally could.
Wonder Girl dropped behind the villain, and sweep kicked his legs out from under him.
He got up on his hands and knees and shook his head. "Hi," He looked up to see Raven smiling at him with her cloaked wrapped around her. "Remember me, Doctor?" she asked as dark tendrils inched out from her cloak, causing the mad doctor to scream in terror and crawl away.
Before he could truly get away from his old tormentor, Kid Flash hit him with a high speed punch to the face sending him flying. "Mission completed, fearless leader," Kid Flash said, turning to salute Robin as the team regrouped.
"Good work, guys," Robin walked past the group, sharing a quick glance with Raven before going to tie up Dr. Light.
"Hey, Donnie," Kid Flash turned to the Amazon Princess who was tying her hair up in a ponytail. "Wanna celebrate this big win with a dinner for two?" He said, flashing an over exaggerated smile and wink.
"Wonder Girl on the job, Kid Flash," she scowled at her best friend.
She sighed when his smiled fell and shook her head. She turned and caught Speedy looking at her backside, and turned up her nose. "You know what, Wally, why not?"
"Why not what?" Kid Flash blinked in surprise.
"Let's do it," Wonder Girl walked up to her friend, and the confidence melted from him visibly.
"I… uh… what?" Kid Flash looked around every which way but into the young Amazon's eyes.
"Take me out tonight, West," Donna placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're already my dearest friend, it isn't that much of a leap to begin dating. Right?"
"You're not doing this because you're mad at Roy, are you?" Kid Flash asked, glancing back at the glaring archer.
"I've… given him too many chances to change already, and I want someone I can trust to be there for me," Donna leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "And you, Wally West, have never failed me."
"Wow…" Kid Flash grinned ear to ear.
"Cut the chatter, Titans," Robin said, joining the group. "Let's go home."
-JLU-
Wally adjusted his tie as he paced anxiously in front of the main entrance of Titans Tower. It took him thirty minutes to gather the bouquet of flowers from all around the Greek Islands. He even managed to slip into Themyscira. He was more than familiar with their laws of a male never touching the ground of their island, so he ran so fast his feet never once touched the ground, just zoomed across the island grabbing the prettiest orchids and roses he could find.
"Wally?"
Wally turned to see Starfire standing there with her pet… thing in her arms, wearing a long tee-shirt. "Hey, Kory," Wally greeted his friend.
"Silky and I are so happy for you," she beamed at her younger friend. "Silky wanted to come out and wish you luck, and who am I to deny my lil friend." She giggled. The small worm… thing made a yelp-like sound toward Wally.
"It's only natural that you two would become a couple," Starfire moved in quick to kiss his cheek. "You're her best friend and it is plain for all to see that you make her happy. You will be a marvelous couple!"
"Thanks, Star," Wally smiled at his excitable friend.
"Alright then, Friend Wally, I'm going to bed, you have a great time tonight!" Starfire stood tall with Silky held under one arm. "Don't stay out too late, and treat her extra nice. We princesses like special attention." She said with a wink as she turned and went back inside.
Wally smiled after her before he went back to his pacing and waiting. He waited and waited, periodically checking the watch his uncle got him for Christmas. "Where is she?" He asked out loud, seeing that she was forty five minutes late. "Being late is my thing…" He frowned, grabbing the flowers from the bench and walking into the Tower.
He zipped up the stairs to the dorm rooms and began making his way toward Wonder Girl's room. "Hey Wally," Robin eased from the shadows, a foreboding look on his face.
"Rob, heard from Donnie?" Wally asked the team's leader.
"I don't think she'll make it to the date, bud," Robin glanced back to her closed door.
"Why? She ok?" Wally asked in concern.
"She's… something's come up, Wally…" Robin struggled, frowning deeply.
"Oh… that's ok…" Wally said, disappointment visible in his eyes, "I'll at least give her these flowers while they're fresh!" He flashed a bright smile.
"Wally, no!" Robin called after him but it was too late as he approached Donna's bedroom door.
Wally heard some Donna whimpering and moaning from behind the door as he slowly opened and peaked inside. The flowers fell to the floor as his eyes widened.
"Oh Roy…"
-JLU-
"Oh Wallace…" Flash's eyes widened when he felt the feminine arms gingerly drape across his shoulders and heard the familiar sweet sounding tone.
He quickly steeled himself as he rose from his seat to turn to face his former teammate. "I'm afraid you must have me mistaken for someone else, Wonder Girl."
"Nice try, Wally, I know who you are," Donna crossed her arms across her chest, glaring at him. "I can't believe you pulled this horse crap."
Flash grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the dining area, and he ignored the fact her face flared red with anger.
Once they were outside, and he glanced around to make sure no one was around he turned to her. "I know you LOVE to show off as much of your skin as you can, but some of us have secret identities."
"Don't you ever grab me by the arm like that again, Wallace West," Donna snapped, "Not after you abandoned us! I bet you've had a good laugh out of me thinking you were dead? How could you tell me that, Wally? How could you?!" She asked, jabbing her finger into the Flash symbol on his chest.
"Abandoned? Who abandoned who? Where the hell have you been anyway?" Flash fired back, "Where were you when the White Martians invaded? Where were you during all of the times Lex, Brainiac, and Darkseid tried to kill everybody? Oh, let me guess, hiding in Mommy's Castle on her magical Paradise Island!"
How dare you…" Donna's eyes widened in rage.
"Oh I dare alright, while you were playing Princess of the Amazons, I was holding the line with your older sister," Flash snapped back, "Roy probably just proved what we all told you would happen all along and you got upset and went running to mommy? You've always been a spoiled little-" they were interrupted by the intercom calling for Wonder Girl and Queen Hippolyta to report to the main teleportation room.
-JLU-
Diana sighed as she sat in the monitor womb control chair. She was currently doing research while keeping a not as close watch as she usually does on the news feed. She knew a little about his parents' murder, but reading in detail tore at her heart. No wonder he chose the life he has led as the Batman… it's a sure sign of the strength of his character that he is their friend and not their foe. Also she learned he has four adopted children, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Cassandra Cain. Dick Grayson joined the Bludhaven police force after graduating Gotham University. Jason Todd was killed in an accident overseas some years ago, while Tim himself suffered some psychological trauma that was not revealed to the press. And Cassandra was his newest child, having been adopted a year ago.
She blinked in alarm as the emergency transport chamber began to power up. She relaxed slightly when she saw it was from the Batcave. Batman never used the basic transport system, instead using the emergency system in the Monitor Womb to come and go from the Watchtower. She didn't turn back when she heard someone teleport in. "Here to apologize for missing the meeting, Bruce?" Diana asked, looking down at the feeds. "It'll take a lot of groveling, Rich-Boy."
"Hehehehehe… Hee…hee-elp…" She turned quickly at hearing the young voice of Tim Drake, and her eyes widened at the sight of the trembling, bloodied former-Boy-Wonder.
"Tim? What's happened?" Diana dropped to one knee before the teenager, placed her hands on the boy's shoulders. "Tim, take a deep breath, son…"
Tim took a few deep breaths and nodded. "Bruce… he's hurt… hurry…" Diana wasted no more time, hitting the controls for the emergency transport system to get her to the Cave.
"Great Hera…" Diana breathed as she appeared on the teleportation pad in the Batcave. It was in shambles. The computer was broken and burning, the Batmobile severely damaged and then she saw… "BRUCE!"
She flew toward her fallen lover. Cassandra was by his side looking as concerned as she knew she did. "Bruce! Speak to me!"
"Diana…" Bruce breathed, slowly opening his eyes. "Clark… what are you doing here… my city… boundaries…"
"Hold on, I'll get you to help…" She reached down and started to lift him from the floor, but set him down quickly and gasped when he let out a bone-curling scream.
"Back… injury… don't … move me…" Bruce panted, blood oozing out of the corner of his mouth and nose. "Clark… how bad is it…"
"Bruce, it's just me and Cassandra…" Diana said, looking around with wide, panicked eyes trying to figure out what she needed to do.
"He's… standing over us… glad… to see you again… Kent…" Bruce said, looking at nothing.
"I don't… I don't know what to do…" Diana whimpered, grabbing his hand, "hold on, Bruce, just hold on…"
"You're so beautiful…" Bruce breathed, his eyes turning to the Princess. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"
Her lip trembled as she reached up and touched her com in her ear. "This is Watchtower, Wonder Woman, go ahead."
"Help me…" Diana trembled, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Someone help me, please!"
"What's your location, Wonder Woman?" the voice on the other end of the com asked.
"We need medical support! The Bat Cave, below Wayne Manor! Please hurry!" She cried, before grabbing Bruce's hand with both hers. "Bruce, Bruce, stay with me."
"We're on our way, Diana, J'onn out," she heard and laid her face against his blooded chest. Her heart pounded in terror as she felt his heartbeat slowing.
"Holy shit…" She glanced up to see J'onn, Kyle, Flash, her mother and sister standing around.
"Diana, we have to move him," Diana laid over him.
"You can't! He's hurt!" She shouted, her eyes wide and almost feral, glaring at them all.
"Sun and Stars, you have to let them work," Hippolyta and Donna approached her.
"He needs me…" She stared defiantly back at her mother.
"He does not have the time for us to talk you down… know that I do this out of love for the both of you…" Hippolyta lunged forward and wrapped both arms around her daughter's neck, lifting her completely off the ground. Diana roared as her mother slammed her against the floor of the cave. "DONNA! HELP ME!"
"Mom!" Donna's eyes widened.
"Don't stand there! Grab her legs!" Hippolyta snapped as she held her neck hold on her daughter while wrapping Diana's arms and torso up with her legs. "NOW!" The Queen snapped and Donna finally launched to grab her sister's wildly kicking legs.
"This isn't good…" J'onn said squatting down beside the little girl. "Just by the physical positions I'm seeing multiple fractures to the arms, shoulders and spine… are you conscious, Batman?" J'onn shook his head when he got no response.
"We don't have the lighting or equipment to stabilize him enough to put him on a board, Green Lantern?" J'onn looked up at Kyle.
"Right…" Kyle nodded, holding out his fist to the fallen Knight. A green aura appeared around him and eased his completely stablized body off the ground.
"Let's go," J'onn took Cassandra's hand. He glanced from the teenage girl to the restrained amazon. "We'll do everything we can… I'll do everything I can. You know I will, Diana…"
Diana finally relaxed enough for Donna and Hippolyta to release their hold on her, and the three Amazons rose to their feet, Donna and Hippolyta staying close to her side. "I got it…" Flash shot to the telepad and hit the commands to teleport to the Tower. "Let's move…"
"Die…" Flash reached out for his friend, but the look she gave him made him drop his hand back to his side.
Cassandra pulled her hand away from J'onn's and looked up to the steps leading to the Manor before looking back to J'onn.
"Yes, I understand. Make sure Mr. Pennyworth is ok then both of you come to the medical wing of the Watchtower. I trust he knows the teleportation code to the Watchtower as well?" J'onn asked the young girl and gave a small smile when she nodded yes. "We will see you soon then…" and with that the group entered the pad and teleported away, leaving her alone in the cave.
-JLU-
"Um… I'm all for sightseeing…" Shayera asked, adjusting the straps on her harness. "But what are we doing at the Grand Canyon?"
"I've fully tested your wings, Shayera," Hawkman said stepping away from Shiera. "They're as ready as they're ever going to be. It's time for you to start flying again."
"So, we teleported down here to the open… so she'd have more room to stretch them out and practice?" Shiera asked, narrowing her eyes behind her cowl-like helmet. Both veteran heroes could see the uncertainty in the usually fiery younger redhead.
"This is where I learned to fly…" Hawkman said, and recognition flashed in Shiera's eyes.
"Carter, no…" She said in an almost desperate voice as Hawkman walked menacingly toward Hawkgirl.
"What are you doing?" Shayera asked with a shake in her voice.
"You're ready, Shayera," Hawkman said stopping just as Shayera's heel touched the edge of the cliff overlooking the canyon.
"I … I don't know…" She said, averting her eyes.
"Look at that view, young one," Hawkman smiled. "Its breath taking, isn't it?"
Shayera turned and faced the gorge. "It's not bad…"
"It doesn't take your breath away?" Hawkman glanced to the young woman.
"I've seen bigger ditches…" Shayera shrugged.
"Well if it doesn't take your breath away, we'll have to fix that, huh?" Hawkman smiled.
"What?" Shayera asked before he shoved her off the cliff. She screamed bloody murder.
"FLY LIKE A HAWK OR SPLATTER LIKE A TOMATO!" Hawkman called after her.
"SHAYERA!" Shiera screamed, diving toward the cliff's edge but Hawkman grabbed her.
"No you don't!" Hawkman growled holding her tightly to him, digging the talons of his boots into the ground.
"THAT'S MY BABY! SHE DOESN'T HAVE WINGS!" Shiera cried, tears rolling down her face out from under the mask of her helmet.
"Yes she does, she has mine," Hawkman said, motioning toward his empty harness.
"That's my daughter!" Shiera continued to struggle.
"That's my daughter," Hawkman replied, holding her tightly, "She's going to be fine. She's our daughter after all. How can she not fly?"
"Carter…" Shiera breathed, and her eyes widened when her daughter flew up from the chasm carried by wide, strong wings. She was laughing alongside John Stewart as they flew side by side.
"You set up a safety net…" Shiera whispered as she stepped away from her ex-lover.
"Better than you gave me when you first taught me to fly, Angel," Carter smirked, and Shiera's breath caught at hearing him use his old nickname for her.
Shiera smiled softly at him. The moment was broken when Green Lantern and Hawkgirl swooped down, the wings compacting back into the backpack of her harness. "Thank you so much, Hawkman," Shayera smiled brightly as she touched down.
"Pleasure's all mine, Hawkgirl," Hawkman smiled. "You still need some air combat practice with the artificial wings before you go into full League readiness."
John started to say something when his com went off in his ear. "This is Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Shiera are with me…Oh God…"
"John?" Shayera turned to the Lantern.
"We're on our way back, Lantern out." He glanced to the three. "Batman's hurt."
"Let's go," Shayera grabbed his hand, and the four teleported back to the Watchtower.
-JLU-
A pin drop could be heard in the Watchtower Medical Wing's Surgical Waiting Room. Alfred stood rod straight with an almost military calm expression on his face. He stood before Tim and Cassandra who were holding each others' hands in an attempt at comforting one another. The rest of the remaining Founders were seated around, but no one spoke. Donna and Hippolyta were on their knees petitioning to their gods for Bruce. Diana was seated with her head hanging just over her knees, her face hidden by her hair, and she too was speaking to her gods…
"If you take him from me, I swear I will march on Olympus and send you to keep him company in death…" She whispered to her deities.
"Where's Dick? He should be here…" Flash glanced around, before disappearing in a burst of speed.
A moment later the door opened and J'onn walked in alongside Dr Leslie Tompkins. Everyone was on their feet and waiting for news.
"It's…" J'onn tried to say but averted his eyes.
"His left arm is broken in four places… his left shoulder is shattered… six ribs are broken, and his right lung is collapsed, he had some severe internal bleeding, but we stopped it…" Leslie said, avoiding eye contact with Alfred. "And his spine was almost completely severed… in two places…"
"We're doing everything we can… as soon as we can report anything else, we'll be back," J'onn replied, before they turned and walked back into the OR.
Complete silence filled the room. Complete and utter silence. Yet, it was broken by a cold and emotionless voice. "Who did this?"
All eyes turned to see Wonder Woman, who was staring back with eyes that held no emotion whatsoever with the exception of hatred. "Tim, who did this to him? Tell me…"
Tim blinked in surprise as Wonder Woman stood tall, her fists clinched at her sides. "Who hurt him, Tim? Who did this?"
Tim glanced to Cassandra who grabbed his hand. "It was… It was Bane and Talia…"
Diana walked up to the boy and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Thank you…" She glanced to her concerned sister. "Donna, go find his son. I have to take care of some personal business."
Donna and Hippolyta frowned. "Don't do anything foolish, Sun and Stars…" Hippolyta warned.
"I'll be fine…" Diana said walking out of the room. "They won't be."
Cassandra watched her go worriedly before glancing to her side where Tim was seated but found it empty.
-JLU-
Commissioner James 'Jim' Gordon sipped on his coffee from his desk at Gotham's Special Crimes Unit's office at Gotham's Police HQ. Since they rounded up the escapees they had took a well earned breather for donuts and coffee.
All eyes widened and several hands went for side arms as the door to the SCU bounced against the wall as it was slammed open. "Wonder Woman?" Harvey Bullock blinked in surprise as the Amazon stomped toward Commissioner Gordon.
"Where is Bane?" Wonder Woman growled, stopping before the commissioner.
"I'm sorry, what?" Gordon blinked.
"Bane and Talia, where can I find them," Diana lifted her chin, glaring at the officer. "I want them. Now. Where can I find them?"
"If I knew we'd have busted them," Gordon replied, "I'd check with Batman; if anyone can find them for you… its him."
Guns trained on Wonder Woman as she lifted Gordon by his collar. "Br…Batman is up on the Justice League Watchtower fighting for his life, maybe even… d-dying. They attacked him when his guard was down, and now they WILL pay the consequences."
"Bats is hurt?" Bullock gasped as Gordon's eyes widened in shock and horror.
"Wonder Woman… Your Highness, If I knew where to find them, I would go take them down myself right now. Batman is my friend…" Gordon said, his voice strained with anger and shock.
"I can get those pieces of filth for ya," Bullock spoke up as Diana lowered Jim back to his feet.
"Bullock?" Gordon asked as all eyes turned to him.
"Let's take this to your office, Commish…" Bullock stood up, leaving his half eaten donut on his desk.
The three walked inside and Gordon closed the door behind them. "Detective?"
Bullock instead held up his hand, and picked up the Commissioner's phone, dialing a number. "Pawn to D-5… Bishop to G-4… Checkmate." He smiled at the dumbfounded looks on Wonder Woman and Gordon's faces. "I need the current location of Bane and Ra's al Ghul's daughter Talia … hold on, my pen ain't writin'… Mmhmm…mmhmm… yeah… ok… Thanks, Amanda. Black Bishop out."
"Detective Bullock… you have some explaining to do…" Gordon said pushing his glasses up on his nose.
"Whatever, you want those two or not," He said, holding up the torn piece of paper with a GPS data on it.
Wonder Woman reached for it but Bullock pulled it away. "Uh uh, Bats and I have issues but I got even more issues with that steroid bound loser and the psychobitch pulling this kind of crap. I want in."
Gordon pulled two rifles from the gun rack in the corner of his office. "This may be personal for you, Wonder Woman, but its personal for us too. You deal with Bane, we'll handle Talia."
"Alright then… let's not waste time," Wonder Woman said turning her back.
-JLU-
Papers and trash flew as the Flash shot through the nasty streets of Bludhaven. "Nightwing!" He stopped and blinked when he heard his friend's name called, and looked up to see Wondergirl flying through the air. He let out a low growl before he ran after her.
He shot in up upon the rooftops and got in front of her to catch her eye. "Donna, what are you doing here?" Flash asked as she flew down to him.
"You were lecturing me earlier about what? Secret Identities?" Donna asked, crossing her arms and glaring.
"Please, you don't hide your face and barely hide your boobs… is that why you wear that outfit now? Hide your face by distracting bad guys with your chest?" Flash asked sarcastically.
"Don't you DARE comment on my fashion ability, Wally…" Donna's eyes flared. "What exactly is your problem anyway? Ever since I came back all you've done is either give me a cold shoulder or hell."
"OK, if you can't get the hint, let me spell it out for you…" He zipped in right in her face till the tips of their noses touched. "I. Don't. Want. Anything. To. Do. With. You." He frowned as she stepped back in surprise. "Was that not clear enough?"
"I got that, Wally, but I want to know why…" Donna shook her head. "You used to be my best friend…"
"Key phrase, Wonder Girl, 'used to be'," Flash scowled. "You blew that out of the water."
"How did I blow it?" Donna reached for his arm. "Yes, I admit I stood you up, I was a stupid, scared kid and I hurt you but that was no meaning for you to completely run away from us… from me."
Donna's eyes widened when Wally grabbed her by shoulder strap of her costume with one arm before jerking the mask of his costume back. In her years of crime fighting she had never seen such anger, hurt and rage in any one's eyes. "You really think I wouldn't know? That I wouldn't find out… I ASKED YOU!" He shouted in her face.
Both heads snapped to the side when a black and blue glove landed on his wrist. "Not in my town, guys…" Nightwing said to his former teammates.
"Do you remember the night you were supposed to meet me, Donna?" Wally let her go and stepped back. The anger and rage melted from his face and eyes, leaving only hurt and defeat. "I never thought you'd use me to get Roy back in bed, Donnie… I… I never thought you'd use me…" he said, pulling the cowl back over his face.
"Wally… I…" Donna gapped, paling visibly.
"Don't deny it. I'll never forget it. When Roy asked you if you were so desperate to use the Speeder to get his attention back… and you… you said yes." He said, looking away from Donna and Nightwing. "I guess I should thank you… I couldn't do have of the things I've done if I hadn't learned the lesson you taught me. You taught me not to trust anyone with my heart, Donnie. I can do a whole lot more without worrying about anyone back home."
"I can be more of a Flash than Uncle Barry ever was thanks to you," Flash glanced to Nightwing. "Dick, go with Donnie to the Tower, your ol' man's hurt. Alfred and the kids need ya, pal."
"Wally…" Donna took a weak step toward him. "Wait, let me explain…" She said, her skin as pale as a ghost. Flash just gave her a sad look before he disappeared in a burst of speed. "Wally! Wait! Please!"
Nightwing's eyes narrowed as he turned to his old ally. "Nice recovery…" he commented.
Donna just buried her face in her hands, "Shut up, Dick…"
"So what happened to the Old Man? Let me guess, he worked himself ragged after Superman died, and then one of the smart ones, Two Face, Riddler, Ra's or Bane got him and beat the holy hell out of him. Am I right?" Nightwing asked.
"I'm not sure the details I just know he's in bad… shape… and…" she stated, glancing to Nightwing as he snorted.
"The Old Man will be up and back on the field in a week, two weeks tops," Nightwing shrugged, "I'll come up, but only for Alfred and the kids."
"He saw us…" Donna asked in a small voice.
"I saw Roy come into your room… I tried to stop him but you know Wally…" Nightwing frowned.
"Why… Why didn't you tell me?" Donna asked, a mix of emotion in her blue eyes.
"Because you would have made it worse," Nightwing answered honestly.
"I wouldn't… I… I… oh Hera…" She gagged as she doubled over, as the shock of what happened all those years ago slammed into her.
"Donna…" Nightwing caught her, he touched her ear, pulled out the Watchtower communicator and placed it in his own.
"Watchtower teleportation controls, Batman access Zulu Gamma Beta One Seven Two Jason, bypass security protocols, two body teleport to Founder Hall." Nightwing said and the pair was teleported away.
-JLU-
Talia Head typed away at her laptop in the small office of the old warehouse they had taken refuge in till she could arrange transport back home. She was sure she her father would welcome them home warmly, congratulating on their success over the Detective, and he would accept her beloved as his rightful heir. Indeed Bane would lead the League of Shadows in ways she and her father could never dream…
"Keep your hands where I can see them…" She heard the cock of a rifle and smiled.
"Commissioner Gordon, might have known you'd come to avenge your Batman personally." Talia smiled glancing to see Bullock and Gordon with rifles trained on her. "Detective Bullock, greetings."
"You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney," Gordon began reading her rights as Bullock approached with a pair of cuffs.
"Do you really believe a pair of has-been cops can handle a trained assassin of the League of Shadows?" Talia asked with a smirk.
"Maybe not, but I can manage." Wonder Woman stated, grabbing Talia by the hair and slammed her face into her lap top. "Tell me where Bane is, Talia, and I won't pull your arms and legs off you like the insect you are."
"You don't really want to find him… I merely saved you some heartbreak… once he is done with you he will toss you to the side like all the rest…" Talia laughed, blood oozing from her nose and mouth, before she was slammed forcefully back down onto the computer.
"WHERE'S BANE!" Diana shouted, gripping her hair painfully hard.
"Are you looking for me, Chica?" Diana glanced up to see Bane, walk into the room, Gordon and Bullock turned their guns on him.
"No, he's mine…" Diana growled, tossing the unconscious Talia at the police officers' feet. "Bane…"
"That is my name, lovely princess, what can I assist you with?" He asked, his smile visible through his mask.
Diana stomped toward him, her rage making her body quiver as she approached the towering monster. "I want you, Bane."
"Me?" Bane touched his chest theatrically.
"Every moment of pain you caused Batman to suffer, I am going to return to you, ten times." Wonder Woman said stopping roughly a foot before him.
"I do not believe so…" Bane laughed, "I have studied you, Wonder Woman. The press has covered you quite extensively… your code of honor and quest for peace will not allow you to even BEGIN to give me the suffering I placed on the Dark Knight. I made him hurt, Wonder Woman, hurt till he begged me for mercy, begged me to crush him, to break him, to end his existence… begged like the coward Wayne truly is."
Diana closed her eyes as her quiver went to full out tremble. When she opened her eyes again she released a loud Greek battle cry, as she punched Bane with all of her might, sending him flying through the office wall on to the floor of the warehouse. Bane gasped for breath as he glanced up and saw her flying toward him. This was not the Wonder Woman he had read and studied in the news reports… this was something else… her blue eyes were wide and feral, teeth and fists clinched, muscles taut, this was a warrior… proud… and angry. This was an Amazon.
Bane swung connecting with Diana's jaw sending her spiraling into a container that shattered on impact. He had just enough time to get back on his feet as she launched another attack at him. He managed to block a few punched but he felt every impact on his arms. "I will not be defeated by a woman…" he threw a punch at her face, which she caught with one hand.
"I have no plans to defeat you, Bane…" Diana growled, swinging with her free fist, hitting him directly in the wrist, splintering the bone.
Bane screamed in pain as his hand went numb and limp. She followed through with incredible punches to the ribs, lifting the big man up off the ground with each hit. She finished with a snap kick to the face, sending him bouncing across the floor. Bane tried to get back on his feet but she simply kicked him in the already broken ribs again, before grabbing his arm, pulling it completely backwards tearing muscle and vertebrae.
Diana's chest heaved as she breathed heavily through her nose as she lifted him back off the ground. "All he ever did was try to protect others, you bastard… he was one of the few good men left in this world… and you tried to take him away from me…" She punched him hard across the face, knocking out several teeth and breaking some facial bones. When his eyes refocused as much as they could he could see that she had no intention of letting him live…
"I… I surrender…" Bane groaned in pain. "Mercy…"
"Mercy?" Diana scowled, "Did you offer Batman any mercy, Bane?" She asked stomping him in the stomach, causing blood to erupt from his mouth.
She glanced up to see Gordon and Bullock with their backs turned. She wasn't sure if that was intentional on their part or not. But she stood and walked steadily away from Bane, pulling her lasso from her belt. She saw a large wooden beam across the center of the warehouse and tossed the lasso over, the tied-off end hanging like a noose. She left it there and turned back to the defeated villain. "No… I surrendered… you're supposed to turn me over to Gordon..." Bane whimpered as Diana grabbed him by the foot and dragged him toward the lasso.
"You don't seem to understand, do you, Bane?" Diana asked with no emotion in her voice at all. "Men get arrested… animals get put down."
She pulled the lasso down and placed it around his neck, tightened it before she walked over to the other end. "No one in the lasso can lie, Bane, tell me you regret what you did to Batman…"
"I… regret… nothing…" Bane growled. He gasped as Diana roughly pulled on the lasso, pulling him completely off the ground. His eyes bulged and he began to gag and choke as the lasso cut off the air flow.
A sadistic, almost insane smile spread on Diana's face as she watched Bane dangle and flop in the air trying to breath. "Don't rush… suffer…" Diana whispered, not blinking, not wanting to miss a moment.
Her eyes snapped up to the beam as six blinking R-shaped throwing stars hit the wood. "What?" She asked before the beam exploded, and Bane fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
"That's enough, Wonder Woman…" She looked to see Robin crouching on a container.
"Tim?" She asked in surprise toward the costumed teen.
"It's over, Diana…" Robin growled.
"No! Bane needs to be stopped!" Wonder Woman countered.
"Look at him, Diana, he has been stopped," Robin glanced to Bane's broken body, laying face first in the dust. "Bruce wouldn't want you to kill him. He'd want you to bring him to justice. He wouldn't suffer near as much if you let him die. That's showing more mercy than letting him live to see what his venom's going to do to his body eventually."
"But he…" Wonder Woman tried to counter.
"Will pay for what he's done. In the courts, in the jail, and eventually in the hospital. He'll pay. He's broken Batman, Wonder Woman, don't let that monster break you too…" Robin pleaded.
"You… you're right…" Diana's head dropped, she then turned and walked to the monster. She went down to one knee and lifted his masked face from the floor by the cable attached to the back of his skull. "You know… I should really thank you for giving me this perfect opportunity to really show Bruce what he means to me… I can show him by taking care of him and helping him recover from the damage you did… so…" she stood up and let him fall. "This is my thank you…" She brought her foot down, with all her gods provided strength, onto the center of the small of his back, cracking his spine. Bane screamed in agony as his lower body felt like it went on fire for a moment before it went completely numb.
"Ready to go back, Robin?" Wonder Woman asked, glancing to the Boy Wonder.
"Yeah…" He nodded, "Gordon can handle this from here."
"Watchtower, two to beam up…" and in a flash of light the two heroes were gone.
-JLU-
Diana and Robin walked back into the waiting room and saw Nightwing standing with Alfred and Cassandra. "Master Timothy!" Alfred scolded, seeing Tim in costume as Cassandra ran up and hugged him. "Master Bruce would have am unruly fit if he saw you back in that suit without his permission!"
"Where's Donna?" Diana asked Nightwing.
"She needs some time to compose herself…" Nightwing replied.
A moment later, Leslie and J'onn came out, and the grim look on their face brought everyone up short. "Hera, be merciful please…" Diana pleaded, covering her mouth with her hand.
"He's on life support…" Leslie said in as strong of a voice as she could manage. "Other than that… there are no signs of life… However long you wish to leave him hooked up we'll leave to you…" she said glancing to Alfred, Nightwing Tim and Cassie.
"What? but… no…" Nightwing shook his head. "He can't… he's … he's The Batman… he can't…"
Shayera collapsed into John's arms, "how much more are we going to lose?" She asked in as soft a voice as any had heard.
"You may go and say your goodbye… family first of course…" Leslie said stepping to the side. Tim and Cassandra took Nightwing's hands and they slowly started toward the door. Alfred paused to offer his arm to Wonder Woman.
She looked at the English Gentleman curiously. "He loved you, my dear," Alfred said with a loving smile. "That makes you family."
The group slowly entered the room, Cassandra hiccupped when they saw him laying there. He looked so frail with all the wires and tubes running into him.
"Hera, Bruce…" Diana whimpered, her body quivering as tears ringed the corner of her eyes.
Nightwing walked to the side of the bed with two teenagers. "We don't agree on much anything… but… I promise you, Old Man… I'll watch over them. You won't have to worry…"
Alfred went to the other side of the bed, stroked Bruce's messy hair. "My dear boy…" He said with a shaky voice. "My dear son…I wouldn't have changed an instance… our time as a family, Master Bruce… not an instance…" He said before his shook for only a moment before he stood tall, and proud over his fallen son. "I do not have the luxury to mourn just yet…" He glanced to Diana, "My duty comes first… Madam, I know your people's pride, but there is no shame in grieving the loss of one you love. Come now, and let it out… so that I may also…"
Diana took a few trembling steps toward the bed, before she threw herself over him. "Bruce! You can't die!" She cried into his slowly, mechanically moving chest. "You can't… I love you… I need you… Gods, please, bring him back to me, please!"
Alfred placed a hand on her shoulder as all in the room cried and mourned. "Bruce, please… Tim, Dick, Cassie, Alfred need you… Gotham needs you… I need you… Bruce… Bruce…" She cried, trembling and sobbing. "Don't leave me alone… Bruce…"
All eyes went wide and alert as Bruce's eyes snapped open and he breathed in violently.
"MASTER BRUCE!" Alfred cried, as they all looked over him. "Master Timothy, Master Richard, GET HELP!"
"Bruce? Bruce, stay with me… Bruce…" Diana stroked his face as he looked around in confusion, tubes still down his throat and nose. "-ack…br…t…ack…"
"Don't try to talk, Bruce, you're going to be ok…" Bruce looked and saw some blood on Diana's face, still wet from her fight with Bane. He reached up and touched it, causing her to blink in confusion. "Bruce?" Her eyes widened as he drew on the bed sheet with the blood. First a diamond shape… then he placed an S inside it…
To Be Continued…
Next chapter: Resurrection of Hope