Upon meeting up with Nightwing at the roadside, Batgirl agreed to go with him to the Batcave. However, she also contacted Bruce and requested for permission to give Silverstar directions to the manor after he patrolled in Terry's place for a while longer, which the first Batman granted, though he requested for Mark to not be shown the cave just yet.
"What happened back there?" Nightwing asked in concern, referring to the events that occurred after she had fallen into the river.
Coba blinked grimly as she got into the passenger sidecar. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather wait until I can tell everyone. I only want to say it once."
Dick pat her shoulder in understanding. "Okay, kid."
The ride home was spent in silence between the two heroes. Coba sensed how worried Grayson had been about her since her fall from the bridge, and felt bad for causing so much stress for him. I'm sorry for scaring you, Grandfather, she thought to him as they were about to enter the cave.
Once he parked the Wingcycle in the entrance, Nightwing pat her shoulder once more. It's okay, Co. I'm just glad you're alright. He helped her walk into the lair, knowing she was more exhausted from the evening's events than she let on. Once there, she changed to her clothes and sat down in a chair with her suit on a table while Dick went over to Ditto, who was still in the cave but about ready to go on patrol.
"How did it go?" the shapeshifter asked. Noticing the older hero's icy one-eyed stare, he added, "Sorry, stupid question."
"Didn't you watch the screen?" Nightwing asked, gesturing to the Batcomputer's screen.
"At first, but then I got scared."
"Seriously?"
"No." Herbst looked at Ace and Ed. "They just dared me to say it. They wanted to watch Zootopia."
Ed and Ace looked down. "Yeah, we did," they admitted reluctantly through their communicators.
Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you watch it on the TV upstairs?" he inquired.
"The sound quality sucks on that one," Ed replied, "and the screen's too small."
"The Batcomputer has surround sound and a big display," Ace added. "It's like being in a movie theater!"
"Oh yeah, like that's what Bruce built the Batcomputer for," Dick said sarcastically, rolling his eye. He looked over at Coba, who usually chuckled at the animals' antics and his sarcastic comments. Instead of seeing her smile, he saw her looking more distant than before as she tinkered with her suit. I wish she'd tell me what happened at the river.
Herbst pat the older man's shoulder. "She'll be alright," he reassured Nightwing. "She's been through worse, you know."
Grayson looked down. "I'm not sure about that," he murmured.
Coba looked up upon hearing what Grayson said. "I have been through worse," she replied sagely. "I'd watched as I lost everything I had... and lost it again." Because of the same man. She looked to her right as Terry stumbled by after he had been tended to by Bruce. "How are you feeling, bro?"
"Like I hit my head on the sidewalk," Terry replied bluntly, lightly rubbing his bandaged head. "How about you?"
"Like I fell into a raging river," Brooklyn answered.
"That bad, huh?"
Coba shrugged, trying to dismiss what she really felt. "You could say that."
Terry pat her shoulder lightly. "Okay, sis. What're you working on?" he asked suddenly.
"Working on my suit," she replied. "I'm trying to add more sensors to help me moderate my powers and keep my moods in check. I got worn out from using them tonight."
"I bet. Did you stop Charlie, though?"
The girl paused, trying to think of a good way to answer him. They had been friends. How can I tell him what happened? The radio buzzed before she could speak, giving her a small sense of relief. Recognizing the voice, she answered it. "Silverstar?"
"Hey Batgirl. I just finished up patrol. Nothing going on tonight. Still want me to come over?"
"Uh, yeah, yeah."
Terry looked at her inquisitively. "Is Silverstar the one who impersonated Batman when I wasn't suited up?" he asked.
"Yeah. I felt it would seem strange if there had been no Batman with you missing. Silverstar accepted the cloaker, and voila! There was another Batman for as long as we needed."
"You're better at it than I am, though," Mark told Terry.
"Don't flatter him too much," Bruce cautioned Mark.
"Too late," McGinnis smirked.
"Oops," Mark added sarcastically.
"I take it we'll see you in a few minutes?" Coba intervened.
"Yeah. On my way." With that, Wilson hung up.
Dick looked at the others. "Field trip upstairs, anyone?" he joked, trying to have an upbeat tone.
"I'm not sure that I should," Herbst said. "I'm not exactly—"
"—part of the family," Coba finished. "Don't be ridiculous: you've been part of this family since you tried to defend us against Inque. Besides, you'll need to hear what I have to say." Especially since it involves one of your weaknesses, she thought.
Aaron was a bit surprised by her words, but he nodded and followed her and the others upstairs after they had all put on their civillian clothes. They let Mark in when he arrived at Wayne Manor's gate. Once they were all seated, Coba told them about what happened from when she fell into the river up until being found by Silverstar. It was not until she explained Charlie's death that she realized how shaken up she truly was; her body was shaking and her voice was quaking. She had to pause to regain composure, with Grayson and Wilson each patting a shoulder, before finishing her tale. "I'm sorry, Terry," she apologized sadly. "I tried to save him."
"Don't be," the teen replied sagely. "Charlie was beyond saving, I know that now. But I'm glad you had the guts to try, in spite of everything he's done to you. I don't know that I would've, after his betrayal."
"You'd done so before, though," Coba pointed out. "That might've rubbed off on me."
"She has a point," Bruce stated.
"Sorry to break up the touching moment," Herbst interrupted, "but what are we going to do about Fixx?"
Brooklyn had an immediate answer. "We must prepare for him to attack again, most likely with a gang backing him up. We need to keep our ears, eyes and minds sharp, and our reflexes sharper. Especially you, Herbst; his water could hurt you most."
The shapeshifter nodded grimly in understanding. "Guess I'll have to spend more time in the cave, practicing."
"You're not the only one," she confessed, remembering how she had gotten so worn out from using her powers and trying to fight the river's strong current.
Bruce, Dick, Mark, and Terry each nodded gravely. "You're both right," Bruce said. "Don't be so surprised, Herbst," he added at the sight of the man's shock. "I don't always think your statements are stupid. Just most of the time."
"Gee, thanks for that morale boost," Aaron snorted.
"We also need to be careful not to wear ourselves to the bone too much," Grayson added, looking at his granddaughter as he spoke. "Fixx doesn't sound like the type to go easy on tired enemies."
"He doesn't go easy on anyone, Grandfather," Coba stated solemnly, suppressing a shudder as she once again remembered what Fixx did to Charlie. "But you're right."
Dick paused, realizing she was correct as well. He didn't go easy when facing my daughters, nor while facing my granddaughter; he tried to kill them. "So are you, kid."
Coba pat his shoulder, sensing the inner turmoil he was feeling.
Several moments of silence passed before it was broken by Terry. "Fixx will be stopped," he swore. "Even if he has an army of those gangsters to back him up."
"Yeah, but how?" Herbst asked. "If he's as powerful as Coba says, then he'll be unstoppable!"
"Not exactly," Coba said. "Even the most powerful of beings have a weakness. Take Superman, for example."
"True, but I doubt some rare-yet-somehow-easily-attainable-rock is going to stop him."
"For one thing, Kryptonite isn't that easy to obtain," Bruce pointed out. "For another, Coba mentioned weakening him with her powers."
"I did, but it was only briefly," the small warrior replied grimly.
Mark looked at her. "Still, it proves that he's not unbeatable."
"Exactly," Bruce stated.
Batgirl still felt a twinge of doubt. Fixx has always been a tough opponent for me, and not just because he killed Mom and Dad; he's physically much stronger. How can we possibly beat him?
A new thought entered her mind. Then again, Bigelow was tough as well for similar reasons. We beat him previously, and we defeated him tonight on the bridge. My powers helped me fight him and Fixx. Surely with more practice with my powers, and with the upgrades to my suit, I can play a role in stopping him for good. "You're right," she said at last, a determined look spreading across her face. "No matter how long it takes, Fixx will be stopped."
That wraps up this installment of the Batgirl of the Future series, folks! Couldn't help but add in Ed and Ace watching Zootopia (I LOVE that movie!) for the sake of a distraction from the others' bleak moods. And did Coba seriously have thoughts at the end about ending Fixx? Perhaps...
I dedicate this writing to my rat Teresa May, also known in a previous chapter of the story as Batrat, who passed away last month after bravely fighting a tumor that got large and hard to move around with. Rest in peace and paradise, little big girl.
As I traditionally do at the end of a story, I would like to acknowledge the following people for following, favoriting, and/or reviewing this story: T2Angel, Silverlynx13 (an additional thanks for letting me use your OC Mark Wilson/Silverstar), TRON0602 (it was his idea for Coba to adjust her suit to help with her powers, and for that and his support and friendship I thank him), Keeralie Starflight, 10868letsgo, AdmiralParis01, Colossal Squid, Sailor Sedna052, Taiski, mantale3, predatormlr, dream lighting, Lindsay738, and Mireilles3. I also thank everyone I may have forgotten to mention, and those who have been reading without following, reviewing or faving. Thank you all for putting up with my writing and weird plot additions and twists to Batman Beyond episodes! :D
I'm not sure when or if there'll be another story for this series. I have some ideas (including a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover), but I feel that I should be trying to focus on writing original works (like re-writing my first novel, which is still dormant) and my new job (though it's more part time). Plus, I may even start writing a Lion King/Lion Guard fanfic. If I happen to get new BOTF stories written, though, then I do. If not, then sadly not.
Have a great rest of your day!