Thank you guys so much for all the reviews, alerts and favs last chapter, you guys are amazing. To show my thanks, I had to try my best to throw together another chapter. I hope you guys enjoy!
Gotham City, Bat Cave
June 13TH 8:59 a.m.
Alexis' Pov
I was down in the Bat Cave tinkering with my black utility belt that Nightwing loaded my first day back. Bird-a-rangs, bolas, grappling gun, knife, taser, re-breather, and gas pellets. I moved on to my new uniform, opting for a more 'creature of the night' style. Light grey leggings and long sleeve, black gloves and combat boots, my old Blackbird mask, now with an enhanced microphone in it and com link, and my old bird insignia on my long sleeve top. It may have looked depressing, but the red insignia on it made it stand out. There was only one thing missing now; a new name. That and how I was supposed to go out into public, I'm still 'dead' to the world.
"What are you doing down here so early?" I turned to see Dick walking down the stairs. I smiled, remembering how close we've gotten again after the past two weeks.
"Just wondering when you're going to let me go on a mission, and how we're suppose to break it to the public that I'm still alive," I shrugged, placing my hands on my hips. "I've been training everyday, and I remember everything you and Batman taught me, plus everything useful that I've learned over the past five years. Besides, I've wanted to breakout in my new uniform."
Dick leaned against the table we stood at and smiled at me. My smile grew, because I knew he was going to give in, and because I've always loved that smile of his. "Then tell me the name you came up with. And don't worry about the press, I got it covered."
I bit my lip and frowned. "I was hoping you'd come up with one."
"Not Blackbird, not Valkyrie, so the only thing that's left is..." Dick paused, the tension increasing. I stared at him pleadingly, hoping that he had a good name in mind. "Songbird."
"Songbird," I repeated in a whisper. Sure it kinda felt out of the 'creature of the night' theme, but I liked the ring to it. I let out a small laugh. "I can already hear Cat Grant saying, "Gotham City's very own lullaby, Songbird." But I'm going to need a more specific songbird name."
"Follow me," Dick said, forgetting about my joke. He grabbed my hand and lead me through all the twists and turns in the Bat Cave.
The moment he grabbed my hand I knew where he was taking me; his secret room, the one I'm pretty sure only me, Alfred and Batman knows about. Walking back in there, memories replayed through my mind, while my eyes took in the room again. It was still the same, small little room all those years ago, the only difference was Dick's old Robin uniform inside a glass case beside the one his mom had first made. The next thing I knew Dick was gone down some corridor I never knew about.
"Dick?" I called, wondering why he'd brought me back here.
He came rushing out with something glittering in his hand. He quickly came up to me and hooked it around my neck. He took a few steps back, his eyes softening while a small smile on his lips. "Perfect."
Heat shot up in my cheeks faster than I could react. I smiled embarrassed, but the smile faded when I looked down at the necklace around my neck. Picking up the small golden bird dangling from it, I stared in disbelief, shock, and happiness. He's kept it safe all these years. I kissed Dick, wrapping my arms around his neck. He was just as happy as I was.
"I can't believe you kept it all these years," I said, out of breath. Dick wiped at the tears spilling out of my eyes, causing me to smile.
"I had to hang on to everything that I had left of you," Dick answered.
"I think you've become a lot more sweeter than you were before," I laughed. I picked up the songbird again. "This is definitely the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."
"Well, Songbird, I think you're going to be late for your mission," Dick said. "On one condition though."
"Anything," I promised. I was about to burst through the door of the room, but I enjoyed being in Dick's arms.
Dick pecked me on my forehead. "You'll come back safe."
"Promise," I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
Bialya
June 14TH 5:23 a.m.
Songbird's Pov
Wonder Girl, Robin and I hid in a cave higher up from where Batgirl and the others were. Since I couldn't risk Queen Bee figuring out we were here, I wasn't allowed to set up a link. So I had my eyes closed, focusing on detecting any incoming attackers. That's when I felt him; Green Beetle.
"Green Beetle's joined the party, prepare to attack and defend," I whispered to Robin and Wonder Girl.
Wonder Girl punched a fist into her other hand. "Finally, some action!"
"Shh, here he comes," Robin hushed her, turning his attention to Green Beetle.
He flew in from another opening in the cave, morphing his right arm into a beetle-like scythe. "They all die now!"
Luckily, Sphere sent him to the ground just before he could get to the others.
"Guys, this is all on you!" exclaimed Rocket. "I've still got my own Beetle to hold, and Zee's smack in the middle of her mystic trance."
We watched from the opening in the upper cave as Batgirl and Impulse took care of Green Beetle. With a special pellet, a burst of fire spilled out in front of Green Beetle, Impulse quickly circling it to create a barrier of fire around him.
"Ha ha, crash. Those Martians really can't take the heat," laughed Impulse, standing beside Batgirl.
"No, but stay alert. He has other skills to compensate," Batgirl said, trying to keep her attention on Green Beetle.
Using the martian's density shifting ability, he disappeared through the ground, and behind Batgirl and Impulse. My eyes widened, but it was too late. "Batgirl, Impulse, behind you!"
Green Beetle quickly fired some sound waves at the two, successfully knocking them both down. A green iguana fell on to Green Beetle's face, hissing loudly. It morphed into a humongous green elephant, squashing Green Beetle like a bug. Beast Boy let out an elephant battle cry.
"That's our cue," I smiled, looking over my shoulder. "Wonder Girl, get your lasso around Beetle, Robin, you and me are going to knock him out when he's vulnerable. Execute."
Wonder Girl flew out of the cave, swinging her rope with great aim around Beetle. Robin and I both shot our grappling hooks, swinging at Beetle, giving him a good double-kick to the face.
"You can thank us later," Robin said, in mid-air.
I landed to Green's right, while Robin landed to his left, Wonder Girl, Bumblebee and Beast Boy all in the front. He stood quickly, activating his sound wave laser, and blasting Wonder Girl and Bumblebee back. Beast Boy had a go at him, trying to get through his sound waves in elephant form, but he was knocked over too. I quickly looked over at Robin, who nodded at me. Nodding back, he threw a few Bird-a-rangs at Green Beetle, catching his attention. He aimed his laser at Robin, while I quickly used Songbird's Cry.
"Aim your laser to your right!" I commanded, smiling when I saw a few sound waves hit a wall off to the right.
Robin took the chance to run in at Green. He jumped on Green's arm, using it as a boost. In mid-air, he smacked Green Beetle in the face with his bo-staff, before he landed behind Green and swung his bo-staff at his knee's. Green Beetle kneeled, shaking his head from
"Nice one," I complemented Robin, catching his proud smile.
When the cavern glowed a soft blue, I knew that I had to act fast. I telekinetically sent Green Beetle in Blue's direction, but Green broke out of it and shot at Zatanna. Not missing a beat, Impulse ran at Green Beetle, grabbing Wonder Girl's lasso that was still fastened around him. He ran in Zatanna's direction, making a split second decision, he threw Green Beetle between Blue Beetle and Zatanna. Green caught his own sound waves and Blue's, and was soon knocked to the ground in front of blue. The circle they were own glowed brightly, before a beam of light shot from the circle, engulfing both Beetle's.
The light dispersed, and the cavern went back to its old self. I glanced to my right. "You okay?"
Robin lowered his arm and looked at me. "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?"
"I'm good," I answered, relief washing through me. Thank goodness he was okay. I walked over to him and ruffled his hair. "I didn't think you'd learn my trick that fast."
Robin fixed his hair as best he could before he responded. "I had two weeks of practice, and a great teacher."
I think I understood how Batman felt that time all those years ago now. That sense of pride when you're own tutelage praises you for teaching them so well, it really pays off. "Your hair looks fine, now come on, let's see if we really freed those Beetles."
"It worked, Jaime and B'arzz O'oomm are back in control of their own bodies," Zatanna sighed in relief.
"It's true, I can feel it. I'm free of the Reach, for real this time," smiled Jaime.
"You're 100% sure? Because we've been through this before," Batgirl asked. I nodded in agreement. It didn't hurt to be thorough.
"I'm certain of it," Zatanna assured us.
Robin turned on his holographic computer glove, scanning Jaime and B'arzz. "Reading no external signal since Zatanna worked her mojo. Neither Beetle is in contact with the Reach."
Both Beetle's spent a few minutes rejoicing that they were free. Their happiness was cut short when Bumblebee cut in and reminded them that a bunch of Queen Bee's goon could be here soon.
"Songbird?" Beast Boy asked, looking up at me.
"They're coming, but we can make it out of here before they reach us," I answered quickly.
"Which means it's time to go," Batgirl concluded.
Blüdhaven, Dockside Warehouse
June 14TH 4:18 a.m.
Songbird's Pov
I jumped from the Super Cycle, landing gracefully on the pavement of the dockside. I stretched, letting out a yawn. "Nothing like a mission in the middle of the night. I forgot how much fun it was, working with a team, doing stake-outs and recon missions."
"Well, now that you're back on the team, you'll be going on a lot more with us right?" Beast Boy asked, landing beside me.
"Of course, and with the Light and the Reach on run, there's no way I'm going to stop for a while," I answered, shooting Beast Boy a reassuring smile. "It's like Nightwing use to say, it's just what we do."
We walked into the warehouse, continuing our conversation. Beast Boy came up with a surprising question. "So what kind of songbird is your favorite? You name it and I'll change into it."
I thought about it, trying to decide which songbird was my number one pick. "Scarlet Tanager, they're my favorite."
"Well, I can't really change colors, but I'll give a shot," Beast Boy said. He jumped and quickly shifted into a little songbird, singing a little tune.
"You know, you remind me more of an Emerald Tanager," I said, watching Beast Boy. He flew down and perched on my shoulder, singing his song.
Listening to Beast Boy sing made me realize something. "Scarlet Tanager, it's perfect!"
"I don't think anything can be more perfect than today," Nightwing smiled, watching us as we walked into the warehouse. "We freed both Blue and Green Beetle, dealing a huge blow to the Reach."
"Besides that," I said, shaking my head. "Scarlet Tanager, that's my new name!"
"Why didn't you stick with Valkyrie?" Bumblebee asked, taking a seat on a nearby bench.
"I guess I just grew old of it," I answered. "It's like they say, change isn't always bad."
Alexis is back in action as Gotham City's very own songbird, the Scarlet Tanager! I had so much trouble trying to think how I should bring Alexis back, but I pictured her more matured in a uniform consisting of a mixture of Batgirl's uniform and Nightwing's Renegade uniform. Then came the birth of the Scarlet Tanager, and a sweet little moment between Beast Boy and Alexis.
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