A/N: Guys, school is absolute insanity right now, and I'm on the tennis team. Basically, I'm busy. I'm so sorry for taking so long, but I hope to have this chapter up by Sunday. Ugh, I'm so late. I rented Kubo and the Two Strings and watched it for the first time recently… and oh my Batman it was beautiful. I bought While My Guitar Gently Weeps (one of the main songs) and it's the soundtrack for this chapter and probably the next one. And happy birthday to me, I turned 15 Wednesday!
Batman stood by a hospital bed in the Watchtower Medbay, acting like a guardian angel over the tiny boy who was practically covered in thick bandages. Robin had required extensive surgery to remove the nerve-controlling hardware. It took hours for the best neurologist the League could get (paid millions of dollars by Batman) and Martian Manhunter to remove it. Batman had watched obsessively from the observation window, especially when the main controller, the disk on Robin's neck, and the disks on Robin's wrists were removed. The surgery had been complicated, especially because of Robin's healing factor, but they had gotten it done.
Now, over twelve hours later (Batman had lost track of the time) the son of Batman was laying unconscious on the bed. Robin was covered in bandages, normally the ex-Talon's healing factor would have repaired him of any wound already, but this was a delicate repair of the nerves and muscles, and as such it took Robin's body much longer to heal. The estimation was another six hours before Robin could safely move.
Batman stood, still and silent, and brooded over the body of the child he felt he had failed so badly.
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Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and the rest of the original founders of the League were sitting in the Watchtower. Well, except for Hawkwoman and her husband, as they were in the med bay. Batman was still sitting by Robin's bedside. All the Leaguers but the founders, Hawkman, and Leaguers associated with the Team had been banned from the Watchtower. Young Justice was on lockdown at the Flash's house under the strict gaze of Iris West-Allen (remember, there's no Mt. Justice).
Heads snapped up as the zeta tubes activated. No one was supposed to be allowed through! As the golden light died, the intruders were announced.
Vandal Savage G06
Deathstroke G07
Instantly, the two villains were confronted with glowing red laser eyes, crossed wrist braces, the green glow of a power ring, a red streak stealing their weapons, and the other Leaguers present. Immediately, Savage and Deathstroke raised their hands in surrender.
Superman was floating a few feet off the ground, eyes glowing red with rage. "What are you doing here?"
Savage smiled unnervingly. "We're not here to fight you, Superman. Just to talk."
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The Leaguers had escorted the two intruders into a secure room to talk. After Savage explained how the Court had overthrown him, the two groups sat in thoughtful silence. After a moment, Flash pushed himself up off the wall he had been leaning on, and voiced everyone else's thoughts. "And why should we help you regain control of the Light? And why's Deathstroke here?!"
Deathstroke spoke up from where he was standing next to Savage. "I owe Vandal a favor. I'm repaying it."
Savage nodded briskly. "As for why you should help me regain my power, I'm the lesser of two evils, aren't I? I would never hurt a child or commit the atrocities the Court of Owls does-"
"Cut the crap, Savage." Wonder Woman had interrupted. "If it benefitted you, you would have done the exact same thing as the Court."
"But he is correct." Martian Manhunter was now speaking. "He is the lesser of two evils."
The League made eye contact with each other, holding a silent conversation without a mental link easily through shared experience and danger, and coming to a quick and unanimous agreement. Superman turned to the two villains. "We will accept your help, and we will let you go after this is through. However, any member of the Light whom we manage to capture will go to jail. We need all the help we can get against the Court."
Deathstroke sneered. "Why not ask the little owlet for information?" Every hero tensed and glared at the mercenary. Wonder Woman yelled a war cry and lunged at Slade, only to be held back by Superman.
"Wonder Woman! Now is not the time!"
Wonder Woman shook Superman off and began striding towards the door. "I will tell Batman that we have allowed this piece of filth into our inner sanctuary while his child is injured." The venom in her voice was clear. Diana was already regretting allowing the villains to work with them. The decision was made, though.
Green Arrow let out a half-laugh, half-snort. "Glad I don't have to do that. Got enough problems without getting beaten up by Batman." Diana stalked out the door without a backwards glance, and the remaining Leaguers were left staring at the villains, the villains staring at the Leaguers.
Black Canary interrupted the silence. "What do we do now?"
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Wonder Woman slowed down as she approached the infirmary. She sent a friendly but somber nod at the Hawks, who were conversing quietly, and stepped towards Richard's recovery room. She opened the door and Batman's head snapped over to her, briefly tensing, then relaxing as he realized she wasn't a threat to the dark-haired boy on the bed.
Without looking at her, Batman asked, "What's wrong, Diana?"
Wonder Woman sighed morosely. "Vandal Savage used to be the head of the Light. The Court severely injured Savage and took control of the Light. Savage and Deathstroke came to us and requested to be allowed to help against the Light for revenge. We've agreed to let them help."
Batman went very still, fury etched into every line of his body. "You allowed two of our most deadly adversaries into the Watchtower while two of our members lie critically wounded?!"
Diana sighed. "I don't like it either, Bruce, but… we have no choice. We need all the manpower we can get. Also, they informed us that the Light plans to put special chips on us to mind control the League. They've already got one of our less important members infected. We don't know who."
Batman had relaxed infinitesimally. "If they have someone under their control, they could get into the Watchtower."
Just then, a red alarm blared from the wall.
"Alert, intruders detected! Alert, intruders detected!"
Batman and Wonder Woman's eyes met, wide with alarm. Batman turned to look at the vulnerable boy lying on the hospital bed. "Go help. I'm staying here to protect him."
Wonder Woman nodded and flew through the door, which Batman locked and bolted after her. Gotham's vigilante stood next to the bed at the ready, batarang in one hand, the other resting on Robin's shoulder.
They would not take his son again.
A/N: Pfft, that so-called 'peace' didn't last long. We broke 100 reviews! I'm so proud! Thank you all so much! I never dreamed I'd get this much attention! You're all beautiful people and I love you all! Guys, I was just rewatching the Justice League episode, Wild Card, and I realized something, looked it up, then found out I was right! The same people who voiced the Teen Titans voiced the Royal Flush Gang! And the parts match up perfectly too! I realized when I heard King speak and was like HOLY BATMAN it's Robin! And Jack is Beast Boy, and Queen is Starfire, Ace is Raven, and Ten is Cyborg! Gaaah fangirling SO HARD!
AnimeLover217: Bats has his kid back but now he has to fight for him… only a few more chapters, folks!
BirdFlashIsNotAThing: I don't think I met the sadism quota again, but hey… Daddy!Bats. Always a great thing.
Platypus2014: Thank you so much! Very inspirational. I will not give up on this story, promise!
WhenUniversesCollide: Thank you again for your wonderful fan art! It truly inspires me (she says after a month-long wait)! And I agree. I don't think I'll grow out of writing anytime soon. Got too much inspiration! And that was a beautiful description of writing. And the long review is fine! I love long reviews!
Tayashia: Aww! Thank you! I get so much support from you guys, it's amazing! I'm finally out of my funk! Back in the saddle, baby!
xSapphirexRosesxFanx: Haha… he needs to be ready for the Talons… oops. He's kinda bedridden… whoopsies. Sorrynotsorry. And Alfred's chicken soup will have to wait! Go kick some a- sorry, butt, Batsy!
Human Customs Still Elude Me: I am amazing, aren't I? Haha, I crack myself up. Thanks for the amazing (hehe) review!
CHEESEPUFF: Oops, I kinda sorta took a month to update. Mah bad! I hope you can get back into your account! As for the chapters, I have a plan! Not necessarily a good plan… but I have a plan! Have you died from suspense? I hope not. I like reading your reviews. As for why Nightwing is an ironic name… ha, I'm not playing my hand that easy! You'll just have to wait some more! The sequel will be up… after I finish this story! Yeah, I have no idea. It'll happen tho. I love this universe too much to stop.
TheChickenOfJustice: I just can't get over that awesome name. Have you ever watched How to Train Your Dragon, Race to the Edge? The chicken is never wrong! Lol, I'm such a nut… a Tuff/Ruff/Gruff/Buff nut! Anyway, wow, it's amazing you love this story so much and I'm SO SORRY I took so long!
Star-the-Writer: Yaaay! So many reviews! And I do try, thanks! XD Thanks for motivating me to get this chapter up! You rock!