Chapter 13: A Decision To Make

(The Watchtower, a few hours later)

After the incident, Joker's literal parted body was taken to GCPD and his 'former' gang was sent to Arkham. Harley cried in horror and sorrow the entire way. But she couldn't make a single threat, for she was utterly terrified by the one who killed her 'soulmate'. Jim wanted to talk to Gabriel, but Batman informed him the teams needed to have a chat with the new recruit. Burns saw the shapeshifter had to go, and informed him that they'd talk later. The team was shocked by Dark beast's act of executing the Joker. They had a policy of no killing, but Gabriel's action wasn't t truly unjustified. Also, they'd seen him not kill as well. Nightwing had front row seats to the show where the shifter had spared some thieves. But the Joker wasn't a thief…he was a psychopathic mass murderer. But the group could tell Batman wasn't happy at all. They were now in the part of the tower where they first 'interviewed' the shifter.

"WE DON'T KILL! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IT IS!" Batman roared, his voice full of rage. "Bruce..." Diana started to say, but Batman continued to rage, "DOING THAT MAKES US NO BETTER THAN THEM! YOU REMADE THE CRIMES HE HAS COMMITTEDIN THE PAST! I SHOULD PUT YOU IN JAIL FOR THIS!"

Wonder Girl who'd been sitting with her boyfriend, Robin, stood up.

"He saved that woman's life! It was a matter of life and death! How can you think so lowly of him?!" She shouted in the shifter's response. "THERE WASANOTHER WAY! IF HE'D JUST GRABBED HIM AND PINNED HIM I WOULD'VE BEEN FINE WITH THAT! BUT HE BIT JOKER'S HEAD OFF!" The Dark Knight bellowed in response. "My teeth were already deep in his throat when I grabbed him…He would've died even if I hadn't taken that monster's head off." The shifter grunted, his voice full of annoyance. "WHAT?! THAN..." The Caped Crusader started to say when the sound of splintering wood is heard.

Gabriel had punched the table. The wood that made the table is made of Live Oak, an incredibly tough wood, and Gabriel's fist literally punched nearly through the wood. The cracks reached out a few feet.

"What than…?...Are you saying find another way to have stopped that monster from hurting her? There wasn't time! IF I DIDN'T SHE'D BE DEAD! THANI WOULD'VE RIPPED HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!" The shifter howled. "Than…" Batman started to say, but was interrupted again by the shifter, "WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?! ARE GOING TO PUT ME INTO A CAGE?!"

The others turned to look at Batman. The Dark Knight's furious gaze changed some. Now his expression while still had anger, now also held slight confusion. He knew of the youth's history of being tortured in a lab for years…by his own parents no less. Going to jail would only enrage Gabriel, not contain him.

"Well than… You're off the team." Bruce grunted.

Many of the heroes, both of the team and League protested this. Two who were dead set against Gabriel leaving are Beast Boy and Wolf.

"You can't do that! He's saved more lives than he's taken! And those he killed took innocent lives! He saved that woman's life! Besides! He's a member of our team, not yours!" The green changeling shouted.

Wolf growled at Batman, his yellow eyes full of anger. He peeled his lips back, revealing his sharp fangs.

"Then it's Dick's choice. He's the leader of the team…" Bruce replied.

The young heroes looked at Nightwing, their expressions said it all. Dick was conflicted on the issue. He had a policy of no killing like his former mentor. But he'd soon the good in Gabriel. The shapeshifter leapt to the defense of the woman who was about to die at the hands of that maniac Joker. He protected the team when a more powerful version of Bane beat up the team.

"You have a decision to make, Dick." Batman said.

Gabriel didn't even look; he figured what was going to happen. Dick thought long and hard, but finally came to a conclusion.

"Gabriel, you're not off the team…but you're suspended from its activities until Evolved Industries is taken down." Dick announced.

The team was furious. They shouted in protest of the decision. Gabriel stood up, but had his head down and back to Dick. Everyone became quiet. They thought a fight was going to break out.

'He doesn't deserve this. Yes, he broke the rule Nightwing always implored…but he did it to save a woman's life.' BB thought to himself, his expression one of sorrow.

Gabriel turned to face Dick. Nightwing was unsure of what was going to happen.

'Please don't attack him, Gabriel…' Dinah pleaded in her mind. 'Neptune's beard…he's just staring at him…what is he planning to do next?' Lagoon Boy thought to himself.

Megan and J'onn tried reading the shifter's mind, but still could only reach so far. But this time, they couldn't read anything. There was something very strange with Gabriel.

"Gabriel…I…" Dick stammered, but couldn't finish. "Was that video recorded? You all seemed like you ran in before the most important pieces of information were revealed." Gabriel asked. "Y-Yes…it was…" Dick replied. "Good, you all need to watch it…Oh…the serum in the canister…it was similar to the one my parents injected me with. Bane's was gray, but mine was black." Gabriel grunted, then walked away.

Those present looked at one another in surprise and confusion.

"Let's put this on the big screen." Dick said.

After a few moments, Dick connected the recorded footage to the holographic screen. They watched everything, and gasped.

"This is bigger than we thought." Superman gasped. "Deathstroke escaped the maximum security prison he was sent to only a month after wards. He's laid low ever since…we haven't heard from Vandal Savage either…something is off." Batman grunted. "Dick…I believe our friend just disobeyed your orders, and helped us with our 'activities'." Conner chuckled. "He did indeed." Dick replied, an amused grin on his face.

Batman groaned in annoyance.

"I'm liking Gabriel more and more with each passing day." Red Arrow chuckled.

To be continued…