Gotham City
Central Heights
12:07 A.M.
Raven was frozen in fear, her hands were encased in magic, her cape blowing with the wind. Batman stood behind her. She sensed the aura that they had been tracking, it was familiar to her. She hadn't felt the aura in years. Not since Jump City.
"Raven, what is it?"
She was still frozen.
"Raven!"
Batman approached her while scanning the surroundings, looking for what had Raven on edge. Again he called to Raven.
"Raven, what do you sense?"
Batman put a hand on her shoulder, she tensed underneath his touch. She never did like anyone invading her personal space, which goes double for when she is on edge.
"Your anomaly is close. I can sense the energy, its aura. I haven't felt it since…"
"Wait, you've felt it before? You mean you've felt something like it before?"
"No, I've felt this aura before. Magic has its own identification trail. Just like people have their own voices, smells, even their own fingerprint."
"Then who is it? What is it?"
The wind blew and a fire broke out in front of them. Not a fire that comes from an uncontrollable blaze, or from an explosion. This was a fire that appears when something is summoned. The fire swirled and as it began to disappear something rose from the flames. The creature turned to face them. Its skin was scaly and yellow, ears that looked like bat-wings with glowing red eyes. Red chainmail armor with a purple cape held in place by gold claps on the shoulders.
Batman stepped between Raven and the creature, ready to launch an attack.
"Etrigan…"
The demon's voice rang out, speaking in its rhyming verse.
"Concealed within the form of man. Release the demon, Etrigan."
Raven was back to being frozen in terror. The last time she faced Etrigan, it had left its mark on her. She never was able to handle what she had become to defat him. She had embraced her demon blood and allowed herself to give in to her father's influence to defeat Etrigan. Raven was still afraid of that part of her.
"No, he can't be here. Not now. This isn't happening he- he can't be he-"
Raven was rambling when Batman snapped at her.
"Raven! Snap out of it! You can't allow yourself to be compromised by fear!"
Etrigan stepped forward, his red eyes beaming toward Batman then Raven. A grin appeared on his face as he moved closer to them, he hadn't attacked yet. Batman looked to Raven, she was trying to control herself, get her fear under control. He moved closer to Raven, trying to protect her or give her time, she didn't know which. Etrigan looked to Batman, his demonic voice came out speaking in thymes as usual.
"Batman, Guardian of a dying city, whose guard's not swayed by force or wit. Whose odious talents dwarf beast and man. Yet'll prove no match for Etrigan."
Etrigan charged at Batman. Etrigan was four hundred pounds of muscle, charging right for Batman. Batman flipped over him delivering a dropkick to his back. The kick didn't even faze the demon. Etrigan turned and faced Batman, The Demon had a smile on his face.
"Jason Blood, stand down."
Batman was trying to speak to The Demon's host. Etrigan charged at Batman and began to strike at him. Batman tried to parry and block The Demon's strikes as best he could but it was like taking punches from an Amazon. Batman was knocked to the ground, Etrigan summoned magic from his hand and was ready to send it towards Batman.
"Blood, I'm a friend, STAND DOWN!"
The Demon just laughed at him. He turned his magic toward Batman outstretched his hand ready to release it. Batman dropped a smoke pellet and disappeared into the night, he appeared next to Raven while Etrigan fumbled around in the smoke.
"Raven, don't make me regret bringing you, FOCUS!"
"Right, yeah, sorry. Last time I fought him it left its mark."
The smoke was beginning to fade.
"We all have our scars Raven. But we fight with them."
The smoke cleared and Etrigan turned to face the two of them, this time angrier than last time. A small growl coming from him. He charged again, this time Raven was ready to face him. Batman engaged Etrigan again while Raven waited for an opening. The Demon caught Batman by the cape and threw him into a street light dazing him, then he turned to Raven whose hands were encased with magic.
Etrigan faced Raven, he immediately recognized her.
"Raven. I thought I felt your aura. Though I confused it for a rodent."
"What are you doing here Etrigan?"
"Fulfilling my end of a deal, yet another stands in front of me full of zeal."
"A deal? A deal with who?"
Etrigan just smiled and laughed at her; Etrigan fired a blast of magic at Raven. She telegraphed it and side-stepped, she watched as it struck a dumpster across the street causing it to ignite. Raven turned back to Etrigan and saw as Batman began to close on Etrigan, trying to take him by surprise. She kept her eyes fixated on Etrigan so he didn't see her looking at Batman. Etrigan fired more blasts of magic, Raven was ready for them. She encased her hands in her own magic as the blasts of energy came toward her. She deflected them all easily with minimal effort. Etrigan looked slightly impressed.
"Well, it seems the little girl has becme more capable, to bad my wrath is inescapable."
"I've learned a few things over the last few years Etrigan. If you want to beat me, you're going to have to work for it."
Batman was in position, he came from behind Etrigan and tried to knock him to the ground but this was like fighting Superman, Etrigan had strength and weight on both of them. Batman landed a flurry of strikes on Etrigan that hardly affected him, Batman then landed a roundhouse kick to the demon's jaw that was hard enough to stagger even him. Etrigan regained his footing and just growled in annoyance, he swung his claws at Batman who was able to dodge them. Etrigan and Batman were fighting when Raven used telepathy to talk with Batman so Etrigan didn't hear her plan. It was the first time Batman heard her voice in his head.
"Give me an opening on him and then get out of the way."
"What are doing in my head? Get out and stay out!"
"But this is the only-"
"I said GET OUT!"
The voice in his head was distracting as much as it was unwelcome. Batman didn't see Etrigan's left hand come from behind him, it connected and sent Batman to the ground with so much force it knocked him cold. Raven began doubting herself. Etrigan looked to Raven then back to Batman who was still lying on the ground in front of him. Etrigan spoke to her.
"I'll be with you in a second Raven. I'll help this pest find haven in hell."
Etrigan picked up Batman by the throat and raised his other arm ready to deal the final blow. Etrigan released his arm and just before it struck Batman a magic blast hit Etrigan in the face blinding him. His grip on Batman loosened and the bat fell to the ground once more. Etrigan stumbled backwards blind and swatting at the air from being disoriented, Raven closed the distance between the two and by the time Etrigan could see again, all he saw was black energy before he was blinded again. Raven stood in front of Etrigan and landed her own series of strikes that made the demon fall to the ground since he was disoriented and already off balance. As Etrigan was recovering she kneeled down and checked on Batman. She placed to fingers over his cowl and sensed a heartbeat, it was 45 beats per minute, still unconscious. Etrigan had recovered, and came charging at Raven. She was still focused on Batman so she didn't have time to block his strike.
"You harlot-!"
He kicked Raven in the ribs fracturing them. The hit caused her to slide across the street. Raven rose to her feet holding her ribs and gasping for air. Etrigan was still enraged at being hit.
"Now you'll face the beast incarnate!"
Etrigan could see Batman on the ground, he reached out and sent a magic blast towards his direction. Raven sent her own blast and blocked Etrigan's which was intended to hit Batman. After his blast was blocked Etrigan sent another after another trying to hit the unconscious Batman. He watched as Raven blocked every single one to protect Batman. Etrigan then shot two blasts at Raven and clasped his hands together to deliver a club to Batman. Etrigan slammed his fists on the ground only to find that Batman's body had moved. He looked to see that Raven had not only deflected his blasts, but also grabbed Batman's foot with her own magic and dragged him out of Etrigan's hit. Etrigan roared in anger.
"Now I'm annoyed, time to send you to the void!"
"Enough with all the damn rhymes!"
Etrigan was a high ranking demon so he had to speak only in rhymes. Raven was beginning to get annoyed with how he spoke, even in the middle of a battle. Etrigan was beginning to get annoyed at the possibility of somebody matching his magical aptitude and power. Etrigan once again tried to hit Batman with magic but this time there was already a shield of Raven's own magic over him. Etrigan was starting to despise Raven.
"Why must you work so hard to protect him so? Last I knew he was good at neglecting you."
Trying to get under Raven's skin wasn't a very good tactic. She had trained her entire life in self-control and maintaining her composure. This wasn't any different, the insults and attempts to make her emotionally vulnerable were futile. At least when hurled from Etrigan. Etrigan charged at her to fight her close range since his magic blasts weren't even beginning to faze her. He was fast, and had reach but she had flexibility. All of his attacks missed except for the final one which did enough to just leave just a few cuts from his claws across her abs. When Etrigan tried again to engage her in hand to hand Raven had read his fighting style the way Nightwing had taught her back when they were Titans, she knew he was exposed on the left side. Etrigan threw a left cross and Raven saw her opening, she encased her hand in magic and blasted Etrigan in the ribs where his guard was exposed. He dropped to his knees from the blast and growled.
"Stay down Etrigan. It only gets worse from here."
Raven could see Batman stir. He was still dazed but the fact that he was beginning to regain consciousness was enough for Raven to know she just needed to stall. Raven's cuts were beginning to bleed just as Etrigan was beginning to stand. He saw the blood trickle down her stomach and across her suit. He had a menacing smile on his face.
"So the daughter of a demon does bleed. Then take heed of my warning and leave me be. I need to fulfill my end of the deal."
Raven had fractured ribs that caused her pain with each inhale, and cuts on her abs that didn't hurt as much as they did sting, she was tough and could recover but she knew she would need a breather soon. She kept stalling while Batman got to his feet.
"You still haven't told me of this deal Etrigan. Boots getting a bit big? Trying to rise on the on the Demon hierarchy, king of hell? That sort of thing?"
"It's true I made a deal but not with a demon of hell so there's no need to dwell."
"Then who Etrigan?!"
"Somebody more powerful than a demon of hell, somebody who could make even me a free man."
Raven had a guess at who he had really meant, but if that was the case she was in for a harder time than she had thought. To make a deal with Etrigan this demon had to be powerful, and Etrigan himself wouldn't make a deal with any other demons of hell. By this time Batman had gotten a second wind, he ran at Etrigan and jumped onto his back latching his arms and putting him in a head lock. Batman then pulled something from his belt and covered Etrigan's eyes with it. It was a putty that stuck to virtually any surface, Batman released the hold as Etrigan tore at the putty to free his eyes but he could not get it off. Batman pulled a remote detonator from his belt and pressed it. There was a slight beeping sound before it got faster and then the putty exploded, once again blinding Etrigan. He rorared with pain and anger as Batman went back over to Raven. Etrigan was able to see again and charged at the two of them.
"I grow tired of this game, now taste my demon flame."
As Etrigan charged he conjured his sword from thin air and began using it to engage Batman and Raven. Blows from his sword crashed down on the both of them as they blocked his sword. Batman with his armored gauntlets, Raven with her magic. Etrigan was able to gain some ground since he was now fighting with his sword.
"I gave you a warning to leave as I'd be gone come morning. But as you insist to stay then you will die before you can fly away."
Etrigan kept swinging his blade as Batman and Raven kept blocking and dodging his strikes. Batman saw an opening and disarmed Etrigan, Batman ended up with the sword after the exchange and slashed Etrigan across the chest. Batman yelled as Etrigan was staggering from the cut.
"Begone Etrigan, I wish to speak with Jason Blood.!"
The Demon just laughed and stared Batman down.
"Fool! After years, after centuries, of being shackled to that pathetic human... after an eternity of restraint, of repression, of resistance... at last. It has finally come to pass! At last, it is finally over! Jason Blood is gone, he has been locked away with all of my brawn."
"What do you mean locked away?"
"He is trapped inside a cage in my mind, where he is impossible to find."
"How? How did you lock him away?"
Etrigan just smiled but before he could speak or move again Raven had already known the answer.
"He made a deal."
Etrigan and Batman both looked to Raven, she was standing with her legs spread apart and hands encased in magic, waiting for another attack. Batman didn't quite understand.
"A deal? What are you talking about?"
"Jason Blood. Etrigan was able to separate his personality from Blood's. There's normally two ways of doing that. The first is to have whoever first placed the curse to reverse the spells effects, separating the two into their original forms. The second is to have the original curse broken by somebody else who has a deep knowledge of the specific curse and has to be as powerful as the original caster."
Etrigan looked at her with anger, like he wanted her to shut-up while Batman was intrigued.
"Now, since Merlin has been dead for thousands of years, and nobody alive has his power over magic he is stuck to wander with the curse for Eternity."
"But Etrigan said he locked Blood away, and it can't be lifted then how is he here now witho-"
"The curse can't be broken but there are loopholes that Demons can exploit. So obviously Etrigan, made a deal with another Demon."
Etrigan just grinned as Batman looked to Rachel with nothing but questions.
"Then who did he make a deal with and why Gotham?"
"Good question."
Raven walked towards Etrigan.
"No demon has ever made a deal out of kindness, both always get something in return whether it be power, status, information, bargaining chip, doesn't matter. But to do what this demon did, no demon of Hell has that power, and Etrigan is among the most powerful in Hell meaning he couldn't even manage to do this to himself. So he had to deal with someone more powerful than him, plus one that has power over our world, not a lot of demons can do that. So, why Gotham?"
Both Etrigan and Batman were staring at Raven, one because they wanted her to shut-up, the other out of being impressed with her knowledge and out of curiosity.
"This demon must want something here. But since there is nothing of importance here to a demon, believe me I would know if there was. You are here looking for someone… Tell me who!"
Etrigan just grinned, and his eyes glowed even redder trying to contain the anger.
"Clever girl… Tell me, does daddy know you've grown so smart."
Raven lost her temper at that comment and sent out an uncontrollable blast of magic that hit Etrigan, it was so strong it even knocked him off guard.
"Don't you talk about him!"
Etrigan growled in annoyance as the blast had taken part of his ear. Batman looked to her, still curious at Etrigan's comment.
"What's he talking about?"
"I respect your secrets Batman, so please respect mine"
Batman charged at Etrigan again while Raven fired from a distance, trying to get an upper hand but Etrigan wasn't fazed. What they were doing, what they were fighting, Batman had no knowledge of it outside of fighting with members of The League, and Raven wasn't The League. Raven knew how to fight him, but not when Batman was taking the lead something had to change. They both engaged Etrigan in close quarters again, Raven was fighting how Nightwing had trained her all those years ago. Relying on speed and flexibility instead of power, Batman was fighting his normal way with a tight guard and more power but not as quick. Raven saw an opening and went for it leaving herself exposed, Etrigan hit her as she was exposed and knocked her to the side. Batman held his own but the strength of Etrigan was too much and Batman was knocked to the side as well. Raven helped Batman up after the hit, Batman saw her holding her ribs but didn't say anything. Etrigan just laughed. Batman got to his feet and started barking orders again.
"We need to…"
Raven was tired of following his lead, always taking his orders. There was ever only one person she followed blindly and even he asked for her input at times. He didn't even know how to fight Etrigan himself. Raven snapped.
"Enough Batman!"
Batman was at a loss of words, nobody stood up to him. He just glared at Raven.
"You asked for my help, because you said it yourself. You know nothing about magic. You asked for MY help remember? I'm here because I know about magic. So for once in your life set aside your damn pride, lose the arrogance and follow somebody else's lead!"
Batman just glared at her, like he was still processing his options. She made a good case, he knows nothing about fighting magic on his own. Raven had a spike of adrenaline after yelling at him, it made her feel good for some reason, more confident. Batman quit glaring and gave a nod to her.
"All right Raven, we'll do things your way. For now."
Etrigan started to close the distance on them again. Raven had come up with a plan.
"He's too strong for either of us together, I could take him if I used my full power but that's last resort."
"Wait, you've been holding back?"
"Believe me Batman, this block wouldn't exist if I used my full power."
"That bravado I hear?"
"No, a warning."
Etrigan was getting closer.
"We're running out of time Raven, what's the plan?"
"We force him to change back into Jason Blood. I have a spell that will work but if he blocks it, or deflects he'll know what I'm trying to do and counter it."
"So what do we do?"
"I need a distraction."
"Got it."
Batman threw a smoke pellet and was gone by the time it cleared. Only Raven was left standing in front of Etrigan. Raven wasn't even fazed, she knew what he was doing, she had seen Nightwing do it, and saw him do it as he was Robin. Batman was creating some distance between him and Etrigan. Causing a distraction and then re-engaging him with a different tactic. Raven knew just when Batman would strike. Etrigan looked around and when he couldn't find Batman he set his sights on Raven, he turned to fire a blast but just before he could Batman came out of the shadows and landed a punch to Etrigans jaw. This time Batman had help, he had turned on an electrical field around his gloves that delivered a shock to anyone he hit. Etrigan had even felt the hit and recoiled as Batman continued his assault while Raven stood by while she started gathering the spell. While Raven was meditating to get the spell ready Batman was keeping up the assault on Etrigan. He kept landing strikes, each one knocking Etrigan more and more off balance until finally, even Etrigan collapsed from the assault. Batman looked back to Raven.
"Ready yet?!"
"Almost, just a little mo-"
Etrigan had recovered and yelled in rage.
"ENOUGH!"
He sent Batman flying back and then conjured his sword again. He jumped towards Batman with his sword raised over his head, ready to lower it onto Batman. Raven teleported to Batman in an instant and drew a protective ward on the ground that Demons couldn't penetrate. Etrigan's sword hit inside the circle as the ward was drawn causing a discharge of black energy that knocked Etrigan away along with the sword. Etrigan stood, his eyes burning with anger.
"Protected by the circle in which you stand, you face the full might of the conjured Demon Etrigan."
Batman was still dazed as Raven walked out of the circle, he felt his head spinning as he kneeled in the circle. Etrigan again fired blasts of magic all of which Raven blocked. Etrigan fired a blast of magic from his eyes that rivaled the Man of Steel's heat vision, Raven encased her hands and deflected it back at Etrigan who took it in the chest without injury.
"Fight me with fire? A foolish decision. Who hits Demons with blasts of heat vis-"
Etrigan took a blast of magic to the side of his face again. Raven had distracted him by redirecting his blast, after he had absorbed it she fired her own. Etrigan yelled again this time he was really enraged, he was losing his cool more and more each time an attack failed. This time Etrigan gave it everything he had, he unleshed his most powerful magic blast.
"Eldritch Blast!"
Etrigan shot a very powerful continuous stream of magical energy at Raven, she put her hands up and formed a barrier to block the blast. She held out as long as she could while little cracks began appearing in her barrier. Etrigan stopped firing and watched with a smirk and a chuckle as the smoke cleared knowing nobody could stop his attack. When the smoke cleared he saw Raven still maintaining the shield. She lowered it, breathing heavily and with a nose bleed, the blast tired her out. Etrigan was astonished, nobody had ever blocked that spell, only Merlin himself was able to dampen the blow thousands of years ago.
"No… That can't be… That's impossible! Nobody has stopped my Eldritch blast. Not even the great Merlin! I Plea that you flee now, or I will destroy this city."
Raven could see that Batman was ready to go again, before she could look to him he had already made his move on Etrigan for another distraction. Batman threw his punches again, just as Batman was about to lose ground he heard Raven in his head.
"Close your eyes and move!"
Batman closed his eyes and rolled to his left, there was a blinding flash that lit up the entire area that blinded Etrigan again. Raven closed the distance, encased her hand in magic and placed it on Etrigan's chest knocking him away, she then teleported to him and placed restraints on his arms and legs. Etrigan fought to free himself but her bonds were too tight. Batman watched as Etrigan struggled.
"Fifty angels I just plucked, I'd say your plans are fu-"
"Enough Etrigan! Don't resist!"
He struggled more.
"Why do you care for them? Why do you dare stand in my path with him?"
"Because I am one of them."
Etrigan just laughed.
"Another of Batman's cubs? I should have guessed, you shine with that same righteous light. And if you look within… Is there something like me deep inside?"
"NO! I AM NOT HIM! I NEVER WILL BE!"
Etrigan just laughed.
"The anger. That temper. Like father, like daugh-"
"I AM NOT HIM!"
She was losing her temper and Batman was getting impatient that she hadn't used the spell yet.
"Raven, control yourself!
Raven calmed herself and looked to Etrigan, she placed two fingers on his forehead.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthose."
Nothing happened, there was no change, Etrigan still stood in front of them.
"DAMN IT!"
Batman came over to her as Etrigan just struggled.
"What happened?"
"There's a block on that part of his mind, whoever did this really didn't want his mind to be freed."
"So what can we do?"
"Two options, Etrigan dies. That forces the change. But the hosts body goes into shock and often times, he dies."
"And the second?"
"I enter his mind, find the block and remove it which also forces the change."
"I gather that isn't easy."
"No. Magic this powerful could be discharged levelling everything in the area… Or…?"
"Or?"
Raven sighed.
"Or I get a taste of this power and it triggers something in me. Something that forces a change. If that happens all hell breaks loose."
"Great."
"I'm going to enter his mind. If I slip away, even for a second, you have to kill me."
"What?! Raven, you can't be serious! What would I tell Nightwing?! I'll get him, he can calm you down like last time!"
"NO! He may not be able to help. If I slip, you have to kill me!"
"I won't."
"You once told Nightwing that you must be ready to anything to save a life. Even if that means making the ultimate sacrifice yourself. If I lose control, I. Will. Kill. You. All. Understand?"
"Yeah…"
"Okay, I'm going in."
"Wait, tell me just in case this doesn't work out. Who do I hold responsible, who is behind this?"
"Magic like this, I have my suspicion."
"Who?"
"Not important right now. Promise me you'll do what you have too."
"Promise."
Raven put her hands on the sides of Etrians head and took a breath. Batman walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Be careful Rachel, I don't want to give Dick bad news."
It was the first time he showed any concern to her, somehow she smiled. She closed her eyes and set up a telepathic link, Etrigan screamed as she entered his mind. She searched through his memories trying to find what she needed, who set the block, how and why? She was afraid that she already knew the answer. She found the memory and used all her concentration to decipher it.
Etrigan's Mind (Replayed Memory)
Place: Unknown
Time: Unknown
Raven watched as the memory unfolded around her, everything she saw and heard confirmed her fears. She saw Etrigan kneeling down as a familiar voice spoke.
"I have brought you here to do my bidding. I have a task for you."
"Very well… 'My Lord' I will aid thee… But there are rules to be obeyed! A demon of hell cannot be commanded as one would a servant. A bargain must be made!"
In that instant Raven watched as six orange eyes pierced the darkness. She saw the lines on his face, the horns that he had on his head.
"What do you require?"
Raven looked away, her suspicions were right, no matter how much she hated it. Trigon, her father, the Demon Lord that had conquered thousands of dimensions and the one who was trapped away by Raven and the Titans all those years ago. He was striking a deal with Etrigan. She watched the memry again.
"Very well. We have a deal. Provided you give me information on my daughter…"
Gotham City
Central Heights
1 A.M.
Raven found the block and removed it allowing Jason Blood to take control again. Raven opened her eyes and came back to the world. She saw Jason Blood unconscious in front of her, she released her grasp and he collapsed to the ground. She was breathing heavily, her ribs still had a sharp pain with every breath, and her abs were still bleeding from where Etrigan's claws scratched her,along with her nose still bleeding from the strain from her magic. Batman approached her as she tried to control her breathing.
"You did it."
"Yeah… Jason is back in control. He will only transform when he needs to, and even then Etrigan won't run wild and go off on his own. The spell works now like it did before…"
She was still panting. Batman looked to Jason Blood then back to her.
"Is he okay?"
"Yeah. Just unconscious. He'll be fine in a few hours, won't even remember what happened."
Raven wiped some of the blood away from her nose with the back of her hand, more trickled down to take its place.
"Nose broke?"
"No. It's a side effect of magic strain. I'll be fine."
"Right. Well I'll have Alfred send a car to take Jason home. We should probably be get back to the house. I'm sure Nightwing will be there by the time we get home."
They walked back to the Batmobile, Batman popped the hatch and climbed in as Raven did the same. Batman started the engine and began driving back to the house. Raven closed her eyes and tried to focus in on the psy-link but felt nothing. That meant either Dick was actively blocking it, he was unconscious or… She didn't want to think about it. She heard Batman break the silence.
"How is he?"
She opened her eyes and looked at him to see him focused on the road.
"Jason? I told you he's fine. Won't remember a thing."
"No. Dick. I figured you were checking on him, seeing if he was back yet."
"I don't know. I can't sense him."
Batman was quiet for a few seconds.
"Well, if I know Dick, he can handle it."
Wayne Manor
Bat Cave
1:27 A.M.
Batman popped the hatch and both he and Raven climbed out of the car, Alfred came down in the elevator with coffee and tea for both of them. Batman took the cowl off and started walking towards the computer. Raven followed behind not sure what to do or where to go, she held her ribs in pain as Batman turned around and saw.
"Saw you holding your ribs out in the field, you okay?"
"Yeah. Probably just bruised them, it happens."
"Or fractured. Take a seat on the table over there and we'll see to your wounds."
"I'm fine Batman really, I'm sure it's just-"
Batman glared at her, she could feel a shiver run down her spine. Alfred crossed the room and spoke t her from a distance.
"Apologies Miss Roth but I believe that wasn't a suggestion."
Rachel sat on the table as Alfred came over with tea.
"Your tea, Miss Roth."
"Thanks Alfred. Is Dick back yet?"
"Unfortunately no, I had hoped he would find you and you would all return as a group."
Rachel sat her tea down and stood up.
"I'm going to look for him. I think his trail starts at city hall."
Batman turned and looked at her.
"You are in no shape to go anywhere, back on the table."
"He could be in trouble and you're not even going to-"
Batman sighed.
"I know what he means to you Rachel, but I wouldn't have sent him if I wasn't confident of his abilities. Dick is perfectly capable."
"And what if he's not!?"
Batman was still calm. He understood her outburst, he was worried too.
"He's my son Rachel. My soldier, my responsibility. If something happens it's on me. And I'll bury it deep, and use it. Just like everything else."
Rachel was taken back, Bruce just called Dick his son… She didn't know how to respond to that comment. She just stared in disbelief. Batman pointed back to the table.
"Sit."
Rachel turned and walked back to the table, Bruce was still focused on the screen.
"Alfred, would you mind seeing to her injuries?"
"Of course Master Bruce."
Alfred began walking over to Rachel when his ear piece buzzed.
"Apologies Master Bruce but it seems I am needed elsewhere. Perhaps you could see to her injuries."
"Very well Alfred. Give Jason my best."
Alfred walked away and Bruce started to walk over to the table. Alfred answered as he walked towards the elevator.
"Of course sir."
Bruce walked to Rachel and told her what was going on.
"Jason Todd. He calls Alfred for support and logistics since he prefers not to talk to Oracle or myself while out in the field."
Rachel just nodded and took a sip of her tea.
"Take your suit off, I need to look you over."
Coming from anybody else that would have been an odd request. A request followed by someone being banished to another dimension or worse, torn apart at the molecular level. But she knew who was requesting, and knew not to refuse. Alfred came back down the elevator.
"Don't be ashamed Miss Roth, I assure you that we will maintain the utmost privacy."
Alfred passed them and went to grab the platter with the tea and coffee to replenish it.
Rachel started to take the top part of her suit off, after all this was Alfred and Bruce not Garfield. He would giggle if he saw a girl without a shirt. As Rachel removed her top Bruce questioned Alfred.
"Jason okay?"
"Yes sir. He was actually calling to inquire about you in fact. He heard that you were missing and called to see if you were back yet."
The room fell quiet as Alfred walked back passed them with the platter.
"He also insisted that you call Zatanna as she has been calling everyone incessantly worrying about you and that he is beginning to get annoyed of her calls. Except I believe his exact words were a little more colorful."
"Noted, thanks Alfred."
"Of course sir."
Alfred began taking the elevator back to the house. Raven had finished removing the top of her suit and was sitting on the table with just a black sports bra on. Batman looked nowhere else but her sides, checking for bruises, of which she had many. They ran the length of her sides.
"Hmm, early signs of bruising. Arms up."
Rachel put her hands above her head.
"I need to run my hands along your ribs, feel for cracks, fractures or breaks. That alright?"
"Yeah. Go ahead."
Rachel knew why he asking, he knew she liked her space. Anybody got too close or too personal and she felt uncomfortable. This was Bruce's way of making her feel like her space wasn't being invaded. He ran his fingers over her rib cage, putting pressure in certain places and lightly in others. Rachel winced in pain a few times.
"Nothing too serious, just a few fractures and one or two cracks. Nothing that won't heal in six weeks."
Bruce began putting bandages on her for support, making sure that when she moved they weren't disturbed too much. She joked as he was working to try and dampen the pain.
"Now I know how Grayson feels. He breaks ribs at least once a month."
Bruce just kept working.
"Yeah. It's the way he fights. Speaking of which, I saw that he trained you in hand to hand. That happen as Titans?"
"Yeah. He thought that I shouldn't rely on my powers all the time. I should rely on skill just as much."
"He taught you well. Your form is nearly perfect. Along with your speed, it's impressive."
Rachel just got a compliment from Bruce. From Batman. She wasn't sure what to say.
"Uh thanks."
"He taught you to fight like he does. Use speed and agility over strength and power. He uses flexibility and reach so he can move faster and quicker and be more aerial in combat whereas I use a tight guard for power rather than speed. Unfortunately, Dick leaves his ribs open at times that others can exploit. Usually he's fast enough to avoid a hit there but… It happens."
"I didn't know you two fought so differently."
"I encouraged him to find his own style. You've seen him move, no way could I match his speed. He's the fastest non-meta human I've ever seen."
"Yeah, I remember seeing him land hits on Wal-"
She caught herself.
"On Kid-Flash."
"Let me guess. He told you to blend two styles together?"
"Yeah. Kick-boxing and ninjutsu influences."
"Yeah. He picked well, they suit you."
Another compliment. Was this Bruce Wayne? Who was bandaging her up?
"All right. Ribs are all set, want me to stitch those claw marks?"
Raven looked down to see how bad they were, they weren't just scratches but stitches probably wouldn't do much.
"No, I don't think they need stitched."
"Probably right. They don't look too serious. Still, keep an eye on them, gashes like that can be tricky."
Bruce walked halfway to the computer then turned around.
"Alfred still has your room made up so you can stay there and wait or wait down here for Nightwing. Doesn't matter to me."
He turned around and walked back to the computer while Rachel laid on the table she had been sitting on.