Knight and day
Chapter 21- communications silence
For months, Knight was not heard from or seen. The titans tried to call him on his communicator but their efforts were in vain. Knight had disappeared, again. Raven tried to forget about him, she meditated everyday on how impertinent people and things are. He's just a boy Raven tried to convince herself, but she was wrong. Knight wasn't just a boy, he was THE boy. For once Raven had finally found someone who really understood her, the real her. But now he was gone and Raven was having trouble coping with that. Much like Knight once did, she retreated into herself, not really speaking to anyone. While she pretended for the world like she thought Knight would never again embrace her, she held on to his last words of hope. I promise on my sword, I will return.
Knight stepped into the bat-cave. Batman, not even looking away from his microscope, knew who was in his presence. "What are you doing here?" the legendary Batman asked. "I heard you took my advice and joined the Titans." Knight took off his helmet. "I did, and I got myself killed" Batman turned. He was an impressive sight, tall and bulky, his cape made him seem like a living shadow. "So Seth returned?" the Bat asked. Knight nodded. "I was afraid that might happen, why didn't you take him down?" Knight grimaced slightly, "I couldn't fight him on my own terms. I was captured, I had no armor, my friend Raven was shot, it was all I could do to escape and save her. I later died of my wounds, took most of the team all night to bring me back." Batman's expression did not change. "Impressive" he said "I don't usually have conversations with those who use themselves as bullet-sponges." Knight laughed a little, but then his tone became serious. "Seth's planning something." Knight said "Seth is the covert type, there is no way he would risk a chase through the city. Whatever he's planning, it's big." Batman walked over and sat at a huge computer, the caped crusader being scouring the internet for footage of the event. He found some security camera footage of Knight's escape. "Interesting," he said "you're right, even for a terrorist he is being unusually sloppy." Knight walked over to the computer. "So you'll help?" he asked. "No." replied the Batman. Knight looked shocked, betrayed. Batman put a hand on his armored shoulder. "Before Robin left," the bat replied "he made me swear that no matter how bad things got, I wouldn't interfere. Robin wanted to be on his own, fight his own battles. Knight, stopping Seth might seem difficult, impossible even. But I trained you well, and I believe in your abilities. You have always found a solution; and this is no exception." An alarm went off and the screen of the bat computer changed to a map, with a blinking bat signal near the center. Batman turned, "Jokers attacking city hall!" Knight mounted his cycle and re-donned his helm. "One more fight together, for old time's sake. Then I have to get back to my city, I have a lot of work to do." Knight said, revving his engine.
"I'm getting tired of waiting, apprentice" said an unseen and sinister voice. Seth stood alone in a dark room, a bright light shone down from above, casting a circle of illumination around him. Beyond the circle, there was nothing but darkness. "Knight hasn't been seen or heard from for months, my sources tell me he died from his wounds." Seth tried to convince the unknown voice, "NO! He is alive! I saw him ride away on his cycle!" An angry growled emanated from the shadows, "I have indulged your personal vendetta long enough! It is time we moved forward with MY plans, with or without your vengeance." The mayor of the city was blindfolded, gagged, and tied to a computer chair as he was pushed into the light. "I'm giving you the keys to the city." The mysterious voice said, calm once more. "See that you use them wisely." The light above Seth faded, and the room was once again drowned in darkness. "Yes master" said Seth.