It was the Friday morning of the trip to Gotham. The Titans we enjoying a quiet brunch together, except for Cyborg who was once again absent. He had been rising extra early everyday to work on Blackfire's new gauntlets.
Just as the table was being cleared Cyborg entered to common room carrying a small box and with a big grin on his face. "Guess what I got?" He asked in a sing song voice.
"You already finished my gauntlets?" Blackfire asked, floating towards Cyborg.
"They're only prototypes little lady. But they are functional." He replied.
"What gauntlets?" Nightwing asked.
"The ones I built for Blackfire since she can't conjure star bolts any more. These babies are full of tech loaned to us from Tony Stark himself. They even have repulsor rays on the palms, just like in his Iron Man suits."
"Dude! Let me see them!" Garfield pleaded.
"Nuh uh! Not until Blackfire tries them out first."
Blackfire slipped the gauntlets on. She had to remove her Tamaranian forearm armor first, as the gauntlets were long and her armor would have been in the way.
"They're much lighter than they look. They almost feel like gloves." She described to her friends.
Cyborg explained how to use the repulsor rays to Blackfire before activating the gauntlets.
"The prototypes are battery powered, so you'll have a limited number of shots. The final versions will have tiny arc reactors, which will last much longer, and maybe, just maybe, Tony and I can figure out how to integrate them into your artificial habds. Let's fly over the bay to the island where Starfire dumped Silkie when he grew into a monster. No one's there, so you can blast away all you want!"
"Dude, I'm coming. I'm not missing this!" Gar howled.
Raven could tell that Starfire and Nightwing were also itching to go and watch. "Fine, I'll stay with the baby. You can all go and watch Blackfire trash Silkie's island."
They didn't wait for her to change her mind. Before Raven could say "Zinthos" Starfire plopped Lizzie into her arms and they were all gone, flying across the bay. A few minutes later booms and blasts echoed across the bay. After a few more minutes the energy cells ran out and they all returned, almost as quickly as they had left. Lizzie never even had a chance to barf on Raven.
Judging from the big grin on Blackfire's face Raven confirmed that the test was a success.
"That was awesome!" Nightwing exclaimed.
"Dude, it was more than awesome! I want a pair of my own!" Gar shouted.
"Me too!" Nightwing exclaimed.
"Sorry guys, but Tony's only giving me enough parts to build a pair for Blackfire."
Blackfire was standing still, mesmerized with the prototype gauntlets that she was still wearing. She then flew up to Cyborg, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Victor! How can I ever thank you? It's almost like being my old self again." Tears were welling up in her eyes.
"Don't mention it, little lady." He said as he blushed. "Tony should have the parts we need by the time we get back from Gotham."
-(-)-
Gar was making the final preparations for the shuttle, which he pulled out of the Arrow's docking bay. He double checked the visual cloak system that would shroud the shuttle so no one would see it as it approached the Bat Cave to land.
The substitutes started to arrive: Kid Flash, Jinx, Hot Spot and Pantha had arrived earlier and had joined the Titans in the common room. Bumblebee was the last to arrive. When she saw Cyborg she smirked and said "So Sparky, still miss me?"
Blackfire witnessed Bumblebees cruel taunt. She can be a bitch sometimes. Suddenly she had an idea.
"Why would he miss you?" She said as she flew up to Cyborg and planted a big wet one on his lips. Her intention was merely to make Bumblebee jealous, which worked like a charm, as her jaw nearly hit the floor.
"What do you think your doin' kissing my man?" she accused Blackfire.
"Your man, darling? Last I heard you weren't returning his calls."
"Oh he's mine alright, Blackfire, and don't you forget it!" Once she noticed that everyone was staring at her she stormed out of the room.
"Consider that partial payment for the gloves." Blackfire whispered to him.
Cyborg was confused. He wasn't sure which he liked better: Bumblebee getting jealous or Blackfire's kiss. All he knew for sure was that he was feeling good.
-(-)-
The shuttle flight from Jump City to Gotham was quick and uneventful. Alfred met them in the Bat Cave, showed them their rooms and informed them that Master Bruce and the rest of the Bat Clan would meet with them in the library at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 7:00.
Nightwing gave them a quick tour of Wayne Manor before leading his team to the library. As they arrived Bruce greeted them and introduced them to the rest of the Bat Clan: Barbara Gordon, the first Bat Girl, now Oracle. Cassandra Cain, the current Bat Girl. And Tim Drake, the current incarnation of Robin who they already had met. And of course Alfred Pennyworth, who was busy setting down trays of hor D'oeuvres and other goodies.
And then Raven saw her.
"What's she doing here?" she asked out loud, to no one in particular.
Starfire turned and saw her as well "Terra?"
Star, who was holding Elizabeth, sat down on a love seat while Raven was searching for Gar, who had suddenly vanished. She located him, standing next to Alfred discussing the snacks while piling two plates full of goodies.
Gar made his way back to the girls and handed the plates to them. Starfire's had a little sauce dish with mustard on it.
"Thank you Garfield, you are always so thoughtful." Starfire said.
"Can I get you ladies something to drink? Some wine perhaps? Do you have a preference?"
"Sure, why not?" Raven replied. "Surprise me."
"Surprise me too!" Starfire chimed in.
As Gar headed back to retrieve the drinks for the ladies, he was intercepted by Terra.
"BB, it's great to see you!" she said as she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Terra, how's life at Gotham U?"
Raven was frowning, no, she was snarling as she watched the scene unfold before her. Terra couldn't keep her hands off Garfield, who to his credit was politely fending off her wandering hands. He turned to the bar and poured two glasses of wine and headed back towards Raven and Starfire, with Terra following closely behind him, with a huge grin on her face.
"If she touches him one more time, so help me I'll…."
Starfire took Raven's hand. "It is OK Raven, do not get angry. Terra is just 'familiar' with Gar, that's all."
"Too familiar if you ask me." Raven growled as the statuesque blond followed her husband like a lost puppy.
Terra ran up to Starfire and knelt to get a better look at Elizabeth.
"Oh Starfire, she's beautiful!" Terra gushed "May I hold her?"
Starfire nodded and handed Elizabeth over to Terra, who began cooing and making little baby sounds to Elizabeth. She turned to Raven and smiled.
"Raven, you look so pretty with your hair long!" Raven had indeed let her hair grow long, down to her shoulders. Now with her white cape and leotard she looked the way she did when she defeated her father. She remembered that day well. It was the first time that Gar hugged me.
"Thanks Terra."
Terra put an arm around Gar and squeezed him.
"So when are you and BB going to have a baby?" Terra asked her as she handed Elizabeth to him. Gar gently kissed Lizzie's forehead as Raven watched.
"I dunno" Raven replied almost absentmindedly. "Someday I guess. Sooner rather than later, I suppose."
Elizabeth was playing with Gar's pinkie, playing tug of war with it. Gar lifted her little blouse and started blowing raspberries on her tummy. Elizabeth giggled and did something Starfire had long been waiting for: she levitated.
As Elizabeth floated to the ceiling Starfire followed her, shouting "Richard, sister! Look!"
Gar walked up behind Raven and wrapped his arms around her waist. "So how soon is 'sooner'?" he whispered into her ear.
"We have to retire first." She replied "Starfire might want to be a warrior mom, but I'll pass when the time comes. I'd rather be a soccer mom."
Raven then turned to Terra, who was still with them. "So Terra, what brings you here? Why aren't you at Gotham U."
"Bruce called me last week and ordered me to the Manor. He said that it was too dangerous now for me to be physically present at the school and arranged to have me switched to the online program."
"You're in danger? Why?" Gar replied.
Terra raised a hand and cupped Gar's cheek. Stop touching him! Raven snarled inwardly.
"Bruce will explain after dinner. Gar, let me get you some hor D'oeuvres. Alfred is such a good chef. I swear that I already gained weight this week."
"He can have some of mine." Raven replied as she stuffed a canapé into Gar's mouth.
Gar gulped the treat down. "They are good!" He said as he grabbed two more from Raven's plate. "And meat free too."
Before he could grab another one Alfred announced "Dinner is served"
-(-)-
After they had dessert, Alfred's famous crème brule, and once the table was cleared Bruce began to address the real reason they had assembled.
"Friends, the reason I have called you here is because our enemies have united. Over a week ago Oracle received reports that Slade Wilson has been spotted in Gotham and has formed an alliance with the main figures of the Gotham underworld: The Joker, Scarecrow, Two Face, Killer Croc and Mr. Freeze to name a few."
Barbara Gordon then spoke up. "At first we thought that Slade only came for Tara Markov, but as soon as we learned of the alliance we dug deeper and found out even more. There are intelligence reports supplied by the Doom Patrol that indicate the Brotherhood of Evil are also considering joining this alliance. It is also possible that other super villains like Brother Blood might join as well."
Cyborg grimaced "Oh man!" Blackfire wasn't familiar with these villains, but she could tell from her friend's reaction that it was bad news, very bad news.
Bruce continued. "We are going to have to operate as a single integrated team. We will also be teaming up with the Justice League and the Doom Patrol to face this new menace."
"For now my advice is to get your personal matters in order, as soon there won't be any time for that. I'm sorry to bring you this bad news. I expect that at first we will continue to patrol our own jurisdictions. We do expect that some of the Gotham underworld will soon make their move into Jump City, so be ready for anything."
"Victor, I suggest that you beef up the Tower's defenses ASAP. There is little doubt that they will try to strike you where you live. They will be ruthless and merciless. Garfield, do not be afraid to use your lightsaber to defend your friends."
"Terra will be joining the Bat Clan immediately. That's all for now. There is no need for your remain in Gotham at this time, you can depart in the morning. I will meet later with Nightwing to discuss strategies."
"Thanks for coming."
-(-)-
Nightwing and Starfire entered the kitchen, which Alfred had just finished cleaning.
"Have you come in search of a late night snack, Master Richard? There is still some crème brule left."
"No Alfred, but thanks. We actually need some advice."
"What is it Master Richard?"
"We need a knorfka." Starfire answered.
"A knorfka?" Alfred asked.
"A nanny for baby Elizabeth." Nightwing clarified. "And with this villain war about to break out I don't see how we will be able to find anyone crazy enough to take the job. Maybe you should return to Tamaran with Elizabeth, Starfire. Galfore will look after you."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so hasty."Alfred replied. "My cousin Winifred Pennyworth runs an au pair agency in London that specializes in finding nannies for difficult cases such as yours."
"Really, are you serious Alfred?"
"Of course I am Master Richard. Let me check with Master Bruce. I'll arrange to have a Wayne Enterprises corporate jet ready for us tomorrow morning to take us to London."
"Mr. Alfred, thank you so much." Starfire beamed.
"Please your Majesty, just call me Alfred."