5

Another chapter, not much to say, getting ready for the end, but yea. Anyway, as always reviews are love, shout outs are always welcomed, I own nothing, and I hope everyone enjoys.

BRL

PS shameless plug, I'm rewriting my Teen Titans story hopefully it'll be up soon. If you like this story, check the other out.

Now I'm done.

It hadn't taken long for Drake or Selina to pack. Selina stilled lived like she had to run at any moment and kept emergency bags packed at any given time. Drake simply took some clothes and spare weapons. Max, well her stuff was mostly packed since she was still in the process of moving to Selina's so it was easy enough to pack it back up. Drake had moved almost trance like, when left alone he would crawl back into his head, his eyes would widen and he would relive some new horror from his past. Until Selina or Max would forcibly remind him of his new life. After a while Max simply stopped packing and stuck next with Drake until he was finished then they worked on her stuff. Finally once all was taken care of, the three were loaded into Wayne's car and taken to his home. From there, Bruce spent two hours talking with Mrs. McGinnes as to why she and her children were moving into the Manor with him. But, eventually Bruce got through, and so Wayne Manor went from being barely occupied to more full than most of Bruce's long life.

The day passed slowly after the fight. While Drake and Terry spent the day sparring Max, was in the batcave, tinkering. Specifically on Bruce's exo suit. Bruce worked across from her. "The suit's servo motors, no wonder they put so much stress on the body, these things are hard core. Way beyond schway. And," she grabbed a spare bat suit. "If we route the power through our regular suits, then our regular suit's servos will be under the strain, not our body. Its not perfect"

"But it'll work," finished Bruce. He nodded, a slight grin on his face. "Not bad."

"This way…we got an edge of Achilles, Bast and Sen. With this thing we'll be on equal footing," said Max.

"Gadgets alone don't level the field, skill comes into it as well. And luck," said Bruce.

Max sighed. "Yes sir. Way to be a buzz joy," she muttered. But they kept at it. As for Terry and Drake, the two were dancing around each other as they fought. Both had grins on their face as they tried to defeat the other.

Later.

It was dark in Wayne Manor, Mrs. McGinnes and Matt had already gone to bed leaving the vigilante clan to their devices. Selina had elected to join Bruce in the cave as their protégés patrolled the night. Secretly Selina was thrilled that Bruce had been worried to come check on her himself, and wasn't about to let the opportunity pass her up. She knew the first Batman had had many love affairs throughout his life, but she hoped that now, without the law dividing them, he might realize just what Selina felt for him. Rather, accept it without holding back. However unlikely that really was with the old detective.

Still.

Despite everything going on, Bruce was adamant that the three superheroes went out on patrol. Medea or not, criminals were still operating, and with Achilles still at large as well as the Red Queen, this was no time to stop. After all rule one of being a superhero; your personal life does interfere with your duty. Or…so Bruce Wayne would preach.

Which actually worked for Drake. Focusing on being Nightwing helped to divorce himself from the shock and pain his…creator's visit inspired. After calming down, he asked to run a solo patrol, needing time to reflect and calm his mind down. Over Max's protests, Bruce agreed, thus Wildcat found herself flying next to Batman in New Gotham while Nightwing scouted Old Gotham. Flying through the air, Nightwing was able to actually order his thoughts. He landed on a roof near Crime Alley, hunkering down. "Bruce."

"Here."

Nightwing sighed as he pulled his lower mask down. "I…I need to warn A'lexx and Kendra…about Medea."

Bruce went to answer when Selina cut him off. "You do that kitten, the others will understand." She spared Bruce a glance who glared at Selina. "Won't they Bruce?"

Bruce snorted. "Do it quickly. And becareful."

"Right," answered Nightwing. He radioed Wildcat and Batman, passing along what he was doing, then turned off his comms. He took a deep breath and slowly focused on one image. It was the old bat single, one thing he supposed he should thank Spartoi for, his mental strengths. Because he worked with a psychic he learned quickly how to guard his thoughts, as well as project thoughts. One thought in particular. After five minutes, he appeared. "A'lexx."

The Martian raised an eyebrow. "I did not expect to hear from you, especially like…that."

Nightwing nodded as he pulled his hood down. "Tough times."

"What do you mean?"

"She's back," said Nightwing.

A'lexx didn't bother to ask who. "How?!"

Nightwng cocked his own eyebrow. "You're surprised? Achilles failed, who else would come?"

A'lexx turned away, crossing his arms as he thought. "And if she's here"

"She already attacked my aunt" finished Nightwing.

A'lexx whipped around, eyes ablaze. "She attacked Selina!?"

"She's fine," Nightwing hurried to say. "She can handle herself. But, you and Kendra need to get out of Gotham, preferably out of the country, if not the planet all together."

"It's Kendra now?" asked A'lexx, a small smile on his face.

"Don't read too much into it," snapped Nightwing, though a small blush graced his features because of the slip. A'lexx had the tact not to comment. "You need to go!"

"And if we don't?"

Nightwing almost pulled his hair out. "For once will you listen!? She's here, which means Bast, Sen, and the whole of their hero hunters are coming! You need to go!"

A'lexx stared at his friend. "And would you leave?"

Nightwing stiffened. "That's different."

A'lexx snorted. "You can't be serious."

Nightwing spared his friend a glare. "I'm taking her down, the others too if they want. But you and Kendra are more vulnerable than me."

"How exactly am I, a Green Martian on par with a Kryptonian in terms of power and ability, and a Thanagarian with living Nth metal bonded to her; more vulnerable than a genetically spliced human in a suit?" demanded A'lexx, anger written on his face.

Nightwing had the decency to rub his head as he struggled to explain his feelings. "Because this is what I do. What I was trained to do."

"And we weren't?" countered A'lexx. "You always accused us of keeping you out, but you kept us out! You take all of these burdens on yourself when you're supposed to be our partner, we're supposed to"

"I can't lose you alright!" bellowed Nightwing. A'lexx stared at Nightwing, actually surprised. "Medea is coming, and she knows all our weaknesses. If I could convince Batman and Wildcat to get out of town I would. But they won't. And I won't force them. But I'm begging you A'lexx, begging, that you and Kendra get out of here, before they come for us."

A'lexx placed a gentle hand on Nightwing's shoulder. "You won't lose us, but we deserve revenge as much as you do."

"I want Justice, not Vengeance," replied Nightwing. "Medea is out for blood. She kidnaped my aunt as a message. If you're going to stay, be careful."

A'lexx nodded. "We'll be fine."

"I got to go back on patrol, stay safe," said Nightwing, he launched into the sky.

"You too…my friend," murmured the alien.

Meanwhile, Terminal was in an armed standoff with his lieutenants. J-man, who had recovered…somewhat; lead Trey, Terminal's old second, and several others, who all stared at Terminal. Terminal for his part, kept a firm grasp on his Joker gas pistol, a wicked knife in the other. "What was that J-man? I must admit I didn't quite catch that."

"I said we're done. We're done letting you scam us! We're the joke of Gotham but we aint the ones telling it! It's over man. The Jokerz are going back to how it should be, every clown for themselves!"

Terminal chuckled. "You know, we carry the name of the scariest man to ever live. The Joker was someone who inspired terror. And you all just want to harass fast food employees. Pathetic." His arm shot up as the Joker leaders all pulled guns. "The Joker took one cell and almost had the city, imagine what we can do with an army?"

"A beat army!" called Trey. "Yea we got our butts kicked and now we don't even got Scarecrow for our super juice no more. Face it Terminal it's over. We aint getting another shot at the city."

Terminal smirk. "But we can take out the Bat. Something not even the first Joker could do."

"We couldn't take out the Bat when he was solo, now he's got Nightwing and Wildcat, face it man it's over!" called another in a top hat.

Terminal sighed. "If you think it's over then I won't change your minds."

J-man nodded. "Good, I'm taking my crew and going while the going's good." J-man spun around, calling for his gang. He didn't see the little globe that streaked towards him. But he felt its impact. Then he began to laugh. Terminal shot him with his gas gun in the back. Unlike before, this new gun fired a compressed projectile that exploded on contact. J-man twitched and shivered as he laughed uncontrollably.

Terminal grinned. "Anyone else." The others all pointed their guns at him. "No? Someone get him the antiserum, he's going to die soon." With that Terminal sat down, Coe and Smirk grab their boss, dragging the gibbering teenager away. "Now then, Trey, get a crew together and go have a night on the town, remind the good people of Gotham what true laughter is all about." Trey hesitantly nodded as he warily backed off. "Oh and Trey," called Terminal.

"Yea boss?"

"Have fun, otherwise, what's the point?" Terminal began to cackle as his men dispersed, all shuddering at their leader's laughter. Terminal leaned back in his chair. His gang might think his goal was to rule the city, but they were wrong. Terminal had no desire for power, well…he looked at his servants, more power. No he wanted to hold true to the spirit of the Joker, to bring joy and mischief to the people of Gotham. And, of course, to kill those self-righteous fools in spandex, the bat-clan. After he did that, who knows, he was missing his prison cell so, and maybe when he goes back he'll try learning a craft; sewing seemed interesting. Another belly shaking laugh erupted from Terminal as he thought of his future, oh the fun he would have.

Across town, Achilles was preparing for his new fight. A new injector rig, similar to Hourman's direct system was strapped to his arms. Like his younger brother, his new suit sported a domino mask and a hood, though his lower face was free. His suit was black and gold, with Kevlar woven in along with trauma plates. This was his true uniform. Bast and Sen were also donning armored suits, unsure of who they'd be fighting. "So you are trying again, how adorable," called Medea. All three spun to see Medea, sporting her golden fleece, and a squad of men in robotic exo suits, the so called 'hero hunters.' They stared down at the three future vigilantes, weapons at the ready. Medea herself was leaning against the railing of the stairwell that lead to their little hideout. "I was afraid your loss to Tiberius would have weakened your resolve."

Achilles paled slightly as Bast and Sen backed away, hands up and ready for a fight. "Weaken my resolve? Never…we're just preparing for the next real fight. When I face Tiberius next, he wont get away so easily."

Medea grinned as she looked down at her creation. "I'm sure, but I intend to help. Bast, Sen come to me," said the woman, holding her hand out. The two Tamaerians shared a nervous glance, but Achilles nodded slightly. The two floated into the air. "Good children," purred Medea as the pair flew towards her. "My men will give each of you your own aegis, your own fleece. With these," she said as she held up her wrist. "You will subdue our wayward comrades, and make them remember just what it is we fight for." Bast and Sen hesitantly landed in front of Medea. She smiled as she waved her hand, two cronies each held up a briefcase, inside were gold bands, like Medea's. Sen stared at his sister then at Medea before snatching the metal up. The band felt cold as he slipped it on. When nothing happened, he nodded to his sister who did the same. They stared at the bangles unsure. "Don't worry, they haven't been activated yet," stated Medea. "For now they're just pretty. Achilles, come we have much to discuss."

Achilles nodded. "Yes ma'am, right away." He shot his team a look as he quickly joined the scientist.

Medea smiled as she toyed with a small vial in her hand. When Achilles met her at the top of stairs she jammed the vial into an injector rig. "My dear boy, when the time comes, use this, and no one, not even A'lexx will stop you," she murmured as she handed the injector over. Achilles' eyes widened as he took the gift. "Don't look so scared, after all, mommy's here." Medea giggled as Achilles tried to control his shiver.

"Yes ma'am."

Medea took Achilles' arm as she walked down to the warehouse. "And soon we'll collect our wayward children and we'll be one big happy family again."

Achilles nodded. "Yes ma'am, one big happy family," he repeated.

Back in the city, it was Batman and Wildcat who found Trey and his gang. Wildcat landed on a roof, pulling out a set of binoculars as the Jokerz thrashed a group of T's. "Look like Terminal's desperate to send a message."

"With Scarecrow in custody, I can understand. Still, we can't have gangers beating each other up, otherwise who else would we fight," answered Terry.

"Do you plan on stopping them some time tonight?" demanded Bruce.

"On it!" called both teens as they jumped into the fight. It didn't take long to subdue the gangers. The T's were barely alive and the Jokerz, as soon as they saw costumes tried to run. Key word, try.

As Batman wrapped up the last of Trey's gang, Wildcat dragged the leader away for a little private talk. "Screw you kitty kat I aint got nothing to say," growled the clown.

Wildcat grinned as she threw Trey against a wall. "I aint here to interrogate you, that's his job," she pointed over her shoulder as Batman stalked over.

"Hey Trey, remember me?" asked Batman. His grapple shot out, wrapping around Trey's legs, then the hero shot into the air, the Joker coming with him, unwillingly. Batman landed on a roof, Trey dangling off the edge. "We're gonna have a conversation you and I."

Wildcat joined her friend when Trey dropped in front of her. Once airborne Terry opened up a radio line. "Apparently Terminal's gone even crazier. He's not even trying to run the gang, he's just….acting out."

"Sounds like we have a Joker following in the first's footsteps," murmured Selina as she listened in.

"I know Terminal was fragged but that's crazy even for him!" agreed Max.

Bruce leaned forward, hands laced in front of him. "Whether or not he has a greater plan doesn't matter, right now all that matters is making sure his Jokerz aren't running amok. As it is, we have enough to deal with just with Spartoi on the loose. For now stay on top of the Jokerz, and keep an eye out for anyone else."

"Right!"

"Roger."

As for Nightwing, he was perched in Old Gotham, the night had been quiet. And Nightwing was thinking. He knew Spartoi wouldn't stop hunting him, not as long as they or he survived. And he couldn't bring himself to put his new family in danger. But…after all he's been through, could he honestly fight alone? Finally he nodded to himself. "Bruce…Auntie, I'm going after Spartoi. Alone." Yes, he could, and he will. This way, only Drake was the one in danger. As it should be. Before either could respond, Nightiwng deactivated his radio. Taking a deep breath, Nightwing's wings snapped out and he rocketed off into the night.