"Nightwing?"
Starfire looked curiously at Nightwing as he stared blankly in front of him. He didn't budge from hearing Starfire's voice.
"Nightwing?"
This time, Nightwing noticed and immediately swung his head towards Starfire.
"Starfire...thank God...you're awake."
"As are you, but our friends have not woken from their slumber."
"They will...eventually..."
Starfire kept looking at Nightwing. It made him feel very uncomfortable.
"Um...what is it, Star?"
"Normally, when we are bound like this, you find a way to free yourself and then free us."
"Sorry Star, they took all my gadgets, even my secret ones...we're going to be here for a while..."
After a few seconds of silence, the eager Starfire asked another question.
"What about us?"
Nightwing raised an eyebrow.
"Um...Star...we're still going to be stuck in here."
"No, I mean us, in the Justice League Space Station, you want to talk about something involving a word that starts with the letter u and the most logical solution would be us. Were you trying to talk about us?"
"I...I..."
He then sighed.
"Yes...I was trying to talk about us, but we shouldn't discuss that now, our enemies can hear us."
"So what? The contents of our relationship is of no strategic or tactical use for them. And no aspect of it can be used as an effective blackmail. Surely, there is no harm in discussing our relationship, in fact, most people encourage it. So with this in mind, I ask, what part of us did you want to talk about?"
Nightwing sighed again.
"All of them."
Starfire's curious demeanor transitioned into one of worry and slight sadness.
"All of them?"
"Star...I need..I need to be honest to you."
"But you've always been honest to me, Nightwing."
"I-I wish I have been...but no Star I haven't been completely honest with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Star...Kory...I've been..."
Starfire felt her stomach fall into the deepest chasms of her body, in her mind, the thought of an unfaithful partner filled her mind, but she had to be sure, she had to be rational.
"Nightwing...whatever you're going to say...it is alright...if what you say is true...then the very least I deserve is more of the truth."
Nightwing couldn't look at her in the eyes, her eyes' were on the verge of spilling tears. He knew what she was thinking, and she knew that she was right.
"I've cheated Star...I've been unfaithful."
Instead of bursting into tears or become inflamed with rage, she calmed herself by gulping.
"W-with who..."
Nightwing was surprised at her self-control since Tamaranians where known for actively projecting their emotions.
"Many women Star..."
She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to hold back the stream of tears, but a few droplets managed to find their way out and slide down her cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry...I-I'm so sorry..."
Her arms and ankles began to shake, subtly at first, but gradually, the shaking began wilder and wilder. Cracks began to appear on the binds that covered her limbs. Soon her head, began to shake wildly, causing cracks to appear on the bind that secured her head and neck to the chair. Before she could break herself free of her bindings, 10000 volts were sent her way causing her to scream in pain, before becoming immobilized in her seat.
"STARFIRE!"
Savage's voice boomed out of the PA system in the room they were being held in.
"Do not fret, she is not dead, but her nerves have been temporarily disabled."
"You MONS-"
Nightwing was then zapped by a mere 100 volts of electricity.
"You think I don't know what you're doing. You were trying to get her emotional so that she may gain enough strength to free herself from her bonds. Clever, but futile. Tamarians may seem like hardy creatures, but their emotions are both their strength and weakness. While she gains strength, the durability of her nerves wanes, thus the ease at which one can paralyze her. If you had truly cared for her safety, you would have known that aspect of her anatomy and try to make her as emotionless as possible."
Nightwing only grumbled.
"But the words which you have given her, they were words of truth weren't they?"
Nightwing glared, despite not knowing where to glare at.
"I don't have to talk to you."
"You don't have to, but you want to. Our conversation together may reveal little details of the topic that you've been thinking aimlessly about."
Nightwing turned away. Savage only chuckled.
"You really think I wouldn't know that you were trying to decipher the message I sent you. Sometimes I question whether you really are Mr. Wayne's protege."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Savage's laughter echoed through the facility.
"You don't know who I really am do you? Did they not debrief about me to you during the Reach crisis? I have many resources at my disposal, Grayson. I know all of the identities of your associates, in fact I could've spilled it to the government by now but that would ruin the fun of it all."
"Why keep us here? If you are capable to threatening the Justice League, surely you could've kidnap more valuable people than us. By now they trying to rescue us and you of all people should now, they will succeed."
"Tsk, tsk, defeating them now is not the purpose, stalling them is. As we speak, a multitude of resources are being assembled to take this planet and many others by force the easiest way we can."
"Storm us with an army? How pathetic, the Justice League single-handedly defeated armies more numerous than the population of Earth itself, whatever you're assembling will be a cake-walk compared to that."
"Perhaps...that is of course...if it was I who is the one assembling them...enjoy your freedom Grayson...you won't have it much longer."
Suddenly, Question and the Black Panther burst through the door with scores of henchmen flying in front of them. Black Panther took out a device that hacked the binds that secured everyone to their chairs.
Question wrapped one of Nightwing's arm around him.
"Don't worry we got you."
Black Panther effortlessly carried the unconscious Starfire, Raven, and the others on his broad shoulders. While carrying them several clicks of guns switching off their safety could be heard. Before the 7 armed henchmen could fire, they were struck by lightning. Much to Black Panther's and Question's surprise.
As the smoke cleared, a 5'10, well-muscled man of African descent donning a dark purple vest like suit and pants of same color could be seen. Black Panther could not have been more furious.
"AZARI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"I came to fight alongside YOU Father, I want to prove my worth!"
"You are not showing much worth by disobeying me and abandoning your studies!"
"Then tell me what I need to do!"
"Follow me! Hopefully, you can go home before your mother knows about this, otherwise...may the Panther God have great mercy on our souls."
Azari's once determined face shriveled into one of fear. His mother is not a mother anyone would want to anger.
"Yes...yes let's go."
"Look, I'm not Todd, I'm angry that you didn't avenge my death or anything like that."
"Then why don't you want to go back to the manor?"
"Because, let's be realistic father, what you do, what heroes, it's doesn't cut it! Not anymore...I want to handle them my way, as you handle them yours."
"But killing them is wrong."
"Then give me one reason why sparing them isn't?"
"Everybody deserves a chance to find their place in society not as criminals."
"In that case...name ten people that have found their way."
Batman remained silent.
"HAH! I knew it! I know that you see the flaw, because I, your son, can see the flaw. But, you, like me, have such a high level of pride and stubbornness that you're not willing to admit it."
"One day you will understand."
"Oh don't give me that crap. It may work on other's, but it won't on me! It work on a Wayne!"
"Come back...we can help you."
"I don't need help! I am where I'm supposed to be! Disposing crime the way it should be disposed! End of discussion father, have a good day."
Damian tried to walk past him, but as he tried to do so, Batman grabbed him by the shoulder, turned him around a hugged him tightly. Damian maintained a firm face and patted him in the back.
"I thought fathers are the ones who are supposed to do the comforting."
Batman just remained silent.
"Look, I died...twice and it may have been traumatizing for you and many others...ugh...forget it...I'm not a small-talk kind of person."
Batman still remained silent.
"Look, you don't have to give me the I miss you crap...I think if anything, being free of your hold is what I deserve right now."
Batman then let him go. Damian cleared his throat and bowed his head.
"Father."
He then continued to walk past. As he walked out of the bio-ship he saw Green Arrow talking to Garfield and a seemingly younger version of the Green Arrow himself.
"Dad, you already know that I kill, heck even you kill sometimes. Garfield over here is just doing his thing."
"But he broke the law!"
"Technically we all did."
Green Arrow scoffed at Connor before saying.
"He won't be arrested...for now."
Garfield gave Connor his props and wrapped an arm around him.
"So how's Starling city? Is it still shining lights and glow in the dark bars, and batshit crazy criminals?"
"Didn't really stay in Starling city, went around...the world...Bangkok, Taipei, Kathmandu."
"What? Bored of the murdering hero gig?"
"Nah, just want to travel, it'd be kinda lame to stay in one place for a very long time."
"Trust me, moving around a lot isn't boring, but it isn't that great either, especially since people who try to kill you can follow you."
Question with Nightwing wrapped around him walked up to Garfield.
"Where's the infirmary?"
"Oh hey Question, there's one in the bio-ship over there."
Question nodded and continued walking. Connor narrowed his eyes.
"Was that Nightwing?"
"No that was Question."
Connor pointed his thumb backwards.
"Then who's the guy wearing the blue and black unitard."
"Don't be ridiculous, Nightwing's miss-"
He turned his head and saw Nightwing be helped up by Question while walking towards the Question.
"Nightwing?! What th-"
As he turned around he saw Black Panther and his son carrying everyone else who was missing on their shoulders.
"Greetings, Garfield. I must apologize for there isn't much time."
Azari patted Garfield on his shoulder and then his cheek.
"Good to see you again Garfield, hey, you're not green anymore, very suave."
Azari then faced Connor and bowed his head.
"Long time no see, Connor. No excuse me, I must catch up with father."
Meanwhile, Garfield's eyes were twitching from the seemingly unbelievable things he's just witnessed.
"D-did I just see what I think I've seen?"
"As in Azari and his dad carrying your unconscious allies, yup. It seems legit."
"Hang on...how do you know Azari and Black Panther?"
"I told, been around the world, even the seemingly unbreachable Wakanda. Having said that, I didn't even know that you knew them as well."
"They were friends with my parents, it was bound to happen sometime...anyways, more important issues are afoot, I need to talk t-."
"Absolutely not."
Connor and Garfield looked at Batman who was towering menacingly over them.
"They are in need of medical care and will not be disturb until complete recovery, is that understood?"
They both nodded their heads. As Batman walked away, both of them whispered a silent 'Jawohl mein Kommandant'.
"Geez that guy needs some happy pills."
"Do not talk about my father like that."
Garfield turned around and saw Damian with his arms crossed glaring at them.
"Sorry...it's just.."
"He is who he is, no need to state the obvious."
"My bad."
"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to think...alone."
Garfield and Connor looked at each other before running towards the infirmary. Batman then grabbed both of their shoulders and turned them around.
"I need to speak to you."
He then glared at Connor.
"Alone."
"Come with me."
"I thought we've already settled this, I'm not getting arre-"
"Whether or not you are going to be arrested will be given attention once matters of much greater urgency is resolved."
Batman led Garfield into the Justice League's temporary base. After passing through a series of electronically guarded doors, he walked right through a wall. Garfield was startled at first, but then he too walk through the wall.
Once through the wall, Garfield found himself standing on a floating rock amidst what looked like the start of a very serious storm, yet despite seeing leaves blowing quickly by him and several small trees swaying side to side. He felt no wind.
"Where are w-"
"The Phantom Zone. The superhuman equivalent of Arkham Asylum. While I put criminals like the Joker and the Riddler in Arkham, Superman puts criminals like General Zod and Mongul in the Phanton Zone."
Garfield remembered them, they were beings that the Titans luckily didn't have to deal with. The Justice League were barely able to contain them, only their emphasis on teamwork prevented defeat.
"Where are their cells?"
"Phantom Zone doesn't have jail cells...they have something far worse."
They then walked by what looked like a shard glass, but what it really contained was the essence of the Atomic Skull, who was screaming at Batman and Garfield to let him out of there, but they didn't budge. Garfield, though, was still unnerved. As they kept walking, Garfield realized he was 'walking on air'.
"Invisible platform...Kryptonian tech."
"Uh-huh."
He reluctantly continued to walk.
They then walked past several other "glass shards", but they wisely ignore them. Batman then stopped before one large glass shard that had a very large and menacing figure who had it's back facing them. It had large grey bulky arms while wearing a blue vest like armor and boots. As the figure turned around, it revealed it's large grey head and ominous red eyes. The figure smiled.
"I've been expecting you, Batman."
He then looked at Garfield.
"And you, Reaper."
Garfield then looked at Batman.
"For a prison that seems worse than Arkham, he sure does know a lot about what's going on about the outside world."
"That's because he has a mole."
"A mole? Who?"
Batman ignored Garfield and kept facing the figure.
"I brought him to you, now bring up your end of the deal."
"Wait what?!"
The figure continued.
"Yes..yes you have. We agreed that I shall only reveal clues, not the identity of the mole himself."
"Himself?"
"Oh pardon my vocabulary, I tend to use the masculine form over the feminine form, I'm sure you can relate, seeing as French, Spanish and many of your Earthly languages follow similar principles."
"The clue, Darkseid."
"You and I know that I pull the strings here, even if I am imprisoned. The transaction has not been completed, you brought him here, but he is not of use to me where he is."
Batman then caught Garfield by surprise by grabbing him by the foot and locking him in an inescapable hold.
"He cannot escape now. Give me the mole, and then I'll give him to you."
Garfield was distraught, he didn't know who Darkseid is or why Batman was pinning him to the ground.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Darkseid then choose to give him the clue.
"As we speak, the mole is in the first line of defense the world has, in it, she has the ability to render Earth defensible or vulnerable."
Batman narrowed his eyes.
'First line of defense...the Pentagon...the CIA...MI 6, Area 51...'
"The Space-station."
"Such wit is rare among your kind, Batman. Now, give me the boy."
Batman looked down at Garfield, who's eyes were wide, full of panic and despair, told him to not do what Darkseid suggested him to do.
"Not today Darkseid."
"I see...you do know what this means don't you?"
"I'd rather see the world burn, than to see one being wipe out entire galaxies. This discussion is over."
He then picked up Garfield and ran to the exit. Garfield frowned at Batman.
"Does anyone else know of your dealings with this...Darkseid?"
"No."
He then press a button on his mask and began talking.
"Oracle teleport us and every Justice Leauge member to the space-station. Now!"
Garfield expected Batman to disappear suddenly, but it never happened.
"Oracle do you copy?"
A few seconds passed. No answer.
"ORACLE DO YOU COPY?"
"ORACLE ANSWER ME!"
Oracle could be seen sitting on her wheel-chair as usual.
However, upon closer inspection, her throat had been bent in a fashion so quick and violent, it made her head perpendicular to it.
"BARBARA GORDAN, ANSWER ME THIS INSTANT!"
Red Tornado was walking by in the corridor when he heard Batman's voice from Oracle's room. When he entered the room, he saw a non-responsive woman sitting in front of the communicator that contain Batman's voice. When he walked towards it. Large male arms wrapped around his neck from behind and dragged him outside into the corridor, when the door closing in front of him. He then formed a tornado that pushed the person grabbing him away. The person disappeared before Red Tornado could see him.
"SHOW YOURSELF!"
A woman's voice could then be heard.
"Tornado, what's going on?"
"Hawkgirl, someone's killed Oracle and I think that someone tried to kill me too!"
"Where's the Oracle?"
"She's in the room over there, I'll contact the Justice League."
He reached for his communicator, but then realized it was missing.
"Hawkgirl, my communicator is gone, let me borrow yours."
She eagerly gave him her communicator.
However as he pressed a button, a violent surge of electricity struck him, frying most of his circuits.
"What...what th-"
He was interrupted by the Nth metal mace crushing his head. Hawkgirl looked at the now headless Red Tornado.
"I'm so sorry, Red."
"You did what had to be done."
"But was in worth it."
It was then revealed the person she was talking to was Hawkman, who had a little stream of blood streaming down his blood.
"If it means the safety of Thanagar, than anything is worth it."
Hawkgirl steeled herself.
"Of course...Thanagar first above all."
"34 minutes until we have to destroy this place."
"Hopefully, it won't have to come to that."
"I'm not sure, but...if it is what I think it is."
"What, what?!"
Brainiac looked keenly at Vigillante.
"It's not an anomaly. It's a staging area."
"A staging area for what?"
"I don't know, it's too far to make a definitive statement, but given it's size...it is meant for something enormous."
"Should we contact the rest of the League?"
"If it really meant for what I think it is...contacting them is in all of our best interests."
"Don't being cryptic and actually vocalize your theory."
"Apocalypse."
"Apocalypse as in the end of the world. The burning of civilization"
"You misheard me, I meant, Apokolips, the burning planet."
ANOTHER CHAPTER. WE ARE NEARING THE END OF RISE OF REAPER AS A NEW, OUT-WORLDLY THREAT IS BEING REVEALED.
WHAT LIES FOR OUR SEMI-HERO GARFIELD IS UNKNOWN (TO YOU). SO STAY TUNED. AZARI IS NOT AN OC, HE'S THE ACTUAL SON OF BLACK PANTHER AND *SPOILER*, SO IS DARKSEID IF YOU HAVEN'T KNOWN THAT ALREADY. IMPORTANT NOTICE: I DON'T WRITE LEMONS AND I WON'T WRITE THEM ANYTIME SOON. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, I'M SORRY, BUT I JUST DON'T WRITE LEMONS.
