The arrival back to the Watch Tower was silent, all in respect to Zacharias or Zachary as he was actually called, but we used Zacharias. "Aquaman called ahead to say you had the weapon?" Handing the bag over to Black Canary, my brain dragged me to the window seat that allowed me to view Earth. For hours, I was sitting all alone. Reflecting on Zach and who he was. How he brought me to Doc and Drew, they were the ones who saved me.
"Hey," a voice greeted softly. Glancing up I smiled at Clark. "They've finished the autopsy and confirmed that the cause of death was drowning." Nodding, he sat in front of me though I pretended he didn't exist. "The Team knows you put a lot on the line every day as Evelyn Blackwell the civilian. We all can't fathom what you'll go through now that your name is being tied to the hero world."
"Nor do I, but it will continue on. Whether Zach's here or not, there will always be bad guys that need chasing. The balance of good and evil to remain." Clark squeezed my hand gently and I chuckled. "He's gone but yet the air is still the same. Probably the denial that he's gone."
"More than likely, but there's something he never got his chance to tell you. He was always proud of you. The League only had it confirmed by Kaldur when he was told, but Zach dropped hints about you. Mentioned the kid he saved was making him proud by taking a stand against evil." A very unbecoming snort slipped out of me before I could contain it.
"Zach was like that. He would drop hints about something until you took the hint. He did that with me while I lived on Oak Street. Finally one day, I snapped. Took his advice and went with him to see my aunt and uncle. They built Techna as a persona for me. Gave me a story. A purpose."
Diana and Black Canary finally joined us as well. "Kaldur is just finishing the digital filing of the case. He said you had the worst time with that case." Nodding, Dinah looked at me. "Why didn't you send someone else with the boys to go get Zach?"
"He's had my back and I've had his. It's how we work. We'd help each other after calling each other out on being a dumb person. Him going after Dylas alone was one of the stupidest things he could have done and it cost him. But I knew I could deal with Dylas and his creatures which is why I asked Kaldur and Nightwing to come with me. They could handle the creatures and I could handle Dylas. It was my trust in them that made the choices."
"You trust the Team?"
"Always have. Despite how much I hid from them, my trust in them was unwavering. I had been planning to tell them eventually about me being Evelyn Blackwell, but the reveal of Dylas Blackwell made me put that plan on hold."
"Batman mentioned something about Dylas in his past and how you all resided in Gotham as normal citizens."
"My father, despite his maniac killing streaks, was a good man. He worked for Wayne Industries. A damn good employee and made good money. One day he snaps and says he's returning to the world of assassins. Mom followed as well because apparently he was taking initiative. They dragged me with them to a League of Shadows base and I spent 3 years learning from them. After that we return, but we got separated. Nightwing and his brother find me and advise I cleaned my act up before something happened that I wouldn't be able to stop. So I did. After that I vowed to make myself invisible to the Blackwells though it failed," I answered. We heard boots thumping across the floor, before we saw Nightwing come in looking sad. "You do not look happy." His face honestly looks like it's being forced to even look straight and annoyed.
"Mourning Zach is hard enough," he answered looking at me. "That's why this is going to be hard to ask of you. Batman had an idea and it's ingenious, but it also will take class A acting from you." Standing, he motioned for me to follow him. "Ra's and Talia still are members of the Light and their Shadow Assassins follow their every command. They've made plans to stand against Dylas Blackwell. So they want someone from our organization inside."
"So who's going in?" Batman walked over and rested a hand on my shoulder. "You want me to go in?" He nodded and I sighed looking over Earth. "I can't do it alone. I need a right hand."
"You will have one. For two weeks you will be all alone. But then, Nightwing will send you a message about who we've selected as your right hand and where they will meet you," he informed. Shaking my head, he glared at me.
"I know who I want to go with me. Someone who I trust without a doubt. Someone who's shown that we work well together and helps me. Nightwing, when the time is right, I want you to come into deep cover with me," I answered.
"I would think you'd want Kaldur'ahm," King Orin responded walking out and looking at me. Okay my face is warming up which isn't pleasant.
"Kaldur is a trusted friend and I trust him fully, but I do not want for him to be in harm's way. Besides, he'll be of more use here with the Justice League. Besides his calm demeanor will be helpful to my aunt and uncle when they return. Their son was just killed. Besides, I have a better plan. I'm going to infiltrate Dylas's organization. But not through the Light. Through Dylas himself," I answered. Everyone looked at me scared.
"Techna will have to remain your true hero identity if you do that," Clark warned and I nodded at him knowing that it was the truth. "Very well. When you leave tonight, you'll keep your identity but you will become a fugitive to us. Only the ones here will know about what you're doing. We'll act surprised though when you reveal yourself. All for the sake of the justice of people."
"Agreed," I sighed. For the next few hours, I removed all tracers from my clothes and slipped on an outfit before taking daggers and Escrima sticks from Ra's. "I promise that I know you are good. But I can't promise that some of your assassins will survive. With what you taught me, I will have to use it against them to gain entry to Dylas."
"Understood child," he answered before I began walking out of the Watch Tower smiling sadly at Nightwing and Kaldur before leaving.
The streets of Gotham aren't safe to begin with, but with Dylas running loose, it's even less safe. Before I even could hesitate my instincts kicked in and I felt it. Someone approaching to attack me. Gripping their arms, I slammed the body into the wall and growled as I saw my mother. "So little Evelyn has finally revealed herself."
"Correct," I spat before committing the same act I know Dylas did. Killing my own blood. Slashing my dagger through the throat of my mother, I braced myself for the blood, only to find wires. "A robot?"
"Impressive." Glancing back I saw my dad waiting. "I was wondering how long your act would continue. I figured you out from day one little one." My snarl remained etched on my face and he snickered. "How long would it take for them to lose all trust in you? Their friend? The one they contact for Techna's sake?"
"Not long," I confessed.
"It's time to switch sides. Come join the side that wants who you really are. The destroyer," he responded. Nodding I followed him down darker alleys to where it was clear he had an army of these creatures. "You will be able to have so many more chances to expose people to the fearing that is you."