Teen Titans; Galactic Eros Arc – Finale - Chapter 9: Regrouping and Master Plans

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/

Pacing the hallways, Shoji's office was safe for a second recoop session; yet, Ayane had only just recovered the codes from their mysterious hacker…

Robin, Aiden, Anna, Raku, Haru and Kaede with Ami and even Yumi; who'd hopped on the first train back, all were in Shoji's office.

"We double checked the security? No bugs or cameras? Good." Shoji sleeked back his black hair and with a laboring sigh, then began the briefing.

Robin cleared his throat. Happy to assist in making Anna look bad. "So, you had a run – in with an old foe…But now? We have a little bit of a problem."

He stared over at Aiden and Raku, who were trying to forget the entire ordeal. Aiden had been hypnotized to stay put, but he couldn't remember the face of his attacker.

"Could have been the Princess." Anna snorted. "You were all over that bubbly – diva, but wasn't she in Jump, was she?? Why didn't you guys keep her –

"Dami had no idea about her recent team - up with Lady Shiva and Slade." Shoji lied. "Aiden was the target of Mir originally, but Slade you said…tried to take Ami?"

"Yeah! It was…um… -

"Ami – chan was humiliated!" Growled Kaede to the other dog, as she finished that sentence for her traumatized charge.

"We are also upset, yet if he is to ever be defeated –

Dami responded. "We have to not fly off the handle and blow things up."

Aiden rolled his eyes and replied. "Great, so you think we are a family of arsonists…." He sighed.

Raku lowered his head at Aiden's remark.

"I…was able to keep her from doing more, but… -

Vee scoffed and did show up in Shoji's eyes. ~ Yet…you almost shook apart reality… Ah, look, I didn't want to say it, but I think Kazuya should stay with you guys, gull – time to –

"He wasn't there! Why are you letting him do anything, if –

A knock came at the door as the infamous fox Inari - Sama popped its head in. Having Yumi blushing, no less, he took to removing his shoes as he entered through the hall.

"Kaz –

"Call me Inari, right now…and I heard. There is a problem. Was the team in mortal danger?"

"YES!" Haru groaned out. "WE were ATTACKED! Ami – chan is still all shaky! Seriously? Our spells were of no use!"

Inari in Kazuya's boy ignored the kit, to speak up.

"Raku, almost broke the promise he made to his friends? That does sound serious…I'll have him first think tomorrow to cap that energy if you –

"Why aren't you guys worried about the fact, that they got away??" Anna stood up from her seat and reuked a bit.

"Aiden is Mir's target, but Raku's been poisoned or was and he just…. Straight up, attacked her. We could use his powers; he's not a real threat, but we will be under one if that damn weed is allowed to touch my family, again!"

"You're scent…." Inari sniffed the air. "You, are afraid –

"Of course, I am! –

"Of, him." The fox concluded.

/

" He's the enemy!" Anna gritted her fists, meaning Slade by that lone description. "Raku is just an ally who is like me…so, I kind of understand now. Astarte taught me to keep my fire from going hay wire." She let go, to add to the foxes in the room.

"But Aiden isn't a fan of magic. You say witches, he says "cheesy sitcom!"

She explained. "If you tell me that same joke from the same person's stand up, I think it has to be dealt with however it will take to bring a bad guy to justice. Aiden had a chance to get Raku to trust us, but you ran off, Lil' Bro. I don't think being a guardian is easy, but –

" I'm the one who kept Raku from being thrown in a cell in space – time!" Aiden shouted back. Raku covered his ears as Inari saw the rooted tension. It was toxic to the child under their care. Two fires; both in separate directions. Which way would they spread to have the forest as before? A fertile ground for new beginnings.

"Like he was a chore, like we all see you being right now –

"He's trying." Raku defended the blonde. He had to try…

"I cannot keep my powers well, with Ignito…He, he wants me to grant wishes and plant seeds of destruction…that must be why I cling to his light…" Aiden looked to his charge. Why…was he saying all of this?

"Ignito is a part of my old self that could erase me…my family…I don't want to go back…. I want to try harder to be a guardian like all of you! Please! It was all my fault…I –

"NO ONE is really at fault here." Shoji said this, and Inari with the other adults agreed.

"Slade and his partner are a danger to us too." Ayane continued. "His master hacking was due to a program that was installed by an intruding company drone. A machine that simply got its hands on that much power. We intercepted it, and just barely shut down the drone."

"Scary." Ami nibbled her nails. "Haru? Did Kaede get the poison out of her system alright?"

Haru nodded. "It was gone by the time the plant maiden had fled." She explained, while Kaede had an ice pack to her temples. "Most, of it…" The older fox sibling grunted in response.

"Well, we should continue to work in teams. They have ways now of countering our attacks, with ten –

"Tendrils." Yumi corrected Ami's choice of words. She knew that was coming from a mile away.

"Well, what can Inari even do to protect him? Aiden would be a perfect fit IF he cared enough to watc our backs –

"What?? I was hypon –

"You just took off! You deserted us when we could have used your fire power, ass! –

"Ann, you have a fire too." Ayane reminded the red headed soldier. "You can't be a bad example in front of your comrades."

"Sure, side with the denialist, over here –

"Are you trying to get me angry, Ann?? I'm not losing my mind! I'm fine –

"Then, is this??" She pointed around to everyone in the room.

"I think Inari should train you to focus. I'm sensing something that's ticked me off from the firs time I stepped off of that train."

"Sensed?" Kaede looked up. "Precognition, maybe?"

"Don't know. But…Aiden hanging around this city…Now, I don't know what to make of the interpretation I had –

"Then, try to first master that fear." Inari added in. "Aiden is allowed to partake in my lessons, but they will not be to fight. Raku's magic is a gentle sort if used to better himself and his environment mirrors this."

"All Zen and no Edo – period dramatics?" Shoji snorted at the fox lord with a smirk.

"I had some growing to do as well; I still protect Amaterasu's strength. Without her light, my crops would wither and wilt."

"Oh, so it's a mutual thing between gods…Well! That settles it, then!" Shoji clapped his hands and had come to a verdict.

"While Raku and Aiden are in their new place, Inari will be staying as long as he needs to see to Raku's control returning to him and Aiden becoming more reliable in HIS role."

" THANK YOU." Anna sighed and swung her head back to tip it into her chair.

/

Nightwing needed to do some digging, a way to find out the truth.

Deathstroke had a contract; possibly with Lex, and possibly to piss off the Titans.

But, for him…personally?

Slade was barking up the wrong tree.

He logged into his main computer and had a lock on target. This game of cat and mouse was over. Slade was still out to ruin him…Dick had to find out. With a faint call in, his lock was found.

"It's ringing…" He rested his head in his hands, then folded one of them to lean on his desk with a cheek to his palm.

"Come on. I know you're there…Pick up –

~ Hello? ~

Seriously; time was no master to him.

Dick smirked and had his words ready to wing it by the old man.

"Hi? Is this the Wilson Family residence?" He asked; in a rather obnoxious and upbeat tone.

The person on the other line must have gotten the gist, as they paused before replying.

~ I thought I recognized that familiar, pitch. How are you doing these days, Dick? ~

/

"As full of myself as you remember, pal." Dick was immediately thrown into "bad cop" mode. All part of the job description.

A chuckle was heard through the link. Funny. None of it should have been a hoot.

~ I expected a call from Wintergreen, but you're timing was impressive. It's about four in the afternoon where I am, currently. What about you? It must be well past your bedtime. ~

For once, Slade made some sense, here. It was twelve A.M. and Dick had only timed his naps to make it this far.

"Ah, kidding. I wanted to catch up, as "friends." Find out if you've strapped a bomb to the president's chest again."

~ Me? A little Avant guard at my age, Dick. You should know that I favor this mask of deception above all else. ~

"And I love how you've just broken your promise to us; even after we settled things back in Jump city a year ago." Dick frowned. "No more. Talk. I saw what Anna's been up to and it has your name written all over it. Why are you doing any of this, what's your motive?" He egged on, to know what the man was planning.

~ Is daddy dearest, that blind to my intentions? Well, I may have to cut you off; Anna didn't come to me, it was purely by coincidence that her involvement in the missions and locations given to her, were where my contracts were located as well. They, were not one and the same. The motives were apart from each other and we both wanted someone out of the way. ~

"I find that hard to believe… and Shoji hired you to watch out for my son?? I know that's got to be a mistake. What are up to?? Especially with your pal, Luthor –

~ He needed some extra protection, so I was paid handsomely to offer up my services. It's all business, Grayson. You, knew that. ~

"Did I tick you off, already? Forgot you aren't a fan of being proven wrong. One win for me, then." Dick stretched and leaned back in his seat. His last name was being used, which meant the loss of being off of first name basis was a "reprimand" for being Slade's longest time rival. But he'd let the man shut him out, call him by his last name if he questioned too often. His first name, was a reward. A trifle… This was not going to end well if he was cut off again.

~ You're rushing things for yourself, anti – hero. That S.P.Y.R.A.L Nonsense left you soft…How do you intend to catch me? ~

Slade tutted the other man, as if he were still a kid fighting for his life, tooth and nail.

"Nightwing is a hero to you, and even "Batman" agrees." Snorted the ebony haired cop. "I took my meals later than usual to find a way to track you down."

~ Why not come and find me, then? ~

Dick froze up, but shook his head.

"Your offer would have been tempting to "Robin," but I know when to back away from strangers with candy in the back of their cars."

~ Does the added humor help you to sleep at night, Dick? ~

"Smiling is a muscle I work to the best of my abilities, unlike the mask you put on – I don't try to play the bad guy. I do play the game, well enough. Anna, you'll tell me what you want with her. Now…Believe me; Kori is pretty upset and we both have a feeling that Ann's hiding the truth from us because she doesn't know what you really are."

~ Not as the lovable bastard that your Titans constantly fought to stop. ~ Joked the criminal with a sigh. ~ I never was one for humoring myself. You, however? I could do so all day long, without tiring…. However, you've caught me in between roles so I'll leave you with this;

Dick leaned in and waited by the speaker.

~ Anna has a very powerful fire to her. Deadly, even. More determined than yours was, but not as well disciplined. She lacks control, even after having a war goddess like Astarte to train her…She still needs proper –

"You think YOU should be the one?? Is that it?? Slade! We know that Anna is struggling with her powers but YOU don't get to decide what she does with them." Dick fumed and seething forced himself to calm down. As the desk's surface was gripped harshly while his rage subsided... Slade was just, insufferable! Anna…. he wanted to…How did the man get under his skin like that?

"She won't be an assassin or a weapon... You won't lay a finger on ANY of them, do you hear me ??"

~ Hmm, I knew you wouldn't get it, Richard. What I'm trying to do isn't to take her on as my protégé…~

He said this as Dick's hairs stood on end.

"You…. You!? –

~ I'm here to liberate her. A war is coming, and you'll need all the help you can get. The alien fleet from before? They would drain her power to light up a dozen of their cities, if given the chance… Your youngest is, quite the natural but too unable to defend herself. She needs to be extra careful around this new, looming threat... My employer made it clear that one of your children would be my target…. But Anna's fate? Is a personal matter. ~

"And I take my family very seriously, Slade. You won't come after them, or the Titans –

~ As long as I wear this "mask," Dick…I'm invincible. You need to win your own battles, or did that affliction really put you –

"It was because of what you tried on me back in Bludhaven!" He stood up as a vein would have gladly burst by that added comment. "I can't even sleep without wanting to make you pay for that time…."

~ We had fun though, didn't we? At least, Nightwing had the thrill. You need it back more than ever…Why not tempt fate, like before. ~

"The dust….it left me with something that could kill a person in their sleep." Dick changed the man's topic to suit his own. "Your stupid stunt almost had my family in tears when it resurfaced…All of that toxicity was lethal. I was the only one –

~ And yet, I offered up a solution…but you refused to take it from me. ~

Slade knew that this time…was unexpected. A tumor. Was it there long? Maybe, but it was a danger for Richard to simply want it there any longer. The dust had messed him up in a cycle of slow release.

Causing it to stay dormant…

Until…

~ How about I give you the antidote, to ease your suffering. No strings. ~

"There is always a catch with you."

~ Stubborn, aren't you – Mr. Vigilante. Well, I'll send it by this week…. And…How I hate to see you suffer –

"You're no friend of the Titans." Dick stated this, firmly, but it wavered. And Slade knew, how linked they really were.

~ It's a remarkable serum, you already had a dose, don't you recall?...~

"Which is why you don't need to give me reasons for another sip of your blood, Mr. Vamp."

Slade shrugged and understood. He'd send it anyway. In Bludhaven, Dick had made him a promise.

~ You wanted to be there for them. The tumor will heal IF you take your medicine. ~

"How the doctors kept missing it, makes me think you cloaked half my brain with your psycho – tech."

~ If there ever were a way, I'm sure your team of heroes would be first in line to try out the prototype. ~

"It's not fun for us, Slade. Call off the hit –

~ Dear, Leader. Not a hit…A capture. Was I unclear? ~

"Wait…You?? Who are –

The link was breaking. The reception was dying off.

"No…No! Come back! You have to tell me! Your target can't be ...It ca –

The link next, was a plain tent on Dick's cell. Glowing white, he picked it up and gripped the thing tightly.

The unknown number's text had the image of a dragon. And twin images of a sun and moon to just make his day even brighter.

"He's going after them…I can't stay. I have to…go there. Shut down their operation."

Another link, and an address. In Tokyo.

Shit. They were already too late.

Dick sank into his chair and moaned. They'd fallen right into enemy hands.

And his kids were about to end up victimized because of HIS actions.

/

Robin's detective skills in Jump were adequate, but Dick? He was not one to lose his cool like that.

Slade knew it, fatherhood had made him soft. He could fix that. The Bludhaven incident had been a real game changer. Slade's enemies had gotten ahold of a copy of the army's old – super serum, but…Nightwing had crashed their party and life or death…He'd gotten injected with the stuff. The kids were in grade school back then, and Ami hadn't had a chance to use her magic yet. He was on a run in with some shady people that led to he and Slade staying close, while Dick recovered with the merc's help.

Well, he'd been quite the freeloader, but Dick couldn't have told them that. It would leave him in shambles. Batman didn't even know about their arrangement.

So, the decision? Dick would keep in contact with the man while he looked for a way to lessen the toxic effects of the faux serum. The tumor wasn't really one, just a simple way to keep Dick from flying off. Besides, staying side by side like this felt nostalgic. Dick was the only Robin he'd even go toe to toe with. Damian was too dominating. Tim, a bit inflexible. And anyone else who stood in his way?

Well, he'd made his pick. If Dick lived through the trials, he could always reconsider the offer. A partner? No. But somewhat of an equal. Being a cop must have been frustrating. He had years left until retirement.

But, the kids were genuinely Dick's. Anna was a spitting image of his ruthless side, while Aiden was a culmination of his insecurities and raw potential. Ava might have been unrelated by blood, but she was his focus, and Ami? His spirit. How interesting that to Slade, the kids were as the same "aspects" that Roku had stuck inside of HIS own son. Roko; his madness. Rokou; his determination and anger. Hakuro; his hope. And Rokuro? His all. Like Aiden was. Richard Ainsley was the true vessel of the selves at the time, but the heroes' perception of "Aspects" and the like was getting a bit rusty. So was his view of apprentices it seemed…

The kid now; the daemonic jinn son, Raku…He still was unaware of what he could do. Or rather?

He tried to keep that part of himself locked away.

He was unstable, and Slade had a plan to get Aiden to give in, without a fight. Ami was a power – source, of that he was sure. But Raku…was Aiden's Achilles. Aiden would let them in, to destroy the hero's legacy.

Of this? Nightwing would surely reconsider his offer. There was a war, and it wasn't from space and the galactic terror of Drenthax.

But truly, it was what Astarte had fed him, told him to be aware of when the time arrived.

Now…Ava inn her cycle of the moon, was prone to being the remaining lone wolf that watched from afar. Just like the wolf Lady Aneiu…Yet, she was strategic. She'd trained as both a warrior and an delegate to her mysterious nation of ice and frost.

Too bad that was going to end soon. He'd learned this from Astarte dropping an ugly hint after Lilu had been sent packing. Ava was just another catalyst to be damned by the ones who had given her those powers back in the first place.

He'd seen Aiden in action, also. He wouldn't fight even if you forced him into a battle. Anna was more "kick – butt" ready at all times. He'd see about her falling first.

The rest would play out. Besides…Mir had a lock on her target.

Mir was currently, still getting ready for their nightly events. Slade checked his watch. Mainly, past the hour. "Are you ready to work out the rest with Shiva, tonight? While we're young –

Mir came from out of the bathroom, hoping on one foot. She had a dress on that made Slade's black tie optional look like it was a rental. She was still fixing her shoes and hair.

~What a princess…~

"Aww, you tried. I did the most damage, today….Did I fail to tell you?" She turned round in her pale orange dress, asking him to zip her up. He did, without being part Jackass in doing so. It make her look like a damn princess. Him? Getting on his hands and knees was not cutting it close. In a way, how she held herself was just like her mother. Haughty, rude.

Powerful and prideful.

Not too puffy, but she could work those heels…wow.

Even at her age…

"Mother hates my power, but it comes in handy to coerce the opposite sex. Actually, we crave life energy to sustain us. Mom and Dad had a falling out; mom was no one's blood bank…But, it's not their blood we crave…But…their hearts…"

"Thrilling. I've dealt with demonic succubus and harpies. This is no different."

"I'm a drop dead vixen, thank you!" She huffed and found her hands round his neck. His skin turned cool at her touch. Like a stun from some sap, she exuded onto him, psychically. He was willing to push her away if she tried anything on him as he slept.

"My pheromones are top notch…Right now, the Chosen boy you talk so fondly about is going to meet…Tomorrow. He's so smitten with Miranda, that he can't even tell what I'm going to do to his team… -

"We have a problem with that. You could be found out. Damian is here, and so are the damn dogs. The best tactic is to go after their weakest link and have them come to us."

"You propose, who?" She tilted her head to the side.

"The one who wants to meet. And I know how to get them onto on our side."

"The red – head…she's pretty lethal."

"Just an act. She's a woman still trying to control her powers. I've gotten to know that she's questioning her own loyalty enough to make a change. IF we lay on some pressure. But…I need Shiva and you to keep the heroes out of my hair while I work. Tonight, we have plans to exact. Lex is expecting the trade to go as he wishes."

"What are we? Lackeys? I'm a princess of a swamp planet, and Shiva and you are hired –

"We are killers. But, then again, your loyalty is also questionable."

"Am I really that untrustworthy?" She drew an S on his chest with her finger.

He snatched it up, earning a pout from the princess.

"Yes. We all have some motive that keeps us from becoming Lex's expendable soldiers. I have plans that don't include going home empty handed."

"Same." Mir shrugged off his touch.

"You never needed training, did you child?"

Mir smiled up at him, deviously. "Nope. I just wanted to see that look on your face. Was my bed of roses just as wonderful as you'd hoped?"

"It was, an experience that any day spa could top. Do I need to punish that lip of yours?'

"Oh!" She snarled at his face as he chuckled. "I was told to give you a chance to do what you do best, but make no mistake."

She was again busy; getting into her heels to make them extra tight, no trips on this ego - tripping experience.

"I'm not a pet to anyone." Slade stated. "You'd better remember why Lex is sticking his neck out for some spoiled brat."

" Royal, brat." She pushed back her blonder look and smirked up at the man, as he extended an arm to help her from the chair that she'd sat in to tighten herself up.

"Now princess, this is just, business… We won't have you causing a commotion in the lobby, not tonight." He brought her to face him, his goatee far too close up. Her arm now tightly in his grip. Was that cologne? Oh, he'd countered it. Touché. Anti – serum in a scented format…hum….to evade her pheromones. What a fussy man she'd been roped into working with…

"If you do anything to ruin this job, you'll be sent back to Drenthax to tell your queen about how you lost HER target."

He made Mir gulp. "Mama wouldn't like that…"

"Daddy, would be so cross…."

"He's dead."

"I wasn't talking about him…" The man leered over Mir, as her cheeks flushed hotly. "I'm ready. Let's meet Shiva and rest later, for another fight."

"Wise choice." Slade released the young woman's arm as they set off from the hotel suite to head towards their ride out into the night.

/

As of now, the Titans had decided. Maxima was not in Jump, but in Metropolis. She'd found a place to stay and even decided to push the envelope with a Kryptonian stranger from way back in the day.

She made her way; disguised, into the Daily Planet. Wanting to have a talk with its head reporter.

"Mir is doing as she pleases, but I have beef with the League. Why not have a little fun on our vacation?" She entered, and the noise she encountered upon doing so, was a real culture shock to the alien warrior.

"I need about fifty pages worked on in the next hour – anybody got the time? Come on, people! We are rolling back the clock. I don't care how man god- forsaken hours we give the Times. We are not ending up in the trash, tomorrow! Pump a much as you want about those "supers," But don't come cryin' to me –

"Ah! Clark. I got you on call with Lois this Friday. You are getting the dirt on –

"Well, well…"

She came by as if just there to open the door with grace and poise. The room for the chief here was drab. Clark, was fab.

Her dark hair and summer wear wasn't unappealing, but the sophisticated look had to be toned down.

"Ah! Our newest employee. I got your memo, Clark? Lois? Meet Maxine. She's gonna be heading your department for the next few months. I hope you brought your camera –

"Right here, chief –

"Well, good to know Lois is still my best of the best. We might as well have you head on out to grab that scoop. Maxine? Keep an eye on those two, will ya?" He seemed so bright eyed over her that Lois had to be suspicious. It was her job to have a scoop, sure!...But, this timing was too coincidental to be safe.

Clark seemed to be the same; they wee soulmates, they knew how to stay on their toes.

~ Either she's a spy, or something is going to happen…~

Clark shook the boss's hand before taking his leave with his company's best. Now, one addition would have to be monitored. By land or sea, he'd be on her just like any crime fighter.

Her signature was too similar to his own.

Maxine, wasn't human.

/

Back in Gotham, Bruce had a couple of questions. A few; including….

Where was Damian going? He'd just dropped off the face of the Earth. Dick was also out of range, and at his age, nothing was new.

Not even his grandkids.

Grandpa, the word tasted strange. Truth be it, Ra's pool made it so he could keep fighting the good fight. Even when he'd wanted to be like Alfred and lounge about in retirement.

Never. Not Bruce. Not The Batman.

Damian wasn't a good or bad fit for the role, but Dick had left the cowl behind as Nigthwing…He was also hiding a few secrets since his run – in with some foes in Bludhaven.

"What is it, though…" Batman thoughtfully rubbed his chin and searched the globe for those dumb kids.

A few minutes later, he tried a different approach and called –

/

The phone rang. Starfire was just getting up off the sofa with her morning coffee in hand. She waltzed up to the line and plucked it from the receiver. "Hello? This is Kori; am I speaking to –

~ Hi, Koriander. ~ Bruce nervously cleared his throat. Now or never…

"Oh! Mr. Wayne! What brings you to call our residence so early in the morning?"

Shaking his head, Bruce tried to reiterate. She was being so formal, being a Princess as he imagined…

~ Call me Bruce, Starfire. You don't need to be so formal. Dick is my family too, so I hope you'll –

"I simply called you "Mr. Wayne," out of respect." Starfire frowned. "You of all people should know that the formalities between classes is distinctly –

~ I know you're putting up a front. ~ He interrupted. ~ But, this call is urgent…Starfire. I need to know if Dick is –

" Richard, is out. He will not be returning for a few weeks."

~ Wait, why didn't he –

"His family is more important, Mr. Wayne." Starfire narrowed her gaze. "You of all people must realize what he and I have done without your aid all of these years. The children do not know, yet we still allow them to keep "in touch" with their grandfather. I would not like this silent war to divide us, yet Dick has made it clear to -

~ He is hiding something from all of us, Starfire. And it involves a plan that is now becoming a problem. You didn't sense this, but I've had a hunch. ~

Starfire shut her mouth before returning the man's words back into his own face.

"Dick and I are keeping up with his treatments! He is very sick at times….and….and you could not possibly –

~ And we are the only two others who know what happened, back that year when he was changed…You refuse to accept it, but I can't let –

"He is NOT a threat!" Starfire screamed into the phone with her ear and eyes burning.

"Your SON has done more than you can imagine just to be the best he can be for us! He does not hurt me, which is more than I can say for a paranoid man such as "Mr. Wayne…" She fumed, while in the background at Wayne Manor, Alfred was snickering to his amusement.

"Alfred…. This is between –

"Sorry, but if I may, Sir?"

Bruce groaned and turned the line over to his dear companion.

"Mrs. Koriander! How are you doing these fine days, my dear?"

~ Oh, Mr. Pennyworth! It is a joy indeed to hear your voice…I fear that my temper may be a bit….much, yet Mr. Wayne has the nerve to call and complain about my dear Hrrnsnurlin! ~

"Yes, you must however excuse Master Bruce." The older gent winked to his ally, the Bat. Bruce lowered his head. He was just as smooth with woman as a grizzly old timer was with a political outburst on TV.

~ Why must I pity someone who knows of what he says to be untrue?~ She retaliated. ~ Mr. Wayne is unaware of my husband's medical condition. There is no "lump" or abscess," and yet the doctors have yet to uncover the diagnosis; he is started to show signs….and we must no battle one another, not while the children still believe us to be on better terms with your, sir. ~

Such proficiency, it was almost scary. But, at the same time, so too was the Brit right across the country far from the princess's ear. He prized his clarity and wisdom above all else.

She must have done the same thing.

"I believe he means well, yet Dick…. You must know what we have discovered…About a character he'd rendezvoused with in that time in Bludhaven. I believe you had first stayed in San Francisco for your second year. Dick was on a covert mission, with an old ally on a team called " S.P.Y.R.A.L."

And so, Al told Kori about the events that led to a solution beng made up for an affliction that had already been partly addressed by the cop's unlikely foe; a rescue from a man that made Kori's lip wobble.

"Deathstroke took it upon himself to nurse Dick back to health. He was unable to be traced until into his fourth week, he was ready to contact us. He told us about his team and how things had…not been for the best of circumstance. He however, never relayed a word about Slade and his interventions…"

"Even if I had known, then Dick's pursuers might have been brought to justice." Bruce spouted, while Kori rolled her eyes. She was still angry at him.

~ My husband, he is…better in the bedroom than in a while, and also his fatigue only hits before he again up with his computer all hours of the night. ~

"A light delay, sir?" Al turned to Bruce, who pondered the confession Kori had just given.

"He's not showing any signs of enhanced aspects; brain power or…Even strength?"

~ Please. Even Slade cannot best my Tamaranean will. ~ Starfire huffed. She also hated the anti – bat as equally as the real deal.

Al saw the corners of Bruce's mouth twitch into a mild smirk. "I don't disagree, Dick won't be left to face this threat all alone. I want to make up for my many misdeeds. So, please. Let the JLA know enough to put Slade and Night wing's attackers behind bars."

/

There is one more arc on the way. This one is still in the middle. Hope you enjoyed the previous brawl! Read on and stay curious!

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