(AN) If its not school, its writer's block. If its not writer's block, its school. If its neither, then I'm just lazy ; )
Well, this story is still gonna happen, despite any doubts you may have. I refuse to abandon it, because what I have planned for it is just too good to let go. So, sorry for any delays and missed deadlines.
I own about 20 different Batman figures, but not the rights. (after all of those figures and comics, I should at least get a share....). Don't sue me, SUCKA!!!!
Chapter 14 A Time To Heal
Hawkgirl was sitting in the Watchtower's lookout station with a smirk on her face. She and Robin had monitor duty that night, but Robin had yet to report for it. Green Lantern had told her that he left Robin to be with Starfire to help her sort through some issues, and that he walked her back to her room.
That was two hours ago. Robin was never late for monitor duty during his time with the League.
Oh, the things going through Hawkgirls mind. She, along with every other living soul on the Watchtower, had noticed how often Robin and Starfire were around eachother. Not just being in in the presence of eachother, but those two always finding ways to shamelessly interact with eachother.
While Hawkgirl was amusing herself with the possibility of Robin's good fortune, Diana had walked into the lookout station with two cups of coffee. Diana flew up to the main console where Hawkgirl was sitting in deep thought. Diana, still in her sweater and jeans, landed behind her, noticing that someone was missing. Hawkgirl turned around to greet the amazon with her smirk still highlighting her face.
"I came to bring you and Robin some coffee", Diana said. "Where is he?"
Hawkgirl smirk grew into a smile.
"Hawkgirl?", Diana asked.
"Who? Robin?", Hawkgirl said. "Well, last anyone saw of him, he was walking Starfire back to her room."
Diana looked at Hawkgirl blankly, obviously missing something.
"That was two hours ago", Hawkgirl almost sang out..
Diana stared blankly again, then realization finally kicked as she shuddered, spilling some coffee on herself. Hawkgirl quickly stood up, taking both cups from Diana.
"Don't spill, gonna need these", Hawkgirl said taking the cups.
Diana wiped the burning coffee off of her pants, trying to prevent the wetness from setting in. She then looked back at Hawkgirl who already downed one cup of hot coffee like it were cold juice on a hot day.
"Two hours ago?", Diana said. "Haven't you tried contacting him?"
"Nope", Hawkgirl said. "I decided to give those two some...special time for one night. How they chose to use it is none of my business."
Diana listened to her reasoning while wiping away the rest of the coffee. Mid stroke of her clearing the liquid from her, Diana's head shot up and looked at Hawkgirl wide-eyed.
"Hera! 'Special Time'?", Diana nearly shouted. "They are not of proper age to begin..."
"Shhh", Hawkgirl hissed. "Don't be so loud. "
Diana closed the distance between the two, ready to question Hawkgirl.
"I find it appalling that you sit here and allow them to act upon immoral desires", Diana nearly spat at Hawkgirl.
"Relax", Hawkgirl said sitting back down in her chair. "Robin's a smart kid. He wouldn't do anything stupid, or anything that would hurt Starfire."
Diana was leering at Hawkgirl, then looked away from her in disgust.
"What's got you so worked up, Princess?", Hawkgirl said mockingly. "Seems like you could use some 'Special Time' yourself."
Diana clenched her fists at the comments made to her jolted through her body. Hawkgirl had no idea how right she really was. Diana let her hands open freely and lowered her head.
"Diana?", Hawkgirl said, now worried. "You okay?"
Diana stood still for a moment, then turned around again to face Hawkgirl.
"Is nothing. Its just late and I need some rest."
Diana turned from Hawkgirl, not even bothering to say goodbye. She decided to take the elevator down instead of flying, needing the ride to clear her head. The elevator door opened before she even reached it and Robin stepped out. Robin stopped noticing that Diana was right in front of him, giving him a dirty look.
"Uh, sorry I'm late", Robin said. "I just had to..uh...."
Diana's posture was forming into a menacing one. Robin noticed this right away as Diana's face was beginning to change colors with anger.
"Men....", Diana said as she pushed Robin out of her way to enter the elevator. Robin remained in the new spot Diana shoved him to, flabbergasted. The elevator door closed and Robin turned to a just as shocked Hawkgirl.
"What the in the heck was that about?", Robin asked really upset.
"I have no Idea. She just got done barking at me."
Robin looked back at the elevator, trying to comprehend Diana's actions. Mid thought, he thought of the one person who could make ANYONE that upset.
"Oh boy", Robin said to himself, everything falling into place for him.
Robin felt something behind him, then turned to see Hawkgirl standing in front of him with her arms folded and a smirk on her face.
"So, Boy Wonder", she started. "Exactly where have you been? You were supposed to meet me up here two hours ago."
Despite the small incident with Diana, Robin had been glowing the moment he stepped off of the elevator. Hawkgirl could almost smell the sweat coming from Robin's pores.
"I was with Starfire", Robin said controlled. "She didn't want to be alone, so I stayed with her for a while. I didn't think you'd mind."
"Uh huh", Hawkgirl said.
She unfolded her arms and walked right in front of Robin, inches away from him. She lowered her head and began to sniff at him. Her head came back up and had a smile on her face.
"Made time to shower before before you came up?", she asked.
Robin stood still, with his best poker face on. He had been trained for this. He wouldn't let himself be broken down.
"I figured since we were gonna be up here for a few hours I should at least get one in", he lied through his teeth.
"Uh huh", Hawkgirl said again.
She palmed the bottom of Robin's chin with her right hand, pinching at his cheeks with her thumb and forefinger.
"You didn't do anything stupid, now did you?", She asked as she began to pinch harder.
Finally, a question he could answer honestly. What had happened was far form stupid in his mind.
"Ur ur.", Robin gargled to reassure her.
Hawkgirl continued to smirk as she glared down at the lucky bastard.
"Good", she said, loosening her grip somewhat. "Then you won't mind if I take a couple of hours, like you did, to get some rest. Do you?"
"Ur ur."
Hawkgirl shook his head in compliance, like an aunt whom little children are haunted by.
"Good", she said, then the hawk released the little birdie. "Besides, you look like you could use some time alone to think."
She turned to fly down to the exit, but stopped to look at Robin with a serious look.
"I didn't do anything stupid", he reassured her.
Hawkgirl's looked lightened and smirked.
"You better not have."
Hawkgirl flew down as Robin was left taking a deep breath.
"It sure as heck wasn't stupid."
*****
Batman had to diverge his attention elsewhere for the time being. He was making his way to the infirmary to check on all of the patients. As he entered, he was greeted by the view of J'onn sitting upright in his bed. Batman stopped in his tracks, staring at the J'onn who was giving him a faint smile.
"Hello", J'onn said.
Batman smirked then walked towards him. He stopped next to the bed at his side.
"How are you feeling?", Batman asked.
"Fine, I believe", J'onn said. "What has been happening?"
Batman smirked again, giving J'onn the permission to give his mind a brief scan of the events of the past week. J'onn's eyes emitted it usual yellow glow when using his telepathic powers. His face changed expression to a surprised look.
"Oh my", said the Martian.
He turned to face the sectioned off area in the infirmary upon reading Batman's mind.
"We've had some visitors since you left", Batman said.
"I see", said J'onn. "I think I'm ready to get up now."
J'onn removed the blanket from himself, positioning himself to stand up. Batman backed away to allow him the proper room to stand. J'onn rose with a slight wince from soreness.
"What did they do to you?", Batman asked.
J'onn was still in his native Martian state, but immediate morphed into the form Batman and the Justice League had come to recognize.
"They attempted to acquire any information from me that would indicate your knowledge of Slade's plans", J'onn said. "It appears they acted too soon."
Batman turned from J'onn with a relaxed look on his face.
"Everyone has been waiting for you to wake up", Batman said. "I suggest you go and see them."
J'onn nodded behind Batman.
"What will you do?",
Batman walked towards the sectioned off area and opened the door to enter.
"I need to wake up one of these kids", Batman said. "I have to find out what they know."
"I'll help you."
J'onn walked towards Batman as he entered the quarantined room. Four beds were positioned together as each of the young metas slept. Batman walked to the side of the boy who emitted electricity, working at the small computer that monitored his vitals. He worked at the keyboard and almost instantly, the boy began to stir awake.
"I know this boy", J'onn said. "His name is Static."
Batman slightly nodded as he turned away from the medical equipment to look at the boy.
"Who are you?", Batman asked in a less menacing tone.
The boy shifted about on his bed and began to open his eyes.
"Who...", the boy tried.
He tried to move his hands to rub his eyes, only to find them restrained to his bed. The boy also found that his legs and waist suffered the same fate. Even his powers were useless. Gathering himself by trying to free himself, the boy managed to focus his eyes. He looked up at Batman and J'onn with a startled look.
"Y..you two?", the boy said. "What is this? Where am I?"
"Your in the Watchtower, Static", Batman began. "You and your friends were taken up here by me and the Justice League."
Static looked from Batman to J'onn. Not long ago, it was J'onn a prisoner and Static an overseer.
"What are you gonna do with me?", Static asked in a hard voice, attempting to hide his fear.
Batman could even see the fear in his hair.
"Do not be concerned", J'onn stepped in. "We wish to do no harm to you."
"Oh yeah?", Static spat. "Where are my teammates?"
Batman motioned Static to look to his side. Static saw Quake, Gear, and Blackfire laid out on bed tables as well. They were still knocked out.
"Don't worry", Batman said. "They'll be alright."
Static turned back to Batman.
"What do you want with us?"
"We want you to help us", Batman said. "In return, we'll help you."
Static noticed the feeling of a power constraining collar on. He began to show the same defeated look that had been on his face for as long as he could remember.
"How do I know your not tryin' to use us?", Static said in a defeated tone.
"Whatever has happened to you is over now", Batman said. "I don't know exactly what Slade has done to you or your friends. If you help by telling us everything he knows, we'll do everything in our power to help you."
Static looked back at his still unconscious friends.
"You promise?", Static said still looking away.
"We promise", Batman said.
*****
Diana had been in a bad mood before, but nothing like the one that was consuming her right now. She had taken the long way to get to her room she shared with Starfire. How could Diana Face her after what she and Robin had done? Diana reached the entrance of their room and stood outside at the door. She really did not want to go in. Not so much as preventing from finding out if anything did happen between Starfire and Robin. Diana was not ready to bare witness to any cheerfulness that Starfire may display if things had gone well.
Diana finally decided to enter the room, but did so quietly. The door slid open slowly as Diana walked gently into the room. As she slowly closed the door behind her, she hovered across the room not to cause loud footsteps in case Starfire was sleeping. Diana entered the main area to see Starfire sound asleep in her bed. Diana landed softly in her bed and laid down ready to fall asleep. Diana had pulled the covers over her to get comfortable, but her eyes were still fixed on Starfire.
Starfire had been sleeping with a smile still on her face. Diana had seen Starfire with a smile on her face so often that she should be used to it. She had never seen the alien girl with a confident smile as she slept. Diana knew that whatever happened between her and Robin, it was something Starfire wanted. Diana sat up from her bed to look around the room for any sign that something might have taken place.
The room was immaculate.
Diana laid back down in her bed, feeling disgusted with herself. She had fallen for a man so hard that she was willing to condemn Starfire for her actions, just out of spite. Diana's guilt was running through her body, then turned herself to look away from Starfire. She couldn't help but to play her incident with Bruce in her head again. Diana strained herself trying to keep that incident from playing in her head.
Unfortunately she was unsuccessful, and began to spend her night sobbing in silence.
*****
Cassandra had been training extra late tonight. She had apologized to Raven so many times for being so distant earlier that Raven practically kicked her out of their room. So, Cassandra decided to go into the training facility and work at the sparring bag. She had so much on her mind lately with her suddenly in the mix with the Justice League. Now, here she was, apart of a group of young individuals destined to be the future of the League. Mostly though, she had been thinking about J'onn.
She was leveling the poor sparring bag into submission when she heard something.
I apologize for taking my time, Cassandra.
Cassandra turned around when the voice sounded in her head to see that J'onn had appeared in the room with her.
"J'onny!", Cassandra cried out as she lunged to hug him.
J'onn returned her embrace in full, feeling a swell of emotion run over him.
"I..was..", Cassandra started.
Yes?
I was worried about you. I didn't think that I would see you again.
J'onn and Cassandra released themselves from their embrace not wanting to make it too long.
What did they do to you?
Whatever it was, they failed.
J'onn smiled at Cassandra who had been perspiring from her late workout. She wanted to find something to say, but just couldn't. J'onn knew that she wanted to say something and nodded as if he heard her say it.
J'onn suddenly looked up in horror as his eyes were glowing yellow. Cassandra was startled at the Martian's sudden jolt.
"Cassandra, Batman....."
Suddenly the entire Watchtower had violently shook as though it had been struck by something. Immediately, the internal alarms sounded. Cassandra began to run to the exit as J'onn started to phase through the ground.
*****
Diana was awakened from her near-sleep as the Watchtower violently shook. She sat up trying to register what was going on, then received J'onn's telepathic message. Diana was happy to hear him again, but as it turns out they'll have to wait for a proper reunion. As Diana flew from bed, she was stopped by a groggy Starfire.
"What....is....happening?", Starfire said while yawning.
"Stay here Starfire", Diana said. "I'm going to find out."
Starfire nodded as Diana opened the door and flew out of the room.
*****
Flash was sleeping when the Watchtower had shook. He woke up to the alarm and to J'onn's voice.
"I'm on it, J'onn."
Flash immediately jumped from his bed, still and costume, and immediately arrived at the infirmary. Flash arrived to see the infirmary had been nearly destroyed. He entered to try and find Batman, only to have a gigantic blow to his midsection propel him out of the room. Flash impacted on the far wall from the infirmary and fell to the ground. Whatever hit him was almost as strong as Superman. He looked up to see the the four metas that were brought on board.the Watchtower. The Tamaranian girl looked like leader to Flash. She also looked the one who just caved in his insides.
"And here I was hoping to put my arm through you", she said as her crew surrounded her.
"Blackfire!", Static said coming from behind her. "What the heck are you doing?"
Blackfire didn't even bother looking back at him as she raised her hand towards Flash.
"What do you think I'm doing, idiot?", She said. "I'm getting us out of here."
Flash looked up at the girl, in serious pain. She hit him hard enough that his movements were accompanied by jolts of pain shooting through his body. He tried to get up, but his legs couldn't even move. The girl looked at him with a smile in her face and her hand started to glow.
"Blackfire", Quake said. "I don't think...."
"Shut...up!", Blackfire said.
"Seriously Blackfire", Gear chimed in. "They didn't hurt us yet and we..."
"YET!", Blackfire said. "Give that damn bat another hour or two and we would have been guinea pigs all over again."
That is not true.
The four of them looked around the hallway to find the voice they just heard. Flash heard it too, and managed a weak smile. From in front of Flash, J'onn J'onz appeared from the ground. He solidified and the four young metas were in awe at the sight of him, as well as his entrance. Blackfire still had her hand raised ready to hit someone with an energy blast. J'onn stood in front of her giving no ground.
"We do not wish to hurt you", J'onn said. "We only wish to offer help in exchange for help."
"That's a load of crap!", Blackfire said.
Static had walked to Blackfire's side to try to reason with her.
"Blackfire, c'mon", Static started. "We should trust them."
Blackfire's eyes were burning a hole through J'onn as she was contemplating killing him.
If you were going to do something, you would have done it already.
J'onn had entered Blackfire's mind and started to put her in a telepathic induced sleep. However, she began to fight it.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!"
Blackfire lifted into the air and began to fire random energy blasts inside the hallway. Batman had designed the Watchtower with the strongest materials he had at his disposal, but Blackfire was pushing them to their limits. Her three comrades were taking cover as energy blasts were fired in their direction as well. Blackfire continued this barrage until she was slowly calmed by J'onn using his telepathy.
J'onn began to fly towards Blackfire as she was still struggling in midair. He could see the images in her head. The horrors she had gone through. The experiments. How she was taken advantage of for her powers, and how she was taken advantage of being a young woman.
"Please", J'onn said reaching her in midair. "Let us help you."
Blackfire began to calm even more, her energy diminishing. She looked at J'onn then down at her team. She had seen what J'onn had been looking into her mind. He even showed her the true nature of the Justice League and how they wouldn't harm her.
"I...I", Blackfire attempted.
On the ground, Robin, Batgirl, Raven, Cyborg and Boy arrived.
"What the heck happened here?", Cyborg shouted as he saw the damage done to the hallway and infirmary.
The five of them saw the three new residents of the Watchtower standing and looking up at J'onn and Blackfire.
"What are you guys doing?", Robin said walking up to Static.
"She lost it, man", Static said. "J'onn was tryin' to calm her down. "
Robin closed the short distance between them.
"How do you know his name?", Robin almost spat.
"Don't worry about that now, bro", Flash said coming from behind him. "Check inside the infirmary. Batman was in there."
Robin looked into the wreckage that was the infirmary and his stomach twisted. He looked back at his comrades with the business look that had been instilled in him.
"We gotta get him out of there", Robin told them, then turned back to Static. "He better be ok."
Before Static could respond, Robin and the rest ran inside to help look. Static looked back at Quake and Gear.
"Well?", Static said wondering why they were just standing there. "Lets help clean that mess."
Both Quake and Gear nodded and entered the infirmary to help in the search of Batman.
J'onn had finally calmed Blackfire down to the point where she was in tears. She had experienced all of those memories at the same time. It was too much for her. J'onn held her in an embraced and forced her into a sleep.
Its going to be alright, young one.
Do....you really mean it?
Yes, now rest....
J'onn lowered himself and Blackfire to the ground as she was asleep in his arms. He landed next to Flash who was still on the ground.
"How are you feeling?", J'onn asked.
"Your new friend there just made life more painful for me, but I'm fine", Flash said sarcastically. "Everyone's inside digging out Batman.:
Diana and Hawkgirl arrived together as J'onn laid Blackfire to the ground next to Flash.
"What the heck happened in here?", Hawkgirl asked as they approached J'onn and Flash.
"Starfire's twisted sister just leveled the place", Flash said. "I can't even get up after she sucker punched me."
"Aww, big boy got hurt by a girl?", Hawkgirl mocked him.
Flash gave her a gesture that Diana was fortunate enough to be looking away from.
"Take Flash and Blackfire to the second infirmary", J'onn told Diana and Hawkgirl. "I have to help them dig out..."
"J'onn! J'ONN!!"
All attention was paid back into the destroyed infirmary. That was Robin's voice. J'onn used his telepathy to reach him.
Robin?
Oh my god, J'onn. Get in here quick!
J'onn had flown in only to be followed by Diana. The flew past some debris and found the group of young ones surrounding an area. J'onn and Diana landed and started to make their way to the middle of the crowd.
J'onn and Diana reached the center of the group of young metas to find Robin and Batgirl kneeling over something. Sobs could be heard coming from Robin, and Batgirl was hugging his side. J'onn and Diana's hearts were racing. When they got closer, they could see what Robin and Batgirl were sobbing about.
Batman had laid on the ground, impaled clean through the chest by two metal bars.
"Back up,everyone!", J'onn said to the surrounding crowd.
As they complied, Diana rushed past J'onn, even pushed past Robin and Batgirl. She knelt down next to Batman, not believing what she was seeing. His body impaled by two metal bars. It was surreal. She looked at Robin and Batgirl, who's pain had washed through their masks. The view of them like that verified that this indeed was real.
"No...", she whispered to herself as she grabbed Batman's gloved hand.
She placed his large hand on her cheek and began to sob along with Robin and Batgirl.
"You BASTARDS!!"
Diana looked up to see Robin running towards Static and tackling him to the ground. He began to punch Static in his face in a state of rage that he never knew could be inside of him.
"You killed him? You son of a bitch!! I'll kill all of you!"
Robin continued to thrash Static as J'onn immediately flown over and pulled Robin off of him.
"Robin, no!", J'onn said. "Its not his fault, or theirs"
"Bullshit, J'onn", Robin said in his arms.
"Robin, stop!", Diana said getting up, wiping her tears away. "I will not allow you to dishonor him by acting so selfishly."
Robin continued to struggle in J'onn's grip until Batgirl appeared to his side almost like a ghost. She struck him in his neck to knock him out and calm him.
"That...not gonna help", Batgirl said.
Diana looked at everyone, trying to maintain her composure as Hawkgirl walked in carrying Flash.
"Guys", Flash said. "What's going on?"
Everyone looked down as J'onn was still holding Robin upright.
"It's Batman", J'onn said. "He was killed when....."
J'onn was interrupted by a loud grunt coming from behind him. Diana, along with everyone else, jumped at the sound.
Diana knew that sound.
She looked down at where Batman's body was laying, only to find it struggling and moving about.
"Hera!", Diana said as Batman had stood up with the bars still running through him.
Everyone in the room was completely aghast by the sight of Batman appearing the way he was.
He was just dead.
Batman finally gathered himself as he noticed the bars running through him. He reached in front of himself to grab at them and he pulled them out of him with ease. Two large wounds were left, large enough to kill someone immediately. Blood was still coming out of them.
Batman looked down in horror as the wounds began to slowly close up and heal themselves. After a few seconds, unharmed smooth skin had replaced the enormous wounds that had been there. He looked up at everyone, who had backed up considerably. Diana was still at his side, looking at him shocked that about everything that just had happened.
"B...Batman?", Diana asked.
Batman looked at her with a look of fright on his face. Diana had never seen him display that before.
"Diana...I", Batman started.
However, Batman regained his composure and began to walk briskly towards the door. The crowd of people parted like the Red Sea as he walked through them. No one wanting to make physical contact with him.
Batgirl had started to follow him as he walked past her, but Batman stopped her mid way to the door.
"I have to be alone", he said not looking back. "I...."
Batman didn't bother to finish as he exited the room.
The remains of the infirmary was currently housing the most confused group of individuals that had been gathered in a long time. Silence is all that could be heard as faces were looking at one another. Finally, a voice broke the silence.
"Um, guys?", boy said. "What the heck just happened?"
Well, this story is still gonna happen, despite any doubts you may have. I refuse to abandon it, because what I have planned for it is just too good to let go. So, sorry for any delays and missed deadlines.
I own about 20 different Batman figures, but not the rights. (after all of those figures and comics, I should at least get a share....). Don't sue me, SUCKA!!!!
Chapter 14 A Time To Heal
Hawkgirl was sitting in the Watchtower's lookout station with a smirk on her face. She and Robin had monitor duty that night, but Robin had yet to report for it. Green Lantern had told her that he left Robin to be with Starfire to help her sort through some issues, and that he walked her back to her room.
That was two hours ago. Robin was never late for monitor duty during his time with the League.
Oh, the things going through Hawkgirls mind. She, along with every other living soul on the Watchtower, had noticed how often Robin and Starfire were around eachother. Not just being in in the presence of eachother, but those two always finding ways to shamelessly interact with eachother.
While Hawkgirl was amusing herself with the possibility of Robin's good fortune, Diana had walked into the lookout station with two cups of coffee. Diana flew up to the main console where Hawkgirl was sitting in deep thought. Diana, still in her sweater and jeans, landed behind her, noticing that someone was missing. Hawkgirl turned around to greet the amazon with her smirk still highlighting her face.
"I came to bring you and Robin some coffee", Diana said. "Where is he?"
Hawkgirl smirk grew into a smile.
"Hawkgirl?", Diana asked.
"Who? Robin?", Hawkgirl said. "Well, last anyone saw of him, he was walking Starfire back to her room."
Diana looked at Hawkgirl blankly, obviously missing something.
"That was two hours ago", Hawkgirl almost sang out..
Diana stared blankly again, then realization finally kicked as she shuddered, spilling some coffee on herself. Hawkgirl quickly stood up, taking both cups from Diana.
"Don't spill, gonna need these", Hawkgirl said taking the cups.
Diana wiped the burning coffee off of her pants, trying to prevent the wetness from setting in. She then looked back at Hawkgirl who already downed one cup of hot coffee like it were cold juice on a hot day.
"Two hours ago?", Diana said. "Haven't you tried contacting him?"
"Nope", Hawkgirl said. "I decided to give those two some...special time for one night. How they chose to use it is none of my business."
Diana listened to her reasoning while wiping away the rest of the coffee. Mid stroke of her clearing the liquid from her, Diana's head shot up and looked at Hawkgirl wide-eyed.
"Hera! 'Special Time'?", Diana nearly shouted. "They are not of proper age to begin..."
"Shhh", Hawkgirl hissed. "Don't be so loud. "
Diana closed the distance between the two, ready to question Hawkgirl.
"I find it appalling that you sit here and allow them to act upon immoral desires", Diana nearly spat at Hawkgirl.
"Relax", Hawkgirl said sitting back down in her chair. "Robin's a smart kid. He wouldn't do anything stupid, or anything that would hurt Starfire."
Diana was leering at Hawkgirl, then looked away from her in disgust.
"What's got you so worked up, Princess?", Hawkgirl said mockingly. "Seems like you could use some 'Special Time' yourself."
Diana clenched her fists at the comments made to her jolted through her body. Hawkgirl had no idea how right she really was. Diana let her hands open freely and lowered her head.
"Diana?", Hawkgirl said, now worried. "You okay?"
Diana stood still for a moment, then turned around again to face Hawkgirl.
"Is nothing. Its just late and I need some rest."
Diana turned from Hawkgirl, not even bothering to say goodbye. She decided to take the elevator down instead of flying, needing the ride to clear her head. The elevator door opened before she even reached it and Robin stepped out. Robin stopped noticing that Diana was right in front of him, giving him a dirty look.
"Uh, sorry I'm late", Robin said. "I just had to..uh...."
Diana's posture was forming into a menacing one. Robin noticed this right away as Diana's face was beginning to change colors with anger.
"Men....", Diana said as she pushed Robin out of her way to enter the elevator. Robin remained in the new spot Diana shoved him to, flabbergasted. The elevator door closed and Robin turned to a just as shocked Hawkgirl.
"What the in the heck was that about?", Robin asked really upset.
"I have no Idea. She just got done barking at me."
Robin looked back at the elevator, trying to comprehend Diana's actions. Mid thought, he thought of the one person who could make ANYONE that upset.
"Oh boy", Robin said to himself, everything falling into place for him.
Robin felt something behind him, then turned to see Hawkgirl standing in front of him with her arms folded and a smirk on her face.
"So, Boy Wonder", she started. "Exactly where have you been? You were supposed to meet me up here two hours ago."
Despite the small incident with Diana, Robin had been glowing the moment he stepped off of the elevator. Hawkgirl could almost smell the sweat coming from Robin's pores.
"I was with Starfire", Robin said controlled. "She didn't want to be alone, so I stayed with her for a while. I didn't think you'd mind."
"Uh huh", Hawkgirl said.
She unfolded her arms and walked right in front of Robin, inches away from him. She lowered her head and began to sniff at him. Her head came back up and had a smile on her face.
"Made time to shower before before you came up?", she asked.
Robin stood still, with his best poker face on. He had been trained for this. He wouldn't let himself be broken down.
"I figured since we were gonna be up here for a few hours I should at least get one in", he lied through his teeth.
"Uh huh", Hawkgirl said again.
She palmed the bottom of Robin's chin with her right hand, pinching at his cheeks with her thumb and forefinger.
"You didn't do anything stupid, now did you?", She asked as she began to pinch harder.
Finally, a question he could answer honestly. What had happened was far form stupid in his mind.
"Ur ur.", Robin gargled to reassure her.
Hawkgirl continued to smirk as she glared down at the lucky bastard.
"Good", she said, loosening her grip somewhat. "Then you won't mind if I take a couple of hours, like you did, to get some rest. Do you?"
"Ur ur."
Hawkgirl shook his head in compliance, like an aunt whom little children are haunted by.
"Good", she said, then the hawk released the little birdie. "Besides, you look like you could use some time alone to think."
She turned to fly down to the exit, but stopped to look at Robin with a serious look.
"I didn't do anything stupid", he reassured her.
Hawkgirl's looked lightened and smirked.
"You better not have."
Hawkgirl flew down as Robin was left taking a deep breath.
"It sure as heck wasn't stupid."
*****
Batman had to diverge his attention elsewhere for the time being. He was making his way to the infirmary to check on all of the patients. As he entered, he was greeted by the view of J'onn sitting upright in his bed. Batman stopped in his tracks, staring at the J'onn who was giving him a faint smile.
"Hello", J'onn said.
Batman smirked then walked towards him. He stopped next to the bed at his side.
"How are you feeling?", Batman asked.
"Fine, I believe", J'onn said. "What has been happening?"
Batman smirked again, giving J'onn the permission to give his mind a brief scan of the events of the past week. J'onn's eyes emitted it usual yellow glow when using his telepathic powers. His face changed expression to a surprised look.
"Oh my", said the Martian.
He turned to face the sectioned off area in the infirmary upon reading Batman's mind.
"We've had some visitors since you left", Batman said.
"I see", said J'onn. "I think I'm ready to get up now."
J'onn removed the blanket from himself, positioning himself to stand up. Batman backed away to allow him the proper room to stand. J'onn rose with a slight wince from soreness.
"What did they do to you?", Batman asked.
J'onn was still in his native Martian state, but immediate morphed into the form Batman and the Justice League had come to recognize.
"They attempted to acquire any information from me that would indicate your knowledge of Slade's plans", J'onn said. "It appears they acted too soon."
Batman turned from J'onn with a relaxed look on his face.
"Everyone has been waiting for you to wake up", Batman said. "I suggest you go and see them."
J'onn nodded behind Batman.
"What will you do?",
Batman walked towards the sectioned off area and opened the door to enter.
"I need to wake up one of these kids", Batman said. "I have to find out what they know."
"I'll help you."
J'onn walked towards Batman as he entered the quarantined room. Four beds were positioned together as each of the young metas slept. Batman walked to the side of the boy who emitted electricity, working at the small computer that monitored his vitals. He worked at the keyboard and almost instantly, the boy began to stir awake.
"I know this boy", J'onn said. "His name is Static."
Batman slightly nodded as he turned away from the medical equipment to look at the boy.
"Who are you?", Batman asked in a less menacing tone.
The boy shifted about on his bed and began to open his eyes.
"Who...", the boy tried.
He tried to move his hands to rub his eyes, only to find them restrained to his bed. The boy also found that his legs and waist suffered the same fate. Even his powers were useless. Gathering himself by trying to free himself, the boy managed to focus his eyes. He looked up at Batman and J'onn with a startled look.
"Y..you two?", the boy said. "What is this? Where am I?"
"Your in the Watchtower, Static", Batman began. "You and your friends were taken up here by me and the Justice League."
Static looked from Batman to J'onn. Not long ago, it was J'onn a prisoner and Static an overseer.
"What are you gonna do with me?", Static asked in a hard voice, attempting to hide his fear.
Batman could even see the fear in his hair.
"Do not be concerned", J'onn stepped in. "We wish to do no harm to you."
"Oh yeah?", Static spat. "Where are my teammates?"
Batman motioned Static to look to his side. Static saw Quake, Gear, and Blackfire laid out on bed tables as well. They were still knocked out.
"Don't worry", Batman said. "They'll be alright."
Static turned back to Batman.
"What do you want with us?"
"We want you to help us", Batman said. "In return, we'll help you."
Static noticed the feeling of a power constraining collar on. He began to show the same defeated look that had been on his face for as long as he could remember.
"How do I know your not tryin' to use us?", Static said in a defeated tone.
"Whatever has happened to you is over now", Batman said. "I don't know exactly what Slade has done to you or your friends. If you help by telling us everything he knows, we'll do everything in our power to help you."
Static looked back at his still unconscious friends.
"You promise?", Static said still looking away.
"We promise", Batman said.
*****
Diana had been in a bad mood before, but nothing like the one that was consuming her right now. She had taken the long way to get to her room she shared with Starfire. How could Diana Face her after what she and Robin had done? Diana reached the entrance of their room and stood outside at the door. She really did not want to go in. Not so much as preventing from finding out if anything did happen between Starfire and Robin. Diana was not ready to bare witness to any cheerfulness that Starfire may display if things had gone well.
Diana finally decided to enter the room, but did so quietly. The door slid open slowly as Diana walked gently into the room. As she slowly closed the door behind her, she hovered across the room not to cause loud footsteps in case Starfire was sleeping. Diana entered the main area to see Starfire sound asleep in her bed. Diana landed softly in her bed and laid down ready to fall asleep. Diana had pulled the covers over her to get comfortable, but her eyes were still fixed on Starfire.
Starfire had been sleeping with a smile still on her face. Diana had seen Starfire with a smile on her face so often that she should be used to it. She had never seen the alien girl with a confident smile as she slept. Diana knew that whatever happened between her and Robin, it was something Starfire wanted. Diana sat up from her bed to look around the room for any sign that something might have taken place.
The room was immaculate.
Diana laid back down in her bed, feeling disgusted with herself. She had fallen for a man so hard that she was willing to condemn Starfire for her actions, just out of spite. Diana's guilt was running through her body, then turned herself to look away from Starfire. She couldn't help but to play her incident with Bruce in her head again. Diana strained herself trying to keep that incident from playing in her head.
Unfortunately she was unsuccessful, and began to spend her night sobbing in silence.
*****
Cassandra had been training extra late tonight. She had apologized to Raven so many times for being so distant earlier that Raven practically kicked her out of their room. So, Cassandra decided to go into the training facility and work at the sparring bag. She had so much on her mind lately with her suddenly in the mix with the Justice League. Now, here she was, apart of a group of young individuals destined to be the future of the League. Mostly though, she had been thinking about J'onn.
She was leveling the poor sparring bag into submission when she heard something.
I apologize for taking my time, Cassandra.
Cassandra turned around when the voice sounded in her head to see that J'onn had appeared in the room with her.
"J'onny!", Cassandra cried out as she lunged to hug him.
J'onn returned her embrace in full, feeling a swell of emotion run over him.
"I..was..", Cassandra started.
Yes?
I was worried about you. I didn't think that I would see you again.
J'onn and Cassandra released themselves from their embrace not wanting to make it too long.
What did they do to you?
Whatever it was, they failed.
J'onn smiled at Cassandra who had been perspiring from her late workout. She wanted to find something to say, but just couldn't. J'onn knew that she wanted to say something and nodded as if he heard her say it.
J'onn suddenly looked up in horror as his eyes were glowing yellow. Cassandra was startled at the Martian's sudden jolt.
"Cassandra, Batman....."
Suddenly the entire Watchtower had violently shook as though it had been struck by something. Immediately, the internal alarms sounded. Cassandra began to run to the exit as J'onn started to phase through the ground.
*****
Diana was awakened from her near-sleep as the Watchtower violently shook. She sat up trying to register what was going on, then received J'onn's telepathic message. Diana was happy to hear him again, but as it turns out they'll have to wait for a proper reunion. As Diana flew from bed, she was stopped by a groggy Starfire.
"What....is....happening?", Starfire said while yawning.
"Stay here Starfire", Diana said. "I'm going to find out."
Starfire nodded as Diana opened the door and flew out of the room.
*****
Flash was sleeping when the Watchtower had shook. He woke up to the alarm and to J'onn's voice.
"I'm on it, J'onn."
Flash immediately jumped from his bed, still and costume, and immediately arrived at the infirmary. Flash arrived to see the infirmary had been nearly destroyed. He entered to try and find Batman, only to have a gigantic blow to his midsection propel him out of the room. Flash impacted on the far wall from the infirmary and fell to the ground. Whatever hit him was almost as strong as Superman. He looked up to see the the four metas that were brought on board.the Watchtower. The Tamaranian girl looked like leader to Flash. She also looked the one who just caved in his insides.
"And here I was hoping to put my arm through you", she said as her crew surrounded her.
"Blackfire!", Static said coming from behind her. "What the heck are you doing?"
Blackfire didn't even bother looking back at him as she raised her hand towards Flash.
"What do you think I'm doing, idiot?", She said. "I'm getting us out of here."
Flash looked up at the girl, in serious pain. She hit him hard enough that his movements were accompanied by jolts of pain shooting through his body. He tried to get up, but his legs couldn't even move. The girl looked at him with a smile in her face and her hand started to glow.
"Blackfire", Quake said. "I don't think...."
"Shut...up!", Blackfire said.
"Seriously Blackfire", Gear chimed in. "They didn't hurt us yet and we..."
"YET!", Blackfire said. "Give that damn bat another hour or two and we would have been guinea pigs all over again."
That is not true.
The four of them looked around the hallway to find the voice they just heard. Flash heard it too, and managed a weak smile. From in front of Flash, J'onn J'onz appeared from the ground. He solidified and the four young metas were in awe at the sight of him, as well as his entrance. Blackfire still had her hand raised ready to hit someone with an energy blast. J'onn stood in front of her giving no ground.
"We do not wish to hurt you", J'onn said. "We only wish to offer help in exchange for help."
"That's a load of crap!", Blackfire said.
Static had walked to Blackfire's side to try to reason with her.
"Blackfire, c'mon", Static started. "We should trust them."
Blackfire's eyes were burning a hole through J'onn as she was contemplating killing him.
If you were going to do something, you would have done it already.
J'onn had entered Blackfire's mind and started to put her in a telepathic induced sleep. However, she began to fight it.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!"
Blackfire lifted into the air and began to fire random energy blasts inside the hallway. Batman had designed the Watchtower with the strongest materials he had at his disposal, but Blackfire was pushing them to their limits. Her three comrades were taking cover as energy blasts were fired in their direction as well. Blackfire continued this barrage until she was slowly calmed by J'onn using his telepathy.
J'onn began to fly towards Blackfire as she was still struggling in midair. He could see the images in her head. The horrors she had gone through. The experiments. How she was taken advantage of for her powers, and how she was taken advantage of being a young woman.
"Please", J'onn said reaching her in midair. "Let us help you."
Blackfire began to calm even more, her energy diminishing. She looked at J'onn then down at her team. She had seen what J'onn had been looking into her mind. He even showed her the true nature of the Justice League and how they wouldn't harm her.
"I...I", Blackfire attempted.
On the ground, Robin, Batgirl, Raven, Cyborg and Boy arrived.
"What the heck happened here?", Cyborg shouted as he saw the damage done to the hallway and infirmary.
The five of them saw the three new residents of the Watchtower standing and looking up at J'onn and Blackfire.
"What are you guys doing?", Robin said walking up to Static.
"She lost it, man", Static said. "J'onn was tryin' to calm her down. "
Robin closed the short distance between them.
"How do you know his name?", Robin almost spat.
"Don't worry about that now, bro", Flash said coming from behind him. "Check inside the infirmary. Batman was in there."
Robin looked into the wreckage that was the infirmary and his stomach twisted. He looked back at his comrades with the business look that had been instilled in him.
"We gotta get him out of there", Robin told them, then turned back to Static. "He better be ok."
Before Static could respond, Robin and the rest ran inside to help look. Static looked back at Quake and Gear.
"Well?", Static said wondering why they were just standing there. "Lets help clean that mess."
Both Quake and Gear nodded and entered the infirmary to help in the search of Batman.
J'onn had finally calmed Blackfire down to the point where she was in tears. She had experienced all of those memories at the same time. It was too much for her. J'onn held her in an embraced and forced her into a sleep.
Its going to be alright, young one.
Do....you really mean it?
Yes, now rest....
J'onn lowered himself and Blackfire to the ground as she was asleep in his arms. He landed next to Flash who was still on the ground.
"How are you feeling?", J'onn asked.
"Your new friend there just made life more painful for me, but I'm fine", Flash said sarcastically. "Everyone's inside digging out Batman.:
Diana and Hawkgirl arrived together as J'onn laid Blackfire to the ground next to Flash.
"What the heck happened in here?", Hawkgirl asked as they approached J'onn and Flash.
"Starfire's twisted sister just leveled the place", Flash said. "I can't even get up after she sucker punched me."
"Aww, big boy got hurt by a girl?", Hawkgirl mocked him.
Flash gave her a gesture that Diana was fortunate enough to be looking away from.
"Take Flash and Blackfire to the second infirmary", J'onn told Diana and Hawkgirl. "I have to help them dig out..."
"J'onn! J'ONN!!"
All attention was paid back into the destroyed infirmary. That was Robin's voice. J'onn used his telepathy to reach him.
Robin?
Oh my god, J'onn. Get in here quick!
J'onn had flown in only to be followed by Diana. The flew past some debris and found the group of young ones surrounding an area. J'onn and Diana landed and started to make their way to the middle of the crowd.
J'onn and Diana reached the center of the group of young metas to find Robin and Batgirl kneeling over something. Sobs could be heard coming from Robin, and Batgirl was hugging his side. J'onn and Diana's hearts were racing. When they got closer, they could see what Robin and Batgirl were sobbing about.
Batman had laid on the ground, impaled clean through the chest by two metal bars.
"Back up,everyone!", J'onn said to the surrounding crowd.
As they complied, Diana rushed past J'onn, even pushed past Robin and Batgirl. She knelt down next to Batman, not believing what she was seeing. His body impaled by two metal bars. It was surreal. She looked at Robin and Batgirl, who's pain had washed through their masks. The view of them like that verified that this indeed was real.
"No...", she whispered to herself as she grabbed Batman's gloved hand.
She placed his large hand on her cheek and began to sob along with Robin and Batgirl.
"You BASTARDS!!"
Diana looked up to see Robin running towards Static and tackling him to the ground. He began to punch Static in his face in a state of rage that he never knew could be inside of him.
"You killed him? You son of a bitch!! I'll kill all of you!"
Robin continued to thrash Static as J'onn immediately flown over and pulled Robin off of him.
"Robin, no!", J'onn said. "Its not his fault, or theirs"
"Bullshit, J'onn", Robin said in his arms.
"Robin, stop!", Diana said getting up, wiping her tears away. "I will not allow you to dishonor him by acting so selfishly."
Robin continued to struggle in J'onn's grip until Batgirl appeared to his side almost like a ghost. She struck him in his neck to knock him out and calm him.
"That...not gonna help", Batgirl said.
Diana looked at everyone, trying to maintain her composure as Hawkgirl walked in carrying Flash.
"Guys", Flash said. "What's going on?"
Everyone looked down as J'onn was still holding Robin upright.
"It's Batman", J'onn said. "He was killed when....."
J'onn was interrupted by a loud grunt coming from behind him. Diana, along with everyone else, jumped at the sound.
Diana knew that sound.
She looked down at where Batman's body was laying, only to find it struggling and moving about.
"Hera!", Diana said as Batman had stood up with the bars still running through him.
Everyone in the room was completely aghast by the sight of Batman appearing the way he was.
He was just dead.
Batman finally gathered himself as he noticed the bars running through him. He reached in front of himself to grab at them and he pulled them out of him with ease. Two large wounds were left, large enough to kill someone immediately. Blood was still coming out of them.
Batman looked down in horror as the wounds began to slowly close up and heal themselves. After a few seconds, unharmed smooth skin had replaced the enormous wounds that had been there. He looked up at everyone, who had backed up considerably. Diana was still at his side, looking at him shocked that about everything that just had happened.
"B...Batman?", Diana asked.
Batman looked at her with a look of fright on his face. Diana had never seen him display that before.
"Diana...I", Batman started.
However, Batman regained his composure and began to walk briskly towards the door. The crowd of people parted like the Red Sea as he walked through them. No one wanting to make physical contact with him.
Batgirl had started to follow him as he walked past her, but Batman stopped her mid way to the door.
"I have to be alone", he said not looking back. "I...."
Batman didn't bother to finish as he exited the room.
The remains of the infirmary was currently housing the most confused group of individuals that had been gathered in a long time. Silence is all that could be heard as faces were looking at one another. Finally, a voice broke the silence.
"Um, guys?", boy said. "What the heck just happened?"