Summary: Bruce Wayne meets Batman and Nightwing finds a daughter. Oh, and Superboy and Krypto play super-tag!:)
Disclaimer: All the characters are owned by DC Comics and Time/Warner; this is an original story that does not intend to infringe on their copyright. Feedback is welcome!
Copyright: February 2003
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JLA/Titans: Stealing Armageddon
By Syl Francis
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Chapter Five
Day 11645hrs Zulu: the Batcave
Somewhere below Wayne Manor, Gotham City
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"He just disappeared?"
Nightwing shared a rueful glance with Robin. Even over the video uplink with the JLA Watchtower, Batman didn't sound happy. Granted, Batman never sounded happy. But at this moment, he sounded really not happy. Robin grimaced.
This is going well, the Boy Wonder thought. Not!
"Could his disappearance be tied in somehow to the Armageddon theft?" Nightwing asked hopefully.
"How so?" Batman asked.
"Well, he was being pretty secretive," Nightwing began. "Secretive for the Riddler, I mean. And his final statements, that this was the greatest riddle of all time. And that before we could answer it, we'd have to figure out the question!"
Batman nodded. "It could be. There have been many riddles through the ages that man has considered at one period or another to be the greatest riddle of all time," he said thoughtfully. "The Riddle of the Sphinx comes immediately to mind."
"Yeah," Nightwing agreed. "And let's not forget the age-old questions, 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' and 'What came first, the chicken or the egg?'" He uttered these last words with a perfectly straight face. His expression didn't change even when Robin snorted as he tried to suppress his laughter.
Batman glared at him momentarily, and then nodded. "Yes, I think you're right, Nightwing. Good work."
The two Boy Wonders stared at Batman.
"W-What?" Nightwing asked. "I-I mean, well, yeah--it's so obvious--" he said, nodding and then shaking his head. "What are you talking about, Batman? It doesn't make any sense. I mean, 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' It was a joke!"
"I know. But that's not the one I'm talking about. The second question, on the other hand, about the chicken or the egg--"
"Are you pulling my leg?" Nightwing asked, giving his mentor a suspicious look. "No, of course, you're not," he quickly amended. "What could I be thinking?"
"When you're dealing with Time," Batman explained impatiently, "the question of what came first is not as silly as it seems. Think of it. If a man is able to travel into the past before he was born and kills his grandfather, before the grandfather married or sired any children, then the time traveler will never be born. And if he was never born, then--"
"--Then he could never have traveled back in time and killed his grandfather," Nightwing finished. "You know, this kind of 'logic' can really start to give me a headache." He sighed. "I hate time anomalies."
"What does this have to do with the Riddler's disappearance?" Robin asked.
"Remember that he saw both Robins, and afterwards, he remembered what he saw," Batman answered.
"Is it possible that the Riddler was affected differently than we were by the temporal anomaly?" Nightwing mused.
"Certainly a possibility," Batman agreed. "But how does someone stealing the Armageddon Project result in the Riddler disappearing from Arkham?"
The Dark Knight and his two squires exchanged startled glances.
"The bank!" they all said at the same time.
"Wait! You don't think this whole thing is nothing more than an elaborate bank hold-up?" Robin asked.
"No, but the Riddler's ability to remember what he saw could provide us with the key we need," Batman replied.
"On our
way!" Nightwing and Robin said together.
"No! Wait!" Batman said sharply, stopping them. "I can get there faster with the JLA transporter. Robin, meet me there. Nightwing, don't you have somewhere else you need to be?"
Nightwing banged his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Titans Tower! My bad!" he said. "I'd better get going." He looked at the other two regretfully. "Sorry, guys. Gotta bail." He gave Robin a high five and the two moved in opposite directions. "Oh, and Batman?" he called, grinning. "I'm borrowing the Batwing! Nightwing out!" He signed off before Batman could respond.
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Day ?: Pocket Universe
Somewhere in Hypertime
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Superboy laughed aloud as he felt the wind whipping back his hair, its coolness caressing his face.
"Come on, Krypto!" he called. "You know Lois hates it when we're late for supper!"
The small white dog, trailing a miniature red cape with a yellow stylized 'S'--a match to the boy's--barked in response.
"Race you home!" Superboy cried, laughing. Barking happily, Krypto took up the challenge. Soon the two superpowered, last survivors of a Krypton that never existed sped home, neck and neck.
As they flew, the two life-long friends, master and dog, began tussling in midair. The boy laughed, a high, still-boyish sound. The loyal dog nipped at his master's cape and licked his face.
"Woof woof!" Krypto barked with satisfaction. ~This is a dog's life!~
Superboy laughed. "You're a lazy pooch, you know that?"
Krypto smiled inside. This really was the life, he thought. Nothing better to do all day except play with my master. Fetch sticks, chase those annoying squirrels, and fly.
Nothing beat flying!
Here, there were no emergencies to distract Superboy. No school to lock him away all day 'learning' useless information he already knew. No chores at the General Store where he was not allowed to use to his powers. No Lana Lang to keep him from the more important things in life--like playing tag with his dog.
Krypto's exuberance dropped suddenly.
There were also no Kents.
He glanced at his young master, worriedly. Superboy had not mentioned the Kents in an eternity. When they'd first been exiled here--in the middle of Time--the boy had missed his folks something fierce, as Ma Kent would've put it.
But Lois and Kal had worked their own magic on the boy. They, too, were the last survivors of worlds that had never existed--Krypto tried not think of the illogic behind the reality because it always gave him a doggy headache--and had worked tirelessly to bring the brokenhearted, superpowered boy out of his depression.
Lois and Kal turned out to be wonderful surrogate parents, looking on the boy not as the son they never had, but as the son they would have had if their Kryptonian and human physiology had allowed such a union.
Unfortunately, Earth-2 did not have the scientific knowledge to bring about a successful pregnancy, so the middle-aged couple had long given up hope of ever having children.
The teenaged Clark, from an alternate Earth than theirs, had been the answer to all of their yearnings for children. But the lonely boy had missed the only parents that he'd ever known, Ma and Pa Kent.
In this, Kal had been able to help. For he, too, had known Ma and Pa--in his own reality--and therefore he'd been able to provide the bridge that the boy needed to mourn their loss. Now, the boy was back to his normal, sunny self. Seeing wonder in the simplest blade of grass, admiring how the morning dew refracted the light of the new dawn, delighting in the delicate wings of a butterfly.
The two friends began their descent and landed lightly on the back porch.
"Lois!" Clark called, entering the kitchen. "We're home!" He inhaled deeply and gave an appreciative grin. "Apple pie," he said. "Lois makes the best apple pie around here!"
"Woof woof!" Krypto barked in reminder. ~Lois makes the only apple pies around here!~
Clark chuckled softly. "That's 'cause Kal can't boil water, and I almost burned the house down that one time I tried to cook," he said.
"I'm glad to see that my cooking is held in the appropriate high esteem," Lois said brightly. She stretched out her cheek for a kiss. Clark complied automatically. Lois looked down at Krypto. "And what does Mr. Picky wish for his evening repast?" she asked.
"Woof woof woof!" Krypto replied. Lois glanced over at Clark.
"He says he'd like lasagna, but he'll settle for Alpo," Clark translated. Lois shook her head.
"Amazing," she said. "I don't think I'll ever get used to it. A talking dog."
Clark bent down on his haunches and rubbed Krypto affectionately. "Krypto's the smartest dog in the whole universe," he bragged.
Krypto barked in agreement.
"Now that I understood," Lois said. The back screen door squeaked open and slammed shut. A large man, dressed in farmer's overalls, looking like an older version of the teenaged Clark, walked in.
"Kal!" Lois called, walking up to her husband and giving him a hug and a kiss. Early on they'd decided that two Clarks in one household would be too confusing, so they'd started calling him by his Kryptonian name.
"We're going to have a good crop this year," he said. "Corn's almost as tall as Clark here. Wheat's just about ready for harvest. Oh, and I'll need your help tomorrow with the haying, son."
Clark nodded. "Sure. I was helping Pa bale hay since before I could walk--or was it before I could fly? Sometimes I get it mixed up."
Lois smiled affectionately. "Kal, Clark, you two hurry and wash up for supper. It's just about ready." She began setting the table. "Oh, and boys?" Both men turned. "No super costumes at the table, please."
They smiled and went upstairs to shower and change.
"Well, Krypto what would you like?" she asked taking out two cans of Alpo. She held them out to him, doggy-nose level. "Beef or veal?"
****
Day 11705hrs Zulu: Titans Island
New York City, NY
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"Titans Tower, this is the Batwing. Request clearance for landing."
"Batwing, this is Titans Tower." Argent's voice rang clearly in his headset. "You're cleared for landing. Commence final approach."
"Roger, Tower," Nightwing acknowledged.
He banked the Batwing for the final approach. His instruments indicated that the Titans VFR beacon had cleared him for landing. Nightwing pressed the necessary controls and the tractor beacon caught him in its grid.
Nightwing removed his hands from the manual controls and allowed the Batwing to descend automatically by tractor beacon onto the landing platform. As the beam guided the Batwing to a safe berth, the plane's wings began to fold up for storage. The platform on which he'd landed then began its long, but quick descent to the cavernous subterranean equipment hangar.
A few minutes later, Nightwing was powering down the sophisticated stealth aircraft and conducting his post-flight check. After ensuring the Batwing didn't have so much as a scratch on her armor-plated skin, he began the trip to the upper levels.
Batman sometimes got huffy about his toys. Nightwing grinned, suddenly recalling the time he took the Batmobile without permission. He was only thirteen and didn't have a license yet, but he'd been leading the Teen Titans for a couple of months and was feeling his oats.
Small for his age, he'd barely been able to reach the pedals. Of course, he put the car on automatic pilot and it basically drove itself. Still, it was the idea. He was driving the Batmobile.
How cool was that?
The aftermath wasn't quite so cool.
Bruce Wayne didn't believe in corporal punishment, but by the time he was done with him, Dick would've preferred it. At least it would've been over and done with quickly. As it was, the leader of the Teen Titans, ended up grounded for a majorly long time--at least by a 13-year-old's reckoning--and Robin never again took the Batmobile without permission. That is, until he was properly licensed.
Funny, how the past just seemed to be haunting him today. First, the images of himself with Tim. Now, the memories of long-forgotten teen misadventures.
The lift doors to the main level opened. Nightwing's expression instantly assumed that of his darker, colder persona. He stepped off the lift and made his way to the briefing room, mentally going over the details of the Titans' mission and how each member's powers could be utilized most effectively.
Deep in thought, Nightwing didn't notice the others' strange stares when he walked in and moved to his place at the head of the conference table. Facing the group, he noted Starfire and Tempest's absence.
He knew that Tempest was handling a delicate mission for Aquaman while the King of Atlantis was at the Watchtower, but why was Starfire missing?
He gave a mental sigh. Her behavior of late had been so erratic and at times explosive--especially where it concerned him. It was time he had a long talk with her.
All of these thoughts flashed through his mind at lightning speed. He considered each, quickly analyzing it and what it required, then tabled it and moved to the next one. He did it effortlessly and without even being aware that he was doing it. The instant he was facing the others seated around him, he relegated all extraneous thoughts to a file folder in the back of his mind.
Later, should he need the information, he'd access it as easily as he'd analyzed it.
"Sorry I'm late," he began. "Robin and I got held up." He moved on, offering no further explanation. "Arsenal, fill me in," he said, sitting down.
Arsenal glanced at the others. A silent message passed instantaneously between them. Eventually, the Flash cleared his throat.
"Um, uh, Robbie," he began. Nightwing turned to him, single eyebrow raised. "Look, buddy," the Flash sounding a little nervous, "this is really kinda hard for me, but--"
Nightwing began to feel a cold fist in his stomach. Something was seriously wrong. He looked at the two empty seats again. Did something happen to Garth? Or--Kory?
"Wally, what is? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, honey," Troia reassured him quickly. "It's just that something happened--" she smiled brightly. "--Something wonderful! Oh, Dick, you're not going to believe this!"
Nightwing closed his eyes. She did it again. Called him by his first name. And this time in front of the kids. Why do I bother? He asked himself for the hundredth time. He glared at her.
Argent and Damage exchanged goofy looks.
Damage mouthed, "Dick?" without sound. Argent suppressed a giggle. It was hard to imagine the uber-macho Nightwing being called that. The Flash caught Arsenal's eye and indicated the kids' reactions. Both men grinned, remembering their own reactions the first time they'd heard the ex-Boy Wonder's secret identity.
Of course, back then it was worse. Bad enough to be 'Robin,' but to also be 'Dick'? No wonder the Boy Wonder had had no sense of humor.
Troia bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"I'm sorry, Nightwing," she said. "But we have someone for you to meet." She pressed a button on a console in front of her. "Kory? Bring our guest in."
****
Day 11710hrs Zulu: National Bank
Gotham City
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"I want you to wait outside." Batman sounded even more officious than usual over the Bat comlink. Robin grimaced. Oh, brother, the Boy Wonder thought. "And stay invisible," Batman added. "It's full daylight outside."
"Gotcha," Robin grumbled. "And what are you going to be doing?"
"Bruce Wayne is on the Gotham National Bank's Board of Directors," Batman said. "He's just going to be conducting a surprise walk-through."
"Oh," Robin said, unable to add anything. "Standing by." Batman's voice transmission ended.
****
Bruce strode out of the Men's Room, the picture of a Very Important Person in a hurry. He swung his briefcase just so, jutted his perfectly chiseled chin to its most determined angle, and glowered with just the right amount of irritability at any passersby in the hallways who dared catch his eye. Most of the workers who glanced at him quickly averted their eyes in the hopes that they'd escaped the notice of this obviously irate bank executive.
Bruce arrived at the open atrium, taking note of the number of customers and bank employees. He quickly memorized the number and location of bank guards, tellers, and customer representatives. He watched momentarily as the elevator doors pinged open, and his eyes widened.
For standing in the open doorway was the Riddler, handcuffed and ready to be returned to Arkham, being led by--Batman! The Dark Knight spotted him at the same time.
****
Day 11710hrs Zulu: Titans Island
New York City, NY
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"Donna, I don't much like games," Nightwing growled. "If you have something to say, say it!"
Troia blinked in surprise as her friend's vehemence. "I'm sorry, Dick. But this time I think it's better for you to see for yourself."
The door to the conference room opened and Starfire entered. To Nightwing's pleasant surprise, she was smiling, something he hadn't seen her do in a long while. She stood to the side, and without speaking, held her hand out towards someone else.
A beautiful young woman entered and stood shyly next to Starfire, holding hands. From her eyes, she was obviously Tamaranian, her dark hair in direct contrast to Starfire's mane of red/gold fire.
There was something about her that niggled in the back of Nightwing's mind. Standing slowly, he walked around the conference table, unconsciously filing away her stats for later use. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted that the others had also climbed to their feet.
Looking around, he saw that they were waiting for a reaction from him. Finally, he spoke.
"Somebody better say something fast or things are gonna get real ugly real soon," he said.
The Flash snorted. "You lose!" he said, addressing Arsenal. "Pay up." Chagrinned, Arsenal slapped a ten-dollar bill in the speedster's open palm.
"Leave it to the World's Second Greatest Detective here," Arsenal muttered, annoyed, "not to recognize his own daughter!"
"Roy!" Troia said sharply.
"Well, excuuususe me--!" Arsenal protested.
"What did you say--?" Nightwing interrupted. He was gaping at the beautiful young woman in shock. Meanwhile, she'd stepped away from Starfire and was approaching him, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
"You'd think a father would know his own kid!" Arsenal grumbled.
"Roy, if you don't want me to toss you into orbit without a spacesuit, you'd better not utter another sound!" Troia whispered. A gleam in her eyes warned that she just might carry out her threat.
"Father?" Nightwing asked skeptically. "What are you talking about, Harper? Who is this girl?" Nightstar stopped about an arm's length from him, the tears falling freely now. It was Starfire who spoke.
"I don't understand this either, Dick. But meet 'Nightstar'--or rather Mari Grayson--our daughter."
Unable to hold back any longer, Nightstar threw herself into Nightwing's arms.
"Oh, Daddy! Please, help me! You're the only one who can help me get back home!"
Nightwing automatically put his arms around the now sobbing girl and held her to him, too stunned to speak.
****
End of Chapter Five