By Scarredbyshallowness
Disclaimer : All of the rights of the things I use aren't mine . Period . End of story .
Over 2000 hits . Seems you all are really liking how this project is coming along . I've bumped the rating from Teen to Mature just for safety reasons . The pathway of this story is going down a darker path … Enjoy !
Oh, and no random aliens shall appear . Sorry Psychic Werewolf Assassin (nice name by the way ) .
Chapter 6
Superiority
Appearing in a burst of magical energy, Raven appeared out of the darkness with a literally broken Robin wrapped around her . Blood drained from the bird's wounds as he breathed heavily with pain ridden gasps, struggling for air .
Helping her leader to a bench, she carefully placed the Boy Wonder down, asking herself why Batman had told her to teleport them to the inside of the church . It was only 20 feet away .
" Robin … how could this happen to you ? " the hooded Titan thought to herself as empathy reigned over her in more than one way . Not only could she see the suffering that he endured, she could feel it . Not with her powers, but with her eyes .
" He … he knew . " Robin spoke in a whisper as frail as his appearance .
" What ? "
" Joker … he knew where I had been shot before . He used it, exploited it . "
" But Robin, how could he ? I healed it and didn't leave any signs of injury ! I mean, you even changed into a new costume while we met Batman ! " Raven asked, bewildered by the mad man's mysterious knowledge . She lowered her hood, her guard, as she knelt next to the teen hero .
" I don't know . But if it's what I think, we are all in troub.l..e … " he spoke ever so softly as the blood loss finally got the better of him as he slipped into painless unconsciousness .
" Robin ? ROBIN ! " Raven screamed for her leader with deep heartache until she saw him breathe . Hesitantly, slowly, but breathing none the less . Wasting no time, she immediately blanketed the Boy Wonder in a blue aura as she worked on removing the bullet from his abdomen .
" Please . Don't die on me . You don't know how much I need you . " Raven thought hurriedly to herself as she wondered about the build up of emotions she has had recently .
Yanking the inflicting object from the Titan leaders' stomach in a small spurt of blood, she examined the odd looking bullet, suddenly hitting her on why the Bat told her to not go to the Batcave .
" You risked your life, your hope, everything to save me from my father … my fate . It is only because of you that I am here today . You set me free . Now it's my turn to repay you . I promise Robin, I'll never leave you . " the teen of darkness uttered to Robin's fallen position in near tears as she knew that he was the soul reason that she was even allowed to have them . To cry . To hurt . To live .
Church's Rooftop
" Why not just give up for once, Lex ? I don't want to fight if I don't have to . " Superman tried to reason as Slade pushed Jinx aside and tried to perform a powerful side kick on the man of steel's ribs .
Failing miserably, Superman didn't even glance toward the masked villain as he simply held out his right hand and flicked the assassin in the chin, sending Slade flying over the side of the building above 60 or so feet in the air .
" When have I ever backed down from a challenge, Superman ? Honestly, I thought you would know me better than that by now . " Lex grinned as he pushed Bumble Bee over the edge of the building, only to have Supes catch her in a blink of an eye .
Carefully dropping her on the ground, the man of steel levitated back up to stare Luthor straight in the eye .
" I always give people a chance to change, Lex . I thought you would know that by now . "
" Oh I have, Superman . " Luthor smoothly coaxed as he slammed the super powered hero in the face with a jab, sending Superman crashing into the ground in complete surprise . " In more ways than you can believe …"
Church's Right Side
" Well that didn't work . " Slade critiqued himself as he rose from the mucky ground that surrounded the gothic church .
Brushing himself off, he ironically felt the exhilarating thrill of victory . He had gotten rid of one Titan once and for all . But before he could take a single step, the mercenary was slammed in the back of the head, tripped, then grabbed and pinned to the side of the building by an ebony elbow to his neck as his eye met with the furious pair of Batman's .
" 23 . " The Bat seethed through his teeth as rage over this whole situation began to accumulate abruptly .
" What are you talking about ? " Slade asked venomously in his current, helpless situation .
" I had to snap 23 of the Joker's bones before he told me everything . Now it's your turn . Why did Cadmus want me to kill a mock Joker ? "
" To simply put you in prison, where you belong . Now if you don't mind, I have places to go, and lives to destroy . "
" You instructed that clone to murder a child you knew was out of my district . " The Batman gritted as he put more pressure behind the elbow that kept the Titan's main villain in place .
" I thought you would like my handy work . Thanks to Robin, I know quite a bit about the way you 'work' . Did he ever tell you about the time I made him steal from Wayne industry ? That boy has a natural talent for thievery . But you wouldn't know that, now would you ? " Slade hissed as the Bat gave him nothing but a deadly leer .
" Deathstroke a.k.a. Slade Wilson . Moved to Jump City after discovering that Robin had formed the Titans . You controlled my student through cowardice means by placing microscopic probes in all of his teammates, threatening him with their death . " the world's greatest detective spoke in a low roar as the information lingered in the assassin's mind . Producing an overflow of sick joy to course through Slade .
" He escaped eventually and you gained another apprentice, Terra . She too escaped your grasp and ended up burning you under the magma that you deserved . You were then miraculously revived by Trigon the Terrible and allowed life once again . However, soon after his arrival, however, you actually helped the Titans defeat the demon and you had your natural life restored . " The Batman listed in a low, brooding, robotic voice as he hung over the mercenary's face in superiority .
" My, you do live up to your name . And that is some title . A title that I shall have the delight of wiping OUT ! " Slade screamed as he revealed a hidden gun from his sleeve, firing, and missing, the Bat .
Seeing his sign of freedom appear, Slade jumped up and kicked off the holy wall that pinned him . As he fell from his airborne state, he attempted to do a flying side kick to Batman's left side . But, once again, failed as the Dark Knight simply side stepped and whacked the back of Slade's head with a sudden back fist .
" The top left . Robin's least guarded area . You are definitely a tactician . But you know nothing about me ! " The caped crusader uttered as all he smoothly zipped right next to the assassin, leaving Slade's view with nothing but a fist .
Church's Left Side
" Lex… how did you … " Superman began as he instantly moved out of the way of a dropping Luthor, cracking the ground in power, forcefully deactivating the magnet that held Cyborg .
" Get so strong ? What would benefit me from telling you ? " Lex questioned the man of steel as he pummeled the hero with a string of punishing hits .
" Don't make me fight back ! You know I could kill you ! "
" Now that I am not so sure of anymore . " Luthor sly smiled as he suddenly snatched Jinx by the top of the skull, adding crushing pressure with each passing second . " Fight me or I'll --- " WAM ! The impact hollered as Superman flew right into the mysteriously powered Luthor, setting Jinx free and slightly freaked out .
" I won't let you hurt anyone else ! " the man of steel declared as he thought of Cyborg and Robin entered his mind while he and Luthor flew straight up into the sky . Clouds passed by the two combatants as thunderous punches could be heard from afar . Landing atop a passing 747, the two stood in ready as the one-time friends fought with inner hatred .
" You don't know how long I have waited to do this . " Lex smirked as he forcefully hit Superman in the torso over and over relentlessly . Seeing the man of steel keel over brought an untold euphoria to Lex, until he felt his punches become less effective as Superman rose defiantly .So much so that it made Luthor's hands throb in pain .
" Sorry to disappoint you, Lex . I wanted to see how much stronger you have actually gotten . Truthfully, your hits don't even equal that of Captain Atom's . " Superman honestly stated as he snatched Lex's on coming fist . " If I hit you right now, I would kill you . Please, just surrender . "
Anger pulsed through Lex's veins until a plan suddenly hit him, making him smile in his usual sly manner .
" Never . " Luthor simple answered as he punctured the plane below him with a sudden kick and fearlessly dove off the side of the plane .
" Lex ! Don't be a fool ! " Superman yelled as he welded the hole shut with his heat vision and flew over the side of the 747 as well .
" Till next time . " Lex called to his sworn enemy as he pressed a button on his wrist watch and instantly teleported to an unknown location . Leaving the man of steel airborne and alone .
Church's Right Side
" Oof ! You'll pay for that one ! " Slade roared as he charged at the Bat with the assassin's own bo staff in hand . In a blind fury of strikes, the Dark Knight seemed almost inhuman in his ability to dodge every one of the attacks, forcing Slade to try a final, falling helm breaker strike .
But even that did no good as the Bat snatched the weapon and side kicked the dropping assassin in the stomach .
" Who do you think taught Robin how to use that weapon ? " Batman stepped over the breathless villain .
" Either way, you are the one who has lost . I have right here the location of your beloved 'Batcave' . " Slade smiled as through his thought out victory as he held a small tracking device in his hand .
" And how did you accomplish that ? "
" By having your clown friend shoot bullets with tracers embedded in them . And it looks like your cave is … right behind me ? " Slade looked, completely lost in his discovery as a bat-a-rang reduced the machine to a pile of scrap .
" So much for that plan . " Batman taunted as he lunged at Slade with his own bo staff with blinding speed, knocking the armored assassin into a nearby pole .
" Yes … but no one is perfect . " the mercenary hissed as he pressed a button on his belt, releasing pepper spray from the bo that the Bat held; blinding the caped crusader .
Seeing the time as right, Slade stepped up to the Dark Knight as he round house kicked the Bat's shins, stomach, and chest . Then dropped and tripped the shadowy hero, making him fall flat on his back as he hacked and coughed the gas that had invaded his lungs .
" What do you know ? You are human . " Slade commented acidicly as he lifted the Bat by his arm, twisting it in power .
" I don't need to see to beat you . " Batman snarled as he leaped behind the assassin, relieving his arm, and chucked Slade toward the wall once again using the same arm that the mercenary had used to hold him .
" You are good . But even you will fall … " Slade commented rigidly as he ricocheted off the surface and teleported just before four bat-a-rangs pierced each of his limbs, leaving the bladed boomerangs to stick into the well used wall behind him .
" Coward … " Batman spat as he rubbed his masked eyes until his vision completely returned .
The Batcave
" Ooohh… why have my friends not returned yet ? " Starfire spoke fearfully as she cradled a gurgling Silkie in her arms . " I hope nothing has happened to them . "
" Excuse me, miss . " the calm voice of someone came from behind the alien girl, making her jump to the ceiling of the cave . " Uh, sorry . But what are you doing down here ? "
" I came with my friends in the subterranean vehicle and now they are gone and …. Who are you ? " Star levitated back to the ground as she suddenly realized that she had no clue who this was .
" You can call me Alfred . And don't be so scared of this place . Believe it or not, this is actually quite a sanctuary . " the old, lovable butler raised a brow as he wondered what on earth the girl was holding .
" I am Starfire . Will you be my friend ? " Star asked in her cutesy way that melted the old man's heart .
" Sure . "
" Then, friend, I need to ask you a favor of you . "
" What would you like me to do , miss ? " He answered as he couldn't fathom what she needed right now .
" Please, take care of my little bunglorf . My friends and I are in danger and I would feel the sorrow if anything happened to my little Silkie . " the tameranian asked sheepishly as she held the happy worm in front of Alfred .
" Consider it done . "
The Church
" This is horrible … " Batman quietly spoke as his knelt down and inspected what was Cyborg . Empathizing with the wailing teens on each of the cybernetic one's side, he released them from their power blocking collars, taking them for inspection .
" Is there anything we can do ? " Superman asked greyly as he lightly levitated down, tapping down on the ground beside the Dark Knight .
" Not here . I'll take him back to the Batcave and see if I can repair him . Call J'onn to send a javelin here . I don't have the materials necessary to patch Robin up right now . And the kidscould use the protection . " Batman instructed as he rose with his cape draping over him .
" Sure . Anything else ? "
" Hmm, yes . There is one more Titan still in the cave . Mind zooming in and getting her here ? "
" What does she look like ? "
" She's tameranian with red hair and … " Batman started as Superman held up a hand to cut him off . A rather rare occassion .
" Say no more . " the man of steel replied as he instantly disappeared in a burst of speed .
The Batcave
Entering the cave in a sonic boom of hastiness, Superman appeared next to Alfred and Starfire, who gave a double shot look of surprise .
" Hey Alfred . " the man of steel smiled and waved to the butler as the man was used to these things .
" Hello, Superman . How are things ? "
" Just fine . I gotta go though . Batman needs this girl . " Superman answered friendly as he grabbed Starfire's arm in preparation .
" Where are we --- eeeeeeeeeeee… " Star screamed as the man of steel disappeared in a flash of speed once again with his passenger .
" So… what does this 'thing' eat ? " Alfred asked himself as Silkie smiled and gurgled in his arms .
The Church
" Batman, we need to get Starfire out of the … " Raven began to comment while stepping out of the church, as she held an unconscious Robin around her neck, until the Bat raised his hand to stop .
" Already taken care of . " The Batman answered boldly, still inspected the damage to Cyborg .
Like a cue, something could be heard in the distance as it's volume increased steadily .
"--- eeeeeeeeEEEEEEEE ! " Star screamed behind the man of steel until they finally came to a stop . The alien stood; dizzy, confused, and with air smacked hair, until she saw Raven and Robin . Shaking out of her daze, and fixing her hair miraculously, she flew toward he beloved friends with a smile .
" FRIENDS ! You are alive ! " Starfire yelled joyously as she squeezed the two Titans with all of her might, waking up Robin in a burst of pain .
" AAAAHHHHH ! " the Boy Wonder sudden howled as his entire body cried out in unmeaning punishment .
" Starfire ! What's wrong with you ? Don't you SEE him bleeding ? " Raven snapped as she felt the crushing hug herself AND through Robin .
" I'm sorry but I … "
" Cyborg … " the Boy Wonder slowly whispered as a single tear fell from behind his mask, leading him back to unconsciousness .
" What ? Oh my God … " The hooded Titan stared in horror as she witnessed what had become of her metallic friend .
" Is he … ? " Star questioned with enlarged eyes, ready to burst with tears like Jinx and Bumble Bee .
" Let's just say he's shut off at the moment . If I can, I'll repair him back at the Batcave . " Batman answered as all of the girls gave a sigh of relief .
" I knew you wouldn't die that easily, Sparky . " Bumble Bee thought aloud as she could honestly return a smile to her face .
" Stone… " Jinx thought aloud with a big breathe as Starfire suddenly realized who she was .
" You ! You did this ! " Star screamed without giving a second thought as she flew head on towardthe magical powered teen .
" Starfire ! Wait ! " Batman yelled, but she gave it no recognition . Looking toward Superman, the man of steel nodded in understanding as he zipped toward the angered alien .
" Hold on ! I … " Jinx attempted to defend herself as the enraged tameranian kept on coming . But just as Star was about to hit the pink haired Hive member, Superman appeared right in front of her, halting Star's attack like nothing at all .
" Stop it . " Superman simply said as Starfire whimpered and powered down .
" But she is our enemy ! She must be dealt with ! " Star screamed in anger and confusion as nothing seemed to make sense anymore .
" Things aren't always so black and white . People are not always one way or another . They have choice . In this case, Jinx wasn't an enemy . She was a victim . " Batman explained as he stood next to the alien and moved on to stare Jinx directly in her anguished eyes .
" And as for you . You are rather fortunate today . On any other day , I would of attacked you myself without a second thought .With Cyborg's sacrifice for you, I believe you should rethink your lifestyle . Or I promise . One day I will come after you myself . Understand ? " The Dark Knight spoke in such a rough voice that all the Hive student could do was chokingly nod in agreement .
" J'onn, send us a javelin down here immediately . We have someone in critical status . " Superman commanded over his comlink in the air , mainly for better reception , as he looked over the destruction caused by the battle .
" Will do . " J'onn, the Martian Man Hunter, replied back as he cut off the link .
Sirens wailed in the background, bringing a heart stopping clench in everyone's gut, as Superman saw the approaching army of Swat vehicles and cop cars .
" Trouble, people ! " the man of steel yelled as he floated back down to the ground . " The police are on their way with a small army . "
" We have no time to waste ! Raven, put all of Cyborg's parts in the Batmobile . I'll get him back to the Batcave and see what I can do . Good luck . " Batman told them all as he remotely opened the top of the shadowy car, just in time for Cy's parts to be dropped in, as he jumped into the driver's seat and zoomed off in a flash of fading blue light .
" We don't have time to wait around . We're going to have to meet the javelin in the air . C'mon ! " Superman instructed as he and Bumble Bee instantly took off .
" Raven, may I take Robin now ? " Starfire sheepish asked the dark teen as innocently as possible,blushing slightly .
" Sure, Star . " Raven replied in words that cut deeper than any knife .
" Glorious ! " the tameranian jumped as she held Robin in her arms and flew to into the endless starry night .
" Raven… that is your name, right ? " Jinx asked childishly as the dark Titan nodded .
" What do you want ? "
" I want to go with you guys . The Hive has already been decimated by Cadmus . I'm only alive because they used me to get to Stone…err Cyborg . All of my friends were killed on the spot ! Even headmaster … I have no where else to go ! Please take me with you ! I promise I'll do all I can to help if you do … " Jinx requested with teary eyes as thoughts of her friends' and Cyborg's death was too much for even her .
" I know this isn't like me … but alright . Where we are going would be the worse place imaginable to be evil anyway . C'mon, let's go . " Raven slightly smiled as she held out her hand and took flight with her temporal ally .
Flying through the fogginess of the clouds, Raven finally caught a glimpse of an odd looking ship in the shape of an arrow . The back way opened as Raven and Jinx entered the air craft with looks of astonishment .
" Relax . She has no where else to turn . Jinx actually wants to help . " Raven shrugged as everyone took a seat as the door hissingly sealed shut .
Raven instantly, thoughtlessly, looked for Robin as she saw something that she wished she hadn't … him sleeping in Starfire's arms . The image burrowed into her mind deeper than any memory had before as all her emotions went haywire inside . Hate, jealousy, confusion, betrayal, even a bit of love . And yet, her face revealed nothing . Nothing at all .
" So where are we going, Supes ? " Bumble Bee lightly questioned the man of steel with a grin as a worker in a purple uniform namelessly drove .
" Just a place we like to call The Watch Tower . "
This could easily be the longest chapter yet . Whew ! It took me 2 days to write this one . Anyway, thank you all for all of your reviews and hit counts ! You all ROCK ! Till next time !
- Scarredbyshallowness
