Who saves heroes ?

By Scarredbyshallowness

Disclaimer : All of the rights of the things I use aren't mine . Period . End of story .

This is the beginning of the end, my friends . I'm only allowing myself 3 more chapters (due to other aspects of my life are demanding my presence ) . Now, these next chapters will include things that some of you will not like . I can guarantee that . All I can simply say is that if you don't like it, don't read it . End of discussion .

I will only include the JLU members that I know . Which is like, 22 out of the 60 or so people in that freakin' huge tower . God, why have a show with soo many people that are never even introduced ? As cool as the concept is, I just find it annoying .

Oh, and one more thing . I do promise things will turn out RobRae . But, like in any relationship triangle, one end must be dealt with . Read on to see .

Without further ado, on with the story !

Chapter 7

Betrayal

Cadmus Headquarters

" Well, that was fun . " Slade quipped, appearing in Cadmus' teleporter room, instantaneously next to the devious Luthor .

" Yes, but it also proved to be quite beneficial . " Lex gleamed as he held a small blue disk between his fingers .

" Do you honestly believe that thatbit of information will truly solve your enigma ? " the assassin queried while massaging his sore neck from his recent encounter with the Bat . Who knew a freak in with a cape and cowl could hit so hard ?

" Do you think that you would even be here right now if it didn't ? And speaking of you being here, I believe it is time for your leave . " Luthor contumely stated, pressing a button on the wall beside him as itslid open to allow 15 Cadmus guards to take aim at the mercenary .

" We had a deal ! "

" Yes… you provide me with all of your information on the Titans, and I got the President to sign a document that would make them be eligible for extermination by Cadmus' hands along with giving you a seat at the organization . " Lex recalled as he paced back and forth behind the merciless brigade ." What we didn't discuss was the length of your membership . " Luthor callously added as he noticed the announcement of his betrayal only made Slade … laugh .

" You know, I've conducted my own research . Once I thoroughly read your profile, I knew that this would happen eventually . That's why I came prepared ." the assassin spat as he lifted a controller from his belt ." Have you checked your neck lately, Mr. Luthor ? I promise, you'll find something very interesting . "

Quickly slipping the data-filled disk in his pocket, Lex turned one of the guards' around, usingthe soldier's helmet as a makeshiftmirror . His reflection revealed a small, circular device below his Adam's apple .

" What is this ? " Luthor roared as Slade lifted his finger in shame ( INDEX finger, not the middle ) .

" Temper, temper . That, my friend, is a super condensed form of c4 . It has enough power to level this entire room . Now, let's talk business . " the assassin taunted, holding the trigger right into Lex's view ." Give me control of 51 percent of shares from ALL of your companies and I might consider your life to be spared . My mercy might even allow you to be rehired as a janitor . What do you say, Lex ? "

" DIE ! " Luthor swore as he gave the signal for the men to start firing .

" Bad call . And besides, I already have once . But allow me to give you the experience ! " Slade hollered as he flipped and dodged the bullets heading his way, placing himself behind the recently used teleport as he unhesitantly pulled the trigger .

An explosion of gusts and screams emerged as the once sophisticated room was reduced to a burning remnant of it's former glory in flash of fire .

" Oh well . Easy come, easy go . " Slade shrugged in the post mayhem as he brushed himself off andturned to leave the premises .

Countless thoughts entered the killer's mind as he suddenly felt his footing levitated off the ground by mysterious raw strength . Looking behind himself as best as he could, ascending from the flaming corpses was the sinisterly calm face of Luthor .

" My thoughts exactly . " Lex snarled in reply as he grasped the assassin's neck in bone-crushing power ." How unfortunate for you . You have deeply underestimated the durability of my prototype . " Luthor hissed as he continued his vice grip on Slade's throat .

Blinding pain ensued as darkness draped over the mercenary at a torturously slow speed . Whilst his senses complied to the endless pain, two words from the relentless businessman echoed in his descending mind .

" I win … "

The Watch Tower

" So this is the Watch Tower ! " Bumble Bee excitedly, in contrast to everyone else on the shuttle, shouted as the massive station came into view .

The docking station hissed open as the ship effortlessly landed in it's authorized port . However, as soon as the ship halted, it's boarding ramp burst open as Superman flew out with intense speed as he carried the fading Robin .

Heading directly for the medical facility, Superman barely gave the teens a change to follow as they pushed past row after row of nameless superheroes that made Jinx cringe instinctively .

" MEDIC ! " the man of steel hollered with his descent as a group of doctors in purple uniforms placed the Boy Wonder carefully on a stretcher .

Once secure, the medical practitioners rolled Robin's fractured body toward the surgery ward in untold tension while they immediately placed an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and placed an I.V. in his right arm .

As if instructed to, Starfire and Raven followed their unconscious leader loyally as they slammed through multiple metal double doors that lead to the surgery room, leaving Bumble Bee and Jinx alone with the man of steel .

" There… there are a lot of superzeros err HEROES ! Superheroes !Heh heh..." Jinx acknowledged with wide eyes and a cold sweat as multiple supers glanced at her with confusion .

" Smooth . " Bumble Bee added as she rolled her eyes in embarrassment .

" Yes, there are . Over 60 actually . Some are almost as powerful as me . " Superman boasted as he lightly scratched the back of his head earnestly .

" OUT OF MY WAY ! " a man dressed in an olive green costume screamed through the crowd as he pushed people to the his left and right . The one they call Green Arrow .

" Where is SPEEDY ? " Arrow hollered as he stared Bumble Bee dead in the eye as she gave a sorrowful grimace . Just as the masked marksman was about to blurt out some more, Superman lightly pulled him back by his left shoulder to assess the situation .

" Hold on , Arrow . Who is Speedy ? " Superman tried to reason with the stressed hero, ironically aggrivating Green Arrow even further.

" My student ... " Arrow growled as he awaited the bee girl's response .

" He was a Titan in the East . Along with me … " Bumble Bee intervened as she sighed grievously . Green Arrow pushed the man of steel's arm off himself so he could tower over the insect girl once again .

" WAS ? What happened ? "

" Well … " Bee painfully reminisced as the horrific details began to pull themselves together .

Flashback, Titan's Tower East

It was late . Around 11 pm or so, and I was on watch . Mas and Menos were hyper as a two toddlers on caffeine until they eventually passed out on the couch and Aqualad and Speedy were arguing over some sea food, or something like that, as usual . Those two never knew what the words 'grow up' meant . Then the alarms went off .

At first we saw an army police and didn't think much of it . Maybe they came to ask for help . But then, something very odd was noticed by Aqualad . Slade was with them . We didn't know what to make of it … until one of their tanks blasted right into our living room .

Mas and Menos' curiosity got the best of them, so they zipped right to the source of our problem . But Slade, he … he waited for them . Those two had never been shot at before, so they didn't know how to react . That monster… he shot both of them right through the heart .

Then Aqualad . He tried to make a break for the sea and get his marine buddies to help us out . But they expected that as well . Multiple submarines surrounded the base of our tower . All I heard was his screams and explosions of water . Then nothing at all .

That left only myself and Speedy . Not breaking our honor code, we aimed for every gun with our weapons through the massive hole in our home . Harmlessly disarming them . As good as I am, Speedy beat me hands down in accuracy . He knocked away 20 guns every 5 seconds . He told me to run, to get help as he held the rest off . I even agreed . But that wasn't what Slade had in mind …

That's when Speedy made his one mistake . He tried to take down Slade . I saw the whole thing while I was in my shrunken version . Speedy fired multiple arrows at that monster, enough to over whelm a normal man . But Slade is no man, he's not even human . I'll never forget what he said …

" Cute . But old fashioned … " Slade analyzed as he plucked one of the powered arrows from the sky . Seeing it as a perfect opportunity, Speedy let another arrow fly right toward the assassin's masked face . " … Welcome to the future . "

Then he fired . His bullet sliced right through Speedy's arrow and pierced him in the center of his forehead . Speedy is … dead . The only reason I am not is because of Slade's plan for Sparky …

End Flashback

" No … Roy … " Green Arrow whispered to himself in anguish as thoughts of failure lingered in his mind, making his slam his fist against a nearby pillar . Seeing Bumble Bee's teary face didn't help, either .

" I'm … I'm sorry . I promise . We will find a way to take down Cadmus . And we'll do it lawfully . " Superman sympathized as he bashed his fist into his hand with a thunderous crack .

" Wow . Today sucks . " Jinx commented dryly as images of her friends and Cyborg played in her mind in an endless circle .

" Regardless, let me show you your rooms . " the man of steel suggested as he lead the two teens toward the guest area .

Medical Facility

" You two can't be in here ! " a man in purple desperately tried to hold back Raven and Star as they were only one door away from Robin .

" But I MUST see my boy ! " Starfire roared as she gave the man a leer of death . But the look didn't even phase the doctor . He had seen much worse .

" Well, if you have to see him, you can go to that room over there . It's a one-way viewing room . But I warn you, this won't be pretty . " the doctor advised them as Star felt uneasy with the words ' one way ' being used .

" Fine . C'mon, Star . " Raven coldly snapped, since the words 'my boy' had been said by the alien, as she dragged Star into the observatory ." Those words should be illegal … "

" Ok . Let's get that shirt off . " one of the masked nurses commanded over the intercom as the two watching teens blushed with it's removal . But that soon passed as the wounds that had inflicted the bird so much became scarily evident .

" Check his eyes . Remove the mask . " a doctor strictly instructed behind his own,ironic, surgical mask as a sudden black outline prevented the nurses from taking it off .

" NO ! Leave the mask on ! " Raven scornfully yelled from the observational room as one of the doctors pressed a button, making the one way mirror visible (or two way ) .

" Miss, we have to check his eyes ! It's basic procedure ! "

" Friend Raven … um, I have always wondered what color Robin's eyes are . Maybe we should just … " Starfire innocently suggested as she twiddled her thumbs, dreamily hoping if they were jade green just like hers .

" NO ! You don't know what I do … " the demoness screamed as she stood her ground . From being in Robin's mind, she knew that that mask was more than just a thin black stripe . It was what made him Robin . It was part of him . She would not let some doctors or a curious alien destroy that . She owed him that much …

" Fine . We don't have time for this . " thedoctor finally submitted as he analyzed the damage that had befallen the teenaged hero .

" Sir, he has 3 bullet wounds . All of which the lead was removed . But his left shoulder's ball joint has a hair line fracture, three broken ribs in front of his lungs, and his stomach has been pierced . " a nurse listed from a clipboard as the girls empathized with his injuries .

" This is the Bat's kid alright . Let's get started . "

6 hours later

" Alright everyone . Well done . This little guy should make a full recovery within the next week . Heck, if we can get Dr. Fate to work on him, it'll take 2 hours . That guy will put us all out of a job someday . " The doctor chuckled as his fellow practitioners laughed in agreement as they wheeled the unconscious Robin out .

Hearing the doorway open, the two girls instantly, yet drearily, appeared next to the stretcher with looks of relief . However, they didn't come from the observatory, but rather from the eatery . Once that scalpel met with the Boy Wonder's skin, Starfire hollered to leave, making staying impossible .

So, they simply explored the legendary Watch Tower with thoughts of their leader dancing in their heads .

" And, like we promised, we kept his mask on during the procedure . " one nurse smiled as Raven gave her a look of thankfulness .

" Excuse me . Allow me to introduce myself … " Raven and Starfire turned to see a man draped in a white cape shielding blue armor with a smooth, facial-less, gold mask on . " … My name is Dr. Fate . Let me show your rooms . "

" What about … " Starfire lifted a finger in question as the good doctor already knew the answer to her question .

" I will accompany the boy over the course of tonight . By the time both of you awake, he'll be good as new . "

" Ok … thank you . " Star gleefully smiled as the man lead them both to their guest rooms .

3 hours later

2: 00 am . As much as she wanted to, Raven just couldn't find it in herself to sleep . Too much had happened to fall into the blissfulness of unconsciousness . As for poor Starfire, so much had happened to her emotionally that she went out like a light .

" Or so I thought …" Raven suddenlyquipped to herself as she stared at an empty bed beside her . Without even thinking, she placed her cloak over her shoulders and checked her hair in the covenant mirror in the room , as the hooded Titan walked toward the exit and pressed a button to open the door in front of her .

" I know exactly where she is . " the demoness gritted to herself for letting her guard down . Finding the room that Dr. Fate had taken Robin into, she suddenly found herself bombarded with the Boy Wonder's thoughts .

" God, forgive me for what I must do … " she suddenly heard him mentally blurt as she intriguingly placed her ear to the wall .

" Star … STAR ! Quit it ! " Robin yelled as he tried to squirm out of the alien's crushing hug .

" But I thought you were healed ? " the little alien whimpered as the Titan leader sighed in distress .

" Technically, yes . But I'm still sore . " Robin coughed as he was ever thankful that his ribs didn't give out on him . Suddenly his masked face changed for the worst as he mentally pushed away his nervousness .

" We need to talk . "

" About what, my boy ? "

" About that . Star, I love you very much . I love how you are always cheerful and happy . I even love your unique outlook on life . " the Boy Wonder smiled as earnestly as possible as Raven's heart shattered . Until she heard the most beautiful word in the english language …

" But, it would never work out between us . I mean, I would constantly have to get you out of loop holes here on Earth and protect you from certain types of people all the time . And even though I love your cheerfulness; that's all there is . You … you don't have any depth beyond that . Like Batman said, things aren't always so black and white . There are shades of gray that you just don't see . I'm … I'm sorry but I just don't have the lifestyle that you need . Please, just…just leave me be right now . " Robin choked as he finally said what he had been meaning to for quite awhile . But nothing hurt more than seeing Star's tearful face . Death would be better…

" I'm… I'm glad you were able to tell me, Robin . I will joyfully grant your request . Please excuse me … " Starfire managed to say before she began to cry uncontrollably as she ran out of his medical room .

Though she empathized with her friend, Raven couldn't help but feel a wave of happinessflash through. Her chances increased expotentionally. But right now, Robin just needed someone .

" That was a very brave thing you just did . " Raven quietly complimented her leader as she closed the door behind her .

" Raven ? "

" Yes ? "

" I.. I didn't want to have to do that . " Robin began to choke up as streams of tears began to flow from below his mask . Instinctively, Raven went to comfort her beloved friend as she hugged him with care, concern, love .

" Shh … I know, I know . Just rest . You've been through a lot today . We'll continue this in the morning . " she cooed in his ear as she lovingly tucked him into bed . Despite the fact that she eagerly wanted to know why he decided to dump Starfire now .

" Thank you, Rae…. " he whispered as he instantly fell asleep . No one needed it more than him .

The Batcave

" Hmm, this is advanced technology alright . " Bruce examined Cyborg's parts while dressed as the Bat, with the exception of the mask .

" Can you fix him, sir ? " Alfred questioned as he fed Silkie with a baby bottle filled with milk .

" Not like this I can't . I need his blue prints . And what the heck IS that thing ? " Wayne asked with a raised brow as he carefully placed Cy's part back on his examination table .

" I'm not quite sure myself, Master Wayne . That alien girl, Starfire, gave him to me to care for for the time being . " the loyal butler answered as the worm gurgled in delight .

" Uh huh . Anyway, look at this, Alfred . I might not be able to reactive Cyborg right now, but I can tap into his memory files and play them through the Batcave's computer . " Bruce explained as he hooked a wire into the back of Cy's head .

" This could take awhile to upload . So, I'm going to bed . Seeing you in the morning, Alfred . " Wayne yawned as he took the lift up to his manor .

" G'night, sir ! " he waved back as he suddenly realized that Silkie was no longer in his arms . Looking over to the T-sub, Alfred witnessed the little worm bite a massive chunk out of the vehicle as it's hunger ripped away at the unoccupied sub .

" Oh, dear . "

Next Morning, Batcave

" -Yawn- Let's see if that upload is done . " Bruce wondered to himself as he noticed something missing from the surrounding .

" Wasn't there a sub here last night?" he shrugged as he immediately placed himself in front of his oversized computer . Seeing the upload complete, he immediately searched the files from the day before .

" So it was Cadmus . Wait a second … " Bruce commented as he noticed the numbers on the side of the armored vans . Prison numbers .

" I think it's time to have a talk with Mrs.Waller again . But first … "

Watch Tower

" Robin . ROBIN ! " Raven screamed as she ran into the room with her sleeping leader as he eventually began to stir .

" Wha.. What is it ? "

" Batman . He needs to talk to you . "

" Ok . -yawn- Patch him through . " Robin drearily answered as he sat up in his bed with a groan. Raven walked over to the tv/communicator and clicked it on, showing Batman's angled face while he drove .

" Robin, I looked into your friend's memory banks this morning . I know where your team mate is being held captive . Tell J'onn to send a team to these coordinates . " Batman coldly explained as Robin questioned his request .

" Where are you going ? "

" Cadmus Headquarters . "


I know, I'm horrible . I killed Aqualad, Speedy, and the zippy twins . Believe me, it's only going to get worse . Review as usual, or you won't find out what happens ! Later

- Scarredbyshallowness