The Meeting
That night was basically the same as the nights at Titan's Tower. Raven and Changeling had some weird make out session, Reese and Electro tried not to snuggle together but in their sleep did anyway, Starfire and Nightwing cuddled closely to together and as usual Cyborg was alone. In another room though, one was not asleep, he was hard at work.
Batman was up, he was pacing the floor, thinking about the day to come. He had been ever since the banquet ended. He wandered what Nightwing's test would be, and how he would react to it. Nightwing was Batman's responsibility ever since he was Robin, and he wasn't going to let him just jump into something head first without thinking about it first. Finally tiredness got the best of him, he hadn't slept at all on the T-Rocket, and he was tired. Batman fell asleep standing up and joined the rest of his team in a much needed slumber.
Knock. Knock, Knock Batman heard once more on his door. The sound of the knocking on the cold metal door had awakened him. Then he heard Yorbin say. (he's the guard remember) " Batman, you are going to be late for the meeting of the parents." Batman's eyes widened, he was right he would be late. Quickly he put on his cape and mask and ran out the door right past Yorbin. Quickly he pulled the map of the palace out of his utility belt and located the place where Galfore told him the meeting would be held on it. He rushed there as fast as he could so he could avoid being late.
Galfore paced the room where he and Batman were supposed to meet, but he was 5 minutes late. "Where is he" Galfore asked himself. "did he get lost, I knew I shouldn't have sent Yorbin" He said raising his fist.
"It wasn't Yorbin's fault, I slept in on accident" Batman said as he walked into the room.
"Ah, you are late, but you did appear so it is excusable" Galfore forgave. Batman walked over and took a seat in the "chair" beside Galfore. It was big, purple, and had many things coming out of it's sides.
"So what are we suppose to discuss" Batman asked. Galfore smiled.
"The time and whereabouts of the wedding" Galfore said. "I think that two years is much to long, maybe in year" Galfore suggested. Batman frowned.
"a year may be to late, I can't just leave my city again, who would protect it" Batman said folding his hands over his knee.
"the same person who is watching it now" Galfore stated. Batman still had a scowl on his face.
"Superman can't watch my city every other time I leave, he has other obligations. If the wedding takes place a little sooner, then I may be able to work something out." Batman said. This time Galfore frowned.
"But if the wedding takes place before the couple are ready, we may have a problem on our hands." Galfore said caringly. He closed his eyes and thought about it.
'Maybe… what if we let them set the date, I mean it is their wedding, who are we to make the decisions" Batman questions. Galfore opened his eyes.
"You think that is the right way to do it, I mean, I trust my bumgorf, but she is still to young to make that kind of decision" He said. Batman nodded.
"your right, Nightwing is trustworthy, but can be careless" Batman said as he pondered the right decision. "Mmmm, Maybe… we should set it to a date that is convenient for both of use, how about this 1 and a half Earth years, then they will be married" Batman suggested. Galfore thought a moment, then finally he smiled.
"it is settled then, they shall be married in one and a half Earth years." Galfore announced. "Now then, for the rest of the meeting, Yorbin, bring me Koriand'r and her friends, the rest of the meeting shall begin as soon as they arrive" Galfore said with a suspicious looking smile on his face. Batman wondered what he was up to.
About 5 minutes later the Titans all entered the room where Galfore and Batman were talking in. Galfore gave a smile and walked over to the team, Batman followed.
"Koriand'r, are you sure you wish for him to be your betrothed." Galfore asked seriously. Starfire nodded. She smiled and grabbed Nightwing's arm hugging it tightly.
"Yes, he is the one I choose" she replied. Galfore smiled. He had hoped that she had chose him.
"good, now it is time for him to take "the Test"" Galfore said once again serious. Starfire nodded.
"Yes, Galfore" She said, Nightwing and the others looked confused. Batman walked up and put his hand on Galfore's shoulder.
"what is this test that Nightwing must take." Batman asked. Galfore turned to his friend.
"The test, is very difficult, and determines if he can truly marry the princess." Galfore stated.
"But what is it" Batman asked again. Galfore put his hand on Batman's shoulder.
"He must do battle with me, if he looses, he doesn't get to marry Koriand'r" Galfore said sadly. Batman's eyes went wide with shock, and so did the other Titans, including Starfire.
"But Galfore, the test is usually a mere set of questions involving knowing your partner well, why are you forcing Nightwing to do battle with you." Starfire cried. Galfore looked towards the floor.
"Because, to marry the princess of Tameron, the betrothed must do battle and win against the emperor of the planet, no matter how much he doesn't want to. It is law" He stated. "and believe me, I really do not want to do battle with such a good friend" He said.
"So, what I'm seeing here is that Galfore and Nightwing have to fight… that's cool" Changeling said. Every one gave him a death glare. He laughed nervously and said "shutting up now" Raven walked over and took something out of her cloak. It was a pair of handcuffs.
"Come on, I don't want you to do anything stupid while the fights going on, you might distract Nightwing" Raven said handcuffing her and Changeling together. Then she dropped the key down the collar of her leotard.
"you really thing that the fact you dropped that thing down your leotard with stop me, just wait till your not looking" Changeling said with a half frown half smile. Raven blushed.
"So when is Nightwing and Galfore going to fight" Electro asked.
"they aren't going to fight." Batman stated walking in front of Galfore.
"what, but we must, it is law, and in order for them to marry, we must fight." Galfore said. Batman shook his head.
"no, on Earth he is still considered a child, sort of, anyway I won't let you harm him before he and Starfire are married." He said Galfore gave him a weird look. "I will take his place, and fight you instead." Batman replied.
The Titans stared in amazement as the Dark Knight stood before the mighty emperor Galfore and challenged him. Galfore smiled, and said "fine then, the fight shall start immediately, I shall show you to the arena." He said as he walked off. The Titans and Batman followed.
The Arena was a large coliseum that was close to the Greeks. The Titans were seated in a group of seats about 10 feet up, away from Batman and Galfore. Batman and Galfore were standing on the floor of the great building facing each other.
"So, how does this battle work" Batman asked.
"It shall be a battle until one of us gives up, or stays on the ground without the other touching them for 10 seconds and we have unlimited time." Galfore responded cracking his knuckles.
"Fine, lets begin then, shall we" Batman exclaimed. Galfore nodded.
"Fine, the battle shall commence. GO!" He yelled. Batman instantly acted and threw a bat-a-rang at Galfore he dodged it and pulled out an axe. Galfore swung the axe and missed Batman and he ducked. Batman then punched Galfore in the face with an uppercut, and he stumbled back. Then Galfore tore a piece of ground away showing his mighty strength and chucked it a Batman. He dodged it by pulling out his grapple hook ad shooting it into the ceiling, then rising off the ground he threw several ice disks at Galfore. Galfore blocked the attack with his axe. His axe froze over and Galfore smashed it against the ground shattering the Ice. After that Galfore charged at Batman and gave him a quick punch to the ribs with his mighty fist. Batman flew back and smashed into a wall. Galfore smiled as the guard counted the seconds. Batman got up and Galfore smiled.
"You are quite skilled, not even my best worrier would be able to get up after an attack like that" Galfore said. Batman smiled this time.
"I've had a lot of practice" He said, then he ran towards Galfore and jumped. Quickly Batman planted his foot into Galfore's face with a kick. Galfore countered with a punch, Batman dodged and Galfore's fist landed in the ground making a deep hole. When the dust cleared Batman attacked with a series of kicks and punches, Galfore blocked them all. After that Batman kicked hard into Galfore's chest. He was knocked back a little, then grabbed Batman's foot and lifting him off the ground he threw him. Batman shot his grapple hook and wrapped it around one of Galfore's legs dragging him with Batman. Batman landed on the ground in a crouch and Galfore about fell but caught his balance. Batman then Took out two bat-a-rangs and… yep that's right, turned them into a sword. ( he likes those swords). Galfore smiled, and took out his large axe. The two then attacked, their weapons clanging together every time one tried to strike the other. Batman slashed at Galfore but it was blocked then Galfore slashed back and Batman dodged by jumping over him. Galfore turned and blocked Batman's attack and kicked him. Batman slid back and threw a bat-a-rang, the bat-a-rang hurled towards Galfore and knocked his axe from him. Galfore then threw a boulder at Batman as he charged. Batman was flung back and realized he had dropped his sword.
"Now we both have no close range weapons" Galfore said. Batman nodded and jumped back, then he attacked by throwing a lot of bat-a-rangs, he threw the kind that both exploded and didn't. Galfore tried to dodge all of the weapons but was hit by quick a few. 3 bat-a-rangs then hit him at the same time and the explosion knocked him far back. Galfore then threw a spear at Batman and he tried to dodge, but his cape got caught by the spear and he was pinned against the wall. Galfore got up and ripped off his smoldering armor, then he charged at Batman. Batman tried to get away, but he was still pinned to the wall. So he took out a bat-a-rang and cut off half of his cape and dodged Galfore's attack just in time. Galfore took the spear in the wall, and threw it again, the spear nicked Batman's arm, and left a cut that drew blood.
"You are very good, I wish I did not have to fight you, but it is the law and I must obey" Galfore said as he charged Batman. Batman jumped in hope to get away but Galfore grabbed his cape and swung him in a circle then threw him. Batman landed on his side and rolled into a wall. He got up and coughed realizing his cape was just getting in the way he ripped it off. Now this is the picture you should have in your mind, a capeless, bruised up, costume ripped Batman is standing in a coliseum that has been practically ripped apart. Standing across from him is a armorless Galfore with several bruises and cuts. That is the images. Galfore and Batman both charged each other. Batman jumped up and planned to kick Galfore but instead Galfore did a round house kick and sent Batman into the sky. Batman then reached into his utility belt but when he landed had a surprised look on his face.
"Batman what's wrong" Nightwing shouted. Batman didn't take his eyes off of Galfore but answered all the same.
"I'm… I'm out of bat-a-rangs, I used them all up" he said fearfully. Nightwing's eyes opened with surprise.
"what, you already used up all 350 of them!" he shouted. Batman gave him a cold look.
"I did use up quit a few of them on that meteor, you know" Batman yelled. Galfore smirked.
"So, without your weapons, now it is a fight of strength and endurance" He said as he charged Batman. Quickly Batman jumped out of the way and tried a spinning kick, but it was blocked by Galfore who tried to throw Batman, but Bats kicked him with his other foot in the face and Galfore let go. Batman landed on his feet and jumped into the air. Galfore did the same and they collided in the middle. Both of the mighty warriors landed on their feet. They turned to face each other and stared their opponent down. It was about 10 seconds later one of them made a move, Batman ran toward Galfore, and Galfore stood there waiting for his attack. Just as Galfore was going to counter what ever attack Batman had planned, Batman jumped in the air and punched Galfore. Galfore caught his hands and held them tightly in his grip, but Batman still stood, pushing Galfore. Galfore quickly kneed Batman in the stomach and threw him into a wall. Bats made a large hole in the wall from his impact. Galfore walked over and as Batman tried to get up, he grabbed his head and smashed it into the wall. Galfore had Batman pinned. Finally Batman escaped by kicking Galfore in the stomach and wriggling from his grip. Then the dark knight ran forward and jumped in the air, and with a quick attack, he kicked Galfore in the jaw and smashed him into a wall.
Galfore stayed down. "the winner of the challenge is, The Batman" the Guard said. As the Titans ran down to Batman's side to congratulate him they noticed something wrong. Batman was swaying back and forth slowly, then he fell and hit the ground, he was out cold.