Chapter 11-Watchtower Worries
The Watchtower had been a place filled with rumors being spread from the superheroes themselves to that of the staff and on hand personnel. The rumors consisted of Nightwing coming to station to see the "Original Seven" for judgment while other rumors stated that wouldn't be the case since Batman was in fact his son and he would get off easily due to such an advantage. All of the rumors however, had stopped as well as activity in the main bridge area of the station as the floor got noticeably dark. The line was leading from the Watchtower's huge teleporter module to the floor in a wide line that led all the way to the secret conference room to where the founding members of the League did business and at the moment awaited their guest. "He's here," said Fate as to signify that Nightwing was on the station.
As if on cue four rows and four columns of Shadowkahn appeared on opposite sidescreating apath down to the conference room. All the superheroes and personnel watched as the master of this shadow army appeared before them rising from the shadows like his troops with two Shadowkahn behind him to be nothing short of being guards. "What a vast welcoming party and all for me," said Nightwing confidently as he saw the League superheroes looking at him and glaring at him with hate in their eyes.
Well most of them were angry at Nightwing while some of the female superheroes were thinking slightly different thoughts about him. Nightwing didn't necessarily pick up their thought telepathically, but rather their shadows spoke to him what their minds were clearly speaking. 'What a physic! If only Flash could look that good,' thought Fire through her shadow thatspoke out loud for only Nightwing to hear while several other female superheroes thought the same thing.
Nightwing smiled at them all as he proceeded to walk down the steps and passed the rows of Shadowkahn in front them. To everyone else's surprise the Shadowkahn all kneeled as Nightwing walked by following the path his loyal shadows had set for him. As he walked he noticed that several of the more magical power based superheroes were glaring at him and itching to fight him if he caused the slightest bit of trouble. "All of you look like you want to hurt me so much you can practically feel the urge vibrating in your bones. I guess my Shadowkahn as well as I hurt you more then your physical bodies huh? Well here's an open invitation to anyone who wants to do something. You want my head? Come and take it...if you can?" said Nightwing in a challenging yet threatening voice as he watched as the superheroes around him looked like they were going to explode with anger.
The anger became a figure in the form of Etrigan who despite the attempts of his human counterpart Jason Blood couldn't stand the presence of Nightwing. "DIE YOU FOWL BEAST!" yelled the mighty demon as he leaped high into the air getting everyone's keen attention around him.
It was clear Etrigan was ready to unleash everything he had on Nightwing when he had landed next to Nightwing to stand even a remote chance against the Shadow Prince. He never got a chance however, as he landed far away from the man thanks to a well placed roundhouse kick by his intended target. "Do us all favor Etrigan and just go back to hell," said Nightwing calmly as he continued walking like it was nothing while the other heroes were now thinking twice before attacking Nightwing.
Etrigan though hurt by the attack was even angrier by Nightwing's words as he tried yet again only this time he leaped and landed in front of Nightwing. "DIE!" yelled Etrigan who summoned hell fire in his hands and sent it sailing at Nightwing.
"Idiot," said Nightwing as he raised his right hand and caught the wave of hellfire and he prevented its advancement the moment he touched the un-holy flame as not a one of the Shadowkahn around Nightwing moved to assist him.
"What?" said Etrigan in disbelief as he saw the hellfire doing little against Nightwing's hand much less his body.
"My turn," said Nightwing and pushed the hellfire back with force hitting Etrigan and sending the beast flying into the air once more into a steel wall.
With his bump in the road flattened Nightwing continued his advance till after a while he made his way to the conference room where the seven founding members were. Before he could advance passed the door however, Fate appeared before him. "Your Sword of Shadows Nightwing...I ask that you remove it," said Fate who sounded serious for once.
Nightwing smiled at Fate knowing that the man was obviously worried that he would use the sword on the founding members. "I see you're picking up your paranoia from HIM. That's not healthy for someone like you," said Nightwing who had reached back and then detached his sheathed sword from his back and placed the weapon in the care of one of his two Shadowkahn guards behind him who bowed respectfully.
"Good. NOW you may enter," said Fate sensing a wave of intense shadow energy from Nightwing's body as the young warrior walked passed him.
'How dare Fate command US to remove that sword before entering the room! We need teach all of them lesson for this and I have just idea. You in?' said Shadogun mentally to his host of a body.
'Yeah lets give one hell of a scare,' thought Nightwing as Shadogun then told him what he was going to do and Nightwing then mentally nodded at the idea.
The seven founding members of the Justice League watched as Nightwing walked toward them as they sat the table after the young shadow warrior relinquish his sword to one of his Shadowkahn. "Sit down," said Batman gesturing to the empty chair coincidentally next his as the door shut behind Nightwing.
Nightwing just smiled at them for a moment before he held his head in pain and his body was shaking in a convulsive state considerably and then stopped. Practically every one of the founding members became slightly concerned at that moment wondering what had just happened. Finally Nightwing stood up straight, but it seemed he was struggling to do so as if it wasn't his original body. "Sorry Batman, but I think I'll stand for nowtill I feel like sitting," said an unnaturally dark voice that sounded more demonic then human.
"Who are you?" said Flash who had forgotten what Fate had told them earlier.
"Don't tell me that second rate sorcerer Fate never told you that there were two spirits in this body if you count the original. You may call me Shadogun or the Shadow King if you prefer," said Shadogun as the fangs on Nightwing's mouth unknowingly extended as well as his finger turning into claws once more.
"Shadogun! Put Nightwing back in control right now," said Batman standing and walking several feet towards Shadogun as if his intimidation tactic would work like it did with all others he had encountered that did.
"Why should I? He actually wants me to take control of this body for a little while so I can see you all better. Normally your images and shapes from what I see through his eyes are rather hazy, but with me temporarily in control I can see yourforms much clearer now. Now that I think about itI'm curious as to what you think of my...I mean his new dark attire that is his outfit?" said Shadogun who had a noticeable gleam in his masked eyes.
"It sickens me. Now put Nightwing back or I'll make you," said Batman who shifted his stance slightly in an almost unseen defensive stance.
Almost unseen. "Really? You couldn't defeat my successor when he fought you with only his human abilities. What makes you think you can...defeat...me?" said Shadogun confidently smiling behind his armored helmet calling Batman's bluff.
Batman in all his wisdom and for the most his arrogance launched himself into an assault of martial art attacks on his target. "Batman stop it!" said Diana as it was cleat that none of the Dark Knight's attacks were getting through as Shadogun blocked them all with just the palm of his hand.
"You should listen to thePrincess of the Amazons my friend. You look a bit...fatigued," said what sounded like a concerned Shadogun who could see Batman getting slower with each blow become less filled with force.
Finally, Batman stopped his attacks seeing no known weaknesses in the Shadow Kings defense against his attacks. "Let's get down to business," said Superman who saw a tired Batman retreat back to his seat at the round table while Shadogun simply smiled.
"Agreed since Nightwing former mentors attacks were clearly boring me. I believe you said something about taking down the Brotherhood of Evil's HQ. Correct?" said the neutral of Shadogun as he stared at them all with a calm expression on his face.
"The information you provided us with shows us that this place is well defendable against an all out superhero attack from the outside. However, IF a certain someone inside were to just disable certain key defenses, cut off their troops in certain parts of the mountain, and open up the steelreinforcedgates we would be able to enter easier," said the J'onn in a calm manner as he brought up the blue prints on the projector to show what the key defenses were.
"I see and since they finally trust me I'm the man or rather...being to do it with my ever illusive Shadowkahn," said Shadogun smiling a very unusual smile at them.
"I don't suppose you have any problems taking care of such a plan?" said Green Lantern curiously as he barelysaw Shadogun give smile with the use of Nightwing's body.
"I don't, but I have two conditions to this little plan of yours that only if you agree to will I help you go through with this," said Shadogun whose face became deadly serious in an instant.
"Name them," said Batman immediately not wanting an argument to be created by John or Diana.
"One, I know that you know that Terra's back and I want you give her immunity on what she did in the past against my fellow friends and give her a clean slate. Two, when this over I get to stay with the Titans and there will be no trial for either Nightwing or Terra," said Shadogun.
"But that's three things," said Flash frowning like an idiot that he looked.
"No actually it two things, but the second one is in two parts. Take it or leave it," said Shadogun as he saw the founding members of the League look at each other worriedly.
'J'onn can you enter Nightwing's mind?' thought Batman to the green Martian.
'I can't he has some form of barrier created from his shadow powers. All I can see is a dark twister of a barrier in front of me. There is also a symbol of the Shadow King in the dead center of it all and if I try to press further it throws be back out of his mind,' said J'onn telepathically to his friend.
"I'm waiting," said Shadogun impatiently.
"All right you have yourself a deal. Will contact you before we get into position and you will need to contact us when you disable the defense in the mountain," said Batman in an angry sounding voice.
"I knew you would see things my way. Oh and FYI...your shadows are telling me all your thoughts on the subject that involves me," said Shadogun making everyone's eyes widen horribly before he turned around and left the room leaving the founding members in shock.
When the he left the room the door shut behind him and his Shadowkahn return his very deadly ninja sword back to him. 'Can I have my bodyback now' thought Nightwing as he waited for Shadogun to return his body back over to its rightful owner.
'As you wish my boy I grow tired of this body anyway. Now MY body was perfection,' said Shadogun mentally as the two switched places.
Nightwing ignored Shadogun's comment as he came back into his possession of his body and walked on through the Watchtower. He had a calm walk about him as if everything was all right when clearly it was not as some of the superheroes were getting a little bit irritated by his whole calm demeanor. That and the fact he had both the spirit in him as well as was the successor to the most evil thing in known existence. He made his way to the cafeteria since he was hungry and decided to get a bite to eat, but when he saw the other heroes give him angry glare's he realized they may try to poison him. "Well I can't say I blame them for hating me. My Shadowkahn as well as us did kick their butts pretty badly," thought Nightwing out loudas he referred 'us' to that of him and Shadogun.
"Maybe you should have help from people you trust," said a heart filled female voice from behind him and Nightwing knew it was Raven who had obviously come just in case they tried to hurt Nightwing.
Nightwing didn't jump if that's what she was aiming for since nothing could really scare him anymore in the slightest. Still that didn't mean he could smile at her that said 'nice try' and he did causing Raven to smile even more, but in a more gentle way. "Care to join me for some food before we head back down?" said Nightwing taking Raven's hand as he bent over slightly in a gentlemen sort of manner, pushed the bottom part of his bottom helmet of his Shinobi like mask, and kissed it making her blush.
The scene in itself made everyone's eye bulge out of their sockets when they recognized who it was Nightwing was with. To the superheroes of the Watchtower one of them in the space station was irritating as it was; the two dark birds in the same room was just considered plain horrible. The two of them falling love would be enough to drive you insane, but if these two ever got married and had kids...well you might as well just kill yourself now before they spawn one or more offspring of darkness that could destroy the universe in less then two seconds flat. "I would love to join you Nightwing, but it seems that considering the looks were getting I would say were not welcome here," said Raven who eyed everyone in the room.
"Don't worry if they get out of line they have to answer to me and THAT as we all know would be the ultimate death for them," said Nightwing as the bottom part of the mask slid down again covering his mouth as well as fangs from her and everyone else who could see them.
"I was hoping you would say that," said Raven as she wrapped her hand around his and they walked to an empty table where there were two seats just for them.
They sat down not once looking away from the other with gentleness in both their eyes demon eyes...even if one of there's was masked. "I don't trust the guys in the back that are producing the food so I hope you don't mind that I take the liberty of us sending out for our food," said Nightwing with a smile as he snapped his fingers and two standing at attention Shadowkahn appeared before them.
"Any order I want and they can retrieve it?" said Raven curiously.
"Not only will they get it, but if they have to make it they will. According to Shadogun theyare expert chiefs as well as soldiers. They also make a mean cup of herbal tea I might add," said Nightwing knowing that the two words 'herbal tea' would seal the deal.
"All right I'll have some herbal tea to drink and for the meal I have a hoagie with Italian dressing on it," said Raven waiting for the Shadowkahn that was her waiter to respond to her order, which it did in three seconds as it bowed, was gone one moment, and appeared the next with her order in both hands.
"I'll have some herbal tea as well, but my meal will consist of sushi with three different types of rare fish that are found to the south of Tokyo's bay area," said Nightwing smiling and just as Raven Shadowkahn waiter his bowed, was gone, ad returned with his meal, which was the possible equivalent of Raven's hoagie.
"Nice!" said Raven smiling as she drank some of her herbal tea before eating her hoagie and then out of complete surprise was gasping for breath at the sheer taste of the meal.
"I told you the Shadowkahn were master chiefs and I would never tell a lie about my very loyal and powerful Shadowkahn. Every taste from any and all of their meals that they can produce can send someone's taste buds into overdrive," said Nightwing as he himself had become intoxicated by the taste of his own meal.
After they had finished their meals they finished the rest of their herbal tea and got up to leave the room, but a certain demon was blocking their path. "Not so fast spawns of evil," said Etrigan who after spending some time in the infirmary was out and about.
"What do you want now Etrigan? I thought and hoped the beating I gave you would have given you a clear hint you're no match for me," said Nightwing calmly though he was clearly annoyed.
"I don't care about being weaker then you for I know what is happening between the both of you and I would rather suffer an eternity of pain in hell then to see you two beings of evil be with each other," said Etrigan who summoned more hellfire to his hands.
"If there is one thing I cannot tolerate is when people try to take away something that is very important to me. Those who would dare strike ether of us down because of the love we or others may share regardless of being good or evil is one of the darkest sins that I believe is unimaginable," said Nightwing who started generating a massive amount of shadow energy into his hands that out did Etrigan's hellfire by far.
"BURN!" said Etrigan angrily as he aimed for Raven instead of Nightwing knowing she was the weaker of the two.
Before Raven could even react to such a close range attack that could have killed her if it connected Nightwing moved with unnerving speed in front of her. He then sent his own energy at Etrigan sending the demon from the pit back. As he unleashed the intense and massive amount of shadow energy at Etrigan it pierced though the hellfire. Then to add insult to injury the energy went though the demons body and sent him flying into the wall once more with blood running out of his body. "I didn't kill you Etrigan because you're a friend of my surrogate father, but if you or anyone else does that again and I'll show you what it truly means to be in HELL!" said Nightwing as he walked passed the beast with Raven by his side who was slightly shocked by the devastation on the Justice League member that was Etrigan.
As they walked to the teleporter module everyone got out of their way while J'onn was waiting at the controls to send them back to Titans Tower in Jump City. "Batman won't like what you just did to Etrigan Nightwing," said J'onn as he set the coordinates.
"Like I care what that mortal thinks anymore. Just be glad you're not crippled by human mortality J'onn. Now hit it!" said Nightwing angrily as J'onn brought up Batman like he was able to control him.
'Mortal? Interesting how he calls Batman mortal, but not surrogate father like he did with Etrigan. I'll tell Batman later,' thought J'onn raising a right eyed eyebrow (if he had one) as he activated the teleporter sending them back, but not before noticing that both heroes holding hands.
(Titans Tower)
At the moment Nightwing and Raven teleported into the main area of Titans Tower Terra, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire were lounging around having fun. When the beam of light faded the group (especially Starfire) saw Nightwing and Raven holding hands with a smile on their faces. "Whoa! When can I do that?" said Terra excitedly.
"Not for some time," said Nightwing smiling behind his Shinobi mask though know one could tell he was smiling.
"Raven what are you doing with your hand wrapped around Nightwing's?" said Starfire in a sweet curious voice, but was considerably angry inside that they were holding hands.
"I thinks its time you all knew since we could tell you sooner because of the interruption by the Justice League. Would you do the honors Rae?" said Nightwing turning to Raven who was somewhat surprised that Nightwing wanted her to say it and not him.
"Me?" said Raven just to make sure she wasn't hearing him wrong.
"It would sound so much sweeter coming for your lips," said Nightwing as he squeezed her hand slightly telling her to go for it.
"Nightwing and I are...a couple," said Raven hoping it was the accurate way to describe the relationship between her and Nightwing.
Everyone was clearly shocked by this, but for the most part thought it was only natural that those two would be together with the exception of Starfire who couldn't believe it. "NO! Nightwing is my boy and I won't have anyone taking him away from me," said Starfire who immediately attacked Raven only to have her be restrained with something shadowy like an arm, but was clearly not.
Nightwing had mentally summoned a shadow tentacle from behind the angry alien and subdued her with its power despite her initial squirming. "Starfire stop it. Whatever type of feelings you thought I had for you were clearly that of being strictly just friends. As for Raven it ascended into something more from the countess amounts of respect, trust, our friendship, and darkness that we both have that has evolved into the love that we both now have for each other," said Nightwing in a calm yet serious manner.
"No! I refuse to believe that. Raven as put a spell on you. She must have since it is not possible for her to like you more then a friend," said Starfire who suddenly got shocked with shadow energy from the tentacle that restrained her.
"If you can't speaknicely to Raven while I'm here then don't speak at all because anymore of that Starfire and you'll wish she did put a spell on me. That goes for all of you too," said Nightwing with a tint of anger in his voice.
Raven could only smile as she was being treated like a queen by Nightwing and she never really was ever pampered like this before. 'I could get used to this,' thought Raven as she squeezed his hand slightly saying lets go.
Nightwing squeezed her hand back as they walked past the other Titans whose jaws were dropped and the color from their skin had left them. As they were about to leave the room Nightwing finally released Starfire from the shadow tentacle and it was gone as if it never existed. It was when they were outside Raven's door that they stopped and Raven spoke for what seemed like forever. "I suppose you're going to have to leave us soon to take care of the Brotherhood of Evil inside the mountain huh?" said Raven who was smiling though she had sounded a little disappointed when she said it.
"Don't worry I'll be fine and I don't have to go back just yet and anytime I have left I wouldn't mind sharing with you," said Nightwing as he kissed her gently on the lips.
"Even with all this darkness inside you're still as sweet as ever," said Raven as she gave a sweet smile that made Nightwing chuckle.
"If you want I can teach you how to be just as sweet?" said Nightwing half jokingly as Raven's face contorted in a half scowl.
"Tell me you're joking," said Raven and hoped that he was joking because if he wasn't she was going to hurt him shadow powers or not.
"Of course Raven I was only joking. Actually I was thinking about teaching you some new ways to use your powers," said Nightwing seeing Raven's half-scowling face return to normal.
"I would be honored," said Raven kissing him through his mask.
"No. The honor would be mine. Afterall...you still owe me another kiss," said Nightwing as he kissed her longer this time and they walked through the wall with his shadow powers into her room for her training.