AN: This chapter is huuuuge in meaning. I wrote so much that I had to divide it in two to not screw up the pacing. So much happens in this one. A lot of angst but a nice dose of comfort, too.

Warnings for: Creepy Conductor + more details about the Talon-harvesting

25. Protection

Nightwing collected the box with the counteragents from the roof and roped one of Luthor's interns into driving him to the facility. It was far too easy. One mention of Luthor's orders and the nervous intern hurried to the car. His hands were so tense around the steering wheel that Nightwing feared he would crack something before they even reached the facility.

Nightwing half-regretted not writing anything to Wally before going on this mission. If Nightwing died here, their last words to each other would be a fight. But Nightwing didn't know what he would even write to Wally.

'I probably not survive this. Sorry. Love you though.'

Yeah right. Wally would officially hate Nightwing after a message like this and Nightwing would fully support Wally in his hate. At this point, he had to be the most terrible boyfriend in existence. Wally deserved so much better, and he could have so much better.

Nightwing didn't know how to function without a mission. He was worthless if he didn't put himself on the line for something bigger. It was all part of his uphill battle to not be considered a monster.

Nightwing scoffed. Where had this brought him though? The whole world believed he was a monster now.

Wally didn't think Nightwing was worthless though. He stuck by Nightwing's side even in his darkest moments. The moments where Nightwing randomly couldn't speak anymore. Or where Nightwing woke Wally up in the middle of the night in search for comfort. Wally had accepted them all like a saint. It was only natural that his patience would run out.

Nightwing was not only the worst boyfriend in existence – but also the most exhausting one. He kept asking for the impossible from Wally. He felt toxic. Like a vampire who was sucking Wally dry for emotional support that he couldn't return.

Nightwing had tried to be supportive of Wally's college plans. But what had he done just a few weeks later? He had pulled Wally into his suicide mission. And Wally had agreed because he loved Nightwing, but Nightwing shouldn't even have asked. He should have protected Wally from the mess he was in.

Or was this exactly the kind of thinking Wally had called unhealthy? Nightwing's thoughts were twisting themselves into knots at this point. He didn't know what normal and healthy was. No one had given him a reference for normal and healthy.

Maybe Wally had a point. The mission didn't do great things for his mental state. But what else was he supposed to do? Sit back while Luthor developed the perfect process to take Talons apart for their components? If Nightwing didn't do anything now, this would always hang over him. He would never be safe.

Not to mention, all the Talons Luthor was already harvesting. They were dying and Luthor didn't see it. The League wouldn't even have known without Nightwing's mission.

"We're there", the intern stopped the car in front of the facility.

Nightwing froze for a moment. He had completely lost sight of his surroundings during his musings. A potentially deadly mistake. Cobb would have ripped Nightwing a new one for this lapse in judgment and he would have been right to.

Nightwing exited the car.

"You want me to wait?", the intern said.

"No", Nightwing said.

He pressed the beacon on the shuriken as he walked up to the entrance. Artemis would serve as their extraction if everything worked out. If not, she would at least know what had happened to him.

The guards looked at him. They frowned at his presence after weeks of absence. But they didn't say anything and opened the door for him. Nightwing kept his face blank as he walked inside. The first part of his plan had worked out.

A dozen guards passed him on the way to the lab. All of them had a blue gun strapped to their hip.

None of them gave him a second look. Nightwing felt like predator and prey at the same time. He was here to finally strike. But his protection consisted of nothing but a smokescreen. If anyone attempted to question him, Nightwing's cover would break quicker than a thin sheen of ice.

He reached the lab. The picture was deceptively routine. Hagen and his team were grouped around the tables and computers. They were tinkering on some device while the Titans were motionless in their pods.

Their talking stopped as Nightwing entered. Nightwing tensed as he felt their glances on him. He hated being the center of attention.

"Look what's back", Hagen said, "And apparently it got itself a fancy enforcer-position."

"Order from Grandmaster Luthor", Nightwing kept his voice blank, leaving no place for questions, "Luthor need subjects for mission."

"Luthor didn't mention anything regarding a mission to me."

"He order. High secret."

Nightwing hoped his bluff wasn't too transparent. He should be protected by the scientists assuming that a Talon couldn't even bluff. The last months of constant humiliation and derision had been in preparation of this moment.

Hagen bristled: "I'm his lead scientist. He can tell me first-hand if he needs my subjects."

He approached the phone on the desk. Nightwing tensed. He may be able to take out all the scientists before they could alert anyone but the cameras would catch him. It had no use.

Nightwing said: "Grandmaster Luthor interest know that you lose one of Grandmaster device."

Hagen halted. Surprise colored his features for just a moment.

The scientist walked up to Nightwing, glaring at him: "You think you can blackmail me, you stupid creature?"

Nightwing said: "Grandmaster not like when servants disloyal."

Hagen's face turned red: "How dare you insinuate that I'm his servant? I'm not like you-"

Nightwing's hand shot out. He put pressure on Hagen's neck. The force was carefully applied. Nightwing wouldn't break his no-killing streak for Hagen even if the idea was tempting laid out in front of him.

Nightwing fought against the urge to shake his head. This mission definitely wasn't good for him. He was falling back into old patterns. But he was stuck in these patterns now and he would be until this mission was over.

"Grandmaster choose Talon enforcer. It honor serve Grandmaster. Hagen disrespect Grandmaster order?"

Hagen's eyes widened.

"I- I wouldn't", Hagen's voice trembled as he gasped for air.

Nightwing felt some satisfaction at seeing Hagen like this. Humiliated after this man had taken pleasure in putting Nightwing down for months.

Nightwing tilted his head. He heightened the pressure on Hagen's neck.

"Take them", Hagen gasped out.

Nightwing let go. Hagen dropped to the floor – wheezing for breath. Nightwing would have felt bad if it was anyone but the lead-scientist who had tormented the Titans for months.

Nightwing turned to the pods and opened them.

"Get out", Nightwing ordered the Titans.

They came out. Their movements mechanical. Nightwing tensed at seeing them so emotionless. He could feel the counteragent Bruce had made in his pocket. The Titans would soon be free.

Victor was the only one left in his pod. He couldn't move. Nightwing's chest tightened at the knowledge that Victor had been like this for months. Nightwing should have been quicker in freeing the Titans.

Nightwing turned to one of the scientists and pointed at Victor: "Put together."

"Me?", the young scientists asked.

"Do", Nightwing said.

The scientists scurried towards Victor and put the parts back as quickly as he could. He kept his head down, not even daring to look at Nightwing. Nightwing crossed his arms.

It was strange wielding authority like this. Nightwing had gotten satisfaction from seeing Hagen break. But it felt wrong to tell anyone what to do. Like a corruption of the natural order.

Nightwing knew that he had been conditioned. That there was nothing about a Talon that made them inherently subservient. Cobb – very much a Talon - had enjoyed ordering his apprentices around after all. But Nightwing couldn't shake this feeling of wrongness. The inner Cobb that scolded Nightwing for pretending to be something he wasn't.

"Follow", Nightwing ordered the Titans once Victor's body had been reassembled.

The Titans marched behind Nightwing. It was eerie how coordinated their steps were behind him. Luthor had made the perfect army. Too bad for him that he had set his money on the wrong attack dog.

Hagen was still wheezing for air as Nightwing and the Titans left the lab. Nightwing's claws itched towards his palms. The most perilous part of the mission was still in front of him. The Talon-harvesting room. Nightwing didn't know if he could convince the scientists to let the Talons go. If he failed though, he would at least give the Titans a fighting chance by freeing them.

Nightwing turned to Victor first. The spider-like device was deeply seated in his neck. It was blinking red.

Nightwing made sure no one watched them. The hallway was empty. The last guard had passed a moment ago.

Nightwing stuck Bruce's device on Victor's neck quickly. It was a smaller spider that stuck its legs into Luthor's device. The red light went out. Nightwing watched Victor carefully.

Victor stayed motionless until his body shook suddenly. Nightwing slapped his hand on Victor's mouth before he could scream.

"I sorry but I need you pretend", Nightwing said.

Victor frowned. He looked overwhelmed at Nightwing's request. Exhausted. Nightwing didn't like asking it of him after months of captivity, but they had no choice. Victor took a moment to regain his bearings. Then, he nodded.

Nightwing turned to the other Titans and stuck the devices to their necks. Donna was the last one he freed. She looked less shocked at seeing him. Her face turned into a smile.

"I knew you would do it", she said.

"Not finish yet", Nightwing said, "You need pretend follow my orders. If my cover blow and they get me, run."

"I won't run without you", Donna crossed her arms.

"You need run."

"Face it, Zombie-boy", Victor said, "We won't leave you. We may not be heroes, but we aren't assholes either."

Garfield nodded.

"I would never leave a fellow fighter behind", Starfire said.

Nightwing felt frozen. He didn't know how to react to this sign of what? Loyalty? Friendship? Pity? Nightwing hadn't encountered something like it for months. So, he shook his head and focused back on the mission.

"Victor, can you hack fa-ci-li-ty?"

"Sure", Victor said, "But I need a computer for that."

Nightwing frowned. He hadn't thought about that. But he remembered some computers in the Talon harvesting room. Nightwing shuddered just thinking about it.

"In Talon-harvest room", Nightwing said, "We need free them. Not leave without."

"The Conductor will be there", Donna's voice was a warning.

"I know", the dread within Nightwing rose just thinking about it.

The Conductor could destroy everything Nightwing had worked so hard for with just one order. Nightwing shook his head. He couldn't let his emotions guide him. Doing so would reveal him as the traitor he was and kill him. So, he straightened his back put his emotionless façade back on. He opened the door to the Talon-harvesting room.

An atmosphere of dread hit Nightwing. The picture hadn't changed much on the surface. Talons were still strapped to gurneys with technicians walking among the rows to check on them. Still, Nightwing couldn't shake the feeling though that everything had changed.

The Talons were being sucked of the substance that was keeping them alive. Their veins looked like washed out ink on paper and their skin as if it would rip soon. Even their bodies seemed thin and frail. It was unnerving – terrifying.

Past puberty, Nightwing's weight had never changed. Why should it? Harvesting changed everything. It ate away at the Talons' bodies. Nightwing had just been subjected to it for a few hours and he had felt it for days. This deep sense of weakness and violation.

Everything around him reeked of sickness and death. It shouldn't be possible. None of the technicians seemed to notice though or they didn't care to. A Talon dying was a machine malfunctioning to them.

It made Nightwing soangry. He wanted to lunge at these technicians and hurt them. But, he couldn't. All of them carried blue guns and the Talons in the room would serve as perfect shields and hostages.

Nightwing went up to one technician: "Grandmaster Luthor order stop Talon-harvesting. Need army for mission."

The technician frowned: "The Conductor never gave that order."

"Grandmaster Luthor say he not need Conductor-approval."

The technician turned to her colleague: "You hear anything about this?"

They had a silent conversation. The technician looked like it dawned on her what pissing off the enforcer of the Light might entail.

"No", her colleague bit his lip, "But I would never question our esteemed enforcer."

He put emphasis on Nightwing's title in an attempt to flatter him. As if he feared that Nightwing would kill him just for disrespecting. Nightwing would usually be bothered by people fearing him but now it played into his hands.

"Of course not", the woman chuckled, "How silly of me. Please, forgive me."

She went to one of the machines and turned it off. Her colleague assisted her.

Nightwing couldn't believe it. His plan that had been based on smoke and mirrors was working out.

"Help unstrap Talons", Nightwing ordered the Titans.

They went along the rows and loosened the Talons' restraints. Nightwing noted with satisfaction that they played their roles well. Their faces were just as empty as their movements.

He held Victor back: "Do computer-thing."

Victor nodded and went to one of the computers. The technicians scrambled away.

Nightwing tried his best to look intimidating. They were so close. They could do this. Nightwing could do this.

The door behind him opened. Even steps approached him from behind.

"Hello, sweetheart", a buttery voice said.

Nightwing flinched in terror. He couldn't do this. He hoped that the Titans and at least some of the Talons would make it out before the oppressive sweetness invaded his mind.

Donna approached her friend first after Nightwing's order. Talon looked frail as Donna opened her restraints carefully. Her wrists were chafed from the tight straps. Donna ran a thumb over Talon's wriest to offer her some silent comfort.

Talon's glassy eyes met Donna's. There was a question in her eyes. Donna wanted to tell her what was going on, but she couldn't for now. Now, they had to pretend.

Donna was about to free the next Talon when she heard the door open. The Conductor entered in his detestable glory. His gaze fixated on Nightwing immediately.

"Hello, sweetheart."

The words made goosebumps spread over Donna's skin. They dripped with derision and arrogance.

Nightwing's stance changed. His mouth turned into a vapid smile. Donna hated to see her friend reduced to this caricature of himself. She wanted to jump in and stop this immediately. But Nightwing would want her to go on with freeing the Talons. So, Donna went to the next gurney.

"Come here", the Conductor gestured at Nightwing.

Donna kept her head down as she freed the next Talon. She had to hope that the Conductor wouldn't question Nightwing too much. If he did, Donna would be forced to jump in. It would break the illusion but there was no way Donna would stand by while this piece of shit creeped on her friend.

And there was something deeply unsettling about the Conductor. The way he just reveled in having all these Talons at his feet. All these people who were vulnerable to him just because they had gone through some of the worst torture imaginable.

Nightwing walked up to the Conductor as if he was being pulled by an invisible string. He didn't resist when the Conductor snaked his arm around Nightwing's waist. No. He leaned into the touch and looked up at the Conductor with a twisted adoration that made Donna sick.

"What is this, sweetheart?", the Conductor asked.

Nightwing giggled: "Mission."

The Conductor tightened his grip on Nightwing's waist: "No one told me about this mission."

Nightwing put his head to the Conductor's chest. He looked like he was seeking comfort.

"Very sorry", Nightwing said.

The Conductor shook his head: "You are getting cocky with your new enforcer-role."

Nightwing's face fell. He looked scared.

"Come on", the Conductor said, "Tell me. What is this mission?"

"Secret", Nightwing said.

"Luthor ordered you to keep it secret?"

"Luthor not order."

The Conductor's face fell: "What does this mean? Who ordered this?"

Donna dreaded the answer. She hurried to free the next Talon. Starfire and Garfield were making headway as well. Most Talons had been unstrapped while the Conductor was still toying with Nightwing.

"I do order", Nightwing sounded proud of himself.

"You?", the Conductor frowned, "Why?"

"I undercover in Light."

There was silence for just a moment. The whole room seemed to stand still. Then, the Conductor slapped Nightwing in the face. The sound echoed through the room. It made Donna flinch.

The Conductor glared at Nightwing: "You are a fucking traitor."

"I sorry", Nightwing's face fell.

He sounded devastated.

"You aren't sorry at all", the Conductor gripped Nightwing by the throat, "You thought you could be what? Smart? That you could play liberator? Cocky for a creature like you, isn't it?"

"It very cocky. I so sorry."

The Conductor scoffed: "I have to admit. I didn't expect my little Talon to be capable of this. You were my favorite. You were supposed to be my prize before Luthor whisked you away from me. You should have stayed with me the whole time. Then, you wouldn't even have thought about straying."

"I should."

"I won't let you leave now", the Conductor pointed at an empty gurney, "I'll keep you on there and harvest you until you are nothing. You can't escape me."

Nightwing shivered in fear: "I deserve."

"You do", the Conductor put his hand on Nightwing's neck, "Did you know that Talons can't produce Electrum indefinitely?"

"They die. I see."

"Soak it all in, sweetheart, because that's going to be you soon", the Conductor smirked, "Some of them already gave out. It started last week. Their bodies just couldn't take it anymore. We threw them into the trash out back."

Donna froze at that admission. It was too cruel – to horrible – to even consider.

Nightwing flinched. Something in his adoring façade broke as his vapid adoration melted away. Instead, Nightwing glared at the Conductor. Donna couldn't help but be proud.

"You monster", Nightwing's voice was quiet, shaking.

He was fighting to even speak those words. Nightwing looked like he wanted to lunge at the Conductor.

The man grinned and said: "Stand down."

Nightwing froze but the disgust on his face remained.

"I can feel how much you despise me", the Conductor grinned, "I love it because all that hate your little mind feels for me means nothing. I can still twist your mind to my will no matter what you think of me. You don't matter. I'm stronger than you."

Donna couldn't take this anymore. She lunged over the gurney in front of her and right at the Conductor. Her fist bashed in his face. The man was thrown to the floor. He stared up at her in terror.

"You like that?", Donna said, "Having someone wield their power over you?"

The Conductor winced in pain. His mouth was bloody. Donna had punched out multiple his teeth. They were strewn over the floor in pieces.

Donna gripped him by the collar: "Just for the record because it's obvious to everyone but you: You aren't stronger than him. You whimpering, little worm couldn't survive a fraction of what Nightwing and all these Talons have survived. You are just lucky that you can prey on the trauma of vulnerable people."

The Conductor opened his mouth. He looked like he was about to order Nightwing to fight her because this man couldn't fight for himself. He could only use the people he exploited as his shield.

Donna bashed him in the face again. She smirked in satisfaction as she felt his nose break.

The Conductor's head was thrown back. Donna let his body drop to the floor like the trash he was. He looked unconscious.

Nightwing stared at Donna with wide eyes. His cheeks were wet.

"You mean?", he asked.

"I do", Donna said, "You deserve a friend who has your back."

Nightwing smiled at her. Donna would enjoy the moment more if there wasn't a fight raging around them. One of the technicians was aiming his blue gun at Nightwing. Donna shielded the blast with her body.

She ripped one of the IVs of its stand and swung it like a whip. It hit the technician's hand and made him drop his weapon. Nightwing grinned maliciously as he lunged at the technician. He dispatched him with a quick blow to the face as he was defenseless now without the gun.

"I'm in", Victor screamed from the computer, "I control this facility now."

Nightwing frowned: "We need fight from room to room. Clear guards, close door behind so they not can encircle."

"Good plan", Donna turned to her fellow fighter, "We need to shield the Talons. This includes you, Nightwing."

Nightwing looked like he wanted to protest.

"None of the buts, Nightwing. We will protect you", Starfire smirked as her hands glowed in pink energy, "I wanted to destroy these guards ever since they dared imprison me."

Nightwing looked hesitant but he nodded. Victor closed off the harvesting room. With the guards down, they had some time to regroup.

Donna hurried to her friend: "Can you walk?"

Talon had sat up. Her arms were shaking but she nodded as she slipped off the gurney. Talons legs almost broke down under her. Donna's hand shot out to steady her.

She looked at the dozens of Talons in this room. Getting them out of here would be hard but they had no choice. Leaving them wasn't an option. Donna went to the next gurney and assisted another Talon.

"Open the next door, Victor", Starfire was floating in the air.

She looked a little too eager to fight. Donna would be worried about that if she wasn't so worn down from months of torture. She wanted this to be over.

Victor opened the door and Starfire rushed through it before any guards could enter. Donna heard screams of terror and pain. Garfield turned into a rhino and ran after Starfire. The screams in the hallway intensified.

"Come on", Nightwing helped two Talons walk.

It took a while for them to help all the Talons off the gurney. The hallway was quiet now. Apparently, Starfire and Garfield had taken care of it.

They entered the hallway. Donna froze at the carnage. Starfire had torn through these guards as if they were made out of paper. She had never seen so much blood. It was a gruesome sight that made Donna sick.

Nightwing looked just as horrified as Donna.

He turned to Starfire, his face determined: "No kill."

"These bastards would not hesitate to vanquish us", Starfire's eyes were glowing with pink energy.

Donna felt herself frozen in awe. Starfire was terrifying, powerful, and glorious at the same time. Donna could believe that she was a princess on another planet.

"No kill", Nightwing insisted.

Donna ripped herself out of her stasis.

"I agree with Nightwing", Donna thought of Diana's teachings, "Heroes on earth don't kill."

Starfire crossed her arms in dissatisfaction, but she said: "Very well. I shall adapt to your customs – for now."

Donna and the others hurried to help all the Talons into the hallway. Starfire lost all her aggression while interacting with the Talons. She spoke to them in soothing tones. Even Garfield understood the seriousness of the situation and didn't try to crack any jokes.

At last, Donna also thought to bring the Conductor. He couldn't be allowed to run free. If the government didn't give him the punishment he deserved, the Amazons would.

The Talons were grouped in the back of the corridor. Many of them looked too out-of-it to react. But Donna could see some terrified faces. She floated in front of them trying to make herself as broad as possible. No Talon would be hit under Donna's watch.

Victor closed the door to the harvesting room behind them: "Ready for the next one?"

"Yes", Starfire said.

Victor opened the path to the next hallway. The floor thundered under the steps of Garfield's green rhino.

Victor followed them. He turned his arm into a cannon and shot at the guards. His face had twisted into gritty determination.

Nightwing and Donna worked on bringing the Talons to the next hallway. Donna subtly tried to shift herself in front of Nightwing even if he wouldn't like it.

Talon started to walk on her own along the corridor. She allowed the wall to steady her.

"You need help?", Donna asked.

"No", Talon smiled, "I can do it."

Donna smiled back: "You are doing so well. We'll be out of here soon."

Talon's eyes were wet.

She looked up at Donna's floating form in awe: "Thank you for coming back for me. I thought I would- It would kill me. I saw them carry the bodies out. It's…"

Talon broke off. She looked terrified.

Donna balled her fists: "I wouldn't leave you, Talon."

"No, you kept your word", Talon frowned as if she couldn't believe it, "I don't want to fight anymore. I just want peace, Donna."

"You don't have to, Talon. You can be anything you want. And if it's peace you want, there is always a place on Themyscira for you."

"Amazon home?"

Donna nodded.

Talon smiled softly: "I like that."

"Then, let's get you home", Donna said.

They cleared hallway after hallway until they reached the entrance door. Donna indicated the Talons to stay behind her. They didn't know what was behind that door.

"Anyone ready for freedom?", Victor smiled.

"Just open it", Starfire was impatient.

"Careful", Nightwing said, "Maybe guards outside."

"You worry too much", Garfield said, "We've got this in the bag."

"Not un-der-es-ti-ma-te Lex Luthor", Nightwing said.

"You worry more than me, man", Victor opened the door.

Donna could feel the air on her face. The sunlight made goosebumps spread on her arms. She wanted to bask in the moment when she noticed the armada in front of them.

Five tanks were aiming at them and there were dozens of guards with blue guns. Donna pulled Nightwing behind her. He made an indignant sound. Donna didn't care. She would protect her friend.

Starfire lunged at one of the tanks. She ripped off its gun. Another tank aimed at her. The blast hit her directly in the chest. Starfire was blown away into the nearby bushes. She was immediately swarmed by guards who shot their guns at her.

"STARFIRE", Donna screamed.

She hoped Starfire would make it. Kory was still fighting in her attempts to fend off the guards. Her movements were less coordinated though. She was running on fumes. Donna wanted to jump to her aid but she was currently the only thing standing between a horde of blue guns and dozens of vulnerable Talons.

"That was our heavy hitter", Victor sounded worried.

He shot his canon at one of the tanks but the blast barely did anything.

Garfield raced at the tank in rhino form. He shoved one of them around, but the guards shot tranquilizer darts at him. Garfield fell to the floor.

"You need go, Donna", Nightwing said, "Fly Talons to save."

"But you-", Donna said.

"I can make a shield", Victor created an electric field in front of them, "I'll protect them until you've flown them away, Wondie."

Donna nodded. She gripped as many Talons as she could and told those who could to hold on to her.

Donna flew into the air away from the facility. She landed on a nearby field and set the Talons down. She felt bad about leaving them like this, but they would be safer here than in the fight.

Donna went multiple times. She had brought more than a dozen Talons to safety when a missile from the tank hit Victor's shield. It flickered and Donna feared that it would give out.

"I can't hold this long", Victor said.

Nightwing looked at the tank. He tilted his head.

"NIGHTWING", Donna screamed, "Don't do anything reck-"

Nightwing flipped over the shield. The tank tried to hit him, but Nightwing rolled down under the missile. He flipped onto the tank and clawed at its roof opening.

"He is insane", Victor said.

Donna looked at Nightwing's slashing.

"He's making himself a target", Donna said.

The guards were closing in on the tank already. Nightwing threw an explosive at them before they could shoot. It made them scramble – at least for now.

Nightwing made a triumphant sound when the latch opened, and he dropped into the tank. Screams erupted from inside.

Donna ripped herself free from the sight. She flew the next Talons to safety. And the next ones. And the next ones.

When Donna came back from another journey, Nightwing had flipped back behind Victor's shield.

"You almost gave me a heart attack", Victor said, "You know that you are dead if one of these guards hits you?"

Nightwing ignored him. He watched the two remaining tanks with a tilted head. They turned out to be a problem. Their onslaught on Victor's shield was almost constant now.

"Hurry, Wondie", Victor gritted his teeth.

The blast were pushing him back. Victor dug his feet into the soil. Nightwing put himself behind Victor pushing against him and keeping him from being thrown back by the missiles.

"I'm doing everything I can", Donna said.

Her best wasn't enough though. She felt the pressure getting to her. This mission was hinging on her being quick now. Donna had to save these people even if she had utterly failed as a wannabe hero before.

More Talons clung to her as Donna flew them to safety. When she came back, there were only four left including Donna's friend. Donna was in the middle of gathering them when another missile hit Victor's shield. He screamed as his shield broke and he and Nightwing were thrown back.

They were slammed into the wall of the building. Nightwing made a pained sound as Victor was thrown against him. He pulled an explosive out of his belt and threw it at the guards who were already zeroing in on them.

Nightwing pushed Victor's unconscious body to the floor. His chest cracked as some of his ribs reset themselves. He pulled a piece of debris from the floor and used it to shield himself. It was just in time. Blue blasts were hitting Nightwing's makeshift shield.

Donna considered coming to his aid, but Nightwing would want her to get out the Talons first.

"Come here", Donna told the remaining Talons, "If you hold on, I can take you all."

Meanwhile, Nightwing threw the piece of debris at the guards. They scrambled to the side. He jumped on another tank and slashed at its hatch – more desperate this time.

Donna slung two unconscious Talons over each of her shoulders. Two Talons gripped on to her arms, one of them her friend.

Donna floated into the air.

"Don't move", two guards stood on the grass in front of her.

Their guns were trained on the Talons. Donna cursed under her breath. There was no way she could fly without risking them.

"Fly", Talon said.

"I can't", Donna said, "I'm not risking anyone."

Talon tilted her head. She was thinking.

Then, she jumped off. Donna screamed as Talon lunged at the guards, drawing the gunfire on herself. Talon made a pained sound as she was hit but she used her last energy to slash the guns out of the guards' hands. They cried in pain as the claws tore open their hands.

Donna was frozen. Talon's scream was horrific. It would haunt her dreams for years to come.

More guards were approaching. One of the Talons who was holding on to Donna made a scared sound. His clawed hand dug deeper into Donna's leg. It was painful and Donna was sure that he was drawing blood. But it ripped her out of her inaction.

Donna needed to hurry now and make sure that Talon's sacrifice was worth something. So, she rose into the air, her body shaking. She flew to the field and brought the Talons to safety. Then, she hurried back.

Maybe Donna had been wrong. Maybe Talon had made it. She had to. It would not be fair.

Talon was lying on the grass. Her eyes were glassy as she stared into the sky. Donna landed next to her. She fell to her knees and gripped Talon's hand.

"Talon?", Donna asked.

Talon made quiet whimpers of pain. There were cracks as the ice coursed through her body. It looked agonizing. Donna couldn't imagine her blood slowly breaking.

"There has to be something we can do", Donna cradled Talon close.

Maybe they could find a doctor. Or even some scientists. Maybe there was an antidote. Donna's thoughts raced but she knew that there was nothing that could help Talon anymore. One hit was deadly.

"You are so brave, Talon. You are a hero", the world swam in front of Donna's eyes.

The ice continued to spread and Donna was powerless. Talon whimpered as her body was paralyzed.

She opened her mouth with visible strain and mouthed: "Friend."

"Friend", Donna repeated.

She held Talon close while the ice destroyed her body from within. Donna wanted to break down on the battlefield and mourn her friend. But she could feel something powerful fly towards her. Donna lunged to the side, taking Talon's body with her. She found herself face-to-face with the last tank.

Donna screamed in rage and anguish. She lunged at the tank with all her might and flipped it over. Her fists rained down on the tank. They dented the metal. Donna let out all her rage on this death machine. It was senseless. This battle had taken one of the most courageous people Donna had ever known from her.

Talon should have made it out of here. She deserved a home on Themyscira. Some healing and peace. The Amazons would have embraced her with welcoming arms.

Fuck the Light and its stupid power plays. Talon was dead because of them. She was worth more than everyone in the Light put together. It made Donna want to tear apart the Light and everything related to it. These monsters deserved what was coming for them.

Donna looked up from the tank. Blind rage wouldn't help. Where was Nightwing?

She could only see guards who were swarming another tank. Apparently, it was disabled. That made all the tanks broken. Nightwing had to be barricaded inside to protect himself from the blue guns. He would get swarmed if Donna didn't jump in.

Out of nowhere, a barrage of arrows hit the guards with scary accuracy. They all went down. Donna landed next to one of the guards and watched him. He had been tranquilized.

Donna frowned. She looked around trying to find their mysterious savior. The field was full of destroyed tanks and downed opponents. They had defeated them all.

Donna should feel energized. Like they could take on the world. But she only felt drained. They had won this fight, but it didn't feel triumphant. The cost had been too high.

Nightwing climbed out of the tank that the guards had swarmed. He tilted his head when he saw the arrows in their bodies.

"Artemis", Nightwing's face lighted up.

He flipped off the tank in search for this Artemis. She came out from behind a tree. Donna would feel intimidated by this stranger's scary, black get-up but Nightwing's reaction made her stand down.

He cartwheeled at her in excitement and pulled her into a hug: "We do it, Artie. We do it."

Donna would be amused at this open display of affection, but she turned around. Talon's frozen body was lying on the grass. Donna crouched next to her and attempted to close her eyelids, but they were frozen stiff.

Donna pressed her eyes shut in defeat. She carefully picked up Talon's body and approached Nightwing and Artemis.

Nightwing's excited grin fell when he saw Talon. He made a strangled sound.

"She sacrificed herself to protect the other Talons", Donna said.

Artemis lowered her gaze. Donna couldn't see her expression behind the face mask.

"I'm sorry", Artemis sounded genuine despite the lack of discernible body language.

"She deserves a burial on Themyscira."

"She does", Artemis' voice was heavy, "Her sacrifice wasn't for nothing. I arrived with Batman. He took the plane to pick up the Talons. They are safe."

Donna nodded. It was a small comfort. Talon had saved people with her actions.

Artemis put a hand on Nightwing's shoulder: "Batman is waiting. We need to get the Talons and your team to the Watchtower for medical care."

"My team?", Nightwing frowned.

"You fought with them, didn't you?"

Nightwing's frown deepened. He didn't say anything, opting to approach Victor instead. The man was groaning in pain but didn't look life-threateningly harmed. Starfire was already limping towards them. Her eyes were still sparkling with energy but she had visibly deflated.

They were quiet on their way to the plane. Batman exited it, his cape floating behind him. Donna halted. She had only caught glimpses of Batman when Diana had babysat her on the Watchtower. The man had terrified her then. He had been an unapproachable shadow – known for his brutality in Gotham.

Nightwing hurried to Batman and flung himself at him: "Dad."

Batman answered more restrained: "You're alive."

But his tight grip around Nightwing gave him away. They stood like this for a while. Donna suspected that she would never see a Batman-hug like this ever again.

Batman looked up. His chin tensed when he saw Talon in Donna's arms.

"May I?", Batman took off his cape.

He wrapped it around Talon's body, allowing her some dignity and warmth. Donna didn't allow him to take Talon away. Instead, Donna cradled her covered body close. She would make sure that Talon would get the respect she deserved in death.

"We're going to the Watchtower", Batman said.

Nightwing shuffled uncomfortably as he followed Batman onto the plane. His head hung low.

Nightwing stayed quiet as he followed Artemis into the cargo hold. Starfire carried an unconscious Garfield and dragged the Conductor behind her by the collar of his lab coat. Victor was limping but he had a wide smile on his face. They were free – after months of captivity and indignity.

The Talons were huddled in the hold. Some were unconscious. Others were wrapped up in blankets. Their eyes followed Donna as she carried her friend inside. They knew what had to be in the bundle Donna was holding.

"It'll be fine", Artemis turned to Nightwing, "They'll see the truth and how many people you saved in the last months."

"I still hurt them."

"Do you regret it?"

Nightwing looked around the hold: "I not. I carry consequences."

"Nightwing", Artemis' sounded alarmed.

He didn't answer her. Instead, he sat down on a wall. He tried to look unaffected, but his claws were digging into his palms and his knees were pulled to his chest.

Artemis gripped his hand, forcing him to stop: "No hurting yourself."

Donna sat down next to them. She carefully put Talon's body down and took Nightwing's other hand. He looked like he wanted to protest but eventually he slumped against Donna and put his head on her shoulder.

Donna welcomed the human contact after months in a pod. His warm presence compensated for the coldness emanating from Talon's body. It was his way to comfort her just as she was comforting him.

The plane lifted off.

AN: So excited to finally have the Titans together and do stuff! After dozens of thousands of words in those pods, they came out to play.

Also: Nightwing & Donna-friendship developments! This is not a drill. Donna smashing the Conductor's face in was so satisfying. And Starfire pulling him behind her like the lowlife he is. All the Titans protecting Nightwing is giving me life - even if he doesn't see it that way.

Also, I had Donna throw a tank around Wonder Woman-movie style because it's awesome. She comes after her big sister. (I didn't listen to that Wonder Woman-score thinking about this. Not at all...)

RIP Talon. What a true hero. Donna will make sure that she is well taken care of. She deserves it. :,(

Next chapter will be more angst-heavy. Also, Jason is gonna make some moves. ;)