Before I begin this chapter, I have good news! I'm going to attend my first ComicCon in Denver. Yes, I am a super nerd, and no, I won't cosplay.
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"Follow me." Batman curtly commanded them. "And don't touch anything until we are inside, there are booby traps everywhere."
Batman led them down from the roof through a concrete lined stairwell. Changeling was wide eyed and not only carefully avoided touching anything, he even made sure that the retraced Batman's path on every step in the stairway. Raven glided down behind him, levitating and touching nothing at all.
At the bottom of the stairwell there was a heavy metal door. There appeared to be no means to unlock it: no keyhole, no numeric pad or a card key reader. The Dark Knight retrieved what appeared to be high tech garage door opener and pressed the large red button on it. The door at first creaked and moaned and finally slowly swung open.
"Follow me, and don't touch anything yet, we still aren't inside."
They were now inside a concrete tunnel that slowly descended. It was dimly lit by a few fluorescent tubes, most of which were either burned out or were in their death throes as they buzzed and flickered in agony. There were handrails on the walls and a few light switches, from which Gar kept clear and did not touch. The tunnel reached a dead end. Batman gestured to them to stand next to him. Once they did he pressed a green button on the clicker and the floor beneath began to slowly sink into the ground. When the descent was complete they were inside the apartment.
The interior of Nightwing and Starfire's home stood in stark contrast to the building's exterior. While utilitarian in its décor it was immaculately clean and everything looked new.
"Where is his office?" Raven asked.
"This way." Batman replied.
A door slid open, revealing Nightwing's study. Much like the office he once had at the Tower it was spacious and there were papers taped to the wall. Raven studied them while Gar examined the desk, which as in the past was covered with papers and miscellaneous electronic parts and other detritus. After examining the dustbin he morphed into a mouse and began to explore the less accessible areas of the office, including the desk's interior.
"There doesn't seem to be any pattern to these newspaper clippings.' Raven remarked. "That is not his normal mode of operation."
"You think that there might be pattern in the chaos? I already ran it through a computer. Nothing was found." Batman replied.
"Same thing with his desk. It's just random junk." Gar added. "Rae's right though, he was messy but there was always a pattern. It's almost like he's was trying to hide something, like when he became Red X."
"Except that this time Starfire was in on the plan." Raven added. "Let's go check the rest of the house."
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The mood in the Batmobile was gloomy as the extended team had struck out and found no new leads in the penthouse. Nobody said anything, even though they passed by several crimes in progress. Bludhaven wasn't Batman's turf and he ignored what he saw, even though he knew that Nightwing and Starfire wouldn't be showing up to round up the Bludhaven thugs. At that moment he had bigger fish to fry. He remained silent until they were once again within Gotham city limits.
"Have you decided if you will take Nightstar with you?" He finally broke the silence.
"We have." Raven replied. "We will take her home with us."
"Thank you." He replied in his monotone. "Before I return you to your hotel, I have something I wish to share with you."
The Batmobile veered off the road down into a drainage channel. Raven and Gar raised their eyebrows, wondering what Batman was up to. They then saw a concrete wall in the channel flip open like a garage door and the car darted inside. The tunnel was long and there were other secret doors that opened. After a few minutes the car entered a large cavern and Batman stopped it on large rotating platform.
Gar looked around wide eyed, knowing well where Batman had brought them. He turned to Raven and before he could say anything she nodded. As they climbed out from the famous black car a man dressed in a suit approached Batman.
"Miss Nightstar is in bed and sound asleep Master Bruce. She asked me again when her parents would be returning."
Alfred turned to the Batmobile and saw the two Titans standing next to it.
"I see that we he decided to bring Drs. Roth and Logan into our confidence."
Batman removed his cowl. Raven and Changeling both gasped, as they immediately recognized him.
"They have agreed to take Nightstar into their custody."
He turned to the two Titans.
"I suppose that you know who I am? And this is Alfred Pennyworth, my confidant."
Gar still looked stunned while Raven had regained her composure.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wayne. I presume that our missing teammate and former leader is your one time ward, Richard Grayson." (A/N I always wondered just how much Raven learned about Robin when she entered his mind in the episode 'Haunted')
"That is correct. Since you will be doing this favor for the Graysons as well as for me, I have decided to bring you into the Bat Clan. I'm sorry that Dick was never able to reveal his secret identity to you, but it was an unfortunate necessity."
"Dude, that's awesome." Gar said breathlessly. His regressive outburst did not go unnoticed by Raven, who was actually glad to hear him use that word, even if he was now a Professor at UC Jump City.
"After you have finished your business at the Museum tomorrow Alfred will come to collect you. We will introduce you to Nightstar. Once she is ready Alfred will take you to the airport, where a Wayne Corp jet will be waiting to take you back to Jump City. I suggest you return to your hotel and get a good night's rest."
"I will be more than happy to take the Drs. Back to their hotel." Alfred announced.
"Thank you Alfred. We can get back there on our own." Raven replied.
"Of course, you and Dr. Logan are both capable of flight. That will come in handy with Miss Nightstar. She does enjoy flying ... immensely I might add."
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Raven was already changed into her nightgown and was sitting on her bed, one of two king sized beds in the bedroom. She was fidgeting with her old Titan's communicator when he emerged from the bathroom, only wearing his pajama bottoms. She stopped toying with the communicator and caught herself staring at his lean and well formed torso. She turned her focus immediately back to her communicator.
Oh Azar, he looks so damned good. Stop it! He's just a friend. She chided herself.
He sat down on the edge of his bed. Raven did her best to not look at him.
"You OK Rae?" He asked.
"I see you've been working out while in school." She replied as she continued to press buttons on the communicator. "I have to commend you for your diligence."
"It was a good way to manage the stress. I'm glad I did it. Any luck finding anyone on the Titans network?"
"I haven't tried everyone yet. So far the only ones I've found are Jinx, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Red Star. Aqualad says that he also lost contact with the former Titans East about 3 weeks ago."
"You're kidding? What the hell is going on Rae? This can't be a coincidence. Someone is picking off Titans."
"I agree. What should we do?"
"The secret base, it should still be out there, we never handed it over. Send an all Titans message warning everyone of what's happening and tell them to get over there ASAP."
Raven nodded her agreement.
"We'll need to tell Bruce about our change in plans. We can't go back to Jump City."
"It's too dangerous." He agreed. "I wonder how far Nightstar can fly. The closest Bruce's jet can get us to the secret base is over 500 kilometers, we'll have to fly the rest of the way."
"We'll manage, she is half Tamaranian, but we can carry her if necessary. But what do we do tonight Gar? There's no way the hotel is secure."
"I know, but we don't want to tip our hand, as soon as they learn that we've figured out that we're targets, they'll make their move. We have to act normal, and that includes going to the museum tomorrow. When we face them, we want to do it on our own terms."
"But what if they decide to make their move tonight?"
"We can take turns keeping watch, so we won't be caught off guard. You go ahead and sleep first, Rave."
"OK, but wake me in 3 hours, you need your sleep more than I do."
"Deal."
The two friends stood up and embraced each other.
"We'll get to the bottom of this, Rave."
"We won't fail. As Starfire used to say: We will be victorious."
They hugged each other one more time and shared a chaste kiss.
"For good luck." He said.
"For good luck." She replied.
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The black Rolls Royce pulled up to the Gotham Museum right on schedule, at 11:30 AM. The uniformed driver exited the vehicle and opened the passenger door for a young couple that suddenly emerged from the museum, walking down the granite stairs. The female was wearing a long flowing black dress with a hooded blue cape, and was wearing her hood up, concealing her face and was carrying a briefcase. Her companion was wearing a sharp Italian suit and only his green complexion gave away his identity.
The driver tipped his hat as they boarded the limo and after a moment they were off.
"I trust your appointment at the Museum went well Dr. Roth." Alfred broke the silence.
"It did Alfred. It's a good thing I came. More than half of the artifacts are forgeries."
"Have people no shame?" Alfred complained. "Trying to sell counterfeit relics to a museum? Will that affect your business Dr. Roth?"
"I'm afraid so, I was going to buy some of them myself. Ranesh is going to be disappointed again. I did collect a sizeable fee from the museum, plus they agreed to cover my expenses for this trip."
"That was the least they could do, Rvae saved them over 10 million bucks."
"I am certain that you have their gratitude. By the way, Master Bruce is on the museum's board of directors."
"So that's how he knew we were coming." Gar interjected.
"Master Bruce has many methods for keeping his finger on the city's pulse. Serving on many boards is but one of them."
"Not surprising." Raven added. "Is Nightstar ready to meet us?"
Alfred smiled.
"The royal princess is indeed looking forward to meeting you. Apparently her parents have shown her video images and photographs of both you and Dr. Logan and she knows who you are. She seems to be quite excited at the prospect of meeting you. I have also arranged for one of our corporate jets to take you to the drop off point. I purchased a speedboat which will be waiting for you there. The weather forecast is favorable and the final leg of your trip to your destination should be uneventful."
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Alfred led the two Titans into the library in Wayne Manor and announced he would be returning with refreshments. Bruce was standing in the middle of the room and they soon noticed that a little girl was hiding behind him. She poked her head out and quickly darted behind Bruce again.
"Hello Nightstar." Raven said softly. "You've become a big girl since the last time I saw you."
The princess took another peek and after thinking about it for a moment she emerged from behind Bruce.
"Auntie Raven?" She asked cautiously.
The gray sorceress dropped down on to her knees so that she was at eye level with the six year old child. She had dark hair and deep blue eyes which she inherited from her father. Her complexion was 100% Tamaranian and her features were a mix of both her parents. She then saw Gar, who had already changed into his signature Doom Patrol costume.
"Uncle Beast Boy."
The changeling smiled and nodded, after which the child ran forward and wrapped her arms around Raven. She reciprocated and kissed the girl on her cheek.
"Grandpa Bruce says I'm going to go live with you."
"Yes sweetie, you will, until your mommy and daddy come home."
"Where are they Auntie Raven?" The child began to sob. "I want them to come home now. I miss my mommy."
"They didn't tell us, but I'm sure that whatever they're doing it's very important."
Gar piped up.
"We're gonna go on a vacation Nightstar. There's gonna be a beach and we'll have a lot of fun there. But it's really far away, so were gonna fly in an airplane."
"Can't we fly there ourselves? I can fly, you know."
"It's very far away sweetie, we would get very tired if we had to fly there ourselves, and it would take a very long time." Raven answered.
The child turned to Gar.
"Uncle Beast Boy, can you really turn into a puppy?"
Gar grinned at the request.
"For you kiddo, I'll turn into anything you want."
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The Gulfstream jet shot across the tropical sky, leaving a white trail of condensed water in its wake. They were almost two thirds of the way to their destination and the Disney movie Nightstar was watching had just concluded. The child yawned and looked around the cabin. She found Raven and Gar seated on a small couch, chatting quietly until they noticed the movie was done.
"Are you sleepy sweetie?" Raven asked her.
Nightstar nodded with a hint of grogginess. Raven picked her up and deposited the child onto a bed the lone flight attendant had set up earlier.
"Go ahead and take a nap." Raven told her in a soothing voice.
Raven watched as the girl's eyelids became heavy and she was soon asleep. The flight attendant approached them.
"Can I get you anything else?" She asked.
"Thank you Miss Ashmore, I think right now all we need is for some quiet time so the child can sleep." Raven replied.
"Very well, I'll be in the galley in the back. If you need anything just let me know." She smiled before she drew shut the drapes that separated the galley from the cabin.
"So, are you gonna do it Rae?"
The gray Titan nodded.
"I am. I'll go into her mind and search for clues. Nightwing or Starfire had to have said something in her presence that should give us an idea of where they went. She might not understand what she heard, but she'll probably remember it."
"She'll be OK, right?"
"From her perspective, it'll seem like a dream."
"Ok then, well, good luck." He added.
She paused.
"Gar, before I start, I want to ask you something."
He gave her an inquisitive look.
"Yes?"
Raven hesitated before continuing.
"It's not important, I'll ask you later."
Where's Brave when I need her?
Raven sat down on one of the oversized seats and adopted the lotus position. Gar looked on as she began to slowly repeat her timeless mantra. He watched mesmerized as her soul self emerged from her body. It turned towards him and nodded before redirecting itself towards Nightstar.
The next thing Raven saw was that she was in the girl's bedroom in Bludhaven. She sensed an aura of happiness in her surroundings and found Nightstar seated around a small table, preparing to have a tea party with her dolls.
"Auntie Raven! You're just in time for our tea party!" The child rejoiced.
A plush bunny turned to Raven and spoke.
"Mar'i makes the yummiest tea, please try some." The rabbit announced as it handed a saucer and cup to the sorceress.
"I suppose … I could try some." Raven replied as she took the plastic teacup and saucer from the eager rabbit. To her surprise it contained a dark fluid.
Raven raised it to her lips and took a sip. It tasted like Pepsi.
"It is very yummy Nightstar … sweetie … where are your mommy and daddy?"
"They're in daddy's office. Come with me. I'll show you where."
Raven followed the girl out of her room and she indeed did lead her into Nightwing's office. He and Starfire were there and mumbled unintelligibly to each other. Raven knew that Nightstar was too young to understand what her parents were talking about but apparently she was also unable to remember the words. She puzzled at how to approach the situation when Nightstar surprised her.
"Mommy, show Auntie Raven the picture of the funny monkey."
"Not now my dear, please go back and play with your dolls."
"Pleeeeaaaase?" She nagged the surreal Starfire.
"It is not something for children to see, you should not peek at your father's desk."
Raven decided to take the initiative.
"It's OK Starfire; I'm a big girl now."
The dream world Tamaranian looked at Raven, then nodded.
"Yes, you are a big girl. You may look at the funny monkey."
Starfire handed Raven a photograph, and the grey sorceress allowed a gasp to escape her lips.
"Mallah!" She shouted.
"Raven! Raven!" She heard a distant voice calling out to her and felt someone invisible shaking her body. She quickly recalled her soul self back into her body and opened her eyes.
The private jet was nose diving.
"We've been hit!" Gar shouted at her.
"What?!"
"A fighter jet came out of nowhere and started shooting at us! We're going down."
Lisa Ashmore was wearing a parachute, and had three more in her hands.
"We can bail out in the back of the plane!" The stewardess shouted above the din. "Here are your parachutes!"
"We don't need them! We can fly!" Raven shouted. "Save yourself!"
Lisa vanished into the rear of the plane. Using her dark energy Raven summoned the pilot and copilot out of the cockpit and repeated her command. They refused to bail out while their passengers remained in the cabin. Raven flung her cape around and it grew, engulfing everyone. Moments after the giant, black spectral bird emerged from the jet a missile hit it, destroying it completely.
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It's mailbag time!
LSUABW - "Nightstar? Really? Lol I guess it's a superhero baby for sure! Haha other than that, great chapter! Can't wait to read more!"
Nightstar is a real character from the comics. She has her mother's powers.
JOHNXgambit - "question who trademarked chromatically challenged couple?"
No one did. It's a gag I made up.
Shadico - "Blech, how could ya Dick. I don't see how any parent would want to have their family in that kind of environment voluntarily. Hopefully as events unfold someone slaps some sense into him and he moves them out of Bludhaven. Maybe re-create the titans? hah"
Grayson is obsessed if anything.
Bluedog197 - "Dude that was awesome i cant believe nightwing and starfire lived thereand booby traps yep he is still parinoid i think robin lost his but poor raven now she realized that she is lonley without beastboy let hope they stay together by the way this is the first time im reading this story so keep writing and ill keep reviewing"
I'll keep the chapters coming.
Chayseman - "Nice! I was a fan of the original story, and I didn't think the last few chapters were bad, I think you did a great job. Can't wait for more."
I hope the new ones are better.
Anoymous136 - "Booby traps... Hehe... How does Batamn say that with a straight face?... Booby traps... Hehe."
Batman says EVERYTHING with a straight face :-)
TheThoughtsofKarasu - "I'm excited to see which Honorary Titans Gar and Raven will contact. Nice chapter, nothing dramatic happened but it gave a lot of insight on Changeling and Raven's feelings."
It's going to take a little while before they figure out how they really feel for each other.
DeeThom - "It's all coming back to me now, slowly but surely. I just really wish I could remember more of the story. But I'm loving the build-up so far! Great job!"
I'm glad you like the second time around.
titanfan45 - "Raven was dead on when she said that Batman would likely come to them. Gotta feel sorry for Nightfire, her parents are missing and it looks as though she will be sent to stay with people she has never met. No doubt Changeling and Raven will quickly make her feel at ease with them."
She's been in Grayson's head and knows a little about the Dark Knight.
Purplepox63010 - "Love this tons! Honestly keep going!"
Will do! Thanks for reviewing!
krostovikraven1 - "i wonder too how Starfire agreed to such arrangements. she's so bubbly and happy and coming to live in a depressing place like that its just ... well... depressing. specially with a little girl. i think is wrong of Batman to just "assign" them the babysitting job. true they are retired but it doesnt mean they've lost their instincts."
You know what? I also wonder just what the heck she was thinking. As for Bats, he does what he wants.