Three days Jake sat in his room in a hole in the ground he called home, thinking of what has happened over the past twenty fours hours. The disband of the Titans, the discovery of Marcus controlling the Justice League, and now four of his fellow hunters were working with him. They must have know that there was trouble, since it would have been safe if they were in hiding. Their reasons for coming out must have been good, since they properly preferred being someone else.

Knocking on his door, it was Daria.

Entering, "I'm heading out to check the city, you coming."

"No," he replied, "Come back in four hours and I'll take watch," nodding then turning to leave, "and watch your back out there, we have no idea what will pop up now."

Giving her about five minutes, then headed into the main room. Bringing up the live feed in the tower that Marcus wasn't smart enough to check for. What if he did know and wanted Jake to watch. Checking the rooms with the installed camera to gather intel that could be use, what Jake found tied his stomach in knots.

Slade was in the basement retraining Terra. It seems she wasn't sent to be 'questioned' instead made it easy for one of Slade's 'failed apprentices' to return for a refresher course. More like a damn beat down. She did her best to fight. He knocked her down kicking her hard, several times. Crawling away a bit, she spit up blood. An hour of this refresher until a pair of Slade bots dragged her off. Switching from camera to camera until they stopped and threw her into an utility closet that got turned into a jail cell. Shaking his head, Jake knew Slade hadn't changed his sick training method.

Fear crept in or was it disgust. What if Jinx was still in the Tower? He had to be sure she was still alive. Finding her in no time and she was worse off then Terra. Her hands encased behind her back. Her dress barely covering her exposing those sensitive areas and parts that were meant for one man to see. A Blood controlled Cyborg look alike bot delivered her a cruel beating.

Calling off the bot, "If you think this is the worse your going to get young Jinx," said Blood, "then you are quite wrong. Isn't that right, boys?"

Mammoth and Gizmo came into view with evil smiles on their lips.

Smiling, "Your old teammates feel left out of your little runaway to the Titans. I feel it is only right that they physically pay you back for the emotional strain you put them through. Have fun boys, and be sure she can still breath," leaving.

"Hey Gizmo, would you mind if I go a couple of rounds with a punching bag?" Mammoth asked with a cruel smile.

"If you mean and punching bag that screams when you hit it, then I have no problem with it, here, let me hold it for you," remarked Gizmo grabbing Jinx's ankles with a pair of mechanical arms.

As she was launched into the air, she shrieked in terror.

Taking up a boxer's stance, Mammoth sent a straight jab into Jinx's stomach. Five minutes of no screams, unhappy Mammoth got bored.

"Maybe her throat needs cleared out," said Gizmo giving Jinx a French kiss.

A muffled scream then bit his tongue hard enough to taste blood.

"She bit me, that slut," dropping her.

Landing hard on the ground, she stared at him. Smiling, she spit out his blood along hers.

"I've tasted better school cafeteria food, and that's saying something compared to you pig," shifting her eyes on Mammoth, "and as for you, you pathetic excuse for a bull's ass, I won't give you, or Blood for the matter, the pleasure of hearing me scream."

Grabbing her hair, Mammoth brought her to his eye level causing her feet to dangle in the air.

Smiling at her, "Then I guess we'll beat you until you change your mind and scream," following up with another punch to her stomach that had enough force that sent her flying towards the wall at the back of the room.

Turning the camera off, afraid they were going to do something that would send his fist into the computer screen. Looking at the clock, two hours passed since Daria left, another two hours to go.

Grabbing a bottle of whiskey, he took long swig from the bottle. It didn't help.

"Those damn motherless sons of a…," throwing the bottle against the far wall, shattering and covering the wall with glass and whiskey.

Fighting demons, anyone Jake called friend always got hurt one way or another. His thoughts drifted to Raven who he cared for with all his heart. She properly crying her heart out thinking that he would never return. She might even fall deep into depression that sacrificing herself to bring her father into this world would cheer her up. Or worse find a better boyfriend.

Couldn't let that happen especially the boyfriend part. Couldn't let himself hurt her that way. Yet, he didn't have a way of helping her. He didn't know where she was. Hating to say it, he needed to put faith into someone other then himself to get the job done.

"What the hell am I going to do now?"

"You could be out looking for her," coming from behind him.

Snapped around with my fists balled up, his guns were out of his reach. In front of him was his guest, Robin not wearing his normal red, green, and yellow costume instead an all black suit with a blue bird across his chest.

Blinking, "Robin? I thought you followed Bats ever order to the T."

Grinning, "Robin does, but I'm not here as Robin. You're looking at Nightwing."

"That really doesn't answer why you're here."

His face turned grim.

"The Justice League were acting weird the other day, and not just Batman. He did something that he has never done, something I could never believe he would do."

Jake's face mirrored Nightwing's grim face.

"You mean, when he hit you?"

His face turned from shock to confusion.

"How did you know?"

Motioning him to follow, Jake lead him to the computer. Using playback, showed when he sent the Titans the evidence against him.

Staring at him from the corner of his eye, "Before you say anything," said Jake, "this hasn't been the first time something like this has happened to me," starting the playback "so don't take offence," taking a step back.

With his own eyes for five minutes to run through the tapes, Nightwing was as pissed as Jake.

Controlling the tone of his voice, "That last man, do you know him?"

"Only enough to know that he is a high ranking daemon, meaning part human and part demon, that is working to bring Trigon forth. The fun part is even a high ranking demon like him would have made a name for himself somewhere, but I've never heard of him."

Nightwing nodded processing the information.

"What about Terra and Jinx? Do you know what happened to them?"

"They never went to the police. Long story short, it would be best to stay out of Cy and BB's way if they ever run into Slade or Blood's students."

"Have they been.."

Nightwing couldn't say it. He was afraid to ask, or hear the truth.

"Raped?"

"Terra, no," pausing about Jinx, "After seeing the footage, it took me five hours and thirty demon kills to calm down enough to not rush the tower single handily."

Shifting his jaw, Nightwing put a large fist shaped dent in a ten-inch stainless steel table.

"They will pay," said Jake, "All three of them will pay dearly."

He nodded in a silent agreement.

"Robin, is that you?" came from the side of them.

It was the tear stained face of Starfire with mask less Otomo behind her.

Nightwing didn't moving until Jake gave him a hard shove towards her direction, "Give your girlfriend a hug, you love sick idiot."

They came together with Starfire crying into Nightwing's chest with his soothing whispers into her ear.

Standing beside him, "She was the only one I found," said Otomo watching the reunited couple, "but I see that it doesn't matter."

"What do you mean," angrily said Starfire, "We haven't obeyed their wishes and are together again."

Hurt by her outbreak Nightwing's numbed tongue prevented her ears from hearing the words to ease her anger.

"I'm guess you are referring to the Justice League," remarked Jake, "who just happen to be under someone else control and had no way of controlling their own actions."

Seeing Jake, "This is your fault Jake," letting her hands glow, "We called you friend or to be betrayed just like Terra did with Slade."

"Star, he has been right the whole time, he was setup. Nothing is his fault." Causing her look at him, "I trust him."

Nodding her head, "Then, then I will trust him as well."

"Looks like someone started the party without us, BB," came from the entrance.

It was Cyborg and Beast Boy following by a very pissed off Hazara. Beast Boy acted like he was trying say to her until a murderous glace in his direction causing a small scream and trying to use Cyborg as shield.

Guess Harzara found Beast Boy's jokes annoying.

Forcibly putting her hand on Jake's arm, "Next time, give me all the details about someone, or next time I'll kill them no matter how important they maybe needed."

"Um, sorry?"

Punching Jake's stomach, she walked over and sat on the cold hard ground near the far wall.

Trying to catch his breath at least she didn't go for his cock, his ears caught Otomo laughing.

"Oh shut up," I reply as he shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Nice threads, Robin," commented Cyborg.

"It's Nightwing."

"Nice threads, Nightwing," replied Cyborg "Hey Jake, where's the other girls?"

How to answer?

"Let's wait till Etana comes back with Raven," answered Jake, "then will worry about Terra and Jinx."

"She ain't coming back," said Etana stumbling into the room.

It looked like her broken leg that didn't heal right. The rest of her didn't look so well. Supporting her was Daria, who looked very concerned for her fellow hunter.

"I found her just coming into town," said Daria, with her voice sounding tired from helping Etana all the way here.

Cyborg got her over to the couch. Hazara stood close to her. What's their relationship about?

"I couldn't get to Raven," said Etana, "Marcus beat me to her. And he had one nasty fire minion under his control."

"Cyborg, how she looking?" asked Jake.

"No, internal bleeding from what little scanning I can do here, another then some sleep and a shower I'm sure, and a cast on that leg, she should be okay."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Jake's ears detected a sigh of relief from Hazara. With that bridal she wears, he couldn't really tell.

Everyone had circled around. They needed to talk and create a plan on getting the Tower back, rescue Jinx, Terra, and now Raven, beat the three power house bad guys that have taken over, and no three hundred Spartans. They were in for a long night.

Standing across the street, he stared at the alley entrance. Rain drops slid down his umbrella. Walking towards the alley entrance, a car brakes screeched behind him.

"Stop," yelled a female voice getting out of the car.

He didn't. Hands grabbed his right arm. He pulled his arm free.

Stepping in front of him, "He'll kill you," hoping to him stop.

He pushed her away.

Grabbing his leg, "Don't do it. I'll be your slave."

He stopped and looked down. She stared up at him. Being soaked by the rain couldn't hide the tears in her eyes.

Gripping her arms, he pulled her to her feet.

"He wouldn't know where I was if you didn't call in your report."

"You know."

Holding his left wrist to her face, "I was warned after receiving Roger's life force."

"You still let me call."

"Yes."

"Then let's run away."

"No, better to face it now then later."

"Kenaz will kill you."

"Not if I kill him first, now go," walking around her.

Entering the alley, he closed the umbrella letting the rain to hit his hat. A silhouette appeared at the end of the alley. He continued towards it.

Stopping, he stared at figure. He was dressed like Rath. A sword rested on his shoulder.

"Guess you're Kenaz."

"So you know my name…"

"All you need to know is that I'll kill you."

"Think that's going to be easy?" snapping his fingers.

Soldiers appeared from dumpsters, windows, and around crate.

"You must think I'm real dangerous," remarked Rath.

"You killed the messenger. I'm post to be the malicous one, not you."

"Then why do you need back up?"

"Well you see the council gave me the permission to behead demon knights if they resist arrest and you're resisting arrest."

"Wheeler isn't going to be happy."

"Less he know, the better," snapping his fingers.

Bullets hit air and fellow soldiers.

"Oh, shit, a runner," thought Kenaz.

On the rooftop, Rath listened to the sounds of bullets flying and hitting soldiers.

"Never seen anyone phase that quickly," came from behind him.

Turning, he saw Kenaz. Holding the umbrella, he slid his hand down the umbrella turning it into a sword blade.

"An alchemist," remarked Kenaz going to his stance.

Twirling his sword hand, Rath started circling Kenaz's who did the same thing. Slowly the distance between them closed. Kenaz took a swing. Rath blocked it. Fury of slashes followed as lightening flashed and thunder clashed around them.

Kenaz's over swung allowing Rath to cut through his right knee. Kicking Kenaz's sword away, Rath's sword rested on the front of Kenaz's neck. Before Rath could take Kenaz's head, a searchlight appeared on them. A bullet from a sniper rifle went through Rath's right shoulder allowing Kenaz to roll out of the searchlight. Bullets from the spinning barrel of the helicopter's machine gun torn through Rath's body. As bullets continued to assault him, he staggered towards the edge of the roof.

When there was no longer solid ground under his feet, he dropped like a rock. Hitting the edge of a fire escape, he continued falling until the edge of a trash dumpster stopped him. Rolling, he hit the wet pavement.

Lying on his back, his brain registered the pain that shot through his body. He was breathing therefore still alive. Turning onto his stomach, he lifted his head up. Rain rolled into his eyes. Wiping the rain from his eyes, he saw a manhole cover.

Closing his eyes, the manhole cover started rising as pain increased in his body. It lifted up enough to catch the edge of the pavement. Crawling, he blocked the pain in his body which wasn't easy. Gripping the edge of the manhole cover, he slid it enough for him to enter the sewer. Hooking his arm on a rung, he returned the manhole cover. Trying to climb down, he slipped and landed into the raising sewer water below him.