~Nightwing~

October 19, 2:00 PM, Eastern:

I saw Tim go down. No, not again! It can't be like before; like Damian and Jason.

"TIM!" I shouted, earning myself a punch from Spirit. I turned back to her. "Look what you're doing, Demary!" I shouted. Demary glanced around nonchalantly.

"It's all for Apocalyps, Nightwing. If you surrender, no one else will be killed." Demary shrugged. Gritting my teeth, I went in for another punch.

"Yramed morf yawa teg!" A feminine voice yelled. No, not her too!

Zatanna floated behind Spirit, and as my fist came closer to Demary, I was sent flying backwards. I did a backflip and landed on my feet, crouching with one hand to support myself. Both of them looked at me with emotionless red eyes.

"M'gann!" Superboy screamed do loudly it could've rivalled Black Canary. The three of us turned. M'gann was just floating there, staring at Tim and Cassie, then to Superboy. "M'gann... Please... Look around! Please WAKE UP!" Superboy pleaded. M'gann blink forcefully, and on the third blink, her eyes weren't red anymore. She just hovered there, tears filling her eyes.

"Cassie... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." She started sobbing. Superboy went over and gently coaxed her to the ground, where he hugged her warmly.

"SORRY TO BREAK THE SAD REUNION." Darkseid smirked. "IT'S REALLY TOO BAD SHE WOKE UP; REALLY. SHE'D BELONGED TO ME AND NOW YOU'VE STOLEN HER BACK. SHE IS NO LONGER OF ANY USE TO ME. SPIRIT- KILL HER." Spirit thrust out her hands to M'gann, and a think white wisp encircled her.

"NO!" Superboy screamed. M'gann coughed and fumbled for Superboy's hands. Smiling, she slowly fell to the ground motionless. The white mist retracted into Spirit. Superboy fell to his knees beside M'gann. "M'gann..." He groaned. Everyone had stopped fighting to watch. Suddenly, Superboy turned on Spirit in a fury. "YOU!" He shouted and jumped towards her, knocking her over. The fights resumed.

Where was the Justice League? If I knew them, they were fighting the monsters no doubt. And we were left with the big fish. I didn't want to fight. That's the main reason I had left the Team in the first place. And now, I had to fight Zatanna. My own girlfriend.

Tim was dead. M'gann was dead. I wouldn't let anyone die again!

"Erutpac gniwthgin." Zatanna said. A bubble of red appeared around me, trapping me inside. All of a sudden, a blast of blue light shattered it. Blue Beetle stood beside me, with Impulse. It seemed he was all right as well. He waved lightly at me, then charged Zatanna. But then out of nowhere, a rod flew out if the sky and smacked into Inpulse's leg, knocking him onto the ground. The rod released electricity, knocking him out. Blue Beetle put his two hands together, creating a huge staple and shot it at Zatanna, who was distracted. Zatanna flew to the ground, still conscious. She couldn't get up, however. Before she could release another spell, Blue knocked her out with a sonic blast. For a moment, I was left without an opponent. I glanced around the battle field. Cassie was protecting Tim's... She was protecting him, Kaldur was holding his own well against a bulky woman, Superboy was fighting Spirit, and everyone else was fending off Darkseid's army. Klarion, Vandal, and Darkseid stood near the portal, watching and waiting.

My face smacked the floor. Ra's stood over me.

"Such a pity." He sighed, digging his heel into the back of my neck. "You would've made an excellent Shadow assassin, if you had not invited Demary into your Team." I felt blood trickle around my nose.

"Get off!" I tried to yell, but Ra's dug his heel in deeper, sending sparks of pain up my spine.

"It's over, Nightwing. My offer for you to spare your life by joining me still stands." Grunting, I heaved him off and knocked his legs out from under him.

"Never." I growled, wiping my nose. Ra's got to his feet steadily eying me. He spread out his arms and laughed.

"It's futile. My granddaughter is under Darkseid's control. The Justice League are being held up by our remaining allies- Cole, Sportsmaster, and our army. Earth is ours."

"Ours?" I demanded. "You really believe that Darkseid is gonna share this world?!" Ra's tsk'ed softly.

"He doesn't need to share it. The bargain was that we got to destroy you." Fast as lightning, Ra's foot shot out and caught me in the stomach. I coughed, but drew out my Escrima sticks. He unsheathed his sword.

Releasing and uppercut, Ra's used both hands to add more power. My Escrima sticks were all that kept my throat from being sliced. Most of the team were down. I heard a cry of pain. Ra's was immediately distracted.

"Demary!" He shouted. Fuelled by new energy, Ra's kicked me in the jaw and leaped off. I lay on the ground, dazed. Ra's was extremely well trained. I probably had a few fractured ribs, making it hard for me to breathe. My costumed was cut in places and I was bleeding from my mouth and nose. I tried to get up, but my adrenaline from the fight was gone. I could feel my breathing slowing. But why? Get up. My head told me. It sounded like Zatanna. But she wasn't anywhere near me. Why couldn't I get up? My fingers twitched and something fell from my arm. I summoned enough energy to pick up the object. A small black dart, dripping some liquid. Poison? No didn't smell like it. It smelled like something meant to knock me out. Oh. That's why my eyelids are closing. Man, I'm so not whelmed.