Chapter 8: Blood in the Desert
"I've got a bad feeling about this," complained Wonder Girl. "We just finished getting our butts kicked here. Tell me again why we need to come back for Round Two?"
Nightwing noticed Raven's shoulders hunch as the girl subconsciously tried to make herself less noticeable in the bio-ship.
"As Raven explained," answered Aqualad, "traveling to Azaroth is both difficult and dangerous. Attempting the portal in an area that resonates with Raven's city gives us the greatest chance for success. Alexandria meets our needs."
"That's probably the reason that Raven appeared here in the first place," added Nightwing. "If Azaroth is some sort of cosmic diary, an old library is going to feel the closest to home." Nightwing turned to check the ship's scanners. "You can read in the history books that the original Library of Alexandria burned down a little over two millennia ago. What a lot of people don't know is that the texts recovered from the fire were secretly stored in an underground vault a few miles away. That vault is our destination."
"Besides, you heard Batgirl," Beast Boy chimed in, "Psimon and his goons wouldn't have stayed here once they thought Raven was out of the picture. Egypt hasn't sent any more distress calls to the League. There's nothing to worry about. Plus, even if somebody comes looking for trouble, we've brought extra special backup this time," he said, pointing his thumb over his right shoulder toward the Super cycle flying close beside them.
Nightwing chose to not point out a fatal flaw in Beast Boy's logic. With all the news coverage that the parking garage collapse had gotten, Psimon and his gang knew that no one had died, including Raven. Now that she was back in Egypt and away from Zatanna's concealment spell, it was a perfect opportunity for their enemies to try something. He hoped their backup would be enough to make them change their minds.
"Miss Martian, please raise the psychic link," requested Aqualad. "We are nearing the site."
Psychic link going up, replied M'gann.
Thank you. Everyone please report, continued Aqualad. The Team members in the Super Cycle chimed in first.
Superboy, here.
Batgirl, here.
Robin, here.
Blue Beetle, here.
Tigress, here.
Nightwing and the five others flying in the bio-ship with him followed suit.
Good, said Aqualad. From Raven's information, we cannot confirm how deeply the vault is buried. Batgirl, Tigress, and I will accompany Raven to prepare to open the portal. As a precaution Superboy, Blue Beetle, Robin, and Beast Boy are on surveillance. We do not want any surprises while we are underground. The rest of you are to standby to assist where necessary. If the psychic link is dropped, follow Nightwing's lead.
Within minutes, Nightwing and his teammates dropped to the ground. The surveillance team set out immediately to sweep for threats while the standby team followed the rest to the tunnel entrance. Nightwing's instincts told him that danger was near. Every sound and every shadow seemed menacing. He didn't know if he was rusty, paranoid, neither, or some combination of all three, but for him, the sooner they could leave, the better.
They approached a rundown sand colored building. Yellow caution tape covered the windows and doors on the ground floor. He didn't know why anyone bothered. The entire eastern wall of the building was missing. Nightwing guessed from the scorch marks that there had been a fire there recently. Aqualad looked to Raven for confirmation on the location. The girl closed her eyes and focused her senses on their surroundings. To Nightwing, it almost looked like the girl was just taking a deep breath. Somehow inhaling the area's essence.
I remember this place. It feels…like Azaroth. Um, it's hard to explain. The vault is below, stammered Raven.
The group made their way into the building through the gaping hole. Having three walls around him didn't help Nightwing to shed the sneaking suspicion that they were being watched. He tried to flip a light switch, but someone had already cut power to the building. To compensate, Batgirl cracked several glow sticks. She handed one to each of them and scattered the rest about the room with a flick of her wrist. A green chemical glow filled the area, providing light but also deepening the shadows lurking in corners. The center of the floor had a round platform about six feet in diameter, but otherwise the building was empty.
Where is the tunnel entrance? asked Miss Martian.
Raven extended her hand to the dais in the center of the room. Stand back.
Black shadowy fire engulfed Raven's outstretched palm in a sphere. Similar energy surrounded the entire platform. With a grinding sound, the cylinder of solid stone slowly began to rise from the floor. It revealed a sloping tunnel after a few seconds. Raven dropped the slab aside with a loud boom.
We have found the vault, announced Aqualad. Surveillance team, are we clear?
Nothing here, said Superboy. I haven't seen or heard anything unusual.
Dick noticed a silhouette on the adjacent rooftop raising a small pair of binoculars. It's about as quiet as we could hope for, agreed Robin.
Then boys and girls, it's time to follow the white rabbit. Remember to avoid strange foods and royal croquet games, quipped Batgirl.
Aqualad jumped into the hole first, turning around to offer a helping hand to Raven, Tigress, and Batgirl. The four walked further underground and were soon out of Nightwing's sight. Several minutes passed, and Dick still couldn't calm his nerves. What was wrong with him tonight? He began to pace back and forth.
Heads up people, alerted Superboy. We've got Devastation and some soldiers coming straight for us in a line of jeeps. What's our move?
Nightwing wasn't sure whether to be nervous about the upcoming fight or relieved that he had an actual problem to focus his attention. At least they had enough manpower to be confident that Devastation could be subdued.
Blue, Superboy, try to buy us some time, commanded Nightwing. How long until the portal is ready Kaldur?
We will require several more minutes. Raven has begun her trance to open the portal. Once it opens, it will only stay open for twelve seconds before everything in the circle disappears to Azaroth. Any delay you can provide against the Bialyans would be helpful, answered Aqualad.
At least she's out in the open this time, remarked Miss Martian. They ambushed us through a brick wall yesterday.
Robin lifted his binoculars to his eyes again. I've got a visual on Devastation. She's coming in fast with a dozen goons, but Blue and Superboy should be able to intercept her before she gets too close.
A nagging suspicion tugged at Nightwing's attention. Miss Martian was right. Why go for the obvious attack when there were so many of them on high alert? And where were the rest of the ones that had attacked the day before? The answer clicked in his mind. Devastation is the distraction, warned Nightwing. They're going to come at us from a different angle. He heard Wonder Girl shift behind him. Nightwing glanced up at Robin's rooftop perch. A little red dot situated on his torso confirmed his suspicions. Robin, get DOWN!
Time around him slowed to a crawl. The retort of a sniper rifle echoed through the night sky. Not again, he thought. The sound was followed by another sharper peal nearby. Wonder Girl's bracelets were the only reason that Robin still had the correct number of holes in his body. She hovered in front of him protectively. Nightwing had never been prouder of the Amazon.
In case anyone wasn't aware, they've got at least one sniper, commented Robin after a heartbeat. I recommend anyone not bulletproof find some cover.
Nightwing quickly heeded his adopted brother's advice. His back leaned against one of the building's remaining walls while drawing his eskrima sticks. They buzzed to life with a crackle of electricity. He watched Robin's silhouette vanish from its earlier position above.
Batgirl and I are returning to the surface while Tigress guards Raven, informed Aqualad. Miss Martian, go stealth and be ready.
Superboy said, Some of the soldiers with Devastation got past us. They're coming your way fast.
Don't worry. We're ready for them, replied Nightwing.
Four men with dark masked uniforms and assault rifles appeared in the gap in the wall. Unfortunately for them, Nightwing was waiting. The first one went down with an electrified swipe to his ankle followed by the hero's knee to his face as he fell. The momentum led him straight into a swift parry to disrupt the next two men's aim and a flurry of strikes to discourage further hostility. The last soldier was more prepared. Nightwing rolled left to avoid the hornet sound of incoming bullets and threw a birdarang as a distraction to buy himself some time to recover. Suddenly, a golden cord lashed around the man. Wonder Girl slammed him into one of the building's remaining walls, leaving large cracks behind.
Thanks, Cassie.
Don't mention it, boss, she replied proudly. Always happy to help a bird in trouble.
As he took cover to catch his breath, Nightwing was showered with dust when Blue Beetle crashed through the wall above his shoulder. The hero groaned and tried to get up again, but fell down almost immediately. Nightwing rushed forward to drag his friend into the tunnel for protection while he recovered his strength. Meanwhile, Wonder Girl deflected two more shots from the sniper. By that time, Aqualad and Batgirl had made it back to the surface. Both of his friends were alert and ready for a fight. The three of them leapt out of the tunnel and kept moving.
Wonder Girl, you are with me, commanded Aqualad as he drew both of his water bearers. We need to take Devastation out of the equation quickly. The girl nodded in agreement. The rest of you take care of the sniper.
Wonder Girl swooped low and grasped Aqualad under the arms, carrying him away from the sniper's barrage and towards Superboy's loud confrontation with Devastation.
Any luck on finding the sniper's location? Nightwing asked Robin.
Shimmer is the sniper, replied Robin. Nightwing could practically hear his teeth grinding. She keeps moving her position. We've been playing cat and mouse for the past few minutes. It turns out being able to make your own doors is a useful skill in this situation. Head south for two blocks and double back to try to herd her towards me. I'll have a surprise waiting.
You heard the Boy Wonder, teased Batgirl. She gestured to the nearby fire escape. We'll be better off up higher.
Nightwing glanced to Batgirl to share a private smile. He spoke out loud so others wouldn't overhear on the psychic link. "Maneuver Seven?"
"People are going to catch on if you keep calling it Maneuver Seven," Batgirl whispered.
"What are you talking about? Maneuver Seven is where one team member lifts the other into the air. How could anyone get that confused with something else?" He winked at her, and she started running towards his interlaced fingers. With a surge of effort, He launched her high enough to grab the low rung of the fire escape. Nightwing got his own running start and kicked off the wall to gain enough altitude to grab Batgirl's outstretched arm. Both heroes scampered to the roof and began to make their way around to push Shimmer into Robin's trap. The distance flew by as the heroes ran. After leaping across half a dozen rooftops, they turned back to search for their target.
A flicker of light caught the Batgirl's eyes. Some piece of metal on Shimmer's clothes had reflected the moonlight at just the right moment. She motioned to Nightwing. Shimmer was ducking behind a dumpster in an alley looking for another target. There she is, said Batgirl. Forget the trap Robin. She hasn't seen us yet. Let's go before she has the chance to get off more shots.
Nightwing nodded. Using all their training from the Batman himself, the pair dropped silently behind the sniper. In a fair fight, Shimmer would have had a difficult time competing against Nightwing and Batgirl at the same time. In an ambush like this, she didn't stand a chance. Nightwing's eskrima sticks knocked her unconscious, and Batgirl took a few moments to get the woman in handcuffs and stuffed inside the dumpster.
Shimmer is out of the picture for at least a few minutes, announced Nightwing.
Good work, said Aqualad. Devastation has finally gone down as well. I have sent a signal for the League to take them into custody. We should all make our way back to Raven.
~break~
They all rushed back to the vault and their greatest hope of finding Kid Flash. Nightwing and Batgirl arrived just as the others walked into the fire damaged building.
"Where's Beast Boy?" asked Robin looking left and right.
Before they could investigate, a sinister chuckle echoed through the air. "I wondered if spending a few extra days here would be worth the risk. Impressive. Very impressive. It seems as though the rumors are true. I won't have to discipline my students for exaggerating their reports."
"So you're the one that's been training Psimon and the rest of Queen Bee's enforcers?" demanded Robin, his brain reverting to the detective mindset under stress.
"Why, yes," replied the voice. "Though Psimon is receiving his own discipline at the moment. He never should have ordered the others to kill his target. Otherwise he wouldn't have missed tonight's festivities. You may call me Brother Blood."
A pale man with white hair stepped out of the shadows. He wore a shirt of deep red scales, dark pants, and a black cloak. The cloak had a white design on the hood reminding Nightwing of the skull of some horrific beast. More importantly, he was dragging their green skinned friend by the ankle.
"Don't worry," he assured them. "Your friend's injuries aren't lethal... yet." He dropped Beast Boy at his feet. "Shall we begin the bargaining phase? You know what I want. Bring me the girl, and you get your little green friend again."
"What makes you think that we won't just kick your ass right now instead?" threatened Batgirl.
"Tsk tsk, it's simple really," he replied drawing a wickedly curved knife from his belt. He knelt down and held the blade to the unconscious boy's throat. "If you refuse, he will die."
Nightwing tensed. They couldn't surrender their chance to find Wally, and whatever he planned on doing with Raven was bound to be terrible. On the other hand, allowing Blood to kill Beast Boy was unthinkable. How could he choose between the chance of getting his best friend back and the life of his teammate? There had to be a way out of this situation.
"Wait," a voice called from the tunnel. "Don't hurt him. I'll go with you." Raven emerged from underground.
"An excellent decision, my dear," the villain replied. "I'm sure in time you will see that this was the right choice." He sheathed the knife with a flourish and pointed to Superboy. "You may come with the girl to collect your comrade."
I've morphed Raven, warned Miss Martian. Conner, as soon as you get Beast Boy out of the way, I'm going to blast this guy as far away as I can. The rest of you, make a break for the portal. Raven is going to finish the incantation any second now.
The pale man stood and crossed his arms. A victorious sneer was plastered across his face. Superboy walked with the disguised Miss Martian to Brother Blood. When they got within a few feet of him, Superboy ground his teeth. As quick as a serpent, Brother Blood backhanded Miss Martian and sent her flying several yards and into Blue Beetle. The Martian kept enough of her senses to psychically pull Beast Boy out of harm's way. Before Superboy could react, Blood's other hand snapped to his neck in a vicious choke.
"Did you people really believe that I could be fooled so easily?! That I would settle for some imposter?!" He stared deeply into Superboy's eyes, and a silent shudder passed through the half-Kryptonian. Blood released his neck, and Superboy dropped into a crouch. With a roar, Conner lunged and slammed into Wonder Girl, taking them both through the opposite wall.
Blood has Superboy under some kind of hypnosis! said Blue Beetle. He flew through the hole in the wall to help Wonder Girl.
Within moments, all three of them returned, crashing through another portion of the wall. Blue Beetle took the brunt of the force. Nightwing heard him groan in pain. Superboy was the first to stand, followed by Wonder Girl staggering to a dazed crouch ten feet away. The half-Kryptonian picked up the heavy stone cylinder that once concealed the entrance to the vault. He raised it above Blue Beetle's head. There was no way that his armor could protect him from such a massive weight. Sweat dripped from his brow as Superboy fought to regain control before it was too late.
"Superboy stop!" shouted Wonder Girl. She launched herself at his waist intending to tackle him. With a sudden jerk, he used the slab of stone to smash Wonder Girl across the room in midflight. The stone shattered with the impact.
"Cassie!" shouted Robin as he ran to her side, desperately hoping she was okay.
Nightwing stepped in to protect his friends, his eskrima sticks delivering several precise strikes in the span of a few seconds. Electricity crackled with every hit, giving off the distinct scent of ozone around him. He didn't want to hurt Superboy, but he needed to present himself as enough of a threat to ensure that his attention was focused on him and not his fallen friends. It was a risky tactic. If Superboy ever anticipated his attack and got his hands on him, Nightwing would be the one that needed saving.
Meanwhile, Brother Blood had not remained idle. The curved knife was in his hand once more, and Aqualad and Batgirl were double teaming the man. They were both trying to open up a way for the other to land a finishing blow. His knife lashed out to foil every attempt.
Batgirl, the trap I laid for Shimmer is still ready, said Robin. Move Brother Blood twenty feet down the street. He pulled the unconscious Wonder Girl onto his shoulder in a fireman's carry.
Batgirl rushed her opponent head on, her fist raised behind her ear to deliver a devastating punch. At the last moment, she ducked flat on the ground. The feint worked. Brother Blood was slammed with a jet of water from Aqualad. Robin tripped a signal on his utility belt, and a dozen explosions went off simultaneously around the villain. As the smoke cleared, Blood staggered forward and fell to one knee. "Such insolence!" he shouted in a rage.
Nightwing continued his deadly dance with Superboy, and with every second, the half-Kryptonian got closer to catching him. Nightwing had to change the game if he was going to make it out of this fight.
What's going on up there? demanded Tigress. If you guys don't get down here now, you're going to lose your chance!
Tigress's message distracted Nightwing just enough. He slipped and fell backwards on a loose rock. Superboy came in to deliver a finishing blow.
"Sorry ese," said Blue Beetle as he winced in pain. A bolt of plasma blasted Superboy away. The brainwashed hero moved to return the favor, but Miss Martian caught him in telekinetically in midair. Superboy lashed out in a rage, but couldn't get any traction to continue being a threat.
I've got him, shouted M'gann. I think I can break Blood's hold on him. Blue, help Aqualad and Batgirl. Blood is weaker at long range.
Blue Beetle nodded and took to the air. Nightwing went to haul Beast Boy to his own shoulder and started running towards the tunnel. He saw Robin ahead of him with Wonder Girl. She hadn't stirred yet. They rounded the last corner and came into a high vaulted chamber. Thousands of dusty scrolls and ancient tomes lined the walls. Raven levitated at the center of the room. A pillar of white light erupted around her. Tigress stepped inside and slowly disappeared.
The portal just opened! warned Nightwing. Forget Blood, we've got to go now. There are only twelve seconds to get here.
There's not enough time, shouted Batgirl. We'll keep Brother Blood from following you, Nightwing.
Robin and Wonder Girl walked into the pillar of light. Nightwing had to get to Azaroth to save Wally, but he couldn't abandon his team members. Barbara was still out there fighting. But if he didn't go, he would be abandoning his best friend.
Go Dick, said Batgirl. Bring Wally home.
The last thing Nightwing remembered was walking into the circle of light.
A/N: Hi everybody, hope you like the latest installment. I'm a newbie writer, so I went back and tried to fix some mistakes in the earlier chapters. Nothing too big. Anyway, reviews are always nice to read. I'll be working on the next chapter.