Return Chapter 16
"Nightwing B 01" the computer announced as Nightwing stepped through the zeta tube.
M'gann, Aqualad, Connor, and Mal stood in front of the computer watching different videos and reading different text. At the computer's announcement the four of them immediately turned towards the zeta tube where Nightwing stood with Robin, and Batgirl. All four of them had looks of astonishment on their faces.
Nightwing didn't say anything as he stalked towards Connor, he knew wouldn't be able to beat Connor in a fight but he knew he'd be at least able to bring him down to the ground. Not saying anything Nightwing jumped into the air round house kicking Connor in the jaw, surprising the boy of steel. Using the shock to his advantage Nightwing dropped to the ground using both legs to swipe Connor's legs out from beneath him, sending him to the ground with a loud thud.
Putting his knee into Connor's chest Nightwing gave him a glare even scarier than Batman's "What the hell happened?" he growled out.
"We were ambushed, I knew they were after Artemis, I tried to protect her but they brought out kryptonite I was useless. I'm sorry Nightwing I really am" Connor said his eyes trying to plead with Nightwing.
Nightwing didn't say anything as he stood up walking towards a shocked and battered Aqualad "They went after you two?" Nightwing asked gruffly.
"Yes, I was on my way here from Atlantis when I was ambushed, with La'gaan's help I was able to escape, just barely" Aqualad said "When I got here M'gann told me about what happened to Artemis".
"There trying to get everyone that betrayed them, especially you and Artemis" Nightwing said as he walked towards the computer. Quickly typing into the computer he pulled up every video surveillance he could as well as the video of Artemis being tortured by Slade, and a somehow healed Ra's al Ghul. He tried to stop the video but his hands were no longer working, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen, seeing her being tortured knowing he was the reason for her being there, made tears spring to his eyes, and his chest fell like it was about to explode from the guilt. If it wasn't for Batgirl turning the video off and closing the file, he knew he would have eventually completely lost it.
"I want every member of the team here in twenty minutes. Robin, Batgirl try and find a location using this signal" Nightwing said handing them a small device he created himself "It's sister is with Artemis. I'm going to contact Batman and the rest of the league" Nightwing said as he headed towards the gym.
Walking straight towards the punching bag Nightwing released all of his inner pain, anger, and worry into the bag until it finally fell from the hook from the ceiling. Breathing heavily Dick pulled out his communicator and pressed the emergency meeting button that signaled Batman's. Fixing his mask and his hair Nightwing closed his eyes thinking of anyway he could rescue Artemis.
By the time his heart rate and breathing finally went back to normal, Nightwing had finally came up with a plan, but it was going to be dangerous, and extremely difficult to pull off.
After making sure his mask was straight Nightwing left the gym entering the computer room right as Batman, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Superman, and Wonder woman came in through the zeta tubes.
"Nightwing what are you doing here? Why did you send an emergency alert?" Batman asked trying to hide the shock of seeing his son back in the cave.
"The Light ambushed Alpha squad when they were on their way home, only taking Artemis. They also tried to ambush Aqualad but with La'gaan's help he was able to escape. But Artemis is still in the hands of the Light and is currently being tortured" Nightwing said looking his mentor straight in the face.
"The Light has Artemis?" Green Arrow said stepping towards Nightwing.
Nightwing nodded his head "Yes they sent a video of Slade, and Ra's al Ghul torturing her. I think their trying to get the ones who betrayed them and get their revenge" he said.
"This wasn't supposed to happen, after everything she went through, and she was just getting happy again" Green Arrow said "Even though she won't tell me how" he muttered darkly under his breath.
Nightwing bowed his head, knowing full well that he was the cause of her happiness and now torture just because he put her in that situation over a year again.
"Please tell me you've came up with a plan to get her out of there" Green Arrow said looking sternly at Nightwing.
Nightwing stood up straighter "I have but it's going to be dangerous and I'm not even sure if it'll work" he said.
"I think it's a risk were going to have to take in order to get Artemis out of there before too much damage is impacted on her" Black Canary said.
"Alright Nightwing what is this plan of yours?" Batman asked.
Nightwing moved towards the computer where Robin and Batgirl had managed to get a location "Well this is where it's going to start…." He said
Line Break
Smack
Head flying to the side for what felt like the hundredth time in the past five minutes Artemis leaned slightly foreward in her chair, her legs and arms tied so she couldn't move, spitting out the blood she pulled out the darkest glare she could which wasn't as strong as normal because of the endless torture Slade and Ra's al Ghul had been doing.
"Are you ready to give up Artemis?" Ra's asked.
"You should know by now Ra's I'm stubborn as hell, I'm not telling you anything" Artemis said spitting another mouth full of blood at his feet.
Instead of Ra's hitting her Slade used a small knife to quickly slice her left cheek open making her hiss in pain "Tell us what we want to know Artemis, and this may end for you" Slade said.
"Go to Hell" she said trying to fight off the tears.
"Only if you join me" Slade said sending a kick to her rib cage making Artemis yelp in pain.
Continuous punches, knife cuts, kicks and slaps were embedded on her until she finally faded into the blackness.
Line Break
Landing with a loud thud Nightwing hid his pain with a smirk "Thanks for such a gentle welcoming" he said spitting the blood in his mouth.
Vandal Savage smiled "I always try when it concerns you young heroes. Now tell me what brings the two of you here?"
"You know why we're here?" Kaldur said as he moved to a painful kneeling position.
"Yes I figured you would come here looking for the precious archer. But as we've learned it wasn't just the archer who betrayed us it was also you Aqualad" Vandal said as he moved closer to Kaldur and Nightwing. "And it was you Nightwing that created this entire plan, to completely ruin our plans. Tell me, how does it feel to know you're the reason that Kid Flash died that day in Antarctica?" Vandal said with a smirk.
Nightwing's jaw tightened "At least I can feel remorse for the people I've led to death" he said with a dark glare.
"I think you've taken it farther then remorse Nightwing, from what I understand you left your team, not showing yourself for over a year" Vandal said.
"That is none of your concern. You and both know that we aren't here to talk about what happened a year ago" Aqualad said sternly.
"Yes the archer, I've been wanting to get revenge on the two of you since that meeting we had with the Reach. And now I have the orchestrator of it all as well as the two who fooled me. You must have known I wouldn't have given up Artemis that easily. Did you honestly think that I'd let her go when you two showed up?" Vandal said with a sneer.
Nightwing stood up "No we didn't. But we had to try, I had to try. But I also know that Artemis and Aqualad aren't the ones you showed be angry with, yes they betrayed you, fooled you, but all it was my idea. It was my idea to send Aqualad undercover and to bring Artemis out of retirement so that Aqualad could kill her but really bring her on as another double agent. Everything was my idea Savage. Which is why I'm here, I'm here to give myself up to you and the rest of the Light as payment for the release of Artemis as well as Aqualad" Nightwing said confidently.
Vandal smirked "And why should I take this deal?"
"Because you know having me in your hands is worth so much more then Aqualad and Artemis combined. I'm the one behind everything Savage; I'm part of the Bat family. I am worth so much more to you, and you know it" Nigthwing said.
Turning around Vandal motioned towards the figure in the corner, who Nightwing knew was Slade "Bring her out" he said gruffly with a smirk. Turning around Vandal walked towards Nightwing, roughly grabbing his chin Vandal made him look up at him "You make a point boy, you're the one who constructed part of the Light's failure, and holding you ransom over the great Batman's head will bring me the greatest pleasure, and this will be the starting point" Vandal said as he pulled out a knife stabbing it into Nightwing's stomach.
Grunting Nightwing grabbed the wound as he fell to his knees.
"Nightwing" Artemis gasped as Slade pushed her into the room. Her hair matted together with dry blood, her face completely covered in scratches and awful looking bruises. He could tell she was limping but all together she looked fine, just badly beaten.
Nightwing smiled up at her but it was more of a sad grimace.
"So glad you could join us Artemis, as it seems your two comrades here are trying to rescue you. Or should I say payment for your release" Vandal said with a smirk.
Artemis' eyes widened "What, no absolutely not" she said looking at Dick straight in the eye or at least trying to through his mask.
"Oh don't worry, Aqualad will be released as will you, our friend Nightwing here has agreed to be our payment trade, which I believe will be quite entertaining" Vandal said as he used his foot to push Nightwing backwards making him hit his head on the concrete floor. "Slade you will escort Aqualad and Artemis to the perimeter, while Nightwing and I continue to talk business" Vandal said as he kicked Nightwing in the rib cage.
Artemis moved to run towards Nightwing but Aqualad stepped in front of her "No Artemis, he made his choice" Aqualad said as he held her back.
Artemis shook her head "No, Nightwing please don't do this" she pleaded as she tried to escape Aqualad's grasp.
With a groan Nightwing sat up "Go with Aqulad Artemis it's the only way".
"No you can't do this Nightwing there has to be another way" Artemis yelled at him as Aqualad started pushing her towards the exit with Slade leading them.
"It's going to be fine" Nightwing yelled to her right as Savage once again kicked him in the chest sending him backwards.
"No, Aqualad no we can't leave him there" Artemis said using all of her strength to fight against Aqualad but he held on tight refusing to let her go.
"Artemis please, it was the only way we could get you out. Please let's get you home and we'll figure everything out there" Aqualad said as he continued pushing Artemis towards the perimeter.
Artemis closed her eyes as a tear ran down her cheek "This isn't right Aqualad and you know it" she said sadly.
"Don't worry about the bat kid I'll make sure he has lots of fun with us" Slade said with a smirk as Aqualad and Artemis stepped onto the waiting Bioship.
At hearing his words Artemis' eyes flared in anger turning around she jumped at Slade but M'gann was ready and held her back using a force field "You sick bastard, I swear to god I'll end you" She yelled out as M'gann held the force field.
Slade just waved as the bio ship flew into the sky, once the view of Slade was gone Artemis rounded on her team mates "What the hell was that, why would you leave him there?" She yelled.
Robin and Batman stepped forward "Because that's what he wanted" Robin said.
Artemis shook her head "I don't care; he should have never come there in the first place".
"This was the first phase of his plan" Batman said "The second part will begin shortly" he said as M'gann set her hand on Artemis' shoulder.
"Let's get you cleaned up, we'll need you for the second part" M'gann said.
"Fine but you're coming with us Batman I want to know what's happening right now" Artemis said ignoring all the wide eyed stares she was getting as she M'gann and Batman headed towards the back of the bio ship.