DC Teen Titans
The non-original characters belong in this story belongs to and copyrighted to the DC Comics and any partners of DC Comics. Teen Titans is created by Bob Haney, George Kashdan, and Bruno Premiani and they first appeared in the Brave and the Bold #54 July 1964.
Chapter 3
Makeshift Church of Blood, Gotham City
Wonder Girl and Starfire along with Maggie Sawyer decided to pay a visit to the cult Church of Blood. They were only a few blocks away Maggie had instructed them where the slum district of the church was. Once they arrived, the Tamaranean Princess and Demi-Goddess gently descended from the sky quietly around a corner block.
"Come one! Come all! Our Brother Blood will help you believe and create faith when all seems lost!" One of nuns called out to the crowd. Some ignored some felt like there was nothing else to do, but try.
"Yes our Brother Blood will change Gotham City one block at a time. Do not despair! You do not need Batman when Brother Blood is here!" The second nun tells them.
From a distance Maggie was scouting the area so far it's clear. Either they didn't want to draw that much attention or whatever happening is inside of the church. "We need a plan before we barge in there…" Maggie whispered to them. She quickly looks around the corner it looked like two nuns opening the church doors for the citizens of Gotham to come in. "Well one thing we know that we can't go in there dress looking like this they'll know it's us as soon as walk up to them."
Wonder Girl looked around the area there was a small clothing boutique store that they could raid for outfits. "We'll have to go uncover then!" She gathers their attention the store.
"We'll let's get this over with then…" Maggie was not sold on the idea, but if they wanted to get in they had to investigate before anything else could be done.
The girls head over to the store to find clothes to change into. Starfire didn't really like the clothes in the store it wasn't a revealing as she liked. She remembered it was the slums of Gotham City so she took what she could get. She sees a nice old gray long skirt along with a black wrap shirt she puts it over her costumes and wears black sunglasses to keep her eyes covered. Wonder Girl didn't do that much changing she grabbed a small pocket book purse to put her lasso in and black leather jacket to zip up covering her Wonder Girl logo she then tided her blonde golden hair in a bun. Maggie was the last to get ready she got a red scarf and wrapped it around her neck she got rid of her Gotham GCPD coat and grab a nice brown jacket with brown trousers and black heels. Once the girls were ready they headed towards the church.
"Bless you for coming!" The nun greeted them. They entered the makeshift Church of Blood. It was a little broken down, but could tell that they worked hard enough for people to be welcomed.
They decided to sit in the back. Making sure no one would pay them attention. Overhead it was cross of Jesus being hung from it. It was the crossing that would creep people out. A alter was centered between the sectional of the church where the congregation was split in the middle. Behind the altar looked like a pool of sorts it wasn't sure if was blood that was gather of the mystic blood, but the girls knew it wasn't to be trusted.
"Man this place is creepy…" Starfire said trying to adjust herself in the outfit she was wearing.
"Well this is Gotham City for you there's a lot of secrets this city has to offer," Maggie tells them, "I've been used to it. Working for the force you see a lot of dark things so I'm not surprise about this cult church at all."
"Well we'll obverse and see what's up. We need to find some kind of evidence of proof," Wonder Girl reminds them of their mission. "Maybe one of us should investigate..." She notion them to look over to a door in the near back. "That door might find us some answers wouldn't you agree Inspector?"
"Yeah I was thinking the same thing. You two stay here and I'll investigate. We have to be sure about this." Once the crowds were settling in Maggie crept along the back wall of the church until she got to the door.
She opens the door and quickly goes in and shut the door behind her. She pulls out a mini flashlight from her pocket. The light shines luminates the dark staircase path. Maggie wasn't inspecting to see this, but she follows the path down the staircase.
Batman and Robin tried to pick up the trail that Hush left. Batman and Robin investigated a regular club on the back alley. The men were smoking drinking and playing pool unaware of Batman and Robin's presence above the glass top panel. Batman jumps through the window landing on a poker table all they saw were white piercing eyes and black horns. The men all shake around the presence of Batman, but most believed that Batman was dead anyway so Dick's intimation of Batman was less than receive by the people of Gotham especially the criminals.
"Henry Morris…"Batman said his eyes focus on the frighten heavy stock man. "We need to talk…"
"I have nothing to say you!" Henry tells him. He snaps his fingers and crooks begin to surround Batman. "Now I suggest you leave or die! Your choice!"
Before movements could be made a smoke bomb came though the broken window rooftop. Batman was ready for it the crooks were not. Robin jumped in kicking two of the men in a split kick. Batman punches another in his jaw. He's target was Henry, of course Henry ran they always do. Batman chases after him he left Robin to handle the rest.
Henry was finally able to make to the exit. He coughed trying to rid his body of the smoke he inhaled. He leans against a brick wall trying to gather himself a few other men of his followed. "Boss you okay?" One of his men asked him.
"Just get the damn car hurry before Batman dork and Boy blunder show up!" He tells them. Two of them went for the car. The others surround him in a four way diamond look up behind them front and back from where Batman could be.
Above them Batman was on the roof scooping out the situation. He saw the two men he had already slashed the car's tires. Not that there attention is focus on the car's tires he jumps down behind them grabbing them by their skulls and slamming them into one another as they slides to the ground. He quickly turns his attention to the two men behind Henry. They were looking from all sides but Batman pulled his grappling gun catching one of them to get them to scream quickly Batman made quick work of him my slamming a fist into his face. With three of men left to handle they begin to shoot randomly in the air. Bullets flew from everywhere it seems, but Batman wasn't worried. He charges towards them as they shoot again, but he tosses a Batarang knocking the guns from their hands. With no weapons they come fist first at Batman he smiles and makes a fool out them he flips over the first man that charges at him before side kicking one of the men into a nearby brick wall then he uppercuts the other one next to him. The last one he played with the man kept swinging punches towards him, but nothing and Batman gives him a knockout punch. Henry just stands in shock and awe because he knew he was next. He runs that's all he could go do to get away from Batman it wasn't enough Batman just toss a Batrang connected to rope and lets it wraps around the man's leg as he falls onto the ground face first. He tries to turns around and unties himself, but the silhouette of Batman got closer. Henry screams in terror, but no one comes to aid. It was just him and Batman.
"Let's try this again, Henry…we need to talk!" Batman told him as Henry take a hard swallow and nods yes.
Back at the Batcave Red Robin was analyzing the sample of dirt and tissue he gather at the scene. Alfred comes downstairs from the mansion as Red Robin sits at Batcomputer still analyzing the samples.
"Sir, might you need some nourishment?" Alfred suggested as he places a tray down on a nearby table.
"Not now Alfred," Tim tells him. "The computer still trying to analyzing the samples I've acquired." Tim keeps looking over the records before he goes over to the lab with material under a microscope. "Even though its dirt and tissue it's very usual than most…"
"How usual sir?"
"Take a look at this…" Tim tells Alfred.
Alfred takes a look at the sample, "My word is it…?" He looks over at Tim and he nods.
"Yes seems alive don't it?" Tim responds. "It's impossible actually the sample suggested that this material is alive. Which could mean one thing…"
"Clayface…"
"Yes Clayface, but it seems impossible." Tim ponders at the answers and clues, "I mean why would Hush need Clayface? He's supposed to be in Arkham Asylum isn't he?"
"According to the staffing at Arkham he's still there," Alfred tells Tim pulling up the record data on Arkham Asylum. "So I taken you're paying a visit to Mr. Karlo?"
"Yes I need more answers Hush's plans added Clayface I'm not sure I like anything that involves shapeshifting. Better yet why? Is the real question?" Tim places his mask over his face and adjusts his suit. Once he was finished he settle on his motorcycle as Alfred follows behind. "Alfred make sure you update me on the samples when the computer finishes the data I want to be first to know."
"Sir."
Red Robin turns on his motorcycle and heads out of the Batcave using the same path for the Batmobile. His motorcycle hits the road of outskirts near Wayne Manor time was the essence and he needed to hurry to Arkham Asylum.
Maggie Sawyer continued down the staircase when she notices some lights coming from a potential exit or clue. She quickly shuts off her flash light. She pulls out her .45 caliber from her gun hostler as she crept down making sure not to be seen or heard. She peeks her head from the corner she sees what look like an unground lake of blood. She couldn't believe that they were able to get a lake of blood down below the streets of Gotham.
While that was happening Hush was talking to Brother Blood. Maggie wanted to get closer, but didn't want to draw attention to herself. She crept between pillars to hid herself.
"Dr. Elliot I can't thank you enough for helping me return to the moral plane!" Brother Blood tells him taking a sip from his cup. The blood from the cup just seeps between both sides of his lips as he smiles.
"It wasn't that hard I've been doing my research on your cult for quite some time. I found the Book of Blood followed the instructions and now your back from Hell," Hush tells him.
"Yes now I want revenge on those Titans and get Raven!" He tells him wiping his mouth with a towel. "I have done what you asked. Gotham City is a new place for me, but these people are good for to feed me maybe we can cause a little chaos here in Gotham City."
"That's what I'm counting on," Hush tells him, "Gotham is still in Chaos after Batman's death. It's barely getting back under control. My plans for the Bat-Family and your Titans will create Hell in Gotham!"
"But Batman is alive I saw him with that Boy Wonder of his!"
"That's a replacement. The real Batman is dead and I have some plans that will bring this city to its knees!"
"I like your style! Ladies can you see our guess will not escape!" Brother Blood smiles and looks at the pillar that Maggie was hiding behind. Her cover was blown as the two women speed across the room.
Maggie jumps from the pillar and shoots one of the women in the shoulder as she screams in pain. She falls down and holds her shoulder. The other woman wasn't an easy target as she kicks the gun out of Maggie's hand. Maggie goes for her gun, but the woman wouldn't let her get to it so easily. Maggie quickly moved to get space from the woman. The woman comes with a charging punch, but Maggie catches it with her left hand she holds it tight and balls her right fist up punching the woman in her face. The woman was stumbled back by the hit, but she shook it off and tackles Maggie into the wall. Maggie clasps both her fist and slams into the woman back then knees her in her jaw knocking her down. She wipes the sweat from her forehead and spits as she grabs her gun and aims it at Hush and Brother Blood.
"Freeze GCPD! You're both under arrest! Hands up!" Hush just laughs at her, "What's so funny Thomas I'm bringing you in!"
"Oh you think that don't you?" Hush tells her, "I have big plans for the city and you're not part of it Inspector!" Hush quickly pulls out a Berretta and shoots Maggie in her shoulder as she falls down to the ground. "I knew you were here a long time ago I plan this! Brother Blood it's time to awake the cult we have a Demi-Goddess and Tamaranean Princess that could use a fight!"
Brother Blood enjoyed causing chaos. He walks into the pool of blood he holds his arms out as his eyes glow ruby red. Red orbs of lighting magic surrounds his hands creating the flow of blood to fly above them into all of the members inside of the church.
"I don't like this!" Wonder Girl made a note about how long it was taking Maggie to come back. "I think we should check on her!"
"I don't think that's possible!" Starfire tells her pointing to ceiling of the church. "Look blood!" The blood sprinkles across the church every member eyes turned ruby red with bloody smiles they all turn to face Starfire and Wonder Girl.
"Yes my loyal servants destroy Starfire and Wonder Girl. Let the will of Trigon be done!" Brother Blood's voice echoes through the church's wall as Wonder Girl and Starfire get up from their seats.
"We won't fight them Brother Blood! There innocent people you have under your control! Why don't you face us yourself!" Wonder Girl screams through the church.
"Then you will die!" Brother Blood laughs and with that the army of cult attacks the two Titans.
Starfire sheds her outfit revealing her costume. She hovers above them, but the members were infused with Brother Blood's Church blood magic three of them jumped straight for her. She moves out of the way, but one side swipes her. She fell back to the ground rubbing her head.
"There strong Wonder Girl we might have to actually fight them with force!" Starfire said as the three cult members surround her.
Wonder Girl takes out her lasso and tosses around 10 of them. Confused by the lasso's will Wonder Girl enchanted the ability of the lasso it generated Zeus' lighting attack knocking the 10 people out. Wonder Girl releases them from the lasso, but the cult followers were coming she holds her own by taking the row of a seat to block them. Starfire shot her starbolt at the feet of the 3 cult member knocking them on their backs.
"Wonder Girl we need to call back up!" Starfire said releasing another barrage of starbolts at the feet of more incoming members. The more they knock down the more come back up or revive surge with the Blood magic of Brother Blood.
Cassie tosses one of them into a group knocking them down before pressing her comm-link. "I know! This is Wonder Girl requesting backup we have a problem at the Church of Blood!"
Superboy was the first to answer the comm-link. "Cassie we still have some civilians out here were trying to secure the location we have our hands full! Kid Flash is handedly a nearby fire that broke out it could be a minute until we get there!"
"I'm headed up an investigation in Arkham Asylum it'll be a while til I'll get there…" Red Robin tells her.
At the Titans Tower Cyborg hear the call he was looking for nearby Titans in the area that could help Wonder Girl and Starfire. But nothing until Beast Boy and Raven came to him with a solution.
"We have to go then!" Raven tells Cyborg. "Don't fight this Victor! Cassie and Koriand'r need our help and the others are occupied it's our only hope!"
"Raven it could be a trap!" Cyborg warned her. "That's probably what Brother Blood wants! You know we can't take that chance!"
"But Cyborg…Raven's right we can't just sit here and do nothing! We know the risk and we have to take it!" Beast Boy reminded him.
"Please Victor…"
Knowing he was outvoted on this situation he reluctantly agreed. Raven evokes her powers as her eyes glow purplish white she levitates herself into the air as a black raven appears bigger than all three Titans. "I found them!" She tells them as the Black Raven engulfs them and sends them to Gotham City where Wonder Girl and Starfire were located. The black Raven disappeared in its place stood Raven Cyborg and Beast Boy in front of the Church of Blood. "Here they are!"
Cyborg, Beast Boy and Raven charge in through the building. The doors burst open to Cyborg releases a sonic disrupter that sent shockwave through the cult members they fall down in pain. Beast Boy turned into a green gorilla slamming its fist into the ground creating a straight path of shock waves knocking over the members near Wonder Girl. Raven flies above Starfire and sends an echo pulse through the air that knocked out everyone in the area as she lands next to Starfire to help her up.
"Thanks for the help!" Starfire was grateful for the help. The Titans all gather next to Raven and Starfire.
"Looks like we're going to have a fight on our hands!" Beast Boy grins he wanted to punch a few things.
"Titans Together!" Cyborg lead the charge as the team begins to attack the cult members.
Below the church Hush and Brother Blood noticed that some more of the Titans arrived to help. Maggie was still struggling to get up and shoot Hush. Hush calmly walks over to Maggie and kneel next to her.
"Inspector Sawyer you don't give up do you?" Hush asked her. He places his hand on her face as if he was inspecting it for some odd reason. "Too bad you don't have the features I need I could've have fun cut into that gorgeous face of yours." Maggie pulls away. Hush just smiles. "Well maybe next time then. Blood I leave the Titans to you keep them distracted as long as possible I have another place I have to be."
"Sure thing now that she's here!" Brother Blood could feel Raven. He always had an obsession with his wife not legal, but she will be his. "Inspector shall we have some fun with the Titans? What do you say?"
At Arkham Asylum Red Robin had arrived he wanted to help the other Titans, but he had to get to the bottom of Hush's plans for the Titans and Gotham City. Commissioner Gordon had met Red Robin up there so they talk to Clayface together.
"Commissioner…" Red Robin greets him.
"Robin…or…?" Commissioner Gordon didn't know what to call Red Robin after the events of Battle of the Cowl Red Robin had left Gotham and gave the mantle of Robin to Damian.
"It's Red Robin now. Thank you for coming whatever Hush's plan with this new Church of Blood is unsettling just when Gotham is getting back to normal as normal as Gotham could be." Red Robin tells Gordon as they walk through the hall of Arkham.
"It's strange that Hush been targeting certain people with certain body parts and blood types. You said that the evidence you discovered might be targeted to Clayface you don't think there trying to use his powers to create another Clayface or an army?"
"It is possible I've seen what Brother Blood could do with his blood magic. It is possible to combine the blood with people and increase the overall limits, but with magic even more deadlier blood magic it comes with a price."
Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon head down to lower levels of Arkham Asylum. The lower level housed certain criminals and one they were looking for was Basil Karlo. They created a sonic disrupter tank that kept Clayface from forming solid to get out. When Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon arrived at a glass cell that also kept them away from Clayface and vice versa.
"Commissioner Gordon…and what are you Red birdie or something…." Clayface started off he could stay solid, but he could see the two gentlemen from outside of his glass cell. "What…do I owe…the pleasure of…this visit?"
"Thomas Elliot…" Commissioner Gordon tell him.
"Thomas Elliot…who would that be one of these doctor's here? Why…are you asking…me this anyway Commissioner?"
"Hush…Karlo have you've seen him?" Red Robin injected as Commissioner pulls out a photo of him to show to Clayface. "Did you see this man at all?"
"No can't…say that I have…I've been here since…the last breakout fail! Batman and Robin stopped me…and now I'm back here…trapped and can't form…myself whole!"
"Commissioner could give me all the records of all new hires that was admitted to Arkham Asylum from the last 3 weeks," Red Robin asks Commissioner Gordon puts the photo of Hush away. He proceed to secure the information Red Robin needed.
"Karlo have anything weird happened to you these past couple of weeks?" Red Robin asked him.
"You mean beside…not being able to tell what body part…is moving? Or the injections I dosed with?"
"What do you mean injections?" Red Robin wonders. "You shouldn't be getting any injections you're clay."
"Well this guy showed up about…last week I think…he told me…they had a new procedure…first he took DNA…I think…then some red stuff…he called it medicine some new stuff…I don't know that all…"
Commissioner Gordon came back with records for Red Robin. He hands them off as he looks over at the files. "Commissioner, does the staff know of any new treatments for the patients here?"
"I looked over the records there were no mention of different doses or any kind of medicine change for the patients. You think Hush is behind all of this?"
"From what Clayface is telling us that means Hush was here! I think with the help of Brother Blood they've been experimenting on people. I saw some changes in some people that we we're fighting maybe there trying to harness Clayface's powers with Brother's Blood magic, but this doesn't sound like a normal MO of Hush."
"What should we do?"
Before Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon could come up with something Clayface begins to react to something. Clayface's eyes glowed ruby red he was reacting to Brother Blood's blood magic.
"What's going on?"
Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon back away from the cell as the cell glowed bright red. The sonic disrupter that was keeping Clayface together finally broke apart. Clayface was freed. The mud plasma form a solid figure Clayface grew more and more his body was covered in the hint of blood magic surrounding him. He quickly bust out of the cell pushing Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon back.
"Quick! Lockdown the Asylum now!' Commissioner Gordon tells the officers. They quickly obeyed leaving Commissioner and Red Robin to deal with Clayface.
"Commissioner Gordon and Red Robin good to see again!" Brother Blood tells them voicing through Clayface's body. "You need to stay here Red Robin Hush has other plans for you so do enjoy your time with Clayface over here!" Brother Blood laughs and leaves Clayface body.
"Now Clayface calm down we can settle this peacefully!" Red Robin tries to talk it out with Clayface, but Clayface wasn't listening.
"No it's time for you to die!" As he charges at Commissioner Gordon and Red Robin.