The mood was bleak in the Watchtower as the Justice League and Titans (minus Beast Boy and Raven) stood in the bridge, watching satellite images of a recently freed Doomsday tearing through the wilderness just a few miles outside Metropolis. The monster was laying waste to every life form in his path.
"This day just keeps getting better and better," lamented Flash.
"It won't be long before Doomsday reaches the city limits," said Green Lantern. "We've got to mobilize."
"What is this creature?" asked Starfire aloud.
"Doomsday, a living weapon of indescribable power. The last time he was unleashed, even Superman was barely enough to stop him."
On the other side of the room, Batman tapped incessantly at a keyboard.
"J'onn, anything yet?" he said into his headset.
"Nothing," replied the Martian. "Trigon has either found and removed the tracking device or gone too far out of range. Either way I fear we have lost him."
"Well keep looking," insisted Batman. "We have to find where he went."
"What about Doomsday?" said Nightwing, stepping up beside Batman. "It won't be long before a lot of people are in danger."
"I'm aware of that," snapped the dark knight. "But none of this will matter if Trigon finds a way through to our world."
"I'll handle Trigon," came Raven's voice, announcing her arrival.
The group turned to see the empath enter the room accompanied closely by Beast Boy.
"The rest of you do what you can to hold off Doomsday. I'll go after Trigon."
"What are you talking about?" asked Batman skeptically.
"Before Trigon escaped I dove deep into his mind and learned of his entire plan," replied Raven. "It seems Earth lacks the proper equipment to penetrate the number of dimensions necessary to reach his body. But since he had access to Superman's mind, it wasn't difficult to find a planet that did have the technology."
"And that planet?" asked Wonder Woman.
"Apocalypse," replied Raven.
With the mention of the unholy planet, silence filled the room as members of the Justice League exchanged looks of concern. The situation was becoming more dire with each new development. Despite this, however; the Titan's chose to be optimistic.
"Well alright," boomed Cyborg, "We know where he is, lets go kick Trigon's ass."
"Yeah," cheered Beast Boy, pumping a fist into the air. "Titan's together."
"NO," said Raven sternly, officially shutting down the enthusiasm. "I'm going after Trigon. The rest of you need to stay hear and see to it that monster doesn't reach the city."
Beast Boy opened his mouth to speak, but the empath quickly cut him off.
"I'm the only one who can force Trigon's mind back into the void," she said.
"If you're going to Apocalypse, you're going to need a way to get there fast," said Batman stepping forward.
Once the situation was explained, the team's quickly snapped into action. An emergency message was broadcasted on all JLA radio channels, calling for all Justice League members to get to Metropolis as fast as they could. The emergency alarm sounded, and every Justice Leaguer aboard the Watchtower was instructed to report to the docking bay where they could be escorted to the battlefield. Meanwhile J'onn would stay behind and do his best to repair the Phantom Zone Projector as quickly as possible. Time was of the essence. Every second that passed meant Doomsday was that much closer to unleashing hell upon the unsuspecting populace.
"With Superman's speed its very likely he has already reached Apocalypse," said Batman as he escorted Raven through the hallway.
"Do you suspect he's strong enough to penetrate the planet's defenses by himself?" asked Raven.
Batman leveled her with a serious gaze.
"I guarantee it," he said.
"Then we can assume it won't take long before he gathers enough knowledge to construct his trans-dimensional machine," concluded Raven.
"Yes," said Batman. "So if you stand any chance of reaching him in time, you'll need a boom tube."
"Boom tube?"
"A point to point travel portal opened by a device called a Mother Box. The League received one as a gift from the planet of New Genesis. With it you'll arrive on Apocalypse in a matter of seconds."
Raven nodded in understanding. She was about to suggest that they not waste anymore time when, over the ruckus of the Watchtower, she heard her name being called."
"Raven, wait."
Turning, Raven spotted Beast Boy running up to her.
"Beast Boy, I don't have time-"
"I need to talk to you," Beast Boy interrupted.
"Beast Boy, I-"
"Please."
Raven turned to Batman questioningly.
"Make it quick," said Batman before turning and walking down the hall.
"What is it?" she asked, turning her attention back to Beast Boy.
"Raven, why are you doing this?
"Doing what?"
"I thought you knew by now you don't have to shoulder these kinds of things by yourself anymore. We can help you. I can help you."
Guilt washed over her, as Beast Boy spoke.
"I know," she stammered. "Its just…"
"Just what?" asked Beast Boy, his voice full of concern.
Raven thought back to her previous encounter with Trigon. His threat against Beast Boy rang hauntingly through her head. Because of her feelings for him, Trigon had promised that Beast Boy would know great suffering. She could not let that happen. Despite the danger he would face on earth, he would still have the support of the Justice League. Hopefully it would be enough to keep him safe.
She stepped forward and gently caressed his cheek, a small smile gracing his face as she did so.
She would do whatever it took to protect him.
"Gar," she said softly. "I just…need you to be okay."
"I will be," he said just as soft.
Looking deeply into his eyes, a powerful longing came over her. She felt tempted to really show him how much she truly loved him. But instead she stepped back. It wasn't the time.
"Stay here, Gar," she said. "Help the League."
"Raven-"
"Please Gar," she begged.
Beast Boy lowered his eyes to the ground as the woman that meant the world to him silently turned and drifted down the hall, leaving him alone.
"This is it?" Raven asked Batman as he held up the square, electronic device.
"Yes," said Batman plainly.
With a few quick button presses a glowing white tube opened up before them.
"Now let's go," he said.
Raven's head snapped towards him in surprise.
"What? I said I would do this alone," she said.
"I know," replied Batman.
Raven leveled a glare at Batman.
"If you want you can try to stop me," he said.
Narrowing her eyes, she quickly turned and began her trek into the boom tube, Batman following a few steps behind.
"Is everybody accounted for?" called Green Lantern to the mass of costumed heroes standing before him.
The crowd murmured in agreement.
The time had come. As soon as Green Lantern had encased all heroes aboard the Watchtower within the protective glow of his power ring, the docking bay doors opened and the team's journey to Earth began. Once there, they would launch an all out offensive against Doomsday.
Standing quietly, Starfire was mentally preparing herself for the oncoming battle when she heard Nightwing's familiar voice in her ear.
"Star."
"Yes," she replied as she slowly turned to face him.
"Starfire, I need you to understand about my telling Batman about the team."
"Oh?" she said, clearly unmoved.
Nightwing breathed a deep sigh.
"Star, it wasn't something I did lightly."
Nightwing cast his eyes down and took a deep breath.
"The truth is, I never felt right about it. But its just... Batman, he… took me in after my parents died, taught me everything I know. I wanted to help him regardless of how I felt. I thought eventually I would understand."
Nightwing took another breath as he collected his thoughts.
"But as the years wore on, I only became more conflicted. I started to wonder: were any of my decisions, my actions…were they my own…or was it all just an extension of his will"
A thought suddenly occurred to Starfire.
"So that day, when you forsook the name Robin…?"
Nightwing nodded.
"I told him I wasn't going to be his informant anymore. I wanted to stand on my own, really make my own way."
Nightwing took hold of Starfire's hand and looked into her green eyes.
"I just wanted you to know."
When Starfire's face gave no signs of forgiveness, Nightwing grew concerned.
"Star?"
"You still need to say you are sorry," she said finally.
"Oh," said Nightwing surprised.
"And if you really wish to apologize, you can say it clearly and confidently," said the Tameranean, crossing her arms.
Nightwing looked around and realized a number of his fellow heroes were now focused on them, including Cyborg who crossed his metallic arms and gave a "Well what are you waiting for?" look.
Nightwing chuckled nervously. Starfire was behaving more like an Earth woman every day.
"Starfire," he said with the utmost sincerity. "I'm truly sorry for betraying your trust."
"The team's trust," corrected Starfire.
"The team's trust," said Nightwing. "And it would mean so much to me if you could find it in your heart to forgive me."
A brilliant smile crossed Starfire's face as tears threatened to come pouring down her cheeks.
"Oh of course," she said loudly as she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
As soon as he could breath again, Nightwing breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now, my love," declared Starfire passionately. "We must prepare ourselves. The time for battle draws near."
Nightwing grinned. God he loved this woman.