Richard would later in the week receive a wheelchair he was informed he would be spending the next month in, at least, which made him happy he was no longer tied to a bed and was able to move around easier, which prompted a visit from Barbara. But that seemed to be the only really good news.
Over a period of two weeks, Terra commits terrorist attacks against the area's known to have housed or meant something to Raven, Jump City Hall was just the beginning. The building in Jump City that had once housed a gloomy café Raven frequented years ago was reduced to rubble and Titan Island was sunk beneath the waves before Terra moved on. Richard had been shocked when Cyborg called, Rose had appeared half dead on the Tower doorstep, carrying her father, assisted by an equally injured Jericho. Raven left for the Tower immediately to hear the tale of how Terra had arrived at Slade's old manor in the Canadian forests and proceeded to level the place with the ground, it had been sheer luck the three were alive now, a luck that had not included Wilson's elderly butler who had perished in the attack. Just two days later, Terra struck again, this time being driven off by the Titans, who had anticipated she would try and attack Titans Tower since the first attack. They had been forced to let her run, when she destabilized the supports under the Golden Gate Bridge. The Themysciran Embassy was also hit, but Diana could only halt the huge boulder thrown at them, Terra had been miles away, naturally some of the employees were rattled by the attack. Much to Superman dread, Metropolis was also hit resulting in much of the downtown area being damaged, resulting in many wounded and a few casuaties by the shower of rocks Superman was forced to deal with, while he was certain Terra escaped by the lead lined sewer network. Rose, led the Titans to a number of her father's old bases in hopes of finding Terra in one of them, finding evidence of her having been in some of them, but had only stayed for a night or so.
Where ever Terra struck, Raven would appear afterwards to help with clean up. It was taking a tremendous toll on her, to see the destruction caused and the lives lost just to work her up, and Raven had to admit, Terra's tactics are working, she begins to doubt if she really can stop Terra if the call finally comes. The protests that also began to appear didn't help her either, because they blamed her sorely for the attacks. In Metropolis, she was respectfully asked to leave by the local law enforcement, citing her aid was not required, both Raven and the officer delivering the request both knew her help was not desired. This prompted Raven to make a very drastic move, citing that if Terra was stopped because of it, it should at least be attempted and she would announce it on the steps of the Hall of Justice.
"Welcome and thank you for coming." Raven says, dressed as herself, hood down, standing in front of a crowd of journalists at a podium. "I know this last period of time has been a trying one for all affected by Terra's rampage, and my heart goes out to all of those who have needlessly lost because of her. I know many blame me personally for her attacks and the League for being ineffective in locating her and bringing her to justice, but I wish to assure we are trying our hardest to locate her. But to deter any further attacks; Terra, if you are watching this, don't any hurt any more innocent bystanders, it is me you want. If you are truly out to get me, meet me tomorrow afternoon 120km North East of Buckhorn New Mexico to settle this, no more innocents will have to be hurt. Thank you."
The statement is played on loop as the top story on all of the major news stations, many debates were set in motion whenever Raven was being heroic or foolish in her actions. Some see it as a capitulation of the League, that Raven had to resort to challenge Terra on national TV to stop her, others note that Raven is sincere in her own desperation to stop Terra to hold a press conference, something the press shy empath had never done before. With the death toll in Jump City and Metropolis pushing past the 100 mark, some voiced their belief that when Terra is eventually caught, then she would had to be put down. She is too powerful to risk having break free again for another rampage.
Meanwhile the debate in the League, is how to deal with the actual fight. While Raven insists on being alone at the site, Superman and J'onn however insist on watching from high orbit and while being invisible since no one in the station doubted that Terra was currently the more powerful of the two.
The day of the fight came and Raven said her goodbyes, a sign of her beliefs of her own odds of surviving the fight, but was generally met with reassurances about her own return. Bruce, in particular, was adamant on her success, practically ordering her to survive and come back. Alfred and Richard were in tune when they both said they had faith in her. At the agreed time, she is then teleported to the Watchtower to get her armor and sword before being teleported to the desert of New Mexico.
There she sits in the baking heat, meditating while waiting, she had been adamant about not being engaged in conversation, spoken or otherwise. With the rapport that Terra had stayed in Slade old lairs, they had no idea if she could actually listen in on them or not.
"Raven?" John's voice asks over her communicator, well into the fourth hour of her vigil and she is cooking.
"What?" She asks dryly.
"You have to go back, Terra has struck again." This evaporates her annoyance.
"Where?"
"Gotham...all of it."
"Get me to the cave!" She almost shouts and a few seconds later, she is gone.
"Bruce?" Raven calls as she appears in the cave near the bottom where the coordinated were locked onto, quickly moving out, she finds the Batcave a disaster zone, many of the platforms having collapsed onto those below them, looking down from the ledge, she can see the helicopter's rotor's poking out of the harbor waters. "Cave has been hit pretty bad, I will make my way up." Raven says into her communicator before beginning to swing and climb her way upl to the top floor by the cave walls. "Bruce!" She shouts as she makes it up to the top ledge near the parking platform, spotting Gotham's Dark Knight lying slumped by his blood splattered computer, a piece of rock lying by the side of his head.
She runs quickly to his side, confirming he is alive, but his skull is fractured, only his cowl had saved his life. "Raven to Watchtower, I have Batman in need of immediate medical attention. The cave is ruined, bring a flyer, I have to go see if the rest of the Mansion has been hit." She gets a crackling reply she doesn't hear before she runs up the stairs to the mansion, jumping over the fallen rocks on the way. Arriving at the doorway, she finds it blocked or at least it is not opening. Digging her fingers into the metal, she strains against the door but forces it to open, finding that it was only lacking power.
The mansion is a ruin, many of the roof supports have given up and parts of the cieling has fallen to the floor. Raven prays no one is under it now as she picks her way to the two most likely places she would find the people she is seeking. Closest to her is the kitchen, where she finds Alfred on the ground under the refrigerator that has fallen over. She sighs in relief as she pushes the refrigerator off him, getting a groan from the old man. "Miss Raven, is that you?" He asks weakly.
"It's me, help is on the way. Do you know where Richard is?" She asks, knowing Tim is currently with the Titans.
"In his room, I would say." Alfred says before moaning in pain. "I believe my hip has suffered." He gets a nod from her before she reports his location to the League, before leaving him.
She has to move carefully up the stairs as one of the huge oak beams from the ceiling has crashed down onto it making it unstable. The floor also groans under her as she picks her way down the misshapen hallway to Richards room.
"Richard?" She asks as she tried the closed door, finding it blocked, a shoulder push later and the door is in her hand as she walks inside.
"Rae?" Richard asks from behind his bed.
"It's me, close your eyes, are you injured?" She asks, finding him lying on his back, having fallen over backwards.
"Nothing new, is everyone else ok?" He asks as she carefully guides him back up.
"Alfred got caught under the fridge, Bruce has a head injury, I've sent for help. What happened?"
"Earthquake, suddenly the whole place was shaking violently, we have to get out before the rest of the place comes down." He says.
"On it." Raven says before wheeling him out into the corridor, having to carry him down the stairs as they meet League medical staff in the hall below.
"Get them outside and we will have them on the station shortly." One of the men says. "Superman she is here." He says into his earpiece.
"Raven, the entire city has been hit by this, with Bruce out, I am asking on behalf of the League to enter the city for search and rescue." The man of steel asks, Raven blinks a few times in confusion before it is replaced by resolve as she knows what she has to do now.
"The mansion is secured; get everyone you can spare into the city. I will join you shortly." She says before exiting the building, finding John outside with two glowing green stretchers with Bruce and Alfred on them. "We need you in the city as well John."
"Will do, when these have been secured." The man says.
"Good, I will be a minute, there's something in the cave I hope I can use." He nods at her before she runs off, returning a few moments later to find everyone gathered near John. "Thermal scanner." She says as she holds up the device. "Let's go." Shortly after the group disappears from Wayne Manor.
"Good evening my fellow Americans. A few hours ago our nation bore witness to an unimaginable tragedy when Gotham City was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter-scale, causing widespread devastation throughout the city. I have issued an order to use any and all means to aid Gotham as has the Justice League who has committed every able bodied hero to aid as well. I want every American to know that this was no ordinary earthquake. No the tragedy that has now struck Gotham is the latest in the series of terrorist attacks committed by the girl known as Terra. I, as many others, heard of the League member; Raven's plea yesterday, my advisors tell me that these attacks are now random; Terra is now targeting anything that could be connected to her target, while avoiding her. I wish to assure the American people that we are doing what we can to bring this felon to justice, God help us all and Gotham." President Jonathan Thorne says in his address to the nation a few hours into the crisis.
Raven finds herself at her wits end, while simultaneously trying to remain calm and collected enough to guide the League around, along with many of the leaderless citizens who wish to help. She doesn't know why, but everyone in the League is defecting to her in this situation and many of the citizens and local law enforcements follow her as well, including Commissioner Gordon after she arrives at the chosen command center; Gotham City Police Headquarters, now in ruins as much of the rest of the city. The Teen Titans join the efforts a few hours in, Raven was halfway hoping Tim would take over, but he immediately pledges his support of her leadership and his team is dispatched, along with Metamorpho to the suburb known as Blüdhaven that on top of the quake had to combat a massive chemical spill from the local Ace Chemicals, the rumored place of origins of the Joker. The Doom Patrol also arrives to add their aid, getting tasked with aiding the rescue efforts in the main shopping districts. Blackgate Penitentiary is busted open during the quake, but the dispatched Superman, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter is enough to deter any of the inmates from escaping till a force of national guardsmen can be dispatched. A small blessing in the destruction is the fact that Arkham stands untouched, the rebuilt structure having been earthquake-proofed during construction, as have a number of the newer structures, including several Wayne Industries structures.
Early on the second day, many are surprised, when a troop of fifty Amazon's report for duty directly to Raven. How they got there, no one knew or cared, but they were immediately set to work in the area's where their individual skills served the best; be they healers, masons, trackers or crafters, even some of the former Royal guards have arrived as well and are employed mainly as guards where needed. The unruly Blackgater's quickly learn to respect them, when they become part of their guard detail, learning that none of them really stood a chance against the imposing women. This became apparent when one of the burlier inmates, tried to break free, only to have his neck casually snapped by one of the Guards learning that lethal force was allowed to keep them pinned.
No one sleeps or rests much for the next five days, and Raven does neither at all. Some unkind voices called her a machine as she without pauses and only little sustenance continues to direct the rescue teams around the city, gradually checking off the city as block by block was cleared, when not in the field herself searching for survivors or adding her own strength to the effort. None but those who know her well, can see she is falling apart on the inside, falling further each time she gets reports of casualties or uncovers them herself and for this reason, she sends all of those to places far from her. Telling them, that her negative emotions will wait until she has the time for them and that right now the lion's share of rescue workers are looking to her for directions, directions that she will provide till someone qualified steps up to take over. Tim and the Titan's recognized the sergeant mode she had drifted into when they arrived and only advised her to rest when she felt like it, but there was always something she felt she had to do.
On the sixth day, the rescue operation is declared over, with the League on the scene, it was agreed that finding more survivors were now extremely unlikely with all the aid at their disposal. This is where the Amazon's announce their departure and were all dismissed by Raven after their announcement. From here, rebuilding efforts and security began to take over, with the many empty buildings, many saw this as a chance to enrich themselves. While law enforcements and League personnel tried to prevent it happening, Raven organized for the refugees to return to their homes to collect necessities where possible which helped dampen the looting problem, no one was stupid enough to try and rob people inside the camps with armed guards.
Early the seventh day, Raven is finally relieved of command by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who praises her efforts during the crisis, before being requested to step down in favor of another who would oversee the remaining efforts. Raven replies with a few words, before agreeing and requesting a teleport to the Watchtower where she simply collapses from exhaustion in the arrival hall.
"Good morning, stalwart hero of the land." A voice enters her head before she realizes she is waking, getting her to creek one eye half open to find Speedy standing over her, dimly she remembers sending him and a few others into the metro to look for survivors. "How are you doing?"
"Sore, and hungry." She groans before sitting up, to stretch. "How long was I out?"
"Only a day." He says as she gets out of bed and stretches some more. "I gotta say, you've impressed a lot of people."
"I was hoping some competent leader would show up and relieve me, I just did what I thought what was right. I still don't get why everyone thought I was the leader?" He snickers for a second at this. "What?
"Well, duh. You've been bunking with Batman for over two years, and with him and 'Wings out of commission, you automatically became the de facto Bat of Gotham. The one who knew where everything was and all that, though I doubt Batman would have let the League into the city at all." He says as she drops to the floor and does twenty pushups to warm up.
"If it warranted it, he would, he's not that territorial." She says after finishing. "How are they?"
"Bruce woke up on the second day and has been a menace to everyone in that hover chair, but he's just angry he's stuck in it. The old man is fine, besides the broken hip and right foot, but he's complaining all the time about the food."
"They would, Bruce wants to be back on the ground and Alfred prides himself on his cooking skills. Reminds me, we have to get them back at some point with a suitable cover story." She says.
"Already provided, one of the League teams found them during the sweep you initiated of the outer suburbs and brought them here and you were brought along, though you were in the garden when it all happened." She nods at this, remembering she had initiated such a sweep and that she had sent a League team to the palisades.
"Wonderful, so only a few thousand dead and 84% of Gotham leveled with the ground and most of what remains is in danger of falling over on its own. But our secrets remain." She sighs. "And all because of Terra."
"And only because of Terra." Roy says sternly, knowing she was feeling guilty about it. "She's insane, and even the President said Gotham was a random target, no one is blaming you."
"Not openly, and quite frankly, I think she knew I live there." Raven sighs. "I don't suppose there have been any more attacks?"
"No, thankfully. Gotham is the biggest disaster to hit the US in years." Roy says. "We already hear rumors that the Government has dispatched kill teams after her."
"But no one knows where she is or where she plans to go from here." Raven says.
"J'onn is pretty sure she has left the country, she's crazy, not stupid."
"Well that leaves only a handful of sites for her to strike, have the Doom Patrol been notified?"
"Yup and Diana has already sent word to Themyscira." Roy says as she makes for the bathroom door.
"I hope she can't find Nanda Parbat and the True Master then." Raven mumbles. "At least we know where she might strike next."
"Themyscira." Roy says as she locks the bathroom door. "Can she even find it?"
"I think she can sense when there is stone or dirt near her to manipulate." Raven says from the other side of the door, Roy backs away to respect her privacy, she continues when the toilet is heard flushing. "And I have the feeling she has some kind of help. Have we heard anything from Markovia?"
"Only Brion denying any association with her." Roy shrugs. "Some brother."
"He's the King and has his people to worry about, Terra is only his half sister and very few know that she is. Brion told us when he came looking for her years ago." Raven explains before emerging, having found her own costume inside and redressed. "But at least he is alive, thought Terra might have killed him. I need something to eat." She realizes.
"Well I doubt anyone doubts that, just be careful out there, or Bruce might run you down." Roy replies with a smirk as Raven heads for the sliding door before stopping.
"Would you get a line to Themyscira ready for me when I've had something to eat?" She asks, turning towards him.
"Will do boss." Roy says as he salutes her, getting a nod and a smirk from her.
"And there we have her, the supreme commander of the Gotham relief effort." Richards voice makes her look up from her meal to see both Bruce, sporting a white turban of bandages, and Richard hover over to her, both in the same kind of chair she was stuck in after the fight with Black Adam.
"Not that I wanted that particular job." She replies. "How are you two holding up?"
"I think you know." Bruce says.
"Yeah." Raven says before taking a mouthful of the rice she was eating. "I hope I did the right thing down there."
"Sources claim, your leadership saved many lives, you did the right thing in the situation." Bruce continues. "Seems all that training has paid off."
"Heard it was my affiliation with you that did it." Raven says.
"Reputation helps, but you still did good." Richard adds, making her realize something.
"You aren't affected by me?" She asks.
"Morphine I am afraid, the fall reopened some of the wounds." Bruce says. "But he is right, you stood tall when you had to and a lot longer than anyone could ever ask of you."
"It's my fault I happened in the first place."
"Raven!" Both men's exclamation grabs her attention and surprised both of them, before Richard nods to Bruce, letting him continue. "It was her choice and hers alone, that this happened. Hers are that hands that are stained."
"Exactly, you offered her the chance to hit you directly when you are without most of your powers, but she chose to hit Gotham instead." Richard continues.
"Not exactly what I was expecting for being the reason why your city is in ruins." Raven replies.
"It is your city as well." Bruce says, getting a shocked silence from the both of them. "Just because I say so, doesn't mean Gotham will evaporate when I am no more."
"Well… let hope not." Richard says after several seconds of silence.
"Let's." Raven agrees. "But Terra is still out there."
"And heading towards Themyscira, if our assumptions are correct?" Richard continues at Bruce.
"Neither of you have anything to prove to me anymore." Bruce says. "And if she can find it, then yes Terra is heading towards Themyscira and Diana has warned them when she got back."
"I still need to warn them." Raven says.
"Why? Diana already has?" Richard asks.
"Because I have to." Raven replies flatly. "I am the Champion of Themyscira and I have a duty to perform." She continues, realizing she didn't have time for her own food when a dire threat was approaching and gets up and leaves the two.
"Did I hear that right?" Richard asks.
"You did. Raven is Hippolyta's extended hand now." Bruce confirms. "If Hippolyta wants Terra dead, Raven will do it if ordered to."
"While good to hear from you, Princess Diana has already warned us of the threat approaching, and you will be notified if your presence is required." Hippolyta says calmly to Raven who is standing in the monitor womb.
"If you wish it, your Highness, then I will return to Themyscira to greet her." Raven asks, standing in the waiting position she had long since grown accustomed to.
"There is no need as of yet, the blessings of the gods will keep us safe. You will be summoned if required." Hippolyta replies, getting a nod from Raven. "Now I hear rumours from Man's World that you where the supreme commander of the rescue effort Diana called for volunteers for?"
"A cascade effect your highness. With the Dark Knight incapacitated, the League looked to me and everyone else followed their lead." Raven replies, knowing Hippolyta knew full well of the events in Gotham from the Amazons when they returned, and Diana, and on top of that she had her pool. "I did not think you would allow for such an excursion?"
"I didn't." Hippolyta replies flatly. "But I was only made aware of Diana's actions and her reasons after they had left. And as such it will only be Diana who will have repercussions. But I would like to note that you performed admirably in the situation."
"I just hope I do not have to lead similar relief efforts any time soon." Raven replies.
"No one does, we will summon you if this Terra is sighted." Hippolyta says before closing the feed.
"Well, guess I am going to be stuck at the gate for a week." Diana's voice appears behind Raven who spins around. "But why did you send word when I had already done so?" She asks.
"I have something to live up to now." Raven replies. "But we choose to keep it quiet till it would actually be needed."
"You got promoted after the battle?" Diana realizes. "To what?"
"Hippolyta felt it was time to revive an old title that had not been in use since they left the mainland, partially due to the change in how the outside world can now affect Themyscira and partially due to the possibility of the Gods drawing you away when your aid and leadership would otherwise be needed. I am the Champion of Themyscira." Raven replies while locking eyes with Diana who's eyes go wider and wider.
"That… that's WONDERFUL!" Diana shouts as she embraces Raven in hug that would make Starfire's pale in comparison and now makes Raven groan slightly due to her ribs. "Congratulations!"
"Thank's." Raven says when allowed to breathe. "Ow."
"Sorry." Diana says, suddenly remembering the bruised ribs and lets go. "Who'd have thought you'd turn into this two years ago?"
"Yeah, thought your mother was about to kill me when I met her the first time." Raven admits, remembering wanting to be a million miles away from Hippolyta when she had locked her eyes onto her.
"It's not every day she calls up and sees me like I was that day. So do I have the pleasure of having you charge in beside me in battle?" Diana continues.
"Well yes, but I am still just a sergeant, it's only if you aren't present I get to invoke the title properly."
"Well, we have to change that if you are to be expected to lead our sisters into battle. Now you follow me, we have something to celebrate." Diana says before dragging Raven off for a bottle of wine.
The next day, Bruce, Richard and Raven returns to the ground with them moving into Bruce's penthouse in New York, while Tim fakes moving in with them, but is moving to San Francisco, Raven also fakes moving in with Bruce and Richard, but she stays in Gotham, moving into the Bat-Cave under the lake in Saint Patrick's Park, which is still intact. During the night she visits the other caves, making which are lost and which are not, while taking various objects with her that could not be left behind before making sure the ruined caves were completely ruined.
Two weeks pass like this, Raven patrols the ruined city that still has it's share of thugs, Bruce and Richard work from New York, planning how to rebuild the city. Bruce was actually set to make a killing, with him owning many construction companies, with most of his production facilities lying in other cities or outside of the disaster zone in Gotham, even after he firmly states to his board of directors that their profit on individual items will be minimal. Wayne Enterprises would lead the example and see Gotham rebuilt, without at the same time being accused of profiteering on the disaster. The board had lost three of its members during the disaster, Fredricks and two others. The disaster zone itself has it's small miracles, survivors being found in buried in old wartime shelters and other such places, a family of four being rescued by Batgirl, who found them sealed inside one of the 'caves'.
Author's Notes: Gotham is in ruins, Richard is cracking and Terra is more powerful than ever, and in the next chapter it will be Raven vs. Terra.