The Eight Pit:
"Err, what is this place?" Nightwing asks as the three lands in the courtyard of the fortress.
"A citadel once, I think, we were here when we had to gather an army to get Malchior's claw." Raven replies as she lands and changes back.
"Ok, so why are we here?" Nightwing continues.
"Batman gave me free choice amongst the candidates to bring here, the others think you two have been abducted and had only a limited time to decide whenever they would help or not. I choose Jinx, because she has been here before and would blow the cover when they meet the first group of demons. And I took you because you are a natural leader and would be the one leading the rest, by taking you; we are forcing someone else to step up." Raven explains, as a huge shape emerges in the doorway in front of them. "Archivist." Raven greets flatly.
"Your Highness, you return." The demon replies and lowers its gaze, Nightwing halts the batarang he was getting out and puts it back in it compartment.
"I have. We have guests in the wastes that I am entertaining." She says as she passes it.
"Humans?" The demon asks.
"Yes, this is a war game, I do not want them dead or permanently injured, but the threat must be made believable." Raven says as she navigates the halls and corridors of the place effortlessly.
"And these two?" The Archivist asks as the last of the group, he is well aware that Nightwing is almost walking backwards to look at him.
"They are the bait the others are coming for. But the same rules like last time apply." Raven says as she pushes open a large door, revealing a large circular room with a raised room in the center.
"Uh Rae, where are we?" Jinx asks.
"Storage room, once. This is going to be my command center." Raven says. "Trigon was all-knowing so he had no need for one; I am not, so I do. Archivist, you know what I am asking?" She says over her shoulder broadcasting her thoughts to the demon.
"Indeed Your Highness." He replies before he begins to chant and a blue glow surrounds him before a large blue map springs to life over the central area before several dots appears on the map.
"Good, teach me that." Raven says as she faces him, the two lock eyes for a few seconds. "Thank you, you may go." The demon bows wordlessly and retreats out the door as Raven floats into the air and begins manipulating the map, squeezing it down to size and has it spread out over the raised area instead of having it floating over the ground. To Nightwing he is reminded of the holographic projector in the cave. "Well come on, this isn't going to bite your face off." Raven says as the two are still standing halfway across the room.
"Er, ok." Jinx says as they move over to her.
"Look, we are here." Raven says, indicating with a finger at a mountain in the center. "The others are here." She continues, pointing out a small mass of yellow triangles. "All the red dots are groups of demons."
"That's a lot." Nightwing notes that their friends aren't far from several groups. "But no offence Rae, but Star, Cy and BB will know the jig is up when they meet those flame guys."
"Pyres, but yes I know and I am not bothering with sending them." Raven replies as she thinks with a hand under her chin.
"There are other things down here?" Nightwing asks.
"Lots." Jinx adds.
"Yup, look." Raven says as she points out a dot near their friends that enlarges the area and brings up an image of the group. "Fiends, the actual muscle of Trigon's armies, not as numerous as the Pyres, but they make up for it. There are fifteen in that group, and they are heading into trouble."
"Can you see who took up the challenge?" Nightwing asks, Raven nods and has the map zoom in on their friends, all busy arguing or looking around themselves. "Seems, I would have several lieutenants if I was leading."
"Not exactly good, I guess. Fractions will form and the group will break up." Raven says, noticing Cyborg is arguing with Cassandra and Donna.
"So how far do they have to travel?" Jinx asks.
"About 150km, don't worry, I am not going to throw everything at them, just an encounter from time to time." Raven says noticing the worry in Jinx.
"And when they get here? You aren't going to throw Thrakmar or that spider at them?" Jinx continues.
"No, I have something suitable in mind that I just learned."
"Thrakmar?" Nightwing asks. "And what are you planning?"
"Captain of Trigon's personal guard, had to beat him up when we got here." Raven replies. "You remember what Cyborg and the others told us they had to do to distract Trigon?"
"Fight versions of themselves?" Nightwing asks.
"Yup, when they get here, I plan on appearing saying they can have you two back depending on how they fare. Wonder if Fate can hear us?" She asks looking into the ceiling.
The Watchtower:
"She plans to animate the inherent evil in their beings." Fate announces. "A spell only Trigonan demons can perform."
"But most of them aren't evil." Flash points out.
"All beings have the capability to become evil." Zatanna adds. "Question is, if is this a good idea?"
"It is." Batman says. "Fate can you store this?" He gets a nod from the mage. "This will actually let us see what kind of people they could be or are."
"Hmm, depending on how this fares. Perhaps, we should petition for her to repeat this for the rest of us?" J'onn adds.
"If we do, we just need to be prepared to face the worst side of us." Shayera notes.
"Will be like facing the Justice Lord's again." Superman says.
"Perhaps; or something else." Batman adds. "Can we get sound on that?" He asks as the image shifts to the rescue team, focusing on the arguing pair of Cyborg and Donna.
"Alas not, but I can say that they are arguing over where to go." Fate replies. "Cyborg claims to be able to track Nightwing and Ms. Troy insists that his readings can't be trusted."
"If anything serious finds them like that, they will be caught off guard." John adds.
"Something already has." Fate says as the view swigs to the horizon, showing several shapes moving towards the viewers.
Somewhere in the Eight Pit:
"I'm telling you that you can't navigate by compass down here, North might as well be up for all we know!" Donna shouts into Cyborg's face.
"And I am telling you for the 6th time I don't navigate by magnetic poles!" He shouts back. "I am tracking Nightwing and Jinx's communicator signals from that mountain!" He continues while pointing at a distant storm crowned peak.
"And how would you know it's not something else?" Donna continues.
"Because I built the damn trackers!" Starfire and Beastboy, Herald and Bumble Bee can see he is going to turn violent if Donna begins accusing his equipment of being faulty.
"Blow a tune or this is going to turn ugly." Beastboy whispers to Herald who nods and blows a long clear node without opening a portal, the two sides stare at him. "Guys, chill. This isn't going to help Rob or Jinx."
"Guys?" Cassandra asks with a dangerous tone in her voice boring holes in Beastboy.
"Wha? You know what I mean." Beastboy gives her a misunderstanding look.
"Really, explain your words then." Cassandra continues while folding her arms over her chest.
"He doesn't need to." Bumble Bee adds. "All right everyone! Seems we have a problem!" She yells, getting everyone's attention. "We are all in a strange place and apparently only one who has an idea of where to start looking."
"His scanners cannot be trusted in this place!" Donna yells.
"Maybe not, but you don't have the faintest idea of where to start, do you?" Cyborg challenges.
"We split up and start looking!" Donna yells. "Come on lets go people!"
"Hold up!" Kyle adds as a big green hand appears before Donna. "We don't know where we are, another planet or hell? For all we know the first living thing we see here could tear us apart. No one goes anywhere alone down here."
"Are you a coward Kyle Rayner?" Cassandra shouts.
"Maybe, but we Lanterns are picked because we can overcome great fear, but I am not stupid either." The Lantern growls back locking eyes with the younger blond.
"Everyone wanting to find them fast, go now, we will pick up the rest after we do!" Donna yells before flying off into one direction, Cassandra in another, a long line of dust announces Kid Flash's departure as Supergirl heads in another direction. Hiking off on foot is Ravager and Kid Devil, while a young dark-skinned boy with dreadlocks form two electrical disks flies off followed by a blue and black armored youth. Last to leave is Thunder, following his ever impulsive brother; Lightning.
Leaving Cyborg, Beastboy, Starfire, Bumble Bee, Herald, Superboy, Red Star, Green Lantern, Tempest, Bushido and a green skinned girl with red hair and wearing something that looks like J'onn's costume, both her and Tempest look queasy.
"So much for teamwork." Bumblebee sighs. "Should we go after them?"
"We should. But then we are chasing them as well." Cyborg says. "Lantern, can you verify what is about 150km in that direction?" He asks pointing at the peak again, the man nods and forms a pair of huge green binoculars.
"Looks like a fortress ruin, I can see shapes moving around on it." He replies.
"We are letting them go comrade Cyborg?" Red Star asks.
"We have to prioritize Red, I have to assume the others know what they are doing and we don't know what state Nightwing or Jinx is in." Cyborg replies.
"Taking charge Sparky?" Bumble Bee asks.
"Not if we are going to get even more divided down here." He replies. "Anyone mind that I call the shots?" He asks, getting no contestants. "Ok, I know most of you, but who are you?" He asks, having noticed the green girl.
"I am Miss Martian, like J'onn, I don't do well in this heat." The girl replies in an awfully sweet voice, like she had been watching too many commercials aimed at children.
"Ok, Tempest is not doing too well either, but welcome..." Cyborg says.
"Uhh guys…Watch out!" Beastboy yells in time for the group to become alert of the fiend's storming towards them.
"Good ol' Cyborg." Nightwing says with a sense of pride that their old friend is taking charge. "But your sisters seem to be hot heads." He adds.
"They seem to be into the whole lone wolf kinda thing, even my Bart." Jinx adds.
"And they will fall as them." Raven replies coolly, allowing a note of annoyance to show that she did prefer them staying together. "Excuse me, I need to send something their way." She says as she goes quiet and closes her eyes as she moves her hands from point to point on the map, pointing at the wayward heroes. "They're, by my estimation we should be receiving a few humbled heroes in the near future."
"How?" Nightwing asks. "You aren't going to hurt them are you?"
"Hurt them?" Raven asks in surprise before covering up. "Yes I am going to hurt them, not permanently, but they won't come quietly and we have better things to do to search the Pit for them."
"Rae…?!" Nightwing exclaims before a finger is shoved in his face.
"No! This is a League request and I will carry it out and those who think they can survive in a place like this alone, will be taught a lesson. Here the only thing a lone wolf does is die alone." Raven snaps.
"This isn't a game Rae! They could get hurt!" He counters while Jinx backs away.
"That is what I intend to teach them." Raven replies flatly, he just glares at her before stomping away towards the door that slams shut in his face.
"Open the door Raven." He says without turning.
"No, you should think. How many times have you, beaten the rest of us over the head that we are only as strong as the group?" Raven asks with staring at his back.
"And you have beaten me over the head many times that I still thought that I had to do everything alone. Let me out." He continues before the door opens and he strides out, while Raven sighs quietly while rubbing her temples.
"Jinx?" She asks without looking.
"Yeah?" The pink head replies timidly.
"Should I just call off everything and let them come here?"
"Too late I think, this may not be by the book exercise, but this is a trial for the League and it isn't a solo act as I remember? And let's face it, not all are cut out for working as a team."
"I know." Raven sighs. "But why do I feel like he suddenly doesn't agree?"
"Rob never wanted to see anyone hurt, not even during training, only himself." Jinx replies. "Don't take this the wrong way, but Rob is a control freak, a lot more than the fat guy was and this is beyond his control." She continues.
"You're saying he doesn't trust me with this?" Raven asks, feeling slightly wounded at the thought.
"No… well, kinda… perhaps…" Jinx stammers before taking a calming breath. "He might not like this because you have sidelined him, and he is left with nothing to do."
"Something tells me this is going to get complicated later on." Raven sighs. "But thanks for being honest about it." Jinx smiles back at the weak one sent her.
"No problem Rae. Anyways, aren't you letting one of your 'captives' escape?" Raven smirks at this mention, remembering something.
"Dude, I'd take unfriendly Tamaranians any day!" Beastboy exclaims as the group takes stock of themselves after the fight, they all have a few scratches and bruises from the encounter but without serious injuries, Superboy included, something that had surprised him.
"I also believe that this was too close for the comfort." Starfire adds. "But am I alone in thinking that we have seen something like these before?" She asks looking at the out cold monstrosity lying in front of her.
"Aww man, you're right." Cyborg says as he looks at what she has noticed, the four eyes.
"You know these creeps?" Herald asks.
"Actually I see something familiar about them as well." Kyle adds.
"Same here." Superboy continues.
"Planning on letting the rest of us in on this info Sparky?" Bumblebee asks.
"Ok, most of you know Rae is the daughter of a demon and all that?" Cyborg asks, getting a few nods. "Well, I figure we are in the place her old man used to hang out in and these." He says while poking the demon on the ground with his foot. "Are his."
"Erm, not to put a damper on this, but what if he is back?" Beastboy asks.
"Trigon was swimming a river last we saw, but we will beat him down again if he is back." Cyborg says confidently. "Another possibility is that all of this is someone using us to get at Rae, but she isn't here, so it's up to us. GL, can you get us some transport?"
"Sure thing." Kyle replies before forming a big green school bus. "All aboard."
"Cheer up Nightwing." Jinx says to the man in the black bubble floating next to her, he is shouting something and banging his fists against the barrier, but no sound is making its way through and hadn't after the first minute.
"He's as bad a Cyborg after losing a game to Beastboy." Raven notes as they walk towards the courtyard, after Raven's announcement that the first had arrived. "Or when the T-Car got scratched." She adds after a moment.
"So any idea who you got first?" Jinx asks.
"First one was Bart actually, had him get stuck in quicksand before a mage picked him up. But almost everyone has been delivered by now, only missing the kids in the bus and they will be here in a matter of moments." Raven replies. "You are still ok about this? I can't guarantee it won't hurt."
"Hey I am used to that sort of thing. Just do it." Jinx shrugs.
"Just nod if you at least agree with this part, it isn't a death match." Raven asks the man in the bubble who just fumes at her. "Please." She sighs. Inside the bubble the man stares for a full five seconds before sighing and nods as well. "Thank you. Brace yourselves." Raven says relieved as she lets him out the bubble before her eyes blaze and the mark of Scath appears on the ground under the two.
To Jinx and Nightwing it happens in an instant, but it feels like they stepped on an exposed power cable for a brief second before they are thrown on the ground.
"Ow, I take that back." Jinx groans as she sits up and rubs her head with closed eyes for a second. "Whoa, is that..."
"Should have stayed with the H.I.V.E. instead of going with that speeding fashion disaster." The gray and black version of Jinx replies with glowing red eyes and a wicked smirk, on echoed by the somewhat more wicked looking Nightwing double. "Or better yet, left those bozo's and gone solo."
"You keep quiet." Raven warns, getting the two copies to shut up while she offers a hand to Nightwing who just growls it off.
"Is that what Trigon did?" He asks, studying his double.
"Whatever monster you hide, whatever dark thoughts you may have had, this is the embodiment of those." Raven says.
"You can call me Deathwing and I can't wait to get to work on you." Nightwing's double says while showing his pointed teeth and the long lolling tongue inside.
"Ew." Jinx notes. "And everyone is like this?"
"Pretty much." Raven shrugs as she changes shape to the one she carried Jinx and Nightwing off with. "Let's see what other monsters hide in our friends." She says before turning around and marches towards the exit, followed by the two clones.
"Wonder what kind of monster hides under your skin Raven?" Nightwing whispers as he and Jinx stay back as agreed upon, the words sting Raven but she keeps moving.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." Kyle says as he lands the bus in the courtyard, having spotted the group of dazed heroes stumbling about in it.
"Get them and pull back!" Cyborg shouts recognizing a trap.
"And leave your friends in my care?" A deep rumbling voice asks, drawing their attention to the doorway, spotting the large winged demon.
"Superboy get him!" Beastboy yells and the boy of steel races towards the demon before being repelled by a web of black magic that sends him to the ground. The net expands and quickly has everyone dangling in it like flies.
"Now that you have quieted down and woken up." The demon says as the dazed regain their senses. "There are two groups of people here, the group that might have succeeded because it stuck together and the group of people that failed miserably because they believed they were stronger alone."
"Cut the crap! Who are you and where are our friends?!" Beastboy yells, quickly echoed by a few others, getting a chuckle out of the demon.
"You make demands but you are in no position to negotiate. But I am feeling amused, I have what I wanted from your friends. Deathwing? Hex?" It asks over its shoulder as the two doubles appear, getting stares out of Cyborg, Beastboy and Starfire. "You can have your friends back, if you amuse me."
"How?" Bumblebee asks with clenched teeth.
"You will see." The demon says as its eyes glow, the rune appears under the heroes again and the effect is over in a flash of red, dispelling the web.
"That is so not right." Conner says as he looks at the figure hovering in front of him, it has his face, but he is bald and wearing Superman's costume, but with an L instead of an S over his chest.
"Oh no." Miss Martian says as she locks eyes with the White Martian in front of her brandishing is claws, licking its pointed teeth while the segmented tail whips about its legs.
"Hey that's one of my bad guys!" Kyle says slightly offended at the brute in front of him with the curling horns, star map cape and veiled face.
"Ronin." Bushido growls at the armored samurai with the red eyes in front of him.
"Ok, she has an axe and I don't." Cassandra growls at her double, who indeed has a double headed axe and a strange helmet with a star on its forehead.
"You should all know these people, go." The demon says before the courtyard erupts in a huge brawl with heroes tangling with wickedly smiling or verbally abusing clones. Deathwing and Hex are soon thrown into the fray as well as they get tackled by Jinx and Nightwing from behind. Raven remains still as she watches and waits.
The Watchtower:
"J'onn did you know?" Diana asks as they study Miss Martin battle with her monstrous double.
"Yes, she is a rare case of a White Martian having abandoned their warlike society. I learned about her during my travels, a Martian defending Australia. I traveled to find her, excited that I may not be alone any more. Yet I found her masquerading as a Green Martian, she was afraid people would reject her in her true form, that you see now." J'onn says.
"Cassandra may have issues of her own." Fate mentions getting Diana's attention. "Her double repeatedly chastises her for not taking an offer made by Ares and that it is not too late."
"What?!" Diana shouts, but Fate remains unfazed.
"They are all mentioning doubts and old wounds and fears." He continues.
"They are at a stalemate." Batman says as he studies the entire scene.
"No, they are losing." John counters, having seen the real people were getting knocked down more than the doubles.
"Wait, look." Superman says, spotting something.
The Eight Pit:
"Star! BB! SWITCH!" Cyborg yells, finally having gotten close enough to the two to address them, like the first time trading partners with each other, some of the others see this as well.
"Cassie, catch!" Donna yells before sending her double tumbling towards the blond who sends hers the other way.
As if a ripple effect takes place, everyone begins switching opponents. Without the psychological edge and unfamiliar opponents, the dark versions all begin to fall, Nightwing's, Kyle's and Superboy's needing several heroes to defeat. But eventually the last of the dark doubles fall, only for them all to disappear in red energy, returning to their originators.
"Worked like a charm." Cyborg says before everyone's attention is drawn to the solitary figure applauding them from the stairs as it slowly descends.
"Well done, you have completed my challenge and regained what is yours." It says right before it is finding itself the target of every ranged weapon from the heroes, but not under fire. "Hmm."
"What was all this for?" Cyborg asks. "Trigon tried that as well, and failed."
"This was a test." The demon replies. "But if I were you, I wouldn't do anything rash. I am actually a friend and I am keeping those at bay." It says point a finger into the air. Most of the heroes look into the dark skies, spotting a huge swarm of Reaver's circling the fortress while the eight members of the Guard glare at the heroes from the ruined spires.
"Who are you?" Starfire asks. "Why does a 'friend' threaten us so?"
"Because Star, I was asked to." Raven says as she lets her disguise disappear. "Let's go home for your evaluation, shall we?" She says before her shadow expands rapidly, swallowing them and takes them all away.
The Watchtower:
"Rae, what the hell?!" Beastboy asks, as they all seem pretty sour about the whole realization.
"You could have told us." Donna grumbles.
"You should have told, at least us." Cassandra adds, Raven was suspecting she felt like she had something to prove, but Raven can feel the room is filling with anger.
"Everyone, this was a League sanctioned event to test you," Raven shouts loud enough for everyone to hear. "I will apologize for any injuries you may have received, but not for the act." This is enough for most of the Titans to sigh and withdraw.
"You should have told your Sisters." Cassandra continues.
"No I shouldn't." Raven replies flatly. "You, sister, will be judged equally to everyone else in this room." Raven can feel the blonds' fury rise as she opens her mouth to snap a reply as the door behind Raven opens, admitting Superman to the hall.
"Well done everyone who participated in this exercise." He says while nodding to Raven who passes him and leaves the hall. "Today's evaluations are over, but we have a few questions we need to ask the following…" He says as the door closes behind her.
"Well, if nothing else, almost everyone in that room hates me now." Raven sighs, sensing Batman behind her.
"Donna and Cassandra believe they have a free ride with Diana." Batman says as he walks up next to her.
"Do they?"
"No, she is going to have words with both before they leave the station. So will several others of the 'parenting' heroes." Batman replies.
"Nightwing?" Raven asks without letting anything show in her voice.
"No, he is old enough to act on his own." He says. "But his behavior leaves something to be desired." He adds.
"And me?" Raven asks.
"You weren't being evaluated." He says shortly. "But some of the others are considering having you repeat the last spell, according to Fate, only your kind can cast it."
"If you want me to." Raven shrugs. "But it isn't painless for those it affects. Will you need me anymore for today?" She asks as they enter the arrival hall.
"No. There's an assignment waiting for you on the computer when you get back." Raven nods at this as the two part when they reach an exit leading deeper into the station. "They don't hate you." He says after her before she turns a corner.