This is the last chapter before the epilog. Wow it feels like it's been forever.
Before I dive in I just want to say my heart goes out to all those in the Colorado shooting. If you are as horrified as I was and you want something to do to make some of it better I have found something on Facebook that I think is awesome.
There is a pic on Facebook going around that is asking Christian Bale to go to the hospital where some of the kids who were shot are. It is asking him to go visit them as Batman and show them that there aren't just villains out there but the heroes are too. Just Google 'batman visit kids Facebook' or something of that nature and you should get a few links that have the picture on it. Put it on your Facebook page or any website and share it. Let's give these kids something to believe in. Thank you so much.
Chapter 8: From the Depths Below
Bruce Wayne was forced to take the night off. Alfred told him that if he didn't there might be an accident with the batmobile's paint job and one night it might end up pink. So with no further argument the bachelor called up the Gotham news reporter Vicky Vale on a date. He wanted to just sit in a quite theater; she wanted to go to the circus.
He had to admit that Haly's Circus was impressive. Before even entering the tent Bruce was able to win Vicky a large stuffed elephant and then got to watch her get her face painted. Once inside they shared a bucket of popcorn as they waited for the show to start. The clowns were funny and the lion tamer exhilarating but when the trapeze artists took a step into the lights they had his full attention.
Acrobats always amazed Bruce. They were so graceful even when flipping through the air and the Flying Grayson's were no exceptions. The family was amazing but the one who caught his eyes the most was the youngest one. He couldn't help but noticed how much the child beamed when flying through the air with such ease. It all ended though with a scream and a snap of wire.
The next thing Bruce knew he was walking the boy up the stairs that led to his mansion; the smile from the nine year olds now wiped from his face. He didn't know why he decided to bring Dick Grayson to live with him. Maybe it was because he wanted to see the child smile again or maybe because he saw himself in Dick when he saw him leaning over his family's body. He kept telling himself it would be temporary and once Dick's uncle woke up he would give the boy back with no hesitation. He didn't know that four years later he would be heading to Alcatraz with most of the major players of the Justice League out to destroy the demon who took Dick's body as his own.
Batman stepped out of the Zeta Tube that Green Arrow had conveniently set up in the Star Labs in California. He gripped a small velvet bag that was tied around his belt and sighed; he wondered if his secret weapon would even work. While waiting for the other heroes to arrive he spotted Flash and Kid Flash in the corner. The older speedster placed a hand on his nephew and looked at him worryingly.
"Are you sure you are ok?" Flash asked.
"I said that I'm fine," Kid Flash said back shoving his uncle's arm off of him. Batman understood that Kid Flash just didn't want to be babied. He had to go through the same thing many times when being one of the only non-meta human on the Justice League but even he could see that the teen was still struggling. Sweat still covered the red heads face and sporadic facial tics betrayed his sanity.
"Kid Flash," Batman interrupted. The two speedsters looked up at the Dark Knight "I think you should go back to the Cave. Dr. Thompkins might need help with Cheshire."
"No," Kid Flash said quickly. Now even he knew that he wasn't still all there. Only the insane talk back to the Batman "I mean…I can deal with it."
"At least promise me you will let me know if it gets too much for you," Flash said. Kid Flash looked down but nodded his head slowly none the less. The zeta tube started up again and more heroes showed up. The team was now eleven strong. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Aquaman, Hal Jordon, Flash, and Kid Flash were now all together and prepared to fight.
The rain was still going strong as Batman, Green Arrow and Black Canary hitched a ride onto a circle created by Green Lantern. The rest flew, ran, and swam their way across. As soon as they hit land Batman had already taken out a batarang.
"I do not see any guards," Red Tornado said landing next to Batman.
"Were we wrong?" Wonder Woman asked.
"No," Superman said next to her. He glared towards the prison "They are all in the main dining area the largest room in the building. They are-"
Superman didn't have time to finish before Batman was off. Kid Flash chased after him and the rest of the team followed. Batman swung the door open and glared at the site before him. Superboy was just beginning to stand back up lifting Aqualad off of him. M'gann was already was up and fighting assassins and Red Arrow was just trying to stay on his feet.
"You all took me for a fool but now I will crush you like the insects you truly are!" Aamir screamed and Artemis went down with a thud.
"Artemis," Kid Flash screamed and Aamir whipped his head around quickly. Kid Flash stopped in his tracks at the sight of Dick; his eyes a bright red, fangs protruding from his mouth forming droplets of blood and the sound of an angry monster growled from his throat. Wally took a deep breath and ran pass him as quickly as possible and bent down next to Artemis.
Batman clenched his teeth and the rest of the Justice League shifted cautiously. This was the first time they were able to lay eyes on the once boy wonder. Batman made a move towards his protégé but was held back by Wonder Woman. Superman flew above the Dark knight's head and straight towards Aamir. Batman looked back at the Amazon woman.
"Batman let us handle him. Go help Kid Flash." She said. Before he could refute Wonder Woman flew towards the Demon to help Superman. Batman looked over as Wally just pulled Artemis away from a kiss.
"Batman move," Green Lantern said pushing him out of the way and held a green shield up protecting the two from a spray of gun fire. Looking around everyone was fighting an opponent and his eyes widen as one was about to stab Kid Flash in the back. He ran over to the wall and slammed the man into the wall. He groaned in his head at how amateurish the teens could be sometimes.
Back with Superman and Wonder Woman the two heroes were having difficulties fighting Aamir. It was Robin, it was Dick. They have known him since he was nine years old. They were there to watch him grow and now they had to tear him down. Superman threw a punch but Aamir grabbed his fist like he was being hit by a child. With a grim smile he shoved Superman to the ground. Wonder Woman used her lasso and looped it around Aamir's arms and chest.
Aamir howled and turned around.
"You will harm no one else," Dianna yelled and yanked the lasso back. Aamir was flung towards her but dug his feet into the ground stopping his momentum. With a laugh he grabbed the rope and pulled Wonder Woman towards himself. The lasso loosened and Aamir punched Wonder Woman as she flew at him.
"I will harm who ever I please. Starting with you," he yelled holding his hand out towards the princess. A wire with a batarang attached to it circled Aamir's arm and pulled him back. He was twisted around and came face to face with Batman. Batman glared at him with his hand out to punch him. Aamir looked at Batman's fist and then at his face.
"Bat…Batman," he shuddered nervously. Batman hesitated as the teen before him looked around "What happened? Where am I?"
"Dick?" Batman asked and loosened his grip. The teen smiled.
"Nope just messing with you," Aamir sneered and jumped back now out of Batman's grasp "I can't believe you fell for that. Dick Grayson is dead. There is no one in this body but me. Get that through your head," he shouted. Suddenly he was punched on the side of his face and flew sideways. Superboy breathed heavily after hitting Aamir in the face and growled.
"I got it through my head," he hissed. Aamir stood back up wiping the blood away from his lip.
"That's better," Aamir smiled.
"Give up Aamir you are outnumbered and outmatched," Superman said taking a stand next to his "brother". Aamir looked around and saw that his men were either unconscious or tied up. Ra's al Ghul and Clay Face came up behind him being the only two left.
"Now give back Robin," Wally demanded.
"You just don't give up. There…is…no…Robin," Aamir said and bent forward; the muscles in his back ripple under his skin. He looked up to the ceiling and roared and the ground shook. Everyone looked around horrified as the floor began to crack and break apart.
"What's happening?" Black Canary yelled.
"You don't think I picked the island of Alcatraz randomly did you?" Aamir sneered. The floor under Batman split under his feet and his eyes widen at the bright red light poking through.
"A Lazarus Pit," Batman growled backing up so he didn't fall through the cracks.
"One of the biggest one in the world," Aamir stated "It's one of the reasons why so many people think they've seen ghosts on this island."
"There's so much under the island that it makes everyone hallucinate. Even enough to see apparitions just by being above it," Kid Flash said.
"Wasn't always ghosts they were seeing," Aamir hissed with a smile. From one of the cracks on the ground a skinny clawed hand grabbed the floor followed by another. A tall, thin creature pulled its body up, his body covered in the red Lazarus liquid.
It was hairless and its eyes were a sickening yellow. It opened its mouth that was so large that it stretched back to its pointy ears and bared all its fangs. It let out screeched making everyone cover their ears and then made a grab for the closes hero; Flash. The scarlet speedster dodged the creature with ease.
"That all you got," he laughed.
"Flash behind you," Wonder Woman shouted. Flash turned around just in time for another one of the monsters to slash him across the chest.
"Flash!" Kid Flash screamed. He ran to his uncle's aid jumping into the air and kicking the monster in the chest. It screeched as it fell backwards. "Flash," he cried again as he rested his uncle on the ground. Blood seeped its way through fabric and Flash groaned in pain.
"My plans will not be interfered with by a bunch of dressed up mortals," Aamir yelled as the heroes all began to fight the oncoming monsters. Aamir turned to Ra's al Ghul "I will finish this once and for all. Make sure that I am not followed," the demon said. Ra's nodded, grabbed his sword and guarded the door as Aamir stormed through it.
"He's leaving," Superboy shouted as he spotted Aamir leave. He made a step towards the doors but a monster charged the clone. He grabbed the monster by the shoulders as it tried to snap its teeth at him.
Batman electrocuted his own opponent with a Taser and ran towards the doors after Aamir. Ra's al Ghul stood in front of the Dark knight with a smile.
"Good evening detective," he said in his usual callused voice.
"Out of my way Ra's," Batman growled.
"Now you know I can't do that," he answered back and held his sword at the ready.
"Why are you doing this?" Batman asked angrily.
"He is my master. What you were to Robin is what Aamir is to me and I will do everything in my power to stop you."
"Even sacrifice your daughter," Batman shouted.
"If I must," he said. Batman realized that there was no reasoning with this man. He looked over at Artemis who stabbed a monster in the head with a sword. It fell backwards and she turned to fight another. M'gann stood next to her punching her own creature in the face.
"Artemis," Batman screamed. She looked over at him startled "Aamir is going for the bomb," he finished. She nodded in understanding and looked over at M'gann. The Martian knew what to do.
'Is everyone linked?' M'gann asked and Kid Flash, Aqualad, Superboy, Artemis and Red Arrow acknowledged her.
'We need to go stop Aamir,' Artemis said through the link.
'I won't be able to help,' Red Arrow said. They looked over at the red head archer. The teen sat against the wall holding his arm tightly. He was beaten badly and his arm was twisted in an awkward angle. Green Arrow stood over him protectively shooting the creatures that came near them.
'I can't either,' Kid Flash said sadly. He also stood over someone protectively; his uncle. He would not leave his family defenseless. Black Canary turned to the children and saw them looking at each other. She had seen that look before at least a hundred times; they were communicating through their link. She jumped over an enemy and skidded to a stop in front of Flash.
"I've got his back go help your teammates," she said.
"But-" Wally started.
"Go…bring back Robin, protect your friends and I will keep Flash safe. You have my word," she said giving his shoulder a squeeze. He nodded with a smile and ran just as Black Canary threw another creature over her shoulder. Kid Flash zipped over to M'gann and Artemis at the same time Aqualad and Superboy got there.
"Artemis," Red Arrow shouted causing the archer to turn around. She watched as the red head hand Green Arrow his bow and Arrows. The older Archer tossed the bow and quiver of arrows to her and she caught it easily nodding a thank you as she placed the equipment on her back.
The teens ran to the door where Batman was currently fighting Ra's al Ghul. They stopped in their tracks waiting for Batman to move Ra's out of the way, all except for Superboy. With a yell Superboy charged the two fighters.
Without turning around Batman heard the teen and knew what was behind him. He grabbed his grappling gun and shot up straight towards the ceiling. Ra's looked up as the Dark knight went flying to the ceiling. With wide eyes the man looked back down just as Superboy slammed into him. He was tossed out of the way as Superboy kept running through the doors.
"Well at least no one can say your boyfriend isn't determined," Artemis said causing M'gann to blush.
Aqualad looked up at Batman. The Dark Knight grabbed something from his pocket and dropped a small bag into Aqualad's hands. Ra's al Ghul began to stand himself up.
"Use it," Batman shouted to Aqualad who held the bag in confusion "Now go."
The team followed Superboy down the hall and Batman dropped back down to continue his fight with the demon head.
"Follow us," Aqualad said referring to M'gann and himself. The two knew exactly where Aamir was going having followed Talia there before. As they ran Superboy looked at Aqualad.
"How would a million year old demon know how to work a nuclear weapon anyway," Superboy said.
"Remember he has still retained Robin's memories and ability to work computers," Aqualad reminded his teammate.
"Yeah but how does Robin know?"
"Dude Robin knows everything about dismantling and mantling any bomb, missile or explosion. With the enemy's he faces he has to," Kid Flash reminded them all.
"Ok so a million year old demon with the knowledge to defeat us all," Artemis said "What can go wrong?"
"Aren't you the one who went out to fight him by yourself in the first place?" M'gann said still slightly bitter about Artemis running off on everyone. The archer looked at Kid Flash and then away.
"That was a mistake and I know that now."
"It is not time to take blame. We have to hurry," Aqualad said cutting into the argument.
The team ran up stair's that led them to the roof. Aqualad kicked the door open and ran onto the roof top drenching them all in rain. In front of them was a giant missile and next to it Aamir typing on a computer. He turned to them his eyes wide.
"Aamir give up," Aqualad shouted bring out his water bearers.
"You children don't seem to understand when to give up," Aamir said.
"I've been told I'm stubborn," Superboy said taking a step forward.
"Stay back," Aamir demanded. He shot his hand forward and Superboy flew backwards. The teen dug his heels into the rooftop just narrowly stopping himself from flying off the side.
"You honestly think that you can win," Aamir laughed. Kid Flash growled and in a second he crossed the rooftop and punched Aamir across the face. His face went sideways from the punch but was otherwise unfazed. Wally's eyes widen as Aamir turned his head back towards the speedster.
"Are we really doing this again," Aamir laughed and gripped Kid Flash by his hair hauling him off his feet.
"Put him down," Artemis said and held up the red bow and arrow straight at Aamir. Aamir held his other hand towards the archer but before he could hurt her M'gann flew down in front and with glowing eyes held her hands up.
"Ready to try once more Martian? You already know that I am stronger then you," Aamir gleamed as Wally struggled to break free.
"I wasn't trying before," M'gann said concentrating harder. Aamir smile slowly started to deepen into a frown. Sweat started to slowly work its way down his face. Artemis wasn't going to take the chance of him beating M'gann. She straightened for a shot and let the arrow fly. It opened up into a net and straight at Aamir. He was concentrating so much on M'gann he didn't notice the net until it was already upon him.
Aamir dropped Kid Flash to the ground and fell to the floor himself covered in the netting. He growled in anger but as he tried to get up but Artemis pressed a button on her bow causing the net to electrocute its prisoner. She looked at it with a smile.
"I have got to get me one of these," she said holding Red Arrows bow up in admiration. Aqualad pulled out the small bag Batman gave him and looked over at Superboy.
"Hold him down," he commanded and Superboy ran over to hold Aamir down. Kid Flash finally gained his footing and helped Superboy.
"Let go!" he shouted but with M'gann's powers, Kid Flash's determination, Superboy's strength, and Artemis's net he wasn't able to pull himself up. Aqualad walked over to them with M'gann and Artemis in tow. Artemis spotted the bag in Aqualad's hands.
"What is that?" Artemis asked. Aqualad opened the bag and pulled out the round black choker.
"It's an Inhibitor collar," Aqualad said and with a struggle he clicked the collar around Aamir's neck. Everyone let go off the demon and took a step back. Aamir threw the net off of him and stood up panting. He held his hand towards the team but nothing happened.
"What did you do," he demanded trying to pull the collar off his neck.
"If you have Robin's memories you should know exactly what we did to you," Kid Flash said with a smirk. Aamir's eyes widen in realization and struggled harder to remove the collar.
"This should not work on me. I am not some meta-human I am the great demon of order, the keeper of the Lazarus Pit…"
"And now the newest inmate of Blackgate Penitentiary," Artemis said.
"Yeah if you're lucky," Superboy said.
Kid Flash walked over to the nuclear missile and with a press of a few buttons a screen on the side lit up red and the word 'Deactivated' blinked. Superboy grabbed a hold of Aamir and the team walked back to the Justice League.
Batman was in the middle of tying up an unconscious Ra's al Ghul's arm's behind his back when the team showed up. The teens looked around the room and were surprised to find that all the monsters had disappeared.
"What happened?" M'gann asked.
"All of the creatures just collapsed into ash a few minutes ago," Green Arrow answered. Putting two and two together it wasn't hard to figure the creatures were connected to Aamir's powers and with those gone so were his monster.
"You have Aamir," Batman said and the team parted to show the adults Aamir standing in front of Superboy with a glare.
"I can't believe the collar worked," Superman said in surprise.
"You mean you weren't sure," Kid Flash said.
"We had never tried it on a demon before," J'onn said "But Flash theorized that if he was in a human's body then the collar should work like it was on a meta-human."
Kid Flash's eyes widen at the mention of his uncles name and looked around the room for the older speedster.
"He's fine," Black Canary said seeing the frightened look on Kid Flash's face. "He is resting by Red Arrow."
Wally looked over to the wall where Wonder Woman was in the process of wrapping Flash's chest next to Green Arrow who was tending to Red Arrow's arm.
"To more important issues," Batman said.
"What do we do with Aamir," Green Lantern finished.
"Aamir is going to go back to where he came from," Batman said. Aamir laughed.
"You think that I am just going to leave under your command. No one tells me what to do," Aamir sneered. Superboy stood behind Aamir with a glare in his eyes. This demon was testing his last nerves. As Superman came up behind Batman placing an arm on his friend's shoulder an idea hit the clone like a blow to the head.
He remembered the advice that Superman had told him a few weeks ago when he was sparing with Robin.
"You know Conner in a fight you don't always need to take the enemy down. You just need to know there weakness."
"Well then," Superboy started "I guess you'll just spend the rest of your miserable life in the securest part of a meta-human prison with an inhibitor collar around your neck and since you don't die…well that's going to be a very long time," Superboy smiled.
Superboy knew that Aamir was thirsty on power. His weakness; knowing that he would be stuck in the human world with no powers.
"You think that you will be able to hold me in a human prison," Aamir said but his voice was beginning to falter. His red eyes began to dull and his canines began to shrink.
"Without your powers it should be pretty easy. Now you're just as strong as a human teenager," Artemis said. Aamir looked at Superman and Batman. The Dark Knight pulled out hand cuffs and dangled it in front of the demon.
"Fine I will relinquish this body…for now." Aamir snapped. He began to walk pass Batman but with a side glace he smiled. "You know that even after I am gone you will never get Dick Grayson back," he laughed.
"Move," Batman said pushing the demon forward. The heroes parted and allowed Aamir to walk past them. They all looked down at him in anger; at the demon who took the league's first sidekick away from them. Aamir walked to the largest gash in the floor where the red Lazarus pit flowed.
He stood at the edge and began to chant a small song in the ancient language that summoned him with his eyes closed. When he finished he turned to the Justice League.
"See you in another few hundred years," he smiled and fell back into the pit. Kid Flash took a few extra steps closer to the pit. He looked into it anxiously for any sign of his friend. He arched an eyebrow as the liquid began to bubble and smoke and the red water slowly began to churn until it became its usual toxic green. He fell to his knees and peered into the elixir.
Suddenly Robin's hand burst through the green liquid. Kid Flash gasped and gripped onto the struggling hand and the two locked onto each other wrists.
"Dick," Batman shouted as Kid Flash dragged the teen out of the pool. Wally fell back leaving Dick to fall on his knees in front of him gasping for air. He breathed heavily for a few moments and then looked up at everyone with wide eyes; his pupils so dilated that the blue all but disappeared. Batman ran over to Dick and fell to his own knees. He placed his hands on his protégés shoulders squeezing them tightly.
"Is he ok?" M'gann asked. Dick looked around his eyes moving sporadically not taking anything in. His mouth open slightly and began to mumble something.
"What?" Batman asked getting closer to Dick's face. The teen shoved Batman away and curled himself into a ball placing his hands on his ears. He began to ramble not in English but in the ancient Arabic that Aamir spoke just moments ago.
When Batman made to grab him again Dick screamed and punched him in the face. With a frown Batman reached for his utility belt and pulled out a syringe. Without a second of hesitation he stuck it in Dick's neck. A few seconds later Dick slowly let his hands down, swayed and fell forward into Batman's waiting arms.
"Batman?" Wonder Woman began as the Dark Knight lifted Dick into his arms.
"I need to get him home," Batman said.
"But you will let us know when he is better," Aqualad asked as Batman passed him. Batman stopped for a moment and everyone wait for his answer.
"He will get better won't he," Kid Flash asked taking a stand next to Aqualad.
"He'll get better," Batman stated causing Kid Flash smiled. Batman looked down at his ward who was breathing heavily in sweat. The same ward he took in four years ago because of a smile. He looked forward once again "But I think Aamir was right about one thing. We might never really get Dick Grayson back."
Omg why was this so harrrrddd. As I said before all that's left is the epiloge and then this story is finished. I still want to do more YJ after this but I don't have any big story ideas. I'm probably going to do some oneshots. Hopefully those will turn out good since I've only done one YJ oneshot before and I have no idea if it was good or not.
On another note while I will probably always be a loyal DC fan I am starting to get mad at them. I saw the Dark Knight movie(Don't worry no spoilers here) I did not like some of the changes that they did to some of the characters (Those who have seen it probably know what I'm talking about)
Also WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO MY TIM DRAKE? If you haven't heard the news the reboot is changing the history of the third boy wonder. Yes folks Tim Drake was never a Robin but just went into the Red Robin. While Dick Grayson will always be my fav I have to give little Timmy some credit. He was the one who pulled Batman back to sanity after Jason Todd died. What is DC going to do with that little incident?
Other than that I guess just…
Review kindly please xD