TSF 8 – Till Eternity Do We Part
(Follows Teen Titans vol. 8)
"Hey there you two. Miss us?"
Robin and Shadow turned, shocked to see the future Conner and Bart standing before them. Things were turning out to be a very bad day.
Their future selves were back and things were changed but still down the ten years from then path. Shadow was surprised to see herself with Batman. Though, after a minute she was no longer surprised. She knew she must give in just to be with Tim. To stand by him and protect him no matter what he chooses or does. She loves him too much. She also knew her future self was not a killer; thought she pretends to be darker like the others, and in her act of darkness she doesn't speak human so that Batman (Tim's future self) would be the only one able to understand her. Present Shadow could tell Future Tim still does not embrace his cat side too often; while Future Shadow was transformed all the time.
Their future selves have imprisoned the JLA members in order to make the younger heroes do what needs to be done to insure that the future happens the way they want it to go. They learned that Tim will successfully clone Conner and Bart.
Shadow can tell Robin is angry with himself for breaking his promise to her and he verbally lashes out at Batman (his future self).
"If that's true then how do you explain my continued existence? That you've not yet wised up despite all the dead loved ones in your life lately is an insult to their memories. But you still have it in you to step up before it's too late. As you both can see even your precious Shadow steps up. So you won't have to feel bad about breaking her promise." Batman said to Robin.
"And by 'step up' you mean kill, right?" Robin spat back.
Conner stepped between them before an argument really brakes out. Shadow began to think of ways to permanently stop this future from happening for good. She ran over her and Tim's prior conversation after the first trip to the future. Cat wasn't about to kill him just yet, they still had options.
Shadow, Robin and M'Gann were sent to Gotham to deal with Scorch. With them separated it was easier for their future selves to get under their skin. Robin and Shadow went to help evacuate the building while M'Gann dealt with Scorch. While in the building trouble ran into them. Prometheus found them. Robin could have taken him easily with Shadow's help but before she could react Batman grabbed her in a strong hold.
"You stay out of this; he needs to learn on his own." Batman said.
Shadow struggled against him but then threw her to herself. Future Shadow held her tight but Shadow had stopped struggling slightly when future Shadow whispered to her.
"I'm sorry, but watch. I know you're thinking of changing things. There may be a way." Future Shadow said in her cat speech.
Shadow watched as Prometheus beat the crap out of Robin. Robin bought himself a few seconds by launching him out the window and Batman tried to get to Robin. Robin was defiant still and kicked Batman down, knocking the gun from his hand. Robin went for the gun and Shadow's heart skipped a beat with an epiphany.
"I will make a real difference!"
Robin said as he held the gun to his head. Batman eyes went wide.
"Starting with us." Robin added.
Batman tried to talk him out of it with some silly speech about condemning more lives than he'd save by pulling the trigger. Robin didn't get to act further because Prometheus was back. Shadow now understood what she had to do. She had to be the one to impact Robin to change permanently. In such a way that nothing could ever fight to change it. She had to show him what he had to become. As Robin fought Prometheus Batman was growing tired of it and decided to step in and lend a hand. Future Shadow let Shadow go. The flames were put out and Prometheus was taken care of. Batman then gave Robin a list of things for him to think about; while he helped rescue people. Robin was in shock by his words and Batman moved to hand him the gun but Shadow acted before the gun went to Robin's hand. She snatched the gun and kicked Batman down at her future self's feet. Batman and Robin were shocked.
"What are you doing?!" He asked; a slight horror to his voice.
Robin's face turned to terror when he realized what she meant to do.
"What does it look like?"
She replied with a grin and before either of them could act she cocked the gun and pulled the trigger, piercing her heart at point blank range. She was frozen for a moment, eyes wide at the shock of it. Blood gushed from her chest wound; more than usual as her body went into overdrive to make new blood and heal the wound. It was useless, her heart had exploded from the strain; she'd be dead in a moment. She slumped to her knees. Robin was frozen in horror across the room.
"Good girl." Future Shadow said and she began to fade away.
Batman was furious, he tried to grasp for Future Shadow but his hands went right through her.
"What have you done!?" He fumed.
"I'm… making a … difference. I told you… I would… stop it."
She struggled to get the words out, it was harder to breath and she fell onto her side. She twitched slightly as her life faded but she managed to turn her head to look at Robin across the room. She wanted to say something to him but in her effort she passed, staring blankly at nothing. Her future self fade completely and Batman yelled in anger an agony.
"NOOOO!"
He half growled as he went for Shadow's lifeless body. Robin was in shock, staring at Shadow but when he saw Batman going for her he snapped. He moved silently and like the night, hitting Batman away breaking his collar bone with one hit. When Batman recovered he stared at Robin, eyes wide in disbelief. Robin glared at Batman, transformed and snarling seething at Batman, making sure he wouldn't make another move toward them. Robin looked to Shadow then as if he could break down at any second. Robin brushed Shadow's cheek and closed her open eyes, his fingers then rested on her neck. She had no pulse and she was already going cold. At that moment Robin understood. Robin's eyes locked onto Batman's, he stared down his future self with a deathly immortal glare. Batman shrunk under the weight of the stare; in an instant things were changed forever. Robin grasped the front of his costume, all while staring at Batman. Robin began ripping his costume off. The fabric tore easily under his strength, leaving him in only the Kevlar body armor vest underneath. His future self began to fade. Tim growled at Batman who then disappeared forever with the same shocked expression. Robin was no more… only Dark remained. Dark frowned deeply as he looked back at Shadow, but he couldn't fall apart yet. He lifted her limp upper body into his strong arm, supporting her head with his arm. He brushed his hand over her head and choked back tears. He needed a moment after all, a moment to memorize what had happened so that it would never happen again.
"I understand now, love. I'll make it right."
He promised as he kissed her forehead.
At that moment all the future Titans began to change and disappear. The future Lex was outraged. But the Starro were still coming, they needed to be taken out.
M'Gann soon found Dark and Shadow.
"Robin, we have to leave. Something strange is going on; our future selves are disappearing and the Starro… Robin? Robin, are you hearing me?"
She asked as she walked up to him and touched his shoulder. It was then she noticed the blood and that he were transformed.
"I am not Robin anymore."
He said as he lifted Shadow up and stood. M'Gann gasped in horror and sadness at seeing Shadow when he turned to face her. Dark ignored the horrifying questions on her face.
"Let's go M'Gann. It's time to end this. I'm the only one who can end it for good." Dark told her.
M'Gann nodded and they left.
By the time Dark and M'Gann got to the rest of the Titans the Starro were all but taken care of. As they got closer more future Titans disappeared and Lex was beside himself. The younger Titans stopped and stared at Dark when he came into view, still transformed and carrying Shadow's dead body in his arms. Blood still soaked her costume. Cassie gasped with tears in her eyes at Shadow. Cassie wanted to touch Shadow to make sure but Dark seethed under his breath in warning and she stopped. Dark frowned at Cassie in apology and then looked at Conner, the clone he would create. He gave Conner the same frown, but Conner did not share Dark's sadness as Cassie had. He did not have the real Conner's memories. Dark understood then the meaning in Shadow's words from a conversation months before.
"It wouldn't be our Conner. Conner's spirit has moved on."
Shadow's voice played in his head.
"Good bye Conner."
Dark said to the future Conner and he disappeared along with the rest of the future Titans that were still there. Lex was the only one left and he stormed up to Dark but stopped dead when his eyes fell on Shadow.
"No… Catarena." He breathed.
Dark glared at his words in shock. Lex looked into Dark's eyes and understood what had happened; he knew there were no changing things now. Lex then faded away and it was all over. The Titans gathered around Dark. Everyone was silent in sad remorse for the fallen Shadow. Dark didn't pay them any attention and went up to Batman, the one and only Batman.
"It is time." Dark said and Batman nodded. "When she wakes up…" Dark began but Kid Devil interrupted.
"Um Ro…" He began but Dark quickly shot him a look for the name he was about to say.
"Dark…" He corrected quickly. "She's… not… she's dea…"
"She is not dead." Dark stated flatly. "We can never die… When she wakes up we will get married right away. So we will have to be prepared." Dark said to Batman, who nodded. "I will no longer be Robin. And I will no longer lead the Titans. I move that we make Titan's Tower a place for us and all young heroes and meta-humans to come and be with others of their kind. To either train or just for companionship. We should no longer fight as a team unless called in dire need by the JLA or our predecessors."
Dark spoke with immortal wisdom and authority. The four JLA members before him nodded in agreement.
"Then it is settled."
Dark said and he then turned to his friends shocked faces.
"I am sorry my friends, but us fighting together is doing the future no good at all. It is time I become what I am, and take my place in this life. Shadow and I will take our place at Batman's side as his Dark Shadow… as Gotham's Dark Shadow. We are not leaders. We are protectors. I know it must seem so selfish but we have to train for the future. And not just for Gotham's future… for the world's. We are immortal; we no longer live by the rules that bind you to the earth." Dark said.
All was silent for a moment as the young Titans took in Dark's words. They were stunned at how suddenly he could change. How suddenly he could sound so much older than they.
"But you have eternity." Supergirl said.
Dark half laughed.
"No I do not. I am already so far behind. You saw what happened. As soon as I embraced being Dark all of the future Titans disappeared. My staying Robin is not an option any more. I promise nothing will change the friendship between us. We will still come to the Tower to train, or to 'hang'. You must see what I am saying?"
"We do… it's just sad. It seems like we just got the team back together. But we understand and so will the others. We wish you the best of luck, Dark." Cassie said and everyone agreed.
"Thank you. But now I must take care of…"
Dark couldn't finish the sentence. Batman came up and placed a hand on his shoulder. Dark knew the longer Shadow remained dead the more it tortured him as well.
"We get your meaning… it's not our place, but I'm sure we're all worried about Shadow. She's our friend. As weird as this sounds; we'd like to go with?" Kid Devil asked, Cassie and Supergirl agreed; Rose was too stubborn to admit it.
"I don't see why not. It may not be pretty." Batman warned them and they nodded. Batman and Dark then lead the young Titans to the Bat-cave with Superman and Wonder Woman. Alfred was ready and waiting, though he frowned with deep sadness as Dark placed Shadow on the bed he had prepared. Alfred attached heart monitor wires to her but as soon as he did so they shrieked loudly and he quickly turned off the sound. Alfred then excused the others for a moment by putting up a curtain while he and Dark cleaned Shadow up and took off her costume. They put a tight white fabric on her to cover her up, and then let the others back in.
"What do we do?" Dark asked Batman.
"She needs a massive jolt of electricity to jump start her nerves and get them to send signals to her brain again. A few shocks from a defibrillator should do it." Batman told him.
Alfred began preparing the machine.
"Like jump starting a car?" Kid Devil asked.
"That's the idea." Superman replied.
Batman watched Dark stare at Shadow, he could tell Dark was nervous.
"Would you like me to?" Batman asked Dark.
Dark took a deep breathe.
"No that's alright. I need to learn how to do this."
Dark said as he took the paddles from Alfred. Alfred turned the sound back on the heart monitor so they would be informed of the progress. The machines long beep seemed ear splitting.
"Tell me exactly what to do. I don't want to mess this up." Dark said.
"You can't mess it up. Just press them to her and count to five. Breathe for her a few times and compress her chest, then shock her again and repeat the process." Batman said.
"For how long?" Dark asked.
"Until we see some change on the machine." Batman said, implying the heart monitor.
Dark nodded and prepared to shock Shadow, making sure everyone was clear. He then counted to three in his head and then pressed the paddles to Shadow's chest. Her body jerked from the jolt and the heart monitor went crazy. Dark counted to five and stopped. He handed the paddles off to Alfred and began breathing for Shadow, covering her mouth with his and breathing deeply several times. He then compressed her chest in the proper CPR fashion. He took the paddles and charged them, ready to start the process again. Pressing the paddles to her chest and counting to five, the monitor beeped and shrieked but this time when he was done it beeped differently. A faint beep of a pulse sounded along with the beeping of brain activity.
"Good Dark. There's brain activity again, you won't have to shock her again. You're doing a fine job." Alfred said as he took the paddles away.
Dark began breathing for her again and compressing her chest. Each time her brain activity got stronger. He imagined his friends were shocked and amazed to witness such an odd event, but they needed to know what he and Shadow were capable of. But he had to focus. He knew a few more compressions and her brain would remember how to breathe again. Despite this knowledge Dark was still worried.
"Batman, are you sure it wasn't too soon to do this?" Dark asked as he worked.
"No." Batman replied with a glance to Superman.
"Don't worry Dark you're doing fine. She was completely healed when we arrived. Keep going. Keep it as even as possible. Her body will remember what to do." Superman told him.
Dark had never stopped and he focused on keeping his actions as even as possible, praying that she would breathe soon.
"Please Kitten breathe for me. It is time to come back to me." He silently said to her.
And after the next compressions Shadow gasped for air, panicking to get it into her lungs. Dark steadied her, to keep her from flailing. He was so relieved to have her back.
"Easy; calm down love. Everything is alright. Calm yourself."
Dark said soothingly to her as he looked into her panicked eyes. She calmed and her eyes closed, being too exhausted to stay awake. Her heart-beated evenly along with the rise and fall of her chest. Dark smiled at last and pressed his forehead to hers, kissing her brow line.
"Welcome back my love, my life."
He spoke to her softly and she exhaled deeply in her sleep. Dark then stood straight to face his friends again. The girls, all but Rose, had tears and smiles on their faces though even Rose couldn't hide a smile. Batman placed a hand on Dark's shoulder. Dark knew the look in his eye, he was proud of him.
"How long do you think she'll sleep this time?" Dark asked.
"I think we can wake her in a week." Batman replied.
"Alright, a week from now will be the wedding; short and sweet." Dark said and Batman nodded.
"I'd like you all to be there. If that's possible?" Dark asked Batman.
"We can discuss it later. I believe it is time we let this day pass us by and get Shadow somewhere to rest." Batman said and Dark agreed.
He and Batman bid everyone goodbye with promises of seeing them in a few days. Once everyone was gone Dark brought Shadow up to her room and dressed her in a comfortable nightgown. Once he thought she were comfortable he then changed into some clothes he had at Bruce's and went back to Cat's room. He stayed transformed for some time. Perhaps half in fear everything would change again but he knew it was not true. This was permanent. He let his mind run over all that had happened. He was glad Cat had done what she did. It was the only way for him to change, to fully embrace what he had made himself into to be with her. Soon they would be one, the only two of their species and he was happy. The thought of her being his wife in a week's time brought him joy. Though the thought of her death haunted him; he knew it would never get easier for him. The thought that she would always come back to him gave him hope that it would make it easier each time. He wondered how far they could push this power…
Exactly a week later, fairly early in the morning Bruce went into Catarena's room to wake her up. He was already in his tux. He sat on the edge of her bed and watched her sleep. She had moved in her sleep, which told them she was ready to wake up. He reached over and gently brushed some of her hair out of her eyes.
"Cat…" He said softly and she started to wake up.
"Catarena, it's time to wake up." He said and she started to open her eyes.
She rolled onto her back to look at her father and smiled.
"Good morning sleepy head." Bruce said.
She smiled but then looked as if she were remembering something.
"You remember?" He asked and she nodded.
"How long?"
"We let you sleep for a week."
"And?"
"Everything is fine. It worked; Tim became Dark and the Titans from the future began to disappear."
"How long was I dead?" She asked.
"A few hours; I believe." He replied.
"Tim did well. He brought you back." He added and Cat seemed concerned for how Tim was taking that.
Bruce sensed her concern.
"Don't worry about that now. He's put it behind him and is focused on becoming Dark." He said and Cat seemed satisfied.
She then noticed his attire.
"You're very handsome this morning. What's the occasion?" She asked as she sat up.
"A wedding." He replied.
"Oh, who's wedding?"
He smiled at her.
"Yours." He said and Cat stared at him for a moment, thinking she were dreaming.
"What?" She asked; nothing else would come out of her mouth.
"Remember Tim told you that one day you'd wake up and it would be the day?" He asked and she nodded.
"Today is that day." He said.
Cat blinked a few times.
"But…"
"Everything is taken care of. It's very small and no one knows except close "friends". The media will be alerted tomorrow morning, courtesy of Lois Lane." He said with a smirk.
"And a dress, flowers… my hair!?" Cat asked, still in shock.
Bruce still smiled.
"I don't think you'll be disappointed. A very short talented young woman named Alice showed up on our doorstep not long after you were back with us." He said and Cat understood.
"Oh!"
"She's impatiently waiting outside the door I imagine." He added.
"What time is the wedding?" Cat asked.
"At 2pm." He said.
Cat checked the time. It was almost 9am.
"Am I dreaming?" She asked.
Bruce laughed and brushed her cheek, whipping a happy tear away.
"No." He replied with a smile.
"Good. Cause it's about Damn time." She said as she cried a little with happiness.
Bruce chuckled as he stood to let the impatient Alice in. She entered with a pout and Bruce left so she could get to work.
The wedding was short and sweet and wonderful; just as Tim had promised it would be. It was everything Catarena had dreamed for. And though it seemed to pass like The Flash she and Tim would remember it for all of their days.