Chapter 43: Monster or Man?

Authors Note: Thank you all once again for your lovely reviews. This is gonna be a short epilogue to Reaper and Hitgirl's love story and next I think I am gonna do a two part story. Ronin and Whisper, I look back at some of my chapters and I don't really think I am showing how other characters develop with one another other than a few jokes and battle strategies. So I want to show how other character acted around one another. Hopefully it will turn out good and not into a big mess. Okay epilogue enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Batman.

They say when things get bad they can't possibly get worse.

Not in Edward Nigma's case.

After the Shadow Warriors defeated him Phantom and Blackbeard and cured Man-Bat he was turned in to the police. The civilians he kidnapped along with Kirk Langstrom all pressed charges against him.

Kidnapping, attempted murder, crimes against humanity, harboring criminals and harboring stolen weapons. The only way Riddler would ever walk free would be in another life. For now he sat in a holding cell waiting for his transfer to a new cellblock in Arkham.

Riddler sat there with bruises covering his face and his suit torn up. He had just been staring at a stain on the dirty floor for who know how long when a black boot had stomped down on it. A smirk broke out on his face as he looked up to see Shadow.

"So, Sparrow," Riddler said. "Is this the part where you kill me? Torture me? All because I know who you are?" Shadow shook his head at him.

"I am not." Shadow said calmly. Riddler looked at him as if he was the one who was mad.

"But I know who you are?" He stated agitated at how calm he was. "I know who your team members are. Does that not mean anything to you?" Riddler was now up from his seat, fist clenched while Shadow continued to stare at him.

"Riddle me this:" Shadow started, Riddler's ears perked up and his expression dropped as he listened closely. "What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence?" Riddler looked confused. This was a question everyone knew the answer too.

"It's time to get a new fence." He answered to the assassin. "Everyone knows the answer to that one. It's worthless!"

"That's why my team and I are not going to kill you." Replied Shadow, inching his face towards Nigma's. "I know you, Edward Nigma. More than you do yourself. Riddles are your compulsion, your addiction. And a riddle that everyone knows the answer to is worthless in your eyes."

Riddler was left speechless. Was this man this thing really the same boy he encountered those few years ago? He tried to think of a comeback but couldn't instead he just sat there, silent and wondering.

"I am giving you a second chance Nidgma." Shadow continued. "But I warn you, Nigma, if you ever team up with people who wish to kill us, or put me and my team or innocent people in harm's way again…"

"You'll kill me?" Reaper asked playfully but was still trying to hide his fear.

"Worse," Shadow sneered. "I'll make you into a 'stupid caveman' like everyone else." This sent a shiver down Riddler's spine while Shadow took a contemplative pose. "Let's see I could beat senseless until you get amnesia or maybe I could lobotomize you. Yes, that's it a lobotomy."

The Riddler shot up from his chair and was now head to head with Shadow through the bars of his cell.

"You wouldn't do that!" Riddler snapped. "You're bluffing I can see it in your eyes! You and your team would never stoop that low!" Shadow took his glasses off and showed the flickering red eyes and veins from his Adonis power.

"Try me." He said showing off his Adonis power. Riddler remained calm even after being threatened by Shadow. "Besides, you know I don't intend to keep my promises for so long. Especially when it comes to turning over a new leaf." Shadow's eyes and veins faded and he turned to leave. "We'll see each other soon."

"I look forward to playing with you again." Riddler grinned.

"I hope not." Shadow muttered. He was almost gone when Riddler stopped him.

"Riddle me this: What makes a monster and what makes a man?" He asked. Shadow paused and turned to face him.

"The actions they do and r=the thoughts they think." Shadow said as he finally left the mad man's holding cell.

"Good answer." Riddler chuckled. "Wrong but good."

(!)

The next day at Gotham's cemetery Flynn, Gary and Seth were all standing in front of a headstone with Richie's name on it. Flynn promised that he would give him a funeral when this was all over and now that the whole Phantom Blackbeard incident was over he finally delivered.

Flynn's friends all gathered for a small service and would soon join them at the cemetery.

"This is just bullshit dude." Gary said. "He was a good kid he could have been whatever he wanted to be and that freak took him out."

"I know how you feel man." Seth said. "It's just like those girls who were abducted at that strip club. They were fucking innocent and they were only there to earn money for school or just enough to get a better life but some loser decided to rob them of their lives for their own benefit."

"So is that why you stuck around." Flynn asked him. "To protect the girls?"

"I couldn't just let them pull them off stage for that heaven crap." Seth spat. "So I was always there to make sure they were safe." His shoulders then slumped to the ground and his expression looked guilty. "Still, I didn't think they were kidnapping them off the streets."

"I know." Flynn grunted. Then in a fit of rage he stomped the ground. "Dammit, how the hell can we go on from this?"

"You make it your strength." A new voice said.

The three turned to see the warriors all dressed proper for the funeral. Flynn smiled when Hilary walked up to him and wrapped her arm around his. He then looked back up at his friends and smiled. He was thankful to have his

"Thanks for coming guys." Flynn said as he and Jayden shook hands.

"Hey, you were there when Damian threatened me." Blaze said. "You think I would just let you deal with this by yourself?"

"Thanks Blaze." Flynn said to the young boy.

"Not to mention you're our brother." Jason shot out. "You think we'd just forget about you?"

"Flynn, I know you carry a terrible burden, we all do." Jayden said motioning to everyone. "But it's that burden that makes you strong and what gives you that extra push to do what no one else can. But always remember you are never alone in all this."

Flynn thought about what he said and looked down at Hilary who was now just simply holding his hand. The two looked into each other's eyes and felt a warm feeling go through their hearts. Flynn looked up and nodded at his friends.

"You're right," He said as he took one last look at the headstone. He silently said his goodbyes to Richie and walked off with his friends. As they walked down the hill Flynn turned to his two former teammates. "So, what's up with you two, what are you going to do now?"

"I'm taking over the strip club," Seth said. "And first things first I'm gonna seal up that heaven room brick for brick."

"Yeah, and he needs a bouncer for the lovely ladies so that's where I come in." Gary grinned. Flynn shook his head at the two. They still were the same from when he met.

"Good, stay out of harm's way." Flynn said. They all shook hands and went their separate ways and hopefully towards a brighter future.

(!)

"Hilary hold still I have to fix your hair." Ally snapped as she ran a brush through her raven black hair.

"I don't know I just feel silly." Hilary said. She was currently sitting in front of a makeup table while Ally fixed her hair. The rest of the girls had just finished getting dressed. Ally quickly looked over all the girls and admired her handy work.

Kris wore high heels black, with a maroon colored miniskirt with a thin black belt and her top was a tight black shirt with a matching maroon top over it. Her short blonde hair was easy just a little spray and some dark eyeliner around her eyes for a more exotic look. Sam wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her.

Christina was simple since she wasn't afraid of showing off her body. She gave her a dark blue dress that was backless and tied around her neck along with a pair matching shoes. She also put in a few highlights for her dirty blonde hair. She knew Thomas would like it.

Theresa was tricky so she decided to keep it simple for her. All black her high heels, some tight capris pants with a yellow belt and a top that was also backless and tied up around her neck and waist that showed some side boob. Blaze was indeed a lucky little guy for getting such a hottie.

Jenny, she took pride in doing her sister's makeover. Her red hair she had tied up in a cute bun and for clothes she had a pair of laced heels and tight black pants with a shiny silver shirt which wasn't completely backless but showed off a good amount of skin. Jason better be nice to her about it or she would throw him down the nearest elevator shaft.

Sarah wore a cute dark pink skirt with a white top that was laced up in the front and a pair of black boots.. Her brown hair was no longer in a ponytail but now long and wavy. She looked like a little angel, hell she was an angel. Zack should be so lucky.

As for Ally herself, she wore a light blue skirt with it being long on the left side and leaving her right leg bare, she also wore a white top with a pair of matching boots and leather gloves. She had her fiery red hair tied up in a small bun as well but left some strands of hair out for a dirty look. She wasn't going to lie she did well tonight.

Which only left Hilary. She of course was way different from her traditional tomboy look. Her hair was smooth down from all the brushing her face glowed bright from the make-up and her body showed off all the right curves.

She wore a pair of black boots as well and a purple miniskirt with a silver chain belt. Her top was a tight purple vest that showed off the luscious curves of her breast. Ally though she looked stunning but all Hilary felt was dread and embarrassed.

"Relax." Ally said. "Flynn is going to love you in this outfit."

"But what if he doesn't, what if he thinks I look I don't know stupid?" Hilary asked her voice sounding so small and afraid. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Kris.

"Hey, I don't know Flynn that much but I know he would never think you would look stupid." She reassured making Hilary feel a little better. "And if he does think you look stupid then we'll just have to kick his ass so hard that the thought never crosses his mind again."

This made all the girls laugh making Hilary feel great about herself and Flynn. He would love her outfit and he would love her. She would make sure of it. Once Ally had finished her hair Hilary placed a small golden locket around her neck. Ally raised an eyebrow and thought it looked real good on her. Hilary saw her look and smiled up at her.

"It's a picture of me and my mother." She said sheepishly. "I think she would be happy for me."

"She is proud of you no matter where she is." Ally said while looking back at her girls. "All of us are, now let's go, line up girls just like we practiced." Ally ordered as all the girls stood side by side. They warped their arms around the next girl's waist and they all walked out in union.

The boys who were just sitting out in the living room waiting for the girls to show up were just talking about this and that when they heard the doors opened. The second they turned their heads their jaws dropped and their eyes widened at the sight of their girls.

When the girls saw their faces they mentally smiled, not wanting to show that they knew they were hot. Hilary saw Flynn's face and she couldn't help but grin when she saw the stunned look on his face. Everyone from the young boys like Zack and Blaze to the mature adults such as Marcas and Max were all staring at them as if they were angels.

"Hi boys." Ally said seductively. "We ready to go now?"

"Yes." They all answered as they got ready for the night.

(!)

The whole crew took a couple limos up to the most expensive nightclub in town. The only way you could get in here was either if you were rich, famous or a deadly criminal.

And as much as anyone truly knew he was all three.

The layout was blue with white lights along the walls while loud techno music played. One the warriors were in they each did their own thing. Jayden reserved a V.I.P lounge up on the second floor that was fitted with a small pad with couches and drinks all laid out. Jayden, Jason and Blaze hung out up there while Max and Marcas went over to the bar.

The rest went to the dance floor and would occasionally either dance of just go back to the lounge and just hang out. At the bar Marcas was just sipping a glass of vodka while Max drank water.

"How come you don't drink and loosen up?" Marcas asked trying to break the silence. "It's not a sin to just let go some time and have some fun."

"I know that." Max said. "It's just…I don't know my past just affects me sometimes."

"You shouldn't let that happen to you." Marcas reassured. "If you do you'll just be stuck asking yourself the same question over and over, 'What could I have done differently?'."

"I had a girl man." Max said. "I lost her to some bad people who were also after my grandfather. They got them both and I am still alive." Max started to look sad and Marcas understood where he was coming from. "I think about it a lot. I'm still here and they aren't."

"I know how you feel when I was a boy I lost the only girl I cared about." Marcas sympathized. "I but I did my best to move on. It wasn't easy but Ally was there to help me."

"Is that what you are trying to do for me?" Max asked as he stared at the Russian.

"Yes."

Max thought about this for a second and motioned towards the bartender.

"Two shots of gold slick please." Max said. The bartender nodded and a second later showed up with two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka. After he poured it the two took their glasses and clang them together.

"To your health." Max said.

"To your future." Marcas said as the two took their drinks and slammed the glassed on the counter.

Back over at the lounge Sam and Kris were talking about Kris's recent exploits.

"Look all I'm saying is that we could be both students and heroes at the same time." Sam said in a vain tone. "I don't get what you are being so angry for?"

"I don't want to join your team, the last time I did it a mad man nearly killed us all and when you got these." Kris said as she tapped Sam's bear arms indicating the gauntlets that were hidden. "I nearly got arrested if Mr. Wayne hadn't decided to press charges."

"Then why did you help us the other night?" Sam asked.

"It was payback towards that guy who kidnapped me and to repay my debt too you guys. Nothing more." Kris said while taking a sip from her soda. Sam still wasn't buying it.

"Or maybe you wanted to get a taste of our old life." He insisted. "You had that desire to wield your bow again and you saw the opportunity to do it."

"Look, I like you Sam, ever since we were kids and I want to give us another chance." She said with sincerity. "But I don't want to be Gauntlet and well I don't know what my name would be but I just want to graduate high school get my scholarship and go to college."

Sam could tell that he was digging a hole and if he kept talking it would only get deeper. He wanted to keep Kris by her at all times and protect her but he couldn't do that if she never wanted to see him again. So, he decided to let it go.

"Okay, let's just enjoy ourselves and what we already have." He smiled down at her. She smiled back and curled up with him on the couch.

"Thank you."

Down on the dance floor the girls were the center of attention as their bodies moved like water to the beat of the music. Ally was really proud of her girls they were having a good time tonight and they looked great. She looked over at Flynn and Hilary who were sitting down at one of the booths just making out. She smiled at the couple and smiled before some familiar hands grabbed her by the waist. She turned and smiled when she saw Jayden's blue and green eyes.

"Hey beautiful." He complimented smoothly.

"Hello handsome." She said as the two started dancing.

Over at the lounge with Flynn and Hilary the two finally broke away and stared into each other's eyes. Her violet eyes looking into his hazel eyes, the two just lost in the moment. Hilary swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled softly at Flynn.

"I'm so happy right now." She whispered.

"Me too." He said back.

"By the way, what have you been working on?" She asked. "Everyone always notices you skipping meals to go down to your hidey hole and no one sees you except when you leave for work or when we do our 'other' job."

Flynn really wasn't expecting that as he looked away shyly. Could he really just tell everyone what he was doing? He didn't even feel one hundred percent sure about his project. But then again that's how he felt about his relationship with Hilary and they were doing well so far. He picked up his glass of water and downed the cold beverage loosening up his dry throat.

"Tonight, when we all get home I promise." He said. This made Hilary happy as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their moment was interrupted when Sarah stumbled into their booth and crashed right on them.

"Oh, sorry guys." She slurred. The two looked at her confused. Why was she talking so weird they wondered?

Hilary then looked down at Sara's right hand to see a small plastic cup filled with what looked like green jello. Her eyes widened as Sarah let out a hiccup.

"Sarah, honey where did you get that and what is it?" Hilary asked real slowly.

"Oh, um this is just some jello that nice lady was giving out." Sarah said as she pointed to the waitress who was holding a tray filled with multi-colored jello.

Hilary quickly took the cup and held it to her lips letting the green gelatin slide down her throat. Her face scrunched as she started gagging out.

"What is it?" Flynn asked.

"It's a jello shot, though I think they used more vodka than jello." Hilary spat as she set the cup down. "Hilary how many have you had?"

"Umm…this many?" She said holding up three fingers on her right and two on her left.

"Five!" Hilary shouted. "You had five of these?"

"Yuuupppp!" Sarah belched. This caused the couple to laugh for a moment before Hilary took the young girl in her arms. "You're lucky Ally is dancing otherwise she would have your ass painted red."

Flynn chuckled at the thought while looking at his watch. They had been here for a few hours and they figured it was time to go. Flynn looked over at the dance floor and he let out a grunt when he saw Blaze and Zack arguing with a couple of college kids.

"Hey I already have a girlfriend, so don't blame me because your girl is a slut!" Blaze shouted at the guy who was restrained by his boys.

"You grabbed her ass you fucking little punk!" He snapped at Blaze. "Now it's gonna cost you, so how much money you got?"

"Wow, did you seriously just demand money for that flirtation." Zack chuckled. "You really know how to make a girl feel special loser and she grabbed his ass he was pushing her drunk ass off him so she owes him money."

"Fuck you, you know who I am?" The boy snapped.

"Bobby Alistair." Jayden said as he and the rest of the gang showed up. "Daddy's trust fund sponge of a son. You were just as much a pain in the ass in high school."

"Jayden Warney?" Bobby chuckled. "I thought your ass was dead."

"Nothing can kill me, and dead is what you are going to be if you don't walk the fuck away and just go about your business." Jayden threatened.

"Dead, you mean like your stupid brother?" Bobby chuckled causing Jayden to tense up. "Though it could be worse, you could have ended up like that dumb bitch Gordon."

"Shut up you stupid bastard." Flynn whispered to himself as he saw Jayden's lip twitch.

"How is she though? Maybe, I should swing by her pad and show her a good time not that she'll feel anything." He laughed again.

That did it.

Jayden was on him smashing his fist into his face and into the floor. The rest of Bobby's friends tried to step in but were quickly disposed of while everyone tried to pry Jayden off of Bobby.

Marcas eventually pulled him off and dragged him off to the elevator. Once they got to the limo Jayden felt like a billion dollars. When asked he said it was because he always wanted to knock that little shit out.

(!)

Back at home everyone was waiting in the living room after dropping Zack, Kris, Jenny, Theresa and Christina off Flynn wanted to show his secret project to everyone.

After about ten minutes of waiting Flynn finally arrived at the penthouse with an exited expression on his face.

"Okay you guys ready?" Flynn asked, everyone nodded. "Okay, come on in Jack."

Just then from out of the doorway a slender robot with the form of a human but clearly a robot stepped in. His body was as tall as a regular sized human and his body work was just like a robot you would see in a sci-fi movie. His eyes and mouth were just installed to make him look somewhat normal and his body color was all metallic.

"Hello everyone." He greeted. "I am Assistant Droid Model One but please call me Jack." He responded politely. Everyone was shocked to see how polite the robot was and how well he moved. He wasn't some assembly line robot he was almost like a person.

"Flynn," Jayden asked carefully. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't just some robot that runs on a microchip?"

"Because he isn't." Flynn stated.

"Wait, I don't mean to bash your work, but you missed our games because of this?" Blaze asked.

"Blaze, don't be mean." Ally snapped. "Though it is strange we could build these at one of our factories in a single day."

"No, the body you see here is only temporary, well actually it's. Here let me just show you." Flynn said as he moved behind the robot known as Jack. "Jack, I'm gonna unplug you from this alright?"

"Alright, just don't break me otherwise you'll have to clean me up." Jack joked.

"I can't break you I built you to last." Flynn said as he pressed a few buttons. The back of Jack's head opened and after a little tinkering Flynn pulled out a round glowing sphere that glowed as bright as the sun. Flynn grinned as he held up the sphere. Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at it closer. "This is what I've been working on."

"Flynn is that what I think it is?" Jayden asked.

"Yup, and AI." Flynn smiled.

"You mean you created an artificial life?" Thomas asked.

"Yup, yup and this is what I was talking about AD-1." Flynn said. "Assistant Droid one. This friend's is just a small fraction of what Jack could be. You see when I was a boy my father and Thomas Wayne along with Lucius have spent many years doing what they could for Gotham's citizens." He explained. "My father before he died had thought of a way to make life easier for that of the middle class and lower class citizens. A fleet of droids that could help out with any problem. Whether it is simply cleaning or even difficult things such as fixing a car these guys could do it no problem."

"What stopped them from being made?" Sam asked.

"Well my father's death for starters." Flynn said causing a few to look away. "But there was also a lack of technology and mostly 'what if's' like what if a terrorist got a hold of it or what if they just went mad. So my father left it for me in his safety deposit box for me to work on."

"And you want me to mass produce it?" Jayden asked.

"Well, sort of." Flynn said. "I want to expand on this and then make more of those only better." He pointed at the lifeless droid. "Once I've really perfected this I want to see about mass production and then eventually selling them to the public."

"Well, we'll have to really make sure they won't end up like a lot of sci-fi horror movies where they end up killing us but I think if we can perfect this we can make it work." Jayden said. "Look we'll talk about it more tomorrow okay I need to get to bed."

"Alright and thanks for listening." Flynn said as everyone said their goodnights while Ally carried a passed out Sarah to her bed room.

Flynn was also getting ready for bed, after plugging Jack back into his pod when he felt something pounce on him. He looked over his shoulders to see that it was Hilary.

"What are you doing?" He asked while she pushed him on his bed and closed the bedroom door.

"This." She said as she kissed him deeply.

The next day, everyone was eating breakfast and talking about what they were going to do today. Flynn walked into the room with his hair looking messier than usual as everyone looked at him. Jayden gave him a grin he stood there dumbfounded.

"Well looks like I'm not the only one who got lucky last night." He grinned while everyone else laughed their asses off. Flynn's face burned red as he tried to explain himself.

"N-No, I was just…doing…stuff." He defended poorly.

"I'll say." Hilary said as she walked into the living room looking completely rejuvenated. She was wearing Flynn's robe as she tied the knot around her waist and smacked him across his ass. "What's for breakfast?"

"Judging from the look of it you had yourself a sausage link and a couple of eggs." Jayden chuckled.

"That's it!" Flynn shouted as he tackled Jayden to the ground. Hilary ignored them and sat down at the bar looking over the spread.

"Seriously do we have any sausages and eggs?" Hilary asked.