0A/N: With Samantha now part of the family, and Tim determined to marry her, Jason and Dick have taken it upon themselves to teach Tim how to please a woman without Bruce knowing about it. Something powerful happens and two brothers are in hot water with their father. Dick and Jason decide they had better keep out of Bruce's way for a while by taking a case that leads them out of Gotham. The case, however, has to be interrupted when word reaches them that Tim has a life threatening illness . . . or is it? And has that case actually come to Gotham?

New Life, Death, and Soul Easters

by

AJRedRobin and JasonToddLover

Part 17: Spirit Fire

"How can this be?" Samantha asked.

"How can this be what?" Dick asked as he came into the living room.

Damian grabbed the book from Samantha's hands and shoved it into Grayson's hands and showed him the illustration.

"That's one scary dude," Dick stated. It had a familiar look to it, but Dick was making light of the situation.

"Not that one Grayson, the smaller figure." Damian pointed to the image.

"Nice likeness, did you draw that?"

"Don't be an idiot. It was drawn over 100 years ago."

"A hundred years ago?" Dick questioned. "I don't understand."

Damian flipped the page back and pointed to the description. Dick read the passage and his eyes went wide. "Soul Eater? Is that what that thing is?"

"That's what it says."

"Where did you find the book?"

"I'm not explaining that, again. At least I was doing something while you morons were fawning all over Drake."

"Damian." Bruce gave his fourth son a warning.

"Well, actually that's why I cam down here," Dick explained. "I needed to find answers." He flipped the page back to the illustration. "Apparently we do have someone who can destroy those things."

"What do you mean?" Samantha asked, though once again the small hairs on the back of her neck rose.

"What are you talking about Grayson?"

"Explain," Bruce added his two cents in.

"Yeah, enlighten us, Golden Boy." Jason couldn't help adding his own comment.

Dick looked around at the faces staring in his direction.

"That creature came back."

"What? Why didn't you alert us," Bruce admonished. "Is Tim all right?"

"Tim's fine," Dick explained. "But the creature isn't."

"Grayson, what are you talking about?"

"I don't understand," Samantha stated.

"Tim destroyed it."

"Destroyed it?" Bruce questioned. "Dick, you're not making any sense."

"Dad, Tim destroyed the creature with his aura," Dick then showed the illustration. "Just like this guy did in the illustration."

"How?" Bruce continued to question.

"I don't know how. I just know that the creature showed up at my window and Tim's aura suddenly shot out at it, even going through the glass and set the thing on fire."

"Fire did you say?" Damian questioned.

"Yes, fire, just like in the drawing."

"We need to know more about Tim's aura," Bruce interjected.

"I can do more research," Damian stated. "I've never heard of someone's aura doing that."

"I have," Samantha said, "My mother explained to me that each person's aura represented a particular talent."

"What did your mother say on the subject?" Bruce asked, curious as to what knowledge Samantha could bring to the table.

"Well, not everyone can access their aura. Not everyone is even aware that we have an aura, an aura that represents our true selves. Dick's aura for instance is bright and cheery, but it also has strength. His color shows that. All your auras each have a color that represents who you are and all of you show strength, among other things. Dick's aura for instance is different in that he likes to dream, and he wants his brothers to dream with him."

"He takes Drake's nightmares away."

"So, he's a dream catcher," Samantha stated.

"So what does that make Drake?"

"I don't know for certain," Samantha answered. "My mother had a very extensive book she was writing on the subject. Tragically, she won't be able to finish it, thanks to Devlin," Samantha said bitterly.

"Do you know if that book still exists?"

"No, I never got a chance to look for it."

"Maybe he's some kind of demon hunter," Dick suggested. "That creature apparently is some kind of demon and Tim did destroy it."

Damian's eyes went wide at the suggestion. "If that is so . . . "

"That would explain how he was able to fight that Succubus," Samantha stated. "But why didn't he fight her before that?"

"She occupied a body that was familiar to Tim," Bruce stated.

"Don't forget, I was able to forge a weapon with my aura as well," Dick said.

"Only because Tim might have assisted you," Samantha stated. "Your aura does not appear to be one to fight demons."

"Do you think more of those things will show up?" Jason asked. He had been keeping silent for now.

"If there are more of them, we'll be ready for them," Bruce replied.

"Father, if Drake is the only person who can fight those things, it will be like sending a lamb to slaughter."

"You don't know that," Dick argued. "You didn't see what I saw."

"Drake is no true fighter," Damian argued. "He will not do what's necessary."

"You mean kill?"

"I call it as I see it."

"Is that you talking or your mother and grandfather?" Dick shot back.

"Enough!" Bruce commanded. "We must be prepared."

"How can you prepare against something like that?" Jason questioned. "We don't even know what we're really dealing with."

"Did you read the passage, Todd?" Damian stated.

"No, I've just been listening to everyone else."

Samantha fell back, away from the argument. It was apparent they were getting nowhere. How were they going to deal with those creatures? And was it fair to send a teenage boy, her boyfriend, who was barely recovered from injuries sustained from a kidnapping over a month ago? And now, Tim was weakened by the very thing that nearly took his soul. The idea was crazy.

"I want every door and window in the manor to remain locked," Bruce ordered. "I want the curtains drawn closed."

"You can't keep us in here like prisoners," Jason protested. "I have to take Sasha to the doctor. I also have other business I have to take care of. Not to mention pat . . . "

"It's for your own protection," Bruce countered, interrupting Jason.

"Those things aren't after us," Jason pointed out. "I'll take Sasha to my apartment."

"Jason, no one is leaving. I am not taking any chances that those things won't retaliate or try to take Tim, again."

"Fine, we'll stay put."

"Bruce," A sixth voice, weaker than the rest joined the group.

"Tim," Dick came up to his little brother. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I can't sleep," Tim said, rubbing his eyes. "There's this insistent voice in my head. It keeps trying to compel me to open the window."

Bruce went to the front window looking out on the front lawn of Wayne Manor.

"Oh no."

"What is it?" Dick questioned.

"Look for yourself."

Dick moved to the window followed by Jason. They both looked out. The creatures didn't even try to hide themselves, their black ragged robes gently moving against the light breeze. The moonlight shone on their pale grayish withered skin. On some of the creatures, Dick caught the sudden flash of what must be metal, maybe some kind of chain on their wrists, as if the creatures had escaped some kind of imprisonment. It was hard to tell from that distance. One of the creatures was larger than the rest. He stood in the center and pointed.

"Bring out the one with the light within his soul," he hissed. Everyone heard the hissing as if it was within their own heads.

"What?" Jason shook his head as if it was buzzing with hornets. "What do they mean?"

"They aren't coming any closer," Bruce observed.

"Light in his soul, who are they referring to, Tim?" Dick questioned.

"I don't think so," Bruce answered. He noticed where the leader was pointing.

"Then who do they want?" Damian joined them, along with Samantha.

"I know," Samantha stated. "You're not going to like it."

"Samantha, if you know something . . . " Bruce started to say.

"It's Dick they want," Samantha said interrupting.

"Golden Boy?" Jason questioned. "Why do they want him? They usually go after children."

"How do you know that Todd?" Damian asked.

"Because of the case Dick and I started to work on, Demon," Jason countered.

"Enough," Bruce warned them a second time.

"So, why do they want Golden Boy?"

"It's his soul they want." Samantha explained. "They didn't get Tim's so they are settling for the next best thing."

"I don't understand. Why don't they go after Demon Spawn over there?"

"Hey!" Damian reacted to the insult that Todd just gave him.

"Because his soul is tainted with violence," Samantha said.

"-tt-" Damian made a slight noise of disgust.

"I'm sorry Damian, but it is true," Samantha stated. "I saw it in your aura, a darkness that could consume you if it were not for something holding it back. Whatever it might be, a choice, I don't know, but it's there."

"It's because of his life before he came to live with us," Dick said.

"Dick," Bruce shook his head ever so slightly as a warning.

"I'm not going to tell her about that," Dick said. "But it is common knowledge where Damian came from."

"It's not common to me," Samantha said, her tone challenging and scolding. "And what are you not telling me?"

"Uh . . . That Damian is the grandson of Ra's Al Ghul, also known as the Demon Head, the leader of the League of Shadows."

"The League of Shadows, should I know them?"

"They are assassins and they follow whatever the Demon Head believes."

"And what is that?" Samantha questioned.

"To cleanse the world of corruption via violence and even murder," Dick stated, his voice taking on a tone that Samantha had not heard before. It was serious and almost cold.

"Ra's Al Ghul would see Gotham City destroyed by any means possible as an example to the world," Bruce added. "Ra's Al Ghul and I disagree on the meaning of justice. He believes that justice is done at the point of a sword, where criminals, even the most desperate of men, be kill so they won't commit a crime ever again. Even if it's just stealing food to feed a starving family. I see the circumstances of that crime. Decent men who steal out of desperation should be given a second chance, a way to redeem themselves, to be forgiven for that crime and a chance to change their circumstance.

"What about those that commit murder?" Samantha questioned. The death of her parents was still fresh in her mind.

"Ra's Al Ghul believes that murder should never be tolerated. A life for a life. I believe that a man or woman who commits such acts should go to jail for their crimes and given as much chance at redemption as a desperate man. If the law condemns the man, then that is the law. Ra's would flaunt that law and take justice into his own hands."

Jason fidgeted from Bruce's statement. He had been guilty of doing the former, not so much in the way Ra's would have, but as a means to control specific criminals. It was also a sticking point with him and Bruce, but that was not why they were there. "I hate to break up this enlightening discussion, but what are we going to do about those creatures? They want Golden Boy."

"Well, they're not going to get him," Damian argued.

"Then we better think of something because we are surrounded. And I for one am not going down without a fight."

Continues with Part 18