Chapter Twenty-Six

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

01:12 – Station Time (EST)

March 16, 2007

It wasn't long after Diana had returned to the orbital station that she found that Batman had gone back to Gotham. She had tried contacting him, as she felt that he might be able to assist her, but as usual, he had switched off his communicator. While this wasn't a surprise, it was incredibly annoying. What was more annoying was that Nightwing wasn't responding either.

She had then sought someone else, hoping someone could shed some light on 'The Gateway to the Pacific' or the 'Female archer of Man's Titans'. Unfortunately, most of them were currently outside clearing up the damage and debris from when the Gordanian dreadnought had fired its weapon at them in the opening attack. The station had seen better days, that was for sure.

She found herself wandering, thinking back to the supper she had had with her mother. It had been nice to sit, eat and be able to converse with her. They had talked about so much. About the league, about the troubles of the world of man and the recent battle with the Gordanians.

Her mother had been so interested in what she was doing that Diana had barely gotten the chance to ask about how things were on the island. Thankfully things were well.

"You still up too?"

She spun around to see Shayera moving towards her. "I have a lot to think about," the Amazon responded.

"Yeah? I heard you went home."

"I did and I received some information that is troubling."

"Maybe I can help."

Wonder Woman gestured for her to follow. "Let us speak in private."

The two of them swiftly moved into a side room, where Diana began to talk. "You know of the Titans made by Man?"

"What?" Shayera asked with a frown.

"The Titans."

"Your Greek Titans? The Teen Titans? Or are you referring to a sports team?" Shayera questioned. "I mean you're not making much sense here."

"Yes, I believe that the Teen Titans was what she was referring to."

"Who was?"

"Magala."

"She an Amazon?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Diana said. "She told me of the four founders, the one that of the bee, the one of the arrow, the one that can see the future and the dark bird."

"Maybe my memory's off, but I thought there were only three founders. Bumblebee, Speedy and Lilith who became Omen. Don't know anything about a dark bird."

"The dark bird is the one I need to find," she said in frustration. "Magala said he would help me."

"Well, the only dark bird I know of is Nightwing. That guy's almost as creepy as Batman."

"Then I will seek him out," Wonder Woman said.

"Last I heard from Batman, he had returned to the Gotham with him and that he might have quit. He's a Blüdhaven guy, so I'd start there."

Wonder Woman thought back to what Magala had said. 'Seek out the dark bird, the one who seeks to separate himself from the wings of the night. He will help you.'

It did seem to fit. Though it was a long shot. Still, it was the only lead she currently had.

"Thank you for your help," the Amazon said. "You have been most helpful."

She turned and left. She needed to find Nightwing. If Magala was correct, then he would help her.

Wayne Manor

Gotham City

United States

02:14 – Eastern Standard Time

March 16, 2007

Batman sat in front of the oversized computer that lay in the Batcave, searching for anything else regarding the blood, whether it be any other samples on record or an identity as to who it belonged to.

After an hour and a half, he had found nothing beyond the Blüdhaven connection. So he began to research more on the Church of Blood.

Truth be told, if it had been anyone else that had given him the sample, it would have been just a curiosity. But it had been Doctor Fate and the Dark Knight knew that the powerful sorcerer didn't bother himself with trivialities. If it had drawn his attention, then it was serious.

Sensing a presence behind him, he spoke. "Hello Diana," he said without turning around.

"Bruce," she said in return. "I need to know where Nightwing is? His communicator is here, but I'm guessing he isn't?"

"He's finally given up," he said, turning around to face her. "You'll want Richard Grayson."

That confused her. "You say that as though he's quit?" she questioned. "Has he?"

"It was only a matter of time," Batman told her. "I was the first of the Batclan and I will be the last."

"So, where can I find him?" she asked, hoping he would hurry up and just tell her.

"Avalon Heights. That's where you'll find him."

"In Blüdhaven?"

Batman turned back around and began to type on his keyboard. "Yes, in Blüdhaven."

"You know Bruce, that doesn't really help me. I'm not at all familiar with that city. I don't know where that is."

Bruce leant over and opened a drawer. He pulled out a small cellphone-sized device and held it out. Wonder Woman stepped over and took it out of his hand.

"What is it?"

"Turn it on."

She pressed the button on the bottom and it lit up, showing an annotated map with her in the centre. It was some kind of mapping device, but she had no real clue as to how it worked.

"Now, I'm busy. You can see yourself out," Batman informed her as he got back to what he was doing.

Wonder Woman decided to be as polite as he was and left without saying so much as a thank you or goodbye.

Skies Above Blüdhaven

United States

02:21 – Eastern Standard Time

March 16, 2007

Wonder Woman held the device in her right hand trying to find Avalon Heights. It didn't help that the only button was to turn it on or off. It looked fairly old as well, probably an outdated mapping device that Batman had designed years ago.

Roughly five minutes ago, she had passed over Avalon Hill and had suspected that Avalon Heights would be next to it. It wasn't, at least to the west of it. Perhaps it was north or south and she had just headed the wrong direction.

She reached the city limits and doubled back, making sure to keep one eye on the mapping device, hoping for the words she needed to appear on the small screen.

It was frustrating to have to search like this. She didn't know how much time she had or even if what Magala had said was even real or not. There had been the odd occasion when she had been wrong.

She was about to change course when something caught her eye. It took a few moments to realise that it was the Tamaranean girl and that she was pirouetting in the sky, her long hair spiralling around her.

Wonder Woman slowed down and descended, watching the alien closely while keeping herself hidden. Then a small smile spread across her lips. Magala had mentioned something about the one with golden skin leading her to Nightwing. All she had to do was wait and she would take her right too him.

Avalon Heights

Blüdhaven

United States

02:58 – Eastern Standard Time

March 16, 2007

A sound woke Richard Grayson. He sat up and threw on his jeans and t-shirt before he made his way out into the main room. He switched the light on, catching a sheepish looking Starfire stood by the open door to the balcony.

"I went out for a flight," she told him before he could ask. "It was glorious. You should come outside it is a lovely night."

"I can't fly," he said, feeling anger start to rise inside him.

"That is a shame," she said with clear sorrow in her eyes.

The more he thought about her slipping out without telling her, the angrier he got. "You shouldn't have gone out there," he told her, folding his arms. "It's dangerous."

She frowned at him, then began to chuckle to herself.

"I don't know what you find funny?" he questioned, not at all impressed.

"I doubt I would have any trouble with any humans if they tried to attack me. You are not a very strong or durable people."

"Don't underestimate what a human can do," he warned. "Especially when in groups. This is the worst city in America. Anything could have happened to you. And that's not to mention what would happen if someone saw you land on my balcony."

"Your concern is very cute."

"I'm not cute."

"No, but you are very handsome."

Richard felt his face go red. He turned away to hide his face. He had no idea what had gotten into him. He was behaving like a teenager with a crush. A few words and she was able to shut him up and turn his anger into embarrassment. She had a lot of power over him and he hated that.

"We should go to bed," he told her finally. "It's late."

"If you-" She stopped as the doorbell rang.

Richard was immediately on alert. No one ever came by at this time of night. In fact unless it was a parcel, people almost never came.

"What is it?" Starfire asked.

"Someone's at the door," he told her.

"Do people usually come to the door at night?"

"No. Never." He looked back at her. "Go into your room. I'll call you if I need help."

She moved off out of sight as he cautiously moved over to the door.

He peered through the eye-hole to find Wonder Woman standing outside.

"What the hell?" he whispered in surprise. He unlocked the deadbolts and pulled the door open. He stared at her wondering why she was here.

She stared back. "Can I come in?"

He stepped aside and she moved into the spacious apartment.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

She looked over her shoulder at him. "Just as pleasant as the Bat I see," she commented. She glanced around the room. "Where's Koriand'r?"

"Wait, you know she's here?"

"I followed her."

"Great," he mumbled, wondering who else might have seen her. He got his answer almost immediately as a dark figure flipped in through the open balcony door and landed on the floor.

Richard let out a groan. "Selina," he muttered in exasperation, running his hand through his black hair. He really didn't need this right now. He just wanted to go to bed, get some sleep. Not have to deal with Starfire flying off in the middle of the night, Wonder Woman showing up at her door and now Catwoman flipping into the room.

He felt a headache coming on.

Catwoman looked from Richard to Wonder Woman. "I saw the two girls fly over here so I thought I'd join in with the fun," she said with a slight purr. She moved over to him, swaying her hips. "Always good to see you without the mask, Nightwing." She looked past him at Diana. "Messing with one of Bruce's girls. Pretty brave of you."

"You know Bruce is Batman?" Wonder Woman questioned in surprise with a scowl.

"I'm not stupid," Catwoman said, leaning against the wall. "I figured it out. Felt like an idiot when it all came together. Must admit, though, the boring playboy is quite the departure from the rugged, exciting Dark Knight. Quite the act. He should consider Hollywood."

Wonder Woman's scowl turned into a full glare.

Catwoman smiled at her, then looked at Richard. "So, when's the threesome start? I wanna join in."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping it would relieve his headache. Tonight had quickly descended into a nightmare. He wished he had just stayed at the Tower of Fate. It's impossible staircases and four-spacial dimensional rooms didn't give him a migraine as much as this situation was.

"Excuse me?" the Amazon asked the thief furiously.

"Come on, don't tell me that's not why you're here? Handsome young man like that."

Then came the question from a third voice that made Dick want to die. "What is a threesome?"

They all looked around to see Starfire standing there by the bedroom door. Richard let out another groan. He really didn't need this. He just wanted to go to bed and get some sleep.

"She's a naïve one, isn't she?" Catwoman observed, staring at the alien. "I thought you liked them smart, Robin?"

"We're not dating," Richard said loudly. "Now would you two explain why you're here?"

Catwoman shrugged. "I saw the orange girl over there flying around in the sky, so I followed her. Then I saw the Woman Wonder over there following. Was surprised they came here, though."

He looked at the Amazon. "And you?"

"I need your help," Wonder Woman said.

"With what?"

"I need to find the Mark of the Sands in the Gateway to the Pacific."

Richard had no idea what she was even talking about. "What?"

"I am to find the origin of the archer of Man's Titans, which I believe is the Teen Titans."

"Archer? You mean Speedy?"

"No. This archer is a woman."

"Why are you looking for her?"

"I'm not. I need to know her origin."

"In the Gateway to the Pacific?"

"Yes."

"So San Francisco?"

"That was my first thought. No, it is elsewhere. In a place that holds the history of my people."

"Of the Amazons?"

"Or the Greeks which we originated."

"Fine," he said. "Follow me." He paused looking to Catwoman and pointed towards the balcony. "You leave."

"Awww, I wanna see what miss prude wants you to find for her."

"It's none of your concern," the Amazon declared. "Now do as he says and leave."

"Maybe I can help?" Catwoman offered.

Dick had had enough. "Just do what you want, Selina, I don't care. Star, come with us."

The three of them stepped into the computer room. Richard sat down with Wonder Woman and Starfire stood behind him.

He switched on the monitor and logged in. "It's been a while since I kept up on the roster of the Titans," he told them.

He opened a web browser and went to his bookmarks and went straight to the Titan's official website.

Wonder Woman folded her arms with a frown. "Are you telling me that you can simply search this information online?"

"You'd be surprised what you can find on the internet," Richard said. He clicked on the 'The Team' Tab. He smiled. "Good to see Bumblebee is still in charge."

"We need the archer," Wonder Woman urged.

He scrolled down. "Okay, Arrowette," he said.

"Does it say where she is from?"

"No."

He opened a new tab and typed 'Arrowette' into the search engine. He then he began searching for anything regarding her that wasn't connected to the Titans. Finally, he found it.

"Arrowette was first seen in Gateway City in California." He opened another tab and typed in 'Gateway City, Calif' he then clicked on the first relevant link.

He read through the page. "Gateway City is a harbour town with a population of roughly five-hundred thousand. Its biggest attraction is the museum which holds the largest Greek collection of artefacts outside of Greece."

"That is it. The museum is important somehow. Do you know who's the manager?"

"I can find out," he said opening yet another tab. After a short search, he found it. "The curator is a Helena Sandsmark."

Wonder Woman took a step back. "The Mark of the Sands. She must have a child. The one I need to find is a young woman."

"Good luck," he said logging off.

"You're coming with me," Wonder Woman informed him.

"No, I'm not. I've finally decided to live my own life and get out of the hero gig."

"I need your help," she urged.

"I left my costume at Bruce's place."

"You must have more than the one."

"Well, yeah. But it was symbolism. Leaving my costume at Bruce's place I mean."

"Richard Grayson," the Amazon said sternly, resting her hands on her hips. "I am only asking you to help me this one time. After that, you can hang up the costume for good for all I care. This is important."

"Can I come too?" Starfire asked.

Wonder Woman nodded. "I suppose."

"Can I?" Catwoman asked from where she was stood by the room door.

"No!" the Amazon and Dick said together.

Wonder Woman looked at to him. "So, are you coming?"

He nodded. "I'll sleep on it," he said not at all committed. He then gestured to Catwoman "I might be better persuaded to agree if you manage to get her out of my apartment."

Wonder Woman smiled, cracking her knuckles. "With pleasure."

Catwoman stepped backwards. "This kitty knows when she's outstayed her welcome." She moved out through the open balcony door. "Till next time, handsome." she then jumped off the railing and disappeared into the night. Dick promptly moved over and closed it.

He then turned to the Amazon. "Do you mind if we do this tomorrow?"

"We can," she said. "You want me to return, or is there room for me to stay here?"

He shrugged. "Do what you want. You'll have to sleep on the couch if you stay."

"I shall return tomorrow then. Or rather, later on, today. Considering it is early morning," she said.

She moved to the door and pulled it open and stepped out. Richard moved over to it and made sure it was thoroughly locked. He turned back to Starfire.

"Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, best we get some rest."

Starfire agreed and moved off back into the spare bedroom.

Richard headed into his and took his pants and t-shirt back off and climbed under the sheets.

He had left Wayne Manor with the belief that he was putting it all behind him. Now, he had been pulled back in and it hadn't taken much persuasion.

Maybe he would wear the costume till he was killed by a lucky shot by some thug. Or maybe he would be killed by a malfunction in his grapple.

Neither was the way he really wanted to go. He wanted to move on with his life, get out of this business. He had given enough of himself. It was time he felt happy again.

But happiness was a phantom that had long-since eluded him.

New Brighton

Central City

United States

01:31 – Central Standard Time

March 15, 2007

Wally struggled to put the key in his apartment door to unlock it. It wasn't because he was intoxicated, it was because Giganta was swaying around while holding onto his arm tightly, barely able to stand up.

Giganta was wasted, obviously so. He wasn't. It was both the curse and the blessing of his hyper metabolism. He had been drunk for approximately five to ten minutes after gulping down several drinks. Then it was gone. Now he was just suffering from a slight headache. A glass of fruit juice and a good nights sleep would sort that out.

As he tried to put the key in the door and missed one more time, he started to get slightly annoyed. "Gina, could you stop swinging on me?" he asked. "It's hard to get the key in the door when you're pulling me around."

She leant over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thass not ma name," she slurred in his ear. "But me likes it."

He finally got the key in and unlocked the door. "I'll help you in," he said.

He made sure she didn't fall over as the two slowly moved into the apartment. He sat her down on the couch before he locked and dead-bolted the door.

"I'm off to get you a glass of fruit juice. It'll help stop you from getting a hangover," he said, moving to the kitchen area.

He pulled the large bottle of juice from the fridge and poured it into two glasses, taking them over to the couch where Giganta now lay asleep. Wally smiled as she let out a soft snore. She was positively adorable.

He decided not to wake her and simply drunk down both juice drinks, then scooped her up in his arms and took her into the bedroom where he lay her down on the bed and tucked her in.

"Goodnight," he said softly as he pulled the door shut and crashed on the couch.

Updated December 2017