VIII
Daughter of the Demon

Bruce went to the sitting room where Captain Grayson awaited him. Dick was unusually grim, but that was expected with the news that America's greatest weapon and peace keeper had gone missing.

"So what does the military require from Wayne Industries, Captain?" Bruce wanted to get straight to the point.

"They're very interested in your prototype stealth amour, Bruce. It looks like the president wants to go ahead with the nuclear disarmament in Kahndaq. The request for inspectors will be held up in the U.N. for the foreseeable future."

"Shouldn't the government focus on their search for Big Blue? What you're proposing could ignite the Middle East into all-out war."

"Kahndaq has vigorously denied the existence of nuclear weapons within their borders. They can't tell the international community that we disabled war heads that they don't have. Luthor is convinced they plan on a first strike against Israel to kick off their Al-Hijra holiday."

"Dick, this is an act of invasion. I know Muhannad has done a lot of saber-rattling lately, but do you think the risk justifies the result? What of the repercussions if it goes wrong?"

"My superior's orders, Bruce. Three suits by the end of next week. That's what I was sent here to request. For the safety of the nation. We can take Kahndaq apart if need be."

"...Dick, who'll be piloting these suits?"

"...The best pilots we have."

"Dick?..."

"…I'm one of the pilots, yes."

Wayne felt the world sink beneath him. He would never call himself a father, but Bruce had been Dick's mentor and guardian for the past 10 years. He had been proud when Dick elected to serve his country through cadets and later the Air Force. At twenty-four, he was one of their best pilots. Bruce placed his hand on Dick's shoulder.

"Dick, I have faith in you. You must do what is right. I pray that our country will not have such a great need of you, but we must answer the call. I'll need all information regarding the pilots to commence the build."

"Of course. Thank you, Bruce. I'll let my superiors know immediately. I'm sure General Johnson will be in touch... And I really was pulling for you and Barbara."

"Dick, you know I'm married. It's not conventional, but we are very happy." The marriage had been a sore spot for Richard. Bruce had hoped with time he would understand.

"Uhhh, yeah… Say hello to Mrs. Wayne for me."

"Tell her yourself. She's standing behind me." Bruce grinned and moved to reveal his wife standing behind him. A beautiful woman, but somehow… foreign, shrouded in an indigo cloak and an open slit dress that left little to the imagination.

Dick became noticeably agitated by her presence... A full year and she still insisted on wearing her 'cult clothes'. Would it kill her to put on a pair of jeans?

"Richard. Please. Stay." Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of desperation. Bruce was a little unnerved to hear it.

"...Sorry, duty calls. Talk to you later, Bruce. See you later, Alfred!" Dick knew she had done something to Bruce to make him accept her… love her. He had pleaded with Bruce to be reasonable before the wedding, but in the end… he was forced to accept the marriage. With a sigh, Captain Richard Grayson departed with Alfred hurrying behind him.

Bruce had the sneaking suspicion that his ward thought he had married a mad woman. Bruce turned to his wife and carefully embraced her after watching Richard depart.

"I'm sorry, dear. Please don't let it upset you. He'll come around."

"I've felt.. terrible things just now… Events are put into place. This ends horribly, dearest. The Fate that has cursed me has now conspired against you."

"Then we will face it together… How goes your battle?"

"Be not so proud," she spoke as she brushed her hand against his cheek while staring into his soul with eyes of endless indigo. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall, my love."

"I shall take no pride in our love. I am humbled and blessed by it."

"That fate could love us half so well," she spoke against his shoulder. "I have communicated with the Stranger. He is our ally. My search for the one you call Big Blue is fruitless. I fear he is no longer part of this world of yours."

"Do you mean?!…" Bruce was incredulous at the ramifications.

"No, my love. I do not mean he has passed from this existence, merely transported to another place beyond my reach. Perhaps a lonely part of the world, perhaps even another world. There are strangers in this land you call Connecticut, who are not of this planet. Their emotions are alien to me. I believe the one you call Big Blue departed with them."

"I have to meet Barbara and my executives for two o'clock to find out everything we can. Do you feel up for a quick trip to Connecticut tonight if required?" Bruce inquired.

"As you wish. I will gather my strength in meditation until then." Her hair was as black as midnight with eyes the color of twilight. She was over ten years his junior, but had an emotional maturity that surpassed his own, a true study of contrasts.

"Thank you. I will be always be by your side, Raven."

"My love, I am always with you."

Bruce knew that truer words had never been spoken between them.

Author's Note

Raven?! From 'The New Teen Titans'?! But she's so young…

In my world of 2021, Raven is twenty-one years old. A lot of you may be familiar with Raven from the WB cartoon, but mine is based on the original Raven from the comics and years older than when she appeared in 'The New Teen Titans' by George Perez and Marv Wolfman.

She left her home dimension of Azarath at the age of twenty when it was prophesized that she would be the one to stand against her father, Trigon. Journeying to Earth to seek allies, she found a kindred soul (and fell in love) with Bruce Wayne. Bruce and Raven were married secretly in an Azarathian ceremony on the Wayne estate one year previous - Alfred and Dick were the only guests. This is why no wedding records exist.

Bruce Wayne is thirty-two. While they are different in age and life experiences, the couple share many emotional similarities which will be explored in later chapters. There's also the profound danger of Raven expressing powerful emotions (such as rage or hate) or passions (lust) which will also be explained soon to readers not familiar with her tragic back story.

50 FanFic points to BenJS for guessing Raven!