Author's Note: Hey guys! What's up? So I got some WiFi to type this up while I'm on my vacation :D enjoy!

Summary: Curious as to why Tigress didn't picked up the communciator, Nightwing sets out to find his friend only to be betrayed.

Chapter 11: Lies

Lex stared at the young fighter, shock plastering on his face as he was trying to adjust what she had just said.

But its impossible. Its impossible for him to stay alive.

"How?" Lex asked, sharply.

Tigress narrowed her eyes; she really didn't want to tell him but she has to.

She took a deep breath before her eyes locked on his sharp ones.

"The beams of light struck Wally and as it did, Wally absorbed that light and he transformed himself into energy. When a speedster accelerate at a speed beyond light speed, they time travel."

Lex said nothing as Tigress finished summarizing of what Kal'dur had said. He stared at the floor, thinking about the event when the hole had been opened.

"What makes you so sure that he went forward? He could've went backwards."

Tigress bit her lip. "It would make more sense."

Lex exhaled a sharp breath as he went over the explanation. As he did, he started to realize that this is a good opportunity. An opportunity to seize this young girl's mind. But first things first.

If he wanted to use her, he would have to make her believe in him.

Artemtis waited for his response, having a small hope that he would help her.

"Alright..." he replied. "There is a way to get him back."

He noticed how the girl's eyes widened with hope.

Lex walked behind his desk to open a drawer. In there, he reached his hand out to take a small vile of bottle that had a dark red orange color. It didn't looked pleasant.

He brought it into the view and Artemtis's eyes continue to grow wide.

"This," Luthor began. "Is a substance called Velocity 9. I had managed to have some after running from some...difficulties. It is the only vial I have. If you drink this, it wil allow you to run faster than any other speedsters. If you drink this, you can save Wally in a..." a small cold smile etched on his lips. "Flash."

There was a slight tense atmosphere and all Artemtis could do was to stare at the bottle with the same repeating thought going inside her head.

Its mine...its mine...

"What do you say, Tigress? Are you ready to go in the world of Flashes?"

:(/\):

Nightwing scowled as he awkwardly shifted his weight to his other side as his leg was falling asleep.

He was perched at the top of a rooftop with the night sky fallen, making him have a great chance at camouflage if he needed.

The illuminescense from the full moon's rays beamed down dully, lighting up the path ahead of him.

He pursed his lips as he furrowed his eyebrow, tightening his grip around the communicator so that his knuckles turned white.

Ever since he told the truth about Wally, Tigress hadn't been seen since. Batgirl wasn't in a talking mood so he wondered if anything had happened between those two.

If there was, then that might've explained about Tigress's disappearance.

Girls and their moods. He would never understand it.

"Nightwing to Artemtis. Tigress, pick up the communicator."

No response

"Damn it!" he growled.

He was really starting to be worried about her. What if something bad had happened to her? Where could've she been?

He narrowed his eyes, staring through the darkness. If something really did happened to her, then he's going to rescue her.

He knew she wouldn't have gone too far as her team's ship is still here.

He started to scan the area for any close buildings nearby: she could've gotten kidnapped.

After scanning, there was a building far ahead but the sign was readable due to the lights it gave off. He wouldn't miss the sign...

There, at the building read: LexCorp

:(/\):

"He will be saved if you only drink it..." Lex replied as Tigress failed to see the evil gleam in his eyes.

She walked forward, her eyes fixed on the bottle that could be her only one chance to save Wally. When she came close, she extended her hand out for the bottle but as she did, there was a small hesitation but that quickly vanished.

Tigress grabbed the vial, bringing it closer to her face. Without a moment hesitation, the young fighter drank the liquid.

The minute she did, she suddenly started to collapse to the floor but Lex quickly caught her.

He grinned as his evil plan was in the process.

"Foolish girl." he muttered. "Did you honestly believe Wally could be saved? If the other speedsters didn't want to save Wally in the first place, what makes you think the others will? They could alter the timeline if they did it wrong."

He stared at the unconscious female and sighed. "Too bad...I was hoping to try my new substance on someone but no one's here..."

Just then, a soft alarm rang through his office and he went towards his security camera screen. After typing a few keys, the screen showed a rather familiar person who was dressed in black and blue.

"Ah... Just my luck."

As he grinned evilly, something whizzed through the air and it struck to a wall, being close to actually hit Lex. The cruel smile never left his face as he recognized the weapon.

"Let her go." a stern voice said as it unsheathed his weapons.

:(/\):

BEFORE BREAKING IN LEX'S OFFICE

Nightwing stared at the empty hallway, double checking to make sure it was clear. Before moving forward, he made sure that all the cameras were disabled.

Once it was clear, he swiftly ran down the hall. He continued to go until he forced himself to screech to a halt and quickly jumped to a corner.

With a half peek, he watched as the man walked down the hall, unaware that he will be walking past by Nightwing.

Nightwing smirked. Perhaps he should do a little interrogation...

With that, he glances up at the building only to see, to his luck, there were hooks which he grab on to make his move.

He did just that.

Meanwhile, the man walked down the hall as he whistled his tune. As he started to go towards a corner, he suddenly stopped as he thought he felt a breeze.

Eyes wide, the man turned around but he found out that no one was there except him. Biting his lip, he walked backwards until he halted, unaware that something was behind him.

The minute he turned around, he widened his eyes more as he came face to face.

"Boo."

He gave an exclaim of shout, losing his balance and fell to the floor.

There was Nightwing who was hanging upside down then he climbed down, eyes narrowed as he walked towards the man who started to scramble backwards.

He didn't got far since Dick pulled him up by the scruff of his shirt and rammed him against a wall.

"Lex." Dick said, going to the point. "Where is he?"

"I...I don't know." he stammered.

Dick shoved him again. "Wrong answer. I will say it again. Where is Lex?" he said, forcefully.

Frightened of him, the man gulped and he stuttered the words out. "I...In his o-office."

Dick gave a crooked smile. "There now. That wasn't so hard."

And then, he threw the person to the ground. As he walked Grayson gave his farewell.

"Thanks for the tip."

The man, who was still shaking, fiddled with his pocket until he pulled out a switch handle. He then pressed the button, unaware to Dick that an alarm had been set off.

:(/\):

Finding Lex's office was a bit painful, he had to admit. But he finally found it. He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the brown doors before he walked towards it.

He opened them only to stare ahead. There was Lex who was staring at a screen, his back facing Dick.

Something else had caught his attention. Grayson narrowed his eyes as he saw that Lex was holding something. Rather someone.

The hair looked blonde, tied in a ponytail and wore the color green.

Tigress.

Nightwing made his hand go to his pocket to pull out a birdarang and he threw it into the air only strike it at the wall nearly striking Lex.

"Let her go."

Upon the voice, Lex smiled cruelly and gave a small scoff.

"Nightwing. How lovely to see you."

"Yeah, I'm not so happy to see you."

Lex chuckled. "Snarky as always." he then turned around. "Must be a Batman's trait. Tell me, how is the old Bat doing? Retired, I presume? He really does looks like he needed it."

Nightwing kept mute, not wanting to speak with this old crook.

"Not in a talking mood. How typical."

"Listen carefully, Lex." he growled. "You have something of mine. I would like her back. We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"Ahh, you mean this beauty?" Lex removed piece of hair from her face. "I'm afraid I can't do that. You see...the poor girl is in no condition to fight."

"What did you do to her?"

"Nothing much. Just made her believe that she can save Wally after telling me an interesting bit of information. Its simple really. I got her to believe that she can save him, made her drink what she thought to believe is Velocity 9 and it knocked her out."

Nightwing widened his eyes, clenching his fists in anger.

"You bastard. You used her hope for your own cruel game."

"Life's not fair. We both know that. Now...would you care to see my little game of mine?" he grinned cruelly. "Oh, puppet of mine. We have an unnecessary pest that I would like you to take care of."

And then, like that, the out-cold girl opened her eyes and she got up, facing the wide-eyed Nightwing who took a small step back.

He studied her. Her face was pale, her eyes were red as though she had been secretly crying internally from the cold hard truth. They were lifeless as well: her mind completely gone.

She then took her weapon out, readying her bow.

"As you wish, master."

Nightwing widened his eyes even more as he watched her releasing the arrow that flew past by Dick by an inch, slightly scraping his arm but it wasn't enough to actually cause blood and the arrow struck the wall.

Nightwing exhaled a sharp breath as he knew that he had to fight his friend.

He didn't want to.

"This...is going to be an interesting show." Lex responded and Dick couldn't hate him even more.

"Tigress, its me. Nightwing." Dick replied, trying to get her back.

He performed a sideway twirl as he just narrowly dodged the arrow that flew past him by an inch.

"You have no choice, Nightwing. If you want to stay alive, you'll have to fight her."

Nightwing got up after he did a front roll, taking out his staff. "Never."

"Then its your funeral."

Dick narrowed his eyes as he glared at Lex with hatred. He clenched his fists while still holding his staff. The boy looked at Lex then back at Tigress, an idea forming into his mind.

With that, Dick ran forward and at the right time, he jumped in the air a little and threw his staff. But at the same time, Tigress acted quickly and she released her own arrow which, this time, managed to make a cut at Grayson's arm. While that happened, Dick got a blow. As he was going past by Tigress, the girl performed a sideway kick which struck Dick in the stomach, causing him fly backwards, his back crashing into the desk.

He groaned, falling to his knees as he wrapped his arms around his stomach.

"Now...finish him!"

Tigress twirled her bow before she readied it once again. She walked forwards, string pulled back and was ready to fire.

"Tigress...you don't have to do this. I know you're still in there. But if you're truly gone, then go ahead. There's no stopping you." Nightwing said.

Tigress stared at him and for a moment, Nightwing could've sworn she made a small hesitation. It was like a sign to him as though to let him know she was still there.

"Remember who you are. Losing someone close to you...I know what that feels like." Dick said.

"He lies." Lex responded. "No one understands the pain you're feeling. You're alone. You're always meant to be alone."

"Think about Wally." Dick replied.

The minute he said that, there was a spark of remembering just by hearing that word Wally. Images flashed inside her mind, all zooming in a quick rapid speed.

Just like that, something whizzed by Dick and he let out a sharp breath as he heard a THUD, indicating something had struck the floor instead. He lifted his head to see Tigress readying the bow to shoot at Lex. But instead of actually striking him, the arrow flew past by him, striking a wall.

"Tigress?" Dick asked after a moment of silence.

Artemtis looked down at Dick before she too collapsed on her knees, dropping her weapon.

"Nightwing..." she replied, softly. She lowered her head, clenching her fists. "I'm so sorry."

Nightwing eased a little, knowing he had gotten his friend back. "Don't worry about it."

"Aww how very touching that she regained her senses." Lex snarled. "Disappointing how my substance failed but now I know it needs a little adjustment."

Outraged, Artemtis stood up and grabbed her bow as Dick shouted: "No!"

"You!" she exclaimed. "How dare you use me!" angered, she readied her bow.

But as she did, Lex interfered. With a sneer, he walked up to his desk and pulled out another object though he didn't showed it just yet.

"I don't think you should be doing that."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't release this arrow."

"Because, silly girl," Lex responded with sneer. "I have something which you would love to see. I have an offer that you can't refuse."

Author's Note: Ooo things got real here. Other than the fact, Dick got a small cut and was nearly killed, things got worse...again. What is the offer Lex is having? Toodles!