Author's Note: Mann, I really don't wanna write chapter 18...you guys are gonna hate me for it...eep. But I am really excited for the epilogue; I'm going to bring in one of my favorite character ^^ feel free to guess! Let's get going!
Summery: Darkseid tells his plan and makes his henchman to carry it out. Meanwhile, Nightwing needs to talk to M'gann and Superboy privately while Aqualad sends Bart, La'gann and Blue Beetle to find out the cause of a strong radiation of energy Aqualad has discovered.
Chapter 15: Set out
"He has four broken ribs. Does anyone care to explain what has happened?" the snarling voice of Batman rang throughout the room.
He was quite frightening, with his darkened glare and narrowed eyes.
He scanned the quiet team that was feeling all kinds of emotions. Guilt, sadness, anger, depressed, disappointment...
Batman almost immediately locked eyes at Nightwing. He had been awfully quiet.
The caped crusader sighed. "You can't go on like this. If you do, your team will fall. You all need to be careful, look out for one another."
There were mumbles of "yes sir".
The dark vigilante studied them once more.
"Well I guess there's nothing else to do other than to go and get some rest. You all need to heal. Now...go."
Everyone started to shuffle but Batman called out.
"Nightwing, stay right there."
Nightwing stopped, eyes staring at the ground as he heard everyone shuffling. However, he watched as Superboy brushed past by him and he grabbed his wrist.
"Wait for me at the hall. I need you and M'gann to talk about something."
He nodded and walked off.
M'gann, I-
I know. I heard. I'll meet you when I'm done. I'm supposed to report to the grouch.
How is he?
You'll find out.
Once everyone is out, M'gann came in and the two looked at one another before the alien walked towards Batman as Dick turned around.
"I've done all could. I healed the minor and major wounds. I can't heal the broken ribs; its something what Tim has to do on his own. Just give him time." M'gann made a sad look. "And time is something we don't have."
If there were any kind of emotions, Batman didn't showed them.
"Thank you, M'gann." he muttered.
She nodded and walked off but not before giving Dick a one last look before she exited.
It was then that the unwelcoming atmosphere had settled in and Batman and Dick did nothing but stared with a hard look.
:(/\):
M'gann sighed as she was leaning against the wall, waiting for Nightwing.
So much has happened, its unreal.
And Tim...
Her throat felt dry. She could've protected him and yet, she didn't. She got frozen.
"What do you think Nightwing needs to talk about?" Superboy asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Megan sighed. "I don't know...I just don't know."
There was a small pause.
"How's Tim?"
M'gann lifted her head, giving him a worried look.
"He's injured badly. Four broken ribs with other cuts and bruises. I've managed to heal those but I couldn't do the ribs. If this goes on, he could get himself killed."
"Don't worry." he muttered. "He will pull through-he always does."
And then, a loud sound of the open door was heard which got them alerted. There was Dick who looked furious and stormed out.
"Er...how did the talk go?" Superboy asked.
"Fine." but his voice didn't hold any "fine".
M'gann shot Superboy a look.
Really? You see him storming out and you decided to ask how it went. Brilliant conversation.
It was the only thing what I could think of to not make things awkward.
You are an idiot.
"Are you guys coming?" Dick asked, sharply which startled the two.
"Er...yeah we're coming..."
:(/\):
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
"Master, our plan is nearly complete. We only need to adjust a few things and it would be set. Phase one of the plan will succeed." one of the henchmen reported.
A frighteningly figure took a deep breath as he leaned backwards, a deep look etched on his face.
"Good." he nodded, approving it. "I'm impressed. Once its complete, carry it out. Put the weapon at the given location."
"Yes, sir."
They bowed and left. Darkseid chuckled. His plan is almost complete and the pests aren't even aware of his first phase.
Things are going well than he thought it would.
But there is just one thing he needed to do...
He pressed a button on a machine. At first, it was static but then it got cleared.
It revealed Lex who stared at the screen.
"Yes?"
"Good evening, Lex. I know you may be terribly busy but I have one last request..."
:(/\):
Tim groaned as he squirmed his eyes before he slowly opened them only to met with the harsh glare from the light.
He squinted his eyes, trying to adjust. His vision eventually got better and he wearily looked around.
How long was he here?
Surely not that long...
He started to push himself up but gave a sharp gasp when the pain in his ribs acted up, forcing him to lie back them.
From the sudden pain, he remembered the battle and the damn deal.
"Oh, careful. I wouldn't want to injury yourself even more."
Upon hearing the voice, Tim opened his eyes and turned his head to the side only to gasp. But he made a quick scramble and his ribs were in pain again, halting him to perform any movements.
"Easy, now." Lex soothed as he watched the young one who placed his arm around his waist, wincing.
"Any more movement and it will damage it even more."
"Why do you care?" the boy sneered.
"I have my reasons as do you such as not wanting to exert yourself so that you can help your broke team."
Lex studied the boy. It was hard to believe that this boy is a fighter-a hero of its own kind at this age.
"Why are you here?"
He kept being more and more curious.
"You see, I can help you heal faster. I can get rid of the pain. And its all in this bottle..."
He showed the bottle that had a crystal clear liquid.
"You will be new."
Tim glared at the bottle before be declined it.
"No. Absolutely not. I refuse. Now get out before I alert the League."
Lex sighed. "Very well then. But if you ever decide, it'll be here." Lex walked to a counter and placed the object on top of it.
"Sweet dreams." he replied, smiling a nasty one.
Once he left, Tim gazed at the innocent bottle that was standing on top of the counter...
:(/\):
The two people walked the dark streets that was dimly lit by the moonlight's ray.
"Sometimes I wonder if Aqualad is still sane." Bart muttered. "So far, we didn't find anything."
"Oh I'm sure he's still sane...kinda...maybe just his searching?" Beetle quizzed
"I doubt it." Bart reached his ear com to activate it. "La'gann...found anything?"
There was a small static before a voice came. "No. You?"
"Nada. I'm starting to think this whole secret plan thing is just a paranoia to get to us. It certainly got Aqualad-oof."
A loud thunk came, indicating that Bart had bumped into something that sounded more like metal.
"Well, that's one way to use a brain." Beetle snickered as Bart rubbed his head.
After he got himself back in order, Bart returned his attention back but when his eyes landed on the machine, he gasped.
"Oh no." Beetle responded, eyes wide...
Author's Note: Dun dunnnn...things had happened here a lot and Bart found a machine that is dangerous to the city...what will happen next? Find out!