Author's Note: Alright...here's the chapter if what I'm dreading -.-' I really don't want to write it :3 and you're gonna kill me...

Shout Outs: Thanks to talishapeople for following the story.

Summary: The gang goes to the location of the nuclear weapon to stop it but they fight Nightwing. After a while, Nightwing got back to normal but he is ready to pay the price.

Chapter 18: Redemption

"M'gann, how long till it is ready?"

"Uh...just give four hours?"

Aqualad sighed. "Only if we have that much."

"Sorry. Where's Nightwing?"

"Uh...it got complicated."

"How?" she asked sharply, making him wince.

"Er...just read my mind."

The communication broke off and without a second, Aqualad winced when a sharp pull entered his mind...

Images flashed before his eyes in a rapid speed. It showed of Nightwing in the computer room with Batgirl and Aqualad.

It quickly zoomed through the next, showing a heated argument between the three. The image then proceeded to the next, having Batgirl knocking Dick out and he eventually found himself in a locked cell.

It was there that a same pull came from Aqualad.

"You locked him in a cage!" she shrieked.

"I told you it was complicated."

"Why'd you lock him in a cage?" the alien hollered. "I thought we were a team!"

"He wasn't himself. He was like a new person...something's going on with him." he paused. "And we are."

M'gann sighed. "I suppose but leaders don't lock their teammates in a locked cell.. I'm going to have to cut the communication off. Keep me updated, will you?"

"Of course."

Aqualad sighed. The team was really falling apart...

He thought he had everything under control but he doesn't.

Kal'dur shook his head. Now is not the time to talk such things.

"What's the status of our weapon?"

"Uh...don't bother putting M'gann away...I'm no scientist but something tells me that isn't good." Beast Boy commented.

Aqualad stared at the weapon with wide shocked eyes.

"M'gann...any chance you can hurry your process?"

And on the weapon, there were four red rigs lit up and the last ring was blinking, threatening to turn red.

:(/\):

Nightwing rammed his shoulder onto the door, attempting to break free.

He slammed his fist against it, letting out a heavy breath followed by a small growl as his bangs fell down, covering his face.

He couldn't believe that Aqualad had locked him up just because he acted different?

He was even more surprised when Batgirl teamed up with him.

He drew in a sharp breath, remembering the conversation.

They chose to do this now when things are bad. When things are worse. If he was so dangerous, then why did they decided to lock him up now?

They needed all of the members to fight this war.

Aqualad, when I get out of this cage, you better save yourself.

Dick removed himself away from the door. Without a warning, the same sharp feeling came in, making Dick twitch in pain. He tried to use the wall for support but he slid down and rolled in agony.

It was getting hard to breath but just as it had started, it was over.

Nightwing laid on the floor, trying to catch his breath. He groaned, clumsily getting up, placing his hand on the door, steadying himself.

Maybe Aqualad was right. In some way, he did felt different. But then, he remembered the substance of what Darkseid had put.

That was what was bothering him. But just what was the substance?

As thoughts ran through his head, his eyes turned dark...

:(/\):

Aqualad gave a hard stare at the machine that was still blinking. This isn't good at all. They needed to act fast.

"We need to find another way to stabilize the machine while M'gann is working on her weapon." the Lagoon boy responded.

Beast Boy's ears perked up as though he had sensed that something was there. Quirking an eyebrow, the changeling turned around only to have his eyes wide with a stun look.

"Uh, guys...I think we have another problem." he announced.

The Atlantean growled. "We don't need more. What is it?" he snarled, slightly.

Mutely, the green one pointed to the scene and out of nowhere, small and medium-sizes of strange aliens materialized in a puff of dark red smoke, being beside each other.

"Darkseid knows that we're here." Cassie said, eyes narrowed.

"Then let him know. If it's a fight he wants, then it's a fight he will get." Blue Beetle said, drawing out his attacks.

A sudden noise that sounded like an engine was powering up before it died down. It drew the attention of Cassie since she turned her head towards it. She saw Aqualad holding a medium-sized silver ring, similar to the ones on the nuclear machine. It had a green light, racing around it which indicated that it was powered on.

"What's that?"

"It's a powered ring that has power to stabilize the nuclear machine but only for a few minutes. I know it's not enough but it's the least we can do while we wait M'gann to finish hers." Aqualad answered.

"Alright. You go put it on the machine. We will buy you some time." Superboy said.

With that, he brought his hands upwards before bringing them to the ground, creating a large "earthquake". Few of the minions fell through the large hole but when they did, more of them appeared to take their place.

"That was a new trick..." Beast Boy, wide eyes as he blinked.

"Too bad it wasn't effective." Cassie responded, throwing out her weapons.

The rest of the team sprang into actions, all releasing their attacks. Aqualad started to go towards the machine but just as he was about to put it, a hard blow came, knocking the object out of his hand and not a second after, Kal'dur went sliding backwards on his shoulders.

He grunted to a halt, skinning his skin but he hastily pushed himself up to see who it was that stopped from his main goal. His eyes widened with shock and disbelief when he looked at the person.

"Why the sudden shock? Aren't you happy to see me?" a cocky voice was heard.

Aqualad narrowed his eyes, pushing himself up and he drew out his weapons. "No." he said, coldly walking towards the opponent.

"Awww, that's too bad and here I was looking for a joyous welcoming."

"How did you manage to get out of the cell, Nightwing?" he bared his teeth a little.

"Ah, that cell was nothing...it was easy if you knew the tricks." Nightwing crookedly grin.

Aqualad was right. There was something different about him. This wasn't the Nightwing he knew. The one he knew was caring, kind and sometimes a bit of an idiot. He may be handsome but he isn't very bright at some point.

This Nightwing, however, had a cold aura with lifeless eyes, devoid of any emotions. It was like he was an empty shell.

Noticing the look, Dick smirked. "What's the matter?" he asked, grinning as he placed his staff behind his shoulders so that he was leaning on it. "Don't you like my new look?"

"No!" with that, Aqualad started to attack, bringing his weapon of water to make an attempt of slice but Nightwing managed to dodge it by doing a side-step, eyes narrowed as he watched the blade brushing past by him.

"Ooo, that was close."

"Anyone ever told you that you're a cocky little bastard?"

"Anyone ever told you that you're a persuasive bastard?"

And the two charged, bringing their weapons up at the front only to have them collided against each other.

:(/\):

Beast Boy transformed into a stegosaurus, turning to the side and whipped his tail, striking them. It wasn't too soon that he had changed into a gorilla and started swiping them away.

As La'gann charged through the army of minions in his beast form, Superboy grabbed two; one in both arms before throwing them in directions.

It seemed like a never-ending battle since the minions kept on appearing, taking the old ones spot.

"There's just too many!" Cassie exclaimed as she had her arms in front acting like a shield when the minion was battling her with a weapon.

She then managed to break free and grabbed it by its head, throwing it away.

"We can win this. I know we can." Beast Boy said.

As he said that, a streak came and it struck Blue Beetle which made him fly down. A trail of smoke was trailing him as he was sending crashing through the ground.

"Blue Beetle!"

"I'm alright...kinda..." he replied, dazed.

"What we need is a plan." Superboy said as he joined them. "A plan that would destroy them."

"It's no use. More will come. The only way to defeat it is to strike where it came and that is Darkseid." Wonder Girl responded, sharply.

"For now, our best option is to continue fighting these creatures even if they keep on reappearing." La'gann said.

As if on cue, more appeared and everyone stared at the creatures with determined eyes.

:(/\):

"You need to get a hold of yourself, Nightwing." Aqualad said, grunting.

"So I can join the good? Please. The Dark side is better. More fun." he grinned.

Aqualad narrowed his eyes. He really didn't want to fight him but if he had to knock some common sense into this boy, then fine.

"Are you sure you're enjoying it? Are you sure you like the cold, lifeless...the dark?"

For a minute, Nightwing started to falter and Aqualad could felt it. Using this chance, Kal'dur roughly shoved him, knocking his staff away so that it was sent flying away from him, leaving him weaponless.

Nightwing gave him a knowing look, and he took out his two birdarangs, putting them together, making it a sword. Aqualad raised one od his eyebrows at the new trick.

"Handy trick, isn't it?"

Like that, Nightwing performed a side sweep which knocked him down, giving a rough landing since he landed on his shoulder.

Dick then kicked his weapon, holding up his ready to strike.

"Pity you have to die. You were a worthy opponent."

"Nightwing, you need to wake up! You have to remember!"

The word remember seemed to trigger something in his mind since he stopped for a moment. Just like that, images zoomed in a flash, speeding through and through.

Until Dick had enough, feeling overwhelmed by the memories.

"Enough!" he screamed.

Knowing that his time was now, Aqualad quickly got on his knees and he pull out a needle and stabbed it at Nightwing's neck.

Nightwing screamed in pain as the liquid was doing its routine, wiping out the nasty substance that was in his body before.

As soon as it started, it finished leaving Dick falling to his knees breathing hard as Aqualad fell back down, breathless.

"Good call." Dick responded after a while.

"Y...yeah."

The two let out a sigh before Dick got up and walked towards Aqualad, pulling him up.

"So...we're cool?" Dick asked.

Aqualad smirked. "Yeah we're cool." and the two shook hands.

Because Nightwing had his face back, he didn't notice that an enemy was appearing from thin air, ready go strike.

Kal'dur noticed this and started to take his weapon out until something else had beaten him first. A strong blow came and Dick turned around after feeling the blow to see someone coming from the air, striking the creature.

The creature melted in half from the hit it had gotten. The newcomer twirled his weapon before placing it back.

"Tim?" Dick asked, eyes wide. "What are you doing out of bed? You should be resting!"

Tim scowled. "That's the thanks I get after saving your butt? Gee, thanks." he muttered.

"He is right. You're still injured." Kal'dur backed him up.

"Well I'm tired of just sitting around, doing nothing. I don't care if its good for my health but I want to help and I'm going to do that."

As he finished, a beep came from the communicator.

"I figured a way on how to stop the nuclear. M'gann is almost finished and she should be arriving soon. You need to attack it from the inside at a high velocity." came Batgirl's voice.

"What did she say?" Tim asked.

Dick tightened his fist. "Nothing."

Almost as soon as the conversation had ended, M'gann came flying down joining them and she carried a round object.

But as she came, Tim disappeared.

"It's done. I'm hoping it will. We haven't got the time to test it." the alien spoke, worriedly. She pauses. "And was that Tim I saw? Why's he up? And where is he now?"

"He wants to help but I refused. He's stubborn." Dick answered as Aqualad looked around. "And...I don't know where he is..."

"Knowing him he is probably going to do something reckless."

Aqualad searched for the boy until he widened his eyes. "Uh...he's up there..."

"Where?" M'gann asked, sharply.

Kal'dur pointed at a flying figure that was flying down and it seemed as though he was headed straight for the nuclear weapon.

"Tim!" Dick snarled. "M'gann get me up there."

"No. You're not going there. You're gonna get yourself killed."

Dick stopped walking and he threw a rope at Kal'dur which tied him.

"I knew you would refuse." Dick said, turning around giving one last crooked grin. "But hey, remember me?"

Aqualad had his eyes shocked as he was struggling to be free.

"No. Nightwing!" he screamed as M'gann flew with him.

:(/\):

Tim narrowed his eyes. It was time he did something. Something to save the world. He didn't say good bye to Cassie as he knew that would break her heart and even this would.

He knew this would be his last breath and be accepted his fate. Batman would be furious; Batgirl would be angered as well...

Pretty much everyone would and-

Wait, what was that?

The sudden breeze interrupted his thoughts and he stared down at the figure in front of him.

"Hey, Tim." Dick said, giving a peace sign. "Take care of the old Batsy, will you?"

"Wh...what? Dick, what are you doing?" he suddenly felt being pulled away from him. "Dick, no!" he screamed, feeling the threatening tears.

Dick grabbed Tim's hands, holding it tight for a few seconds before letting it go. Tim tried to hold onto him but he was slipping.

As Dick was falling, he gave a glance to the side above as M'gann performed her work. He then watched Superboy dragging Tim away.

With tears falling, M'gann watched her member fading away into the hole. With a saddened look, she flew away from the weapon and when she was gone, there was a loud explosion and then nothing.

Author's Note: Oh my goddd. This was terrible. I'm crying like an idiot right now T_T ohhhh this was terrible. I'm sorry! Please don't kill me with a cherry top?