Gotham City
Bat-Cave
1:53 A.M.
Ten minutes ago, Nightwing was lying in the burning streets of Bludhaven seconds away from succumbing to the radiation sickness. Now he was lying on a medical table in the Bat-Cave. He had been rescued from the city by none other than the Man of Steel himself, Superman. Batman had called in a favor, and Superman flew in from Metropolis. Nightwing was unconscious and hooked up to an EKG machine and other sensory and diagnostic machines. He was surrounded by Alfred, Batman, Oracle, Superman and Raven. They all huddled around the table; concern glued to each of their faces. Raven was pacing back and forth with her arms crossed in front of her. She was hugging her elbows. She drummed her fingers against her arm with each second that passed. Batman pulled the cowl off his head and began examining Nightwing. Oracle looked to the EKG machine. She watched as it kept a steady tone. Then it dropped. It began steadily dropping. Barbara yelled.
"Bruce!"
Bruce didn't look at her.
"I know! Alfred, prepare the- "
Suddenly the EKG machine sounded a flatline. Nightwing's heart had stopped. Oracle cried.
"Bruce!"
Superman slightly cocked his head to the side, listening. He couldn't hear his heartbeat anymore. Bruce looked to Superman who met his gaze and shook his head sadly.
"Bruce, I can't hear his heartbeat anymore."
Alfred looked to the ground and exclaimed his shock.
"Th- There are no words… Master Dick…"
Oracle screamed.
"NO! DAMMIT!"
Raven immediately stopped pacing. She crumbled to her knees and hugged herself tightly. She dropped her head and stared down. Her voice broke and she weakly spoke.
"…no…"
Raven felt like her heart was torn in half. Black tears from her eyeliner and the soot and ash streamed down her face. Her body began trembling violently. She felt cold, like all her body heat had been sucked away by some unknown force. She reached out with the psy-link. Trying to follow it to its source, but there was nothing. No heartbeat, ne pulse, no thought. For the first time in almost a decade, she couldn't feel the link that bonded them. She knew he was gone. And she felt totally alone. She felt the same now as she did the day Arella was killed. Crushing loneliness. Bruce looked to Alfred and yelled.
"Alfred! Epinephrine now!"
"At once, Sir!"
Alfred turned around and reached for the tray of medical tools next to the table. Bruce began CPR to keep Nightwing's blood flowing. Oracle looked at Nightwing lying on the table, tears streaming down her cheeks. Alfred turned back to Bruce and handed him the epinephrine shot. She watched as Bruce injected Nightwing with it. Then Barbara remembered Rachel. She looked over and saw Rachel on her knees trembling. She wheeled over to her and saw the tears coming from her eyes. Barbara tried to console her as best she could. She wrapped her arms around Rachel.
"I'm so sorry… I- I don't know what to say…"
Normally Rachel would have made anyone who touched her disappear into another dimension, but this time she didn't resist. She didn't respond in any way. She was in shock. Bruce's voice echoed through the cave.
"It's not helping! Alfred, I need- "
Barbara continued to hold Rachel. Rachel hadn't stopped shaking; her mind began to wander. It wandered to a dark place. To where her thoughts were darkest, the place where her 'other self' dwelled. She began trying to fight off 'that side' of her. Bruce was still performing CPR on Nightwing. Still no heartbeat. He looked to Rachel and spoke. Desperation was in his voice.
"Rachel? Your magic? Is there anything you can do?"
She didn't look to Bruce, just continued to tremble. Her voice was weak.
"N-No… There's-… No one has the power to create life… Not even the goddess… And the one spell I do have… I… can't do it… Even for him… It wouldn't be him anymore… Necromancy is forbidden… It can't return the life lost…"
Bruce was disappointed.
"I understand…"
He looked to Superman.
"Clark, I need-!"
Rachel retreated into her dark thoughts. There was a tug. Then a pull. She felt the anger, the rage. She began to feel the same hate, evil, and desire to conquer to dominate as Trigon. Her 'other self' began to fight for control. Her thoughts changed to something else… To someone else's thoughts... Her body trembled more. Barbara hugged her tighter, unaware of the struggle within her.
"I- I'm sorry Rae… I- I was only doing what he asked! What any of us would have- "
Rachel's thoughts were no longer her own.
"She called me Rae… Only he can call me Rae, but now he's dead because of you… YOUR FAULT! HE'S DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME! BLOOD MUST FLOW! YOUR BLOOD! I WILL BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD AND CLAIM THIS WORLD AS MY OWN! MINE! IT WILL ALL BE MINE! THIS WORLD WILL SUBMIT TO ITS NEW EMPRESS!
Barbara felt Rachel's body heat skyrocket. She got hot, very hot. She watched as demonic tattoos began to appear on her hands and creep up her arms, her legs, her neck. Four black eyes appeared and inch long claws, sharp as daggers began to grow. Barbara recoiled in fear and began to back away.
"Uh… Rae… What is…"
Rachel looked up and glared with hate at Barbara. She had the voice of a demon, Rachel's voice plus something that echoed over it with each word.
"THERE IS NO RACHEL!"
Barbara put her hands on the wheels of the chair and tried to back away, but the demon in front of her reached out and grabbed Barbara by the throat. The demon grinned, where once were canine teeth stood long fangs. The demon pulled Barbara close and began squeezing her throat.
"YOU KILLED HIM! YOUR FAULT! YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME! NOW I WILL TAKE YOU FROM THEM!"
Barbara began fighting for air. She managed to get a cry out to get the others' attention.
"Bruce! He- Help…"
Bruce and the other two turned their heads to see Barbara's throat in what once Rachel's grasp was. Alfred stepped forward.
"Rachel! Control yourself!"
The demon looked at Alfred with her four black eyes.
"SILENCE OLD MAN! I WILL TEAR OUT YOUR VOCAL CORDS!"
Bruce looked over to Superman.
"Contain her!"
Superman nodded. He levitated over to where Barbara and the demon were. The demon looked to the Man of Steel, then Barbara. She grinned at her.
"I FEEL HIS AURA ON YOU. THE TWO OF YOU… 'FRATERNIZED' WITH EACH OTHER."
The demon pulled Barbara close and kissed her lips while still choking her.
"I CAN TASTE HIM ON YOU! HE. WAS. MINE. ALL WHO TOUCHED HIM MUST DIE!
Superman gave a command to the demon. His voice boomed through the cave. It was even more commanding than Batman's.
"Raven. HE cared for both of you… Do you really believe he would want you to do this?! Release her!"
The demon looked to Superman.
"FOOL! I CARE NOTHING FOR HIM OR THOSE HE CARED FOR… I SIMPLY DON'T LIKE OTHERS PLAYING WITH MY TOYS."
Superman squared his jaw, then in the blink of an eye Barbara was free from the demon's grasp and Superman had flown her to the far wall of the cave and pinned her to the wall. The demon looked amused.
"OH, YOU ARE FUN. I WILL ENJOY PLAYING WITH YOU BEFORE YOU BREAK!"
Superman kept the demon pinned.
"Raven, control yourself! Dick wouldn't want you to submit to this."
The demon tried to free herself, then glared at Superman.
"RAVEN IS GONE! I AM PRIDE! THE SIN OF PRIDE! DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS! ONLY DAUGHTER OF TRIGON THE TERRIBLE, CONQUERER OF A MILLION DIMENSIONS, OFFSPRING OF THE DIVINE, AND SLAYER OF THE GODS'. AND THIS WORLD WILL BE MINE!"
Pride lashed out with her claws; they were sharp enough to harm even the Man of Steel. She slashed Superman across the abdomen. Blood began to trickle from the claw marks. Superman didn't even flinch. Like they didn't even hurt. Pride was amused.
"LOOKS LIKE GRAYSON'S STORIES OF YOU WERE WRONG. THE MAN OF STEEL DOES BLEED."
Superman looked at the torn suit and claw marks. He looked at Pride.
"Last chance, Raven. Stand. Down."
Pride grinned.
"SO DEMANDING… I BET YOU LIKE TO DOMINATE ALL THE GIRLS…"
Pride grinned wider.
"FINALLY… A MAN THAT CAN HANDLE ME… SHOULD WE GET OUT OF HERE…?"
Superman glared.
"Raven, you've spent your whole life with discipline. Control. Spending every moment dedicating yourself to good, to not become Trigon. Do not let this make you become him…"
There was a hint of recognition in Pride's eyes. Like Rachel was coming back to herself. In an instant it was gone, and Pride stared back.
"FOOL. RAVEN'S CONTROL, HER DISCIPLINE DIED WITH HIM. HER WILL TO LIVE, DIED WITH HIM. SHE OPENED THE DOOR, AND I WALKED THROUGH. AND I WILL NEVER BE SUPPRESSED AGAIN. I WILL NOT BE CAGED AGA- "
Bruce pounded on Nightwing's chest.
"No Dammit!"
He pounded again, nothing.
"I won't lose my son!"
Bruce slammed his fist on the table echoing the sound through the cave. Bruce exhaled and looked at Nightwing. His eyes darted up and down, examining everything. Trying to come up with something. That's when he noticed Nightwing's escrima in the holster. Bruce instinctively grabbed it. He changed the voltage. He twirled it and brought the tip down facing Nightwing's chest. Nightwing's body jumped as the current traveled through his body. The EKG machine came to life and a breath escaped Nightwing's lips. Bruce dropped the escrima.
"Yes! Come on! Fight!"
The EKG's tone quickened. Nightwing's heartbeat was back into normal range. He was back in stable condition. Alfred put a hand on Bruce's shoulder.
"Excellent work, Master Bruce. Never doubted you for a second."
Bruce looked to Alfred.
"Thanks for the support, Alfred."
Superman grabbed Pride's free arm and pinned it behind her back.
"-WILL NOT BE CAGED AGAIN!"
Pride's eyes went wide as her arm was pinned behind her.
"FINALLY! FOREPLAY IS OVER, TIME TO GET ROUGH! JUST HOW I LIKE IT!"
In her free hand was a fireball, the heat was intense. It was a blue and white flame, the light from the flame burnd the eyes. Before she could fire it off there was a tug at the back of her mind. The psy-link re-established itself. She felt the heartbeat from Nightwing, then a breath. At that moment something in Pride gave, and Rachel began fighting for control. The fireball fizzled out; her tattoos began to fade. She closed her eyes and the extra two faded. Her body began to relax and go limp. Her claws retracted and in their place were her normal black painted nails. She reopened her eyes and her violet irises appeared. Then her whole body relaxed, and Rachel passed out. The stress of the night's events and her transformation had exhausted her. As a reflex she threw up onto the cave floor and Superman. Superman just smiled and lifted Rachel. He levitated and floated with Rachel back over to the medical table. He approached Barbara who was running a hand over the red marks on her throat.
"Are you okay Barbara?"
Barbara nodded.
"Yeah. Hardly the first time I've had someone's fingers around my throat."
She laughed nervously and looked at the unconscious Rachel.
"Is she… okay?"
Superman looked at Rachel.
"Yeah. Doubt she even remembers what happened. It wasn't really her."
Barbara looked over Rachel. She had scrapes and a few first-degree burns. Bruises had just begun to show throughout her body. Her hair was matted with sweat and soot. Her eyeliner had run down her cheeks leaving black smears. She looked utterly exhausted. Yet Barbara looked over her and saw her beauty. It was hard to be mad at the person who had wrapped her fingers around her neck. She looked innocent, somehow Barbara smiled. Superman walked over to Bruce who had not left Nightwing's side. Bruce checked the EKG machine, still a steady tone. Bruce exhaled heavily, as the adrenaline began to stop, and his brain switch on now that things were under control. Bruce looked over as Superman approached. He looked at Rachel, then back to Superman, then he saw the claw marks.
"She did that?"
Superman shook his head.
"It wasn't Rachel. Not really."
Bruce looked at Rachel.
"She's dangerous… A threat… The daughter of Trigon must be watched. I thought Dick's estimates on her power were exaggerated… The League needs a contingency plan in case this happens again. She's too powerful…"
"She's a woman, a person, Bruce. A woman who just watched the man she loves die. It affects everyone differently. Breaks some of them. Traumatizes others. She fought off the influence and came back. Can't blame her for that."
Bruce exhaled and looked away.
"If she loses control again, she's your responsibility."
Superman smiled.
"I'll take that responsibility. But as long as he's around- "
Superman nodded to Nightwing.
"-she won't lose control. He is her anchor. We have nothing to worry about."
Bruce looked back to Nightwing. He changed his voice back to commanding.
"Alright, everyone, listen up. Each of you will have a task. It's all hands-on deck until Nightwing is fully stable."
Barbara came rolling up to Batman's other side, Alfred walked to the other side of the table facing the three. Bruce looked up to Alfred.
"Alfred, call Leslie. Tell her what's happened. I need as much of Dick's blood type as possible. I'll reimburse her later."
Alfred nodded.
"Of course, Master Bruce."
Alfred began walking away with a phone in his hand. Bruce looked to Superman.
"Clark, I need you to check all the hospitals in Gotham for survivors from Bludhaven. Find out what type of radiation we are dealing with and help in any way you can. Keep me updated if there are any complications. If they give you the run around find Gordon."
Superman nodded.
"Understood."
Batman looked to Barbara.
"Barbara, I need a bucket of water. It will need to be refilled on a regular basis. We need to get the excess radiation off him."
Barbara turned and began wheeling herself away.
"On it!"
Superman looked to Bruce.
"Where do you want Rachel?"
"Her room is in the guest wing."
Superman turned towards the elevator to the manor.
"Taking her now."
Bruce pulled a batarang from his belt. He began using the blade to cut Nightwing's suit off. He tore the front of the suit open exposing the flesh underneath. Bruce examined him from head to toe, looking to see if he had suffered any other injuries. He had scrapes and bruises, nothing that would lead to further complications from the radiation. Alfred came down the elevator and approached Bruce. Alfred looked at Nightwing. Then to Bruce.
"Ms. Thompkins is on her way with as much blood as she could spare. When she heard that one of the family was injured, she decided to come herself and refused to take no for an answer."
Bruce smiled.
"Sounds like her."
Bruce looked up at Alfred.
"Her experience will be invaluable. And she can examine Rachel as well."
Alfred looked at Nightwing.
"How is he?"
"Stable. But he will take time to recover. He was out there a long time. I'm surprised he was able to hold out as long as he did."
"You taught him, sir. Taught him to ignore pain, fatigue, resist poisons and other toxins. He learned your lessons well."
Batman frowned as he glared at Alfred. His voice sounded angry, but Alfred knew Bruce, he could hear the concern behind the anger.
"That's what concerns me…"
They heard the elevator touch down and the doors open. Batman and Alfred looked in that direction to see Superman come walking out of the elevator. He had dropped Rachel off in her room and was ready to make his rounds at the hospitals like Batman had asked. Superman walked over to them and looked at Nightwing on the table.
"Any change?"
Batman answered.
"No. Leslie is on her way now and Barbara should be back at any moment."
Superman nodded.
"Good. Have Leslie examine Rachel as well. She has a few nasty scrapes and some shrapnel in her left bicep."
"Once she's examined Dick, I'll send her Rachel's way."
"Good. Rachel is also covered in radiation. I could see it with my microscopic vision. I would have removed her suit but figured she wouldn't appreciate it."
Batman gave the Man of Steel a stern gaze.
"Her feelings in the matter should not be a concern. If it's risk radiation sickness or strip her without consent, I'll risk her anger."
To anyone else that would have sounded like the typical Dark Knight, but to Superman he knew the truth. Batman was concerned for Raven. He had brought her into his home, into his family, trusted her with his greatest secrets. She was one of his now, and he took care of his own. But he had also come to view her as not only as a friend or an ally, but as something more Perhaps a daughter? Superman smiled.
"Showing concern for others' safety Bruce? What would Diana and the rest say? You must be getting sentimental. Raven must be having a positive influence on you."
Batman held his gaze and exhaled loudly, a sign of frustration.
"You're out of line Clark. She's a member of the Bat-Family now, nothing more. We take care of our own."
Superman just smirked again and strode passed Batman.
"As you say Bruce. I'm heading to Gotham General now, I'll keep in touch. I'll let you know what I find out and if I need help."
Batman nodded.
"Thanks Clark, I'll keep you updated."
Superman planted his left foot and leaned forward slightly; in the blink of an eye, he was gone. He had taken flight out of the cave. Alfred and Batman didn't even see him take off; they just saw the water at the cave entrance part as he flew through it. A second later there was a boom and then an echo in the cave. Superman had broken the sound barrier. Alfred shook his head and smiled.
"I hope nothing was damaged from the shockwave Clark just caused."
Batman looked back to Nightwing who was still lying on the table.
"No, he wouldn't have risked damage to anything that was too close. He waited until he had room."
Batman looked down at Nightwing and put a finger to his pulse. He then looked at the EKG machine and the other diagnostic station that Nightwing was hooked to.
"Heart rate is within normal range, other vitals within acceptable parameters. Looks like he's safe for the moment but that will change. We need to get this excess radiation off him. Where the hell is-."
At that moment the elevator dropped to cave level and the door opened. Barbara came rolling out in her wheelchair. She had a bucket of water in her lap and towels over one of the arms of the chair. Barbara wheeled over to Batman as quickly as she could.
"Hey! I got the water and towels!"
She looked at Nightwing on the table."
"How is he? Any change?"
Batman looked to Barbara.
"Hey Barbara. No change. He's still unconscious but stable. Dr. Thompkins is personally on her way. Once she heard that one of us was in critical condition, she decided to come herself."
Batman looked at Barbara with an icy gaze.
"You know how pushy she can be."
Barbara put the bucket on the ground next to Batman and handed him a towel.
"Good. Right now, we need the best for Nightwing. And Rachel."
Barbara leaned back in her chair.
"You need anything else from me? I can help. No, I want to help. In any way I can."
She looked at Nightwing and put a hand on his exposed chest, right where his heart was. She could feel his chest rising and falling with each inhale and exhale, she felt the muscles on his chest. It brought back memories of happier times. Memories of childhood: going to the same school, being in the same classes, growing up, side by side. She remembered the night he discovered she was Batgirl, the argument that followed, then the first kiss that came after. She remembered the intimate nights they spent together, the night he left without a word, and the night he came back. Then she remembered the fight they had before he went back to Bludhaven, before he cut contact with her. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm sorry Dick… I never wanted this… I never wanted to activate the protocol… I never wanted to push you away... I never wanted us to end up like this."
She felt a hand on her shoulder, a familiar hand. She looked up to see Batman with his hand on her shoulder, she put her hand on top of his.
"Thanks, Bruce. I can always count on you…"
Batman smiled.
"Not just me."
He nodded towards Nightwing.
"He will always be there for you. ALWAYS."
She faintly smiled.
"Thanks Bruce."
He nodded.
"Anytime Barbara. Now, it's been a long night, why don't you turn in? You're welcome to stay here if you don't wish to go home."
Barbara removed her hand from his.
"I'll find a room."
Barbara turned and began wheeling herself to the elevator. Alfred followed behind.
"I shall assist you in making up a room for you Miss Gordon, please follow me."
Alfred placed his hands on the handles and began wheeling Barbara to the elevator. Bruce reached down and put a towel in the bucket of water, he moved it around until it was soaked with water. He pulled it out and rang out the excess water into the bucket then placed the towel on Nightwing's chest and began to wash off the excess radiation from his flesh. Alfred and Barbara made it to the elevator and closed the doors. Batman turned to them before it ascended out of the cave.
"Alert me the moment Leslie arrives and escort her down here. She will need to see to Dick as quickly as possible."
Alfred answered as he pressed the button on the elevator.
"Of course, Master Bruce."
The elevator ascended and Batman continued to wipe the radiation off Nightwing. Bruce put a hand on Nightwing's forehead.
"I'll find the one who did this… I promise. Slade will not get away with this."
Gotham City
Wayne Manor (Rachel's Room)
11:13 A.M.
Rachel had been taken to her room after her transformation by Superman. The events of the night had fatigued her and mixed with the stress of her transformation into Pride had caused her to lose consciousness. Now she was lying on her bed in her room at Wayne Manor. She had been stripped of her suit and was wearing a sports bra and compression shorts. Rachel shifted as she began to come to. She began to become aware of her surroundings, her eyes began to flutter. She began to feel the aches and pains of her body, she felt the mattress beneath her, the pillow under her head. She felt the heat return to her limbs, and her muscles wake from their slumber. Rachel felt a tugging at her left bicep, and a slight pain that became gradually worse. Then she felt a warm sticky liquid running down her arm. Rachel opened her eyes and began to move; she heard a voice from somewhere to her left.
"Try not to move girl, I'm not finished."
Rachel was still coming out of her slumber; she moved again trying to sit up. There was a strong grip on her left arm to keep it in place. The voice came again, this time sterner than before.
"I said, NOT. TO. MOVE. I do not wish to miss these last few stitches."
Rachel looked over to where the voice came from; there was an older woman with black hair that had begun to go gray long ago. Gray streaks went all through her hair. She looked to be pushing her sixties, if not already there. Glasses sat on the bridge of her nose with brown eyes behind the lenses. Gold hoop earrings hung from her ears. She was wearing a white lab coat with scrubs underneath, blue medical gloves on her hands. Blood covered the tips of her fingers. Rachel saw blood smeared on her bicep and there were fresh stitches covering her bicep. She saw that the woman had a needle and thread in her hands. Rachel felt more tugging as the woman continued stitching her. Rachel turned her head and saw a silver medical tray on the table next to her. It was littered with medical supplies, gauze, medical scissors and a bowl. The bowl was full of water that was darkened with blood and some type of object sat in the bowl. There was also some type of bottle of medication, the label faced away from her so she couldn't see what it was. Rachel looked at the woman.
"You must be Leslie…"
The woman looked Rachel in the eyes and then looked back to what she was doing.
"Dr. Thompkins at the moment… You're my patient. The moment you are out of my care, I will be Leslie Thompkins."
Rachel looked down at what she was wearing for the first time. She may have been out of her suit but the soot, blood, and other grime from the night still stained her skin. She saw the sports bra and compression shorts, bandages around her abs and right wrist. A few bandages covered first degree burns on her legs and shoulder.
"How did I get here? Last thing I remember was…"
Dr. Thompkins cut her off.
"Superman carried you up here. And before you panic, no. He didn't undress you. Barbara helped me get your suit off and gave me some clothes to cover the important bits while I was tending to your wounds."
Rachel suddenly remembered Nightwing dying. She remembered hearing the flatline from the EKG, she remembered feeling his heart stop, the psy-link going dead, and she remembered the feeling of crippling loneliness. She looked at Dr. Thompkins.
"What's the point?"
Leslie was taken back.
"I'm sorry?"
Tears began running down Rachel's cheeks again. They mixed with the old already smudged eyeliner and soot and dirt; the tears became black.
"Dick's dead, isn't he? I remember his heart stopping… I SAW HIM DIE! Just let me bleed out… I should have died with him…"
Thompkins gave Rachel a stern look.
"Would you stop with the drama? Dick's alive."
Rachel's eyes went wide, and her heart rate increased, she sat up excitedly. Then she felt the pull of the psy-link, and when she followed it to its source, she could feel the truth of Dr. Thompkin's words.
"WHAT!? HOW?! I… I watched his hearts stop! We all did!"
"Superman said you passed out before he was resuscitated."
Dr. Thompkins stopped what she was doing and looked at Rachel.
"He didn't die, not really. He went into cardiopulmonary arrest. Bruce was able to resuscitate him, and his heart began beating normally. Bruce was able to clean the excess radiation off him before I arrived, and he was moved to his old room where I was able to give him a blood transfusion to replace the irradiated blood. I also have him on anti-radiation medication and he's under constant observation."
Rachel sighed with relief and relaxed her body.
"Dick always said you were the best."
"And that, is why I'm here."
Leslie leaned back in her chair and finished stitching her arm. She cut the thread with her medical scissors and put them back on the tray with a clang. Dr. Thompkins examined the rest of Rachel's body.
"Well, looks like my work here is done. Aside from the rest of the scars on your body I've tended to everything I can."
Leslie began to stand, Rachel tried to do the same. Dr. Thompkins put a hand on Rachel's shoulder and pushed her back onto the bed.
"What the-?"
Leslie gave Rachel a stern look. Then she pointed to the bowl with the bloody water.
"You had a piece of shrapnel buried half an inch into your bicep. You're lucky there's no nerve damage. You have multiple first-degree burns, a few mild fractures, a sprained wrist, and acute radiation sickness."
Thompkins removed her arm from Rachel's shoulder.
"You are going to lay in this bed and get some rest. You are also going to take these potassium iodide pills twice a day for a week. Am I Clear?"
Rachel began to sit up.
"Fu- Screw that! I'm fine. I don't need rest."
Rachel stood up and felt weak, lightheaded. Her joints ached, her muscles strained and then she collapsed back onto the bed. Leslie gave her a stern look.
"Happy now? Have I proved my point? You will stay in this bed and regain your strength. And before you ask, no, you cannot go see Dick. He is still out, and I expect him to be out for a long while. How his organs are not black mush is beyond me."
Rachel laid down in the bed slowly, she exhaled loudly.
"By Azar… Fine. I'm no use t anyone in this state. Anything changes with Grayson, you let me know."
"He's my patient Rachel. He will be cared for."
Leslie grabbed the tray and began walking towards the door, before leaving she turned to Rachel.v
"And don't forget to take the pills."
Dr. Thompkins stepped through the door and closed it behind her.
Rachel clenched her fist and punched the mattress as hard as she could. She forgot about the sprained wrist and felt the pain shoot up her arm. She held her wrist and glared at it with anger. She spoke to herself under her breath.
"What the fuck were you thinking Grayson!? I told you I'd follow you to Valhalla and I meant it… My life for yours… Forever."
Rachel stopped holding her hand and laid her head back. She felt the fatigue in her body again and closed her eyes. Seconds later she was asleep.
Gotham City
Wayne Manor (Kitchen)
11:25 A.M.
Alfred, Barbara, and Clark were standing in the kitchen watching the news from Bludhaven. Last report listed the casualties in the tens of thousands and still climbing. The fires in the city were still burning, the radiation levels were still too high to send in search and rescue teams. Bludhaven would never recover, the city was a crater of destroyed buildings, fires, and ash. Alfred finished brewing coffee and approached Barbara and Clark with a tray. He lowered the tray for Barbara, and she took a cup of coffee. Alfred turned and faced Clark who took a cup off the tray as well.
"Thanks, Alfred."
"Of course, Clark."
Alfred turned and put the tray down while taking a cup for himself. He stirred in some sugar and approached the others. Barbara looked at the T.V. screen and then shook her head.
"My God… All those people…"
Clark glance down at her.
"The people of Bludhaven are a hardy bunch. They have dealt with tragedy before. Earthquakes, tsunamis, gang wars. Even survived an attack from the British during the war of 1812. But this… Bludhaven will never recover. It will remain a crater for decades. Who knows how long it will take for the radiation to subside. Especially since the bomb was detonated at ground level."
"I'm glad Dick isn't awake to see this. It would crush him."
"Dick is strong. He will manage. But he will need time to grieve. Then he will get angry, blame himself. He will need support from all of us to pick him up. And then he will go after Deathstroke with everything he has. There will be no stopping him. And I pray to God, he doesn't destroy himself in the process."
"You think he'll lose himself? Go too far?"
"You were there the night he came home from Jump City and found you crippled. And again, at Arkham a few nights ago. Bruce told me what happened. It's possible. That's why he needs our support, now more than ever."
Barbara looked away.
"But what about Rachel? Won't she want to do the same? She watched Dick die. And that… Thing… She turned into…"
Barbara ran her fingers across her throat, where Pride had grabbed her before Superman intervened.
"We all saw what she became. What she's capable of."
Clark gave Barbara a stern look.
"That wasn't Rachel. You know that. I get the feeling Rachel has more self-control than that."
"Yeah. I've seen her meditate. The amount of control and discipline that girl has is amazing. Hard to believe she's half demon."
"Not a word about what she turned into in the cave. To either her or Dick when he wakes up. I have a feeling she's ashamed of that part of her."
"I won't say anything. We don't need her feeling any worse than she already does. Speaking of, how is she? Any updates?"
Clark turned his head ever so slightly to the right so he could listen. He heard Leslie and Rachel talking across the manor with her door closed. His super hearing allowed him to hear them as if they were in the same room.
"Rachel's awake, I can hear Leslie scolding her about trying to stand."
Barbara looked away.
"Well, at least she's awake. Now it's just a matter of time until she comes out of her room."
Alfred chimed in for the first time.
"Perhaps we should give Miss Roth and Dr. Thompkins some privacy? Miss Roth has been through an ordeal and is most like shaken by the experience. And we do her a disservice by speaking about her in this way while she is not present."
Barbara and Clark looked to each other and then Clark took a sip of his coffee.
"Polite as ever Alfred. You are right, we should respect her privacy. Consider the matter dropped."
They looked back at the T.V. and heard a report about the National Guard still guarding the site and a speech from the mayor of Bludhaven telling citizens of the city to stay strong. Barbara slammed her fist on the arm of her chair.
"Figures… Nobody is even talking about the bomb or how it got there. Or who put it there. It's like they don't even care!"
Superman looked down at her.
"Come on Barabara, you know how it is. Telling people that a prototype pure fission bomb that was being developed by S.T.A.R. Labs for the military was stolen during transport and planted in the city would panic people. It's probably classified information. And the military may not even know. There may not even be an investigation."
Barbara shook her head.
"A terrorist attack on U.S. soil, by a U.S. citizen, and a veteran, and they just what, drop it?"
Alfred chimed in again.
"This is Slade Wilson we are talking about here. The man is resourceful and knows how to cover his tracks. There is no possible way to link him to the bomb or the theft. The only people who know are in this building. And we don't even have evidence, just speculation and inference. They will investigate, they will run out of evidence or get red tape, and it will be dropped. This is how it must be."
"Cowards! All of them!"
At that moment Leslie Thompkins walked into the kitchen and looked at the three of them. She walked over to the sink and began washing the blood off her fingers. Barbara looked to her.
"How is she?"
Leslie continued washing her hands.
"Alive. And she will recover. No injuries that threaten lasting damage. She has some radiation sickness, but it is mild. I prescribed her medication for it and insisted she take it. All she requires now is rest and time to heal. I do not want anyone disturbing her. Am I clear?"
The three of them answered. Barbara first, then Clark. Alfred simply nodded.
"Yes ma'am."
"Understood Leslie."
Alfred looked at the doctor.
"Does she require sustenance? I can discreetly check in on her from time to time to see if she requires food or drink?"
"Maybe later Alfred. Right now, she needs rest."
Dr. Thompkins dried her hands on a towel and walked towards the door of the kitchen.
"I need to go check on Dick and change his bandages. Can one of you give Bruce a medical update for me? He should know everyone is safe and sound."
Alfred nodded.
"I shall do so at one Dr. Thompkins."
"Thanks Alfred."
Leslie stepped out of the kitchen and headed in the direction of Dick's room.
Alfred began to stand when Barbara took a sip of coffee.
"Where is Bruce anyway? I haven't seen him since I woke up."
Clark looked over to her.
"In the cave pulling overtime no doubt. I don't think he's left it since he carried dick to his room."
"Sounds like Bruce. Probably looking for every mention or sighting of Slade over the last few weeks."
Alfred sat his coffee and began to stride to the door.
"I shall go inform Master Bruce that Rachel has been tended to. Help yourselves to more coffee should you require more."
Alfred exited the kitchen.
Gotham City
Bat Cave
11:40 A.M.
Alfred stepped out of the elevator into the cave, he saw Bruce sitting in front of the Bat-Computer, his suit was on, but the cowl was down, he had multiple tabs open throughout the screen and was looking between them. Alfred approached the screen and could see multiple reports of Deathstroke sightings.
"Pardon the interruption Master Bruce but I have news."
Batman didn't turn, he just kept working at the computer.
"Go ahead, Alfred."
"Dr. Thompkins has finished tending to Rachel and has assured me she is going to be fine. It seems both Master Dick and Miss Roth will make a full recovery, however, both are still out. They require rest no doubt."
"Thank you, Alfred. Glad to know Leslie has everything taken care of. That's why she remains the best."
Alfred smiled.
"Your father also believed that. In fact, I quite remember him telling me multiple times."
Bruce typed a few notes and then stood. He passed Alfred and began walking in the direction of the armory. Alfred followed behind.
"Should you not get some rest Master Bruce? You have been up for near on three days now."
Batman's voice was stern, cold.
"No. Not while there is work to be done."
Bruce made it to the armory and began pulling gadgets from the wall. First his grapnel gun, then he pulled the grapnel accelerator and connected it to the barrel with a click. He placed it in his belt and began taking smoke bombs from the wall next. He then began pulling batarangs off the wall and placed those in a pouch in his belt. Finally, he pulled a disruptor rifle that had a myriad of uses including shooting tracking beacons. He folded it and placed it in its holster. He turned and strode passed Alfred. He pressed a few buttons in his gauntlet and the Batmobile's engine roared, the hatch popped, and headlights lit up.
"I've sent a message to the others, telling them what happened, and that Rachel and Dick were injured. They should be on their way here now."
"Yes, Master Bruce. I shall be sure to accommodate everyone. I know the circumstances are not quite ideal, but it will be nice to have everyone here again."
"Agreed."
Bruce pulled the cowl up over his head and adjusted it to make it sit perfectly.
"I'm going out. Should be back by tomorrow at the latest. Contact me if anything changes."
"As you wish sir. Happy hunting."
Batman approached the car and jumped into the seat. The hatch closed and the car spun on the turntable. The jet turbine engine began to spin up. The tires spun and the car launched off the platform. In a second it disappeared through the waterfall entrance and Batman was out of sight.
Gotham City
Wayne Manor (Common Room)
4:23 P.M.
Clark, Alfred, and Barbara were sitting in the common room watching re-runs of some T.V. show. The others of the Bat-Family had arrived as well. Clark and Alfred were in the middle of some discussion, Barbara was sitting away from them furiously absorbed in her laptop, the keys were making their clicking sound as she typed faster than one could speak. Kate was sitting on the couch stretched out, it looked like she was trying to get some much-needed sleep. Tim was on the other couch staring at the phone in his hands. He typed a message nearly as fast as Barabara could type, the glow from the phone could be seen on his face. Jason sat as far from the others as he could, he was massaging his knuckles. Probably trying to pass the time. He looked at the T.V. and shook his head, obviously bored. Jason stood up and moved to the couch Kate was sitting on and found the remote on the arm of the couch.
"Enough of this shit."
Jason flipped through a few channels until he found a baseball game.
"That's better!"
He tapped Kate's thigh.
"Hey, scoot over. I want to watch this game."
Kate rolled her eyes and moved to the other side of the couch. Jason sat down and leaned closer to the game on T.V. A new batter came up to the plate and Jason smirked.
"Now let's see if that three hundred-million-dollar contract was worth it…"
As they were all doing their own thing, there was movement down the hall. They heard something rubbing against the wall. Or maybe scraping. It sounded like flesh on drywall. Kate turned her head toward the noise. The sound continued, and after a few more seconds Rachel stepped into the room. She moved slowly and with a limp. Her body was still sore and tired. She winced from pain as she walked farther into the room. Kate began to stand.
"Well, hey now…"
The rest of the room looked in her direction. Jason just looked back to the game. Alfred left Clark's side and approached and offered her a stable hand.
"Allow me Miss Roth."
"N- No thanks Alfred. I need to do it myself."
Kate approached Rachel's other side.
"You sure?"
"I'm fine Kate…"
Her voice came out as cold and commanding. Kate looked to Alfred.
"The couch. She can sit there."
Alfred nodded and they carefully walked with her to the couch Jason was sitting on. Jason didn't move, just kept staring at the screen. Kate kicked him in the calf. He looked at her with a confused anger.
"What?!"
Kate glared.
"Move."
Jason rolled his eyes and stood up. He mumbled something under his breath that they could only assume was prolific swearing. He moved to another couch and sat down. Kate looked at Rachel and nodded.
"Okay, easy now girl."
Rachel put a hand on the arm of the couch and began slowly lowering herself. Again, she forgot about her sprained wrist and her arm gave out. Kate was quick, she reached out and kept Rachel from falling.
"I got you girl… Easy."
Rachel sat on the couch and exhaled.
"Thanks Kate."
Kate nodded and let go of her, she walked to the same couch Jason was on and sat on the other side. Alfred stood knowing Rachel was safely seated.
"No doubt you are famished. You haven't eaten in quite some time. I shall find you some food."
Alfred turned and walked out of the room towards the kitchen. Jason yelled at the game on the screen.
"Unbelievable! Thirty-million-dollars to swing a bat and you can't even hit a fastball! What the hell are they paying you for?!"
Kate just shook her head. Clark looked to Jason.
"He's still got one strike left. Give him time."
Jason glared at Clark and then back at the screen.
"Yeah, whatever. I don't care."
Clark smiled. Rachel felt a hand on hers and looked to her left. Barbara was in front of her but just to her left in the wheelchair.
"Hey, how you are feeling?"
Rachel rolled her neck and shoulders trying to loosen up.
"Like a corpse… Muscles are stiff, I've been sitting too long. Joints ache, don't have much strength. But I can feel it returning by the minute."
Barbara smiled.
"Glad to hear. Sounds like you'll be back to full strength before you know it."
"Hope so…"
Rachel clenched her fist…
"I hate feeling useless like this."
Barbara deftly backed her wheelchair flush with the couch. Then she pulled herself out and sat next to Rachel on the couch.
"Nobody thinks you're useless. You've been through a lot and your body needs to recover. That's all."
Rachel looked to Barbara.
"Is Dr. Thompkins still here? And what about Dick? Is he awake yet?"
Barbara shook her head.
"No. Leslie left a few hours ago. She needed to get back to the clinic and help the others with radiation sickness. Dick is still out, and we suspect he will be for a while. Leslie honestly wasn't sure how he survived. Being exposed to that much radiation…"
Rachel shook her head.
"Guess all I can do is wait then."
Barbara smiled.
"Have a few choice words for him, do you?"
Rachel smiled.
"Oh yeah. And they start with; you, and bastard."
Rachel heard Jason chuckle at her words. Barbara reached out to her laptop that was on her wheelchair and opened it. She hit a few keys and handed it to Rachel.
"Here, I wanted you to see this."
Rachel took the laptop and put it on her lap. She looked at the screen and saw what seemed to be a recently decrypted video file.
"What is it?"
Barbara sighed; a tear rolled down her cheek. She was trying to not cry.
"A video. Dick recorded it in case he ever had to activate Nightfall. It's a sort of goodbye to all his friends and loved ones. A bit premature considering he's still alive but… Perhaps it will help."
Rachel looked at the laptop and touched the play button on the touch screen. There was a static sound at first but then it began to play. She saw Dick sitting in front of the Bat-computer looking at the screen. He was wearing his Nightwing suit, but the mask was off. She could see the sadness in his blue eyes all his emotions were reflected in them. His voice was serious. He had dropped all the wit and charm from his voice. What remained was just seriousness and maybe a touch of regret. Or maybe grief. She saw him reach up and press record. Then the message started.
"If you're watching this, I'm dead."
He paused and looked away. Then back to the screen.
"This is a Code Black. This message was automatically triggered when I activated Protocol Nightfall. I know the grief that's coming won't be easy. But then, nothing we do is easy. I've prepared for it the best I can. I know you have to. From the moment we put on the mask we knew this could happen. To any of us. Barbara, I know you're watching. I am so sorry. I know we had our differences lately, that I pushed you away. I never meant for any of it to happen the way it did- ".
Rachel saw more tears run down Barbara's cheek out of the corner of her eye.
"Bruce, I'm sorry I can never fulfill that promise I made you years ago. I hope you'll forgive me for that one day."
Dick looked away again, he was trying to keep from breaking down in tears. He fought them off and looked at the screen.
"To any Titans watching this; I know Barbara will have tried to track you down and send this by now. Know that it was my honor and privilege to fight beside you all, and call you my closest friends…"
He looked away and swallowed. He was trying to not choke on his words. He looked back to the screen.
"Rae, in case we never saw each other again, I should have said the words that night we parted ways. But I didn't have the courage. I couldn't face you. Just like I couldn't face Barbara the night I left Gotham. I want you to lead the Titans in my absence. I trust you to uphold the ideals we built the Titans on. May Azar watch and protect you on your journey."
Dick got that trademark smirk on his face.
"You've always had my back when I needed you. And when I thought I didn't need you…"
Dick shifted in his seat.
"This is the end. Goodbye."
He reached up to click the end record button and stared at the screen for a moment. Then he pressed the button, and the screen went black. Rachel felt the tears in her eyes. She blinked a few times and fought them back. She closed the computer and handed it to Barbara.
"Thanks. That… helped."
Barbara nodded.
"Anything for you."
At that moment Jason stood up and started yelling at the screen.
"Now that's a hit! Go! Go! GO! YEAH! HOME RUN! You better hit it out the park for that much money!"
Clark just smiled while Kate looked at Jason.
"You know he can't hear you right?"
Jason just ignored her and sat back forcefully on the couch. At that moment Alfred returned with tea for Rachel.
"Miss Roth, herbal tea. Just as you like it."
He handed it to her, and she took a sip. A smile graced her face from ear to ear.
"It's perfect… Thank you, Alfred."
"Of course, miss Roth. It's the least I can do."
Alfred looked to Kate and Jason.
"I have prepared a meal for everyone. It awaits in the kitchen to enjoy now or at your leisure."
Jason popped up in the blink of an eye.
"Finally, I'm starving."
Jason walked out of the room towards the kitchen. Kate stood up and began to follow suit. Kate stopped in front of Barbara.
"Need a hand getting to the kitchen?"
Barbara nodded.
"Yeah, thanks."
Kate began to wheel Barbara in the direction of the kitchen. Alfred looked down to Rachel.
"Shall I help escort you to the kitchen Miss Roth?"
"Thanks Alfred but I could really use a shower first. I smell like body odor mixed with smoke, ash, blood. And I'm still covered in everything in between."
Alfred smiled.
"Of course, Miss Roth. Shall I escort you to your room then?"
Clark walked to the two of them and chimed in before Rachel could answer.
"I'll handle it, Alfred. You've done enough for all of us, and I thank you for it. Why don't you go get some food and a little R&R. I think you've earned a little time off."
Alfred bowed.
"As you say, Master Clark."
Clark smiled.
"I am nobody's master Alfred. It's just Clark."
"As you say, sir."
Alfred turned and walked out of the room. Clark looked down at Rachel and smiled.
"Now, would you like a hand, or do you want to try and manage on your own?"
Rachel felt her cheeks get hot. The young girl in her was ecstatic that Superman; The Man of Steel, was asking to help her up. She used every ounce of control to not blush.
"I think I can manage."
Rachel began to stand up. She felt better than when she first made the trip as her strength began to slowly return. Although she did still ache all over. She got to her feet and saw Clark take a step back. Only now did she realize how tall he was, he stood six foot three. She was almost six feet, but even he towered over her. She glanced at him and could see the muscles in his chest, his shoulders. His blue dress shirt barely containing the muscles beneath it. Her cheeks got hot again. He watched as she began to walk out of the room. He followed beside her, matching her pace and steps. She had regained some strength and was walking normally now. Clark began to fill the silence.
"So, you're Raven. It's good to finally meet you. We've never actually met in person. I don't think we've ever even spoke."
She was nervous. She was talking to HIM. To Superman. One of the founding members of the Justice League, leader of the big three. A man with near infinite strength. The man many consider to be a God on earth. She felt her cheeks getting hot. Rachel looked at Clark surprised.
"Y-You know me?"
"I know of you. I know of ALL the Titans. Defending Jump City for years as just teenagers, and later as young adults. It's impressive. Also, Victor speaks very highly of you."
Rachel looked away. She wasn't good with emotional stuff.
"He's a good friend. He's like the brother I never had."
Clark smiled. He could sense the warmness in her voice.
"You know, all the League, including myself, never thought the Titans were just teenagers playing heroes. We all respect what the six of you did."
Rachel corrected him quickly.
"FIVE. We don't talk about the sixth member. She chose her side. And it wasn't ours."
Clark dropped the subject. Then he changed it.
"So, you and Grayson?"
He touched a nerve.
"How long has that been going on? You guys, okay?"
"By Azar's staff! Why is everyone so damn curious about us?! What, you want to know if we have pet names for each other? About our sex life? Maybe you want to know what positions each of us prefer?"
Clark shook his head and put a hand up.
"Not necessary. Barbara said you didn't like small talk. Guess I should ask directly."
Clark lowered his hand.
"You've been through a substantial ordeal. The destruction of Bludhaven, Nightwing staying behind while getting you to safety, watching his heart stop."
Rachel turned her head.
"I just wanted to make sure you have your head on straight. That you're handling everything. Watching a loved one die… It's never easy."
She exhaled heavily and thought to herself.
"You are such a boy scout…"
She didn't meet his eyes.
"I'm… managing… The rest isn't your business. It isn't anyone's business."
Clark nodded.
"I'm not surprised. Victor always praised your mental fortitude."
They made it to Rachel's room. Clark looked to her.
"Okay, I'll give you some privacy. I just want you to know that while we hardly know each other, if you ever need someone to talk to that isn't Bruce, my door is always open. Even if you just need some to listen."
Clark opened the door for her.
"I'll see in the kitchen later."
He smiled and walked down the hall. Raven shook her head and stepped into the room.
"Now I know why I had such a huge crush on you… SUCH a boy scout…"
Location: Unknown
Time: Unknown
Deathstroke woke up on a table in the middle of an abandoned warehouse. He was confused, didn't know where he was. Last thing he remembered was… He couldn't remember. He sat up and began looking around. The moon was shining in from the windows in the roof. Judging by it's position he knew it was somewhere around midnight. And judging by its position, he was somewhere to the South. He sat up fully. He checked his holster on his right leg and noticed his gun was missing. He checked the sheath on his back only to notice that his Promethium Katana was also gone. Deathstroke exhaled and checked his surroundings. Then he realized what was going on.
"Come on Batman! I'm too old for this intimidation crap! You know it doesn't work on me!"
His echo rang throughout the warehouse, then silence. There were no noises inside the warehouse. It was pure silence.
"Enough Batman! Show yourself."
A voice rang out in the dark warehouse. Deathstroke couldn't pinpoint the location.
"So be it."
Slade thought the voice came from behind him and turned his head to see nobody there. He turned back around and still saw nothing. Just as he was about to yell again Batman stepped into the moonlight in front of Deathstroke. The bat symbol immediately visible. His face still partially obstructed by darkness. Anyone else would have been intimidated instantly. Deathstroke only stiffened, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"Finally. How did you fin- ".
Batman interrupted him with a voice that would make Superman fall into silence.
"Quiet! You don't get to speak."
Deathstroke got off the table. He stood up with an anger in his eyes.
"What-?"
"I said quiet!"
Batman had a glare that sent a chill down even Slade's spine.
"The only reason you're not lying on that table trying to breathe through a punctured lung and broken ribs is because if I lash out, if I give in to anger, I'll go too far."
Slade stared Batman down, waiting for him to make a move. Batman just squared his jaw.
"Do you realize what you've done? The damage you've caused? Eighty thousand people and climbing, dead. All for what?"
Batman glared with fire in his eyes.
"Tell. Me. Why. Why destroy a city? Why murder over eighty thousand people in cold blood? TELL ME!"
Deathstroke matched Batman's glare.
"To send a message. To motivate."
"That's it? To send a message?"
Slade's eye burned with fire this time.
"The Judas contract. I never completed it. My reputation is everything. And its time I completed it. Grayson and his Titans. They killed my son! All of them! And I will kill every one of them."
Batman narrowed his eyes.
"The Judas contract? H.I.V.E.? Grant? After five years you decide to complete it?"
"H.I.V.E. wants the Titans dead. And I want revenge for Grant. He was killed fighting the Titans."
Batman rubbed his temples.
"Grant DIED fighting the Titans, that doesn't mean they killed him. His heart gave out during the fight. The genetic enhancements H.I.V.E. gave him, mixed with the metagene you passed him, and the super soldier serum you gave him, caused his heart to give out. They had nothing to do with his death."
"Doesn't matter. He's dead, they're alive. It changes nothing."
Batman exhaled.
"So why destroy a city? Why detonate a pure fission bomb stolen from S.T.A.R. Labs in the heart of Bludhaven?"
Slade exhaled.
"When I was a soldier, in Africa, I was tasked with taking out a warlord. Except he never showed his face, never left his fortress which was surrounded by his army. So, I devised a plan; hit him where it hurts. Hit his supply lines, his wallet, hit his men. I drove him out of his fortress, made him angry, made him make mistakes. And I took him out. So, I applied the same strategy…"
Slade took a step towards Batman.
"Inflict enough damage, take away the things he cares about, and it will all become too much. Grayson will eventually break. The scars you see and the ones you don't. At least, that's SUPPOSED to be the idea."
Batman took a step towards Deathstroke.
"Do you have any idea what you've done? The monster you've created? When he comes to, he will come after you. He will not sleep, he will not rest, he will not hold back. He will come after you at his best, and he will come again, and again, until he takes you out. He will hit you with everything he has, he WILL try to kill you. And this time, I won't stop him."
Slade smiled.
"Bring him on. I have an army. Over the last year and a half, I've been training an army to hunt him AND the Titans. They know they're strength's, their weaknesses. Each one trained to fight the Titans. If he wants me, he'll have to fight through all of them. And by the time he does, he'll be too exhausted for a fair fight. That's when I'll take him out."
It took all of Batman's self-control not to lash out and hit him. He would want nothing more than to bring him to justice.
"You and I both know that I can't pin the attack on Bludhaven you. A terrorist attack in Bludhaven and no paper trail, no evidence. U.N. Accords be damned… I WILL send the League after you and your 'ARMY.'"
Slade grinned.
"Try it. Waller will shut you down and force the league to disband. There's nothing you can do."
Batman narrowed his eyes again.
"Try me…"
Gotham City
Wayne Manor (Common Room)
12:48 P.M.
Three days had passed since Bludhaven was destroyed. The fires were just dying out, the city had been abandoned even though eighty five percent of all radiation had cleared. Bludhaven was nothing but a crater on the eastern seaboard. Rachel had ninety percent of her strength back and was ready for action. Dick still hadn't woken up. Everyone was in the common room; all members of the Bat-Family were still at the manor awaiting news on Dick. Jason was cleaning his gun on the table, Kate was reading a book, Tim was texting on his phone while Alfred served everyone. Bruce, Clark, and Rachel stood in the center of the room. They had been arguing in circles for nearly an hour. Before anyone could say another word, Rachel jerked her head to the left. She felt the psy-link tugging. She closed her eyes and focused, that's when she sensed it. Dick was regaining consciousness. Rachel looked at Bruce.
"He's waking up. I can feel it."
Everyone picked their heads up and looked at her. Bruce nodded.
"I'll go talk to him first."
Rachel was about to interject but decided against it. She allowed Bruce to go.
"Right… If I went in there now, he'd get an earful. I'll wait until you're done before I rip him a new one."
Bruce excused himself and walked out of the room down the hall to where Dick's room was. He entered the room and saw Dick laying in his bed. He was inspecting his bandages and tugging at the heart monitor on his chest. He pulled it off and saw Bruce standing in the doorway. He put his head on the pillow and stared at the ceiling.
"Leslie's work. I'd know this bandage work anywhere."
Bruce smiled.
"Who else? She did her best. Assured us you're going to be fine."
Dick sighed and stared at the ceiling.
"How long was I out?"
"Eighty hours."
Dick looked at Bruce with a shocked look on his face.
"Eighty hours? Three days…"
He sighed and threw his head back on the pillow.
"Casualties?"
Bruce didn't answer for several seconds. Dick insisted again.
"How many?"
Bruce exhaled. He didn't want to tell him, but he had to. He had a right to know.
"106,638"
Dick's eyes went wide, and his heart skipped a beat. Anger and grief mixed in equal measure.
"Over 100,00 dead… No… Impossible… I- "
He exhaled and closed his eyes. He raised his voice; anger began to take over.
"Why did you send Superman after me?! I should have died In Bludhaven! It's what I wanted! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER CASUALTY!"
Bruce set his jaw.
"Would that have changed anything? Would your death have saved the ones who didn't get out?"
Dick just stared at Bruce coldly, emotionless.
"I wouldn't have to live with the feeling of more failure. I've had enough of that feeling lately. Why did you rescue me?! What was the point?! Saving your soldier? Your protégé? To ease your conscience?"
Dick sighed.
"Besides, I'd rather be dead than risk Rachel's anger after that stunt I pulled…"
Bruce tried to remain calm.
"If our positions were reversed, had that been me in Bludhaven, could you honestly say you would have left me to die?"
Dick stared again.
"It's what you trained us for."
"Dick, your emotions are what guide you. If that was me lying there, dying of radiation sickness, you would have been the first one jumping into the fire to rescue me. Even against my wishes."
Dick didn't respond.
"You did more than any other person could have. Saved more lives than anyone else could have."
"It wasn't enough."
Bruce smiled.
"It never is. I told you that years ago."
Bruce dropped the subject and moved on to the more unpleasant one.
"There's something else you should know…"
His tone was urgent. Dick panicked.
"What? Tell me it's not Rachel? Tell me she's okay!"
Bruce put a hand up.
"Rachel is fine. Full recovery. Or, close to a full recovery. That's not what this is about."
Dick calmed at hearing Rachel was okay.
"Then what is it that I need to know?"
Bruce hesitated for a moment.
"The one behind the bomb in Bludhaven… Deathstroke."
Dick picked his head up to look at Bruce.
"WHAT?!"
"Using his military knowledge of their protocols and his connections he stole a pure fission bomb from a ship bringing it here from the UAE."
Dick closed his eyes and lowered his head with a long exhale.
"That's not all… He has an army. He has renewed the Judas Contract and he will not stop until you and the Titans are dead."
Dick looked at Bruce with emotionless eyes.
"Then stop him. I'm out."
Bruce was stunned.
"What?"
Dick raised his voice again.
"I said I'm out. I'm done being Nightwing. He died in Bludhaven with the other casualties."
Bruce exhaled.
"Dick, think about this. Is this truly what you want?"
"I couldn't save them Bruce. I don't deserve the mask."
Bruce didn't know how to respond. He had never seen Grayson break this way before. But everyone had a limit. He had reached his.
"There is a difference between failing to save a life and doing nothing. But if quitting the mask is truly what you want, then I must respect your wishes."
Batman turned and walked out of the room. He was angry and stunned. He never thought the fearless little boy he once knew would just give up. He walked back into the common room, and everyone turned their heads to him. He walked to where Clark and Rachel were standing. Rachel saw the expression on his face and knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
Bruce looked at her with cold eyes.
"He's done. We must deal with Slade ourselves."
Rachel's adrenaline spiked, her temper flared, and her control wavered.
"WHAT?! LIKE HELL HE IS!"
Rachel dropped a shoulder and pushed passed Clark and Bruce. She stormed down the hall as quick as her steps would carry her. The sound of her combat boots as she stomped down the hall. The others could hear them from the common room. She made it to Grayson's room and pushed the door open fully with more force than she intended.
"So that's it?! You're done?! Just going to roll over and let Slade win?!"
Dick jumped; startled from her anger. Her glare and tone would nearly make Batman back down.
"Rachel, I- "
"Quiet! You don't get to talk!"
Her rage bubbled to the surface. The others could hear her yelling across the manor.
"All those speeches when we were Titans about getting back up. About no matter how many times you hit the mat, you get back up, to push back. And you always did. Sure, you might have almost lost yourself in the process and became obsessed. But you, always fought back! Stronger each time! Instead, you give up after one defeat and mope in your own shit!"
Dick couldn't find the right words.
"Rae, I- "
She snapped at him again.
"No! You don't get to 'Rae' me! Not anymore! You lost your privilege of calling me that when you decided to give up!"
Dick was speechless; he had not seen her this angry in a long time. Not since Japan. Not since that night she found him in that dojo after searching for him tirelessly for a week. Rachel continued to yell.
"You taught me to be strong! To never give up! That even a hell spawn, half-breed girl with darkness and the potential for near infinite power inside of her, whose sole purpose was to be a vessel and rule this entire plane, could do some good! You taught me that! And now you're quitting!"
Dick stuttered.
"I- I can't- I'm not... I've lost too many people. Seen too many friends die…"
He looked at her with regret and sorrow in his eyes.
"I've lost too many loved ones. I can't lose any more."
The fire in Rachel's eyes didn't die. They only seemed to burn stronger. She was shaking out of anger, her nails digging into her palms enough to draw blood.
"Yeah? Well, you just lost one more!"
Rachel turned and strode out of the room. Her anger was greater than her spatial awareness and she slammed her shoulder on the door frame on the way out, she didn't even feel it and shrugged it off. She walked down the hall into the common room. Nobody met her gaze; they were afraid of her after that exchange they heard with Grayson. Jason smirked as she approached Clark and Bruce.
"Nice lungs you have there."
Rachel just glared at Jason who shrugged her gaze off and acted uninterested as always. Bruce looked to Rachel.
"Well? How is he?"
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"The hell do I care...? The man I loved died in Bludhaven. I don't know who he is now."
At that moment Alfred approached the three of them.
"Perhaps a kinder approach would be necessary? Master Dick is clearly shaken after Bludhaven and perhaps doesn't believe he is not as strong as we believe him to be."
Alfred began walking towards the door. Rachel called out to him.
"No offence Alfred, but if I couldn't reach him, what hope do you have?"
Alfred just smiled.
"You forget Miss Roth; I did help raise the boy."
Alfred walked down the hall with a smile on his face and confidence in his step. He approached the door and could see Dick trying to sit up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and put his head in his hands. Alfred knocked and Dick looked to see who it was.
"Alfred! Thought you might be Rachel coming back to banish me into the phantom zone or some other hell she had found."
Alfred smiled and walked into the room.
"She is just upset, give her time.
"So, you here to pick me back up, dust me off, and tell me to get back on the horse? Because I meant what I said."
"If that is what you truly want then I am here to support you."
"Really? You don't want me to put the suit back on? To go out there and hunt down Slade?"
"What I want Master Dick is for you to be happy, to find our own way, to live your life with no regrets. If you can hang up the mask and live the rest of your life without regretting doing so, then I am happy."
Dick looked at the floor.
"I can't do it Alfred. I can't beat Slade; I can't lose anyone else. I'm not- I'm not strong enough."
Alfred smiled.
"You have been on your own for a long time Master Dick. It's time you remember."
Dick was confused.
"Remember what? I- I don't follow."
Alfred just continued to smile.
"It's high time you remembered that you are a man, not an Island. And the strength of a man, is not measured solely by his brawn and intelligence, but also of the quality of his allies."
A small spark appeared in Dick's eyes. Then went out as quickly as it appeared. Dick's heart began to race.
"Alfred… You can't be asking me to- "
Alfred interrupted him.
"I am not asking you to do anything Master Dick, I am simply giving you direction. As I have always done, as I will continue to do, until the day I am unable to."
Alfred bowed politely.
"I shall give you some time. Good day, Master Dick."
Alfred turned and walked out of the room. The smile on his face was still there. He knew his message was received. That the seed he planted would soon turn into a tree with the strongest roots. He walked back into the common room and saw everyone waiting on him. Rachel's tone betrayed her body language. Her body language said she didn't care, but her tone was eager, excited.
"Well? Anything?"
"Give him some time. He will come around. I know it."
Bruce looked at the three of them.
"We need a plan in case Dick doesn't come around."
Clark suggested to send in the League.
"We can send in the League. Use the Watchtower's surveillance system to find where he and his army are and send in The League. Diana, Jordan, Barry and the two of us could get through that army and get to Slade."
Bruce rubbed his temples, a sign of frustration.
"You know we can't do that Clark. This was a terrorist attack. The League cannot interfere in international or national affairs. The League acts as the first line of defense from terrestrial, extra-terrestrial, and inter-dimensional threats. Sending in The League after a terrorist attack would be breaking the sanctions the U.N. placed upon us."
"Well, what if we send in reserve members? Nobody knows Deathstroke is responsible right? A few reserve Leaguers won't arouse suspicion."
"Clark, they are still Leaguers. Any solution that involves The League will be a political mess."
"Then what do you propose?"
"The Outsiders. Total deniability, off the books Black Ops squad. Nobody will suspect a thing."
"Bruce, they're already deployed in Balgravia. They went radio silent until their mission is over."
Clark went silent for a second and then spoke again.
"What about Diana? Me, you, and Diana can assault their ranks. Just us. Nobody else. The U.N. won't question us."
Bruce shook his head.
"Clark, how many times must I say this? The League HAS to remain uninvolved… We already have enough eyes on us after that dictator and his genocide in Gavonia. And Waller is just looking for an excuse to shut us down."
Rachel's frustration bubbled to the surface, and she yelled at both.
"Enough! Both of you! We don't have time for a phallus measuring contest!"
Clark and Bruce looked at Rachel with surprise. Jason chuckled from the other side of the room.
"I may just be starting to like her…"
Rachel continued to yell.
"We need a solution here! Both of you are talking in circles! Each time one of you offers one, the other only argues why it can't be done! By Azar give me a solution or I will go and take Slade on myself! I'll give into the blood if I must! He can't get away with this."
At that moment they all heard a voice coming from the doorway to the room.
"If what you're saying is true…"
They turned to see Dick standing in the doorway. Rachel could immediately tell he was weak. He was supporting his weight by holding the door frame. He looked at the three of them.
"Slade really does have an army, then I'll need one of my own. Or at the very least a really good team. And last time I checked, I HAD A REALLY GOOD TEAM."
He looked at Alfred who only smiled. Then to Bruce who nodded. Bruce understood the truth; there was only one solution. And it was time. Dick looked to Rachel.
"Rachel? I'll need your help."
She looked surprised.
"Uh, yeah, sure."
She walked over to Dick. Dick turned and walked down the hall towards Bruce's study.
Gotham City
Bat-Cave
1:57 P.M.
Rachel continued to follow Dick as he climbed the stairs to the Bat-Computer.
"Slade is out there. He's responsible for the deaths of over a hundred thousand people. He HAS to be stopped."
"Just us? Dick, I know you're good. Hell, maybe even one of the best. But alone? There's no way the two of us could stop him and his army by ourselves."
Dick made it to the Bat-Computer and had his back to her. He looked up at the screen and smiled.
"So, what you're saying is it's impossible… Good."
He turned to face her.
"If memory serves, we've done the impossible before."
Rachel looked at Dick confused, surely, he didn't mean… He turned and pressed a button on the Bat-Computer. A slide opened near the keyboard with a hissing noise. Rachel looked over to it. A platform raised up and on it was a small communicator. It was circular with yellow on the outside and a black center. A large white T was in the center. Rachel's eyes went wide.
"Wait, that's…"
Dick smiled.
"I've held onto this all these years. Just in case."
Rachel climbed the steps and stared at the old Titans communicator.
"Dick? Are you sure about this? We've all moved on with our lives. Each of us is a different person now."
He smiled as he picked up the communicator.
"I know. But years ago, we each made the same promise."
Rachel smiled and a tear rolled down her cheek. She whispered the words of the promise under her breath.
"Titan's forever…"
Dick picked up the communicator and exhaled. He looked at it and smiled. He pressed the red button on its side as it began flashing red.
Midway City (Michigan)
Caldur Manor
2:00 P.M.
Terra was sitting in her and Garfield's room on the bed. She had a new report open on her phone from Bludhaven. She was watching it when a noise grabbed her attention. She paused the news report and looked around. A beeping noise was coming from the closet. She recognized the sound instantly.
"That's…"
She jumped off the bed sending her phone flying and raced to the closet. She opened the doors to see all the clutter and clothes lying on the floor. She began pulling everything out and sending clutter throughout the room. She removed enough stuff until she found what she was looking for, a box in the back of the closet. She grabbed it and tore the lid off. She saw the red light flashing from the communicator and grabbed it. She stood up and sped out of the room as quickly as her legs would carry her. She burst into the living room where Garfield was playing video games with Clifford Steele; also known as Robotman.
"Garfield! Garfield!"
He paused the game and looked to Terra.
"Terra? What is it? Why are yelling?"
Terra held up the communicator for Garfield to see. His eyes went wide, and he dropped the controller.
Earth's Orbit
Watchtower (Monitor Room)
2:00 P.M. EDT
Cyborg was in the monitor room sifting through different communications from all active Justice League operations. Just as he was about to forward a communication to another team his eye began flashing. Cyborg smirked and his human eye lit up with emotion. He looked out to see Earth and looked in the position of Gotham.
"Well, it about time."
Cyborg then looked into the void of space; to the direction of the sector of space light years from the milky way that held Tamaran. He pulled up the Watchtower control panel and began issuing commands.
"Looping Titans comm frequency into all League comm buoys. Boosting signal to maximum range on all buoys. Transmitting."
Vega Star System (Sector 2828; 26 Light Years from Earth)
Tamaran (Royal Palace)
2:00 P.M. EDT (Earth Time)
Koriand'r was sitting on the throne of Tamaran, bored. She had just finished issuing a message to her people to stay strong during the war with the Gordanians. She was playing with her hand one of her royal servants was escorted into the throne room by her Royal Guard. Starfire looked down at the servant with kindness and a smile on her face.
"R'yandr! What can I help you with?"
The servant presented the small yellow communicator to Koriand'r. It was flashing red and playing the beeping noise they had all memorized. Her eyes lit up with emotion.
"I was cleaning your chambers when this… thing… started beeping. I swear I didn't touch it!"
Koriand'r flew off the throne with speed that rivaled Superman's. She gently looked at the device as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Grayson!"
Gotham City
Bat-Cave
2:00 P.M.
Dick watched as the red button flashed. He then brought the communicator up to his lips.
"Calling all Titans. Calling. All. Titans. The destruction of Bludhaven was carried out by an old enemy. Deathstroke has returned. The Judas Contract has been renewed. And he is hunting us. He has an army trained specifically to fight us. They know our strengths and our weaknesses. Alone, we are formidable. Together, we are unbeatable. I know things have changed. That we have moved on. But we each made a promise years ago. That if Jump City was threatened again, that if any of us needed help, we would be there for each other. I am leaving for Jump City in the morning. It's time for the Titans to return. Titans together. Titan's forever. Nightwing, out."
Raven approached Nightwing and slipped her hand in his. She looked at the communicator that was still flashing.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? The Titans back together going up against an army trained to fight us?"
Dick looked into her eyes.
"The rational part of me, the adult, says we're totally screwed. The problem is too big and terrifying. But the kid in me? You know, the Teen Titan? He's fearless, and his hope is absolutely limitless. YOU know that feeling Rachel. It's why we all choose this life. And that's why it HAS to be the Titans. TOGETHER. Fearless as kids, strong as the Justice League."