Avenging Justice 3:

To Infinity and Anti-Life

Part XXII

Earth, New Jersey, Gotham City, Wayne Manor

"What is your business with Master Wayne?" Alfred Pennyworth looked at their newest visitors.

There were two, both very young looking. He placed them early twenties, if not right out of their teens. However, the eyes showed a much older soul. Having patched up Bruce, and seeing a similar look in his eyes for his mission, it was a familiar look. The young woman was studying him, and making his sense go into high alert. The young man, meanwhile seemed very friendly and had a ease about him. However, their sudden arrival made him hesitant to invite them in.

The young man held out his hand, "Name is, Xander Shaw. This is, Mara Zeltros. We received a message saying to Mr. Wayne was interested in funding some of the work we do. As I explained in our email, we help extract at risk people from highly volatile situations, and do some investigations when needed."

"I can advise you that Master Wayne hasn't been emailing anything," Alfred said. "He's been ill recently and has been on bed rest. So, I apologize you came all the way out there, but we aren't meeting any solicitors currently."

The young woman shifted, and Alfred immediately moved as well. She gave off the vision of a hunter, ready to pounce and studying him. That was belied by the curious look she was giving him. Last time he had seen a look like that, was when a pack of wolves had come by the Wayne cabin in Colorado. They had looked at him with that curious look as well, but he knew they were dangerous, just as he had a feeling this young woman was as well.

Mara spoke, and her voice was very kindly, despite her physical presence, "Yes, we understand. Our contact said he had been injured, and asked us to come."

"Normally we don't offer what we came with to people with deep pockets," Xander continued. "However, the person contacting us sent us a massive lists of charities and other functions Mr. Wayne has done. So, we are here now to offer something, in hopes he can continue his work."

Alfred, started to close the door, "While I can appreciate you mean well, whatever snake oil you are peddling, is not needed here."

"Wait! Our contact told us to say these three words, 'Safe Lazarus Pit.' Whatever that means," Xander said. "They said that would help clear things up."

Seeing Alfred's freeze, even if it was just for the barest of moments, Mara pounced, "You've heard that before. Listen, we are here to help."

"Come in, I'll grab you some tea and see if Master Wayne is up to a visit," Alfred said. Beside the door, under the table, he was pushing the button that would call Robin and Batgirl.

Xander walked into the huge mansion and began to look around. Mara was beside him, and her intensity had changed. Now she was in a much bigger space, where things could come out from anywhere, instead of just in front of her. Alfred made a mental note of that, and was already formulating a plan in case he needed to act on that. Xander however was just walking around curiously.

He turned as Alfred did return with some hot tea. Xander was more of an iced tea kind of guy, but he could take hot tea. As he tasted it, he found it was Earl Gray, and a good brand. He would have to ask the butler where he got his from, and then hope it didn't cost a small fortune to purchase. Though if he did, poor Mara would have to get used to his Picard request of "Earl Gray, Hot."

As if sensing this, she rolled her eyes and gave him a quick jab with her elbow. Her senses were going into overdrive. There were so many smells and sounds, the air itself had a charge to it. Most wouldn't have noticed any of this, only someone with enhanced senses like herself would. The old man was cool as a cucumber, but she had heard his heart began to race. Whomever had sent them here, may not have been doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.

"I am told I have visitors," Bruce Wayne was wheeled into the sitting room, Alfred pushing him from behind.

The smell of medication overwhelmed Mara's senses, but another broke through. He was wounded, but something told her that made him even more dangerous. She didn't have to tell this to Xander, as he was already moving around as if he was expecting something to go wrong. He sat, in a way that would allow him to jump up quickly if needed. She followed his lead, hoping she was pulling back enough to put their host at ease.

Xander started, "Mr. Wayne, I am Xander Shaw, Mara and I run a group helping those in need. Recently we came across something that may help you out. According to the emails we have been exchanging with one of your people, they advised you might be able to donate to us. In exchange, you get put next in line for a miracle we have found."

"Miracle you say?" Bruce smiled and started to look tired. "I can have may people look over your data, and see if it is something I can donate to. However, I'm still recovering and don't have time to humor a wild good chase for some magical cure."

"Look, Mr. Wayne," Mara interjected. "I don't like a wealthy man jumping in line, when we have so many deserving people out there. However, whoever has been talking to us, has made you seem very important and worthy of our help. Now, if you don't want it, I'm more than happy to take the little boy from Ontario. He at least has his whole life ahead of him, no need for him to remain crippled."

Xander quickly spoke before Alfred or Bruce could, "What we are saying, is this isn't some scam. I had my computer person check out your person, and the emails are coming from your company. They also sent over several files noting all your charity work.

Now, here is some data of our own. In it you will see several people we've already taken to our Rejuvenation Pool. There is a thirteen year old, who had been crippled by a drunk driver, saving her aunt. There is a police officer who was shielding a suspect as a rival gang took pot shots at them. He was left with severe nerve damage, now completely fine. That last one, we came across her during our job, and cured her of an incurable disease."

"McGregor's syndrome," Mara added in. "The doctors said she got it from her mother, but the mother was too far gone. The child has been adopted out, to a wonderful couple in Wyoming."

Bruce looked over the documents, knowing it was too good to be true. There was only one type of "Rejuvenation Pool" that he knew of, the Lazarus Pits. They tended to affect the mental faculties of the person, changing their personality over time. That was definitely not something he wanted to take a chance on. He only had to look at Ra's al Gul to know why this would be a bad idea. He couldn't be the symbol the city needed, if he turned into a monster. Only the criminal element in Gotham needed to fear him as the monster in the night, not the good people of the city.

"You have given me much to think about," Bruce said, careful to keep the bored playboy billionaire voice going. "Is there a number I can reach you at? I'd like to have some of my people go over your information."

Xander shook his head and began to rise, "I don't have any information to give you other than those. We kept the records vague for a reason. We believe if Rejuvenation Pool was overused, it could lose what makes it special."

"We can appreciate you being wary," Mara said. "However, we are pushing you to the head of the list. The people in your life think you are worth it."

"Master Wayne will be in contact," Alfred smiled as he began to lead them out. "If you give me your information, I'll be sure to contact you back."

Xander nodded, "Thank you for your hospitality. We're going to be in town for a couple of days. Then we have to head back home, to take care of a few things."

Bruce sat watching them leave. From behind him, he heard the pained walk of Selena coming to sit beside him. She was trying to hide it from him, but he knew her leg was still bothering her. Thanks to Bane, she had been hurt badly. Something he would like to revisit upon Bane with interest. Something he couldn't do in his current state. Nor could he send the Titans after Bane, they weren't ready.

"You're brooding again," Selina teased him. "What did the door to door salespeople want?"

Bruce answered, "They were offering the impossible. A Lazarus Pit without the insanity side effect."

Alfred came back in, "I believe I may know who contact our new friends." Held up in his hand was his phone, set to speaker mode.

"Creator, please do not be upset," Brother Eye said. "I sent them to help you, as you helped me."

Batman answered him back, "You don't understand the dangers to these things, if what they showed me is accurate."

"I have all the information from our last upload," Brother Eye replied back. "I did scans on their data, before their hacker stopped me. The chemical makeup of the their 'Rejuvenation Pool' is similar but not the same as a 'Lazarus Pit.' I did notice using theirs as a baseline, there were contaminants in the Lazarus Pits, that didn't appear in the other."

Batman growled, "You can't trust anything that just heals without consequence."

"Please look over the data," Brother Eye sounded very sad. "You didn't give up on me, I will not give up on you."

Batman looked over the data, "Looks like we have some homework."

"I'll prepare the cave, sir. Ms. Kyle, would you like me to whip you up some food and bring it up to your room?" Alfred gently said.

Selina smiled at him, "If I spend one more minute in bed, I'm going to go mad. How about I take it in the kitchen."

"As you wish," Alfred smiled at her.

She turned towards Bruce, "Don't you dare use me or your guilt in this decision. You look at that, as the Bat, and you make sure this is on the up and up."

He turned, "I will."

"Good, now a girl could get used to this luxury thing," Selina smiled at him. "Though it is incredibly boring! I might just have to do a jailbreak soon."

He commented, "You're special, Cat."

"So are you, Bat," she put a hand on his shoulder. "Infuriatingly noble and too good for your own good, but the world would be worse without you in it. Now get to work, I've got a delicious dinner to enjoy."

In the city itself, Raven sat at the building complex the Titans were using for local base of operations. They had been running ragged, and not for the first time, she began to think Batman was half demon to do this solo every night. To help stave off the coming fatigue, she was meditating, rebuilding her mental and spiritual defenses.

Outside her door, she felt Beast Boy stop, hesitate for a moment before moving onward. Garfield cared, but he didn't understand. None of them really did, even if Dick was easier to talk to. He at least understood someone gripped by darkness, fighting against it or as he explained, with it. She didn't see the darkness she fought against, as something to fight alongside. Then again, her thoughts turned back to the never ending crusade his mentor was constantly on.

Dark thoughts came racing at her, pain unsuppressed met her mind. She wanted to scream, as the psychic wave of energy washed over her, but couldn't. It was so overwhelming that it felt like riding a tidal wave hitting a city. She was battered as blast after blast hit her, the energy necessary to keep her secured and grounded being sapped. A familiar laugh surrounded her, and she felt her blood run cold.

"Pitiful, but you were never meant to best me," Trigon said. "They tried to hide you, keep us apart. No, you are the key to my ultimate destiny. With your body, and then your world will know true power. Power not only to destroy, but to enthrall, seduce. Their petty civilizations will end in fire and lust."

Raven tried to speak, yell back. However, she felt her voice being ripped from her throat. White hot slicing pain burned her back, and she heard her cloak being shredded. She turned to blast him, and felt her wrists being crushed in molten metal hot hands. She let out a scream, and felt her control starting to falter. A small voice called to her, sounding like a child.

Trigon snarled, "You do have a little spunk in you. That's fine, nothing that can't be removed with the proper motivation. I know your mother was that way, would you like to hear about that?"

"I will fight you, I'm not alone," Raven managed to get out. She felt her strength being sapped, the longer this went on.

Trigon laughed, "Your 'Teen Titans?' Yes, I have seen them. All second rate heroes and heroines, cast offs and incompetent. Tell me, child, how do you expect a teen half machine, to defeat a demon lord? And your little boy who turns to beasts, oh what I will make him do to those he loves. The princess from the stars? She will beg for me to kill her by the time I'm done. Of course I could always give her to the other demons and devils, they are always looking for entertainment. Oh, and the Batman's apprentice. He has his skills, but not the willingness to go the distance. That just leaves you, and we just got through going over, YOU…ARE….WEAK!"

"No!" Raven screamed and the world came back to her. As well as instant regret.

Everything in the room was hovering in the air, her power flowing out to control them. Across the room were multiple dents, scratches, tears and ravenous gouges. She had done this, and the destruction washed over her. Worse, the Titans were there, and were looking at her with fear. All except for Nightwing.

"Easy, there, you're safe now," he said and slowly entered the room. At once she felt exposed and comforted in one shot. Exposed because they had seen her lose control. Yet, there was something in his voice, how he moved, like he understood being enthralled by darkness. She wanted to let it all out, but she couldn't. She had to remain in control, lest her power possibly go on a rampage.

Raven tried to pull herself in, "I'm sorry, I was…"

"We're all a little tired," Nightwing said. "This city will do that to you. Now, what happened?"

She explained and the other Teen Titans made their way into her room. Starfire tried to comfort her, but she didn't need that. Nor did she need Beast Boy's pitying look, and Cyborg remained unreadable. That was till she thought, "this might be how he sees himself, as a monster." Then his look made more sense, he was afraid of something like this happening to him too. How were these heroes going to help her defeat Trigon? That thought lasted just long enough for Nightwing to give her his patented, "We will overcome" look.

"He's coming for me," Raven said. "It is why I came looking for heroes in this world. I had hoped we had more time."

Nightwing smiled, "Then we'll take him down. We're the Titans, mess with one of us, you mess with us all."

"I thought by now, I'd be more of a help, but he's strong," Raven admitted.

Nightwing stopped her, "All bullies want you to think they are strong, but if he's taunting you, he's afraid. If he's afraid, then you can hurt him. If you can hurt him, then we'll be there to make sure you get the chance. Now, I believe Batman has Zantanna's information, or maybe Constantine. Those two might be able to help us out."

"I can't ask you to do this," Raven said.

This time it was Cyborg that stepped in, "As he said, we're Titans. You're one of us, even if you pull off the spooky, scary lady of this group extremely well."

Beast Boy interjected, "You are our Spooky, scary lady, and whomever is coming, we'll kick his ass!"

"Yes, to the ass kicking!" Starfire yelled. Then turning to the others, "Did I say that right?"

Nightwing smiled, "Yes, just fine. In the meantime, I need to get in touch with Batman."

The others stayed with Raven while Nightwing began walking down to the communications room. Already, he was trying to figure out how to temper two competing sets of responsibilities. Bruce was still down, and the Titans had been barely holding things down as it was. If he left now, that would leave Batgirl alone. That was something he hadn't wanted to do. Yet, he couldn't ignore his teammate's needs. They would be back as soon as possible, but he felt it was going to take all of them to help her out.

Bruce took the news as expected, there was no indication to what he was thinking. Despite his words and thoughts earlier, Dick found himself second guessing his decision. He thought it was still the best option, but now having to face his mentor, his father figure, those nagging doubts were expressing themselves. He wondered if all of adult life was like this.

"Understood, Nightwing," came Bruce's reply. "Take care of your team member. I have gotten a lead that may help with the situation here. By the way, from what you have described, here are some people to contact."

Dick looked at the information scrolling across this screen. Three names came up, complete with contact information, last known position and known associates. This made the young man smile, it was so much like Bruce to have files like this, even on his allies. The fact he was being entrusted with it, said a lot about his mentor's trust in him. Something that raised his spirits up. He did note that the on Doctor Stephen Strange, the listing was "Last Resort. Highly arrogant and prone to rash decisions."

"Don't worry about the kids," a new voice nearly made Dick leap through his skin. He had thought they were alone.

Bruce's voice belied no shock or surprise, "You must be the one they found fighting the Hyena. That was your name for him."

Dark Claw came out of the shadows, "Yes, and you sound familiar. That is a conversation for another time." He turned to Nightwing, "Junior, you're good to go. This Batman and I are just going to have a cordial conversation."

Dick looked back at the screen, and he heard Batman's voice agree, "Get your team in order. We'll talk later."

Nightwing left, but not before giving a wary look at the man who reminded him so much of Bruce, but also was just as different. Still, his gut told him that these two needed to hash some things out. He just hoped he came back to the communications equipment in one piece, even if Cyborg could probably fix it. He kind of liked this place in once piece.

"You've trained him well," Dark Claw said.

Batman's voice betrayed no change, "I've ran a scan on you. You're not from this world."

"I gathered that when things were subtly different," Dark Claw said. "So, why don't you tell me something I don't know."

Batman continued, "I don't know if we can get you back to your world, but if there is a way, I will help you. Till then, I'm getting reports of others like you. Some preying on the innocent, like your Hyena, others who haven't struck yet. I ask you to protect my city, and I'll help you get back to yours."

"Gotham, New Gotham, I'll take the fight to any who prey upon the innocent," Dark Claw said. "That you don't even have to ask, I'll always be there."