Nightwing cartwheels avoiding multiple attacks from Plasmus, who keeps throwing his arms made of goo at him. The hero then stops and throws an electric disc, hitting one of its arms. The monster roars and continues attacking him, becoming angrier with each failed attack. Nightwing goes back to dodging the attacks. He must find a way to put him to sleep quick. He begins running around the monster, hopefully that will help.
He cartwheels avoiding another attack, that summersaults him into a front flip avoiding a second straight attack. But while in the air, Plasmus throws a third arm impacting Nightwings foot sending him flying because of his momentum. Nightwing lands on the floor on his back, he grunts.
Plasmus roars again and throws another arm. Before Nightwing can process it, a yellow blur makes it to the monster and moves its arm just slightly to the side as the attack misses Nightwing by a few feet.
The monster appears confused. Then the yellow blur begins running around Plasmus avoiding its attacks with ease.
Nightwing lifts an eyebrow as he stands up. He knows who that is. "Wally?"
The speedster makes it to Nightwings side. "Hey Dick, how you doing?" He again goes back to running around the monster.
Nightwing takes out his esgrima sticks. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, you know, just doing cardio as always" Kid Flash answers while running.
Nightwing jumps on top of one of Plasmuss arms, and delivers a forceful blow to the monster, and lands with a front flip. "You are on your own?"
"Oh, no buddy, I'm the distraction."
"Distraction?"
Then out of nowhere, two water pipes running below the floor of the penitentiary break up through the concrete, sending a giant wave at the monster. Kid Flash makes it to Nightwing and takes him away from danger. The wave impacting Plasmus and sending it back against the wall.
From the newly created hole emerges out Aqualad. Nightwing smiles and makes it to him.
"Good to see you, Garth."
Aqualad shakes his hand. "Its good to see you as well, my friend."
They hear another roar as Plasmus once more stands on its feet. The heroes turn to it.
"I presume Donna and Roy are also here, right?" Nightwing asks without looking at his friends.
"Yes, they are on the other sectors trying to control the outbreak" Aqualad explains.
"My team is also here."
"Well, hopefully they are getting along just fine" Wally adds.
On the yard of the penitentiary, Kory shoots a massive beam of energy from her eyes. Troia raises her shield blocking the attack. Kory lands in front of her and now throws at forceful punch. Troia again blocks her and pushes her shield forward hitting Kory on the face, she then swings her sword at her. Kory catches her wrist and applies pressure. Troia cries in pain and let's go of her sword. Kory then punches her. Troia answers headbutting her. Kory staggers back, but then she headbutts her back. She lights up a beam on her free hand, but Troia grabs her by the wrist and, using her other hand delivers a vicious punch to the chest sending Kory back flying through the wall of a cell. Kory lands on her back, instantly noticing Troia jumping over her. However, before she can land, she shoots a massive beam with her hands together, sending Troia back to the yard.
Nightwing, Kid Flash and Aqualad continue running around the Plasmus, avoiding its attacks.
Aqualad, using his swords, cuts through the monster's arm. Plasmus screams in pain. Nightwing takes advantage and using his esgrima sticks, delivers a forceful blow sending the monster to the floor. However, it isn't enough as it gets up once again, and back to the fight.
"Hey Dick, not that I'm not enjoying our time together, but how do we stop this thing?!" Wally wonders as he gets back to running.
"We have to put him to sleep" Nightwing answers mid backflip.
"How do we do it?" Aqualad asks before he receives a blow that sends him flying.
"I don't know... he seems stronger... angrier…" He thinks. "Get me in contact with Roy!"
Kid Flash touches his earpiece mid run. "Hey Roy, how you doing, buddy?"
"Hey, I think I made a mistake" comes Arsenals voice from the other side, sounding remorseful.
"Yeah, well, it happens to most, I also once cheated on my girlfriend. Look, buddy, Nightwing here wants to talk to you."
"Nightwing? What is Dick…?"
Kid Flash makes it to Nightwing and hands him his earpiece. "Roy, you've got something loud?"
"Gotcha covered, boss."
"Good, meet us at the high security wing" Nightwing says just before Kid Flash makes it to his side and moves him away from a Plasmus attack.
"Would you be careful? I worry" Kid Flash says dramatically. Nightwing rolls his eyes. The speedster goes back to running. He runs at full force at Plasmus, climbing through his body until reaching the head where he delivers a punch, which combined with his speed sends the monster back. Kid Flash then lands on the ground and is about to run away when his foot is grabbed and he is thrown to the side.
Arsenal makes it to the high-security wing, instantly noticing his three friends fighting a monster made of goo, across the wing. He presses a button on his quiver, changing his arrows into sonic. He takes one and aims at the heart of the monster.
Nightwing notices the archer. "Wally! Garth! Move!"
Arsenal fires. The arrows travelling all across the wing until hitting the monster right in its chest, but only hallway. The monster screams. Nightwing rushes to Plasmus, jumps up, and brings his foot to the arrow pushing it all the way into the monster. He falls on the back.
Plasmus looks down at him, nothing happened. It reaches down with one hand, when suddenly an explosion goes off inside the monster and the goo going everywhere.
Aqualad offers a hand to Nightwing helping him off the ground. They look to the side, where in between the remains of goo is a naked man sleeping on the ground.
Arsenal and Kid Flash make it to their side.
"So, gross."
"Good shot, Roy."
"Never knew a shot I couldn't hit" the archer answers arrogantly.
"Donna?" Nightwing questions.
"She was going to take care of the inmates at the front yard, you know how she is, always wanting to take care of everything by herself" Kid Flash answers. He touches his earpiece. "Donna, you there? Never gonna guess who we ran into." Silence. He turns to Nightwing. "No answer."
Nightwing closes his eye. He touches his own earpiece. "Kory, where are you?" Also, no answer. "Fuck…" He already has an idea of what is going on.
Troia is thrown against a wall. Kory is about to punch her, but the Amazon grabs her and throws her against another wall.
Kory's eyes flash green with rage. She flies forward at her adversary tackling her and flying through a wall landing both back in the yard. They quickly stand up, studying their opponent. Both feeling a bit out of breath.
Kory charges her green beams, while Troia raises her sword. They would do their everything to win this fight, their pride being at stake.
They let out a battle cry as they charge forward, when suddenly Nightwing lands in the middle between the two women interrupting the fight. Both Kory and Troia stop before they could accidentally hurt him.
"Enough!"
They look around noticing there aren't any inmates still on their feet, and the outbreak has been contained by the SWAT squads. They turn back to Nightwing.
A couple of minutes later, they are all sitting around at a table at a pizza place a few blocks from there. Richard dressed as a civilian with shades covering his eyes, Kory to his right, her gaze fixed on Donna, to his left, Gar, eating a whole veggie pizza by himself. To the kids left, is Roy amazed at how this Gar kid is just casually eating as if he had not received the impact of one of his arrows a few minutes ago. To the archer's side is Garth, Donna next to, glaring back at Kory, and finally, Wally going through his second pizza.
Silence. Kory and Donna, having a glaring contest between the two of them. Wally being too busy to talk, Gar the same. Roy, feeling guilty. Garth, a bit uncomfortable with the situation. And finally, Richard, detective mode on, trying to come out with an explanation on why his previous team could be here in Jump.
After a few minutes, Roy talks.
"Are you sure you are okay?" He asks Gar.
"Yeah dude… don't... sweat it" he answers while munching a slice of pizza.
"He heals fast" Richard explains. Roy nods, now feeling a bit better.
Another silence. The only sound coming from their table being Wallys and Gars eating their respective pizzas.
Garth looks around the table. "So, this is your new team…" he says in a cordial way, trying to clear the air.
"Yes, yes, it is" Richard answers with his arms crossed. He is not happy with them, not even a heads up of their mission?
"They seem nice…" Garth adds with an awkward smile. In front of him, Kory is still glaring at Donna.
Another silence.
Wally finishes his pizza and motions to the waitress. "Keep them coming..." He gestures to Richard. "…he is paying." At that comment, Richard can't help but let out a small chuckle. He had missed his best friend. Wally turns to him, a fake offended expression on his face. "So, this is your new team? The one with whom you replaced us?" Richard rolls his eyes, always so dramatic. "What do they have that we do not? Are they better?"
Kory suddenly punches the table. "Yes, yes we are!" She raises her tone, not getting the joke.
Before Wally can say anything, Donna answers back. "Oh really? Want to see you prove it, Red!"
"I believe I already have!"
Donna stands up. "If not for Dick, I would've kicked your ass!"
Kory matches her. "You want the rematch?!"
"Hell yeah, I want…!"
Garth takes hold of Donna, while Richard of Kory. "Everyone calm down!" Richard yells, forcing them to look at him. "Now there are more pressing matters, so, if you don't mind."
"Fine!" Both women answer at the same time as they get back on their seats.
"Good, now… why are you all here?" He asks looking at each of them.
The Old Titans trade glances.
"It is classified" finally Donna answers crossing her arms. In that moment the waitress comes back holding two pizzas. Wally instantly going for one of them.
"Of course it is. Whose orders?"
Before Donna can answer Garth beats her to it. "Batman's orders"
Richard raises an eyebrow. "Unbelievable…" He shakes his head and sighs, trying to process it. "So, now you are working for him. The whole reason we created the Titans was to stop working for them, but now I guess you are back at it. Just doing the side little missions they don't feel like doing…"
"Hey, fuck you, man!" Roy interjects pointing his finger at him. "You weren't there, you left us, remember?"
"Yeah, dude, what happened to I work solo now?" Wally asks, a real hurt expression on his face now. Richard doesn't answer.
"What I want to know is why you've got a whole prison of possessed inmates?" Donna continues the interrogatory.
"Yeah, dude… they were like zombies... that was crazy" Wally adds with a whole slice of pizza in his mouth.
"What's really going on here?" Donna crosses her arms. "Might have something to do with why you've got a giant-size red eclipse over beautiful and sunny Jump City?"
Richard thinks about it. Does he want to share what is going on? Not really. Gar looks at him.
"We might need their help…"
Richard nods and turns to Kory. "Kor?"
"I do not think we need them" she answers stubbornly.
"Oh yeah, because clearly you have everything under control over here" Donna shoots.
"Donna!" Garth interjects.
"Fine!" Richard answers. "But you go first, then I'll fill you in on our situation." He sure as hell wants to know why had Batman ordered a mission on his city.
"Fine." Donna gives up. "A few weeks ago, there was a security breach at Wayne Enterprises, some new defensive mechanism was stolen…"
"What defensive mechanism?"
"That is classified" she answers back.
"Donna!"
"Its Batman, of course it is. Who stole it?" Richard thinks. So, they steal something from him, and he sends the back-up team to retrieve it. However, for him to care that much, it must be something important.
"An employee, Batman caught him but not before he ships it across the country.
"What did the employee say? Who was he working for?"
"Nothing" Garth continues. "Didn't remember nothing from the last couple of days. Some sort of hypnosis… we checked with Martian Manhunter, who confirmed his story."
"Yeah, like your inmates back there" Roy adds.
Richard trades glances with Kory and Gar, a worried look on their faces.
Donna notices it. "Exactly, Boy Wonder, our missions may be related." She leans back on her seat. "End of story, Batman assigned us to retrieve the package. We followed it to San Francisco to a dodgy delivery company. From it there it was sent right here to Jump. It arrived yesterday, but we were late, we only found corpses, corpses a lot too similar to the ones at the penitentiary gate…"
"Their necks had also been snapped using some sort of telekinesis" Garth explains.
"Admit it, Dick, you don't have this situation as in control as you say… now talk."
The Old Titans all turn to Richard, interested in what he has to say.
Richard is on his phone outside of the storage unit, he doesn't look happy. "I thought we were making progress, Bruce! That we were back to talking, trusting each other. But now I find that you sent a team to my city with specific orders not to tell me? And all to clean a mistake you made."
He pauses as he tries to calm himself.
A holographic screen is showing the footage from the security camera outside the penitentiary. In it, is Raven snapping the necks of the guards outside with a hand movement.
Richard watches closely at the storage unit. Behind him are the Old and New Titans, Victor included.
"Face it, Dick, that's not your friend anymore" Donna says, after being briefed on the situation. "The mission comes first."
"I'm taking control of your team, I'm the one who knows best what me are up against" Richard continues on the phone outside. He isn't letting them hurt Raven
Richard turns to Donna. "No, there's must be a way to stopping him without hurting Raven."
"You don't even know how stop him period."
"Raven is our friend" Kory argues. "We don't hurt our friends" she shoots at Donna.
Richard nods. "Theres always a weakness, we just have to find it."
"I bet he has the same weakness as everyone" Roy says while playing with one of his arrows in his hands.
Before Richard can argue with him, Gar speaks, the Book on Azar in his hands. "Dudes, I may know where to look." They all turn to him. "Uhm… Raven always carried this book with her." He places the heavy book on the table in the middle of the room. "I bet we can find an answer here."
Victor messes with his hair. "Well done, boy."
"What does it say?" Garth questions.
"I… I can't read it."
"Let me have a look at it, kid" Donna says walking to the book. She opens it. "It's Sanskrit." She starts reading. "Trigon, the terrible, his only desire to see it all burn, to see humanity cease to exist… once liberated, he takes control of the host…"
"Raven…"
"Quickly spreading himself through the people around…"
Richard thinks. "But Raven is keeping him at bay for the moment, that's why he couldn't hurt me, that's why he could only control the inmates…"
"The easiest ones to control…" Victor adds.
Richard nods.
Donna continues. "With every day in control of the host, his powers will increase to the point of being invincible." She goes through some pages. "He has been defeated in the past, the host must expel him, whether it is by its power of will or by its death…"
"My point exactly" Roy says.
Richard turns to him. "We are not killing her. She can do it; she can expel him. If I know someone whose power of will is that strong, that's Raven. She's the most hopeful person I've ever met."
"So… What's the plan, boss?" Wally asks. "We play a few hands of poker while we wait? I can get us some cards."
Richard shakes his head. "We get to her, try to talk to her, help her fight him."
"The good ol power of friendship, I like it" Wally jokes.
"It won't be so easy" Donna thinks. "He will have the inmates he got from prison, plus the security mechanism."
"That's why is critical you share with us what we are facing."
Donna sighs. He is right. "Its code name is Amazo. After Amanda Waller got the clearance to run her Suicide Squad, Batman argued the criminals couldn't be trusted. Using the technology at Wayne Enterprises, he programmed this android to fight the battles he couldn't, to be available for when his body gave up. It has the ability to replicate the powers and fighting styles from whomever he is fighting against… One of its purposes is fighting against a Superman-level threat." She sighs, they are screwed. "It is unstoppable…"
Silence takes over the room.
"And you keep making the same mistakes!" Richard yells at the phone. "And where has that led you? … Back to me…"
"We can call the Justice League, right?" Gar proposes. "Surely, they can help us, right? … dudes?"
No one answers.
Richard shakes his head. "We are already fighting a demon and an unstoppable android. If Trigon can control whoever he likes, who can assure us he can't control Superman also?" He pauses. "They can't help us. As of now, Raven is barely being able to protect us, her friends. We can't let anyone get close to her…"
Richard runs a hand through his face, he is still on the phone. "I'm leading a mission to get to Raven. We believe she can protect me and my team from Trigons mind control…" he pauses. "Bruce, I need you to get in contact with the rest of the Justice League. Make sure no one approaches the city, no matter how ugly it gets, we can't fight them also… Dick out."
Richard finishes the call and puts his phone away.
Richard turns to Donna. "I think it also best if the ones to approach her are my team, the ones whom she knows best."
Garth nods in agreement. "Dick is right, we will help you get to her."
"We can take care of the Amazo" Donna says crossing her arms.
"Good, me Kory, Vic and Gar will approach her."
"Actually, I'm running with them" Victor says getting everyone's attention. "They'll need the numbers, plus I think I can help with this android."
"Yeah, dude" Wally says wrapping one arm around Victor. "I like Tinman over here." Victor glares at him.
Richard laughs. Apart from his speed that's why you always need Wally on your team. He can easily help calm the nerves before an impossible mission, with his jokes. He nods at his best friend. The speedster nods back.
He turns to Victor. "Did you manage to get the software online?" The Cyborg nods. Richard turns back to the rest of the team. "Using his software, we will be able to lock a location on Trigon." He presses a button on the control panel on his arm.
Automatically, the holographic screen in the middle of the room turns on showing thousands of tiny monitors displaying architectural patterns, between all of them showing a map of the city.
"Wow…" Gar whispers.
Wally playfully elbows Kory. "You have a mini-Batman in here."
Kory doesn't answer as he looks at the screen, clearly not approving of this.
Donna appears in deep thought. "However, his powers will increase as time passes." She turns to Richard and his team. "You'll have to act quick."
Richard smirks. "And you'll have to buy me as much time as you can."
Inside a church, a mass of people is hearing the priest's words. Everyone is silent at their seats with their gazes down, the church seeming clearly more full than usual. The red light from the eclipse shining through the vitro behind the priest, making everyone think of a potential apocalypse.
The priest is currently reading a specific sermon regarding the end of times, his intention clearly to calm down the people.
Suddenly the doors of the church swing open. Everyone turns to it. There they see a girl wearing a purple cloak with a hood on. The girl takes her hood off, revealing Raven, the two pairs of red eyes on her faces and the creepy smile.
Everyone screams in panic as they scramble to the exit.
Trigon makes a movement with his hands shutting the doors, preventing them from escaping. He then raises his hands as he starts floating.
"God has left the city."
The people crowd themselves to the doors trying to force them open, but it's in vain.
The priest watches in awe at what he has in front, with one of his hands he reaches to the cross around his neck. He looks to the side.
From the eyes of the characters of the side painting in the church, he can see blood coming out.
The people continue screaming.
The screams suddenly cease as the windows get painted red.
"Have a lock on him!" Victor yells, catching everyone's attention as they turn to him. Richard takes a step forward. "He is at the Tower, the newly built skyscraper." He presses a button. The screen then shows a holographic 3D map of the city. In the middle of it, there's a giant building way taller than the rest of them, a red dot over it indicating Trigon position.
"Why be there?" Garth wonders. "Right for everyone to see."
Richard looks at him. "Because that's what he wants, for everyone to look at him, to adore him, he wants a monument with his name in it." He thinks and turns to Donna. "He won't resist a full-frontal attack." He points to the avenue leading to the building. "You will march through here. He will send all his got to you…" He focuses back on the building. "…giving us an opening to infiltrate undetected."
Donna smirks as she shakes her head. "I missed your suicide plans, Boy Wonder." Richard grins. She looks at the holographic map. "We have the advantage the building is near the water, that's gives one less direction from where someone could approach." She turns to her team. "Roy, I want you five blocks east…" she signals to a few small buildings. "No one gets past you, no matter whose side they are on, got it?"
"Gotcha, boss."
"Wally…"
"My turn" Wally interrupts.
"You'll be middle point between us and Roy, keep us informed and aid whomever needs it." Wally nods. Donna turns back to the map. "That leaves me, Garth and Victor to march forward in a frontal attack." Victor and Garth share a salute with their fists. She looks at Richard. "I think I got it all."
"Will he not suspect of a trap if he doesn't see us at the frontal attack?" Kory points out.
"Red is right" Donna admits. Kory looks at her, a bit surprised, she nods. The Amazon nods back.
Richard think about it. "We'll have to let our presence known at the start." He focuses on the map. "Then we'll have to disappear… the sewers." He points to the sewers below the street level. "We can use them to pass undetected, that will take us right below the building, where we can start the climb." He looks at Donna. "I expect a good show."
"Trust me, we will." She grows serious. "Are you prepared to make the tough call if the plan fails?" She doesn't need to explain what she means.
Richard doesn't answer. He looks at the rest of the team. Some of them his long-time friends, others his new friends, and then the love of his life. "The fate of the universe is at risk, we can't fail. Be careful, I don't want to lose anyone today." Silence, they all nod. "Gear up, we leave in five."
Roy puts on the quiver with his arrows behind his back. He then grabs his bow preparing for combat.
Gar closes his eyes trying to concentrate. He opens them, his eyes a stronger shade of green.
Garth grabs his swords and makes a quick move with them trying to warm up.
Victor presses a couple of buttons on his control panel. Since he doesn't have the Max 8 chip anymore, he will have to make his sonic blasts count.
Kory puts on metallic armbands over her wrists. She then lights up two quick green beams on her hands, testing her powers are still working.
Wally puts on his speed goggles.
Donna grabs her sword and her shield and pushes them together producing a loud clank.
Richard puts on his Nightwgins suit, maybe for the last time. He wraps his utility belt around his waist, places both esgrima sticks behind his back and puts on his mask.
Nightwing then walks behind Wally and places a hand over his shoulder. "Good to have you at the team, Wall."
Kid Flash smirks. "See you at the finish line, Dickie Boy."
Nightwing smiles. He continues walking to Kory. They make eye contact and push their foreheads together. Silence.
"Be careful."
"I will, my love."
He closes his eyes for a second and reopens them. "If for whatever reason you feel overmatch… I want you to run, you hear me? Or you call me or them... I don't want to lose you again."
Kory nods. "I also do not want to lose you." She leans forward and kisses him again, also maybe for the last time.
"I…" He starts, but doesn't continue, not finding the words to voice it. He gives up and kisses her again.
Trigon makes it to the roof of the Tower. Behind him are Rouge, Billy and Clayface. He turns to them.
"Make sure no one interrupts me." He automatically starts levitating reaching the same height as the antenna on top of the building.
Rouge turns to Billy and nods. He nods and grabs a radio. "Turn it on, Billy."
"You got it, Billy" another Billy answers from the street level. Nex to him is a large wooden box open. He reaches inside the box and presses a button. Instantly, two red eyes turn on from the darkness of the box.
Trigon continues levitating. He raises his hand focusing on the moon producing the red eclipse.
A military Russian submarine is cruising through below the ice through the Arctic Ocean. Inside a general is giving numerous orders. The four red eyes flash on his face. He stops and turns to the nuclear weapons button. His eyes turn back to normal.
"General, are you alright?"
He nods. He is, right? What was that? "I am okay, focus ahead."
Down at the Batcave, Bruce finishes hearing Richard's message. He looks down at the Batman cowl between his hands. A thoughtful look on his eyes, he must do something. He turns to the side.
"Alfred, get the Batwing ready."
Well that leads us to the final chapter of the story, the final battle, and then the epilogue. Hope you are enjoying. Let me know what you thinking of the story, do you think it is on the same level as the first one?. Also, im at 7 reviews for the story, get me to 10 and only then will post the final chapter, i need all the motivation i can get since its a difficult one because of all the character and moving parts. And i repeat, not everyone might make it alive. Thank you to everyone who made it this far.