Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans 2003 this is a work of fan fiction please support the official releases.
Authors notes:
Oh boy this took forever, sorry about that this was quite a long one. Hey its out in the month I said so there's that at least. I was very nervous about this one as it's the first dive outside the realm of The Teen Titans into another realm of the DC universe.
It should be noted however that the primary hero that is introduced from that corner is inspired by the 2005 version from 'The Batman' animated series. They are however not the same character. The same goes with the villain who is inspired by his Under the Red Hood version but is not the same character. Just to make that clear. I wanted to dip my hands into other parts of the universe gently.
This story will get a bit more violent that previous ones and a much harsher language. But the ratings are there so.
So, this story is Nightwing focused however there is plenty of BBRAE here because I all know that's what you come for. Some belated New year's fun too. This is a rather long story and I did enjoy writing it but boy was it hard to get it all done. Hopefully someone enjoys it.
Quick note I am not an engineer or a scientist so please take any leaps for what they are.
Ok enough rambling lets get this going. Please if you get chance let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy!
Bat-Family Values
"5!..."
"4!..."
"3!.."
"2!..."
"1!..."
"Happy New Year!" The phrase rattled throughout the T-shaped Tower situated in Jump City Bay. Yelled by dozens of costumed heroes celebrating the passing of another year. The rather open living room space was filled up making manoeuvring irksome, particularly with alcohol involved. The crowd had many Titans, some of whom were couples or had the bravery to become one on this night alone.
Nightwing had trepidations, a party was a prime target. Though Cyborg and Garfield were quick to point out any villain stupid enough to attack a tower full of superheroes was probably asking to be thrown in jail, drunk or otherwise. The others had quickly turned him around to the idea. All of the core team were looking forward to it, expect the resident Empath.
Parties weren't Raven's scene, even quiet ones with just the five of them took some effort. Since dating Garfield, the others had noticed the impact he had brought on her. She was much more open to having fun and trying new things then she would have been in the beginning. The only real concern were her powers. Even without her father's influence and daily meditation, it was still dangerous particularly under large groups.
Garfield would rather she spend the evening comfortable and take in the new year on her own terms. The Changeling had come a long way in a few years. The conflict with the Brotherhood had shown the others what he was capable of. Still, it was Raven who was having the most influence on him. His maturity was coming along nicely. Beast Boy was still in there but Changeling was who everyone saw.
The snow from Christmas was still settled around the city. Parts of the roof still had piles of frozen patches sprawled out across the place. Garfield came out onto the roof and instantly saw his breath pour from his mouth only making him feel colder. Quickly rubbing his arms, he quickly spawned a layer of thick fur under his costume. If anyone were to ask, he would tell you how he loved his new powers. The cold air was now more bearable, the green Titan took it in relishing in a moment of peace after over an hour of mingling. He was feeling more like his girlfriend.
Across the bay the sight of some fireworks was still visible, the city was still very much awake and so were most of the Towers guests. Some of them had already begun making their way back preparing for a potentially headache inducing morning. Garfield looked down at the small island that the Tower perched on and saw various Titans making their way towards home. Some he had barely spoken to, most of them had come to him in the night. Being a core member of the original five had its benefits, though even he found his limit tonight.
Garfield took in the night sky with a smile, he had a optimistic look towards the future. The familiar sound of the Tower roof door slammed across the roof.
"Gar?" Nightwing paced over towards the Changeling. Full costume with a rather thick leather jacket. Looking at him was making Garfield feel cold again.
"Dude? Aren't you freezing?" Garfield asked. Dick chuckled.
"Oh, trust me I'm used to it, besides we don't all have cool new powers" He replied. Garfield returned with a light chuckle of his own.
"Suppose not"
"I gotta be honest Gar, I was expecting Raven out here, not the party planner himself? Everything okay?" Nightwing placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. Nightwing still stood taller than his green teammate.
"Yeah, but even, I get overwhelmed sometimes" Garfield admitted stroking the back of his head.
"Well, I can see that is it a bit much down there" Nightwing looked over the roof and spotted the other costumed heroes down below.
"Thought you'd be with Star?"
"I'm not sure where she is really? I lost her like an hour ago?" Nightwing shrugged.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll turn up" Garfield chuckled. Nightwing couldn't help but laugh too. He let out a long sigh.
"It's been quite a year, eh Gar?"
"Tell me about it... It went by like Kid Flash!" He said with a smile.
"It's amazing to think where we started and to where we are now?"
"You mean when we were all just kids and I was an annoying little goblin?"
"Hey now, you give yourself too little credit, I'm amazed how far you've come"
"C'mon Dude you know most of that is Raven"
"Again, too little credit Bud. I remember an eager Doom patrol member who wouldn't stop calling me sir. Now I know a confident mature Titan"
"Aww save the sweet talk for Starfire"
"I know I haven't always been easy on you, maybe I always wanted you at your best. Still, it's been an amazing experience with all of you" Nightwing lifted his arm to offer It to Garfield, the Changeling smiled confidently at Nightwings words. He clutched his own hand back into Nightwing and the two brought them together like they were arm wrestling.
"Right back at you! I'm stoked for another year" Garfield said.
Nightwing turned his head and looked up at the Stars above Jump City. He was wondering what fate had in store for his team this time.
Across the bay drenched in darkness a vessel lay hidden in the night sea. Nothing special or impressive, an old tramper anchored down out to the deeper shallows. Inside the cabin of this rather rustic looking vessel was a man, again not an impressive one. Drury Walker: lepidopterist. At first glance a rather unassuming collector of small insects. To the Titans he is Killer Moth.
The villain switched on several lights inside the steam trampers cabin exposing a small hinged door on the deck floor. He was dressed for the occasion with typical sailing attire. His features were rather unremarkable and would be the kind of man that blended in a crowd.
Down through the lower decks the villain approached the sight of a group of men tied up together. Each was covered in the marks of attacks by something large with claws. The villain approached a desk built into the ships lower hull covered in lab equipment and picked up his themed helmet. Killer moth was here. Grabbing a set of syringes, he stabbed into a jar of marked liquid. Once the strange formula filled the syringe, he gave it a light set of taps. He looked towards his hostages.
"Time to crash the party"
Nightwing spotted Starfire's familiar green aura tracing around towards the ground. He knew it wouldn't be long before he was found again.
"I should probably get back; she'll start to worry" Nightwing said.
"Don't worry I totally get you" Garfield replied.
"Oh, I should probably apologise now" Nightwing looked rather guilty and Garfield could sense it.
"What do you mean, dude?"
Nightwing gave out a nervous chuckle. "You'll see when she finds you"
Garfield looked confused. Was he talking about Raven, he was being oddly cryptic. The conversation was soon interpreted by the recognisable sound of Tamaranean flying up in the air.
"Boyfriend Nightwing and friend Garfield!" Starfire beamed at the two of them. Stafire lunged forward and grabbed both of them in a tight embrace. It was rather painful.
"The new year be the happy friends" She smiled. Both of them tried to regain their breath again after the crushing hug. Starfire knew the danger of her own strength and had opted for restraint this year, only indulging in a few drinks throughout the evening.
"Come Richard, I wish to do the showing off of you" Starfire lifted off with Nightwing in tow. She started floating down towards the base of the Tower.
"See you Garfield and Happy New Year!" Nightwing yelled up at Changeling who was quickly disappearing from view. Garfield wondered to himself what he meant. Soon however his senses filled with a familiar lavender aura approaching the roof. The door to the roof swung open with a violent clang.
"There he is!" A loud creaky voice belted across the rooftop, making Garfield nearly jump out of his skin.
"R...Rae?!" He yelped like he'd been caught stealing from a well-hidden jar of cookies. The Empath stumbled across the icy roof towards him. She quickly came up close to him and grabbed his cheeks.
"There's my adorable, amazing, azoudaring... boyfriend" Raven stumbled through her words and gave a more sincere smile than he'd probably ever seen from her. Garfield smiled back and grabbed her hands to bring them down together. He then felt a strong odour pouring off of her, with a few sniffs he confirmed his suspicions.
"Raven, how many have you had tonight?" Garfield crossed his arms and looked down at her. Raven looked incredibly guilty, as if she'd just been caught red handed stealing Nightwings secret cookies.
"Ugh I hate when you call me Raven, it means you're mad at me" She mumbled looking away from him.
"Raven?" He asked again.
"Ok, ok ... seven ... no wait ... twelve!" Raven hiccupped lifting up her fingers displaying a number not even close to what she had said.
"I thought you said you wanted to take it lightly this year, with your powers and..."
"See that's what I... *burp* wanted to bu... but see Cyborg he made me this" Raven lifted up her left arm so a small device was visible on her wrist dangling in front of Garfield.
"Oh, wow that's the ugliest looking watch I've ever seen" Garfield commented, Raven looked offended and scoffed a little.
"How dare you!? It's not... Oh crap that is ugly but it donna matter *burp* be... because this thing has solved my problem" Raven examined the device herself and tried to refocus herself. Garfield sighed in an annoyed tone.
"That better not be a power dampener Raven, you know how I feel about..."
"It's not a dampener! Don't be so stuffy Garfield! No, no, no, no..." Raven came up close to him.
"It's a regulator" She whispered.
"A regulator?" He replied.
"Yeah, yeah! See this doesn't turn my powers off it just takes any energy that pours out of me and puts it into this... I think? I dunno, whatever it does it means I can en…enjoyed tonight without incident" Raven finished, Garfield chuckled at her improper grammar.
"Well, I'm still not sure but I'm glad you're having fun" Garfield smiled.
"Ohh so much fun! I never knew parties could be this much fun, Gar?"
"Thought you hated parties?"
"I do! So much! But Gar... Listen *burp* I've spent most of my whole fucking life without any control in it. Like none at all… Now I do! I want to do stuff! Stuff I never thought I could do" Raven mumbled.
"Well, that explains tonight then" Garfield snarked. Raven pouted.
"Don't get snarky with me Garfield Mark Logan! You don't know what it's like to grow up as a fucking door! You! *burp* you! Can be whatever you want to be and I have... had? Had! to keep myself in control so others wouldn't be hurt!" Raven tugged on his collar and poked him sternly with her finger through her rant towards him.
"I know Rae, that's one of the things I love about you and I'm totally happy that you're having a good time tonight" Garfield straightened himself up and cupped her cheek. "I just don't want you to hurt yourself either" Raven looked up at him and blushed turning away.
"Ugh! where's the old Garfield? I could outsmart him and he was *burp* shorter!" Raven said slurring her words. He chuckled lightly.
"I'm still here, Rae"
"No, the old you would was cute…*burp*… and…*burp* and he would always try and get me to smile. I liked that" Raven admitted. Garfield crossed his arms with a cheeky smile.
"Oh, you did, now did you? So, what else did you like about me? Did you think I'm funny?" He grinned.
"Hell, no you were annoying as shit!" Raven blurted out; Garfield's grin quickly disappeared being replaced by a disappointed blank expression.
" 'Why did the cookie go to the doctor?' I mean really Gar? What are you? Two years old? Your jokes were the worst... *burp* but..." Raven came up close to him.
"...You never stopped trying. That's what I loved" Raven grabbed the side of his face and the two looked down at each other. Garfield looked into her eyes and pulled himself into her palm and kissed it a little.
"Hey Gar? Do you want to hear a secret?" Raven asked with a cheeky smile. He couldn't help but he intrigued.
"Um, ok?"
"Come closer" Raven gestured her hand towards her. Garfield moved in a little
"Closer" She repeated. Garfield's ear was now resting In front of her lips. The sorceress pulled her hands up to protect her words from the prying eyes of the world.
"I going to throw up" She whispered. Garfield immediately turned to face her and saw her blank face for only a second before she dashed over towards the Towers edge. Next Garfield could only hear what could be described as 'demonic expulsion'. He grabbed Raven's cape trying to steady her. As she finished up, she tumbled backwards onto the tiled rooftop. She clutched her stomach and groaned. He couldn't help but chuckle a little, he performed a quick scoop and lifted her up bridal style.
"Ok, let's get you to bed, Rae" Garfield carried her towards the door. Thinking to himself about what he had just seen he wondered why for some reason... he expected rainbows?
Changeling's nose was then filled with an aroma of unfamiliarity. He could hear the fluttering of large wings making their way towards the tower. Before he could react appropriately several large moth-like creatures landed in a surrounding formation on the roof. They were humanoid in shape with distinct monstrous insect-like features.
Garfield gripped Raven tightly and readied himself. Another sound of Fluttering wings bellowed down as the sight of a fully armoured killer moth hovered above him. Electric whip in his right hand. The themed Villain pointed towards the green Titan.
"It's a new year and a new age, Titans! The age of the moth!" He screamed.
Garfield couldn't help but snicker a little which irked the flying villain.
"What?" Killer Moth growled.
"Sorry dude, that just sounded so bad..." Garfield giggled. Killer Moth roared and wound up his arm pulling the whip back. With a swing he brought it towards the two Titans on the roof.
Before Killer Moth could even see, the whip was caught by a scally animal hand protruding out of Garfield's side. His two primary arms still holding onto Raven. Killer Moth looked shocked. He has expected all of the superpowered teens to be somewhat inebriated.
"How?! You should be drunk?!" He roared at him.
"Says who?" Changelings new arm tugged at Killer Moths whip forcing him to the ground with a loud 'thud' The villain scrambled himself to his feet.
"Kill him! Kill him now!" He barked at his other creatures. The group of monsters surrounding Garfield advanced towards him. The Changeling grinned confidently. He lifted up Raven with his arms and began to transform in size. Taking on the form of his signature Beast. This version with many extra arms and features. Including an armoured hide and feathered wings. The Moth warriors seemed taken aback by the Beasts size. Garfield instantly went on the attack with four pairs of arms under the other pair that had Raven safely in hand.
Killer Moth watched as the Beast slapped his creations around like rag dolls. His frustration started to boil.
"Why are you idiots taking so long!" Killer Moth screamed at them. The villain felt a light tap on his shoulder. As he turned, he felt the full force of something hard smash into his helmet, shattering the glass eyes on the mask.
"You picked the wrong night for this, Moth. Believe me" Nightwing was standing tall alongside Starfire who despite being at least ten drinks in looked completely ready for battle. Tamaranean tolerance was after all a lot stronger than humans. Killer Moth tried to regain his footing and engage the other Titans; he was swiftly placed back on the ground by a swift Tamaranean right hook. Knocked out cold.
The ensuing battle was brief. Killer Moths new warriors were clumsy and jittery. It didn't take long for the three Titans to render each unconscious. After the bout Nightwing thought it best to call it a night and had the authorities come and pick up the battered Villain and take him away. See Killer Moth wasn't aware of Nightwings 'Two to Three' policy for parties. Each group of Titans had to have two sober throughout the night to deal with any potential threat.
This year Garfield and Nightwing had volunteered to be the designated Titans, whilst he was annoyed at first admittedly Garfield had been thankful after seeing how hard Raven had gone this year.
Nightwing stood at the base of the Tower with Starfire seeing the other Titans and Killer Moth off. The mutated hostages were been sent away to apply a proper cure, whilst Moth was getting ready to be transported to a much high security holding. He had still not regained consciousness.
"Thanks for coming guys, no don't worry about it it's all fine" Nightwing said over towards Titans East making their way home.
"We hope to see you again soon!" Starfire beamed.
"Alright is that everything?" One of the officers asked.
"Should be, keep me informed on the state of the hostages" Nightwing replied. The officer nodded and slammed both doors of the van containing Killer Moth shut and made his way over to the vehicle's cab and climbed inside.
"Happy New year, Titans" the officers waved from the driver window.
"Thanks, you too" Nightwing waved back. The vehicles pulled out heading towards the tunnel that led out under the bay. Starfire came up behind Nightwing.
"The Killer Moth, you fought him back in...?" Starfire began.
"Long time ago, Star. Long time. Granted now he's a little less pathetic but he's still the villain he always was back then" Starfire noticed Nightwing sounded oddly disappointed.
"Anyway, Parties over. Where's everybody else?" He counited.
"I believe Cyborg is passed out on the T-Car and friend Garfield took Raven to bed" Starfire recalled, Nightwing chuckled.
"Good, I saw Raven's handiwork on the side of the tower earlier. I don't envy her tomorrow" Nightwing grinned.
"Hungover? Is that your planets word for it?" Starfire asked.
"You guys really don't get that?"
"On my planet our metabolism runs much higher. Then again, our beverages are much stronger" Starfire explained.
"Remind me never to get in a drinking contest with you. Well then Star, shall we call it a night as well?" Nightwing asked. Starfire crossed her arms and smiled a smug grin.
"I believe you still owe me a new year's dance, Richard?" Starfire said. Nightwing let out a defeated chuckle.
"Well, a promise is a promise" Nightwing let out his hand and Starfire clutched it tight pulling him up into the air. The two made their way towards the tower roof with a gentle glide.
Down in the garage Cyborg had collapsed on top of his 'baby'. He was comfortable where he was and didn't need disturbing until the morning.
Up in Garfield's newly refurbished room, he and Raven had settled in for the night. The Empath still wasn't feeling great and was thankful that a bathroom had been installed inside each room now. Garfield wrapped his arms around her tightly and the Empath had her hands on his own tightly, not even contemplating letting go. The two were content in each other's warmth.
Back on the roof Starfire and Nightwing were slowly taking in a dance out in the winter sky. The clouds were now mostly clear and the sight of the Stars was a beautiful thing. Nightwing was leading as Starfire had her head in his shoulder. The last few years had been kind to him, he now stood taller than the fierce Tamaranean who when they had first met, tried to kill him.
"I'm a bit out of practice Star, sorry" Nightwing admitted.
"I have no reference for this dance so you need not worry" Starfire giggled. Nightwing looked towards her and thought to himself.
"Funny, I left Gotham to make it on my own, I never expected to wind up here..." Starfire looked up and around towards her boyfriend.
"... and I wouldn't change any of it" he finished. Nightwing then went in for a tender kiss on Starfire's lips and the Tamaranean pressed back with a fierce amount of affection.
"Happy New year my love" Nightwing said softly. Starfire smiled back with face blushing red.
"The Happy New year to you too my love" even after all these years Starfire's English was still the same as it ever was.
Along the seafront highway, the van transporting Killer Moth was now alone having separated from the other vehicles in the convoy who were heading towards medical facilities.
Killer moth regained consciousness inside the van and noticed the cuffs weighing down his hands. He growled to himself in defeat and felt the pain rush in from his injuries.
The villain felt a massive force of motion knock him over towards the other side of the van as he felt the vehicle spin. The Moth man was knocked around like a flywheel until eventually he came to a rest on the ceiling of the now upside-down van. The multiple blows from the impact were about to render him unconscious once again. Before the darkness enveloped his vision, he could make out the doors of the van being pried open.
The following morning the sun had managed to break through the cloud layer making it a bit warmer. In the early hours of the morning, Raven had sobered up. Unfortunately, poor choices of foods meant she has spent most of it in the bathroom.
For about the 4th time this morning Garfield heard the sound of violent vomiting coming from his bathroom. He leaned over in his bed and looked over with a cheeky grin just waiting. The door slid across.
Raven stood there, with one of his old T-shirts draped over her leotard. She was sweating profusely trying to catch her breath. She did not look happy.
"There she is" Garfield grinned. Raven didn't reply and simply gave him an intense glare. He soon looked away. The sorceress clutched her stomach and gave out a tiny belch.
"Never again, Garfield" Raven made her way over to the bed. He looked confused almost and crossed his arms.
"By never again, Rae. I assume never, will you? drink twelve beers... Then challenge everyone that looks at you funny to a dance contest despite not knowing how. Then eat all the vegetarian food and then float around the tower sneaking up on folks and scaring them? Bumblebee was a little sketchy on the details but did I miss anything?" Garfield only received another intense glare from his girlfriend and she grabbed the sheets to make her way under the covers. As she came in close, she got her face right up towards his.
"Never. Again" she deadpanned. Raven lay down and groaned, clearly uncomfortable.
"My stomach is on fire" she moaned. Before she even knew it Garfield had a jar of Tums in front of her face. She blinked for a moment and reached for one.
"Thank you" She quickly swallowed one as Garfield morphed his hand into a very soft paw and began rubbing her abdomen gently.
"Well at least you got to experience the joys of a night out" Garfield chuckled.
"Why does anyone do it if this is what's waiting afterwards?" Raven groaned.
"Normally you don't go that heavy you're first time" Garfield said.
"Well, I won't be doing it again anytime soon, or maybe ever" Raven deadpanned. Garfield was happy she got to have an experience she'd always wanted to find out about.
"Don't sell yourself short because of one bad night, Rae. They won't all be like that"
Raven looked over at him and thought to herself. Maybe he was right, A strange thing for Garfield to be.
"Well either way, tomorrow I'm just staying here in bed. I have spoken" she said sternly. Garfield just laughed.
"Yes ma'am" he saluted. He pulled his hand over towards her hair and stroked it gently.
"Any requests in this hour of need?" He asked. Raven thought to herself for a moment and crossed her arms.
"Husky... winter coat" Raven requested. The form of a large green fluffy husky appeared on the bed replacing Garfield. The dog got in close to Raven who wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes.
"Good boy..." She yawned.
As the morning went on Nightwing left the comfortable bed wrapped in the arms of Starfire to take in his morning coffee. Oddly he felt rather groggy. He needed it badly.
Inside the kitchen area, the Titans leader tried desperately to find his tub of coffee grinds. Strangely he couldn't place where they had gone.
"Where are you, stupid grinds" he growled. Out of the corner of his eye a figure passed over the tin he had been looking for.
"Here you go" a voice said.
"Thanks" Nightwing instinctively grabbed the tin without hesitation. He looked over towards the figure and practically jumped out of his skin. Infront of him stood a young woman dressed in a purple bat costume. Her red hair visible outside the cowl with a confident smile. Nightwing looked shocked.
"Babs?!" He yelled.
"Hey Dick, long time no, see?" She smiled back at him.
Killer Moth felt himself being dragged and then the weight of his body thrown on the floor. The pain of the impact jolted him awake fully. He looked around, wherever he was he didn't recognise it. The area was clearly a garage filled with clones of large vehicles filling up various spaces. The men that had pulled him from their own vehicle were wearing specialist equipment. High-grade armour and tactical equipment. Expensive looking.
"Tell me where this is and I might let you live" The moth like helmets voice modulator was clearly damaged, Walkers true meek sounding voice was very much clear for all. The men ignored his threats.
"This city belongs to me, Killer Moth and when I am... " Moths words were cut off by a curtain of darkness covering his face. He was now wrestling his helmet against a large black bag. The force of two men could be felt bringing him to his feet and pushing him in a direction he wasn't sure of.
A couple of hours had passed through the morning. Garfield's room had the sun peaking in fully now. Drenched in light. The bed saw the sight of a rather sleepy looking empath snoring loudly under covers.
"...Fuck your sour crumpets you gingerbread fiend" Raven mumbled in her sleep. The Empath felt a nudge shake her awake.
"Rae, c'mon get up! C'mon!" Garfield whispered loudly. Raven jolted awake and felt the streak of drool off the side of her mouth.
"We got a visitor!" Changeling whispered. Raven just looked back at him and pulled up the covers closer to her head.
"No..."
Garfield looked confused and asked
"No? What does that mean, Rae?"
"There will be no visitors today, I have spoken" Raven stated as if to make it the final word. Garfield rolled his eyes with a huff.
"You'll be fine once I get some tea in you" Garfield went to scoop Raven up and lifted her out of the large double bed.
"Wait, what are you doing?! Put me down this second Garfield!" Raven was still hungover but tried to playful bat against her boyfriend's arms as her pulled her up once again like they were about to go on their honeymoon.
"It's just one visitor, Rae. I'm sure you can handle it" Raven had no energy to argue and simply accepted the fate she had been dealt. Still, that didn't stop her from delivering Garfield a mighty pout.
"I hate you" She deadpanned crossing her arms resting in his grip. Garfield simply winked back at her.
"I know"
Cyborg had made his way to the kitchen after Nightwing sent out a message for a tower visitor. He had been quick to pick up on the embarrassment that could be had by this particular visitor.
"So, Babs? You don't mind if I call you Babs, right?" Cyborg asked.
"No not at all" Batgirl replied looking rather pleased with herself causing Nightwing such discomfort.
"Great, so little dickie here wasn't even the first sidekick?" Cyborg snickered.
"Well clearly he just wanted to be one of the cool kids" Batgirl smiled clearly enjoying the misery Nightwing was suffering.
"I mean c'mon Dick? Was, Night Bat too on the nose?" She continued. Nightwing simply nodded pretending the teasing wasn't getting to him. He tried a different approach to get them to stop. Changing the subject.
"So, Babs? How's things back... home... how's?"
"Bruce?" She cut in. Nightwing paused for a second and the mention of his name.
"... Yeah..."
"Bruce is... Bruce"
"Do you still keep close?"
"I mean it's hard, what with the 'new' one and all?" She said with a slight tinge of annoyance.
"Oh?"
"I'll tell you about it later. No, Mainly I've been working solo... like always" With that Nightwing saw the resentment that she still held after all these years.
"Still a freelancer, eh?" Nightwing asked. Batgirl looked away and paused. It felt like hours passed before she turned back around to face him and answer.
"... Can you blame me?"
After his parent's murder Nightwing, Dick Grayson had the fortune of somebody looking out for him. Bruce Wayne of Gotham City, took it upon himself to take the boy in. Likely seeing something of himself in him.
It didn't take long for a young circus performer to discover the truth about his new foster father. Gotham city's faithful protector 'The Batman' was now his guardian, it didn't take long for the acrobat to put his skills to use, becoming the first Robin. Not however the first sidekick.
Before Dick Grayson put on his first costume, Batman had another eager young sidekick. At least that's what she assumed would happen.
Barbara Gordon, daughter of Gotham cities police commissioner James Gordon. Despite clearly starting a career as Batman's sidekick first the self-named 'Batgirl' felt that she never quite earned her place in the cave. She was young when she started and at the time Bruce was convinced a sidekick was a bad idea.
Despite constantly proving herself to be vital amongst the family she young woman never felt like she earned her stripes... and Nightwing knew it.
Garfield came into the kitchen carrying Raven with him, still very much looking annoyed.
"Sorry dudes! One sec" Garfield plonked Raven down like a signpost and rushed to find the ingredients for her morning brew.
Batgirl was intrigued by the sorceress and went over to introduce herself.
"Now you HAVE to be Raven?" Barbara put out her hand hoping for a handshake. Instead, the Empath gave back no hand, instead she let out a light growl. Cyborg snickered a little.
"Hey Rae? Are you still up for that dance... " Cyborg was cut off by Raven's dagger like glare and piercing eyes. The mechanical man practically choked on his breath before turning away from her.
Garfield offered over a steaming hot cup of Tea towards Raven.
"There you go, Babe" Garfield released the cup and Raven grabbed hold still glaring at him. He placed his arms behind his back ready take any disapproval of his tea making skills. After a light sip the Empath's eyes widened and the grumpy demeanour begin to disappear.
Raven raised a hand up and gave Garfield's hair a little tussle.
"Well done" she said. Barbara was taken aback by this little display but decided to move the conversation along.
"You must be Changeling?" She asked putting her hand out for the second time. Garfield clutched the yellow glove wrapped around her hand and shook it confidently.
"Please, call me Gar" he said with a mischievous in an obvious attempt to seem cool. Batgirl smiled back at him and Raven rolled her eyes.
"Sorry about Raven..." Garfield spoke up and went in to whisper to the new girl. "... It's her first time being hung over" he whispered to Batgirl who responded with an enlightened nod. Raven didn't respond and simply looked at her boyfriend with her usual deadpanned expression, though did her it was the kind of one that implied he would pay for this later.
"Isn't there someone missing?..." No sooner had Barbara asked that question was she flung across the room by a green flash grabbing her and pulling her into the air. Starfire was awake.
"Oh, hello wonderful new friend!" Starfire squeezed the costumed girl tightly causing a few cracking sounds as Barbara grunted in pain.
"Wow, quite the grip you got there" She wheezed. Starfire lowered both of them to the ground. Barbara clutched her chest trying to get her breath back.
"Starfire, I take it" she said with a heavy breath. The Tamaranean grinned and perched her hands together, any day meeting someone new was a good day for her.
"It is so good to meet one of Richard's old friends. He has told us much about you" Starfire beamed. Barbara gave a slight grin.
"Ohh has he now?" Barbara examined Starfire from head to toe and turned to face over to Nightwing.
"So, you do have a type?" She said facing him quietly. The other Titans felt that sentence cut through the air like a knife. A wave of awkwardness fell over them all. Except for Starfire who was a little confused as to what she was implying.
Raven let out a light cough.
"So, you like Bats?" The Empath asked. Barbara looked over at her.
"Not really, I'm more of an enthusiastic fan girl" Barbara chuckled. Cyborg and Changeling chuckled lightly. Nightwing walked over to her.
"Look Babs, it's great to see you I'm just wondering what brought you here now?" Nightwing said. Barbara looked down and nodded lightly. He still saw right through her.
"I am that obvious, still?" She spoke.
"Has something happened in Gotham?" Nightwing looked concerned.
"No... but somethings happening here and I need your help to stop it" She replied.
Killer Moth felt the weight of the bag pulled off of his damaged helmet. The interface on the irises of the mask had no failed. He was now looking around with one eye through a broken glass eye and a cracked one. He felt the pain from his injuries resurfacing. His hands were bound behind him as he sat on a rather small and uncomfortable feeling chair.
In front of him was a long window looking out into Jump City. Wherever it was it was high up as the only other sights in the windows were other skyscrapers. In front of the window was a long expensive looking desk, made from a wood that looked rare. Handcrafted cravings covered it. To both his left and right he saw nothing but the edges of a wall. No one else seemed to be in the room, the only sound was the tune of a very old song, something likely from the 1950's.
Finally, the sound of what he could only imagine were heavy doors creaked behind him. He heard the footsteps of several individuals and one approach from behind him.
"Drury Fucking Walker, as I live and breathe. How ya been friend?" The man circled around in front of Killer Moth. The gentleman was donned in a crisp white suit, rather expensive looking. His most distinguishing was his face. The man had a sinister Black Skull in the place of what one would call a standard human face. Not a mask, almost as if it was his face itself.
"Black Mask?" Walker said quietly.
"Ah so you do remember me, I'm flattered really and that's saying something. Hey boys this guy was great..." Black Mask gestured towards the back of the room where he could only assume a set of security guards were standing.
"...See back in Gotham this guy was a joke, a real fucking nobody. I mean if ya mommy named you 'Drury' I think one wouldn't be surprised how life turned out ya know what I mean? Then he disappears over here and suddenly he's got a bit more clout. Best part is he kept his fucking villain name and it worked but hey, don't ask me how?" Black Mask chuckled.
"But he did get me thinking, maybe he's got the right idea. Gotham city. Too crowded and too many fucking bats. So, I thought... " Black Mask leaned down to look at his captive straight in the eye.
"...I'd take a page out of your book" he said to him calmly.
"Why am I here?" Killer Moth asked. Black Mask straightened up and walked backwards towards the desk until he was leaning on it.
"Any new enterprise needs, security, muscle. The people that protect the investments. Jump City is new to me yes but I know the only real watchdogs are...well basically bunch of fucking post grad students" Black Mask joked.
"They aren't the Bat" Killer Moth said.
"Exactly... They aren't. Which is why you're here Drury. Those 'things' you made yesterday. A little crude but there's an idea there, you see I need muscle but I need muscle that can deal with enhanced threats to keep my interests afloat. You are gunna be the brains behind my new 'Muscle' shall we say" Black Mask finished.
Killer Moth laughed to himself, the sound of blood in his throat from his facial bruises could be heard.
"Go fuck yourself Sionis, I was everyone's punchline in Gotham but here I'm nobody's" Killer Moth stood his ground despite knowing full well the Gotham crime lords pension for torture.
"Ha! Wow I didn't know you such titanium balls Walker? Colour me impressed, If I didn't need you, I'd be almost be tempted to let you go now... But" Black Mask said.
"Do your worst, I've taken hits from girls much tougher than you" Killer Moth taunted.
"Ho, ho, ho! I fucking love it! I'm loving that confidence. Though I'm disappointed that you think so little of me that I can't get you to what I want without a crowbar" Black Mask gestured to the back of the room as if to let someone in. Killer Moth heard the pitter-patter of several of a pair of footsteps running over towards them.
"Oh, Thank you! Thank you Mr. Black Mask, these clothes are amazing! Daddy, Daddy, look what Mr Black Mask let me buy!" The young girl dressed in pink was Killer Moths young daughter 'Kitten' looking rather ecstatic carrying a least two dozen massive bags in each hand and dressed in an expensive looking fur coat.
"Oh, anything for you my darling, and please call me Mr. Sionis" Black Mask gestured towards her for a hug and the blonde girl returned it without hesitation. Black Mask placed his arm over her shoulder.
"One in a million this girl is here my friend. You don't know how lucky you are" Killer Moth could only look on in horror at the display in front of him.
"Ok dear there's a full course meal waiting downstairs I need to finish up with dear old dad but feel free to start without me I might be a while" Black Mask said to her.
"Thank you Mr. Sionis, you're the best!" Kitten said giddily.
"Aww you're welcome my lovely. Now run along" Black Mask gestured towards the exit and the girl headed out towards the exit past Killer Moth.
"Bye Daddy!" She yelled behind. Killer Moth leaned his head down in defeat.
"Ya know...I don't think she even noticed the cuffs?" The crime lord remarked.
"When do I start?" Walker said quietly.
Batgirl had gathered the Titans on that couch having prepared a brief on the details of why she had arrived in Jump City. On the TV screen In front of them the Titans watched. Batgirl pressed along her remote and an image of the criminal Black Mask was displayed in full.
"Roman Sionis, Black Mask. Once one of Gotham's biggest crime bosses. Pockets in every corrupt politician, footholds throughout the city. He's as typical 'gangster' as they come and even more sadistic. Then two months ago... Poof! He's gone. No one knew where until about a week ago. I got intel saying vehicles under his company holdings were transporting through the Jump City" She explained.
"So, you think he's made a new home here? In our home?" Nightwing asked.
"I'm certain of it, I'm not sure where yet but I know there's a drop-off point where shipments have been coming through under some of his assets. I say we start there."
"What's this guy like Nightwing? Cyborg asked.
"Dangerous..." Nightwing said.
"We tangled with him a few times growing up. This guy is a Cancer; he needs to be cut out before he can take hold here or anywhere" Batgirl said sternly. Nightwing was almost taken aback by her remark.
Raven was quietly observing the young woman standing in front of them. She was noticing the flux of strange emotions radiating from her. Garfield sat crossed legged next to her and raised his hand.
"Yes Garfield?" Batgirl smiled.
"Ummm, is that a mask or his actual face?" Raven placed her palm on her face after he had finished his question.
"I don't know, you'll have to ask him?" Batgirl answered.
"So, what's the plan? How do we take this guy down?" Cyborg spoke up clenching his fists together.
"Well without knowing his base of operations we can't do much right now. We need to as I mentioned earlier, intercept one of these shipments at the docks. Maybe that'll point us in the right direction"
"Alright when do we leave?!" Garfield exclaimed excitingly.
"Right now," Batgirl pressed the remote finishing her presentation, she made her way towards the living room exit with the other Titans following her. All except Raven who pulled Nightwing back to have a quiet word.
"There's something off about her emotions, Dick" Raven said.
"I don't need to be an empath to see that" Nightwing remarked.
"Is she normally like this?"
"I've known her a long time, she can get a little intense but I've never seen her so off" He commented.
"Maybe you should talk to her?"
"I'll try and pick the right moment, come on they'll be waiting" Nightwing made his way to the door at the end of the living room and Raven followed on behind.
A fog had descended on the Jump City dockyard. The sound of various ship horns could be heard filling the salty air. The Titans had made a perch on a set of containers in a train yard overlooking the pier Batgirl had scouted out. She had with her a pair of advanced looking binoculars already using them to get a closer look in. She could see a large ship ready to dock at the pier.
"Ok we need to create a diversion when that ship comes in. You guys go down there and cause a commotion whilst me and Dick, slip inside the ship's cabin and take a look at their manifest. Wait for my signal" Batgirl ordered. The other Titans didn't argue and each made their way down towards the pier to ready for their mark leaving the two Gothamites alone.
"I meant to ask, how's your dad Babs?" Nightwing asked.
Barbara didn't answer for a moment. "He's fine..."
"It's just I haven't checked in for a while..."
"No kidding"
"Look I was only asking..."
"Dick, do we have to do this now? I'd love to catch up but there's a time and a place and this isn't the place" Nightwing didn't say anything after that, he only watched as she observed the ship came into dock.
"Ok guys now!" Batgirl spoke through her ear piece. Through the fog Nightwing saw the flashes of Starfires green Star bolts and Cyborg's Sonic cannon illuminate the bay.
"C'mon! Now's our chance!" Barbara lept in the air allowing her cape to stretch out forming a pair of wings to help her glide across the bay towards the ship.
"Babs! Wait!" Nightwing hadn't realised she meant to reach the ship that way and was left behind on one of the shipping containers. He lept down the towering pile towards the ground in an attempt to get closer to grapple onto the ship after her.
The sound of the metal clang as the grapple hook made contact with this ship's hull went oddly unnoticed. Having pulled himself up onto the ships deck a few minutes after Batgirl had landed. He looked around and quickly spotted several unconscious sailors littering the deck. Barbara wasn't holding back here.
He followed the trail of bodies towards the ships cabin only to find Batgirl already making her way out, documents in hand having found what she need.
"What took you so long, I've got it we can head back now" Nightwing grabbed her wrist before she could move further past him.
"Woah, woah. What's all that carnage about on the deck? Those guys just look like normal sailors not criminals? What's with you?!" Nightwing seethed. Barbara wrestled her hand free from his grip.
"Oh, I'm sorry, has the thing we've been doing since we were kids suddenly turned sour for you? Seems to me like you've lost your grit out here Dick. Besides this is one of his ships so I say they all fall under his curtain" she said to him.
"You could have gotten in here without laying a finger on anyone, what are you trying to prove here?!" Nightwing seethed again.
"Are we done? Are YOU done?" Batgirl asked looking directly at him. Nightwing paused for a moment before responding.
"What happened Barbara?"
"... You left ..." She said quietly and paced away across the ship, leaving Nightwing to take her words in for a moment.
Back at the Tower the other Titans had gathered at the kitchen table whilst she conjured up their next move. All the Titans were deeply invested expect the two birds who were leaning back observing quietly. Raven leaned over towards Nightwing who looked deep in thought against the countertops.
"She's even worse than before, what did she say to you?"
"Enough..." Nightwing replied quietly.
"Alright so, this shipping list has a number of high-level food supplies going to one place here in Jump City. The 'Heaven's Gate' Restaurant at Bell Front Tower in Jump City central.
"Sounds like somewhere I'd be thrown out if I weren't wearing a suit" Garfield chuckled.
"Are you sure this is where the one called Black Mask will be hiding?" Starfire asked.
"Well, it's expensive, big tech building and a nice place to eat anytime he wants. It fits his M.O. right Dick?" Barbara looked up at Nightwings who was almost in his own world and didn't notice the question immediately.
"Hmm? Yes, yes that seems like the most likely place" he said. Barbara looked back at the others.
"Ok here's the plan. Black Mask will have set up this place like a fortress, to get to him we'll have to disable the buildings security system. I've had Cyborg here fetch me some specs and I've come up with something" Barbara placed a sheet of blueprints down in the kitchen table.
"Why don't we just grab him in one of his cars?" Garfield suggested.
"He uses decoys, it'd be impossible to know which one is his before he enters the building garage" Batgirl replied.
"We'll need three separate teams. One team will need to be downstairs in the restaurant. They'll have to pose as workers to get access to the building breaker system in the office area. Then I'll need the two strongest to as security guards to get through the buildings bulkhead doors if we don't get to him once the power is cut. Also to confirm when he arrives, then at the top of the building me and Nightwing will make our way down in the manner we do best... he won't escape this time" She finished. The other Titans looked around as she delivered her instructions. Nightwing looked concerned at her final sentence.
"Well, me and Star are the strongest. So, we are your security guards" Cyborg said.
"Good" Barbara replied. Changeling reached over and grabbed Raven pulling her over towards him.
"Me and Rae, we'll be your restaurant workers, I'm great with people" he said with a big smile.
"Oh Azar, have mercy" Raven said clearly not happy with her role in this plan.
"Excellent, so that leaves me and Dick, right I'll get back to you guys in a few hours whilst me and Cyborg set up a few details. Oh, one more thing you'll need disguises" Barbara pointed out.
"I got it covered" Cyborg opened his palm to reveal a set of four gold rings. Each Titan took one each and tucked them away in their uniform.
Raven and Garfield made their way to his room whilst Batgirl and Cyborg stayed behind to build the fake personas ready for their mission. Nightwing made his way towards the evidence room, Starfire quietly followed behind him.
"Richard, are you alright? Ever since your friend Babs arrived you seem distracted?"
Nightwing and Starfire had known each other for a long time there wasn't much he could hide from her anymore especially since now they were together.
"I wish my friend Babs was here, Star. I don't think the girl in this tower is her anymore" Nightwing admitted. Starfire came up and placed a hand on his shoulder the light of the doorway into the room was visible behind her.
"What did she mean by 'Your type?' Richard?" Starfire asked softly. She wasn't sure what to make of that comment and only wishes for Nightwing to provide her some clarity. Nightwing didn't want to lie to her.
"It means what you think it does Star"
"Ohh... did you?"
"No... I couldn't be what she wanted me to be. I think she still resents me for it" Nightwing looked away like he wasn't in his own body. Starfire pulled him in for a tight yet gentle hug.
"Your friend is hurting, you must help her" She said lightly in his ear.
"I don't know if she wants anything from me anymore, Star"
"She clearly means a lot to you; it will not be easy but you must help her find her way back"
"Sometimes I don't know what I'd have become without you Star"
"I believe I would have gotten you in the end" Starfire chuckled.
"Ohh really? Wow, you weren't this confident before?"
"Perhaps more of your world has rubbed off on me than you thought" Starfire pulled him in for a passionate kiss as the evidence room door shut close.
A few hours later all the Titans were in the living room listening to Batgirl listing off her finalized plan.
"Ok so we have the security employee listings for you two then Garfield and Raven you'll be chefs in the Heavens Gate" Barbara explained.
"Uhh Rae isn't really good with food" Garfield pointed out. Barbara expected a reaction out of the Empath given what she witnessed earlier.
"He's not exactly wrong" Raven said with crossed arms.
"Ok, um how about waiters?" Batgirl offered.
"Again, that's not really her..." Garfield started.
"... I appreciate your concern, Gar but it's just one night on one mission. I think I'll be fine"
"So, you don't have any chowder?" the main asked
"As I said, we are out of chowder sir" Raven replied. The restaurant was packed at the bottom of Bell Front. Ravens table was surrounded by stuffy rather pompous looking patrons. They had not been easy customers and Raven having argued with the head of the table for the last fifteen minutes was beginning to regret not being hid away in the kitchen. She was clearly uncomfortable even with the disguise, her purple hair was now a deep black and her skin was a natural pale colour with her gem removed. Her uniform was a tight snug fit as there was little time to gather a better one, not that Garfield was complaining. He was rather enjoying himself. The ring created a look he described as a 'What if' as he put it. His hair was bright blond with little freckles and a similar tone of skin to Raven's disguise.
Garfield was much stronger with customers. It gave him a chance to try out his material without judgment and he was loving it. His current table was a lot livelier. Raven however was stuck with a group only best described as nightmarish.
"No chowder, eh?" The man at the head of the table said. He was rather large looking, clearly a heavy regular here.
"As I just stated to you sir, we have no chowder today" Raven deadpanned.
"Hmm, no I don't think so. Here's what you're gunna do cupcake. Your gunna go back in the kitchen and tell em to bring me some chowder. I don't care how just get it done" The main closed the menu in his hand and passed it over to Raven who tried her best not to glare at him.
"Very well, sir" Raven placed the menu under her arm and turned around. She was at her limit with this mission. She spotted Garfield at another table.
He must be having a bad time too?
"Because he felt crumby!" Garfield finished his punchline and the whole table erupted into laughter. He looked rather pleased with himself. Raven didn't however.
You've got to be fucking kidding me?
The empath sighed and made her way over towards the kitchen. As she made it a few paces away the main spoke up.
"Oh, and miss?" Raven stopped but didn't turn around. "Bring a new attitude and a smile too, okay?" Raven didn't respond, her eye twitched as she carried on towards the kitchen doors, as she passed through, she flicked her fingers and a tiny bolt of black magic sparked towards the man's chair. The rude gentleman collapsed on the restaurant floor causing the other waiters to crowd over him. Garfield looked over seeing Raven quickly exit through the kitchen doors.
Raven paced quickly towards the break room. Through the door was a rather small white room with a few tables and various means of coffee and heating systems. A pretty standard room of its kind. On one of the walls was a thin mirror, as soon as she entered the room Raven leant her head against the wall and exhaled sharply.
A few moments later Garfield entered the room too. He saw his girlfriend clearly in distress.
"Rae? Everything ok?"
"I can't take much more of this Gar, these people. I just want to…" Raven punched the wall viciously and Garfield quickly grabbed her hands and turned her around to face him.
"Rae, Rae it's ok just take a deep breath…" Garfield let go of her left hand and gestured with his right a breathing action. Raven followed his lead with her own gentle breaths as they became in sync.
"That's it, babe"
"Thanks, Gar. It's just…"
"I know, I know. Listen when were done here I want you to get some mediation in tonight, I think you might need it. Plus, you could use some time for yourself" Raven smiled up at him.
"Okay, Gar I will but I'm still sleeping with you"
"You sure Rae? I don't mind if you need a break …"
"I sleep. With you" Raven stated. Garfield knew there was no point arguing with her and just smiled back.
"Of course, Rae" Garfield grabbed her hands and kissed them gently. Garfield felt his ear piece vibrate and went to press it swiftly.
"Yeah?... okay… we'll be ready when you are, Changeling out" Garfield looked back towards Raven.
"About twenty minutes, Rae. Come on let's head back out there" Garfield relayed and Raven nodded. As Garfield turned around, he noticed himself and the mirror and stopped for a moment. Raven felt a strange emotion coming off him. He pulled his hand up towards his face as he took in his disguise.
"Huh, I never really looked at this face before we left… it's weird to think how…how I" Garfield paused and choked a little, all Raven could sense now was regret. She grabbed his face and swung it around to face her directly.
"Listen to me, Gar. You are already perfect" Garfield tearfully smiled at her words and she went in for a gentle kiss.
Up on the roof of The Bell Front Tower Nightwing was standing looking over at the city. Batgirl was back towards the centre of the roof coordinating her finalized plans through a device on her wrist. Nightwing looked over at her and checked his communicator for the fifth time this night. Eagerly waiting a reply from a contact, he had called earlier. As he went to put the communicator back a message popped up.
"Okay thanks, Cyborg keep me informed, Batgirl out" Barbara replied over her communicator. She paced over towards Nightwing at the edge of the roof. She lifted her head up and noticed he was looking at his communicator.
"Fifteen minutes, Dick" Barbara said. Nightwing placed his device back on his belt.
"Good, gives us time to talk" he said.
"Really this again?"
"That was Bruce by the way…" Nightwing said bluntly. Barbara's eyes widened a little before breaking eye contact briefly.
"Really?" She said nonchalantly.
"He doesn't even know you're here… and he tells me your dad is in hospital in critical condition. After a raid on one of Black Mask's known hideouts" he said.
"He did, did he?"
"Okay I'm calling this mission off"
"Richard, wait! This isn't about what you think it is…"
"Convince me"
"This is about justice"
"Really? Is that the word you're going with"
"Look I know I've been…difficult since I got here and I'm sorry but my dad is all I have left. I need to bring that scumbag to justice. Please don't take this away from me" Barbara pleaded quietly. Nightwing sighed.
"I'm sorry about your dad, Babs but why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was afraid you wouldn't help me, Bruce shut me down and I couldn't sleep knowing he wasn't behind bars"
"So, you thought lying would be better? I thought you were better than this Babs? Aren't Bruce and I family?"
Batgirl scoffed "Please, I've never been part of this family"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Every since I put on this costume I've been an outsider. I was his first sidekick and then you come along, you had his trust in a way I never did!"
"He adopted me Babs, I was part of his life"
"Then why did you leave?! Why did you leave me?!" She yelled in his face, Nightwing looked down thought for a moment.
"I had to…" he murmured.
"Was it because of me?"
"No, it had nothing to do with that…"
"Was I not strong enough or my hair not red enough or did I need to come from another fucking planet?" Barbara listed off getting more upset. A hint of anger came to Nightwings voice.
"Leave Starfire out of this" Nightwing seethed.
"I guess it makes sense, I'm never enough for anyone. I wasn't enough for Bruce when you left. He just moved onto the next Robin in line like that fucking brat Damain" Barbara said with venom.
"… Babs … I'm sorry…"
"Don't you dare!"
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you wanted and I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry I left you" Nightwing moved in closer as fresh tears fell down her mask. He pulled her in close and hugged her lightly, she resisted at first but quickly wrapped her arms around him like she hadn't seen him in years.
"I missed you…so much" She shuddered into his shoulder.
"I missed you too" he replied. Batgirl stood there with him for a few minutes and pulled away as her eyes dried. Nightwing grabbed her face and looked directly at her.
"He needs to pay and we will make him I promise but we do it the right way. Let me take the lead. I've always wanted a sidekick" Nightwing chuckled.
"Oh, so you have jokes now? Man, you have changed" Barbara sniffed. Nightwings ear piece buzzed.
"Okay, Cyborg thanks for the update were standing by, Nightwing out" Barbara looked at him with anticipation.
"Five minutes, lets get ready" Nightwing said, Barbara nodded and went to grab her equipment from one of the cases laid out on the roof, Nightwing followed behind and went through his own case and attached a large piece of grappling equipment as did Batgirl.
The front doors of the Heavens Gate burst open as a large team of security guards made there way into the lobby. Black Mask followed through next with a small group of glamorous women garbed in expensive dresses in tow. The restaurant manager came to greet him and Black Mask walked up with open arms.
"Mitchell my friend, I'd like to have dinner in my private dining suite tonight. Have the kitchen send up one of everything in say… about an hour, yeah?" Black Mask instructed.
"Very good sir, will there be anything else"
"Yes, bring up six bottles of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1994. No make that the 93"
"Excellent choice sir I'll have that brought up to you on the dot"
"Good man" Black Mask smiled and gestured his guests over to him as he approached the lift. Raven and Garfield watched as two very familiar looking security guards followed behind the group.
"I think black hair looks better on Starfire than I thought" Garfield commented on Starfire's disguise.
"It just makes me think of her sister" raven deadpanned.
"Hmm" Garfield agreed. Cyborg and Starfire were placed in a separate lift from Black Mask as the doors closed Raven lifted her hand to her ear piece.
"They're in the lift" She relayed.
"Ok wait till they signal, head to the breaker room Batgirl out" Raven let go of her ear.
"Come on, it's time"
She and Garfield paced over towards the kitchen area and disappeared through the doors.
In the elevator Cyborg stood next to Starfire in a professional position. The disguise had removed all of his cyber components making him look larger than the other guards. The lift doors pulled open to the sound of a sharp ding and the two Titans stepped out and followed behind the rest of the party.
"Hey Star, I gotta say it but this is kinda cool" Cyborg whispered across to her.
"Oh?"
"It's like were secret agents or something"
"Secret agents?"
"Spies"
"Oh, like that old film friend Garfield showed us about the car underwater?"
"Yeah!"
"I must admit it is rather exciting"
Black Mask made his way down a series of rather fancy looking hallways and arrived at a large set of wooden doors. The group made their way inside and one of the head guards turned to the Titans.
"Stay outside, report anything strange" He ordered.
"You got it" Cyborg replied. The two Titans took their place each side of the doors as they closed slowly. Cyborg pulled his hand up to his ear.
"It's go time, guys" he whispered.
Back downstairs Raven and Garfield had made there way to the breaker room and knocked out the two workers inside. Changeling ripped off the panel cover on the wall of the room itself littered with computers and electrical equipment. He reached over to grab the set of wires in the middle of the system.
"Woah, Gar, you better let me do that" Raven grabbed his wrist before he could grab a handful.
"What, I can make my hand shock proof?" Garfield morphed his arms structure making it appear scally like an electric eel.
"C'mon Gar, let me do something cool on one of these missions" Raven sighed. Garfield chuckled.
"Pulling out breaker cables is on one of your to do lists Rae?" He teased. Raven rolled her eyes and lightly shoved him out of the way.
"Just step aside" Raven grabbed a hold of the wires and felt a sharp shock as she pulled them free. The room instantly went dark and a set of bright red emergency lights flooded the room.
As the emergency system was activated the restaurant patrons were quickly hurried out of the building by the staff.
Up on the roof Batgirl and Nightwing heard the sound of the building alarm blaring.
"We'll have about five minutes before the place gets locked down. He'll try and make his escape before then, are you ready?" Batgirl looked across at Nightwing on the roof edge.
"Always" he replied. The two lept as their cables tugged on there weight as they slide down the side of the tower.
In his private suite Black Mask was trying to reassure his guests everything was normal.
"Calm down ladies, everything will be alright… Number two what the fuck is going on?!" Black Mask quickly changed his tone talking into his own ear piece trying to get a hold of the situation.
Cyborg and Starfire entered the suite and tried to fit in with the other team of guards.
"Tell one of your fuckers to go down and look at that bastard breaker system!" Black Mask yelled at the team leader. The sound of his barking was quickly drowned out by the sound of glass shattering behind him. Batgirl and Nightwing burst through and landed gracefully, Batgirls cape fluttered in the high wind seeping through onto the open floor. Black Mask's guests let out a collection of screams at the break in.
"Black Mask, you're done in this town!" Nightwing declared.
"Give up, now!" Barbara added. Black Mask simply looked confused at the sight before him but quickly started to put the pieces together.
"Done!?... wait, wait! That voice?... The boy fucking blunder! Hahaha hahaha!" Black Mask began laughing hysterically. Starfire and Cyborg looked at each other.
"Oh, ho, ho it has been some fucking years hasn't it. I see you miss the Bats more than I did. Cape too cool for you kid? Hahahaha…oh but seriously you think you and miss 'Bat Fan-Club president' here can put a stop to this?" Black Mask taunted. Nightwing smiled a confident grin at him.
"Years ago, maybe but now…" Cyborg and Starfires disguises dropped as they raised their arms with Sonic cannons and Star bolts glowing at the ready.
"Alright everybody, hands up!" Cyborg yelled. The guards look back at them in shock. Black Mask nodded with a face of approval.
"Very nice, very nice indeed" The crime lord pulled into his pocket and grabbed a small device and held it up.
"Good thing I bought insurance" Black Mask clicked the device and the guards in the room began screaming and fell to their knees. The other Titans looked on in horror when their clothes began to rip and shred as their bodies began mutating. Extra limbs sprouted from there black suits and rows of sharp teeth grew from their skulls, before a moment had passed a group of mutated mothlike creatures stood up in the room. Much bigger and deadlier looking than the ones Killer Moth had used previously.
"Amazing what science can do with the right funds am I right? Kill these fuckers!" Black Mask barked. The mutants lunged at each of the superheroes, Cyborg and Starfire were shocked at how strong they were. Nightwing and Batgirl out manoeuvred them and prepared to fight them hand to hand. In the Chaos of the brawl Batgirl noticed Black Mask had made his escape towards the door.
"No!" Batgirl yelled and gave chase. Nightwing was cornered by three of the mutants and couldn't follow behind immediately. He watched as Batgirl sprinted for the door.
"Batgirl wait, don't!" He yelled towards her.
Back on the ground floor Raven and Changeling came out from the kitchen disguise free and ready to join the others. As they came out into the restaurant, they saw six mutated moth men standing in the glow of the red emergency lights.
"Garfield?"
"Yes, Rae?"
"You're seeing this right?"
"I am?"
"Good, I thought it might have been that crab I ate on break"
The two Titans prepared for battle and lunged towards the creatures ready to turn the restaurant into a battle ground.
Up several floors Black Mask burst into a research floor with several chambers and experimental equipment. Inside Killer Moth was standing tied to a collar around his neck bolted to one of the rear walls.
"Black Mask? What's happening?" Drury asked him sounding defeated and malnourished.
"Oh, you know how it is. Trouble with local law enforcement. Anyway, I've decided I don't like this fucking building, too tacky. I got a new one I just bought you'll love it it's got a pool table. Get up, our ride will be here shortly" Black Mask pulled a small silver pistol form his jacket and aimed it directly at Killer Moth's head. He pulled the same device that created the mutants with his other hand and pressed it again. The collar around Killer Moths neck fell and clanged on the floor.
"Fucking move!" Black Mask directed at him. Killer Moth raised his hands and quickly made a brisk walk out of the laboratory.
Starfire had already knocked out two of the mutants with Cyborg discovering his Sonic cannon being very effective against them. With there group dispatched they went over to join Nightwing who was struggling against there natural strength. Starfire went in with a swift uppercut at one of the creatures approaching him and Cyborg came up behind him.
"I need you two to deal with these things I have to go after Babs!"
"What? Why now man?!" Cyborg protested.
"I have to save her!" Nightwing stated.
"Nightwing, go! We will deal with the monsters!" Starfire yelled over towards them in mid combat.
"Thanks love" Nightwing turned around and made a dash for the doors that Barbara had ran through disappearing from the room.
Black Mask kicked down the roof door and felt the cold wind on his jacket. The sight of steam and power transformers flooded his vision. It was like a maze. Through it he could see a helicopter landing pad through the steam bellowing from the heating system pipes.
"Come on, you!" Black Mask shoved Killer Moth in front of him as he lightly dashed towards the pad. Barbara kicked her way through the swinging roof door and spotted the two villains through the blocks of transformers.
She grabbed a batarang from her belt and gave it a powerful throw. The sound of it cut through the air as it collided with Black Masks arm. The villain wretched in pain as the weapon dug into the roof floor.
"Ah! You fucking bitch!" Black Mask fired several shots wildly in Batgirls direction. The sound of shots echoed through the air. Killer Moth saw his chance and quietly grabbed a nearby broken pipe.
"You think that costume makes you something you God dammed bitch?! You're a nothing but a fucking wannabee cheerleader!" Black Mask screamed into the night clutching his arm in pain. The sound of a loud crunch could be heard as Killer moth slammed the pipe into the back of the crime lords leg causing him to fall to the ground with a sharp grunt of pain. Walker raised the pipe and prepared to give his captor a strong blow to the head.
The sight of a gun barrel soon filled his eyes as Black Mask fired three quick shots directly into Killer Moth's skull. Destroying what was left of mask, killing him. The pipe fell from his grip as his body slammed onto the roof floor. Blood poured from the broken iris of his mask and leaked onto the roof floor. Black Mask started at him breathing heavily then looked around to try and spot Batgirl. With a grunt he raised himself to his feet. His white suit stained with blood. He raised his gun and aimed it through the obscuring his view.
Sionis felt a strong force push his body back as he heard a grunt in front of him. Batgirl appeared through the mist and quickly knocked the gun out of his hand. The pistol tumbled across the roof far from the two of them. Black Mask attempted to fight back against her but she was far more skilled. She landed one devastating blow after another. Grabbing his arm, she punched down on it breaking the bone, his scream filled the night sky.
With him exhausted and in no condition to fight much less barely stand. Batgirl grabbed him by the collar and brought him to the roof edge and lifted him up. His feet were barely standing over the roof edge.
"Wait! Please… I'll give you anything" Black Mask wheezed. Batgirl's look turned to one of venomous hate. Even now he was willing to bargain for his life. Every fibre of her being told her not to do what she was contemplating but the pull of vengeance was too strong.
Barbara felt her body jerk to the side and her grip on Black Mask was lost. Nightwing had tackled her to the ground. They both heard the sound of a loud scream as the crime lord fell from the roof edge. Nightwing quickly got up and fired a grappling hook over the side. The hook caught the crime lord by the leg and Nightwing clutched the grapple down onto the roof edge letting him dangle there in the cold wind.
"What are you doing?!" Batgirl seethed.
"You said this wasn't about revenge! What were you possibly thinking Barbara!?" Nightwing yelled back at her.
"I wanted to put an end to this fucking worthless scumbag, once and for all!"
"And at what price? We have to be better Barbara, otherwise that fall is permanent and no one can pull you back up"
"You don't understand…"
"Then help me!?"
"If I'm not good enough to save my dad, how can I be good enough to wear this suit!? How can I be good enough to do the right thing If I don't even know what that is anymore?!" Batgirl sobbed as her face became flushed with tears.
"By being strong enough to do the right thing regardless of what you want. I wanted more than anything to kill the man that took my parents from me. So did Bruce with the man who killed his but if you go down the path of revenge you will never find your way back. It's easy to do the wrong thing but doing the right one is hard, Barbara" Nightwing finished. Barbara looked up at him and quivered.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry" She blubbered. Nightwing couldn't help it his own eyes started to sting.
"No, I'm sorry. I let you down, Babs and I'll never do it again" Nightwing reached over and hugged her tightly the commissioner's daughter wept into his shoulder.
"Uhh, are we interrupting a moment here?" a deadpanned voice said. Nightwing and Barbara turned to see Raven and Starfire floating besides the towers edge, Black Mask was being held up by Raven's magic.
"We can give you five minutes, if you'd prefer?" Raven snarked. They both chuckled.
"No, I'm fine, were fine" Batgirl rubbed the eyes of her mask.
"Ok good, because we found this and think it should probably go to jail now" Raven said pointing at the suspended crime lord. Starfire landed besides Batgirl who had risen to her feet and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Friend Babs you are, ok?" Batgirl smiled at her.
"I'm ok Starfire, thank you"
Nightwing looked over at the girl he had grown up with fighting crime back in Gotham, for a moment he saw the young girl who had put on a home-made costume inspired by Gotham's Dark Knight but then in a blink she was back grown up again.
"Alright let's wrap this up" Nightwing said.
A few days later the mess and infrastructure of Black Mask had been cleaned up. Killer Moth's body was taken away and the whereabouts of his daughter kitten remained a mystery even after the investigations. The men and women mutated by his experiments were taken to the same facility as the others to find a cure. Black Mask meanwhile, was sent back to Gotham to spend the rest of is days in Arkham whilst he was made to answer for his crimes.
A few days passed and Barbara had hung out with the Titans for a little longer, after saying her goodbyes she went outside the Tower with her Bat cycle with Nightwing to see her off.
"You know you don't deserve that girl right Dick? I mean I thought she wasn't good enough for you but it might be the other way around" Barbara joked.
"I know, you certainly don't need to remind me" Nightwing huffed. They both chuckled then paused for a moment.
"What will you do next?" Nightwing asked.
"Oh, go visit dad. I need to talk to Bruce too I feel like I owe him that" she replied. Nightwing nodded.
"You know, I was always jealous of you growing up…" Nightwing admitted.
"You were?"
"Yes, you were the better fighter and the better crime solver. I felt like I could never live up to both of you. That's why I had to leave I had to prove I could make it on my own"
"Well, I think you might have missed the mark a bit there"
"I know but honestly, I couldn't ask for a better team. Sometimes the path we walk isn't leading to where we want but where we need" Nightwing said.
"I'm glad you've found what you needed" Batgirl came up and pulled Richard in for another tight hug. "… Thanks… Thanks for everything"
"Anytime Babs, don't be a stranger though this time. There's always a place for you here"
"Right back at you Boy Wonder" Batgirl climbed on her bike and revved it up ready to make her way into the island tunnel.
"If you ever need me who know where I am" Batgirl's bike spun its wheels and kicked up a small dust cloud of dirt as she pulled away down the road. Nightwing watched the image of her disappear inside the tunnel.
Right back at you too, Batgirl
Ok that's it I hope you folks liked it and it came together coherently. Until the next time thank you and see you then.