Oh Sweet Child of Mine
Summary: When one of the League's young partners goes missing, someone they least expect picks up the mace to go find her young friend. Sequel to "Innocence of a Small Child".
Important Note: If you have not read "Innocence of a Small Child" you are going to be terribly confused.
Disclaimer: I own… (sniffle) nothing except the plot line.
Set after "Starcrossed" and after "Wake the Dead" and before "Hunter's Moon."
Reviews are at the end. Yey.
Chapter 4: Mission Impossible
Shayera froze as Batman's cold-gloved hands grabbed her, thrusting her into the wall. His teeth were gritted and even though you couldn't see his eyes, Shayera knew what they looked like.
They were hurt, angry, confused and above all… they had lost the little trust she had managed to gain back.
"Talk!" the Dark Knight snarled.
Nightwing ran over and grabbed Batman's arm. "Hey! Stop it! Thrusting her against a wall isn't going to make whatever she has to say for herself any easier with you breathing down her neck!"
Shayera looked at the young man. He was furious. His fists were clenched and he wore a frown of displeasure. Shayera had listened to his tone and words carefully. She could tell that Nightwing was upset about Robin's capturing and she could also tell (with a heavy heart) that he felt part of this was Shayera's fault by assuming she had to do with this because her own people were involved. But, however, she knew he was frustrated that Batman was treating her this way. And for that she smiled deep inside. At least he wasn't automatically assuming it was her fault, though she saw it in his demeanor he was thinking about it as a possible option.
"Did you hear me!" Nightwing growled to Batman, "Put her down! You're not making this any easier!"
"Don't talk to me that way." Was all the Caped Crusader responded coldly.
Nightwing gritted his teeth harder, "I can talk to you in whatever way I want to."
Superman stepped in now. He was not in the mood for another Nightwing vs. Batman argument and now was certainly not the time for one either.
"Enough!" roared Superman. He turned to Batman, "Please put her down Batman. Nightwing is right, this isn't the way we should be going about this. For all we know, Shayera had nothing to do with this."
"She didn't!" cried John angrily, "I know she didn't!"
Shayera's heart skipped a beat as John defended her. But Batman had still not released her and the beat of joy soon skipped into a beat of fear as she found her emerald eyes starring into the Batman's emotionless ones.
"What happened!" he demanded.
"I have no idea!" Shayera cried, "I'm just as confused as you are! Do you think I planned for this?" his face remained unchanged. "Why would I have Robin captured! Why would I do that! I care for his safety and well being too!"
And then it happened. She felt Batman's fingers pushing deep into her skin. The gloves were cold but felt like they were on fire at the same time.
"If you even remotely cared, you would have stayed away from him and Gotham the first time I asked you," he replied icily. "But since you didn't, look what happened? They used him against us in my hometown! Because of you!"
"Stop it!" Shayera begged as he squeezed into her arms, "I didn't! I had no idea that this would happen! Please believe me!"
"BRUCE!" Nightwing screamed ripping his arms of Shayera, "Stop it! Would you just stop and—"
Superman grabbed Batman back as he punched Nightwing square in the face. The younger man skidded in the dirt and landed on his back. His jaw was bleeding and Diana ran over to help him up. He took her hand and using his free hand whipped the blood trickling down his lip like water down a rooftop.
"That's enough out of you!" Superman said in an authoritarian voice. He looked over at Nightwing being held back by Diana.
"It goes for both of you. This is not the time or the place. Robin is in trouble, but instead of trying to handle this correctly, you go about fighting each other," Superman told them. He was referring more towards Batman and let him know by making his grip a little harder.
But Batman jerked his arm free and started to walk towards the Batmoblie. "Enough. We can head back to the Cave to work out a strategic plan of action."
The others especially Shayera were a little taken back by his quick attitude change. The Caped Crusader took a step forward, his way of telling everyone, to follow him. Diana still kept her arm on Nightwing as he walked not sure of his reaction to his mentor. She had seen them fight before, but she had never seen Bruce physically hurt Nightwing on purpose. Sure training in the work out room was one thing, but that was practice. His punch tonight had every intention of hurting his eldest son.
"You, will not becoming." Batman said shortly to Shayera when he noticed her walking behind him.
She looked back, mouth a gasp, "W-what? Why not? These are my people! You need my help!"
"Like last time?" he replied coldly.
Shayera felt her frame shaking. How dare he take a shot like that. She could feel herself getting ready to cry. That had hurt.
"SHUT THE HELL UP BRUCE! AS IF YOU'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG IN YOUR LIFE!" Nightwing roared breaking free of Diana.
"Nightwing!" Diana urged. "Stop. This isn't a wise decision."
"Screw it if it's wise or not. He needs to hear it." Nightwing glared at Batman who turned to face him, his hands in fists as Nightwing approached him. "YOU'RE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!"
Batman made no move.
"YOU'RE NOT! BLAMING HER FOR EVERYTHING YOU THINK IS WRONG!" his breathing became heavier, "If you think that you're temper and coldness to her will bring back Tim any faster, you're wrong! WRONG!"
"Dick, you obviously have not learned a thing." He towered over Nightwing with a death-threatening glare that would have any normal person shaking in their boots, "Learn to keep your mouth shut."
"SHUT UP!" Nightwing said pushing him back, "I'm not one of employees or villains. Don't you dare try that maneuver on me! It's not going to work! Don't use other's fear to cover up how you feel right now. You know I'm right!"
Nightwing made to push Batman again, but the Dark Knight was faster and grabbed his son's hands and twisted them back. Nightwing let out a scream of pain. Batman was not letting go.
"I won't let go until you calm down."
"Me? Ha! Calm down yourself you sick son of a bit— AHHH!" Nightwing cried trying to wiggle his hands free from his mentor's grip.
"Great Hera!" Wonder Woman said pulling Batman off of Nightwing. "Were you trying to break his wrists!"
"If it got the message through…"
"Bats…" Flash said shocked as he helped Nightwing with his hands. It was common knowledge that the two were very close friends. "You hurt him."
"What's it to him?" snarled Nightwing. "It's all business with Batman." He replied darkly. He moved away from Flash as Superman and Green Lantern made to stop him.
"I don't even want to hear what you two have to say." Nightwing said rudely pulling out a grappling gun. The blast from the gun made him wince slightly as it hooked onto a building and he pulled himself up. Flipping over he landed on the roof and took off to find Robin. He didn't need Batman's help.
Shayera felt herself crying. This was all happening because of her. Batman had lost Robin and she had just caused Batman to loose Nightwing. How many other friendships and partners was she going to tear apart this time?
"It wasn't your fault…" John came up telling her as Superman and Batman had a chat (more like a shouting match) over how to handle the current situation.
"Please don't lie to me John…"
"I'm not lying!" he told her honestly, "Those two have been at it for weeks since the incident with the Joker… it's not your fault. It was bound to happen."
"But it wouldn't have happened now if it wasn't for me—"
Green Lantern laughed. "Don't give yourself so much credit for that fight. That was strictly Nightwing tired of Batman's orders and behavior. I can't say I blame him." He turned his eyes to Shayera, "It wasn't fair for Batman to accuse you. It wasn't your fault."
Shayera did not answer him, she was only praying Tim was safe. The image of Paran shooting him in the arm rang clearly through out her head.
She awoke from her prayer as she saw Batman dragging the Joker, still tied up in ropes, out of the warehouse.
"Ya know Bats, those birds beat me to what I've wanted to do all those years." The Joker paused as if he was deep in thought before smiling, "Shoot Bird-boy!"
And with a sickening laugh from the Joker, Shayera watched as Batman punched him hard in the face followed by a shocked Poison Ivy carried by Wonder Woman who whispered, "I guess my looks won't save me this time…" muttered the grass green red head as she was placed inside the newly arrived police car.
-Thanagarian Space Cruiser: Robin's Current Location-
Robin lay on the floor, his mouth slightly open. He could hear the voices of the Thanagarians outside his cell.
Probably going decided how to kill me… he thought grimily. Wincing slightly he lifted his head then brought it back down as pain erupted from his arm.
"AHH!" he shouted, his throat dry. The gun had nicked his shoulder as they tried to take him away onto the ship. He was lucky it wasn't a direct hit. That would have hurt a thousand times worse.
Using his right arm his gingerly took his hand to comfort the burning pain in his left. He felt the blood through his gloves and started to wonder how long he had been here bleeding all over his cell. That was when he realized his handcuffs were gone.
Good… those things hurt.
"I will talk to him," answered a thick accented female voice.
Robin lifted his head up again, his bangs falling messily in front of his face as he saw the woman of the voice walk in. Paran.
"Nice to see the young solider has awakened."
Robin didn't answer as he felt the bile thick in the back of his throat.
"Where are your manners? You spoke when you are spoken to." She replied smacking him a crossed the face.
The surprise attack shocked Robin who retorted. "I normally don't have manners towards scum who shot me and then lock me up."
"You should."
Robin snorted.
"We could have easily killed you young warrior." She told him.
"Then why didn't you Feathers?" he asked cockily.
She glared at him before taking her fingers and wrapping them around his cheeks, squeezing them tightly and hissing in his face, lifting him off the ground and holding him there, "Because you are the key to the victory we so desire on killing Shayera Hol and the Justice League." She shoved him back on the floor, "Now. Enough questions from you."
Robin did not answer her.
"Now, you will answer my questions," she told him as if he was a student and she was the teacher "Where is the Justice League?"
"How should I know… you took me away from them!" he roared, "Incase you forgot."
"I do not need your extra comments, and you miss understand my question." Paran walked over towards him picking him up by the back of his cape and slammed him against the cell wall, "Where is the Justice League Headquarters?"
"Like I'd tell you." Robin growled.
He struggled to free himself but couldn't move his injured arm. He took his right arm and threw a punch but she caught it, twisting his arm and cracking his bones.
"AHHH!" he screamed.
Paran smiled. "We shall try again." She used her free hand to pull out an electric mace, "And this time, I will not be so forgiving." She said as electricity cackled in front of Tim's face.
-Justice League Watchtower: Current Location of Nightwing-
"Move!" Nightwing shouted as he pushed several young chit chatting heroes out of his way in the hallway.
Just standing there… idiots… he mused grimily in his head. No idea what's going on. Dumb, worthless idiots.
He was on a mission. Not just any mission. He had to save Robin. No, not Robin. He had to save Tim. His little brother, the boy who looked up at him and his partner in ice cream eating contests. He wouldn't stop until Tim was safely back in front of him cracking jokes about his hair or telling Dick how he could eat more hotdogs than he could on any given day.
If anything ever happened to you kid… Dick did not want to think the worst.
Turning a sharp right, Nightwing slammed right into the chest of Huntress, another Gotham icon.
No one else knew about the Thanagarian visit, Tim's capture, or whatever had happened that night. So the surprised worried look from Huntress was actually not a surprise to him. He figured in a few moments however, Batman and the others would be here informing the rest of the League. But Dick wanted a head start.
Huntress gently brushed her dark hair out of her face. "Alright there?"
"Not now! I have to go!" he shouted leaving her in a trail behind him. With a bit of a smirk, Huntress took off after him.
"What's ruffled your feather's Big Bird?" she asked catching up to him.
Nightwing panted heavily and turned a left to the Launch Bay, ignoring Huntress. But she knew how to get him to talk.
"Practicing your Batman silence?"
"I said not now!" Nightwing roared, "Something bad is happening and I have to—"
Huntress grabbed his arm and stopped him in the middle of his run. He tried to wrench his arm free but was finding it to be difficult. He glared at her, "LET GO! ROBIN'S IN TROUBLE!"
"He's with Batman… how can he—"
"Look, something happened down there okay, and Robin's life is on the line right now!" Nightwing rudely hissed back at the shocked female hero.
Huntress' interest took a greater hold of her. She knew Batman must be livid at the moment. But why was Nightwing not with him?
"Where's Batman?" she asked.
"Doesn't matter! Now let go!" Nightwing said ripping his arm out of her grasp.
But Huntress wasn't going to just walk away like that. "Oh no you don't." She grabbed him and yanked him back with seriousness rippling on her face. She had already made up her mind on her next choice. "I'm coming with you. There's no way I'm listening to the Bat complain when he finds you in a million pieces and yells at me because I didn't stop you when I had the chance."
Nightwing smirked as Huntress started to run.
"So fill me in on what were up against."
-Justice League Watchtower (still but different place)-
"J'onn! We need a ship! NOW!" growled Batman as he burst through the doors of the Control Room. Several younger and new members of the League jumped back towards the Dark Knights anger.
But their expressions eased up slightly once they saw the Man of Steel behind him grabbing his shoulder. "Batman, screaming at everyone in your way will NOT get Robin back any faster!"
He was pretty sure Batman heard him, but Bruce chose to ignore him. Superman looked up at J'onn who was terribly confused.
Mentally he started to talk with his extraterrestrial friend.
The mission J'onn… it.. it went wrong.
You did not capture the Injustice Gang? Asked J'onn.
Superman gulped. We did… but… Robin has been captured. The Thanagarians are back, and they've teamed up with Lex Luthor.
J'onn said nothing in response.
"Are you finished?" Batman hissed at Superman knowing he was mentally having a conversation with their Martian friend.
"Yes," Superman said shortly. "And don't get hot under the collar with me. Letting your anger take over you could cause the life of death for Robin right now."
Batman grunted in response. It was not often a hero like Batman lost his temper and if he did, it showed depending on how high the situation did. If he felt that Green Lantern was ranting to much during meetings, he kept his temper and insults to himself. However, if it was Flash sticking chopsticks up his nose with Nightwing in the middle of the god damned cafeteria, then he'd let out some steam. But when it came to capturing and brutally hurting his partner, his son, because a once before traitor's people had come to kill her and the Justice League, then yes, Batman lost his temper.
And once a wave rolls, it doesn't stop.
"The Javelin is ready Superman." J'onn said sternly after finishing hitting a few buttons taking Batman out of his own bad steam.
"Do you require assistance?" he asked, his monotone strong as ever.
Batman hotly answered and gruffly mumbled. "No."
Superman looked as if he was about to contradict Bruce's comment when someone beat him to it. Shayera softly spoke. "Actually, the more people we have the better chance we have of saving—"
"Saving Robin like you got him into this mess?" retorted the Dark Knight. "If I wanted him dead I would have left you in charge of this mission."
"In charge?" Shayera said taken back, "When did you become in charge!" she shouted. "He's just as much anyone's duty to get him home safely!"
"He's my partner!" Batman shouted back. "And because you felt the need to include him in your personal life, his life is in danger! As far as I'm concerned this whole mess is your fault. And if it wasn't Robin then who else would have gone in his place! Nightwing! Flash! Green Lantern!" Shayera felt the tears building up in her eyes, rivers waiting to over flow the damn. She didn't want to listen to Batman anymore.
But half of herself told her to keep listening, after all, this was her fault. She had directly ignored Batman's specific warning about befriending Tim, and now look where he was… dead for all she knew.
No… her other side told. He's alive. I know he is. Please God… let him be alive… he wouldn't blame you for this. Batman is just upset…
Can you really blame him? I mean you did just get his youngest partner abducted by your people to be used against yourself and the League. And you couldn't stop there. Nightwing ran off too. Batman and Superman going head to head? You really know how to destroy people. Just like last time…
I didn't foresee any of this! How was I to know!
You weren't supposed to. You were supposed to listen to Batman. 'Stay away from him.' He told you at the one meeting when he spotted you two talking. But you're too selfish. You had to ignore possible future attacks. And now look, you sealed his death wish.
That's not true! I care for him! If I could trade places with him I would have done it in a heartbeat! He stood by me when no one else did! I was… was lonely. He was my friend. My child almost. My poor sweet child and… oh God what have I done?
You've killed him Shayera… the voice told her. You've killed him and it's all your fault. ALL YOUR FAULT. As if betraying the Earth wasn't bad enough. Now you sacrifice a child in your place.
No… no… I… I'd never… not Tim… no… NO!
"NO!" Shayera found herself screaming at the top of her voice. "STOP!"
Batman looked at her questionably as she stopped him in the middle of his banter. She grabbed at her auburn locks and gritted her teeth.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" she cried out, head hung down in shame, a single tear dripping onto the floor.
John slowly went over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace slightly confused as she wrapped her arms around him. His stomach gave a jolt of butterflies and he whispered words of comfort in her ear.
He saw the Dark Knight out of the corner of his eye, glaring away as he comforted, in his opinion, a past traitor and now, the cause of his wards capture and the Thanagarian visit. Pulling Shayera slightly closer to him as she sobbed he gave Batman a look saying he was not pleased of how he was handling this situation. Even if Shayera had put Robin in danger, it was certainly not on purpose. For Batman to be scolding her as if everything going wrong now was her fault, in his opinion, was out of line.
Flash cut the tension quickly. "Look Bats… Robin needs us. Arguing over who started what isn't getting us anywhere." Batman turned his clock inflicting gaze upon the young speedster. "Nightwing was right you know," Flash told him, the rest of the Leaguers watching, "Just because you have an assumption doesn't mean it's right."
There was a long silence between the Scarlet Speedster and the Dark Knight. If it was a staring contest, Batman who had won hands down. Superman sighed as Wonder Woman started to walk.
"Enough of this foolish quarreling. Are goal is not to fight one another, but to find Robin." She started to walk out the door followed by Superman who grabbed Batman's arm and started to walk him out.
"Send us all the help you can spare J'onn," the Man of Steel replied over his shoulder. "I know with the recent war on Thecrups that more than half the League is out, but whoever you can spare and whoever is willing, send them are way."
"I shall." Replied the martin.
Superman whispered in Batman's ear as they left. "I'm going to ask you again to calm down. Think about what's best for Tim Bruce."
"I Am." Growled the Batman fiercely. "And that's why I want Shayera off this mission. She's already got him captured. What next?" he asked coldly.
"I know you've never regained trust over her since before, but, Bruce I don't think Shayera had any plot to have the Thanagarians abduct Tim. Why would she? She's be exiled from her people." Clark reminded him.
Batman darkly responded. "Looks can be deceiving. If she goes though, she does not call the shots. Either you, myself or Wonder Woman will."
"What about John?" Superman asked. "He's perfectly capable of—"
"No. He's too involved with her." Batman said shortly.
Superman stood down. No furthering arguing that point. Bruce was stubborn. Plan and simple. He would not press that matter.
"You have any plans on locating Robin?" Superman said changing the tense subject.
Batman pulled out his personal communicator and hit a tiny button labeled 'R' next to one labeled 'N' and 'B'. The communicator took a moment then started to beep violently as the Justice League took their seats in the Javelin.
Upon the screen appeared a small red dot labeled 'Robin' flashing about as Batman pointed a finger at it figuring out his location.
"He's in the desert?" Diana asked puzzled.
"Yes. And if I have remembered right, the same spot in which they tried to build their little science project." Batman told them.
Flash grinned. "Just like the birds that come to the feeder on my window sill. Empty or not, they always come back to find out if anything is left."
Batman lifted his head and turned his head towards Flash and smiled. "You feeling alright Bats?" he had never smiled at Wally before.
"Flash, you hit the nail on the head." Superman said proudly as they Javelin took off. "Good job Flash."
"Woa. Who would have thought that I could say that clever line of 'a little birdy told me'. Ha, ha!" Flash cheered. "I'm a genius."
"Don't push it. What ever their planning," Batman started to explained, "Required them to go back to their past sight."
"To rebuild the same machine as before?" questioned Wonder Woman.
"Perhaps. I'll need to think more about it." Batman told her as he took his seat next to Superman.
However, as the others gave away thoughts to what the Thanagarians might be doing, Shayera knew it wouldn't matter. What ever it was, it involved her to pay for her crimes and have the Justice League suffer with her.
And with Lex in the game… this won't be easy… she told herself. The battle hasn't even begun.
-Outside the Thanagarian Space Cruiser: Current Location of Nightwing and Huntress-
His locator had brought him here. It had brought him to the desert. His dark boots scuffing the dirt and sand, he took a look around. Boy did he stand out. A black costume might have looked fine in Gotham, but in the middle of no where, anyone could spot him.
Glancing over at Huntress, he could tell that she was feeling the same way.
Nightwing had told her everything. About them training Robin on this mission, how he helped spy for the League being the only one capable of tight conditions. How he braved Gotham's villains and then later the Thanagarians. Nightwing also confessed his fight with Batman and the Dark Knight's as well as his own opinions on Shayera's roll. Huntress took in every word, listening carefully.
"Kinda bare out here…" she said leaning on her bo staff. "Maybe the signal was wrong."
"Or the ship is under a cloaking device." Nightwing said rubbing dirt between his gloved fingers and narrowed his eyes, "People were defiantly here…"
"But where's the ship then?" she asked.
"It has to be somewhere around here. Look…" he pointed to a set of tracks beginning suddenly and ending suddenly, "It must be over there. Watch your step. Wouldn't surprise me if the had some sort of heat seeking devices around."
Carefully the duo crept towards where they believed a ship lay with Robin inside. Huntress paused. "Maybe we should contact the League."
"I told you, Batman will want to do things his way."
"I know but we should wait for back up in case something happens to either of us." Nightwing glared. "Alright, you need to put your pride issues away for right now, think of Robin," she reminded him.
Taking in her advice, Nightwing pulled out his communicator and contacted his father figure with a deep breath. This was going to be interesting.
"Br— Batman."
"Yes." Came the cold voice on the other side.
Nightwing ran a hand through out his hair. "We found the ship… well sorta. It's under some sort of cloaking device and—"
"You need help finding it."
Nightwing gritted his teeth. Well he did need help. The Javelin was much butter equipped for this sort of thing then the ship he and Huntress took (unauthorized).
"Were only a few minutes from your location." Batman told him, "Wait for us."
Nightwing took another deep breath as Huntress placed her hand in the air and heard a clank in response.
"Think I found it. Now to turn the invisibility off."
Nightwing ignored her and turned his voice to a low whisper. "Listen Bruce… what I said earlier… I… I was just upset. I let my emotions get the better hold of me and I'm so—"
"Dick you don't have to apologize. I acted rashly too. Tim's capture was just…"
"Hard to deal with considering possible company and the strange timing?" Dick said finishing his sentence.
"Something like that."
"Alright… we'll wait for you then." Nightwing informed him turning around to see Huntress out of the corner of his eye walking around the still cloaked ship hoping to make it visible.
There was a pause then his voice came. "We?"
"Oh umm… yea Huntress followed me… I figured I could use the help at the time and—"
"I don't need an excuse. That's fine. Just remind her I'm calling the shots not her." Batman said icily.
"Yes Master," Dick teased. "See you in a few."
After saying his good bye to Batman Dick turned around to see the ship standing right in front of him. A grin crossed his face as he started to walk around it. "Huntress, you did it. How'd you deactivate it?" he asked looking around for her.
"She didn't," came a cold thick accented voice.
Nightwing stumbled around quickly coming face to face with Hro Talek. He smirked at his prey as he pulled out his electric axe.
"I did not invite any guests," he told Nightwing.
Nightwing laughed. "Well that's not very nice. Where are your manners?" he said cockily.
"Gone, like you will be in a moment."
Nightwing gritted his teeth. "Where's Huntress and Robin!" he demanded getting to business.
Hro laughed and put his strong arms behind his back with a smile. "Oh, do not worry. They are safe with me. No harm shall come to them… yet." He added with a twisted smile.
"Let them go!" Nightwing warned.
"If you can defeat me, then they are all yours," Hro told him calmly, a twinkle in his eye as he watched the young hero.
"No problem…" Nightwing boasted as he charged towards Hro.
Taking a fighting stance, Hro caught Nightwing's on coming punch. He saw the young man flinch as he started to crush his fingers. "AH!" Using his leg, Nightwing took his knee and jabbed it into Hro's chin. With out even flinching, Hro grabbed Nightwing by the neck.
The first Boy Wonder began to gasp for air. "ACK—!"
Coughing he struggled and managed to take his leg, and powerfully kicking into the hawkman's stomach. Releasing Nightwing, Hro grabbed his stomach. The earthling had hurt him. He was going to pay.
"So…" Nightwing started. "You do have weak spots."
"Yes, but yours are weaker," he informed Nightwing as he flew fast upon him and punched him in the jaw the kicked him into the chest sending him flying into the ship, hitting his side then crumbling to the ground coughing and getting up shakily.
"Pathetic. Tell me young warrior, is this who the Justice League sends in their defense?" Hro smirked.
Nightwing did not answer as he got up feeling queasy and dizzy. He saw Hro coming at him but he couldn't move. Something grabbed him.
Turning his head quickly, Nightwing saw two hawk soldiers holding him. Oh no they don't… he thought bitterly as his dizziness cleared up.
Hro came flying full speed, axe cackling electricity and Nightwing smirked. He hoped this worked. He relaxed his body slightly causing both of the soldier's holding him to think he was fading. They eased their grip on him slightly, giving Nightwing just the advantage he needed.
Then, in a few split seconds, it happened.
Nightwing suddenly lifted his head up and yanked both his arms together causing the unsuspecting soldiers to fall forward due to his force. Right as they fell forward they were the perfect shield for him as Hro slammed down his axe realizing what he had just done.
The two screamed and slowly withered to the ground leaving Nightwing smirking as he pulled out a small glass ball the size of a marble.
"Nice seeing you," Nightwing told him as Hro glared upon him, teeth gritting and spit fuming at his mouth, "But Robin and I have other plans then to hang out with a bunch of birds all day."
Nightwing through down the ball and immediately smoke poured out of it. Hro shielded his face, keeping his eyes peeled as he saw Nightwing flipping backwards away from the smoke. Using his wings however, Hro covered his mouth and flapped to clear away the smoke. He was going to find Nightwing and kill him.
Cursing himself as he hid behind a tire of the ship, Nightwing tried to gather his thoughts as he saw Hro flying up towards the sky now.
He was supposed to breath in the gas… Nightwing growled internally, That would have kept him knocked out for at least—
"Looking for me?" Hro said behind him slamming his axe down.
Nightwing jumped and caught the axe carefully and skillfully between his two hands and tried to keep it from cutting into his chest.
"I must admit, you have put up a good fight," Hro told him pushing down hard on the axe watching Nightwing's arm shake as he tried to keep the axe away from his chest.
"Ack!"
"But, even in the end, you know you can not wing young warrior," Hro said leaning all his weight on the axe enjoying Nightwing's struggle.
"Yea… right…" Nightwing gritted out in painful gasps, "I… can… beat… you…"
Laughing, Hro suddenly lifted up his axe taking the pressure up off Nightwing. Nightwing raised a questionable eyebrow as Hro coldly began to speak. "Funny… the other boy said that and now he's lying dead in his cell."
"What other boy?" Nightwing demanded having a horrible idea of who it could be.
"The one you call Robin," Hro said icily with a smirk.
Nightwing stood shocked. "No… not Robin… you didn't. Liar! You didn't!" he screamed. He was bluffing, an attempt to distract him, trying to ruffle Nightwing up to get the upper hand.
"Oh, but I did."
"MONSTER!" Nightwing hissed as he punched Hro as hard as he could in the jaw. Stumbling backwards, Nightwing took Hro's off balance trip to his advantage.
He swiftly kicked Hro upside the head, then flipping up, he used his legs and slammed Hro in the chest, sending him flying a few yards back in the dirt and sand. Not wasting a second, Nightwing jumped on top of him and tried to crush his ribs. Jumping off as Hro swung his axe, Nightwing picked up Huntress' fallen bo staff and smacked Hro in the back letting him land face first in the dirt.
Breathing heavily, but not stopping, Nightwing allowed himself to be consumed by the rage of the recent news. Tim could not be dead. He wouldn't believe it. He couldn't believe it. Not Timmy. He was trained better. He—"
"I have tired of these games!" screamed Talek as Nightwing advanced on him. Faster than before, Hro took his axe and using the blade cut Nightwing across the chest. The younger man stopped instantly and grabbed his chest and Hro took his own chance.
He kicked Nightwing in the ribs, smiling when he heard the satisfying crack of one or two then took the back end of his axe and jabbed his jaw. Nightwing fell to the ground and Hro advanced on him. Kicking him in the side then grabbed him by the back of the neck, and raised him up off the ground to look Hro in the eyes.
Even with the mask on, Hro could see the pain painted on the young man's face. His face bloody and bruised as he tried to maintain a normal breathing pattern.
"You have proven yourself a grand warrior young man," Hro explained, his axe now full of electricity, "But your story ends here."
Nightwing couldn't move. He tried to but everything hurt. "Ack!" he screamed as Hro tightened his grip.
"Doesn't… end………." Nightwing started, blood dripping from his lips, "Til… I'm dead…"
"And that can be arranged," Hro said calmly with smirk of true evil. His axe now above his head, electricity spitting form it.
"Tell the Justice League, if you make it that long, that they can not stop us," Hro laughed as Nightwing tried to answer but failed to, "Oh, and one more thing."
The scream Nightwing let lose was enough to chill anyone's bones as Hro hit him in the chest with his axe. Electricity flowed through Nightwing as he shouted and struggled to shake it off like water. Hro smiled and laughed and then pulled back his axe as Nightwing went limp.
Dropping his body to the ground, he watched as blood flowed freely now from his former opponent. He had put up a good fight considering he had no super powers. Hro smiled as he headed back towards the ship hearing Robin's shouts from inside the ship.
So Paran did let the boy watch as I killed one of his mentor's, Hro thought silently as he boarded the ship, Very good. The pain of grief will give us the edge over him and soon every secret the Justice League has will be spilled into my power.
"Nightwing! NIGHTWING!" cried Robin as he tried to free himself from the guards who had dragged him out of his cell so he could watch. He started to cry, a tear pouring down his face. Nightwing wasn't gone. He was alive. He wasn't dead! He'd never just die on him like that. No. Dick Grayson was a fighter! He wasn't dead!
"NIGHTWING!" Tim screamed. Nightwing never kept him waiting. Every time Tim had needed him, Dick had always been right by his side. But the more he called his name, and the longer the silence was, Tim started to believe what he thought was never possible.
"DICK!" he shouted, "PLEASE ANSWER ME! PLEASE!" he begged falling to his knees as Paran open door for Hro.
"The Huntress, as she called herself, has been locked away sir."
"Excellent Paran," Hro said commending her efforts. Smiling he turned to the man sitting next to her in the chair. Hro looked down at him.
"The Justice League can not stop us now."
Lex grinned, "Excellent. And soon, you will have your chance to kill the rest of them, and then my friends, Shayera Hol will be yours for the taking."
Author's Note: Sorry for the long chapter but I felt you guys deserved it after me not updating in like… forever. Well review and tell me what you think. I think it's bad. Eh.
Answered Reviews:
A dragons wings: Glad the story is keeping you on the edge of your seat. I love it when readers tell me that. Good to know and glad you're enjoying the story.
Stary: Here's that update.
Skite: Oh, the whole trust thing with Batman and Shayera is something I thought might be interesting. As we all know Batman can be extremely paranoid and protective and territorial with his side kicks and city. I decided just to mention it briefly (glad you noticed it) that Batman strongly suggested his opinion that he didn't want Shayera around after what happened in Starcrossed. Its explained actually more in this chapter. He doesn't trust her just because he's trying to keep his city and side kicks safe, though it does sound harsh. Shayera trusts Batman, its more the fact she's fearful of him finding out she's been in Gotham visiting Tim and who knows even Nightwing. She's more scared. Thanks for the review.
Gotham's Princess: Glad you liked it. And I had to put Dickie in the game. I love Nightwing. Yey.
JuStIcE LeAgUe RoCkS: Glad you "lurved" it. Lol. Thanks for your continual review.
Hawkgirl04: Here's the over due update. Glad you think the story is getting really good.
Doza: Wow! Awesome review. Thanks so very much! I'm glad when you're reading the story you feel into it and want to kick Luthor where it hurts. Lol. And I'm glad you think I'm a good author. I love you and your review just made me ubber happy. And I heard that song macho man a few days ago. Lol. It made me want to finish this chapter because it reminded me of your review. Lol. Take care and glad you like the story.
Alicia Keyboard: Yes! Poor Shayera. Thanks for the review.
Kayli: I am SO sorry I didn't update my story. Hopefully updates should be more frequent now. I'm finding more time to write. I'm glad you really like my story and thanks for reviewing and checking everyday to see if I've updated.
Corsetbitch34: Thanks for all those recent reviews and the favorite story/author thing. Yey. And yes, I know I'm evil for capturing Tim. Ha! Ha! And Yey for Nightwing being in the story. Can't leave him out.
Ballerinashoes43: Here's that friggin' update. Lol. And thanks for reviewing my other stories and adding me to your favorites. Yey.
Iloveyouilovedyouallalong: Wow. Thanks so much. And thanks for all the recent reviews and favorites as well.
Iforgiveyou4beingaway4far2long: And you're another new reviewer who has let me lots of comments and favorites. Thanks very much.