The Darkest of Knights

Zero facepalmed. "Did you REALLY just blurt out the identity of SUPERMAN one of the biggest, hush-hush secrets of all time? I thought there was some kind of superhero, secret- identity pact?" Zero said, somewhat shocked but mostly in a 'really, I mean really?' attitude. "Didn't stop him from revealing mine to Rupert flippin' Thorne....." Cassius mumbled, recalling Greyson blurting out that he was Cassius while in civilian garb after Greyson had walked out of sight. "Our identities might be screwed at this rate." Zero sighed. But hey, most of the Bats had theirs out by now, might as well ride the train, not like anyone knew him out of the uniform anyways besides a few of the Bats. He didn't remember his OWN name half the time.......

11/13/31
05:00 am
Its November... November is cold.

"Oh come on! Superman flies without a mask on! In fact he wears a mask to hide the fact that he's Superman." Dick said referring to his glasses. "And screw it all. We went this far. There's no going back." Dick crossed his arms and sighed. "You like Jack Johnson Cass?" He asked letting off some steam and changing the subject. They hadn't had rest, or good rest, in eight days.

"Could as you the same thing." Responded the c-grade thug. Though there wasn't time for much beyond that. The elevator went straight to the office penthouse of Rupert Thorne, crime lord. Of course it didn't actually say that anywhere, but the numerous bookcases along the right wall, the small gathering of more quality henchmen in front of the television to the left, and the raven haired secretary casually splayed out in a chair in front Thorne's desk said it all for him. A quick glance around the room and Slade's dissecting gaze laid the room bare for him. The four thugs watching a soccer game could put up a fight but the one on the far right had an old injury to his right hand, boxing probably from the look of his shoulders, the middle two were young, and agile but they didn't work out regularly, their range of motion would be limited compared to his, and the final one looked to have had his legs broken some time years ago, gambling debts were the most likely culprit given his occupation.

And the room though it appeared to be an office, was in truth a barracks. The door itself he'd walked through was recently replaced, heavy and metal now, though it's predecessor clearly hadn't been, the walls would be easier to break through than it would, though the fact that there were at least fifty stories off the ground might make that a poor choice. Hidden weapons abounded here as well, six semi-automatic machine guns were hidden in the television area alone, one in either arm of the two chairs, and another two tucked inside the posts of the sofa. Beneath the sofa was what appeared to be a large military issue case, an rocket propelled grenade-launcher from the shape and size of it. It was mounted to the underside of the couch to conceal it, but they couldn't hide the added weight or after-market brackets.

Across the hall at least a dozen books has been hollowed out to conceal something within them. Three were viable for loaded hand guns, the others could've been files or drugs or even more guns, and one looked capable of holding a fragmentation grenade, though it may have been flash or smoke, they did have the launcher. Thorne's desk itself was harder to read, but there were a few clues in how the crime lord and his assistant situated themselves. The girl had her chair off to the side while the 'guest's seat was more directly in front of the crime lord. Sure this could've simply been so that she didn't appear too cozy with some of the psychopaths Thorne undoubtedly had business with, but with the added fact that the back side of his desk had been thinned down from the original plate, it was more likely that Rupert had some manner of easy kill hidden under his desk, ballistic shotgun was the more likely culprit. That aside the numerous drawers could easily have contained a small arsenal themselves, and in more obvious hints there were two cigar boxes on the desk, one obviously held some a fire arm or bullets for one, while the other carried Thorne's favorite accessory, and the less subtle wear on the hinges betrayed which was which.

(I just read so much @_@)

Ivy watched everyone filing in and out, inwardly rejoicing at the thought of pie. It came to her she hadn't eaten in...She simply hasn't eaten. The talk about identities only made her laugh. She didn't care much for secret identities- Everything she cared about came with being a hero. The friends, the work, most of her stuff came from saving some store or another. "Cass is alright." she piped up in response to Batman.
---
Astro quietly followed Luna.
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Knightmare is knocked out somewhere, deep in the effects of the sleeping drug. Which is too bad, with everyone asleep she could make the whole town scream.

"Astute observation- no need to be as formal as to call me mister." Slade replied, maintaining a pokerface [or the masked equivalent] as he peeled the room with his eyes, but allways keeping Thorne in his Peripheral vision- he wouldn't fully break eye contact with the likes of Thorne, he knew much better then that, much less in this small arsenal. He had no reason to MIStrust Thorne, but he had no intention of taking his away from the most dangerous man in the room- besides himself, that is. "I take it you're pleased with my results?" Slade asked. He kept the generator in one peice and shot up Damian's legs in the process, overall, he had done ok considering he went into the mission already reeling from a major fight.

Cassius shrugged. "He's ok. A bit too oldschool for me, but not bad." Cassius said, puttering with his cannon's controls in his spare time.

Zero schooched closer to where Ivy's voice was coming from, still not used to his current state of blindness.

"I'm quiet happy, especially considering the state of things out there." Thorne smiled and tapped his cigar against the edge of its ash tray. "My buyer may say otherwise, but as long as it's functional he shouldn't have anything to complain about." The criminal was lying through his teeth, and doing it with a smile. He didn't have a buyer, but he did need the generator to work. Thorne restored his cigar to his lips and opened a drawer in his desk. There was a quiet technological beeping as he plugged in a code to a lock box, and then began laying out five thousand dollar cash bricks on the desk in front of him. The box could be heard snapping shut and the drawer rolling back closed before Thorne returned his gaze to the masked assassin across from him. "Five thousand dollars, as I said." He pushed the bricks across the desk before leaning back and taking a drag on his cigar. "But the real prize here isn't the money now is it?" He smirked and blew smoke out his nose. "I'm one of largest arms importers in this city, and with those things running around out there, I'd imagine the demand for 'personal protection' is about to hit an all time high." The crime boss tapped his cigar again. "But for you my friend... I'll give you a freebie."

Alice and Rose walked into the the second floor. "Are we all here?" Dick asked as they entered. "I think we're missing Cyrah and Batface." Barbara spoke up. "Right, let's have some pie and coffee for now." Dick shook his head taking a seat. Alice, Raven, and Barbara took seats as well. "No need to be so stiff. Let's just talk and eat." Dick sighed.

Karmy refused the pie and even the coffee. "No thanks." Not even the relaxing tunes of Jack Johnson could raise her spirits. She sat back heavily in her chair and stared at her ring. Occasionally the needle would move, indicating that Slade was moving around, Casey's bag obviously with him. If it wasn't for the ring, Karmy would feel completely lost. No headband. No bag. She looked like Quinn again. "Where's Cyssy?" she asked Cassius.

"Hahaha man, you better give me a raise then!" Robert said. "But yeah, hold up." he started searching the area until he found what he was looking for. "Lets just... Yeah." he covered Luis' body with a blanket."Anyone wanna say anything?" he looked around at their faces. Levis was speechless.

"I feel so loved, knowing that everyone missed me." Cyrah said from behind Karmy, slipping Karmy's headband back onto her forehead where it belonged. (She had tried to clean it as best she could prior to giving it back.) "I think Dent went back to Wayne or something- he has a lot of work to do there." Cyrah speculated.

Slade observed the payment, but thought of something suddenly. "Riddle me this, Thorne: How dificult would it be for you to aquire something called

Unihexium?"
[Yeah, Mercy, Darkdark, you know what this is.]

Karmy got up, hugged Cyrah in the tightest hug she could muster. "Thank you.." she said to her, really meaning it, but unable to show it. She plopped down back into her seat and pulled her now healed legs up to her chest and resumed her quiet demeanor.

"Okay... now everyone is here I'd like to give all of you a gift. A little something that I should have done a long time ago. Wintergreen?" Dick asked. "Yes sir." Wintergreen responded and handed out everyone around the table a journal and ball point pen. "These journals have water resistant and tear resistant pages, document your days. We have been making history ever since you decided to throw on a cape and mask. People years from now would like to step into our shoes, that and it helps you exercise your mind." He said eating his pie and downing it with creamy coffee. "Now we have that buisness out of the way I'm sure you've all heard about our plans to head to an all to familiar city in our lives. We'll be heading to Jump City in the Bat-Ship. We haven't tested it yet; but we're sure its legit. If we leave before dawn then we won't get spotted. I'm also aware that we need to go to Ra's in order to track down a Lazarus Pit to cure his eyes. From there we will travel to Metropolis and meet up with The Man of Steel and discuss the Earthquake Generator. Any questions?"

"That depends on what it is." Thorne leaned back in his chair, taking a slow drag on his cigar. "I have connections to every chemical plant in the city, and a few outside Metropolis, but if it's something you can't get this side of the states..." The crime lord blew smoke past his lips and set his cigar in its ash tray. "I can get just about anything, but it can take sometime. When do you need this stuff, and how much of it do you want?" The crime lord leaned forward, crossing his hands beneath his chin.

Karmy took the journal in her hands and wrote something on the front. The word, Masks with a large X crossing it out. She went to stuff the journal in her bag but... "Right.." she grumbled. It was cold in the room and with her torn clothes, she was shivering slightly. She had kept all her spare clothes in her bag so she would have to find some new ones later. With a sigh, she rested her head on her knees, keeping the journal between her chest and legs.

Alice was sitting on Karmy's right side and on Barbara's left. She was eating her pie and sipping her coffee. Noticing everyone dig in but Karmy, Alice couldn't help but whisper to her while Dick was talking. "Hey buddy.. You should eat up. Drink the coffee. It'll warm you up." She said. Her eye caught a blink from her ring and decided not to mention it.

Jason looked at the dead body and choked. "You racist bastard." Alaska finally said. "Hey now, that's not anything to say at a man's funeral." Jason said weakly. "He jinxed it." Alaska said defensively. "He was a strong man, he pulled through even though he didn't want to, and even when he was bit he fought by our side." Jason said solemnly..

Robert was appalled at what Alaska said, but Levis took it worse. "What is WRONG with you!? He was the best of all of us! A great man of passion! He was brave, resilient, and..." his eyes scrunched up, his lower lip quivering. "HE HAD THE BEST PANTS OUT OF ALL OF US!!" he sobbed and fell down next to the body. "WHYYY?!!?" he yelled up to the sky. "I will miss you my pill addicted friend." Such a cheesy scene.

Karmy didn't look up at Alice. "No thanks." he muttered. "Not vegan pie and I promised to not drink coffee anymore." she went back to staring at her ring.

Alaska patted Levis' head from Jason's arms. Inside she was hurting. She had always reported deaths and action and all the like, but she had never seen someone get shot and die up close. She was so close blood splattered on her face and clothes. Alaska was sick to her stomach. "Can we please... Go get some breakfast at Robert's?" She pleaded not wanting to see Luis.

Alice sighed. "Wintergreen knows you're a vegan.. That and your coffee is decaff so you can drink it." She said trying to cheer her up. She noticed another blink. "Hey... What's that ring you're wearing?" She asked sipping her coffee.

"Yes! We shall eat eggs to remind of us his splattered brain, bacon to honor the strips of flesh that were torn from his head and toast to remember the burning hot metal that screamed through his head!" Levis said, completely serious. "And orange juice because it is tasteh."

"It's the ring Casey gave me before he died." Karmy ignored the coffee and pie. "It's has a strange power... Leads me to the bag and tells me my mood. Well, that's all I found out."

"Let's... Not think of Luis when we eat." Alaska suggested. Jason whispered to Alaska and Robert, "Think he's gay?"

Worry lines were carved into Alice's features, she was beginning to worry more and more by the minute."Karmy... We're going to leave soon. You have to eat. If you don't eat I'll make you eat." She said keeping that ring in mind for future reference.

"Well I want everyone to rest in Jump City for at least a week. I want everyone to keep their mind off the mission for a while. Then we can venture out to find Ra's and the nearest Pit's location to heal Zero. Then we go to Metropolis, meet up with Superman, and take down the generator." Dick said punching his fist into his palm the way he did when he was a Teen Titan. "I gather it should take at least two weeks. Then we can head back to Gotham and clear everything up. The Joker, Slade, Thorne, everything." Dick explained. "What about Metallo?" Barbara asked. "We'll wipe the floor with him." Dick promised to avenge her father's killer.

"I... Really don't wanna know." Robert started to edge away from Levis. "C'mon, my complex is only a block from here." he began to head in the general direction, hoping that nothing had happened to his place. He kept a close eye on the sleeping crazies, half expecting them to wake up and drag him to hell.

"Like when the Joker force fed me all that meat?" Karmy cringed. "After waking up with a feeding tube going through you mouth to your stomach, your appetite disappears like that." she snapped her fingers and a random portal appeared. With a simple wave of her hand, it was gone again. "I'm not hungry Al."

"Let's hurry..." Jason sighed. More than food, he wanted sleep. Alaska was already asleep in his arms.

Then it dawned on Alice. Portals. Duh. "Karmy.. Can you open a portal to you bag?!" Alice asked eagerly. "Or Slade's shoulder, you know what his shoulder looks like right?"

"I wish it was that simple..." Karmy just shook her head and got up. "Cass said he would get it back, I trust him. I need to get cleaned up." she indicated her blood stained and filthy clothes. "Got any spares?"

It was Zero's turn to pipe up. "Hold on- you want to hunt down Metallo? Didn't you allow him to live earlier? Do you know how sick it sounds to let him live only to hunt him like some animal?" Zero said, getting right damn angry. When he heard Barbara had let Metallo live earlier, he was right damn impressed, the Batts putting their feelings aside for justice and to keep their words, not dipping too low to do the wrong thing for personal reasons. But now they wanted to find him. It was a total Jekyl and Hyde thing to him right now......

Cyrah fluffed Karmy's hair. "Don't mention it, that guy Robert found it and I promised it would get to you." She said, but butted out as Karmy conversed with Alice.

Slade was liking where this was going. "I only need a little of the stuff, an ounce of it at most. It's rare, but a guy like you ought'nt have much trouble acquiring some." Slade re-assured Thorne. If he could get his hands on some Unihexium, then he could REALLY smash the Bats into powder.

"We're not going to hunt him down and kill him Zero; we needed him for information. When we were going to simply bring him justice for his affiliation with STEAM, just like everyone else. Just because we let him go doesn't mean he's off the hook. We have a murderer at large, are you defending him Zero?" Dick asked. "You still have your father." Barbara said coldly. "Barbara.." Dick said with a somewhat impatient tone, one that would hint her going too far. Give her a break, her lover was framed for the murder of her father, when she promised to let Metallo go, she was ignorant of the fact that she was face to face with the killer.

"We'll get you spares before we leave." Alice promised. "Just drink the coffee to warm yourself up. You're gonna catch a cold."

"I just...." Zero realized he was out of line- he shot off without knowing the full story. "Sorry." He slunk back into his chair, his ashen eyes focusing on nothing in particular.

Rose, feeling extremeley awkward and still a bit embarrassed at what she had done now that she had a reason to beleive her father might be alive after all, decided to find someoen to strike up smalltalk with. She noticed Cyrah to her right, wolfing down her pie in a manner neither polite nor Ladylike. "You're not quite like the other Bats, are you?" She asked curiously. Sarah hadn't gotten a good look at Rose yet, so she took a look at he rfrom the corner of ehr eye. "Could shay 'de shame fo yew." She replied, her fouth full of pie. Rose shrugged. "I'm not now nor have I ever been a Bat." She replied casualy. "Then you're here because.....?" Sarah asked, swallowing her pie. "I'll let you know when I figure it out........" Rose replied. [she's put her mask away, she just looks like she's in assasin gear.]

"Okay if there's no objections we should get ready to part. Provisions and fuel has been packed in the Bat-ship." Dick said standing up from an empty plate and mug. "We'll be deaprtarting before the sun rises, at about 6:00, its 5:24 right now. Everyone sycronize your watches." He advised so everyone can keep ontrack. "See you there."