20 advance chapters in my Patreon.
Patreon.com/Saintbarbido.
::-------------------------------------------::
(Davian's P.O.V)
Light.
Finally.
The strings holding me down snapped. I started pumping my hands, swimming towards the purple light.
It grew brighter and bigger.
Soon enough, I broke through the surface. My eyes opened to the overhead lighting. I took a breath, grabbing the moment to figure out where I was.
I was lying on a soft mattress with the covers drawn to my waist. Chesha Neko was still in my grip. I reached towards my neck and felt the gem hanging there.
Then I wiggled my fingers and toes. A soft breath escaped me. Everything was right where it was supposed to be.
"Don't freak out."
Chase spoke out from my Inner World. I blinked. What a weird thing to say.
"Why?"
I enquired, voice scratchy from disuse.
"How long have I been out of it?"
"A few days. But that's not important. There's something you should know..."
"You're finally up."
Someone said.
My back went ramrod stiff. That voice. It's impossible. She can't be here. She's dead.
I turned to my bedside.
"Raven..."
The name left my lips softly, my eyes trailing down her face. The red gemstone on her forehead, the hair, the pale skin and the neutral expression on her face.
She frowned. I realized why, I had been staring. I closed my eyes, running a hand down my face.
"Chase...are we dead?"
I enquired through our mental link.
"Not yet though not out of lack of trying on your end."
He replied in a grouchy manner.
"So, another universe?"
I guessed.
"How did you know?"
Chase questioned, I could tell he was surprised by the lucky guess.
"She's younger than my Raven. She also looks...happier. As if she belongs here..."
I replied, looking around.
We seemed to be in a room that had clear glass panes that showed the San Francisco bay.
"You're in the Titan tower. You seemingly appeared from a rift in space."
She narrowed her eyes.
"A bad omen preceded your arrival."
"What do you mean?"
I asked, swinging my feet over the bed and sitting up. I looked down at my body, finding myself dressed in a tight grey t-shirt and pants.
"Those are Dick's clothes. They were about the only thing that could fit you. Though just barely."
She explained, adding the final statement lowly.
"Dick?"
I asked.
The only character I knew with that name was...
"That would be me."
Nightwing said, the door retracting to the wall and allowing him entry.
Robin. Batman's protege.
But he was older in this universe.
He studied me curiously. I could feel his gaze as he eyed me up.
"You gave us quite the scare. You've been sleeping for..."
"2 days. I know."
I got to my feet, sheathing Chesha Neko before turning to my saviors.
"Thanks. But I need to get back."
I said, strapping the sheath to my hip.
Raven and Dick stared at each other.
"Look, you're not a prisoner here by any means. You can leave anytime you want but we were hoping you could tell us what happened to you."
Dick explained.
He had a point. Plus he was being reasonable. I sighed.
"It's a long story. One that I'm not completely comfortable telling right now. I need some time to process...things."
I said, eyes jumping to Raven for a split second.
"As I said, you're not a prisoner here. Take your time and be careful."
Dick responded with a smile.
I threw one last look at Raven before leaving the building. It was easy. By using Fullbring to pull on the soul of the glass windows and making them completely clear, I could pass through.
Once on the outside, I created platforms of spirit energy in the air, before slipping into a clean Shunpo and disappearing into the city.
I had to get as far away from the Titan's tower as I could. Seeing Raven brought back so many memories.
(General P.O.V)
The second Davian left, Raven turned to Dick.
"He knows me."
"What makes you say that?"
Dick questioned.
Raven folded her arms together.
"The fact that he called me by my name? Or the way he looked at me was with familiarity. He didn't seem particularly surprised about you either. It means that some way or another, he's aware of who we are."
A serious expression appeared on Dick's face.
"Are you sure about that? With our identities leaked by Brother Blood and his cult, maybe he has something to do with it."
The statement came from Terra Markov, the new Titan recruit who had joined them just a year prior. She was leaning by the entrance.
"You think it was smart to let him leave like that?"
Nightwing stared at the glass window that Davian had left through.
"We had no reason to keep him here. Besides it's not like I didn't foresee this. Let's just say, we have eyes on him. Now, I need to go and get ready to patrol before the party at Kori's and I new place."
He added with a little excitement.
(Davian's P.O.V)
This earth was uncannily similar to my previous one, though the year was 2017. Almost 7 years into the future.
And it showed. Technology was more advanced.
"Chase, any ideas on how we get back?"
I wondered out loud.
"Why? This could be seen as a fresh start."
He responded.
I paused in midair, floating above this world's Gotham. Particularly, a certain spot.
This version of the Tin Roof Club was more of a business than a villain hang out.
"It's not our world Chase."
I shook my head.
Tempting as the idea was, I still had people I wanted to kill or dismember back in my world, so the plan was to find a way back.
Let the heroes and villains of this world deal with their shit. I was out.
"Fine. Give me some time. I'll think of something."
My Zanpakuto responded before I felt his presence recede into my inner world.
I left Catwoman's club the same way I'd arrived, unseen, and flew a few more rounds around the city.
Of course that's when Karma tried to fuck with me. As I was flying through the commercial district, someone decided to rob a bank in the middle of the day.
Then again, I guess that was the point. Everyone knew Batman mostly operated at night.
By the time I flew down to the rooftop of the building, the police had already created a cordon around the block.
It seemed to be a hostage situation. The thieves were holed up inside and a negotiation was taking place.
Cop cars were arranged on the road to provide cover for the GCPD officers. And a crowd of people were gathered on the edges of the street, looking on at the unfolding incident.
"It's not like me to intervene."
I murmured to myself.
"But there are children inside."
That decided it for me.
I came in through the skylight.
Glass broke under my feet as I landed on the floor of the bank. Immediately, bullets begun flattening around the green shield covering my body.
Using my superhuman reaction time, I took one quick gaze around the bank and memorized where everyone was.
"It's fuckin Batman!"
One of the thieves said, dropping thekr weapon out of fright.
I sped forward, appearing behind him and grasping his neck.
"No it's not."
The man's body sailed to collide against one of his colleagues, both of them falling to the ground in a heap. The hostages screamed as all the guns turned my way and begun shooting.
I streaked around the chamber, throwing b
out light jabs and incapacitating shots, before materializing in the middle of the bank a few seconds later, surrounded by groaning bodies.
The guns were placed off to the side.
I looked at the Bank's security, who was now free and scrambling for his weapon.
"I wouldn't point that thing at me."
I warned before he could raise the gun my way.
The guard gulped, looking around at the men on the floor, who had been terrorizing them only a few minutes earlier.
"Th-thank you."
I patted his shoulder.
"Call the cops before they get back up."
I motioned to the criminals before jumping out of the bank the same way I came in, through the skylight.
I wanted to explore more of this world. See the differences and maybe find a way back to my own in the process.
(General P.O.V)
"Kori!? Anyone?"
Dick frowned as he floored his motorbike. The team had been kidnapped.
He had just come from checking in on Jaime (Blue Beetle) and Garfield (Beast Boy). The former had been caught off guard and electrocuted by a trap set for him in the shelter he volunteered at.
The latter had also fallen for a trap. Though that was more to do with Beast Boy's carelessness than anything else.
Not to mention Robin had also been missing for a few hours now. And Kori wasn't answering.
That left Dick with only one option. He had to check the apartment, make sure Kori was safe.
The instant he arrived there however, Dick knew that things were very serious as he was immediately attacked by Deathstroke.
Dick had barely gotten away with his life but it was obvious he was the last Titan to remain free. The rest had been captured.
He dragged himself out of the water, having been forced to jump into it, to escape Slade.
That left him with one last place to check. Titan tower.
(Davian's P.O.V)
It was about 5 in the evening that I returned to the Titan's tower.
I frowned when I noticed the smoke coming out through one of the windows.
Raven...
I increased my speed, covering the short distance quickly, only to find Nightwing dressed in a red and black costume standing in the middle of a devastated room.
Earth spikes seemed to have punctured through the ceiling and the floor of the room.
"What the fuck happened here?"
I enquired.
Nightwing whirled on me, throwing one of his Eskrima sticks my way. I swiped the weapon out of the air while raising an eyebrow.
Nightwing stood down seeing it was me.
"They took them. They took them and I'm going to get them back."
20 advance chapters in my Patreon.
Patreon.com/Saintbarbido.
::-------------------------------------------::
(Davian's P.O.V)
Light.
Finally.
The strings holding me down snapped. I started pumping my hands, swimming towards the purple light.
It grew brighter and bigger.
Soon enough, I broke through the surface. My eyes opened to the overhead lighting. I took a breath, grabbing the moment to figure out where I was.
I was lying on a soft mattress with the covers drawn to my waist. Chesha Neko was still in my grip. I reached towards my neck and felt the gem hanging there.
Then I wiggled my fingers and toes. A soft breath escaped me. Everything was right where it was supposed to be.
"Don't freak out."
Chase spoke out from my Inner World. I blinked. What a weird thing to say.
"Why?"
I enquired, voice scratchy from disuse.
"How long have I been out of it?"
"A few days. But that's not important. There's something you should know..."
"You're finally up."
Someone said.
My back went ramrod stiff. That voice. It's impossible. She can't be here. She's dead.
I turned to my bedside.
"Raven..."
The name left my lips softly, my eyes trailing down her face. The red gemstone on her forehead, the hair, the pale skin and the neutral expression on her face.
She frowned. I realized why, I had been staring. I closed my eyes, running a hand down my face.
"Chase...are we dead?"
I enquired through our mental link.
"Not yet though not out of lack of trying on your end."
He replied in a grouchy manner.
"So, another universe?"
I guessed.
"How did you know?"
Chase questioned, I could tell he was surprised by the lucky guess.
"She's younger than my Raven. She also looks...happier. As if she belongs here..."
I replied, looking around.
We seemed to be in a room that had clear glass panes that showed the San Francisco bay.
"You're in the Titan tower. You seemingly appeared from a rift in space."
She narrowed her eyes.
"A bad omen preceded your arrival."
"What do you mean?"
I asked, swinging my feet over the bed and sitting up. I looked down at my body, finding myself dressed in a tight grey t-shirt and pants.
"Those are Dick's clothes. They were about the only thing that could fit you. Though just barely."
She explained, adding the final statement lowly.
"Dick?"
I asked.
The only character I knew with that name was...
"That would be me."
Nightwing said, the door retracting to the wall and allowing him entry.
Robin. Batman's protege.
But he was older in this universe.
He studied me curiously. I could feel his gaze as he eyed me up.
"You gave us quite the scare. You've been sleeping for..."
"2 days. I know."
I got to my feet, sheathing Chesha Neko before turning to my saviors.
"Thanks. But I need to get back."
I said, strapping the sheath to my hip.
Raven and Dick stared at each other.
"Look, you're not a prisoner here by any means. You can leave anytime you want but we were hoping you could tell us what happened to you."
Dick explained.
He had a point. Plus he was being reasonable. I sighed.
"It's a long story. One that I'm not completely comfortable telling right now. I need some time to process...things."
I said, eyes jumping to Raven for a split second.
"As I said, you're not a prisoner here. Take your time and be careful."
Dick responded with a smile.
I threw one last look at Raven before leaving the building. It was easy. By using Fullbring to pull on the soul of the glass windows and making them completely clear, I could pass through.
Once on the outside, I created platforms of spirit energy in the air, before slipping into a clean Shunpo and disappearing into the city.
I had to get as far away from the Titan's tower as I could. Seeing Raven brought back so many memories.
(General P.O.V)
The second Davian left, Raven turned to Dick.
"He knows me."
"What makes you say that?"
Dick questioned.
Raven folded her arms together.
"The fact that he called me by my name? Or the way he looked at me was with familiarity. He didn't seem particularly surprised about you either. It means that some way or another, he's aware of who we are."
A serious expression appeared on Dick's face.
"Are you sure about that? With our identities leaked by Brother Blood and his cult, maybe he has something to do with it."
The statement came from Terra Markov, the new Titan recruit who had joined them just a year prior. She was leaning by the entrance.
"You think it was smart to let him leave like that?"
Nightwing stared at the glass window that Davian had left through.
"We had no reason to keep him here. Besides it's not like I didn't foresee this. Let's just say, we have eyes on him. Now, I need to go and get ready to patrol before the party at Kori's and I new place."
He added with a little excitement.
(Davian's P.O.V)
This earth was uncannily similar to my previous one, though the year was 2017. Almost 7 years into the future.
And it showed. Technology was more advanced.
"Chase, any ideas on how we get back?"
I wondered out loud.
"Why? This could be seen as a fresh start."
He responded.
I paused in midair, floating above this world's Gotham. Particularly, a certain spot.
This version of the Tin Roof Club was more of a business than a villain hang out.
"It's not our world Chase."
I shook my head.
Tempting as the idea was, I still had people I wanted to kill or dismember back in my world, so the plan was to find a way back.
Let the heroes and villains of this world deal with their shit. I was out.
"Fine. Give me some time. I'll think of something."
My Zanpakuto responded before I felt his presence recede into my inner world.
I left Catwoman's club the same way I'd arrived, unseen, and flew a few more rounds around the city.
Of course that's when Karma tried to fuck with me. As I was flying through the commercial district, someone decided to rob a bank in the middle of the day.
Then again, I guess that was the point. Everyone knew Batman mostly operated at night.
By the time I flew down to the rooftop of the building, the police had already created a cordon around the block.
It seemed to be a hostage situation. The thieves were holed up inside and a negotiation was taking place.
Cop cars were arranged on the road to provide cover for the GCPD officers. And a crowd of people were gathered on the edges of the street, looking on at the unfolding incident.
"It's not like me to intervene."
I murmured to myself.
"But there are children inside."
That decided it for me.
I came in through the skylight.
Glass broke under my feet as I landed on the floor of the bank. Immediately, bullets begun flattening around the green shield covering my body.
Using my superhuman reaction time, I took one quick gaze around the bank and memorized where everyone was.
"It's fuckin Batman!"
One of the thieves said, dropping thekr weapon out of fright.
I sped forward, appearing behind him and grasping his neck.
"No it's not."
The man's body sailed to collide against one of his colleagues, both of them falling to the ground in a heap. The hostages screamed as all the guns turned my way and begun shooting.
I streaked around the chamber, throwing b
out light jabs and incapacitating shots, before materializing in the middle of the bank a few seconds later, surrounded by groaning bodies.
The guns were placed off to the side.
I looked at the Bank's security, who was now free and scrambling for his weapon.
"I wouldn't point that thing at me."
I warned before he could raise the gun my way.
The guard gulped, looking around at the men on the floor, who had been terrorizing them only a few minutes earlier.
"Th-thank you."
I patted his shoulder.
"Call the cops before they get back up."
I motioned to the criminals before jumping out of the bank the same way I came in, through the skylight.
I wanted to explore more of this world. See the differences and maybe find a way back to my own in the process.
(General P.O.V)
"Kori!? Anyone?"
Dick frowned as he floored his motorbike. The team had been kidnapped.
He had just come from checking in on Jaime (Blue Beetle) and Garfield (Beast Boy). The former had been caught off guard and electrocuted by a trap set for him in the shelter he volunteered at.
The latter had also fallen for a trap. Though that was more to do with Beast Boy's carelessness than anything else.
Not to mention Robin had also been missing for a few hours now. And Kori wasn't answering.
That left Dick with only one option. He had to check the apartment, make sure Kori was safe.
The instant he arrived there however, Dick knew that things were very serious as he was immediately attacked by Deathstroke.
Dick had barely gotten away with his life but it was obvious he was the last Titan to remain free. The rest had been captured.
He dragged himself out of the water, having been forced to jump into it, to escape Slade.
That left him with one last place to check. Titan tower.
(Davian's P.O.V)
It was about 5 in the evening that I returned to the Titan's tower.
I frowned when I noticed the smoke coming out through one of the windows.
Raven...
I increased my speed, covering the short distance quickly, only to find Nightwing dressed in a red and black costume standing in the middle of a devastated room.
Earth spikes seemed to have punctured through the ceiling and the floor of the room.
"What the fuck happened here?"
I enquired.
Nightwing whirled on me, throwing one of his Eskrima sticks my way. I swiped the weapon out of the air while raising an eyebrow.
Nightwing stood down seeing it was me.
"They took them. They took them and I'm going to get them back."
