Chapter 60

“Ugh…”

Well, the timing for this couldn’t have been better. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed a certain figure stirring on the hospital bed. Out of habit I flicked the needle in my hand before putting it down and looking over at the newest patient admitted to the Titans Tower.

Ravager was currently bracing her arm on the bed before looking around the room in confusion. As well as her current state of dress, that being a patient gown. Despite being relatively groggy, she was surprisingly alert. Scanning everything until she saw me.

To which her eye narrowed in anger.

“You.”

“Me.”

I responded, to which she hissed before gazing down at herself again. Her one eye opening and closing repeatedly. Twitching spastically as it took my form in.

“…Let me guess, you guys thought I was too dangerous for a normal hospital?”

Not quite.

“A decent guess, but no. You’re here because I wanted you to be. Not to mention that normally you’d have needed a few months to recover from that gunshot you received.”

Upon giving her a reminder of her injury, she went quiet. Looking down at her hands with a frown. Ah, a sore spot huh? I had assumed as much. Being betrayed wasn’t exactly something easily shaken off.

Of that, I could relate.

“What do you want from me?”

Good, she was getting to the heart of the matter. That made things much easier.

“I told you before that human interaction is nothing more than a series of transactions. I helped you, so now all I ask is that you help me in return.”

She gave a mirthless chuckle at that, yet her posture was more relaxed at my words. It would seem she was the type to value honesty. Or at least, worked better with those who expressed their intentions from the get go.

“What, you want someone killed but don’t want to get your hands a little dirty?”

I hummed at that.

“Well, in a manner of speaking, you aren’t too far off.”

This time she cracked an eyebrow before waiting on me to explain further. To which I did.

“I want…you to join the Titans.”

Ravager laughed at that in an obviously mocking manner. In response I simply continued to watch her calmly. If she thought that would get under my skin…well, that would be rather sad.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass. You can tell the Boy Wonder that he can shove his offer up his-“

“Robin is no longer a part of the Titans. It hasn’t been made public, but I am the current leader.”

That surprised her. Causing her one good eye to widen at me in surprise.

“No shit? Huh…”

The news seemed to have impacted her in…a strange way. Causing her to contemplate it further with her lips pursed together. Odd, I hadn’t realized that she cared so deeply at Robin. Did they have a history or something? Funny, I’ve never heard of Deathstroke or Ravager in Gotham before.

And I doubt she’d be willing to give me the information herself. At least, not this early on. So, I’d need to do some digging with my sources.

“…Uh huh…and you really think having some killer join your little heroes worship club is going to go over well?”

She said it in a demeaning way, but the fact that she said it at all showed she was considering it. Allowing me to further push my idea.

“Go over well with who? The public doesn’t know you exist, and the Justice League is more focused on Deathstroke. The only ones that need to be convinced are the other Titan members.”

She snickered at that. Raising her lip in some sort of attempt to snarl.

“Asking me to join before telling your other little team members? That’s not very nice of you.”

“Of course. I’m not the one who’s going to convince them, after all.”

Her eye narrowed at that before frowning. A few seconds ticked by before she spoke again.

“And what exactly would I even get if I joined this little hero squad?”

From a hero’s worship club, to a hero squad. I was moving up in the world.

“Money, food, drink, water, electricity, a place to sleep, strong teammates, information…”

I trailed off, waiting for her to take the bait.

Which of course she did.

“Information?”

“About Deathstroke, of course. Don’t you want to be kept up to date on where he pops up and what he’s doing?”

That got her attention. It was impressive how well she was at hiding her emotions, as the only thing I could get from her blank face was the obvious anger that was barely being kept down.

I decided to continue to speak.

“Oh, but before then you’ll need to pay back your debt. This is America after all. Healthcare is going to cost you.”

She glared at me.

“And what exactly will you do if I decide to just suddenly up and leave?”

I smiled at her calmly. Something that seemed to cause her eye to twitch as a look of realization overcame her.

“…You planted a tracker or something in me, didn’t you?”

I shrugged with my hands.

“Who’s to say…”

She rolled her eye at me.

“Alright, so some bullshit debt, a place to crash, cash, and info. Is that all you have to offer?”

Hmm, I hadn’t planned on bringing this up unless she asked for more, but if it further convinced her, it’d be worth it. At least, if she’s actually useful, that is.

“I’m curious, how do you feel about your missing eye?”

*~o~*

“-Is Ravager.”

The entire conference room was completely silent at my words. Ravager herself stood awkwardly and silently on my left side, where Robin’s empty chair was located. She was also looking at everyone without her mask on, just an eyepatch covering her left eye. Revealing her long white hair that flowed behind her.

“…you’ve got to be kidding.”

Raven commented, causing Ravager to wheel on her with a narrowed eye.

“Didn’t you get taken out in like three moves by Robin?”

“Didn’t you get shot by Deathstroke?”

I immediately decided to step in, as it was obvious that neither of them were willing to back down. Cyborg was the next to speak up.

“Uh…sorry, I’m with Raven on this one. Isn’t she a criminal?”

“Not every member of the Titans has a squeaky-clean history, Cyborg.”

I reminded him, causing him to nod. An interesting reaction, which either implied he’s had run ins with the law himself or…he knows about someone else’s criminal record on the team. That would likely be me, if I had to guess. Beast Boy didn’t exactly strike me as someone who’s dabbled in crime. Willingly or not.

“Well, I think having more friends is nice, yes? She’s already fought us, so that means she must be strong.”

Starfire was quick to offer her support. Something I’ve started to rely on. Despite the obvious good relationship between the two of us, I’ve noticed ever since I’ve returned to the Tower that she’s been rather reluctant to get truly sexual.

Which was fine of course. I wasn’t so depraved to consider ending our relationship because she wasn’t putting out enough. If she didn’t want to, that was fine with me.

That being said, I’d at least like to know the reason. If it had been the near-death experience with Deathstroke earlier I’d have been much more understanding. But this started back when I had returned from training with Black Canary.

Starfire wasn’t one to keep secrets. In fact, she was notoriously bad at it. Which meant whatever it was she didn’t consider it to be a secret or something to keep from me.

So, the best strategy currently was to simply wait it out until it passes. And if it doesn’t look like it’s passing, then I’d inquire about it. Starfire’s privacy was her own. Just because I was dating her didn’t mean I was entitled to know everything about her at every moment.

Only if it was truly important would I pressure her into telling me.

“Huh? Uh, yeah. Whatever Law said.”

Galatea pretty much throws her vote in without paying much in the way of attention. The only reason she was here in the first place was because I asked her.

And in return, I’d have to spar with her later.

An event that I wasn’t looking forward to.

“Come on guys…maybe we should give miss America here a chance.”

As calculated, I could count on Kid Flash’s vote when it involved anything remotely female. Which was odd, considering I was pretty sure he’s dated a few girls since being in the Titans. One would think that he wouldn’t be so desperate after that.

Ravager scrunched up her nose in response. Obviously not thinking much highly about the look Kid Flash was giving her.

Let’s see…who was left…

“I…think we should give her a chance.”

Beast Boy stated with a bit of trepidation. A surprising vote from him. A slightly annoying one, as it meant I didn’t need to ask Galatea to attend this meeting.

“Are you serious BB? Didn’t she cut you open?”

Cyborg asked, only for Beast Boy to find his courage and double down on his answer. Giving him a nod before turning back to Ravager.

“She did, but…I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to not give her a second chance. Besides, she tried to save Deathstroke against Aquaman. The same Deathstroke who betrayed and shot her. Maybe her actions haven’t been in the right place, but her heart obviously is.”

I said nothing as Beast Boy continued to appeal to the rest of the Titans emotionally. Something that I had difficultly doing or even considering.

Perhaps seeing someone else getting betrayed by their own team member made him more emotionally open to her. Or perhaps even without that even Beast Boy would have said the same thing.

“So let’s just…give her a chance.”

“…are you trying to get into my pants or something?”

“W-what!?”

Beast Boy was immediately taken aback and flustered at Ravager’s suspicious look. Well, it seems it’s been decided. Ravager was now a member of the Titans. I clapped my hands in order to gain everyone’s attention.

“Then it’s decided. I will of course be the one to oversee her inclusion into the Titans as it was my idea in the first place. I will also be taking all responsibility for any future actions taken.”

Ravager huffed at that, and the other Titans started to nod their heads after a while. Signaling that they understand the situation, even if they weren’t all that happy about it.

Wonderful. Everything seems to be going great.

Now, when was that meeting scheduled…

*~o~*

“I take that the transition was a smooth one?”

I asked Ethan before drumming my hands on the table. A high-rise building wasn’t exactly my idea of a meeting spot, but it definitely served its purpose. Though I couldn’t help but feel somewhat paranoid due to the wide windows all around me. Despite Ethan’s repeated remarks that it wasn’t as open as I was thinking.

In the middle between Ethan and I was Min-Jun. As someone I counted among my two most trusted friends, it was quite nice to see her again. It seems that since juvie she’s taken to growing out her hair a bit and dyeing it a dark pink or a light purple color.

Considering we weren’t in juvie, her clothes also changed. A tube top and a jacket with gold like bracelets on her arms. There were also some things about her that never changed, such as her mask.

She hadn’t been wearing the same mask in juvie, rather, she was just always wearing a mask. No matter the time or place. This one seemed to depict some sort of animal with a row of teeth right where her own mouth would have been. The teeth also seemed to have some sort of neon hue, likely giving it a sort of glow in the dark effect.

Upon noticing my gaze, Min-Jun raised her eyebrows twice in quick succession. Staring back at me until I turned my gaze to Ethan.

“It went as well as it could’ve gone. Gotham isn’t exactly close by after all. But as long as we successfully leave Gotham and don’t try to go out of the country, it’s smooth sailing from there.”

I nodded along. It made sense.

“Would you like for me to offer a bonus after everything’s said and done?”

Ethan chuckled while shaking his head. Giving me and exasperated look.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I don’t remember you being able to create so much. Your power seems to have gotten stronger.”

Hmm, he wasn’t wrong. I had started to notice that as well. I could bleed and use up a lot more of my body than I was ever able to. At least three to four times more than I had been able to in juvie when the government was experimenting and conducting research on me.

After a few seconds of silence and looking at my own hand, I spoke.

“You’re definitely onto something. Honestly, not even I’m fully aware of the extent of changes that’s happened to me. I don’t suppose anything similar has happened to you or Min-Jun?”

Ethan shook his head with a wry smirk whereas Min-Jun just shook her head in the negative.

“No. That’s just a you thing, Chuckles.”

I thought as much, but it didn’t hurt to ask. But now that I think about it, we’ve been getting sidetracked a bit.

“Have any of them had second thoughts during the trip?”

“They are of course nervous. But it definitely didn’t seem they were having thoughts of escaping. I don’t think you should worry too much about that, considering they willingly chose to go along with this.”

It was true. I wasn’t the type of person to simply force others into something just for the sake of it. Besides, even if things went well, I’d only have created enemies for myself.

So, it was important to have a carrot at the end of the stick.

“I’ve already started to make a list of people if things go well-“

“Putting the cart before the horse, aren’t you?”

I interrupted Ethan with a glance causing him to grimace and rub the back of his head in slight embarrassment. Min-Jun’s eyes narrowed in amusement at Ethan before silently huffing at his expense.

“…Well, you could also simply take it as faith in your abilities.”

I hummed at that. Rubbing my chin as a slight smile came to my face.

“Was there any trouble with the apartment complex? I hadn’t had the time to check it over myself.”

Ethan shook his head in the negative.

“No, it seemed fine enough to me.”

“’Fine enough?’ That doesn’t inspire much conf-“

THUNK.

Ethan and I blinked at the same time before turning our heads towards the nearby window. To which there was now a bright green boy who had flattened his body against the glass in a rather uncomfortable position.

“H-help?”

His voice was barely hearable, but as unmistakable. Not that I could ever mistake Beast Boy for anyone else. I sighed, and Ethan turned to me with a raised eyebrow and a smile.

“One of yours, I presume?”

Instead of answering him, I simply sighed again before getting up. It took several minutes and a few close calls, but eventually we were able to pull Beast Boy inside the room. To which he looked around eagerly with a smile on his face.

“Hey Law. I was just patrolling about the place and I caught sight of you, so I thought I’d say hi. So, what are you guys-is that Fritos?”

Turning to where Beast Boy was pointing, I noticed that in the kitchen area there were indeed little snack bags of chips. Turning back to Beast Boy, I noticed his eyes had already lasered in on them.

“Feel free to have some, and make yourself at home.”

Beast Boy didn’t even let Ethan finish before he ran over to the bags of chips. Quickly opening them up before consuming them. Much to the amusement of the two other people in the room.

Jeez, Beast Boy could be so…childish sometimes. And in others, mature. Though most of the time he definitely acted his age as the youngest Titan member.

“Well, I think that’s enough serious talk for today. Perhaps we should talk more about more…reputable business.”

I grimaced at Ethan’s words.

“…Perhaps I could simply give you some of the-“

“Oh no. You’re not going to get away from it that easily. Besides, what about all those business management books you’ve been reading? You wouldn’t want those to all go to waste, would you?”

…He had a point. As much as I’m loathe to admit. I had initially thought business was as simple as buying something and then quickly the money back and then some. But there was a lot more nuance to everything. Not to mention how slowly that money is made back normally.

Ethan then began his impromptu lesson while taking out a cigar from his pocket. Min-Jun had quickly left at the mention of business and went towards Beast Boy. Quickly showing him a magic trick as a small bag of chips went into her hands, and vanished as she separated them. Causing Beast Boy to start inquiring loudly as to whether or not she was related to Zatanna.

After half an hour of Ethan preaching ingrained knowledge to those who are simply born rich, Beast Boy came over to the two of us just to observe. Ethan was quick to pull him into the lesson itself as well as joke with him.

It took only a minute for Ethan and Beast Boy to get along rather well. Which wasn’t very surprising. That was one of Ethan’s strong points. He had a very strong sort of charisma around him. One that was enough for most people to overlook his physical features.

I closed my eyes in thought.

The incident with Robin shook me deeply. Reminding me rather strongly about who I could trust. So, I had called up Ethan in order to reconnect.

He and Min-Jun were among my most trusted allies, and now that I was the leader of the Titans…

Well, I couldn’t do it now, but there will be a day…

A day where they would be accepted into the Titans. I would make a team of people whose trust was unquestionable. A team whose renown and power would be so fearsome none would even think to challenge them. A team that was stronger than even the Justice League.

No one would ever be betrayed again. No one would ever be brought to deaths door. Any acts against a member would be answered appropriately, not with just a slap on the wrist. We wouldn’t answer to anyone, they’d answer to us.

One day the Titans would become bigger than anyone could dream.

And when that day comes…

Change will follow.