Nightwing felt the overwhelming pull of the portal yanking him through a chaotic void, his senses spinning as the world twisted around him.
Nightwing: Oh my goooood, whaaatttt's happeeennninnng to meeee!!
His voice was lost in the whirlwind, the sensation of his body distorting as dizziness overtook him. He could barely think until, finally, he was spat out into a crumbling, abandoned building. Stumbling to his feet, his head spinning, Nightwing leaned over and vomited.
Nightwing: Ugh... never... doing that again.
He wiped his mouth, trying to get his bearings. The building looked like an old, ruined company headquarters dust and debris scattered everywhere, broken windows allowing the wind to howl through the place. As Nightwing cautiously walked forward, something caught his eye.
Nightwing: What... what is that?
He squinted, trying to make out the figure in the shadows. His heart raced as he heard a voice, distorted but unmistakably familiar.
Voice: (distorted) Heeelllooo, AnYboDY TheRe?!
Nightwing: (whispering) Zack? Is that you?
The figure stepped out into the dim light, and Nightwing's eyes widened in horror.
Nightwing: (gasping) Oh my god... Zack?
Standing before him, in a tattered, classic blue suit, was Zack no, not Zack, but a zombified Cyclops. His flesh was decayed, his right side exposed down to the ribs, but the iconic visor was still there. The undead Cyclops slowly raised two fingers toward his visor, preparing to fire.
Zombie Cyclops: HeElLOo DICKHeAd!?
Nightwing was frozen for a second, staring at the grotesque sight of his friend in such a horrific state. Before he could react, the zombie was kicked violently from the side by a figure emerging from the shadows a dark-clad female hero, moving with precision.
Nightwing: (startled) Uh, who the hell are you?
The woman, clad in a dark suit and cowl, looked back at him with fierce eyes.
???: Come with me if you want to live.
Nightwing, too shocked to argue, nodded quickly.
Nightwing: (hurriedly) Okay, okay!
They both started running, with Zombie Cyclops groaning as he tried to pull himself back together. As they sprinted through the crumbling corridors, Nightwing glanced over at his mysterious savior.
Nightwing: (panting) Who are you?
The dark hero glanced over her shoulder before responding, her voice low and controlled.
Batgirl: Cassandra Cain. I'm Batgirl.
Batgirl: (interrupting) And that zombie that almost ate you? He was my ex-husband.
Nightwing: (incredulous) Ex-husband? You've got to be kidding me...
Batgirl: Long story. Keep running.
As they continued to run through the ruined building, Nightwing heard the heavy, stumbling footsteps of Zombie Cyclops gaining on them. Cassandra, without breaking her stride, reached into her utility belt and pulled out a specialized batarang. Without a word, she twisted it slightly, priming the explosive.
Batgirl: (coldly) Here, eat this.
She flung the explosive batarang over her shoulder with expert precision. It arced through the air and landed directly in front of the pursuing Zombie Cyclops.
Zombie Cyclops: (grumbling) Whhhhaat the ꟻukck?!
The batarang detonated with a deafening boom, sending Zombie Cyclops flying backward, his decayed body crashing into the ground, limbs flailing. Nightwing glanced back briefly, his eyes wide with shock.
Nightwing: (panting) What the hell happened to Zack!?
They kept running, the explosion having bought them a few precious moments. Batgirl didn't slow down but shot a quick glance at Nightwing as they rounded a corner.
Batgirl: (gritting her teeth) What happened? What happened to you?! I thought you were supposed to be dead!
Nightwing: (confused) Wait, dead? What do you mean?
Batgirl: (still running) Jason told me... Dick and Tim were killed by Batman before he became a zombie himself!
Nightwing's blood ran cold, his thoughts racing.
Nightwing: (in disbelief) What? Batman... Bruce... killed me? And Tim? That doesn't make sense!
Batgirl: (serious) Believe it. Batman was turned into one of those things just like Cyclops. Alfred took him out before... before things got worse.
Nightwing: (breathless) Alfred? Alfred killed Bruce?
Batgirl didn't answer, her focus shifting to the surroundings as they finally reached their hiding spot. It was a small, concealed nook in the building reinforced, well-stocked, and fortified. Batgirl quickly pushed Nightwing inside and slammed the door behind them. The sound of the zombies outside faded to an eerie silence.
Nightwing, still catching his breath, leaned against the wall, his mind spinning from what he'd just heard. His mentor, his family... all gone, and now Zack too.
Nightwing: (quietly) This... this can't be real.
Batgirl's expression hardened as she held her batarang to Nightwing's neck, her face mere inches from his, eyes blazing with suspicion.
Batgirl: (pressing the batarang closer) Who the hell are you? And why do you look like Dick Grayson?
Nightwing raised his hands defensively, trying to avoid making any sudden movements that could make her strike.
Nightwing: (calmly) Take it easy, Cassandra. I can explain. Just give me a seco-
Batgirl: (interrupting, her voice harsh) I don't calm down! Nobody calms down in this world full of shitty zombies!
Nightwing let out a heavy sigh, realizing she wasn't going to make this easy. He chose his next words carefully.
Nightwing: (speaking slowly) I'm... not from your world. I'm from a parallel Earth. In my world, Zack is alive, but he's... he's not himself. He's possessed by some kind of evil force called the Phoenix Force, and he's the one who sent me here. I just need to know what happened to your Zack. What's going on in this world?
Batgirl paused, her batarang still at his throat, but the initial fire in her eyes began to dim slightly. She studied his face, looking for any signs of deceit. Finally, she lowered her weapon, but she kept her guard up, not fully trusting him.
Batgirl: (grimly) Very well. You want to know about my Zack? I'll tell you.
She took a step back, crossing her arms, her expression distant as she recalled the past.
Batgirl: (softly) My Zack... he was a wise man. A hero of this generation. So many young heroes looked up to him. Even me. But believe it or not, he was also my fiancé... soon to be my husband. We were going to build a life together.
Nightwing's expression softened, a twinge of sadness in his eyes.
Nightwing: (sympathetic) I'm sorry... what happened?
Batgirl's eyes hardened again, and her voice turned bitter.
Batgirl: (voice cracking) Everything changed. The zombie plague came nfected people across the Earth, spreading through the internet. The digital world became a weapon... it was chaos.
Nightwing: (incredulously) The internet? Really?
Batgirl: (nodding) Yes. Videos, memes, anything you could think of corrupted and turning people into mindless, flesh-eating monsters. Me and Zack, we were in the church, about to be married when it happened.
She paused, the memory seeming to pain her.
Batgirl: (haunted) We were at the altar, officially married for just a few minutes, when disaster struck. People in the church started looking at their phones, and then... they changed. They turned into zombies right there clawing at our flesh, tearing each other apart.
Nightwing listened, horror spreading across his face as she continued.
Batgirl: (shaking her head) Zack and I ran. We made it to a safe place, and we dressed in our suits, trying to understand what had become of the world. But it was all falling apart. We argued that day... about how to save people, one by one or focusing on the bigger picture. And while we argued... the Birds of Prey infected and ambushed my Zack.
She clenched her fists, her eyes welling with a mix of anger and grief.
Batgirl: (voice cracking) They... they bit him, tore into him. I tried to save him, tried to hold on, but he told me to run. And I did... I left him behind, just like he asked. And he turned... he turned into that monster you saw back there.
Nightwing's shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of her story, and he couldn't help but think of his own world's Zack, wondering if a similar fate awaited him.
Nightwing: (sincerely) Cassandra... I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that must have been for you.
Batgirl: (bitterly) Save your sympathy. It doesn't change anything. I lost the man I loved that day... and now all that's left is survival.
She turned away, her voice a little softer now, a hint of vulnerability beneath her hardened exterior.
Batgirl: (softly) But if you really aren't from here... then you'd better be ready, because this world will eat you alive.
Nightwing sat against the wall, the weight of Batgirl's story settling in. He needed a plan, and there was only one way he saw forward. He turned to Batgirl, his expression serious.
Nightwing: (determined) Cassandra... who were the members of the Birds of Prey that attacked Zack?
Batgirl hesitated, her jaw clenched as she recalled the details. She looked down for a moment, as if reliving the horrors, before speaking.
Batgirl: (grimly) It was Catwoman, the original Batgirl, Batwoman, and Huntress. Zack fought them off for as long as he could. He even managed to cut off Batwoman's left arm while she tried to infect him. But... he was overpowered. They eventually took him down... turned him into one of them. They... ate him.
Nightwing winced at her words, the horror of it sinking in. But a thought crossed his mind, a desperate idea that might just work.
Nightwing: (standing up, determined) Then will you do me a favor?
Batgirl eyed him warily, her gaze hardening again.
Batgirl: (suspiciously) What kind of favor?
Nightwing: (taking a breath, speaking sincerely) If you help me make a device to travel back home, I'll take you with me. You can help me stop my Zack from going down the same path as yours. You could be with him, live in my world where there's still a chance for both of you.
Batgirl's expression softened for a moment, the offer clearly tempting her, but then she clenched her fists, her resolve returning.
Batgirl: (shaking her head) How can I be sure you'll follow through? Do you really think I'd abandon this world, leave my Zack behind in this... this hellhole? No. My answer is no. I'll help you, but I'm not going with you. I have... people here I still care about. Jon and Damian Wayne.
Nightwing furrowed his brow, taken aback.
Nightwing: (surprised) Wait, Damian Wayne? Who's that?
Batgirl raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by his ignorance.
Batgirl: (scoffing) Bruce's son. Born from an affair with Talia al Ghul. Guess he didn't tell you about that, huh?
Nightwing sighed, shaking his head at the thought of Bruce's secretive life.
Nightwing: (sarcastically) Damn, Bruce... can you keep your pants on around women for even a minute?
He then turned his attention back to Batgirl, a more serious tone returning.
Nightwing: (curiously) Where do we find the other remaining heroes? I need all the help I can get if I'm going to survive in this world long enough to build that device.
Batgirl took a moment, then gave him a determined look.
Batgirl: (firmly) Follow me.
Without another word, Batgirl sprang into action. She performed a graceful backflip, landing silently on her feet before sprinting out of their hiding spot. Nightwing barely had time to react, but he quickly followed, keeping pace as they navigated through the abandoned, ruined cityscape.
Nightwing: (running behind her, shouting) Where are we going, exactly?
Batgirl glanced back briefly, a small smirk crossing her face.
Batgirl: (shouting back) To find the last of our allies... and maybe, just maybe, a chance for you to get back home!
.
.
.
A figure began to move, slowly standing up from the rubble as Zombie Cyclops groaned as he cracked his neck, bones grinding into place, his visor glowing faintly as he regained his focus. He adjusted his stance, brushing off the dust and grime that clung to his tattered classic X-Men suit.
As he regained his balance, another figure stepped out of the shadows, her presence as imposing as ever despite her decaying form. It was Zombie Wonder Woman, her once-glorious Amazonian armor now rusted and stained with dried blood. Her eyes, dull and lifeless, locked onto Zombie Cyclops, who had an unsettling grin on his rotted face.
Zombie Wonder Woman: (low growl) Did you find any more food?
Zombie Cyclops turned toward her, his grin widening. He rolled his shoulders, his voice crackling and rough.
Zombie Cyclops: (mocking tone) They got away... but I saw something interesting. Nightwing... alive and well.
Zombie Wonder Woman's decayed lips curled into a sneer, disbelief evident even through her undead demeanor.
Zombie Wonder Woman: (skeptical) How can you be so sure that was Nightwing? He's supposed to be dead.
Zombie Cyclops let out a guttural chuckle, the sound echoing through the deserted streets. He leaned in closer to Zombie Wonder Woman, his rotting teeth exposed in a grim smile.
Zombie Cyclops: (confident, grinning) I'm 100% sure that was him... same smell... same butt cheeks... I'd recognize that anywhere. And before I turned, Alfred told me something... that Nightwing had already been infected before he got himself killed by the Bat.
Zombie Wonder Woman narrowed her hollow eyes, pondering this new information. Her rotting hand flexed around the hilt of her rusty, chipped sword.
Zombie Wonder Woman: (cynical) If that's true, then maybe this one isn't our Nightwing... but a Nightwing from another world. We'll have to find out... before he causes trouble.
Zombie Cyclops nodded, a sick grin spreading across his decaying face.
Zombie Cyclops: (eagerly) Oh, we'll find him... and when we do, maybe he'll join our little... family reunion.
Zombie Wonder Woman turned her head toward the distant horizon, where Nightwing and Batgirl had fled. Her grip tightened on her sword, her decayed muscles creaking as she prepared to move.
Zombie Wonder Woman: (coldly) Let's hunt.
-
Back to Nightwing
-
Nightwing and Batgirl sprinted through the shattered remnants of the city, the sky a grim haze as they made their way toward the abandoned building. It was a skeleton of its former self, a cracked structure barely standing amidst the ruins. As they approached the entrance, Nightwing felt the air change something familiar, something alive.
Suddenly, a blur of fur rushed at Nightwing from inside the building. Ace the Bat-Hound, with his ears perked and tail wagging frantically, leaped onto Nightwing, knocking him slightly off balance. Nightwing chuckled, his heart warming at the sight of the loyal dog, even amid this chaos.
Nightwing: (laughing) Hey, Ace! Calm down, buddy!
Ace barked happily, licking at Nightwing's face as if greeting a long-lost friend. For a moment, it felt like a sliver of the old world, something comforting in the midst of madness. Nightwing crouched down, gently petting Ace, trying to calm him down.
Nightwing: (smiling) Easy, boy... I missed you too.
But the warmth was short-lived.
A cold, metallic click echoed in the air as Nightwing felt the sharp press of a gun barrel against the back of his head. His body tensed. Slowly, he raised his hands, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Red Hood: (coldly) Cassandra... why did you bring a fucking zombie here?
Nightwing's heart sank. He could hear the suspicion, the fear in Red Hood's voice. Slowly, Nightwing stood, raising his hands in surrender as he turned to face his former ally, Red Hood, his eyes burning behind the mask.
Red Hood's gun was aimed directly at Nightwing's head, his finger hovering over the trigger. His voice was colder than Nightwing remembered, hardened by the world they now lived in. Red Hood's stance was stiff, ready to shoot at any moment.
Nightwing: (calmly) Jason... it's me. I'm not a zombie.
Before Red Hood could respond, Nightwing's eyes darted behind him, noticing something that made his stomach drop. James Gordon, the former police commissioner, was huddled in the corner of the abandoned room. He looked older, more tired, clutching a small pistol while trying to protect several children who were hiding behind him.
Nightwing's heart twisted at the sight of the kids scared, dirty, and wide-eyed as they clung to Gordon like he was their last hope.
Nightwing: (urgently) Jason, put the gun down. I'm not one of them. I swear.
Red Hood's gaze didn't waver as he kept the gun steady, his voice sharp with distrust.
Red Hood: (gritting teeth) How can I trust you? We've lost too many to these things.
Batgirl stepped forward, her tone calm but firm.
Batgirl: (serious) He's telling the truth, Jason. This isn't our Dick. He's from a parallel Earth... sent here by the Phoenix Force. We've got to help him get home.
Red Hood: (voice low, suspicious) From another world? Yeah, right. And I'm the Tooth Fairy.
Jason hesitated, his finger still hovering near the trigger as his eyes darted between Nightwing and Batgirl. Slowly, the tension in his body eased. He lowered the gun, but the distrust lingered in his eyes.
Red Hood: (grudgingly) Fine... but if he so much as twitches wrong, I'll put a bullet in him. Understand?
James Gordon: (grimly, looking to Red Hood) Jason, if she says he's not a threat, maybe... just maybe we should hear him out.
Red Hood: (bitterly) Fine. But if this guy makes one wrong move, he's getting a bullet between the eyes.
Nightwing glanced between them, taking in the sight of the children dirty, tired, but still alive and the familiar faces that had clearly been through hell. He nodded slowly, the weight of this new reality settling on him.
Nightwing: (firmly) I understand. But right now, I need your help... because if we don't stop what's coming, there won't be any worlds left for anyone.
Nightwing: (softly) Commissioner... what happened here?
James Gordon looked up, his eyes tired but still sharp.
James Gordon: (weary) The world went to hell, Grayson. I'm just trying to keep them safe... for as long as I can.
-
LATER AT MIDNIGHT...
-
The moon cast a cold, pale light over the ruins of Gotham City, casting long shadows through the cracked windows of the abandoned building. Jason Todd and James Gordon stood in front of a heavy, blood-stained door, the air thick with tension. Muffled groans and rustling came from the other side the sounds of those infected, desperate to get out.
Jason Todd: (crossing his arms, frustration clear in his voice) We need to do something, Gordon. It's time to talk about the undead elephant in the room.
James Gordon: (keeping his eyes fixed on the door, his voice steady) The infected are no threat while they're locked in there.
Jason leaned closer, trying to emphasize the urgency in his voice.
Jason Todd: (lowering his voice) Jim...
Before Gordon could respond, Cassandra Cain appeared out of the shadows, her presence barely making a sound. She noticed the two of them standing close to the locked door and the tension between them. Her gaze shifted to the door, then back to the two men.
James Gordon: (still focused on the door, turning slightly toward Jason) What do you propose, Jason? You want to open the doors and just blaze away? Can you really do that? They're caregivers... and children.
Jason's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Cassandra stepped between the two, her face serious.
Cassandra Cain: (interrupting, holding up a small radio) Jim. The radio...
They all turned to listen as a crackling voice came through the static—a woman's voice, calm but desperate.
Lois Lane: (over the radio, her voice strained but resolute) Lois Lane, broadcasting to all analog devices. If you hear me... within hours, we are leaving Earth. We invite any out there to join us. We have two sanctuaries... the island of Themyscira and Poison Ivy's jungle in Gotham—
Before she could finish, Gordon stepped forward and switched off the radio with a sharp twist, cutting off the transmission.
James Gordon: (turning back to face Jason and Cassandra, firm) No.
Jason's eyes widened, a mix of shock and anger crossing his features. He took a step toward Gordon, his fists clenched.
Jason Todd: (frustrated, nearly shouting) What are you doing, Gordon?! A jungle in Gotham? We could get there! We could make it!
Cassandra looked between them, her face caught between hope and concern.
Cassandra Cain: (softly, almost pleading) We could make it.
Gordon finally turned away from the door, facing them with a hardened expression. He glanced back at the children sleeping in the shadows of the ruined building, their innocent faces unknowing of the dangers outside.
James Gordon: (shaking his head, voice steady but pained) We might be able to... but there's no way the three of us or four now, with Nightwing's arrival can safely get all those children to another city. No... We stay here. We defend. And we say nothing... to the children or to Nightwing. We don't tell them their heroes are leaving them behind.
.
.
Bell's Pyramid, an isolated spire of rock in the middle of the ocean, loomed under the cloud-covered sky, its jagged edges cutting against the dark horizon. The waves crashed relentlessly against the base, and a thick fog wrapped around its slopes like a cloak. Deep within a hidden alcove near the rocky shore, a secret meeting was underway.
Mirror Master stepped out of a swirling portal of reflective glass, the fractured light bending unnaturally as he emerged. He looked around to make sure they were alone before turning his attention to Shiva, who stood waiting with her arms crossed, her expression a mask of impatience.
Mirror Master: (smirking) I found her.
Shiva's eyes sharpened, the hint of emotion breaking through her calm demeanor.
Shiva: (stepping closer, her voice low and urgent) Is she...?
Mirror Master: (nodding, a glint of amusement in his eye) She's alive.
The words hung heavily in the air, and Shiva's breath hitched, but she quickly masked her reaction, her face turning to stone again. She squared her shoulders, a resolve settling in her gaze.
Shiva: (her tone firm, commanding) Take me to her, Mirror Master.
Mirror Master raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He folded his arms casually, playing up his role.
Mirror Master: (mockingly) What's the magic word?
For a moment, the tension seemed to grow, and Shiva's eyes flared with annoyance. But she bit back her anger, knowing that time was precious. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to utter the word she rarely used.
Shiva: (through gritted teeth, her voice almost a growl) ...Please.
Mirror Master's smirk widened, but he didn't push it further. With a dramatic flourish, he waved his hand, creating another mirror portal that shimmered like liquid silver.
Mirror Master: (gesturing to the portal, bowing slightly) After you.
Cassandra's footsteps as she cautiously moved through the empty space. Dust hung in the stale air, illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through cracked windows. Suddenly, a voice called out to her, low and firm yet unmistakably familiar.
Voice: Cassandra.
Cassandra spun around, her body instinctively dropping into a defensive stance. Her heart raced as her sharp eyes scanned the shadows. Emerging from the darkness, Lady Shiva stood with her arms crossed, her gaze piercing and calm.
Cassandra: (lowering her guard, a mix of shock and hesitation in her voice) Mother?
Lady Shiva stepped closer, her posture as commanding as ever.
Lady Shiva: (matter-of-factly) We have somewhere safe.
She gestured toward a mirror behind her, the shimmering surface rippling unnaturally. Mirror Master stood beside it, arms folded and looking impatient. Shiva turned and began walking toward the portal.
Lady Shiva: Come.
Cassandra took a hesitant step forward before stopping.
Cassandra: (firmly) Wait. The kids come too.
Lady Shiva turned sharply, her scowl accentuating the disappointment in her tone.
Lady Shiva: Out of the question. We don't have the room.
Cassandra: (defiantly) Then I stay.
Lady Shiva's expression hardened, her disappointment now laced with frustration.
Lady Shiva: (coldly) Don't be stupid. The world is ending; you don't have to end with it. You will come with me.
Cassandra: (resolutely) The kids come, too.
Before Shiva could retort, Mirror Master interrupted, his tone tinged with alarm.
Mirror Master: (urgently) Uh, Shiva? This place is surrounded by undead. We don't have time for family drama.
The tension in the room shifted instantly as both Cassandra and Lady Shiva instinctively moved into battle stances. The sound of groaning and shuffling grew louder outside.
Lady Shiva: (her voice low and commanding) You're coming with me. You don't have to be conscious.
Mirror Master: (grumbling) Savage is going to be pissed enough that we left the sanctuary. We really shouldn't hang around!
Without another word, Lady Shiva lunged toward Cassandra. The two exchanged rapid strikes, the sound of fists colliding and feet shuffling filling the room. Cassandra, though skilled, found herself struggling against her mother's precision and experience. Lady Shiva began to gain the upper hand.
Suddenly, Jason Todd burst into the room, his voice laced with sarcasm as he leaned against the doorframe.
Jason: (casually) Hey, not going to lie, part of me very much wants to watch and see how this plays out. Another part of me wants to join in.
He stepped forward, his tone shifting slightly.
Jason: (more seriously) But I think it'd be more sensible if we all—
Before he could finish, Lady Shiva spun and delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
Jason: (groaning) Yeah, okay... I deserved that.
Cassandra took advantage of the brief distraction, landing a counterstrike on Shiva. The mother and daughter faced each other again, tension crackling between them as the undead outside grew louder. Mirror Master nervously glanced at the portal, clearly ready to bolt.
Mirror Master: (exasperated) Can we please wrap this up before we all end up zombie chow?
The dimly lit hall of Bell's Pyramid buzzed with tension as James Gordon aimed his gun squarely at Lady Shiva. His stance was firm, his voice unwavering.
James Gordon: Okay, that's enough of that!
Lady Shiva turned her head slowly, her expression calm and calculating. Her eyes locked on Cassandra, her tone cold yet edged with faint disappointment.
Lady Shiva: I offered you a chance because I'm your family.
Cassandra: (calmly, yet resolute) You could stay.
Lady Shiva said nothing and began to step toward the mirror, prepared to leave, when a baton flew through the air, nearly hitting her. She dodged effortlessly and turned sharply to see Nightwing standing in the doorway, alive and resolute.
Lady Shiva: (narrowing her eyes in disbelief) How?!
Nightwing: (stepping forward, his tone demanding) Bring me to Savage. Now.
Lady Shiva: (smirking faintly) I thought you were dead? But, anyway... what if I refuse?
Nightwing stepped to the window, pointing out at the hoards of undead gathering outside. Lady Shiva followed his gaze, her smirk vanishing.
Lady Shiva: (sighing in annoyance) Fair point. Now, come with us.
Without another word, Lady Shiva, Nightwing, and Mirror Master stepped into the shimmering portal.
.
.
They emerged in the grand yet grim confines of Bell's Pyramid. The space was a stark mixture of technological brilliance and ancient mystique. Savage stood waiting, his eyes narrowing with frustration as the group arrived.
Vandal Savage: (shouting) Where the hell were you?!
Lady Shiva: (calmly) I found my daughter.
Savage's eyes flared with rage.
Vandal Savage: (gesturing angrily at Nightwing) And?! You brought a hero here?! What we're you doing here is about survival! Not for goddamn charity!
Mirror Master shifted uncomfortably, trying to stay out of the crossfire, but Captain Cold stepped in with a sly grin, throwing a casual arm around his shoulder.
Captain Cold: (mocking) He's also a real boy with autonomy and feelings.
Mirror Master: (sincerely) Thanks, Snart.
Captain Cold: (continuing with a grin) And he can make his own stupid mistakes if he wants.
Savage ignored the remark, storming over to Lady Shiva and grabbing her arm forcefully.
Vandal Savage: (seething) McCulloch is not to be risked for personal errands!
Before Lady Shiva could respond, Deathstroke appeared in the hall, his presence commanding.
Deathstroke: (calm but firm) Savage.
Savage spun toward him, furious.
Vandal Savage: You're not in charge here, Slade!
Deathstroke: (in a low, threatening tone) I suggest you stand down.
Savage's rage boiled over as he turned back toward Shiva.
Vandal Savage: How can I calm down when this Bitch brought a hero here?!
As he fumed, Deathstroke noticed Nightwing standing in the group, casually raising a hand in a half-wave.
Nightwing: (grinning faintly) Hey there.
Deathstroke stepped forward, his voice firm but steady, cutting through the escalating chaos.
Deathstroke: Ignore him. Look, we're not going to outlive this apocalypse if we start killing each other.
Vandal Savage's chest heaved as he tried to regain control over his emotions. With visible effort, he released Lady Shiva's arm, stepping back and letting his clenched fists fall to his sides.
Vandal Savage: (grudgingly) I suggest we all stand down.
Deathstroke folded his arms, watching him carefully.
Deathstroke: Good decision.
Savage turned to Deathstroke, his tone softening but still carrying authority.
Vandal Savage: Slade, I apologize for my outburst. Walk with me, please. I'd like to speak with you privately.
From the edge of the room, Rose Wilson, Deathstroke's daughter, looked on with concern.
Rose: (warning) Dad, I'm not sure that's a great idea.
Deathstroke glanced over his shoulder at her, a small, reassuring smirk playing on his lips.
Deathstroke: It's okay, Rose.
As Deathstroke and Vandal Savage left the room and disappeared into an adjacent corridor, Rose turned her attention to Nightwing, her curiosity piqued.
Rose: (narrowing her eyes slightly) How did you survive?
Nightwing: (exhaling and shaking his head slightly) I didn't. Not in this world, anyway.
Rose: (raising an eyebrow) What's that supposed to mean?
Nightwing: I'm from another universe.
Rose blinked, caught off guard by the revelation.
Rose: (scoffing) You're serious? Another universe?
Nightwing: (nodding) Completely. And in my world, the apocalypse hasn't happened... yet.
Rose folded her arms, studying him carefully.
Rose: You better not be lying, Grayson. Because if you are, you're worse than the undead out there.
Rose leaned closer to Nightwing, her piercing gaze locking onto him. Her tone was sharp, demanding answers.
Rose: What kind of world are you from, Grayson? Don't sugarcoat it.
Nightwing sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered how to explain.
Nightwing: It's... not perfect. It has its problems crime, corruption, the usual. But it's a world where heroes fight to make it better. A world where we still have hope.
Rose: (snorting) Hope? Sounds like a fairytale to me. No zombie apocalypse, no endless survival. Just... sunshine and rainbows?
Nightwing: (serious) No, it's not like that. People suffer. People die. But we keep fighting. There's still something worth saving.
Rose's expression softened for a moment, then she hardened again.
Rose: Sounds like you're bragging. What's stopping your perfect world from ending up like this?
Nightwing: (lowering his voice) Zack. The same person or force that brought me here. He's consumed by something... a cosmic power that's turning him into a threat. If I don't find a way back, my world could end up like this one.
Rose: (narrowing her eyes) And you think you can stop it?
Nightwing: I have to try. That's what we do what I do. What heroes do.
Rose: Heroes... (she scoffs again but softer this time) You're either the stupidest person I've ever met, or the bravest. Maybe both.
Nightwing: (grinning faintly) I've been called worse.
Rose: Fine. But if your world's so great, why are you wasting time here instead of finding a way back?
Nightwing: Because if there's a chance to save anyone here, I can't just walk away.
Rose studied him, her expression unreadable, before finally speaking.
Rose: You're a fool, Grayson. But maybe we need fools like you.
Rose crossed her arms, her gaze hard as she watched Nightwing, the question lingering in the air like a challenge.
Rose: So, what's the real reason you're here, Grayson?
Nightwing paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his words. He didn't like the idea of being blunt with her, but he didn't have time for games.
Nightwing: I need to know if Vandal Savage has a multiverse portal. I need to get back to my world, and if Savage has the means to help, I'll do whatever it takes to get that information.
Rose's lips twisted into a thin, skeptical smile, her arms tightening across her chest.
Rose: Vandal Savage? You think he'd just hand over a multiverse portal like it's some kind of gift? (she shakes her head) He's a tyrant. He's been around for centuries. He's not someone you can just bargain with, Grayson.
Nightwing: (leaning forward slightly) I'm not here to bargain, Rose. I'm here to get answers. If he's hiding something, I'll find it whether he likes it or not.
Rose eyed him carefully, her stance unmoving.
Rose: You're not listening to me. Savage won't just give you what you want. He controls everything here, and he doesn't trust anyone not even his own people. If you want a chance at anything, you'll have to play his game. But trust me, you don't want to.
Nightwing: I've dealt with people like him before. I know how this works. (he pauses) But I don't have the time to waste on games. I need that portal.
Rose's expression softened for a fraction of a second before her arms dropped to her sides, the seriousness of the moment creeping back in.
Rose: I don't know what you think you'll get from him. If you're hoping for a peaceful conversation, you're wasting your time. (she looks away, a moment of hesitation passing) But if you really want answers... you'll need to get closer to him. And that means crossing a line you might not be ready to cross.
Nightwing: (mutters) Damn it.
Rose: If you're looking for multiverse tech, you're barking up the wrong tree. But maybe...
Nightwing: (perks up) Maybe what?
Rose: (shrugs) Maybe someone else out there has what you need. Savage isn't the only big name still kicking, you know. But they won't hand it over without a fight.
Nightwing: Who are we talking about?
Rose: (grinning slyly) You'll find out soon enough. But first, you better prove you're worth keeping around, Grayson.
Nightwing: (nodding) Fair enough. Lead the way.
Nightwing stands alone in the dim light of the abandoned building, his voice heavy with quiet hope.
Nightwing: I just hope Beast Boy and Cyborg are somewhere out there... in some universe... and that they're safe.
-MEANWHILE IN ANOTHER UNIVERSE-
Beast Boy: (Crying in despair) WHERE GOING TO FUCKING DIE!