Not Part of the Job [ORIGINAL]

31. Safe

After Batman came to, the first thing he did was scold the younger vigilantes.

"We didn't know until the last minute," Nightwing informed him with a stern look on his face.

Red Hood crossed his arms over his chest as he glared at him, "You're the ones who got possessed," he retorted.

Batman returned the glare towards his son. "We didn't have a choice! Maybe if we knew what was going on, we could have-"

"Beloved?" a weak voice suddenly called.

His masked eyes quickly went to Talia on the ground. She was slowly trying to sit up. He walked over and crouched down, helping her stand up. "What's wrong?"

"My entire body aches," Talia answered and gave him a look of concern. "Where is our son?"

"He's safe," Batman assured her and gestured towards the couch where Damian was sitting. His head was held in his hands while his elbows were propped on his knees.

It had been hours since the incident with the possessed Justice League members, and only few of them were coming back to consciousness.

Talia pulled away from Batman's touch and swiftly walked over to her son, placing a hand in his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Damian jumped at her touch before raising his head up to look at her. Talia's eyes widened at the sight of tears.

"She's gone," Damian spoke and returned his gaze to the floor, grabbing fistfuls of his own hair and pulling angrily.

"What do we know for sure is happening?" Batman questioned, desperate for answers. "I know nothing of this girl or demonic father."

Starfire took a step forward. "Her father is from another dimension," she started. "I don't know any of his weaknesses, but Raven told me years ago she could take him down if needed. However..."

"What?" Batman asked.

Starfire's gaze shifted to the floor. "I was also informed that the portal would be destroyed once Trigon came to Earth."

"Wait, isn't Raven the portal?" Beast Boy questioned with a concerned expression. Starfire nodded, causing the room to fill with a heavy silence.

"I refuse to believe she's gone," Damian suddenly spoke up and stood from his seat. "I'll go find her."

"Trigon could kill you, dude," Blue Beetle said and gave Damian a funny look.

Damian met his gaze with dull eyes. "I'm willing to put my life on the line," he said.

"As much as I hate the idea... if he can find her, we might actually have a fighting chance," Nightwing commented.

"Distract the devil," Damian decided, "I'll bring her back."

"How will you find her?"

Damian turned his head to meet Batman's stare. "I think I know who can help," he responded.

"I say we do it," Superman added. "Kid's got a better plan than I do."

Batman was quiet for a moment as he pondered the idea. After letting out a long exhale of breath, he made a decision. "We're going to need a strategy for distracting Trigon."

After Batman made his decision, the Justice League began discussing their plan. While they settled this, Damian looked over at Robin.

"He knows what I look like," Damian noticed and looked him up and down. "Timothy, may I borrow your attire?"