A Stroke Of Death

Chapter 4: Wake Up Call

"Don't...you dare-uhh...lay a...hand on hi-m"

"Sorry, too late." He pressed the chloroform against Nightwing's mouth, and, as the hero's eyes widened as he realised what was happening, kept it pressed tightly on his face.

Nightwing struggled, but his eyes were already heavy. He coughed, trying desperately to get the gas out of his lungs, only succeeding in getting more in.

He saw Connor being kicked hard in the side multiple times before he was lifted onto a hard shoulder and carried unceremoniously out of the Mountain...then black.

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Connor's side ached, and his head was still reeling from the effects of the forbidden green element, but he was otherwise unharmed.

He grunted as he managed to get his feet underneath him and stand, albeit with some difficulty.

Wincing as his side protested harshly, he gripped the sore ribcage and stumbled forward.

How much time had passed since Nightwing was taken? Where was the Team?

His hopes soared as the realisation hit him; he hadn't been unconscious long enough for the Team to be able to get to him. Which meant Deathstroke wasn't too far away.

But as each step felt like knives were being driven into his feet and legs, the hope began to dissipate. He couldn't do much in his state, and if Deathstroke overpowered and defeat him before, surely he would stand a chance the way he was now.

Sighing in defeat, he slumped to the floor in a sad heap, head resting on his knees.

Somewhere he heard rocks being moved and voices calling out for him, but they all seemed so far away. All he could hear was...noise. Ringing in his ears. And he just wanted it to stop.

A warm hand on his shoulder brought him back to the real world, the ringing dieing down and letting him think.

He looked behind him, tears he didn't know he had almost falling. Why did he feel this way? What was wrong with him? The feeling of being totally useless, and watching a dear friend being taken like that...how could you describe that feeling?

Was this what grief felt like?

"Connor..." a soft voice sighed. He jumped slightly, coming back out of his minds haze to look at the person infront of him. If he wasn't so confused and stricken right now, he probably would have punched her for touching him.

"...M'gann." he replied, his voice hoarse and weak.

"What- what happened? Where is Nightwing?"

"...He took him. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...if only I was stronger, I could have helped, could have done something -"

"Connor, my friend, please calm down. None of this was your fault. Who took Nightwing?" Kaldur asked, both trying to soothe and interrogate his team mate.

"... Deathstroke."

Gasps could be heard behind them, and all three turned round to see two very distressed looking teens.

"Robin? Batgirl? What's wrong?" M'gann asked, her tone much lighter and calming for them than it was for Connor. He scowled at her, then stopped abruptly when he scolded him self.

'This is no time to be arguing, we need to work together to help Nightwing!'

"...This is bad..." Batgirl muttered, not looking them in the eye.

"A long time ago, when Nightwing was Robin..." Robin said, looking upwards and looking more stern in that moment than the whole team could remember. "Deathstroke took him, like he did just now. What he did with him..." he shuddered "Let's just say Nightwing's never fully recovered."

Silence enveloped the Mountain.

"Which is why we need to save him, and fast." Batgirl added. "We need a new base of operations, I know a place in Bludhaven. Kaldur, with your permission, me and Robin could track Deathstroke and hopefully find where he's keeping Nightwing?"

"Yes. Please do. I ask that you first give me the coordinates for this new base in Bludhaven, so that we can begin work on salvaging all we can from the Cave."

"Sure. Wait a second... Done."

"Coordinates received. I wish you luck on finding some leads."

"Robin, time to go!"

"Right!"

The two hero's left, rage building inside of their hearts.

But the dominant emotion in both of their hearts was one that even Bats are entitled to feel.

Pure terror.