Red War

Part Eight

-Dick's POV-

"No, Nightingale wait--" I pulled against my chains as she retreated back to the door, "Athena, stop--" But, the door had already closed behind her with a soft click. Trying to follow her, I leaned forward and ripped at the metal chains. They dug into my arms and the places where I had already been cut. Blood trickled down my wrists, making the chains slicker. I yanked harder, causing myself more pain. Blood continued to roll down my arms. I smirked, wiggling my wrists in the chains. Luckily, I slid out.

I picked the chains on my ankles and the ones wrapped around my body. It was nice to have the weight off of my lungs, allowing me to take a deep breath. My thoughts started to align themselves, calming my nerves. I bounced up to my feet and kicked open the door. I had to help her. She would be outnumbered about one million to one.

My feet moved so quickly I was almost floating. I couldn't remember where Ra's personal room was, however. My chest ached the more I raced in circles. How had she gotten so far away from me? It had only been a few minutes for christ's sakes!

Eventually, I stopped. What was I doing? I looked out of one of Ra's sparkly pained windows. The moon shone through, casting its pale glow onto my face. I breathed in the moonlight, allowing it to flow through me and sweep me off my feet.

I had to trust her. I had to let her do this. Being there, I would make everything worse. Athena could handle this. She had handled way worse than a talk with Ra's all on her own. It was just...so hard. How many times had I lost her? The thought alone threatened to tear me apart. I would risk everything I had before losing Athena again.

But, I had to trust her. I made a silent promise to myself and the moon. I would be at Athena's side as long as she needed me -- whether that be as a friend, a crutch, a shoulder to cry on, or as someone to love -- and I would do my best to protect and honor her, but also to trust and respect her. In that moment, I realized what I had known all along. I was meant to be with Athena, to love her. I was her devoted servant. And she...she was my sun, my moon, and all my stars.

I dove out the window. I grappled as fast as I can. "Batman, status update. Where are you?" I asked, tapping into my com.

"East Side in Red Robin's domain," Bruce answered, pausing to fight someone, "protecting the Narrows."

I changed direction, seeing Barbara fighting below. I waved at her. She punched an assassin and waved with her other hand. "Nightingale has a plan. She wanted me to discuss it with you."

"Why doesn't she tell me herself?" Bruce sounded angry. Coincidentally, he also started hitting harder. "You didn't leave her alone with Ra's, did you?"

"I'll explain," I tried to stay calm and move forward. With Bruce accusing me, I started to doubt my decision more and more. If I was being honest, I was just as angry as Bruce. Why couldn't Athena just let me help her for once? I had to be okay, though. If things went wrong, Athena could handle it. I just hoped she would kick Ra's ass if he even breathed on her wrong.

Eventually, I touched down on the top of the Batmobile. Before me, Bruce was fighting off a crowd of twenty assassins with several different gadgets. Even farther in front, Tim was taking an equally large squad. He tossed down a smoke grenade and grappled on top of a building then began sniping them off with Batarangs.

I took out the assassins on the outer circle of Bruce's circle, making my way in the middle. Just like Athena and I had before, Bruce and I fought side by side. The crowd dispersed a little, attacking a little more tactically. Crowds were easy to take down, but groups of several fighters was more of a challenge.