How The Hell Did It Come To This?

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"Please take the break, just for tonight"

Starfire looked on in worry at her two friends, who were currently sparring with each other in fitness clothes.

They were currently inside one of (according to Robin) Batman's many safe houses across Gotham he had made in case something similar to this happened, one that provided both a living space and training room. More specifically, they were in the training room.

"Tomorrow we have a chance, so do rest"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears, as Ravager's and Robin's duel only seemed to amp in intensity. Each swing and counter packing more force than before.

They were using their real weapons, numerous cuts on each of their bodies a reminder of that, a new one being added on every minute. Thankfully they were all shallow, but Starfire didn't know how long superficial injuries like that would last before they actually ended up really hurting each other.

They both had intense expressions on their faces, as if they weren't facing a member of the same team but an enemy they needed to beat.

The princess could only look on, voicing her concerns to no avail.
But even still, she couldn't just leave them there to this all night. Especially not one this night.

'They've been like this ever since Static-.....'

Static's betrayal had brought back memories for the Titans that they'd rather forget, and in turn caused them to go back to how they were back then.

Starfire seemed to be the only one that recognized it.

Cyborg had submerged himself into more desk-like work, saying he was picking up abnormal readings throughout the world or whatever that meant, even considering going back to the Watchtower the first change he got. Arsenal had begun to go on single patrols in the Green Zone and edges of the Yellow Zone. Raven was.........breaking down. Kid-Flash began to doubt himself, and had to be convinced not to turn back time to before Static did it to question him, Flash had told him that time travel was a rule he shouldn't break no matter what after all.

Then, these two. Ravager and Robin just wouldn't stop. All they seemed to do was eat, sleep, and fight like their lives were on the line. Even though Ravager wasn't even apart of the team last time, she still fell victim to this cycle.

'I can't stop them'

Starfire was trying to keep the team from fracturing again, trying to reassure them and make sure they didn't do anything drastic. But at this point she was worried there'd be a repeat of before.

Sweat seemed to cover the two as they exchanged blades, only stopping when they reached a stalemate of strength.

Both Heroes were huffing and puffing as they stared at each other, before their interlocked weapons began to shake as they once again put power into the struggle.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you two'd be actually trying to kill each other"

A lighthearted voice interrupted the duel, and caused all three heads to turn towards the entrance to the large space.

The anger and intensity in Damian's expression changed as it turned into one of shock, before morphing into one of relief and an unusual expression for him, joy.

"Brother!"












Three figures stood at the entrance the the bridge that led into the Black Zone, each one in hoods and clothing that made them unidentifiable. Also, each one held a silver suitcase that seemed to gleam slightly under the night.

Members of the border patrol that were positioned at the opposite end of the bridge had already approached the three, each one carrying a weapon.

"Why are you here?"

The man in the middle spoke back.
"We answer the call of the Lords" the voice was disfigured, which made it obvious whoever was wearing said mask was altering their voice in some way.

One of the patrollers let out a tired sigh before motioning for the group of three to continue onwards.

"And I am the jester that they are awaiting"

That same man's body stiffened as he momentarily froze in his spot, before turning around the face the hooded figure.

"U- Understood"

Right after, the man began to talk into his earpiece, his casual look from before hardening.

"Please allow us to escort you until your ride arrives"

Without saying another word, the middle man of the trio walked forward, with the other two closely following behind.

The patrollers got into a formation around the three, but not in a way that would make them feel pressured. Still, one of the hooded figure's body language gave off a feeling of anger, so the guards were even more careful not to intrude on their space.

The now large group walked past the rest of the border control on the opposite side of the bridge, the others stationed there not even batting an eye at the newcomers.

Through all of the chaos that was visible as the group entered the Outskirts, an expensive and fancy looking limo stood out like a sore thumb from its parking spot.

Even going as far as to open the car's door for the trio, the patrol member did a little bow before shutting it.

Once inside, someone at the wheel opened the non see-through window separating the driving space from the back space.

"Hello gentlemen or women, please put one of these on before we reach our destination"

Holding out multiple masquerade masks of differing variety, the driver who was also in one closed the window after handing it to the middle man. Although, he spoke one more thing before the window shut.

"This glass is sound proof, as well as impossible to see through, so feel at ease. I'm not dumb enough to spy on someone the Lords have invited"

Finally, it closed shut.

Instantly, the three hidden figures pulled down their cowls.

"That was surprisingly easy"

You stretched a little, before taking off your hooded clothing, revealing a very nice looking suit with no tie. One that belonged to Hugo.

"Of course, I am one of the main guests. Not to mention Nygma was kind enough to leave a message on my device after my call with Bane, telling me what to say so that they know it was me"

Hugo had already taken off his sweater, and was now in a suit of his own, only this one had a tie. He looked more comfortable now in it than he was in his previous attire. The suit had come from his many that he had stored on the Asylum.

Static however, still hadn't taken off his own jacket. He was staring out the window, seemingly taking in the destruction of the Outskirts or looking at the ground of the area to check that there weren't any more bombs laying around, either one was plausible.

"They're in on it"

His hand was scrunched into a fist as he looked through the rear mirror, even though your guys' escorts were already long gone.

"I let them off too easy"
"Static"

The former? Hero turned his face, his eyes meeting yours which expressed an uncharacteristically amount of calmness.

"You're going to meet and know a lot of corrupt people if you're going to save Gotham, so don't get angry over something as small as this"
"But they're supposed to be protecting"-
"Either everyone in that patrol was in on it from the start, or there were some that were legitimate soldiers but were killed and replaced"

Static closed his eyes, his face twisting into a somber and slightly frustrated expression.

"It's only going to get worse from here, so steel yourself now, and prepare to see humanity's worst" You muttered.

"How motivational"

The doctor chuckled a little as he stared at you, which caused you roll your eyes at him and reach for one of the masquerade masks, which despite being full of many bright and dark colours, was still distinguishable as a sheep.

Hugo grabbed a mask as well, one that was in the shape of an owl.

Static, finally taking off his clothes covering his own suit that was slightly undone at the top, grabbed the mask of a canine-like animal.

"We have to wear these the whole time?"
"Yes. As I mentioned it's a masquerade themed auction due to most of the attendees not wanting their identities revealed. After all, with the potential items being sold, it would be easy to become a target"

Hugo answered Static's question, causing the latter to once again turn his head out the window to scan the area. It seems he was still uneasy seeing as last time he was here he stepped on a bomb which in that case he has a good reason to be cautious.

"Coms are hidden behind the mask, but you both brought your walkie-talkies just in case those break right?"
"Yep"
"Affirmative"

You knew you all brought it, but asking a few questions to reassure them would make them feel more prepared and less nervous, not that Hugo would feel nervous, it was mainly for Static.

"There is a high chance I'm going to get called off, so I'm leaving the auction part to you two. Don't bid unless it's something that could help us figure out what's going on in the Black Zone, or something that we could use that could be beneficial to us in general. After the entrance fee we only have around two million, so don't use up everything so quickly either"

This time Hugo spoke, causing both you and Static to nod.

"In case events take a turn for the worse, which is quite likely seeing as Batman knew about the auction from what you told me L/N, there is only one rule the both of you need to follow. No draining yourself of all your electricity, and no using the Lanterns

powers"

Hugo looked to Static and you, a hint of worry on his face that you didn't see often. He was well aware of the stakes of this night, as well as the dangers.

You both still weren't fully recovered, and it was almost certain that something unexpected would occur on this night. If something as trivial as robbing a Museum could spiral into something as bad as it did how would things end up at an event as big as this?

"Alright then, preparations are over. Let's do our best to get out of this alive"


Around 10 minutes had passed when the extravagant vehicle finally came to a stop. For some reason though, it stopped in front of an extremely large, enormous but worn down and abandoned looking building.

The door on either side of the backseats opened, two masked individuals being responsible for the action. The one that drove you not even questioning the drastic change in wardrobe.

Grabbing your guys' suitcase, you all got out of the limo and stood in front of the decrepit structure, a bit of confusion visible on the now masked Static's face. Both you and Hugo though, stayed expressionless.

A man who looked in similar fashion to that of a beggar was on the ground next to the doorway, his head downcast while muttering to himself. A small bowl that held what looked to be a few coins lay next to his prone body.

The three of you walked up the steps and stopped over the man. Hugo dropped his own case on the ground next to the beggar, and the man stopped muttering.

He looked at the suitcase, before grabbing it and opening it to stare at it's contents. After looking at the inside for a few moments, he shut the case and rest it in his lap.

Then, he knocked on the old building behind him in a specific manner, which in turn caused something inside the building to shift, and a large space to appear where he knocked.

The man inserted the suitcase, before knocking in a weird manner again, causing the empty space to disappear and the briefcase along with it.

Then, the double door opened, revealing a decrepit but large room behind it.

As the three of you walked into the room, you looked at the change in the small bowl next to the beggar.
The coins were made up of gold.

Entering the room, you and Static looked around as you made your way to the second pair of doors that was straight ahead of you.

Hugo stood in front of the door, but turned around so that he faced the both of you.

"I am not one who puts my faith in fortune, but good luck"

You all exchanged a look, one of both uncertainty yet determination was on Static's face, while you looked concerned and utterly lost.

'How the hell did it come to this'

Hugo opened the double doors, and a bright light pierced the dark room you all were in.





"The VIP you asked to be informed about has arrived"

A man in a dark colour themed mask knocked on a door before he spoke, patiently waiting for a response.

"Really? For a moment I thought he wouldn't even bother"

The servant flinched a little as the man on the other side spoke, his voice not even sounding human.

"My Lord, what are your orders?"

He knew better than to ask unnecessary questions, too much information when it came to things like this was dangerous. Too dangerous.

"If you want an answer, first come inside. If you are my helper you deserve to at least talk to me face to face no?"

The servant froze, a look of confusion and dread on his face.

"My Lord that truly isn't necces"-
"I'm not like the others, I won't hurt a subordinate without proper cause. I give you my word"

Hesitantly, the masked man reached for the doorknob, and opened the barrier spectating him from a Lord of Gotham.

The second he opened the door, he was bombarded with a coldness that seemed to creep into his very bones. He was only in the room for a second at that point but he was already shivering from the temperature.

"Thank you"

The man was still bewildered. A Lord would never do something like say thank you to a servant. It confused him, but despite the cold, he couldn't hold back his curiosity.

Walking further into sub-zero room, the man ignored the shake in his step and kept walking until he could finally see a figure sitting on a chair similar to that of a throne.

"They forced me to use this uncomfortable thing, a waste of time if you ask me"

Finally, the man saw the person he was serving.

"Now, how should I approach the good doctor?


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