Titans #12
“Answers”

By Lightshear

“Alright, Titans, here’s what we know,” Nightwing began. The team had assembled in the war-room of Titans Tower. The building was still under reconstruction, but was close enough that they had renewed operations from inside. Roy Harper, formerly Speedy and formerly presumed dead, still lay bedridden in the hospital after taking several bullet-wounds from a team of highly-trained mercenaries. The group that remained was still beaten, but determined.

Nightwing continued, “We know that Donna Troy has gone rogue. She is actively working for the enemy, and we have to assume that there is no mind-control or brainwashing at work.” Clicking through a projector, a screen in the front of the room showed older photographs of Donna Troy, formerly Wonder Girl. Some newer photographs captured by various agencies that Batman had compiled had been added to the presentation. “We also know that she is currently consuming a serious cocktail of narcotics which are likely adding to the unhinged, unpredictable nature of her actions.”

“We also know that she is in the employ of the Kingpin,” he said, switching the slide to show several news-clippings showing the results of what were presumed to be hits orchestrated by Donna. “She is his chief assassin, and his number one operative. If we use the most conservative estimate of her operations, then she is only responsible for 6 of the 8 most high-profile assassinations, world-wide, in the last 3 years. We’re talking generals, presidents, prime-ministers, terrorist heads, cultists – a broad spectrum of the best and worst leaders in the world.”

“Furthermore, we know that she is ruthless in her job.” The slide switched again, showing more photographs of her work. This time, they were shots that no news organization had ever seen. Again, Batman had come through. Nightwing was surprised at how willing Bruce had been to help him gathering this intel. It actually made him smile to think how much his old mentor was going out of his way to dig up all this information. “In some cases, whole skyscrapers worth of people have been slaughtered in order to hide the true target of the hit. In others, they appear to have died in their sleep. The point? She isn’t afraid to get a lot of blood on her hands to get the job done, but she’s only interested in doing the job. She’ll kill if she has to, but apparently only if she has to.”

“That is your assumption, Nightwing,” Starfire said softly. She wanted to be careful of his feelings, but she also knew that his relationship with Donna would make him prone to underestimating her.

“Point, Starfire. But regardless, it’s the only conclusion we can draw from the information we have.”

“Cut the ####,” Hawk said, leaning back in his chair with his arms folded. Unlike Starfire, he had no interest in sparing feelings – he saw Donna as strictly an enemy, and a dangerous one. She had beaten him once, and he wanted to give her a taste to even the scales. “This broad is dangerous. Yadda, yadda – we know that junk. Question is, do we know where she’s at?”

“I’m getting there, Hawk,” Nightwing sighed. “We just have to know all the intel. Okay, while we’re no closer to knowing who the Kingpin is or what his plan is, we do know that he managed to get hard evidence on the secret identities of most all of the major players in the hero community. At this point, knowing what we do, it’s safe to hypothesize that Donna is his primary source of information.”

“Why do you say that?” Changeling asked, itching behind his ears. Sometimes his ability to morph into wild animals crossed over into his normal behavior – if it could be called “normal.”

“She knew all the secrets of the Titans. She knew our names, our homes, our mentors. She knew my real name, and Batman’s. She knew Roy and Ollie, Wally and Barry. We had teamed with the League on occasion, and everything she learned then, she took with her to her new employer. Donna Troy is the leak that is sinking our ship.”

“So how much can we assume she knows?” Cyborg asked. He sat near the back of the room, the glow of the projector glinting off his metallic shell. He dealt with the emotional situation by trying to remain clear, logical, and on-point.

“We have to go into this believing she knows everything. All our weaknesses, all our frailties, all of it. She’ll also know our strengths, so we can’t fall back on our old routines.”

“She was pretty strong, last time,” Cyborg said. “A lot more powerful than her profile suggests.”

“That was our mistake, Cy. For one thing, we knew her best when she was still a girl so we had no way to know how her power would increase. For another, we never saw her really cut loose on anybody. We have the full spec from the Justice League; we know she’s a virtual identical twin to Wonder Woman. Theoretically, if Donna really let go and let all her power out, she could easily be as strong or stronger than we’ve ever seen Wonder Woman get.”

“D*mn,” Cyborg huffed. He crossed his arms and shook his head. “How are we gonna take down a power-mad Wonder Woman?”

“With strategy, with skill, and with a lot of praying to whatever it is you believe in.”

“I believe in my own two mitts,” Hawk said, slamming a fist into his palm.

“Fine,” Nightwing said, ending the presentation. “Then pray to them.”
______________________________________________________________________________________

“You wanted to see me?” Raven asked. She had stayed behind after the briefing at Nightwing’s request.

“Yeah, I did. Raven, you’ve been fairly secretive about all the things you can do, but I know that you have some level of empathic ability – you can read emotions off people, right?”

“Yes, I do have some skill in that area. It is not an ability I choose to exploit, but often strong emotions come off of a person in waves that I cannot miss.”

Nightwing stared off as if he was seeing something far away. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes when he asked what he wanted to know. He knew that she made a point of restraining herself and her power with great force, always trying to remain impassive and distant so to avoid the darkness in her soul – the evil presence of her demonic heritage – to gain hold. He knew what he was asking would be painful for her, but he had to know. He convinced himself it was for the safety of the team, but he doubted himself.

“What did you feel in Donna when she attacked?”

“Donna Troy?”

“Yes. When she struck the Tower, you were there. You fought her, used your power on her – a power I know is psionic in nature if not in effect. What did you feel in her?”

Raven sighed, and Nightwing could feel her mood shift. She had expected this question, he guessed. Had he let her down by asking what she knew would come? Should he be better than this? “There is great anger in her. Anger honed to a razor’s edge of purpose by another’s hand. She dwells in selfish, base emotions, now. Not just the anger, but also in envy, greed, lust – she has filled herself to overflowing with a greed for sensation.”

“Is this what happens to her people out here?” Nightwing asked, sitting down and running his hands through his hair in frustration and exhaustion. “Is this the corruption of Man’s World that Diana worried had overtaken her? That drove her to leave the League and look for healing on Thymescira?”

“I do not know, Nightwing,” Raven said, not knowing what else to say.

“Raven,” Nightwing asked, his voice quiet. “Is there still good in her?”

With uncertainty, Raven laid a timid hand on Nightwing’s shoulder. It was the first outward sign of physical comfort she had ever given to anyone, and it surprised him with its tenderness. “Richard, she is still herself. She has only forgotten. When you face her again, she will remember what she fights to forget. Each time she sees you, it is a memory of her innocence which she both misses and despises. Her longing for you and that innocence hurts her, so she hurts you.”

“How can I get through to her? How deeply is the Donna I know buried under the corruption she’s wallowing in?”

“You shall find her simply by being who you are. If you remember yourself, she will follow. It will bring you pain, and there are things she has done to defile herself that will hurt more than that which you already know, but her heart seeks you. You must remain strong.”

Nightwing put a hand over Raven’s and squeezed. She flinched slightly, but didn’t pull away. “Thank you, Raven.”

“You are welcome.”
____________________________________________________________________________________

Nightwing watched Roy’s breathing. It was still strange for him to see his old friend this way. He thought Roy was dead, only to have him appear out of nowhere – an ex-agent of Checkmate. Now he was finding out that Wally was up and running again. It made him a little sad that Wally didn’t immediately seek him out to join back up with the Titans, but he understood. After all, he hadn’t been anxious to return to leading the team himself. But here he was, after all. He couldn’t keep pretending it wasn’t his team. Acting like these new kids were just soldiers would only put them in greater danger.

“I know you can hear me, Roy. You’re unconscious, but you can hear this. I don’t blame you for Donna. I blame you for the stupid cr*p you did to yourself, pumping that poison into your veins, but Donna did for herself. She always did. And I don’t hold it against you that you loved her, too. We were always competing, you and me; competing for leadership, for top honors, for the compliments of our mentors and our superiors. And we were competing for her, too.”

He stood and moved to the bedside, putting a hand on Roy’s shoulder. “I never really won her, you know. She never committed to me, and we were never really in any kind of relationship. Not that it makes much difference, I suppose, but there it is. My love went unrequited, she just happened to hand out with me more often. But even if you can’t be here with me, I’m going to bring her back. You hold tight, Roy, and I’ll bring her back for us, no matter how much depravity she’s heaped on herself.”

It was only then that he noticed the wind coming from the window. He had closed that window. “Nice speech, D*cky,” came her voice on the breeze. “Not true, but nice. Shame your last real words will be a lie to a would-be corpse.”

“Hello, Donna.”

“Hi, baby. Roy-boy shoulda stayed dead. It’s just going to hurt him more the second time. And you two shouldn’t have made me blow up my house. I loved that house, and now it’s gone.”

“It was just a house, Donna.”

“Yeah, and I’ve got others, but I liked that one. Now, you gotta pay. You for my house, and Roy for making it look like I botched my job. And for turning the boss against me by making me look bad,” her face was getting more and more distorted by anger, and she tore away the wall to leave them all open to the strong winds from outside. “He’s not using me anymore! He’s using her! And you did it! You made me look stupid and now he only wants HER! Now both of you have to die!”

“Can’t let you do that, Donna. And I’m sorry to do this.” He pressed the small button he had hidden in his palm, and a blast of concussive sound rang down from the rooftop.

“Gotcha now, girl,” Cyborg shouted, leaping down from above and landing on Donna as she hovered. He bashed her repeatedly, but she just grabbed him by the throat and hurled him across the street and through another building.

“You filthy gutter-trash,” Hawk yelled, charging out from the adjoining hospital room where he had lain in wait and diving out after her. “Nobody messes with a Titan on my watch!” But just as easily as with Cyborg, Donna caught and hurled Hawk away. Starfire flew down from above, along with Changeling in the form of a pterodactyl and Raven appeared in the Hospital room in a cloud of black smoke.

“This is the last time,” Nightwing said. “This ends tonight.”

---------------------------------------------------


Titans:

R Nightwing - 42
E Icn Starfire - 77
R HT Changeling - 31
R Unl Raven – 50

Total: 200

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman/R Icn Wonder Woman – 193
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

Total: 213

Map: DC D

Scenario Rules:

 Special Donna Rules: Donna starts with the E Icn Wonder Woman dial. Once that dial is KO’d, she is replaced by the R Icn WW dial at full strength (regardless of damage taken on her last dial).

Ex: Starfire attacks Donna on her last click and hits for 4 damage. Donna is immediately replaced by her second dial at full strength, even though she did 3 more clicks than needed to KO the first dial.

 Donna cannot be captured until the Willpower clicks of her last dial. A successful capture by Nightwing nets twice the usual IAP/TAP reward for a capture (8 IAP/TAP).

So V-Superwoman with 3 Feats wasn't enough, huh? Oh well, all the more to take her down, the only way we know.


Inish-5 & 1
Objects-4 & 6

Bring it.

Wow that story was utterly amazing. You really captured the emotional turmoil of Nightwing brilliantly and sucked me right in. Great work Shear!

Oh and a cool way to do the 'whole team vs. a single opponent' trick too. Neat. Good luck oogs.

init 3+2 for 5
obj 1+2 for 3

your side choice

We will take the bottom and set up as follows:


Titans:

R Nightwing W7
E ICN Starfire W16
R HT Changeling W15
R Unl Raven W13

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman/R Icn Wonder Woman – 193
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12
LO-N8/L22

Titans:

R Nightwing W7
E ICN Starfire W16
R HT Changeling W15
R Unl Raven W13

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman/R Icn Wonder Woman B11
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

I had never seen him like this. He was tearing up. He never shed tears. I once heard stories that he never cried when his parents were killed right in front of him. I am a warrior, but even I cry. I cried when the tortured me. I cried when my sister left me to travel the stars, searching for power. I cried when I figured out that I loved Nightwing, and I didn't know if he had a place in his heart for me. Now I feel jealous. And I want to empty that love-filled spot, so that I can make it my own. Not because I want to, but because he won't do it himself.
--------------------------

1.Nightwing to R7.

2.Raven to R13.

Titans:

R Nightwing R7@
E ICN Starfire W16
R HT Changeling W15
R Unl Raven R13@

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman/R Icn Wonder Woman B11
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

Donna moves picking up HO in C11, then goes up to soaring finishing off her movement in H12


Titans:

R Nightwing R7@
E ICN Starfire W16
R HT Changeling W15
R Unl Raven R13@

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman H12@ (soaring)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

"Be very careful. I feel seething rage pouring out of her. There is no telling what she may be capeable of." I can't hardle block her emotions out. They are so strong, and none of them are good. She has totally lost herself in her hate and greed. Some movie that Garfield and Victor watch call it "turning to the dark side," but I know the dark side. She hasn't come close...yet.
-----------------------------------------

1.Starfire grabs Changeling and flies to R17, places Gar in Q18.

Titans:

R Nightwing R7
E ICN Starfire R17@
R HT Changeling Q18
R Unl Raven R13

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman H12@ (soaring)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

Clear

Titans:

R Nightwing R7
E ICN Starfire R17@
R HT Changeling Q18
R Unl Raven R13

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman H12 (soaring)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

I don't even know if I can hurt her. She is a friggin tank. I mean, she practically destroyed the whole team last time. Kori knows that she can hurt her. She also knows that D*ck won't. I will have to try rhino or gorilla form, but then I'm wide open for her to beat on me. I have to try, and hope that the rest of the team has my back.
-------------------------

1.Nightwing to R11.

2.Starfire pushes to RS, moving Changeling to P18 on her way to a soaring spot at O17. Av9 vs DefV16 w/Imperv. Need a 7 for 2 after reduction and avoid Imperv, roll is 5 & 3. Imperv roll is 3. Good for 2.
Titans:

R Nightwing R11@ (5/5)
E ICN Starfire O17 (soaring)@@ (6/7)
R HT Changeling O18 (4/4)
R Unl Raven R13 (5/5)

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman H12 (soaring) (7/9;9/9)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, C11, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

hey i forgot to mark donna with the HO she picked up. well, i knew you could get the first shot it, glad i made you push for at least.

One thing. When carrying somoene, you end your movement after setting them down. so it means you can't carry somoene and then go into soaring. which means you can't carry beast boy.

here it is in the rulebook-

"At the end of the move, the fly character must be in hovering mode, and must place the carried character in an adjacent square it is able to occupy."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Move to N18 and go back to hovering


R Nightwing R11@ (5/5)
E ICN Starfire O17 (soaring)@@ (6/7)
R HT Changeling W15 (4/4)
R Unl Raven R13 (5/5)

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman N18 (7/9;9/9) (HO)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

At least I hurt her. I really don't know how bad, but I hurt her. And now she is mad. She is going to take me out, and I don't know that I can really stop her. But I won't be going down without a fight.
------------------------------
Nightwing Leadership-3

1.Changeling to P17.

2.Raven to P20.

R Nightwing R11 (5/5)
E ICN Starfire O17 (soaring) (6/7)
R HT Changeling P17@ (4/4)
R Unl Raven P20@ (5/5)

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman N18 (7/9;9/9) (HO)
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

Push donna to throw the object at starfire. av9 vs dv15. need a 6. roll is 4+3 for 6. that's 2 clix to starfire after toughness, and 1 clix to donna for the push.

R Nightwing R11 (5/5)
E ICN Starfire O17 (soaring) (4/7)
R HT Changeling P17@ (4/4)
R Unl Raven P20@ (5/5)

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman N18 (6/9;9/9) @@
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14

It was time for me to do something. I need to be the one to take Donna down. I can't let the others fight this battle for me. I need to be a man, even if it means bringing down the woman I used to love. It has to be done.
------------------------------

Nightwing Leadership-6

1.Changeling takes a click from Star, pushes in the process.

2.Nightwing Leaps to M17.

LA)Starfire attacks Donna. Av8 vs DefV15 w/Toughness. Need a 7 for 2 after reduction, roll is 4 & 6, hits.

[4]Titans:
[]R Nightwing M17@ (5/5)
[4]E ICN Starfire O17 (soaring)@ (5/7)
[]R HT Changeling P17@@ (2/4)
[]R Unl Raven P20 (5/5)

Vs.

Donna Troy

E Icn Wonder Woman N18 (6/9;9/9) @@
* Divebomb 10
* Haymaker 10

HO-Q12, 012
LO-N8/L22, L14