This story takes place before Titans East Chapter 40
Written by: Brekat/Nightvision
Co-conspirator/Editor: Power Guy

Nightvision found a clearing on a rooftop to examine the disc. He loaded the information in his gauntlet and found no tracing elements and read the information. “Beaumount either was telling me the truth, or this is bigger than I thought. Think I have most of this figured out, so a trip to Tibet and the Himalayans may be in order. Have a visit I need to make first.” Nightvision said as he safely stored the disc and went back to the motel.

The next morning Brendon work up and packed up to go on his next trip. He checked out as Brennon from the motel and went towards the Nanda Parbat temple prior to going to the airport. On the steps of the temple, Brendon asked himself “Why am I here? Grandpa told me about this place and the power it has. Will this even help with the recent signs?” Nightvision said confused, “I might as well go.”

“What young bat, you visit here is with purpose.” Brendon turned around to see a monk in the doorway.

“Young bat? You must be confused sir. I am a former athlete who HATES winged rodent.” Brendon said knowing that the monk must see something that he didn’t.

“Alas, your training is definitely not complete. Disguise cover the outer image, but the aura and mind reveals who a person really is. Once you learn to be more like Batman and less emotional, you will understand.” The monk said.

“Then you must know why I came her.”

“I do however you hold your own answers and do not need me or others here," the monk added, “Love is always a journey. At first you think it is clear, but it is not as easy as your detective stories. There has always been the proverb ‘love conquers all’ and sometimes that includes evil and good. I can tell you had much suffering for years about a loved one yet I can tell you don’t know the full story of her. You cannot let your frustration affects your careers yet you can never give up hope. Love is a journey yet it is a mystery though with the mystery, once you think you have solved it, the love changes and evolves.”

“Why the signs then? Why am I getting tormented by the past now especially on the days around when she died.” Nightvision said in anguished.

“That is what I am saying. Your anguish is clouding your vision. Those signs as you call them are there for a purpose. Whether they are there for clues in a mystery or someone trying to build on that anguish to defeat you, you already know that answer. Look into your heart. That and your faith will lead you on the course destiny as for you.” The monk said putting his hand on Brendon’s shoulders.

“Then my destiny was to become who I have become? It was destiny to lose a lot in order to get this? Why?” Brendon said.

“Again, you are overlooking what is already established. You were destined for this life yet some are trying to choose the path most take instead of the road not taken that you have made for yourself. I can listen to what you say yet I cannot help you solve this mystery. You are a proven leader and great mind like your father and his father. Use what they learned to help you on your journeys on both paths you lead. Then you will see what you desire to see. I can say it will not probably be an easy journey, but your inner strength has already been proven. “The monk said, “Here is something that may help you.” The monk reached into his pouch and pulled out the Mask of Tengu. “This mask helped your ancestry find his path back to his journey, and hopefully this copy can help you with yours.”

“Thank you sir.” Brendon said as he bowed to the monk. “You may have talked in riddles, but you have helped and some things you have said may confuse me now, but I know someday I will learn what you said.” Brendon put the mask in his bag and left the temple.

As soon as he stepped off the holy steps, he gets blasted off his feet. “Trying to cover your image Nightvision. We knew you were here all along.” A blue figure flying in the sky said.

“
Quiet Blue Lite. The master said follow him, capture and return home. Focus on your directive.” A black and white female said flying on a card

“You are right Royal Flush. Focus your attack on him.”

“Great. You two bicker all you want because you are not going to win.” Brendon jumped out of the way of another Blue Lite blast in order to change. “Have to still hide and not reveal my identity to all even though how did these two know who I am.” Brendon quickly changed to his Nightvision costume right before a deck of razor edge cards and blue lite’s blasts shredded his hiding place.

“Man, I thought you could hit more than a broad side of a barn, but I guess your light is a bit dim.” Nightvision said. He thru a batarang towards Blue Lite only to be deflected by a shield, but gave him enough time to get his Escrima sticks to defend himself.

“Your little utility belt and toys are no chance against both of us let alone the rest of our team. We have watched you and know who you are.”

“That’s good. I am not for popularity and talking, so you and your Dashen Dome benchwarmers can try all you want, but you won’t defeat me.”

“Defeat you. You are more naive than the master said. We are here to grant you a chance of new life.” Blue Lite said while blasting at Nightvision.

“Yet another new life chance. Have to say I will pass, but I will take the chance to knock you out and put you away.” Nightvision said. “I don’t know much about you, but your partner is like the Royal Flush Gang, and besides being greedy, they are easy to defeat. I mean even Bat-Mite with a cold and broken arm could put them away.”

“Ha ha ha. Yes, I have learned from my former bosses, and I know what you mean by their easy defeat, but my new life has led to powers and knowledge that I could defeat the greatest of any heroes.” Royal Flush said.

“Well, you haven’t faced me yet, so the greatest can wait.” Nightvision was able to knock Royal Flush off her card then throw an ice pellet on her to create an ice block around her. “One down and the dim lite to go.”

“Well, what a nice and predictable trick.” Blue Lite aimed the blast from his hand towards the ice block and fired. “Ice may last a while up here, but I will make short work of your artwork.”

“Figured you may go and do something like that.” Nightvision said. “Like the profiles I read of Mace and Guy Gardner. Thinking your power is the ultimate and you can defeat anyone, but then expose yourself to your own defeat.” Nightvision jumped towards the Blue Lite blast and said “Wings extend” then 2 flaps like Nightwing’s wings came from the side of his suit to reach to his arms. The blasts hit the wings and reflected back at Blue Lite knocking him down. “See, your own powers defeated you. Now to get you two to a maximum security prison. Nightvision went down to cuff and blindfold Blue Lite when all of the sudden Nightvision was wrapped up.

“See what I said.” Royal Flush said. “The Royal Flush Gang may have been underestimated, but I have grown thanks to them and especially my master’s teachings. Now who is captured?” Nightvision tried to stand up to jump and throw off the cards away from him, but as he stood up, Royal Flush finished making a straight jacket out of cards to entrap Nightvision.

“You think these cards can hold me.” Nightvision said as he struggled with the cards.”

“Well since I wrapped up your gauntlets so you cannot do voice commands and your belt is completely wrapped, I know you aren’t the best escape artist, but I took the precautions.” Royal Flush said as she created a fan to wake up Blue Lite. “Now Blue Lite, follow the plan.” Blue Lite created a bubble around Nightvision’s head and a vacuum sucked the air out knocking Nightvision out. “Now a house of card is in order.” Royal Flush built a solitary cell around Nightvision including the floor. “Blue Lite, let’s head home.”

Blue Lite created a bubble and took Royal Flush and the captured Nightvision way from the temple. They flew up a Himalayan mountain that opened to reveal a concealed base.

“Royal Flush, recall your house of cards. Time for the unveiling.” A figure said walking down the spiral steps from the office about the floor to the floor below.

Royal Flush took the cards away to reveal Nightvision in the straight jacket of cards. Then she made the fan to push air towards Nightvision to wake him. Slowly, Nightvision awoke to the mammoth base.

“Alas the legacy of my beloved has finally arrived.” A shadowy figure said. “Welcome to Dashen Dome. I hope you feel at home.”



“TALIA HEAD! I figured out that you were behind this. The question is why?” Nightvision exclaimed.

”Don’t try to fool yourself young one. You are definitely as good as a detective as your grandfather Bruce. What makes you think you knew I was behind all of this.” Talia said.

“Easy. I admit it took a bit of detective work and research, but when the pieces fell in place, it all made sense. You and your father always had something for Gotham and Batman which makes sense why you focused the robberies there. Then the locales of the robberies Wayne Tech connected to Bruce and leading me to Crime Alley with anyone who knows Gotham history knows Bruce’s parents were murdered there. Then after talking to Amanda Waller, I realized Task Force X people were used as a front to make people think of them instead of someone else. Then the talk in Tibetan which you have had activities here in the past. What took a while to figure out was the “new life” reference and the name Dashen Dome. Well thanks to my grandfather’s tapes, I realized the Lazarus Pit was used by you, Nyssa, and Ra’s as bringing new life, and that led to you. Then I found out Kobra was part of this organization which you had a brief time as their leader. The final piece was the name Dashen Dome. Dashen Dome is an anagram of Demons Head or Ra’s and his family.” Nightvision explained.

“Very well detective. You may have figured out that, but that will be short lived. The main question is why.” Talia said with intensity.

“The typical “to change the world in your father’s image”. Nightvision said.

“HAHAHAHA! FOOL! Yes that is part, but not the main part.” Talia said. “You should know how much I cared about your grandfather and how much Ra’s wanted him with us and help with our goals, yet he never wanted to.”

”Let’s see. Following a mad man. Definitely sounds like some thing he wouldn’t do.” Nightvision said.

“Yes, and after years, I figured that out. His age and that witch Selina made me lose my grip on him, so the plan had to change. That is where you come in.” Talia said.

“Oh great, let me guess. I get the invite for new life like Blue Lite tried. Well I am not a “Blue Light Special” that can be picked up easily, and I fight for good and for the people of Gotham and in honor of my family. Besides you are old as my father maybe my grandfather”

“Part right descendant of my beloved. I am the age you stated but thanks to the updates to the Lazarus Pit, aging for me has stopped and within controls that give the best of the Pit and not the insanity…” Talia started.

“Stopped the insanity. One the Lazarus Pits were all sealed years ago. Two, the pits have always been known to cause insanity for anyone who stepped into them.” Nightvision interrupted.

“You really think my father’s legacy would let infidels stop all the Lazarus Pits. As for as the pits, you are right. Walking into the pits itself did cause insanity, but thanks to lots of research and technology and science have refined the chemicals of the Pit to generate only deaging, great temporary strength, and enhance other abilities to super human stature.” Talia proclaimed.

“So that is how Spellbinder could throw me like the strength of Bane and Magneta’s powers enhancement as well as your other members including Royal Flush and Blue Lite.”

“Correct Nightvision, but you still have not said where you come in.” Talia said with a smirk on her face.

“You want me to join you and pay back my family for your countless defeats.” Nightvision said with certainty.

“Wrong again. You think this just started recently. You are definitely mistaken. It even started before I met you before your Olympic preparation that was stopped quite unfortunately.” Talia stated.

“So that was you who I talked to with the Lone Wolf reference. Why?” Nightvision asked while trying to hold back his anguish.

“Well, we even knew about you before that. You are mistaken. Did you ever question why you had someone fall in love with you in college? I mean you focused on school and athletics in high school and college, you didn’t allow yourself to enjoy life, yet Brenda Troy fell on your lap with no effort.” Talia said as she knew she was getting to Brendon

“WHAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WITCH?” Nightvision exclaimed as he tried to wiggle free of his card straight jacket.

“Ooo. I must had it a nerve there. Well you knew how informative my father and I was in battles with Batman. I mean my father even got into the great Batcave undetected. You also know how we had people around the world working with us then had temporary control of Kobra. Well Brenda was “trained” to be a follower of yours. We knew with her looks and beauty that you would be weak and cave in to a relationship, but that wasn’t the only one watching you for all of your years. Brenda was the best though. She was by your side, and could give us precise details about your physique and physiology as well as your psychology. She watched you as you trained, but you did not know she knew who your father and grandfather was. We knew what potential you were capable of. I mean we even have these journals from Brenda and her sketches of things you did and like in this file. Unfortunately with any operative on a task for a long period of time, Brenda became weak for our case and really started falling in love with you. That is when I stepped in to try to get her back under control instead of truly wanting to be with you. Needless to say I knew my talk would not affect you, and Brenda would not listen to us anymore. We had to proceed. When our operatives of Kobra and Dashen Dome watched and knew you had bought the ring and planned to propose, I knew I had to add tragedy to the story in order to get you in costume or with us, so why do you think you were delayed that night of the proposal. I will tell you, our Dashen Dome member made sure you were late so we could ‘handle’ the Brenda Troy problem. We knew our ‘Trojan horse’ failed, so we needed to proceed to a new plan.’

“Tragedy! You involved innocent people and hurt people just to prepare me for being a follower.” Nightvision said in mental defeat, but he knew he still had to find some way to free himself.

“Innocent people come and go, but people with your bloodlines do not. The look on your face when you seen that body laying there was priceless. We watched from a far as we could not get too close for your costume training, but we knew your activity. Spellbinder was a test to see what you were currently capable of. Yes the parts she took were to update the tubes for the team and our computers, but her leading you to Crime Alley and your combat with her was all a test.”

“So it was you who placed the scarf at the exact spot where Brenda was killed and had someone kiss me.” Nightvision started to say.

“Hahaha! Then with the next robbery, we seen you again in action and watched you with your job at the Wayne Foundation. I mean we have some of our best operatives in Gotham watching you out of costume while in costume. Our goal was not for you be a follower. We knew like your father, you would be a great leader. We didn’t want you to be a follower, we wanted you to be our leader, and I want you by my side since Bruce failed at that task.” Talia said looking at her team. “I mean look at Dashen Dome…



Spellbinder-power of the mind. Her abilities could make the worse slums look like utopia.
Effigy-power of fire. He could slash and burn unnecessary areas for the new world order.
Deadline-our assassin and teleporter. He could take care of the people unnecessary for our cause as well as get easy access anyway for our needs.
Magneta-power of magnetism. All great technology still has metal, and we have an ally to control the metal and thanks to our treatments, her psychology is stabilized.
Royal Flush-card abilities. Just like fate dealing the cards of our lives, Royal Flush delivers the fate and destiny that Dashen Dome wills.
Blackbriar Thorn-planet power Once the Earth has been spared from all its trash, Blackbriar Thorn would grow the plants we need for our world order.
Blue Lantern-powers similar to Green Lantern. A great resource for imagination and constructs to our will. Also provides a defense for alien attacks.
Night-powers of shadow. She is a great asset to get out of tight spots thanks to your heroes meddling. Also has access to dimensions even the brightest of minds yet can comprehend. I knew you could lead these members as well as other members we add along the way.”

“So why the Tamarean Orchid, GBS magazine, the woman following me, the scarf, and all the other hints recently. Trying to ‘persuade me’ to be your leader.” Nightvision asked as he almost freed one of his wrists.

“What are you talking about? Did Royal Flush and Blue Lite give you a concussion? What makes you…” Talia said, but she was interrupted by Nightvision. He freed one of his wrists enough to clear the mic for a voice command “Spikes extend” Nightvision shouted.

With that, the spikes on his gauntlets extended cutting thru the cards. Then Nightvision willed enough energy to rip his arms in a motion to free him from the cards. “Now let’s rock.” Nightvision said in anger as he prepped for battle.

“Wait Nightvision. We don’t want to fight. We want you to join us.” Talia proclaimed. “Why would we want to hurt our future and our leader.”

“Lady, you are as sick as I thought you may be. I can understand why Bruce HAD feelings for you, but love is something that can’t be forced on someone. Now on that note, I am going home. If you dare cross my family or me again, this lone wolf does bites and it will be your KNIGHTFALL.” Then with that command, Nightvision’s gauntlets changed to ones similar to Jean Paul used with flaming blades sticking out.. Nightvision jumped up and said the command “Rocket boots activate” then he flew up to the power conduits on the ceiling cutting them with ease.

“Effigy extinguish the fire. The rest of you, capture Nightvision.” Talia exclaimed running up to the office. As she ran, she dropped the file of Brenda’s.

Nightvision saw the file and swooped down to grab it. Then Magneta and Deadline opened there attack. Magneta pulled the metal rockets out of his boots to ground him, and Deadline teleported in front of the file.

“OOO 2 on 1. Guess you didn’t read my file well even. That is still not good odds for you.” Nightvision said. He saw Magneta ready for another blast of her powers. Quickly he grabbed the discs from Deadline directly towards Magneta’s hands then grabbed the grounded Deadline and knocked him out with one punch. When the discs connected with Magneta’s hands, the discs went out of control with the magnetism and Magneta couldn’t dislodge the discs from her hands. Trying to go up the stairs to follow Talia, wood vines wrapped around the steps and his legs. “Come on Blackbriar Thorn. Haven’t you learned with your defeats to Batman and your protégé’ Poison Ivy’s defeats that your plants are weak even with Talia’s help.” Nightvision tried to cut them with the flaming blade of his gauntlets but the vines did not even show a mark.

“See fool. They are better.” Blackbriar Thorn said as he tightened their grip on Nightvision.

“I seee Blackbriar Thorn.” Nightvision said as the vines squeezed the breath from him, “However, metal and vines don’t like hydrochloric acid.” Nightvision grabbed a pellet of acid from his belt and dropped it on the vines which melted and lost the connection to Blackbriar Thorn freeing Nightvision. “Let’s see, there is not much water around here, so let’s see how your ‘plants’ like the pits fluid.” Nightvision aimed one of his exploding batarangs at Blackbriar Thorn’s tube on the wall, and with the explosion, the Lazarus Pit’s chemicals ran along the floor reaching Blackbriar Thorn. On contact, Blackbriar Thorn grew out of control spreading thru the base and up puncturing the roof and started bringing some of the mountain down on top of them.

Nightvision knew his time was short to reach Talia. He tried to proceed up the steps, but the plans of Dashen Dome covered everything. Royal Flush had built a new stairway of cards reaching up to Nightvision. Out of the corner of his eye, Nightvision saw Effigy swooping down. Nightvision hit a button on his gauntlet to recall the swords going back into normal mode. He waited like Bruce taught him, mediating for the right minute, then in a flash, he grabbed the batarope from his belt and shot it towards the office evading Effigy’s flaming ram attack and as he swung towards Talia, he saw Effigy hit Royal Flush off the steps. In the attack, Effigy set the cards on fire which went down to the chemicals. Effigy then could not stop his momentum and rammed head first into the giant Blackbriar Thorn knocking himself out.

“That leaves Blue Lite, Spellbinder, and Night left besides getting a hold of Talia.” Nightvision said as he ascended up to the office. All of the sound, the office appeared to explode into flames. “Wait a minute!. If the office exploded in flames then my rope would not be taunt and I would be freefalling. Spellbinder!” Nightvision clicked on his mask to infrared to see if he could see Spellbinder. She is at the top of the steps. He changed his momentum from ascending to the office to the top of the steps.

“Well well well. The rematch I have been waiting for. Hopefully you are as strong as you were last time we met.” Nightvision said as he landed.

“Stronger and ready to capture you for my master.” Spellbinder said. You have to find out which one is the real me without your mask though.” Just then Night appeared from behind pulling off his mask and tossing it in the fire and holding on to his cape.

“Nice try Night, but Batman taught me sometime your cape is a great weapon but sometimes it can be a weakness and you have to control your weaknesses.” Nightvision detached his cape to free himself to go after Spellbinder.

He reminded what the monk said about trusting his heart and
mind and focused his energy not towards fighting but solution of which Spellbinder was real. He lunged for the fake Spellbinder to the right of the real one.