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Blade entered the Titans' command room, the cool blue lights casting long shadows over the round table. Everyone was there: Raven, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy—and Robin, standing in front of the large screen displaying a map of the space sector where the planet Thanagar was located.
Blade sat down like he was in a theater, crossing one leg over the other, drumming his fingers rhythmically on the table with sarcastic flair, watching the briefing with half-closed eyes like he was about to fall asleep.
Robin (sharp and serious, explaining):
"So… here's the plan. We'll contact Batman and the Justice League immediately. We'll coordinate a joint landing on Thanagar. Desaad's invading forces have already begun full-scale siege operations. Time is running out. Our mission is to support local defenses, evacuate civilians, and destroy any forward invasion bases. Batman himself is leading another axis of the plan..."
Robin paused for a second, his narrowed eyes landing on Blade, who was tapping the table to the rhythm of a folk tune, the mockery in his tone clear.
Robin (snapping):
"...And of course, Blade… are you with us? Or are you still performing your private comedy act?"
Blade slowly looked up, grinning broadly behind his mask:
"Ah, ah, yes! Do continue, splendid stuff. Alien army? Explosions humming? Thanagarians floating like feathers? In short: we go, we smash everything that moves, and then we party, right?!"
The team exchanged looks. Cyborg put a hand to his forehead in frustration, Raven let out a long sigh as she stared at him.
Robin (trying to hold back anger):
"Blade! This isn't a joke. This is war. A whole planet is on the brink of annihilation. Desaad shows no mercy. We're going there to prevent a genocide. Do you get that?"
Blade looked at him with exaggerated seriousness, then placed a hand on his chest and leaned forward:
"Oh heavens! Genocide?! I'm shocked! Oh wait... no, I'm not. This is exactly the kind of party I'm here for. Relax, fearless leader, I'll be a good boy. I've got enough bullets for everyone—and hey, I'll even draw hearts on them if that helps."
Raven gave him a cold stare:
"You're truly beyond saving."
"Ooooh, thank you, Raven! You always warm my frozen heart with your sweet, sweet words!"
Cyborg cut in:
"Are you done? Robin's got a plan to finish explaining!"
Blade gave a theatrical nod of surrender:
"Alright, alright, carry on folks. I'm all ears… literally, got one on each side. Works great."
Robin ignored his comment sternly and resumed the briefing:"We'll rendezvous with Batman and the rest of the Justice League at the edge of Thanagar's airspace. From there, we'll deploy in three waves. Our team will handle the southern industrial sector—where most civilians are trapped. Batman will lead the main assault to liberate the capital. We have confirmed intel that Desaad is leading the operation himself."
Blade interrupted again, raising his hand like a student in class:"Uhh, question, teacher! This Desaad guy... is he tall? Short? Green? Should I bring binoculars or just a big enough boot to kick his ass?"
Robin looked like he was about to explode, but Cyborg placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
Cyborg (serious tone):"Blade... we're all going. And this time, you need to take it seriously. If you mess up, if you act like your usual self at the wrong moment, millions of lives are at stake."
Blade nodded slowly, setting his pistol down on the table and pointing at it:"Alright. I'll be as serious as this gun. Dead serious. So serious I might scare myself. Fine, dear team. Let's go crash this party."
Robin exhaled sharply, then shook his head in resignation:"Fine. Blade, gear up. We're meeting Batman now. Move out!"
Everyone stood and exited the room, the air thick with tension.
Blade muttered to himself as he followed, a dangerous grin creeping across his face:"To bird planet we go, then. Let's make it unforgettable."
—
The spacecraft launched from the Titans' HQ launchpad, its engines roaring as it tore through the atmosphere, trailing fire and blue lightning that split the clouds. Robin sat up front, reviewing maps. Beast Boy amused himself by mimicking explosion sounds, while Cyborg monitored the navigation screens with sharp focus.
In the back, seated on facing metal benches, Blade lounged with one arm resting along the backrest, fiddling with one of his pistols while humming a goofy tune. Beside him, Raven sat in deep silence, her half-lidded eyes glowing faintly with her violet magical energy.
She lowered her head slightly, then looked at him with her cool, mesmerizing eyes and spoke in a calm, serious tone:"Blade… tell me something. Why do you keep mocking everything like this? We're heading into a war. An entire people could be wiped out. And you act like it's a joke."
Blade stopped humming, blinked slowly, then turned his head toward her. At first, his usual smirk spread across his face—but it quickly faded as he let out a long sigh.
"Ah, Raven. Mistress of shadows, my lovely little gloom enthusiast… Let me tell you a secret."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping—suddenly serious.
"I've been through this before. A long time ago. Different place, different war. I was there… when I lost my mom, my dad, everyone I ever knew. Everything was burning. People were screaming. I was just a kid. Way too young. All I remember is blood and ruin. I've told you this story, haven't I?"
A brief silence followed, the only sound being the hum of the ship's engines.
"So yeah, I joke. I crack wise. I act like a damn fool. You know why? Because if I stop joking, I start remembering everything too clearly. And then? I freeze. With fear. With rage. I'd burn the whole universe down by myself—and this time, I won't catch myself before I fall. And I can't afford that right now."
He looked at her sharply with his one glowing blue eye, a sad smile creeping back onto his face, trying to reclaim its usual edge.
"We're going out there because I don't want those kids to scream the way I screamed. I want to end it—fast. And I want you all to move fast, too. The jokes? The antics? That's how I keep everyone in motion."
Raven kept her gaze on him, silent. Her face expressionless, but she didn't interrupt.
Blade leaned back in his seat again, resting his pistol on his thigh, letting out a dry laugh.
"But don't worry. I'll stay the team's clown. That's my unspoken contract with life. But when we hit that ground... I'm gonna be the first to kill that cursed bastard Desaad."
His voice dropped to a rough whisper:
"I won't let my tragedy play out on another world."
For a few seconds, the silence between them was thick, broken only by the soft creak of metal as the ship shifted in orbit.
Then Raven spoke, her tone low—devoid of sarcasm or sympathy, just her usual dry truth:
"Fine. Just make sure you stay in one piece. And don't let Desaad get his hands on you. I don't want to be the one explaining why the idiot got kidnapped in the middle of a space battle."
Blade grinned wide, his signature sarcasm returning:
"Ooooh, was that actual concern I heard? From Raven the Black Cloak herself? Oh, I am definitely telling everyone!"
Raven rolled her eyes with a tired sigh, though the corner of her lips twitched—almost a smile.
Up front, Robin called out:
"Get ready! We're leaving Earth orbit and entering the jump gate to Thanagar!"
Blade tightened his harness, slid his pistol back into its holster, and suddenly his voice was firmer, sharper.
"Let's go, Miss Mystery. Time to save bird planet. I've got some new jokes I wanna test on Desaad."
The Titans' spacecraft trembled slightly as it pierced through the final layers of the atmosphere, until the stars began to shine clearly around them, and the cosmic darkness gradually swallowed the Earth's blue hue. Through the front and side windows, dozens of green, blue, and red lights appeared, moving in disciplined formations, racing alongside them in the same direction.
Robin was the first to lean toward the front glass, staring intently.
"Look at that… all those ships are heading with us."
Cyborg monitored the radar screen, his fingers tapping the control panel with a nervous rhythm.
"They're our allies. The Justice League rallied every bit of support possible. Amazonian forces, Atlantean weapons, Wayne Enterprises defense units, and... there it is."
He pointed to a large, distinctly glowing point ahead.
"Batman's ship."
On the front glass, a massive black armored structure passed by, emitting a cold white glow. It was Batman's ship, shaped like a giant mechanical bat, leading the fleet. From the rear wings, blue ion engines blazed, propelling it toward the target at incredible speed.
Beast Boy pressed his face to the window, clapping like a child.
"Whoa! Did you see that?! He's leading the charge! Oh oh, do you think he's smiling under that mask?"
Blade, sitting in the back next to Raven, pulled out something like a small, old-fashioned scope, folding it with one hand and peering through it at the ship.
"Oh wow! Look at that old crow leading us all into hell with a hidden smile on his face. I love this grim drama."
Raven exhaled slowly, her eyes fixed on the ships gleaming like swarms of guided meteors.
"This isn't the time for jokes, Blade. This is war."
Blade lowered the scope and pointed toward the many ships with his index finger.
"Raven, Raven, Raven... You know what I see? I don't see just an army. I see... a giant fireworks festival. All these lights... just to throw an unwanted birthday party for Desaad."
Cyborg muttered as he adjusted the controls and set the course.
"Blade, focus. These numbers don't lie. We've got over fifty allied ships. And satellite intel confirms Apokolips forces are already en route. Collision is guaranteed."
Robin, who had been watching everything, turned toward the passenger seats, trying to appear calm but clearly tense.
"Everyone listen up! This will be the biggest battle we've ever faced. We need to be ready to land, to fight, and to work alongside the Justice League. Batman wants us in sync."
Blade raised his hand like a student in class:
"I have a question, Professor Robin! Do I have to be in sync too? I mean, I'm planning to shoot the first thing that screams 'For Darkseid!' in my face—without asking permission."
Raven elbowed him in the shoulder.
"Respect the situation."
Blade let out a muffled laugh.
"Ahh, sorry, sorry... or maybe not. Honestly, I need to be in a good mood when I'm fighting the legions of hell."
From the front, they heard Robin mumbling as he pressed the intercom button:
"Batman, this is Robin. Titans are in position. Ready to integrate into formation."
Batman's deep, dry voice came through the speaker:
"Maintain formation. We have 15 minutes until we drop out of lightspeed and reach Thanagar's orbit. Prepare for immediate engagement. Batman out."
A heavy silence filled the cabin for a second, before Blade whispered, his eyes on the many lights floating beside them in space:
"So, my friends... let's go save Bird Planet from the wrath of demons. I hope they've got good food down there."
Raven closed her eyes, trying not to smile.
"Impossible."
As the ship continued rocketing forward at insane speed, space ahead of them lit up with the glow of the allied fleet.
The war was already breathing—waiting for them—opening its arms like a deadly embrace.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
If you liked the story and want to read more
or just to support me, copy the link below.
You will find a special membership for:
3 chapter
and another one for:
7 chapters.
patreon.com/zakx205
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