⭐️ Eternal Shadow 🌙 Damian wayne ~~~~complete

Chapter 30: The Raid Plan

The skies outside were a dusky violet, the sun already tucked beneath the horizon. Titans Tower's landing platform glowed with soft blue light as the transport ship powered up - a sleek, matte-black carrier with faint blue thrusters humming like a heartbeat.

"Alright, this is it," Dick called as the bay doors opened. "No one's straying, no hero moves unless absolutely necessary. We get in, disable the cultists, find the artifact, and stop Ra's. Clean, controlled, fast."

"Bet I can make it messy," Gar teased, elbowing Jaime.

Jaime smirked. "Wouldn't be a mission without you causing trouble."

Mars silently slid into her seat beside Damian, the dagger secured along her thigh. The moment their eyes met, the world seemed to hush - the silent, unspoken weight of everything hanging there between them.

Kory took the controls, fingers gliding over the dashboard. "Buckle up, Titans."

The ship's engines roared to life, lifting them off the platform and cutting through the air with a sleek, predatory grace. The Tower shrank behind them, a familiar silhouette against the darkening sky.

Inside the cabin, Raven lit a faint protective ward around them, a gentle shimmer of violet energy. Jaime's Scarab chirped softly, adjusting tactical overlays on the visor. Kory's hair caught the soft lighting as she piloted them smoothly through thick clouds.

Marceline leaned her head back against the seat, eyes closing for a beat as the steady vibration of the ship's engines lulled her into the calm before the storm. Damian's hand brushed briefly against hers - whether by accident or intention, neither of them addressed it. But neither of them pulled away.

"Still with me, Mars?" he muttered low, only for her to hear.

She cracked one eye open, a smirk ghosting her lips. "Always."

The city lights blurred into distant flickers beneath them, and ahead - nothing but dark horizon and war.

The calm before the storm was always the quietest part.

And this time, it wasn't just a battle. It was an ending. Or a beginning.

The steady hum of the ship's engines filled the transport cabin, everyone tense, minds sharpening for the fight ahead. Weapons checked. Suits adjusted. Raven sat quietly, meditating. Jaime was syncing combat protocols with Scarab. Kory focused on the skies ahead.

And then...

"Uh, guys?" came Gar's voice from the back.

Everyone's head snapped up.

"What now, Garfield?" Damian muttered, not even bothering to hide the exasperation in his voice.

Gar was staring at a monitor on the side wall, his face scrunching up like he'd seen a ghost. "There's a Blorp's Burger Drive-Thru on the next ridge."

A beat of dead silence.

"Gar," Dick said slowly, like speaking to a feral animal, "are you seriously-"

"C'mon! Last mission before we probably die, it's a tradition. We stop, grab questionable fries and a mystery shake, get grossed out together. It's team morale!"

Kory actually snorted, covering it quickly, while Jaime let out a soft laugh.

Raven cracked an eye open, deadpan. "No one wants stomach cramps before battle, Garfield."

"Speak for yourself, Rae," Gar grinned, leaning toward the pilot's console. "Star, detour two minutes tops?"

"Absolutely not," Kory started - but Mars raised a brow, a tired little smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.