FAULT LINES ━━ titans [REWRITING]

TWENTY FIVE.

Nora and Abby came at him in a second wave instantly, managing to get in a roundhouse kick which sent Scarecrow reeling before he hit her with two punches and went straight for Nora, deciding she was the most prominent threat.

Ducking under a few photon blasts and taking a blow that reduced him to one knee, Scarecrow was finally close enough to spray her with the fear gas. The raven-haired girl collapsed, lights around her body flickering as her eyes went glassy and she limply grasped at her throat.

Her name ripped itself from Donna's throat, horror carved into her features, as the brunette sat up from the ground.

Abby's eyes widened in fear and she ran towards her new friend, barely making it five steps before the butt of Scarecrow's scythe jabbed painfully into her ribs. She stumbled back with a gasp, although her breath was cut off as his gloved hand wrapped around her neck and he lifted her off the ground.

Nora reached towards her feebly, her fingertips sparking with light that died just as quickly as it came, her body beginning to convulse.

"Oh dear," Scarecrow mused monotonously, "Seems there's only so much fear even superfreaks can take."

Nora let out a terrified scream, her very bones trembling. Donna struggled to her feet, clutching a wound that oozed blood. Abby's eyes rolled until they were white, fingers scratching at the hand cutting off her windpipe.

Dick watched his friends suffering, the most powerless one amongst them, yet the last standing. His ribs ached and even breathing hurt. What could he do? They were kids. Just kids. They weren't prepared for this.

But his eyes drifted to the crowded of people, innocent bystanders huddled as far away as they could push theirselves from the scene. Dick ground his teeth, pushing himself to his feet with a huff. His eyes moved to Abby, whose skin was taking on a blue tinge from the lack of oxygen in her lungs.

His feet shuffled on the damp concrete, the cold chill of the night biting into his red cheeks. He had to stand, he had to fight. His friends needed his help.

Abigail watched as Dick raised his head, watched the determination set in his face. She could feel now the effects of hypoxia seeping into her body, could feel her brain beginning to grow faint. She reached out into the air around her. She could do this. Her fingers gripped tighter on Scarecrow's wrists, her bones grew rigid and tense. She could do this. COME ON.

The air around her began to move, the very atoms moving, shaking, curling like a coil ready to explode. She let out a violent yell. Powerful vibrations erupted from her body, knocking Scarecrow backwards, letting her drop to the ground. She collapsed in a heap, coughing and spluttering as she dragged in air in gulps, fingers quivering.

Scarecrow rose to his feet again, and Abby saw Donna do the same, Dick already beginning to make his way towards the rogue. Weakly, she raised her arm, hand ready to send another poorly-aimed vibrational blast at the Scarecrow. He beat her there, his foot cracking down forcefully on her arm, breaking it.

She let out a loud scream, the pain overwhelming everything, flooding every system like an overload, and her vision turned black.

PAIN, that was the first thing she felt. A faint, throbbing ache in the back of her mind. She knew it was there but was unable to reach it. Abigail Lance's blurred vision opened a moment later, her dark eyelashes fluttering open and squinting against the dazzling, artificial lights.

"Oh, thank God. Dick — Dick, she's awake."

A dark figure appeared at Abby's side, gentle hands resting on her shoulder tenderly. The brunette shifted slightly, and let out a pained cry. She looked down, and saw her right arm in a freshly wrapped sling tucked snugly to her chest.