so this doesn't have anything big in it but it's the start for part two. the court of owls, in case you haven't read the comic books, is a group of assassins that has been running Gotham City since the 1800's at least. Dick Grayson was meant to be a Talon until his parents dies. I made up part of the story line from background info and multiple ideas I've had. William Cobb is Dick's great grandfather. This is all from the New 52 nightwing (or all throughout the reboot universe) 8-11 I believe. Readers of Batgirl, I will have Strix! Thank you for the reviews you wonderful people and for the patience! Enjoy! This will be getting into the deep cover mission but a bit later than in the show.

Check out Cat Chat Neko on YouTube for how to draw videos on Robin, Damian and animated (by app and computer edit) videos

-Cat


Today is Dick's 19th birthday. Bruce sets out to the Wayne graveyard and places a bundle of 19 roses in front of it. He also places the Robin insignia. "In reality, the truth is Robin really is dead... Happy 19th birthday, Robin." He says. Dick isn't dead. But Robin is. December 1st. He hasn't seen another sign of Dick since the final fight.

Batman goes out on patrol. Keeping his eye out. He leaves Tim at home tonight.

Just like the last few years, the next month is quiet. Aqua girl died a few months ago and Garth left the team. Batgirl and Kaldur have been leaders. Kid Flash and Artemis both left together as well. Many new people have joined the team. Only five of the members of the team know the truth of what happened to the first Robin, that he didn't die. Rocket and Zatanna joined the league but the entire league knows the truth anyways. They all thought it bests that Robin be remembered in the best way possible.

The light is getting more and more active. The Court is never heard or mentioned. If it was at least Bruce would hear about Dick maybe.

As Batman patrols Gotham on a chill February night, it's peaceful. Tim is with the team. But he gets a transmission from Alfred. "

**Sir, I urge that you get to Crime Alley.**

"What's wrong?"

**We received a message from an old fellow friend and hero.**

"Who?"

**Master Richard...**

"I'm on my way-" but the transmission is somehow cut off. Batman runs for Crime Alley. When he gets there, he finds the body of the former mayor. "RICHARD!" Batman yells in frustration. "Come out!" He looks around for any sign of his son. He looks at the body once again and bends down, pulling out a knife. He examines it. No assuming, he doesn't even know what knives Gray uses. It may not really be his... That's what Batman hopes. The knife goes in a bag and in his belt. "You made an oath once..."

At the Batcave, Bruce examines the knife closely. He's seen this design before and it's nothing of the Court's. Scanning for finger prints he gets a mismatch. "It may not be one of his..."

"I hope not. I still refuse to believe that he is really the assassin the Court wants him to be."

"We don't know William's influence on Dick, obviously."

The next week is spent hunting for Dick. Anything would be useful. But he ends up going back to where he last saw his son a few years ago. Turning on a light he looks around. But the light somehow goes off. It had to be a pulse. "I'm not alone..." He says, letting the other presence know what he knows.

"You shouldn't be down here." A voice says. Bruce recognizes it a little. It's him.

"I've been looking for you."

"Can't you give it up?"

"No. I found the former mayor's body. Alfred said the message was from you."

"I don't remember sending a message."

"Or killing that man?"

"I didn't kill the mayor."

"I found a knife." Batman says. The lights somehow turn on. Bruce looks around and sees Dick leaning against the wall, one foot against it, arms crossed, next to the levers and switches.

"Let me see it. Maybe I can identify whose it is, if it is if the Court." Bruce walks over, secretly cautious, toward the grown teenager behind a black owl mask. He hands it to Dick. Dick examines the knife closely and pulls out one of his own. He presents both knives to Batman. "It's not one of mine. I don't actually know whose it is. The Court didn't supply this person with the knives, it'd have a design to represent them. As well as the symbol shown in the blade." Dick uses his own as the example.

"Anyone wanting to frame you?"

"I'm not sure. There would be one person but he can't aim with a knife if his life depended on it. He's an escape artist named Alton Carver but he's... Occupied. The court shut him down."

"Anyone who would favor him."

"No, he's sloppy. You'd know it was him because he's reckless. Anything stand out?"

"The message."

"I didn't send it." He defends.

"I believe you... As long as this isn't another game. An act of murder won't be forgiven by me, Dick. That will be the clear line between your past and present."

"You know I wouldn't."

"Do I really know?"

"Of course..." Dick is beginning to sound more defendant. Batman can tell he means it.

"Remember you'll always be my son, you always have a place with us. As long as you stay on the right side of the line. If you'd be kind enough to my blood pressure and stop disappearing for years or months at a time so I know your still alive."

"No promises."

"Than see you later.

"Define..."

"I'm not quitting the investigation. Your just off the hook."

"Then keep these." Dick hands the two knives to Batman who nods and finally leaves. "Meet me here in exactly a week from today at midnight." Said Dick. Batman nods but turns to face Dick on last time only to find the other is already gone. A smirk came over the Dark Knight's lips. 'Never would guess where he got that from' he thought with pride.

At the cave, Alfred met Bruce. "Did you find Master Richard?"

"Yes."

"Was it him?!" Tim says running down the stairs to greet Bruce.

"Dick didn't kill the former mayor." Bruce responds. "How did you know anyways?"

"Alfred told me." And Bruce shoots Alfred with a glare.

"Did you get to have a real conversation with him?" Alfred asks.

"Yes. He doesn't know who would have done it but we've both concluded someone wants to frame him." He pulls out the knives. "The knife didn't even belong to Dick and wasn't supplied by the court. He said if it was then the blade would be marked with the Court symbol. Dick has an original court design while this one isn't recognized."

Tim examined the knives. He especially glare at Dick's knife. That design of the handle was something to awe over. Tim gently picked it up and looked it over. "Think he's let me keep it?"

"He doesn't know you. Plus I don't think it's a good idea to use it. If the court were to find it."

"Can you ask him? I wouldn't use it in a fight."

"I'm sure I can. I am meeting with Dick next week to compare notes."

"Can I come?"

"I don't think that's very wise, Master Timothy. We don't know if it's another game we just walked into or maybe the Court could follow Richard and-"

"I trust Dick, Alfred. It's only the rest of the court that worries me. He may have as many secret with them as he did with us. I'll think it over Tim."

Over the next week, Bruce studied the knife carefully trying to rake his memory of anyone who'd try to get to his son. But to tell the truth, he has many enemies probably within and out of the court. Or someone could have figured out the truth of the first Robin.

Bruce decided to let Tim come along. Maybe Dick would be happy. No doubt he knows about the newest Robin. Well, Jason was never technically Robin. He took the uniform and ran away to find his mom, Joker caught him and... Jason was only with Bruce for a month. It wasn't fair. Maybe the role of Robin is just a cursed role. The team doesn't know about Jason either.

As Batman and Robin walk down the underground abandon subway, it's quiet. "Is Dick a good person still? I mean, has he killed before?"

"I don't believe Dick would kill. But he did play the team and league alongside the Light. The light and court no longer work together. I'm not sure why they ever did. But I had a bad feeling about who was in the middle of it. It may have been to secure his position. I'm still not sure why Dick went through all of what he did. There is still something that makes me believe he isn't really playing a game against us but rather secretly against his said allies."

"Maybe we will find out during this."

A mere nod is all that comes from the dark knight. They get to the same point Batman had met Gray last week. "Where is he?" Asks Tim.

"Boo." He hears the whisper in his read from behind and turns to face a black mask. Tim holds in a yelp. Instead he just glares in the eyes with fear...

"Come down."

"Kill joy..." Dick mumbles jumping down, making Tim back off. "So I thought of something. You know, it can't be a court Talon or owl because the knives aren't to be left out. The court would find out and... Well..."

"Or it could have been someone using different knives."

"Yeah, but-"

"Do they know of anything that's going on?"

"Huh? No."

"I don't think it's safe for you with them right now. What if they so find out?"

"They can't shut me down, now with William around. Well... They can't really shut me down. They can kill me. But still, William is to dangerous."

"What do you mean shut down?" Tim asks.

"I can't tell you. To much. I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm not supposed to be out. They notice I'm gone and I'm in serious trouble. I'm not talking about grounded kind of trouble. See ya, Bruce. Nice meeting you, Timothy." Tim was shocked Dick knew his name. Dick is gone quickly.

"Wasted time asking that question, Tim."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to know."

"Dick doesn't know that I know."

"Well?"

"It's a rather disturbing secret to the court. I'll tell you later."

"Fine."

Two days later in Star City, Black Canary patrols. She sees a chase across a roof top and decides to investigate. She guesses maybe just a little fun game but when she is close enough she sees the two are wearing costumes. In her comm, she gets a transmission *Man found half dead. A knife in his stomach.* he doesn't need her, she may just be chasing the murderer.

"Stop!" She yells, almost catching up with the one chasing the other. He mistakenly is distracted and loses the other.

"Idiot!" He growls in frustration. "He's gone! How does that even happen!?"

"Excuse me?" She recognizes that voice. He turns to her and confirms her suspicion. "Dick..." She breathes. "What are you doing in Star City?"

"Trying to catch the slip up trying to frame me. Well... Frame me against the league anyways."

"You mean get you in more trouble than you already are with us?"

"When you put it like that it's less... Amusing. I don't really care because I don't have time."

"Your not leaving, Dick."

"What, Batman hasn't told you?"

"What?"

"Never mind."

"Give up now, Dick. A man was almost killed so far and with a knife. Give up or you'll make this worse for not only yourself."

"I think I'm good with neither. I suggest you go to the crime scene first." He pulls something out, Canary stiffens, ready for defense. He pulls out a blade. "You see this then get back to me and I tell you what, you can bring me in and get me questioned. I didn't hurt that man. The person I was chasing did. He's trying to frame me. Thing is, I'm a cheater. My secret, I've never killed and never will. Keep and open mind, Dinah."

"But you still have past actions worthy of punishment against the league. Your little show a few years back, faking a death all in secrecy, manipulation-"

"And what, not being the kid you once knew anymore? The idiot nine year old? I have my own mind, Canary. No really knows me anymore. That's the way I want it." He begins to back up. "This is my escape. My plan of escape was what that show was. Worthy of applaud. But don't forget, I have morals too." And he throws smoke bombs. When it clears, he's gone.

Dick is called back to base for something apparently extremely important. Once he is inside the station, he takes off his mask an pulls down his hood. A scar ran from is chin down his neck and another across his cheek. Black contacts hid his pearly blue pure eyes. He seemed relaxed until he heard something. Then slightest of movement. He stopped walking and stood. Secretly pull out knives to be ready to defend himself. He figures out where the noise came from and three six knives, three in each hand. They landed barely an inch around the figure perfectly. The figure turns out to be Superman... And Batman from a few inches away. Superman was shocked that Dick had just done that, so perfectly.

"Don't run. You can't. Not this time." Says Batman. He holds up a knife, one of Dick's knives. Blood on the blade.

"Bruce you don't seriously think I did it..."

"It's one of your own. Right now it's proof that you did until we can prove otherwise."

"I wasn't even in the city tonight."

"That may not be true."

"No... Bruce you have to believe me! You know I wouldn't do it!" Dick defends as Clark slowly inches closer.

"Dick, calm down." Says Batman. Dick steps back. "Please, don't fight. Things will be discussed later. The League wants you in custody." Dick stares at Batman for almost a full minute, not fighting at all.

Superman finally walks up and takes one of Dick's arms, pinning it behind his back and doing the same to the other. With two inch wide and a half inch thick cuffs, he cuffs Dick's arms. "On your knees, Dick." Dick obliges and gets on his knees. Clark removes the pouch holding the knives on his thigh and escrima sticks, his built, and gloves. His jaw is forced open and Clark slips a thick cloth between his teeth which is tied around his head tightly in place. Then he pulls the 19 year old back up on his feet.

Once they are zeta'd to the watch tower, Dick is brought to a holding cell. He is kept cuffed and a chain latches to one of his wrists as well like a leash. He can only go a foot from his metal bunk bed. The gag is also kept in, ordered since Dick is known for his little mind games.

Dick just sits, head down in deep thought. He senses another presence and looks up to see Zatanna glaring through the small window of the door. Dick needs to tell someone something... He turns his head around, keeping his head back to try and grip the gag, stretching his neck and moving his jaw around trying to get the gag off but it's no use. He begins tugging at the chain but it's no use either. Zatanna just watches him. Then someone opens the door. Kaldur walks in. "Hello, old friend." Dick's eyes follow Kaldur who walks across the room. "I remember when we were friends... When you seemed to always be happy. You were the most innocent, the last suspect." Kaldur glares straight into Dick's eyes. "It's my turn to talk you to shame." Kaldur walks around a bit, Dick's eyes follow the entire time. "I always feared how dangerous and secretive you could be but ignored it because you were my friend. You were the youngest. And then I saw you die. I watched. Do you remember that day? I was standing right there, we were partners for that mission. You were shot and you never blinked. You fell because I couldn't catch you, I was in shock. I heard the gasp, I saw that you had truly stopped breathing. The shot got you in the heart." He stopped wondering. "You were dead, Dick. That was final. That was blood. That was all real. The Dick Grayson or rather Robin I knew wouldn't do this." Dick shook his head, wanting to say he hadn't killed anyone. "Stop. Listen to me." Kaldur demanded. Dick stopped. "You were dead. You didn't get up and walk away." He walks up to Dick and bends down to face him directly. "So what happened to the kid who was my friend? What is still missing from your story?" He said quietly but very serious to Dick. Kaldur reaches for the gag and removes it. "What happened that day?" He said straight and harsh. Dick doesn't answer. "Do you even remember?"

"I remember." He says.

"Then say something!"

"No. I'm still the same person. That's all you need to know. And I still would never kill even if my life depended on it. I'd give my life before another. You think I've changed but I haven't. I know a lot of things, Kaldur. I remember everything. I remember when we'd spar in the cave, you could never bring yourself to the limit and win. You were to kind. You thought you had a sob story just like everyone else. This life, it really was just never fit for you. But you were my friend. I know you know that. I didn't kill any innocent. I was on Star City, chasing the outlaw of the Court who I thought was committing the murders."

"Why change the subject?"

"Because I've put it all together. The murders aren't really murders, they are abductions. No one is really dead. The court has a little secret with dead bodies. The person "committing" the murders is with the Light. Pinning it on me, I've got no idea yet. But I do know they have a new partner. It's rumored. But I think it's true. Something is up, Kaldur. And if you'd focus on more than just what is in front of you, you'd realize what I'm really asking."

"What... What are you talking about? I can't trust you, Dick. How could anyone trust you? Your not even you."

"Ask Batman where to find me."

"Wait... You planned this."

"Sure did."

"I can't-"

"But you do trust me! Because you know in right."

"No... I need to tell the league." Kaldur knows Dick is planning something, some way to get out.

"Shoulda kept me gagged." Dick says as Kaldur leaves. Once Kaldur is gone, Dick hears the click as he fiddles with the cuffs. They fall off and he spreads out his wrists. He gets the chain and the gag off then get up. He walks to the door and opens it, running out quickly and quietly, very cautious. He gets to the zeta, hacking systems to keep it silent as he leaves, erasing the memory as well.

Kaldur runs back with Canary, Superman, and Batman, only to find the cell empty. "He's gone..."

"I can confirm his story though, he was in Star City when the other murder occurred." Says Canary. Batman goes to where they put Dick's weapons. He hadn't checked. There was nothing in any other pouches. The escrima sticks weren't his real ones, only one knife came out of any of it.

"Dick planned the escape. He planned the capture... He was once again one step ahead of us."

"Maybe... Where did you find him?" Kaldur asks.

"In the south abandon metro station underground." Bruce answers. "That is where he would normally be coming from. At a dead end."