A/N: So glad you are all enjoying this! Love the response. As always I'd love to hear what you all want to see happen…
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Dick couldn't suppress a smile as he looked at the moping form of Wally laying on the edge of the couch, scowling back at him from the Mountain. Roy looked up from his book with his own wide smile, happy he was here rather than stuck at the gala with Ollie.
"Someone needed to keep an eye on Star since we were going to be gone for the night, and now you can help by researching those components that were taken" Roy said only to see Kid pout more. The speedster, looked like a lost puppy, picking up the tablet with the descriptions of the items on it. "I know, she just patrols with Black Canary…a lot" he whined shoving the last of Meghan's only slightly burned cookies into his mouth.
Conner appeared next to him amused with the situation as well. The clone continuing to blossom under Superman's tutelage. "We'll keep him busy, by the way Kaulder called he's on his way by for a visit said he had something that might help".
Dick smiled, though sad he would miss his friend "You can fill me in later but tell him Roy and I say hi".
Conner nodded before cutting the feed, Dick pulling up his own tablet once more. He had promised Bruce to take the night off but a few more minutes couldn't hurt.
Roy's phone went off, going to ignore the message until he saw it was from Oliver, no doubt checking on them again. "Oh God, no" Roy said opening it as Dick's phone rang. The archer looked ill as he glanced at his honorary little brother "You need to answer that" he said his voice cracking. Dick sank into the sofa muttering something in Romanian, as he did when he was stressed, "Tati?"
"Sorry, your Tati is unavailable at the moment as is Uncle Oliver, if you would be so kind as to put me on speaker I need to speak with Mr. Harper as well" a voice returned, the last of the color draining from his face Dick obeyed "I'm here, what do you want?" Roy said making his voice strong.
"Good boys, such good boys, though I understand you are usually on the other end of these kinds of calls" the voice said, both eyes going wide at the implications. "What do you want?" Dick asked again seeing the pictures on Roy's phone for the first time. How did they know Roy was here?
"It's simple, 10 million each to an address I will send to you shortly. You and you alone will bring the money, no cops, no Batman, no Justice League, you will not breathe a word of this to anyone…and believe me I will know if you do…"
"Wait" Dick said quickly, desperately, mind reeling as he tried to remember his training "We need to know they are okay".
Shuffled could be heard, a painful grunt, "Go ahead" the voice ordered. Oliver's voice was first "I am unharmed Roy". Shuffling came over the speaker before Bruce came over the line "Eu sunt bine, dar vă rugăm să nu vin".
The sound of a harsh slap could be heard, Dick crying out at the sound of Bruce's voice in pain. "Richard, I suggest you ignore your fathers request and come…you have until dawn or be prepared to become orphans again".
The line went dead, "He knew Romanian" Dick said numbly looking at Roy "He knew you were here…"
Roy looked miserable not catching Dick's warning. "Ollie will pay you back, we can go to the bank or WE to get the ransom" as Dick moved to one of the book cases, pulling out a series of books, revealing a hidden compartment behind the case. Dick worked on the safe, placing his palm on the reader as he spoke "Open authorization RGW0401".
Roy looked at the contents dumfounded, sure Oliver kept some money and family heirlooms in a safe at home…but not nearly that much. The younger seemed to sense his dismay "I was taken a while back over a long holiday weekend…banks were closed and half the board of Wayne Enterprises board was out of town. Bruce struggled to get the money and the police refused to leave him unguarded so he was unable to be Batman. The kidnappers nearly drown me because he almost didn't make it to the exchange in time. Since then he's a contingency fund on hand".
Roy found his new brig brother instincts going into overdrive and gave Dick a quick hug, feeling the younger tense from the stress, fighting to hold it together. "It'll be okay" he said now looking him in the eye "you hear me they will be okay". Dick nodded rubbing his eyes to hide the tears that had started to form. "I know" he said "I just don't like being on either side of these kind of situations". Roy had to agree having never been in this position himself.
Dick composed himself and began pulling out the money. Roy's phone chiming with the address almost instantly after he began. Dick narrowed his eyes as he counted, it was as if this person could see what they were doing.
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The call had ended and the leader pocketed the phone, before delivering a hard punch to Bruce's stomach. He couldn't help himself as he cried out, the air forced from his lungs, leaving him gasping and coughing. "Not that I don't appreciate the effort Mr. Wayne, trying to protect him…"
"Who are you?" Oliver demanded.
The leader turned his attention "Who I am is of no matter to you Mr. Queen or Mr. Wayne…."
"Like hell it isn't" Oliver snapped a sword appearing at his throat again, warning him to be quiet. As the leader approached Oliver continued talking "We can get you the money, even give you more if you leave them out of this".
"She's not after the money" Bruce said recovering from the blow, another assassin placing a blade at his throat, the threat subduing him as much as it had Oliver. "No! You leave him alone!" the archer screamed the weight of Bruce's wording hitting him.
Bruce responded again eyes fixed on the leader in the most obvious Bat Glare Oliver had ever seen his friend muster in his civilian form. "Isn't that right, Talia?" The air left the room and the black clad figures froze in their place all eyes turning to the leader.
The leader clapped, stepping back from Bruce and removing its hood. Long dark hair tumbling out, a voice distorter falling from the mask "Well done Beloved" she cooed caressing his face, digging her nails in as he tried to pull away.
Oliver was in shock, having been 110% sure that the leader had been a man up to ten seconds ago, the other implications of the situation setting in, he was bait in a trap set by Ra's Al Ghul…no matter what this did not end well. The bright spot, was she knew of his identity, and as such he began to work his hands under the tape, get to his watch and the blade he had hidden within it.
"How did you know?" she purred settling into his lap, one of her men holding the chair in place so he didn't knock it away. Bruce gritted his teeth, loathing her touch "Your shampoo, Jasmine, I could smell it when you took the phone…but when you understood what I said to Dick, only a handful of people know I speak the language with him and only a very small number of them can speak it themselves. Your Father will be disappointed you gave yourself away so quickly".
"And you are bringing your son right into our trap" she whispered before giving into the temptation to capture his lips with her own. He resisted, and pulled away best he could, spitting her taste away when she broke apart. She was enraged by his actions, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper "fiul tau, will be the one that pays for that. You will be mine my Beloved".
She pushed away, dark eyes flashing at her men "No doubt they will be here shortly, make sure they make it here unmolested, Father wants them alive for now". It only took seconds for them to melt back into the shadows, leaving them alone once more.
"You know, since I started hanging out with you I've wound up threatened, shot at, and tied up more than in my entire life" Oliver said trying to lighten the mood and ease the pounding in his chest. "Do I want to know what Ra's wants with Roy and I?" he asked not really wanting the answer.
Bruce spat again trying to chase her taste away "Leverage, he wants Dick too and is unable to breach the Manor. As Batman and Robin we have an arsenal to use against them, and have defeated them multiple times in the past. You are here because if something had happened to just me…Alfred, the League, the team, even Roy wouldn't have allowed him to come save me. But Roy is there with him…in the same position…and at this time no doubt racing into the city to save us."
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Wally set the tablet down rubbing his tired eyes, he had been starting at the items for hours now, he had run various programs, and gotten as far as most of the components were to a navigation or targeting system. Superboy placed a hand on his shoulder "Time to put it down for a bit, Kaulder is here". The speedster took off, meeting his friend at the top of the ramp from the bay, stopping short at his friend's burden.
Kaulder looked as if he had aged, grown wiser, in his time as interim King, his arms laden with large, stone tablets that looked beyond ancient. "Hello my friends" He greeted warmly, genuinely happy to see them again.
"You too" Wally returned eyeing the stones "You planning a little home improvement project?" he asked. Conner and Megan arrived, the Kryptonian taking the stones as if they were paper.
"It is everything I could find on the Jewel of Atlantis" he said, Wally fetching his tablet, and joining the others at the table. "Where are the others?" Kaulder asked as he unloaded a few more books and scrolls before sitting down.
Meghan joined them with another plate of overly crispy cookies "It's so good to have you back" she said cheerily "Artemis is with Black Canary and Red Arrow and Robin are indisposed for the evening".
Aqualad nodded and got right now do business, his scholars had discovered something crucial just hours ago. "It took time but according to legend the Jewel was discovered by the first King of Atlantis, it is said that it endowed him with vast amounts of power, invulnerability, and long life…"
"If it's so wonderful why on earth was it on loan to the Gotham Museum, wouldn't future Kings have wanted that power?" Meghan asked looking over the unfamiliar characters.
Kaulder pulled one of the books out "All power comes with a price" he said "our first king was said to have been driven mad by it, used the jewel as a weapon against his own people, leading to the great uprising of the ancients…and establishing what would become Orin's line".
Wally shook his head "Why didn't Aquaman use it against us then?"
"He didn't know where it was. It had been stolen many years ago and we were unable to find it. Batman actually located it just a few months ago when he apprehended the Penguin, we asked for it to stay in Gotham due to the delicate nature of the situation in Atlantis".
"Then we got lucky" Conner said "That was bad enough without him having more power"
"Agreed" Kaulder said "But our scholars have been extensively studying the gem since its disappearance, to see if there was another reason it would have been taken. They found it was originally discovered on land, in a cave containing a Lazarus Pit…"
"What!" Kid Flash screamed, causing his friends to jump. Meghan held her head in shock at the emotional onslaught he had inadvertently unleashed on her. Conner shot him a dark look as he steadied her.
"Kid…" he admonished a gust of wind was all that signaled Wally had left, the trio running to follow his frantic shouts in the communications room. Meghan arrived first the waves of fear and panic nearly overwhelming her again, finding one hand with his cell phone and the other using the Team communicator. "Wally, what's wrong?" she asked soothingly. As she did she directed her thoughts at Conner Call Artemis, get her here now, he needs her…and Flash he'll know what to do.
Conner left with a nod, Kaulder placing his hand on the small devices to get Wally to stop dialing "My friend, you must tell us what is wrong, it obviously has something to do with the Lazarus Pits".
The speedster sank into the chair static coming from the team communicator and Richard Grayson's voice mail the phone, as Conner returned "Lazarus means Ra's Al Ghul and Ra's Al Ghul means Dick, Bruce, and anyone within a 10 mile of them is in major danger…"
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Bruce worked his wrists as fast as he could feeling the tape finally beginning to give from his efforts. Risking a glance up he could see Oliver had more range of motion that he had earlier and seemed to be close to getting free. That brief glimmer of hope was dashed as Talia swept back into the room, now free of her ninja outfit and in a revealing black body suite, with sheer fabric flowing behind her. With her arrival came the assassins, a mere snap of her fingers sending them upon the captives.
Bruce strained his ears to hear if there were others in the building. Her attention turned to the men bound before her "Little Robin works fast with the proper motivation" Bruce scowling at the vigilante name being used "I must admit they were faster than I expected, but after how many times that precious boy has been taken from you I imagine you keep a healthy pile of ransom money on hand now days". He didn't meet her eyes, feeling more helpless than he had in ages.
Her hands harshly caressed his cheek "It wouldn't have come to this if you hadn't resisted so much Beloved". Oliver shouted at her trying to pull her attention away "You won't get away with this!"
"Now, now Mr. Queen don't be jealous. You should be honored with your part in bringing about the new world…"
"Mistress" one of the assassins said running in with a bow "They have arrived".
"Bring them" she ordered, turning to Bruce one last time, softy kissing his forehead. This time he reacted slamming it forward into her lips. She fell back holding her now bloodied face, anger dancing in her eyes. Without a word she leapt up the crates surrounding them and into the shadows of the level above.
Oliver felt the tape finally give way, sharing a look with Bruce who blinked twice indicating he had been successful as well. Keeping his hands firmly behind his back he waiting, hearing footsteps approaching the room.
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Dick had to keep his temper in check as they entered the dilapidated building, Roy's protectiveness now at an all-time high. The elder keeping himself in front of him, one arm carrying the case of money the other firmly in front of his charge. Men dressed from head to toe in black lined the halls, hands on the hilts of swords, allowing them to pass and showing the way.
"Seems like a group Cheshire would hang out with" Roy grumbled starting to rethink the plan and seriously considering grabbing the smaller boy and making a run for it. Those thoughts disappearing as they approached the double doors leading into the main area of the warehouse. Two of the men opening the doors for them, allowing Dick to glance at the insignia on the hilt of his sword.
"Roy, Poti sa ma intelgui?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Since the Aquaman situation he knew his big brother figure had been attempting to learn the language of his childhood. Roy glanced down with a raised eyebrow, blasted Bats and knowing everything about everyone! "Putin" he responded.
Dick nodded choosing his words carefully "Ei Capul Demon este in spatele acestei…prima sansa te fugi, pentru a primi Liga". Roy looked ready to argue, yet the glare from the younger stopped him "El Nu va ezita sa te si Ollie ucide daca te int eh fel".
Of course Ra's wouldn't hesitate for a moment to kill any of them Roy agreed in his head, now really wishing they hadn't come. It was too late now and they entered the main part of the building seeing Bruce and Oliver tied to chairs in the center of the room, both looking like tightly wound coils about to spring.
"Come on into the Light boys" the voice from the phone ordered, swords at their guardians throats appearing. Roy took the lead, stopping as swords were drawn behind him. "We have what you asked, we will give it to you, you will release them, and we all go on our merry way" he said allowing Red Arrow to take over. Dick's eyes found Bruce's knowing instantly to be ready.
He saw Bruce arms move and dropped to the ground taking Roy with him. "Seize them", a now feminine voice screamed from the upper levels.
"Talia" Dick yelled, needing no more motivation and used his legs to flip himself to his feet, already in a spin as he slammed the heavy metal case into the first approaching assassin the came within range. "Move" Batman's voice ordered, Dick letting his training take over and executed a number of handsprings away. Bruce swung his chair where his son had been moments before and slammed it into an assassin that had been moving in.
Roy cursed as the acrobat moved out of his protective grasp, having to trust he could hold his own. "Look out" Oliver ordered, Roy bringing his own case up, blocking the blade coming at his chest. He twisted it, wrenching it away from its owner and delivering a flying kick into his head.
"I hate this city" Roy raged moving to be back to back with Oliver, noting that most of the men were focusing their efforts on the father and son. "If you haven't noticed by now we seem to have stumbled into quite the lover's quarrel" Oliver said sarcastically. Roy grunted feeling Oliver's elbows link around his own, he barely had time to jump before his mentor tossed him into the approaching men.
Feeling someone behind him he drove his elbow back into something very large, and very hard. Gasping in pain he tried to move away, a beefy arm gripping his neck as if it was a bottle of soda, and able to be crushed just as easily. His makeshift weapon dropped from his hands as they moved to his throat trying to give himself more air.
"Let him go!" Oliver roared charging in as he saw red, falling to the same fate as Ubu's free hand latched around his neck as well, lifting the pair effortlessly off the ground. "Well done my servant" Ra's Al Ghul praised as he emerged from the shadows, barely sparing the Archers a second glance as me moved across the room. The pair couldn't have shouted a warning if they wanted too, both seeing spots and lungs burning as Ubu melted back into the shadows.
Across the room the Dynamic Duo continued to hold their own, using anything and everything they could find to fend off the attacks. Soon they found themselves surrounded by a circle of assassins. Bruce straightened up slowly his eyes scanning the room heart falling as he found no sign of the Archers, keeping his arms wrapped around Dick, Talia's promise they would return for them one day pounding in his ears. "Leave this city now" he growled, his voice dark and dangerous.
Talia stopped just feet away, her eyes looked him over for the like a hungry tiger, before falling onto the smaller form he gripped as if his life depended on it. Anger and jealously flared, Bruce seeming to pick up on her the changes in her face taking a step pack, pulling Dick with him "Ah so sweet" she hissed.
The pair was in action before the words left her mouth, Dick leaping up as Bruce's hand cupped. The acrobat easily landed in them and Bruce launched him higher into the air, up and over the backs of their attackers.
Bruce was already in motion again as Dick left his hands, turning and grabbing the closest Demon by the arm, pulling him forward into his fist with a satisfying crack. Pulling the sword from the falling thug, he swung it around just in time to block a blow from another. The blades sparked from the force, Bruce bringing up his knee into the man's stomach before driving an elbow into his head. Spinning he blocked a third and fourth attack risking a glance across to the room.
While Bruce fought close up and hand to hand Dick was keeping his distance from the blades, using his speed and agility to evade. He kicked up a pieced of broken railing, using it as he would his bo staff, a new addition to his arsenal in the days since Aquaman's attack. He had been training hard with the weapon spinning it easily above his head before driving it into the legs of his approaching opponent. Another was already moving up to take his place forcing the boy farther from his father. They are separating us the voice in his head screamed, not too keen on being far from Bruce right now and for a fleeting moment wondering where Oliver and Roy had gotten off too.
His father seemed to notice this at the same time, coming up from battle to motion him over, turning away as Talia dove at him with a feral cry. "No" Dick cried need to get over to help, taking a couple of steps back to give himself room to run and use the staff to launch himself over. He made it two steps before a large powerful hand latched onto his collar and yanked him back as large arms wrapping around him and pinning him to a chest. "Let me go" Dick screamed struggling against his captors grip, hearing Bruce call his name in panic.
Another figure melted in from the Shadows the warriors immediately falling to their knees in a bow as Ra's Al Ghul appeared clutching his prize "Well done my daughter" he said proudly "Detective".
"Let him go!" Bruce raged his paternal voice screaming for blood. And with a wave of his hand, the men who had been kneeling were on their feet and restraining him, Talia poising her own blade at his neck.
Ubu emerged from the shadows, hands still around the necks of an unconscious Roy and Oliver. He dropped them to the floor and took Dick from his Master. This allowed Ra's reached into the folds of his cloak causing the father to panic, whatever came out of there would not be good, not for Dick. "Whatever you are planning use me and leave him alone" Bruce tried pulling at the arms that held him, earning a bite from the sword in his neck.
"You have had plenty of chances to join me on your own accord Detective" he said withdrawing needle full of yellow liquid. Dick's eyes were wide and he renewed his efforts to get out of his captors grasp as the Demon's Head advanced on him. "And if I did that what guarantee do I have you don't immediately escape or they call for help and your friends show up before we leave Gotham airspace…no this here is insurance"
"No, I'll come I swear I won't escape, he won't call anyone" Bruce yelled the hilt of a sword crashing against his head to cease his struggles. He looked up helplessly as Ra's seized his son's arm and plunged the needle in. Dick gasped before his eyes went wide in real pain, a scream tearing from his throat before he collapsed. The arms restraining him were released and Bruce scrambled to him Ubu releasing the small form into his father's arms.
"Dick?" he asked tentatively, brushing the hair from his eyes that opened partially at the familiar touch. Once bright they were now glazed, sweat already forming on his brow. "Whatever it is, please don't, not for me" he begged before passing out against his chest. Bruce found himself fighting tears only feeling a weak pulse "What did you do to him?" he demanded.
Ra's towered over the crouching form a cruel smile gracing his lips "Poison" he said "He has 12 hours to receive the antidote before it will be too late and he suffers very painful and catastrophic organ failure. I have the only vial of antidote at my base and it will take at least 11 hours to get there. If you come willingly and agree to work by my side I will give it to him. Refuse and we will do as you have asked and leave…the choice is yours Detective".
Bruce held the shaking form close to him and stood up "Your word, I need your solemn word I will not be asked to kill and you will save him, not harm him further, and let them go unharmed…my life for theirs".
Ra's smiled in triumph "Of course, you have my word that the boy will be saved and safe from harm as long as you are at my side as the heir I so deserve to have".
"And you have mine"
To Be Continued…
