Disclaimer: I own none of the DC characters depicted within, except for my own OC, Hawkeye.
So here it is, the third chapter. As mentioned in previous installments this story is a sequel to Strange New World, a fic I wrote a few months ago. I'd really like it if you read that first, but it isn't really necessary to understand the main plot of the story considering it's more of a Nightwing focused tale. Please review when you're finished with the chapter. Alerts and favorites are great, but actual feedback is much better in my opinion. Enjoy!
Update: Fixed major continuity error that I somehow missed. Deals with a major character death in Strange New World.
Previously on Court Is In Session:
Once in the manor Dick and Bruce parted ways to head to their respective rooms for the night.
Neither noticed the black-clad assassin perched in the trees just outside the hallway window.
Gotham City – March 4th
Wayne Manor - 2:30 a.m.
The Talon smiled behind his owl-like mask. The light from the interior of the house played across the reflective black lenses of his cowl. So far his prey had not noticed his presence which was of some disappointment. Mr. Wayne had been able to defeat William Cobb, the Court's greatest assassin, without a weapon of any kind atop Wayne Tower and the rest of the Talons were itching for both the fight and their revenge for their fallen comrade. They would get their chance shortly.
Wayne Manor – 3:15 a.m.
Lying in his bed Bruce found sleep hard to come by. His body was battered and beaten from two separate encounters with one of the Court's Talons and the pain in various parts of his body wouldn't abate. Alfred had already dosed him hours before with painkillers that were now beginning to wear off. As medication was out of the question he decided that some simple stress relief activities would take his mind off the plan, thereby allowing him a chance to rest. And by stress relief he of course meant a steaming cup of Alfred's hot cocoa. Swinging his legs off the bed and slipping his feet into a pair of slippers he trudged off toward the kitchen.
It took the wounded man several minutes to reach the personal kitchen, one of the three kitchens in the manor, but he didn't expect to find it already occupied. Stopping just short of the entrance he could scarcely hear the voices of Alfred and Dick.
"I don't know A, it's just that I haven't seen him like that in years. I don't think he can keep putting up with that strain on his body for much longer."
"I worry as well Master Richard, but I do believe we should not speak of this matter while Master Bruce is just outside the door."
Damn, Bruce thought to himself as he resumed walking into the kitchen, Alfred is too damn observant sometimes. Limping toward the stove to get the hot water Bruce found that Alfred already had placed a cup of cocoa on the table opposite from Dick's. Shifting his goal Bruce sat down and sipped his drink before remembering what Dick said just moments ago.
"So, you think I'm getting old?"
"What? NO! I wouldn't say that…exactly. It's just not what I meant is all."
"Well, what did you mean then?"
"Bruce," Dick paused to think over his words carefully, "it's just your basically my dad and it's been long time since either me or Alfie have ever seen you this hurt."
Setting down his drink Bruce stared right into Dick's eyes, "I can handle it."
Dick found himself nearly frozen by Bruce's glare; thankfully Alfred wasn't going to let the conversation of the matter go just yet, "What I believed Master Richard is trying to ask if how much longer you intend to continue this crusade of yours?"
Turning on his stool to face his own surrogate father figure Bruce retorted quickly, "Are you saying I should quit?"
"Not all sir, not all. I am simply suggesting that the time will soon come when you'll have to start fighting crime as Bruce Wayne instead of Batman. The world needs your knowledge and resources Master Bruce, but it can't use them if you perish while wearing a mask."
No one in the room spoke for several moments. Alfred had effectively cut to the core of the argument; Bruce needed to start planning for how he would hang up the cape. After all, the near 38 year old wasn't getting any younger and his body was starting to show it. Dick had begun training at a much younger age was far less physical in his fighting style than Bruce so he could go for at least another 25 years or more if nothing bad happened to almost 18 year old. It was a different story for Bruce and he knew it. Being a brawler and patrolling more rigorously in his earlier days had wreaked havoc on his joints. Downing the last of the cocoa in his mug Bruce stood to leave the kitchen, choosing to end the conservation before the problem was fully resolved.
Before he left the kitchen a loud series of thumps were heard emanating from the roof. Bruce quickly reeled around, staring above to the ceiling, praying that he hadn't heard what he thought he did. Looking at Dick he gave a quick nod for both men understood what the other was thinking: The Talons had come for them. Without a sound all three bolted toward the hidden entrance to the Batcave. But before they could reach the grandfather clock they found a Talon in the main hall blocked their path.
"What do you want?" Dick had stepped between Bruce and Alfred as neither of them would be of much use in a fight, especially given Bruce's injuries.
"Ah, Richard John Grayson, the fabled lost son of the Talons and the heir to Cobb's mantle. We will take you back to the Court after we have dealt with Mr. Wayne and his butler."
"Deal with me?" Bruce had advanced to stand level with Dick.
"Yes, Mr. Wayne, the Court of Owls has sentenced you to die!"
Scoffing at the Talon's remark Bruce couldn't help but laugh inwardly, "You know, that's the second time one you and your friends have told me that. And I'm still standing."
"Nearly all of the Talons are here tonight, but they have allowed me the honor of handling you all personally."
"That was a mistake." Bruce's voice got even lower, as if daring the Talon to make a move.
"We'll see." If the Talon wasn't wearing a mask a menacing sneer would have been seen plastered on his face, but even in his tone of voice it was understood that the assassin was done playing with his food before he struck.
Bruce stood motionless as the assassin charged forward toward the trio. Dick attempted to meet their assailant head on but was stopped when Bruce placed his hand on his shoulder. With his other hand Bruce pulled a light fixture from the wall and a whole opened up below the Talon's feet, sending him plummeting 15 feet down into a sheer-walled pit. None of the Bat-family triumvirate believed the trap would hold the assassin for long, but it gave them enough time to slip into the Batcave and prepare for the coming assault.
Five minutes later Alfred, Bruce, and Dick were running hurriedly around the Batcave setting up the defensive systems. While they were secure for the moment it was obvious the Talons would find their way in eventually. Thankfully Bruce had denied the Justice League's request to install of zeta-tube platform in the cave so there was no need to worry about that particular system being breached. While waiting for inevitable fight Dick worked furiously on the computer to dump all the files on to the secure off-site server. His first priority was removing all mention of the names and identities of the members of the Bat family.
"Try your comm." Bruce's deep voice shook Dick from his slightly panicked state.
Putting his hand to his ear he was met with only static, "No go. They probably set up a jamming net around the house."
Batman nodded, "Did you put out the call?" Waiting for Dick to respond he went back to analyzing the data retrieved from the not-so-dead Talon on the exam table. In his gauntlet he had a data drive that was heavily encrypted. He gave it to Alfred for decrypting within the armory while he waited for Dick to finish up with the computer.
"Yeah, I put out the call before I left for bed, but I didn't say it was an emergency. I still haven't get a reply yet either. Hawkeye knows where the cave is, but without him Superboy has got no shot of finding us in time considering you never let him in here."
Bruce never responded to Dick's passive aggressive slight, but he couldn't help having a nagging suspicion that Dick was right. Sometimes his own paranoia got the best of him, making him shut out the people that could help the most when he needed it. Maybe if he'd let Dick have more freedom with who he brought to the cave they could have some back up right now. Wally, of course had been here many times, but he and Artemis had just "retired" at the early age of 19. Kaldur had died before ever getting the the chance to see the cave, Superboy was prone to breaking things, and M'gann had never truly gained the Batman's trust. Hawkeye, by virtue of knowing who Batman and Robin already were, was granted access in extreme situations and had actually only been to the cave twice himself. Still, for being a Meta, he was quite competent and considering Brue's own debilitated state Hawkeye's presence would be a welcome sight. Not that Batman would ever admit that out loud.
Footfalls along the upper balcony drew both Nightwing and Batman's attention. The accompanying voice painted the scene in an even starker light, "Oh Bruce, you have been hiding a secret haven't you?"
The Talons were in the Batcave and they knew who Batman was.
While Bruce and Alfred were held up in the locked armory Nightwing stood alone to face the onslaught of the Talons. Whatever intel was on Cobb's device needed to be cracked and sent to the right people so that the Court could be stopped. Dick mentally prepared himself as the Talons began pouring into the cave from the elevator shaft. Most of the 14 Dick could pick out stayed on the upper balcony, watching as though the floor below was a gladiator pit. A lone Talon, Dick guessed the one they had left in the trap door, stood 12 feet opposite from the protector of Blüdhaven.
"The Court will be pleased this night," The Talon unsheathed several throwing knives, "Not only will Bruce Wayne be killed, but Batman will as well. And our lost little bird will finally be coming home."
Dick just smirked at that last remark from the Talon, "Yeah, I'm not feeling the aster on that one."
Immediately after speaking Nightwing moved swiftly to engage his opponent to make sure the fight was on his terms first and foremost. After several traded upper body blows and blocks it became apparent to the younger hero that the Talon was physically stronger than he was, but Dick had the edge in finesse and quickness department. Plus he had been trained by Batman from nearly 12 years so the two grapplers were evenly matched.
Dick threw a jab at his opponent's abdomen, but found his arm caught in a hold. With his upper body twisted out of position he kicked out with his leg to catch the Talon on the inside of his left knee. Hearing a satisfying crack Dick could feel the tide of the fight turning. Just as he thought that the Talon's hold faltered and Dick back flipped away, pulling out his trademark dual eskrima sticks and began a renewed assault. The Talon hardly moved as Dick brought both sticks crashing down on his skull, but in his flurry of motion Dick missed the Talon's small slashing motion. While the Talon lay motionless on the ground Dick felt the warm trickle of blood down his thigh.
Putting pressure on his leg Dick watched as the Talons grew incensed at their comrade's defeat at the hands of Nightwing. Realizing they would attack soon Dick took the time to contact Bruce inside the armory, "Bruce, I probably don't got a lot of time out here."
Bruce's voices crackled over the comm, "I know Dick. I just sent the data to Batgirl. It was a list of targets for the other Talons to assassinate so the court can make their powerplay. I've sent a message to the others to get help and stop the assassinations. Give me a few minutes and I'll get the war suit on. It's self-powered so I can operate easily enough."
"…" All Bruce got in his reply from Nightwing was static, "DICK!" Bruce was going frantic in the armory trying to get the suit powered up to take on the Talons. Bruce had lost a lot in his life, but losing his adopted son just might be the straw that broke the camel's back. He just wanted to know what was going on out there. As Batman he like to think he knew everything, but now in the bowels of his own home he was lost.
The Talons had swarmed Nightwing. Dick had known his stand would be futile, but at least Bruce got that Court of Owls data out so maybe their deaths wouldn't be completely in vain.
One of the Talons stood over the bloody, but not yet defeated body of Nightwing and laughed. "I wonder what the court ever saw in you." Dick's attempt to rise caught the attention of the new Talon "leader", "Stay down boy or I might find an excuse to disobey my order to bring you in alive."
Dick's further attempt to stand and continue the fight was met with a swift kick to the stomach. When his vision cleared he saw a Talon standing above him with a foot on his chest, sword raised high in the air.
"Die, knowing the Court of Owls defeated you!"
His only thought before the sword began its downward arc was that he wished he could have said goodbye to Babs.
So what did you think? Will Dick survive? If so, how? Please review!