Hey guys, I apologize for the wait for the last chapter. Bold italics is comlink or mindlink communication and italics is thoughts. Please excuse any mistakes I may have made, and if any of you guys want to share any ideas, I am open to them. Right now, I have a general direction for this story and wouldn't mind some details. Thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter, please do so again. I do not own DC Comics or any of their characters. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Richard would argue that he hated William Cobb, but he would know it was a lie. Richard didn't hate the man but hated what he did for a living. Cobb was interesting and was the only blood relation Richard had. Though in his current situation, it was very easy to forget that. Richard was still tied to a chair and \being questioned by Cobb about Batman.
"Who's the man under the mask?" Cobb asked.
Richard remained silent.
"Is there anyone helping Batman besides Robin?" He continued, "We'll let you go if you answer."
Silence.
"Why do you protect him?" Cobb questioned.
"He's family," Richard replied.
"He speaks!" Cobb smirked. "Now, who is Batman? Identity for freedom."
Silence.
"Come now, we were getting somewhere!" William whined.
Silence.
After a while of silence, William smiled widely and said, "We already know Bruce Wayne is Batman and that Alfred Pennyworth and various others are helping him. We also know he adopted you a few months ago."
Richard looked at him with wide, questioning eyes.
"You didn't think we wouldn't keep tabs on the other guardian of Gotham and our next Owl, did you? That's absurd. To answer the question of why, I needed to know if you are resistant to interrogation. We are well aware of what Deathstroke did, so torture won't be a problem. Bribery is what we had a concern over. You proved that it shouldn't be and won't be." Cobb smiled.
Deathstroke. The name brought a chill to Richard's spine. It brought the issue of Deathstroke to light. Where is he? Intel said he was with the Court.
"What of Deathstroke?" Richard questioned.
"He's a partner of the Court. When you become an Owl, you will have some control over him. Although, as a Talon, you will be working with him on some of your assignments." Cobb answered.
Silence took over the room.
"What now?" Richard asked after a while.
"You die." Cobb gave him a sweet smile and the world suddenly went black as something bludgeoned him.
The team, Batman, and Martian Manhunter were on computers looking for any sign of Robin or the Court. Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Red Arrow, and Black Canary were discussing the files spread out in front of them. Batman would occasionally join in and comment. Kid Flash stretched from his chair in front of a League computer. Beside him sat Artemis.
"We've been working and searching for three hours and have nothing. Shouldn't we take a break or something?" Kid Flash asked Artemis.
Artemis was furiously working and shook her head vehemently. Kid Flash gave her a soft expression. He knew her and Red Arrow felt guilty about Robin's kidnapping.
"It wasn't your fault." He said as he took her hands in his, stopping her typing.
"...If I was faster, if I hadn't wasted time with those two Talons, he would be here." Artemis said softly, not looking the redhead in the eye.
"Let's take a break." Kid Flash said and lead Artemis to the commons room.
Batman had been hunched over files and his computer. He was frustrated. Nothing he had lead him to the Court. He growled as he looked over Robin's Light file. As he was looking through, he paused at Lex Luthor. An idea formed in his mind. He straightened, his face more stern than usual and anger rolled off him. Black Canary saw his movement and nudged Superman who nudged Wonder Woman and Green Arrow.
"Something wrong?" Black Canary asked gently.
"Lex Luthor," Batman growled.
When the other heroes looked at him with a puzzled expression he explained, "He's in association with Deathstroke. Deathstroke has joined the Court."
The other's 'oh'ed and nodded. Batman began storming towards the zeta tubes.
"I don't think you should go alone," Superman said.
Batman glared at him. "I can deal with this myself."
"I don't want you killing Lex Luthor." Superman clarified.
Batman glared again and resumed his walk towards the zeta tubes. Superman and Wonder Woman caught up with him, and the three went to Metropolis to visit a bald genius.
Once they stepped out of the golden light, Batman wasted no time in getting to Lexcorp. The man of bats burst through Lex Luthor's office window and slammed the man's head on the desk and held it there. He bent down into the man's sight and gave him a stern glare.
"Batman!" Wonder Woman said.
"I want to know everything you know about Deathstroke," Batman growled dangerously.
"D-Deathstroke joined some other organization! I don't know anything about it!" Luthor responded from his place on the desk.
Batman snarled and pushed harder of Luthor's head. Superman and Wonder Woman were about to make a move when Batman had given them a glare that said 'come near us and I will brutally beat you.'
"Everything." He demanded.
"The Court of Owls paid top dollar! They're after somebody who's their next Owl, another Talon! That's all I know!" Luthor spilled.
"Are you sure that's everything? Answer wisely because if I find out you know more than what you're telling me, I will come back here and skin you alive. Do you understand?" Batman snarled.
"Y-Yes! T-That's everything I know!" Luthor said, fear evident in his tone and features.
Batman let go and disappeared, leaving Superman and Wonder Woman behind. The two heroes quickly asked if the genius was alright and, when they got a yes, left. They now knew that Batman must be kept in control by Agent A if anyone the man interrogated was to be unharmed.
When they got back to the cave, everything was in chaos. Heroes were running towards the main control room and shouting. Batman quickly caught on and rushed after the other heroes, Superman and Wonder Woman following him. Before they got into the room, they heard a collective gasp and a bunch of distraught shouts and voices. Once inside, Batman froze. On the main screen was a tied up Robin.
He was badly beaten and in clear pain. On the bottom of the screen were the words 'live in pain or die in peace?' Batman didn't know what was planned, but he felt there was a decision about to be made, and that decision would determine whether or not Robin lives or dies. The words changed into 'Hello, Justice League and company. We are gathered here today to decide the fate of dear Robin. You have two choices. Allow him to live in immense pain or give him a painless death. You have three minutes to decide. If a decision has not been reached by then this child,' A young boy with blonde hair and green eyes was shown tied up with his parents behind him. 'will die. After another three, the husband will be forced to shoot the wife and after another three, the husband will be forced to shoot Robin and then himself.' The screen turned back to Robin. The boy was panting and bloody. He glared at the camera and cussed at it. His face was bruised, if he didn't have on the uniform it would've been hard to know who it was. Batman narrowed his eyes at the screen. Something wasn't right. Why would the Court do this? It makes no sense. He looked at the clock and tried to tune out the chaos of the shouting heroes. Live in pain or die in peace. What pain? Who beat Richard? That was the million dollar question. Was it really the Court or is this an act of some rogue Talons or Deathstroke? Two minutes. Running out of time. Coughing broke his train of thought and all the heroes in the room turned their attention to the large screen. Robin's lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. The boy cleared his throat. His gaze flickered to the side of the room. Someone's there, making sure he doesn't say something helpful.
"The family...should-should live." He said through the pain clouding his mind.
A couple heroes gasped, but most of them looked down or at Batman. Batman stared at the screen, eyes wide. One minute. They stood still for the whole minutes before a beep sounded through the speakers. The words 'what is your choice?' appeared at the bottom of the screen. No one spoke. The air was still as the words changed to 'No response? Pity.'
"N-No! I choose...to die!" Robin protested as a gun was raised and pointed towards the young boy.
"NO!" Robin shouted as the trigger was pulled and the young life was taken.
Robin stared at the body with wide eyes. They chose me over the boy… Tears welled in his eyes. The family had done nothing. As far as Robin knew, they were saints. He bowed his head. They don't deserve this. Robin looked at the crying, gagged mother. Tears were streaming down her face, and she was huddled against her husband. The husband had wet eyes and was trying very hard to hold his tears in. Robin made eye contact with the mother. They shared a moment of grieve, and Robin allowed his face to look apologetic and sorry. He truly was. He didn't want the child to die. Robin turned his watery gaze to Cobb, who had a gun on the unmentioned daughter. Tell them nothing. Robin then glared at the camera and looked into it. His eyes conveying the emotions of disbelief, sadness, and confusion. Why chose me?
Batman had closed his eyes when the shot rang through the cave. He bowed his head for the child and hoped that he wouldn't go to hell for that. Sensitive heroes, such as Megan, had shouted and had tears in their eyes. When Batman looked up, he was meet with the tortured look his son was giving the camera. A look of why; it tore at Batman. The clock was at two minutes and fifteen seconds when Batman had looked at it. Alfred had come in when he heard the gunshot.
"We both know what the decision must be." He said grimly.
"I know." Batman said barely above a whisper.
They waited for the clock to get down to zero and the words to return to the question of their decision. The other crime fighters looked at the two bats.
"Di...Die in peace." Batman said softly with his head down and eyes closed.
"Don't you look away. Look at your son," Alfred said, his voice cracking.
Batman did as he was told and looked, trying to be strong. Robin had a peaceful expression. He knew what they were going to say that and had wanted them too. Robin looked into the camera as a gun was pointed at him. He desperately wanted to tell them what was really going on, but he couldn't.
"Thank you...I...I lo-" Robin was cut off by the gun firing two shots at the parents.
The bullets had decimated their heads, and they fell limply to the floor. The woman's eyes were still open, but the husbands had fallen closed. Robin was lost for words. The gun pointed itself at Robin. Before he had time to react, another gunshot echoed throughout the cave. Robin yelped and stilled. Blood oozed from his chest and slowly formed a small pool around him. The last thing Batman registered was the wide, surprised, fearful eyes of his cold, dead son. The screen went black and words greeted them. 'Thank you for participating. Stop looking for information on the Court, and we will leave you alone. No one else has to die.'
Sobs echoed throughout the cave. Batman stood with wide eyes. He's gone. He's dead. I failed. Alfred tried to get a reaction but got nothing other than the wide stare.
"Master Batman...Batman...Bruce...Bruce!" Alfred said.
Batman turned his attention to the old butler numbly. Alfred had tears running down his worn face. He was trying to hold it together, but the events that had unfolded were too much for the old man. His voice cracked and wavered, and he had to take deep breaths before he could speak.
"I...I failed him." Batman's voice broke with sadness and his tears were released.
"No. No, you didn't. There was no way of stopping this." Alfred tried, but he sounded like he himself didn't believe his own words.
"My son... I...Don't know what to do." Bruce looked to Alfred for guidance.
Alfred just shook his head and pulled the Dark Knight in for a comforting hug. At this, Bruce lost his control. A sob broke past his lips, tears wouldn't stop streaming, and he shook violently. The whole League felt his sadness. Some not as much as others, but they were all saddened. The male heroes bowed their heads in silence. Red Arrow was sobbing and being hugged by a crying Black Canary. The woman was shushing him and whispering things to him. Green Arrow came up behind them and wrapped them both with his arms. They cried into his shoulders. Miss Martian was clinging to her uncle, looking for comfort as she bawled. Superboy looked grim and Superman had a hand on his shoulder while Wonder Woman was hugging him. Artemis and Kid Flash were clinging to each other and crying. Aqualad and Aquaman were quiet and respectful. Aqualad looked like he was trying so hard to keep it in and, so far, he was succeeding. Batman was still burrowed into Alfred's shoulder when he began talking.
"Damnit! Why?! Why him?! He did nothing wrong!" His voice was hysterical and cracked. "I don't understand." He whispered brokenly.
At those words, the full situation hit the heroes. Robin was gone, for good. He wasn't coming back. No miracle was going to happen. No miraculous resurrections this time. Batman would no longer have a bright, playful partner to balance out his darkness. Batman would never be the same because Robin was dead. No one would be there to make a dark situation less dark or chop up the English language. The sobs increased and some of the heroes who were holding it in broke and cried as it sunk in. Robin was truly dead.
Cobb laughed as he watched the League mourn their youngest.
"All according to plan." He grinned.