Wally tapped his foot nervously as his emerald eyes were fixed on the footage of Batman's attack. The League was in chaos, desperately trying to get everyone in one spot, the attack highlighting the more individual relationships that had seemed to have developed over the years. The team had been ordered to stay at the Mountain while Superman and Green Arrow tried to gather as many as possible in the Batcave. In addition to communications many of the main Zeta routes had been corrupted as well.

Kaulder placed a comforting hand on his friend's leg, the speedster giving him a questioning look "You are wearing a hole in the rug my friend". The Atlantian had appeared at the mountain a few hours after his communicator had exploded in his hand, leaving him with no way to contact the others.

Wally gave a sheepish smile and muttered an apology before turning his attention back to the video. They had already watched it many times, as had many in the League, no one able to pick up on a clue Batman may have left. Fight raged and he winced as Selina was slammed into the table the blade imbedded next to her head.

"Freeze it" Conner said suddenly standing up to get closer to the screen. Kaulder obeyed standing as well "The blade, look where the blade is" he said pointing at it in the map.

Everyone seemed to slump back, the small glimmer of hope gone as fast as it had come. "Superman noted the position but they determined it was just in the heat of battle".

Conner shook his head containing a growl "Back it up a few frames, when he has the blade at its peak". Again Kid obeyed going frame by frame, now seeing what the clone had. Meghan gasped "He adjusted the angle".

Wally could have smacked himself and the rest of the League in the head, they had all been looking for a hidden message when it was literally right in front of them the entire time. "We are such idiots" he said "Batman doesn't miss, if he had intended to stab her he would have…Miss M do me a favor, get my phone and text my uncle, and tell him we have a lead". He used his tablet to zoom in on the map.

"Where is it?" Conner asked.

It was Kaulder's turn to gasp "That is where the Jewel of Atlantis was said to have been found, has your Uncle responded?"

Kid disappeared and reappeared in his uniform in seconds, "No" he said "Neither has Supes or GA…Tornado went to check on the Watchtower".

Reassuming his role as leader he studied his friends "Your mentors asked for you to wait here" he said softly seeing the conviction in their eyes "And we may be wrong, we could fly across the world for nothing…or we walk right into a trap".

"Robin wouldn't care if it was a trap or what the League thought, he would come for any one of us and we have stood by too long…Red Arrow and Artemis haven't made contact so we can only assume their mission failed…" Conner said determined.

"How did you know?" Kid Flash asked, under the impression the Arrow's where the only others who knew they were on a mission. Miss Martian stepped forward sheepishly "The night she told you what she was doing, I'm sorry but your thoughts they were so loud and I could help but over hear them. Not to mention you have been a wreck since they left. I have not told my Uncle or any of the others...

"Then what are we waiting for" Conner said marching towards the Bioship "Let's go get them back".

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Artemis slumped in her bindings not sure whether to cry or scream in frustration. She had awoken on what appeared to be one of the yachts Ra's kept down at the docks and throughout the day Manta and Queen Bee's men had been returning. Weeks of working under cover, waiting for just the right moment, had been a waste. The game had changed with Talia, Manta, and Queen Bee now running the show. "Where did she take him?" Artemis finally said, addressing Black Manta who lounged across from her, gun in his lap.

He raised an eye brow, the archer unable to place why he looked so familiar. "To make an exchange" he said "We need a distraction and for Batman to know who has his son". Artemis was shocked at his honesty. She had to admit is was brilliant, thanks to Red Arrow, Ra's would be enraged and look for the team while they made their escape. "It won't work, everyone who looks at him can tell he is in a thrall…"

Manta let out a barking laugh "We will be long gone before Speedy can put the pieces back together". The desire to scream in frustration grew again, "The League is coming" she shot back trying to scare him, Queen Bee joining them in the cabin "No they are not, Red Arrow said you were too worried about keeping your friend alive and hadn't contacted them yet", and to emphasize her point she pulled out the locator they had brought. She pressed the button activating the device "Their appearance coupled with Red Arrow should prove enough of a distraction for us to make it to the pits".

"Hush" Talia barked as she entered "Never forget that though they are children, they are cunning especially the son of Batman and daughter of Sportsmaster, and will use whatever we say against us". She forced Robin in behind her, shoving him over to Black Manta who bound him as well. "Let's get underway" Talia said closing the hatch "My Father will return within the hour and the explosives have been set". Finishing with Robin's arms, Manta shoved the boy onto the bench next to Artemis, attaching bindings to his legs before leaving the pair to join his allies at the front of the ship.

Artemis waiting until they were gone, relieved to finally see him alive and without the cuff, resting her head on his shoulder "Surprise…we're here to rescue you… but for what it's worth, it's really good to see you" she said sadly. Robin leaned into her returning the awkward version of a hug "You too Artemis, and in case I don't' get a chance, thanks for trying to get me out" he returned looking out the window as the island fortress began to grow smaller, the one bright spot is that for the moment his father would be free.

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Bruce followed Ra's out of the Zeta Tube, his senses instantly telling him something was wrong. Bodies littered the floor and smoke filled the air of the room. Ra's froze and Bruce shoved past him "Dick!" he cried running for their quarters, ignoring the Demon's orders to stop.

Tearing through the halls as fast as his legs could carry him, ignoring the assassins running around with no leader, nearly tripping when he saw the door ajar. Dick was not allowed out under any circumstances while the allies where there, Ra's fearing they would take him for themselves. "Robin!" he roared again crashing through the doors.

The body on the floor immediately caught his attention, though the clothes matching nothing Dick had in his closet. He rolled the assassin over, gasping at what he saw, Roy Harper. "Roy!" he shouted, shaking the teen trying to wake him. Had the League raided the compound…but they would have never left someone behind, let alone one of the kids.

Gently patting his face, avoiding the nasty bruise that had formed there "Come on kid you need to wake up for me". Roy groaned, wincing as the light assaulted his eyes.

Blue yes finally cracked open trying to focus on the figure above him "Bats?"

"Yes" He breathed hearing the guards running up and down the halls, Ra's voice booming. He helped him sit up, Roy grabbing his head "Oh God" he muttered the fog clearing from his mind "Talia! She's turning with Black Manta and Queen Bee…" He stopped looking around, seeing the look on Bruce's face and nearly collapsed again "No! Not again! Artemis! She was here too, we need to find her" stopping as a glint of gold caught his eye in the sunlight. Reaching down he picked up the necklace "She would have never willingly taken this off" he whispered.

Ra's voice was getting closer, Bruce desperately looking around the room for any clue Dick may have left. He noticed the flames in the fire seemed different, that something was smoldering on the logs. He grabbed the sword that had been forgotten on the floor, using its blade to shift the object around. It was nearly melted but he could tell it had once been the accursed cuff that had kept him in line all this time.

Ra's broke through the door still barking orders "Hold the League back!" He shouted "and find my daughter immediately…if they have harmed her Detective". Bruce swung the now heated sword at the Demon and pulled Roy behind him in one easy move. Ra's betraying a bit of vital information, the League was here and Ra's wasn't aware of his allies or daughters apparent betrayal.

"Your smarter than that" Batman said swinging the blade in warning "The League is still outside of the fortress…if they had been responsible for the attack wouldn't they have been in here already?"

The Demon's eyes widened and he attacked with a flourish. Sparks showered from the blades, the point's inches from both men's faces before they pushed each other away. Batman circled, Roy following behind, keen to keep well out of Ra's reach. "It's true, your allies found Robin and decided they didn't need you anymore" Roy shot as Batman went on the offensive again, the men matching each other in a dizzying series of blows. Ra's paused long enough for Batman to deliver a harsh kick to his chest, sending him tumbling over one of the tables.

The wood shattered beneath him and he pull himself out of the wreckage with a feral cry. Batman forced to lower his sword to avoid impaling him. Ra's crashed into his heir, the two wrestling for control, the blade inching closer to Batman's neck. The Demon's eyes were wild as he seethed pressing harder the tip of the blade piercing the skin "I shall send her your body in pieces. And when I find your son Detective" he said viciously "Oh when I find your son…he will know pain like you could have never dreamed and you won't be there to save him…"

A loud crack echoed through the room and Ra's fell away from Batman, Roy standing over him with the leg of the coffee table chest heaving "You will never touch my bother again" he hissed staring down at the Demon disdainfully. He helped Batman up, a ghost of a smile on the Dark Knights lips "His biggest fault will always be he continues to underestimate his adversaries, didn't even think you were a threat".

"Yeah well he was wrong about that one" Roy shot the cocking of a gun in the door causing them both to freeze. The heroes looked to see Vandal Savage entering, the weapon squarely aimed at Roy "A mistake I will not be foolish enough to repeat" the immortal said, a group of assassins flooding in behind him, surrounding the duo, a couple pulling their unconscious Master away.

"The League is here" the distant sounds of fighting confirming his words "and it's only a matter of time before they find us" Batman warned taking a step closer "If I were you I would be running".

Savage chuckled again "I intend too, but I couldn't resist being the one to kill the great and powerful Batman….you have been a thorn in my side as long for far too long" and without any more warning, switching targets and firing.

Roy screamed as the gun went off, the air seeming to leave the room and a roar in his ears that sounded like a sonic boom. Covering his ears unable to believe what was happening, the room exploding in a rush of blue and red.

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Robin pulled at his hands against the manacles pinning him to the wall of the cell, and was once again rewarded with a shock when he pulled a little too hard. "So not asterous" he growled. Next to him Artemis was in the same position, taking to glaring at her bindings in hopes of spontaneously developing heat vision. "I have a feeling this is your fault" she shot giving up on her glaring to look at him.

"Why is it always my fault?" Robin asked now examining the cell, nearly identical to the one he had been held in Atlantis just a few months ago now, eyes searching for a way out that he had missed in his last 10 checks of the room. "Because I'm not known for getting out of any restraint they put me in. Not like it would do any good, who knows where we are at this point". They had abandoned the Yacht a few hours ago in favor of one of Mata's subs.

Robin looked equally frustrated "Unless I am sure there is something we can swim to it's not worth making a break for it yet anyway."

The door opened before she could answer Black Manta and Talia looming in the door, "What do you want?" Robin said his voice dripping with venom.

The undersea villain closed the door behind him and bolted it "My son" he said his own voice a growl as he removed his helmet. The two teens stared at him blankly, the pieces clicking into place for Robin first "Oh my…you have got to be kidding me! You! You are Kaulder's real father! And you're working with Queen Bee to get him…and took us…you know what I'm done! Just done! You villains are pulling more double crosses that even I can keep up with"

"What?" Artemis followed as Robin continued to rant to himself in Romanian, unable to deny the resemblance staring her right in the face. Manta continued taking a threatening step forward, ignoring the shocked pair "I want information on my son…and you are going to give it to me".

"No" the pair said in unison, Talia letting out a low giggle "Told you" she said amused.

Manta now loomed in front of them "You will or else…"

"Else what?" Robin challenged beyond sick of being used against his father and friends "Believe me I know how this works, I practically come with my own ransom note now. You can't force us to do anything because if you hurt us Batman and the League won't do a thing you want…"

Manta was fast, seizing Robin by the throat, an involuntary cry escaping his lips as his head hit hard. Artemis cried out too, trying to break free and help only to earn a shock of her own. Manta's arm mounted blaster leveling off at Robin's head. Satisfied she wasn't going to move he spoke again his voice cold "I want my son back and will do whatever it takes to do it…you can appreciate that Robin can't you, a father willing to do anything for his son"

Manta squeezed his throat tighter "I admit you two and Talia joining us is merely a stroke of good luck. I allied myself with Queen Bee long ago knowing that eventually the League would be forced to confront her…activities, and that they would have to send their 'covert team' to do so. I was planning on reclaiming him and Atlantis then…but things have changed".

"Father's pits need one last thing before we can partake of its waters" Talia said running her hands gently along Artemis's cheek. She shuttered at her touch, wanting nothing more than to drive an arrow into her hand.

She choose to remain defiant "For being master criminals you have some pretty lousy plans….especially you Talia" she spat "On the verge of obtaining phenomenal power and all you want is a man. You can make him love you, not now, not ever, and even if you use Queenies powers it won't be real".

"He loves me" Talia hissed "he just needs to remember it…and my dear you seem to be very mistaken. You are merely the bait…he is so much more…" locking eyes on Robin "not only will he bring my Beloved but possesses the last ingredient for the pits transformation". Robin's eyes were wide now and real fear formed in the pit of his stomach. Tightening her grip on Artemis she addressed the younger hero "Now my sweet little Robin, how do we contact Aqualad? You must have a more private means seeing as how my Beloved took out the main system"

The pair didn't hesitate, speaking in unison again "Go to hell".

"Oh I was so hoping we got to do it this way" Talia said pulling out her dagger. Artemis jerked her head away, the blade slicing through her hair tie and allowing it to fall around her face. "Such a pretty little heroine you are, no wonder that speedster of yours is so protective". The dagger moved again, slicing the arms from the suit she was wearing. "Don't touch her!" Robin screamed, thrashing from another jolt, not caring.

Manta laughed as well "Funny how fast the little birdy changes his tune". Talia rested the dagger against her throat, the angry red line still visible from where he had torn the necklace away earlier "I have a much better idea…Robin, be a dear and tell me how to get ahold of Kid Flash…I think he will be the perfect one to convey our message to the boy King".

"Don't you dare" Artemis hissed at her leader, Talia pressing the blade tighter against her neck. Manta forced Robin to look at him "I can hurt her in ways you can't even imagine. My men have been away from home, in exile, for a long time now and have been getting awfully lonely. A pretty little Spitfire like her would go a long way to boost morale".

Artemis couldn't help herself as her knees gave out and bile rose in her throat "No" she whispered again her voice weaker than before, eyes still pleading. Robin shook his head at her and slumped his shoulders in defeat "I'll do it".

"So predictable" he cooed pulling a small cell phone from one of his pockets "All you have to do is give me his number".

Robin narrowed his eyes, knowing he could give one of many 'distress' numbers that Batman had set up to immediately alert him to his location, but anyone but Kid Flash answering would not end well. Artemis was trying to be brave but the site of Talia gently stroking her hair was more terrifying than the blade at her throat. He recited the numbers, Manta putting it on speaker.

"Hello?" Wally's clearly exhausted voice came over the line Robin catching the hum of the Bio Ship in the background "Look I think you have the wrong number".

Robin chose his words carefully "Its Robin…and for Artemis's sake listen". There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, Robin swearing he could hear Miss Martian asking what was wrong.

"You know procedure I have to verify it's really you…how many brothers do I have"

It was League protocol when being contacted by an unknown source, fighting it would only cause Wally to alert the others or hang up. Robin looked to Manta who nodded for him to answer the question, his eyebrow raised in what seemed to be amusement "You have 4" he replied hearing Kid let out a breath he had been holding.

"Where are you? Where have you been? Is Bats with you now? What do you mean for Artemis's sake? Did you escape? Bat's took out communications and most of the Zetas, the League is a mess…" Kid started, his questions coming fast.

"Yes, she is and we are both currently unharmed" Robin only able to speak when he stopped for a breath.

"Currently?" Wally asked his voice now darker "Are you placing this call under duress?" Manta again allowed him to answer.

"Extreme" Robin responded, Talia deciding they had talked long enough "Listen here messenger boy. You are to inform Kaulder'ahm that his presence has been requested at the coordinates I am sending immediately following this call. He is to come alone and I do mean ALONE". Kid was silent for a few moments "Talia flipped and took you didn't she? That's who was talking just now?"

Robin again looked to his captors to see what they would do and to his surprise Manta spoke "Kid Flash if you wish to see either of them again you will deliver the message and keep your mouth shut with the League. You have 24 hours before your lovely Artemis starts to get acquainted with my men…" With that the called was ended, Talia quickly snatching the device "That ought to have him pretty upset and this will be the cherry". She snapped a picture of Artemis to send with the coordinates.

Confirming the message had been delivered she crushed the device under her foot. Manta removed to sets of tranquilizers from his pocket, not wanting to risk them escaping "Now, get some rest" he ordered watching as the two desperately tried to stay awake, losing the fight within seconds, slumping against the restraints.

Talia released Artemis, unable to resist grabbing the boy by the hair, his normally bright eyes dim "Hope you enjoyed your quality time with her" she purred "for it was the last time any of your dear friends will ever see you again"

To Be Continued….