Chapter 10

An investigation

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for not updating for a long time. Really I'm sorry. Its just that I was on a vacation and I was sick, my computer broke all of those shits. Anyway here's the update. And BTW guys, I may not be updating this week cause I've got a test and I gotta have a straight A's. School sucks and I hope you enjoy this chapter. RnR!

I open my eyes when I felt sudden movements. I sit up from position but I heard someone said, "Miss please lie down. You shouldn't be doing any sudden movements.

I struggle with the man. "No! You don't understand, my father... he's injured... Where is he?!" I look at him. That's when I noticed that the room was small and the two guys who are with me are wearing white uniform. That's when I noticed that they're actually medics.

Your father is fine miss. He is getting treatment as soon as possible." I finally relaxed. At least that is good news. He urged me to lay down and I obeyed him. But then I felt that my eye lids were growing heavy, so I closed them

Time skip

I opened my eyes again and found out I was lying on a bed. There was an annoying beep that woke me up. I glanced at the direction. It was a heart rate monitor. I sit up and took of the wires connected to the heart rate monitor. But as I was getting rid of it, I noticed that a tube was connected to my left hand. At first I wanted to take it of but I think it won't be necessary. I sit at the edge of the bed.

My head was spinning, so bad. My throat also felt dry. I see two doors. One was on my left an another was facing me. I was wearing some sort of hospital gown and somehow it feels weird. Bandages were around my palms. I guess my healing factor also slowed down yesterday. Wait, was it even yesterday?

I got up but nearly fell. I grip the bedside and the chair that was placed close to my bed. My legs were shaking. I was unable to stand. But I force myself up. I wanted to see my father. Know that he is alright and fine.

But then the door to my room open.

Miss Rachel" came a frantic and familiar voice.

"Wintergreen?" I look at him. Yes it is him. But why with the formal- Oh, Bruce Wayne and Richard was there.

Wintergreen help me up and placed me back on the bed. Bruce Wayne stood far from my bed but Richard was just beside me. I look at Bruce Wayne with a blank look. He started to shift uncomfortably since I was starring at him with no reason.

"Um... Rachel?" Richard call out. My gaze didn't left Bruce. It was like a staring competition, except no one would be winning. After a long silence, I spoke, "Why are you here?"

He opened his mouth to answer but I cut him of before he could even utter a word. "How dare you show your face here after what you've done." My tone was cold and full of venom.

"Hey, don't blame it on Bruce. He didn't do anyth-"

"Oh really?" I finally fixed my gaze to Richard who now looks so short right now.

"He endanger every single life that is close to him. Even you. He already knew it, but he stupidly wants to throw a gala and endanger the people he invited." I looked back at him. If looks could kill Wayne could be paralyzed or anything.

"You do realize you have a lot of people that is out for your head. Lex Luthor especially is. If you are wise enough, you should have thought about it. Now, my father is probably near the brink of death. And it's all because of YOU! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYWHERE CLOSE TO ME OR MY FATHER! WITH YOU, OUR LIVES ARE IN DANGER. AND IF YOU KNEW THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY HIRE A BODYGUARD TO LOOK AFTER YOUR WARD." I spat those last words to his face

He's probably feeling guilty cause he kept his face down.

Wintergreen then politely ask him to leave the room. But I requested for Richard to stay with me, I don't know why I did it but I just felt like it. We sat there in silence. I had my arms cross while I sit on the bed and look out the window to my right. If I ever need to escape the windows are always a good choice.

"I'm sorry Rache." (The way you read it is exactly how you call Ra's Al Ghul) he said.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Richard. It's all that bastard's fault." I was still looking away from him. More silence came. Non of us spoke or looked at each other.

How could all of this happend? If it weren't for me, father won't be ending up in here, at this god damn hospital. And that Wayne was stupid enough to throw such a party. Why can't he just realize that people around him is in danger as long as that imbecile is alive?

"What happened the other night?" He broke the silence

"Nothing happened." I spoke through gritted teeth. To say I was mad, I was beyond mad. Who are these Talons that attacked me and my father? What did the Court of Owls want with me? And I don't understand how father could sell me of to some secret organization. It was frustrating to even think about.

"Rache, tell me what happened. When we found you, you were pale, and bleeding. What did they do to you? Even Mr Wilson looked terrible. With those stab wounds and-" he cut himself of when he realizes that I was gripping the blankets.

"Which room is he in?" I asked. Not caring how cold I sounded. He didn't look up. Which worries me. What happened to him? Is he okay?

"He..."

"What is it Richard?"

"The truth is... Your dad's still not awake. He's still in the ICU. He lost a lot of blood and his injuries could possibly be fatal." He said. He look at me in the eyes. His eyes showed something beneath those baby blues

"We're not sure if he could even live." Wait. How could this happened? Shouldn't his healing factor already kick in? I thought he's already starting to heal, but he's...

"Leave." I said. He turn around and headed for the door. The door open silently and he went out. But before he went out, he said "If you happen to need any help, we're outside. There are also a few JL members outside guarding you. They said whoever attacked you could possibly strike again."

Great, just great. Not only I'm left alone, but heroes are also here. The last thing I need was just crawl somewhere and die.

Time skip

As I recalled, it has been three days I was hospitalized. The doctors claimed that I was healthy enough to go back home. Some even said I was lucky enough to even live.

But before I went home, I went to the ICU. I couldn't enter the room since I wasn't allowed to be in there. I just watched from outside the room through a window. There was an oxygen mask that covered his nose and mouth. Many devices were around him. I hardly even remember what was there since there were a lot.

He just lay there, not moving a single muscle. Only the slow rise of his chest that made it clear that he was indeed breathing. A firm but gentle hand was placed on my shoulder. I flinch a little at the touch since I wasn't used to anyone else touching me. Although father rarely even made any physical contact than punching or kicking while training.

Wintergreen ushered me to the limo. There were a few paparazzi that surrounded us. And I can't believe I'm even saying this, but thank god some of the heroes were there. If not, I'd probably had killed them which could've reveal my secret.

I went in the limousine and Wintergreen started to drive. I hardly paid any attention to which route he was using to get back home. I was too deep in my thoughts about the Court of Owls. I knew father's associates were never always the good types, but this Court even dare to attack him. And they even succeeded.

I know I blame Bruce Wayne about everything, but the truth is, I was beyond angry that I didn't even think about anything before the words escaped from my mouth. I just needed something to blame on. But, what i said was true. People would use anything to get to his money. Including the peoples around him.

Someone could take innocence from a school or a bus as hostages just to get to his moneys. Heck, they could use anyone just to get Wayne to pay.

"Rachel?" I focus back to reality.

"Yes, Wintergreen?"

"Are you alright? I know what happened to you is hard to forget. But you faced them countless time. You need to get use to it. I'm sure Slade's healing factor would kick in sooner or later. We just need to be patient." He said.

I just hummed in agreement. The vehicle was once again surrounded with silence. That's when something hit me. Once again, there was a throbbing pain. I felt myself shiver. All voices were blocked out. I couldn't hear a single thing.

My ears were ringing with an unknown sound. I screamed in pain. Then, at the corner of my eye, outside of the car, a man, wearing a white owl mask. He wore a black cape and he seems to be starring at me. Then, I screamed even louder.

Time skip

Once again, I woke up in a big room. My eyes met with an all too familiar grey canopy. I groaned. I thought Wintergreen brought me back to the base but he really just needed to bring me to this god damned estate.

But then, last night's event crashed down to me. That man. I know him. But why can't I remember him? My memories were quite fuzzy at what happened those years ago. It's like my memory was blocked or something.

"Good you're awake." She nearly jumped on her bed when she heard that voice

I look to my right and am a little bit surprised to see Richard Grayson standing only a few inches away from my queen sizes bed. He had this worry look etched on his face that made me wondered why.

Before I could speak he gave me a glass of water and told me to drink it. That was when I really realized I was thirsty. I finished the water and place it by my bed post.

"Wow, you really are tough. Three life threatening events happened to you, and hear you are breathing and awake." He shook his head in disbelief. "I'd say I'm impressed."

I wanted to roll my eyes and say: I've been through worst. And really I've been. There's once where I receive seventy-eight leashes cause I failed killing this drug dealer called Monray. And of course master was beyond furious. But a week after that, I went to hunt him down and managed to killed him. My father/master was very satisfied with my achievement. But aside from leashes, there was also a time where I was shot thirty-three times and still survived. But I was in a coma for nearly a month.

I wasn't paying attention to what Richard or his guardian was saying because I was too deep in my thoughts. I was planning to investigate tonight, about this Court. I would probably need to sneak out to go to the base tonight. And I would really need to be prepared. This Court is out there to take me. He said that they wouldn't kill me, means, I won't be dead. But also means gonna go through a lot of pain and sh*t. Well healing factor, please don't fail me tonight.

Time skip

It was past midnight and I was getting ready. I had a duffel bag which I was packing stuff. I had a couple combats boots and gloves on. Just a pair of trousers with a white highlight, and a black top. Before I sneak out the balcony, I make sure to grab my motor's keys and black helmet. Then, I slipped in the garage. And yes, like a few wealthy people we have a few very expansive cars and bikes. And picked out one of my sleek black bike and brought it outside of the garage. Taking it a few feet away so that I won't wake up anyone who's in the estate.

After a good few feet, I slung my feet across the seat and sat on it. I wore my black helmet and make sure that my duffel bag was secure on my back. I inserted the key and turned it on. The motor roared to life and I drove of.

The night wasn't quiet as any other city. Well must I remind that this is Gotham? This corrupted city never sleeps. But the bad news is a lot people would be out at this moment. And the badder news is that none of them are the "good" types.

As my motor sped through the city, I went pass a few cars along the way. The wind was cool as it kissed my bare arms. It's been a long time since I ride one of these, and to think about it, I'm just thirteen (sort of). It's even a miracle I haven't crash yet.

After I reach a more quiet section of the city, I turn into an alley, and began slowing my motor down. Then, I passed a sign that says "no trespassers". I stopped after I'm five to ten feet away from the sign, and pressed a button that was on the end of my motor's right clutch. The ground began to shook a little and it began to tilt a little which leads down.

I pull the clutch and it move down and the lights turned on automatically. I parked the motor and went out of the underground "garage" through a door that was on my left.

I walk along the base's hall ways. Its light was quite dim. Probably cause not many people were here in three days. Or was it four? I enter an elevator that is at the end of the hallway.

You see our base's elevator leads deeper into the ground. At the floor which I'm currently in is the first floor where our exit and our vehicles are. Although most of it were various sizes and types of motors. The second and third floors are where our training room and equipment room are. And also Deathstroke's office are at the second floor. The fourth floor are our rooms and "kitchen" or other people call it the break room. Yes, I did say other people. There are a few staffs here in Deathstroke's base. Some of them are cooks, and some are the people who are stationed at the Hackers Department or some are just guards. And yes, there are a few people who keeps the files there. Most information are in the Hackers Department.

The elevator chimed and I stepped in it. I pressed the fifth floor, where theHackers Department was. In my black top, and trouser but with my duffel bag sling behind my back.

I tap my feet while waiting to arrive at the fifth floor. As the elevator moved I felt my weight decrees. Well, that is the usual feeling that we get when we're in a elevator right?

The elevator chimed again and I stepped out from the elevator, walking only for a few more seconds before arriving in front of a door and pushing it open. There were a few shocked voices coming when I entered the room.

"RENEGADE?!"They all said. Their shocked faces were priceless. But, nonetheless I am not here just for the fun of it.

Third person's view.

All of the staffs in the Hackers Department were shocked to see their boss's apprentice since she didn't come to the room much. And she was suppose to be resting since the several attacks that she had been through

Some of the staffs who were relaxing immediately tensed. The ones who had their feet placed on their working table had put their feets down. And some of them even stood up from their seats or fallen off of them. To shocked to see the female assassin.

"Stop gawking and continue your work." She said. Her voice wasn't to loud nor was it to low. But the constant scowl on her face told all the staff to listen to her. Although she's thirteen, who would dare to cross the protege of a very well known mercenary? No, one would dare.

They all continued to type furiously on their computers, continuing their previous work that haven't been finished yet. /

They all snap their attention back to the assassin when she was sitting at an unoccupied desk and began sharpening her sword that she had brought in the room. But then she began to command orders, "Dan," she began. "Do a research about the court of owls." The man called Dan, quickly do what he was told. "Jane, check on every file Deathstroke has that has any connections to the Court." She ordered a blonde woman. Jane, stood up from her computer, and went to the file room. "Ron, find anything that could possibly have slowed down Deathstroke's healing factor." A man with jet black hair and tan skin replied to her with a "Yes Renegade." And focused with his task.

She was about to order one of the staff that she recognise when she caught sight of a red head man, who was sweating and shaking. She smirk to herself. She sharpened her blade one last time before walking towards the red headed man.

She stopped a few good feet, and said "You," she pointed the sword at him. The end of the sword was close to the red head man that just a small movement could already pierce through his throat.

"What's your name." The question sure did caught him of guard. But he swallowed and said, "Alan, Alan Leckerman." She look at him like he was a piece of meat and she was a lion that was ready to pounce. And that scarred Alan

"You're a newbie aren't you." She stated. He wanted to nod, but with a sword at his throat, he was afraid it would pierce through him.

She lowered the sword and the red headed man huffed in relief. "I want you to hack through the police's files and check if there were any reports about the Court of Owls." She commanded.

"Yes, s-sir. I mean ma'am- I mean miss-I mean Renegade. He mentally slapped himself. So much for making and impression.

She just simply chuckled which soon was join with the others laugh. "Rookie, you don't have to call me anything, just Ren, or Rache." She said. But the others were still laughing which soon annoys her. "GET BACK TO WORK!" Her voice thundered in the room, and everyone fell silent.

Alan, could've wet his pants for that thunderous voice. He gulped in fear of the assassin in front of him. Rachel sheathed her sword and grabbed her duffel bag and went out of the room to go change into her full uniform.

Everyone sighed in relief. "By golly, was that really a thirteen year old? Or a very scary woman." Everyone suddenly laughed at Alan's statement.

"I was serious." He added. Then everyone began to look at him. "I mean, before employing here, I did read that our boss is the well known mercenary, but how could he make something so sweet into a... a demon?"

Dan, who was sitting a few tables in front of him, sighed. "You know, you need to keep that question to yourself. Wouldn't want the boss finding out. The last time some one said that, he lost an arm an quickly quit the job.

Alan gulped again. But in his thoughts he still couldn't believe a sweet an innoncent looking girl has been through horrible torments. How can someone do that? He shook his head, and continued his work.

But just in a moment, Jack, a man who sat beside him, said, "But I think Ren, got your back. So you don't have to worry, you probably are going to be her favourite staff." He said.

"Last time, Andy was her favourite, she defended him when boss was trying to kill him. She help him escape, but the poor girl got beaten to a bloody pulp, cause she was disobeying the boss's order." His head suddenly tilted down as if remembering something. And his face has gilt written all over it. "Such a big heart but raised by the wrong person." He shook his head when he said that.

"But hey, less work for us, more work for you."he snickered and the others chuckled with him. Alan,could only frown.

Rachel quickly suit up in her Renegade suit. The Kevlar armor followed the shape of her shape of her body could be seen a little bit. /

She checked her utility belt, all was loaded in shurikens, pick lock tools, smoke capsules, tear gas capsules, explosive grenades, all sorts of bullets and many more.

Then, she put two guns at the holster on both of her sides. A dagger on her side, another one strap on her thigh. One hidden knife in her right boot, another one hidden beneath her uniform, two cutting knife that are in her boot's heels, throwing knife that were strapped on a belt and was put along her chest, more throwing knives "decorated" her arms from her shoulder to elbows.

Now that she was done with her weapons she tied her hair into a neat bun in mere seconds. Then she put on the domino mask and brought the metal mask along with her. Then she grab her katana and put it securely on her back.

Once having a final check she went out of her room, with a quick pace back to the Hackers Department.

When she went in the Hackers Department for the second time everyone was less surprised.

"Dan, what's the result?"

"The Court of Owls is a secret society that is known to the older folks of Gotham. The members of the Court are all well known and wealthy folks. It says here, that they are no more than myths or legends in the city. Their legends even had become a nursery rhyme to put children to sleep at night." He said.

"Let me hear it." She gestured to the nursery rhyme.

"Beware the Court of Owls,

That watches all the time,

Gazing from the shadows,

Behind granite and lime

They watch you at your hearth,

They watch you in your bed,

Speak not a whispered word of them, or they'll send

A Talon

For your head"

He finished the nursery rhyme. A hand rested on her chin. "Hmm"

"Well, we all know, they're not myth," she paused so suddenly. "Jane how about the files?" She asked.

"Not much, and they're incomplete." She informed. "Submit the information into my wrist computer. Ron, Aoran you guys found the information I required- good. Submit a copy into my computer wrist. Later, give them to Wintergreen when he arrives."

After giving the command, she went to a desk were all sorts of electronic devices were there. She went to pick up her wrist computer, and put it on. She instantly open the file that Jane had already submitted inside her wrist computer.

Rachel/Renegade's POV

Jane was right. There wasn't much information I could use. There were only the basics. Their leader is called the "Grand Master". The Talons are expandable soldiers created and trained by the Court. That was just like me. Expandable...

Each Talon went through a ritual which makes them immortal and indestructible. Now that's new. But there are no specific reason why father wants to trade me to this Court.

Feeling frustrated, I stormed out of the room, grabbing my katana with me and went straight to the garage. I started up my bike, with my mask on and drove of to the place where they last strike there could possibly be some clue there.

A few minutes later

I finally arrive at the hall where Wayne had previously throw his gala. There were police lines everywhere, but no cop was there to investigate. Not even the so called Bat was there. I went in through a window and landed silently on my feet. Gracefully like a feline.

The room where I was in is the one which I had mecilessly slaughtered the Talon. There, at the corner of the room was the Talon's head. The head was a man's face. A face that showed true terror. And a face of a man which only knew how to kill. Which was only doing what he was obeyed to do. Just as I once was.

Something on the floor caught my sight. A single feather. I picked it up, and looked at it. It is different from the cloak of feathers on the Talons uniform. I used my computer wrist to scan it. I waited for a few minutes before the result came out.

The source where the single feather came was Gotham's museum. That's weird. Why would something from there would suddenly be here?

I quickly went out of the room, and went back to my motor. I start it back to life and quickly drove to Gotham's museum.

Time skip (cause I'm lazy to write.)

I hid my motor a few feet away from the museum. I don't know why I did it, but I had a feeling that I must do it. I climb on a building's rooftop, and leaped from there to the museum's roof. I disabled their security system and opened one of it's windows, and quickly jumped into the museum.

To say, I was quite impress at it's high security system, but now I'm more surprise to see all the values that lingered at this place. I activated my computer wrist to see where is the location to the night critters. I walk along the halls, making sure I kept to the shadows, and avoided being seen by either of their security guards.

I entered the night critters section. There were a lot of their displays.

Some of it were the usual, bats, coyote, the lynx and of course, the owls. I went to the owl section, where they had list out various types of it.

I look through each and every cases of owls to find the ones that match the feather that I had in hand. There were a lot of them that look similar but I could tell the difference.

I was about to pass one of the case when something caught my eye.

There, one of the owl, was missing one of it's feather, and the remaining feathers all look the same to the ones that I have. But what I don't understand is, what does this creature had to do with the Court.

Before I could think of a conclusion, I turned around exactly when three Talon landed a few feet against me. Their back were hunched. They looked at me in a predatory way.

My hand were close to my belt. I was ready for them to strike. Then, the Talons took out their weapons. And before I could prepare myself further, they sprinted forward.

I immediately took out twin daggers and put them in front of my face like a cross while the first Talon keep pushing his katana further to me. I push them back to the first Talon which caused it to back away.

Suddenly, the back of my head had this funny feeling that was tingling. I side stepped just in time when a second Talon was about to stab me. But then I ducked again when the third Talon was about to use his claws to attack me.

I jump on a shelf and ran on top of it. As I was close to a nearby window, something pointy pierced through both of my legs. That's when I felt that tug. I look down to my legs where two throwing knives which had lines attached to it pierced through both of my legs. The two Talons were pulling those lines which was causing me to fell from the shelf. I grunted in pain as I made contact to the ground.

They kept pulling and pulling me until I was close to them. After they pulled me a few feet closer, I took my throwing knives and throw it and those two. It didn't bug them much but it distract them long enough for me to get up. I cut the lines that were connected to the knives. I immediately pulled them out.

But before I could rest even for one minute, another leaped in front of me. I rolled to the other side, and kicked it at it's side. The kick was hard enough that he flew across the room. I took a daring glance at both of my legs. They were still bleeding, which is not good. But they're technically healing so that's okay.

I stood up, and draw my katana. I was facing all three of the Talons. I have wounds on me, but they don't have a scratch. I analyze them closely. None of them were human, that's for sure. I can easily tell. All of their skills took years of training. And to those that are immortal, it wasn't that long.

These soldiers are expandable, they are immortal and have trained well. But not all of them are immortal weren't they? Only most of the Court members are immortal. These soldiers were more like people from the dead, weren't they? It said that they haven't completely manage to find a way to make their soldiers immortal. That proves that these Talons do have a weakness, but what?

I focussed back to reality. I lunged to the the three of them with all my might. A Talon which use the sai (you know the one that's like a pitchfork but have three ends and the middle one is longer.) trapped my sword in one of it, while the other was aim to my shoulder. I twisted my blade around, and I bent my back while my knees were on the ground. I kicked the Talon in the gut which cause it to drop the sai and fell down.

The remaining two Talons began to strike me at once. They both kicked me square in the chest which caused three of my ribs to be cracked. And it hurt like hell. Well at least it wasn't broken. Next, the Talon kneed me at the gut and twisted my arm behind my back. I was starting to feel dizzy.

And if I move to much it's gonna cause a dislocated shoulder. Oh well, healing factor don't fail me now. I broke free from the hold which I had guessed, came with a dislocated shoulder. My right hand caressed my left shoulder. I wanted to locate it back to its place but seeing the Talons are standing right in front of me.

I stood in a defense position. I blocked every punch and every kick they landed on me. Then I kicked the Talon hard which cause him to back away a few steps. And then another kick to his head which caused his mask to fall off. That's when I saw the Talon's face. He was sickly pale. He barely have any hair left on his head. He was a-

Dead person.

I felt like I was about to throw up right on the spot. And the way he stood back up, was not a way how human does.

I quickly twist my shoulder back which makes a "pop" and it was back in it's socket. I didn't scream in pain or anything. I held my katana firm and lunged at it.

One swift move, I cut the Talons head of and it fell limp to the ground. One down, two more. I smirked under my mask at my victory but it didn't last long. One of the Talon pierced two sai at my back. Then another pierced through my knee. I grunted and kick the remaining two so they were a few feet from me. My feet s felt wobbly and it was painful.

I couldn't handle the pain anymore, so I grappled my way out through a window and ran on the museum's roof.

As I was about to jump away. The Talon tackled me down which cause me to crash through a window and hit a dinosaurs skeleton. I lay down their limp, in pain. I see the two Talon's holding their swords high. I waited for the blow. Maybe this is the end.

I closed my eyes. I wasn't scarred, no I wasn't. It's just that I felt like a failure since I'm being taken down just like this. But suddenly there was a strange sound and I opened my eyes. The Talons shook and they turned into a black goop. Ew. Well at least I'm not dead. But I probably would soon if I don't stop the bleeding.

But before I black out, I saw shadows of people.

Oh my god, what is happening? Other Talon's? Will you guys find out about how she has ties with the Court? I don't know... ? ﾟﾘﾜ