A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter feels rushed and somewhat ooc. Next Chapter will be more... well, exciting, at least.
Megan had disappeared after they relayed the news, climbing through to the jungle and walking alone. No one dared to follow her.
They were silent in the cave, grieving in their own ways. Finally, Artemis built the courage to murmur, "I'm so sorry…"
"It's not your fault," Wally returned sympathetically. "We had no idea the Brain was still alive…"
Artemis hesitated. "Wally… Conner and I knew…"
As Artemis made her confession, the leopard's eyes narrowed. Once she was finished, Wally stood wordlessly. "He would be alive."
"Wally-"
"No. Your selfishness just cost us Gar, and Conner." He sneered softly. "I hope you're happy." He turned and went to the back of the cave, mourning. In the pool, Kaldur submerged with a glare.
The tigress paused, watching Dick. "Aren't you mad at me, too?"
"Blame won't bring them back." He hesitated. "I… need to tell you something, too."
"Yes?"
"I found out the day you… left." Dick turned to her. "You weren't animals to begin with. Morrow experimented on humans."
She shrugged, as if this meant little to her. He frowned.
"Don't you care at all?"
"Humans, animals, somewhere in between doesn't matter now."
"But you might have a family somewhere."
She glanced at him. "You really think they'd want me back looking like this?"
"We'll get help, we'll change you-"
She shook her head. "One thing at a time, Dick. We can't even leave the island yet, and…" Her voice grew soft. "I don't know if I even want to."
His eyes widened, but he dropped it. "I see."
She stared at the still surface of the pool. "Why couldn't I do it?"
"You were mad; everything was confusing-"
"No." Artemis glanced at him. "Why couldn't I rip out his throat when I had the chance?"
He was silent. Dick weighed the options in his mind. He'd sworn under Bruce's code to never kill, that death was never true justice. Yet… how could he stand by knowing the pain Morrow had caused, the torture his friends still go through? If somehow they defeated the Brain and Mallah, would a cage suffice to serve their time until Bruce arrives? If he arrives… Could he maintain Bruce's ideals, his law?
Dick watched the pool. Under his breath, he murmured, "The Law is dead…"
Artemis searched his face, but found her efforts fruitless. Finally, she stood. "I'll… go get some food…" Whether she meant meat or fruit Dick did not know, and all he could do was watch as she left.
The boy sighed, laying down and closing his eyes.
Half of the day and a night of silence passed before dawn. Megan descended into the cave, eyes red but her face without emotion. She prowled around the sleeping forms, spread out because of new mistrust. She knelt beside Dick, clasping his shoulder. He twitched and his hand snatched her wrist before he was fully awake.
Megan did not react, waiting for Dick to realize who she was before muttering, "He's coming. I heard Mallah and the Brain making their way, and…" She paused. "I think they're not alone."
Dick nodded silently. "I'll wake the others." She slipped aside, waiting quietly. Soon, the groggy creatures gathered around Dick, who had already concocted a plan.
"Mallah and the Brain are heading here, possibly with a new arrival." He picked up a stick, drawing in the dust of the cave floor. "We will meet them at the fallen tree; you will hide behind with Wally and Artemis on the outsides and Kaldur and Megan on the insides, me in the middle. I'll taunt Brain, try to distract him. Meanwhile, watch for the other. If they strike first, Wally and Artemis will come around and attack Mallah; get him away from the Brain. Megan, you and I will take on the other and Kaldur-"
"I want the Brain."
They all looked at her, shocked. Her eyes were glaring, unwavering.
Dick cleared his throat. "Megan will attack the Brain and Kaldur and I will take on the other. In the meantime, find anything you can use; rocks, sticks, anything." He paused. "Mallah and the other are coming alive, but…"
Megan simply nodded, turning and leaving to get supplies. The others exchanged glances, dismissing themselves to go take care of preparations.
As the others grabbed stones, Dick kneeled by the pool, dipping his fingers in the black sand. He lifted them to his face, drawing black circles around his eyes and over the bridge of his nose. Dick glanced down into the water, staring at his blue eyes peering back from a black mask. He looked different; not the well-groomed, stuffy ward he had been playing on the yacht in Hawaii. Behind a mask, though, he felt… real, as if there was a burden lifted from his shoulders.
Lifting his sandy fingers, he traced an R on his bare chest, over his heart.
"R."
He looked up at Kaldur; he'd been the quickest learner when it came to reading. The aquatic gestured towards the letter. "What does that mean to you?"
Dick glanced down. "It stands for Robin."
"What's a robin?" Wally intruded on the conversation. Artemis listened with interest. "Is that like a lizard or..?"
Dick paused. "It's a… songbird."
Wally fought back a snicker. Even Kaldur smiled. Dick managed a sheepish half-smile.
Artemis watched from a distance. She glanced at Megan, who was fervently sharpening a stick into a spear. The tigress treaded lightly over to her, kneeling beside her. She opened her mouth to say something, but chose against it. Instead, she murmured, "Are you going to kill him?"
"Yes," Megan answered without hesitation.
Artemis paused. "Dick's not going to be happy."
"The Brain took everything from me. I don't care if Dick's a little upset."
Artemis grinned. "Don't miss."
"Stop." Mallah set the Brain on the forest floor, eyes meeting those of the boy on the log. Young Richard Grayson looked… dangerous, if Mallah had to admit it. His eyes contrasted sharply against the mask he'd drawn for himself, and his stance was regal atop the log.
The Brain spoke first. "My, my, Monsieur Richard. What is that on your face?"
"What is that on your face? Oh excuse me, you don't have one."
Mallah sneered softly. The Brain returned, "Such a pity, garcon. You had such potential; I could have made you a god. I would have been like a father to you."
Dick narrowed his eyes. "I already have a father." He decided to change tactics. "Morrow, we don't have to do this."
"I'm afraid the time for diplomacy is at an end."
Dick bowed his head. "How can you fight us? We outnumber you."
"Perhaps this will even the odds."
Mallah grinned as, beside him, the green one stepped up. They had done their best to repair him with what little time and resources available. His throat was still red and stained, but they had sewn the wound closed. The creature stumbled, blind and without a will of his own. The children's faces were white.
The other green one stood up. Tears were in her eyes.
"Gar?" Her gentle voice was barely audible. She leaned forward but the Leopard held her back. "Gar, you're alive?"
He looked at her with blank eyes. In truth, they unnerved Mallah, but he would never let the Brain know that. The creature did not acknowledge her, did not make any move.
"Gar? Gar!" The leopard pulled her down.
The Brain emitted an electronic chuckle. "He is no longer your friend, mon fille. Perhaps you'll have better luck with this one."
Conner stepped forward, an electronic collar around his neck. He padded forth on all fours, less human than when they had seen him last. He made eye contact with Megan, and then twitched as if stung by a bee. He bared his teeth instead.
Dick glanced at Megan. Her eyes were filled with tears, painful and raw emotions dancing across her face.
"Well, now that we are more well-matched…" The Brain murmured languidly. "I believe the phrase is… sick 'em."
