"Deceiver, dissembler, Your trousers are alight, From what pole or gallows, Shall they dangle in the night?" Dick whirled around hearing something whispered in his ear. "Dude, you alright?" "Yea," Dick nodded to his redheaded friend continuing down the alley. He had the feeling that they were being watched looking up to see a solitary crow staring down at them. "Deceiver, diss.." the voice drifted till there was nothing but a light whisper carried away by the wind.

-Disclaimer- I do not own Young Justice although I would very much love to. Sigh. Depression.

This fic will contain the following- Original character(s), Other characters of the DC world(some more known than others), Cursing, Themes many may not agree with including but not limited to: alcohol and drug usage, mentions of abuse (physical and emotional), innuendos (of the sexual nature) a.k.a jokes, blood/gore, and possible death, possible romance…not sure on that one.

-xoOox-

Quote-We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
Eleanor Roosevelt

-xoOox-

Rochester, New York

March 10th 2012

Continued

Dark brown eyes landed on the raven male he had saved before sweeping slowly over to the unconscious redhead lying on the ground covered in blood, most of it not his. Taking in the dead creature on the ground, the one he had sent into the wall, and the one still in his hold he placed the demon onto the floor before disappearing from Dick's view before reappearing right beside him.

"Mackenzie," he spoke whilst examining the unconscious redhead before him. Dick kept a close eye on him as he placed a hand over the bite mark on Wally's arm, a white glow emitting form him. About to demand the male tell him what he was doing Dick could see the gash closing right before his eyes.

He's like Mackenzie, Dick thought blinking in disbelief.

"Call for her."

"What?" It was apparent he hadn't been paying attention his thought solely on his friend and if he was going to be okay. Turning to the male, Dick held back a shiver as the genie had returned his gaze upon him. His eyes looked so empty.

"Mackenzie," the male repeated slower this time. "Call her."

Not waiting for the male to respond he lightly touched Dicks arm emitting the same glow closing up the small gashes the raven had received from the demon attack. The touch was cold, not at all as warm as he would have thought especially with the way the light had looked.

"You both should be fine now," he spoke stranding back up.

Tearing his eyes from the unnamed male Dick mumbled a quick 'thank you' before rubbing his thumb across the ring he had on his right hand. He still felt weird wearing it, although not many people seemed to notice it, (they really needed to be more observant.)

Mackenzie came puffing right next to the raven haired male within that same second, relief lining her features as both Dick and Wally where alive and safe. She'd ignore the obvious rips in their clothing for the time being. Turning to face the unnamed male she hugged him planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Avery. You don't know how much this means to me that you could do this."

"Don't worry Mack," Avery, said squeezing the woman's hand in his the first smile of the night appearing across his face before it disappeared as fast as it came. "What do you think you were doing9?" Avery asked rounding on Dick crossing his arms over his chest as if he was talking to a petulant child.

Mackenzie feeling the change of emotions rolling off of the male placed her other hand (one was still trapped in his hold) on his shoulder in a calming manner. "Avery, don't. I-"

"No Mack," Avery cut the woman off placing his hand over hers not bothering to brush it off. "He needs to hear how much of an idiot he was," Avery spoke turning to the younger male glaring at him for the insult. "And it is because he is a child that he needs to learn this now."

Dark brown eyes boring into blue neither ended the eye contact both battling one another in a silent duel. Dick would admit to himself that the older males look was unsettling but he was not going to back down. He was after all the partner of Batman.

"Never send your djinn away from you when they inform you of impending danger. Shit like this happens" Avery exclaimed throwing a hand out to emphasize the carnage lying behind them, "and then you die. Your djinn listens to everything you say. Everything. It is our purpose and reason for existing. So if Mack here feels guilty because you got yourself hurt that's on you…Not her."

"I didn't ask for her help or yours," Dick seethed not liking this male one bit. Pushing aside the fact that he had in fact saved both Wally and him, not to mention healed them both…Who the heck did this guy think he was? He had everything under control.

"Mackenzie asked me to come and bail you out because she felt you were going to get yourself killed. And you almost did. Try not to be so reckless I have my own charges to take care of."

"I've been doing just fine these past thirteen years without her help. I can survive without it." I'm not going to rely on people who couldn't keep my parents from being killed.

"Can your friend survive without it?" Avery shot back nodding his head to the still unconscious redhead lying but a few feet away. "You both were almost ki-"

"I could have handled it." Really I could have, Dick thought not feeling as reassured of his actions like he had just moments before.

"Could, would, or should have. Either way you didn't."

"Go to hell."

"You're just like your father." Dick glared at the male shocked into silence. Neither he nor the single female in the room expecting his words. Avery's voice held a calmness to it that did not sit well with the raven haired male, his eyes blazing with fire. "He said the same thing to another member of the Family and look where that got him." Knowing that his words stung, Avery pressed on till he got his message clear not at all caring that the person he spoke to was just a kid. "You Grayson's think you are all invincible but you're not. You're-"

The male was cut off by a sharp crack to the face. Did that little punk just hit me? Avery thought blinking in slight shock as he placed his hand to his cheek looking to his hand to see blood. Well…I deserved that one, he thought looking down to the young male who had assaulted him, "Shut up!" Dick growled seconds from bashing the males head in again with his staff. How dare he talk about his father like he knew him?

Found a trigger, Avery thought smiling to himself. He'd have to tread carefully less he get hurt by Mackenzie. "Oh did I strike a nerve human? Deal with it." Not at all perturbed by the irate young male before him Avery pressed on. "You're weak, your way of thinking is weak, and your body is weak. Those things could tear you in two and if it wasn't for your friend you would have been. You got yourself hurt and you got your friend hurt. That's on you. Not Mackenzie or the Family. Just like your father got your mother and he killed. That's on him and not the Family. Stop being selfish and grow up."

This time it was a closed fist…Same cheek. Having landed on the ground Avery should have expected the little imp to have struck again instead he was met with the somewhat sharp looking edge of the raven's baton.

"What the hell do you know about anything? You weren't there. You didn't see them…" Dick trailed off his anger ebbing away for another emotion that he liked even less. The male hadn't been there when his parents plummeted to their death, he had. Avery hadn't been there and even if he had could he have even done anything to stop it? Their Family failed before. Why should he rely on them now?

Testing the water a bit Avery placed a hand tentatively onto the baton moving it away from his throat, finding no resistance from the human male. A hit he could take any day…Skewered…Not so much. "I know that your father sent his djinn away just like you did. I know that because he was unprotected he died."

"So what?" Dick started closing his fist tighter around his staff not bothering to point it back at the grounded genie/ "If they were there he'd still be alive? My mother would still be alive? You don't know that!"

Softening his tone Avery dropped his gaze to the ground before him. "Your family had the best djinn the Family had to offer Richard. The most powerful and loyal one to boot and he threw her away because he could handle any danger by himself. That foolish way of thinking," Avery mumbled to himself. "…Learn from his mistake especially if you want to make it to your next birthday. Especially if you want to protect your friends."

Meeting blue eyes covered by dark shades with his own, Avery didn't look away from the glare the mini bat was sending him. Damn this kid is scary. "Mackenzie truly cares about you…No djinn is the same after witnessing their partner die…Not being able to stop it. Many wish they had perished alongside them. Don't do that to Mack. Please. Think about the consequences of your actions a little better."

"I'm sorry," Avery added before disappearing in a puff of smoke not much different from the one Mackenzie tended to make on her entrances and departures.

-xoOox-

Mount Justice

March 10th 2012

9:37 p.m.

"What. Happened?" Batman asked both Robin and Wally staring down at the two Young Justice members as they stood before him and the Flash.

Both seemed to be unharmed if one didn't take in the state of their clothes. They were covered in dirt from head to toe with multiple cuts in their clothing. What suspiciously could be blood was coated onto the left sleeve of Wally's shirt, the outer one he normally wore completely gone. To make things worse Robin had a small crack in his sunglasses one of the lenses nearly popped out.

"I kind of sort of tripped over a tree root...Fell down a hill," Wally spoke coming up with an excuse fairly quickly.

Quick thinking had not always been Wally's friend as noted with the past few missions, but he was currently on a roll with Hawaii and the current situation his best friend and he found themselves in. Convincing the bat and fastest man alive that they had been running (Wally carrying Dick) through the Catskills mountain's and fell. That had been the story the redhead had thought of on their way back to the mountain knowing they were in deep sh-dog crap with the Bat and Fastest man alive.

The little excursion had not been authorized to say the least, nor had Robin or he had their coms on the whole time. Not one of the smartest things to boot, it hadn't much been on either of the two teens minds as they were too preoccupied nearly getting their faces eaten by demonic canines.

Couldn't tell the Bat or Flash that. Nope.

So they came up with the next best thing. It wasn't a farfetched story. Not too unheard of considering it did happen…Once or twice…A week.

"…Forgot my stash," Wally answered his uncles unsaid question. "Sorry Uncle B." Not far from the truth on that one. His eyes cast down to his shoes he couldn't see either male's expression (assuming Batman actually made those). Whether it was for added effect or he was really just too tired to keep his head up, Dick knew it was a great touch, Flash melted instantly.

"Just don't do that again Kid. Come on, the both of you."

Following the Flash into the med bay Robin knew they were not out of the woods yet, Batman having said nothing since his initial question. He'd get a full interrogation the minute he stepped shadow back into the manor, knowing Batman would try and pry a real answer from him.

This was just great…

-xoOox-

Underworld

March 10th 2012

10:12 p.m

It was getting rather late, or early depending on how one wanted to look at things, and considering Benneti was by nature more of a night owl, early. Shuffling through paper upon paper each detailed encounters of other demon factions, the rest of the world was lost upon him till the near silent tapping on the rock threshold.

"Brother."

Dropping his things onto the ground Benneti turned around in shock, his eyes wide as blood red orbs fell upon Mellori. The female stood at the threshold of the older demons office, her own bright yellow orbs scanning the room, no doubt in search of any traps before continuing into the room having gained her brother's full attention.

"Mellori, sister is that-"

The elder demon was cut off by a hand wrapping itself around his throat, Mellori having walked all the way into the room ignoring his outstretched arms for hug. Slamming the slightly taller demon into the wall her grip on the male's throat only increased as they stared at one another, neither speaking.

"Did you know?" Mellori finally asked slackening her grip just a little to let the male at least have enough air to answer her question. There was slight doubt in her thoughts now that he had not even tried to protect himself from her let alone attack back, knowing that he were the stronger one of the two. He always had been. Perks of being the older demon.

"I did not baby sister."

Searching his face she found nothing deceitful in his answer. Out of the two he had always been the better liar, however. "Yet I had been sealed away for nearly a few centuries. I will only ask one more time. Did you know?"

"I never stopped looking for you baby sister. You re my blood, we share a destiny together you and I. Have I not always been there for you before?"

Slackening her hold even more, Mellori let her hand drop to her side. "Many a time you have."

A smile graced Benneti's lips at his sisters words. "You are my dear sister," Bennrti spoke pulling the younger female into a hug. Sighing when she returned the gesture he pulled away slightly, brushing some of her long black locks out of her face.

"Blood and his friends…They are the ones responsible."

Benneti's face darkened. "Had I known what Blood and the others were pulling I would have stopped them." Taking his sisters hand in his, Benneti sat her down taking the empty seat next to the woman. "My dear baby sister." He pulled her into another hug. "I never stopped searching for you. All these years. As much as I hate that Witch Boy and Neron maybe I should thank them for returning you to me. It has been dreadfully lonely."

"They underestimated me greatly brother. Underestimated me indeed." They have much to learn. Mellori gazed into her brothers' face still searching for any slight signs of betrayal. Still nothing.

"They are planning something great, great indeed," Benneti spoke not noticing Mellori's hawk like attention on him. "Yes I know baby sister…Now that you are back we can-What it it baby sister?" Benneti cut off noting the younger demons facial expression change slightly.

"Mother was there Benneti. She knew and yet-"

"Mother would never," Benneti spoke cutting his sister off, his words slightly unsure. "…Are you certain it was her?"

"As certain as she is the woman who birthed you and me. The woman whom raised us in these very walls of which we sit."

"She would not-"

"Do you doubt me brother?" Standing up Mellori walked around the room ghosting her fingers over a few books lining the shelves. "I doubted that you would connive behind my back to get rid of me. It was only after talking with you that I know you did not betray me along with her brother."

"But-"

"You were always her favorite. Oldest. More powerful. Her favorite. The raven always got more attention than the crow. Always more. Forevermore."

Standing to meet his sister, Benneti placed his hand upon her shoulder gaining her attention. "Nevermore shall that happen. We will write our own history together. I believe you."

"The what are we going to do brother. She will do everything in her power like before to get rid of me. I only came to you first in hopes of gaining your help. That was if we were still on the same side."

"I am very glad you have so much faith in my baby sister. I will handle the situation with mother. For now you rest. She will pay for hurting you baby sister. Pay indeed." Maybe I have underestimated you myself baby sister, Benneti thought to himself as he walked alongside the woman bringing her to her room.

It was not very far from his own, just a few rooms down furnished with a very sizeable bed, vanity, and walk in closet. "Whatever else you need sister do not hesitate to ask."

"Thank you brother. For the moment, however, I think I will turn in as you speak. Calling forth one of the shadows Benneti had not noticed before, it morphed into one of her demon dogs. Much like his own, it was darker in color with by far more hair than his. He never did like the way they looked.

Bidding his sister a good rest, Benneti left Mellori to her thoughts before leaving. Commanding one of his own demons to appear Benneti gave it direct instructions. "Make sure that she had everything she needs," Benneti spoke before making his way back to his office all the while mumbling a poem underneath his breath.

"Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her."

Smiling as he stopped on that line he continued walking, not realizing he was being watched.

-xoOox-

Paris, London

March 10th 2012

3:24 a.m

Sitting by candlelight on a medium sized porch, a fair haired woman sat at a small metal bistro table, a poetry book by Henry Lawson lay open before her baby blue eyes. It was a quiet night with not many cars about at the hour, a stray cat call here and there.

A doorbell sounded through the apartment peaking the woman's interest.

"Baker, do be a doll and get the door will you." The woman spoke to the only other person on the veranda with her, waiving a manicured hand towards the glass doors.

Complying with the wish, the male in question got up from his relatively comfortable position leaning over the small veranda railing overlooking the street below. He was an older gentleman appearing around the age of 50, his face bald of all hair but bushy greying blonde eyebrows and boxed beard upon a chiseled chin. He wore simply a white t-shirt with jean shorts and black work boots, a black newsboy hat upon his head.

Without a word he took the unlit cigar from his lips resting it on the small bistro table before stepping back into the lavish apartment, long legs allowing him the pleasure of making it to the door in but a few strides. A peep-hole drilled through the door, the older male paid no heed to the instrument given to observe a guest and just unlocked the two locks upon the door. Whomever it was wouldn't make it but half a step before they got their skulls knocked in.

Opening the door it was probably a good thing the cigar was already out of the males mouth less it would end up on the floor, surprised by the visitor.

"I would have appeared on the balcony but I felt this more of a proper procedure on this dreadful side I decided it best to use the door," Benneti spoke standing just outside the door a smirk pulling at his face at Bakers dumbfounded expression. Really it was a rarity to make the normally stoic male show such an expression.

Regaining his composure Baker excused himself before stepping aside allowing Benneti to enter the home. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Surely having spent a good 20 years in London you would have picked up an accent by now, yes?"

"What do you want?"

As one of Mellori's ex-Ratched Baker had been a bit on the hostile side to Benneti from the very beginning. A lot less outspoken than Avery on his dislike of the older of Corva's children, it was still evident in the way he spoke to the male.

"What do I want indeed." Benneti spoke looking around the abode before landing red eyes back upon the blue eyed djinn. "We need to talk."

-xoOox-

End Chapter