Dick is 13 and Jason is 9.

Chapter 34: The Apprenticeship

Jason's POV

I shot up in bed, struggling to catch my breath as tears leaked from my eyes. Nightmare about finding my mom… Clutching my teddy bear, I ran straight to the safest place in the manor; Bruce's room; the only place where nightmares can't find me.

My face fell as the empty bedroom came into view. He's still on patrol. And Dick's with him. I could always go to Alfred, but it's just not the same. I slowly trudged back to my room. I paused as a taller shadow hid my own shadow from my sight. Turning slowly around, I screamed as a gloved hand covered my mouth.

********Break********

Dick's POV

"Night Bruce." I called as I walked into my room. I froze when I saw a knife sticking out of Jason's teddy bear on my bed. The blade pinned a note to the bear. I dashed towards the bear and detached the note and scanned the contents.

'If you ever want to see him again, be at Titan Tower tonight at midnight. Come alone, Robin. You are to tell no one, including your mentor.'

Someone knows I'm Robin! My heart clenched. They have my little brother.

"Dick, is Jason in there with you?" Bruce called, trying to disguise the fear in his voice.

Shoving the bear beneath the covers, I hurriedly slipped in beside it and pulled it close, as my door opened, revealing Bruce.

I mouthed that he was asleep, motioning to the bear. Bruce nodded, fear draining from his face. He mouthed goodnight and closed my door behind him.

I sighed with relief when I heard his footsteps moving towards his room. Throwing the covers off me, I crept quietly towards the cave.

********Break********

Stepping out of the zeta tube, I ran straight into Roy.

"Robin, what are you doing here at the tower?" he asked surprised to see me.

"I… well I-" I paused as we turned to see Kara step out of the portal.

"Supergirl? What are you doing here? I asked before Donna quickly stepped out of the portal, only to be followed by Garth and Wally.

We were all together staring at each other awkwardly. Me, Speedy, Supergirl, Wondergirl, Aqualad, and Kid Flash. This cannot be coincidence.

"I guess we're here for the same reason... It's almost midnight." I stated softly.

They all nodded and together we moved until the video screen came into view. I held my breath as the screen clicked on. An unknown voice was soon heard.

"Where's my sister and brother!" Roy demanded, interrupting the voice.

"You will not speak unless spoken to!" The voice roared as the monitor split into seven separate sections. The sections were filled by images of our younger siblings.

Donna cried out as the first section came into focus. The first section was Cassie. She was restrained and lying on the floor inside of an apartment that looked as if it had caught on fire before. Fire? Donna became Diana's little sister when she was rescued from an apartment fire. Oh my God!

Garth held his breath as Tula appeared in the second screen. She was restrained and lay on a floating seabed, surrounded by a school of fish; one of Garth's hidden fears. This is how Aquaman found Garth. He had been abandoned, because his eyes were purple and it was rumored that he would bring destruction to Atlantis. If Tula couldn't get to the water within an hour, she would die.

Kara clenched her teeth as Chris appeared next. He was bound with heavy chains. A necklace with a green glowing rock encircled his neck. But, the most disturbing image was the shard of kryptonite protruding from his left shoulder. Kryptonite poisoning. This is supposedly how most of the Kyrptonians died from either kryptonite poisoning or when their planet exploded.

Roy let out a growl as Connor, Artemis, and Mia came into view. They were also restrained in… a forest? This was how Roy's parents died. They were rangers who died in a forest fire.

Wally vibrated out of fear and anger as Bart's picture appeared. For the love of God, Bart's only three! Yet, the three year old was in danger. He was bound and lay whimpering under a bed. Wally had been abused by his dad after his mom died. It took forever for Barry to get Wally away from his alcoholic of a dad.

A mixture of fury and fear burned within me as the last screen came into view. Jason. A rag had been tied in-between his teeth and his hands were bound. But the thing that scared me the most was the fact that his hands were tied to a trapeze bar as he was suspended in the air. The trapeze was similar to the one where my parents… fell. Fell to their death… Jason.

My God… It's how we should have all died. Now, our siblings might be forced to die, because we escaped death? No! I won't watch my baby brother fall! I can't lose anyone else I care about. I won't. I refuse to watch him die!

The voice began, "Now that I have everyone's attention, it's obvious what each of you will be playing for-"

"Let them go!" Kara demanded.

"Silence! Now pay close attention. Each of your siblings has been taken to the exact location of where each of your first life ended before you met your mentors. If you save them, you'll move on to the second round."

"What do you want!" I demanded to know.

"You'll find out. I'd focus on more important issues right now." The voice replied as the screen faded.

********Break********

Running through the abandon circus grounds in Gotham brought back memories. My heart hurts from missing my parents. I swallowed the lump in my throat when I saw my little brother. Soon, visions of having to watch my parents fall consumed me… Focus! He needs me!

"Hold on, Jay! I'm coming!" I yelled before sprinting up the ladder.

I froze as I reached the top of the ladder. A pressure plate had been constructed onto the platform. If I were to stand on the platform, Jason would automatically fall.

"Mmphh!" he screamed as he shook his head; fear present in his eyes.

"It's okay. Just hold on. I'm coming to get you. You're going to be okay." I soothed, while trying to come up with a plan in my head.

"Okay. Don't move." I ordered before leaping onto the pressure plate as he screamed.

My feet left the platform at the same moment that the rope snapped. Somersaulting through the air, my hands caught his as I fired my grapple. Dropping us onto the platform, I pulled him close to me and untied him before pulling him into another hug. He's okay. He's okay.

"Dickie… you're squishing me." he whispered.

"Sorry. And its Robin when I'm in costume." I replied, while loosening my hold and checking him for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

He shook his head before giving me a small smile. "I'm okay... I knew you'd catch me."

"Always." I replied as the smile vanished from his face and was replaced with a look of fear.

"He took Alfred!" he shouted before wrapping his arms around me.

"What!"

"We have to get him back!"

"We will. I promise." I replied. "Jay, did you get a look at who took you and Alfred?"

"No, his face was covered. I was blindfolded-"

"Robin, come in." Aqualad's voice commanded over my com link.

"I'm here." I responded.

"Is that Garth?" Jason asked as I rolled my eyes. Did I not just tell him not to use our real names?

"Do you have the bird?" Garth asked.

"Affirmative." I replied.

"We're coming. Hold on." Garth ordered.

"What did he say?" Jason asked.

"They're coming to get us."

Soon, we could hear the sound of an approaching hovercraft. Aqualad and Speedy decided to borrow the Justice League's airship. Jason and I boarded and found my teammates and their siblings to be okay.

Roy and Donna were plastering cream onto a few minor burns and cuts that Artemis, Mia, Connor, and Cassie had received. Garth and Tula were piloting and copiloting the aircraft. Thankfully, they didn't seem to be hurt. Bart was crying into his cousin's chest. Wally had his arms wrapped tightly around his younger cousin, while rocking him. Bart had several nasty looking bruises on him. Kara looked really sick as she bent over Chris and stroked his hair. He looked even worse. They both had been poisoned.

"Supergirl, are you two okay?" I asked as we walked over to them.

"We'll be fine..." She replied, giving me a soft smile.

Leading Jay over to a bench, I took a seat and he clambered up beside me.

"We're gonna get Alfred back, right?" he asked softly, looking up at me.

"We will. Everything's gonna be okay." I replied, pulling him close to me.

Smoothing down Jason's hair from around his face, I glanced around me and suppressed a smile. Bart wore Flash pajamas. Tula had on a nightgown with Aquaman's colors. Chris was wearing Superman pajamas. Cassie wore a Wonder Woman nightgown. Artemis had on a Black Canary T-shirt and Green Arrow pajama bottoms. Mia wore a Black Canary nightgown. Connor wore Green Arrow pajamas. And Jason wore his Batman pajamas.

None of the Titans were sleeping though. We were worried about our families. What does this unknown villain want with us? Why did he take them?

"Congratulations, you have all made it to the second round!" The unknown voice echoed throughout the ship as the video screen cut on. "Round two; the one who helps complete your pathetic little families."

We all watched in horror as the images of our siblings were replaced by images of our loved ones. Someone had taken Donna's mom, Hippolyta. He had taken Garth's mom, Mera. He had taken Lois from Kara. He had taken Dinah away from Roy. He had taken Wally's aunt, Iris. And he taken the man I considered to be my grandfather, Alfred.

"The coordinates have already been sent to you." The voice echoed as the video died.

********Break********

The Titans swapped nervous glances as we approached our destination. We'd have to leave our siblings in the hovercraft, while we went after our families.

"Okay, Jay. You have to stay here, but I'll be back soon."

"Be careful, Robin... Just bring Alfred back."

********Break********

We stood before an old coliseum. The building was practically crumbling. It gave me an eerie feeling. Coliseums are where they practically fed people to the lions.

"Okay. Let's split up. Speedy and Supergirl, you two stay together. Wondergirl, you and Aqualad go together. Kid Flash, you're with me." I ordered as the team split up.

"This place is creepy." Wally stated as we crept along the shambled building.

"Agreed." I added as I shiver went up my spine as a growling noise came from behind.

"Uh, Robin? Did you hear something?"

"Uh huh."

Slowly we turned, to find at least a dozen lions behind us. I quickly leapt onto Wally's back as he started running.

We came to a stop in the heart of the coliseum. The others were already there.

"Robin, Kid Flash! There's no sign of them!" Speedy shouted before the lions approached, only to be followed by a small army of gladiators… Gladiators! Gladiators? What is going on?

"Robin! Behind you!" Aqualad screamed as I narrowly avoided a sword by aiming a kick at the warrior.

I managed to knock the man's mask off as he fell to the floor. He sat up slowly as he moaned. "Where I am I?" he mumbled as I took a closer look.

"Alfred!" I gasped.

"Master Robin! Where… Why… What is going on?" he responded.

"The gladiators are innocent! They're or loved ones! Don't hurt them!" I screamed.

"We need to go!" I shouted, barely escaping the jaws of a lion. "Supergirl! Wonder Girl! Get them out of here, while we take care of the lions!" I ordered as they grabbed our loved ones.

Grabbing a stun grenade from my belt, I launched the weapon towards the pride in my direction. Speedy had already taken down his section with knockout arrows as Kid Flash used his super speed to relocate the lions to cages and Aqualad had created a tidal wave and neutralized his lions.

The next second, I felt myself being lifted by Supergirl. It was weird. Mind control is somehow involved in this. How are they doing this? And why are they doing this?

********Break********

Stepping onto the airship, I could see all of the adults tending to our siblings. I smiled at the sight. My smile vanished as the video screen came on.

"Congratulations Titans. You have all made it through the second round. You only have one more round to complete… your mentors." The eerie voice said as images of our mentors appeared on the screen.

No! First they threaten my little brother, then Alfred and now they're threatening my father! No way! They are not going to get away with this!

********Break********

The six of us looked up at the giant fortress hidden deep in the mountains. Our mentors were being held here. We have to find them and whoever's responsible for taking our families.

The lead lined metal fortress was enormous. Getting inside would be hard.

"We should split up. Supergirl and Wonder Girl will take the entrance from the top of the tower. Aqualad will enter through the water. Speedy will enter from the rear. Kid Flash, you take the perimeter and I'll go in through the front. Make sure you stay in touch." I ordered as the team split up in separate directions.

Soon, I entered the bare and cold fortress. The place was empty and dark. Silently, I crept along the winding staircase. I stopped when I noticed someone directly in front of me in the stairwell.

"Batman?" I called out softly.

The only answer I received was a fist impacting my cheek. I gasped in pain and horror as I toppled down the staircase, yet I rolled in time and managed to land on my feet. I barely had enough time to roll out of the way as I dodged one of my father's kicks, followed by a deadly punch.

"Batman! Stop!" I screamed, trying to avoid his attacks.

What is going on? If Alfred was controlled, then Bruce is also being controlled. But, who has enough power to control the entire Justice League?

"Listen to me; you don't want to hurt me! I'm your son!" I pleaded, only to have his boot impact my stomach, knocking me down.

I can't win against him. He practically taught me everything I know. I don't want to hurt him either. He's my dad.

I screamed as his Batarang impaled my shoulder.

"Daddy. Please." I whimpered as I was seized in his death grip and lifted above his head.

He carried me over to a window. No! Not like this! Not this way! I can't die like my parents did! I don't want to fall!

I struggled against his grip and lashed out against him. His grip loosened slightly and I took my opportunity and flipped out from his grasp. Before he could even react, I kicked his legs out from under him and flipped away before tossing a stun grenade and running up the stairs.

"Sorry Dad." I murmured as I looked down at his unconscious body lying at the bottom of the stairs.

I looked away from him and pushed the door open at the top of the stairs. A figure clad in blue and orange stood before me clapping. The missing mentors stood behind the man. My team lay at the man's feet. My friends were all unconscious and hurt.

My eyes narrowed at the masked man. "Who are you and what do you want?" I demanded.

"I am Deathstroke the Terminator. I am pleased to meet you Richard Grayson. You surprised me. I thought you would be the first to fail, yet you proved me wrong. I now see why the Titans chose you to lead them-"

"What do you want?" I demanded, cutting him off as he laughed.

"You. I want you." He answered. "I desire an apprentice and I only want the best. And you are the best. You will become my apprentice."

"No." I growled defiantly. "You tried to take away my family! You hurt my friends and my team! You brainwashed our mentors! I'm never going to be yours, Slade!"

"How did you know who I am!" he bellowed, becoming furious at my answer.

"You're not the only one with a secret." I calmly replied. "Now let the Justice League and the Titans go!" I demanded as he laughed.

"I'll make a deal with you. You win and your precious friends go free from my control. If I win, you belong to me forever."

"Deal." I replied, preparing myself for battle.

"Kill him!" the assassin ordered as the Justice League came forward.

I merely flipped over all of them and aimed for the remote that I saw the assassin use seconds before. Before he could react I had already snatched the remote from his grasp.

"Obey no more commands!" I screamed into the remote seconds before Deathstroke's hand closed around my throat.

I fell to the ground as the pressure was removed. I glanced up to see Batman in-between me and the assassin.

"Stay. Away. From. Him." Batman growled before rushing Deathstroke along with the entire Justice League.

********Break********

Glancing around the airship, I could see Hippolyta looking after her Amazon princesses, Dinah and Oliver taking care of their archers, Lois and Clark taking care of their Kryptonians, Arthur and Mera taking care of their Merkids, and Iris rocking Bart as Barry took care of Wally's injuries.

Alfred was busy wrapping my injuries as Jason leaned against me. Bruce watched over us, looking extremely guilty and extremely furious. I knew we were going to have to have a talk as soon as we were back in Gotham.

********Break********

Bruce's POV

I can remember everything I was forced to do. The bastard made me attack and injure my own child… I could have killed him. And when I saw the bastard strangling my little boy, I…

"Bruce?"

I turned to find Dick entering my bedroom.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, not wanting to wake Jason up as Dick climbed onto the bed.

"I'm okay… it's not your fault." He quickly added.

"Why didn't you tell me that he had Jason?"

"I should have, but I was scared that he would have killed Jay."

I nodded in response as Dick moved to sit beside me and Jason in the bed.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked.

"No Dickie." I'm mad at myself for hurting you.

"Just making sure." He added before lying down. "Night, Bruce. I love you."

"Goodnight, Chum." I love you too and I'll never let that bastard near you again.