The Emperor's Talon
Chapter 22: Bow Before Destiny or Burn Alive
Richard Grayson steeled himself against the darkness that washed over his mind when the doors to the Imperial Throne Room pealed back and revealed the inner sanctum of the Sith. At the far end of the room, silhouetted in front of the elongated windows, sat Emperor Palpatine himself. Beside him with folded arms stood Darth Vader, Dick's old teacher. Whatever quips he had mentally prepared to maintain some semblance of his composure died unrisen in his throat as he and Batman were marched into the room in electrobinders.
The Dark churned in his belly. Her icy fingers clawed at the innermost parts of his mind. This is the end of you Robin, she whispered, but let me bring you down in glorious flames.
"No. I don't need your help."
Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard, filling his head with impossible pain. You needed me to defeat Slade.
"I would have managed."
You would have died. Jason would have died. Barbra would have died. You cannot do this without me. We can take them out.
"No. There is no we."
You needed me to defeat Deathstroke. How do you plan to take on two Sith Lords on your own?
"I have Batman."
You have too much faith in him. You will both burn. This is the future for those who cross paths with the Sith recklessly. His mind was suddenly filed with the visions he'd seen back at the tower with Deathstroke. They all died, blacked out from history in a bloodbath that destroyed entire worlds. But with my help, you still have a chance. And then he saw another way—a way that he could win—he could rule the galaxy himself. Yes! And he could slaughter evil instead. He became a mighty warlord, a ruler, and unstoppable harbinger of the Force. And the world would burn away, and evil would be gone forever. He had the power. Take my hand, the Dark said, and fulfill your destiny!
As Dick was marched closer and closer to the Sith, he imagined having that power. He imagined killing Vader and Sidious where they stood. He could save the world from darkness. He could bring a new kind of peace to the galaxy. He could rule in their place. And the closer he got to them, the better that option sounded, because as much as he wanted to remain in the light, sometimes there needed to be one person willing to take the fall.
Do you see it child? Burn them. Burn away the dross. Be the refiner's fire.
And he could. But to be the fire would kill his soul. He knew that. And that would defeat the purpose. Soo… "no."
What? The Dark hissed at him. What did you say?
Dick now stood and the foot of the dais. He looked up into the face of Emperor Palpatine, hooded and shrouded in shadow. He told the Dark, "I would rather die."
So be it then.
The screeching voice in his head stopped and Dick snapped back to reality. A reality in which he was likely about to die and Boba Fett gave his life over to the Sith for 30 silver coins. But the Dark had gone. He could no longer feel her presence in the Force; but then again, he could no longer feel the Force. He was numb to it. He could no longer feel the presence of Vader or Palpatine. They were blocked from his senses completely. This, he supposed, should have been of some comport, but instead he felt blinded and more lost than he had before. He hoped that it was only the inhibitor collar finally doing its job, but inside, he feared it was worse.
Boba Fett stopped at the foot of the dais. He bowed slightly at the waist to Vader and the emperor. "I believe you ordered one Talon and one Batman for take-out, hold the Force." He indicated his prisoners.
Dick bristled internally. If this guy was trying to be funny, he needed to try harder.
Darth Vader strode forward and swept down the polished black steps towards the bounty hunter. Meanwhile, the emperor remained stoic and vailed in a façade of disinterest. To those who knew better—such as Lord Vader and himself—he was actively reading between the lines through the Force. He wasn't missing anything. "Where is Deathstroke?" demanded Vader.
Boba shrugged. "I don't work well with others."
"I see," said Vader, slightly disapproving.
"As you can see, your prize is here. And undamaged."
"Good," said Vader dispassionately.
"I'd like to get paid now if you don't mind, your Sith-ly-ness, sir."
"I have already transferred the credits into your account," said Vader.
"All of you, leave us." The Emperor spoke for the first time and Dick was reminded, unpleasantly, that the old man before him was in fact the creepiest person in the entire galaxy. He'd take talking directly to the Dark herself over seeing that face again. Belatedly, he wondered if he'd made the right decision in telling her to go.
Boba bowed casually to the Sith as he took a few steps backward. "Pleasure doing business with you." The bounty hunter was soon gone along with the guards and stormtroopers who were, unless he was mistaken, more than happy to comply with that particular order. Apparently, they didn't relish Palpatine's company any more than he did. Just goes to show you power can't buy everything, like popularity, Dick thought.
But even as he was thinking these things, the real world outside his head continued to move. Belatedly, he realized that Darth Vader had taken two strides forward until he towered over the former Talon. Dick looked up, keeping his face carefully blank.
Strong gloved fingers gripped his chin and turned his head back around. Dick let Vader force his face upward. He glared back at the lifeless mask before him. The was no expression. The mask was impassive and unnerving as ever, and for once, he couldn't feel the dark Lord's mood in the Force. He had a guess though and it didn't make him feel better.
"Take off this ridiculous costume, Talon," spat Vader.
Dick shuddered despite himself. He remained frozen to the spot.
Vader growled at Dick's apparent disobedience. There was a flash of red as the Dark Lord slashed his lightsaber across the former Talon's face.
Flashback to 3 years ago:
The two representatives of the Court of Owls knelt on the polished black floor of the Emperor's throne room, masked heads bowed low. Dick, no the future Talon—they told him he must forget the boy who used to live in the Talon's body—watched the proceedings from behind his masters. He bowed his head. He knew he wasn't supposed to feel anything anymore, but there was a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to scream for someone, anyone, to save him. But he kept silent. No one would come. No one ever came.
"Can you deliver as promised?" asked a silver voice from the depths of the throne.
The representatives stood. "Yes my Lord."
"Show it to me."
It. Not him, not Dick, not Richard, not even Talon. It. Show it to me.
Dick felt a hand on his back urge him to step forward. His feet felt like lead. He wanted desperately to turn and flee the throne room. He wished they would change their minds. But they wouldn't. They never did. So he stepped towards the foot of dais and bowed to the Emperor.
Palpatine leaned forward in his throne to inspect him. He leaned back after a second's thought. "Lord Vader, see what you think you might be able to do with this child the Court proposes to trade me for Gotham City."
And for the first time since Dick was ushered into the throne room, the dark statue beside the Emperor moved. Darth Vader himself strode down the steps of the dais and planted himself in front of the Talon. Dick forced himself to bow to the masked figure before him.
"This Talon is unlike any other," boasted one of the Court's representatives behind them, "not only is he the immortal empty vessel we promised you, but the Force is with him. This child has a power inside him, the likes of which the Court of Owls has never seen before."
"Immortal," purred the Emperor, "no being is truly immortal. Not without the secrets of the Dark Side."
The representative bowed again. "My Lord, I propose you test my statement."
Dick felt the strength leave him. He should have known the Emperor would require a demonstration. His blood froze in place. No. Please, Force, no. I can't. Please no!
"Show me," said the Emperor.
Dick braced himself. He could sense Darth Vader's intent to kill even before the lightsaber left his belt. He knew he was supposed to stay still. But every second until the blow would hit him was agony. Dick closed his eyes, and like a lamb to the slaughter, he waited patiently to die.
Return to the Present:
Batman watched in horror and disbelief as Darth Vader's lightsaber came down across Dick's face, burning away the domino mask over his eyes. He took a step forward to help Dick but Darth Vader held him fast in the Force.
"I said, take off this ridiculous costume," growled Vader.
The lightsaber burned across the boy's chest, straight through the Kevlar body armor, creating alien seams in the fabric. He roughly peeled away Robin's chest plate and jacket leaving the boy's torso fully exposed. Dick stumbled a little. His face turned enough for Batman to make out an angry red scar across the bridge of his nose.
Robin's torn and burned uniform lay in a dissembled heap on the floor. Vader called the fallen R insignia to his hand, then with one movement of his mechanical hand, crushed the thing to dust. He opened his palm before Dick's eyes and let the pieces slip between his fingers.
Batman didn't miss the symbolism of the act. They had taken Robin from him. Stripped him bare so they could start rebuilding. Robin—Dick Grayson—had never existed. There was only the vessel created by the court. Only the Talon, slave of the Emperor.
"Kneel before your masters," ordered Vader.
"I would if I had any," Dick responded evenly.
Batman winced as Vader backhanded Dick in the face so hard, that—strong as he was—the boy fell. He sprawled face down merely a foot away.
Finally, the Emperor himself spoke. "Well my Talon, it would appear that you've enjoyed too much freedom. I will have to correct that mistake." Turning his head slightly in Vader's direction, he added, "take that collar off him and those ridiculous handcuffs."
Though clearly bewildered, Darth Vader said nothing as he complied with the demand. Batman watched as Vader removed Dick's Force inhibitors and elecrobinders before coming around and roughly removing Batman's own. He resisted the urge to rub his neck and the stronger urge to punch Darth Vader in the face. Instead he did as Yoda had once instructed—released his anger into the Force—and waited for the emperor's next command.
Coruscant: The Works:
Slade landed the escape pod about three clicks south of the Imperial Palace in the abandon industrial zone known locally as "the works". Long forgotten factories were falling into disrepair. The whole thing might have been demolished in the time of the Republic but for the shady business nature of the companies who originally contracted the buildings. As it was, the place was the perfect place for renegades and pirates to land unauthorized vehicles: a category Slade found oddly befitting in this particular situation.
He checked the monitor for Boba Fett's tracking beacon. The armature. Fett had severely underestimated Slade's affinity for foresight and treachery otherwise he never would have left his helmet lying around so carelessly. The tracking beacon would allow Slade to come and fetch his money from this little caper at his leisure. However, as enticing as the loot might be, Slade Wilson had bigger fish to try. Now that he knew the Talon's capabilities, he wasn't about to let the boy go so easily.
Perhaps stealing from Emperor Palpatine was suicide. Slade had done the math. He'd made all the calculations and decided he could deal with the consequences. He was willing to put his chips on Dick Grayson.
Settled on that much, Deathstroke began his trek back towards the capital and his waiting prize.
The Throne Room:
Emperor Palpatine's mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile, one that was more unnerving than his habitual scowl. Dick watched warily as the Emperor turned his chair away from them. He and Batman were free of their bonds, unarmed, but free; which meant that the Sith were entirely unconcerned by whatever threat their combined efforts would pose.
"You disobeyed me Talon," said Palpatine, "you were sent to Gotham to destroy the Batman not to join him."
Dick said nothing.
"But you're still young and trainable are you not?" Palpatine graced him with a benevolent look, "Of course you are. Lord Vader was hardly willing to give up on your return even after I ordered him to kill you."
Dick risked a look at Darth Vader standing beside him, but of course it did no good. The Dark Lord was an unreadable as ever, arm once again crossed firmly over his chest.
"Yes. He was quite adamant that you would still be of some use to us at great personal risk." For the first time, Palpatine's displeasure broke the surface of his calm forgiving façade. "Now you must prove him right for both your sakes. I am willing to take you back into my service with the minimum amount of punishment if you prove your worth to me here and now. If I am not satisfied, both of you will regret your very existence."
"Do not resist my Talon," said Darth Vader, "you cannot go back to that life you had on Gotham. There is no hope for people like us. The Dark Side is absolute."
"That's where you're wrong Vader," said Dick, "the power of the Dark side is an illusion like shadows children seen in a dark room. The power of the shadows disappears when you turn on the lights."
Palpatine outright laughed, or rather cackled, "how are the lights more powerful? Lights require power but darkness is the natural state of the universe. The light of the largest star can only illuminate so much, but space will forever be dark. It is the natural order of things. It is destiny."
"Then destiny can go screw a cactus!" Dick declared.
Palpatine's smirk plummeted into an angry scowl. On one side Batman let out something between a low growl and a mental face-palm. And on the other side, it sounded like Vader nearly choked on his breathing apparatus. It would have been funny. But it wasn't. Dick thought afterwards that he probably should have kept his mouth closed, but then hindsight is 20/20. Or so they say. At any rate, Palpatine finally rose slowly from the throne and took tow steps towards the edge of the dais.
"You will rejoin my ranks and fulfill your destiny, I have foreseen it," Palpatine raised a hand from the folds of his robes and in it was Dick's first lightsaber he had built under Darth Vader's tutelage. The smooth black hilt of the double ended red saber glinted in the low light of the throne room. "Take up your saber and complete your mission. Kill the Batman."
"Never," said Dick. He was surprised at the evenness in his voice even as his heart thundered in his chest. "I won't do it."
"You will. Your heart betrays you, Talon." The Emperor inhaled as if taking in the Force through his nose. "You have cut yourself off from the Force, but I can feel your anger. Your hate. It boils within you. Take up you saber and give in. You cannot live without the Force forever."
"It is useless to resist my Talon," said Vader.
"You can't believe that," said Dick turning to his former teacher.
"It is too late for us now. Take up your saber and complete your training. It is your destiny to bring order to the galaxy." Darth Vader urged him forward with his eyes.
Dick turned to Batman who had until now remained completely silent. Perhaps, he thought, he should have been paying more attention to his mentor and kept his big mouth closed. Batman would never turn. Batman would think of a way out of this mess. He wasn't alone. He had back up. Even though the Dark Knight never looked at him, Dick tried to draw strength from the knowledge that he was not alone with the Sith anymore. A Jedi Knight was standing right beside him.
Unfortunately, Palpatine was as astute as ever and picked up on the brief look he paid his mentor. The Sith smiled again and his voice became soft and confident.
"Ah, you think your new Master can save you," Palpatine said as he returned to his throne and set Dick's lightsaber on the armrest, "the Force is with him. Who is he? An untrained protegee? Perhaps he washed out of Lord Vader's Inquisitor program. Or perhaps he is a Jedi."
Palpatine raised a hand towards Batman and blue Force lightning crackled from his fingertips without warning. Dick gasped involuntarily as Batman was thrown backwards several feet and crumpled to the floor. The Dark Knight pushed through the initial pain and rose to his knees only to be taken down again. Dick stepped between the Emperor and his mentor, but the damage was done, and Batman was down for the count. Even as he tried to asses Batman's condition without touching the Force, he knew there was nothing he could do.
"Yes Jedi," said Palpatine, "did you really thin you could hide from me?"
"Leave him alone," shouted Dick.
"Don't do this Talon," Vader warned, but Dick had already risen to his feet and taken an angry stride forward.
"Do you remember that old trick my boy?" asked Palpatine, "that slow and painful death?"
It was a rhetorical question. Dick remembered it all too well. The fire that burned him to death inside his veins; fire of the Force the burned him from the inside out. And unlike him, Batman would not be able to regenerate from that damage.
"I could kill him slowly. And then you. And then Vader," the Emperor mused, "or you can take up your saber and do it yourself. Make his death quick. Make the Batman and example to all that would come after him as vigilantes and heroes. Show them your power and the power of the Empire and take up your mantle beside your masters."
"And if I refuse?"
Palpatine smiled. "You cannot refuse. Batman will die either way. All you can do is chose how painful it will be."
Dick closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force. He sought for the light, but he couldn't reach it. In the presence of the Sith, the light was nowhere to be found. Or perhaps he was still too inexperienced to find it. Yet he was smart enough to realize that he could not defeat the Emperor and Darth Vader without the Force.
On another plain of his consciousness, Dick heard Palpatine's voice "I can feel you reaching out. Touch my mind. Give in to your rage."
But the Force had deserted him. No that wasn't right. He had bashed it. He had banished her. If the Dark was all he had, then the Dark was what he'd use. Dick reached for her and she came. He could feel it. The Force filled him and he felt the power. It was not Batman's death he must decide on; it was the Emperor's.
"Good Talon, good," crooned Palpatine.
Dick reached out with one hand and the old lightsaber flew into his grasp before the idea had fully formulated in his head. Two blood red blades ignited on either end of the weapon. And Palpatine laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
But the Force is kind. Dick Grayson is her child. His is a child of the light and the Force will protect her wayward son for the galaxy cannot endure his fury. She lost one child already, failed to show him the way, and now he is a slave to the Master of the Dark. The Force must give her second son a little push towards the hope he cannot see.
Vision of the Force:
"You know better than this, Padawan."
Dick looked around for the source of the voice. "Who are you?"
The former Talon found himself in another room. No, that wasn't quite right. It was the same room but in another time. The floor was no longer polished black but softly curving patters ringed with lush chairs and wise seated figures. Soft but near blinding light spilled in from the tall windows, obscuring the faces before him.
"Do you know where you are young one?" asked an old voice.
"No sir," said Dick.
"This is the Jedi council chamber. You have been summoned by the Force."
"Who are you?"
One figure rose, tall and dark above the others. "I am Master Mace Windu of the Jedi High council. You have a choice to make Padawan. You know the right path, but you must choose to take it."
Dick looked down at the red saber in his hands. "But I can't find it."
"Find it alone, you cannot," said another old voice. Dick could vaguely make out a pair of large ear protruding from one of the smaller seats.
"But master, Batman is out cold."
"Alone, now are you, hmm?" said the second voice.
"No?" answered Dick.
The second voice laughed. "Alone you are not. The Jedi temple this place once was. Look to these halls for guidance. Many Jedi died here, and sad it is, but leave behind power and light their sacrifice did. Draw from it you must. A Jedi are you, young Grayson. Trust in the Force you must."
"But Master," Dick began, but Mace Windu held up a hand and stepped forward till the old Master towered over him.
"You don't have the luxury of time or training, Dick Grayson, but the heart of a Jedi beats in you. You will find a way." Mach reached out and tapped two fingers to his forehead and suddenly Dick felt as though the Jedi really were within him. His vision blurred into a white haze and when he looked down at his saber the blood red color was gone and replaced by white as he had done with his new sabers. His clothes were no longer the charred remains for his Robin uniform, but soft gray Jedi robes. And then all became a flash of black as he snapped back to a world he knew much better—the dark throne room of Emperor Palpatine.
The Emperor's Throne-room:
Palpatine looked furious. The calm pretense had completely evaporated leaving only raw hatred in its place. Dick thought distantly that he should be afraid—he should be terrified—Palpatine was ready to kill him where he stood. But he wasn't. Instead, he was aware of the man but much more aware of the achingly tight grip he had on the lightsaber in his hand. He loosened his grip and the blade tilted upward into his field of vision. The blade was cleansed—the crystals were healed—the blades were white. His vision was real.
Dick took a step towards Palpatine. "I have made my choice. And I chose to follow the destiny of a Jedi."
"Then you have chosen death." Palpatine sat back into the shadows of his throne as Darth Vader's lightsaber ignited beside him. The blood red saber burned in the Sith Lord's hand.
Dick raise his own blade into an Attaroo ready stance. "Bring it, ass-hole."
…..
If I go down, I'll go in flames. There will be, all that's left of me, a legacy that burns. I dare you, do you hear, to put out the flames. I'll watch you try from heaven, while the whole world sings my praise.
…..
Author's Note: Hey y'all or anyone still interested in seeing how this story ends, sorry for the long delay in getting the updates up. This is at least the 30th time I've rewritten his chapter and I'm still not happy with it. Life has been pretty busy on top writer's block but what can you do? I'm hoping to have this story wrapped up as fast as I can write the rest of it. Let me know if it doesn't make any sense. It's 2 AM and I may have some regrets in the morning XD