AN: I'm not gonna lie. I really struggled with this one. But I managed to work it out and am actually really happy with it now.
Warnings for: Child abuse and general creepiness during the section out of Cobb's perspective. Not that this should surprise anyone at this point. Cobb really gets creepier with every chapter.
ChibiRealm: Thank you! It makes me happy to hear that you enjoy it! Dick is endearing to so many people and connected with them. I really think it's one of his greatest strengths and Talon!Dick has it as well. I think it belongs to the core of his character no matter in which universe. It's really fun to have him build all these connections with people from the hero/villain community despite not having grown up within it. I also saw your comment on a Question of Loyalty. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
Loftcat27: Yes! Nightwing and Slade's dynamic is always interesting. It's so multifaceted. And I had to make Slade snarky. He loves to toy with the people around him – especially Nightwing. And Artemis is a sweetheart. She deserves the best. I'm also happy to see that you enjoyed my other Nightwing story as well! It is really cool to still get comments on it despite it being finished.
VeronicaChase: That's the appropriate reaction to Queen Bee screwing everything up. :)
17. Dick
Batman was waiting. The Batcave was deadly silent. Behind him, he was nearly a hundred percent sure that the Team was having a telepathic conversation about him.
He didn't like having Dick and Slade go on a mission together. Not because he didn't trust Dick. No, he didn't trust Slade. The mercenary was a loose cannon, but Batman didn't expect him to stab them in the back at least on this mission. Cobb was dangerous and they would need the safety in numbers.
Bruce suppressed the urge to pace around the Cave. Batman couldn't show his nervousness in front of the Team and Jason. He needed to be in control.
The van drove into the Batcave. Slade stopped the car and jumped out still dressed in the janitor overall.
"You got the weapon?", Jason asked.
"Everything went smoothly", Deathstroke pulled the blue gun out of his overall.
Batman frowned when Dick didn't follow apparently struggling with opening the door. When he finally opened the door, he almost plummeted out only steadying himself by gripping the handle. Something was very wrong with Dick. And Deathstroke apparently seemed to find Dick's state amusing which was concerning.
Batman walked towards the van. Dick looked up at him with wide eyes. He looked anxious as if he feared that Bruce was angry with him. But Bruce wasn't. He'd initially been angry when he had seen that Dick left. Bruce had thought that he had failed Dick yet again. But Dick had ultimately returned. And Bruce had been distant to show Dick that he wasn't happy with his actions. But in the end, Dick was still his partner. And no one could accuse Nightwing of not being loyal to Batman.
Bruce helped Dick walk. The boy was mildly cold, and he seemed agitated signing at Bruce in a painfully slow manner. Bruce had suspicions about what had happened to him.
'Not can use weapon', Dick signed, 'Not just freeze Talons. Kill them.'
Batman narrowed his eyes: "Explain."
Bruce pulled Dick towards a chair. He signed snarling in frustration at the slowness and sluggishness of his gestures. Thankfully, M'Gann opened a mindlink. And Dick explained. The Martian's powers really came in handy when interacting with Dick. It made Bruce wish that she could always be there when he had to communicate with his partner.
He glared at Slade: "You made him swallow an ice pellet?"
Slade shrugged innocently: "He was in the way. We didn't have time."
"For good reasons", Bruce said, "We cannot use a lethal weapon. We obtained the weapon under the assumption that it would simply freeze a Talon."
"Why not?", Jason asked, "We're talking about Cobb. The only way to permanently get rid of him is to kill him. The whole world would be better off."
Dick shook his head as quickly as his sluggishness: "Not see the corpses of the Talons, Jason. Weapon is evil. No one deserve."
"That's bullshit, N. Cobb definitely does after everything he did to you. I'll do it myself. You won't even have to do it."
Dick shook his head: "Not want you to. Want weapon destroyed."
He looked at the gun in Slade's hand in fear.
"Give me the weapon", Batman looked at Slade.
"So that you can destroy our only hope? I don't think so", Slade said.
"I don't plan to destroy it – not yet", Batman said, "I'll analyse it."
"No", Slade crossed his arms, "We'll use it. No analysis needed."
A blur ripped the weapon out of Deathstroke's hand. Wally held it up grinning triumphantly.
"It's decided", Wally gave the weapon to Batman.
Batman grunted in acknowledgement: "Give me a few hours to analyse it. Then, we're regrouping."
He looked at Deathstroke: "And if you even think about betraying us, I will immediately destroy the weapon. So, you better play nice."
Deahtstroke was seething: "It's always a pleasure to work with you, Wayne."
Which basically amounted to 'fuck you'.
Deathstroke walked to one of the training dummies hitting it repeatedly. Probably to work off some of that anger.
The rest of the Team gave Batman some space allowing him to work. They spread around the Cave. M'Gann and Wally played cards in the boxing ring to kill time. Dick stayed on the chair observing Bruce closely.
Bruce sighed. Maybe giving Dick the silent treatment hadn't been a great idea. Despite not being able to express himself as he wished, Dick thrived on communication. But Bruce was horrible with words. So, he opted for action instead. He took off his cape and wrapped it around his shivering partner.
Dick seemed surprised. Frowning.
"I'm not angry with you", Bruce forced himself to say, "I wasn't happy that you ran off. But you came back. And that's important. I was concerned about you not about the possibility of you betraying me."
Dick tilted his head. He tugged the cape closer around himself.
"Partners?", he signed.
"Partners", Bruce ruffled Dick's hair knowing that it would comfort him.
Dick smiled leaning into the touch.
Bruce turned to the gun putting it onto a table and taking it apart. Wait. He had just ruffled Dick's hair without thinking much about it. Batman – the man notorious for keeping everyone at arm's length. Alfred had been right. He had basically adopted the boy. And he didn't even regret it.
Jason roamed through the house collecting all the weapons he needed from his stack. He reached his last stack, pulling up a loose floorboard in the abandoned part of the house.
Batman would never kill Cobb. Not after his epiphany that Talons were indeed humans. But Jason had never had a problem with killing humans – if they were shitbags. And Cobb definitely was. N would be angry. But it would be for his own safety. Jason noted that he was being more than mildly hypocritical. N had left to protect Jason. And now Jason left to protect N.
But it would be fine – at least that was what Jason told himself. He now had the means to kill Cobb from far enough that the assassin would be less of a threat. Jason would manage. And someone had to do it. And unlike N, he planned to return home. He would after he had killed Cobb – triumphantly telling N that he was freed from his abuser. This time, Jason wouldn't hide behind his brother but shield him instead.
"Does Batman know that you are keeping a gun in his house?", a dry voice said.
Jason swung around pointing the gun at his target. Deathstroke. He had changed from the disguise into his costume. And Jason had to admit he looked fucking terrifying. But Red Hood wasn't scared of anything. He raised his chin.
"I'm killing Cobb", Jason said, "You can't stop me."
"Do I look like I want to stop you?", Deathstroke said, "Quite the opposite, I'm here to offer you my cooperation."
"How can I trust you?"
"You can't."
"Fair enough", Jason said.
He didn't think long. Teaming up with fucking Deathstroke would considerably raise his odds of killing Cobb. Jason wasn't a fool.
"We need to get the gun from Batman", Jason said.
"I'm sure you have something handy in your stacks."
"I do", Jason pulled capsules of knockout gas out from under the floorboard.
He threw a few inhibitor collars at Slade that he had collected before: "I take care of Batman. He won't expect me to use knockout gas on him. You use the gas on the team and collar them."
"What about your brother?", Slade sounded amused at Jason's attempts at ordering him around.
Jason took a deep breath. N wouldn't like this.
"He'll try to stop us. We can't take him with us. But he's still weakened from the fucking ice pellet you made him swallow."
"You're welcome", Deathstroke said.
"Yeah, fuck you, too."
"You got quite a mouth on you. I prefer your brother's silence."
Jason said: "Cobb is probably still in the old headquarters of the Gotham Court. He's waiting for N to come to him. But we'll come instead."
Jason walked into the Batcave. Batman was still hunched over the gun trying to glean information from it. N sat on the chair next to him draped into Batman's cape of all things. He occasionally pointed at something and Batman explained something to him surprisingly patiently. They looked familiar.
Jason doubted that he could ever achieve this level with the Bat. They got along well enough temporarily. They could even work together if their goals aligned. But their moralities were too different for anything long-term. Batman couldn't ignore what Jason was doing forever. And Jason couldn't stop killing forever. Not if he wanted to reach his goal of permanently cleansing Gotham. Mask was dead. But people like Penguin and Two-Face still roamed the street. Red Hood needed to refocus on his mission.
N would accept it. Even if he would never kill again himself out of his deep-seated guilt.
Batman was a completely different story. The old man would throw Jason out of his house. Especially if he found out that Jason had stored guns in the manor. But it was a sacrifice that Jason was willing to make.
"What did you find out?", Jason walked towards Batman.
N tensed. They still hadn't cleared things between them. But Jason put his hand on N's shoulder to show him that he had forgiven him. Jason would be a real hypocrite if he didn't.
"It's fine", Jason squeezed his shoulder, "I'm not angry anymore."
Nightwing looked up at him. He was observing Jason's face closely probably sensing that something was off about him. But he didn't comment – probably happy about Jason forgiving him.
Jason felt a twinge of guilt in his chest.
Batman ignored their little exchange: "The substance inside the gun indeed does react with the electrum in the Talon's blood vessels. It freezes them with such high concentration that the electrum bursts."
Nightwing cut the tip of his thumb with his claw. He let blood drop onto the glass platter that the gun was lying on. He nodded at Batman. They really were familiar. Nightwing knew what Batman wanted without the Bat even saying it. Jason didn't know how to feel about that.
"The electrum inside the blood makes it darker", Batman said.
"Which explains N's dark veins", Jason said.
Nightwing nodded.
"Push him out of range", Batman said.
Jason pulled the chair Nightwing sat on back. He stood in front of N making sure that the blast couldn't accidentally hit him. Jason knew how dangerous a gun could be and how easily things could go wrong.
Batman shot the gun at the drop. The blue ray hit the blood. Jason frowned leaning further forward. He heard a low cracking sound. Then, the blood exploded into flurries of black ice.
"Shit", Jason said, "It explodes them from within?"
Nightwing tugged on Jason's sleeve. He looked up at Jason with hope in his eyes, signing: 'See now why not use?'
It truly was a gruesome and undignified way to die. Perfect for Cobb.
Jason would still destroy the weapon afterwards. No other Talon deserved to die like this.
Jason pulled the knockout pellet out of his pocket. Batman watched him. Jason hid it in his balled hand.
"There is something I need to show you, old man", Jason pressed the capsule and held it in front of Batman's face.
Batman frowned. But he didn't react quickly enough. Or he didn't expect Jason to betray him. Batman tried to fight the effects of the gas. But he had already breathed it in. Batman slumped forward onto the table.
N made a strangled noise struggling to stand up and holding himself up on the table. The cape fell to the floor. He looked at the rest of the team for help. But Deathstroke was doing his job as well taking out the team one by one. Slapping inhibitor collars on them. They hadn't been prepared for a fight – especially not with Deathstroke.
"I'm killing Cobb for you", Jason pushed Nightwing back onto the chair, "You can't stop me."
Nightwing shook his head. Weakly struggling against Jason's grip. The ice was really handicapping him. Jason put an inhibitor collar around his neck. Nightwing slumped into the chair not even trying to fight anymore. The ice and the collar made him lose all of his strength.
"I'm making sure that you are safe from him", Jason said, "I forgive you by the way. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't. This is not a goodbye. I fully intend to come back. And then we can finally leave all of this behind us. You'll be completely free from the Court."
Deathstroke stepped beside Jason. He looked down at Nightwing chuckling: "I would tie you up but that doesn't seem to be necessary."
Nightwing tried to raise his hands. He wanted to sign something. But he was too weak.
"I'm sorry, N", Jason turned around.
"No", Nightwing's scratchy voice said, "Not kill in my name."
Jason halted. Dumbstruck. Nightwing's voice was coming back. Jason wondered if he would speak again like he had before, once Cobb was dead. There was only one way to find out.
"It's the only way", Jason said.
"Hurry up", Slade climbed into the van.
Jason sat next to him. He felt bad for N who had slumped into the chair falling into a trancelike state.
The band around his neck opened. Nightwing felt the strength flowing back into his limbs.
He was still cold. And he was still too slow. But it was better than it had been before. Just a bit. Lifting his head still seemed like far too much energy.
"I need you to wake up", Batman said.
Nightwing looked up into Batman's neutral face. The hero was leaning over him. He wrapped his cape around Nightwing's body again.
"Good", Batman said, "Jason and Deathstroke are gone. The tracker I put into Jason's boot tells me that they are on their way to the sewers."
Nightwing felt his stomach clench. Jason was trying to go up against Cobb. His little brother was in horrible danger.
"I would prefer to leave you here", Batman said, "But you are the only one who can lead us through the old Court headquarters. Jason and Deathstroke will have to find their way. You are our advantage."
Nightwing's stomach clenched. The idea to return to the Old Court Headquarters was terrifying. He didn't know if he could do it. If he was strong enough. But Jason would die if Nightwing didn't go. Cobb wouldn't let himself be easily killed. He always had something up his sleeve.
Nightwing needed to go. But he was terrified. He could go to Cobb to die. But he couldn't go to Cobb to trick him. But Nightwing didn't want to die anymore. He never had.
Nightwing pulled Batman's cape closer around himself. He tried to say something. But he couldn't.
Batman looked around. The Team had lost their inhibitor collars. But they were still unconscious. He took off the cowl. Nightwing's eyes widened.
"I know you're scared", Batman said, "And I would love to promise you that I will protect you from Cobb. But I can't. I failed you too often to do that. But I can promise you that I will do my best."
Nightwing looked up at Bruce mouthing the words: "I know. Bruce always try."
"It's nice to hear your voice."
"Not much", Nightwing managed to croak out, "Exhausting."
"But it's coming back", Bruce said, "Cobb is already losing. And I can't promise you that everything will turn out fine. But if you go tonight, you will show him that he can't win. That his sick little mind games didn't manage to break you."
Bruce halted. He seemed to hesitate.
"You're still cold", Bruce grumbled.
He hugged Nightwing. Nightwing chuckled. Bruce was a really strange man. But Nightwing was learning how to read him. Seeing through his excuses.
Bruce was trying. So, Nightwing would try, too. He would be brave. Jason was more important than his fear.
Nightwing didn't comment when Bruce continued holding him. The man's grip was vice-like and Nightwing wondered if Batman was scared, too. But Bruce was still going because he was a real hero. It made Nightwing admire him even more.
Wally stirred – probably the first of the team because of his enhanced metabolism. He sat up. As soon as Wally moved, Bruce distanced himself from Nightwing. He seemed a bit flustered as if he was embarrassed by showing emotion in front of people. Nightwing tilted his head filing this information away for later.
"Be useful, Kid Flash and warm him up", Batman put on his cowl again, "I'm making some preparations. We're going as soon as the rest of the Team is awake."
"Are you calling the League?", Wally asked.
"No", Batman turned towards the computer, "This is a mission for a covert team. And you are ready."
Wally nodded straightening his back under the weight of Batman's words.
"Didn't I give you a task?", Batman asked without looking away from the computer.
Wally looked dumbstruck. He hurried towards Nightwing and wrapped him in a hug. Wally used his superspeed to rub Nightwing's arms.
"Did Batman just order us to cuddle?", Wally whispered into Nightwing's ear.
Nightwing would laugh if he wasn't so tense. He would return to the place where he had been tormented for years. And he needed to defeat the source of his suffering.
Nightwing hesitated. But he took his old knives out of the hidden spot after he had put on his suit. Even if Batman wouldn't like it - the knives still comforted him.
Nightwing was leading the way through the sewers crossing them without hesitation. But his tense shoulder betrayed his purposeful stride. He was terrified. Artemis couldn't blame him. She was more than freaked out herself. She tried to concentrate on her breathing and forget the unbearable stench that permeated the air.
After a while, Nightwing stopped touching a brick that was a bit askew. Artemis saw the little owl symbol on the edge of the brick. So easy to overlook if you weren't searching. Nightwing pushed the symbol. The wall opened like a door. Artemis squeezed her eyes shut when she was greeted by pure white.
"What is this?", Wally asked.
"Labyrinth", Nightwing said, "Connect different parts of headquarters. For safety. Only Talons know navigate."
Batman said: "The Court uses it to torture people. Let them stumble through the labyrinth until they are driven insane."
"Like game, Cobb say."
Artemis' throat felt dry when she followed Nightwing inside. The floor was shiny despite the hideout not having been used for a long time. She touched the walls. They seemed to be made of granite.
Nightwing halted cocking his head. He was listening.
"You hear something?", Kaldur asked.
Nightwing shook his head: "Still careful. Talons hunt people through labyrinth. Use claws to climb walls."
"I could fly up and see", M'Gann said.
"No", Batman said, "The Talons could see you. Even in camouflage mode. We're following Nightwing. He knows the way."
Nightwing looked uncomfortable but he nodded.
"Where is Cobb?", Kaldur asked.
"Arena", Nightwing said without hesitation, "Court use meet there."
"I can't imagine all these stuck-up rich people crawling through the sewers and crossing a labyrinth to go to their fancy meeting", Artemis said.
"They don't", Batman said, "They have a separate entrance that is connected to the arena. I used it to take the Court down."
Nightwing nodded: "Most Court not know how to cross Labyrinth. Only Talons. Court only watch games on cameras. For amusement during parties."
"It was their downfall", Batman said, "They rather committed suicide than trying their luck in the labyrinth."
"It seems to be their downfall in general", Artemis said, "They trained all these hypercompetent Talons and build their whole organization on them while also treating them like shit. It was only a question of time until one of them snapped."
Nightwing bit his lip. His claws twitched towards his palms. He tilted his head.
"You remember something?", Wally asked.
Nightwing turned towards Batman: "Batman was in labyrinth once. Court try to break. But Batman escape. Batman only one escape."
Batman steeled his face nodding: "The Court almost succeeded. They captured me and hunted me through the labyrinth for days. After I managed to escape, I returned through the other entrance and took them down."
"Remember hunting Batman", Nightwing walked forward not looking at them, "Scratch Batman I think. Batman very desperate. Break my neck."
"You were with Cobb", Batman seemed to remember, "The little Talon by his side that I took out first."
Nightwing sounded weary: "Always with Cobb."
Artemis concentrated on her breathing again. This place sent shivers down her spine. It was drenched in death and suffering. She couldn't imagine being captured here for years. And she hadn't even seen half of it.
Nightwing led them further into the maze. He halted tilting his head.
"I don't hear anything", Connor said, "It's quiet, painfully so."
"In heart of maze", Nightwing said.
Suddenly, the walls broke open making way for a larger space. Artemis froze when she saw the coffins. A photo was standing on each of them. Most of the children on the photos were smiling. The backgrounds varied. It was jarring to see these children stand in front of a blue sky. Or in a forest leaned against a tree. Or on a playground.
"What is this?", Artemis asked.
"Shrine for all Talons", Nightwing walked through the row of identical coffins, "And warning."
He picked up one of the picture frames. The picture was taken out.
"Disgraced Talon", Nightwing said, "Not remembered."
"Can we just take a moment to note how sick all of this is?", Wally asked.
"Noted", Connor said.
Artemis watched the coffin more closely letting her fingers glide over the smooth wood. She frowned when her finger met something uneven. The lid of the coffin was covered in tally marks. Five to be exact. Strange. The other coffins were also covered in tally marks most far more than five.
She wanted to ask Nightwing what they meant but he strode through the rows searching for something. He stopped in front of one of the coffins whose frame also didn't have a photo.
Nightwing's claws twitched towards his palms again. He was grappling with himself but finally he gave in sinking his claws into his flesh. Blood dripped onto the floor but Nightwing kept pushing.
For some reason, this coffin was freaking him out. Artemis and the others hurried towards him.
"Three things you can see", Batman said.
Nightwing seemed to think but he concentrated on Batman's voice: "Batman. Coffins. Empty picture."
"Three things you can hear."
"Batman voice. Team and Batman heartbeat. Batman cape sound."
They went on until Nightwing had calmed down again.
"What made you so upset?", M'Gann asked.
Nightwing looked at the blood on his hands: "My coffin. Cobb take out picture."
He shuddered: "Cobb think I'm disgraced."
"What does that mean?", Wally asked.
Nightwing's shoulders slumped forward: "Talons not talk about disgraced. Too horrible to explain."
Artemis watched Nightwing's coffin. The tally marks were also there. There were far more than on the other coffin. Several hundred if Artemis had to guess.
"What do the tally marks mean?", Artemis asked.
"One for every kill."
"Oh", was the only thing Artemis managed to get out.
"Your little friend killed more people than most villains", Sportsmaster said in her head, "Very impressive. Can you measure up? What a disappointment."
Artemis ignored him. She didn't want to measure up. And she couldn't imagine what if felt like to have all the sins of your past life laid out in front of the people you loved.
Silence. The rest of the team also seemed helpless. Wally raised his hand as if to reach out to Nightwing but halted. Even Wally was at a loss for words.
To Artemis' surprise, Batman put a steadying hand on the back of Nightwing's neck.
"It doesn't change anything", he said in his gruff voice, "I still respect you."
Nightwing looked up searching Batman's face for his reaction. He nodded apparently finding Batman to be genuine. Artemis frowned. Batman had handled this surprisingly tactfully.
"Same goes for us", Kaldur said, "I'm speaking for the whole team. The good you are doing now matters."
Nightwing looked at them with so much fondness. Artemis had never doubted him. He loved this team and doing good.
But Kaldur's words affected something else inside her. They gave her hope. She imagined Kaldur saying them to her. Accepting her even after she had revealed her darkest secret to the Team. Artemis would tell them after they had survived this ordeal. And they would survive. Artemis wouldn't accept anything else.
They left the coffins behind them. Walking towards the arena. Wally took Nightwing's hand – silently reassuring him on the way.
Jason fucking hated this. This wasn't how he had imagined this mission to go at all. Nightwing had never mentioned that the Court's headquarters consisted of a giant maze with ghostly white walls. Deathstroke and he had been walking through this maze for a seeming eternity. It was deadly quiet. But sometimes Deathstroke halted as if he had heard something. And he made small carving into the walls so that they wouldn't get lost. Jason didn't like to admit it. But at this point, he was just following Deathstroke. Hopefully, the guy knew what he was doing. But Jason seriously doubted it.
"They are watching us", Deathstroke said – which wasn't distressing at all.
"Who?"
Deathstroke didn't answer apparently not bothered by Jason's concern.
Jason tensed. A small breeze hit the back of his neck. It reminded him of the instances where N had snuck up on him trying to tag him with his claws. After years, Jason had learned to read the signs. He rolled out of the way only for a claw to narrowly miss his back. Jason turned around pointing his loaded gun at the Talon.
The Talon pulled out two knives. He was a giant even lingering over Deathstroke. He would look terrifying if Jason hadn't lived together with an assassin for years.
Jason held his gun steady: "I'm not here to kill you. Just Cobb. Leave us alone and I won't hurt you."
The Talon cocked his head in a way that painfully reminded Jason of N. He wondered if all Talons did this to indicate that something had caught their curiosity. It would make sense for the Talons to develop some kind of universal gestures to be able to communicate when they weren't allowed to speak. Jason just hoped that the tilted head meant that the Talon would leave them alone.
The Talon spoke: "Cobb has sentenced you to die, Jason Todd."
Jason frowned. Cobb had really taken over the role of the master not even pretending to serve the Court anymore.
"Well, you are quite a lousy killer because he's still breathing", Deathstroke said.
The Talon tilted his head in the other direction.
"Cobb has sentenced you to die, too, Slade Wilson."
It was unnerving how neutral the Talon's voice was. He really had no stake in this outcome only doing what Cobb told him to.
Jason had no time for thoughts when the Talon threw a knife at him. He rushed to the side the blade barely scraping his shoulder. It still hurt but Jason had had worse. Now, Jason was thankful for the lessons where N had thrown dulled, wooden knives at him.
Talon's were incredibly hard to fight in close combat – Jason had learnt that painstakingly. So, he shot the Talon several times. The assassin snarled. But he lunged forward and kicked the gun out of Jason's hand.
His knife shot out trying to get Jason. But Jason evaded. This Talon was quick, but he couldn't dance circles around Jason like N could. Fighting with N taught you how to be light on your feet. Nightwing would probably set a well-placed kick now to the Talon's throat. But Jason wouldn't be quick enough. And he had his own style. So, he decked the Talon in the face.
He stumbled back. Jason heard cracks. His nose was probably broken.
Deathstroke snickered in the back.
"How about you help?", Jason asked evading another slash.
The Talon slashed out again. He ripped open Jason's armor on his stomach. Thankfully, he only grazed Jason's skin. It still hurt like hell though.
"I want to see the great Red Hood fight", Slade said, "See if you're useful."
Oh, it was on. Jason wouldn't let this smug bastard question his abilities.
He fought more vigorously. But the Talon was good. He was quick and Jason could barely keep up. Only narrowly evading his attacks. And Jason was becoming weaker with each slash. Breathing heavily. He screamed in pain when the Talon slashed his thigh open.
"Disappointing", Slade said.
Jason had to think. He threw a grenade on the floor running to escape its blast. It blew up throwing the Talon backwards. His body cracked as he healed himself, but it was taking longer than usual. Jason knew why. Talons hated burn wounds because, apparently, they were a nightmare to heal. N had always slashed his burned skin off rather than letting it heal.
Jason got a few moments to catch his breath. He took out a knife of his own.
He wouldn't be able to evade the Talon. N could do it, but Jason was a heavier fighter. Taller and bulkier. He needed to use his own advice. Stop trying to use N's fancy technique and make his own mangled version out of it.
Jason had been able to take Nightwing to the ground one time. He'd already been Red Hood at that point. And they had sparred on their usual spot on the rooftop. Jason had just lunged at Nightwing full-bodily slamming him to the ground. Nightwing hadn't expected it. He was used to technique. Not brute force. And Talons seemed to share at least some characteristics.
So, Jason slammed into the Talon when he stood up again. The assassin was still weakened from the burn wounds. He went to the ground again. Jason ripped off the Talon's goggles and mask. The Talon squinted his eyes shut.
Jason was prepared for the Talon to slash out. Just like N did when he was desperate. So, he pushed two knives through the Talon's hands pinning them to the ground. The Talon snarled ripping out the knives. Jason broke his neck before he could heal. The crack was disgusting. Jason shuddered.
Now, he was glad that Nightwing had made him train how to break a neck. It had been horrifying. N had made Jason break his neck at least a dozen times. It was a strangely intimate way to kill which allowed for no hesitation. And it couldn't get any more intimate than doing it to his big brother. N had prepared him. Training him until he didn't hesitate anymore. Breaking a stranger's neck was a piece of cake in comparison.
Nightwing had done so much for Jason. N had empowered him by allowing him to become the Red Hood. Jason would give back and empower N through killing his abuser for him.
He held the Talon's head down to keep him from healing. Jason felt really bad about this, but he took out a rope.
"Don't bother, kid", Slade pointed the gun at the unmoving Talon.
Jason jumped up trying to shove Slade away. The Talon took this opportunity to heal. He stood up again. But Slade shot him in the chest with the blue lazer.
Jason looked in horror at the Talon. He looked confused staring down at his chest. A blue tint spread over his body. He was rapidly freezing down. The Talon reached out towards Jason in slow motion. Looking at him with desperation. The blue finished spreading and the Talon was unmoving. Then, the noises started. They sounded like ice rapidly breaking. The Talons vessels were bursting spreading his dark blood under his skin. The Talon wailed. He couldn't move his mouth anymore so he only made guttural sounds. The Talon's agony seemed to never end. It took at least five minutes for him to stop wailing.
"Good", Slade looked at the gun, "It really does work."
"What the fuck, Deathstroke?", Jason balled his fists, "He wasn't a threat anymore. I could have just tied him up."
"So that someone else frees him? It's better like this. Cleaner", Slade continued walking.
He marked the walls of the maze with tiny lines so that they could find their way again.
"You fucking bastard", Jason fought the urge to lunge at Deathstroke, "He was a person."
"He was a threat and I eliminated him."
"No one deserves to die like this."
"No one?", Slade frowned, "Then why are you here?"
"Cobb is the exception", Jason snarled.
Slade didn't comment. He halted suddenly.
"What?", Jason asked – annoyed.
A Talon stood in front of them. He looked as small as a child.
And his voice was as high as one: "My master wants you to follow."
The boy spoke with a thick accent that Jason couldn't identify.
Deathstroke followed the boy.
"This is a trap", Jason said.
"Well", Deathstroke raised the gun, "Good that we are prepared."
Jason nodded into the direction of the boy: "Do you think Cobb recruited from the other branches of the Court?"
"It's a good way to stock up on disposable puppet soldiers."
Jason balled his fists in anger. But he stayed quiet. Now was not the time to fight. He still had a terrible feeling about this though.
Cobb watched through the screens on the opposite wall as his pawns made their way through the maze. They were right in assuming that Cobb was in the arena. They were foolish in thinking that they could trick Cobb. Little did they know that they were already caught in Cobb's web.
Cobb zeroed in on Grayson. It looked terrified, its gaze flying around the labyrinth. Its hand firmly around the speedster's. The little bird was less stupid than it looked. It knew that it stood no chance against Cobb. It was foolish enough to come anyway because of its soft heart.
Cobb had been nostalgic recently. Probably because he knew that he would soon rip his bird's head off. He had allowed himself to indulge a bit. Just like he had allowed himself to indulge when Grayson first had come to him. It turned out to be a mistake. One of the reasons he desperately needed to kill Grayson. He couldn't allow this weakness to continue living.
Cobb couldn't help but remember older times. Better times. To indulge one last time. It had been more than a decade now that Cobb had claimed his bird.
Cobb sat in his chamber at the old Gotham Court. It was a lavish room for a Talon to possess. A room with a bed, a wardrobe and Cobb's own desk. Special privileges for the Head-Talon. The others were just stored away in storage rooms until they could be of service again. If they had transgressed, they would be frozen.
Cobb frowned when he heard small footsteps in front of his door. Whoever was in front of his door halted. Cobb heard small sniffles. Then, the softest of knocks.
"Get in", Cobb cautiously drew a knife.
The door opened and Richard stood in the entryway. He was wearing a brown prisoners' garb and fiddled with his sleeves. His eyes were rimmed red. The boy had cried again. He did it far too much. The Court was already doubting his capabilities and only left him alive because Cobb vouched for him.
"How did you leave your ce- room?", Cobb asked.
"I found some old wire on the floor and opened the lock", Richard – no Dick as he insisted – bit his lip looking at the floor, "The escape artist from the circus taught me."
He made a pathetic picture. Far too small for his age and still too emotional. Cobb should send him back to his room.
"Richard-"
"Dick."
"Dick, you need to get back to your room. My superiors will be angry with me if you aren't in your room. I'm vouching for you."
"I know", Dick wiped his eyes with his sleeves trying to keep himself from crying, "B- But I had a nightmare."
"Your parents falling again?"
Dick flinched. Answer enough.
"I know I shouldn't be here but I- I needed to see you", Dick looked at Cobb with teary blue eyes, "I used to have Zitka when I had a nightmare-"
Dick had talked about it before. His stupid stuffed elephant from the circus.
"-but the mean lady who took me away from the circus didn't let me get her."
Dick tugged on Cobb's sleeve looking at him with wide blue eyes: "Pleaaase. I don't want to bother you. But I don't know where else to go. I think there is a monster under my bed. It makes me think bad thoughts."
Cobb grappled with himself. He shouldn't allow this boy to walk into his room. But he looked at how scared Dick was. How pathetically small he was. Such a needy little creature. He was the clingiest kid Cobb had ever trained. Not that the children Cobb took on stayed kids long. Dick would be forced to grow up soon.
"You need to-"
"Please, Grandpa Will", Dick clung to Cobb's leg, "I can't be alone anymore. The others that look like you don't talk to me. They don't even show me their face. They always seem so sad. And the fancy people-"
"Watch your mouth when you talk about the Court, boy."
"The Court are mean. They always act like they are better than everyone else. And I don't understand what they want."
Cobb thought about striking the boy for daring to insult the Court. But he let it slide and ruffled his hair. He had to trap the boy with false sentimentality first if he wanted to have a truly loyal creature by his side. He wasn't indulging. And he certainly didn't enjoy the feeling that caring for the boy gave him.
Cobb picked the boy up shocked by how light he was. Such a fragile little thing. Dick hid his face in Cobb's chest sniffling.
"You can sleep with me", Cobb felt silly when he said, "I'll keep the monster away."
"Thank you", Dick mumbled, "You're the best grandpa. Not that I can really judge. I never had a grandpa before. But you are really cool."
Another flaw with the boy. He was far too talkative.
Dick laid down in Cobb's untouched bed. Cobb sighed internally but slipped in next to him.
Dick cuddled up to Cobb balling his fists into Cobb's uniform. Cobb put a large hand on the back of the boy's neck. The boy made a soft noise. He closed his eyes waiting for sleep to come. Cobb imagined what it would be like to break his neck. It would end the boy's life completely getting him out of reach for the Court. He would be dead, but he would leave this world in his innocent state.
Cobb frowned. His thoughts were treacherous. The boy was too soft. But his skills would make him a valuable assassin once Cobb had broken him in. He was on the way to become one of the most accomplished acrobats in the world. As an assassin, the boy would be very fast and hard to pin down. He also wasn't completely stupid – evidenced by the fact that he had picked the lock of his cell to slip into Cobb's room. And he was already loyal to Cobb. Searching out his room instead of trying to escape from the 'mean' Court by himself. He would be perfect with just enough training. Killing the boy now would be a betrayal of the highest order. It would mean disgrace even for a Head-Talon.
Cobb tightened his hand around the boy's neck.
Cobb had betrayed the Court once when he hadn't given his children to them. They had lived into old age spending a fulfilling life at the circus. Sometimes, Cobb had visited their shows and watched them with a fondness in his chest that he only felt when he looked at them. They would have made fine assassins indeed. But Cobb hadn't let them. Because he loved them. No matter how many people he killed, he would always love his children. And this stupid love had made him shield them from the Court. He hadn't wanted their innocence to be ruined.
Was Cobb ruined himself? He didn't like this thought so he ignored it. He wasn't ruined. He was on his way to greatness. His children just hadn't had a place in that plan.
And with shock – Cobb noticed – that he loved the damn boy by his side, too. That he felt the same fondness he had only felt for his children before. He loved it when Dick called him 'Grandpa'. When the boy looked at Cobb in admiration. When he cuddled closer to Cobb in search of protection. Cobb loved this stupid little creature. Dick awakened something within Cobb that he had long forgotten. It had died with the death of his children. The feeling of being needed on a deep emotional level. Not as an assassin, but as a father or grandfather.
He tightened his hand around Dick's neck again. It would be so easy to kill him. To spare him from all the pain Cobb had endured. He hated this little creature for making him feel this way. The boy's heartbeat raced. He was gasping for air.
"You're hurting me, Grandpa Will", he croaked out.
Cobb tightened his grip just for a moment. Then, he let go. The boy gasped for air. He started crying. Pathetic.
"Shhh", Cobb put a clawed finger over his lips, "I forget my own strength sometimes."
The boy was still gasping for air. After several minutes, his breath had calmed down.
Cobb pulled him into a hug drawing circles on his back.
"It's fine", the boy had difficulty meeting Cobb's gaze, "I- I forgive you. I stepped onto a dog's tail once at the circus because I didn't pay attention. I felt so bad because I hurt him. I didn't mean to. It's the same, isn't it?"
"Yes", Cobb said.
Stupid little thing. Making excuses for him. The kid needed so desperately to believe in the best in people. Even in someone like Cobb. He had just tried to strangle Dick and the boy still adored him. He would use this to his advantage in training. Pain and strictness to harden the boy. And an occasional sign of affection to secure his loyalty.
"I don't like it here", Dick's voice was still hoarse, "I want to go home."
"You don't have a home anymore." Pain.
Dick flinched. New tears welling up in his eyes.
Cobb added: "But you still have me. I'm your home." Affection.
Dick bit his lip looking up at Cobb. Then, he clung to him again as if Cobb was his protector and not the monster that would take him apart. Naïve, little creature.
"We could leave", Dick's eyes sparked with hope.
They were so pretty. Blue and filled with life. Cobb cherished the view. He would be the one to suffocate the life out of them.
"Where?", Cobb indulged the boy.
He had been indulging far too much in recent times. Enjoying things that couldn't last.
"We could go to the circus. They would take us in with open arms."
Cobb knew they would. He imagined what his life with the boy in the circus could be like. They would live in some pathetic trailer together. Cobb would teach the boy acrobatics and they would perform in front of hundreds of people. Bringing them joy. They would travel the world with all the other circus freaks. It sounded peaceful. The kind of life Amelia had always wanted until Cobb had taken it from her.
It was also dangerous. Dick was putting illusions into Cobb's head. Distracting Cobb from building his legacy. Maybe some higher force had sent Dick to test Cobb's resolve. Cobb wouldn't carve. He had invested too much in his legacy already. Decades of work. It was too late now for the peaceful life. Dick would become a Talon – no matter how much he begged Cobb to let him go. The boy would be just another steppingstone in Cobb's glorious legacy. Another insignificant, little sacrifice.
Cobb had suffered. So, Dick would suffer, too.
"Get some sleep", Cobb said, "I'll make sure you're safe."
"OK", the boy mumbled – not questioning the only adult figure left in his life, "Goodnight, Grandpa Will."
He closed his eyes again.
Cobb watched the boy while he slept. He didn't have anything better to do. Usually, it was painfully boring. But Cobb found himself leaning over the boy, watching his neck. The bruise on his skin was faint at first but started to darken. Cobb held his fingers over the outline without touching the boy. It was fascinating how his fingers matched the shape on the boy's neck. It made Cobb feel powerful. He had complete control over the boy. This good-hearted, pretty, little creature. Not the Court. Him. Cobb would ruin it until it was on Cobb's level. It wouldn't get the same protection Cobb had granted to his children.
Cobb should have known from these early days that the boy wasn't suited to be an assassin.
That it was too weak. But he had been blinded by this misguided affection he felt for the little creature. It was the affection that an owner might feel for a pet. Definitely not love.
Cobb seethed when he saw Batman putting his hand on the back of Grayson's neck. Comforting it just like Cobb had done over a decade ago. Grayson was Cobb's to tear apart and put together as he pleased. The Bat didn't have any right. Cobb would make Grayson regret searching for comfort from anyone else but Cobb.
His fingers itched. He would torture Grayson with them and make it beg. Cobb would only mercy-kill it once it admitted that its life belonged to Cobb. He was the reason that Grayson even existed, and he could take its existence away any time he pleased. Grayson just had to admit it.
Cobb leaned forward looking at Deathstroke's and Red Hood's screen. They were close. Cobb needed to be ready. He turned off the screens on the wall and looked at the Talons who were assembled in neat lines in front of him. Cobb had collected them from every branch of the Court in the world. They had quickly clung to him as their new master after he had killed their old ones. Pathetic, little creatures.
Jason halted when the maze suddenly broke open and revealed a set of heavy wooden doors. Owls were carved into it. Two Talons with empty eyes guarded each side. Jason jumped in front of the gun before Slade could kill them, too.
"Master is waiting for you", the kid opened the doors for them.
His voice sounded hollow. It made Jason shudder. All these Talons were victims of the Court. N could easily be standing in front of Jason now if he hadn't been able to flee all those years ago. Jason wouldn't let Slade kill these people. Slade grunted in annoyance but made no further attempt to kill the Talons.
Jason felt frozen when he came face to face with an amphitheatre made out of the same white granite as the labyrinth. Talons were standing in the room. Still as statues. Heads bowed. Jason shivered. Each of these Talons was highly dangerous. The kid went to an empty space in the row lowering his head.
Cobb stood on a small stage in front of the steps of the theatre. Black screens were across from him. Jason was sure that Cobb had watched them.
Slade shot at Cobb without warning. But one of the Talons threw themselves in front of Cobb taking the blast. They slumped into the sand making the same agonized sound as the other Talon Slade had killed. Cobb smirked ignoring the pain of the person that was dying for him.
Jason watched for the reaction of the Talons around him. They didn't move but Jason saw how they tensed. The claws of some of them were twitching towards their palms. It was subtle but Jason had lived long enough with a Talon to know how they expressed distress.
These Talons were scared.
"Talons", Cobb screamed, "Get them. Bring the weapon to me."
Jason took out his gun readying for a fight. He looked at Slade who still held the weapon. He wouldn't hesitate to shoot.
The Talons turned towards them. Some of them looked at them with a tilted head sizing them up. But most important of all: They were hesitating.
Cobb seemed to notice, too. He gripped one of the nearest Talons by the throat and ripped off his head. The body thudded to the floor.
"NOW", Cobb screamed still holdin the Talon's head.
The Talons jolted into action lunging at them. Slade trained the weapon at them. Jason couldn't bear it. He couldn't let Slade kill all these people. Jason had always told Nightwing that he was a person – and treated him like one. He wouldn't betray him by treating these other Talons like cannon fodder. If he would die for it, then be it. He had been an idiot to trust Slade.
Jason shot into Slade's wriest making him drop the weapon. Slade cursed. Jason tried to fight but the sheer number of Talons overwhelmed both Slade and him. Soon, Jason found himself on the floor with his arms being pushed behind his back.
"Bring them to me", Cobb said.
One Talon tied Jason's ankles together with wire. Jason gritted his teeth. The same happened with Jason's wrists.
He looked into the eyes of the Talon who was restraining him. A woman. Her eyes were clouded but her gaze lingered on him. Jason noticed that she bound his wrists less tightly than Cobb would have liked. Jason frowned. These Talons weren't completely mindless. They were just really subtle about it. And on some level the Talon seemed to recognize that Jason had tried to protect them from Slade.
Slade struggled next to him but eventually the Talons pushed him down.
"Tranquilize the mercenary", Cobb said.
A Talon pushed a needle into Slade's neck while five others held him down. They restrained Slade, too and brought him and Jason to the stage.
Cobb made Jason kneel to his feet. He tried to rip off Jason's helmet but was electrocuted. Jason laughed. Nightwing was the only other person who knew how to open that helmet.
Cobb kicked Jason into his stomach – which hurt like a bitch: "Your little plan maybe would have worked if you were less soft-hearted."
The Talon that had restrained Jason stood next to him. Head bowed. Hands folded behind her back. She was a picture of perfect obedience. But the closer Jason looked at the Talons the more individuality he could find. Little quirks. Every once in a while, the woman moved her left foot. A Talon's version of restlessness. Some Talons had the knives strapped to their chests arranged to perfectly point into the same direction. Others had each of them arranged at a slightly different angle. Some fidgeted with their fingertips. Some looked at the dead Talon in front of the stage their claws twitching at the sight. Cobb didn't even see it. Too arrogant to perceive the Talons as anything else but mindless creatures – despite him being one of them.
Jason had made the right decision. The first one tonight.
"I planned to abduct you when Grayson didn't come. Use you as bait and make it beg for its precious little brother. But apparently my bait came to me. How considerate of you."
"Nightwing isn't coming", Jason said.
He hoped that he wouldn't. Nightwing was terrified of Cobb. Maybe his fear would keep him away.
Cobb snorted: "It's already here. It's so predictable. Always trying to save its family."
To Jason's horror, the door opened. And Nightwing was standing there together with Batman and the Team. Nightwing froze at the sight of the stage staring at Jason.
N looked terrified. His claws twitched towards his palms. His body under so much tension that it hurt Jason from just looking at him. But he was here because his love for Jason outweighed his fear of Cobb. Jason should have known.
Cobb looked at Nightwing like prey. He gestured at the Talon to hold a knife to Jason's throat.
"Come here", Cobb raised his voice, "Let's see how pathetically you can beg for your brother's life."