The night sky seemed bleak, the only thing other the dark clouds was the Bat symbol shinning out over the city. Within Wayne Manor, Bruce stood, watching out. His eyes locked upon the symbol. "Sir, Miss Gordon rang to inform me that she'd be out of town for a few days." Alfred said as he came to a stop in the office.
"Thanks for informing me Alfred." Bruce replied. His eyes moving away from the symbol. "Inform Tim to meet me in the Batcave." Alfred gave a small nod of understanding and left right away.
Dick stood next Gordon, waiting for Batman to appear. "You ever met Batman in person?" Gordon asked as he blew out a puff of smoke from his cigar.
"Can't say that I ever have Commissioner." Dick replied calmly, his blue eyes sweeping the rooftops for where knew Bruce would be coming.
"He's a good man...when you get to know him. Has the cities best interests in mind when he does his job."
Dick sighed. "Nightwing doesn't seem to like him much anymore."
Gordon raised an eyebrow in interest. "Nightwing. Wonder what caused him to split form Batman anyway?"
Dick shrugged his shoulders in reply. "Wouldn't tell." Gordon glanced at Dick. "Decided not to push the subject either."
Gordon nodded. "A wise choice." Gordon paused as he puffed out another lot of smoke. "From what I've heard." Gordon paused once more. "The Bat's get pretty itchy when you bring up another member of their hero family" Gordon glanced off into the sky. "Especially one who's been killed by The Joker."
Dick nodded in agreement. The memoires of Jason coming to mind fast. "What is it commissioner?" Any memories Dick had of Jason were quickly thrown to the side at the sight of the Dark Knight, and current Boy Wonder.
"Officer Grayson here." Gordon paused as he placed a hand upon Dick's right shoulder. "Has been transferred over to the GCPD Precinct to assist us in hunting down The Cloaked Killer." Gordon explained, allowing Dick to mentally sigh in relief at not having to suffer Bruce's, or Tim's questioning look.
"So The Cloaked Killer came from Blud'haven?" Batman asked, his cape flapping gently in the wind.
Dick shook his head in response. "I'm afraid not." Robin glanced up at Dick, his look telling him everything he needed to know. "He arrived in Blud'haven several months ago, nobody knew who had started dropping dead bodies when he arrived." Batman remained still, his facial expression changed slightly as he absorbed Dick's new information.
Gordon quickly spoke, interpreting the silence. "Officer Maywell has been working closely with Officer Grayson on the case. The two have..." Gordon paused as he glanced at Dick. Understanding what Gordon wanted, he pulled out several files and handed them to Batman. "Uncovered a few things as well as comparing notes between the two precincts." Gordon finished explain.
Dick too the opportunity to clear up some more on the files. "There's a file for Jump City, Blud'haven and Gotham, each holding all the information as well as a file containing his phone history."
Bruce nodded as he flipped open the first file. His eyes swept over the information and raised in interest. "Hmm, He's gone by three different names. Crimson Avatar in Blud'haven, The Ninja in Jump City and The Cloaked Killer here."
Dick nodded as Gordon stepped forward. "Officer Grayson and Maywell believe that the killer's appearance factors into his name."
Dick widen his eyes suddenly, his hands quickly fumbling around his pocket before he pulled out another file. "I received this earlier from Blud'haven. A complete list of families who were affected by the killings. The time of day and the location where it happened included."
Batman remained still as he gathered all the files and placed them into a single pile. "I'll analyse these when I return to The Batcave." Batman paused as he glanced at Dick, and then Gordon. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
Dick and Gordon shook their head before the latter replied. "No, I don't think there is." Batman nodded and, with a quick glance at Dick, left with Robin.
Dick sighed as he shook his head. "He's emotionless." Gordon hummed in agreement.
Dick slowly leapt over the roof tops before coming to a stop upon a tall building. The wind blew through his hair smoothly. The cool air bringing a sense of coldness with it. Opposite him, Batman stood. His eyes narrowed as he eyed him. Dick Stood tall in his Nightwing outfit. Eyes never leaving the man before him. "Dick." Batman began. His voice cracking slightly. "Why did you return?" Dick narrowed his eyes and walked towards the edge of the building, his eyes sweeping over the city before him.
"I had to." Dick replied.
Batman quickly walked forward, his cape moving as he stepped along, the wind had started to die down. "That's not an answer." Batman said. Dick turned around to meet his gaze.
"Crimson Avatar, he only arrived here recently. And he came from my city. I'm here to bring him in to Blud'haven Prison."
Batman narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you capture him in Blud'haven?"
Dick stood still as he eyed Batman closely, the air became tense quickly. The two dark figures watched, one contemplating his answer, the other waiting.
"Well?"
Dick turned and stepped on the edge of the building. "You want to know why Bruce. Because he's good, he managed to beat me four times. Four times he beat me in combat. I didn't come just to be brought back in by you and expected to put the mission before anything else."
Batman widen his eyes. "There's another reason you're here isn't there."
Dick sighed in anger. "Do you always have to intrude upon my life Bruce. I'm not your puppet anymore, I'm not your sidekick anymore. I'm following my own path now."
Bruce slowly stepped forward. "You're staying with Zatanna. You want to mend your relationship."
Dick turned around fast and narrowed his eyes greatly. "You don't get to interfere with my personal life anymore. So forget it. " With that said, Dick leapt of the building and into the night sky. Leaving Bruce to process what he'd just learned.
Inside a secret chamber, hidden from Gotham City itself, a court gathered. Standing around in a circle, they eyed each other. "Grayson must be ours." One of them spoke, his face hidden behind a mask like the other members.
"Indeed." Another began, his voice sharp and clear. "His skills have grown beyond what we first thought was possible." He finished proudly.
"Agreed. He has exceeded all our expectations." A third member said. Her build hidden by shadows.
"We will bring him in. For no one can resist us forever." Another said. His voice was old and raspy.
"Dick Grayson will not escape his fate." The fifth member said with a sinister tone.
"For he will serve us as our greatest assassin. As the leader of the Talons." The Sixth member concluded as the they all made a small nod of agreement.
"No one escapes the Court of Owls forever." They all said together, around them, many other's wearing owl masks appeared. Each of them chuckling lightly.
I think this is one of my best chapters yet. Character development between Bruce and Dick, and nods towards why they seemed to have split. And the introduction of a third party. I rewrote this chapter two times to get it just I wanted it. And I think I did a good job. I'm hoping to name drop Kara(Supergirl) within either the next chapter or the one after it. Considering I started writing this without it being placed into Young Justice, I think it's pretty good how far it's come. But this is only the start, for I've got a lot planned for this story. Here's a hint, the main villain has a history with Dick.