AN: We're getting a lot of Jason AND Nightwing this chapter. With some moments a lot of you have been waiting for. Exciting. :D
Warnings for: Creepy Conductor (creepy feels like a tautology with this guy. You can just write Conductor and it is already included that he is creepy) + body horror
19. Harvest
Jason laid awake in his chamber. His back was especially itchy today depriving him of much-needed sleep.
The last weeks had gone by in a haze of pain, exhaustion and constant training. Jason kept his head down and gritted his teeth through it all. He was determined to learn how this stupid katana worked.
At least, Jason started to understand what the instructor screamed at him. His Arabic was barely existent. Still, he had picked up enough to understand that the katana was the introductory weapon to the Shadows. Those who could lead the blade could become a shadow or some shit like that. And Jason did get better with his single-minded determination.
The instructor didn't get the memo as he continued to beat Jason more than anyone else. It confirmed Jason's suspicion that the man had a grudge against him for a reason that Jason couldn't fathom.
Eventually, the instructor paired Jason up with a more experienced apprentice while Themis got paired up with a newbie. She was improving but at a slower rate than Jason because of her lesser fighting experience. Nightwing's training had helped Jason after all.
Despite Jason's strides, life at the Shadows was still hell. Jason's back had been marred by scars before from Willis' abuse. Under the Shadows, Jason's back became covered in a blanket of scars and new wounds – or wounds that had ripped open again. His back itched and burned constantly.
Occasionally, Jason found a small tin containing creme on his cot. A token of Talia's mercy. Jason learned to appreciate it. Any mercy he could get here was precious.
Jason's respect for Artemis and had grown grew even more. For Nightwing, too. Jason couldn't imagine going through such a brutal regime for years – as a child nonetheless. He had chosen this. Artemis, Jade and Nightwing hadn't.
Jade had been right. Jason should have taken her warnings more seriously. The Shadows knew no moral qualms but they were exactly what Jason needed to fulfil his mission.
He had gotten used to sleeping on his stomach or his side to avoid irritating his burning back. His limbs burned, too. Jason could see his muscles becoming more defined as he shredded the final remains of puberty. He couldn't wait for Bruce to see him again. Jason wasn't a boy anymore. You couldn't stay a boy after you had survived the Shadows.
There was a quiet knock on the door. Jason frowned but he stood up, prepared for whatever would be asked of him. He opened the door.
Themis stood in front of him. Jason frowned. It was prohibited for apprentices to roam around at night.
Themis shushed Jason before he could ask any questions and snuck into his room. Jason closed the door.
"You know we could both get killed if they find you in here?", Jason's remarked.
Themis shrugged and plopped down on Jason's cot: "Live a little. Or is the big, bad Red Hood scared of breaking the rules?"
"I was just mentioning it."
Jason looked at Themis more closely. Her eyes were red-rimmed and there was sweat clinging to her forehead.
"Nightmare?", Jason asked.
Themis ignored him, looking around Jason's room: "You know that your room is slightly bigger than mine?"
Jason frowned. He hadn't known that.
"Mine is a real dump", Themis pulled something out from under Jason's cot.
The cream.
"I think someone is Talia's favourite", Themis threw the cream at him with a teasing glint in her eyes, "You sure she isn't into you?"
Jason shuddered at the idea. He had never told Themis why Talia had decided to grant him her mercy.
Jason cleared his throat: "She had a thing with my dad, but they broke up."
Themis sat up: "What the hell?"
Her face scrunched up in pain from the movement. They had matching scars on their backs now.
"Yep", Jason plopped down on the cot next to her, "So, I would appreciate it if you could stop implying that Talia wants to sleep with me."
"So, that's it? She slept with your dad?"
Bruce having sex wasn't a thing Jason wanted to imagine. There were enough articles about the illustrious romance of the Bat and the Cat. They contained details that Jason wanted to burn from his brain. Jason suspected that Bruce was less uptight than he liked to present himself most of the time.
"You're not talking about your bio-Dad, right? You mean Batman?"
Jason choked at the idea of Willis and Talia. Talia would have killed Willis before he could even look at her – and good for her. Willis didn't deserve anyone. He hadn't deserved Catherine.
"Batman, of course."
"Yeah. I don't really see Talia al Ghul dating some Crime Alley-nobody."
The words stung a bit. Jason had been a Crime Alley-nobody once. He would have died as a nobody if Nightwing hadn't saved him. Just a poor, malnourished corpse that would rot away in that alley without anyone caring to claim or mourn it.
They were silent for a while. Themis wiped the sweat of her forehead. Her face was guarded, as if she didn't want to give too much away.
"You've been determined these past few weeks", Themis said.
"I'm always determined."
"No. This is different. You have a real fire in you now. You have something to prove."
"Talia has some plan. She says I need to prove myself worthy of it first."
"Geez. Only the best for Ms. Al Ghul."
Jason shrugged: "She isn't a bad person. Just intense. I guess I want to prove something to myself, too."
Themis hummed, indicating him to go on.
"I need to show that I can fulfil my mission. That I can bring real justice. I need to be able to keep up with Batman. He'll try to stop me if I clean up in Gotham and I can't let him do that."
"High aims."
"He trained here, too. And I have a head start on him thanks to my brother. I think I can do it."
"Nightwing trained you?"
"Oh yeah", Jason said, "To defend myself. He had this strict code about what he wanted to teach me. It was too harsh. I'm glad that he trained me but there is a point where he couldn't teach me anymore. I need what wouldn't teach me though for my mission."
"Does the Themis dead come from him?"
Jason frowned. He hadn't even noticed saying it. It was so second-nature to him.
"Did I say it?", Jason asked.
Themis scoffed: "You said it like a hundred times. It was getting annoying."
Jason felt his cheeks heat up: "I didn't even notice to be honest. Nightwing wiped the floor with me during our training. I was getting annoyed by it at some point, but it was to remind me to become better. That any mistake could get me killed. I thought that Nightwing was harsh at the time, but he really wasn't. He was holding back."
"Doesn't seem like him."
"What?"
"To hold back", Themis muttered, "The leaks told a different story."
"They are bullshit."
"So, he didn't kill all those people? There are children in those videos."
Jason sighed: "It looks bad and it is bad. But you don't even know what Nightwing went through. His time at the Court was a living hell. They erased his memories from before the Court, they tortured him, and they brainwashed him."
"Did he tell you that?"
Jason frowned at the disdain in Themis' voice: "He saved me when we first met. It was after the Gotham Court fell. Black Mask's goons would have killed me, but he protected me from them. You should have seen him then. He just sat there – not knowing what to do without a mission. He didn't understand basic emotions or concepts like friendship. He was so dehumanized that he was confused when I told him he was a person."
"Maybe he is just a psychopath."
Jason scoffed just at the notion: "You haven't met N yet. He is a real hero. He has always protected me, and always put everyone else before himself. I wish he would stop doing that to be honest. I worry about him. I fear that he will tear himself apart one day with all these standards he has for himself."
"A real hero who has killed hundreds of people."
"Believe me, there isn't a day where he doesn't regret it. You don't know what you are talking about. You don't know the real story – only the parts that someone leaked who wanted Nightwing to look his worst. You don't know him."
Themis turned her head away. The shadow obscured most of her face.
"Not much comfort for the families of those victims", she said.
Jason crossed his arms, annoyance rising within him: "No one ever asks about Nightwing's comfort – about his side of the story. If they did, they would know that he was as much a victim of the Court as the people he killed."
"I can sense the pain that people have inflicted on others. I can see their auras. My power doesn't care about motive. It's about the result - the pain that was inflicted. It is pure justice."
Jason bit his lip. He was about to say things he would regret.
"I bet Nightwing's aura is dark red", Themis said.
"Justice doesn't work that way."
"Does it?", Themis said, "You say Nightwing is a real hero, but a real hero would never allow himself to kill hundreds of people. A real hero would rather die than being used in this way."
"He didn't allow it. The Court tormented and controlled him until he had no other choice. He went through what we are going through right now but dialled to eleven and involuntarily as a child. It's a miracle he survived it."
"Maybe he shouldn't have."
Jason jumped up. His back was burning now.
He pointed at the door: "Get out of my fucking room."
Themis froze.
"GET OUT", Jason screamed.
Themis stood up. She looked shocked at Jason's tone.
"Jason-"
"No. You just implied that the world would be better off with my brother dead."
Themis stayed quiet. She walked to the door.
Jason crossed his arms. He was quietly seething. Images flashed before his mind. Of Nightwing- No. This hadn't happened.
Nightwing had escaped the Court. Jason and he had found each other. They had healed together as much as they could. Nightwing had built himself a life. He was happier now. Still struggling with trauma but happier. They would survive for each other no matter what happened.
"Think about it, Jason. Isn't it hypocritical for Red Hood to have a mission of justice but to defend a mass murderer? He is your blind spot."
"LEAVE", Jason screamed.
Themis quietly closed the door behind herself. Jason sat down on the cot again. He hid his face in his hands.
Quiet steps approached the door. Jason was attentive enough now to pick up on them.
He laid down pretending to be asleep. His heart was still racing from anger.
Jason's door opened, and a guard peaked inside – probably attracted from the noise. Jason kept his eyes shut. He wondered if Themis had made it to her room without being detected but he couldn't find it in himself to care.
The next day, Jason was on the training field again - getting hit - when a servant approached. He told Jason to follow him with accented English.
The instructor glared at the servant, but he said: "Orders from the Daughter of the Demon herself."
The instructor's face soured. Jason shrugged and followed the servant. He was feeling numb today. Sleep wouldn't come after his fight with Themis. Jason had been seething.
The servant led Jason into the compound and along the hallways. An elaborate door opened, and Jason was let inside. Talia sat at the end of the table by herself. The room was empty except for the long table and ceremonial weapons at the walls. Stupid katanas of course. Jason couldn't see them anymore.
He frowned, wondering what Talia wanted.
"Jason Todd", Talia said, "I demanded to speak to you."
"Yes, Ta-", Jason noted the presence of the servant, "Daughter of the Demon."
Talia made her usual dismissive gesture towards the servant. Jason expected him to leave. No one defied Talia al Ghul. But the servant stayed put.
Jason tensed. He was getting a bad feeling about this. Did the servant have a death wish?
"You are to leave", Talia said in a harsh voice, "If you do not comply, I shall call for the guards to remove you."
Jason could imagine what removal meant in the League of Shadows.
The servant stayed put. His hand moved to his robes.
"I don't think so", the servant pulled out a dagger, "I was sent to kill you."
Jason sprang into action. He leapt at the servant, making them crash to the floor. The dagger fell out of the assassin's hand. Jason hurried towards it, but his opponent kicked Jason in the back of his knee. Jason's leg buckled under him. His stumble was enough delay. The assassin lunged for the dagger.
Jason looked around. The dagger was a lost cause. He needed a weapon – quickly.
The assassin turned around, about to throw the dagger at Talia. Jason gritted his teeth. He had seen Nightwing do this and he knew that this would fucking hurt. Such a bad idea. Nightwing would scream at him for imitating this.
But Jason struck out his hand, just as the assassin threw the dagger. He intercepted it on its way to Talia. The blade pierced Jason's palm. Nausea rose within him as Jason saw the blade in his palm. He didn't feel the pain over the adrenaline pumping through his body. It was a surreal experience as if it hadn't been his body that took the blade.
Jason considered pulling it out. Using it to attack the assassin. Nightwing would have done it. But Jason didn't have that healing factor and he wasn't that level of crazy.
So, he hurried to the wall to get one of the ceremonial weapons. A katana was the only choice. Great.
Jason ripped it off the wall. The assassin was racing towards Talia. Jason frowned. Why hadn't Talia moved? She was more than capable of defending herself.
Jason didn't have time to think. He flipped onto the table. The assassin was close to Talia. Jason wasn't quick enough.
Jason cursed under his breath. Maybe he was that level of crazy. He pulled the dagger out of his hand and threw it at the assassin. It hit him in the shoulder. The man hadn't expected this. It slowed him down enough for Jason to jump off the table and hold his katana to the would-be assassin's throat.
Jason breath raced.
He was about to behead the assassin when Talia said in a firm voice: "Stop."
Jason froze, looking at Talia. His knees were shaking from the adrenaline. Only now did he feel the burning pain in his hand. Tears formed in his eyes, but Jason desperately worked to keep them in. The Shadows didn't tolerate weakness.
"Lower your katana", Talia said.
Jason frowned. The assassin would attack again if he did so. But he had to follow Talia's orders. So, Jason lowered his weapon.
The assassin stayed still.
"Go to the doctors", Talia told the assassin.
Jason was about to protest but he bit his lips. What the hell was going on here?
The assassin left without any further consequences. Blood dripped onto the floor from Jason's palm. He cradled it in his hand. Damnit, this really hurt now that the rush of the fight was over. How could Nightwing regularly do this to himself?
"Follow", Talia said, "You shall see my personal medic."
Jason stayed quiet, silently wallowing in his pain. Talia led him through an even more fancy corridor. So, fancy that Jason felt almost bad for the trail of blood he was leaving.
His thoughts raced. Why had Talia let the assassin go? Why had she not moved? Talia had shown Jason mercy, but she would never actually show it to someone who had tried to kill her, except-
"He didn't really try to kill you", Jason said, "It was a test."
Jason felt anger rise in him. The Shadows were brutal but he hadn't expected these sick mind games from them.
"Correct", Talia looked at Jason, examining his reaction.
Jason bit his lip again before he could verbalize his rage.
Talia's mouth twitched in amusement: "I can see that you are holding back your anger, Jason Todd."
"This tends to happen when I unnecessarily take a knife for someone", Jason said.
"There it is", Talia seemed amused.
She opened a door with golden engravings. Jason froze when he saw the interior. There was the intricate wooden furniture that was dispersed throughout many representative parts of the compound. But he could also see a few personal touches. A few photos tastefully put on the shelves. Some artwork. A few books. This place was lived in.
"Mine and Damian's chambers", Talia pointed at the sofa, "Sit down but avoid bleeding on the floor."
Jason did. He held his other hand under his injured one, catching his blood.
Talia had a slight twinkle in her eyes: "I underestimated you, Jason Todd."
"People tend to do that", Jason couldn't keep some bitterness out of his voice.
"So eager to prove yourself. I can see it in you."
Talia took a first-aid kit out of the shelves. She wrapped Jason's hand with a bandage.
"This shall suffice for now", Talia said, "Until my medic arrives."
Jason stared at her. He didn't know what to think anymore.
"Go away with your questions", Talia gestured with her usual dismissiveness.
"What the hell was this supposed to be?", Jason said.
"I aimed to test your loyalty, Jason Todd. You passed with flying colours."
"Loyalty to the League?"
"No. Your loyalty to me and my son."
Jason thought of the brat. He wouldn't call himself loyal to that little gremlin. But he stayed quiet.
"There are developments happening that require for me to have assistance. Assistance by what you Westerners would call a knight."
"I'm supposed to be your knight?", Jason said.
"Exactly", Talia said, "I require of someone who is loyal to me and my son first, the League and my father second."
"You are going behind Ra's' back."
Talia's controlled façade fell: "He went behind my back first."
"What happened, Talia?"
Talia looked like she wanted to dismiss him, but she looked at Jason's bandaged hand. She deflated slightly.
"My father's body is failing after hundreds of resurrections over the centuries", Talia said.
"He has plans with Damian, right?", Jason could see where this was going.
"Yes", Talia sounded strained, "My father was pleased when he learned of my pregnancy with a son and even more when he learned that Damian's father was absent. I expected him to be pleased at the idea of an heir – a son - when he only got a daughter with myself."
So, Ra's was a sexist piece of shit? Not surprising.
Talia's chin stayed up but the tension in her shoulder spoke of exhaustion: "One of my informants told me about my father's true plans for Damian. He wishes to transfer his consciousness into Damian's body once my boy has reached adulthood."
Jason tensed. He hated the little brat, but he wouldn't wish this on anyone. Being killed by your own grandfather? The gremlin was still a child.
"I'm sorry", Jason said.
Talia's eyes shone with determination: "I have always been loyal to my father. So loyal that I allowed my Beloved to slip away over my loyalty. I will not sacrifice my son."
"I get it", Jason pressed his hand against his chest to dampen some of the pain, "I wonder though how I fit into this? I hate to admit it but I doubt that I would be able to fight Ra's al Ghul and come out on top."
At least not now. Jason would train to become one of the best. Heroes? Villains? They would all respect the Red Hood and his mission.
Talia's face darkened: "Do not speak of this to anyone. Not even Damian himself."
"I swear", Jason wondered what he was agreeing to.
This was a conspiracy against Ra's al Ghul. People had been killed here for far less. But Jason wouldn't be alive now if it wasn't for Talia. Ra's would have had Jason slaughtered. Talia's mercy had saved him.
Jason owed her. Also, he hated the idea of a child being killed for his body – even if said child was a spoiled little nuisance.
"My Beloved is Damian's father", Talia said.
The pain in Jason's hand flared up at that admission. It was everything Jason had been terrified of. He was officially obsolete now in Bruce's life – Nightwing probably, too.
Bruce didn't need them anymore. He had the real deal now. A son who was his in more than just vague emotions. Nightwing and Jason weren't even adopted. Bruce could throw them out of his life so easily now that he had someone real to fill the need.
"He doesn't know?", Jason asked.
"He does not", Talia said, "My Beloved and I separated shortly after our night of passion."
Night of passion – another expression Jason had never wanted to hear in relation to Bruce.
"I need you to train, Jason Todd", Talia said, "To become the best knight you can be. And there will be a time when I will ask you to take Damian and escort him to his father. My Beloved will protect him."
Jason's tongue felt heavy. He wanted to scream into Talia's face and tell her that he would never bring Damian to Bruce. He would never bring about his own destruction. But this was selfish. Jason couldn't put his own needs over the life of an innocent child.
"I promise", Jason said.
Talia nodded: "I will train you myself together with Damian. The instructor is incompetent. He is enraged that you – a new recruit - have been able to gain my favour."
"I knew he was jealous", Jason muttered.
"My medic shall be here shortly."
"I appreciate it", Jason gritted his teeth at the pain in his hand.
"You fought like a Talon today."
Jason frowned: "I guess. I've seen Nightwing do this quite a bit."
Talia hummed in acknowledgement: "A knight should have more appreciation for his body than a Talon."
Jason halted. He was officially confused. Had Talia just shown concern for him in her own way?
There was a knock at the door.
"Enter", Talia said.
An old man entered. He didn't visibly react to Jason being here.
"Treat him", Talia said, "Speak of this to no one – not even my father."
The medic nodded.
Jason allowed the man to treat his hand. He took a deep breath, locking his troubled emotions away for now. He would let them out once he was in his chamber again.
Nightwing entered the facility again. Over the last few weeks, the guards had become sloppy. They didn't reach for their guns anymore when Nightwing passed. They didn't even whisper about him now. Nightwing was nothing to them. Just like he needed to be.
Same with the scientists. Hagen treated Nightwing like an errant boy now. He sent him to fetch things. He told him to clean stuff up. He had Nightwing give him blood sometimes when he felt like studying Nightwing's electrum.
It was sloppy. Nightwing was supposed to always watch the Titans, according to Luthor. Hagen didn't seem to care that much. Nightwing didn't remind him of his inattentiveness. It could only work to their advantage.
Nightwing was in the middle of cleaning up the trash of the scientists. Hagen was still tinkering with the mind-control device. Nightwing nabbed one of them from the box while he cleaned up a sandwich wrapper. He had back positioned to the cameras and did it so quickly that they wouldn't catch it. Nightwing hid the device in his suit next to his back-up knives.
"Stop", Hagen looked up, barely looking at Nightwing.
Nightwing froze. Had Hagen seen?
"You forgot a crumb", Hagen pointed at a spot next to him dismissively and turned back to tinkering.
Nightwing suppressed an eye roll and approached Hagen. The scientists had his back turned to Nightwing.
Nightwing picked up the crumb, careful to not leave any dirt behind. He had forgotten how much the life of a Talon sucked. Nightwing hadn't questioned it before because he hadn't known anything else, but he was tired of being treated like a machine that you could put orders into.
Nightwing was sure that Hagen wouldn't notice the stolen device for a few days at least. The scientists were supposed to count the devices every day – Luthor's orders – but they only did it once a week. Nightwing had purposely chosen the day they counted the devices to steal one. He would have a week before the missing device was noticed.
It was a gamble whether the scientists would believe Nightwing to be the culprit. It very well could end with Nightwing on one of these harvesting gurneys.
There was a thing he still needed to do. His silent promise to Donna. Now was the perfect time to fulfill it, when Nightwing had already taken a risk. He brought the trash away and turned to the Titans.
Nightwing fed them their daily lunch. He listened to Donna talk while giving the impression that he was an empty husk. The one-sided conversation with Donna was one of the things keeping him sane nowadays.
Nightwing was sure that Donna knew. The way she insisted on addressing him. She had made it clear in the bathroom that Nightwing wasn't tricking her. She at least knew that Nightwing had a consciousness. She would be sure after today.
He led the Titans to their daily bathroom breaks. He finished with the alien. She was always the most troublesome. Nightwing had to keep her cuffs magnetized at all times and drag her to the bathroom. She still managed to break some of his bones.
This time, she struggled again. She was so tall. Her raised knee easily hit Nightwing in the rips. Nightwing could feel one of them break. He gritted his teeth and forced the alien into a grip. He was sure that she would be stronger than him with her powers. Now, he could restrain her.
He dragged her to the bathroom, hating himself internally while he did it. The alien cursed at him in Tamaranean. Nightwing allowed her to use the toilet. He watched her while she washed her hands.
There were no cameras in the bathrooms. Nightwing had checked. The scientists used those, too, and not even Luthor violated his employee's trust that much.
The Tamaranean was about to lunge at Nightwing again, but Nightwing raised his hands. He made a talking motion with his hand. The alien's face darkened, and she looked like she was about to try to turn his neck.
Nightwing took off his glove. The alien's eyes widened. She seemed to understand. Her hand shot out and gripped his wriest in a thight restraint. She seemed to be scared that Nightwing would withdraw his hand.
His wriest felt warm as he transferred his knowledge to her. It tingled but the feeling was not unpleasant. He felt… connected to the alien now.
"What is the logic of this?", she glared at him, "What is your intention, creature?"
"Please, be quiet", Nightwing looked at the door.
No one was looking for them yet.
"I on your side", Nightwing said.
"But you're one of our captors", the alien narrowed her eyes.
"I undercover. The scientists not can know."
The alien didn't seem convinced. Nightwing bit his lip. Everything hinged on the alien keeping quiet about him.
"Why should I help you? I would take great pleasure in seeing you destroyed after what you did to us."
"Look", Nightwing said, "I pretend that I obedient for them. I bide my time until I know how get you out of here. I not know yet. I need more time. You can rat me out. Maybe I deserve it. But they kill me and you lose your best chance for escape."
The alien frowned: "You did all this to help us? Why would you do that?"
"I know what it like be capture. I normal human once", Nightwing gestured at himself, "The Court do this to me. I not want people be capture."
The Tamaranean's face softened: "I was a slave before… this. My sister sold me off. I managed to get away only for these people to capture me."
Nightwing bit his lip. He couldn't imagine what she had gone through.
"I sorry."
"You seem genuine", the alien said, "I will trust you – for now. I am Koriand'r of Tamaran. On your world it translates to Starfire."
Nightwing smiled: "Nice meet you. Call me Talon – for now."
Starfire smiled, too.
"They not can know I give you language. We need pretend that you overwhelm me and take. Understand?"
"I do", Starfire said, "It will hurt you though."
"It fine. I heal. You already notice", Nightwing couldn't keep admiration out of his voice, "You very strong."
Starfire lighted up at the praise: "We Tamareneans pride ourselves on our strength. You are strong, too, little Talon."
Nightwing chuckled. He was small compared to her, but Starfire towered over basically anyone.
He put his glove back on and pulled Kory out of the bathroom. She struggled and cursed at him in Tamaranean as usual.
"Took long enough", Hagen sounded grumpy.
He barely paid attention to their squabbles. It had become common over the weeks – exactly what Nightwing had planned. Hagen wouldn't suspect anything.
Nightwing lost his grip a bit as Starfire struggled. Her chackled hands rained down on his neck. The crack was the last thing Nightwing heard before he went down.
When Nightwing woke up, Kory's hand was digging into his exposed cheek. She cursed at the scientists in English now. Nightwing kicked against her chackled ankles, making her drop to the floor. Kory cursed Nightwing out and tried to bite him even.
Nightwing hit her in the head, dazing her. He picked Kory up and hefted her back to the pod. It must look comical because Kory was so much taller than him. Kory nodded slightly at him when he fastened her in the pod. Small enough for only him to notice.
"Shit", one of the scientists said, "The alien soaked in language from the Talon."
Hagen stood up. He glared at Nightwing: "How could you stupid thing let that happen?"
Nightwing lowered his head. He had known that punishment was about to happen. It made him freeze. At least, he had fulfilled his promise to Donna.
"Very sorry for mistake, Handler."
Hagen slapped Nightwing's face. It was weak. Nightwing had endured so much more. Still, he let his head drop to the side to give Hagen the satisfaction.
"You need to be remembered where complacency gets you", Hagen said.
"Leave him alone", Donna screamed, "He didn't do anything. It was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes."
"Shut up, Amazon", Hagen said.
"I'm not shutting up", Donna said, "You are treating him worse than a dog. He isn't. He is a human being."
A sadistic glint appeared in Hagen's eyes: "Maybe you should be reminded of your place as well."
Nightwing fought against the urge to bite his lip. This was going terribly. He hoped that Donna would shut up.
She didn't. Donna's kindness would get them all killed.
"Fine", Donna glared at Hagen, "Do your worst. I've been here for months. I've already survived hell."
"I know how to get you, Amazon", Hagen said, "You hate seeing others in pain, right? Even if they are just mindless animals."
Hagen put a hand on the back of Nightwing's neck. It made him shudder. Nightwing forced himself to stay limb.
"Let him go", Donna's voice wavered, "I can take whatever punishment you want to give him."
"I don't think so", Hagen pointed at his subordinates, "Move her pod. We should give our Amazon a little tour."
Hagen led Nightwing out of the lab by the scruff of his neck. He felt the need to fight back.
Nightwing could kill Hagen in less than a second. But this wasn't what a hero would do and it was an impulsive move that would get him killed. He needed to endure whatever punishment they would inflict on him.
To Nightwing's horror, Hagen led Nightwing in the harvesting room. It looked unchanged. Only a few Talons had been added. Nightwing wondered when the League would finally bust the operation in Qurac. They were planning everything thoroughly. They would do it soon. The number of Talons in this room wouldn't grow. At least a little achievement.
Nightwing's stomach turned when he noticed the syrupy presence in the air. It made his thoughts drift away. Made Nightwing weak on his knees. He felt drunk – or rather - in love. A twisted version of love that was more like adoration.
"You brought me a gift?", the Conductor looked at Nightwing with hungry eyes.
Nightwing smiled at the beautiful man.
"More like a temporary loan", Hagen said, "I want it to be harvested until tonight as punishment."
Nightwing made a distressed noise at the temporary loan. Why couldn't he stay with the Conductor forever? He wanted this man to keep him – own him like a good Talon should be.
"Come here", the Conductor said.
And this sweet-syrupy feeling in Nightwing's head grew. The Conductor had controlled himself last time in Luthor's presence. Now, he was turning on his whole powers in his aims to make Nightwing-
What was Nightwing thinking again? He shouldn't be thinking. He had to be-
"Closer", the Conductor said.
Next time, Nightwing realized anything, he was plastered against the Conductor's side. The Conductor's arm around his waist. How had he gotten there? Nightwing didn't remember. It terrified him. Nightwing shivered as fear overtook him.
It was humiliating. Nightwing felt like a hunting trophy. He wanted to leave. He didn't want this.
The Conductor smiled at him and Nightwing felt himself melt closer against him. Of course, he wanted this. He wanted what the Conductor wanted.
There was far away screaming. By a woman? Nightwing frowned. Trying to think who was screaming. His head was so empty-
The Conductor's smile took on an edge as he led Nightwing somewhere and pressed him down onto an empty gurney. Nightwing hated this. The Conductor gestured at one of his assistants. They approached with medical supplies, ready to lay an IV in Nightwing's arms.
Nightwing hated this. Nightwing hated this. Nightwing hated this.
The Conductor ran his hand through Nightwing's hair. Nightwing tilted his head up, leaning into the touch.
Nightwing loved this. Nightwing loved this. Nightwing loved this.
"So unfortunate that Luthor doesn't allow me to keep you", the Conductor said, "You'd be far more useful here than with Hagen."
Nightwing giggled. His head was empty as it should be. No worries. Beautiful.
The Conductor's smile widened: "The next Light-summit is next month. I'd love to keep you. You'd make a nice welcome gift to the newest member of the Light. You'd like that, huh?"
Nightwing nodded, enthusiastically.
"Of course, you do."
Nightwing giggled again.
The Conductor shook his head: "I don't understand why Luthor wants you as Deathstroke's replacement. You're a nice price for taunting the heroes but you are a Talon after all. The enforcer of the Light should have more of a brain, shouldn't they?"
The Conductor laughed. And Nightwing's body felt cold suddenly. The assistant grabbed Nightwing's arm and laid the IV. He felt disoriented. The Conductor's presence was so overwhelming. Pressing down on Nightwing. Suffocating him.
No. Not suffocating. It was a firm embrace. The firm hand that a Talon needed.
"Luthor is going to order you to fight Deathstroke", the Conductor shook his head, "So stupid. If you ask me, the Light should rather make nice with Deathstroke again instead of using a pathetic creature like you as its enforcer. It can only go wrong. Deathstroke will rip off your pretty head in that fight. Such a waste of Electrum."
Nightwing felt his head clear for a moment. The Conductor had confirmed it through his blabbering.
Nightwing would need to fight Deathstroke. This could be the opening Nightwing needed. Fake Slade's death. Become enforcer of the Light. Use his new position to free the Titans and gain intel from Luthor's network. Leak said intel to build a waterproof case against Luthor.
This was the plan. This had to be the endgame for this mission.
"You are getting a bit too clear-headed for me, Sweetheart", the Conductor ran his hand through Nightwing's hair.
Nightwing giggled again. Any thoughts of his elaborate plan forgotten as he leaned into the touch.
The assistant laid the second IV and pushed a syringe into Nightwing's body. Nightwing felt his head drop to the side. There was a new kind of daze creeping over his body.
The assistant leaned over him. Nightwing groaned when she fastened straps around his limbs.
"Turning on the harvester", the assistant moved to the machine behind Nightwing.
He couldn't see what she was doing. He felt it though. Nightwing whimpered when the machine pulled the blood out of his left arm. The tube in front of Nightwing's eyes turned black as his blood was sucked through it into the machine.
Nightwing felt nauseous suddenly. But he couldn't move, and he couldn't think. He was pure instinct now. And his instinct told him to be terrified.
"Shh", the Conductor's hand ran through Nightwing's hair, "Stay still, Sweetheart."
And Nightwing did. He had to be good.
The two moved on to the next Talon. Nightwing whimpered when the Conductor went away. He needed him close. He felt so alone. Scared. His body felt so weak. And the IV's itched. Nightwing wanted to pull them out.
He felt his blood being pumped back into his right arm. Filtered from all the Electrum and ready for his body to make new one. It was useless. They would just rip it out of his body again. They would take and take and take.
Nightwing's head fell to the side. His empty eyes met the empty eyes of the Talon next to him. She looked exhausted, her eyelids had dropped half-shut. She must have been like this for weeks or even months now.
Nightwing looked at the Talon's arm. What he saw, made him twitch in shock. There were incision marks on the Talon's forearm where past IVs had been laid. It looked like the arm of a drug addict.
Clarity washed over him bringing the pain of awareness with it.
Talon wasn't healing. Her body was so occupied with replenishing the Electrum which the machine pulled out that it couldn't heal those wounds. Nightwing felt sick. Luthor, the Conductor – they all were stupid in their arrogance. They didn't see it. Nightwing's dazed mind recognized it instantly.
These Talons couldn't be harvested forever. At some point, their bodies would give out. This was slowly killing them.
Nightwing whimpered again. He felt himself grow restless again.
"Let me go", Nightwing muttered.
The heavy daze pressed down on his mind again. The Conductor leaned over him.
"You are being very annoying", the Conductor fiddled with Nightwing's IV, "Got to double the speed of the machine. That should knock you out for a while. You'll be good, right? Quiet."
Nightwing nodded as much as his weak body allowed. He wanted to be good so badly.
The Conductor left and the haze in Nightwing's mind grew unbearable. He felt so nauseous. This was making him so weak. Nightwing spent the next few hours laying there. He barely felt the restraints as a deep sickness laid itself down in his bones and his blood. Brooding there. Nightwing was sure that it would kill him if it had enough time to eat away at his body.
Donna had screamed her throat hoarse. The sight of the harvesting room was horrific. Hagen had been right. This was worse than any corporal punishment Hagen could have inflicted on her.
Seeing Talon punished for something Donna had asked him to do. It hurt. The guilt threatened to rip apart her chest.
Donna was certain now that Talon was on their side. She could see him react to Donna's talking. It was subtle but Donna knew where to look. Sometimes, his head twitched as if he wanted to tilt it in interest. Or he opened his mouth slightly, stopping himself before he could answer. Or he halted in the middle of a task when Donna spoke about something exciting. Talon was aware.
And apparently, Talon had waited for the right moment to fulfil what Donna had asked of him. He had intentionally allowed the alien to learn language from him. The alien hadn't overwhelmed Talon before – not like this. He had allowed her to, disguising it as a mistake. And now he was paying for it.
Donna had never doubted that Talon was a victim in all of this. This room was another sobering reminder.
She had seen the Conductor control Talon with just his presence. The way Talon had slumped against him. The Conductor had pulled Talon close. His hands wandering all over Talon's body while Talon had allowed it with a dopey smile. Talon hadn't even seemed aware of it. The Conductor – in all his narcissism - had enjoyed the attention.
Now, Talon's body was lying on that gurney as he was harvested. He was limb, his face turned away from her. Donna felt sick at the black blood leaving his body and being pumped back into it. It was a depressing sight. Someone Donna had learned to care for, treated like nothing but a resource.
"Talon?", Donna tried to gain his attention.
She tried to get him to look at her. But he was too out of it. Or he was too weak to turn his head. Instead, Donna met the gaze of the woman next to Talon.
She looked so exhausted, but her lidded eyes opened slightly in recognition.
"Talon", Donna muttered.
Her friend was here. She must have been here for a while without Donna knowing. All this time, her friend had been so close by – going through her own hell.
Donna felt rage curse through her body. At the Conductor, at Luthor, the Light – they would all pay for this. Donna needed to get out. She would make them pay.
"I'll get you out", Donna told Talon, "I promise."
She had her own promise to make now. Her friend was too weak to react.
After what must be hours, the Conductor approached Luthor's Talon. He pulled out the IVs without much care. Black blood dripped onto the floor. The wounds on Talon's forearms didn't heal. Donna suspected it would take time until his body had replenished the lost Electrum.
"Leave", the Conductor said, "Too bad that your punishment is over."
Talon stood up, his knees shaky. He hefted himself off the gurney. His legs bucked out under him. Talon tried to stop his fall by holding himself up on the gurney but his arms broke out under him, too. Talon crashed to the floor.
He stayed there, shivering. Donna didn't want to see this. This was her fault.
The Conductor turned to a young man: "Intern, you are driving it to Deathstroke. Deliver it."
The intern approached. He seemed hesitant.
"Hurry up", the Conductor said, "It can't hurt a fly right now."
The intern pulled Talon up. Talon seemed barely conscious as he hung in the intern's grip. The intern visibly strained as he dragged Talon's limb body through the facility.
Donna wished she could thank him. She could never repay what Talon had risked for her today.
He was perceptive. Smart. Talon had bidden his time. He had planned a way for the alien to soak up language from him that had successfully gone under the radar.
But the cost had also been so terrible. Donna would never ask anything of Talon again. She would never risk him again. Talon may be their best way to escape but he was also a human being. He was more than a means to escape.
Hagen walked up to her with his lackeys. Hagen's lackeys fiddled with her pod as they prepared to move it back.
"Enjoy the show, Amazon?", Hagen grinned.
Donna glared at him: "Fuck you."
"Not very Amazon-like language you have there."
"I can assure you: Every Amazon would tell you the same thing, you piece of shit. You are animals for what you are doing to these Talons."
Hagen's face turned darker. He seemed offended now.
"You just lost your food privileges for the next three days", Hagen said, "See how big you talk afterwards."
Donna knew that this would be painful. Her body was already weakened after months of captivity. But she didn't regret defending Talon. He had risked so much for her. She could take a few days without food for speaking her mind.
"Try me, bastard."
"Four days."
Donna suppressed a groan. Hagen would pay for this.
The Titans needed to come up with something by themselves. And they needed to find a way to take these Talons with them. Donna wouldn't leave them behind. Not after what both of her friends had done for her.
AN: Donna called Nightwing a friend! It took pain to get there but we have a Nightwing-Donna friendship now.
Nightwing is not doing so hot right now. But the Conductor gave him a plan for the endgame by gloating like an idiot. Time for Nightwing to fake-kill Slade… in front of the whole Light. Oh dear.
And Jason knows! Talia just dropped that bomb on him and confirmed his suspicions. Bruce needs to hammer it into Jason's head that Jason can't get out of the emotional adoption-thing. It's gone through. You're Bruce's son now, Jason. Bruce doesn't leave a child in need of adoption unattended.
Also, it's 'Themis being a jerk'-hours. She does have reasons for what she does though.