Hello, and I'm sorry for the long wait, I didn't think this story was going to get such a reception so I posted the first chapter before I went on a retreat I knew I wouldn't have internet during. However, I'm back now, and hopefully a better writer by now. I don't own any fraction of the DC universe. I hope you'll follow, favorite, review and enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Two

Revenge

rəˈvenj/

noun

1.

the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands

When Dick awoke, he was groggy—a similar experience to when the Joker gave him a dose of pain meds for meta humans. The surface supporting him was hard, and forced him to sit upright, eliminating the possibility of a Gotham villain having rescued him from Savage. Yet, he knew neither Bruce nor Alfred would make such a mistake if they had been the ones to find him. A minuscule shift of his arms abolished the idea of him being in the care of an ally at the feeling of the cold metal pressing against his wrists.

With a small groan, Talon forced his eyes open and instantly frowned. The Man of Steel was seated across the table from him, accompanied by Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. Talon's hands were pinned behind the back of the chair and he could feel the presence of the inhibitor collar they'd placed around his neck. Well, at least the League had a no kill policy unlike the Light. All Talon had to do was distract them until he could orchestrate his escape, or Owlman found him.

"Oh wow, Wonder Woman, Superman and Martian Manhunter. I never expected three heavy hitters of the League to show up for me," Dick announced, sarcasm dousing his every word, "Last I'd heard you were off world, Supes. Didn't think you'd travel back to Earth for me."

Throughout his short speech, Clark's face slowly adopted a fierce shade of crimson with his growing rage. Through his study of the Justice League, Bruce had insisted Dick knew every weakness of the League, and while he was fresh out of Kryptonite, Dick knew he'd be able to control the hero through manipulation of his emotions. Clark always got reckless when his emotions were involved. He'd have to take advantage of that as much as he could if he wanted to be able to escape their holding.

"Talon," Clark grumbled, squinting at Dick. Dick rolled his eyes beneath his mask, wondering how many times Superman had tried to use X-ray vision on Owlman's mask. Surely, he wasn't incompetent enough to believe Owlman wouldn't have coated his partner's mask in lead as well. No, Dick mentally chided himself, he shouldn't be thinking so lowly of the Justice League, he couldn't afford to underestimate them.

Diana gently set a calming hand on Clark's shoulder, and they shared a moment of eye contact. It seemed the princess of Themyscira was weary of Dick, shifting in and out of a fighting stance. Soon after Bruce had 'killed' Batman and beat Superman, the Amazon challenged Owlman, seeking revenge. Even during their recent fights, Talon could clearly see Bruce had a soft spot for Diana, and Diana resented Owlman for killing her crush. However, the affection which shown in her eyes was the only indicator Talon needed to understand her bond with Superman. Despite Bruce's remaining feelings for Diana, he'd begrudgingly told Dick two weakness. For one, she was weak to poison, and fear gas. The latter of which Dick had in his belt.

But Dick didn't want to hurt Diana. Not with how much she still seemed to care about his guardian despite his death. For now, he'd focus on Clark.

"I'm impressed, I thought Batman was the only one who could calm you down, Clark."

The mention of Batman was enough to set Superman off. In the blink of an eye the boy scout had yanked Talon—chair and all—off the ground, merely holding the boy up by his collar.

"Clark!" Diana chided, leaping up from her chair, followed shortly by Martian Manhunter.

"You cannot let him control you, Superman," J'honn added calmly.

Which brought Dick to Martian Manhunter. His weakness was easy, exposure to fire could cause him to lose his ability to maintain physical form, psychic abilities. He'd been one of Bruce's main challenges when he'd become Owlman as he couldn't allow the Martian to look into his mind and discover the truth least his cover be blown. In the months before the transition between Batman and Owlman, Bruce had spent most of his time building up a mental block. He hadn't known it worked until he'd met J'honn in battle. And Dick hoped his own mental block could withstand the Martian now.

Superman looked at his comrades shortly, letting out a deep breath as if emptying his anger and gently set Talon back down. "Don't mention his name again," Clark warned, returning to his chair. He looked exhausted, no doubt from whatever universal duties he'd been attending to before coming back.

Talon huffed, it was apparent how vulnerable Superman was through his emotions. For him to not take time to strength himself so he didn't fall for the enemy's taunt was unimaginable. Bruce would surely have a heart attack if he knew his old friend hadn't done anything about his apparent weakness. Yet, it would be easy to escape if the other Leaguers were this susceptible to their weaknesses. As the three adults took a moment to converse, Talon began to test the cuffs. They weren't as complex as he'd originally thought, but rather generic, easier to pick than Owlman's, that was for sure.

The only issues with proceeding in picking the handcuffs was Superman's hearing. It was easy to block a mind reader, but super hearing was an unavoidable issue. Without kryptonite he couldn't exactly get rid of Superman's super hearing. With luck, Talon would keep pushing Superman's buttons and distract him from his real motive.

"I was there, you know, when Owlman killed him. That's when Owlman decided to train me as his apprentice." Tension thickened the very air around Talon, radiating from Superman as his rage swelled again. "Unlike you, Owlman is actually doing something to help this planet. Both Owlman and Batman have the same mission, Owlman's just able to use any means to reach his goal."

Astonishment rang clearly through the room, leaving the heroes dumbstruck. But silence filled in the empty space, and so Talon continued, sliding the lock pick in his glove to hang out of it's little opening as he set to work.

"All you knew of Batman was the single side he showed you. There was no man behind the mask to you, rather you only used him. Bats knew that, but he continued to help you. He was seeking justice for what happened to him. And you all just used him to further your own goals."

"And what do you call what you and Owlman are doing?" Superman challenged, "If what you are doing is justice, they'll be no one left to live in what you've created by the time you've finished!"

"Is that so? Owlman's more just than all of you combined. Bats knew none of you had what it takes to actually be a hero, why else wouldn't he share his identity with you?"

Hopefully Owlman would get him out soon.

"Ra's," Bruce greeted. He had long since grown tired of entering the Mansion to see the leader of the Demon Head lounging in his living room with a hot cup of tea, chatting with Alfred. The butler had grown fond of the Light member's company as they discussed everything from Macbeth to Hamlet over games of chess.

"Detective," Ra's responded, moving one of his pawns to take Alfred's knight, "I see Luthor and Savage's attempt to convince you to join the Light failed once more. Tell me, what did you do with the children?"

"What?" Bruce replied, the assassin's words shocking him. Sure, he'd been able to deduce Luthor would attempt to convince to join the Light again, but Savage's presence and that of the junior Justice League were unexpected. If he had known, he wouldn't have sent Dick, speaking of which, his ward should be with Harley and Ivy. Right?

Ra's looked away from the game to Bruce with a frown. His mouth opened to form a 'o' with his realization. "You sent the boy."

Bruce paled, he'd sent Dick right into the middle of a warzone. Bruce knew of the Light's impatience with him, despite Ra's advocacy. Dick would be able to handle Luthor, he knew it, but Savage was a different story. The man was skilled, having almost uncovered his identity as Batman several times in his years as the caped crusader. While Luthor would be hesitant to lay a finger on Dick, Savage would have no mercy. The presence of the junior Justice League would only further complicate Dick's interaction.

"Master Bruce, should I contact Miss Quinn?" Alfred asked, standing up, looking ready to dart to the Batcave—Dick insisted Owlcave didn't flow off the tongue like Batcave.

"I will contact the members of the Light," Ra's announced, shooting up from his seat, "And Talia, should we need to rescue the boy."

Bruce nodded to the two before activating his communicator. "Talon come in."

"Talon come in."

Wally zeroed in on the communicator the League had found on Talon when they'd arrested him. Superman, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter had been in the interrogation room for almost an hour now, and asked the team to watch the young villain's possessions while they spoke to him.

"Who do you think it is?" Wally whispered to the rest of the team as they stared at the communicator with varying degrees of apprehension.

Artemis elbowed him in the side, "Who do you think? It's gotta be Owlman."

M'gann's eyes widened at the mention of the villain's name. "What should we do?" she squeaked.

"We will not answer it. Once Superman returns we will inform him," Kaldur determined.

"Savage, I know you're there. Answer now and we'll negotiate. If you don't answer, I will destroy the Light."

"Did Owlman just say what I thought he said?" Wally questioned, "Isn't Savage Owlman's ally? Maybe we should tell him that we have Talon." Now that he thought about it, Talon hadn't exactly accepted Luthor's offer to join the Light. But didn't villains have like an agreement to all get along or something like that. Wally knew that the Rouges did at least.

"Wouldn't he attack?" Superboy asked. He doubted they had a chance of taking down the villain even with the whole team and three League members present. The man's fighting skills were legend and the League still knew nothing about his meta abilities.

Silence fell over the group as they pondered the idea. They didn't know how much longer the League would be with Talon, having been instructed not to disrupt. But, Owlman probably didn't know where the team was stationed and therefore where Talon was.

"If you give him back to me I will join the Light."

Wally's eyes widened at the newest transmission. The villain—the man—on the other side of the communicator sounded just like his uncle when Wally had been held hostage by Count Vertigo last week. Desperate. And instantaneously, Wally recognized the man behind the nightmare the league made him out to be.
Snatching up the communicator before his teammates could stop him, Wally pressed the button to open the line on his side.

"Kid Flash, no!" Aqualad shouted.

"Owlman, Talon is with us, he's safe."

The cave was quiet, the team waiting his bated breath for the villain to respond.

"Is Talon hurt?"

"Talon appeared to have been hit with an energy blast to his lower back. He was seen by one of our doctors and treated for minor burns and given medication for his pain. The League will contact you in the future regarding his condition," Kaldur responded evenly.

"Thank you-"

Owlman was cut off by a loud bang originating from the interrogation room Talon was being held in. The door was slammed against the metal wall as Superman emerged, crudely dragging the tiny villain behind him by his cape as Diana and J'honn followed behind him. When he saw the Atlantean holding the communicator, his eyes burned bright with rage.

"Superman let him go. You're choking him," Diana pleaded with the leader of the Justice League, attempting to pry his hand off the cape. True to her words, the team saw the villain's face turning red as he clawed at the clasp on his cape. They had never seen the Man of Steel in such a state, and unconsciously they shrunk back, terrified by the display of rage. Superman snatched the communicator from Kaldur, looking as if he was contemplating crushing their line of communication with Owlman.

"Owlman," Superman hissed into the small speaker.

"Superman," the villain stated, the desperation in his tone from earlier completely disappearing, "If you hurt him, I swear our next fight will be our last one."

"You expect me to believe that you care for him, Owlman? You don't care for anyone but yourself!" Superman snapped, shaking Talon by his cape until the teen let out a strained whimper.

"What-"

"You killed Batman, yet you still have the nerve to speak of justice? Is this boy only a means to reach your end as well? Should he be killed, I wonder how long your plans would be delayed," Superman's eyes were tinted with a red film as he spoke, a precursor to his laser vision as he glanced down at the boy.

"Clark!" Diana shouted, having given up trying to loosen Superman's grasp and trying to locate the clasp for the cape instead. Talon's choking filled the silence left in the cave between Superman's words and it was apparent the teenager was struggling to hold onto his last thread of consciousness. The team were mortified by this display, the Justice League didn't kill, yet Superman's threat was plain as day.

"But I won't. He'll become the one to defeat you Owlman. I'll make sure his is the last face you'll ever see."

With that, the Man of Steel threw the communicator to the ground, watching it shatter. Only a few moments later, his eyes rolled back in his head as he dropped to the ground, unconscious. Diana helped Talon sit up as he coughed, Superman's grip on his cape lessened now that he was out.

"Diana, please take Superman to the Watch Tower, I will take care of Talon," J'honn told the princess. She nodded, picking up her peer in one swoop before making her way to the Zeta tubes.

"Dude, you alright?" Kid Flash asked, zooming over to the villain's side, helping stabilize him in Diana's absence. The boy's breathing was still raspy, his chest heaving as he struggled to refill his lungs with oxygen. Wally was taken aback by the boy's state, never before had he seen a member of the Justice League in the midst of such rage, ready to kill. Honestly, it frightened him, more than Owlman and more than the boy sitting before him, struggling to breathe.

"I'm fine," the boy rasped finally between his fits of coughing, "Didn't expect Supes to do that." Wally watched in shock as the boy offered a wryly grin. He'd nearly been killed and yet he was acting as if it was a common occurrence. Was this what the teen lived through during his time with Owlman?

While Wally was sure he didn't want the small villain to have another encounter with Superman, he didn't know if he could stand the thought of Talon returning to Owlman either.

Klarion snickered, unlike many other members of the Light, he enjoyed the company of Talon since Ra's introduced them. The boy was mischievous much like himself but applied his interests into order rather than chaos. Yet, the boy was talented in everything from hacking to controlling the numerous fiends of Gotham—Talon insisted he was only 'friends' with them, but Klarion had met the Joker and the man was uncontrollable by all standards, there was no way Talon could have befriended him. Even Owlman seemed to have difficultly talking to the crazed man.

He'd been furious when Talon refused his offer to join the Light. After all, the Lord of Chaos had only joined on Savage's offer to interact with people at his own level of intelligence, skill and mischievousness. But Luthor was only concerned with money, Ra's his own definition of Justice and the rest with their own personal motives. Talon and Owlman were the first villains Klarion met who recognized the greater scheme of things, but whereas the elder was emotionless, Talon completed Klarion. They were the two sides of the same coin. As far as Klarion was concerned, Talon was his only equal.

But now, oh this was too perfect, Savage's attempt to kill Talon had failed. And now the villain was in the hands of the Junior Justice League. If Klarion played his cards right—that is the remaining nanotech of the prototype implanted in Superman—he'd be the one to save Talon and not Owlman. Then the teenager would surely leave Owlman for the Light. For Klarion.

The opportunity was prime to finally bring Talon to his side.

M'gann stared at the small boy with pity. Even if he was a villain, Talon was the one who'd saved the team from being killed, and at the cost of what have may been his life. She'd been thankful, but still scared afterwards, until she'd seen Superman dragging the boy—who couldn't have been older than Wally—across the cave.

"Uncle, what's going to happen to Talon?"

The elder Martian sighed as the young team looked towards him for his answer. It seemed M'gann wasn't the only one with a soft spot for the villain. Although they did owe him for saving them, she supposed.

"We were planning to hold him in the Watchtower for now, but with Superman's recent behavior it would be too risky. For now, we will keep him here. I trust you will be able to create a schedule to keep Talon under supervision, Aqualad, until the League decides what our next step will be," Uncle J'honn replied.

Kaldur nodded, "Of course, we will make sure Talon is always under supervision. And we will contact the League if he attempts anything."

M'gann mentally cheered, perhaps she'd be able to make friends with Talon and convince him away from his life of villainy while he was in their care. And should the team gain a new member in the meantime, it wasn't like the League could disprove them rehabilitating the teenager.

"I'll go bake some cookies!"