"And after all the world's in bed, All the ghosts come sing along, But we'll forget them." –Along the Road, Radical Face

Gotham's sky was just as ominous as its streets. This was what Roy noticed when Starfire guided the cloaked ship to hover above Wayne Manor. By the time the two got to the front door, Alfred was waiting for them.

"Might I suggest a less conspicuous form of travel? I fear the neighbors can still see you exiting your invisible ship," he quipped, stepping aside to allow them in.

Starfire was in no mood for games. "Mr. Pennyworth, where is your employer?"

Arsenal touched her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down, but the heat made it hard to leave his hand there.

Batman came into view out of uniform, and it was one of the weirdest things Roy had ever seen.

"If you're here for Jason, he's gone. Dick and Tim are trying to bring him home. Damian appears to have left with them as well."

Starfire audibly growled. "And why are you not on his trail as well?"

The glare she received made Roy sweat, but she seemed unphased.

"He has made his choice. He doesn't want me or this family."

Arsenal practically snorted. "That's bull," he said. Alfred's mouth twitched upwards. Batman's did not. Arsenal coughed and shuffled his feet.

Starfire literally crackled with energy. "You are either lying or an idiot. Jason wants nothing more than to be with you, loved by you."

Batman stood still, staring her down. They were still in the doorway of the manor.

Arsenal swallowed thickly. He had hoped Bruce would have just come with them, but he had anticipated resistance.

"Mr. Wayne," Roy said tentatively, "what happened the last time Jason went halfway across the world without you?"

The glare faltered and there was silence. Roy didn't want to pull that card; it made it seem like Jason was inexperienced, incompetent, but it was all the Dark Knight would understand. Even after everything, Jason was Bruce's son, and threat of loss always brings out a father.

"We'll take the jet," he informed the Outlaws.

"No," Kori asserted. "We will take our ship. Get your uniform."

For once, Batman did as he was told.

()()()()()()()

Before they landed, Dick, Tim, and Damian changed into their uniforms. There were no flight attendants to worry about and the pilots never leave the cockpit.

"What's our plan?" Red Robin asked.

Nightwing secured his domino mask. "Aren't you the one with the plan?"

"You're the one that says we can't stop him."

"I'm pretty sure our main problem is how we're going to stop Ra's."

Damian interjected. "Didn't you say that Mother had probably retrieved Jason before we left?"

Tim looked over. "It's the most likely scenario given the time that Jason left."

"Then, by the time we land, my grandfather will already have won or lost."

Tim disagreed. "She'll be trying to lay low, which means. . ." Tim's eyes widened. "The helicopter I saw while we were driving! I thought it was a covert government op, but it's possible it could be Talia. She'll have to refuel which means if we find a small tarmac close to the Pit's location, we could beat Jason there."

Damian sniffed. "I know of a place we can land, but my mother will most likely use the same spot."

"That's fine," Dick interjected. "We're going to have to meet up with her and Jason anyway if we're going to beat Ra's."

Tim blinked. "Do you listen to the words that come out of your mouth? Talia is not going to team up with us against her dad!"

"You said it yourself; she disobeyed him before for Jason." Dick moved towards the intercom system leading into the cockpit. "Okay, little D, tell me the coordinates."

Tim sighed and rubbed his temples. "I really should have thought this plan through," he muttered.