Origins: Nightstar

by Miyu kuran

A retelling of the origins of Mar'i Grayson, other wise known as Nightstar. The story of how a princess became a vigilante of Gotham, how she lost her powers, how she regained them, and how she feel in love with the one man she wasn't supposed to. This is her story, her Epic, her life, her Origins. This is how she came be.

16. Gotham's Best 5

Gotham's Best 5

Coming of Age

Starling marveled at the city before her. It never got old to her. The way it twinkled like the stars in the night sky. Starling could easily say that her favorite thing about the planet she now called home was the how beautiful the nights were. There was something quiet and oddly beautiful about the nights on Earth. The short hours between nightfall and sunrise were something she loved witnessing and it made her job oh so much easier to bear on nights like this one.

Technically, neither she nor Damian was supposed to be patrolling tonight. It was the beginning of April and spring break was coming in a couple days. Mary would be spending the whole break at a Dance convention in Hawaii, and Damian would be helping Tim out in Brazil with the South American part of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce wanted them to take the night off and rest before they leave tomorrow, but they hadn't listened and decided to stay out at least until midnight. Damian griped about, but Mary knew the longer they stayed out the more trouble they would be in.

Damian was apparently asked by Bruce to accompany Tim to Brazil. Of course, Damian wasn't happy about it, but Bruce felt the boy needed to get out of town. Damian had been on edge as of lately, so really Mary didn't blame Bruce for thinking Damian needed to get out of Gotham. In fact, his current state of anxiety confused Mary. Damian should be happy, especially at a time like this.

Throughout Gotham, the giant clanging from the Clock tower rang twelve times. It was midnight. A new day had begun.

Starling turned to Robin, "Happy fourteenth birthday, Damian!" She sang before jumping on him, giving him a big hug. He shrugged her off. Starling stared at him confused, Robin usually groaned when she gave him hugs, but usually sat through it, "What's wrong?" She asked.

He didn't say anything only pulling out his grapple gun and launching it across the street. "Let's get back. We still have school tomorrow." He's said before swinging away. Starling stared at him curiously. He wasn't in a hurry before to leave in early. Starling fired her gun and caught up with her partner on top the building across the street. He never turned to acknowledge her presence, though to Starling it seemed that he was waiting for her.

"What's eating you?" She asked. Robin was normally moody, but this was extreme. He had been quiet all night he wasn't even condescending to the gang they took down earlier. Starling wondered if he were sick or something. "Robin?"

"It's nothing." He hissed harshly at her. "It's not any of your goddamn business. I'm just ready to get out of Gotham, okay? Is that enough for you?" Starling took a step back. She must have pushed him harder than she thought if he was at this point with her, or he was more on edge than she originally thought. Starling looked at Robin, really looked at him. His shoulders were tense and his jaw stayed clenched. He really looked like a mini-Batman at the moment, however, the uneasiness of his stance took the intimidation of it away. Starling barely caught it but she knew she saw it, Robin looking around over his shoulder as if something could lunge at him at any moment.

"Sorry," Starling said. "I didn't mean to bother you." Her eyes narrowed staring at her partner.

Robin sighed, "It's whatever." Starling raised her eyebrows. That was the closest thing she was going to get to an apology. "Let's just get off the streets." He ran off without looking a back for her this time. Robin would tell her what's wrong later...Maybe.

---

Mary woke up in the morning as usual. 5 hours of sleep was a godsend. Normally it was only about half an hour to two hours, and on those terribly unlucky days she couldn't fall asleep for days on end, too busy. Mary's shower was short, what took long was washing her hair. It was far too long. Though she couldn't bare to cut it. It reminded her of her mother. Though Sometimes when Mary stared in the mirror, she glared at that hair with contempt. Mary contemplated cutting it, but couldn't bare the idea. It was part of her identity.

The Gotham Academy uniform was one that most of the students hated, but Mary adored it. She found it cute, and couldn't understand the hate in gathered. By 7 o'clock Mary was ready for school. Alfred usually arrived by 7:30 to take her and Damian to school, but lately Damian hadn't wanted to come to school with her, instead making Alfred take me even earlier than Mary went. It didn't upset Mary too much, she knew sometimes Damian liked to be by himself. So instead of making Alfred take so many trips, Mary had asked her father would take her to school. He had early classes to teach most days anyway. Sadly, this also meant that Mary had the pleasure of waking him up.

"Dad," Mary called. Of course, he didn't answer save a murmur, that made Mary sigh. He had to get up or he would miss his class. "Daddy!" This time, her voice was louder, shorter, and sharper. It got his attention.

"I'M UP!" He flailed. The covers went wild around the bed before he noticed his daughter and forced himself awake, with a yawn. "Oh. Morning, Starshine. What's up?" He asked.

"Dad, can you take me to school?" She asked. If there was any sleep left in Dick Grayson it was gone immediately. "Sure. Mary, I'll take you to school." He father answered her. "Just let me get ready." Mary nodded and got out the way so Dick could get out of the bed. He walked to his dresser and started pulling out clothes.

"Sure. Mary, I'll take you to school." He father answered her. "Just let me get ready." Mary nodded and got out the way so Dick could get out of the bed. He walked to his dresser and started pulling out clothes.

"I've got that gym class to teach this morning, right?" He asked.

"Yup. It's the college students. I'm sure you regret taking that partnership with Gotham University now." Mary joked. Dick chuckled.

"I wish I could. Those kids are so much fun that I often forget that I'm there so early in the morning. One day when you don't have school you need to come by and show them what you can do. They still don't believe that you can beat all of them on the uneven bars." Dick grabbed his clothes and headed to the shower.

"Sounds fun," She answered as he closed the door. He showered much quicker than Mary ever could and walked out dressed no less than 15 minutes later.

"You eat?" He asked. Mary nodded. He always got onto her about that. Mary didn't like eating in the mornings, but her father practically made her. With as much physical activity she put in a day she needed the calories. "Alright, let's go."

The car ride wasn't long. In fact, it seemed shorter now that she didn't have Damian in the car with her. "So, you going to tell me what's going on?" Dick asked still driving.

"Pardon?" Mary asked. To her knowledge, she hadn't been acting any different for him to ask her that.

"What's going on? You're avoiding Damian, right? Or is it the other way around? I mean three straight weeks of me taking you to school." Mary bit the inside of her cheek at her father's words. He was right on the money, and she barely said anything, Like always. " So, I ask for the third time. What's going on?"

Mary sighed. She thought she was good at reading people, but her father had perfected the art. "It's nothing too big, or dramatic. Just thought Damian needed space." Mary answered. It was the truth. He seemed to have a lot on his mind last night, well, technically this morning.

"I know he can be moody, just don't let it get to you," Dick said throwing a glance at her in the rearview mirror.

"That's not it," Mary said with a shake of her head. "You remember it's his birthday today, right?"

Dick nodded, "Of course, I'm the one that remembers birthdays in this family."

"Yeah, well, Damian didn't seem to happy about his 14th birthday last night( Not that he was a happy person to begin with). He just seemed extra somber. He said he wanted to get out of Gotham." Dick didn't say anything at first only thinking about what his daughter told him.

"I understand your worry." He finally answered. "But what Damian is feeling is understandable. He hasn't really been out of the city for a while. Normally, Bruce likes to take us places even for a short amount of time. He hasn't done that since you come along."

Mary stared up at her father. "Bruce used to take you guys on vacation?" She asked astonished. Dick laughed a little.

"I wouldn't call it that..." He said. "If anything major happened we'd have to be back in Gotham in no time, but I guess you could call them retreats... For training. The places differed each time. He understood the need to get out of the city for a breather, but lately, it hasn't been possible. Damian's probably just got cabin fever, that's why Bruce is sending him with Tim. They'll have fun together, and Damian will be back to his usually grumpy self in no time flat." As he said the words the car stopped at Gotham Academy. "Don't worry about it too much, Mary." Mary nodded.

"Are you coming to competition in Hawaii?" Mary asked a little hopeful. Her father tried to make the ones he could, but Hawaii was far. She'd understand if he couldn't make it.

"I'm on the Watchtower all weekend. So, if you send me your dance times I'll see if I can cheat and have them transport me down to watch you, but you know the rules." He told her.

Mary rolled her eyes, "Yeah, Yeah. If they call you, you have to go. Come on, Dad. I think I realized that when you, Bruce, Tim, and Damian ran out of my first dance competition because Two-Face robbed a bank. I'm used to it now. This is no different."

"Hey, at least, Babs and Stephanie stayed," Dick said. "Alright, I'll try to see if I can see you before you leave today, if not, have fun. Kick some ass. Bring home that first place trophy." Mary hugged her father.

"You got it." Mary hopped out of the car and waved, "Bye, I love you."

"Love you, too." He dramatically blew her a kiss, making Mary return the favor. A tradition that Mary honestly doesn't remember how it started. Just something silly they do. Mary waved once more as her dad drove away before turning and heading towards the school.

Gotham Academy was the most prestigious private school in Gotham City. It was mostly a boarding school to most of the students. Either the rich parents wanted nothing to do with their children and sent them to the academy, they were on scholarship, or they commuted. Mary was the last option. Honestly, she shuttered to think of what it would be like to go to a boarding school. Tim and Bruce had horror stories about them, and Mary wasn't too keen on finding out if they were true for herself.

It didn't take too long for Mary's friends to find her with Kevin leading them she wasn't surprised.

"Riri," Kevin called out, "You ready to destroy the competition." He high-fived his dance partner before boasting. "The Madame gave us the best choreography ever. There's no way that first place trophy isn't ours."

"Chill out, Thompson. I'm sure Carrie and I can give you two a run for your money." Sherrie said. Sherrie and her twin Carrie were younger than Mary and Kevin but have danced just as long. They usually preferred dancing together. Mary could honestly say the two girls had such good unison work that they might actually beat them this competition.

"Sherrie, we should worry about the other dance teams, not our own," Carrie said. She had always been the calmer sister. Sherrie was competitive which caused her to often but heads with the strong-headed Kevin.

"Carrie's right. We need to worry about our own house first" Braxton said. "You are coming to this competition, right?" Mary almost didn't think that Braxton was talking to her.

"Yeah, of course," Mary replied. "I make it to most of the competitions. I don't bail that often." No one replied. The group only gave Mary disbelieving looks. "What?"

"Umm, Riri." Kevin started slowly. "I don't know how to tell you this, but you've missed a little more than half of the competitions that we've done this year..." Mary blinked in disbelief. She missed a few, but not that many. They practically had a competition every weekend. It was only April. She couldn't have missed that many.

"Yeah," Braxton continued. "And you always pull out last minute. Is there something more important going on? When you first joined you weren't that busy, but now..." Mary bit the inside of her lip. She hadn't realized she's been neglecting dance. Up until now Mary thought that she had been balancing her life pretty well. She hadn't realized she was wrong.

Mary honestly didn't know what to say, "...I'm sorry. You know, with my grandpa it's hard. Things come up Last-"

"We know, we know." Sherrie cut Mary off. "Bruce Wayne is a very important person. And things happen. Sometimes I just wish that the team mattered more to you for 5 seconds, Mary, then some press conference about the Gotham City water supply. Does your face on the tv really matter that much?"

"It's not like that." Mary pleaded. "I don't even like the press conferences or even the galas. No one in my family does, but in order for the company to have partners we have to play nice. I care about the team, I really do."

"Well, it feels like you don't sometimes," Sherrie said.

"Sherrie..." Carrie cautioned before her sister could open her mouth and say something else. Sherrie always did speak her mind.

"No." Sherrie insisted, "She needs to hear-"

"Sheryl!" Kevin called out. "Shut up." He said firmly, and for once she listened, but Mary already felt smaller and smaller. The damage was done.

"Listen, we don't have a problem. Just come to more competitions, okay?" Carrie said. Mary nodded. She would try, but she knew she couldn't promise anything. She wouldn't promise something she knew she had no way of keeping.

"Come on, guys," Kevin said trying to lighten up the mood. "I'm sure the cafeteria is still selling breakfast, and I want an apple. Let's go." They walked in silence for the most part. Kevin would spare Mary a glance, and Mary did want she did best. She squared her shoulders, held her head high, and walked with a purpose. Confidence was the easiest thing to fake, and right now Mary needed it to look like the words of her friends didn't affect her. No one was allowed to see her have a bad day, not anyone here at least. She had to keep up pretenses, right?

Just as soon as they hit the cafeteria a scream rang through the commons area.

"That came from outside!" Mary shouted before taking off running towards the direction she heard the scream. Mary thought she heard Kevin calling after her, but she didn't have time to wait for him. Someone was in trouble.

She eventually found the source of the scream, a girl crying in the arms of none other than Damian Wayne. What caused the scream, Mary only had to look up to find out what. There hanging from a rope in front of the Art Building was the art teacher, Mrs. Winters. She was dead, it wouldn't take a coroner to figure out how. Her corpse was bloodied, and an oriental dagger was still in its place in her chest. She hung there slowly dripping blood down and behind her a message, thankfully not written in blood, but in Arabic. Mary could read it. Her Arabic was pretty good, She felt the blood drain from her face as she read the message over and over willing it not to be true. Not here, not now.

"Damian..." Mary trailed off after reading the message.

"Call Father," He ordered still tending to the distraught girl in his arms. Mary felt a hand on her shoulder causing her jump she turned around to find Kevin and the rest of her friends. They had followed her.

"Mary, What's going on? Is that the art teacher?" Kevin asked. He was anything but calm. His hand was trembling, and he was pale. He looked as if he were going to throw up. A normal reaction considering the traumatic scene behind Mary. Behind him, both Sherrie and Carrie did just Rancid smell of puke reached Mary's sensitive nose almost causing her to heave, but she had to keep it together. A crowd of students was now beginning to gather around making their way to the scene.

"Kevin, get them out of here," Mary said. "Keep the students away from here. This is now a crime scene. Damian, did you call the police?" Mary asked. He only grunted indicating that he did not. "Get security here, they'll call the police," Mary told her friends.

"What?" He was confused, disoriented. That was understandable. She knew what he felt like.

"Kev, focus. " Mary snapped in his face. She couldn't have him panicking now, she needed him coherent. "Keep the students away. Can you and Braxton do that?" Both boys nodded. "Good. Are any of the girls in good enough shape to get security?"

Sherrie stood up and wiped her mouth. She was a little pale, tears falling down her face. "I can. Come on, Carrie." She said in between sobs. She grabbed her sister and was quick to get away from the area. With her friends out of the way, Mary could now get the work.

"I'm guessing she was the first one on the scene, Damian," She asked.

"She's Mariah Winters, Mrs. Winters' daughter. We have Honors art class together for our first period." He knew protocol already, she didn't even need to ask him a thing. "I've been with her all morning, since 6, working on an art project for the expo coming up. Mrs. Winters left a little after I got here to get the clay projects from the oven. We went looking for her after a while. Mariah ran ahead of me and found her first. Whoever did this is probably long gone by now." Damian clenched his jaw. He's eyes slid towards the body of. They harden at the scene. He was angry. As if he had been able to stop this

"Considering, I wouldn't be surprised." Mary bit her lip. Now of all times, they would be making a move. She pulled out her phone and dialed Bruce's number. He answered on the first ring. "Bruce? Yeah," Mary looked up towards the body. "I think you need to come here. We've got a problem, Like a League of Shadows problem."

---

Bruce was there with Tim at his side in less than 10 minutes. They almost got there faster than the cops. By then Mary and Damian had been able to hand the crying Mariah Winters off to some of her friends and stand by waiting for Bruce to show up. Security had eventually come kicking them out of the area where the body was, but by then they had everything they needed.

"I assume you have pictures since the crime scene is no longer available to us," Bruce said.

Damian and Mary snorted. "Of course." Mary handed the man her phone.

Tim took the phone from Bruce Before plugging it into the laptop he brought with him. He studied the pictures for a moment. "Well, this is a simple one. It's obviously the League of Shadows doing this. That dagger is one of there's I believe, but you already knew that." Everyone in the car nodded. "Tracking them down is going to be the hard part, but that shouldn't be too big of an issue. Heir of the Demon's Head, beware for the test begins." Tim translated the message from Arabic to English that was written on the walls. "This is talking about you, Damian." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"It is," Damian confirmed.

"This is what you've been nervous about?" Mary asked. "You knew this was coming."

"No! I knew- I didn't think like this. I didn't think that my grandfather would go through with it. In fact, I'm not his heir anymore, I was disowned." Damian admitted, his hands formed fist shaking ever so slightly.

"So this is the beginning of a test for you," Bruce said.

"No, it hasn't started yet. This is a message, a warning," Damian answered. "The Test of Succession begins at sundown, as it has always is telling me that I am still expected to take the test," He spat the last part of that sentence out as if he was completely disgusted with the idea of it.

"You're not an al Ghul anymore so, you're not taking that test." Damian's head flew up at Tim's words. "We'll put a stop to this. We're not letting anyone else die, and that includes you, Damian."

"Agreed," Bruce said. "What is the test?"

Damian sighed. He looked at his father seriously, "The Test of Succession is mental endurance. Once in their hands, they will torture me both physically and psychologically, When I break mentally..." Damian paused over his words letting them sink in. "They'll put me down." Mary took notice to the use of when and not if. Damian didn't think he was going to pass Ra's test.

"What!" Mary shouted.

"You're kidding!" Tim exclaimed.

"That makes it easier to protect you. Luckily Assassins won't be everywhere in the city." Bruce said carefully. He looked his son in the eye and said with the utmost confidence. "They won't get to you. I can promise that."

"If you think it will be easy at all, then you don't know the Shadows as well as you think, Father," Damian told him. "All those who have taken the test perished. Grandfather created it for those who had enough gall to want to become the heir of the demon. It's meant to create fear for the head family, and to keep anyone from challenging my grandfather." Damian said.

"Tim, call everyone," Bruce ordered. "Our main priority is to make sure that everyone in Gotham stays safe."

"Got it. I'm just going to assume that includes the Birds of Prey. I'll pull Dick from monitor duty. If Ra's is really after Damian he won't make this easy. I'll put everyone on high alert, he's already one step ahead of us." Tim said.

Bruce turned back to the children. "You two sort everything out here at school. I expect both of you back here in fifteen minutes so that we will be at the manor in 30 minutes. Don't be late." Of course, no one argued. Things had gotten serious. Ra's al Ghul had threatened Damian once again. Bruce was furious. The clench of his jaw and the hard gaze told Mary that was the case. It seemed that the immortal had yet to learn. Messing with the Bat's family was a one-way ticket to a full body cast.

"We'll be here" Mary answered. "We were supposed to leave school early anyway. In light of things, they'll probably cancel school." Bruce stayed silent. He didn't seem to care about what they needed to accomplish as long as they did in the designated time.

Mary and Damian got out of the car and went their separate ways. Damian went to go check on Mariah one last time while Mary went to tell her dance team that she wouldn't be heading to Hawaii with them after all.

The school had everyone gathered in the cafeteria. Children were scared muttering about the Arabic message that some kid had actually translated, but none knew what it meant.

Ibn al Xu'ffasch

It roughly translates to Son of the Bat. Luckily, the message doesn't particular make any sense to the normal public, or else Ra's might have exposed them all, but to all who knew... It was Damian's first name, He's Arabic name. It unnerved Mary how close Ra's got to them at school. Finding out Damian's schedule was child play for anyone who knew of him, being so public there wasn't really a choice. Ra's could have had anyone do it. He could have even done it himself, but that was unlikely.

Damian left Mary to go check again on the victim's daughter, Mariah Winters. The crying girl from earlier. It was nice seeing Damian be kind to her.

"You're not coming with us." The statement made Mary turn around. She found Kevin standing behind her.

"Kev, listen…" Mary trailed off trying to think of some excuse.

"You know." He started. "I just don't get you. You could easily be the best dancer ever. Yet, something always comes up, stopping you from achieving anything greater than just being talented."

"Kevin, I'm sorry." Mary apologized. She looked down at the ground.

"I really don't understand you, Mary," He said staring at her intently. "How did you do that?" He asked her. Mary tilted her head confused.

"How did I do what?"

"Look at Mrs. Winter's corpse and be completely calm! Handle this situation like it was completely normal, talk down to me like I was a stranger!" Mary hadn't realized she did that. Kevin looked extremely upset, his shoulder tensed up he was shaking, he was scared. "Look so cold as if someone hadn't just died. Like-Like-Like,"

"I've seen that before?" Mary finished for him, her eyebrows raised.

"Yes." He was breathing hard. "Just who are you, Mary Grayson?" He asked.

Mary snorted, "Kevin, don't be stupid. You know who I am."

Kevin backed away from her, "I don't think I do, and I don't think you do either." A silence followed Kevin's words. Mary didn't say anything at first, not sure what to say.

"You're wrong, Kevin." She shook her head. "I know who I am, and I am sorry that you can't." Mary looked down at her watch checking the time. "I have to go, Kevin."

"You have other responsibilities, I know. I had a feeling that you wouldn't be getting on the plane with us to Hawaii. I don't think the others will be too happy." He said. He let out a sigh. It struck a cord in Mary that he didn't seem at all surprised that she was about the cancel on the competition. In fact, he seemed a little nonchalant about it. Like he had seen it coming. The mood seemed to lift slightly, still the heavy overtone stayed.

"Tell the others I'll be there." The words flew out of Mary's mouth before she could stop them. Kevin's head flew up he gave her a questioning look.

"But what about-"

"I'll be done with it before tomorrow," Mary promised. She wasn't so sure that this was true."I'll be on my dad's plane heading to Hawaii by noon tomorrow at the latest." Kevin frowned.

"So you won't be getting on the plane with us."

Mary carefully thinking about her words. "No, but I will make it to the competition this time. Give me a chance to work out things here, and then I'll head to you guys."

"If you say so, Mary." He gave her skeptical look. Before looking in the cafeteria at the other children. You could easily tell who the ones who had seen the teacher's body were. They sat quiet, unsure of how to process what their eyes had seen. Even Kevin was serious, and that usual grin was not on his face.

"Where are you going with this, Kevin?" Mary asked.

"Nothing, just tell Damian I said Happy Birthday, it is today isn't it? Must be a coincidence." He said. "I'll see you soon, Mary. Hopefully." Then he walked away. Mary frowned. He was starting to get suspicious of her. Only natural with how close him and Mary are. If he knew…Mary knew he wouldn't tell anyone. No that wasn't the issue. The issue was if he knew, he'd be a liability. He would want to help her. Mary's watch beeped on her wrist. Her fifteen minutes were up. She has to worry about Kevin later, right now. She had to worry about something far more important.

Mary frowned. He was starting to get suspicious of her. Only natural with how close him and Mary are. If he knew…Mary knew he wouldn't tell anyone. No that wasn't the issue. The issue was if he knew, he'd be a liability. He would want to help her. Mary's watch beeped on her wrist. Her fifteen minutes were up. She has to worry about Kevin later, right now. She had to worry about something far more important.

---

In less than 3 hours, the whole family was in the Batcave.

"Oh god, Damian, Mary. Are you two all right?" Barbara wheeled towards them with a worried expression.

Damian shrugged, "We're fine." He replied gruffly.

"A little upset, but that's what happens when you find your art teacher's corpse strung up for all to see," Mary said cynically. Mary's eyes flicked to Damian's. He seemed a little shaken, slightly more than she thought he would be, but Mary didn't think anything of it. He had mentioned before that Mrs. Winters was one of his favorite teachers.

"I'm sorry to hear about that. We'll have to send her family our condolences." Barbara.

"And pay for the funeral." Dick cut in walking up. "She died because of us. Because Ra's was targeting one of us. He shouldn't have brought in someone who was not involved. He'll pay for this." Dick scowled. Something Mary rarely saw her father do. Even when fighting her tried to keep up his witty appearance. Now that Mary thought about it, Her father scowled a lot like his adoptive brothers. No doubt a trait picked up from their father.

"We'll get to that later," Bruce said. "Ra's is in Gotham and he needs to be taken care of." Things were getting serious. There was something stronger in Bruce's tone. Something Mary had never heard from him. Resolve? Strength? She couldn't place the emotion she was hearing, but it made her frighten for any who stood against The Batman.

"You have a plan," Jason said. He was currently cleaning one of his guns. A habit that told Mary that he was far more nervous than he was letting on.

"Of course, but none of you are going to like it," Bruce answered.

"Oh god. Now I'm terrified. " Stephanie groaned. "What aren't we going to like, Bruce." Everyone in the room hung on Bruce's words.

"I know exactly when Ra's is going strike. And we're going to let it happen." He said turning back to the computer, pulling something up on the screen.

"What!" "No!" "Bruce we can't!" "Father, think about this. Please." Jason, Tim, Dick, and Damian said at the same time.

"But he'll kill again, Bruce. We can't just let that happen." Mary pleaded.

"I realize. However, There is no way to stop him at the moment. We have no clues as to where Ra's and The League are hiding out in Gotham. We don't even know where they will strike."

"There must be clues at the school still," Stephanie said.

"Yes, and that is exactly when Ra's will strike. Knowing when is only half the battle, we need to know where first."

"Ra's al Ghul is never random. Why kill the teacher?" Tim pondered. "Someone pull up the victim's bio. What do we know about Mrs. Claudia Winters?" Tim asked.

"She's been teaching at Gotham academy for the past 5 years. She's one of the few teachers that actually live on campus. Her late husband died in Iraq, he was a soldier, and her daughter is in my grade. We share a few classes. " Damian rattled off as he pulled up her information on the computer.

Mary raised an eyebrow at Damian. "You know a lot about her," She commented. "She was your favortie teacher, right?"

Surprisingly Damian nodded, "Yes, yes she was."

"Ok, is it just me or Ra's picking off Damian's favorite teacher seem a little too petty?" Jason asked. Next to him Barbara nodded.

"I have to agree, That's not a strong enough connection to kill her off. It has to be something else."

Dick was looking at the file reading it over Bruce's shoulders, "Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. Damian, pull up the daughter's Information. I want all off from Facebook to Instagram" Next to Dick, Damian casually walked up.

"You think this has more to do with the daughter?" Bruce asked.

"I want to know why Claudia Winters was targeted,She isn't that close to Damian, or at least not that we know of. Look her on her Facebook" Dick said pointing to the computer, "Says she's in a relationship." He shot Damian a knowing look. "This is your secret girlfriend isn't it ?"

There was a shocked silence until Jason started laughing.

Mary stared at Damian in shock as his jaw clenched. "I don't know what you're talking about?" He ground out.

Dick rolled his eyes, "Please, Damian. You may fool Mary and Bruce, but it's going to take a million years to ever get one up on me. Who do you think was the best about hiding relationships? Certainly not Tim, and Jason hardly ever bothers. I know the signs because I invented them. Just fess up so we can move on."

Jason still hadn't stopped laughing when Damian let out a sigh and begrudgingly answered that he and the victim's daughter, Mariah Winters, were, in fact, seeing each other.

"How did I miss this? How did I miss this?" Mary whispered to herself horrified. She always prided herself on knowing not only Damian very well. She was his partner. SHe should have seen this.

Tim patted her shoulder and whispered, "You'll get to that level one day. Dick's just always been good with Damian."

"Now, we have the motive and the next victim. Tada!" Dick said presenting the information on Mariah Winters.

"I still don't think I like the idea of using an innocent as bait," Mary said. "Mariah Winters had been through enough."

"I'm guessing Damian probably has the same sentiment. Then again he didn't fess up in the beginning. You must have known she would've been a target." Jason asked.

Dick stood in front of Damian blocking Jason of his view of the boy, "Lay off him Jason. Shut your mouth and let's focus on what really matters here." Dick told him. Jason, not really feeling like creating a confrontation, backed off.

"Plan still the same, B? " Jason asked Bruce.

"Yes, as much as I would rather not use a civilian, especially one so young, it needs to be done to stop Ra's." Bruce said. Bruce hadn't even blinked at the revealed knowledge of his 14-year-old son dating. "We'll keep the girl safe. I promise."

"This doesn't really change anything. We still have the issue of protecting the innocent while protecting Damian." Stephanie said.

"I don't need protection, Brown." Damian growled at her.

"Watch yourself," Tim warned. "She's right. If we bring you, Ra's could easily attack us in the streets and carry you away in the chaos."

"But if we leave him here with no protection Ra's could easily raid the manor and take him by force." Barbara finished. "It's a Catch-22. To save the girl, we lose Damian, and to protect Damian, we lose the girl."

Damian huffed, "We could split our forces." He said with an eye roll. Mary guessed, that Damian figured that since there was no arguing he might as well help.

"Ra's could take advantage of that, and still attack overwhelming us." Tim pointed out.

"We're at a crossroads then. " Bruce said. "Ra's knows we'll pick Mariah Winters' safety as a top priority leaving Damian vulnerable, or that Damian wouldn't allow his safety to take precedence over her's."

Mary bit her lip as she studied her family in the Batcave. Letting Damian get captured was not an option, but neither was letting a schoolmate die. The room was silent with everyone brainstorming. No one had a way to completely keep both Mariah Winters and Damian safe and away from Ra's al Ghul's hands. There was no winning choice here, but Mary felt that there had to be another way.

Her eyes drifted around the Batcave letting everything around her inspire her with something that could help this helpless situation. Her eyes caught the memorial, Jason's memorial with his original Robin suit sitting there illuminated. In the glass, Mary could see her reflection. It almost made it look like she was wearing the robin costume.

Wordlessly Mary bent down and pulled a knife out of her boot. It seemed only Barbara noticed the odd action a she spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to the girl.

"Mary, what are you do-" But before anyone could stop her, Mary pulled all her hair together and in one swift motion cut a majority of it off. Hair pooled around her feet. It tickled the way it moved against the top of her ears. It almost made Mary sick, she loved her hair. She loved Damian more.

"Why did you-?" Dick asked staring at her wide-eyed.

"It seems to me that Damian needs to be in two places at once. So, we're going to make that happen."

Bruce nodded at Mary, understanding her plan. "This could actually work."

Damian turned to his father, "No it won't. My Grandfather would automatically know that it's not me."

"Good thing we're probably not going to be facing your grandfather," Bruce told his son. "Most likely, the assassins he sends are just going to pay attention to the fact that you are Robin, instead of checking to see if it's actually you in the costume."

"Use someone else. No one is going to believe that this small girl is really me."

"I don't know Damian, we fix up the hair. We could easily fool someone who doesn't really know you." Stephanie said.

"Personally, Mary's got that pretty face like her father. No one's going to believe that she's a boy. She's not even shaped like one." Jason pointed out. "besides Mary is too short."

"Only by like 2 inches," Mary argued. "Good thing I'm tall for my age or else we would have an issue. Right now this is the safest plan we've got. Before we would have had to leave at least half of us at the safe house with Damian, now we can practically have all of us fighting against the assassin's with me as the target. They wouldn't even think to check if I was a decoy."

Dick sighed, and brushed his hair back, "I don't like it, but it's going to work. With all eyes on Mary as Robin, we have an easer time getting Damian to safety and protecting him. This will cover all of our bases. It makes it so we can have more people out infield in case something goes wrong."

"We can protect that Winters girl, and Damian at the same time. Mary, you're brilliant." Barbara praised.

Mary shrugged, "I play decoy all the time, this is no different."

"Then it's decided," Bruce announced. "Mary go upstairs and have Alfred cut your hair in the Damian's style. Everyone else suit up. Tonight we put an end to this."

---

Mary looked at herself in the mirror. She really looked like Robin, but not really Damian. The only feature missing was the strong chin Damian had. Other than that any person who didn't really know Damian would have never guessed that it wasn't him in the Robin costume.

Mary pulled the sleeve down a little to keep in from bunching up. Mary never realized how much bigger Damian was from her. If it weren't for the utility belt one would be able to see how the tunic didn't quite fit right. Under the gloves fabric of the kevlar top pooled just out of sight so that no one could be suspicious. The boots also didn't fit, but it was stuffed enough to make sure Mary could do whatever necessary, and not trip all over herself. Mary let out a deep breath. This was just another role she had to play, another part. This should be easy, so why didn't Mary feel any better?

The answer could probably be her partner silently glaring at her. He was currently the only one in civvies, more than likely adding to his frustration.

"You're mad at me," She told him. "I'm doing this for you."

Damian scoffed, "Yeah, well I really wish you wouldn't. I should be the one going out there and facing my grandfather."

"Yes, Damian, give him exactly what he wants. If you could have just done that, we could have just dropped you off in front of wherever it is he is hiding, and pick you up later. Then maybe Ra's will tell us stories about the olden days like a typical grandfather. " Mary told him sarcastically. "You're scared for a reason, don't let that fear blind you. Move past it and think rationally."

"I am thinking rationally! You are all the ones making me hide like a coward! I am not a coward!" He snapped at her raising his voice.

Mary held up her hands in defeat, "No one said you were. We just want to make sure this has the best outcome. We need to avoid confrontation with Ra's. It's essential to keeping you safe."

Damian snorted, "you don't know my grandfather then. One way or another, he's going to get to me, and I'm going to have to face him whether you like it or not. The Shadows never really go away, they never fade. You and father can't protect me forever." Damian turned away from his partner and stalked off, heading up the stairs, and out of the Batcave.

"He's fine." Mary turned to find her father walking towards her. Nightwing had just gotten out of a conversation with Black Bat and Red Hod. "I'll talk to him. You gotta understand, Damian very independent. This whole plan from the beginning offended him. He's still a kid, Starshine, though sometimes he doesn't act like it. The league coming back for him has always been one of his greatest fears" Mary nodded understandingly. She understood really she did. However, she just wished Damian could see their side of things.

"Like I said I'll talk to him before we head out. Make sure Babs calls Helena for me. If she misses out on this she might just kill us. " Nightwing told his disguised daughter before heading up the stairs to talk to his wayward brother.

Everything is going to go according to plan. Everything is going to go according to plan. Everything is going to go according to plan.

The more times she repeated that in her head, the better chance it would come true. Right now she had to believe that nothing was going to wrong. That they were going to save everyone. Today, no one else dies. Mary promised to herself, and she planned to keep it.

---

They split up into 2 teams. One team was watching the dorm room of Mariah Winters on campus. She had haled herself in her room, Her Mother had only been dead for hours now. The disguised Robin could sympathize with her, truly. Losing a mother isn't easy. However, Mary was grateful that she was not placed on the team to watch the girl. On that team, was Black Bat, Red Robin, and Huntress(Who had joined the excursion last minute), Red Hood backed them up from a sniper's position in the building across from there's.

Mary as Robin needed to be shown out in the open. For the plan to work the league needed to think that Damian was at Batman's side. In actuality, Damian would be currently being smuggled out of the city to a safe by Black Canary and her new protege, The Jade Canary. Oracle had called them, any extra help protecting Damian was much needed.

Mary got a cold shiver in the back of her neck and tilted her head slightly so to see a little behind her. Just like Batman had called it. They were being watched. She couldn't see where they were. From the way her father and Batgirl had tensed up ever so slightly, Mary knew they could feel that someone was watching them as well.

As they got to the crime scene, Mary held back a sigh of relief. They had taken down the body of. In all honesty, Mary wondered how badly the kids at school would take the death of their teacher. Death? If only it were that simple. was mutilated and placed on display like she was someones art project. The thought made Mary sick.

"Batman, you're here." It was Commissioner Jim Gordon who greeted them. Mary pitied the man he was one year from retirement, and it seemed that fate wouldn't let the man get a moments rest.

"Sorry, we're late, Jim. We know who's behind this." Batman told the commissioner.

"Already? You haven't even investigated the crime scene" Commissioner Gordon raised an eyebrow. "I see you've brought the calvary. So I'm guessing it's nothing good?"

"Nope." It was Nightwing who answered. "You got unluckily today Commissioner."

"It's the League of Shadows. It seems they've sent an assassin, to kill a teacher at this school." Batman answered.

Gordon whistled. "Sounds complicated. Just drop off whoever you catch to the precinct. "

"No guarantees." Batgirl sang. "Have you ever tried to catch ninja? It's not fun." Nightwing elbowed her in the arm.

"Well take care of this, Jim," Batman promised, ignoring Batgirl's statement.

Mary thanked X'hal that Damian was such "Brooding-in-silence" kind of guy. She couldn't match her voice to his no matter how hard she tried and to get the device to do it would have taken up too much time.

Commissioner Gordon's eyes studied them, surveying the situation. His eyes stopped on Mary. She gave a very convincing "Tt." And turned her head away from his gaze. This seemed to satisfy the commissioner as he turned back to Batman.

"Alright. I don't need assassins running around this city. Call if you need anything." Gordon offered.

Batman nodded. They wouldn't call him.

Batman turned to his team, and they went inside to crime scene to "Investigate". Really, they were just buying time. The league was too clever to leave anything behind. When Mary stopped to look at the blood stained wall she found Gordon studying her again. This time, she knew the jig was up she turned to him, and smirked in a way that Damian never would. Gordon blinked twice before turning away to direct his police force as if he hadn't seen anything.

Just when things were starting to get boring Mary's comm link came to life.

"We've got assassins!" It was Red Hood warning to the B-team was just milliseconds early. In her comm, Mary could hear them fighting.

"What's the situation, Hood?" Batman asked.

"We've got three in total. A little overkill for a young girl if you ask me?" He told them.

Mary turned to Batman with wide eyes, "Three? That means-"

"AMBUSH!" It was Batgirl's cry that alerted them to the assassins falling down from the roof of the building. They must have been waiting for them.

Mary was ready to get into fighting position when a hand grabbed hers and dragged her away from the fight.

"If you fight they'll know." Batman reminded her. Mary nodded. She didn't fight anything like Damian, and she wasn't going to try and mimic without practice first. "Batgirl, get Robin out of here. Don't let them get to him." he said extra loud. This seemed to catch all of the assassin's attention, as they know tried to run after Batgirl and Robin only to be stopped by Batman and Nightwing.

Finally, when they were far away enough Mary stopped running.

"What are you doing?" Batgirl asked her confused. "Robin we have to go.

"Wait." Mary held up a finger to her lip shushing Batgirl.

"Robin?" Batgirl asked. The was a quiver in her voice. Mary could hear something, just barely. "We need to keep moving-"

"Move!" Mary screamed tackling Batgirl to the ground. They landed on dirt in a harsh tumble, and in the dirt where they were just standing was a single sai. "Oh no." Mary flipped up in time dragging Batgirl with her just in time to dodge a kick from an assassin. She wore green and on her face a mask of a grinning cat. Mary read the file, she knew who this was. The infamous Cheshire.

"End of the line. The master asks for your presence, boy." Mary breathed a sigh of relief, her cover hadn't been blown. Almost too fast for Mary to see was on her. Grabbing Damian's sword she was barely able to parry the blow.

"Hmm," Cheshire mused. "I'm not impressed. I heard you were a prodigy, an al Ghul. So far all I see is a scared child!" Chesire kicked the disguised Robin in the stomach sending her flying back. This time, Batgirl stepped in sending a barrage of batarangs flying towards the assassin. Of course, Chesire blocked and dogged everyone.

"We need Back up!" Batgirl screamed in her comm as she threw herself towards Cheshire, who dogged all her punches and kicks with ease.

"We're a little busy!" Nightwing admitted in his comm. Mary could hear the struggle in his voice as she got up and sent a flying kick towards Cheshire who only grabbed her, and threw her into Batgirl, sending both crashing back to the ground.

"It's Jade Nguyen, Cheshire! We need back up NOW!" Mary screamed. Mary growled a she didn't receive an answer. Mary held Damian's sword tight in her hands and attacked Chesire. She swung the sword but Cheshire was leagues ahead of Mary in combat. She blocked every blow and laughed condescendingly at her.

"You're not him, are you?" She said eyeing Mary. "Whoever you are, a sword is definitely not your weapon. You are no al Ghul."

Mary threw the sword down, "You're right. I'm not. Pulling one of her knives from Damian's utility belt, she thanked X'hal that she had enough foreknowledge to place it there. Then attacked Chesire with new vigor.

Mary blocked her Sai all she could, but she Cheshire was much better at close quarters combat and found an opening. Mary didn't see it until it was too late, Cheshire's Sai aiming straight for stomach angled upward, the blow would surely kill her. Mary brought a knife down in hopes of blocking it, but that was just wishful thinking at this point. However before Cheshire could land the blow three gunshots rang out. Mary felt one of the bullets skid past her cheek leaving a scratch. Cheshire wasn't so lucky.

"God, Hood, you took your sweet time," Batgirl said letting out a sigh of relief. She was holding her wrist gently. She must have hurt it when Cheshire sent Mary flying into her.

"Yeah, when I heard Jade was here, I decided to pay a little visit. Sorry, I took so long, but we rarely have guest like this one." Red Hood walked up to assassin who was struggling on the ground. Hood had shot her in both knees and the shoulder.

Hood kicked Cheshire back down to the ground right in the shoulder he shot. "Hello, Jade. Nice to see you again."

Cheshire spit out blood, "Hood, should have known you were here. I wish I could extend the same pleasure, but right now I'm in too much pain from the bullets you put in me."

Red Hood waved hand which still held his gun, "Soon you're going to bleed out unless you give us information on Ra's is."

"I don't fear death, Hood. Let me bleed out here on the concrete. I would love to see how you would explain that to Roy and Lian later on."

"Roy would get over it. Lian, too, but you are right. Letting you die here isn't really that much of a punishment. In fact, it would just be justice, but you, Jade, I want you to suffer. So you are going to live."

"And what you're going to torture me?" She laughed at the idea.

"No, I was going to hand you over to the Black Canary." Mary can swear that she never seen the blood leave someone's face so fast. "I hear she's been looking for you since you put Roy in the hospital a couple weeks ago." Jason holstered his gun, "I gotta admit I'm still a little pissed about that one, too. Taking a Red Eye all the way to Star at 4 in the morning because one of your best friend was going into surgery isn't the best way to start the day. So, I'm giving you a choice, Jade. You can either come with us, we'll give you medical attention, make sure both of your knees are still intact, or we can hand you over to Dinah. Either way, we still get our info, but trust me there is a reason Roy never wanted to get on her bad side."

"It's been weeks, she still can't be that mad," Cheshire said. "Besides Roy survived.

"Want to find out?" He asked. "Come one, Jade, You're a knife for hire. You don't usually work for the league. Why had the change? You can't possibly be loyal."

"The league comes with some protection perks."

"Yeah, whose going to protect you when you fail at a mission?" Hood asked.

"I don't fail."

"You just did. So again what's it going to be?" Hood asked again.

Cheshire chewed her lip, "Fine. I'll tell you want you need to know. Just when I started to like my boss." She commented with an eye roll.

"Well, he's not going to like you much now," Hood told her. He knelt down and not-so-gently handcuffed Cheshire. Then also tied her legs together. Mary guessed she must be one of those.

Surprisingly Hood took his eyes off the assassin and they caught Mary's. "We need to work on your hand to hand," He said, "You've been slacking." Was all he told her before he went back to glaring at Cheshire. Mary sighed. The one downside of Jason coming to save her was the lecture she was going to get later on for losing that fight.

"This is Batgirl. We're clear." Mary could hear Batgirl talking in her comm behind her.

"We've saved Mariah Winters. We couldn't capture any of the assassins, though." Huntress spoke.

"Don't worry." Mary didn't need to look at Jason to know he was grinning. "I've caught us a pretty big fish."

---

"We're wasting our time," Hood said bored. The were all currently in the GCPD, and unlike her promise Cheshire wasn't talking. Batman and Huntress were taking care of the interrogation. Hood, Red Robin, and Nightwing were monitoring their progress with the interrogation. Batgirl went to get coffee, and Honestly Starling had no clue where Black Bat had been for the past hour.

"She'll start eventually. Bats hasn't even warmed up yet." Nightwing pointed out.

"Yeah, but Ra's might run. He knows we're coming after him now." Red Robin said. "That would be the best move for him."

"Yeah, sorry Red, but he wouldn't make it that easy for us." Hood said pulling out a knife and started to throw it back and forth between his hands.

Starling frowned, this all seemed a little simple. Well, simple for Ra's. The moment Mary had the chance she changed back into her Starling uniform, being Robin that wasn't her. Now, She read his file intensely, she knew he would eventually become a problem though he had been quiet for a few years. Like Damian had told her earlier, the Shadows never really go away, they never fade.

So why was Cheshire telling Batman the same thing now?

Starling watched carefully studying Cheshire through the double-sided mirror, and she almost missed it. Cheshire's eyes cutting towards the security camera in the left corner of the room. Someone was watching.

"Crap!" Starling ran out the room cape flying behind her barging into the room. "Cut the camera feed, we're being watched. Someone hacked into the GCPD."

"Impossible." Starling could hear Oracle say in her ears, "I've practically made those computers from the ground up, only we can hack into them now."

"Starling." Batman looked at her up and down. " Are you sure?" He asked.

Starling nodded, "As I can be. She looked towards the camera. Her body language is a little too confident. Something is going on here. I think we've been played."

Huntress slapped Cheshire hard in the face, "Tell us what you know. Now. The police won't dare barge in here, and I'm not Batman. I kill killers like you every day. In fact, you're on my list, Cheshire. The blood on your hands alone is worth too many innocent souls, and someone close to me is at risk. I suggest you get talking."

Cheshire frowned, "You really thought you were a step ahead, didn't you? Sorry batman, but I don't think you know the boy as well as you think you do."

Starling could feel the whole world around her stop. She could barely hear Batman's panicked voice asking for Black Canary and Damian's position. His soft curse answered any worries she may have had.

"Oracle, get eyes on the safe house," Batman ordered.

"It's too late," Starling said. "He's gone," Oracle confirmed what everyone already knew. Mary was in a stupor she didn't know what to do.

"He's already gone. He's tracker is offline, and he's avoiding street cams." Oracle informed.

"Of course, he is." Batman cursed under his breath.

Starling pulled her knife out and pressed it to Cheshire's throat. Catching everyone in the room off guard. "WHERE IS RA'S HIDING? WHERE IS ROBIN HEADING? IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM I SWEAR TO X'HAL I'LL-"

"Starling!" She froze at the stern tone of her father's voice. She turned back to see everyone now in the room. Nightwing's gaze firm, and filled with something Starling was sure she had only seen once. When she had let Ivy go free. Disappointment.

"That is not how we interrogate. Disarm, and back away from Cheshire." Nightwing ordered.

"But-She-Robin!"

"Now, Starling!" Starling placed her knife back in her belt and slunk back into the corner of the room next the Jason, who patted her shoulder understandingly.

"Now, Batman have them process Cheshire. She can't help us anymore, and we don't need her help." Nightwing spoke steadily walking up Cheshire. "Arkham's probably the only place that Ra's can't have her killed." The assassin rolled her eyes. Starling had a feeling she'd be out in three days at the least. The moment she was transferred to Blackgate, Cheshire would be in the wind.

It was Red Robin who cleared his throat ending the confused silence accompanied by stares, "Nightwing, I think there's something you need to tell us."

Nightwing didn't say anything at first only pulling a small device, "If any of you really thought Damian was going to stay put and actually listen for once, I commend you on your naivety."

The silent stupor of the room was more that enough to convey the emotions felt by everyone.

"We really fucked up with this one." Red Hood sighed vocalizing everyone's thoughts and placed a palm on his helmet. "Why didn't you stop him?" Hood said seriously.

"Because he would lead us right to Ra's," Nightwing said. "Ra's has been a cloud over our heads for too long now and this is the chance to stop him. He's vulnerable, now is the time to strike."

"So you used Damian as bait!" Starling shouted. "You don't do that to family."

Nightwing shrugged. "Damian will never be truly safe as long as Ra's is out there. I've been expecting Ra's to make his move for a while now. It'll be years before he tries anything again. This is our chance to finally finish Ra's, our last chance to make sure our family is safe."

"At the cost of Damian?" Starling asked outraged, "...I don't think so." Starling stormed out of the interrogation room. Not a glance spared back at her father.

"Starling!" Red Hood moved to go after her, but it was Red Robin that stopped him. Red Robin shook his head and went after the young girl.

Nightwing stared out the door where his daughter just ran out.

"She'll understand when she's older," Nightwing said to no one in particular.

"I'm sure." Red Hood spoke dryly.

"Now," Red Hood pulled out a cigarette. "Before I kick your ass, I'm going to assume you have a plan that doesn't send our baby brother into the hands of death."

Nightwing sighed, "Of course, I do."

"Then start talking."

---

"Starling!"

"Star! Please!"

"Slow Down!"

She ignored every last one of Red Robin's cries. This wasn't right. How could her father do something like this? Send one of his so-called brothers off into mortal danger like this? This wasn't the man she knew. This wasn't the father she knew. Where was the father who smiled at her during fights? Where was the father that had terrible one-liners? Where was the father who was horrible at puns? The father that kissed her to sleep every night? The Father who watches her dances recitals. The father who cheers her on and teaches her new things? The Father that made her want to stay on Earth just to get to know him. That cold creature in the room she just ran out of that was not her father.

Starling didn't stop running until her face was met with the harsh April winds. She was on the roof of the GCPD. Only then did she realize that her hand was reaching for her grapple. Where was she going? Starling didn't know. She just knew she wanted to get away, but she couldn't leave. No, she couldn't just leave. How she wished she could fly along the April winds. She forgotten how much flying had cleared her head.

"Mary!" Starling turned to find an out of breath Red Robin behind her.

"You followed me?" Starling frowned.

"What? Not expecting someone too. Jason was just as pissed. I left him down there so Nightwing could explain himself, while I take care of you."

"You didn't have to." Starling ground out, "I'm fine. We better go back down and listen to the plan." Starling moved to go back down the stairs to the rest of the family only to be held back by Red Robin.

"I don't think so. If I know Nightwing, The plan is already in motion. If he needs us he'll come and get us. Right now, we need to talk about you, Mary."

Starling crossed her arms, "What's there to talk about? I'm fine, he's fine, and apparently Damian's going to be fine, too. There's nothing to talk about." Starling turned her head toward the city street. "Nightwing has saved the day, so what's the issue?" Red Robin sighed and took a hold of Starling's hand leading her to the ledge, and sitting her down.

"That's the first time you've seen him like that, isn't it?" Red Robin asked.

"Like what? That cold, that logical, that unfeeling. Then yes, it was my first time seeing him that way. How someone so warm, and loving could"

"-Go so cold and logically so quickly." Red Robin finished for her. "It was almost like he was Batman." Starling almost flinched at his words, "That's just a little side effect from being raised by the Brooding Batman. We all do it, cut ourselves off from our emotions in order to get the job done. Though your father's switch is perhaps the most dramatic out of all. It's a bit shocking to those who aren't used to it. The first few time he did it to me caught me way off guard, as well."

"I don't understand. He used to be compassionate, so loving…" Starling rubbed her arms as the wind moved harshly around their bodies.

"And he still is, but in our business hard choices must be made. It's better for everyone just to not get too emotional." Red Robin pulled his knees to his chest. "I understand what your feeling. I really do."

Starling turned to him, "What do you mean?"

"Dick and I used to be extremely close. We're still close just not as close. And well," Red Robin sighed. "Let me start from the beginning."

"When I first became Robin, you father took me under his wing. He helped train me when Bruce was busy or unwilling, and really helped me out in my early days. You see, Starling, I probably had the roughest start as out of all the Robins excluding Damian mostly because he actually killed people. But My start was rough for an entirely different reason. I had to follow-up Jason. The Robin who was so dedicated to his job he dead while doing it."

Starling stared at Tim shocked. She had never heard him talk about becoming Robin this way. The way everyone spoke about it Tim was the perfect Robin.

"Batman was still grieving Jason and was volatile, angry. Angry at himself for letting Jason die. Angry at Gotham for being the cause of Jason's death, and Angry at me for replacing him. The Early days were rough, but no one wanted another dead Robin. So I got a lot of help. People helped train me, and prepare me for the job, and the one that was there for me most was your father. We became like brothers almost instantly. We were very close. We were close for years and years."

"So what happened?" Starling asked. "Why aren't you close anymore?"

"Well, I was an only child before getting adopted. I guess I enjoyed being the youngest brother a little more than I previously thought. When I wasn't the youngest anymore…."

"Damian?" Starling asked. "Damian did that."

"No, it wasn't just him coming into the family. It was a lot of things, we thought Bruce was dead for a while, and we were all a little emotional at the time. Damian hadn't known his father long before he seemingly died, and Dick has a way of knowing who needs him the most, and that wasn't me. Next thing I know, Dick is Batman and Damian is Robin. So where did that leave me? I never thought your dad could leave someone out in the cold like that, let alone me. I mean we were brothers, but here I was out in the cold and in my place a new, younger Robin, one who was a much more natural fighter than me. At that time, I think I really understood why Jason hated me. Being replaced like that it sucks, a lot. It hurts far more than I ever thought it would."

"I don't understand. How does this relate to me right now?" Starling asked.

"The point of this story was to tell you that doing what we do a lot of hard decisions must be made. At the time, I didn't understand why exactly Dick made Damian Robin, but I forgot that though Damian didn't know Bruce long he lost a father, too. Dick made Damian Robin as a way of redirecting those feelings into a more positive outlet. Damian was a little wild back then, and Dick needed to keep an eye on him."

Starling chuckled a little, "You know that was one of the first things my father taught me when I became Starling. Hard choices must be made. At the time, I thought it meant like sending a person to jail for something that was out of their control or doing it to save someone else, but those aren't really the hardest choices we have to make."

"Your father made a hard call when he did this. You don't really think he enjoys putting Damian in danger?" Starling shook her head no. "But he saw a chance to really make a difference and he followed through with it. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I think I do. Still, why not tell us?" Starling asked. "We could have helped."

"He probably thought we wouldn't approve of the plan, or that we might try to stop Damian, or that we would tip him off. Either way, what's done is done. Do you think you can forgive him?"

Starling huffed out a breath, "Yeah, I'm still mad, but I get it."

"That's great now-"

"Red Robin, Starling, we're heading out to retrieve Damian. Meet at the cars in 2 minutes." Nightwing's voice came clear through the comm. "We'll fill you two in on the way."

"We'll be there." Red Robin responded, "Ok, Starling, ready to go?" She nodded and followed him down to the cars, where her father stood waiting. He didn't look disappointed at her like he had earlier, or anxious to see her like he had when they first meet. Instead, Starling found that she couldn't read his emotions. He was a stone wall. She'd seen this look before, but it was never ever directed at herself.

"Listen, Dad-"

"I won't apologize." Nightwing cut her off. "I had my reasons and at the end of the day, those reasons mattered a little more than your feelings. I know that sounds harsh, Starling, but when lives are at stake and I have to do what I have to do."

Starling nodded, "I understand." Starling told him. "I really do, and I'm not going to ask for an apology, and I'm not going to give one either. My outburst early was wrong, and inappropriate, but-"

"Considering the circumstances understandable." He finished for her. "Good, then we understand each other."

Starling nodded, "I'm still angry." She admitted.

"I know." Nightwing sent her a smile, the same one that made her take his hand and stay on Earth. "Come on, let's save Damian." Starling didn't need to be told twice, with a final look towards Red Robin, who gave her a thumbs up, Starling got into the car.

"So what is your Masterful plan, Nightwing?" Starling asked as he turned on the road and started speeding.

"I tagged Damian when I had a private talk with him earlier. I knew he would pull something like this, so I took the opportunity to make sure I knew where he was at all times tonight. I also made sure to put Jade Canary, Black Canary's daughter on guard duty with her. Now, getting past Black canary would be hard, I thought if it were just her and Helena, Damian might not try to sneak out, or he would do something that would take the tracker off of him. So I put in someone younger than him to take advantage of to secure my tracker staying on him, and him sneaking away."

Mary thought back, Her father did talk to Damian alone. Perfect time to place a tracker on him.

"Who's to say he didn't change his clothes just in case. I mean, wouldn't be the first time someone tried tagging him." Starling pointed out.

Nightwing grinned. "I thought about that, so I put three on him. One in his jacket, One in his shoe, and the other in his coffee" Starling's now ear length hair hit her in the face as she whipped around to face her father.

"You put one in his coffee?" She asked shocked.

"Yes, if Damian didn't find the first tracker( which he did by the way), Ra's would. He knows how we work so the fact that he wouldn't find a tracker on Damian would tip him off."

"Redirection," Starling said

"Exactly. Neither will suspect I place a tracker in Damian's stomach, not only is it good for 12 hours, it checks vitals. So I can check on Damian's wellbeing."

"So, you really didn't put Damian in danger with no way of getting him out." Starling realized.

"Of course not. He's my kid brother, but being his older brother, I realized that he needed to face Ra's, on his own. However that would get him killed, so I'm helping him out a little."

"So what's the plan from here?"

"One sec." He told her before speaking to the comm. "Cass, You in place? Has Damian stopped moving?"

"I don't have eyes on him anymore. He's in old Gotham at that rundown hotel. I'm sure they're on the top floor. I can't get a visual even with all the windows.

"The Herveaux. Thanks, Cassandra, send to coordinates to the others." Nightwing then turned back to Starling "I sent Black Bat to follow Damian just in case something went wrong. She's been tailing him since he's escaped the safe house."

"When? How? I have a lot to learn, don't I?" Starling sighed.

"Don't worry you're a quick study like your dad." Nightwing smiled at her.

"So what we're going in, guns blazing?"

"Yeah, no. We don't want to end up ninja food. I have a better plan. I need you to call in a little favor with your friend. I need someone to block all the exits at the Herveaux."

Starling blinked a few times trying to figure out who her father meant. "Friend? You mean Poison Ivy? I mean she doesn't owe me a favor after she saved my life. I could ask her, but we'll owe her."

"Good. I had a feeling that you stayed in some sort of contact with her. " Nightwing nodded.

"More than that, I know where she is," Starling admitted. "We meet twice a month to talk about gardening."

"Good. Then I can trust you'll be safe there with her." Nightwing said slowly.

"What?!" Starling screamed. "After everything you're leaving me behind!"

Nightwing sighed," For this plan to work Ivy has to be in precision exactly with us. It's not that I don't think you can handle going up against the Shadows, it's that I need you somewhere else. You want to save Damian, right? Then do as your told."

"Fine, but the moment Damian's safe I'm coming over there, no if's, and's, or but's." Starling promised.

---

"I can't believe I'm working with the heroes….again." Ivy's hideout was actually a really nice townhouse. Two stories and a basement in the middle of the suburbs. No one suspected that the neighbor with the beautiful garden was actually the supervillain, Poison Ivy.

"We really owe you one for this, Ivy. I mean it. You're helping us save one of our own. Batman will definitely owe you one." Starling said staring at her laptop. She hated being put on tech duty, but really what good could she do against those highly trained assassins. She was good, but not that good. Nightwing's plan made sense, with Oracle busy checking out the hotel. Starling was looking up the building record, floor layouts any old history that could give them an edge against Ra's. However, that old immortal was a very smart man. The hotel was practically a fortress. Built in an old Spaniard style, the hotel was the perfect defense. Courtyard in the middle, Balconies everywhere facing inward and outward. guards could easily hide, and be stationed anywhere. But that also gave them plenty of positions to hide, as well. Really this would be all about luck. Starling prayed that they had enough.

Ivy snorted, "Just make sure tall, dark and brooding stays the hell away from me. I promised not to make any trouble since Harley wants to play hero now in New York."

"I did hear about that. Now the League of Shadows is dangerous, they may come after you if they find that you have been helping us."

Ivy flipped her long red hair, "Please, Starling. I can take care of myself. Now you all are giving me a lot of money for this job. Money that I can use for my plants."

"And as long as you don't give us a reason we'll stay away from you and Harley," Starling stated their agreement.

"Alright looks like the show is about to start. I've got cameras pulled up of the fight would you like to watch?" Starling offered.

"A chance to watch all of the Batfamily fight without being the one to get their teeth knocked in, count me in." On the couch, Ivy took a seat next to Starling Carefully eyeing the laptop on the girl's lap. "I've always wanted to see some of the world's best fighters in action without being the one fighting them."

"Then this is a good opportunity. " In Starling's ear, she could hear everyone prepping. In one hushed tone, her father asked for confirmation on Ivy's plants. Starling looked towards the older woman who nodded, "This is Star, we have confirmation that the present is in place."

"Great." Nightwing said. Starling could almost hear the cocky smirk in his voice. "Hood, Tell our friends we're here." On cue, the outside front yard of the condemned hotel lights up like fireworks. Personally, Starling wished she could have been the one to do the job. However, it was Red Hood who took care of the pyrotechnics for the night. It was all flashy and for show, nothing that could cause any real damage. Completely controlled. As Ivy jumped a little in surprise, Starling smiled faintly remembering her training with Jason. The first time he instructed her on this, she nearly killed the both of them. That's when she learned there was an art to it.

Starling studied the camera on Hood's helmet. It seemed that the bait had not been taken yet. Starling bit her lip, praying Ra's wouldn't see through this whole plan factored on this moment. Starling let out a sigh of relief when assassins came spilling out hotel weapons ready, Dozens of them came out at once. Starling raised her hand.

"Starling, Ivy Now!" Nightwing ordered. Starling slicked her wrist and suddenly, Huge thick vines came onto the screen. Starling turned and found that Ivy had her eyes closed focussing on controlling her plants, making sure that everything went according to the plan. The first thing the vines did was block all the entrances to the hotel, making sure that none of the assassins ordered to come out were able to make it back in and assist the now defenseless. Ra's al Ghul. Next the rest of the vines began grabbing assassin and holding them tightly to the point where none of them could move. They struggled, but when it became clear that they were going nowhere Nightwing spoke again.

"Great, now phase two should begin." With all the entrances blocked, there was a slim window to get everyone into the building through service tunnels underneath the hotel. Starling and Ivy watched the two-minute window was being taken advantage of by Black Bat, Batman, Red Robin, Nightwing, and Huntress. As Ra's was sure to have guards posted there who had to check in at regularly scheduled intervals this was a very tough process. Which meant waiting for the checking in to happen, taking out the guards and sneaking the fighters into the building. Batgirl and Red Hood stood outside to make sure no surprises happened.

Starling sighed. Her part was done. Now, she had to let the others work. Starling packed up her gear quickly. If she left now she might be able to get there before everything was over with.

"Ivy, I can trust that the vines will stay up for at least another hour?" Starling asked. Ivy nodded. "Good. Thanks for this. We really owe you one!" Starling shouted as she ran out the door to meet everyone else while they faced Ra's al Ghul.

"That money better be wired to my account!" Poison Ivy shouted, but Starling was already gone. "Damn, I might as well join the Justice League I'm such a good guy." Ivy said with a sigh.

---

Inside the building was in much better shape then Nightwing had previously thought. It certainly looked better than the outside. It was no wonder that Ra's easily made it his hideout instead of using one of his typical underground caverns.

"Hello, Detective." The PA system over the heads of the vigilantes spoke with that familiar accented tone that held wisdom, age and something else that Nightwing could never place but it made a shiver go down his back. Honestly, Ra's always creeped him out.

"If you really want the boy back, then I dare you to try. He's on the top floor. I've sent an escort ." As Nightwing and the others heard the words a female ninja stepped into the light and bowed.

"Red Robin and Huntress stay here," Batman spoke. Huntress looked up surprised. She didn't want to be left out of this one, but next to her Red Robin shook his head. Nightwing had to admit while normally splitting up would be a bad idea. If something unexpected happened they still had them waiting to get them out. Huntress must have seen the logic behind her staying behind and stayed silent.

Nightwing, Black Bat, and Batman followed the ninja into the surprisingly working elevator up to the top floor of the aged hotel. In the large ballroom before them stood The Head of the Demon himself. A very alive and well looking Damian next to the man.

"Hello again, Detective." Ra's spoke. "I see you've come for the boy. I must admit, I'm rather surprised at the speed of which you've located me. I was sure would have to kill at least four more people to gain your attention."

"Yeah well, calling us out by hanging a teacher's mutilated corpse for all to see was a sure fire way of gaining our attention. " Nightwing sneered.

"How witty of you, Grayson. I'm glad you're all here actually because as I'm sure you know today is a very special day. Today is my Grandson's fourteenth birthday." Ra's brought attention back to the restrained Damian.

Batman tensed. What was Ra's playing? "Let Damian go, Ra's and you can go without incident." Batman promised.

"Hmm." The ancient mused. "I might take you up on your offer. However, first I have things to take care of. Today is too special of a day for this to be ruined."

"What are you talking about?" Nightwing asked.

"I'm sure the boy's told you. He must be tested. He must be tested to see if he really is worthy of being the heir of the demon."

"This is all a load of crap, Ra's!" Nightwing shouted. "You and Talia both disowned Damian when he choose to stay with us years ago."

"Oh please." Ra's scoffed. "If it were that easy to wash away blood. He is my heir, whether you like it or not, and, therefore, must be tested. If he lives, he is strong, but if he dies… Maybe it was the wrong choice to choose you to sire my heir, Detective."

"Ra's…" The warning in Batman's tone was there. They were only 6 ninjas. It would be easy to defeat them however, Ra's still had Damian in his grasp. He could kill Damian while the fighting was happening. It was a standoff, and unlike they had planned the odds were not in their favor.

Batman calculated all the possible outcomes and none seemed to shine in his favor any more than the last. He could signal one of the others to come in and do a surprise attack, but that could easily get Damian caught in the crossfire, or worse force Ra's to make a move against Damian.

Batman had to think of a way to save his son, and he had to think quickly.

"Since you're so quiet why don't we start the-" Before Ra's could finish Batman threw a Batarang with a line attached to that meet and wrapped itself around Damian's forearms and yanked to boy forward into the waiting arms of Nightwing. As if sensing that they now needed cover, Blackbat reached inside her belt trapped the smoke pellets and smashed them on the ground creating a large smoke cloud. Without a word Nightwing picked up Damian and made a B-line for the elevator pressed the button for the first floor, and the door was cloud without any interference from the fighting join on before them. Nightwing knelt down and took the time to take the gag off of Damian's mouth.

"You okay?" Nightwing asked checking him over. From the look of things, it seemed he suffered a minor beating. Other than that he looked fine.

Damian nodded. "Father pulled my arm from its socket when he yanked me forward but other than that I'm fine. I was kicked around a little, but I'm fine."

"Good that means I can yell at once we get home free. You little brat, don't ever pull a stunt like this again, you got me!? What would have happened if I hadn't known to put a tracker on you? You could be dead right now!"

"Yeah, well. I figured I would have to face my grandfather eventually." Damian said with a pout.

"Yeah well eventually ain't today." The elevator stopped and they were meet with Huntress who had her crossbow ready.

"Oh thank god it's only you two. I thought I would have to- Nevermind. Let's get the kid out of here." Damian and Nightwing walked out of the elevator and no sooner did they step a foot off the elevator did it's doors close and begin climbing back up to the top floor.

Red Robin watched the elevator numbers increase till it hit the top floor. "We need to go. like yesterday." He said.

"Tim, what do you think is going to-" Nightwing never got to finish that statement as the elevator came crashing down the shaft. Smoke and debris flooded the room as the heroes dove out the way to avoid the crash.

Damian groaned in pain as Nightwing had pushed him to the ground on his injured shoulder. He began to cough as the dirty smoke filled air filled his lungs.

"Everyone Alive?" Nightwing called from on top of Damian. He had shielded to boy from the crash.

A deep dry cough came from the other side of the room that sounded like Red Robin. "I'm good. Huntress?" Red Robin called. There was no answer. "Oh god, Helena! Dick, get over here!" Red Robin's voice cracked as he screamed for his brothers.

Damian and Nightwing got up in a hurry and ran over to the sound of Red Robin's voice. The cloud of dust still loomed. It stung in Damian's eyes, however, he moved toward Red Robin.

"Tim! Where are you? Tim!" Nightwing called. His voice rising with every word.

"Over here!" The voice was quick and panicked. Damian doesn't believe he's ever heard red Robin sound so distressed.

Finally, the two found their way to Red Robin who was kneeling next to a very large piece of metal. Red Robin must have heard them coming because he turned his head and shouted towards them.

"It's Helena she's-" Red Robin didn't need to finish his words because Nightwing and Damian were able to witness it. An unconscious Huntress with a thick metal rod going through her torso.

"Oh god." Nightwing's voice shock. He careful looked at her with the coming closer to the woman. She had blood around her mouth, and her blood also stained the floor around them. She was pale, and… Nightwing watched her chest move up and down. Breathing. He sighed in relief she was breathing at least for now. They need to get her out of her and to a doctor immediately.

"Jason!" Nightwing called on his comm.

"What the hell is going on in there!" Red Hood cried into Nightwing's ear.

"It's Huntress. She's injured. The elevator must have snapped and came crashing down to the bottom floor. You and Batgirl come and get her out of here, and to a doctor, I don't care who and I don't care about where. She just needs to live." Nightwing ordered.

"Nightwing, Ivy blocked the entrances remember. We can't get in and you all can't get out at least until the GCPD get here."

"Shit." Nightwing audibly cursed. His own plan to make sure that they caught every last assassin had effectively trapped all of them. "Call them now, We'll try to keep Helena alive in the mean time."

"And we'll find a way in." Red Hood promised. Nightwing turned off his comm and turned to his brothers.

"Cass and Bruce are still upstairs. I need to get back up there." He announced to them.

"Dick." Red Robin closed his eyes as if he were trying t stop himself from screaming. "Helena could die. We need to stay with her. She needs us the most. Cass and Bruce can take care of themselves." Beside him, Damian nodded.

"I hate to agree with Drake for once, but he's right. They are the two best fighters we have. If anyone could defeat my grandfather it's them."

"Even still. I need to go. Someone's got to watch their backs." Red Robin stared at Nightwing.

"Fine, Go." He told him "We'll watch Helena. I'm sure Hood will find a way to get us out soon. Without a thank you, Nightwing took off towards Batman and Black Bat.

---

Starling pulled up to the sounds of explosions and the sight of Batgirl and Red hood furiously laying down more explosives.

Starling quickly got off her back and ran towards them.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She screeched. "Do you want Ivy to kill me! I promised her that her plants would be safe and here you are hurting them!"

"God, Mary, now is not the time we need to get in there. Helena's dying, and we need to get her to a doctor fast." The rage Starling felt quickly dissipated

"What? Oh god! It took me 45 minutes to get over here meaning that the vines will release everything in about 15 minutes. "Starling said as she examined the entrance.

"Helena may not have 15 minutes, Starling," Batgirl said. Starling nodded understanding the severity of the situation.

"I think I might have an idea."

---

Nightwing used his grapple to get to the top floor from the elevator shaft. He got there in time to find the three ninjas left and Ra's al Ghul who had picked up his sword to fight. Black Bat was busy blocking blows while Batman focused on Ra's himself.

Behind her, Black Bat failed to notice a Ninja Swinging a sword her way and Nightwing got there in just enough time to deflect it.

"Thanks. Did you get Damian out?" She questioned as she jumped over an assassin who ran into Nightwing only for him to punch them in the face.

"We're all trapped here at least until the police arrive. He's downstairs with Red Robin and Huntress, who's been seriously injured. We're on a clock. We need to finish this and get out if we're going to save Huntress's life. Things weren't looking too good."

Black Bat said nothing only clenched her jaw. As she threw herself into the fight with much more vigor than before. Nightwing followed suit. The clock was ticking and they had to get out of there.

Batman ducked and dodged the expertly swung sword as Ra's al Ghul tried to decapitate him.

"Running, Detective? I thought you wanted to save your son?" He mocked.

Batman lashed out with a kick which only grazed the elder martial artist and was forced to duck and roll from the swinging of the sword.

"We don't have to do this Ra's just let us go, and we all go home happy."

Ra's shook his head, "Not Today, Detective." Ra's Lunged at Batman who blocked each and every swing before swinging a punch and catching the demon's head in the jaw sending him back.

Behind him, Batman noted that Black Bat and Nightwing were working on the last ninja. They would finish him off soon.

"Give up Ra's. You're out of men, you're outnumbered, and Damian's already out of your hands. Leave." The Dark Knight ordered. "This is your last chance."

Ra's looked around and realized the situation was no longer in his favor if it ever were.

"There are always chances, Detective. I thought you would have learned that by now." The with great dexterity that one would usually not expect from a man Ra's age He flipped over Batman and threw himself down the now useless elevator shaft.

"Damn." Batman cursed and dove after him.

---

"I think I have an idea." Starling walked up to the entrance and stroked the vines were they was supposed to be the front entrance. She could feel her hair tickling the back of her neck. As she expected it was already starting to grow back. A bit slower than when she had her powers but still way faster than a normal human's hair growth.

"These vines are the ones Ivy uses to guard her own home, They know me and usually allow me into her place when I visit her," Starling explained. "So maybe if I just.." Starling placed a hand on the thick vine placing it on there for a moment, Seconds later the vines began to move, loosen and slide away from the door, but only the door. Starling wasted no time opening the door and running inside Red Hood and Batgirl following after.

"STOP!" It was Batman's voice that screamed causing the three to freeze in place just in front of the door. "Ra's is loose down here. We might catch him, don't loose sight of the door. We can't loose him!"

Everyone full alert and silent Red Robin broke this silent.

"We need to get Helena out. I don't know how much longer she has." He stressed.

Starling watched the darkness, she knew that even with everyone else's night vision on her sight was far better. Her hearing was also better. If anyone was going to know notice Ra's it would be her first. She just had to be perfect.

Starling looked around. No one moved. She also took the time to notice that Damian was alright. That brought her some ease, but they weren't home free yet. Damian stood in front of Tim and the injured Helena, watching, guarding. Sadly no one was watching Damian, but Starling.

Ra's was too fast for Starling to do anything but scream a futile warning at Damian.

"Damian!" Damian turned just in time to see Ra's with a syringe in his hand aimed at his neck. Damian didn't have time to block. The syringe went into his neck and whatever was inside it was now in Damian. From the momentum, Damian was pushed to the ground. Ra's stood over him grinning.

"The test has begun," He said with a sigh of relief. He didn't get another chance to say anything else as Red Robin punched him in the face, knocking the ancient unconscious.

Starling didn't remember running towards Damian, but she suddenly ended up on the ground next to him.

"He shot you with something, right? Are you okay?" She asked. Damian slightly dazed answered.

"I'm fine. He did something, but I don't what."

"We need to test the syringe for whatever was in there," Batman said. "First, we need to worry about Helena She needs medical attention." Damian nodded in agreement. She was still breathing for the time being, but if she was going to stay that way was an entirely different thing.

Damian stood up with a little help from Starling and noted that her hair had grown much from the last time he had seen her. He was now lightly touching her shoulder. Without realizing it, he reached out and grabbed a strand feeling the silk like hair between his fingers.

"Like the hair cut," He said with a grin. Starling recoiled away from him. Slapping his hand.

"You should be thanking me. I cut my hair for you. I love my hair more than you, you know!" She proclaimed.

"Yup, because cutting it for my sake certainly proves that," Damian replied evenly. Starling said nothing only turning her head away not bothering to look at him.

"I'll take Ra's to Arkham," Nightwing announced. "Don't know how long he'll stay there, but it's a start." Batman nodded and watched Nightwing carry the unconscious man out of the building. Then moved to help Red Robin and Red Hood take Huntress out of the building and to a hospital. Starling followed Batgirl and Black Bat out only to notice that Damian wasn't following her. She turned around to find him staring off into space, unmoving.

"Damian?" Starling called. He didn't answer. "Damian?" She called again. Then before Starling could call him again, Damian's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he was on the ground.

"DAMIAN!"

---

Final word count: 17,059

A/N: First off, I would like to apologize for the delay. I've talked about in previous chapter notes and on my page that I am in college now so time to write has been a little scare, adding the writers block, and issues I had editing this chapter then you can understand why it's taken me nearly a year to write this chapter, and to be honest, I almost didn't post it moving on to another thing, but I felt like Damian needed this chapter.

So this chapter, I hated it originally. It was definitely my least favorite to write, but the more I added and edited the better it got, so now it's ok, but the writing process was so terrible that I'm honestly just glad to be done with it. Damian needed this chapter for a character arc, and he's also getting another one, based off of one of my favorite Batman:TAS episodes. I have the next couple of chapters planned, but since the one that's coming up next wasn't in my original plans it may take a while. Hopefully not as long as this one, but not at least till the summer will it be coming out.

So, I saw a midnight premiere of Batman v Superman. I liked it as a comic book fan, but as a movie buff and aspiring movie critic, it was shit. That's all I can really say about it, other than I enjoyed it better than Man of Steel. It was worth the watch but would only pay for it because Batfleck and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman was fucking awesome.

Anyway, thank you all for reading. Again sorry about the wait, but hey! I didn't make it to a year! I can't wait to start work on the next chapter, the chapter after is already finished. So until next time!

If you have any comment/concerns/questions please review! I do answer them, and they make the writing process so much more enjoyable. I would like to thank gabysweet10, 21 is Awesome, Guest, 3DoorsDownAndAwayFromTheSun, Lia, and another guest for thier reviews.

A big Thank you to, Sirenmergirl for her lengthy review that got me through this very hard to write chapter.

Thank you all I wouldn't have done it without you every single last one of your words, especially right now. I couldn't thank you enough.

Please don't forget to follow/favorite/review, and I will see you next chapter.

~Miyu K.

Next chapter: The Sleepless Dream