Part 3: Confrontation of Ghosts

The night was cold, not something unusual for Gotham in October. The night air smelt of smog and whatever mixture of garbage escaped from the many dumpster littering the alleyways. It was a quiet night, as if the Gotham criminal element knew that it would be futile to do anything, like something big was building up and all the mice were scattering before they could be scooped into the air. Tim just fought the ever growing feeling in the back of his mind that he should just skip town and be done with everything.

Tim knew he could not do that though. Something was boiling under Gotham, something ancient and evil. The first clue Tim got was Ra's pulling all of his operatives out of the city, something that Tim had never seen or heard of happening. Ever. Anything that had The Demon Head retreating was something that had to be dealt with.

Tim had no clue what it was, Ra's was not that forthcoming with his information since Tim had effectively blew up that bridge. It made things easier though, finding out whatever was happening with Gotham without his constant threats. Ra's never outright put a hit on him though, just left him to roll over the idea of following him. It was only a matter of time though, demons can only be patient for so long.

The only problem in Gotham was Batman and his allies. Tim was not sure what the old man thought about his return, for he purposely avoided seeing Bruce. Damian and Stephanie were one thing, they were less likely to let Bruce go on a full on manhunt. Staying away from Robin was just common sense, he knew he had hurt the kid who had done nothing more than take up a mantle. If anyone was to be blamed and haunted, it should be Bruce; his pathological inability to take that last step of ridding crime will result in the death of more before anything was resolved.

Brooding over the edge of a rooftop, something catches Tim's eyes. It's faint, just a glint of light off of metal. It's enough though to giveaway a costumed figure scaling a building with more finesse than even Damian or Bruce. Even in the darkness, Tim knows that the costume is not in any database. He had memorized that information even before he had sought out the League of Assassins, not that he ever betrayed that information to Ra's.

The figure made it to the top of the building quicker than Tim knew to be possible, suggesting that the newcomer was either a meta or in some other way enhanced. Even if it was a hero, an unknown like was not safe for anyone. Tim sighed, knowing that if he did not even try to make contact, he would still feel some guilt if something were to happen later.

The figure turned around as Tim made it to the next building, furthering the idea that this was some kind of enhanced being. Working with someone who had super-hearing and sight and then keeping yourself hidden was an exercise of skill. This person, male from the cut of his form fitting armor (for the costume was much too enforced to be simply cavalier cover with a steel cloth mesh). Goggles covered his eyes, knives sheathed across his chest (not too friendly looking, Tim so hoped he had not run into a new villain), and on his hands were metal claws.

The man tilted his head in a rather avian manner, studying Tim. Unmoving, he speaks with a growly voice that could easily rival Batman. "Leave, child. This does not concern you."

Tim scoffs, making himself relax just enough that he can move however he would need to. "No children here."

"The Court will not take this insolence," The figure reached for a set of knives from his chest sheats, one in each hand. Tim takes out his bo staff, extending it to full length.

"The Court?" Tim asks as he pushes himself into the air to avoid a frontal attack. It was never smart to fight without knowing your opponent, the only advantage that Tim show himself having the advantage of looking weaker than he was.

The man rounded on Tim as he landed. "I suppose since you will die tonight child," There was evident malice and bloodlust in the man's voice, knife seeming to gleam in the moon. "The Court of Owls, any child in Gotham knows the rhyme."

Tim's mind snapped into attention as he felt the blade stab into his side. The impact, deadly in its execution, was lessened by his body armor but the blade still sunk into his skin. Tim felt himself become dizzy, some kind of poison in blade. Forcing himself to stay upright, Tim's world starts to go black. "The… Owls…"

"Is very real child." The man that could only be a Talon says to Tim, knocking him to the ground with his own staff. "Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time. Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime… Speak not a whispered word of them, or they will send their Talon for your head." Talon's face is in front of his, "Sleep now child, it will be over soon."

Tim's eyes flutter involuntarily as the Talon leaves, muscles almost unresponsive as he reaches for his belt. His fingers feel thick and useless as he fumbles for the antitoxin, but he hits a button that puts him into the Bats' communication system.

He had hacked it months ago, back when he had first made his presence known. The breach never seemed to be noticed, at least before tonight. Seconds after Tim hears his commlink connect to the others, Stephanie's voice comes into his ear. "This is a secure network. Whoever is there, get off or your entire system will be fried."

"Steph…" Tim croaked out, body seeming to shut down. His fingers no longer seemed to want to respond to him, feeling more like heavy sausages than limp noodles.

There's a pause on Stephanie's side before she replies, half frantic. "Tim? How did you get on this line… Nevermind, I don't want to know." She takes a breath, as it seems to click that maybe something is the matter. "Why are you…"

"Poisoned," Tim responds, trying not to give into the numb feeling. "Talon… Parker Row."

"I'm sending Blackbird," Stephanie says and a moment later more voices are heard. Tim fades in and out as the others converse, only pulled back whenever Stephanie starts yelling in his ear, "... Don't you even think about leaving me again Tim. I swear, if you die I'll bring you back just to kill you myself."

"... Sorry…" Tim says as his eyes became heavy.

"Tim? Tim!?" Stephanie's voice is panicked, flooding through the comm. Tim wants to tell her it's okay, but he doesn't seem to have the strength. "Hold on, BB's almost there…"

Tim felt stiff as he awoke, strapped down to a table by his wrist and ankles. Twisting himself to find where he was, he felt a sharp pain from his side and he fought to muffle a gasp of pain.

It seemed no matter how inaudible he tried to stay, someone heard him. Clicking footsteps, as if from proper dress shoes were coming towards him over a stone floor.

"You are safe in the Cave, Master Timothy." A familiar English accent says, Tim's mind connecting his words to what he saw. The Cave, that made sense. Stephanie said Damian was going to get him. So why not take to opportunity to kidnap him?

Tim's throat felt rough, like he really needed a glass, or ten, of water. "Wa'er?"

"Of course, sir." Alfred responds, prompt as ever as he produces a bottle of water. Helping Tim sit up he lets him take a few sips, he speaks again. "I've kept her out, but Miss Stephanie is very adamant about seeing that you are well."

Tim groaned, really not looking forward for any conversation with anyone in the cave. "Fine." Best to get this over with, Stephanie would probably worse that Bruce.

"Very good sir." Alfred stood up, as if these were the events he wanted to happen.

Tim sat himself up, getting himself comfortable when Stephanie turned the corner. She did not look happy, pissed was probably the best way to describe her. She was older, more beautiful if Tim was going to be honest with himself. She stopped right in front of his bed, hands on her hips. Her glare could probably put Batman to shame. "Timothy Jackson Drake, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Oh, shit. He was so not read for this.

Notes:

Well, Tim does not EVER follow the plan.

Not sure when I'll update next (week's a little crazy), but it should be before Sunday (I think)