Part 6 The Bird's Song

Dick had been in the kitchen with Alfred when the alarm had gone off, grabbing things to help the older man prepare dinner. Dick stopped in his tracks, turning to Alfred who was pulling up a monitor hidden in the wall to show a group of costumed men jumping over the closed gated to enter the Manor's grounds.

Everything seemed to slow down and speed up as Alfred grabbed a shotgun from somewhere and grabbed Dick's hand, rushing them towards the Cave after hitting some buttons on the panel near the monitor. The lights of the Manor turned off as metal sheets covered the windows. Alfred moved faster than Dick ever thought the man capable of as they descended to the Cave and alerted Stephanie and Jason of the situation. Both of them silently springing into motion, Stephanie pulling up the feed of the upstairs and Jason grabbing circular disk and what looked like bird shaped boomerangs and a staff he threw to Stephanie when she turned around.

"They just got into the Manor." Stephanie announced, moving away from the computer to allow Alfred access as she turned to Jason, "I sent a distress signal to Damian and Cass, as well as Bruce."

Jason nodded, looking at Dick with what was probably meant to be a reassuring look before grabbing a mask from the wall. "It should take them time to find the Cave entrance, that is if they don't know what to look for. Which I guess depends on why they're here."

Stephanie nodded, looking once more at the shadowed intruders. "They look like what Red Robin said that the one who attack him was wearing."

Dick was confused at the statement, wondering who Red Robin was and the fact that he had been attacked. It was not like he expected any information to be given to him, but it made him wonder what Batman and the others truly went up against. And if this was why Damian had decided he needed to be trained. "Who are they?" He finally asked, standing in the middle of the Cave as the others seemed to move with purpose.

No one stopped as Alfred answered, voice as firm and proper as ever. "That is unclear Master Richard, but do not worry you are safe here."

Jason scoffed, the tone unfamiliar to Dick who had spent the last few months with the older boy and thought he knew him well enough to decipher his vocal tones. The other did not speak though until he was near Dick, moving silently enough that his presence made the younger boy jump slightly. "Everything should be fine, but just in case take these." Jason handed him to dark, thick sticks.

Damian had called them staves, had shown Dick some basic moves with them after the boy had told him about the choreographed fights he had learned at the circus. "Can they really get into the Cave?" Dick asked, looked from the staves to Jason with what he really hoped was not a scared expression.

Jason smirked, "The Cave is maybe the most secure location on the planet. They'd have to be better than some of the members of the Justice League to even get past the lockdown doors. Bruce made them to be Superman-proof."

Dick heard the false bravado in Jason's voice, the tone similar to when the boy would reassure him that nothing could stop Batman and Robin. The tone had always made Dick wonder what Jason was not saying, but now was not the time to question what it could mean. He just nodded to Jason, taking the staves and turning one in his right hand. Jason smiled back, turning to Stephanie who had pulled a purple hood over her head. "What are they doing now?"

Stephanie was on a tablet, tapping at things and replying without looking up. "They're searching the bedrooms. They're in the main wing now, one is tearing apart Bruce's study." She paused, eyes wide. "They're removing books from the shelves. Does not look like they know to look for the entrance. Are they here after Bruce?"

Jason moved to Stephanie, looking over her shoulder at Dick as she turned to listen to whatever the other boy had to say. His presence was completely different now, more commanding and strong and making Dick once again question if he really knew Jason. Beeping from the computer made everyone in the room look up in alarm, but the voice coming through was more reassuring than cause for more panic.

"Cave this is Batman, received your signal." The gravelly voice coming through was so different than the one that Dick had come to associate with Bruce that it took a moment to remember that Batman and Bruce were one and the same. "What is the situation?"

Alfred replied to the message, making Dick think of a walkie-talkie conversation rather than a phone call. "This is Penny-One Batman. Intruders have entered the main level, though they seem to not be looking for an entrance to the sub-level."

Batman's reply was so even in tone, it made Dick wonder for a moment if the other was truly worried. "Is there an I.D. of the intruders?"

The very thought though that the other did not care was prosperous, Dick convinced himself in the next moment. it would be dumb for Batman to not worry about them. Alfred and Jason were his family, and Stephanie seemed to be somewhere along that line as well. "Spoiler concluded they look like whoever attacked Red Robin."

"Who is all there?" Batman's next reply was a little more worried, though still rough and gravelly like his earlier tone.

"Robin and Spoiler were in the Cave before I set off the alarms. Black Bird and Batgirl went into Gotham to investigate a possible lead." Alfred replied, tone slightly changing as he spoke next. "Sent a signal to them at the same time as you, but have yet to hear from them."

Hearing that they had not made contact with Damian or Cass worried Dick, though he did not know what they were looking into. He really hoped it had nothing to do with whomever was moving about the Manor above them. "Keep me updated. Volcanic activity is disrupting the League's teleporter, will get to you as soon as I can. Stay safe."

"Of course Sir." Alfred said, "Penny-One out." Alfred ended the communication, hit a few buttons before going back to studying the intruders and their movements.

Dick took a deep breath, sitting on the mat and pulling his knees to his chest. Crossing his arms over them, he never let go of the staves but just let the weight of them hang off his hands. He relaxed slightly as Stephanie sat by him, nudging him with her shoulder to get him to look at her.

"It's going to be fine, Dick." Her voice was more sure, though still making Dick think that he really did not know the people he was in the room with. Could smiling Stephanie really stop these people from hurting them? Could Jason, who on more than one occasion fell asleep in the grass when he was supposed to be watching him, keep them all safe? And Alfred, who made the best cookies in the world, could he really be of much use?

Dick just nodded though, "Nothing stops Batman and Robin."

A hand ruffled his hair as he heard Jason chuckle, the first sound that seemed to belong to the older boy he knew. "Just heard from BB and Batgirl, they're on their way here. The Goons found one of the auxiliary tunnel systems, I'm taking Dick further back into the Cave to one of the safe rooms. Stay here with Alfred."

Stephanie stood up, "I'll keep you updated."

"Sounds like a plan." Jason nodded, reaching down to pull Dick to his feet. "Come on Dickie-bird."

Dick got to his feet, Stephanie going back to where Alfred sat at the computer. Jason started to walk down a corridor, pocketing some more of the circular disks and a what looked like a foot long metallic pole from a table as he passed. Both were silent until Jason started to speak, a commanding note to his voice that made Dick not want to question the other. "When we arrive, I do not want you to talk. This person is a liar, don't believe anything that comes out of his mouth. You understand me?"

Dick nodded, not speaking until Jason turned his head to look at him. "I understand, who are we seeing?"

Jason inhaled slightly, silent for about two steps and then answered. "He's called Red Robin. He was Batman's sidekick before me."

"Like Damian?" Dick asked, shutting his mouth with a click after speaking.

Jason shook his head. "No, not like Damian. Like I said, he's a liar, don't listen to him. Stephanie would kill me for taking you here, but it's the safest place in the Cave right now."

"Oh." Dick said, shivering slightly from the cold air that now surrounded them. They were more underground than the main Cave level, moisture dipping in small droplets from the ceiling. The fact that there had been more people to be called Robin than Jason, Damian, or Stephanie had never been told to him. For that's who this person would have to have been, Batman's only sidekicks were Robins.

Jason stopped outside a door, turning to crouch down so he was eye to eye with Dick. "I want you to stay in here, no matter what you hear. Steph and I can take care of ourselves, but it would be much easier if we know you're safe."

Dick nodded, "I understand."

"Good," Jason said standing and turned to press a combination into a keypad. "Remember stay quiet." He said before hitting the last digit and the door opened.

Inside the room were some chairs and a small table covered books and papers adjacent to a bed. The thing, or well person, that caught his eye was a boy sitting on the bed with eyes that followed both him and Jason as they entered the room.

The door shut before the boy spoke, his voice much older sounding than what he looked. "Hello Pretender, looks like you brought a guest. Tell me, is this the Little Bird Bruce brought home?" There was something in this new boy's voice that made Dick want to squirm, something scary that just made his watching eyes and messed up hair that much more noticeable.

"I'm not here to play games, Red." Jason spat, voice once again making Dick wonder if he really knew Jason. In just the last hour or so, because in all honesty Dick was unsure on just how long it had been since all of this had started, he had heard seen and heard Jason being completely different people. The first was his normal self, the carefree friend he had come to know; the second him training with Damian, determined and angry; the third, him taking command; and lastly this time, as he pulling Dick even more behind himself and audibly snarled at the other boy.

From behind Jason's back, Dick could see the other boy move. "Neither am I, Little Wing. Though I am curious on why you'd bring him here. What has Daddy gone and done now?" A glint of metal showed Dick that 'Red' was cuffed to the bed.

Jason moved forward, pushing Dick back just a bit in a way that made him think he was supposed to stay back. "Who or whatever attacked you is in the Manor." Jason began, voice deep with some kind of emotion that made want to get out of the room. "Batman is with the League and…" Jason stopped, clenched his fists, and began again. "As much as I hate to say it, this is probably the safest place."

"How'd you figure that out?" 'Red' said, smile on his face less manic and more thoughtful.

"Whoever these creeps are, they've hurt you already." Jason said, grounding out the words. "I highly doubt you'd let it happen a second time, that is if they could get in here in the first place."

The other boy laughed, "Such a gamble, Pretender. What makes you think I'd agree to this?"

Jason pulled the other to his feet, his height and weight an obvious advantage over the other. "You don't have a choice, do you? Right now, the way I see it you have two choices, either do this or I'll leave you wrapped up all nice and pretty for our new friends."

Jason's voice, his tone, even the manner in which he talked made Dick think of what the carnies would say about Gotham. About the laughter that followed a bird who would turn into a boy. A ruthless boy who could leave you bloody in just minutes. While he was still at the circus, with his family, his mother and father would tell him not to listen. That it was stories and rumor, and that some people knew such things from ill experience. What he never expected was for that to be Jason, who was always so ready to laugh and play. Damian he could see without much persuasion. Jason was right in front of him, and even now he was doubting if this was really him.

"Such anger young one." 'Red' chuckled and paused, working to get Jason to put him down before saying more. "I'll watch the Little Bird. And don't worry, Jason. I don't hurt defenseless children."

Jason scoffed, stepping away and going towards Dick after setting the small pole and disks on a table. "He can't break those cuffs, so stay out of his range. Stay here and I'll get you as soon as things are done." He whispered, pulling Dick into a hug before going to the door. "I'm trusting you Tim. Hurt him and you'll regret it." The venom was back in his voice and Dick could not help but stare at the boy on the bed across from him as they were left alone in the room. Eerily enough the other was looking at him as well, with the light making his eyes look less green and more blue with each second.

Dick was not sure if it had been ten minutes or ten hours that he sat in the same place, watching Tim as the other watched him. He surprisingly had sat still the entire time, almost too scared to move. Neither of them had spoken to the other.

"So you're Bruce's new lost little orphan." Tim, 'Red', honestly Dick was not sure what to call him. The other boy was pale, like some of the performers that spent no time in the sunlight, and his black hair and blue eyes stood out in stark contrast.

Dick flinched as the words came out of the others mouth, opening his mouth and then closing it before actually saying something. "Bruce is letting me stay with him after my parents died."

Tim, for Dick decided a name was better than a color to identify a person, just nodded. "Bruce always did like a good orphan story." The white of Tim's teeth were startling, but maybe the only non-unsettling thing about the other.

Dick nodded, shrugging as the other moved to get a better sit position on the bed. "Who are you to Bruce? Jason said you used to be Robin." Well, actually he said he used to be his sidekick, but Batman only ever had Robin and Batgirl. He kind of doubted the other boy had been Batgirl.

Tim laughed, a sound more normal than the manic expression earlier. "Yes, kid, I was Robin before Jason."

"Oh." Dick breathed. He knew the identities of the others of the Manor, but he was never told their history. He knew Damian was the first and Stephanie was before Jason… But to learn there had been another made him think of his and Jason's conversation days before. Was this why he was so sad?

A nod was Tim next movement a few moments later as Dick thought through the new information. "I'm surprised that Little Wing would bring you here. He must be really worried to let you anywhere near me. So tell me Little Bird, is the situation really that desperate?"

Dick shook his head, wondering what he was supposed and not supposed to tell Tim. Jason had said that he was a liar, but did that mean Dick had to be one as well. "People are in the Manor… It's just Jason and Stephanie in the Cave, Damian and Cass and Bruce were on their way last I knew…"

Tim ran his free hand through his hair, glancing at the door. "That bastard." He breathed, looking beyond Dick as his eyes raked back to where he was. "He knew something was out there and he left them to this? Does he really want a dead nest?" He pulled his arm violently from where it was restrained, "Do you want one of them to die, Bruce!? Was I really not enough?!" He shouted to no one in particular, making Dick curl up at the anger and venom in his voice. The green was back in Tim's eyes, unnaturally creeping over the blue in such a way that he knew it was not natural.

The continued wrenching of his arm made Dick think of some of the animals at the circus, particularly the new or old ones who slowly started to lose it. The animalistic scanning of the room made Dick really wish Jason had not put him in here. Had the other really thought him safe in a locked room with the other. And what did he mean that he was not enough? "Red... Tim… Calm down, please… You're scaring me."

"Oh, I'm scaring you Baby Bird? The ghost that they all want to hide is scaring the hatchling?" Tim smiled, twisted and haunted. "Well, good. This is no place for children…" A banging from above dragged away Tim and Dick's attention, both set of eyes going to the door. "Shit." Tim breathed looking at Dick. "What was it that Jason put on the table."

It took Dick a moment to figure out that Tim was talking to him before he went to look. "Some round disks and a metal stick, why?"

Tim just nodded, "Dick I need you to listen carefully." There was a forced calmness to Tim's voice, like someone talking to a scared animal. When had the situation switched on Dick like this? "These intruders are bad news, if the others haven't arrived they are in big trouble up there."

"But Jason said they'd be fine!" Dick cried, turning and clenching his fists at his side. "Jason said you're a liar and I wasn't to listen to you."

"Jason lied." Tim said sternly, right hand sweeping past Dick in the table's direction. "He knows they're in up to their eyes, why else would he leave weapons for me?"

Dick was stumped, why would Jason leave anything for the handcuffed boy if they were going to be fine. "How do you know these are for you?"

"There should be a small release on the 'metal stick', it's a expandable pole." Tim said, "My weapon of choice when I was Robin. The others are like throwing stars. Nostalgia was always Bruce's worst attribute."

Dick pressed the button on the stick, watching it extend far more than what seemed possible. Picking it up, he was amazed it was as heavy as it was. "What do you want me to do?"

"Right now? Nothing." Tim replied, his look alone making any protest on Dick's tongue die immediately. "Jason wants me to keep you safe, he was not wrong that he and Stephanie can keep each other safe. And they have Alfred, they're fine. So we're going to stay here and you're going to look for a key for this damned handcuff before I end up wrenching my arm off."

***Talons***

The Talons searched the Manor finding nothing. A few of the group had descended into a cave system that the group had only a small knowledge of. The entire army met in front of a metal door, stronger than anything they had encountered before.

"Break down the door." William Cobb commanded, standing behind some of the lesser Talons as they started to bombard the door with explosives. "Wayne's children are probably hiding here."

The door finally gave way, the Shadows of the Court descending into darkness only to be met with a bombardment of disks that dissolved into a goop and electricity.

A/N

So this is the longest single chapter I've ever written... Hope you enjoy :)