"If you can't kill your enemy, weaken him.
If you can't cut off his head, take his heart."
"Don't do this…please…" Dick panted, the men twisting his arms hard, pushing him down to floor, as they dragged him to the marbled stone.
The golden lights streaked against his face, beads of sweat dripping from his hair onto his face. The shackles jingled, the cold metal half, hammed into his flesh making every movement, 10 times as painful.
The noise, whispered chatters, held the buzz of anticipation, their audience, clearing excited for the show. It was ironic, he an entertainer will die entertaining.
He could see her boots, black with the gold bits of metal. Another larger pair, behind her. The fury of just knowing he was close, ignited the fight in him, again.
He wouldn't let them do this to her. Not again. Not again. Not ever.
He lunged blindly, pushing hard against his bonds and jailers. They reacted quicker than he thought, beating down on him, slamming him back onto the floor.
He heard a slight whimper from above him.
He could almost see her biting her lip, stiff and still, her eyes, her eyes just like his revealing her truth.
A new hand, grabbed his shirt from above him, half throwing him onto the stone. He grunted, shifting his weight slightly, his vison slightly blurred, but he could just make out the small frame of Mary to his right.
Her were glassy.
'Don't cry.' he thought. 'Don't cry, don't cry, please. It's okay.'
He was lying to himself, but he wanted nothing more than to old his baby close and promise her this was just some stupid nightmare. He wanted to make her hot chocolate and make her laugh until the fears washed away.
He wanted to break free and snatch her up and run. It didn't matter where, just run take her away, let her be safe. "It's okay," he whispered, watching the larger black gloved hand on Mary's shoulder.
It held her firmly, to keep her in check rather than the appearance of comfort. The angry ignited again, but Dick let it fester, he needed to think about this. He needed to be logical.
He needed to be Bruce.
The Court buzzed above them, the Judge was speaking, but his words fell on deaf ears. They wanted the action, the violence. They wanted the blood.
They wanted the traitor put to death. And what was more poetic than Grayson murdering Grayson? Daughter killing father?
"For betrayal and the mocker of the Court. Richard John Grayson, is hereby sentenced to death. Talon." The Judge ordered, waving his hand.
The hand released Mary, sliding a sword out of his sheath, handing it to her. She took it, her hand tightening her grip on it.
She shakily walked forwards.
"It's okay." he whispered. "It's okay."
She raised the sword above her head. It glinted in the light. She took a deep breath and—
"Okay, let's run it." Mary said, leaning back in the large black spinney chair.
A YEAR AND 6 MONTHS BEFORE:
"The Royal Flush gang broke into Gotham City Central Bank that place seriously needs better security, and stole about 50 million in cash." Mary said, bringing up the gangs file on the Batcomputer. "And it seems like they really need it. Considering their on bikes. Batman, are-
"In pursuit." Bruce answered from the Batmobile, revving the engine.
"Okay," Mary nodded, swirling around in the chair. Alfred, setting down a fresh steaming plate of chocolate chip cookies. "Thanks Alfred," Mary said, munching on one. "Okay. Nightwing, Robin be ready to help Batman."
"If all goes well," Mary said with a small smile. "We'll have them in a cell, before midnight. They may not have Ace, but Ten, Jack, Queen, and King are still pretty slipper-" Mary paused, setting down her cookie, watching the monitor as Ten, Jack and Queen, suddenly diverted, going down different roads on her map.
"Mary-"
"Batman keep following King. Nightwing go after Jack and Queen, their riding together on Freemont. Robin take Ten, she's on Westside." Mary said sitting up, looking closely on the map. "Okay. Listen closely. Nightwing take a left, then go through the alley. You'll be able to cut them off. Robin, turn right, onto the Second Street, then take a left, another left then take a sharp right-"
"Sharp right where?" Robin shouted though his earpiece. "I'm at a dead end!"
Mary sighed, shaking her head. "Take a sharp right-"
"I can't!"
"Let me finish!" Mary said impatiently. "Take a sharp right up via the fire escape. Ride on the roof then, go down the left fire escape, and ride down the alleyway." Mary instructed sharply. "Quickly, otherwise it's not going to work." she added, biting her lower lip.
Looking up on the monitor, she watched Nightwing cut off Queen and Jack, before they could pull out there weapons. King smashed into them, Batman jumping out from the Batmobile.
Ten crashing into the three, Robin skidding his bike to a halt from behind.
"Yes! It worked!" Mary cheered, jumping up from her chair. "Checkmate!"
There was laughter from the end. "Good job, Mary." Dick said, from his earpiece.
Mary smiled, sitting back down. "Thanks Dick."
I fought with this prologue, but I think, I finally got it.
Thoughts?
Till next time...