"Stop here" ordered Batman.
Jason, Tim, and Damian had all taken their bikes and met Batman at the GPS ping he had sent them.
Jason slowed down and turned left to park down an alley as he listened to a roar and 2 other engines cut off.
Tim and Damian all stowed their bikes separately. You quickly learned to never leave all the goods in one place for Gotham's lowlife to stumble upon.
Jason took his keys and locked the wheels electronically with his thumbprint before leaning it against the least piss-stained wall he could find. He checked his helmet strap and guns on his chest and thighs. He double-checked his right thigh which contained an extra flare gun and cushioned syringes of cryo liquid.
Green Arrow and Cyborg were adamant about being told what it was all for but Bruce sternly reminded them of his 'no metas in Gotham' rule.
Jason took the first fire escape he saw up to the rooftop and looked around, finding Batman and Robin on one roof and RedRobin coming up behind him.
They all nodded to each other and Bruce touched his ear comm, "Oracle, report"
A moment passed before Baraba's voice came through, every bit of anger and spite she felt at Bruce rolling off her tone. "Here"
She was not pleased when she arrived after the Bats had left, Alfred started to inform Barbara of what was happening but she had cut right over him and gone straight to yelling at Bruce over comms about the level of his audacity to treat her like an outsider and the ridiculous level of nerve and balls he had to not update her the moment they decided to speed up their Nightwing plan; with Deathstroke no less.
Bruce hadn't interrupted her. They all knew that Barbara was a unique subject, being the first outsider to learn of Batman and Robin.
Dick had been convinced he was madly in love with the little Gordon in Middle school and had told her everything. Dick was grounded for 3 months and Barbara had confronted Batman in the streets, threatening to blackmail him to her father at the time.
Bruce had been impressed and slightly outraged at another child knowing his secret. He allowed Barbara over to spar sometimes with Dick but was incredibly mad when he found Barbara had been going out as batgirl some nights in Highschool.
Jason could admit Barbara was hot and had the brains for this type of work but Dick had always had a thing for Redheads and he backed off, especially after things fell apart with Starfire right before his death. There had been multiple redheads at Dickie's funeral; no one appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood that day.
Ever since, Babs had been working behind-the-scenes comms and backup for them so they could direct or misdirect GPD when needed.
"Wilson's location has stopped moving right under us. He's most likely in a building on this block" Batman said without looking up for the tracker pinging on his wrist.
"Or right behind you" a voice offered.
Everyone whipped around to see Slade standing behind them on the rooftop. Damian cursed under his breath at Slade's ability to sneak as well as the League of Shadows.
"Nightwing would have never been caught off guard" Slade informed them lightly.
Batman ignored the jibe, "You found a talon?"
Slade allowed himself to grimace as he brought a hand to cup under his ribs, "More like they found me. They found your cameras and are suspicious of all of us aiding Nightwing in hiding from them. Apparently, he hasn't been back to his place since his little reunion with your boys"
Batman glanced at Damian and Jason. Damian stiffened beside him but refused to show any weakness for fear of being benched on such a grave mission.
Batman turned back to Slade and stepped forward, "Here" He said gruffly. He passed Slade 3 syringes and a handful of glass bullet capsules. He assumed Slade would have a gun appropriate for the capsules to be fired from.
Slade immediately pulled out a small gun with a skinny barrel from his calf and dumped the capsules into the cartridge; he strapped the syringes to his chest under some extra velcro.
"They're about 3 blocks over" Slade reported to the group.
Batman looked past Slade's shoulder for a minute before refocusing on the group. "We need to avoid them as best as possible. The only location we have is Nightwing's jacket back in his apartment so we can only assume he is wandering around Bludhaven still. We will all split up and make our way to Bludhaven; avoiding talons at any cost. If you think you're being tracked inform the group and we will make a plan to lead them astray while the rest of us head to our goal"
Everyone but Slade nodded.
Batman looked at Slade, "Where are you parked"
Slade folded his large arms, biceps bulging underneath his padding and armor. "I waaas parked on 2nd St…"
Batman sighed, "Robin you're riding with me"
Damian caught on instantaneously that he was being forced to give his bike to Deathstroke, "What!? No! I-"
Batman shot him his specialty Batman frown and Damian shut up, glaring daggers at both adults.
"Everyone's location has been synced and I've pinged Deathstroke's to yours, Batman," Oracle said over their ears.
"Good. Let's go"
"This is useless" RedHood groaned behind all of them.
They'd been searching for Nightwing across Blud. for about 2 solid hours. Everyone had made it to their next location in upper Blud. without any complications but they'd hit a dead end when they weren't able to find their missing bird.
Batman had even allowed everyone to split up once things became tremendously dull and quiet.
Everyone had just re-grouped and Slade and Batman were hovering over Slade's pocket monitor, debating on where was the best location to check next. No one was suggesting they give up and head home but most were in agreement that what they were doing wasn't working.
A small voice in the back of Jason's mind whispered that they were too late. Nightwing had run away. Nightwing had been captured. Nightwing didn't want to be found. On and on and on. Jason forced his thoughts to top running away from him in case his vision became dewy with green shades again.
Damian and Tim were sitting together perched over Batman's shoulder trying to get a view of what the 2 adults were trying to plan.
Deathstroke was pointing to something on the screen before pinching and zooming out and making gestures with his palm, Batman responded by shaking his head in disagreement almost every time.
Jason meandered away from the group to the opposite rooftop. He took off his helmet and left his domino mask on to let the cold Bluadhaven air cool his sweat and helmet hair.
He ran a hand through his locks and pulled a lockdown over his forehead, almost going crosseyed to have a look at some of his bleached hair. He could still feel a phantom tug like Dick was looking at his back and white hair all over again.
Jason sighed and leaned over the edge of the roof to peer down. He knew he should be helping but also knew that working cohesively with Batman, much less Slade, was impossible.
Jason spied a dinner down below 'Salty's' it read. Dick would take the brothers here all the time, mostly because it was one of the safest places on the block but the entire seating area was windowed and made the brothers feel comfortable, as they could almost never let their guards down in public.
Jason could feel his heart trying to stir up old memories and nostalgic feelings of the 4 brothers eating and laughing together. Consuming the greasiest food possible while paying with Wayne credit cards that could easily buy them a private chef to tote around organic meals at their beck and call.
Jason trotted back to the group and saw nothing had changed in 5 minutes. Tim and Damian were now shamelessly sitting on the ground beside each other looking at their own screens and information. He nudged Tim's back with his boot from above, "Hey I'm gonna get a burger from Salty's" Without looking Tim replied, "Get me a coke". " I want fries" Damian piped up additionally.
That got Batman's attention and he looked over to his sons with a growing frown, "Chill B, we might be here a while, and it's only like 10 ish"
Jason walked away before Bruce could reply. He dropped down into the alley behind the diner and tucked his helmet under his arm, stuffing his mask in his back pocket. As long as he kept his jacket mostly zipped, he just looked like another thug you wouldn't wanna bump shoulders with. Well, hopefully, a better-smelling thug. Bludhaven produced some disgusting people with even worse hygiene.
Jason walked into the diner and made a b-line for the front, he didn't even need to look around or at the menu; already knowing what he liked at this crappy hole in the wall.
Jason stepped up to the front and ordered 2 burgers, 1 fry, and a coke. He paid with his wrist computer and walked to the side, leaning on the counter and looking around the pass the time.
There weren't lots of families. It was a Thursday night but in a shitty part of town so the customers had been reduced to mainly young adults and people who had scraped up enough shifts to afford to eat out on food stamps for once.
Jason's number was called and he grabbed his greasy bag, not looking back. He made his way to the front door when a certain laugh stopped him in his tracks. Jason stumbled in place and then caught himself, feeling foolish and hoping no one was behind him.
He gripped his bag tighter and walked to the side of the front door quickly, turning around and scanning the row of dirty lunch tables and booths.
There.
In the far back, there were 2 young men. They looked like they were just finishing up with their food and getting ready to leave.
The first guy was an average-looking Joe. He had dirty blonde hair in a styled crew cut like he was trying to care about his appearance. He was facing toward Jason and pushing off from the table to get to his feet. He had just said something to his companion who had his head thrown back in a loud chuckle. The second figure had dark locks and was tied back at the nape of his neck.
Both men stood and threw their food away before turning to Jason to walk out and Jason almost choked on his spit.
It was Dick. He was a few inches taller than his friend and was bumping shoulders like he was teasing him over something.
Dick had ripped jeans on and a grey shirt that gripped his upper biceps a little too tightly. His friend wore a plan hoodie and blue jeans, giving Dick a look of mock offense.
"I'm serious! Everyone believed, it even Gotham Gazette covered it!"
"Ok, suuuuure" Dick replied with a small grin back.
Dick's voice was much deeper than 16-year-old Jason remembered but his smile brought s lightness to his tone.
Jason's brain stopped working and he couldn't even form a thought, he could only stand there with his mouth about an inch open and his trembling fingers struggling to grasp his greasy food bag.
The 2 finally reached the exit and pushed the door open, Dick looked at Jason, noticing his staring with a quirked brow. They made eye contact and Dick brushed off Jason's intense stare as they made their way out and down the street.
Jason was frozen watching Dick walk down the street with a stranger. He was laughing, why was he laughing? He was buying normal greasy crappy food? Why was he out? Like he was just some normal person? Why-
Batman. Ohmygod Jason though suddenly.
His brothers and a mercenary were on a rooftop while their son and brother walked down the street away from them.
Jason turned on his heel and sprinted out of the diner down the alley, he tried to grab a fire escape ladder and haul himself up before he realized he had dropped his helmet at the door. Jason cursed and ran back, he bent to snatch up his helmet before he realized he was still carrying the food.
Jason cursed louder and chucked the food away, picking up his helmet and sprinting back down the alley and up the building. Jason brought his comm to life with a tap. "Dick! It's Dickie. Wing, whatever he's here!"
"What?!" Multiple voices shouted back in his ear.
They all converged on his location and met him halfway. Jason hadn't run far but couldn't seem to slow his breathing.
"Wing. Dickie. Down there in the diner. He's walking away! He bought food!"
Batman stepped forward, "He's here?"
"Wing is here and acting like a fucking civilian right now!"
"He is at the diner you went to?" Slade asked
"He was" Jason confirmed. "He just left, headed down the street with some blonde twink"
"What is a twink?" Damian asked
"Jason!" Tim admonished
"Not now" Bruce barked before setting off on the southbound rooftop, everyone following.
Within minutes, Batman stopped suddenly and crouched down, letting his cape fall around his shoulders.
Slade stepped up next to Batman's shoulder and peered over.
Dick was walking with his friend as they walked down the barely-lit street. No one could hear what they were saying clearly but every now and then their voices fluctuated with a joke or exclamation.
Jason was able to make out something about a funeral, apparently, this was a guy Dick had gone to Gotham High with. His name was Ollie and was going to college at Bludhaven Community College.
"We need to go get him!" Damian stressed in a whispered voice.
"Not yet," Bruce said in a low voice.
"Yes now!" Damian argued.
Slade swore under his breath and Jason turned around at the strange behavior. Slade was usually so uniform and controlled. Slade had reached behind himself and plucked something off the back of his calf. Attached to his combat boots was a small black plastic oval with an even tinier blue light in the center.
"Shit" Jason said.
Suddenly voices below them started yelling for help. Everyone whirled around to the street below them to see 5 figures in black combat suits and masks cornering Dick and Ollie.
Dick had his hands up and Ollie was backing up, tugging on Dick's t-shirt.
The figures were all tall with shaved heads of different colored hair. They didn't have the custom gold goggles Jason had seen before but had their awful gold-clawed gloves nonetheless.
Without saying anything, Bruce pulled out his grapple gun and threw himself over the edge, catching the ledge with his gun and swinging him down. He fell into a roll 1 second before he hit the first figure and barrelled them both backward a few feet.
The talons had tracked Slade from their first encounter and were already prepared for the rest of the Batclan to descend on them.
"Come on Dick!" Ollie yelled, insistently pulling on Dick's t-shirt.
Dick seemed hesitant to run, watching the commotion with wide eyes.
Eventually, Dick acquiesced and turned to run with his friend before halting. There was another figure behind them, making their total assailants a hefty 6.
This talon brushed past Ollie entirely and proceeded towards Dick. Dick scrambled backward, tripping over his heels before almost crashing back onto his ass. The talon threw out a hand and grasped Dick by the throat, Dick's eyes went wide and he clawed at the gloved hand around his Adam's apple.
"Grayson!" Damian yelled, he abandoned the talon he had cornered and tried to tackle the pair. The talon Damian was originally attacking, rushed behind and gripped his legs together causing them to fall to the floor.
Jason realized these talons were prepared and might be more dangerous than the first group that attacked Dick in the old business district.
Jason pulled out his gun and tried to go for his inside jacket pocket for his cryo capsules. His talon took the moment's distraction to pull out a sword from his back sheath and slash down at Jason.
Jason cursed and jumped back, gripping a capsule but dropping the gun.
The gun clattered to the concrete as the talon jumped at Jason, he slashed down and to the side and spun around in fluid masterful moves. These talons had been trained. They were more than messengers. Jason managed to pull a separate gun from his chest holster and shot without aiming. The talon backed up slightly giving them a few feet of separation.
Jason eyed the gun behind the talon but the talon caught on to the importance of that gun in particular. Without removing his gaze from Jason's, the talon walked backward, sword pointed out at Jason's chest until his heel hit the gun. The talon smirked and then kicked it into the gutter to his left.
Jason cursed under his breath hearing the echo and then a deep splash as the gun hit the sewers down below. Jason quickly pocketed his capsules and took out another gun pinting both at the talon.
Behind his attacker, Damian was wrestling on the ground with a talon twice his size. The talon gripped Damian's shoulder as if to pin him and hold him flat to the sidewalk but then suddenly thrust down with both hands onto his shoulder.
There was a sharp crack followed by Damian's cry. "Fuck" Jason yelled. He turned his aim to the body on top of Damian and let loose all his rounds. 2 hit directly in his head while the rest made ripples in the talon's broad frame and back.
The body slouched forward onto Damian and didn't move.
Jason didn't have any time to be glad, his own talon lunged forward and sliced at him, nicking the zipper of his jacket Jason bounced backward into a stiff handspring.
He had never been as flexible as his other brothers. Dick was built for the life, Tim was prone to be more lean than bulky and Damian was still a kid. Once Jason hit his teens he had bulked up and never stopped, genetically prone to more muscle than anything fluid and flexible.
The talon stayed on the offense and continued to slash and twirl at Jason. Suddenly, Jason heard gunshots that weren't his, and his talon cursed before stumbling to the right. He gripped his thigh where a bullet had embedded itself deeply and they both looked over to see that Slade had decapitated his opponent and was now facing Jason's talon.
Jason's talon pointed his sword at Jason but looked at Slade with a cocky smirk. "Do you truly think a bullet will be efficient enough for me? After everything you've seen from u-" The talon was cut off as Slade fired another bullet into the talon's chest. The talon stumbled back and his eyes went wide before he looked down into his padded chest to see a tinge of blue liquid seeping from a smaller hole.
The talon stumbled before his face contorted in rage and he swung on Slade completely. The talon was much slower than before and much more angry.
Slade sidestepped the talon before shooting him again in the shoulder. His right side jerked back at the shot and his sword arm went limp, dropping his sword soon after. The talon snarled in fury and jumped at Slade. Slade let him make contact before rolling backward, unfurling his own combat knife, and plunging into the chest bullet hole. The talon jerked and spit up blood before collapsing on Slade's front.
Slade grunted and threw the talon off him. The talon was barely awake but Jason watched with wide eyes as the knife wound edges started to close, the edges knitting together leaving pink irritated flesh behind. The wound stopped moving as soon as it formed a circle and Jason realized that the cryo bullets stopped the healing along with the talon's strength.
The talon was snarling slightly as blood dribbled down his chin, he was jerking like he was in pain and fighting the pulling of unconsciousness. He didn't last long, as his eyes closed in under a minute and his body fell limp against the concrete.
Without a word to Slade, Jason turned to look for Tim. The replacement was hurting, Jason noted as he ran to assist.
Tim was unfamiliar with guns and never felt the urge to learn like Jason so he was helplessly dodging sword attacks from his attacker. He had a blue syringe gripped in his hand and was trying to get close but failing.
Tim's bo staff lay in 2 pieces behind him as they lept around each other.
"Hey, fucker!" Jason called to distract from Tim. The talon glanced at him briefly but that was all Tim needed to tackle the talon. The assassin was bigger and stronger than Tim's 19-year-old frame and quickly pinned him. Jason jumped on the talon's back and twisted so he had the talon's back on top of him with an arm over his throat and his thighs wrapped around his stomach and groin.
"Now!" yelled Jason. Tim ran to their side and struggled with the talon, their hands slapping and swatting at each other.
Jason used his remaining energy to tighten his arm over the talon's neck and cut off airflow. The talon gasped suddenly and his arms flew up on instinct to pull Jason's arm away. Tim took his opportunity and plunged his arm down into the talon's chest. Jason watched as Tim's syringe emptied quickly, but didn't let the talon go just yet. Within seconds, the talon was moaning and shivering in Jason's hold. It reminded Jason of a bad LSD trip. The talon went limp and lay there moaning faintly.
Jason pushed him off and over to the side, his body slumping like dead weight. Tim was breathing heavily and clutching his stomach. His shoulders were both slashed and bleeding, and his nose was still steadily dripping from a punch most likely.
Tim nodded to Jason as their attention was drawn to the last few attackers. Damian had pulled himself over to the side of a building and Jason wasn't sure how conscious he was. Batman and Deathstroke were struggling with the biggest talon between them. Beyond that, Dick and Ollie were struggling with their last talon. Neither were hurt but Dick had gotten free and they were both swinging wildly at the talon every time he took a step towards them. Despite Dick's behavior portraying him as a clumsy civilian, he was wielding a medium-sized serrated tactical knife like a pro as Ollie made small jabs with a pocket knife.
Dick's throat was bleeding from a few scratches on either side of his neck and his shirt was stretched and torn at the collar.
Slade's gun was on the ground and Jason noticed that the barrel was strangely crimped like someone had clamped a hand over the barrel and squeezed a fist over it.
Jason quickly took a handful of capsules from his inside jacket pocket and clenched his hand into a loose fist. He took a running start at the talon's back facing Bruce. Bruce saw his progression and swung his bo staff at the talon's knees. The talon jumped over the swing and Jason tackled the talon at his lower back while in mid jump. They went tumbling and the talon had no chance as Slade, Bruce, and Jason all descended upon him. He was stuck half on his back, his torso twisted to the side slightly. Jason hoped the fucker was highly uncomfortable. Jason straddled his chest and tried to lean his knees onto his throat and collarbones.
The talon jerked and thrusted and bounced in every way he could almost throwing Jason off. Slade held his knees down with his hands and body weight as Batman handcuffed his wrists above his hand and restrained him to the concrete. Jason leaned forward and socked the talon across the face so roughly he felt his knuckles bruise beneath his gloves.
The talon's head whipped to the side and his mouth flew open, spittle and blood splattering the ground beside his head. Jason quickly shoved his handful of capsules inside his mouth and closed it covering his mouth and pinching his nose. The talon fumed and glared at Jason above him, refusing to swallow. Jason vaguely realized that this talon may be able to hold his breath for longer than they could afford right now and socked him again. Jason punched him 2 more times before he heard the small sounds of medical-grade glass shattering inside the talon's mouth.
The talon's expression shifted as soon as the liquid started to drip down the back of his throat without consent. He tried to purse his lips and spit out what he could. Blue-tinged split dribbled out of the corners of his mouth but the cryo liquid had already taken effect. The talon's eyes became glazed and he gasped as if he was high and sedated at the same time. Within seconds, his head fell back and his body went limp as he fell unconscious. Jason hoped he was dead.
"Grayson!" Everyone turned around suddenly at Robin's cry.
Damian was standing but trembling horribly. His right shoulder was drenched in blood and the curvature of his shoulder into his upper arm looked to be deformed slightly.
Damian was trying to advance on the last pair in front of him with his sword.
The talon had cornered Ollie and Grayson and was mere feet away. Forcing them to back into a wall across the street.
Dick and Ollie were side by side and swinging widely with their knives.
Dicks face was a mixture of anxiety and anger. His hair had come loose and now sat at the nape of his neck drenched in sweat.
The talon stepped forward when suddenly Ollie shot forward with his 2-inch blade. Ollie jabbed 1 once and slashed to the side; aiming for the talon's chest.
The talon avoided by leaning opposite of the blade. His clawed hand jerked out and snatched Ollie's wrist quickly, clamping on and digging his metal claws into his flesh.
Ollie cried out and dropped his pocket knife, Dick cried out and made to step forward. The talon twisted Ollie's wrist forcing him to stumble with the larger body behind him.
The talon manipulated Ollie so his back was caged against his chest with his remaining arm securing him tightly by the throat.
Ollie choked and grasped at the strong arm over his throat, his other arm was still caged by the talon's claws and was spread out and behind in a way that strained his shoulder joint immensely.
"Don't!" Cried Dick as he stepped forward and waved his hands. "Drop the weapon Gray Son" ordered the talon.
Dick dropped his knife immediately and it clattered to the sidewalk.
"You are to return with us Gray Son, Grandmaster has ordered it. All the Owls have ordered it. You were not permitted to leave and had not finished your training and induction yet."
Dicks eyes were wet and wild with disbelief "Who are you?" He exclaimed. "I don't know what you're talking about, please! My friend-just let us go dude I won't say anything to the cops I swear the cops here suck anyway, you'd never get caught".
The talon tilted his head to the side as he analyzed Dick, probably picking up on his vastly different speech and behavior.
"Hey, fucker!" Yelled Jason. The talon didn't turn around to see the group behind him and Jason snarled in response. He took a batarang from Tim's waist and threw it at the talon.
It hits its mark and sunk in deep. The talon growled and bowed his back for a second in response to the sharp zing of pain in his shoulder blades.
The talon growled low and clenched his hand tighter around Ollie's throat. Ollie lost all access to air and started to choke, his legs fell under him as he stumbled but wasn't allowed to genuinely fall.
"Ollie!" Dick ran forward and the talon reacted in response, his claws sunk into Ollie's throat before keeping his fingers clenched together and ripping his hand out toward Dick.
Dick stood dumbstruck as his friend's throat was torn out, blood splattering Dick's face and neck as he watched the body fall to the ground.
The bats behind the talon gasped and jumped on the 2 more forcefully.
The movement brought dick back and he shuddered "Ollie!" He cried. Dick went to fall to his knees for his friend but was caught halfway down and wretched back up to his feet.
The talon grasped Dick's shoulders and jerked him back to his chest, Dick struggled forward and squirmed but froze when the talon drew his claws over his throat tightly. Dick froze and the talon was able to wrap his palm around Dick's throat, his claws gripping and pinching the sides of his jaw. Dick was gripping the arm over his throat and insistently pulling on it, making it easier for the talon to grip his wrists in his free hand.
All within a few seconds the talon had gotten a hold of Dick and froze as he was surrounded by Slade and the remaining bats. The talon turned to see Slade and Batman standing at the front with RedHood, RedRobin, and Robin creating a defensive half-circle around him. Dick was panicking and breathing heavily. Even though he was about the same height as his captor and just as physically capable, he wasn't acting on anything.
"What the fuck Dickie!" Jason shouted, "You seriously let these jackasses get one up on you?"
Dick looked at Jadon as his statement and Jason didn't see any of the recognition he saw with Damian 2 nights ago. Dick's clear blues were wide and glistening. His cheeks were rosy with perspiration and his legs trembled in fear.
What was going on Jason thought frantically. Did Golden Boy really have memory issues? Why was he acting like a civilian when it was just vigilantes now?
Everyone started to wordlessly close in on the talon and corner the pair. At the movement, Dick's eyes swept over everyone else and his face froze.
A large grin spread over Dick's face.
"Master!"
That stopped everyone.
Everyone dropped their guard and turned to look at Slade with suspicion and horror coating their eyes.
Slade was looking directly at Dick and had straightened up, unimaginable pride and smug satisfaction were rolling off Slade's figure in waves. "Hello pretty bird" he purred back.
The talon holding Dick looked at Slade and glared deeply, "You traitor!" he spat at Slade.
Jason was stuck between who to focus on, all these private conversations and meetings that had apparently happened without the bats.
Did dick just call Slade master? Did he remember Slade? Does Slade know the talons more than he let on?
"Drop him" Batman ordered
The talon's lips thinned as he realized he was outnumbered. His eyes started searching behind the bats for escape routes when he cried out. Damian had snuck around and stabbed the base of his spine with his blunt-tipped bo staff.
His grip loosened and Dick wrenched himself free, stumbling to the side.
Damian had most likely cracked something but the talon was only down for a minute. He straightened shakily and was breathing hard as If he couldn't contain his fury. He pulled a sword off the sheathe in his back but before he could swing it down properly, Slade shot him in the head. Everyone jumped at the sudden action as the body fell back with a large thump. Slade approached quickly and picked up the fallen sword, he swung down with one hand, severing the talon's head. Dick cried out from the side and Batman shoved Slade away.
"We don't kill!" Batman yelled in Slade's face
"Oh, we don't? Then what was all that talk about giving your brats here permission to use lethal force?"
"That was with the newly approved guns and only because the talons would regenerate and heal! He won't heal!" Bruce yelled pointing a finger at the head rolling by Ollie's body.
"Dick?" Tim said. He had noticed Dick had frozen in place, his gaze sliding from his friend's body to Slade and Batman, and to the large talon who was just threatening him.
Dick looked at Tim's call and everyone looked at Dick. Dick looked at Redrobin with a hesitant reproachful look but made no move to run.
"I-I-I'm sorry" Dick stuttered. "I swear we weren't doing anything illegal I don't even know that guy. "
Tim put his hands up, "I know I know I swear" he rushed out. Tim paused, not quite sure how to proceed now that they were all finally here and together. "Dick, do you remember me?"
Dick looked confused at the question, "You're RedRobin…From Gotham. I know you. Kinda" An insecure aura overcame Dick's form.
"No" Tim clarified, "I mean do you know who I am, really? Do you remember us?"
"Dickhead," Jason said, "Remember us? You me and the demon brat over there ran into each other a few days ago"
Dick looked at RedHood and then back at Robin who was approaching as well.
"I swear, I'm sorry for whatever this is but GPD didn't tell me to come in. Do I have to testify like a jury case?"
"Grayson, get a hold of yourself!" Robin reprimanded.
Dick jumped at the crass tone directed at him and he tensed up, backing away a few steps.
"Robin" Batman admonished.
"Do you know who you are?" Batman asked again.
Dick cleared his throat, "I'm uhhh Dick-er Richard Grayson"
"Nothing else?" Batman asked, no emotion crossed his face.
"Why, was that the wrong answer?" Dick was starting to panic slightly. He had no idea why all of Gotham's bats were here in Bludahaven and asking him who he was. No one was doing anything about Ollie and -oh god Ollie. His family would be devastated.
Dick had only just reconnected the other day with Ollie from back when they went to High School together. Ollie thought he was a street copycat until Dick started to speak with him. Then Ollie wouldn't stop going on and on about how everyone was convinced he died because of a funeral the Waynes held for Richard Grayson right before they all graduated.
Dick was so confused he thought Ollie was joking, but he was adamant. Dick couldn't remember any elaborate pranks or events but bet it was some old PR stunt Tim concocted to mess with Gotham Gazzet. Tim truly hated the lack of privacy Gotham journalists thought Bruce and his kids deserved and was always planning the best hoax stories for GG to write about only for it to be debunked and for them to be forced to apologize and retract the printings.
Tim was so mischievous, especially when he got along with Jason and Damian, they were all unstoppable. Suddenly these hulking figures attacked them and one guy killed Ollie, jesus this must be more than a mugging. Blud was rough, but this was horrific, Dick thought.
Batman looked at Slade on his right, "Do you recognize him?" he motioned to Slade.
Dick looked at the man behind Batman. He was dressed in all black with orange and gold tinted armor and a mask that covered everything except one eye slit. There was something familiar about him Dick thought, it made him want to shiver but he stood stiff and suppressed the vague feelings.
Saying kinda would no doubt make it worse for himself, "No" said Dick.
Batman sighed, "What were you doing out here, why aren't you in Gotham with the Waynes?"
Dick frowned, "How do you know I live with Bruce Wayne?"
"Everyone knows Bruce's first adopted street rat" Jason replied.
"He didn't adopt me Dick" shot back. Batman grunted and stood straighter, to which Dick shot him a peculiar look.
"Why? Am I not allowed to go anywhere but Gotham?" Jason noticed that Dick's tone was normalizing back to his usual playful sassy behavior.
"Richard Grayson, you will need to come with us," Batman said over Dick.
"What?" Dick gasped, "Are you freaking arresting me? No!"
"This isn't an arrest Dic-" Tim was cut off as Dick suddenly turned around and sprinted down the street towards the more populated intersection.
Jason and Bruce cursed before taking off after him. Slade held the lead as they sprinted after him.
Dick took a sharp right and ran down an alley, knocking trash cans down behind him as he went. He suddenly came to a fenced wall and instead of stopping Jason watched as he increased his speed and jumped into a forward flip, his fingers and toes caught on the top level before he lept the rest of the way over and landed in a crouch behind the fence. Jason cursed as he and Tim climbed the fence as quickly as possible. He noticed Batman, Deathstroke, and Robin weren't tailing them so he hoped they were cutting Dick off further down the street. They quickly chased after Dick and were surprised at how hard it was to keep up with him. Golden Boy was usually good at acting like a dumb playboy in public, why was he ditching the act suddenly? All these jumps and flips couldn't have been managed by a rich brat.
They came to a Y split behind a group of old apartment buildings, Tim had fallen behind and was rounding every corner just as Dick and Jason rounded the next.
Suddenly, a batarang flew out from the left branch of the alleyway and hit dick in the ass. Dick went flying forward at the shock and sudden pain. He tumbled forward into a summersault; dislodging the weapon from his body in the process. Damian came flying at his prone form and jumped on his back, gripping his torso with his still-growing legs.
"Grayson! Enough! Stop this foolishness!" Damian demanded; his mask narrowed. Dick let himself go limp and fell back on Damian with a thud, Damian yelled out as his broken shoulder was twisted violently and let go to scramble up but Dick flipped backward over his head before he could and pinned his arms down above his head. Damian gapped at the smooth reaction but Dick was suddenly tackled to the side. Jason felt Tim reach his side as they watched Slade try to restrain Dick. "Enough!" Slade gritted out as he tried to contain Dick's wiggling form.
Dick snarled at Slade, his eyes brightening to a vibrant yellowish-gold hue with no warning. Tim gasped beside Jason which confirmed Jason's doubts about what he saw on the rooftop ages ago.
"Don't take me back!" Dick yelled out
"Where?" Damian yelled back. Dick didn't respond and Damian tried again, "Are you trying to avoid the Court Grayson?"
During their scuffle, Slade had managed to pin Dick to the floor so his stomach and thighs were pressed flat against the floor and his arms were forcefully laid out in front of him like a superman pose.
"Richard" Slade said as they both lay there panting. "Don't fight me, boy"
"I'm not Richard," Dick said with a roar. He threw his head back into Slade's so far Slade cursed and fell back. Slade stood up and Dick scrambled to his feet. Dick's headbutt had dented the front of Slade's mask. Slade took his mask off, leaving him bare-faced and with a bloody nose. He threw his mask at Batman's feet, "I'm billing you"
Dick was facing them in a low crouch that reminded Jason of a cornered predator. His eyes were still bright yellow, with no hint of their authentic blue.
"You cannot force me to return" Dick snarled.
"To where?" Batman asked, "The Court?"
Dick nodded, his glare still firmly in place. "We aren't taking you back there, we want to take you home" Batman placated.
"Remember what we talked about, Dickhead?" Jason asked. He took off his helmet to show Dick. He even tried tugging out a soft white piece of hair to show Dick and jog his memory of their weird interaction and hug.
Dick stared at Jason's hair for a moment before looking at Jason's face. Jason felt Dick's searching gaze and removed his mask as well. Batman protested behind him, but Jason flipped him off while maintaining eye contact with Dick.
"Come on Dickie, let it come back to you. You know us. Even the old perv we brought" Jason motioned to Slade's frowning face.
While Dick was distracted, Bruce had been loading his last capsule into his flare gun. He clicked the cartridge closed but the sound drew Dick's attention and his eyes narrowed in distrust. He began backing away but gasped as a gunshot went off. They all looked down to see a dark red stain spreading over Dick's chest. His t-shirt was stretched and torn and now bloody. Dick stumbled and looked up to see Slade lowering his gun. Suddenly another higher-pitched sound went off and Dick's body jerked again as he was shot in the stomach. Batman lowered his flare and watched as Dick stumbled back into the wall behind him. He clutched his stomach as blue-tinged blood ran down his front. He slid down against the wall until his butt hit the ruddy ground and he started to breathe faster.
Damian and Tim ran to Dick's side. Both trying to get his attention and keep him awake. Tim was frantically pulling bandages out of his pack when Slade's voice interrupted him, "You won't need that"
Tim turned around to tell Slade off when they all heard a small clink. The bullet Slade had shot Dick with had forced itself out of his chest and onto the ground. Tim and Damian watched with gapped mouths as Dick's chest healed the bullet wound in his chest, leaving a small pink circle of bare skin. Tim noted that the cryo capsule was still leaking blueish-tinged blood.
"Mmgghhhh" Dick moaned from the base of his throat, he tried to hold his head up but his eyes kept fluttering furiously. His eyes had receded in color and were now a stained blue color. Dick moaned as they all crowded around his form, blood and spit dribbled from his lips onto his lap and his head lolled forward almost pulling his whole body face-first onto the ground. Tim caught his shoulders and pushed him back lightly so he was leaning against the wall with his head angled against his own shoulder. He tried to keep his eyes open even if he couldn't maintain eye contact with anything but lost the fight within a few minutes and slumped completely.
"What the fuck" Tim said to no one.