Cobb nodded to the servants waiting in the shadows and the 2 men disappeared. Bruce and his sons held their breath as the men disappeared. Was Cobb really going to bring out Dick?

Cobb wore a lazy smile, full of satisfaction and smugness, "Most of our dealings are almost done and wrapped up, so I figured this may be one of the last opportunities to have this wonderful little rag-tag family together once again". He said the word 'family' like a vegetarian would when ordering a prime rib steak. It didn't take long before the sounds of feet and rustling materials became louder and closer.

"Grayson!"
"Dick!"
"Fuck"

Jason, Damian, and Tim cried out as Dick was dragged before them. He was held between the two men and was drenched to the point where droplets still ran freely down his chin and dripped from his dark locks. Dick was shirtless and only dressed in skin-tight bike shorts. He looked to be trying to walk with his handlers but kept stumbling. Bruce did his best to focus on Dick's eyes or catch his gaze but his oldest son's eyes were severely glazed and distant.

"He's received a break between some of his condition training so I figured we had some time to let him out. The poor boy really does need more room to run about, but that is something we can resolve much much later"

The men stopped beside Cobb but Dick wasn't able to stay standing and slumped heavily in the guards' arms, causing them to hoist him partially up by his upper arms. Cobb leaned down and grabbed a fistful of dark wet hair, wrenching Dick's head up for the rest of the room to see. Dick's unfocused gaze was bright gold and glassy as he blinked heavily and tried to focus on Cobb before him.

"Grey Son, are you feeling well?"

Dick swallowed heavily and nodded lethargically.

"Words, Grey" Lincoln admonished from behind. Dick blinked slowly, trying to form the words.

Eventually an, "Mhmmmm" came out from his throat.

Cobb smiled endearingly, "He's still recovering, I see". Lincoln nodded.

"What did you give him?" Bruce demanded, his eyes firmly planted on Dick.

Cobb waved him off, "Nothing much, just some muscle relaxers and a shot to help him focus on what I'd prefer him to"

Bruce growled, "You gave him suggestive LSD?"

Cobb blinked, "Ahhhh, yes I forgot you and your brood like to eavesdrop. Yes, that among others. It helps the boy listen to his superiors better, nothing more"

"You keep going on and on about all this shit and a good weapon, but all I see is a drugged-up doll" Jason retorted.

"This is temporary," Lincoln said quickly. He looked away when Cobb shot him a sharp look.

"Yes," Cobb said after a moment, "These are not meant to be long-term, merely to help him acclimate. He doesn't do very well after extended isolation you see. That coupled with the nightmares….well, even our own medical staff is aware of the dangers of psychosis and other similar disorders"

Cobb gestured for the men holding Dick to take a step back. They let go of Dick's arms who slumped forward onto his hands and knees; breathing heavily.

"Grey Son?"

Dick didn't respond.

Cobb frowned, "Grey Son" he barked in a cold tone. Dick seemed to respond to his sharp tone and struggled to lift his head. He blinked rapidly and blearily as he scanned the room. He saw Bruce and Slade but his expression never wavered as his gaze swept over them and past. Bruce could see his sons straining to make eye contact with Dick but he showed no recognition. Bruce hoped it was just the drugs warping Dick's reality and not something more severe.

"Talon, at ease," Cobb said sternly.

Despite how obviously weak and disoriented Dick was, he scrambled to his feet and did his best to straighten up. He continued to sway slightly but the room was dead silent, save for the sound of a single young man dripping water.

"Isn't he marvelous?" Cobb breathed, "The boy's determination to get something accomplished or follow orders is startling sometimes. I suppose I have you to thank for that, Bruce"

Cobb fainly ran 3 fingers down Dick's bare spine. Dick's fingers twitched and his eyes jerked around the room suddenly.

Bruce narrowed his eyes, "Take your hands off of my son, Cobb"

Cobb tsked, "You're not in charge here, Bruce. This is my Grandson and my organization. I do sympathize though; truly. It must be awful to lose"

"Dick! What the fuck! Snap out of it!" Jason exclaimed.

"Dick!" Tim tried, to no avail.

"Richard" Damian breathed. He was close to tears and the only thing that kept them at bay was the utter shock that was managing his emotions. He'd seen Dick in plenty of vulnerable states before, especially in the last year but he'd never seen him at the mercy of their opponent so helplessly. Dick twitched slightly and turned to look towards his brothers. He studied them for a moment before something clicked and his eyes widened slightly. His breathing sped up slightly as he watched the 3 to his right.

"Dickhead! Come on!" Jason yelled again. His eyes were frantic as he scanned Dick repeatedly, "You're freaking out the little demon"

Dick looked at Damian even though Jason never motioned to Damian. He looked back to Jason and his eyes narrowed in concentration, "Jay?"

Jason felt his eyes wet rapidly and he nodded his head so fast and hard he had to ignore the whiplash that seared through the column of the back of his neck, "Yea! Yes! It's me"

"Talon!" Cobb barked.

Dick didn't seem to hear him as he raised a hand and took a stumbling step towards Jason, "Jay…"

Lincoln caught Dick's forearm before he could take another step and that seemed to jolt him out of his focused trance. Dick whipped around to face Lincoln and he lost his balance; stumbling to the side. Lincoln caught his shoulders and steadied him, "Hey now, Gray. Gray? Gray, focus on me. You hear me?"

Dick's eyes were slightly frantic and confused as he tried to focus on Lincoln. Despite his shorter stature, Lincoln was supporting a majority of his weight. Dick's gaze was flicking back and forth between each of Lincoln's pupils, but he nodded unsteadily.

"No! Fuck him! Dickie! Dick! Look at me, over here!" Jason yelled out as Dick's focus was redirected.

Dick's brow furrowed and he went to turn but Lincoln caught his chin, "No, Grey. Eyes on me. Blue"

At that one word, Dick's face went slack and his head jerked towards Cobb in an instant. Cobb had been watching Lincoln and Dick but smiled at that quick reaction from Dick.

Without taking his gaze off Dick, Cobb ordered Lincoln to take Dick and leave, "I'll join you both shortly. Take him back to medical and keep him under observation"

Lincoln nodded and shouldered Dick toward the cells' exit.

"Richard!" Damian cried out with Jason. Dick's head jerked to the left but Lincoln shushed him again and hauled him away down the hallway they entered.

"Dick!"
"Richard!"

All 3 brothers continued to yell out after the 2 had disappeared. Bruce felt frozen as his son was taken away and he could do nothing. His son was heavily under the influence of multiple toxins and drugs. His critical thinking and basic reasoning were at risk and Bruce could tell from the plain dazed look his Dick's eyes that he was struggling to make sense of most of his surroundings. Bruce knew that Cobb wanted that glazed look in Dick's eyes to continue as long as it kept him pliant, but hoped that there wasn't a cemented plan on what to do to enforce Dick's willingness.

Cobb rolled his eyes heavily, "You boys take persistence to a whole new level. Be done with the yelling already"

Bruce felt like his skin was broiling. Dick was in desperate trouble. He seemed to lean into Lincoln as casually as he would Jason or Tim and that troubled Bruce deeply. He saw how Dick reacted to his brothers' voices but he was under heavy suggestion so his responses were unreliable. Was this how they treated Dick last time? Was he drugged until he couldn't tell friend from foe?

"This won't work," Bruce told Cobb gravely, "You'll break him with these methods. Waterboarding? Combining reality-altering drugs? I don't care if Dick can heal fast, you and your measely cabal will break him and then he won't be of use to you"

Cobb leaned in close, "He'll be of use to the Court or he'll be placed 6 feet under"

Bruce snapped out but the cuffs bit into his wrists and forearms, jerking him back against the cold wall. He looked to Deathstroke, who had been mostly quiet through their entire interaction with Dick. He was watching Cobb with a level of coldness that made even Bruce feel slightly unsettled. He was as still as a viper before it struck its prey.

"William" Slade said softly, "Be careful with that boy. If you break it" Slade's eye narrowed, "You pay for it"

Cobb narrowed his eyes at Slade's tone but followed Lincoln and Dick without another word.

Dick stumbled as Lincoln helped him walk down the hallway. His mind was beyond foggy and he couldn't make sense of his own thoughts. As soon as he tried to concentrate on an idea or thought, it flitted away from him. It felt like trying to catch a butterfly with your hands.

He could still hear Jason's, Tim's, and Damian's voices still ringing in his ears; which was even stranger because there was no way his brothers could he here. He focused but couldn't seem to put a face to the names he was sure floated through his thoughts currently. He'd seen Grandmaster and for a second he'd seemed pleased with him; which was always good. Beyond that though. Grey wasn't too sure what had happened between his last medical check-up and now.

"What…." Grey trailed off as he searched for the right words. His mouth and brain still weren't cooperating well.

Lincoln hefted him up higher, "It's fine, Grey. Nothing is wrong, we're just going back to your room"

His brow furrowed, 'they were?'

"But-but I think I heard…" whose voices had he heard again? Something in his drowsy memory told him red; something about red. Red and shiny. Green too?

"It was Grandmaster, he used a command word and you reacted well; that's all"

He watched the floor as his feet struggled to keep up with Lincoln's.

"My thoughts aren't working, Lincoln Logs"

Lincoln released a quick puff of air that told Grey Lincoln had smothered his laugh like usual, "I know"

He gnawed on his lip as he mulled over what was missing. Was it a memory? Did he forget to do something?

Dark, red…dark hair.

Dark everything. Dark ears.

Dark hair.

Dark figure.

Black, all black; thretening.

Birds-bats

"Batman!" Gray exclaimed. Lincoln's posture went stiff and he stopped their pace. His grip shifted and tightened on Grey, "What did you just say?" he breathed.

"Batman, Lincoln! That's what I was forgetting"

Lincoln's eyes were wide and anxious, the corners were creased as if he often wore this expression.

"Is that so?" a voice drawled.

They both turned to see Grandmaster making his way towards them, "Sir-" Lincoln tried.

Cobb held up a hand to silence the Talon. He turned his cold gaze onto his Grandson, "Why do you need to remember the Batman, Talon?"

His tone was frigid and sharp, but Grey didn't seem to notice, "I-I'm not sure. But I've had some dreams and he's there with tall ears and-and just now! I think, I mean I'm having trouble remembering but-"

"You believe you just saw the Batman?" Cobb inquired slowly, still advancing on the younger man.

Grey looked into Cobb's eyes and shrugged slightly, finally keying into the older man's posture and tone of voice, "I-I'm not sure, but I was forgetting something and it's red or black….I think it's Batman"

Cobb nodded in understanding as he observed the younger man. Grey Son was still barely clothed and shivering slightly.

Suddenly, a sharp sting and force threw Grey's head to the side and he fell into the wall on his left, scraping his temple roughly. Gray looked up quickly, trying to find his attacker. His gaze locked onto Grandmaster whose hand was still in the air.

"You" Cobb advanced, "Do not decide what or who you are missing" he hissed lowly.

Grey Son tried to back up but his back was already to the wall. He watched Grandmaster advance on him and lost control over his breathing pattern. His chest and air suddenly felt shallow and demure, like he couldn't take a full breath without deserving to get slapped again. He felt a tickle near the corner of his mouth and darted his tongue out to catch a drop of water, but instead tasted sharp copper. Cobb closed in until their noses touched and Grey almost went cross-eyed from trying to focus on both of his eyes. He felt frozen. His limbs were locked and he couldn't take a deep breath.

"You. Obey. Me. Boy"

Talon stared back into Cobb's eyes and suddenly hated the way the older man looked at him. He hated the lack of compassion and comradery. He hated the superior ego and pride. He hated how much he hurt, even though being with family was supposed to be nice. Before he could control it, he glared back for a second. Just a second, but that was all Cobb needed. Grandmaster's face contorted in fury and he drew an arm back to strike Talon in the face. His nose and cheek exploded in agony, followed by a roaring throbbing across his eyes and head. He clenched his eyes and tried to turn inward but Grandmaster gripped his entire throat with one large hand and threw him to the ground. He rolled a few times and stopped when his back hit the opposite wall in the hallway. He looked up just in time to see a large polished show sailing for his face. Even though Grandmaster didn't normally wear steel-toed shoes or combat boots, his meta strength was a driving force behind the kick. Grey cried out as agony shed its way across his face. Then his chest, then his shoulder, and his face again. Grey was too panic-stricken to move quickly to escape his attacker. All he could think to do was curl inward and shield his head with his arms. He felt a large foot shove the back of his head further into the floor and Grey's eyes popped open when he realized he couldn't breathe. Flashes of water and the feeling of his lungs filling overwhelmed him and Gray seized wildly. He managed to shove the foot off of his head and shot up to his butt, scrambling back until he felt the cold wall halt his escape.

Grandmaster was watching him with a raging expression. His scrupulous hair was frayed and he was breathing heavily. He knelt down before Talon and he felt his limbs lock up against his will. Talon stared back with wide unblinking eyes. Grandmaster grabbed a fistful of hair at the top of his scalp and wrenched his head back further against the wall, baring his throat completely.

"Did. You. Hear. Me?" the older breathed in a feral tone.

Talon nodded frantically, ignoring the sharp pains that came from the roots of his hair with every nod. Grandmaster's other hand shot out and roughly gripped his lower face, squishing his cheeks together and pinching his chin. He stared down Talon for what felt like an eternity. His desolate cold blue irises watched his own eyes with the apt attention of a hawk waiting for something. No, not a hawk; an owl. Talon was gripped by fear and of the unknown, he wasn't sure if he was supposed to do something or maintain his posture. He just wanted to end this feeling of terror and helplessness.

Eventually, Grandmaster released his face and took a step back, all while watching Talon.

"Grandmaster, he obeyed me and looked to you for direction as soon as I ordered it" Lincoln spoke softly and politely.

Grandmaster sniffed as if Lincoln's words had left a bad taste on his pallet, "Obeyong his directive orders are not a meaningful accomplishment, Lincoln. The boy will not be rewarded for accomplishing the bare minimum"

Talon felt disappointment and shame wash over his skin like another water session. His face felt hot and he struggled to control his trembling chin. He just wanted to impress his grandmaster, but he couldn't remember what happened or what he did wrong. He thought that remembering something as important as the Batman would be helpful, but he was wrong. Lincoln was always nice and wonderful, he cared for him but he didn't set goals for him. He didn't have to accomplish anything or prove anything to his brother-in-arms. Grandmaster's approval seemed to be an impossible reach, which made Talon all the more determined and frustrated.

"This interaction proved beneficial in the long run," Grandmaster said, finally turning to Lincoln, "I'm not sure if his mind is able to recuperate and recognize as a result of the electrum, but I don't ever want to see him react to those pathetic heroes like that again. Throw him in the maze"

Lincoln was nodding, promising to ensure that Grey lived up to expectations when he stopped short and froze at Cobb's order, "The maze? Sir, are you sure? He didn't do very well last time. Maybe he needs more time. We had years last time and this time it's only been a few months"

Cobb waved a hand and dismissed Lincoln's polite protests, "We will not break him, but this frivolous attitude of his needs to be squashed and squandered. I want a soldier and weapon, not a bright bubbly personality" He shot a dark knowing gaze at Lincoln who looked down at his feet. He nodded, "Understood, Sir….How-how long s-"

"Until I say so" Cobb snarled and stormed off.

Bruce had turned away from the hallway since Dick was taken away. Not long after, they heard a shout of anger followed by multiple cries of pain. Dick's pain.

"That fucker!" Jason snarled and pulled against his cuffs again. Bruce wasn't blind to the blood his second oldest had drawn around his wrists from today but knew that bringing attention to it would only make Jason lash out more.

Slade was watching the same direction as Bruce and said quietly, "He's going back"

"Who? Cobb?"

"Richard" Wilson said with a never-wavering gaze, "They're throwing the kid back into the maze"

"What?" Tim asked, "What for? That thing Cobb mentioned? But Dick didn't even react to us or say hi"

"I thought those fuckers dampened your meta hearing and strength n' whatever" Jason said. Bruce agreed but didn't reply.

"Richard was drugged and under heavy influence, he is not be held responsible!" Damian exclaimed angrily.

"I know, Damian, but you gotta admit that Dick didn't say hi or look at any of us like it was really us"

"He did though" Bruce rumbled. He made easy eye contact with Jason and his son looked down as if he was ashamed that his 40-second interaction had caused Dick painful consequences after.

"It's no one's fault but that fucker, Cobb" Jason snarled lowly, "And Wilson" he added after a minute; to which, Slade rolled his eyes.

"He knew we were here I think," Jason said, "He knew our voices at least, he was just hella confused"

"I doubt that was the reaction Cobb was anticipating," Wilson remarked.

"But Dick totally listened to them! Lincoln said something about blue and he looked at Cobb like he missed an order"

"Richard did not listen to those scoundrels!" Damian yelled back at Tim.

Tim threw up his hands, as much as he could, in exasperation, "I'm not saying it like it's a bad th-. Well, it is a bad thing but-Gah! Just admit it, Damian. Dick is being tortured and injected with who knows what he's starting to lose it!"

He turned to Bruce, "We can't wait any longer, B. They're doing stuff to him. I mean, they had him for years as a teenager and we got him to come back to us, we got him to remember. Why is this happening so much faster?!"

Bruce wished he could give simple concise answers to his son, especially his son who always had 4 different questions and backup questions and follow-up theories, "I'm not sure Tim. I have no idea what they are doing to Dick. From what Cobb said, isolation and drugs are a constant; unfortunately"

Slade stretched his legs out and leaned back, "From what I remember, the kid's training started out with severe isolation and the maze. It was a fucked up version of positive reinforcement therapy"

Bruce's expression was severe when he looked at Deathstroke, "What exactly is the point of the maze? What do they do in there?"

Slade laced his fingers casually but his expression mirrored Bruce's, "For most Court members and Talons it is just a test to see what their limit is. Some weaken after a lack of water or food or sleep. For Richard, it was just another chance for Cobb to experiment on him. From what I remember they deprived him of everything but water"

"Water?" Tim looked confused and concerned.

Slade nodded, "Don't get me wrong, it was laced to high hell with every level of sedative, adrenaline stimulators, and diluted LSD components that they could fit into it. But yes, water"

Tim's expression fell flat, "That's not water when there are more hallucinogenics than actual H2o"

Slade shrugged, "To each their own"

Bruce had turned inward at this information. Was Cobb experimenting on Dick? Or was Dick the stepping stone for a future project the Court was attempting? From what they'd seen so far, genetic experiments were within their normal range of scheming. This could mean a multitude of things. The Court could be eons beyond modern-day science, they could be working with the the Injustice League or the Light and Dr. Desmond, and they could be selling their work or scientific successes. He clenched his jaw, his oldest son had been the foothold for potential human abuse and genetic modifications by leaps and bounds and he had no idea.

He knew his boys felt weak and helpless right now but every time Bruce learned a new facet of Dick's history, he felt utterly incapable and powerless; like he was slowly losing his son to a past that had always been there. Compounded with the gnawing hunger from inadequate meals and sore muscles from inactive use, Bruce was surprised Damian hadn't cried more or that Jason hadn't tried to lash out more. If he'd known even a fraction of any of this, he would've raised Dick so differently. He would have made sure Dick was so much more protected and coveted. He would have never allowed Dick Grayson into Gotham's limelight for the news and paparazzi to flash his picture across every reality news platform across the east coast. Bruce thought he'd been preparing Dick for adulthood amongst Gotham's wealthiest families. In some ways, dealing with scandals and verbal sparring between some of the East Coast's elite felt like a battle all its own.

He'd been letting Dick waltz around and flash his vulnerable presence since he was 8 years old and he had no idea, hadn't fathomed how detrimental it would be for their family in the long run. Bruce thought he might run into this when he adopted Tim. Tim's parents had been Gotham socialists and weren't new money by any means but when there were no objections or severe scandals after the first year, Bruce released the resigns with Tim as well.

Wilson saw the others were looking to him for further explanation, "Every time he was let out of the maze or his cell, he got to interact with people. It developed into an easy diagnosis of social deprivation and the kid was obviously touch-starved, Basically, every time he refused to participate in the Court's training or take orders, he'd be locked up and forgotten again. So if he fought when he was told to fight, he got to be around people again"

"Who would want to be around these lowlifes" Damian sneered.

Slade's expression became stony, "Watch it kid. You never know your Achilles heel until you're actually dying of it"