"Dick" Bruce breathed as Lincoln re-entered the hallway with a new companion. They entered the cell and stopped right inside the entrance.
The cell fell quiet and still as its occupants took in the person before them. There was no way to miss Dick, but it was disorienting to see him mirroring the same figure they fought on Star Labs' roof a year ago.
Dick stood beside Lincoln with his arms placed behind his back at attention. He was clothed in all black and looked like he was just coming back from an in-field mission. His suit was predominately black Kevlar and his chest, shoulders, and thighs were covered in matte armor. His combat boots appeared new and his lower face was covered in a tactical mask that shielded the bridge of his nose, and cheekbones; stopping at his chin. It wrapped around the nape of his neck and almost looked like some sort of complicated breathing mask but was slim and sleek in all the places where additional oxygen should be stored. Bruce knew what it really was, a muzzle.
The most troubling change wasn't his new garb or Court uniform. Bruce couldn't decide where to look; his hair or his eyes. Dick's eyes were almost a fluorescent golden hue and reminded Bruce slightly of Jason's irises when pit madness overtook his senses. There was a complete lack of Dick's traditional baby blue eyes as he took in the prisoners before him. Cobb had apparently moved to have Dick presented in a way that brought back troubling memories as well because his hair was tremendously shorter than when he had last seen his boy and the right side of his head was shaved almost to the scalp. His dark hair had been cut back to the point where Dick looked like active military personnel who was letting his army-issued haircut grow out some; longer in the front and shorter on the sides. The buzzed side of his head was severe and close enough to his scalp for everyone to clearly see the tattoo the Court had given him as well. A strange abstract image of large talons seizing a small bird mid-flight. The claws were violent and large and the small bird's beak was gapped as if he was still in the middle of crying out for help.
At Bruce's voice, Dick's Amber eyes jumped to him with a cat-like precision and Bruce found himself unable to look away. Like he owed it to his son to suffer in silence with him for all that he had failed him for. His poor boy had been a walking target since 17 years old, and Bruce would only disrespect Dick's suffering if he looked away from that penetrating gaze.
Jason and Damian's cry broke Dick out of his intense connection with Bruce, "What have you done to him?! Richard?" Damian cried out.
"Dickie! Dick head!" Jason tried calling from his corner.
Dick's gaze jumped to his brothers but he remained silent and still, his chest barely rising at all.
"Don't bother, Talon has his orders and none of them involve interacting with you, do they, my boy?"
Dick answered immediately, "No Grandmaster" his voice was deep and muffled. "I think we have improved on him though, unfortunately, the poor boy has been allowed to use that silver tongue of his far too often so we've come to require some additional aid" he chuckled.
Jason snarled at the implication Dick was muzzled for talking too much.
Tim seemed as speechless as Bruce but Slade surprisingly spoke up, "Have you done something new to him? I find it hard to believe that a quarter of the time it took to break him last time was sufficient enough"
Cobb glanced disdainfully at Slade, "Our training methods are none of your business any longer, mercenary"
Slade persisted, "Are you going to have me believing a few weeks in the maze shattered his mind? What dosage of carprofenol is he on? Or did you need to use something stronger this time around?"
Slade's voice seemed to stir something in Dick and his eyes focused on Slade. His gaze was attentive and bright and it looked like he was doing his best to smother any quivers of confusion or interest he felt peaking.
Cobb sneered, "You still want to be part of his training so severely? By all means" Cobb swept a mocking hand out towards Dick, "Grey Son, please communicate how finished I am with this pathetic muscle for hire"
Confusion flitted across Dicks face for a second before Lincoln produced a short but sleek knife from his armament pouch on his thigh.
Understanding calmed Dick's brow as he accepted the blade. His fingers twirled it once, skillfully. Slade watched Dick like he was the predator and not a prisoner at the mercy of his old protegee. Dick advanced quickly on the manacled mercenary before lowering himself to one knee.
Deathstroke's legs were already splayed out in a casual manner and Dick fell smoothly between his calves. Slade grinned smoothly at Dick, ignoring the knife in his hand when suddenly a wet squelch sounded off and Slade jerked; a grunt rising in his throat. He worked to swallow down the obvious pain as he glanced down at the knife that was handle deep in Slade's upper thigh. It was angled just enough to go through both sections of connective tissue of his laterals.
Slade huffed a single laugh, "Maximizing damage with as little effort as possible. Pretty sure I taught you that first, kid"
Something in Slade's tone from Dick in place. His eyes widened slightly and his breath stuttered as the older mercenary raked his single eye over his form.
"Grey Son" Cobb's irritated voice broke Dick out of his trance. He blinked for a second, coming back to himself. He shook his head slightly as if he were in a fog and pushed himself to his feet before stationing himself back at Lincoln's side.
Bruce eyed Deathstroke on his right as he took note of the way Slade had Dick transfixed on him. Slade didn't reply but he couldn't contain the small smirk that slipped through when he felt Bruce's gaze on his profile.
"Dick!"
"Dick! Hellooooooo? Dickhead!" Finally, Jason's calling redirected Dick's attention back to him. Cobb sneered, "What did I just tell you, boy?"
Cobb stepped up on Dick's other side and grasped him under the chin, "He belongs to the court. You have no need to discuss anything further"
"Then why bring him here?" Tim asked lowly.
Cobb dropped Dick's chin, "Like I said. I'm not immeasurably cruel and am allowing this last goodbye-"
"Doesn't fucking know how a goodbye works" Jason muttered under his breath. Cobb eyed Jason before adjusting his jacket.
"What did you do to him?" Bruce finally asked. Cobb seemed to swell with pride at finally being able to make a notch in Bruce's armor.
"I assure you nothing permanent. Training is only as harsh as required to be"
Bruce glared, "Wilson is right, you did something to him. You had my son for 5 years last time and he still managed to come back to us. You expect me to believe you succeeded in less time this time around? Dick was already partly aware of you and your tactics too. That must've been another barrier for you"
He looked at Dick for a moment and realized that something he said had triggered his son's rapt attention, drawing his intense bright amber irises in his direction.
"We've seen what the light can do, this could be a clone for all we know. You just wanted his blood for your crude experiments" Damian spat./p
Cobb shrugged his shoulders, "By all means don't believe me. I have nothing to lose by telling you the truth about my grandson here. Lying would merely be an additional burden on myself"
"You owe us the truth at least. If you're right and this is the last time I see my son"
Dicks shoulders stiffed minutely.
"Then you owe me that at least. Did you alter his memories? Drug him? I know this isn't my son"
"His memory retention issues were not a consequence of any direct action on my part. My grandson here reorganized himself quite poorly on an internal plane at least" Cobb replied, "And to be clear, Wayne. I owe you nothing. You've done nothing but hinder my business affairs in Gotham and restrict my access to my only grandchild. You've been a thorn in the court's side for far too long. I should have been the one to properly raise my last living blood from the start but you filled his head with nonsense and noise, convincing him that limiting himself is the best use of his talents"
Cobb reached out suddenly and grasped a handful of Dick's hair, the short tufts barely being enough to have a handle on, "This boy is a weapon, my weapon. Accept that he was never yours Bruce. Move on and hope that the League of Shadows does not execute you and your heathens immediately" Cobb let go of Dick and he straightened without a word.
Bruce seethed and glared as he watched them. He didn't buy one word of what Cobb was trying to imply, that Dick belonged with the court so he naturally gave in faster this time around. Bruce feared for what drugs and influences Dick would have to be pumped and cleansed of when they rescued him. Despite being a prisoner here, he was tall and lean, looking very well-fed. His hair looked soft and had a nice sheen to it but his eyes had a heady glaze to them. It seemed to fade every time something caught his attention enough to zero in on but for the most part, Dick was not 100% mentally present or was being given reality-inducing suggestive chemicals to alter his perception and behavior. It worried Bruce on a whole other level because Dick's healing factor was most likely being pushed to its limit. If they were giving him anything to mess with his body or mind it was probably incredibly beyond the suggested amount for a safe dosage or else his healing factor and regeneration would burn right through it.
The boys had reported to him that Dick made an escape attempt and they'd seen each momentarily, making their acknowledgment of each other quite obvious. Bruce gritted his teeth in frustration, something about Wilson brought Dick's awareness back to the surface but it might only be because Slade knew the right keywords and tonality to phrase something and bring Dick out of his stupor. They still didn't have the full picture but Bruce knew that Wilson had been here to witness and train Dick during his first captivity. It had only fallen apart when Slade had doublecrossed the court and taken Dick on the run. It sickened Bruce to suspect that Slade had implemented key trigger words to manipulate his son's behavior while pretending to be an unexpected comrade at the same time. He'd have to encourage Dick to not be so trusting in the future. His other sons had the appropriate level of hostility down pat.
Dick shifted unsteadily and readjusted his grip on the bloody knife at his side. The blade was so engorged in Slade's blood that the silver was no longer visible and thick red drops were still falling every few seconds. His eyes flickered around the room as if he was hesitant to look at Bruce again. Jason watched Dick's nervous behavior and frowned when Lincoln shuffled a half step closer to brush against Dick's side. The presence and movement seemed to calm the younger man and his fidgeting ceased for now.
It was difficult for Jason to see exactly what was going through Dick's mind as most of his face was masked. He did his best to keep track of Cobb's and Bruce's conversation while never taking his attention from Dick. He knew the other boy had amazing sensory skills and his periphery extended a couple of inches beyond the normal person. He just needed Dick to look at him again. He remembered when he pulled Dick out of his last stupor. Something about his face or hair reminded Dick enough to shake himself out of his mental fog. He just had to divert his attention from Lincoln.
"Your plan is faulty" Bruce growled, "Dick remembered us and came back to his family even after 5 years with you. As soon as you send him on one of your pointless missions he'll run. You can't control him like you think you can"
Cobb hummed thoughtfully, "You might be right Wayne, in that case, I guess I'll never let him out. Problem solved"
Dicks upper body jolted and he failed horribly to stiffen in time to hide it. Everyone noticed it but Cobb spoke quickly to move on, "Well as there won't be much of a 2 sided conversation happening here. We'll take our leave. I'll have others come to assist when the League arrives. Your eldest miscreant will be dealt with separately" he motioned to Jason.
He turned when Tim called out, "Wait!"
Cobb turned back with a superficial speck of curiosity plastered across his face, "Yes Timothy?"
"Please let us talk to him… genuinely. Just-"
Cobb rolled his eyes, "Oh alright" he replied. "For you, I can make the exception. Grey Son" Dick jerked to attention again, "Would you like to speak to the prisoners?"
Dick's eyes widened and he turned slightly to Cobb. His throat bobbed as if he was searching for the words but kept swallowing them.
Cobb smiled, "I'll make it easier for you boy. How do they make you feel?" Dick looked back at Bruce and Slade before glancing at Tim for a moment. He turned to Lincoln who nodded subtly, "Confused Grandmaster"
"Oh?"
"Thry-" Dick tried again, his voice rough, "My head hurts"
"Yes Dick!"
Everyone turned to Jason who was sitting straight up, "Remember Dick? Seeing us again for the first time gave you killer migraines! It doesn't last you just gotta remember us"
Everyone held their breath as Dick scrutinized Jason, his golden eyes softened as he perused Jason's face before jumping to the bleached tuft of hair on his head. Jason felt and saw Dick's gaze softening and couldn't contain his soaring hope and excitement, "Come on dickhead! It's us! Replacement and demon brat!"
While the familiar insult wouldn't have bothered their Dick, this Dick seemed to receive it as a genuine insult. His features turned down and his brow pinched in displeasure. He looked back at Cobb who had been watching the entire exchange closely. He saw how Lincoln itch to get closer to him as some sort of support or reminder.
"I don't like my headaches" Dick reported monotonously, his voice muffled behind his mask. Cobb smirked before shrugging, "That settles it. Goodbye children, Wayne" Cob ignored Slade's presence entirely and exited the cell. Lincoln gestured for Dick to walk in front of him and he closed the door to their cell last. Tim and Damian had cried out to gain Dick's attention again.
Jason tilted his back against the wall in silent frustration and slumped. He moaned in irritation and frustration, "Fuck!" He yelled out.
Bruce watched his son walk down to the right with Cobb, Lincoln, and their escorts. To his left, he heard his sons, "Good going, Todd. You failed…again. In fact, you made the situation worse for us! Why would you insult Richard?!"
"It's not actually an insult! He knows that!"
"This isn't Dick!" Tim argued. "Ugh, Jason! You can't treat him like our Dick!"
"That is Dick!" Jason spat back, "He just has to remember again. They fucked up his memories again is all"
"yeah, no shit-"
Brice spoke up, "We don't know what they've done to him but until we have proof otherwise, assume that this was non-consensual"
The boys looked at Brice before they turned their yelling and arguments on their adopted father.
"No shit Sherlock! He didn't walk in here and ask for Cobb to torture him"
"Bruce how could you ever assume this was willfull on Dick's part?"
Bruce grunted, "We have to be open to all possibilities. We do know what they've told or done to Dick. We don't know if he's offered Dick anything like our safety or blackmailed him with you identifies"
"Even blackmail isn't willful Bruce" Jason snapped.
Bruce opened his mouth but Slade cut him off, "Without a doubt, they've got him on at least 4 or 5 different injections. His irises are a tad too large which means he was given a hallucinogenic lately, he seems to be packing on muscle faster than he should which would imply steroid therapy, and at the bare minimum the water in the maze is contaminated with multiple inhibition targeting compounds"
Slade stretched out his stabbed thigh and hissed slightly, "He's probably only on his feet this well because he's trying not to think about too much at once"
"Yea like Dick could ever not multitask and overthink shit" Jason rolled his eyes.
Bruce glared at Slade, "Until we have proof, otherwise everything you inform us of can be considered false or gravely misleading Wilson. You gave my son to the Court originally and lied about it-even to him"
Slade shrugged, "Temporarily" he conceded, "I don't know why you would think I have an obligation to tell you the truth Wayne"
"Ignore him father, Wilson is a dead man. Whether it be by my hand or the court's plans for him" Damian said darkly.
Slade snorted at the threat from Dick's youngest brother. "Ok, baby bird?". Damian flushed scarlet at Slade's mocked version of Dick's nickname for him.
"Just admit it, Bruce. You're aggravated because you don't like how much Richard has flourished under guidance that wasn't yours"
Bruce wanted to strangle the mercenary, morals be damned, "He was tortured! How dare you call that flourishing"
Slade examined his cuticles, "Well considering the fact that it took, 3 faulty Robins, the Bat, and myself to take him down when he was partially high on drugs and suffering from memory loss; I'd say his skills have improved since he was what 16? 17?"
"You're going to regret ever coming near my children, Wilson. Dick is more of a man than you'll ever be, mistakes be damned"
Slide's eye twinkled, "Ahhhhhh and there we have it ladies and gentlemen" He turned to Jason, Tim, and Damian, "He'll admit Richard was abused and tortured to avoid victim-blaming but won't let his violence slide so he still has someone to blame"
He looked back at Bruce, "Which is it, B?" He sneered the man's nickname, "Are you going to forgive your prodigal son for everything or hold his crimes against him?" Slade couldn't contain his toothy smile, "It brings me so much pleasure to see how much it eats you up; the fact that Richard, that Nightwing, can go dark and succeed better than any of your brood"
Bruce jerked forward in his chains, "My son will never choose you over true justice. He knows better. He was the first Robin and now Nightwing carries on those same values"
Slade nodded, "Right, right, the same position you stripped him without asking first? Ahhhh, I remember running into him a few days after. Boy, was he a ticking time bomb"
Bruce hated when Slade reminisced about his son like they had a genuine connection behind Bruce's back. He hated himself for never realizing the influences that were pulling Dick in so many different directions, "It's amusing how motivated you are to stay in denial"
Bruce glared back, not interested in playing mind games with the man beside him.
"I can see why there was so much strife between you and your second" he nodded to Jason, "Redhood was what the underground community always feared Batman would become, while Nightwing is who you were supposed to represent. Opposite sides of the same coin"
Slade leaned in closer to Bruce until he could always feel the killer's breath fan his face, "I know it eats you up that Dick and Nightwing don't feel like the same person anymore"
"Deathstroke" Slade kept his face tilted towards Bruce but let his eyes drag towards Tim across the cell, "I'm not dumb enough to think you care about Dick in a way that's beneficial for him but we all want the same thing" His eyes darkened, "So you need to stop treating this like a game and hope that Dick makes it out of this in one piece; or we won't have anyone to fight over"
They didn't have to wait long. Eventually Lincoln reappeared with 2 doctors in tow. He knelt down in front of Jason first and it felt like it was very purposeful for Lincoln to go for him in the middle instead of Tim or Damian on either side of him.
"Don't cause me any trouble and this will be quick" LIncoln warned tonelessly.
"Why? So you can scurry back to your master and plan more ways to fuck up my brother?" Jason sneered.
Lincoln's eyes darkened and Jason smirked. He'd barely had any direct interaction with the man besides their initial kidnapping but Jason despised him for little he'd seen already. Everywhere Dick was, Lincoln was. Every time Dick seemed to hesitate, Lincoln was there offering support and guidance for the wrong thing. Jason knew emotional manipulation when he saw it, and everything Lincoln did, down to his small touches, and glances were engineered to endear Dick to him further. Jason had tried his best to be a friend and brother in return to Dick but at the end of the day, Dick was a natural older brother with no one to look out for him, Jason wouldn't be surprised if he crumbled easily when someone stepped in to help shoulder any emotional burden he carried. Jason knew it wasn't as simple as Dick letting someone in so smother and mother him but under the assumption that he'd been drugged, isolated, sleep deprived, and beaten Jason could understand how any kindness would worm its way through Dick's cracks.
A doctor in scrubs approached Lincoln's side and offered him a medical pallet in his hands. Lincoln undid the top layer of sterile paper and picked up a syringe with clear liquid. Jason tensed and glared as Lincoln tapped the syringe as if he actually cared about removing the bubbles from whatever he was going to inject him with. Lincoln knew who he was to Dick, they all did. Jason and Licnoln were in competition for Dick's attention and loyalty; nothing more.
"Don't resist" Lincoln warned again.
"What is that?" Tim asked with a concerned expression. He and Damian leaned forward to see what was happening and he felt Bruce's stare in his peripheral.
"Just a sedative" Lincoln answered mildly, "Nothing to be concerned about. It's to make transporting you out of base much easier"
"Oh yes because we trust everything you say" Damian chimed in from behind. Jason smirked at the spitfire attitude.
Lincoln shrugged as he kept his eyes on Jason, "It's ultimately up to you but your options are a clean needle or figuring out how many hits to the head you can take"
Jason narrowed his eyes over how casually Lincoln spoke of beating him unconscious, nothing this guy did reassured Jason that Dick had anybody on his side within the Court.
Jason gave his answer by remaining still for long enough for Lincoln to reach for him again. His cheek twitched as the needle pinched his skin. He lifted his gaze to Damian's furious gaze over Lincoln's left shoulder. Lincoln retracted the needle quickly and exchanged it for another before kneeling before Tim to repeat the process. Tim did his best to put every ounce of anger and injustice behind his glare. Lincoln ignored his gaze until he had administered the shot and moved to stand. He hesitated for a moment before looking back to Tim, "You know" he said quietly, "You were the first name he forgot"
Tim's jaw dropped as shock and hurt washed away his hardened glare. His chest tightened and he worked to swallow down the stunned feeling as Lincoln moved on to Damian and then Bruce. Jason almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't go out of his way to coddle the replacement but crossing the line was still crossing the line. For a second, his vision flared green and he spat at Lincoln but he'd moved too far away and all his effort did was leave him reeling and furious.
"You'll be dealt with separately," he said to Slade as he moved to leave. Before he could turn fully, Bruce spoke up, "You care for my son" It wasn't a question. Lincoln watched Bruce, waiting for his point.
"You have to realize that he is being hurt if he stays with you"
Lincoln frowned, "You only get stronger when you have something to recover from," he said simply.
"Dick is strong but he is no killer, you're going to break him. Let him leave, you won't be persecuted by the League like Cobb, and the rest will"
Light entered Lincoln's eyes, "Batman, are you trying to cut a deal with me? I'm flattered" his expression hardened quickly, "You raised Grey well. He is adaptable and that makes him a survivor but he was born for this purpose. You're asking me, asking him, to fight a raging river's torrent just because you want your son back. It's basically set in stone. He was never meant to live a normal life and after this, he won't be able to"
Lincoln's eyes flicked back to the brothers where their eyes had started to droop as the sedative took effect, "You have plenty of sons to choose from, try making one as good as your first and you'll have your hands full"
Bruce felt a heaviness wash over himself and he fought the urge to blink, "You overestimate how easy it is to kill and keep your soul whole" Batman grumbled, "Think of Dick, think of what's best for him. Not your place here"
LIncoln smoothed his features out as he stood fully, "I am, Batman. But you're the one underestimating the potential of your own child. He's limitless and you've raised him to abide by your petty standards. He can fly so much higher than you, and when he realizes that you've been keeping him beneath the clouds, he'll turn on you"
Bruce watched him go as the back of his tongue began to feel heavier and heavier. He blinked to reorient his tilting vision as Lincoln exited the cell with his scrubbed companions. He blinked a few more times, noting that Damian's chin was limp against his chest. He clenched his eyes to force awareness and clarity back into him, but he didn't have the strength to re-open them.
The first thing Bruce was aware of was the lack of restraints around his wrists and forearms. He heard shuffling steps around that led him to suspect he was surrounded by at least 5 other people, maybe more. He let his senses come back and started to gain more clarity as he maintained perfect stillness. He made sure not to clench his eyes and keep his breathing pattern long and deep as if still sedated. He had a small headache but was feeling a mental fogginess more than anything. His mouth lacked the taste of pennies that forced unconsciousness gave him so the sedative must have worn off a while ago but his body had been so deprived and exhausted that he was only now waking up from genuine sleep.
As he oriented himself, he mentally pictured how he lay; on his back with his arms loosely at his side. He felt something thin but soft under his head. His torso and his feet were sheathed in boots now. His arms and thighs were also much tighter and warmer so he must've been dressed in additional pants over his suit underclothing. Before Bruce could start analyzing the ultra specifics like smell and vibrations to gauge how close the footsteps were to him, a soft sultry voice spoke, "My love, open your eyes now, your children have been waiting to speak with you"
That jolted Bruce's eyes open before he registered that he'd dropped his ploy. He was in a semi-large warehouse with grimy windows lining where the walls met the roof. One side was wide open cement with a few abandoned CAT construction machines while the other half housed thin metal walls with window cuts; but no windows. The thin metal rooms must have been put up temporarily for whatever project managers or onsite bosses a construction had need of while renting the warehouse. From his position on the ground, he could see he was closer to the main exit and there were others inside those rooms, rifling through papers and passing equipment and stock.
Bruce turned his head to meet Talia Al Ghul's vivid green eyes. The first time, Bruce met Talia he wondered why she had green eyes instead of the common brown like most Middle Eastern families. She smiled, endeared by his blunt direct questioning. She never answered him and Bruce always suspected that she used the pit like her father, turning her eyes green as well. Ever the detective, Bruce had to admit that they might be genetically European enough to allow the green-eyed-sub gene into their family line but it was unlikely as Ra's took pride in his Middle Eastern heritage and the exclusivity of his children's genetics.
"Talia"
She smiled once, "Come now, my love. Are you not pleased to see me? If nothing more than because I am a more generous outcome than my father, yes?"
Bruce grunted as he pulled himself up, "Where is he?"
"Who? My father?"
Bruce narrowed his eyes and Talia sighed wistfully, "He is not coming either, dearest. He is not aware of what has been offered to the Court or what transpired. I dare say he would be disappointed by how long the Court has been able to hold you and your birds captive"
He ignored her jibe as he took in his environment better, he did have on thick cargo pants now and a dark brown fleece sweater covered his upper body well. Someone had slid a spare jacket under his head but overall, he had been re-dressed rather well. Talia stood before him in familiar garb. Her long dark hair was in a half-up bun and she wore slim-fitting cargo pants with a multitude of pockets, alongside a long sleeve shirt and a hiker's vest that looked thick enough to house pockets on the inside rather than where everyone could see. She was always tall and slim but her combat boots brought her to just under Bruce's chin. She smiled coyly as if Bruce's assessment of her figure was anything but a clinical one.
"You intercepted the bid offer from the Court, took a small army of men to Gotham, and your father never caught on?" Bruce crossed his arms without acknowledging how well it appeared Talia had taken care of him while indisposed.
She shrugged, "You can assume what you like dearest, but my father is away in Russia with the Brain and Queen Bee" She waved a hand nonchalantly, "Dealing with the light I presume"
Bruce narrowed his eyes, "If what you're saying is true, it's only a matter of time before he does learn of this. The light offered a counter bid; but was outbid"
Talia smiled and sauntered over, "Clearly" She drawled.
"How long was I out? Where are the boys?"
Talia tsked, too much like Damian for Bruce's liking, "No more than a day; I assure you. The boys woke up recently, and I sent them to freshen up and change clothing" She looked pointedly at Bruce, "Jason was not delivered to me with my son and Timothy"
Bruce clenched his fists, "Sionis bought him"
She scoffed, "That weak scoundrel? He believes petty crimes and drug smuggling will buy him a legacy"
Bruce shook his head, "Red Hood is his biggest competitor for profit and territory. He will gladly take the opportunity to take Jason out and profit off the free territory and unoccupied drug routes"
"Well, now that you are free, you can go save your lost boy however you like"
While Bruce wasn't one to turn down a beneficial opportunity, he distrusted the ease with which Talia said that. "You expect me to believe you spent thousands on us 3 and aren't going to try and hold us to anything?"
Talia smiled, "I'm hurt you doubt the lengths I would go to for you and my son, dearest; Timothy was an added bonus that my father will be glad to hear about later"
Bruce was aware of how Ra's had recently become convinced that if he couldn't have Bruce as his male successor, he would have Tim. He was convinced that Damian, defecting to Bruce in Gotham was proof that fate wanted Tim as the League of Shadow's heir. Bruce as sure that he would give up his strive for Bruce or Tim and settle for his loyal daughter but Ra's was never convinced that a woman could lead the League of Shadows; no matter how capable Talia was. Dick had taken enough petty shots at Ra's over the years concerning his strange obsession with Tim; which is ironic considering the level of attention he received from Deathstroke the Terminator. Bruce could easily admit that he detested how much of a role the League had played in almost every one of his children's lives at some point. Despite how much Jason and Damian went at each other's throats, he seemed to have a reliable truce with Talia as well.
"The Court has Dick," Bruce said. Talia nodded, "I assumed as much. Who has purchased your eldest? Cobblepot? Gotham's madman? Bane?"
"They're keeping him"
"Really?" She purred, intrigued.
"They're convinced that they have some sort of claim to him due to genetic experiments they conducted on him and his mother while she was pregnant"
Talia eyed him cautiously, "The evolution experiment?"
That surprised Bruce, "How do you know that?"
She shifted as she faced him head-on, "There was an organization, rumored to be funding a genetics program within the Light, alongside Luthor, but no one could pinpoint who they were or what their motives were" She flipped some loose hair over a shoulder, "I assumed that the Brain and Vandal Savage, Queen Bee, Bane, and their lot would simply use the funders until they couldn't any longer and restrict them from parting ways with any valuable information"
"How long was this happening? Did Luthor know he wasn't the sole funder?"
Tali shook her head, "I'm not certain, most of these were accurate rumors, but rumors nonetheless. They originated back in the 90's and persisted every few years there was a breakthrough within the Light. The first one was a largely rumored success called the evolution project where they claimed natural metas were being created"
Bruce frowned, "Metas can have children with powers very easily"
Talis disagreed, "You need to brush up on your biology, dearest. Most metas cannot recreate themselves in their children unless they are not entirely human. Young Raven and Beastboy with Timothy's Teen Titans are prime examples of this. Beastboy was created accidentally but if reproduced, his children would be non-meta. Raven is not entirely human so human biology does not relate here when replicating her powers into the offspring's RNA. A majority of metas have been reported to have trace RNA strands that originated off planet or from accidents like drugs, radiation, and experimentation. This organization's claim would change the playing field. For example, if Deathstroke the Terminator had children, his children would have the same or less of the super soldier serum in their veins but nonetheless, there would be natural traces, like any shared hair or eye color" "He does have children" he informed her, "One had abilities and another has his regenerative healing" Talia nodded, "I know of his daughter I believe. She underwent the same experiment as her father. The other child, I cannot speak for. There is a chance that enough pre-heritage alien inbreeding on earth left the mother with subtle RNA or DNA strands that were mutated or changed; just enough to pass onto children"
Bruce nodded along, so she continued, "This claim died quickly" She gave Bruce a reticent look, "Or it may have been buried; either way, it did not last more than 10 experimental pregnancies and they were all reported dead" A commotion sounded off to their left and Talia looked over to make sure she didn't need to step in, "Their most recent success was cloning. I believe you have their success. Superboy?" She smiled at Bruce's frown, "Ah, I am correct. Well, Luthor does believe he was the singular reason that boy was financed and created, but I'd put a sizeable bet against that belief"
"You think the Court of Owls is a secret funder for projects like Superboy?"
Talia merely smiled in response, "You say they are convinced Richard is the offspring from one of those pregnancies? How did you come to house him? He hasn't shown any signs of enhanced senses has he?"
Something must have speared Bruce's stony expression, "Ahhhh, Bruce. After your 'No meta in Gotham rule' I expected Jason to be your only exception"
Bruce glared at Talia, "That doesn't matter. I need to save him before they warp his mind further. They are convinced they can treat him like clay and use him however they want. Manipulate him to kill"
Talia nodded, "Well if he was one of those births, then he is as much property of the Court as Connor Kent-"
"He is not proeprty!" Bruce snarled loudly./p
Talia stopped short, the only sign of surprise was her right fingers twitching as he fought to reach for a weapon; an ingrained instinct.
"While it may not sound pleasant, Mother is right, Father"
Bruce turned to see his sons approaching him from the direction of a metal room, "They are convinced he belongs to them, which is why we must fight even harder to separate them from Richard"
Damian and Tim were clothed in long-sleeved shirts and boots, their jeans looking ragged but intact. They were finishing off a pack of crackers and brushed the salty crumbs off. His sons looks freshly cleaned but Bruce's insides twisted over seeing the bruises and wounds that couldn't be washed away. Damian and Tim sported bruising under their eyes, severely chapped lips, and sickly parlors. He could almost hear Alfred's insistence on nothing but carbs and protein for his boys' dinner when they all returned home. He took note of the little things, the fact that they weren't sporting coats or more layers proved their immune systems hadn't suffered or lowered their body temperatures enough to be cold in the afternoon.
"Cut her some slack, B" Tim said as well, "She got us out and didn't tall Ra's. It's a win-win so far" He sent her a suspicious look.
Talia conceded and gave Tim a look before turning back to Bruce, "I have matters to attend to while on the East Coast. While I am preoccupied, I will leave my men at your disposal" Her eyes narrowed in a cat-woman-like fashion and she purred, "If you'd like"
Bruce contemplated Talia, "What is so important that you are needed but not your men? How do you benefit from Jason and Dick's freedom Talia?"
Talia scoffed and she radiated subtle irritation, "my reasons are my own but do not mistake me for the women you surround yourself with Bruce Wayne. I have no need for protection outside of the superficial image it helps muster for my enemies"
Bruce nodded and looked around at the 10 men that were busy milling about the warehouse, "We need them long enough to find where they're taking Jason and to circle back to rescue Dick". He could admit that although it seemed too good to be true, Bruce couldn't turn down the extra manpower.
"It'll take longer because they took the re-breathers you and Wilson came with" Tim reminded Bruce.
"Slade Wilson is working with you?" Taia asked.
Damian nodded, "He has been an unreliable player but he is ultimately after Richard as well, Mother"
She nodded and offered Damian a small smile for her polite and informative way of addressing her question, "This is getting more and more interesting; it may be an impossible feat to barre my father from this new development entirely"
"We don't need forever, just enough to rescue my boys," Bruce said.
"You have until I finish" Talia replied.
"Let me just set me invincible watch to go off when you finish the mysterious job you won't tell us about" Tim snarked as he pretended to fiddle with his watch.
She observed Tim starkly, "Do try not to let Richard or Jason rub off on you Timothy, my father may lose interest in your character; and with it, his mercy"
"Enough" Damian barked to the room. He crossed his arms, "Mother, inform your team we are in charge and we will take them to rescue Todd's incompetent ass before we liquidate Richard from his captives"
"Now now Damian, do try and be patient, yes?"
Damian exhaled heavily and tried to force a greater semblance of respect into his tone, "Mother, I know you do not care for Richard but he has been through a lot, and the longer we leave him there, the more damage the Court instills in him!"
Damian was proud of the way he withheld the tremble that wanted to quiver his voice but something in his eyes must have shown because Talis smiled sweetly at him, "Yes, I know my love, I am only informing you not to rush off without the complete information at your disposal. I thought you would have learned by now…."
She trailed off and Damian fidgeted at her soft admonishment.
Her gaze softened, "I know you must be struggling, my dear. 5 months of captivity can be a great detriment to someone's mental durability and health-"
"5 months?!"
She nodded, "149 days, almost 5 complete months"
"What do you know, Talia?" Bruce asked gruffly. He wanted to get back on topic and steer his boys away from the shock that their first real hostage situation would denounce. He and Dick were the only ones to have been held for long periods of time; Jason as well, if his time with the League of Shadows was considered a captivity. Tim and Damian had yet to feel the aftershock effects of time being stolen by a kidnapper. Bruce found that it was similar to losing a loved one. Losing time usually brought forth shock and then anger and grief; similar to the 5 stages of depression.
"No matter how much trouble Jason Todd causes, I find myself with a sweet spot for the street orphan" She admitted.
"Talia" Bruce warned.
"Yes, yes" She waved off Bruce, "I left some men stationed around where the Court delivered you as insurance, but my men have informed me of all I need to know now. Any visitors that have made their way since you departed from your imprisonment. An added bonus is that I was able to secure information regarding Jason's transport; tomorrow". Tim took a step forward at hearing that Talia knew when and where Jason would be delivered to Black Mask.
She surveyed the men around her, "I suggest you get some sleep and eat what you can. I am departing tonight but you and my men will be heading out at 5:15 am tomorrow"
She ran a slim-fingered hand through his thick dark hair before motioning for the boys and Bruce to make their way over to one of the metal construction rooms presumably where food would be supplied, "I suggest you get to know the team before you go into the field on such short notice" She nodded to a tall dark skinned man and beckoned him over, "This is Mickel. He defaults to captain when I am not present"
She waited until he was close enough to give Bruce a single nod before she turned on her heel and made her exit to another room.