Bruce was positioned on top of Wayne Enterprise's primary office building, directly to the right of the Plaza Tower in downtown Gotham. Batgirl, Redrobin, Redhood, and Robin were all beside him while Mickel and his remaining men were placed slightly back against the edge of the roof, checking their equipment. Batgirl had stayed behind with Alfred to help monitor from the cave in case things went severely south. She was listening in to everything but Batman had ordered complete silence unless an extract was required.
Tim was monitoring something on his wristwatch screen when he looked up. Bruce and Jason looked up and connected his gaze to the group descending towards them. Bruce watched as Kid Flash, Artemis, Red Arrow, and Zantanna neared them. They were all hovering on a wispy violet platform that Zatanna was maintaining with a chant under her breath. She stopped and the circular platform fell away, dropping the new heroes to the roof before Batman and his sons.
Roy nodded at Bruce and started for Jason. Jason met him halfway and offered each other their manliest one-armed hug, paired with a single pat on the back, "You good?"
Jason shrugged, his voice slightly muffled by his helmet, "Good enough. Dickhead's in the shits though"
Roy turned towards the tower Jason had nodded to, drawing Wally and Artemis's attention as well.
"He's in there?" Wally asked. His bright yellow suit was a drastic contrast to the severity of his tone. Artemis remained quiet and still by his side and Bruce couldn't help but compare the coldness in her gaze to her father's. Sportsmaster was a similarly placed man to Deathstroke, a renowned killer for hire who had a reputation that was lethal all on its own. As the years progressed, Deathstroke made himself more available for higher detail clients and international jobs; whereas Sportsmaster got retained by safer constant jobs for the same few arms dealing firms in North America and Canada. Sportsmaster's daughter, like her older sister, didn't seem to be growing into her father's build. Her physique was tall and slender, with muscular shoulders and back, making themselves known from her frequent archery practice. Bruce liked to think that influences like Dick at the more fundamental age in her life, helped cement her commitment to justice instead of revenge and greed like her parents. He knew that his more transparent views of the next generation of heroes never sat well with his own sons but he and his sons had always been viewed in a warped manner by the hero community due to their ability to succeed nearly every time, despite only being human.
"We'll get him, Wally," She said quietly to him, her eyes never leaving the top floor of the building.
Batman nodded, "Our priority is to rescue and secure Nightwing as soon as possible, but if possible" he turned to Talia's men, "We will secure and restrain any Court of Owl members and relevant paperwork"
Wally and Roy shared a vaguely confused expression, "Are you saying the suite offices are owned by the Court of Owls?"
Jason shook his head and Tim answered, "We've only been back a day and we've already found evidence for a reliable connection between Dick's grandfather-Cobb, Luthor, the Light, and one of Luthro's business associates"
Zantanna was watching intently, taking in all the new information as the youngest crime fighter present. Artemis scoffed, "Why am I not surprised that Dick has low-life relatives too?" She said.
"Why any paperwork?" Wally asked Bruce, "Do you think you can go after them like as…you know, the other you?"
Bruce nodded, "My hope is that there is enough relation between William Cobb, who shouldn't still be alive, Luthor, and Lydia Ryland to bring to the public's attention"
"You wanna sue them?" Roy asked. He was dressed in a similar black field body suit that cut off at the shoulders, leaving his defined shoulders bared to the night air. This suit had red accents and was more flexible, and less padded than his other suit from Dick's brief video call.
Bruce grunted as they prepared to grapple over to the other building, "Bringing the others into a legal fiasco with the D.A's office is a bonus. The real goal is to get Luthor to back off so that the Light and the Court lose valuable support and funding; at least temporarily"
Tim nodded as he packed his smaller electronics into his suit and waist pouches, "Luthor is expanding and extending the manufacturing contracts he has with the US Army and Navy right now too so he has a lot to lose if the military reneges on their contracts because Luthor brings bad press to their doorstep"
Roy smirked darkly, "That's the least of Baldy's problems. Just wait 'till Superman finds out Lex is involved in Dick's kidnapping"
Bruce calmed the rowdy younger members down and reviewed Tim's plan. Once Tim was able to confirm that the elevator was used today, despite the tower and its businesses being closed over the weekend, Bruce would signal for the team to move in. One team would scale the building up to the top floor and another would come in from the roof access panels and fire escape doors.
"Move in" Batman ordered over their comms.
Mickel and his men maintained a protective circle around the group as they entered the building. To avoid any front entrance cameras they entered through the janitor hallways and found themselves beside the elevator.
"You didn't have to bust it down" Tim hissed at Roy.
"It was quicker!" Roy defended
"That's what tools are for" Tim admonished the older teen as he waved something that looked like a laser pointer in Roy's face.
"Focus" Damian hissed.
Zantana and Artemis brought up the back and Zantana used her enchantments to place the door back on its hinges quietly. Tim knelt in front of the elevator and used a finger-sized scre\w driver to pry the button panel off the wall. He hooked up his small touchscreen to the now free-hanging wires and waited a few seconds to download the elevator software activity. He looked it over and nodded his head, knowing all eyes were on him., "The elevator was used twice yesterday and once a few hours ago" he confirmed before disconnecting his handheld equipment.
Bruce turned towards their additional members, "B team I want you outside the office hallways on the floor below. Team A", he turned towards his Boys and the young justice team, "I want you with me. We will be intercepting the Court from the rooftop. Hood will do a scan of the area before we move in but I want everyone ready on my signal. Remember our primary and secondary objectives"
The group nodded before starting off to their assigned locations.
Grey Son watched the room's occupants from beside Lincoln against the far corner. He was struggling to contain the adrenaline vibrating through his veins. He was incredibly excited to be out and in the world but the atmosphere and the mood of the room and his masters left no room for eagerness or positivity. He was glad to be back in more comfortable field armor instead of that tight face mask. He and the other Court representatives were dressed in black body gear and simple armor. The others had the regulatory gold goggles while Grey and Lincoln were bare-faced with their retractable clawed gloves. His nails were sturdier than the average person and could gouge out something if he tried but the gloves were a beneficial weapon all on their own.
"I swear to god, Luthor better pick up soon," the lady said. She reminded him of a vulture with her dark lips and thin high features. She was thin but not in a way that encouraged a frailness about her, and her eyes seemed to want to skewer everything they landed on.
"He will not answer Lydia. I've told you" Grandmaster replied. She slammed her phone down onto her desk and the sharp slap of the glass and plastic pinged Grey's headache to start up again. He'd had a pulsing headache in the back of his head and eyes for the last few days. Ever since Grandmaster called him to stand before the group of ragged-looking prisoners his dreams had been filled with bats and pulsating reds and greens. His dreams translated into a jarring headache that only seemed to worsen the moment he was ordered outside.
He heard Grandmaster informing Lincoln that they were moving their base of operations but needed to make sure some of their lab work and tools were secured before leaving for Western Europe. Grey assumed that they were at this lady's office while they waited for confirmation from other court members who had been sent out to secure the labs and files across Gotham. Lincoln told him that he was on bodyguard duty for Ms. Ryland and Grandmaster until ordered. He'd spent the last hour or so keeping watch out the large office windows. It was a tall building that spanned much of Gotham and even a little into Bludhaven. Something about staring at the horizon peaking over the edge of the building made Grey antsy. His thighs tingled and his fingers inched as he fought down the impulse to literally throw himself over the edge. He knew that wasn't normal and refrained from telling even Lincoln but that didn't stop the feelings and urges. He could almost feel the wind whipping through his hair and sliding on his skin in an icy embrace. He wasn't dense enough not to wonder if he had suicidal tendencies but when he seriously considered his need to leap, it felt honest to admit that he wanted the thrill of the jump, not the fear or escape that falling would bring.
Just imagining the sensations so vividly sent his adrenaline skyrocketing. His pulse quickened and he did his best to keep his breathing steady and under control.
"You should have never brought it here" Lydia snapped. Throwing a hand towards Lincoln and Grey.
Grey couldn't help but stare in shock, 'were they referring to him? Was he the it?'. He resisted the compulsive urge to glance to Lincoln for answers once again. Why did no one seem to want him out and about? He loved being outside.
"It's temporary, we plan to depart within the hour" Grandmaster assured from his reclined position. His suit was clean and pressed and he held a short tumbler of redish liquid in one hand.
"You better" she spat. "You have a lot of nerve placing my businesses and image in danger. You don't even have control over that thing"
Grndmaster frowned, "Please do refrain from insulting my work"
She scoffed, "Your work" she muttered. "It's the work of those laborious physicians and PhD students from 3rd world countries. Half of whom are on loan from Lexcorp" she sneered.
"The boy does have much growing to do, I admit, but he is under my heel Lydia, calm yourself"
She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at his chest, "Do not play me for a fool, William". She placed her hands on her waist, "You expect me to believe that you've reigned in one of the bats after half a year? You didn't manage it when you had 5 years!"
The room fell silent and almost as if mentally cued, both adults turned to look at Grey. He made eye contact with Lydia first before her penetrating gaze made him flush. He snapped his attention to Grandmaster who was already watching him. He swallowed, struggling past his overly dry gullet.
Had he done something wrong? Why were they looking at him like that? Why did they call him a bat? He was a bird!
Were they talking about Batman? Grandmaster despised any mention of the Gotham vigilante and Lincoln never humored his questions about the Batman. When neither man nor woman averted their blatant gazes, he dropped his attention to the pristine marble floor and hoped it was enough to draw their attention away from him.
He hated it.
He…..He hated them. He startled himself with the sudden conviction that arose with that thought.
But he knew that even thinking that was toeing a very dangerous line. This was his destiny. His purpose. His reason. To be whatever Grandmaster wanted him to be. Anyone with half a brain could surmise what rebellious thoughts would earn them. After a brief moment of silence, Grey heard Grandmaster's glass clink with the melting ice. He liked looking at the drink because of the fancy circular ice cube balls floating in the expensive liquor. He had the urge to obtain the tray for some reason. It wasn't for him that was certain. Maybe what he was feeling was the urge to gift it to someone. Lincoln? That must be it. Lincoln would find it fun to drink beverages with fun-shaped ice.
Uncertainty was slow in ebbing to the forefront of his mind but he did his best to smother it. He would be punished if he daydreamed and allowed his mind to wander.
"I do not know why you bother keeping him around physically" Lydia stated coldly. She had removed herself and now stood further back behind a large platinum black desk.
Grandmaster inclined his head as if to say 'to each their own', "I haven't the slightest idea of what you're implying my dear. I need him for his use of longevity and his now near-perfect DNA"
"Exactly my point" She snapped, "You already have his proven DNA sequence, "Have your PHD slaves confirm it's possible to manipulate and copy and get rid of this one" She pointed a crude finger at Grey, "He is a walking liability and you know it"
Grandmaster sighed and set his glass down with a small clink against the pristine coffee table. With sure and unhurried steps, he approached Grey and Lincoln. He passed the numerous armed guards and talons that accompanied them to place himself directly in front of Grey. He reached out and grasped a handful of dark locks from the top of Grey Son's scalp and slowly pulled back, tilting his chin further and further. Within a few short moments, Grey could no longer see Grandmaster and was instead studying the ceiling. He felt bare and vulnerable, offering his throat so blatantly. He hated the simpering sound that tried to crawl out of his throat and the urge to pull away, to protect any bare parts of himself.
He hated the feeling of weakness.
Grandmaster released a pleased sound and with his occupied hand, started to caress Grey Son's hairline with long, firm motions. Grey couldn't help the way his muscles relaxed and his shoulders dropped at the calming motion. It was so comforting and assuring to feel a soothing touch when Grandmaster's voice broke him from his monetary peace, "He is but a boy Lydia. A strong-willed boy…but merely a boy. If I cannot break a boy, much less my own flesh and blood. I have no right to stand above our Talons and issue orders on behalf of Gotham"
Lydia scoffed somewhere out of Grey's sight.
"We have his DNA but one thing that can't be easily replicated is his skill and passion. There is no sure proven way to replicate a driven personality unless you are prepared to waste numerous soldiers in the hopes of recreating the perfect combination of passion, skill, drive, and recklessness" Grandmaster released his hold slightly and allowed Grey Son to tip his head back down and make eye contact with his grandfather and master, "This boy is the future, not only due to his immortality, but because of his natural fire. As soon as I can direct this fire to burn only under the Court and for no one else, then we will have no use for his DNA because Gotham will be saved forever"
Lydia didn't reply but Grandmaster seemed lost in his monologue, caught up in his stare with his great-grandson, "You haven't seen him in action as I have. The recklessness of this boy, the spitfire, and compassion, the loyalty this small young thing exudes…. It's miraculous. He's quite a balanced personality, all things considered. He could have turned out to be a brooder like Wayne or violent and unreliable like the second attempt….You know what they say" he muttered as he watched Grey Son's blue eyes begin to sparkle with hints of canary yellow, "Always trust your first choice"
Grey felt lost in the magnetism of the older man. It was like slowly being swallowed by something larger that you couldn't see. The cold blues of Grandmaster's irises seemed to draw him in and steal his breath, but he wasn't sure if it was from the authority-imposing aura or from something more. Grandmaster looked to Lincoln for a second and smirked at something he saw reflected in the younger man's eyes, "Aren't you glad that Grey Son is part of our little family, Lincoln?"
"Immensly sir" He didn't sound very happy, Grey thought.
Grey cocked his head as much as the hold on his hair would allow; he felt like he was missing a very obvious joke but that only amused Grandmaster further, "I'd like to think we can all sleep a little more soundly knowing that sullen Bat finally met his match as well"
Grey's headache gave another sharp throb along the back of his head as he tried to picture the prisoners in his mind. Was his grandfather referring to the Redhood or the others that were sold to the Shadows? Lincoln had just started to respond when something beeped twice from Lincoln's body. Lincoln pulled out a small smartphone and read the message portrayed for a second before looking to Grandmaster and nodding, "The doctor and his assistants have relocated for now"
Grandmaster grinned, "Excellent. Begin packing up all files here and loading them in the garage in groups of 3"
Grey, Lincoln, and the surrounding bodyguards nodded before pushing off from the outer walls and proceeding towards the boxes of paper stacked along Lydia's desk. She removed herself from the desk and approached the doors, "I'll take my leave now that this has been settled. I have a luncheon with Lex next Wednesday, he'll be updated" she said coldly. She turned to exit when suddenly the world lit up in white.
Grey lost awareness of himself for a second. His vision whited out and he felt his feet leave the floor. The wind rushed past his ears and before he could take stock of himself he smashed backward into the floor. His air escaped him as he collapsed onto his back and his head slammed into the pristine tile floors. Grey blinked and looked up at the ceiling, but couldn't help admiring the sky. At this hour, dusk made the perfect medium or sunset, and stars in the sk-
The sky?
Grey furrowed his brow as he realized he was watching the sky through the rooftop. There was a large gaping hole in the ceiling and parts of the insulation were hanging down into the room. He looked around the room from where he was on his back and realized he couldn't actually hear anything. His ears were filled with a low deep humming and for a second his headache had vanished completely. All too suddenly the noiseless calm faded. Violent loud, abrasive sounds rushed back at him and Grey realized he was watching half-burned paper folders float to the ground in front of a busted door. It was hanging on by a single hinge and in front of it stood an army of strangely dressed people. There was a handful of tan men who looked like they had been taken out of a movie that was the love child of American Sniper and Fast and the Furious. Beside them stood a few teenagers who were all dressed in varying suits, costumes, and colors. In the back stood a tall board-shouldered individual with a blazing red motorcycle helmet and beside him stood a tall stoic dark form.
The Batman.
Grey looked around wildly wondering what had happened. Where had they come from? Why were the Batman and his allies here? Did they want the paperwork Grandmaster and the Lydia lady were talking about?
At the foot of the couch where Grandmaster had sat not moments ago, Grey spotted Lydia Ryland's limp body, splayed across the not-so-white plush rug. Grey struggled to push himself up to his feet and suddenly found himself hauled up by Lincoln. He looked to Lincoln for answers but Lincoln sent him a sharp look that sealed his lips quickly.
"Ahhh" Grandmaster stepped forward. Grey couldn't help but notice how he still looked impeccable after an explosion, "The Batman and his spawns. I must admit, this is not a pleasing surprise"
A short boy in the front with a domino mask and red and black suit scoffed. He folded his green gloved hands together and tsked, "Tt, as if we care. Release Richard and surrender"
All eyes turned to focus on Grey and his pulse seemed to skip a beat at the sudden attention. It was intimidating and he was even more confused at everyone's focus on him. He shifted from foot to foot and looked to Grandmaster, hoping that his eyes pleaded the correct level of question as to what he should do. Grandmaster smiled, pleased about something in Grey's reaction to him.
"Dic-Nightwing" a deep voice called. Grey looked back towards the group to see that the man in the red helmet had called to him. Did he call him a dick and then a nitwing? What the hell?
Before he could contain his impulsive thoughts, he said, "What kind of an insult was that?"
Lincoln was quick to scruff him and Grey went taunt as embarrassment washed over him. Not only did he speak out of turn, he was being reprimanded in front of the enemies.
"He wasn't calling you a dick, you are Dick," A taller boy said besides the shortest one. He looked similar, with dark hair, a similar mask, and a red and black suit the boys could have been brothers for all Grey knew. His embarrassment quickly grew into frustration and he snarked back, "I don't care if Kool-aid man thinks I'm Arm-" he was cut off by a tighter squeeze that wrung a wince out of him.
"Drop him" A new boy snarled at the movement. This boy was tall and red-headed, dressed in bright orange with the Flash's symbol over his chest. Grey stared at the slender guy and felt a whisper of a voice in his ear, like the tone of the laugh he somehow knew the young man in yellow would make if he could make him laugh. There was a taller redhead beside him who was scrutinizing him, but laid a hand on the shorter man's shoulder, calming him slightly.
"Is this all that you've brought?" Grandmaster asked with a pitying tone, "Such a shame. One would assume you would be able to muster Superman or one of those aliens you like to partner with hmm? I guess actions do speak louder than words though"
Batman's chin and jaw firmed up like he was surprising the urge to curl his lip, "This is your final warning, Cobb. Release my son. Now"
Grey stared wide-eyed at Batman. His son?!
He was like 999.999999% sure that they were talking about him but now he was doubtful. He wasn't the Batman's son. He would know, wouldn't he?
"Richard" a small voice demanded his attention. He looked back at the younger boy who was frowning at him and the strangest sensation of Deja Vu overcame him. For a second he was back in a cold all-white room, trying to hide his face from the blearing light all around him. This boy was the same one from that room. One of those nasty brothers that hurt him with their words and appeared just to judge him. They would stand and watch as he struggled against the pain and loneliness, refusing to help him, refusing to even talk to him./p
"You" Grey breathed. The boy seemed stunned by Grey's behavior and his arms slowly fell from their crossed position and his pinched face softened slightly in confusion.
Grandmaster and the Batman watched him quietly, "You!" grey took a step forward but was halted by a grip on his upper arm. The boy took half a step back in surprise at Grey's aggressive stance and tone, "It's you! It-It's" Grey turned back to Lincoln, struggling to find his words in the middle of his whirling emotions. Surprise and shock and anger were only the beginning. This boy had followed him everywhere and just when he was finally settling into his own mind he showed his face again. How dare he watch him suffer for so long and then find him in the real world, "It's him! That kid" Grey stressed.
Linbcioln stared at him with a blank face but his eyes seemed to question where Grey was mentally; he searched Grey's increasingly gold eyes for an answer to his question but his grip remained firm. Grey felt hopelessly infuriated over how everyone was looking at him like he was crazy.
"He was with the other boys, and the Bat and the pirate-"
"Enough, Grey Son" Grandmaster ordered. He snapped his mouth shut.
"Don't tell him what to do" The boy in red and black snapped to Grandmaster, "He's not your lackey"
Grandmaster barked out a short laugh, "You're quite right my dear boy. He is so much more than a mere servant. He will be anything I order him to be. Let me offer you an example" Something in Grandmaster's vice warned Grey Son before the older man's voice turned sharp and demanded his attention. He almost felt like he was back in his room, dripping with water, or in the shooting range room, struggling to maintain his aim for the 5th hour. There was no ignoring Grandmaster when he demanded something of him.
"Attack"
A buzz filled his ears and the adrenaline coursing through his fidgeting limbs skyrocketed, urging him into action. Grey Son, Lincoln, and their accompanying brothers launched into action before the rest of the room could process the order.
Grey Son launched himself for one of the military-dressed men; a shorter man with scarred cheeks. Grey took him to the ground and attempted to straddle the men. He quickly rolled, flipping them over and throwing Grey from his torso. They scrambled to their feet and Grey feinted right, causing the man to throw out his right arm as a block. Grey quickly swept right and dropped down, sweeping the man's left leg out from under him. He crashed to the floor and Grey was on top of him within a breath's notice. He wrenched the man's arms up over his head before delivering a throat punch. The man choked and lurched forward but his arms were still caught above his head, leaving him over for Grey to knee him unconscious. He saw the man's eyes flutter and, like a predator, looked for his next opponent before the man was even fully limp.
Grey spun on his heel and tackled the next body he saw. Out of his periphery, he saw Lincoln bringing a man down in a complicated headlock motion and a snap of his arms. He saw a Court soldier stagger beside him as an arrow landed in his chest and shoulder simultaneously. His brother rose quickly but looked hobbled by wherever the arrow was dipped in. He narrowed his eyes at the obvious culprit. The reed-headed archer was dressed in a sleeveless black and red suit. His back was overflowing with sleek arrows with different arrowheads and his attention was already elsewhere as he launched arrows across the room with profound accuracy. Grey felt a growl rip up from his chest as he prowled towards the archer.
At the last second, the archer seemed to take notice of his direct attention and turned to face him; he tensed violently and jerked to attention. He nocked an arrow with a sharp black head and waited for Grey to make the first move. There were tumbling bodies, snarls, and yells all around them as they watched each other for a few moments. Grey crouched and lengthened the iron claws from his gloves when the man spoke.
"Dick-listen-"
Grey launched himself at the man's legs. The archer stumbled back but gracefully caught himself. Grey kept attempting to catch him up and force him to stumble. He rolled into a forward somersault and then a handspring to keep close to the man. The redhead was forced onto defense early and cursed as he almost lost his balance again. He whipped out an arrow from his back and went to stab Grey with his hand. Grey lunged to the side and avoided before reaching for the arrow with a snarl. The arrow snapped between the two of them and the archer backed up further, "Dick! It's me! Jason told me what happened and-"
Grey caught him off guard as he thrust forward and caught his arm between the man's bow. He twisted his arm and got the string caught around his wrist and forearm. The bow was made of something strong and durable so when he got his arm tangled in the bowstring, the skiing around his arm began to shred and cut as the wire cut into him and past his glove. The archer sucked in a breath and dropped his bow quickly. Grey smiled at the foolish move and fisted the bow so he was holding it like a weapon.
He advanced and swung fast, catching the man in the shoulder. He cursed and tried to leap back but Grey advanced and knocked his arms out of the way, dropping down to sweep his legs out from under him. He gripped the bow so the sharpest end was pointed down. He raised the bow above his head but before he could slam the bow down into the archer's chest he heard a cry that shook him to his core. The tonality and volume of the cry caused something deep and primal in him to tense. He knew that it was bad, that everyone was crying or yelling over something but there was something about this cry that resonated deep within him, almost to his heart. An unknown anxiety ripped through his veins and he fought the urge to panic
"No!"
He tried to whirl around and pinpoint the voice when suddenly he was tackled from behind. His face was forced into the ground and he felt his cheeks and lip tear as he and the body on top went rolling. He spotted his attacker's gloved hand beside his face and grabbed at it tightly, twisting until they went rolling to the side over and over again. He wrapped his thighs around the other man's torso and brought him close to smash their heads together. Too late did he realize it was the tall man with the bright red helmet.
He hated red.
He yelped in pain as his nose was crushed against the helmet and he felt blood trek down his lips into his teeth. The man barked a muted laugh from behind his helmet, "You fucking idiot"
Grey felt the buzzing in his ears grow louder, numbing out the rest of the room and the other fights. His muscles pounded with the desire to push themselves and his adrenaline pumped faster and faster like it was trying to take control of his body and dictate how fast he swung or how hard to kick. A snarl, so rough his throat ached, tore out of his throat and he smashed his head forward again, cracking the black visor of the man's helmet. The man wheeled backward and cursed in surprise. He briefly touched the spider web cracks on his visor before cursing and ripping the helmet off his head. He threw it to the side and stood up, pulling out a pistol from inside his leather jacket. Grey barred his teeth and pushed himself into a kneeling position but before he could clamber fully to his feet, the man's features caught his attention. He was a caucasian male with a strong jaw and broad shoulders. Most likely the tallest person in the room. His eyes were masked with a simple domino mask but his sweat-mangled hair fell across his forehead and showcased a skunktale-like coloring. The frontmost portion of his dark hair was bleached white like a badger's head or skunk tale. Grey caught himself staring and blinked, reorienting himself. The man easily caught his dumbfounded expression and stilled.
"You remember me now Dickie?" He tugged on his discolored lock of hair, "Remember this? You always teased me for it but I know you were always jealous" the man teased in a lighter tone.
Grey couldn't stop glancing from the man's masked eyes to his hair. He wasn't sure why that lock of hair mattered so much but suddenly he felt like he'd forgotten something egregious; like he knew the consequences but didn't remember what he'd forgotten exactly. Aprehension heated his insides and his fingers twitched with unknown consternation.
"Hey" the man spoke softly, drawing Grey's eyes to him. The man must have seen something that bothered him because he clenched his jaw and thinned his lips, "Dick, it's me, Jason"
Jason?
That was the name the archer had mentioned but he assumed it was gibberish or a method to trip him up and confuse him. Grey opened his mouth, to say what? He wasn't entirely sure. He never got the chance to reply back as Lincoln's voice called out to him.
"Grey!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Grey leaped into action. He pinpointed Lincoln's voice and made it to his side in an instant. Lincoln has a gunshot in his shoulder and was panting heavily, sweat plastering his clothes and hair to his body, "New orders, Grey"
Grey Son nodded but wasn't prepared.
"Run"
Grey parted his lips in confusion. What?
Lincoln glared at him before he could argue or question anything, "Grandmaster took Ms. Ryland and they are rendezvousing with some of the important docs the Batman cannot get a hold of. We are to hold them off for a little while longer and then scatter. Everyone is going their own way-"
Lincoln suddenly shoved Grey Son backward and fell on top of him, bracing his hands and hips outside his body. The lean dark-haired boy in a black and red suit flew over their heads and hit the ground, rolling a little ways away. Lincoln pulled Grey back up without blinking an eye, "These are your orders" he repeated in a stern voice. Grey scanned the room, noticing that the Court was down to 5 fighters as the magic wielder, flash boy, and skinny boy were all down; alongside the military men. That left the Bat, both archers, the gunman, and the youngest boy still capable.
Beside them, a shot went off and the windows along the left side of the room blew out, letting in a gust of wild wind.
Grey swallowed and nodded frantically, "Wh-where do we go?" he asked over the loudness of the room. The other man watched something over Grey's shoulder while answering him, "Everyone is to scatter and lay low, it's best to stay out of Gotham entirely. The Court will send word when and where we are to return"
Grey went to object, "trust me" Lincoln spoke over him, "There will be signs, obvious ones"
Grey Son nodded to show he understood the severity. Inside, his heart was pounding at the thought of being separated from Lincoln and out alone in the world for the first time. He couldn't differentiate from his fear and excitement.
"Wing!" The gunman's voice cried from across the room. He stood beside a blonde and red-headed archer; behind them stood Batman and the youngest boy. Grey snarled at how completely Batman's soldiers had whipped them like dogs. They were the Court of Owls and they were taken by surprise and still might be overrun. Gery would never have thought he'd be ordered to run from a fight in the Court's name. It made him feel weak and pathetic. He unsheathed his iron claws and prowled forward, eyes deadset on the gunman when suddenly, the shortest boy darted out from behind them to stand before Grey.
"Richard!" The boy boy cried. His voice was that of a child but his tone demanded attention, as if he was used to it from all he spoke to…or maybe it was just Grey he expected absolute attention from?
He stopped at the lack of aggressive fighting and wondered if this was another tactic, "Richard! Stop this! Come home!"
Grey barred his teeth, "Leave me alone" he spat.
The boy's masked eyes widened as he looked back stunned.
"You won't leave my dreams and now you find me when I'm awake?!"
Grey slashed down with his elongated claws and the boy was yanked backward by the Batman by his short black and yellow cape.
"Nightwing" the Batman thundered, "Do not harm anyone else. That is an order"
"I thought it was a debate question?" Grey mocked back before he could consider his words.
"Grey Son" Lincoln spoke coldly behind him. Grey bowed his head in response.
The redhead and the gunman snickered slightly as the Batman took a single step forward, placing him in front of everyone, "I know that the Court of Owls may have you believing that you belong with them, but they kidnapped you. If you surrender and lay down your weapons I can explain everything"
Grey watched him, unsure how to respond to the Batman's offer. Lincoln spoke in his stead, "We have no use for your crafty words, Batman. Grey Son knows his place amongst the Court. It is his destiny…you are not"
Btman glared and looked back to Grey, "You must have questions. I can answer everything. I've had you since you were 8 years old, your name is Dick Grayson and you were kidnapped by the Court when you were 17 years old"
"Richard, you must listen to Father, you've missed too many of my art shows as it is" the youngest boy demanded.
"You're having memory issues right?" the gunman spoke up as well, "Weird dreams of people popping up in your head? It happened last time too" The gunman made a show of slowly placing his guns inside his jacket holsters, "They fucked with your head but couldn't erase us totally, you wrote on sticky notes, journals, anything you could find to make sense of half-assed memories"
"Do not listen to them Grey" Lincoln warned in the background.
The blonde archer knocked her arrow at Lincoln, "Stop ordering him around"
All too suddenly, Grey was becoming more aware of the painful headache in the back of his head, spreading to the backs of his eyes and thumping in the middle of every important thought he tried to formulate. Too much was happening and he wasn't sure enough in any of his next steps to know what to do. His indecisiveness must have been plastered across his face because the youngest stepped forward. He was close enough to touch Grey now, "Richard, please. I know you are confused and you have been hurt but please listen to us"
He reached out for Grey's hand and when he didn't pull away, grasped his fingers and then his palm. Firm but not tight. Grey looked down at the small green gloved fingers and then at the boy's masked face. His hair was raven dark like the night had fallen onto his head one night. His face was soft and full of dedicated concern but Grey couldn't find any of the scorn or the cruelty that he and brothers came to him with before. There were no cruel words or hard jabs as he sat in that all-white room. This boy was even touching him, something he refused to do in the maze.
"I don't understand," Grey said simply, "You, you were so mean in the maze and that awful room"
The boy looked crestfallen and unsure of himself but gripped his hand tighter, "I apologize for being mean but if you speak with us and listen, I am sure we can figure out exactly what you are referring to"
"You were drugged," The gunman said simply. His tone was cold and blunt but Grey didn't like it either way. He bristled and the short boy before Grey shot him a sharp look over his shoulder, "That is To-Jason. You must remember him. He is awfully annoying but you are close"
Grey looked back towards the unarmed gunman and glanced at his hair again. He furrowed his brow and looked to Lincoln who had started to step closer to the broken windows., "Those weren't drugs" he muttered to himself, "They were just…supplements"
Lincoln had an unreadable expression marring his face and crossed his arms, "Grey Son, stop listening to their words. They are all tricks. All of them"
"And Tim!" the young voice cried again. Grey looked back to see the young boy motioning towards the lean boy in black. He had awakened and placed himself behind the Bat's group. He looked unsteady on his feet but made an effort to meet Dick's glance.
"I-I am unsure, These were not my orders…" Grey trailed off.
"Nightwing" The redheaded called, "That's your vigilante name. The Court is not your home. You're 22, Dick, where is all that history? Are you seriously telling me that you remember being with the Court at 10? You met me and Wally when you were 10. What about when you were 16? Jason was hurt and then Tim and Damian came to live with you and Bruce"
Beside him, the shorter redhead and blonde nodded aggressively.
Grey wasn't sure if it was in confirmation or encouragement for the archer to continue, but he found himself nodding as he focused on the other man.
"Enough!" Lincoln yelled. Grey whirled around to see the man was fuming. His fists were clenched and he was breathing heavily. He peered at Grey Son with a mysterious intent behind his eyes, "Grey Son" he ordered in a cold voice, "Claws out"
Jason was beyond confident that the Court hadn't been able to hurt Dick's mental landscape any further this time around versus when he was 17. They'd had years back then, to try and warp a 17-year-old's mind, and Dick was still able to claw his way back to his family, physically and mentally. Jason knew that the road would be rocky but that there would be a road to take no matter what because Dick remembered things. Strange ultra-specific kinds of things. He got mad over the color red, he liked Jason's pit-bleached hair, he liked the color green and something about birds attracted him to the notion of flying and free falling. Most normal people would hate the notion of falling, but not Dickie. That weird ass guy loved the adrenaline rush of your stomach flipping and falling through your feet. He loved the mental and physical push you had to make for yourself at that first step off a rooftop. He loved not having anything nearby, the thrill and uncertainty of the air as your only backup plan.
This time, with the Court, had been much shorter and Jason had faith in his labrador of a brother. The more they spoke to him now, the more Jason was sure of his theory. He hadn't shaken Damian's hand off and actually looked at each person as they spoke about him and his past. Roy was talking and receiving positive nods from Dick when suddenly Lincoln yelled out behind them. Everyone turned to look at the shorter brunette, but the man only had eyes for Dick. He looked furious and was slightly shaking with frustration.
He called out one line and everything fell apart. Dick's murky colored irises solidified into a solid bright yellow, his lips pulled back, and his confusion evolved into aggression.
"Claws out"
Dick wrenched his hand from Damian's grip and shoved the boy sideways, sending him tumbling to the ground. Roy knocked an arrow back and shot at Dick's chest. The hit only took him back a half step but Dick growled and yanked the whole arrow out of his top right pec and threw it to the ground. Jason cursed and took out both his guns; aiming over Dick's shoulder while he was preoccupied with Roy. Jason had his aim level and ready but at the last minute, all he saw was Lincoln's ass and toes as he threw himself out of the broken window. Jason cursed and went to tail him but Aretmis's cry stopped him short.
Within a few moments of Jason looking away, he had gotten Artemis to the ground and slashed her chest gruesomely. Her green suit was stained black with the amount of blood the slashes down her front were producing; Jason was surprised her top didn't fall off from the front. The blonde turned inwards and curled away from Dick when Roy shot him again. Dick changed his aggression to the archer and charged him quickly. Roy's eyes widened as Dick was suddenly on top of him and Jason panicked. Dick's shining ivory claws were raised above his friend's head and Jason pulled the trigger before he could rationalize if it'd be safe. The force and pain made Dick overshoot his jump at Roy and they both went rumbling. Roy shoved DIck off and scrambled closer to Jason, Bruce, and Damian.
Damian had draped Artemis against the far wall with Tim, behind Bruce and the 4 of them stood as a protective half circle before Dick.
"You shot him!" Damian cried.
Jason's heart was in his throat but seeing Dick get up re-confirmed that his healing factor was a barrier but also a safety net. Without trying to give his own doubts away, Jason scoffed, "I've shot him like 5 times in the last year. He's fine"
Dick clenched his teeth and stood. The bullet hole in his upper right back was bleeding freely and a pale patch of skin was bare to the group, "Dick" Jason tried.
Dick whirled around and gnashed his teeth in frustration, resembling a wild cat far too much for Jason's liking. Even beneath a full-body suit, Dick's shoulders and arms rippled with muscle and strength.
"Dick" Bruce tried gruffly. Jason looked around to make sure it was just them now. There were multitudes of bodies lying around them but few were conscious. Talia's men didn't care for Bruce's no-kill policy and that worked even better as all the dead talons around them would surely rise within the next 72 hours. Most of Talia's men were out for the count and Wally and Zatanna were still down as well.
"It's us. I know you remember us-" Dick lunged for Dick and Bruce dropped down before shoving up and over, throwing Dick over his shoulder onto the large desk behind them. The desk and Dick went tumbling and everyone watched with bated breath as Dick stood, teeth clenched and nostrils flared.
Bruce frowned, "This is wasting time and tiring us out" He looked at Jason, "Do it"
Jason nodded and put his guns away before drawing a smaller pistol from his thigh. This one was loaded with the special grade anti-talon serum. Jason quickly checked the cartridge before snapping it closed and pulling the safety off. The movement was enough for Dick to spot the bright blue-ish green liquid. He fell as still as a statue and Bruce saw immediately, "If you don't want us to use that, then you have to promise to come with us and speak with us. We want to explain why you shouldn't be with the COurt"
Dick eyed Bruce skeptically. "You lie," Dick said quietly, "Even Grandmaster uses that stuff"
Jason frowned but Damian spoke up first, "It's not a lie Richard. You have my word that-"
"I don't trust you" Dick hissed to Damian, "You were so mean to me!"
Damian looked stunned and fell silent. Jason knew the boy was confused and was hoping Dick wasn't referring to the first year he moved in with Bruce. Damian had been cruel and brash and hurtful but had also made a complete 180 thanks to Dick; ever since then they'd been attached at the hip.
"Damian would never hurt you on purpose, Dick," Tim said from where he was seated behind Batman.
Dick glared harder, "You were all mean!" he spat simply, even sending a glance to Jason.
Bruce uncrossed his arms, "Where they were mean to you, Dick? In a manor? A house?"
Jason frowned as Bruce, ever the detective, tried to trip up Dick in his conflicting memories and accusations. He was more concerned about proving to Dick that he was wrong than he was about his emotional state of mind right now.
Dick glared, "You were mean too, you were all there!" Dick ran a hand through his short locks and over his visible tattoo, "In the white room and the hallways"
He pointed a finger at Bruce, "You and the pirate were always there and never helped me!"
Pirate?... "Wilson?" Jason asked bluntly, "You saw Deathstroke? Wh-"
"Those were all halluciantions, Dick. We never passed your cell or anything" Bruce reasoned, thinking Dick meant the grey hallways of the compound.
"No! Lincoln was right! All you did was stand there and watch me fight and-and it hurt so much" Dick's voice cracked slightly as he tried to express his anger, but also his distorted thoughts, "I couldn't stop drinking but you showed up every time and just watched me over and over again, probably wanting me to fail…" Dick's word choices trailed off and Jason suspected Dick was getting slightly lost in his head. When his memories and behaviors started to get conflicting motivations, Jason would often find Dick staring off into space in the Manor. Dick would brush it off and act nonchalant but Jason knew he was struggling to identify if he should act like the talon the Court programmed him to be or the brother his family wanted back.
"Water?" Tim muttered, "Was this when they waterboarded him?" Tim asked Bruce quietly. Tim's thinking clicked something in Bruce's mind, "The fountain? You drank from the fountain a lot?" Bruce asked.
Dick looked like he wanted to spit on Bruce's parent's grace, "You were there" he trailed off again as if Bruce should know.
Bruce looked to his sons, "Wilson said that in the maze, there is a water fountain where they administered most of the psychedelic drugs to their soldiers. Dick almost escaped the maze his first time there and Deathstroke suspected they would throw him back in this time around as well"
Jason glared and slowly started to level his gun again. Maybe if he could catch Dick unaware, they could just knock him on his ass and take him home; then they could deal with the multitude of rising issues later.
Dick hadn't noticed Jason's movement and continued to stare down Bruce, "I know what I saw" he sneered, "Grandmaster warned us of you"
"What did he tell you?" Damian demanded. Dick hesitated for a moment and he looked unsure about responding. "You were ours first!" Damian was verging on a tantrum. It was late, Damian had been a prisoner for months and they hadn't had any real time to relax. His mother had saved them but her quick departure had probably rattled the young boy again. Jason gnawed his lip, maybe Damian and Tim should not have come tonight. Something snapped in Dick and his eyes flashed brightly as if something had shown a flashlight in his eyes, "No one owns me!" He bellowed. His forehead was drenched in sweat and his right temple had a cut, most likely from all the shattered glass around them. His skin had a layer of dirt and dust, and the chest piece of his suit armor was cracked and ripped from Roy's initial arrow.
The room fell silent, save for the sound of the wind through the top floor.
"You're right, Dick. No one owns you" Bruce placated. Dick's shoulder and chest were heaving with breath and compounding emotions but he wasn't expecting Bruce to agree. His brow broke and confusion and fear started to make its way onto his face.
Roy saw that panic had started to win out in Dick's frazzled mind "Dick, just-" Dick cut off Roy's attempt to reason.
He cried out, "I'm Talon!" and threw himself at Batman. They both went down and rolled to the wall. Bruce kicked Dick off of him but Dick threw the momentum into a flip and landed on his feet. He snarled and slashed back at Bruce with his gloved claws but Bruce caught his wrist and redirected. Dick feinted another slash before quickly kicking out at Bruce's thigh. Batman grunted and almost went down but he threw a punch at Dick instead. Dick grabbed Batman's wrist and pulled him in. Almost like a waltz dance motion, they did a half circle before Dick wrenched Bruce to the side and threw him down. Damian cried out at the rough landing and looked conflicted about getting in the way.
Dick was on Batman before he could stand but Bruce was ready. He pulled Dick down, surprising him enough to wrap his gauntleted hands around his throat until he had his collar bones and neck between his forearm and elbow in a choke. He sinched his arms fast and tight, drawing a wet choke from Dick. He threw his head back into Batman's but that did nothing more than start a nosebleed.
Dick kicked his legs out, trying to hit something vital before finally giving up and sinking his claws into Bruce's inner elbow. Batman cried out and then cut himself off but he loosened his grasp enough for Dick to throw his legs above his and Bruce's head. He kicked again and the momentum allowed him to pull his head backward from Batman's grasp and breakaway. At the last second, Bruce spun on his back and kicked the back of Dick's legs; forcing him to buckle. He tripped and gave way, hitting his head fast and hard on the floor. He didn't even make a sound but forced his eyes open with a breathless gasp and blinked back tears of pain as the world tilted violently for a few moments. The shock and sudden brute force to his head probably stunned him and Jason tried taking his opportunity.
Dick must have heard his gun cocking and he flipped to his feet, landing unsteadily and almost collapsing again. Roy nocked his last arrow and shot Dick in the thigh the moment he was standing fully. Dick hissed and fell back against the only undamaged wall behind him. He went to rip the arrow from his body when a muted sound went off followed by a small wet thud. Dick gasped as a small blue hole opened up in his left pec, between his heart and collar bone. He stared down at the wound and looked like he was conflicted about touching it. Suddenly his head snapped up and Jason tensed at seeing Dick's pupils blown so wide the gold ring was almost gone. He snarled loudly and went to move forward when Jason fired again. The force made Dick's back thud against the wall behind him and he blinked, gasping for breath. Jason was sure he was in pain but his body might be too overloaded with injuries and concussions to feel everything yet. His face had smeared blood coating his mouth and temple and his suite was riddled with gunshots and arrow punctures. Jason noted that Roy's initial arrow wound had already closed up but a tender pink patch was left behind.
Damian took a shuddering breath and moved forward but Batman gripped his shoulder, restraining him in place. They all watched as Dick gapped like a fish out of water when suddenly his knees buckled and he collapsed back against the wall, eyes fluttering. Batman released Dmain and their entire group rushed Dick, surrounding him and waiting for Jason's injections to catch up to his overreactive system. Dick saw them surround him through lidded eyes and groaned horribly. He made a weak motion of swiping at them but his arm was getting heavier and heavier as lethargy set in. His arm fell limply into his lap before his eyelids fell closed completely. Jason reached out and ran a hand down the unmarried side of his face, trailing his fingers over the buzzed hair and tattoo. He didn't miss the way Dick's throat bobbed dramatically and the way he slightly leaned into the caress of his face.
After a solid minute of watching him, Bruce released a breath. Everyone suddenly moved and started to breathe regularly as well as if reemerging they didn't all have to hold their breaths.
Bruce ran a hand over his bruised jaw, "Red Arrow and Hood, I want you to coordinate getting the injured back to the Cave. I will take Robin, Red Robin, and Nightwing back in the batmobile and return once he is sedated and secured. Keep me updated and try to keep it organized; I want to take a look at everything Cobb and Ryland didn't get a chance to burn"
Jason nodded as Bruce swept forward and gently gripped Dick's limp form in a bridal carry before hefting him onto his shoulder. Dick's arm fell limply against Batman's back and Jason's gut churned at the deja vu from when they had to re-kidnap Dick about a year ago.
"Batgirl, are you up to date?"
"Affirmative" Her voice replied through the comms in his cowl. "Help the others get back to base and take the YJ members back to Mount Justice, we will debrief in a day or so. Keep me updated" Batmn reinforced again before heading out the broken office double doors. He took one last preview around the cave and noted that Talia's men were down for the most part. Bruce wished that there was someone from their targeted party left behind but Cobb and Lincoln Marsh had ordered them all to disperse. He felt Dick taking a deep shuddering breath against his back and bruce readjusted his grip, reminding himself of his priority before he moved onto anything else on their growing to-do list.