Our Time in Reverse- What it Takes

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Chapter 60: Locked Away in My Own Head

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Dick went to bed earlier than Jason. The night before had been, peaceful. Zee was bunking there in the guest room while her dad worked with the JLA. Tonight…the next night she wasn't in…. After supper, Dick was for once in that entire time at the manor, full. In his room he left off the lights, thinking over the fact that something didn't feel so right. Holding his head, his heart started to beat a bit louder…

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The results would come in at least…the rest, in a few days. Something was brought up about his neurological state and his metabolism in the room when he'd woken. Jason had been muttering next to Alfred, while Bruce was running a hand over his face, sighing. Leslie had a tablet in her hands as they both searched it over. Then…

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~ Bro? Dickie – B?~

AN anonymous rapping came at his door as Dick was wide awake to hear it. It was Jason, how peculiar that he'd be working up a sweat to see what was up with his older brother. Dick snorted and opened the door, Jason smirking back before his features fell a little. "You're dressed to bed down, but we were gonna have some crème Brule for dessert. You sure you're not…you know?"

"Growing pains, actually…" Dick rubbed the back of his neck and sheepishly replied. "I'm not used to the rhythms; whoever that person was who…. well, I wonder if he slept like this. Couldn't-

"Stay up, or let me come in so you're not all alone, eye – ore." Jason patted the kid's arm as he walked in, not seeing the door hit him in the nose as Dick panicked. He apologized, very messing he shut it with a small, worried "sorry" as Jason was on the wooden floor, holding his nose while getting up to again crash his fist into the door. "Hey! DICKIE!! TALK TO US! WHAT'S UP WITH YOU, HEY!"

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Dick sunk into the bottom of the base of the door, the pounding rattling him until a set of fingers tugged him to stand, closer to the window as his own latched against it to look outside at that full moon. ~ As lovely as your family has been, I don't believe you've been content once. Not as I see it, or you here. Waking up. ~

"You…hurt him, why? Who are you-

~ An old friend, one in hiding. Keeping away like your mind from being hurt in turn. Just. Like you. ~

"Me? But they want me to heal I'm not…you called me something that other day, Renegade…who was that? Was that –

The figure shook its head in a shroud. ~ I can't tell you just yet. In order to reverse your memory loss completely, you'll need to find someone who can undo the effect of it. The Martian claims it is fir your protection. ~ The shroud said, his patient motions made Richard's hands clings harder to the window ledge. The cool air in his room gave him unnecessary frostbite as his body shook.

"A - a- are you r - r- real? N- n – not dead like they said?"

~ OH, I'm VERY real. ~ (From Haunted ep) The ghoul's one eye popped as the boy gasped in a breath, the man's face closer to his own as those words it spoke, made him feel sick. Like he was dying too.

~ Have I been the very thing that's kept you up at night, or is it someone else someone merciless? Someone unlike the bat. ~

Dick looked up as a ghost's hand perched up his jaw to look outwards, the familiar sense that he knew that hand ate him up as it kept only the thumb and main pointer to allow Dick to see past the manor's walls. ~ If he trusts what you are, he won't go back on his word. Mark mine, little bird. That man won't. ~ He snipped out, dropping the boy's chin. ~ You'll want him nearby, but guess what? You won't get your wish. Only I know that. Your brother believes he can save you if Bruce isn't the one to do it. And what about them? The ones you left all alone, defending themselves against a greater future attack that you made possible? Do you remember, little bird? Hmm?~

"W…me?" Dick dropped himself to look back at the man, his feet only visible as steel toed. Military. A soldier. His head hurt, it always had that cringing feeling as he gripped his skull while groaning, the spirit vanishing before Bruce and Alfred had Jason at his door. "I…DON'T KNOW…" He panted.

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"See? Something is not right. I got tripped, and…and…"

"Could it be Latent Psychically enhanced abilities then?" Zee wandered in abd frowned, not seeing or feeling their presence. "It's not a ghost. Not, per se…"

"I OPENED THE WINDOW!" Dick blurted, with a squint of his eye in pain. "I got a weird headache…started to remember but…can't …why can't I-

"The manor is tour fortress for today and tomorrow as you need it to be, Master Dick." Alfred told the lad. "Master Bruce? Might I speak to the boy on our behalf? There us much I wish to ask in particular, it may calm him down."

"But –

"We'll look into the wards for now, Jace." Zee nodded, tugging him mentally to try and refuse her egging. Bruce needed this too, but fir Alfred to step up….it had to be serious.

Bruce frowned though, wanting to be in that room as well. "Fine, a few minutes. If anything happens, we'll be outside this door."

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Alfred sat on the bed, his hands in his lap as Dick didn't look at him directly. The man's mouth moved like a meditation stance. Eyes securely kept away from the light before he rose up. His hand outstretched as Dick saw a grin appear on the old man's face. The boy turned to a sheet- white palor.

"When." He choked to ask it.

It. The so – called apparition that none but he could see.

"I thought talking in and out was a bother. Why not try this? The man isn't very protected for long. Most of the wards are down thanks to my helpers. Tonight, I want you to finish the last piece off. Pull off that, and I will tell you everything about your supposed father and your real past, with me…Renegade."

Alfred's head dipped as the old codger clutched onto it, Dick trying to seem normal- but he wasn't, was he?

"However, di –

Dick rushed to the man and hugged him tightly. He wasn't sure why, but seeing Alfred in danger just then. It petrified a path to that past self he couldn't get rid of. "Master…. Richard?"

"Don't go out tonight…. don't leave, please…"

"I…" Alfred put a hand to the young boy's head as he pretended to be so caring. If he was, it felt real…

Dick wanted to be the one to believe they all cared for him, yet some dark twisted thing refused to let it go.

That he was in this cage because of someone else not caring enough to come looking.

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Sleeping that night on the clock wasn't the bat's style as he slipped down to the cave, dismal and dark as his features were becoming. Alfred joined, yet his time was rejected once the bat mobile set its sights on the city limits. He waved the master of their home off, heading upstairs to locate the young sorceress in training and her newest companions.

"We'll see by tonight if things get spooky." Zee giggled while Dick fidgeted with the game controller. Jason let his guard down as Zee came up to shout "boo" in the young man's ear, sending Alfred to come looking. Ace was by Dick's feet, lying there as he tried to ignore the sounds of Mega Monkey mayhem. The sounds were almost soothing, as Dick found himself taking a look back at one memory of a boy – two. And two girls with strange abilities…

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"You gotta check this out, Richie!"

The boy with a face he could not picture. Hair slicked back into spikes and a grin that could light up the Eiffel tower and Tokyo Tower in one night.

"Cool it, green bean. Rich's been staying calm this long. You had better not mess him up or you're gonna be the first ta see your lowest score. He can whoop you any time, you know. So can I."

"Oh, yeah? Three of us, or nothing. Star and Rave can play winner. Why not?"

The boy with the grin soon let his wilt, his worry increasing as the man, Cy, he was half…robot? And the green boy was shifting into a lemur.

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The dreamy feelings of conscious revival ended as Jason shook Dick's shoulder. "You alive, Alice? Wonderland is overrated, Dick – head."

"Master Jason?"

"Oh, my bad…" The kid tapped his own cheek to punish himself as Alfred huffed, his mustache twitching a bit as Zee put a hand over her mouth. "We'll be less rowdy, right?"

"I was…not really listening." Dick chewed his lip, the controller in his hands yet the moment, gone.

"He's having a moment. Should we –

"No, stay with each other. I'll make snacks if you would prefer…even…" Alfred huffed. "As long as Master Jason might keep the crumbs off the floor?"

"My bad! Jeez…" Groaned the current boy wonder. "I can't even be Robin, now…"

He stopped. "AH…I'm ok, I'm cool." He lied, Dick saw it and put the controller down, his eyes on leaving the room as he spoke, turning to Alfred. "Could I maybe help in the kitchen? Getting a bit stiff. Need to move."

"Of, of course, Master Dick. We'll be simply having a pumpkin potage for now. It is at late best, now October. Isn't it?"

It was, the first week and that memory had not been there. Of such a gourd. "Yeah, it is." Dick nervously grinned. It was nothing of a grin like the boy in his daydreams.

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The boy kept walking around, his eyes darting and not yet seeing. Then, as he felt a chill in the cupboard walking to that spot, he was pulled in. Alfred was not even in the room yet.

"Master Dick???"

The boy didn't make pa peep as the hand over his mouth and the one at his waist made it feel like quicksand was pulling him down. His heart hurt, his eyes shut.

~Shhh…I'll help you get him out of the room a bit. Right now, I'm taking action. Keep him here. The wards will come down. Make sure he doesn't leave. Alright, boy? ~

Dick nodded, frantic to get out, but…trusting the voice as he saw the metal clad glove. His eyes blurred before he was revealed to be in the closet under a burlap sack. "S- sorry. Where is the canned pumpkin?"

"Canned? Dear boy." Alfred chuckled warmly. "Canning is for rationing, not for indulging. I'd rather not forget but you shouldn't go outside. I must go pick it."

"I'LL GO WITH!" Dick raised his hand as Alfred blinked at the boy's enthusiasm. "You're engaging like you used to. I do wonder if things are alright then?"

"Yeah, just…little restless part of me. Not a bad thing, right?" Dick shrugged and nervously chuckled out the question. "I'm, it's only four so…how big and how long will this monster take us?"

"It is a British variety so the amount will be better suited to the meat needed for the dish. The others are hollow inside." Alfred told Dick.

"Should we select one to carve as well?"

"Sure –

Dick bit his tongue. If the evil spirit were pushed out, or the jack o lantern was no myth…

"Ah, not yet though." He rebuked. "I want it to stay from rotting. Leave that for Jay to pick."

In the darkest corner of the room, Slade had to smirk. After getting his way, there would be no way to stop the invites from approaching.

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Jason had Zee on the ropes as she swerved to avoid her rocket in the game from crashing. "Come on!!" She growled and clicked her tongue at Jason's laughing mug. "You…you hit a sign! Holy shit! You stunk at this level so –

The cell in Zee's pocket rung to interrupt their down time. She lifted it and pressed the screen to have her father on the line. ~ Zatanna! There you are. Have you double checked the talismans? I'm sensing something. Please –

"We set them up last night and today this morning." She picked up the controller and set the phone to cradle it by her ear. ~ My child. I'm sensing an interruption. You aren't safe –

"Dad? You put me in charge. It's ok. I didn't mess up a single verse. Why –

~ There is a demon, my child! It is not real, not a ghoul but far worse and it has allowed Its presence into those walls. The Batman and I will be there in a spell. You must –

"Dad?? Daddy!" She watched in horror as the crackle and pop of those words and relics burned or collapsed and broke. She got her wand out, her heart beating. "Jason, get to your brother and Alfie. This isn't a regular-

She shouted as it pulled her up. Her body as shown as a raggedy Andy toy. "Zee??!" Jason dropped everything as Ace barked at the ceiling. "No…." He rushed to the place it was dragging her, then found there was no Zee in the next corridor. Ace was shaking and whimpering as Jason corralled the hound away. His eyes fought back rage and pushed by, did as Zee wanted. Dick was in the kitchen. Dick wasn't-

He checked it, the fire in the oven moving as it transformed into a person. The face had one eye as Jason's mouth wouldn't move. "You…." Jason snarled as Ace had to be held back.

~ Control your pet. I'm not staying long.~

"Demon my ass, I know who you are. You…are the last person who should have sold his fucking soul to torment MY family!!" Jason watched the fire man move as he vanished through a crack in the walls, the room turning hottest by the oven as Jason threw himself over top Ace, both waited until the burnt room was entered by a chilled and sullen eyed Dick and Alfred. The pumpkin even lost its color, no doubt the demon's doing.

"Oh…." Alfred was at a loss.

"CALL B. NOW!" Jason yelled, not caring if Dick had to jump a little.

Jason. Was terribly angry. Angry, at him…

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Ohh…I had another idea but swapped it for this. Next chapter. Maybe. Read on!