When Worlds Collide

89) *Chaos Has Entered The Chat*

-Bruce POV- 

Bruce stood in front of the manor as a van pulled up. He didn't put on his usual playboy smile. Usually they liked to have fun with the team when they would come for a mission, but it wasn't just for fun this time.

M'gann and Artemis got out of the car first, followed by the 3 newest members.

"Mr. Wayne," M'gann said, shaking his hand. "As I'm sure you know, these are the three heroes who will be staying in the manor with your children, however myself and Artemis will maintain a close distance. We also have a few heroes who will remain on stand by."

Bruce looked at the three teens that would be charged with protecting his kids. "I know this might seem like a strange assignment, but I need to know that you will take it seriously."

"Of course, sir," they all said.

Bruce nodded. "The villains Black Mask and Hush both have personal vendettas against me. When I'm in Gotham, I at least have the security of know they will target me, but with me out of the city, they have a high likelihood of targeting my family. Under no circumstances can you let that happen."

"With all due respect sir," Virgil said nervously. "Your son, Nico-"

Bruce cut him off, knowing where he was going. "I am aware of his activities and powers, but he won't be able to do much if they come after him. As I'm sure you're aware, he was taken by Black Mask earlier this year. Though he has physical recovered from this incident, he never fully recovered. If just Hush comes, then he may be fine, but if Black Mask shows up..." Bruce was quiet for a moment. "You're on your own."

The team nodded grimly. They had read the reports about the kidnapping and seen the scars first hand.

"My sons are all trained in self defense, however I will warn you: I know them well, and if Blask Mask shows up, they will focus solely on Nico."

"We'll protect your sons," Virgil said, his eyes unwavering.

Bruce let out a breath before nodding and gesturing to the front doors. "Alfred flew out this morning and I already said my goodbyes." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper, hanging it to Traci since she was the closest. "If something happens and for some reason your teammates cannot come in for support, call this number. They will come, no questions asked."

Traci looked at the note that just held a number, nothing else. "Who is it to?"

Bruce looked at her for a long second, choosing to bite his tongue. "They won't ask questions, so neither should you. Just know that they will help."

With that, Bruce looked back to M'gann and Artemis. "You know the drill. Let them know all the protocols in place before you head out."

The two girls nodded to him before he got in his car and drove away. He desperately wanted to turn back around, but he knew his sons would be okay. They were strong. They knew how to take care of themselves and each other. 

~~~~~~~~~

Nico stood just in the foyer, waiting for the team to come in. His brothers were all in the library relaxing, but Nico couldn't sit still. His brothers had it easy. The team didn't know who they were. They were just Waynes to them.

Nico didn't even get that liberty. They all knew exactly who he was.

The doors finally opened and in walked the three newbies, Artemis, and M'gann.

"It's so good to see you again Nico," M'gann said with a smile as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

Nico had learned a while ago that she was a very touchy person. Hand squeezing was the middle ground between his discomfort with most physical touch and her love of it.

"You too, M'gann," he said, squeezing her hand slightly before letting go.

Artemis ruffled his hair with a smirk. "Long time no see Ghostie."

Nico rolled his eyes. "You saw me like a week and a half ago."

The blonde just shrugged.

Then he looked to the newbies who all looked stressed. "Welcome to Wayne Manor."

Traci looked around in wonder. "It's gorgeous."

Nico nodded, looking at his home. "I would tell you about when it was built, but I have no clue. I know that I'm at least the third generation of Waynes to live here, but I'm pretty sure it's been around for a lot longer than that."

Cissie smiled at him slightly. "It's strange to see you in civies— I mean, outside of the mountain. You've been in normal clothes before, but it's weird to see you in a normal setting."

"Well, I wouldn't quite call this normal considering you're here to make sure a supervillain doesn't come and murder my brothers and I, but I get your point," he said as he waved for them to follow him as he led them through the maze of hallways. "It's weird that you're in my house."

"Your brothers know about... you know, right?" Virgil asked, looking nervous.

Nico nodded. "They know probably more than you do."

"The Wayne's know about everything?" Traci asked, looking surprised.

Nico let out a sigh, already getting a headache from the encounter. "Yes. It would be pretty hard to explain the disappearances and missing leg if they didn't."

That shut them all up fast enough. As they got to the library doors, Nico stopped and turned to the group. "You'll meet my brothers and then Arty and Megan are gonna brief you."

"We were already-"

Nico cut off Cissie. "Not on everything. You were given the information that your teammates had all been given prior to their own missions protecting us. This mission is different. There are different stakes."

They all looked nervous. "Different stakes?"

Nico hesitated. He kept his face neutral, but he felt a shiver go through him before he cleared his throat. "Black Mask."

They all froze at the name.

"In the past, the stakes were lower, but with both Hush and Black Mask on the loose right now... it's different. Hush has always had an interest in the family, same with Black Mask, but Sionis has a... special interest in me."

"Hasn't he gone after your brothers before as well?"

Nico looked away from the group, keeping his mask of stoicism in place as anxiety thrummed beneath his skin. "Not in the same way. He..." Nico's voice failed him for a moment before he cleared it again. "It's not important right now. Artemis and Megan will brief you."

The trio nodded, understanding that he was done talking about the subject.

Nico turned away from them before taking a deep breath and pushing open the doors to the library. He expected to see his brothers sitting around and reading... obviously that wasn't what happened because that would be too easy. Of course he had to open the doors to chaos.

A/N: Peace is for boring people. I like chaos.

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