Phoenix, son of Wonder Woman

Manipulation Part 1

Dick slowly rests against the wall. His eyes drawn across the few blood spatters on the ground, his blood. They were few, but it was still painful to look at. Wally had been silent the whole time, only watching as he'd taken Jackson's full attention during their time there. Something that Dick feels Wally should be grateful for, had he not been a jealous hero.

The silence didn't last long however as Jackson soon entered their cell. However, Dick noticed that he was acting different. He didn't bother to form the knife or speak of something that he would do with his friends when he was done with him. He just stood there and glanced at them both.

The room filled with tense, Dick wasn't sure what his cousin had planned. Or who which one of them he was. But there was something about him that just felt so familiar, the way he spoke. It was without care, like he was controlling others with just his words alone. And then, it hits him. He realised who Jackson was. The control freak who had no hands, Manipulation.

"Manipulation." Dick said, breaking the silence as he eyed Jackson closely.

Jackson turned with a smirk, not one of love or care, but one of evil, one of sinister thoughts, one of darkness, of war. "Oh ρίτσαρντ. You figured it out." He said with darkness in his tone.

Dick narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?" He asked.

Manipulation smirked as he stepped towards Dick. "Oh, just a few things ρίτσαρντ." He said once more.

Wally blinked. "What are you saying?" He asked, confused by the word that Manipulation sad when referring to Dick.

Manipulation turned his head around slightly. "Just a word in Greek Kid Flash." He answered before turning to face Dick once more. "And you my dear ρίτσαρντ, we have so much to talk about. You life on an island of woman, meeting the gods, meeting my father, our training period." He said, grabbing Dick by the chin roughly. "So much to explore, to inform your pathetic friend of. Of who you truly are and why you're so gifted." He finished with a smirk.

Dick kicked Manipulation back a few steps. "If you think Zeus will let you speak freely of who am I. Then you're wrong." Dick replied.

Manipulation sighed. "Oh my dear ρίτσαρντ, he wouldn't care what happens to lowly mortal like you. He's too far above you to give a shit." He said.

Dick smirked. "You tricks won't work on me cousin." He said.

Manipulation cracked his neck. "So, what would happen if I said you had a girlfriend at a young age, someone called Donna Troy." He said.

Dick narrowed his eyes. "She is my bestfriend and sister. Do not call her my girlfriend you foul demigod." He spat back aggressively.

"One and the same, don't forget, you too are a foul demigod." Manipulation said with a grin.

"You'll find that I'm not a demigod Manipulation, but rather, I'm a champion of the gods. Two separate things altogether." Dick replied smugly.

Manipulation shook with anger before he opened his mouth to speak. "You time with the Amazons has left you mistrustful of man. You are blinded. A shame that I can't manipulate you into fighting against your friends. So be lucky that I won't do the same with your friends. Because none of them are of any use to me." He said before leaving.

Dick smirked as he looked at Wally. "And that's how you piss of a demigod of war KF." He said.

Wally raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised he didn't just crush you in seconds." He replied.

Dick chuckled. "Manipulation is smart enough to draw the line, unlike some of his brothers." Dick replied.

-----------

Artemis and the team slowly came to a stop before the large complex Their eyes widen as they see the mass of troops around the area.

"We won't be able to get inside." Miss Martian said, worry etched into her face.

Superboy looked over the compound, his eyes scanning for anything of use. "I can't see anything that could be useful to get inside." He said wit disappointment.

Robin and Aqualad glanced at each other while Jessica, Kevin and Artemis watched the place closely.

"We could attempt to disguise ourselves as them." Artemis suggested.

Kevin shook his head. "Not with Lex Corp backing them up. Whoever's in charge is bound to have the place secured tightly. Even more tightly then the Australian Prison Complex." He replied. Gaining some concerned looks from the others. He chuckled. "Don't worry, I tried to steal from the kitchen and storage rooms. It didn't go so well." He said, easing their concern.

"Well, we need to think of something, and fast." Jessica said, her eyes watching as a man left the main building.

"What can we do, Robin? Aqualad?" Kevin asked, eyeing the two team leaders.

Aqualad and Robin glanced at each other briefly before something occurred to them.

"Artemis, Kevin, you two will free Kid Flash Phoenix, the rest of us will provide a distraction." Aqualad said.

Artemis nodded. "We'll be in as soon as you give the signal." She answered, heading out with Kevin.

Superboy glanced at the complex. "Here we go." He said as the five started to head forward, ready to provide the distraction.

-----------

ρίτσαρντ is Greek for Richard.