A Twist of Fate

Chapter 17

Dick sat in the ship with less enthusiasm than he normally would. Wally sat in front of him, chatting away. He was still fuming with a dulled fire by the over pompous ass that is called Batman. It was dulled for now because he was going back home. Not the Haunt but his family. They might not be blood related or anything but they were Family. And that doesn't just go away after six years. It will always be there, even when he is gray and old.

"Alright." Kalder called out, silencing any conversations, "We need to make a plan."

"We just follow the circus around until we catch them in the act." Red Arrow said off handedly.

Dick couldn't hold in the snort.

Red Arrow's eyes narrowed, "You got a better plan?"

Dick smirked, "Join the Circus. Unless you're scared."

Red Arrow opened his mouth to retort but Aqualad beat him to it, "That is a great plan but how to get in?"

"Just tell the ringmaster you have a few acts for him." Dick muttered, "That you've never performed in front of a huge crowd but have talents that work in small groups. We have two archers, two strong men, two that can do the Trapeze, and I don't know what Flash Boy over here can do."

"Could make him a clown." Artemis said grinning.

"Hey!"

Aqualad nodded, "That is a great idea. But how to say that we all know each other."

"Family." Dick muttered, "Say we're siblings. Adopted. Our parents have just passed and we all need a job and place to stay. We heard about the Circus and thought it would do us good."

Everyone looked at him slack jawed. It was a good solid plan to get into the Circus and from there they could gather information. It would also give them a good reason to want to join and why they didn't look alike.

The team then debated on names and who was doing what. Kelder agreed with Dick's assessment on where everyone would be but it left Wally out. They were all debating over what Wally would be. Dick agreed with him being a clown. It would be easy to say that he didn't know where he would fit and was eager to learn anything. With everyone else's talent's Jack would give him to the Clowns to work with.

"I don't want to be a Clown!" Wally yelled like a child.

Dick snorted, "You already are one. Might as well put the makeup on."

Wally put a hand over his heart in fake mockery but Dick saw the true hurt he hid with a bright, "Ouch, that hurts. And after all that bonding we did yesterday."

"It's the only thing that you can learn in a short period of time. Unless you have skills you've never told your team or Batman." Dick tried to appease, "No one will really laugh at you. You'll be doing things that most others can't. You might think being a Clown is foolish and easy but I'm taking a bet you're going to have the hardest time."

When he was done, Dick noticed that everyone was staring at him. Ducking his head and turning away he physically pulled himself from the conversation. The argument was over and everyone had their talents before the backstory was conducted. It was a tragic one but useful for what they needed. Jack would be suspicious as he was with new people. It couldn't be helped.

The ship landed in a field far from any houses. It also meant they had to walk. They all carried bags. Not big enough to gather attention but not too small. Dick had suggested that Roy and Artemis take the recurve bows and handmade arrows. It would look more believable. Kelder and Conner were put in tank tops to show off the muscles they had. Dick and Magan had changed into more flexible clothes. Well, Magan morphed into new clothes while Dick actually changed slipping on a pair of sunglasses. Wally was in baggy pants and a tank, showing he was well worked but still unsure of what he does.

They moved through the carnival enjoying the stands and talking to the workers. Asking questions interested people looking to sign up would. Few looked hesitant to give out the information, mostly the older members. It made the team suspicious of them. To Dick, he could name each of them.

It wasn't long until the sun started to set and people made their way to the tent or to Dick, the big top. Walking in was like stepping into the past. It sounded nearly the same. It looked the same. Hell it smelled the same. Dick was hit with a sudden wave of sorrow and pain. For a moment the ring turned different and all he could see was the mangled bodies of his family, laying in a pool of their own blood.

"Um... Dude, you ok?" Wally asked tentatively.

Dick nodded, "Fine just lost myself for a second. Where's everyone?"

"They got us seats." Wally had a worried expression on his face. It looked wrong.

Dick bumped shoulders with the worried hero and smiled softly, "Really, I'm fine. Or in the very least, I'll be fine."

"Want to talk about it?" Wally asked looking for the team in the rows of seats.

Dick shook his head, "Not right now. Maybe later. Or when we're back at the Cave."

Wally nodded and finally spotted Kalder and Roy. They made their way over, sitting down on the little bit of bench seating they were able to save. The show started soon after they sat down, with the ringmaster stepping into the ring.

"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to Haley's international traveling Circus! Where the world is just at your fingertips." Haley introduced, "And to start our show the triplets of the wire. We are sad to say that one brother is sick tonight."

The lights detected up to the wire thirty feet into the air. And the show went on. There was a knife thrower, a tamer, a few gymnasts that did the enter act on the ground and horse back. A fire breather and Sword swallower. Each act was different and unique. Dick could name only half of the people. It seemed a lot of people left in six years. The last performance was just as grand as the first but would never compare to the Flying Graysons.