A Twist of Fate

Chapter 33

Bruce couldn't hold in his sneer. The Court of Owls had been a pain in his ass from the start of his life. First they went after his parents. Then they made a clone of him. Now they were part of an organization that was trying to completely manipulate the League. He also didn't miss how Dick's face contorted into a sneer.

"Court of Owls?" Artemis laughed, "They're just a myth to scare little kids."

Kid Flash raised his hand as he spoke, "What's the Court of Owls?"

Bruce decided that it was his turn to speak up, "Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time. Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you by your hearth, they watch you in your bed. Speak not a whispered word of them, or they'll send a Talon for your head."

It was Dick that added on, "We know your secret Identity. We know your tragic past. Spend your time most wisely, for any day could be your last."

No one spoke. No one dared.

"The Court of Owls exists. They have ruled Gotham for well over a century." Batman stated, "It is like trying to take down the League of Assassins or The Shadows. They just keep popping back up. As for this missing sixteen hours. We'll figure it out. There's too much technology nowadays for none of us to get caught on camera."

Everyone nodded, trusting Batman's words.

"Any more questions about the Light, you would like to know?" Dick asked.

Wonder Woman nodded, "Yes. How can we take them down?"

Dick drummed his hands, "A kingdom toppled from the outside tends to rebuild. But an Empire Destroyed from within rarely is able to pick up the pieces."

"So you're saying we have to break them up from within their own ranks?" Superman clarified.

Dick nodded, "Good luck. Don't think you guys have the skills to do that."

Bruce grunted in the negative category. The meeting went on, mostly everyone forgetting that Renegade was there liaising. After the meeting was over Bruce took Dick aside handing him his phone and the backpack Joey had left.

"Go back to the Cave with the team." Bruce told him, "I'll talk to you in the later morning. Get some sleep."

Dick smirked, "Wow the Cold stone Knight does have a heart under all that Armor."

"Go before I change my mind." Bruce growled.

Dick smiled but he turned walking back to the team. Wally threw an arm around his shoulder with a laugh. Bruce watched them go.

"He seems like he's right on that line of good and bad." Clark said, coming up next to him, "Is that the definition of a teen?"

Bruce smirked, "Yes and no. For a Villains son. Probably."

"You alright?"

Bruce shrugged, "Nothing to do about what happened but take down the Light."

"You're going to tell Slade about the incident."

"Joey probably already told him but yes, I'll be contacting him."

~ ~ ~

Slade stood in the center of the room, screens of the members of the Light and other top members. That meant that this meeting was one big meeting. They were discussing their half failed plan and Batman's new sidekick. It took effort, then Slade would ever admit, not to laugh. Dick knew exactly how to get on everyone's nerves.

Batman had been holding off in taking his sons out and now Dick gave him a slight push. On the other hand, nobody liked the thought of another Batman coming into the pitcher. Dick might not kill but he would suffocate under a Hero's mortality. He loved his freedom, that being an unmasked Villain gave him. The Villain world also wasn't as demanding. If someone dies o'well.

"These are troubling events, but we have set in motion our other plan." Savage stated, "Now, Talon do you have anything to say or add?"

Slade was careful not to reveal his dislike for the man as the dark figure on a screen spoke.

"Not that I'm aware of. I know that Batman would have brought his little sidekick out sooner or later. I just didn't think he would be in the thick of it already." Talon stated, "The boy, Robin, must be fully trained."

'Fully trained, my ass.' Slade thought. Dick was far from fully trained. He had a long way to go and more growing to do.

Savage seemed satisfied, "Now it's time to dim a bit. We must not get too looked at by the League or this Jr Justice League."

They all nodded before turning off their screens. Slade finally sneered, unclasping his helmet and tossing it on a table. It hit with a clank before settling. Slade took out his phone staring at the text Joey had sent him right before the meeting. It took everything not to go running to his youngest son.

Dick had a PTSD attack.

Thankfully Bruce had thought on his feet to call Joey or things could have turned bad. Dick might refuse to kill but he has the capability to snap bones and cause more than his share of damage to a human body. Joey had acted on his feet and more than a little hope that Dick wasn't too far deep.

His phone buzzed in his hands. Slade didn't hesitate to answer.

"How is he?" Slade growled out, not caring for a greeting.

Bruce on the other end sighed, "He's acting fine but he's more on edge. The team took him back to the Cave."

"Make sure they don't leave him alone." Slade told him.

Bruce was silent for a second, "Why?"

"He'll start getting into his head." Slade thought back to the first year Dick lived with him, "I would also suggest giving him the pills back you took. And don't deny that you took them."

Bruce grunted, "You going to tell me what they are?"

"Ask Dick. He'll explain as much as he wants. I'll say that it's for times like this." Slade sighed, "He tell you anything yet?"

"Not much to go on. I have a few suspects who are after him. You're still not going to tell me?"

"It's his past and his choice." Slade walked out of the room of the warehouse and back to his bike, "And I mean it. Give him back the pills, no matter what. I know he can be a terror when he's angered or sleep deprived or, well, anytime. I also know that he's probably given you some hard times."

"Hard? He threw an alarm clock at my head with tremendous force." Bruce deadpanned, "It shattered when it hit the wall."

Slade laughed, "I take it you forced him to do something. Something I suggested you ask first."

Bruce grunted in the positive, "I might never do that again."

"I recommend that." Slade chuckled, "So he's ok?"

"Don't know. He's acting as if everything is fine. I'll make sure that the team will stay with him as much as they can."

Slade sighed, "I don't say this often but thank you Bruce."