AN- Hey everybody! I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. I just switched schools recently and a whole lot of transitioning happens with that. Not fun. But that was a month ago so any time before that is all on me. Which can be blamed on fandoms. Fairy Tail. Yep.
I hope this is a horrific chapter.

Shout out to all of my readers!!!! I love people. That will change. I'm bipolar. Oh boy. Kidding. I don't know.

Okay.

Party in the batcave!!!!

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The voice finally stopped leaving me mentally exhausted. The shocks had stopped long ago. Now, I was to be sent to my uncle for my other punishment. My mission.

Over the years my uncle had realized that I would not turn so willingly. He used the mind control as punishment. He'd send me on heart breaking assassinations to teach me to obey or those who are innocent will pay.

I hate my uncle. More than Zucco even. Not because he tortures me or keeps me captive, but because of what he does. He kills innocents. Talons tell me stories of the great Talon I am training under when I'm Shadow. He doesn't just kill criminals. He kills everyone around and leaves no trace of them. Like they never existed. Killing every person that's come in contact with them. It's terrible. It's cruel and crazy.

He's a mad man.

When I'm sent into the room, I see him standing there, the syringe held tightly in hand. He moves toward me in a swift movement and sticks the needle right into my arm without warning.

He leans down by my ear and whispers, "You'll kill the Bat this time, or yourself. Do you understand? Leave no trace or I'll come running with my flock."

All I could see was black.

--------where to next you may be asking?--------

Then, I was outside on a rooftop in the middle of Gotham City. Nothing moved or made a sound. It was peaceful in a way that was rare for a crime infested city such as this. I love looking at Gotham, and tonight, it looked stunning.

The lights of cars and buildings flashed in the sky without a care, giving off a beautiful glow. The stars twinkled above through the clouds. On a night with no rain, people were seen wandering the streets, laughing, enjoying themselves for what seemed to be like the very first time.

The moment was soon whisked away by a sudden, uncontrollable motion of the young teens body moving toward the outskirts of Gotham City. In the streets, seen only by a keen eye was a fast moving, slick, black car, that could only be owned by the target.

My feet moved gracefully with years of experience flying off their toes. Though these movements weren't mine, if I were to be making them, it would be in the same manner.

The car moved quickly across the busy city, but I kept pace with it. Bat mobile or not, I was trained in a circus and by deadly assassins.

I willed my body to stop, for I knew if I kept following my target I would soon end up in a situation know who one has ever been in.

If I kept going I would find out the Bats identity. Unknown information.

The man under the cowl while soon be discovered.

----------------dun dun duuuuuuun--------------

Bruce's POV

I stopped the car inches from the barrier. Tonight was rough. A waste of time in my opinion. I had no time to look into Richard's case. He could be out there right now.

Alfred stood waiting for me by the computer, as he always did. But tonight felt off. Someone else was here. Someone was in the cave. Someone had followed me. I could feel it.

"Who's there!?!" I shouted into the dark abyss that I had made a base.

My faithful friend and butler was clearly startled, but recovered quickly and ran for cover. No one could know my identity and Alfred was too recognizable as Bruce Wayne's butler.

Once I heard the clock click at the top of the stairs I approached the back of the Batcave. I could see it now. A small figure of a shadow. It moved with a poise that I could never accomplish.

The size. The skill. The movements.

It can't be.

"Richard?"

It had to be him. If it was anyone other than him than...

"I am a Talon. No one cares for me. I am alone. I am nothing. I am a murderer. I am worthless to the world as Richard. Shadow is who I am. I will never be anything if I am not a Talon, for no bird can fly without wings. And I will be the one to clip yours."

A laugh rang through out the cave. A laugh that would send chills down the spines of the worst of criminals.

I stood there, speechless. This boy had such a brilliant and bright smile when I had first met him. Even after his parents died, when I saw him at their funeral, he still had this aura of hope about him. Something I would never expect from someone in such a terrible situation as his.

But now, his voice was full of numbness and depression in its undertone. Though I could barely make him out in the darkness, I could tell he stood in a fighting stance, ready to ponce on his next victim.

What had happened to the poor, little boy that he had met all those years ago?

Talon.

That word.

It sounded so familiar.

Why?

The old Court of Owls rhyme. So the Court exists and has made Richard Grayson an assassin. Their Talon.

Why did Richard agree to this? If all the words he said are true, then why would he stay with them?

It seems I'm only getting more questions then answers right now.

Oh, Richard. What's going on with you?

Loke -----Open Gate of the Lion-----Leo

Little did Bruce know the storm the raged inside the head of the 13 year old. All Dick wanted was to be free of this dumb serum, of these dumb Talons, the Court, the pain, the guilt. If he could only break free. Tell Batman what was going on for just one second, he could be free. Just one second.

That's all it would take.

The laughing echoed throughout the cave. Continuing to bounce of the walls until it drove you insane.

His body suddenly jerked forward with a knife clenched in his right hand, ready to slice whomever were to get in its way.

Batman didn't seem to surprised and quickly moved his body into a stance that would prepare him for the blow.

The battle of the Bat and Bird soon took flight.

-----------Fire Dragon Wing Attack----------

The knife came close to my cheek. Too close. Slicing it open just a little.

My body reacted in force, a punch aimed for his torso. He tried to dodge but I caught his arm instead and flung him to the ground.

"Stop this! I don't want to fight you!"

It didn't work. He got right back and kept attacking me. Kicks and punches flying all over the place. Attack after attack. Injury after injury. I tried to stop him every chance I could but I only got twitches in response.

This has to stop.

I kicked the knife from his hand, stunning him for a short moment. Taking this as my moment to take advantage of the opening he'd left, I came in for a right hook.

He lay on the ground. Dazed. Quickly, I got out my handcuffs from my utility belt and snapped them on his wrist and another pair around his ankles, just in case.

I picked him up off the ground and headed toward the medical bay in the Cave to take care of his injuries and talk to him.

Third Person

Bruce set the small teen on one of the med cots.

"Richard?"

The boy looked stunned, but somewhat relieved under his blank mask.

"W-wh-wh-why?"

An understandable question in Bruce's opinion. This kid had just tried to kill him, broke into his home, and had been following him for weeks with no explanation, and now after defeating him in battle, Batman is tending to his wounds. Weird!

Batman looked down at him, his gaze softened, not a smile, but not a grimace. " I'm doing this, because I should have done this along time ago. Richard Grayson is not a murder. At least he wasn't. It's my fault your like this and I want you to stop this, and join me. I can help you."

Dick's hand started to move to his face. "I want..." He took the mask from his face, exposing the beautiful blue eyes that are their own color to the world once again.

"Someone to, please, save me."

Tears filled the tormented windows, and Bruce finally put all the pieces in place.

The Court was using a poor, traumatized, young teenager to do their deeds. And breaking him apart little by little, just to get what they wanted.

"Please help me! I don't want to go back! My uncle will hurt me again or lock me in my head or- he might - he -" Dick started to panic. He didn't want to die. Not when he was so close to being free. Not now!

"Hey, now. Hush. It's oka-"

"Batman! You have our Talon! Where is he? He needs to be dealt with."

-------------------------Oh Boy--------------------
Well now see what I did there. Cliffie. Hate me. I won't blame you. Sorry again for the super long wait. I had writers block. Then I got caught up in Fairy Tail. Then school. Then writers block. Then Fairy Tail. Then Finally Update!!!!!!!!

Yay!

Anyway!

Super sorry!

Hope your still reading.

Chapter preview::::

"Bruce!!!!"

"Richard!!!"

"This is our Talon!!!! You will never see him again for his misbehavior has gone on long enough!!!"

Please someone save me.

Dick, I'm coming to get you don't you worry!!

Fairy Tail is the boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fangirlin so much right now!!!

Calm.

Okay. Bye!!! Have a great life!!!!! Love Jesus :)