Chapter 1

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"This is child's play, Father." Damian crossed his arms in irritation, "There has to be more important missions for me." The cloaked man tapped at his high tech computer, lips curling down at the familiar stubbornness of his son. Damian continued when it became evident Bruce had no intention of listening, like father, like son. "You expect me to play detective for some theater event? I'm capable of far better-"

"No, I don't."

The gruff response had Damian's eyebrow raise, was this the moment his father saw Damian's flawless reasoning? Could old age be softening his stubborn ways? "I don't expect you to play detective." The younger Wayne sensed a however coming on. "However," ah there it is. "I expect you and Dick to investigate the case I gave you." As if on cue, Grayson walked in with that annoying smirk he'd wear when Damian didn't get his way.

"Wait, he's coming?" He pointed accusingly at the hero who had the audacity to laugh at his expense. Grayson took a cup from Alfred's offered tray with a small 'Thanks'. The butler nodded politely, unimpressed at the brothers' behavior, but a small upward curl of lips gave away his amusement. "Nice to see you too, Damian." Smug tone interrupted to gently blow on the steaming drink. Their bickering continued, largely ignored by the two older men far too used to their antics. Bruce, paying no mind to the upset, simply gathered the finishing touches for his own mission. 'No doubt something actually important and groundbreaking', the young Wayne thought bitterly.

Alfred handed Damian his favorite tea, knowing it was tempting enough to quiet the feisty young master for a moment. "No more coffee today, Master Bruce?" The man in question hopped into his vehicle of choice, checking coordinates for a silent moment before answering, "No time." He pulled over his cowl completing The Dark Knight that Gotham saw every night. The three watched as he disappeared in the distance, the years never could dull that determination in his soul.

"He's gonna keel over from caffeine one of these days." Dick chose to break the silence with his poor attempt at humor.

"Not to worry Master Dick," Alfred collected their empty cups, porcelain clicking gently against the tray before making his leave, "I switched him to decaf months ago." They stared after the sly butler, partially amazed and partially concerned with how sneaky he could be if he chose to. Grayson picked his jaw off the floor to check his watch, "Well then, are you up to the task?"

"Fine." Damian sighed, accepting his unfavorable fate. The young Wayne made to grab for his mask when the other cleared his throat. "What, did you forget your sunhat?"

"Actually, no cape this time." Dick fished his keys out, keys that were definitely not to a vehicle of bat origins. "At least not yet."

Damian barely held back an eye-roll, no mask meant no weapons, well visible ones. It meant no vigilante interrogations, which were so very persuasive. Yep, this was going to be a huge waste of time. He took a controlled breath in, pausing before releasing the inevitable tension, "I'll drive."

Grayson raised his hand above his head when Damian made a swipe for them, effective despite their height difference only being a few inches apart now, "In your dreams. With your temper, you'll be lucky to ride shotgun."

—----

"So, I've looked into this case a few days ago," he tossed a file to Damian, trained eyes never leaving the road. "Missing teen reports have been abnormally increasing." The younger scoffed, about to ask why Gordon sent it to them; but being familiar with Damian's habits he beat him to it. "These weren't just teens, Damian. They were under suspicion for having...abilities." He flipped through the file, reports from up to five years ago were circled in red ink, some pictures and newspaper clippings were included but were too poor quality to make sense of. Damian closed the folder, "This is it?" A few reports and articles didn't make it top priority, important yes, but this was Gotham. Compared to other criminal activity, this wasn't much of a case. Grayson huffed, smoothly changing lanes like the showoff he was. "I wasn't finished."

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He waited till they caught a stoplight, tossing over yet another file in Damian's direction, "Simultaneously as these disappearances, or kidnappings," he supplied, "This poor excuse of a circus becomes a world hit practically overnight. Well, I slightly exaggerated but the point is it's suspicious." Damian examined the folder's contents, it was true that the circus barely sold tickets years before, from the information here it's a wonder it hadn't already shut down. Curious emerald roamed further, in more recent news, claims of it being otherworldly and inhumanly possible did indeed call for suspicion. The dates and locations weren't too far off either, new missing reports followed by new members and acts.

He gave a thoughtful hum, "So basically, if this proves to be true. Leaving powerful children under corrupt influence could prove to be a problem."

"Bingo."

"So," Damian reorganized the loose papers, "Do you know the next location?"

"I do." He chuckled as he shifted into park, "Here." Sure enough, they'd pulled up to an enormous red and white tent, stripes and diamonds lining the sides of the weighted fabric. Damian had to admit, it was grand and by the looks of it, sold out. He still didn't think sitting through magic tricks and eating popcorn was the best way to solve this case, but he knew Grayson would sell him out if he strayed off the plan. Damn snitch had a habit of telling their father everything he did. As if removing a limb from villains or giving multiple concussions as a parting gift was a 'big deal'. "What do you think, too much?" Damian was pulled from his thoughts to face an overdressed Grayson adjusting a hideously tacky trenchcoat.

"Lose the coat, you absolute irritation." The older scoffed offendedly, reaching in the backseat determinedly. A muffled 'Ah ha" sounded before he stood up proudly, producing a fedora hat definitely bought for the occasion.

"No."

"It's the hat or the coat, Damian."

"You're insufferable." He pretended not to notice Grayson keeping both articles of clothing.

It wasn't long before they found their seats, Damian cringed at the crowd's excited cheering and heavy scent of overly buttered popcorn. 'No way that's organic'. Dick tapped rapidly at his knee, muttering something about this "bringing back memories". Damian's response was cut short as the lights followed suit, leaving them in nearly complete darkness.

Hushed murmurs traveled around the arena, anticipation building as spot lights flickered and roamed the crowd as if searching for someone. Before long, the Ringmaster was revealed center stage. Damian analyzed the man, graying hair peeking out from under his top hat. His voice, like any good man of theatrics, commanded attention, "Ladies and Gentlemen!" Gold embellishments shone on outstretched arms as if reaching for the audience, "Welcome to the end of logic and reality as we know it," in a split second and a flick of the wrist he was holding a cane, crowd gasping in awe, "I promise you, these performances won't leave you with anything but a wonder for what's truly possible!" Damian almost chuckled at the easily impressed audience, falling for simple magician tricks. Attention divided as performers ran to fill the space, decorated dancers in bright patterns, feathered pieces, and dramatic makeup taking the stage.

Rehearsed steps and flips interlaced with one another, two of the dancers on opposite sides of the stage stepped forward, striking batons aflame and tossing them into the air. The act brought gazes upward to the trapeze artists, applause out for Damian's eardrums at the realization. It was almost too much to focus on, too many bodies and props continuously moving to single out anything suspicious; this of course, wasn't enough to stop the youngest Wayne. Jade eyes scanned the performers, it was far more intricate than anything he'd seen, but there was a difference between great talent, and great powers.

"There's mistake one."

"What do you mean?" Grayson had been so unusually silent Damian nearly forgot his presence. He nodded to the top of the large tent, lips pulled into a grim frown, "They're not using safety nets. You have to be stupid or extremely confident to make that mistake." Ah. Damian never knew how to, 'emotion' properly; however, the tragedy of The Flying Graysons was exactly that, a tragedy. Even he felt the need to say something along the lines of comfort, unfortunately he could only hum in acknowledgement.

The brothers were silent for the rest of the performances, each looking for anything too extraordinary. A few details here and there seemed cause for suspicion, but Damian couldn't deny the dedication and effort he found himself appreciating. They demonstrated body strength and control, balance and trust, calculating and striking coordination, all while making it seem effortless and entertaining. Despite enjoying it to some degree, it was then the vigilante realized this case wasn't going to be very quick at all. Each performer was someone to investigate, learning exactly what was going on beneath the surface would take time, and that's not including whatever loose ends may arise with what they uncover.

'Great.' A deep sigh escaped his lips as he contemplated sliding down his chair like a child pouting for sweets.

Dancers twirled as their synchronized movements slowed and lights dimmed, once more leaving them in darkness. Surprisingly, the crowd only became more excited as if they anticipated something grander. After a few moments, a spotlight shone directly on the Ringmaster, confident smirk and glint in his near colorless eyes, "And now, for the act you've all been waiting for," Damian could make out something large being pushed center stage with the spared light being reflected gently.

"Behold," the once loud and stimulating music began to fade to a softer, more eerie melody, "The Caged Raven!"



Behold! My first attempt at a multichapter story. *dies* As always, thank you for reading 🖤

OH MY GOSH I'M AO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!!!!!!! This is absolutely fantastic so far. You have me hooked already!

2y ago

1
EU AMEI!!!!

Por favor, atualize!!!!!

2y ago

1
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