A/N: I am having WAY too much fun with this story.
....
08:37 PDT
November 30th
Titans Tower, California
Roy was the first to wake up, releasing a large yawn as he moved to stretch his arms above his head. Sea blue eyes glanced downward, and he quirked a small smile. Dick was splayed out between them, one arm laying across the archer's chest while the other had flopped across Wally's stomach. Roy realized that both he and the speedster had somehow curled around Dick in their sleep.
As the older ginger shifted, the young acrobat moaned and snuggled deeper into himself and the snoring redhead. Now that he thought about it, Roy noticed his dark haired friend was considerably paler than usual, and a sheen of sweat could be seen coating his forehead. Roy sighed. It would probably be a while before the little ninja woke up.
Wally stirred and cracked open his eyes, disentangling himself from both the blankets and his friends. Emerald eyes glistened in concern for the Titan still out cold.
"I don't think I've ever seen him look this bad since that incident with the fear toxin," he whispered. Roy nodded with a slight shudder before sliding his feet off the bed.
"Come on. Let's let him sleep a little while longer. He needs it."
Dick shivered in discomfort as the two sources of heat removed themselves from the bed, and Roy pulled the blankets back over him. Unfortunately, it was too late. He was already beginning to wake up.
"Nngh...Roy? Wally?" he croaked, his normally vibrant blue eyes clouded over. Both members of the trio returned to his side in an instant.
"I don't feel so good," Dick whimpered and curled into himself,"Everything...hurts."
The two redheads shared a look of deep concern. Wally raced into the bathroom and turned on the light, looking for a trash can to leave beside the bed for Dick. No one was ready for the loud hiss that accompanied the action.
"Wally! The light! I—ow!" Dick yelped and clamped his eyes shut. The speedster half-smiled apologetically and clicked the light off. Slowly, baby blue eyes revealed themselves once again.
"Sorry, dude. I didn't mean to, but hey! I found the trash can in case you need it."
"You need complete bed rest today, Dick," Roy stated, his tone revealing that there was no room for argument, "Nothing strenuous till we figure out what's going on."
"Yes, mother," Dick quipped sarcastically, but his voice sounded so sore, the teasing affect was almost lost. Pale eyelids lowered halfway, and another involuntary groan escaped his lips. Wally brushed a hand through Dick's raven locks, frowning from the obvious heat emanating from him. His fever was coming back with a vengeance.
"Be right back," he said and zipped out. Less than a second later, the speedster had returned with a damp cloth in hand. Without wasting any time, he laid the cool fabric across Dick's forehead.
"The team will be up soon," Dick rasped, "Need...mask."
"Can't we just tell them not to come in? We really need to keep a close eye on you," Roy countered hesitantly. The acrobat looked like he was about to shake his head but thought better about it.
"They won't be held back that easily," he breathed before he was incapacitated by a harsh coughing fit. The archer sighed deeply and retrieved a mask while Wally dashed back out and returned with a cup of water. Dick slowly took the offered glass and sipped from it. Once finished, Wally placed it on his nightstand while Roy situated the domino mask over the teen's eyes. As an afterthought, he slid on his own mask. Wally spun around in a tornado and stopped once he was in full costume.
The three masked teenagers remained together for some time, and Kid Flash occasionally got up to retrieve more water for Robin. At one point, Speedy left to get dressed in his uniform, but as soon as he was finished, he returned to Robin's side. Every once in a while the Titan leader would be overcome by a coughing fit, or he would grimace in pain as he faded in and out consciousness.
As predicted, the other Titans burst into the room as soon as they could. What they weren't prepared for was for their normally steadfast leader to yelp and wince at their loud entrance.
"Oh, uh, oops," Cyborg apologized, "Guess we should've knocked."
"You think?" Robin glowered. Starfire, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room, flew up to her bedridden leader with her hands clasped together.
"Robin! You appear worse than you did yesterday!"
Robin shifted and tried to prop himself up on his elbows. Speedy and Kid Flash hovered on either side of him just in case.
"I know, Star. I'll be better soon." Hopefully.
"But what has caused you to become so unwell? I do not understand."
Robin rubbed his chin, the gears in his head beginning to spin a little bit faster. "They're waiting for something, and I think I know what," he explained and took a deep breath, as if just speaking was a strain on him.
"What?!" BB chirped from behind Cyborg. The ebony ninja caught Raven's gaze, a look of understanding on his face.
"My birthday."
Cyborg held a hand up, "Hang on. As glad as I am that we're facing guys polite enough to wait for your birthday, what does that have to do with anything?"
"I think they knew this was going to happen," he coughed, "It would explain the extra days they gave me to go to Gotham. My guess is that today and tomorrow will be the climax of this supposed 'Change' the messenger told you about."
Robin succumbed to yet another fit, his thin frame heaving violently. He did his best to calm himself down and fought to suck in deep breaths, but he was met with little success.
Raven floated noiselessly over to him, hands glowing white. Without a word, she placed one palm on his chest and the other on his stomach. The light in her hands flickered and fizzled out after a minute.
"That's all I can do. I'm sorry."
The teen cocked his head to the side with a tiny, closed-lip grin, breathing now even and voice stronger, "You're good, Rae."
The sorceress nodded, and Robin leaned back into his pillow. The whites of his mask became half black as he lowered his eyelids.
"If...it's okay with you guys, I'm gonna take it easy for a bit. Lemme know if you need me," he breathed airily and closed his eyes completely.
......
09:00 PDT
November 30th
Location Unknown, Jump City
Ten figures stood in a half circle, the shadows of the empty warehouse hiding everything except the white owl masks covering their faces. The most notable thing about this meeting, however, was that two of the masked figures were a good deal shorter than the rest.
"Beware the Court of Owls—"
"—that watches all the time,"
"ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch—"
"—behind granite and lime."
"They watch you at your hearth."
"They watch you in your bed."
"Speak not a whispered word of them—"
"—or they'll send the Talon for your head."
The tallest and most imposing of the group stepped forward, "Children of the Court, what have you observed?"
One of the two smallest looked up, his youthful voice contrasting heavily with other's baritone, "The Gray Son of Gotham shows great potential. His skill and strength before the Change are enhancing beyond the Court's expectations."
The second small one took a confident step up and spoke her mind, "He is trying to resist it, but once he gives in, he shall be the greatest Talon the world has ever seen."
"The Head was right in his prophecy then," one of the seven declared.
"He shall become one to be feared," another echoed.
"But his heroic ways must be overcome," a third stated, "He refused to give in at the last moment."
"He was trained against such things by the Bat. It will take time for him to unlearn what he has been taught. All things worthwhile require effort," the apparent leader admonished, "The Gray Son shall return to the Court and take his place as the Heir. Of that I have no doubt."
The leader turned his attention back to the two children before him, "Your performance was adequate. You may choose the next victim of the Maze when we return to Gotham."
The kids nodded and stepped submissively back into the shadows. Beneath their small white masks, Wesley and Lily Hughs grinned devilishly.
.....
But unknown to all, a third figure in this game arrived in Jump City after a far too long hiatus.
Slade Wilson has returned...
...but the Court will not be denied.