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Chapter Text

"'m sorry...dad..."

* * *

"Argh!"

"Ah, it worked. The boy lives."

"Where...where am I? Who am I?"

"Your name is Jason Todd and you are  with my League of Assassins. Come, there is much to discuss."

* * *

"Hello, daughter. I have brought you the boy. He is yours to do as you wish."

"Thank you, father."

* * *

"You don't remember anything before waking up in the pit?"

"Not a thing."

"This is...interesting."

"Did I know you before I died?"

"We met."

"Were you the one to kill me?"

"If I were, why would I bring you back to life?"

"...good point. So, what do you and your father want with me?"

"In due time, Jason. For now, you have training."

"Training?"

* * *

"He is exceeding all of our expectations."

"Yes, he has come a long way. I believe he is ready."

"Are you sure, mistress Talia?"

"Do not question my authority. Jason is ready for this mission."

* * *

"You asked to see me?"

"Yes, I have a very important  task for you..."

Chapter Text

Jason Todd woke up to the sound of giggling. He cracked one eye, looking around his room to see if he could find the source. There didn't appear to be anyone in his room but Jason knew looks were deceiving. He smirked, sitting up in bed. He reached for the katana he kept by his bedside, pulling it out of its sheath as he got out of bed.

"Oh, I do hope there are no intruders in my room." Jason called out, his smirk growing into a smile as he heard giggling coming from behind his curtains. He moved slowly over there, talking to himself as he did so. "It would be terrible for them if they were behind my curtains. I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy what I am about to do to them. It would be really painful for them if they were still hiding when I got there." The giggling intensified. "Oh, I mean it. I-"

"Okay, okay! You got me!" A small form jumped out from behind the curtains, tackling Jason to the ground. "Boo!"

"No." Jason drawled from his position on the ground. "I believe it is you who has gotten me, little demon."

The small child gasped. "You mean it, Jay? I got you? Really?"

Jason chuckled, sitting up. "Of course, little one. I wouldn't lie to you, would I?"

"No, if you did, mother wouldn't be happy with you."

Jason smirked. "You're right. Now, what are you doing in my room?"

"Mother sent me to wake you up. She says she has a mission for you."

Jason nodded, placing the small child on the ground next to him as he stood up. "Well, what do you say we go find out what your mother wants, eh, Dami?"

The four year old nodded vigorously, jumping up to grab onto Jason's hand. "Lead the way, Jay."

Jason smiled down at Damian, walking through the hallways of the marble palace towards where he knew Talia to be. It was a comfortable silence between the two of them, an air of trust around them as they walked.

Jason was Damian's protector, his big brother, ever since he woke up in that Lazarus pit and Talia took him under her wing. Talia considered Jason a second son and that's why she trusted him with the protection detail of Damian, her blood son and heir. She had him under go vigorous training for months before even introducing the two of them, and even then, Jason was on a probationary period. If he slipped up once, Talia would not hesitate to kill him.

Luckily, he did not mess up and now he had the most coveted job at the League. Well, what was left of it, anyways.

Jason and Damian had grown close over the past few months that he had been protecting him and Damian considered him family, much the same way Talia did. He was invited to family dinners even allowed sometimes to sit at the table with them rather than stand guard.

It had been quite the year and a half since Jason had woken up in the Lazarus pit. He still had no memory of his past life but he was making a new life for himself, one he quite enjoyed, and that was all that mattered to him. He had a loving and caring family, a job he excelled at, and a roof over his head.

What more could he ask for?

Jason and Damian got to the garden where Talia was, entering to find Talia kneeling by the roses she was tending to. She looked up when her sons entered, a soft smile coming onto her face. "Ah, my boys. Just the two I was looking for."

Jason bowed. "You asked to see me, Mistress Talia?"

Talia lifted Jason until he was standing. "Please, call me mother." She kissed his forehead. "I asked to see you because I have a mission for you. An important one."

"You can count on me." Jason smiled at Talia. "Mother."

Talia grinned back at him. "I know I can, my boy. You see, this mission jeopardizes your grandfather's life. I need you to protect him." Jason looked over at Damian. "Damian will be safe with me, we will accompany you. Your grandfather is on an island away from here, overseeing some business. We got word that some people may try to make an attempt on his life under some false information given to them. So, I need you to protect him. Understood?"

Jason nodded. "You have my word, nothing will happen to Ra's. I will lay my life on the line for him."

Talia kissed his forehead again. "I know you will and for that, I am eternally grateful. Come now, we must prepare to depart immediately. It is a long flight."

Jason followed after Talia, Damian at his side. The small child slipped his hand into his brother's, the thought of losing him scaring him slightly. Not that he would ever show that, of course, so he settled for subtle signs of affection.

Jason squeezed Damian's hand lightly, letting him know he understood what the four year old needed. They continued on after Talia, coming up upon the palace once more. They entered it, going straight to the weapons vault. Talia instructed Jason to go to his room to get dressed for the mission, and he returned moments later in his gear. Talia smiled at him, attaching the weapons to his waist and back.

"There. Now, I shall leave you to so I can prepare myself. I will return in a moment." Talia left the two brothers in the weapons room, coming back dressed in her work gear. "Ready, my sons?"

"Always."

"Yes, mother."

"Good, then we shall depart at once. Like I said, it is a long flight and every minute is precious." Talia ushered her sons out of the room and towards the roof of the palace where a helicopter was waiting. She got in the pilot's seat, waiting for Jason and Damian to be strapped in before taking off.

Damian poked Jason's thigh. Jason hummed in response. "Jay?"

"Yes, Dami?"

"I hope you don't die."

"Me either, but I will protect our family with my life. You know that." Jason smiled down at Damian, ruffling his hair before slipping his mask on over his face. "Don't worry, little demon. Everything will work out the way its supposed to."

Chapter Text

The helicopter landed on the island and the family disembarked, making their way into the building. Jason was holding onto Damian's hand, leading the toddler through the fortress like structure. Once they were deep inside the building, Talia took Damian from Jason, looking at her older son.

"Jason, go to the Sensei. He will instruct you further on what to do."

"Yes, mother." Jason bowed his head, watching Talia walk away with Damian. Damian peeked his head over Talia's shoulder, waving at his brother. Jason smiled, waving back before slipping his mask on, pulling his hood over his head and walking through the building to the outdoor meditation area where he knew the Sensei to be.

He was right, of course, finding the old man meditating surrounded by bamboo trees. Jason walked to the base of the small platform, bowing. "Ah, young one. Our guests will be upon us soon. Wait over in the bamboo for further instruction, I may need you to take them down for me."

"Yes, Sensei." Jason stood and walked to the bamboo, hiding with another of the Sensei's pupils.

It was a few moments before anything happened, before the intruders made themselves known. Three figures approached where the Sensei meditated, and the Sensei addressed them. "Hush, children. I am trying to meditate."

The red haired intruder sneered. "And I am trying to find my sister!" He shouted at the Sensei, making Jason tense up.

"Then your search has gone astray, Brion Markov." The Sensei spoke, his eyes staying closed.

"You know who I am?"

"Who doesn't know of the foolish and impatient prince, banished from his kingdom on live television? You seek the missing princess but will not find her here."

"Is this Infinity Island or not?" Brion snarled.

The Sensei sighed. "It is."

"Then where is your army of ninja?"

"I don't need an army. I trained the army." The Sensei spoke as he stood up, finally opening his eyes.

"You didn't train them for me." Brion touched the ground, turning his hand into molten magma. "My sister was abducted by the League of Shadows. I'm here to bring her home."

"As far as I can tell, boy, you are here to make a fool of yourself."

"Tell me where my sister is!"

"Perhaps your sister chooses not to be found by you. I've hardly known you five minutes but already sympathize with such a decision."

Brion stood up, throwing a ball of magma at the Sensei, who merely jumped out of the way. The magma lit the meditation platform on fire. In mid air, the Sensei threw three shuriken at Brion, where they found their target in the teen's shoulder.

The Sensei landed, glowering at the three intruders. "I am no longer amused by this conversation. And you have ruined my meditation space."

Jason bit back a chuckle at that, watching as the three intruders jumped into battle with the Sensei. Brion Markov threw magma at him whereas the bug like creature turned into a ball, rolling at Sensei. Sensei caught the bug and threw the bug back at Brion, knocking the prince to the ground. Sensei walked across the molten magma towards the third intruder.

"Wasn't that hot?" She asked.

"Pain is an illusion." Sensei answered, continuing towards her. He grabbed her around the head, holding her in a headlock. "Now, all of you stand down."

"Let go of her!" Brion yelled.

She lit up her hand in a yellow aura and Sensei stared at it. "None of that." He snapped her neck, sending her to the ground as Brion watched in horror.

"No...no." He yelled out, magma exploding out of him. A motor bike, which Jason just noticed, was floating in the sky and began shooting at Sensei.

"To me!" Sensei called out.

That was Jason's cue. He ran out, facing the bug. The bug ran at him, turning into a ball. Jason simply flipped over the bug, attaching a disk to the bug before landing gracefully. In a second, the bug was down along with Brion Markov.

Jason looked to Sensei and the Sensei nodded. "Help me bring them to their cell and then you may go to your charge." Jason bowed, doing as he was asked.

He found Damian and Talia with Ra's in the security room, watching as the girl came back to life. Damian looked up when he entered, smiling at him. Ra's looked over as well, waving Jason over. "Come, the rest of their crew will be here soon. We must prepare."

"There are more?" Jason asked. "What do they want?"

"Their people back."

Jason nodded, following Ra's out of the room. He waved to Damian before trotting after Ra's.

They went down to the courtyard just outside the building. He noticed the Sensei and his other pupil there as well. Ra's instructed him to go over with them and Jason obeyed. They stood there, waiting for their intruders to exit the building.

Jason wasn't keen on them being inside the same building as Damian when he was outside, away from him.

It wasn't long before the door exploded outward and a group of people in costumes ran out, stopping when they noticed Jason, Sensei, and the pupil.

The one in black and blue stepped forward. "We just want to leave."

"Your trespass must be punished." Sensei demanded.

"Wrong answer." The one with the 'S' on his shirt growled, leaping into the air, signaling to his crew that it was battle time.

Jason ran forward, jumping out of the way of the black lightning that came in his direction. He leapt into battle with the one in black and blue, exchanging blows with him. He couldn't help but feel that something was familiar about this man, but that was impossible. He had never seen him before in his life.

Jason kicked the man in the chest, clearing his head just in time to hear Ra's speak.

"Enough." Jason stood up straight, stepping back from his opponent as Ra's stepped out of the shadows. "Well, young man, are you proud of this debacle? I believe the detective would be quite disappointed." Jason felt his head begin to throb. He took a few more steps away from his opponent, towards Ra's, who spared him a glance. "I assume you've come to collect these children? Take them and go."

"Not without my sister, Tara Markov. We know the League of Shadows has her." Brion yelled, magma covering his body.

"Still your tongue when addressing the Demon's Head." Sensei aimed his sword at Brion.

"It is fine, Sensei." Ra's lifted a hand to calm the older man. "Boy, the Shadows may indeed have your sister, but I am no longer head of the Shadows. And as you can see, there are no Shadows here. In fact, I am no longer part of the Light."

"He lies."

"Ra's al Ghul is many things but a liar isn't one of them." Jason's opponent spoke up, sending a spike of pain through Jason's head.

The girl with a tiger mask approached Ra's. "Would the great one care to reveal who is running the Shadows now?"

Ra's chuckled. "No, he wouldn't."

"It's not my dad, is it?"

"No."

"My sister?"

"Get out." Ra's commanded.

The intruders turned to leave, walking towards their space ship when a name popped into Jason's mind. "Gray...son?" He mumbled it, but apparently it was loud enough for the one with the 'S' on his shirt to hear.

He turned and looked at Jason. "What did you say?"

Ra's narrowed his eyes. "I asked you to leave. Do not make me involve the detective."

The intruders narrowed their eyes at Ra's before boarding their space ship and taking off. Jason turned to Ra's, slipping his mask off his face. "I'm sorry, I-"

Ra's sighed. "Go to my grandson."

Jason nodded, walking to find Talia with Damian in her arms at the edge of the courtyard. He looked at Talia, blurting out the one thing on his mind.

"Who is Grayson?"

Chapter Text

As their bioship took off the team inside was quiet, everyone thinking about their actions and how it led to this debacle.

Or, mostly everyone.

A certain Nightwing was thinking about what Superboy told him, how one of the ninja knew his name. How was that possible? Unless Ra's told him Nightwing's identity. But Superboy said that the red ninja said his name with confusion, as if trying to recall something...

Nightwing groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

This whole thing was confusing him. All he knew was he needed to get to the bottom of this.

After they thwarted the Light's plans.

- - -

Jason followed Talia and Damian further into the building, stopping in one of the cozier rooms. She gestured for him to sit down and he listened, looking up at Talia expectantly.

Talia sighed, letting Damian off her lap so the boy could go sit with Jason. He snuggled up to his older brother, resting his cheek against Jason's bicep. Jason smiled down at Damian before remembering why they were there.

"Mother...who is Grayson? Why did that name pop into my head during that skirmish?" Jason asked, eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Talia leaned forward, taking Jason's hands into her own. "Jason...how much do you remember about your life? Before you died?"

Jason looked down at their clasped hands, thinking. "I...I don't remember anything. I don't think?" He inhaled deeply. "But...I feel as if...I could have known this Grayson person. Who are they?"

Talia squeezed Jason's hands, trying to think of a way to delicately explain this to the seventeen year old. If she told him the full truth when he didn't have any memories, it could be detrimental to his health. But if she didn't tell him most of the truth, down the line, it would come back to haunt her. "He was...he was someone you were close to."

Jason nodded slowly, thinking back to the fight. "He was the one in black and blue, correct?"

"Yes, Nightwing is his alter ego."

Jason closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His head was starting to hurt again. "How close were we?"

Talia hesitated. This was the question she feared. She knew answering it truthfully may cause a rift, Jason may be angry at her for keeping it from him. But if she kept it from him, well, it most definitely would not end well. "Nightwing...Nightwing was your older brother."

Jason felt the room start to spin. He shut his eyes even tighter, inhaling sharply. He wasn't sure how to take the information. He...he had had a brother in his past life? This Grayson fellow, does he remember Jason? Probably not, because if Jason, with memory loss, could recognize him by his fighting style, surely Nightwing would be able to do the same without memory loss?

Jason looked up at Talia with a steely look. "It doesn't matter about my past life. I only have one brother now. And I will protect him with my life."

Talia smiled at Jason, patting his cheek. "My boy, you have no idea how happy that makes me to hear you say."

Jason leaned into Talia's touch, a small smile coming onto his face. His head was still hurting but he was ignoring it. After all, pain is an illusion.

Damian looked up at Jason and Talia, crawling onto Jason's lap. "Mother, is this our new home?"

Jason wrapped his arms around Damian, looking at Talia with a questioning look. Talia nodded. "Yes, our old home has been compromised. We are to stay here with my father and the Sensei, especially now that we know that the young Justice League knows of our location."

"How has our old home been compromised?" Jason asked, thinking of all that he left in his old room before remembering that material possessions were meaningless.

Talia looked down. "The League of Shadows, I'm afraid, have stormed our palace. It is no longer safe for us to return."

Jason nodded, looking down to Damian, who was looking back up at him. "Well, I don't know about you, little demon, but I am starving. What do you say I go make us something to eat?"

Damian nodded vigorously, leaping onto Jason's back. Talia watched as her two sons left the room, a fond smile on her face as crisis was averted.

Jason, with Damian on his back, made his way to the kitchen of the fortress like structure. He set Damian down on the counter before turning to the fridge. "What are you in the mood for, little one?"

"Hmm, surprise me, Jay!" Damian giggled, swinging his feet back and forth.

Jason grinned, looking through the fridge for ingredients. He frowned, realizing how sparsely stocked the fridge was. He pulled out a package of cheese, checking the date on it before going to the cabinet for bread.

He whipped up two grilled cheeses, handing one to Damian as he himself sat on the counter next to the toddler. They dug into their sandwiches, munching happily, content to just be with each other.

Damian started to yawn once he finished his sandwich, covering his mouth with his left hand. Jason hopped off the counter, picking Damian up into his arms. Damian snuggled into a comfortable position, resting his head on Jason's shoulder as the older boy walked him through the building, trying to find a room where they could sleep.

He eventually found the sleeping quarters, finding an unoccupied one. He slipped inside, closing the door behind them. He laid Damian down on the bed, taking his weapons off before joining his little brother under the covers.

Damian immediately snuggled close, resting his head on Jason's chest. "Good night, Jay."

Jason kissed his hair. "Good night, Dami. Sleep well."

Jason watched as Damian's breathing evened out, the little toddler falling asleep quickly. He stayed up longer, thinking about the day's events.

He had a brother from his past life, one, it seemed, that didn't remember him.

Jason clenched his jaw, forcing down the emotions that came up with that thought.

Whatever, Jason thought to himself, if this Grayson fellow comes back here and threatens my family again, I won't hesitate to end him, brother or not. This is my family now, not some guy I can't even remember the face of.

Satisfied with this conviction, Jason allowed himself to rest his eyes, still alert in case Talia or Ra's needed him. After all, his main purpose in life is to serve and protect his family.

Everything else came second.

Chapter Text

It was four weeks after the whole debacle with the young Justice League and the two brothers were playing in the meditation garden while Sensei's pupil rebuilt the meditation platform.

"Can't catch me, Jay! I'm too fast!" Damian laughed, ducking out of the way of Jason's swooping arms.

"Come back here, you little rascal!" Jason growled, turning on his toes to see where Damian went.

Damian was running across the fresh grass towards the bridge that led to the beach, his giggles carrying back to Jason. Jason grinned, running after the toddler. They ran down the bridge, Jason slowing himself down so as to not catch Damian too fast.

They reached the beach and Jason scooped Damian up in his arms, swinging him up. He tickled his belly, eliciting squeals of laughter from the four year old. "J-Jay! Stop!" Jason smirked, tossing the child onto his shoulder. Damian pounded his tiny fists against Jason's back, kicking his feet into Jason's chest. "Put me down this instant! I demand it!"

Jason chuckled. "Sorry, little demon, if I do that you'll just run away again. And I can't have my charge disappearing on me, now can I?"

"I swear I won't run, put me down!"

Jason swung Damian so he was holding the child under his armpits at arms length in front of him. "You swear?"

"Yes! Put me down!"

Jason smirked, putting Damian down. He knew the child was going to run and he was right. About three feet later Damian was sprinting again back towards the meditation area.

Jason chuckled, jogging after him. This time, he scooped him up and held him under his arm like a football, ignoring the small child's squeals of protest. "Sorry, Dami, you didn't listen to me. Now I've got to carry you."

Damian pouted, crossing his arms as best he could. "Meanie."

"Demon."

Jason paused when he heard a twig snap behind them, placing Damian on the ground and whirling around to face whoever was there with his katana out. He lowered his katana when he saw it was Ra's, choosing to bow instead.

"At ease, Jason." Jason stood up straight, feeling Damian peek from behind his legs. Ra's glanced down at Damian before looking back up at Jason. "I have a mission for you, Jason." Jason looked down at Damian before looking back up at Ra's. "Do not worry, my grandson will be going with you."

Jason's eyes widened at this. "You...you want me to take Damian on a mission?"

"Will that be a problem?" The threat was not very veiled in Ra's voice.

"No, sir. What is this mission?" Jason bowed his head in submission.

"We are running out of food. I need you to go retrieve some food for us. You are taking Damian with you to seem less suspicious. There are civilian clothes waiting for the both of you in your quarters. You will depart and retrieve the food items on this list. Do not draw attention to yourself. Meet me at the helicopter pad once you are dressed."

Jason nodded, taking Damian's hand and leading him to their rooms. He got dressed in the clothes given to him, a pair of black joggers and a maroon sweatshirt, before making his way next door to Damian's room. Damian was dressed in black jean overalls with a green shirt underneath. He looked up at Jason and grabbed his hand, walking with his older brother to where Ra's had instructed them.

Ra's gave them both a once over before nodding his head in approval. "Here is the list and a communicator. Place it in your ear and alert us of any issue. Make sure there is no issue. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

Jason got into the helicopter after being dismissed, buckling Damian in before himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before they took off towards their destination, a place called Gotham City. Apparently, according to Ra's, there were many orphans there and the city was crime ridden, so nobody should notice a teenager and his little brother shopping. They wouldn't think twice of it.

Talia approached her father, watching as the helicopter disappeared over the horizon. "Is it...is it safe to send him to a place with so many memories for him to unlock? By himself?"

Ra's side eyed his daughter. "He isn't by himself. He has Damian with him. They will be fine."

Talia nodded, not being able to help the worm of worry that rested in her stomach. She just wanted her boys to come back safe.

Gotham City

Jason stepped out of the helicopter, taking Damian out with him in his arms. He made his way down to the street level, ignoring the looks the tenants of the building were giving him and Damian. He hugged Damian closer to him, pushing through the door and onto the streets.

"Jay, I can walk, you know." Damian whined, wiggling in Jason's arms.

Jason sighed. "I know, but not outside, okay? When we get to the store." Jason promised, maneuvering through the streets.

It wasn't hard to find a grocery store, and true to his word, Jason let Damian down once they stepped inside the store. He grabbed a cart and started to push it with one hand, the other holding his brother's tightly. Damian looked between Jason and the cart, eyes wide. "Jay?"

"Mm?"

"Can I...can I go in the cart?" Jason smiled down at Damian, picking him up and placing him in the basket area of the cart. Damian squealed at the sensation of being pushed around. "Eep! Faster! Faster!"

Jason chuckled, obliging the child's wishes. He started to jog through the store, stopping occasionally to grab items off the shelf and place them in the cart with Damian. Damian giggled, occupying himself with rearranging the food as Jason put it in.

Once they were done with the food shopping, they went up to the register to pay, getting behind two teenaged girls around Jason's age. They looked back at Jason and Damian, eyes widening slightly when they saw Damian's face.

This didn't go unnoticed by Jason, who subtly pulled the cart with Damian in it closer to it. Damian giggled. "Jay, can we go for another lap?"

Jason smiled fondly at Damian. "I'm sorry, little demon, but we have to get this food back to mother before it spoils. Next time, okay?"

Damian pouted, crossing his arms. "Okay, meanie."

One of the girls in front of them, the blonde one, cursed. "Cass, I forgot to grab something. I'll be right back." The Asian girl with her nodded. The blonde passed Jason and Damian, looking down at Damian. "Awe, aren't you a cutie. What's your name?"

Jason glared at the girl. "Don't talk to my brother."

The girl held her hands up in defense. "Sorry, my bad." She walked away, looking back at her friend over Jason's shoulder and giving her a subtle nod.

The Asian girl took the basket in her hand and stepped out of line, gesturing for Jason to go first. Jason looked at her suspiciously but thanked her, starting to unload his carriage onto the conveyer belt, Damian helping every so often. "Jay?"

"Mm?"

"Why didn't you let me talk to the pretty girl?"

Jason chuckled, ruffling his hair. "We don't talk to strangers, little demon. That's a good way to get hurt." Jason paid the cashier and loaded the bundles into the carriage with Damian, pushing them out of the store. He paused, taking the bags onto his arms and put Damian on his shoulders, making the small child giggle. "There, now I can still carry you."

The brothers left towards their helicopter, leaving behind the two girls to converse over them.

"So, what'd you think?" The blonde one asked, coming back from her hiding spot.

"Small one...looks like Bruce."

"That's what I was thinking!" The blonde exclaimed. "And the older one?"

The Asian one was quiet for a moment. "Not sure."

The blonde nodded. "Yeah, he's a mystery. Whatever. He was mean to me. Let's go tell Bruce that we found a child that looks like he could be his son."

Chapter Text

Jason was in the courtyard practicing with Sensei when Ra's found him. They two sparring paused, turning to bow to Ra's.

"At ease. Leave us, Sensei." Sensei nodded, walking away into the building. Jason turned to look at Ra's, who was staring intently at the teen. "Jason, I have a mission for you. This time, however, Damian will not be going. It is much too dangerous for him. You will going alone."

Jason looked at Ra's curiously. "What is my mission?"

Ra's motioned for Jason to walk with him. They walked down to the beach, Ra's explaining the whole time. "I have been keeping tabs on my ex associates in the Light and on the young Justice League. There is a point of interest between the two, a meta-human trafficking ring in Greater Bialya. I want you to go there and observe, see if any of the meta-humans are worth recruiting." Ra's handed Jason a communications device. "Put this in your ear, stay in contact. I have upgraded the lenses in your suit so that I will be able to watch through them. Go now, the helicopter is waiting for you."

Jason nodded, running to his room to find his work suit spread out on his bed. He changed, going to the helicopter and sliding the door shut behind him. He watched as the island got smaller behind him, slipping his mask on over his face and placing the device in his ear. 

It took some time to fly to Greater Bialya and even more time to spot the meta-human  trafficking ring, but he found it. Jason slipped the door to the helicopter open, jumping out and landing on the roof, unaware of a certain half-Kryptonian spotting him.

"Look alive team, looks like we have a third player in our midst." Superboy spoke, watching as the red hooded ninja slipped from view.

"Who?" Nightwing asked, sending his spy-bug out the bioship and into the abandoned mall below.

"Al Ghul." Superboy replied.

Nightwing tensed, ignoring the feeling that this could go awry as he watched through his spy-bug. "Huh."

"You in a sharing mood?" Artemis quipped, putting her hands on her hips.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Nightwing enlarged the screen so that the bioship was the screen, looking out onto the crowd below.

Everyone below wore white masks to cover their faces and were dressed in fancy clothes, standing around talking to one another.

"There's a crowd. They don't look too tough." Black Lightning looked down at the people below, glancing at Nightwing when he spoke.

"You're focusing on the spectators, I'm more concerned about the security." Nightwing stared straight ahead at a group of meta-humans. "Queen Bee's meta-human enforcers. Codenamed Onslaught."

A man came onto a platform and introduced himself as Mister Bliss, presenting two meta-human teenagers down below him. "...and in this corner, Terra!"

"Tara!" Brion called out, looking down at his sister.

"Brion Markov finds Brion Markov's sister! This is a good day." Forager declared.

"There's just one problem...this isn't just the depot, this is a fight club for meta-teen gladiators."

"And sensors show they're all enslaved by control chips."

"Not for long!" Brion growled.

"Look, I wasn't expecting this either. But you have to be-"

"Be patient?! You cannot seriously expect me to walk away now."

"No. But Psimon is down there. He's a powerful psychic and if you project strong emotions he'll notice." Nightwing crossed his arms over his chest, staring Brion down.

"So can you stay whelmed or not?" Superboy asked.

"I will follow your lead."

"Good. Here's what we're going to do."

Down below, Jason was hiding behind the crowd, sticking to the shadows as he observed what was happening. He watched three late arrivals show up on the platform across from him, narrowing his eyes at them. It was a blonde woman, a black man, and a man with black hair, their features covered by their masks.

"Jason, pay attention to the fighting."

"Sorry, Ra's." Jason mumbled, looking back to the fighting ring. He watched as the girl lost to her opponent, collapsing on the ground. "Well? Do they look promising?"

"Hmm, could come in handy..." The bidding began and Jason watched as the three late arrivals won the girl. He watched as they exited the building with their her, deciding to trail them until Ra's stopped him. "That is not the mission, Jason. Stay and observe the rest of the battles."

Jason grit his teeth but obeyed.

It wasn't long before the power cut out in the building. Jason went onto high alert, backing up into the wall. An explosion rocked the building and Jason stumbled forward.

"Ra's, orders."

"Get out of there, now."

Jason began to retrace his steps, finding his entrance blocked by rocks that fell during the explosion. He grunted, running back towards the main entrance. He stopped when he saw the meta-teens escaping with a blonde woman and man with black hair dressed in matching outfits. He felt an overwhelming urge to help them when they were attacked by the adult meta-humans.

Cursing himself, Jason jumped over the railing and landed a few yards away from the group.

"Jason, what are you doing?!"

"Sorry, Ra's, you told me to observe the battle. That's what I'm doing." Jason reached to his waist, pulling out throwing knives. He threw three at each of the twins, hitting them in the back and gaining the attention of the escaping meta-teens and their rescuers.

"Here to take the meta-teens for Ra's al Ghul?" The man snapped, narrowing his eyes at Jason.

Jason felt his head begin to pound at that voice.

Grayson.

"Sorry to keep disappointing the expectations about me, but no. I'm here to help out." Jason drawled when the Terror Twins turned to look at him with looks of rage. "You two ready to have your asses kicked?"

They ran at Jason and he motioned for the group to leave, running straight at the twins. He leapt over their heads, attaching an electro-impulse device to their backs before activating them, watching as they passed out. He smirked, running to the exit.

He got there a second before a man with black lightning came barreling out, shooting his lightning at a behemoth of a woman. Jason dove out of the way, looking up to see Grayson boarding his spaceship with the meta-teens.

"Ra's, or-ack!" Jason felt a giant hand wrap around his throat, lifting him into the air.

"Jason!" Damian's voice came from the other side of his comm unit, making Jason's heart beat faster. His little demon shouldn't be seeing this.

"Give us back our slaves or I pop his head off." The woman demanded, tightening her grip on Jason's throat.

"Wouldn't...be...my first death." Jason grunted, kicking the woman in the chest. She grabbed one of his legs and promptly broke it. Jason sucked in a breath, squeezing his eyes closed.

"Devastation, let him go." Grayson spoke calmly, staring at Jason the entire time.

"Not until I have my slaves back."

"Wait, wait, wait." Jason wheezed. "Your name...is Devastation?" Jason cackled as best he could given the woman was choking him. "That's dope."

"Jason, listen to me. She has invulnerability. Your going to have to get creative with this." Talia's voice came through his comm unit, giving Jason an idea.

He reached into his throwing knives and pulled one out, swinging it back into Devastation's eye. She screamed, dropping Jason in the process of going to pull the knife out of her eye.

Jason landed on his broken leg and muffled a scream, limping away from the thrashing woman.

"Lightning, grab the assassin!" Grayson called out, making Jason's blood run cold.

He reached for his katana only for a jolt of lightning to go through him, sending him to the ground. He spasmed on the ground for a moment, looking up through his mask to see Grayson approaching him. He picked Jason up off the ground and brought him towards the bioship.

Jason was panicking, not being able to move his limbs as he was carried aboard the ship and tied to a chair in the back.

"Ra's...have the 'copter follow my location. I have an idea."

Jason watched as the young Justice League members comforted the meta-teens, all the while formulating a plan of escape in his head. All he needed to do was get out of these ropes.

Chapter Text

Jason sat perfectly calm against the ropes, watching as the heroes dropped the meta-teens off at some sanctuary before boarding the ship, standing in front of Jason with their arms crossed as the bug piloted them away.

Jason looked around at the group, his head throbbing worse when he looked at the blonde woman, Grayson, and the black haired blue eyed male.

"I didn't realize the young Justice League took hostages." Jason drawled, working his hands behind his back to undo the ropes.

"Careful, Jason, do not underestimate them." Talia warned.

The unnamed blue eyed male narrowed his eyes at Jason. "Why were you in Bialya?"

"I help you save the meta-teens and this is the thanks I get? An interrogation?" The heroes did not look amused. Jason rolled his eyes. "I had a mission given to me by Ra's al Ghul to come here and observe. He has been keeping tabs on all of you since you trespassed onto our home, y'know. He has also been watching the Light and when your interests came to the same point, he sent me to see if he could gain anything from it."

"Who are you?" Grayson asked.

"Hood." Jason continued to work on untying himself as the heroes asked him questions.

"Good, don't tell them your real name. Don't tell them about Damian, either."

"What are you doing working for Ra's al Ghul? Why didn't you stay with the rest of the Shadows?" The blonde woman asked.

"I am Talia's...pet project. I am loyal to the al Ghul family and them alone." He stared right at Grayson. "No matter what other information comes to light."

"How old are you?" Grayson asked.

"Seventeen."

"What's your real name?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, Dickiebird?" Jason gasped silently at the name he called Grayson, having no idea where it came from.

"What did you just call me?" Grayson asked with wide eyes, looking down at Jason as if he saw a ghost.

Jason finally finished untying himself but held the ropes in place, not yet ready to make his escape. "You heard me. Now hear me when I say this...bioship override; Robin, open hatch." A hatch opened a foot in front of Jason. He slipped out of the ropes and dove to hatch, calling out to Ra's as he did so. "Ra's now!"

The helicopter, which had been flying below the bioship, tilted sideways with the door open. Jason landed as gracefully as someone with a broken leg could, commanding the pilot to fly them back home.

On board the bioship, the heroes stood stunned, looking at the place Jason had just been.

"How...how did he do that?" Brion asked. "He is not Robin, why did the bioship listen to him?"

"The bioship is voice activated to listen to current and past team members." Artemis explained. "However, that doesn't explain why it listened to him."

"His mask must disguise his voice, making him sound like...like Robin to the bioship." Conner deduced.

"But that name...how did he know that name?" Dick slumped into a chair, looking out at the retreating helicopter.

"Do you want to go after him?"

Dick thought about it. "No, I know where to find him. We'll get our answers, for now, we have a bigger picture to worry about."

On board the helicopter, Jason braced himself as he set his leg back into place, letting out a grunt while doing so. He saw a flash of white as the pain subsided, relaxing into the seat as the pilot flew them to their island.

"Jason, are you able to talk now?" Talia's voice come through the communication device in his ear and Jason nodded. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, mother. My left leg is broken and my neck is sore from being strangled but I will live." Jason looked down at his leg. "How is Damian?"

"I'm okay, Jay. I'm scared for you. Those meanies weren't very nice to you."

Jason chuckled. "They were just doing their job, little demon." Jason frowned, thinking back to his short lived time on the bioship. "Mother...how did my escape work? How did I know to do that?"

He heard Talia sigh on the other end of the line. "I'll explain when you get back home. We'll need to cast your leg. I'll try my best to tell you then."

Jason grunted in response, his leg throbbing. He closed his eyes, resting for the remainder of the flight back to Infinity Island.

Once they arrived on the island, Jason was immediately met by Talia helping him out of the craft. "Oh, my boy...come, let me fix you up." She helped him limp into the building and towards the medical room, placing him on the table. She got to work on casting his leg as Jason watched her with a curious expression. Talia sighed. "I told you I would explain when you got home, so I will, as much as I know. Jason, my son, the reason your escape worked is in your past life, before you died, you were Robin. You were on the young Justice League team and you died as Robin. I took you and brought you to the Lazarus pit, reviving your body but not your mind. And you know the rest of your second life."

Jason nodded numbly. "I was...apart of them? That explains why the blonde and the other one seemed so familiar...I knew them in my past life." Jason looked to Talia, taking one of her hands in his. "I meant what I said though, I will be loyal to you and our family no matter what else I learn about my past. I will serve and protect you with my life."

Talia smiled, kissing his forehead. "I know that, my son, but for now you need to rest. You are injured. Let us take care of you."

Jason smiled, letting Talia pull him into a hug. He hugged her tightly, pulling back when he heard the little pitter patter of feet coming to them. He looked up and beamed when he saw Damian in the doorway. He pat the spot next to him but Damian opted to crawl into his lap, careful to avoid his cast. He curled up against his chest, leaning his head there. "Jay, don't scare me like that. I thought I would lose you."

Jason hugged Damian. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I will always be with you, no matter what."

Chapter Text

Ra's al Ghul was sitting in his office when a call came in on his tablet. He answered, recognizing the number.

"Savage."

"Al Ghul. I need your assistance."

Ra's scoffed. "And why would I provide it after you allowed Deathstroke to preform a coup against me?"

"Darkseid has the Anti-Life equation." Ra's stiffened, realizing the implications of this. "I am not only reaching out to you, but to the Justice League's pets as well. I know you have one of their former members. They are going to need to be at full strength if they are going to win this."

"You want me to send in Hood?"

"You will be compensated if anything comes to the boy."

"...okay. I will prepare him. You will be providing him transportation to the team, however." With that, Ra's hung up. Time to go find Jason, he thought, and possibly send him to his second death.

Hollywood

The team was gathered around, talking in groups with each other. M'gann and Conner were talking with each other in the kitchen while Artemis, Kaldur, and Dick talked about Dick's health when Fred Bugg answered a call from the doorman.

"Hey Fred, there's a man and a, uh, ninja here to see you. Says their names are Savage and Hood. Shall I send them up?"

The team gathered around to stare wide eyed at the monitor, which showed Vandal Savage and Hood standing next to each other, Savage staring into the camera.

"Send them up." Dick growled, turning around to get into his suit.

A few moments later a knock came on the door. Artemis opened it to see Hood standing behind Vandal. "May we come in?" Artemis stepped aside, allowing the immortal and the assassin into the room.

"I believe you are shepherds who have lost a sheep." Vandal started as the gathering of heroes glared at the two of them.

"Tell us where Halo is." Brion demanded, Conner holding him back.

"That is precisely why I'm here. I know you have a Motherbox. I'm here to offer coordinates so you can boom tube to Miss Harper's location." Vandal spoke calmly, observing the team as they exchanged looks.

"What's the catch?" Conner asked.

"The catch, as you put it, is this; you promise to tell her abductor exactly who sent you." Vandal smirked.

"And what's with Hood?" Dick asked.

"Since you are one man down, I figured I would supply you with another."

"I thought Ra's wasn't apart of the Light anymore?" Dick's question sounded more like a statement.

"He's not, but success on this rescue mission will serve him as well. He has offered the services of his best." Vandal pushed Hood forward. "Hood goes with you."

The team looked around at each other before nodding. "Okay. Deal."

As the team prepared for the mission, Hood stood back and watched as they split off. He went over to the window, staring out at the land before him. Vandal walked up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "No harm shall come to the boy."

"You better make sure of that or I will personally take care of your little tea party." Hood growled, watching as Vandal left. He glanced to his side, seeing Nightwing watching him. "What?"

"Just letting you know I'm keeping my eye on you." Nightwing shrugged. "Come on, we're leaving."

Miss Martian stood before everyone, looking at Hood. "We have to establish a psychic link for the mission, are you sure you want to come?"

"I have my orders."

"Okay."

Psychic link established. If Vandal's intel is correct we'll have the element of surprise. If not...this could be an ambush. Be ready for anything.

Superboy lifted up the Motherbox and opened up a boom tube. Everyone ran through the tube.

Superboy and Aquaman took down two parademons that were standing where they boom tubed to, clearing the area.

Mother of god, what are those things? The stench-

Parademons.

Don't let them spook you. Remember your training and they'll fall like any other opponent.

But Violet, is she here?

Vandal was being straight. Motherbox is locked on Violet. She's here and she's close.

That's...odd. I can't sense her psychically. But I don't have to be psychic to know a boom tube will attract attention. And soon. Beta squad, you know the plan. We'll provide the distraction, you go find Violet.

Geo-Force, you're leading Beta. If you get into real trouble, have Motherbox boom tube you home.

Hood blocked out the rest of the conversation, walking around the alien space ship, staying close to Tigress and the rest of Alpha squad. They didn't trust him to leave their sight and like Nightwing put it, he wanted to keep an eye on him.

He tuned back in when Miss Martian told him to get into position. He ran over to hide behind a tower of boxes, unsheathing his katana. He watched as aliens came flying into the room and Miss Martian addressed them.

"Please surrender, now."

The woman at front did not like that and swung her sword at Miss Martian, who phased through her.

Hood took that as his hint to leap into battle. He jumped at one of the parademons, stabbing its neck with his katana.

One entrance sealed. I'll work on closing another so they'll only come from one direction.

Hood watched as Nightwing was blasted from his perch on top of a pile of boxes. He felt the urge to go check on him, running over. He started to lift boxes off of him, being knocked back by a powerful psychic force. He watched as Nightwing's fever dream played out, unsure what was real and what wasn't.

Kid...Flash...? Wall...man?

Hood, focus!

Hood felt his brain start to throb again, this time only ten times worse than all the times before. He fell to the ground, incapacitated by the pain.

Hood, watch out!

Get up, Hood! We're in battle!

Head...exploding...can't see straight...

Hood grit his teeth, standing up to impale the parademon behind him. He looked over to see the Javelin, the Justice League's space craft, taking down the rest of the parademons. He watched as the rest of the team walked over to a weak Nightwing, reminding him of his earlier duty.

He stumbled his way over as Tigress gave Nightwing a hug.

...Wally's always fighting at our side.

Hood froze, feeling more pieces of his past click into place. He looked down at Nightwing and Tigress.

"Artemis...? Dick...?" The two looked up at him in shock, less so Dick as he already knew that Hood knew his name. Hood turned to the other members of the team. "Kaldur...Conner...M'gann...but Wally's...dead?"

Dick stood up, stalking towards Hood. "Alright kid, who are you?"

M'gann put a hand on Dick's chest, stopping him from approaching further. "He is in great psychic distress, let him be. We have a mission to complete."

Dick grunted, glaring at Hood. "Fine. But afterwards we're getting answers."

They got up and onto these floating scooters, flying towards where Beta squad had disappeared.

My psychic link with Beta has been severed. For just a moment there I felt my uncle's touch upon Geo-Force's mind. But now, nothing on any of the Leaguers.

No doubt their all under Granny's control.

Hood tuned out the conversation, focusing instead on controlling his breathing to ease the throbbing in his head.

...brain blast everyone in that room.

Wait you're going to brain blast us?!

Yes, Hood, haven't you been paying attention?

Not really, no. I've been trying to find a way to kill Vandal Savage.

Why?

None of your damn business.

The group entered the room and immediately M'gann started to brain blast everyone. Hood heard someone say to attack a device and started to run towards it, used to the pain in his head. He was close to it when all of a sudden pain filled his entire body.

He collapsed to the ground, his head bouncing off the floor and his mask coming off with it. He reached for it, hearing a soft gasp behind him right before everything went black.

Chapter Text

As soon as things went out of focus for Hood, they came back in focus. He groaned, getting to his hands and knees as he heard commotion around him. He heard someone yell for the Markovian prince and he looked up watching as Granny Goodness attacked the Halo girl. He watched as Halo put Granny in some sort of bubble before asking for help destroying the device in the middle of the room. Everyone that could started to help, before the device blew up. The Green Lanterns contained the device in a box construct before letting it go, knocking everyone to the ground again.

Hood stumbled to the side, placing his mask back on his face. He heard commotion on the floor above but couldn't be bothered to look up. He rubbed his throbbing temples. He just wanted to go home.

Thankfully, for Hood, it wasn't long before Halo and a newcomer, Victor, opened up boom tubes to bring the team and Hood home. He walked through to the Hollywood apartment, glad to be back on Earth.

His com buzzed back to life.

"-son! Answer me!" Damian's voice came through his ear and he felt panic go through him.

He walked away from everyone, out onto the balcony. "I'm here, little demon. I'm sorry, we went to space and I lost communication. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! I saw what happened and got super worried! Are you alright, Jay?"

Jason chuckled, dropping the hood from on top of his head so he could run a hand through his hair. "I'm alright. A little shaken up, but I'll manage. I should be on my way to you soon, little one. I just need to contact Savage to have him send me home." Jason sighed. "To be honest, this mission was kind of a bust for me. I did not do much to help. However, I did learn some more about my past life."

"I can't wait to hear about it when you get home! Hurry, please! I miss you!"

"I miss you too. I'm going to call Savage now."

"No need." Jason turned around to see the five he was on the mission with standing on the balcony, closing the door behind them. "We'll have Victor or Halo boom tube you home...after we get our answers."

Jason nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Fair enough. What do you want to know?"

"How did you know our names?" Artemis asked, taking her mask off.

"I...I didn't. Not until you said Wally's name. Then it came back to me like a brick to the face." Jason shrugged. "Next question."

"Who are you? And don't say Hood, who are you really?" Dick asked.

Jason gulped. "My name is Jason. Jason Todd." Dick looked enraged, diving at Jason. He grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him to the ground. Jason kicked Dick's legs out from under him, standing back up. "What's the matter with you? I tell you my name and you attack me?"

"Jason Todd is dead. Has been for years." M'gann explained softly.

"Well, I'm not dead anymore." Jason snarled. "Haven't been dead for two years now."

"Prove it."

"What?"

"Prove you are Jason." Dick snapped.

Jason nodded, pulling the mask off his face. He watched as a mixture of emotions splashed across the five adults' faces as they took in his features. He smirked at them. "Weren't expecting that, were you?"

Dick looked at Jason with betrayal on his face. "If you've been alive again for two years, how come you never came home? How come you never came to Bruce or me?"

Jason blinked. "Who is Bruce?"

Dick looked taken aback. "Bruce. Bruce Wayne...your adoptive father?"

Jason felt a spike of white hot pain in his head. "Gah!"

He collapsed to the ground, clutching his head.

"Jay! Are you okay? What's happening? Why am I looking at a wall?"

"'m fine, little demon, just a headache." Jason grit out.

"Who are you talking to?" Kaldur asked.

"None of your damn busi-"

"There's a little boy on the other end of his com unit." Conner stated. "Sounds really young."

"Jason, its Talia. Why'd you take your mask off? Do you know the ramifications of recovering your memories too fast could have?"

"I'm learning that the hard way, mother."

Conner's eyes widened. "He's talking to a woman now. Sounds like-"

"Talia al Ghul." Dick stared at Jason in shock. "Jason, trust me, you do not want to get involved with Talia-"

Jason unsheathed his katana, placing the blade under Dick's chin. "Utter her name again and I will end your life. I will not have someone I don't even remember trying to tell me to stay away from my family. Now, I am going to leave. If any of you try and stop me, I will reveal your identities to the world. Understood?" Everyone nodded. "Good."

He sheathed his katana, placing his mask back on his face. He turned and pushed past the adult heroes, walking back inside the apartment. He ignored the looks from the others inside, walking out and slamming the door behind him.

Dick stood on the balcony in shock. His friends gathered around him. "Are you alright?"

"I just learned that my dead little brother isn't so dead anymore, doesn't remember his past, and thinks Talia al Ghul is his mother. I'm peachy." Dick groaned. "I thought I was seeing things out in space when I saw his face, but I guess not. Jason Todd is back from the dead and is working for Ra's al Ghul."

It was silent for a few moments while everyone thought about what they just learned. "Are you going to tell Bruce?"

Dick sighed. "I...I will. After we clear things up here on Earth. We still have a few more loose ends here." He looked down at the street below, watching as Jason emerged from the building, hailing a taxi. "I just hope he believes me."

"He will. You'll have us to back you up." M'gann smiled, putting a hand on Dick's arm. "Don't worry, one way or another we will bring Jason home and undo whatever brainwashing the al Ghul's have done to him."

Chapter Text

Jason woke up when a small lump landed on his chest. He looked through his lashes down at Damian as the boy cuddled against him, snuggling close to his older brother. Jason started to relax, realizing that Damian just wanted to sleep on him.

Until Damian jabbed his fingers into his armpits and Jason let out an unholy squeal.

"Ha! Jay, you're ticklish." Damian giggled before his eyes went wide and he dove off Jason's chest, running out of the room. "Jay, 'm sorry! Please, don't tickle me!"

Jason grinned, running after his little brother. They ran past Ra's office where Talia and Ra's were, peeking their heads out to see the two brothers sprinting past. Talia smiled fondly at them and Ra's looked over at her. "You were right, it does seem as if he will stay loyal."

"Of course he will, he is my son now." Talia huffed at her father as Jason rounded the corner after Damian, yelling at the four year old to get back to him.

"Can't catch me!" Damian squealed, running out into the courtyard. Jason followed him, lifting the toddler up into his arms. "Eep!"

"You were saying, little one?" Jason smirked, holding Damian close to his chest. "Now, I believe it is time for payback."

"No! Jay, 'm sorry! No tickles, please!"

Jason laughed, placing Damian over his shoulders. "Believe me, I will take immense pleasure in this."

"Jay, you're evil." Damian pouted as Jason carried him inside the building again. Jason smiled at him, continuing on with his journey. "Put me down, Jason. I mean it. I'm the Demon's Hand."

"And I'm Hood, the assassin who bested you." Jason drawled, carrying him to his room. He dropped Damian onto his bed, looking down at the four year old. "Now, I believe you are due for payback..."

Damian squealed when Jason started to tickle him, writhing in his arms. "J-Jay! Please!"

Jason relented after a minute, picking the small child up and holding him close. "Tell anyone I'm ticklish and I will tickle you ten fold." Damian stuck his tongue out at Jason, yelping when Jason took his tongue between his fingers. "I'm serious, little demon, not even mo-"

"What aren't you telling me?"

It was Jason's turn to yelp, whirling around to face Talia with Damian in his arms. "Erm, nothing?"

Talia smiled fondly at Jason, placing a hand on his cheek. "Jason, you are many great things, but a great liar? Not one of them." Jason sighed, avoiding Talia's eye contact to mumble something. "Speak up, Jason."

Jason's cheeks tinted red with embarrassment. "I'm ticklish."

Talia smirked, pulling her two boys into a hug. "Oh, that's it? Well, in that case..." She took Damian from Jason's arms, placing him on the ground next to them. In one swift motion, her hands were under Jason's armpits and tickling him mercilessly.

Jason squealed, laughter peeling out of his throat as his mother tickled him. "M-mother, please!"

Talia laughed. "You showed Damian no mercy, now you shall receive the same treatment."

"N-no!" Jason giggled, squirming to get away from Talia. "Dami, help me!"

Damian smiled innocently up at Jason. "And go against mother's wishes? No thank you."

Jason gasped, glaring down at his little brother. "Traitor."

"Meanie."

"D-demon!" Jason let out a high pitched squeak, falling to the ground. Talia knelt next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. She went to say something to him but was taken back when Jason hugged her tightly. "I love you, mother."

She was shocked for a moment, this being the first time Jason said those words. She circled her arms around her oldest, hugging him tightly. "I love you, too, Jason."

"And I love you both." Damian giggled, running up to them and wiggling his way into the hug. Jason and Talia hugged him tightly.

"We love you too, Damian."

Damian snuggled up against both of them as they embraced each other, a content sigh leaving his mouth. "I don't want any of this to change. I want to stay here forever, with mother and brother."

Jason hugged tighter, thinking about what little he knew of his past life. He knew he was on the Team, as they called themselves, and he knew he had had an adoptive father and brother, but they obviously couldn't compare to this if he didn't remember them. It had been weeks since he had learned about Bruce Wayne being his adoptive father from his past life and revealing his identity to his ex-brother, Dick Grayson, and neither one had reached out to him.

Jason asked Talia to do some research for him, on Bruce Wayne, and discovered he had been replaced within months of dying, by someone called Tim Drake. The hurt he felt for his past life and the betrayal cut him deeply before he reminded himself that he has a new family now, a better family.

Screw Bruce Wayne, screw Dick Grayson, and screw Tim Drake. They can rot in hell for all Jason cares.

If they wanted him back, they would've come by now. But they hadn't and that gave Jason all the information he needed.

But he couldn't help the pull he felt when he saw Dick, the urge to help him out in space and during that mission in Greater Bialya. He didn't understand it fully, but he figured it was the remnants of his past life wishing for things to go back to the way they were, to fight by his older brother's side once more.

Everything about his past and present was confusing him, everything but what was right in front of him. His family. His mother and brother, who he would protect with his life, like he swore to do. But more than that, he would protect them and fight until the bitter end for them because he loves them.

No one was going to take him from his family, not even the goddamn Batman.

No one.

Chapter Text

Jason groaned when he felt the bed dip next to him. He rolled over, turning his back to the person. "Five more minutes, mother."

"Jason, we are going on a little trip. You, me, and Damian." Talia spoke up, running a hand through Jason's hair. "We are going to Metropolis for a family outing. I believe it is time to show Damian the outside world."

Jason sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "When do we leave?"

"In one hour. Get dressed, I will meet you and Damian at the helicopter."

"No need for the helicopter, daughter." Talia and Jason turned to see Ra's standing there with a device in his hand. "For your help on the Anti-Life mission, Savage has gifted me a Motherbox. Here, take it with you. It is quicker and more reliable than the helicopter."

Talia took the device from her father. "Thank you. We will return tonight." Ra's nodded, exiting the room. Talia turned to Jason, kissing his hair. "Be ready in an hour. I'm going to wake Damian."

Jason watched Talia leave the room, stretching his arms over his head before getting out of bed. He wandered over to his closet, getting out his casual clothes. He got dressed, slipping some throwing knives into his belt before attaching belt under his hoodie, just in case.

One never knows what may happen in the outside world.

Roughly an hour later, Jason met up with Talia and Damian in the courtyard, taking Damian into his arms so Talia could enter the coordinates into the Motherbox. Damian cuddled closely to Jason, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his head on his shoulder. Jason kissed his forehead, watching as Talia opened the boom tube. They walked through, appearing on a roof in Metropolis. The family made their way to the ground, appearing on the streets below them a minute later.

"Where to, mother?" Jason asked, adjusting Damian in his arms.

Talia thought about it. "Let's take him to a park, enjoy the weather."

Jason nodded, following after Talia through the streets. They came upon a park not too long after they arrived, walking to the play structure. Damian looked at it curiously. Jason put him down, taking his hand instead. "Come on, Damian. Let's go play."

Talia watched as her boys went to the play structure, running up the stairs and going down the slide, Damian giggling the whole time. She smiled, taking out a small camera and snapping a photo of Jason holding Damian as they went down the slide.

"Again, Jay! Again!" Damian cried out. "Ooh! I want to try that one!" He pointed to the tire swing and Jason obliged, lifting the small child up onto the swing. Damian pat the spot next to him. "Join me."

Jason smirked, sitting across from Damian to distribute the weight. Talia shook her head fondly, making her way over to push her childish sons on the tire swing, their laughter tearing loudly through the park, unaware of the group coming out of the diner from across the street.

"Can we go to the park, daddy?" Lian Nguyen-Harper asked her father, pointing across the street.

Will looked at the group. "Care to join us?"

The group nodded, happy that everything was calm in their world for once.

They made it to the park, noticing at the play structure a family was laughing at the tire swing as a teenaged boy fell off, the small child still on the swing looking down in concern. "You okay, Jay?"

"I'm alright, little demon. Just fell down, is all." The boy stood up, brushing himself off. He glanced up, eyes widening when he saw the approaching group, eyes locking with one Dick Grayson. He snarled, reaching for his throwing knives. "Mother, grab Damian and get behind me. We've got company."

Talia picked Damian off the swing, looking in the direction Jason was staring. She sighed internally, knowing a storm was coming. "Jason, they have a child with them."

"Don't worry, mother, no harm shall come to her. Can't say the same about her guardians." Jason growled as the group stopped at the edge of the park, staring at Jason and his family. Jason shifted to block Damian from view. "What do you want, Grayson?"

"I didn't want to believe you, Dick, but he really is alive and working for the al Ghuls..." Barbara spoke in awe, looking at Jason.

Jason ignored the headache that was coming on, used to them by now. He slipped the knives between his fingers, stepping further in front of Talia and Damian. "Mother, go home."

"Jason, Talia al Ghul is not your mother. She is-"

"Enough!" Jason roared, running at the group with his knives up and ready to slash.

He managed to slice Dick's arm before the older man dove out of the way. He glared at Jason. "Will, get Lian out of here." Will obliged, turning to leave with his daughter in his arms. Dick looked at Jason, raising his hands in defense. "Look, we didn't come here to fight."

Jason scoffed. "You come here and slander my mother, you're going to get a fight." Jason peeked over his shoulder at Talia and Damian, who were watching him closely. "Mother, take him home."

"Who is he?" Artemis asked, looking at Damian. She looked between Jason and Talia, eyes widening. "Did you two-"

"No! That's my mother, you freak." Jason threw a knife at Artemis, one she barely dodged. It landed in a tree.

"Ja-"

Jason felt someone put their hand on his shoulder and he sneered, reaching for a special knife he had for just this occasion. He grabbed it, stabbing it into the hand.

"Ah! Where did you find kryptonite?" Conner yelled, pulling his hand back.

Jason ignored him, turning to face the rest of the group. He prepared to throw his knives at them, stopping when Talia spoke. "Jason, enough." He paused in his actions, relaxing his body. Jason looked back to Talia, watching as she came closer with Damian in her arms. "What is it your team wants, Richard?"

Dick looked back to his friends, hand on his wound. Jason knew they were conversing through the psychic link and he narrowed his eyes. "We didn't know you would be here, honestly. We just wanted to take Lian to the park. But since you're here..."

Jason felt someone trying to probe into his mind and he hissed, tossing a knife at M'gann. "Stay out of my mind, Martian!"

"Jason, please, we are just trying to help you." Dick pleaded, watching as Jason turned to him with murder in his eyes.

"Help me by staying out of my li-"

"If you want us to go with you, all you had to do was ask." Talia smirked at M'gann. "No need to try and plant a suggestion in my head."

The group looked taken aback, looking just as shocked as Jason felt. "Mother? Are you sure?"

Talia nodded, kissing Jason's forehead. "Of course. Besides, I have some things to discuss with Batman."

Damian made grabby motions for Jason and he obliged, taking the child from Talia. He snuggled close to Jason, glaring at the Team. "Stay away from my brother, you meanies!"

Jason smiled down at Damian, hugging him close. "Thank you, you saved me, little one."

Damian giggled. "Anything for you, Jay."

Talia watched her boys interact with a soft expression before turning to the Team, her face hardening. "Well? Take us to Batman so you can interrogate us." She smirked, pulling the Motherbox out. "Or, better yet, let me take us there."

She punched in the coordinates for the Watchtower, which she had gotten from Ra's when he was still apart of the Light, and opened a boom tube. She gestured for the Team to follow through with them.

Hey, Dick?

Yeah?

Did you ever tell Bruce about Jason...?

Oh, shit.

Chapter Text

The boom tube opened up in the Watchtower, startling the heroes that were training there. They looked up, surprised to see Artemis, Barbara, Conner, Dick, M'gann, Kaldur, and Wyynde in their civvies with a familiar woman, a teenager, and a child.

"What's going on?" Tim asked, watching the group closely.

"Where's Batman?" Dick asked, ignoring Tim's question.

"He's in a meeting with the rest of the Justice League. What's happening?" Tim asked again, narrowing his eyes at the three strangers.

"We have some people that he needs to speak to." Artemis replied, walking over to their medical supplies. She pulled out some disinfectant and gauze, walking over to Dick and Conner, handing it to them.

"What happened to them?" Stephanie asked, eyes going wide when she saw the boys from the grocery store all those months ago. "You two!"

Jason held Damian tighter, narrowing his eyes at Stephanie. "Who are you?"

"I'm Spoiler, who are you?"

Jason looked at Talia for direction and she nodded. "I'm Jason, Jason Todd." He heard something clatter to the ground and turned his attention to Tim, who was staring wide eyed at the trio. Jason saw the costume he was in and narrowed his eyes. "Hello, Tim."

Talia placed a hand on Jason's shoulder, calming the anger that boiled up inside him. She turned to Dick with an expectant look. "Bring Batman to us or we will be taking our leave."

"I thought you said you needed to talk to him?" Conner asked, wrapping his hand in gauze.

Talia smirked. "I have a Motherbox, I can just go to his house and discuss this matter with him another time."

"How did you get a Motherbox, by the way?"

"Savage gave it to Ra's as a thank you for my services." Jason butt into the conversation. He turned to Talia, adjusting Damian in his arms. "Can we go home now, mother? It is clear that they are not going to bring Batman to us. I doubt he is even-"

"Here?" Jason tensed at the voice, turning slowly to look at the man he once called his father. Batman, upon seeing Jason's face, paused in his step, the other Justice Leaguers stopping behind him. He looked between Talia and Jason, narrowing his eyes. "Talia, how long have you had Jason?"

"Two years." Talia replied, keeping her hand on Jason's shoulder as she sensed the turmoil of emotions within him.

"Wait, that's Talia al Ghul?!" Stephanie cried out. "Who is the child, then?"

Jason growled, hugging Damian closer to him. Talia looked down at them before turning her gaze to Batman. "I believe we should talk, in private, Bruce."

Batman steeled his jaw. "No. Whatever you have to say, you say it here, now, Talia."

Talia nodded. "The child Jason is holding is Damian al Ghul, my son. Or, more accurately, our son, Bruce." Jason tensed at that, looking up to Talia to see if she was being serious. Talia was looking straight at Bruce, holding eye contact. Jason looked back down to Damian, noticing the similarities in his features with Bruce. Talia squeezed Jason's shoulder. "Ask us any questions, we have nothing to hide."

Damian snuggled closer to Jason, peeking out to look at the heroes. He gasped when he saw where they were. "Jay, are we in space?! That's so cool! I wanna see more."

Jason chuckled, walking towards the windows. "Anything for you, little demon." He stopped in his tracks when he saw Tim and Stephanie blocking his way to the windows, arms crossed over their chests. "Move. Or I will move you."

"Jason, no violence. We are not here to fight." Talia spoke to Jason with a warning in her tone.

Jason narrowed his eyes at Tim and Stephanie and they moved aside, allowing him to walk over to the window with Damian in his arms. Damian plastered his face against the window, staring wide eyed out into the cosmos. "Jay! Look! Earth!"

Jason kissed his hair. "I see, little one."

"Only 'cause I told you."

"Only reason." Jason smirked, chuckling when Damian whacked him on the shoulder.

Bruce watched Jason and Damian interact, a pang in his chest. He turned to Talia with a stoic expression. "How do I know he is mine? I will need a DNA test."

Talia nodded. "Certainly. But you can't tell just from looking at him? He looks just like you, beloved."

"I will still need a DNA test. On both of them."

Jason heard this and felt anger spike within his chest. He turned to Bruce, adjusting Damian in his arms so that the small child could still stare into space. Jason sneered at Bruce. "Why do you need to test my DNA?"

"I need to confirm you are really Jason Todd before I bring you to my home."

Jason saw red. He stalked over to Talia, handing her Damian, who protested about being away from the window. He continued onwards towards Batman, ignoring how the Justice League and the Team tensed when he got within a foot of Bruce. "I don't know what kind of delusional world you live in, but I am not leaving my mother and brother for a man I don't remember. I am staying with the al Ghuls, I don't care what you or anyone else has to say about it. Try and take me away and well...we'll see how that goes for you."

Batman stared at Jason for a moment before turning to Talia. "What have you done to him?"

"I haven't done anything but accept him as my own." Talia answered truthfully. "If you want, have the Amazon use her lasso on me."

Wonder Woman stepped forward, wrapping her lasso around Talia's wrist. "Have you done anything to alter this young man's brain or way of thinking?"

"The only thing I have done to 'alter' Jason's mind is inform him of his past life, before he died, as he remembered pieces of the puzzle. There is no brainwashing or mind games being played. I have always been completely open with both my sons." Talia answered. "I love them both and would do anything to protect them."

"Is this young man really Jason Todd?"

"Yes. My father and I did a DNA test on him as soon as he came onto our radar. He is Jason Todd."

"Why does he not remember his past?"

"The Lazarus pit restored his body but not his mind. He is slowly remembering his past and I have been answering his questions as best I can. I have not withheld any information from him once he remembered it." It was silent for a moment before Talia spoke up again. "Jason, grab the lasso. I believe they have some questions they want to ask you, as well."

Jason obeyed, walking back to his mother and taking a bit of lasso to wrap around his wrist. He turned to look at the Team and the Justice League with a raised brow. "Well?"

"What was your relationship like with the al Ghuls when you first came back?"

"I was trained to become Damian's protector. I am his guardian, his big brother, his loyal companion. Talia accepted me as her own a few months after I was introduced to Damian. Before that, she was my guardian, my trainer, and my best friend. Ra's al Ghul is the Demon's Head, I owe him and mother my life." Jason answered, narrowing his eyes at the group before him. "I will serve and protect the al Ghuls with my every breath. If any of you try and separate us, I will-"

"Jason." Talia spoke coolly, eyeing Jason with a warning.

"Sorry, mother." Jason bowed his head.

"Talia, if we were to unlock Jason's memories of his past, would you stop us?"

"No. It is not my place." She glowered at the heroes. "But if you hurt my son during the process it will be the last thing you do."

"Of course. M'gann?" Batman turned to M'gann and her eyes began to glow.

"Jason, let the Martian into your mind." Jason nodded at Talia's words, closing his eyes as M'gann entered his mind.

He felt a burning sensation in his mind as the worst headache he had ever experienced hit him full force. He collapsed to the ground, holding his head in his hands with a groan.

The last thing he remembers while he was conscious was Damian screaming his name, jumping from Talia's arms to run to him.

Chapter Text

Damian shook Jason's shoulders desperately,  tears in his eyes. "Jay! Jay, wake up! Come on, stop playing."

Awe, he's so cute. Like a little worried Bruce.

Damian looked up at the heroes with rage in his eyes. He grabbed two of Jason's remaining knives, standing up. "You meanies hurt my brother. Now you need to pay."

He's going to hurt himself with those things.

Damian went sprinting at the group, sliding on the ground when he got close. He slid under Batman's legs, slashing at his calves as he did so.

"Argh!"

"That's for telling the alien to hurt my brother." He turned to M'gann, eyes practically glowing with anger. "And this is for listening to him."

"Damian, wait! If you hurt her while she is in Jason's mind, you could hurt Jason too." Tim cried out, stepping in front of the unaware M'gann.

Damian growled, turning his anger back on Batman. He raised one of the knives, ready to slash Bruce again when the knife was shot out of his hand by Superman's laser vision. Damian tossed the second knife at Bruce, glaring when the knife was deflected yet again by Superman. Damian ran at Batman, only to be scooped up in the arms of Dick Grayson. "That's enough."

Damian grabbed Dick's thumb and broke it, forcing the vigilante to drop him. He continued to run at Batman, only stopping when a certain brother of his spoke. "Little demon, are you protecting me?"

Damian gasped, doing an about face and sprinting into Jason's arms, tackling him to the ground. "Jay! I thought I lost you! Are you okay? Did the meanies hurt you?"

Jason chuckled, ruffling Damian's hair as the toddler curled up on his lap. "I'm alright , little one. It tickled more than anything."

Damian giggled. "And I know how ticklish you are."

Jason gasped. "Demon, you promised you wouldn't tell anyone!"

Damian stuck his tongue out. "That's what you get for scaring me, you meanie." Damian snuggled closer. "What did they do?"

Jason paused, looking up at everyone staring expectantly at him. "They gave me back my memories. I remember everything about my past life."

Damian gasped, looking up at Jason. "I can't wait for you to tell me everything!"

Jason grinned, standing up with Damian in his arms. "We'll make a night of it. I'll make us hot cocoa and we can have a fire and I'll tell you all about it. How does that sound?"

Damian turned to Talia with hopeful eyes. "Will you join us, mother? Please?"

Talia smiled softly at her boys. "Of course I will. After all, who is going to make sure that Jason doesn't burn down our home with his recklessness?"

Jason stuck his tongue out, making Damian giggle.

"Wait, Jason, you're still going back with the al Ghuls? Even though you remember everything?" Dick asked, a heart broken expression on his face.

Jason looked up at him. "Yes, they are my family. They love me and accept me for who I am, which is more than I can say for Bruce and you."

"But...what about Alfred?"

Jason felt a pang in his chest. "I'll miss Alfred, but this is my life now. I'm not sorry."

Bruce stepped forward, looking at Damian and Jason. "I'm still going to need DNA samples."

Jason snorted. "Of course you are. That's the Bruce I remember, always all business." Jason plucked a hair from his head, handing it to Bruce before doing the same with Damian. "Sorry, little one."

"'S okay, Jay. Didn't hurt." Damian yawned, leaning his head on Jason's shoulder. "'M hungry."

"I'll make us some food when we get home. And, if mother allows it, some cookies for the cocoa?" Jason and Damian looked at Talia with matching puppy dog eyes, causing her to sigh.

"Alright, but only a few. The last thing I need is two wound up boys running around my home because they ate a whole batch of cookies." She relented, making her boys holler in victory. Talia turned to Wonder Woman, holding her wrist up. "Do you mind? I believe it is time I take my boys home."

As Wonder Woman was unwrapping the lasso from Talia's wrist, Dick went up to her and glared. "I'm keeping my eye on you. If I sense that you aren't taking good care of my brothers then-"

"I believe you heard it from Jason yourself, I am doing a much better job than you and Bruce did with him." Talia smirked, rubbing her wrist. "And as for Damian, I don't believe I remember him claiming you as his brother."

"If he is Bruce's, then he is my brother."

"I don't think he feels the same way." Talia gestured to Dick's broken thumb before turning to her waiting sons. "I'm ready to go home, are you two?"

"Yes, mother." They answered at the same time, watching as Talia typed in the coordinates to their home.

She opened the boom tube, gesturing for Jason to bring Damian in first. He walked through, not sparing the heroes a second glance. Talia looked at Bruce with a softness usually reserved for her sons. "Do not worry, beloved. I am taking care of them." With that, she disappeared into the boom tube.

The heroes stood in silence for a moment, everyone unpacking what just happened in their own way. Bruce walked over to the computer, loading the two DNA samples into it for analysis.

Stephanie snickered, looking at Dick. "You got beat up by a toddler."

Dick glared at her. "Yeah, who happens to be the son of Talia al Ghul and Batman." He looked at Bruce. "Aren't you in pain? How are you walking? Damian slashed your calves."

"My need for answers out weighs my pain."

"Drama king."

"How long have you known Jason was alive again?"

Dick was taken aback by the question. "Excuse me?"

"I know you knew before today. So, when did you find out?"

Dick sighed, rubbing his uninjured hand through his hair. "After we got back from Granny's orphanage. He revealed himself to us after some pushing."

Bruce nodded, looking back to the computer. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of the storm.

Infinity Island

At their home, Talia took Damian upstairs for a bath while Jason went about cooking dinner for them.  He heard someone enter the room and turned to see Ra's. He bowed, straightening up when he was told.

"Jason, I have something to inform you of." Jason nodded, cooking the food as he listened to Ra's. "I have rejoined the Light. It took some persuading, but I believe it is in my best interests. As it is yours, to do as I ask." Jason felt a pinch between his shoulder blades and he slumped forward, a burning sensation coursing through his body as Ra's spoke. "You see, I know all about you remembering your past and your little field trip with my family today to the heroes where my daughter revealed Damian's parentage to his father. I intend to exploit this."

Jason groaned lowly, gripping the edge of the counters. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to forget this conversation. This never happened. And when the time is right, you'll hear your orders."

Jason nodded, going back to cooking as Ra's took his leave. He turned around when he heard the door close.

That's funny, he thought to himself, I thought I left the door open.

Chapter Text

It was about two weeks after the family's encounter with the heroes and so far, not a peep out of them.

Jason was currently showing Damian some self defense moves in the courtyard, Talia watching from the window of her bedroom with a cup of tea in her hands. She smiled down at her sons as Jason showed Damian how to disarm an attacker.

"Daughter." Talia turned around to see Ra's standing in her doorway. She took a sip of her tea, raising a brow at her father. "Walk with me, I have much I need to discuss with you."

"Of course." Talia fell into step with Ra's, placing her cup down on her bed side table as she passed it. "What's this about?"

Ra's was quiet for a moment before he answered. "I have rejoined the Light. After Deathstroke's failure with the Markov girl, they want him out, so they called me. I told them I would join only if they got me my League back. They agreed to my terms." Talia kept a straight face, a sinking feeling entering her stomach. "They will help me get my League back if I help them thwart the Justice League and their teams."

Talia nodded. "How do you plan to do that, father?"

"With Jason, of course." Ra's smiled a sinister grin. "I'll kill him, plant false memories like Cadmus did to that Harper clone, and send him along to Wayne's house, no one any the wiser."

Talia nodded along, outside perfectly calm. Inside, she was furious. How dare he threaten her son? She looked over at her father. "What do you need me to do?"

Ra's pulled out a blade. "I need you to kill him for me."

Talia took the blade. "Of course."

"You're dismissed." Ra's waved his hand, walking down the hallway to his office.

Talia looked down at the blade, sliding it into her belt. She took off to her room, grabbing what she needed from her bedside table before rushing to Damian and Jason's rooms. She quickly threw together a bag of their stuff before running to the courtyard. Her sons looked up when they saw her, smiling at her. "Hello, mother."

Talia hugged them both tightly. "Follow me, quickly." She picked Damian up, running with Jason at her side.

"Mother, what's this about?" Jason asked as they made their way to the beach.

Talia didn't answer, instead she put Damian down next to a rock. She handed Jason the bag with their items in it. She hugged Jason close to her, whispering in his ear. "Ra's is planning to kill you. I'm sending the two of you to Bruce's, where you'll both be safe. Tell Damian whatever you need to, just know that I love you."

Jason was shocked, wrapping his shaking arms around Talia. "I love you too."

Talia stepped back, picking Damian up and kissing his cheek. "My sweet Damian, I love you. Be good for Jason, okay?"

"Mother, where are we going?" Damian asked, hugging Talia.

"You and your brother are going on a trip. I'll come get you when I can, but for now, this is where you'll be staying, alright?" Talia smiled, tears in her eyes as she handed Jason Damian. "I love you both so much, never forget that."

She opened a boom tube with the Motherbox she grabbed from her room. Jason turned to Talia, an unsure look on his face. "What will I tell Bruce?"

"Tell him I could no longer care for you, that it was safer for the two of you there." Talia gently pushed Jason and Damian through the boom tube, watching as they disappeared from sight. "I'll miss you, my sons."

Somewhere else on the island, in his office, Ra's watched the whole thing happen. He smirked, pulling out his tablet. He dialed the number pre-programmed in. "Savage, the plan is in motion."

Gotham City

Jason and Damian stepped out of the boom tube, bag in hand, a little disoriented. Jason looked up at the outside of the familiar mansion, a twist of emotions worming their way into his gut. He held Damian close as the door to the manor swung open, revealing Alfred and Tim. They stared wide eyed at the brothers, unsure of how to respond.

Jason tightened his grip on Damian, slowly approaching the two at the manor door. "Is Bruce home?"

Alfred cleared his throat. "Master Bruce is currently in a meeting. May I help you with something?"

Jason looked to Damian, heaving a sigh. "We...we need a place to stay."

Alfred nodded, ushering the two boys into the manor, despite the look Tim was giving him. Once Jason was inside with Damian, he heard Tim hiss something to Alfred, only for the butler to reply in a calm manner. "I will not turn away Master Bruce's sons, Master Tim. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go call Master Bruce."

Alfred walked away from the trio, leaving a heavy silence over them. Tim glared at Jason, one Jason returned. Damian, unaware of the tension, looked Tim over. "Hi! I'm Damian! Who are you?"

Tim looked down at the small child. "I'm Tim. Tim Drake. I'm Bruce's adopted son. One of them, anyways."

Damian nodded, looking up at Jason. "Does that mean Tim is your brother? Because you are both adopted by Bruce?"

Jason paused, thinking it over. "I...I suppose so."

"And since you are my brother, does that mean Tim is my brother?" Damian questioned, looking at Tim quizzically.

"If you want him to be, then yes."

Damian thought about it. "I think having another brother would be cool."

Jason smiled down at Damian. "Well, I actually have an older brother too. His name is Dick."

Damian looked up in awe. "So I have three brothers?"

"And a sister." Tim piped up. "Cassandra."

"I always wanted a sister." Damian sighed. "No 'fence, Jay."

"None taken, little demon."

Footsteps were heard coming from upstairs and everyone looked as Bruce paused half way down the stairs, eyes on Jason and Damian. He hid his shock well. "Jason, Damian."

"Bruce."

"What are you doing here?"

Jason snorted. "Funny story, actually..."

Chapter Text

Jason stood at the entry way of his old bedroom, memories flooding his mind as he stared at the golden plate that had his name engraved on it. It was surreal being back there, at the place he basically grew up. He wasn't sure how to act, what to feel.

He was pulled out of his own mind when Damian tugged on his hand. He looked down at the toddler, a smile growing on his face. "Come on, Jay, our room is this way."

Bruce had offered his old room to him, but Jason told him he wanted to stay with Damian, to keep an eye on him. Bruce had just nodded, understanding Jason's protectiveness over his brother. He had told Jason they would talk after Damian went to sleep, sensing what Jason had to tell him wasn't fit for the four year old's ears. Jason agreed.

Now Jason was sitting on his bed, Damian's a few feet away from his, checking over the meager belongings Talia had packed for him.

Talia.

He hoped his mother wasn't taking any punishment for sending her sons away. She was just doing what any good mother would do in her situation, trying to protect her young.

Jason looked over the dagger Talia had packed for him, running his hand along the flat of the blade. He remembered when Talia had gifted him this, it was during the time his leg was healing from being broken by Devastation. She said she had it personally made for him, his and Damian's birth stones on either side of the hilt. Talia had one for Damian that she was going to give to him on his tenth birthday that was also packed and Jason felt his stomach drop.

Talia was expecting them to stay here for a long time. Perhaps permanently.

"Jay?" Jason turned to Damian, the toddler blinking up at him. "Tim was just here, says its time for dinner...and I'm hungry."

Jason nodded, sliding his dagger into its sheath and putting it under his pillow. He took Damian's hand and lead him to the dining room, entering to find Bruce sat in his usual seat with Tim on one side of him and Dick on the other, an Asian girl next to Tim.

Alfred must've called Dick when Jason and Damian showed up at the manor.

Jason walked slowly around the table, sitting as far away from the rest of the group as he could manage, placing Damian on the other side of him, away from Bruce. He didn't miss the way Dick rolled his eyes. Jason looked to the girl, staring at her for a moment before the name came back to him. "You must be Cassandra."

"And you...Jason. Damian." She nodded, a small smile gracing her face.

Damian nodded. "You're Jason's sister and Jason is my brother, so that makes you my sister too!"

"Yes."

Damian smiled widely. "I asked mother for a sister and she said maybe one day. I guess today is the day."

Jason glared playfully at the toddler. "Was I not enough for you?"

"No, you're a meanie." Damian giggled.

"Demon."

"Its pronounced Damian."

Jason snorted at the toddler, ruffling his hair. "You're a brat, you know that?"

"I learned from you." Damian blew a raspberry at Jason as Alfred placed the food on the table. Damian stared wide eyed at it. "Jay, this looks better than your food!"

Jason smirked at Alfred. "Well, I learned from the best. Alfred's cooking is magnificent."

"Thank you, Master Jason."

Jason's smirk faltered and he turned to face his food. "You're welcome, Alfie."

Dinner continued in a tense silence for a few moments, nobody talking as they ate, the only sound was utensils on the plates.

"So, Jason, what brings you here?" Dick asked, looking at Jason over the top of his glass of water.

Jason narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip on his knife. He took in a deep breath, remembering his mother's words. He smirked. "Mother wanted Damian to spend time with his father."

Damian looked up at Jason, confusion in his eyes. "I thought my father was Batma-oh." Damian's eyes zeroed in on Bruce. "You're Batman."

"Jason." Dick hissed.

"Dick." Jason mockingly hissed back. "He was going to find out soon enough, might as well be from his big brother, eh?"

Damian was still staring at Bruce, scrutinizing him. "You don't seem so scary. And why dress up as a bat? Are you a furby?" Jason choked on his water, laughing. He wiped the tears in his eyes. Damian looked at him curiously. "What's so funny, Jay? You called Batman a furby a few months ago."

"Don't say that, Dami. And its furry, not furby." Jason wheezed. "Oh, man, Batman just got called a furry by his son. My life is complete, I can die again." Everyone at the table except Damian tensed, glaring at Jason. He rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his water, carefully this time.

Bruce cleared his throat. "Dick, why don't you, Cassandra, and Tim show Damian around the manor? There are some things I would like to discuss with Jason."

Jason glared at Bruce. "No way in hell am I leaving Damian."

Damian placed a hand on Jason's bicep. "Jay, I'll be okay. If they try anything, I'll kill them, okay?"

Jason smiled. "Remember what I taught you?"

"Of course." Damian nodded. "I'm not an amateur."

Jason ruffled his hair. "Okay, little demon, if you say you can handle yourself, I believe you." Jason turned to face his other three siblings. "If so much as a hair is out of place I will make your deaths look like painful accidents, got it?"

"Jason." Bruce spoke in a warning tone.

"That includes you too, Bruce." Jason snarled. He looked back at Damian, kissing his forehead. "Make sure they show you the library, its the best part of this place."

Damian grinned. "The best part is you, Jay."

Jason shooed Damian away, glaring at the three as they walked away with his little brother. He turned to Bruce with a flat expression. "I assume you have questions. Start asking."

"Why did Talia really send you two?"

Jason sighed. "It wasn't safe for us on the island anymore. She sent us here to protect us. Next question."

"Why wasn't it safe?"

Jason narrowed his eyes. "I don't think you are privy to that information." Bruce just raised a brow and Jason rolled his eyes. "Fine. Ra's ordered my death. Mother sent us here rather than killing me. She truly loves us, Bruce, which is more than I can say for you."

"Jason-"

"Do you have anymore questions or can I go join my brother?"

Bruce sighed. "Just one. Given your past allegiance to Ra's, I am going to have to make sure you aren't working some angle for him. Are you willing to under go further questioning with the League?"

Jason was appalled at first, but then he remembered he was dealing with the clinical Batman. "Yes. I have nothing to hide." Jason stood from the table, throwing his napkin on his plate. "And for the record, for you to imply that I would use Damian as a cover to infiltrate your house and therefore your team is disgusting. I don't know how you can stand yourself."

Jason left the room, leaving Bruce to stare at the empty chairs. He had some calls to make.

Chapter Text

Jason stood before the Justice League and the team, a blank expression on his face. He was in his Hood suit, minus the face mask, waiting for their questioning to begin. Damian was drawing at the table a few feet away from him, music playing in his head phones.

That was one of the conditions Jason had. Damian had to be within his line of sight during the questioning but he was not to hear what Jason was saying. He didn't want Damian's view of his grandfather to be skewed by what Jason was sure an order from Savage.

Jason smiled at Damian as he watched his younger brother color in the sketch he was working on. He would literally do anything for that boy and to protect him. After all, it was his entire life's purpose.

Jason looked away from Damian, his expression souring when Batman cleared his throat. "Are you ready to begin questioning, Jason?" Jason nodded. "Alright, Zatanna is going to place a truth spell on you, is that alright?"

Jason scoffed. "Like I have a say."

Zatanna pointed at Jason and uttered her backwards spell. Jason felt tingly for a moment before he looked to the heroes with an expectant look. Zatanna nodded. "He's ready."

"Alright. Let's start easy. What is your name?" Dick asked, eyes narrowing behind his mask.

"Jason Peter Todd, my alias is Hood."

"Why were you sent here out of the blue?" Tim asked.

"Mother said Ra's was going to kill me. Fearing for my life, she sent Damian and me here to protect us, knowing I would return to the island if Damian was not with me." Jason looked at Damian, his expression softening. "I would do anything for Damian."

"Even betray Ra's al Ghul?"

Jason's eyes flickered to Artemis, who was the one to ask the question. "If it met protecting Damian, yes. I would take on Ra's al Ghul for Damian."

"Why does Ra's want you dead?"

Jason looked to Damian to make sure he wasn't listening. He wasn't, his headphones still firmly on. "I'm not sure, mother didn't say. I believe he is working with Savage again and Savage wants me dead for trying to find a way to kill him."

"Are you a deep cover operative for Ra's, sent here to infiltrate us and take us down from the inside?" A blonde girl asked, one Jason vaguely recognized as the princess of Markovia, Tara.

Jason scoffed. "If I were a deep cover operative, I think I would know."

"Where are your loyalties?"

"Where they have always been, to my mother and brother." Jason rolled his eyes. "That doesn't just suddenly change because I am living with Batman."

The heroes turned to each other, murmuring under their breaths to one another. Jason couldn't be bothered to listen to their conversation, instead he wandered over to Damian's table where he was still drawing. He looked over his shoulder at the drawing, a smile spreading over his face when he saw that Damian was drawing their little family.

"Jason."

Jason turned around, walking back to the middle of the room. He stared expectantly at the heroes. "Well?"

Everyone looked at M'gann, who sighed. "I'm sorry, but they want me to do a mind sweep, make sure Ra's didn't plant anything in there."

Jason tensed. "That is incredibly invasive and a breach of my privacy."

"Are you hiding something?"

"No, I'm just stating my distaste for your methods." Jason glared. "Go ahead, you'll find my mind is completely my own."

M'gann's eyes began to glow as she started to do her mind sweep, Jason feeling a pressure in his mind. He kept a straight face, staring at the heroes as M'gann invaded his brain. Once she was done, her eyes stopped glowing and she turned to her fellow heroes. "If Ra's planted anything in there, it is hidden beyond my reach. Jason is clean."

"Like I told you, I would know if I was a deep cover operative." Jason sneered. "Anymore questions or can I go hang out with my little brother?"

"One last thing." Jason groaned. "Will you comply with a body scan?"

"For cripes sake!" Jason threw his hands in their air in an exasperated motion. "Do you want a urine sample too?"

"No, the body scan will suffice."

"That was a joke, you should learn to take one." Jason rolled his eyes. "Fine. Make it quick, I want to spend time with Damian."

"Done."

Jason narrowed his eyes at Superman. "You used your super vision thingy didn't you?"

"X-ray vision and yes, I did. You're clean."

"I told you that." Jason grunted. He looked at Zatanna. "Take the truth spell off me, we're done here."

Zatanna nodded, undoing her spell. Jason shot the heroes a glare before stomping off to sit with Damian. He sat next to his little brother, watching Damian color in their eyes. Damian didn't notice him, or he didn't acknowledge his presence, as he continued with his art, bobbing his head to the music streaming through the headphones.

Bruce watched his sons for a moment, the ache of longing filling his chest. He knew he was damaging his relationship with Jason by continually questioning his motives, but he needed to protect the rest of his children and his team. He just wished there was a better way to do it.

Infinity Island

Ra's al Ghul grinned, listening to his peers talk through his tablet about their various machinations. He waited until Vandal looked to him to speak and he cleared his throat.

"Hood is in position. He has passed the first phase of scrutiny from the heroes, they don't seriously suspect anything yet as they could not detect the biochip I implanted in his spinal column. Thank you, Ultra Humanite, for modifying it so it works on regular humans as opposed to just metas." Ra's nodded to his fellow Light member. "He is well on his way to destabilizing the Justice League from the inside."

"Excellent. And the trigger phrase is set up?"

"Of course, I am no amateur. And to ensure our plan does not go off early, I even bound the trigger phrase to a certain person."

"Perfect. Keep us updated."

The screens went blank and Ra's exited his office, heading to the dungeons. He walked inside, going to the farthest cell where his daughter was being held. She stared at him through the opening in the door, a blank look on her face. "Talia, Talia, Talia. Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"Father, I swear, if you hurt my boys-"

"Ah, save that motherly rage. It will be the key to everything." Ra's chuckled.

"Whatever you have planned, I won't be a part of it."

"You, my dear daughter, I'm afraid don't have a choice."

Chapter Text

"Jay, wake up!" Jason felt the air rush out of him as a weight landed on his chest. He opened his eyes to see Damian laying on top of him, a huge smile on his face. Jason quirked a brow. "Come on, Jay! Richard said he would take us to the zoo today! I want to see the animals."

Jason sat up, forcing Damian to slide into his lap. "You want to go to the zoo with Dick?"

Damian nodded enthusiastically. "Mhm. And you. I don't want to go if you don't go."

Jason smiled down at Damian. "Well, if you want to go to the zoo, you need to eat all of your breakfast today."

Damian nodded. "I will, but you need to join us. Get up."

Jason scoffed. "When did you get so bossy, little one?"

Damian just stuck his tongue out crawling off of Jason. He ran over to his side of the room, grabbing a change of clothes. "We are leaving after breakfast.  Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Jason chuckled, getting out of bed. He got dressed, following Damian down stairs to the dining room. They entered, taking their seats at the table. Everyone at the table said good morning to them and Jason grunted a greeting, Damian being much more chipper than him.

Dick cleared his throat when the table was set. "Damian, are you excited about going to the zoo?"

Damian nodded vigorously, stuffing a pancake in his mouth. "Mhm."

Dick turned to Jason. "Will you be joining us?"

Jason snorted. "Of course. Do you think I would let you take Damian anywhere without me?" Dick deflated slightly, looking back to his breakfast. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. After everyone was done, they gathered in the front foyer and Jason looked at Bruce with a raised brow. "You're coming too?"

"Yes. I took the day off. Family bonding is important."

"If only mother were here." Damian sighed.

Jason ruffled his hair. "We shall see her soon, little demon."

"I miss her."

"So do I."

Bruce cleared his throat. "Shall we head to the zoo then?"

Everyone mumbled an agreement, making their way outside to the car. They got inside, buckling up before taking off towards the zoo. Damian was looking out the car window in awe, his eyes wide as the city passed them by. Jason looked at him fondly.

They parked in the zoo parking lot, everyone stepping out of the car. Jason grabbed Damian's hand as they made their way to the zoo entrance.

"Jay, we're here! We're going to see so many animals! Are you excited!?" Damian practically buzzed beneath Jason's hand, a huge grin on his face as Bruce paid for their entrance into the zoo.

Jason nodded. "I am. Probably not as excited as you though, little demon."

Damian giggled. "No one is as excited as me."

Jason hummed an agreement,  looking around as they entered the zoo. There weren't that many people seeing as the zoo just opened but the few that were there were mingling about, sometimes casting glances at the expensive clothes their group wore. Jason glanced at the other members of their 'family'. Tim and Cassandra were talking quietly to each other, walking at the front of the group. Dick and Bruce were looking at a map, plotting out the best course through the zoo. Damian was staring at every stand they passed in awe, his eyes wide.

Jason reminded himself that this was Damian's first time going to the zoo. He needed to make it special.

"Which animal do you want to see first, Damian?" 

The toddler paused, looking at the map presented to him by his father. He glanced up at Jason, who gave him a nod. Damian looked back to the map. "I want to see the tigers." Bruce nodded, looking at the map to plot the best course to get to the line enclosure. Damian squeezed Jason's hand. "What animal do you want to see, Jay?"

"Whatever animals please you."

Damian slapped his leg with his free hand. "No, you doofus, what do you really want to see?"

Jason furrowed his brow at Damian. "Where did you learn that word?"

"I heard Stephanie call Timothy it. Don't ignore the question, Jay." Damian glared at him.

Jason looked around. "I want to see the alpacas."

Damian nodded. He turned to Bruce, tugging on the end of his shirt. Bruce looked down at Damian's wide eyes. "Father, Jason would like to see the alpacas after the tigers."

"Dami-"

"Jay, I want you to enjoy this trip too. Its not always all about me." Damian turned to his brother. He smiled at him. "Now come on, we have animals to see and sugar to talk father into letting us eat."

"I heard that." Bruce called over to his youngest, a fond smile on his face.

Jason allowed himself to be dragged through the zoo by Damian, talking to the child about all the animals and reading the signs outside the enclosures for him. Damian's eyes were wide with wonder the entire time, taking as much in as he could. By the time they were nearing the end of their trip to the zoo, Jason was carrying Damian, the small child looking dangerously close to nodding off in his arms. Jason kissed his forehead as they exited the zoo, the toddler having fallen asleep on the walk back to the car.

As he was putting Damian in his booster seat he heard a snap of a camera. He turned to see Alfred standing there, lowering a camera with a soft smile on his face. "For the photo albums."

Jason smiled at him, getting into the car next to Damian. He looked at Tim, Cass, and Dick as they piled in as well, Bruce getting in the front with Alfred. Jason felt something warm rise in his chest. He had actually had a really good time and not all of it was because of Damian. He wasn't sure what to make of it.

Perhaps...perhaps staying here wouldn't be all that awful.

Chapter Text

It had been three weeks since the trip to the zoo and Jason was slowly letting his guard down at the manor. He was speaking more at meals, helping Alfred with household chores, and even allowing Dick and Bruce to spend time with Damian. Granted, it was limited time and always at the manor, but it was a small step in what Bruce considers the right direction. The manor was starting to feel like home again to Jason and he could tell the same was happening for Damian.

- - -

Jason was walking through the halls of the manor looking for Damian when he heard a giggling coming from one of the rooms. He paused, going closer to the door. He peaked through the crack in the door to see Damian curled up next to Bruce, a book open on Bruce's lap, both of them staring down at it. Jason smiled softly at the look of amusement on Damian's face.

Damian pointed to something on the page. "Was that Jay's first day as Robin?"

Bruce nodded, launching into the story of their first night on patrol. Damian looked up at his father, completely entranced by the story.

Jason felt like he was intruding, so he backed away from the door and continued down the hallway, deciding to head to the cave to work out. On his way there he passed by Alfred collecting laundry from Tim's room. He offered to help but Alfred politely declined, sending Jason on his way.

As Jason was entering the study, the passageway opened up and Cassandra, Dick, and Tim emerged, surprised looks on their faces. "Oh, Jason. Just who we were looking for."

Jason narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh?"

Cassandra nodded. "Want to know if you will train. With us."

"And the team." Tim added.

"The team? Really?" Jason crossed his arms. "Why?"

Dick stepped forward. "The team needs more hand to hand training and you are clearly very skilled. Plus, we can tell you are itching to train properly. So, what do you say? Want to join us?" Jason looked behind him, back from where he came. Dick caught this. "Don't worry, Bruce will keep an eye on Damian. And he will bring Damian to the Watchtower if he gets fussy."

"Damian does not get fussy." Jason rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll join you in training with your team."

Dick grinned, turning back around to lead the group into the cave and to the changing rooms. Jason tossed on his Hood uniform, going out to meet his siblings at the zeta tubes, all of whom were in their own uniforms. They nodded at each other before making their way through the zeta tubes, appearing in the Watchtower a moment later.

The team was gathered, waiting for their arrival. They did not hide their surprise when they saw Jason. He scoffed, rolling his eyes behind his mask. Dick told the team that Jason would be training with them when Arrowette asked what he was doing there.

"Really? You brought an assassin to train us? Isn't that dangerous?"

"Well, he is living with us..." Tim mumbled, giving Jason a smile. Jason appreciated the effort.

"His past doesn't matter. What does matter is he is very skilled and could help you all learn a thing or two." Dick narrowed his eyes. Everyone reluctantly agreed. "Alright, since Miss Martian is busy with Superboy, I am in charge. We are going to practice our hand to hand today, no powers. Let's start with Halo and Spoiler."

Jason stood off to the side as the two team members sparred, watching their moves. He noted that Halo was sloppy, probably from relying too much on her powers too much to help her. Spoiler easily took her down. He looked to Dick to see what would happen now. Dick told Tigress and Jason to spar.

Jason grinned behind his mask, walking into the sparring area. Tigress smirked at him. "Just like old times, right?"

Jason didn't reply, instead he blocked her kick, tossing her backwards. She flipped, landing on her feet before running back at him. Jason dodged the punch, hitting her with a chop on the back that brought her into his knee.

Tigress fell, swiping at Jason's legs. He jumped over her leg. Tigress leapt up, kicking Jason in the stomach. He stumbled slightly before leaping back into the fray.

They continued for a few more minutes until Jason landed a hit to Tigress' face, sending her sprawling on her back and declaring him the winner.

The zeta tubes went off as Jason was making his way to the side again and he turned in time to see Damian and Batman enter. He smiled, taking his mask off to greet Damian.

"Little one, what're you doing here?" Jason crouched, opening his arms for Damian.

Damian cuddled into Jason's chest, allowing himself to be picked up. "I missed you."

"I've been gone for an hour." Jason chuckled.

Before Damian could reply the computer beeped with an incoming transmission. Everyone paused their sparring to walk over to the computer as Batman answered it.

Talia's face filled the screen, an expression of worry on her features that eased when she saw her two sons. "Jason, Damian, my boys. Thank goodness you are okay."

"Mother! Are you alright?" Jason asked, noticing the new thinness to Talia's face.

"I will live. Father has placed me in the prison for sending you two away, but do not fret. I am alright."

"How are you communicating with us then?"

"I broke out. I'm using father's computer right now. I don't have much time, I just had to make sure you were both okay. I love you both, never forget that."

Jason felt a burning sensation fill his body, a cloudiness enter his brain. He blinked, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before opening them, his mind feeling sharper than ever. He smiled at Talia, a sense of calm and purpose blanketing him. "Mother, we will get you out of there, don't worry. But right now, I need you to go back to the cell and wait for us. I promise we will get you out."

"Jason, no-"

"Mother, we will. For now, go back to your cell. We will be there soon. And know, we both love you too." Jason ended the transmission, turning to look at Batman. "Batman, I need to borrow your team."

"What?! You want us to go to Infinity Island to rescue Talia al Ghul?" Arrowette was appalled.

"Batman, she is the mother of your children. Please. Her life is in danger." Jason pleaded.

Batman sighed, turning to face the team. "Alright, you have your mission. You are to..."

Jason smiled, hugging Damian close to him as the first part of the plan was put into motion.

Damian looked up at Jason squinting at his brother's eyes. They were now a haunting green rather than blue. Damian shrugged, figuring it to be a trick of the light. He was too excited at idea of having his mother back to give it too much thought.

Chapter Text

Infinity Island

Once the transmission cut out, Talia stared at the screen for a moment longer before turning to the side. "I saw Jason's eyes and demeanor change. What did you make me do to him?" Ra's smirked, not answering his daughter. Talia growled, clenching her fists. "Father, if you've made me hurt him in any way-"

"Relax, daughter. All you did was say the trigger phrase that activated his orders. It was coded to your voice specifically. You activated him when you told him you loved him. Touching, right?"

"You sick-"

Ra's waved his hand and foot soldiers came into the room, grabbing Talia by the arms. "Time to go back to your cell, Talia. We need you in place for the next part of the plan."

"I won't help you hurt my son!"

"If he does his part, I will not harm Jason. You have my word." Ra's watched Talia be dragged from the room. "I have other plans for the boy."

Watchtower

Jason watched as the team departed for Infinity Island, his arms still securely around Damian. He looked to Batman, an expression of innocence on his face. "Where is the rest of the League?"

"Busy elsewhere. Green Arrow and Black Canary should be arriving here soon, however." Batman responded, typing on the computer. "They have joint monitor duty."

Jason nodded. He walked to the zeta tubes with Damian in his arms, punching in the code for the Batcave. "Damian, why don't you go help Alfred get dinner ready? I need to talk with father in private." Damian nodded, hugging Jason tightly before walking through the zeta tubes, leaving Jason and Batman alone. Jason smirked, turning to face Batman.

Batman had his back turned to him, still typing on the computer. Jason walked closer to him, coming up on his side. He reached for the dagger in his belt as Batman spoke to him. "That is the first time I've seen you send Damian away. Is everything alright, Jay?"

"It will be." Jason plunged the dagger into Batman's side, watching as the dark knight's expression turned to one of shock and pain. He pulled the dagger out, going for another blow when Batman dropped and rolled out of the way.

"Jason...why?" Batman got to his feet, a hand on his wound.

Jason tossed the dagger into his other hand, lunging at Batman once more. "I have my orders. It is nothing personal. I must destroy the Justice League from within. You are one of the backbones of the League, Batman, therefore you must be taken down." Batman went to make a move for the computer, his hand stretching for a key. Jason saw this and struck, stabbing Batman's hand and impaling it to the keyboard. "Ah, ah, ah. Can't have you calling in reinforcements, can we?"

"Jason...don't do this...think of Damian." Batman hissed, reaching for the dagger.

"I am thinking of Damian. How can he be expected to take up his birthright if his father is constantly getting in the way, trying to ruin everything we are working towards?" Jason sneered, kicking Batman in his abdomen wound.

Batman grunted, falling to his knees. "This...isn't you. This is Ra's."

"How would you possibly know who I am? After all, you let me die." Jason punched Batman in the head, bashing his head off the keyboard and knocking him out. "You. Let. Me. Die."

The zeta tubes went off, announcing the arrival of Black Canary and Green Arrow. They gasped when they saw the sight of the battered Batman, impaled by the hand to the keyboard and unconscious.

"Batman!" Black Canary cried out, running towards him.

"Dinah, wait! Whoever did this could be waiting, it could be a trap." Green Arrow called out, getting an arrow ready.

"Ollie, I'm not just going to let Batman bleed to death. He needs help." Canary pulled the dagger out of Batman's hand, lowering him to the floor. "Who did this?"

Green Arrow stood there, eyes narrowed. He looked around for the culprit, turning his back on Canary and Batman to investigate further into the Watchtower.

Jason crept up behind Arrow, pulling his katana out from its sheath. He swung, cutting the quiver from Green Arrow's back in one swift motion. Green Arrow turned around, ready to fire but found no one. He bent down to pick up his quiver, noticing a pair of feet behind him. He whirled around, arrow ready. But Jason was quicker. He hit Arrow on the temple with the hilt of his katana, knocking him out cold.

Jason walked back to the main foyer of the tower, noticing Canary was wrapping Batman's wounds. He ran up behind her and when she turned around, he chopped her in the throat, cutting her cry off before it could manifest. She gasped, swiping at his legs with her own, knocking him to the ground. Jason quickly jumped back up, dodging the punch sent his way.

"You! You did this to Bruce! After everything he did for you?" Canary growled, her fists tightening by her side.

"I have my orders." Jason replied shortly, elbowing Canary in the nose. She leapt back, getting ready for another cry when Jason tackled her, slamming her head off the ground until she passed out. He got off of Canary, walking to the computer. He opened an audio only line of communication with the bioship. "Nightwing, this is Hood. What is your status?"

"Approaching Infinity Island now. Going to go offline so that Ra's won't be able to intercept our comms. We'll let you know when we have Talia safely on the bioship."

"Thank you, Nightwing."

"Of course. After all, what is family for? Nightwing out."

The communication line cut out and Jason looked to the two Leaguers at his feet. He went to Green Arrow and dragged him to the other two, leaving them for the other Justice Leaguers to find while he went in search of supplies to take down the rest of the Justice League.

He had a lot of prep work ahead of him.

Chapter Text

The zeta tubes in the Watchtower announced the arrival of Superman and Martian Manhunter. They immediately noticed their fellow League members bruised and bleeding in the middle of the foyer. Superman made a move towards them but was stopped by Martian Manhunter.

"We are not alone here, Superman." Manhunter held up a hand, psi-scanning the Watchtower. "I am trying to find our foe but they are good. Blocking my psychic sweep."

"While you try to find them, I am going to tend to Canary, Arrow, and Batman. They are hurt." Superman approached the three unconscious Justice Leaguers, crouching next to them. "Who could've gotten here and done this to them?"

Neither Superman nor Martian Manhunter noticed Jason in the corridor with Green Arrow's bow and quiver. He aimed two arrows at Martian Manhunter, one a net arrow and the other an explosive one, as to trap him in a fiery net. Jason let the arrows go, hitting his target. Martian Manhunter fell, being trapped under the flaming net. Superman whirled around, having heard Manhunter hit the ground.

"J'onn!" He flew over to him and started to lift the net off of him.

"Clark, behind you!"

Superman dropped the net, turning just in time to be met with Batman's shard of kryptonite to the abdomen. He grunted, falling to his knees. He looked up into the cold eyes of Jason. "Hood...why?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that. The answer will always be the same. I have my orders." Jason shrugged. "You Leaguers should be grateful that the Light wants most of you alive."

"Most?" Jason just smirked in reply. "Jason, what do you mean by most? Who are you going to kill?"

"That is the wrong question, Superman. You should be asking who I've already killed."

Superman looked to the three Leaguers in the middle of the foyer, eyes widening. "No..."

"Oh, but yes. With one of the backbones of the Justice League dead and the rest under the Light's control, we will be unstoppable."

"How do you expect to control us?" Superman inquired. "We would never willingly work for you."

"That is where you are wrong. With the lives of your proteges and children at risk, you will find yourselves very...complying." Jason pat Superman's cheek. "Now, I have a call to make. Be a dear and stay quiet, will you?"

Jason walked back over to the computer, typing for a moment. A video call started and soon Ra's al Ghul's face filled the screen. "Jason. Is it done?"

"Yes, master. Everything is a go on my end." Jason responded. "The Batman is dead."

"Excellent. I have visitors to tend to, carry on with the rest of your mission, Jason." Ra's al Ghul ended the transmission, leaving Jason to turn back to Superman.

"Well, I suppose more Justice Leaguers will be here any moment. I must prepare for their arrival. Stay put." Jason walked away from Superman and Martian Manhunter, leaving the two Leaguers to lay trapped on the floor.

Superman looked to J'onn, noticing him getting weaker. He grunted, forcing himself to crawl over to where he was. "J'onn. J'onn! Stay awake. I'm going to get this off of you." Superman started to tug on the net, working on untangling his friend and colleague from his trap. It was then that he heard it.

The faint heartbeat.

Batman was alive.

Superman grinned slightly despite the pain coursing through his body. He continued to work on freeing J'onn, his mind going a million miles an hour.

Jason must've known that Bruce wasn't dead, so why did he lie to Ra's? If he did not want to kill Batman, why actually attack the League then? Unless he wasn't in full control of his actions. But the League had done a thorough sweep of him, he had been clean. Ra's must've found a way to get around the Justice League's scans and questions, either that or he had recently put Jason under his control somehow. One way or another he was going to get answers, as soon as he got help for the other Justice Leaguers that were attacked by Jason.

Superman dragged himself over to the computer after freeing J'onn from the flaming net, sending out a distress signal to the rest of the Justice League. Now it really was only a matter of time before the rest of the Justice League showed up.

Jason returned a few moments later, noticing J'onn was free from the net and Superman was nowhere in sight. "Crap."

"Oh, yes. Crap." Jason turned around to see Superman floating there with Wonder Woman and Green Lantern.

He started to back up towards the zeta tubes when Green Lantern encased him in a cage construct. Jason cursed. "I will find a way out of this, and I will kill you."

Wonder Woman narrowed her eyes. "Weren't your eyes blue before?" She reached for her lasso. "Who are you?"

"I am Hood, loyal servant of Ra's al Ghul and the Light."

"Ah ha!" Wonder Woman wrapped her lasso around Jason. "Before when asked that question, your answer was completely different. Now, who are you?"

Jason grunted, feeling a massive ache fill his body. "I...I...I am Jason Peter Todd, alias Hood."

"Good. Let the Lasso of Truth bring out your true self." Wonder Woman spoke softly yet sternly. "Now, where do your loyalties lie?"

Jason felt a burning sensation course through his veins. He groaned. "With...with my mother, Talia al Ghul, and my brother, Damian al Ghul Wayne."

"Why did you attack the Justice League? Your father?"

"I...I was implanted with a biochip in my spinal cord by Ra's al Ghul. He sends me orders through it after I was activated by my trigger phrase. I...had no idea I was a sleeper agent until now, I didn't know he had done that." Jason winced, blinking his eyes. Wonder Woman watched as the green faded from his eyes and they returned to their normal blue. "Oh, my god. I nearly killed Bruce. And I sent Dick and his team into a trap."

Wonder Woman, Superman, and Green Lantern exchanged a look. "What do you mean by that?"

Jason swallowed thickly. "Ra's plans on chipping all of them. He will have the entire team under his control."

Chapter Text

Jason looked from his spot in the construct, watching as Black Canary and Green Arrow woke up. Wonder Woman was currently working on stitching Batman up. He watched as Superman filled the two Leaguers in on the situation, guilt gnawing away at him.

"Superman, please. You need to let me go to Infinity Island. I need to right this wrong." Jason pleaded.

"I think you've done enough, Jason." Green Arrow looked at the teen, watching as he winced. He sighed. "We are arranging a squad to head there now. Don't worry, we won't let the team be chipped."

"When I last spoke with Dick, they were already there. You may be too late and you are going to need all the fighters you can get." Jason argued.

"Which is why they called us in." Jason turned to see Miss Martian and Superboy standing there, having come through the zeta tubes during the discussions. "We will get everyone back and out from under Ra's thumb, Jason."

"Let me help." Jason grit out.

"You can help by telling me what is going on." Jason flinched, looking past Miss Martian and Superboy to see Damian standing there with a confused expression. "Why are you in a cage, Jay? And why does most everyone here look hurt?"

Jason looked to the ground. "I think you know, little demon."

"I want to hear it from you, your side of the story, Jay." Damian pushed past everyone to walk to Jason, ignoring how the adults tensed when he got to the edge of the construct and reached his hand through. "Jason, what happened here?"

Jason swallowed. "I...I attacked father and the Justice League. I...I tried to kill...father."

Damian was silent for a moment, looking at Jason. "After they took us in and cared for us? You betrayed them?"

"...Yes."

Damian nodded slowly. "I see. Will you betray me, too?"

Jason looked up at Damian, his expression the embodiment of hurt. "Dami, I would never betray you. You are my purpose for existence. I live to serve and protect you. I would rather die than hurt you."

"Well, you hurt me, Jay. You hurt me real bad when you tried to kill my father." Damian pulled his hand back, turning away to walk over to Batman and Wonder Woman, the latter finishing up stitching the former's hand. "Will he be okay, Wonder Woman?"

"Little one-"

"Please, Jason. I am trying to inquire about my father. You know, the one you literally stabbed in the back." Damian didn't even turn to look at Jason when he spoke, instead focusing solely on Batman. "So, how is he?"

"He will recover." Wonder Woman assured the child. She looked to her fellow League mates. "When will the rest of the League show up?"

"Any minute now." As Green Lantern said that, the zeta tubes went off, announcing the arrivals of multiple members of the Justice League. "Or should I say, now."

The Justice League stood around, discussing a plan of action for rescuing those at Infinity Island when the computer lit up with an alert of an incoming ship. Everyone tensed when they realized it was the bioship. An audio only transmission started from the bioship. "Nightwing to Hood. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner but we have Talia. We are approaching the Watchtower now."

Jason looked to the Justice League, all of whom were looking at him expectantly. "Thank you, Nightwing. See you in a minute." The transmission ended and Jason faced the League. "Let me out. I can help."

Miss Martian nodded to the Justice League. "He's clean. I did a very thorough sweep of his brain. There is no residual affects of the chip. Wonder Woman's lasso made it defunct."

Green Lantern let Jason out of the construct and he landed on his feet, looking over at Batman. He made a move to go to him, stopping when Damian spoke. "Don't, Jason. Please. I think you've done enough."

Jason felt his heart crack at the hollowness in his brother's voice.

He, however, had no time to dwell on it as the Watchtower alerted everyone that the bioship had docked. He turned to the Justice League. "Please, let me be the one to greet them. They think I am still under Ra's control." The heroes nodded, sending Jason to go greet the team and his mother. He walked through the Watchtower, coming upon the team in one of the corridors. He instantly sensed something was off. "Hello, Nightwing. How did the mission go?"

Nightwing gave him a funny look. "Why are you talking so stiffly? The mission went fine, in fact, Ra's gave Talia up easily, stating she had served her purpose. There was no resistance."

Everything clicked into place right away for Jason. He looked at his mother, noticing the faint green glow to her eyes. He swallowed thickly. "Mother, Damian is waiting in the main hall. Would you like to see him?"

"Yes, Jason. Is your father around, by any chance? I'd like to talk with him."

Jason knew this was a set up. He knew no matter how he answered, he was screwed. Talia was under Ra's control, but the team was not, so if he said he had killed him to get Talia to the heroes to undo the biochip, the team may attack him on the spot. But if he told the truth, who knew what Talia would do?

"Come see for yourself, mother." Jason turned, letting the team and his mother fall into stride with him. They walked back through the corridors to the main hall of the Watchtower. Before they entered, Jason sent a psychic message to Miss Martian about the situation, telling her to alert the League not to attack. Jason led the team into the main hall, turning as he spoke. "Here we are, mo-what are you doing?"

Talia was holding a dual blade up to her throat, her face expressionless. "You thought I wouldn't notice, Jason. You are clearly not working for Ra's anymore. You did fulfill your mission, therefore, I must fulfill my mission."

"What is she talking about, Jason?" Nightwing asked, getting into a fighting stance.

"Long story, another time. Mother, what is your mission?" Jason asked, his voice wobbling slightly.

"To punish you and put Damian on the right path." Talia started to move the blade.

"No!" Jason dove at Talia, reaching for the blade. He got a hand on it and the two of them began to struggle over control of the blade. "I won't let you harm yourself, mother."

"Alright. Ra's was vague about what your punishment should be, anyways." Talia managed to maneuver the blade lower, to their abdomens, before wrapping an arm around Jason and pulling him into a hug, plunging the blade into each of their torsos.

Jason gasped, staggering backwards once Talia released him from her grip. He held a hand to his wound, looking up at Talia. "M-mother?"

Talia blinked, her eyes fading from the vibrant glowing green they were to her regular color. She looked at Jason, dropping the blade. "Oh, no. Jason, my boy...what have I done?" She took a step towards him, only for Nightwing to step in between.

"That's enough carnage."

"I wasn't going to hurt him."

"You already did, Talia." Nightwing spat, catching Jason as he started to collapse to the floor. "Where is Batman?"

"Over here. Jason...he tried to kill him." Damian croaked, having witnessed the whole scene between his mother and brother. He stood up, walking towards his mother. "Mother...why did you hurt Jason? And what did you mean by set me on the right path?"

Talia looked at her youngest, her hand holding her stab wound. "I-I wasn't...myself. Neither was Jason when he attacked your father. My father, he implanted biochips in us to control us. He made us do this, in hopes of swaying you to his side."

"How would that work? How would witnessing Jason kill m-our father sway me to his side?" Damian asked, applying pressure to his mother's wound.

"Ra's thought that if he could get you to feel so betrayed by everyone around you, you'd have no choice but to turn to him." Jason groaned out. "I'm sorry, little one."

"Jay, it wasn't your fault. It was grandfather's. Now come on, you two need to be stitched up." Damian turned to the Justice League. "Who can help them?"

As the Justice League went about stitching up Talia and Jason, Dick went over to Bruce, who was waking up. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

Bruce looked around. "Dick, it wasn't Jason's fault. It was-"

"Ra's, we know. He joined the Light again to use their resources to steal back his League of Assassins and also try and get Damian back by his side, under the guise that he would be chipping us all so that they could control us." Dick explained. "I doubt the Light is very happy with him right now."

Bruce nodded, looking to see Jason and Talia getting stitched up. "What happened there?"

"Ra's, all part of his plan." Dick shrugged. "What are we going to do now that we freed Talia?"

Bruce stared on as Damian split his time between checking on Jason and Talia, his mind working out a plan. "I have an idea."

Chapter Text

Jason looked up to see Bruce and Dick approaching him, Talia, and Damian. He gulped, looking at the stitches on Bruce's side and on his hand. "Hey..."

"Hey, Jay." Bruce gave Jason a small smile, letting him know there were no hard feelings. He looked to Talia and Damian, locking eyes with Talia.

"My boys, if you'll excuse me. I need to talk with your father." Talia kissed both of their foreheads, following Bruce as he lead her away from the heroes. When they were a good distance away from everyone Talia turned to Bruce. "Beloved, I never meant to harm either of our boys, believe me."

"I do, Talia. That's not what I wanted to talk with you about." Bruce spoke softly.

"Then what is it?"

"I am here to make an offer, one I hope you don't refuse, for the sake of our sons and your well being." Talia smiled at Bruce.

"Well, go on then."

As Talia and Bruce discussed his offer, Jason sat with Damian and Dick, looking out the Watchtower windows. "I wonder what they are talking about."

"Me too, Jay. I hope father doesn't blame mother for her actions. She was being controlled, as were you." Damian smiled at Jason. "I wonder how grandfather is fairing right now, with his colleagues finding out about his deceit."

"With all due respect, little one, who cares? He tried to get me to kill your father."

"And had mother try to kill you." Damian reminded him.

"It would just be the universe correcting itself, Dami. I'm not meant to be alive again. I'm an anomaly, a freak. I should be dead."

"Jay-"

"But since I am alive and it was mother that brought me back, I owe her my life and my loyalty. She has given me purpose by ordering me to protect you, extending my loyalty to you. You two are my life." Jason looked to Damian, sensing something was off. "Dami? What is it?"

"Jason...I want you to have your own life, be your own person."

Jason frowned. "Damian, I like protecting you. It-"

"Gives you purpose, yes, you've said that. But your entire life you've been following someone's orders. When you were father's Robin, when you came back to life and mother ordered you to guard me, when Ra's chipped you...it seems as if you've never had a chance to make your own decisions." Damian looked up at Jason. "Jason, I hereby release you from your duty as my protector. You are free to forge your own path."

"Damian...I-I wouldn't even know what to do. I want to stay on as your guardian, please."

"I'm sorry, Jay, I really am, but I am doing this for you. You will always be my brother but now you are no longer obligated to me or mother." Damian smiled at Jason.

Jason stared at Damian, unsure of what to say or do. Dick watched the exchange between his two brothers, a small grin on his face. He was shocked at how mature Damian was being but also proud of him, excited for Jason to be his own person. Looking over at where Bruce and Talia were, he noticed they were heading back in their direction. He gulped, unsure of how Talia would take the news of Damian releasing Jason.

Talia and Bruce stopped in front of Dick, Damian, and Jason. "Dick, where are Cass and Tim? We have something to discuss with all of you."

"I'll go get them." Dick disappeared in search of the other two siblings.

Damian looked up at Talia. "Mother, I would like you to know that I have released Jason from his duty as my protector. I hope you aren't mad."

Talia chuckled. "Mad? Why would I be mad? Damian, my son, I am proud of you for making that decision." She kissed his hair before turning to Jason. "And Jason, this does not change how I view you. You will always be my son."

"That went better than I thought it would." Everyone looked up to see Dick standing there with Tim and Cassandra. "We're all here, Bruce. What is it you two want to tell us?"

Bruce looked to Talia. "Since my father repeatedly keeps trying to have my sons maimed or murdered, I do not wish to return to him. And it would make your teams rescue mission moot, now wouldn't it?"

"Where will you go?" Tim asked, looking between Bruce and Talia, noticing how close they were standing. "Oh. Oh. She's moving into the manor, isn't she?"

"What?! Bruce, are you insane? She is Talia freaking al Ghul!" Dick cried out.

"And she is also the mother of two of my sons, and out casted by her father." When Dick went to protest this Bruce raised a hand to silence him. "I have thought this through, Dick. If she tries to betray my trust, I will handle it. For now, however, she is staying at the manor."

Damian looked up at his parents. "We...we are going to be a family?"

"Looks that way, little demon." Jason ruffled his hair. "One big family."

"I can't believe this is happening." Dick groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is ridiculous."

"Maybe. Or maybe it is the beginning of something beautiful, Dick. Ever think of that?" Jason quirked a brow. "You gave me a second chance, why not my mother?"

Dick went to argue but stopped, sighing instead. "You're right. I need to be more open minded and forgiving. One chance, Talia. That's all you get. You even think about betraying Bruce or our family and-"

"You'll kill me?" Talia looked skeptical.

"No." Dick narrowed his eyes. "I'll make you wish you were dead."

Talia chuckled. "Richard, I grew up with Ra's al Ghul. You can't compare."

"Try me."

"Enough." Jason stepped in between. He looked at Bruce expectantly. "Let's all go home, yeah? I think we've earned some rest and relaxation."

"Yeah. Let's go home."

Chapter Text

*Two Years Later*

"Father! Have you seen Richard? He promised he would train with me today but I can't find him anywhere." Damian called out, walking through the manor. He couldn't find anyone, which was odd considering the amount of people that live in the home. "Jason? Mother? Cassandra? Timothy? Alfred?"

Damian continued to walk through the house, walking into the library when he heard a noise inside. He went further inside the room, nearly jumping out of his skin when his entire family jumped out from hiding spots at him. "Happy birthday Damian!"

"You're a whole seven years old today, little one. How does it feel?" Jason grinned down at his brother.

"Feels like any other day, Jason." Damian looked beyond Jason at Dick. "Are we training or not?"

"After the party, Damian." Dick replied as Alfred walked into the room with a cake, candles sticking out.

Damian looked to Talia who snapped a photo of him. "Mother!"

"What, Damian? It is for the family album." Talia smirked. "Now blow out the candles and make a wish."

Damian blew out the candles, taking the knife from Alfred. He cut the cake, handing pieces to everyone. He watched from the side of the room as everyone talked amongst themselves.

Jason sidled up next him, stealing a bite of his cake. "Hey!"

"What? You weren't guarding it." Jason grinned, his mouth full of cake. Damian rolled his eyes, waiting for Jason to look away before stealing a bite of his cake. Jason chuckled. "All's fair when it comes to food."

"Who had the idea for the party?" Damian asked, chomping on his cake.

"Mother." Jason replied, looking on as Talia chatted easily with Dick and Tim.

"Ah. I see." Damian hid his smile as he shoved more cake into his mouth.

"This is the happiest I've seen her, living here. Its been good for her." Jason chewed his food. "I'm glad she decided to stay."

"Yeah, me too." Damian hummed his agreement. "I'm glad we can all be a family together. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"You and me both, Dami." Jason wrapped an arm around Damian's shoulder. "You and me both."

fin.