[CENTER][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/An5sSra.png?1[/IMG][/CENTER][INDENT][hr][URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMBtbACXyGM][COLOR=STEELBLUE][H3][SUB][SUP][b] G O T H A M   C I T Y - 1 1 : 5 8   P M[/B][/SUP][/SUB][/H3][/COLOR][/URL][INDENT]The city stunk.

The constant rain only seemed to aggravate the odor as it pummeled the ground, stirring up the rot and sin hidden beneath the carefully sculpted architecture of the city. In a city obsessed with appearance, it came as no surprise that the Gothic aesthetics was nothing more than a mask, pleasing on the eye but hiding the fractures within. One mask sought to protect the city, casting its long shadow over the city, night after night. The other mask controlled the city from the shadows, a hidden parliament ensuing the loyalty from the city's elite, a covert oligarchy. 

The Court of Owls had grown bold, threatening the lives of those Dick held dear. Now under their thumb, Dick was between a rock and a hard place. He could have told Bruce, together the pair could have worked together and likely defeated the Court. But, Dick had no idea how many they numbered, nor the extent of their resources. Now with Bruce missing, Dick couldn't risk the lives of the others, not even Jason's.

The armor of a Talon was heavier than Dick was used to, the familiar attire of his suit had been designed specifically to make use of his natural agility. The armor was designed to intimidate and kill, ancient craftsmanship lost to modern armorers, the interlocked plates and rings still stood against modern firearms with relative ease. 

Looking out over the city, memories of another time haunted Dick as a familiar echo hovered over his shoulder. Now a grown man, he shouldn't have felt like there was someone looking over his shoulder, but yet after years of training under the Bat, Dick always felt the long shadow looking over him.

[COLOR=BLACK][B][I]I trained you better than this.[/I][/B][/COLOR]

Bruce's voice rung out in his head as Dick pulled the goggled cowl over his face. 

[COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"I know you did."[/B][/COLOR] He replied, muttering beneath the hood as he jumped from the rooftop. Suddenly an alarm went off on Dick's private channel.

[COLOR=STEELBLUE][B][i]Wayne Enterprises, R&D[/i][/B][/COLOR] Firing a grapple line, Dick launched himself into the air. The glider wings on the Talon's armor were a nice addition, something he'd have to keep in mind for his own suit once this unfortunate situation was over with. Wayne Enterprises was only a short distance from Dick's current location. Arriving promptly, Dick clung to the side of the building as he surveyed the unfolding situation. 

Bursting inside, the Talon stuck to the shadows as he made his way along the building's corridors. People shambled through the corridors but they weren't employees, no these were civilians, civilians acting in unison. Not a word spoken between them, merely a buzz in the air that hung like the hum of the florescent lights illuminating the hallway. They didn't seem to pay any attention to Dick as he stalked the group. Instead they worked like a cohesive unit, a machine as they made their way into the laboratory.

Then Dick spotted him.

The pale skin, the purple suit, the green hair.

It had to be him.

Moving quickly, the former Robin broke from the shadows as he moved into action. Flipping off a nearby wall, Dick delivered a flying kick to the Joker. The Joker however, didn't move and Dick grimaced as his leg impacted with the other man. 

[COLOR=STEELBLUE][B]"I could have swore you used to be softer."[/B][/COLOR] Dick muttered from beneath his cowl as the Joker turned to look at him. Normally the Joker was off putting with his permanent grin and cruel, mirth filled eyes. But this Joker was devoid of emotion, the skin of his cheeks sagging on either side of his jaw as his grin was absent, no emotion filled his eyes, even his hair seemed to be missing a certain amount of humor as he turned towards Dick.  

[COLOR=8dc73f][B]"Do not interfere."[/B][/COLOR] The alleged Joker said, no quips, puns or punchlines accentuating his speech. 

[COLOR=STEELBLUE][B][I]There's that buzzing again.[/I][/B][/COLOR]

Suddenly the others with the Joker turned on Dick, his presence now a known threat as they moved towards him. Fighting to keep them at bay, Dick was caught off guard by their speed and strength, his skill barely able to stay ahead of them before he quickly found himself overwhelmed. Glass shattered behind him as Dick found himself hurled with ease through one of Wayne Enterprises' reinforced windows. Dangling several stories above the street below, Dick moved quickly to climb back inside the lab, but the mob was already gone.

[COLOR=STEELBLUE][B][I]"What were they here for?"[/I][/B][/COLOR]

The lab in question was used for microchip development, and the mob had managed to rummage through each of the draws and cabinets while still sacrificing enough members to keep Dick busy. No doubt they had made off with what they had been looking for. Looking back towards the city, Dick decided it would be best to let the others know.

But first he was going to need to change.[/INDENT][/INDENT]