Damian, Jason, and I were on our knees in a triangle, forced to face each other, stripped of any armor that we could use to escape. This was so bad. We were royally screwed.

My hands were shaking.

This is what happens when you are disobedient.

No no no. Not again.

Stay present.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ra's Al Ghul threw the doors open as he stormed in.

"Seize him." Talia pointed at her father.

My my. What a turn of events.

I exchanged a glance with Jason. Whatever was happening, Ra's had apparently not known about it.

"B is still ten minutes out. Stall." Tim warned.

Noted.

"Damian. You're okay! Why didn't you answer us?" I whisper-shouted, keeping a wary eye on Slade and Talia.

"They took my communication device." He glared at his knees. "I was captured."

"Hey. It's okay kiddo. We were too." Jason tugged lightly against his ropes. "This sucks." He grumbled.

"Enough!" Ra's struggled against the shadows. "I am Ra's Al Ghul, I will not be bested by underlings!"

"It's time for your reign to end." Talia held a gun to Damian's head. "Perhaps if I kill your legacy, you might take my threats more seriously."

No no no.

"If you're gonna point that at anyone, do it to me!" I fought against my ropes. I wouldn't let another Bat die.

Not again.

"You bitch. Killing Damian would be killing your legacy too, Talia." Jason yelled. "You've lost your mind!"

She regarded the both of us, before a wicked grin stretched across her lips. "You're right of course. I wouldn't murder my only child." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Talia nodded toward a couple of shadows and they dragged Damian further away. "The both of you, however..."

Slade strode forward, katana in hand. "It wasn't Ra's that dug me out of that concrete grave."

"It was me." Talia walked over to him and stood by his side. "It wasn't until one of my loyal shadows notified me of Slade's burial that I realized we had something in common."

"Blasphemy." Damon growled.

"Our wayward children think they know what's best for them." Talia took a dagger out and began playing with it. "Do you know what I could do with the girl who knows every hero's identity? Damian would finally rule."

"What is this? Wilson betrayed the league." Ra's tried and failed to escape his captors.

"You once called me insane for utilizing my daughter the way I did. Seems yours agrees with me." Slade walked toward him. "I think it's time you retired. No Lazarus pit for you this time, old man." He forced his blade though Ra's chest and all I could do was watch. Damian cried out.

The squelching sound of it made me nauseous.

This is what happens when you are disobedient.

Ra's fell to the floor, his eyes wide in shock. "Take him away and give him his final rights. Treat him with honor or it shall be on your head." Talia commanded. "This is a hostile takeover."

Stay present. Don't go back there.

It's only going to hurt.

"Y-you killed him." Damian had the most  devastated expression I'd ever seen. "Bastard!"

"Five minutes out."

Jason must've managed to get free because he lunged for the biggest threat in the room, my father.

Slade caught him by the throat, lifting him off the floor, despite his struggle. "This is the one you've chosen, Madolyn?" He laughed. "He's brave, though not strong enough."

"No! Let him go!" I wouldn't lose Jason. "Please. Father. I'll do whatever you want."

My throat became tight.

"It's a little late for that Madolyn. You need to be reminded who's in control." Slade squeezed and Jason gasped for air, limbs flailing wildly as he struggled for purchase.

No no no.

"I'll tell you them all! I swear! No more schemes!" Just a little more time and I'd be able to get out. I just needed to slip- a loud, echoing crack reverberated around the room.

"NO!" I cried out in anguish.

"What?! What's happening?" Tim asked desperately. "B is still two minutes out."

Jason's body fell to the floor, limp and unmoving.

I finally managed to free my hands and all I wanted to do was see that he was okay. That he wasn't actually dead.

Damian struggled, tears streaming down his face.

I scrambled to Jason's side. "No no no, you're alright, you're okay." I grasped his face, his eyes were still wide in surprise. "No." I choked out.

I wasn't fast enough.

"Don't you see, darling Madolyn. Everything you touch is infected. Everyone who has died, they were all so determined to protect you. It's better if you realize that no one is coming to save you. You're nothing more than something we can use." Talia grabbed a handful of my hair, dragging me away from Jason, even as I desperately tried to get back to him.

"I'd rather die." I kicked up, breaking her grip, rather painfully. She had a chunk of my hair.

Talia laughed. "You think you can best me child?" She held out her hands. "If you have a death wish, so be it."

"No! Mother!" Damian was staring at his brother. The white lenses of his mask wide and tear tracks slipped out from under it.

"Maybe. Maybe not." I just needed them distracted till Bruce could get here. "I'll make you a deal." Then I could fall apart. Damian still needed to stay alive and if I could keep their attention on me.. so be it.

"Enough with your games Madolyn. Grief makes you weak." Slade kicked Jason for good measure as he strolled over. As if he hadn't just killed a good man. "Your betrayal some months ago was admirable, it will not happen again."

"I was only doing what I was taught." My voice wobbled.

Damn it.

Keep it together.

"She weeps for the street rat." Talia tutted. "My my, what have you raised her to be Slade?"

I adjusted my stance, subtly moving to stand between them and Damian. "Give me a sword and I'll show you." I used the sleeve of my undershirt to wipe at my eyes.

She smirked, tossing me a katana. "Let me see your mettle."

Slade stood off to the side, though I kept a wary eye on him. Talia came at me almost immediately and I barely lifted my sword in time.

Blood and sweat melded together as the fight progressed, my split attention was going to get me hurt.

Or worse.

She slashed again, slicing my arm.

"For the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, you suck at swordplay." It was just a tease, anything to get her angry, make her slip.

I realized my mistake too late.

Batman burst through the doors and the air stilled, everything felt like it was in slow motion. A stinging pain ripped through my chest and I could only observe in a numb haze, the sword protruding from my sternum. "Killing Wintergreen was a mistake." Slade whispered in my ear.

I took one last stuttering breath.

This is what happens when you are disobedient.