Chapter Text
The pain woke him up. The pounding of his head, the heaviness of his ankle, the rock digging into his spine.
Wait…why was a rock digging into his spine?
He definitely did not recall being in a rocky area. At least, not last he remembered. Not that that helped much, since he last remembered sitting in his apartment, waiting for a pizza delivery.
He slowly opened his eyes, but it didn’t help anything. The place was dark.
Dark and cold, and his mind instantly registered that he knew those conditions. Dark, cold and rocky. A cave.
He frowned though, because this was definitely not the cave he was most familiar with. Definitely not Bruce’s, which meant he definitely wasn’t safe, because he definitely didn’t hang out in dark, cold caves for fun.
He moved, felt the rock that was sticking into his back recede, and slowly sat up. Blinked a few times to adjust to the darkness, then shifted to get his feet under him to stand.
But then he froze.
Because there was a weight on his left leg. A heavy weight, one he couldn’t move real well with. He could see a shape in the darkness, attached to his ankle, so he reached down to touch it.
It was metal and thick, but that wasn’t much of a problem. He’d been restrained before. Many times, in fact. With any and all materials you could think of. Rope, chains, wire, sex toys.
The problem was, as he shifted his hand, he found the thick clasp on his ankle was attached to something. He slowly ran his hand along what appeared to be chains, even thicker than the shackle on his leg, and found them attached to the stone wall.
…He was chained to a wall. In the bottom of a cave.
Well, this wasn’t good.
Even though his head was still throbbing, he gave the chain a few tugs, testing its strength. It seemed solid, would take more than a couple strong pulls to get it loose enough to yank out. And even then, this chain was huge. Even if he freed himself, it’d be a slow journey out of here, whichever direction that was. He’d be moving like a regular Jacob Marley.
Suddenly there was a scratchy swoosh, the sound of a match being lit. He winced against the dim light that appeared across the space, and watched the flame grow as the match was held to a torch.
A man covered in dark brown from head to toe stood there, only his eyes showing. But that didn’t matter, Dick recognized a member from the League of Assassins anywhere.
He didn’t get a chance to strike up a conversation, though, as suddenly there were footsteps echoing off the walls. Within minutes a shadow appeared behind the assassin, and the light revealed one Ra’s al Ghul.
“Mr. Grayson.” Ra’s hummed with a smile. “Glad to see you awake.”
“Ra’s? What’s going on?” Dick shook the chain. “What’s with this?”
“Consider it an honor.” Ra’s chuckled. “It was the only way we could defeat you, welding that to your leg.”
Dick glanced back down. In the torchlight he could now make out a thick dark line down the side of the cuff, and no other seam.
“Wha…?” Dick tilted his head, the pain in his skull screamed. “Ra’s, are we having a tiff that I was unaware of?”
“No, it’s not a current fight. I’m merely taking preventative measures against a future one.” Ra’s shrugged. “After all, we’ve run the scenarios.”
“Scenarios?” Dick asked. “Of what?”
“For when we go and retrieve Timothy Drake.” Ra’s explained simply. “Our studies show that you would be the only one to successfully complete a rescue attempt.”
Dick’s stomach dropped, but anger sparked in his heart. “Don’t you fucking touch that kid, Ra’s.”
“He’s the only viable option for a new vessel, Richard. You know that.” Ra’s scolded. “I need him.”
“You can’t have him.” Dick hissed. “And what the hell do you mean I’d be the only one to try a rescue attempt? Bruce would – will – be here in a heartbeat.”
“I did not say that, Richard. Listen when you’re being spoken to. I said you’d be the only one to succeed.” Ra’s sighed, like a parent to a child. “Bruce will come, but he wouldn’t do what needs to be done. He wouldn’t kill for the boy. But you, on the other hand…”
Ra’s smiled. Dick balled his hand into a fist.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just makes you a more formidable opponent.” Ra’s promised. “But also not one I have time for. Our timeline is short, and your distraction is not something we can afford.” He paused, thought for a minute. “You’re the only one who could save him, and I, unfortunately, can’t let you do that.”
Dick tugged on the chain again. “Ra’s, don’t. I…I swear to god.”
“You will be fed down here. A meal a day.” Ra’s pursed his lips. “On days we have enough food for you anyway.”
“Ra’s.”
“You will not have visitors. Or a guard. So, if you were to somehow escape and find your way out of this cave, it seems understandable that you’ve earned your freedom, and may go where you wish.”
“Ra’s.” Dick begged. “Please.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Grayson. I don’t have another option.” Ra’s seemed truly sad by the statement. “I do not want to kill you. But I cannot allow you to get in my way.”
“No, I…I don’t care about me. Leave me here, that’s fine.” Dick pulled at the chain again. Nothing. “Just…please. Please don’t hurt Tim. Please don’t make him do this.”
“If I had another choice I would take it.” Ra’s said, like he meant it. “He is my best option.”
“He’s a kid.”
“And better than any man.” Ra’s countered. “Really, Richard. You should both take your captures as honors. Your capture is due to your formidability. His will be due to his genius and skill.”
“Ra’s!”
“My apologies. We are heading to Gotham in hours.” Ra’s said. “Good luck from here on out. Despite what it seems, I do wish you well. And I will give Timothy your regards.”
Ra’s turned away then, his assassin on his heels. Dick shouted after him, his voice becoming more frantic with every repetition. Ra’s never looked back and never answered.
Dick screamed until the light of the torch disappeared. He never heard a door open, or the sound of the outside world. He didn’t hear any more movement, of neither assassin nor animal. He pulled at the chain a few more times, but eventually wore his own strength out.
Dick was left alone in the dark.