It has been two years since Terry started his tutelage under Cassandra. While he was far from matching with the likes of Jason, he was now able to see what he couldn’t before. Who was truly strong and who was weak. Cassandra had the habit of taking in the weak and the helpless as her students. With one exception.
Zander.
From the start, he could see the regal mannerisms only the privileged shared. Not far from how Damian acted. It wasn’t like Cassandra to take in bigots under her wing, but he doubted it was because of money. Money meant little to her and she could barely grasp the concept without him there to explain it.
“Cassandra, why did you take him in?” Terry asked one night after all the students were gone.
“You cannot see it?” She asked quietly.
“See what?” He asked.
She looked at him with sadden eyes. “He shares our fate.”
Terry pried no further. He opted to find out for himself what she meant. He followed Zander under the invisibility of his costume. From there he found the organization Kobra, a terrorist group. He dared not to risk his cover by following, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find more on Zander. Just by watching the people around him, he could tell Zander was highly respected, but at the same time it looked like he was being used.
“Master Zander, I hear your classes are going quite well.”
Terry listened intently from his hidden alcove.
“As expected.” Zander shrugged.
“You are as we expected, once your training is over, you will lead our people to glory.”
“Of course.” Zander replied dutifully. His voice drone mechanically and his eyes looked listless.
That was what Cassandra meant. Zander was born into servitude just as they were, bred and rose as weapons, as leaders. It was no wonder the former Batgirl was so willing to take him in. She saw herself in his situation. Since then he made an effort to attend any and all classes Zander were present. Who was he to deny Cassandra’s wish to free him?
“… Begin!” Cassandra strikes down her hand to commence the spar.
Terry slipped into his standard stance across from Zander. Both were evaluating one another before Terry took the first attack. Quick on his feet, he charged at the other with a punch. Zander caught his wrist and promptly tossed him over his shoulder. From the momentum Terry twisted himself in the air as he landed on the mat with a slide. He was given no chance to recover as Zander delivered a roundhouse kick, clipping his shoulder and knocking him to the ground. Not a moment later he drove a fist at Terry’s face.
“Enough!” Cassandra stopped him seconds before the fist connected. “Well done Zander.” She turned to Terry with a curious eye, but kept her questions to herself. Terry performed poorly compared to his usual bouts with Jason.
Terry propped up on his arms lazily on the mat. “You’re really something aren’t you Zander? I’ve been taking these classes for sometime already and I’ve never seen someone as good as you.”
Zander preened. “You’re just a poor student that's all. It’s obvious Master Cassandra saw my potential.”
Definitely arrogant. Terry’s smile never wavered. “So what does a guy your stature do for fun? It must be pretty schway.”
“…Schway?” Zander raised a brow.
“You know, cool, awesome, the works. So what do you do?” Terry asked.
“I train and study as I should. After all, I am the heir to the family business.” Zander said smugly.
“… That’s all?” Terry was not impressed. “You don't do anything fun at all.”
“Fun?” The stiff young man questioned. “What is this fun you speak of?”
Terry slowly pulled himself up from the mats and clapped himself clean. “Arcades, pizza, stuff to relax and not have to worry about. A break.”
Zander looked thoughtful.
“I could show you if you want.” Terry offered. “Just try it. I’m sure you’d find it enjoyable.”
“I’m on a strict schedule.”
“I’m sure Master Cassandra won’t spill to your babysitters about us going out for one class.” He glanced a Cassandra expectantly.
Her brows rose slightly, but she understood. “Go with him.”
Zander didn’t need much convincing, he was already interested. No doubt from the lack of life from his strict regime, but as confident as Terry was that life away from a controlling force was better. He had no confidence in showing him the best. The Ivys would be preferred for such a job.
o.o.o.o.o
Damian raced through corridor after corridor of the school with practiced ease. Unfortunately, his pursuers shared the same familiarity.
“You can run Wayne, but you can’t hide!” Max’s voice echoed cheerily.
“Tt.” Damian ticked in annoyance, but he made no retort as he hurried out of the school and down the block.
He couldn’t afford to blow up on her and Jared less he wanted to lose access to his only source of information on his little brother. It wasn’t that they were bad company. They were surprisingly tolerable about his foul temper and cynical persona. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn’t have put up with his nonsense.
It was nearly nine in the evening. Max and Jared wanted to drag him out for their weekly pizza night. The nights he dreaded the most. It was as if they were doing this on purpose to torture him. Pizza was his kryptonite, his greatest weakness. Never once had he been able to enter a pizza establishment without getting sick.
“Damian!” A familiar voice distracted him for a second.
He turned to the source and much to his surprise he found a ginger-headed young man waving a frantic hand at him. “Colin.” He quickly turned his heel and towards him.
Colin caught his arm as he neared. “Listen Damian, I need to talk to you.”
“In a moment. There are two people coming around the corner in a moment. One with pink hair. If they ask, tell them you never saw me.” Damian said in a hurry before he peeled his hand off and disappeared into an alleyway.
“But…” Colin wasn’t able to protest. Within moments the girl with pink hair appeared and approached him.
“Hey kid, did you see a stuck up young man with black hair and blue eyes? He ran towards this direction like a while ago.” She said as another followed up behind her in exhaustion.
“M-Max…” He huffed desperately. “Do we have to do this every week? You know he doesn’t like pizza.”
Colin smiled sheepishly; he didn’t know Damian hated pizza. “Sorry, I don’t think I saw anyone like that.”
Max sighed in disappointment before her phone rang. “Thanks kid.” She said as she answered her phone. “Yeah Ter?”
“No problem.” Colin replied as she dragged her friend along with her. He waited until they were long gone before he dared to shout at the alleyway. “They’re gone Damian!”
In seconds he Damian descended from the fire escape cautiously.
“I didn’t know you hate pizza.” Colin commented casually as his friend neared.
“Don’t even mention that dreadful thing.” Damian grumbled. He cautiously looked about in case his classmates still lingered.
Colin held back a laugh.
“So what did you want to talk to me about?” Damian asked once he was certain they would not return.
“Oh!” Colin turned serious as he latched onto Damian’s hand and dragged him along. “Can’t tell you in the open. It’s a serious thing.”
Damian made no protest as he allowed the younger boy drag him along. He was the preferred alternative to pizza hell.
o.o.o.o.o
“Max!” Terry waved a hand as he spotted his fellow Ivys approach.
Zander made a face with his arms crossed. “You made me wait for these peasants?”
Jared raised a brow. “Where did you find Wayne number two?”
“Pardon?” Zander frowned.
Terry jabbed Jared playfully. “He’s just kidding. So!” He waved a hand towards to introduce each of them. “Zander this is Max and Jared, Max and Jared this is Zander. He’s new in town so let’s show him a fun time okay?”
Both Max and Jared gave him the eye. It wasn’t like him to put up such a cheery persona, something was up, but they weren’t about to blow his cover either. He wanted them to help him with this young man that oddly resemble their Gotham prince, albeit their prince was more pleasant.
“What’s up Ter? Why are we entertaining this stuck up S-O-B?” Jared asked while Max owned the other in a shooting game and rubbed it in his face.
“You entertained Damian Wayne with no problem. What’s the difference with Zander? He’s just a misguided little prince that’s all.” Terry defended.
“Oh yeah! Who’s the man? I’m the wo-man! I beat your pasty little white ass! Whoo!” Max cheered as the screen displayed player two’s victory. Terry watched as Zander stood stiffly with a twitching eye while Max did her victory dance.
Jared sighed as he approached the two. “Don’t feel bad, she’s like that all the time. You did pretty well for a beginner.”
“I don’t need your sympathy! I demand a rematch!” Zander snarled, but it seemed like he was enjoying himself.
Max laughed, the toy gun twirled in her hand. “Bring it on rich boy. I’ll take you on any time.”
Terry watched as they introduced Zander to the world of teens and the food of poor. Zander was in the middle of trying his first pizza when a rude hand shoved him from behind. The cheesy slice slapped onto the front of his pristine clothes.
“Aw, ain’t that a pity? Rich boy’s clothes are dirty.” A group of delinquents surrounded them. One even dared to invade Zander’s personal space by shoving his face in front of his. “What are you going to do about it rich boy?”
“Get out of my face vermin.” He was about to throw a punch when Max grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back.
“Don’t.” Max warned him. “He’s not worth it.”
“Sure hide behind your girlfriend.” The other mocked.
Terry stepped between them and forced a smile on his face. “Don’t listen to them Zander. Max is right, they’re not worth your time. Why don’t we—”
Before he could make a suggestion, the delinquents were taken down by men in suits. Terry was pushed aside when they were done.
“Young master. You were not at your classes today.” The man was stern.
Zander said nothing as he looked away.
Max gave a faint smile as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “We understand if you have to go. It was fun while it lasted right?”
Zander was escorted away, but not without a glance back to them. A smile crept onto Terry’s face when he saw the seeds of change sowed onto the young heir. Now he just needed to wait and watch the events unfold.
“Well, since Damian the second can’t come out to play and Damian the first is missing in action, why don’t we Ivys have a night to ourselves?” Jared suggested. “With classes and everything, we haven’t gotten together in a while.”
Terry grinned. “Sure, why not? Though Kevin’s not in Gotham right now though, he’s interning at some hospital at Princeton.”
“No biggy, we’ll just make up to him the next time he comes home from break. Now let’s round up the gang and party!” Max cheered as she pulled out her cell to gather up the Ivys.
Not many managed to come, but it was odd to see Casey and Ro act strange when they met up. He noted a young man following them discreetly. They tried to make it look like he wasn’t part of their group, but failed poorly against Terry’s superior eye to detail.
“Who’s your friend over there?” Terry asked when they started to fidget.
“What do you mean?” Casey attempted to keep his tone innocent, but failed.
“Forget it Casey, he’s onto us.” Ro said dejectedly. “We were going to have to tell you eventually anyway. Zee! Come over here!”
“Zee?” Terry raised a brow as he watched the newcomer approach.
“Are we to go now?” Zee asked as he approached. His tone was monotonous, his face was stiff, and something didn’t feel right.
“And what exactly do you have to tell me?” Terry asked.
“A plague is coming upon your people.”
Terry’s smile faltered for a second. “This is a joke right?”
“Zeta’s not joking. This may sound ridiculous, but he’s a robot.” Casey whispered. “We’re trying to hide him from the NSA but…”
Zeta… Zeta… Project Zeta… Dr. Eli Selig… Crap…
“Tell me about—no, not here.” Terry said seriously. If he recalled correctly, Zeta was a recon robot. If what he said was true, Gotham was in trouble. “Let’s go to my place first, then tell me about the plague.”
The Ivys dispatched. Terry made his way back to his apartment with the trio. Zeta gave a full report on the situation and the severity that was to come.
“You two are idiots.” Terry sighed after the debriefing. Casey and Ro flinched. “Did you even think that there was a possibility that he was lying?”
“But he’s not!” Ro protested.
“Think Ro, Zeta is government property. Even if he’s not lying, what do you think would happen if they find out you’re harboring him like a wanted criminal? Think for a second would you?”
“But the plague—” Casey protested.
“Should be handled by someone capable, not by kids barely out of school.” Terry reasoned.
“But Abuse is on it. He said he was going to get help.” Ro argued.
“Abuse?” Terry frowned. He doesn’t know anyone by the name Abuse. Never mind that, he could always ask Jason about it if worse comes to worse. “Then someone is on it. Stay out of this.”
“But Ter, this is Gotham we’re talking about. Our home! How can we just stand by and do nothing?” Casey grounded out.
“Something will be done.” He assured them. “Just not by you. Listen, trust me. Gotham will be protected. Just stay out of this.”
“What about Zee?” Ro asked. “What do we do about him? The government thinks he went rogue, if they get their hands on him they’ll…”
Terry placed a hand on Ro’s shoulder comfortingly. “I’ll handle it. Zeta can stay with me for the time being.”
“But…”
“Do you trust me?” Terry said gently. The brother and sister nod silently. “Then relax. I’ll handle everything.”
“What should we tell the others? With the plague and…” Ro looked worried.
Terry sighed. “Give them a heads up, but say nothing about Zeta, they don’t need to know more than necessary. Just make sure everyone takes care of themselves until this passes. I’ll handle the rest. Go home and relax. Okay?”
“Ter knows what he’s doing Ro. Let’s just go.” Casey said as he gently pulled his sister from Terry.
“Okay…” Ro’s shoulder slumped before she followed her brother out.
Once they were gone Terry turned to Zeta with a firm stare and sighed through his nose. “First thing’s first. Change your appearance. Auburn hair, green eyes, 5’7, worn middle-aged man. You’re going to hide as Warren McGinnis for now. Given no one seen him before you’ll be fairly safe hiding as him.”
Zeta looked about the small apartment before nodding. “Thank you Project Beyond.”
A chill went up Terry’s spine before he turned to Zeta with widen eyes. He backed away from Zeta, did Cadmus send him after him? Was this all a ruse to get close?
“Don’t be alarmed Project Beyond. I merely deduced whom you were by your voice and your intellectual reasoning.”
“…You’re not here to take me back?” He asked cautiously.
“Negative.”
“What are your plans now? If the NSA captured you, you’re as a good as scrap.” Terry noted.
“What’s most important now is the safety of your people. My situation can be remedied at a later time.”
“…Have you gained sentience?” Terry asked.
Zeta paused and tilted his head. “Sentience… I am not certain… but I do wish to speak with Dr. Selig if I could. There are so many questions I would like to ask him.”
Terry cupped a hand over his mouth as his mind frantically tried to make sense of the situation. They have a plague on their hands and a possible terrorist invasion. What could he do? What should he do? Should he notify the family and have them prepare and assist? But that would mean blowing his cover. He couldn’t go about this on his own, he wasn’t skilled enough or capable of handling this on only his manpower.
Think! What are his options? What are his resources? Terry paused when a solution finally came to him. Quickly grabbing his phone he made a quick call.
“Jason how unwilling are you to speak with the family?”
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