[Tales of + DC Comics] Circus Reunion

[sunrises]

So I've been thinking up random scenarios lately! Normally, this wouldn't be a good sign, but all these crossovers have gotten my creative juices flowing. ♥ I've thus decided to let you guys see what I've been up to.

Be warned: these are kind of cracky and run on suspension of disbelief, but the upside? I was having so much fun.

Title: Forgotten Idol
Fandoms: DC Comics + Tales of the Abyss
Summary: The Flying Graysons were the Black Dream's greatest act. So great, in fact, that a certain Baticul noble fell in love with their high-flying feats. When Luke comes to visit the Black Dream's island nine years later? That old story finally comes back to haunt him.
Spoilers?: Only for Tales of the Abyss (concerning Luke and Asch's relationship); the fate of the Flying Graysons is pretty obvious to anyone who even knows who Dick Grayson/Robin I/Nightwing/Batman is.
Disclaimer: None of this is mine. o/ Unless you count this crazy idea of a fanfic of mine.

They were flying. Luke fon Fabre's eyes lit up as he breathlessly watched the family glide through the air. As they swung from trapeze to trapeze, Luke's eyes never left the trio. Each move was perfect.

Once the show ended, the eight year old clapped tremendously. He cheered, "Bravo! Bravo!" as he stood up for his favorite flying people.

Luke forced his father to push through the throngs of people to find the flying family, but once he was face to face with the Flying Graysons? Luke didn't regret any moment of it. The kid - a cheerful one named Dick - grinned, "So you're the duke's son? What'd you think of our show?"

"It was amazing," Luke breathed, staring up at Dick with wide-eyed amazement. "Are you sure you didn't use fonic artes for that?"

Dick laughed, "I'm sure."

The family signed his poster and waved good-bye to greet some more tourists. Luke clutched the poster to the chest as he left. Fondly, Duke fon Fabre noted, it would be one of the few times he saw his son smile as widely as he did.

+

Nam Cobanda had reacted oddly to Luke fon Fabre's arrival nine years later. Luke had blinked, watching the hustle and bustle of the small island whirl around him. The redhead scratched his cheek, "Is the circus always like this?"

A young performer piped up, "Uh-huh. You're the Duke's son, aren't you?"

"That he is," Anise beamed, twirling her hair as she eagerly greeted the performer. "You know of Luke fon Fabre, don't you~?"

Immediately, the performer's eyes widened as he shot, "Oh, man! Dick! Dick! You'll never guess who's here!"

Like that, he left, nearly knocking over Guy and Tear in the process. Guy furrowed his eyebrows, "Huh. I guess you're more famous than I thought, Luke."

Tear blinked, "Seems that way."

"What?" Luke couldn't help grinning as the four of them were led towards another part of the island. "It's not like Dad isn't known throughout Auldrant."

Anise shook her head, still skipping alongside him, "Yeah, but did you see the way he ran off? It was like... a warning of sorts."

"Yeah," Guy agreed. "I wonder... Nah, possibly couldn't be."

"I hate those ominous warnings," Luke pouted. "Guy, just go ahead and spit it out."

Unfortunately for Guy, he didn't get a chance: the four were now standing in front of a makeshift trapeze stage. The blond crossed his arms as he sighed, "When Asch was a kid... he was a really big fan of this trapeze act in the Black Dream."

"You mean really big, right?" Anise blinked. "I think I remember hearing about them."

"I doubt it," Guy laughed nervously. "No offense, Anise, but the Flying Graysons - the husband and wife, at least - had to retire after a trapeze incident the night after Asch saw them."

"No, that's what I meant," Anise frowned. "I know Natalia and the Colonel can't confirm it for me - why'd Emperor Peony need 'em anyway? - but Mom and Dad mentioned it once or twice."

"They were really popular, then," Tear deduced. "I had never heard of them, but for even you and Anise to know about it..."

"Yeah, sure seems like it," Luke frowned, glancing around him for other signs of life. "I just hope I'm not gonna let this guy down."

"Let who down?"

A lanky adult leapt down from his high perch. He grinned up at Luke and offered his hand. "It's been a while, Luke. ... You've grown up a lot too."

Aw, crap... there was a slight look of alarm on Luke's face before he finally replied, "I'm seventeen now."

The man laughed, "Wow... you were just a kid when I saw you last. What brings you to Nam Cobanda?"

"We were visiting Noire," Guy quickly interjected. "We're traveling with some old friends of hers, so we're just hanging around until their meeting's done."

"Makes sense," The man grinned, brushing his jet-black bangs out of his face.

Anise winked, "Yep! What's your name? You're like a really big circus performer too, right?"

"Dick Grayson," The performer extended a hand towards Anise. "I'm a trapeze artist for most of the shows. Nice to meet you, little lady."

"It's Anise," She retorted, yet there was a hint of a blush as she shook his hand. "But thanks~"

She then added, "He's Guy Cecil - that's Tear Grants - and well, you already know Luke."

"That I do," Dick laughed, now shaking Luke's hand. "Want me to show you around the island?"

"Sure," Luke beamed. "We haven't really looked around since we got here."

"Great!" Dick clapped his hands, now turning towards the nearest door. Without warning, he then took Luke's hand, "Come on, there's a lot to see!"

He was so overjoyed that Luke didn't have the heart to decline a grand tour. (The fon Fabre, admittedly, had visited the island before, but never under the pretense of "I have nothing better to do.") The two men now walked around the boardwalk, with Dick explaining each oddity to the redhead.

It was weird, seeing this island from the perspective of a native, but Luke had to admit: learning the names of all those mice were pretty cool! Not to mention, everyone here admired Dick. Instead of the polite smiles Luke usually got, Dick's presence now earned Luke warm welcomes and kisses on the cheek. Occasionally, people'd make more conversation than in the past.

Was Dick's acknowledgment some kind of secret handshake or password? Luke felt like he'd entered some kind of secret club - one where knowing people was important - and he was finally accepted into their fold.

Well, crap. How was he supposed to tell Dick that he wasn't the Luke that watched his circus performances?

"Luke? You look kind of worried."

Plastering on a smile, Luke quickly responded, "I'm fine, really! Just... kinda thinking about how we somehow managed to leave my friends in the dust."

"Don't worry about them," Dick laughed, gesturing behind him. "They're still there."

Anise cheekily waved, "Dick's wife is giving us another tour! Along with some of the other performers! Don't worry about it~~"

"Your wife?" Luke blinked. "I... didn't know."

A redhead now walked beside him, laughing, "It really has been a while, then. My name is Kori Anders-- well, Kori Grayson since I married Dick."

"She's my trapeze partner," Dick explained, kissing his wife on the cheek. "Do you guys want us to give you the tour together?"

"Fine with me," Guy shrugged. "Tear, any complaints?"

Shaking her head, Tear managed a smile, "I'm all right with it."

Dick and Kori exchanged knowing glances before Dick started walking again. "So this is the local--"

He was interrupted by a nearby couple arguing.

"Listen, Noire, I can't afford this---"

"Sweetheart, you asked us to do this for you---"

"--So? Doesn't mean---"

Everyone stared awkwardly at the couple before Luke nervously called, "Asch? Noire?"

The two now turned to face everyone. Awkward silence filled the area for what must've seemed like minutes. Only the gears of the street games sounded as feet shuffled and nervous glances were exchanged.

"Luke?" Dick blinked. "You never told me you had a twin brother."

Luke laughed, "It's a long story... Dick Grayson, this is Asch."

Asch's eyes widened, "Dick Grayson? Like the Flying Grayson?"

Immediately, the teenager huffed, "Nevermind. I'll be taking my leave."

"Not so fast," Anise teased. "Asch, you and Dick should have the tour instead~ After all, wasn't it you who saw the circus instead?"

Dick stared.

Nervously laughing, Luke replied, "Sorry... I was... uh..."

"Sick with the flu!" Guy hastily replied. "Luke was sick, so Asch took his place that night for the one-on-one family bonding, and since Luke's name was already on the ticket... So yeah?"

"It's fine, Guy," Dick chuckled. "I had a feeling Luke wasn't the one."

Now walking over to Asch, Dick glanced at Noire, "Mind if I steal him for a while?"

Noire casually shrugged, "Be my guest. I'll call you when I need him for dinner."

Poor Asch couldn't protest: before Noire had even finished her statement, Dick had already dragged the poor teenager towards the arcade games. They could even hear Dick lecturing poor Asch on its history!

Snickering, Luke crossed his arms, "That was easy."

"Dick's like that a lot," Kori laughed. "It's nothing unusual."

"So it seems," Tear sighed. "So, Noire... are we also expected to come to dinner? Natalia and Jade should be back by then."

"Fine by me," Noire smiled. "You're free to explore and look around until then. I'd continue working, but... you know, my best performer just took my client away."

"Is he even aware he took a God-General on a circus tour?" Anise giggled.

Guy smiled, "Probably not."

"Wait, Asch's a God-General?" Kori shook her head. "That's... hmmm. Would you all like me to finish my tour? Because I wouldn't mind if you have free time."

"I'm all ears, Mrs. Grayson," Guy gestured towards the other side of the island. "So please, be my guest."

Luke snorted, "Always the gentleman."

"But that's why we love him~" Anise sang as she skipped off along with the others. Tear, too, found herself dragged by Luke and Guy as the four of them followed Kori on another tour of Nam Combanda.

Noire watched them disappear, out of sight, before she smiled to herself. "For a group of teenagers... they sure have plenty of energy to spare."