Our Time in Reverse - What it Takes

Chapter 1 Chapter Text

A request and scenario by WolfGuardJadwiga AND THEIR MIND –with a twist to make it less redundant. Let me know what you think. Be sure to note; I do scenario requests for ReBeL Yell. You heard right.

Chapter Text

//////////////////

OUR TIME IN REVERSE; MY MISSION TO STRIVE BY: PART – A

//////////////

Request fic from WolfGuardJadwiga; If Slade, at the death and seeing Dick’s pare to fall to the ground, decided to step in – however, Dick’s future was promised to a Mr. Billionaire Bruce Wayne. The kid feels isolated, neglected and knows nothing about his foster parent’s double life. Slade ends up finding in a turn of events, a bit of a rebel in the kid and gives him an option he has to sleep on, his cementing their mentorship status in the future. There was no first Robin, but that does not mean someone else didn’t take a whack at it. Find out!

//////////////////

The boy’s initial reaction was a if he were still up on that stage; his two caregivers since birth, cold and dead on the bottom of the trapeze – the blood pooling to remind that child of where he had to go. What came is last, as Slade Wilson that day stayed and watched a man in black stand up and rush over. Even he had that glint in his eye. An idea was forming. “Maybe he needs someone in his life. I could be that someone.” Slade was a for - hire killer on the side. Today, was supposed to mean he didn’t have to see blood shed this way, not a murder, as the man in black; his slicked back hair and a set of strikingly upset blue eyes that matched the child’s own….

Slade had seen that man before, somewhere. So, he stayed there in the stands for only a second before silently making his way like a thief towards the exit. Over his shoulder, the boy’s tensioning body unfurling. There under the dimming lights, he saw the kid’s eyes no longer mirroring the man in black’s, but Slade’s.

THAT CHILD.

Slade didn’t try to drop the topic from weaving webs in the back of his mind. He needed a reason to live harder. That,boy could be…..

Stronger.

He wanted…he needed it.

Vengeance .

(NOT A SLASH!!)

//////////////

Dick sat at the dining room table almost every night by himself. He was enrolled into a prestigious Gotham prep school for the high and mighty one percent, yet behind it all…that wasn’t what he’d wanted. It was weeks since their deaths and Mr. Wayne had been supportive to, a degree. One night, after his room door came to open by a stray Bobby pin a d a bit of patience, Dick Grayson’s heart had held plenty of regrets to hold back. He snuck out the hallway window and climbed down as any acro- brat could ever have been taught. He’d gotten beat up the first day out in the courtyard by a kid who called him that, and only their butler Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne’s personal friend had shown his face in the principal’s office.

Dick moved with grace towards the tree stretched out ward with one handy grip. It was in his blood to swing off of that bar, his one legacy….

He had the ground in view as his feet hit it with ease. His shoes clasped the grass as the wind blew through his tousled black mane. Richard Grayson had lost something dear and precious to him, and the man responsible was still out there. Asking for more lives to fall by his weapon, like he had done to Dick’s last living family in the world…

The man who had adopted him, Mr. billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne wasn’t quick enough; Richard sniffled and wiped his arm over his nose. Mr. Wayne wasn’t looking for his kind of justice at all, so…. Richard simply, ran away.

////////////

Slade was up on the roof of an upscale townhouse on the upper side of Gotham. In his Deathstroke regalia, a job had been finished earlier tonight for him than per his usual example. Not to celebrate this late, his binoculars looked down, seeing a kid running in the dark after his shadow. He passed on the boy, a cat on its ledge as it watched intently from up above.

~ Who…~

His brain fizzed and the memory of a crying ebony haired athlete’s son, soon filled his one eye socket. That kid was a walking disaster, running faster into God knows what dangers this city had to offer up on a silver platter. Slade kept an eye open…no bat or clowns presently out for a midnight stroll. He decided to have a look for himself. Was the boy having a crisis? Slade then thought back to Wayne’s eyes over his own single orb.

He didn’t get to admit it then, but these were his exact thoughts. That the boy running from his own fears, and this golden opportunity could be his own way out of a rut he’d be very willing to expect from, his young new student’s life turning the tides. Deathstroke was alone, but this kid needed someone better to let his demons lie...

Slipping into the side of the building soundlessly, Slade stayed close and quiet. The boy was panting, running with his fragile tears falling to the ground. By the back alley of a seedy bar, he’d found the wrong place to run out of breath.

Slade’s alter ego was no guardian spirit from the beyond. This was not a hit on Wayne’s ward, who clearly wasn’t instructed on what he’d end up dealing with in the future. AND THAT.

Slade grinned and got his materials ready.

/////

Throwing a smoke pellet or four onto ground level, the boy coughed until he felt the first clasp of an arm around him…and then sleep, came all too soon.

/////////////

The boy looked upset even in dreamland as Slade made sure he was only cuffed and sitting on the floor of the dusty, abandoned warehouse. Not tied to a chair or strung up like a piñata. It was his code to not kill kids, not like the bratty billionaire by his development here might as well have done.

“My…. head…. ugh…” The kid was up faster than Slade had hoped, but it was better that he’d taken his time with knapping the nine-year-old from any “suspecting” eyes. The last thing this had to be was a random for Wayne’s dollar bills.

No stray cats, bats, or murderers.

Well, all except the one mercenary that the boy currently had to meet. Face to face.

“That wasn’t an act of yours, child?” Slade put on the mask to scare adults mostly. Here, he left the eye patch to do the talking as he fiddled with the boy’s wallet and a school I.d he’d been given. “Richard John Grayson.” Slade hummed as he went over the contents while the kid was still regaining his senses a bit. “Famous. You were there at the circus that night, though you won’t remember if I tell you anything about that time…”

“Sir…. you…. you just …. what is going on? I want to get out of here, please... You can’t –

He was panicking right in his chest. Slade could hear every thump as he tried to relax. Dick’s heart started to steady as Slade’s presence changed in milliseconds. A trick he had learned, no difference in how one used meditation to still the mind. His voice becane smooth, soft and even casual. “Take a deep breath, kid... I’m not here to hurt you, I promise you that.”

He had to do this, or Wayne would ruin this kid. Just like his alter ego. Just like the family this kid should never have gotten mixed up in.

“You were in the territory of some pretty bad people. You don’t recall? I saved your life tonight but you tried to kick me in my face.”

Dick blushed red and imagined that he’d almost succeeded, was that all true??

“I had no choice before the cops came running in. So. Where, do you have to go.” The man moved his arm out as he went to adjust and remove a portion of the cuffs from the boy’s wrists. The kid shrunk back, afraid to be lied to again, and afraid of a stranger in a brown long coat and a single black eye patch. He wasn’t a dutiful nanny like the butler of Wayne’s. Nor was he aware of how much Wayne and his associates detested Wilson’s very presence. This could be problematic, if done incorrectly. The kid needed a nudge, just a push to get him started.

“Where is your home, do you need a ride or some cash for –

“I’m…not going home, I can’t yet.” Dick looked over the man while for a second, that knowledgeable part his senses picked up on this man’s occupation almost….

“Your, you’ve got a gun. And you aren’t just someone who said he helped me.” DickDiquint3d his eyes a bit. “Who are you, sir?” Dick looked at the man with his big and rather expressive cerulean pupils. “Why did you come after me?”

////////////

It was dumb to respond to nonchalantly. Slade slid a hand to the back of his neck and sighed to himself. “Here I thought there were no great detectives.” The man wondered aloud, “Tell me, Grayson. Does your father know where you are right now?”

“He’s not my father.” Dick spit out nastily at the rogue male in a trench coat. “He’s not even there half of the time, he doesn’t ask for me or even remember why he adopted me in the first place. So, I ran away, ok?”

“I see.” Slade bobbed his head, briefly in understanding. “I joined the army when my parents didn’t help me out either. My own mother was afraid of my father and my brother had nothing to offer confidently in... I forged my age and saw the world; the army was my stepping stone, not that you should do what I did.” Slade returned this time as he fished the key to the cuffs back out of his belt compartment. “Though, where do you expect to run to; Gotham is a cruel place for a boy who has nothing, even the money in your wallet. That doesn’t belong to you.” Smirked the male as he knelt down to grip the kid’s wrist and remove the cuffs completely this time. His face was close, yet there was no lie in the man’s eye. Dick saw it as he forced down a slow, dry gulp.

“If you need to get anywhere, tell me and I can drop you off.” Said the mercenary. “Would you rather find another family member –

“I don’t know where they are.” Dick stayed on the dirty floor of the old warehouse and groaned out the last word. His knees were hugged to his chest with those eyes shimmering and ready to tear up at any given moment, with one last push.

Slade stated and brought himself up to full height again. “No aunts or uncles to speak of? Are you sure there isn’t a single person you know to contact.” Dick shook his head with somber resolute. “No, we traveled, mom and pop…. we went all over and they were there once to visit…. I don’t even know where Gramma and Granddad are either, I was told in Minnesota. I don’t know…”

“They didn’t hear the-

Slade stopped as the tears finally were shed. Slade knew that face, his sons had the same looks when they came down to it. Being calm took willpower. Whether their fault or not, or Dick’s, he needed that same support to stand on his own two feet.

“What happened,” Slade got back to one knee, the wiping his face with the back of his sleeve of his hooded sweatshirt. “Tell me about them, Dick.”

/////////////////

“They were killed, mom and pop….by a man who wanted Mr. Haley to pay a fee for protecting our show in Gotham, but we all refused to give him what he was asking for then….so…so, he cut them!” Dick bawled out as Slade watched not tears, but red fueled hate pushing its way through the cracks. “I wanted him to show himself, but he got away…he killed my parents…took away my life…. I want him to see that I wanted as much as they did, for him to be made to pay for his crimes… even in heaven…. they’d forgive me, right? I mean, he killed my family – I wanted to stop him but never said….” Stopping himself, Slade understood everything thus far. “You saw the ropes being tampered with but they never listened, kid?” The man finally had the traumatized boy’s attention. Those eyes now only for him to view up this close. “I can show you how to fix things to a degree, though nothing can bring your parents back. Not the family you deserve, if you’ll allow me to offer my services in full.”

“Why?” Dick wrapped and let his lips stop trembling to ask, “Why are you trying to help me so much…. I’m not special. I'mjust a kid without real anything....it was all taken away. You can do it, right? I don't know how to fight like that...But, because I didn’t say it loud enough…I…I killed them too-

“Shake that thought from your head; it isn’t real.” Slade gripped the boy’s face for him to quit crying. It was over, he had to try to focus now on the objective at hand right in front of him.

“It isn’t the truth about what really happened. You could never have stopped this, you and I both know, even Mr. Wayne.” Slade saw how the boy considered his every word. “My real job since leaving my platoon a long time ago with a warrior’s spirit, is as a mercenary, Dick. And I can kill and capture that same man who took away your happiness. The only thing I’d ask I return from you as proper payment, would be for me to teach you, train you in everything that I know to train you on one shot, just one to put away the man who did you a wrong that was unforgivable; no officers will catch him in time and the Bat, has he shown up since then? Has he, Dick?”

Dick shook his head, trembling from the pep talk going in a direction he’d never expected to turn into a gym coach’s speech. "No, sir."

Slade smiled a bit. ~ Good answer, boy. Your superior would be proud of that semblance of respect.~

“Once you do start down this path, there will be other opportunities to better hone your weaknesses to turn them into your greatest assets. You can never undo yourself, and you have to be strong, stronger than any hero you may still idolize. My job isn’t pretty. Usually, there are only happy endings if someone depends on one to happen, that has to be outside of our control. But….” The man confided in the child, a child. One left to live by the law of someone who could crush his confidence underfoot. He’d make the boy shine again, just as he had besude his family in the limelight. Even if this new life could tend to gather some gore and grit along the way, he’d be OK.

He'd learn to like it, eventually….perhaps.

“I…. I’ve never hurt anyone before like that-

“Did you ever punch a classmate? Go hunting in the wilderness with your father? Or have you flown before, Dick. I’ve seen it. You can do anything with enough drive behind your actions, and that.” Slade openly promised, “Is what I’m here to offer, to build the real you back up. To learn to fly high again, just like your parents would have wanted.”

He lifted himself off the ground, letting his hands drop and then Slade pulled out a device. Looking like a compact disc from his belt compartment, Dick moved from his knees and held onto the wall for support as he just stared over at the man and then the strange device. Slade eyed the item as well before setting it to the correct sequence he wanted. He reached his arm out, palm up, as he offered the device now to Dick. “If you open that up, there is a button that anywhere on Earth, I will hear it and come running. It’s an offer I know you want, child. I’m a father myself of two boys a few years apart, so you’d not be without someone who does not understand your needs." He wryly smiled back. "I’m not as exclusive as Wayne is…though I made a pretty penny and have my own estate not far from a safe place in California at the moment. That was my next flight back by this week. If you change your mind.” The man turned and Dick saw that on the boy’s person was also a wad of money for a cab. He didn’t want to back, but he was safer with Bruce until he could find out more about this man.

“Wait!” Dick tried to keep his voice down, only a little.

“What is your name? Will I see you around...”

Slade let his feet stop a minute, boots scraping as he looked back Ober his shoulder, “That’s all up to you, Dick. And my title, my name for you is…. Slade Wilson. I know you’ll make the wise decision to stand at me side one day.”

With the idea planted to set root off into the boy’s mind and heart, something would bloom upon his return to that manor, and he would be hand delivered in person later to the correct estate.

In due time, as the boy picked up his backpack and collected his cell as he flipped it open, his hands were no longer shaking.

“Hi…I need a ride to –

He barely needed to yawn or even explained his real age and face, as the pointing finger he added only defined his perfect spot to the driver. At Wayne manor, the cab driver was greeted by not one, but two individuals. Dick scrunched his head down, ashamed still as the driver was thanked by Alfred and one more. Did he need to be awake this early?

The boy clicked his tongue and wondered if that billionaire ever slept like a normal person. ( Future bat reference!)

/////////

“It is two in the morning, currently.” Alfred spoke to the master of the home as he sauntered in cool with his gaze rather stern. “Dick.” Bruce came to the boy as Richard sat in the large arm chair he’d come to find as a second bed. Hanging above the fireplace there was a framed painting of his parents. His dead parents, and Bruce, was blocking the view.

“You snuck out, unsupervised and with the desire to do what, exactly? Dick…”

“I didn’t think you cared that much.” Muttered the boy, disdainfully.

“What was that, young man?”

“You weren’t around, I was by myself.” Dick shrugged, feeling helpless as he tried to secure himself inside the cocoon of indifference as Wayne reprimanded his ward. That’s right, never his son. Nothing to him if he screwed up any other time. “You can always take me back to Saint Peter's–

“DON’T ever talk like that, Richard.” Wayne got to his face as Dick’s eyes searched him, weary with sleep. “You’re grounded. No video games, your work at school should be done as I’ll see to it with your tutor twenty-four seven, and you…. you are not…”

“A, what? Not what you wanted, Mr. Wayne?” Dick shot up at the taller elder. “You’re not even my real father so why should you care what I am?? I can be as loud and dumb as I want and you would just walk away like you always do since I got here!!”

Bruce didn’t speak, his hands to his side as he thought about those words. “I’m sorry, Dick. I have my work and, it’s frustrating. For all of us. I haven’t been much of a guardian you were holing fir, but you don’t have think less of yourself for anything in the world.”

“What about the killer.”

Bruce’s hope suffered greatly by that blow, his hope shattered in the question. “I’ve been incontact with a friend. He’s looking into –

“HE COULD HAVE FLED THE COUNTRY!” Ricgard shoutedcand forced himself to face the liar, the biggest one in his life right now.

Besides his parents.

Alfred, the stooge…. The police….all of them were….Useless.

He….

“You can’t do it….” Dick curled up and looked at the other wall, his legs held tighter to his body as his nine-year-old tears never came.

Just pure, damning hate as he screamed at his supposed savior.

No more.

Liar….

Lies.

All of them!

“GET. OUT.”

Duck felt apart of him willing to snap, yet he maintained it, knowing he needed that compact.

“I…won’t, Dick. You need-

“I…. HATE. YOU. Leave me alone….”

Bruce felt a shock go through his heart, knowing Dick was so very hurt by the wait to find and arrest Tony Zucco. He knew, and so did Bruce’s special source below their feet.

His wristwatch beeped, a bad time as Dick clicked his tongue and stared at the wall away from his keeper. That’s all he was, caged in by the person he’d come to no longer consider as any good for him.

If only Dick knew how wrong that was…

“Alfred will help you to settle in. Soon.” Bruce cautiously took his time not to bombard the boy with more reprimands. “Still, you’re going to school this week. You have time to change things Dick, and I will find Zucco.”

Dick gasped, the words coming out as Bruce saw the boy reach out an arm.

“Bruce, I -

Yet, he was gone again…...yet, yet…. he’d dropped an important bit of information into the child’s lap just now. Dick sat in awe for a few seconds before snapping out of that embarrassing state.

He had to find Slade. He had to find him to say his mind was made up; and he would be the one to make Tony Zucco pay for what he had done…before this case was left cold in the GCPD’S tracks.

And off of a certain flying rodent’s radar.

/////////////////////////

Dick figures out that Batman is the informant, but not that Bruce is the bat??

(NOTED THIS IS MORE AKIN TO THE BATMAN 2004 BRUCE WAYNE BECAUSE I HAD A CRUSH AS A KID. AND THE DICK IN THIS IS A YOUNGER TT 03 VERSION TO KEEP IT KORE RELEVANT TO THE MATERIAL I WANT, THIS IS AN ALT SETTING! IT IS NOT A STORY BUT A ONE SHOT TO BE CLEAR. SCENARIONS ONLY, PEEPS! ONCE AGAIN. IDEA and DEDICATION to fan, WolfGuardJadwiga AND THEIR MIND – great twist there! I JUST DID SOME TOUCH UPS TO THE PLOT.

A STORY IS IN ORDER! FIND OUT!

PART B ....DICK KILLS ZUCCO?

////////////////////

Chapter 2: Cringe Worthy Adversaries

Summary:

This is part two,ripped from the one shot and multiple pieces on the way. Decided to give the fan responsible their due so, yup- part dos!

Chapter Text

OUR TIME IN REVERSE; MY MISSION TO STRIVE BY: PART – B : Cringe Worthy Adversaries

//////////////////////////

By that next morning, the hunt to find a lost bird from its nest. A whole week had driven Bruce to some terrible extremes. Getting anxious enough, he went to take up the cowl during the murky evening and strove through the night every night, to have any clue as to where this supposed child had scampered on to. After a long dose of adrenaline had cooled, Alfred placed a saucer plate for one cup of tea beside Batman’s computer seat. In the cave, nothing but the sound of beeping monitors and the machines rose above their silenced thoughts. Bruce sighed into his palm and let his head fall into the gauntleted two. The man was still kind at heart and fearful, so fearful now that he felt more responsible in keeping Richard from some unwarranted fate. Whomever was reluctant to show themselves –

“Master Bruce, look up at the screen, sir!”

Bruce forgot only in that moment as a signal so very faint lit up, a blinking dot as he saw it with his own eyes – bolding up and over to get from the chair to the seat of the Batmobile. “Keep an eye on any changes and report, Alfred. I’m sure this isn’t the only clue we’ll find tonight.”

//////////

He was right. The boy had been wise to leave his belongings as a sure distraction on some mangy mutt’s poor collar. His cell hung tied to it and the signal there for anything to radar in on the dog’s location was alive and well equipped.

In bold, there were no texts, there was no data. All of it had been wiped, save for a single image.

A black and white corner of a photograph for the wallpaper of the screen. Whoever had done this, was clearing not a fan of letting sleeping dogs lie still. Bruce patted the pound puppy’s head and led it to the city’s animal rescue so that it had someplace to eat and maybe, find its forever home. Richard was afraid of the changes so much that he must have shut down. No one could blame how he’d defended himself when he couldn’t be taken to a regular place to stay for kids without moms and dads. Bruce had stepped in clearly not too late, yet the marks and bruises showed. He recalled having a word with Gordon about the facility’s history in Gotham, and to his dismay, it had once been just that.

An overcrowded, underfunded juvy hall for kids who didn’t feel like they belonged anywhere. Dick didn’t deserve that life, so Batman had to keep on searching for a way to find his ward…and apologize.

////////////////

He came to the conclusion that the photo needed a scan. He did it with the cell in hand, just as it had started to ring. The signal was there, so it wasn’t shut off – selectively wiped out was how he saw this puzzle in his grip. Bruce let the voice play on speaker.

~ H……elp…..~

The voice wasn’t Dick’s. It was a grown man’s, an adult. Bruce’s eye holes in his cowl awoke to a startling conclusion. That photo was of John and Mary Grayson…..and that man….

Bruce sped off, knowing too much. He just hoped after a week of eating into his last hours of micro - rest, he’d have enough stamina to prevent one grizzly murder from happening.

And right under the big top of Haley’s own circus.

//////////////////

The dark and quiet was unsettling as Bruce peeped behind the curtain to see the lights low, dimmed down and making it easy to trip. He felt he was not alone; all of those nights spent running in circles, all of that time he’d had to wait, well.

In the interim of his searching, Bruce had gotten in touch with the cohorts to one, (like in 2004) Tony Zucco. He was here, waiting to taunt or run at the bat to get his own clues solved on who had been chasing him down.

“Yo, Batman. Come here often?”

“Zucco, I have a warning to give you, that you didn’t need to do this –

The gun showed up as Bruce had the man dodge the first shot. It was close as he got out his rangs. A growl on his face as Bruce squinted at who had decided to stop by. “Well, it seems you did get the message after all.” The man wore a two toned mask, his armor was state of the art and, his many weapons were numerous and as dangerous as the bat’s. An assassin, Bruce came to recognize the man by his uniform alone. Not yet, not until he could put an end to the mercenary's contract. His built was indeed ex military. His stance, authoritarian.

Like looking into a bloody mirror, Bruce didn’t leave the ring to wait for backup. None was coming.

“Are you the one trying to eliminate this man?”

“Not I, exactly.” The smug merc took up his toy and pointed it teasingly towards the gangster. Tony put his hands up with a yip.

“What gives? I didn’t piss you off too, did I, patchy?”

Oh, he was right!

Bruce saw the one eye on the killer’s left side of his face. “Deathstroke.”

“They broke the mold when they kept you breathing, Batman.” Chuckled the monster with the gun. “As I’ve told my new protégé, you really can’t trust anyone at all in this city to hold your secret.”

“Zucco isn’t in your territory. Whatever contract is out on his head, abolish it. You’re not permitted to leave any dead in MY city.”

“You already have, remember, Dark Knight?” The man brought up his gun and shook his head, manipulating the time they had to act. “You’re all of for justice, yet two died here. A family, a mother and father. I was there in the stands, and I saw how crazy it made you to just sit back and watch…Shame too, the kid deserve –

“Shut up! I am not gonna sit and watch you two animals butt heads. I got a respectible operat –

“You mean the one where you killed people if they didn’t pay up.”

The merc turned his head, sounding delighted as a child stepped out of the background. Bruce’s eyes never left his son’s. His.

“Ah, apprentice. This is the Bat you told me so much about? He’s harmless, so why don’t you let this child that you failed…fix our little dilemma for both of our sakes.” Slade motioned for the kid to come over and he did, gingerly. With a frightened caution as feral as a wild cub’s own. Bruce’s mouth trembled as he shut it, growling back at Deathstroke. “This man is a wanted mercenary. I don’t know how you came to collect him from his home, yet coercing and kidnapping a minor will add to your sentence in no time.”

“Good, then at least let the boy have his own brand of justice.” The disinterest in Slade’s words made Bruce angrier. If only he could risk his identity….

He moved in close to Zucco. His rang there are he made sure to keep it light of the gangster;s throat. “Get out of the way, Batman.” Slade moved an inch as he left the gun to the boy. He held it, a tremble in tiny fingers as the kid nodded. Anger was there, he just wanted one shot.

Batman, wasn’t going to allow that.

“He’s tricking you; he called you his apprentice. Don't you know what that means?” Bruce found a pressure point and was about to knock out the gangster when Slade fired a second shot with a hidden pistol. Bruce tugged the terrified Zucco away. It was a warning shot, yet he wouldn’t heed it. Bruce had to get through to that boy. He had to get him to think clearly, no matter how upset he was.

“I’m not your enemy, but he shouldn’t be your teacher –

“Why not?” The kid grunted back. The gun was positione in a way that looked learned. One week, and he –

The shot fired onto a beam behind the Bat as a sandbag flew downwards to greet his foot. Zucco shouted and cried like a child. “Help me! That crazy kid is serious! I’ll go on the straight, I get it now…just….get me outta –

The bullet wasn;t from the boy, it was a distraction as Slade let the pistol take Zucco in the back of the neck. His spine. Right into the nerves that kept him breathing, he fell into the bat’s arms as Dick felt his eyes go blank. He stared at the bat as Bruce rose, Slade was there too, a tiger protecting its own cub. “Stay ….stay back! –

“Dick….” Bruce smiled, his hands out as he tried to tame his owen growl. He made it sound human again as the boy’s watery eyes shook. The gun gripped as he let it fire by pure instance and not intending to ….the bat’s shoulder was grazed as Dick dropped the gun.

“So….son…..Richard…..I …am…..sorry…..”

Bruce winced as he held the wound tight, wanting to do the same as Slade coaxed the child with his hand clutched into the other’s to leave. To send this night into the past and bury it for good. Bruce laid his head in his hand and for a long time, the migraine only siezed once Alfred had treated the blood loss of his dear family’s back at Wayne manor.

It was not even midnight, yet Bruce could not sleep.

All he thought about was the child he’d failed. How he’d still look for him, knowing the kid was not aware of who he was forced to negotiate with. How Slade Wilson the infamous Deathstroke, would be behind bars for his entire career to end.

No legacy, no mercy on a man who had spilled so much blood, yet to salvage a boy who maybe never would think to follow in the tiger’s footsteps.

//////////////////////////////

After they’d found shelter again, away from the sirens and the smoke; Slade had made sure the bat would stay blinded. The tent caught fire at the last second, courtesy of an invested anti hero and his new protégé, who was a weak and crying wreck once he’d come to realize all of this.

All of it, was because of him.

“Dick, Dick, come here. It’s ok. I’m here, I’ve got you…” He pulled the boy in close as his uniform was littered with the kid’s regretful snot and sobs. “Get it all out of your system. You did fine, he’s gone now.”

“I…i…..h…hurt…..b…Bruce….”

The kid shook and clung to the man even tighter. “Bruce…..he w- was – was there. He t- t – talked to me….I….I’m sorry!”

Slade petted the boy’s back soothingly as he tried to tug away to explain…well…

“I know, he was Bruce Wayne. It’s not a mystery to someone like myself, Dick. I expected him to show.”

Dick pushed off a minute and looked up with blue, owlish orbs starting to strain. “You….how? Because you get contracts? Did you try to –

“No.” Slade shook his head. “Because he told you about Zucco, because he would have never changed for anyone, Dick. I’m not that buy that I can’t help you. I made it clear; your studies won’t fall behind, I can promise only that when it’s time…” Slade broke from the boy’s bear hug to give them some space to reflect on, “When I can see that you’re ready to overcome a part of yourself that is holding you back, you’ll have your time. Your own wings. And that, is a promise that I intend to keep.”

“Really? But…I didn’t kill…i…I shot –

“He’s the batman, boy wonder.” Slade chuckled softly. “Did you think that the fires we set would put him out of his misery for very long? He’s goes back to his little dwelling to stew, I can assure that he survived.”

“How do you know so much, was seeing me become your student like, a bucket list thing?”

“No, Dick.” The man shook his head with a sigh. “It, just happened because you needed someone to help you, to guide you like Wayne’s failed to effectively do. He only thinks you’re bent on staying in his shadow. Had you found out about his identity much sooner on before I’d found you, you might not be standing here today. He’s younger, co*cky. Every turn of his head is another gun to some unsuspecting innocent’s skull. You would never be safe with a man who won’t kill to protect what he has.”

“I, guess…” Dick shifted foot to foot, his tears now stopped beside a couple of stray sniffles. “Sir, um…Slade?”

Slade raised his head to that bird’s wonderful pitch, “Yes, Richard.”

“Um, so…where do we go now?” The kid asked, a bit nervous to find out if he was in fact supposed to be this way. “Anywhere we can secure our stay, our wages and, our sanctity. I travel to far off places, maybe you’ll be confident enough to join me at my lodge one day in Africa.”

Dick brightened at the idea to see where elephants came from. “One…just... one more thing…I forgot to bring one of my keepsakes. Zitka.” He chirped. “A. Zitka?” Slade rubbed his chin, acting unaware of what kind of game the boy was after.

Or toy.

“Yeah, I’ve had it since I was a baby. But, she helps me sleep and keeps my mom close too….”

“I think you can rest assured, Dick.” Slade knelt a bit as he let Dick know his intentions without the mask. “Zitka and all of your belongings will be brought with us. I’ve made sure you can feel right at home at the estate we’ll be heading to. Can’t stay in Gotham forever, any other places strike your fancy?”

Dick hummed to himself as he thought very strongly about where, and he snapped his neck up to crane it with a grin at the man, “Metropolis??”

“Not likely, I’m afraid….anywhere else?”

“California, is that…ok?”

Slade saw the kid’s eyes and thought of Joey and Grant instantly. “Maybe, but we’ll be running for a bit. Not stopping. I want you to learn what I do so training begins when you are officially settled.”

/////////////////////////////////

Batman’s major surge in heroic team ups grew. That was all that could be said as he connected to each city, any reports of a boy with cerulean eyes and dark black hair. A child that was never coming home without a fight. He’d met Gordon’s youngest daughter, her brother not exactly where he’d seen him before. His son….wasn’t well yet Babs was right on the money. Even when she knew the real Bat, yet kept that a secret to her grave while Gordon unknowingly sat to drink black coffee with the same person, and FROM the same pot.

He’d not been two feet out the door to a diner to talk to Gordon; the soup was bland tonight, all but what came after that. Gordon had driven off after their sit down. The billionaire’s face had lost its glow unless he was acting the part. His love life had indeed taken a break, yet the night he’d changed to Batman’s gear at the call on his device, he was astounded by what had been already done to his hubcaps.

“One….nnn….more, bolt – dangit!”

The clank of metal to metal had Batman move quickly. “Gotcha –

“Hey!” The boy kicked out as Bruce did as any officer might to an offender they’d pulled over. Thankfully, the kid wasn’t going to resist. Or so he thought.

Dark green eyes flashed back with a messy reddish blonde cut of hair to civer his eyes (changing the rest so later he swaps back. “I’m not staying here! Let me have my lawyer, this is police brutaily and ra -

"You had better brush up on those terms. For now, tell me what you were just doing to this vehicle." Bruce used a bit of force to bring out the truth from the kid’s lips. No more than ten at best. Almost as old as Dick had…..no, that was on hold. This kid right now….

“I had to get some cash, it’s your car but you;ve probably got dozens back in your secret lair – cave – thingy.”

Chapter 3: New Outlooks

Summary:

Dick get used to his new life living with Mr . Wilson. He finds out that the man isn't as much as a steel trap as he'd anticipated. Dick goes forth into his new role, but for the price learns that Sladebintends to keep him from knowing the real face of his number one adversary.

Chapter Text

Our Time in Reverse – Chapter 3: New Outlooks

////////////////////

He wouldn’t stop sobbing. Not until the got to the safe house in another city did Slade stop hearing the sirens. Stop hearing the boy whimpering 9ver his shoulder that his mentor might never forgive the nine-year-old youth.

“…. Zit……zi…”

Slade placed the boy onto a sofa within his safe house here in Central. Blud was closer, yet so was the bat. “You want, use your words, boy.”

Slade wiped his nose onto his sleeve and sat to stare around at Barre walls. “My…. mom’s…. she, she’s not here…” His lip wobbled until Slade stood up and was looked to the next room. Right, the swiped toy he had promised. Slade really did feel like a kidnapper. He rubbed the rough armor on his back, mask off and his finger out to tell the boy “just one second.”

Dick sniffled and attempted to bob his locks in agreement. He scrunched his small fingers into sofa cushions as Slade swiftly retreated to the room where the man’s newest robotic creations and prototypes had been programmed to drop off the boy’s possessions. Anything, including a toy for comfort in adjusting to his new life… Joey had a stuffed bear, Grant wasn’t a fan like Slade. The idea of having fun with real animals was more soothing. Not that Slade was going to go out and adopt a puppy. Dick didn’t have time to for any of that. His instincts were to assess his surroundings to knowing was safe to come out of his cocoon, the one the bat had shoved the boy into, long enough for Slade to drag him out of his mindset of good and evil. Some lives were better not missed, but that wasn’t why the kid was crying. To him, Zucco meant nothing, yet behind the logic was empathy for the man who had played that same sympathetic tune.

Slade despised it, wanted it gone. He plucked up the plain, beanie butt laced little elephant and wondered if Will might think to patch up the dirty old thing. Then, the kid might finally fit in around the mercenary. Do what their bargain expected of the boy.

Maybe the doll could be useful…

///////

Dick sat on the sofa with his childhood mini Zitka, as soon as he’d seen the floppy thing starehis way, he began to babble. Nonstop. It was a coping mechanism, Slade told himself as he got a meal going for the both of them. Dick spoke about the circus. Mostly Zitka the real elephant this toy was based on. Slade hummed and even conversed thanks to his enhanced hearing.

“Dad used to tell me not to roll around in the hay in the summer, especially.” The boy returned to a time of peace, but then. Tears had started to show up, and just while the adult was cooking onions to going his steak.

“Dick?” The man moved and reduced the heat of his food. “What’s wrong. Talk to me kid.” Slade put a strong hand to his shoulder as Dick looked over to the kitchen, gripping his 5oy before he nearly got up. He pointed to the steak with big eyes still wet, yet now distracted. “Mr. Wilson! Your food!”

//////////

Slade didn’t mind the steak. It wasn’t dry, yet Richard’s piece and the potatoes onions and greens didn’t exactly turn him on at first to the rather dense supper plate. “Mr. Wayne didn’t have time to sit and eat with Al and me…” Dick tensed in his seat as Slade just raised a brow and jutted his fork gently to the meat in front of him. “I’m not Wayne, as I told you. So don’t let my hard work go to waste. Eat what you can, for tonight.”

His eyes and movements became less restricted. Dick nodded and started to cut up his potatoes before smiling at the flavor. Home cooking was always best when you had others to share it with.

///////

To bath, or….

“Umm, Mr. Wilson?”

Slade didn’t ask Dick to call him sir yet. That would take some adjusting as well. “Yes, Richard.” Slade pit the last cleaned plate in the dishwasher. “Ah, I kind of smell. Can I…. use your bathroom?”

Right, the sweat of a killer. Poor kid. Slade didn’t tense. The kid was Grant’s age if not a year younger. “Sure, right this way.”

Slade went to the hall closet and pulled out two towels for hair and well, everything else (not a slash!!)

“Put these when you are done into the hamper by the bedroom hall. Down there.” He pointed at the one white wallet area of the home. “That hall leads to the room I have set up for you. Your clothes are in there and anything else you’ll need for the time during our stay. If you need anything at all, make sure to ask me.” Slade tried to sound less demanding, not at all to jail the kid in. This was only a temporary spot. His estate was much roomier. More areas to practice hitting a can with a bb gun.

City life, wasn’t for this one.

“Sure, but…what do I do for fun around here? We always woke up to a routine and Mr. Wayne installed the gym-

Slade stooped him to think, to plan. “We’ll keep you active, once we have your identity covered. Remember; Wayne will be looking to take you back. I won’t let you break your promise, Dick.” Slade nudged his head to direct the boy to the bathroom, quickly. “It’s late. Shower off, or do you need help with the –

“NOPE!” The boy furiously shook his head. “I’m good, thanks!”

/////////

He certainly liked to keep thing easier for Slade too. As the kid stepped out, wrapped in crisp white, he padded in his leisure to the hall and opened the last door ay the end.

Good, Slade smiled as he leaned to the side and surveyed.

He was learning faster than originally hoped. In some cases, he was already a fan of some decent structure.

Though Slade thanked the parents, not the bat for that one.

/////////

By morning, the kid was looking to the window while Slade opened it to see Dick dressed and ready for a wa –

The man saw tears trickling slowly down the boy’s face. “Dick…”

“Dad went for morning jogs, sometimes I went. Mom cooked us all food when we got back. It was a family thing…Bruce let me sleep in on the weekends. When I first, got there…we had a lot of fun together…then, his work…”

The boy hurried his head into his knees. Slade opened the door a bit wider “Want to try for a morning run with me? I’m all ready by four for anything you can throw at me.”

//////

The kid had energy. Slade had to jog a bit slower however as the boy was still a bit behind on his fitness from those days down un the dumps. It was a brusk morning so he brought water and Dick’s jacket with a modified ski cap to prevent anyone from. recognizing the lad; even at five am, he still was cooped up and needed this knee than anything. The memory of his father’s strut was in every step, his very smaller feet putting as much punch into those puffs of air as they made it to the next couple of miles out. Dick was finally panting, flushed cold and pink in the face as Slade handed him the water bottle he’d now made room temp by his own heat. “Still want to try for another couple of miles yet, you’ve got a good number of obliges left to go.” Smiled the man as the kid waved at him to wait until the boy had his breath back. “Five, seconds. ..I’ll kick your record to the curb, da –

Dick stopped himself and looked up. On a big screen in the square was a menses report. And fliers on buildings that…

“Let’s go back.” Slade coaxed the boy to look away. His eyes still glued to the screen as the merc didn’t try to imagine what might be going through Wayne’s spoiled little mind right about now. “It’s fine, we’ll go someplace quieter.” Dick nodded as they found an jn – city park and sat on a bench. Slade went off to get a small pastry at a cart that morning and the best warmed nut mixture far from NY’s top ten best trucks. Bu far…he kissed this sort of feeling, just a little as the boy smiled up to him as he was handed the warm pastry instead. “I’m not really a big fan of sweet things. Make sure to floss when we get back.”

Taking a big bite with his cheeks exploding on flavor, a bit of powdered sugar giving the impression of the boy having grown a mustache with zero effort. Quietly, the boy happily smiled up at the merc. The sugar was a distraction at least, albeit, not a healthier one. In the future, those things would have to be earned. Slade gnashed on his sweet tooth treat with reduced calories, and Dick dud the same as the two quietly recharged on the same park bench. Both trying to think of something other than those missing posters and report on the wide screen display for all to see and hear.

They took off no sooner after, while Dick stayed like a duckling and by the merc at all times. Joey was the same, Grant even more so. They came back to the safe house as Slade opened the door and Dick hopped right into the shower once more. Squeaky clean, Slade made the boy sit down while he prepared a bit of brunch and lunch later, for the two. “Mr. Wilson?” The kid kicked his legs restlessly under the kitchen table as Slade looked back over his shoulder from by the small pantry. “Yes, Richard?”

“What do you do so you don’t, you know….forget how to do your job? If you, get rid of people when you get a call from slme big companies….then why just relax all day? Running is good, but what about a gym? Or –

“Have you ever heard the saying “your body is a weapon” before, Dick?” Slade turned wkth his arms crossed and waited for the kid to answer. He shook his head instead. “No, but you can make things into weapons if you’re smart enough. Like everyday items. I saw it in a comic once. This spy –

“In a way, what I do is very similar.” Slade interjected. “Espionage, reconnaissance missions, assassination at the top of that list and being a body guard for those that have my attention enough to keep my interest.” Slade nodded. “I’m what your comic book logic might call, an Anti – hero. A borderline threat as well as help to society.” Dick was already nearly leaning over the table, more interested in this man’s career path than he knew what to do with, before sitting back down and biting his lip. Eyes shifting to the side in thought. “Mom and dad were killed by a gangster…” The boy looked up at Slade with cerulean eyes capable of seeing right through s person's heart, or so Slade believed he could. “Are you, ever hired by guys like that?”

“I try not to associate with, under - qualified buyers.” Slade sighed out a breath. “Zucco could never afford me. Maybe, Bruce. If he needed help saving the world.”

“Did, did you two ever meet up? As partners…?”

Slade looked to the side too now, a little whistle of a snort out his nose as the toast dinged. “We'll be having tuna on rye. And maybe something else if you can stomach it.”

Something after their meal was not dessert. Dick saw Slade pull out what looked to be a set of smaller hand weights. “You hang around like a chimp on almost anything; I know it, but can you adapt to your environment.” Slade handed Dick the hand weights as he told the boy to do some basic exercises woth them down the long hall. After that, they did some interesting forms that Dick just had to ask about. “I, don’t get what that was for but I know how to use those a little. Most of my acrobatics didn’t need to much lower body. It was my whole body my mom said that carried me to do what I was taught.”

“Smart, but as clever as that is.” Slade moved into a stabce that confused the boy before Slade struck the sir like a viper.

“WOW! HOLY WOW! YOU CAN BE A NINJA??”

“I’m trained in numerous types of martial arts. Some more difficult, some work by their foot work, but for today.” He pointed to Dick’s arms. “We'll see if you can endure another round of warm ups, as I like to call them.”

Warm ups were stretches in Dick’s mind. It wasn’t a terribly small place to work out, but the rug made Dick feel like he had some disadvantages while Slade knee the halls inside and out.

He was starting to feel anxious, so the rest ended with a bow. “How do you feel? Refreshed?”

“Those moves, are in intense.. “ Panted the kid. “That’s what you call a warm up?? That was hard!”

“You didn’t shy from gaining some marks as a beginner. That was Jiu jitsu by the way.” The man cracked a grin at the kid. ( Robin centric from 2003 style fighting.) “That is one of the deadliest forms of martial art to master, and your form is perfect for allowing it to guide you. You’ve earned an hour to do as you wish.”

“Shower. In ten and…” Dick looked around but saw no TV. No computer. He frowned. “Got any board games?”

//////

Slade had one he loathed. One he liked, but it was a travel sized piece of crap he’d only gotten as a distraction for a flight that was non stop. Babies crying, kids kicking the back of his seat.

Not always in first class, economy made him feel like luggage sometimes. “I know how to play that. My tata taught me.” Dick pointed to a deck of cards on the table while Slade was reaching for the chess board. Maybe later. The kid needed to adjust, and that was working do far. “Would one hand be satisfying for this time, then later we can play this instead?” Slade putbthe chess board onto the coffee table while reaching for the deck of cards “These have an interesting history to them. I got them after I won a bet. And a sword.”

“You. Used to gamble? That’s not a good thing, my mom told me.” Dick frowned and shook his head at the merc. “Cards have a nature of their own. Madame Crowley read mine once. Said I was super important but I didn’t believe her.”

“I would.” Slade started to set up the spread of rummy as the boy turned his head to thevside curiously. “Unless you can beat me at one game, I’ll even make sure you don’t have to play my game later this evening. We can go see a movie instead.” As taunting as he was being, that was earned once again. This was just teaching Dick that the man could be fair but not a push over.

“Deal.” Grinned the boy as he sat on the floor across from the merc while they started up their engines. “I’m going to ask for the worst film you’d never see. About some dill learning that it just became a person and has to stop men from screwing up its world. Saw the trailer. Did you?” Grinned the little trickster.

Slade shrugged. “I heard the actress is a bit of a humanitarian at heart. Too bad, because she played a mass murderer in her last film. See if you have it in you kid. And you’ll get your wish.”

///////

In the end. It was chess, bed and one last meal that made sure to balance out the kid’s intake for the day. “You ran a course of seven miles today, ate about slightly more thanks to that added caloric bump from the sugar after said run. You had two total hours of a work out in the home, and….rest should be at eight sharp. Nine, if I can tell you’re not trying to stay up after its lights out.” Slade checked his watch as Dick made sure to floss like he’d been asked to earlier. “We’re going to be up early again tomorrow. You’ll be accompanying me, Dick.”

Dick turned from the room as Slade called back to him down the hall. “Dress in what you have hanging up. Breakfast is going to be a bit smaller than the last day. Right now, we’re meeting a client and then groceries. Last.” Slade told the boy. “So, to bed.”

//////////

Dick had to admit he was nervous; this was his first time inside anywhere other than downtown and the park. He was going to be….inside an office. With those fliers up…Slade had told the boy to wear a special set of contacts he’d bad flown in by drone. Dick hated them at first yet was told not to rub his eyes or it would only hurt more. They were brown. He didn’t like seeing himself in the glass of that upscale waiting room, yet what could he do?

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Defarge.”

The assistant had Slade up, while Dick stayed put with some magazines, a water cooler and Slade had even picked up a deck of cards from the house for the boy to play himself. Instead of just playing solitaire and winning once, he decided to try his band at a tarot spread that Madame Crowley had used in her deck.

It was a triangle going up, as he did exactly on memory what she had, the receptionist looking over once or twice out of instinct purely. The boy knew something no normal kid would, but who was she to judge the client.

Harmless, right?

She thought it was, until the boy began to cry. The cards face up. Half revealed in reverse, and the rest…

Right side up.

The dual act was how he read it. The tears did stop once the door had opened. Slade saw Duck cleaning up his cards as he nodded to the client. “We’ll be in touch, Mr. Smith.”

Dick was able to collect himself as he followed Slade back out onto the street, past a few people who saw his tears and misread the boy’s emotions. Slade wouldn’t do the same. Would he? He knew things but, the cards had to be wrong. He was doing it all-

“Dick, stop.”

Slade saw the boy still as they stopped walking a sec. “I can hear your hear rate. You’re not alright. Talk to me. Come on, we’ll sit a while.”

///////

Dick was handed a handkerchief as he told Slade about the cards and how anyone who saw him doing it now would think.he was up to no good, or worse. “It’s what my family did a long time ago. Madame Crowley was super interesting if ya' didn’t know her. She drank weird teas and talked really deep. I almost never got half of what she said. But….the night before Zucco killed mom and dad, I went to her for advice and she said to stay with them. Don’t run no matter what happens. But…did I? Did I get cursed or something?”

“Card reading was an ancient form if folk therapy to anyone that understands its history, nothing more. Your emotions made her see you as afraid, so she told you to take comfort and trust your instincts. It was as good she understood the real you that your parents took for granted –

“They didn’t though! How would I have told them in time, anyway…they wanted to……” Dick balled up his hands into his lap and Slade handed him a second rag to blow his nose in. That was a good call too. The boy was reliving the guilt of having let them go. Thankfully, not Wayne….

“I should have told them not to jump. I almost….”

Which meant, as Slade was handedness back the forties eag.

Dick almost would never trust that bat with his happiness.

Just a bit longer, and his future would be secured. Easy as child’s play.

“I think the day is getting too long just sitting here. Would you like to accompany me to one more spot before we bring our worries homeless with us?”

/////

Central city was no Tokyo, not Gotham either. It was big but not as clustered in as the cities Dick had seen while traveling with his parents. The doors opened as the two stepped in through to a cooler spot. A shopping mart with the grocery as the main component. “This, is a mall too??” Dick looked at the space. It was even more play than that morning had been the day before!

“City center.” Slade told the kid calmly. “Stay close to me and I promise you won’t have them worrying about you in the great beyond.” Part of the man wasn’t a fan of thinking that way. It was for the kid as he tried to pretend a little instead of speaking in a mocking tone about the kid’s version of any afterlife. Over time, science and the return if all things into nothing was what would chance the boy's idea of whether someone lived or died. It simply was, and that was all.

“I don’t get to try on clothes, or do they have a sports section?”

“This whole place is a galleria.” Slade started walking as Dick caught up. His hand shot out as he gripped the man's larger fingers like a child, pretending he wasn’t too embarrassed. “It’s loud, and busy. I don’t wanna lose you too.”

The man nodded, trying to hold a steady lope in the walk as Dick didn’t say much except for gawk and smile at the many shops that they’d passed.

He saw one storefront that made his eyes grow as he nuzzled his head into Slade's arm. The older man patted the kid’s head soothingly and then looked up at the massive sign.

A batman themed shop, complete with the best money could show of such a fitting example. “We’re almost there, stay close to me.”

The little, shy duckling nodded as they kept on walking. At least he was able to listen. Slade would hate to lose his new apprentice as well…

//////////

The grocery trip was enjoyable for Dick at least. Once he saw that he could do for more planning around what they’d eat, he’d even learned that Slade had gone to almost every country the entire fruit isle had out- mangoes, banana, even dates and tomatoes. Rome, Egypt, Turkey, Brazil, Somalia, anyplace he’d only heard of going but never had the chance. It sounded, at first like a non stop fun time, until the war stories came.

Dick had to whap his own face to keep from falling asleep. “The jungles aren’t so bad, minus the snakes, water quality in rural areas and the militia groups that are after whatever they can get out of a passerby. It’s best to know hour environment. “

The story was that Slade was a decorated Vietnam and Korean vet with a secret; he had met his wife snd she’d trained him to fight! It was like a movie, really and Dick wanted to know just once.

Once, who were his kids. Why was he so far away from them…

“My boys are better off with their mother. She was quite clear on keeping me away and my work.”

The man’s eye was gone because of his wife, Dick had deduced. “Yeager, but they miss you too. Why couldn’t you promis le to take them on a no kill week.” The question earned him a chuckle and some time to feel better with a piece of tasty fruit in whipped cream with a special flavor. Maybe, cinnamon?

“When you are ready, and I feel right to tell you, maybe one day you’ll get to meet my son Joseph. That is, as long as we’re on good terms.”

“Why wouldn’t you be? You were just trying to protect him. The job, even if you were in the army that could have happened. Right? Alfred said some circ*mstances are unavoidable. You just, were one of the unlucky ones like me, I guess.”

//////

That comment had Slade up all night guessing, as he stared at the ceiling and for that nice of an end…

Awoke to a crying scream down the hallway.

////////

He first cane it to see the boy half thrashing in his sleep, beaded wkth sweat as he curled up into himself and sobbed loudly into the pillows. “n…no….stop…..mom….mama!!”

He gasped and sat up. Slade was there wkth the discarded Zitka as Dick waited until the adult was by his side. Keeping him close to his chest as he tried to get out any tensions he’d had bottled up. “You’re ok here Dick. Your mom knows that, I promised her too.”

“So did he, so did everyone else…you won’t go anywhere, will you?”

Slade moved and saw the opportunity to show the boy. No matter how much he’d bleed, just why Slade wasn’t lying.

“Wait right here, don’t move.” Slade went to his pouch of “instruments and the first pocket knife cane to mind he had ever used on a live body. It would have to do. The boy needed to be reassured that he had his promise kept.

Returning to the room, the boy had his knees hugged unto his chest. He turned his eyes to Slade with the knife; his heart beat like a baby fawn's as Slade moved it to his own upper hand, the easier of the places to cut and sliced right through so that his red blood showed crimson.

Dick nearly crawled off the bed to stop the man from harming himself, yet he stopped as his eyes got even WIDER. “You….you’re sealing…how?....it’s not….”

“When I was in the army, the higher ups had a plan to make a solution that could work against enemy truth serums. At a cost, I was the prize. I did well, but my development was uncanny to those who had created it. Meta – healing, commencing at a rate that takes a few moments to hours depending on the part if the body; that was why I told this to you, my eye never grew in because…of many troubles with our relationship. Our pain sometimes never allows all of our wounds to heal, yet I expect your wounds to seal up nicely, in time as my apprentice.” He tapped the spot with the butt if the pocket knife. “That will take the most time out if the both of us if you don’t get some well deserved rest.”

“Sir, yes sir!” Dick grinned and fell back under the covers. Down to sniffles, Slade had a good feeling, up until he was about to head back to bed. Sleep, was much more restricted on his watch. The boy needed to be monitored a bit further, to see if these episodes were going to stop over the course he was expecting them to or not.

“S…Slade?”

Side raised an ear as he relaxed his shoulders by the exit to the boy’s temporary room. “Yes, Dick.”

“Am I going to be like Zucco, or like you….I mean, you still kill people a lot…can I ever get over doing that to someone?”

“That’s up to whether you want to truly live, Richard. Good night, my boy.”

/////////////

Stepping into a few months after, Dick had gone brunette to keep the bat off their trail. He truly believed in that straining fact that Bruce wasn’t just mad but obsessed in finding him. He saw how it was; big superstar wants what he wants and gets it. Dock wasn’t a what, and add treated him like his son. Did Bruce ever tell Rapunzel to ditch the braid and have a good time? No.

At age eleven, he was learning a bit more each day. Knife throwing cane naturally, his studies made him feel more superior to any snobby rich kid. The serum made Slade durable as titanium, so he wasn’t prone to breaking his back even when Dick used his foot strikes in places that could limit one's mobility.

“We’ll take on a new topic today, apprentice.” Dick looked over the information Slade handed the boy. He frowned at the paperwork, then at his teacher. “A school? No way. You don’t kidnap anyone –

“A random for a rather hefty price tag.” The boy was shown to have Dick's original features. “Timothy Drake. Our captive, in Gotham Prep. Age seven, and his father is in deep water with some investors at his tech company. I think this is more to help Drake than to stop whomever is putting this into my hands.”

“He…hey, you think we could be brothers, I mean he looks just like me! See?”

“What are you gabbing on about, apprentice.” Slade snorted at the kid’s question. “Pay close attention. We’re only here to remove him from the area before others get hurt by the one responsible for this assault. There are children present and I won’t dare break code as you said. However –

“Why don’t we tell him to join us so his dad can buzz off? He’s going to get his family hurt or extorted by the looks of it.” Dick co*cked his head to see just who this Drake fella was. “He’s not a good guy, so you could –

“Another Batman isn’t in the cards. You were an exception, remember it.” Slade pointed to the times, the rest being that Dick was going to lead the kid away so th….

“Are…. are you coming back for me? Sir…”

Slade looked at the boy. Great, he was clingy today.

“I said you won’t get lost during this; I meant it. No one is losing today. We gain a few dollars for protecting this boy. For all it takes to get his father to change for the better or not. The judge and the boy’s mother can wise up.” Slade put away the folder and Dick sat while contemplating those words. “What if Batman shows.”

The older man stopped to listen, to wait for the rest of the kid’s question. “What if he’s one step ahead of us? Bruce isn’t just loaded, he’s crazy smart. Fast…but with Zucco, he didn’t want it to stir anything where I’d get hurt. I did, his judgment blows and he should have let me –

“It’s done. We’ll proceed as planned.” Slade currently had to think in his room, while Dick was left to do something he’d warned himself might only lead to trouble.

Find a fire escape and find a way to look at the sky in this city. This city, that was not Central anymore. It had to be a big fat insult as the kid climbed up from the apartment right in London to see a big stretch of sky and the foggy morning air. This, was going to be an interesting time to grow by. He smiled, seeing his distance apart from the big cathedral and then the next step….

He moved down to the window and closed the latch.

“Dick.”

The boy hopped down, hands at his sides and knowing who was calling him back to their world. “Come here, boy. Now.”

Dick moved gingerly to the living area as Slade sat with his tablet and a few more folders on his side of the sofa. “We don’t stand out, what have you been up to. I know you know what this entails…”

“Yes, sir…sorry, but I’m so used to –

“It’s not about you getting hurt.”

That, felt off…

“Not all of it, you’re still on the run until Wayne has his moment to realize that you aren’t changing your mind. Just as I am not letting you jeopardize our position in London to any heroes that might like to watch birds hanging around apartment roofs. They’ve got plenty. As your punishment, I want you to sit here and not make a peep. Understand? Learn something while you can, this is very important.”

“Sure, sir…” Dick said sullenly. Slade’s eye turned as Dick ducked his head and looked ready to pout. “As you were, sit.”

Slade noticed it first and foremost, but by age eleven going on twelve, the boy was more Grant than Joey.

Officially a pre teenaged terror. And now, said terror was going to learn when it was best to follow or flee for the second time in his still young life.

“We pack in the morning, so by tomorrow this place will be vacated for the rest of our time. We’re headed to Gotham prep. You might recall the outlay, but don’t get so full of ideas.”

“I know, sir,” Dick sighed. “Because he will probably be watching us too…”

/////////////

Chapter 4: Clearly Wrong About You

Summary:

Dick's job turnabout as Slade reveals a big plot twist. Years later, Dick gets a taste of a job that turns his stomach. It never ends, so?

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Clearly WRONG About You

The itchy uniform pulled at Dick’s skin as Slade posed in a costume with a fake eye and everything. He was serious, faking an enrollment interview in this fancy pants school like Dick had almost been locked away in.

“Mr……D’Angelo.” The staff pointedly brought their face in close to gather just who this this military parent was below his suit and tie. “Our school takes in those that understand, our very…guided system, Mr. D’Angelo. Is this your son by chance, I take it?”

“Say hello, Dominic.”

Slade coaxed Dick to talk as he only nodded with a smile and a presentable “How do you do.”

One the grounds, the grades were not as split, yet the buildings were of many divisions.

“Our auditorium is maybe of interest for your Dominic to see for himself? I heard his acting and dramatically theater influences come from some very well-known names…”

Dick waited until Slade had the interviewer “host” strung up around his pinkie, while Dick moved to find the grade school where Tim had to be in the cafeteria in a corner with his science experiment and a book on the history of the planet.

The boy read intently, yet Richard noticed that he could walk right in, his new skills from his teacher made it easier than granted. He stood by the boy’s table with a lunch tray he’d gotten. An apple, a quiche and a drink token him happy. His teacher didn’t like when Dick ate garbage without his permission. He’d promised any sugary treat after the job was done, and Dick wanted an ice cream cone like yesterday. Slade would just throw out anything they took home or confiscate it the next day anyway. “HIYA, watcha readin?” The kid decided to use his goof ball stereotype persona.

“The cover is here, can’t you read it?”

Dick bit back a smirk and turned his head to see the front. “Evolution into the Modern Era, that’s…interesting to you?”

Tim put the book down and let out a puff of breath before answering, “Very, I feel extremely endowed with knowledge like never before.” He was being cruel, little brat. “Oh, so…. when lunch is over, wanna play in the courtyard? I know a great game that involves scavenging for fossils...”

He had to say yes! Say yes!

“No thank you, maybe some other time, perhaps.” The boy returned to his large chapters s Dick bit his lip.

Look at your surroundings, find an opportunity.

The food, the kids here…

No staff present in certain areas….

Dick cracked a smile, scooting away as he made sure to tip into someone while he was ready to get a shiny new apple. A Red headed kid sneered at him as Dick moved backwards. “Roy, don’t do it…” A girl with dark hair pulled the red head kid’s sleeve as he just ignored her words of wisdom.

“HEY!” Dick turned around, his eyes on the boy as adjusting himself, this kid wasn’t too different in height or …wait…was he older!?

This wasn’t a kid’s table – it was the BIG kids! So….

Dick had forgotten…. Tim was ahead anew grades, a prodigy.

Should have listened to teacher, Dick tutted himself mentally as he stepped back. “You going to say you’re sorry or what? This suit is my father’s money. I’d rather not get it dirty, well?”

He was at least being honest, right? “Sorry, bit anemic. Ha to get something for my iron…” Dick panted and the lights went on. “Donna, got a minute.”

“Roy, that’s super rude.” The dark haired thirteen-year-old scoffed before taking Dick’s arm. “You need to lie down; we have to registered nurse-

“I need to talk to my cousin; he can take me out to the nurse to call home…please?”

I’m getting my sugar buzz on tonight! Dick could see the chocolate vanilla swirls as Donna smiled and called Tim over. “Timmy, you’re needed, squirt.”

From over Roy’s shoulder, Dick had just missed it; James Gordon’s daughter was watching intently with her hand in her pocket. With one press, the message was received.

“The rabbit is on the run, next up.” She smiled and went back to clearing her plate. “We’re counting on you, B.”

///////

Tim stormed out despite keeping his eyes in his book towards the hall when he flashed a snarl back at Dick. “Tacos here are terrible on Tuesdays. Sorry-

“WHO are you!?” Tim hissed and pointed his book at the pre teenaged assassin’s protégé's next mug shot. “I if you happen to know or don’t, I don’t care, know ALL the names of my cousins from both branches in the United States, the United Kingdom and FRANCE!” Tim huffed in a growling, serious tone. “You, are, not from this school.” He kept pointing Dick into a corner. “You never directly told me your name or…I knew it! You’re-

“I’M…. A SPY TRYING TO RESCUE YOU FROM BAD MEN THAT WANT TO TAKE YOU IN FOR A LARGE RANDSOM!” Dick threw his hands over his face as Tim gawked.

“How…. a spy.” He dropped his arms, then groaned.

Dick chewed his lip and tried to clear up his big mouth, “Your dad, made some specific people…. kinda peeved off, so my partner is here with me to stop them in their tracks. He can get us to a better place in no time.”

“My life would ONLY be in danger if something serious were to clearly happen that involves threats or…” Tim tossed his young nose up as the click of a lock from the inside of the building shut off some of the lights. “Why am I the anomaly at times like this, why!”

A flicker resounded. Dick shrugged, acting the wisest of the two. “See? You need me, so come on!”

Tim was dragged against his will as the book was forgotten with his notes on each bit of content that he’d already checked out from his library. “Where are you taking me??”

Dick moved fast, the walls he remembered were a time capsule as things got…. slower.

For him, and his past as a student in this place.

~ Why didn’t Mr. Wayne come to see my teachers? They keep doing bad things, I hate it here!~

Dick heard his heart thumping in his ears and he knew that he was about to go into a panic attack if he did not find his MA-

~ Al…. I’m sorry –

~ You look an awful mess, dear boy…Did tye nurse not race to attend to your injuries?

Dick kept running. Tim’s angry rants were spoken but felt muted instead of useful.

~ Grayson, if I catch you around this pm of the school or talking to Donna again, you’re going down –

~ Leave him alone! You can’t do that to him, he’s still recovering from the last time you got restless and wanted to kick someone weaker than you.~

A Red headed had saved him that day, but he never let her get too close. “Babs is the name, don’t pay mind to him. He’d hit a tree if it waved too hard at em!” She made him chuckle, but he still cried himself to sleep and went back into being harassed by that boy…it was a few years though. Why w –

“Agh!!”

Dick blinked away his distraction to see that a few goons in ski masks were holding rope, guns…. cuffs.

This was wrong, where was Slade! Where was he when he promised –

The man in the middle budged as he knocked the two down in half the time, two punches as he pulled of his mask to reveal his other cloth one. Two toned, just as much a warning shot as Tim swallowed. “He’s….very prepared..but I’mused to it so, do your worst!” Ah, the brave kid routine. Dick was sure one time it had become his fate as well as he looked at Skade with a pout. “Why did you go that far? Tim’s here, is this all of the guys?”

“Were you sure no one was following you.” Slade motioned to two figures in the shadow of the hall. A young red headed girl with a bat themed mask, and a purple and golden ensemble. Batman, was there to show her how to get the job one. If Dick had stayed, would he have been the next bat too…?

“Glad you got the memo earlier than the rest, seeing as my contact was someone hired by you, Mr. Wayne.”

Batgirl grit her teeth and looked to Bruce worriedly. “You…. know each other, B?”

“We go a ways back. Dick, your done, Slade was foolish to come here and entangle you in his blood contracts. They’re against the law –

“We just saved this kid, Bruce! Even you didn’t have to hire him for that swim not GOING back! I can’t-

“Take your money, dark knight.” Slade said in a disgusted way, “This was about closure. I have no need to take from the richest in a city of dying and sick to make you happy, playboy.”

“That, was low, whoever you are.” Frowned Batgirl. “He doesn’t get it because you probably keep him guessing, we know you’ve been on the move and now? You have nowhere to run.” She grinned boastfully.

“There is always a way, my dear. Don’t make that mistake like your father has.”

“WHOA! BACK UP!

“Down!” Bruce pulled Babs out of the way as she yelled at Slade, yet the patented flash bangs were just to keep the bats dazed a while. “The courtyard!”

“No.” Bruce stopped the girl with a squint if his vision. “Up, they are taking to the-

The clank of a large motor had Dick’s scent assured. “They’re getting airborne, go!”

/////////////////

Slade knew that setting a stray copter off and borrowing a motorcycle was the thing to keep Batman well away until they reached the city limits. Out of the way, Wayne’s world was a parody of structure and a false sense of order, how things could look for the average individual still starving in Gotham. “How long till we get out of this city, sir….”

Slade heard the boy below him as he hunched into the cycle to stay from looking up. “Soon, hang on and don’t let go. We got the job done, just the wrong client.” Slade sighed and revved the engine a bit. “You’ll get to rest on the plane. Stay strong, child, you did alright for your first test.”

//////////

Test…” Slade had a jet. A, J- E – T! Not a copter, not a ship. A. JET.

Dick however, was still reluctant to tall about their little reunion with the bat and his new partner – slash- protégé.

Babs, he knew it had to be her. The girl who really only cared because Bruce probably hooked her into his line of work and his agendas. Slade was just working, but the one concern was his code. Timmy broke the code, never go and endanger kids, Batman too. He’d…set them both up. And both lost what they’d wanted.

“Sir, Slade?” Dick turned to his teacher as Slade looked up from his tablet with a waiting glance. “Yes, dear boy. What is it.”

“You said, a test…” Dick chewed at his tension, his thousands swirling back to the promises Slade had offered. “Why did you call that job a test, for me.”

/////

Slade sat, quiet and managing what he was going to say next, he knew how to handle this. Better than Bruce ever could, he would not falter. “What that bat did was a dirty tactic, and I almost certainly knew fir some minor case…that this would be a stunt pulled by someone with a lot of money to toss in my face for the purpose of a single lie. He wanted you, so much that he hired me to bring you, and to actually save that boy, by men I hired to act as kidnappers.”

“WAIT…..WAHt?? You both were in on it??”

Slade leaned back with a clcky grin and chuckled. “That’s why it took no time to run and split it before your dark knight had a new scent to hunt down. He’s angry, Dick. At me, at himself, he is a desperate man doing desperate things.” Slade’s tone changed to a serious one. “Have I not made sure you’d be prepared, you didn’t scare, you controlled your flashbacks and your acting is espionage quality by far.” Slade praised him. “A few more months on the road in my footsteps, and you’ll even be able to handle a shotgun for your first time when you’re ready, right now, I’d at least wait a couple of years to be sure. You’re a child, so we can focus on agility and even endure if you like.”

“Then Tim…is that why too? He is never in any real danger? My old classmate…. she’s his partner! Batman’s-

“She looked the part, and I will be sure you are ready to face her in the future. Who knows how good she actually is, being the Commissioner’s daughter.” Dick sat down next to Slade before leaning into his seat lazily. “Don’t slouch, Dick.” The man reminded him. “We have a long flight out and posture is important as your form will be once we get there.”

“There, sir?” The boy sat up, “Where are we going in a hurry. New contracts abroad?”

“Been paying attention, have you?” Slade smiled pridefully back at his star pupil. “That’s wonderful, keep up the good work. I promised something sweet for your efforts, didn’t I.”

“I….don’t really want it anymore, sir.” Dick softly shook his head. “Actually, what I really wanted was….was a cycle like that one. It went so fast, and I never got to ride before. Can it…be a sixteenth birthday present? I’ll sacrifice years of sugar for that one bike! I’ll be better now that I know I’m staying around.” The man rustled the kid’s thick dark locks as he bashful batted the man to knock it off. “I’m not your dog, I’m youryapprent8ce and if work hard I might 3arn that bike.” He grinned. “Not even the dark knight would be able to catch me then.”

///////////

They were in Brazil and sugar was all he saw in every marketplace. “Are you sure one young coconut doesn’t cut a few dollars off of that promise, dear child? You need to hydrate anyway.”

Dick had his first real coconut and it was then that he vowed in the future at fourteen even, to come back and have another by the water….

Fifteen…..

And he was still too short, too young for that bike in the image his phone. “Want….it…so...badly!” Upside down in the hotel of his bed like a love-stricken girl with a crush, the door slipped open just before Dick could bust a nut. (Playing on beast boy reaction to the Tidwell. 2003]

“Apprentice, I’m heading out early to secure our contract. Feel like getting a new tan?” Slade was in his…. trunks and his abs…still perfect for being a hunk in the sand and impressing his clients.

“Ugh, why not.” Dick rose and smirk at his teacher who as he’d said, never seemed to age and day. He’d chosen to get one to preserve his new cover, the nephew of a man who Slade was, who had a fake wife here who was a part of a team called S.P.Y.R.A.L. Dick had read about how the group implanted chips in its operative ps so that you couldn’t guess by their faces. He hadnever been dog tagged by anyone, so being about that close to someone rumored to run a serious operation brought a bit of butterflies to fester as Dick got into his swim trunks as well. “Slade, you used to have a speedo. I saw it in –

“Not for your eyes, or anything but the past.” Slade put up a finger. Dick just slyly grinned, almost impish as he tried to make it sound better than it had looked. So dang retro though, no one wore those styles like his master had. Maybe Superman could try on a pair, he chuckled and followed Slade out to the beach. Once your feet felt gravel, asphalt and ash, you got used to sand. Sometimes, as Dick hopped along less today than he had coming back a few weeks ago. Brazil still had amazing style, culture and…waves.

“I’m riding THAT one.” Dick pointed as Slade stared at the boy, as likely to pop as a blister on Dick’s burning foot. “Not until I’m sure the coast is clear. Stick by me and, do you remember some your language lessons?”

Dick nodded, then cheerily saluting his master like a total card. “Ola!”

Slade grumbled as Dick cleared his throat. “And, I stay out of the way…as usual.” The teen deadpanned. “Good boy, then come. The client and his companion are waiting to greet us.”

Chapter 5: Lagoon and Grotto

Summary:

Dick finds a...merperson? Slade to the rescue. Will this task be an epic fail for the pair?

Chapter Text

Chapter 5:Lagoon and Grotto

///////////

Dick was polite but it was all voluntary to him.

No waves, not yet but.....She had to be the operative. She was….so pretty!

“Melinda and Juarez both met this spring. Juarez's family going back five generations or more and he owns the hotel, yet something is causing their heads to turn towards what isn’t owed back to them. It’s simple, but it’s not. You say there is a chance the beach itself has a hidden source on it? That’s a tough call. What are we asking.”

“The men who came left the project on the beach and we believe it to be more than worth covering your fee for finding it, a merman from the lagoon.”

Dick frowned. “A, meta. To be exact then. You think it escapes and came to your hotel, the beach being where it’s hidden.” Slade rubbed his chin. “This is a black market find at this point, Mr. Wilson.” Slade used his real name, making this woman’s eyes seem more deadly than the idea of trying not to drown in those high waters. Dick fidgeted a bit before his hand flew to his “uncle’s” wrist. “Sorry, the boy is here for his self esteem issues at-home, it was what the doctor even suggested. He’ll be over in the water, no trouble.”

“Of course, enjoy the sea.” Juarez chuckled and waved the kid off with his ring clad fingers of a mob boss. That’s what this was. Finding the lagoon meta and trapping it. Dick moved along quickly and knew the this was only to get permission to scout the beach. So far, the woman couldn’t come after him. He was just fine…

“HeyA-

Dick swerved around. No. Not a ghost. He made his way to the rocks covering a more secluded branch as he pulled out a detector from his pocket. Heat detection active….

There. In the shallow pool…..up…

Dick looked up. It was –

“What are you doing?”

The boy saw a face flop down. Green gills. A face like a boy.

His hands flew up as he waved them in front of the teen. “You are not thirsty, are you? This water tastes like fish. Try someplace else –

“Whu – wait!” Dick pulled back as the boy flopped into the sand from the pool he’d popped out of. “SO….NOT. A MERMAID?”

“No!”

The pool boy rattled around. “Not gonna get me, kid. I’m not a lot of anything. Skin and bone. Try again.” His piranha teeth startled and angered Dick as he grabbed the lagoon kid's tail. “We…have. .to…..catch…you-

“You’re wrong about them! Those people aren’t-

“NOT…..THEM!” Dick tugged the lagoon brat into a heap. Standing over him, another thing came out of his pocket. “Time to go back to your tub, dude.” A meta – collar as the siren, screamed.

/////////////

The raining sand and rumble on the beach alerted Slade and Melinda as she ran after the man. Juarez yard and got over to find his buggy due to his big one’s backside.

The beach goers scattered and ran all the way out as the sound wave was not the only issue in their way .

Dick felt something go after his throat as he ignored a prick.

“You didn’t have to knock him out!” Lagoon boy yelled as a bit of mist that formed into a person. “Get out of here. I can handle this…just…gotta tug…-

“ You are clearly stuck. Let me get it –

“Stop right there, kids.” Melinda had her taxes gun from her dot.org. “You are this close to putting down my company, step away from the meta child, little killer….”

/////////

Slade dropped to his knees, silently, as he waited for his timing. The boy could get the meta child through the vortex of pools. He just had to be brave.

Dick moved back as the lagoon kid shuffled to the side, getting the distance he needed to hop in. Dick was taking a step, when the mist person went after the SPYRAL agent. Dick dove down and dragged lagoon kid down as Slade swung by. His entrance into the pool of transportation-based fluids was not deterred. Dick gurgled coming down, the kid in his grip still as shocked at the fact the boy was holding his limp too tight. “Stop....I’m gonna….drop! –

“NO....Kid….” Slade snorted water and dragged himself into the whirlpool. Down below, lagoon kid was trying to help the boy. He was unconscious as Slade miraculously landed on a pile of rocks to this tide pool. “He’s with you?” The man sauntered over carefully. Lagoon kid’s gills vibrated as if he were in enemy territory. “You sent a kid…. he could have lost his life down there. Who are you people?”

Slade stopped. “That woman was trying to take you captive.” Slade explained. “Our job was to see them out of the way, there is a person who would be happy to stabilize your powers –

“NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME!!” The kid's fins nearly grew to crush Dick’s windpipe. Lagoon boy gasped and reverted. “I…I’m not that bad, I can learn to control it without their help! Cadmus made a mistake. I had my home and….and…”

“You don’t really have a home, child.” Slade pointed to the rocks; the boy was the ground as he breathed softly back to life. “There is no place here where they won’t find you. Make no mistake. My apprentice found you with my help, yet your capture would no longer be any of our concern once the job is through. You had a place to stay, rent free. And for what? An experimental way to give you a human body? Even when you’re not human to begin with, they won't promise you what they had in words. Their bind means less than this should. Your absolute freedom.” Slade’s eye darkened.

“They…. they promise…I’m not really a human? I, have a home. Out there??”

“No, you are born to the sea with the Atlantean tribes. You hold to fresh water but for some reason you’re able to manipulate salt water for short periods of time.” Slade placed with his hands behind his back. Dick sputtered out more water, Slade was just relieved that this was a kid and not a full-grown sea – monkey. “Are you satisfied?? That kid was your partner, wasn’t he? He said he came here with you –

“Because there is another organization you could be aware of. A more accepting one.” Slade told the fish boy.

“Get out of your stupid head for a second old man.” Lagoon kid shook his head and scoffed. “I’m wanted like a prize. I would rather be fish bait than bait people like you.”

Slade sighed, reaching to his wrist watch as Lagoon kid never knew how spy - like this mission was going to be.

“Very well.” Slade tapped a button and the collar held many volts. “Your little sprite helper won’t have to worry.” The man smiled as Dick seemed to prefer playing dead. Efficiently, the merc carried both boys over his shoulders, down into the rocky caverns. It had to lead back into the main area of the wilderness. That much he had known from being here years ago. Dick groaned in his grip as Slade sighed. “You’ll both be thanking me sooner or later for this.” He muttered and took off, another job completed for the HIVE to simply get a clue, and for Melinda to scream about her losses to her now "screwed" boss.

They left Rio a while; no sooner whence on a cargo that was Slade's personal loan from another old contact. Dick came to as Slade handed him a water bottle upon rising. “Get enough rest? You did well for the most part.”

“I…fell asleep, right?”

They searched the open waves together that washed the shore, the ship taking off like a dream, as Dick's memory lapse remained falsely in a drugged state. Best he’d not find who had repurchased the fish boy –

Until later on the television dtation out of Queensland, Australia ..

/////////

In his villa in Milan, Slade had Dick practicing he swordsmanship out on the veranda. Inside, Slade had cable and one eye on his next venture. “You should keep one eye open, Dick.” The man looked at the news and smiled back at the screen.

~ Lagoon boy stops poaching of endangered species…Titans praise his efforts. Mudslides rock Markovia, mysterious origin still under investigation. Bruce Wayne makes tough call in career.~

“You may have some, competition in the near future, abd me? Some very good news on your initial progress, my boy.”

Beside the lagoon kid at sixteen now, was Aqua lad, a protégé of the sea faring Atlantean hero of the deep. Slade rubbed his chin and considered weighting their options along.

It wasn’t until that very hungry year, and everything all at once, fell capsized onto its head….

//////////////

Chapter 6: My New Role For Today is?...

Summary:

Dick and Slade are moving to California! At sixteen, the boy is starting to wonder if Slade thinks just because he won't kill or hold a gun if he can ever continue to live beside his savior. Then, Tara; a meta girl from Markovia pops up and Dick loses his mind just a little. If he was supposed to be the best, why is Slade trying to replace him? And will he promise to make Dick his real son if he does everything the man asks? Including infiltrate the teen Titans in only one year??

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: MY NEW ROLE FOR TODAY IS?....

////////////////

Dick is sixteen right now in this and this, was after the lagoon boy watch was secured. Dick is told by his teacher that they’ll be looking into a new base of operations in Jump City, California. Dick doesn’t want to face the heroes living there currently staying there, the Titans, any more than he wants Batman to track them both down. However, a stray bit of pushing changes everything and Slade finds it high time too late for Dick to pull that trigger.

If only he’d spared the boy sooner, being that he cannot stray from his savior yet fears being anyone else at all if he tried to. This, is not so warm and fuzzy…I give you the next part before he is all caught up. A recap, maybe?

/////////////////////////////

This was a long stretch as the boy practiced his strikes while the reports from the other day blared in Slade’s ears.

A mystery earthquake.

“Hyaa!”

“Too low, focus your attention on my weak points like I told you, boy. Here.”

Slade sent Dick to his knees, yet the boy bounced onto his toes and rolled into a crouch – one hit.

“Yes! Sir, I did I –

“Stay focused!” Slade reprimanded. Dick was becoming sloppy, his hits during their practices were creative, yet had no merit if it didn’t involve some sort of incentive or a reprimand. He didn’t like where that could lead the boy if he only depended on himself. One shot could fix it always.

“Stop.” Slade put up a palm. Dick looked ready to go, yet Slade was tired of playing games in the corner. “Your combat training is improving; you however still seem to not have enough discipline yet to advance -

"But…. I went through the drills. I even learned how to hit pressu –

“Those are in close range; you need more perspective. More distance apart to analyze a potential threat. That is where we’ll start, AFTER.” Slade enunciated. “After we debrief this month in total in the main room. Come.”

///////////////////

“Your new skills in close combat were aggressive, yet controlled best when up against an opponent that was a threat. You need more of a push than was expected; Dick.” Slade turned to the teen as his eyes towards his teacher, seated upright in a chair in the man’s main lounge of the estate. “Yes, sir.”

“I know that you are old enough now to know why the only fire arm handling has been in books, blueprint designs and reports I’ve had you write up to keep your mind extra sharp. You’re ready by now and this should come as no shock, to fire one for yourself.”

“Sir…” Dick’s only case was ptsd from the first time he had shot the bat. Ever since then, panic attacks had been an issue, they kept having to put his hands on approach on hold. Years, it was too long now and if the boy didn’t shoot a single gun like he was expected, he’d be cast out. This was his last shot. A permit, for a junior. They’d be going to a range in a new city where Slade told the boy his base would be set up and for them to share during their review of Jump City. Getting cold feet, Dick then raised his hand coyly up. “Sir! Uh…Isn’t that a place with more than one veteran hero? I heard that someone made that territory theirs and if we…. are you sure this isn’t another test?? You said my body was a weapon. I don’t need to use a –

“This was a part of our agreement long ago.” Slade jumped down the kid’s throat, “Or have you forgotten, Dick. I own you; your entire life is up to me to dictate – and as a minor still, under my custody…. you will do this or be cut off from any further contracts…”

“What- Sir! I can try, but I’m not sure I….” His eyes got wider under the dim light, searching for the rest of his voice. Slade saw his apprentice’s heartrate and posture shift like before as he moved from his seat. This had to stop, it was not enough and Dick needed to know what he was good for. “Dick, Dick. LISTEN. Apprentice!”

Shaking his head, his hands were held down as he tried to breathe. This panic was bad, but manageable as all the rest. “We’re not changing our minds right now. The heroes are a threat to any future contracts, that could jeopardize Deathstroke’s reputation, your courses... All I want is you to work security. Think of it as a downgrade, please. Shooting is just in warning, to keep them from driving a wedge between us and any clients we may need to observe. You’ll take it slow.” He coaxed, hating the damn sound of his tone. “I don’t need you to wait; you need to get a grip. You need to be mindful of why you are here.”

Dick’s sobs had turned to small shudders as Slade soothed him and left a hand on his shoulder. Too many hugs would keep the boy to cling to him. He needed him somewhat independent. “W…. w- w will….I change too?”

“No.” Slade put a hand to the boy’s shoulder and squeezed it tight. “No, you’ll still be my apprentice. Maybe one day better than you think you are now.” He let the kid settle into his role as he began their overview. “A few weeks ago, I found out about a case that goes back even earlier than when I came to Gotham. In Markovia. In the time it takes to have our new outpost up and running, there is something there of interest making its way to California… you’ll be in charge of security. The area will be under your watch. I’ll secure the underground. Send word to any that want in on our tiny project.”

“Project, sir?” Dick wiped his eyes messily.

“Yes, a meta child who may not remember my face, yet remembers that I have what she needs. Her uncle broke a treaty and killed the girl’s parents. They fell ill, and now her brother is also being used as a puppet for the diplomats to do with as they see fit. The girl will likely need shelter and help with her impressive powers.” Slade watched as Dick looked empathetic to the child. “That’s terrible…. she must be all alone. How can you help her? With your powers, are the that similar to the girl’s sir?”

“No, not at all, my young apprentice.” Slade replied and gazed out at the open air. “Montana. I’m going to miss it terribly.”

“Me too.” Dick chirped. “Will we get to ride the horses when we’re back home again…. sir…?”

Dick had taken to Sky and Sure - Shot. Both were named by his sons. This place was a later gift to his wife. Ex, as it was. Dick was best not to meet at this point. “This place is off the grid to the bat, I made sure of it.” Slade made sure Dick could smile. This new journey would either make or break him as a professional. “First thing, you’ll go with me to a nearby range.” Slade got up as Dick wobbled to stand in his sorry state. “It’s high time we go over your oldest habit of running away into your own mind.”

/////////////////////////////////

The shots blared on in Dick’s sleep as he woke to gag and upchuck his supper into the walk-in toilet. “So weak…. why can’t I do this?” Dick wiped his lip and panted, looking at the mass of gross gook and again, he was nauseous.

////////////

Dick came down and for some reason, he was a bit better. Slade however had made it clear that Dick would speed up the process. “Come, I know a spot we can get a clear shot.”

Dick was used to the feeling now, it was a week and he still vomited every other night, until Slade found out and had to intervene. “You’re going to have to have tougher skin eventually.”

Will had stopped over, the butler and dear war friend of Slade – one who owed him as much as price as Dick still did. “He’s sallow as can be. Slade! Are you pushing that boy too hard? You know his constitution –

“He’s finally overcoming his fear of them, Will.”

Dick covered his ears in his bed as he ascended the steps to his room. Will was like the nanny. Slade was no father to him. He’d never said he was. Slade had boys, he had kids. Dick…. was just a distraction.

“Who is that kid anyway?” He sniffed and kicked the door shut. “Slade wouldn’t replace me…. would he?” This girl sounded powerful. She had royal blood and was more meta than Slade….so, would it work if he even cared to be a part of this mission. Not like he had a choice. Dick paced the room and groaned to himself. “No, Slade wouldn’t do that…he cared about me, I’m his partner. I’M his apprentice!” Dick stomped his feet and growled. Dick was dependent on their bond. He had shattered all other bridges for that cost of killing Zucco. It wasn’t his choice; he couldn’t even leave…why…

Dick fell to his knees and rocked himself, his hands to his face as he tried to get rid of this hopeless feeling. What if the meta princess was less weepy than him?? What if Slade liked her more? What if….

Her shouted and ran to the window, shouting out of it, before crying into his hands. “No…. He’s mine…. you can’t take him away….no….no….NO!”

/////// /////////////

(So, Dick is literally cracking up because Slade made him had separation anxiety and maybe even more abandonment issues. He’s come to thinking that Slade would never have any other protégés. That he is a favorite in the man’s life besides his friend Will and Slade’s unnamed kids. He will never be the man’s son, but like Rose in the comics, he may go too far to prove that he can’t be shaken from leaving the man – this is where his world is starting to crack. You saw how his sheltered confidence as a protégé is selectively granted contracts that keep him from learning about being free, so in a way he believed Slade would be this way forever and never ask him to kill. Sorry Dick, read the fine print next time!)

“I spoiled him until this month.” Slade ran a hand through his thick white locks. “He’s going to lose this lesson, damn…”

Will tipped his tea cup and took a small sip. “Slade, you sheltered the boy as you tried to your own children. Naturally, he had to learn that this agreement was in stone. You were too relaxed with the boy, you knew his story. We both had...”

“He’s still healing, it might not be a good idea to even call him my apprentice if he can’t hold a damned gun, Will. He’s…if he isn’t safe when he faces them, then he can’t –

“Hush a moment.”

Will put his ear to the ceiling as Slade heard it too.

A shout, a tired teenager was crying for help. Slade rose, yet Will stopped him. “He didn’t hear us. These walls don’t allow sound travel up, don’t you remember?”

“Buyer’s remorse.” Slade groaned and sat back down. “He’s not my son, yet I…have coddled him. He’s going to not hold up as a great asset if…”

“He vomits, yet his shots show promise. Once at the range, he can see that for himself.” Will took another sip, pensively awaiting the boy’s sobs to die down. “It’s getting a bit too late for me –

“Stay, he needs you.” Slade turned his eye up to his old friend. “And, it would be nice to have an extra seat at the table once in a while.”

“I suppose.” Will sighed and put his saucer down a moment to think. “A few days, and then Austria awaits. Addie has been asking a delicate question as of late. She seems to think your goals are not like before. You’ve built up a new network of low - brow super villains, and not to mention….” Will gritted his jaw. “A, lair??” He shot at his friend’s face. “I should be here to pull you from this new act of guilt that boy may have to shoulder. You’ve decided to add –

“It’s to accommodate someone. That girl. Tara, the missing princess from Markovia.”

Slade ducked his head as Will was flabbergasted by the news. “I have yet to see that boy happier than he is now, Slade.” Will went for the kitchen to place his cup in the sink, hands over it as he leaned and tried to understand his friend’s own vital changes. A transformation. “Let me just say, that the boy, Richard is correct. There are many soldiers and assassins in history that cannot use a fire arm.”

“He’s not any exception to the rule. Will.” Slade sniffed. “That boy’s parents were killed by a gun; Wayne’s were killed by a masked man as well. I won’t have them mimic the other and have MY protégé avoid firearms because of a little self- pity!”

Will didn’t say anything more as he just washed his cup and left the other to stew in silence. “Goodnight.”

The elder didn’t reply. He had the worst feeling, and from his experience, that was usually a premonition not of his own making. Bruce was a hated character in this household. Slade was foolish to not cap his distress.

Yet the outcome he dreaded even more than Slade had. Taking him home like a puppy to his flat. Slade had sacrificed his efforts here, and now if he went forwards and broke his little side project….it was nonrefundable. Nothing like a gun, nor a blade in his palm to bet on, for keeps.

//////////////////////////////////

Dick was a moody teen at times. Sometimes his regression was more clinical in comparison to a crying child’s. Slade had gone along for years to numb it on their jobs, but at their waiting areas, in person vs in this place? The estate was too easy for Dick's training. Off they flew by jet to a bay in Jump, seeing right at the tower shaped like a giant T. Slade didn’t make too much h conversation as Dick’s brooding was already getting to be an eyesore. With the robots Slade had programmed to help out, Dick was made to carry some belongings into his new haunt with his master in tow.

Slade flicked on a switch and it was, quite spacious. They were inside a high-tech looking warehouse with a bunch of knows on the walls in a row only when the sensors activated for the right person. Dock definitely had missed a course in robotics and engineering the last month and a half.

“This isn’t anything more than a decoy, apprentice.” Dick shrugged and hoisted up the item; a box of some sort a bit higher to not drop it. “Here, is where we actually will be fir a good long few hours, on most days.” The next hidden panel Slade had touched, opened the floors up as the stairs down were inside the warehouses interior underground. This was…strange to be in a hole doing grunt work. “Where is the whole thing, si….”

A door, no. A giant wheel to open a hatch as Slade did the honors. “In.” He directed the teen, who didn’t need to be told twice. At the bottom, was an elevator like the ones at a construction site. Underneath the floor, was an enormous network of gears…a lot. Of damn gears.

It was tall with pillars making it look the part of an ancient, iron temple. By the top at a dais made of concrete and steel, were two seats. Two thrones beside one another overlooking an entire array of wider than wide screens that saw with an eagle's eye, everything in the city that would soon be their new home.

Slade watched patiently, intently as his apprentice stood to then place the box carefully onto a metal worktable as it came up from the platform they were standing on. The man had a crinkle in his mask full of pride. “On that note, you should be a bit more able to blend in. I’ve been working on a prototype suit, custom designed to match my own appearance.” His voice was dropping to seem cooler in the already boiling room. The steam from the gears had Dick look around thrice as he twirled back to the throne, then to a robot that was holding a flat box in its hands. As big as a ….

Dress?

“The one thing you never wore on any of our old missions. Here, it won’t be a regular job like you thought. I’m wearing my mask to symbolize a turning point in our careers, Apprentice. You will take this uniform and wear it, go on.” Slade was right. It had parts, and…it was black and orange red like the man's mask. In it too, was a spike ended domino mask, just like ….

Frowning, Dick looked up at the mastermind. “Is, is this really mine now? What for?”

A silly question, or a wise on. Slade motioned that Dick go to the corner to try on the suited piece. Complete with knee guards, his own gauntlets, a gun holster, and….a large coat that made it all come together as Dick stepped back into his boots. The half jacket was a bit silly but he liked the material. It didn’t feel too tight on him. He was a growing boy after all. A sense of pride wheeled him back over to show off the outfit to his master with a grin out of that dark world. He was still not putting the mask on, so Slade pointed a gloved finger to the kid's cerulean. Dick's mount formed a line as he looked at the mask like a pair of new glasses. “Do I have –

“You’ll need to keep your identity as my diligent helper. In fact, no one needs to know which you were before. I’ve chosen a better name. How does….” His boots tapped the concrete platform as Slade rubbed his chin. “Renegade, sound to you?”

Dick pulled at his jacket and grumbled a bit. “Who did I betray –

“Batman.” The man smiled. “You were a good kid who did as he was told, but your desire to become my apprentice sent him into a spiraling realm of denial that if, you should take this name to new heights…it might just bring him to admit to a “moral" defeat. You can’t go back, nor do you ever want you. Right, Renegade?”

//////////

Renegade. Dick found that his new room was smaller and the walls were strangely darker underneath the roof of this new cellar that his master had chosen to keep them confined to. In the “haunt,” Dick got to break fir new ground and express his ability to fly higher ability with some creative air. “I can climb this whole place…” He panted. “There are so many hiding spots. We have to do a match, sir –

“In a moment, apprentice.” Slade was looking at the screens from the security of his new throne. Dick used a grapple to send himself to his seat with a grin like a big kid off the monkey bars. “Any sightings so far, sir? I can scare off any intruders. Like you said. I -

“Quiet.” Slade barked it as the walls made all sorts of noises bounce. Dick curled his legs under him and looked to the side in a mild shock. Had…. had he just been told off by his…

Chapter 7: Wearing My Mask With Pride

Summary:

Dick is told he needs to stop going blank and learn even more discipline by his teacher. To escape his disappointment, Dick gains a personality he names"Renegade" after the name his master wants him to have. Slade directs Dick with his new brand of training and Dick can't object, even if it stings. His new identity he tells his master, will be Robin; after the nick name his mother gave to him long ago.
The issue, is he OK with destroying a bunch of kids if he fails to become a hero for his master to praise him? To call him finally, his boy?

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: Wearing my Mask with Pride

////////

It was possible that the lack of Vitamin D was getting to both master and protégé. Dick was pushed away for three days, and it wasn’t until Slade simply didn’t show up that Dick might have gotten into more trouble with his serious withdrawal issues.

The panic was there, but so too were the lessons. He learned to hide and hunt in dark places. He was given a gun to assemble and reassemble each morning and night. If he made any error in the tasks, he was confined to his room for a few hours. There were meals delivered to him by a slot in his door, yet this had to be a test so Richard bucked up. Tried to stop complaining. He was sixteen, not twelve he told himself. “Slade is going this far all for me, you’ll see.” He bit into his toast and said to himself anxious, angry that he couldn’t have more to do.

“He isn’t going to abandon you…no, he’s good to you…”

He awoke one night with his head fuzzy and the door wide opened. It had to be day…but was it? There were no clicks, no timers or any sounds except the winding gears in the main room of the haunt. Slade was up at his station by the screens. Fiddling with some buttons and zoning in on the next target.

A red headed woman from another planet.

A girl with mystical, dark powers.

A green skinned boy that could change into animals.

A black African American half robot, half teen named Cyborg as the green animal morphed and threw a football for their supposed leader to catch.

“Cy, send it here! I’m open! I’m open!”

They looked so happy, so young…was that the group they had to battle? Was he going out this late in the day?

“Sundown, it’s still too early to send you out officially, but I want to do some legwork to see if they’d even think to think anything of a fellow hero.”

“Huh?”

Slade looked at the boy as the robots brought one more box to the same table from before. “I want you to make an impression on them, gain their trust for a year –

“SIR!” Dick blathering out, his fears rising like he had believed. He was replaceable…. Tara was taking his role – he could die! They were incredibly powerful. He wasn’t…. wasn’t that strong to face them.

“Stop that right now, Dick. It's you’re self-loathing that is the problem.”

“I…. you’re going to kick me out, I don’t even know them…or…is this…espionage….? Sir, I’m not a meta. They could …. -

“This. Is your role.” Slade stood from his throne as Dick started to feel very, very, claustrophobic. “Even if you beg, even if you shout or kick and cry and scream at me. My mind is made up. Do you know why I had you distracted and separated from your master for that many days since our arrival?”

“You, were teaching me a lesson. This was a test…” Dick swallowed and added seemed pleased enough with the answer.

“I’ve treated you too soft, and it was high time you learned to stand on your feet without my direction. If you fail this mission, you will either be captured by the enemy. Or the Batman may step in if they discover who you really are –

“I…then can I have more time to prepare? I’ve never faked being somebody else!” He felt his breath starting to lock up. An attack was forcing its way through until Slade snapped his fingers. “Look at me, you know I want you to return from this mission. If you are successful in learning all you can about those “Titans,” then there is one thing you’ve always wanted. Hasn’t there been, Dick.”

“To be, called your son…finally, sir.” Dick’s head bobbed.

“To not just be your apprentice, but to know you won’t abandon me for no reason. I care. But I…. I think…I think if you did that, I’d care too much.”

He shattered at his own words.

That. Was the lesson. Dick would never be what he wanted. Never close enough as his heart felt colder now. The echo of gears filled him to materialize his pain. Empty echoes. “Sir, I’m sorry for my earlier transgressions. It was wrong. You’re my mentor. It’s how we’ve had our agreement since you saved me from…him.”

“Keep that attitude, Richard.” Slade put a hand on the boy's skull as he nodded, letting the locks be touched once more. It might be the last time he gets that much attention from anyone. Even someone who is incapable of caring openly for a kid like him.

“You’re going to need to have the heroes take pity on the real you once you are inside their tower. Find a way, and it will happen.”

Dick blinked as Slade left him.

Wait…it would…

He shook his head. No, it’s not possible. Slade…would become his?

///////////

(Dick might snap eventually, but we’ll get into it. This will look ugly eventually. Remember, he’s never killed anyone with a gun or at all. Slade is saving his skills for a big challenger.)

“Hi, I’m….”

Dick slapped his face and paced the floor if his room. The mirror in it reflected back an unhappy boy in a boring outfit of choice. Black shades, green eyes as contacts and his hair was longer for the case of making them think he’d been on the open road like a hitchhiker. He went to Slade after their meal at night and in the mornings to rehearse his new role as a potential candidate to the Titans. “I’m pretty good, wanna see me throw this as far as I can?”

Slade chuckled as Dick dropped the act and scowled at his master's expression.

“What? I suck as an actor, don’t I, sir.”

“No, you are too engrossed in your message. You need to be less selling it and more telling. Relax a bit. Your stance could send the wrong message. For example.” Slade pressed a button on the dais thrones arm and a screen popped up with video of Dick and one of Slade’s comrades’ own protégé. She wore a lot of green and had long dark hair. Her Asian decent was indifferent to the boy who didn’t look to be as unfriendly while they geared up for a mission.

~ This is only a bodyguard position but heck, I’ve never seen a Kabuki mask –

~ It’s not. ~

She was surely not ok with the characterization of a culture it was also totally inaccurate. ~ Name, eh…Dick, I guess? ~

~ Your first run, I suppose. ~ Her air was as spoiled as they came. Dick snorted and crossed his arms at her. ~ Humph, no! I’ve done this a few times with Deathstroke. Better be a lot nicer to me if you can, whisker – breath. ~

“Ah…. that was –

“You already have a personality.” Slade pointed out to the boy. “Stop trying to mask it and use it to your advantage. You’re not a door-to-door salesperson, Dick. You can do this.”

After the lesson, Dick was better prepared to simply “act" like a teenager. He already had been, that was why Slade didn’t restrict the real him to become some covert robot…. yet.

He had asked Slade before. If he made his first kill on a contract, would he change like Zucco? Would he murder someone in cold blood?

His stomach churned besides the grinding gears it seemed, and the session was left a moment to settle the acid in Dick’s babied stomach for supper. He had earned the right to eat with his...

M…. Master.

He tried to call Slade master as a way to prepare for his return in a year to the haunt. He wanted to surprise the man with his conquest of this city. Their city, Dick beamed on.

Until the day finally came…

///////////

He decided to go with a red hoodie with an R patch at the breast. Black cargo pants were too loose, but he made sure to add rips in the hem. His even was easily able to hide his connections because…

“No comms. I’ll see everything with these.”

Tiny, cameras. Dick was handed some to store wherever they would fit.

“Will I be able to send any S.O. S? Or will you, master?”

Dick begged to know as Slade moved over to the screens and away from his pining pupil.

“The name you chose as your alias.” Slade suddenly spoke in a low voice. “Robin, the nick name that your mother gave to you growing up? Why is that, explain.”

Dick nodded. “It’d be the perfect cover. They’re new to what we already know about this city. It won’t take long until I know more about them too.”

“Good boy, I’m pleased that you’ve finally stepped up to face your fears for me. Now, up to the surface. The bots will accompany you.”

Dick went with the robots and noticed how alone it was already becoming. Hos separation anxiety had kicked in, yet his bit into his cheek and kept walking.

Up, until they were by a manhole cover instead of the warehouse across from the giant T.

The screen face of one robot was revealed as Slade appeared on it in his new and imposing regalia. ~ This is where we shall part ways. Should you feel that you have been compromised in any given form my only option to that is one order- destroy the Titans. Incapacitate the enemy. ~

Dick’s heart felt heavier as he wished those words had not been the last thing he’d heard

“Y…yes…”

His body felt someplace else.

“Master, Slade.” He rasped, the fear in him reaching a bit higher before his ego left him as before. His cold interior self was his shield as it arose out of the blue.

It, was Renegade.

He, was Robin.

“As you command, Master.”

That was the mission. He nodded; glassy eyes understood the man as Slade observed in silence on the screen. ~ One year of this and you will have your reward. Good luck. ~

(Alter personality splits here. Dick is cracking up. Slade is aware that je did this, so much so that more to come.)

Chapter 8: California Dreamin

Summary:

Dick gets caught up woth a bad crowd. He does so to impress another. Will he get his wish?

Chapter Text

Our Time in Reverse- What It Takes

///////////

Chapter 8: California Dreamin'

/////////////////

It, was Renegade.

He, was Robin.

“As you command, Master.”

That was the mission. He nodded; glassy eyes understood the man as Slade observed in silence on the screen. ~ One year of this and you will have your reward. Good luck. ~

////////////

A pizza place at early noon was busy opening its doors.

Two kids were running after a ball in the park on the next block up. Their parent was scuttling along as quick as their day off would have them.

The street square in Jump City was a- bustle; with salary men and women of their decade. The old arcade was coming back into relevance and ne’re do wells were outside it, greedily taking up one machine with grins on their young faces.

There was a boy with no hair and large goggles on his neck. He was short, dwarfed in height yet his eyes were mesmerized by the person at the controls.

A girl with cotton candy pink hair in a Gothic style dress put a hand to her hip from beside her brother. The third. A hulk of muscle who had to kiss his claw prize goodbye. Slapping his face, the others chuckled cruelly in a joking way at his shortcomings.

“Aww! You lose, M. Wanna go on another lazer tag run?” The googled headed youngster grinned. “I got new ammo ta’ try out. State and the art, not even on the black market…anymore.” The goggle boy was short, nearly as tall as a toddler, he wore a dark green jumpsuit and reminded their onlookers of a mad scientist.

“I’m bored though, Mammoth has been at this for hours. But I know a trick to fix his bad luck streak-

“Don’t cheat today, Jinx.” Grumbled the big baboon of a creature. His red sideburns made the older look even older, the girl Jinx waved off his response as a minor annoyance . “Whatever. I’m tired of playing these kid games. Why can’t we use our powers anyway? I made sure to get you bozos a viper card each. You owe me.”

“Fine, bossy pants!” Hissed the youngest of their three person group. “What do you wanna do to avoid the popo? This was all we could think of.”

“The heroes sure do get to take it easier then us.” Mammoth looked out at the bay where the giant T could never block enough if that midday sun. “Stop gawking and think, stupid –

“Uh, hi?”

/////////

Dick didn’t waved exactly but cane up to them in his red hoodie, ratty jeans and his dark shades to just associate. The mission was to get to that tower. He wondered who these bad kids were, yet he also wished Slade had told him more about the city.

“Hi….”

Gizmo raised his body up and soon his was off the ground, motor powered in the air as Dick tried to remain calm. “Scanner's not picking up nothing. I say he’s a dumb runaway.”

“Who cares! Kid? You aren’t from around here. Are you?” Jinx squinted her eyes as Dick shifted his feet side to side. “Was escaping from my old man. Can’t stand being such a freak to him…you guys…know the Titans?”

“See?? See?? How is that not a red flag!”

“Gizmo.” Jinx shot back. “You had better get back to class, whoever you are. Listen, we don’t associate with just anybody. And we don’t –

“We don’t hang out with those goodie -goodie , Titans!” Mammoth finished as Jinx dropped her gaze to pinch the bridge of her eyes. “Yeah, what they said. Go and figure your own life out –

“I have, and I think you all could use something new to do. I saw how preoccupied you were. Want me to show you a basic trick my old man taught me?”

///////

Dick fiddled on the side of the crane machine. In moments, a mechanism in the claw machine gave out. Jinx watched as he was blocked by her friends, and with a tangled grip inside the machines out popped her….

He pulled out Kitty – Pire.

Jinx’s mouth dropped open coyly as a cat's as Dick handed the cat plushie to the leader of the small group. One that he had just injected himself into. With a small smile, she had turned pinker than her hair tone.

“I saw that one and it was the one your friend had tried to get earlier, right?”

“You work as a repair man, monkey wrench – master?” Mammoth asked, rather glad that his sister had gotten her prize by the kindness of another. “Naw, my old man ran some amusem*nt rides at this one attraction as a side job and I watched him almost every day…but he lost custody of me so my new….” Dick pulled back and rubbed his arms, selling that crap to these defenseless teens. “Sorry. We all lost somebody important to us too, new kid." Mammoth frowned with a sniffle.

"YEAH, YEAH. I’m Gizmo, boy genius and don’t you forget it!” Boasted the youngest member to the newbie.

“”This here is Mammoth, and our unofficial leader, Jinx.”

“Thanks, and....if you want…” Jinx bit the inside of her cheek to think,” You can hang out with us, just until it gets late. We’re kind of...on a strict watch.”

Dick turned his head to the others. “Why's that?”

//////////

He was easy to let be as from a safe distance, Dick continued to observe the kids and their personalities for his master to be made proud. Jinx was a princess with a more sensitive side than her snobbish exterior showed. Gizmo was a trickster, but way too advanced for his "neurological" grade….or was somehow, he older than the others?

Mammoth wasn’t the brightest two – legged cousin to a yeti, yet they got along even so. He was a bit more laid back and loved to eat. Gizmo liked money of course, and technology. Jinx liked fine jewelry and…

Dick saw where they were. The square.

The busy passerby weren’t even paying notice as Dick listened in on what the three were going on about. Lost in his thoughts, he had almost lost sight of keeping an eye on himself.

“We should totally do it.”

“I dunno…” Jinx looked at the electronics store as Gizmo drooled over a new console. “During the day? It’s going to get us caught –

“We got a new rookie, Jinx.” Mammoth told his sibling as she still felt wrong about what these knuckle heads were going on about beside her. “Coming, and if THEY show, you can show em how much you’ve been practicing.”

“You said today was boring, anyway.”

“Sorry, what’s going to happen?”

Dick pulled back as Jinx looked the vagabonds teen dead in the eye. “They want you to be in an initiation of our group. And we want to get what Gizmo's after for our new place.”

“A brand new system, a few tvs in each –

“Are… are you going to rob that store?” Dick kept his voice way down as Jinx sighed, her stress pooling down in waves around them. “Yes, it’s how we survive on our own. You did it, so can we. You just don’t know what we’re capable of. You were even asking about this city's heroes..” She stated. “Right?”

“I…I was, but is that how you'll get their attention? Shouldn’t we wait until it gets dark?”

“Not as dramatic. We wanna be their adversaries, and so far the Titans didn’t even pick a sludge – muffin leader. They’re totally gonna fail at this!” Chuckled Gizmo as Jinx looked more angry than relieved to be taking part. “And we could even get other villains to recognize our work. Fighting the Titans will put us at the top.”

“Can you though?” Dick looked over all three. “You said you can use something power, but k don’t see how –

Jinx snapped her fingers as Dick’s body ended up farther from the ground. “Magic?”

“Bad luck. A curse but I’m gifted with a way to get the most out of it. Gizmo is a genius, and Mammoth is the muscle of this operation. Who are you, new kid?” She grinned while her eyes let up soft pastel and white. “Are you in, or aren’t you?”

////////////////////

Dick was going to rob, or assist s group of teen delinquents, in robbing an electronics store in the center of the city. Cook's was the name of the large shop ln the neon sign as Dick took in a breath. He'd be their distraction. Have their trust. Get to see the Titans.

In his pockets his hands went, his hood up and shades on as he entered the shop. Act like a kid just browsing.

It was simple. Be the distraction his master needed him to be-

“Hey, it’s school hours.” The manager was walking over?

Dick looked behind him and kept walking. “Hey!”

He walked through the back of the isles and to the X rated films in the back. The older male manager shouted as Dick looked for a place, or object to use to drag out his plan.

“Get away from there, you brat!”

Dick actually liked this. He was leading that idiot adult into the closet as he side stepped the adult. The man fell into a stack of mannequins and shelving hooks while Dick took the man’s keys and locked up.

“HEY! …

BANG BANG , went the door.

“LET ME OUT! HEEY!!”

The rest would be said and done. Dick moved about the next room until he was back with his –

Jinx blasted a few tapes to slap him in the face. Her smile less forgiving as Mammoth took so many Tvs in a full on shopping spree. Gizmo raided the register.

Dick looked over the place as Jinx smiled with a hand to her hip. “This was fun, but you have one more job. Take the fall so we can get outta here.”

“You…you’re coming back, wait…were you going to ditch me all this time??” Duck gawked at his one mistake. Being double crossed. He thought nothing could go wrong. An alarm went off and the group scattered, leaving Dick a wreck under a set of sprinklers and a bunch of video discs in his lap. “Wait!”

They didn’t, and the doors opened on one side to the back, while out in front…

The heroes, had arrived.

////////////

Chapter 9: Talking Big – Walking Out on Me

Summary:

Dick gets caught. He meets his maker and they don't act very concerned like he thought about his wellbeing. He decides to pull a punch and Robin, is officially active in Jump City as a convicted Renegade of his past. Will.the heroes fall for his fake peace offering? Find out!

Chapter Text

Our Time in Reverse- What it Takes –

///////////

Chapter 9: Talking Big – Walking Out on Me

////////////

Her emerald eyes were mystified by the red hoodie wearing teen; his appearance looking more a minor threat as the others, the Titans, took to checking for any damages left to the electronics and video store. ( Like a Best Buy.)

“They took a lot of loot. You, are you responsible for this, kid?”

“He looks to be in the “middle of being the caught “ in the mess of those other children –

“Book em, Cy! My favorite game was out and they took the last copy!! DO YOU KNOW how long I’ve waited to play the sweet, glorious super monkey mash up brawl –

“Cool it, monkey boy.” Raven, the goth of the group dryly reprimanded the green teen. Beasboy, and Dick really had to be careful with his whiny temper.

Starfire was too kind for her own good. Cyborg could be an asset too…as long as Slade was still interested on being on board. Dick wondered if the man had expected this. Semt a drone or a camera after him. Was it on his clothes?

“Hey!” Bb shot at the red headed kid. Dick pointed, turning to the side and trying to get up. He saw that the bruises hurt enough, so he faked really getting hurt. They’d find him still telling the truth. Slade had made Dick endure a lot of messes while they’d been in the manor so long together. Dick winced as Starfire flew over. Her scent was watermelon sweet as …for the first time, he felt outnumbered properly by her presence.

“He is injured. Must we leave him to the city authorities? Perhaps he would be of some assistance in revealing the location of the children who ruined this video shop?”

“I don’t think –

“Cy. Book em.” Bb said in a green mandrill body, his tail and fists moving with a snarl.

“I can see if he is lying, but he is still hurt. If we leave him, the system may help. Why were you here?” Raven tried to question, so Dick mimicked what he’d learned. “I stuck around and they left me to take the fall. I didn’t have any other place to stay. I really just want to get something to eat, tell you the truth.” Dick's stomach growled miraculously. Right on time, the team leader sighed. “We’ll feed ya, but then you gotta start talking. Let’s go out fir pizza. Raven? Tell the popo we got this one.”

//////

“Come…on!!” Bb was dragging it on until they had Dick in the the famous “ T" car. “He’s a thief! You can’t just be sweet to him and expect that he won’t try to rob us!”

“I needed a place, and they offered if…” Dick sighed. “Forget it. I’m not worth the trouble-

“You most certainly are, mystery wanderer!” Starfide interjected as Bb was shoved into Raven. The goth tried to meditate it out on the way to the Tower. As soon as Dick entered, Raven and Bb got to work dragging his butt to an interrogation room. The walls were white, the sound? Not much but an echo.

“Ok, Mr. Runaway, tell us why you went and helped a bunch of thieves rob that particular store. Did they tell you anything else?”

Bb was shoved away from their as Raven growled at him. Her eyes from under her large hood looked vicious and mean.

Dick knew he’d have enemies. He was going to have a ton by the time he was done here. “Their leader was a go…girl, she wore goth clothes and was friendly with two other kids.”

“Sounds like those three we were told about before. Cyborg, I could look into the evidence, if he’s alright with my powers…”

“Rave…you gotta just take a step back.”

Cy lectured her on being patient and Dick respected the cyborg’s mettle. “OK, here is the conclusion; you are here because you may or may not know something about the real perps who took a lot of valuables and cash from Cook's today. If you fess up, we can lighten the sentence. Get you all cleaned up and send you back to wherever you haveta go.”

“What if they come after me, if I tattle.” Dick brought up to Cy, who knew the lid didn’t want to end up in a ditch. Not as much as he wanted to help this kid find his family.

“We can offer some form of protection, but it won’t be the full package.” Raven recited the Titans cute bylaws to the runaway boy.

“That form you speak of shall not including the stalking or the violent arrests…. should you not allow us to take charge in this matter, diplomatically.” Starfire pulled away as the others made her feel uncomfortable saying too much at once. “So, what’s it gonna be, kid. We can do the rest, but you have gotta move us in the right direction. How about it.”

////////

Dick told them about someplace by the end of the city, nothing much else. He told them about the claw machine and that they seemed nice before things changed…

And not drastically enough.

“What was your life like before coming to Jump City?” Bb seemed to warm up to the kid. He was bullied before; he knew how peer pressure worked. In a way, they all did.

“Your secret is safe with us. Or you need to tell the court about any a' this later. We won’t press too much into you-

“Must he go in front of the big man and his gavel?? The justice will not be so forgiving as you said, Cyborg.”

“Star, why are you so hung up on helping him?” Grumbled Bb . “Sure. Whatever - he fell in with the wrong crowd. This is how we tell of he’d rather be on the good guy’s side or not. The judge is just, to make sure. He has to not break the law again.” Snorted the morpher. “If he’s not like the crazy kids who are still out there.”

“We should keep him here, until the trial.”

“THERE IS NO SUCH NEED!” Starfire protested. “He is only trying to find a home of his very own, so why must you all play the very mean bullies? Ooh, you are all just as my big sister!”

They all stayed quiet, then Dick put up a hand. It was time to take charge of his situation. “Robin.” He said plainly to the group. “You can call me from now on, Robin. And I don’t have anywhere to go back to.”

/////////////////

Our Time in Reverse - What it Takes - InkBlot31 (2024)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

//////////////////

Chapter 2: Cringe Worthy Adversaries

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: New Outlooks

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Clearly Wrong About You

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Lagoon and Grotto

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: My New Role For Today is?...

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: Wearing My Mask With Pride

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: California Dreamin

Summary:

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: Talking Big – Walking Out on Me

Summary:

Chapter Text