Only So Much.

A New Hero

Holy mother of Batman! 105 views on this story! I can't express how much that means to me, thanks guys! So yeah, this chapter is dedicated to Caitlinannspencer, as she gave me the idea for it in the first place.  Thanks so much!

Dick's POV

I woke up where I'd collapsed last night, a sharp pain in my stomach. It faded and came again. Twice more Deathstroke kicked me before I curled up, protecting my stomach from his unforgiving boot.  He changed his angle and hit my left arm, I felt it crack. I tried not to, but a whimper left my mouth. My wrist throbbed in pain, the wound still had blood trickling down my arm . Sometimes, I wanted to go against the 'no-killing' rule. Of course, Bruce would never let me, which I'm kind of grateful for. I don't think I could live with myself if I did kill someone. I mean, it feels so wrong, what about that person's family? Their friends? It would just become worse if I did. It also probably wouldn't help our reputation in Gotham much. We're already a bit infamous, not that it matters, we just protect the city, whether they like it or not. Though it's kind of hard when you get kidnapped every other day. That sounds like a joke, but you have no idea what it's like, fighting a battle that never seems to end. A fight with nearly no payoff. That's not the point, I love being a hero, but getting tortured and kidnapped so many times really starts to grade on  you, on me. Not many people get it, not even many heroes, they pretend to or think they do, but they don't.

"Morning, Boy Blunder. Have you learnt your lesson?"

It took me no time at all to decide my next action. I spat at his feet and sent a fairly good imitation of the Batglare straight into his eyes. I didn't care how much he hurt me, I wasn't going to be his little obedient dog. Not now, not ever. I'm no ones asset. I'm a fighter, a warrior, and I'm not giving into him, or anyone else. I won't be an attack dog, I'll be a wolf, wild and free.

"Slade, you are a pathetic excuse for kidnapper. Where'd you learn to cover your tracks? From the Joker?"

The voice didn't belong to me or the man in front of me, leaving me a bit puzzled. It sounded like it came from above us, and it was feminine too.  I didn't recognize it as anyone's from the Team, so who could've tracked me down. In less than a day.

A figure dropped down behind the mercenary, and a smile was clear on their face. She stepped forward a bit and I noticed that the figure was obviously female. She aimed a punch at Slade's head, only to have him catch her wrist and get yanked forward, roughly.

"What have we here? Another Bat brat? Perhaps a member of your pathetic team?"

I could clearly see her now, she was wearing black boots with a small heel, black leggings and a navy blue utility belt, with a sky blue shirt and a silver and black cape. Dark brown hair spilled over her shoulders. On the right side of her shirt,  a dark blue 'Z' was encircled by a black ring. Personally, I thought  it looked a lot like my own costume, tailored to fit her needs.

She smirked, "Hardly."

The girl aimed a kick at his side, which he let go of her wrist to prevent, though that seemed to be what she'd wanted. Her hands came up, open palmed towards Deathstroke.

"esaeleR em!" As the spell exited her mouth, Slade dropped her leg.

I just laid there, useless and trying to stop the blood coming from my unbandaged wound, trying to catch my breath as the battle unfolded in front of me.

The mercenary pulled the blade from it's sheath and took the offensive, approaching the girl in silver.

She grinned creepily and backed up a single step before using another spell as Slade ran towards her.