A Renegade Knight

CHAPTER V

Back in his underground bunker, Deathstroke was fuming. Renegade had failed in his task, all because of the untimely intervention of the blasted Red Hood. The kid was supposed to be a villain. Slade had observed the many times the former Bat brat had tried to crush his family. Why would he risk his own neck to save a hero?

The wannabe villain had no idea how important this mission had been for Renegade's development. Forcing the young villain to take his first life (Blockbuster didn't count, since Nightwing had only been indirectly involved), and that of a sibling, would have pushed Dick Grayson to his breaking point and would have allowed Deathstroke to take complete control over the younger man, rather than simply controlling this subservient mask that was Renegade.

Instead, he still had the two separate personas, slave like Renegade and fiery yet beaten Nightwing. Neither was 100% what Slade wanted, what the mercenary had worked towards ever since meeting the younger man many years before and seeing his potential.

However, all was not lost. The message had gotten out, the Bat and his little allies warned. Deathstroke didn't doubt that Batman knew all about Renegade and would fight to rescue his oldest. The detective would come for his missing bird and bring his whole family with him. There would be many more opportunities for Renegade to complete his mission. Maybe even to inflict payback on Red Hood. But for now, Renegade would have to be punished.

Slade slid his mask into place, letting it hide his fury as he turned to where Renegade waited. Water dripped from the figure, pooling at his feet. Deathstroke had refused to let the boy rest or seek medical attention for his injury, instead calling him to his side as soon as he had returned from Bludhaven.

Even as Deathstroke stepped forward, he could see a thin trickle of blood roll down Renegade's arm from the cut in his shoulder, the blood mixing with droplets of water before the mixture dropped down into the pool, diluting even more.

Slade couldn't help but watch the path of blood before turning his attention back to the boy in question. Reaching towards the younger villain, he ripped the cowl off his face. Renegade didn't even flinch, seemingly unaware of his masters anger.

"Renegade." Deathstroke said, letting his voice drop. It was a voice which had caused many sleepless nights among certain heroes, Nightwing included. However, again Renegade didn't seem to notice the threat.

"You failed."

Slade's fist shot out, catching Renegade on the jaw and knocking him backwards. A kick to the back of his legs forced Renegade to the floor, leaving him kneeling in front of Slade.

"I am sorry Master." The boy replied obediently, bowing his head in submission. The collar of his uniform shifted slightly, revealing a small black shadow on the back of his neck. Slade looked at the dark patch of skin, remembering the complex surgery which had caused it. If it were possible, the villain felt even angrier at the situation. Renegade was nothing more than a mask, a character to control. Had Nightwing been in been the one kneeling before him, Slade had no doubt he would have retaliated, attacking Deathstroke for making him hurt his brother. The kid was beaten but not yet broken.

In fact, Deathstroke couldn't help but wonder what Nightwing would do and say. The hero was always fiery towards the mercenary, always looking for a way to undermine his authority, to break free from the endless game of cat and mouse even as he was slowly dragged into the darkness of Slade's world. It was part of the reason Slade had first taken an interest in younger man. The boy had amazing potential as a hero, but even more as a villain. Their last violent confrontation in the Hospital had proved to the villain that Nightwing was finally ready to cross the line Deathstroke was now trying to encourage Renegade to cross.

Deciding to find out what was going through heroes mind, Slade stepped back. Renegade looked up at him, blue eyes questioning Slade's actions.

"Get up." Slade growled. "I want a word with Nightwing."

Renegade climbed to his feet and turned, heading out of the room and towards Deathstroke's laboratory. Under his mask Slade sighed, pushing the remains of his anger away. Being angry could lead to mistakes, something he couldn't afford around Nightwing.

Raising his glove, Slade quickly checked the controls attached to his wrist, making sure the connection was still strong.

Lowering his arm again, Slade turned on his heels and stalked out of the room, following his protégé down the hall to the laboratory.

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It was quiet in the cave once more, everyone too stunned by the recent turn of events to really focus on the present. Bruce had questioned Jason on Renegade, pushing the younger man to accidently reveal his first meeting with Renegade as well as his rescue of Red Robin. Tim had also been questioned, although not to the same extent.

Damian had stood back and watched the two be interrogated, annoying grin on his face as he enjoyed the show. But finally Bruce had gathered all the information he could and pulled up the final piece of evidence, asking both Tim and Jason to identify a picture. The picture had been a black and white still of Renegade.

The moment both Jason and Tim had confirmed the villain; Bruce had closed his eyes and ran his hand across his face.

"I had hoped this would not happen again." He muttered.

Both Jason and Damian turned to look at the Dark Knight. However, Tim ignored them all, staring at the picture, his mind racing.

"You have met him before?" Jason questioned.

Bruce shook his head.

"I have never faced Renegade." He replied. "This photo was taken from a security camera a few years ago, during a fight between Renegade and Arsenal."

Damian snorted at the mention of the archer but was promptly ignored.

"A few years ago?" Jason questioned.

Bruce just nodded. Something was clearly playing on his mind. Jason quickly studied the photo again.

"If he fought Arsenal, why do you care enough to have a file on him? Shouldn't you leave this to arrowhead and his little family? Or better yet, the JL?" he asked.

Bruce turned to look at the photograph.

"Because Renegade is my fault." He said, not looking away from the picture. "He was in trouble and needed my help. I was busy so I ignored him, I pushed him away. And then Deathstroke found him."

The group fell silent, trying to understand Bruce's words. Finally, it dawned on Tim. The third Robin tore his gave away from the picture.

"Oh no. Please tell me it isn't?" He fixed Bruce with a pleading look.

Bruce nodded, already knowing that Tim would be clever enough to put all the pieces together. Out of all of his children, Tim was the closest to Dick, and the one he tended to confide in. There was no doubt, even if Dick hadn't mentioned Renegade; Tim would have noticed the strange obsession his oldest brother had with the mercenary. And the strange fascination Deathstroke had with all his siblings.

Bruce didn't look at his adopted son, not wanting to see the look of panic cross Tim's face as the reality of the situation sank in. Behind him, both Damian and Jason exchanged glances. Whatever their brother had guessed, it must have been big to put that look on Red Robins face. They both turned back to their father, waiting for an explanation.

"Renegade is the villainous alter ego of Richard Grayson."