A Renegade Knight

CHAPTER IX

On the edge Wayne Towers, Batman slowly released his breath as he lowered the radio. Beside him, Red Robin looked up at his mentor and father. Despite the cowl, there was a recognisable sense of fear in the younger hero's expression as he watched Batman turn the radio off and place it on his utility belt. The two had decided to meet up the moment Red Hood had called in Robin's location and relocated to Wayne Towers to listen in on the conflict.

The ethics of using the youngest member of their family as a sniffer dog was not discussed. Nor was the idea of sticking a microphone and speaker on the younger Robin. Instead, everything Deathstroke had said within Damian's hearing, everything which had happened to the younger hero had been relayed to the two, leaving them both in stunned silence. Dick was being controlled. His actions were not his own. Dick was innocent!

The revelation was as unsurprising as it was horrible. Deathstroke was trying to push Dick over the line and do it though his family. Although Deathstroke had never guessed, Batman was aware of how dangerous his oldest could be. It had been part of the driving force behind Bruce's actions throughout Dick's life, from trying to force him to give up being a hero when he was sixteen, to naming him as Damian's legal guardian and heir to the Batman only a few years before. It had earned him years of condemnation from the Justice League and a reputation as a hard father, but Bruce would never regret his actions. After all, what father could call himself caring if he didn't fight to protect his child from the bad influences in his life? Yes, it hurt Dick badly. Kicking the boy out of his home had been hard and adopting Jason so quickly had been a mistake. Leaving Dick on his own to deal with Damian, the need for a new Batman and a crumbling family had put an incredible amount of stress on the younger man. But Bruce felt he could justify his actions for one simple reason. He needed to keep Dick occupied. If Dick Grayson went bad, he would be more dangerous than anyone could ever imagine. Renegade was just the beginning.

"Batman?" a voice said off to his side.

Batman came back to himself, glancing over at Red Robin. After Jason's death, Tim had become Dick's champion for the Robin mantle. Even now, Bruce had to admit that Dick had made the right choice. Tim was a lot like Dick. Possibly too much so. Bruce would have to keep a closer watch over the young bird.

"Batman, what do we do now?" Red Robin asked. The younger hero was gripping his own radio. Batman didn't need to guess that Red Hood was on the other end of the line. Reaching over, Batman took the radio from the younger hero.

"Red Hood." He called down the line.

"Batman!" Came the reply. "It's Deathstroke. The Bastard is here in Gotham! It's all his doing." Jason's voice was muffled by heavy breathing. The man was running as he spoke.

"I know." Batman replied. "Are you being followed?"

There was a few moments of silence save for the sounds of heavy footsteps before Jason's voice answered.

"Yes."

Batman nodded to himself.

"Get yourself and your brother to Wayne Towers now!" He ordered.

Clearly Damian was keeping up with Jason. Even as Batman turned the radio off, he could hear Robin's rebuttal. Ignoring it, Batman tossed the now silent device back to Red Robin.

"Get ready." He ordered.

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Damian gave a final tug of his jump line as he flew through the air, using his momentum to roll as he hit the roof of the building. Coming to a halt, the Boy Wonder climbed to his feet and dusted himself off as behind him, Red Hood landed. It was a better landing then Damian's. Jason didn't even lose his balance as his feet hit the ground, using his knees to absorb the impact. Damian tried to suppress the stab of jealousy. Dick had tried to teach Damian how to land safely but despite all his work, Damian still couldn't perfect the movement.