A Twist of Fate

Chapter 7

The team was livid when they got back to the Cave. Batman was waiting for them and resisted the urge to raise a brow when the team stormed in angry and annoyed. He had seen the team in states that the league would bawk at but never this angry. Magan even looked quite fowl.

"Report." Batman growled.

"We got there after someone else." Kelder started but was interrupted rudely.

"Someone else?" Artemis half yelled, half laughed, "Deathstroke's new little student was able to take out sixteen heavily armed guys in less then the two minutes it took us to make a plan!"

Now that was shocking. Deathstroke had a new student. A new Apprentice. After Ravager's almost death and Jericho's slit throat turning him mute he hadn't worked with anyone, let alone a new student, in years.

"He saved the kids." Batman dead panned not seeing how angry they were.

Wally was the one who barked, "Yeah and when we asked why, he said it was because he was paid. What kind of person does that? Get paid to save kids! He should have just done it because it was right!"

Batman tried hard not to laugh or show any of the amusement he was feeling. This new apprentice had quoted his teacher to a T. He probably did it just to get on their nerves too.

"What was his name?"

"Renegade." Artemis hissed, "He was young too. No older than Zatanna, with a heavily accented Russian. It seems natural to him but not common."

Kalder sighed, "Batman what do you think of this new player?"

"Deathstroke has been taking less and less contracts, most being rescue missions and hostage scenarios." Batman told the team, "The league leaves him alone when he takes those contracts. With recent information it says that he will be retiring for some time. Probably to teach this new student." Batman did smirk at the next part scaring the team slightly, "Deathstroke had taken no contract for those hostages. His apprentice was there because he was told it would be a good experience, probably. He only said about being paid because Deathstroke and his Apprentice must have to keep up their appearance."

Everyone's jaw dropped. It was amusing. Batman turned on his heel and left. Deathstroke having a new apprentice was concerning but after his son's death he doubted he would put this new one on the front lines just yet.

~ ~ ~

Dick dropped in from the ceiling to the trapeze without a sound, swinging back and forth before letting go and dropping. He napped the rings out of the air with practiced ease doing three somersaults before flipping off and landing. The moon was nearly touching the horizon as the just there lights of dawn came up. The first thing Dick did when he got back to his room was shower before making his way to the kitchen. Will was already up with a fresh pot of coffee and today's breakfast. The small TV in the corner on the morning news. Picking up his bacon and toast, he made his way back up stairs. Slade had come out of his room to stand at the exit of the warehouse.

"How'd it go?" Slade asked.

Dick chewed his last bit of food, grabbing his backpack, "No problem. All the kids were taken by the cops and the bad guys were tied, gagged, and hanging from the ceiling when I left."

Slade smirked, "Hanging from the ceiling?"

"By their toes." He joked back, "You driving me today or am I walking?"

Slade tossed him the keys, "Your driving," and handed him a list, "After school you have work to do. Will wants the groceries picked up and I want you to meet me at that address after."

Dick looked at the address, "Yes, sir. Which first?"

"Groceries. Will will take the car from the address and I'll drive us home after."

Dick nodded, "O' almost forgot. I ran into Batman's little sidekick team. I finished the assignment before they intervened but they still saw me."

Slade hummed, "What name did you give them?"

"Renegade. I gave them Renegade."