A Twist of Fate

Chapter 10

To say Slade was worried was an understatement. He knew the league wouldn't hurt Dick but Savage might send assassins to kill the boy, to not reveal any secrets. Like how he knows about the Light. He was also worried that Ra' would see through him and know that he had sent the boy to the League and not lost him to the League.

Thank the gods that his elder sons weren't a part of this yet, nor his daughter. They'd be talking his ear off with all their worries about their little brother. The same worries that Slade had at that moment. He just couldn't show them. He had to do the exact opposite.

"This is why I didn't want my apprentice involved. He is too inexperienced. Too untrained!" Slade snarled, "I haven't broken him yet!" The words felt like vomit on his tongue but he needed to seem heartless to the boy or they would use him.

"Calm, Deathstroke." Ra' Al Ghul soothed, "The boy is your apprentice, he should be able to get back on his own."

Slade sneered, "That's the problem. I've only just started training him! He can't do enough to get away from the League!"

Lex frowned along with a few others.

"I think we have made a mistake," Savage mumbled, "We did not know he was new to this."

Slade was laughing internally. Hell Dick could get in and out of the league with them none the wiser. He could also take down most of the villains in the world. Ra', Savage, and Slade being part of the few exceptions.

"What do you think we should do?" Lex asked, "If he's useless to us, let the League keep him. You've put little training into the boy, it wouldn't be that hard of a loss. Would it be Deathstroke?"

Slade only shrugged, "He has potential, but yes, I've put little work into him."

"My concern is that raw potential now in the League's hands." Ra' pointed out, "The Batman can work with the boy, making him another advisory in our way."

Queen Bee finally spoke up, "If we are so concerned about him, why not take him out or catch him again when we go after the kids? You know that's where they're going to put him. He's going to be too skilled for a normal prison and too young. Where else would they put him?"

"I think Queen Bee has an excellent idea." Savage agrees, "We'll get him back when we kill the Jr. Justice League."

~ ~ ~

Dick looked around his new room poking at his new 'jewelry' around his neck. Dick hated the black band. It wasn't clunky like the ones at Belle Reve. If people didn't look too closely it could be mistaken for a choker. He just hoped that there wouldn't be a tan line when it came off. The Batman had taken everything to do with his suit. Even his boxers. That had been one hell of an argument that ultimately Batman had won.

Now he was standing in his new room in the jr. League's headquarters, in a tank, sweater, cargo pants, socks, and hiking boots. He also had on his mask. The room was cool. Not cold but cool, like a basement. Sitting on the dresser was a pair of dark reflective shades. Dark enough to cover his eyes. Dick picked them up heading to the bathroom he could see through the open doorway. He hoped to god that Batman didn't keep cameras in a bathroom.

Gently Dick peeled his mask off of his eyes holding in the slight wince when the mask tugged on his skin. It was like peeling duck tape off. Thankfully this didn't leave a sticky residue. Dick looked into his own blue eyes hoping to see something there. All he saw was worry. His phone buzzed in his pocket. The only thing Batman had given back.

Dick took it out seeing that he got a text from an unknown number. Hesitating he clicked on it.

'Hey Dick, this is Wally. You know the guy that embarrassed himself on halloween. But hey, I hope everything is good. You left in a panic that night. I didn't want to call or text right away, if it was a bad time.'

Dick smiled to himself. At least he had this. Quickly he texted back, 'Everything is alright. My guardian just had a bit of a scare. He used to be in the Military and is getting called back in for things. I won't be at school for some time. Enough time that I'm back in homeschooling for some time. Don't know when I can see you again.' Dick added a frowny face to the end.

Wally's reply was almost instant, 'Don't know if I should say sucks or cool. I personally hate school but I hate more that I can't see you for some time. Hey maybe you could tell me where you are and we can meet up.'

Dick smiled sadly. He knew he couldn't do that but he also couldn't out right say no so he did the next best thing. He kept lying with the truth. 'So you know where a secret base is in the mountains?'

'Well no, if you put it that way. This sucks. How long are you going to be away?'

'Don't know. I know, this really sucks. I might be able to talk him into going to Happy Harbor every now and then but not for a while.'

'Boo.' Wally added a sad ghost.

Dick couldn't help it, he laughed. Making his way out of the bathroom he sent a link to Wally and the game code. So for the next three hours he played scrabble with Wally.

'Hey got to go.' Wally said with a poop emoji, 'I'll text tomorrow if I can.'

'I'll be waiting.'

Dick stared at his phone with a longing looking, wanting to see Wally again. Sighing Dick decided that he should at least get out of his room and mingle with his new 'team'. He just hoped that Slade was right about this or all of them would have their heads on a platter for Savage's delight.

At the entrance to the main living space Dick froze. The team was all around the room and in civilian clothes. He had already suspected who Conner and Magan were but the other fact never clicked. Or he just refused to let it click. Sitting on a couch looking gloomy and sad, was the one and only Wallace West.