Hey, guys, a lot of you wanted a sequel to Deathstroke's Renegade and this is it. I'm not quite sure whether you'll like it or not. I would like to have some feedback so please review. As always, italics is personal thoughts and bold italics is comlink or mindlink communication. Thanks for reading Deathstroke's Renegade and Nothing Ever Stays Okay. I do not own DC Comics or any of their characters. Please excuse any mistakes I may have made. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Richard, Wally, and Artemis were sitting on the couch in the mountain base, debating on watching Attack On Titan or Supernatural.
"Dude, AOT is the bomb. Supernatural is awesome as well, but it's an older episode." Richard debated.
"Sam and Dean are eye candy though," Artemis argued.
"That's the only reason you want to watch Supernatural?" Wally asked, feigning betrayal.
"I like you, Wally, but Jared Padalecki over you any day." Artemis replied.
"A Choice With No Regrets is on! Please! Levi is like the most awesome character! I need to know his backstory! I need to know how Levi and Erwin met!" Richard exclaimed.
The other two looked at each other and gave in. The three watched the episode and the couple watched as their 'younger brother' watched, completely intrigued.
Robin, report to the mission room. Batman's voice sounded.
"Ughhhh, they just met! No fair!" Richard whined, but walked into the mission room and standing before his mentor and the other Leaguers.
"They just met. I ship it." Richard said. Batman seemed to understand what he was talking about and nodded.
"Robin-" The man started.
"Levi was a thug living in the Underground and -"
"Robin-." Batman interrupted.
"Shh, Erwin came down and caught him, both were using 3DMG, and they made a deal. Levi would join the corps and wouldn't be charged for his crimes." Robin said.
"Robin," Batman said sternly.
"I didn't get to see what happened after that," Robin said, a bit of sadness in his tone. "Anyway, what is the League doing here? Something major going on? Why is everyone so serious?" Ha, why so serious?
"Robin, Deathstroke has disappeared from Gotham Institution," Batman said, returning the seriousness of the situation.
Robin's shock must've been evident because Batman went into a deep explanation. Robin didn't hear it though, he had too many thought racing through his mind. He's going to find me. There's nothing I can do to stop him. Wait, how did he escape?
"How?" Robin said, interrupting Batman. "He was paralyzed! How did he escape?!" Robin questioned, panic and anger lining his tone.
"We all forgot about his healing factor, and we suspect that he had help from the outside." Black Canary said gently.
Robin mentally slapped himself. Deathstroke and I had an argument about giving me a healing factor because he has one.
"How many are dead?" Robin asked, his voice quiet.
"Almost all the guards. Those who aren't dead are in critical condition." Batman informed.
The League could see the boy blaming himself for the guards' deaths.
"There's no way we could've stopped this, no way we could've known." Black Canary tried.
"If I had killed him, those guards would still be alive! I could've stopped this! I should've killed that bastard." Robin's voice went from yelling to a soft voice.
"Murder is never the answer, Robin." Wonder Woman said sternly.
"In this case, it is!" Robin yelled. "And who would help him?!"
"Robin, calm down," Batman said gently.
"Calm down?! My tormentor is free and someone is helping him! How can I calm down?!" Robin yelled again, his yelling had caught the attention of Wally and Artemis.
"Robin, I know you're scared and panicking, but we won't let Deathstroke anywhere near you," Batman said, trying to calm the boy down.
Robin took a few deep breaths and turned off his emotions.
"Do we know where he is? Who's helping him?" Robin asked monotoned.
"No. We have a few ideas, but nothing solid." Green Arrow answered.
"He wouldn't work with any villain, it would be an organization," Robin said.
"That narrows it down," Superman said.
"He wouldn't work with just any organization, it would be a strong, skilled one," Robin mentioned.
"What organizations do we know of that fit the profile?" Green Lantern questioned.
"League of Assassins," Artemis said from the doorway.
Her and Wally were standing in the doorway. Artemis was leaning to the left and Wally was standing behind her. Silence enveloped the room as they stalled for ideas.
"Is that really all we can think of? Come on, we have a genius in the room!" Green Arrow exclaimed, gesturing to Batman.
"The Light," Robin suggested.
"What do you know about them?" Canary questioned.
"I'll put together a file," Robin said, nodding to Batman.
"The Injustice League." Flash offered after a few minutes of thinking.
"No, they're too disorganized." Robin and Batman said at the same time.
"What about that rumor? The one you were worried about?" Superman asked Batman.
The question caused Batman and Robin looked at each other.
"What rumor?" Red Arrow questioned.
"The Court Of Owls," Batman answered.
"What's the Court Of Owls?" Wonder Woman asked.
"It's an organization Robin and I have been investigating. We have almost nothing on them, though. They're only rumored for a reason. We only have traces of their existence, no solid evidence." Batman explained.
"But we think there's hidden meaning in their...song." Robin trailed.
"Song?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Beware The Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadow perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed, speak not a whispered word of them or they'll send The Talon for your head." Robin said.
"We have a theory about how they watch and know if anyone says a word about them. There are cameras almost in every building and at least two on every building. They could be receiving video and audio feed from them at all times." Batman said.
"As for the granite and lime part, every building in Gotham has granite and/or lime. We've crossed out all building with only granite or lime, but there are still over thousands in our list." Robin added.
"So you two are nowhere with the Court," Flash said.
"Ultimately, no, but we have some promising leads," Batman answered.
The conversation was interrupted by a message pinging on the Bats' comms. Robin looked his forearm and read the sender line. Catwoman? He exchanged a glance with Batman.
"We'll inform you when we actually have something solid," Robin said, pulling on Batman's arm, and walking towards the zeta tubes.
"Where are you going?" Superman questioned.
"Gotham," Robin replied.
Batman and Robin were perched on the top of Wayne Enterprises. They were waiting for Catwoman. The woman had said she wanted to talk to them. Where is she? Robin paced across the roof.
"She should be here by now," Robin muttered.
"You never were patient." Catwoman purred.
Robin and Batman looked at her. She looked rough. Her suit had a couple of tears in it, and she was panting a little bit.
"What happened? Who's after you?" Robin asked, concern lining his voice.
"The Court Of Owls. They sent a Talon after me. Luckily, I lost him...it. Those Talons are monsters." Catwoman said.
"Is that what you wanted to talk about? The Court?" Robin questioned.
Catwoman was aware of the Bats mission to find the Court. She had given them some of the intel they had, and she helped form their theories. Selina was nothing if not resourceful.
"Yes. I have an interesting rumor I wanted to share with you. The word is Deathstroke has joined them, and the only reason that is, is because Renegade has family connections in the Court." Catwoman said, never taking her eyes off Robin.
"What? I don't have any other family," said Robin, confusion in his tone.
"I'm not saying you do, I'm just telling you what I'm hearing on the streets." Catwoman defended. She did feel sorry for the boy. His life was truly the most unfair thing she's ever heard of.
"The Talon that came after you, are you sure you lost him?" Batman entered the conversation.
"Well, he kind of just disappeared…" Catwoman answered.
"That doesn't mean you lost me, Selina Kyle." A new, rough voice came from under them.
At the edge of Wayne Enterprises, a man was raising himself up onto the roof, all lithe muscle and unnatural fluidity. When he stood, Robin could see that he was dressed in heavy, black armor with silver designs that looked like feathers, and covering his face was a mask. The mask was black with silver lines that almost formed the eyes of an owl where it was pointed.
"The Court dislikes those who know things they shouldn't. Much less when the pest spreads that knowledge." The Talon growled.
The Talon lunged forward with a knife, going for Selina. Robin acted quickly. He placed himself between Catwoman and the Talon and raised his arm, allowing the knife to sink in his flesh with a slight grunt. This is nothing! Robin grinned at the Talon.
"Robin!" Catwoman cried.
Batman sprinted forwards and delivered a forceful kick to the Talons face, loosening the grip on the knife. Robin pulled away and grabbed the handle of the knife, turning as he yanked it out and wielded it. Batman and the Talon began trading punches and kicks, some hitting and others narrowly missing. Robin joined the fight by stabbing the Talon in his outstretched leg. He came in close and slammed the assassin's head down on his knee. As the Talon began to get up, Batman gave Catwoman his grappling gun.
"Get to safety. Contact the League." He ordered.
Hesitantly, Catwoman nodded and left.
"Telling my prey to flee, how cowardly." The Talon commented.
The two heroes just glared and rushed forwards. Batman went low and Robin went high. Robin jumped into the air and dealt a hard kick to the Talons jaw, Batman punched the man's stomach. The Talon simply stood, jerking only slightly at the hits. His head was facing the right from the force of Robin's kick. Yet, he laughed and looked at them.
"That the best you can do?" He taunted as he armed himself with another knife.
He smirked as he lunged forwards and slashed at the two heroes. Robin jumped and flipped away from the knife as Batman was dodging and sidestepping. The man kept himself blocked and cut Robin and Batman in various places. If I could just get an opening, I can attack. Robin began sidestepping and flipping. I'm getting tired. An opening needs to come fast. The Talon showed no signs of weakening his defense. Fine. I'll make one. Robin quit dodging and lunged forwards. The Talon swiftly kicked him in the side and sent him flying across the roof. Robin rolled and slid off the edge but caught himself. He clung to the roof with one hand, swinging slightly, teeth gritted in effort and frustration.
"Robin!" Batman yelled.
The yell was followed by a pained sound. Robin frantically swung up and onto the roof and took in the scene in front of him. The Talon had his hand flush with the middle of Batman's chest plate. Batman was hunched over the hand, gloved hands reaching up in weak resistance. Robin only processed the knife as it twisted and a sickening sound echoed in the night. Batman groaned, and the Talon slowly pulled the knife, making sure Batman felt it and Robin saw it. Blood soaked the knife and immediately started flowing from the wound as Batman stumbled back and fell to his knees then to his side. Robin yelled in anger and was about to attack the Talon, but the assassin was gone. Robin stood there for a few seconds, panting in slight shock. Then his fright and urgency slammed into his mind and he ran to Batman's slumped form.
"Bruce, I'm going to turn you over." He told the bleeding hero.
Batman groaned slightly as Robin turned him on his back. An alarmingly large pool of blood had formed around them. I have to stop the bleeding. Robin put tore off a large piece of his cape and hovered over the wound.
"This is going to hurt." He warned and applied pressure to the stab wound.
Batman gave a small cry but didn't lurch or thrash. Not good, he's not feeling the pain. His eyes closed.
"Hey, hey, no! Don't go to sleep. I need you here! Now!a Stay awake!" Robin tried to order.
Where's the League?! Robin shakily raised a hand and clicked his earpiece.
"Robin to League. Robin to League." Robin said frantically.
"League." A voice said. Robin was too panicked to care who answered.
"I need some fucking help! Where hell are you!?" He yelled, not caring about his language as tears threatened to spill.
"Two minutes out."
"Batman doesn't have two minutes! I need medical! Now!" Robin yelled again, tears falling from his face.
"Manhunter and Canary are on their way. Hold on."
It felt like hours before Manhunter and Canary got there. Canary pried Robin off Batman and let Manhunter take over. The League finally arrived after a few minutes and hastily loaded Batman into Miss Martian's bioship. Robin boarded the ship and sat and watched as the medically trained Leaguers worked on his mentor. He watched, not reacting to anything, but let his tears fall silently. They arrived at Mount Justice in almost eight minutes, eight long minutes. Robin began to panic as they started moving Batman from the safety of his sight. The Leaguers rushed Batman into surgery. Red Arrow and Artemis had to hold Robin back and keep him out of the operating room. Finally, Robin collapsed to his knees and silently cried.
"Robin?" Red Arrow questioned as he went slack in the teen's arms.
"He can't die," Robin said quietly, more tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't want to be alone."
"He won't die. He's Batman." Artemis supplied.
Robin glared at her.
"He's human. Just like us. Just because he's Batman doesn't mean he can't die!" Robin lashed out. "He still feels things! All of you think he's just some emotionless bastard, but he's not! He's very emotional, but he's too strong to show it. Do any of you even know when he's amused or scared or mad?!" Silence answered him. "No! Of course not! You don't look for the signs. Do you know when I am?! When I'm hurt or happy or sad?" Again silence. He laughed. "I don't know why I'm asking a traitor who left me for dead." He said towards Artemis.
"Robin, calm down." Canary's soft voice interrupted. "Everything's going to be okay."
"Everything was okay, but nothing ever stays okay. Batman is dying and it's all my fault! How is anything going to be okay?!" Robin yelled.
"It's not your fault." Canary soothed.
"Yes, it is." Robin countered.
"How is any of this your fault?" Red Arrow asked.
"We were fighting a Talon and I was stupid enough to attack when he showed no signs of weakening his defense. He kicked me away and I almost fell off Wayne Enterprises. ...It would've been a fitting death, don't you think? Falling like my parents, even falling from the same building Slade did. Anyway, I caught myself, but Batman was worried because I had just fallen off a building to him. That distraction gave the Talon an opening and he took it and stabbed Batman. By the time I pulled myself up, the Talon twisted the knife and pulled it out. I just watched it all happen. I didn't stop it, and I was the reason Batman got distracted." Robin said quietly.
"Robin…" Red Arrow trailed. He didn't know what to say. Robin's argument wasn't easy to counter or debunk. Then the doors of the medical wing swung open.