Welcome to my first multi-chaptered story! I know what you're all thinking. "But Archer, aren't there like 3,000 apprentice fics?" Why yes, yes there are, but this one will (hopefully) be different. How you ask? Shhh, no spoilers. You're just going to have to read it to find out.

Disclaimer: I don't do smut or slash. I also don't write graphic violence and try to avoid torture. However, this is rated T is for a good reason. This may get quite disturbing during the fight/punishment chapters, especially towards the end of the story. Reader's Discretion is advised.

Disclaimer #2: I feel as though I forgot something. Oh yeah! All these characters belong to DC. I own nothing but the story line.

POV: This is going to be a third-person view switching between Dick and the other ex-Titans, Tim, Damian, Jay, Slade, and a bit of Bruce. I hope it doesn't get too confusing.

Genre: Action, Angst, Family, Friendship, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, and Possible Romance.

Pairings: Dick/Kori, Gar/Rachel, and maybe a bit of TimSteph.

Further instruction: I mayyyyyy make a sequel if the demand is there, I have the time, and/or the story allows it. If anyone is OOC please, please let me know. Please be patient with me. I haven't written this start to finish yet, so if I mess up, please tell me, for everyone's sake. "Ugh, long author's notes are horrible, especially if the story hasn't started yet." I hear ya and I'm shutting it. Please grab a drink, some popcorn, and a loved one and enjoy….

What Lies Beneath

Chapter One: Introduction

Midnight PST, July 29th, 2011

"Help me! Someone please help me!" Ugh. This is embarrassing. I shouldn't be here. How did I let myself get caught? "Help! I've been kidnapped." Jason screamed as he writhed in the handcuffs.

"Stop it, Jason! I've already told you that screaming isn't going to help."

Slade. Nightwing told me how Slade kidnapped him and tried to force him to become his apprentice. I can't I was dumb enough to fall into his trap. If I knew this was going to happen I never would've come to Jump."

8 A.M. EST, July 26, 2011

It was a normal morning for Jason. He woke up, got dressed, and took his motorbike down to the local diner to grab breakfast. As he ate, he felt his phone ring in his pocket. He looked at the caller ID. Nightwing. What could he want? He answered it.

"Hi, Jay." He heard the familiar voice of Dick.

Jay. I haven't been called that in a long time.

"Oh, look who's not too good to call the Prodigal Son." Jason snapped, struggling to keep frustration and anger out of his voice.

He hadn't spoken to Dick since he became Red Hood, though, whether it was out of pride or embarrassment, he wasn't sure.

"Jason, we need to talk. Crime in Jump City's gone way up since I became Nightwing. I would ask Tim or Damian, but I know they're both busy. Please come as soon as you can."

"Why don't you ask one of your Titan friends?"

"Cy's away on a business trip, Raven and Beast Boy are visiting Raven's mother in another dimension, and Kori's seven months pregnant."

"I'd love to help, but I'm busy too."

"Jay, I know you've got your own thing going on, and we don't exactly get along…." He trailed off.

Didn't get along was an understatement. I've disliked Dick from the day I replaced him. Batman had constantly talked about how great Dick was and I always felt inadequate. Like I was Bruce's second choice.

"Jay? Are you still there?"

Jason quickly snapped out of his reverie. "Yeah. I'm here."

"Good. I know we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I need you. You're my only hope."

"Fine, I'll do it." Jason groaned.

"Great! How soon can you come?"

"At least let me finish eating. I should be there by Thursday."

"Thanks. Call me once you're in Jump."

"Will do. See you then."

"See you then."

Jason sighed as he put the phone back into his pocket. Today had been a normal day. Too bad Dick had to go and ruin it for him.

He paid for his food and went back to his apartment. He wasn't going to miss this place much; it was small, dark, and messy. Still, it was home.

Who knows when I'll be back here? If I make it back, that is.

Jason hated to admit it, but a part of him was scared. Jump City might not be as bad as Gotham, but there were still dangerous criminals. He remembered all the stories Dick told him about fighting villains. Almost made him nostalgic for the days when he fought alongside Batman. Almost.

The rest of his "family" might not understand his choice to become Red Hood, but he knew this was what he was meant to be. It was his life, dang it! They had no right to tell him what to do!

He packed as quickly as he could, not wanting to lose his temper again. He had broken his hand several times punching through walls. Jason shuddered as he remembered the sound of snapping bones and the intense pain that passed through his arm. He didn't want to injure himself again. He couldn't afford to, not now.

Innocent people are getting hurt. I'm not doing it for Golden Boy. I'm doing it to save lives.

He took his small suitcase and secured it to his bike.

See ya later, new life. Hello, old life.

As he rode away, he had a nagging feeling that he wouldn't be back for a very long time.

End note: How was that?I know it was super, duper short. I divided my first chapter into two because it was too crammed before I split it. I'll put the second chapter up on Monday.