I am so sorry this has taken me so long! This was extremely hard to write, and I don't even know if I'm satisfied with it yet! But please let me know what you think!

Slade's POV 3

The boy had been progressing well over the next few weeks. After his beating, he shaped up nicely. He obeyed orders with out question, and did excellently in his training. He was a completely transformed person. The Titans wouldn't even ooknow him. He had built muscle an his skills and reflexes had improved significantly. Since I branded him, he was the picture of obedience, and the need to punish him hadn't been present. He was doing very well, which is why I didn't understand his distraction as we sparred. He was deep in thought, his bright blue eyes clouded over in deep concentration. He was still blocking my blows, but his own were weakly administered. It didn't please me in the least. I sent my staff up to the side of his head, knocking him forcefully off his feet. He hit with a grunt and made no attempt to get up. He held his now bleeding head in his hand. Great, now more time would be wasted for the purpose of cleaning that up.
I looked down agitatedly at his small form on the ground.
"What was that, Dick?" I spat.
He pulled his hand away from his injury and examined the blood.
"You're not paying attention. Get up." I ordered. Seriously, what had gotten into him? Any other day, he would be focused solely on me and my every move. But today... He was off. And I wanted to know why. He pushed himself to his feet and looked up at me nervously. I reached out and took hold of his chin, turning his head to the side to scrutinize the injury. It wasn't too deep, but I wouldn't risk him continuing his training with out first patching it up. He looked tired anyway. Perhaps a break would be good for him.
I let out a sigh and released him.
"You've just wasted valuable time. That can't go untreated. You'll pass out. Come with me." I ordered. I turned to walk to the medical table without looking back to see if he would follow. I knew he would. When I got there, I turned and waited on him. He was walking rather slowly. Understandable. He was hurt, with bruises decorating his body. I didn't allow him a shirt during training. He would pay better attention when the blows hit directly. It was a system I used hen I was training, and it works well. As he approached me, I quickly examined each bruise, scratch, cut and scar. The scar in his chest had healed nicely... The bright white 'S' stood out prominently, and with a quick glance, one couldn't tell if he was wearing his suit or not. He pulled himself up onto the table and waited for me to begin.
"Mind telling me what was so important that it pulled your thoughts away from training?" I asked nonchalantly. It wasnt a question. There was a brief pause followed by an uncertain answer.
"I-um... I don't know...master."
"Don't give me that." I snapped. I sent a sharp slap to the left side of his face. How dare he lie to me? After everything he'd been through, I thought he'd gotten past that. He took it stoically, keeping his head turned waiting for the pain to pass.
After a moment, he turned his head back, not meeting my eyes.
"I'm sorry, master... My mind was wandering... I don't really know what I was thinking about..."
I bit back a sigh. I already knew his mind was wandering. Of course he knew what he was thinkung. Two lies in less than a minute. I grabbed his chin and jerked his head to the side and began scrubbing his blood away.
"Well, it must have been very important to keep you from focusing on me. It doesn't take a genius to figure out you're afraid of me, Dick. I know you're lying to me. No human being would ignore their greatest fear when it was right in front of them. So. I'll ask once more. What was so important that it pulled your thoughts away from training?" I asked as I applied alcohol to his wound. He winced at the sting.
"Do I have permission to speak freely, master?" He asked.
Why would he need that? I had asked him a simple question, and I wanted a simple answer. He was stalling. I gave a small nod. He took a deep breath as I prepared myself for the lies I knew were about to flow from his mouth.
"I was considering my options as far as getting around you during the spar. I was looking for an opening to take so I could get behind you. I was hoping to catch you off guard and use that to send you down. I guess I was so caught up in trying to make an opening that I wasn't paying attention to you." He answered weakly.
Pathetic. Surely he could have come up with something better than that?
"You're lying to me." I said simply.
"N-no master. Honest I'm not!"
I didn't say anything else to him as I stitched his wound and wrapped gauze around his head. I stepped back and looked at him carefully.
"Get up." I ordered. He pushed himself off the table and stood directly in front of me. Even with the muscle he had been building up, he was still so small... I crossed my arms as I looked at him. He was regaining his spitfire... That could prove to be a setback. But, it may also be a good thing... I'd have to wait and see how everything played out... But it was too late, and he lost too much blood from his head for me to even think about correcting his lying.
"It's late, Dick. Go to bed. I want to see you up at 3:00." I ordered as I turned to leave. I didn't bother looking back. He would be pleasantly surprised that I was letting him go for now. I disappeared down the long hall way to my quarters. What had gotten into him? What could have possibly possessed him to resort to lying to me? Was he still afraid? I continued down the hall lost in my thoughts. When I reached my room, I removed my mask and placed it on the desk. I reached to turn on my computer when a sudden thought struck me: I hadn't shut down the computer in the main room...Surely Dick would know better than to mess with it. Nonetheless, I stood and replaced my mask and headed down the hall quickly. I reached the door to the main room and heard the distinct sound of rapid typing. I looked around the edge of the computer and saw Dick furiously typing away. Sweat ran down his temple. Idiot boy. I let him go earlier, why was he pushing his luck? This would not go unpunished, whatever he did. I had a distinct feeling I knew what it was. I quietly walked to the other side of the room where he would soon exit. When he was finished with whatever he was doing, he turned off the computer with a quick glance. He looked right at me, but never saw me. He looked back at the computer and then up at the massive screen.
He turned around and ran toward the door, right for me. He didn't see me until he ran into me and fell back to the floor. He rubbed his head as he looked up at me with one eye. He let out a loud gasp as he scrambled to his feet. He tried backing away clumsily, but I was faster. I took hold or his forearm tightly and hauled him the rest of the way I his feet.
"You just want to make things difficult for yourself don't you?!" I yelled as I pulled him close. I could almost smell the fear coming off of him in waves.
"N-no...Master! The-the computer was on and I-"
"Shut up!" I yelled. I lost my temper as I slammed him against the wall. I thought we had come so far.
"What the hell do you think your playing at, Dick?! Why do you insist on being difficult?"
"Master! I-"
"SHUT UP!" I yelled again as I tightened my grip. The boy would be desperately sorry for his stupidity.
"Tell me what you did." I ordered menacingly.
"Nothing! I only shut down the computer!"
Again, another lie. Why was he insistent upon it? Did he enjoy being in trouble?!
"You shouldn't lie to me, Dick. You are already in plenty of trouble. Fess up. Now."
He looked at me, fear evident in his crystal eyes. I tightened my grip when he didn't answer. He let out a low grunt of pain. He knew what would happen next.
"You know what's coming, Dick. Answer me, or I'll snap your arm like a toothpick." I said. His breathing intensified a he closed his eyes tightly. My grip continued to tighten.
"I-I sent an SOS to the Tower!" he yelled.
That did it. I had had enough of the boy and his stupidity. With little effort, I closed my hand on his arm, snapping it in half. The sound of his arm breaking and the scream that tore through the haunt was deafening.
"YOU IDIOT BOY!" I yelled, sending my boot into his gut. He writhed on the floor gasping for breath. I turned to walk away, but the absolute fury pumping through my blood stopped me. I sent another kick into his gut.
"And here I thought you had come so far. I guess we'll just go back to square one, hm?" i asked calmly as I once again sent my foot towards him. I had intended to strike his ribs, but he moved, causing me to miss and land the blow to his broken arm. He screamed again. I stepped away from him to go to the medical table and retrieve an anesthetic that would knock him out for a few hours. We had to leave. Batsy wouldnt waste anytime when he got the signal. I returned to Dick's side and knelt down to his level.
"You will pay dearly for this, apprentice." I whispered to him darkly.
"I'm not your apprentice..." he mumbled. I held back my hand from striking the boy, and instead plunged the needle deep into his neck unmercifully. I watched as his head lolled back and forth until the drug took effect. I stood and made my way over to the computer and dialed the familiar code.
"Hello?" came the softly accented voice. The picture was fuzzy, but I could still make out the details of his face.
"Will. Get ready, my apprentice has made some poor choices. We will be en route in five minutes." I said.
"Oh, dear. Alright, Slade. I will see you soon." I gave a small nod and killed the call. I left Dick on the floor as I quickly gathered some supplies. I slung the bag over my shoulder and pulled the unconscious boy into my arms. His weight surprised me. He had muscle, yet he was incredibly light. I made my way down the hall to the hangar and placed Dick in the seat, securing him tightly. I tossed the bag in and climbed into the pilots seat. A few moments later, we were flying high above Jump City, on our way to a small, concealed island nested close to Iceland.

After a few hours, I set the plane on auto pilot and walked back to the cab where Dick still lay unconscious. He'd be waking up any minute. Stupid boy, why did he want to make things hard on himself? Why did he want to make things hard on me? What was he thinking?! First, the string of lies, the hijacking my computer? He looked terrible. He was so pale, and the bandage around his head was soaking up blood quickly. Not to mention his arm looked like death. The bone protruded through his skin, and was bleeding badly. I removed some cotton cloths from the overhead compartment and wiped the blood away. I vaguely wondered if he would survive the trip.
I sat back and watched his shallow breathing. He'd be fine. He was strong. Stupid and reckless, but still strong. I looked at the map I'd brought from the cockpit and studied it. It had been a long time since I'd visited the island...
I looked up at a small groan from Dick. He had finally decided to join the land of the living. How unfortunate for him. Not that he would be here long. He sat up slowly and looked around drearily. His eyes finally rested on me, they were glazed over with pain and fear. I smirked under my mask. The boy was in so much trouble...He looked down at his arm and his body began shaking uncontrollably. He looked back up at me with tears in his eyes. I knew what he wanted, but he wasn't going to receive any help from me yet. I didn't have the supplies I needed. I'd have to wait until we got to the island.
"Master..." his voice cracked as he called out to me quietly.
"Do not speak. You have not earned that right." I spat.
"Please..." he whispered as his body continued to shake harder, "help me..." a tear fell down his face and soaked into his blood stained shirt.
"Silence. I shall deal with you later." I stood and once again returned to the compartment over my head, extracting more if the anesthetic. I walked over to him and sent the needle into his neck again. His head fell to his chest. I sat back down and watched as his eyelids fell over his crystal blue eyes.

We arrived at the island a few hours before dawn. Will was standing in the small, underground hangar awaiting our arrival. We were on the third floor of the building. He stood aside until the engines were shut off, then walked to the door of the jet. I pushed it open and threw the bag I ha brought on the ground.
"Welcome back, Slade." Will greeted.
I didn't respond as I unbuckled Dick from his seat and lifted him into my arms.
"Oh, my...Slade, what on earth have you done to the boy?" Will asked in astonishment.
I jumped down awkwardly from the plane, jostling Dick, and causing blood to drip to the ground off of his fingertips.
"Nothing he didn't ask for." I answered.
Will looked him over quickly before sending an accusing glare toward me.
"He didn't ask for this, Slade, and you know it. What did he do?"
"Why don't you ask him yourself when he wakes up? he'll be awake soon, and I need to go fix his arm before he bleeds to death."
"Slade, he'll likely be in shock, I advise you to be patient and gentle until he can get his strength back." Will warned. I rolled my eyes.
"He'll be fine, Will. He's strong."
"He's human." he retorted.
"Only just. You don't understand. Human though he may be, he has will power and spitfire. He can handle it." I said as I disappeared through the door. I walked down the hall and up some stairs to the second floor. This floor had a huge training room, similar to the one in Jump, but it also had sectioned off rooms; an office, medical rooms, a few cells. I opened the door to one of the medical rooms. The door protested loudly as it was opened for the first time in many years. I deposited Dick onto the table and secured him. Once I was satisfied with his arrangement, I ducked out of the room to gather the supplies I would need. When I came back, Dick was beginning to stir. He struggled to move, failing miserably at his attempt, and let out a loud, pain filled groan. I smirked at his pain. He deserved it, after all.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, apprentice." I said, breaking the silence, "I suppose you know what happens now?" I asked. I strained to hear his response, but all that came out was an indecipherable mumble. I walked around the table absently as I positioned the items I would need.
"Do not speak. Do not move. This is going to hurt quite a bit. Open your mouth." I ordered. Somehow, through his foggy, pain induced mind, he understood and complied. I wrapped a small round dowel in a piece of leather and inserted it between his teeth. They were surprisingly straight and intact. I half way expected some to be chipped, missing, or replaced from the intense fights he had. The only exception was a silver crown at the back. He accepted the implement and looked at me wearily.
"Bite down. On the count of three, I'm setting your arm back." he gave a gentle nod.
"One...two..." I counted. On two, I slid his bones back into place and into a splint. Despite the item in his mouth, he still let out a feral scream around the leather. The veins in his neck were bulging, and his jaw muscle protruded significantly.
"Shut up, Dick." I said in exasperation. I knew he was in pain, he had no reason to scream like he was. Sure, a muffled cry would be understandable, but he had a distraction in his mouth. He ignored my command as his loud screams flowed around the leather. I paused what I was doing and sent a somewhat gentle slap to the side of his face. It didn't do any good. Thus, I blocked it out and continued working. When the whole thing was wrapped up, I stood back. His screaming had stopped, but his breathing was rough and ragged. His nostrils were flared out as he warded against the pain. I reached out to take the wood and leather from his mouth, but he held tightly. I waited a few more minutes before trying once agin to remove it, only with the same result. His chest was hammering with the rapid beating of his heart. His eyes shut tightly and his fist clenched so much so as that his knuckles were white. I had no doubt his nails were biting into his skin. Tears fell down his face as he lay there in his pain. I allowed him a moment to get his pain under control. He needed that much. He had done well, save for the unnecessary screaming. After a few minutes, I saw his jaw begin to relax, his hand slowly releasing its death grip. I reached for the stick again, and this time, he allowed me to take it. I was surprised when I finally got it. He had bitten clean through the leather, his teeth marks on the dowel itself. I raised an eyebrow and turned to him.
"Well done, Dick." I praised. He didn't respond. I leaned down to his level and looked into his blue eyes.
"Don't think this is the end. I'm not through with you yet." I said darkly. He gave a gentle nod, I turned and walked briskly out if the room, shutting the door behind me.

I walked up the stairs to the first floor. This level was laid out like a typical house, and it was above ground. I walked to the kitchen where I knew Will would be waiting. He wasted no time in beginning his interrogation.
"How'd it go?"
"Fine. He did well."
"What did he do to deserve something like that, Slade?"
"He made a poor choice. But his actions will be met with stern reproof."
"Well, whatever it was, I believe that getting his arm broken like that is enough punishment. What were you thinking?!"
"I was thinking my apprentice had been very defiant and was pushing my limits all day. He deserves what he got and what's coming to him."
"I don't believe you were thinking at all. Once again, you let your anger blind you. You could have killed him!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Will. I-"
"I'm not, Slade! You know very well that a break like that is very dangerous. Your too impulsive. Your terrifying, and that boy will be scarred for life, both physically and mentally! Blast it, Slade! If you keep it up, you will kill him!"
"No. I won't. He is too valuable an asset. I've spent too much time training him to waste his life like that. He can't be replaced. I told you, he's strong enough to handle it."
"No he isn't. He's just a child! And blast it, take off your bloody mask!"
"He isn't a child. He's a seventeen year old man, and he is progressing nicely. I know what I'm doing, Will. I didn't come here to be interrogated and antagonized. I came here for help in getting away for a while. We both need it." I said as I laid my mask on the table.
"You need help more than he does."
"Then help me if you are so minded."
Will scoffed and shook his head.
"You are beyond help, Slade."
I stood from the table.
"Will, I can't deal with him anymore right now. I'm leaving him to you. Take care of his arm, try to get him well rested and strong."
"And what am I to do with him?"
"Just, I don't care. Just make sure he doesn't kill himself, and see to it that he doesn't get out." I answered. Will nodded.
I walked back down to the second floor and found Dick passed out on he table. He was still pale, but he'd make it through. I removed the restraints and lifted him into my arms. His head rested snugly on my chest as I carried him up the stairs. Will met me in the hall and opened the bedroom door. I set the boy down in the bed and pulled the covers up to his chest.
"I'll put on a proper cast." Will commented. I nodded.
"I'm going to bed. Tomorrow, I'm going back to the states. I have a few things to do at the old haunt, if the Titans and Batman haven't already destroyed everything...If all goes well, I'll be back in two days." I said as I turned to leave.
"What if he asks about your whereabouts?"
"Tell him...tell him Im on an assignment. Whatever." I answered.
"Slade, what do you plan on doing to him?"
"I don't know yet." and with that, I walked the few feet down the hall and through a door into the master bedroom. It was sparsely decorated, and hadn't been occupied in years. I let out a deep sigh as memories of old tried to break trough my defenses. I pushed them away and removed my armor, throwing myself into the bed. I let out a groan as my body began shutting down. It had been a long day. I had had such hope for the boy, he held so much promise. Now it all was lost. What had happened? Where had all the months gone, and would I be able to reclaim the submissive boy I had worked so hard to get?

The next morning, I loaded into a leer jet and headed back to Jump. It only took a few hours to get there. when I arrived back at the old haunt, it had already been thoroughly combed through. The room Dick had resided in was ransacked, as well as just about every other room. The main room had also been scrutinized. The computer that started this whole mess was missing, no doubt at the Titans Tower being decoded. I was unconcerned. The Titans, or Batman couldn't hack through the string of encryptions. They'd go mad first. I walked down the hall to my own room and gathered a few things that had been left, a few personal items. I pulled the carpet away from the floor and pried the floorboards up. I removed the case that was there and opened it. It was just as if left it. I pulled out the photo of Rose, Grant, and Joey when they were kids. Adeline was there too. I was the one behind the camera. We were seated on the couch, celebrating Rose's fifth birthday. She was smiling happily at her mother...
I shook my head. There was no point in reminiscing. I didn't have time for that. I was here to get my money, and meet with Professor Chang. I placed the picture face down in the case and closed it back before moving to the in wall safe located behind the bed. I pulled the bed back with little effort and set to opening the complicated lock. A moment later, the final ball fell into place and the safe was opened. It too was as I had last seen it. I took out the money and placed it in a burlap bag and slung it over my shoulder. That was all I would need from this place. I left trough a hatch in the roof. Chang's place was a few miles east, on the coast, just across the bay from Dick's former home. I made my way through the city, keeping close to buildings and alleyways as best I could. No one paid me any attention. Before long, I was at the docks overlooking Jump City bay. To my left was the tower, and to my right was my destination. I "borrowed" a small sailboat and set off across the water. A few minutes later, I stepped foot back onto solid ground and made my way into his haunt. He wasn't exactly expecting me. I walked up quietly behind him as he sat at his computer looking at... Was that what I think it was? Even I wasn't THAT bad. But, I suppose when you look like Chang, that sort of thing is the most exciting thing he'll ever get to see. I looked away from the screen and cleared my throat. He almost jumped out of his skin, letting out a startled yelp as he did so, and quickly closed his webpage. I had just learned something about Chang I didn't EVER need to know...
"Let's make this quick, and you can get back to... That." I said, inclining my head to the computer. His face turned a deep red color.
"Ah...Deathstroke... I wasn't expecting you...How can I uh... Help you? "
"I need you to get some fear toxin off of The Scarecrow."
"Why?"
"I need a little... Insurance. The Bat is in town. It would do you some good to have some yourself, but right now, I need it."
"Why can't you get it?"
"It's too risky a job for me. The Bat is on my trail."
"You have his kid? Robin?"
"I'm hiring you to get a job done for me. If you don't feel up to it, you'll find I can be very persuasive." I said ignoring him.
He gave a loud gulp.
"Ok. Fine. Is that all?" he asked impatiently. He clearly wanted me to leave so he could get back to his hobbies. He turned back to the computer and typed up an email.
"No. If anyone traces it back to me, you will find yourself in quite the bind."
He nodded.
"Send it here. I'll pick it up in a few weeks."
"Is that all?"
"For now." I said as I turned to leave.
He turned in his chair, but I was already gone.

_
I finished up my business in Jump early. Robbing the bank wasn't even a struggle. I could have done it blindfolded. I tossed the bag into the jet and looked over my shoulder. The sun was setting, casting the Titans tower in a dark silhouette. Batman would be there watching. Waiting for a clue. He'd never find his precious little bird, and he'd never find me. I climbed into the pilots seat and set te course back home. I punched in a case to the haunt.
A moment later, Will answered
"Hello, sir. I didn't expect you to call."
"Me either. I finished up early. I'm in the way back. I'll be there tonight."
"Oh. We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."
"We?"
"Richard and I."
"Well. I'll be arriving shortly. See you then."
I shut down the conference and set the plane on auto pilot. The plane would arrive at the island in roughly one hour. Plenty of time to allow me to contemplate what I would do to the boy for punishment...

The plane landed right in schedule, and I was greeted by Will.
"Welcome back. I trust your expedition went as expected?" he asked as he handed me a cup of coffee.
"It did. I learned a few things, that's for sure." I answered with out any intention of elaborating on what exactly I had learned.
"Where is Dick?" I asked.
"He's still asleep."
"How long?"
"Well, I sent him back to bed around 12:30. So...about 5 hours." he answered.
"How is he?"
Much better than the way you left him, I assure you."
"Did he eat?"
"Yes. Three sandwiches and an infinite amount of water. The boy was parched."
"He hasn't tried anything, has he?"
"Oh, no. Nothing I couldn't handle. We need to reign in his expletive tongue, though. The boy cusses like a sailor."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Has he tried to get away?" I asked somewhat impatiently.
"A futile attempt, I assure you."
"What?! What happened?!"
"Well, he woke up slightly...bitter. He tried to hit me with a tray of food. A poorly calculated attack. It was easily amended."
"He'll pay for that."
"He already has, sir."
"What did you do?"
"Let's just say, that we should make sure to have plenty of soap."
"Soap? You washed his mouth with soap?!"
"Indeed. He was quite cooperative afterwords. He held it in his mouth the entire time he was cleaning the carpet."
I face-palmed at his words. Soap? Really?
"Slade. The boy told me what happened. He has been punished enough. Let it be."
"No. He hasn't suffered enough for-"
"You broke his arm. In one deft motion. That must have been horribly terrifying for him, not to mention extremely painful. He's afraid of you, Slade. What happened is in the past. This is a new place and a new experience. He doesn't need the stress."
"Will. He needs to be punished for what he's done. He can't just walk away thinking he can do that sort of thing."
"Whats the matter with you, Slade? Are you even hearing anything Im saying?! You broke his arm!"
"That was nothing. He can handle it."
"Slade. Listen to yourself. Tough though he may be, you are torturing the child. A person can only handle so much."
"He can handle more."
Will crossed his arms and stared at me angrily.
"Slade. I forbid you from punishing him anymore. He is hurt, and afraid. Just leave it be. You sent the message home well enough. That's it."
"Who are you to tell me how to treat him?"
Will glared. I knew that glare. Will had raised me since I was a teen. That was the look he always gave me when I was in trouble. I had been on the receiving end of his ire. I'd had soap shoved into my mouth, I'd been pulled to my room by my ear, I'd been draped over his knees and had a wooden spoon liberally applied to my backside, I'd been confined to my room and sent to bed without dinner. The old man had old school disciplinary techniques. But those wouldn't work on a hard headed kid like Dick, and they didn't really work on me...much.
Thus, I sent the glare right back.
"Don't give me that, Slade. Leave the child alone. Punish him for his next offense if you must, but he no longer needs discipline for his past choices."
I crossed my arms. How dare he? I knew better than to defy him, even at my age, he wouldn't hesitate to use his... Techniques on me. So, I stared at him angrily for a while. He wasn't afraid of me, thus, he was unmoved,
"Fine. I'll let him off the hook. Just this once." I said.
"Good man. Now, come up to the kitchen and I'll find you something to eat."
"No. Thanks, I just want to go to bed. I'm tired, Will."I said as I walked with him up the stairs.
"Alright. But you can expect to eat healthy tomorrow morning."
I didn't respond as I made my way down the hall. I stopped at the room Dick was in. Should I really let him off the hook? I pushed the door open.
True to his word, Wintergreen had replaced my makeshift cast. Dick was facing the door, sound asleep. He didn't look at all peaceful, perhaps Will was right. He had been punished enough...His hair was a mess, but his cheeks had regained some color. He'd be fine in the morning. I stepped out and shut the door quietly. When I turned to go to my own room, Will was standing there. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
I gave a curt nod, "You're right." was all I said as I pushed past him an disappeared into my bedroom.

Alright, let me know! So sorry y'all! Next up: Batman's POV. Let me know which Titan POV you want to read! So far, Raven is in popular demand. If you don't want her, tell me! The Titan with the most votes wins the chapter!

R&R! and have a good day!