Hey guys, I'm going to say... I'm really disappointed in the few reviews I'm getting! Come on guys, if you like my work PLEASE let me know! Anyway, here's a new chapter! This one opens the final arc of the story!
XXVII.- Falling Fast
Dick Grayson
I was scared. I really didn't know what I'd find on the Himalayas. Bruce said those monks at the monastery were very good in meditation, self-control and spiritual guidance. I hope that was the case, because I truly needed it. How can you come to terms to the fact that you are a killer and that you enjoyed it? I just couldn't face my friends like that. What would Kaldur think? And M'Gann? Would she dig into my mind and instead of finding her friend would find a monster? And Conner? Or Garfield? The boy looked up to me. I felt terrible. I was the worst role model in the world.
So tomorrow was the day. I'd be leaving for undefined time. Maybe I would never come back. I don't know. It hurts me. I hope Bruce is alright with me leaving, but he can't go with me. Gotham needs a Batman as much as Tim and Jason need a father. I guess I need to find my own way. I've been thinking… I can't be Robin anymore… not after this. But Batman needs a Robin. Maybe Jason is ready.
I'd have to talk to Bruce, about letting Jason become Robin.
I'll do it when I get home. Right now, I was exiting the cinema with Artemis and Wally. They had taken me to the movies to see The Avengers. It was fun, kind of different on how superhero life really is, but it was okay. As we walked through the park, I smiled for first time in a while.
There was something about Wally and Artemis that made me feel safe.
Maybe it was the way they made me feel. Wally was the overprotective big brother and Artemis was the sarcastic big sister. They were my closest friends, along with Roy. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. It is because of their support that I am whole right now, and not a sicken piece of a human being locked up in Arkham.
"Now, that was a good movie," said Wally with excitement as he put an arm around me. "Captain America is the bomb!"
"You kidding? Thor is so sexy," said Artemis with a dreamy look. "Wally, why can't you look like Chris Hemsworth?"
Wally glared at her. "Well, if you looked like Scarlett Johansson…"
I laughed, genuinely. I stopped and looked at them, and then my gaze went down. It was hard to face them after everything. He was there, the moment I killed Zucco. I could still see the shock in his eyes, digging in my memory. It hurt me, a lot, but I had to pull through. Even though I thought nobody needed me, there was one who did: Tim. So I had to be brave, for my little brother. I had to put my actions as Renegade behind.
"Hey guys," I said shyly, looking at them both. "Thank you… for today… really. I… I don't think I could do this without you…"
Artemis smiled at me. "Hey, you've got us with you. Forever. We are a family, Dick, please don't forget that…"
I nodded. "I won't."
Wally then stepped forward an put a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. "Hey Artie, mind if I had a word with Dickie?"
"Sure, I'll go ahead," said Artemis, giving me a comforting smile. At least she was trying hard to make me feel better.
As Artemis left, Wally looked at me and raised an eyebrow, he knew me like an open book. "You're nervous, aren't you?"
"A lot," I confessed and looked down. "But I'm also overwhelmed. I…I've felt so many things these last few months. Bruce's rejection, my brothers' adoption… the Mirakuru… Deathstroke… I… I'm really trying to piece it all together, Wally. But every time I try to do it… every feeble attempt… it makes me fall harder. I'm scared… I don't recognize myself in the mirror. Like, I see the face of Dick Grayson but his eyes… they aren't mine. I don't feel like joking or laughing or butchering the English language anymore. I just feel hollow…"
Then Wally wrapped his arms around me. "Listen Dickie, I know… you're in a very dark place. But this time away will help you. And I truly want you to know that I love you… you're my little brother and I'll always care for you no matter what."
I rested my head against his chest, closing my eyes and smelling him. "Thanks bro… I… I really wouldn't be able to do this without you, Walls."
He started to rub my back. "Best friends, forever, right?"
"Right," I said and enjoyed his touch. This might be the last time I hug him in a long while so I may as well make it worth.
Then, we heard Artemis scream.
Pushing back, we stared at each other and rushed up, just to find Artemis surrounded by men in black. They were staring at us through masks, looking as if we were preys. Artemis was in fighting stance, ready to start kicking their butts. Then I heard a voice in the shadows.
A voice that terrified me.
Then Artemis fell to the ground, with her eyes wide open and her body stiff. "Guys… can't… move…"
Then, Wally dropped too. And then I did. I felt a string on my neck and I could feel some sort of toxin paralyze me. We both fell down and tried to move but it was impossible. "What… the…"
Wally could move slightly, since his metabolism makes it easier for the venom to go away. He started crawling towards Artemis. "Artemis…"
"No, no, no," said a voice and it terrified me. I knew that voice, it was wicked, evil, and satanic. It was her. Isabel. Ravager.
She was here.
And so she walked to us, stepping above Artemis and kicking Wally on the chest. Then turning to me.
"Wally!" I shouted, but my friend was trying to move despite the kick and the venom in his system.
Ravager knelt before me and smiled evilly. "My dear, dear Renegade. I know, I know. They injected you the cure… they took you away from us… your real family…"
"You're not my… family…" I said, trying to stand up. Even though my body was paralyzed, my emotions were going haywire. I was scared. "You used me. Manipulated me. You and Deathstroke are…"
"We…" began Renegade as she turned me over with her foot. "We are going to punish you, for rebelling. We are going to make Green Arrow suffer for everything he did to us and we are going to make Batman sorry for his intermission. And… WE… are going to make YOU suffer…"
I looked up at her. "Why?"
"Because we don't like being double-crossed…" said Ravager and she knelt to me, making her breath be felt against my ear. "And we want to mold you. Mold you into the killer you were born to be. Don't you think we don't see it in you? You are perfect, and we won't give up on you… if you're not going to be our renegade under the Mirakuru… then you might as well be a renegade under the pain and sorrow of losing everything…"
I felt fear. Everlasting fear.
"So we're going to take your precious best friend and his girlfriend," said Ravager as they started to pick Artemis and Wally up. "And we're going to torture them… so Oliver knows pain. And you too. And then you both will see the light of our darkness. And then you'll know what it feels to lose… everything… including yourself… this is just the beginning. We'll go after Barbara too, and then your darling Timmy… and then good Jay… and finally, we'll cut Bruce Wayne's throat while he's asleep… and we'll force Alfred to watch. And then we'll kill him too. But don't worry… we'll record everything so you see it yourself… and once you're in complete despair… you'll be ours…"
"No, please…" I said, begging. "Don't hurt them…"
"Oh, we'll hurt them," said Ravager as she kissed Wally's cheek. "I may even have some fun with this boy… as Deathstroke has his fun with Oliver's girl…"
And then, the men started dragging Wally and Artemis again, and the adrenaline made me be able to crawl. Just crawl. Screaming their names. "Artemis! Wally! Artemis, no! Wally! WALLY!"
And then, they were gone, in the shadows.
And then I knew I'd kill Ravager and Deathstroke myself.
And then I knew… I was truly Renegade…
So, this is the beginning of the end!
Next time: The Justice League and the Team react to Artemis and Wally being taken by Deathstroke. Barry, Oliver, Dinah and Bruce start making a plan to get them back. Roy and Jade reunite... and Mia...
Don't miss next chapter!
