Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, Batman or the Justice League.

A/N:

Yeah, I meant to get this done a little earlier but I had social obligations. Enjoy!

EDIT: I made some minor edits to this chapter. Mostly stylistic changes.

Chapter 37: To Fight

-DG-

Bludhaven

Downtown

I can't believe I knocked out Batman, Nightwing thought as he ran, but it was necessary.

A part of him knew that Batman would try to follow him to Bludhaven, but he couldn't afford to have Batman follow him. Not tonight.

Batman offered to work with me, he thought. Should I have let him help me?

He knew that Batman meant the best. Although Nightwing was sure not to underestimate Slade's power he understood that he and Batman could easily defeat Slade together. But now it was too late to go back for Batman's help. Right now, Nightwing was on his own.

I don't want him to get hurt. That was the only reason why I knocked him down.

He couldn't help but be reminded of the time Slade chased him through the woods after discovering that he had outside radio contact. But this time Dick wasn't running away from Slade to save his friends. This time running had a strategic purpose. This time he was going to finish the fight he started almost a year ago.

This time Slade has nothing to keep me at bay, he thought, and this time I won't let him trick me again.

Nightwing was glad that he had taken the time to learn the city a little bit. If he didn't then he would have gotten himself cornered. He heard Slade running behind him, slowly catching up to him. Although Nightwing was fast he knew that Slade could easily catch up to him. If it came to a marathon of endurance Nightwing wasn't sure who would win. While he was trained for endurance Nightwing knew that it wasn't his strong point. His fighting style relied on fluid acrobatic motions, and fluidity wasn't Slade's strong point. Nightwing needed to be unpredictable.

Nightwing took out his grapple hook and tried to shoot it up to get onto the rooftop. He began to zip up to the roof, but fell as Slade threw something that cut the line.

"Crap!"

He twisted in the air to land as gracefully as he could. His body shook as he landed hard on the ground, although he made himself not fall. Nightwing tossed the grapple hook aside and stood his ground. Instead of panicking, he turned around to face his adversary as calmly as he could. Even though he had outlined a plan he knew that he would have to be flexible and improvise.

"So you accepted my invitation after all," Nightwing said. "I'm touched that you care so much, Slade."

"You didn't give me a choice."

"Huh," Nightwing said, briefly glancing up at the smoggy night sky, "I guess I didn't, did I?"

Goading Slade out of hiding had been surprisingly easy. However, Nightwing was afraid that he would have to fly out to Jump City. He didn't want that to happen. If the two of them battled it out in the streets of Jump City it was more likely that people would get hurt. People in Bludhaven were used to crime. They knew that it would smart to get out of his way.

Slade examined his gloved fist. "You know, this has been fun, but you really must stop this. What are you trying to prove to me?"

"That you've always been wrong about me."

The two of them didn't move any closer to each other. Each stood still, warily watching the other. Nightwing was surprised that Slade hadn't made his move yet. But Nightwing wasn't going to be stupid this time around. He knew what Slade was capable of. Right now, though, he didn't want to fight Slade. That would come later. He needed to buy some time…

"You know, I took your advice about getting a new name."

"So I've noticed. Why not keep the name Renegade?"

"Because that's a name you made me choose. I realized that I'm not a traitor to anyone."

No, he wasn't a traitor. That was something he realized once he escaped from Slade. Yes, he had worked for Slade. Yes, he had considered joining Slade, but in the end Dick had chosen to side with his friends. Even when he worked for Slade they never gave up on him. He could never thank them enough for that.

"You betrayed me," Slade said.

"I only acted the way you wanted me to act!" Nightwing snapped. "It was only an illusion of trust. I was forced to trust you out of necessity, but it wasn't really trust. How could I break your trust when you never gave it to me in the first place?"

His voice almost rose to a shout. Nightwing didn't mean to shout or rant, but he couldn't help himself. There was so much he wanted to say to Slade. But he wasn't here to rant about that. He forced himself to calm down and took a deep breath. Slade said nothing.

Nightwing took a step towards Slade. "Like I said, choosing a name requires a lot of thought. It has to mean something to you. Renegade means nothing to me now."

"So where did Nightwing come from?"

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that I'm here to stop you."

Nightwing wasn't about to talk to Slade like he did before. Those days were past. He wasn't going to allow Slade to trick him into talking like buddies again. He wasn't afraid that Slade would become more human in his eyes. They could get along if they really tried. In a way, that made Dick pity Slade all the more. If the man really wanted to, he could be a good person. He just chose not to be.

Slade took a step towards him.

"I see you knocked down Batman. Why is that?"

"This is my battle. I don't want him to fight my battles for me." Nightwing straightened, the eyeholes of his mask narrowing. "Besides, I work without a safety net. I don't need him, just as I don't need you."

"Ah. I see. Even so, you're guaranteed to lose this one."

"I don't care."

He could practically tell what Slade was thinking. Stubborn as always, but now on the verge of arrogance. If Nightwing came off as arrogant then it wasn't on purpose. There was a difference between acting arrogant and being assertive.

"I must admit that I'm impressed with what you've done here," Slade said. "But if this is what you can do with the training you have now…then don't you want to see what you could do when your training is finished?"

He backed away from Slade and raised his escrima sticks in front of him.

"I don't need a few more years of training to prove that I'm a threat. I already am one."

He knew that that would piss Slade off. These past few days he had dared to say things sure to piss off Slade. Since he had lived with the man for almost a year he knew how to tick him off. Indeed, Slade's eye narrowed in cold fury.

"You're not a threat. Merely an inconvenience."

"I'm not going back to you, so don't play that game with me," Nightwing replied. "And the truth is, Slade, that I'll never stop learning. None of us ever do. And if I'm only an inconvenience, then why did you bother coming out here to take me back?"

Nightwing had learned something from this experience. He learned how not to be an idiot. And without the Titans to blackmail him Slade had nothing to control him with. Even if Slade managed to trap him again he wouldn't hold any power over him. Nightwing wouldn't let him.

"So what are you trying to say?" Slade asked.

"I don't need to be trained anymore."

Slade's eye narrowed. Nightwing's grips on his escrima sticks tightened as he tensed for a fight.

"Prove it."

Nightwing rushed towards him. However, he didn't rush headlong at Slade like he did when he was Robin. Everything he did was for a purpose. The logical side of him had been honed under Slade's tutelage. Slade took out his bo-staff and blocked Nightwing's blows.

They fought fiercely for a few seconds until Slade's bo-staff hit Nightwing's side, effectively knocking all the air from his lungs. As Nightwing doubled over he felt Slade grab a fistful of his hair.

"New costume, same old mistakes."

Slade let go of him and punched him in the gut as he dropped to the floor. Cold fear flooded through Dick as he remembered how brutally Slade managed to beat him down last time. What if he failed? What if he couldn't do this and there was no one here to help him? What if...?

"I must admit that I am impressed," Slade said. "But you won't be able to hold out for much longer. I know you so well, Dick."

A cry of pain escaped Nightwing's lips as Slade kicked him in the ribs. Despite the pain, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to look up at Slade.

"You never learn though, do you, Slade?" Nightwing asked quietly. "You only blackmailed me and threatened my friends not because it was the only way to get my attention, but because control is the only thing you know how to do right."

Now that Nightwing wasn't completely surrounded by Slade's thinking he now had the chance to think for himself. Slade's logic, which made sense during his captivity, no longer applied to him. Nightwing no longer had any reason to believe Slade's lies. He wasn't going to let himself be beaten down again. Nightwing knew that he was taking a big risk coming alone like this, but he needed to do it.

Slade kicked him in the face.

"How dare you still talk to me like that!"

A little blood trickled from Nightwing's nose. He coughed and wiped the blood away with the back of his hand.

"Hit me all you want. You'll never get what you want through violence." Nightwing looked up at him. "You know, you really had me thinking about joining you. If you hadn't beaten me down after I admitted outside contact then I might have joined you out of my own free will."

He didn't want to admit it to himself, but if Slade hadn't reacted the way he did Dick almost certainly would have gone under. Slade was slipping back into his sadistic side. Nightwing struggled to push himself to his knees.

As he looked up he saw a very familiar, dangerous look in Slade's eye. Full-blown panic coursed through Nightwing, although he forced himself not to feel panicked. If he panicked then he would begin to do irrational things. Nightwing kicked Slade's legs out from underneath him and then scrambled to his feet.

Nightwing ran.

"Are you a coward now?" Slade shouted. "I didn't teach you to run away from a fight."

I'm not running away, Nightwing thought, a good strategist knows when to retreat. This fight will be finished tonight, but I can't…I need to…

He jumped as a string of explosions surrounded him, forcing him to change direction. Slade must have rigged some parts of the city before their designated meeting time. In any case, Nightwing knew that Slade was trying to herd him somewhere specific.

Damn, Nightwing thought, that's exactly what I was trying to do to him. I guess I'll just have to improvise.

A secondary explosion near him knocked Nightwing off of his feet. He felt the heat from the bomb sear his back as he struggled to get out of the way. What was Slade trying to do, kill him? Nightwing rolled over quickly as debris began to fall all around him. If Slade wasn't trying to kill him then he was at least trying to hurt him enough to capture him. For a moment he laid on his back, but he moved quickly again as he saw a Sladebot leaping down to meet him.

After he bounced back to his feet he brought back his arm and threw one of his escrima sticks as hard as he could towards one of the Sladebots. Its head snapped backwards as the stick hit it. Sparks flew from the now-exposed wires in its neck. He caught the stick as it bounced back towards him and froze.

A bunch of Sladebots surrounded him. Really? Slade had gone this far to entrap him? Familiar feelings of claustrophobia began to envelop him. He was trapped…again. Nightwing hadn't counted on Slade bringing his robots to Bludhaven. Then again, it was something that the mercenary would do.

Did he just trap me again? Nightwing thought. I have to get out.

He backed away from the Sladebots. While he knew their weak points he knew that he wouldn't be able to fight all of them at once. Slade probably counted on that. Nightwing took a step backward and looked at them all. If Slade gave the command to attack then it this fight would be over quickly.

He heard Slade walking behind him. The man was arrogant enough to walk lazily towards him, as though he wasn't really a threat. That was where Slade's weakness lay. Although Dick understood that he still had a lot to learn, he knew that Slade underestimated him.

Not wanting to fight right that second, Nightwing sprinted away. If he was going to have to fight the Sladebots, then his best bet would be to fight from a strategic position. As the Sladebots chased him Nightwing kicked down a door to a warehouse and leapt into the darkness, pulling himself up onto a high catwalk.

-BG-

Gotham City

Bat Cave

"Barbara?" Alfred's voice asked. "I didn't realize you were—oh."

Alfred came by and looked at them all, but Barbara wasn't paying attention to him. In fact, she ignored everyone in the room as she tried to contact Dick again.

What are you doing, Dick? She thought. Please don't be stupid.

Initially, she had come to the Batcave because the alarm system that she rigged the Bat Cave with went off. Figuring that it was probably Alfred, but still willing to check, she had been surprised when she saw the kid there. She was even more so when she discovered that Dick had asked Jared to get into the Bat Cave.

"Barbara," Batman's voice said through his communicator, "are you there?"

"What happened?" Barbara demanded. "I thought you were in Bludhaven?"

"Dick knocked me out," Batman replied. "He went after Slade by himself."

While Barbara knew that she shouldn't be surprised by that Dick went to find Slade himself, she was surprised to know that Dick knocked Batman out. If he had joined forces with his old mentor, then Slade could be easily taken down. Surely Dick knew that, right?

"Are you going to follow him?" Barbara asked. "Should I come to Bludhaven to help?"

"I don't think Dick wants us involved. Don't come to Bludhaven."

Well, that much was evident in the fact that Dick left the Watch Tower by himself. But Barbara couldn't believe that Dick would go so far as to knock Batman out. And to hear Batman tell her not to help…

"So what are you going to do?" Barbara asked. Surely Batman had a plan if he didn't need her help. "Are you going to call in the Justice League for backup?"

"I'll be there for him. I'll be in Bludhaven. I guess that…I'll have to trust him." Batman winced. "Besides, I think my leg is hurt. Even if I wanted to fight I wouldn't be able to. And no, I'm not going to call for help. I think Dick knows what he's doing."

"But Bruce, you can't let him fight Slade by himself!" Barbara exclaimed. "He won't be able to beat him!"

Was Bruce seriously letting Dick do this? If Dick was going to fight Slade one-on-one then there was a good chance that he would be captured again. She didn't want that to happen. After the months of waiting in agony she didn't know if anyone could take it anymore. She didn't care if he was doing it to save other people. Dick needed to stop being so selfless. He was just a kid who didn't need to act so selfless.

"Don't call in the Justice League," Batman replied quietly, "Like I said: I think Dick has this covered."

Batman logged off before Barbara could ask what Bruce meant. How could Dick do that to Bruce? Ever since he was a little kid he had looked up to Bruce as a father…a mentor. To beat him down so ruthlessly like that wasn't like Dick. Yes, Barbara had heard about the time that Dick punched Bruce in the face out of anger, but she still didn't want to believe that Dick would do something like that. And how could Bruce say something like that?

"Batcave!" Nightwing's voice snapped suddenly. "Come in!"

"Dick, what—?" Barbara began.

"Babs, if you're at the computer I need you to do something for me." Nightwing spoke a low, whispered voice. "I need you to help me hack into Slade's technology here. I don't have the time or the tools to do it now."

"But why—?"

"Do it now!"

Everyone in the room could hear a punching sound. Who had gotten hit? Slade or Nightwing? Barbara didn't know. It wouldn't do anyone any good to leave Dick in the dark. He asked for help. Dick didn't need to feel abandoned again. Barbara typed furiously and did what Dick asked her to do over the communicator.

"What's he doing?" Alfred asked.

"I don't know," Jared said. "He asked me to do what Barbara's doing now. He didn't tell me everything."

So, Dick didn't tell anyone inside or outside the superhero community what he was doing. Well, that was just fantastic. It was just so frustrating to deal with him when he was like this. Even though he cared so much for everyone else's well-being he frustrated everyone by disappearing and putting himself in deliberate danger. It drove everyone in the cape community nuts.

"Should I connect you to Bruce?" Barbara asked Nightwing.

"No," Nightwing replied, "for God's sake don't do that. Tell him to get out of Bludhaven if he hasn't already."

"Why?" Barbara demanded. "Why did you knock him out?"

"If I didn't do that then it would've destroyed the illusion."

Before Barbara could ask what that meant Dick logged off. Barbara sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. She had a feeling that both Bruce and Dick weren't telling her something, and she didn't like being left out of the picture.

"That's it," Barbara said, standing up, "I'm going over there."

"Wait," Jared said, "he doesn't want you over there."

"And what gives you the right to tell me to stay?" Barbara asked, her eyes narrowing.

Even though the kid was taller than she was Barbara could still look intimidating. It was probably something she picked up from working with Bruce. Jared opened his mouth, but then he thought better of it.

"That's what I thought," Barbara said.

She stomped up the stairs to Wayne Manor, intending to change into her costume so that she could help Dick. Even in her anger she heard Alfred's feet pattering on the stairs as he tried to catch up to her.

"Barbara," Alfred said, "be on standby. If Master Bruce says to leave them alone, then perhaps he has a reason for thinking this. If Master Dick is clearly in trouble then you should go after him."

"I don't like this, Alfred," Barbara replied. "Why didn't Bruce give us a good reason to believe him? All he said was 'Dick has this covered.' Why didn't he say anything else?"

If Bruce had said something along the lines of "the Flashes are coming to help" then she would feel more at ease. But Bruce was being vague on purpose. She never liked it when he did things like that.

"Uh…guys!" Jared shouted. "Someone else has contacted us!"

-WW-

Jump City, California

Slade's Temporary Haunt

Wintergreen looked up at the television. For the first time in years he didn't accompany Slade. Although he wished Slade luck in his every endeavor his friend on gone on far enough in his mission to obtain an apprentice.

He's still my friend, Wintergreen thought, but this has gone on long enough.

He had mixed feelings about what he should do. A part of him wished to leave Slade entirely, but he had been loyal to him for so many years that Wintergreen found it hard to do so. Everything had been fine before Dick had come into the picture.

I guess I shouldn't be thinking this because Dick's not here anymore, Wintergreen thought.

Even though Slade had gone out to bring Dick back Wintergreen didn't believe that Slade was going to win. And if he did then hell would be raised in the new Haunt. After escaping Slade once Dick wouldn't take being forced to work again for Slade too kindly. The other part of Wintergreen wanted to assist Slade. Wintergreen sighed. He wouldn't help Dick escape, but neither would he assist in the kid's capture.

There was nothing to do now except to wait to see how this would all play out. Those two had issues that they needed to deal with on their own, and after failing last time Wintergreen had little desire to intervene. Wintergreen had little desire to deal with Dick as Slade's apprentice again, but he would do it if he had to.

But I still have a choice, Wintergreen thought, I don't have to follow Slade.

He had started acting as Slade's butler shortly after Slade went in and saved his life in Vietnam. Ever since then he had stayed with Slade through everything. He acted as Slade's best man during Slade and Adeline's marriage. He helped raise Grant and Joey as much as Slade and Adeline. He was a part of Slade's family. He honestly cared for Slade's well-being. And, over time, he had also begun to care for Dick's well-being as well.

"Wintergreen," Dick said, "you know what you're doing is wrong."

Of course Wintergreen understood what he was doing. Although he didn't talk to Dick much those few times that he did were poignant. At first the boy had treated him like any other criminal, but as time passed he began to treat Wintergreen more like a human being.

"I…thank you." Dick stood up, but he didn't move. "And I'm not thanking you just for the advice. You've been kind to me. I do respect you, Wintergreen. I'm sorry if I've never shown it."

Wintergreen stood up and closed the curtains. The Haunt that Slade used before had been compromised. Just as both Slade and Wintergreen suspected, Dick had told the Justice League where the Haunt was. When Slade and Wintergreen came back to the Haunt they found that the place had been ransacked.

It was a risk that Slade was willing to take, Wintergreen thought. That if Dick ever escaped or somehow overpowered Slade he would be able to tell the rest of the superhero community where the Haunt is. Although Slade essentially wanted to control him Slade knew that it was entirely possible for Dick to overthrow him. Deep down inside, I think he knew that it was possible.

"…And on this Halloween night the Teen Titans are nowhere to be found," the Jump City news anchor said. "It appears as though the Titans East have taken their place again."

That caught Wintergreen's attention. He picked up his communicator to call Slade, but he found himself hesitating. Should he call Slade and tell him that the four normal Titans weren't in Jump City? It was a safe bet to assume that they had left to do something about the situation in Bludhaven? After a moment's pause he put the communicator back down.

I am loyal to Slade, he thought, but after everything he's done to Dick…I really can't blame the boy for extracting revenge.

This was something that the two of them would have to work out between them. Wintergreen had tried getting in the way before, but that didn't work out so well. While Wintergreen was inclined to assist Slade that didn't mean that he was obliged to help him. If Slade insisted on making a fool of himself then so be it.

He would sit back and watch the news with the rest of the world.

-SW-

Bludhaven

A warehouse

Where did he go?

As Slade entered the warehouse he held up a hand for his Sladebots to pause. The boy insisted on playing this silly game of hide-and-seek, so Slade would play. He listened intently for Dick, listening for the slight noise of labored breathing or the squeak of the soles of his boots. After about a minute of tense silence Slade pulled out his tracking device. He had rigged the whole place, so if Dick was there then he would know. The little device powered to life.

There you are, Slade thought, looking at the monitor. A faint light marked Dick's place in the warehouse. Slade looked up into the darkness. The little acrobrat must be up there hiding, just like the Bat who mentored him. What was the kid waiting for? An opportunity to attack? Or was he really so afraid of Slade that he was trying to hide?

Trying to make as little noise as possible, Slade reached into his utility belt and pulled out a few explosive disks. He wasn't going to try to hit Dick, but he was going to scare him out of the shadows.

To Slade's great surprise, he felt something cold touch the back of his neck. He almost dropped the disks in surprise, but he caught himself in time. He spun around to find Dick smirking behind him. The cold tip of his metal escrima stick touched the back of Slade's neck.

"Bang-bang, you're dead."

Before Slade could reply Dick smacked his stick against Slade's head. Stars popped in front of his eyes as the blow momentarily stunned him, although it wasn't hard enough to knock Slade off of his feet. The mercenary tried to punch Dick back, but the younger man flipped backwards out of the way. Slade had to admit that he was surprised that Dick tricked him like that.

"How…did you do that?" Slade asked carefully. He thought that Dick was still up on the catwalk.

"Oh…that," Dick said, a smirk crossing his face. "I hacked the motion sensors."

There something about Dick that was much different. He no longer seemed to mope under the invisible yoke of control, but he stood straight-backed and assertive. At a glance one could almost call it arrogance, but now Slade wasn't sure.

"Hacking into my technology…I am impressed."

Slade tossed his tracking device to the side. That was twice now that Dick had managed to do that. He suddenly realized that his technology might be useless against Dick precisely because Slade taught him everything about it. Perhaps the boy was more dangerous than Slade realized.

"Eventually the apprentice has to overcome the master," Dick said, "I'm not the one who's going to be admitting defeat tonight."

The kid seemed to be much more energized than he had been a few minutes ago. Even with the injuries he sustained during the earlier fight…had Dick allowed himself to be beaten like that? It would make sense. Lulling Slade into a false sense of security…Slade had done the same thing to Dick during their first real battle in Slade's haunt. Perhaps the boy had learned something after all.

"I told you that you could do anything if you put your mind to it."

"Yeah, well…I won't lie and say that I didn't learn anything from you, Slade."

So, the boy was willing to admit that he had learned something. That was good. He did teach Dick to assert himself, but the boy was still too young to fight these kinds of battles alone. Slade wasn't going to tell Dick that, though. If Batman wasn't going to be involved then it would just make this a whole lot easier for Slade.

"But?"

"But you forced me to learn these things. While I admit that I learned how to hack, how to fight and how to kill, I still learned something from this apprenticeship that you never meant to teach me: I learned where my true loyalties lie."

Slade didn't have time for these philosophical musings. While they had been amusing for after dinner conversations he didn't have the patience to deal with Dick's attitude now.

"You just walked right into a trap, Dick," Slade said. "While I applaud you for making me come out here I must say that you still have a lot to learn."

The boy looked around at the Sladebots. His expression was that of extreme boredom. Slade could tell even through the mask. Dick gestured towards the Sladebots.

"Are you really that afraid of losing?"

"No, I'm just reassuring my victory."

"Over me? A teenager?" Dick crossed his arms over his chest. "Because it seems to me like you're afraid of losing again."

Insolent brat. Slade couldn't help himself. Slade tried to punch him, but Dick caught Slade's fist in his hand. "You're afraid of losing now."

"And you aren't?"

"I'm not afraid of losing my life or my freedom. I'm only afraid of losing the people I love, and I want you to stay away from them!"

Dick's voice echoed loudly in the warehouse. While Slade wanted to knock the kid's lights out, he didn't want to if he didn't need to. Dick shoved him away. The kid was really trying tonight, wasn't he? While he was extremely irritated that Dick was still clinging onto his old friendships he couldn't help but admire Dick's audacity. It only confirmed Slade's decision to choose him as an apprentice.

"Eventually you'll be overwhelmed by numbers," Slade said, "surrender now and you'll have a lot less bruises on your back."

"Make me."

Slade smiled under his mask. Even when the kid was outnumbered…when he was sure to lose…he didn't give up unless it was absolutely necessary. That was one of the reasons why he picked Dick in the first place. However, everyone had their breaking point.

"Challenge accepted."

The Sladebots didn't move as they began to fight again. Slade rushed towards Dick, who took out his escrima sticks and began to fight back. It was strange on Slade's part to fight Dick like this. He always thought that Dick preferred to fight with a bo-staff. That threw Slade's planned tactic off a little bit, but no matter. He would improvise.

As they fought Slade realized that Dick had been holding back. He had allowed himself to be beaten up a little just to trick Slade into thinking that he was winning. Now Dick's movements were a lot more fluid and controlled…and not to mention a lot more powerful than before.

"I know there's a risk that I'll lose," Dick replied, "but it's a risk that I'm willing to take."

"You are going to lose. You're surrounded."

The mercenary grabbed Dick's arm and flung him into the wall. The younger man grunted, momentarily dazed. Slade took the opportunity to put him in a tight headlock. Almost at once Dick began to struggle frantically, dropping his escrima sticks to tug at Slade's arm. His cheeks flushed red as he struggled to breathe.

"Face it, Dick, you're trapped."

As Dick struggled to free himself Slade tightened his hold around his neck. He didn't want to have to choke him, but now that Dick was becoming an annoyance Slade knew that he needed to end this fight soon. He would choke the kid long enough for him to lose consciousness. After a few seconds Dick stopped moving, although his grip on Slade's arm didn't lessen.

"I wouldn't call this a trap, Slade," Dick growled.

"Oh? Then what do you call this then?"

Dick looked up at him. He paused, as though listening to something, before croaking, "An ambush."

How? What—?

At this several people burst through the ceiling windows and came crashing down next to them. The Titans were here? Where had they all come from? Slade grunted as Dick elbowed him hard in the gut, forcing Slade to let go of him. Dick stooped to pick up his sticks and then backed away to rejoin his friends. The four main Titans leapt down to Dick's side.

What the hell? Slade thought, backing away.

"Glad you guys could make it," Dick said, straightening as he ran a hand through his hair. "Just in time, as well."

"You knew we were coming?" Cyborg asked.

"Of course," Dick replied, "I'm glad you heard my mental warning, Raven."

The Empath. Of course, she must have made some sort of mental connection with him seconds before the Titans came in. But the boy didn't have any mental powers…so how…Slade shook his head. He would figure that out later.

"I know you guys won't give up on me," Dick said, "not even when I ask you to."

The Titans exchanged startled glances. Apparently they, like Slade, had been under the impression that Dick wanted to finish this alone.

"We are your friends," Starfire said. "We are not leaving without you."

"I know. Thank you."

Dick took out his escrima sticks and assumed a fighting stance. Each of the Titans present also assumed a fighting stance, their brows furrowed and their hands curled into fists. In that moment Slade realized that he was going to actually have to try to defeat them. Dick glared at him, his face twisted in anger as he shouted a command.

"TITANS TOGETHER!"

At once the others dispersed and began to fight the Sladebots. They shouted as they began to systematically destroy them, although none of the others made a move towards Slade. Instead of joining them Dick stepped forward towards Slade.

"I thought you said you were coming alone," Slade hissed.

"I told you that I don't make the same mistake twice, Slade," Dick replied, "I wanted them to follow me. I knew they would follow me."

Slade was confused. Dick beat down Batman, and after he did that Slade clearly thought that Dick was going to fight by himself. But had that…all been a ruse? Did Batman allow himself to be knocked out in order to fool Slade? Had Dick actually managed to trick Slade into thinking that they were going to fight one-on-one?

Yes, Slade thought bitterly, he did. He fooled everyone.

Now Slade understood why Dick left the Watch Tower alone. He didn't tell anyone that he was leaving because he knew that the Justice League wouldn't approve of his plan to entrap Slade. Dick knew that, no matter what he said or did, his friends would come and chase him down anyway. Dick just used that bit of psychology to his advantage. By beating down Batman in front of Slade Dick tricked Slade into thinking that he didn't want any help. He had also used himself as bait…that was clever. And also incredibly stupid.

"No matter," Slade spat, "I can defeat you all anyway."

"They're not going to interfere," Dick said. "But they're here for me if I fall. They will always be there for me."

Dick lifted a hand, beckoned Slade to come forward and smirked. "So come on, then: just you and me."

So, the Titans were just there to fight the Sladebots and guarantee Dick's victory. Fine, then. Slade would just have to deal with this. Without saying another word to each other they continued to fight. The two were locked so intensely in combat that no one would be able to interfere without hurting Dick anyway. This time, they fought in complete silence. This time Slade wasn't going to hold back. Each was so concentrated on hurting the other that conversation would only hinder their performance.

Slowly, they began to migrate away from the Titans. Their fists moved like lightning, but neither could land a fist on the other. Even in his anger Slade could tell that Dick's movements were a lot more controlled and, of course, a lot more ruthless. Dick aimed to incapacitate him.

Well, I suppose we are equally ruthless now, Slade thought warily, he has learned a lot.

Perhaps, even with all of his praises towards the boy's capacity to learn, Slade had underestimated Dick's abilities. Time and time again the boy proved to be much more than a capable apprentice. He had progressed much faster than Slade had hoped.

What if he really doesn't need training anymore? Slade thought. What if I was wrong? What if I was the one holding him back?

Although Slade didn't want to think like this, the possibility began to grow in his mind. Dick kicked him away and tossed a couple of explosive disks in Slade's direction, which forced the mercenary to retreat backwards and up towards the stairs leading up to the roof. As they continued to fight the possibility grew stronger and stronger in Slade's mind.

-CK-

Metropolis

Downtown Diner

After changing back into his civilian identity Clark stopped by a twenty-four hour diner. Halloween here, just like everywhere else, was a night where criminal activity was higher than normal. He wanted a bite to eat before heading off to bed.

Once he walked inside he saw a small crowd of people around the television. Some of them were talking animatedly to each other. Curious, Clark wandered over to see what they were watching.

"What's going on?" he asked a man sitting near him.

"Deathstroke and Nightwing are battling it out in Bludhaven!" a man replied. "I even heard that Batman was spotted there!"

What?

He joined the crowd watching the TV. There was live news footage from Bludhaven playing. Why were there news teams filming this? It was much too dangerous. Then again, Nightwing had attracted a lot of attention since he was the supposed new incarnation of the missing Robin. Which, of course, was entirely correct.

Dick did that on purpose, Clark thought, and he told me ahead of time who he was going to be.

Clark thought about flying out there right this second, but something made him stay behind. Dick had told him that his new identity would be Nightwing. A part of Clark felt a little pride that Dick had decided to choose a name from Clark's bedtime stories.

The question is, Clark thought, did he tell me because he wanted me to follow him? Or because he wanted me to look out for him?

Clark didn't know, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to ask Dick now. Even when Batman looked through all of the letters Dick made little mention of what he was planning to do. The only huge hint that he gave was to Clark, and even that wasn't enough.

Even if he doesn't want me to follow him, it's obvious that he at least wants me to look out for him. He wants me to follow him on the news.

Despite himself, Clark stayed there to watch. If Batman was there, then Clark was sure that he and Dick could handle Slade together. If not…well, the Justice League was only a call away. He ordered a drink and sat at the counter with the others. Even if he wanted to go Clark Kent would have no business in Bludhaven unless he was one of the reporters on the story.

As everyone else watched Clark put his head in his hands. Dick wasn't strong enough to take on Slade by himself. Had he abandoned everyone because he knew that this was a suicide mission? Clark didn't know. The best he could do was hope that Batman would be there to help him. Clark glanced at the others watching the TV.

The whole world was watching and waiting.

A/N:

HOW

WAS

THAT

FOR A

YOUNG JUSTICE REFERENCE?

OK, I admit it: I tried to find a way to get that reference in BECAUSE I CAN.

Also, with Dick and Raven: I hope it was clear that because they had mentally connected a few chapters ago it would be easier for Raven to mentally contact/find him again.

I also hope that you got the idea that Bruce realized what Dick was trying to do. In the last chapter I wrote that Bruce realized that he would have to trust Dick...that Dick wouldn't go into the fray completely alone.

Review!