Aight real talk, there was a whole chapter of Impulse's POV here and it was just… axed. Not worth it anymore, sorry y'all. So we are skipping it completely, hope any original readers agree with the decision and don't miss much.
Chapter 5~ Changed
Batgirl's POV
It felt hopeless. Over a month had passed since Dick's disappearance and we were none the closer to finding his whereabouts. It was like Bart had said, he'd simply vanished. Zatanna's tracking spells, Wally and Bart's high-speed search, the combined efforts of the full team- back under Kaldur's leadership, and the full power of the Batcomputer had all together found nothing.
The team, aided by Rocket and Zatanna who were equally determined to find their friend and former teammate, had managed to capture a record number of criminals, namely those associated with the Light and League of Shadows, trying to get any and all information they could about Nightwing's location to no avail. M'gann had been working herself ragged trying to parse out information from their minds without leaving them shattered in comatose like she had once left Kaldur. Worse than her was Tim, the teenager taking Dick's lost the hardest. He'd hardly eaten and slept since the disappearance, even Alfred failing to get through to him on the worst days. Our only grace had been Cassie, her blossoming relationship with Tim managing to curb some of the bad habits, even if only barely.
Aqualad drew himself up with a weary sigh, the months of deep undercover followed leading a helpless search taking a clear toll. "Have we found any leads? M'gaan, Superboy?" The two exchange a look, the latter setting a hand over M'Gann's.
"Not yet, as far as we can tell none of the captured targets have any clue where Nightwing is, or even that he was missing before we started our questioning." He reported. Aqualad nodded, keeping the disappointment in the slump of his shoulders.
"Artemis, any new targets the Team should pursue for information?" The blonde pressed her lips together as she brought up a hologram at the table's center, displaying profiles of villains before us.
"We captured Spider and Mammoth recently, neither had anything of consequence to say." She said, the two profiles, graying out as others replaced them. "The only other leads we have are on Devastation, last sighted somewhere in New York, although briefly."
"And those unaccounted for?" Artemis sighed, bringing up dozens of smaller profiles over the three previously highlighted.
"Many of the Light's head honchos have evaded capture, unsurprisingly." She said, profiles of Vandel, Queen Bee, Ra's Al Ghul, Lex Luthor, and Klarion separating themselves and grouping. "Also missing are Sportsmaster, Psimon, Hook, Ocean Master, and Deathstroke but there have been no sightings of any of them." Kaldur nodded his acquiescence, turning to Robin and me for our report. Before we can speak, adding more bad news, the Zeta tubes flared to life.
"Recognized Superman 01, Batman 02." Anxious looks were exchanged as the two leaguers swept in, a nervous-looking Clark at Batman's heels. He stopped before Kaldur, the Atlantean holding his ground against the infamous glare.
"Explain. Now."
Deathstroke's POV
"Good." It was very good actually, the mask doing well to hide my delight. In our month together Renegade had greatly improved, even picking up a gun a few days prior, after heavy insistence. Psimons' work had done wonders to the hero's previous disposition and aggravating ethics, although some still remained deeply ingrained- for now. Currently, Renegade was among the rafters, seemingly at home up there, taking shots from the angle with startling accuracy, although he had yet to land a kill shot, aiming instead to cripple or slow.
"Thank you." I could practically hear the pride in his voice, like a child basking in praise, as he gracefully flipped from the rafters, the injuries he had sustained seemingly a memory despite their recent healing. "Has Wintergreen finished my new suit yet?" Excitement seemed to ooze from the young man, a lightness to his eyes that had taken weeks to cultivate as he had come to terms with his new memories, still fragmented.
As far as he knew the Martian had attacked him, torn his mind to shreds as she had done to so many others, and it was only my patience and the help of Psimon that managed to salvage his mind. It was unclear exactly how much he remembered but Psimon assured me that he managed to twist any feelings my protege might've had for his own team into something akin to malice with spliced memories.
"He's almost done, I believe it will take a few more days." Renegade beamed in response and I gave him a once over, noting the new muscle mass he had gained in our two weeks of training since the beginning of his recovery.
"Does that mean I can go into the field soon?" Those cobalt eyes shone with exhilaration, making me wonder why I hadn't taken this bright boy for an apprentice sooner when his mind was more impressionable, more open to suggestion. Although what we had now seemed to work, like his mind had latched onto me to fill the spot of his now obsolete mentor, glowing in praise and eager to please. He'd similarly taken to Wintergreen, showing my friend great respect and familiarity making me assume he had a similar role filled as well in his past.
"Sirs, lunch is ready." Wintergreen announced from the training room entrance. Renegade slung the gun over his shoulder with practiced ease I had borne into him. We walked in step over to the older man, a near jump to the younger's step.
"Hey, Wintergreen! After lunch can I help at all with my suit? Or get a peek?" Renegade pleaded in a near saccharine voice, hoping for a sign of weakness in my grizzled butler.
"No." The two walked off together towards the dining area, Renegade happily chatting away. I feel a flush of pride at my accomplishment, who would have thought just a few months prior the famed Nightwing would be so excited to start his life as a mercenary?
That was actually a really fun chapter to edit (which is funny as hell since my OG A/N said I hated that chapter lol) and I made it sooooo much easier on myself writing-wise but cutting out most the team for the first part and actually outlining their plans a little ~~plus I hopefully fixed up some of the messy Batman characterization~~ Will admit that writing happy Renegade was my favorite ~~look Psimon helped, he removed trauma!~~ it was refreshing to kind of hint at the circus boy he was before stress ™. Anywayyyyy enough rambling, I really hope y'all enjoyed and if so please leave me some feedback!
~Fate