Two Birdarangs arced gracefully through the semidarkness, metal glinting in the feeble glow of the distant exit signs. Their smooth and rapid journey was abruptly halted by a single Batarang which deflected both projectiles harmlessly into the stands.
An instant later Robin launched himself into a perfect flying kick, which Batman dodged effortlessly, just as the teen assumed he would. The Titan landed and immediately attempted a reverse leg sweep. His mentor barely leapt out of the way in time; Robin's foot briefly brushed an ankle before it moved back out of reach.
He continued to press the attack, elongating his battle staff and using the advantage of the weapon's reach to keep his adversary at bay. Batman in turn used the reinforced gauntlets on his forearms to casually block each and every thrust. Finally, when the staff came perilously close to his face, did the Dark Knight appear to have had enough. He pivoted as the Titan thrust at him with the staff, allowing the weapon slide pass him and drawing Robin within striking range.
He lashed out with a fast side kick, catching his ward solidly in the chest. At the same time, he locked the staff against his torso with his arm.
Robin grunted as he was driven backward, losing his staff in the process.
Batman twirled the staff momentarily and then tossed it aside.
"Sloppy, Robin. You just lost your primary weapon."
"Shut up."
The leader of the Titans moved in again, this time leading with a quick series of jabs and punches. Batman blocked, deflected, or dodged each of these in turn. Finally, once Robin's onslaught faltered slightly, he took the offensive.
Damn, he's still so fast!
Robin ducked and evaded as many punches as he could, while attempting to regain the initiative with a well-placed counterattack. Finally, he decided to take a punch in order to bypass Batman's careful defense. As the fist connected with his face, the teen rolled with it, avoiding most of the damage. He spun with the blow, swinging his elbow out as he turned, hoping for a solid blow to the head or torso.
He was rewarded when his elbow slammed into the Batman's stomach.
The larger man backed off a step and smiled.
"Well done, Robin. Excellent use of your inherent quickness."
The Titan answered with a kick to the head.
Batman dodged slightly, caught the foot, and pulled the teen off balance.
Before Robin could recover the Dark Knight swept his other leg out from under him and he crashed to the floor. Only a quick backwards somersault enabled him to avoid a punishing blow to the head.
He barely got to his feet when Batman continued his assault, driving him further and further back.
It's no good. He's too much for me.
Robin ducked under yet another punch, only to fall victim to a knee which drove hard into his face. The world flashed white for a second and he was dazed.
Batman stood up straight, allowing the Titan a moment to regain his bearings.
"You've gotten quite good, Robin. I'm not holding back at all and yet you're still standing. You should be proud. But you can't win. You must realize that."
Robin shook his head in order to clear it and wiped his face with the back of his hand. It came away with blood
Shit! He broke my damn nose.
Robin assumed a defensive stance, deciding to allow Batman to come to him this time. The Dark Knight led with a kick this time. The Titan blocked it to the best of his ability, but the blow had so much force that he found himself sliding backwards at least a yard.
At this rate I'll be in the fricking stands before too long.
He could already see the foul line under his feet.
He tumbled to the side and bolted for the opposite side of the basketball court, tossing a few smoke bombs behind him. He scooped up his staff in the process and pole-vaulted about eight rows up into the stands. Then he turned.
I guess I have no choice . . .
Batman walked steadily out of the smoke cloud and looked at him.
Robin threw another Birdarang at him.
Batman dodged it, but was caught off guard when it exploded behind him. The force of the explosion threw the Dark Knight up into the stands.
. . . time to try it Slade's way.
- - - - -
It wasn't until she heard the explosion that Batgirl began to worry.
"What the hell are they doing?"
She began to move towards the roof access, but then stopped, uncertain.
Batman's orders were clear. She was to stay on the roof and make sure they were undisturbed during the exercise.
That's what Batman had called it.
An exercise.
As if beating the crap out of each other was just another part of the daily regimen.
Batgirl sighed.
Idiots. Both of them are idiots.
She turned away from the door and shivered. It was much colder here on the waterfront at night, especially when on top of an exposed roof.
But she had to admit most of her chill came from within.
I can't believe Dick went to a known criminal in order to beat Bruce. What was he thinking? And why is Bruce forcing Dick to do this in the first place? Can't they see their stubbornness is going to destroy their relationship?
Sudden movement flickered out of the corner of her eye.
She barely ducked in time as a sword sliced through the air where she had been standing. She twisted sharply a second later, having to use all of her natural acrobatic grace to avoid a second strike. As it was, she lost some of her red hair to the blade.
Unfortunately, her contortions left her wide open to a devastating kick to the gut.
"My, my," a quiet voice remarked, "Aren't we quite the gymnast."
Stomach still sloshing like so much jelly, Batgirl immediately realized the danger she was in. But her first priority was to warn Bruce and Dick.
She got back to her feet quickly and threw as many Batarangs as possible, hoping to buy herself a few precious seconds.
Her assailant blocked all but one of them with his sword.
The last projectile he simply caught.
"How disappointing. I was hoping for more of a warm up."
Batgirl backed off, activating her com-link.
"You're going to get plenty of action in a few seconds, Deathstroke. They know you're coming now."
Deathstroke tossed the Batarang casually, sword resting on his shoulder.
"I'm afraid not, little girl. You see, I've taken the precaution of blocking your little Bat signal." The single eye narrowed, as Batgirl's widened. "They won't know I'm coming until I decide to let them know."
Batgirl backed up another step, desperately considering if she could make it to the roof access before he cut her down. Without another word, she turned and bolted.
She made it five strides before a sharp pain exploded across the back of her head and Batgirl's world went black.
- - - - -
Batman had barely lifted himself out of the ruined seats when Robin attacked again. Disoriented by the blast, he was unable to move quickly enough to avoid the staff completely as it came down. He rolled slightly to the left, and the weapon smashed into his shoulder, nearly dislocating it.
Ignoring the pain, the Dark Knight kicked outward, connecting with the Titan and forcing him to fall backward several rows toward the court. He dropped a flash bang grenade to hopefully disorient the teen and give himself enough time to recover.
Robin dove away from the explosive, avoiding most of its effect, but in the process gave him the breathing room he needed.
What was he thinking? This combat isn't supposed to be lethal.
More Birdarangs flew towards him. He launched a Bat grapple and was pulled far above the projectiles as they exploded below him. A piece of shrapnel sliced through his right calf, causing him to wince.
He swung out above the basketball court and dropped down into the open space.
"Robin!" He shouted, "What the hell are you doing?"
The Titan pole-vaulted back onto the court, landing a few yards away.
"Whatever it takes to win, Batman," Robin moved in for another wave of attacks, "Something I learned from you."
The blows were more viscous this time. He was aiming for his vital spots. His eyes, throat, groin, joints, and other weak spots. The moves were expertly performed. Only Batman's own mastery of the martial arts kept him from serious injury.
I didn't teach him these moves.
He feinted with a punch to the torso. Robin failed to take the bait.
Could he have come up with them on his own?
He blocked another throat punch and attempted a kick. His calf ached as his injured leg took all his weight. The gambit worked, though, as the Titan suffered a solid connection to the thigh.
I can't believe that. That's not Dick's style.
The staff nearly took off his head.
Then again, who knows what he's picked up these past two years.
Robin lashed out with his staff again. This time Batman caught it with both hands and used his superior strength to rip it away. As the weapon clattered away into the darkness, Robin took advantage of the opening to punch him in the jaw.
He felt a sharp pain as a tooth came loose and shot out of his mouth, leaving a bloody trail in its wake.
He instinctively responded with a head butt, smashing into the teen's face.
Robin stumbled back, shielding his head with both arms.
Batman took the opening and kicked the Titan in the stomach as hard as he could.
The teen was lifted off the ground and landed in a heap nearly 15 feet away.
"Stay down, Robin. It's over."
He spit out a huge gob of blood and wiped his mouth.
Robin clambered to his knees, still hunched over.
"You're . . . gonna . . . have . . .to do . . .better . . . than that," he gasped, slowly getting to his feet. He wobbled a bit back and forth, before assuming a defensive stance.
"Robin, you can't win. You can barely stand."
Robin leapt at him again.
Batman took the hit and then grappled the teen. Robin attempted to squirm away, but he used his greater size and strength to get the Titan into a submission hold.
"Where did you learn those moves?"
Robin continued to resist, punching and kicking wildly.
Batman adjusted the headlock and wrapped an arm around the teen's neck.
"Answer me!"
He gradually applied more pressure and the Titan began to weaken. Still, his fists continued to rain down on his body. The Dark Knight simply closed his eyes, buried the pain, and waited for the inevitable.
"I'm not going to lose! I'm not!" The teen began to gasp as his air flow was gradually cut off.
Another painful minute passed.
"Let me go, damn you," Robin whispered weakly, "Let me go. . . "
"I'm sorry, Robin," and he sincerely was, "But this is the end. You've lost."
The Titan began go limp.
Several seconds later, he was unconscious.
Batman gently laid him down on the hardwood floor.
He checked his pulse.
Weak, but steady.
The Dark Knight stood up.
And immediately roared in pain as several shurikens embedded themselves in his back. The cape protected him from serious injury, but the sudden pain temporarily dropped the Dark Knight to his knees.
"I warned him to keep his distance," a smooth, silky voice called out from the darkness. "But I think Robin did quite admirably all things considered, don't you?"
A tall man dressed in black and orange armor walked casually onto the court. He stopped about 20 feet away, one hand grasping the hilt of a sword strapped on his back.
Eyes narrowing, Batman rose to his feet.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure, Batman. Robin knows me as Slade, but you may call me Deathstroke."
He unsheathed the broadsword in one graceful motion and assumed a combat stance.
"Ready for Round Two?"
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Author's Note: Thanks for all of the wonderful comments and reviews. The next chapter will be the last, so if you haven't left a review yet or if you haven't reviewed me in awhile (you know who you are), please do so now!
