Dick Grayson
Chapter
12
Wasting
Time (Part 3 of 5)
An island in the
sun. I wish I can be there right now. I use to play and have fun with
my parents in that happy-go-lucky landmass. A place where the waves
were always golden, sparkling from the isolation of love that the
Island produced to its visitors. I bet even the worst of the worst
people could relax and change for the better if they stayed a day
there. Maybe Bruce can…..never mind, I'm already dead. There's
no strategy, no luck to produce and last but not least, there's no
one to save me. I suppose the only island I'll ever see again will
be in that never ending dream I will soon have.
Flashback:
Batcave
Batman
and Robin, the dynamic duo in training. Staff on staff session. So
far Batman is winning, but is that much of a surprise?
"Never
give up Dick! don't be a quitter like your father!"
"What!
He wasn't a quitter!. You liar!"
Dick
swings the staff down at Batman, as Batman blocks the swing with his
own staff.
"That's
it Dick, allow rage to give you strength. But then again don't
grant it full access."
Batman
smirks and leg sweeps Dick, making him land on his butt.
"Oww,
that's not even fair! You haven't even taught me how to fight
with fists yet. Its been nothing but throwing and staff
confrontation. And one more thing, quit making lies about my
father!"
"Listen
Dick, if you want to be a great fighter like me, you'll have to
take a few blows. Sometimes being beaten will help you become
stronger. You learn much more this way. Besides your not strong
enough for fist on fist sessions with me just yet. And lastly, I'm
not lying. Your father was weak. Otherwise he would still be alive
wouldn't he?"
Dick
grew furious and quickly grasped his staff on the ground, swinging it
with such speed and strength that Batman could not act. Batman fell
flat on his back as Dick jumped on top of him, swinging punch after
punch at Batman's face. The first to blows impacted on Batmans
face. On the third strike Batman caught Dicks right fist and pulled
his it beyond his shoulder as he grinned his teeth. With a bit of
anger, batman forces a punch at Dick. The attack pushed Dick off of
Batman, pounding him on a table nearby.
"Sorry
Dick, but I had to do that. You were out of control and unstable.
Remember this Dick, winning isn't everything. It's the ability to
leave combat alive that matters, even if someone close to you is
dragged into a conversation. You cannot allow your feelings of doubt
and guilt cloud your mind. Never ever in any circumstances give in.
After all only villains give in, and you Dick are not evil."
Batman
places his hand out at Dick while tears swelled up in his eyes. Dick
grasps onto Batman's hand. Dick then hugged Batmans waist and
cried.
"I
just miss them."
"I
know Dick…..I know."
Without
knowing what to do in the situation at hand, he just patted Dicks
back softly.
-Now- The Demons
Nest-
"Master.
We have news that the Bat is in headed this way in a flying
machine."
"Yes.
I suppose the Detective has finally decided. A bit early for my
tastes, but very well. So be it. Prepare my blades and gather the
men. I want to make sure that I'm making a wise choice on my
part."
"And
what of the child Master? Do we kill him already."
"No,
not yet. Awaken him and take him to the trading post. Make certain
that my daughter is alerted to be there as well. I do not want my
plans to be foiled again like all the other countless times. And
remember, if you fail, you die Captain."
"Yes,
my lord. I shall take my own life if I do."
"Good,
now leave before I have you beheaded at this moment."
"So
then, my lord. What will you have me do about the other that has came
to the land of the desert?"
"What
other are you speaking of Vertigo?"
"You
do not believe the Batman would come alone do you? I'm almost
certain he brought along help. Especially if he is already starting
to make his way here."
"Yes,
it is a sad thing to ponder, but you are correct in that matter. In
that case, I shall have you investigate and track down any new faces
in the surrounding cities, as well as the grounds around this
Sanctuary."
"Yes
my lord, I will carry out this duty till the very end. You can count
on my word."
"Oh
wait, I almost forgot something Vertigo."
Just
then as Vertigo turned his attention back to Ra's Al Ghoul. Ra's
quickly sent a blade through his shoulder, pulling it out as quickly
as he pierced him.
"Ack!…my
lord, what wrong have I done?"
"You
intruded earlier and disrespected the boy. Must I remind you that he
is to become my Grandchild if the Detective does not meet my demands.
Not to mention, I received word that you have made several attacks on
the boy before his restraining here. I will tell you this one last
time Vertigo…..if you ever lay a hand on that boy again before the
exchange…..you will die by my hands. A slow and painful death. Now
go, remove your presence from my sight before I do something else
that is rash."
"Y-Yes
my lord."
Vertigo rushed away
like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"Now
then….."
Ra's
Al Ghoul wiped the blade and walked away into a dark hallway, which
lead to the armory.
-Prison/Guest room-
I lay and wait, sleeping in the house of the enemy. I am not sure what will happen now. I've received word that Bruce was on his way...but I barely know the guy, so why would he want to save me? after all, the only thing he has to do is sleep with that very, and I mean very beautiful lady out there. I suppose I wouldn't blame him. I'm sure I would go for the girl instead of saving the kid who's a nobody. I am but a mere...before I could speak another thought, I hear an unfamiliar voice originating from the barred window near the bed.
"Hey lad, psst, kid! are you dead or live still?"
"Yes...I'm still alive. What do you want?"
"Well kiddo, todays your lucky day! for the cavalry has arrived."
I gather up my hopes as I rushed to the window and placed my hands on the bars, to view all the people outside who were here to save me.
"Shh, quiet down kiddo, you don't want to alert anyone."
"B-But, where is everyone?"
"Huh?...I am everyone kiddo. This is a one man mission for the time being. So step back and prepare to be in total Aw."
I step back as the stranger behind the bars placed some strange device on the window.
"Oh yeah, and cover your ears kiddo, this might hurt."
Suddenly I hear a ticking noise and I quickly leap behind the bed and cover my ears as a loud explosion rang in my ears still. While I was laying on the ground, the stranger swooped in like a hero in a comic book as he grabbed me and rushed out of the hole he created. Just as we were escaping from the tower of my imprisonment, a loud throbbing alarm echoed down the hidden city. I could see Ninja's rushing down from hall to hall, shadow to shadow, and roof to roof. Seeing all the commotion, I covered my eyes and began counting as I wished that this was only a bad dream.
"Hey Kiddo, your not chickening out now are you? your supposed to be the one and only new sidekick of the bat right?"
I nodded as I kept quiet. Finally we neared some bit of light and the man gently leaned my back against a wall as I could at last see who the man was. For the time being, he was wearing a long set of black robes, a disguise worthy of only a ninja, while he had an object sticking out of his back. It was something long, yet light from the looks of it. He then removed the Ninja head piece as he revealed a dark glowing green mask with a blond and somewhat long shrub of hair around his mouth. I've seen this man's face in the papers that Bruce reads everyday, but I couldn't attach a name to it.
"Uhm...since were on the same side and all. I have one question to ask you."
"Go on ahead kiddo, ask away, just as long as it's not a dumb question."
"Oh...alright, I just wanted to know who you are?"
"Me? aye...I thought you would never ask. I am the surge of the wealthy underworld, the cream of the crop, the trickster of lines and sticks...I am the all fascinating Green Arrow of Star City."
"Uhm...I've never heard of you before. Are you new to the business or something?"
"Hush, hush kiddo, you asked for one answer of me, not two. Now prepare yourself kiddo, were going to have run like theres a pack of bulldogs chasing us...ready.Set. Go!"
Green Arrow rushed off, as I shook my head and followed his lead, not knowing where it was that he was taking me. I just only hope it's a safe haven, like that of a circus perhaps?...yeah, only in my dreams am I right?
Sahara Desert- 100 Miles Away
"Well, are you going to quit dreaming or are you going to splatter the words we want to hear little man?"
Comand'r was holding a ninja by the neck as she gave the impression that she was about to snap the mans neck off.
"Hang on there bunny doll. Lets not kill the dumb ass yet."
Deadshot walked up to the two as he placed his gun to the Ninja's head.
"Now heres how it works mister unlucky. Your going to tell us which way it is you came from, and your going to speak the direction loud. If not, then I will simply pull this nifty trigger in my hands and end your crappy little life. How does that sound?"
The Ninja stood quiet as Lobo was throwing men around like dolls in the background. The scenery began to make the Ninja sweet as he thought for a few minutes.
"Alright, you made up your mind."
As the Ninja was about to say something, Deadshot pulled the trigger, blasting a puddle of blood all over Comand'r's face.
"Ack! why did you do that?"
"Oh no reason, I just figured out the way we need to go is all. So there was no need to keep him around any longer."
"I don't care about that Deadshot, I mean why did you splatter his brains all over me?"
"Oh that...I think it has something to do with watching you clean yourself later on."
Deadshot shrugged as he gave a smile under his mask while Comand'r threw the lifeless body at Lobo.
"Just wait until we return back to head quarters. I'll make sure you watch every moment of your own death little man. And what is with this new name you are calling me by?"
"Oh bunny? hm, I suppose it has something to do with that bunny loop hairstyle of yours, but then again it could have been a random thought of a random magazine I read."
"You men sicken me with your disgusting little minds."
Lobo walked up to the two as he wiped his hands together and gave his attention to them.
"So, which way are we headed then?"
"Hah, I thought you would never ask "The Main Man". I say we head east, for that is the way a certain jet is going."
"Yeah? and how can we trust that plane is headed to our destination?"
"Oh trust me...that particular jet is going our way. After all, not all normal jets carry wings shapped like a bat."
Deadshot smirked as he began to walk down the deserts hot and rigorous sands, with a harsh hot air blowing on his suit while the others followed closely behind him.
"It's just another day and another waste of time."
