Richard looked at the floor thinking about his encounter with Slade just a few nights ago. Ever since Slade had offered to teach him he couldn't stand to look either of his brothers in the eyes for longer than a few moments. It wasn't because he was disappointed that he didn't catch Slade that night. No, it was the fact that he was actually considering it.
'Maybe I can just tell them I'm going to camp for a week then go and train with him and come back.' Richard thought shaking his head at the mere thought of lying to his brothers. He knew they wouldn't approve of his choice to train with Slade and he knew he couldn't bear to lie to them. He trusted them fully and he didn't want to disappoint them but he needed to improve so he could protect them.
Slade had given him a week to think about it and he would wait on the rooftop of where they had fought for his answer. He groaned pushing Slade out of his mind to deal with a more important problem. What could be more important than Slade you ask? Well how about assassination threats to him and his brothers. Well more to Roy then him or Wally because well he's the head honcho, the big daddy, basically the boss. He needed to track the person responsible and contain them but somehow they had managed to even outsmart him, leaving no trace behind after every failed attempt. His phone rang and he picked it up with a sigh.
"Raze here how may I help you?" Richard asked nonchalantly into the phone.
"Richard!" Wally's voice came out.
"What's up Wals?" Richard asked as Wally seemed unable to find the right words.
"It's Roy. He's been shot!" Wally exclaimed into the phone.
"What?!" Richard nearly yelled standing up. "What happened?" Richard asked grabbing his leather jacket while holding the phone with one hand.
"The assassin finally got him!" Wally yelled as Richard dashed out the front door and towards his motorcycle.
"Where are you guys?!" Richard asked hopping on said motorcycle.
"Oath Hospital." Wally continued taking a deep breath.
"I'll be there in two minutes tops!" Richard stated ending the call and dashing off towards the hospital. He broke nearly every speeding law in the country but two minutes later he was running up to the doors of the hospital.
When he entered the large white building he was met by an over hyper worry crazed speedster.
"Raze!" Wally yelled embracing his brother into a hug.
"Where's Roy and how's he doing?" Richard asked as Wally took a deep breath.
"He just got out of surgery and the bullet barely missed a lung. He's currently unconscious with Ollie watching him in case he wakes." Wally explained leading them down the hall.
When they arrived at the room Wally gently knocked three times before opening the door to reveal a distressed Ollie sitting in a chair next to bed that held an unconscious Roy Harper.
"Roy." Richard muttered. He walked slowly over to the bed.
"Richard." Ollie said surprised to see how slowly Richard walked over to Roy. Richard held in every emotion he was feeling at the moment and looked at his older brother who was hooked up to tons of wires and Roy look so helpless reminded him of his parents when they had fallen. He tried his best to stay calm
"Hey dude we're gonna go get some coffee. Are you gonna be alright staying here by yourself?" Wally asked breaking Richard from his thoughts.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Richard responded as Wally and Ollie left the room to get some coffee. Richard sat in one of the chairs and leaned back. "Roy." He said feeling a burning rage in his chest. When he was younger he had to watch his parents died and had to wait a whole year before he could get justice. Whoever did this was out there probably laughing or something and yet he didn't know who they were or if he could take them down. But 'he' could.
He knew Roy and Wally would probably never forgive what he was thinking of but he knew it was the only choice that seemed rational at the moment.
"Roy I don't know if you can hear me or not but I want to say I'm sorry for what I'm going to do." Richard said standing up while pulling out his cell phone and a piece of paper with a number on it. He walked over to his brother and smiled. "We had some good times and I love both you and Wally so much and it kills me to do this but in the back of my mind I know it's the only rational decision I can think of at the moment." Richard said smiling grimly.
"I hope you can forgive me." Richard said turning away.
"Goodbye Roy." Richard said unaware that Roy was actually awake but just unable to move or talk. Roy watched his brother walk out of the room with no idea what he was going to do. Richard held in his tears as he walked and dialled the number...
Two hours later Nightwing stood on the roof where he and Slade and fought; waiting for someone.
"I see you made up your mind huh." A voice called and Nightwing turned to see Slade standing there.
"Well that all depends on whether you can do what I asked for over the phone." Nightwing responded as Slade seemed to smirk.
"Find and take out whoever attacked Rain Blake and then make sure no one harms him or Wade right?" Slade asked double checking Nightwings request.
"And?" Nightwing asked reminding Slade off the other part.
"Make sure that every villain knows that if they hurt Red Arrow or Warp in anyway shape or form they will be killed as soon as it is reported?" Slade asked as Nightwing nodded. "You act as if those are hard things to do my dear Richard. Of course, the second one is definitely harder than the first." Slade retorted as Nightwing scoffed.
"Do we have a deal?" Nightwing asked as Slade smiled through his mask.
"Yes my dear apprentice, we do." Slade said as they shook hands sealing the deal.
OMG NIGHTWING NO! Oh who am I kidding, we all knew he was going to join Slade. So how did you guys feel about it huh? I know it's a little short. So here's the voting results SO FAR. That means they aren't done yet and after my next chapter is finished they will be finalized. Superboy and Artemis are tied with Static coming in second and Aqualad in third place. Honestly I'm thinking of just adding them all just maybe letting you guys pick the character that goes with this arc. In that matter I'd have to say Artemis or Static or Superboy. Artemis, because she's Nightwing's love interest, Static because, well let's face it, we all need our favourite electrical hero to join oath, Superboy, because he's head strong and could help Wally cope with Richards leaving. Alright, that's all for Oath. Look forward next time to Roy and Wally's reaction