Hi guys. This is a really late chapter. I ended up being gone for three days last weekend, and I've been so busy that I only finished this chapter yesterday. *sigh.* Ah yes, real life.

Now, fair warning, my ACT test is next saturday, so I may or may not update.

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Guest reviews:

Kim: Yeah. I used Teletubbies, because I've never met a grown person who still likes the show. :) I'm glad you liked it.

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Thank you to all who reviewed, followed, or favorited!

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Disclaimer: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good, and also that I do not own Young Justice. ;)

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Chapter 17

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Blüdhaven

May 23, 19:55 EDT

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Dick was tired.

Deathstroke had been relentless in his training over the past five days, almost as though he knew that he was on a short rope with Talia and might not have much of a chance to complete his work with Dick. What that work was, Dick still wasn't sure. He'd had a conversation with Talia a few days before that made him feel positive that she knew that Deathstroke had an ulterior motive, but that she wasn't going to do anything about it. It frustrated him. He felt that he would have had a chance convincing Talia to let him go, but with Deathstroke there . . .

He shuddered. No, there was no way he would be able to escape easily with Deathstroke out for his blood. The assassin had been training him with no consideration for his injuries, or for his exhaustion. They went out nearly every night to fight the smaller criminals, and each time Dick managed to stop Deathstroke from killing anyone.

He was punished every time he did it, but he couldn't allow Deathstroke to kill someone. He just couldn't.

As he healed, he was starting to think more and more about getting out of this on his own. Dick was sure that Batman was coming for him, but it might take some time for his mentor to figure out how to safely extract him without calling down a war between the Justice League and the League of Shadows.

That was really something Dick did not want to be the cause of. The repercussions of it would be massive, and the loss of life that was possible, terrifying.

So he'd been mapping out every exit and entrance the place had. Every time Talia summoned him he took a different route to get to her chambers, and with each training session he went through, he would try a different tactic, hoping to see which would work best against his temporary "mentor."

The titles of "Master," and "Mentor," were ones that Deathstroke insisted upon, just as he consistently called Dick "Apprentice." Something about that bothered Dick more than he was able to let on. He was sure it had something to do with Deathstroke's plans for him, and he didn't like it.

Then again, he probably wasn't meant to like it.

"Apprentice," Deathstroke's voice rang through his comm. link, and Dick sighed. Speak of the devil.

"Yes Master?" he forced himself to respond, although he was unable to keep his feelings of dislike from his voice. "Is there another mission?"

"Yes. Report to the rooftop in full gear. We have a visitor."

Crap. That didn't bode well.

Dick sighed, getting to his feet and pulling on the final pieces of his gear. He'd been taking it off from their training session earlier that day when he'd fallen to sleep. It wasn't the first time it had happened in the past few days either. He was barely getting enough sleep to keep him on his feet and fighting. Dick suspected that it was part of Deathstroke's plan to keep him too tired to be able to think clearly.

It made him relieved that Bruce had worked hard to train him to push onwards through any circumstance, whether it be injury, illness, or exhaustion. He may not have enjoyed those lessons much at the time, but now, he wasn't sure he would have been able to keep moving without them.

As he made sure his mask was firmly in place and headed up towards the roof, Dick made sure to examine his surroundings. The warehouse that Talia had modified was huge, but it was actually pretty hard to get lost in. She'd made sure that it was clear for those who were on her side.

Of course, if any enemy managed to make it past the doors, they would not only have been lost, but killed before they could take a step.

That was something Dick hated. The assassins surrounding him held no mercy. He recognized many of them from Batman's files, and a few of them he'd even fought before, like Black Spider. He'd heard of all of the horrible things they'd done, even seen some of them himself, and it was only with immense self control that he kept himself from attacking them, or figuring out a way to get all of them arrested and sent to prison.

That would cause a war with the League of Shadows for sure.

Patience. He needed to use patience.

The only problem was that his patience was wearing thin. He'd already been here for more than a month. He'd have so much school to catch up on when he got back, so much life. How was he supposed to be patient when he was missing his friends, his family, and everything else that really mattered?

"Apprentice," Deathstroke said as Dick came out onto the roof.

"Master," Dick responded, trying to keep his voice as respectful as possible, although it took everything he had not to curse in multiple languages. Apprentice, Master . . . Hah. As if.

"You said we had a visitor. Who is it?" he asked, pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind. Focus. That's right, he needed to focus.

It was earlier than it usually was when they went out on a mission, but the light was still fading steadily. Nevertheless it made Dick feel far more revealed than usual.

"A good friend of yours," Deathstroke said, sounding amused. "Batman."

It was pretty hard to stump Richard Grayson. He'd been orphaned at the age of nine, adopted by a billionaire playboy philanthropist, found out his adopted father was Batman, and then spent years training to become a superhero, fighting monsters and people that seemed unbelievable. This, however, took the cake.

"Batman?" he whispered, suppressing the wave of longing that swept through him. His father was here?

Then reality hit him. There was no way he could leave with Bruce, no matter how much he wanted to. Deathstroke wouldn't let him, and he doubted that Talia would have let him either.

"Why are you letting me see him?" he questioned immediately. There was no doubt that Deathstroke was going to use this encounter as some form of torture.

"Don't you wish to see your mentor?" Deathstroke said tauntingly. "This is your last chance, little Robin. At least while on the same side. I'm sure you will face him many times in battle."

Anger and fear coursed through Dick briefly at the thought, but he shoved it to the back of his mind. He needed to keep himself as ready as he could for whatever would come, and besides that, he'd already decided that he was not going to become an assassin, so he really shouldn't be worried. He didn't say a word as he followed Deathstroke across the rooftops. His trainer seemed quite happy with this turn of events, while chills kept running down Dick's spine.

They were nearing the edge of Blüdhaven when they found Batman. He was standing and waiting for them, arms crossed across his chest, and a glare that focused on Deathstroke immediately, with enough force that Dick was surprised that Deathstroke wasn't obliterated on the spot. Batman was a perfect example for the phrase "if looks could kill."

"Deathstroke," Batman said by way of greeting. Dick wasn't surprised to see that his mentor was exerting extreme self control in not looking his way. As it was, he was having hard time not leaping towards his father. They were so close.

"Batman," Deathstroke replied. "What brings you here?"

Batman seemed so calm as he replied. "I've come for something Talia al Ghul took from me."

Deathstroke nodded. "As I expected. Well, I'm afraid you can't have him back. He's my apprentice now, and I'm not about to give him up. I wouldn't try to rescue him either, as I have no qualms about killing either of you should you try anything."

Batman didn't react to that, instead turning his eyes right to Dick. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Could he answer? Dick wasn't sure. Would Talia even let him, or would she shock him if he tried?

"Fine," he said quickly, before anyone could stop him. "I'm fine, Batman." There was a small burst of electricity, but it died down before he could do more than gasp.

Batman nodded, then turned back to Deathstroke, his intimidating presence growing with every second that passed. "Where is Talia?" he growled sharply.

"Lady al Ghul is elsewhere at the moment," Deathstroke said smoothly. "You can do your business with me."

Batman took a step forwards. "Let Robin come back with me," he said simply.

"Are you willing to cause a war between the League of Shadows and the Justice League to secure one sidekick?" Deathstroke challenged. "Ra's al Ghul himself gave approval for Talia to follow this experiment, and unless she officially backs down, that's what will happen. A war."

Dick frowned. It was like he'd thought. There was no way that he could simply return home with Bruce.

Batman was frustrated, although Dick doubted anyone other than he and Alfred could have seen it. "The League does not want a war," he said sharply, "and neither does Ra's al Ghul. Would he really attack us over one hero?"

"Of course, if it was a matter of honer," Deathstroke said. He drew his sword, which glinted in the faint light. "Would you like to fight over it? I'd be willing to prove that I am more worthy than you to be his mentor."

Dick felt a flash of concern. He did not want the two of them to fight. Batman was certainly better over all, but Deathstroke would be fighting to kill.

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Dun dun dun dun!

:)

Hope you enjoyed it. I will try my hardest to get you an update next week inbetween all the studying and stress.

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