Chapter 6: Old Friends
The next morning, Bruce Wayne was getting himself ready to go to the office while Alfred was clearing away breakfast. "So, what do you plan to do about our old friend, Mr. Wilson and his army?", Alfred asked. "Same thing I did last time. Take him down, hand him over to Gordon, and that's the end of it. His army didn't look too tough to me. They shouldn't be too much of a problem.", Bruce said as he was tying his tie. "That's assuring to know, sir. In other news, have you heard that your Mr. Queen has arrived in Gotham this morning?", Alfred asked. "What do you mean?", Bruce asked. "That's right. You weren't watching the news because you were down in the Batcave. Apparently, your green friend from Star City has decided to pay our fair city a visit.", he said. "I wonder why Ollie would come here. I know things can get pretty nasty in his city too. Though not as bad as here. I'll have to see what that's all about.", Bruce said. He looked at his watch and saw it was coming time to when he should be leaving. "I gotta go. I'll see you later, Alfred.", Bruce said as he left. "Have a good day, sir.", Alfred called to him as he left. When Bruce got to his office, his secretary Clara went over to greet him. "Good morning, Mr. Wayne. Mr. Queen is waiting for you in your office.", she said. "You mean Oliver Queen?", Bruce asked. "Yes, sir. He said he had urgent matters to speak with you about.", Clara said. "Okay. Thanks, Clara.", Bruce said as he went into his office. He saw Oliver Queen sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk rolling a coin with his fingers. Ollie turned around once he heard the door open and smiled. "Hey, Bruce. Good to see you.", Ollie said as he went over to greet him. They shook hands and Bruce said, "Good to see you too, Ollie. I heard you had just arrived in Gotham this morning. That was quite a surprise to hear, as is this.", Bruce said. "Sorry if I came in without an appointment. I just really needed to talk to you.", Ollie said. "What's up? Is this a business thing or a vigilante thing?", Bruce asked as he sat behind his desk. "Vigilante. I know just recently that a crime boss in this city named Carmine Falcone died and he left behind a daughter. Well, his daughter hired someone your familiar with to kill you. I'm sure you remember Slade Wilson.", Oliver said. "I already know Sofia hired Slade.", Bruce said. "You do? I guess you get word of things faster than I do.", he said. "And it's not only him. Slade apparently brought with him his own little band of soldiers for the sole purpose of taking me out. Sofia thinks that eliminating me will reestablish her family's role in the underworld. And obviously Slade wants to get even with me for the last time we fought 10 years ago.", Bruce explained. "That son of a bitch does not play around. Anyway, the reason I'm here is I've been tracking Deathstroke for a long time now because I have my own score to settle with him. Also, he needs to be stopped altogether because he's an unstoppable killing machine.", Oliver said. "I do remember hearing that you have had a longtime rivalry with him too.", Bruce said. "It's not only that. He was actually with me on the island I was stranded on for years before I returned to Star City to become the Green Arrow. He actually taught me a lot of the stuff I know before he betrayed me and I found out what an evil bastard he really was.", he said. "Really? So, it's really personal that you find him?", Bruce asked. "Yes. He's hurt and threatened a lot of people I care about. I don't plan to let him get away with that. I've been tracking him for a long time now, but it's been difficult because he's been flying under the radar for years. I think it's because Amanda Waller took him under her wing for a while to join that Suicide Squad thing.", Oliver said. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's how he got out of Blackgate after I got him locked up.", Bruce said. "Now, I know you prefer to work by yourself for the most part aside from your occasional helpers, but if he's got an army here like you say he does, then you're probably going to really need some help on this one. Trust me, Bruce. I know him very well. I'll be a great asset into taking him down.", Oliver said. "Well, after the very interesting team ups I've had within the last year, I have been more open to working with others than I ever was. I'm up for it. You have a place to stay yet?", Bruce asked. "I was probably going to check into some expensive hotel. Why?", Oliver asked. "Why don't you come stay at the manor. That way it'll be easier for us to work together. I can have Alfred prepare stuff together for you.", Bruce offered. "That actually sounds nice. You got a deal, Wayne.", he said. As Queen was heading for the door, he said, "So, we'll go over a game plan later?". "Yes. I'll see you later.", Bruce said. Oliver then left the room and Bruce got on with his work day. Later that day as night was beginning to descend upon Gotham, Bruce left Wayne Tower and made it home to the manor. When he walked in the door, he called to his butler. "Alfred, is Ollie here?". Just then, someone pounced on him with their arm grabbing hold of his neck. As a defense mechanism, Bruce flipped who ever had him in a chokehold over his head and the attacker landed on the ground. Bruce was surprised to see who it was that attacked him. It was none other than the original Robin himself, Dick Grayson, better known as Nightwing. "Dick? What are you doing here?", Bruce asked. "All these years I could still never get the drop on you, old man.", Dick said as he was still on the floor. Bruce helped him to his feet and said, "Sorry about that. I know you were just messing around, but you of all people should know not to surprise me like that.", Bruce said. "To answer your question, Alfred told me about this city's current predicament and how you're going against my old enemy, Deathstroke.", Dick said. "Your old enemy? You have a past with Deathstroke too?", Bruce asked. "Yeah. I never told you too much about my time when I was still Robin, but working with the Teen Titans. Deathstroke was someone we came across on numerous occasions. We first met when an evil organization called H.I.V.E. hired him to take us all out, but that failed and he's been trying to get revenge ever since. I guess that's why he's here to now to get revenge on you for the last time you fought him.", Dick said. Oliver and Alfred came into the room with tea in their hands. "Looks like we all share a common enemy. The three of us working together might be just what we need to defeat Slade and his army. Especially since he has a vendetta against all of us.", he said. "I do believe you could really use all the help you can get once again, Master Bruce. I think it's best if you let Master Dick assist you and Mr. Queen in your mission to bring Deathstroke and Ms. Falcone to justice, Alfred said. "Well, after seeing the firepower he brought with him, I would need as much help as possible. Okay, we'll all suit up and begin to get things moving.", Bruce said. "That sounds good to me. But first, I could really use something to eat. Why don't you whip us up one of your delicious specials, Alfred.", Dick said. "Very well, Master Dick.", Alfred said. They all followed Alfred to the kitchen where they ate and discussed on how they were going to deal with their enemy.