Chapter 14: Vigilantes Part Ways
The cops swarmed the docks as they arrested Deathstroke for leading the militia that caused destruction throughout the city and also charged him for the murder of Sofia Falcone. Batman, Green Arrow, and Nightwing all watched as Slade was in handcuffs and being escorted away by Detective Bullock. "Hold on a second, Officer. I have something to say to my friends here.", he said while stopping in front of the heroes. "You all fought well tonight. You were each worthy opponents when I fought you alone. But as a team, you were quite a force. Especially you, Batman. You caught me off guard with those bats. That was a clever trick. It doesn't mean I'm giving up my mission to kill you though.", he said. "Then, you'll have to wait for someone to put up the bounty.", Batman said. "For you, Batman. You're one of the very few people I'll kill for free.", Deathstroke told Batman. He then turned his attention to his old friend, Oliver Queen and said, "The same goes for you too, Arrow. We have a long history together and if anyone is willing to hire me to take you out, I'll gladly do it for free.", he said. "I'll just be glad to know you'll be rotting away in federal prison.", Arrow said. "I must say, you've come a long way from being the young man I fought when you were with the Titans, but you still have much to learn, kid.", he said to Nightwing. "Maybe, but not from you.", Nightwing said. "Alright, that's enough chatting One-Eyed Willy. In the van you go.", Bullock said as he put Deathstroke in the van. The van drove away and was making its way to Blackgate Prison. Gordon stood beside his old friend Batman and said, "Hopefully, no suits get him out this time like they did the last time he was in Blackgate.". "Let's hope so. Sorry if yet another thing like this happened tonight, Jim.", Batman apologized. "It could've been worse. Those army nuts didn't cause too much damage to the city.", Gordon said. "I take it you rounded up all of the militia?", Nightwing asked. "Yep, they'll be joining their commander at Blackgate. The same can be said for what's left of the Falcone crime family.", Gordon said. "It's a shame what happened to Sofia. I tried to warn she was getting mixed up with someone as unstable as Slade, but she didn't listen until it was too late.", Batman said. "That is true, but the way I see it, Gotham has less criminals to deal with now.", Gordon said. "Wish the same could be said for Star City.", Arrow said. "I didn't realize you two were friends. You must really hate Deathstroke to come all the way from Star City to here.", Gordon said to Arrow. "Oh I do, Commissioner.", Arrow said. "Either way, you know when I'll need you again. Whenever you see that light in the sky.", Gordon said as he shook Batman's hand and left. "Thanks for your help tonight, guys. We did this together.", Batman said. "Don't mention it, Bruce. We're always a team no matter what.", Nightwing said. "I'm just glad that bastard is finally getting locked up.", Arrow said. "After everything he's done tonight, I don't think we have to worry about him getting out this time.", Batman said. "Anyway, I should be the one thanking you for helping me get some kind of closure on my Slade problem.", he said. "Tomorrow, I'll head back to Star City as Oliver Queen and go back to fighting scum there.", Arrow said. "You sure you can't stay for a little longer?", Nightwing asked. "I think I'm good. I have a family to get home to after all. Bruce, I'll make it so our companies do that joint venture to both benefit each other and avoid suspicion in others.", Arrow said. "Sounds good, Ollie. I'll see you around.", Batman said as he shook Green Arrow's hand. "See ya, kid. Tell Alfred I said bye.", Arrow said as he shook Nightwing's hand. "I will. Take care.", Nightwing said. Green Arrow used a grappling arrow to latch onto a building and zipline up to the top. Arrow gave one final nod to the former partners before disappearing. "You look tired, Dick. Let's call it a night.", Batman told his former ward. "You can say that again.", Nightwing agreed. Batman called the Batmobile which was still slightly beat up after all the damage it took tonight. "This thing looks like it could use some repairs after everything it dealt with tonight.", he said. "Agreed. I'll have Lucius work on it when he gets the chance.", Batman said. The Batmobile drove all the back to the Batcave where the heroes recuperated until the next morning.