Hello all again, just a quick chapter update for you all. See! Trying to get back into the swing of things. Sorry it's kinda more filler, but some important filler.

Thanks again to all my lovely reviewers and readers and newcomers. Thank you all so much for everything. You're all awesome! Gold stars to you all!

So enough from me, ON WITH THE STORY!

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The first day of settling in wasn't so bad, the second day however... that was something else. Robin had gotten Asif to tag along with him as he explored the base for himself. He had asked Slade if that would be ok and the man had given him the go ahead, telling him that various bases like this would soon come to be his home. In their adventures, what they had found was that Slade wasn't just prepared for the Justice League or any other random group of Super Villains to come marching in. Oh no, this man was prepared for anything and everything. Robin had come to find that this base was one of the bigger ones outside of the United States, as well as one of Slade's more favored spots. The mastermind had numerous facilities across the world, that part he already knew, but the depths of this organization ran deep. Then there was this "secret society" that Slade was supposedly a part of. That part he didn't know much about, less than what he knew of Slade's own system of operations.

"What the hell have we all gotten ourselves into?" Asif had said while looking up at a bipedal tank. Robin strolled up beside him. "Whoa... that is kind of cool." Asif rolled his eyes. "You would think it's cool. Where I come from things like this only mean one thing when they show up, death and destruction."

Robin looked to his friend. "That is technically two things. And while true, you got to admit, it does seem pretty cool."

Asif smirked at his friend. "Perhaps, but only if your driving it. Like in one of those anime's."

"Someone's a fan of Gundam."

Asif shook his head. "Still, this is pretty advanced. It does make you wonder... what else does Deathstroke have lying around?"

"Knowing Slade, a lot more than what he has out in the open." Asif eyed his friend knowing full well he was correct. "Ok so we've wandered around this facility for a bit now, want to hit the beach?"

The former hero shrugged. "Sure. Why not? I could use a tan."

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Slade thought it best to try and get some of the paperwork out of the way since Will had mentioned that a lot had stacked up while he was away. Chloe was someone he had originally hired to give a helping hand to Wintergreen and she had done an amazing job at keeping everything organized and up to date, so much so that she simply started to do a bit of everything around the bases. She organized everything so well that one could just simply slip back into the routine, and his current mindset was that he should get back into the swing of things. But he just felt no need to comply with any form of work. Perhaps Will was right, maybe he to needed a vacation. He had told himself he would relax once he got here, but he just couldn't. Slade had always been a man that got his work done, regardless of wanting to do it or not, and paperwork was definitely on the not wanting to do list. Regardless it was part of a efficient organization, which he gladly maintained. No matter how much work it took, in the end, when every piece fit perfectly and it ran smoothly, it was well worth the ordeal to get it to that point. But also, it all meant work, a lot of it. Slade hardly ever took a breather, even though Will had suggested it many times.

Lifting himself up from his seat Slade found himself watching his apprentice from his window. Robin and his friend had found a group of his own soldiers on off time and they had begun a game of beach volleyball. He seemed to be enjoying himself. It was nice to see Richard interacting with others on a field not tattered by war. The past few months have been hectic, and at times up right bizarre.

The mastermind wondered about the Bat, how was the caped crusader taking all this? It was just a short few days ago that Robin had made if official he was never going home to play the hero again. He smirked at the thought of the Batman left in a insufferable amount of rage and sorrow. Gotham's villains may hate their existence for awhile. Then there was the Titans. It seemed they were the only ones putting in any type of effort at the moment. The Bat had gone quiet for now, while the Titans were running through all of Berlin looking for their lost leader. Little did they know how far behind they were, although he himself knew he gave them little credit at times. His apprentice did train them. They would catch up soon enough. And then what?

Chaos?

Mayhem?

Some nasty interactions?

Most likely. But a welcomed one at that. He knew that Robin couldn't hide from the Titans for long, and he knew that the boy now had a grudge against that woman in white. Robin have given him a briefing on the situation. Interesting that this ben Elohim had somehow, while not directly controlling the Justice League, they definitely enabled them, and thus enabling the Titans. It was in their best interest to get rid of both parties. Or at least the ben Elohim. Imagine being the one behind the Justice League, the one secretly lining their pockets and creating a perfect diversion. The world could be yours, no questions asked. Slade could understand the concept, it was a basic one, but at times the most simplest things worked the best. One way or another the Justice League would have to go, that is something he has been working on for awhile now. Getting Robin to betray them and stand at his side was only a small part of a lengthy tale of future conquest. The ben Elohim was just another group of super villains he would have to get rid of. Simple as that.

The man continued to watch the boy from his window. Maybe he should take a bit of a break. Just a little one. It couldn't hurt.

The door opened and he heard the heels click on the floor. "Lex is on the phone for ya. He's been the only nice one in that whole Society of yours that hasn't been pestering' the shit outta me. Going on and on about where the hell ya were. At least someone has some manners. Anyways, I said I would see if yer up for taking a call."

Slade nodded. "Send the call over."

"Will do." Chloe said as she left some paperwork on his desk. The new small stack he examined as he sat down and opened his laptop. Lex Luther appeared on the screen shortly after.

"Finally back amongst civilization I see."

Slade shrugged. "Somewhat."

"So... no updates, no news, I am curious... Did you finally win that brat over or not?"

Slade knew this was coming, but unlike last time he had a more favored reply. "Robin is currently enjoying some down time after the series of escalated events that he was forced to endure."

Luther nodded. "Well with you behind the wheel for the whole trip, I can see why." It was a joke, Slade brushed it off.

"I may have had a thing or two to do with getting the boy out there, but he made the decision to stay."

"Well you can be quite persuasive."

"There were some interesting things that developed along the way, interesting as in there is a possible threat out there that we can perhaps bend to our will."

"Oh? Do tell."

What Slade had to tell was... different to say the least. But Luther took it in all the same, knowing Slade wasn't one to give out lies about something so serious. The man was known for his manipulations, but riddled within those manipulations was a load of truths, depending on how you looked at it. But something to this degree. Lex believed him, for the most part. It seemed the world was full of surprises.

"It's time to unite the rest, they enable the league, we could use this to our advantage in many ways."

"Imagine that, and they don't even know?" Lex had a smirk on his face, probably thinking of how he was going to break it to Superman that he was a fraud. "I'll get things prepared on my end and try and contact the others. In the meantime-"

"In the meantime." Slade had interrupted, "We gather intel. I'm giving the boy some time off as well."

"I'm sure it's well earned."

Slade nodded, "Indeed it is."

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Alfred had become concerned. Master Bruce had locked himself away in the Batcave for days now. Something terrible had occurred. He had returned, but without Master Dick. And his mood had turned sour. Alfred had decided he was going to ask, but every time he did, he was shot down. And this concerned him even more, not just about Bruce but for Richard as well. His thoughts had turned grim at some point but he then realized Master Bruce was still looking for for his ward. All the data was compiling on the screen was evidence of that.

The butler placed the teapot and cup and saucer on the tray, along with the daily newspaper. He let out a sigh before picking it up and making his way down into the cave, where he was once again greeted by Batman sitting at his chair, cowl off, just staring into the screen as he look though various reports, and a file on Slade Wilson that he kept up at all times.

"Master Bruce, your morning tea."

He never received a answer, only a nod. The older man had already placed the tray down and traded the hot cup for the empty one. Once he had gathered all he had needed, he went to turn away. But at the last moment he figured he would ask again. "Master Bruce, what happened?"

Bruce Wayne, The Batman, had looked defeated, he had for the past few days since he had returned home. "Where is Master Dick?" the butler pushed a little more and Bruce frowned. "Not with us." was the man's only reply. Alfred looked a little perplexed, but curious. "Yes, I can tell."

Bruce scowled. But Alfred pushed a little more. "What happened?"

There was nothing but silence from man. Alfred shook his head and gathered up the tray to leave and just as he was about to climb up the stairs to the mansion, Bruce spoke up. "I didn't bring him home because he didn't want to come home. Slades done something to him. But I don't know if I can chase after him anymore."

Alfred turned around to face the master of the house. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't Master Dick come home?"

"He killed someone Alfred." It was blunt and to the point.

"What?" Alfred looked to him in surprise, surely he must not be speaking of Master Dick, Robin the boy wonder, the son of Batman. The butler himself helped raise that young man. Richard wouldn't kill anyone, it just wasn't who he was.

"It wasn't just one, it was a lot, he told me himself. He pointed a gun in my direction Alfred... I..." Bruce's shoulders slouched over. "I failed him. I need to know what happened, I need to know why he's acting like this."

Alfred had put a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "And we will Master Bruce, and we'll find out together. Have you told the Titans?" Bruce shook his head. "No, they don't need to know all this right now."

"Alright, but do keep in mind they will find out one way or another."

"Agreed, but right now I just need to find him again." Alfred could only nod in response. Richard? Killing? This must be some grim mistake.

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Bruce finally dropped that bomb on Alfred, I'M SORRY ALFRED! PLS FORGIVE ME! Anyways let me know what ya think, pls pls pls leave me a review! I have cookies and cake for all those that leave me a review!

Thanks for everything!

-Fangy