The Dark Knight Chronicles – My Brother the Renegade; My Father, The Batman

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Chapter 3: Chew and Swallow – Don't Let the Kids See Us Sleeping on the Job

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Shock chapter on the way; recall. Dick's experience with the serum is still a working lure to keep him in the assassin's world on a long leash. For now, that lead is relieved from Slade's grip and he has a reason WHY Dick is so damned bashful around him. Now! Making waves…

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Steph hummed her way up the steps as a tall, rather shy African American teen had a note pad in his hands and was muttering words on a tangent, to himself. "No, I like how… aghh ..."

"What pinched you today: Ohh! Ohh!" She rushed back over the tall balustrade as Slade pushed Dick along to join his crowing students with more introductions. "We are so not done here! Dickie!! Hey !"

"Miss Brown! You are far too close to the edge, my dear! Step away –

Dick saw that she was a few pushes over as her body didn't mind flipping back up into a crouch on the railing. "I only died like one time, Alf. I wanted our new commando capt to meet the crew. Duke?"

The boy with his note pad nearly fumbled as the paper flew up and bonked Steph on the head. "OW!"

"Wha – What is happening? I didn't hear anything…Did Jason lose the match??" He panicked and pulled Steph in, shaking her shoulders to get a straight-faced answer. "What's going on?"

"Was he told?" Slade tilted his head. Ah, the boy was not only new, but being hidden. Not wondering why and not how, Dami moved over to climb the stairs as Dick was dragged along by the youngest. "Here. Get this out of the way so we can enjoy lunch. Alfred? I will see to the introductions being given."

Alfred moved and said very little, the risk far too wide with Slade a live wire should he be given more chores to clean up. "Your meals will be ready within the hour out in the courtyard. I will call for all of you, shortly."

"Even him?" Cass shot her thumb to direct at Slade's patch wearing face.

"Even, him. Yes." Nodding, the butler left them. He dare hoped Slade would keep the training on the mat in the cave or the gym. Not all over the Persian rugs and the walls by the time he came to retrieve some very peckish souls.

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"Duke Thomas!" The kid nearly shot out his arm to shake, or be shaken down as he shook entirely over the greeter. "I, nice to meet an original! Heh!" Nervous, but why was he here? Dick looked to see the boy in a plain pale yellow long sleeve tee and a while sleeveless button-down jersey. He wore baggy jeans, but not too much, too preppy…. he had a crew cut…. maybe a sports fan?

Was he a friend of Dami's or Steph's?...

"Ah, Richard." Dick shook, his arm strong yet back in control. "This is Slade, it's a pleasure to make your aqu –

" Boring !" Steph ignored Dami's dirty looks as she groaned out the loathsome word. "Why don't we go and show Duke what this former Robin was like in his prime." Cass shot her eyes at Slade, then at Dami who had the former boy wonder motionless. "Why not." He grinned, having the others let go a stolen breath. "Why not! I'd love to see what you remember from the days of the famous dynamic duo."

Slade snorted to himself as Duke reminded him, of a rather nosy Nance. One who's prominent features matched….

Well, well.

He liked having such a photographic memory, eidetic. Priceless. As was the info he'd preserve for other fun functions.

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The night raged, yet he'd not stepped by Wayne Enterprises to check on some blood for days since returning home. Coming through a door into a rather sparsely kempt laboratory, the dark was no longer needed as lights flickered on. Weapons, gadgets and old foes. Well, Gotham was full of odd things that made you think twice.

"Luke?" An older black African American male with tired eyes and a suit and bow tie got up to walk directly towards the nighttime visitor. "Son…You made it back." He squeezed, the other male not minding as he embraced just a little less. His history as a soldier and fighter was what left him as Batwing and the best in the business. "Were there any signs…that –

The older male shook his head, pulling away with his body looking frailer day by day. "We knew the secrets he kept locked inside this building better than anybody. Bruce trusts you too, and we have to keep in mind that without a clear conscience…"

"Gotham is gonna fall in on itself. You keep saying I'm doin' enough. We all know that isn't the case, pop."

"You are afraid to say that losing will make you lose yourself as a person for them, but it's all the wrong logic. Bruce never caved in. He always stood up and touched the sky from his tower. So sad to be up there, but we have the technology, the knowledge in hand, son."

"To find Mr. Wayne?" Luke looked to his father and hopeful, as he exclaimed. Lucius Fox and a senior in the security and functionality of Wayne Enterprises from day one. His technological genius was unmatched and as a plus, he knew Mr. Wayne's secret life outside of the CEO'S stuffy suit and tie. "Bruce is alive."

"Why do you keep saying that? Dad, why can't I go out there, have the Titans or somebody –

"We are not the ones to do it. Gotham needed you here, and you left to keep the people waiting TOO LONG." Lucius stomped his foot. "What is wrong with you boy, is you wanna fly inta' battle; guns goin' while I do all of the repairs on whatever's left!!"

"Dad, that's not…" Luke rubbed his neck. "I didn't want to startle you. I know you and Mr. Wayne are like brothers."

"My father and his father were very close, because they wanted what was best for Gotham without rest. You can't fly away and leave a city to do your own work without a plan. Until you've got in bold print the location to my friend an' your supplier, then don't come crawlin' into my lab with that face. Either stay, or go." Lucius dimmed the lights with a key card ready in hand to lock up for the night. "Is Tim burnt out?" Luke went on to ask. "Should I go talk to him –

"Best ya don't." His father's clipped voice was hurtful. "Wayne left his kids in the hands of next to nobody. Even I know what to do and I can't show my face right now." Luke cocked his head at the older male's answer. "Why? I'm going over. Tim, in the morning we've gotta talk this through anyway." He turned to go, Lucius still standing with his fingers thumbing at his escape to the outside world. "Forget it, do what you want." The two parted as Luke got on his coat and set off to grab a cab at ten pm.

Gotham; not what you ever expected it to be and more.

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(Noted; Luke went off to look for Bruce with Young Justice even when Bruce's will said he needed to stay in his city – Luke won't be controlled by a dead man, so he's gone off and is back empty handed while his dad keeps this crusade going without a day's rest. Wayne was his best friend too, and Luke confides in Tim when he starts to burn out at times. Duke is new and has a power to use light and dark energies to utilize as a weapon out of nothing, attraction – reminds me is esp. and Doctor Light's suit a bit. Will go into the whys in a bit.)

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