A/N: Okay, I guess I owe you an explanation... I didn't expect to interrupt this story for so long and here we are, a year without updates...

I'll be honest with you all, some things happened in my personal life in 2022 that made me lose the desire and affection I had for writing and I'm getting that back now. I don't know if I'll be posting as often as I used to, but I won't leave you without updates for so long, as I have 5 more chapters ready and I intend to post them in the next few weeks. What matters now, I'm better and I'm going to start writing again and I hope you'll continue to enjoy my stories even after all this time, thank you for your support!

CHAPTER 36.

A/N: Whenever I think of Dick as Renegade, that song by the Brazilian band Ira! comes to mind. The name of the song is "Nucleo Base". The part of the lyrics that reminds me of him is as follows: "I tried to run away, I didn't want to enlist. I want to fight, but not with THIS uniform.

I know that Dick worked with Slade several times in the comics, but not that many times and as I'm putting it here, the parts where they were partners in various worlds is entirely my invention... although I'm sure they were enemies in almost all realities.

I hope you're enjoying it... after all, more people are coming... Who do you think it is?

''Wait!'' Dick clings to the bars.

No. Wayne thinks. Please Dick, don't do this to yourself, not again.

"Yes?''

Dick stared at him for a minute, but a glance at the others made him lower his head. ''All right, I accept, but keep your end of the bargain.''

Slade smiled at that.

''Very good, apprentice. See you in a few hours. I'll send someone to pick you up.''

With that, the three of them left the corridor and the robins were able to move again.

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief at what had happened.

"What did you do?'' Jason asked.

"I had no choice.'' Dick sat on the floor, unable to believe what he had just accepted.

Wayne kneels too. One more time. It's happened once again.

"It's the Terminator, there was no other way out.'' Wayne closed his eyes with the certainty that was in Duke's voice when the boy spoke, it was the first time he had spoken since they arrived.

Stephanie shuddered at this, she knew about Duke's powers, he had seen this moment coming, he knew what was going to happen and he knew that this was the best choice.

"It may have been the only way out, but that doesn't mean it's the right way!'' Jason ran his hands through his hair, still in disbelief. They already had the chip implanted in them. This Richard Grayson was giving himself up to Slade, this couldn't be happening.

"He's doing what he always does, he's saving people, he's doing what Nightwing probably did years ago.'' Tim leaned against the wall.

Everyone was silent and with each passing minute Wayne wanted to hug his eldest son. He himself hadn't known about Renegade until a few months ago when he visited Tim in the titan tower and had the chance to check some of the more protected files, call it paranoia, but if he hadn't done that he would never have known half of what that team faced.

They didn't notice a pair of small eyes watching them from above. Dick had glared earlier, although that glare for some reason was faint enough for no one to notice and whoever did appear was quick to step aside before the Terminator entered the room.

xxXXXxx

Damian watched the dungeon cameras helplessly, he was sitting on one of the luxurious sofas in the chambers of this version of his maternal family, his ''mother'' behind him, standing proudly as she watched him.

"At least he's clever. But not as smart as you from what I can see.'' She smiled.

Ra's was looking at them from across the room, he was sitting in his own armchair.

"I knew your union with the detective would be very fruitful.'' Ra's swirled his glass with Wisky. "Thanks for the info grandson, I'll keep an eye on Wilson.''

The first thing Damian did was tell them about Slade and the coup he pulled on his own land and how he became Robin. Maybe this will destabilize this "Light" group they talk so much about. Maybe it will help his... brothers... from other worlds. Ugh Nightwing was really having more of an effect on him than he'd like to admit.

''But I want you to be warned. My blood or not, if you betray me, young man, I won't be sorry.''

"I know you won't.'' Damian didn't look away from the older man. The perfect heir. He could be that again for a while. Even after facing the old man in literal hell and being betrayed by his mother in an unforgivable act. He could do that, temporarily.

Thalia eyed the interaction curiously. She didn't let her guard down around this version of her son, but she couldn't help being proud of what she saw. Perhaps all this headache with the league would be worth it if she and her beloved could raise Damian like this. Maybe this alternative Damian could stay after all. She smiled.

Ra's smiled at the boy's response, that was respect, he appreciated it and he also didn't sense a lie in his body posture when the boy spoke about Slade. He couldn't lose the man's partnership, but he would definitely be more careful from now on. Maybe his daughter was right and a bunch of highly trained warriors in his ranks as potential leaders wouldn't be so bad. After all, he wouldn't be able to get the detective to let go of his birds, chip or not.

Speaking of the chip, the clock on the wall rang, alerting him to the meeting with Komander that was to take place soon after. According to his sources, the league hadn't discovered the contents of the pendrive. More time to perfect the formula for the chip inside.

"I'll have to apologize, but I have an appointment. Enjoy the show.

Damian and Thalia nodded.

Damian turned his eyes back to the screens in time to see Grayson fall to his knees. He had accepted the deal. Damian swallowed. He hadn't been quick enough.

Thalia looked at her own version of Damian, only a few months old. She hoped he was enough for Bruce as he was for her. She was no fool, she would keep an eye on this other version, but maybe, just maybe he could have more than one heir after all.

xxXXXxx

"You can't be serious, Bruce. Clark walked behind the bat off the platform in the center of the batcave. ''It's crazy.''

"Actually, it makes sense for me to talk to her, Clark.'' Kara walks behind her cousin.

''She's an alien who doesn't understand us, Kara...'' Clark turns to her.

"And she's a friend. Kara interrupts. She looks at Bruce. ''Your description of her is exactly Koriander, a titan. I want to see her. And you asked me to confirm that it really is Kori. I will.''

Bruce looked at Clark. "She said yes.''

Clark shook his head. ''I can't believe you guys.''

''Are you coming to the watchtower or not?'' Bruce asked.

''The team is due to arrive any minute. Who will receive them?''

"That would be me, Master Clark.'' Alfred replied.

''But...''

''Clark, this girl could be the answer to how to get Dick and the others out of Ra's hands without an army of heroes invading their base. There's no time for 'buts'.''

That convinced the Kryptonian. ''All right, let's go.

"Alfred.'' Bruce turned around.

"I know, Master Bruce, I'll get the team and the decrypted pendrive, if necessary I'll do another analysis and call you.''

With that, they leave.