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Chapter Text

Renegade ducked under the punch and did a backflip and was forced to throw himself quickly to the side when his opponent charged him with superhuman speed.

Deathstroke The Terminator threw a combination of punches and kicks at him with superhuman speed and Renegade acting on pure instinct and with superhuman reflexes parried all the blows, his body moving automatically with smooth and precise movements.

The younger mercenary deflected his mentor's fist with one arm and attempted to kick him. The super-soldier grabbed his leg and violently flipped him to the ground. The Talon made no sound of pain and rolled under the legs of the world's deadliest mercenary and while still rolling threw a back kick, striking the back of his knee.

Renegade turned sharply just in time to see Deathstroke fall to the ground on his knees with a grunt and he leapt into the air, striking him violently in the back of the head. The blow with superhuman strength sent the former military man flying away and he fell to the ground with another painful grunt.

Deathstroke immediately got back up but was unable to dodge the right hook that snapped his head painfully to the side. The man staggered dazedly to the side, managed to block his apprentice's next punch and attempted to elbow him in the face.

Renegade let himself fall to the ground and as soon as his hands touched the floor he gave himself the momentum to perform a triple somersault in the air over his mentor's head. Slade managed to grab his leg but could do no more when Dick hit him full in the face with his other foot, causing him to lose his grip.

Deathstroke blocked the fist directed at his stomach and pulled him toward himself, causing him to lose his balance and he grabbed the Talon's head to crash violently straight into the wall, creating a hole. Once again the younger man made no sound of pain and merely slipped out of the man's grasp and then put his head back in place with a crunch of bone. Renegade ducked under his fist, grabbed Deathstroke's left arm and with one swift, smooth move broke it off.

A sickening sound of broken and cracked bones resounded in the room and Slade clenched his lips in pain from behind his mask, an involuntary grunt of pain escaping.

His left arm fell limply to his side and with his right hand Slade grabbed one of the two swords attached to his back and without wasting a millisecond he sprinted toward the younger man.

Renegade's lightning-fast and superhuman reflexes did not fail him and he managed to grab one of the two swords attached to his back just in time to block his father's blade, inches from his face.

Dick rolled to the side dodging the man's kick and performed several backflips. At one point he used the wall as a springboard and flew over the super soldier's head again, landing behind him and snapping to strike him.

Slade spun around and their blades collided once again. He was forced back a step because of the greater force exerted by his son who had an advantage since he had both hands wrapped firmly around the hilt of the sword unlike him who instead had only one arm at his disposal.

The two thus remained in a stalemate as they attempted to overpower each other until Deathstroke threw a violent headbutt at his apprentice who involuntarily staggered backward, black blood quickly flowing from his broken nose.

Slade quickly attempted a lunge with his sword but Renegade managed to block him with his blade. However, the super-soldier expected such a move and soon afterwards he launched a violent kick directed at his son's sword-holding hand.

Despite his total insensitivity to pain Dick still lost his grip on the sword, which fell with a clatter to the ground because his father had struck a precise nerve in his hand, rendering it numb for the moment. He was undeterred and spent the next few minutes perfectly dodging each of Slade's sword blows, occasionally trying (and sometimes succeeding) to strike the more experienced mercenary with his other hand and with kicks.

Renegade was forced to raise his left arm in a defensive position to prevent the sword from reaching his face, and he narrowed his gaze impassively as he felt his muscles being torn apart by the blade, black blood quickly flowing from his arm on which the sword had penetrated.

Dick launched a kick at the hilt of the sword at a precise angle such that the sword flew away, pulling out of his arm from which more dark blood spilled out, right toward his direction. In this way Renegade grabbed Slade's sword on the fly (the feeling in his right hand had recently returned) and tried with a very quick lunge.

Lunge that was blocked by Deathstroke's other sword, which the man managed to grab from his back just in time to avoid being pierced in the stomach. He tilted his head slightly, the only sign that he was impressed by the move.

Meanwhile, the gash on the Talon's left arm had already fully stitched itself up.

Dick smirked as the two continued to duel with swords. At one point in the fight the acrobat decided to throw Slade's sword that he had previously stolen to the ground and instead of grabbing the other sword that still remained attached to his back he raised his fists with a shark-like grin directed at his mentor.

Slade quickly charged him with a lunge of his sword.

Renegade blocked the blade with both palms placed with all his strength on both ends of the sword that remained in the air inches from his left eye. Slade growled, attempting to overwhelm his apprentice with brute force but Renegade did not let go of his grip on either end of the blade by a millimeter, his masked eyes fixed on the man's half-black half-orange mask.

Dick gritted his teeth in an attempt to push back the sword but met strong resistance from Slade who instead attempted to thrust the blade forward toward the younger man's left eye.

Dick and Slade never broke eye contact as they tried to overwhelm each other with the sheer brute force exerted on the sword of the world's deadliest mercenary, the muscles in their arms stretched to their utmost by the very intense and extreme physical exertion.

Finally after a very long minute of stalemate the electrum prevailed over the super serum and the hilt of the sword brutally struck Deathstroke's masked face, his face snapping painfully to the side. The more experienced mercenary staggered dazedly to the side, his vision blurred, and was immediately met first by a brutal punch to the stomach that knocked the air out of his lungs followed instantly by a violent uppercut that threw him backward a few feet with his legs in the air.

Slade Wilson fell to the ground with a thud, his mask flying a few feet away from him, and the next millisecond he felt a cold blade apply some pressure to his neck but make no cut.

With a pained grunt he looked up to see Richard Wilson towering menacingly over him with one foot resting on his armor, just above his heart, pointing his sword at his neck.

A heavy silence fell in the training room as understanding of what had just happened quickly blossomed.

Renegade had just beaten Deathstroke The Terminator in a real hand-to-hand combat in which everything was allowed.

Renegade had just beaten his mentor, demonstrating his real skills and abilities.

Richard Wilson had just beaten his father, the deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world with the most casualties to his name.

Dick had a huge grin plastered on his face and practically started vibrating on the spot. "I defeated you!" he shouted excitedly performing a backflip from sheer, unbridled joy.

Slade merely grunted but made no attempt to get up.

Dick stopped his celebration and stared confused and even a little worried at his father. "Everything okay over there, Slade?"

Slade emitted another grunt. "Give me a few seconds to pull myself together." Dick chuckled and tens of seconds later the super soldier was back on his feet and at the last restrained himself from shaking his head to avoid worsening the concussion he surely had. "Damn kiddo, your blows hurt like hell."

The acrobat's smirk expanded and he began to do what Slade considered a kind of victory dance. "I defeated you, Slade! For the first time ever!"

Slade gave a broad grin and rested his hands on his son's shoulders, squeezing them firmly. "You did. Today is the day Renegade took down Deathstroke in a fight without limits. Today is the day Renegade confirmed himself to be a better hand-to-hand fighter than Deathstroke and perfectly skilled and experienced as he is in mastering firearms, swords and any other weapon.

"Today is the day Renegade stops being known as Deathstroke's apprentice and the day he begins to be independent of him. Today is the day Renegade can begin to have a solo reputation to rival Deathstroke's."

Although over the years Dick had accepted more and more solo contracts he was still known as Deathstroke's apprentice, which irritated the acrobat very much. Renegade had meanwhile gained a reputation as an anti-hero mercenary since he had never accepted a contract on innocents and had killed only evil and irredeemable criminals.

It had already happened a few times that someone contacted Renegade to hire him to kill some hero but each time the mercenary not only refused the contract but also located the location of the client and then killed it.

But now that Dick had just taken down Slade in a fight without limits and rules, proving his real worth, Renegade would completely detach himself from his mentor and the only relationship he would have with Deathstroke in the eye of the outside world would be the fact that he was Deathstroke's former apprentice. 

From then on Renegade will take flight and fly alone.

Renegade will begin to be regarded as a true mercenary without being overshadowed by Deathstroke's giant shadow.

And considering some of the rumors circulating about him in the criminal world, Dick was pretty sure it wouldn't take long.

Although the Justice League still had no confirmation of Renegade's existence but that was another matter.

Dick was moved by his father's words -only a deaf person would not have been able to understand the clear pride in Slade's voice- and he hugged him tightly. "Thank you. Thank you for everything, Dad."

Slade smiled sweetly, returning the hug just as firmly. "You're welcome, son."

The two remained wrapped in the embrace for a few minutes before they broke away. With the acrobat's confusion, his father walked away and he saw him open a locked cabinet, grab a suitcase and walk back toward him. He pointed to the suitcase. "What's in it?"

"Why don't you find out yourself?" retorted Slade with a small smile, handing it to his son.

Dick opened it and what he saw made his breath stop momentarily.

There was all-black armor with menacing blood-red details, along the arms were spikes that could be used both for defense -for example, deflecting or blocking swords- but also for attacking -they were similar to Batman's but these were much sharper, accentuating their offensive character- constructed of reinforced steel colored partially red that glowed menacingly, a large blood-red R there was in the center of the armor -much cooler and more menacing than the one present in his current armor, Dick absent-mindedly noted- and the utility belt is also mainly red with black details, the holsters, on the other hand, are black as are the attachments for the escrima sticks. The mask is blood red with menacing white slits. The armor also featured a collar that would partially protect Dick's only weakness, which was decapitation, although it protected the entire back of his neck and from the front only the lower part of his neck.

Completely shocked and amazed, in a state of still astonishment, Dick ran a hand over the armor and quickly realized that it was coated mainly with the same material as his current armor, that is mainly with Promethium chain mail -which makes it very strong and durable, capable of absorbing energy and taking hits even from big pieces like Superman- and in the minority it is also coated with Nth Metal which makes him stronger, faster, more agile and durable and even increases his healing factor.

"Renegade is no longer Deathstroke's apprentice." Slade's words brought Dick back to reality and he stared at his -now former- mentor. "Renegade no longer needs to wear Deathstroke's colors. It is right for him to wear his own colors and implement a renewal in that respect as well. You are now your own man and mercenary."

Slade grunted when Dick pulled him into another fierce hug and he returned it, patting him on the back a few times.

"Thank you, Slade. Thank you for everything." murmured Dick, his voice fully charged with emotion and gratitude.

"Thank you, kiddo."

The two broke away and the Talon sent him a radiant smile full of brightness to the point that it would have put the Sun itself to shame. Slade returned it slightly and looked at his son, losing himself in his own thoughts.

It was hard that about seven years had passed since he had welcomed Dick. And it was even harder to compare the child so tiny that didn't even reach the middle of his torso to the boy -almost man- he was now.

Now his son was shorter than him by about ten centimeters.

His son had recently turned seventeen.

It was only a year before his son would legally become a man.

But Slade knew that Dick had already been a man for years, especially mentally.

Because no one could survive what Dick had gone through, especially not a seven-year-old boy.

Yet there he was, the living proof.

Dick had managed to survive the atrocities of the Court of Owls.

And although it was literally impossible to completely overcome the trauma attached to those bastards, Dick was now able to avoid falling back into old habits.

He had not called Slade "Master" for about two years, just to mention one of his accomplishments.

Sure, the nightmares were still there but they had diminished slightly with the time and now he no longer woke up in the middle of each night with a scream of sheer terror. Indeed, Dick could now even have good dreams.

So yes: Slade was infinitely proud that his son had not only beaten him but also for partially overcoming his trauma just enough to keep him from continuing to live a life completely tied to the Court's trauma.

And frankly Slade was excited about how Renegade would begin to have a solo reputation and career.

Everyone would soon learn of Renegade's greatest accomplishments and kills and learn to respect and fear him.

Because Renegade, if he really wanted to, could be significantly more deadly, scary and dangerous than Deathstroke The Terminator himself.

And it was only a matter of time before the whole world would learn of it.

"So now I can accept the solo contracts in Gotham, right?"

Dick's voice roused him from his thoughts and the former military man stared at his son. "I still don't understand why you're so keen to accept solo contracts in the city that's a living hell, the same city where you suffered more than anyone else in the world."

"That's exactly why I want to do it." Dick replied darkly. "I don't want to be afraid of them anymore, to live by continuing to give them that satisfaction." a shit-eating smirk spread across his face and he unclenched his fists menacingly. "Besides, I have a score to settle with Batman."

Slade snorted in amusement and shook his head with a smirk. His gaze fell on the escrima sticks attached to Renegade's waist, next to the utility belt and holsters. "You're the best in the world with escrima, kiddo."

"I know." Dick strutted, his face bright. "I'm glad I added it into my fighting style two years ago. Escrima are really cool to handle."

"And the fact that they can reach an electrical charge of more than 100.000 volts makes them more lethal than they already are." nodded Slade with satisfaction.

"Indeed, doesn't it?"

The two fell silent and observed the condition of the training room filled with holes, blood both dark and deep red on the floor and walls and bullet holes in the walls.

"...The loser cleans everything completely by himself!"

"You're a bastard, kiddo."

"I know!"

NOTE: The new Renegade armor is this one created by AI. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Chapter Text

Renegade stood over a rooftop of a dwelling and breathed in the smog characteristic of Gotham City.

This would be his first contract in Gotham.

And the first time he would enter the city without Slade's presence.

He felt a mix of nervousness and excitement overwhelm him.

This was the city that drastically changed his life. The city that not only took his parents away from him but also the same city where Dick endured things so extreme that he would not wish it on even his worst enemy.

Gotham was a fucking hellhole and no one could deny that... but at the same time it was why Dick was there at that moment, as the world's second deadliest mercenary ready to complete his first contract in that lousy city.

Before he left, Slade had repeatedly advised him to be much more careful than usual and that if he saw another Talon he should immediately leave the city and keep his communications on after completing his contract.

Dick shook his head amused.

Slade was really an overprotective dad.

Renegade roused himself from his thoughts, grabbed his grappling hook and fired it, flying from one building to another.

He loved this feeling so much, reminding him of the good old days of his childhood in the circus when he used to fly with his parents.

Or at least the few fragments he remembered.

Eventually Renegade stopped on a building, right next to the dwelling of his target. In this case his victim would be a woman in her 40s who was in charge of a drug trafficking ring. She was in charge of a specific type of drug that was circulating on the street and had already made many deaths among adults but also children.

And she did not care about any of that except for her lousy money she was making.

Renegade narrowed his eyes briefly before firing the grappling hook toward the window of his dwelling. He thus flew noisily smashing through the window and landing easily on the floor, pieces of glass bouncing harmlessly against his armor.

He stood up to his full height and watched in amusement as the aforementioned woman's face took on a shade ten times paler as she realized who she was staring at.

"Madame. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Renegade bowed dramatically and then straightened his back, a smirk between his lips. "But I fear such acquaintance will be short-lived."

The woman took several steps back, her wide eyes showing her fear and terror. "W-wait! I-I can pay you a lot of money to let me l-live! P-please!" she begged pathetically.

The mercenary rolled his eyes from under his mask. "I will have to be forced to politely decline for two reasons. The first is that my client pays much more than you do." he chuckled amusedly before pulling out a knife, casually but skillfully wheeling it between his fingers. His smirk expanded as he saw her begin to tremble. "The second reason is that your lousy drug trade has to end once and for all."

Without waiting for her response Renegade threw the knife. The next second the woman fell to the ground, the knife sticking out of her heart.

Deathstroke's former apprentice pulled out his work phone, took a picture of the crime scene and sent it to his client. He stepped over the ever-expanding pool of blood and began looking for clues that might help the police -or rather Batman- stop her drug trafficking.

It took a few minutes and eventually the acrobat managed to find a set of papers with the names of the people involved and the place and date of the next drug exchange written on them. He hesitated to leave the evidence on the victim's coffee table, knowing full well how corrupt and useless the local police were.

From his research only Commissioner Gordon, Detective Bullock, Detective Yin and a few other police officers were honest.

How disgusting.

Eventually he stowed the evidence in his utility belt, deciding to leave it either in Gordon's office or in his house, and went out the same window he had entered. As soon as he landed on the roof his phone rang. He pulled it out and smiled as he saw the $300,000 arrive in one of his many checking accounts.

Slade had pointed out to him that the pay was rather low but Dick had shrugged his shoulders, more interested in doing good with his killings than in the money itself.

Although Dick was only seventeen years old he had accepted so many contracts and completed them all that he had accumulated so much money that Renegade could have retired and fed four whole generations without problems.

Dick already knew that Renegade could never retire and he also knew that he would die just doing his job.

Not that the thought of death scared him but still.

He roused himself from his thoughts that were becoming increasingly gloomy and pessimistic and he stowed his phone, starting to head for the police station where he would sneak into the commissioner's office and deposit the evidence they needed to disrupt his victim's drug trafficking.

However, he did not get very far when suddenly he heard something so quiet that anyone but perhaps Superman would have missed it.

By now even Deathstroke was no longer able to sneak up on him.

Renegade turned sharply, three knives in each hand, and if he still had a heartbeat his heart would have stopped briefly in fear.

This was because the irrational and emotional part of his brain whispered to him that all around him hidden in the darkness were many Talons, perhaps William Cobb himself to bring him back to them.

Thank God that was not the case.

Renegade immediately relaxed when he saw The Batman a few rooftops away, completely shrouded in the shadows of the city, who was watching him clearly frowning, and the acrobat stowed his knives.

Now anyone else would have already crapped themselves in fear seeing the notorious Dark Knight a few steps away but obviously Renegade was not an ordinary criminal and he raised a hand in the air and shook it in greeting with a smile.

If possible Batman's frown increased, whether because he was discovered or because Renegade had just greeted him as if they were two old friends, Dick did not know.

Dick stood still and watched curiously as the Caped Crusader made his way up to his own rooftop, a few feet away from him. Batman glared at him with his familiar scary look -which Dick had called bat-glare, much to his father's displeasure- but Renegade crossed his arms, unimpressed.

"Are you going to stand there and watch me all night or are you going to say something?" Batman narrowed his gaze, sensing that for some strange reason his new enemy was not afraid of him, and Renegade smirked. "What? You've never met anyone who wasn't afraid of you? Then I'm happy to be the first, dude!"

Yes, he was proud of himself for having just called the most feared hero of all "dude".

"What are you doing here in Gotham?" growled Batman, perhaps hoping to strike fear into the young mercenary.

Unfortunately for him, he had no success and Renegade casually shrugged his shoulders. "I was just taking a night walk through the city. However, I suggest you tell the mayor to implant more night lights. You know, that would be very helpful in my very modest opinion."

"You're Renegade."

The mercenary blinked once, actually surprised that Batman recognized him despite the change of armor. He still pointed to the sarcasm. "And you are Batman." the Talon clapped sarcastically. "Does this discovery make me the best detective in the world?"

"You are the apprentice of Deathstroke the Terminator."

Renegade assumed a dramatically annoyed look, secretly also genuine. "Former apprentice." he dryly corrected him. "You know, by now all criminals have figured it out but it's clear that you heroes have a tougher head."

"What is your relationship with him?"

"No comment."

Batman emitted a frustrated growl. "I thought Renegade was just a legend, a myth in the criminal world."

The acrobat lowered his gaze to himself and then returned it to the vigilante. "I'm sure I'm very real."

Batman narrowed his eyes annoyed, realizing that the mercenary would tell him nothing useful. "Judging by your blood-soaked boots, I'm sure you've got a contract in Gotham and you've completed it."

The Talon looked down at his boots and noticed that Batman was right. "Wow. You really are the greatest detective in the world. But you have blood all over your armor too. Lots of blood." the young man pointed out helpfully. The hero remained silent and so he continued. "Hey, do you think you could help me become a better detective?"

The man ignored him and clenched his fists menacingly, squinting dangerously. "Surrender Renegade or I will be forced to make you."

Dick was not surprised by his threat and if he had been anyone else by now he would have passed out from fear.

Renegade aimed his gaze at Batman, got into a fighting stance and gave a shark-like grin. "Show me what you're capable of, Batman."

The vigilante did not let him repeat it twice and sprinted forward with a punch that Renegade easily dodged by moving to the side. Batman attempted to hit him with a rapid combined sequence of punches and kicks but Renegade blocked each punch and dodged each kick.

In the next few minutes the hero continually tried to hit him but Renegade was faster and more agile than him and his reflexes even seemed superhuman. Moreover, it seemed as if the young mercenary was able to tell where he would attempt to hit him.

All the time Renegade remained on defense without ever counterattacking, merely blocking and dodging his opponent's blows. Batman growled in frustration and turned, executing a violent 360-degree roundhouse kick.

Renegade ducked under the kick that barely grazed his hair, grabbed his leg that remained in midair and violently flipped Batman to the ground on the opposite side of the roof.

The Caped Crusader let out a groan of pain as his back crashed hard on the roof and he watched through the blurred view as Renegade approached him, crossing his arms. "I strongly advise you to give up and let me peacefully return home."

In response Batman rolled to the side and rose to his feet, grabbing two batarangs in each hand and quickly throwing them.

Renegade rolled between two, moved his head to the side avoiding the third and raised his left arm in which the last batarang stuck. The mercenary calmly pulled it out, noting that it had not passed the layer of armor, and studied the bat-shaped weapon in curiosity. "You know, I have to admit it's very cool."

The batarang in his hands suddenly began to flash and Renegade was about to throw it away when it emitted a small explosion, hurling it forcefully back. Renegade turned the fall into a backward somersault and with a backflip got to his feet, looking up sharply at the cloud of smoke.

Only to be greeted by a vicious punch in the face that snapped his head to the side, breaking his nose.

Renegade fell with a thud to the ground but made no sound of pain. Without wasting any time he scrambled back to his feet, feeling the dark blood dripping from his nose that was already repairing itself.

He watched impassively as Batman stopped, probably shocked both by the black blood and the fact that it was evident that the young mercenary's nose was reforming itself within seconds.

Renegade's smile slipped away and he lost all signs of levity. He cracked his neck noisily before clenching his fists menacingly. "I'm sick of you now." he declared coldly.

Without adding more Renegade sprinted in his direction. Batman dove to the side narrowly avoiding the punch and spun around with a roundhouse kick. Renegade easily blocked it by raising his left arm and launched a strong kick to the hero's other leg, just below the knee. The Caped Crusader fell with a pained grunt to his knees and he was hit full in the face by a vicious knee from Renegade.

The vigilante fell backward with his back on the ground and did a backflip, immediately getting back on his feet. Renegade threw a combination of kicks and punches at him, most of which landed, and not only did Batman find himself on defense much more than he wanted to be but he had a lot of difficulty holding his own against the mercenary, both in terms of the speed of the blows and their strength and finally also because of the different martial arts styles that Renegade was using and changing at a frightening speed.

Once again Batman fell painfully to the ground, spitting out a certain amount of blood, and Dick could already foresee the dark bruises all over the vigilante's body.

The Caped Crusader staggered dazedly as he tried to get back on his feet and swayed sideways, his balance precarious. At this Renegade tightened his lips and took a step back.

"You must learn to recognize your limits and back off. How many times in the last few years have you come close to death?"

Batman spat blood on the ground and emitted an animalistic, almost inhuman growl. "What the hell do you care?"

Renegade stared at him with a sad look of understanding, as if he knew a secret that even Batman himself did not know. "You have people who care a lot about you, Batman."

"You know nothing about me, Renegade." the Gotham vigilante declared coldly.

Renegade did not contradict him and curled his lips as he saw him position himself in a fighting stance despite struggling to stay on his feet. "Give up. You cannot win every fight, Batman."

Batman did not respond and once again sprinted toward him. The mercenary easily dodged the punch and reciprocated with an elbow straight to the back of the head protected by the cowl, greatly moderating his strength.

Batman fell to the ground and did not get up again. Renegade let out a sigh and lowered himself onto his level, looking at his unconscious figure with sad eyes. "If you continue at this rate you will die soon, Bruce. You won't always have someone to save your ass." he whispered softly.

Slade had warned him that in recent years Batman was following an increasingly dark path. He had not yet broken his number one rule -don't kill- but Slade told him that he would not be surprised if that happened sooner or later.

Bruce Wayne was retreating more and more into himself, showing less his face to the outside public and attending fewer and fewer galas, choosing instead to remain almost always at Wayne Manor, most likely holed up in his Batcave.

The billionaire was even decreasing his time spent at Wayne Enterprises in which Lucius Fox was lately increasingly taking a central role.

Bruce Wayne was increasingly becoming a mask while Batman his true self.

Dick felt a great sense of pity overwhelm him when his father finished speaking. He was filled with compassion toward Gotham's vigilante.

Dick quickly realized that Bruce had never really gotten over the death of his parents and the sense of revenge was consuming him inside, leading him down an increasingly dark path.

Dick had not only killed his parents' killer and gotten over their deaths but had been fortunate enough to have Slade as a parent to take care of him at times when he needed him most, especially in the episodes related to the Court of Owls and what they did to him.

In contrast, Bruce was completely alone, having with him only the presence of the butler who, however, could not work miracles.

Dick imagined himself completely alone in a huge dwelling like Manor Wayne with only the butler as other presence.

He would probably come out mad. And surely it was not so normal for a grown man to dress up as a bat to illegally beat up criminals at night but hey, Dick could not judge since he did not have the best coping mechanisms either.

He shook his head and stood back up, deciding to leave Gotham quickly.

Dick did not want to stay one more second in that city, not with even a bigger threat than Batman and his biggest nightmare.

Slade arched an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that you not only fulfilled the contract but also confronted Batman and took him down?"

"Pretty easily too." added Dick with a casual shrug.

"Well, I'm not surprised at all." Slade smiled and ruffled his hair affectionately.

Dick leaned back at his father's touch, barely smiling. "Bruce will get himself killed sooner or later with his stubbornness."

The more experienced mercenary rotated his eye. "You worry too much about Wayne. More than you should."

"I know what he went through." Dick whispered. "I know what it's like to see your parents die in front of you without you being able to do anything to help them."

Slade nodded slowly. "That doesn't mean, however, that Wayne becomes your problem. He is a grown man capable of making his own decisions and taking responsibility for them. He doesn't deserve your concern and all that you have done and are doing for him, even if he doesn't know it yet."

Dick sadly shook his head and decided to drop the subject, beginning instead to talk about his completed contract.

Batman awoke from unconsciousness with a concerned voice in his ear. He groaned in pain as he slowly brought a hand to his ear, turning on the communications.

"I'm fine, Agent A."

"Excuse me if I don't find myself agreeing, Master Batman, since you haven't given an answer in more than 10 minutes." replied Agent A dryly. "I'm curious who gets credit for knocking you out this time." he said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Renegade." grunted Batman. "Apparently he actually exists and no longer calls himself Deathstroke's apprentice." he frowned when he heard only silence on the other end of the communications. "Agent A?"

"I see." affirmed Alfred Pennyworth, his impassive voice devoid of any clue to reveal his true thoughts. Before Batman could question him further, he continued. "I suppose you'll be back soon with all the injuries you've suffered."

Batman emitted an annoyed snort but did not contradict him. "Yes." and with that he abruptly turned off communication. He limped toward the part of the roof where had fallen the dark blood of Renegade -surely not human- and frowned when he realized it was gone.

Renegade had erased every trace that could have identified his DNA.

Great.

Batman growled before noticing a few pieces of papers on the ground. He picked it up, wincing when he felt his ribs protest at the movement, and read it.

He soon realized that they were evidence related to drug trafficking and indicated its members and the date and place of the next exchange. He frowned, realizing that Renegade had voluntarily dropped it.

He shook his head and decided that he would deal with it once he returned to the cave.

Chapter Text

"Your eyesight will get worse if you keep spending so much time in front of the screen, Master Bruce."

Batman emitted a grunt as he continued to observe the different windows open simultaneously on his computer screen.

Alfred Pennyworth emitted a weary sigh. "You need to rest, Master Bruce. Your wounds from your last fight with Renegade have not yet fully healed."

"It's been two days. I'm fine." declared the vigilante abruptly and Alfred held back an irritated sigh. "I need to figure out who Renegade is: his civilian identity, what he wants, what his abilities are and more."

"Is Renegade a meta-human, sir?" asked Alfred with a hint of surprise soaked into his tone of voice.

"I'm sure of it." nodded Bruce without ever turning to stare at the older man. "He has greater physical strength than a normal human being. He was able to overturn me without any kind of problem. His speed and reflexes are better than any other fighter I have ever seen and I am sure they are better than Deathstroke's. I managed to break his nose but the blood that dripped was not red but a dark substance. I also saw how his nose repaired itself in just over ten seconds."

"Healing factor like Deathstroke, sir?"

"Probably even better than his." Bruce sighed and put his head in his hands. "I'm sure I've seen that dark substance before but I can't remember where or when!" he growled in frustration with himself.

"Are you sure about that?" asked the British butler, sighing when the billionaire merely grunted. "Were you able to find out anything about Renegade, sir?"

"No." Batman growled. "The only information I have on him is that he is a pale-skinned male who is a few inches shorter than me, I estimate his height to be about six feet. Lean and slim build but definitely fit. His voice makes me think he is young but I cannot tell if he is at least of adult age or not. I couldn't even decipher his accent but he is definitely not from Gotham.

"He makes much use of his agility and acrobatic moves incorporated into his fighting style and is the most agile, acrobatic and fluid person I have ever met. Renegade knows a minimum of a dozen martial arts and could switch from one fighting style to another at an absurd speed with no problem. I suspect he may know many more."

"Do you think Renegade could know all martial arts like you do?" asked Alfred in surprise. "As you said he seems very young for it."

"I think there may be that probability. Young does not mean he is not experienced. After all, it took me less than a decade to learn any form of martial art and the first testimony about him was about six to seven years ago." Batman pointed out. "His fighting style is similar to Deathstroke's and I also saw an influence of the League of Assassins in him."

"League of Assassins?" Alfred repeated in surprise.

Batman nodded. "Not only that though: I recognized other fighting styles in Renegade's style that are not typical of Deathstroke and the League of Assassins. I suspect that he has also trained under other very experienced and dangerous assassins whom I do not recognize, however.

"Renegade's style, though similar in many ways to Deathstroke's, is still different: while Deathstroke makes more use of his brute strength Renegade is more inclined toward his agility and speed despite clearly being endowed with physical strength similar or equal to Deathstroke's.

"His fighting style is incorporated to an extremely deadly, lethal and dangerous level and yet against me he merely incapacitated me without inflicting serious and deadly damage. He could very well have killed me, even after knocking me down, but he did not. He did not even use any of the countless weapons he carries: he limited himself only to pure hand-to-hand combat."

"Maybe he wanted to study you." Alfred suggested.

"That's what I thought." Bruce nodded. "I also suspect that Renegade is an expert at reading his opponents' body language, which allows him to anticipate moves and then counterattack."

"An often underestimated skill that is very decisive, however." noted the older man.

Bruce grunted. "Renegade has accepted many, many contracts and I estimate he has hundreds and hundreds of casualties to his credit, second in the world only to Deathstroke."

"Notice anything peculiar about his victims, sir?" asked Alfred.

Bruce fixed him with a strange look, recognizing an emotion in his butler's voice but unable to decipher it. He then nodded abruptly. "I've noticed how his victims are always somehow connected to criminal activities."

"A sort of anti-hero mercenary, then."

"There are no anti-heroes." Batman taunted. "You're either a hero or a villain. There is no middle line separating the good guys from the bad guys and vice versa. You cannot fight murder with murder. You can't fight crime with murder. And Renegade is definitely a villain."

Alfred swallowed his true feelings on the matter and assumed his usual rigid and stoic demeanor. "This is a thought not shared by everyone, sir."

"Don't push it, Alfred." Bruce warned him coldly.

Alfred pursed his lips in a frown but did not insist. "What are you going to do now, Master Batman?"

"First I'm going to stop the drug deal that's going to take place in a few hours."

"The one that Renegade left evidence for you after he defeated you?"

Bruce nodded. "I found out that his contract in Gotham included a woman in charge of this particular drug trafficking."

"Renegade therefore wanted you to stop it. Very thoughtful of him."

Batman gave him an annoyed look. "And he killed a woman to do it. I don't see anything thoughtful or heroic in that." he shook his head and pulled the cowl down before Alfred could add anything else. "I have to go."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to interrogate some criminals who might have come in contact with Renegade. I'll have to gather as much information about him as I can if I want to take him down next time." growled Batman as he jumped into the car.

Alfred gave a weary sigh, merely watching the younger man leave the cave.

"Not all criminals are villains, Master Bruce. Some of them may be more heroes than you might think."

Selina Kyle hummed a tune under her breath and knelt down, feeding her cats. She gently stroked them with a tender smile and then stood up, heading for the living room. As soon as she turned the corner she jerked violently when she saw a massive dark silhouette in the center of the room before she let out an irritated sigh.

"There are doorbells, you know?" she huffed bringing a hand to her heart, feeling it beat faster.

The figure ignored her and took a step forward toward her, revealing the Dark Knight himself. He fixed her with an intense gaze that weakened her knees. "Renegade."

Catwoman froze on the spot as soon as the name left the lips of her... friend? Lover?

She didn't know what they were either but for now it wasn't important.

It never mattered in the last few years, not while Bruce was getting more and more lost in the darkness of his mission.

"W-what?"

Batman took one more step forward until he towered menacingly over her, staring down at her. "I know you're in contact with him. What is your relationship with Renegade?"

Selina recovered from her surprise and assumed her best poker face. "I don't know what you are talking about. However, if you're interested in anything else I'd be willing, you know?" she purred, gently tracing his armored chest with her slender fingers.

Batman abruptly grabbed her wrist and squinted his eyes at her. "Don't lie to me, Catwoman. I know that somehow you, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are in contact with Renegade."

Selina narrowed her eyes in irritation and pulled her arm back. Batman allowed her to and her arm fell limply along her side before she crossed her arms.

Two can play at this game.

"Yes, I admit it. I know him. So? It's not illegal to know a person."

"Renegade is an extremely dangerous person. Exactly as dangerous as Deathstroke, if not more." Batman growled. "He must be brought to justice immediately before he can cause any more trouble."

The thief felt a wave of anger sweep over her but struggled to remain calm. "And by trouble you mean him permanently eliminating the worst people in this world?" she taunted him bitterly. "Good riddance. No one will miss them."

"This is no way to fight crime." Batman gritted his teeth and straightened to his full height. "Do you know his civilian identity?"

"Otherwise, what are you going to do to me? Throw me into Arkham Asylum?" she huffed with a smirk, not answering his question.

Batman snapped forward and crashed her painfully against the wall, his forearm crushed against her throat slowing her breathing. "Don't challenge me, Catwoman." he hissed angrily. "You're lucky I never threw you there. But now my patience is wearing thin.

"Tell me who Renegade really is. NOW!"

Catwoman brought her hands on his arm, unsuccessfully trying to break his grip as she felt her oxygen running out. "F-fuck you, B-Bruce."

Batman emitted an animalistic growl before abruptly dropping her to the ground. She gasped for oxygen and saw him take a step back, his hands clenching into fists.

"How fucking dare you come into my house and physically hurt me, Bruce?" she growled menacingly as she rose to her feet. "I do not know Renegade's civilian identity but I know that he is not a bad person. He is one of the best people I have ever met."

"It is obvious that he is manipulating you into believing that he is a good person when actually he is a mercenary who kills for money." the vigilante stated coldly.

"Fuck you, as if you are actually a good person!" snapped Selina, enjoying how he clenched his jaw. "You can do anything to me: beat me, torture me, throw me into Arkham Asylum! I don't know his identity but even if I did I would never tell you anything that would endanger Renegade!"

"You are protecting an unscrupulous ruthless murderer." growled the Caped Crusader.

"I'm protecting my nephew in everything but blood!" she shouted. "So fuck you, Batman! I'm not telling you a damn about him! And rest assured that even if you find out something useful about him you will never be able to defeat him! Renegade will always kick your ass and I hope for your sake you don't piss him off, otherwise you'll be dead before you can even blink!

"You are sinking into a darkness from which you are unlikely to rise again!" her gaze softened a little. "You have been getting more and more reckless and rash for years. More and more criminals are being sent to the hospital with more and more serious injuries, some even permanent. It is painfully obvious that one way or another you are trying to get yourself killed, Bruce.

"This is not you, Bruce. The Bruce I know would not be so dark. The Bruce I know wouldn't do all these things. And surely the man I fell in love with would never willingly hurt me."

Selina swallowed hard, longing for his cowl to be lowered so she could see his eyes that she so loved.

What feelings was he feeling?

Anger? Shame? Pain? Regret?

She could not have an answer to her question and she knew he would not take it well if she lowered his cowl, so she continued.

"There are people who care about you, Bruce. You have Alfred. The commissioner. Leslie. Lucius. Your Justice League friends. You have me. Let us help you. Let us love you. Please: let us stay in your life."

Batman stood stoically still, staring at her with that damn cowl hiding his real feelings. The two watched each other for a little more than a minute until the Dark Knight turned dramatically, his cape following his movement.

"Renegade is a very dangerous and deadly expert assassin. The world will never be safe with him on the loose. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Selina gave a sigh of disappointment and watched him leave through her window. She ran a hand over her neck, wincing slightly.

Definitely a bad bruise. She thought with a grimace, wearily passing a hand over her face.

She had some calls to make: she had to contact Deathstroke and Renegade and tell them that Batman was doing his research on Renegade and would stop at nothing and no one.

But she still had some time before making the calls.

So Selina Kyle wept for a man she could no longer recognize and who was becoming his own greatest enemy.

Chapter Text

Inside Arkham Asylum, Batman came out of Bane's cell without any useful clue about Renegade.

Batman discovered that all of Gotham's crazies had met Renegade at least once, respected him greatly -or at least most of them- but would have preferred a violent beating from the Caped Crusader rather than betray Renegade.

Apparently they not only respected him but were absolutely terrified of the young mercenary, much more than they were terrified of Batman.

Bruce hated this.

Batman was pretty sure that none of them knew Renegade's civilian identity, including the Sirens of Gotham who were closest to Renegade but they were still unwilling to reveal anything about him that might help the vigilante understand who he was.

There was only one person left who Batman had not yet interrogated but who in the end, ironically, was the one with the best chance who would help him.

The last person he hoped to meet that night.

Batman stopped in front of the last cell in the entire asylum and stared directly at the camera pointed in his direction. It took a few seconds before he heard a click that suggested the containment door was opened and Batman entered the cell.

His gaze instantly fell on his nemesis's maddening eyes, his green hair and his smile that frightened anyone.

The Clown Prince of Crime himself.

"Joker."

The smile on the psychopath's face increased in size and he burst into his trademark laugh. "I must be dreaming! Or maybe not because I know you actually missed me, Batsy!" he chuckled, sitting in a chair heavily shackled from top to bottom.

"I'll get right to the point. You know Renegade?"

The Joker tilted his head to the side, his eyes showing curiosity and interest. "Little Ren? Of course I know him! Who doesn't know a super-villain of his caliber, after all?" he laughed again. "Although I'm beginning to think he's all grown up now and he's not little Ren anymore." he murmured reflectively and then shook his head. "How quickly children grow up, eh?"

"What do you know about him?"

"Now now, why should I tell you?" asked Joker with a growing smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief and madness. "Where would be the fun in that, Batsy?"

"Because otherwise I will force you to be locked in here for the rest of your life in a full cast!" growled Batman, advancing menacingly.

The Joker threw back his head and laughed madly as if Batman had just told the funniest joke ever. "I like the darkness around you, Batsy! It makes you more fascinating and mysterious but most of all" he flashed all his yellow teeth in a crazy grin. "it always makes you more like me."

Batman involuntarily stepped back at those words, doubts that began to eat away at him from within.

It was impossible for him to become a monster like the Joker.

Right?

"Isn't it wonderful, Batsy? You and me having fun throwing Gotham and the whole world into fear and terror! Both of us sowing fear in our own way into the hearts of criminals, heroes and innocent civilians! We are like twins separated by birth! Amazing, isn't it?"

Gotham's vigilante shook his head, reproaching himself that he was falling for one of the clown's usual mind tricks. He took a step forward and growled dangerously, clenching his fists menacingly. "Renegade. Talk about him. Now."

The Joker pouted. "You're a real party pooper. No fun this way."

The Batman threw a violent uppercut at him that knocked the chair backward and the Joker with it. The clown chuckled as he spat blood, watching Batman tower menacingly over him.

"Now you're speaking my language, Batsy!"

"TALK!" Batman roared angrily, delivering a vicious kick to the back of the clown's head, who could do nothing but take his blows.

Joker spat more blood and chuckled, his crooked teeth stained with blood. "All right all right! I'll talk like a bird!" he hummed. "What do you want to know, Batsy?"

"How and when did you meet him?"

"In one of the meetings between some supervillains, about four years ago. Only at that time Ren was still a child accompanied by his parent." he chuckled at his own words.

"How old was he?"

"I'm not a child expert but I think he was..." Joker began to ponder this for a long time, which began to irritate the vigilante. "thirteen years old, probably. It barely reached halfway down my stomach." he chuckled.

"Specify what you mean by accompanied by his parent."

"Well, I'm talking about Deathy of course!"

"Deathstroke?" asked Batman in clarification. The Joker nodded with a chuckle. "He is not a parent. Renegade is just his former apprentice."

"That's what Deathy wanted the others to think!" spoke the Joker enigmatically, irritating the vigilante who squinted his eyes.

"Explain."

"Our dear mutual friend clearly wanted everyone to believe that little Ren was just an apprentice to him, someone he doesn't care much for. But guess what happened?" Batman remained silent and stared at him impassively. The Joker sighed dramatically but continued. "During the meeting I approached Little Ren because I wanted to meet him and become his Uncle J!

"But apparently he doesn't seem to like clowns very much... or maybe I'm the exception?" wondered Joker rhetorically, shrugging lazily as best as his chains would allow. "Anyway, I really wanted to meet the little Ren who was talked about a lot! You know, it is said that he is even more ruthless than his daddy! Can you believe it? A little boy more ruthless than Deathy! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he burst out laughing.

"Joker." Batman warned in a snarl.

"Damn, you know how to kill humor." muttered the clown. "Just when he wasn't expecting it I sprayed him with Joker Venom!" he laughed. "And you know what happened next?" he thrust his head forward as if revealing the world's greatest secret. "Deathy almost killed me!" he threw back his head and laughed.

"You're still alive."

The Joker contemptuously waved a hand as if that were a superfluous detail. "You have Harley to thank for my still being with you, Batsy!"

"That doesn't prove, however, that Deathstroke is like a parent to Renegade."

"Deathy is definitely little Ren's parent." Joker nodded, his eyes wide and grinning broadly. "Why else would you teach everything you know to a little boy? And although the boy is a little paler than normal, it is obvious that Deathy really cares for him even if he will never admit it out loud. So if that's what you're worried about, I'm sure Deathy is not exploiting or even abusing little Ren."

Batman remained silent, contemplating his enemy's words. It was clear that he could not blindly trust the Joker's words but he could find no sign that he was lying.

"I hear now Ren is flying alone like a little bird." Batman returned his gaze to his nemesis. "And I also heard how Ren is described as Deathy's former apprentice." he huffed. "I have to admit: It was clever of Deathy to use the apprentice thing to make others think he doesn't care about Ren. At least it worked this time."

"What do you mean?" Batman asked gruffly.

The Joker tilted his head, a genuinely confused and surprised twinkle in his eyes. "Don't you know?"

"Know what?" the Caped Crusader growled in frustration.

Joker burst out laughing. "I can't believe you don't know!"

Batman menacingly raised a fist but before it could land violently on the clown's face he blurted out.

"Ren was Deathy's second apprentice!"

 Batman stared at him surprised and skeptical. "Deathstroke had another apprentice?"

"Son but that's the concept." 

"Go ahead."

Joker shrugged his shoulders. "I can't tell you much about the first one but I know he didn't last as long as Ren. Two years at most."

"You mean he was killed?"

"Yep." he snapped noisily. "In a contract. You can obviously see for yourself that Deathy wasn't very happy."

"What was his name?"

The Joker pretended to think about it and it was only when Batman growled that the clown replied. "Ravager."

"So you don't know their identities."

"As if Deathy was so crazy to reveal that to me." scoffed Joker.

"Anything else useful?"

"That's what I know." admitted Joker honestly, shrugging his shoulders. "I therefore advise you to investigate Deathy as well. If you find out anything about him-"

"-I will find out something about Renegade." guessed Batman, mentally scolding himself for not getting there sooner.

He was so focused on Renegade's identity that he had not thought at all about trying to look at the whole picture from another perspective.

"That's right. See? We make a good team." Joker chuckled. "However, there are many rumors circulating about the figure of Ren, each one darker than the last."

"I don't care about rumors. I just want facts and evidence." lied Batman, already mentally thinking about Matches Malone's next appearance in the criminal world. He turned and began walking toward the exit.

"You're welcome, Batsy!" laughed the Joker, still lying flat in his chair. "Um, a little help?"

In response Joker got the door to his cell abruptly closing.

"I should have expected that."

Dick chuckled when the tiny figure of Damian Al Ghul-Wayne raised his arms with an adorable frown, silently asking to be picked up. The acrobat complied with the five-year-old's request and took him in his arms, cradling him gently. His heart warmed when Damian snuggled against his chest, letting out a blissful sigh.

Dick kissed the top of his head. "I love you, Dami."

"Love you, Baba." murmured Damian cuddling even more on the older boy.

The Talon smiled softly and stared ahead at 12-year-old Cassandra Cain, who stared tenderly at him. Her hands moved deftly in the sign language Dick himself had patiently taught her.

I love you too, Dad.

No matter that for some years Cass and Damian clearly saw Dick as their father figure, whenever they called him Dad and Baba respectively he felt the happiest person in the world.

Dick was literally both like an older brother to them but more importantly like a father.

And he could not have been happier than that.

It was also quite hilarious to see the reaction of Slade, Talia and Sandra when Cass and Damian referred to Dick in this way for the first time.

"Come here Cass." murmured Dick and immediately Lady Shiva's daughter crashed into his leg. Dick adjusted Damian's position in such a way as to gently ruffle her hair, loving her smile that brightened.

Suddenly his phone rang in his pocket and Dick silently cursed. He sent a grateful smile to Cass when she handed it to him and he briefly but lovingly kissed her forehead -and how beautiful was her bright, radiant smile!- before accepting the call from his father.

"Hey Slade." he greeted him casually.

"Batman is looking for clues about you." Slade declared without wasting any time. 

"What?" asked Dick taken aback.

"Batman has already interrogated Selina, Harley and Pamela and the rest of the Gotham Rogues to see if any of them would give him anything useful to work with. Obviously they didn't." Dick emitted a murmur of acknowledgement and Slade continued. "From what I understand Wayne is researching all over the criminal world to figure out who you really are and it seems that he will stop at nothing and no one."

"Damn. He can't digest the fact that a teenager kicked his ass easily, huh?"

Slade snorted in amusement. "Typical Bat. He is so obsessed with figuring out who you are that he will probably work day and night on finding out your civilian identity."

"Does Bruce also have a social life?" asked Dick sarcastically. "...Don't answer that."

"How are things in Nanda Parbat?" asked his father, changing the subject.

Dick brightened up. "Great! I'm glad the school is closed for a few days due to construction so I can spend some time with my kids!" he smiled bouncing Damian on his chest -who in the meantime had fallen asleep and was fucking cute- and lowering himself gave another kiss on the forehead to Cass who emitted a delightful giggle.

"...You're only seventeen and already have two kids."

"You don't have to be so surprised, Slade. You know me very well."

Slade grunted. "True. However, Rose and Joey miss you."

Dick's heart warmed at the thought of his little siblings. "Tell them I'll be back soon!"

"Already done. See you soon, kiddo."

"Bye, Dad!"

He put his phone back in his pockets and sent a smile to Cass. "How about we put your little brother to sleep and then play hide and seek?"

Cass nodded frantically with a beaming smile and eagerly she took his hand. Dick giggled as she quickly led him to Damian's room.

Dick loved his family and children so much.

Chapter Text

"Batman, why have you gathered us here?" it was Superman who asked the question that everyone was wondering but no one had the courage to ask the Caped Crusader.

Batman had called a meeting at the Watchtower that the founding members and a few other heroes were supposed to attend, but without specifying the exact reason.

So there they all were: gathered around the table staring directly at Batman waiting for an answer, all curious about the reason he had called the meeting.

After all, it was common knowledge that Batman was a reclusive figure -it was literally a miracle that Batman had revealed his civilian identity to them!- and that until now he had never personally convened a meeting: the other two members of the Trinity always took care of that. So the fact that Batman had convened one was cause for curiosity, confusion and even concern.

The Gotham vigilante turned on the big screen behind him and turned toward it, causing several small windows to appear next to an image portraying one person in particular.

It was a young-looking boy, a blood-red mask covering his eyes through white slits like those featured in Batman's cowl and surrounded by dark, menacing black. He wore all-black armor with a giant blood-red R placed in the center of it. The rest of the armor featured menacing blood-red details. Along the arms were spikes -similar to Batman's but these were much sharper, accentuating their not only defensive but also offensive character- made of reinforced steel colored partially red. He wore a mainly blood-red utility belt that carried who knows how many weapons and gadgets. Also attached to his waist were several black holsters in which were stored guns and also two escrima sticks. Two X-crossed swords were attached to his back.

"Who is he, Batman?" asked Martian Manhunter.

"He is Renegade, former apprentice of Deathstroke The Terminator and currently the second deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world with a body count second only to Deathstroke."

"That sounds really scary, if I can be honest." admitted Green Arrow.

Black Canary absentmindedly drummed her fingers on the table, frowning. "The name sounds familiar but I don't think I've ever seen him."

"That's because the name Renegade has been circulating in the criminal world for about six or seven years but without any evidence to prove his existence. He only recently made a change of armor." an image flashed on the screen portraying Renegade in his old half-black half-orange armor.

It lasted a few seconds and was replaced again by the previous one portraying the current Renegade.

"No camera ever caught him." Batman added abruptly.

Hawkgirl scowled. "It's like he's a ghost."

"There are only a few witnesses who have seen him: nine."

"Only nine witnesses escaped this Renegade in just seven years?" Aquaman arched a surprised eyebrow. "I have to admit: it's impressive."

Batman clenched his jaw a little. "I'm sure Renegade let them live voluntarily, probably to get people talking about him but without giving too many details. They all described him as being some sort of demon thirsty for human blood."

"Jesus Christ." muttered Oliver. "And here I thought the rumors about you were scary."

"I think we left out the most important detail." all eyes turned to Wonder Woman who stared directly at Batman. "You said he was Deathstroke's former apprentice."

"Correct." Batman nodded abruptly. "Deathstroke trained him personally. It was until a few months ago until a rumor started circulating that Renegade is no longer Deathstroke's apprentice and has started his own solo mercenary career."

"Shouldn't we be concerned that a mercenary as ruthless as Deathstroke has had a child with him for at least seven years, if not more?" Flash asked, looking uncertainly at the picture of Renegade. "He looks so young in this picture."

"It would appear that Renegade is Deathstroke's son and that Deathstroke really cares about him." Batman began and then briefly explained the anecdote regarding Renegade, Joker, the Joker Venom and Deathstroke.

"We can't take the Joker's word for it. I mean, he's the fucking Joker!" Hal pointed out, raising his arms in frustration.

"Not only is that the only clue we have but the Joker would have no reason to lie to me. So for now the best probability is that Deathstroke did not abuse Renegade and was a real parent to him." declared Batman in an emotionless tone. "In addition, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and Catwoman have also confirmed to me that Deathstroke is a good parent to Renegade and I... trust their words." it sounded as if Batman had forced himself to get the last words out.

Hal elbowed Barry. "Especially Catwoman's!"

The two giggled but soon stopped abruptly when they noticed Batman's glare pointed in their direction and swallowed in fright.

Superman crossed his arms, frowning. "I'm not very convinced by the words of some criminals but we have no evidence or testimony to suggest otherwise, so for now our best option is to consider that Renegade has voluntarily decided to follow in his father's footsteps."

Batman nodded in agreement with the Man of Steel's words. "Renegade was Deathstroke's second apprentice." he said, surprising everyone.

Another image appeared on the screen depicting another boy. This boy was also wearing armor that echoed Deathstroke's: his boots and utility belt were orange while the rest of his armor was completely dark, including his helmet, which had two blood-red slits. The image showed him holding a pocket knife in his left hand while holding a gun with his right hand. It was also possible to see a sword resting on his back and a dagger attached to his thigh. 

Hal whistled slightly. "I must admit that Deathstroke knows how to make his children scary and menacing."

"He was Ravager, Deathstroke's first apprentice and son."

"Was?" Aquaman pointed out with a frown.

"He was killed during a contract."

Some gasped. "That's rather troubling." Superman swallowed. "It would seem that Deathstroke trains his own children to become mercenaries like him and yet... they look so young." he said looking specifically at the image of Renegade.

"Although Ravager's armor covers his entire face, he is thought to have been about eighteen years old when he was killed." declared Batman coldly, ignoring some expletives. "He lasted just over two years as a mercenary before he was killed, so he had become one when he was only sixteen."

Hawkgirl's grip on her mace tightened. "Too young to die." she growled. "What kind of father is Deathstroke to train and allow his own children to become mercenaries like him? Especially with the risk of death so high!"

"Wait!" all eyes stared at Barry who blushed a little at all the attention he received but he continued. "You said the first rumor of Renegade sightings was about six or seven years ago." Batman nodded and the speedster continued, pointing to the photo of said mercenary. "And it is obvious that Renegade is young and about eighteen years old.  

"That means Renegade became a mercenary at the tender age of about eleven or so."

"That's right."

A heavy, tense silence fell in the room.

"I'm missing something." Wonder Woman began, getting everyone's attention. "Let's leave aside for a moment Deathstroke's somewhat questionable parenting skills. We understand that Ravager was his first son and apprentice and became a mercenary at the age of sixteen, so why would Deathstroke allow Renegade to become a mercenary much earlier, at the age of eleven or so?"

"And also how Renegade wasn't killed right away because, you know, he was literally a child when he started." Dinah added helpfully.

"These are all good questions but we don't know the answer yet." the Dark Knight grunted displeased. "However, there are many rumors circulating about Renegade's reputation and all of them agree on one thing: that Renegade is as ruthless, deadly and dangerous mercenary as Deathstroke himself, if not more so.

"Just like his mentor, Renegade has never failed a contract and is currently regarded as the second best mercenary in the world, below only Deathstroke. In just a few years he has already surpassed mercenaries of the caliber of Sportsmaster, Deadshot, David Cain and others in every respect. However, many people would not be surprised if sooner or later Renegade surpasses even Deathstroke himself, taking the top spot."

"Is that guy so dangerous?" asked Hal, absentmindedly fiddling with his ring. "I mean, you're making it sound like he's Satan himself come down to Earth but he's just a kid."

"I can personally confirm that Renegade is dangerous and deadly on an extreme level."

For a while the heroes watched the Caped Crusader in silence, trying to decipher his words. Then something clicked in Flash's head and he stared at the vigilante with a surprised and shocked look. "Are you saying you fought with Renegade?"

Batman nodded and everyone noticed how he clenched his fists. "About a week ago Renegade accepted his first contract in Gotham and managed to complete it even before I found out he was there. He managed to notice my presence even though I was completely shrouded in darkness."

Some of the heroes hissed impressed. "Not even Supes can sense your presence and he literally has super hearing that allows him to hear the whole world." Green Arrow chuckled, pointing a finger in the direction of Superman who stared at him impassively.

"So you had a fight." Aquaman guessed, getting a nod.

"Case closed then. Where's Renegade?" Hal asked with a casual shrug. "Did you lock him up in your cave, Spooky?"

"...He defeated me."

Everyone blinked at the vigilante's admission and it took a few seconds before his words registered in every hero's mind. "You, The Batman, the fucking Dark Knight of Gotham who fears nothing and no one, who strikes terror in anyone, who has mastered literally every martial art on Earth, were defeated by a teenager in hand-to-hand combat?" asked Oliver hysterically.

His look of utter shock, disbelief, and horror was mirrored in every other hero present at the meeting when Batman nodded. "Renegade wasn't afraid of me at all." growled Batman, clearly annoyed by the whole situation.

"WHAT?"

"Okay, I take back my previous words. Renegade is literally Satan himself." Hal rubbed his face wearily. "Because clearly only Satan can be unafraid of you, spot you doing your Spooky thing, and defeat you in hand-to-hand combat."

"At least you managed to give him some difficulty." Black Canary smiled uncertainly, trying to give some sort of comfort to the vigilante.

Batman remained more motionless than usual and everyone else swore they saw some sort of embarrassment in him. "...Renegade defeated me easily." he admitted, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "And Renegade was also going very easy on me while I was trying to take him down."

Everyone stared at him with looks of absolute shock and terror and began to understand why Batman had called this meeting.

"Are you saying that Renegade not only spotted you hiding in the darkness when even we are unable to sense your presence, but he was not afraid of you at all and even beat you easily?" Diana summed up, her gaze shocked. Batman nodded and she tightened her lips. "I must admit to being impressed by this Renegade."

"That and I'm pretty scared of him." Flash shuddered. "Because we just found someone tougher than Batman."

"And that's why we have available a clear image of Renegade when you said no camera was able to record him." guessed Martian Manhunter easily, barely smiling when he saw the vigilante nod.

"I suppose after your defeat you worked hard to find out more about Renegade." said Superman once he got over the shock.

"I did but for now his civilian identity and Deathstroke's identity are still unknown." grunted Batman and a series of information appeared next to Renegade's image while Ravager's shrank. "Civilian identity: currently unknown. Pale male. Dark hair. Eye color unknown. Height about six feet. Age between seventeen and nineteen. Could not decipher his accent but he is not from Gotham.

"Slim but athletic build. Renegade is the most agile, acrobatic and fluid person I have ever met and he has incorporated his acrobatic skills into his fighting style, making much use of them. He is as adept at mastering any firearm, snipers, swords, katanas, daggers, knives and any other form of weapon as Deathstroke himself and is also the best in the world at fighting with escrima sticks.

"Renegade is also the best hand-to-hand fighter I have ever fought. During our fight Renegade switched from one fighting style to another at an almost impossible speed with no problem and used a dozen different martial arts in a few minutes. It is very likely that he knows all martial arts as well as I do." some people made choked noises of shock but Batman ignored them. "His hand-to-hand combat reminds me a lot of Deathstroke's but there is also an influence of the League of Assassins and I have noticed other fighting styles: that means that Renegade has also trained under other deadly and experienced assassins.

"He is also an expert at reading body language, a skill that then allows him to read my moves, anticipate them and then counterattack. Renegade is also a meta-human."

"Meta-human?" Barry shouted on the verge of hysteria as the others uttered verses of shock and surprise.

Batman nodded abruptly. "Renegade has superhuman strength, probably about the same level as Deathstroke. Renegade is also much faster, more agile and fluid than Deathstroke and his reflexes are much better than his. Renegade also has a healing factor and I estimate that it is better than Deathstroke's."

"How can you tell?" Dinah asked and it sounded as if she was about to regurgitate her lunch.

"My only hit that went in cracked his nose and it repaired itself within about ten seconds. Also, no normal blood came out but a strange black substance that I don't recognize." said Batman and the screen showed the moment that occurred during the vigilante-mercenary fight he was describing.

"Jesus Christ!" Hal hissed.

"Against me, Renegade did not use any kind of weapon and merely faced me in pure hand-to-hand combat and this shows his level of threat and danger. He could have killed me during the fight, even after defeating me, but he didn't."

"Do you know the reason?" Aquaman asked after running a hand over his face, clearly surprised.

"Renegade only takes on one type of contract: his victims are always somehow involved in criminal activities such as murder, drug trafficking, child and human trafficking, rape, child abuse and many more." explained Batman in an impassive voice. "Renegade has never taken a contract on an innocent person."

This aroused interest in the heroes. "It seems as if Renegade is fighting crime in his own way." Martian Manhunter pointed out, tilting his head to the side.

"Which is unacceptable." Batman growled. "He still kills people for money, no matter if they are criminals."

Wonder Woman rolled her eyes at Batman's stubbornness and mentally thought that Renegade was the quintessential definition of an anti-hero.

In short, there was a specific reason why Renegade killed criminals and never innocents, and the economic motive can only hold up to a certain point. It was a moral code that in some ways was very similar to Diana's own and one that she would definitely prefer instead of imprisoning the bad guys and then letting them go free because of the bad justice system so that they could commit more crimes.

She kept her thoughts to herself knowing full well that Batman would never change his mind on the matter and merely observed the continuation of the conversation.

"So we should all be careful with Renegade. He is a high-level threat that should not be underestimated. It is likely that from now on we may encounter Renegade in one of his contracts during our missions. We should do everything we can to capture him and bring him to justice." Batman growled and immediately turned and without even saying goodbye he walked away, his cape fluttering dramatically.

Recognized: Batman 02

For a while there was silence in the meeting room that was broken a short time later by Hal Jordan.

"Who is of the opinion that Spooky is just pissed off because a teenager kicked his ass easily in his own town, totally humiliating him?"

Diana was not surprised when everyone raised their hands in total unanimity.

Soon the heroes began to say goodbye and leave. Before Diana left the room, she took one last look at Renegade's image for a few seconds before turning and walking away.

Chapter Text

Slade Wilson read the message that had arrived on his work phone and blinked slowly. He frowned and emitted a low murmur, mentally wondering what he should do.

Suddenly he felt weight piling up on his back and a head jutting from his right shoulder. "What is it?" asked his son curiously.

In response the super soldier lifted his phone, allowing him to see the message that read:

Deathstroke The Terminator, I am pleased to announce that you have been officially invited to join the Light. If you are interested, please contact this number as soon as possible and we will arrange an official introduction meeting.

Dick frowned and rested his head on his father's shoulder. "What the hell is the Light? Another criminal organization or something?"

Slade grunted. "I'd heard lately about some super-villains who were teaming up but I didn't think their organization would have this name."

"Pretty cheesy name, isn't it?" asked Dick, smiling when he heard him snort. He got off his father and stood in front of him, pulling out his own work phone and frowning. "Why haven't they contacted me?" he asked offended.

"Probably because they will do anything to eliminate the Justice League and they know that you are more of an anti-hero so you would reject their offer regardless." the former military man pointed out.

"It's still rude of them not to contact me." Dick wrinkled his nose dramatically. "And haven't they noticed that in recent years you've also been taking contracts on bad guys and stopped killing innocents?"

"Maybe but my reputation for being a big asshole precedes me, kiddo."

"I can't deny that." Dick chuckled at the deadly stare and stared curiously at his father. "What are you going to do?"

"Obviously I'm going to politely send them to hell." Slade declared dryly, making his son laugh. "I don't want to mix with a bunch of incompetents and risk the Justice League getting me."

"Do you already know the members of this organization?"

"No. But who the hell would be part of the Light?" Slade snorted. "That's a dumbass name."

"Agreed." nodded the acrobat with a chuckle. "But if you want to know my humble opinion on the matter, I suggest you at the very least attend the meeting and, if you think they are really a band of incompetents who won't last long, turn down the offer to join otherwise become a member."

Slade stared at his son, arching an eyebrow. "The Light will devise plans to kill your Justice League friends you don't even know."

"I know."

"And you want me to be part of it if they pose a real threat to them."

"That's what I said."

"You want me to become a member of the Light who wants to kill the Justice League and maybe rule the world or some shit like that, risking me becoming a target of your hero friends."

"Uh uh."

Slade narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why?"

Dick sent him a shit-eating grin. "Take a guess, Slade. Think of it as a kind of training for your detective skills."

Slade should have felt anger or indignation at those words but all he felt was amusement. "You're turning my own words against me, kiddo."

"I know, I'm a genius." Dick said with a dramatic bow.

The more experienced mercenary huffed and began to reflect.

Why the hell would his son, who cared so much about heroes, want Deathstroke to become a member of the Light in case the other supervillains posed a real threat to the Justice League? Why risk putting him right in the JL's crosshairs?

Slade came to the conclusion even before five seconds had passed. "You want me to infiltrate the Light and become a mole."

"Bingo." Dick sent him finger guns with a smirk. "If the Light is just a shoddy organization full of idiots who are no real danger to the heroes then screw them all and you won't be a part of it. If, on the other hand, they pose a real threat to the Justice League, you will infiltrate the Light and be a mole. So you will tell me their plans and I will report them anonymously to the heroes or stop the villains myself." he stated, concluding his explanation and reasoning.

Slade arched an eyebrow. "If the Light is really dangerous and were to discover us we would get in trouble, kiddo."

"Point 1: we won't be discovered."

"A little too arrogant, don't you think?"

The man was ignored. "Point 2: since when is Deathstroke afraid?"

"I'm not afraid and you know it." growled Slade but once again he was ignored, irritating and amusing him at the same time.

"Point 3: even if we were to be caught we both know that together we could beat anyone." Dick gave a shark-like grin. "I remind you that Deathstroke and Renegade together brutally killed the best assassins in the League of Assassins and Ra's himself, and I was only eleven years old and with much less training than I have now."

Slade tilted his head slightly to the side, also smiling.

Deathstroke and Renegade formed the best duo ever and the deadliest, most lethal, ruthless and dangerous. They were in perfect sync, to say the least, and they knew what each other was thinking without even talking: all it took was one look and they already knew each other's move.

So yes: the two mercenaries together could have taken down anyone, no matter if they are gods, demons, aliens or who knows what else.

The Light would have no hope against the two most dangerous mercenaries in the world.

"So? What do you think of my plan?"

Slade stared at his son and tightened his lips. "We'd have to recheck our cards a bit… but it can be done." he nodded with a smirk. "I have no better to do and this may turn out to be a unique and unrepeatable experience."

Dick exulted as he raised victoriously a fist in the air. "And fun too!"

"Of course." Slade agreed, good-naturedly rolling his eye. "I'm going to call them now and see when this meeting is so that I can personally assess the risk that Light actually poses."

Dick smiled and nodded frantically, eagerly rubbing his hands together.

This could be fun. And who knows, it could also turn out to be productive on a personal level as well as for Renegade's reputation.

Chapter Text

Deathstroke The Terminator stopped in front of an imposing structure and glanced at his phone, making sure that was the right place. The coordinates did not lie, so he continued on.

He noticed three armed men in front of the massive gate and his intention was to ignore them. He would have done so if he hadn't had three spears pointed in his face, irritating him.

"Strip off all your weapons." stated one of them. "It's protocol."

Deathstroke stared at them impassively. "Shove protocol up your asses. If you want to go home alive I strongly suggest you get your fucking spears out of my face in less than three seconds." he threatened them in a low, dangerous voice.

To his petty satisfaction he saw them begin to shake like leaves. They looked at each other and immediately moved to the side, allowing him to pass. Slade smiled from behind his mask and advanced.

"Wise decision."

He entered the building and found a long corridor in front of him. So he advanced at a slow and confident pace, noticing some active cameras that were recording and ignoring them.

At the end of the corridor was a massive steel door and he stopped. He knocked twice, as they had established on the call, and waited patiently. It took a maximum of ten seconds before the door opened.

Deathstroke found himself facing a dark-skinned man, more than six feet tall, dark hair, brown eyes colder than steel itself, broad shoulders, a square jaw, strong, rugged features, he had three large visible scars on his face but above all a very massive and sturdy build.

If Slade were not the deadliest mercenary in the world he probably would have been intimidated.

The man gave him a nod and moved to the side, allowing him to enter. Slade did not return the nod and moved forward, entering the room and looking around. It was a huge dark-colored room, mostly empty, and in the center was a huge table where many super-villains were gathered, although the only ones Slade recognized were Lex Luthor accompanied by his faithful assistant Marcy, Brain and his trusty gorilla Mallah who was holding his usual machine gun -fucking protocol, Slade thought with a mental scoff-, Ocean-Master and Black Manta. There were six other super-villains, however, who he did not recognize, including the man who let him into the room.

The number of super-villains involved was very worrying and so the type of them: they all seemed very dangerous in one way or another, and Slade had a very bad feeling.

He stared at the man from earlier who flanked him and who had a slight smirk on his lips. "Greetings, Deathstroke. I am Vandal Savage and I hold the position of leader of the Light. Please, take a seat." he pointed to the table where two chairs remained empty, one of which was the one at the head of the table.

Deathstroke then sat down on the other, sure that the one at the head of the table was reserved for Vandal Savage. He was flanked on the left by an attractive black woman who had some sort of tiara on her head -the only female supervillain, Slade noted- and on the right by Black Manta. The mercenary glanced around again, aware that all eyes were on him and ignoring them, and then stared directly at Vandal Savage.

"A brief introduction would be appreciated." he said, leaning back in his chair in a position that exuded casualness but danger.

He did so not so much for comfort but more to make it clear that no one could mess with Deathstroke The Terminator, no matter who the fuck you are.

"Of course." Vandal Savage nodded and began the introductions.

The woman at his side was Queen Bee. The albino gorilla -even more robust and taller than Mallah himself- was Ultra-Humanite and from his head visibly protruded a brain and wearing a red-colored harness, a belt carrying golden bullets and a huge gun. The man wearing sunglasses and looking like an ordinary person was Zviad Baazovi. There was also a pale youth-looking boy named Klarion who had two horns sticking out of his head and in his lap was an orange cat with black stripes and red eyes named Teekl. Finally, the pale bald man whose brain was visible through a transparent dome was Psimon.

Then of course there was also Lex Luthor, Brain and Mallah, Black Manta and Ocean-Master who he already knew.

Slade was already beginning to think that the Light was not a two-bit organization.

The super soldier nodded at the end of the presentation. "So what would be the goal of the Light?"

"I welcome the question." Vandal Savage smiled, crossing his hands on the table like a true leader, and began to explain. "You know, Deathstroke, I have literally so many thousands of years. I have been alive since what you consider 50.000 B.C. or so. I have seen and experienced countless wars, extreme natural phenomena, thousands of cities and civilizations destroyed and other thousands resurrected, plagues and other diseases, and much more. History unfolded in this way quite naturally, with no one slowing down or preventing necessary events that have enabled mankind to come to this day with all the resources, technologies and knowledge available and more.

"But with the advent of the Justice League this is no longer possible." Vandal Savage narrowed his eyes menacingly. "The so-called “heroes” are slowing down and blocking the human evolutionary process. They are protecting humanity from crimes, natural disasters, tragedies and wars, factors necessary for the evolution of the human species. Human beings need catastrophes of all kinds to happen and alone try to find a solution to counter them.

"Our goal is to make everyone see the Light, meaning how the Justice League is hindering the evolution of humanity as they protect it from necessary factors. So we are going to join forces to accelerate the evolution of humanity so that Earth taking its rightful place at the center of the cosmos."

Slade remained silent, mentally contemplating all that he had just heard. He already found so many reasons why their goal was crazy and stupid that he did not even know where to begin.

The mercenary had already heard and witnessed many plans about how to dominate the world, destroy it or other such crap. But this goal, while definitely original, was probably the strangest he had ever heard.

Of all the possible reasons for killing heroes as personal glory, money, conquering or destroying the world, this was definitely the craziest and stupidest ever.

Get rid of heroes because they are preventing human evolution by protecting Earth from catastrophic events? So that after their deaths Earth can take a central role in the entire cosmos?

Seriously? What the fuck?

For obvious reasons Deathstroke kept his real thoughts to himself and merely nodded. "Interesting. Very original goal."

Vandal Savage smiled. "I know."

"So you would like to kill the heroes so that humanity can evolve in such a way that Earth can assume a centering role in the entire cosmos, right?"

"That's right."

"I note that you have hired many super-villains."

The Light leader nodded. "In this way, the Light has many spheres of influence in many fields: business with Luthor, politics with Queen Bee and Baazovi, oceans with Black Manta and Ocean-Master, science with Brain, magic with Klarion, technology and intelligence of Ultra-Humanite and finally psychic powers of Psimon.

"I also asked the League of Assassins to join the ranks of the Light but its new leader, Talia Al Ghul, refused, saying she wanted to remain in neutral territory." Vandal Savage shook his head disappointedly. "It is unfortunate that Talia staged the coup and killed her father. I'm sure Ra's would have very willingly joined the Light and we would have had many more resources at our disposal, such as some of the most dangerous assassins in the world."

Slade raised an eyebrow behind his mask. Apparently Talia had also received an invitation to join the Light but she directly declined.

Shortly he and Dick would have a talk with her on this subject.

And still the super-villains -and most likely the heroes as well, always if they knew about it- thought that Talia was directly responsible for Ra's death instead of Renegade.

This was a good thing since Light would keep its distance from Renegade, uninterested in him and underestimating him. 

And so Slade would secretly enjoy seeing Light's plans stopped by Renegade.

Deathstroke nodded again. "With all of them then why extend the invitation to me as well?" he asked even though he already knew the answer.

"Obviously because you are a world-renowned expert assassin and the deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world. With you at our side, the Light will have its direct main executioner."

"You want me to kill heroes." affirmed the mercenary with amusement.

"Not only that. You will also be sent on several missions to retrieve some resources we need. You will be an important member of the Light, Deathstroke."

"You are already assuming that I will accept the invitation to be part of the Light, Vandal Savage."

The leader tilted his head slightly to the side, his gaze unreadable. "Will you turn down the greatest opportunity of your life to be part of an organization like the Light?"

Deathstroke uttered a mocking verse, ignoring the dirty looks he received from the other supervillains. "As you well know, I am not interested in world domination and other such crap. My only interest is in completing any contract I accept and anything that brings me any form of personal benefit. So if I were to join you what would be my advantages?"

"Are you serious? We are offering you domination and control of the whole world without heroes and you want more personal benefits?" taunted Lex Luthor.

"Then you take care of killing heroes, Luthor." huffed the mercenary casually shrugging his shoulders. "Looks to me like I'll be the one who has to do the hardest work."

"Not really." Vandal Savage intervened with a growing smirk. "We have other ways to kill heroes among the magic, technology and science we possess. So we don't actually need you."

Deathstroke was silent for a few seconds before slowly turning his neck and staring Vandal Savage deadly in the eyes. "I hope for your sake you didn't bring me here just to waste my precious time." he stated coldly, a note of threatening warning in his voice.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw some super-villains shudder, which made him meanly pleased. Vandal Savage merely smirked, which instead annoyed him. "Intimidation has no effect on me, Deathstroke. Not after I have lived many thousands of years."

"I will only tell you once more. Why did you invite me here when you don't really need me?"

"Because we need a heavy hitter and your reputation precedes you. You are the most dangerous and deadly mercenary in the world and the best assassin of all. You have never failed a contract. Your skills as a strategist are envied by all. You would be a very important and valuable resource for the Light."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." affirmed the super soldier impassively. "And I'm not an idiot. You just want someone to throw under the bus in case any of your plans fail. You want me to kill the heroes so that they will focus exclusively on me while you and your little friends without worries organize the final plan to kill them all. Whether I survive or not is not important to you: my hypothetical death will only be a side effect for you."

The other supervillains stared at each other with wide, shocked eyes and also the leader of the Light showed genuine surprise. Deathstroke huffed and stood up causing the chair to back up noisily and turn around, the heavy sound of his footsteps as he advanced toward the exit without adding anything else.

"Wait!"

Slade had a smirk between his lips and turned, crossing his arms and meeting Vandal Savage's gaze. "I advise you not to waste any more of my time."

An irritated flash crossed the older man's face before it quickly disappeared. "I admit that I underestimated your deduction skills and I deeply apologize for that." he began in a mock friendly tone of voice, implicitly admitting that Slade was right earlier. "We will change our plans. We will not use you as a distraction for the Justice League. We will kill all of them. Together. With all our resources.

"I didn't lie before when I said you would be an indispensable resource for the Light. We really need an assassin like you. We were planning to recruit Sportsmaster or Cain but they are not as skilled and experienced as you. We need the best assassin in the world."

Deathstroke tilted his head slightly, pretending to ponder the situation. "I will agree to join the Light with some conditions."

There were noises of protest and indignation in the background but they were silenced when Vandal Savage raised a hand. "Go ahead."

"I will not be your puppet. If I notice that you intend to use me as a bait for heroes I will abandon immediately and seriously consider killing you all."

"That will not happen." he reassured him.

The mercenary nodded and continued. "If I accept the missions you want to send me on and I come across any heroes I will not kill them. I will fight against them and defeat them but I will not kill them otherwise we go back to the previous point. We will kill them with whatever plan you have in mind but we will do it together and kill the whole JL."

The leader of the Light nodded. "Certainly."

"We will negotiate the amounts I will earn for each of my missions. After all, they will decrease my contracts and I am a professional mercenary."

"Fair enough."

"Finally, I want to be constantly briefed, even on the smallest details. I will have to be a full-fledged member of the Light and that means always being up to date."

"Is that all?" asked Vandal Savage. Deathstroke nodded and the leader extended a hand, a smirk between his lips. "I accept all the conditions.

"I welcome you to the team, Deathstroke the Terminator. I am pleased to announce you as an official member of the Light."

The mercenary accepted the handshake and returned it firmly, a smirk hidden by his mask.

"It will be a pleasure to work with all of you."

Chapter Text

"It's a total disaster. Heavy on the dis."

This was the first thing Dick said as soon as Slade told him every single detail of the Light meeting. The former military man stared at his son, unimpressed by him butchering the English language, but finally ignored him with a grunt.

"There are so many super-villains and all of them dangerous. And apparently a good portion of them we don't even know by name." Dick pointed out with a frown.

"We'd better research them and find out as much information about them as possible. It would be very useful to know their weaknesses, if they have them." stated Slade.

His son nodded. "Research first and then I'll call aunt Talia. Come on, let's get to work!"

Slade rolled his one eye but had a slight smirk at the acrobat's enthusiasm.

Although he would never have thought of playing the role of a mole infiltrating a criminal organization to secretly help the heroes, he would be lying if he said he did not feel the rush of adrenaline and excitement in his veins.

Slade had not felt so alive, so excited about something so important in a very long time. And it was obviously thanks once again to his son.

He put his thoughts aside and began to help Dick with research on the Light members they did not know.

"I think we can end here." Slade affirmed, staring at the mess of papers that filled the floor.

He and his son spent about three hours finding out all they could about the Light super-villains and while it wasn't a ton of information it was still basic and all they could find. They gathered everything they discovered through Dick's hacking skills and combined it with information and suggestions from Slade who knew them personally since after he officially joined the Light he spent some time getting to know his new "allies."

"Let's do a brief summary on all of them." Dick suggested and his father nodded. "Let's start with the leader: Vandal Savage. He is about fifty thousand years old and was the first meta-human in history. He was basically a Homo Sapiens and saw a meteorite fall. While he was reaching for it he was attacked by a bear that left three scars on his face but he eventually managed to defeat the animal.

"Once he reached the meteorite he was attacked by an enemy tribe that left him dying. However, the meteorite's radiation transformed him into a meta-human, healed his mortal wounds and he defeated the tribe through his superhuman physical abilities. Vandal later founded many civilizations, such as Atlantis, using numerous aliases. This explains why he believes he is destined to lead humanity and why he thinks humans are destined to be the central and most important living species in the cosmos.

"In summary, he is a meta-human endowed with superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, endurance, longevity and immortality. He is a great fighter and strategist and possesses a healing factor that heals even mortal-type wounds."

"However, we do not know if his healing factor is like yours and if he is able to regrow even missing limbs." Slade pointed out and his son nodded. "Queen Bee is a dictator who rules her country, Bialya, with brutality and under an iron fist, although she describes it as a constitutional monarchy.

"She possesses no scruples and will do anything to achieve her goals. She is a true power-hungry manipulator. She has the power to control pheromones which enables her to charm people into doing her bidding. This works on all men while in the case of the women it depends on their willpower."

"Psimon works for Queen Bee to help her strengthen her hold on her country or annex other territories. He possesses psychic powers such as telekinesis and telepathy which includes mind control. He can also erase memories."

"Despite his youthful appearance and horns, Klarion has existed since the birth of the universe, about 16 billion years ago." continued Slade. "He is a Lord of Chaos opposed to their counterparts, the Lords of Order to which, for example, Dr. Fate belongs. He is consequently a real cruel psychopath who enjoys causing chaos, hurting, torturing and killing people. He is so cruel to the point of rivaling even the Joker himself.

"Despite this he also tends to behave like an immature and whiny child, even throwing tantrums when he does not get what he wants. The only living being that Klarion truly appreciates and genuinely cares about is his cat Teekl.

"Being chaos personified, Klarion seems to have no weakness. The only weakness that can be exploited is his cat but there is no telling what Klarion might do in a fit of rage if Teekl is hurt, or worse, so it is best to avoid pissing him off until we find out more about him."

"Currently Ultra-Humanite is a huge albino gorilla but originally he was a male scientist who transferred his brain into the body of an old woman. The brain was once again replaced and was implanted into an albino gorilla, thus becoming Ultra-Humanite. 

"He is endowed with superhuman intelligence and is an expert in the field of medicine to the point of surgically transferring his brain from one body to another and also in technology, having invented advanced technological weapons. Ultra-Humanite is a meta-human and thus possesses superhuman strength, speed and endurance." stated Dick.

"Finally, Zviad Baazovi is a UN ambassador for Markovia and plays an important role for his country. He is a meta-human and possesses limited psionic abilities. He can subtly influence people and push them toward their worst impulses." concluded Slade.

Dick nodded and his gaze fell on several papers. "Even though there was no real need, it's always good to have researched the better-known super-villains like Lex Luthor, Brain, Ocean-Master and Black Manta and written down as much information as possible."

Slade grunted and stared at his son. "What are you going to do with this information?"

Dick smirked. "Magically a copy of them will appear in the dwelling of one of the heroes who will not notice until it returns home from work."

The super soldier rotated his one eye. "I already know the hero's home where you will be breaking."

"That's definitely the least serious crime I've ever committed." the Talon pointed out, getting an amused snort from his former mentor. "Go ahead, take a guess."

"Wonder Woman."

Dick gave him a flat look. "You're never going to let it go, are you?"

Slade's smirk increased when he noticed a slight blush blossom on his son's face. "Nope." he said, snapping his tongue noisily. "It is satisfying to be able to tease you about your hero crush on her."

The acrobat groaned and ran a hand over his face. "I hate you." he murmured before suddenly straightening his back. "Did the Light want to know your identity?"

"They said I should reveal my civilian identity to them since there should be no secrets among Light members but I politely told them to fuck off." Slade smiled mimicking with the quotation marks. "So they don't know my civilian identity, don't worry."

"Good." Dick nodded and reached for his phone. "I'll call aunt Talia now and see if she can tell us anything useful."

"I don't think she can tell us anything useful but try anyway."

"Thank you anyway, Aunt Talia. See you soon. Say hello to Dami, Cass and Aunt Sandra for me."

"I will. Goodbye, Richard."

Dick interrupted the call and returned to his father with a sigh. "You were right. All Talia said was that she had a phone conversation with Vandal Savage and in the end she rejected his offer, saying that the League of Assassins would remain on neutral ground. She doesn't know anything else."

Slade grunted. "That's okay anyway. The information we possess is more than enough to build a general picture."

The last Flying Grayson nodded. "Hey, do you think it would be useful if we added the location of the Light headquarters among the information?"

"It's better not.'" the more experienced mercenary shook his head. "Vandal Savage said that the one before would be the first and last physical meeting. From then on, every meeting will take place online with special technology. So that place is completely useless, at least for now."

"Besides, it would be very suspicious if the heroes discovered it immediately." the acrobat reflected aloud. He nodded to himself. "I will now refine the information we possess, make a copy and place it in Wonder Woman's house in a few days." he saw his father open his mouth and gave him a grim look. "I suggest you shut up if you want to keep your other eye as well."

Slade did not comment and merely sent a mischievous smirk toward his son, giving him a mocking pat on the shoulders.

"Ugh. I hate you."

"The feeling is mutual, kiddo."

Diana Prince returned to her home in Washington after having a long talk with high-ranking members of the White House. She removed her glasses and placed them on the small glass table and loosened the ponytail she used in her civilian identity to get as far away from her Wonder Woman identity as possible.

She shook her head and her long hair bounced gently back, falling past her shoulders. Once her hair was back in its natural place, the Amazon headed back to her room to take a little nap that she longed for.

It was damn annoying to listen to absurd nonsense from some of her colleagues.

Even before she could reach her bedroom she suddenly froze in place. Slowly the princess of Themyscira turned her head, thinking briefly that she had seen wrong.

She didn't.

On the dining table was a series of papers placed one on top of the other in an orderly and precise manner that before Diana left the house for work surely had not been there.

"If anyone is in the house I strongly suggest you come forward, otherwise I will not be responsible for my own actions." she spoke aloud.

In response she obtained only silence.

Diana cast a brief glance at the stack of papers before darting through her entire home. Within minutes she searched her house from top to bottom and found both that no one was there and that nothing was missing.

All items were perfectly in place and nothing was missing.

The Amazon immediately guessed that whoever had entered had merely placed those papers on a place she could easily see and had left immediately afterwards, without touching a single thing.

It was not an attempt at robbery or theft at all.

And that was very strange and suspicious to Diana.

The demigoddess decided to think about it later and picked up the papers, beginning to read them. She opened her eyes wide in surprise and continued reading them frantically with growing concern and anxiety.

It took her a few minutes to read them all and as soon as she had finished she flew to grab her Justice League communicator.

The JL Trinity were going to have a very important talk.

"This is troubling." admitted Superman as soon as he and the other two members of the JL Trinity had finished listening to Wonder Woman's words and reading the stack of papers that were found in her house.

"This is all you found in your house?" asked Batman as he held up several sheets of paper.

"That's right." nodded the demigoddess. "I have no idea who could have broken into my house when I was away on work and left those papers. Whoever it is was not a thief because every item was in its place and nothing was missing."

"It might not be a thief but it sure knows your civilian identity." Batman pointed out abruptly, narrowing his eyes at her. "Have you told anyone that you are Wonder Woman?"

"What? Now you're suspecting me?" growled Wonder Woman, staring grimly at the vigilante. "It is obvious that I have not told any civilian my hero identity! How the hell can you think that-"

"Come on, no need to argue." Superman intervened, positioning himself between his friends.

He sighed when he saw the Amazon narrow her gaze in irritation and Batman give a snort. "What do you think?" he turned to the world's best detective to change the subject and defuse the tension.

Batman took a specific piece of paper and placed it on the center of the table in the Watchtower meeting room. "It says here that has been formed an organization of super-villains, called Light, whose goal is to eliminate the Justice League since it would be slowing down the human evolutionary process by defending humanity from necessary catastrophic events such as wars, extreme natural phenomena, deadly diseases and more. Only in this way could humanity evolve and become the most important species in the entire cosmos."

"This is wrong on so many levels that I wouldn't even know where to start." affirmed the Man of Steel, shaking his head in disbelief.

The Caped Crusader ignored him. "The leader is Vandal Savage and the Light is composed of very dangerous super-villains such as Lex Luthor, Brain, Queen Bee, Ocean-Master, Klarion, Deathstroke The Terminator, Black Manta, Psimon, Ultra-Humanite and Zviad Baazovi."

"Most of them are completely unknown to me." Wonder Woman admitted and the hero of Metropolis nodded in agreement with her.

The slight tilt of the Gotham vigilante's head was the only indication that even he was in the same situation as they were. "Each successive sheet contains information about each of the Light super-villains: their personalities, powers, goals. Together they form a very dangerous team and pose an extreme threat to the Justice League."

"What I'm wondering is who placed those papers in Diana's house." stated the Kryptonian, his gaze frowning. "Is it possible that Light has a mole?"

"Unlikely." the Dark Knight immediately denied. "We are facing some of the world's most ruthless and cruel super-villains with no scruples who will do anything to achieve their goals."

"Perhaps someone external to them has discovered their organization and their plan." suggested the princess of Themyscira.

"Maybe." Batman grunted diffidently. "For now it is impossible to find out who did it. The papers were written on a computer and printed so that it was impossible for us to study the handwriting. Whoever carried them wore gloves since there is no fingerprint. And the cameras in Wonder Woman's area of residence were all disabled for a few hours.

"There are still many unanswered questions. It is clear that whoever brought these papers to Diana Prince's home is aware of her identity as Wonder Woman. But who did it? Why? And why did they bring them to Wonder Woman's home of all people in the League? How did they find this out? Is this information true?"

"Do you think it might be false?"

"I don't know yet." replied the vigilante to Superman's question. "Maybe it's just a way to divert our attention from some evil plan and direct it somewhere else. Maybe the Light really exists and someone outside of them has discovered its existence and anonymously decided to help us. Or maybe we are completely on the wrong path." Batman grunted, annoyed that he had numerous questions and zero answers.

"I'm sure you'll be able to solve this case too, Batman. After all, you are the best detective in the world." Superman declared with a small smile, hoping to lift his friend's mood a little.

Of course, his attempt failed miserably and Batman gave him an annoyed look before grunting again. "I will take the papers back to the cave and examine them once more." he stated, grabbing the stack of papers and then walking away without even saying goodbye.

"I will brief the others on the situation!" said Superman aloud.

He did not get any response except:

Recognized: Batman 02

"That's just rudeness." huffed Wonder Woman annoyed, crossing her arms.

"You know Bruce. He's... he's like that." the Kryptonian tried to defend him.

"Stop defending the indefensible, Clark." Diana stared at him. "You know too that Bruce is becoming a mask and Batman his true self." Clark winced as if he had been slapped but remained silent, so she continued. "Sometimes in JL missions I think Batman is trying to get himself killed."

"Diana!" shouted Superman shocked.

"What? You know it too and pretty much most of the team. It's literally a true miracle that Bruce is still alive after all these years patrolling a city like Gotham." the Amazon's gaze softened a bit. "Don't get me wrong, Clark. I love Bruce too and hope the best for him because he is one of my best friends but it is an indisputable fact that he is sinking into a darkness from which he is unlikely to rise again. And unfortunately it pains me to say that no one in the Justice League is enough to give him any form of help that he needs."

The Man of Steel's shoulders slumped in defeat and he let out a pained sigh. "I know. It's just that I hate being powerless to help a friend. I'm Superman and yet all I can do is watch my friend sink deeper and deeper into darkness, wondering each time if this will be the last time I'll see him alive."

"I hate that feeling too but there is nothing we can do to help him."

"I know." Superman sent her a sad and apologetic smile. "I have to go. I promised Lois I wouldn't stay long."

"Go to your fiancée, Superman." Diana gave a small smile and after they said their goodbyes she stood alone in the room.

The demigoddess sighed and absentmindedly drummed her fingers on the table, thinking hard.

She had no idea who the hell could have discovered her hero identity and especially who would have the courage to break into Wonder Woman's house. 

She admitted that she was a little impressed by the one who was not afraid to sneak into the home of an Amazon demigoddess.

And also irritated.

Eventually she shook her head to clear her head and walked away, distractedly thinking that she and the Justice League would have their hands full from now on.

Chapter Text

The first time Deathstroke had been somewhat surprised by the technology with which the Light communicated: each member was obscured by a bright white light and each was contained in a screen to hide their identities. Only the figure from the chest up was visible for each of them and this allowed Slade to figure out who was who.

This would be their second official meeting, besides the introductory meeting and one more in which they discussed general plans, and both on that occasion and at that precise moment Slade was in one of his secret hideouts in New York to prevent them from somehow locating his house and consequently discovering his civilian identity.

"What is the reason for this meeting?" asked Brain.

"Mr. Luthor has something to announce to you." stated Vandal Savage and everyone waited for the billionaire to begin speaking.

"As previously established, for the past several months I have been secretly helping to establish a new facility called Cadmus in Washington. In the eyes of the public it is a simple building with two floors but there are as many as 52 sub-levels. As planned at the last meeting, the Light has developed countless genetic experiments called genomorphs and they are being used both to hide our activities and as a workforce."

"Good. That way we would have many resources to take advantage of." spoke Ocean-Master in a smug voice.

"We designed the Cadmus project primarily to create clones." Zviad Baazovi helpfully pointed out. "You had announced two projects last time. What is the situation in that regard?"

"We were able to recreate a partial Kryptonian DNA sequence. This led to the first attempt to clone Superman and we named it Project Match. However because of the incomplete DNA sequence and the difficulties in perfectly recreating Kryptonian DNA, Project Match exhibits wild, unstable and uncontrollable behavior and we were forced to abandon it and put it aside."

“When did the creation of Project Match begin?” Deathstroke asked, wanting to gather as much information as possible.

"A few weeks after Cadmus officially opened, so about five months ago." Lex replied.

Cadmus and Project Match date back to even before I received the invitation to join the Light. Slade noted as he squinted his eyes.

"We are facing failure then." snorted Queen Bee, clearly annoyed by the waste of resources and time on Project Cadums.

"Actually no, it is not a failure. We can always use Project Match for future plans once we perfect it." said the billionaire. "But not only that: we have attempted to create another Kryptonian clone this time also using human DNA to fill in the gaps of the previous project."

"Human DNA?" repeated Black Manta skeptically.

"Mine, to be precise." affirmed Lex, letting out a slight pride. "And I am pleased to announce the success of this plan: Project Kr is born."

"So we have a half-Kryptonian clone on our hands." Ultra-Humanite guessed.

"That's right. Project Kr is not as strong as Superman and does not have all his powers but we will be able to find a way to solve this problem. It is currently locked up in a containment capsule along with G-Gnomes who control it telepathically and instruct it on everything he needs to know."

"This is a real achievement, gentlemen. Especially in terms of timing." intervened Vandal Savage. "Having a Superman clone available will be very useful. If we continue at this rate in a short time we will have someone capable of standing up to Superman himself and being his equal. Even two if we can solve the problems related to Project Match."

"Does the Justice League have any suspicions about Cadmus?" asked Psimon.

"Not currently." replied Lex smugly. "They don't even know that I helped found it, otherwise they would have already investigated."

"That's good." stated Psimon and there was a general murmur of recognition.

"Cadmus will also be used for other projects, not only to create clones." the Light leader continued. "So in addition to Project Kr you will also have to focus on other things."

"It will be done." Lex agreed quickly.

"Good. Does anyone have any questions?" asked Vandal Savage and in response he got silence. "Then we can end the meeting. Please let's continue to stay on a low level. The Justice League is not yet aware of the Light and I want to keep it that way for as long as possible."

Slade smirked, knowing that the heroes were aware of the Light, its goals and members thanks to a young mercenary.

This mole thing was proving more and more exciting and interesting.

Slade ended the call and turned off the technology that allowed this to happen. He took a moment to mentally summarize the new information he had learned and then headed for the exit of his secret hideout.

Dick would not have been pleased with the new information.

"Are you seriously telling me that right now Light has two clones of Superman at its disposal?" asked Dick in disbelief once his father had finished telling him the details of the meeting.

"Technically, one clone is half Kryptonian while the other is entirely Kryptonian but so hot-tempered and uncontrollable that he's currently being sidelined." Slade corrected him, huffing at the flat look he received from his son.

"I wouldn't have thought Cadmus would become a major asset to the Light." the acrobat reflected aloud. "And I certainly wouldn't have expected them to try to clone Kryptonian DNA."

"Neither did I. When they mentioned creating clones in the previous meeting, I didn't think they would create new Supermans, although we should have expected that."

The Talon murmured distractedly in acknowledgement. "We have to do something."

"We?" repeated Slade, arching an eyebrow.

"I." Dick corrected himself rolling his eyes.

Slade huffed. "What would you like to do? Infiltrate Cadmus and get rid of the clones and genomorphs?" he rolled his eye.

"Since when have you been able to read minds?"

The super soldier froze in place and sent him an impassive look. "Tell me you're kidding, kiddo." he asked in a flat voice. In response he obtained a smirk and he groaned. "I shouldn't be surprised, damn it."

Dick chuckled. "Take it easy, Slade. They won't even know it was Renegade who sabotaged them. Besides, I want to see Superman's two clones personally first and if I deem them to be a threat then I will eliminate them."

"Wise decision. And for the record I am not questioning your abilities because I know you would be able to do anything." clarified Slade honestly. "Instead, I'm questioning your survival instincts."

"What survival instinct?"

"You just proved my point, kiddo."

"I know."

Slade rolled his one eye but had a small, amused smile. "You will infiltrate Cadmus in six days, enough time to avoid any suspicion."

"More than enough time to study the entire Cadmus floor plan, figure out where the clones might be hiding and prepare a plan." nodded the Talon.

"I know you'll have no trouble, kiddo."

Dick's face lit up at the compliment. "Thank you!"

It was nice how over the years Slade had become more and more comfortable with handing out compliments and physical contact. It certainly helped that he could actively be a part of Rose and Joey's lives.

Slade was truly a good father and anyone who would claim otherwise would be killed courtesy of Renegade.

Night was always the right time for action, in Renegade's humble opinion.

He grabbed the grappling hook and fired in the direction of Cadmus. It connected firmly on the roof of the structure and Renegade flew into the second floor of Cadmus since the windows were missing. He stowed the grappling hook in his utility belt and began tinkering with his holographic glove. In less than a minute he unleashed a cyber attack that would disable every camera in the entire building for the next five hours without triggering any alarm.

The young mercenary turned the corner and squinted as he saw the elevator -which he knew was a high-speed elevator- close. He swore he saw a figure behind the elevator doors before they closed.

Probably a genomorph.

Once he reached the elevator doors Renegade used his superhuman strength to open them, revealing a very long set of 52 sub-levels. He fired the grappling hook at the ceiling and jumped over the rope, then descended rapidly as far as the grappling hook rope would allow.

The grappling hook rope stopped in front of the twenty-sixth sublevel. Renegade swung forward and launched himself, landing easily on the small landing. He turned and stood on the edge of the landing, reached out his right hand, grabbed the rope and pulled back. He raised his other hand and a few seconds later blocked the grappling hook that fell from above him.

The Talon looked around. There was no support point on which he could have fired the grappling hook to descend further. He cast a glance below and estimated that the last sub-level was approximately 30 meters from where he currently stood, perhaps even more.

Renegade could have easily launched himself down below even without a grappling hook and smashed his feet and legs in the landing, greatly decreasing the time needed to reach the last sublevel.

He had literally suffered worse than splitting the bones in his feet and legs and his pain tolerance was virtually infinite to the point that he would feel no pain at all, and thanks to his healing factor it would take only a few minutes for his legs and feet to heal.

But he could not risk anyone seeing him, and in the few minutes it would take to heal his wounds in his feet and legs he would be vulnerable since he would not be able to move.

Or at least as vulnerable as the second best mercenary in the world with a lot of weapons on him could be.

But if anyone saw Renegade they would surely warn the Light and as a result Deathstroke would be in trouble.

And that was something Dick could not afford.

Safer route, then.

Once again Renegade forced the elevator doors through his superhuman strength and thus entered the twenty-sixth sublevel. He advanced, looking carefully around, and suddenly stopped when he heard heavy, loud footsteps. His body stiffened, ready for combat, but he immediately relaxed when he saw a long series of G-Trolls passing in front of him: giant genomorphs endowed with brute strength. Above them were also G-Gnomes: small genomorphs endowed instead with telepathy.

Renegade raised his eyebrows under his mask when he noticed that the G-Gnomes were staring at him but ignored them and continued on his way to the next elevator that might lead him to the last sublevel.

The acrobat entered a room where hundreds or even thousands of another species of genomorphs, the G-Sprites, were kept in display cases, equipped with electricity that was harnessed to power the Cadmus sublevels. Dick stared at them, feeling some pity for them, but was diverted from his thoughts when his enhanced hearing picked up something.

His head snapped forward just in time to see a multitude of genomorphs enter his own room accompanied by a tall, rugged man whom Dick knew to be the head of security and an accomplice in the Cadmus project. The man's eyes widened when he saw him, most likely recognizing the armor, but before he could even open his mouth he fell abruptly to the floor, a knife sticking out of his skull and a pool of fresh blood expanding ever wider.

Renegade quickly grabbed a small grenade from his utility belt and threw it forward. As soon as it made contact with the floor, a small explosion was unleashed. A cloud of smoke filled the room and when it disappeared all the genomorphs accompanying the dead head of security were revealed, pieces of their bodies torn off in a bloody, blood-filled spectacle.

Immediately an alarm sounded loudly and the mercenary let out an expletive. Without wasting any time he began typing on his holographic glove and in record time he was able to direct the location of the alarm in the completely opposite direction from where he currently stood.

He hid in the shadows of the room and advanced silently, stopping on a couple of occasions when he saw a long line of genomorphs running toward where he had directed the location of the alarm. They did not notice him and Renegade sprinted toward the elevator that closed behind him. He pressed the button for the last sublevel and waited patiently.

"So much for being a secret mission." the acrobat muttered frowning.

He quickly realized that the G-Gnomes from earlier had telepathically contacted the head of security warning him of an intruder, which was why he found him. It was obvious from his shocked look that he had not expected to see Renegade, so the G-Gnomes had not provided any descriptive information about the mercenary to the security chief.

Well, now there was no one who could witness Renegade's presence.

Except those G-Gnomes, that is.

That was a problem that Dick would take care of later, probably by blowing up the whole Cadmus once he was done with the two clones.

Dick doubted that the Cadmus explosion would kill two Kryptonian clones -even if one of them was half-Kryptonian- but the same could not be said for the genomorphs.

Moreover, he first had to see if Project Kr was as unstable and dangerous as Project Match, not to mention that he would first have to figure out whether to kill one or both clones or neither.

His reflections were interrupted when the elevator doors opened and he advanced forward. He stared down the two corridors in front of him and as soon as he took a step forward toward the one that would lead to Project Kr he froze in place when he heard an unfamiliar voice.

"Stop!"

Renegade turned sharply and found himself staring at what must have been a G-Goblin, another genomorph, who was definitely not there before. His hand locked on the knife he had quickly drawn, a millisecond before he threw it when the genomorph peacefully raised his hands in the air.

"I don't know for what reasons you are here but I don't want to fight. No one but me knows you're here and I want to keep it that way."

Renegade's grip on the knife did not waver at all. "Who are you?"

"My name is Dubbilex and I was created by Project Cadmus."

"What do you mean when you said you don't want to fight? And why don't you want others to know that I am here?"

"You see, we genomorphs are being exploited by Cadmus officials to fulfill their goals. All I want for myself and the rest of my species is freedom. And I think you can help us. I was planning to cause a fire to attract the attention of the Justice League so that they would discover the real Cadmus and free us genomorphs from the condition of slavery we are forced into but now the plan has changed since you are here."

Dick began to think that he and the genomorphs shared a common trait: the desire to be free. While Dick was raised as the world's most dangerous weapon by the Court of Owls, the genomorphs were instead exploited by Cadmus.

Thus he knew exactly what Dubbilex and the other genomorphs were feeling. However he could not trust them so easily.

"How can I be sure that you are telling the truth?" he asked, still keeping a firm grip on the knife.

"By now, other genomorphs and guards would have come to thwart you, don't you think?" the genomorph pointed out.

"That could be part of a larger plan, don't you think?" the mercenary replied.

Dubbilex fixed him with an indecipherable stare. "Point taken." he reluctantly conceded. "But killing me won't help you at all in getting to... whatever your goal is."

"I, on the other hand, think so. You see, it is not my intention to leave witnesses alive who can identify me."

"I understood that from the explosion you caused, killing many of my kind." Dubbilex declared in a flat voice.

"I won't apologize for that if that's what you want. They and the security chief wanted to capture me, so I had to kill them all."

"I could overlook it on one condition: if you help us genomorphs gain the freedom we so long for." Dubbilex stated, staring at him intently.

Renegade remained silent, reflecting.

If there had been Deathstroke he would have long ago killed Dubbilex and that was also what Dick would have done if not for his words.

But Dick was not Deathstroke.

He was not like his former mentor.

Dick was Renegade, a mercenary who differed from Deathstroke in many ways.

He did not want to be like his father: he wanted to be his own mercenary and man.

The choice of whether or not to trust Dubbilex's words turned out to be easier than he could have imagined.

"I will trust you." Renegade conceded after a minute of intense thought. "But if I sense that you are lying to me I will kill you and the rest of your kind. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystalline." the genomorph nodded without changing the facial expression on his face. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you break into Cadmus?"

Renegade stared at him for a brief moment. "I want to personally verify whether Superman's clones pose a threat to society. If the answer is yes, then you already know what will happen next."

Dubbilex made a kind of grimace, not even questioning how he is aware of this. "I can assure you that Project Kr is relatively harmless if kept in the right hands. He represents hope for us genomorphs since as a genomorph hero he could blaze the trail for all genomorphs to be free."

Renegade raised an eyebrow under his mask and shrugged his shoulders. "Then there is some chance that I will not kill him." he stated casually. "What about Project Match instead?"

"Project Match? I've never heard of it." Dubbilex affirmed, frowning.

The Talon suspiciously narrowed his gaze but found no sign that he was lying. "Project Match exists. It was Cadmus's first attempt to clone Superman but was unsuccessful as he was deemed unstable and uncontrollable."

Dubbilex stared at him for a few seconds and finally nodded slowly. "I believe you. I suppose you know the way to Project Kr?" Renegade sent him a smirk and a nod. "Then you will have to go on alone. Cadmus agents will get suspicious if I am absent for too long. Chances are we will see each other again soon."

"Mark my words, Dubbilex." Renegade straightened his back and fixed him with a cold, emotionless gaze. "If I discover even the slightest hint that suggests you are lying to me, I will personally extinguish your species starting with you. It will be a piece of cake for me and I will have a lot of fun. Do I make myself clear?"

Dubbilex returned the gaze, his red eyes unreadable. "Very clear. I wish you good luck." he turned and walked away, leaving Renegade alone.

The acrobat stared at the retreating figure of the genomorph for a few seconds before looking away and taking the corridor that would lead him to Project Kr.

I hope I made the right choice.

Chapter Text

Renegade was forced to stop when he met his path blocked by a massive door lined with reinforced steel. He stared at it for a few seconds but before he could think of what to do he heard something coming from the other side. He snapped to the side and shrank back with his back against the wall, hiding.

A few seconds later the reinforced steel defense system opened noisily and a female scientist emerged from it. The Talon's lips thinned but he decided to let her live, despite the fact that he knew she was aware of Cadmus' real intentions and that she was voluntarily helping them. He did not kill her because she would probably have had to report to the other Cadmus officers and if she did not show up they would have become suspicious and sent someone to investigate.

He waited about two seconds and when her back was now turned he silently ran forward, slipping to the other side of the door which closed again as soon as he had crossed the threshold. Renegade fumbled with his holographic glove and within seconds managed to block the door, locking himself inside.

"Good luck opening that door." Renegade chuckled mischievously, knowing that only pure brute force (and Dick himself since he knew how to reopen it thanks to his world's best hacking skills) could open it.

The acrobat turned and walked to the control console. He pressed a button and the shrine in front of him lit up, revealing Project Kr contained within it.

Dick stared at him, examining the Superman clone's young face and felt something move in his stomach.

It was so wrong to keep a kid locked up in a containment capsule, even if he was a clone.

Just because he was a clone that did not mean he was not a person.

Dick would help Project Kr -he should come up with a better name- to the best of his ability: if he would see that the clone behaved like a real human being, autonomous, reasonable, who could think and feel emotions then he would release him.

Most likely the acrobat would have freed him anyway.

This because Dick knew exactly what it felt like to be a weapon, a tool without free will in the service of bastards.

Dick connected his holographic glove to the mother console, stealing any useful information.

Apparently Cadmus had renamed Project Kr also as Superboy.

Very original. Dick emitted a derisive snort as he continued to read all the information he was stealing.

Superboy -which was still a better name than Project Kr- was only 16 weeks old and, as Slade had informed him, was being educated telepathically by the G-Gnomes contained above him.

Renegade finished stealing all the information, storing it on his holographic glove. He disconnected it from the mother console and cast a glance at the contained boy.

"Now I'm going to set you free. Don't mess around, buddy." Renegade warned him even though rationally he knew Superboy could not hear him.

He quickly typed on his holographic glove and within seconds the containment capsule disappeared. He waited with bated breath and stiffened when Superboy clenched his right fist.

Stay calm, buddy.

Superboy's eyes snapped open and immediately focused on Renegade who returned the gaze. For a moment there was silence and the two simply stared at each other.

Just before Dick could tell him that he was on his side, it happened.

Superboy quickly launched himself at him.

Renegade's reflexes were faster and he moved to the side, dodging the punch. "Dude, I'm on your side!" he said, easily dodging each of Superboy's blows.

Although Superboy was unquestionably fast it was obvious that he had little knowledge of hand-to-hand combat. So for a mercenary of Renegade's caliber, a meta-human enhanced in all physical abilities, it was easy for him to simply dodge every blow.

As he continued to dodge, Renegade noticed how Superboy made use of neither heat vision nor flight or God forbid his ice breath to attempt to hit him.

Slade's words came back to him when he told him that Project Kr was not as strong as Superman nor did he possess all his own powers. Deciding to take a chance, Renegade ducked under a punch and hit Superboy with a vicious uppercut.

Instead of breaking his hand, as he expected, Superboy was thrown yards away with his legs in the air and the clone fell to the ground with a slight groan of pain. Renegade mentally exulted, pleased and satisfied that his line of thinking was correct, and stared at Superboy who got back up massaging his sore chin.

"Listen to me Superboy: I am on your side. I-"

"You're not from Cadmus, so you're not on my side!" growled Superboy who once again launched himself at the acrobat.

Renegade grabbed him and flipped him violently to the ground, creating a small earthquake and a crater on the floor. The mercenary did a backflip moving a little away from the clone and stared at him, narrowing his gaze menacingly.

"Interrupt me one more time and you will know true suffering." declared Renegade coldly. Superboy got back up and stared at him grimly but probably noticed the threatening and dangerous aura of his opponent as he remained still and silent, so the Talon continued. "I know you are feeling confused and lost right now. I know this because I know what you are going through.

"I know what it means to be raised as a weapon, as a tool. I know what it means to be treated as an object. I know what it means to live without free will, without the possibility of being your own person. This is because I was trained and tortured for the purpose of becoming the most dangerous weapon in the world. That is because I was molded, just like you."

Superboy remained silent and stared at him with a frown. "Are you a clone too?"

Renegade snorted in amusement. "No, I'm not. That hasn't stopped some assholes from... well, you don't really want to know, though." he diverted, waving a hand dismissively. "What you do need to know is that I know exactly what you're feeling. Because I have personally experienced it myself in the most violent, brutal and inhumane way possible."

The clone's frown increased a little. "This is why you freed me?"

"That's right." the mercenary nodded. "I want you to be free, to be your own person. Have you ever wondered who you really are?"

"I am Superboy, a genomorph, a clone created with Superman's DNA to replace him if he dies and destroy him if he strays from the light." Superboy recited in a flat, emotionless voice.

Dick wondered briefly if this was how he himself appeared when he robotically recited the Court of Owls nursery rhyme from memory years ago. He also did not miss the pun with Light and secretly found it rather nice.

Not that he would ever admit it out loud, of course.

"Very noble goal but is that what you really want?" asked Renegade. "Do you really want to continue living inside a containment capsule for the rest of your life?" the clone remained silent and he pressed more. "Have you ever seen the sun, the sky, the moon?"

"The images are implanted in my mind but no, I have never seen them."

Damn.

Dick should have expected this but it was still very sad and depressing as a thing. He swallowed his anger at Cadmus and Light and sent a gentle smile to Superboy.

"I can show them to you. I could even find a way for you to meet Superman." he stated, smiling inwardly as he noticed the obvious childlike interest and excitement cross Superboy's features. Renegade extended a hand, continuing to smile. "So, what do you say? Friends or foes?"

Superboy first stared at Renegade's hand, then at his masked face and finally at his hand again. He extended his hand and shook Renegade's firmly. "We will be allies for now." he declared as he squeezed his new ally's hand tightly, opening his eyes wide when he heard his bones give way with a sickening crunch.

Renegade did not even wince when he felt the bones in his hand snap and sighed wearily. "I should have guessed." he grumbled.

"Did I just break your hand?" asked Superboy surprised. Renegade nodded and the clone quickly let go of his hand. "And you didn't even show any signs of pain?"

"My pain tolerance is almost infinite." stated Renegade with an eerie smirk. "You will have to learn to control your strength in order to act like a normal human being out there."

The other nodded but suddenly froze. "You don't even have a heartbeat!" the clone realized horrified, staring at him shocked.

"You are a Superman clone: is this really the most shocking and strange thing for you?" the acrobat asked bluntly.

Superby hesitated before huffing. "Point taken." he conceded. "Who are you anyway?"

With his other hand Renegade dramatically tapped his forehead. "How rude of me! I'm Renegade, it's a pleasure to meet you." he assumed a serious look. "But as long as we're in here, you can't call me that. The Cadmus officers must not know that I am here."

"And if they see you, what will you do to them?"

"I will kill them." Superboy opened his eyes wide. "Yes, I know killing is wrong and all that but I only kill people who deserve it. You know too that Cadmus agents fall into this category."

"All right." Superboy nodded without even questioning him, although he still presented some suspicion. "What are we supposed to do now? Get out of Cadmus?"

"Not yet." Renegade shook his head. "You may not know it but there is another clone of Superman."

"Another one?" asked Superboy surprised.

"Project Match. He was the first attempt to clone Superman with a whole Kryptonian DNA but the great difficulty in recreating him and his incompleteness led him to be unstable and uncontrollable to the point that he was sidelined."

Superboy opened his mouth but he opened his eyes wide. "The bones in your hand are repairing themselves!"

"Extremely fast and efficient healing factor. What were you asking?"

The clone blinked and shook his head, not questioning it. "What do you mean by whole Kryptonian DNA?"

Renegade tilted his head and stared at him. "Don't you know?"

"Know what?" growled Superboy, clenching his fists and glaring at him.

"You were created with half-Kryptonian half-human DNA." silence was the only response the Talon received. "Didn't... didn't you know that?"

"You are lying." the clone declared bluntly.

"Why should I-"

"You're lying!" repeated Superboy in a snarl as he turned to punch the wall, shaking the entire structure.

"Are you able to fly? Do you possess heat vision? Or the ice breath? Or the skin of steel?"

Superboy remained silent and after about ten seconds emitted another growl. He tried to fly but instead discovered that he was able to make very long leaps.

Renegade watched him jump to the completely opposite side from where he was standing with a single jump. "The super jump is still cool."

Superboy turned and walked toward him with a deep frown. "I can't fly, I don't have heat vision or ice breath or steel skin." he paused in front of Renegade and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I suppose you are right," he sighed. "Do you know who my... human DNA donor is?"

"Yes. You want to know?" a nod. "Lex Luthor, Superman's arch-enemy."

Superboy's eyes went wide in shock before fixing him with a flat stare. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope. I have proof. Do you want to see it?"

After about ten seconds of silence, the clone shook his head. "...I trust you."

The acrobat smiled. "Good. Thank you for the vote of confidence." he sent him a nod. "Ready to meet your older brother?"

He glared at him. "Don't call him that." the assassin merely shrugged with a smirk and the youngest rolled his eyes. "Lead the way."

"Yeah well, about that, the other clone is right over there." Renegade affirmed pointing his thumb behind him toward a wall. Superboy stared at it skeptically and the mercenary walked over to the wall and easily tore off its covering, revealing a steel-clad doorway. "Surprise!"

"I don't even want to know how you knew that." the clone huffed and joined him.

Renegade stepped aside, smiling. "Open it, big guy."

Superboy gave him another hard look. "Don't tell me what to do." he growled before putting his hands in the middle of the doorway and easily opening it with all his strength.

The Talon rolled his eyes at his temper and headed for the new room, accompanied by his new ally. They froze when they saw hundreds of display cases containing projects and genomorphs.

"So many brothers, huh?" Renegade chuckled, elbowing Superboy's side.

Dick was briefly grateful that Superboy did not have heat vision because he was certain that given the intensity of his glare now he would already be dust.

"Well, let's go see your brother we're interested in." the acrobat stated smilingly as he advanced.

Behind him Superboy narrowed his eyes in irritation but followed him anyway.

Chapter Text

Renegade and Superboy soon reached the containment capsule in the center of the huge room where Project Match was enclosed. The glass was covered with dust, so Dick ran his hand through it. It quickly turned out to be a boy who looked completely like Superboy: same face, same hair and even the same white solar suit with the Superman symbol in the center that allows him to absorb solar radiation.

Dick sent a nod to the clone beside him and he nodded, pressing a button on the mother console. Soon the containment capsule from the first attempt to clone Superman disappeared.

The Talon noted with amusement how even the first thing this clone did was clench his right fist and his body stiffened, ready for combat. He arched an eyebrow in surprise when he saw the clone's eyes snap open and Dick immediately noticed the only differences with Superboy: the Project Match had black sclera, black pupils and light blue irises.

Superboy took an uncertain step forward, peacefully raising his hands in the air. "You're free now. It's okay."

Match's attention shifted from Renegade to Superboy, especially to the symbol on his shirt.

Dick already knew what was going to happen even before the two clones.

With an animalistic growl Match threw himself at Superboy and they rolled meters away. The first clone violently struck his opponent with hard punches before catching him and throwing him away as if he were a rag doll, smashing through many containment capsules. Match reached the second clone in the air and the two resumed combat.

Deja vu. Dick thought with amusement. Except that this time Match has all the powers of Superman and is more powerful than Superboy.

Renegade pulled a special gun from one of his holsters and pointed it in the direction of the two clones. "Superboy! Block Match! Even for a few seconds!" he shouted.

In the distance Superboy grunted as he pushed the other clone away from himself. "Don't tell me what to do!" he growled as he made a huge leap toward Match.

"If you don't want to die then you'll have to listen to me! He is stronger and faster than you and has all the powers of Superman!"

Superboy received a violent punch that hurled him painfully toward the wall, shaking the entire Cadmus and creating a hole. He groaned in pain and ducked just in time to avoid another punch that once again shook the entire building. He spun around Match and pinned him by the shoulders, grunting from the effort.

"Hurry up and do what you have to do! I don't know how long I can hold him!"

Renegade pointed the gun at Match, who was trying to free himself from the other clone's grip, but before he could pull the trigger with the intention of killing him his finger remained a few millimeters from it when he heard Superboy's shout.

"What are you doing? You can't kill him!" he growled, wincing at the enormous physical effort he was making.

The acrobat rolled his eyes but obeyed anyway and pulled the trigger. The kryptonite bullet swiftly went through the twenty or so meters and violently gashed Match's right shoulder.

Match emitted an agonizing scream of agony and his attempts to free himself from the other clone's grasp increased. He flew up and sent Superboy crashing violently into the ceiling. The second clone lost his grip and began to fall toward the ground but Match threw a brutal punch straight to his stomach, sending him plummeting against the floor and creating another hole.

He turned his full attention to Renegade and darted toward him. The mercenary rolled to the side just in time to dodge Match's steel-hard body and he felt his hair fly back because of the clone's great speed.

Without wasting any time he turned sharply and pulled the trigger once more. Match let out another scream of pure agony as the second kryptonite bullet ripped through the flesh and ligaments of his right leg and he fell to the ground inches from Renegade.

The mercenary released a sigh of relief -if he had delayed even a millisecond now he would be splattered against the wall across the room- and stepped back just in case.

"What did you do to him?" came the voice of the second clone behind him.

The Talon had already heard his footsteps so he did not startle. "They are kryptonite bullets." he said as Superboy flanked him. "Kryptonite is Superman's greatest weakness." he explained, not knowing if the clone already knew or not.

"That explains why I feel tired and disoriented." Superboy grunted.

"It makes sense that you are also affected since you are half-Kryptonian, although this vulnerability is not at the level of full Kryptonians precisely because of your half-human, half-Kryptonian DNA. So the effects you feel are weaker than what Superman, or like Match in this case, feels when they're exposed to kryptonite."

"I think I'm grateful in this case that I'm half-Kryptonian." Superboy grimaced. "The effects I'm feeling are already unbearable, let alone if I had been entirely Kryptonian."

"You would have felt worse." Renegade confirmed, holstering his gun. "Also consider that Match has not one but two kryptonite bullets in his body. I don't think I need to explain how much fucking pain he is in right now."

They both watched as Match emitted more screams of pain -and grimaced at the high volume of his screams- and as the blood quickly pooled underneath him, expanding more and more.

"We have to do something for him. We cannot leave him like this or else he will bleed to death." Superboy declared firmly.

"We can't help him."

The second clone's head snapped toward him, surprise and anger filling his face. "What? Why?"

"You know why too and you've seen it yourself. Match is too unstable and uncontrollable to let live."

"You want to kill him." Superboy realized bewildered. Soon anger completely overwhelmed him and he clenched his right fist, giving him a hard look. "I won't let you kill him!"

"Damn it, Superboy! You know Match is not like you either!" Renegade snapped losing his patience, surprising the other boy. "He has anger issues 100 times worse than you do!"

"I don't have anger issues!" he growled.

The acrobat ignored his interruption and continued. "Match cannot live in our society because it would be impossible for him to learn the necessary things! Instead you can because you are more reasonable and slowly you will learn how to blend in among humans, just like I did." the mercenary explained more kindly. "So Match must be killed because he poses a threat to society and the heroes. There is no hope of salvation for him, unlike your case. So it has to be done. And you won't be able to stop me even if you tried."

Superboy and Renegade stared at each other for a few seconds in a tense, heavy silence that was broken by the clone looking away with a grunt. "Do what you have to do."

It was obvious he didn't like it but at least he understood that it was necessary.

Renegade put his hand on his shoulder in comfort and squeezed it briefly. He then turned to Match and pulled a small lead box from his utility belt.

"Move at least ten meters away." Renegade ordered without turning around.

After a few seconds he heard a pair of footsteps moving noisily away. He opened the box, revealing a piece of kryptonite emitting its typical green light, and immediately Match emitted more heartrending cries. Renegade grimaced at the overly loud sound and knelt a foot away from the dying clone, lightly extending the kryptonite toward him.

"I'm sorry that your death will be long and painful." murmured the assassin. "You don't deserve it. It is not your fault that some heartless bastards created you as a weapon for them to use at their disposal and threw you away when you did not meet their standards."

Match's screams became increasingly high-pitched, heartbreaking, and savagely animalistic. He began coughing up blood and it was obvious that he was getting weaker by the second. He tried to move but it was impossible for him to move even an inch because of all the extreme pain he was experiencing.

Match continued to scream in pure agony and all the while Renegade remained impassive and still, staring with a cold and emotionless gaze at the slow and painful death of the clone.

This went on for just over a minute and a half when Match's body sagged to the floor, the life slowly fading from his eyes. Renegade stood still for a few more seconds and once he was sure that his heartbeat had ceased he closed the small box and placed it back in his utility belt. He shifted his gaze to the other side of the room and encountered a completely stiff and motionless Superboy, arms crossed with the fingers of his left hand sinking onto his right arm.

Superboy walked toward him, casting a glance at the other clone, his eyes unreadable, before staring directly at the mercenary. His gaze remained hard even as genuine concern flashed in his blue eyes. "Your ears are bleeding. If that is blood."

This actually surprised the Talon who brought his hand to one ear and immediately felt a thick substance coat it. He lowered his gaze to his hand and noticed the dark blood on it. He frowned behind the mask.

His hearing as well as his eyesight were particularly sensitive and although the Owls made sure that he was able to handle the pain resulting from these weaknesses, he nevertheless always felt some pain.

This time he did not.

Apparently Dick was so focused on Match and his slow and painful death -necessary since there was no other way to kill him given his steel skin and he did not want to waste another kryptonite bullet- that he did not even realize either the pain or that his ears were bleeding.

Match's death was one of the few that really affected him a bit. This was because seeing Superboy capable of understanding and wanting made him realize that the other clone might also have been similar to him if his wild, animalistic, unstable and uncontrollable behavior had not manifested.

Unfortunately this was not the case and Dick found himself forced to kill him to prevent Cadmus and Light from using Match against society and heroes.

He shook his head to dispel his thoughts and turned a reassuring smile to Superboy. "Don't worry. A few seconds and they will heal." he reassured him.

The clone stared at him for a few more seconds before nodding slowly. "What do we do now?"

"We get out of Cadmus. I plan to keep my promise and show you the sky, the moon and the sun. I will also introduce you to Superman." stated Renegade with a reassuring smile.

Superboy nodded and the two exited the room once the mercenary had wiped away all traces of his blood. Once they ascertained that there was no one outside the steel door Dick had previously closed, which was a true miracle given the screaming and shaking of the entire building, the assassin pulled out his holographic glove and within seconds reopened it. The two exited the room in which Superboy was contained, advanced to the elevator and entered it.

Dick pressed the button for the ground floor and they waited patiently. "It seems strange and suspicious to me that no one noticed all the noise. It was practically impossible not to hear it."

The clone nodded abruptly but otherwise remained silent.

The acrobat didn't push him any further and with a sigh leaned his back against the elevator wall. Eventually the doors opened and the two stepped out only to freeze when a man in his forties appeared from a hallway, long brown hair tied back in a ponytail, glasses and the classic white lab coat.

Dick immediately recognized him as Mark Desmond, the one who ran Cadmus and an ally of the Light.

The man's eyes widened when he saw the two boys and then narrowed. "Renegade. You were behind the whole mess!" he growled.

"Bingo." the mercenary smiled and rattled a few joints. "I'm afraid, however, that you won't live long enough to tell the tale to posterity. As you well know, Renegade does not let any witness live unless he wants to. And in this case I don't want to."

Desmond shifted his gaze to the clone. "What the hell are you waiting for? Take him down!"

Superboy narrowed his gaze dangerously and took a menacing step forward and in response Desmond took one step back. "Don't give me orders. Renegade helped open my eyes, both literally and metaphorically, and I want to be free, not a slave to your orders!" he snarled.

"I should have expected that." Desmond muttered. He shook his head. "Never mind. I'll kill Renegade and lock up Project Kr so I can fix it."

Superboy growled at being called "it." "Don't call me it!"

"Do you really think you can manage to kill the world's second most dangerous and deadliest mercenary and get Superman's clone back into his containment capsule?" the assassin pointed out amused. "You're dumber than I thought."

To their surprise the scientist chuckled. "You are the fool for underestimating me." he pulled out a vial containing a blue liquid. "Project Blockbuster will allow me to bring some order back to Cadmus."

Surprising the two boys he drank the liquid and threw the vial to the ground. Spasms of pain ran through his body and Desmond fell to his knees. Renegade and Superboy's eyes went wide as they saw the man's skin being disgustingly ripped off and Desmond transforming into a giant, grotesque, red-eyed monster.

Blockbuster emitted an animalistic roar, showing his huge, ugly teeth, and his roar briefly shook the entire building.

Renegade sighed.

"At least now he is more handsome than before."

Chapter Text

Superboy growled and leaped toward the giant monster but he grabbed him and crashed him violently into the wall three times before throwing him away meters away by breaking a supporting column.

Renegade pulled out a gun and fired at Blockbuster, unsurprised when he saw the bullets ricochet against the monster's tough skin. "Well, I had to try." he said, holstering the gun. Desmond's head snapped toward him and the acrobat sent him a smirk. "Come and get me, big beast!"

Blockbuster roared and sprinted toward the mercenary. Renegade stood motionless for a few seconds and when the right moment came he jumped over the monster's fist, landing on the huge hand. He scaled the monster as if he were a living gymnasium while Blockbuster tried unsuccessfully to shoo him away and eventually the Talon landed on top of his head. He grabbed one of the two swords attached to his back and with all his strength drove it into the back of the monster's neck.

The sword's sharp blade managed to pierce Blockbuster's tough skin, creating a bloody hole in the monster's neck, and Renegade shrugged off the blood that splattered on his face.

Gross.

Dick knew that he could trust his sword which never let him down: after all it, like most of his armor, is forged of Promethium chain mail. So not only his sword was practically indestructible but it was capable of cleaving through anything.

Blockbuster emitted a roar of pain and attempted to slap Renegade who was standing on one of his huge shoulders. The mercenary jumped on top of the giant hand and in the process drew his sword from his neck, increasing the outflow of blood from the wound. He thus landed again on the same shoulder and jumped down, performing a triple backflip just because he could and wanted to. He landed perfectly standing on the floor and performed several backflips to put a good distance between himself and the monster.

He looked up just in time to see Superboy launch himself at Blockbuster, sending him crashing into the wall. The former scientist staggered dazed to the side and Superboy hit him in the stomach with several violent punches. Desmond managed to block a punch and threw the clone toward Renegade.

The mercenary rolled to the side just in time to dodge Superboy's body and when he looked up again he was greeted by a violent punch to the stomach that flung him far away. Renegade felt the air being expelled from his lungs and grunted involuntarily as his body smashed through a wall of the building and he rolled a few feet away onto the floor.

The assassin quickly got back up, ignoring his broken ribs, and opened his eyes wide when he saw Blockbuster make a huge leap toward him. He dived to the side and turned around just in time to see the monster create a huge crater on the spot where he previously stood. He tightened his grip on his sword but before he could do anything Superboy appeared behind the monster and hit him with a hard punch to the back, flinging him away.

The former scientist let out a slight groan of pain as he collided painfully against the wall, which easily broke under the force and his weight. He quickly got back up and grabbed Superboy who had leaped toward him and then made him crash hard to the ground a couple of times and threw him up, creating a huge hole in the ceiling.

Renegade narrowed his eyes when the monster's attention focused back on him.

The time has come to end this battle once and for all.

The Talon ran toward Superboy who had fallen to the ground and just got up with a grunt, aware that Blockbuster was following him given his ground-shaking footsteps. "Superboy! Grab me and throw me toward Desmond with all your strength!" he ordered.

Superboy nodded without even questioning his words. He grabbed the acrobat by the arm, spun around a couple of times and finally threw him with all his strength toward their enemy.

Renegade pulled back his sword-wielding right arm and then jerked it horizontally forward with all his strength with a fierce battle cry right toward the monster's neck.

The result was something incredible that will forever remain etched in Superboy's memory.

Renegade landed easily crouched on the ground and quickly got up. He felt a small earthquake briefly shake the ground and gave a smirk as he turned to observe his masterpiece in satisfaction.

He stared at Blockbuster's huge bloody head rolling toward him and he blocked it by resting a foot on it as if it were a soccer ball. His gaze then shifted to the remaining body of Desmond whose head was missing and whose neck had a perfect circular incision that was very bloody. Renegade rested his sword on his back and shifted his gaze to a clearly shocked Superboy.

"You... decapitated him..." Superboy stammered slightly.

"I'm sorry you had to see that but it was the only way to take him down. Permanently." added Dick after a short pause.

"I think I need a minute." muttered the clone as he turned away from the gruesome spectacle.

"Take all the time you need." the acrobat reassured him as he absentmindedly kicked Blockbuster's severed head, which rolled away.

As he waited for Superboy to mentally recover, Dick thought about Desmond's actions and words. The former scientist had drunk that liquid and had called it Project Blockbuster -hence the name by which Dick mentally referred to Desmond after his transformation into the monster- and the Talon frowned.

Perhaps Project Blockbuster was one of the projects Cadmus was working on in addition to the two attempts to clone Superman and that Vandal Savage was referring to during the Light meeting.

Project Blockbuster was not to be underestimated: it clearly attributed superhuman strength, speed and endurance to those who took it.

A chill ran through Dick's body.

If the Light got its hands on Project Blockbuster and each of its members used it against the Justice League in combination with their powers...

The show would definitely be a disaster, heavy on the dis.

Renegade shook himself out of his thoughts the moment Superboy approached him. "Before we get out of Cadmus, we'll have to stop by Desmond's workplace." at the clone's questioning look, he explained. "We have to eliminate everything related to Project Blockbuster. You have also seen how dangerous it is and you can easily imagine what would happen if it reached the wrong people."

Realization flashed across Superboy's face and he nodded. "Then let's go."

The mercenary felt his back tingle and turned sharply, gun in hand. 

"I'm afraid it will be useless, unfortunately."

The Talon relaxed and sent a nod to Dubbilex, holstering his gun. The two boys saw Dubbilex solemnly advancing toward them, accompanied by other genomorphs.

"Who are you?" asked Superboy, diffidently narrowing his gaze.

"I am Dubbilex, a genomorph just like you." he replied.

"He is on our side, or at least I think so." the assassin intervened.

"I definitely am." Dubbilex nodded. "It is thanks to me that once you came out of the room where Superboy was locked up, you encountered no opposition. I was able to convince Desmond not to go near there since it could have been dangerous for him."

Renegade inclined his head, silently thanking him. "Were you aware of Project Blockbuster?"

"Partially. I never imagined that it would be so dangerous." the genomorph admitted. "Unfortunately, Desmond ordered other Cadmus agents to take everything related to Project Blockbuster and bring them to a safe place unknown to me."

The mercenary silently cursed and the clone scowled. "So I suppose now you and the rest of your kind will take control of Cadmus."

Dubbilex nodded. "That's right. Our job will be to work for a kinder, gentler Cadmus while in the meantime we will also work to gain freedom for all of us genomorphs."

"Good. Now it is time for us to leave." Renegade informed him.

"Before you leave, I need to speak privately to Superboy."

Superboy cast a brief glance at his ally and after Renegade nodded slightly he shrugged and followed Dubbilex in going to a more secluded place.

Renegade could have easily heard their conversation thanks to his enhanced hearing but he did not and instead got lost in his own thoughts. Finally after a few minutes of thought he raised his head to see the two genomorphs return to him.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Renegade. It is only thanks to you that all this was possible." Dubbilex affirmed, extending a hand.

Dick did not know how he knew his name and judging by Superboy's frown, neither did he. He shrugged it off and returned the handshake. "Thank you for your help. It was useful."

Dubbilex nodded. "And don't worry: No one will ever find out it was you who overthrew Cadmus."

Renegade gave a genuine smile. "Thank you very much. Maybe we'll see each other again someday."

"Probably." the genomorph agreed.

After the last goodbyes Renegade shot a grappling hook toward the hole present in the ceiling and flew up, landing easily on the roof. A few seconds later he was joined by Superboy who had made a huge leap. "I hate that I can't fly." grunted the clone disgruntled.

"Don't mope: you're still cool." the acrobat chuckled at Superboy's glare and pointed to the sky with a smile.

Superboy looked up and was breathless when he saw the starry sky and the bright moon. "It is beautiful." he whispered.

The two were silent for a few moments and finally the Talon elbowed him lightly in the side. "Come on, dude. I'll keep the other part of my promise and introduce you to Superman."

The clone frowned and lowered his gaze toward him. "Isn't it too late?"

The assassin dismissively waved a hand with a smirk. "Nah. Superman is a light sleeper, trust me."

The half-Kryptonian silently agreed, though still skeptical, and followed the older boy who jumped from rooftop to rooftop of several buildings before descending and turning several alleys. Renegade suddenly stopped and with a huge smile spread his arms toward his jewel. "Meet the Deadly-Cycle!"

The Deadly-Cycle was a very advanced and technological motorcycle of mostly dark black color except for the bloody red R placed on the right side while the left side had very cool flames in Dick's humble opinion.

Slade gave him the bike on his 13th birthday and had merely sighed wearily when he heard the name Dick had chosen, even though the acrobat knew his father secretly liked the name.

"Cool." was the only thing that came to Superboy's mind but it was genuine.

The Talon's smile expanded. "I know." he jumped on top of his bike and strode to the back seat. "Hop on, buddy."

Superboy scowled and crossed his arms. "Absolutely not."

"Do you really think you can get to Metropolis by jumping from rooftop to rooftop?" asked Renegade in a flat voice, absentmindedly activating his holographic glove to hack every camera on the way to Metropolis.

“No but I'm definitely not going to sit on that thing.” the clone snorted.

"Call her a thing one more time and I'll stick a piece of kryptonite where the sun don't shine." Dick hummed casually as he continued hacking away at the cameras.

Superboy raised an eyebrow at "her" but quickly dropped the subject, not wanting to risk Renegade keeping his promise. He grumbled disgruntledly but eventually climbed onto the bike, crossing his arms with a frown. It took less than two minutes before the mercenary finished his work and with a smirk he noisily started the motorcycle.

"Hold on tight if you don't want to fall off!"

"What-"

The rest of the sentence died in Superboy's throat when suddenly the motorcycle started and whizzed by very fast and he was forced to fasten his arms around his ally -with moderate force, of course- to avoid falling.

"Slow down, damn it!"

In response Superboy got a chuckle so disturbing and frightening that will surely haunt his dreams.

During the trip Renegade opened up to Superboy, informing him more about himself: about his status as the second most dangerous mercenary in the world, specific contracts he accepts, his father Deathstroke and more. Superboy was genuinely interested and listened attentively.

Eventually after a long journey they arrived in Metropolis and Renegade parked his motorcycle in an abandoned alley. He dismounted and sent a smirk to the clone. "You had fun, didn't you?"

Superboy stared at him grimly. "Next time I'll walk. You're very crazy and hit-and-run driver."

Renegade laughed and motioned for him to follow as he fired the grappling hook over the roof of a dwelling. "We are almost at Superman's house."

"Can you tell me a little about him?" Superboy asked curiously, reaching him with a huge leap.

Talon shrugged his shoulders. "All I know is that his real name is Clark Kent, he's engaged to Lois Lane and both are journalists and work for the Daily Planet, and he grew up in rural Smallville after the spaceship he was put in by his biological parents crashed there." he stated, then digressing on the symbol of hope that Superman represents for everyone.

A few minutes later they stopped above a rooftop and Renegade pointed to the house in front of them. "That's Superman's house. Now that we're here, I'll have to leave."

Superboy's head snapped in his direction and Dick swore he saw a glimmer of sadness flash in his eyes. "You're leaving? Why?"

"Because I'm literally on the Justice League's wanted list, right in their crosshairs." the mercenary pointed out amused before taking on a serious look. "You can't tell Superman the truth of what happened. Never mention my name to him or anyone else. Only you will have to know the truth."

"I promise." Superboy nodded solemnly and he meant it.

After all that Renegade had done for him this was the least the clone could do to reciprocate.

"Don't make that long face, dude!" Renegade chuckled as he made their shoulders clash slightly. "It's not like we won't see each other again. After all, we're good allies, right?"

Superboy was silent for a few moments. "Friends." he corrected him.

"What?" asked the acrobat surprised, not sure if he heard correctly.

"I think we're friends after all we've been through together." Superboy grunted looking away briefly, clearly embarrassed, before returning it to the mercenary. "Right? Isn't that the definition of friends?"

Renegade was genuinely taken aback by the clone's words before a huge bright smile appeared between his lips. "Is tough Superboy getting oversentimental with me?" he laughed at the glare he received. "Seriously, you're right. I really need a friend who isn't an assassin."

Superboy emitted an amused little chuckle, just being able to imagine the friendships Renegade could have. "So... friends?"

"Friends." confirmed Renegade, smiling. "I'll visit you in Metropolis sometimes so we can hang out a bit, if you don't mind."

The clone arched both eyebrows in surprise. "Like Renegade or-"

"My civilian identity." finished the assassin, extending his arm with a smile. "Richard Wilson but I go by Dick. Nice to meet you, Superboy."

This was the greatest test of trust Renegade could have ever entrusted to Superboy and the clone knew it.

He would never, ever betray his trust.

Superboy gave a small but genuine smile as he returned the handshake. "My pleasure, Dick."

Renegade smiled before patting him on the back. "Good luck. You'll need it." he chuckled and gave a mock military salute before turning and heading back toward where he had left his motorcycle.

Superboy smiled slightly before taking a deep breath and turning around. He descended to the ground as quietly as possible -a rather arduous task- and eventually managed to stand in front of Superman's dwelling. He briefly rubbed his hands together and after a few seconds of waiting he knocked on the door.

As he waited with his heart in his throat for someone to open the door he put his hands in his pockets. He frowned when he felt something in his pocket and pulled it out, revealing a piece of paper. He opened his jaw wide when he read a telephone number written on it.

At that moment Superboy had many thoughts on his mind but the most dominant one was:

How did he slip a piece of paper into my pocket without me knowing?

Slade stared at his son who returned the gaze with an innocent little smile. He opened his mouth but had so much to say that he did not even know where to begin, so he closed it again. A sigh escaped his lips and he rubbed his temples wearily.

"You did and discovered all that in not even four hours." he finally said.

"I know I'm the best." Dick smirked in a mock superb tone.

Slade rolled his one eye but had an amused smirk between his lips. "How did the Boy Scout react to the news that he had a clone?"

"Superboy texted me and explained how initially it seemed Clark didn't want to accept him." a frown materialized across the Talon's features, then replaced by an amused expression. "But Lois gave him a piece of her mind and in the end they happily accepted him, though Clark a little less so."

Slade emitted a giggle. "I knew Lois is the one wearing the pants in their relationship." he stated with amusement, making his son laugh. "Do you trust Superboy?"

The question was so casual and sudden that it almost caught Dick off guard. "Yes. I know he would never betray my trust."

Slade stared at him for a few seconds and finally nodded. "You're one of the best judges of people, so I trust you."

Dick smiled and briefly hugged his father. "Thank you!"

The more experienced mercenary patted him on the back. "You are welcome." he paused. "...The Light will be so pissed off."

"I know. And I can't wait to find out their reactions."

"You're the worst, kiddo."

"I know that too."

Chapter Text

“In a couple of hours I have to leave. The Light has assigned me a mission.”

Dick's head snapped in his father's direction, staring at him in surprise. “What?”

“I'll have to go pick up a helicopter that the Light kindly provided and act as an intermediary to retrieve the Kobra-Venom in Santa Prisca from the Cult of Kobra.” Slade explained.

The acrobat blinked slowly. He had so many questions on his mind but the one he asked was: “What the hell is Kobra-Venom now?”

“Kobra-Venom is a combination of the Venom used by Bane and Cadmus' Project Blockbuster formula. The resulting mix is three times as strong as Bane's Venom and most importantly permanent.”

Dick absorbed all the information and finally he ran a hand over his face. “This is definitely not good. Already facing an enemy using Venom or Project Blockbuster is pretty bad, let alone a mix of the two substances. Something very dangerous comes out of it.” he groaned. Suddenly he frowned and removed his hands from his face, staring directly at his father. “One moment: Santa Prisca is run by Bane and his men. Knowing him, I doubt he would agree.”

“Indeed you are right.” the more experienced mercenary grunted. “The Cult of Kobra set foot on Santa Prisca with the goal of taking control of the area and a war was arose between them and Bane. In the end, the Cult of Kobra was able to take over and they were able to make the Kobra-Venom.”

The Talon squinted his eyes. “Are you saying that Bane is in danger?”

“Probably so.” the super soldier nodded. “But there's nothing you can do right now, so keep your protective instincts at bay.” he warned him, receiving a snort in response. “I'll have to go to Santa Prisca, get as many vials containing Kobra-Venom as I can and take them to the Light.”

Dick stared at him as if he had grown a second head. “Are you so old that I have to remind you that our goal is to counter the Light and not help them?” he asked sarcastically.

“Brat.” Slade punched his son's shoulder, snorting when he heard him chuckle. “I already have a plan to make sure the Kobra-Venom vials are destroyed and only one remains intact.”

“Only one? Why?”

“The first reason is that I don't want them to start suspecting me. The second is that I have a reputation to maintain. Finally, one vial will perhaps be enough to allow them to decode the formula but it will still take time to do so and to replicate them.”

“Time we have.” murmured Dick, appreciating Slade's plan.

“That's right. Now I must go and get ready. Don't you dare follow me.” ordered Slade, narrowing his gaze on his son. “I mean it. If Bane is in danger you can undertake a rescue mission but only after I finish my mission. Any suspicion must be avoided.”

“Don't worry, I won't follow you.” Dick reassured him. “Also because I have to go to Metropolis for the weekly visit for Conner.”

Slade shook his head with a smirk. “I'm not surprised that you've become friends with a Superman clone too.” a mischievous twinkle appeared in Slade's gray eye and Dick already knew that whatever he was going to say to him he would not like it. “Too bad you couldn't find a Wonder Woman clone though, huh?”

Dick opened his jaw wide in disbelief. He closed it and cast a flat look at his father. “Go get ready if you don't want to eat your own guts.”

Slade emitted an amused chuckle and obeyed, not wanting to test his son because he knew Dick was seriously capable of making his threat come true.

The younger mercenary shook his head and mentally insulted his father for regularly using his crush on Wonder Woman against him and taunting him.

The 17-year-old plunged into his thoughts.

It had been about two weeks since he had infiltrated Cadmus, created chaos there and made it now in the hands of Dubbilex and genomorphs instead of the Light.

Light was really pissed off that someone had killed one Superman clone, freed the other, killed Desmond and caused Cadmus to no longer be in their hands. They are pissed mostly because they don't know who sabotaged them and it was really amusing to both Slade and Dick.

On the other hand, however, Superboy -who has assumed the civilian identity as Conner Kent- has been fully accepted in the Kent household: both by Lois and Jonathan and Martha Kent but also by Clark himself, the latter put under pressure by his girlfriend and his parents.

Conner told him how things with Clark have warmed up and how Superman has genuinely accepted him to the point of helping him control his powers and voluntarily spending time with him. He also learned how Superman had to alert the Justice League to the existence of his clone, Project Cadmus and everything about it, and that led the JL to investigate.

Although Conner's cover story lacked details -such as who killed Match, Desmond, the head of security, etc.- it held up overall and since the only testimony was Superboy himself and Dubbilex, the Justice League had no choice but to believe it.

Of course, Renegade's name was never mentioned to anyone and both Superboy and Dubbilex kept their promises and would continue like this.

There was some doubt and distrust about the clone, especially on Batman's part to the point that the Dark Knight would want Martian Manhunter to verify Superboy's story by entering his mind. Conner, Superman and even other members of the Justice League objected and after a long discussion this did not happen, much to the relief of Dick and Slade.

Dick could only imagine what would happen if Martian Manhunter entered Superboy's head and discovered the truth of what happened inside Cadmus and also the friendship between the clone and the mercenary.

The Talon was diverted from his thoughts when he heard silent footsteps approaching and he sent a smirk to his father, fully clothed in his Deathstroke armor. “You know very well that you are no longer able to sneak up on me, Slade.”

“I know but it's always good to test you.” he replied with a casual shrug.

“Do you want to tell me your plan of how to get rid of all but one of the vials containing Kobra-Venom without the Light suspecting you?”

“Once the mission is over.”

“Fine. Keep your secrets, Slade.” Dick snorted dramatically. “...It doesn't involve Justice League intervention, does it?”

“No. Don't worry, you'll get another chance to finally meet Wonder Woman.”

Despite the mask covering Slade's entire face, Dick knew the man had a shit-eating grin on his face. The Talon gave him a hard look. “Are you ever going to stop?”

“Of course not.” Deathstroke declared in a clearly smug voice.

Dick's glare increased a notch. “Go get the fucking helicopter before I blow it up with you on board.”

The more experienced mercenary stiffened and stared at his son with an indecipherable gaze hidden by his mask for a few seconds before he burst into a soft, ironic giggle.

“What's so funny?” the acrobat asked, genuinely confused.

“Nothing.” the former military man shook his head and patted his son on the head. He was not surprised when Dick gave him a quick hug and he returned it for a few seconds. “I'm going to go now. Don't blow up Metropolis.” he half-seriously half-jokingly declared.

“I'll do my best.” Dick joked and he watched as the figure of his father left the house.

Although Deathstroke had accepted hundreds of contracts without Renegade throughout his long mercenary career Dick always felt anxious when Slade left without Renegade by his side, never mind that his father was the best assassin in the world.

Even though this was not a contract but rather a mission as an intermediary between the Cult of Kobra and the Light, Dick was still anxious.

Don’t get killed, Dad.

Deathstroke The Terminator got out of the helicopter that had just landed and walked forward with a firm step, stopping in front of Kobra and Shimmer. He recognized them from the descriptions Light gave him.

Kobra was about the same height as Slade, his eyes were red with rings around them, his skin was pale, and he wore a cloak and red cowl, the latter shaped like a snake. His height and muscular build would have made him intimidating if Slade were not the best assassin in the world.

Next to Kobra was Shimmer, a woman with short red hair -although the right half of her head is bald adorned with a tattoo-, green eyes and blue lipstick. Surrounding them were other men belonging to the Cult of Kobra.

Behind Kobra was a giant, monstrous creature with greenish-brown skin, red hair and green eyes. He loomed a minimum of six inches over both Slade and Kobra and was monstrously muscular. Slade was sure that he had assumed the Kobra-Venom that gave him that appearance.

From the way Vandal Savage had spoken about Kobra, Slade understood that he had a very haughty and proud personality to the point that he considered himself a living God and behaved as such.

Immediately from the description Slade hated Kobra and seriously considered killing him just to disprove his pathetic idea that he was a living God and see his reaction when he realized he was going to die.

Alas, Slade could not kill him personally because Kobra was a valuable ally of the Light and he would have to leave the honor to Renegade.

“Kobra.”

“Deathstroke.” spoke Kobra, his voice cold and detached. “Your cargo is ready.” he said, nodding to Shimmer.

Shimmer stepped forward and opened the briefcase, revealing a series of vials containing Kobra-Venom. Deathstroke took one and examined it for a few seconds before pointing his gaze at the monstrous creature behind Kobra. “I assume that's the result of the Kobra-Venom.”

“That's right. You can see that it is a real success.” Kobra smirked as he extended an arm toward the monster behind him. “Our friends will not be disappointed.”

The mercenary rolled his eyes with a derisive mental snort, grateful once again that his mask hid his eye. “Definitely. This will be very useful in getting rid of the heroes.”

As Deathstroke watched Kobra's men carry some boxes onto the helicopter, he turned directly to him. “I know you have taken control of the island. What have you done with the original owner?” he asked, letting a hint of curiosity show in his tone of voice so as not to make the cult leader suspicious.

“Bane is still alive. Mammoth likes to play with him.” stated Kobra in a cold, emotionless voice, pointing to the monster behind him.

Mammoth smirked and clenched his fists menacingly, emphasizing the leader's words.

Deathstroke nodded in a movement that transpired casualness and merely observed Kobra's men on the move, dropping the subject.

Slade was not surprised that Bane was unable to take down Mammoth. After all, Kobra-Venom is literally three times stronger than the Venom used by Bane and although the big man was very smart and cunning, more than people give him credit for, he still could do nothing against his opponent.

They probably kept Bane locked up in a cell and occasionally got him into some sort of ring where he was then beaten savagely by Mammoth.

Even an assassin of Slade's caliber recognized that Mammoth could break him like a twig with just his brute force. At least Slade had the healing factor but the same could not be said for Bane.

The mercenary was not one to give compliments at all but he had always had a sort of respect for Bane and he was one of the few super-villains who had his respect. Bane might have looked like the stereotypical all muscle and no brains but that was far from the reality.

And Slade knew that his son had taken a liking to Bane and Bane had also taken a liking to Renegade.

Of course.

Once all the boxes full of Kobra-Venom were loaded onto the helicopter Deathstroke put the vial back in its place and abruptly took the briefcase out of Shimmer's hands, ignoring her glare. The assassin nodded to Kobra, who returned it, and headed toward the transport vehicle.

Deathstroke guided the helicopter for a little over fifteen minutes -enough time to get away from Santa Prisca- and then put it on autopilot. He glanced out the window and nodded to himself when he noticed the land hundreds and hundreds of meters below him. He opened the briefcase resting on the co-pilot's seat, took out a vial of Kobra-Venom and hid it in his armor.

From his armor the mercenary pulled out a small switch and without any hesitation pressed the red button.

The helicopter exploded.

“What the hell do you mean the helicopter exploded?”

The world's deadliest mercenary remained impassive at Vandal Savage's outburst. “It means someone sabotaged our plan.”

“Do you have any idea who that might be?” asked Black Manta.

The super soldier's gaze landed on the figure of Aquaman's archenemy obscured by the blinding white light and he shook his head. “No suspicions. I haven't seen any heroes, so the Justice League is out of the options. But when I find out who did it I will make them pay with their lives.” he growled.

“Don't tell me the whole shipment of Kobra-Venom was lost!” Klarion whimpered annoyed.

The former soldier pulled out a vial from his armor and showed it to the screens. “This is the only one I was able to save.”

Technically this was not a lie since all the other vials exploded along with the helicopter and not a trace of them remained.

A general chorus of annoyed groans resounded. “So the mission was a failure.” Lex Luthor huffed bitterly. “You are not even capable of completing such an easy mission.”

The mercenary stiffened and his head snapped toward the screen showing the billionaire's figure. “If you had been in my place right now you would be nothing but ashes along with that helicopter. Only my superhuman abilities allowed me to survive that fucking explosion and I was quick enough to grab the first parachute I saw and throw myself from the burning helicopter that was falling faster than your pathetic brain is capable of reasoning.” Lex babbled indignantly and the assassin continued. “Plus I managed to retrieve a vial of Kobra-Venom after a quarter of an hour of searching when you wouldn't have retrieved anything even in an hour, so the next time you insinuate something like that again I will end your useless life.” he threatened him in a low and dangerous voice.

“That's enough.” intervened Vandal Savage before Superman's nemesis could think of a retort. “While things certainly didn't go as we hoped, it must be said that it wasn't a complete failure.”

“How can you say that when we only have one vial of Kobra-Venom compared to the hundreds we bought from Kobra?” asked Queen Bee.

“Because fortunately Deathstroke managed to save one and from that we would be able to decode his formula and produce as much Kobra-Venom ourselves as we would like.” replied the leader easily. “Of course, this will take longer than we expected and it would have been much faster if the vials had not been destroyed but all in all it could have been worse.”

“We also need to figure out who sabotaged Deathstroke.” Psimon interjected helpfully. “If it wasn't the heroes, and I highly doubt it was Kobra and his men, then who did?”

“Not to mention what happened in Cadmus.” Ocean-Master recalled. “It can't just be a coincidence.”

“This is something we need to find out but for now we are not paranoid. There is also the unfortunate possibility that there was a malfunction in the helicopter engine that led to its explosion, as remote as that may be. We have no reason to believe that anyone is actively sabotaging us: after all, no one besides us is aware of the Light's existence.”

Slade gave a smirk hidden by his mask.

Things are going swimmingly: they still do not know that the heroes are aware of the Light, let alone through Renegade, and even more importantly they do not suspect me. Why would they ever suspect the murderer with the largest number of victims to his credit in the world, known for being ruthless and cruel? Dick's idea of infiltrating the Light is proceeding better than I could have thought.

“Deathstroke.” the mercenary roused himself from his thoughts and stared at the white figure of Vandal Savage. “Since your mission did not go according to plan, although you are not directly to blame, I am forced to pay you $150,000 rather than the $300,000 we agreed upon.”

Money was certainly the last thing Slade could have thought of at that moment. He crossed his arms, feigning irritation, and merely grunted displeased. 

He had to pretend to be irritated by it otherwise it might create unnecessary suspicion if the notorious Deathstroke accepted it so easily.

The encounter with the Light lasted another few minutes and eventually the super soldier emerged from the shelter. As he was on his way to return home, he thought with a smirk about how the Light would react once they found out that the Cult of Kobra had been exterminated once and for all.

Renegade will not go easy on them: not after they used Bane as a punching bag for several days. I would never want to be in their shoes, especially Kobra's.

Chapter Text

“Camouflage mode activated, sir. We're practically there.”

Dick roused himself from his thoughts and emitted a murmur of acknowledgement to the helicopter pilot. He cast a glance in front of them and noted their approach toward Santa Prisca Island.

It had only been a day since Slade had accomplished his sabotage mission to the Light -and man, the idea of blowing up the helicopter and pretending to be sabotaged was really brilliant, even if the acrobat was paralyzed on the spot the first time his father told him about it- and the Talon decided it was time to start the rescue mission for Bane and eliminate the Cult of Kobra permanently.

Dick had asked both Lady Shiva and Cheshire if one of them -or both- were free that day so they could spend some time together and bond further while they cleared out Kobra and his men but unfortunately both were busy on a mission for the League of Assassins prepared by Talia herself.

What a shame. Whatever, there will be plenty of other opportunities to make up for it.

On a positive note, Talia lent him an advanced League helicopter equipped with camouflage mode so that no one would notice or hear him.

Dick was really looking forward to giving Kobra and his men a piece of his mind. Not only did they have the audacity to conquer Santa Prisca but they are also using his friend Bane as a punching bag!

The assassin was going to enjoy eliminating the cult completely and if that would be a further mockery against the Light, well, it was a double victory according to his refined tastes.

Dick put on his Renegade mask, donned a parachute and opened the door of the helicopter, smiling as he felt the wind ruffle his hair. Before jumping he turned to the League's assassin ninja who was serving as pilot at that moment. “I shouldn't be long but in any case I hope you will be patient.”

“Take as much time as you need, sir.”

With a smile Renegade shot him a thumbs-up and then jumped from the helicopter. He enjoyed every single moment of the fall and the feeling of the wind whipping against him, the adrenaline coursing through his veins (somehow scientifically impossible for him but this happened nonetheless. Both Dick and Slade agreed that the electrum coursing through his veins performed some of his blood’s functions, including adrenaline, and prevented the primary function of blood, which is to pump the heart, thus depriving him of a heartbeat, but this was only a theory). Only a few hundred meters from crashing to the ground -not that it would lead to his death but still- he opened his parachute, slowing his fall considerably. He eventually landed safely and, having already noticed that there was no one around, he dropped the parachute to the ground.

Renegade raised his holographic glove, moved his fingers extremely fast on it for a few seconds and finally the screen showed him the direction to take to get to the Peña Duro prison where Bane and his men were probably being held. The young man followed the direction pointed out to him by his little jewel, mentally frowning when he did not encounter any of Kobra's henchmen.

Could it be that they are all enjoying watching Bane being badly beaten by this Mammoth?

A few minutes passed and Dick stopped when he caught a glimpse of the prison. He blended perfectly into the forest trees and noticed that were only two armed men guarding the entrance to Peña Duro. No men visible on the roof of the prison either. He chuckled to himself.

Man, this is basically an invitation for me to have fun and create as much chaos as possible.

Dick contemplated how to proceed from this point on. It would have been a piece of cake for him to grab a gun and kill the two men, despite the distance of about thirty meters.

Come on, this was barely going to be training for him!

Since he hated easy things, he decided instead to make the rounds off the forest as well as the prison. He looked around and, confirmed once again that there was no one else there, he ran with his superhuman speed and within seconds became one with the prison wall. He thus advanced with his back attached to the wall of the building and stopped when he reached the corner to turn. With a mad smile on his face the 17-year-old turned the corner and launched himself into the midst of the two men, making them jump in fright.

They did not even have time to see who was in front of them as Renegade broke their necks with respectively a punch and a kick at the same time. The two guards fell lifeless at the feet of the assassin who looked at them contemplatively, an idea slowly forming in his head.

The mercenary grabbed the dark red uniform from one of the two dead men, wincing when he noticed the man was wearing nothing but pants, and put it on. The uniform hid virtually all of his armor, and the hood hid most of his face. He gave a mental smirk and walked easily into the prison as the entrance was open.

Idiots. 

Thanks to his disguise no one in the cult gave him a second glance, allowing him to pass unnoticed from room to room. Eventually in less than five minutes he reached a particular room crowded with Kobra's henchmen. The acrobat turned toward the direction in which they were all looking and was briefly breathless at what he saw.

It was some kind of combat area and in it were Bane and what must have been Mammoth.

Damn. Slade was not lying when he said that Mammoth was really big.

Dick looked at Bane's condition: he was full of bruises, recent cuts and scars, and blood was flowing like a river from his broken nose and lip. He had ugly dark bruises all over his chest and face and had heavy dark circles under his eyes. He was bleeding from a bad head wound and Dick was betting that the man had a bad concussion. Finally from the way he stood, the assassin was certain that Bane had some broken ribs and he also noticed how the big man favored his right leg over his left.

He saw a cult member pass Bane's signature weapon through the bars and the big man took it without question, as if it were a normal thing to do. Soon the Venom glanced over the supervillain's veins and became bigger and more muscular and then turned to Mammoth with a snarl between his lips.

The confrontation that followed was rather one-sided and in the end predictably Bane was defeated and knocked down violently. Dick almost winced at every hard blow Bane received but did not, merely observing Mammoth throwing Bane left and right as if he were a rag doll and not one of Batman's most dangerous opponents.

Deathstroke's former apprentice gritted his teeth as he saw Mammoth fling his opponent away and then launch himself into the air and hit him with a violent punch to the face, creating a hole in the floor. A pool of blood began to form around Bane's head, which remained on the ground knocked down. 

Soon a chorus of “Hail, Kobra!” began to echo throughout the room, chanted by cult members. Renegade caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye and looked up, staring directly at the figure of Kobra who had his arms crossed and a smirk between his lips as his eyes were focused on the fighting arena.

It was obvious that he had enjoyed his most powerful henchman beating Bane mercilessly.

Dick clenched his fist.

It was time to wipe that smirk from his lips.

Permanently.

The mercenary quietly slipped away and hid in the shadows of the room. He noticed how the henchmen of the cult -more than twenty- were crowded mainly on both sides of the arena and an idea formed in his mind. He grabbed two small grenades from his utility belt and threw them to the sides of the ring.

Immediately two small explosions burst out that not only killed Kobra's men but also created two holes, respectively, on the sides of the arena. Immediately a heavy cloud of smoke rose and Dick almost winced at the sound of panicked screams. He drew two pistols and shot the few remaining henchmen alive, killing them, only to turn away when he heard in the distance sounds of footsteps rushing to see what was happening. The acrobat did not give them time to realize what was happening as he killed them instantly as soon as they stepped into the room.

“Traitor!” at Kobra's furious snarl the young mercenary merely tilted his head, his attention on the men he was shooting and killing one after another with flawless and perfect aim. “How dare you sin in such a way before your god?”

The assassin rolled his eyes at such pride shown by Kobra and snorted. “If you are a god then I have never killed anyone.” he drawled sarcastically, smiling when the advance of Kobra's henchmen stopped and he put his guns back in place.

Dick did not know whether Kobra's men were finished or not but in any case at most there would be a few left, in which case he would deal with them later.

Renegade heard a series of heavy but quick footsteps approaching him and he performed several backflips. He gave a smirk when he saw Mammoth growling annoyed that he had avoided his blow.

“Mammoth, stop for a moment.” the Talon's attention shifted half to Kobra, distractedly noticing that Shimmer had flanked him during the moment of confusion and chaos, and the other half to Mammoth who snarled at the leader's order but followed it anyway. “Show your face, traitor. I want to see who has such courage as to dare to defy their God.”

Smiling, the young man took off the typical uniform of the Cult of Kobra and threw it away, revealing his distinctive armor that everyone knew and feared. Kobra recognized him immediately and opened his eyes wide, genuine surprise crossing his eyes before it quickly disappeared. The man with the divine complex narrowed his eyes. “Renegade. I admit I was not expecting a visit from you.”

“That's because I didn't receive an invitation. Rude.”

The man ignored his joke and continued in the same cold, impassive tone of voice. “I am curious to know the reason for your visit before Mammoth crushes you to death.”

The mercenary tightened the white slits in his mask. “This place does not belong to you, Kobra. The time has come for Saint Prisca to return to its rightful owner and for your stupid cult to cease to exist forever.”

“Your master will not be happy.”

An inhuman snarl escaped Renegade's lips. “Deathstroke is not my master.” he spat the last word as if it were poison. “And for the record, he will be very happy when I show him your severed head. And you stop trying to contact the Light or anyone else: I have personally made sure that I have momentarily isolated St. Prisca's from the rest of the world.” he addressed the last part directly to Shimmer who was typing on a phone but it was clear from her deep frown that all her attempts proved futile.

Comprehension and slight horror flashed briefly in Kobra's eyes. “Deathstroke is a mole infiltrated within the Light.”

“Bingo.” the Talon confirmed with a sharkish grin. “But you won't get any chance to be able to tell anyone.”

Kobra growled and angrily slammed a fist into the wall at his side. “Mammoth! Kill him without mercy!”

Mammoth emitted a sonorous animalistic roar and with superhuman speed darted toward the mercenary. Renegade jumped over the fist and used the monster's arm as a trampoline to launch himself forward by performing mid-air somersaults. As he was upside down in the air while performing the midair somersault, he drew one of the two swords attached to his back and snapped it horizontally toward the monster's neck with all his strength.

Renegade landed crouched on the ground and watched in satisfaction as Mammoth's decapitated body fell to the ground, the monster's head rolling a few feet away from the rest of his body.

“NO!”

The mercenary turned sharply at the female scream full of agony, shock and pain and he watched in surprise as tears ran down Shimmer's face. His gaze landed on Kobra who predictably was still composed but he noticed a slight shock in the cult leader's eyes.

“You killed Shimmer's brother.” Kobra explained in an indifferent voice.

The Talon blinked, not expecting that revelation, as he stowed the sword at his back. He felt no remorse in his killing -not after what Mammoth had done to Bane in the last few days- but he still felt slightly bad toward Shimmer, even though he had a thought on his mind.

What sister in her right mind would agree with permanently turning her brother into a mindless monster?

The acrobat saw Shimmer growling furiously from the small balcony on which she and Kobra stood and he saw her throw herself down to the ground, landing in a crouch. Shimmer ran toward the mercenary, tears streaming down her face and her eyes glowing, and threw a punch at him.

Renegade easily blocked the punch and retaliated in turn with a punch that pierced her windpipe. Shimmer's eyes went wide and she staggered backward, bringing both hands to her own neck, which now had a bleeding hole in it, and she made choking, suffering noises. She fell backward to the ground, the light slowly fading from her eyes, and within seconds Dick felt her heart stop beating.

At least she will be able to be reunited with her brother, if there is life after death.

The former apprentice returned his gaze to Kobra and noticed smugly that the man's red eyes glowed furiously. With a snarl Kobra jumped from the balcony and landed crouched on the ground. He rose to his full height, threw his uniform to the ground, exposing his enormous musculature and pale skin, and advanced slowly toward the mercenary who stood still. The man walked past Shimmer's corpse covered in a pool of blood without even giving her a glance and stopped at a proper distance from Renegade.

“I don't think a god should intervene in human affairs, you know?” the Talon taunted him with a teasing smirk.

“Sometimes a god has to lower himself to the level of others and get his hands dirty.” Kobra replied impassively and he snapped forward with a fist.

Renegade easily dodged it and blocked the next kick aimed at his chest. He grabbed his leg and violently flipped Kobra to the ground. The man let out a slight groan of pain but quickly got back to his feet, narrowing his eyes when he saw the mercenary signaling for him to try again.

The next minute was spent with the Talon dodging or blocking every single blow from Kobra who was becoming increasingly irritated. Dick mentally admitted that Kobra was a very good fighter but, unfortunately for the man, Renegade was completely from another planet and was, in Deathstroke's expert opinion, in the top 3 in terms of hand-to-hand combat worldwide.

Literally Kobra was barely a warm up for Dick.

Renegade deflected a punch from Kobra with his left arm and hit the man with a fierce uppercut that sent him backward. Kobra rose to his feet with a grunt and touched his clearly dislocated jaw, wincing slightly.

Dick gave him no time to do anything else.

One moment Renegade was a few feet away from Kobra and the next second he had zeroed the distance. Kobra's eyes widened, not expecting such speed from the mercenary, and he began to make choking noises when with his left arm Renegade abruptly grabbed him by the throat and lifted him more than half a meter off the ground.

Probably to an outside viewer the scene would have been a bit comical seeing a 17-year-old boy of about six feet lift a stout, massive man of almost two meters by the throat without any physical effort.

Kobra tried desperately to break Renegade's grip in any way he could but each of his attempts proved futile and the grip around his neck only increased slightly. He was aware of how Renegade could crush his windpipe with his bare hands if only he wanted to and this further increased his panic.

Renegade tilted his head to the side, an innocent smirk between his lips that made him more frightening and terrifying in the man's eyes. “I thought a god didn't feel an ounce of fear. What a disappointment.” he shook his head disappointed. He lost the smirk and narrowed his gaze. “I will teach you a good lesson in humility. I hope it will prove useful to you once you are dead.” the assassin fully enjoyed the look of pure terror and fear in Kobra's eyes. “This is for what you did to Bane.” he gave a final smirk. “Hail, Kobra.”

Kobra opened his eyes wide in shock when he felt an indescribable pain in his chest. His mouth opened wide for an agonized scream of pain but barely a whisper came out and instead a large amount of blood flowed out.

Kobra's death resulted faster than Dick wished but it did not matter. Renegade pulled back the arm that had gone past the man's chest, ignoring the sickening sound of his arm making its way through the flesh, bone and limbs of Kobra's body and the acrobat watched impassively as the heart of the former cult leader he held in his hand, absentmindedly noticed the body falling lifelessly to the ground.

Courtesy of the Court of Owls, Dick was now completely impervious to any form of violence, even the most extreme, and despite the brutality of the situation this often gave him a great advantage.    

He dropped Kobra's heart to the ground and headed toward Bane who was still unconscious.

“Gracias chico for everything you did.” 

Renegade smiled and shot Bane a thumbs-up. “No hay problema, mi amigo. No one gets away with hurting the people I care about.”

Bane returned the smile and ruffled the young assassin's hair. “Don't be modest with me. I owe you a big favor for exterminating that bastard's cult and saving my men.” his men at his side nodded. “By the way, there are none left alive?”

“None.” confirmed the Talon with a nod. “Rather, ¿estás bien?”

Bane good-naturedly rolled over at the question Renegade had already asked numerous times. “Estoy bien, no te preocupes. I suffered much worse injuries while growing up at Peña Duro. You won't get rid of me so easily, chico.”

Renegade chuckled and hugged the super-villain, mindful of his wounds. Bane returned the hug, a little uncomfortable even though he was getting better with feelings and demonstrations of affection precisely thanks to the young mercenary.

Not that he would ever admit this to anyone, of course.

“¿Cuales son tus planes?” asked the acrobat, breaking away from the embrace and staring curiously at the big man.

“Right now I plan to focus on the organización of Santa Prisca. Increasing my men and supplying them adequately, the security of the prisión and taking care of the island after all the trouble Kobra has caused. Once that is done, I can get back into the business. And yes, the Venom will not end up in the hands of the first person interested in buying it but I will continue to pretend to sell it and then kill those interested in buying it.” added Bane with a roll of his eyes after the young man's meaningful look.

“Bien.” Renegade nodded in satisfaction and firmly shook Bane's hand. “Take care, mi amigo. And when you return to Gotham, don't let Batman kick your ass too much.”

Bane snorted, easily reading between the lines the true message of the mercenary's words. “Yeah. See you soon, Ren.” he greeted him with a final pat on the shoulder.

The assassin gave him a mock military salute and after briefly greeting Bane's men turned, starting to head toward the helicopter that had recently landed on the island.

And this mission was also successfully completed.

Bane watched from above as his men cleaned and tidied up the interior of the prison, immersed in his thoughts concerning a young mercenary.

Even now he could not give himself an explanation about how the hell Renegade had managed to make his way not only into his heart, leading him to genuinely care about the chico, but into that of a good portion of the Gotham Rogues and the supervillain community in general.

Not only did they have tremendous respect for Renegade's abilities but they truly loved him to the point that they would do anything for him.

And woe betide anyone who would hurt their Ren!

Not that that has happened yet, to anyone's surprise, but still.

When Bane had awakened from his unconscious state and saw Renegade's masked but visibly concerned face, he immediately felt safe with the chico beside him. This was because it was common knowledge in the criminal world how skilled Renegade was: he already was when he was barely double digits of age, let alone now!

After all, there was a reason that neither Bane nor any of Gotham's other villains -Joker excluded- gave Batman a single clue about Renegade: they could never betray Renegade and, in the case of people like Two Face, Scarecrow and others who did not like the young assassin too much, they were genuinely more afraid of Renegade than of the Dark Knight to the point that they would rather take a brutal beating from the vigilante than run the risk of being targeted by the mercenary.

Of course, none of the Gotham Rogues knew Renegade's civilian identity but still.

A shiver ran down the big man's spine at a particular memory concerning Renegade who had given an important talk with the Gotham Rogues but he chased it away. 

By the way, Bane was impressed when he learned all that Renegade had done for him: he had eliminated an entire cult, its two most important members -Bane was absolutely delighted when he had seen Mammoth's head and mentally vowed to put it in plain sight in some prison office- and the leader completely alone.

It was really no easy feat to accomplish and still Renegade had made it look like a walk in the park.

Bane was abruptly roused from his thoughts when he heard noises and screams coming from the prison entrance. He jumped down landing crouching on the ground and ran toward the source of the chaos, a snarl between his lips.

If it's some of Kobra's henchmen, I swear I'll kill them!

Bane honestly didn't think there were any members of the now former cult left alive, given Renegade's efficiency and flawlessness, but never say never.

He stopped in his steps when he reached the entrance and swallowed an annoyed groan that almost escaped his throat.

Are you fucking kidding me?

In front of him were the seven founding members of the Justice League who looked at him with a frown and at their feet his downed men groaning in pain.

With an irritated sigh Bane peacefully raised his hands in the air, knowing he had zero chance against the heroes. “I didn't do anything illegal this time.”

“We have discovered that a new drug is circulating in Santa Prisca, supposedly three times stronger than your Venom.” Batman growled and took a step forward, his menacing eyes aimed directly at the big man. “Speak, Bane.”

Lowering his arms, Bane annoyedly narrowed his eyes but reluctantly agreed to speak. “It is true that a new drug was circulating. It is Kobra-Venom which is three times stronger than Venom and is permanent. However, I have nothing to do with that stuff.”

Batman stared at him for a few seconds and then nodded to Wonder Woman. Bane hurled expletives in Spanish as the Amazon's lasso of truth shrunk annoyingly around him. “I'm telling the truth!”

“If you had nothing to do with it then why is Kobra-Venom circulating in your place?” Superman asked.

Bane clenched his teeth tightly but was forced to answer. “The Cult of Kobra had taken over Santa Prisca and put me and my men out of business. My men were locked up in jail while they used me as a punching bag.” Bane emitted an angry snarl and ignored the surprised looks of the heroes. “They were the ones who put Kobra-Venom into circulation, not me.”

The heroes exchanged a surprised look before returning it to their suspect. “So, you really had nothing to do with this new drug?” Green Lantern asked, still skeptical.

“That's what I'm telling you, estúpido.”

Green Lantern scowled, recognizing that the last word was an insult even though he did not speak Spanish, or at least not without the ring.

“Actually, judging by your appearance you don't look very well.” Martian Manhunter stated, carefully observing Bane's physical state as he frowned.

“What happened to this Cult of Kobra? Where are they right now?”

Bane stared at the King of Atlantis and gave a sharkish grin. “Están todos muertos.”

“All dead?” Flash repeated surprised and the big man nodded. “How did you get rid of them?” 

The criminal lost his smirk and tightened his lips, determined not to answer the speedster. He emitted a grimace as the lasso tightened further on him. Although his already injured ribs were protesting, he did his best to keep his mouth shut, no matter how painful and annoying it would be.

“It is useless to resist. It will only cause you more pain.” Wonder Woman warned him.

Bane held out for about ten seconds before finally the feeling became unbearable for him. “I didn't free myself. It was Renegade who saved me.”

The heroes eyes widened in shock. “Renegade, Deathstroke's former apprentice?”

Bane stared at Flash, unimpressed. “How many Renegades do you know, amigos?”

Soon Bane's view was obscured and he blinked, surprised when his field of vision was completely occupied by the menacing figure of the Dark Knight. “What is your relationship with Renegade?”

“Good friends. I respect him a lot.”

“Do you know his civilian identity?”

“No.”

And fortunately for that, otherwise I would have been forced to reveal it to these idiotas.

Batman growled annoyed at his answer and Bane sent him a smirk. “Did Renegade single-handedly eliminate the entire Cult of Kobra?”

“That's right. Further ahead there are still their remains.”

Without ever looking back the Caped Crusader nodded and the next second Flash sped away. The speedster returned almost two seconds later, his face a little paler than usual. “There are lots of charred bodies, there is a decapitated monster and I found brutally murdered the one I suspect was the cult leader. There is so much blood and so much slaughter.”

The heroes looked at each other worriedly but the Gotham vigilante's gaze remained fixed on the big man. “Who is the monster Flash is talking about?”

“A guy who injected himself with Kobra-Venom. The same guy who has been using me as a punching bag for the past few days. I'm glad how Renegade took him down.”

Batman frowned. “Where is the Kobra-Venom contained?”

“All I know is that there's none left.”

“Did Renegade tell you that?” asked Green Lantern.

Bane nodded and the Caped Crusader continued his questioning. “Was the cult working for someone else?”

“I'm not sure. I heard that about a day or two ago Kobra, the cult leader, was supposed to meet someone for an exchange but I don't know who with.”

Batman grunted disgruntled. “Do you know anything about the Light?”

“I've heard rumors but don't know anything concrete about it. However, I am quite sure that it exists.”

“Then the Light really exists.” Superman muttered a little worriedly.

“That's not a good thing.” Aquaman frowned and absentmindedly stroked his beard.

“Can you release me now?”

Everyone's attention shifted first to a disgruntled and annoyed Bane and then to Batman who carefully scrutinized the criminal and then nodded abruptly. Bane released a contented sigh as the lasso was removed from his body and he stretched, cracking some joints. “Finally. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an island and a prison to rearrange.”

Batman scowled, knowing he had no evidence to imprison Bane and Bane knew this. The vigilante turned back to his teammates. “We're done here. We can leave.”

Bane watched the hero figures leave and let out a sigh, as he could not help but notice that Batman's obsession with Renegade had not diminished at all but rather seemed to have increased.

I hope you know what you're doing, chico.  

Chapter Text

"Yo, what's up man?"

Professor Ivo emitted a startled gasp and turned around sharply. His eyes widened as he saw the notorious Renegade looking around. "Renegade?"

"Nice lab, man." the assassin complimented the older man as he observed the man's lab, curiously noticing many robotic parts, tools, machinery and more scattered around. 

The short red-haired man blinked confusedly. "Um, thank you." he shook his head and fixed the young man with a frown. "How the hell did you get in here?" 

"Stupid question, man. It's common knowledge by now that my level of stealth is superior to that of Deathstroke and Batman." the acrobat paused and stroked his chin, contemplative. "At least I hope so, otherwise it's a real shame." 

"What the hell are you doing here?" 

Renegade went back to staring at the scientist and a smirk appeared on his face. He leaned his back against a wall. "A little birdie told me you reassembled an interesting and peculiar robot that long ago was destroyed by the Justice League, capable of replicating the powers of heroes." 

Ivo diffidently squinted his eyes. "How do you know about Amazo? Only an inner circle knows about it." 

The mercenary shrugged casually and drew a knife from his utility belt. He began to twirl the weapon casually but with extraordinary and unique skill in all the world, smiling inwardly when he saw the man pale a little. "I told you: a little bird told me."

"I don't have time to waste with a brat like you." Professor Ivo growled and stared at him with contempt. "Go away. I have more important things to do than to waste time with a-" 

He did not have time to finish the sentence that in record time Renegade had zeroed the distance and lifted him by his shirt more than a meter off the ground with his left arm. "Pay respect to the second most dangerous mercenary in the world, old man." he hissed, his white eyes narrowing menacingly.

If there was anything Dick hated with all his heart, it was when someone doesn't take him seriously just because of his young age. 

Ivo is definitely a genius but he is still stupid enough to piss off a murderer of my caliber. Idiot. 

Professor Ivo swallowed deeply and sweat began to slide from his temple. "S-sorry, R-Renegade." he stammered in panic. "W-would you be so k-kind as to put me d-down? P-please?"

The Talon stared at him for a few seconds, increasing the man's nervousness and terror, before nodding and putting him down gently. "Only because you asked nicely." 

Ivo released a sigh of relief. "Thank you-" he opened his eyes wide and suddenly made a strangled noise. 

The man fell backward to the ground and began to choke on his own blood that began to flow out like a river from the clean cut to his carotid artery. His body writhed for a few seconds on the floor before becoming completely still, a large pool of blood surrounding his body.

Renegade smiled and twirled his knife. He took a rag that was on a small table and with it wiped the knife of Ivo's blood present on it and then stowed his weapon in his utility belt. 

This kind of killing -a clean cut to the carotid artery that leads to the victim bleeding to death within seconds- is typical of an experienced, lethal and dangerous assassin who is also very efficient. Dick has mastered all kinds of killing -both slow and painful and quick and much more- courtesy of the Court of Owls. 

Despite the traumas, at least he could use the Court's training to his advantage and it was a fundamental part of his skills and abilities. 

Now, as for Amazo...

He tilted his head as his enhanced hearing picked up distant and heavy footsteps coming closer and closer. He turned toward the door and got into a fighting stance, ready to face the robot as soon as it stepped into the room. The assassin heard a muffled "Access: Black Canary." before the wall was suddenly smashed to smithereens, revealing the towering figure of Amazo staring directly at him.

"Come on, you've got to be kidding me!" exclaimed Renegade in frustration as he threw himself to the side, dodging just in time the robot's canary cry that went on for several seconds. 

Dick winced slightly as he got back up and gritted his teeth for the entire duration of the canary cry. He took a knife and threw it as fast as he could at the robot.

"Access: Martian Manhunter." Amazo became intangible, dodging the knife that stuck on a part of the wall that remained intact. 

At least the canary cry ended. Thought the acrobat relieved, distractedly hearing blood flowing from his ears. 

"Access: Superman."

The mercenary rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the fist of the android who, however, managed to grab his right leg, spun him around quickly a couple of times and finally threw Renegade with all its strenght. Renegade's body crashed violently against a wall that gave way on impact and his body rolled a few meters away. 

Thank God for the absence of pain and the virtually unlimited healing factor. 

Dick emitted an involuntary grunt as he rose to his feet and watched Amazo walk menacingly toward him over the rubble of the newly broken wall. He quickly pulled a smoke bomb from his utility belt and threw it to the ground. Immediately smoke filled the area, hiding his figure. 

"Access: Red Tornado." Amazo created gusts of wind dispersing all the smoke but there was no sign of the metahuman. 

The android looked around but its high-tech scanners did not reveal Renegade's presence in any way.

"Access-" 

Amazo had no way to finish the sentence as Renegade came out of nowhere behind it and decapitated it with his trusty sword. The robot's head fell with a metallic clang to the ground while the rest of its body began to emit sparks.

The acrobat cautiously moved away from it. "I hope Ivo has not planned some form of self-destruction." 

More sparks continued to pour from both Amazo's body and head for a few seconds before they ceased completely and the remaining part of its body fell noisily to the ground. 

Renegade smiled victoriously as he placed his sword at his back, crossing it at X with the other. "Now it's time to find out if Ivo has created anything else."

Dick arched an eyebrow under his mask when he discovered an android that was an exact replica of Ivo, no difference. "I admit that if I didn't know any better, I wouldn't be able to tell who the real Ivo was," he commented casually, briefly observing the extinguished android and then quickly dismantling it so that not a single part of it would be left to be reassembled. 

A few minutes later Renegade stopped in front of a somewhat peculiar-looking door. He took a short breath and jerked it open, already mentally prepared for whatever he would find himself in front of. 

What he had not expected was to find himself surrounded by about 20 deactivated robot monkeys. 

The Talon blinked in surprise and then burst into amused laughter. "Man, I have to take their picture and send it to Conner." 

Some time ago he and Conner had visited a zoo in Metropolis, and Conner had an unpleasant adventure with the monkeys, which led the clone to hate monkeys more than anything else in the world. 

Dick chuckled at the memory and the myriad expressions that crossed his best friend's face when a monkey threw shit at him that soiled his shirt. 

It was something he could never forget.

He took a few selfies with the robot monkeys and sent them to Conner. The acrobat put his phone back in place and cracked his knuckles with a smirk. "Rest assured, little monkeys: your dismantling will be completely painless for you."  

Minutes later Renegade stood on the roof of Ivo's lab and breathed the air of Gotham. 

Of all the places he could do his work, he chose Gotham. Amazing how Batman never found him. 

Dick was still partially afraid of the city, for all the horrible memories and traumas it carried and for being the place where his greatest nightmare and fear was hidden. 

The assassin avoided plunging into darker and deeper thoughts when his phone rang briefly. He picked it up and burst out laughing at Conner's reply. 

"I hate monkeys." 

In response Dick sent him a few emoticons of laughter and put the phone away, shaking his head with an amused smirk. He then turned serious. 

He had another scientist to eliminate.

Renegade was completely shrouded in darkness and with a frown watched Thomas Morrow work on an android. The assassin narrowed his gaze suspiciously. 

According to my calculations Morrow should be about eighty to ninety years old and instead he looks thirty to forty. There is something wrong. 

Dick watched Morrow get his hands on some robots that showed a frightening resemblance to Red Tornado and noticed that the man deactivated them and then continued working on them, switching from one android to another. The Talon did not know why but he felt the instinct to kill Morrow without his knowledge of his presence. 

If there was one thing the acrobat had learned over the years it was to always follow his instincts and so he did.

A knife darted quickly through the air and pierced deep into the back of the scientist's neck. He expected to see blood gushing out of the fatal wound but instead he stared shocked at the sparks leaking from the body. 

Is it possible that every scientist has an unhealthy obsession with creating duplicates of themselves in android form? Eh, at least that explains why Morrow looked so much younger. 

The android emitted more electric sparks and then fell noisily to the ground, stopping moving altogether. Renegade stepped out of the shadows and over the next few minutes inspected the room for clues and eventually found a diary that he soon discovered was filled with Morrow's notes, thoughts and plans. 

He learned that the real Morrow -the human one- had since his youth as his goal to destroy the heroes -which at that time were those who formed the Justice Society of America- and to do this he created androids -Red Torpedo and Firebrand- to get them to infiltrate the heroes but both attempts failed for different reasons.

Dick's eyes widened when he read that Red Tornado was also Morrow's creation but he released a sigh of relief when he read that its heroic programming was too advanced and it ended up betraying its own creator in favor of the old Society and the current League. Many years later Morrow created a robotic version of himself having the memories and personality of the original to carry on his work because he was approaching old age. 

The assassin then learned that Morrow had recovered the first two robots he had created -Red Torpedo and Firebrand, changing the latter's name to Red Inferno- in order to reprogram them to be used against the heroes along with his other creations. It also appeared that Morrow had an assistant named Brom Stikk who helped him create an android: Mister Twister. Morrow's latest creation, made recently, is another android called Red Volcano who was programmed with no interest in humanity, unlike its siblings, thus making it potentially the most dangerous of the androids created by the scientist. 

Dick gave a sigh and closed Morrow's diary, placing it back where he had found it. He cast a glance at Red Torpedo and Red Inferno, still deactivated on the table where Morrow was working on them.

What should I do with them? 

Although they were androids, they had still been real heroes who helped keep the world safe and he would be a little sorry to dismantle them. On the other hand, Dick could not afford to have someone else mad scientist get their hands on them, changing their programming and using them as mere tools against the JL. 

Moreover, Firebrand had been "killed" saving the life of the first Flash and even had a grave with her human name on it while Red Torpedo had lived his life as a normal human being and was now an old man. 

Even though they were androids this did not mean that they were less human, rather the opposite. 

Surely they were more human than the assholes of the Court of Owls. 

Dick shook his head, not wanting to risk falling into dark thoughts, and with a sigh made the decision to dismantle them.

I hope Red Tornado does not develop a feeling of revenge against me and try to kill me to avenge its siblings. 

The acrobat in a few minutes destroyed the two robots, making sure that no one else could lay their evil hands on them. He turned, intending to leave the laboratory but turned around again as he heard a violent explosion. He groaned when he saw the wall shatter, revealing two menacing-looking androids that Dick immediately recognized as Mister Twister and Red Volcano. 

"We will destroy you, human scum!" growled Red Volcano's metallic voice. 

Renegade felt the earth tremble beneath his feet and emitted an involuntary scream as the ground beneath him literally split in two, plunging him into the hole that had just been created. His instincts took over and he quickly pulled out the grappling hook, shooting it upward. The hook managed to connect to a secure hold and the assassin flew up, landing on the ground that had just recompacted and had threatened to crush him to death. 

Dick did not want to know whether his healing factor would prevail even if he was crushed underground.

As soon as he landed crouched on the ground he was hit by a tornado created by Mister Twister that threw him against the wall, breaking it and sending him into other rooms in the building. With an annoyed growl Renegade got back to his feet, narrowing his gaze toward the two androids that were advancing toward him. 

I'm getting really sick of robots. 

"You don't stand a chance against us, human." Mister Twister spoke. 

"We'll see." was the reply of the Talon who ran toward them. 

Red Volcano raised its hand and threw huge rocks toward the metahuman. The acrobat jumped on the first rock and soared through the air performing a double somersault. He landed on a second rock and to avoid a tornado created by Mister Twister he shot his grappling hook into the rafters. He landed on them, ran at maximum superhuman speed and with a growl launched himself toward Red Volcano, drawing his two swords in the process.

Red Volcano threw a giant boulder at him but Renegade with his swords easily cut it in half and with a simultaneous double lunge of swords decapitated the android. Without wasting a single millisecond he put his swords back in place and performed several backflips, dodging two tornadoes. He got back to his feet and ran toward the only android left standing.  

The Talon threw a smoke bomb, aiming for the robot's right side, but it served as a distraction for him: in fact, predictably, Mister Twister was distracted by the smoke bomb and created a tornado to drive it away, which allowed the mercenary to use the opportunity to his advantage. He pulled out the escrima sticks, lit them to their maximum power and attached them to the android's chest. 

Immediately a discharge of more than 100,000 volts went through Mister Twister's body, which in seconds short-circuited and fell backward with a loud metallic clang to the ground, giving Dick all the time in the world to decapitate it. Renegade rested the sword on his back and looked contentedly at the two destroyed androids. 

"Now I can write in my curriculum vitae that I destroyed three androids that attacked me within a few hours. Not bad, Dick."

"Your turn, Conner." 

Conner Kent grunted and stared at his UNO cards for a few seconds, shifted his gaze to the red 7 present in the center of the table and a frown materialized on his face. He drew a card and his frown increased as he stared at his parent figure/older brother. "Your turn." 

Clark Kent chuckled and placed a yellow 7. 

With a mischievous grin Richard Wilson threw a yellow Draw Two and shouted "UNO!".

He gave a mental chuckle at Clark's almost imperceptible grimace and Conner's murderous stare (the latter probably more for the Draw Two than the scream). 

His gaze shifted to Lois Lane who was approaching them, a playful smile between her lips. "I'm beginning to think you're cheating." she joked. 

"It's likely." Conner grunted disgruntled as he drew two cards.

"Or they are just bad." Dick replied amusedly shrugging casually, earning a chuckle from the reporter. Dick's smile faded as Clark cast a yellow Skip and he glared at the man. "Thanks, man." 

"That's for calling us bad." Clark gave him a wink to which the acrobat replied with a snort. 

Betrayed by my favorite hero. Slade would be amused.  

The match ended three minutes later with another acrobat victory, much to the dismay of Clark and Conner and the amusement of Dick and Lois, and then the four of them gathered in the living room. 

"You know Dick, we're really happy that Conner met you while you were on a field trip to Metropolis with your class." Clark stated with a tender smile as he observed the 17-year-old. 

Obviously there needed to be a invented story to justify how Dick and Conner met and they opted for the following: Dick visited Metropolis on a school field trip and, straying briefly from his classroom, got lost and coincidentally met up with Conner who was able to give him directions back to his class and the two, after joking and exchanging a few jokes, exchanged phone numbers to keep in contact.

Dick's dignity and pride suffered somewhat but if it would ensure that the Kents could not reconnect him with his mercenary identity then so be it. Also to evade Clark's super-hearing, whenever Dick went to Metropolis in his civilian identity he attached to his chest an audio system that played a normal human heartbeat. 

Dick did not want to think at all about whether he should ever forget about the sound system. He certainly did not want to have that kind of conversation with Superman himself. 

"So did I. My life would definitely be more boring without the grumpy big guy who hates monkeys." Dick returned the smile and threw a light punch at Conner's arm, chuckling when he saw him roll his eyes but noticed a slight smile in his best friend's face.

Lois and Clark shared a laugh at the memory of Conner's adventure to the zoo and his encounter with the monkeys. Dick could never forget their looks and reactions when Conner returned home soiled with monkey poop. 

"Seriously though, you are his best friend and practically his only one. Your weekly visits to Metropolis -or when Conner comes to you in New York- are very good for him and allow him to come out of his shell. I'm not lying when I say that we are very happy to host you in our home whenever you want, right Clark?" Clark nodded smiling and Lois continued. "You're a good boy, Dick. One of the best I've ever met. You not only make Conner happy but you make us happy and only with your sunny, glowing presence. We are extremely happy to have made your acquaintance and I admit that you have now become like a nephew to us." she concluded with a sweet smile. 

Dick wiggled slightly uncomfortably on the sofa and a blush made its way to his pale cheeks. He already felt guilty lying to Lois and Clark about how they had treated him -as if he were one of their family- but now that they had confessed to him that they saw him as a nephew, although it warmed his heart greatly, it also increased his already enormous sense of guilt.

They were hosting the second most dangerous mercenary in the world in their home and they didn't even know it! And Dick kept lying to them and building lie upon lie practically weekly, whenever he saw them!

Dick deserved neither their kindness nor their love at all. If they learned who he really was, they would surely want nothing more to do with him and Clark would send him straight to one of the safest prisons on Earth if not off the planet. 

It was true that Dick could never, ever hurt them -they were family to him too- but he would not blame whatever their reaction would be if they ever learned that he was Renegade. He knew it was right and they had every right to know who he really was -a mercenary, a murderer, a monster- but he could not say. 

Dick was selfish and did not want to lose them. Because it was nice to have two normal, heroic adults who genuinely cared for him, openly showing affection and care for him. 

It was nice to have some semblance of normalcy, even if it was brief. 

And Dick did not want to lose that, no matter if it made him selfish.  

However a circus boy will always remain a circus boy, so his smile never wavered and he gave a shy shrug as he gave an answer, hiding deep inside himself his true feelings in question. "You are too kind, really. It's nice to have Conner as a best friend. And for the record, I hope you don't mind if I sometimes refer to you as uncle and aunt. It's kind of an automatic thing since I have a lot of honorary uncles and aunts." he explained, aware of Conner's fixed gaze on him but did his best to avoid it. 

Lois and Clark shared a smile. "We'd love that, Dick." 

The smile the acrobat gave them was genuine, even if guilt twisted his stomach. Fortunately, soon after, the television caught their attention when the news announced a particular news item. 

"Thomas Morrow, a noted genius scientist who tried several times to annihilate the previous generation of heroes, the Justice Society of America, had long been ill and treated in the hospital, bedridden and hooked up to a life support system. However, half an hour ago he was found dead and doctors stated that someone had turned off his life support system, inevitably leading to his death.

"His assistant Brom Stikk was also found dead in the same hospital room as Morrow, presumably in one of the visits to his boss. Doctors determined that the cause of death was a clean cut to the carotid artery and stated that his assassin was someone very experienced and efficient. Police are currently investigating but so far no clues or evidence have been found, not even the murder weapon. And-" 

The reporter's voice was drowned out by Lois's. Dick had the distinct feeling that she had briefly forgotten that he was there with them -judging by the way her gaze was surprised when she saw him- and she cleared her throat as she turned with a frown to her fiancé, most likely avoiding the real conversation she wanted to have but could not since, in her eyes, there was a 17-year-old civilian in front of her. 

"I think some interesting news might come out if we investigated." she said instead. "I wonder if we could find out anything."

Clark looked at her briefly and then stared at Dick. The man nodded awkwardly, his whole attitude screaming country boy Clark Kent and not the Man of Steel Superman. "Definitely. That would be interesting." 

Conner emitted a snort and stared out of the corner of his eye at his best friend who noticed his glance and ignored it. Dick refrained from chuckling at the reactions of the two Daily Planet reporters, choosing instead to simply nod. His phone rang and he picked it up, curious when he saw that Slade had written to him. 

The Light is very pissed off. They are seriously thinking that there is someone actively sabotaging them and they plan to find out who is responsible. 

Dick emitted a small snort and typed a reply. 

I'm glad ;)  

Brat.

Thank you! And by the way, Clark and Lois just admitted that they see me as a nephew! I have a new uncle and aunt! 

I thought it would happen sooner.

Dick chuckled at Slade's tired dad message and put his phone back in his pocket, spending the rest of the evening with the Kent family. 

And man, the dinner Ma Kent prepared was one of the best he had ever tasted in his life. 

Not that he would admit it in front of Wintergreen, of course. He still wanted to live, thank you very much.

Chapter Text

“The Light wants to take over Belle Reve.”

Dick continued with his homework but tilted his head, a signal that he was listening carefully to Slade.

The man continued. “The plan is that Hugo Strange will become the new prison director, replacing Amanda Waller, so that Belle Reve will be under Light control. Another goal is to escape the Riddler. To do this they have orchestrated a breakout with empowered inmates such as Icicle Sr. and Jr, Captain Cold, Mr. Freeze and Killer Frost.” Slade gave a mischievous grin when he saw Dick abruptly raise his head from his homework, surprise briefly flashing in his eyes. “Strange plays a key role in smuggling cold resistant technology to prisoners.”

The acrobat grunted and returned his attention to the homework. “When would it take place?”

“Tomorrow.”  

“Good. As much as I hate Amanda Waller with all my heart and the way she operates, I reluctantly admit that it is better that she remain in charge of Belle Reve than replace her with Hugo Strange.” stated Dick with a sigh.

Slade grunted in agreement with his son.

He hated Waller's guts too.

“That means Renegade will make a courtesy visit to Belle Reve tomorrow and take out Strange.”

“You will have to come up with a good plan if you want to succeed. Belle Reve is the toughest and safest penitentiary in the world.”

Dick rolled his eyes and turned to his father, meeting his neutral gaze. “I don't need a plan.”

Slade arched an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly, showing genuine curiosity since he did not know what was going through his son's mind. Although he could boast that he used 90 percent of his brain, which was literally a high-tech machine for him thanks to the super serum, Dick was literally the most unpredictable person he had ever met and most of the time he could not figure out what the hell was going through his son's head, never mind that Dick had been living with him for seven years.

He was simultaneously amused, frustrated, proud and defeated by it.

“I'm going to kill Strange and make it look like someone paid me to do it. Like it's a contract.”

Slade blinked once, the only sign of his surprise. He narrowed his gaze and analyzed his son's shit-eating smile. “You want the Light to come to find out that you are the one responsible for Strange's death and for causing their escape plan to fail.”

Dick nodded and sent him finger guns with a smirk.

Slade had many questions but the only one he asked was: “Why?”

“Actually just to piss them off more.” the Talon admitted with a shrug. “Don't worry: making it look like I had a contract for Strange's death will make them think it was just an accident and that I had nothing to do with sabotaging their previous plans.

“And that will be your main line of defense when they inevitably ask you questions. That and the fact that as I am your former apprentice, I am no longer under your control and we have not been in contact for a long time now, so you cannot control my actions.” Dick concluded as he returned to his homework.

The super soldier mentally contemplated his son's entire plan for a few seconds and finally nodded. “I'm in. Good plan, kiddo.” he complimented, ruffling his hair.

Dick gave him a bright smile. “Thank you!” he paused. “It will be so much fun to see their pissed-off reactions, won't it?”

“Absolutely. That's the main reason I agreed to your plan.”

“And then they say I'm the asshole.”

“You are the worst of all, in fact.”

“Best compliment you could have given me, dad.”

“It wasn't supposed to be a compliment.”

“I know.”

“You little shit.”

“Thank you!”

“Hn.”

“Victor!”

Mr. Freeze jerked awake when he heard someone whisper his name furiously. He rose from the bed of his holding cell and was paralyzed on the spot when he observed that on the other side of the bars was a familiar mercenary. “Renegade?” he muttered confusedly, approaching the bars. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked as he looked as far as he could to the left and right but did not notice any guards nearby.

 “Listen, I don't have much time to waste and I'll get straight to the point: I know that you are affiliated with the Light and that you and the other criminals have been planning an escape.” Victor opened his eyes wide in shock but the Talon quickly continued. “I'm just here to tell you one thing. Do not participate in the escape attempt. And don't have anything more to do with the Light.”

Mr. Freeze was on the verge of protesting but stopped when he noticed the serious and dangerous attitude taken by the assassin. He merely sighed and fixed the young man with a weary look. “If I don't obey you, I will bitterly regret it, won't I?”

The shark-like grin he received was enough to send shivers of fear down his spine and it was a real response. Renegade's gaze softened slightly. “I know you're a good person after all, Victor. Behave yourself. I know I've told you this a hundred times before but it's what Nora would want from you. Do it for her. Honor her memory.”

The icy supervillain gave a pained sigh and looked away guiltily for a few seconds. When he brought it back in front of him, there was no sign of Renegade.

Victor Fries took a deep breath and closed his eyes. An image of his beautiful wife ran through his head, tearing a sob from him.

“You are right, Renegade.” he whispered softly.

He would strive to become a better person and leave his criminal activity. Nora would not want this life for him. He would try in other ways to try to save his wife.

He would not let Nora down again.

Renegade slipped into the shadows and walked away from the Riddler's cell.

It had only taken one threat to change Edward's mind about escaping and it consisted of the inappropriate but definitely painful and brutal use of Nygma's staff that Renegade would force him to endure.

Snorting in amusement, the assassin silently made his way to the section of the prison dedicated to the cells where the female super-villains were contained. He used the shadowy areas to his advantage and easily passed all the guards.

Man, they really do a bad job. I would be much better even if I were blindfolded and with my hands tied to my back. 

Eventually he reached the cell of the super-criminal he was interested in meeting. He looked around, noting that no guards were around, but froze when he saw a camera pointed at the bars of the cell. The Talon gave a mental sigh and, knowing that there was a chance that something too personal would happen, he raised his holographic glove and hacked only that camera. It did not even take him five seconds to deactivate the camera and with a smirk he silently wandered toward the bars. 

“Louise!”

Louise Lincoln turned sharply when he whispered her name and he could finally see her again after so long: ice-blue hair, blue eyes, pale skin and fearless attitude. Her blue eyes lit up when she saw him. Not wanting her to accidentally shout his name, he brought a finger to his lips, giving her a meaningful look.

“D-Ren!” she whispered in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“I might ask you the same question. What were you arrested for this time?”

“I just created a bit of a mess with my powers but no one can appreciate that.” she declared contemptuously, snatching a giggle from him. “Your turn, Ren.” she assumed a mischievous look. “Are you here to release your old flame?”

Renegade rolled his eyes and snorted in amusement. “On the contrary, madame. I am here to tell you not to participate in the mass breakout.”

A surprised look flashed in the eyes of the young woman who lifted her lips a few inches. “I shouldn't be surprised that you know that.” she pulled back the lock of hair, which was possible due the fact that she was wearing an inhibitor collar and therefore at that moment her hair was not frozen but soft and smooth, and gave him a smirk. “Give me one good reason why I should listen to you. Don't even start with your intimidation tactics: we both know you wouldn't dare raise a hand to me.”

“That's true.” admitted the Talon with a nod. A mischievous smirk made its way across his features. “Shall I perhaps show you my best weapon?”

If possible, Killer Frost's skin grew slightly paler. She gave a defeated sigh, although she had a small smile on her lips. “I see with pleasure that you still use your puppy eyes to get whatever you want.”

“Of course. They're my winning weapon.”

She rolled her eyes, continuing to smile. “All it took was a please, you know? You had me convinced as soon as you asked.”

The assassin's smile expanded. “I know.” he became more serious. “I know you have come in contact with the Light but please don't have anything more to do with them. They are just heartless bastards who think only of themselves. They-”

“Okay.” she interrupted him.

The mercenary blinked once. “I didn't expect it would be so easy to convince you.”

“That's because I only allied with the Light because they promised to get me out of this shithole.” Louise said, shrugging casually. A twinkle appeared in her gaze, which turned mischievous, and she stared intensely at him with her blue eyes, aware that they were one of the few weaknesses of the notorious Renegade. “You know, you could always help your old flame and get her out of here.”

Renegade stared at her for a few seconds with a blank stare but eventually his shoulders slumped defeated and the ice girl knew she had already won. “I don't understand how your eyes are still a weakness for me when I no longer feel anything for you.” he grumbled disgruntled.

Killer Frost emitted a silent chuckle. “What's the plan, boss?”

“I will let you escape only after I complete my mission here.” she tilted her head slightly in a silent question and the acrobat continued. “Kill Hugo Strange.”

Louise briefly opened her eyes wide. “Why do you want to kill him?”

“Contract.” he lied, not wanting her to bear the burden of his secrets and true intentions.

Let it be if the heroes, or worse the Light, decided to interrogate Killer Frost using unorthodox methods, or torture in the case of the Light. Dick could never forgive himself if she suffered -or worse- because of his secrets and so he had to lie to her, even if he trusted her with his own life.

“I can wait a little longer in this hellhole while you do what you need to do.” Killer Frost shrugged her shoulders.

“I'll see you later.” the assassin nodded to her, which she returned, and he slipped away, moving away from her cell.

Louise Lincoln let out a silent sigh and stared in the direction in which the young mercenary walked away.

I'm afraid you've gotten yourself mixed up in something extremely dangerous that could endanger your own life. Be careful, Dick. Please. 

“Release her immediately or we shoot!”

The attention of all the super-villains gathered in the canteen snapped toward the angry shout and they were shocked by what they saw.

Upstairs Renegade was holding the prison director Amanda Waller in a potentially deadly grip and with his other arm was holding a gun to her temple. Soon whispers began to spread among the super-villains.

“Is that Renegade?”

“What's he doing here?”

“Is Deathstroke nearby?”

“He would be doing us a huge favor if he killed that bitch.”

“Kill her!”

“Damn, Renegade is a lot hotter than I expected.”

Killer Frost rolled her eyes at a female inmate's comment and watched with a neutral gaze as the situation unfolded.

About 20 policemen surrounded Renegade, who, despite the situation, maintained a calm and composed gait, and pointed their guns at him. “You have no way out! Let her go!” shouted one of the guards.

“If you don't want your director back with a bullet straight through her filthy brain, bring Hugo Strange to me.” Renegade ordered in a snarl.

“Strange? What do you want with him?”

“None of your business.” the mercenary spat venomously. “Bring him in front of me. Now. Otherwise my finger will accidentally slip on the trigger and, again accidentally, I will kill Waller.”

The guards exchanged a glance and Amanda Waller emitted a fierce growl. “You idiots! Shoot him!”

“Shut up.” Renegade struck her violently with the barrel of his gun and she let out a cry of pain. He watched in satisfaction as the streak of blood flowed from her temple and returned his gaze to the policemen who had stiffened. “Move. I don't have all the time. And don't even try to contact the heroes, the police or anyone else. I have momentarily disabled every alarm and isolated your servers from the rest of the world and only I am capable of reactivating them, so don't waste time and bring Strange here.”

Two guards walked away, presumably to inform Strange of the situation and bring him to Renegade. “You're a bastard, you know that?” Amanda growled in his grip.

“I know.” the assassin replied easily.

“You're not going to get away with this. You will pay dearly for this.”

“Of course.” the Talon drawled sarcastically and bored with her threats. He shifted his gaze down to where the supervillains were standing and narrowed his white eyes menacingly. “You people don't do anything stupid. I have no interest in either creating a revolt or letting any of you escape.”

Icicle Sr. stepped forward and proudly raised his chin in defiance. “What are you going to do about it? You have your hands full.”

The acrobat did not answer him as he heard three pairs of footsteps approaching and turned, staring at the two guards from before with Hugo Strange at their side. “I heard you wanted me. What do you want?” asked the prison psychiatrist.

Although Strange outwardly had a calm and composed demeanor, Dick easily sensed fear twisting the man's limbs and felt Strange's heart beating faster than normal, despite being about ten meters away from him.

Man, Dick loved his enhanced hearing.

Renegade cast an discreet glance at the mass of super-villains who were apparently more interested in enjoying the show than creating a revolt or attempting to escape, to the visible displeasure of Icicle Sr.

“Unfortunately it's not about me, Strange.” Renegade shook his head with mock displeasure. “It's just that you stepped on someone's toes and now that someone wants you dead.” he shrugged indifferently. “I'm just the performer. No grudges, okay?”

Belle Reve's psychiatrist paled noticeably, easily understanding the mercenary's words. “You don't mean that-”

“That's right. I have a contract and you are my target. And as you well know, I have never failed a contract and never will.”

Strange turned and began to flee. Renegade abruptly pushed Waller against the wall while simultaneously a shot echoed loudly throughout the prison.

The bullet grazed several policemen until it brutally pierced with a precision unique anywhere in the world the middle of the back of Strange's head, who fell dead to the ground. A hole was visible in the center of the back of the victim's head and a large pit of blood began to form rapidly beneath him.

Renegade holstered his gun and performed a backflip, easily dodging the shower of bullets intended for him, and as soon as his feet landed on the railing that was at the edge of the floor he launched himself into a successive backflip. He performed a double somersault in midair and landed crouching on the floor below and sprinted away, running past several super-villains and forcing the policemen to be unable to fire or they would risk hitting the inmates.

“Get him! Get him!”

Renegade ignored the cops' shouts but stopped briefly when he saw Icile Sr. to his right and decided to sprint toward him. Icicle Sr. did not even have time to blink when a brutal punch from Renegade connected painfully with his jaw, sending him flying several meters and causing him to crash violently with his back against the wall, creating a small hole on it. “That's for before, asshole!”

“Dad!”

The mercenary ignored Icicle Jr.'s concerned shout and threw a smoke bomb to the ground, forcing the super-villains near him to cough from the sudden smoke that covered that area of the canteen. When the smoke disappeared about a minute later, there was no sign of Renegade.

A murmur spread among the inmates and guards, wondering where the hell Renegade could be when suddenly a very eerie laugh resounded throughout the prison, sending shivers of fear down the spines of all the super-villains and guards.

Glad to know that he still hasn't given up that damned creepy laugh. Killer Frost chuckled silently after shuddering at the giggle, snorting in amusement when someone compared Renegade's laugh to the Joker's.

Louise looked up just in time to see Amanda Waller staggering forward, her ugly wound still visible, and she saw her lean her weight on the railing and cast a grim glance at the guards. “What the hell are you waiting for? Renegade can't have gone far! Find him and get him!” she growled, a little paler than usual. “And you inmates, return to your cells!”

I hope Dick hasn't forgotten about me.

“I sure didn't miss riding the Deadly-Cycle with you.” Killer Frost stated as she got off the bike and staggered forward, still shaken by Renegade's reckless riding. She shook her head and looked around, observing the small abandoned warehouse in which they momentarily took refuge after escaping from Belle Reve.

The young assassin chuckled as he turned off his little gem and got out. “Come on, I didn't go that fast!”

He burst out laughing at the flat look of the young woman seven years older than him. She shook her head with a smirk and huffed. “I admit that for a moment I feared you had forgotten me or willingly abandoned me in that jail.”

“So that you would freeze me to death the next time we met? No thanks.”

”So that your overprotective father would literally burn me alive? No thanks.”

Renegade and Killer Frost looked at each other for a few seconds and simultaneously burst out laughing. Still giggling to herself Louise brought a hand to her neck and sighed contentedly when her fingers met skin instead of the metal of the inhibiting collar the guards had put on her ever since they brought her to Belle Reve.

“When do you think they will notice that my collar is in my cell along with my inmate dress?” she asked, managing to restrain herself from using her powers since she knew that ice was one of Renegade's true few weaknesses.

“Probably around dinner time.” he replied with a smile that she returned. “And the good thing is that without it they won't even be able to locate you. Anyway, you looked really hot even in the prison suit.”

Killer Frost sent him a mischievous smirk and put her hands on her hips, shaking them sensually left and right. “Oh, I know.” she whispered in a voice of mock pride. Then she smiled. “But I much prefer my classic super-villain outfit.” she affirmed, briefly touching the fabric of her blue dress and then bringing her hands on the blue diamond set in a compass-shaped gemstone.

“Me too.”

The ice-powered super-villain winked at him. Afterwards she gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you for freeing me when you had no reason to do so.”

Renegade shrugged noncommittally. “No problem. You've never killed anyone and only used your powers to create a bit of a mess, no big deal. And I can personally say that you are a good woman, deep inside your heart of ice.”

Killer Frost stared at him impassively before a giggle involuntarily came out of her. “I can't believe you said that.” she murmured, running a hand over her face and smiling slightly at his giggle. She returned to look at him. “Seriously, thank you, Dick.”

“Once again, no problem.”

Louise smiled at him. “By the way, I really like the change of armor. It looks very good on you.” Renegade smiled brightly at her. “When did it happen?”

“A few weeks after we broke up. I managed to beat Slade in a fight and from then on I officially stopped being his apprentice and became my own man and mercenary.”

“I'm glad.” his former fiancée nodded sincerely and then sighed. “I suppose I'll have to keep a low profile for a while from now on.”

“If you want, I can host you until things calm down.” the Talon offered genuinely, although in that case it would be harder not to involve her in his plan to bring down the Light but he and Slade would be able to find a way to keep her out of their business.

Killer Frost shook her head and smiled gratefully at him. “Thank you but no. I don't want to be a bother.” she sent him a mischievous smirk. “Knowing us, even though we've already broken up we would end up traumatizing your father.”

The mercenary burst out laughing, easily reading the message hidden between her words. “You're right.” he conceded with a chuckle. “Stay out of trouble, okay?”

“I'll try but I'm not promising anything.” she affirmed with an innocent smirk. Her smile became genuinely sweeter and more tender. “It's been a long time since we've seen each other. I had missed you so much, Dick.”

“I had missed you too, Louise.”

The two smiled at each other and pulled each other into a gentle embrace. Although both were cold at just touching, as usual they were able to enjoy the inner warmth that came with it. They broke away after about thirty seconds and Renegade sent her one last sweet smile before turning away. He was on the verge of getting on his motorcycle when he heard her call his name so he turned around curiously.

The next thing Dick knew a pair of cold lips were stuck on his. He gasped, taken aback but soon he succumbed to the familiar dance and returned the kiss, placing his hands on her hips and drawing her even closer to him. The Talon let out a moan into her mouth when her cold tongue collided with his, eagerly exploring his mouth.

The kiss lasted just over a minute when Louise broke away, slightly flushed, and sent him a mischievous smirk. “That was my thanks.”

Renegade burst into a giggle, also with a blush that contrasted sharply with his pale face. “I thought so.”

“When you want some action write to me.” Killer Frost purred seductively, staring at him intently. “I'll always be free for you.”

“I certainly will.” he winked at her from behind his mask and climbed onto his motorcycle, starting it up.

“One last thing, Ren.” she waited for her ex-boyfriend to look at her before continuing. “Do you still have a huge crush on Wonder Woman?”

Killer Frost burst out laughing as the motorcycle abruptly took off, making a U-turn and then speeding out of the warehouse.

“I'll take that as a yes.”

As Renegade sped down the road breaking every possible road limit, he became immersed in his own thoughts concerning his ex-girlfriend.

Their relationship lasted just less than a year and ended, as previously mentioned, months ago, a few weeks before Dick beat Slade in a fight. They met at one of the super-villain meetings and got together when Dick was 16.

Dick didn't care at all that Louise was seven years older than him: the only thing that mattered was their pure and genuine love and nothing else. And yes, he knew it was ironic that he had fallen in love with a woman who possessed as a power one of his few weaknesses but could do nothing about it.

Irony of fate.

And somehow the coldness conveyed by her -tongue, body, mouth, skin, etc.- made him very excited and hot inside and he always managed to enjoy it fully on every occasion.

They were very happy together and shared many experiences, most of them very pleasant. She was his first real relationship and Louise was the first woman he fell in love with ignoring his huge crush on Wonder Woman and she was the woman he lost his virginity to.

Unfortunately, they broke up when they both realized that their feelings for each other were gone on both sides. They parted on very good terms and despite a few make-out sessions and occasional sex -the last time occurred shortly before the whole Cadmus affair. Dick began to realize that they have not met since both because he was busy foiling Light's plans and because she had probably been arrested- they were still best friends.

Although Dick no longer had any romantic feelings for her, he didn't mind having other casual flings with her -come on, Killer frost was one of the hottest and toughest girls in the world: only a fool could say no to her!- and he genuinely still cared a lot about her -feelings reciprocated completely- and he couldn't have wished as his first girlfriend any other woman instead of Louise Lincoln. 

He would not have exchanged his memories with her for anything else in the world.

Although he wished Louise would stop teasing him about his totally nonexistent crush on Wonder Woman, thank you.

Note. I'm really in love with this style of Killer Frost: I love her so much. So in all my stories Killer Frost will have this style. 

Chapter Text

“I hope you have a good reason why your apprentice killed Hugo Strange, Deathstroke.”

The meeting had just begun and already Vandal Savage was pissed at him. Despite the blinding white light hiding the figures of the other Light members, Slade knew that everyone else was mad at him too.

Slade began to think that their anger at him was a second victory for his son, that little shit.

He swallowed the heavy sigh that threatened to come out of him and stared at them. “Renegade has not been my apprentice for months now.”

“That doesn't count for anything. We all know that boy is your son.” Black Manta huffed.

“That's not true.” the mercenary denied abruptly, voluntarily raising his voice a bit. He imagined some surprise in their postures but could not be completely sure. “Renegade has never been my son and never will be. The only relationship between Renegade and me is that of former master and former apprentice.”

“Why train him to be a mercenary like you, then?” Queen Bee asked, perplexity coloring her tone of voice.

“I cannot go into too much detail but the only thing I can tell you was that I saw potential in him for a hypothetical successor of mine.”

That was a half-truth: it was true that Slade had seen a great potential in Dick since the acrobat had already been molded for a full three years by the Court of Owls to become the world's most dangerous and deadly weapon -weapon that was then refined and perfected for seven very long years by Deathstroke himself, Lady Shiva, Katana, Talia Al Ghul and even Richard Dragon, one of the world's best fighters, and Wildcat, the world's best boxer- but it was not entirely the truth.

Dick had practically given him an ultimatum: either Slade would train him to become a mercenary or Dick would go out alone without him. And although his Talon abilities that made him a practically immortal meta-human, Slade could not afford to let him go out alone to complete contracts.

Not after what had happened to Grant. He would be damned if he had allowed another one of his child to die on his watch.  

So Slade had not trained Dick to make him his successor as Deathstroke The Terminator -total bullshit since Renegade was currently close to ousting him as the world's deadliest and most dangerous mercenary, better and more efficient than himself- but because Dick had blackmailed him, the damned son of Satan that he was.

“If so, then why is Renegade your former apprentice?”

The world's deadliest mercenary tightened his lips, mentally preparing himself for what he would say in response to Ultra-Humanite. “Renegade was my property. He belonged to me and no one else. The pact between us was that in exchange for training him he would become my exclusive property and do whatever I told him.

“All this until he would manage to beat me in one of our usual training sessions. My mistake was to sin in pride, underestimating my own apprentice and thinking that he would not be able to surpass his master. Or at least not so soon. But in the end he beat me and reluctantly I had to let him go.” he stated in an impassive and cold voice.

A surprised silence filled the meeting at the mercenary's words. “Am I mistaken or did you implicitly state that you physically, emotionally and psychologically abused a child for years, practically manipulating him to your liking?” asked Lex Luthor shocked.

Slade made a mental grimace at the mere thought of hurting a child, let alone his own son, but the billionaire's question was the assist he needed to highlight the core of his lie. “It's none of your business, Luthor.” he bit fiercely. “Surely of all people you cannot give me a lecture.”

His words served as an indirect but positive answer to the question posed by Superman's nemesis and there was a murmur among the other super-villains, probably surprised by the such ruthlessness and impassivity shown by the world's most dangerous mercenary. “I'm pretty sure there are all kinds of other rumors circulating in the criminal world about your relationship.”

The super soldier gave a mental sigh at Light's insistence and stubbornness. “That's because I could not allow the circulating news about Renegade's existence, much less his abuse, to reach the Justice League. We all know how protective heroes are of children and if rumors of Renegade's abuse had reached their ears, they would have started investigating anyway and would have discovered my apprentice's existence immediately, which I could not and did not want to happen.” he answered to Zviad Baazovi's question.

“That makes sense.” said Queen Bee. “But how come Renegade never accepted a contract on an innocent, even when he was under your control?”

Slade made another mental grimace at Bialya's dictator's choice of words. “It was part of our agreement and despite everything I always keep my word. It's part of my honor as a mercenary.”

“Honor that did not stop you from abusing a child.” Klarion reflected aloud. “How inconsistent you human beings are. I like that.” he chuckled wickedly.

“So you have not been in touch with Renegade for a long time, I presume?” asked Ocean-Master.

“That's right.” confirmed the mercenary. “For many months now. Ergo I cannot be held responsible for his actions as he is no longer under my control.”

“Apparently we were unlucky again.” growled Vandal Savage. “It was just pure coincidence that someone hired Renegade to eliminate our ally. A very unfortunate pure coincidence.” he added with an irritated sigh.

For a brief moment there was a rather awkward silence in the meeting that was soon broken by the Light leader. “In any case if any of you have a chance to capture or kill Renegade, please do so. I don't care what happens to him, the only thing that matters is that he stays out of the way. I don't want him to interfere with our plans as he did today.”

A murmur of agreement resounded and Slade mentally sighed.

Now my son is on the radar of the Light and most likely the Justice League as well. Simply amazing.

“That's enough for today. Let us not be discouraged by circumstances. In spite of everything, we are at a good point. I will contact you again when I have other plans. We will soon make everyone see the Light.”

The meeting ended, leaving the former military man alone with his own thoughts. Eventually he let out a heavy sigh and stood up, walking out of his shelter where he attended every meeting with the Light.

I am getting really tired of hearing the same idiotic sentence at the end of every meeting. 

Wonder Woman resisted the urge to drum on the League meeting table and forced herself to follow Superman's speech.

All she wanted at that moment was to return to her apartment in Washington and get some rest. She had already had to deal with a long and exhausting meeting with the secretaries of other nations and now she was forced to endure the weekly Justice League meeting as well, which, although they were undoubtedly more interesting than those of her civilian job, were still meetings.

“...And that's why we should-”

Wonder Woman frowned when Superman abruptly interrupted and she turned her head to stare at him and she found him casting a confused and slightly irritated look in Batman's direction. A silence fell for a few seconds in the assembly, during which several members looked at each other in confusion, and eventually Diana saw Batman clench his jaw minutely.

She thought that someone -surely Alfred- was informing Batman of something and the news did not sound very good. Her theory proved correct when Batman got up and walked to the computer tied to the big screen in the League meeting room.

“I have just been informed that a murder has occurred in Belle Reve.” the Caped Crusader announced, starting to type on the keyboard.

“What happened? A prisoner revolt gone bad?” Green Arrow asked.

“No.” Batman shook his head and several camera clips appeared on the big screen. “Renegade killed Hugo Strange, the prison psychiatrist.”

At Renegade's mention the demigoddess' back straightened immediately and unconsciously at attention, any sign of fatigue disappearing almost magically. She had no time to think about it when a recording was played on the screen.

The heroes heard every word that came out of Renegade's mouth and saw his every action, including the moments when he killed Strange -with impeccable manner of execution, admitted Diana reluctantly to herself- and when he with a double backflip landed on the lower floor, then mingling among the inmates.

Smart move to stand between the inmates, knowing that the guards could not shoot him because of the risk of injuring them and not him.

Wonder Woman blinked in surprise when there was no trace of Renegade after he threw a smoke bomb. Not even the cameras could catch him.

“Damn, that guy is really a ninja, a ghost. You could learn some tricks from him, Spooky.” Hal Jordan chuckled.

Batman gave him his notorious look that made Green Lantern stop. “As you were able to hear and see, someone hired Renegade to kill Strange, an important element in the rehabilitation of super-villains.”

Aquaman frowned. “I thought Renegade only killed criminals, not innocents.” he said, fiddling with the tips of his trident.

“He may perhaps have changed his modus operandi. If so, the threat posed by Renegade rises even more as does the need to capture him and bring him before true justice.” 

“Are we sure Hugo Strange was completely clean?” Wonder Woman belatedly realized that it was herself who had uttered the words that came out of her mouth without her permission. She cleared her throat at the many glances directed at her and continued. “I mean, I doubt that a professional mercenary like Renegade who has a definite world-class reputation would change his modus operandi so suddenly from one moment to the next.”

“It actually seems very strange to me.” Flash nodded in agreement with her. “Renegade could have started many years ago to kill innocents but he didn't. Instead he has built a reputation as a world-famous anti-hero mercenary of killing criminals who commit the worst crimes. While his methods are certainly questionable, it seems to me a very sudden change of ideology.”

Barry could not better express the exact thoughts of the princess of Themyscira who nodded at the speedster's words. A murmur of general assent spread through the room.

“Agent A informed me that he found nothing incriminating in Strange's profile. I will personally conduct more research on his profile later but in any case it does not change the fact of things. Even if Strange was involved in some criminal organization, that does not take away from the fact that Renegade killed a man in cold blood. No matter if criminal or innocent, it is still a human life and Renegade has no right to take any person's life.” before anyone could say anything, he continued. “And no less important, Killer Frost escaped. The guards found her inhibitor collar and inmate clothes in her cell while her super-villain uniform disappeared.”

“Do you think Renegade helped Killer Frost escape from Belle Reve?” Black Canary asked, crossing her hands on the table.

“Maybe. There is not enough information to determine that or whether the two have known each other previously. An arrest warrant has already been issued for Killer Frost but in any case she poses a minor threat. We need to focus on capturing Renegade, whatever it takes.”

“You seem to be obsessed with Renegade, Batman.” Green Arrow pointed out.

“It's probably because he kicked his ass so easily.” chuckled Flash.

Batman narrowed his eyes but decided to ignore them. “The meeting can end now.” he stated abruptly, turning off the screen and silently walking away. “Renegade poses an extreme threat and should not be underestimated. He must be captured as soon as possible.” he declared without ever looking back and then exiting the meeting room.

The departure of the Dark Knight of Gotham was like a signal and soon all the heroes rose from their seats. Wonder Woman let out a sigh as she headed for the zeta tubes.

The idea of a nap was much more appealing than it had been minutes ago.

Chapter Text

“This is for all the victims you've willingly caused with your fucking drugs, asshole.”

Renegade's hand closed into a fist around the man's neck and it gave way under his superhuman strength with a loud crunch of broken bones, blood splattering down the mercenary's mask. The acrobat threw the man's corpse to the ground and ran a gloved hand over his mask, partially removing the blood, and watched the completed work with satisfaction.

He had just killed all the components of a dangerous drug trafficking ring, responsible for more than hundreds of deaths on the streets of Boston in little more than a single week, and the main culprit was the last man Dick had killed, that is, the leader of the criminal gang now exterminated. Their secret base consisted of a basement of a completely abandoned building that was formerly a retirement home for the elderly.

The assassin took some photos of the corpses of the drug-dealing gang and sent them to his client. Renegade looked at the boxes full of drugs and raised his holographic glove, intent on sending the coordinates to the nearest police station for them to confiscate it to prevent more deaths. However, he did not even have time to start typing that suddenly part of the ceiling collapsed behind him, forcing him to turn around sharply.

What he saw made his eyes go wide, effectively caught off guard this time.

Because there before him projecting an threatening aura was much of the Justice League: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkgirl, and Zatanna.

Batman stepped forward and looked around. Noticing the sea of corpses surrounding them he frowned heavily and pointed his menacing white eyes at the figure of the young assassin. "Give up, Renegade. You don't stand a chance against all of us."

Okay, this could be a big problem.

Renegade straightened his back and sent them a smirk that conveyed a confidence and sense of security that he didn't quite feel. “Damn, all the big shots just for me. I admit to being moved.”

“Turn yourself in for all your crimes, Renegade.” spoke Martian Manhunter solemnly, probably sensing his true feelings. “This cannot end any other way.”

Before the Talon could say anything his attention fell on Superman who opened his eyes wide, a look of horror on his face. “What's the matter, Supes?”

“You don't have a heartbeat!”

Horror and shock showed on the faces of the other heroes and most of them stared at Renegade as if he were a monster.

Which was quite offensive, thank you very much.

The assassin crossed his arms and stared at the Man of Steel, frowning and a visibly disappointed look despite his mask. "Literally there are more alien and non-human life forms in this room and you find it shocking that a guy doesn't have a heartbeat? Seriously?"

“He is not wrong.” Zatanna pointed out, amusement coloring her tone of voice.

Some heroes snorted in amusement. Embarrassment crossed the face of Superman who looked away guiltily. Batman emitted a growl. "That's enough. Renegade, give up and come with us."

"Spooky is right. You can't think you have a chance against almost the entire Justice League.” Green Lantern snorted. “Do us all a favor and surrender peacefully so none of us get tired and we're all happy and content.” 

Renegade narrowed his gaze, his eyes flitting from one member of the JL to another. He knew all their weaknesses and was certain he could use them effectively against them. He had been trained by the best assassins in the world and knew he had a chance against them.

Still as Hal said, it was almost the whole League against one murderous meta-human. And Dick could not even fight at his 100% against heroes.

Fighting at 100% of his ability meant fighting to kill, to brutally destroy and annihilate and behead and maim and kill the heroes was the last thing he wanted. So it was obvious that Dick would have to hold back a lot.

Contacting Deathstroke was out of the question. He did not want to jeopardize their cover story in case the Light learned of his fight against the heroes and possible help from the more experienced mercenary. Sure, they were currently in a poor dungeon but he did not want to take unnecessary risks in any case.

Running away was not even an option. Not because he would not be able to -rather, it would probably have been the wisest and easiest choice to make- but because he was trained to always be the predator and never the prey.

And finally, when would Dick ever choose the easiest option?

Moreover, this was a good opportunity to prove himself and test his skills. If he had been able to take down the Justice League on his own by holding back a lot- very difficult but not impossible- hats off to him. If, on the other hand, they were going to capture him, well, he was confident enough in his own abilities to be able to escape from whatever prison they were going to lock him up in.

It seems that the choice has been made.

Mentally preparing himself, Renegade sent them a shark-like grin and cracked his knuckles. “Bring it on, heroes.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” hissed Green Arrow shocked. “Kid, do you have any self-preservation instincts?”

Slade has always asked and the answer will always be the same.

"Instinct of self-preservation? What is it? Is it edible?” Renegade joked.

His words caused some confusion and perplexity in the heroes and without wasting further time the young mercenary launched into the fight, which thus began.  

Chapter Text

Renegade quickly grabbed a smoke bomb and threw it to the ground, being enveloped in smoke.

Flash darted forward and with his speed easily and immediately dispersed the smoke but Renegade was already gone. "What the heck?" exclaimed the speedster in surprise, looking around.

"Superman, can you see him?" asked Black Canary raising her fists in a fighting stance, her eyes darting in every direction of the dungeon.

Superman had already activated his x-ray vision and was looking around. "Not yet. Maybe-"

Two gunshots rang out loudly in the area and with a cry of pain Superman fell to the ground. As the other heroes turned toward Superman, concerned about his cry of pain, Batman threw two batarangs in the direction from where the shots came but they met no one.

"Kryptonite bullets." whispered Wonder Woman in surprise, worried for her friend.

An eerie giggle echoed throughout the dungeon making it impossible to determine where it came from. Shivers ran through the backs of the heroes who were all on high alert. "I didn't think we were facing the Joker." Green Arrow shuddered, his grip on his bow tightening nervously.

"Zatanna, can you track Renegade?" barked Batman without ever looking at her, his eyes shifting from side to side.

Zatanna nodded determinedly. "I can try."

The sorceress opened her mouth but before she could even utter the spell something lodged in her neck and she let out a surprised squeal. Some heroes turned in her direction and saw her pull a dart from her neck. Green Arrow paled. "Could it be poison?"

Zatanna tried to open her mouth but she failed, so she tried several times but the only sounds that came out were muffled noises. Frustration was clearly visible in her blue eyes. "Can't you speak?" asked Aquaman and the sorceress nodded in confirmation.

"Renegade must have injected her with a substance that paralyzed her mouth, preventing her from using her powers." Batman growled, squinting as the same eerie chuckle from before once again echoed throughout the dungeon.

"Guys! A little help!"

Everyone turned to Flash and saw him trying to stop Superman's bleeding that the two kryptonite bullets-one to his left side, inches from his heart, and the other to his right shoulder- had caused.

As the heroes turned their attention and concern to the Man of Steel, no one noticed a shadow falling silently behind Zatanna's shoulders. Renegade tightly squeezed the pressure points between her shoulder and neck and the sorceress gave a gasp before falling forward to the ground, unconscious. The sorceress' fall to the ground attracted the attention of some heroes but by now Renegade was gone.

"Zatanna!"

"Flash! Take Superman to the Watchtower and contact Mid-Nite! He must be operated on as soon as possible before pieces of the kryptonite bullets leak into his system, causing further complications!" barked Batman.

Flash took Superman in his arms, grunting from physical exertion. "Don't worry big guy. You'll be fine-"

"Attention bomb!"

Hawkgirl's warning scream scattered the heroes around and Flash started to run away but the bomb blast hit him anyway and the speedster was thrown far away. Flash rolled painfully a few feet to the ground and lost his grip on Superman who fell to the ground with grunts of pain. The speedster had to take a breath, wincing when he felt his back protest at the mere movement and thought that the explosion probably left a bad burn on his back. 

Flash tried to stand up and looked up just in time to see Renegade plummet through the air toward him. The darkness and the play of light made Renegade look more like an Angel of Death than a living thing and the next thing Barry knew a kick connected painfully with his jaw.

Renegade landed on the ground and sprinted forward toward the speedster. He lowered his head dodging some batarangs and rolled under the trident thrown at him by Aquaman. He made a huge leap forward and landed in front of the Flash and before the speedster could get up from the ground, he grabbed his left leg and with a smooth move broke it while simultaneously the acrobat broke Flash's right leg crushing his kneecap with precision worthy of an expert assassin.

Noise of broken bones resounded disgustingly in the dungeon along with Flash's scream of pain. The Talon made a sympathetic grimace. "Nothing personal, I promise." he said apologetically, kicking him hard in the temple and sending him into the world of unconsciousness and he turned sharply, staring at the remaining members of the League who looked justifiably not very happy.

"You will pay dearly!" growled Green Lantern, losing all signs of levity and pointing his Ring menacingly at the young assassin.

Renegade threw himself to the side dodging the anvil created by Jordan and blocked two arrows aimed at his face on the fly. He crushed them with his hand and they were easily destroyed. The Talon saw an imperceptible movement behind him and turned sharply, blocking Batman's fist and then threw him into the air and the Caped Crusader's body struck Hawkgirl who was flying toward the meta-human wielding her mace menacingly and the two heroes crashed painfully to the ground.

The anti-hero’s gaze focused intently on each hero, who rigidly returned the gaze. Both super-villain and the actively remaining heroes still standing -that is, all except Superman, Flash, and Zatanna- remained briefly at a standstill. The mercenary's attention remained fixed on the heroes, knowing that if he lost focus on any one hero it would surely be bad for him.

Wait a moment... it's missing-

Suddenly Martian Manhunter materialized in front of him and Dick felt him brush his mind. The acrobat minimally lowered his mental defenses, allowing the Martian to enter a little deeper into his mind, and when Dick was sure that he had lulled Martian Manhunter into a false sense of security, he brought back all his negative emotions related to the Court of Owls.

PainAnguishRageSadnessFearAgonyTerrorSufferingEmptyTortureAtrocitiesDarknessLonelinessDestructionDeathBloodViolenceBrutalityMutilationPleaseStopLetItGo-

Martian Manhunter emitted an atrocious scream of pain and staggered dazedly backward. He fell to his knees and pointed his flickering red eyes at Renegade, completely shocked and overwhelmed. "You-"

Renegade did not allow him to begin his sentence and threw a brutal roundhouse kick to his temple. The Martian's body flew meters away and he slumped unconscious on the ground. The young mercenary's breathing was slightly more labored than usual for the first time since the fight had begun and he was still mentally shaken that he noticed too late the giant hammer circled by green light and it struck him violently, flinging him far away.

The Talon emitted an involuntary grunt and turned the fall into a backflip, getting back on his feet but was forced to roll sideways to avoid the canary cry. The acrobat struggled not to wince at the excessively loud noise to avoid the heroes -especially Batman- discovering his sensory weakness. He got back to his feet and narrowed his eyes menacingly.

"That's enough playing now."

Renegade sprinted with his superhuman speed toward the heroes and used the constructs created by Green Lantern to his advantage. He easily jumped onto each one using his acrobatic skills, dodging several batarangs and the combined attempts of Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl to hit him, and jumped once more onto another of Jordan's constructs. Green Lantern, seeing Renegade a short distance away from him, surrounded himself with a protective barrier, thinking that the super-villain would attack him but to his surprise and that of the other heroes this was not the case.

In fact Renegade jumped from the construct and landed over Hawkgirl's shoulders and used all his weight to knock her down and he soared into a triple somersault in midair then landing in the midst of Green Arrow and Black Canary, both of whom were surprised by the assassin's sudden appearance.

The mercenary took advantage of the surprise of the two Star City vigilantes and first disarmed Green Arrow with a roundhouse kick and then hit him with a punch to the stomach. The archer automatically doubled over, spitting blood, and Renegade grabbed his head and crashed it brutally to his own knee. Green Arrow let out a cry of pain when he heard his nose crack with a sickening crunch of broken cartilage and blood splashed onto the assassin's armor, who ignored it.

Renegade saw Black Canary's fist coming behind him and ducked and in doing so the woman's fist ended up colliding painfully with her fiancé's ribs, which emitted a crunch and the archer spat more blood. Renegade laughed at the bewildered look on Black Canary's face and with a well-considered kick on her throat forced her to fall to her knees, making muffled noises, and the Talon finished her off with a brutal punch to the temple and then turned sharply and hit Green Arrow with a violent uppercut to the jaw, sending him flying away.

Renegade's head rumbled violently as Hawkgirl's mace connected brutally on his head and he instinctively staggered forward, feeling and ignoring the liquid that began to flow from his head wound. To Thanagarian's credit, she was not shocked by the black blood and charged the assassin with another blow.

The mercenary raised his left arm and blocked the blow of the mace with the spikes present on his armor, and with his other arm he pulled out an escrima stick that began to crackle with electricity -not at full blast, Dick did not want to risk killing her- and connected it to Hawkgirl's chest. She let out a cry of pain at the high electric shock and the mace fell noisily to the ground, the noise spreading throughout the dungeon.

A huge mass of heavy armor collided with Renegade, who fell to the side. Batman and Renegade collided on the ground and eventually it was the vigilante who stood over the mercenary. The Dark Knight struck Renegade with two violent punches to the face, breaking his nose and snapping his head left and right but the assassin never made a sound of pain, to the hero's surprise. Before he could hit him with the third punch, Renegade struck Batman with a brutal escrima blow to the temple and the Gotham vigilante fell to the side with a grunt of pain and stunning.

Renegade got back up but was greeted by a strong punch to the stomach from Wonder Woman that hurled him some 20 meters away at a great speed. The acrobat felt some of his ribs crack at the Amazon's blow and his back ended up slamming hard into an abandoned car, creating a huge dent in the hood of it. The mercenary barely had time to safely stow his escrima next to each other before he was swept away by a wave of water that sent him straight at Green Lantern who hit him back with a fucking piano right in the jaw.

The assassin fell with an involuntary grunt to the ground and forced himself to backlip to avoid being enveloped by Wonder Woman's lasso. He landed easily on his feet, satisfied when he felt some previous wounds healing quickly.

"How the hell do you still show no signs of fatigue?" Green Lantern exclaimed in surprise.

The acrobat did not dignify him with an answer and sprinted toward the heroes. He blocked Aquaman's trident in midair and without looking in the direction of the King of Atlantis sent it back to the sender, noting out of the corner of his eye that it lodged with surgical precision in Aquaman's left knee, who fell to the ground with a scream of pain and surprise.

With spikes along his arms, Deathstroke's former apprentice deflected several batarangs that exploded harmlessly behind him. Hawkgirl flew toward him wielding the mace and Renegade parried the blow with the spikes of his left arm while at the same time he struck the Thanagarian with a vicious uppercut to the jaw followed later by a kick to the chest, flinging her away.

Renegade dodged Wonder Woman's sword lunge by jumping on the blade and hitting her chin with a kick, causing her to stagger backward as he landed crouched on the ground after a backward somersault in midair. "I hope I didn't hurt you too much, Princess." he joked.

The Amazon frowned in confusion at the genuinely affection-filled way he had addressed her. "Princess?" she repeated, snapping toward her opponent.

"Yes, Princess." confirmed the assassin blocking the sword with spikes and once again he uttered the nickname with genuine affection, without any teasing. "I think it's a nickname that suits a woman of extreme beauty like you, don't you think? Especially since, you know, you're literally a princess but those are superfluous details."

Renegade chuckled at the completely shocked face of the princess of Themyscira and pushed her away from himself a few inches with a kick to the chest.

"What the hell, dude? Did you just flirt with Wonder Woman?" babbled Green Lantern shooting several constructs at the assassin who easily avoided them.

"You can put it that way."

The mercenary turned and blocked Batman's kick and he violently flipped the vigilante to the ground and then drew two knives from his utility belt and sticking them into both of the Caped Crusader's shoulders, making sure he got through the layers of his armor and then twisted them. The Gotham hero winced and Renegade performed several backflips while avoiding other Green Lantern constructs.

His fucking constructs are seriously bothering me. I better take Jordan down quickly before he is a further pain in the ass.  

Renegade ran and slid under Wonder Woman's knees, meanwhile throwing a kick backwards and hitting the back of her leg, and the demigoddess fell to her knees with a grunt. "I'll be with you in no time, Princess!" shouted Renegade jumping over Hawkgirl's shoulders and knocking her to the ground.

"I'm not a damn trampoline, kid!" growled the Thanagarian turning and flying toward the mercenary.

Renegade spun 360° on himself, dodging Hawkgirl and her mace strike, and ran toward his target. Renegade pulled a shuriken from his utility belt and threw it toward Green Lantern who, as Dick predicted, created a barrier to protect himself. Unfortunately for the hero, the shuriken instead of being reflected by the barrier stuck on it, to the man's confusion.

The assassin closed his eyes behind the mask as he ran and the next second there was a giant violent explosion of white light that blinded the heroes. The assassin giggled at the screams of pain and surprise and after mentally counting to three opened his eyes again.

Shurikens were practically his version of batarangs and he possessed several versions of them: the explosive ones, the ones that exploded in blinding light, the ones that emitted ultrasonic waves, the ones that froze and others. He had become a master at mastering them courtesy of Lady Shiva who trained him not only in many forms of martial arts -which even Slade did not know- or to improve his ability to read people's bodies and moods but also trained him in the use of shuriken, scythes and other less common weapons so that he had become as expert as she was.

Green Lantern's protective barrier was gone and the hero in question was cursing sonorously, busy rubbing his masked, aching eyes.

This is my chance!

Renegade performed several forward somersaults and gave himself the momentum to make a huge leap toward Green Lantern. The Talon came flying in front of the man's face and threw a brutal right hook that made him spit blood and drop to the ground with a grunt of pain. He landed with his full weight on top of the hero's ribs, which cracked and Green Lantern's head rose as an automatic reaction, spitting more blood that ended up on his opponent's face.

The mercenary scowled in disgust and he grabbed Hal Jordan's head and then slammed it violently into the ground, creating a decent hole and guaranteeing him a nasty concussion.

"I hope you're vaccinated, man." huffed the acrobat, wiping away the blood that had ended up on his face. "Otherwise-" he did not finish the sentence as he saw a blur behind him and threw himself to the side just in time to dodge Wonder Woman's assault. "Princess-"

This time the meta-human was interrupted by a mace that connected with his back that sent him crashing straight into a wall. Renegade fell crouching to the ground and with both hands blocked on the fly two knives thrown in his direction. "Thank you for giving them back to me!" he shouted in the direction of the Caped Crusader, who scowled.

The Talon stowed the knives and drew his two swords from his back. He deftly twirled the swords and then pointed them menacingly in the direction of the last four remaining heroes standing, a shark-like grin on his face. "Bring it on."

Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl flew toward the mercenary and attempted to strike him from different directions: from the right and left, respectively. Renegade raised both swords and with one of them blocked Wonder Woman's sword while with the other parried Hawkgirl's mace blow.

Renegade gritted his teeth from physical exertion. It is true that thanks to the electrum he was endowed with superhuman physical strength but it was nothing compared to the superhuman strength of the Amazon and Thanagarian. Despite this he continued to hold out against the assault of the two superheroines who attempted to overwhelm him and Dick felt his muscles burning from the adrenaline and extreme effort he was exerting to the point that he briefly worried that they might tear.

Continuing to resist against the simultaneous assaults of the two women the Talon saw Aquaman running toward him, limping at his left knee whose ugly and bleeding wound was visible. Aquaman reached them and tried a lunge with his trident. Renegade ducked and felt the trident graze his hair and he let out a snarl while his arms did not lower an inch, continuing to hold his swords against the two superheroines.

Renegade thrust a hard knee into the stomach of the King of Atlantis, who doubled over and the mercenary, never lowering his defensive posture in the slightest against Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl, delivered a vicious headbutt to Aquaman's face followed by a hard kick to the stomach that sent the Atlantean meters away.

The mercenary felt something overcome the layer of armor covering his shoulders and he felt the muscles in his shoulders tear. He turned both left and right, frowning when he saw two batarangs protruding from his shoulders.

"How the hell are you still resisting?" growled Hawkgirl as she continued to try to overwhelm the assassin with her physical strength. "It should be impossible for you to simultaneously resist my mace and Wonder Woman's sword with your swords and two of Batman's weapons sticking out of your shoulders!"

Renegade sent her an amused smile, hiding the grimace. "I am very resilient."

It is true that by now Dick could no longer feel pain but he still felt the muscles in his arms begin to tear and he came to the conclusion that he could not hold out too long against the Amazon and the Thanagarian and it was a matter of seconds before both women overwhelmed him and inflicted serious damage with their respective weapons.

So Renegade ducked and launched himself forward in a somersault, ignoring the burning muscles in his arms and shoulders. He scrambled back to his feet and used his swords to drop the batarangs protruding from his shoulders to the ground, thus beginning the healing process of his wounds, which would close and heal perfectly in less than a minute.

He turned and saw that it was only because of the superhuman reflexes of Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl that the two of them did not collide with each other. They charged him but the acrobat rested his swords on his back and dodged their blows.

The swords would have to wait a little longer.

Out of the corner of his eye Renegade saw Aquaman struggling to get up with blood gushing rapidly from his left knee and split lip and nose. Confident that the Atlantean would be able to handle a few more wounds, Renegade performed a backflip dodging Wonder Woman's attack and when he landed on the ground he had already drawn his gun.

A shot rang out loudly in the dungeon and Aquaman fell with a thud to the ground, a bullet hole in his right shoulder.

The assassin saw Batman stiffen and made a mental grimace, feeling a little guilty for having brought back in the vigilante surely very unpleasant memories. He holstered his gun, rolled under Hawkgirl's mace blow, and launched himself at Batman.

The Gotham hero blocked his kick but quickly lost his grip when a violent elbow connected in the face and he staggered to the side, spitting blood. He barely managed to dodge a punch but Renegade hit him with a brutal roundhouse kick to the jaw that sent him crashing painfully with his back against the wall. The Dark Knight fell to the ground with a pained grunt but, despite all the injuries he had sustained, he attempted to get up. He did not have time to do so as Renegade hit Batman with a strong kick to the temple and the meta-human saw the vigilante roll a few feet to the floor and then stay down.

"And there's only two left." hummed Renegade with his eerie chuckle and turned, drawing his swords and turning them deftly with mastery unique in all the world.

The anti-hero saw Hawkgirl tighten her grip on her mace as well as Wonder Woman tighten the hilt of her sword more tightly. "I thought you didn't hurt innocents, much less heroes!" growled the Thanagarian.

"I have never hurt an innocent and never will." the assassin wrinkled his nose, offended. "And as for you heroes, I am only defending myself. If I really wanted you dead, you would already be dead."

The two remaining League heroes exchanged a glance, recognizing the authenticity in the words of the world's second most dangerous mercenary. "Instead Hugo Strange?" questioned Wonder Woman, not really expecting an answer.

So she was actually surprised when she was proven wrong.

"Strange?" Renegade burst into genuinely amused laughter. "Strange was anything but a saint. Of course, I killed him because I was hired to do so but I assure you, Princess, that Strange was a dangerous criminal with very specific plans."

Wonder Woman scowled and growled. "Stop calling me Princess!"

The assassin snapped his tongue loudly. "I don't think I will." he sent the Amazon his best bright, charming smile. "Princess." he purred seductively. 

With a fierce growl the Amazon flew toward the assassin with a war cry. Renegade blocked her sword strike and kicked her in the chest, pulling her slightly away from him. Renegade then deftly twirled the sword wielded by his left hand and brought it protectively behind his back, parrying Hawkgirl's mace blow without ever turning back.

"How the hell?" exclaimed the Thanagarian, surprised.

The mercenary did not answer her and turned with a deadly 360-degree roundhouse kick that struck her jaw painfully. Hawkgirl fell to the ground with a pained grunt and her helmet rolled away due to the force of his attack.

Renegade turned sharply and blocked Wonder Woman's sword lunge just in time but her physical strength forced him back a few steps. Renegade tried to disarm her with his other sword but the princess of Themyscira deflected the direction of his sword thanks to the bracelet on her other arm. The acrobat attempted to strike her with a knee strike but the Amazon flew up and suddenly extended her right leg, striking the meta-human with a strong kick to the face.

The Talon instinctively staggered backward and an involuntary grunt escaped from his lips when behind him Hawkgirl struck him with the mace in the back, sending him flying away. Renegade distorted his body in midair and thanks to his flexibility landed with his feet on the ground. He narrowed his gaze and ran toward the two superheroines. He rolled under Wonder Woman's sword lunge and, anticipating Hawkgirl's blow, he leapt over the grip of the mace and launched himself into a double somersault in midair over the Thanagarian and, while still upside down in midair, pulled back both of his sword-wielding arms.

Both swords went past the layer of Nth Metal-coated armor and thrust into the Thanagarian's shoulders, who made a surprised choking noise. Renegade pulled back his swords and landed on his feet behind Hawkgirl and turned around, watching the blood gush from the superheroine's injured shoulders.

"Hawkgirl!" Wonder Woman flanked her friend and looked worriedly at her wounds.

"I'm fine." was Hawkgirl's abrupt statement, who with an animalistic snarl darted in the air toward the assassin.

She swung the mace toward the assassin who twisted his body downward in a way Shayera thought was humanly impossible and her mace missed Renegade's face by a few inches, in Matrix style. Renegade hit her weapon-wielding hand with a kick and Hawkgirl grunted, losing her grip on the mace, and the mercenary rose up with a vicious uppercut that sent her meters away.

The young mercenary raised one sword parrying Wonder Woman's blade and with his other hand in milliseconds he deftly swung the other sword so that he caught it by the blade and pulled it back with the result that the hilt struck the Amazon's stomach.

The blow abruptly knocked the air out of the demigoddess' lungs and she let out a pained grunt when Renegade hit her with a right hook, sending her to the ground. The acrobat momentarily ignored her and ran toward the Thanagarian who was trying to get up.

As soon as Hawkgirl got back up she was greeted by a vicious punch to the stomach that drew some blood followed soon after by a brutal kick to the left knee and a violent punch to the face. She fell abruptly backward to the ground and did not move again.

Renegade turned sharply with his breath slightly labored and adrenaline coursing through his veins -this was much better than sparring sessions with Slade and Sandra, Dick thought excitedly- and stared at Wonder Woman who rose to her feet. "We are left alone, Princess." he chuckled.

The demigoddess's lips thinned as she saw Hawkgirl knocked down and she returned her gaze to the assassin, anger burning in her beautiful and bright blue eyes that also blazed with reluctant respect. "I admit your earlier move with the sword surprised me. I did not expect it."

The acrobat gave her a genuine smile. "Thank you, Princess."

Wonder Woman sighed at his nickname for her but soon her annoyance turned to surprise and confusion when she saw her opponent stowing a sword at her back. "What are you doing?"

"This way the fight will be more balanced, don't you think?" Renegade smiled at her, confidence and a sense of security coloring his tone of voice.

The demigoddess narrowed her gaze menacingly and assumed a fighting stance. "You won't get away with hurting my friends, assassin!" she growled, tightening her grip on her sword.

She was surprised and had to do a double-take when Renegade -the fucking second most dangerous mercenary in the world who had just taken down the entire Justice League like it was a walk in the park- pouted. "You're mean, Princess. I prefer the term mercenary or anti-hero, if possible."

With an annoyed growl Wonder Woman flew toward her opponent. Renegade raised his sword, parrying her blow, and over the next few minutes in the dungeon the metallic clatter of blades clashing violently could be heard. Both were very skilled and were among the best sword fighters in the world, which is why neither left their defenses uncovered, preventing each other from striking.

If there had been anyone watching them, they would have seen nothing but two blurs moving at an impressive speed. Their movements of both body and swords were so rapid and lightning-fast that they were impossible for the human eye to see.

Besides the metallic clang of the blades clashing noisily, the only other audible sound was Renegade's voice and his rather one-sided conversation with the superheroine that turned into appreciations for her.

"You know, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life."

The mercenary's words spoken so casually as if they were on a date and not in a sword fight to the death froze Wonder Woman in place and she stared in surprise at her opponent's arrogant smirk. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she growled, trying to hit him.  

"What?" Renegade danced around her sword, dodging her blow and giving her an innocent smile. "Can't a mercenary make a genuine appreciation for the best woman on the planet? By the way, are you single by any chance?"

The Amazon opened her eyes wide briefly before narrowing them angrily and coldly. "You can also stop with your appreciations. And my love life is none of your business. As if I would ever date an assassin." she taunted him.

The Talon feigned a hurt and betrayed look as he merely blocked her every blow with an ease that was getting on her nerves. "Gee, I hope you don't treat the immense crowd of suitors you're sure to have that way." he chuckled.

The princess of Themyscira shrugged off the chills his creepy giggle gave her and she continued to attack him to the best of her ability. "Stop babbling and take our fight seriously, kid!" she growled.

Renegade shrugged his shoulders and the smirk on his face did not please her at all. "Your wish is my command, Princess."

Wonder Woman barely had time to blink and the next thing she knew, with a smooth move faster than her eyes could follow Renegade disarmed her, forcing her to hold her bleeding hand as her sword fell to the ground with a metallic clang, away from her. Her look of surprise quickly turned to anger and humiliation as she turned her indignant fury on the mercenary. "You were holding back!"

"Guilty." the assassin shrugged and rested his sword on his back, crossing it at X with the other. "If I wasn't holding back you and all your friends would have been dead long ago. By the way, you're welcome."

"Arrogant kid!" she snarled and darted in the air toward her opponent who dodged her blow with a backflip.

Renegade's playful look became frowning and annoyed. Any sign of levity in him vanished and suddenly he was surrounded by an extremely menacing, dangerous and deadly aura that froze Wonder Woman in place. "I’m. Not. A. Kid." he stated in an icy, emotionless voice. "I am the second deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world. I am the assassin with a death count second only to Deathstroke The Terminator in the world.

"I have no qualms about maiming, torturing and beheading people. In fact, I am an expert in this area. I am also an expert in giving people the slowest and most painful death possible to the point that they beg for mercy until their voice allows after all their screams of agony, pain, terror and fear. I have been trained by the most dangerous, deadly, cruel and efficient assassins this world has ever known and I have far surpassed them all.

"Now answer one question, Princess."

His nickname for her was spoken not with a genuine affection to which Diana had become accustomed but in a hollow voice colder than ice and that tugged at her heartstrings. He took a step forward and the demigoddess forced herself not to take a step back, refusing to be intimidated by Renegade.

"Would a kid be able to be and do everything I just described? Would a kid be able to take down practically the entire Justice League completely on his own? By the way, even restraining himself?" a cold, emotionless laugh escaped his lips at the shocked look of the demi-goddess. "That's right. I have and am still holding back with you heroes. And by a lot, too. Because if I had fought to my full potential, the battle would have ended long ago and all of you would be lying dead and maimed at my feet.

"I could have fired one kryptonite bullet at Superman's heart but I didn't. I could have broken Zatanna's neck but I didn't. I could have easily killed all the other heroes but I didn't. I could have pierced your heart with my sword but I didn't. And do you know why?"

Wonder Woman could not find her voice to answer him and merely shook her head. To her surprise, Renegade's angry, icy gaze dissolved into a sweet, resigned, sincere look. He took another step forward until he was a short distance from the superheroine who could do nothing but stare at him shocked, her heart beating rapidly, and the reason was not adrenaline.

It was pure, genuine fear. A feeling never experienced by the fierce Wonder Woman. 

All her Amazon warrior instincts screamed at her to attack him mercilessly, to make him stop talking and end this damn battle.

To prevent her from feeling this feeling of terror again.

However, her body did not respond to her mind's commands. It was as if her feet were glued to the floor, preventing her from moving, and it was as if her voice was completely gone, preventing her from speaking. The Amazon could do nothing but stare at Renegade's masked face, realizing only now that their faces were only about ten centimeters apart and she could feel his soft breath on her face, sending slight shivers down her spine and accelerating her heartbeat.

"Because-" Renegade paused briefly and when he recovered, his voice was full of emotion. "Because you heroes are the best thing this world has ever had. You have saved the Earth and the universe dozens and dozens of times, saving billions of people every time. You all protect our planet whenever it is hit by natural disasters, alien threats, crazy super-villains and more. Each of you has a city that you protect intensely and you do it fearlessly, spitting blood. You continually put your lives at risk when no one is forcing you to do so.

"Just because you have superpowers this does not mean that you are forced to save your cities, the world, the universe. Just because you have superpowers this does not mean that you are invincible, that you feel no fear, that you have no trauma, that you will always get back up every time you fall. Yet you do and I admire you with the depth of my heart.

"As I think you know, I accept contracts only on evil people, on criminals who commit the worst crimes. Because they are the root of all evil on Earth. They are the worst scum of the world and they are criminals who do not want to redeem themselves and never will. All they want is to cause suffering to others for a sick idea of fun and pleasure and to satisfy their own selfish desires. My intention is to weed out as much bad weed as I can until someone can kill me.   

"The Justice League enacts the ideal of justice and for that I admire you very much. But justice doesn't always work. How often are judges, policemen and all those who are supposed to defend society corrupt? How often do the world's worst criminals escape from the prisons and asylums where you lock them up weekly or monthly and cause further suffering?

"I know that you heroes do not kill and I am not disappointed in you for that. On the contrary, I admire you greatly because you do not risk getting lost in a darkness from which it will then be difficult to rise again. Someone has to lead the world with his noble and righteous ideals of justice, someone has to be a lighthouse guiding billions of people to the right path, to the path of good. And that beacon of light is you: the Justice League.

"But me?" Renegade gave a sad smile. "I have always lived in a nasty darkness and always will. But I eventually learned to harness the darkness around me for a greater purpose that makes me alive: namely, to end the miserable lives of the world's worst irredeemable criminals. I know that legally my methods are wrong but they are very efficient in making the Earth safe.

"Being a mercenary as I am, with my own rules and moral lines, gives me the feeling that I am doing the right thing and no one in the world can ever convince me otherwise. Being Renegade helps the world. It is not me saying this but the various statistics on reduced crime rates in many cities. This is because I strike terror in criminals far more than heroes do and their fear of me far exceeds their desire to commit crimes. I know I am doing the right thing and no one can ever stop me. I want to prevent everything that happened to me from happening to others. I want people to feel safe and although I know this is a pure utopian desire because there will always be evil in the world, no matter what, I have done, am doing and will do my best to permanently eliminate not only the greatest evils of world menace but also the evil that rages in ordinary cities.

"I know that I represent one of the greatest threats in the world, that there is an international arrest warrant out for me and that I am one of the primary targets of the Justice League and federal agencies around the world. And I don't care at all. I don't care what the Justice League, federal agencies, nations, civilians and everybody else think about me and my methods. I do not want to receive any credit and glory nor do I care. I kill because I know that there are plenty of people out there who will always commit the worst crimes without regret and my intention is to eliminate them, allowing the Justice League not to descend to the same level as me. You heroes cannot afford to kill even the worst criminals because you represent the leadership of the planet, the beacon of light and salvation for billions of people. You represent justice, goodness, hope precisely because you show that you truly believe in your ideals and do not plunge into darkness. You do not stain yourselves with blood by murder, no matter if you are dealing with even the worst person on Earth.

"I, however, have no such qualms. This is because I have personally witnessed things that I would not wish on even my worst enemy. I choose the path of murder because it is the only option to apply to the worst criminals who do not want to redeem themselves. I could never, ever ask you heroes to compromise your morals. It is right for heroes not to kill. The world needs someone to lead it. The world needs someone to enlighten it with hope, justice, goodness, freedom, safety. And that someone is the Justice League. But I have no such restrictions. I have no qualms about doing the dirty work. I don't care at all about killing, torturing, maiming, beheading, tormenting and making those who deserve it suffer. I do not care at all about getting blood on my hands. I don't care if I make powerful enemies both on the side of heroes and villains. I am and always will be a mercenary anti-hero who will continue with his own way of operating and his own ideals and no one will be able to stop me, even if I am always recognized as a villain rather than an anti-hero. But I don't care if I will be seen as the villain of the situation. 

"I will be the villain so that you can be the good guy."

To say that Wonder Woman was shocked by Renegade's speech was the understatement of the millennium. Never had Diana Prince been so shocked, so surprised, so speechless before. Renegade's words... his had been the most philosophical, the most moving, the most beautiful, the most astonishing speech she had ever heard in her entire ultra-centenarian life.

Renegade was right.

He was not a kid.

No kid could be the second best assassin in the world, the second deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world, capable of taking down the entire Justice League practically single-handedly and capable of such a well-thought-out, planned, and engineered speech. No kid could be capable of such a complex philosophy of life.

It is true that from his appearance Renegade looked like a kid and was probably between eighteen and twenty years old. But he certainly was not a kid mentally and emotionally. He was certainly more mature than most people she has ever known, especially in the working world.

And... fuck, there was so much to think about and process that Diana didn't even know where to start.

Wonder Woman was abruptly distracted from her thoughts when she felt something wrap tightly around her body and to her horror she saw that Renegade had trapped her in her own lasso of truth. "You-what the hell-was this all a ruse to distract me?" the demigoddess snapped angrily, her blue eyes flashing with rage and fury but she knew deep inside herself that the answer to her own question was no.

Because even the best actor in the world could not fake for so long the raw emotions Renegade had put into his speech and firmly believe in what was being said.

Renegade cast her a look of understanding, doing his best to ignore her so fiery gaze directed at him. "You already know the answer, Princess." he sighed and assumed a guilty look. "I know it was not very fair and honorable of me to defeat you in this way but I had to hurry before some of your friends woke up." his gaze then grew embarrassed, surprising Wonder Woman. "Besides, it was not my attention to linger so long and I apologize for that."

Diana could not believe her ears and eyes.

Had Renegade not only been embarrassed but also apologized for lingering too long in a matter of seconds?

Something was not quite right. This did not fit the personality she expected from the world's second deadliest mercenary... even though Renegade had definitely shocked her several times in this first meeting of theirs.

Renegade walked past her and positioned himself behind her, still holding her lasso. The Amazon gave an impatient and defeated sigh. "Come on, hurry up."

The mercenary chuckled and she imagined a smirk on his face as he spoke the following words: "Every wish is your command, Princess."

Wonder Woman shivered when Renegade swept her hair to the side, his touch softer and gentler than she had expected from him. His breath brushed against her bare neck and she felt a shiver go up her spine, shivers that increased when one of his gloved hands gently placed itself between her neck and shoulder.

"Good night, Princess."

That was the last thing Wonder Woman heard before Renegade pressed the pressure points and she passed out.

Wonder Woman blinked several times, slowly regaining consciousness. She heard someone calling her name worriedly but could not say exactly who it was. The only thing she could see was a blurry figure in front of her and she tried to get up but, once standing, she staggered to the side. Fortunately, the figure caught the demigoddess just in time by the shoulders, preventing her from falling, and Diana blinked further to banish the fog from her sight.

Eventually the demigoddess discovered that the figure was Black Canary -her face covered with her own blood and bruised- who was looking at her with concern and she cast a grateful glance at Dinah when she handed her lasso to her. "I'm fine, don't worry. How are you rather?"

"Honestly? Like shit." she groaned, making the ultra-centenarian woman giggle. "Who knew Renegade hit so hard? I swear that kid hurts more than a truck going 100 miles an hour!"

At the mention of Renegade Wonder Woman felt a vastness of memories overwhelm her and she brought a hand to her temple, gently rubbing it.

It was the most peculiar first encounter ever.

And it was also reductive. Seriously, Diana needed some time alone to process all that had happened because it was just too much.

"Renegade is not a kid." the Amazon belatedly realized that it was she who had uttered those words and she sighed at the blonde's confused look. "Of course, he is physically but emotionally and mentally he is much more mature than most people I have ever met."

"How can you say that?"

Wonder Woman opened her mouth to answer but froze briefly in place. "Is everyone else okay?" she asked instead, looking around worriedly. She barely had time to see anything when someone tapped her shoulder and when she turned around she met Superman's small smile. Her shoulders sagged in relief and she smiled back. "How did you get back on your feet so quickly?"

The smile disappeared from the Man of Steel and he scratched the back of his head, a puzzled look on his face. "In truth, I don't know either. When I woke up, I realized I no longer had pieces of kryptonite in my body."

Strange.

In a few minutes the heroes were reunited and Diana noticed that Aquaman had bandages on his left knee and right shoulder that stopped the bleeding, Hawkgirl was wrapped in the bandages at her injured shoulders as was Batman. "When do the three of you have time to medicate?" she asked.

"We didn't have it. When we woke up, we were already bandaged." Aquaman admitted. "We don't know who did it."

Hawkgirl nodded. "Whoever it was definitely knew what they were doing. If it had not bandaged us, we would most likely still be unconscious from too much blood loss."

Batman remained silent but tilted his head slightly to the side, the only sign that he agreed with his teammates.

"Lucky you. I feel like I've been hit by a moving train." Green Arrow groaned, holding his stomach and head in pain, his face covered in his own blood. At his side his fiancée nodded.

"So we have a stranger on our hands to medicate us. Well, that's better than someone who could have killed us while we were all unconscious." Flash stated, his legs healed by his healing factor.

Could it have been Renegade?

Wonder Woman was surprised at her own thought but, thinking about it a bit, it would make sense after all the praise the mercenary had lavished on the heroes in his philosophical speech. She could not be sure but it was a good possibility that she nevertheless decided to keep to herself.

"Are we really ignoring the elephant in the room?" asked Green Lantern with a humorless chuckle, drawing everyone's attention. "Namely the fact that a single kid kicked the Justice League's ass?"

The demigoddess bit her tongue, avoiding just in time to reply to Hal in the same way she had previously replied to Dinah.

"Renegade is not a kid." Batman stated abruptly. "His youthful appearance should not mislead you. A kid should not be able to take down the Justice League on his own nor should he be the second best mercenary in the world. Although his age is unknown to us, we must still treat him fully as an adult who poses a world-threatening danger."

Wonder Woman scowled at the Gotham vigilante's abrupt words but decided to remain silent, recognizing that deep down he was right. It was Hawkgirl who then spoke. "I remember inflicting such a blow on him that I wounded him in the head and drew his black blood. Maybe-"

"Already checked. Renegade cleaned up every trace of his blood." Batman interrupted her abruptly. "There's nothing to trace back to his civilian identity."

Shayera frowned annoyed at the abrupt interruption and Diana mentally sympathized with the other female warrior.

"Let's not put ourselves down, guys. Miraculously we are all alive and that is the main thing." Superman tried as usual to boost morale down the team with a comforting smile.

"It wasn't a miracle." Wonder Woman intervened and everyone looked at her. "Renegade voluntarily decided to spare us. He had so many opportunities to kill us but he didn't. I'm sure he was holding back and by a lot."

"She was holding back by a lot?" shouted Oliver hysterically.

"Unfortunately for our egos, yes. If Renegade had fought to his full capacity as the world's second best assassin and mercenary, we would all be dead now." Diana asserted, taking up Renegade's words that resonated fresh in her memory. "If he had really wanted us dead, we would not be here talking now."

"Wonder Woman is right." Batman grunted and the Amazon sent him a nod.

"Fantastic." Hal groaned annoyed. "We've been completely humiliated by someone who won't even be twenty years old. This is a blow to our pride."

"Why didn't Renegade use the opportunity to kill us?" asked Zatanna confused.

"Because Renegade has never killed a civilian but only criminals. He has no interest in killing heroes." replied Wonder Woman to her as she went to retrieve her sword. "When I was the only hero left standing, Renegade always referred to himself as an anti-hero."

"Anti-heroes do not exist. The moment you kill a murderer, you become a murderer yourself." growled Batman.

The Princess of Themyscira gave him a hard look. "It's not that simple, Batman. You cannot have a worldview solely in black and white."

The Dark Knight coldly returned the stare. "Our role is not to protect murderers but to put them behind bars and Renegade is no exception."

Before Diana could retort further -with what, even she did not know precisely- Green Lantern dramatically snapped his fingers, drawing attention to himself. Hal had a shit-eating grin aimed directly at the demigoddess and she did not like it at all. "Now that I remember, if I'm not mistaken, our mercenary was shamelessly flirting with you."

Wonder Woman frowned and cast a glare at the heroes who giggled. "He wasn't and you know it too."

"I don't know. Maybe, Princess?" Hal teased her, tossing her the same nickname Renegade had given her but this time the nickname was not thick with affection but teasing.

Diana gave him a deadly glare and she noted in satisfaction as Hal swallowed in fright.

"If I may add something-" the demigoddess mentally thanked Martian Manhunter when he got the heroes' attention. "I was able to get slightly inside Renegade's head, just on the surface."

"Discovered anything?"

"Nothing about his civilian identity, if that's what you were asking." affirmed Martian at the question from the Caped Crusader who frowned. "I didn't get a chance to get into the depths of his mind since surprisingly Renegade has solid mental defenses but I was only able to glimpse so many emotions and all of them were negative."

"Negative?" repeated Black Canary.

"That's right." the alien confirmed with a nod. "Mostly pain. There was so much pain to the point that even I was overwhelmed. And that was only on the surface of his head. I honestly admit to being frightened at the hypothetical idea of going into the depths of his mind. I have never felt so much pain and so many negative emotions in a single individual, let alone one so young. It is obvious that Renegade has suffered a lot in the past, more than we can imagine."

At Martian Manhunter's words a heavy, tense silence fell. Wonder Woman swallowed, overwhelmed by the Martian's words.

Based on what Renegade had vaguely mentioned about the darkness that always surrounded him, Diana had understood that the mercenary had suffered so much but now, given what Martian Manhunter had just said, she began to think that it was reductive.   

I want to prevent everything that happened to me from happening to others.

Renegade's words resonated in the mind of the Amazon who sighed.

There were so many questions about the dark and mysterious figure of Renegade and they had no answers. And it was troubling that not even the best detective in the world could decipher the mystery represented by the world's second best mercenary.

Wonder Woman knew that she would have to say everything Renegade had told her in his philosophical speech that so surprised her since perhaps from it Batman would extract some detail that she had missed.

The demigoddess knew that this was what she should have done and, in any other situation, she would have done so.

But not in this case.

There was a selfish part of herself that pushed her to keep every single word Renegade uttered to herself and she did not want the other heroes to know about it.

Almost as if it was some kind of secret between her and Renegade, something that only they would know about.

Diana let out another sigh.

It was obvious that she was going crazy. Maybe Renegade had given her some kind of concussion that was driving her crazy.

Damn it.

She wanted nothing more than to go home, take a nice hot shower, rest and not think about Renegade.

And if the notorious Wonder Woman couldn't take her mind off Renegade, well, only the hole in one wall of her house was witness to that.

"What the hell do you mean you took down practically the entire Justice League by yourself?"

Richard Wilson shrugged with his typical shit-eating grin directed at his father. "What I just said. My mask recorded it all." he stated as he raised the hand that held his Renegade mask.

Slade stared impassively at his mask and the acrobat already knew that the man would see the entire fight, probably even more than once. "Which heroes were there?"

"The seven founders, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkgirl and Zatanna."

Slade's head snapped abruptly toward his son. "You defeated eleven Justice League heroes by yourself? How the hell-" he paused and shook his head, a chuckle coming out of him. "I shouldn't even be surprised but damned if I am. Kiddo, I knew you were extremely skilled and capable but not to this extent." he stated, genuine surprise and pride in his voice. "Even I would need preparation time to defeat them but you took them down in a chance encounter you didn't even expect and I know you had to hold back a lot. I'm so fucking proud of you, Dick."

Dick lit up at his words and he hugged his father tightly. "Thank you!"

Slade returned the hug and gave him a few pats on the back. "Really, the feat you have done is beyond extraordinary. I just hope word doesn't get out, otherwise this is the time Renegade will definitely surpass Deathstroke." he huffed, half-joking.

A playful glint appeared in Dick's blue eyes that flickered in the golden from excitement. "Once I tell practically everyone, I'll tell them not to spread the word to not publicly shame the infamous Deathstroke." he teased his father.

Slade stared at him impassively but his lips lifted a few inches in amusement. "Brat." he huffed playfully ruffling his son's hair, smiling when he heard him chuckle.

There was a comfortable pause in their conversation that was soon broken by Slade's sigh. "I have a question to ask but I'm afraid of the answer."

"Shoot, old man."

"How did you do with Wonder Woman?"

"Very well."

"Dick."

"Seriously. I'm offended that you doubt me."

"Richard."

"...I may have accidentally flirted with her during the battle." 

"What the fuck? How the hell do you accidentally flirt with a woman who could literally crush you in half with her strength?"

"These things happen."

A weary sigh. "How did she take your accidental flirt?"

"Well, I'm still alive, right?"

A chuckle. "Point conceded. What else?"

"I gave her a nickname."

"I'm afraid to ask what nickname."

"Princess. See? It's not bad."

"...It's not bad, I'll give you that. You can go now."

"Finally."

"One last thing Dick."

"Yes, Slade?"

"If you ever meet again your crush since you were eleven fucking years old, don't flirt with her again."

"..."

"...You'll still flirt with her, right?"

"Of course."

"You know what? I'm too old for this crap. If your beloved crush ever crushes you in two, don't call me. I don't know you."

"Please, Slade. I'd gouge out both my eyes to be crushed in two by Wonder Woman."

"RICHARD JOHN GRAYSON-WILSON!"

"What? My eyes would grow back anyway! Besides, technically my legal name is just Richard Wilson."

"For God's sake- DICK!"

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman grunted when she was knocked to the ground but quickly got back up, watching her opponent with a fierce frown.

"Come on! Is that all you got, Wonder Woman?" Cheetah sneered at her in her typical fucking derisive manner that got on Diana's nerves so much more than anything else in the world.

The Amazon growled. "I will make you regret your and your new friends' actions." she stated coldly, cracking her knuckles menacingly.

About half an hour earlier the Justice League discovered that plants enhanced not only mystically and radioactively but also by Kobra-Venom and Joker Venom were simultaneously attacking Metropolis, Gotham City, Paris, Taipei and Star City. The attack was publicly claimed by an organization of super-villains -the Injustice League, consisting of Count Vertigo (who served as leader), Black Adam, Wotan, Atomic Skull, Joker and Cheetah- that demanded ten billion dollars from the nation.

Thanks to Zatanna, the heroes discovered the base of the Injustice League's operating system from where they controlled the plants, namely Louisiana Bayou, and the heroes had split up: the seven founding members of the JL were currently fighting against the super-villains responsible for the attack while the rest of the League were defending the various cities attacked by the plants.

Wonder Woman darted into the air toward her opponent but Cheetah rolled to the side. However, the Amazon managed to grab her tail and violently sent her nemesis crashing three times to the ground before throwing her away with all her strength, causing her to crash into a tree that fell to the side.

The demigoddess looked around and saw Superman fighting intensely against Black Adam, Batman predictably against the Joker, Green Lantern and Flash against Wotan and finally Aquaman and Martian Manhunter against Count Vertigo. Of Atomic Skull no sign but it was likely that he was guarding the operating system that controlled the plants.

She returned her gaze to her opponent and saw her quickly sprint toward her.

Cheetah leapt and Wonder Woman deflected her talons thanks to her bracelets and pulled her head back, avoiding her fangs. The super-heroine threw a violent headbutt at her and Cheetah fell to the ground with a groan of pain and the feline quickly rolled backwards dodging the demigoddess' attack.

The two former friends fought for another few minutes until Wonder Woman hit Cheetah with a brutal punch that sent her flying some 30 meters away. The demigoddess reached her in seconds as she darted through the air, grabbed the feline by the head and sent it crashing violently to the ground. "You're done, Cheetah." she hissed menacingly at her and got a groan of pain in response.

Before Diana could bind her with his lasso she let out a choked cry as a sudden wave of pain pervaded her body and she realized that someone was electrocuting her. Definitely Wotan since he was the only super-villain with magical powers.

The princess of Themyscira gritted her teeth and with much effort turned her head, confirming her theory that Wotan was responsible. Only, to her horror, Wotan had summoned lightning bolts that were striking not only her but also the rest of the heroes and his was a prolonged attack. Even Superman was in pain and on his knees on the ground since he was weak to magic and Black Adam was using the situation to his advantage, striking the Kryptonian with powerful blows.

All the heroes were paralyzed on the spot in pain, choked screams echoing through the area. The sorcerer's attack never seemed to end and of course the super-villains took advantage of their teammate's assist by attacking and injuring the heroes immobilized by Wotan's lightning bolts. 

Wonder Woman fell with a pained grunt from a vicious punch to the stomach and Cheetah pinned her to the ground. "Looks like it's not your lucky day." she purred, teasing her former friend.

Despite the pain that the lightning was continuing to inflict throughout her body the Amazon managed to look grimly at her nemesis but the mere attempt to open her mouth proved painful and agonizing, so she decided to remain silent by gritting her teeth to keep from screaming.

"It also looks like a feline ate your tongue." Cheetah giggled at her own joke and clicked her talons, bringing them down the neck of Wonder Woman who stiffened further. "It would be such a shame to ruin your smooth fantastic skin envied by all women, wouldn't it?" she asked rhetorically, a hint of genuine envy and jealousy in her tone of voice.

The princess of Themyscira noticed it and managed to send a toothy smirk at Barbara Minerva. "Better to die with dignity than to be turned into a monster like you, don't you think?" she mocked her in a hiss.

The super-villain's talons dug deep into Wonder Woman's skin and Diana gasped, feeling droplets of blood slide down her neck. "This time there is no one to save you and your little friends." Cheetah hissed angrily.

With great physical effort the Amazon shifted her gaze left and right, discovering with horror that her nemesis was right.

Black Adam was furiously punching Superman furiously in the face and stomach, creating a huge crater in the shape of the Man of Steel's face, Joker was with his characteristic creepy grin wildly waving his knife in the face of Batman who was kneeling in pain on the ground,  Green Lantern and Flash were tightly trapped by a magic ring created by Wotan and finally Aquaman and Martian Manhunter were lying at the feet of Count Vertigo who was stunning them with his powers, making them dizzy.

All while Wotan's magical lightning bolts were still injuring each hero, making it impossible for them to move.

"Enough talk now." the demigoddess's gaze fell on Cheetah whose talons further dug into the skin of the super-heroine who grimaced.

Her nemesis' next words were lost in Diana's mind as she was more focused on the fact that suddenly the pain throughout her body ceased. Her Amazon warrior instincts and reflexes were much quicker than Cheetah's and Wonder Woman delivered a punch to her temple, sending her flying dozens of meters away. She reared back with a grunt and darted through the air to where Cheetah's body lay unconscious and she wrapped her tightly with her lasso.

The demigoddess turned around and noted with satisfaction that her teammates had also recovered and successfully turned the fight around with their respective opponents. Wonder Woman turned sharply when she felt presence behind her but immediately relaxed her muscles when she saw the other Justice League heroes. She frowned in confusion. "I thought you were busy with the plants in the affected cities."

"We were until the plants disappeared." Zatanna explained to her.

The frown of the princess of Themyscira deepened and she looked around, seeing that the other founding members of the League had just taken down their opponents. "I don't understand how this is possible. None of us have set foot in the Injustice League operating system yet." she pointed out, returning her gaze to the newly arrived heroes.

Hawkman shrugged his shoulders as he lazily twirled his mace. "Maybe an attack of yours ended up accidentally hitting their operating system."

Wonder Woman emitted a murmur of recognition, knowing that it was a plausible explanation but she was not quite sure. "Maybe."

Within minutes all the heroes gathered and Green Lantern created a dome that surrounded the downed super-villains but soon they noticed that one was missing. "Atomic Skull is still missing." Aquaman pointed out.

"Did none of you fight him?" asked Superman turning to the other six founding members and they all shook their heads.

"Excuse me but which one of you entered the Injustice League operating system?" asked Black Canary looking at them all.

Most of the founding members expressed a negative answer and immediately everyone's gaze fell on the only one who had not uttered a word, namely Batman. He frowned when he noticed that everyone was staring at him and he crossed his arms. "I would have told you if it was me, don't you think?" he declared dryly, causing some of the heroes to snort in annoyance.

"As if you were known for your communications skills." muttered Green Arrow, wincing when he received a flat stare from the Caped Crusader.

"If none of you did it, then why did the plants disappear?" asked Hawkgirl, posing aloud the question everyone was wondering.

"There's only one way to find out." stated Flash mentioning the super-villain base in front of them and he darted off.

"You go, I'll stay here with our new friends." said Green Lantern pointing a thumb in the direction of the unconscious super-villains enclosed inside the green dome.

In no time the heroes entered the villains' base and reached Flash, noticing that he was staring with a confused look at Atomic Skull lying motionless in a prone position on the floor. The speedster turned as he heard the rest of the heroes reaching for him and he pointed a finger at the downed super-villain. "I already found him this way." he informed them.

Wonder Woman came closer to get a better look, followed by the others. Batman knelt down and carefully analyzed the bleeding wound at the back of Atomic Skull's head. "Based on the wound and Atomic Skull's prone position, someone snuck up behind him and hit him in the back of the head with a blunt object." he informed them as he got up.

"And someone also destroyed their systems, causing the plants to disappear." Martian Manhunter spoke, pointing to said clearly destroyed systems.

"Who could it have been that helped us? And why didn't they stay? It's not like we would have hurt anyone who helped us." Green Arrow reflected aloud.

"Maybe they were afraid of us." Red Tornado's robotic voice resounded.

"Afraid of us? And why would that be?" it sounded as if Flash had swallowed a lemon at the android's suggestion. "We're the good guys!"

The next few minutes were spent in speculation, questions and theories about who helped them and why they did not stay. They exited the base and Green Lantern quickly noticed them. "Finally! I thought you had gotten lost!" he joked.

As the Flash responded with a light-hearted joke to his best friend, Wonder Woman watched bored at the still-unconscious figures of the super-villains. Her gaze lingered particularly on Wotan and a visible bleeding wound at his right shoulder that did not match any of the attacks of the entire Justice League.

"Flash. Green Lantern." Wonder Woman called out to them, drawing their attention. "How did you stop Wotan from continuing with his magical lightning attack?"

The two best friends exchanged a brief glance. "Actually, we didn't." admitted the speedster.

The heroes frowned in confusion. "Explain yourselves." the Gotham vigilante growled.

Green Lantern rolled his eyes. "We were getting there, Spooky." he ignored the Dark Knight's glare and focused on the other heroes. "Both Flash and I were trapped by a magic ring and neither of us could move a muscle, let alone get out of it. Plus the damn lightning hurt like hell and it practically paralyzed us. But then suddenly both the magic ring and the lightning bolts disappeared and when we turned to Wotan, he had a gunshot wound in his right shoulder and judging by the look of pain on his face, it hurt like hell." he chuckled. "I call that karma."

"Gunshot wound?" repeated surprised the king of Atlantis, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Why didn't you say that before?"

"Honestly? Among taking advantage of the situation to take down Wotan and then celebrating our victory we forgot." Flash chuckled nervously, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.

Wonder Woman ignored the rebukes Batman was giving them and suddenly stiffened, feeling observed. Her instincts told her that someone or something was watching them.

Or to be more specific, Diana felt that especially the gaze was focused more on her.

She ignored the chatter around her regarding the relocation of the Injustice League to Belle Reve -excluding Count Vertigo, who enjoyed diplomatic immunity, and the Joker, who would be relocated to Arkham Asylum- and looked around, aiming her gaze especially at the dense surrounding forest.

Diana returned to staring briefly at her teammates who were not paying the slightest bit of attention to her and then switched her gaze from one tree to another. Her muscles relaxed when she saw nothing.

Batman must have infected me with his paranoia. If even Clark didn't hear anything with his super-hearing, then it's impossible for anyone else to be there.

Her well-trained eyes snapped to her right and she saw just in time a shadow before it disappeared into the dense forest. Wonder Woman darted toward where she saw the shadow, ignoring the voices that frantically called her name, and she flew up to get a better view. Her eyes darted from side to side but she saw only a vastness of trees and no shadows around.

"Wonder Woman!" she turned, meeting the worried gaze of Superman who stopped in midair in front of her. "What happened?"

"I was sure I saw a shadow moving." she replied, returning her gaze below her.

Superman tilted his head slightly to the side, probably using his super-hearing. He shook his head and stared at his friend. "I don't hear any heartbeat or any other noise that would indicate the presence of a stranger." Wonder Woman uttered a distracted murmur, continuing to look through the trees without catching sight of anything else. "You probably imagined it. Come on, let's get out of this place."

The Amazon nodded her head and, after taking one last look at the dense forest, flew with Superman to join the other heroes with one thought on her mind.

Namely, that at that moment the heroes were not alone.

Renegade watched through binoculars as the various Justice League heroes departed Louisiana Bayou with Green Lantern carrying the Injustice League. He gave a dramatic sigh as he stowed the binoculars in his utility belt. "Man, that was a call a little too close for my taste."

He had received a call from Deathstroke after his reunion with the Light and the young assassin discovered that Vandal Savage had already organized a team of super-villains to distract the Justice League from their work. Shortly after his father's call, his aunt Poison Ivy also contacted him, explaining how Vandal Savage wanted to hire her as a member of the Injustice League but she, remembering the warnings Renegade had given her and Harley Quinn, refused.

However, the Light was not happy with her refusal and forced her to create the plants that would then be mystically and radioactively reinforced, as well as also by Kobra-Venom and Joker Venom, who would later attack several cities simultaneously.

Dick had felt a huge wave of anger at the news of how the Light had forced his aunt Pamela to execute their disgusting plans and had to take a few deep breaths to avoid killing every single member of the Light one by one, however, blowing his and Slade's cover.

So the Talon after calming down took a private jet and drove it: destination Louisiana Bayou. He easily slipped into the Injustice League's base of operations, taking down Atomic Skull even more easily without the man noticing and destroyed their systems, putting end to the poor Poison Ivy's plants exploited by the Light.

The only reason Renegade did not kill Atomic Skull was because the heroes were outside and the last thing he wanted was to accidentally ruin their reputation.

Who knows what would have happened if the press had learned of the hypothetical death of a super-villain in a battle where besides the villains apparently there were only the founding members of the JL. Surely some crappy journalist would have mistakenly blamed Atomic Skull's death on the heroes and thus thrown mud on the reputation of the League, even without evidence, thus risking ruining them irremediably. 

Dick was not lying when he said he would rather die than irremediably ruin the Justice League's reputation.

So unfortunately Renegade could not kill Atomic Skull but was content to grant him a nasty concussion courtesy of the butt of one of his guns.

Not to mention when Renegade took a curious peek at the fight only to find that all the heroes were agonizingly close to death due to Wotan's magical lightning bolts and the other super-villains who were and would take advantage of the opportunity created by the sorcerer. Fortunately, Dick has exceptional and extraordinary self-control and aimed for Wotan's right shoulder rather than his brain or heart.

The super-villains were lucky that they did not kill the Justice League, otherwise there was literally no reason in the world why Renegade would not have slaughtered the world's worst super-villains, starting with the Injustice League itself.

No more heroes equaled no more restriction for Renegade.

Dick patted himself on the back when he realized that he had saved the heroes just in time and -just as he had told Wonder Woman four days earlier- no, he did not care at all about public recognition of his merits. He really enjoyed acting in the shadows as a kind of Dark Guardian Angel of the JL. Especially he was glad to have saved Wonder Woman just in time since she was a little too close to death for the acrobat's taste.

Cheetah was a lucky bitch not to have caused Wonder Woman serious injury, or worse to kill her, because otherwise she would have had to deal with a much more brutal and dark Renegade than usual. And just remember that the one time Renegade lost control of his rage he caused real nightmares for Deathstroke The Terminator.

And at that time Dick was only eleven years old.

Speaking of Wonder Woman, he did not expect that she would be able to even vaguely pinpoint his location and it was close to her finding out.

Fortunately, Renegade was a true master and expert at disappearing from anyone's sight.

Dick shook his head to clear his head and headed back to where he had left the hidden jet in camouflage mode, intent on wanting to return home where Minecraft with his little siblings Joey and Rose awaited him that he would not miss for anything in the world. 

Chapter Text

A helicopter landed at Nanda Parbat, and from it Renegade descended. He advanced, waved to the guards standing at the main entrance of the castle, and they bowed respectfully. Dick gave a small smile and entered the castle. Shortly after he entered, he saw a small blur running toward him and he let out an exaggerated and dramatic grunt as he lifted it into the air.

"You're getting so big, sweetheart!" exclaimed Dick, taking his child in his arms and smiling sweetly at him.

"Baba!" the green eyes of Damian Al Ghul-Wayne lit up and the acrobat's heart warmed lovingly. "I've missed you." he murmured resting his head on his chest where the major's heartbeat should have been audible if that had been possible.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart." Dick gently cradled the five-year-old and tenderly kissed the top of his head. He jerked his head up as he heard a series of quiet footsteps approaching and relaxed when he saw some ninjas assassins respectfully kneeling when they saw him.

"Mr. Renegade. We are sorry for the prince's abrupt reception." one of them spoke.

"Please stand up. And don't worry. It is one of the best welcomes I could have received." he reassured them, his lips rising a few inches in an amused smile.

Since Talia had become the new Demon Head some six years ago through the coup against her father, Renegade had quickly become the best assassin available to the League of Assassins and easily occupied the top spot in the organization's elite ranks, second of course only to Talia herself.

After all, over the years, the League of Assassins had recruited Renegade for hundreds of missions and contracts and the young mercenary had obviously completed all of them, without exception, thus earning both the reputation as the best assassin in the League and the first place in the elite ranks. Talia had ordered her men that they should pay respect to Renegade and carry out his every order as if it were her own, despite the fact that Dick had told her repeatedly that it was not necessary.

Unfortunately, his aunt could be very stubborn and in the end she prevailed. However, Dick noticed that the ninja assassins gave him respect not only because it was ordained by their leader but also and especially because they admired a deep and genuine respect for him to the point that they treated him like family.

In fact, since Talia assumed control of the League, it has become much more united and cohesive than when it was run by Ra's and she had allowed her men far more flexible margins of freedom than the previous Demon Head allowed them. Thus the organization became more like a family whose members were finally treated more like real people than as pawns.

Sure, a family of highly trained ninja assassins, but still a family.

Talia was doing an amazing job as a leader, certainly better than her father, besides the fact that she was simultaneously a fantastic mother of an equally fantastic child.

Dick looked around and easily spotted a little girl hiding in a dark corner. He smiled at her and motioned for her to approach. Cassandra Cain came out of the corner and with quick but silent steps ran toward the acrobat. The Talon snorted in amusement when her sudden appearance caused the ninja assassins, who were clearly not expecting Lady Shiva's daughter, to wince imperceptibly.

Dick gently ruffled her hair and placed a tender kiss on her forehead, smiling when he saw her sweet brown eyes light up like a Christmas tree.

I've missed you so much, Dad.

"Sorry, sweetheart, I've been a little busy lately." the acrobat explained to her, feeling a little guilty about not having time for his children.

Obviously Cass must have noticed his guilt because she shook her head, starting to sign quickly.

It's not your fault. I love you, Dad.

Dick smiled sweetly at her and placed another tender kiss on her forehead. Cass bounced excitedly on the spot and snuggled into his side, briefly enjoying the warmth, before circling him and climbing onto his back. The acrobat shifted Damian onto one arm as he pulled the other back, easily holding Cass's weight, and smiled sweetly when she wrapped her tiny but deadly arms around his neck.

The mercenary returned his gaze to the ninjas and noticed their lips lifted a few inches, a simple action and small display of affection they could never afford with Ra's. "I assume Talia is waiting for me at the throne room."

"Yes, sir."

Renegade gave them a nod of thanks and headed for the throne room, meanwhile bouncing his children playfully and enjoying their joyful giggles that were music to his ears. The anti-hero thanked the ninja assassins who opened the doors to the throne room for him -since both his hands were rather busy and he did not want to risk kicking them in- and entered.

The gaze of everyone present focused on the newcomer. Talia's green eyes softened as soon as they saw him. "Richard. It's good to see you again."

"It is for me too, Aunt Talia. You know, I'd love to give you a hug but I'm a little busy at the moment." he joked.

Talia's lips lifted in amusement and she watched with warmth in her eyes as her nephew carried Dami and Cass in his arms and on his back. "Then it's good to postpone it." she said, knowing full well that Dick was a very tactile and affectionate person.

From the bright smile she received in return, she knew that later her nephew would hug her properly.

"We're here too, you know?" remarked Cheshire, crossing her arms but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her.

"Really? I thought you were just servants. My mistake." stated Dick rhetorically sending an arrogant smirk to the other two women present.

Lady Shiva fixed him with a look both impassive and affectionate, her heart melting at seeing her daughter so relaxed and at ease with her nephew. "Brat."

Dick sent his older sister and aunt a playful wink before turning to Talia again. "You have gathered the three biggest brass of the League of Assassins. I am curious about our mission."

Indeed, while the first place in the elite ranks of the League of Assassins was occupied by Renegade, the second and third places were occupied by Lady Shiva and Cheshire, respectively, both of whom completed a great many contracts for the League. Of course, there was also Deathstroke The Terminator but Slade preferred to remain independent, although it was not uncommon for him too to work for the League but he was still more of a lone wolf.

Talia's gaze immediately changed from relaxed to serious. "I learned about a dangerous Russian mafia organization that is very powerful and influential internationally. It deals not only in trafficking drugs and people but sells weapons and very confidential and sensitive information concerning the Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Homeland Security of the United States to terrorist organizations or states that are enemies of America."

The three experienced assassins stiffened. "This is bad. Very bad." Jade muttered, frowning. "These are practically the three most important Departments for the security of the United States nationally and for international and diplomatic relations with other nations."

Sandra crossed her arms, her eyes harder than steel. "How do the Russians possess such information? Are we dealing with one or more traitors or do they possess very experienced hacks or spies?"

"I can't answer your question." the Demon Head answered honestly, as displeased as her friends were. "All I know is that this Russian mafia supplies the enemies of the U.S. not only with weapons but more importantly with important and vital information for the security of American soil. And if terrorist organizations and states that are enemies to America were to ally with each other with all the information that the Russian mafia sells to them-"

"We will risk another 9/11, probably much worse with many more casualties." Dick guessed in a low, somber voice, noting distractedly that in the meantime Damian had fallen asleep.

"That's right." Talia sent him a nod, her eyes narrowing into slits. "This Russian mafia I am telling you about is wanted by the Russian national authorities but has always managed to evade them, proving their competence. It calls itself Красные акулы, which in English means-"

"Red Sharks."

All eyes fell on Dick who sent them an innocent smile.

"I should have guessed you knew Russian too." huffed Sandra with a smile. "You're fluent in what? Eight languages?"

"More than fifteen languages." Dick paused, chuckling to himself at the incredulous stares. "Excluding sign language and Morse code."

"I call that showing off. Exhibitionist." murmured Jade as she rolled her eyes.

"I know, I'm just great." the acrobat strutted with mock arrogance, chuckling when Cass rested her chin comfortably on top of his head nodding. "See? Cass thinks so, too."

"Believe it."

Talia watched the little debate between brother and sister with an amused glint in her green eyes and when it ended she continued, returning to serious mode. "The Red Sharks are composed of dangerous, ruthless, cruel people focused solely on their own personal benefits and gains. They have no morals and are notorious for performing atrocious and immoral acts, even on children. They pose a great threat not only to America but also to the Russian environment in which they live. I would not be surprised if their influence also extends to the politics of Russian cities that favor their business and other spheres.

"And that's where you come in. That's why I contacted you. You three are my best assassins and among the best in the world." the cold gaze of Talia Al Ghul met three faces filled with determination. "I want the Red Sharks to cease to exist. I want the death of every member of this Russian mafia and the complete destruction of their empire. They are among the worst scum of the world and I want them all dead. We would be doing both America and Russia a favor with the annihilation of the Red Sharks.

"However, I will understand if you do not feel up to this mission and I will not think less of you if you back out. You are not at all forced to accept and put your lives in extreme danger: each of you has loved ones to return to." said Talia, looking specifically at the two children held by Dick.

Renegade was the first to give her an answer. "I accept." he gave a cold smile, briefly reminding the others why getting on his bad side was suicide. "The Red Sharks won't be the first mafia I've taken down permanently and they definitely won't be the last."

"I also want to know how many mafias have you taken down?" asked Cheshire sarcastically. "Don't answer that." she added quickly seeing him open his mouth.

"I accept too." Lady Shiva nodded, determination and confidence coloring her tone of voice.

All eyes were on Jade who pretended to think about it. "I have nothing to do and I'm sure it will be a unique and fun experience, so I accept."

Talia's gaze softened and she fixed them all with a grateful look. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will transfer three millions dollars to one of your many bank accounts shortly." she said, getting three equally annoyed groans.

Dick, Jade and Sandra repeatedly explained to Talia that she did not have to pay them every time she recruited them and that they would gladly carry out missions and contracts for the League of Assassins for free. Unfortunately, Talia is very stubborn and paid them each time, much to their displeasure, and they gave up on convincing her otherwise.

Three millions dollars was definitely the highest payment they had ever received on a missions for the League and this was clearly an indication of how dangerous the mission was but the three main executioners of the League of Assassins were not deterred.

"Well, we can focus later on the details of the mission." the Talon began, drawing attention. "We have quite a bit of free time to make full use of." he said, nodding to Damian asleep in his arms and Cass who had merely been playing with her father figure's hair.

"You're right. I'm going to spend my free time with Artemis and my mother." nodded Jade who, after saying goodbye to Sandra and Talia and hugging her younger brother, left.

Dick reflected internally and decided that he would spend a few hours with his aunts and children and the next few hours with his father, Wintergreen, Joey, Rose and probably Adeline if she was not busy at work. He nodded to himself about his plan.

It would certainly have been an interesting and exciting mission. 

Diana Prince sighed once she returned home from her work. She loosened her ponytail as she headed into the living room, absentmindedly resting her glasses on a shelf. She froze as soon as she stepped into the living room, her brain failing to register what her eyes were showing her.

The Amazon blinked and rubbed her eyes, briefly fearing that the meeting with the UN had drained so much of her energy that she was imagining things that were not actually there.

Unfortunately, this was not the case and the fucking huge bouquet of flowers above the table was still there, as if that was where it belonged.

Wary, the princess of Themyscira approached it very cautiously, as if the flowers might explode at any moment. She immediately noticed a note, written not by hand but digitally printed, and took it.

Dear Princess,

I am sorry that I completely humiliated you and your friends by kicking your ass. In my defense it was self-defense and for that I forgive you all since I like to think of myself as magnanimous and kind. If it's any consolation, it was the most exciting and adrenaline-fueled battle of my entire life: I hope there will be a round 2 someday, although I don't hope so for you.

To my immense displeasure when you receive this gift of mine I will have already left for a top secret mission, otherwise I would have asked you for a date or something. In any case I hope to see you again soon, beautiful Princess: take care of yourself.

From your not so secret admirer,

Renegade.

PS: You really are a badass, Princess. I really admire you for that!

Diana's jaw and eyes were wide open as soon as she had finished reading the note that at the end even contained instructions on how to take care of the bouquet. Her shocked gaze shifted with robotic movements to the bouquet of flowers that consisted of a bunch of gerberas.

The most beautiful bouquet of gerberas Diana had ever seen, she reluctantly admitted. The bouquet contained gerberas of various colors: red, yellow, orange, white, purple and pink.

The first thing Diana did was to check for any bugs, recorders or such things in the bouquet but there was nothing there: only beautiful flowers.

The demigoddess silently cursed when she realized that Renegade not only knew her civilian identity but now even knew where she lived and, consequently, he knew her current civilian life.

She wearily ran a hand over her face, mentally wondering what the hell she was supposed to do.

Her gaze fell again on the bouquet of gerberas so colorful and beautiful.

Her brain ordered her to throw those flowers to the trash but her heart pointed out that it would be a waste and a real shame to throw away such a bouquet of gerberas that any woman would kill to receive.

Diana couldn't help but notice how that is the most beautiful bouquet anyone has ever given her and the fact that the giver was the current second deadliest mercenary in the world made her burst into a short hysterical laugh.

How my love life is reduced, or rather say the lack of it.

She made the final decision to keep the bouquet of gerberas both because it gave more color to the house, making it more welcoming and pretty, and also because it would be a real shame to throw away such a natural spectacle.

Diana hoped with all her heart that it would not become a habit on Renegade's part to send her bouquets of flowers, otherwise in great probability she would go mad.

Batman got out of his vehicle with a grunt because of bruised ribs, having just returned to the cave from the usual patrol, and was paralyzed on the spot when there was a bouquet of flowers next to his technologically advanced computer. He stiffened and his eyes darted from one side of the cave to the other, shifting into a fighting stance.

Whoever sent those flowers was definitely not an ally since Alfred would return the next day from England, Leslie, Selina and Lucius were not the type to send him flowers nor would they have the motive to do so, and his teammates were too afraid of him to do anything of the sort.

When Gotham's vigilante could not detect any physical threat in the cave, he cautiously walked toward the bouquet of flowers and stayed at a safe distance from it, knowing that if he got too close he might be hit by fear gas, the Joker Venom or something else.

He was simply too paranoid to approach without precautions, which is why he put on his rebreather. As he approached he was not affected by any gas or poison and next he checked for any bugs and recorders but there was no trace of them. Only finally did he pick up the note atatccated to the flowers.

Hey Bats!

You know, it must have been a really hard blow to your ego to have been kicked in the ass by a guy who is not even of legal drinking age twice, including once with your Justice League buddies! Poor Bats: don't brood over it too much because it gives you even more wrinkles and gray hair, okay? LOL

Sorry, not sorry for stabbing you. Hope your shoulders are healing well. If there is ever a next time I suggest you leave me alone, if only to spare you and the other heroes further total humiliation. However even though I couldn't stay too long -and by the way, don't waste your time with the Batcave cameras: I hacked them all- I suggest you add some color to the cave: dude, it's too sad this place! The bats are really cool, though. As a grade I give the cave a 7 and a half for encouragement: there are many ways to improve this place.

From your best friend who can kick your ass even blindfolded and with his hands tied behind his back,

Renegade.

PS: I left you a gift and I don't need thanks for that. You're welcome. Turn around and take a look at your backup costumes.  

The Caped Crusader turned around and opened his eyes wide when he saw all his costumes painted in the most varied and garish colors -yellow, brown, purple, pink-and covered with glitter from head to toe.

He was so taken by such horror that only hours later he’ll realize that Renegade knew his civilian identity, leading to further cursing and further frustrating and futile attempts to find out something about the mercenary.

"That son of a bitch!"

Chapter Text

"Yekaterinburg looks so beautiful." whispered Jade Nguyen, looking across the plane window at the Russian city.

"Maybe we can go back and enjoy it when we're not busy taking down one of the most dangerous mafias in the world." Sandra Woosan reflected in a whisper, leaning back comfortably against the seat back. 

"Sooner or later we really should plan a family trip and travel all over Europe." agreed Richard Wilson, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite.

Courtesy of Talia, the three assassins on the mission had first-class airline tickets to Yekaterinburg, which, according to her sources, is supposed to be the last place the Red Sharks were sighted. Evading airport security was a breeze and everyone agreed with Dick's comment about the need for increased security at airports.

It had really been too easy to get everything their assassin identities needed onto the plane: armor, weapons and gadgets.

"If only we could find free time in our busy lives." added the world's deadliest woman helpfully.

"Tell me about it." murmured the acrobat in agreement. "By the way, do you know the reason why Aunt Tatsu was not invited on this mission? I forgot to ask Talia."

Tatsu Hikari -better known as Tatsu Yamashiro, surname taken from her husband- aka Katana: of Japanese origin, one of the best assassins in the world, an extremely lethal fighter and skilled with weapons such as swords and katanas. She has been a very important mentor to Dick since she has trained him not only in many lesser-known but still lethal forms of martial arts but has been equally important in his training with the sword and katana, on par with the likes of Slade and Sandra.

After the coup at the League of Assassins and after Talia came to power, she personally offered Katana the chance to be recruited to the organization which, thanks to the new Demon's Head, switched to the anti-hero side: a title that perfectly suited the kind of person Tatsu was. Shortly after she was given that offer and after personally getting to know the various assassin members, including Renegade, Cheshire and Lady Shiva -even Deathstroke briefly, although he was not a real member- and after seeing how the League became more cohesive and more like a real family than when it was under Ra's control, Tatsu accepted and became a core member of the League as well, quickly climbing the ranks and making it to the elite, on par with the caliber of assassins like Lady Shiva and Cheshire but still under Renegade.

He was simply too much for anyone.

Of course, even a woman as deadly and dangerous as Katana could not resist his charms and it was not long before Tatsu herself became an honorary aunt to the current second most dangerous mercenary in the world: she was truly one of the best people Dick had ever known since she had always had the same philosophy of life as he did, namely, to kill the worst scum who deserved to die.

In fact now that he thought about it, he had not heard from her for a couple of weeks.

He would have to make up for lost time with her once this mission was over.

"From what I understand she is in Japan since she found some leads on the Yakuza."

To make a long story short, the Yakuza was a Japanese mafia and Tatsu's now former brother-in-law Takeo was part of it: Takeo killed his brother Maseo aka her husband and that bastard was also responsible for the death of her two children. From then on, Katana was rightly out for revenge and for no reason in the world would give up her goal of killing Takeo and exterminating the Yakuza.

Renegade had repeatedly offered his services to his aunt, telling her that it would be an honor for him to help her exterminate the Japanese mafia but she always declined his offer, saying that it was a personal matter and that she would want to do it herself, which he could fully understand. In any case, Tatsu knew that his offer would always stand and that it had no deadline.

Dick nodded at his older sister's answer. "She's basically going to kill some bastards of that mafia. Good to know." he reflected smugly, getting two nods.

The three chatted quietly until a young stewardess with blond hair and green eyes approached them. "Would you like anything else?" she asked, casting not-so-sneaky glances at Dick.

The acrobat turned his best Grayson-typical charming smile on her, observing with amusement the blush that spread across the woman's face. "We're good, thank you very much." he added with a wink, holding back a giggle at how it seemed the hostess was on the verge of fainting.

"D-don't hesitate to ask!" the stewardess gave them a bright smile, and it was obvious that it was mainly directed at the 17-year-old pretending to be 19, before walking away, shaking her hips with too much exaggeration.

Dick snorted in amusement and when he returned to stare at his friends he met two flat stares. "What? I had to personally verify that my charm still worked!" he defended himself with a chuckle.

"As if you didn't know." Jade taunted him as she rolled her eyes. "You literally have the power to charm just about anyone and put everyone at ease with one fucking smile!"

"I certainly didn't learn that from Slade."

His comment drew giggles from the two murderers and Dick also joined in the laughter. "You know, it's a real shame that you and Louise broke up. I only met her a handful of times but I liked that girl right from the start." stated Sandra casually, stealing the cookie from her nephew's hands and taking a bite.

Dick scowled and gave her a flat look to which his former mentor responded by impassively raising an eyebrow. The acrobat gave an exaggerated sigh and took another. "I was sorry too but unfortunately I no longer had romantic feelings toward her and it was mutual. It was right to end our relationship, even though we remained very good friends."

"I didn't doubt that you remained on very good terms with your ex-girlfriend." Jade said with an amused snort. She assumed an exaggeratedly disgusted look when her little brother licked the entire cookie. "Gross! Why did you do that?"

"To prevent you from stealing my cookie too."

"I would never have done that!" Dick stared at her impassively for a few seconds and finally the girl's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Dick."

The Talon's already impassive gaze grew even flatter. "Was that seriously the best you had?"

Sandra watched in amusement as the two siblings tossed banter and argued playfully, merely remaining silent while munching on her nephews stolen cookie and enjoying the show.

"I can literally shatter your alter ego's reputation." affirmed Jade smugly.

"Really? Let's hear it, how would you do it?" the last Flying Grayson challenged her.

"Get the word out to the heroes that you've had a crush on Wonder Woman since you were eleven." Jade smirked, clearly expecting defeat from the youngest.

Dick rolled his eyes, an arrogant and victorious smile between his lips. "Please. I literally flirted with her during the fight."

Both Sandra and Jade opened their eyes wide and shared a shocked look. "You did what?" hissed the older woman, staring at him as if she were about to choke him with her own hands.

He would survive anyway, so it was not a problem at all.

"I flirted with Wonder Woman." Dick repeated with a smirk, enjoying the reactions of the female assassins.

"Every time I'm surprised by the lack of self-preservation instincts you demonstrate, even though I shouldn't be." Jade shook her head with an amused smirk. "It's amazing that she didn't kill you on the spot."

"The Grayson charm must have had an effect on Wonder Woman too." the acrobat joked.

The Sportsmaster's daughter huffed. "I honestly wouldn't be surprised." 

Dick sent her an amused smile and his gaze settled on his former mentor who was analyzing him sharply. "Is something wrong, Aunt Sandra?"

She continued to stare at him for a few more seconds in silence before crossing her arms. "Do you think you have a chance with Prince?"

"Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?"

Sandra rolled her eyes. "You're in love with Wonder Woman."

The Talon babbled incoherently, taken aback by her abrupt statement. Jade rolled her eyes. "I'm afraid old age is catching up with you, Sandra. It's been since Dick was eleven that-"

"No." she cut short, interrupting the younger assassin. "You mean that Dick has a crush on Prince but he doesn't. It's much deeper than that. Maybe it was like that before but definitely not now. He is in love with her."

Jade's eyes opened wide in shock, understanding the older woman's message, and she gasped.

There was a pause steeped in shock and then Sandra added. "Call me old again and I'll kick your ass so hard you won't be able to sit down for a year."

Jade shuddered at her threat, aware that she was able to actualize it, and she turned to stare at her little brother, her gaze still shocked. "What the hell-"

"It's not like that!" hissed Dick angrily, casting a grim look at Sandra who nevertheless remained impassive. "It's just a bunch of bullshit! It's just an innocent crush! Like those for celebrities!" he finished, gesticulating wildly.

"If I'm wrong, why are you so worked up?" Sandra challenged, a victorious smirk between her lips.

"Because..." Dick pondered briefly before finding something to say. "Because it's a total lie and-"

"If it were really an innocent crush, I think six/seven years is enough time for it to fade away, don't you think?" the world's deadliest woman pointed out.

"There are many people in the world who develop a lifelong crush on a celebrity." the mercenary retorted with a frown.

"That is true." Sandra admitted with a nod. "But it's not so in your case. Am I wrong or has your crush on Prince only increased over the years? And isn't it true that since you've met her personally, your feelings have strengthened?" she pressed ever more insistently, never taking her eyes off her nephew.

Dick had such an icy and furious look that Jade would have laughed if she had not been scared to death at that moment by her little brother, especially when his eyes went from their natural blue to an eerie, emotionless gold. "You're wrong, Sandra. And by a lot, too. And I don't think it's any of your business anyway."

Sandra narrowed her gaze but did not insist. She knew when it was time to step back and this was one of those times, especially if she wanted to avoid being thrown off the plane.

With her heart pounding, Jade leaned slightly closer to her little brother. "Your eyes." she whispered very softly, confident that his enhanced hearing would pick up her words.

And indeed it was.

Dick sighed heavily and ran a hand over his face, taking deep, long breaths. In less than a minute he felt anger, frustration and any other negative emotion leave his body at least partially and when he removed his hand from his face he saw his older sister nod slightly, a sign that his eyes had returned to their original hue.

The acrobat leaned back on the seat back and closed his eyes with the intention not to fall asleep but to let his mind wander until the plane would land.

Or at least that would have been his intention if his damn mind had not focused exclusively on two sentences Sandra had spoken.

Do you think you have a chance with Prince?

You're in love with Wonder Woman.

Dick groaned inwardly.

Thank you very much, Aunt Sandra.

The favorite time of the plane ride after what had happened, in Dick's humble opinion, was definitely the landing. He quickly retrieved his bags containing his Renegade equipment and waited for the other two assassins at a nearby café, sipping a good cup of coffee and reading the newspaper in the meantime.

A habit surely picked up by Slade.

Jade and Sandra easily spotted him and reached him. For a brief moment there was an awkward silence broken by Sportsmaster's daughter. "For heaven's sake if you won't apologize for your damned pride at least hug each other!" she asserted in a snarl, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Says the one who at our first meeting didn't even want to fight me because she was afraid I would ruin her pride and her reputation." Dick pointed out in a flat voice.

Jade stared at him hard. "I'm going into the bar to steal a small bottle of water and if when I come out I don't see you hugging I'll poison your food!" she hissed before walking away.

"I'd survive anyway! And don't get caught!" yelled Dick at her, bursting out laughing when she gave him the middle finger without turning around. He turned and met Sandra's indifferent gaze and he let out a defeated sigh. "So... I'm sorry for the way I treated you. You didn't deserve it and-"

"I'm sorry too, Little Bird." Sandra interrupted him with a sigh. "I recognize that I was acting inappropriately, frustratingly and heavily toward you and for that I apologize. It is none of my business whether you are truly in love with Prince or not."

Dick bit his tongue hard, avoiding the automatic response that threatened to escape his lips, and instead hugged her tightly. Sandra initially stiffened, taken aback, but soon she relaxed and gently returned the hug, pulling her nephew closer to her.

"Love you, Aunt Sandra."

Sandra smiled and placed a tender kiss on the top of his head. "Me too, Little Bird. Me too."

The two enjoyed the warmth of the embrace until they heard the familiar voice of the third assassin. "Finally! I was beginning to seriously fear that I would have to carry out the mission in heavy embarrassment!"

Former mentor and former student broke away from the hug and stared at Jade who had a shit-eating grin on her face. "Come on, you know we would be able to put aside our differences for the sake of the mission!"

Jade tilted her head to the side and after a few seconds nodded. "True." she said taking a sip from the bottle of water she had just stolen.

"We'd better hurry up and go book the rooms at the nearest hotel." Sandra stated, wrinkling her nose. "The sooner we finish this mission the better."

The other two assassins agreed and took a taxi to the nearest hotel. They discovered that there was only one room left but none of the three minded so much since they had already been forced to share a room many times during their many missions. Once again they were able to easily evade hotel security both in terms of their identities thanks to the fake passports that Talia had kindly given them and their assassin equipment and eventually they managed to get the key to their room.

The three assassins entered their room, closing the door behind them, and their gaze immediately fell on the bed and sofa present. "This is literally a luxury for us." Dick pointed out, shrugging his shoulders. "Especially compared to our mission in Berlin. You remember that, don't you?"

"How could we forget it." nodded Jade with a giggle and Sandra merely nodded with a small smile.

"I propose we take a little tour, thus getting familiar with the streets and the city, then return to the hotel for a nap and, after we have dinner, start investigating in the evening and at night with our assassin equipment." Sandra advised. Dick raised his hand and she fixed him with a flat stare. "Yes Richard, rest is mandatory. Just because your Talon physiognomy allows you to go for entire weeks even without any hours of rest, that does not mean the same applies to Jade and me."

The acrobat lowered his hand and pouted.

The two female assassins exchanged an amused look and shook their heads with slight smiles between their lips and moved to put down their bags.

They should prepare themselves for whatever scenario would await them. After all, they would soon be dealing with one of the most dangerous mafias in the world.

Chapter Text

Renegade landed crouched on a rooftop and with an annoyed sigh brought a hand to his earpiece. "Found anything?"

"No." came Cheshire's ready voice that mirrored his annoyance.

"Negative, Renegade." spoke Lady Shiva. "I assume you haven't found anything useful either."

"That's right." the 17-year-old grunted. "Keep searching and keep a low profile. I don't want to risk word of our presence spreading that might lead to the Red Sharks not even leaving their home. I also want to avoid any slight possibility of diplomatic incidents."

Two "Roger" resounded simultaneously in his ear and he turned off the communications. He paused on the roof and mentally went over all the information Talia was able to give them.

According to Talia's sources, the Red Sharks were a rather large mafia with a lot of criminals as members and it was therefore possible that they could have several bases in different cities. The identity of the mafia leader was unknown but he apparently called himself as Bestial Dragon. Given the enormous size of the mafia group, it is quite likely that he referred to deputy leaders or at least people he trusted enough to help him run his mafia empire.

The Red Sharks have gained in recent years the reputation as the most dangerous Russian mafia and had long been wanted by Russia itself for very serious crimes: not only smuggling of weapons, organs, people and drugs but also of children, sexual abuse of minors and people of all sexes and ages, hundreds and hundreds of first-degree murders and the list went on with other serious crimes. Only in recent months have they also begun illegally getting hold of classified information concerning the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Homeland Security and selling that information to terrorist organizations and states that are enemies of the U.S., making the equivalent of millions and millions of dollars.

By now, the Red Sharks were no longer just a Russian mafia organization but also a terrorist organization, making the mission of the League of Assassins to eliminate them completely more urgent, thus doing both Russia and the U.S. a favor.

The thought of what to do about terrorist organizations and states that are enemies of the U.S. that have acquired the classified information about the U.S. briefly flashed through Renegade's mind as he shook his head.

One thing at a time. Let's eliminate the Red Sharks first, then we'll think about what to do about the criminals who purchased the information.

He nodded to himself and decided to get back to work and to try to dig up some useful information about the Red Sharks.

"Cheshire in. I may have found a lead. I'm tailing a suspect. Get to my location."

Renegade raised his holographic glove, seeing the coordinates Cheshire provided to him and Lady Shiva. "Roger. We will arrive as soon as possible."

It took the young assassin about fifteen minutes to reach Cheshire since she was on the completely opposite side of town. He saw Cheshire and Lady Shiva crouched on a rooftop a few twenty meters away from him. With a smirk, the Talon jumped from rooftop to rooftop without making even the slightest sound and finally slipped silently behind the two female assassins. "Sup."

Moving by pure instinct and reflex Renegade easily blocked both Cheshire's fist with his left hand and parried Lady Shiva's sword strike with the spikes present on his right arm. He emitted a silent giggle at the combination of deadly and lethal glances he received and sent them an amused smirk.

It was always good to sneak up on the best assassins in the world without them noticing. The first time he managed to do this with Slade he had almost stabbed him in the heart but it had definitely been worth it to hear his father's heartbeat suddenly increase.

From that moment on Dick had become able to sneak up on the best mercenary in the world and to be able to figure out every time Slade was trying to do it with him and because of that his father always looked at him with a mix of pride -Renegade was definitely better than Deathstroke in terms of stealth- and annoyance.

The latter because Dick took great pleasure in suddenly appearing at Slade's side, causing him to have a mini heart attack each time.

"Will you ever stop giving us heart attacks with your damn stealth skills?" hissed Lady Shiva. "I swear, you're quieter than a dead man!"

Renegade shrugged with a lazy smile on his face. "Never. And technically I'm kind of undead."

Cheshire rolled her eyes. "Don't complain if sooner or later some of us accidentally decapitate you."

"You'll never be able to overcome my reflexes." the acrobat hummed happily.

Cheshire glared at him but did not contradict him, knowing that he was right. She merely sighed and pointed downward where there was a dark, abandoned alley. "The man I tailed turned into this alley, approached a specific piece of wall, knocked twice on it and within seconds that piece of wall turned partially around, revealing a keypad where the man typed a code. When he finished, the wall behind him opened, revealing a secret passage that closed again as soon as he entered it."

"Why were you following that man in the first place?" the world's deadliest woman asked curiously.

"Because I saw him repeatedly looking over his shoulder and casting glances in virtually every direction. I found him very suspicious and decided to tail him."

"Good job, sister." Renegade praised, chuckling when he saw her smiling brightly. "Did you happen to see the pin?"

She shook her head. "I was too far away to see it. I do, however, remember accurately the piece of wall where he knocked."

"Good." Renegade stared at Lady Shiva who unconsciously straightened her back at his leader's gaze. "You’ll stay here and check that no one reaches us. If you think anyone is planning to turn into this alley, give two short whistles."

Lady Shiva nodded. "Roger."

Renegade smiled briefly at her and with a nod to Cheshire he jumped down, turning his fall into a forward roll and then taking a leap and landing perfectly on his feet. He turned and saw Cheshire merely landing in a crouch on the ground, giving him a look that was both flat and affectionate. "Show-off."

The mercenary chuckled and followed her, stopping when she did. Cheshire knocked twice on a piece of wall and, just as she had said, a few seconds later out came a keypad on which to type the code. Renegade connected his holographic glove to the keypad and began typing rapidly on his gadget, his fingers moving much faster than Jade's well-trained eyes could follow.

It took about ten seconds before the keypad glowed green and the two assassins heard the wall behind them move. The noise also attracted the attention of Lady Shiva who looked down in their direction and Renegade nodded to her as he disconnected his holographic glove from the keypad. The deadliest woman in the world immediately understood and she too descended from the roof and together the three of them entered the secret passage. They advanced silently without making a sound with the second most dangerous mercenary in the world standing further ahead, leading the trio.

Suddenly Renegade stopped, forcing the other two assassins to do the same. He cast them a look that conveyed a hidden, silent message and they nodded to him. The acrobat gave them a nod and silently slipped forward, lowering himself to the same level as the railing. He slowly raised his head just enough to allow him to see downstairs and he observed.

About 30 men. All armed. No cameras. Minimum three other rooms. Number of hypothetical other escape routes: unknown. None of them particularly stands out. It is evident from the way they move and their posture that they have been well trained, although their training is literally nothing compared to mine, Lady Shiva's and Cheshire's.   

He turned to Lady Shiva and Cheshire who had stopped at the previous spot and relayed the information to them through sign language. They nodded and the Talon held up three fingers.

3

2

1

Now!

Renegade sprang up, slid along the railing and leapt forward, smashing a man's skull with a vicious kick. Loud curses and shouts in Russian resounded as he landed crouching on the ground and then sprinted in the direction of three armed men, easily dodging the rain of bullets.

The mercenary violently pierced the throat of one of them with a fist, jumped over the shoulders of the second one twisting his neck, landed crouching in front of the third one and then pierced his rib cage with a brutal punch and, after stealing his gun, rolled to the side dodging the multitude of bullets and with five shots Renegade killed as many people, all within not even ten seconds.

After Renegade created havoc the other two female assassins soon joined the fight and threw themselves into the chaos: Lady Shiva made a bloody clean sweep by skewering mobsters as if they were skewers thanks to her sword while Cheshire threw knives that, with extreme precision, stuck into the hearts or between the eyes of her victims.

Cheshire stabbed the heart of one criminal with her dagger and then quickly pulled it out and cut the carotid artery of yet another, ignoring the two men who pointed their guns at her and they were soon killed by Renegade who pierced their hearts with two punches. Renegade turned sharply and, again with the previously stolen pistol, killed three more criminals with as many bullets while at the same time Lady Shiva ducked, dodging the volleys of bullets and pulling out a Cheshire’s knife that had pierced a man's brain and she threw it away, piercing the neck of another criminal.

Lady Shiva turned sharply and with a sharp horizontal sword attack cut the throats of three men, killing them. Behind her two other men tried to shoot her but were killed by Cheshire who threw two knives that pierced their hearts. Sportsmaster's daughter turned around grabbing a dagger and plunging it into the throat of another criminal while at the same time she quickly grabbed her sword, deflecting the bullets aimed at her with the blade.

Renegade had abandoned the stolen gun and opted for his escrima sticks, swinging them with all his strength left and right and sounds of broken bones resounded along with agonized screams of criminals falling lifeless one after another as if they were skittles. The mercenary slipped under several bullets, threw an escrima that connected violently with the forehead of a mobster who fell dead to the ground and in the meantime the Talon turned around, brutally and fatally striking at the temple of another criminal before he spun 360 degrees, catching in midair the other escrima previously thrown and then threw himself back into the fray.

Renegade, Lady Shiva and Cheshire formed an extremely formidable, lethal and dangerous team, to say the least: they had carried so many contracts and missions to completion -often together even with Katana and occasionally Talia herself- that they had learned to fight together without even uttering a single word aloud and could anticipate each other's moves in a way that seemed humanly impossible. They were a well-oiled machine and there was always someone protecting each other's backs.

In fact, it did not even take five minutes before the room was completely filled with fresh blood and about thirty lifeless bodies. The three assassins turned at the same time toward the only remaining criminal still alive, his hands shaking more than a leaf as he held a gun.

"Put it down, man. You don't want to piss us off." Renegade growled, speaking fluently in Russian. The criminal promptly obeyed and tremblingly placed the gun on the ground. He tremblingly raised his hands in the universal gesture of surrender and stared at the three assassins with a look of absolute terror, fear and shock. The mercenary nodded in satisfaction and turned to his partners. "Explore the base from top to bottom."

Cheshire and Lady Shiva gave him a nod and walked away with a smile between their lips, knowing that the youngest would be able to wrest any information from the sole survivor of the massacre.

Renegade returned his gaze to the criminal who seemed to be on the verge of fainting. "Are you part of the Red Sharks?" the mobster hesitated for a few seconds but nodded quickly when the mercenary took a menacing step forward. The experienced assassin looked around, mentally absorbing every piece of information he could glean from the place. "This is some kind of secondary base, isn't it?"

"Y-yes."

"What is it used for?"

"T-this is the b-base we use f-for d-drug t-trafficking. H-here we have the supplies, i-information on b-buyers, i- interested parties and our s-sellers who s-supply us."

"Do the Red Sharks have other bases?"

The survivor seemed to regain some courage as he tightened his lips and remained silent. Faster than a human eye could see Renegade sprinted forward and in less than a second zeroed the distance, grabbing the criminal by the collar of his shirt and easily raising him more than a meter and a half off the ground. The Russian let out a surprised and frightened scream and the Talon growled impatiently.

"You need not fear Bestial Dragon but you must fear me. What he will be able to do to you pales considerably to anything I might put you through. I will not hesitate at all to make you eat your own fingers if you do not tell me everything you know."

If possible the man's skin paled further and he immediately and quickly pitted every piece of information. The interrogation lasted a few more minutes with Renegade asking the questions and the mobster not hesitating to answer them honestly, clearly intimidated to death by the mercenary.

"That's all I know! I swear!" he whimpered desperately. "I beg you! Let me go!"

"Thanks for being honest with me, man. I appreciate it." Renegade said sincerely before a shark-like smirk appeared on his face. "But you signed your own death warrant as soon as you joined the most dangerous and wanted Russian mafia in the world."

The acrobat savored the man's absolute level of terror and fear as he realized he would soon die before slamming his head violently against the wall, shattering his skull. The victim's body slumped against the wall and slumped over it, blood splatters on the wall and beginning to trickle rapidly to the ground from his fatal head wound.

Renegade turned, unsurprised when he saw Lady Shiva and Cheshire enjoying the show since he had heard them earlier, and nodded to them. "Found the drugs?"

"At least seven tons of drugs." nodded Lady Shiva.

"We also found a password-protected laptop." Cheshire added, raising the said laptop she was holding. "It probably has all the information on-"

"Buyers, sellers and interested parties." the Deathstroke's former apprentice concluded, nodding.

"What did he tell you?" asked the world's deadliest woman, nodding to the victim her nephew had just killed.

"The Red Sharks have three other bases: one is the base where they deal in arms trafficking, the other where they hold men, women, children and the elderly prisoners whom they sell to the best buyers, including their organs, and, while they wait for offers, physically and sexually abuse them, and finally the last one is their main base of operations where we can find Bestial Dragon. I got a sketch of the mafia leader and the distinguishing feature is a large scar running diagonally across his left eye that stops a few inches from his nose.

"I obviously kindly got the exact locations of the bases and our victim also said that the Red Sharks' main base is filled with about fifty armed mobsters while the other two bases have about twenty each."

Cheshire whistled softly. "Talia's informants were not lying when they said that the Red Sharks were a large mafia organization."

"What do we do with them, the information and the drugs?" asked Lady Shiva, pointing vaguely first to the room full of blood and dead bodies and then to the laptop in the hands of Sportsmaster's daughter.

The acrobat nodded to his older sister who handed him the laptop. In less than three minutes he downloaded every piece of information in it onto his holographic glove and told Cheshire to put the laptop down where they had found it.

"As for the drugs and all the information I plan to send an anonymous tip to Russian intelligence once we have permanently dismantled the Russian Sharks so that we don't risk them getting in our way during our mission."

"Sounds good." Lady Shiva nodded. "Let's not waste any more time here. We have three more bases to eliminate and about ninety more mobsters to kill."

"I have a plan in mind on how to greatly speed up the mission time." began Renegade who continued at the nods of the other two assassins. "The two of you will jointly take care of the bases concerning human trafficking and weapons while I will get rid of their main base of operations."

The two female assassins exchanged a brief glance and then simultaneously crossed their arms and stared at the youngest. "We won't let you fight alone against fifty Russian armed mobsters." Cheshire stated confidently.

Renegade sighed, acknowledging their concern. "Look, I know you're worried about me but I'll be fine. I've faced a lot worse and as you can see I'm still here."

"Just because you have a virtually unlimited healing factor this does not mean you are completely invincible and immortal. They will not hesitate to try to decapitate you." the world's deadliest woman pointed out with a snarl.

"Let them try." declared Renegade coldly.

"Why must you needlessly put your life in extreme danger every time?" growled Cheshire, staring fiercely at her little brother. "Lady Shiva is right: you are not immortal, Renegade. It often seems to me as if you forget that you have a fatal weakness and it also often seems to me that you willfully seek out virtually impossible and suicidal missions and contracts."

Renegade stared at them for a few seconds before shaking his head.

They do not understand. They cannot fully comprehend what I feel. It is impossible.

"Take care first of the base where they are holding hundreds of people captive and then get rid of the other base. Don't let a single mobster remain alive." the mercenary finally ordered, turning and walking away. "I will send you the coordinates soon." 

As Renegade began to leave the base, thanks to his enhanced hearing he heard Cheshire and Lady Shiva murmuring to each other.

"He will get himself killed if he continues at this rate."

"I know. And I'm afraid he knows it too."

Chapter Text

Renegade flew silently from rooftop to rooftop in the direction of the Red Sharks' main base, the words of Lady Shiva and Cheshire echoing in his head.

“Just because you have a virtually unlimited healing factor this does not mean you are completely invincible and immortal.”

“Why must you needlessly put your life in extreme danger every time? You are not immortal, Renegade. It often seems to me as if you forget that you have a fatal weakness and it also often seems to me that you willfully seek out virtually impossible and suicidal missions and contracts."

"He will get himself killed if he continues at this rate."

"I know. And I'm afraid he knows it too."

The acrobat let out a sigh.

They will never understand. No one will ever understand.

No one will ever understand what it is like to be tortured and killed in every worst possible way every day for three years from the time you were seven years old until you feel no more pain.

No one will ever understand what it means to have been brutally trained every day for three years by one of the best and cruelest and most brutal assassins in the world.

No one will ever understand what it means to have been dehumanized and deprived of free will to the point of being an empty shell every day for three years by evil people without any moral restraint.

No one will ever understand what it means to have been forced to kill everyone they ordered every day for three years without distinction between criminals, civilians or innocent children.

No one will ever understand what it means to be a living zombie who does not even have a heartbeat.

No one will ever understand what it means to have a virtually unlimited healing factor.

No one will ever understand what it means to be killed and revived so many times that you lose count.

No one will ever understand what it means to hold back your own emotions in public to keep your eyes from glowing an unnatural color.

No one will ever understand what it means to have grown up dying every day for three years to the point that death has become a mere daily occurrence.

No one will ever understand what it means to have been raised and trained as the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world.

No one will ever understand what it means to be the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world.

The Court of Owls started shaping the above-mentioned most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world for three years. And this weapon was then refined, finalized and perfected by Deathstroke The Terminator, League of Assassins, Lady Shiva, Katana, Richard Dragon and Wildcat for seven years. 

No one will ever understand what it is like to know all the martial arts and to have mastered them all so expertly that the brain and muscle memory learned them permanently to the point that Dick would never forget them.

No one will ever understand what it means to be literally the best in the world with every kind of weapon: from every firearm to every cutting weapon to every explosive weapon to every defensive weapon and every other kind of weapon.

No one will ever understand what it means to have more than excellent, perfect and infallible aim until the body and mind have instinctively and automatically learned to hit every single organ of a human being, from the most vital to the least vital, to knowing exactly where to hit to kill or not to kill a person and knowing exactly how long it will take the person to die based on the area of the body hit.

No one can ever fully understand this.

Not even Slade can understand this.

This because neither he nor anyone else has experienced on their own skin all that Dick has experienced and consequently no one can ever fully understand it.

However, Slade was the only one in the whole world who fully knows that Renegade was currently the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world. This is because he not only trained said weapon but also lived with him and raised him for the past seven years, being as much a parent to Dick as John and Mary Grayson were, if not more so.

Slade personally witnessed every relapse that Dick experienced as a result of the brainwashing that the Court of Owls did to him. He was thus able to witness a fraction of all the atrocities and horrors that the Owls inflicted on Dick and the consequences on his psyche.

Just because in the past two years Dick had not relapsed into his old habits this does not mean that he was well both mentally and emotionally. It was literally impossible to completely overcome all the trauma that the Owls inflicted on him -he still has very bad nightmares, although with less frequency than in the past- and his psyche -or at least part of it- had been irreversibly damaged.

Slade Wilson was the person who knows Dick better than anyone else in the whole world and that means he knows that his son was the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world and he was infinitely proud of that, in spite of everything.

Slade knows that although there were obviously living beings far more powerful than Renegade not only on Earth but in the entire universe, his son will still have a chance -even a small chance- to kill them.

This was because Renegade represented the greatest living danger on Earth, although he would never hurt an innocent person.

Being the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world obviously had consequences.

One of them was that Dick can never be fully human, scientifically speaking. And although with the great modern technological and scientific development surely it would have been possible to develop something that would counteract the electrum coursing through his veins, the acrobat had come to terms with something years earlier.

Dick no longer wanted to return to being a normal human being.

This was because Talon's physiognomy and abilities always made him feel that he was really powerful and consequently in control of the situation. And although he did not even have a heartbeat, Dick still felt alive and he was sure that he would not feel the same way if he ever became a normal human being again.

Moreover, being practically immortal was virtually Renegade's main characteristic.

And speaking of immortality, this represents a very controversial point.

It was true that his healing factor makes him virtually immortal and almost impossible to kill and that the electrum flowing through his veins would permanently stunt his growth in his early twenties, according to his and Slade's research, studies and assumptions.

This could be seen as a blessing.

In reality it was a real curse.

The fact that Dick could be resurrected from any mortal wound implied that he could be tortured to death hundreds and hundreds of times and resurrected every single time only to be killed in the worst possible ways until he managed to escape, kill his captors, or someone rescued him.

Unfortunately, Dick already experienced this personally on his own skin when he was only seven years old for three fucking years from the Court of Owls.

And Dick would not have wished this on even his worst enemy.

Besides this his immortality and eternal youth had another downside, much worse according to the acrobat.

Dick would have been forced to watch all his loved ones die one by one and would have been completely helpless, unable to do anything but watch them die as he himself went on with his miserable life.

Dick would have witnessed the death of his little siblings, his older sister, his uncles and aunts, all his friends and acquaintances and even much of the hero community.

This was because the electrum had made him immune to natural death and literally the only way to kill him permanently was by beheading him and removing his head from his neck otherwise his head would reconnect with his neck, causing him to be resurrected.

He did not yet know whether this last thing also applied in case a certain amount of time had passed since his head was separated from the rest of his body but at least for now he did not want to know.

Now Dick did not know whether the super serum gave his father not only superhuman abilities and an very good healing factor but also made him immune to natural death in the same way the electrum had done to Dick himself. The Talon hoped for this with all his heart. Having at least his father by his side would make his life better and help keep him from driving him to madness.

Because yes, there was a risk that Dick would become insane by helplessly witnessing the death of all his loved ones.

And that was one of the worst and most depressing things that could ever happen to a human being.

It was literally the worst curse ever.

There were two possibilities that Dick had already thought of once all his loved ones would inevitably die: either the pain would be so great that he would decapitate himself -and he was sure he was capable of doing that- or he would drown in the pain and continue his mercenary career until someone could kill him permanently.

Or he would continue to live his life if he managed to find good reasons to go on despite the pain, although this possibility was more remote than the others.

All of this together allowed Dick a few years earlier to come to a conclusion.

He would die carrying out his crusade as Renegade.

Being Renegade was one of the best things that could have happened to him in life.

Being Renegade was one of the few things that made him feel truly alive, despite everything.

Like he was doing something positive and useful for humanity.

Being his own mercenary with his own morals, namely to kill the worst scum of the Earth, made him feel alive and like he was doing the right thing.

He fully believed in what he was doing and in his own reputation as an anti-hero mercenary.

Just as he had told Wonder Woman.

And no one could have convinced him otherwise.

He had witnessed literally the worst of the worst of human scum. He had endured the worst atrocities and tortures that left scars on his skin but especially on his psyche. He had gone through hell and was somehow still alive, despite everything.

All that was just described was going to paint a definite picture.

Namely, the fact that Dick, being the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world, having the most brutal, complete, extensive, efficient and deadly training of all and having superhuman abilities -practically unlimited healing factor, immortality and eternal youth included- he felt in every fiber of his being the moral obligation to do his best to try to change the Earth for the better through the killing of the worst scum.

And that in turn meant accepting missions and contracts on the worst people, mafias and criminal organizations that no one else could accept, no matter how extremely risky they were or how impossible or suicidal they seemed.

Renegade would always accept any mission and contract that would result in the elimination of people who deserved to die and who would not be missed, no matter the level of risk he would take.

And that is how Dick came to the realization that he would most likely die as Renegade and he did not care at all. He did not care at all whether he would die tomorrow or in a few months or years or even centuries.

This was because not only did he not fear death at all -how could he after all the times that he had died and risen again?- but mostly because he would be satisfied.

Satisfied that he had done his best to make the world a better place, albeit with methods that were certainly illegal but in his opinion of undoubted moral rightness.

Why did the innocent and good people have to suffer the most while criminals lived the good life?

Where was the justice in all this?

And if, at the end of the journey, Dick helped to make his planet a safer place and to save indefinite lives, albeit with unorthodox methods, then he could have been satisfied with himself and his work.

This was the least Dick could, should and would do.

And no one could have persuaded him to back down.

No one.

Dick strongly suspected that Slade had already realized that he would never retire as Renegade and would continue to be a mercenary until he was permanently dead and if so, although his father could not know exactly the motivations behind the acrobat's final decision, he had not yet told Dick anything.

In any case, even his father would not have been able to dissuade him.

Renegade would carry out his crusade, his mission, his life purpose until his final and ultimate death.

The Talon dispelled all thought from his head when he realized that he had almost reached the Red Sharks' main base of operations. He moved forward with one goal in mind.

Annihilate them violently and brutally until no one was left alive.

Chapter Text

According to the information received, the Red Sharks' main base was located in a small town near Yekaterinburg: more precisely in a secret location of a restaurant that was actually just a front. When Renegade reached the coordinates predictably said restaurant was closed. Once he established through his enhanced hearing that there was no one inside, he easily broke the padlock placed at the entrance of the restaurant and entered.

The place was completely dark but Renegade was still able to see as if the lights were on thanks to his enhanced vision, giving him the advantage of not forcing him to visibly turn on the lights. The mercenary headed into the kitchen and, remembering the information, pressed a very tiny button almost invisible to the human eye located under one of the kitchen counters.

The assassin turned toward the direction from which the noise came and saw that a small part of one of the walls had opened, revealing a narrow-looking secret passage. He headed there and began to walk through it without making even the slightest noise, his steps quieter than silence itself. In no time he reached the end of the secret passage and froze when his hearing picked up voices.

The acrobat flattened himself against the wall of the secret passage and slowly poked his head out, his gaze studying the main base of the Russian mafia. He saw a huge spacious area in the center that, just as he had been told, could easily hold about fifty people who were all armed.

The mobsters were in constant movement: those who entered and exited several other adjacent rooms, those who carried boxes, those who talked on the phone, those who marked numbers on a digital board, those who apparently took notes, those who stood in front of computers and more.

In short, they all seemed to be very busy, performing precise tasks and from their confident and never hesitant movements Dick immediately understood that this was a kind of their common routine and that each of them had a precise duty to fulfill within the mafia.

The meta-human's gaze moved up and he caught a glimpse of the infamous Bestial Dragon sitting on some kind of small throne above a small balcony watching the work of his henchmen with a satisfied smirk on his face. His appearance matched exactly the description Dick had demanded.

A light-skinned man, in his mid-thirties, short dark hair, cold emotionless brown eyes, about six feet tall, sturdy and, above all, the large scar running diagonally across his left eye that stopped inches from his nose.

Renegade gave a cold smirk, observing the arrogant and obnoxious smile of the Red Shark leader.

Keep smiling, man. Because it will be the last time you get the chance.

Being an artist from birth Renegade almost always preferred the more dramatic way, no matter how dangerous and risky his mission was, and this case too was no exception. Instead of taking the easy way, that is, throwing grenades into the middle of the room creating chaos, destruction and much shedding of blood, limbs and brain matter, Dick took the opposite route: the more dramatic and dangerous one.

He silently stepped back a few feet, took a running start and ran and launched himself into the air. As he was upside down in midair his hands landed on the railing and Dick gave himself the momentum to launch himself into a triple somersault in midair, landing easily on his feet in the center of the room next to some mobsters who stepped back terrified a few feet with a decidedly unmanly scream.

Renegade remained impassive at the fifty or so firearms aimed at him and turned a cocky grin on Bestial Dragon. “I recognize that you have a good base and a well-structured and prepared mafia organization.”

Myriad emotions crossed the face of the leader who finally frowned and fixed the acrobat with an indifferent look. “Renegade. Your reputation precedes you in every nation. What on earth are you doing here?” 

The assassin gave a shrug, letting casualness shine through. “I'm just here to annihilate your mafia because you're all bastards garbage scum who deserve to die, no big deal.”

The man's gaze narrowed in irritation before a confident, arrogant smirk appeared on his face. “Do you really think you can take us down by yourself? I literally just need a nod and you'll have more holes than a Swiss cheese.” he scoffed, pointing vaguely at his men who still had all their weapons pointed at the young assassin.

The mercenary gave a yawn, feigning boredom. “Man, I've literally faced much worse and always come out on top. Your pathetic mafia is just a walk in the park in comparison.”

A flash of anger and irritation made its way across the leader's features, cheering the Talon. “If you have a death wish, I won't hesitate to give it to you. At least I'll be able to boast that I easily killed the notorious Renegade and my reputation will skyrocket more than it does now!” he emitted a dirty, evil laugh, his eyes glinting coldly. “What are you guys waiting for? I want him dead now!

“FIRE!”

Even before Bestial Dragon finished the sentence Renegade had already grabbed his two swords from his back and dived to the side, stabbing straight through the heart of the first two mobsters he saw. The Talon turned sharply and deflected the hail of bullets directed at him with both blades, his movements with the swords so fast they were literally a mere blur impossible for even the most experienced eye to see.

A great multitude of bullets were fired in the direction of the assassin who, however, continued to deflect them all with rapid and superhuman movements of the swords: one protecting him in front of him while at the same time the acrobat protected his back by bringing the other sword behind him, without even having the need to see behind him.

For more than a dozen seconds the only audible sounds were the deafening sounds of gunfire -which forced Dick to ignore the dark blood that began to drip from his ears- and the metallic clang of bullets being deflected by the young assassin's sword blades. But then the rain of bullets ceased as the mobsters had to reload their weapons and the Talon immediately took advantage of the moment.

Renegade sprinted with superhuman speed toward five mobsters and in less than two seconds they lay dead on the ground. The mercenary turned and swung his swords again and again, decapitating and maiming every single criminal he faced.

And again and again and again and again and again-

Fresh blood splashed violently all over Renegade's armor and masked face and he ignored it, concentrating on brutally and efficiently killing any mobster who came his way.

At that moment the acrobat was anything but a normal being.

He was moving and killing like the war machine that he was.

Like the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world that he was.

His every body movement and every swing of his swords was merely a blur that was impossible to see and counter. No mobster even had time to blink as they immediately lay dead by decapitation, mutilation, stabbed through the heart and more. 

Renegade was literally relentless.

The only thing Dick felt at that moment was the adrenaline coursing through his body and the need to feed his swords with the blood of others.

One of Renegade's swords violently stabbed the throat of a criminal while simultaneously the other sword mutilated with one clean cut both arms of a mobster and then turned sharply and stabbed both into the eyes of yet another, the sound of excruciating screams of agony were music to his ears.

One sword of Renegade cruelly decapitated three criminals with one horizontal blow while simultaneously the other sword bloodily ripped out the heart of another and then turned sharply and completely severed the upper torso from the rest of the lower part of another mobster with one expert, clean cut.

The more Renegade killed the more he felt the pure bloodlust growing within him the more his movements became more and more automatic with the sole purpose of slaughtering everything his swords encountered.

The change of sounds was rapid.

One moment deafening and very loud gunshots resounded throughout the room while in the next there were many screams of pure and excruciating agony, pain, fear, terror.

In about three minutes the screams ceased altogether, replaced by an eerie, deafening silence.

Renegade stood at the center of what could only be described with one word.

Bloodbath.

The room was literally filled with some fifty bodies brutally, mercilessly and cruelly murdered. Countless liters of blood flowed on the floor like a veritable ocean of blood just as several walls were splattered with blood. A great multitude of heads, eyeballs, arms, spinal cords, legs, guts, hearts, hands and more were bloodily detached completely from their bodies, some of which were literally split in half. Floor and walls were covered not only with probably a hundred liters of blood -at least two liters per criminal- but also with flesh, limbs, brain matter.

To the vast majority of the population this was a gory, revolting and horrifying spectacle to say the least but to Renegade it was a normality and he was indifferent to the massacre, extermination, slaughter and bloodbath that he himself had just committed. The room smelled very much of blood and death but Dick was now completely immune to the nauseating smell and sight of so much blood, death and brutality.

The Talon ignored the fact that virtually all of his armor and masked face and swords were literally drenched in blood from top to bottom and cast a cold smirk in the direction of the leader who was completely paralyzed on the spot, his face very pale and his eyes wide open and filled for the first time with horror, fear, shock, disbelief and other negative emotions.

“H-h-how was t-that p-possible?” Bestial Dragon stammered in shock, his eyes wandering from one side of the room to the other encountering only death, blood, slaughter, and extermination. “Y-y-you easily k-killed more t-than fifty experienced m-mobsters in j-just t-three m-m-minutes and y-you're not even m-m-minimally w-wounded! W-w-what the h-h-hell are you? S-S-Satan?”

Renegade's smirk increased in size and he emitted his chuckle that echoed eerily throughout the base, sending shivers of fear down the spine of the mafia leader who looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

“I'll give you a choice. Will you come down or shall I come to you?” the mercenary asked instead, fixing the man with an icy stare as he stowed his swords, crossing them in an X shape behind his back.

Bestial Dragon opted for the safer route and stumbled often over his own steps as he stepped down from the balcony to approach the world-renowned assassin and he knelt in front of him. “I-I-I b-b-beg! D-don't k-kill me! I-I-”

“Shut up.” ordered Renegade abruptly and the man immediately shut up, staring at the youngest with a completely terrified and pleading look. “You will answer honestly any question I ask you. Clear?” he demanded, receiving quick nods of assent from the man.

Pathetic. Leader of one of the most dangerous and morality-less mafias wanted for the worst crimes not only in Russia but all over the world who kneels only to uselessly try to save his own life. What a little man without dignity.

The interrogation lasted just long enough for the mercenary to learn all the information he needed.

The Red Sharks had gotten hold of sensitive and classified information about the United States because there were internal traitors: two corrupt ministers within both the Department of Defense, the Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They preferred to receive millions of dollars rather than to think about the good and security of their country, not caring about all the risks the U.S. would take as a result of their sales of information to a very powerful Russian mafia, which in turn would sell it to terrorist organizations and enemies of the United States.

Renegade tightened his lips and shook his head in disgust.

Gross.

The young assassin mentally memorized the names the leader gave him and gave him a brusque nod. “Evidence of their treachery and corruption?” he asked, already analyzing how to act in such a situation.

Dick was undecided whether to anonymously hand over the evidence of treason and corruption of the various ministers to U.S. federal agencies so that they could be sent straight to prison with life imprisonment where they would rot for the rest of their miserable lives, whether to kill them because of the serious crimes they had committed or whatever. 

“A-all p-present in my c-computer!” stammered the man, nodding his trembling head to one of the other rooms.

“Are there also the names of the terrorist organizations and enemies of the United States to whom you sold the U.S. information?” the mafia boss nodded shakily and he shuddered at the mercenary's frightening grin. “Thank you for your kind cooperation. Now you are no longer useful to me. Go to hell and rot.”

Bestial Dragon barely had time to open his eyes wide in shock and terror before a dull pain spread from the center of his stomach to the rest of his body, a large amount of blood beginning to pool in his mouth

Renegade pulled back his fist, heedlessly tossing the man's heart he held to the side and watched the body fall backward, a bloody hole in the stomach allowing a view of the man's innards where his heart had previously been. The young assassin numbly walked past a multitude of corpses whistling a little song as if he were strolling through a park instead of a bloodbath and, after completely wiping away all traces of his dark blood, he made his way to the room that the now former leader of the Red Sharks had indicated.

It did not take him long to find Bestial Dragon's computer and connected his holographic glove to it. He made a copy of all the information and evidence incriminating the various American ministers with corruption and treason. In a few minutes he finished his work and detached his holographic glove from the computer and he walked away, his mind wandering.

In a little while I'll contact Jade and Sandra to see where they stand and possibly help them. Then return to the hotel and while they sleep I will hack the servers of the terrorist organizations and enemies of the U.S., permanently deleting all the information they have bought from the Red Sharks with all their copies and backups. Tomorrow we will leave again and decide what to do with the traitorous ministers.

Renegade abruptly stopped in his tracks when his enhanced hearing picked up something that should not have been possible. The acrobat narrowed his eyes, thinking briefly that he had been mistaken but quickly learned that this was not the case and he frowned in confusion.

Why the hell do I hear seven heartbeats that surely do not belong to the mobsters since they are all dead? And are those... voices?

The Talon soon knew the answer when he saw seven familiar figures coming out of the secret passage. They froze in place and stared completely shocked at Renegade who returned the gaze equally surprised and shocked.

Are you fucking kidding me?

“Renegade?”

“Justice League?”

Chapter Text

Renegade quickly reeled from his surprise at seeing the heroes in the Red Sharks' main base and raised an eyebrow from under his mask. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"We could ask you the same question, Renegade." Batman growled, sending him a glare.

"I'm pretty sure the world's best detective has already figured out what I'm doing here." the young assassin taunted him with a smirk, spreading his arms in the general direction of the massacre.

Apparently that was the moment when the heroes fully realized that they were literally surrounded by a bloodbath. Renegade watched in amusement as Superman, Flash and Green Lantern quickly took on a pale, sickly complexion and how they seemed on the verge of fainting. Even the always quiet and calm Martian Manhunter seemed not to be doing well and Dick swore his green skin was a little more faded than usual. Even warrior heroes who have fought wars and killed for their people like Wonder Woman and Aquaman seemed very upset and uncomfortable with so much brutal and cruel death, carnage and bloodshed surrounding them, and the acrobat noticed even Batman clenching his jaw and stiffening.

"I think I'm going to faint." Flash whispered faintly, looking up at the ceiling since it was the only area where there was no blood or decapitated and mutilated dead.

"I don't want to sound rude but your left foot is on top of a spinal cord." Renegade remarked with an innocent smile.

The speedster swallowed heavily and lowered his gaze, realizing to his horror and nausea that the mercenary was right. The next millisecond he disappeared, leaving a red and yellow trail behind him.

Dick was pretty sure poor Barry had gone somewhere to vomit and judging by the tired, sympathetic looks on the rest of the heroes' faces they probably thought so too.

"My God." whispered Superman in horror and disgust. "It's carnage. A bloodbath" he added weakly, swallowing hard.

"I'm definitely going to have nightmares about it." admitted Green Lantern shuddering.

"How dare you."

Their gazes focused on the Caped Crusader who cast Renegade the most pissed off and furious look the heroes had ever seen on him. The Gotham vigilante was clenching both fists tightly, his jaw was so clenched that everyone swore they could hear his teeth chattering hard and he was literally seething with rage and seemed on the verge of exploding from the most explosive fury ever.

Everyone ignored the return of the Flash who flanked Green Lantern. "What did I miss?" the speedster whispered to his best friend.

"Nothing yet but I think we're about to witness Batman breaking his no-kill code." Hal murmured back. "I've never seen him so pissed off."

"Neither do I." Martian Manhunter agreed at their side. "His emotions... I've never felt him so close to completely losing control of his emotions."

Before anyone else could add anything they were interrupted by Batman slowly approaching Renegade with a menacing and furious step. "More than fifty men killed brutally, ruthlessly and without remorse. More than fifty men without arms, legs, spinal cords, eyes, heads, busts and more. More than a hundred liters of blood filling this room that reeks of death, blood and carnage."

"Should we stop him?" asked Wonder Woman uncertainly as she stared at her friend stopping a few feet away from the mercenary.

"I sure as hell am not going to stop him." huffed Aquaman shaking his head.

"Answer me, Renegade." the vigilante hissed, staring intensely at the assassin with his menacing white eyes as if he were looking directly at his soul. "Have you killed so many men so brutally and violently that they did not deserve such a cruel and horrible death just for a contract?"

Renegade never looked away from Batman's advance and he crossed his arms, narrowing the eyes of his mask. "First, if that was a way to instill fear in me let me tell you that you have failed fully, dude." he began, ignoring the surprised choked noises of the other heroes and the vigilante's snarl. "Second, I could very well run away from you without giving you an answer but I will give it to you anyway. The answer to your question is yes. I have been hired by the League of Assassins to eliminate the Red Sharks permanently."

Batman stiffened and fixed him with an even harder look than before. "Do you also work for Ra's Al Ghul?"

The Talon blinked once behind his mask before bursting into a genuine giggle.

They still don't know!

"What the hell are you laughing at, man?" asked Green Lantern frowning.

"I can't believe it." murmured the murderer, snorting in amusement and shaking his head in disbelief. "Are you really telling me that you don't know that Ra's has been dead for a long time?"

The youngest watched confusion envelop Batman's limbs even though the man gave no sign of it. "What are you talking about?" he asked gruffly.

"The best detective in the world, my ass." muttered the acrobat with a snort, ignoring the vigilante's glare and the surprised looks of the other heroes. "Ra's has been dead for more than six years due to a coup at the League of Assassins organized and executed by myself with the help of some other assassins. Now Talia is in charge of the League and let me tell you that your ex-girlfriend is a much better leader and person than her old bastard. And for the record, not only did I bring down Ra's empire but I was the one who killed him and it was one of my best kills."

"You're lying. You would have only been about twelve at the time of the events." Batman growled, leaving out the fact that the mercenary knew that he and Talia had been having an affair.

"Eleven years." Renegade casually corrected him. "And no, I'm not lying. I have no reason to lie. I swear it on my mercenary honor."

"Are you telling me that you killed one of the most evil and dangerous super-villains in the world by making a coup on his organization only when you were eleven years old? And-hell, now you're only seventeen fucking years old?" Flash blurted out completely hysterical, vibrating quickly on the spot.

"Yes to both your questions."

"I can't believe it." a hollow, derisive, emotionless giggle escaped Green Lantern's lips. "Earth's mightiest heroes have been taken down easily by a guy who isn't even of legal drinking age. As if our ego and pride didn't need another beating, hell!"

Wonder Woman stared in shocked silence at Renegade, incredulous that, just as Hal had said, the person who took down almost the entire Justice League single-handedly by holding back a lot and executed a massacre of more than fifty mobsters to the point of upsetting heroes like her, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter and Batman was only seventeen years old.

She seriously began to think she was beginning to understand how dangerous Renegade really was and his real threat level. Someone so young but equally dangerous, deadly, brutal and ruthless roaming the world freely… well, she understood why Batman was obsessed with capturing Renegade.

Even though her traitorous mind whispered to her that the mercenary only killed the most dangerous and evil people in the world and that he never accepted a single contract on innocents.

"Your age is not important." Batman stated abruptly, drawing all attention to himself. "It doesn't matter if you're only seventeen, you're still a dangerous super-villain roaming at large and you deserve to go to jail." he snarled. "And the massacre you carried out here confirms that."

Despite his mask, it was obvious that Renegade had just rolled his eyes and the heroes were still somewhat impressed by his total lack of fear toward Batman. "Good riddance." he mocked him. "They belonged to a mafia accused of trafficking drugs, organs, people and children! They were sexually abusing children, men, women and the elderly! They were selling United States weapons and information to terrorists and enemies of the US! And you still tell me they didn't deserve to die?" he finished with a snarl.

"No one has the right to take the life of another human being." replied Batman solemnly. "No one has the right to be judge and executioner."

"Does the great Batman, however, have the right to be a vigilante and beat up criminals at night, breaking various laws?" the Talon snorted half derisive half genuinely amused.

The Dark Knight stared at him grimly. "There is justice and we must apply it. Justice is imprisoning criminals, not taking away their lives and the chance for them to redeem themselves."

"Justice is also putting the world's craziest and most deranged murderer in a fucking useless asylum so that he escapes from there whenever he wants just to kill more innocents?" retorted Renegade, returning the grim stare.

"I cannot kill him. I am neither judge nor executioner."

"In fact, I'm not asking you to start killing." said the mercenary, surprising all the heroes except Wonder Woman. "I respect your code of not killing. I respect the justice that you heroes symbolize and represent. But what I do not respect is your iron will to protect even the most dangerous criminals in the world."

"No one has the right to take the life of another human being." Batman repeated once again. "Neither I nor the other heroes nor you. If you kill a killer, the number of killers in the world still remain the same."

"If, however, I killed more than seven hundred killers, the number of killers in the world drops by more than seven hundred." Renegade reasoned, his tone of voice clearly indicating that he felt like he was reasoning with a child rather than the world's scariest hero.  "In fact, calculating even these deaths I now exceeded eight hundred."

Silence fell in the room and everyone stared in surprise at the mercenary and his victorious smirk on his face.

"The boy is right."

Batman cast a glare at Aquaman who winced slightly before returning to stare at Renegade and visibly clenching his jaw, a signal that the vigilante was really getting annoyed. "You have no right to kill other criminals as well. You are no one to do that."

"Although my methods are obviously illegal, it is indisputable that they are morally right. Why do the innocent have to suffer and go through Hell while criminals get only a short time in jail or never get caught, blissfully living their lives?" retorted Renegade taking a step forward toward Batman who stiffened. "If you go and look at the statistics, the crime rate internationally has decreased since I've been around. And it's not just because I kill criminals but also because criminals fear me more than anything else in the whole world and now they think five times before they do some shit."

"You are as much a criminal as the criminals you kill."

"For God's sake." Renegade brought a hand to his face, sighing heavily. "Are you seriously comparing an anti-hero mercenary who has never killed an innocent person in his entire career of more than six years to, I don't know, a serial rapist or a mafia boss?" he growled, clearly tired of Batman's stubbornness.

And Slade says I am stubborn.

"You can't be an anti-hero." the Caped Crusader growled back. "There is no such thing as an anti-hero. There are only heroes and criminals. And you clearly belong to the criminals."

"Obviously the mighty Batman has a basic black and white view of the world without its deep gray area complexity." the Talon uttered a scoffing verse. "For you there are only heroes and villains, only black and white, without anti-heroes and gray. It is obvious that for you there is no middle ground. You have not suffered enough to understand that."

The heroes stiffened at Renegade's words, knowing full well the tragedy behind the Dark Knight's birth, and waited with bated breath for their teammate's reaction. Batman clenched his jaw and fists and shot a fierce look at the assassin. "How dare you-"

"Don't. Dare."

Renegade's cold and emotionless tone made the entire Justice League shiver, with Wonder Woman swallowing worriedly since she remembered it well from her first encounter with the mercenary while they were fighting. The coldness and lack of emotion in the voice of the youngest surprised even Batman who shut his mouth tightly.

"You do not know true suffering. You don't know real pain. Sure, I know that unfortunately you suffered a severe tragedy that made you what you are but believe me, Batman, when I say that your tragedy, all your suffering, pain and agony is not shit compared to what I went through. If you went through just five percent of what I went through, you would already be dead."

Batman stiffened. He had so many questions to ask the mercenary, including how the hell he had managed to find out their identities -his own included since he had sent all them fucking flowers as a tease- but before the hero could even open his mouth he was preceded by the anti-hero.

"You know what? I think that's enough for today. Before I leave: there is a computer in that room where there is all the information you need and also the evidence that incriminates several U.S. ministers of corruption and treason since they were the ones who sold sensitive U.S. information to the Red Sharks." Renegade warned them, pointing to the room.

The heroes exchanged a glance before Martian Manhunter took a few steps forward, fixing his piercing red eyes on the mercenary's figure. "Do you really think we're going to let you leave so easily?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. And before I forget." the acrobat shifted his gaze which fell on Wonder Woman, who stiffened. "I hope to see you again soon in an occasion where we can talk more, Princess. Oh, and I hope you enjoyed the flowers I sent you."

With a movement so swift that even Superman and the Flash were surprised, Renegade pulled a smoke bomb from his utility belt and threw it to the ground, hiding in the smoke. The JL's two fastest heroes darted forward quickly dispelling the smoke but Renegade was already gone.

"Oh, come on! How the hell does he do that every time?" complained Flash, clearly remembering that the same thing had happened in their first fight against Renegade.

"He can't have gone far. Let's look for him." ordered Superman.

Wonder Woman shook off the whirlwind of emotions inside her, especially confusion because of Renegade's greeting addressed directly to her and again ignoring the flower part, and all the heroes split up to search for the young assassin.

The seven founding members reunited a few minutes later when it had become evident that Renegade had managed to escape. "I swear I will never understand how the hell he escaped our eyes." commented Aquaman frowning.

Wonder Woman's gaze shifted to Batman, noting that the vigilante was heading for the room Renegade had pointed out to them earlier where they would presumably find very important information and evidence about the Red Sharks' criminal network and their relationships with other mafias, terrorists, etc. They followed him, some of the heroes feeling a little sick walking through so much blood, brutal and merciless death and literally stepping on organs, brain matter, human flesh and more.

When they reached Batman they found him typing rapidly on a computer and he informed them that Renegade had not lied and that he was finding all the information and evidence they needed.

She sighed, considering their mission imparted by the head of the Defense Department -who, thanks to U.S. intelligence, had provided them with information about the Red Sharks, the coordinates of their main base and more- a success.

Their mission consisted of getting the Russian mobsters arrested and forcing them to talk but even that was fine, in her opinion. In fact, Wonder Woman did not care so much that Renegade had preceded them by literally carrying out a bloody massacre on the Russian mafia, about which perhaps even a fierce warrior like her would have some nightmares.

This is because she, as well as Aquaman and even as Hawkgirl, had already killed for her own people and was not completely against the idea of murdering criminals. Indeed, if things were done according to the Amazon, the Justice League's modus operandi would have been significantly different and more like Renegade's but nevertheless she knew that other heroes did not see it the same way as she did and she respected their ideal of justice, even if she did not believe at all in the idea of giving virtually endless chances to redeem themselves to criminals who clearly had no intention of redeeming themselves.

The princess of Themyscira gave another sigh, longer and deeper than the previous one, and mentally put aside all thoughts and considerations about Renegade, about the bloody, brutal, and ruthless massacre he had carried out on more than fifty mobsters and about every word he had said.

At that moment the Justice League had a lot on its plate, namely, safeguarding the security of the United States.

Not that it's something difficult to do since Renegade did all the dirty work but still.

Chapter Text

Once he was sure that he had successfully escaped from the heroes, Renegade crouched on a rooftop and brought a hand to an earpiece. "Lady Shiva and Cheshire. Report."

For a moment he heard sounds of fighting in the background and a male cry of pain before all noise ceased, giving way to silence. "Just finished killing the last mobster." Cheshire spoke, her breathing labored.

"As you ordered us we first made a massacre at the Red Shark base where they were trafficking human beings and sexually abusing them." Lady Shiva began to give him a well-detailed report on their situation. "Subsequently we also cleaned up in their other base where they were involved in arms trafficking which we destroyed all of them completely."

"We killed every single mobster involved in the organization and none of them managed to escape. They are all dead." Cheshire continued, mirroring the professional voice of her friend and partner. "As for the victims, we contacted the local authorities and waited in a hidden corner to make sure they were in good hands before heading to the other base."

"Both good work."

"How is your situation?"

"Killed all the mobsters, including Bestial Dragon." the mercenary answered his older sister's question. "From his computer I made a copy of all useful information and evidence incriminating several U.S. ministers of treason and corruption."

"I knew there was someone corrupt." the world's deadliest woman murmured. "It was virtually impossible for them to steal information so important to U.S. security."

"I bet you caused a bloodbath." Sportsmaster's daughter speculated.

"You bet right. I let myself go but just a little bit."

"And that means there is nothing left of the mobsters but pulped flesh and lots of organs and guts scattered all over their base." Lady Shiva snorted, letting slight amusement shine through.

"Yeah, well, just enough to traumatize the Justice League." stated the acrobat casually.

"WHAT?"

Their simultaneous scream forced Dick to wince slightly at the excessive noise in his poor ear. "You heard right. I had a pleasant visit from the seven founding members." he hummed as if he had not just dropped a bombshell on the two assassins. He then chuckled. "It was child's play to escape from them."

"What the hell are the heroes doing here?" Cheshire asked only to retract her question. "No wait, I have a better question: how the hell did they learn about the Red Sharks' main base?"

"Maybe it was Batman or someone high up in the U.S. government. I don't know." the Talon answered honestly. "In any case, I advise you to get away from your position immediately and meet us back at the hotel. I don't want to risk them finding out that you are there."

"We are moving now." Lady Shiva grunted.

"I recommend keeping radio silence. Batman should not be able to hack our communications since I have personally taken care of their defenses but I don't want to risk Superman with his super hearing recognizing my voice."

Two grunts of assent resounded in the young assassin's ear and silence fell in the communications, which died down. Renegade rose to his feet and ran from rooftop to rooftop, heading for their appointed place.

The three assassins gathered in their hotel room. Dick felt his eyes turn golden when he saw Jade's left shoulder bandaged and Sandra favoring her right leg, in addition to their different wounds on their bodies, and again he cursed the fact that he was the one with an excellent healing factor and not them. He calmed down almost immediately with the knowledge that the bastards who wounded them were now in Hell and after they were dressed in their night clothes Dick told them about his encounter with the heroes.

"Unbelievable. I knew Wayne was stubborn but damn I didn't think so much." Sandra huffed crossing her arms.

Dick rolled his eyes. "And everyone calls me stubborn."

Jade gave him a gentle nudge to his shoulders. "Please. You are literally the most stubborn person I have ever met."

"It's an honor, sis."

"That was not a compliment."

"I know." replied the acrobat cheekily, giggling at the mock annoyed looks of the other two assassins. His gaze softened a little as he looked at them. "Get some sleep. You need it so much. We've been out for more than four hours." he said, not having missed the tiredness shining through the two women despite the fact that they did their best to hide it.

Obviously both women were capable of staying awake for a long time consecutively but why waste any more energy when their mission had been completed?

His older sister nodded. "Now that's an idea I don't mind." she agreed, throwing herself onto the soft bed and letting out a dramatically blissful sigh.  

Sandra's gaze stared intently at her nephew, narrowing her eyes analytically. "What are you going to do while we sleep?"

Dick sent her an amused look, not surprised at how his aunt knew him so well. "Hack the servers of all the terrorist organizations and enemy states of the U.S. that have bought information from the Red Sharks."

A muffled snort came from Jade's direction and the Talon stared at her as she sat down on the bed. "How long will it take you?"

"Thirty minutes minimum both to make sure I leave no trace of information on their servers and because the number of servers to hack is quite large." Dick grimaced. "Apparently the Red Sharks had a lot of customers."

The three friends and partners chatted for a few more minutes -with even some teasing toward the acrobat for seeing Wonder Woman again, much to the displeasure of the youngest- before Jade and Sandra began to sleep, respectively on the bed and couch. Dick sat on the other end of the bed, preventing the bright light of his holographic glove from waking or bothering his older sister, and quickly began hacking the first server of a terrorist organization, letting his mind wander a bit as his fingers moved automatically.

The mission was easier and faster than he expected despite the fact that it involved permanently taking down one of the most dangerous and powerful mafias in the world.

Or the mission was still very dangerous and difficult but Dick was too skilled and effective to the point that he could not recognize the danger level of a mission, believing all of them to be practically easy.

Either way, the mission was a success and that was all that mattered.

As for the traitor and corrupt U.S. ministers, Dick thought the heroes would take care of them and have them arrested, although he did not know whether the JL would tell the government that it was actually Renegade who had completely destroyed the Red Sharks in a very violent way or not.

The Talon hoped so: at least then his reputation as a ruthless and cruel anti-hero mercenary would further skyrocket, giving him more publicity and increasing the rumors about him being even more ruthless and violent than his former mentor, to Dick's amusement and Slade's displeasure.

And it would also probably have avoided potential diplomatic dangers.

Eventually Dick finished his work and nodded contentedly to himself. He stowed his holographic glove along with the rest of his Renegade suit and then lay down on the bed, quietly covering himself with the blankets without waking Jade. He stiffened when she turned to his side but he relaxed his muscles when he noticed that she was still asleep.

Wanting some cuddling from his older sister Dick hugged her carefully over her wounds and, making sure once again that he had not woken her up, he snuggled against her, sighing contentedly when automatically Jade returned the embrace by snuggling against him.

Comforted by the warmth that only his older sister could give him Dick closed his eyes in an attempt to fall asleep, hoping that he would not have one of his usual nightmares or anyone new.

Fortunately Dick did not have any nightmares but his dream was centered on a familiar Amazon beauty.

It was definitely his Aunt Sandra's fault.

Dick smiled sweetly when he realized that both Joey and Rose had fallen asleep on him after they had spent an entire afternoon together. He moved to pick up the remote control, careful not to wake his little siblings, and began lazily flipping through the channels, turning down the sound of the television. A few seconds later he came across a news report that was showing his masked face and he listened curiously with his enhanced hearing.

The acrobat learned that it had become public knowledge both the arrest for treason and corruption of U.S. ministers through evidence provided by the Justice League to the government and the destruction of the powerful Russian Red Sharks mafia at the hands of Renegade with vague details of what had happened but hinting that the mercenary's methods were very violent, inhuman and cruel.

Dick made a mental note to check later through his holographic glove to see if the U.S. government had come into possession of any photos about the massacre and bloodbath he had carried out: which was very likely, he thought.

The assassin reached for his phone when it rang several times and huffed with amusement when he saw that Jade and Sandra had sent him messages expressing their displeasure and annoyance that Renegade had taken all the credit for taking down the Red Sharks. With a smile between his lips he sent a quick reply to both of them before putting the phone back in his pocket and changing the TV channel, content to act as a pillow for his little siblings.

Chapter Text

Dick Wilson was bored.

At that moment he was alone at home since Slade had recently left for a contract and the acrobat had nothing to do. He had long since finished his homework and had no contract to complete.

He could not even go to Conner's since his best friend was spending time with his whole family -Cark, Lois, Ma and Pa Kent- and Dick did not want to bother him, knowing full well how excited the clone was to spend a whole day with his family.

Dick also did not want to bother Uncle Billy since he knew how much the man needed some time to himself instead of worrying about his and Slade's bullshit.

So yes.

Dick was bored.

The young man was lazily flipping through TV channels upside down from the couch when he heard the sound of a vehicle pull up in front of the house. His enhanced hearing picked up three sets of footsteps before the doorbell rang. The acrobat thought he knew who it was and his theory proved correct when he opened the door, revealing the figures of Adeline, Joey and Rose.

"Dick!"

The Talon smiled sweetly and wrapped his arms around Rose who crashed with the full force of her little body onto him. He picked her up and spun her around in the air for a few seconds, loving the joyous giggles emitted by the ten-year-old girl. He then put her back down, returning her bright smile. He then turned his attention to Joey and held his little brother in a gentle embrace, additionally giving him a tender kiss on the forehead. The 12-year-old's bright smile warmed his chest and the acrobat affectionately tousled his hair as he turned his attention to Adeline who was staring at the scene with a slight rise of her lips, her gaze a little softer than usual.

"Sup, Adeline. What can I do for you?" asked Dick wrapping his arms around his siblings, pulling them closer to him as he cast a curious glance at the woman.

Initially Dick and Adeline hated each other very much, mainly because they had totally opposite and conflicting opinions about Slade but as the years went by they gradually grew closer, mainly because of what they had in common: their unconditional love for Rose and Joey.

So they went from hating each other's guts to becoming sort of good friends who respected each other and would do anything for the children.

It also helped a lot that over time Adeline became less and less murderous toward Slade to the point of even being in the same room with him without screaming and trying to kill each other for an entire day.

It was definitely an improvement and a huge step forward.

"I'm finishing work a few hours later today and I thought Joey and Rose could spend some time with you and Slade." Adeline stated.

"Well, Slade is not home right now and will be back quite late but I don't mind taking care of my little siblings." said Dick casting an affectionate glance at the two children.

Adeline nodded and gave him a grateful look. "Thank you, Dick."

The Talon smiled at her and watched in silence as Slade's ex-wife greeted her two children and he brightened slightly when the woman gently kissed his forehead. The acrobat returned the nod she sent him before she turned to head to her car. He laid eyes on his little siblings and smiled at them. "Come on, let's go inside! There's so much we can do!" he declared excitedly, chuckling when both Joey and Rose began to mirror his excitement.

And just like that, Dick's boredom ended.

At first the three siblings played hide and seek for about half an hour, with Dick searching every time since he had the advantage of practically not being found by anyone thanks to his ninja skills.

Even on the few times Slade had joined in playing with them he could never find Dick and once tried to search for his son for more than two hours but without success, much to the super soldier's annoyance mixed with pride.

Dick promised his little siblings that he would not use his enhanced hearing to search for them but he was accused of cheating as he found the other two Wilsons fairly quickly, although for one of the few times in his life he had not actually cheated.

After playing hide and seek Rose begged her older brother to fly on the trapeze and of course Dick could not resist her damn puppy-dog eyes -Dick heard in his head Slade's voice teasing him and calling it karma-, so he agreed.

Dick had practically taught the Flying Grayson trapeze routine -unfortunately one of the few things he remembered about his parents- to all of his closest family and friends, without exception: Rose, Joey, Jade, Talia, Sandra, Tatsu, Cass, Nyssa, Conner and even Slade, Wintergreen and Adeline.

Damian still did not because he was still too young, although Dick's traitorous mind kept whispering to him that he had learned to fly on the trapeze practically since he was born, certainly long before he was five years old.

In any case, it had been more than an hour since the three Wilsons had been flying on the trapeze with Dick correcting the positions of his little siblings, watching them with a proud, moved and affectionate gaze as they performed the Flying Grayson routine correctly.

The constant hypervigilance over his surroundings was the only reason Dick detected a series of double footsteps approaching the door. He clapped his hands, attracting the attention of Rose and Joey. "Why don't you go make a snack? I bet you're starving: I certainly am." he said, lying about the last part since he did not need to eat at all but his little siblings did not need to know that.

They accepted his excuse to get them away from the gym without his vigilance over them and ran to the kitchen while the eldest son headed for the door, wary of who it might be. His initial wariness immediately disappeared when he opened the door and automatically a bright smile appeared between his lips.

"Baba!"

"Hey, buddy!" Dick smiled, taking Damian Al Ghul-Wayne in his arms and sprinkling kisses on his cheeks so plump and adorable, giggling good-naturedly when his child tried to slap him away with his face redder than a tomato. He held his five-year-old child -soon to be six!- in his arms and sent a smile to his aunt. "Aunt Talia! It's good to see you again!"

"It's good to see you too, Richard." the woman nodded as she smiled sweetly, giving him a quick hug and a small kiss on his right cheek.

"A little far from your base, don't you think?" Dick teased her a little, swinging his child in his arms.

"I wanted to ask you to look after Damian for a few hours. I have a meeting I can't cancel with some super-villains and although I trust my guards with my life, you are one of the few I trust unconditionally with my son." she spoke, tenderly stroking her son's hair.

The mercenary's gaze softened and he nodded. "You don't even have to ask me. You know I would do anything for you and Dami."

The Demon Head gave him a bright, affectionate smile. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Richard."

The acrobat returned the smile and held back a sigh when he heard a series of small footsteps approaching. Two little heads protruded from behind his back and Rose and Joey's gazes lit up when they saw Damian in their big brother's arms. "How nice! Dami is here too!" exclaimed Rose excitedly and Joey nodded in agreement with his sister, manifesting his excitement by bouncing slightly on his feet.

Talia greeted the two children briefly before turning to her nephew, lifting her lips a few inches in a smile. "I notice that you and Slade are very busy."

"Actually it's just me." commented the 17-year-old, shrugging casually. "Slade is out on a contract and will be back quite late."

A flash of concern crossed the face of the leader of the League of Assassins. "Are you sure you can handle all the children by yourself? I can always take Damian to someone else if it's too much trouble." she said, hating the frown that materialized on her son's face but she was honest when she said she could have entrusted Damian to someone else.

She certainly did not want to overburden her nephew.

The acrobat shook his head and sent his aunt a bright, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Aunt Talia. I've faced much worse than babysitting three children." he remarked amused.

Talia snorted and smiled at him. "You're right. Call me if there is an emergency." she ordered him, satisfied when the young man nodded.

The woman quickly hugged her nephew, tenderly kissed her son on the forehead, greeted the two younger Wilsons with a small smile and walked away. Dick returned home with the children, holding Damian firmly in his arms. "So... are you hungry, sweetheart?" he asked, closing the door behind him and looking at his child with a sweet smile.

Damian merely shrugged his shoulders and then hid his face in the crook of the neck of the eldest, his small hands holding his shirt wrapped in little fists. Dick placed a soft kiss on his hair and stared at his little siblings. "Have you prepared a snack?"

Joey shook his head. Actually, no. We were curious about the person you were talking to. He admitted, an embarrassed smile on his face.

The Talon held back a sigh and gave them a smile. "Never mind. I'll take care of preparing a quick snack." to the slightly guilty looks, he added: "If you want, you can prepare some games for the Wii in the meantime."

Excitement and happiness immediately took hold of the two children. "We will defeat you this time, Dick!" Rose promised, squinting her eyes toward her older brother in an attempt to appear threatening.

However, Dick thought her absolutely adorable and could not resist the temptation to kiss her forehead tenderly, smiling when he saw her blue eyes brighten considerably. "You've already said that like a hundred other times, sweetheart." he pointed out with a mischievous smirk.

"We're going to beat you this time." Rose pounded her fist on her chest, determination coloring her tone of voice. She grabbed Joey's hand and together they ran off, heading for their older brother's room that contained all the games.

Dick chuckled and directed his attention to his child. "You already know I'm going to win, don't you, sweetheart?" he asked as he walked toward the kitchen.

"Of course, Baba." Damian nodded with a look so serious and grave that Dick was sure he had taken it back from his father. "Joey and Rose don't stand a chance against you."

The last Flying Grayson smiled. "Thank you for the vote of confidence." he said, playfully rubbing his nose against Damian's and the five-year-old's pure, innocent giggles were true music to his ears.

"Incredible!"

Dick victoriously raised his fist in the air with a dramatic shout of joy as the speaker's voice rang out, the words Strike shining proudly on the television screen that soon replayed the acrobat's fifth consecutive strike.

"Oh, come on! How the heck is this possible?" Rose complained with a deep frown on her face, crossing her arms in a pout.

Joey's expression was also quite somber and he was casting a grim look at his older brother, his hands moving with a speed that reflected his annoyance and displeasure.

You are clearly cheating.

Dick burst out laughing. "How can I cheat at Wii Sport Resort of all games?"

I don't know but it's practically impossible that we're only in the third game of bowling and you've totaled more than twenty strikes!

"It's all part of my magnificence, buddy." Dick gave him a playful wink and Joey's grim look increased a notch. "It's not your fault I always win at every sport: I'm just too strong." he chuckled, remembering accurately all the expletives Slade threw at him every single time the two of them played Wii Sport Resort or any other game.

Being the best mercenary in the world meant being extremely and fiercely competitive and having a great deal of pride that was almost always dented in competitive video games.

Slade's worst part always came out whenever he and Dick played Mario Kart Wii.

Man, those were the occasions when Dick was really in danger of pissing himself laughing every time because of his father's very creative swearing.

Dick was so absorbed in playing with his little siblings that he barely suppressed a gasp when the doorbell rang. Joey and Rose exchanged a confused look. "Who could it be?" asked the 10-year-old girl.

An irritated sigh escaped the young murderer's lips. "I don't know but I hope it's something important." he murmured, handing the Wii Remote to Damian, who was staring intently at his older siblings' game, patting his head a few times. "Make sure you keep up the strike series, buddy."

A competitive look formed on Damian's soft features and he nodded gravely. "I will, Richard." he promised so solemnly that he seemed to be taking the most important oath in the world.

That was probably how it was in the five-year-old's head.

Dick snorted in amusement and headed for the door, listening in the meantime to two steady heartbeats outside the house. When he opened the door, his gaze instantly became flat and impassive.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Sandra Woosan and Cassandra Cain smiled at him with too-innocent looks. The Talon crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Let me guess: you have some business to attend to and want to leave Cass with me?"

The world's deadliest woman nodded. "If it's not too much trouble."

For heaven's sake-

Dick gave a long, surrendered sigh because for nothing in the world he could say no to his aunt and child. He automatically wrapped his arms around the 12-year-old girl, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. "It's good to see you again, sweetheart." he enjoyed the warmth emanating from his child and wrapped one arm around his aunt in a half-hug. "Aunt Sandra."

"Dick." she returned the greeting, gently caressing his left shoulder for a few seconds. "Thank you for taking care of her. I owe you a favor."

"Yeah, well, damned if you all owe me." he grumbled, ignoring the woman's amused giggles.

After the final goodbyes Dick returned home with a new addition. Rose bounced excitedly when she saw Cass and ran toward her, pulling her into a fierce embrace. As Rose talked incessantly with Cass, Joey approached Dick and elbowed him lightly in the side.

Another one, huh?

The acrobat glared at him. "Shut up."

Taking care of two children?

Doable.

Taking care of three children?

Challenging but still doable.

Take care of four children?

Trouble began to knock on the door of Dick's house.

Not literally.

Dick swore he would destroy that fucking door if he heard the knock and the doorbell ring one more time, screw being a role model for his children.

Taking care of four children would have been a little easier if it weren't for one very small but crucial detail: namely, that two of them were the children of the world's most dangerous mercenary -and in Joey's case also of a former army general-,  one was the child of the Demon's Head and the Gotham Bat and the last one was the child of the world's deadliest woman and a murderous bastard.

They really should raise the salaries of all those who babysit. I don't envy them at all: in comparison being a mercenary is child's play.

Dick's prayer went briefly to all babysitters around the world before he collapsed with a thud on the couch, doing his best to ignore the noise of chaos in the background.

There he was: Renegade, the second-best mercenary and assassin in the world, who had fulfilled all of his contracts in more than six years of his career, who had killed more than eight hundred scum criminals on Earth, who had taken down practically the entire Justice League single-handedly like it was a walk in the park, who had destroyed several mafias around the world just because he could and wanted to, the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world-

Tired. Defeated.

Sure, his Talon physiognomy prevented him from being physically tired and that was a blessing.

But Dick had not been so mentally tired in a long time, damn the gods!

If Slade was with him at that moment he would surely have told him that it was karma that was biting him in the ass for all the countless times that Dick, acrobat-Talon-assassin-zombie-the-fucking-son-of-Satana-who-always-swinging-on-the-chandelier, drove the super soldier crazy.

And Dick knew that when he was younger he was literally much worse than Rose, Joey, Damian and Cass combined and that, well, it almost made him feel bad for his father.

Almost.

Actually Dick wasn't at all and he was going to drive his father crazy again every single time because yes.

The man already had white hair anyway.

But at that moment he began to understand what his father had gone through -or at least partially: Dick still remained the worst- and he was amazed that the former soldier had not gone as crazy as the Joker.

Dick loved his family -dysfunctional family but it was still his family and he wouldn't change it for anything in the world- but damn it, could they at least give him five seconds of pause?

Is that too much to ask, universe?

Crashing noises began to spread throughout the house and Dick jumped up, his eyes having turned golden long ago and have remained that way ever since.

"Jesus Christ- GUYS!"

Deathstroke had successfully completed his contract and was returning home. He deactivated the security systems of his home but froze, feeling all his limbs freeze when he saw his front door brutally smashed with a huge hole in the center and his inner panic increased dramatically when he heard too many heartbeats that should not have been there at all. He attempted to calm himself by thinking positively.

Dick is more than capable of taking care of himself and would have eliminated any intruder even before they could blink. There are probably only a few friends.

It did not help much and paranoia began to afflict him, creating a vastness of scenarios in his mind and none of them appealed to him at all. Slade silently opened the door, careful not to break it any further, and stealthily entered the house.

He froze, not at all prepared for what he saw.

Dick was lying on the couch and, given his slow, steady breathing, Slade realized that he was completely asleep. Four other children were using his body as a makeshift pillow and they were all tangled up in a messy pile, with Dick being the center of it.

As if that scene wasn't surprising enough -because, you know, what the hell were Joey, Rose, Damian and Cass doing in their house at the same time? Not that they weren't welcome but it was still surprising- Slade's gaze shifted to the side, meeting the faces of Wintergreen, Talia, Sandra and Adeline who were talking in murmurs in the kitchen, sitting in chairs around the table.

The mercenary walked silently toward them, careful not to wake the children, and the other adults in the room greeted him with nods. "What on earth are you doing here?" he murmured.

Wintergreen rolled his eyes and snorted. "Hello to you too, Slade." he chuckled at his best friend's glare and continued. "As far as I'm concerned I just stopped by to see how Dick was doing, so imagine my surprise when I risked getting knocked out the door only to find out that my nephew was having a mental breakdown from babysitting four problem children."

Slade had so many questions to ask but Sandra beat him to it. "Apparently each of us," she pointed to herself and the other two women present. "had the bright idea of leaving their respective children with Dick because of commitments that could not be postponed."

"It was not planned." Talia continued, an amused glint in her green eyes.

"The odds of that happening were very low." Adeline added, raising her lips a few inches in a small smirk.

The super soldier took off his mask and rubbed his temples wearily. "Let me get this straight. Dick babysat alone for who knows how many hours to four children at once and they practically drove him crazy?" he got several nods of his head and a mischievous smirk appeared between his lips, his one eye shining with satisfaction and vengeance. "Serves him right. That's simply karma for ruining my sanity all these years." he asserted, snatching chuckles from the others.

"I sent you a picture of the messy pile." Wintergreen commented, mentioning the direction in which the kids were sleeping.

Slade sent him a nod of thanks and sat in the chair next to him, participating in the quiet chatter of his friends.

This is karma kiddo, you fucking son of Satan.

Chapter Text

Renegade had completed a contract on several criminal gangs in Los Angeles and was jumping from rooftop to rooftop, heading for the abandoned warehouse where he had left his Deadly-Cycle.

He suddenly froze on a rooftop, his muscles stiffening and his eyes wandering from side to side straining his enhanced hearing to its fullest. His instincts screamed at him that something big was about to happen and if there was one thing he trusted without a doubt, it was his instincts.

After all, it was crucial for an antihero mercenary assassin of his caliber.

Someone is following me. I'm sure of it.

So the acrobat remained motionless and still in a fighting stance and ready for whatever was to come. He did not have to wait long when suddenly he felt a gust of wind and a very rapid shift of air around him accompanied by a slight sting in his neck. All this happened in less than a millisecond and it was so fast that even for the Talon it was impossible to react.

Before he could even fully register what had happened, the mercenary staggered sideways from the sudden rapid shift of air and brought a hand to his neck, pulling out a needle. His hand closed into a fist around it, easily breaking it into a thousand pieces, and he cursed silently as his vision began to blur, turning then sharply but seeing no one in front of him.

His legs began to shake and the next second Renegade fell to his knees before colliding on the solid, uneven surface of the roof, his vision obscured.

The last thing Dick saw was a figure in red looming over him and before passing out he mentally cursed at Flash.

"We finally managed to capture Renegade!" Green Lantern exulted, raising his fist in the air with a satisfied smirk.

Wonder Woman rolled her eyes with a small smile at her friend's antics and leaned back in her chair, watching the other Justice League members.

Batman had somehow managed to intercept Renegade's client and sent Superman to arrest him, although not before he had managed to pay the mercenary and erase all traces of the money transfer. It was only by sheer luck that they had managed just in time to catch a glimpse of Renegade walking away from the crime scene and the Caped Crusader had ordered Flash to use a powerful sedative on the assassin using his super-speed in such a way that Renegade could not have expected it and would have had no way of foreseeing it.

The Amazon, however, had noticed how Renegade had frozen on the roof and she was certain that he was aware that someone was following him, even though he never had a chance to predict and counter the fastest man in the world.

"Renegade is currently in the Justice League prison that was built specifically to be impossible to escape. Not even the strongest members of the League such as Superman, Dr. Fate and Wonder Woman would be able to escape from the containment cells and the same goes for the world's most dangerous super-villains, including Renegade." stated Batman abruptly, interrupting any background buzz.

"I knew those cells would be useful sooner or later. We rarely used them but man, I'm glad you built them." reflected Green Arrow, idly playing with his bow.

"Agreed. This time Renegade can't do his ninja skills that put even Batman's to shame." Flash chuckled but stopped quickly when he noticed the vigilante's glare.

"As I was saying, Renegade has no escape. I'll take a DNA sample from him to find out his civilian identity and consequently trace it back to Deathstroke's as well. Once he is awake, I will interrogate him and get whatever information I can. After that, Renegade will be sent directly to Belle Reve prison." the Dark Knight coldly declared.

His tone, if possible, was even more icy and emotionless than usual, and this did not go unnoticed by his teammates. Green Lantern leaned to Aquaman's side. "I'll bet you thirty dollars that Renegade will collapse in less than five minutes." he whispered to the Atlantean.

The king of Atlantis stared at his friend for a few seconds before nodding. "Bet accepted."

"Do you know you're going to lose, right?" said Wonder Woman amusedly to Hal.

"Why do you think so?"

Diana had many answers she could give him but in the end she opted for the simplest one, keeping the others to herself. "Because Renegade is not afraid of anything or anyone, not even Batman."

This was in fact one of the things she had learned during their fight against him. It was clear that Renegade had no doubts in his own abilities to the point of challenging practically the entire Justice League and he had been right since he had easily emerged victorious from that confrontation: thus, it was not a matter of arrogance but of unshakable and unconditional confidence in his own abilities.

Moreover, Renegade had repeatedly demonstrated that he feared neither Batman nor the world's mightiest heroes. It was probably a consequence of having been raised and trained by the world's best mercenary.

However she had picked up something else from the young assassin.

During the fight Wonder Woman had kept an almost constant eye on the mercenary's posture and had come to several conclusions.

Renegade had fought not only to win but to dominate the battle. His movements were so fluid, acrobatic and fast that they were often very difficult to follow even with well-trained eyesight such as hers and Wonder Woman did not think it was possible. His movements were also accompanied by a lethality, deadliness and brutality that Diana had never seen in anyone else, not even those few times she had fought Deathstroke or any other world-class assassin.

His movements so fluid, fast, acrobatic and graceful -which reminded her of a bird's- and equally deadly, lethal, ruthless and brutal, added to his more than perfect and flawless mastery with firearms and swords -the thought of how Renegade had easily humiliated her with a sword still burned in her chest. Moreover, it was common knowledge that Renegade was the best in the world with escrima and was probably in the top three of the best in the world with all weapons in existence, even though many voices in the criminal world claimed that he was at the top of that ranking to what Batman had reported-, not to mention his fighting skills and so much more, well, all this painted a definite picture in the Amazon's mind.

It was as if Renegade had been trained from birth to be an invincible war machine. His movements so oily and never wrong by a single millimeter proved it.  

And this made Wonder Woman very nervous. She, who had been trained from birth as a fierce warrior Amazon to be the best among them all, found herself genuinely uncomfortable when she faced the mercenary, even though she had obviously hidden it in the remotest part of her being.

There was a distinct difference between being trained to be the best Amazon of all and being an invincible, infallible, perfect war machine. And although Diana's superhuman physical abilities far exceeded Renegade's, he had the healing factor on his side and as the heroes could testify it was nothing short of excellent and very functional, far better than Deathstroke's.

And it should also be remembered that in the fight against Renegade, he was holding back and by a lot.

Of course, she herself was also holding back by lot -unlike Superman and the Flash who were eliminated even before they could have made a single move- but still. 

Thoughts of what he was really capable of resurfaced in her mind along with the carnage, massacre and bloodbath that the mercenary had carried out in Russia.

There was so much blood, decapitated bodies, mutilated bodies, organs and blood and brain matter and chunks of human flesh splattered all over the room that she had a few nightmares about that horrific and inhumane scene.

Not even the most trained and fierce heroes like her, Aquaman and Batman could remain stoic and impassive in the face of that carnage.

And Wonder Woman feared that was only a very small part of what Renegade was capable of doing. 

"Wonder Woman has a good point."

Black Canary's voice brought the Princess of Themyscira's attention back to the conversation that was taking place.

"Yes but we're talking about Spooky." stated Hal gesturing randomly in a tone of voice that suggested his words meant everything.

Before anyone could add anything, the sound of a chair moving was heard and all the heroes turned their attention to Batman who had just stood up. "I'm going to take a DNA sample from Renegade and then have it analyzed in the cave."

"Is it safe?" asked Zatanna worriedly.

"The sedative should keep Renegade out for at least another half hour. A little less if his meta-human status accelerates the process of the sedative residue disappearing in his system but in any case we have incapacitated his meta-human abilities, so there should be no problem." explained the Dark Knight impassively.

However, Gotham's vigilante did not even have time to leave the meeting room when he suddenly froze abruptly in place at the same time that all the heroes felt a genuine shiver of fear spread down their spines.

A familiar and very disturbing laugh spread throughout the Watchtower in such a way that it was impossible to discover its point of origin.

Wonder Woman felt her heart lose a beat and some of the color faded from her skin.

How the hell could that be impossible? That is-

"Am I wrong or is that Renegade's fucking laugh?" Hawkgirl growled but Diana noticed how her friend both clutched her mace nervously and how her face was a little paler than usual.

The Amazon could not blame her, otherwise it would have been hypocritical of her to say that she did not feel ice flowing through her own veins because of the mercenary's eerie laugh.

It almost seemed as if the Thanagarian's words had awakened Batman who emitted a fierce growl. "Flash!" he barked.

The speedster gasped when the Caped Crusader called out to him but still understood his implied order and quickly disappeared only to reappear the next millisecond with wide eyes, a pale face and tremors throughout his body. "H-He escaped!" he stammered, clearly surprised. "He i-isn't in the c-cell!"

Flash had not even finished his sentence that Batman was already running. All the heroes exchanged a worried look before following him. Within seconds they reached the room dedicated to the containment cells and Diana gasped at what she saw.

Barry was right.

Renegade was no longer in his cell.

Each cell was designed the same way: the door was heavily reinforced by titanium, tungsten -considered the strongest metal in the world-, the strongest material in the world aka CrCoNi -metallic alloy of chromium, cobalt and nickel- and other very strong materials. The door was -or at least was supposed to be- impenetrable: all solid except for a small liquid crystal portal that functioned as a small window that allowed the inmate to observe outside and League members to keep an eye on the prisoner. In a high corner of the cell was a camera, set at such a height that it would be very difficult to destroy it. There was a keypad on the door to enter the access code to enter the system. The cells were of medium size and contained only a small bed.

Nothing more nothing less.

At the edges of the cells were mechanisms that, when activated, emitted either radiation from a red sun to render Superman and other Kryptonians harmless, flames and fire to weaken Martian Manhunter and possibly other Martians, and much more. These mechanisms were only activated and deactivated outside the cell, of course.  

Diana stared at the few items lying on the floor inside the cell: broken handcuffs, inhibitor collar that took away superhuman abilities and powers -and gave a strong electric shock every time someone tried to take it off- and even the chain of the ball and chain -which weighed more than twenty-five tons, making it practically impossible to move a single step- was broken.

The inside of the cell was completely clean, except for those few items that should have been used to stop Renegade but were apparently insufficient: it was as if the mercenary had walked straight out the cell door but it was virtually impossible!

Not to mention how the entire prison area, including the cells, had been built with the most advanced human, Martian, Thanagarian, Kryptonian, Atlantean and Amazonian technology with a dash of magic courtesy of Dr. Fate.

How the hell did Renegade escape? I don't know any hero or villain who would be able to break out of these cells!

Some heroes had argued that the precautions were excessive and that it was a little too far to apply them on the world's second deadliest mercenary who, despite everything, was still a 17-year-old. However, Batman had explained that it did not matter how old he was: Renegade was still a dangerous assassin and that was why so many restrictions on him were necessary. 

Wonder Woman was a bit undecided on which side to take but in the end she had agreed with the Gotham vigilante's words since anyone who could easily take down the JL should not be underestimated and all appropriate measures should be taken.

So Batman had stripped Renegade of all weapons -and had checked several times from top to bottom, even in all the tiny compartments almost invisible to the human eye- and had taken off his gloves -which hid knives, lock picks and a few other gadgets-, the spikes on his arms, armored boots -which hid other gadgets and weapons- and his utility belt. But as soon as his hands made contact with the fabric of Renegade's mask, a strong electric shock had immediately gone through the figure of the Dark Knight who was forced to stagger backward.

Apparently the electric shock from the safety system of the assassin's mask was so strong, or perhaps endowed with a hint of magic, that somehow even Superman was unable to resist it and the Kryptonian was literally on the verge of fainting, which is why the heroes were forced to leave the mask on Renegade's face, much to Batman's dismay and unhappiness.

The Amazon's gaze shifted to the small table present and predictably every single one of Renegade's weapons and gadgets was gone.

Reluctantly Diana had to admit that she was very impressed that Renegade had been able to escape from the most secure cells in the world, far more so than any prison like Belle Reve.

Apparently Renegade is very skilled at continuing to amaze me.

It was Aquaman who broke the stunned and astonished silence and said aloud the words that passed through his mind. "This cannot be possible." he whispered, disbelief, astonishment and horror coloring his tone of voice.

"Didn't you say these cells could contain the world's most powerful heroes and super-villains?"

Batman glared at Hal. "Indeed they are." he grunted, clearly very displeased with the situation and how the young mercenary had managed to evade the containment cells he had designed. 

It certainly had to be a blow to the Dark Knight's pride.

"We should have taken a DNA sample from him the moment we caught him." muttered Black Canary frowning. "At least we would have known who is hiding behind Renegade's mask and probably Deathstroke's as well."

Martian Manhunter nodded in agreement, wincing slightly. "You're right."

"How did Renegade escape from the Watchtower?" asked Superman confusedly, staring at the Caped Crusader. "I didn't hear the zeta-tubes activate."

Batman did not even dignify him with a glance, which hurt the Man of Steel a bit. "He probably somehow hacked the systems connected to the zeta tubes in the facility."

"Aren't you in charge of the Watchtower's technological security?" Flash immediately regretted the question and his damn tongue when he fell victim to one of the most grim looks Batman has ever given anyone. "Y-you know what? Never mind!" he chuckled nervously.

"I will have the objects that served as restrictions for Renegade analyzed in the cave, although it is very likely that he has erased all traces of him." Batman grunted as he entered the code and opened the cell.

"We'll wait for you at the monitor room so we can see what really happened from the camera recordings." Wonder Woman informed him.

The Caped Crusader walked out of the cell containing the mercenary with the inhibitor collar, handcuffs and broken chain of the ball and chain and sent her an abrupt nod before walking away from the room.

"I will take the ball and chain to the Watchtower laboratory. It's worth a try." volunteered Superman and then entered the cell and lifted the ball and chain that weighed more than twenty-five tons as if it were a feather.

It probably was to him.

Diana and the other heroes began to head for the monitor room, each of them wanting to find out how the hell Renegade escaped from the world's most secure containment cell. Wonder Woman hesitated briefly at the threshold, casting a fleeing glance at the cell that should have easily contained the mercenary but didn't. 

Renegade... the greatest mystery I have ever encountered.

Chapter Text

Renegade jumped up sharply, his muscles tensed to their fullest and his eyes wandering in all directions. He only partially relaxed his muscles when he realized that he was not in immediate danger but still remained extremely alert, his heart beating hard in his chest.

Wait a moment: heart?

The acrobat brought a hand to his chest and he was right: he could feel a heartbeat a little faster than normal but that was not the problem.

The problem was that he actually had a heartbeat.

His gaze fell on his wrists chained very tightly by handcuffs. He raised both arms and brought his hands to his neck, finding confirmation of his theory when his fingers lightly grazed a cold, metallic surface.

The assassin let out a sigh and stared wearily at the small space in which he had been confined, noting distractedly how the holding cell was adorned only with a bed. 

The Justice League had not only managed to capture him but had also slipped him an inhibitor collar that would nullify his superhuman abilities. Feeling something cold around his left ankle, he lowered his gaze and stared directly at the ball and chain, distractedly noticing that they had also stripped him of boots and the gadgets and weapons contained in them. Renegade tried to move but quickly discovered that he could not move his left foot a single millimeter. He tried to lift it but quickly changed his mind when he realized that he would surely break not only his arms and hands but also his back in the mere attempt.  

“Oh, come on! Are you kidding me?” he complained. “Where the hell did they get a ball and chain that weighs tons?”

The first thing Renegade had noticed once he regained his senses was that the familiar and comforting weights of the two swords on his back as well as the utility belt wrapped around his waist were missing. They had also removed the guns from his holsters, the escrima sticks attached to his waist, the spikes present on his arms and the gloves that contained some gadgets and knives inside. He also felt some missing weight on him in the tiny compartments throughout his armor that hid weapons and gadgets.

Dick was sure it was Batman who searched him since no other hero would be able to strip him of every weapon, gadget and tool he possessed. He was somewhat impressed that the vigilante had done a flawless job, although he should have expected it from the Dark Knight.

The mercenary froze momentarily when he realized something.

The mask was still attached to his face, so they still did not know his identity.

He felt no sting either on his neck -besides the one Flash gave him- or anywhere else, so they still have not taken a DNA sample from him. Maybe they took a hair from him but the acrobat still remained somewhat optimistic that they did not.

If the mask was still on his face, it meant that his security system worked great.

I'm really glad I asked Constantine to enhance the electricity of the security system with a bit of magic. I knew it would be helpful.

Now that he was thinking hard, why did neither he nor Slade ever think of extending the mask safety mechanism on his utility belt as well?

Man, for the two best mercenaries in the world, we really are idiots.

The Talon made a mental note to warn Slade and to institute the same mask safety mechanism on his utility belt as well.

And to call Constantine again for another small favor.

To sum up Renegade had been captured by the JL and thrown into one of their containment cells, stripped of every weapon and gadget and tool, could not use his superhuman abilities because of an inhibitory collar that would also give him a strong electric shock if its sensors picked up that he was attempting to remove it and to top it off he had a ball and chain on his foot that weighed tons and so he could not move at all from where he was.

“Just great.”

It was a wise choice on their part. I wonder if all these restrictions are part of their protocol or if I am a special guest. I am sure it is the latter since from what I remember their protocol did not include all these restrictions. Maybe they have updated it in recent periods. Once I escape from here I will have to hack the Watchtower systems again and find out if they have updated the protocols regarding criminals caught and put in their cells.

The assassin took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.

He needed to escape as quickly as possible before the heroes showed up. Knowing the way they operate, he knew it was a matter of time before they would take a DNA sample from him and interrogate him but interrogation did not worry Renegade at all because he was not intimidated by anyone and had even been trained to evade questions when forced to tell the truth, so the lasso of truth was not a problem.

Renegade shook his head and brought his attention back to his current situation and decided it was time to escape. 

First step to escape: regain full mobility in his arms and hands.

The Talon jingled the handcuffs a few times, not surprised when he felt them very tight around his wrists. He tried a few tricks he had learned from both the circus and Slade but the cuffs were too tight, so first he would have to gain some elasticity and flexibility. The assassin brought his hands behind his back and began to stretch his right arm more and more until-

CRACK

Noise of broken bones resounded with a sickening and disgusting crunch throughout the cell. His right wrist snapped and Renegade, without even wincing in pain, tried again the circus tricks that only he knew and in less than thirty seconds he managed to free his right hand from the cuffs, not without some more crunching of bones. He stared at his still-cuffed left hand and decided that for now he did not need it free.

A few years ago Dick had asked Slade to obtain an inhibitory collar so as to verify that if the acrobat was ever injured while his superhuman abilities were temporarily absent, his healing factor would heal his injuries once the inhibitory collar was removed. His father after some persuasion disgruntledly agreed and Dick, once the object was put on, wounded his shoulder with a gunshot -risking to give the man a heart attack- and, after taking off the inhibitory collar, he saw pleased and satisfied that the wound healed completely in less than a minute.

Man, he infinitely loved his healing factor.

So now all he needed to do was to find a way to remove the inhibitor collar, possibly without tripping the safety system otherwise he would receive an electric shock that he would want to avoid.

The young mercenary looked around but besides the bed -which he could not even reach because of the damned ball and chain on his foot- it was completely empty. His gaze fell on his right hand and an idea began to form in his mind.

I don't know if this will work but it's worth a try.

He brought his handcuffed left hand close to his right hand, laboriously raising his right arm, and began to pull a piece of nail off his index finger. After about a minute he succeeded and took the thin but fairly sharp piece of nail. With a grunt from the effort he raised his right arm up again and began to use the thin, sharp piece of nail as if it were a sort of toothpick or lock pick, inserting it into a tiny hole in the inhibitor collar, being very careful not to apply too much pressure.

It took him less than two minutes but eventually he heard a metallic click and the inhibitor collar opened. His reflexes were faster and he grabbed the object on the fly before it fell noisily to the floor of the cell, avoiding the risk associated with Superman's super-hearing.

As soon as the inbred collar fell from his neck Renegade felt all his energy return to normal as well as the bones in his broken right wrist began to heal quickly. He silently placed the object on the ground and the first thing he did was to easily break the chain that held the handcuffs together through his superhuman strength. Next, the acrobat also easily broke the chain that bound the very heavy ball and chain to his left ankle and gave a mental sigh of satisfaction when he was able to walk freely.

He looked up and smirked at the camera before returning to action.

Now, as for escaping the cell.

Escaping from a cell reinforced by the most advanced human, Martian, Thanagarian, Kryptonian, Atlantean and Amazonian technology with a dash of magic, added to the escape without setting off the security alarms, was an experience that proved quite disappointingly easy for Renegade.

It is true that thanks to his unattainable hacking skills Dick knew the complete structure of the Watchtower by heart, including the cells along with the weak points he had identified with which to escape, but still they would have to improve the security of the prison area if they wanted to cause him more trouble.

Not that Dick was planning to get caught by the heroes again but still.

The Talon walked out the security door of the cell, silently closed it behind him, and when he turned around he sent a smirk in the direction of the camera. His gaze fell on the table on which was resting his entire Renegade equipment that they had taken from him and he raised his eyebrows under his mask.

They are more stupid than I thought if they leave their prisoners' weapons on a small table outside the cells. That and they are too arrogant about how they think their cells are so safe and efficient when in fact they are not. No holding cell is going to be completely secure but there will always be some weakness that can be exploited to break out.

In less than a minute the mercenary was re-equipped with everything they had taken from him but hesitated.

I should wipe every trace of my DNA from the containment measures.

With an irritated sigh Renegade turned and walked toward his now former cell. He raised his holographic glove and connected it to the keypad, beginning to hack it. It took him less than ten seconds before it turned green and the acrobat silently opened the cell, leaving it open. He removed every single trace of DNA on the handcuffs, ball and chain and inhibitor collar as quickly as he could, also stowing the piece of nail in a compartment of his armor, and exited the cell, closing the door silently behind him.

He turned his gaze back to the camera and besides an arrogant smirk and derisive greeting he mimicked with his lips a I can't wait to see you again, Princess before making the gesture of calling him, with a wink from behind the mask in addition. The acrobat quickly but never making a sound reached the zeta-tubes and began hacking them, first starting by momentarily deactivating their sound.

Since he was a little shit troll, the last thing he did before he was lit up by the zeta tubes was to let his eerie giggle spread throughout the Watchtower.

Dick couldn't wait to get his hands on the recordings just to observe the heroes' reactions to his giggle.

An incredulous and heavy silence fell in the monitoring room once the heroes had finished viewing the camera footage that had recorded the killer's escape.

“A fucking 17-year-old broke his right wrist to escape from the handcuffs, broke a fingernail and used it as a fucking lock pick or toothpick to successfully remove his inhibitory collar and subsequently broke both the handcuffs and the chain of the ball and chain.” Green Arrow summed up in a hysterical tone, seeming on the verge of tearing off his signature goatee with his own hands. “What the fuck? How the hell was that possible?”

Green Lantern patted him on the shoulder in consolation and understanding. “I don't know but I'm with you, man.”

“Renegade escaped from the cell as if it were an easy thing.” Hawkgirl whispered impressed, a hint of genuine respect and admiration into her tone of voice.

“I'll have to further improve cell security.” Batman grunted, clearly very displeased that a 17-year-old had managed to escape so easily from the prison he had designed.

Meanwhile, Wonder Woman had her face covered by her own hands, a slight blush present on her cheeks as she recalled Renegade's labial.

I can't wait to see you again, Princess.

The Amazon swallowed a tired, irritated sigh that threatened to escape her throat.

I do not understand whether Renegade is actually deliberately flirting with me, although I fear the answer is positive. But the question I ask myself is: why? What does he hope to achieve? Once again I have more questions than answers.

“You are late.” Slade remarked without ever taking his eye off his current activity, which was cleaning his guns.

The noise was very familiar and comforting to Renegade who immediately felt at home, his shoulders relaxing. “Yeah, well, I had a situation.” he affirmed as he removed his mask.

The more experienced mercenary emitted a distracted murmur, a sign that he was curious but not overly concerned about this unforeseen situation, and his son contentedly gave him an elaboration.

“The Justice League has captured me.”

The movements ceased abruptly and Slade raised his head so quickly that Dick swore he heard his neck snap in protest. “WHAT?” the acrobat grimaced slightly and the man continued, still gruff but slightly kinder than before. “How on earth did they catch you?”

“I was jumping from rooftop to rooftop on my way to my Deadly-Cycle when suddenly I realized I was being watched. However, I could not do much as Flash drugged me even before I could even blink.” Dick explained, frustration coloring his tone of voice. “Next time Allen won't be able to fool me like that again.” he added in a whisper.

“What happened next?” Slade growled.

The acrobat smiled at the overprotective mercenary dad mode and threw a smirk at his father. “They put me in one of their holding cells but as you can see I managed to escape.”

“You escaped from Justice League prison.” he repeated slowly, punctuating each word as if it helped him understand it for the better when in fact it did not.

“That was easy enough.” said the Talon casually shrugging his shoulders. “You know nothing can stop me, least of all an inhibitory collar, handcuffs, ball and chain that weighs tons and more advanced human, Martian, Thanagarian, Amazonian, Kryptonian and Atlantean technology, besides being stripped of every weapon and gadget I own.”

The super soldier's gaze turned flat as he stared impassively at his son. He wearily rubbed his temples with a resigned sigh. “I shouldn't even be impressed anymore by all the crap you manage to pull off but damned if I am every time.”

Dick chuckled. “I'll show you the footage of the League and how I managed to escape.”

Slade grunted before suddenly stiffening and fixing his son with a serious look, a hard twinkle in his left eye. “Did they take a DNA sample from you?”

“No. I also checked the Watchtower cameras and apparently escaped just in time since, if I had woken up a few minutes later, Batman would have already taken a DNA sample from me.”

The former military man's posture relaxed at his words. “So you woke up earlier than they expected.” he waited for a nod before continuing. “However, you mentioned an inhibitor collar earlier. If you didn't have your superhuman abilities-”

“Apparently my metabolism has become so accustomed to sedatives that it disposes of them faster than normal, regardless of my superhuman abilities.” Dick explained casually, sensing his father's question.

Slade was not irritated by his interruption but still narrowed his eye menacingly and wary. “How can that be so when rarely has anyone been able to sedate you?” the acrobat merely sent him a mysterious smirk and the more experienced assassin's eye widened shocked. “Don't tell me you drugged yourself just to weaken the effects of the sedatives on you!” he hissed furiously and worriedly.

Dick remained unmoved by the man's anger and gave him a cheeky wink. “100 points to Gryffindor!” he chuckled at the super-soldier's glare. “I had to make sure I found myself ready in such a situation. And you have to admit that it worked in this case. After all, wasn't it you who taught me to be ready for any scenario?”

Slade glared at him. “And then you say the Bat is paranoid.” he huffed, involuntarily feeling his lips rise a few inches. “You're just as paranoid as he is, kiddo. And that's saying a lot.”

“Meanwhile, paranoia has allowed me to keep the heroes from discovering our identities.” Dick pointed out with a mock haughty air before suddenly bursting out laughing. “And second, you definitely need to see the heroes' reactions when they realized I had escaped.”

“Were you being dramatic as usual?”

“Very. Let me just tell you that as they were gathered at the meeting hall suddenly my laughter echoed throughout the Watchtower. Most of them were literally on the verge of fainting. Their reactions are gold.”

“...You need to send me the video. I have a primary need to see it.”

“I absolutely will. That video goes without a shadow of a doubt among my all-time favorites.”

Chapter Text

Dick was in the middle of one of his rare moments of peace and quiet, which in this case consisted of watching a horror movie with his father and Wintergreen, when his phone rang. The acrobat was on the verge of rejecting the call but quickly changed his mind when he noticed that it was Jade who was calling him. He accepted the call and walked a bit away, absentmindedly noticing that Slade paused the film, and he brought the phone to his ear. He was ready for a joke but was immediately preceded by his older sister's frantic voice.

“Dick! Oh my God-please! You have to help me!”

His older sister's panicked voice sent chills down the Talon's spine and he straightened up, immediately abandoning all trace of levity. “Jade, what's wrong? Are you hurt?” he asked, masking the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.

His tone was so serious that he felt Slade's and Wintergreen's fixed gaze on his back but for now he ignored them, concentrating on the voice from the other phone line that continued to speak.

“It-it's Artemis!”

“What-”

“Artemis has been kidnapped!”

Dick froze in place and opened his eyes wide before returning to serious mode. “Jade, listen to me for a moment. Take some deep breaths-”

“How can I when my sister has been kidnapped?” she blurted out abruptly in panic.

“Close your eyes, listen to my voice and take deep breaths.” Dick instructed her firmly. “Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.” The Talon heard Jade take several deep breaths, performing the breathing technique he imparted. “Good, you're doing great. Keep it up.” he complimented her in a soft voice. This went on for about two minutes until he spoke again. “Better?”

“Yes, thank you.” Cheshire answered him, her voice still slightly shaky but definitely in a better state than a few minutes earlier. “I need your help to find Artemis, Dick.” she pleaded, one step away from whimpering.

Dick's heart broke. He had never felt his sister so terrified and vowed to make whoever had dared to make her so vulnerable and afraid pay “I will help you find your sister.” he solemnly promised. “Send me your location. I will come as soon as I can.”

Jade thanked him several times before the call ended.

“What happened?” asked Slade gruffly. Dick stared at the coordinates Jade had sent him before giving a quick explanation of the situation to his former mentor. “Go.” he said simply to his son.

At the side of the super soldier Wintergreen merely gave a small smile and nodded in agreement.  

Dick sent them an apologetic smile. “We'll finish watching the movie another time.” he promised and after the two men nodded he ran to dress in his mercenary identity.

The coordinates led Renegade to a warehouse in Bludhaven. As soon as he entered he removed his mask, knowing that Jade would rather stare at his uncovered face than a mask. He silently watched Cheshire nervously pacing back and forth in the center of the warehouse. 

“Jade!”

She initially stiffened but soon her muscles relaxed, having recognized the voice. When she turned around the younger assassin noticed traces of dry tears running down her cheeks, her eyes flushed, slight tremors running through her figure and her entire face expressed anguish, grief, anger, fear and other negative emotions.

Hearing his older sister's broken voice was heartbreaking in itself but seeing it even in her gaze was even more painful for Dick who felt his chest tighten painfully. He forced himself to swallow every instinct of anger, fury and overprotectiveness that he felt rising higher and higher, knowing that for the moment the most important thing was to comfort Jade and so he opened his arms in a silent invitation.

It was as if the dam had broken.

In seconds Jade crossed the entire warehouse and crashed into the acrobat's arms, which closed protectively around her. It had already been some years since Dick had grown taller than her and distractedly Jade, as she cried silently against his armor, missed the times when she was still taller than her little brother.

In stark contrast to the coldness emanating from the Talon’s body the young woman felt the warmth from the feeling of safety, comfort and protection sweep over her fully and she melted into Dick's arms as she continued to cry.

Dick rubbed slow comforting circles on her back, his heart breaking with each silent sob from his sister. He placed a tender kiss on the top of her head as his arms tightened lightly over the figure of his partner in crime, leaving her to cry and vent for as long as she would have liked.

Heck, he would have stayed still ten days if it was necessary!

About five minutes passed as Jade's sobbing and crying grew quieter and finally she reluctantly pulled away from her little brother's warm and comforting embrace, sending him a smile that was both grateful and apologetic.

“I-I'm sorry for-”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Dick interrupted her firmly but in a gentle tone. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Cheshire's back straightened and a look of steely determination crossed her face, in stark contrast to her previous expression. “My mother called informing me that fath- Sportsmaster abruptly entered her house and forcibly kidnapped Artemis. She had no chance to stop him.”

Dick saw red at her words and was sure that at that moment his eyes were shining with a brilliant gold. He clenched his fists, preventing himself from throwing a punch at the warehouse wall.

Fuck it. I'm going to fucking kill him.

Dick had known both Jade's mother and younger sister and both were people he respected, especially Paula since she was doing everything in her power to abandon her old background in favor of giving her younger daughter a better life.

And as for Artemis the mercenary regarded her as a good friend and a good girl who wanted to do the right thing, more inclined to the opposite side than where her father was. And because of that, Jade was very proud of her younger sister and Dick could see it in her face whenever she talked about Artemis.

And Sportsmaster dared to break the already fragile balance of this family by kidnapping his younger daughter for who knows what selfish ends and sending mother and eldest daughter into emotional turmoil.

But this was a mistake that would prove fatal for Lawrence.

Because Renegade would make him pay dearly.

The mercenary took deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself, knowing that his anger was the last thing Jade needed. “Do you know the reason Lawrence would kidnap Artemis?”

“My suspicions are that he wants to continue her assassin training begun in her youth.” Cheshire admitted, her right fist closing angrily in anger. “I know Artemis will not easily bend to his will to make her like him and that is what I am most afraid of.” she swallowed, fixing her green eyes on those of her little brother.

Deathstroke's former apprentice rested his hand on her shoulder, returning the steady, determined, gentle gaze. “Sportsmaster will not hurt your sister too much. Although he is definitely not the father of the year, you know too that in his heart Lawrence could never kill or torture his daughters.” he felt her shoulder muscles relax under his touch, which he took as a positive sign and then he continued. “We will find her, Jade. I promise.” he affirmed, his blue eyes never leaving her green ones.

The Talon emitted an involuntary grunt when she crashed into him but still wrapped his arms around her, holding her protectively to him. Cheshire melted into the embrace and hid her head between his chin and the base of his neck, her hands firmly wrapping around the massive figure of the younger but far more dangerous and deadly mercenary than she was. 

“I know.” murmured Jade, placing so much unconditional trust in Renegade that almost left him stunned with raw emotion and gratitude.

Dick's arms tightened further around her and brother and sister stayed that way for as long as she deemed necessary.

The next destination for the two assassins was Gotham, specifically the house where Jade's mother and sister lived and where the kidnapping of the 19-year-old by their father took place. Paula Crock welcomed Renegade benevolently and even held him in a hug that the acrobat gladly accepted, wanting to reassure to the best of his ability the woman who, to no one's surprise, had become like an aunt to him.

Seeing strong, resolute women like Jade and Paula so upset and distressed was a real heartbreak for Dick who mentally vowed to make Sportsmaster pay for all the pain he had caused. Unfortunately, Lawrence had left no useful clues in the house during the fistfight he had with his youngest daughter and ex-wife, so Dick and Jade had to opt for other avenues to find out where the hell her father had been hiding.

The first afternoon of searching bore no fruit and they had to suspend the investigation but Dick made sure to reassure his older sister, promising her that they would be able to find Artemis and rescue her. The first thing the mercenary did once he returned to New York was to create a computer system that would be able to connect to all existing cameras around the world so that Lawrence Crock's face could be applied in the search parameters and, if there were any matches in the cameras, the system would send a notification directly to Renegade's holographic glove.

This was because, according to the acrobat, there were possibilities that Sportsmaster had taken Artemis out of the United States.

During the process of creating this software Slade had attempted to follow in his son's steps but within minutes he gave up, content to stare at Dick's work and wonder how on earth he became a super genius at everything computer-related, far more so than Deathstroke and Batman themselves.

The Talon took about thirty minutes to create the computer program and as soon as it was finished he put Lawrence's face into the search parameters and the only thing he could do was wait to find a match. He sent a message to Jade informing her of the situation and after a short training session and dinner, he went to sleep.

The next day once he returned home from school and had lunch, the first thing Dick did was to see if his program had established a match.

The answer was positive.

Two rings rang before Cheshire answered the call.

“I found him.”

In hindsight, Dick and Jade might have arrived earlier at the possibility that Lawrence had been hiding in Vietnam given his ex-wife's Vietnamese origins but hey, neither of them was the best detective in the world, so they were excusable. The two assassins discovered that Sportsmaster was using as a base an old house that belonged to Paula's parents but had been abandoned for many years.

The two slipped silently into the house through a window, entering what was probably originally intended to be some sort of living room left, however, in decidedly poor condition. The two assassins looked at each other briefly and exchanged a nod before parting ways.

Renegade explored the building for a few minutes without making a sound when his earpiece rang and he heard his older sister's voice. “I found some stairs going down, probably to some kind of basement. Maybe he hid her there.”

“Roger. Be careful.” the acrobat warned her and silence fell again in communications.

The mercenary continued to explore the building but found nothing useful, so he walked silently in the direction Cheshire had headed. He suddenly froze, however, and stood still for a few seconds before he turned sharply and blocked an explosive hockey puck on the fly. He crushed it easily before it could explode and narrowed his white mask eyes menacingly.

“Crock.”

“Wilson.”

The two mercenaries stared at each other for a few seconds in silence. “You know, of all places, I didn't expect you to take refuge in Vietnam.” the youngest stated tapping his earpiece twice, silently communicating to Cheshire that he was about to face her father and so she would have to find Artemis and take her away as previously agreed between them.

Lawrence noticed the movement but decided to ignore it. “I think of it as a dramatic note, you know?” he said casually shrugging his shoulders. He narrowed his brown eyes visible from behind his usual hockey mask. “Get out of here, Richard. You had nothing to do with this.”

“I got involved the moment you decided to kidnap my older sister's younger sister, Lawrence.” Renegade stated coldly. “Let me guess: you kidnapped Artemis only to train her again in an attempt to make her like you?”

“Bingo.” Sportsmaster gave a shark-like grin and began to deftly twirl the spiked ball. “Since you're here I bet Jade is here too.” the son of his greatest rival remained silent and he took that as a positive response. “Thank you for bringing her to me for this family reunion. A pity you were not invited.”

“Then you'll have to force me out of the family reunion. Bring it on, Sportsmaster.”

“My pleasure, Renegade.”

Chapter Text

Sportsmaster spun the spiked ball in the direction of his opponent who dodged to the side it and Renegade ducked under the weapon when the older mercenary attempted to strike him again. The acrobat sprinted toward the man who, however, moved to the side in a demonstration of enormous speed and fluidity in his movements despite his massive and sturdy build.

Renegade deflected the spiked ball thanks to the spikes of his right arm and the weapon ended up barely grazing his face, lightly scratching his left cheek. Dick did not wince at all, ignored the small trickle of dark blood, and his hand snapped forward, grabbing the chain tied to the spiked ball and pulling it forcefully in his direction.

Sportsmaster staggered forward, momentarily losing his balance due to the younger man's superhuman strength, but he released his grip on the chain just in time to dodge Renegade's punch and he attempted to hit him with a kick. The Talon merely dodged the blow by moving his head to the side and with a kick struck the other leg of the man who immediately fell to the ground with a thud.

“You're lucky that I want to make this fight last longer, otherwise I would have aimed for your knee with that kick and broken it.” Renegade commented casually as he watched the older assassin get back on his feet with a backflip.

“How kind of you.” Lawrence drawled sarcastically as he grabbed two baseball bats from his belt and then launched himself at the younger man.

Initially Renegade merely dodged the blows, waiting patiently for an opening he could exploit. He did not have to wait long and when he dodged another blow he threw an elbow in the air, striking Lawrence's right hand holding a bat, while simultaneously kicking the other assassin's left hand.

The man grunted and backed away slightly, both bats falling noisily to the ground. Sportsmaster growled and sprang forward with a punch but Renegade blocked his arm and violently flipped him back to the ground. The older mercenary quickly got back up but met a vicious right hook that snapped his head to the side followed by a strong kick to the chest that threw him against a wall, his back slamming painfully.

The impact was such that it caused the wall to shake slightly and a painting nearby fell to the floor, shattering irreparably, and both assassins ignored it. Renegade walked slowly and menacingly toward Sportsmaster, watching his figure slump against the wall. “Tired already, dude? What a disappointment.” he mocked him.

Although he could not see it, he imagined his opponent was smirking behind his mask. “I don't think so.”

Sportsmaster sprang to his feet toward the acrobat with such speed that he actually surprised the youngest a little but Dick with his left hand blocked the older assassin's right hook and tried to punch him in the face with his other hand. Lawrence ducked under the blow and faster than a well-trained human eye could see he drew a spear from his belt and pushed it toward the younger mercenary.

Renegade, however, was no ordinary person and moved just in time for the spear to pierce his right lung rather than his heart. Black blood began to pour from his bloody wound and he felt more blood begin to pool in large quantities in his mouth. Dick backed away a few steps and was forced to cough up more blood without ever taking his eyes off Lawrence's brown eyes now dripping with satisfaction.

The mercenary lowered his gaze, staring impassively at the spear having passed through the layer of armor -he absentmindedly wondered where the hell Lawrence got a spear capable of piercing the combination of Promethium chain mail and Nth Metal- and having pierced his right lung, inches from his heart. He slowly raised his eyes again, staring intently at Sportsmaster whose bravado began to falter noticeably when he realized that Dick was still standing as if he had not just received a potentially fatal wound. “Then it's true that you're not human.” he whispered in horror, his eyes a little wider than usual as he took a particular look at both the black blood and the spear sticking out of his right lung.

Renegade gave a frightened smirk, showing his dark blood-stained teeth and watching in satisfaction as the other mercenary trembled slightly at his gaze. “This wound will heal in no time.” he casually informed him. “The only reason you managed to hit me is because I'm going very easy on you, man. Like, 10%.”

Before Sportsmaster could comment it Renegade grabbed the spear and jerked it out of its wound from which more rivers of dark blood spilled. He grabbed the weapon with both hands and with no effort he broke the spear in half as if it were a tree branch. He tossed the two pieces of the spear to the side and let his hands crack menacingly, the smirk slowly slipping away.

“Now stop playing.”

Before Sportsmaster could even fully comprehend his words, a violent 360-degree roundhouse kick struck him violently in the chin with so much force that it sent him flying away. He landed in pain on the ground, his hockey mask sliding off. He got back up with a gasp of pain, testing his jaw and quickly decreeing that yes, it was broken.

With a snarl Lawrence charged his opponent. Renegade danced around the punch, positioning himself behind the man, and grabbed his right arm and then twisted it painfully behind his back. The older assassin barely had time to wince when he suddenly cried out in agony as soon as he felt his arm break brutally, noise of broken bones resonating with a sickening crunch.

Renegade hit him with a vicious elbow to the temple and Sportsmaster fell forward onto his knees, one step away from falling to the ground. Talon spun him around and then delivered an uppercut that flung him meters away. Jade and Artemis's father fell with his back to the ground with a pained groan and did not get up. In his blurred vision he barely glimpsed the looming, menacing figure of Renegade who stared at him with a hard, icy stare.

“You are lucky that the only reason I do not kill you is because I know that both Jade and Artemis don't want you dead. That and also because I know that, deep down in your fucking heart, you genuinely care about your daughters, even though you suck at showing it a lot.” Dick sighed, absentmindedly feeling his former wound be fully healed. “You are an excellent mercenary and assassin, Sportsmaster, one of the best in the world and you have a good moral code, I admit. However, you are a shitty father who needs to start improving.”

“Should I take an example from Slade?” Lawrence managed to sneer despite being sore in every bone in his body.

“Yes.” the honest answer took the man by surprise and the 17-year-old continued. “Although he is terrible at times in showing his emotions, in all these years I have never doubted his unconditional love for me and have noticed firsthand his genuine commitments and improvements as a father. It's time for you to do the same thing, Lawrence. Artemis and Jade need you, even if they will never admit it. It is never late to admit your mistakes and do something to start making things right.”

Lawrence remained silent and Dick caught in his brown eyes a glimmer of something he could not define. However, this was something positive since it was the first time Dick could see genuine emotion in the man's usually cold and composed face, so he had the slightest hope that this would be the good time for Lawrence to become a better father to his daughters.

“Think carefully about my words, Lawrence.”

The next second Renegade hit the other mercenary with a strong kick to the temple, sending him directly into unconsciousness. Dick stared at Sportsmaster's unconscious figure for a few seconds before sighing and turning communications on. “Your father is out and will be for quite a while. Status?”

“I just took Artemis out of the house.” Cheshire informed him. “Aside from a few bruises and broken bones, she is overall fine.”

“Good.” Dick gave a sigh of relief that he didn't know how to hold back. “I'll join you.”

“Roger. One thing, Dick.”

“Tell me.”

“...How is he?”

“He's still breathing.”

“...Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sis.”

Dick smiled and pulled Artemis Crock into a fierce protective hug. “I'm so glad you're okay, Artie.”

Artemis melted into the embrace and immediately returned it, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for the rescue mission, Dick.”

The meta-human tenderly stroked her back as he turned his full attention to Jade who was staring at them with a soft, tender gaze. Her eyes shifted to his and showed all her gratitude to him to which the acrobat nodded to her.

Do you want me to send your father to Blackgate or Belle Reve? He signed discreetly without making Artemis suspicious.

Jade stared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head. No. I think he will have learned his lesson.

Dick merely sent her a nod and they both returned their attention to Artemis, doing their best to comfort the 19-year-old .

Renegade watched with a sweet smile as Paula Crock enveloped her youngest daughter in a fierce, warm embrace, her look of pure happiness making her look as if she were thirty years younger. After a while at the invitation of both women Jade also joined in what became a family hug. Dick looked away from the scene, feeling like he was intruding on a private moment. He began to back away silently with the intention of secretly leaving the dwelling but stopped when suddenly Paula pointed her gaze at him.

After gently pushing her daughters away, the older woman pushed her wheelchair forward and stopped in front of the younger man. “Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me, Dick.” she thanked him so warmly and sincerely, her gaze showing recent signs of crying. “I don't know how I could ever repay you.”

“It's not a problem at all, Aunt Paula.” Dick immediately reassured her with a beaming smile. “I'm just glad I could help.”

Paula reached out a hand and grasped his, gently stroking it as she looked at him with eyes full of admiration and gratitude that made Dick move a little uncomfortably.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Diana Prince gave a sigh of relief once she re-entered the house. She loosened her ponytail, placed her glasses on the glass table and floated slowly in the air for a few seconds before throwing herself down on the sofa.

And this meeting with international leaders is over too, thanks to Zeus.

The good thing about her job as one of the UN ambassadors was that she was very good at her job as well as at international relations among the various heads of state and thus in getting positive relations established among the various states belonging to the UN.

The bad thing was enduring the inconsistency and hypocrisy of some of her colleagues along with their greed and gluttony for fame, power and wealth masked by their false desire to do common good.

The demigoddess sighed and decided that it would be best to stop thinking about her work, at least momentarily, and resting was currently a good idea. However, as soon as she closed her eyes in an attempt to rest flashes of distinct memories crossed her mind.

“You know, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.”

“Can't a mercenary make a genuine appreciation for the best woman on the planet? By the way, are you single by any chance?”

Diana stood up sharply, her breathing slightly labored. She frowned heavily, silently wondering why the hell her memory tapped into Renegade's flirtation with her that occurred in their first battle.

An even stranger fact was that although it had been quite some time since then, Diana remembered that battle and every single word of the mercenary -especially his well-philosophic and contrived speech that only she was able to witness- as if only one day had passed.

Not only that but Diana remembered with limpid, clear accuracy every emotion she felt on that day. 

The pure, genuine fear that for a moment had filled every fiber of the fierce Wonder Woman's body. 

When their faces were only about ten inches apart and she could feel his light breath on her face, sending slight shivers down her spine and quickening her heartbeat.

When Wonder Woman shivered when Renegade swept her hair to the side, his touch softer and gentler than she had expected from him. His breath brushed against her bare neck and she felt a shiver go up her spine, shivers that increased when one of his gloved hands gently placed itself between her neck and shoulder.

At the well vivid and lucid memory of these last two memories Diana shuddered and felt her face go slightly on fire and cursed herself for her moment of weakness. After taking a long, deep breath she lay back down on the sofa, once again trying to rest her mind and body.

“I hope to see you again soon in an occasion where we can talk more, Princess. Oh, and I hope you enjoyed the flowers I sent you.”

“I can't wait to see you again, Princess.”

Apparently her mind was not in agreement with her idea at all.

Damn.

The Princess of Themyscira easily guessed that a rest would not be possible for the time and with an irritated sigh stood up, positioning herself in an upright position. She began drumming her fingers on the armrest of the sofa, wondering how on earth she could pass the time.

The image of a boy dressed in all-black armor with blood-red details, a large blood-red R in the center, a red mask with menacing white slits, red utility belt carrying who knows how many weapons and gadgets on which he had a unique mastery in the whole world crossed her mind.

Diana silently cursed.

What the hell is happening to me?

Perhaps she was simply curious about the mystery surrounding the figure of the second best mercenary and assassin in the world and she just wanted to know more about him.

Yes, surely that was the reason.

With this in mind, the Amazon nodded and stood up, deciding that it was time to fill her curiosity about the said mercenary by doing as much in-depth research on him as possible.

Diana sincerely hoped that after finishing the research on Renegade, she would be back to normal without any more thoughts of the damned assassin.

Chapter Text

Diana knew she was by no means the best when it came to computers and technology in general but she still decided that as a starting point for her research was to type the name Renegade into the Google search bar. So she flew to grab her laptop, returned to sit comfortably on the couch and typed the name Renegade, finally pressing enter.

The first site that appeared in the search was Renegade's Wikipedia page. Even someone as inexperienced in technology as Wonder Woman knew that the world was pretty much split in two between those who appreciated and found Wikipedia useful and those who did not but in any case she clicked on that site to get at least the general knowledge about the mercenary.

Her eyes were glued carefully to the screen, her brain analyzing analytically every single word written and making a brief summary of what she was reading as she went along.

The first testimony of Renegade's first sighting was more than six years ago and less than seven: she, knowing that the assassin was seventeen years old, easily came to the conclusion that Renegade began his mercenary career at only eleven years old.

She winced slightly at this.

Definitely too young to start being a mercenary, never mind that he has a great healing factor. What the hell was Deathstroke thinking allowing an eleven-year-old to go out and be a mercenary, especially after his first son/apprentice was killed in a contract? 

Diana knew she might be a bit of a hypocrite since she has been trained to be a fierce Amazon warrior since she had not even reached double digits of age but at least she was a demigoddess whose father was literally Zeus, dammit!

Leaving that aside, the princess of Themyscira read what Renegade's first contract probably consisted of the assassination of Andrew Reed, a corrupt Chicago politician in cahoots with the local mafia and his bodyguards were responsible for the disappearance and murder of at least seventeen people who attacked Reed's public image. Among Reed's six bodyguards only one survived, himself being the first witness left alive by the mercenary.

Alive so to speak since apparently he, as a result of the gunshot wound that Renegade inflicted on him, was in a coma for about a week and when he woke up he developed a severe case of PTSD -complicated also by having directly witnessed the brutal murder of two other bodyguards-, in addition to the fact that he was later arrested for all the crimes he committed.

The Wikipedia page quoted verbatim the words of the man who in a state of shock stated in an interview:

“I don't know who or what the hell it was. It seemed to be a little bloodthirsty demon. It was definitely not human. No one would be able to pierce a man's windpipe with one punch. I would rather die than see that infernal thing again!”

Besides him, there are only eight other witnesses who sighted Renegade and had their lives spared and all of them agree that they did not see something or someone more frightening than Renegade, who was not a mere human being and was always affiliated with something hellish and demonic.

Diana was sure that, just as Batman had said some time ago in the first meeting he had convened, Renegade had voluntarily left a number of witnesses alive so that news about him would slowly spread, creating an aura of mystery around his figure, without ever giving too much away.

And damned if he had succeeded.

Next there were the various rumors circulating about the mysterious figure of Renegade -one more frightening and deadly than the other, Diana noted- and also several anecdotes concerning the mercenary, especially some of the bloodiest and most gory deaths he caused.

The Amazon opened her eyes wide in shock when she read one in particular.

Apparently more than twenty gunmen were found so brutally, ruthlessly and horribly murdered that the only way to identify what was left of their corpses was with DNA. The place was completely filled with liters of blood, severed heads, decapitated bodies, limbs torn from the rest of the body and more. 

It reminded Diana a lot of the extermination of the Red Sharks because of Renegade and the bloodbath -over fifty mobsters brutally murdered in the worst and bloodiest and most gory ways possible- that she and the other founding members of the JL had witnessed and for which each of them surely had had nightmares.

Episode even cited on the mercenary's Wikipedia page.

Moving on, the demigoddess read how different rumors were circulating about the relationship between Renegade and Deathstroke: some claimed that they only had a former mentor/former apprentice relationship, others claimed that Deathstroke was a parental figure for Renegade, others that the man had physically, mentally and emotionally abused the youngest and others that Diana did not even want to consider.

Diana sincerely hoped that Deathstroke had been a good father to Renegade.

Apparently ever since word had spread that Renegade was no longer Deathstroke's apprentice -something also evidenced by the younger assassin's change of armor- the two mercenaries have not been spotted together, although such sightings have happened very rarely before. Diana thought about the possibility that it was all a stratagem to get Renegade to stop being associated with Deathstroke, whether to avoid revealing the nature of their true relationship or for some other reason she did not know.

Continuing to read in the criminal world were unconfirmed rumors about how Renegade collaborated a lot with other world-class assassins such as Lady Shiva, Talia Al Ghul, Katana and Cheshire. Which made sense since Diana recalled how Renegade had claimed that he worked for the League of Assassins.

League of Assassins on which Renegade himself had carried out a coup and permanently destroyed Ra's Al Ghul's empire with his ultimate death, Diana clearly recalled but that was another speech not even mentioned on the internet, which made sense.  

The Amazon also read how Renegade's reputation was essentially that of an anti-hero mercenary since he never killed any innocents and this was evidenced by the fact that anyone who tried to hire him to kill an innocent or a hero would be found dead in less than twenty-four hours and this was one of the few certainties in the criminal world.

Although Wonder Woman was already aware of this she still felt lighter than before, for some strange reason that she ignored.

Basically, the young mercenary's Wikipedia page ended there and Diana got out of there and decided to read some other websites dedicated to him. Basically each of them said the same things she already knew and she got nothing else useful from them.

The princess of Themyscira was scrolling through several websites until her attention was caught by one in particular because of the page title Renegade's modus operandi is more effective than those of the heroes. She clicked on it, not quite knowing what she would read.

Diana found out that a journalist had written this newspaper article also published online that stated that Renegade's mode of action was more effective than that of the heroes because the mercenary permanently eliminated criminals, unlike them who instead simply put the bad guys in jail. He also documented his analysis with statistics showing that in the past six/seven years, since Renegade first appeared, the percentage of crimes committed worldwide had dropped significantly.

This was because it was not at all uncommon to see Renegade also operating outside America -although there was no concrete evidence but this was practically confirmed- but he was accepting contracts all over the world, for example even in Europe, Asia and Africa. In fact it was apparently known that the young mercenary was responsible for the permanent dismantling of many mafia organizations around the world and that the Red Sharks weren't his first mafia destroyed at all.

The reporter went on to say that this helped to actually instill fear in virtually all criminals because they feared that someone might hire Renegade to eliminate them, no matter how far away. And the fact that there was special technology to make overseas travel feasible in a matter of seconds helped greatly to spread this fear of a mercenary of Renegade's reputation.

There were also comments at the end of the article and in addition to some that were negative toward the journalist, who was heavily criticized or insulted for his favorable stance toward Renegade's existence and modus operandi and for his criticism of the JL's way of acting -which Diana considered not so much a true criticism but more a set of differences that distinguished the two ideals put into action- there were also comments that were favorable and in agreement with the man.

The demigoddess read surprised how several people claimed that Renegade had saved their lives or managed to give them profound peace because of his murders that took the lives of rapists, blackmailers, murderers etc. who hurt or worse them or their relatives, friends and closest people and, reading some of the comments, hired the mercenary for very low amounts of money or even for free.

And here was an aspect that Wonder Woman had never realized but had just come to.

Many people from all walks of life hired Renegade to kill people who had hurt them or their loved ones in order to grant them an inner peace that they would not otherwise have if the people who hurt them continued to live as if nothing had happened.

And it was amazing how Renegade accepted such types of contracts even at a very low pay or even for free. Diana supposed it was both because the young assassin probably did not need any more money at all -not with many hundreds of completed contracts- but mostly because Renegade wanted to do good in his own way.

Diana herself could not help but find herself agreeing with much of the article, surprising herself when she realized this.

Eventually the Amazon decided that research on the mercenary could end here and after closing each Internet page she turned off her laptop. With a sigh she laid it down beside her and leaned comfortably against the back of the sofa.

Although she had not learned anything new about Renegade other than a few anecdotes, she could still consider herself somewhat satisfied. This was because she had found the article written by that reporter useful and also the comments and all served as a kind of outside opinion on the mercenary.

And most of them were positive toward the young assassin.

Diana could not help but be somewhat fascinated and intrigued by the mysterious figure of Renegade and how he, despite his young age, was apparently capable of doing anything, no matter how impossible it seemed, surprising her greatly on several occasions. It was honestly difficult to admit this even to herself, especially the fact that she felt a desire to want to know as much as possible, if not everything, about the mercenary because, damn him, he was one of the most amazing people she had ever met. She felt a mixture of several conflicting emotions toward the young assassin that she could not decipher at all.

Certainly his flirtation with her did not help at all.

Nor did the bouquet of gerberas placed in plain sight in the living room that she took great care of. 

Speaking of that, the demigoddess had done some research on the Internet to find out whether gerberas had a definite meaning in the language of flowers and, unfortunately for her, the answer was yes. In fact, gerberas meant happiness, sensitivity, cheerfulness but also sensuality, innocence, purity and even loyal love.

Now Diana did not know if it was intentional on the mercenary's part but she had the distinct feeling that it was: she could hardly see him letting details like that slip.

And this led her to wonder what the hell Renegade wanted from her.

Why this continuous and incessant flirtation?

Why of all the flowers in existence specifically the gerberas when everyone else -excluding Hal who received yellow tulips, clearly teasing him about his weakness to the color yellow- received the same random flowers?

Did he want to communicate something to her through the language of flowers? If so, what exactly?

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt. Renegade was simply the greatest enigma she had ever encountered but she would be lying if she said she did not find him intriguing.

In any case, there was an increased sense in Wonder Woman that although Renegade was without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest threats that existed in all of Earth, he was not completely evil, if at all. A person who killed only the worst scum in order to do good to the innocent and who managed to bring down the crime rate a little bit throughout the world could not be called evil.

It did not fit into the meaning of evil in the vocabulary of the demigoddess.

Renegade simply wanted to do good in his own way and indeed was succeeding since the statistics were in his favor.

Diana could not pretend to disagree with the mercenary's methods since she had killed for her own people before and, if she could, she would follow the same line of thought and action as Renegade.

This was precisely the main difference between her and Batman.

The Dark Knight firmly believed that every criminal had the right to redeem himself and that heroes should give villains practically endless tries, further arguing that the lives of even the worst criminals had the same importance as the lives of heroes, innocents, workers and honest people and so on. 

The princess of Themyscira also believed in the redemption of criminals but to a much lesser extent: according to her, it was immediately clear if someone was genuinely repentant of their actions and wanted to follow a path of rehabilitation to become an honest citizen.

There were, however, many criminals who, despite being caught, were easily able to escape from the facilities in which they were locked up to kill hundreds and thousands of innocent lives in a virtually endless cycle, practically the entire Gotham Rogues Gallery, Joker first and foremost. Although the main culprit was obviously the justice system, which undoubtedly sucked, Wonder Woman strongly argued that the most effective solution was to end the lives of said criminals because otherwise they would continue to kill so many innocent people.

Yeah, she did not like Batman's no-killing rule very much because she felt it was not too efficient, especially in the city with the highest crime rate in the world, and she preferred a much more pragmatic approach to dealing with criminals, mirroring Renegade's modus operandi in many respects. And Diana knew that other heroes would also agree with her such as Aquaman, Hawkgirl and Hawkman as they have killed for their respective peoples in the past as she did.

So to make a long story short, Diana did not consider Renegade a dangerous threat to society to be eliminated as soon as possible since he was concerned with killing the worst criminals.

Although definitely Batman and other heroes would not see it the same way.

Diana shook her head, clearing her thoughts, and cast a lazy glance at her phone to see the time, discovering somewhat surprised that it was time to prepare dinner.

But tonight I really don't feel like cooking.

The idea of ordering takeout pizza was not bad at all, she decided.

Chapter Text

Batman fell to his knees with a pained grunt. Spitting blood on the ground he looked up in a blur, catching a glimpse of two demonic figures looming menacingly over him and continuing to taunt him.

Two Face and Scarecrow. His rational mind usefully reminded him, despite the high amount of pain, confusion and daze he felt. It is only them. Their forms are not real. The rest I see does not exist. It is not real.

Batman tried to get back up but the mere attempt gave him painful twinges throughout his body, no matter how hard he tried his best to ignore the physical agony he was feeling, and he broke out in a fit of violent blood coughing.

It wasn't supposed to go this way

There had been a breakout from Arkham Asylum the night before and the former prosecutor and the former psychology professor had escaped from the asylum. Batman had spent that patrol and the entire next day gathering clues about where the two criminals had been hiding and had eventually discovered that Two Face had chosen as his secret hideout an abandoned building that had formerly served as a hospital, which had been disused for more than a decade.

The Caped Crusader was prepared to face his longtime enemy along with his henchmen. What he did not expect was that, during the fight with about twenty of Dent's henchmen, another dozen of the Scarecrow's henchmen along with Crane himself suddenly entered the battle.

There was no clue that could have revealed to him the unexpected collaboration between the two.

Making matters worse was the fact that a familiar greenish gas began to leak from the vents. Unfortunately, not only were Crane's henchmen already obviously wearing rebreathers that protected them but Dent's henchmen were also carrying rebreathers and began wearing them once they saw the fear toxin.

The same thing could not be said for the vigilante.

In fact, as soon as the fear toxin began to spread through the room, while Two Face's henchmen donned their rebreathers the Scarecrow's men in a cunning move simultaneously surrounded and assaulted the hero, forcing him not only to defend himself but also to inhale the gas.

Batman never had time to put on the rebreather as he was busy fighting the Scarecrow's henchmen and later also those of Two Face who joined in the fight as soon as they had donned the rebreathers.

Never mind that Bruce could have fired the grappling hook and moved as far away from the battle as possible to have enough time to put on the rebreather to lessen the effects of the fear toxin and to think of a strategic tactic that would let him win with fewer wounds on him. 

With much effort, the Dark Knight managed to emerge victorious from the violent and bloody battle against simultaneously about 30 thugs with his body full of gunshot wounds, broken and cracked ribs, sore arms and legs, concussion, scratches and stab wounds, broken bones and more.

Bruce ignored how he could have easily avoided most of the injuries he suffered. He suffered and endured kicks, punches, stabs, gunshots, blows when it would have been easy for him to avoid them. This was because there was no reason for him to survive. He had no real connection so deep that he would continue to live.

Neither Alfred nor Lucius nor Jim nor Leslie nor Selina nor Clark nor Diana nor the others in the JL were enough.

None of them were enough.

Bruce did not care if he died in a dirty alley like his parents or in some abandoned place.

He didn't care at all if he lived or died.

Once he fiercely took down his enemies, Batman felt his energies abandon him, giving way to the agony and physical pain that filled every fiber of his entire body previously replaced by the adrenaline that allowed him to fight relentlessly with all the wounds on him as if they were not there but vanished at that moment.

A female voice suddenly spoke.

“Look what a disappointment we have here.”

That voice tugged at the heartstrings of Batman who looked up sharply and through his blurred vision saw none other than the broken and bloodied body of Martha Wayne, her empty eyes staring back at him as if he were the world's worst disappointment.

The vigilante's body was shot through with several uncomfortable chills that caused him to cough up more blood. When he looked up again at his mother she is only a hallucination because his real mother was killed, that tiny part of his mind that was currently lucid reminded him she was flanked by Thomas Wayne, his body battered and his eyes as blank as his wife's.

“You are right, dear. A real son would not have let us die. And look at him now: completely at the mercy of two criminals whom he should easily defeat.” Thomas taunted Bruce whose heart broke further. “How pathetic.”

“He is not at all worthy of being a Wayne or even of calling himself a hero.” Martha added in a voice so scornful and full of disgust that it made Batman wince painfully. “So weak.”

I'm sorry! I know it was my fault! Forgive me! Bruce wanted to scream but could not as suddenly his throat became dry, preventing him from even opening his mouth. I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being a bad son and letting you die! I really am! Please forgive me!

“You are a disappointment.” the billionaire's body stiffened further, being able to always recognize that familiar British accent. “You're just a pathetic disappointment, Master Bruce.” repeated the hallucination of Alfred Pennyworth who stared at him with nothing but disgust, coldness and hatred that ripped through the vigilante's entire being. “I never wanted to raise you. I never wanted to raise the most spoiled, irritating, weak child I have ever known. I never wanted to be trapped with a burden like you to the point of losing the opportunity to have real relationships with my real family in England. The only reason I raised you is because I owed it to Master Thomas and Mistress Martha.”

“It's not real. It's not.” Batman muttered weakly, attempting to rise to his feet but the attempt ended with him falling back to his knees with a pained grunt. “It's not real.” he continued to mutter, trying to keep it straight in his mind but the pain, blurred vision and confusion made it quite difficult.

Later the vigilante had to deal with hallucinations of Leslie, Jim, Lucius, Selina, Clark, Diana and the others in the JL who kept reiterating how he is a total lousy friend and lover and hero, a poisonous person who corrupted everything he came in contact with, how he did not deserve the love he received from everyone at all since he kept rejecting it abruptly, that he deserved to die since his life was worth less than zero and much more.

I know this! I know all this! I know I do not deserve your love and friendship at all! I know that I am unworthy! I know that I am poisonous! I know I am one of the worst people in the world! I know that I am irremediably shattered and broken! I know I am surrounded by a darkness that is sucking up my life energy! I-I'm sorry!

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry that no matter how hard you try, none of you is and ever will be enough to push me out of the darkness to allow me to live like a normal human being. 

Bruce was abruptly redeemed from his spiral of depression when his gaze fell on a pair of people with whom he never had the luxury of acquaintance but whom he had nonetheless deeply disappointed.

“You have failed us, Bruce.” coldly stated John Grayson, his body broken and bloodied like his parents with the only difference being that his bones and joints protruded in an entirely unnatural way. “You promised you would take care of our son but you never did.”

“And now because of you our son has been missing for about ten years and is almost certainly dead.” Mary Grayson added, blood and tears streaming mingled from her empty eyes. “My son, my beautiful sunny son, my little Dickie, is dead. And it is solely your fault.”

I am so sorry! Bruce sobbed violently, reaching the limit of his resistance. The dam broke and tears began to form in his eyes. I tried! I swear! I-

“You abandoned me.” Bruce stopped suddenly and a series of shivers ran through his body as his gaze fell on the tiny but equally broken figure of a seven-year-old boy, his eyes no longer so blue and bright but replaced by empty sockets. “You promised you would find me. You promised that you would do everything to find me. That nothing would stand in the way and prevent the mighty Dark Knight from finding me. That you would take care of me. That you would help me.

“But you didn't. You abandoned me. You left me. Just when I needed you most. You never found me. You did not save me. You left me to my fate of suffering. I am merely one of Gotham's many archived cases. I am merely one of Gotham's many missing children who has never been found.

“This is all your fault. You have failed me.”   

Those words definitely ripped into the heart of Batman who emitted a heartbreaking, anguished, sobbing, choked and pained scream, the air being expelled abruptly from his lungs to the point that he felt the latter begin to burn.

Those words hurt infinitely more than every single punch, kick, shot, stab, broken bone, cracked and broken ribs, concussion and more that Batman had suffered.

The vigilante felt as if someone had ripped open his rib cage and torn his heart into a thousand pieces, as if every fiber of his being throbbed with so much pain and agony and suffering and heartbreak and pangs and despair and anguish that the only thing Bruce wanted was for that feeling to end once and for all.

Dick Grayson's case was Bruce's greatest failure.

The seven-year-old boy had disappeared after the death of his parents and no one could find out what happened to him or where he was. The best detective in the world could never find a single tiny clue that could have opened at least one lead for him to check out.

Nothing.

Zero clues.

Zero testimonies.

Zero leads to follow.

Absolute nothingness.

It was as if Dick had disappeared into thin air without leaving even a trace.

The only thing he knew was that Dick was talking to a strange tall, slim man who, however, no one knew and was virtually impossible to identify as he wore sunglasses and dark clothes that seemed to make him become one with the shadows.

Batman would soon discover that the sad death of the Flying Graysons was not by accident but was an actual murder caused by the mobster Tony Zucco. The vigilante had found the evidence he needed to have Zucco arrested but there was only one problem.

Zucco had also disappeared.

And his body was found months after his disappearance.

After Zucco's body was found, many murders followed throughout Gotham, ranging from the elite social class to petty criminals to other innocents. Batman split his time between these murders -to which he would never find the person responsible- and the case of the young acrobat's disappearance, focusing more on the latter case.

The Dark Knight worked persistently and incessantly on his case, spending a great deal of his energy, hours of sleep and resources in a completely obsessed and uninterrupted manner. During that period it often happened that Alfred would go so far as to drug his food to force the younger man to rest a few hours otherwise Bruce would continue to work on Dick's disappearance without ever resting.

Those were literally the only times he rested, even if against his will.

At that time, moreover, Batman devoted much more time to detective work than to patrols, excluding episodes of extreme necessity such as the escape of some super-villain from Arkham Asylum. He had literally terrorized the criminal world to death in an attempt to find some clue or lead about Dick Grayson or the strange man but no one knew anything.

It was the case that the vigilante had worked on the most and was most obsessed with to the point that he was still working on it, no matter that it had been about ten years since the child's disappearance and that the hopes of finding him alive were practically below zero.

He would spend most of his time on the case at hand, no matter that he could not find a lead. Virtually all the potential hours of rest that he could have used were instead spent fruitlessly searching for evidence, clues and leads. After all, he spent every day in the Manor and had not shown his face to the public in a few years: in fact, he had even left Wayne Enterprises completely in the competent hands of Lucius and spent most of his time in the cave, with bats as his only company.

Alfred over the years had suggested to him to drop the case as it only made him more restless and obsessed, made him lose so many hours of sleep and only pushed him further into the darkness into which he had sunk even before the disappearance of the seven-year-old boy. The billionaire had lashed out so fiercely at his butler that that was the only time Alfred suggested it to him.

Bruce was so desperate that he had even asked the Justice League for help by presenting the case to them but although they promised to do their research and help him to the best of their ability, they never managed to find a single clue or lead on Dick either.

No magic or human or nonhuman technology could locate the young acrobat.

Whoever had kidnapped Dick Grayson was so skilled and dangerous to the point that they escaped not only the best detective in the world but also the entire fucking Justice League, the most advanced technology in existence and the most powerful magic users on Earth without leaving a single fucking trace.

The thought of what the poor seven-year-old boy who had just been orphaned and personally witnessed his parents' deaths in front of his eyes had endured terrified and still terrified Bruce more than anything else in the world to the point of giving him his worst nightmares all these years.

Bruce had failed John, Mary and especially Dick.

Dick's disappearance was his greatest failure of his entire career as a hero and of his entire life.

Not a single day went by since the acrobat's disappearance that Bruce did not think about the child, where he was, what he had suffered and most of all whether he was still alive.

Bruce had known the answer to the latter question for years but pretended he did not know and buried it in the furthest reaches of his mind, deciding to sink in instead on the case at hand.

However, Bruce never gave up.

Bruce had to find Dick Grayson.

Bruce had to find out what had happened to the little acrobat in order to give him the justice he so much deserved.

Bruce owed it to John and Mary Grayson but most of all to Dick himself.

Batman did not know how long it had been since he began hallucinating but it was probably only a few minutes, although it seemed like an eternity to him. He tried again to stand upright and with much effort and struggle succeeded, although his legs shook violently.

The hero stared ahead just in time to see the butt of a gun approaching him. Unfortunately, the vigilante lacked reflexes and instincts and it connected violently with his cowl-protected temple, causing him to fall backwards to the ground with a grunt of pain.

The blow was such that it sent him straight into the world of unconsciousness, having only seconds before he passed out completely. His last thoughts focused neither on the knowledge that he would die shortly thereafter at the hands of Two Face and Scarecrow nor on the fact that he would never see Alfred, Lucius, Jim, Selina, Leslie, the JL again nor on the fact that he might finally be reunited with his parents.

No.

His last thoughts were entirely on something else.

I'm so sorry, Dick. I'm so sorry.

Chapter Text

Two Face and Scarecrow exchanged cold, smug, satisfied smiles as they saw the figure of The Batman fall to the ground without getting up.

“Finally we have succeeded in accomplishing the impossible: taking down the Dark Knight!” exclaimed Two Face with a smirk, his eyes shining coldly.

Scarecrow eagerly rubbed his hands together, returning the crazy grin. “This day is definitely one of the best ever and one to remember. Did you see how he reacted to the fear toxin?” the other criminal nodded and the taller, thinner man continued. “Whatever Batman saw was enough to break his spirit. Everyone has fears, no one excluded. Fear is the most powerful emotion.”

The former district attorney rolled his eyes at the Scarecrow's ramblings and distractedly pointed his gun at him. “Stop rambling or I will force you to shut the damn sewer down!” he snarled. The other man snapped his mouth shut and fixed him with an irritated look but remained silent, making Harvey Dent smile in satisfaction. “Now that's more like it.” he moved the gun and pointed it at the unconscious figure of the downed vigilante, aiming it precisely where the bat symbol was. “You've reached the end of the line, Batman. No one is going to save your ass this time. Honestly, it's a miracle you've survived all these years despite his protection of which you are surely unaware.”

“And he will never know.” Jonathan Crane added in a low, dark chuckle. “Rest assured, Dark Knight: Gotham will be safe without you. We will take care of the city.” he sneered at him in a derisive tone. “Come on, Dent. End his pathetic life once and for all and let's finally get rid of that damn monster.”

Two Face's mad grin increased in size. “With pleasure.”

His finger barely had time to touch the trigger when a deafening gunshot resounded loudly in the area. Two Face let out a cry of pain and his gun fell harmlessly to the ground. “Fucking hell! Fuck! They shot my hand! Shit!” he cursed sonorously, holding his hand that had a bloody hole in the center of his palm.

Scarecrow looked around, trying in vain to locate who the hell the shooter was. “Whoever you are get out! This will not end well for you at all!” he growled.

“You are in no position to give orders, don't you think?”

The two criminals immediately recognized the voice and opened their eyes wide, their faces paling considerably. There was no need to even attempt to locate the owner of that voice since it would be impossible to find the exact location of that person until he decided to reveal himself. “N-not g-good.” Two Face swallowed briefly before assuming a facade that masked his fear and terror. “Don't be a coward and show yourself, R-Renegade!”

For a brief moment there was a tense silence before deliberately loud footsteps echoed behind the two criminals who turned sharply, staring at Renegade's menacing figure. “You don't want to take another step, Renegade. Not if you don’t want to relive your worst nightmares and fears.” Scarecrow threatened the mercenary darkly, his hand snapping toward his equipment. 

However faster than the human eye could ever register, even the most trained one, Renegade drew one of his guns and fired once. The bullet lodged in the right shoulder of the Scarecrow who let out an agonizing scream of pain, bringing a hand to his wound that began to bleed copiously.

During the shot, the young assassin had sprinted forward with superhuman speed and subsequently struck the tall, slender man with a vicious uppercut to the jaw, sending him several meters away with his legs in the air. Renegade ducked under a punch and, still ducking, turned with a vicious 360-degree roundhouse kick that struck Two Face in the stomach, enjoying the crunch of broken ribs.

The former prosecutor fell painfully to the ground, spitting blood. He did not even have time to attempt to get up that he barely registered two escrima sticks connecting on his stomach and the next thing he knew, high voltage electricity was coursing through every single fiber of his being at the same time as his agonizing screams of agony echoed eerily throughout the abandoned building.

Harvey did not know how long the agony lasted but for him it seemed like an eternity, regardless of how long it actually lasted. He fell directly into the world of unconsciousness while high voltage electricity was still running through his body.

Renegade stowed his escrima sticks and sprinted in the direction of the Scarecrow who tried to get up. The acrobat slammed him hard against the wall of the building, which trembled slightly, his forearm pressed against the villain's throat. “How many times have I told you and the rest of you fools that Batman is off limits?” he growled angrily.

Crane's attempts to loosen the mercenary's grip against his throat that was weakening his breathing flow turned out pathetically weak.

“I can feel your heartbeat. It is much faster than normal. This is fear. You are afraid.” Renegade showed all his teeth in an eerie smile, amused when he felt the villain's heartbeat increase even more. “Answer my curiosity, Crane.

“What are you most afraid of?”

With a smooth and quick move Renegade stole a syringe of the fear toxin from the Scarecrow's equipment and quickly injected its contents into the villain's neck. Crane's eyes widened as he recognized what had happened and his struggle became more frantic and restless, though still weak.

Next the Talon abruptly dragged Scarecrow along and during the short walk he noticed that the effects of the fear toxin had already begun, judging by the villain's frantic, nonsensical mutterings. The meta-human handcuffed him against a railing and sent him a creepy grin, sure that the fear toxin would make him a real scary monster in Crane's eyes.

Indeed he was not disappointed when the former psychology professor emitted a blood-curdling scream of pure terror that resounded sonorously through the building.

Thank goodness that his ears did not begin to bleed.

The acrobat turned his attention to the downed hero and his chest twisted painfully seeing him so vulnerable and helpless. He reached him within seconds and knelt at his level, carefully observing and analyzing each and every wound inflicted on Batman's body.

Three stab wounds. Five bullet holes. Numerous broken bones. Numerous broken and cracked ribs. Several superfluous cuts and scratches. Definitely many bad bruises behind layers of Kevlar throughout his body. His right leg is tilted unnaturally as well as his left arm. Definitely a bad concussion.

Jesus Christ, Bruce. How the hell are you not dead already?

Renegade thinned his lips and looked at the thirty or so viciously beaten men, much blood spilled throughout the area and their bodies broken in a way that suggested to Dick that many of them had been permanently paralyzed. He returned his gaze to the vigilante.

Admirable how you managed to defeat about 30 armed men despite all these injuries, Bruce. Although I'm sure you could have avoided many of those wounds if not for your suicidal tendencies and lack of self-preservation.

The mercenary took Batman's communicator and brought it to the ear that was not already occupied by his own earpiece. He activated it and began rummaging through his utility belt for medication. “Renegade to Agent A. Can you hear me?” 

“Loud and clear, Mr. Renegade.” came Alfred Pennyworth's voice immediately without any hint of surprise. “What is the condition of Master Batman?”

The acrobat grimaced slightly. “Very bad.” he admitted as he began to dab Batman's various gunshot wounds with expert skill since medication had been an important part of Deathstroke's and even Wintergreen's training, although he technically did not need it for himself but learned it to heal others. “I am beginning to medicate his wounds to the best of my abilities and tools that I have at my disposal but he will need more of the care that the Batcave has available.”

“Noted.” Alfred's voice gave nothing away but Dick was pretty sure the older man had raised his lips in the slightest smile, probably amused by the -unoriginal- names the assassin had given to everything Batman-related. “I have sent to your coordinates the Batmobile, as you call it.”

“Thank you, Agent A.”

Renegade realized that he would have to speed up the medication otherwise the hero would bleed to death, so he turned off the communications connected to the Batcave and focused on the vigilante below him. He in a few minutes finished dabbing the gunshot wounds and moved on to the stab wounds, chuckling softly when he heard Scarecrow's terrified screams.

“Man, I love karma.”

Suddenly the assassin noticed that Batman's breathing was getting weaker and weaker. He took off one glove and brought his hand to the vigilante's neck, feeling that the heartbeat was accelerating due to excessive blood loss.

“...Not when it is against me, though.”

Renegade, continuing to medicate the Caped Crusader, thanks to his enhanced hearing suddenly heard how the older man's heart stopped.

NO! THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN!

Acting on instinct, Renegade grabbed one of his knives and with clean, precise cuts sliced through the Kevlar of Batman's armor, careful not to injure him further. Next he also removed his other glove, placed the palm of one hand on the vigilante's bare chest full of wounds and placed the palm of his other hand on top of the first, intertwining his fingers.

He began chest compressions.

“Don't you dare die on me, Batman!” Renegade growled fiercely as he performed with expert and professional movements the heart massage on the Dark Knight. “Otherwise I'll take out most of the crazies in Arkham Asylum and I know you won't like that!”

Dick ignored the loud rumble from outside the building that suggested the Batmobile's arrival and continued to prevent the hero's death, his stomach twisting every time he heard more ribs give way with a sickening crunch to the compressions.

Better to wake up with extra broken ribs than not to wake up at all.

The acrobat stopped at the thirtieth compression and lowered Batman's cowl, distractedly surprised that he was not hit by an electric shock as a defense mechanism.

Something he would later suggest to Alfred once he prevented the death of the man's son.

Dick would accept no other results.

The assassin closed the billionaire's nose with his index finger and thumb and began to blow oxygen into his mouth in two attempts. After that he repositioned two fingers on the man's neck.

Still no pulse.

Renegade growled. “Damn it!” he cursed, beginning another round of compressions. “You better wake, damn it! I recommend it if you want to avoid me using my escrima sticks as a improvised defibrillator!” he threatened, hoping for a response that never came.

The assassin did not panic at the lack of response -verbal and from his body- and continued the compressions. “Come on, Bruce!” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion cracking. “I didn't save your ass all these years just to see you die on me in a shithole like this!” he growled in despair. “You're stronger than that! You're fucking The Batman, the Dark Knight of Gotham and protector of the city with the highest crime rate in the world!

“To criminals you are a legend, a symbol and a myth! You are seen more as a non-human creature rather than a real flesh and blood human! You are one of the most important members of the Justice League! You're their strategist, financier, smartest, expert in combat, most important technology and more! Do you really want to abandon Alfred, Selina, Leslie, Lucius, Jim, Clark and the others forever? They will be crushed by your death, especially Alfred!

“The Justice League needs Batman! The world needs Batman! Gotham needs you! You can't just fucking abandon the city you promised to protect! Your loved ones need you! They love you so much, despite all the darkness that surrounds you and into which you are unfortunately plunging more and more!

“Despite the multitude of your defects you have always been a good person, Bruce! You have always wanted to do good despite the fact that the world has been cruel to you! You do not deserve to live in solitude, surrounded only by pain, tragedies, darkness and brooding thoughts that are consuming you more and more! You of all people deserve a light in your life! You don't have to live only for your mission! You do not have to live only as Batman! You don't have to die!

“Above all, you must live as Bruce Wayne, the man who wanted to comfort me after my parents died but never got the chance!

“YOU. CAN'T. DIE!”

Just at the end of the second round of compressions Dick felt a gasp so brief and slight that few would have caught it. He stopped immediately and with a growing hope in his chest brought two fingers to the man's neck, praying to whatever higher entity existed.   

...

...

...

There it was!

There was a pulse: very slow but it was there!

Renegade released a sigh that even he himself did not know to hold back and ignored how it sounded trembling to his ears. He knew there was not much time to waste so he raised Batman's cowl back up, masking Bruce Wayne's bruised face, and quickly applied more of the meds to the vigilante's torso that had been torn off during the compressions.

All the while he turned the Batcave-bound communicator back on, knowing that it was not right to withhold information of such gravity from Wayne's father figure, no matter how bad it was.

Alfred deserved to know that his son in all but blood had been dead for a few minutes.

Good thing Dick had turned off communications.

The last thing he wanted was for the butler to hear live not only his words but above all Dick wanted to prevent the man from being left anxious about the state of Wayne's health, literally dead -although for a few minutes but he was still dead- and still hovering between life and death.

“Renegade to Agent A. I have new information regarding Batman's status.”

“Go ahead, Mr. Renegade.” 

The mercenary took a deep breath. “Batman's heart had stopped. I had to manually perform two rounds of chest compressions and then cardiac massage. He is breathing now, however, although his breathing is weak. I finish medicating him and then take him to the Batcave thanks to the Batmobile. He immediately needs further medical treatment and checks.”

On the other side the Talon met only silence and began to worry until the older man spoke. “Mr. Renegade... are you telling me that Master B-Batman... was dead?”

Dick had difficulty breathing and swallowing and his stomach twisted nervously when he heard Alfred's voice so broken, tired, small and cracked in a way he did not think he would ever hear it. “For a few minutes, yes.” for a brief moment there was silence and he continued. “I'm sorry, Alfred.”

The British butler inhaled shakily, surely trying to regain his usual stoic, imperturbable demeanor despite the gravity of the situation. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for once again saving my son and bringing him back from the dead... Master Renegade.”

Dick's movements faltered briefly before he continued to medicate Batman's wounds with more automatic and robotic movements. He knew that Alfred reserved the title of Master only for members he considered family -literally just Bruce- and the fact that he had just called him by that title...

The meta-human felt his eyes begin to tingle suspiciously just as his throat suddenly became dry.

It was one of the few times Dick had been fully surprised and shocked and taken aback.

“T-Thanks, Alfred.”

They both ignored how his voice cracked due to the high presence of emotion in it.

“You're welcome, Master Renegade. I will be waiting for you ready in the Batcave with all the necessary equipment.”

“Roger.”

Once Renegade had finished medicating the Caped Crusader he easily lifted him -blessed the electrum and his superhuman strength!- in bridal style and carried him in the direction of the Batmobile, careful not to further aggravate his wounds and walking among the multitude of downed criminals with such ferocity that Dick greatly appreciated, even though they were all still alive but at least some had sustained permanent injuries.

Scarecrow's continuous chilling screams of terror that did not quiet down in the slightest throughout were music to the ears of Deathstroke's former apprentice.

The assassin quickly reached the Batmobile, opened the door and gently laid Batman's unconscious body on the back seats, ignoring the blood stains that inevitably began to stain the seats.

Once that was done Renegade sent the coordinates of the abandoned hospital to the Gotham GCPD so that they could arrest the thirty or so criminals and bring Two Face and Scarecrow back to Arkahm Asylum. He wasted no useful time in eliminating any traces of blood and DNA that could lead back to Bruce Wayne since Alfred had once confided in him that Batman had eliminated his blood samples, fingerprints, etc. that would lead to him from any computer systems, medical records, etc.

He was a real ghost.

Dick had proposed doing the same thing related to him to Slade but his father had refused, pointing out that such information could be used for his school, future jobs and more. So Dick merely made sure that any tests on his DNA and blood would lead first to his identity as Richard Wilson -and it would take much longer than normal, giving Dick a chance to stop such tests- and, only if they dug further very deep could they arrive at his real identity as Richard John Grayson.

He would never erase his real identity as he wanted to be remembered along with his parents as the wonderful Flying Graysons.  

In any case, the acrobat grunted as he sat in the driver's seat, staring at the multitude of buttons in front of him. He felt his excitement skyrocket and a smirk immediately appeared on his face.

I'm going to drive the fucking Batmobile!

It was as if a childhood dream was just coming true!

The Batmobile is so cool! Not only on the outside but also on the inside!

He turned on the Batmobile and quickly fell in love with the vehicle's loud roar. His smile expanded from ear to ear as the Batmobile took off noisily, already beginning to break every traffic law.

As he drove the Batmobile at a speed well above the permitted speed limit he cast a brief glance at the center rearview mirror, staring worriedly at the bleeding, unconscious figure of the Dark Knight and reassured by his heartbeat, albeit slower than usual.

Having personally witnessed Batman's death, albeit for a few minutes, would probably give him nightmares about it.

As if he needed further trauma.

Still hold on, Bruce. You can't die. You will not die.

That's a promise.

Chapter Text

The first thing Bruce noticed once he awoke from unconsciousness was that his entire body was aching. He felt very weak and tired, as if all his energy had been drained.

His second thought was the following:

I should not be alive.

He managed to open his eyes with great difficulty and blinked slowly to chase away the fog obscuring his vision, finding himself staring directly at the ceiling of the cave.

How the hell am I here?

The billionaire tried to open his mouth to speak his butler's name but he burst into a violent coughing fit, wincing when he felt his ribs protest at the mere movement.

They are definitely broken and cracked.

“Don't overexert yourself, Master Bruce. Your health is at stake.”

Bruce's tense muscles relaxed at the familiar voice and he shifted his gaze to the side, staring at Alfred's face that hinted at a slight smile, clearly relieved. The younger man frowned at the more visible wrinkles present on his father figure's face and felt the familiar sensation of guilt and shame consume his stomach and he did his best to once again ignore that feeling that had become increasingly familiar but never less uncomfortable in recent years.

“Would you like a glass of water, sir?”

Bruce merely nodded, not wanting to strain his voice any more than necessary, and the butler left and returned seconds later with a glass in his hand. Alfred brought the glass close to the billionaire's lips and he drank the water slowly but eagerly, a faint groan escaping his throat at the cool, quenching feeling of his thirst.

Once finished drinking, the hero licked his chapped lips and met the expectant gaze of the older man. “W-What happened?” he asked, not too surprised at how very hoarse his voice had sounded.

Alfred tightened his lips into a straight line and fixed his son with a look the other man could not identify. “While you were facing Two Face you were ambushed and other Scarecrow henchmen joined in the battle along with himself. You were clearly outnumbered but, despite being alone and under the effects of the fear toxin, you managed to take down about 30 armed men. However, you suffered numerous serious wounds and due to both excessive blood loss and the effects of the fear toxin, Dent and Crane managed to defeat you.”

“H-How am I still alive?”

“Honestly, it's a real miracle, sir.” Alfred admitted with a weary sigh, the dark bags under his eyes much more pronounced than usual. “Your injuries were numerous and very serious. You suffered everything: gunshots, stabbings, broken and cracked ribs, broken bones, concussions, cuts and scrapes and more. While Dr. Thompkins and I were restabilizing you, we lost you once.” he swallowed, straightening his shoulders. “I thought you couldn't make it, Master Bruce.” he affirmed, his voice cracking slightly at the confession.

Bruce winced inwardly, feeling guilty for worrying Alfred so much. One part of himself, the part that looked suspiciously like his smaller self whose only constant was the butler himself, mentally cursed himself for being responsible for aggravating Alfred's life so much and for continuing to worry him while another part of himself, the cold and impassive Batman part, whispered to him that if he actually died Alfred would have his greatest burden lifted off him.

The billionaire ignored both voices and winced as he swallowed with difficulty, the only movement causing him twinges of pain. “How long w-was I out?”

“You have been unconscious for almost a week.”

Bruce's heart lost a beat, which was audible even on the heart rate monitor to which he was connected. “Gotham-”

“Don't even start, Master Bruce.” Alfred interrupted him in a sharp voice and Bruce immediately fell silent, being able to count on the fingers of one hand all the times the older man had ever interrupted him in his entire life. “Gotham has been quiet the last few days. Currently it can be fine on its own. You cannot go back out there in your current condition: you would not even be able to safely pilot your vehicle. You will have to recover first and have your most serious injuries heal. Dr. Thompkins recommended a minimum of one month's rest.”

The billionaire opened his mouth to protest but snapped it shut again as his father figure fixed him with a hard stare.

“This time I will personally make sure that you follow the doctor's orders. As for Gotham, you can always ask Mr. Kent to fill your role.”

Bruce frowned. “No. No meta in Gotham.”

“Good. Then it looks like the city will be without a protector for a month.”

The younger man's frown increased further but he decided to remain silent, knowing he could not win this argument. He asked the question that had been afflicting and consuming him ever since he awoke. “Who saved me?”

He watched as the other man's gaze locked into a stoic, impassive facade. “I don't know. Somehow your savior managed to initially take care of your injuries, contact the vehicle to put you inside it and activate the autopilot directed toward the cave. That's how the automobile entered the cavern on its own and I started preparing the infirmary and calling Dr. Thompkins when I learned of your very critical and precarious state.”

Bruce's jaw contracted in anger and annoyance. “Whoever this savior is not only knows the location of the cave but most likely also knows my civilian identity.”

Worst of all was that in recent years Batman had found himself on the verge of death many times but each time inexplicably he managed to survive, waking up wounded and in pain but alive in the cave. Most likely his savior was always the same but what frustrated the vigilante most was that he knew absolutely nothing about them and could never find a single clue about the one who saved his life.

Not even by questioning the criminals who had taken him down could he extract any useful information from them. Either they did not remember them or they were far more afraid of them than of the Caped Crusader himself.

Bruce had many questions and zero answers about the stranger who kept saving his life.

“I think the most important thing is that this stranger saved your life.” Alfred stated stiffly. “It is only because of it that Gotham's protector was not found dead by some ordinary citizen inside a hospital that had been abandoned for decades. Or dead years ago.”

“I need to see the cowl footage. Perhaps it recorded something that can be related to the identity of the stranger.”

“I have already taken care of this and I regret to inform you that the cowl recording pertaining to the time period after you were knocked down by Two Face has been deleted, sir.”

An involuntary growl escaped the vigilante's throat. “Again? How the hell is it possible for the stranger to get past all the cowl security systems I keep updating periodically?”

“I don't know, Master Bruce.” Alfred shook his head, confusion filling his gaze. “I suggest you rest and postpone your willingness to investigate the identity of your savior.”

“Hn.” Bruce grunted disgruntled but knew that, at least on that occasion, it would be best to obey the older man.

Most likely Alfred would have drugged him if he had not obeyed his barely concealed order.

Alfred gave a sigh and cast a weary glance at the figure of Master Bruce who had just fallen asleep. His heart clenched painfully as he observed the clearly distressed and stressed features of the younger man even as he slept.

He was aware of how in recent years his charge had lost all instinct for self-preservation. In fact, he had lost it since his inception as Batman now more than a decade ago.

The billionaire was doing nothing to prevent himself from dying: he would suffer any blow that would be easy for him to dodge. It was painfully clear that Master Bruce had suicidal tendencies and Alfred felt every fiber of his being suffer greatly to see his son in anything but blood in this condition that he did not care at all about dying; in fact, most likely Master Bruce hoped to die during his patrols.

Alfred felt sick every time he stitched up the many wounds Batman brought back, especially seeing the billionaire's indifferent and detached gaze, so different from that bright, innocent and sunny child that the butler missed so much but unfortunately by now that child was only a distant memory, dead along with his parents on that damned night in Crime Alley and replaced by a much darker and colder version.

The butler hated with all his being the darkness surrounding his son and devouring and consuming him from within until he remained an empty shell filled with so much darkness, loneliness, suffering and sadness that it hurt just to look at.

The thing that hurt him the most, however, was the knowledge that he could do absolutely nothing to save Master Bruce's life and set him back on a more enlightened path. That, and also knowing that neither himself nor anyone else was not enough for the younger man, hurt quite a bit.

Alfred could do nothing but watch his son fall apart day by day until there would be nothing left of him but an empty shell dominated by anger, coldness, darkness, loneliness and revenge. The only thing he could do was to stitch up his wounds -which increased night by night- with a knowing and sad look.

Witnessing personally how each day Batman was becoming his true self while Bruce Wayne his mask hurt greatly. In recent years the billionaire's public appearances had dropped considerably to virtually zero.

Master Bruce had not attended a gala in years now.

Getting him out even for a walk in the garden was a miracle as well as getting him to eat and sleep.

In fact, Alfred often found himself forced to drug what little food his charge ate.

Having personally seen his son die and knowing that he had died another time shortly before about a week ago....

He did not want to think about it again, even though he had already had nightmares about it.

Thank God for Renegade.

Alfred did not know why the young mercenary was so interested in continually saving Batman's life, but whatever the reason, he was grateful.

In fact, in recent years Renegade had saved Master Bruce's life so many times that the butler had now lost count.

Of course, the first time Renegade had saved Batman's life by carrying his unconscious figure directly into the cave Alfred did not trust him at all and it increased when it was obvious that the assassin knew the Dark Knight's civilian identity aka the world's greatest mystery.

However, the British man was too busy saving Master Bruce's life to properly interrogate the younger man.

Subsequently, Renegade had provided him with the necessary frequency to contact him on his communicator, practically ordering the older man to call him whenever the hero was in mortal danger. He had told him that he would drop anything and run immediately to Gotham to save the Caped Crusader.

This was on one condition: that Batman would never know that Renegade was his secret savior.

In fact, the assassin each time would erase every single piece of evidence of his involvement in saving the vigilante's life by erasing every trace of recording from all cameras, including the one built into Batman's cowl.

Alfred was horrified by the ease with which Renegade erased the recordings from Batman's cowl for the first time and by his hacking skills in general that far exceeded those of the Dark Knight himself. And not only that but Renegade could even easily manipulate footage from camera recordings to his liking, including those in the cave, in such a perfect way that was genuinely scary and fascinating at the same time.

This explained how the mercenary was every time able to fool even the best detective in the world.

When the British man had asked the younger man why he did not want Master Bruce to know that he was the one who saved his life, Renegade remained silent and never gave him an answer.

That was the first and only time the butler had asked him that specific question.

The first time Alfred had contacted him was because Batman had found himself in the middle of a confrontation between a number of gangs, including the more dangerous ones of Black Mask, Carmine Falcone and Penguin. The vigilante was clearly outnumbered, especially when the criminal gangs had decided to put aside their discord momentarily and join forces to kill the Bat.

Once Alfred had learned this, he had not hesitated to contact Deathstroke's then-apprentice and to his enormous surprise and shock the young mercenary after a few minutes -during which time Batman had been shot down and Alfred had begun to pray for his life- was already in Gotham.

Alfred suspected that somehow the mercenary had zeta-tube technology at his disposal but was not sure.

In any case, from a camera Alfred had personally witnessed the vicious, bloody, brutal massacre that Renegade carried out against the gangs and, even a man as stoic and imperturbable as he, was somewhat sickened by what the assassin was capable of doing.

His mind whispered to him that at that time Renegade was younger than he is now and was still under the training of Deathstroke and potentially others and that he had probably been holding back a lot.

He was very scared and fearful of what Renegade was now capable of doing if he operated at his 100%.

He honestly did not want to find out and decided to put that thought aside.

He was a little surprised when he saw that Renegade had not killed anyone, even though he had caused permanent injuries to the vast majority of criminals in the form of mutilation, permanent neck and spine damage, etc.

Later, once all evidence of Renegade's involvement had been erased by threatening even every single criminal -especially the leaders of the gangs: Black Mask, Penguin and Carmine Falcone- barely left alive, and after urgently transporting Batman to the cave to stabilize him, Alfred asked Renegade why he had not killed any criminals when that was his modus operandi.

“That's my modus operandi, not Batman's. Gotham is Batman's city.” Renegade had answered him only to give a shark-like grin. “Besides, we are now sure that virtually none of them will engage in criminal activity again.”

Initially Alfred was very skeptical and wary about the whole situation but he could not deny the operational efficiency of the mercenary who kept his promise and from then on he began to trust Renegade, hoping and praying that he was making the right choice and not a deal with the Devil.

The confidence that he was making the right choice increased each time he contacted Renegade who continued to continually save Batman's life to the point that for a few years now Alfred placed the utmost trust in the mercenary.

It was true that Alfred knew virtually nothing about Renegade, let alone his civilian identity, but that was fine with him if it meant having the world's current second deadliest mercenary on his side who would do anything to keep the Caped Crusader alive, despite his suicidal tendencies and lack of self-preservation instincts.

Moreover, over the past few years Alfred had gotten to know Renegade on a character level and had come to the conclusion that despite everything, despite being the second deadliest mercenary in the world, despite being one of the most dangerous people in the world, he was still a kid.

A kid who still hadn't even reached the age of majority.

Not only that but Renegade was a good kid: in a way he reminded Alfred of the version of Master Bruce from so many years ago, when Master Thomas and Mistress Martha were still alive.

Renegade reminded him of the childlike Master Bruce: sunny, playful, full of life and light.

Almost certainly Renegade had suffered so much at the hands of something or someone that drove him to become what he currently was.

A living weapon.

It was painfully clear from his movements, skills, abilities, instincts and reactions.

Alfred's heart clenched painfully at the mere thought of what hell the young man had to go through.

Renegade was so young. He was just a kid.

All this only strengthened Alfred's confidence and positive opinion of Renegade to the point that he began to see him as a kind of grandson. Hence the fact that he began to ascribe to him the title of Master, reserved only for the Wayne family and consequently for those whom Alfred considered to be family.

The kid awakened grandfather instincts in Alfred that he did not even know he had.

And so it was that an alliance was born between Renegade and Alfred whose relationship between the two became from strangers to allies -reliant on the part of the butler- to friends and finally to grandfather and grandson.

Alfred would take their secret to the grave: he would never reveal it to anyone, not even to Master Bruce.

It was true that Renegade probably would not have stopped saving Batman's life if Alfred ever confessed it to Master Bruce but in any case the butler would never have betrayed the trust so precious that Renegade reposed in him.

Alfred owed it to the mercenary that he would always put everything he was doing on the back burner to keep saving Batman's life.

Renegade was truly a godsend. He was like a kind of guardian angel of Master Bruce in a decidedly different version than normal but still.

Alfred distracted himself from his thoughts and looked sadly at the sleeping figure of his son. He sat in a chair that he had placed beside the medical bed and squeezed his son's hand, determined never to leave him, no matter what.

“Did you hear that Crane and Dent were brought back to Arkham Asylum?”

“Yes. I heard that Crane was not only beaten but fell victim to his own fear toxin while Dent was so bloody, badly beaten and roasted that he will have to stay in a full cast for a minimum of three months.”

“You know it wasn't the Bat that did that to them?”

“I suspected it. It was Renegade, wasn't it?”

“That's right.”

A snort. “Honestly, that guy is the biggest threat I've ever encountered. Remember how years ago he gathered literally all of us Gotham crazies together and threatened us not to seriously injure and kill Batman or innocents or the other heroes?”

“How to forget that. It was amazing how we all managed not to kill each other.”

A low chuckle. “True. Besides, Renegade had said that the only reason he would not kill us was because he respected the Bat's territory and would respect his rules but if Batman were ever to be killed-”

“-Renegade would no longer have any reason to continue respecting the Bat's rules and would start killing in Gotham without hesitation even outside the contracts, starting with those who would kill the Bat and continuing with the criminals in Arkham Asylum who are still in business.”

“His threat was so effective that, along with his usual motivational speeches as a charismatic leader, it led some Gotham crazies like the two of us, Pamela, Harleen and Victor to stop committing crimes and to seriously begin our journey of rehabilitation to be better people.”

“That guy has wrapped a good part of the Gotham Rogues Gallery around his little finger. We haven't been committing crimes or wreaking havoc in Gotham for years now.”

“Not only Renegade is very dangerous but he is also a good guy with a heart of gold. He is a very good friend, one of the best I could have asked for. For him I would eat anyone alive who even dares to threaten him.”

“Just as I would break them and just as others would be very protective of the boy. Renegade is really a sort of nephew to all of us. I don't understand how Crane, Dent, Cobblepot, Sionis and Nygma and the others don't like and hate Renegade. I mean, I understand the others that most of them are really crazy, without even mentioning the Joker, but still.”

“That's simply because they are idiots, crazy or both,” the comment drew an amused laugh. “He could very well easily take over the world, now that I think about it. It's definitely frightening as a thing.”

“If Renegade ever does that, the world would be a better place with him in charge.”

“I agree. Your turn: this time I will finally kick your ass in cards, Bane.”

“In your dreams, Waylon.”

Chapter Text

Renegade easily managed to sneak into the top floor of the building where his victim lived: a corrupt former politician.

It should be a simple contract and easy money but actually Dick had a strange feeling starting right from his client whose identity seemed too precise. He began to think he had become too paranoid but still maintained his suspicions, knowing that his instincts were never wrong.

Regardless, the acrobat easily forced open the door handle and quietly entered the apartment, closing the door behind him. He looked around as he silently advanced, mentally taking note of how the house was a bit too bare for his taste, especially for what must have been the home of a corrupt and greedy former politician for power and money.

He reached the kitchen and saw that his victim was staring at the inside of the refrigerator and decided to make his presence known. “You stepped on the wrong feet in the course of your lousy political career, pal.”

The Talon watched as the man in front of him gasped and as his head snapped in his direction, watching him with frightened eyes. “R-Renegade?”

A frown materialized in the features of the assassin who noticed several things: first, the former politician's gasp that seemed to him like a robotic and automatic movement and therefore inauthentic. This rang alarm bells for him since, as Slade liked to remind him, he was one of the best in the world at reading body movements that could tell him virtually anything.

The second thing the 17-year-old quickly noticed was that the man's heart had not begun to beat faster but had remained constant. The heartbeats of his victims always increased dramatically as soon as they saw him since they were terrified of him and knew that they were going to die, so the fact that their hearts seemed to be coming out of their ribcages was the symbol of their fear and terror of him.

The heartbeat was the best evidence of a person's state of fear and terror and it never lied.

But this man's heart remained constant and had not increased at all and this was an indication that he was not terrified of Renegade, although he tried to appear frightened by simulating terror in his gaze.

If Dick heard alarm bells before, now he could clearly feel his instincts screaming TRAP! TRAP! in every fiber of his being and his muscles automatically stiffened. He ignored the man's words that expressed false fear and his gaze shifted to his left, noticing that there was a window.

Immediately all the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place in the head of the mercenary who mentally cursed.

Fucking heroes!

Renegade sprang forward and nailed the false man to the wall forcefully while simultaneously with his other hand he quickly pulled out a lighter. Without wasting even a second he lit the fire on the fake clothes and fake hair and an excruciating scream of pain resounded throughout the house.

The assassin watched impassively as the fake man deformed and lost all traces of his humanity to assume a green skin and more deformed form, thus exposing the figure of Martian Manhunter. With a snarl he violently struck the Martian with a pair of punches in the middle of his face, feeling with satisfaction the alien's face crack with crunches under his fists, and then broke both of his arms in less than a second to prevent the Martian from putting out the fire, and subsequently the young man abruptly threw him to the ground.

Martian Manhunter's screams of pain from the fire that was still burning him were music to the acrobat's ears. “I hate being fooled.” he growled annoyed.

Renegade threw himself to the side just in time to avoid impact with the blur that shattered the window into a thousand pieces but he did not even have time to blink when he was caught by the throat and slammed painfully with his back against the wall that shook on impact. “You're done, Renegade.” Superman solemnly affirmed.

The hand of Deathstroke's former apprentice had quickly snapped along one of the holsters as he was already being lifted up by the Man of Steel, and Superman barely finished the sentence that a shot resounded sonorously throughout the building. The hero released his grip on the young man and staggered backward wounded, bringing a hand to the bleeding hole present on his right side and began coughing violently blood as the pain began to tear through him from within.

Renegade turned with a 360-degree roundhouse kick that brutally struck the bleeding side of Superman who with an excruciating scream of pain was sent backward, smashing through a wall. Renegade backed away from the now broken window since he was easily spotted from wherever the other heroes were and stowed his gun with kryptonite bullets while from his utility belt he grabbed some marbles, throwing them behind him.

The meta-human turned around and barely managed to catch a glimpse of a red and yellow blur entering the house and darting off only to be abruptly interrupted when Flash's run made contact with the marbles. This caused the speedster to stumble over his own steps, and because of his immense speed he ended up flying over Renegade's head and crashing painfully into the wall with such impact that he broke through even that wall and caused the building to shake again.

The mercenary laughed as he sprinted in the direction of the speedster on the ground, ignoring the chunks of wall and the dust that had risen. With smooth, expert moves he broke both of the legs of Flash, who emitted chilling screams of pain after sounds of broken bones resounded with crunches.

“That's for drugging me last time.” Renegade growled, hitting the man with a kick to the temple that put him out of the game.

The mercenary picked up on something with his enhanced hearing and looked up sharply just in time to see Green Lantern Hal Jordan burst through the ceiling of the house and point his shining ring menacingly at him. He threw himself to the side dodging the anvil that the man materialized and used the wall as a springboard to soar toward the hero in question.

Green Lantern created a protective barrier around himself but that was what Renegade hoped for: in fact he jumped over the barrier and soared through the air, firing the grappling hook toward the ceiling ledge that miraculously resisted.

“Hey-where the hell are you going?”

The assassin chuckled at Hal's expletives as he landed on what was left of the roof previously smashed in by the hero in green, stowing the grappling hook in his utility belt as he sprinted away making a huge leap onto the roof of the nearby dwelling.

He turned and ducked sharply, narrowly dodging a long green hand that brushed against his hair. He stopped his run and threw an arrogant smirk in Green Lantern's direction. “You of all people will never be able to catch me, dude!” he taunted him, aiming to pummel the man's pride and ego.

He knew he had hit the mark when Hal growled. “You little shit!”

Renegade kept his gaze fixed on Green Lantern, who began darting toward him, and his left hand snapped sideways, catching a green arrow in midair and the next millisecond he threw it with all his strength at the sender without ever taking his eyes off Jordan, smiling internally when he heard Green Arrow's scream of pain.

The Talon waited until the last moment before ducking under the construct created by Green Lantern and rolling under the man's legs. Hal turned sharply and froze as he felt his hero disguise disappear. He stared at himself, shocked that he had lost his Green Lantern disguise that had now been replaced by his civilian clothes, and shifted his gaze to the assassin, his shock increasing further when he saw that he was holding his ring in his hand with a shit-eating grin.

“Looking for this?” Renegade mockingly raised the ring and laughed with his typical eerie chuckle that sent shivers of fear down the hero's spine. “Don't worry: I'll give it back once I kick all your asses again.”

Hal did not even have time to open his mouth that the youngest hit him with a vicious punch to the face, sending him straight into unconsciousness.

Renegade stowed the Green Lantern ring in his utility belt and turned toward Green Arrow, smiling when he saw the man attempt to pull the arrow from his right shoulder. He jumped toward the same rooftop where the Star City vigilante was standing but managed to take only a few steps when suddenly he brought his hands over his ears because of the damned canary cry and winced slightly.

The acrobat looked up and saw that in the sky was Zatanna levitating in midair with Black Canary at her side, the blonde above a magical structure created by the sorceress. He wasted no time and threw two shurikens toward the women, then ducked quickly to avoid Green Arrow's left hook and retaliated with a brutal elbow that struck the archer hard in the temple, causing him to spit blood and fall unconscious.

Renegade returned his gaze to the sky and watched as Zatanna created a magical barrier to protect her and the blonde. Unfortunately for them, the shurikens were not deflected by the barrier but stuck on it and began to flash. The next second they exploded and created a blinding white light that forced the sorceress to lose her grip on the protective magical barrier, both women screaming in surprise and pain.

In the meantime, the mercenary had already drawn a gun loaded with tranquilizers and fired two shots in the direction of the women who were more than a thirty meters in the air from where he was standing, watching as the tranquilizers hit both Zatanna and Black Canary in their necks with more than accurate and perfect aim.

The two women began to fall some 30 meters into the air. Renegade, having anticipated this, had already started darting with his superhuman speed and leaping from rooftop to rooftop to break their fall but stopped when he saw Hawkgirl catch them on the fly, much to the relief of the 17-year-old.

Renegade stiffened and turned sharply, blocking the trident of Aquaman, who had leapt toward him, thanks to the spikes of his left arm. Taking advantage of the defenses left uncovered by the King of Atlantis, the mercenary hit him with a vicious punch to the stomach, feeling his ribs give way under his superhuman strength, and Aquaman automatically doubled over spitting blood.

The mercenary grabbed the Atlantean's head and crashed it violently to his knee, briefly enjoying the sound of broken cartilage, and the next millisecond hit Aquaman with a kick to the throat, forcing him to fall to his knees spitting more blood.

The assassin sensed something darting toward him and moved instinctively: with a speed that would have made the Flash proud, he grabbed Aquaman and put him to his side, using him as a shield. The 17-year-old grimaced in comprehension as Hawkman's mace thrust violently into the right side of the King of Atlantis, who emitted a choked scream of pain.

“Sorry, man.”

Renegade took advantage of Hawkman's moment of shock that he was horrified that he had just hit one of his teammates with his mace, albeit unintentionally, and in a few moves brutally knocked him down: first he punched him in the throat -moderating his strength considerably, of course: he didn't want to kill him by mistake- forcing Carter to fall to his knees with choking noises, then he hit him with a vicious punch to the face and then grabbed his head and crashed it several times on the roof, creating a considerable dent in the ground.

The acrobat let go of the Thanagarian whose body sagged to the ground and cast a glance at Aquaman who fell unconscious backwards to the ground, the mace still lodged at his side.

I'll have to give them all a good medication job.

Without ever looking back Renegade's right hand snapped behind his head, catching a batarang on the fly and breaking it easily before it exploded. He turned and threw a smirk in the direction of Batman who stood several rooftops away from him. “Did you really think you were going to hit me with that?”

“No. But she did.”

Renegade stiffened and turned sharply but was struck by a violent mace blow to the face by Hawkgirl. He twisted his back in the air backwards to do a backward somersault in midair and landed crouched on another rooftop, absentmindedly wiping away the blood that began to gush from his broken nose. He turned his body so that he had a good view of both Hawkgirl and Batman but his attention quickly shifted to the Thanagarian when he saw her speeding toward him.

The Talon blocked her mace with his spikes and barely had time to hit her with a right hook to the face when a massive weight crashed into him on his back knocking him off the roof.

While they were falling some twenty meters Batman, who was practically glued to the antihero's back, painfully twisted both of Renegade's arms behind his back and the mercenary could do nothing but violently hit the various ledges of the building with his head, his vision becoming increasingly blurred.

A few seconds later Renegade crashed violently to the ground and an involuntary grunt escaped from his lips, due to both the fall from more than twenty meters and his head crashing hard into the concrete of the alley and Batman's body, weighed down by all his armor, colliding hard against his back.

Renegade's vision became further blurred and he felt the air abruptly expelled from his lungs. He had time to think that yes, that was going to be a bad concussion -which fortunately did not generally last too long thanks to his healing factor but damn if they were still annoying!- when suddenly he was spun around, resulting in a batarang being pointed menacingly at his throat as Batman exerted his full weight on the body of Deathstroke's former apprentice.

“You won't get away this time, Renegade.” he snarled, the batarang barely slicing the assassin's throat from which droplets of dark blood began to spill.

“You know, the stars I see because of the concussion you kindly provided do not suit you at all, Batman.”

With an exceptional display of flexibility that had everything to do with his natural acrobatic skills, Renegade wrapped his legs around the Dark Knight's neck and slammed his head violently into the ground, surely giving him a nasty concussion.

The mercenary got back up by soaring through the air in a mid-air somersault and landed with a brutal elbow to the stomach of the Gotham vigilante, who automatically raised his head in the air, spitting blood, and the younger man hit him with another hard elbow directly to the jaw.

And Batman is out of the picture too. The acrobat thought as he watched the aforementioned hero fall to the ground and then never move again. Serves you right, Bruce. I know that the Justice League attack was engineered by you in every single detail.

Renegade turned sharply just in time to block Hawkgirl's attack from above with spikes and, without missing a second, he simultaneously hit her with a vicious punch to the stomach and a lethal kick to her left leg, just below the knee. The Thanagarian fell to her knees on the ground spitting blood and Renegade quickly grabbed his escrima and connected them on her stomach.

A high intensity of electric current ran through every fiber in Hawkgirl's body as she let out a small, choked scream. The pain seemed eternal to her but in reality it must have been only a few seconds as her vision darkened and she fell directly into the world of unconsciousness.

The mercenary stowed his trusty escrima at his waist when he stiffened and turned sharply.

Only to be grabbed as if he were a rag doll by a massive red blur. 

“Where did you think you were going?” Shazam asked as he stared with a frown at the assassin, easily blocking his arms by his divine strength.

How many fucking heroes are involved in Batman's plan to capture me? Has he seriously involved the entire fucking Justice League just for me? Geez, should I feel honored or offended?

“You know, you should tell your teammates that you're really just a kid.”

Shazam's eyes went wide in shock. “H-How do you know that?”

Shazam's shock caused his grip on the mercenary, otherwise impossible to break or escape because of the immense greater force, to loosen just enough for him to slip his hand into his utility belt and pull out a tranquilizer and then quickly thrust it into the superhero's neck.

“Good night, buddy.”  

Renegade barely registered the figure of Shazam falling to the ground when he was forced to throw himself to the side to dodge a magical attack. With a flat gaze he watched as Dr. Fate himself levitated menacingly toward him.

Are you fucking kidding me? How the hell am I supposed to beat the fucking Dr. Fate?

Chapter Text

“Give up, Renegade. You have no chance of victory against the Order personified.” spoke Dr. Fate solemnly.

Renegade, not knowing the instincts of self-preservation and preferring death to surrender or escape, straightened his back and sent him a smirk. “I've always hated order: you should see the state of my room.”

The next thing he knew he was staring directly at a dozen Dr. Fate clones, all of them ready to attack him.

“Dude, I was joking.”

The assassin drew both swords just as all the copies of the sorcerer teleported around him. He rolled dodging an energy sphere and slashed out, stabbing the first copy of Dr. Fate who disappeared. He turned sharply and quickly moved both swords, deflecting more magical attacks.

His body began to move automatically and he swung his swords left and right, attacking and defending with fluid, instinctive moves. Adrenaline began to flow through every fiber of his being as he began skewering Dr. Fate's copies like skewers, dodging their attacks thanks to his superhuman reflexes and instincts or blocking and deflecting them thanks to his extraordinary skills with swords.

His every move was automatically dictated by his true self, his instincts, which he kept at bay almost always simply for the good of all.

The most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world he was.

Renegade slid to his knees, ducking under a construct of energy, and soared over the head of Dr. Fate's copy, swinging his swords down as he was somersaulting in midair and stabbing them into the copy's head, which immediately dissolved. He landed easily on his feet, realizing at once that that was the last copy, and shifted his gaze to what had to be the real sorcerer who was staring at him with a tilted head.

“Admirable. Fascinating. A simple meta-human who was able to take down dozens of my copies easily.”

The acrobat's chest warmed at the surprisingly praiseworthy tone of the powerful sorcerer.

“However, you will not emerge victorious from this battle.”

Renegade stiffened when he saw Dr. Fate disappear and strained his enhanced hearing to the maximum, ready to pick up any sound. He stood still for a few seconds but could not hear even the smallest of noises when he suddenly got a bad impression and looked up sharply.

It was too late.

A ray of energy swept through him completely and Renegade found himself thrown far away until he slammed his back hard against the alley wall. However, the sorcerer's blow was such that the assassin felt as if his whole body was on fire and he gritted his teeth hard, his grip on the swords tightening even more.

The Promethium chain mail of my armor should have absorbed the energy of his magic attack but apparently his magic is simply too strong and, in general, irrational.

The Talon looked up and saw the magic user darting with immense speed toward him. He leapt to the side, dodging just in time the sorcerer's fist that created a definitely frightening hole in the alley wall, and the mercenary took advantage of the defenses left open by stabbing Dr. Fate's right side with one of the swords that broke through his layer of armor while simultaneously striking his right knee with a violent kick.

Dr. Fate fell to his knees on the ground, blood beginning to gush from his wound, and the next thing Renegade knew he flew to the other side of the alley until his head hit the wall so hard and violently that his vision blurred. He fell crouching to the ground with an involuntary grunt and squinted, trying to see past the fog that blurred his vision.

Not even a second passed when a sharp pain exploded in his stomach. Thanks to his practically infinite tolerance of pain, Renegade merely blinked and lowered his gaze, watching in surprise at his own sword that had previously skewered the sorcerer but had now passed through the layer of his own armor to pierce his stomach.

Obviously the Promethium chain mail of his sword would have pierced through the same material as his armor.

Eh, at least Dr. Fate gave me my sword back.

Dark blood began to accumulate in the mouth of the young man who spat it out as he drew his sword from his copiously bleeding wound, twirling it deftly along with the other.

Fortunately, Dick had been trained to fight in virtually any condition, no matter how many mortal wounds he sustained: he was literally capable of fighting for days on end without ever stopping for a single second with so many serious and mortal wounds increasing and healing thanks to his healing factor.

The Court of Owls had made sure of that.

Renegade clinked his swords with each other, metallic noise spreading, and narrowed his gaze toward his opponent floating inches above the ground, his hand brought to his right side previously wounded by Deathstroke's former apprentice.

His wound will heal in no time as well as mine and we will be back to square one. No matter how hard I try, his magic is simply too strong. If I prolong this battle, not only will he have a better chance of defeating me and capturing me with his magic but I also risk some other heroes awakening from their wounds and joining him.

I must find a way to end the battle as soon as possible. Dr. Fate has no real weakness, though, so how the hell can I defeat him? And I can't even shoot him with a tranquilizer like I did with Zatanna: his armor covers him completely.

The mercenary continued to stare at his opponent when his gaze fell on his helmet. An idea immediately blossomed in him and he gave a mental smirk.

It is worth a try.   

He quickly stowed his swords and his hands snapped toward his utility belt. He noticed Dr. Fate suddenly disappear and he threw the smoke grenades to the ground, hiding amidst the smoke that quickly began to expand.

The sorcerer appeared amid the smoke and with his magic dissolved it easily, finding that there was no trace of the mercenary. He looked around carefully and his hands began to glow, ready to launch a magical attack as soon as he caught a glimpse of the assassin's figure. For a few seconds there was nothing but a tense silence when suddenly Dr. Fate turned sharply, creating a magical shield in front of him that blocked a shuriken. He closed his eyes behind his helmet, recognizing the attack with which Renegade had knocked down both Zatanna's magic a short time before and Green Lantern's barrier in the previous battle, and anticipating the blinding light that would come out of the shuriken to stun him.

Except he perceived no change or any revealing sound and stiffened when he suddenly felt unknown hands place themselves on his helmet, which was quickly removed. Dr. Fate's armor disappeared and revealed the surprised and disbelieving figure of Nelson Kent who blinked confusedly and turned away, meeting the shit-eating grin of Renegade who was holding the Helmet of Fate in his hands.

“H-how-”

“Did you really think I would make such a predictable move? Please: unpredictability is my middle name.” Renegade teased him with an eerie chuckle that sent shivers of fear down the now helpless old man's spine. “I honestly didn't think the plan to take off your helmet would work but I'm glad it did.”

The next thing Nelson knew, a fist collided violently against his face, sending him crashing to the ground and straight into the darkness of unconsciousness.

Renegade placed the Helmet of Fate next to Nelson Kent's unconscious figure and frowned. “I hope I didn't hit him too hard. Elders are very fragile, even though the said elder has been Dr. Fate for a good part of his life.” he said casually, noting distractedly that in the meantime his serious stomach wound had completely healed.

After putting back the normal shuriken he had thrown that served as a distraction, the antihero's body suddenly stiffened and he looked up suddenly, noticing that Red Tornado was flying toward him. He made a few backflips, dodging the tornadoes thrown by the android, and began to type rapidly on his holographic glove.

I hope Red Tornado is not here to take revenge for its siblings.

His attention was split halfway between keeping an eye on Red Tornado and hacking the hero, merely dodging any attacks coming from it. It took him about 30 seconds to figure out how to bypass the android's security systems and another 20 seconds to disable it. He watched with a triumphant grin as Red Tornado's figure became immobilized before beeping and then falling dead weight to the ground, deactivated.

Red Tornado should be out of the picture for just over an hour.

After casting a brief glance around the alley at the unconscious figures of Batman, Dr. Fate, Shazam, Hawkgirl and Red Tornado, the acrobat shot the grappling hook upward and seconds after the short flight landed on a rooftop. He looked around, staring self-satisfied at the other numerous downed heroes.

Green Lantern. Hawkman. Aquaman. Black Canary. Zatanna. Green Arrow.

And there were also, of course, Superman, The Flash and Martian Manhunter shot down in the house of the fake corrupt politician who actually did not exist at all.

The assassin's smirk disappeared when he realized something quite important.

Wait a moment: it's missing-

Renegade turned sharply, blocking the sword strike thanks to the spikes. His eyes lit up behind the mask and he cast a bright smile at the newcomer. “Princess! I'm so happy to see you again!”

Wonder Woman scowled, her lips drooping and she emitted a snarl in an attempt to overpower him with her much greater strength than the youngest. “Stop calling me Princess!”

The mercenary did a backflip and then literally danced around the fist thrown by her. “More likely the Joker will win the Nobel Peace Prize!” he chuckled, merely dodging her subsequent blows.

The Amazon stopped herself from attacking, realizing immediately that the second best assassin in the world would merely play defense to tease and irritate her, and her eyes fluttered briefly over the figures of all her teammates who were defeated by the boy in front of her. Her gaze immediately returned to Renegade, fearing that he would take advantage of the very brief moment in which her defenses had been left open, but instead to her surprise she found him standing still with his head tilted to the side, his masked eyes aimed at her with such intensity that it was a miracle if she kept herself from shuddering.

“How the hell is it possible that you, a mere meta-human, could single-handedly take down practically the entire Justice League? Including some of the strongest beings in the universe like Superman, Flash and Dr. Fate? For the second time?” she asked in a snarl that hid her real exasperation and surprise.

“It's a side effect of being raised to be the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the world.”

Wonder Woman did not like his indifferent, impassive voice at all, and unconsciously her grip on the sword tightened slightly.

She would have disputed his statement, probably deeming it arrogant and blusterous, if it weren't for the fact that her mind came to the horrifying realization that yes, maybe he was damn right.

Everything she had learned about Renegade, combined with her personal testimony of what he was really capable of by always holding back a lot -both beating the entire JL twice on his own and slaughtering the Red Sharks- contributed to an image that was becoming a little clearer in her own eyes.

That is, the fact that Renegade was truly the greatest threat existing on the face of the Earth.

Without giving any telltale signs of her next attack Wonder Woman quickly sprinted toward the mercenary, her sword lowering toward him.

Now her attack would be successful in the vast majority of cases because of her divine speed and strength and her training as the best and deadliest Amazon in existence: that and the fact that any opponent would be caught off guard and thus caught unprepared for her attack. 

But not Renegade.

Really, Diana was not too surprised when she met strong resistance and when the metallic sound of splintering blades resounded loudly.

It was as if Renegade's body had moved automatically and of itself, as if the mercenary had grabbed one of the two swords without really even thinking about it for half a second and then blocked her attack.

As if his body was a machine always on extreme alert, moving with automatic and instinctive movements, fluid and perfect and flawless and equally lethal and deadly.

His reflexes were not only decidedly superhuman but the demigoddess dared to say they were practically divine.

The only ones she could think of who would dodge that attack of hers were Superman, Flash, Shazam and Dr. Fate. Not even Batman, who was often mistaken as a meta-human because of all his skills and abilities, would have been able to dodge it.

Yet Renegade blocked her strike as if it were an easy thing.

It was honestly very scary.

“Are you seriously analyzing me right now?”

Renegade's amused voice snapped her to attention, noticing only at this moment that she had remained motionless while yet had unconsciously attempted to overwhelm him.

The other thing the princess of Themyscira quickly noticed was that the distance between their faces was not that much. Although they were not so close, they were still a little too close for her liking.

With her heart beating fast in her chest -it was definitely from the adrenaline from the fight!- Wonder Woman stepped back a few steps, establishing a safe distance from her opponent. Renegade lowered his sword to a more relaxed position as he tilted his head, a smirk beginning to form between his lips.

“Your heart is beating fast. More than normal. It used to be constant but now it's not. I don't think it's simply adrenaline, you know.” Renegade gave a dazzling, seductive smirk.

The Amazon did not give him time to say any other such bullshit and attacked him again with a fierce snarl. Renegade parried her attack again and tried to hit her with a kick to the chest that she dodged by twisting her body to the side. She charged him with more sword blows but the mercenary merely dodged them all, even going so far as to place his sword on his back.

“Don't just be defensive! Fight for real!” Wonder Woman growled annoyed, her Amazon pride hurt by the fact that it was obvious her opponent was going easy on her.

Never mind that he had just beaten virtually the entire Justice League single-handedly without even being too serious, she wanted a fair fight!

The assassin sent her a dazzling smile and the demigoddess swore that he had just winked at her from behind his mask. “Your wish is my command, Princess!”

It all happened in the space of not even a second.

In one moment the Amazon launched another attack on her opponent and the next instant she found herself lying on the ground.

Renegade had blocked the blade directed at his face with both palms placed with full force on both ends of the sword and subsequently swept her legs. His opponent fell with a grunt to the ground as a metallic clang resounded, her sword falling away from her.

It all happened so fast that even the demigoddess had not expected it and she blinked, effectively surprised once again by the boy in front of her and, in this case, by his speed of attack.

The next thing she knew was a massive weight above her stomach that made her grunt in pain again. She opened her eyes again and her breathing abruptly stopped when she met Renegade's masked face so close to hers.

“It's really true when they say you can't appreciate a view unless you see it up close. And let me tell you, any kind of view pales in comparison to your beauty, Princess.”

What the fuck?

Wonder Woman felt her face practically burn, despite the fact that she tried in vain to fight the strong blush that had surely covered her cheeks.

Her fierce Amazon pride was suffering, damn it.

Her whole body was stiffer than a statue and she shivered when his warm breath fell softly on her face. She moved instinctively and pushed him forcefully away from her with both hands, her face contorted into a fierce, embarrassed snarl.

In midair Renegade twisted his body backward and landed crouched on the ground, then rising to his full height and sending her an amused smirk. “You still haven't answered my question from our first meeting: are you single, Princess?”

“Once again: my life is none of your business!” Wonder Woman snarled irritated and annoyed, hurtling at her full speed toward him.

Only to freeze on the spot when suddenly her body was wrapped tightly by her own lasso of truth.

Again.

The demigoddess groaned inwardly.

This is simply embarrassing and humiliating.

Apparently Renegade, during her previous hesitation that had lasted not even a full second, had still managed to take advantage of that very brief moment of time to steal the lasso of truth from her without her even noticing because of her daze caused by the too short distance between their faces.

“Don't be too hard on yourself, Princess.”

The mercenary's voice drew her attention to him and she gave him a flat look. “My pride is hurt by the fact that in our two fights you defeated me the same way, using my own lasso against me. It's quite humiliating, you know.” she drawled sarcastically.

He chuckled and Diana was briefly surprised: it was not his usual creepy giggle that scared anyone but it was a laugh of genuine amusement. The sound was so warm and light that it actually surprised her but she had no time to think about it when he spoke.

“It could have been worse, you know.”

Wonder Woman rolled her blue eyes. “Enlighten me.”

“I could have forced you to reveal your deepest, most embarrassing secrets that you will surely never reveal to anyone.” he stated casually, pointing to her lasso.

And Diana...

Diana actually had never thought about it, not even the other time.

She stiffened and ice began to run through her veins as she realized the power Renegade held over her at this moment: not only would she find herself forced to reveal her deepest and most embarrassing secrets to him but also every secret of the Justice League and its members and every piece of information from the Watchtower.

Although apparently, judging by his words, Renegade was not very interested in the latter things.

Maybe because one way or another he already knew the vital information about the Watchtower and the JL.

In any case Wonder Woman was screwed because at that moment she was completely at the mercy of the world's second best assassin who could have done anything to her and forced her to say anything without her being able to do anything to stop him.

She was completely helpless and it terrified her more than anything else.

As if Renegade had read her mind, or more likely her body language that screamed stiffness, terror and barely concealed panic, he visibly softened and gave her a genuine affectionate and comforting smile that briefly stirred her stomach in a not unpleasant way. “Don't worry, Princess. I have no intention of forcing you to say or do anything.”

Relief completely overwhelmed her and unconsciously she relaxed at his words, trusting for some strange reason his unusually serious tone that she thought was sincere. She had many questions to ask him but the only one was: “Why?”

Renegade tightened his lips into a frown, clearly fighting with himself and probably pondering what to say and not to say, and then let out a sigh so weary that he looked as if he had aged 30 years in a matter of seconds. “I'm just saying that free will is one of the things I hold most dear.”

Wonder Woman felt something negative move in her chest at the implications of the younger man's words. She licked her lips nervously and gave herself mental strength for her next question. “Did someone deny you your free will, forcing you to do things you didn't want to do?” she asked, surprising even herself at the gentle, caring and sweet tone of her voice.

At first Renegade had been mesmerized by her tongue passing over her lips, grateful that the mask hid the movement of his eyes, but then he visibly stiffened at her question. He then gave another tired, deep sigh, fiddling absentmindedly with her lasso. “I think you've figured out the answer by now.” he finally stated after seconds of hesitation, sending her a bitter, wry smile.

It was as if a heavy boulder had settled in the Amazon's chest, making her forget for a brief moment even how to breathe. She was immediately overwhelmed by a strong compassion for the assassin because, no matter that Renegade was the second deadliest and most dangerous mercenary in the world, he was still too young.

Martian Manhunter's words regarding the so much pain, suffering and darkness that he briefly read into the mind of the anti-hero flashed through her mind and she felt her heart tighten painfully.

Diana did not know who was behind Renegade's mask nor what he was forced to endure and go through but she was quite certain that he experienced so much pain and suffering that no one, especially not one so young -Hera, how old was he when he suffered so much if he was now still only seventeen?- should have suffered.

In this regard fragments of the mercenary's speeches returned to the surface of her mind, recalling them with lucid clarity despite the amount of time that had passed.

“I have always lived in a nasty darkness and always will.”

“I want to prevent everything that happened to me from happening to others.”

“I have personally witnessed things that I would not wish on even my worst enemy.”

“You do not know true suffering. You don't know real pain. If you went through just five percent of what I went through, you would already be dead.”

Wonder Woman forced herself to ignore the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her and fixed Renegade with a firm but gentle gaze. “Was it Deathstroke who hurt you so much?

Renegade felt his knees weaken at Wonder Woman's amazing bright blue eyes that stared at him with such intensity but he froze at her words. He opened his mouth, ready with a vehement denial and to defend his father, but then snapped it shut when he remembered the cover story he and Slade had concocted with the Light.

I don't want to lie to Wonder Woman but it's also risky to reveal the truth to her. If I tell her that Slade is a fantastic father, it would create the risk that this news would first spread to the world of heroes and then reach the ears of the villains. And while it's true that we could always say that this is just part of the thick web of lies to deceive the heroes... I still fear for Slade. I can't risk putting him in such a difficult position. But still, I can't lie to my lifelong crush.

However, if she kept this information to herself it would be another matter...

Renegade stared back at her, reflecting the enormous seriousness he felt in that moment. “I will tell you the truth as long as you keep that information to yourself. You must not tell anyone, not even your teammates."

Wonder Woman hesitated, reluctant to not share information that might be vital to discovering the identities of Earth's two most dangerous mercenaries, but she soon remembered the situation she currently found herself in and decided she would accept.

She owed it to him for not forcing her to say anything or do anything without her being able to do something to escape.

Surely any other criminal, both the most dangerous and the most common, would have seized the opportunity and would have harmed her in the worst possible ways.

Especially at the level of sexual violence.

The mere thought made her feel nauseous and it was only her training as a ferocious Amazon that allowed her not to vomit on the spot.

However Renegade was a totally different story.

Not only would he never, ever violate her body in such an atrocious, horrible, inhumane and disgusting way but he, on both occasions when he incapacitated her with her own lasso, never laid a hand on her and on her body -that is, he did not easily beat her to a pulp when any other criminal would have paid gold to do both that and rape her- nor did he show any interest in forcing her to reveal anything he wanted to know from her and could use against her of her and the whole JL.

It was obvious that Renegade was no ordinary criminal -and it would be an insult to his dignity and professionalism to even think of such a comparison- but that he sincerely wanted to do good in the world, albeit with his legally wrong methods.

On a moral level, however, it was a completely different story and depended on the life philosophy of each individual and, as far as she was concerned, they shared a similar thought on how to treat the worst criminals.

All this did nothing but be the confirmation that Diana unconsciously needed and that she finally found.

That is, that Renegade was a good person and that he would never hurt an innocent, despite all the pain he had suffered, and that he exploited the darkness that surrounded him with the sole purpose of eliminating the worst scum in the world that no one would miss, making the Earth a better place.

“I won't tell anyone. You have my word.” Wonder Woman promised solemnly, infusing her tone of voice with as much sincerity as possible.

Renegade watched her for a few seconds and the demigoddess allowed him to read her as if she were an open book, wanting and desiring fiercely for him to know that he could trust her. Finally he nodded and gave her a small smile. “Deathstroke has never hurt me and never would. Believe me when I tell you that he would rather shoot himself in the balls than hurt me."

A surprised and amused giggle escaped the lips of the princess of Themyscira, surprising herself, and the sound was literally music to the ears for the Talon whose smile expanded unconsciously.

“He saved me.” Renegade admitted, getting the superheroine's full attention. “He saved me in every possible way. Especially mentally and emotionally. He took care not only of my training but also and above all of my dignity as a human being. He saved me. And he did this when he had no reason to do so. He's the best father I could have asked for.” he stated slowly with a sweet and genuine smile.

The Amazon could do nothing but smile. It was truly adorable to watch the way Renegade idolized his father who was clearly one of his main role models and points of reference.

Even if said father was literally the best assassin in the world.

At least that served as confirmation to allay her deepest fears about whether or not Deathstroke abused his now former apprentice.

And after these words, the answer to this question was obvious.

Although surprisingly she didn't expect Deathstroke to be such a great father from the Renegade point of view, even though his brother was killed precisely because he was a mercenary like their father.

Diana had so many questions to ask, so many questions she wanted to answer but she knew Renegade most likely wouldn't answer her, so she just smiled. “I will carry your words with me to my grave.”

The mercenary chuckled. “There's no need to be so dramatic but thank you.”

The two exchanged a real and genuine smile and for a few seconds it was as if they fell into a world where there were only the two of them, as if time had stopped and as if the Earth had stopped spinning, focusing exclusively on the superheroine and the anti-hero.

That was the precise moment when for the first time mutual understanding and mutual trust was established within them.

Renegade trusted Wonder Woman with both having mentioned his free will which was denied to him and with important information about Deathstroke which portrayed him as a good father, trusting that the Amazon would not reveal it to anyone, just as Wonder Woman has trusted Renegade that he would never, ever seriously hurt her, the other Justice League heroes or any innocent person in any way.

This represented the starting point of the foundation that would solidify the beginning of their strange relationship which was primarily based on mutual respect and trust, despite the fact that they were on opposite sides of the law.

Neither of them knew exactly how long they had been smiling at each other -and this quite disconcerted the Talon since he prided himself on always being aware of the situation- but the magical moment was broken when Renegade noticed what was happening, then embarrassedly looked away in such a way that Wonder Woman couldn't have glimpsed the heavy blush that stood out clearly on his pale skin.

Dick felt like his cheeks were on fire, damn it!

The assassin took a deep breath to compose himself and, once he was sure that the damned blush had diminished, he returned his attention to the Amazon. “That time has come, Princess.”

Her smile faded when Renegade sent her a meaningful and almost apologetic look despite the mask and she let out a sigh. “Okay, hurry up.” she grumbled in displeasure.

Renegade chuckled as he moved forward, circling until he was behind Wonder Woman. “I'll be as kind as last time.”

Unbeknownst to him a small smile materialized on the demigoddess's face, despite her attempts to fight it.

I know.

That was an unconscious thought that initially shocked Wonder Woman herself but she quickly accepted it as previously established.

And the speed of this acceptance didn't bother her at all, on the contrary.

The princess of Themyscira couldn't stop a shiver from running down her spine when Renegade, with gentle and soft movements exactly like the first time, brushed her hair aside. Her breath came out slightly shaky as his gloved hand gently settled between her neck and shoulder.

“You are not evil, Renegade.” Wonder Woman suddenly blurted out, shocking herself. She barely felt his hand stiffen on her skin and, as if someone had pressed a button that kept her from stopping, she continued. “Despite all your killing, despite all your brutality and violence and dangerousness and lethality, you are a good person. It is honorable how you are managing to make the Earth a better place with your own ways and philosophy of life. Don't let anyone make you believe otherwise. I mean it."

Diana didn't know where the hell all this was coming from but she felt like she was obligated to confess it to him, as if the mercenary should know.

Almost as if it were a sort of blessing on her part encouraging him to continue, without ever stopping for any reason.

Wonder Woman could feel his figure behind her emanating surprise, shock and rigidity and she barely held back a giggle.

It was the first time she had witnessed a Renegade completely surprised and taken aback, even though she couldn't actually see him.

Damn, she really would have paid gold to see his expression, no matter the mask.

Renegade recovered quickly enough and unconsciously his thumb rubbed her skin tenderly, sending a shiver down Wonder Woman's spine as she swallowed thickly at the sensation. When he spoke, his voice was a whisper and much softer, gentler and more grateful than she had ever heard from him.

“Thank you, Diana.”

The last coherent thought that crossed the demigoddess's mind before Renegade pressed the pressure points, sending her into the darkness of unconsciousness, was not at all about the issue of Renegade knowing her civilian identity, an issue she should be very worried about but that for some reason she had never been for a very long time, that is, since she received the gerberas, but it was completely different: 

It's the first time he hasn't called me Princess.

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman had to force herself not to outwardly show signs of amusement and instead appear frowning and irritated, although this was very difficult.

She was currently sitting in the Watchtower meeting room along with her teammates: they all gathered immediately after their defeat inflicted by the world's second most dangerous mercenary, although no one had yet begun to speak.

Once again all the heroes who needed hasty medical attention woke up with their most serious wounds already properly treated and this was confirmation for the Amazon that, just as happened in their first battle and defeat against the aforementioned assassin, it was Renegade himself who personally took care of the heroes who needed medical attention.

That and there was also to consider the fact that Renegade had returned the Green Lantern ring to Hal when he could easily have kept it for himself as well as the Helmet of Fate.

All this only reinforced Diana's trust in the mercenary, although she knew that she would have to be extremely careful with him because it could always be some mind game involving her trusting him and then him exploiting it to his advantage.

Although the deepest part of herself whispered to her that this was hardly the case, or at least she hoped so with every fiber of her being.

All the assembled heroes had deeply frowning, irritated, frustrated and annoyed expressions at how Renegade had beaten the entire Justice League for the second time, including even Hawkman, Red Tornado and especially Shazam and Dr. Fate who were not present in their first battle against the 17-year-old.

Fifteen superheroes, practically the entire Justice League except for a few, and certainly some of the most powerful, against a mere meta-human mercenary only seventeen years old and still they lost.

Wonder Woman knew that she should be pissed off, humiliated and feel other negative emotions just like her teammates but honestly she was not.

The only thing she felt was admiration and respect for Renegade who twice out of two was able to take down the entire JL, even holding back by a lot in both battles.

Of course, the more powerful heroes like her, Superman and Flash obviously were forced to restrain themselves for obvious reasons but still they gave their all without endangering Renegade's life and still he beat them.

It was honestly frightening the extreme level of danger and threat he represented but Wonder Woman, unlike the other heroes -especially Batman-, was not worried about it at all but on the contrary was completely serene and calm about it.

This because she was certain with all her heart that Renegade would never, ever hurt an innocent person but would always kill the worst criminals in existence.

Superman cleared his throat, distracting the Amazon from her thoughts. “Thank you for being all here-”

“Don't start that crap, man!” Green Lantern interrupted him abruptly. “For once why don't you just get straight to the point instead of beating around the bush?”

At his side Flash put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. “Hal, you have to-”

“Don't tell me to calm down.” Hal growled, shaking off his best friend's hand. “Since none of you have the balls to say it, I will. How the fuck is it possible for a 17-year-old to kick the entire Justice League's ass by himself for the second time? There's a fucking underlying problem here and none of you want to fucking admit it!”

“You need to calm down, Green Lantern.” Batman growled, sending him a threatening look.

The Ferris Aircraft pilot, for once not frightened by the Caped Crusader's stare, was about to respond when another hero suddenly spoke up. “Hal is right.” Green Arrow intervened on his behalf, clearly frowning despite his mask. “There is no way that the protectors of Earth and the universe were defeated twice out of two by just a meta-human kid: it should be impossible for him to take down all heroes at once, even the most powerful ones like Superman, Flash, Shazam, Dr. Fate and Wonder Woman!”

“It is not my fault that I am very vulnerable to the kryptonite with which he even coats his bullets.” Superman remarked with a heavy frown.

“He has used a tranquilizer on me.” Shazam admitted with a shy shrug. “There wasn't much I could do about it.”

“The Order would have prevailed as usual if Renegade had not removed the Helmet of Fate.” declared Dr. Fate solemnly.

Green Lantern frowned at him. “That's exactly the problem: that damn kid shouldn't even be able to get near you, let alone take off your helmet.”

“You're all forgetting one small detail.” everyone's attention shifted to Wonder Woman who had just spoken. “Namely, the fact that that ‘’kid", as you call him, is currently the second deadliest and most dangerous assassin and mercenary in the world.”

“That doesn't explain-”

“It explains a lot, actually.” Wonder Woman stopped Hal from continuing, sending him a brief glare for interrupting her and then continuing. “According to the rumors circulating in the criminal world reported by Batman, no one would really be surprised if Renegade, within a few months or years, overtook Deathstroke himself, stealing from him the title of best assassin and mercenary.

“Not even Deathstroke would be able to take down the entire Justice League alone twice. Perhaps he would succeed if he had the opportunity to think about strategy plans but even then the outcome is yet to be decided. Instead, twice out of two we caught Renegade during or after one of his contracts and he always managed to take us down, despite being clearly caught off guard. This shows that Renegade, besides being quite possibly one of the best strategists in existence, is equally good at improvisation. Not even the plan devised by Batman was able to fool him.” she stated, pointing with a nod at the hero mentioned.

“What do you mean, Wonder Woman?” asked Martian Manhunter, curiously tilting his head to the side.

“To make a long story short I mean that Renegade, between his complete training and superhuman abilities, especially his healing factor and his extraordinary tolerance and resistance to pain, far exceeds our powers.”

“That shouldn't be possible, though!”

“I don't question that.” the Amazon conceded with a nod to the Star City archer's words. “But it is. Believe me, I don't like the situation either, but we have to face reality face to face: continuing to complain about it will get us nowhere. We have to accept the reality that Renegade is capable of taking us all down at the same time completely on his own, and even holding back by a lot, and even if it hurts our pride, we have to act accordingly, not stand here whining like children.”

“You're right.” Aquaman nodded, expressing his assent to the demigoddess's words. “Although the fact that a 17-year-old has taken down all of us easily twice hurts our pride, we should come up with another plan to catch him.” he finished, wincing slightly at the gash in his right side that had been mysteriously bandaged.

Most likely it was Renegade. Wonder Woman thought distractedly, sending a nod to the King of Atlantis. 

“We managed to capture him once but we made the mistake of being cocky, thinking that Renegade would not be able to escape from our cells.” Hawkgirl commented, reluctant admiration and respect in her tone of voice toward the mercenary.

“We can capture him a second time but without making the same mistake.” Zatanna nodded. “We should be much more cautious with him, given the extreme level of danger and threat he poses.”

“Not toward us or the innocent, though.” Wonder Woman intervened. “He only kills and will continue to kill only the worst criminals in the world.” she reminded everyone in an attempt to emphasize that yes, Renegade was practically synonymous with threat and danger but not toward them and civilians but only toward the scum of the Earth.

“This does not mean that he should not be caught. Fighting crime with murder is not justice and never will be.”

The princess of Themyscira cast a hard look at the Dark Knight. “I have never denied your first sentence. However, I will not engage in a dispute of clearly conflicting ideologies. I only stated that Renegade does not pose a direct danger to the safety of civilians and therefore we should focus more attention not on him but on the real criminals who hurt the innocent. Maybe just starting with the Light about whom we still don't know much, despite all the information someone has left us.”

“You're right. I had almost forgotten about the existence of the Light until you reminded me.” Black Canary huffed. “Lately we've been so focused on Renegade that we've almost overshadowed the Light, a real criminal organization that, unlike Renegade, actually plans to kill us.” she pointed out.

“Do you really want to leave the kid alone?” Green Arrow stared incredulously at his girlfriend.

The blond woman shook her head. “I didn't say that. Just to focus more on Light than Renegade. Like, 70 percent and 30 percent.”

Batman's growl drew everyone's attention. “We must focus our full attention on both of them. Justice never rests and neither should we. We cannot prioritize one of them when they both pose a world-class threat, regardless of their goals.”

“Batman is right.” Dr. Fate nodded. “We must stop both Light and Renegade and to fulfill our duty we should make full use of the time and resources we have.”

A general murmur of assent spread through the room. Wonder Woman pursed her lips downward, briefly showing her displeasure and quickly changing her expression to one of neutrality, and leaned back in her chair.

If it were up to me, I would focus our resources on finding out more about the Light and stopping the super-villains involved, knowing that Renegade poses no real threat to either the League or the innocents.

“Continuing the meeting, we need to discuss an additional issue, again related to Renegade.” Batman continued, his frown still more visible than usual despite the cowl.

“Joy.” Green Lantern commented impassively, snatching a few chuckles.

The Gotham vigilante did not even dignify him with a glance. “After our defeat, Agent A reported to me that Renegade hacked into Wayne Enterprises' bank account, embezzling precisely one million dollars from it.”

All the heroes, including the Amazon, frowned. “How can you be sure it was Renegade?” asked Flash.

The only sign that indicated the vigilante's annoyance at the interruption was his clenching jaw. “Because Renegade, in addition to hacking the Wayne Enterprises bank account, also hacked the security systems of the cave computer where he left a message signed by him.” he raised his holographic glove, activating it. “The aforementioned message reads verbatim:

“Hey Bats! I'm Renegade! You know, the one who just kicked your and the entire JL's ass! I kindly remind you in case you still have a concussion! I thank you for the million dollars easily stolen! If you were wondering why, it's because the original fake contract, you know, the one concocted by you and your friends to capture me that involved both a client and a victim who don't exist at all, was for $500.000.

“Since your damn plan, failed miserably by the way, wasted my precious time, that and the fact that I hate being played, I decided to double the originally established amount that you would never give me. Plus there's also the fact that I think it's a fair and adequate reward for beating the whole JL, don't you think? I think it is but hey, everyone has the free right to think as they want!

“I'm a professional mercenary, you know? Yours was a real insult and mockery towards my career and work. In any case you are forgiven, so don't overthink it! Now I have to go: anyway I'm sure we'll meet again soon and I'll kick you and your friends' asses easily again!

“PS: Dude, you really need to strengthen the security system of both the Batcomputer and Wayne Enterprises! It was so easy to hack them both!

“PPS: Say hello to the entire Justice League for me! Especially Wonder Woman and tell her I can't wait to see her again as soon as possible!”

“Batcomputer?” Superman murmured confusedly but was ignored.

Crashing noises resounded in the room and everyone's attention shifted to the demi-goddess who had placed her elbows hard on the table, which trembled from her strength, and who had her hands covering her face.

Fuck everyone. I will fucking kill him. I swear to Zeus.

Worst of all, Diana felt her cheeks heat up slightly, dammit!

“Is anyone embarrassed?” Flash teased her with a growing smirk.

Wonder Woman looked up, pleased at the disappearance of the previous blush, and cast a cold glance at the speedster, satisfied when she saw him swallow concerned for his own well-being.

“It seems our dear mercenary has a crush on you.” Black Canary teased her with a shit-eating grin.

“Aww! It's so cute!” Zatanna stated in a mockingly saccharine and honeyed voice, a dangerous glint in her blue eyes. She elbowed the blond meta-human in the side. “They would make a nice couple, don't you think?”

Black Canary nodded, her face completely serious. “Absolutely.”

The intensity of Wonder Woman's gaze increased three notches as she stared at her very bitchy friends, she decided. “I will kill you in your sleep.”

The sorceress shrugged her shoulders without looking at all sorry. “It was worth it.”

“Such behavior does not suit you.” Hal Jordan paused dramatically, his eyes glittering with pure mischief and staring at the Amazon with a smirk so wide that it looked like the Joker's. “Princess.”

Wonder Woman's head snapped in the pilot's direction so fast that the heroes swore they heard her neck snap in protest. “Don't. Call. Me. That.” she declared coldly with a deadly gleam in her blue eyes, her hand automatically settling on the hilt of her sword. “Got it, Jordan?”

Green Lantern squeaked in terror, color fading slightly from his face. “U-Understood!”

The Amazon stared at him for a few more seconds, prolonging his agony, before nodding and relaxing her stance, ignoring the various whispers and stares pointed in her direction.

I can't explain why but hearing Renegade's nickname for me coming out of someone else's lips... I don't know, it was a strange feeling. Like it was wrong.

It was damn jarring even especially compared to the way Renegade's nickname for her was always uttered in such a genuinely sweet, affectionate and tender voice, confusing her more than anything else in the world.  

“As I was explaining before this completely unnecessary interruption,” Batman continued, undeterred by everything that had just happened. “this represents a problem for the entire Justice League. Because both the theft of a million dollars from Wayne Enterprises and the subsequent self-signed message left in the cave computer imply that Renegade, and by extension Deathstroke as well, knows my civilian identity and it is extremely likely that this could extend to the civilian identities of the entire team. While this was a huge possibility in the past when Renegade sent us flowers to taunt us a while back, we now have real confirmation of this. The identities of the Justice League have been compromised and, at least for the moment, there is nothing we can do to deal with the situation.”

The Princess of Themyscira's mind immediately wandered to the last words she heard before she passed out and to the mercenary's use of her civilian name. However, she was not at all concerned about this, placing utmost trust in Renegade that he would not divulge such sensitive information to anyone for any reason in the world.

Diana knew that it was not at all normal for her to place such a high and unconditional trust in a dangerous and deadly mercenary like Renegade but, analyzing the various factors and the full picture concerning the said assassin, she was anyway.

She was not surprised when the rest of the heroes had a completely different reaction from hers.

That is, total panic.

“WHAT?”

“Oh man, we are so screwed.”

“You can say that again.”

“And I thought it couldn't get any worse.”

“It wasn't enough that the kid totally humiliated us twice, but now we know for sure that he even knows our civilian identities!”

“I don't even want to know how Renegade was able to find out our identities.”

“I mean, I can understand him figuring out the identity of Superman who only wears fucking glasses as a disguise-”

“Hey! I'm very fond of those glasses!”

“-and that of Green Arrow who has a stupid blond goatee unique in the whole world-”

“Next time you call my goatee stupid I'll stick an arrow up your ass.”

“-but how the hell did he find out the identities of the rest of us? Especially Bats', which is literally the biggest fucking secret in the world!”

“I'll be honest: I am so scared of that kid that I would become his greatest servant if he were to take over the world.”

“...You're not exaggerating, dude?”

“Absolutely not.”

Wonder Woman merely snorted in amusement at the antics of her friends and teammates, remaining silent.

The meeting continued quietly without any further particularly interesting points: the only thing worth mentioning was Shazam's confession that revealed to all of them that he, despite his adult appearance, was actually a child, then explaining to all of them how his powers really worked.

Diana would have been amused by the comical and surprised reactions of the other heroes if she herself had not been shocked, especially when they came to the realization that Shazam was currently a 15-year-old in his civilian form.

The fact that Batman already knew this for years did not help things at all.

The Amazon no longer knew what to think when Shazam revealed to them that even Renegade in some way that no one really wanted to know was aware of it.

Briefly the idea of suspending Shazam until he came of age was considered because he was currently a damn kid and it was put to a vote: the majority had voted for Shazam to stay.

Diana had hesitated but ultimately voted for his temporary suspension. It was true that she might have appeared hypocritical given her training as a fierce Amazon since she was a child but at least she had remained safe for many years on the island of Themyscira, never entering any real danger until she was old enough to face her own challenges.

It was quite different with Shazam's situation but still the majority voted for her to stay at the JL and Wonder Woman, while still reluctant to the idea of having fought and continuing to fight with a hero who was technically a child, had to reluctantly accept it anyway.

Of course, Zatanna was also technically only a child since she was currently only seventeen years old but she had been trained by the Justice League after her father Zatara heroically sacrificed himself for the world a few years ago and she joined the JL shortly after she turned her current age.

The League urgently needed a powerful magic user since Dr. Fate was not always available given his status as Lord of Order.

In any case Diana was happy when the meeting ended and she was finally able to return to Washington to get a rest she thought deserved.

Only to groan in annoyance when she remembered that the next day she would have another meeting as Ambassador Diana Prince with ambassadors from other nations belonging to the UN.

Simply fantastic.

Chapter Text

Simulation Training Session Against The Best Assassins In The World In Lethal Mode: Completed And Passed

Renegade, fully dressed in his mercenary identity except for his mask, smiled at the robotic voice and stowed his weapons once the training session had ended.

Thanks to some special, advanced technology -stolen from both Wayne Enterprises and LexCorp by Dick himself- in the huge secret training room in the Wilson home it was possible to fight against holograms of all heroes and the most dangerous assassins and mercenaries.

Thus Renegade could simultaneously fight against the world's greatest threats in the highest mode and thus such holograms were no less lethal than the originals.

Consequently, this allowed Renegade to not even hold back in the slightest, thus only being able to improve and perfect himself from all points of view: physical, mental, strategy, etc.

This was an exceptional training method that allowed him to perfect and keep himself always in more than extraordinary physical and mental form.

Dick heard his work phone emit a short ring that resounded throughout the room, signaling the arrival of a message, and he walked over to the table. He picked it up and raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw that it was Slade who had contacted him, being even more confused when he read his message.

Klarion. Spell shortly. Don't panic. Do what you think is best.

The acrobat's mind immediately went into detective mode, analyzing the message from his former mentor and all that he knew.

A few hours earlier Deathstroke had left to head to one of his New York City hideouts to attend one of his usual meetings with the Light who, at least in previous meetings, had not yet organized any other plans. This meant that in these hours of meeting the Light came up with a plan involving Klarion and his powerful magic.

Dick could not help but notice the brevity of the sentences lacking conjunctions and subjects, which surely indicated that Slade barely had time to warn him for what was shortly to happen. Moreover, the fact that his father warned him not to panic implies that whatever the spell was, it would have been so dangerous and terrible that it could potentially have frightened Renegade.

I'm not feeling the aster.

The last Flying Grayson smiled sweetly at the last sentence of the message that clearly conveyed Slade's total unconditional trust in him. The knowledge that he was the person Deathstroke The Terminator, the world's deadliest and most dangerous mercenary, trusted more than anyone else and on such a high and unattainable level, well, it was always a beautiful feeling that warmed his chest.

With a sigh he stowed his work phone in one of the many compartments of his armor. He walked out of the secret training room and as soon as he reached the living room his civilian and personal phone rang. He picked it up, gave a small smile when he saw that Rose was calling him and accepted the call.

“Hey sis-”

“D-Dick!”

Dick froze, his smile quickly slipping away. He felt the cold clawing at his body at his little sister's voice of pure panic and desperation and his grip on his phone tightened slightly unconsciously, almost snapping it in half. “What happened, sweetheart?” he asked keeping his voice soft, immediately going into overprotective big brother mode.

His chest contracted painfully when he heard her pull up with her nose on the other side of the phone line. “M-Mom disappeared! I-In front of u-us!”

The acrobat blinked in surprise, not expecting that. “What?”

“M-me and Joey w-were watching a movie with m-mom and suddenly s-she disappeared!”

The hell?

“I-I'm scared, D-Dick! I want m-mommy!”

The Talon winced at his younger sister's so distressed and frightened whimpering and his heart broke further at the mental image of her with tears on her angelic, innocent face. “I will fix this. I promise you, Rosie. I'll be right with you, okay?”

He heard her pull up with her nose. “Okay.”

“Good.” Renegade sprinted into his room, determined to change clothes and take his Renegade armor with him anyway.

He had the distinct feeling that it would serve him well.

“In the meantime stay close to Joey and do not separate for any reason in the world. Do not open the front door to anyone, hang up immediately on suspicious calls, close the windows and stay away from them. Lock yourselves in your mother's bedroom closet and leave only when you hear four loud knocks on the bedroom door. Am I clear?” he ordered in a firm but at the same time gentle voice.

“A-All right.”

If Dick had had a heartbeat, at that moment he was sure that it would have been so fast that he thought his heart might have left his chest.

He was so anxious and worried about his little siblings as never before and he did not know if Adeline's disappearance was a part of Light's plan, although he doubted it since no super-villain was aware of Deathstroke's ex-wife or his younger children.

“I'll be right there. Don't worry, Rose: everything will be all right. I will fix everything. I promise.” Dick continued to reassure her with sweet and reassuring words. “Your mother will be fine. Trust me, okay?”

A small sob came out of Rose and the sound was worse than every single stab to the heart Dick had suffered from the Owls. “O-Ok.” a pause. “Dick, I'm scared.” she confessed in a whisper.

Dick had changed clothes and was depositing his armor and weapons in the first suitcase he saw. “I will be with you even faster than you would think. I love you both.”

“We love you too, big brother.” Rose murmured softly and, after a final goodbye, the call ended. 

Dick had borrowed one of Slade's many cars and was currently breaking every traffic code. However, he did not have to go too far when on a main road he saw numerous cars crashed into each other, against light poles and so on, and there were also numerous children and teenagers in the middle of the road who had anguished and panicked looks on their faces.

What the hell is going on?

Despite his whole being screaming at him to head to his little siblings who needed him, he could not ignore children and teenagers who clearly needed help. He therefore stopped his car and got out, running toward the area of general chaos.

“What happened?”

His voice caught the attention of all the children and teenagers -of which there were 16 in total, Dick counted- who stared at him with equal looks of despair, fear and bewilderment. “A-All the adults a-are gone!” one of the teenagers cried anguished.

“My father was driving me to tennis practice in his car when he suddenly disappeared!” a child, clearly in shock and who could not have been more than 11 years old, whispered weakly, staring at him with huge brown eyes wide with fear and despair, tears streaming down his face. He had a few superficial cuts on his face and arms that were bleeding. “I was lucky that the accident caused me only minor injuries.”

Every other child and adolescent told their own story concerning the disappearance of their family members and loved ones. All the time Dick remained impassive and after the end of the last story he gave a deep and tired sigh.

I hate magic.

Dick remained on the scene for a few more minutes and informed the teenagers that they should keep an eye on the younger children and temporarily take under their wing all those who needed help, at least until the situation was resolved.

The acrobat drove off again after making sure that his words and reassurances that everything would be all right had penetrated the children's heads. He continued to break every limit on the road -there were no cops anyway who could have stopped him and given him a ticket, Dick thought sarcastically- and began to reflect on the rather serious situation.

Apparently Klarion's spell was to make all the adults on Earth disappear, probably transporting them to another world. Perhaps the goal was to create as much chaos as possible or perhaps the Light had a specific goal to pursue and achieve. In any case, that was not important for the moment: the only thing that mattered was that Dick reached his little siblings, even if he had to physically force himself not to stop every time he saw numerous stopped and wrecked cars and many lost, distressed, frightened-looking kids.

The Talon carefully avoided thinking that at this moment all his family and friends were who knows where, if they were still alive-

No, Dick. Don't take that line of thought. They are all right. All of them.

The acrobat suddenly uttered a series of expletives -which would surely have made both Wintergreen and Alfred feel bad- when he remembered his fucking children.

He began to use the phone, absentmindedly thinking that his Uncle Billy would bite his head off if he ever learned that he was using the phone while driving, and put on the speakerphone, resting it on top of the dashboard of the vehicle. Anxiety began to claw at Dick's chest for each prolonged ringing that felt like an eternity to him when in fact it was only a few seconds of waiting.

“Dad?”

Dick had never been so relieved to hear his child's voice. “Hey Cass. I-”

“All gone.”  

The acrobat winced at the little girl's so small, faint and frightened voice but even so, he remained proud of his child's enormous effort in speaking.

Both he and Aunt Sandra were putting a lot of effort into getting Cass to learn to read, write and speak and although it had only been a short time, she had already shown small improvements, beginning to pronounce a few words which was a great achievement anyway, showing that she was a quick learner.

“I know, sweetheart. All the adults on Earth are gone because of the magic of a very strong sorcerer.”

Dick swallowed at the mere thought of Cass and Dami completely alone in Nanda Parbat, seeing not only the entire army of ninja assassins they had grown fond of suddenly disappear before their eyes but also their parents.

The two of them were the only life forms inside a usually heavily populated giant castle and also in the surrounding area.

It must have been such a horrible experience for his children to experience and that squeezed the 17-year-old's chest painfully. His grip on the steering wheel tightened but he forced himself to relax or he would have broken it and besides the problem of how he would reach his little siblings, he certainly did not want to explain to Slade why the steering wheel of one of his cars had detached.

“Is Damian with you, sweetheart?”

“Yes.”

The monosyllabic answer overwhelmed the Talon with relief and he let out a sigh he did not know he was holding. “Perfect. Make sure he never leaves your side even for a second. I know that Nanda Parbat is a virtually safe place for you but just in case someone hostile shows up, stay safe. Do your best to protect your little brother, okay?”

“Okay.”

“You're the best, Cass.” Dick smiled, although he knew his child could not see it but he could easily imagine the bright smile she had at that moment. “I'm checking on Joey and Rose now and after I make sure they're safe, I'll bring them to you so you're all together. Does that sound like a good plan?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I'll see you soon, sweetheart. Love you.”

“Love you too, dad.”

Dick had a bright smile as he ended the call. His gaze momentarily shifted from the road back to his phone when it rang, briefly opening his eyes wide as he read his best friend's name. He quickly accepted the call and began speaking even before Conner could say anything.

“All the adults on Earth have disappeared because of the magic of a powerful sorcerer. Don't worry about your loved ones: I'm pretty sure they've all been transported to some kind of alternate world.”

Dick willfully left out the fact that he was fiercely clinging to that idea as if it were the only possible option, not accepting anything else unless it would be positive and reassuring news.

He imagined that on the other end of the phone line his best friend was blinking, confused and surprised. “Where are you now?”

“Traveling to Rose and Joey and then take them to Nanda Parbat to Cass and Damian so that they are all together and to prevent myself from getting a brain aneurysm from excessive stress and worry.”

“Oh.”

The mercenary snorted in amusement. “What are you doing instead?”

“I'm trying to help as many kids as I can here in Metropolis.”

The 17-year-old smiled in approval. “Good idea, Con. Keep on that path and remember not to show off your powers: act like you're just an ordinary boy.”

A grunt.

“A word of advice: I know from personal experience how frustrating kids can be but don't let it overwhelm you: just stay whelmed.”

“...I will never understand why you have to mangle the English language every time.”

“Because it's fun.”

“Only for you.”

“Just because you have no sense of humor.”

“Hn.” Conner grunted in obvious disagreement but for his sanity he dropped the subject. “After you secure your siblings, what are you going to do?”

“I don't know yet.” Dick admitted, tightening his lips into a frown. “However, I will do my best to make things go back to the way they were before, no matter what.”

“If you need help, contact me.”

Dick gave a small smile, not missing his best friend's protective tone. “I will. Don't worry.”

Superman's clone grunted again. "Be careful, Dick.”

“You too, pal.”

Dick watched with a sweet smile as Joey and Rose ran toward Damian and Cass, all four children displaying excited and frantic attitudes about being all together, despite the delicate situation that had upset them.

The acrobat had spent about ten minutes in doing his best to reassure his little siblings with gentle, reassuring words and gestures and once they had calmed down, he proposed to them if it would be all right if he took them to Nanda Parbat to Cass and Damian. He was not at all surprised when they eagerly accepted his proposal, knowing very well how well the four children got along.

Dick laid the suitcase containing his Renegade armor on the ground and ran a hand over his face, taking a long, deep breath.

He had not felt this mentally and psychologically tired in a long time now and he would be lying if he said that he was not currently stressed.

How could he not be?

Every adult was gone, damn it!

Slade, Wintergreen, Aunt Talia, Aunt Sandra, Aunt Tatsu, Jade, Artemis, Louise, Adeline, Uncle Clark, Aunt Lois, Aunt Nyssa, other honorary uncles and aunts, the ninjas of the League of Assassins, Alfred, all the heroes, the other (ex) super-villains he had befriended, every civilian...

All disappeared.

He was suddenly overwhelmed by the realization that it was only a matter of months if he was still a minor and still in the same world as his little siblings and children. The thought of Rose, Joey, Damian and Cass completely alone, without even a point of reference, made his stomach churn nervously and it was only because of all his training that he did not vomit on the spot.

A small blessing.

He was diverted from his own thoughts when he heard quiet footsteps approaching and he stared at Cass's clearly concerned face. Are you okay, Dad?

Dick sent her a small smile. I'm fine. Just a little stressed.

His smile grew brighter as Cass latched onto his right leg and he patted her head a few times before starting to play with her hair. He snorted when he saw Damian running toward him with a gait that only a child of six could have. He grabbed him and held him close to his chest, filling his cheeks so perfectly plump with kisses.

The sound of Damian's childish giggles was one of the most beautiful sounds ever that the acrobat intended to memorize until the end of his days. His child in all but blood wrapped his arms around his neck and rested his head on his shoulder, rubbing his nose against it.

“Miss mom but I'm glad Baba is here.” he murmured, pulling back to fix his huge green eyes on the 17-year-old's face with a huge bright smile.

Dick could not help but automatically return the smile, playfully rubbing his own nose with his child's and getting more giggles. He felt Cass climb up his back and he helped her with one hand until she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold herself up, resting her chin on the top of his head as Damian snuggled on his chest.

His gaze fell on Rose and Joey, who approached him with adorable pouts. With an amused giggle he pulled them to his side with one hand, affectionately tousling their hair.

And I thought I couldn't love my children any more.

Dick knew that this was his children's way of cheering him up and getting him at least momentarily away from stress and he fully appreciated their attempt, absolutely enjoying it.

He spent the next twenty minutes with his children, playing and having fun and cuddling with them. Eventually, however, like all good things, this too had to end.

“I have to go. I have to fix this mess and find a way to get the adults back.” he stated, absentmindedly running a hand through his hair.

Although the children had sad looks that broke his heart, they were also filled with awareness. “Good luck, big brother. Take care.” said Rose, staring at him with huge worried blue eyes.

“I will be.” Dick promised and specifically stared at Cass. “I know it might be a thankless task to give you but do your best to protect others and yourself in case of an attack, okay?”

She nodded with a determined and resolute look. I don't mind. No one will hurt them.

Dick gave her a grateful smile and with a huge grin on his face he spread his arms wide. “Group hug!”

He backed away a few steps as four masses launched themselves at him, distractedly surprising himself that he had not fallen. With an amused giggle he wrapped his arms around his children, placing a tender kiss on each of their foreheads.

They were his children and he would literally do anything for them.

Dick would not let anyone hurt his children.

Woe to those who would hurt them since Renegade would personally take care of them.

And he would have enjoyed torturing and killing in the worst possible ways those who would dare even think of hurting his children.

Chapter Text

Overcoming Wayne Manor's defense systems was embarrassingly easy for Renegade, more than he expected from the world's most paranoid man.

Or perhaps he was simply too good.

Probably the latter.

In any case, Richard Wilson in his Renegade armor easily managed to sneak inside the billionaire's house and close the door behind him. He briefly took only a moment to admire the grandeur and magnificence of the place. His gaze immediately shifted upward, focusing on the enormous and refined crystal chandelier which he was immediately attracted to from the first time he saw it.

Dick was certain that if he, by some strange irony of fate, was ever adopted by Bruce Wayne in another alternate life or universe, one of the first things he would ever do would surely be to climb the chandelier, giving both Bruce and Alfred heart attacks.

Resisting the temptation to climb it -and the temptation to slide down the railing from the upper floors was also strong- he walked on, silently thanking Alfred for giving him little tours the first few times he had brought Batman back to the Manor, saving his life. He paused when his eyes fell on one of the few paintings that adorned the hallway: a painting that Alfred had shown and told him about but that he could not stay to analyze too much.

The painting depicted Thomas and Martha Wayne together with their son: the father of the family had a small smile and one hand resting proudly on little Bruce's shoulder while his mother had a huge smile between her lips, her hand resting on her son's other shoulder.

What completely caught the Talon's attention, however, was little Bruce's so bright and beaming smile: a smile that conveyed joy and light as his blue eyes shone with a life of their own.

Everything Bruce now was no more.

Dick doubted Bruce had ever shown such a smile after his parents' deaths. Or at least not one that reflected the intensity of the smile in that painting.

The thought was so sad, distressing and depressing that it caused an aching twinge in the acrobat's chest as he let out a small sigh.

According to the butler's words, Bruce was eight years old when the picture was taken: a picture taken a few months before the tragedy that permanently marked the billionaire's life.

The assassin's gaze remained fixed on little Bruce's and he made a slight grimace.

It was surreal to think that this child, who emanated childlike vibes of purity and innocence from the picture, would grow up to become the most feared and brooding vigilante in the world and surrounded by a heavy loneliness and darkness that have and are consuming him from within, leaving nothing but a mask while his true self has now been sucked out for years.

Bruce did not deserve such a fate.

He did not deserve to witness a tragedy of such magnitude that forced him to grow up in a Manor in a perpetually silent and lonely atmosphere, haunted by ghosts and whispers that never left the owner, with the butler just the only company who, despite all his good intentions, was still merely a man who could not work miracles, probably doomed in a Limbo between remaining professional and stepping forward to be the orphan's parent.

Neither did Dick deserve to be kidnapped by the Court of Owls when he was only seven years old and immediately after watching his parents die in front of his eyes, brutally tortured, killed and trained for three years until he became the most dangerous weapon in the world without free will, forced to be used by the richest bastards in Gotham for their own filthy purposes.

Neither of them deserved such fates.

Yet here they were because life could be truly bitchy.

With a sigh Dick finally looked away from the imposing painting, absentmindedly wondering how many hours Bruce had spent in front of it, and headed for the billionaire's main study. He entered it in seconds and stopped in front of the grandfather clock, subsequently moving the hands to 10:47. It shifted sideways, revealing a secret entrance followed by a long flight of steps that he walked down, finally reaching the Batcave.

He had been to the Batcave a few times before but for obvious reasons he could not stay there too long, unlike now when he had plenty of time to admire the beauty of the place.

With an almost childlike excitement the mercenary looked around, his gaze taken both by the various souvenirs Batman had brought back to his cave and by the various vehicles: in addition to the Batmobile, which he had the pleasure of driving and which turned out to be a fantastic experience, a beautiful vigilante gem was also the Bat-plane.

Dick mentally promised himself that sooner or later he would drive the Bat-plane before he met his permanent death: whatever it took!

Not to mention the fucking Batcomputer: although Slade's technology was particularly advanced, it paled sharply in the face of Wayne Enterprises' technology. The 17-year-old was too well trained to drool over such beauty but he would not blame himself if he did.

Focus, Dick! Eyes on the mission!

The assassin, however, hesitated to get past the Batcomputer but finally groaned. “The temptation is too strong.” he muttered in defeat.

He dropped into the chair in front of the Batcomputer, not too surprised when he discovered it was damn comfortable, and began typing rapidly, his movements on the keyboard so fast that even Flash would have a hard time following them all.

He remained in front of the Batcomputer screen just long enough to allow him to leave a little gift for Bruce that the man would surely find in no time. After all, Dick was a polite host and knew good manners despite his reputation as a Renegade.

Wintergreen would probably kill him if the man ever learned that he had entered Wayne Manor when no one was there and acted as if it were his home without even thanking the owner for his kind welcome. 

No more distractions now.

The mercenary advanced but again hesitated, his eyes falling on the amazing animatronic T-rex built to life size, momentarily putting aside his enormous curiosity about how the hell Batman got him into the cave without anyone noticing.

...Screw it. When am I ever going to get a situation like this again?

Renegade smiled happily once he had easily scaled the animatronic, standing on top of it. He gave a cheeky thumbs-up in the direction of some of the cavern's cameras and the next instant he threw himself down below.

The Talon performed a triple somersault in midair, briefly enjoying the feeling of adrenaline and the air blowing over his face and hair, and cushioned the huge fall by a roll on the cold floor of the cavern and then soared into another somersault in midair, landing perfectly on his feet without either difficulty or pain.

“Congratulations Renegade: that was a dive of 10.” the mercenary affirmed, speaking aloud and clapping his hands, congratulating himself. “What a wonderful performance.”

He chuckled with a giggle that echoed throughout the cavern eerily, nervously shaking the bats hanging from the ceiling. He shook his head with a smirk and was finally able to walk toward his destination.

That is, the zeta tube.

In fact, his goal was to reach the Watchtower and, taking advantage of the absence of all the heroes, he would have free access to all their technology to attempt to somehow track down Klarion and then find a way to reverse the spell.

So Dick had the brilliant idea of using the zeta tube present in the Batcave to gain access to the inside of the Watchtower because no matter when he wished to have a zeta tube in the Wilson house, it was a technology too complicated to build even for two geniuses like him and Slade and if they stole one obviously the heroes would notice and locate them because of the tracking device built into it.

So this was the only way for Dick.

Sure, technically there were several zeta-tubes scattered around Gotham and other cities but what better opportunity than this to give Bruce a nervous breakdown?

In any case, the acrobat arrived in front of the zeta tube, activated his holographic glove and hacked it in less than ten seconds.

Seriously, this is too easy. At this rate I'll have to personally strengthen the Watchtower's security systems.

Recognized: Unknown

The young man blinked behind his mask, adjusting to the new brightness of the Watchtower. He took a few steps forward when suddenly he froze, his enhanced hearing picking up a person's heartbeat.

Who the hell infiltrated the Watchtower at this critical moment?

Renegade silently slipped without making even the slightest sound. He turned several corridors before stopping around the corner, hearing a female voice that spoke so softly, however, that he could not understand the words. He stiffened, ready to take down the intruder as quickly as possible -and yes, he knew that he himself was technically an intruder as well but he would not do any thing that would disadvantage the JL, unlike this intruder instead- and turned the corner sharply without making a sound.

He froze when he saw a familiar figure in the center of the room, her back to him, and gave a mental sigh of relief.

Not an intruder.

His muscles relaxed once he ascertained that the hero base was not under attack and he leaned silently on the doorframe, curious about when she would notice his presence. Minutes passed and she still did not notice him, focused instead on mumbling and uttering words that were incoherent to him.

I had honestly forgotten that she is not yet of age and is only seventeen years old, despite being an important member of the Justice League.

“You know, you should be more focused on your surroundings. You really need training on this field.”

The mercenary watched in amusement as Zatanna leapt into the air with a startled cry of surprise and turned so fast that he swore he heard her neck snap. Her blue eyes widened comically when she saw him. “Renegade?”

“In the flesh. Please don't-”

“Sniahc depparw ylthgit no Edagener!”

Renegade released a puff of air when immediately chains wrapped tightly around his waist, trapping his arms along his sides. “attack me.” he concluded in a flat tone.

“Yeah, then I also offer milk and cookies to the second most dangerous mercenary in the world.” the sorceress drawled sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“I would never refuse them.”

She stared at him impassively and crossed her arms, fixing him with a hard stare. “What are you doing here, Renegade? Especially how did you manage to infiltrate here?”

Then, before he could even open his mouth, she cast another spell.

“Llet eht hturt!”

The assassin returned the look, not amused and unimpressed. “I am here to find a way to stop the person responsible for the attack and bring back the adults. As for how, I exploited the zeta tube present in the Batcave.”

Zatanna blinked. “Batcave?” she repeated slowly, arching an eyebrow in confusion.

“You know, Batman's cave. His base.” the assassin clarified, giving her a look that clearly indicated how much he was reconsidering her intelligence. “His computer is the Batcomputer, his car is the Batmobile, his plane is the Bat-plane, his weapons are the batarangs and so on.” he stated in a tone that sounded like he was talking to a six-year-old.

Why do I always have to clarify everything every time? Because no one can get there on their own, heck! How many heroes or villains do they know with the suffix Bat?

Zatanna opened her mouth to express her disappointment at his condescending tone when his words penetrated her ears and she snapped it shut. The next second she burst out laughing, bending over with laughter.

She knew that she must have been concerned that a mercenary of Renegade's caliber knew all the identities of the JL but at that moment she was more focused on not dying of laughter.

The assassin could not help but be affected by her amusement and he too began to giggle.

The young hero managed to calm down about two minutes later. “God. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.” the sorceress confessed, wiping away a tear that formed in her left eye from so much laughter. More giggles escaped her as she stared at Deathstroke's former apprentice, amusement dancing in her eyes. “How did that even come to your mind?”

The Talon shrugged his shoulders as much as his chains would allow. “I am very original about names.”

The sorceress rolled her eyes with an amused snort. “All right, Mr. Original. No more joking now.” she diffidently narrowed her gaze toward him. “What are your real intentions on the Watchtower, Renegade?”

“I already told you.” the acrobat pointed out with a frown. “I am here just to find a way to locate Klarion and reverse the spell.”

The young hero briefly opened her eyes wide before taking on a hard, cold stare. “How do you know it was Klarion?”

“I have my sources.” he replied with a lazy smirk, easily evading her spell.

Zatanna narrowed her eyes, not amused. “Who told you that?”

“A person.”

Frustration appeared on her face but she did not even have time to open her mouth that the anti-hero interrupted her.

“You know what? I'm getting tired of all these questions now.”

Zatanna stepped back with a shocked scream when Renegade suddenly broke the chains by simply spreading his arms wide. Her wide eyes briefly fixed on the chains that fell to the ground with a metallic clang before returning them to his bored gaze.

“Did you really think that miserable chains would be enough to stop me? Please: my physical strength is very remarkable.” he stated not in an arrogant or vain tone but was simply stating the facts as they were.

Zatanna was shocked when Renegade, instead of attacking or threatening her with one of his many weapons, took a slight step back, peacefully raising his hands in the air.

“I have no intention of hurting you, Zatanna. I don't hurt the innocent or even heroes. You should understand that after all this time.”

The sorceress knew that he was telling the truth since he was still affected by her magic. However, she still diffidently narrowed her gaze. “It is hard to trust the second best mercenary and assassin in the world who has defeated the entire Justice League twice.”

The assassin sent her a smirk. “I can understand that.” he conceded, lowering his arms. “However, right now we have the same goals. We both want to locate Klarion, kick his ass and bring the adults back to Earth.”

“I also want to know how you can be sure that Klarion is responsible for the disappearance of all the adults?”

“I know it's going to be hard for you but you're going to have to trust me.” The Talon sighed at the obvious distrust and mistrust the sorceress was showing. “Look, I could have taken you down before you even knew I was there and I would have even been able to hurt you before you cast your spell but I let you hit me to try to explain to you that I pose no threat to you or to good people in general. That and I could have killed you and your teammates from the first battle but I didn't because Earth and the universe need the Justice League and I would rather die than kill one of the heroes.” he gave her a smirk. “Who do you think is the one who bandages your most serious wounds after one of our fights?”

Zatanna stared at him with a look that could not completely conceal her surprise. She had always known that the boy in front of her had never killed an innocent and, although they had had doubts about the death of Hugo Strange about which Batman later found out that he was working with the Light, that was his modus operandi.

But she would never have thought that Renegade would not only sincerely prefer to die rather than kill a hero but also that he was the one who was medicating the most injured heroes, helping their healing process.

And there was no way the assassin was lying: he was still under her magic.

This was all the proof she needed.

Sure, she knew she couldn't begin to trust Renegade blindly -he still remained the assassin with a body count second only to Deathstroke himself- but at least she now had confirmation that he would do nothing to mortally injure either the innocent or her teammates.

“Fine. All right. I'll try to trust you.” Zatanna let out a sigh she did not know to hold back and absentmindedly ran a hand over her hair. She gave him a hard look. “But at the first suspicion that you are trying to fool me I will make you regret being born.”

The acrobat chuckled, completely unmoved by her threat. “Crystal.”

The sorceress grimaced at the fact that he had not been threatened by her, even though she must have expected it. She put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “Well? What's your plan?”

“First, if you would kindly erase your magic on me. You know, it's not nice to be forced to tell the truth all the time.” he said with an amused smile that, however, did not completely hide his threatening tone toward her if she did not.

Zatanna blushed a little for forgetting and murmured a quick apology to him. She cleared her throat and straightened up, ready to cast her spell as her blue eyes brightened considerably. “Lecnac eht tsal lleps!”

An aura appeared around the young assassin and quickly disappeared. “Batman is not paranoid.” he blurted out.

“What?”

“Nothing.” the anti-hero waved a hand dismissively. “I had to make sure I was no longer forced to tell the truth and that was the first thing that came to mind.”

Zatanna snorted amusedly, briefly bringing her hands to her mouth to muffle her giggles. “Fair enough, I guess.” her gaze turned serious as she stared at him. “Tell me you have a plan to resolve this situation.”

Renegade had a thoughtful look for a few seconds before sending her a bright, victorious smile. “I have a plan but I will need your help.”

Chapter Text

“Are you able to locate the source of Klarion's spell?”

Zatanna nervously bit her lower lip. “I don't know. I have never performed a spell of such scale. I usually base location spells on an object familiar to the person I want to locate and that helps a lot but without it...” she shook her head and looked at him with a sorry look. “I don't know if I would be able to do that.”

Dick suddenly remembered that she was only seventeen and that she was only a kid.

Unlike him. 

He could only imagine the pressure and stress she was under at that moment and to which she was probably not used to. Seeing all her teammates suddenly disappear as well as all the adults in her life and realizing that she was the only hero left on Earth...yeah, well, it sure sucked.

The acrobat approached her slowly, aware of her analytical gaze fixed on him, and rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, restraining himself from removing it when he felt her stiffen under his touch. “I know you are scared right now and think you are not good enough. However, I trust you and your abilities. I know you will do your best and I also know that your best will be good enough. You are not alone, Zatanna. I will be with you every step of the way until we solve this situation. And we will solve it together. As a team. I will not abandon you. I promise.” he declared in a grave and solemn voice, keeping his masked gaze fixed on her.

Zatanna swallowed hard, completely overwhelmed by the mercenary's speech. She knew that she should have felt frightened by his words and the fact that an extremely dangerous person like him would stay by her side during this situation but she was not. In fact, she dared to say that she was even comforted by his words and his beautiful pep talk that actually helped to calm her deepest fears a bit.

Which was definitely strange but at least for the moment she put it aside.

Zatanna gave him a watery smile. “I didn't think you were capable of such pep talks.” she tried to joke but her words still came out tense.

“I've always been an artist, I suppose.” the assassin said with a mysterious smirk.

The sorceress' snort turned out shakily and she took a long, deep breath. “I can try.” she affirmed, straightening her shoulders and back. A steely look crossed her eyes, which became determined and resolute. “I'll make a few attempts first to figure out how to cast the spell and stuff like that.”

“Take all the time you need.” the Talon reassured her with a gentle smile. “No pressure.”

The girl was briefly surprised by his kindness and did her best to shrug it off. She smiled at him: a genuine smile that conveyed her gratitude. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

While Zatanna was busy figuring out how to cast the spell, Renegade headed for the monitoring room. He connected his holographic glove to the main motherboard of all the many screens and began to type rapidly. It did not even take him a full thirty seconds when a screen in front of him went completely black for a few seconds before showing his own reflection and in the upper right corner was the small symbol indicating that he was live worldwide.

The meta-human straightened up and sent a beaming smile at the screen. “Hello, kids from around the world. I am using special and the most advanced technology to broadcast this message worldwide on every phone, computer, TV, radio and all other electronic devices.

“It is likely that, given your young age, most of you do not know me. For those who do know me, however, I want to assure you that I do not want to create additional panic that none of you need at such a critical time as this. In fact, I want to send an important message that I hope will reach as many people as possible.”

“Look! Baba is on TV!”

Cass, Joey and Rose's heads immediately snapped toward the television, gaping wide when they actually saw their older brother/father figure on TV.

“-I know that right now you are scared and wondering where your parents, older siblings and all adults in general have gone. I know that right now you are feeling alone, scared, terrified, lost without an important reference figure in your life.”

Rose had a huge smile on her face and emitted a little squeal of happiness. “Go, big brother!”

Joey and Cass looked at each other and smiled.

Dad is the best of all.

You're right, Cass. Dickie is the best of the best.

“-However, it is necessary for all of you to remain calm.”

Billy Batson's eyes went wide in shock when he recognized Renegade's figure live from a television inside a restaurant. “What the hell is he going to do?”

“-I know that it may be very difficult for you to remain calm in such a critical situation that we are all experiencing at the moment. However, it is of utmost importance that you do your best to keep calm and not panic. Panicking will not help anyone and will only create further chaos that no one needs.

“Everyone take a long, deep breath and release it slowly. Inhale and exhale. Inhale and exhale.” at the same time Renegade was giving a visual demonstration of said breathing technique, showing the steps and repeating it a few times. “Repeat along with me, come on.”

The 15-year-old had his mouth comically wide open. “I can't believe my eyes! Renegade is helping all the children and teenagers in the world to keep calm and not panic through a worldwide live broadcast! Instead of exploiting all the chaos he is going to keep order and help as many kids as possible!” he closed his mouth and assumed a thoughtful look. “Perhaps he is not as evil as we all thought... perhaps Wonder Woman was right when she said that Renegade does not pose a problem for either the innocent or the Justice League and that we therefore need to focus our attention on other truly evil super-villains...”

“-You must all remain calm. Don't panic. You must maintain order, not create further chaos. Don't screw up now that no adult is present to watch over you. This is not the right time to do stuff like that. This is coming from someone who likes to create as much chaos and mess as possible.”  

“Who is he?”

A 16-year-old, Peter, lowered his gaze to a boy who could not have been more than 13 years old. He then looked around and saw that the rest of the group of young people in the bar also mirrored the 13-year-old's confusion. “He is Renegade. You know, the second most dangerous assassin and mercenary in the world.”

Everyone else's eyes went wide with fright and paled slightly. “W-Why is he making such a worldwide reassurance speech like that?” asked Mark, a friend of Peter's. “I-I thought people like him were evil!”

Peter could do nothing but shrug his shoulders at his friend's question and returned his gaze to the screen.

“I don't know, man. I don't know.”

“Duncan, look! Renegade is on TV!”

The seventeen-year-old Duncan, boyfriend of Zoey, looked up from above her and stared at the screen with wide eyes.

“-I know the world is scarier than usual right now because there are no your adults or Justice League heroes. I promise you that nothing and no one will attack our planet during the momentary absence of the heroes. I will stop them, whatever it takes. And I also promise you that I will resolve this situation as soon as possible. I will do everything in my power to bring all the adults back. And I will succeed. I promise this on my mercenary honor.”

“Wasn't Renegade an evil super-villain?” asked Duncan, clearly shocked by the mercenary's speech.

Zoey pulled back from her boyfriend's arms and stared at him as if he had grown three heads. “You're kidding, right?” at his impassive look, she sighed. “Well, technically you are right in saying that Renegade is a super-villain since he is currently the second best mercenary and assassin in the world but he is not evil.”

“How can you say that? To me that sounds like the definition of evil.”

“He only kills the worst scum of the world!” Zoey exclaimed, waving her arms for emphasis. “He only accepts contracts on people like serial killers, rapists, human traffickers, pedophiles and so on! Only on the worst scum in existence! It is also common knowledge that Renegade kills those who contact him to kill both innocent people and heroes! Although his methods are undoubtedly legally questionable, it cannot be denied that they are efficient! Crime has decreased significantly worldwide since he came on the scene years ago! Despite everything, he is one of the good guys!”

Duncan blinked, surprised at such heated and excited behavior on her part. “Don't tell me you're a fangirl of his!” he realized in a gasp, not knowing whether to be amused or terrified.

His girlfriend shrugged her shoulders and in itself the gesture was significant. “How can I not be a big fan of someone who is actively helping to help others and make Earth a better place as much as the heroes themselves?”

“I can't believe it: my sweet girlfriend is a huge fan of the world's second most dangerous mercenary!” stated Duncan dramatically before pausing. “Wait a minute! If he is making this speech and has not disappeared... Renegade is not even of age?”

“They should award you the title of best detective in the world, you know that?”

“Did you know that?”

“No but I do now thanks to you, honey.”

“I love you too, baby.”

Conner Kent easily lifted two children from their car seats in his arms, careful of their bleeding cuts and superficial wounds, and extracted them from the car that had crashed into a tree. He turned and handed them over to their 16-year-old older brother whom the clone had pulled out earlier.

“Thank you so much!” the kid, Antony, thanked him with tears in his eyes as he held his little brothers. His body was shot through with tremors and more tears flowed from his eyes as he protectively held his little brothers close to him, laying a tender kiss on the tops of their heads. “I don't know what I would have done if they were... oh God, I can't even think about it!”

Conner sent him a small but genuine smile. “Don't think about the worst that is now water under the bridge and enjoy the moment with your little brothers. Take them to a safe place. Do you need a hand to tend to their cuts?”

Antony shook his head. “That is not necessary. My father is a doctor and he taught me a thing or two.” he pointed his reddened eyes at the clone. “Thanks again, Conner. For everything. I owe you a favor.”

“It's nothing.” affirmed Conner awkwardly, still not used to too many compliments and thanks that made him a little uncomfortable. “Take good care of them.”

“I will.” Antony nodded and after the final greetings and thanks he walked away, gently bouncing his little brothers on his chest.

Conner stared at Antony's retreating figure for a few seconds before letting out a weary sigh. It was since all the adults had disappeared that he had been doing his best to help as many children and kids as possible without obviously displaying his superhuman abilities.

He was tired as he had been going on for hours rescuing, reassuring and comforting children and kids without taking even a short break that he knew he could not afford.

There were so many people in Metropolis who needed help and since Superman was not available it was up to him to offer the help to the civilian population: in fact, Clark was training him not only to control his powers and abilities but also to offer words and deeds of comfort and reassurance to the victims and in general to the people who needed it.

Although Clark never told Conner that the youngest should protect Metropolis in his absence, the clone still felt a duty to do so for a number of reasons. Not only did he owe it to his older brother/father figure for all that the Man of Steel had done for him but also and especially because he felt deep in his heart the need to help people who needed help.

Conner was diverted from his thoughts when his super-hearing picked up a series of chaos noises and he headed in that direction. He soon discovered that inside a restaurant was a pile of children and teenagers huddled in front of something and the clone, driven by curiosity, entered. He froze when he heard a familiar somewhat muffled voice and moved forward, opening his eyes and jaw wide when he saw the figure of his best friend in the television screen.

“Right now it is extremely important for the older ones to watch, supervise and protect the younger ones. I know it is a big responsibility for the older ones but it is necessary. Right now the little ones are very vulnerable, both physically and mentally and emotionally, and it is up to the older ones to take them under their wing to make them safe and to reassure them. Do not ignore those who need help: help each other. Only all together can this critical situation be overcome.”

Conner closed his jaw tightly and crossed his arms, a small smile breaking out on his face. He did his best to ignore the countless questions and confusion that the large crowd of children and teenagers were asking and creating at that moment, focusing on the masked face of the person who saved him and toward whom he had infinite respect and admiration.

I am so proud to call you my best friend, Dick.

Renegade repeated his speech in all the languages he knew, which numbered more than ten, excluding Latin and ancient Greek for obvious reasons. A few minutes later, once the speech was over, he turned off the live worldwide link and took a deep breath.

“I would say eavesdropping is wrong but it would be hypocritical of me, Zatanna.” he stated without even turning around.

He smirked when he heard a gasp coming from behind him and turned to look at her, noticing her embarrassed look at being caught. “How did you know I was behind you?” she asked curiously, delving further into the room.

“The main reason was that I could hear your heartbeat and your breathing. That and I heard your footsteps.”

The sorceress opened her eyes wide. “Do you have super hearing?” she asked surprised.

“Enhanced hearing.” he corrected her. “It's not even comparable to Superman's hearing, which can hear for the whole world but is still enhanced. But even without it I would have known you were behind me. No one can sneak up on me.” he stated in a slightly smug voice.

Zatanna knew that this was not arrogance or haughtiness: he was simply stating the facts as they are and given his countless accomplishments it was not all that surprising. “It was nice of you to make that speech so heartfelt and spontaneous worldwide.” she said, changing the subject. “You will surely have helped save many lives of children and teenagers.”

The antihero shrugged his shoulders. “It's the least I could do in such a situation.”

The sorceress wanted to point out to him that no one would have expected that speech from anyone, no less than a super-villain of his caliber, but she restrained herself, merely fixing him with an analytical gaze.

Renegade was so thoughtful to give a worldwide speech of warning and advice to follow to children and teenagers who are all confused and lost right now without suddenly a figure of reference, not concerned about his image and reputation once the adults come back.

It may not be about image and reputation at all but that exactly reflects his ideology and line of thinking: namely, that he in his own way wants to do good on Earth, albeit with questionable methods to say the least. No villain would have deigned to waste their time to give such a speech and yet he did it anyway.

“I can almost hear the gears moving in your head.”

Zatanna emitted an amused snort. “I was thinking that maybe you're not as evil after all as we all thought.”

Despite his mask it was obvious that she had caught his attention and interest. He tilted his head to the side. “Oh?”

“No villain as such would have done what you just did.” she pointed out. “That and the principles on which your ideology and your mercenary career are based.”

“You mean the fact that I only kill people who deserve it and that I have not hurt and never will hurt an innocent person?”

“Exactly.” the sorceress nodded. ”Of course, I don't agree with your way of doing things and I don't accept it completely but I can understand it. All this paints a picture of a person who is not a bad person.”

As soon as she finished speaking she gasped, having just come to a sudden realization.

“You are really an anti-hero.” she whispered, almost as if in wonder.

Zatanna was staring at him with a look that the acrobat had never seen aimed at him from her.

That is, as if she was seeing him from another angle, from another perspective: not stopping at the appearance of his status as the world's second best assassin but going beyond it.

The Talon gave a dramatic bow. “That's what I've been trying to get you to understand for, like, forever.” he chuckled. “Congratulations on being the first one to figure it out.”

Zatanna was silent for a few seconds before slowly a huge smile appeared on her face. “Unfortunately, I can't take that credit. I'm not the first one to figure it out.”

The meta-human did not like that smile at all and was already anticipating trouble. “Surely it is not Batman since he seems to want to strangle me every time he sees me.” he joked.

The sorceress chuckled amusedly. “Definitely not him.” she snorted in agreement and the mischievous smirk from before returned. “You know, the first one to get it is a wonderful woman.” she particularly emphasized the last words by giving him a meaningful look.

The anti-hero remained silent for a few seconds, his body completely still and his masked gaze unreadable, when his shoulders slumped and he let out a defeated sigh. “Too obvious, isn't it?”

The young girl stared at him indifferently and merely clicked her tongue.

The acrobat's next sigh was abruptly interrupted when he opened his eyes wide and looked at her with a look that was clearly alarmed and upset despite his mask. “Did she get it too?” he asked in a frantic voice.

Zatanna did not know whether to be amused or surprised by the clear panic Renegade was displaying that she did not know he was even capable of feeling given all that he was capable of. “I'm sure she doesn't know the reason for your flirt with her.” she squinted. “And now that I think about it, I'm not sure either.”

“Well, it's only to mess with your minds, of course.” stated the assassin with a beaming smile.

The sorceress was stunned for a few seconds by his charming smile -no one could deny the beauty of the young mercenary, even with his mask on: it was a simply objective fact- and she thought that perhaps in another universe and under different circumstances she would have fallen in love with that smile. In any case she shook her head to dispel that foolish thought and stared at him with an impassive gaze, arching an unimpressed eyebrow. “You'll have to be more convincing.”

Renegade groaned and raised his hands in defeat. “You know what? All right! Maybe I might have a slight crush on Wonder Woman but that's all it is. Nothing more.” he denied insistently.

“Uh uh.”

“I'm serious!”

“Sure.”

“Fuck you.” Renegade bit back with zero heat in his words.

“I'm not the one you want to fuck.”

The mercenary froze in place and comically opened his jaw wide, giving her one of the most shocked looks Zatanna has ever seen on a person's face, let alone from the notorious Renegade. “What the fuck? No! Or rather yes! I mean... fuck!”

The sorceress burst out laughing at his reaction and doubled over in laughter.

If anyone had ever told her that she would witness Renegade so shocked, stammering and stumbling over his own words, she would have called them crazy.

Yet there she was, risking to die of laughter at seeing the world's second most dangerous mercenary so clumsy and damn if she was amused!

Renegade stopped rambling and babbling incoherently and groaned, awkwardly running a hand over his face. “You got me.”

Zatanna finally stopped laughing, although a few more uncontrollable giggles escaped her lips. She was surprised and shocked when she noticed the blush blossoming on Renegade's cheeks but she did not point it out, worried that he would kick her ass. “What are your intentions with Wonder Woman?”

The question caught the Talon off guard, who looked at her with wide eyes. “Huh?” he said very unintelligently.

I'm surprised that Zatanna has caught me off guard so many times in such a short time. Slade would be so jealous and impressed by her.  

The sorceress's words were finally registered by the acrobat's brain and he stiffened. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Don't play dumb with me, Renegade.” Zatanna affirmed indifferently. She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. “I can tell a mile away that you feel a deep attraction to Wonder Woman, far more than you would ever admit.” she ignored his indignant denials and continued. “However, I must be sure that your intentions are good with her.”

“Don't we have more important things to think about?”

“Answer me.”

A frown materialized in the young assassin's features. “I don't think this is any of your business.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “It's been my business ever since you started your flirt with a good friend and teammate of mine. I won't hesitate to cast another truth spell on you if-“

"Not. Dare."

His cold, icy tone froze Zatanna in place and she felt her heart skip a beat. Only then did she realize that Renegade was towering menacingly over her, revealing an aura of extreme danger that enveloped him along with the shadows that suddenly surrounded him, making him even more menacing and more like a hellish demon than a simple meta-human.

Zatanna remembered with growing horrible awareness that despite all the jokes and laughter, the boy in front of her was still the second best mercenary and assassin in the world with a body count exceeding eight hundred in just a few years, capable of easily carrying out even the most atrocious, horrific, inhumane killings, who never failed a contract, who began his mercenary career at just eleven years old, who defeated the entire JL twice while holding back a lot and was so skilled that practically everyone in the criminal world agreed that it was a matter of time that he would surpass Deathstroke The Terminator himself, his father and former mentor.

Yes, at that moment the sorceress realized that perhaps antagonizing him hadn't exactly been her brightest idea.

I'm lucky to still be alive, honestly. 

Renegade stared at her for a few more seconds -which for her was an eternity- before letting out a deep sigh and taking a step back, running a hand tiredly over his face. "Shit. I didn't mean to scare you. I’m sorry."

Zatanna didn't even have the mental strength to deny it. That and also the fact that she was surprised by his genuine apology which she hadn't expected in the slightest. “T-thank you.” she barely managed to squeak, ignoring how that simple word came out shakily even to her own ears.

The mercenary groaned, looking away -was that guilt? Zatanna couldn't be sure and was once again surprised- and staring at a random wall in the room. A tense and awkward silence fell in the room and the antihero cleared his throat. “I'd better delete the Watchtower camera records. In case anyone should check them and find out about this conversation of ours."

Zatanna appreciated his genuine attempt to break the tension and nodded with a smile that she hoped wasn't as strained as she felt. “Wise choice. Imagine the other heroes finding out about your crush on Wonder Woman, especially herself.” she tried to joke back.

Renegade, who had already started typing on his holographic glove, snorted in amusement. “I would rather face all the super-villains blindfolded and with my hands tied behind my backs.” he drawled sarcastically, smiling slightly when he heard her let out a giggle. It took him a few seconds to erase the recordings, and once he did, he turned off his holographic glove. “Et voila! Recordings deleted.”

Zatanna stared at him with a look of surprise and wonder. “Did it really take you that little time?”

The Talon shrugged. “There is literally no security system or electronic device that I can't breach and hack.”

“Is there anything you can't do?” Zatanna huffed, throwing her hands in the air a little frustrated. “It's frustrating and worrying that you're so capable of all these things, you know?”

The antihero chuckled but didn't respond, merely sending her a mysterious smile and getting a sigh in response. "So? How are you doing regarding the locator spell?” he asked instead.

At his question the sorceress had a huge smile on her lips. “I managed to locate the source from where the spell was cast. Our next destination is Roanoke Island.”

Renegade smiled back. "Perfect. Great job, Zatanna.”

Despite the fact that Zatanna didn't need his praise at all, she couldn't lie even to herself the overwhelming feeling of warmth that filled her when she heard the mercenary's so genuinely proud tone. “Thank you, Renegade. It was also thanks to you that I was able to cast the locator spell thanks to your helpful and effective pep talk.” she thanked him genuinely. “Thank you for filling me with self-confidence. I needed it.”

"No problem." Renegade smiled brightly at her and the sorceress automatically found herself smiling back. “Do you need to get ready before you leave?”

“Let me think first about what spell I could use against a powerful sorcerer like Klarion.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Zatanna smiled at his tone of reassurance and kindness.

Renegade is not evil at all, on the contrary. He is kind, patient, funny and a very pleasant person to know. Sure, he can certainly be very scary and deadly but he shows more of his kinder and nicer side rather than his lethal and deadly one. I can say almost 100% that he is not as evil as we all thought and probably even has valid reasons why he became an anti-hero mercenary.

“Renegade.”

The mercenary gave a hum of recognition, silently urging her to continue.

“…By the way, Wonder Woman is single.”

Renegade froze for a few seconds, not expecting that at all -his heart, if it could, would surely have done a somersault with happiness- and stared at Zatanna with a clearly shocked look before it transformed into one of extreme gratitude and genuine affection. "Thank you."

“You're welcome. Obviously you didn't hear it from me."

“Hear what?”

"Perfect."

Chapter Text

Renegade and Zatanna were about to leave the Watchtower to reach their destination when suddenly a strange deafening noise rang out, alerting them both. When they turned around they were surprised by the appearance of a little boy.

“Billy Batson?” the acrobat murmured, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Zatanna's eyes widened in shock, recognizing the name her ally said. “Wait a minute! Are you Shazam?”

Billy had a embarrassed smile and gave a shy wave. “Nice to officially meet you.” he joked weakly. His eyes immediately fell on the imposing figure and he swallowed worriedly, his cheeks losing some color. He didn't even question how the hell Renegade knew his real name, though he shouldn't have been surprised since the mercenary already knew that Shazam was actually a child. “What is Renegade doing here?”

“He's on our side, for now. I can assure you of that.” Zatanna stated, vouching on the mercenary's behalf. “He also wants to break Klarion's spell and bring everything back to normal.”

This explains Renegade's message of comfort spread worldwide.

The boy nodded, trusting his teammate's judgment and what he himself witnessed from that recording, but suddenly frowned. “Klarion? I thought the spell was responsible by some sorcerers but not for Klarion himself.”

The sorceress and the antihero exchanged a look. “I think you need to tell us how you got in here and why you think that.” the Talon spoke with a gentle voice but at the same time with a certain authority.

The fifteen-year-old instinctively straightened his back at the authoritative tone. “I tried to enter the Watchtower through the zeta tubes but they denied me entry because I was not in my superhero form. Then when I transformed into Shazam, I managed to get in and met all the heroes there. So-"

“There are two dimensions: in this one there are minors and in the other there are adults.” Renegade realized easily.

"Exactly. In the other dimension Dr. Fate located the source of the spell and explained that it came from a series of sorcerers.”

“Then it's definitely a mix of both.” Zatanna intervened and two pairs of eyes focused on her. “I also managed to locate the spell and I sensed traces of Klarion but also of someone else unknown, so the spell was cast both by Klarion and by the series of sorcerers mentioned by Dr. Fate and most likely Klarion remained in this dimension while the other sorcerers remained in that of adults."

“But Klarion is literally billions of years old.” Renegade pointed out with a question implicit in his words.

“Magic is anything but rational.”

The mercenary nodded, accepting the sorceress' short but exhaustive answer. His gaze fell on Billy. “You will have to act as an intermediary between this dimension and that of adults. Tell the Justice League that Klarion remained in this dimension and reassure them that he will not get away with it."

The fifteen-year-old was about to nod but hesitated. “Should I tell them that Renegade will be supporting Zatanna in the fight against Klarion?”

"Absolutely not." Deathstroke's former apprentice immediately denied it, shaking his head. “Just tell them that Zatanna has an ally she can trust with her life but don't mention my name.”

Billy raised his head proudly, his clear blue eyes trained directly on the masked gaze. “Is that so? Can Zatanna really trust you with her life?”

He regretted his sudden bravado when he saw him approaching him. He couldn't suppress his surprised gasp when Renegade knelt in front of him, placing his hands on his shoulders and squeezing them comfortingly. “Take my word for it, kid. I will protect her at all costs, even at the expense of my own life.” he declared solemnly, not mentioning the part about there being only one way to kill him permanently. He placed his right fist over his heart, staring at Billy with such intensity that it made him swallow nervously. “I swear on my mercenary honor.”

Billy watched him for a few more seconds before a flash of confidence and determination crossed his gaze and he nodded. “I trust you, Renegade.”

The assassin smiled brightly. "Well." he squeezed the boy's shoulders lightly before standing up again. “Now be our Hermes, the messenger of the gods.” he joked.

Billy gave an amused laugh and gave a mock salute before yelling “Shazam!” and disappear after lightning struck him.

Renegade raised an eyebrow from under his mask. “I don't even want to know where the hell the lightning came from since we are literally in space and inside the Watchtower.” when he turned he didn't expect to see Zatanna staring at him in shock and wonder. "What?"

“Did you really mean that you would sacrifice your life to save me?”

“Every single word.” the anti-hero confirmed. “You know, I admire you heroes very much and how you wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice yourselves for the greater good, for the innocent and for the entire universe. An Earth without the Justice League is like a prison without guards: a dangerous place full of risks. I'm not lying when I say I'd rather kill myself than let one of you heroes die.” he concluded with a sweet smile that caught the sorceress off guard.

Zatanna didn't expect such sincerity and such a touching speech from him. She swallowed hard, not sure how to respond to such an intense statement other than with a murmured "thank you" before clearing her throat in an attempt to free herself from her embarrassment. “Ready for Roanoke Island?”

Renegade politely ignored her embarrassment, to her immense gratitude, and sent her a smirk.

“Born ready.”

Renegade and Zatanna were hidden in the dense forest about ten meters from Klarion, observing the sorcerer who was inside a blood-red magical pentagram in which there was a kind of gem in the center.

“Permission to kill?” Renegade half-joked in a whisper, pulling out a gun.

Zatanna snorted. "Permission denied."

The Talon pouted. “Killjoy.” he grumbled displeased, putting the weapon back in his holster.

The sorceress was not surprised by his pout since she had understood that the murderer at her side was a very dramatic type.

Like, very dramatic.

Renegade grabbed two shuriken from his utility belt and threw them towards Klarion who had his back to them. However, the sorcerer whirled around and created a magical red barrier that surrounded himself and the ritual, and shuriken bounced harmlessly off it. His gaze fell first on the shuriken and then in the general direction of the dense forest.

“Come out, whoever you are, and perhaps I will be merciful enough to give you a merciful death.”

Renegade glanced meaningfully at the sorceress beside him, and after she nodded, he walked out of the forest, walking as if he owned the island. “Klarion! It's nice to finally meet you, man!” he greeted him casually.

Klarion's eyes widened briefly before narrowing them into slits. “Renegade. You know, you have some nerve showing off after your latest stunt.”

“You mean when I killed Hugo Strange who was a valuable ally for the Light and an infiltrator in Belle Reve?” the acrobat spoke in a loud voice so that even Zatanna, still hidden among the trees, could hear the discussion. “Man, they hired me on a contract. Nothing personal.”

“How the hell do you know about the existence of the Light?” the sorcerer growled, his red eyes glowing dangerously.

The mercenary sent him a mysterious smirk. “I know many things, Klarion.”

“Then you knew what you were doing and you did it anyway.”

"Guilty."

Klarion stared at him menacingly for a few more seconds before grinning maniacally. “The others will be so happy when I hand them your head on a silver platter.”

“You'll have to kill me first and trust me when I tell you it won't be easy at all.”

“Do you really think you have a chance against me?” the sorcerer taunted him with a derisive snort. “I am Klarion, a Lord of Chaos and chaos personified. To me you are nothing more than a miserable insect that I will enjoy easily crushing." he stated with a crazed laugh.

“Then why don't you come out of your magical barrier to show what you're made of, man?” the younger one taunted him with a provocative smile.

The sorcerer pretended to think about it. “No, I don't think I will.”

And then he attacked him with magical lightning.

Renegade rolled to the side, grunting involuntarily as the blast from the magical lightning hit him anyway. He landed easily on his feet and sprinted towards his enemy, drawing his escrima sticks. The Talon dodged further magical attacks and leapt over a huge boulder thrown at him, then using the momentum to launch himself into a double somersault forward and land in front of the barrier where he connected his already crackling escrima to maximum electricity of over 100.000 volts .

Klarion gave his crazy cackle as the electricity harmlessly passed through his magical barrier. “Did you really think it would take so little to nullify my barrier?” he mocked, waving his hands.

The anti-hero grunted as a magical ray came out of the barrier, hitting him directly in the chest and throwing him meters away, causing him to crash into a tree which fell noisily due to the strong impact. He immediately stood up with a forward somersault, placing his escrima to his back.

I have to change tactics. I can't attack him directly because of that damn barrier. But what the hell can I do?

His gaze fell to the side of the barrier where Teekl was licking his paws and his idea quickly formed. Ignoring the warning in his head -which sounded suspiciously like Slade's voice- stating that it was best not to kill the wizard's cat because there was no telling his reaction to it, his hand shot towards his holster and pointed the gun towards the cat, firing a single shot.

The assassin muttered in annoyance as Klarion had somehow managed to turn the bullet into a damned ball of wool that fell harmlessly to Teekl's side. “No uh. Don't you even dare think about hurting Teekl.” Klarion growled menacingly, his eyes glowing brightly.

Renegade barely had time to see the cat teleported, probably to a safe place, before he noticed some trees being uprooted from the ground and starting to levitate a few feet.

“For heaven's sake-“

He managed to grab his swords and easily cut in half the numerous trees the sorcerer threw at him. He narrowed his white eyes.

It will be a very complicated battle.

Meanwhile Zatanna was watching the battle from behind a tree, worriedly biting her lip every time Renegade was hit or nearly hit. Despite the huge difference in power between the two, she was amazed by the overall good battle that the mercenary was waging against a powerful sorcerer like Klarion who, surprisingly, had not yet felt the magic that surrounded her.

He was probably too busy fighting Renegade to notice it.

She jumped in fright when Billy Batson suddenly appeared next to her and her eyes widened. “Billy? What-"

“The gem in the center of the pentagram is the main point of the spell. Getting rid of it means getting everything back to normal.” the younger one warned her by hissing softly.

The sorceress carefully absorbed the new information and nodded. “Thanks, Billy.”

The boy nodded back and after wishing her good luck he disappeared with another lightning. Sighing Zatanna turned her attention back to the fight and her heart rate increased when she noticed Klarion looking in her direction. However, it did not last long as shurikens attached themselves to the barrier and caused explosions which, although they did not do too much damage to it, forced Klarion to return his gaze to Deathstroke's former apprentice.

Thanks for the distraction, Renegade.

“I admit I'm surprised you're still standing.”

Renegade sent a smirk at his opponent, raising his fists in a defensive stance. “I don't get tired easily.”

Klarion laughed evilly. “We will see your condition after my attack.”

The mercenary watched as his red eyes glowed brightly and prepared to dodge whatever magical attack he would throw at him when suddenly a white magical beam attacked the barrier, forcing Klarion to stagger slightly to the side. The young man mentally cheered when he saw a small crack on the red barrier.

Small progress.

The two males' gazes shifted to the side and watched Zatanna emerge from the dense forest, her hands glowing with magical aura. “You won't get away with this, Klarion.” she stated solemnly.

The sorcerer raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Are you seriously allied with a miserable cockroach like Renegade?” he asked in a sarcastic question before shaking his head. "It doesn’t matter. I'll have fun taking you out too."

The battle continued with Renegade occasionally attacking the barrier in various ways both in an attempt to weaken it and to attract the super-villain's attention so that Zatanna, taking advantage of the defenses left open by the Lord of Chaos, could launch magical attacks that were weakening more and more the Klarion barrier, demonstrated by the appearance of more fractures.

“That's enough!” Klarion suddenly roared in anger, his eyes glowing blood red. “I will kill you so painfully that you will both beg for mercy that I will not show, you futile insects!”

Renegade threw himself to the side, narrowly dodging a magical lightning, but unbeknownst to him, the lightning behind him did a 180° turn and headed towards him. He let out a surprised cry as an immense amount of pain suddenly shot up his back and then spread throughout his body, forcing him to fall to his knees.

Unfortunately it seemed similar to Wotan's magical lightning: that is, a continuous and prolonged attack.

Renegade gritted his teeth hard, not wanting to give Klarion the satisfaction of hearing him scream in pain, and with difficulty he managed to move his gaze to the side: he noticed that Zatanna, a few meters away from him, had also been hit and her screams of excruciating pain tore his heart.

“Your screams are music to my ears.” Klarion declared with an evil, crazed laugh. He then frowned at Renegade. “The fact that you don't scream surprises and annoys me.” he shook his head. "It does not matter. I'll get back to you later." he chuckled, looking back at the young sorceress. “I will personally take care of the little Zatanna first.”

Narrowing his eyes to see through the fog of pain, Renegade noticed that Klarion's hands began to glow with a menacing red aura and she realized with horror that the sorcerer was about to launch a potentially fatal magical attack on his ally.

Not on my watch. I promised I would keep her safe and I always keep my word.

With a grunt, Renegade leapt to his feet, staggering slightly to one side due to the daze and, ignoring the immense pain that continued to overwhelm him, he ran towards Zatanna and lunged at her, pushing her aside.

The assassin felt the magical attack hit him directly at the heart level with such force that it threw him several meters backwards. The millisecond after being struck he felt every fiber of his being and all his internal limbs burn as if by hellish flames and he sank into the familiar sensation of death even before he fell to the ground with two last random thoughts.

I hate the most powerful magic that neutralizes my armor's Promethium chain mail. Eh, I should have reflected the blow with one of the swords which perhaps would have absorbed the magic.

And

I hadn't died in a long time.

Zatanna knew that Klarion's would be a fatal and lethal magical attack aimed at her and the worst part was that she could barely move a muscle due to that damned magical lightning that was paralyzing her in physical agony. She shrieked as she was suddenly pushed aside and fell with a grunt to the ground. Luckily the magical lightning disappeared, allowing her to eagerly take deep breaths when suddenly she felt her heart stop momentarily.

If I didn't suffer Klarion's attack but was pushed aside, then-

The sorceress whirled around and in horror she observed Renegade's motionless body on the ground a few meters away from her.

He is still. Too still. I've never seen him like this. Only when Flash managed to sedate him but that was a totally different thing.

“Renegade!”

She barely noticed that she had shouted the mercenary's name and rising with a pained grunt she ran towards him. When she was close enough to see him better she froze on the spot, horror and shock overwhelming her and she had to physically force herself not to vomit the contents of her stomach.

Because the central part of Renegade's armor, right where there was the enormous blood-red R, right at the level of the heart, was completely incinerated, allowing the sorceress to observe in horror the bare skin of the young assassin's entire chest completely charred and of an ash black color.

Chapter Text

Zatanna brought her hands to her mouth, swallowed the bile and trembling took a step back, the nauseating smell of burnt flesh beginning to overwhelm her. She closed her eyes but already knew that this would be a nightmare that would haunt her for a long time.

It should have been me, not him.

The sudden thought surprised her and the authenticity of it fully overwhelmed her with such force that her legs turned to jelly and she fell to her knees.

That magical attack was directed at her.

Not at Renegade.

Her.

Only she was too blinded by the pain caused by the magic lightning to even move and she had already surrendered to her impending doom.

But Renegade, despite feeling the same pain she felt, still managed to shake it off and save Zatanna's life by sacrificing his own.

What kind of hero was she if she could not even save herself but forced her ally, the damned second best assassin in the world, to save her life by dying himself though?

Zatanna did not deserve the title of hero at this point.

It was more deserved by Renegade who, despite all his killing and somewhat ambiguous morality, actually helped make Earth a better place. He had not only sacrificed his own life for hers but had... had had a stronger, braver, more determined personality than her.

It had been thanks to Renegade that Zatanna had been able to locate Klarion because of his motivational speech, which was crucial in instilling in her the determination and self-confidence that she lacked at that time.

And while she was busy figuring out what spell to use, Renegade decided to use the time by spreading a message of hope around the world for children and teenagers who were experiencing the worst situation of their lives, having seen the adults in their lives suddenly disappear before their eyes.

That was an action worthy of the title of hero that Renegade fully deserved, unlike the sorceress.

The young girl felt traces of tears falling from her blue eyes and down her face and was overwhelmed by sobs she could not stop.

In stark contrast to the immense danger and threat that Renegade represented, he was truly a kind, funny and beautiful person to know and Zatanna had the honor of seeing him in their shared time inside the Watchtower. He never intended to hurt her but in fact even apologized once he realized that he was frightening her.

All of this painted a very clear picture, far from the starting idea that the Justice League, including herself, had about the young mercenary: he was indeed an immense threat but only to human scum and those who deserved his wrath, otherwise he was one of the most accommodating people Zatanna had ever known, despite all the pain and atrocities he endured so young, in Martian Manhunter's opinion.

And now that person, that amazing person, was gone forever.

The world had lost one of its most important defenders who had always fought to make it a better place, since he was only eleven fucking years old. 

And it was all her fault and her own damn incompetence.

Zatanna didn't know how much time had passed and although it was as if an eternity had passed for her, it probably hadn't even been a whole damn minute. She rose to her feet and with a fierce snarl turned around, meeting the surprised but smug gaze of that bastard Klarion.

The sorcerer spread his arms wide with a huge crazy grin plastered on his face. “Yes! Oh man, I can't wait to see the others' reactions when they hear that I killed Renegade!” he exulted, not even realizing that he had just confirmed the existence of the Light to an important member of the JL.

However it was not important to the sorceress who had other thoughts on her mind.

In addition to guilt, grief and sadness she felt a huge rush of anger and adrenaline coursing through her blood that she had only felt on one occasion in her life: when she had received the news of her father's death.

Her eyes shone with a blinding white light and with a fierce growl that echoed menacingly throughout the forest she pointed her arms toward the sorcerer's magical barrier, her hands surrounded by a pure white aura.

“Kaerb eht lacigam reirrab!”

From her hands came a powerful white magical ray that with lightning speed reached the Lord of Chaos who did not even have time to blink. The moment Zatanna's attack hit the red barrier, Klarion cried out when his barrier shuddered violently until it disappeared completely and he was swept away by a strong shockwave that knocked him abruptly backward to the ground.

“No! It can't be!”

Zatanna ignored the sorcerer's cry and struck him with another powerful spell. “Ezilibommi mih ni eht eman fo eht Redro!”

Dr. Fate's typical yellow cross appeared above Klarion and immobilized his head and arms, causing more panicked screams from him. “No! How the hell-!”

“Eht meg ot em!” Zatanna grabbed the gem that levitated toward her and raised it skyward, her eyes and hands never ceasing to glow with that pure white aura so bright and blinding. “Yam eht owt emoceb eno ecno erom!”

The entire world exploded in a blinding white light and when Zatanna opened her eyes again she saw the other sorcerers, mentioned earlier by Shazam in the Watchtower, bound and knocked down on the ground at the corners of the ritual area. She shifted her view to the side and watched her teammates look around almost in amazement.

Superman was the first to notice her and flew to a stop in midair at her side, smiling proudly at her. “Zatanna! You managed to defeat Klarion! Good job!” he stated, drawing the attention of the other heroes.

“Although the containment spell is not as strong as that of the personified Order itself, it is still noteworthy from a young magic user like you.” Dr. Fate solemnly remarked, nodding slightly as he observed the yellow cross immobilizing Klarion.

The Lord of Chaos glared at his rival before giving a mischievous smirk. “No matter. I still completed a vital mission, even if it was not originally planned.”

“Which is?”

Klarion's smirk became broader and he merely remained silent, shifting evidently his eyes to Zatanna with a meaningful glance, his red eyes shining smugly and victoriously. 

Zatanna froze in place, the memory of the sickening horror still fresh in her memory. “Renegade!” she shouted, her voice choked. Ignoring the confused and panicked babble of the others she turned to Superman and pulled him into a fierce embrace, wanting reassurance from Earth's mightiest hero that only he could give.

The Man of Steel, though very confused, automatically returned the embrace and with his massive stature hid her small figure, protecting her from the rest of the world. He mentally panicked when he heard her crying and wondered what the hell had happened.

“Can you explain to me what Renegade has to do with this, Zatanna?” he asked in a soft whisper.

“R-Renegade... h-he is-”

“Did someone mention my name?”

A very familiar young male voice resounded loudly throughout the area and the attention of all the heroes shifted to the source of it. Zatanna's eyes went wide and she flailed wildly from the arms of the hero of Metropolis who distractedly let her go, too shocked to even think.

The sorceress turned around and gasped when she saw at a distance of meters Renegade alive and well, scratching the back of his head in confusion, holding himself up perfectly with such tranquility and nonchalance as if he had not been dead at all for the past two minutes.

“Renegade!”

Zatanna forgot everything and ran toward the mercenary, ignoring Superman and the other heroes calling her name, and continued running toward him.

Renegade turned toward her and emitted a surprised grunt when Zatanna swept him into a fierce embrace with such force that he stepped back two steps. “The hell-”

Zatanna noticed his almost imperceptible gasp of pain and immediately pulled back, her guilt skyrocketing. She opened her mouth but immediately closed it again when her eyes landed on Renegade's entire chest -both lower and upper parts- that was still completely charred and incinerated, and only then could she smell the same nauseating smell of burnt flesh as before. She opened her eyes wide in shock and staggered dazedly backward, her eyes fluttering from the mercenary's confused face to his horrible wound.

How the hell does Renegade stand when he was clearly dead before and now looks perfectly fine despite his entire chest being completely burned and charred?

Zatanna heard the rest of the heroes running toward the two of them and stopping abruptly when they could get a full view. Before they could even start the countless questions about what the hell was going on Klarion's shocked and angry voice rang out clearly.

“NO! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!”

All gazes fell on the sorcerer who with a snap of his fingers made the yellow cross disappear. The heroes stiffened but Klarion remained motionless, his frantic eyes fixed on the young assassin and pointed an accusing finger at him.

“How the hell are you still alive? I killed you, damn it!”

Wonder Woman's trembling murmur of “W-what?” briefly interrupted the Lord of Chaos but was ignored, and in a remote corner of her mind Zatanna felt compassion for the Amazon.

“The spell was supposed to burn not only your entire chest but also all your internal organs, heart and lungs first and foremost! And I know it worked because not only did I see you dead but also because my spells never fail, damn it!” Klarion screamed hysterically.

Zatanna gasped in horror, understanding at that moment the extent of the sacrifice Renegade made to save her life without even thinking half a time. Just the thought of such a painful and terrible death almost made her vomit and that feeling increased with the realization that that was exactly what Renegade had felt to save her life, even if he was somehow still alive, but she resisted.

Even the heroes burst into hysterical, shocked screams and although Zatanna remained silent she could not blame them and for the first time neither could Klarion. She too was on the verge of going mad and it seemed as if her brain might explode at any moment.

“It's true, I was dead.” Renegade confirmed slowly, rolling his eyes as several more hysterical screams erupted, and when he spoke his voice towered over all the others. “But unfortunately for you, I never stay dead. In fact right now my heart, lungs and other internal organs are growing back. Superman, if you would kindly give you all a confirmation.”

The hero in question swallowed hard and used his x-ray vision on the mercenary. His face quickly became whiter and paler than a sheet and he uttered a shocked, hysterical and frightened scream. “I-It's t-true! T-They're g-g-growing in t-this m-m-moment!”

“I think I'm going to faint.” Green Arrow muttered, his body trembling. “It's just too much to handle.”

At his side Flash nodded in agreement, his face as pale as anyone's. “I hear you, man.”

Even Klarion himself was completely horrified, shocked and disgusted by the revelation. “What the hell are you, a fucking monster?”

Renegade scowled and stared at him hard. “Watch your words, dude, or I will send your severed head by post to the rest of the Light.” he snarled. “Remember: the only reason you managed to kill me is both because you targeted Zatanna in her weakened state but mostly because you protected yourself behind a lousy magical barrier, coward that you are. Otherwise I would have killed you no problem.”

Klarion half-closed his eyes menacingly, an inhuman snarl escaping from his throat. “Are you threatening me, you insect?”

“Are you really sure you want to challenge a monster?” the mercenary sneered, using the sorcerer's words against him, and to emphasize the point he gave himself a light tap on his chest, sighing annoyed when a chunk of burnt, ashen flesh peeled away from his chest with a sickening pop.

The Talon felt a little guilty at the shocked, horrified and disgusted looks from most of the heroes, and it rose when he saw Shazam vomiting.

Damn. Billy is just a kid. He wasn't supposed to see that. Damn me.

His masked eyes shifted to Wonder Woman, fearing what he would find in her beautiful and bright blue eyes.

He knew that he could hardly resist if in the Amazon's gaze he would find disgust, fear or something like that. Yet when he looked at her he found her already staring at him intensely, her gaze so inscrutable and indecipherable that even he could not understand what she was feeling at that moment.

Better than open disgust and fear, I guess.

The young assassin focused on Klarion when he spoke again. “You know what? I'm out of here. You're a fucking monster, man!” he growled and with another snap of his fingers he disappeared.

For a brief moment an awkward silence reigned, which was broken seconds later by Hawkgirl stepping forward. “Can someone explain what the fuck just happened?” she growled annoyed, spreading her arms wide.

A murmur of assent filled the air and Renegade mentally sighed, deciding to at least partially satisfy their curiosity. “The short explanation is the fact that I met Zatanna in your base and-”

“Wait a minute: you snuck into the Watchtower?”

Jesus Christ-

“The next person who interrupts me will literally get a stick up their ass.” Renegade threatened coldly and Aquaman wisely chose to shut his mouth. “Anyway yes, I entered the Watchtower because it was the best place to try to locate Klarion. There I met Zatanna and we decided to ally because we both had a common enemy to defeat. So I was the ally Shazam told you about.

“Once we found out where the spell came from we headed here and fought against Klarion. At one point, however, that bastard immobilized us with a fucking magic lightning and launched a fatal magic attack on Zatanna, which resulted in me pushing her to the side and receiving that blow that as you can see killed me. I awoke from death only a short while ago: only Zatanna can tell you the other details of the fight.” he concluded with a casual shrug of his shoulders.

“No one can wake up from the dead like they wake up from a fucking afternoon nap!” Green Lantern pointed out, a note of hysteria in his voice.

“I can.” replied the acrobat dryly. “As you can see my wound is already almost completely healed.” he pointed to his chest whose lower half had returned to its original color while the upper half was still burned and charred.

This shocked the heroes because barely three minutes had passed since the mercenary had awakened but he went on, ignoring them.

“As for my internal organs,” he paused briefly to see what the situation was like. “only most of the heart is missing from regeneration. That has always been the organ that takes a little longer to regenerate.” he reflected lazily. “The other organs are fully functional and whole.”

“How the hell is it possible for you to stand like you're not missing a part of your heart?” asked Superman, clearly shocked by such a far-fetched situation. 

“My very unique abilities allows it. I am literally able to live even with my internal organs destroyed. They regenerate in no time anyway.”

“Does it hurt?”

The young assassin almost winced at Wonder Woman's voice asking that question in a genuinely concerned tone and he did not miss the fact that this was the first time she had ever uttered a word. He was briefly moved by her genuine concern for him, not expecting it in the least from her but happily accepting it. “At first, yes. Then I got used to practically every sensation of pain until I practically didn't feel it anymore.” he answered sincerely. He gave her a small but sweet smile. “Don't worry about me, Princess. I've endured similar injuries many times before, although this is the first time resulting from magic. I'm perfectly fine.”

Wonder Woman reciprocated with a small smile, effectively catching off guard the anti-hero who was fascinated and attracted by her beautiful face and bright smile directed at him. He did not miss the almost imperceptible grimace that crossed her face, however, and Dick thought briefly that perhaps he should have chosen his words better to reassure her.

“That explains a little bit about your virtually infinite tolerance of pain.” Martian Manhunter commented. “We've never heard you show any signs of pain.”

Suddenly, as if the universe wanted to send a signal indicating how much it hated him, Renegade was the victim of a coughing fit and he immediately brought his hands in front of his mouth. When it ended seconds later he sighed and lowered his arms, his gloves visibly stained with dark black blood. “Ugh. That's why I hate wounds to internal organs: they're always the most annoying.” he moaned, mentally chuckling at the heroes' tired stares.

Somehow all this time Dick had managed to resist the strong temptation -which he had been feeling ever since he had been resurrected- to vomit a copious amount of dark blood, caused by the destruction of his internal organs, which would surely have frightened and worried the heroes, which he did not want to happen at all: it was truly a miracle that rather than vomiting an unceasing worrying amount of dark black blood he restricted himself to only a manageable coughing fit.

Dick was briefly surprised at his own resilience and self-control.

Silently cursing Klarion for destroying the central part of his armor he caressed the bare skin of his chest, now of a pale color and smooth and soft and no longer burned and charred ash-black in color as it was before.

“See? Completely healed now.”

Virtually all the heroes watched in amazement at this demonstration of a more than excellent healing factor. “Man, I'm jealous of his healing factor now.” Flash huffed, receiving a few murmurs in agreement with him.

“Yeah, well, that was a good talk. I'd better be going now. See you around, Justice League.” he began, intending to turn and go but as always here was another demonstration that the universe hated him.

“Not so fast, Renegade.”

The assassin groaned annoyed. “It seemed strange to me that you still hadn't said a single word, dude. But still, after all, you're not known for being a big talker.”

Batman ignored him and took a menacing step forward toward the youngest, glaring at him. “Turn yourself in for all your crimes, Renegade.”

“Are you serious about doing this now despite all that's happened?” asked the mercenary, genuinely surprised by his stubbornness.

And people called him stubborn.

“Justice never rests.” Batman replied solemnly, scowling deeply at the amused snort of Deathstroke's former apprentice. “You must be captured, tried and sent to Belle Reve, no matter what.”

Renegade pinched his nose, irritated. “I don't have time for your bullshit, Batman. We already know how this is going to end anyway. You try to put me down, I easily kick your ass by holding me back by a lot, you then cry and complain while I happily return home. Can we skip this part and part amicably, at least this time?”

“I don't really disagree with Renegade that much.” Flash intervened on his behalf, which surprised Dick greatly. “I mean, do you really want to fight the same guy who literally feels no pain even with his internal organs completely burned out and destroyed?” he asked to the surprised stares pointed in his direction.

“Your teammate is right.” the assassin nodded in appreciation toward the speedster. “Even if I were still wounded and with all my organs burned and destroyed, I could still continue to fight against you as if nothing had happened. I can literally fight in all possible conditions, even the most unthinkable ones, and even in those cases I can easily kick all of your asses. Starting with you, Batman.”

His comment made most of the heroes hesitate as they looked uncomfortably at each other but predictably Batman was not among them and he growled. “It doesn't matter. We have a duty to fight you and bring you to justice.”

“You will not fight him.”

Renegade stared shocked at Zatanna who stood protectively at his side, casting grim glances at the rest of her team.

“If it were not for Renegade, I would now be dead and with my entire chest incinerated and charred and all internal organs completely destroyed and burned and I, unlike him, possess neither an excellent healing factor nor can I return to life even after death.” Zatanna pointed out usefully. “I think Renegade deserves a pass this time. After all, he literally gave his life for mine and sacrificed himself for me.”

“No criminal deserves a pass, least of all one as dangerous as Renegade.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Bats.”

Batman glared at the Talon and gave a curt nod to Zatanna. “Step aside, Zatanna. You are clearly emotionally compromised as you feel indebted to him for saving your life.”

The sorceress's gaze became hard and cold. “No. I will not move aside. If you attack him, I will fight by his side until he can leave.”

All the heroes stared at her shocked as if they could not believe her words. Even Renegade was staring at her with a completely shocked and surprised look, his mouth wide open. “Zatanna... you shouldn’t-”

“I'm going to do it anyway.” she interrupted him. “You have helped me in more ways since we met in the Watchtower. It's my time to return the favor.” she stated solemnly, meeting the shocked gaze of the mercenary with blue eyes that reflected her determination and firmness.

To say Dick was shocked was an understatement.

Zatanna was protecting him from Batman and the other heroes and was even prepared to fight against them, against her own friends and teammates... and all for him.

He was already beginning to think about what kind of gift to have delivered to her house when Batman's growl caught his attention. “Get away from him, Zatanna, or you will face severe repercussions for your insubordination.”

Zatanna proudly met his gaze without ever wavering. “Dare me. I'm not your fucking pawn, Batman.”

Renegade nodded proudly at her and threw a smirk in the direction of the Caped Crusader who was seething with pure rage. “Did you hear her, dude? Now step back or I will kick your ass so hard your ass will burn for at least a month.” he threatened him with a nonchalant but frightening grin, smiling at a few giggles.

Thanks to his enhanced vision and thanks to his training and reflexes he had already seen the movement of Batman who had grabbed several batarangs and thrown them towards him. He was already ready to grab them but never had the opportunity because the event of that day, which probably shocked him more than anything else, happened.

And it had been a damn day full of shocking events even for him.

He very cleverly gasped when there was a movement in the air that moved his hair back and the next thing he saw was Wonder Woman protectively in front of him, her hands closing around the batarangs which were easily destroyed under her strength.

“How dare you.” Wonder Woman snarled coldly, her gaze harder than steel aimed on the Gotham vigilante. “How dare you try to hurt the person who saved the life of one of our teammates? How dare you try to hurt someone who literally died to save Zatanna's life and was of fundamental importance in stopping Klarion?”

Renegade had never witnessed a Wonder Woman so pissed off and he quickly promised himself not to make her so pissed off at him because damn it all, her anger was fucking scary.

And also exciting but for obvious reasons he kept that comment to himself because, although he had no self-preservation instincts, he was not suicidal.

“Are you protecting a murderer now too?” Batman growled, giving her one of his infamous bat-glares, as Dick called them.

Unfortunately for him, the demigoddess wasn't intimidated in the slightest. “I am not protecting a murderer but a hero for the action he performed.” she growled back. “Hardly an assassin, in its worst meaning and conception, would have died to save the life of a super-heroine. At least for today he has earned the title of hero after such a noble sacrifice that he was not forced to make.”

The acrobat stared in complete shock at his childhood crush, the words missing for the first time in his life - a hero? Him?-, while the discussion continued.

“Renegade must be brought to justice. Now step aside or-“

“Don't you dare disrespect me like that, Batman.” Wonder Woman interrupted him coldly, her blue eyes shining with anger that simultaneously scared and excited Dick like never before. “Although I don't use it often, I hold the leadership role of this team as much as you and Superman. You can't order me around like I'm your little dog." she sent him a sharp smile. “Only on paper we are on the same level because otherwise I am completely superior to you and we both know who would win in a fair fight.”

At that moment Dick longed for some popcorn to enjoy the show and how Wonder Woman was roasting and totally humiliating the Dark Knight.

The good news was that his mask was recording everything and he would be able to watch the show with his father again, this time with real popcorn.

If possible Batman's body became even stiffer than usual. His jaw clicked in anger as he clenched his fists. However, he never had the chance to speak because the Amazon preceded him.

“Now you will let go of Renegade or I will personally make sure to break both of your legs in a way that would take your human body weeks to heal.” Wonder Woman cracked her fists menacingly, coldly narrowing her eyes into slits. “Am I clear?”

For a moment a tense silence reigned and the two heroes stared at each other menacingly for a few minutes. Renegade actually held his breath for a full 3 minutes and 48 seconds, that is, until the silence was broken by the Caped Crusader who grunted and walked away, his mantle fluttering dramatically behind him.

The young assassin's masked eyes focused on Wonder Woman who was still staring at the retreating figure of Gotham's vigilante, his thoughts completely in turmoil.

Of all the things that could have happened in his life, Dick would never have imagined that he would be defended by none other than Wonder Woman with such a protective and ferocious defense towards him to the point of physically threatening one of her best friends aka Batman himself!

If someone had said this to Dick a few minutes earlier, he would have laughed in their face and thrown them into the same cell of the Joker because such an idea was simply crazy and unthinkable.

And yet that was what actually happened.

A sensation of heat quickly spread throughout the acrobat's body, enveloping every single fiber of his being. He had only felt such happiness and contentment on such a high level a handful of times in his entire life. At that moment he felt like the happiest person in the entire universe and damned if he feel good!

Renegade was initially totally shocked and surprised by her deadly and lethal anger towards Batman and by such an intense and ferocious protection towards him: only after overcoming the initial shock did he begin to feel that sensation of warmth, pleasantness and happiness that it completely overwhelmed him, compounded by the fact that every word that came out of her mouth was so obviously the pure truth.

Dick was truly honored that Wonder Woman had such a high opinion of him: he would never have expected it but for once he was happy to have been proven wrong.

He was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts when a hand positioned itself on his arm, bringing his automatic instincts and reflexes into play which pushed him to grab and squeeze said hand tightly. He stopped when he recognized that the hand belonged to Wonder Woman and stopped himself just in time to avoid flipping her violently to the ground.

That would definitely be one of his worst bullshit ever, especially after everything she had done for him.

“Sorry, Princess.” Renegade apologized embarrassed, releasing her hand. He gave her a half-smile. “Mercenary and assassin instincts, you know?”

Wonder Woman snorted in amusement. “I understand that.” she nodded in understanding. "Are you okay?"

Once again the Talon found himself touched by her genuine concern for him. “I'm fine, Princess. Thanks for asking.” he nodded, receiving a nod in return. “You know, you didn't have to do that for me. And neither do you, Zatanna.” he spoke, obviously referring to their protective and fierce defense towards him.

“I couldn't stand by and let Batman try to arrest the boy who without hesitation saved my life by literally dying for me when he had no reason to do so." Zatanna said, fixing the other seventeen-year-old with a deep, serious look. “For this I can never thank you enough.”

“Zatanna is right.” the Amazon nodded, her wonderful blue eyes fixed so intensely on Renegade that he felt his legs turn to jelly. “I couldn't let Batman hurt the one who saved my friend and teammate's life. You deserve all my respect, young warrior: I will never forget what you did today for the Justice League.”

Renegade moved on the spot, slightly uncomfortable with so many compliments from them, especially from his childhood crush. The warm sensation from before, if possible, increased even more and it was a damn fantastic sensation to feel.

And he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a shiver of pleasure run down his spine when Wonder Woman called him "young warrior": he knew that was basically the best title she could give him.

“I haven't done that much, after all.” he murmured, suddenly feeling shy.

Strange feeling to say the least and never felt while he was in his mercenary identity.

Wonder Woman sent him an amused smirk that fluttered his chest nervously. “Modesty doesn't suit you, Renegade.” she said, making the acrobat laugh. “As one of the three leaders, I speak and thank you on behalf of the Justice League for saving Zatanna's life, heroically sacrificing yours.”

“It wasn't a problem at all. I knew that I would not stay dead, that I would be resurrected in a short time and that the wounds would heal within minutes, no matter how severe.” Renegade stated with a nonchalant shrug.

It literally wasn't a problem for him at all: after all, he had already died countless times during his dark period with the Court of Owls and none of his deaths were pleasant, especially the first ones when he wasn't even the slightest bit used to it. 

An unreadable look crossed the face of the princess of Themyscira but before she could speak Superman floated in the air towards them. “Wonder Woman is right.” he began, landing softly on the ground next to them. “All of us are extremely grateful for your noble and heroic gesture. We were also a little uncomfortable with Batman's idea of ​​trying to arrest you after finding out that you were literally dead just minutes ago from saving our teammate's life." he said, gesturing to the rest of the League behind him.

“The big guy is right.” Green Lantern intervened with a nod. “We definitely didn't feel like arresting you after your sacrifice, considering the fact that you're literally a boy of only seventeen.”

“That and you would almost certainly have kicked our asses for the third time.” Flash added helpfully.

After a short chuckle Renegade frowned. “In this case, age doesn't matter. I thought you had learned your lesson after all this time.”

“That doesn't take away the fact that a seventeen year old died to save our teammate, never mind if you can resurrect and that your healing factor heals everything in a short amount of time.” Wonder Woman pointed out with a soft voice and looks, receiving a few nods from the other heroes.

“But that doesn't mean we'll go easy on you next time we meet, Renegade.” Hawkgirl challenged him, pointing her spiked mace in his direction. “Sooner or later we will defeat you, boy.”

The mercenary chuckled. “I wouldn't dream of it any other way. However, yours will remain a mere hope.” he stated while giving them a shark-like grin, mentally chuckling as some of the heroes trembled.

Dick decided it was time to leave because otherwise he would have committed the stupidest act of his life.

That is, kissing Wonder Woman in that moment because damn her Dick could hardly contain himself in front of her so sweet and tender gaze focused on him, in addition to all the compliments she had given him up until that moment.

He cleared his throat and smiled at all the heroes. “Well, thank you for your beautiful words but it's time for me to leave. I have many things to do. You know, assassin and mercenary stuff.” he chuckled at the heroes' uncomfortable looks. “So I greet you. Heroes.” he nodded respectfully to all of them and when he looked at Wonder Woman his entire posture softened noticeably and, when he spoke, his voice came out tender and respectful. "Princess." he said softly, hoping to convey his gratitude for what she had done for him just by his tone of voice.

Wonder Woman's surprised look immediately softened and from her slightly brighter and more radiant gaze than before, Dick was confident that she understood and he automatically smiled back.

All of this didn't mean Renegade wouldn't leave without a pinch of theatricality, though: he grabbed a smoke bomb from his utility belt and threw it to the ground, chuckling with his eerie laugh that quickly spread throughout the area.

As he walked away he laughed silently as he heard several heroes cursing loudly.

“For God's sake- was that really necessary, dude?”

When he returned to the Wilson home in New York his father was already waiting for him in the living room, absentmindedly cleaning one of his guns. The first thing Dick did was to wrap Slade in a hug so tight that he heard the man's bones creak slightly: however, the more experienced assassin didn't complain and returned the hug, giving his son a few pats on the back.

“I missed you so much, dad.” he murmured, his face planted on the man's warm, lively chest. “At first, when I understood the situation, I feared the worst.”

“I'm here, kiddo. I'm not going anywhere." Slade assured him in a low, warm voice, his fingers stroking the back of his neck protectively.

They remained wrapped in the embrace for a few seconds before Renegade reluctantly moved away and then tore off his mask and finally threw himself on the sofa with a deep sigh.

Slade looked at him sympathetically. “Long day?”

Dick grunted. “You can say it loudly. So, what was the goal of the Light? I'm sure that separating adults and kids served the Light to distract the heroes from their real goals."

“Once again your detective skills are excellent, kiddo.” Slade praised him, a small smile as he saw his son preen slightly. “In the adult world, my job was to foment a riot, accusing the scientists at Gotham's STAR Lab who knew more than they were revealing about the disappearance of children and teenagers. Some agents of the Light had the task of exploiting this distraction put in place by me to recover a briefcase from the laboratory without anyone noticing."

“What are the contents of the briefcase?”

“The last piece of the echinoderm from Atlantis. In short, it should have used by the Light to create havoc in Atlantis.”

“Did you manage to come up with a plan to stop them?”

“Yes but you won't like it.”

"Obviously." the acrobat muttered and nodded to his father.

“The only way to prevent them from recovering the briefcase was to secretly inform the League of Assassins of the Light's plan so that they could stop the agents of the Light by simulating the fact that they too were interested in the contents of the briefcase in such a way as not to arouse suspicion.”

Dick absorbed the information and finally groaned. “So you're telling me that Talia, Sandra, Jade, Tatsu and the rest of the League of Assassins now know how you're a mole infiltrating the Light and how I've been secretly foiling their plans over and over again?” he summarized and whimpered at the nod. “I'm so fucked.” he sighed, glancing at his phones -both personal and work- as if they might explode at any moment.

“In fact they were planning to visit here very soon to give you a piece of their mind.” Slade warned, lifting his bottom lip a few inches in amusement at his son's tired, panicked look.

He would have enjoyed seeing his son chewed up by his overprotective aunts and older sister, finally being able to take revenge on him for once.

Speaking of which…

“You know, during the Light meeting where the others were complaining about the failure of the plan, Klarion said something that caught everyone's attention.” he began casually.

Dick froze and stared into the ex-soldier's single gray eye, swallowing nervously at his cold gaze.

Oh shit.

“He mentioned how he killed you by burning all your internal organs and how you resurrected like two minutes later and how your charred and incinerated chest healed within minutes as did your organs.” Slade narrowed his gaze at his son menacingly, growling slightly. “Do you want to explain this to me, Richard?”

Also full name. Man, I'm so fucked.

“In my defense he launched the attack on Zatanna and, you know, she can't resurrect every time nor does she have a healing factor.” Dick defended himself. “I couldn't let her die!”

“Explain from the beginning.”

The Talon sighed but obeyed and explained everything to his father from the beginning.

At the end of the story Slade growled coldly, his gray eye flashing dangerously. “I'm going to kill that bastard and have fun doing it.”

“You still can't kill him and you know it too.” Dick reminded him helpfully, not surprised by his father's overprotectiveness. “It would blow our cover.”

Slade stared at him for a few seconds, clearly displeased, before grunting. “When we’ll kill the members of the Light, he’ll be mine to kill.”

“Done deal.”

“The others of the Light asked me what your weakness was.” Dick let out an absent-minded hum and Slade continued. “Of course I lied and told them that you have none and that you are practically immortal. I would have enjoyed their shocked looks if it weren't for that damn light covering the screens.”

Dick snorted before frowning. “Now that I think about it, I would like to kill Klarion personally. He made me lose the bet with Jade.”

“What bet?”

“Do you know that my last death was back in the days of the Owls and that I have never died in the field since I became Renegade?” the younger one waited for the nod before continuing. “I made a bet with Jade that I wouldn't die as Renegade until I was at least 20 but now because of that damn fucking sorcerer I lost the bet. And also $500.”

Slade stared at him impassively. “You bet Jade $500 on your death.”

Dick raised an eyebrow and shrugged casually. "Obviously. It's a sibling thing."

"Obviously." the more experienced mercenary drawled sarcastically. “You know, I will enjoy myself endlessly when you inevitably have to tell Talia, Jade, Sandra and Tatsu about your death.”

Dick's skin became even paler than usual, making his dark veins more prominent. He groaned. “Fuck. What a fucking amazing day.”

“Except for the part where Wonder Woman showered you with praise and compliments, right?” Slade teased with a shit-eating smirk, his eye twinkling mischievously.

Dick stared at him with a flat, indifferent look. “I advise you not to even start on that if you want to listen to Wonder Woman roasting Batman.”

Slade remained silent but his smirk grew in size, chuckling when his son sent him the middle finger.

Even before anyone said anything, Dick's civilian phone rang. He stood up and sighed wearily when he read the name I Hate Monkeys on his screen.

“Clark really needs to stop gossiping with Conner every damn time.”

Just to make this day even more impossible to forget. Fuck, I haven't felt this mentally tired in years, dammit.

The first thing Zatanna noticed when she returned home was that on her table in the living room there was the most beautiful and fantastic sorceress top hat she had ever seen. She went to examine it more closely and noticed the note next to it, written in digital characters, and took it.

Thanks again for everything, Zee.

If you ever need my services for any reason, they will be completely free to my favorite magician friend.

From your favorite anti-hero mercenary,

Renegade. 

Zatanna smiled softly and felt her eyes tingle slightly.

Thank you for giving me the trust I needed and for saving my life by sacrificing yours, Ren.

Zatanna would be lying if she said she didn't like the nickname Zee that Renegade had just given her. She knew that she should probably feel uncomfortable that Renegade could come and go from her house at any time but she wasn't at all: she now trusted him unconditionally after everything that had happened.

Her new sorceress top hat was definitely the most beautiful she had ever seen and after trying it on, it fit her perfectly: not too tight, not too loose. She snorted in amusement, not having to be surprised that Renegade had gotten the measurements perfectly right without even asking her.

She went for a much deserved nap with two thoughts on her mind.

Renegade is a good guy and nothing will convince me otherwise.

And

Diana is a fucking lucky woman.

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League had no clue what the hell had happened. One moment everything was normal, the next second all the children and teenagers disappeared from the face of the Earth.

Needless to say, all the adults were fucking scared of the disappearance of their children/younger siblings/nieces/nephews/friends and traffic accidents, assaults and general chaos had increased all over the world.

The only thing that was certain was that Dr. Fate had discovered that the source of this mess was a powerful spell and within a few seconds he was able to discover that a group of sorcerers in Roanoke were behind the disappearance of all the minors in the world. Island. Even before the heroes could set off for their destination, Diana and the others suddenly turned when they heard a deafening noise, similar to the roar of lightning, and they opened their eyes wide at the appearance of Shazam in the Watchtower without hearing the zeta tubes announce his arrival.

Shazam himself blinked in surprise. “It worked.” he muttered absentmindedly, increasing his teammates' confusion.

“Shazam? Where were you before, buddy?”

“Huh? Oh, right.” Shazam shook himself at Green Arrow's question. “Well, before all this mess I was in the form of Billy Batson, so I witnessed Uncle Dudley disappear and only then found out that all the adults in the world were gone. But here you are, so the situation is resolved.” he concluded with a smile.

The heroes exchanged a look and Shazam noticed it, his smile fading.

“Isn't that so?”

It was Flash who informed him in a gloomy voice. “All the minors in the world have disappeared.”

“However following your explanation, it is obvious that the spell was much more complicated than that. It's as if we are dealing with two separate worlds: in one there are minors, in the other there are adults."

The heroes opened their eyes wide at the intuition of the best detective in the world. “Is it really possible to do something like this?” Black Canary asked in shock, turning to Dr. Fate.

The Lord of Order nodded solemnly. “This is a very complicated spell that not all magic users are capable of performing but yes, it is possible.”

“Then that means you can act as an intermediary between the two worlds.” Batman grunted in Shazam's direction. “Go to the other world and find out Zatanna's condition.”

Wonder Woman opened her eyes wide, remembering -not without a hint of shame towards herself - only at that moment that her friend was only 17 years old and that at that moment she was the only superhero of the JL and that in some way she would have to comfort many millions of children and teenagers.

She must be so scared, finding herself completely alone.

The hero who everyone believed to be an adult in all respects nodded to the order of the Gotham vigilante and with the Shazam scream and the magical lightning he disappeared. The rest of the team patiently awaited the return of Shazam who reappeared in less than five minutes.

“All in all Zatanna is doing quite well in all aspects. She also located where the spell came from and said she felt Klarion's magic.”

“Shouldn't it be impossible? I mean, we all know Klarion is billions of years old, so why is he in the underage world?” Superman asked shaking his head in surprise, turning towards Dr. Fate as he was the sorcerer who gave them all the information they knew about the Lord of Chaos.

“Magic is anything but rational, Kal-El. Klarion is one of the most powerful magic users in the entire universe, so it may be feasible for him to remain bound to the underage Earth despite his actual physical age.” Dr. Fate explained in a solemn and serious voice.

“Enough chatter now. I say we go to Roanoke Island and defeat the other sorcerers.” Wonder Woman growled, eager to resolve the critical situation as quickly as possible to return everything to normal.

The entire population of both Earths was in total chaos and the sooner they resolved the situation the fewer victims there would be on both worlds.

“But first it would be better to warn Zatanna not to engage alone against Klarion.” Martian Manhunter suggested wisely. “It would be practically suicidal for her to face one of the most powerful sorcerers in the entire universe.”

“Speaking of it…” Shazam began in a hesitant voice, fidgeting nervously. “Right now Zatanna has an ally and they promised they would deal with Klarion, no matter what the cost.”

Diana narrowed her eyes, immediately sensing that he was hiding something very important. Judging by the suspicious looks of her teammates, they understood it too.

“Who is this ally?”

“I'm sorry but I can't tell you, Hal. I promised I would not reveal the identity of Zatanna's ally." Shazam replied, very good at choosing his words so as not to even miss the gender of this ally. “But you can rest assured that Zatanna is in extremely loyal, skilled and competent hands. If there's anyone I could trust with my friend's protection and life, despite everything, it's that person."

“Well, I don't know about you but I trust Billy's judgment.” Aquaman stated shrugging and getting several murmurs in agreement.

Unsurprisingly, only Batman was clearly suspicious of the identity of this ally of Zatanna but apparently divine miracles really existed because he didn't push the subject at all.

As for Wonder Woman, however, she had a very likely hypothesis about their teammate's unknown ally who was currently in the other world and would find out whether her theory was correct or not.

“Shazam, a word before we leave.” Shazam turned sharply towards Wonder Woman, clearly taken aback. He glanced briefly at the other heroes who were busy preparing for the trip to Roanoke Island and finally nodded. “Not here. Come on, follow me.” she stated, walking away without ever turning to make sure the younger hero was following her.

Arriving in the hallways of their personal rooms, Wonder Woman approached hers, punched in the code, and after her door opened they entered. She then walked over to her nightstand.

“What do you want to talk to me about?”

The Amazon chuckled silently at Shazam's visibly nervous and agitated tone before turning serious again. “I can't say it out loud but I'll write it down for you.” she said, grabbing a pen and starting to write on a sheet of paper.

“Aren't the personal rooms soundproof?”

“Yes but it's not worth the risk.”

Once she finished writing she handed it over without a word to her teammate who, after reading it, widened his eyes in shock and stared at her with a look of pure panic. “H-How do you know?”

She smiled at him enigmatically. “Call it an intuition.” she said, shrugging. “Don't be so flustered and nervous, Shazam. I have no intention of telling anyone."

“R-Really?” he asked in surprise, clearly relieved when she nodded. “Thank you so much!” he hesitated and gave her a curious, questioning look. “Can I know why?”

Wonder Woman pursed her lips, contemplating what words to give him but in the end she already knew the answer to his question from the start. “Because with him by Zatanna's side, I can be 100% sure that he will be able to keep her alive, no matter what. Furthermore, with him the chances of taking down Klarion are significantly increased, even if it's the two of them.” she stated sincerely.

Shazam nodded in understanding as he placed the paper on the nightstand. “I can understand it. Can I go or did you have anything else to ask me?”

“You can go. I'll stay here for a moment and then I'll join you all."

Once alone in her room, the demigoddess sighed and sat down on her bed.

Her previous guess about the identity of Zatanna's unknown ally turned out to be correct and she was truly happy about it.

Because who better than Renegade himself could help Zatanna, not let her die and defeat one of the most powerful sorcerer in the universe?

Even though the princess of Themyscira didn't know Renegade too well -although she certainly knew him better than the rest of the heroes- she was certain that the young assassin hated the current critical situation as much as she did, if not more since in his world there were only defenseless kids who were surely scared and confused by the disappearance of the adults, and Shazam's words proved her right.

Diana couldn't think of a better person than Renegade to trust to keep her friend and teammate alive and to take down Klarion: after all, she trusted the mercenary with her own life and well-being and could easily expand her trust in him towards the rest of the Justice League as well, even if the others didn't have the same opinion as her about Renegade.

Renegade would do his best to help bring the situation back to normal and his best was more than enough. With Renegade on their side, even if he was in the other world, their chances of success had definitely skyrocketed.

Yes, she knew that her unshakable and unconditional trust in an individual as dangerous and lethal as Renegade could probably be risky and reckless but she couldn't do anything about it: after everything she had discovered about the young mercenary, from his actions and his attitude that he had addressed only to her and not to the other heroes, Diana couldn't help but trust him.

He had definitely earned it after everything he had done, or rather, not done.

Not killing the heroes despite the double opportunity when all the other villains would have taken the opportunity.

Not raping her despite the double opportunity when the vast majority of the population would have done literally anything to seize this opportunity.

Thinking about it was enough to make her feel nauseous, even though the mere thought that Renegade could have done it was definitely an insult not only to his career as a professional anti-hero mercenary but above all to his person who she would never have wanted to insult or denigrate.

Never having killed an innocent person but having only killed the scum of society: serial killers, rapists, human traffickers, pedophiles and so on.

Not having gone down the dark path despite all the pain he endured and suffered at such a young age, even though she didn't know what had happened to him.

How could she not trust him after all this?

Having confirmation that Renegade was Zatanna's ally immediately reassured her: it was as if a huge boulder had been lifted from her chest.

She woke up from her own thoughts and decided it was time to kick some sorcerer's ass.

Defeating the sorcerers was easy enough and a little disappointing but that didn't surprise Wonder Woman: the only one of note was Wotan but, having learned the lesson, Superman made sure to defeat him first.

The rest of the sorcerers were in no way comparable to Wotan and even less to Klarion himself.

The thought of Renegade and Zatanna against Klarion crossed her mind but she shook off the thoughts: she was more than confident in Zatanna's magical abilities but more importantly in the abilities of Renegade who was apparently an expert at accomplishing things -that anyone would say were impossible- with such ease that it scared even herself.

She watched as Dr. Fate grabbed the gem at the center of the ritual and then muttered an incantation. The next second the entire world lit up white and she was forced to abruptly close her eyes, reopening them once she felt it was safe to do so.

The first thing she saw was Klarion trapped in Dr. Fate's signature yellow cross, which surprised her as she didn't think Zatanna was capable of something like that.

The girl gets better with magic day by day.

The second thing she noticed was Zatanna looking around in wonder, though she couldn't say why. The Amazon shifted her gaze and scanned the rest of the area, expecting to see the familiar figure of the mercenary somewhere, perhaps ready to taunt them or something.

Instead she saw no figure in black and red.

Maybe he's already gone, although it seems strange to me that he would go away without even saying goodbye or making fun of us. Or more specifically, me.

Strangely, Diana felt a sort of disappointment wash over her body and she frowned, very confused and surprised by her own emotions. She ignored the chatter around her as she tried to figure out why on earth she would feel disappointed at not seeing the young mercenary again but she was abruptly cut from her own thoughts by Klarion's words.

“No matter. I still completed a vital mission, even if it was not originally planned.”

Wonder Woman was very wary and suspicious of the sorcerer's mischievous smirk, even more so when he moved his eyes towards Zatanna, fixing her with a significant gaze. She immediately noticed how the sorceress had stiffened and how her face had lost a bit of color and became worried for her teammate.

“Renegade!”

The Amazon froze on the spot at Zatanna's choked scream, her heart skipping a beat as a bad omen began to fill every fiber of her being. While the other heroes looked at each other with confused looks at the invocation of the young assassin's name, Diana, who already knew it was Renegade who was the sorceress' mysterious ally, was focused on something else entirely and had a very bad feeling about it.

Now certainly she was not the best detective in the world but still she still considered herself an all around decent detective with good instincts and intuition.

If Zatanna called Renegade's name in such a choked, wavering voice it almost certainly meant that she was worried about him and therefore the mercenary was seriously injured.

Or worse.

Wonder Woman shook her head, immediately dispelling that rebellious thought and snorting to herself in amusement.

There was no way that Renegade, the world's second deadliest and most dangerous assassin and mercenary, the one who twice defeated the entire Justice League like it was a walk in the park, the one who virtually single-handedly exterminated one of the world's most dangerous mobs aka the Red Sharks, the one who executed a coup at the damn League of Assassins and killed Ra's Al Ghul when he was only eleven fucking years old, the one who escaped from the safest and most secure prison ever aka the Watchtower prison like it was nothing, the one who had the best healing factor she had ever seen was dead.

It was so stupid to even think about it.

So why was it that despite his defeat Klarion seemed pleased with himself? And why did he cast that meaningful look at Zatanna, who coincidentally shouted Renegade's name right afterwards?

The princess of Themyscira growled at herself, ignoring the puzzled looks that some heroes near her gave her.

Don't be stupid, Prince. Renegade is too skilled, experienced and annoyingly perfect to have been killed.

Even against one of the most powerful sorcerers in the entire universe aka the personification of chaos himself?

Even against one of the most powerful sorcerers in the entire universe aka the personification of chaos himself. Renegade would find a way to take him down, no matter how skilled Klarion is at magic.

When she brought her attention back to the present, she found Zatanna hiding in Superman's arms, her body trembling. Her heart clenched painfully at the obvious pain of her friend and immediately fear and horror filled every fiber of her being, giving her difficulty even breathing.

She barely registered the Man of Steel's next words.

“Can you explain to me what Renegade has to do with this, Zatanna?” he asked in a soft whisper.

“R-Renegade... h-he is-”

No... it can't be... Zeus, tell me it's not true that-

“Did someone mention my name?”

YES!

At that moment his voice was to Diana damnably one of the best sounds ever and she had to physically force herself not to scream or jump from unbridled joy, surprising even herself but she put this strangeness momentarily away. Her muscles immediately relaxed and she let out such a deep and long sigh of relief that she did not even know she was holding back. Only now could she finally breathe properly. If her heart was beating more lightly than usual out of fear, now it was still slightly faster but for a totally opposite reason.

See? I said it was impossible for Renegade to have been killed. That boy is too annoying to die.

Diana decided to ignore how she had been so frightened and horrified to even think about a hypothetical death of the young mercenary, feeling such terrible feelings that she had rarely experienced in her entire long ultra-centennial life.

It was probably because, for some strange reason, she was the closest member of the JL to Renegade and the only one who understood that he was not an evil person at all, on the contrary.

Yes, surely that's why I was so terrified at the idea of Renegade's death. After all, it would have been a great loss to Earth to lose one of its greatest protectors and the one who managed to decrease crime literally all over the world.

In any case, she found it genuinely amusing that her reaction to Renegade's voice had been to mentally relax and exult, completely opposite to that of the other heroes, who instead stiffened and virtually all of them -except Batman, Zatanna and Shazam- had paled.

“Renegade!”

Most of the heroes called Zatanna's name when they saw her running toward the mercenary who was about ten meters away from them -but still, the sight of seeing him alive and well remained gold to the demigoddess-. The Amazon swore that she saw something strange in Renegade's chest and approached along with the other heroes to get a better look at what it was. However, she did not get the chance as Zatanna wrapped the young assassin in a fierce bone-crushing embrace, preventing her from seeing his chest, and she did not miss the almost imperceptible gasp on his part, which she considered very strange.

Seeing Zatanna embrace Renegade so fiercely aroused a strange sensation in the Amazon warrior's chest that she had literally never felt in all her long life.

Strange but so unpleasant that Diana did not want to feel it again, even though she did not know how or what to do since she did not even know the reason for that uncomfortable and unwelcome feeling.

She did not have time to think about it when she saw Zatanna immediately turn away from Renegade: the sorceress had probably noticed her gasp as well. She frowned when she saw Zatanna staggering backward as if she had been physically struck and her frown increased when she heard several other heroes making horrified, shocked and incredulous gasps and sounds.

What the hell did they see?

Wonder Woman moved to the side to get a better view and when she had it she stopped abruptly, her feet frozen to the ground and making even the slightest movement impossible. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight, losing a few beats, and she felt herself suffocating from the rest of the world.

Renegade's entire chest armor was gone, clearly letting her see his entire chest completely charred, incinerated and burned, the color of his burned skin darker even than the Dark Knight's armor.

Only then could Diana smell the unmistakable odor of burnt flesh and if she had not been trained from birth to be the strongest and most dangerous Amazon ever, she would have already vomited on the spot. She felt nausea fill every fiber and cell of her body but she was stronger and managed to resist against the temptation to empty the contents of her stomach. However, this did not diminish at all the painful, horrified, frightened and agonized feeling that she was experiencing at that moment, almost as if she was the one who had such severe injuries instead of the mercenary.

How does Renegade remain standing as if nothing is wrong? As if his entire chest is not burned and charred? Could it possibly be a combination of adrenaline and the healing factor? However, I highly doubt that his healing factor can heal him quickly, no matter how phenomenal it is. And I cannot help but notice that this time Renegade is not showing any visible pain but is even confused and perplexed! It is as if he cannot feel pain at all but it is practically impossible!

Her next thought overwhelmed her harder than a truck going 300 kilometers per hour could.

Renegade should be dead. No one can physically survive this kind of injury. I am sure his burns far exceed third-degree burns. It will surely leave horrible scars on his body and who knows how long he will need for complete healing, not to mention even the severely damaged nervous system.

Shit, so much pain for a boy of only seventeen. One of the best people I have ever met, despite his worldwide reputation. He is the last of the people who deserves so much pain, not to mention all the physical and emotional suffering he has already endured in the past at an even younger age, in the words of Renegade himself and Martian Manhunter. It's not fair, dammit.

Wonder Woman could not tear her gaze away from his charred and burned chest and she could not help but continue to stare at it with morbid fascination.

Renegade should be dead.

Renegade should be dead.

Renegade should be dead.

Her legs almost gave out at the very thought and it was only by a miracle that she could continue to stand: at that point even something as simple as walking would pose a huge challenge for her.

Never had Wonder Woman felt so close to completely losing control: control of herself, control of her emotions, control of the situation and any other form of control and once again she did not know why she was doing this, which annoyed her to no end.

Although at that moment annoyance was the least of her worries, replaced by immense concern, fear and shock at Renegade and relief at seeing him in good condition, despite everything.

“NO! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!”

Wonder Woman finally managed to shift her gaze from the morbid scene of Renegade's very serious burn wounds just in time to see Klarion snap his fingers, causing the yellow cross that immobilized him to disappear. Automatically her body stiffened, ready for the eventual confrontation against the sorcerer but he remained strangely still, pointing an accusing finger at Renegade.

“How the hell are you still alive? I killed you, damn it!”

Her shocked, faint, trembling murmur of “W-What?”, which she barely registered that she herself had uttered those words that came out of her mouth without her permission, was lost in the air, thankfully ignored by all.

At the confirmation of her current worst fear, she felt her heart briefly stop and her brain go into blackout.

“The spell was supposed to burn not only your entire chest but also all your internal organs, heart and lungs first and foremost! And I know it worked because not only did I see you dead but also because my spells never fail, damn it!”

At that point Diana was on the verge of collapsing to the ground from the purest form of exhaustion in all aspects, a feeling she had never experienced before.

She was completely horrified by what she had just heard.

Renegade's entire chest was burned and incinerated.

Renegade's internal organs were burned and charred.

Renegade should be fucking dead and instead he was standing as if nothing was wrong, as if he was not responsible for Wonder Woman's greatest shock, fear, worry and weakness she had ever experienced in her entire life until this damn moment that looked more like a nightmare than reality.

Diana could not blame her teammates for bursting into hysterical and shocked screams since she too was definitely on the verge of insanity and hysteria, her whole being completely shaken by an inner turmoil so strong and overwhelming that she has never experienced it before.

“It's true, I was dead.” Renegade began and his words filled the Amazon's heart with the purest form of horror and shock. “But unfortunately for you, I never stay dead. In fact right now my heart, lungs and other internal organs are growing back. Superman, if you would kindly give you all a confirmation.”

Oh Zeus, tell me that this is just a sick nightmare and that I will wake up soon.

Superman's face, already pale, lost further color and he let out a shocked, hysterical and frightened scream, his body beginning to shake.  “I-It's t-true! T-They're g-g-growing in t-this m-m-moment!”

Fucking Hell. How the hell could something like that be real?

Green Arrow and Flash muttered something Diana couldn't quite understand but she was pretty sure it was that they were feeling bad or something, which she couldn't blame them for at all.

“What the hell are you, a fucking monster?”

Wonder Woman felt the urge to wrap her hands around Klarion and throttle him to a slow and painful death, savoring his final moments when he would realize that his lifeblood was slowly running out.

Her body trembled with rage.

How dare that son of a bitch call someone like Renegade a monster?

Just because Renegade apparently could not die, no matter the severity of his wounds -even when his own internal organs were destroyed, burned and charred, damn it!- surely that did not make him a monster, quite the contrary.

The Amazon could not have been more pleased and grateful that Renegade possessed such an exceptional and unlimited healing factor: without it he would be dead by now and that would have upset her so much.

A world without Renegade was a world she did not like at all: this because Earth would have one less protector and there would be no other person capable of bringing down the crime rate globally at the same speed and efficiency as Renegade.

The Earth needed Renegade as much as it needed the JL itself and this was one of the most deeply ingrained beliefs in Wonder Woman's mind that nothing and no one could ever convince her otherwise. 

Renegade's growl brought her back to reality. “Watch your words, dude, or I will send your severed head by post to the rest of the Light.”

Wonder Woman was briefly impressed that Renegade was aware of the Light but quickly shrugged it off.

After all, this is Renegade we're talking about.

And she was not at all surprised by Renegade's open hostility toward the Light who, unlike him, was a real threat to the heroes and the Earth.

“Remember: the only reason you managed to kill me is both because you targeted Zatanna in her weakened state but mostly because you protected yourself behind a lousy magical barrier, coward that you are. Otherwise I would have killed you no problem.”

This partially explained how Klarion was able to kill Renegade and the demigoddess could only silently agree with the young assassin.

Klarion had behaved like a true coward, taking refuge behind his magical barrier and refusing to face Renegade face to face.

After all, if Renegade was able to outsmart a sorcerer as powerful as Dr. Fate, he would be able to defeat Klarion as well.

You are a mean fucking condard, Klarion.

“Are you threatening me, you insect that you are?” Klarion growled, baring his teeth in the direction of the young assassin.

Wonder Woman stiffened, ready to leap to Renegade's defense and kick the Lord of Chaos's ass if she had to.

She would truly enjoy and relish every moment of her violent beating on Klarion, avenging Renegade for what he had done to him and for targeting her teammate as well.

“Are you really sure you want to take on a monster?”

Diana chuckled silently when the mercenary used Klarion's own words against him but her amusement was abruptly interrupted when he gave himself a light tap to his chest causing a small piece of his burned and charred flesh to peel away from his chest with a sickening pop.

I think I'm seriously going to be sick.

She really could not understand how the hell Renegade could have such nonchalance about it, limiting himself to an annoyed sigh, as if a mosquito was bothering him instead of having literally every internal organ burned and charred as well as his entire chest whose skin was falling off piece by piece.

I will never understand him and his mind.

She felt compassion for Shazam when he vomited, reminding herself that he was only a little boy.

She turned around and saw that a good portion of the other heroes were on the verge of vomiting like Shazam when a glowing rage swept over her.

The others had disgusted looks on their faces.

She really hoped they were disgusted by the burn wounds and not by Renegade himself, otherwise she would have given a piece of her mind to all of them and made them regret every decision they made, damn them.

The demigoddess scowled to herself, surprised by her own thoughts of such intensity. She shrugged them off, knowing now was not the time to think them over, and returned to staring at Renegade. Her eyes became inscrutable and indecipherable but her heart ached painfully on Renegade's behalf.

He does not deserve this.

She was briefly surprised when Renegade looked at her with a gaze she could not decipher -she longed to see his eyes at that moment to understand what he was feeling- and for a moment she felt as if the two of them were the only people in the whole world, their intense, deep gazes fixed on each other.

The magic broke too soon for her liking and to her utter disappointment Renegade shifted her attention to Klarion when the sorcerer spoke. “You know what? I'm out of here. You're a fucking monster, man!” he growled and with another snap of his fingers he disappeared.

Now Diana regretted not throttling the bastard.

She could not help but agree with her Thanagarian friend when the red-haired woman asked the question everyone was wondering about.

“The short explanation is the fact that I met Zatanna in your base and-”

“Wait a minute: you snuck into the Watchtower?”

Really, the princess of Themyscira should not have been surprised after all the surprises and shocks Renegade has been giving her since they met but she was anyway.

Is there anything that boy cannot do?

“The next person who interrupts me will literally get a stick up their ass.” Renegade threatened coldly and Aquaman wisely chose to shut his mouth, which amused Diana.

Glad to know that death did not change him at all.

“Anyway yes, I entered the Watchtower because it was the best place to try to locate Klarion. There I met Zatanna and we decided to ally because we both had a common enemy to defeat. So I was the ally Shazam told you about.

“Once we found out where the spell came from we headed here and fought against Klarion. At one point, however, that bastard immobilized us with a fucking magic lightning and launched a fatal magic attack on Zatanna, which resulted in me pushing her to the side and receiving that blow that as you can see killed me. I awoke from death only a short while ago: only Zatanna can tell you the other details of the fight.” he concluded with a casual shrug.

Wonder Woman widened her eyes in surprise, realizing only then the magnitude of what had really happened. 

Klarion's attack was aimed at Zatanna and would surely have killed her on the spot with such a painful and inhuman death. However, this did not deter Renegade at all who, despite the pain from the magical lightning -which Diana knew from experience hurt like hell- pushed the sorceress to the side, absorbing the deadly and fatal blow himself.

Of course, to the newly discovered Renegade knew that he would not remain dead, but still he had no obligation to sacrifice his life for Zatanna's but still he decided to save her life by sacrificing his own.

Wonder Woman was the only one in the Justice League who knew how much Renegade valued heroes, which is why she was not at all surprised that he sacrificed himself for Zatanna, unlike her teammates.

However, just because death was not permanent for him, that did not mean that it was not at all a traumatizing experience for him to die and be resurrected.

And this led the Amazon into a spiral of questions.

Is this the first time he has died?

Has he died before?

How many times has he died?

What kinds of deaths has he been forced to endure?

The thought that such a young person died more than once, especially considering that it was Renegade, was enough to make her heartstrings tighten painfully and she felt her knees almost give way.

Renegade died now that he was only 17 years old, so if he had died several times in the past, how much younger was he?

This was a question Diana was afraid to know the answer to and she was not ashamed to admit it.

The mystery of Renegade was growing darker and more puzzling but Wonder Woman would never give up.

One day she would have the answers to all her questions, no matter how dark it would become. She would solve the mystery surrounding the figure of Renegade so that she could better understand him from all possible angles.

Hal's hysterical voice shook her from her thoughts. “No one can wake up from the dead like they wake up from a fucking afternoon nap!”

“I can.” replied the acrobat dryly. “As you can see my wound is already almost completely healed.” he pointed to his chest whose lower half had returned to its original color while the upper half was still burned and charred.

Diana was astonished and amazed at the exceptional demonstration of the effectiveness of his healing factor. She knew it was good but not so good that it had healed the lower half of her chest of all kinds of burns in even three minutes.

One thing she noticed was that no scars were left on the healed portion of his skin: it was as if his chest had never been charred and burned in the first place.

“As for my internal organs,” Renegade paused briefly, as if he were reflecting on something. “only most of the heart is missing from regeneration. That has always been the organ that takes a little longer to regenerate. The other organs are fully functional and whole.”

The Amazon could not help but envy his nonchalance: he was talking about regenerating his own heart and other organs from scratch as if he were talking about planning a beach vacation. 

Beach holiday that Diana deserved after witnessing all this bullshit that exhausted her physically, emotionally and mentally, she thought.

“How the hell is it possible for you to stand like you're not missing a part of your heart?”

Clark, the real question is how Renegade was able to stand when he had no heart or other internal organs at all as all of them were destroyed, burned and charred.

“My very unique abilities allows it. I am literally able to live even with my internal organs destroyed. They regenerate in no time anyway.”

This partially answered the question in her mind.

Yet the way Renegade spoke about it painfully tugged at her heartstrings once again, making her feel feelings she had never felt in her entire ultra-centennial life.

It was so painfully obvious that even though Renegade talked about it as if it were nothing, it was actually something that affected him deeply, or at least it initially affected him and he couldn't help but get used to it, probably against his own will or something.

Diana could never have understood what it meant to have her heart, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs destroyed and then have them regenerate quickly but it didn't take a genius to understand that it was something very painful and traumatizing that would leave mental scars.

All of this caused her to speak for the first time since Klarion and the other sorcerers' spell was undone and she barely registered that the voice that rang out was hers, the words that automatically came out of her mouth.

“Does it hurt?”

Only then did Wonder Woman realize that, among all the countless questions that crossed her mind, this was the most urgent one to which she immediately wanted to know the answer.

By now she had grown accustomed to the strange fact that she genuinely cared about Renegade's health and well-being, even if she still couldn't understand why.

Maybe because she was becoming emotionally attached to him after all she knew about him and all the good he had done.

This wasn't unlikely since Renegade wasn't evil at all and so Wonder Woman was growing fond of him and everything he represented.

Yeah, probably so.

Renegade's gaze moved to her and she almost winced: despite his mask, Diana easily recognized the feeling of genuine surprise and emotion that passed through him, almost as if he would never have expected such a question from her or even from anyone in general.

Besides Deathstroke, who I know was a great father to him, does he have anyone else who genuinely cares for him?

Just thinking about it a whirlwind of different emotions exploded in her chest, making her crave to punch whoever in the face dared to hurt such a young person, causing him so much pain and emotional and mental scars. 

“At first, yes. Then I got used to practically every sensation of pain until I practically didn't feel it anymore.” he answered sincerely. He gave her a small but sweet smile that stirred her stomach with a feeling that wasn't so unpleasant or unwelcome. “Don't worry about me, Princess. I've endured similar injuries many times before, although this is the first time resulting from magic. I'm perfectly fine.”

Diana didn't know whether to cry, laugh, shake his shoulders, or do all three.

There were so many things wrong with his words that she didn't even know where the hell to begin.

“ At first, yes. Then I got used to practically every sensation of pain until I practically didn't feel it anymore.”

This means that Renegade was tortured so brutally and for a prolonged period of time to the point that he could no longer even feel any physical pain.

And even at a young age.

Every fiber of her being ached for him.

How the hell Renegade didn't become an evil super-villain who wants to destroy the Earth but instead decided to become an anti-hero mercenary who only kills the scum of the world I will never understand. He would have more compelling motivations than any evil super-villain I know.

Regardless, she couldn't help but return the smile the mercenary sent her way, even as a slight grimace left her lips without her permission. She was surprised when she felt the overwhelming urge to let him know that the grimace was not directed at him but for all the pain and suffering he felt at such a young age that made him the person he was today but she managed to hold back.

“That explains a little bit about your virtually infinite tolerance of pain.” Martian Manhunter commented. “We've never heard you show any signs of pain.”

At least others have gotten there too, although not at as deep a level as I have.

Suddenly Renegade broke out in a coughing fit and he immediately clapped his hands over his mouth. Wonder Woman physically forced herself to stay rooted to the spot and not fly towards him to see if he was okay. When it ended seconds later and when he dropped his arms back to his sides, her gaze automatically fell on his gloves now stained with dark black blood and worry fully overwhelmed her.

“Ugh. That's why I hate wounds to internal organs: they're always the most annoying.” he complained.

Wonder Woman gave herself a mental facepalm, hating Renegade's nonchalance for his own well-being.

How much on earth has he been hurt physically, emotionally and mentally if he doesn't care at all about his injuries and his overall well-being?

This too was a question Diana feared she knew the answer to.

She saw him caressing the bare skin of his chest, now of a pale color and smooth and soft and no longer burned and charred ash-black in color as it was before. “See? Completely healed now.”

Ignoring his healing factor that continued to amaze her with disarming ease, her gaze remained fixed on his chest, noticing that his skin was decidedly paler than that of any other person. She briefly looked back at his face and only then noticed that his face was also paler than normal and this raised more doubts and questions in her.

Was he kept locked away somewhere devoid of the sun's heat? Or is that his completely normal physiognomy and he is simply pale? Or is it something else?

Diana belatedly realized that her eyes had automatically fallen back to his chest and that without her permission they were taking in his muscular and decidedly fit chest, made of such a wonderful, charming six pack and-

She cursed silently in several languages and immediately looked back up, grateful that neither Renegade nor the other heroes were staring at her. She felt her entire face heat up faster than Barry's and once again she cursed under her breath, wishing the damn blush would disappear from her face.

She was so focused on herself and her damn blush that she missed the next chatter and barely registered the young mercenary's words. “-I'd better be going now. See you around, Justice League.”

However he had no time to do anything as Batman subsequently spoke for the first time.

“Not so fast, Renegade.”

Don't screw up, Bruce.

The assassin groaned annoyed. “It seemed strange to me that you still hadn't said a single word, dude. But still, after all, you're not known for being a big talker.”

The Amazon's amused smile disappeared at her teammate's next words. “Turn yourself in for all your crimes, Renegade.”

Are you fucking serious, Bruce? After everything that's happened and what you've learned?

For some strange reason she felt warm inside as Renegade's next words mirrored her thoughts. “Are you serious about doing this now despite all that's happened?”

“Justice never rests. “You must be captured, tried and sent to Belle Reve, no matter what.”

Never before did Diana feel such a strong and irresistible urge to strangle the Dark Knight as in that moment.

Fucking arrogant stubborn insensitive ungrateful bastard-

“I don't have time for your bullshit, Batman. We already know how this is going to end anyway. You try to put me down, I easily kick your ass by holding me back by a lot, you then cry and complain while I happily return home. Can we skip this part and part amicably, at least this time?”

Diana totally agreed with him and was about to let him know when Flash suddenly spoke. “I don't really disagree with Renegade that much.” he said, surprising her and the rest of the heroes. “I mean, do you really want to fight the same guy who literally feels no pain even with his internal organs completely burned out and destroyed?”

…Good point but not what I was thinking about.

“Your teammate is right.” the assassin nodded in appreciation toward the speedster. “Even if I were still wounded and with all my organs burned and destroyed, I could still continue to fight against you as if nothing had happened. I can literally fight in all possible conditions, even the most unthinkable ones, and even in those cases I can easily kick all of your asses. Starting with you, Batman.”

His comment made most of the heroes hesitate and look at each other uncomfortably but Diana didn't know whether to be surprised, horrified, shocked, pained or all four at his words.

“It doesn't matter. We have a duty to fight you and bring you to justice.”

The demigoddess was about to give him a piece of her mind when she was once again beaten to it. “You won't fight him.”

She was pleasantly surprised when Zatanna stood protectively at the mercenary's side, glaring at the rest of the team.

“If it were not for Renegade, I would now be dead and with my entire chest incinerated and charred and all internal organs completely destroyed and burned and I, unlike him, possess neither an excellent healing factor nor can I return to life even after death.” Zatanna pointed out usefully. “I think Renegade deserves a pass this time. After all, he literally gave his life for mine and sacrificed himself for me.”

At least someone else has a shred of intelligence. This is exactly what I was thinking. Although I would have proposed a permanent pass since he is not a threat to us or to the innocent but others certainly wouldn't see it that way.

“No criminal deserves a pass, least of all one as dangerous as Renegade.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Bats.”

An amused snort escaped her lips at his effrontery and brazenness and she ignored the confused and surprised looks from the heroes near her.

“Step aside, Zatanna. You are clearly emotionally compromised as you feel indebted to him for saving your life.”

The sorceress's gaze became hard and cold. “No. I will not move aside. If you attack him, I will fight by his side until he can leave.”

Good girl.

The other heroes were shocked by Zatanna’s behavior and even Renegade was staring at her with a completely shocked and surprised look, her mouth wide open. It was a comedy show Diana had never seen from him. “Zatanna… you shouldn’t-“

“I'm going to do it anyway.” she interrupted him. “You have helped me in more ways since we met in the Watchtower. It's my time to return the favor.” she stated solemnly, meeting the shocked gaze of the mercenary with blue eyes that reflected her determination and firmness.

Diana was curious as to what Zatanna meant about Renegade helping her in more ways than one since they met in the Watchtower but she knew that was a question for another time, when maybe it would just be the two of them.

“Get away from him, Zatanna, or you will face severe repercussions for your insubordination.”

Zatanna proudly met his gaze without ever wavering. “Dare me. I'm not your fucking pawn, Batman.”

Take that, Bruce. That's what you deserve for your asshole behavior.

“Did you hear her, dude? Now step back or I will kick your ass so hard your ass will burn for at least a month.” he threatened him with a nonchalant but frightening grin.

Wonder Woman couldn't help but giggle at his words. However her giggling immediately stopped when her training, instincts and reflexes allowed her to see the quick movement of Batman whose hands entered his utility belt.

Even before her brain registered what she was doing, her body moved automatically and instinctively. In a matter of milliseconds she found herself protectively in front of Renegade, her hands snapping to the side and blocking the multiple bat-shaped weapons thrown by the Caped Crusader towards the mercenary.

Her hands curled into fists, destroying them easily.

When the reality of the facts fully reached her, a fiery fury she had never felt before filled every fiber and cell of her being. Her entire body began to tremble with the purest, most dangerous and frightening form of rage and she gave Batman a look so cold, so hard and so pissed off that if she had had Superman's heat vision, the Gotham vigilante would already be there by now a pile of ash and dust.

Diana was fucking pissed at Batman and felt such a dangerous, intense, deep rage that it was honestly a wonder she hadn't already smashed his face in, marveling at both her self-control and her fierce yet unexpected anger.

She didn't have time to psychoanalyze herself: she had more important things to do right now.

“How dare you.” she growled dangerously, her anger wanting to escape from her chest so she could vent it. “How dare you try to hurt the person who saved the life of one of our teammates? How dare you try to hurt someone who literally died to save Zatanna's life and was of fundamental importance in stopping Klarion?”

This was one thing she couldn't understand: How could Bruce, one of her best friends, be so insensitive and cold about such an important and sensitive subject?

It is almost certainly due to the darkness that is consuming him more and more every day. But that doesn't justify his bullshit.

“Are you protecting a murderer now too?” Batman growled, giving her one of his infamous glares.

Unfortunately for him, the demigoddess wasn't just any superhero and wasn't intimidated in the slightest. “I am not protecting a murderer but a hero for the action he performed.” she growled back. “Hardly an assassin, in its worst meaning and conception, would have died to save the life of a super-heroine. At least for today he has earned the title of hero after such a noble sacrifice that he was not forced to make.”

Renegade was an assassin but a good assassin, damn it!

There was a clear difference between an evil assassin and a good assassin

If only Bruce and the others would get their heads out of their asses and get over their fucking prejudices! Me, Aquaman and the Hawks, according to the human definition of assassins, would be assassins too but they don't treat us as such!

“Renegade must be brought to justice. Now step aside or-“

Fucking Hell. Did Bruce just dare…?

Her anger, already cold and dangerous, instantly tripled.

“Don't you dare disrespect me like that, Batman.” Wonder Woman interrupted him coldly, her blue eyes shining with anger that simultaneously scared and excited Dick like never before. “Although I don't use it often, I hold the leadership role of this team as much as you and Superman. You can't order me around like I'm your little dog." she sent him a sharp smile. “Only on paper we are on the same level because otherwise I am completely superior to you and we both know who would win in a fair fight.”

She longed to see Renegade's reaction to her fierce and protective defense towards him and against Batman but she didn't dare take her eyes off the Dark Knight.

She saw him about to speak but beat him to it, interrupting him once again.

“Now you will let go of Renegade or I will personally make sure to break both of your legs in a way that would take your human body weeks to heal.” Wonder Woman cracked her fists menacingly, coldly narrowing her eyes into slits. “Am I clear?”

Wonder Woman was dead serious: if Batman dared to even think about trying -key word: trying- to hurt Renegade, she would keep her promise and painfully break both of his legs.

She was fed up with Batman's decidedly unhealthy obsession with Renegade, driven more by the wounded pride of having lost 3 times to a seventeen year old rather than by the sense of justice he kept babbling about.

For a moment a tense silence reigned and the two heroes stared at each other menacingly for a few minutes. She continued to stare intently at the other hero, silently conveying to him that she would not go easy on him if he decided to continue with his bullshit. Finally he grunted and walked away, turning away, his mantle fluttering dramatically behind him.

Dramatic asshole.

Pleased with herself, the Amazon ignored the completely shocked and incredulous looks of her teammates and turned to face Renegade. She thought he would make one of his jokes about her defense towards him and against the Dark Knight, perhaps teasing her with something like "Princess, I didn't know you had a crush on me!" -so funny, as if!- but, to her enormous surprise, she saw him absorbed in his own thoughts, almost as if he wasn't there mentally.

Probably because he has rarely seen anyone defend him, or perhaps not at all, and therefore he was very confused.

Damn if that was depressing.

Wonder Woman approached him with deliberately heavy and noisy steps, thinking that this would be enough to bring him out of himself since he was the most attentive and alert person she had ever met but she was wrong.

He must be really out of his mind if he didn't hear me. At least this means that Renegade unconsciously feels safe right now, otherwise his training would have taken over and he would have noticed.

Hesitantly, she placed a hand on the young assassin's arm, gasping in surprise as his body moved instinctively and automatically, squeezing her hand tightly. Before he could flip her violently to the ground, she saw him suddenly freeze and blink behind his mask.

Instead of thinking about how he was about to flip her to the ground, her attention shifted to their intertwined hands and the warmth his glove gave her.

“Sorry, Princess.” Renegade apologized embarrassed, immediately letting go of her hand. Diana blinked, shocked at herself as her body regretted the loss of heat. The mercenary gave her a half-smile that once again made her stomach shake. “Mercenary and assassin instincts, you know?”

Yes, I definitely should have seen this coming. Not the best of my ideas.

Wonder Woman snorted in amusement. “I understand that.” she nodded in understanding, obviously referring to her training and instincts as a fierce Amazon warrior. "Are you okay?" she asked, worried about him.

It wasn't like Renegade not having awareness of his surroundings, so she thought her question was fair.

“I'm fine, Princess. Thanks for asking.” he nodded and she nodded back, even if she didn't fully believe his words. “You know, you didn't have to do that for me. And neither do you, Zatanna.”

“I couldn't stand by and let Batman try to arrest the boy who without hesitation saved my life by literally dying for me when he had no reason to do so." Zatanna said, fixing the other seventeen-year-old with a deep, serious look. “For this I can never thank you enough.”

Wonder Woman nodded in agreement with the sorceress' words. “Zatanna is right.” she said, focusing her intense, deep gaze on the mercenary. “I couldn't let Batman hurt the one who saved my friend and teammate's life. You deserve all my respect, young warrior: I will never forget what you did today for the Justice League.”

She meant every single word.

Even though Renegade had her respect from practically the beginning -respect that increased as time passed through all the discoveries, his actions and things that happened- now it was practically at its maximum.

Wonder Woman not only had a deep respect, admiration and esteem for Renegade but she trusted him with her own life and those dear to her.

And this was demonstrated by how the assassin in front of her did not hesitate even for a second to die to save the life of her teammate when he was not at all forced to do such a thing: the only reason why he did it was because of the goodness and kindness of his heart and he would have done it even if he were not characterized by his excellent healing factor which fortunately he had.

If she had any suspicion about the mercenary before, it was completely gone now.

Diana trusted Renegade as much as her teammates and those closest to her, if not more so with his efficiency and skill.

And perhaps, as Renegade insisted on calling her by the nickname "Princess" full of genuine affection and care on his part -a nickname that Diana had gotten used to and had come to terms with herself that she liked so much- in the same way from this moment she could have called him “young warrior”: a title that suited him perfectly.

Renegade moved, clearly uncomfortable with all the compliments he had received. “I haven't done that much, after all.” he murmured shyly.

He's so cute when he's shy and embarrassed.

Diana's eyes widened in shock at her sudden thought.

She never thought that one day she would call the second best mercenary in the world cute, shy and embarrassed.

She began to consider the idea of ​​having been infected by some human disease, no matter how impossible it was due to her Amazon demigoddess status: otherwise she couldn't explain all these intrusive thoughts she's had in the last few minutes.

Quick! Bring your attention back to the conversation before anyone realizes something is wrong with you!

Wonder Woman sent him a genuinely amused smile, masking her embarrassment and nervousness. “Modesty doesn't suit you, Renegade.” she said, getting a chuckle from him. The sound of his laughter, not the disturbing one but the genuine and amused one, surprised her pleasantly. “As one of the three leaders, I speak and thank you on behalf of the Justice League for saving Zatanna's life, heroically sacrificing yours.” she declared solemnly, never taking her eyes off him.

The demigoddess really wanted him to understand how everything he had done was important to her and that she would not ignore it but rather wanted to recognize his heroic and noteworthy actions.

Renegade shrugged casually. “It wasn't a problem at all. I knew that I would not stay dead, that I would be resurrected in a short time and that the wounds would heal within minutes, no matter how severe.”

Her gaze turned inscrutable as she felt her own heart break at his words.

What atrocities, horrors and tortures has Renegade been forced to endure if he is so genuinely nonchalant about his own death and resurrection? He is speaking from personal experience, so that means he has died and resurrected multiple times in the past and this is definitely one of the worst traumatic experiences one can have, no matter how much he ignores it.

Before she could think of what to say to him to make him understand that yes, his death and resurrection was a huge problem and that it was a traumatic experience for everyone, especially if it is a recurring thing, Superman interrupted her, reaching them.

Couldn't you have waited another moment, Clark?

“Wonder Woman is right.” he began, landing softly on the ground next to them.  “All of us are extremely grateful for your noble and heroic gesture. We were also a little uncomfortable with Batman's idea of ​​trying to arrest you after finding out that you were literally dead just minutes ago from saving our teammate's life." he said, gesturing to the rest of the League behind him.

Glad I'm not the only one on the team.

“The big guy is right.” Green Lantern intervened with a nod. “We definitely didn't feel like arresting you after your sacrifice, considering the fact that you're literally a boy of only seventeen.”

“That and you would almost certainly have kicked our asses for the third time.” Flash added helpfully.

Both good points.

“In this case, age doesn't matter. I thought you had learned your lesson after all this time.”

You're missing the point, Renegade.

“That doesn't take away the fact that a seventeen year old died to save our teammate, never mind if you can resurrect and that your healing factor heals everything in a short amount of time.” she pointed out with a soft voice and look, grateful when she received a few nods from the other heroes.

“But that doesn't mean we'll go easy on you next time we meet, Renegade.” Hawkgirl challenged him, pointing her spiked mace in his direction. “Sooner or later we will defeat you, boy.”

I would directly prefer to avoid fighting with him and focus our energy, resources and attention on the truly evil super-villains to be brought to justice, like the members of the Light. It is a total waste of time for both us and Renegade to continue to deal with him who is doing us and the entire world a favor by eliminating the worst scum.

The mercenary chuckled. “I wouldn't dream of it any other way. However, yours will remain a mere hope.” he stated, giving them a shark-like grin.

Diana wasn't surprised when some of her teammates shuddered.

Renegade cleared his throat and gave all the heroes a smile. “Well, thank you for your beautiful words but it's time for me to leave. I have many things to do.”

Wonder Woman was not at all disappointed with how he had to go.

No uh.

“You know, assassin and mercenary stuff.” he continued, chuckling at the heroes' uncomfortable looks and Diana smiled amusedly. “So I greet you. Heroes.” he nodded respectfully to all of them and when he looked at Wonder Woman his entire posture softened noticeably and, when he spoke, his voice came out tender and respectful, which surprised her greatly. "Princess." he said softly.

Diana didn't miss all the gratitude towards her that Renegade silently expressed through his nickname for her. She felt a wave of heat wash over her completely, from head to toe, to the point that her legs turned to jelly and her heart began to beat faster than usual, every fiber and cell of her being trembling. It was hands down the best feeling she had ever felt in her long life, even though she still couldn't put a name to it.

However it was not important, or at least not for the moment.

Her gaze automatically softened and she couldn't help but give in to her temptation and give him a bright, radiant smile that she had rarely given to anyone in her life.

Really, she could count on one hand the people and situations where she had smiled so brightly, radiantly and brilliantly and still had a few fingers left.

She fervently hoped that, through her smile, she had been able to silently communicate to him that she had gotten his message and that she had greatly appreciated it.

From the way he returned her bright smile, Diana was very confident that he understood.

She blinked in surprise as one moment Renegade was in front of her, smiling at her with a smile she had rarely seen on his face, while the next she began coughing from the smoke that filled the area, followed by his characteristically creepy laugh at which she didn't think she would ever get used to.

She couldn't help but smile fondly, despite everything.

Dramatic and theatrical brat. Never change, Renegade.

She giggled when she heard several curses from the other heroes, especially Green Arrow.

“For God's sake– was that really necessary, dude?”

The smoke quickly dissipated, courtesy of Flash making it disappear with his speed.

“It was an eventful day.” Black Canary pointed out, thus breaking the silence that had suddenly fallen after Renegade's theatrical retreat.

Aquaman snorted. “You can say it loudly.”

“You know, there's one thing Renegade left out during his summary of what had happened.” Zatanna intervened, getting the attention of all her teammates. “While we were on the Watchtower and while I was thinking about the spell to use to locate Klarion, Renegade had the brilliant idea of ​​reassuring all the children and teenagers frightened by the situation through a message of hope and comfort broadcast worldwide in all electronic devices.”

Wonder Woman's eyes widened in surprise, as did her friends, and she felt her heart warm noticeably with pride and affection for Renegade for such a sweet and noble gesture he made.

Come on, how could anyone still think Renegade was evil after all that?

Only a breed of idiots could continue to think this.  

And Diana was fucking proud of herself for being the first JL person to figure it out and pretty quickly too.

“Are you kidding me?” Hal asked in shock.

“Nope.” Zatanna shook her head with a smirk. “I don't know if, now that the two worlds have reunite, that message is still available. If I can get it back I will send it to you.”

“Please do it.” Diana nodded gratefully at her, fiercely wanting to hear the message from Renegade that piqued her interest.

Zatanna looked at her with blue eyes shining with an emotion she couldn't decipher but the sorceress looked away from her to look at the other heroes. “And it's not just that. Not only was Renegade fundamental importance in helping me locate Klarion with such a motivational, encouraging and charismatic speech that for a moment made me feel as if he was a leader I would follow even after death-“

“Don't you think you're exaggerating?” Flash asked raising an eyebrow.

The sorceress ignored him and continued. “but he also revealed to me that after our fights it was he who bandaged and medicated all our most serious wounds.”

“You can't take every word he says at face value, Zatanna.” Hawkgirl warned. “Renegade still remains-“

“At that moment he was under a spell that would force him to always tell the truth.” Zatanna interrupted. “Long story.” she cut short the perplexed and surprised looks.

The gravity of her words and their meaning fell on the heroes, excluding Wonder Woman who could once again be proud of herself for being the first to understand that it was Renegade who bandaged their most serious wounds.

Not hers because, now that Diana thought about it, she emerged from fighting the mercenary with nothing more than superficial wounds.

This meant that Renegade continually managed to submit her without inflicting serious injuries on her, an Amazon warrior demigoddess who could easily rival Superman himself and who was perfectly capable of taking him down.

Very impressive and admirable. And scary too.

Furthermore, it was obvious that Renegade favored her over other heroes and that he treated her differently, almost as if he held her on a higher pedestal. The question she asked herself in this regard was:

Why me?

It was a question she was unlikely to have answered anytime soon and Renegade almost certainly wouldn't have answered her directly if she ever asked.

Diana was cooking dinner -and it had taken her a long time to learn the human culinary art but in the end even cooking was now within her skills thanks to continuous practice- when her phone rang, signaling the arrival of a message. She went to get it and found that Zatanna had sent her a video. Curious she opened it and let out a surprised gasp as Renegade's masked face covered her screen.

She was deeply struck by the message of hope and comfort for billions of frightened children and young people that Zatanna spoke about previously: they were beautiful words that will surely have saved the lives of many kids.

I have rarely ever met someone so young yet so kind, compassionate and thoughtful, not to mention so effective and skillful.

The Amazon was surprised by the fact that Renegade repeated the message in all the languages ​​he knew -she couldn't keep up with him but counted that there were more than ten, an impressive number to say the least- and her surprise increased when she suddenly recognized clearly modern Greek.

Obviously Renegade is multilingual and knows about ten different languages. At this point I would not be surprised if he also knew ancient Greek and Latin, the most common ancient languages ​​that are taught in various parts of the world today.

She typed a reply to her friend, relaying some of her thoughts, and at one point in the digital conversation with Zatanna she frowned at one particular message from the sorceress.

istg that I am not lying when I say that you are the luckiest woman in the whole world lol 

Leaving aside the youth slang that she was unlikely to ever understand, she didn't understand at all what the hell the sorceress was referring to but dismissed it as simply an oddity on her friend's part.

While she was eating her dinner and was idly flipping through television channels looking for something to catch her attention, her phone rang again. She grabbed it and nearly choked on her food when she saw the image that had been sent to her.

After avoiding death by choking on food -an extremely embarrassing and highly undignified death to say the least for a woman of her caliber- she burst into laughter so amused, open and light that it knocked the air out of her lungs and echoed throughout her apartment. 

Never ever in her entire life had Diana laughed so hard to the point of almost feeling sick from the sheer amusement but damn if she needed it.

And once again she owed this to the last person you would expect.

Thanks, Renegade. I really needed it.

Batman was checking the cave cameras and frowned when he saw Renegade wandering freely.

One of the most dangerous threats on Earth has been to my home and my cave.

His frown increased dramatically when he saw everything Renegade had done: from putting his dirty hands on his computer to jumping from the animatronic T-rex as if it were a damn toy.

He reluctantly admitted that the boy was the best in the world when it came to agility and acrobatic moves.

What worried him a lot though was that Renegade had typed something into his computer, so the vigilante started digging for missing or stolen files and things like that. He frowned when he noticed a file that had never been there before and had a name he didn't like at all.

Gift for old Brucie ;)

Batman knew that he should never have clicked on the file for a million reasons: possible viruses that would destroy the entire system, steal extremely important vital information, delete thousands of cases and so on. However, he was human too and one of his worst vices was that he was damned curious, so he clicked.

What Bruce never, ever expected in billions of years was to see an image of himself as Batman in a pink tutu.

He panicked when he realized that as soon as he clicked on that file, the image had been sent to most of his closest contacts such as Alfred, Leslie, the JL, Selina and Lucius and all those who knew his double identity. Bruce attempted to cancel sending photos but Renegade's computer skills far surpassed his and he could do nothing but stare at the computer screen with a look that was both weary and surrendered to his impending doom and in defeat and frowns, wishing he had Superman's heat vision to burn away the opprobrium in front of him, never mind the millions and millions of dollars in damage.

“I must say, the pink tutu looks very good on you, young master. It suits your armor.”

The vigilante jumped at Alfred's sudden voice and cursed silently. Turning he cast an indifferent, flat look at his butler whose gaze was as stoic as ever but his eyes betrayed his true amusement.

Traitor.

Batman let out a tired, defeated sigh.

“I really hate that boy.”

Here's a picture of Batman in a pink tutu made by Renegade lol 

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman ducked under several tentacles that tried to attack her and she easily slashed them with her sword and then stabbed the enemy in front of her. She turned sharply and with deft and expert sword movements took out three more aliens.

She truly hated alien invasions that were more common than anyone could have expected.

Why are various alien life forms throughout the universe so attracted and intrigued by Earth and want to conquer and/or destroy it? I will never understand it.

The aliens in question -who had an unpronounceable name for Earthlings: only Martian Manhunter and the Green Lanterns were capable of pronouncing it- were a very aggressive and greedy race and, of course, wanted to conquer Earth. They were bizarrely shaped aliens who had disgustingly gelatinous dark purple skin, five eyes of different shapes and colors from each other two of which were behind what could be considered their heads, and a multitude of squishy tentacles.

Fortunately, despite their aggressiveness, they were rather easy to subdue and since they were an extraterrestrial life form actively trying to conquer Earth, the heroes had the right to kill them, which greatly cheered the warrior Amazon who could finally let loose a bit and give vent to her almost always repressed instincts.

The bad news was that these damn aliens were so many.

Like, so many of them.

She swore there were at least a thousand and this forced the intervention of the entire Justice League: in fact, the Green Lanterns included not only Hal but also John Stewart and, unfortunately, Guy Gardner.

Despite her hatred -and also that of most of the League- towards Guy for his openly arrogant, annoying, uncaring and snooty behavior, especially towards his so shoddy, nauseating, unpleasant, and harassing flirtation with virtually every woman who breathes -and he had not stopped his flirting with Diana herself or his attempts to get her to bed, no matter how many times she had told him that she would rather die than even consider dating him!-, she knew that he, too, was needed to get rid of this horde of aliens that seemed like they would never end.

These aliens are among the weakest I have ever faced. Not that I'm complaining about it, of course.

Every hero with powers was practically surrounded by a hundred aliens while the only humans like Batman, Green Arrow and Black Canary were all fighting back to back, protecting each other and fending off the countless aliens who were pushing harder and harder, killing them in just a few effective moves.

While Wonder Woman was busy with the horde of aliens surrounding her, it was not uncommon for her to catch a glimpse of a red and yellow trail in the middle of the combat area -a desolate and remote place in the middle of Australia where no one lived: at this point Diana was sure that it was more dangerous the local wildlife rather than such aliens- and she bet mostly on Barry who could eliminate so many aliens in no time.

Filled with the excitement that only a battle could give her and full of adrenaline coursing through her entire body, she continued to slash at the tentacles that approached her and skewer the aliens as if they were skewers, deftly swinging her sword from side to side with a mastery unique in the entire world and killing all the aliens that, unfortunately for them, were in the middle of the trajectory of her blade.

It had already been more than an hour since the fight had begun and yet it seemed that these aliens were virtually infinite. Each time she eliminated a minimum of one, seven more took its place, thus beginning an unbroken cycle that never seemed to end.

Distractedly, the demigoddess realized that she was virtually isolated from the rest of her team just as all the other heroes -except for the humans who were fighting together in excellent teamwork- were in scattered areas, far away from each other -to the point that Diana could not even catch a glimpse of the figures of her teammates- and each of them countering hundreds of these aliens.

“Princess!”

Wonder Woman felt her heart briefly lose a beat, her automatic and instinctive movements yet never faltering, even in the face of the unexpected voice. Turning 360 degrees on herself and decapitating a dozen aliens with a single horizontal movement of her sword she turned, observing none other than Renegade himself who was facing beside her the horde of aliens that had surrounded her.

How the hell did he get past the horde of aliens to my side without me even sensing his presence? I swear that guy is so full of surprises and, at this point, I shouldn't even ask such questions when it comes to him.

“Renegade! What the hell are you doing here?” she asked instead, continuing to pierce her enemies.

“Oh you know, the usual. It's only by fortuitous coincidence that I found you in an uninhabited wasteland in the middle of Australia invaded by thousands and thousands of aliens.” Renegade finished with a casual, innocent, cheeky smile. “What about you? What are you doing here?”

Wonder Woman rolled her eyes but she felt her lips curve into a genuine little smile. “My job.” she replied, playing along.

“Oh?” she saw him tilt his head as he simultaneously stabbed a total of 15 aliens with his two swords. “And how much do they pay you to stop an alien invasion?”

“Unfortunately, being a hero is not considered a job, so I don't get paid at all.”

“What a shame.” the mercenary nodded understandingly. “The world should wake up, be more inclusive and accept this new form of work.”

The Amazon snorted in amusement as she ripped three aliens in half with a single blow. “I wouldn't complain about it at all.”

“Take me as an example. Mercenary work pays very well. I recommend it, you know.” the acrobat joked. “You'd become one of the best mercenaries in the world in no time and have lots of money.”

“You bet I would be. Probably even better than you.” she sent him a playful smirk that he returned. ”Unfortunately, I'll have to decline the offer.”

“Too bad.”

“Besides, I'm pretty sure that among your reasons for becoming a mercenary, money is among the last places.” she pointed out, turning her blade in the alien's eye and then throwing his body over three others.

Renegade dropped the six aliens skewered by one of his swords to the ground, as if they were skewers, and shrugged lazily. “Eh. You're right.”

Diana smiled, pleased and satisfied that, once again, one of her intuitions regarding the young assassin was correct. 

By now I can say that I know him all in all pretty well.

“You know, I've noticed that there are also other heroes in the battle that I haven't had the pleasure of kicking ass yet.” Renegade reflected casually as he launched an explosive shuriken that eliminated a dozen aliens.

“Yeah, well, as you can see we needed the entire League to eliminate all these aliens.” Wonder Woman grunted. “There are more than a thousand of them, damn them.” she raised an eyebrow in his direction, killing two aliens who tried to attack her from behind without ever turning around. “You wanted to know something about them specifically?”

“Sort of.”

“I thought you knew everything about all us heroes,” she teased him playfully, her eyes widening when she realized it.

I am laughing and joking with the world's second most dangerous mercenary and assassin as I fight together with him against an alien invasion. The most surprising part is not the fact that I am fighting alongside him but that I am joking and laughing in a battle. If my mother learned about it, she would have an aneurysm .

That was a thought to be analyzed some next time, possibly when she was not busy stopping an alien invasion.

“And indeed it is so, Princess.” Renegade gave her a cunning, beaming smirk that agitated her stomach before he turned sharply, decapitating some aliens with his swords. “I just wanted to know if Guy Gardner is as arrogant and annoying as people say he is. Simply put: an asshole and idiot.” he casually asked since he had read nothing else about Guy's account the first time he found out the identities of the entire JL.

At the mention of his name automatically the princess of Themyscira twisted her lips downward, a fierce frown appearing on her features. “Absolutely. The worst hero I've ever met.” she stated bluntly in a snarl, angrily swinging her sword in all directions, killing a large number of aliens in seconds. “If it were up to me, I would have kicked him off the team a long time ago.”

The Talon arched an eyebrow under his mask, watching in amazement at her display of fierce anger. “What did that jerk do to you?”

“First he insists on incessantly flirting with me to try in vain to get me to bed. Not just me but with practically every woman who breathes.” she spat venomously, disgust and contempt coloring her tone of voice and her blue eyes darkening angrily and with such hatred that it made Dick involuntarily shudder at such intensity. “Second, he's one of the most annoying, arrogant, disgusting, uncaring, shoddy people I've ever met. I hate him so much.” she concluded with another fierce snarl and at the same time stabbing four aliens with her blade.

Although his movements continued automatically and instinctively the acrobat felt himself freeze and, if it had been possible, his heart would have started beating much faster. A huge boulder settled in his stomach and he swallowed hard, the familiar feeling of panic and guilt beginning to rapidly consume his body.

“First he insists on incessantly flirting with me.”

Now Dick knew that he had no chance for a woman as literally perfect as Wonder Woman but he continued to flirt with her merely as a joke and for fun, in a way that was entirely genuinely affectionate and devoid of ulterior motives.

Despite his reputation Dick considered himself a great romantic, and Louise could confirm this fact: after all, he was unwavering in taking Killer Frost to bed only after taking her on at least two romantic dates, despite her protests that it was not necessary.

This is because, although he still had clouded memories regarding his life before he was kidnapped by the Court of Owls, he clearly remembered how his parents told him that woman should be courted and, although somewhat old-fashioned in modern times, he could never forget their lessons on this subject. 

To make the matter clear, Dick was not courting Diana in any way -not if he wanted to prevent her from taking his head off his neck with a fist for even trying: after all, he was not in the least up to her standards, he was completely unworthy of her and he was sadly and painfully aware of this- but he was merely flirting innocently with her, with no malice behind it.

And even in the event that he were to start flirting and hitting on Wonder Woman seriously -something that would never happen, no matter how many times Sandra had told him that, at least unconsciously, he had been doing it from the beginning with the Amazon- surely the main motive was not to get her to bed but was to have a serious and lasting relationship with her.

Which would not have happened even in 100 other lifetimes but those were superfluous details.

Renegade felt a wave of fierce anger aggressively claw at his stomach, begging to be released fully against Guy Gardner. Just the thought that the asshole simply wanted to fuck Diana and apparently would not take no for an answer, treating her as a mere sex toy when in fact she was among the best people in the entire universe -so strong, compassionate, a symbol of hope and justice for all the innocent- while Guy -how the hell was it possible that he was worthy of being a Green Lantern?- was merely a dickhead, made him want to have him at his mercy.

It would take him no more than five minutes to break Guy Gardner permanently and that was even an exaggeration.

However, such anger was quickly put in the background and replaced by guilt, horror, self-loathing and panic.

What if what Wonder Woman felt about Guy's persistent and incessant flirtation she also felt about Renegade's own flirtation?

God, no. Then I would have become exactly the kind of person I hate with all my being and eliminate from the face of the Earth on a daily basis.

Just the thought of being similar to Guy and in general to such men and women made him feel nauseated and disgusted, repulsed and horrified at himself. Yet he at that moment had to have an answer to his inner conflict, no matter how fucking scared to death he was -a feeling almost never experienced by him- by the answer.

Dick would rather have decapitated himself and died permanently than continue flirting with Wonder Woman, albeit innocently and without either malice or ulterior motive, if she hated his flirtation.

So the young assassin took a deep breath, channeled as much courage as he could and, after blasting a dozen aliens into a thousand little pieces of fucking gross, mushy substance with another explosive shuriken, he finally asked the question that was so sucking at his soul.

“Do I annoy you too?” he asked all in one breath, physically forcing himself not even to call her by the nickname by which he often referred to her.

After all the nickname “Princess”, though every time it was uttered by him it was filled with genuine affection and care, was an integral part of the innocent and playful flirt, so the acrobat first needed to know the real opinion of the person directly concerned about the whole affair.

Wonder Woman frowned at his question so suddenly, anger slowly beginning to drain from her body. She did not miss the mercenary's almost subdued, defeated but slightly hopeful tone -in such stark contrast to her bubbly, playful, confident and deadly dangerous personality- and part of her attention shifted to him, silently wondering what was going through his head,

“What exactly do you mean?”

“Well, you said you hate Guy's incessant flirt to death, right?”

She realized at that moment that the notorious Renegade was completely nervous around her for some strange reason that made her frown increase.

Was it something I said?

“Yes, it is.” she confirmed slowly keeping the familiar and very fierce anger at bay at the mere thought of Guy, deciding to focus on her current ally and his attitude so different from usual.

“Well, there, you see... although my flirt is totally opposite to Guy's and I am nothing like him, or rather I hope I am not because I, unlike him-” Renegade shut his mouth tightly, as if he had stopped himself just in time to avoid revealing something he would always regret. He released an irritated and impatient sigh. “What I'm trying to say is if my flirt bothers you too, Pr-Wonder Woman.”

Diana could not believe her own ears.

After what she had told him, Renegade's first thought was to wonder if she hated his own flirt as much as Guy's and he wanted to personally ascertain her feelings and thoughts on the matter.

Diana immediately realized that her eyes had begun to sting and glisten with barely contained tears.

But not from sadness or some other negative emotion.

It was actually just the opposite.

She was not lying when she said that no person in her entire life -nor her own sisters and mother- had shown so much care, attention and kindness to her, treating her feelings as if they were the most important thing in the world to care deeply for.

And that was exactly what Renegade was doing at that very moment.

Diana had understood for a long time now that, despite all his appearances and reputation, Renegade was actually a genuinely good, kind, caring, wonderful person who wanted the best for the world but she would never have thought that this could extend to so much, that is, to the point of caring about her feelings as if they were the most important thing for him to think about.

Maybe she should have thought so or maybe not.

Either way, it did not change the fact that Renegade was the first person in her entire long life who genuinely cared for her, treating her feelings as if they were precious jewels of inestimable value.

She in fact did not miss that Renegade had corrected himself at the last moment, calling her by her super-heroine name rather than his nickname addressed exclusively to her.

This was further evidence of the bottomless pit of kindness, thoughtfulness, goodness and the wonderful being that Renegade simply was: he, still not knowing whether he was annoying her, had decided not to use his nickname for her, fearing that it would be a source of annoyance and irritation to her.

The demigoddess was completely sure that, based on her response to him, their relationship would inevitably change.

She began to think intensely about the questions that plagued her head, distractedly killing the aliens around her with fluid and instinctive moves worthy of her nature as a fierce warrior Amazon.

Does Renegade in general bother me?

The answer was a dry and instinctive No and she didn't have to think about it for even half a second.

Does his flirt bother me?

The answer to this question also came in the form of a dry No, although in this case she was slightly surprised at herself.

However, she soon discovered that she was not to be.

Diana knew that she was an objectively very attractive, intelligent, strong, determined, resolute and dedicated woman in both her identities: as a civilian and as a super-heroine. This resulted in the fact that ever since she set foot in Man's World about 15 years ago, she has always been the object of flirt and desperate and futile attempts to have sex with her by an overwhelming majority of men and, to a lesser extent, also by women.

Which at first completely disgusted her but which over time she learned to ignore.

She, of course, always rejected these desperate, pathetic, disgusting and insistent flirtations since one of the most important things for her was her own dignity and maintenance of sound principles that she would not maintain if she slept with everyone who proposed it: in fact, she never hesitated to break the legs or arms -and it had happened so many times that it was impossible to remember the exact number- to many men and women who were so insistent on having sex with her to the point of attempting to touch her without her permission. 

Key word tempt: after all, her reflexes and training allowed her to break the molester's bones even before they had a chance to even touch her arm.

Since she had arrived in Man's World, the very few and only times Wonder Woman had had sex with anyone had always occurred within an established romantic relationship and after a certain period of time with which she was together with her romantic partner.

Or how established could it be considered since her longest romantic relationship since she left Themyscira was about six months, which happened a long time ago.

My thoughts are definitely wandering.

Her point was that she was perfectly capable of recognizing when a flirt had the intention of taking her to the bed of the man or woman in front of her: an intention she could discern in every case, no matter how much it was disguised as an apparent innocent attempt to simply befriend her.

And Diana had never, ever thought that Renegade's flirt with her was an attempt by him to have sex with her, something that had happened numerous times before with other super-villains and even with common thugs.

Never.

Not even for a single millisecond.

Not even in their first encounter in their first battle.

Never.

She had noticed early on how both his nickname for her and his flirt contained no malice or ulterior motives: they were filled only and only with genuine affection and care.

Although at first this had confused and surprised her as never before -and honestly it continued to surprise and confuse her: she had simply become adept at not thinking about it too much anymore- she had never thought that the goal of Renegade's flirt -unlike that of many men and women she had encountered since she set foot in Man's World- was to have sex with her: it was simply something playful and innocent.

And this had never bothered her, or at least not so deeply as to compare even remotely with the really annoying flirts of Guy and many people she had met.

That and the fact that over time Diana had become accustomed to Renegade's playful flirting.

She was absolutely certain that all it would take was one word and Renegade would stop flirting with her and addressing her as “Princess”: this because he cared about her feelings on this delicate matter and, if it really bothered her, he would not hesitate to break off the flirt, no matter how much it was probably part of his playful and joking character.

And Diana admitted to herself -not without a hint of surprise and slight embarrassment- that she neither wanted Renegade to stop flirting playfully toward her nor especially for him to stop calling her “Princess”: she had long ago realized that she had genuinely grown very fond of his nickname for her -so full of affection, respect and tenderness that it positively astonished her each time by his care for her- and that she would be very sorry -decidedly more than she should but didn't care- if she no longer received it from the young assassin.

The Amazon did not know exactly how long she had been immersed in her own thoughts, continuing to kill aliens in the meantime, but finally with a determined and confident look she stared at the anti-hero who returned her gaze.

“If you dare stop calling me Princess I will make you regret even being born.”

Renegade blinked behind his mask, not expecting such ferocity from her. Once her words fully registered in his mind, he felt an immense wave of warmth, happiness and excitement fill every single fiber and cell of his being and, if he were not currently busy fighting an alien invasion, he would start screaming and jumping with wild joy, his reputation be damned.

Dick has rarely felt so happy and damn if he was going to enjoy this amazing feeling fully and completely.

The Talon automatically gave the demigoddess a bright, charming, beaming smile. “Got it, Princess.”

Diana felt her chest contract with an emotion that she couldn't recognize in front of his wonderful smile. She couldn't help but smile back with equal happiness and brightness, her blue eyes shining with their own light. “I hope so for you, young warrior.”

The acrobat trembled when Wonder Woman's blue eyes, so damn gorgeous and bright, shone and he briefly thought that even the heat of the sun paled noticeably in comparison to this smile of the Amazon.

The princess of Themyscira saw Renegade's smile, already bright and charismatic, increase in size, reaching an intensity that she couldn't even imagine was possible and she briefly thought that that smile suited him very well.

Chapter Text

“You know, I have to thank you.”

Renegade spun 360 degrees, swinging both of his swords, slashing numerous aliens at the same time. He raised an eyebrow under his mask. “For what exactly?”

Wonder Woman tried to keep a straight face but failed miserably and burst into a sincere and liberating laugh that she had rarely ever had. “For the photo of Batman in a pink tutu. You know, me and the other heroes made fun of him so much in the meeting three days ago.” she giggled.

The young assassin also burst into amused laughter, mentally filing away the sound of her laughter.

One of the best sounds he has ever heard.

“Yeah, well, it was my gift to him for his not welcoming -and for once it wasn't his fault- when I went to the Batcave to use his zeta tube to teleport me to the Watchtower.”

The Amazon grabbed an alien by the throat and threw it with all her strength, violently hitting five other aliens and sending them flying far away. “Batcave?” she repeated with a raised eyebrow.

Dick groaned inwardly.

Not again. Why can't anyone get there on the first try?

“His secret base. You know, his car is the Batmobile, his weapons are batarangs, his computer is the Batcomputer, his plane is the Batplane and so on.”

The superhero hit an alien with a powerful kick, causing it to collide violently with three others. She gave him a flat look. “Are you kidding me?”

He smirked at her. "Absolutely not." he ducked, dodging several tentacles, and jumped up again, cutting the alien in front of him perfectly in half with a swing of his sword from bottom to top. “It makes a lot of sense and I reserve the copyright to it.”

“Are you serious?”

“What would you call Batman's bat-shaped weapons?” he challenged her with a smirk. “You can't call them “throwable bat weapons of different types”, you know. The name batarang is thus more practical and easier.”

That… is a damn valid point, dammit.

The demigoddess snorted, her lips lifting a few inches in an amused smile as she looked at him with genuine affection. “You are something else, Renegade.”

The mercenary sent her a bright smile that made her heart beat slightly faster than usual. “Thank you, Princess!” he thanked her warmly, his smile growing in size when she returned it with one of her own that always made him feel good.

Over the next few minutes the two continued to repel the alien invasion while chatting casually and pleasantly until Dick came up with an idea that he humbly thought was brilliant.

“Why don't we play twenty questions?”

Wonder Woman gave him a strange look as she swung her sword to the side, killing two aliens. "Now?" she asked confused, surprising herself when she realized that if literally any other person had asked her this, she would have quickly dismissed the idea as ridiculous.

Why do I do things with Renegade that I don't do with anyone else? Another mystery to solve.

“It's the best chance we have to get to know each other better: the hero closest to us is literally at least fifty meters away from us if not more. No one will interrupt us.” the mercenary pointed out, happy when she agreed with a nod, before starting to fidget. “If you want to get to know each other better, of course.”

A sweet smile appeared between her lips. “I wouldn't mind.” she began, giggling softly when she saw him light up like a Christmas tree. “But can I know the reason first?”

“Well, now that we're friends it's customary to know more about each other.”

She tilted her head to the side, thinking for a few seconds about the word "friends" he had just used, before sending him a warm smile. “It seems right to me. You start.” she stated, pushing the buzzing voice of her mother out of her mind as she began scolding her in a disappointed tone.

A demigoddess, princess and warrior like you must not get involved in such cheap nonsense with people inferior to you, especially with a man and during a fight. I raised you better than that, Diana.

Renegade felt the sensation -which was becoming more and more familiar and hell did he like it!- of heat and excitement building in his chest. "Good. So, favorite color?” he asked with a smile, deciding to start off lightly with the questions.

"Red. Your favorite color?”

"Blue."

This actually surprised the Amazon. "Really? I would have thought black or red.” she said, vaguely mentioning the colors of his armor.

“Of course, I like these colors and use them because, especially when combined, they are effectively intimidating.” he explained, getting a nod of understanding from the woman. “Blue is more of a color of hope and justice, something I can't identify and relate to.”

Wonder Woman frowned and opened her mouth with the intent to point out to him that through his killings, he brought so much justice, comfort and hope to the world, for which she appreciated him greatly, but unfortunately he went ahead with the questions.

“Favorite animal?”

She sighed, disappointed that she had missed the opportunity to let him know, and responded after angrily decapitating some aliens. “I don't have a favorite but it's definitely not the cheetah.” she joked, smiling when she heard his amused giggle. "Your?"

“Are you copying my questions, Princess?” he playfully teased, chuckling at her flat look. "Elephant."

She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Really? There must be a particular reason behind it: after all, it is a very specific and unconventional response.”

“Elephants are very intelligent and empathetic animals, much more than they are given credit for.” the assassin began to explain. “I grew up with an elephant and she was my best friend from childhood.”

Wonder Woman's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, knowing full well that this could be a detail that could lead to his identity. But she knew that he trusted her and that she wouldn't spill such important details to the rest of JL.

And in fact he wasn't wrong.

She cared deeply about his trust and respect for her and would never betray his trust, no matter what.

She owed it to him for so many reasons, one of which was because, after all, they were friends.

And Diana never betrayed her friends.

“It must have been a great childhood growing up with an elephant.”

“Very much.” he nodded with a melancholy and sad sigh and she had the distinct feeling that he had not seen his best friend elephant for many years, which made her sad. “What is it like to work at the UN?”

She gave him an unimpressed look, not surprised that he knew her civilian job, and huffed when the little shit just giggled. “Often tiring and irritating but sometimes it pays off. You can't imagine the stress I accumulate every time I interact with my colleagues, politicians and ambassadors from the US and other nations: most of them are disgustingly greedy for wealth and power but hide their selfishness behind a mask.” she shook her head in disgust.

Renegade made a sound of agreement. “I am glad that the United States has you as one of its representatives. It goes without saying that you are obviously the best of all: almost the only one who is coherent, with healthy principles, dedicated to justice and who truly wants the good not only of the US but of the entire world. In fact, there is a reason why you are the main diplomatic and peace ambassador, as well as being the main symbol of true feminism and not of the false and toxic one which in recent years is unfortunately prevailing over the real one."

Wonder Woman felt her chest being overwhelmed by a wave of pleasant heat and she willingly embraced that sensation, even if she couldn't identify it. She was truly moved by his beautiful and fantastic words that no one else had ever said to her.

It was really nice to have confirmation that she was advancing her goals in the political, social and diplomatic worlds and that her efforts were not proving futile.

She sent him a bright, warm smile, hoping to convey to him all the gratitude and happiness that his words had brought her. “Thank you so much, Renegade. I really needed to hear these words.”

The smile he sent her back let her know that she had succeeded.

She pondered her next question, absentmindedly cutting several aliens in half with her blade. “You go to high school, right?”

“Is that your question?” the acrobat joked, chuckling at her glare. “Okay, out of the goodness of my heart I won't count that as a question.” he saw her roll her eyes but didn't miss her slight smile. “Anyway, yes. I'm in my senior year."

“Favorite and least favorite subject?”

It's truly shocking that the world's second deadliest mercenary has yet to finish high school. I never thought I would ask him this question.

“Smart of you to pack two questions into one.” Renegade pointed out, chuckling at the sly, mischievous smirk she gave him. “My favorite subject is mathematics and my least favorite subject is English. Not to brag or anything but most people I know tell me I'm a math genius. Probably because when I signed up and took an assessment test, it resulted in me being at least two grades ahead in math. I also won all the national and even international mathematics Olympics.”

The Amazon let out an impressed hum. “Then there is no shadow of a doubt that you are a mathematical genius.” she began, not missing his smile. “But why is English your least favorite subject?”

“Because English grammar makes no sense and I hate it. Why the hell are some people overwhelmed, others are underwhelmed and not just whelmed?”

She stared at him flatly and in response he chuckled his damned creepy laugh.

“You are clearly not feeling the aster right now, Princess.”

Wonder Woman shook her head and dropped the subject, not even wanting to risk going crazy trying to figure out how the hell her mind worked. “Now I understand why you hate the English language. You are literally mangling it.”

“That and English is not my first language.” Renegade giggled at the super-heroine's surprised look. “Hell, it's not even in the top five languages ​​I've ever learned!”

“You're fucking kidding me.” she declared abruptly, on the verge of hysteria.

Renegade is going to drive me crazy at this rate.

“No uh.” he shook his head with a smirk. “I promise on my mercenary honor.”

“How many languages ​​do you know?”

“Wait your turn, Princess. Now it's my turn." he pointed out and if looks could kill, he would surely be dead now. “Favorite food?” he asked stabbing several aliens with his blades.

"Italian. How many languages ​​do you know?”

“More than fifteen languages, including sign language and Morse code.”

The demigoddess's head whipped around in his direction, her blue eyes clearly showing her shock. “Now you're kidding me, right?”

“Again, no, it's the complete truth.” he said, sending her an amused smile. At her unspoken question he shrugged. “In my childhood I traveled around the world. After Deathstroke took me in, I continued to pursue my passion for languages.”

Wonder Woman eagerly absorbed the information she received, easily guessing among other things that Deathstroke was apparently not Renegade's biological father but more likely an adoptive father or perhaps a close relative.

That wasn't what she was most focused on anyway, even though it probably should be, but she was still shocked and amazed by the fact that Renegade knew about twenty languages.

She didn't think a human could know so many languages: not even Batman knew so many and he was one of the most intelligent and versatile people she knew. And although it was obvious that Renegade was technically not human, it was obvious from his words that it was not as if he was born with the ability to know all these languages ​​but rather he learned them because it was a passion of his.

Diana was discovering so many things about Renegade and was happy that she agreed to play this game despite the situation. And the knowledge that she was the only person in the JL who knew so much about the mercenary made her feel like someone special and deserving of knowing such information.

It made her feel warm inside every part of her being and it was a pleasant and welcome sensation to say the least.

Renegade was proving to be an increasingly interesting person to get to know and the demigoddess was genuinely looking forward to getting to know him even more.

“What was it like growing up on Themyscira?”

Wonder Woman felt her lips twitch into a grimace.

The question brought up many mixed feelings in her and even though she didn't want to answer, she knew she owed it to him.

She couldn't act selfish and keep him from knowing more about her, not after everything Renegade had revealed about himself to her and also trust her that she wouldn't spread that information to the rest of the JL to find out his civilian identity.

After all, we are friends and friends should know each other better.

No one in Man's World, not even her teammates, had the full picture of her story on Themyscira but she felt something push her to reveal her full story to Renegade for the first time, knowing he would never judge her.

It was really nice to finally have a person with whom she could talk freely about even the most painful topics and she didn't care at all that this person was the second most dangerous mercenary in the world.

“It will be a very long and delicate answer.” she warned him, killing several aliens. The young assassin nodded and gave her a reassuring smile that she didn't hesitate to return, feeling his trust, kindness and thoughtfulness wash over her in a calming way. She took a deep breath, mentally contemplating where to start. “One of the reasons why I almost always had a formal, rigid and regal attitude was precisely because of my education in Themyscira by my mother: Queen Hippolyta.

“Since I'm a princess, my mother thought I should grow up with the most intense training to become the best of all the Amazons -which I'm proud to say I am- but mostly she thought that joking and such things did not suit me as the future queen of Themyscira.” she began in a voice that showed irritation and anger and she didn't miss how the mercenary frowned.

“Long story short, throughout my hundreds of years in Themyscira and since my childhood, I have never been afforded the luxury of having fun, relaxing and simply letting go: I have always been subjected to rigid, professional and formal attitudes suited to my noble title.

“Only in the last period, since I abandoned Themyscira almost 20 years ago to be able to finally explore and get to know the Man's World -a world that over time I began to like more than my native island to the point that I made the decision to move permanently among the men, to the great shock, horror and disappointment of my mother and all the other Amazons who I still consider my sisters or those very few who were my former romantic partners- I realized that life wasn't just about seriousness, formality, rigidity and royalty but it could also be leisure, fun, laughter and smiles that could be achieved through countless different activities.

“It made me realize that basically my entire life has been wasted because of the way I was raised and I'm not even talking about the fierce warrior training that was probably the best thing I genuinely liked about Themyscira: while there were undoubtedly many fun moments shared with my sisters, those very few former romantic partners and occasionally even my mother, I was only able to explore the other half of life -the Dionysian component- in Man's World, helped above all by those who, a few years after my arrival among the men, would become not only my teammates but true friends.

“So to answer your question, growing up on Themyscira was pretty boring. The daily routine was practically the same with many hours of intense training, small moments of fun with the other Amazons but nothing special and still training. The natural environment of the island is one of the few things I miss: it is a natural beauty nothing short of marvelous that I have rarely ever seen anything like in Man's World.”

Once she finished her speech she continued to kill the aliens around her and cast a curious glance towards Renegade, noticing his deep frown and she could practically feel the gears in his brain turning to absorb all the information she gave him. “I have some questions, if I may.”

Diana nodded but sent him a smirk. “Since you allowed me a question before, you can only ask one. For the others you will have to wait your turn.”

The acrobat chuckled. “Sounds right to me.” he then became more serious. “What did you mean when you said that your mother and the other Amazons didn't take it well at all when you decided to permanently abandon Themyscira to stay here?”

“Just what I said. As I imagine you know, other Amazons don't think much of men." she wasn't surprised when he nodded and she continued. “So when I told the other Amazons that I was leaving the island forever to be in Man's World, well, like you said, they didn't take it well at all. Especially my mother.

“All I wanted was both to explore the Man's World that I always heard about but had never personally visited and to try to understand why the opposite sex of humanity was so repudiated by the Amazons. I simply wanted to feel free for the first time in my life. To be my own person with my own mind and my own actions and not under my mother's control since her every word on the island is law and you cannot rebel. I wanted to satisfy my curiosity and my desire to finally be free.

“Hippolyta thought it was an act of rebellion on my part, an act of defiance or something. She told me that I was clearly superior to all humanity and that I should not mix with ordinary, mortal people. That I shouldn't stoop to their level. That she raised me better than that. That men and humanity in general did not even deserve to bear witness to my mere presence. A regal, strong, authoritative but above all divine presence.

“When she realized I was serious and was leaving Themyscira, to say she was disappointed, horrified and angry at me would be the understatement of the century.” Wonder Woman snorted bitterly. “I'm not saying she disowned me or anything like that but just…” she sighed and shook her head. “We haven't seen or spoken to each other since I moved to Man's World almost 20 years ago.”

“You're basically telling me that if your mother could see that you were joking and laughing during a fight, even more so with a man, she would lecture you about how that behavior doesn't suit you because you're a princess and warrior and shit like that ?”

The woman snorted in amusement. “You got the point, yes.”

Renegade pursed his lips, feeling the familiar feeling of anger boiling furiously in his chest. “If I ever see your mother, the first thing I will do is punch her in the face.”

The demigoddess blinked, initially too shocked by his words.

Then she burst into uncontrollable laughter, barely resisting the urge to hold her stomach from laughing too much.

Renegade is practically the only one that manages to make me burst into laughter like this. I swear that in my entire life no one has managed to make me have fun and laugh as much as Renegade did and I've only known him for a few months. It's something incredibly strange but pleasant.

When she finally managed to muffle her laughter, although she still had a few giggles to escape, she stared at Renegade who was looking at her with a genuinely affectionate and tender smile.

How can anyone think he's evil? He is literally one of the best people I have ever met.

“I don't know how much it suits you to punch my mother aka the queen of the Amazons and Themyscira in the face.” she began, unable to help but snort in amusement as she imagined the scene in her mind. “You would have all the Amazons who would want your head.”

“Yeah, well, I'd find a way to take them all down anyway. If I managed to defeat the notorious Wonder Woman, a demigoddess, the best among the Amazons and capable of standing up to Superman himself and even beating him, twice, even if only by using your own lasso against yourself and not in real hand-to-hand combat, I am confident that I am capable of defeating any Amazon in a 1VS1.” the assassin stated with a casual shrug, absentmindedly blowing a dozen aliens into thousands of pieces with another explosive shuriken.

“It should also be considered that, while I have held back a lot, the other Amazons would not.” she pointed out, driving a ferocious fist into what could be considered the alien's chest and it fell backwards dead.

“I'm not surprised that you also held back a lot in our two fights. I know that if you fought without restrictions you would inflict many mortal wounds on me and since you have no real weakness unlike other powerful heroes like Superman, Dr. Fate etc, that's why I consider you the most powerful and most difficult Justice League member to defeat .”

Diana shivered, feeling the heat stirring in her gut at his casual doling out of compliments for her and she would be lying if she said she didn't feel honored by Renegade's true thoughts of her.

“However you have to consider that I also held back a lot in both battles and still managed to defeat the entire Justice League. And I'm sure that the other Amazons, while unquestionably strong, are nowhere near your level, probably excluding Hippolyta. In any case, I would be able to defeat them all in a 1VS1.”

Wonder Woman was amazed at his self-confidence: it wasn't arrogance and pride at all, even though his words could be mistaken for such, but it was more as if Renegade had already analyzed and studied a mental scenario of a hypothetical fight between him and the other Amazons and had immediately understood the final result.

It was such a fascinating and surprising thing.

Furthermore, his point was damn valid and Diana genuinely found herself thinking that in a hypothetical 1VS1 the other Amazons, not even at their 100%, would be able to take down a Renegade who was still holding back, let alone if he stopped holding back. The only ones that she thought could have really given him trouble, other than herself, were her mother, Troy, Bana-Mighdall and maybe even Sandsmark who had enormous potential, despite her current young age.

“Eh, you're right.” she finally admitted with a shrug. “Anyway, it's my turn to ask the question.” she saw him nod and she thought what she could ask him. “Were you born with your meta-human abilities?”

“No, I only got them later.” he replied, shaking his head. “Why do other Amazons hate men so much?”

“Because in the past it was the order of the day for women to be oppressed, enslaved and subservient to men and they generally believe that man as such is inevitably flawed, belligerent and cannot be trusted because, according to them, this form of patriarchy and male domination is responsible for all the evil in the world. For this reason they retreated to Themyscira, prohibiting the presence of man and raising their daughters to be strong, valiant and independent warriors."

The Talon let out a disbelieving snort. “It seems to me to be a very misandric attitude and ideology.” he bit not without a hint of indignation and bitterness.

“And you're not wrong.” the princess of Themyscira admitted with a sigh, not being able to blame him at all. “At the beginning I too had the same opinion because I was induced for many centuries by my mother and the other Amazons and I maintained this belief even for the first period in which I settled in Man's World. Only with time did I understand that it is not the male gender that is guilty of the evil of the world but they are individuals: after all, women can also be as intrinsically evil and violent as men, even if it is talked about less in the media. This is how I understood that I was raised with a doctrine rooted in me for centuries that was completely wrong and that generalizing an entire genre solely because of asshole and mentally ill individuals is not right."

“Totally agree with your words, Princess.” Renegade nodded, his respect for her growing even more, something he didn't think was possible.

Wonder Woman smiled genuinely. “How did you get your meta-human abilities?”

As soon as her words left her mouth she saw him visibly stiffen, the smile slipping off his face. Despite the deafening sound of the ongoing battle she heard him swallow heavily and she swore she even saw him briefly shiver, though she couldn't be sure. In any case she began to worry about him but waited for what would happen.

“I-I…” Renegade opened his mouth but no sound came out, which is why he closed it with a shaky sigh and mentally cursed himself for his moment of weakness. “I... I'm so sorry, Princess.” he began, clenching his jaw. “I don't feel ready to reveal that part of me yet. I am sorry." he apologized again, turning his pain into anger and venting heavily on the aliens around him.

Diana felt her heart sink and once again mentally lashed out at those who hurt Renegade so much.

Just the thought of what Renegade, one of the strongest, most confident and fearless people she had ever known, was forced to go through and suffer in such a way that he was still so visibly shaken and traumatized by it, honestly scared her very much.

It was a genuinely scary thing and her heart ached on behalf of the mercenary who was the last person in the whole world to deserve so much pain and suffering.

“There is nothing to apologize for. Don't worry." she assured him with a reassuring voice and smile. “Just know that if you ever want to tell anyone about it, I will be there for you and I will listen to you without any judgment on my part.” she stated, meaning every single word.

Renegade tilted his head slightly, sending her a faint smile. “Even if I were to break into your house?”

The demigoddess snorted in amusement. “Even in that case, yes.” her eyes softened. “My proposal is always valid. After all, everything I told you about Themyscira and the rest I didn't tell anyone else." she revealed, chuckling at Renegade's shocked look. “Not even the other heroes. They only have a partial and incomplete vision of the thing. However, with you I was able to open up completely, something I had never done, because I know you wouldn't judge at all and, well, I just felt like you were the only person I could talk to freely and for that I thank you." she admitted with a small genuine smile, ignoring the slight blush on her face.

For his part, Renegade was so shocked by her words that he missed her blushing. “I-I… I'm truly honored by this, Princess. I'm serious."

As she ripped three aliens in half with one blow Diana smiled happily, her chest blooming with barely contained joy. His reverent and respectful tone towards her would never cease to amaze her.

“If you wanted someone to vent to about something or just talk to… well, I'm sure you can find a way to contact me.” Renegade continued with a small smile.

“I know and I will if I ever need to.” the super-heroine accepted without hesitation, finally happy to have someone with whom she could talk freely about certain topics.

After all, any of her civilian acquaintances and friends were out of the question as was Batman who was not known for his social skills, Superman since he only had an optimistic and hopeful view of things even when objectively there were none, and even the rest of her team for numerous reasons.

Renegade was the most balanced and objective person she knew and had a perfect balance between optimism and realistic pessimism, between aggressive attitude and milder attitude, something that, in one way or another, her teammates lacked.

So yeah: she accepted Renegade's offer because he was one of the people she trusted most in every way and she knew she could talk freely with him without any judgment on his part and also knowing that he would stay objective.

But on one condition.

“As long as you come and see me too if you ever want to talk freely or vent about something. Whatever the reason, no matter what. Just like you did to me.”

Renegade's entire posture immediately softened at her words and he sent her a warm smile. “It seems right to me. Thank you, Princess.”

“Thank you, young warrior.”

The two smiled at each other and that feeling of warmth that was becoming more and more familiar to both of them spread even more in their chests, making them happier and more content than they had been a few moments before.

Chapter Text

As they continued to fight against the alien invasion, both Renegade and Wonder Woman learned more information about each other, which greatly pleased them both.

“How many contracts do you complete per week?”

“At least one a day. On days when I don't have any particular commitments, I can get three to five a day.”

“Wow. It is truly something surprising and admirable.”

"Thank you! I take my job seriously. Sexual orientation?”

"Bisexual. Your?"

"Heterosexual. Any hobbies in particular that don't involve being a superhero or an ambassador?”

"Not exactly. Color of your eyes?”

“Very intelligent and clever of you but unfortunately for you I have two shades of different colors because, based on my emotions, my eyes change from their original color to a totally different shade, so you will have to rephrase your question better, even if I hope you don't ask it to me again so that when you find out it will be a surprise."

“Okay, I accept it but I better find out as soon as possible.”

“We'll see.”

“I demand the right to ask a substitute question, though.”

“Right granted. Go ahead, Princess.”

“You know, I've been thinking for a while and I came to the conclusion that maybe it was you who helped the Justice League against the Injustice League and shot Wotan, saving the lives of us heroes. Am I wrong?”

"No. And to avoid you asking another question: yes, I was the figure you spotted and glimpsed."

“I would have bet on it. Then I thank you infinitely once again, Renegade, for your help which was fundamental to the survival of the Justice League. We would not be here alive today if it were not for you, young warrior. I will never forget your help.”

“Too kind, Princess. Justice League best friends after Batman and Superman?”

“Hawkgirl, Black Canary and Flash, although in recent years being friends with Batman has become one of the most complicated things in the world.”

“I can imagine.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Two brothers and two younger sisters, although I am a father figure to two of them.”

“W-Wow. I didn't expect it. It's really sweet. Your infinite and unconditional love for them can be seen a mile away.”

"Thank you! I would literally do anything for them. Do you have a favorite band?”

“Not really, no. Do you have some sort of extended family or something?”

"Yes. The League of Assassins.”

“Wait, what?”

“Since Talia became the Demon Head, the League has become more united, cohesive and more like a family. Assassins have greater margins of freedom and can even express emotions, which was intolerable and unthinkable when Ra's was still alive. Just know that in recent years the League of Assassins has gone from being a terrorist criminal organization to more neutral, morally ambiguous and grayer ground. Thanks to Talia and her contacts I have put an end to countless lives of bastards and numerous mafias, including the Red Sharks.”

“Then I dare say it's a good thing.”

“It absolutely is. Are you more of a TV series or film type?”    

“I honestly don't spend much time in front of the television.”

“It's a shame. It absolutely needs to be remedied. You have to recover the great world masterpieces both in terms of films and TV series.”

“If you mean me to recover them with you, honestly the idea isn't as unwelcome and unpleasant as I might have thought. Favorite food?”

“Italian too. Toughest enemy the Justice League has ever faced?”

“Darkseid and Doomsday without a doubt. When you sent me a bouquet of gerberas, did it have a specific hidden message that you wanted to communicate to me?”

“Good intuition, Princess. Through the language of flowers I wanted to communicate to you that I have immense esteem, respect and admiration for you because you, unlike other heroes, represent a symbol of hope, justice and determination not only as Wonder Woman but also in your civil identity. You are simply the best at both of your identities.”

“Thank you so much for your wonderful words, Renegade. You are the first ever to tell me such things and for that I thank you very much. I want to make sure you know that your methods are totally effective and there is countless evidence to prove it and I am on your side in this matter, so keep going and don't let anyone stop you, young warrior.”

“I had no intention of stopping under any circumstances. Thank you, Princess. It is truly an honor for me to have your approval and blessing, so to speak. Are you by any chance single, Princess?”

“Still with this question?”

“Just to get to know each other better, of course.” pause. “And possibly make your romantic partner regret being born if they ever break your heart.”

“You won't have to worry because I've been single for many years and I'm perfectly fine with that.” pause and, in a casual voice that masked real hesitation: “Are you single, young warrior?”

“…I-I admit t-that you surprised me a lot with this question, P-Princess.” a clearing of the throat. “The answer is yes, anyway.”

"Good."

"Good."

Both the anti-hero and the super-heroine were very happy to have learned so many things about each other and, in Renegade's case, Wonder Woman had revealed personal information to him that often not even her teammates knew.

Renegade had asked her if she was single, despite him knowing the answer for a few days courtesy of Zatanna, just for being the little shit he was.

That and also because there was always the remote possibility that Diana had gotten together with someone in the last few days.

Although it didn't matter since Dick knew it was more likely that it would start raining flying pigs than him having a chance with Wonder Woman but those are trivial details.

Although he was shocked and taken aback to say the least when the demigoddess asked him the same question as him and in that moment, even if for a very brief moment, he felt something similar to hope warm his chest and then disappear with the same speed than when it appeared.

Diana had almost certainly asked him that question just to know something more about him and nothing else.

In any case, they both continued to fight the horde of aliens, exchanging a few more questions and answers, until they realized that they had finally finished killing everyone around them.

“It's finally over. I didn't think there were so many.” Renegade stated placing his swords back on his back and crossing them in an X as he glanced at the carnage of aliens and what was left of their limbs around them.

"You’re right." Wonder Woman nodded and also placed her sword on her back. She gave him a small smile. “It must be said that we fought very well together side by side.”

The anti-hero smiled and nodded back. “True. We form an excellent team to say the least and our moves complement each other.” he pointed out, getting another nod from her. “Who knows, maybe one day we will fight side by side again.” he said, extending a hand in her direction, his smile slightly wider than before.

The demigoddess's blue eyes twinkled at his words and she shook his hand with a strong, firm grip, not surprised when he returned hers in kind. “It will be an honor for me to fight alongside you again, young warrior. I really enjoyed this experience in which we also laughed and joked together. I hope something like this happens again.”

“It was an honor for me too, Princess.”

The two continued to smile at each other for a few seconds before they realized that their hands were still joined. They immediately pulled away and their smiles became more awkward and they giggled nervously.

The Talon cleared his throat, already missing the warmth of her hand. “I should go. Maybe before-“

“Wonder Wom- RENEGADE?”

“Never mind.” the mercenary muttered and after exchanging a look both he and the super-heroine turned, staring at the shocked and surprised faces of the entire Justice League. “Hey guys. How is it going?" he greeted them casually as if they were all old friends.

“What the hell are you doing here, Renegade?” Green Arrow asked in shock, asking aloud the question all the heroes were wondering.

Before he could respond -perhaps with a joke- Wonder Woman took a step forward and stood protectively at Renegade's side, shooting a glare harder then steel at the rest of her teammates. “He is with me. He helped me fight the horde of aliens that had surrounded me.”

Once again Dick was genuinely moved by how Diana did not hesitate to defend him and stand protectively at his side, even challenging her own friends.

Even if he didn't really need it but her gesture was always infinitely appreciated.

The heroes who were present during the whole thing about Klarion and the other sorcerers' spell groaned. “Not again.” Aquaman muttered.

In contrast everyone else had comically shocked and horrified looks at how someone of Wonder Woman's caliber was fiercely protecting the world's second most dangerous mercenary.

In this regard, the acrobat's gaze shifted precisely to the latter. “There are some heroes I haven't had the pleasure of kicking ass yet.” he sent them a shark-like grin and chuckled his creepy laugh, satisfied when he saw them visibly shiver and ignoring Diana's fondly exasperated gaze fixed on him.

The heroes in question were Green Lanterns John Stewart and Guy Gardner, Captain Atom, Plastic Man, Firestorm, Vixen, Booster Gold, Icon and Blue Beetle -Ted Kord- who exchanged uneasy glances.

“You can't seriously think about literally taking down the entire Justice League, man.” Booster Gold snorted, a cocky smirk on his face.

Renegade stared at him impassively and, raising an arm, began typing on his holographic glove without ever taking his eyes off the hero in yellow who began to fidget nervously. A few seconds later Booster Gold's suit began to emit sparks and deafening noises and the man screamed.

“What the hell did you do?”

“I have temporarily blocked your suit for 24 hours. Now you're essentially a regular guy, dude. And already your team has one less hero.” the mercenary stated smugly, chuckling at the shocked looks of the other heroes.

At that moment Wonder Woman didn't know whether to strangle him with her own hands -apparently his death wouldn't be permanent- or not: he wasn't helping her at all in keeping him away from the JL.

Renegade is also the person with the least self-preservation instincts I know, damn him.

Blue Beetle growled. “Man, that's not cool.”

Renegade waved a hand dismissively in his direction, irritating him. “If I were you, I would also pay attention to your suit since, by chance, I have gadgets with electrical and sound attacks that could, obviously always by chance, interrupt the functioning of your suit.” he stated in a casual tone but the threat in the background was very clear.

Ted Kord sent him a glare but remained silent. 

“How about me? I am literally indestructible.” Plastic Man challenged him, lengthening his head and arms in multiple directions, as if to emphasize his point.

“I am inclined to test your theory by freezing yourself and then breaking the ice into several parts, thus destroying your body as well.”  the Talon laughed at Plastic Man's look of pure panic as he withdrew his body parts. "I am joking." he paused. "Maybe." he then glanced in the general direction of the heroes he had just met. “The only one of you who would be truly difficult to take down would be Captain Atom. Unfortunately for you, dude, my armor is made of materials that can easily withstand blows from the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman and I already have some plan in mind to take you down.”

For these reasons Dick infinitely loved Promethium chain mail which covered most of his armor: this material not only made his armor very strong and durable but was even capable of absorbing energy such as Superman's heat vision, any form of energy or radiation emitted by Captain Atom and more. And his swords were also constructed from Promethium chain mail which would therefore allow him to absorb energy as well.

Apparently only magic was capable of hitting him effectively despite the Promethium chain mail, even though magic was one of the most common forms of energies but at the same time it was highly irrational.

The remaining part of his armor was made up of Nth Metal -the same material as the Hawk's armor and maces- which made him stronger, faster, more agile and durable and even increased his healing factor.

“Do you really think you can take me down?” Captain Atom snorted derisively, giving him an arrogant look. “I could crush you-“

“All I have to do is literally deflect a certain amount of energy and hit you with it to be able to send you forward or backward in time.” Renegade pointed out casually before nodding towards his swords attached to his back. “And, since my swords are capable of piercing any material and skin, except Superman's for obvious reasons, I really want to try it on you if you have the balls, Tin Man.”

Captain Atom spluttered incoherently and growled while some of his teammates laughed. “You little-“

“Enough of this bullshit.” Hal spoke up, getting everyone's attention. “I have no intention of getting my ass kicked for the third time by a fucking seventeen year old. My pride wouldn't survive this time.”

Dick let out an amused and surprised laugh as he saw the founding members plus the others he had faced in the two fights against the League nod without any objection. The "new" heroes stared at the more experienced ones with shocked and amazed looks.

“Are you seriously going to let go of the world's second deadliest mercenary?” John Stewart asked sharply, disappointment coloring his tone of voice. “It's definitely not like you.”

“Look man. Not for anything else but you were pretty lucky you didn't get your ass kicked by that guy even once, let alone twice.” Flash began, pointing a finger in the direction of the mercenary who was watching the scene with amusement. “Renegade hits hard. Like, really hard. And despite this he always held back a lot.”

Hawkgirl groaned. “That boy has my respect and esteem.” she admitted and Renegade moved his eyes to her figure in utter shock. “He accomplished things I never thought were possible. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he managed to kick literally all the heroes' ass by himself for a third time."

And that's why Hawkgirl has always been one of my favorites.

“Plus we're all tired after hours of fighting these aliens.” Black Canary pointed out helpfully.

“Renegade will be tired too.” Vixen retorted, crossing her arms.

“Not so much actually. I can continue to fight for weeks without eating or drinking or sleeping without being affected at all.” Renegade admitted with a casual shrug. “I've already experienced it more times than you can even think of.”  

Predictably all the heroes stared at him in shock and horror. However Wonder Woman looked at him with a sad look. “It's because of your particular abilities, right?” she asked softly, ignoring the eyes focused on her head for her tone being so caring towards the young assassin.

The Talon smiled sadly at her, merely nodding.

“It doesn't matter, we still have to try to bring it down.” Firestorm growled as flames began to surround his hands.

"No. Renegade is a good person.” Zatanna growled back at him, shocking Firestorm. “He saved my life and I won't do anything to hurt him.”

The anti-hero smiled, genuinely moved by the sorceress' words. “Thanks, Zee.”

Zatanna smiled at the nickname Renegade for her that she liked so much and sent him a wave.

“For heaven's sake!” all eyes fell on Guy who had his lips curled down in disgust. “You're all a bunch of pussies! You seriously can't be scared to death of a fucking kid!” he growled.

The heroes who had had the (dis)pleasure of fighting Renegade exchanged a look and all came to the same silent plan. “Why don't you step up and face him if you're so brave and fearless?” Hal urged with a mischievous smile.

“Good idea! So I can finally prove my true worth to all of you!” Guy preened, missing the other Green Lantern's sarcasm.

He began walking towards the young assassin and Wonder Woman let out a dangerous growl at him. “Don't come another step closer or you'll regret it, Gardner!”

Renegade, who had easily guessed the heroes' train of thought, placed a calming and comforting hand on the demigoddess's arm. “Don't worry, Princess. Leave it to me.”

The "new" heroes were shocked when Wonder Woman, instead of breaking his arm for even daring to touch her -which she would have done to most of them- sent him a small smile after a few seconds, simply nodding.

Unfortunately for the anti-hero and super-heroine their little moment was ruined by Guy's annoying voice. “After I easily destroy this insolent and pathetic little boy you will fall into my arms and we can finally fuck, Princess.” he sneered, ignoring the sighs and annoyed looks from the other heroes at his arrogant and rude attitude.

The next thing he knew was the cold of a blade pointed at his throat cutting his skin slightly, a small trickle of blood starting to trickle down. “Call me Princess again and there will be nothing left of you but crushed limbs.” Wonder Woman growled coldly, pushing the blade further forward on his neck.

The Green Lantern swallowed in fear and could do nothing but nod.

“It's never a good idea to call her Princess.” Hal whispered, having personally experienced the Amazon's icy and furious gaze both times he had called her that.

Zatanna nudged Black Canary lightly. “Only Renegade can call her Princess and get away with it.” she whispered.

The blonde gave her an amused look, her eyes shining with awareness. “I noticed it too.” she giggled softly.

The princess of Themyscira stared hard at Guy for a few more seconds before pulling her sword away from him and moving to the side, sending a look to Renegade that conveyed a silent message.

Kick his ass.

Renegade looked back with a smirk.

With much pleasure.

The mercenary smirked at Guy and stood still with his arms at his sides, his stance casual and nonchalant, clearly not taking the man too seriously. “Come on, asshole. Let's see what you can do."

“I'll beat you to a pulp.” Guy growled, cracking his knuckles and throwing a quick punch towards his opponent.

The anti-hero easily blocked Guy's punch and his hand tightened with all his strength around the Green Lantern's fist which gave way with a crunch of bones. Renegade with one fluid movement broke his wrist and immediately after with a kick broke his arm in the space of a few milliseconds. The crunch of breaking bones clearly rang out in the air, followed by Guy's cry of pain, which was silenced with a ferocious punch to the face. The hero fell backwards to the ground and never moved again.

Silence reigned for a while, which was soon broken by Renegade's laughter. "Really? Is that all? I didn't even put all my physical strength into that punch. Man, that was so pathetic I can't even count it as a fight.” he snorted, smiling when most of the heroes laughed. He turned to Wonder Woman who was staring at him with an amused, satisfied and pleased twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. “You know, you should punch him every time he pisses you off. It's really therapeutic.”

The Amazon laughed. “I'll consider it.”

“Just one punch.” Barry snorted. “All his arrogance… and he was knocked down with a single punch.”

Green Arrow nodded. “What an idiot."

“Now that I've taken down the biggest asshole and son of a bitch of the League, do I have a pass or do I have to kick your ass too?”

The heroes exchanged a look and all came to the same conclusion. “You can go.” Superman finally stated with a slight smile on his lips.

All eyes focused on Batman who hadn't said any words. He shrugged indifferently. “Just this once since you have humiliated and put Guy in his place.”

I never thought that Bruce would let me go for once. Eh, he must hate Guy's guts too.

“Then see you next time. Heroes.” the Talon's masked eyes moved to Wonder Woman and he smiled at her. "Princess."

The demigoddess smiled back. “Young warrior.”

Renegade threw smoke bombs at the ground and smoke soon filled the area, forcing the heroes to cough.

“Will you ever stop, dude? It is not needed!" Green Arrow shouted once again into thin air between coughs.

As the smoke cleared the heroes quickly realized something.

“Where is Guy's body?”

For a few seconds there was an awkward silence during which the heroes looked at each other uncertainly.

“Renegade won't kill him, right?”

Shazam shook his head. “Renegade does not kill heroes or innocents.” he answered Vixen's question. He hesitated and cast a dubious look at Wonder Woman. "Right?"

The Amazon shrugged indifferently, an amused and playful glint in her eyes. “I wouldn't mind if I never had to deal with Guy again.”

Her response didn't reassure the rest of the team at all.

Diana was extremely confused and surprised when, the next time she unfortunately met Guy a few days later on the Watchtower, she received an apology from him with his solemn promise that he will never speak to her again except on League matters. 

Guy didn't have any visible wounds but Diana noticed his face paler and more gaunt than usual, his figure a little thinner, his hair disheveled but above all his eyes surrounded by heavy dark circles -as if he hadn't slept for a long time- which showed his current emotional state deeply paranoid, scared to death, tormented and traumatized.

The Amazon knew that Renegade was responsible for Guy's sudden change in attitude and was not at all surprised that the mercenary was a skilled master of psychological and emotional torture and Guy was living proof of this.

She should thank him properly as soon as possible, she thought.

Seeing Guy completely change direction every time he saw her was just hilarious and satisfying.

Once again I thank you deeply, Renegade.

Dick drummed his fingers on the bed, his eyes moving lazily throughout his bedroom.

During the trip back to New York on the plane, the last Flying Grayson mentally retraced all his interactions with Wonder Woman -from the first since they officially met to the last- and, after he came to a realization disconcerting and surprising, he almost lost control of the plane and was forced to put it on autopilot all the way to the city.

Not because he -wouldn't- have died if he had crashed but because otherwise Slade would have forced him to pay him back for the plane with his own money, especially if he had discovered the reason for the crash.

With a pained and desperate groan the Talon covered his face with his hands, feeling a heavy blush cover his pale face.

Sandra had been right this whole time.

Dick was in love with Wonder Woman. 

Damn. Fucking Hell. I'm so fucking screwed, fuck.

“Tell me, director.”

“I'll get straight to the point of this call. You have to stop Renegade. It doesn't matter by what means and at what price. We can't let Renegade continue to do whatever the fuck he want not only on American soil but around the world. He must be stopped once and for all.”     

“Do you still want him alive?”

“This time it's different. It's indifferent. If you manage to capture him alive, he will be transferred not to Belle Reve but to a maximum security A.R.G.U.S. facility and he’ll become a member of Task Force X. If he gets killed instead, well, we definitely won't mourn him. He has become a real thorn in our side to the point that he has millions of supporters on his side in his cause of killing criminals around the world and we can't afford that. He must be eliminated.”

“Understood.”

“Once again you have all the resources you need.”

 “Thank you, Mrs. Bordeaux.”

“One last thing.”

“Tell me, director.”

“You've been trying to capture Renegade ever since he appeared seven years ago. I know this has become personal for you and I also know that he represents an extreme classified threat and that we don't even know his civilian identity but this time don't fail. I received a call from the President of the US a little while ago and he personally stated that Renegade must be stopped at all costs, no matter the consequences.” 

"Received. I will do my best to neutralize Renegade.”

"Good. We will talk later."

“Goodbye, director.”

Amanda Waller put her phone aside and swiveled in her swivel chair in her office at Belle Reve Penitentiary. She grabbed a dart from her desk and threw it.

The dart stuck perfectly into the head of the target with Renegade's face fixed on the wall.

The woman smiled creepily.

“This time I will eliminate you permanently, Renegade. Even if it's the last thing I do."

Chapter Text

Amanda Waller entered the room with heavy, loud footsteps and one of the guards following her closed the door behind them. As soon as she entered the room the chatter stopped abruptly and she met several pairs of cold eyes.

“Well well, look who shows up.” Captain Boomerang spat venomously, glaring at her with nothing but hatred in his eyes.

Enchantress snorted derisively. “Another mission?”

The director of Belle Reve Penitentiary nodded. “That's right.” she walked over to the table and slammed a photo on it.

All the assembled super-villains immediately recognized the face of the image. "Absolutely not." Harley Quinn growled, her usual smirk slipping away quickly. “Whatever you or the fucking American government wants from him, I won't help you.”

Amanda ignored her and began explaining her mission. “I want you to catch Renegade off guard after one of his usual contracts and take him down by any means. It doesn't matter how or at what price and I don't care if you bring him back alive or dead. I just want Renegade out of the picture.”

“Have you developed a hearing problem, bitch?” Killer Croc growled dangerously, baring all his sharp teeth at her threateningly. “Our answer is fucking no.”

Deadshot shrugged casually as Amanda's gaze fell on him. "Nope."

Enchantress nodded, crossing her arms in determination. “Absolutely not.”

King Shark simply remained silent, staring at the black woman with an indecipherable gaze.

“Don't be idiots.” Rick Flag, one of Amanda's most loyal and trusted agents and leader of Task Force X aka Suicide Squad, growled. “Waller has given you a mission and you will complete it without discussion.”

“Yeah, no.”

Amanda narrowed her eyes coldly at Harley Quinn and smirked menacingly. "Oh? And why on earth, let's hear?”

“Because that guy is one of the best people I've ever met and he's making the world a better place far more effectively than you, the A.R.G.U.S and the American government in general.” the former psychiatrist stated bluntly, meeting the older woman's gaze without any fear.

“I've watched him grow since he was a little boy and he's a nephew to me.” Killer Croc growled. “I wouldn't betray him for the world.”

“He's one of my best friends and he pushed me towards the anti-hero side rather than the super-villain side, improving my life.” the red-haired, green-eyed sorceress continued, her frown deepening. “I owe him a lot. He's like an annoying brother but much more skilled than anyone I've ever met.”

“I'm not suicidal enough to chase him.” Captain Boomerang snorted. “Although I have met him a few times, it is undoubtedly obvious that this boy is capable of things that no one can even imagine. I bet if you ever catch him, and I strongly emphasize if, he will escape Belle Reve in less than 24 hours.”

“In fact, if he is captured alive he will not be transferred to Belle Reve.”

Floyd Lawton pursed his lips. “And where, then?”

Amanda's cold, icy smile sent shivers down his spine. “In a maximum security facility of the A.R.G.U.S. where there is literally the worst of the worst and it is impossible to escape, much more so than this prison. In comparison, Belle Reve is a walk in the park.”

Harley Quinn's eyes widened in shock and she gasped as if she had been physically hit. “There is the greatest scum of all humanity there! Criminals without any moral restrictions towards anything or anyone as serial killers, rapists, depraved and mentally ill people, pedophiles, traffickers of children, organs and human beings and more! None of them would hesitate to sell, rape, torture or kill their parents or children if it meant lessening their sentence by even one measly year! At least most of us super-villains have some sort of moral compass but they don't!”

“Bingo.”

“You can't take him there!” June Moone hissed angrily, her green eyes gleaming with fury and panic. “Those sick bastards wouldn't hesitate to team up with each other to put Renegade through hell! Not after he brutally killed hundreds and hundreds of guys like them!

Dick has already suffered immensely and undeservedly in his life and he definitely doesn't deserve to go through a second hell again, dammit!

“It's not my problem.” Amanda shrugged her shoulders indifferently and impassively. “It's what he deserves to play God all over the world.”

“His playing God, as you call it, has caused crime to drop by many percentages internationally and has wiped out the scum of the world.” Killer Croc spat venomously. “He's more effective than you fucking state slaves! Just because Ren is out of your control doesn't mean he should be stopped!”

Deadshot nodded in agreement. “Renegade definitely doesn't deserve to end up in that hell.”

I might not like Slade but Dick definitely doesn't deserve this. That boy is truly special and unique.

“Unfortunately for you, the order comes from Mrs. Sasha Bordeaux, director of the A.R.G.U.S. who in turn received the order directly from the president.” Amanda declared in a mock-sweet, honeyed voice, as if she were talking to stubborn children.

Several snorts sounded. "Obviously. I bet that son of a bitch hasn't gotten out of his chair since he put his ass in it.” Waylon James drawled sarcastically.

Rick Flag growled at him. “Give respect to our president, asshole!”

The former Gotham super-villain rattled loudly the heavily reinforced chains that kept him immobilized. “Why don't you tell me closer, you coward?” he smirked at him, his sharp teeth clicking together forcefully.

“Only this shitty nation is actively hunting Renegade.” June snorted bitterly.

“There is literally an international arrest warrant for Renegade.” Rick pointed out, looking away from the giant crocodile to stare at the sorceress.

“It's just a formality and you all know it.” she responded by waving a hand dismissively. “No other state in the entire world is actively trying to stop Renegade as they all secretly agree with his methods, even if for obvious reasons they cannot express that opinion publicly. Only the US wants Renegade out of the picture only because they don't have any form of control over him and he basically does his job all over the world which strokes the egos of senior US officials. After all, it's the same thing as the fact that you can't even keep the heroes on a leash: it's always been bugging you since the Justice League doesn't answer to you but is independent of everyone."

“Especially you, Waller.” Harley Quinn sent her a smug, mischievous smirk. “Ever since Renegade appeared you have been trying to capture him but every single one of your attempts has failed miserably. Tell me, you fucking whore.” she placed her hands on the table and stared at her intently, her blue eyes dancing with wild mirth. “What does it feel like to fall so low and hit rock bottom so desperately that you have to enlist the help of the Suicide Squad to capture Renegade?”

Amanda stared back coldly and approached her with a slow, menacing step. “All you bastards will help me.”

“I don't think so.” Captain Boomerang shook his head. “Not just because most of us care deeply about him or, in my and King Shark's case, are fucking terrified of him and still respect him a lot, but also because how do you think it's possible for us to capture him?”

“I will make your heads explode if you don't accept the mission.” Amanda growled, pulling out the remote control that would activate the bombs implanted in the super-villains' heads.

"Go ahead. For Renegade I would die every day." Enchantress stated, contemptuous of her own life.

For Dick this and much more.

The other super-villains nodded. “Then you will have to waste your precious resources, time and energy capturing other super-villains, implanting bombs in their heads and inevitably repeat the cycle once they too learn of your mission, rejecting it without hesitation.” Deadshot pointed out with a smirk.

“And then we're the bad guys.” the Joker's ex-girlfriend muttered.

“If you don't I will not hesitate to persecute your daughter Zoe, Lawton.”

“You fucking bitch!” the best sniper in the world roared furiously and pointed a finger in his direction. “If you even dare-“

“Oh, I dare indeed.” Amanda cut him off coldly, her eyes shining with victory at his reaction. “As I have said several times, I have no qualms about achieving my goals, especially if it involves stopping that bastard Renegade.”

“And then we're the bad guys part two.”

Floyd clenched his fists but didn't move an inch, knowing that she would be able to blow his head off if he made a threatening move towards her. He contented himself with giving her his scariest look but predictably she wasn't scared at all.

“You know, it won't take long.”

Waller's gaze shifted to the sorceress and regarded her warily. “What are you talking about?”

“About Renegade notices our absence.” Enchantress pointed out with a smirk, her green eyes sparkling with cold, deadly joy. “What do you think he will do when he finds out about the Suicide Squad? That some of his greatest friends are under the control of a bastard like you and forced to go on suicide missions authorized by the president himself because you're just fucking pussies threatening us with bombs implanted in our heads?”

“Renegade will never discover the existence of the Suicide Squad.” Amanda bluntly denied it. “This will only happen when he is eventually not killed but captured alive, sent to a maximum security facility of the A.R.G.U.S. and included within this team. If neither the JL nor any super-villain is aware of this team, he won't be either.” she stated confidently.

Some super-villains burst out laughing. “You are more naive than I thought if you truly believe that Renegade is on the same level as the JL or the other super-villains.” Harley Quinn scoffed with a snort. “He is totally of a higher class than the heroes. Like my friend said, it's only a matter of time before Renegade finds out your true nature and all this shit.

“And when he does, he will not hesitate to break you in every way, to irreversibly ruin the A.R.G.U.S. and cast US departments, even the president himself, in a bad light.” the ex-psychiatrist's smile became even more crazy and sinister, a disturbing glint in her blue eyes. “How do you think the whole world will react once it finds out that the highest leaders of the US, the so-called bearers and supporters of freedom and justice, authorize such a violation of human rights? Believe me: Renegade will not hesitate to make public such information that will go around the world in a few seconds. It doesn't take him long to hack every computer server, so it's not a big challenge for him at all.

“Renegade will totally humiliate the US which will lose prestige, credibility and funding internationally, in the media and among its own citizens, thus ruining the lives of all you fucking slaves of this shitty corrupt system. And he has many allies in the criminal world on his side. And most likely even the Justice League itself will help him because they, although pain in the ass, are true heroes and will not look the other way once they know how much the US government sucks. This country's reputation will be permanently ruined and destroyed thanks to Renegade and there is nothing you can do to stop him once he has a plan to carry out."

Amanda Waller stared with an icy, impassive, indecipherable gaze at Harley Quinn, gritting her teeth furiously when the other super-villains shouted in agreement with their teammate.

“I can smell your fear.” Killer Croc purred, a creepy smirk on his monstrous face. “Who would have thought that the powerful Waller could give in to fear?”

Amanda ignored him. “Renegade won't do anything like that. I have some cards to play that would prevent him from following such actions.”

"Oh?" Captain Boomerang tilted his head to the side, a curious and amused twinkle in his eyes. “And what are these cards?”

“It's none of your business.” the director of Belle Reve declared coldly. “It's clear that I'm just wasting my precious time here on you bastard sons of bitches. I'll have to find another way to neutralize Renegade once and for all.”

Enchantress waved a hand lazily in her direction, a victorious smile playing on her lips. “Good luck, you fucking bitch. I hope Renegade tears you to pieces until there's nothing left of you, damn you."

Amanda didn't dignify her with an answer and turned away, waving to a guard at Belle Reve Penitentiary as she began to walk away. Just before leaving she gave a sadistic and satisfied smile when she heard curses and agonized screams of pain from the super-villains who were shocked with high voltage electricity thanks to the inhibitor collars around their necks.

She closed the door behind her, their screams still ringing softly in her ears as if it were classical music.

Suffer, rubbish and rot that you are nothing else. I’ll also neutralize Renegade soon.

It doesn't matter whether alive or dead. I will take down that arrogant bastard once and for all.

Chapter Text

Renegade grabbed the woman in front of him by the neck and easily let her dangle half a meter from the ground, enjoying her strangled sounds and terrified, panicked eyes. “Justice for Andrew, bitch.”

Recognition flashed in her eyes and soon after the Talon fatally snapped her neck. He contemptuously threw her corpse on the ground, took a photo of her lifeless body with his work cell phone and sent it to his client.

In this case he had been hired by a mother who desperately wanted justice and revenge for the death of her 20-year-old son Andrew who died in a car accident last year.

Or at least it would have been a car accident if his current victim, Hannah, hadn't had a blood alcohol level 4 points above the legal limit to the point that she hadn't stopped at the red light and had hit the poor boy without giving him priority at pedestrian crossings.

One of the many demonstrations of how sometimes the justice system may suck -not only in the US but in general throughout the world- was the fact that since her parents were influential and important people -her father was a judge and her mother a surgeon- Hannah only got by with house arrest for a few months.

Corruption sucks.

His phone rang, distracting him from his thoughts, and he noticed that he had received his $2,500 payment along with a message of profound thanks.

Dick often accepted such low wages both because he didn't lack money at all but above all because he simply wanted to provide a sort of comfort and justice for the people who needed it, as in this case.

Hell, it wasn't uncommon for him to bring contracts to terms for free. The only thing he wanted was to do good in this world with his methods and the pay was therefore something secondary to him.

Nothing more and nothing less.

He placed his work phone in one of the numerous compartments of his armor but didn't have time to do anything else when suddenly a female voice rang out clearly from outside through a megaphone.

“Surrender, Renegade! You're surrounded! Leave the house with your hands behind your head!”

The acrobat sighed, recognizing Amanda Waller's voice.

Hasn't Waller given up yet after all her failed attempts to capture me?

Dick took full advantage of his enhanced hearing and, hearing only a single heartbeat that surely belonged to the black woman, frowned in confusion.

Why would she bluff that I'm surrounded? Unless it's a trap or something and, knowing her, it probably is.

His gaze moved to the stairs that would lead to the upper floor and then also to the roof of the house.

I could get up on the roof and lose her with my superhuman speed and agility and some smoke bombs. I know that bitch, though, and I know there's sure to be some sniper out there ready to blow my brains out as soon as I step on the roof and, even if that doesn't kill me, it's fucking annoying to run around with a goddamn bullet, or worse, in my head along with any many fragments and even though I know I could make it, it's fucking annoying to pull bullets out of my head.

For a long time Dick had remembered an important detail about his last year with the Court of Owls: namely, the fact that while in the first two years with the Owls he was tortured and killed in the worst possible ways, he arrived at the third year that he was totally accustomed to the sensation of death to the point that he had become numb to it, that is, he could continue to fight even with numerous deadly and lethal wounds inflicted on his body.

In fact, it was not uncommon for him to be forced to brutally fight a dozen Talons after Cobb had stuck a knife on his throat, head, heart and so on without being given the order to be able to pull them out.

Basically, unless something out of the ordinary happened or he was fatally struck with some divine, magical, and that sort of weapon, Dick could not die at all.

Except apparently for magic because it was fucking irrational.

So the Owls, exploiting this ability/curse, brutally trained Dick so that he could continue to survive and fight even with dozens and dozens of lethal and fatal wounds on his body.

However, the thought of forcing Slade or someone else to extract any bullets, or shrapnel, from his head because otherwise his healing factor would be slowed down was not at all appealing.

So with an annoyed sigh the mercenary made the decision to go out the front door to face Waller and almost certainly her trap. He stepped outside and arched an eyebrow under his mask when he saw only Amanda Waller in the middle of the street tens of meter away from him with a megaphone in her hand.

There was literally no living soul except her: no cars or civilians walking by.

It was as if at that moment one of Portland's main streets was a fucking desert.

Alarm bells rang in the head of the acrobat, who dramatically spread his arms wide. “Aren't you getting tired of trying to capture me, Waller? After seven years of countless miserably failed attempts?”

“This time I will capture you, no matter if dead or alive!” she snarled.

The Talon narrowed the white slits of his red mask. “Eh. Something must have changed. You used to want to capture me alive. What, did your superiors get fed up with the fact that they can't control me or something and want me out of the picture?”

“I suggest you put your hands behind your head, you arrogant asshole!”

“Or what? What's your lousy plan this time?” he challenged her in a lazy, nonchalant voice. “I have better things to do than-”

“Now.”

Renegade froze and his head snapped upward, opening his eyes wide when he saw at least a dozen military helicopters flying over the sky above him. The thing he heard after the noisy rumble of the helicopters were so many screams and heavy footsteps, and he brought his eyes back to his front, opening his mouth wide when he saw an unconceivable number of soldiers, marines and officers coming up from numerous directions and quickly surrounding both him and the dwelling behind him, blocking his every way out.

There were so many men and women that Dick could not even give a rough estimate of how many there actually were.

Amanda Waller stood in front of all these officers and stepped forward, sending him a cold, victorious smile. “I've rounded up many hundreds of the best military, marines, federal agents from the FBI, NCIS, CIA, DEA and other federal agencies. They are among the best shooters and they will not miss you. Surrounding us are more than twenty of the best snipers in the U.S., ready to shoot you if you move even an inch. More than ten military helicopters will keep track of your every movement with thermal technology.”

“Well, they're not the best snipers in the world. That title goes to me, Deadshot and Deathstroke, you know?” the Talon remarked lazily, smiling at her indifferent and annoyed look.

Renegade looked around, meeting without a trace of fear the hundreds of pistols and rifles pointed at his figure and the expressionless faces of every soldier, marine and federal agent that formed a huge circle made up of at least 10 layers, all attached to each other and with no margin of distance from each other.

“Even you can't get away from hundreds and hundreds of the best marksmen in the entire United States, Renegade.” the mercenary's gaze shifted to Waller who was staring at him with a cold, impassive smirk, her brown eyes harder than steel glinting with victory. “Surrender. You cannot escape. Otherwise you will have more holes than a Swiss cheese and go down in history as the one who was riddled with the most bullets ever.”

Renegade again heard a deafening, rumbling noise from above and slowly raised his head, not very surprised when he saw a few more helicopters with the symbols of various news outlets flying overhead.

Just what I needed. I'm probably live internationally right now. That Waller bitch is just itching to brag about catching or killing me, huh?

The anti-hero remained motionless as he again pointed his indecipherable gaze at the countless weapons aimed at him, his mind traveling fast and working overtime.

How can I get out of this situation? Surrendering is not an option. I could simply try to escape and resist the thousands of bullets that will be fired at me. Bullets that hit me from the bottom of my neck down will still ricochet harmlessly off the armor and won't go through it. The real problem is the ones that will shoot me in the head.

Many hundreds among all of them will hit my head and despite my complete training and extraordinary healing factor as Talon, even I am not able to go on with hundreds of bullets in my head and would die momentarily, giving them time to catch me. Or maybe I am able to hold on anyway and I could make it. But in that case I would have to ask someone to extract hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces of bullets from my head and I would like to avoid that, thank you very much.

So running away like this is out of the options and I can't even hurt these military, marines and federal agents: it's not their fault they are being exploited by that bitch Waller and, besides, they are the heroes of this nation and I would rather behead myself than hurt a single one of them.

“Time is running out, Renegade.” the Belle Reve director growled impatiently.

“Surely you cannot kill me until I move, Waller.” Renegade sent her an innocent smile. “What will the whole world think if you give orders to your men to riddle with bullets a 17-year-old who hasn't moved an inch? The U.S. will lose a lot of credibility and everyone will want the head of you, your superiors and even the president since, come on, only the president can authorize the use of so many resources.”

He watched in satisfaction as a flash of annoyance crossed Amanda Waller's usually composed and indifferent features before she smiled coldly at him. “Between you and me, I hope you move so I can watch you get riddled with bullets.”

The Talon merely returned the menacing smirk but chose to remain silent, preferring to think of a fucking escape route. He immediately remembered how he had left the door of the house behind him open and was certain that no other agents were inside both because that dwelling had only one access and because his enhanced hearing picked up a lot of heartbeats but a lot behind him, that is, outside and on the other side of the house.

Of course, Dick did not know what he was going to do once he barricaded himself inside the house but he would deal with that later.

Renegade took a deep breath and suddenly began to run at top superhuman speed behind him, ducking his head so that it was protected by the raised collar of his armor that protected the back of his neck.

Violent, deafening noises of bullets exploded around him as he zeroed in on the few meters that kept him and the dwelling separated and as he continued to run he brought his hands to his ears, not surprised when he absentmindedly felt his fingers wet with blood, and he winced slightly at the pain in his ears.

The good thing about the electrum was that it made Dick extremely fast and agile: much more even than Slade's super serum. So it took him not even three seconds -during which he felt thousands of bullets bounce harmlessly off his armor, boots, greaves and collar- to cross the threshold of the house and snap to the side, immediately closing the door. He immediately backed away from the window, which began to shatter into a thousand pieces from the numerous bullets, and quickly cleaned up the blood from the ground -shortly thanking whatever higher entity existed for the fact that he had put his hands over his ears just in time to prevent his blood from falling to the ground in the driveway outside-, wiping away any evidence of his DNA, and, after stuffing a special device into his ears that would muffle the deafening sound of gunfire just enough to block the bleeding from his ears, he ran with his head lowered toward the upper floor, climbing the stairs.

Waller's voice, though muffled by his equipment, nevertheless rang out clearly through the megaphone she used.

“If you do not leave the dwelling within 1 minute I will give the order for my men to fire 3 missiles at it!”

Dick could not hold back a derisive snort as he positioned himself in a strategic corner of the room.

Really you have even equipped some of your officers with fucking rocket launchers? Not that they will be able to kill me, of course, but still.

His mind continued to wander quickly, deciding what to do and ignoring thousands more bullets that broke the 4 windows -one on each side- of the upper floor.

Now he was completely surrounded on all sides of the dwelling and-

Wait a minute! Waller said that military helicopters are equipped with thermal technology that tracks body temperature! This means that since I do not possess a heartbeat and am very cold to the touch, they will have a much harder time tracking me and therefore I can escape from them faster!

Dick had never loved being without a heartbeat more at that moment.

Now I just have to find a way to escape the hundreds of guns surrounding the house pointed at me.

His gaze fell on the four walls of the room in which there were present four windows, one on each side. A victorious smirk formed between his lips and the young assassin sneered.

Fuck you, Waller. Now I'm going to humiliate you globally. Serves you right, you fucking bitch.

Amanda Waller growled impatiently and raised her megaphone. “You have 20 seconds left before I give the order to blow up the dwelling with you in it, Renegade!” she shouted, motioning to the 3 officers holding rocket launchers to wait again until further notice and they nodded to her.

She longed for Renegade to blow himself up so that this could be over once and for all.

That would be good fucking riddance.

From her warning about 7 more seconds of tense, heavy silence passed.

Then the world around her erupted into absolute hell.

Amanda screamed after she was violently hit by a blinding white light while simultaneously her ears began to ring painfully following a deafening sound, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground with a grunt. Her head collided violently with the asphalt of the road, wrenching a painful grunt from her.

The blinding lasted about 5 seconds and she weakly opened her eyes, blinking numerous times in an attempt to banish the residual flashes of light from her vision. With difficulty she rose to her feet, staggering sideways and almost falling again due to the state of imbalance her body was currently in. She blinked a few more times, ignoring the trickle of blood flowing from a deep gash from her temple, and with immense horror and shock realized that literally all of the hundreds of officers in front of the dwelling were on the ground, all of them as stunned as she was.

Amanda began to run and took about a minute to circumnavigate the house from the outside and with growing horror realized that on every side around the house there was not a single person not stunned by whatever the hell had happened. With her heart beating rapidly in her chest she pointed a finger in the direction of the first person she saw. “You! What the hell happened?” she growled dangerously, her eyes darkening.

The unfortunate man -a federal agent of the FBI- swallowed nervously and straightened his back. “Apparently the subject somehow managed to simultaneously launch a minimum of four stun grenades to each side outside the house, paralyzing us all and effectively neutralizing our line of action.”

The director of Belle Reve as well as an A.R.G.U.S. operational officer cursed sonorously. “Damn it! What the hell are you morons doing standing still? Spread out and fucking look for him!” she snapped angrily and all the officers went to work while she brought a hand to her ear, linking up with the helicopter pilots. “Where is Renegade right now?”

“Ms. Waller, I regret to inform you that we have lost track of Renegade.”

“With thermal technology how the fuck is that possible?”

"There was an anomaly in that regard, ma'am. We noticed that we had difficulty from the beginning keeping track of Renegade with thermal technology: it's as if his body temperature is much lower than normal and therefore it's much harder to locate him, if not impossible."

“Are you telling me that Renegade has a body temperature like that of a fucking dead person?”

“Strange as it may be, yes, ma'am.”

She grunted. “I've seen a lot of shit more fucked up than that!” she snapped and changed lines of communication, connecting with the snipers. “I hope for your sake you have Renegade in your sights right now!”

"Negative, ma'am. His stun grenades stunned most of us snipers while those further away who were not stunned reported that they lost track of the subject after Renegade climbed onto the roof, however, throwing smoke grenades that completely hid him from anyone's view."

With resounding expletives she removed the earpiece from her ear and threw it forcefully to the ground, crushing it furiously with one foot, and she also heedlessly tossed to the side the noise-canceling headphones she and everyone else were wearing to avoid being deaf from the previous extremely loud and deafening shooting.

Amanda knew that even with many hundreds of people including marines, military, federal agents and dozens of military helicopters and snipers, they would not be able to find Renegade.

Somehow that asshole managed to stun everyone and effectively use the few seconds he had to evade them all and even some of the world's best snipers.

And apparently that monster bastard was even a fucking undead who could not be located by thermal technology, which made the aid of military helicopters totally useless!

She was not at all surprised when several officers informed her that there was no trace of blood or anything else inside the house that would at least lead back to his civilian identity.

Now she was in a difficult position and her boss Sasha Bordeaux, director of the A.R.G.U.S., would surely have bitten her head off as well as the president of the U.S. who had graciously granted her all these resources...which in the end turned out to be useful as much as food for a dead man.

Not to mention that her failure had been recorded and published and, in no time, would have gone around the world, showing the skill and effectiveness of the lousy mercenary and the ineffectiveness and incompetence of Waller and the U.S. government, just to make matters worse.

This would have meant that Renegade's reputation would have skyrocketed even further and he would have gained many more supporters around the planet that already amounted to many millions and millions.

She clenched her fists fiercely at her side, her jaw ticking minutely as her eyes flashed harshly.

You always have to make my life more difficult, eh Renegade? You filthy bastard monster that you are. I've been hunting you for seven years and you've been fucking ruining my life and my reputation for seven years. Why the hell don't you get caught or die, fucking hell?

At least out of total failure she got something positive out of it.

Waller was holding a tablet that was showing her one of the many recordings made during this operation gone wrong. She slowed down the footage considerably when she got to the part of the shooting in which thousands of bullets were fired -she did not want to put herself in the shoes of the cleanup crew that was supposed to clean up the whole mess- and she saw clearly how Renegade had brought his hands over his ears since his hearing had been damaged by such deafening noise.

She sent a brief thanks to existing technology since otherwise she would never have had this detail since the mercenary had barely been a red and black blur to her eyes given his immense superhuman speed.

Although this was an action that any human being would have performed, Renegade was well known for his virtually infinite pain tolerance.

Consequently, his action of placing his hands over his ears to muffle the pain was an indication of the fact that, most likely, Renegade suffered from a strong hearing sensitivity -and perhaps also to sight - which, almost certainly, were both enhanced given the his status as a meta-human.

These were weaknesses -still uncertain and yet to be verified- that, if confirmed, could have been used to bring down the mercenary once and for all.

And Amanda Waller already had the perfect plan in mind to neutralize Renegade without even having to get her hands dirty herself.

Chapter Text

After shaking hands and sending a friendly smile to the ambassadors of the other countries belonging to the UN, Diana Prince sat down in her seat, ready to finally begin this meeting which had as its main theme diplomatic relations between states around the world, which was why she was there as that was her specialty.

There was a reason why she was the main diplomatic and peace ambassador not only of the USA but practically of the whole world: after all, it was her credit for having managed to prevent a potential armed conflict from breaking out between Russia and Ukraine by arriving to compromises that both sides accepted and, even if her proposals damaged the interests of the United States a little, this did not matter to her at all since the only thing that mattered was having avoided the outbreak of a war.

As Diana absentmindedly followed the discussion, her mind wandered to the events that had occurred a few days earlier.

Following increasingly tense relations between Russia and Ukraine, she had decided to convene an emergency meeting in a neutral territory like Geneva -where there was one of the UN headquarters, although the main one was in New York but for obvious reasons she chose that of Switzerland- in which she had personally requested the exclusive presence of the Russian president, the Ukrainian one, their ministers and herself who played the role of mediator and diplomat between the two states.

There was a high risk of a possible armed conflict between the two states that could even lead to a World War III, which is why she necessarily had to put an end to it immediately. In this way, with her strong, determined and resolute personality, Diana managed to reach compromises for both nations, thus avoiding a hypothetical war that would have only brought countless deaths and destruction in which, in the end, there would have been no winner or defeated. 

From that moment her fame and prestige on an international level increased further, although it did not interest her at all: she was simply happy and satisfied with herself for having successfully avoided the outbreak of a war.

Later that same day, when she returned to Washington, in her home she found another beautifully colored bouquet of gerberas with another note that read:

Excellent and flawless work, Princess. Congratulations are in order for having avoided the outbreak of a war that could have led to World War III. Always said that you are the best, Princess ;) 

From your favorite mercenary friend, Renegade.

The Amazon's reaction was to smile affectionately at Renegade's cute and pleasant gesture and his beautiful words and this time she did not hesitate at all in taking care of this bouquet of gerberas too, placing it in another corner of the house that required more color and embellishment.

At that moment her chest burst with happiness and warmth and it was one of the best feelings she had ever felt.

Diana returned to the present, just in time to reconnect with the speech of the Spanish ambassador who was responding to a question posed by the representative of Australia.

“…and that's why we should-“  

The demigoddess was the first of all to turn around, even before the doors of the meeting room were slammed violently. Her muscles immediately tensed when five men armed with AK-47 rifles, masked by ski masks and wearing military flak jackets abruptly burst into the room, shouting in a language she didn't recognize.

She ignored the gasps and terrified, panicked sounds of her colleagues, ready to kick these criminals/terrorists' asses, regardless of her secret identity.

She wouldn't hesitate for even a second to reveal her identity as Wonder Woman to the entire world if it meant saving one person's life, let alone nearly two hundred.

Diana expected them to start shooting as soon as they set foot in the room and she was already ready to deflect all the bullets with her bracelets that she always wore, hidden by the sleeves of her shirts. Instead, she was surprised when their eyes wandered from one ambassador to another.

They almost certainly have a single precise target to eliminate.

Just when she was about to deal with them with her diplomatic skills and make them see sense, telling them that this would be their biggest bullshit ever and that they would be persecuted by practically the entire world, a criminal's eyes fell on of her and remained fixed.

The terrorist shouted in his native language which she did not know, attracting the attention of his comrades who were holding all the ambassadors at gunpoint, and he pointed in her direction.

Alarm bells rang in her head and she immediately came to the conclusion.

Oh, well. I'm the target.

Before Diana could fly with her immense supernatural speed and take down all the terrorists before they even had a chance to shoot her, suddenly one of the windows shattered loudly and blood and brain matter violently splattered away from the man who had pointed at her. The other terrorists suddenly turned towards the direction from which the window broke and in less than 3 seconds two more shots rang out deafeningly and shrill, killing as many criminals.

The last two gunmen shouted in their own language -and Diana suspected they were panicking or something, judging by their body language- and turned towards her, making her tense up. However, they had no time to do anything at all as two more shots followed within a few hundredths of a second, killing them in cold blood.

For a brief moment a tense and heavy silence reigned which was finally broken by Diana who turned to the other ambassadors. “We should be safe now but it’s better stay under the table and call security immediately and if they don't respond, alert the local authorities.” she ordered, instinctively taking command of the situation.

She waited for a few shaky nods before standing up and heading in the direction of the dead terrorists. She examined all five corpses and noticed that each of them had a bloody hole either between the eyes or right in the brain: in any case they never had even the slightest chance of survival given the fatality of their wounds that killed them on the spot, without even giving them the opportunity to understand what the hell was going on.

The princess of Themyscira's gaze shifted to the side, observing the shattered window that theoretically should have been highly bulletproof. She approached the window and her eyes moved outward, looking in particular at the different buildings that flanked the UN base, but she didn't notice any oddities or anything out of the ordinary. She turned and mentally calculated the angle of trajectory from the various buildings that could be seen to the corpses of the terrorists and, although she was not the most expert in mathematical calculations, everything roughly matched.  

It was definitely a sniper. And a very experienced, skilled and lethal one since firing five shots so quickly requires a mastery of the weapon unique in the world, not to mention being aware of and possessing the caliber capable of breaking through bulletproof glass.

Although it might have been quite obvious, she had witnessed things that were definitely out of the ordinary, so being certain wasn't a bad thing at all.

“By any chance, every time we get together there are snipers who have the task of monitoring us and protecting us in cases like these?” she asked, turning to stare at the other people in the room.

Most of them shook their heads. "No. There are only security guards outside the facility and outside the meeting room but no snipers.” the Canadian ambassador replied.

“No one from internal security responded, so I contacted local authorities.” the Liechtenstein representative informed them in a trembling voice, clearly still shaken by the whole affair.

Diana sent them a nod and her eyes fell on her colleague from Japan when he spoke. “It seemed as if they specifically wanted to eliminate you, Mrs. Prince.”

“I noticed it too and that was most likely the case.” she confirmed with a sigh. “Although I don't know why.”

Afterwards she ignored the chatter in the background and returned her attention to the broken window, or to be more precise, what was outside it.

It's as if I had some sort of guardian sniper who saved my life. Or rather, prevented me from revealing my identity as Wonder Woman.

A sudden thought flashed through her mind and her heart skipped a beat.

Maybe it was him. I honestly wouldn't be surprised at all if that were the case.

“I'm going out for a moment to clear my head a bit.” she announced loudly, getting everyone's attention. “If the local authorities arrive, tell them I will show up in a few minutes. I need some time alone." she lied.

After dismissing their concerns -futile but welcome nonetheless- by telling them that she would be fine and that the threat had been neutralized, she left the meeting room and headed for the bathroom and, certain that no one else was there, she he opened the small window at the top and exited the UN facility, flying away towards the general direction from which the shots were coming.

It didn't take long to glimpse a small figure on the roof of a huge building about 300 meters from the UN base and in less than two seconds she closed the distance thanks to her supernatural speed. She remained floating in mid-air, her eyes widening as she immediately recognized the figure.

“I knew it wouldn't take you long to find me, Princess.”

Chapter Text

“I knew it wouldn't take you long to find me, Princess.”

The demigoddess was greeted with a smirk from Renegade who motioned for her to come closer to him on the roof.

“You don't want to show up in Geneva only after the terrorist attack has been foiled, do you? Everyone would wonder why the heroes didn't intervene sooner and that's something we can't afford."

He had a valid point and she didn't hesitate to levitate towards him until her feet touched the roof of the building, stopping just under a meter away in front of him. Her eyes moved to the sniper rifle case on the ground next to him and although she had known this before when she flew out of the UN facility, this was still the final proof. “It was you.”

“Bingo.” Renegade sent her finger guns with a growing smirk and began to explain to her questioning gaze. “You know, I have many informants all over the world who have a duty to keep me informed of every single detail of what goes on in the criminal world. As you may have already understood, it was a terrorist attack against not the UN but against Diana Prince, the best diplomatic ambassador of the USA and in general of the whole world."

Diana doubted she would ever get used to the compliments that Renegade kept giving her so casually, as if they were so obvious that they weren't even worth pointing out just how obvious and certain they actually were. She felt her heart start to beat slightly faster and motioned for him to continue, hoping he hadn't noticed the slight blush that appeared on her cheeks.

If the assassin noticed, he gave no sign of having done so. “So you can well understand that I would never let those bastards even dare to think about hurting you, Princess.”

Wonder Woman couldn't help but give him a small smile, genuinely touched by his intense protectiveness towards her even though it wasn't necessary. “You know you didn't have to do that, right? I would have had no problem shooting them down.”

“I know but this would have raised a lot of questions and in the end everyone would have understood that you are Wonder Woman and you would have lost your civilian identity that you have built with so much effort and commitment for years. You have a full right to your privacy and civil identity and I would never have been able to forgive myself if I hadn't helped you maintain it.”

The Amazon gave him a bright smile. “If it hadn't been for you I would have lost my civil identity and, even if I could have adapted to that situation anyway, I would have had many problems and I would also have lost my privacy which is so dear to me. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart, young warrior.”

Dick lowered his head slightly enough to prevent the woman he was deeply in love with from seeing his entire face turn a deep shade of red. “Well, you're welcome, Princess. It also wasn't something that noteworthy.”

Diana bit her tongue hard to hold back the strong urge to reveal to him how he was so cute when he was embarrassed and shy. She cleared her throat, quickly discarding that thought. “Don't belittle yourself, Renegade. First, you had no duty or reason to do so other than out of your own kindness, thoughtfulness and goodness of heart and for that I appreciate it infinitely.”

The mercenary shifted a little uncomfortably from all the compliments he had received and Diana mentally giggled.

Now you feel exactly what I feel when you do the same to me.

“Second of all, it's not exactly the easiest thing in the world to kill 5 terrorists in as many seconds from like 300 meters away

“367 meters, to be precise.”

The demigoddess raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I didn't know you were also an expert sniper, although I probably should have guessed.”

“There's a reason why the title of best sniper in the world is currently shared by me and Deadshot.” he revealed, further increasing her surprise and wonder. “After all, we are both capable of exceeding 4000 meters of distance with the sniper rifle and of hitting the target perfectly with impeccable aim, far superior to the current recognized world record.”

Wonder Woman stared at him with open wonder and amazement dancing in her blue eyes. “It's an amazing and incredible skill to say the least, Renegade.” she praised him with genuine admiration for him.

Just when I thought he couldn't amaze me this much anymore… I should have known better by now.

The assassin sent her a beaming smile that made her knees feel a little jelly. “Thank you, Princess.”

Wonder Woman couldn't help but automatically smile back. “You're welcome.” the terrorist attack against her crossed her mind along with a few questions in particular. “Do you happen to know who is responsible for this attack? Is this a mafia, a terrorist cell or something?”

The acrobat's smile was replaced by a slight grimace and he nodded. “It was the ISIS.”

The super-heroine opened her eyes wide in shock, not expecting that response. “ISIS? And why did they target me to kill?”

“You know they hate the United States to death, so what better attack would it have been than to kill their and the entire world's best diplomatic ambassador and what better time would it have been than within a few days of you avoiding a hypothetical Third World War?”

Diana pursed her lips and nodded, unable to counter his valid points. “How did five terrorists get past the entire UN security?”

“This time they clearly preferred stealth to a mass attack. Apparently they had already killed the security members many hours earlier and donned their uniforms, blending in perfectly with the real guards and taking out the others while acting unnoticed.” Renegade looked away from her, guiltily. “I'm sorry, Princess. I didn’t know it. Otherwise I would have eliminated them before they even reached the meeting room but, when I realized it, it was too late.”

The woman felt her heart clench painfully at the clear sense of guilt that was eating him from inside. “It's not your fault, Renegade. You couldn't have foreseen their plan.”

Her attempt at reassurance did not have the desired effect as he still did not meet her gaze. Diana didn't hesitate and grabbed his chin with her fingers in a firm but gentle grip and tenderly turned his face, gently lifting his head and forcing him to face her.

“I'm serious, Renegade. You couldn't predict what their plan would be since you can't always know everything. You are not omniscient, not even close. Because, like you said, if you had known, you would have stopped them before they even started their plan. Things often get out of hand and we can't do anything about it. No one can always be in control of the situation, no matter how hard we try.”

Diana fixed him with a gaze both firm and determined and sweet and, after a brief hesitation of a few seconds, she threw caution and tenderly ran her thumb over his cheek, surprising herself when she felt his skin soft but cold and freezing to the touch but for now she put it aside, concentrating resolutely on her goal.

Despite his skin being cold to the touch it was still a sensation that she found pleasant.

At that moment she longed to be able to rip that damned red mask off of him and finally be able to see his eyes and understand what was going through his head.

I wonder what color his eyes are and what shade.

The Amazon quickly hid the sudden thought in the remotest part of her mind, pretending nothing had happened, and continued.

“You are one of the kindest, most thoughtful, sweetest people I have ever met. You eliminate the scum from the world to make our planet a better place and you are effectively accomplishing that. With your killings you bring peace, serenity and reassurance to thousands, if not millions, of people around the world. And the guilt you are feeling right now fully demonstrates the heart of gold and full of kindness and goodness you possess. You have helped the Justice League several times, especially in the battle against the Injustice League where we almost died. We are alive solely because of you and your heroism.

“It's not your fault, Renegade. Not even remotely. Indeed, it was you who prevented me from revealing my real identity to the whole world and it is exclusively thanks to you that I still have a civil identity and privacy, even if you had no obligation to do so but you only did it out of your goodness and because you always want to do the right thing. So no: it's absolutely not your fault, young warrior. Do you understand?”

All the time Dick was enchanted by her wonderful blue eyes so intense and bright: the most fucking beautiful he had ever seen and in the whole damn universe. He couldn't believe his eyes when Diana grabbed his chin with such a firm yet gentle grip and was even more shocked when she tenderly ran her thumb over his cheek, fixing him with the most intense, sweet and tender gaze anyone had ever given him.

Dick wasn't lying when he thought he was so fucking close to passing out, which he didn't even think was possible for him given his Talon abilities but there he was: so dazed and excited at the same time as never before and literally one step away from losing the senses.

Somehow it was a fucking miracle that Dick managed to hold back the tears that threatened to slip from under his mask.

Her speech… her words…

Dick knew there was no word to describe precisely what he was feeling at that moment.

Hearing Diana's words expressed with so much sincerity, intensity, thoughtfulness, determination and ferocity, combined with her gaze and gestures so full of tenderness and kindness that he had rarely ever received in his life outside of his extended family, was literally one of the best experiences ever.

If the acrobat still had a heartbeat, it would be so high and strong that Superman himself would probably reach out to him to make sure he didn't die of a heart attack.

If there was still any doubt about his feelings towards the woman in front of him -and there were none at all- they all immediately vanished in the face of the total perfection in every way that she represented.

Diana had no reason or obligation that pushed her to reassure him and above all not in such a firm and kind way, yet she did it anyway and with a tenderness, thoughtfulness and firmness in her words and gestures that Dick had rarely received in his life.

The antihero's gaze fell without his permission on Diana's lips that looked so soft, warm and tasty and he briefly wondered what it would feel like to kiss those lips that looked so fucking perfect. The thought lasted barely a second before Dick immediately returned his gaze to the woman's wonderful blue eyes -which for a second made him forget even how to breathe-, mentally scolding himself.

Damn idiot! You can't ruin the best time of your life just because of your fucking teenage hormones that somehow still work even though you're a fucking Talon, Dick! Diana is reassuring you with her immense kindness and thoughtfulness and the first thing you think is to kiss her? Get back on track, for heaven's sake!

“I-I…” the acrobat cleared his throat, trying to hide his discomfort and nervousness at the closeness between their faces which were little more than ten centimeters apart. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Diana.” he fully enjoyed the twinkle of pure surprise and shock, with a hint of pleasant wonder, that quickly crossed her gaze at his use of her real name. “I mean it. It means the world to me and I am truly grateful and honored by every single word you said.”

The Amazon's expression softened at his sweet words and smile and she smiled at him, barely touching his cheek with her thumb and not missing the slight shiver that ran through him. “I also thank you for what you have done for me, Renegade. And I also thank you for the second bouquet of gerberas that you sent me a few days ago. Both are truly beautiful: the most beautiful I have ever seen.”

The mercenary swallowed hard at the sensation of her touch so soft and tender on his skin, not to mention her breath falling on his face as delicately as a feather, and his smile trembled slightly.

It's getting damn hard for me to resist the temptation to do the bullshit of the millennium and kiss her right now. I wonder if Eve also felt something similar when faced with the temptation that Satan gave her.

“I'm happy you both liked it. And you certainly deserved the second: it's thanks for having avoided a hypothetical Third World War.”

“Thank you again. It was a very kind and sweet thought and gesture on your part.”

“You're welcome, Princess.”

The two continued to smile at each other for a few seconds until Diana realized at that moment the actual closeness between their faces. She froze, surprised at how close they were to the point that she could feel his soft breath on her face, tickling her skin softly. With her heart pounding into her throat and her cheeks starting to turn red, she removed her fingers from his face and took a quick step back, so stunned by the whole situation that she missed the flash of disappointment and sadness that crossed the features of the assassin who disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

Rationally Dick knew this moment wouldn't last forever but damn if he felt disappointed anyway.

He already missed the warmth of her touch and breath on his skin immensely.

It was good while it lasted.

Renegade hid his real feelings and put on yet another metaphorical mask. He put a smile on his face as if it were nothing and sent her a smirk. “You know Princess, I really like your civilian style. Especially the ponytail: it looks very flattering on you.”

And every single word he spoke was absolutely the truth.

He already knew that Diana in her civilian identity wore glasses and tied her hair in a ponytail, in addition to her elegant clothes due to the importance of her job and in stark contrast to her usual Wonder Woman armor, but it was one thing to see it through photos or videos and quite another to see it in person.

It goes without saying that Diana is beautiful, wonderful and perfect in this style too. There is no style in the whole world that she wouldn't look beautiful in.

…

Hell. I'm so screwed, man. 

An immense heat gathered in her stomach and Diana felt every fiber of her being tremble in a sensation that was nothing short of pleasant and welcome. She felt her cheeks heat up a little more and she sent him a bright smile, her blue eyes sparkling. “Thank you very much, Renegade.” she thanked him warmly, resisting the urge to pull a lock of hair back.

Impulse she had never felt in such a way until now in all her long life but she ignored it.

The mercenary shrugged, an easy smile playing on his lips. “I just stated the facts as they are, Princess.”

I absolutely have to move the conversation to something else entirely.

“You know, I saw how you eluded Amanda Waller's capture last week.” the demigoddess stated, directing the topic of conversation to something that didn't concern her. She shook her head, still in disbelief and awe at what the young man in front of him had accomplished. “I still can't believe that you managed to escape from many hundreds of the best marksmen in the USA, dozens of military helicopters and about twenty snipers. It was a phenomenal and exceptional feat.”

Diana neglected to mention the part where she was ready to fly to Portland in seconds to personally intervene to help Renegade escape Waller, her reputation and consequences be damned.

Renegade smiled hugely. “This time I can't deny it. And it's not even the first time Waller has tried to catch me, you know?”

“Really?”

“That's right.” he confirmed by clicking his tongue. “She's been trying to catch me practically since my debut but obviously she's always failed. Did you know that in the last attempt before last week she hired about twenty mercenaries to take me down and catch me?”

The woman was surprised by his words and silently hurled a series of expletives and insults towards Amanda Waller. “Even more admirable is the fact that you did not harm any of Waller's agents.”

“They were all innocent. It wasn't their fault at all that they have to take orders from a bitch like Waller.” the mercenary declared, smiling when the woman in front of him giggled. “Honestly, I too am surprised that I managed to escape from that situation without even a bullet in my head, which could have potentially been thousands. Not that they would kill me permanently, of course, but still.”

Diana frowned at how the mercenary continued to downplay his death, as if it were no big deal.

It was something she hated infinitely.

“Would you have been able to resurrect even with thousands of bullets in your head?” she asked, highly skeptical.

“That's right.” he revealed, shocking her. “If it had only been a few bullets, I wouldn't even have died momentarily. I'm just saying that I was trained to survive with all types and large amounts of life-threatening and fatal injuries on my body, no matter what.”

“And when did you die because of Klarion?” she asked confused, almost faltering on her own words.

“The only reason I died was because it involved magic which is the most irrational thing in the universe. Otherwise, if it had been from almost any other type of injury, I would not have died. Other than magic, the only way to momentarily kill me is to catch me off guard, which is very difficult given my training, reflexes and instincts but sadly not impossible. Or I think there are a few types of deaths that kill me momentarily and they are all more violent and brutal than the other. I learned to resist and keep fighting, no matter what.”

The princess of Themyscira felt her heart drop sharply, ice filling her veins as a feeling of horror and terror took hold of every fiber of her being.

He was tortured so brutally and for such a long period of time that he learned to tolerate any type of fatal and lethal injury. This means that he was killed so many times until he learned not to die, no matter what horrible tortures his probable kidnappers inflicted on him.

Just the thought that this was a very high possibility of what had happened to Renegade, one of the best people she had ever known in her entire life, was enough to make her feel horror, terror and nausea all at once.

Even if I were wrong, either way Renegade went through something similarly horrible and terrible. In any case, someone transformed him into a weapon, possibly the most dangerous on Earth.

Diana swallowed hard, her entire being burning with compassion, solidarity and fiercely protective instincts towards Renegade.

And an intense rage and fury fiercely incandescent, dangerous and lethal like she had never felt before in her entire life, boiled in every cell of her body, begging to be released against the bastards who dared to hurt Renegade in such a manner.

She took a deep breath, deciding she needed to calm down before she did something rash. She stared at the seventeen year old in front of him, trying her best not to show her actual feelings in the matter. “Do you by any chance know why ISIS returned to action today? They haven't done something like this in years." she asked, returning to the previous topic of conversation.

“Maybe because they saw an opportunity and wanted to exploit it. I couldn't give you a precise answer." Renegade responded with a shrug and then frowned deeply.

Diana noticed it immediately. “What are you thinking?”

“To what you just said.” the acrobat murmured. “It's been years since they've done something like this. But I won't make the same mistake again."

The super-heroine stared at him with a perplexed and confused look. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing important. Only permanently exterminate ISIS.” Renegade responded with a dismissive hand wave at her, still deep in his own thoughts and missing her shocked and horrified gasp.

At least I'll distract my mind from today. I will never forget the feeling of Diana's touch on my skin which definitely didn't help diminish my feelings for her at all, dammit. In fact, I really need a necessary distraction from all of this.

In complete contrast to his composed and calm demeanor, Diana was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Did I really hear him right?

“Do you really want to exterminate ISIS?” she asked incredulously, hoping for once that she was having hearing problems. She took a deep breath at his nod, resisting the urge to strangle him with her own hands. “How the hell can you be so nonchalant about it? We are talking about ISIS: the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world, not a walk in the park!”

"Exactly. And?" Renegade asked in a tone of voice that clearly indicated that he didn't understand what the problem was.

Diana closed her eyes briefly.

Zeus, give me the strength not to kill him.

“You can't do that!”

“I have already taken down many mafias and other terrorist organizations. It's not my first rodeo.”

Zeus, throw a fucking thunderbolt at him right now, dammit.

“At least let me help you!”

The demigoddess belatedly realized the words that came out of her mouth and was just as shocked as Renegade. However, she immediately understood that her offer for help was genuine and didn't even think for a second about withdrawing it.

She would have helped him without even blinking an eye.

It was the least she owed him for all the times Renegade helped her and the Justice League, without the other heroes knowing. That and the fact that she would gladly help him get rid of the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world.

Renegade was genuinely touched by her heartfelt words and cleared his throat before sending her a bright smile. “I really appreciate your words, I mean it, but you can't. You would risk a lot of diplomatic trouble if it became known that Wonder Woman helped the current second-best assassin in exterminating ISIS and you would also find yourself in trouble with your teammates.”

“First: I don't care at all what my friends think about it. Damn them if they dare stop me and still couldn’t.” she bluntly stated in a firm, decisive and resolute tone, drawing a chuckle from him and briefly reminding him of how fucking badass Wonder Woman was. “Second thing: the Justice League is not under the control of the US government or any other state. Our goal is to save the world by making it a better place and eliminating a dangerous terrorist organization would certainly fall within these parameters, which is why there would be no risk of any diplomatic incident.”

The assassin narrowed the slits in his mask before sighing. “Point taken.” he conceded. “But you still can't come with me.” Dick saw her about to protest and quickly continued. “Not because I don't want your help or anything. Trust me when I tell you that I really appreciate your offer to help me. I'm serious: I'm truly moved by it. But the world can't be without Wonder Woman for who knows how long. You have billions of lives counting on you and you can't leave them without the best superhero on Earth and one of the best in the entire universe."

I hate it when he's right.

Wonder Woman grunted in displeasure. “At least bring someone with you! Either Deathstroke or someone from the League of Assassins!” she begged, for the first time indifferent to her pride.

His safety was infinitely more important than her pride.

Dick mentally shuddered at the thought of taking someone with him on such a dangerous and suicidal mission. “Don't worry about me: I'll be absolutely fine. I promise.” he felt a little guilty seeing a deep frown materialize across her beautiful features, though he was still touched by her genuine concern for him. “If it makes you feel better I promise I will tell Deathstroke to contact you if anything goes wrong during the mission.” he proposed in an attempt to allay her concerns.

The Amazon didn't like this at all, wanting instead to actively participate alongside the young assassin, but she knew this was the best she would get. "All right. But be careful, Renegade.”

“I will be.” he promised her solemnly, giving her a reassuring and confident smile.

"Good."

It seemed as if Diana wanted to say something else but, whatever it was, she was interrupted by music filling the air. She cursed silently, recognizing it as the ringtone on her phone, and sent an apologetic look at the youngest.

"I have to go. The other ambassadors will be worried about me.”

And we also have to come up with a cover story.

“Go ahead, Princess.” Renegade stated, nodding with a smile.

Diana hesitated briefly and with a mental The hell she placed her hands on both of the mercenary's shoulders, enjoying the surprise and shock that coursed through him.

It's always good to catch him off guard because it's so hard.

“Be careful, young warrior. Earth cannot afford to lose one of its greatest protectors.” Diana stated solemnly, her intense gaze on Renegade as she gently squeezed his shoulders.

With that look Dick felt as if she were delving into the most remote and deepest parts of his soul. He swallowed hard and it was a miracle he could even smile at her, barely holding back the urge to shiver from such close contact. “I will return safe and sound. I promise, Princess.”

Wonder Woman stared at him for a few more seconds -seconds that felt more like an eternity to Dick- and she nodded. With a final squeeze on his shoulders she flew away, her speed so fast it shifted the wind enough to send his hair flying back.

After a few seconds of silence the meta-human let out an amused huff as he bent down, grabbing the case for his sniper rifle and placing it over his shoulders.

You're learning the drama from me, Princess.

“So, how's independent living going, sis?”

Donna Troy looked away from the television and smiled at Diana. “Much better than I expected, actually.”

“I'm happy about it.” the older Amazon nodded, joining her and sitting on the couch next to her. “I'm glad you settled in so well among men.”

Donna sent her a slightly bitter and sarcastic smile. “I'm not the one who was indoctrinated to believe that all men were the same and scum of the Earth, Diana.”

The princess of Themyscira smiled back, though her eyes betrayed the true anger, betrayal and hurt she felt towards their mother. “I'm glad you accepted my proposal to move with me to Man's World before she could do the same thing to you. At least you didn't have the same problems I had at the beginning getting used to it."

“It's because I had a great mentor and life teacher.”

“Oh, you bet.” both women giggled. “You know, there's always a place for you in the Justice League if you want to join. You would be an amazing superhero.”

“I'm still not sure about the whole thing. I first want to get used to living like a responsible adult and continue to take care of Cassie. Even though it's been years since we no longer live with you, we still have so much to learn.” Donna admitted. “So maybe we'll talk about it again in a while.”

"All right. I fully understand.”

The younger Amazon smiled. "Thank you." her smile turned into a full blown smirk that the demigoddess didn't like at all. “You know, it's been a while since you told me about this Renegade. Did something happen between you two?”

Diana glared at her. “I don't know what you're talking about. You know very well that he is on a mission.”

The youngest hummed in amusement. “And I also know very well that you are worried sick about him. After all, you haven't heard from him in a week."

The princess of Themyscira narrowed her eyes, staring the other woman suspiciously. “What are you implying, Donna?”

Humor and mischief danced in Donna's blue eyes. “Oh I don't know, maybe that you have feel-“

Diana's head suddenly snapped towards the television, ignoring her sister's curses, and she focused her undivided attention on the news reporter.

“Last minute news. We have just received images that confirm the extermination and definitive destruction of ISIS, the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world which for years has sown terror, destruction and death, at the hands of the well-known Renegade, the second best assassin and anti-hero mercenary in circulation."

Diana let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding. It was as if a huge boulder had disappeared from her chest, allowing her to breathe more easily.

The joy and euphoria she was feeling at that moment in knowing that Renegade was okay and that he had completed his mission was indescribable. Rationally, Diana knew that the mercenary would need time to take down the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world but that didn't stop her from worrying about him anyway.

And once again she was impressed by Renegade who completed such a difficult and practically suicidal mission not only alone but also in such a short time: about a week.

Renegade will never cease to amaze me. However, I admit that this sensation is becoming more and more pleasant.

The young assassin was truly the most effective, unpredictable and surprising person she had ever met in her entire life.

She turned her attention back to the reporter and his voice wafting throughout Diana's living room. “The images and the following video are not suitable for minors and may stimulate the sensitivity of viewers, so view at your own discretion.”

Both women let out surprised gasps as they saw what must have been ISIS's main base packed with terrorists mangled, decapitated and mutilated to the point that the only way to identify them was through DNA. Each image showed an immense, incalculable amount of blood, brain matter, pulped flesh, unrecognizable corpses, organs, guts, viscera and limbs strewn in every direction and so on. Subsequent videos also showed the various structures, where the members of the organization probably lived, completely destroyed, torn down and burned and Diana didn’t miss how practically every street was heavily bloodied and full of what was previously described.

It was literally a far worse bloodbath than the one Renegade had carried out against the Red Sharks.

It seems like Renegade let himself go a little more this time.

There were other images and videos showing similar horrors and bloodbaths until suddenly Renegade's masked face appeared in the frame. Diana unconsciously straightened her back and leaned forward as the young assassin took a step back, revealing his armor soaked in litters of blood, brain matter and pulped flesh.

The super-heroine stared at the seventeen year old for any injuries but found none and was relieved, although she should have expected it given his healing factor.

“This is what happens to the scum of this planet.” Renegade began, his voice colder and more emotionless than Diana had ever heard from him. “It doesn't matter what you are. You can be the most dangerous mafia in the world. Terrorist organizations. Criminals. Gang. You can be anything. But that won't be enough to save you. You scums will never be safe. Not as long as I live.” 

Renegade sent a cold, empty, menacing smirk into the camera that would scare any demon from Hell with their tail between their legs.

“And trust me when I tell you that it won't be easy to kill me at all. I will take out as much of you as possible for as long a period of time as possible. I will always find you. It doesn't matter in which corner of the Earth you are hiding. You will never be able to escape from me. I will find you. Anytime and anywhere. You will never be safe.

“I have permanently exterminated numerous mafias, terrorist, secret and criminal organizations and more. I destroyed all their bases, annihilated all the criminals involved and erased every information they had. With the definitive extermination of ISIS, my count of criminals killed has reached 931. A number that is destined to increase day by day for many years to follow.

“I am Renegade, the current second-best assassin and mercenary in existence. I am Renegade, the best anti-hero ever. I am Renegade, the living nightmare that haunts every single criminal scum. I am Renegade, the most dangerous, lethal, deadly and efficient weapon in the entire world.”

Renegade's right arm shot out in front of him, showing the camera the severed head of a terrorist whose face was so mangled that it was impossible to make out his features, blood continuing to pour incessantly from the lethal wound.

“I am Renegade and I have a message for every criminal scum on Earth.”

With superhuman strength Renegade violently crashed the severed head against the wall and nothing remained of it except a mush of hundreds of small pieces of mangled flesh that quickly fell to the ground. Blood and pulped flesh splattered Renegade's masked face and he remained impassive and indifferent, simply staring at the camera with a disturbing and menacing smirk.

“Always check your back. Because at any moment I could be behind you ready to make you regret every decision in your life. And remember: you will never be safe from me. This is because I, Renegade, will forever continue to kill the scum of the Earth. I will seek you, I will find you, I will destroy you, I will annihilate you, I will torture you, I will kill you and I will permanently wipe you from the face of the planet.”

The message stopped, showing the reporter's face, which was a little paler and sweatier than it had been previously. He cleared his throat, sending a shaky smile. “And now the commercials!”

Silence.

"What do you think?"

Donna pursed her lips, thinking hard. “I didn't think Renegade was so… badass.”

Diana snorted. “That's very reductive.”

“Anyway, I like him..”

The demigoddess's words escaped her mouth before her brain even thought of them. "Me too."

And she wasn't lying at all.

Diana noticed her sister's growing mischievous smirk and her gaze fixed on her and turned to stare at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"

Donna's smirk grew even bigger. "Nothing." she hummed and then burst into laughter. “I've been meaning to let you know because, you know, it's really frustrating that you still haven't figured it out. Even Cassie understood it! In any case, I think I'll just let you figure it out for yourself, sister. Much more fun that way.”

Diana rolled her eyes and dismissed the younger Amazon's words as strange and delusional for some strange reason she didn't want to address.

She looked back absentmindedly at the television, sighing at the stupid commercial they were playing.

Excellent and amazing work, young warrior. I'm proud of you. You are making the planet a much better place.

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman frowned in confusion when, once she had made her entire tour of the Watchtower, she found none of her teammates: only secondary heroes and the new recruits.

Where are the others?

Just then her phone rang, signaling the arrival of a message. She grabbed it and opened it, noticing that it was from Black Canary and that the written text was accompanied by an address.

Reach us as soon as possible. Batman has a plan to arrest Renegade, although he hasn't told us what it is. In any case, get moving.

The demigoddess stood still for a few seconds, her previous confusion replaced by a growing cold anger boiling in her chest.

Batman had excluded her, Wonder Woman, from an official Justice League mission that aimed to arrest Renegade. The Gotham vigilante knew with absolute certainty that she would fiercely oppose this and that she would do anything to stop it.

And damned if he was right. 

Diana clenched her jaw, her blue eyes turning colder than steel. She instantly disappeared from the Watchtower's empty meeting room, reaching the zeta tubes within seconds.

She had a mission to accomplish and a friend to save, no matter what the consequences would be for her status within the team.

Recognized: Wonder Woman 03

Wonder Woman stopped in mid-air and stared down, looking at most of the Justice League -not including Zatanna, she noted. They also excluded the sorceress because they knew that she, like Diana herself, would do anything to stop them from capturing the young anti-hero - standing before Renegade. She however was too far away to be able to hear their conversation and it was moments like these that she wished she had Superman's super hearing.

She levitated down, quickly reaching them. “What the hell are you planning on doing?” she growled, meanly pleased when she saw most of her teammates flinch.

Of course, Renegade had already noticed her and smiled at her. "Princess! I was getting worried when I didn't see you with them.” he stated casually, nodding towards the other heroes.

Wonder Woman sent him a brief smile, glad that he was still okay, and then turned her icy, furious blue eyes on her teammates, her anger rising when most of them didn't have the courage to meet her gaze. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes menacingly. “Do any of you want to explain to me why I was excluded from this mission or should I force a confession out of you?” she growled, her hand grazing her trusty sword forged by the ancient gods and capable of piercing through literally anything.

Her gesture was a clear threat and everyone understood it immediately.

“The answer is very simple, Wonder Woman.” Batman spoke sharply, meeting her furious gaze without any fear. “You were excluded because you are clearly emotionally compromised when dealing with Renegade.”

“Emotionally compromised?” she repeated in disbelief. “Not wanting to arrest one of the greatest defenders of the Earth because he is one of the few who is actually making the world a better place through his killings, decreasing crime by many percentages internationally, is being emotionally compromised?” she growled protectively, feeling and ignoring Renegade's shocked look on her.

“You can't fight crime with murder.” Batman growled. “He has no right to decide who lives and who dies.”

“The decision is made when a person is guilty of inhumane and unjustifiable crimes.” the demigoddess replied coldly.

“All lives matter equally. No one is superior to another and Renegade is no one to decide their fate.”

“You cannot compare the life of a rapist or a pedophile to that of an honest citizen and say that they are of equal importance. Those who commit such inhumane and deplorable crimes deserve far worse than what the corrupt system should inflict on them. Often these types of criminals do not receive the right punishment.”

“Renegade does not represent the justice system and therefore has no right to decide the punishment to be given to criminals.”

“Renegade is in fact infinitely better than the justice system because he is not corrupt, he is objective and he inflicts right punishment on the scum of the world.”

If possible the Dark Knight's gaze became even more icy, deadly and emotionless. “No one is above the law and that is exactly what Renegade is doing.”

The Amazon let out a ferocious, dangerous growl at the vigilante's stubbornness. “If the law worked as it should and meted out a fair and proportionate punishment based on the severity, inhumanity and deplorability of the crime committed, Renegade would not feel the need to take the place of the law but that is because the system is corrupt and it sucks and Renegade is infinitely more effective than the system.”

“Renegade is here and would like to intervene because he hates being ignored.” the subject of the discussion interjected, raising his hand as if he were in a classroom and asking the teacher for permission to answer a question.

Batman dismissed him with a curt “No.” as if he were worthless, without even sparing the seventeen-year-old a glance.

Diana felt her anger grow beyond measure. “Don't you dare treat him like that, dammit!” she snapped, invading the Caped Crusader's personal space and hitting him lightly with her index finger on the chest without ever taking her furious gaze away from him.

The force in her tap was such that he was forced to stagger backwards two steps. Batman straightened to his full height in an attempt to appear more frightening and threatening -an attempt which failed miserably as Diana had never been intimidated and scared of him and never will be- and growled. "Otherwise? Would you hurt a teammate to protect an assassin who deserves to rot forever in Belle Reve?”

“If you're going to keep acting like a selfish fucking stubborn asshole, then yes.”

The two heroes continued to exchange cold, menacing glares, neither of them looking away first as they had no intention of losing this staring contest. After what seemed like an eternity Batman groaned, his eyes moving to look at something behind the Amazon's back.

“Now, Green Lantern.”

Wonder Woman barely had time to blink before the next thing she knew she found herself trapped in a giant green bubble. She stiffened and with a deliberately slow and menacing movement turned, staring at Hal with eyes burning with anger. “If you know what's best for you release me, Jordan.”

Hal gulped in terror at the demigoddess but straightened his back, sending her a shaky, apologetic smile. “I'm sorry but I can't do it.”

Diana's gaze shifted to the other member of the Trinity who had remained uncharacteristically silent the entire time. “You really can't agree to any of this, Superman.”

The hero of Metropolis gave her an answer without meeting her gaze, clearly embarrassed and displeased. “Renegade must be captured and brought to justice. He is too dangerous to roam freely. I'm sorry but it's necessary, Wonder Woman.”

Diana felt disappointment, betrayal and anger coursing through every fiber of her being as she watched her teammates -her friends- not move an inch to oppose such senseless nonsense. Her eyes fell on Black Canary, the only one who had warned her of Batman's plan, and she shook her head in disappointment when she saw that the blonde didn't dare meet her gaze or do anything to stop it.

She never thought her friends would let her down, hurt her and betray her in such a way and damn if it hurt.

“Hell, no.”

The attention of Wonder Woman and the other heroes shifted to Renegade who had lost all traces of lightness and playfulness.

Diana knew from experience that it was best to avoid a serious, non-joking Renegade.

“I’ll give you ten seconds to free Wonder Woman. Otherwise I will personally ensure that each of you will spend the next few weeks healing from the wounds I will inflict on you.” Renegade threatened them coldly, cracking his fists menacingly.

Despite the nightmarish situation, Diana couldn't help but smile slightly.

At least I know I can always count on Renegade, no matter what.

“Release her now or I will beat you down for the third time in a row and post videos of all three fights of me kicking your ass.” Renegade cackled his creepy cackle that made all the heroes tremble. “I wonder how everyone would react to seeing their heroes get totally humiliated by a 17-year-old?”

“You will not emerge victorious this time, Renegade.” Batman stated solemnly, taking a step forward from the entire team.

The mercenary tilted his head to the side in a seemingly innocent movement that actually came across as threatening, combined with the slow smirk that appeared on his face. "Oh? And why do you say that, dude?”

Batman didn't answer him but from his utility belt he grabbed four batarangs -the memory of what Renegade had called such weapons made Diana mentally snort in amusement-, two in each hand, and threw them. Wonder Woman saw how Renegade was about to dodge them but she was as confused as he was when the weapons stuck harmlessly on the floor in front of the young assassin.

“Bad aim, old man?” Renegade mocked him with a derisive snort.

The Amazon was forced to close her eyes with a grimace when an intense blinding white light emitted from one of the batarangs. Her muscles tensed at the mercenary's cry of surprise and she opened her eyes again, ignoring the stains obstructing her vision.

Her gaze immediately fell on Renegade who was rubbing the slits of his mask with various curses but her attention focused on the other three batarangs when she belatedly realized that they were flashing.

“Watch out, Renegade!

She shouted the warning when it was already too late.

Beams of ultrasound erupted from the three batarangs, causing practically all of the heroes to grimace at the sounds being so annoyingly intense and deafening. What happened next shocked both Wonder Woman and the rest of the heroes.

Renegade screamed in pain.

That was the first time ever that Diana and the others heard the mercenary scream in pain but it was like no sound they had ever heard. Renegade's was a heartbreaking, agonizing scream of pain that echoed loudly throughout the surrounding area.

The demigoddess didn't believe that the young assassin was even capable of screaming given his very high pain tolerance, let alone making such an agonizing, heartbreaking and lacerating sound. She gasped as if physically struck when she saw black blood flowing from Renegade's ears and with a ferocious growl she began punching the green bubble with all her strength, noticing and ignoring the grimaces of pain of Green Lantern out of the corner of her eyes.  

With a clearly shaky movement despite the distance, with obvious effort Renegade reached for his utility belt just as Batman growled at Black Canary. "Now."

Diana's heart sank and she gave her friend a pleading look. “Please don't do this!” she begged as she desperately continued to hit Hal's bubble in an attempt to break it.

Black Canary gave her an apologetic look and turned away, ignoring the Amazon's other pleas, and after taking a deep breath she let out a powerful canary cry towards the mercenary.

The princess of Themyscira could do nothing but watch helplessly as Renegade fell to his knees with another agonizing cry of pain -which was even worse than the previous one, which she didn't think was possible- which tore her heart apart.

If someone of Renegade's caliber, the person with the highest pain tolerance she knew, couldn't bear this kind of pain, that meant that for him it was so unbearable, excruciating and agonizing that it was tearing him apart in a way that was impossible to describe.

And to see him so full of agony, pain and suffering without Diana being able to do anything to help him, was one of the worst experiences she had ever had in her entire long life.

Renegade's agonized screams were as long as the canary cry, which lasted for a period of time too long for Diana's liking, no matter how much she begged Black Canary to stop. Cracks began to form on Green Lantern's bubble, causing her to continue punching and kicking it with all her godly strength as she helplessly watched Renegade's state.

The sound of his screams was one of the worst sounds she had ever heard.

She watched with a pounding heart as Renegade's gloves became one with his dark black blood that began to flow profusely from his ears faster than the waters of a river, no matter how much he tried to block the flow of blood by holding his hands to ears.

The more his screams of pain continued the more Diana felt every fiber of her being grieve along with him the more she felt a fierce intense anger coursing through her veins, leading her to silently curse her teammates.

A movement from the side of her peripheral vision forced her to turn around and she paled slightly as she saw Batman pull a stun grenade from his utility belt.

Since when does he carry things like that?

It had become painfully clear that Renegade had sensory weaknesses and she feared that the stun grenade would be too much for even the mercenary to handle. She felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins, causing her attacks to become even faster and stronger than they were before, and she mentally cheered as she saw Renegade get up with obvious fatigue and grimacing in pain.

This exultation did not last long.

Wonder Woman opened her mouth to warn Renegade about the stun grenade but what came out were muffled noises due to the sudden appearance of green cloth over her mouth. She glared at Hal who didn't dare meet her gaze but was forced to close her eyes as another bright, blinding white light overwhelmed her.

Diana felt her heart stop momentarily and ice rush through her veins when she heard her ears ringing softly. An immense amount of fear, terror and horror fully overwhelmed her as for the briefest moment it was as if the entire world had stopped.

If she heard her ears ringing slightly from the explosion of the stun grenade, even though it was thrown relatively far away from her, then what did this mean for Renegade given that the stun grenade was thrown towards him?

Diana heard the greatest, deafening, agonizing and heartbreaking scream of pain that she had ever heard in her entire life lasting for a few seconds followed by the most absolute silence. With her heart threatening to burst out of her ribcage she reopened her eyes, gasping in horror at the sight her eyes showed her.

Renegade lay motionless in a prone position, a large pool of dark black blood forming on either side of his head as more blood continued to pour from his ears, making the pool even larger.

The demigoddess was completely frozen in place with horror, shock and terror.

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO

With a ferocious war cry Wonder Woman once again hit the green bubble with all her strength and it finally broke, forcing Hal to fall to his knees with a pained grunt.

“Now, Flash!” Batman barked ferociously.

No matter how immensely fast Wonder Woman was, her speed couldn't possibly compare to that of Barry who first reached Renegade's prone figure and then disappeared with him in a matter of milliseconds, leaving the unmistakable red and yellow trails behind. The demigoddess reached too late the area where Renegade was and she lowered her gaze, observing the large pool of dark blood with an inscrutable and emotionless gaze.

Her body literally began to shake with anger and fury that she had never felt before. She clenched her fists, oblivious to the nails that began to dig into the skin of her hands. Slowly the Amazon turned, meeting her clearly frightened and terrified teammates with the most ferocious, menacing and icy gaze they had ever seen.

The other heroes had witnessed Wonder Woman's wrath several times but each of them paled markedly in comparison to her current fury. They'd never seen her so pissed off, especially not at them, and each of them was as fucking scared as ever. 

The demigoddess let out a ferocious, low, menacing growl that seemed to shake the ground beneath their feet. “I swear to Zeus that whoever dares to speak will meet the blade of my sword.”

The heroes gulped in fear and Superman took a shaky step forward, raising his hands peacefully in the air. “Wonder-“

The next instant with divine speed -it seemed as if she had teleported- Wonder Woman found herself facing the Man of Steel who gasped and brought a trembling hand to the long bloody gash on his cheek as he observed his friend with a absolutely terrified, scared and intimidated.

“Close the sewer, Kal-El.” she growled, spitting his Kryptonian name like it was poison as she placed her divine sword on her back. “Next time I won't be so lenient.”

The heroes barely had time to blink and the next thing they knew, Wonder Woman was flying towards Batman - who never had a chance to counteract her- and punching him in the stomach with such force that the sickening crunch of broken ribs rang out clearly. The Dark Knight was sent at immense speed into the wall of an abandoned building which broke under the force of the blow and he disappeared from the sight of the heroes.

“Anyone else want to be next?” she growled as she turned to stare at the other heroes frozen in absolute fear and terror on the spot. They shook their heads frantically and she pursed her lips. “Cowards.” she spat angrily.

With one last disgusted and angry glare in their direction Wonder Woman took flight, quickly disappearing from their sight and leaving behind an astonished and tense silence.

“Sometimes I forget that she possesses divine strength, resistance and speed that can be considered equal to that of Superman.” Green Arrow shivered in fear, getting nods. He glanced worriedly at his girlfriend who was looking down in obvious guilt and pulled her into a hug, not surprised when she melted into him. “Let go, baby.” he murmured softly to her, holding her close.

“I'm going to go see how Batman is doing.” Superman muttered awkwardly, disappearing from sight.

The return to the Watchtower was one of the most awkward ever and they were completely terrified of Wonder Woman's reaction once they reached their base.

They dearly hoped that they would find Barry alive and began to send prayers to their speedster.

Chapter Text

The first area of ​​the Watchtower that Wonder Woman checked once she got there was the cells but, to her surprise, she found them empty. Frowning she flew out of that room and towards the interrogation room, stopping abruptly in mid-air when she saw Flash surveying the room.

She let out a growl. “Let me pass, Barry.”

Flash gulped at her anger, immediately recognizing how pissed off the Amazon was and finding her absolutely frightening, but to his credit he straightened his back and returned her glare with a determined, confident one. “You know I can't do that. I can't let you let him escape, Diana."

The demigoddess narrowed her eyes menacingly, staring him with a deathly glare and tilting her head slightly to the side. “It doesn't have to be that way.”

“Even you know that if I stopped holding myself back in a fight, neither you nor Superman would have a chance of defeating me.” Flash declared in a serious and gravely voice, a stark contrast to his usual light-hearted, joking personality. “And you're right. It doesn't have to end that way."

Diana remained silent for a few seconds, contemplating what to do as she continued to stare at her teammate with an unreadable gaze. Finally after what seemed like an eternity she sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Can I at least see him?”

The man hesitated before nodding slowly with a sigh. “I'll be on the other side of the glass, so don't do anything that gets you in trouble.” he warned her, getting a nod. He moved aside, silently allowing her to enter, and when his friend stood in the doorway of the room he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to turn her head to look at him before speaking. “For the record, I also believe that Renegade is not as evil as a lot of the team thinks.”

“He is not evil at all.” she said softly, her previous anger replaced by a sort of resignation. She continued before he could say anything more. “Why did you bring him to the interrogation room?”

“Batman ordered me when he pulled me aside before leaving on the mission.”

I should have known.

Wonder Woman pursed her lips at the mention of the Caped Crusader's name and with a curt nod to the speedster she entered the interrogation room, closing the door behind her. Her gaze immediately fell on Renegade's figure and a growl automatically came out of her, feeling the previous anger return with the same ferocity and intensity as before.

To say that Renegade was heavily shackled would be an understatement.

Two metal belts tightly wrapped the mercenary's chest - one on the upper part and the other on the lower part - keeping him chained and forced to lean against the back of the chair. Other metal belts held each of his arms, two on each, as well as his legs, firm and immobile. An inhibitor collar was wrapped around his neck, stripping him of his meta-human abilities.

While it was obvious that Renegade was currently still unconscious, which was to be expected given all the pain he endured added to the fact that he was devoid of his superhuman abilities, he had been chained in such a way that his back was forced to rest against the back of the chair and that he was unable to move any limb: once he woke up, the only thing he could move would be his neck and head.

Diana's gaze fell to his ears and a small part of her fury subsided when she saw bundles of bandages wrapped around the young assassin's ears and a small smile formed between her lips.

I'm sure it was Barry's decision. Batman is too much of an asshole to even consider medicate Renegade.

Wonder Woman frowned in confusion as she then realized that, although most of his weapons were missing -swords, guns, escrima sticks and a few knives and she saw them stored in the corner of the room along with his gloves- Renegade was still wearing the armor and utility belt.

“Flash, why didn't you take off his armor and utility belt?”

There was a small noise that indicated the intercom was turned on before the speedster’s voice rang through the room. “To remove his armor you must first remove his utility belt but when I tried to remove it I was hit by an intense electric shock. I strongly suspect that the electric shock has some sort of magic or something because no matter how fast I tried, I always got hit.”

“This would explain why Superman couldn't take off his mask last time.” she murmured nodding, staring at Renegade's unconscious figure with an amused and affectionate smile. “Smart and clever of you to apply the same very efficient safety system also on the utility belt.”

A strange feeling of unease took hold in her insides as she continued to stare at the mercenary.

Seeing him so motionless, so still and in such a vulnerable state… it was just wrong.

Renegade shouldn't be like this.

Renegade was always on the move, always in the air with his brilliant acrobatic moves, always ready with a quip and joke between his lips, always ready for a fight.

Renegade was synonymous with strength, vigor, self-confidence, justice, vengeance, efficiency, danger, lethality and invincibility.

Seeing Renegade so vulnerable and defenseless was wrong in every way and her discomfort increased with the knowledge that it was her team that had put him in that state after causing him an amount of pain and suffering that he certainly didn't deserve.

“A penny for your thoughts, Princess?”

Diana snapped out of her thoughts and her gaze darted in front of her, her heart skipping a beat when she saw her friend's familiar mischievous smirk. “Renegade!” she exclaimed in surprise, flying up to stand beside him. “How is it possible that you woke up so quickly even without your superhuman abilities?”

The young assassin's smirk grew in size. “I'm full of surprises, I know.”

The Amazon snorted in amusement and smiled at him. Her gaze softened and her eyes clouded with concern. “Are you okay, Renegade?”

"Eh, I've been better." he admitted, shrugging as much as the chains would allow. He grimaced slightly. "I'd rather take off that damn inhibitor collar to at least cure the ringing in my ears because it's a painful and annoying sensation."

The woman felt her heart clench painfully for him. “I really want to help you escape or make things a little more pleasant for you but I can't. I am sorry." 

Dick was briefly stunned by her genuine concern and guilt at not being able to help him and never would have imagined that, if she could, Wonder Woman herself would not hesitate to make him escape from her own team. He felt his heart beat faster -and it was a very strange sensation- as heat built up in his chest.

It was a familiar sensation but he would hardly ever get used to it.

He cleared his throat and sent her a bright, genuine smile. “You don't have to worry about anything. It's not your fault that I'm in this situation.”

“It's not just that.” she shook her head frantically. “They hurt you, Renegade. My friends not only excluded me from the mission but they hurt you who are another friend of mine." she clenched her fists furiously. “And I couldn't stop them.” she admitted with shame and guilt that they were consuming her.

That feeling from before increased further when Diana called him her friend. “Still it's not your fault. I mean it seriously. I know you tried to escape Green Lantern's bubble as quickly as possible so you could help me and just the thought is enough for me. I know you wanted to help me and I thank you for that. But none of what happened is your fault, Princess. Neither my capture nor my physical pain. Besides, I was already used to physical pain, so it's nothing new.”

Damn, not again.

Diana felt her heart pound in her chest at Renegade's casual mention that he was already used to physical pain that most likely meant torture. She felt her throat close as her chest was consumed by negative emotions. “Renegade-“

"I am fine. I'm serious, Diana.”

Although Wonder Woman genuinely appreciated his nickname Princess for her so full of affection, care and respect, she equally appreciated every time Renegade called her by her real name and mentally treasured it every time it happened. She couldn't help but return the bright smile he gave her.

“Besides, do you really think this is enough to hold me?” Renegade asked dismissively in an arrogant and confident voice, nodding his head at the restraints that kept him chained to the chair.

The Amazon raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Then why didn't you free yourself?” she challenged him with a small, playful smile.

“What's the fun if the other heroes aren't there?”

"How-"

“I seriously doubt they would have left you alone with me.” Renegade interrupted her so he could continue with his logic. “I bet that on the other side of the glass there is only Flash who had the task of taking me to the Watchtower and chaining me with his speed.”

The stunned silence was broken by Flash's voice ringing over the intercom. “Nothing personal, man.”

“Don't worry, dude.”

“Now I'll add detective to the practically endless list of everything you can do, Renegade.” Wonder Woman half-joked.

The mercenary chuckled and gave her a bright, brilliant smile that made her heart beat faster.

“So…” she began after a silence that was becoming awkward. “sensory weaknesses, huh?”

Renegade snorted. “Especially just hearing. Most of the time I'm able to grit my teeth and carry on but this time between the ultrasound devices and the stun grenade… even I couldn't resist a combination like that.” he admitted. He then frowned. “I wonder how the hell Batman discovered this weakness of mine. He must have only realized it recently but how?”

The woman had no answer to give him and was as confused and perplexed as he was on this matter. She was about to speak -to tell him what, even she didn't know- but was interrupted when the door behind her was abruptly opened. Their gazes fell on the figure of Batman who advanced menacingly, some heroes following him from behind while the others were probably enjoying the show from the other side of the glass.

“Hey, Bats. You know it's a matter of time before I free myself from these restrictions, right?”

Batman ignored the young assassin as he turned to the Amazon, his white eyes narrowing menacingly. “What are you doing here, Wonder Woman?” he growled.

She returned the deadly gaze before a smirk appeared between her lips. “A visit to my friend. It's not illegal." she stated casually, enjoying the surprised and shocked gasps of the heroes in the room and probably those on the other side of the glass as well.

Her heart burst with happiness seeing Renegade give her a bright smile.

“You just confirmed that you are emotionally compromised when it comes to Renegade.” Batman stated coldly, a note of warning in his voice. “You have sunk low if you admit to befriending Earth's greatest threat, Wonder Woman.”

The princess of Themyscira clenched her fists and ignored the dig and the strong urge to throw him out into space. “Keep this up and I'll punch you again and break more ribs.” she threatened him in a low, dangerous voice, her blue eyes burning with anger.

The Caped Crusader remained silent and glared at her.

Renegade laughed his creepy giggle, breaking the silence. “Man, I can't wait to get out of this mess, hack the recordings of Batman's mask and enjoy the spectacle of Wonder Woman punching him.”

Wonder Woman stared at him in shock and swallowed the question she wanted to ask him.

He is definitely the best hacker in the world without a shadow of a doubt.

The Dark Knight's white eyes shifted from the Amazon to her side, snarling at the young mercenary. “You'll never get the chance to do that. There is no way for you to escape from here this time and pretty soon you will find yourself in Belle Reve rotting for the rest of your life.”

“Okay, let's get two things straight.” Renegade began, losing his light smile and glaring at the Gotham vigilante with a death glare. “It is only a matter of time before I escape these restrictions and, even if I don't, I will escape Belle Reve in less than twenty-four hours. That's because there's no fucking way or place to keep me locked up, no matter how hard you try."

“I've already had your blood tested in my cave.” Batman replied crossing his arms. “It's only a matter of time before we learn your and Deathstroke's civilian identities.”

To the surprise of all the heroes Renegade laughed his eerie cackle that echoed throughout the room. “I had already predicted that this would happen sooner or later, which is why I made sure that every test on my blood and DNA would take longer than usual to show my true identity thanks to my computer skills. Time enough for me to escape Belle Reve and then delete every exam from your Batcomputer.” he stated pleased with himself, smiling when he heard Diana snort in amusement at the name "Batcomputer".

Batman narrowed his eyes in annoyance and grunted. “Let's gather outside.” he stated sharply. His gaze fell briefly on the one-way glass of the interrogation room. "Everyone."

As the heroes began to exit the room Wonder Woman squeezed Renegade's shoulder comfortingly, sending him a small smile. “I will do my best to resolve everything.”

“I really appreciate your help, Princess.”

With a final smile directed at the young assassin she left the room and, being the last, closed the door behind her. She walked over to the rest of the heroes who had gathered in a nearby hallway, smiling when she saw Zatanna pissed off and giving a piece of her mind to the other teammates.

She had sent a message to the sorceress on her journey back to the Watchtower, knowing that she would need all the help she could get to reason with their teammates and free Renegade.

“You can't keep Renegade prisoner here!”

“It's only temporary. Soon he will be transferred to Belle Reve.”

Zatanna raised her arms in frustration at the Gotham vigilante's emotionless response. “Now I feel better.” she drawled sarcastically. She growled at him. “You must free Renegade. Now. He doesn't deserve this treatment. He is one of the best people I have ever met.”

“You too are emotionally compromised when dealing with Renegade. Step aside, Zatanna.”

“I just can't understand what you two see in Renegade. We've captured plenty of supervillains, why is it different with him?” Green Arrow asked, genuinely confused.

“Because he is not a supervillain but an antihero.” the Amazon retorted, crossing her arms sternly. “There is a clear difference.”

“There are no anti-heroes. Renegade is as much a criminal as those he kills.”

“You can't have such a limited view of the world!” Zatanna snapped angrily, her blue eyes flashing with cold fury. “The world is not just black and white: there is also a shade of gray that you stubbornly deny exists!”

Wonder Woman continued before the Caped Crusader could retort. “Following your logic, would Aquaman, Hawkgirl and I also be murderers who should be locked up? We have participated in real wars for our peoples and we have killed for our peoples!" she pointed out, nodding to herself and the other two teammates who simply nodded in agreement with her.

“Different cultures. I cannot and will not judge the Amazon, Thanagarian and Atlantean cultures. We represent Earth's heroes and as such cannot stoop to the same level as assassins, which is why you are forbidden to kill Earth's criminals.”

Diana let out an exasperated growl at his stubbornness. “I'm not saying we should start killing criminals-”                                                 

Although I wouldn't be against the idea at all.

“-but I'm saying that Renegade poses no danger to us or to the innocent: he only eliminates the scum of the world! How can this be a bad thing?”

“I'm honestly not against Renegade's actions.” Hawkgirl intervened. “The way he is reducing crime worldwide not only through killings but also through the fear he instills in the scum is something extraordinary. His ideology is in many ways similar to mine. Renegade has earned my respect and esteem for a long time.” she stated solemnly, earning grateful glances from Zatanna and Wonder Woman.

“I agree.” Aquaman nodded. “Renegade isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and do the dirty work so that others, including ourselves, don't have to. It's honorable of him. I'm not that upset about the idea of ​​releasing him and allowing him to continue his work."

“I don't totally agree with the whole killing thing but I don't think Renegade is that evil.” Flash admitted with a shrug.

The sorceress and the demigoddess exchanged smiles, both pleased that more and more heroes were taking their side.

“We also have to take his age into consideration. Despite everything, Renegade is only seventeen years old and it doesn't seem right to send him to a maximum security prison like Belle Reve.” Black Canary pointed out.

Diana wasn't yet ready to forgive her friend for going along with Batman's plan and hurting Renegade so badly but that was a first step that she gladly accepted. 

“Age matters nothing. Does it seem normal to you that a seventeen-year-old is capable of completely exterminating ISIS alone and in such a violent, brutal and inhumane way?” Batman replied coldly. “You've seen the pictures. It took whole days to clean up the massacre and bloodbath he committed. Nobody deserves to die like this.”

“It's not like anyone would miss those bastards.” Wonder Woman pointed out. “The world is definitely a better place without them.”

Before Batman can answer her they all tensed up when they heard the zeta tube announcement.

Recognized: Unknown

The heroes ran and flew towards the zeta tube only to stop abruptly in their steps, all of them absolutely shocked and surprised by her presence on the Watchtower.

“Amanda Waller?”  

Chapter Text

“Amanda Waller?”

“How the hell did you get into the Watchtower?” Hal Jordan asked in shock, reflecting aloud about the question all the heroes were wondering.   

“It's none of your business.” Waller replied sharply without even sparing the hero a glance, which annoyed him. As she advanced she reached into her pockets, grabbed what appeared to be a sheet of paper and handed it to Batman. “From this point forward Renegade is under the jurisdiction of the United States government. He is no longer your problem."

The heroes crowded around the Caped Crusader trying to read the paper in his hand. “What does it say?” Green Arrow asked, having a bad feeling about this.

His feeling was mirrored by his teammates who exchanged unconvinced glances.

“This is an arrest warrant signed by the USA president himself against Renegade.” Waller replied, preceding the Gotham vigilante. “So hand over the prisoner to me and we won't have any problems.”

“You can't do that!” Wonder Woman growled, taking a menacing step towards the black woman. “The Justice League does not operate under USA jurisdiction or any other state worldwide, so we are under no obligation to deliver Renegade to you!”

Amanda stared back at the Amazon without ever wavering. “Since you captured Renegade on USA soil, it automatically becomes our jurisdiction.”

“How did you know we were able to capture Renegade after such a short time?” Zatanna asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion and wariness.

“I have my sources.” the older woman replied with a mysterious smile.

“Why all the rush in wanting Renegade?” Martian Manhunter asked warily.

“Getting to the point where the president of the USA himself wants Renegade behind bars.” Flash added helpfully.

It was as if a light bulb went on in Diana's head. “Ever since Renegade began his career you have been trying to capture him.” she stated slowly, remembering her friend's words during their pleasant chat after the terrorist attack on the UN. “Let me guess: the USA government is desperate to keep Renegade under control because he has always been out of your control, operating on other continents as much as he does in America.”

“We can't let him continue to do whatever the fuck he wants all over the world.” Amanda stated in an emotionless voice, implicitly confirming the demigoddess theory. “If it were up to me it would have been even better if Renegade had died once and for all but this solution is better than nothing.” she concluded with an indifferent shrug.

Wonder Woman clenched her fists, feeling anger fill every fiber of her being at Waller's so casual tone, as if she were talking about a movie instead of having just confessed that she wanted Renegade dead. She took deep breaths in an exceptional proof of self-control. “Like when you involved hundreds of USA agents, dozens of military helicopters and about twenty snipers but your attempt failed miserably and Renegade totally humiliated you live worldwide?” she asked innocently, smiling when she saw a flash of fury and annoyance briefly flash across Amanda's usually composed and stoic features. “Nice way to use your government's resources, don't you think?”

The woman glared at her before smiling slowly. “What would the entire world think if they ever found out that the notorious and powerful Wonder Woman is good friends with a ruthless mercenary and assassin like Renegade?” she said in a fake sappy and sweet voice. “I could also have you arrested for complicity since you had multiple opportunities to capture Renegade but never did.”

The demigoddess perfectly hid the shock and surprise at her words behind a stoic and impassive expression that she perfected thanks to the princess education that her mother gave her. She just raised an eyebrow. “Violent riots and demonstrations against the USA government would likely break out as both Renegade and I are supported by so many millions of people around the world.” she sent her a smirk. “That and you'd be up against the entire Justice League and most of the top supervillains and assassins. I don't know how much it's worth it for you."

Waller stared back at the super-heroine for a few seconds before grunting, looking away first and ignoring the smug and victorious expression of the centenarian woman. “I don't have all the time in the world. Give me Renegade and let's put an end to this story.”

Suddenly an eerie cackle rang out throughout the area, sending shivers of terror through everyone present.

Diana had never been happier to hear that damn creepy laugh.

They all turned at the same time and to their immense shock and surprise they met the smug and satisfied gaze of Renegade who had taken back all his weapons and gloves.

“How the hell did you manage to escape all those restrictions?” Black Canary stammered in shock and horror with wide eyes. “In such a short time, too!”

The young assassin's smirk grew in size. “I told you I would be able to escape.” he stated with a casual shrug. “I'm honestly offended that you think it takes so little to stop me.” he said, smiling at Diana and Zatanna's amused snorts.

“That's why that boy has my respect and esteem.” Hawkgirl nodded in the direction of Deathstroke's former apprentice, smiling slightly when he sent her a smile and finger guns.

The Talon's gaze shifted to the person who was definitely not part of the JL. “Waller! We haven't seen each other since I humiliated you live worldwide!" he chuckled at the woman's deathly gaze and if she possessed heat vision, he would already be ash. “Unfortunately for you, I'm quite busy and don't feel like going to Belle Reve. Maybe next time, what do you think?”

“What the hell is Task Force X?”

The sudden question forced everyone to stare at Batman who was glaring at Amanda Waller, the arrest warrant still in his hands. Diana thought that most likely during the entire discussion he continued to read the document while part of his attention was focused on the conversation.

She didn't like the satisfied smile Amanda had on her lips at all. “It is a team made up of supervillains chosen by the USA government to carry out the most dangerous and suicidal missions, hence the alternative name of Suicide Squad, and in exchange their sentences are reduced. If they survive, of course.” she added with an emotionless giggle that made some heroes uncomfortable.

“I doubt that supervillains willingly agree to complete missions for the government of their own free will.” Black Canary pointed out helpfully.

“In fact they are forced.” Amanda clasped her hands behind her back, her smirk becoming even more sinister and cold. “We plant bombs in the heads of supervillains and threaten to blow them up if they don't obey.”

Silence.

The heroes and Renegade had completely shocked, horrified and disgusted looks at the black woman's words. Diana's chest heaved with terror, horror and nausea as she felt ice rush through her veins, her heart skipping a beat in fear.

They want this for Renegade too. They want to plant a bomb in his head to force him to complete suicide missions for the USA government against his own will.

This filled every fiber of her being with absolute fury and fear, knowing that one of the things Renegade held dearest was free will: free will that he would inevitably lose -again- to these assholes. The thought of a bomb being planted in her friend's head and Waller with a fucking remote control threatening to blow him up if he didn't do what she wanted sent shivers down her spine.

No person should have such control over another person, especially not Amanda Waller and certainly not over Renegade.

It completely disgusted her how Waller maintained a conversational and indifferent tone, despite it was one of the most disgusting and horrifying things she had ever heard.

“You can't do that! It is a complete violation of fundamental human rights!” Batman growled fiercely, shooting a cold glare at the woman from the American federal government.

If even Batman, who is becoming more and more of an asshole every day due to the darkness that is consuming him from within, disagrees with such treatment of people/criminals, then the situation is worse than one might expect.

“The project is authorized by the USA president himself.” Amanda stated with a shrug.

“Still he has no right to violate the fundamental rights of human beings in such a disgusting and horrible way.” Flash spat venomously, literally vibrating with anger.

Diana had rarely seen the speedster this agitated and angry but given how he genuinely cared about most of his villains, she wasn't that surprised.

“How long has this project been around?” Superman asked in a shocked and horrified whisper, finally speaking for the first time.

“For a few months.”

A low, inhuman growl caught everyone's attention and it shifted to Renegade, his body vibrating with rage as his masked eyes stared at Amanda with such intensity that it seemed as if he wanted to rip her soul out with his bare hands.

The demigoddess had never personally seen the young assassin so angry and never witnessed his murderous fury but she already knew that he was one step away from literally tearing Waller to shreds in such a way that only the examination of her DNA could identify her. 

And honestly Diana wasn't going to stop him: Waller deserved the worst.

“Who's on the team?”

“King Shark. Deadshot. Captain Boomerang.” out of the corner of her eye, Diana noticed Flash's horrified gasp. “Harley Quinn. Killer Croc. Enchantress.”

Diana swore she heard Renegade's teeth chattering loudly at the mention of the last three criminals. The situation threatened to escalate and worsen when Renegade pulled out one of his pistols, pointing it firmly at the black woman's head as the other heroes tensed. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your brains out right now.” he growled, the white slits of his red mask narrowing as it seemed as if shadows began to envelop his form, making his aura even more menacing and dangerous than it already was.

Wonder Woman reluctantly had to give Waller credit for the fact that she showed no terror or fear towards the mercenary, one of the scariest, toughest, most dangerous people Diana herself had ever met in her entire life. “Because if I don't meet my agents within a certain period they will blow the heads of your friends from the Suicide Squad.” she stated calmly and composedly, a twinkle in her eyes. “You don't want to be responsible for the deaths of your friends and future teammates, do you?”

Renegade gritted his teeth but against his current greatest desire -which was to make Amanda Waller regret even being born- he holstered his gun, simply staring at her with his most murderous gaze.

The reminder that Renegade would be forced to join the Suicide Squad hit Wonder Woman hard and she gave the black woman a hard look. “I won't let Renegade join your fucking team or even take him to Belle Reve.” she stated solemnly, positioning herself protectively at Renegade's side and her chest fluttered pleasantly at the small smile the young assassin gave her.

Whatever reaction the heroes and the mercenary expected from the directory of the supervillain penitentiary, she who burst out laughing was certainly not among them. Everyone looked at each other with extreme confusion and caution. “What's so funny?” Aquaman asked slowly and with obvious suspicion.

“Do you really think we would move Renegade to Belle Reve?” she asked rhetorically once she calmed down. “He would escape of there in less than twenty-four hours.”

Diana kicked Renegade's right leg lightly as she saw a smug, proud smile on his lips and his preening attitude, rolling her eyes affectionately at his silent giggle.

“Where will you take him, then?” Martian Manhunter asked with a slight frown on his face, his intense red eyes fixed on the woman.

The Amazon waited with bated breath for her response, her heart pounding with concern for her mercenary friend.

“In a maximum security facility of the A.R.G.U.S. Not even Renegade will be able to escape from there.”

Diana frowned, not recognizing the location. She whirled around when she heard Renegade's almost imperceptible gasp and stared at him, longing to remove that damned mask that prevented her from understanding his real emotions. “What is this about?” she asked him, easily sensing that the mercenary knew what Waller was talking about.

For a few seconds it seemed as if he hadn't heard her, which was practically impossible given his enhanced hearing, and his gaze was directly on Amanda's smirk. Only then Renegade slowly move his head, looking at the demigoddess with an indecipherable gaze due to that damned mask.

“Compared to this, Belle Reve is nothing to the maximum security facilities of the A.R.G.U.S. There is the worst of the worst, the greatest and most absolute scum of humanity. Each of them is so enormous that they each contain many hundreds of criminals with no moral or ethical restrictions towards anything or anyone. There are serial killers, pedophiles, rapists, traffickers of children, organs and human beings, depraved and mentally ill people. None of them would hesitate to sell, rape, torture or kill their parents, friends, innocents or children if it meant lessening their prison sentence even slightly. They are the most dangerous and scary criminals in the entire world because they have nothing to lose and because they have no shred of humanity or morality in them.” Renegade explained in a stoic and composed voice, his body more still than a statue.

A horrified, shocked, tense silence spread throughout the Watchtower.

A feeling of pure panic, horror and nausea filled every cell in Wonder Woman's body and she felt numb and dizzy at the mere thought that Renegade will practically have to live with literally the worst people in the entire world.

This feeling increased when she studied the young assassin more carefully, realizing that at that moment he was wearing a metaphorical mask that hid his true feelings.

While it wasn't actually a feeling of fear and panic, it was the closest thing to it that she had ever seen in Renegade and that she never thought she would ever see in him.

For all his danger, experience, brutality, ruthlessness, efficiency, lethality and despite his title as the world's second best assassin and mercenary, Renegade was only seventeen, something she often tended to forget as there was seemingly no such thing which he was unable to do. Not only that but also the fact that he had most likely already been through hell once and would have to go through it a second time.

And that was enough to terrify Diana to death and make her feel the most unpleasant and unwelcome emotions she had ever felt in her entire long life.

“You used me!” Batman growled ferociously, drawing everyone's attention. “You are the person who sent Commissioner Gordon the anonymous note indicating Renegade's possible sensory weaknesses!” he ended up clenching his fists tightly, hating the idea of ​​being used by Waller.

“A point to the best detective in the world.” Amanda gave a cold laugh. “Your obsession with Renegade has worked in my favor, Batman. So I thank you for doing the dirty work for me.” she scoffed with a smirk, not intimidated by the Gotham vigilante's growl.

Diana was shocked at how Waller deceived even the Dark Knight himself and reluctantly had to admit that the black woman had played her cards well.

“Y-You can't send Renegade there!”

The princess of Themyscira's head snapped to the side, her heart leaping into her throat and her limbs growing even heavier as she noticed the look of absolute terror, panic and shock in Zatanna's eyes with her face paler than usual.

“Renegade only killed their kind! Almost a thousand of them! T-the first thing those mentally ill people would do once they know that Renegade is there with them is to team up with each other to make him live through the worst hell ever!”

If Diana was already on the verge of getting sick in every way, now it was as if that feeling had been multiplied by a hundred. 

Zatanna was right.

Renegade would find himself completely alone against many hundreds of prisoners with no mercy and moral restrictions and, although he would have an advantage if he were fully equipped in his mercenary identity, this would not be the case as he would have no weapons or armor and would be also taken away his superhuman abilities.

Not even he in those conditions would have been able to defend himself against all the scum on the planet.

They would not hesitate to beat, torture, break and rape Renegade countless times and it would give them more sick pleasure given that he was Deathstroke's former apprentice and the current second best assassin and mercenary in the world.

Just the thought of it made nausea and bile rise in her and she reflexively swallowed it, shivering as she felt a cold shiver of terror, worry and fear creep up her spine.

Waller shrugged casually but the cold gleam in her eyes gave her away. “It's not my problem.”

A flash of the purest and most absolute form of determination, fury and anger filled every fiber of Diana’s being, her eyes becoming harder than steel. The most intense and ferocious anger clawed at her chest, begging for release against the bitch who intended to hurt, break and kill her friend, one of the best people she has ever met.

“I'll only tell you this once.” Wonder Woman began by taking a menacing step forward, her gaze deadly and murderous and her blue eyes glowing fiercely with danger with hellish flames dancing in them. “Leave Renegade alone. Otherwise I'll make you regret every fucking decision in your miserable life. Do you understand?” she growled dangerously, ignoring the surprised and shocked looks from her teammates.

Amanda snorted derisively. “Just when I'm so close to giving that son of a bitch what he deserves? Not by any chance." her emotionless eyes fell on the young mercenary who glared back. “I bet you will willingly surrender and be transferred to the A.R.G.U.S maximum security facility without objection.”

“Threatening the lives of your fucking team members?” Renegade crossed his arms, a note of warning and danger in his voice. “You don't want to kill them all at all, do you think? Because otherwise you would have to spend more resources and time finding more supervillains and I doubt your superiors will be happy about it.”

“In fact I have another card to play. A much more efficient one.” Amanda spoke calmly, a slow smirk forming between her lips as her eyes shone coldly. 

Her gaze fell on each hero present and what she spoke next filled them all, including Renegade, with pure shock and horror.

“Arthur Curry. J’onn J’onzz. Shayera Hol. Zatanna Zatara. Dinah Lance. Oliver Queen. Barry Allen. Hal Jordan. Diana Prince. Clark Kent. Bruce Wayne.”

Waller fully enjoyed the look of pure horror, shock and anger from the heroes, especially the Dark Knight whose true identity was literally the biggest secret in the world that took her years to discover, unlike the others who were definitely easier to discover.

“H-how the hell do you know our true identities?” Superman stuttered in fear and horror.

“The A.R.G.U.S. is literally the best federal agency in the world. There is very little we don't know." Waller replied smugly. Her gaze fell on Renegade who was frozen in place, also shocked by the situation. “I give you a free choice, Renegade. Or turn yourself peacefully to the A.R.G.U.S. and the identities of the heroes will remain secret or you can continue to be free but their identities will be revealed to the whole world in seconds.

“It will be your fault if anything happens to their loved ones. For example Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Martha and Jonathan Kent, Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox, Iris West-Allen, Carol Ferris, Roy Harper, Wally West and more. You know there are many villains who would like to take revenge on the heroes. What better way than to take it out on those who matter most to them?”

“Don't you dare threaten my adopted son, you bitch!” Green Arrow growled dangerously, clenching his fists.

“Now you threaten the heroes who have saved your own planet countless times?” Flash shook his head with disgust and disappointment, vibrating with anger as soon as she mentioned his nephew.

“What a great way to thank us for our hard work.” Hawkgirl spat venomously, swinging her mace at the black woman in threat.

“Aren't you even a little ashamed of your petty and deplorable threats? Many innocent lives would be at stake."

“Not even in the slightest.” Amanda answered Martian Manuhnter's question honestly. “I will not hesitate to carry out what I or my superiors want, no matter what. Even more so if it involves eliminating Renegade from circulation. And don't think about killing me, Renegade. There are A.R.G.U.S. agents who are currently monitoring my vital signs and if anything were to happen to me they have orders to publish the identities of the entire Justice League online.”

With a silent growl, Wonder Woman's attention shifted from Waller to her side, observing her unusually silent friend. She already knew what decision Renegade would make and while she would much rather reveal her identity to the world than have him fall into the hands of the federal government, she knew she couldn't do that.

One thing was just her identity and while she would most likely lose her job at the UN if it ever became known that a superhero had been mixed up in international affairs for years, that wouldn't have mattered much to her.

The only thing that mattered was the safety of the young assassin.

Another thing though was the identities of others who needed more privacy than she needed because they had many more loved ones to protect and keep safe.

It wouldn't be right to ask her teammates to make this huge sacrifice for Renegade and she couldn't do this to them, no matter how selfishly she wanted him to be safe.

She watched as Renegade took a step forward, her heart shattering as she watched him place his hands peacefully behind his head. “I give up. But promise me that the identities of the Justice League will remain confidential."

Diana was deeply moved and impressed by how Renegade's primary concern was still keeping the JL safe, despite the fact that he would soon end up in a living hell. She had met few people in her entire life who mirrored Renegade's kindness, thoughtfulness and goodness: she could count them on one hand and one of them was the antihero himself.

The princess of Themyscira noticed the shocked and surprised looks of her team in front of Renegade's sacrifice -Zatanna excluded: the sorceress had a sad smile and clearly expected such a move from the young assassin- and she felt the impulse to hit them one by one, damn them.

How the hell can't you see what I see in Renegade? His true nature? His kindness, goodness, thoughtfulness, his heart of gold, his altruism? About how is he one of the best people in the world? About how does he continue to sacrifice himself for us and the entire world over and over again?

“I promise.” Amanda nodded sharply. “This information is reserved exclusively for me and the director of the A.R.G.U.S. No one else has access to this kind of information.”

Renegade let out a small but genuine sigh of relief. “Okay, then.” he simply stated and sighed in defeat. “You win, Waller.”

Diana felt her eyes sting and ignored the sensation, preferring to clench her fists in fierce anger until she felt her nails dig into the skin of her hands, ignoring the warm liquid bathing her skin.

If there was one thing she hated infinitely it was the feeling of being helpless and she had never felt such a sensation to such intensity.

She gasped as she saw Waller hand Renegade an inhibitor collar and she hated how her friend didn't hesitate even slightly in putting it around his neck. Her heart nearly exploded with worry when she saw him fall to his knees with a grunt and she quickly reached him. “Renegade!”

“I-I'm fine, Princess.” Renegade stated through gritted teeth, which didn't ease her worries at all. “The transition from undead to normal human is-“ he grimaced. “-pretty annoying. Nothing I-” another grimace. “-can't handle.”

This made sense but she still didn't like it at all.

The demigoddess helped him to his feet, feeling slightly lighter when Renegade sent her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Princess.”

Diana felt a lump form in her throat at the mere thought of the intensity of the sacrifice that he was making for her and for the Justice League and that almost no one would have made, preventing her from speaking. She swallowed and managed to give him a shaky smile, the burning sensation in her eyes increasing slightly.

Renegade's posture and gaze softened and he was about to speak -knowing him and his caring nature, Diana bet that he wanted to comfort her even though he was the one who technically should have been comforted- but was preceded by the sharp, thick voice of Waller's derision.

“Stop it, lovebirds. I don't have all the time in the world."

The two rolled their eyes at the same time and ignored her. Renegade gave the demigoddess one last light smile that tugged painfully at her heartstrings. Her heart sank as the anti-hero turned, following Waller as she approached the zeta tubes that lit up about few minutes after the black woman began typing on the keypad.

Wonder Woman was drawn to the small smile Renegade gave her and that was the last thing she saw before the light enveloped them.

Recognized: Unknown

Recognized: Unknown

Diana painfully closed her eyes and the mental image of Renegade and his final smile that he gave her in a reassuring way, as if he were about to be escorted to the gallows -which was an apt simile given where he would be sent- it was enough to make her let out a slight sob.

The Amazon had run out of mental and emotional energy and it was as if everything overwhelmed her as the sense of emptiness, loss and defeat accumulated in her chest, consuming her.

Diana fell to her knees, still with her back to her teammates, and a solitary tear fell from her watery blue eyes, devoid of the usual proud and resolute light that always accompanied them.

I'm so sorry, Renegade. I’m so sorry.

Chapter Text

Wonder Woman didn't know exactly how much time had passed since Renegade and Amanda Waller left the Watchtower. For her it was as if time had stopped, as if the Earth had stopped spinning while her brain continued to show her the last moments of the young assassin, as if to tease and mock her about the fact that Renegade sacrificed himself for the Justice League and that the heroes could do nothing to help him or stop Waller.

What kind of heroes are we? What kind of superhero am I if I failed to help Renegade when he needed me most after he helped me and the JL so many times? What's the point of being Wonder Woman if I couldn't save my friend, one of the best people I've ever met?

The demigoddess took a long, deep breath in an attempt to compose herself.

Come on, Diana. Get a move on and stop whining like a little girl. You're fucking Wonder Woman, demigoddess, daughter of Zeus, Princess of Themyscira and the best of the fierce Amazon warriors. Pull yourself together and help Renegade!

With another deep sigh she wiped away the trail of the lone tear left on her face and rose to her full, imposing, legendary height. She turned, frowning when she encountered the rest of the team looking at her with looks that resembled pity. She clapped her hands together, meanly pleased at how most of them flinched at the sudden loud noise.

“What the hell are you standing there like idiots? We need to get moving and come up with a plan!”

“A-A plan?” Green Lantern repeated, surprised by the Amazon's sudden and rapid change in attitude.

She stared at him as if he were an idiot and Hal shrunk under her gaze, feeling tiny compared to her. “Yes, a plan. To help Renegade escape the clutches of that bitch Waller, A.R.G.U.S. and the US government.” she couldn't hold back her growl as she noticed the looks some of her teammates exchanged, fed up with all the bullshit that had just happened. "What?"

“Do you really want to help Renegade?” Aquaman asked hesitantly.

She gave him a hard look that made the King of Atlantis flinch. “It seems like the least after Renegade's sacrifice.” she stated coldly. “Perhaps you still haven't realized the magnitude of his actions. He traded his life for the well-being of us and our loved ones.”

"You are right." Zatanna quickly agreed with her and turned, facing the other heroes. “Renegade will go through hell at the A.R.G.U.S. maximum security facility. He, without his superhuman abilities, his armor and his weapons and gadgets, will have to face literally all the inmates who will not hesitate to team up to make him pay dearly for having eliminated almost a thousand of their similar human rubbish. In those conditions not even Renegade can do it alone against many hundreds of prisoners.”

“They will enjoy every single moment of beating, torturing, breaking and raping Renegade.” Diana continued, clearly wavering on the words she had just spoken. She swallowed the bile she felt rising and quickly suppressed the terror, shock, worry and nausea that pooled in her stomach at the mere thought that these could happen to her friend. “And they will enjoy it even more for the knowledge that they can break the world's second best assassin and mercenary, one of the strongest and most resilient people on Earth.”

“Does it seem fair to you that something like this should happen to a person my own age who is only seventeen?” Zatanna concluded, staring at the others with determined and resolute blue eyes.

Diana noticed the guilt, horror and awareness spreading through her friends and waited with bated breath for their reaction. Seconds passed filled with tense, heavy silence before Hawkgirl let out a growl. “I didn't like how Waller threatened us! We have to make them pay, dammit! How dare she threaten Earth's heroes?” she growled, swinging her club wildly. “That's and for sure Renegade doesn't deserve that.”

“I'm not sure. I mean, Waller has us all.” Superman said reluctantly.

“We just need to neutralize Waller and the director of A.R.G.U.S.”

“It won't be enough, Diana.” Flash shook his head sadly. “Do you think they haven't thought of some backup plan? This is the best federal agency in the entire world that we're talking about.”

“Certainly one of those is that the A.R.G.U.S. agents are ordered to make our identities online the moment there is even the slightest suspicion that Waller and the director are in danger.” Green Arrow pointed out crossing his arms.

“By the way, who is the director?”

“Sasha Bordeaux.” Batman answered Martian Manhunter's question impassively.

“I'm not surprised Spooky knew that.” Hal snorted. “Anyway, Barry and Ollie are right.”

“We just need to find a way to undo the hold they have on them.”

“Easier said than done.” the archer murmured, flinching at the Amazon's glare.

“It's too risky even for us.”

Diana narrowed her eyes at Black Canary. “We are the Justice League. We have faced threats far worse and more dangerous than Amanda Waller and the federal government.”

Dinah took a deep breath, trying to keep the guilt out of her expression. “That's because the risk concerned us, not our loved ones.” she gently pointed out. “We were always the ones risking our lives and not the people closest to us. In this case, however, the risk concerns more the people we love rather than ourselves."

“Dinah is right.” Ollie nodded in agreement with his girlfriend. “I can't risk Roy's life. If our identities ever become public knowledge, he will be the first person my enemies will want to hurt and kill to make me suffer.” he shook his head with a sigh. “It's too risky. I am sorry."

“If Luthor found out my true identity and that Conner lives with me…” Superman shuddered at the thought. “Who knows what he would do.”

Wonder Woman stared hard at the Man of Steel. “You too, Kal-El?” she snarled, so pissed that she didn't even feel a bit of petty satisfaction at seeing his slight grimace at her use of his Kryptonian name. “I would never have taken you for a coward!”

“I'm not but you have to understand that-“

“Does it seem right to you that an innocent person threw his safety into hell to save our butts?” the demigoddess interrupted him abruptly, her blue eyes shining coldly. “I wouldn't have blamed Renegade if he had rejected Waller's offer because he doesn't deserve the hell he's going to go through at all! Yet he didn't hesitate at all and chose to prioritize the safety of us and our loved ones over his own well-being because he is one of the kindest, most caring, selfless, loyal, sweetest and best people in the world!”

"Diana-" Flash tried to reason with her but he too was cut off.

“We are the heroes! The fucking Justice League! The protectors of the Earth and the universe! We should have been the ones to save Renegade and make sure he was safe, not the other way around, dammit!” Diana spat angrily with a ferocious snarl between her lips.

“You're making Renegade look like he's a saint.” Batman spoke coldly.

“And you were so obsessed with Renegade that you let Waller trick you and use you like an idiot without even realizing it until it was too late.” Wonder Woman replied coldly without flinching, an emotionless smile when she saw him clench his fists. “The best detective in the world, my ass.”

The heroes gasped and Superman took an uncertain step forward. “Let's all calm down, okay? Let's all take a breath-“

“Now is not the time, Kal-El.” the demigoddess turned towards him, glaring at him with a disappointed and irritated look. “If Lois had been in Renegade's shoes you wouldn't have hesitated even for a second to save her, even if it meant flaunting your identity to the whole world.” she pointed out, her anger rising when Superman looked away, implicitly agreeing with her.

“Look Diana, we would all like to help Renegade. I'm serious." Hal started slowly, choosing his words extremely carefully to avoid the very real threat of being killed by the very angry Amazon. “But the risk to the people we love is too great and real. If Waller or Bordeaux found out we wanted to help Renegade, do you think they would hesitate to make our identities online?”

“We all know that Waller, even though he promised Renegade, wouldn't hesitate to break that promise.” Dinah continued. Her gaze softened slightly. “Your dedication, determination and loyalty in wanting to help Renegade is truly admirable and I know he is a very good friend of yours but for us… I know it's bad to say it, but Renegade doesn't matter to us as much as the people closest to us. I wouldn't risk Roy's well-being for a second to try to save Renegade.”

Batman growled. “You have to learn to do without Renegade.”

The other heroes flinched, fearing the demigoddess's reaction, and Zatanna shook her head furiously, glaring at him. “You have to stop-“

"No." the Caped Crusader abruptly interrupted the sorceress and he took a step forward, raising his head slightly to meet Wonder Woman's indecipherable gaze. “If you don't have the courage to say it, I will say it.”

The centenarian woman narrowed her eyes. “Tell me what?” she asked slowly, tilting her head to the side menacingly.

“You need to put aside your romantic feelings towards Renegade.”

Wonder Woman opened her eyes wide and unconsciously took a step back, her heart skipping a beat. “W-What?”

“Batman don’t-“

The Dark Knight continued coldly, ignoring Black Canary's plea. “You heard me right. Your romantic feelings towards Renegade are very unprofessional and immoral. You have to get rid of them, otherwise you will always be emotionally compromised.”

Diana felt her limbs grow heavy, rooting her to the spot. Batman's next words were a dull, muffled noise to her ears that she couldn't pick up. A huge boulder settled on her chest and for a brief moment it was as if she had even forgotten how to breathe. She swore she heard someone call her name but it was as if they were all far away, the words blurring into each other.

I have to regain control. Now.

The princess of Themyscira took a deep breath, bottled up and hid all her emotions in a corner of her mind to be able to study and analyze them later and finally stared at Batman who was continuing to scold her.

“Fuck you, Wayne.”

The heroes froze in place, their comically wide eyes showing shock and fear, and the Gotham vigilante finally stopped, narrowing his white eyes at her. “What did you say?”

“You have no fucking right to tell me what to do and not to do.” Diana growled, taking a menacing step forward. “You're just a deeply traumatized and mentally unstable man who dresses up as a bat as an attempt at coping when in reality the thing you need most is fucking therapy.” she ignored the shocked gasps of the other heroes and took another step forward, finding herself facing the Caped Crusader and glaring at him with a deadly glare. “Anyone with any sense knows that you've been getting darker and more of an asshole to everyone around you for years. That you are passively attempting suicide in your crusade. You know what? Get killed. I don't care anymore. You've disappointed your parents so many times, what difference does it make one more time?”

"Diana!" Superman gasped in horror and shock as did all the other heroes. “This is too much! You've gone too far!”

"I don’t care." Diana replied sharply. “Someone had to tell him face to face.” her gaze remained fixed on Batman who was literally shaking and seething with anger but she ignored him, her gaze falling on her other teammates. “Most of you have disappointed me. You should fight Waller and the federal government. Don't give up like fucking cowards just because they threaten you and your loved ones. We're the fucking Justice League, dammit! The best superhero team ever! Not a bunch of hesitant cowards!” she concluded with a growl.

Silence.

She took a deep breath, keeping in check all the frustration and anger that filled every fiber of her being at that moment. “Who can I count on to save Renegade?”

Quickly Zatanna raised her hand first, followed immediately by Hawkgirl. After a few more seconds of hesitation they were followed by Martian Manhunter and finally Aquaman.

The demigoddess nodded, staring gratefully at her teammates who were with her. "Very good. I will keep you updated on how we proceed.” she stated, smiling slightly when they nodded. She turned and walked towards the zeta tubes, pausing briefly before turning and staring at the rest of her team. “Oh, I almost forgot. If we seven founding members survived the battle against the Injustice League, it was thanks to Renegade. It was he who shot Wotan, saving our asses, and who shot down the Atomic Skull, making plants disappear from cities and saving the lives of many thousands, if not millions, of people.” she revealed casually, watching with satisfaction at the looks of utter shock and surprise from the other heroes as the zeta tube lit up around her.

Recognized: Wonder Woman 03

Hold on, Renegade. I will save you as soon as possible. No matter what.

Slade Wilson was worried like never before.

It had been hours since Dick left for a contract and he hadn't returned since. The thing that worried him the most was that he couldn't even contact him through the communicator.

The only time his son was late on a contract was when he was momentarily captured by the Justice League but even the heroes couldn't keep him occupied for even half an hour, let alone full hours.

Slade knew something serious had happened to his son.

Every instinct and sense of his as a father was practically screaming at him.

The super soldier regretted the decision of not having implanted a tracker in the new Renegade armor like in the old one only because Dick wanted to have more independence and freedom.

When Slade found his son, he would put 3 damn trackers on his armor.

When.

Not if.

Slade wouldn't accept anything else.

He would find his son, no matter if he had to burn the whole world.

For Dick, Slade would have done literally anything.

For the briefest moment the former soldier was shaken by the horrible and frightening idea that the Court of Owls had kidnapped Dick again but his body screamed with immense relief when he remembered that his son's contract was completely far from Gotham.

Then the light bulb went on in his brain.

The most dangerous and experienced mercenary in the world knew that there was only one person in the entire world who would not stop under any circumstances to see Renegade behind bars, Waller excluded as she would not make another attempt so soon after her recent failure broadcast live worldwide.

Slade quickly donned his Deathstroke The Terminator armor and slammed the blades of his swords together, enjoying the streaking metallic noise that played. The assassin made sure every gun he owned was loaded and he polished every knife he owned.

Destination: Gotham City.

Deathstroke The Terminator had a Bat to make sing like a canary.

Chapter Text

Batman turned around and grunted painfully as a violent fist connected with his face. His back slammed hard into the roof of a building and he gritted his teeth as the full weight of Deathstroke The Terminator piled on top of him, pinning him to the ground.

The world's deadliest mercenary brought his half-black and half-orange mask closer to the Caped Crusader's cowl, a low, menacing growl that reverberated through the polluted air of Gotham.

“I'll tell you this once, Batman. Where is Renegade?”

In response, the vigilante headbutted the assassin and his grip on him loosened enough for the hero to push the other man away with all his strength. He stood up and spat blood onto the ground without ever taking his eyes off the meta-human. “Deathstroke. Get out of my city.” he growled.

The assassin cracked his neck. “Not before you tell me where Renegade is.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

"Well." the super soldier nodded, a cold smirk behind his mask. “Harder way, then.”

Deathstroke launched himself at the vigilante who dodged his assault but the assassin whirled around with a roundhouse kick which however was blocked in mid-air by Batman who hit the other leg of the assassin with a strong kick. The latter fell to the ground with a grunt but immediately got up with a backfilp, blocking the punch aimed at his face with one hand and attempting to hit the hero's stomach with the other hand. The Caped Crusader deflected the punch with his other arm and jumped over the kick of Renegade's former mentor, attempting to kick him in the face while he was still in mid-air.

The super soldier blocked the kick and violently flipped Batman to the ground who grunted as his back collided with the hard surface of the roof.

Over the next few minutes the two enemies continued to fight, both landing several hits on each other. The only vaguely audible sounds were their slightly rapid breathing and the occasional grunt.

For a moment it seemed as if Batman had the advantage, given his hand-to-hand combat skills superior to those of the mercenary, but the situation was immediately reversed when Deathstroke, gifted with superhuman physical abilities and driven by the purest ferocious rage and dad overprotective mode to find out where the hell his son was, managed to stab the vigilante just above the left knee, breaking through the Kevlar layer of the armor. Batman grunted in pain and the assassin took advantage of those few hundredths of a second to hit the hero with a ferocious punch, breaking his nose and part of his upper lip, the sound of broken cartilage that spread through the restless silence of Gotham.

The Caped Crusader fell abruptly to the ground and let out a strangled noise as Deathstroke landed his full weight on his chest with a ferocious elbow, breaking a few ribs and making him cough up blood. The mercenary quickly unsheathed one of his swords and aimed it at his neck, cutting through the Kevlar protecting him. A small trickle of blood formed on the downed vigilante's neck, slowly flowing downwards.

“Tell me where Renegade is, Bat.”

Batman remained silent, fearlessly returning the other man's masked gaze. He grunted as the cold blade was pushed slightly deeper into his neck, bathing the assassin's sword in his blood.

“I don't have all the time in the world.” Deathstroke growled ferociously, his expert grip on his sword never wavering. “I know you know where my son is. So either you tell me where he is right now or I’ll deliver to your butler your severed head served on a silver platter.”

The Dark Knight smirked sinisterly, showing off his bloody teeth. “Renegade would never forgive you if you killed a hero and you know it too, Deathstroke.”

The world's most dangerous mercenary stared at the vigilante for a few more seconds of tense silence before violently striking his head with the hilt of his sword, causing his head to snap harshly to the side and spit out more blood. With his other hand the assassin grabbed Batman's head and brutally crashed it into the hard surface of the roof three times, releasing his grip when he felt the hero's body go limp.

“Enjoy a violent concussion, you son of a bitch.” Deathstroke spat venomously at the unconscious figure as he placed his sword back on his back, crossing it in an X with the other.

Slade knew that Wayne was responsible for his son's disappearance, otherwise the vigilante would have denied it from the start. Knowing this he broke Batman's left leg, the sound of breaking bones like classical music to his ears.

“Happy healing time, asshole.”

It was highly likely that Batman had been aided by the Justice League since Slade hardly saw Dick defeated solely by the Gotham vigilante.

With a frustrated sigh the super soldier left the downed hero on the roof as he walked away, heading towards the abandoned and unused Gotham cabin that he knew was actually a zeta tube. Luckily Dick had taught him a long time ago how to hack zeta tubes to get to any destination you wanted, although Slade wasn't as fast and skilled at hacking as his son was but still, Dick was literally the best hacker in the world , so it wasn't even a fair competition.

The thought of his son gave him a pang of pain in his chest that he ignored.

Next destination: Watchtower.

Deathstroke The Terminator was on the march to declare war on the entire Justice League and nothing and no one would be able to stop his war path.

Wonder Woman drummed her fingers on the table as she listened to Aquaman, Zatanna, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl come up with different plans in an attempt to come up with the right one to undo the hold the federal government has on them and free Renegade.

Up until that point, however, it was still a failure.

Diana was becoming more and more agitated and nervous with each passing minute because it meant that Renegade was still in the most dangerous prison in the world practically defenseless against the entire prison suffering things that she didn't even want to imagine.

At that moment her mind wandered, absentmindedly paying attention to the words of her teammates.

This was the moment she for the first time could analyze and reorganize her thoughts and feelings since the day before, when all the Renegade and Waller hell had happened and she practically got into a fight with most of the team, once she returned to her house she fainted in her bed.

Yesterday had been one of the heaviest days ever in her entire life and she had exhausted her mental and emotional energy.

The memory of Batman ordering her to put aside her romantic feelings for Renegade flashed through her mind and she felt a small blush appear on her face, grateful that no one was watching her at the time.

The first thing she thought was that Batman was making a bigger mistake than ever before. The very thought of such a thing was nothing short of crazy and unlikely.

The denial was soon replaced by immense confusion and a deeper realization.

Diana could not deny that Renegade has always aroused a sort of intriguing mystery that has always fascinated and attracted her, especially after their first meeting and clash and especially because of the profound, philosophical and emotional discourse that did not suit the mentality of any ordinary seventeen-year-old, which led her to realize that the mercenary was much more mature than most adults she had ever met.

The more she got to know Renegade, the more of a mystery he was and the more she was attracted to his mysterious and dark figure.

That was also the first time Renegade gave her the nickname "Princess" so full of genuine affection that it had confused and annoyed her at first.

From that moment on it was as if everything was downhill.

The first beautiful bouquet of gerberas, Renegade secretly saving the lives of the seven founding members against the Injustice League, the extermination of the Red Sharks, the first time the JL had captured Renegade and his escape from the most secure cells in all of planet, Diana researching Renegade, the second time the mercenary kicked the entire Justice League's ass which was the crucial moment she started to understand him, the whole thing of the missing adults/kids where Renegade helped Zatanna and saved her life at the expense of his own, him helping her in the alien invasion during which they started to understand each other much better and know much more about each other, the second bouquet of gerberas, him preventing Diana from revealing her identity as Wonder Woman to the whole world by neutralizing the terrorist attack and more.

All this while Renegade flirted incessantly with her, even though his flirting was genuinely innocent and friendly but still he gave her the best compliments ever that no one has ever given her in her entire life.

Diana had already understood for a long time that she had begun to genuinely care for Renegade and that this care went far beyond simple esteem and respect. This was proven by the several occasions where she had been fiercely protective of the young assassin, even going against her own team multiple times and she never regretted it, and that her entire being ached every time he did.

She had feelings for Renegade that were completely different from those she had felt in her entire life and towards all the people she had ever known, including in those few romantic relationships she had on Themyscira or in Man's World.

The Amazon couldn't be completely sure whether what she felt for Renegade was romantic attraction or simply a deep friendship.

Surprisingly, however, the idea of ​​a hypothetical romantic relationship with the mercenary, although initially the mere idea surprised her, did not make her feel uncomfortable, annoyed or anything else, on the contrary.

Renegade was hands down one of the best people in the world and probably the best who was making the Earth a better place thanks to his ideal of justice which perfectly mirrored her own. Furthermore, he was one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, kindest and most heart of gold people she has ever met and one of the very few who can make her cheer up and have fun even with little. Renegade was also a person who didn't let anyone command and control him and was very strong and determined in terms of character which led her to respect him a lot, as well as for many other reasons.

Even though they were both technically on opposite sides of the law, Diana didn't care at all: as good friends as they were, they could now also be great romantic partners. Of course, although Renegade was still seventeen and technically a minor, in addition to the fact that he was probably just a few months away from coming of age, there was also to consider the fact that for Wonder Woman practically the entire world population was children in age compared to her since she was many centuries old, excluding Martian Manhunter, the Hawks and a few supervillains.

So the factors of age and that she was a superhero and he was a mercenary anti-hero wouldn't have been much of an obstacle in their hypothetical relationship which would still be exclusively between the two of them, so fuck all those who would have opposed it.  

Romantic feelings or not for Renegade, that didn't matter now.

The only thing that mattered was getting Renegade out of the hell he currently found himself in, then everything else came.

The heads of all five heroes snapped almost simultaneously towards the closed doors of the meeting room as they heard what vaguely resembled a muffled scream of pain. They exchanged a brief glance and immediately stood up, sprinting towards the direction where the sounds of chaos and fighting were coming from which were growing louder and louder.

A few seconds later Wonder Woman stopped along one of the corridors, unprepared for what her eyes were showing her.

Deathstroke The Terminator stood, surrounded by the beaten figures of the other heroes.

Superman had a gunshot wound to his right side -definitely a kryptonite bullet- and was barely holding himself against the wall, Flash had his legs broken and tied together by a rope that at first glance seemed very strong, Hal Jordan lay unconscious and his armor was completely covered in yellow paint which nullified his powers and to top it off Black Canary and Green Arrow lay piled up and full of wounds in a corner of the corridor.

Deathstroke's gaze immediately fell on the newcomers and he let out a cold, menacing chuckle. “Here comes the cavalry. Word of warning: I'm not in the mood to waste time, so either you tell me where the hell Renegade is or I'll kick your ass too.” he growled, his height, posture and mass radiating Danger Threat Destruction.

Wonder Woman's arm automatically shot to the side, preventing her teammates from moving forward. She ignored their confusion and surprise, slowly and peacefully raising her hands in the air as she took a step forward, her gaze fixed on the half black half orange mask.

“We don't want to hurt you, Deathstroke.” she ignored the assassin's incredulous snort and continued. “I know you are worried about your son and it is honorable that you went this far for him. I'm serious: not all parents would do things like this for their children, so it's clear that Renegade means more to you than anything else in the world.”

Renegade's former mentor tilted his head to the side but remained silent.

The princess of Themyscira was not deterred by his silence and continued. “Yesterday Batman managed to capture Renegade with the help of the Justice League without having said anything to me or Zatanna. He managed to neutralize him because he discovered his sensory weaknesses, especially hearing.”

The mercenary growled. “How did Batman find out?”

“Apparently it was all part of Amanda Waller's plan.” she didn't miss how the man minutely tensed at the mention of the federal government woman's name. “Waller threatened us heroes to reveal our true identities to the entire world if Renegade did not voluntarily turn itself in.”

“That bitch.” Deathstroke cursed, knowing full well that his son would never allow the heroes and their loved ones to be in such danger. “So Renegade is in Belle Reve now?” he asked with an almost hopeful tone in his voice.

“Unfortunately not.” the demigoddess swallowed hard, knowing it was time to reveal the worst parts of the story. “She sent him to one of the A.R.G.U.S. maximum security facilities.”

The mercenary stiffened, his heart skipping a beat as his mind momentarily went blank of any coherent thought.

Hell no! Not there, damn it! Anywhere but there!

He clenched his fists, feeling fierce fury, immense worry and terror fill every fiber of his being.

Waller just signed her death warrant. She won't get away with it, not after this. 

“And that's not all.”

"What? Is there even worse than my son being sent to the most dangerous prison in the world filled with hundreds of mentally ill, depraved, without moral, worst inmates in the world where suddenly their greatest desire will be to break him?” he asked sarcastically in a ferocious pissed off growl.

“Waller wants Renegade to be part of the Suicide Squad.”

“What the hell is that?”

“A team of supervillains who must carry out very dangerous and practically suicidal missions on behalf of the federal government who implants bombs in their heads to force them to accept such missions.”

Deathstroke stared at Wonder Woman with a flat look behind his mask. “You're fucking kidding me.”

“Unfortunately not.” the demigoddess shook her head sadly and nodded to her teammates at her side. “And that's why we were going to find a way to undo the government's hold on us and save Renegade.”

Renegade's former mentor stared at them one by one for a few seconds. “Are you serious?” he didn't expect the determined nods from the other four heroes but he appreciated them. He knew they could be trusted because it was Wonder Woman who said it and she was a friend of his son -the very thought was so strange but hilarious at the same time: only Dick could become friends with a demigoddess Amazon warrior, who he had a deep crush on since he was only eleven years old, and also with a sorceress-, so he nodded. “Good then. In the morning I will contact you but I only need two of you because I already have other allies I can count on and then there will be too many of us."

“Zatanna and I will come.” the demigoddess stated after exchanging a meaningful look with the sorceress.

“Are you sure?” Aquaman began, hesitant and wary. “Deathstroke is a member of the Light.” he reminded them.

“Right now he is a worried, pissed off father who will stop at nothing to save his son.”

“Wonder Woman is right.” Martian Manhunter intervening with a nod. “His emotions are so intense and deep that it's hard for me not to be overwhelmed by them.”

“Well, then keep us updated.” Hawkgirl demanded, nodding in satisfaction at the nod from the Amazon and the sorceress.

Diana merely let out a sigh as she watched Deathstroke's imposing figure disappear with the zeta tubes.

We will save you, Renegade.

Chapter Text

Dick blinked slowly and an involuntary groan escaped his lips. He tried to rub his eyes but quickly realized that his arms were heavily bound on a cold, hard surface. He shook his head and narrowed his eyes in an attempt to clear the fog and dizziness from his vision.

The last thing he remembered after leaving the Watchtower under Amanda Waller's strict control was her injecting a syringe into his neck which, judging by the effects he was feeling at the time, was a sedative.

And one that was quite powerful too because he was as dazed and confused as he had ever felt up to that moment. 

He looked around, noticing that he was in a cold, gray room with several guards scattered around the room.

Interrogation room.

The acrobat ignored the feeling of the metal surrounding his neck, having now become accustomed to the inhibitor collar, and looked down, discovering that not only were his hands heavily tied to the table but his legs were also tied to the chair. As Flash had done before, the federal agents had also stripped him of his weapons -or at least most of them- and his gloves but in this case he had also been stripped of his boots. Instead his armor and greaves were still in place as they were tied by his utility belt which had an excellent safety system as did his mask.

He sighed.

If it weren't for the risk of them revealing the identities of heroes around the world, I would run away from here in a heartbeat. Once I get over the numbness of whatever shit they injected me with, obviously. 

Wanting to behave in the worst possible way, the Talon began chattering annoyingly and loudly about whatever topic came into his dazed head, silently chuckling when he saw the guards' clear nervousness and their desire to shoot him.

He continued like this for many minutes -he was too confused to even understand how much time had passed but he was still impressed by the willpower of the guards who had not yet shot him: he hoped that someone would give them a raise- and just when he was in the midst of a rant about elephant mating, he was abruptly interrupted when the door to the room suddenly opened.

Renegade pretended to brighten when she saw Amanda Waller and gave her a smile, albeit a shaky one. “Waller! How kind of you to deign me with your honorable presence!” he joked, slurring slightly between words.

“Do you know why you're still so drugged?” the woman asked with an amused and pleased smile. “We filled your system with so much anesthesia that it's honestly a miracle you recovered so quickly.”

"Anesthesia?" the assassin stammered in confusion.

“We operated on you and implanted a bomb in your brain.” Waller smiled coldly. “You are now an official member of the Suicide Squad. My congratulations, Renegade.”

Dick's still dazed and drugged brain took a few seconds longer than necessary to comprehend her words. When he did, he sighed and refrained from banging his head on the interrogation table, knowing that it would only stun him further. "The joy." he stated in a flat voice.

“Now let's move on to your charges.” Amanda continued, sitting in front of the mercenary and placing several files on the table so that he can take a look.

Renegade lit up, genuinely excited by the situation. “This is the first time I have been interrogated and accused by the government!” he took on a deep, dramatic voice. “What am I accused of, officer?”

Waller frowned at his excited demeanor but shrugged it off, pointing to a particularly large file. “You are officially charged with 943 first degree murders-“

“It's actually 948. At least keep track, please.”

The woman glared at him and gritted her teeth. “You are officially charged with 948 first degree murders, 241 arsons-“

“I really like fire. It gives particular drama.”

“-illegal possession of firearms-“

“You should, like, arrest half the population of the United States for this crime.”

“-crimes committed on international territories, blackmail, fraud and theft, destruction of 189 private properties, pollution of crime scenes, destruction of evidence, disclosure of confidential information, extortion, violation of international civil rights-“

“Ironic and inconsistent of you and your fucking Suicide Squad, don't you think?

“-mutilation-“

“One of my favorites, honestly.”

“-torture-“

“Another one of my favorites.”

“-theft of 115 identities, forgery, use of fire or explosives to destroy property, kidnapping of 186 people, assault on 75 public officials and assault on 34 federal agents-“

“It's not my fault they were corrupt but hey, at least I made sure they rot eternally in prison where they will find plenty of entertainment.”

“-killing 41 officers and 16 federal officers-“

“They were not only corrupt but much worse.”

“-obstruction of investigations and federal investigations-“

“I solved some of your cases and this is your thanks? Ungrateful.”

“-theft of trade secrets, 73 murder committed in federal government facility, aiming a laser pointer at 14 aircraft-“

“Obviously I made sure that there were only criminals in those planes before I brought them down. It was also part of my bucket list to accomplish before I die. Permanently."

“-hijacking of 7 planes-“

“Same thing.”

“-crimes aboard aircraft, crimes on Indian and government reservations, detention of 3 armed vessels-“

“I had to eliminate a couple of bad apples. I didn't even touch the rest of the crews."

“-drive-by shooting-“

“Very exciting. I recommend trying it at least once in your life.”

"-embezzlement-"

“My contract money is very honest, thank you very much. That and when I stole millions and billions of dollars from several multi-million dollar and multi-billion dollar companies, I distributed all this money to anti-hunger charities, research organizations to find cures for rarer diseases etc.”

“-entering train to commit crime and hostage-taking.” Waller looked up from the file she was reading and stared at him with an impassive eyebrow raised. “Did I forget about some other crime?”

“Actually yes.” Renegade admitted honestly, surprising her. “Mostly cyber crimes but it was expected that you wouldn't know anything about it because I always make sure I leave no traces. I'm just the best hacker in the world, you know?”

Waller looked at him with a look that clearly indicated she couldn't tell whether he was serious or not and finally she sighed, taking a pen from her pocket and waving at him very reluctantly. "Go ahead."

“Cyber ​​crimes and international cyber crimes, hacking of federal agencies such as FBI, NCIS, DEA, CIA etc. and White House servers. All this for boredom, fun and to solve some cases you left unfinished.” the mercenary chuckled at the woman's flat look and continued. “Illegal wiretapping and last but not least violation of servers related to the government’s atomic weapons.”

Amanda slammed her hands violently on the table, staring at him in complete shock and horror. “YOU DID WHAT?” she screamed wildly, her face slightly paler than usual

Dick chuckled at the panicked looks from even the guards who were on the verge of fainting once they finished listening to his entire list of crimes committed. He just shrugged as much as he could. “Again, I did it for fun and because I was bored. I also greatly improved the security of those servers, making them virtually inaccessible.”

The woman rubbed her temples, clearly exhausted and tired from his bullshit. “Tell me that at least you only hacked the American servers related to government’s atomic weapons.” his silence and shit-eating smirk made her curse loudly. “You're kidding me!”

“I couldn't let some hacker infiltrate some state's databases and drop an atomic bomb on another state!” Renegade quickly defended himself. “It was my duty as the best hacker in the world to make these servers inaccessible to everyone except authorized ones. You're welcome, anyway.”

“For heaven's sake. I'm too old for this bullshit." Amanda murmured, shooting a death glare at Renegade when he laughed. “Any final comments before I officially condemn you?”

Silence.

“I want my lawyer.”

“Stop joking, Renegade.” Waller growled. “You are sentenced to 1796 life sentences and 542 death sentences. You are by far the criminal with the most crimes committed, life sentences and death sentences received in the entire history of the world. Not even your former mentor Deathstroke The Terminator would reach such numbers and he has been a mercenary for about 10 years even before your official debut.”

Take that, Slade!

“What can I say?” Renegade smiled innocently. “I like to be first in all things.”

“How I would love to have you personally serve out all your death sentences.” Waller hissed angrily, a cold glint in her emotionless brown eyes.

The assassin gave her a mysterious and enigmatic smile. “Huh. You can do it. It wouldn't be anything new that I haven't already dealt with, after all.” he paused briefly. “Though I never wanted this particular kind of second round.”

The woman ignored his quirks and continued. “You're fucking lucky you'd be the government's best asset. You will need many hundreds of missions with the Suicide Squad if you want to serve out all your sentences.”

Renegade erupted into the eerie cackle that made every agent in the room shudder. “As if. I will be able to escape from here sooner than you might expect.”

Amanda raised an eyebrow, staring at him coldly. “Have you forgotten that if you even dare to think about escaping, I will reveal the identities of the heroes to the entire world?”

“Have you forgotten that you are dealing with the best hacker in the history of mankind?” the Talon promptly retorted without holds barred. “Even a crappy computer is enough for me to erase every single piece of evidence you have accumulated over the years. All your sacrifices will be null and useless. I’ll kill you and Bordeaux and make sure that neither the A.R.G.U.S. nor will any other federal agency undertake the task of rediscovering the identities of the heroes.”

Waller narrowed his eyes. “Is this a threat?”

"No." Renegade sent her his scariest, deadliest, most dangerous smirk and if it hadn't been for the inhibitor collar, his eyes would have glowed an unnatural gold right now. “It's a promise. One that I will keep no matter what the cost. Even going so far as to threaten, kill or oust the current president of the USA who is too interested in getting in the way of the heroes for my liking. Only the United States wants to have a hold on the heroes: no other state in the whole world pisses off the Justice League except you, the USA government. I will make sure something like this never happens again. Not while I'm still alive."

The two enemies looked at each other for a few seconds of tense silence until Waller growled. She stood up, grabbed a key from her pocket and unlocked the metal restraints that bound Renegade's arms and feet. “Get up.” she ordered him sharply and waited for him to follow her order before continuing. “Give me your utility belt.”

The antihero chuckled mischievously. “Who was the unfortunate person who tried to rip off my mask and utility belt?”

The woman was not at all amused and she just silently held out her hand expectantly.

Renegade sighed and with one fluid motion he undid his utility belt. Dick next sneezed and reflexively put both hands over his mouth. “Bless you too.” he joked, taking his hands away from his face and handing the utility belt to the unamused woman. “I keep the mask on, though. It's non-negotiable.”

She shrugged casually. “We've already taken your blood, so we'll find out your and Deathstroke's true identity shortly.”

The assassin simply nodded, willfully ignoring the part where any analysis of his DNA would take much longer than normal thanks to his computer skills.

She didn't have to know.

“Take off the breastplate and greaves of your armor.”

With another sigh Renegade did as he was told and a few seconds later he was left in his underwear.

“Even your underwear.”

The mercenary gave her the are you fucking serious? look to which the woman nodded impassively. With a brief hesitation, the seventeen-year-old also took off his underwear and immediately felt uncomfortable at being so exposed, especially from a physical point of view.

Waller must have noticed his discomfort because she sent him a cold smirk. “Who would have thought that the mighty Renegade was such susceptible to nudity?”

The Talon bit his lip and simply sent her an annoyed look. He noticed her gaze fixed on his chest and he followed the direction of her eyes, swallowing hard when he realized that she was looking particularly at the scar positioned exactly at the height of his heart.

Cobb had stabbed him in the heart.

Cobb had killed him when Dick Grayson was just a seven-year-old boy, who had recently lost Mami and Tati and who had just killed his parents' killer.

Cobb, his own great-grandfather and his last living blood relation, had not hesitated to kill his own flesh and blood and then inject him with electrum and bring him back to life as an undead, an empty shell of his former self.

That was the moment that began his transformation from Dick Grayson to The Talon, The Gray Son, the most dangerous and lethal weapon in all the world and the tool that would lead the Court of Owls to conquer Gotham.

Dick returned to the present just in time to see Waller nod to someone behind him and he turned with stiff muscles, relaxing slightly when he saw a guard handing him the orange prison jumpsuit. The youngest quickly put on his underwear and the rest of the jumpsuit, breathing a sigh of relief when he was fully dressed again. He turned to the woman when she began to speak.

“Now Albert will take you to your cell. Be good, Renegade, because I could make your head explode at any moment.” Waller stated and to emphasize her point she pulled out a remote control with a small red button glowing ominously. “You are so special that this is exclusively connected to your head. Aren't you happy?" she teased with a derisive smirk.

Dick mentally filed the information away and smirked back. “I bet some guards will have a remote control that instead hits me with an electric shock from the inhibitor collar.”

"Exact." she nodded. “So be good as a fucking puppy and don't cause chaos. Don't worry, Renegade: I will visit you often because I have special plans for you.”

“The joy, part two.”

“Enough chatter now. Albert, why don't you take the new arrival to his cell to meet his new roommates?”

“Yes ma'am.”

Renegade bit back his annoyed growl as Albert the guard grabbed him by the shoulders to roughly shove him forward. As he walked away with the guard Dick smirked mentally, his tongue hiding a toothpick beneath it. 

Bless you too, Waller.

Chapter Text

“Won't you take me on a tour of the place, Albert?” Renegade innocently asked the guard who was escorting him to his cell.

Albert gave him a sharp push forward. "Shut up."

"Boring." the mercenary muttered, grunting when the older man gave him another shove. "All right! Damn, I get it!”

Renegade mentally archived the route from the interrogation room to the corridor where there were numerous cells, knowing that he would have to memorize the layout of the entire facility as best as possible if he wanted to get out as soon as possible, no matter how fucking huge it was. He learned that his cell was apparently in the D wing of the facility and ignored the noises made by the criminals -wolf whistles, death threats, harsh insults and other noises so disgusting that he didn't even want to dwell on them- and simply shivered mentally at the mere thought of the many hundreds of criminal scum he would have to deal with.

The corridor seemed to go on forever and the more Dick heard the sounds of the hardened and depraved criminals the more he felt sick inside, knowing that he wouldn't have an easy life at all for who knows how long.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity Albert finally stopped in front of a cell, grabbed his set of keys and inserted one into the cell lock, opening it. The 17-year-old barely took a step forward when he was abruptly shoved forward but still managed not to fall. He whirled around, momentarily putting aside how as soon as he turned towards the bars his instincts were screaming DANGER DANGER DANGER from behind him, and glared at the guard who sent him a cold smirk. “Have fun with your new friends.”

The mercenary turned and predictably found himself facing five other criminals, all of them taller than him and with a robust and massive build similar to that of Slade. His gaze quickly wandered around the cell, finding a total of three bunk beds -for a total of six beds- and two toilets. He turned his attention back to the men, his muscles stiff and ready for a fight, and grimaced at the unmistakable smell of piss, shit and even cum that hung in the air.

Disgusting.

One of the men gave a menacing, disgusting laugh. “Well well. Look who we have here, guys.”

His cold brown eyes ran over Renegade's entire body from top to bottom with a predatory glint that made Dick's muscles tense further, his entire being fill with nausea and disgust.

“The infamous Renegade.” continued another man, also mirroring the first's expression. “You know, we were so excited that you were going to be in this prison. All alone. With all of us."

“We have the honor of being able to taste and enjoy every single inch of your body.” the third chuckled coldly, running his tongue between his dirty, rotten teeth with hungry eyes.

The expert assassin barely suppressed his startled gasp when someone on the other side of the wall to his right hit the wall, exclaiming: “Let the rest of us have some fun with the boy, you assholes!”

“Don't worry: at least once the whole place will stick their cock in his tight ass and in his mouth!” another man shouted back.

Dick felt bile rising in him and quickly swallowed it, raising his fists in a defensive position and giving them his most menacing glare. “Come any closer and I’ll send you all to Hell, you sons of bitches.” he stated coldly.

All 5 men burst out laughing. “You're not so threatening without your fucking weapons and armor and superhuman abilities.” the second man stated with a smug and arrogant look.

Even in these conditions I'm still the second best assassin in the world, you fucking idiot.

“You look like a fucking dog with that collar. What, do you like being submissive while we stick it in your mouth and ass?” the fifth man snorted derisively, drawing more dirty giggles from the others and wolf whistles from men in nearby cells.

Renegade felt eyes on his back and already knew that the men in the cell opposite his were enjoying the show. Knowing their depravity and the kind of worst scum they were, they were probably also masturbating in anticipation of seeing these men rape a seventeen year old and competing to see who doesn't cum first.

The mere thought sent a pang of disgust and nausea through him that he was forced to quickly suppress.

I might as well adapt to this disgusting place if I want to survive as unscathed as possible, at least mentally.

With a menacing smirk on his lips he nodded at him. “You should have seen your mother when I fucked her mouth, her pussy and even her ass. She sure knew how to fuck, man.”

The man in question became irritated, hurled insults at him that Dick ignored and predictably snapped at him. Renegade easily blocked the punch and with his other hand grabbed his head and smashed it with all his might into the bars, laughing his eerie cackle as blood and brain matter splashed violently in all directions. Humming he dropped the man who fell dead to the ground and turned to the other four men, his emotionless smirk still present. “And there are only four left.”

“Son of a bitch!” roared the first man who glared at the other three. “Let's take him together, beat him mercilessly and then fuck him until his ass is tighter than his mother's pussy!”

The four men simultaneously charged Renegade who blocked two punches with his arms and ducked, dodging two more blows. He jumped up and hit a man with a ferocious uppercut to the jaw, sending him crashing against the cell wall. With a kick he violently hit the neck of another man who immediately broke from the force of the blow and fell with strangled noises to the ground.

The mercenary blocked a punch and pulled the third man towards him, briefly using him as a shield who received a strong punch in the stomach from the other criminal. Immediately afterwards the seventeen-year-old grabbed the neck of the man he was using as a shield and broke it with one fluid move, his body falling limply to the ground.

The fourth man stared at the two corpses and the other man groaning in pain against the wall. He peacefully raised his hands in the air and took a step back, his bravado and arrogance replaced by absolute fear and terror. “Look man, I-“

The antihero did not allow him to finish the sentence: he quickly reached him and killed him with a brutal kick to the neck, watching with satisfaction as the light faded from his evil eyes. The youngest moved his gaze towards the only man left alive and who was flattening himself against the wall as much as possible, as if this would allow him to survive the mercenary's murderous fury.

Renegade approached him, ignoring his pathetic pleas, grabbed him by the collar of his prison jumpsuit and threw him into the center of the cell. He pinned him to the ground and began to beat him with all his strength with violent punches, enjoying the sound of breaking bones and crushing flesh.

Renegade viciously punched him in the face.

And again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again-

At a certain point in the brutal beating Dick realized that the man had stopped begging and, after a second look, that he had also stopped breathing. He looked at his right hand closed into a fist, completely covered in blood, and then lowered his gaze to the corpse, observing with satisfaction the face of the man so mangled and bloody that it was practically impossible to recognize him.

The acrobat stared straight ahead when he heard several loud moans only to immediately look away when his eyes confirmed his earlier theory about the men in the cell opposite.

“Ugh! Did you see how Renegade beat those assholes? It was so hot: especially the little boy!” one of them shouted.

Dick stopped listening to this bullshit and with a sigh stood up, cleaning up as much of the blood that wasn't his that covered his hand as he could on his orange jumpsuit.

The only benefit of being sent to this kind of hell is that I don't have to hold back at all against the worst scum in the world: all of them deserve to die for one reason or another.

He turned suddenly when he heard several footsteps coming towards him and chuckled silently at the tired and surprised look of Albert who had stopped in front of his cell.

The last Flying Grayson dramatically spread his arms and smiled innocently, knowing that the blood on his suit would make him even more menacing and scary.

“You were right, before. I really had fun with my new friends!”

The guard narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “I don’t care. For now you will live with the stench of the dead in your cell. I hope it was worth it, idiot.” he growled before walking away.

“Absolutely, Albert!” Dick screamed, knowing the man would hear him.

I am so used to smelling death that I have become completely numb to the stench of rotting corpses. For once I thank you, Cobb.

With a sigh the acrobat analyzed the various beds and chose the one with the cleanest and least disgusting appearance as his. He mentally rejoiced when he noticed a narrow and practically invisible to the human eye space between the bed and the wall. He spat out the toothpick and grabbed it, ignoring his own blood covering the object, and quickly placed it in that space.

When it's time to escape, the toothpick will serve me both to unlock the inhibitor collar to regain my superhuman abilities and to unlock the cell lock.

Honestly, he missed them very much: for example, it would have been very useful to have superhuman strength capable of tearing apart a human chest with a single punch.

Instead, at that moment Dick was simply a human being at Batman's level but more homicidal, violent and skilled in hand-to-hand combat. He mentally sighed.

What a downgrade to go from Renegade level to Batman level. 

For the moment the young assassin decided to lie down on the bed, grimacing at the coldness and hardness of the mattress, and began to devise the various steps that would lead to his escape from that hell.

And it's just the beginning, dammit.

Chapter Text

“All inmates in room D go to the canteen.”

Dick stiffened as the speaker's sudden voice rang out loudly and forced himself to relax. He heard his cell open with a metallic sound and slowly got out of bed, glancing at the other inmates.

The acrobat walked out of his cell and simply followed the mass of inmates in front of him, not knowing where the hell to go. He tried his best to ignore the disgusting noises made by the other inmates behind him but it was a more difficult task than he thought.

As he headed to the canteen, only then did he realize how hungry and thirsty he was. These were primary needs that Dick never had to satisfy in the last ten/eleven years or so thanks to his condition as a Talon and he had completely forgotten about these sensations that he could only experience in his first seven years of life.

The only reasons he ate regularly were both to feel more human and because the food and drink in general were extraordinarily good.

Luckily the electrum didn't take away my sense of taste.

At that moment, however, Dick would have given anything to take off that damned inhibitor collar and be 100% himself again: that is, being Talon.

The young assassin noticed that at a certain point he had reached the canteen and that the prisoners in front of him had divided into a double row, so he placed himself in one of the two. At first everything seemed to be going well with no pain in the ass in the first few minutes of waiting but obviously everything went to pieces when suddenly he felt a hand slap his ass, followed by dirty and disgusting giggles, reminding him that he was in the worst hell of the Earth.

Renegade whirled around and narrowed his eyes at the man who had groped him, making mental note of his physical appearance so that he would deal with him later. The man gave him a dirty smile. “Turn around so I can touch your ass, bitch.”

Gritting his teeth furiously the mercenary turned so that he wouldn't have his back completely turned to the fucking rapist/pedophile and mentally sneered at his look of disappointment and frustration.

Why do I have the clear feeling that all the inmates of this hell are at the very least rapists and pedophiles? Ugh, they are among the human scum that I hate the most with all my heart.

The seventeen-year-old performed the breathing techniques Slade had taught him -the thought of his father and the rest of his extended family gave him a painful pang in his chest that he forced himself to ignore- in an attempt to remain calm despite the noises and the disgusting insults from the men behind him.

Calm down, Dick. You have to stay calm. Don't make a scene. Or at least not now. The sooner you feed yourself and regain some energy, the sooner you can take revenge on these scum. Damn, I really miss being a Talon and always being at 100% of my form.

When he got out of this hell, when and not if, someone should give Dick the award for having the best self-control in the world because he managed to ignore the most disgusting sexual provocations he had ever felt for more than fifteen minutes. Eventually he was finally able to take the tray and hold it out towards the chef who ironically looked a lot like Chef Hatchet from Total Drama, one of his all-time favorite cartoons.

He somehow managed to avoid grimacing when the chef served him on a plastic plate… food that Dick honestly couldn't figure out what the hell it was. He waited for the big man to also give him a plastic cup full of water before thanking him because, no matter that he was in a living hell and that the man had probably served him a disgusting dish, Mary and John Grayson’s lessons -and vaguely also Wintergreen’s- on always being courteous were deeply rooted in him.

The antihero mentally chuckled at the rapid change in expression of the big man -who he began to silently call Chef in honor of the cartoon character- whose gaze went from the perpetual frown and grumpy to one of genuine surprise. Surely Chef has never received a thank you from the worst scum in the world and the thought made him a little sad.

Although it looked as if his food had moved a little.

Apparently he is literally Chef from Total Drama who cooks and serves the campers, in this case inmates, food that moves. 

Dick mentally shrugged as he walked away from the cafeteria counter.

He had seen far worse and unreal things.

Renegade stopped in the middle of the canteen, still holding the tray, and cast a glance that wandered throughout the room in search of a table that was free.

For obvious reasons he didn't want to be anywhere near the worst scum in the world.

Unfortunately none of the thirty tables that could seat at least ten people each -the most damned huge canteen he had ever seen- were free.

Maybe it's better this way.

Renegade slipped silently towards a corner of the mess hall, completely shrouded in shadows and hidden from the view of the inmates. He raised his right leg and placed the tray on top of his knee with perfect balance as he picked up the plastic fork to begin eating the food, his body's balance never wavering even though he was standing on his left leg alone.

One of the advantages of being a circus boy: having perpetually perfect body balance.

Dick grimaced slightly as he popped the first bite of food into his mouth but he knew that at that moment he didn't have the luxury of either complaining or being precious. Honestly the taste wasn't as bad as he would have thought from the look of the food but it was still one of the worst he had ever digested.

I'm not that surprised that they serve this kind of food to the worst scum of all humanity. Another punishment that they rightly receive, even if I would opt to torture and kill them.

As he stuffed more morsels into his mouth, he couldn't help but think and regret the cooking of Slade, Wintergreen, Adeline, Lois, Alfred, Martha Kent and others.

One of the first things I'll do once I get out of this hellhole is gorge myself on amazing Italian food.

It took him a few minutes to finish his food and he quickly drank the glass of water as well, letting out a quiet moan of pleasure at the wonderful sensation of cool water in his mouth.

Damn. I had forgotten how bad it felt to be dying of thirst. Another perk of being Talon.

All in all the meal helped quite a bit and improved his current body energies, although obviously they were nowhere near comparable to when he was 100% fit as Talon.

Once dinner was over, Renegade silently left the corner and the shadows that hid him from anyone's sight and walked towards the kitchen counter. In the meantime he discreetly looked around, noticing that there was an upper floor reachable from the stairs on the other side of the canteen and that above there were many guards keeping an eye on the inmates. In a few seconds he reached the canteen counter and placed the tray on it. The sudden light noise attracted Chef's attention and he whirled around, already ready to explode furiously but stopped when he saw the seventeen-year-old bringing the tray back to him.

Surely no other criminal has ever done such a thing.

“Thanks for the food.” he added after hearing the voices of his biological parents -or at least what he remembered of them- and Wintergreen buzzing in his head, reminding him of good manners.

Chef stared at him for a few seconds as if he had grown two more heads -certainly from the big man's point of view it was like that since he has certainly never received thanks for bad food from the worst scum in existence- before letting out a grunt. “Yeah. Now go away, kid.” he dismissed him with a contemptuous wave of his hand.

However, Renegade didn't miss the slight lift of a few inches of his upper lip and the way his brown eyes twinkled slightly and he smiled internally.

Chef reminded him of the first version of Slade he encountered: uncomfortable with feelings, tough-looking but whose heart shone with so much love and affection.

Obviously Chef should have behaved this way, otherwise the scum wouldn't have hesitated to put him down too.

Unperturbed by his behavior, the acrobat gave the large black man a smile and a nod. “See you, sir.” he greeted him before walking away.

The antihero intended to return to his trusted corner, covered in shadows and invisible to everyone until he had to return to his cell. Unfortunately his plan went up in smoke when, while he was walking, 4 men crossed his path, positioning themselves in front of him.

Trouble ahead.

“You know Renegade, you've been here too long and you still haven't had a chance to have any proper fun.”

The mercenary narrowed the white eyes of his mask. “I'm not interested, thanks. Now move." he growled, noting that one of them was the one who had the audacity to grope him and that he mentally called him Asshole.

Someone has a death wish.

“A little arrogant, don't you think?” another man chuckled in a menacing voice, nudging another man who nodded.

“Why don't we close his sewer with a nice cock in his mouth?”

Renegade suppressed the wave of disgust and nausea and cracked his neck menacingly, a cold smirk playing between his lips. “Like I did with that whore of your mother?”

To his surprise the man, instead of getting angry and trying to hit him, burst into laughter that sent pangs of unease throughout his body. “Too late. I already did it. I miss seeing her eyes full of horror, shock and disgust when I fucked her mouth and pussy along with my daughter's.” he sighed as if he were recalling a fond memory instead of having just admitted to raping his own mother and daughter.

The other men laughed as if it were the funniest joke of the year and Dick unconsciously took a step back, every fiber of his being screaming with horror, nausea, disgust and revulsion like never before.

I shouldn't be surprised by such horrors and atrocities committed by this type of human scum but damn if they still catch me off guard. How can a human being capable of such atrocities and horrors will always be incomprehensible and beyond to me.

“Hey look, you scared the new guy!”

“Maybe he wants the same treatment you gave your mother and daughter, dude!” Asshole stated with a scornful chuckle.

It's time to do some cleaning.

Renegade darted forward and with a ferocious kick broke Asshole's neck and he fell to the ground with strangled noises. His death caused the other three men to scream in surprise and Renegade killed them all in less than 2 seconds with more punches and kicks that also broke their necks.

Renegade spat over their corpses. “Well done, you fucking depraved bastards.”

The hairs on his arms stood on end as he suddenly realized an important fact.

Absolute silence had fallen. 

Renegade slowly turned around and noticed how every single inmate was staring at him with looks that didn't bode well. His heart skipped a beat when, after what seemed like a silent conversation between the inmates, at least thirty of them rose from their seats and began surrounding him.

“We're going to have so much fun watching you cry while we fuck you until we fill every single inch of your body with cum.”

“I reserve myself for his mouth!”

"Me too!"

“The three of us for his ass!”

“I'm going to enjoy breaking every single bone in his body while you fuck him.”

“I'll join in too.” 

“I bet the bitch can suck cock better than his mother.”

“I can't wait for his tongue to lick my asshole and my cock.”

“Yeah, he's probably the best since he was trained by Deathstroke. If you know what I mean.”

The comments sent such a powerful wave of revulsion and disgust through him that Dick almost vomited up the dinner he had just ingested. That last comment in particular unleashed a fierce, visceral rage in his chest, begging for release against all these mentally ill assholes.

I’m at a heavy numerical disadvantage, especially if the rest of the inmates later join in the brawl. I don't have my superhuman abilities. I don't have any weapons or my armor. I don't have my utility belt. The only thing I have are my fighting skills, my brain and physical abilities that are at the best imaginable of a peak human, like Bruce. The only advantage I have is that I have no reason to hold back against them.

A voice that suspiciously resembled Slade's whispered to him that he had no hope and that he had to, at least for this time, follow his instincts of self-conversation if he wanted to emerge as unscathed in every way from this hell.

In this case the risks he would have taken were decidedly greater than in other times.

But Dick was tired of playing defense.