CHAPTER 217
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[Slade Wilson - Deathstroke POV.]
[Flashback.]
When I got notice David had returned from his long trip, I took in my hands to see what he had been doing, and with the help of my daughter, Rose, we ambushed him.
I was sure the battle would be on our side, and that I would get the answers I sought from him, however. In the blink of an eye, we were both defeated by David, easily.
I remember the shock, the feeling of my blood dripping down my skin and onto my suit. I remember trying to stand up, but finding no strength to do so, I remember my body shutting down from the shock of my injuries, I remember my sword feeling colder than ever, but somehow being the only source of heat I had against the frigid air that now surrounded me.
This wasn't the same kid I had once faced, this was an entirely different person. His eyes looked like those of a killer, a monster.
I remember how he stood in front of me, his lips twitching in a smile that made me shudder.
I remember feeling pathetic.
I couldn't remember the last time anyone has made me shudder. But he was making me shudder, me, the Terminator, fearing a child.
Utterly pathetic.
I remember Rose's body lying on the ground, her eyes blank. I remember dragging my body, pushing through my pain, to kneel beside her, I remember feeling relieved she was still alive, just as well as I remembered her skin being cold, and how she bled from her chest where David had kicked her.
"She will survive," David said, slowly walking towards me.
As he neared, I could feel a chill in my bones, an impending force ever approaching. It might have been the concussion I had, but I could feel it in the air.
"You've changed," I replied, coughing blood. "A lot."
He smiled a twisted smirk that hid a tired undertone. "I have." He said. "But that's neither here nor there."
I chuckled, my body feeling limp and weak. "So now what? We die?"
David shook his head.
"Not everything has to end," David said, his voice cold, his eyes burning with an emotion I found indescribable. "You will live, as will your daughter."
I coughed up blood. "I see."
"Don't sound so surprised, I used to be a hero you know?" David replied.
I remember snorting at that. He used to be, at least he was using the correct tense to describe his position now. I remember trying to reply, but being unable to as my body began to forcibly shut down.
"We will meet each other again, Slade," David said before turning around. "Until then, take care."
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[1 month later - Flashback.]
Being right to his word, he found us. But instead of attacking us, he made a proposition that I couldn't help but laugh at.
"I need people like you Slade," He said, taking a seat. "Help me destroy the game."
He explained in detail how he wanted to destroy both heroes and villains by using their own rules. He wanted to break each faction by beating them at their own game.
"Why would I help you?" I asked.
And his answer was as deranged and hilarious as his proposition. "Why not? You will get paid."
I laughed.
He had changed alright.
"Very well," So intrigued by his change and plan. I happily joined his crusade.
This path he was taking promised an interesting future, and that was something I wanted to see through.
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[Deathstroke POV - Present.]
I sat above a building, hiding in its shadows as my daughter surveyed the area.
"Slade."
"Kid, you have your orders, why are you here?" I said, turning to face Red Hood.
Red Hood scoffed. "Worry about your assignment, and let me worry about mine."
"What do you want, brat?" I replied, glaring at him with annoyance. "Need I remind you I don't share Batman's patience for annoyances?"
Red Hood growled. "Don't bring that bastard into this. As for why I'm here, I have something I need you to give the boss." At this, he gave me a USB drive.
"What is this?" I asked, grabbing the USB.
"That's none of your fucking business," Red Hood replied, crossing his arms.
"Boys, do I need to remind you that the boss left it clear we had to get along?" Rose said as she came back from her patrol.
"I don't have a problem with you, I have it with your father," Red Hood replied.
"Be glad you are worth more alive than dead," I replied with a challenging smirk.
"Dad, shut it," Rose sighed.
"Give that to the boss, I have work to do," Red Hood said, before turning around and leaving.
I looked towards Rose, the USB in hand. "What do you think?"
Rose shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. It's like you say, we don't get paid to ask questions."
On that, I couldn't agree more.
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[At the team's headquarters in Mount Justice.]
Nightwing sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "It's been a long day." He said, rubbing his temples tiredly.
"Tell me about it," Superboy replied, cracking his knuckles. "At least we managed to get the mission done without many problems."
"True." Nightwing nodded before his eyes focused on the USB drive sitting on the desk. "But I still don't know what the USB that the assassin stole contains."
Superboy raised an eyebrow. "Do we know the guy that stole it?"
Dick shook his head. "No, he's new. Or at least he hasn't been caught before."
"Do you think we should try to hunt him down?"
"No," Nightwing replied firmly. "I believe it best if we remain in the shadows for now, if we start chasing him we could scare whoever is behind the curtains. For the moment, all we can do is keep an eye on them, and act when the opportunity arises."