CHAPTER 13

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[David Lance POV]

The golden light of late afternoon settled over Star City. Its warm tones shone into my room as I sat on my bed, eyeing the files I had about the case I was currently working on.

Besides the files, at an appropriate distance, a warm cup of coffee rested next to me. About half full, the sweet steam of its aroma gently floating above the cup.

"David, you can't only work," Dinah sighed as she entered the room, her attention falling into the files as a frown formed on her face.

"I know, I know," I nodded, my shoulders tensing as my hands moved to reply, my eyes glancing at her. "But I can't let this go. Something about it… doesn't feel right," I added, signing quickly, while giving her a warm smile.

"I know, but overworking yourself won't do you good." Dinah replied, her eyes becoming soft as she tossed me a bag filled with hot bagels. "Eat."

I smiled, grabbing one of the bagels out of the bag.

"The case won't go anywhere, so take a break. I'll even help you, the awesome Lance siblings working together, how does that sound?" Dinah winked at me, a playful smile adorning her face.

I smiled, rolling my eyes at her antics. Giving her a look that said, sure, why not?

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[Deathstroke POV]

The night had come to downtown Gotham, and my prey, the court of owls, were finally making their move, inside an abandoned shelter near the docks.

"Owls." I boomed at them, as I walked out of the shadows, bowing ever so slightly for the dramatics. "I've been looking for you little birds, all over Gotham. For a bird of prey, you guys really like to a hide."

"Deathstroke, we mean you no harm, leave and let us be," The main talon replied "We do not have fight."

"We don't have to fight? I'm sorry, but we do. You are unfortunately targeting something that belongs to me." I almost chuckled at that, a fight would imply they would make this encounter worthwhile. I was not one for egos, or bravados, but compared to them, a small organization to scared to even face others, I had no fears, I had defeated Gotham's Bat, faced Metropolis golden boy in combat, and had plenty of times out-maneuvered the speedsters this world had to offer, for me, this battle would be a stroll in the park.

"Leave alive or in a body bag," The Talon replied, as his body sank into a defensive stance.

"Very well then," I smiled under my mask. "Do your worst, little owl."

Without another word, weapons l came to bare as the Talon sprung towards me. Satisfied with his course of action, I caught his initial strike with my blade, before twirling around, throwing a kick at the Talon's face, knocking the owl back staggering, as he dropped his own blade on the floor.

Then, before the Talon could recover his bearings, I dug a punch into his solar plexus, before slamming him to the floor with a kick.

"Quite the disappointment. And you wanted to take him under your wings? So wasteful,", I muttered, looking as the owl struggled to get back up.

"If it's the kid you want. Rest assured we no longer want anything to do with him, therefore… this is unnecessary." The Talon replied, getting back into a defensive position.

"Unnecessary? My dear owl, I know you no longer want anything to do with him. This isn't about keeping you away from him, this is about sending a message to whoever thinks they can steal from me." I bellowed in a cold tone, taking slow, heavy steps toward the owl.

"Very well then." The Talon nodded, before rushing toward me, baring his claws.

I smiled, darting towards him, dodging his attacks before gashing him with quick cuts of my blade that made the owl roar in pain. Streams of blood dripping from underneath his suit.

"Your court, your people has settled for mediocrity. I have not," I spoke, grabbing the owl by the neck. "While you battled rich petulant kids, I battled the best this world had to offer." I added, slamming his head on the cement floor, breaking his mask.

"You can't kill me… I'm already dead," The Talon muttered, straining to even speak, adorable.

If I wanted him dead, he would be already, what part of sending a message wasn't clear?.

"You won't die today, not because I can't kill you, which believe me, I can, but because it serves me no purpose." I replied, carving a line on his body with my blade.

"Ahh!" At this, the owl winced in pain, his leg bleeding profusely thanks to the newest cut.

"Now, tell your friends. Everyone you know, the kid it's mine, you can try to kill him, hurt him, anything you wish. I won't even get mad if you or anyone kills him, if anything it would show he wasn't worth my time, just don't try to steal him, is that clear?" I muttered into his ear, ploughing my blade into his gut.

Pools of red liquid dripped from his mouth as he tried to reply. Until I decided to pull my blade out, allowing his broken body to hit the ground with a thud, to a pool of its own blood.

Immortality truly was a curse in the face of greater power.

"Crystal…." The Talon muttered, his voice muffled in pain.

I smiled, wiping the steel of my blade clean with a small towel, before placing my weapon back to its sheath. "I'm glad we had this talk."

With that done. I had nothing else to do in Gotham, save perhaps for visiting the Bat, it would certainly be more enjoyable than this pathetic excuse of a fight I had.

It had been a while since I last fought Gotham' Knight. Last time we left things on a draw, when he interrupted my get to know with my future pupil.

I chuckled, I suppose I might as well treat myself while I'm here, and fight the bat. I had allocated more time for the owls, time I had not used, and could use something worthwhile.