Chapter Text
Wayne Manor
September 05, 18:35 EDT
The back of Robin's eyes began to create a burning sensation after staring at his laptop for hours with no end. He rubbed them with a few blinks before returning to the multiple files of documents and videos about one particular criminal. They were a ghost compared to the other villains the Justice League and the team had ever encountered; not even Batman could identify them. In the past, Batman was always able to figure out almost everything about the villains he captured before sending them on their way to either Gotham State Pen or Belle Rev. Unfortunately, Batman couldn't get an inch of information about the criminal, and instead, only knew him as his alias.
Deathstroke was a mercenary for hire with a kill count of over 900 with no end in sight was Deathstroke's claim to fame. That made him the best compared to other mercenaries in the world of villains. Robin thought of taking Deathstroke's anonymity as a challenge for himself, wanting to be the greatest detective, even if he was only thirteen. If he had figured out Artemis's whole family situation in two weeks, Robin could have at least figured out Deathstroke's name. Even though Deathstroke was insanely secretive, there had to be something to give off any hint, and Robin was determined to figure it out.
Due to Robin's deep concentration, he didn't hear the bedroom door open to reveal Bruce Wayne. Bruce sighed at the sight of Robin intensely staring at his computer with his back hunched horribly and walked the room with a plate of fresh dinner. He set the dish on the nightstand before walking toward the desk and turning Robin around. A pair of wide blue eyes looked up at the older man.
"You missed dinner," Bruce said, arms crossed as he stared at the teenager. Robin only chuckled with a shrug and a smile that he would give to lower the blow of whatever was coming at him. "Dick?"
"Sorry for not coming down. I got busy doing some detective work on a previous mission when I got home," said Dick, slowly turning back to the computer until Bruce stopped him.
"It's Alfred who needs to hear that apology. He made you your favorite," Bruce said, grabbing the plate to pass to Dick. "And Wally as well," Dick's eyes perked up at the sound of his best friend's name, ignoring the chicken dish in his hands. "He told Alfred you weren't picking up after his fifth phone call. So, Alfred had to reassure him you were at least home," Dick rubbed the back of his neck with guilt, seeing his phone thrown on the bed the minute he came home from school.
"I hope he's not too mad," muttered Dick.
"Wally can never be mad at you, but I will if you continue to look at those Deathstroke files," warned Bruce.
"Why be mad at me? I'm doing what any good hero would do for their teammates, and find out intel on a criminal," objected Dick with a frown.
"Yes, but you've been spending a little too much time looking for intel, Dick. You're not at Mount Justice or downstairs in the cave right now. You're home and should be doing homework or talking to your friends," explained Bruce. "Promise to end your detective work and finally eat?"
"But I think-"
"Or I will take away your laptop for a week," strongly warned Bruce. Dick sighed at that threat and nodded, shutting his laptop and grabbing a fork to stab his food.
"I'll call it a night with the hero stuff," groaned Dick.
"Thank you," said Bruce, walking towards the door. "Oh, and call Wally back before he runs over here," Dick chuckled as Bruce closed the door, taking a bite of Alfred's excellent evening meal. When Dick finished his meal, he threw himself on the clean bed, unlocking his phone to see the many missed texts and call notifications from one person only. Wally West. Dick held the phone against his ear, smiling right at the fourth ring for Wally to answer.
"Richard John Grayson!" shouted Wally into the receiver. Dick burst out in laughter from his friend.
"Woah full government name? I must be in real trouble," Dick smirked gleefully.
"You might as well be! Do you know how many times I've called you?" asked Wally, dropping on his bed.
"If my phone didn't tell me, I would say many if you had to call Alfred,"
"I only called him to make sure you were at least home," pouted Wally on his side of the line. "So, what were you doing that had to take hours of your life and ignore me?"
"I was looking at files from previous missions that needed some extra detective work,"
"Missions? We've been in school straight for two weeks since the League is taking care of things," said Wally, munching on the apple in his hand. Dick pressed his lips firmly together in a nervous tick.
"There the…Deathstroke files," uttered Dick, hearing Wally immediately sigh.
"Dude, why? That creep doesn't need your attention," groaned Wally.
"That's the thing, Wally. He keeps trying to get my attention! Deathstroke always focuses on 'Robin' instead of everyone else in his videos to the League and the team,"
"Okay, well, isn't that a great reason to not give him your attention! Just leave it to Batman and pay attention to me," Dick could help but chuckle at Wally's dramatics with a mouth full of food.
"Wally, it's our jobs to give these people our attention. No matter how weird and creepy they can be,"
"I get that, but I just don't want you to become obsessed with him like he is with. Remember the last mission we were on because of him?"
"No…" mumbled Dick, playing dumb.
"You almost died! Can you promise not to look at those files for the rest of the night?"
"B, already made me promise or he'll take away my laptop. But, Wally, only for you I'll leave it alone even more,"
"Thank you. Now for what I really wanted to bother you about!" exclaimed Wally, ready to talk a mile a minute with Dick laughing.
While Dick stayed content in his room for the remainder of the night, it was Bruce who couldn't shake a certain feeling deep in the depths of the Batcave. Bruce leaned his elbows on the desk as he stared at the central computer with his Deathstroke file open, similar to Dick. So identical to Dick, Bruce didn't even hear Alfred come down the elevator with a warm cup of tea for his… well. Alfred set the warm cup of tea beside Bruce to finally get an acknowledgment, a small smile on his lips.
"Will it be a long night, Master Bruce?" asked Alfred with his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Alfred, but it wouldn't be for work," uttered Bruce, sighing as he relaxed against the tall office chair, rubbing his chin.
"Everything alright with Master Dick, sir?"
"I want to say yes. He was hiding in his room researching Deathstroke again; that's why he missed dinner,"
"Master Dick has shown much concern over this man recently. Any reason in particular?"
"He's had an eye on Robin in almost every video he's sent. I'm concerned how Dick is going to react to a single villain antagonizing them,"
"Sounds very similar to the Joker, sir,"
"Exactly what I'm scared of," sighed Bruce, rubbing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"If it's any consolation, Master Bruce, you stating a sign of disciple to Master Grayson helps more than it may seem," Bruce smiled tiredly at Alfred, grabbing his tea for a sip of what he always likes. "Take some rest, Master Wayne. It is better to make decisions after a good night's rest," Alfred added before returning to the manor's main floor and finishing his nightly routine. Bruce peeked up at the computer screen of what was collected of Deathstroke and only sighed, turning everything off for the night, and headed straight to his room. He stopped for a moment on the way to Dick's bedroom door, pressing his ear against the mahogany wood to hear the sound of laughter. It was all Bruce needed from Dick before finally calling it a night.
September 06, 05:23 EDT
Beep. Beep. Beep. It wasn't the standard ring from his bedroom telephone. Bruce jumped up from his slumber and grabbed his bat glove, turning on the built-in computer for the screen to pop up.
"Red Tornado, what's wrong?" asked Batman.
"I received a video message a moment ago. It is from Deathstroke," replied the android.
"Have you alerted the Justice League or any of the team members?"
"No. I know how concerning Deathstroke is to you for Robin and the young heroes. Would you like to alert any of the Justice League members?"
"No, not right now, at least. I'll be there in a moment," said Batman, cutting the connection between him and Red Tornado and rushing out of his bedroom. He quietly went down the halls to Alfred's room, not wanting to wake up Dick. Bruce peeked inside the butler's room, still a gentle giant as he stepped in. "Alfred," Bruce whispered. Thankfully, Alfred was always a light sleeper.
"Master Bruce?' muttered Alfred, rubbing his eyes.
"I need to head to Mount Justice. Do not tell Dick where I've gone when he wakes. It's
just a normal morning for him,"
"Of course, Master Bruce. I'll keep Master Richard safe for the time being," reassured Alfred, ready to get out of bed for an early start of the day.
"Thank you," said Bruce, walking out to become the man under the mask.
Mount Justice
September 06, 05:30 EDT
'Recognize 02 Batman' announced the Zeta-Tube, generating Batman into the Mission Room to find Red Tornado waiting with no one else around but a video of Deathstroke for all to see.
"Welcome Batman. I apologize for having to wake you this early," said Red Tornado.
"It's alright. Do you have an I.P source of where the video came from?" immediately asked Batman.
"That I do not. I do, however, know where Deathstroke and his men are hiding," said Red Tornado, playing the video from the beginning for Batman.
An abandoned warehouse popped up first, with wooden crates around the places with the Canadian flag logo printed in black. While there was no sound to the video, Batman could see a group of men in ski masks wheeling in more crates inside. Then Deathstroke appeared front and center with a piece of A4 paper. "I'm feeling generous. 45°02'03.9''N 76°33'29.8''W" read in thick marker Deathstroke, then turned it around to show a 24-hour warning before the screen went black.
Batman kept his composure as always but squeezed his fists hard to show some kind of reaction to Deathstroke.
"Do not tell the others about this until further notice. I need to speak to Green Arrow and Aquaman before moving forward," said Batman.
"Of course, Batman. Should we have the team continue with their normal mornings?" Red Tornado asked.
"Yes, if they ask any questions about a mission, tell them to focus on their studies," said Batman, walking back to the Zeta-Tube.
Wayne Manor
September 06, 07:15 EDT
Dick slid down the old banister of the manor, jumped down, and headed straight to the kitchen in full Gotham Academy uniform. It was strange to Dick as he entered to see only Alfred adding the finishing touches to a breakfast plate.
"Good morning, Master Richard," said Alfred, setting the plate on the kitchen island in front of an empty seat for Dick. Dick only looked at Alfred with a raised eyebrow as he sat down and grabbed his fork.
"Where's Bruce? Woke up late?" asked Dick, stuffing a piece of egg into his mouth.
"Master Bruce had important matters to attend to at the office. He had an early start to the day unlike the rest of us," said Alfred, pouring a glass of orange juice for Dick.
"The office in the middle of Gotham or in a mountain?"
"In Gotham, Master Richard. Now eat up so you can be early to school as well," said Alfred. Dick only kept an eye on Alfred as he turned his back on the younger boy, trying to find discrepancies in plain sight. But, of course, he couldn't buy Alfred's marvelous attempt at a cover-up story.