Chapter 16: Confrontation

AN: Hello again! I finally have my crap together and got another chapter. We're in the home stretch now! Probably only a few more chapters. I'm going to try to write ahead, since I wind up getting writer's block if I procrastinate.

A special thank you to AJMcLeod for being my Beta! My first Beta ever! Thank you SO much!

Batman eyes narrow as he lands on the rooftop near the Batsymbol. He makes his way over to the light, his eye twitching in annoyance. The detective knew full well who vandalized the beacon. Instead of the symbol looking like a Bat, it now looked like a bird. He frowns at the mass draped over the light. It was a person?

The Dark Knight approaches the light, and frowns, seeing the beaten body of Two Face tied to the Batsymbol. Thankfully, the criminal's chest rising and falling with steady breaths. Unconscious then. He flicks the light off and sighs, hearing laughing to his right. The detective glances over at the speedster, raising an eyebrow.

"That kid really knows how to push your buttons, doesn't he?" Flash, doubles over in laughter. Batman's eye twitches again, and he turns his back on the speedster, taking a Batarang out of his belt.

"He still appears to have his sense of humor." Batman mutters, cutting the criminal down. He shoves the criminal towards Flash, who catches the body, staggering slightly under the dead weight. "Take this to Arkham. I have work to do." The speedster snorts at him, muttering under his breath about always working before disappearing from the roof. Batman scowls, approaching the edge of the roof, and looks out at the city glowing brightly below him. The Bat dives off the roof, heading towards Crime Alley. He has a gangster to find.

"I still can't believe you're actually Bruce Wayne's kid." Jason grumbles, swiveling around on his chair to look around the Batcave. "Not to mention that he trusts you on that computer." He nods his head towards the Batcomputer that Damian was currently typing on.

"He doesn't." Damian answers quickly, his eyes shooting over to Alfred pointedly, who was cleaning nearby. The butler meets his gaze knowingly before returning to his cleaning. Jason eyes Alfred before shrugging, hopping up from his chair, and stretching.

"What are you doing anyway? We've been here for hours." The older teen complains, walking over to a display case that housed different Batsuits.

"Gathering intel, dumbass." Damian hisses, typing a bit more aggressively. "The timing has to be perfect in order for this to work."

Jason sighs heavily, nodding in agreement. "Doesn't mean I have to like the prep work."

Damian just snorts, rolling his eyes, and continues to work.

Jason resumes his exploration of the Batcave, aware of Alfred's attentive gaze on him the entire time.

Dick sighs, adjusting his gauntlet for the fourth time. A hand catches his, and he meets his friend's concerned gaze.

Terra frowns, knocking his hand away from the gauntlet and fixing it with careful hands. "Are you sure you want to do this?" The blond teen asks quietly.

Dick shrugs half-heartedly. "You know you won't get another chance." She continues. He nods, his eyes boring into the wall in front of him. "You got away with not killing Two Face because he found that stunt you pulled amusing. I don't think he's going to let you get away with it again. There will be consequences for not following orders this time."

Dick takes a shaky breath, his hand clamping over the hand hers.

"Come with me." She frowns, shaking her head slowly.

"I don't think he'll let me." The acrobat rolls his eyes, snorting.

"You think I care? This mission is for me to get revenge. I can invite whoever the hell I want."

"Your lack of fear of him is going to bite you in the ass." Terra sighs, smiling sadly. He shrugs again before meeting her eyes determinedly.

"I'm tired of being scared." Dick squeezes her hand. "I'm tired of letting that fear control me. It's high time I take my life back."

Terra smirks, squeezing his hand back before dropping it. "I still think you're an idiot. But I'll come along to make sure you don't get yourself killed. Someone has to look out for your dumb ass."

He cackles, beaming at her. "There's the Terra I know! I was starting to get worried that Jarvis took over your mind or something!"

"Whatever, bratty Little Bird." The blond mutters before stalking off, smirking to herself at the boy's laughter. She would do whatever it took to make sure he kept his innocence. She wouldn't let Slade corrupt the acrobat as he had her.

Zucco extinguishes his cigarette in the ashtray that was next to him. He was leaning against the balcony of his crappy motel room, staring up at the sky. It seemed as if it was going to snow again soon. The gangster turns to go back inside, but pauses, hearing rustle on the roof above him. Why did he think the top floor would be a good idea again, when he was hiding from the Bat and an acrobat? He barely has time to yelp before a cable wraps itself around his wrist, and he's yanked up towards the roof. He grunts in pain, getting briefly dragged onto a gravel covered rooftop before coming to a stop in front of black combat boots. Zucco glances up to see a figure looming over him. The figure was in a black bodysuit, grey gloves, black cape, and white skull mask. The mask and his chest had a red, uneven, 'x' in the center. The figure takes the mask off, to reveal none other than Dick Grayson glaring down at him. Deathstroke stands off to the side with a teenaged blond girl next to him. She wears a black long-sleeved crop top, thick brown gloves, and orange shorts. Goggles rest on the top of her head, which he finds odd. Before he can question it further, Dick crouches down, hauling the man to his feet by his shirt.

"I wanted to least give you some chance to defend yourself. Not like you gave my parents that chance." Dick spits, shoving the man away. Zucco staggers back, but manages to get his feet back under him, and rolls his shoulders.

"You sure that's wise, little brat? I seem to remember you losing our last fight."

"Only because you had help." Dick scoffs. "This time, it's just you and me. You're going to pay for what you've done."

Zucco snorts, holding up his fists defensively. "Keep telling yourself that, kid." The gangster runs at the acrobat, but Dick blocks the punch, side stepping it easily. Zucco punches him again, but Dick blocks again before kicking the gangster in the solar plexus. Zucco wheezes, stumbling back, and gasps for breath.

"At least give me a challenge." Dick growls, crossing his arms. "This is just pathetic."

"You little shit." Zucco hisses, coughing once more before straightening again. "What would your beloved parents say if they saw you like this? All the people you've hurt. The people you've stolen from?" Zucco smirks when Dick trembles with barely concealed rage. "Saw what you let Ray do to you." Dick freezes, the color draining from his face. "That's right. I ran into Ray in Blackgate. He told me all about what a pathetic little bitch his adoptive son was. Always sniveling and crying. What a little whore-"

Dick cuts him off, letting out a snarl, punching Zucco in the face.

"You fucker." Dick seethes, throwing rapid-fire punches.

Zucco dodges about half, laughing at the sloppy form. He manages to get a few punches in himself.

"I'll kill you!" Dick kicks at his head, but the gangster ducks under the leg.

"Such language! What would Mommy say?"

"You have no right to talk about her! NO RIGHT!" Dick roars, throwing several more sloppy punches.

"Dick." Deathstroke interjects, crossing his arms. "Don't let your anger control you. Channel it instead. Use it as a weapon."

Dick pauses, flipping back from Zucco before taking a calming breath. Dick mutters a quiet 'sorry' while shaking out his arms.

Deathstroke merely nods before glancing down at his companion, who was also trembling in rage. Her hands faintly flowing gold. "That goes for you as well, Terra."

She crosses her arms, growling something under her breath, before nodding.

Dick rushes back at Zucco, who now brandishes a pocketknife that he had fished out of his pocket.

Zucco slashes at him. Dick dodges and kicks the knife out of the man's hand. Dick jumps, roundhouse kicking Zucco in the head, sending the man the stumbling backwards. Before Zucco can get his bearings, Dick is on him again. The acrobat kicks him in the left kneecap, causing Zucco's knees to buckle. Dick kicks him again in the head, sending him crashing to the ground.

The acrobat approaches the downed figure, unsheathing his sword from his back. He holds the sword to the man's throat, glaring down at him. He hesitates, staring down at him, frowning.

"Finish him." Deathstroke orders, causing the acrobat to flinch.

Dick's hands clench around the hilt of his sword, frowning. There's movement from the corner of the roof and turns to face the newcomer. Batman looms there flanked by two familiar figures. Red Hood and Rook stand on either side of the Bat, both staring at the body on the ground next to Dick.

"Ah. I didn't expect you this soon." Deathstroke drawls. "I'll take care of the Bat. You take the other two."

Dick nods, taking a step towards the two teenagers. Deathstroke finally uncrosses his arms, unsheathing both of his swords.

"I came here to talk to Dick." Batman crouches into a fighting stance as Deathstroke walks towards him.

"You lost Batman. Take a hint. He chose me." Deathstroke rushes at the Dark Knight.

Dick swings his sword, the blade clashing with Rook's. His eyebrows knit in concern, meeting Rook's intense gaze.

"What are you doing here?" Dick mutters quietly. He shoots a quick glance at Deathstroke, making sure that the mercenary was occupied with the Bat.

"We came to get you, of course." Red Hood swings his crowbar, which was intercepted by Dick's blade.

"I can't go back." Dick growls, blocking another one of Rook's slashes.

"Why? Because he has his goons watching the camp?" Red Hood dodges one of Dick's swings. "We already took care of them. Everyone is safe." Red Hood meets his eyes meaningfully. "We can trust the Bat. Aren't you tired of running?"

Dick freezes, his grip on his sword faltering.

"Let's go home." Rook lowers his weapon.

Dick takes a shaky breath, steeling himself before disappearing. The two teens grin, seeing the acrobat heading in the direction Deathstroke and Batman were fighting.

Deathstroke kicks Batman back, raising a sword to strike, but a red shuriken knocks the weapon out of his hand. His gaze darts over to the left, the direction the projectile came from, but nothing was there. A kick suddenly connects with his head from above, sending him stumbling to the side.

"Looks like I'll have to kill your friends after all." The mercenary growls, seeing Dick flip away from him and land beside the Dark Knight. Deathstroke taps a hand to his ear, activating his comm link. "Alpha team. Come in." He frowns, receiving no response. "Alpha team. Respond!" Only static answers him.

Batman smirks, straightening from his crouch. "What's the matter, Deathstroke? Having trouble with your underlings?"

The mercenary bristles at the Bat's question."No matter. I'll take care of you and the traitor myself. Terra, standby." Deathstroke snaps.

Dick glances up at Batman, who nods at him in understanding. The acrobat holds up his sword defensively, preparing for attack. With Batman on his side, this was a fight he was sure they could win.