Chapter 56

Deathstroke, or Slade ?????? PoV

The element of surprise is one of the strongest weapons to have in combat. With it, anyone could be taken out with sufficient resources available. Resources that I wasn’t lacking in the slightest.

Which is why I immediately sought to take out the Tamaranean. Not permanently, of course. But severe enough to keep her down and to keep the boy busy while I dealt with Red X. The only other possible threats in the room were Beast Boy, and the half demon, Raven.

The former was currently wide awake, but entangled in a sort of super adhesive polymer that grew and extended along with him. If he was smarter, he would have realized that the more he struggled, the worse his situation was.

The latter was barely conscious and had a similar substance stuck to her face. Stopping her from chanting anything.

Yes, Red X came quite prepared for a fight against the Titans. His extensive weaponry for possible scenarios and his little tool belt were all very impressive. Showcasing his intelligence, cunning, and ruthlessness.

If only my own apprentice had a similar disposition…then maybe she wouldn’t have fallen for such a basic trap. I had immediately noticed the off-putting scent, if only for a second before it dissipated.

But I did nothing about it.

This was a lesson for her to learn and get through on her own. As long as it didn’t interfere with the plan, then she could fail as much as she wanted.

And so far, the plan has been going quite well.

The only thing that could possibly go wrong now had nothing to do with it, and was only a personal project. Though I didn’t see things going poorly.

There was only one current threat on the board who couldn’t be completely dealt with, and he was under constant surveillance. If Aquaman so much as coughed, I would be informed about it. Which is why most of my attention had been on observing him.

Well, that was part of the reason anyway.

The Titans themselves weren’t real threats. Much like Red X, I had prepared for any sort of encounter with all of them. Though all of that work started months ago, it never hurts to be prepared. So, I never stop preparing.

Conflict was inevitable.

Even discounting equipment, I had years of experience under my belt while they were still kids. I’ve had training that they could barely begin to understand.

Which is yet another reason why my apprentice was so disappointing. Despite all the training she received, despite her having more experience and years on even the oldest Titan member, she was still outwitted.

At this point, it was pretty obvious what needed to happen.

Law, the boy with long red hair, immediately pivoted and put his hands on the Tamaranean. Panic and anger were written on equal parts of his face. His gloves and jacket were quickly discarded in order to stem the tide of blood coming out.

Which showcased a strange bit of redness on his arms…Ah, that’s right. His power was tied to his emotional state. The less calm he was, the less control he had over his ability. Which could cause numerous possible injuries due to the effects of random chemicals and substances.

He was holding up better than expected. Considering he was staring down a 44.

“Good work, Red X. I believe that’s the two last remaining body parts?”

He paused. Likely unsure of what exactly to do in this scenario. Whether to help Law, to attack me, or to do exactly as I say. Which is what I wanted.

“…Yes.”

After thinking it over for a few moments, he answered. I knew as much, but now that I had said it out loud, he’d start to focus on it.

“Good. Then Amazo will be online shortly. B-“

“S-slade…”

I knew quite well how inadequate my apprentice was. Yet it seemed like she was no longer content in simply failing in front of others. No, now she had to showcase her failures in front of me.

There was little they could do with my name, and even if they somehow found my identity…well, it didn’t truly matter. I preferred to be able to chose how I was dressed in public, but it wasn’t any sort of loss to have that option taken away.

“…We will talk later. Understood?”

I made sure to keep eye contact with Red X. Not giving him the chance to take me unaware. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed my apprentice give a weak nod as she simply sat there on the ground.

“Now, Red X. If you would be so kind…kill the boy.”

He froze up at the command. Trying to think of what exactly he should be doing at this point. Whereas the boy trying to heal the barely conscious Tamaranean simply narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth.

I had considered looking into him as a candidate, but seeing that he was unable to put aside his teammate in order to save his own life…well, I didn’t quite want to go through all of that again.

“No! I…won’t…let you!”

The green child spoke up. Anger and fear welling up in his eyes as he furiously tried to escape his imprisonment. But all he succeeded in doing was hurting himself.

The Tamaranean also spoke up, but in a weak whisper that I didn’t hear. The boy didn’t respond to her. Simply continuing to use his power in order to heal her.

“W-We got what we want right? Let’s just leave and reassemble him then!”

“Oh, but I disagree. Don’t you think it’s better to deal with them now…Robin?”

The boy’s eyes immediately went to Red X as he froze. Even Beast Boy had stopped struggling as he stared with wide eyes. Eventually Red X slowly lifted his hands up and removed his helmet. Revealing to his teammates who he really was.

Law immediately looked away. Closing his eyes as he continued on focusing on his teammate. He was trying to keep himself calm…but he wasn’t doing a great job at it. Welts and blisters started to cover his arms, but he had enough control to still continue to keep Starfire alive.

Hmm, unfortunate.

While actually killing a member of the Titans wasn’t allowed in the contract, I was quite sure my employers would understand how the situation would benefit them. Even in the worst-case scenario I didn’t see how the team of young superheroes could continue to operate together.

“…How long have you known?”

Robin asked in an almost defeated tone. No, he was just playing it up. He wanted me to lower my guard. Good.

“Since almost the beginning. I have to say Robin, your deception skills need some work. Wanting to meet with me in person? What am I going to use Amazo for? You’re not exactly very subtle.”

Fortunately for him, that was easily trainable.

Instead of responding towards me, he looks over to his two teammates on the ground. Raising a hand half heartedly towards them.

“I’m…”

“Sorry?  Come now, Robin. We both know you aren’t. After all, this is the closest you’ve been able to get to me.”

His attention was now on me. Law didn’t respond, he was too busy making sure the girl didn’t die.

“You see Robin, it doesn’t matter who we step on or what action we take. What matters are the results. And although the execution needs some work, you’ve gotten to me.”

“I’m nothing like you.”

I chuckled wryly at that. He genuinely believed what he said. It was in his eyes.

“…We shall see. Now, add on the head and arm to Amazo.”

“No.”

Robin immediately spoke up. Already he started to plan his attack, yet he continued to hold off due to the gun in my hand. In response I pointed it with extra emphasis at his teammates.

He wasn’t at the level to where he’d kill his teammates just yet. I had thought that perhaps Law or Beast Boy would yell at him in anger, or at least help push him to the edge.

But unfortunately, neither of them has spoken up.

The green one was currently looking at Robin with an absolutely destroyed look on his face, while the red-head simply did his best to ignore everything going on around him.

It changed little. After all, that was the best-case scenario for me. Something I had gotten used to never getting. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t make progress.

“Do it, or I will kill them. I’m sure Law wouldn’t appreciate a bullet to the skull, nor would Starfire. Actually, I don’t think she could take another bullet in general. Considering how quickly she’s bleeding out.”

Robin grimaced as he looked between his teammates and me. Weighing his options as he debated internally in his mind. In truth, it didn’t really matter which decision he chose, because both were ideal for me. Even if he chose a third option and attacked it would simply be used against him.

If he cared that much, then his spirit would be utterly crushed if his teammates died due to his decision. Afterwards, I’d convince him over time that it was him who truly killed his teammates.

Once he was broken, he’d be easy to remold into a new form. A form that would better serve me.

“Five. Four. Three. Two.”

My hand tightened over the gun as Robin quickly put up his hands in surrender. It was the expected response, though I couldn’t help but be lightly disappointed by it.

“Alright! Alright. I’ll do it. Where’s…where’s Amazo?”

In a box across the room from him. He had to go over towards Beast Boys location in order to wheel the box that contained Amazo over to us. As per my instructions. As he did so, he locked eyes with Beast Boy.

He didn’t say anything. The green child simply gave him a look of pain before he was unable to even continue to stare at his team leader. Robin paused to do or say something, but eventually thought better of it.

He eventually wheeled the box back over to us and started to open it up. Then eventually fixing the parts to the body.

“…If she dies, I will kill everyone in this room.”

Law spoke in a clear voice as he glared towards me. Robin heard him, but made no indication that he did. Instead continuing on with his duty.

“Well then, I’d suggest you do your best.”

He said nothing. Simply continuing to glare at me as he continued what he was doing. Hmm, it seemed he was making progress on her. It wouldn’t be too long before he was able to actually move again.

Though as long as Starfire was still in my crosshairs, he likely wouldn’t do anything stupid.

His eyes showcased his sincerity. Despite being a dumb thing to say while a gun was pointed at him, I quite enjoyed his response. It showed a level of ruthlessness that was lacking in both Robin and my current apprentice.

Though whether or not he was actually capable of doing it was another thing entirely. He at least seemed to believe he could, and with the way he phrased it, it would be some sort of big attack that would hit everyone in the building.

Hmm, maybe turning parts of his body into an explosive material? Dumb, but potentially effective.

Robin paused as he had yet to screw the head on. Leading me to remind him of his place.

“Do it. Now.”

After a few seconds of deliberating, he finally slid the head around. Almost immediately it made a clicking sound before its eyes lit up. Amazo’s mouth opened and-

“Warning! This is the property of the Justice League. If found, please ship back to the Hall of Justice.”

It then waited a few moments before repeating itself. Much to the confusion of Robin.

“Don’t be too surprised Robin. Did you really think the Justice League would trust a bunch of children in order to guard the real Amazo?”

He didn’t respond. Instead continuing to give a dumbfounded look to Amazo before glancing over towards me.

“When the parts started to get stolen, the Justice League only sent one member. Why is that?”

Of course, I already knew all of this. Still, I was tasked with taking the bait anyway on the off chance that it was real. It also helped drive some animosity towards the Justice League. I continued to speak.

“Tell me, what sounds like a better idea? Letting a bunch of kids guard Amazo’s body parts from villains, or using said kids as a distraction while the real body parts are delivered elsewhere?”

Which was only a guess, really. It was also entirely possible that the Justice League hadn’t moved the remains of Amazo at all and were just testing the waters to see who’d bite.

Definitely sounded like Batman’s style.

Now, with that out of the way, it was time for Robin to make a decision.

“After you’re done picking your jaw off the floor, I suggest you listen carefully. You have four teammates in this room. I can let them all go back to the Tower, safe and sound. All you need to do is…kill someone.”

“Kill…?”

Robin muttered as he looked around the room. I had chosen my words to be intentionally vague. I doubt he’d kill his teammates, though I’d be pleasantly surprised if he would. What was more likely though, was him either attacking me…or killing my current apprentice.

And of course, if he attacked me, I’d kill the rest of his teammates in front of him. A fact that he probably realized as well, considering the panic that was starting to set in.

My current apprentice didn’t even make a noise in response. Occasionally shuffling as she attempted to utilize her limbs again, only to fail.

Robin looked between me and her for a few moments. Weighing his options as sweat dripped down his face.

He knew what he had to do.

“Tick tock, Robin. I don’t have all day.”

His breathing was getting heavier by the second. It wouldn’t be long now.

His eyes narrowed as he made his decision. Raising up his arm t-

The explosion immediately made me dart backwards. An instinct that I had honed over the years. It proved to be the correct move once more, as a figure slammed into the spot I had been standing a second ago.

It took me only a moment to figure out who had just crashed through the ceiling. How could it not? I had been monitoring his movements just minutes ago.

Yes, there was no mistake. I was now facing Aquaman.

…The problem couldn’t be tech based. I had other methods than just tech watching his movements. That likely meant that the Aquaman that was currently under surveillance wasn’t the real one. Despite him looking near identical to the actual Aquaman.

If there had been any visual flaws, I’d have picked them up. Ah, Martian Manhunter…clever. Very clever.

And not Aquaman’s style.

It had Batman’s finger prints all over it.

Aquaman was quick to recover. Immediately bolting into action and crashing into me. The force alone knocked my feet off of the ground, and forced me to drop my gun. Knocking all the wind out of my lungs, but only for a moment. Swinging my legs around, I pushed off against a nearby crate, causing Aquaman to shift positions.

Which gave me the leverage needed to flip him over. Slamming him on his back.

He was quick to respond with his own kick. Hitting square in my chest and slamming me through a nearby shelf. The crates that were on it came tumbling down, forcing me to dodge.

Aquaman was quick to follow up. Plowing straight through the crates like they were made of balsa wood. There’s that Atlantean physiology coming into play…

He threw a haymaker out and I evaded to the right, only for him to quickly follow-only to be surprised as he was stuck by a polymer substance in the shape of a red x. Despite unintentionally helping me, I couldn’t help but be disappointed in his aim.

I used the nearby wall to kick off of before planting my knee in Aquaman’s face. Then using his shoulders as a balance, I did it again, and again, and again, until eventually he pulled me off and slammed me into the ground below.

Aquaman grabbed my throat, and I responded by drawing my blade-Which was stopped by the same polymer substance as before.

Unfortunate.

Aquaman slammed his fist into my ribs. Despite being extremely well padded, he easily broke at least two ribs with that blow alone. He followed up by cracking his fist against the side of my head, only to receive a knife in the chest for his efforts.

But that hadn’t been enough to stop his assault. If anything, it only further enraged him. His next attacks were quick. Slamming into me repeatedly and quickly causing me to change tactics.

Drawing both of my legs out from under him, I shot them both straight upwards into his chest. To his credit, he turned his body just in time so that my foot didn’t connect to the knife still embedded in his chest.

But that still meant he took both kicks straight on. Forcing him to give me some air. Flipping back onto my feet, I readied myself for Aquaman’s next move.

He pulled out the knife without so much as a grimace and started to walk towards me. In response, I put a hand on my gun…

Surprising both of us, he stopped due to interference. My current apprentice seemed to have found her legs and had lunged to grab Aquaman’s midsection. Though it seems that was about all she could manage at this point.

Her grip was weak and Aquaman could easily tear out of it. The only reason he didn’t was due to being surprised. Sweat beaded her forehead as she breathed hard.

It was a perfect situation for me.

Thank you, Rose.

I took out my gun and shot her point blank.