Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!! I tried to thank everyone but there were SOOOO many!!

Chapter 10... the book is already 1/3 complete. Wtf

Once again, thank you very much, and here's your chapter :)

When Renegade walked into the main room the next day, he was definitely not expecting to see Batman and the team huddled over whatever appeared to be a large holographic computer screen.

"What's up guy- Ah, jeez, don't tell me you all are watching porn!" The un-human teenagers raised an eyebrow at his remark, while the others groaned (excluding Batman who simply ignored him). Various images were on the screen. A few newspaper articles, a circus tent, and small images with faces on them, that Renegade didn't recognize.

"Stop being so immature." Artemis sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Stop being so annoying." Renegade retorted.

"Sounds like someone's a hypocrite."

"Sounds like someone's a bitch."

"Richard. Artemis."Batman interrupted the two, solemnly stepping forward. Renegade was quick to notice as the rest of the teams faces held the same grim expression. They probably were just upset because they had missed him so much.

Renegade was taken aback by the use of his real name, which Batman had yet to actually address him by,""Hold up, first of all, why the sudden calling-me-by-my-first-name-thing? Did I do something wrong? If this is about the cookie I stole from Wally, I have a perfectly good explanation for that."

"You did what?" The said speedster replied upset with the new information he was receiving.

"Did you want me to starve? I might have died had I not eaten that!"

Wally rolled his eyes in annoyance. His aunt had made him those cookies...

"So, why all the glum faces? Did someone die? Did the pound catch on fire?! NOOO! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE! IM SO SORRY!" The said teen collapsed into his knees, burying his face into his hands.

Batman continued,"No, this is not about a cookie that you stole, or a fire. After yesterday's events, I decided to gather information about what occurred at the circus and I discovered a lot of information. Some of this you may not want to hear, but I assure you it is all the truth.... I was able to research your identity using your blood samples that I had previously collected. The ring master, Jack Haley's, story checked out. He knew exactly who you were, so did that woman. That being said, I now understand that during your time under Deathstrokes command, your memories were warped, changed to whatever Deathstrokes wanted you to believe. I am unsure of exactly why he wanted to do such a thing, but it's the only reasonable conclusion. Basically, I believe that what you think might be true about your past is potentially false memories implanted by your old mentor."

"Yeah, well I believe that you need to mind your own damn business. My mind is about as intact as a large building- with a few missing screws."Renegade shrugged. The new information was hardly phasing him. Had he suspected such a thing before? Sure, but there wasn't much he could do about it now.

"This may be hard to take in, but you're memories are incorrect, Renegade. Those people at the circus were not wrong when they said they knew you. They did, and you knew them too. You spent most of your life with them. And you would remember that, had Deathstroke not tampered with your mind. They were practically your family."

"Do I look like I came from a circus? Are you calling me a clown. Batman, you're trying to fight me. Let's go!" Renegade pulled up his fists.

"Renegade, there is a reason I recognized you without your mask. Your parents didn't abandon you as a child... They loved and cared for you..." Batman actually felt sorrow as he delivered the news.

"Let's just imagine that what you're saying in the truth. So what? You think I'm going to just go and reunite with family? Ha! That's funny! I have Aqualad to be my mother, M'gann to be my father and the rest to be the annoying siblings, with my pet Superboy. However you might have recognized me, I don't know, nor do I care." Within his normal voice, a small shakiness could be heard, only noticed by the Dark Knight.

"I don't expect you to reunite with them... It's actually impossible for you to do so...Because... your parents ... they died in an accident, when you were nine years old. They fell to their deaths. As far as I can tell, you have no true family left.."

Renegades expression remained nonchalant,"All I'm hearing is that I won't have to sit through any dreadful family reunions. 'Fine by me."

"Truthfully, I was unsure of how Deathstroke managed to corrupt your mind, but then I recalled that you mentioned he had been injecting you with a strange serum. The contents of this were potentially a memory suppressant. If he took you when you were nine this would not have been difficult. Your mind would have been much more susceptible to change, allowing him to implant false memories."

The young teen grew an interest in his nails rather than the conversation at hand. He needed to get a mani sometime soon. It would help with all he's been forced to deal with these past few days. Plus, he needed to stay looking sharp.

Then the weird nightmare he had during the time he was sick, popped back up into his mind for some odd reason. He had no idea what it was about, but it had felt so real, whatever it was. It kind of scared him.

"If you would like, I could have Martian Manhunter come in and try to fix what has been done. I'm sure it wouldn't take long too recover the truth now that you are no longer under Deathstroke's control."

Renegade pondered over the option for a moment.

"Nah." Renegade simply replied.

"...You don't want to remember your past life?"

"The thing is, I couldn't care less. Deathstroke is dead, because I killed him. I don't need to worry about him anymore, nor what he did to me. What's done has been done. Life sucks, and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Well, in this situation, we can do something about it."

"I want people to quote me one day, Batman, and that's not gonna work if you keep crashing the mode like that. Yup, you heard, I just stole that. Bart who?"

"What are you talking about?" The heroes in the room shared confused glances.

"Ugh, you're so clueless,"The ebony shook his head,"But back to the topic, I'm tired of people digging in my head. Tell Martian Manhunter that he can go try out for the some movie role instead. Sure, Matt Damon got the part, but who's the real Martian here?"

The Dark Knight sighed as Renegade struggled to stay on topic,"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Now drop it." Renegades tone turned serious.

"Understood, but do note that this option will remain open to you."

"Yeah, whatever, is that all? Can I go drown out my sorrows with food now?" Just as quick as his mood became serious, it left.

"Dude, all you do is eat,"Kid Flash piped up,"You might eat more than me- and I'm a speedster!"

"I want to die happy, not healthy. Can I go now?" Renegade frowned.

"No, you and the team will have a mission today. I need to brief you all of exactly what you will be doing."

Wally threw his fists in the air,"Nice!"

Renegade groaned,"Ice Cream wouldn't do this to me..."

"Ice Cream wouldn't keep you out of Juvie either,"Superboy retorted.

Batman sent a glare to the two, silencing them immediately,"You will be sent to Keystone City. I have received intel that a large shipment of guns is going to be transferred later today. The guns will be shipped via helicopter, and you are to prevent the weapons from getting into the wrong hands. You all are to apprehend anyone involved, stop the shipment, and try to get information on where the weapons were received from. Renegade, I shall send you the coordinates on your holo-computer."

Renegade nodded rightbefore raising his hand and jumping up giddily,"Oooh, oooh, question!"

"Yes, Renegade?"

"If I stop them, can I keep the guns." He grinned happily.

"No, Renegade."

"Bummer,"The teen frowned then stuck his hand back up,"Ooh, ooh, another question!"

"Yes, Renegade?"The annoyance in the Dark Knights voice was obvious.

"Can I be leader on this mission?"

"No, Renegade. Is that all?"

"Hmm, can I pass on this mission?"

"No, now go get ready." Batman turned, not wanting to answer anymore unnecessary questions.

"Got it, Batsy. I'll get you sometime. I will lead, and I'll be better than Saltwater ever could!"

The team disbanded in order to prepare themselves for the upcoming mission.

Once in his room, Renegade began to change into his normal uniform, ensuring that he had his utility belt and that his mask was still  securely placed on his face. He hated going on missions, but at least they were an excuse to get out. Renegade was beginning to get rather bored with the heroes. His life before had been much less dramatic.

Once finished, the ebony winked at his reflection through a small mirror that hung on his bedroom wall. Right after, he headed towards the door of the room, ready to leave.

Though just before he could make it out of the door, his legs unexpectedly gave out, forcing himself to use the doorframe for support.

Renegade let out a groan as his head grew a sudden sharp pain, his mind suddenly filling with images,"...W-what...?" Renegade gripped his head and dropped to the ground.

What the hell was happening to him?

The images in his mind then focused.

It was a memory.

"Please! Please no hurt me!" A young boy, who Renegade assumed was himself, cowered in the corner of what appeared to be a prison cell.

It was dark, and cobwebs filled just about every corner. The room felt cold and send chills running down Renegade spine.

Several older boys walked up to him, one holding a knife, and the others baring their fists. It was as if they were large predators, and he was the prey with no chance at survival.

It took Renegade a while to realize that he hadn't been speaking English. To be honest, he wasn't sure what language it was, but he understood and spoke it perfectly for some reason.

"Listen, gypsy, just because you're not supposed to be here, doesn't mean you get any kind of special treatment." The boy's friends laughed at their leaders words despite the fact that he had not said anything funny.

"Maybe you should have just died with your mommy and daddy." Renegade wanted go get up and punch the man, show him who was boss, but he couldn't. He wasn't in control of his actions in any way as fear coursed through his veins,"Or maybe you're in here because you killed them. Tell me, did you cut the wires?"

The cold laughs continued as Dick pressed himself against the corner, fear evident in his face.

He attempted to reason with the older males by speaking English, but he struggled to get the language out,"I-I... s-sorry...."

Thus began his beating as he was pounded by several fists and slashed badly with the rusty knife in the leaders hand.

He didn't deserve to be here. He hadn't done anything wrong. It was all just wrong. Then again, he was in Gotham city, and he would have to learn that nothing was right here...

Wait...Why was he here again?

Because his parents.... What happened with them again? They died, right?

But how again?

Just as quick as the memory had appeared, it began to disappear, as if it never happened. Renegade tried to hold on to it, but it just left his mind leaving no trace behind.

He couldn't remember what had happened. The only residue of the memory was the high amounts of fear that had been coursing through his body, and the sharp pain in his head, but the events that played out were gone.

"Well... that is certainly the last time I eat too many of Wally's cookies." Renegade simply pushed away the memory and continued to make his way to the bio-ship.

---

All that could be heard from the rooftop that the team currently was on was the sound of helicopter blades whirring and resonating gun shots. It was rather chaotic in every direction. It was a surprise that no one below had even decided go call the police yet.

"Take off with the guns!" A man with a thick dark beard yelled towards the pilot of the helicopter. The criminals were easily being taken down by the team, only a few man and their bearded leader remaining. Their only option now was to retreat with whatever hadn't been confiscated.

"Superboy, make sure that helicopter doesn't leave this roof!" Aqualad began to take control of the situation.

Superboy sprinted towards the large helicopter and immediately yanked out the pilot, knocking him out cold with one punch,"Done."

"God, dammit!" Renegade turned to see the bearded leader yell out as he realized his plans had been foiled. The man began to make a run for the entrance back into the building.

"Hey, not so fast, the raccoon on your face might feel threatened!" Renegade was quick to throw a bat-a-rang at the man, it barley missing his face, causing him to stop and turn to face the young teen.

The leader yanked a knife from his pocket,"Let me walk and you and your little  friends will live. No one has to get hurt."

Renegade laughed,"Cute, honestly, but you should have thought of a better plan. What do you plan to even do with that knife, shave your face? You think you'd at least have a gun on you- this being a gun transfer and all."Renegade walked towards the man pulling out his rope, which would take no time to tie up the criminal. He smirked, feeling a bit of pride. He loved messing with losers like these.

"Back away!" The man held up his knife.

"I would, but-" The teen stopped dead in his tracks, as flashes filled his eyes.He was randomly experiencing that same strange feeling. The one he encountered earlier in his room.

"Did someone get scared? Need me to call your mommy?" The older man teased. His words seemed to trigger the headache.

Renegade took a couple steps back as the earlier emotions of fear were felt once again.

"Argh!" He screamed out before falling to the ground, gripping his head in pain. It was almost as if a sharp blade was stabbing at his brain, determined to open up his mind. The ex-assassin fell to his knees, no longer able to support himself. In any normal situation, he would have been embarrassed, but at the time being, he was trying to clear the images popping and going from his mind.

"Maybe someone got a bit too cocky." The criminals taunting voice was heard. Renegade attempted to stand, to apprehend him, to no avail as he fell back down.

"Reneagde!" He heard his name being called, unaware of who owned the voice.

"Ren!"

Instead of the tall roof, Richard Grayson admired two acrobats, soaring through the air without a care in the world. He watched them in awe, ready to jump off the platform he was on himself. He had trained so much for this, and it was his passion. He didn't love anything more than the feeling of flying. The small boy felt high amounts of adrenaline as he let out a big toothy grin.

Though instead of being 13, Richard was a small 9 year old boy, his age obvious with his clear face and bright blue eyes. His smile brightened as he saw a large crowd, all cheering for him and his family. He had done this many times, yet he would never get used to the feeling of it. It was one of the best feelings in the world, and nothing could describe it.

Just when he was about to leap off and join the two adults in thee performance. A loud creaking was heard, causing the ebony to pause. Richard looked up, only to see the wires on the trapeze slowly tearing. It was a matter of seconds before it would break apart, causing the trapeze and whoever was on it to fall.

"Mami! Tati!" He screamed on instinct, his young voice cracking.

But he was much too late.

The wire snapped with a loud pop, sending the pair to the ground.

"Dick!" The woman screamed out, reaching her arms out for him to no avail. Time seemed to slow as Dick watched his parents, some of the kindest and best people he ever knew, fall to their demise, unable to do a thing. This couldn't be happening... Not during a performance. Not ever...

Then, they hit the ground with a loud thud, sending a strong pain to Richards abdomen. Time sped up once again as he collapsed onto his knees, tears cascading down his face. This couldn't be real... It couldn't be real...but it was...

His parents were gone....

He should have said something about that strange man he saw earlier....

This was all of his fault...

THIS HAS BEEN MY LONGEST BOOK CHAPTER :)

....I think.....

So, what do y'all think will happened next?

Will Renegade accept his past, ignore it all, or just continue to eat food?

I updated a day earlier than expected too :)))

Thanks for all the support and for reading!!!

-Jen