To say Batman was surprised when he received an anonymous tip on the location of Deathstroke would be a major understatement. No one had seen the mercenary in over three years. To have him suddenly show up now meant that he was either being careless, not something that Deathstroke did, or that it was a trap. However, Deathstroke was high enough up on the League's villain list that something like this could not be ignored. Someone would have to investigate, and unfortunately for Deathstroke, that person was going to be the Batman.

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Dick lay curled up in a tight ball in the darkest corner of his cell. His body shook with fever chills, and whip and burn marks were clearly visible underneath this torn and tattered shirt. He was tired. Tired of being used and beaten and hurt. He wanted it all to stop. He had tried to make it stop, but his captors refused to let him die. Every time he thought that that last moment was there, something would force him to come back. Dick could not remember a time when he was not locked up and tortured. Cells, chains, and pain. That was his life. The only life he remembered.

Dick shivered, his body pressing closer into the cold stone walls of his prison, trying to obtain warmth. His breath coming in ragged gasps, even that small movement causing extreme pain. Dick knew that this was the last time. This was it. He would finally be at peace. His eyes closed and he relaxed slightly, ignoring the pain that movement caused. Peace at last...

Or it was until something exploded the door of his cell. A dark shape loomed ominously in the doorway, his foreboding form outlined in the dim light. Dick felt panic seize him, and then there was nothing, his mind lost to the bliss of unconsciousness.

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Batman frowned as he threw the last decapitated robot head on the ground. What was the point of having a secret base if you only guarded it with robots? Deathstroke should know better. He did know better, so what was he planning? Was the mercenary even there?

The Darknight explored deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels that formed the hideout, stopping when he reached a tunnel with end that held a single door. Batman threw an explosive batarang at it, successfully blowing it to pieces. He stepped over the debris clogging the entrance and was horrified at what he saw.

A young boy, he looked eleven at the oldest, lay in a dirty heap in a corner of what looked to be a small stone room. The boy's clothing was in tatters, and his body seemed to be in almost the same condition. Whip lashes and burn marks were clearly visible, and several deep looking wounds oozed blood onto the ground.

The boy looked up at Batman, fear and pain showing in his large blue eyes, before his eyes rolled back into his head and his body went completely limp. Batman rushed forward, quickly kneeling down and checking the child's pulse. It was faint and erratic, but it was there. Batman breathed a sigh of relief. He was still alive. There was still hope that the boy would live. He pulled out his communicator. "Batman to Watchtower. Batman to Watchtower. Does anyone read me?"

"I hear you loud and clear," answered the hyperactive voice of the Flash. "What do you need Batsy?"

Batman growled why did it have to be Flash? He never took anything seriously. "I need you to ready the med-bay. I found a kid who is severely injured."

"A kid? You found a kid in Deathstroke's hideout?" Batman could easily detect the skepticism in Flash's tone.

"Yes. A kid. He is almost dead, so I need you to hurry up and do what you're told. I'll be there shortly. Batman out." Batman turned off his communicator, ignoring the protests of a certain speedster, and returned his attention to the matter at hand. He picked the boy up bridal style, being careful to avoid touching any major wounds.

Even in unconsciousness, the boy flinched away from physical contact, his breathing becoming more panicked. Batman stroked his hair gently, in an almost fatherly gesture. The boy calmed down immediately. He was surprisingly light, way too light for someone of his age.

What had Deathstroke done to him? Batman was going to hunt him down and make him pay for what he did. No one had the right to take a child from their parents, presuming that the boy had parents, and treat him like that. Deathstroke was going down, and Batman would make sure that he never did this to another kid again.

Batman carried the child back through the tunnels and up to the surface where the Batwing was waiting. Gently placing the boy onto a spare seat, he took his place at the control panel and began flying to Metropolis, the closest city containing a zeta tube. He had to make it to the Watchtower before the boy went critical.

The thirty minute flight seemed like an eternity to Batman, who was constantly aware of the boy's slowly decreasing heartbeat. When he finally reached the city, Batman grabbed to boy and rushed to the zeta tube, a small abandoned bus stop, frantically typing in the codes that would allow him to take the boy to the Justice League's secret base in outer space.

Recognized: Batman-02

Recognized: Guest

As Batman stepped out of the zeta tube, he was greeted by a hoard of concerned superheroes. Flash, Green Arrow, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Black Canary all rushed forward asking questions and trying to examine the child that Batman was clutching to his chest.

"What happened?"

"Did you find Deathstroke?"

"Who is that?"

"Why did you bring a kid to our super secret base?"

"Is he ok?"

Batman ignored their looks and questions and pushed his way through, not stopping until he reached the doctors and handed the boy over to their capable hands. Shutting the med-bay's door, Batman turned to face his co-workers. "Now we can talk."

AN: I updated!!! It's a miracle!!! Sorry for not doing it sooner, but I had way too much homework. Special shout out to daughterofdeadstroke . Happy birthday Demi!!! Also, WallyWestLovesRobin welcome to our crazy family!!!