CHAPTER 9

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A winter-like chill permeated the air around, sending shivers down my spine. I knew I was outmatched, I could feel it, even more than that time I fought the Owl guy.

"Black Bolt, was it?" Deathstroke boomed at me, "You are far away from Star City boy."

I took a step back, the more he talked, the more time would Batman have to arrive.

Deathstroke chuckled, seeing me walk backward without moving my eyes from him, it seemed to amuse him, I was scared, which I was, I couldn't even use my powers where we were, the warehouse was close to a residential area, one whisper and millions would die.

He had me on checked mate. 

"Very well then," Deathstroke chuckled, "Let's see what you got."

Unsheathing his blade, Deathstroke sprung at me shocking alacrity.

Seeing there was no way to avoid the confrontation or to escape, I moved close to him sending a right hook his way. However, Deathstroke caught my attack as it arrived, pulling me towards him, before delivering a hilt strike to my throat.

The bastard was aiming for my powers.

In pain, I staggered back. 

A single hand clutching to my throat.

As much as it pained me to admit it, this was a battle that if I wanted to survive, I would have to fight with the intention to kill, only then, my chances would improve.

With that thought in mind, I drew a knife from my suit and got into position, and without hesitation charged at my enemy.

Deathstroke dodged my first few strikes with incredible ease, catching one of my swipes with the center of his blade, quickly knocking my knife out of my hand, before twirling around and throwing a kick at my head.

I ducked under his kick just in time, but before I could reposition myself, Deathstroke turned faster than I could see, or foresee and dug his heavy boot into my face, slamming me against the wall with a loud crashing sound.

"You are quite good, better than the wonder boy," Deathstroke complimented, his blade resting on his shoulder ever so lightly, "Unlike him, you know the importance of fear," he added, taking slow, heavy steps toward me. "Fear, helps you, fear molds you, at least from my point of view."

In pain, I stood up, nose bleeding, face aching with pain as the looming shadow of Deathstroke neared me, with each passing second.

Taking a deep breath, I got into position and ran towards my enemy, focusing solely on buying time.

"Good," Deathstroke complimented once again, following suit.

Springing over some boxes, I threw a hard punch at the mercenary, putting all my weight into it, the blow however missed as Deathstroke took a sidestep, but I didn't let that stop me and followed with a right hook and a horizontal kick, both attacks missed, as Deathstroke once again dodged.

He was dancing around me.

"Very good," Deathstroke said, as I once again tried to strike him.

Not giving up my attempts, I threw a hard punch at his jaw, putting my weight into it, the blow to my surprise connected, but it felt, empty, as if I had struck nothing but air as the mercenary moved his head to one side, simulating a hit, knowing he was faking the hit, I followed with a kick to his chest to push myself away from him as I grabbed a small explosive from my belt designed to blow metal walls off, and threw his way, before jumping back to take cover. But much to my dismay, Deathstroke grabbed the explosive mid-air and hurled it back to me in a singular motion.

In shock, I saw as the small explosive, exploded in my face, sending my body flying across the warehouse, as streams of blood dripped from underneath my suit. 

"You were aiming to kill me, very good," Deathstroke clapped, seemingly pleased with my performance, "I am very happy with your display so far." I could hear his steps nearing me, every single one of them, becoming louder and louder.

It was almost haunting.

Struggling to stand up, I forced myself to regain my footing, however, from the smoke a kick sent me rolling across the floor.

"Is that all?" Deathstroke asked as he drew his katana, before darting towards me and slashing across my leg.

I winced in pain, dragging myself along the floor trying to escape him, noticing that my leg was bleeding profusely. If only we were fighting in a less populated area.

"And the party ends," Deathstroke chuckled, turning around just in time to catch a Batarang that flew his way.

Batman landed in front of me, his cape dragging across the floor, his eyes on Deathstroke, "Where is Robin?" he asked.

"Who knows?" Deathstroke replied, his stance and body language turning a whole more serious. It made sense, his enemy was now Batman, not a sidekick as he had called us.

"Black Bolt, can you move?" Batman asked.

I nodded, barely, sure, first I had to stop my bleeding, but after that, I would be able to limp around.

"Focus on finding Robin," Batman added, giving me a tracker, "I will deal with him."

No need to ask twice, I already had enough Deathstroke for a day.

—------------------

With my bleeding stopped, I limped around the warehouse as the sounds of Batman's battle with Deathstroke echoed across the small building, as while I followed Batman's tracker to find Robin.

I could only hope he had a better time than me.

According to the tracker, he should be close.

"Ugh," I heard someone groan.

I followed that.

A few limps ahead, I found Robin tied up to a post, his nose bleeding but otherwise, okay.

I guess I got the shortest straw today.

Limping close to him, I grabbed a knife and started cutting, freeing Robin from his restraints, then I proceeded to check on his vitals.

He was okay, for the most part.

Whatever battle he had with Deathstroke, it was quick, and for the most part, painless.

Considering his bruises, and such, the mercenary didn't even use his weapons on him, he simply knocked him out and tied him to a post.  Meaning, that at the very least, his plan didn't involve killing Robin.

Which means, Batman was his sole target.

I guess this is where I wait, I can't carry Robin with my state as it is, and he's out cold.

I could try and call Dinah, but she would freak out, not sure I want to do that to her.

Alfred could probably pick us up… right?

I had his number, Batman had given his number minutes before our patrol.

Hoping to be correct, I texted the Butler the following message, [We need help evacuating, can you pick us up, is that something you do?]

Second after, a text popped up on my phone, [I am on my way, Master Bolt, hold tight.]

—-----------------------

Alfred arrived a few minutes later, wearing a rather unique costume to I imagine hide his identity, it was a very British disguise so to speak, anyway, not only he arrived in time, but managed to find our exact location within the warehouse, and carried both me and Robin out of the place.

The man sure was stronger than he looked.

As he carried us out of the place, the sounds of the battle still echoed around the entire warehouse, it almost felt, unreal.

Metal clashing against metal, explosions, gunshots.

"Worry not, Master Bolt, Master Batman, will prevail," Butler Man, as he had asked me to address him when he arrived stated with total confidence.

I nodded, letting my mind finally take a break as I drifted to a land of sleep, I was tired, and had lost a lot of blood, I needed a quick nap. I was safe, just now I was realizing how close to dying I had been a few moments ago.

At least I got a few hits in, before tossing the towel.

—--------------

I opened my eyes once again at the cave.

I was in the infirmary.

From what I could tell, Alfred had treated my wounds.

Still, in a bit of pain, I looked around to find Batman on his computer, with Robin on his side.

"Master David," Alfred, who I had failed to notice was near, approached me.

~So… did we win?~ I asked, I had to know.

"Master Wayne?" Alfred called.

"He escaped," Batman replied, turning around to see me. "I apologize, I underestimated the chances of an event like this happening."

I nodded, turning to look at Robin, who didn't dare to look at me.

"Robin," Batman growled out.

"I'm sorry…" Robin said, his voice sounding like that of a kid more than ever, "I… we should've stuck together, we would've done better together."

I nodded, ~It's okay, next time wait for me though.~

"It's not okay, we almost died because of me!" Robin shouted, running out of the cave.

"He will come around Master David, give him time," Alfred assured me.

~I don't blame him,~ I replied, because even though what he had done was… very irresponsible, our chances against Slade together were the same separate, zero.

At least for now.

I'm pretty sure Dinah will forbid me from visiting Gotham City after this.

And with a good reason.