Chapter Text
Prologue
It was fascinating news and an interesting assignment but if it had been up to him, he would have chosen absolutely anyone else as a partner.
The clown was far too much of a literal wild card.
“A new group of Titans,” Slade said , his authoritarian voice being put to good use. “Is nothing new.”
He wasn't lying per say. There has been Nightwings run, Red Robin's run and now the newest Robin's run which wasn't a shocker. But the little tidbit of information about the newest leader of the titans was interesting news.
“I never said it was,” the informant, a well dressed businessman, continued. “Don't you agree the interesting part is more the bloodline they are sporting?”
Slade didn't need to glance at the other guest to know he was more than interested in this.
Slade may have had a great adversary in Nightwing and Red Robin but he had yet to deal with the new younger Robin. Apparently the blood son of The Batman.
Interesting as it was, it would have been much more useful if it had been known to him only.
Not to him and The Joker.
The informant had brought them profiles of each member.
Blue Beetle : Name Jaime Reyes 24 years old. Not anything special about the man. He was part of Red Robin's team as well.
Wonder Girl :Name Cassandra Sandsmark. 26 years old. Again, he had become introduced to her during Reds run.
Jon El a Super: Name unknown and age estimated 20-23. He hadn't met the young man yet but he had little interest in the Super Clan.
Raven: Name Rachel Roth age 22. She was interesting , he had yet to meet her but he was aware of her ties to Red Robin and his titans. He had done his own research when she appeared to be connected to the strange blip in time during her earlier years of group. Half demon and half human, she held immense powers that she actively had to control. Slade did find her to be of worth noting.
He hoped the Joker did not. The young Robin was the target but the Demon girl was the true marvel. To him at least.
Finally there was the new Robin: Name unknown age estimated 20 or 21. Batman's new blood son, grandson of Ra's Al Ghul and son of Thalia Al Gul. Interesting enough for someone to want him targeted but Slade only knew a minor bit about the boy. He joined the group 4 years prior, he was a trained assassin and he was A Bat. Beyond that he was just another Robin to him. Perhaps even less significant.
“You want us to go bird hunting eh,” the Joker said, slapping his purple clad knees. “Fantastic. I haven't gone hunting in a long time. How's about you and I hatch a plan?”
The last part the clown was saying to him. Behind his mask, Slade scowled. Still, the money was good and it would be entertaining at the very least.
“Yes,” the informant said. “Do what you want to the other titans but ensure you break the boy. I want him alive but broken beyond repair.”
“Why?” Slade asked. “I want to know what you gain.”
The Joker stayed silent but he was also observing, his unnerving large grin on full display.
He didn't care, not really ,but the info would be useful. Perhaps for the mission or perhaps for a double cross.
“My master,” The informant began. “ They simply want this for their satisfaction.”
In other words they wanted revenge. Maybe on the Father through the son. Maybe just on the son. That was about all he was going to give.
“Ooh,” The Joker cooed. “How fun. I already have an idea.”
Slade looked at the clown. He had an even more unsettling, sinister grin. His eyes had a shine that he could only describe as ominous.
“We'll put on a show for you, and you're the producer,” he said. “The show will be so amazing, so spectacular, so gruesome it will be the greatest show. And me and masky over here will be the directors.”
He gestured towards Slade.
Slade didn't like the look he was giving. There was a deep and eerie depravity in the man. One that he knew would further taint his already tainted soul.
Slade was a smart man and as a smart man, he wasn't sure that he wanted in this scheme. But 3 million dollars to clip a little bird's wings. He had done worse. He played with people's lives many times. Some were even of his own blood.
This young man was nothing to him.
So he nodded and accepted the offer. The clown clapped and guffawed.
“Wonderful,” The Joker said.“You and me , Masky, we are going to be the greatest of great. No one will ever top this and you and I will be the greatest showmen.”
Hopefully the 3 million would be worth this all.