The New Teen Titans #4 - Eye For An Eye (Kingside, Part Six)
DC Next Proudly Presents:
Issue Four: Eye For An Eye
Written by PatrollinTheMojave
Edited by Dwright
Next Issue > Coming Next Month
“Uno.” Rachel dropped a draw four card onto the table with a smile on her face. After the past few weeks, she was relieved that things were finally getting back to normal. A new normal, Rachel corrected herself. She wasn’t sure things could ever be truly normal again after she nearly destroyed an entire city block, but Titans Tower felt like the only place in the world where she wasn’t constantly trying to keep her abilities - her curse - contained.
The disaster of a mission in Xinjiang, China interrupted that peace, but thankfully there’d been no more life-or-death combat since. Rachel reasoned daily training was an acceptable price to pay for a measure of tranquility in her life. She leaned back into the hood of her Legion-issued stealth suit. The comfy, pajama-like outfit was the one silver lining to her time in China.
“This game is rigged.” Charley groaned, picking up four cards from the draw pile.
“Because you’re losing?” Jason asked.
“Can’t Rach sense what cards we have or something?”
Rachel drew inward.
“Not how it works.” Lorena shook her head, then dropped a card on the pile. “Empathy isn’t mind-reading. It’s classic correspondent magic. She knows our emotions, not our card game strategies.”
Rachel was speechless and surprised enough for Lorena to take note of her expression. “How…?”
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to overshare. It’s just - I noticed how you reacted after I took that knife, and I figured you weren’t a metahuman, so I did a little research and-”
“Research? You mean there are books about people-” Rachel searched for a word. None seemed to satisfy. “People like me?”
Lorena beamed. “Oh definitely! There was a ton of research on correspondent magic at the Conservatory. We could do a magic study session some time!”
Rachel could hardly believe her ears. She’d spent years trying to figure how to control her abilities and Lorena was talking about them like it was math homework.
“Rach?” Jason said.
“Huh, what?” Rachel snapped from her train of thought.
“Your turn.”
“Right.” Rachel brushed away her dark hair and laid down the final card of the game.
Charley crossed his arms. “I still think it’s rigged.”
Jason stood, then shrugged. “I’ll take the trash out. Should give you plenty of time to figure out how Uno’s rigged, right?”
“It’s some Harry Potter bullshit,” Charley said to himself.
Jason hefted the large trash bag towards the dumpster out behind Titans Tower. Not the most glamorous of tasks for a superhero but it had to be done, even with the dull ache that pervaded through his muscles. Robin’s training regimen was turning out to be even harder than he expected, but Jason felt himself getting stronger every day. The journal outlined a routine that ranged from acrobatics, to endurance training, to close quarters combat, and even tactics. Pretty soon he’d be a leader worthy of the Teen Titans. He was sure of it.
“You in charge? I’m Rose.”
Jason turned on a heel towards the voice. Standing just feet away was a white-haired teenage girl with a thick patch of gauze taped over her eye. She was dressed in a strange costume, combining orange combat armor with silver scalemail. What Jason couldn’t tear his eyes away from, however, was the oversized sword sheathed at her side. The trashbag slipped from his hands and clunked against the ground.
“Uhhhh…” Jason took a cautious step back.
“I need your help to stop Deathstroke.”
Rose Wilson didn’t like so many eyes on her. She’d come to Titans Tower looking for help, but wouldn’t put it past one of the ‘heroes’ to turn on her. Then again, she was pretty sure she could take on the motley clubhouse with her trusty sword if it came down to it. Four teens, and their milquetoast twenty-something mentor would be no problem, but the athletic Greek woman looked like she meant business.
“Sorry,” The milquetoast started. He’d introduced himself as Don Hall. “You’re Deathstroke’s daughter?”
“Did he do that to your eye?” Lorena asked.
Rose ignored her. “I’m not Deathstroke’s anything.” She said, sharply. She was done being defined in relation to her piece of shit father. “But yeah, like I said, Slade’s my dad.”
“But he wants you dead.” Charley said.
Rose stared him down, hoping the muscled teen wasn’t the brains of the operation. “Yeah. And maybe since he’s a fucking assassin, we cut it with the questions? Can you guys beam me up to your space fortress or do I need to find another hiding spot?”
Donna was oddly silent, instead scrutinizing the girl’s features for a few moments. “Don.” She nodded towards the corner and the two stepped away.
With his mentors gone, Charley continued pressing. “So what’d you do to provoke him?”
Rose shot a glare.
“Hey, no judgement. My old man’s a scumbag too. Just curious what’s worth annoying the deadliest dude on the planet.”
Rose kept quiet. There was no way they’d understand her reasoning anyway.
“Am I the only one here who doesn’t know who Deathstroke is?” Rachel said.
Jason was the quickest to answer. “I was reading about him in Robin’s journal. Apparently he fought the Titans back in the day. They never caught him on account of him being a crazy good fighter.”
That was enough to force a silence over the conversation. Even Charley was a bit put off at the prospect of taking on someone the old Titans couldn’t match.
After another few seconds, Don and Donna returned, the latter crossing her arms.
“You’re not going to the Watchtower.” Don said.
“Figures.” Rose growled, then took a step towards the door.
Donna stepped in her path. “There are Legion teleporters all over the planet and I don’t doubt Slade’s capable of hijacking one. You’re the safest here. In the Tower.”
“You’re kidding.”
Don spoke. “You’ve got a state of the art security system, plus two seasoned heroes at the ready.”
“And us!” Jason added.
“No.” Donna’s tone was final. “You all are staying put in the Lounge while Don and I handle Deathstroke.”
Rose rolled her eye. They were fooling themselves if they thought they were a match for Slade, but… She glanced out the window. It was the best option she had. “Fine.”
The lounge was almost unrecognizable in ‘panic mode’. Thick metal curtains covered every window and small automated turrets hummed in the ceiling. Rose still had her doubts that it’d be enough, and the goth girl looked like she was feeling the same.
Rachel paced across the room, throwing a glance at the Uno cards splayed across the table every few steps.
“What’s wrong?” Lorena asked.
“They’re afraid of him. Both of them.”
“What?”
“I sensed it. Don and Donna are worried about fighting him. Shouldn’t we be too?”
Jason approached, putting a hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together, as a team.”
Rose couldn’t help but snort a laugh. “You really believe that, don’t you?”
Jason’s head turned on a swivel.
“Look, this isn’t a game of dressup for Slade. This is real. I don’t know how you usually handle this stuff, but in Slade’s world, it’s everyone for themself. Kill or be killed.”
“You really think they’d kill Deathstroke?” Lorena asked no-one in particular.
Rose shook her head. “They don’t have the guts.”
‘But you do.” Charley said; Half question, half statement.
It silenced her for a few moments. “Slade’s a monster, believe me, whoever kills him will be doing the world a favor.” Barely audible, she added, “I’ve done worse to survive.”
With a heavy thunk noise, the fluorescent lights above blinked out, replaced by deep red emergency lighting. The turrets also slowed to a stop.
“The power’s out.” Jason said.
“He’s here.” Rose undid the fastener on her scabbard.
Donna stood at Don’s side, a few feet in front of the ground floor entrance to the Tower. She threw a glance at his outfit.
“What?”
“You’re not in the suit.” Donna recalled the classic blue and white costume she saw all those years ago.
“Yeah. I’m not sure I could manifest the suit if I tried.” Don nodded. “I haven’t felt my connection to Order in years. Not the way I used to anyway. Not since-” He took a breath. “Not since Hank died.”
“I’m sorry.” Emotions never came easy to Donna. They were dangerous, unwieldy. Still, every now and then they managed to punch through the walls she’d erected.
“It’s-” Don stopped himself from saying it was okay. “It’s not your fault.”
“I wanted to come to the funeral.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Donna shifted her weight. “It didn’t feel right. Not with leaving things how I did.”
“You know,” Don cracked a smile. “This whole situation isn’t all that different now that I think about it. Hard-as-nails warrior girl showing up the Tower’s doorstep.”
Donna paused “I guess you’re right. Good for her we’re not taking orders from Batman.”
Don put on his best deep, raspy impression. “She’s a security risk to the Tower, Robin.”
That was enough to get a rare laugh from Donna. “I don’t think Dick talked to Batman for a week after that.”
Don shook his head. “Oh it was more than a week. I had to get Tower funding from J’onn until like, a month after you left.”
“Right.” A pang of regret entered Donna’s voice.
It was a few seconds before Don worked up the courage to ask, “Why didn’t you stay?” The question had been on his mind for the better part of a decade.
Donna let out a long sigh. “I wanted to. After all the garbage put in my head by Derinoe and The Skartarans… I couldn’t go back to fighting. I needed time to figure out who I am, what I wanted. I couldn’t risk being manipulated again.”
“God.” Don said. “I never thought- I didn’t mean-”
“Don.” She turned her head. “It’s fine. I’m grateful for what you and the other Titans did for me. It’s why I’m here.”
Don didn’t know what to say, instead opting to remain silent, keeping his eyes fixed on the door.
“I didn’t know Hank that well, but for what it’s worth, I think he’d be proud of what you’re doing.”
“I-” Don smiled. “Thanks.”
A computerized voice blared over the intercom. “INTRUDER DET-” The speaker crackled as the lights above went dark. A moment later, the emergency lights flicked on.
Donna tensed. Seconds passed like hours in near-complete silence. Then, the doors slammed open under the force of Deathstroke’s boot. The split mask of The Terminator was instantly recognizable. Donna charged forward, wordlessly pulling her short blade from her side.
In a single motion, Deathstroke pulled his sword from his back and parried the attack. The two blades rung against each other and forced Donna backwards.
“Step aside.” Deathstroke said in a cool monotone.
“You’re not getting anywhere near those kids.” Don said.
“Have it your way.” Deathstroke pulled a pistol from his side only for Donna’s shortsword to cut the barrel clean off. Wasting no time, he slammed his forehead against the bridge of Donna’s nose, sending her staggering backwards.
Deathstroke forced his way forward, even as Don put himself in the assassin’s path. Deathstroke’s blade sliced through the air, with Don narrowly dodging each strike as he backpedaled. His heart was beating out of his chest. Don was facing down his childhood bogeyman, fully aware any mistake could be his last. Instinct screamed at him to run, but it was far overshadowed by a single maxim. ‘Don’t let Deathstroke hurt the kids.’
He evaded another sword swipe, then kicked Deathstroke in the chest, forcing him to stumble. Don smiled. “Not today, Slade.”
“Don!” Donna shouted just in time for him to spot the throwing knife speeding from Deathstroke’s hand. With no hope of dodging, Don braced. Then, in a spark of blue light, the knife clattered to the ground. “Wh-?” Don glanced down, finding a blue dove pattern splayed across his chest. He could hardly believe it - his connection to Order was intact after all.
The relief was short-lived as Deathstroke plunged his foot into Don’s leg until it made a cracking sound. Don dropped to the ground, writhing in pain.
“Deathstroke!” Donna shouted, charging him.
“I don’t have time for this.” Deathstroke locked blades with Donna. “So who’s watching the children?” He asked. The moment of fear sparked in Donna’s eyes was all he needed to force the shortsword out of her hand. Deathstroke pulled another knife from his belt and plunged it into Donna’s side. In seconds, Donna felt numbness creeping across her body.
“That’s a fast-acting paralytic. You might want to sit down, princess.” Deathstroke turned just moments before Donna collapsed.
He approached the staircase at the end of the hall.
“Time for the real test.”
“We should get help.” Lorena said, not moving an inch or taking her eyes off the stairwell door.
“We are the help.” Charley corrected.
Rose starred in the reflection of her sword, apparently oblivious to the quibbling of the Titans. Jason didn’t wasn’t buying it. Even for her cool appearance, Rose sounded terrified of Deathstroke based on how she spoke of him.
Jason had hoped for a little more time to train before he put Robin’s regimen to the test, but- “Rose, Deathstroke trained you to swordfight, right?”
“Yeah?” Rose said.
Jason nodded. He wracked his mind trying to scrape together every bit of information and tool at his disposal. “Alright.” If their mentors couldn’t stop Deathstroke, then failure here meant getting Rose killed, maybe worse. He couldn’t afford it.
He thought through his readings on tactics, then spoke with rote memorization. “Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”
“Uhhhh.” Charley gave a confused look. “You good, dude?”
“It’s Sun Tzu. From what Robin’s journal says, Deathstroke’s arrogant. He’s going to underestimate everyone here except Rose because he trained her.
Rose huffed. “That’s not a plan.”
“I’m getting there. Wait- do you have a knife?”
Rose pulled a bowie knife and passed it to him. Jason glanced at it, then continued. “Rach, I want you to use your soul self to check on Don and Donna. Charley, you’re going to cover for Rose while she keeps Deathstroke occupied. Keep on the defensive. You’re not trying to take him down.”
“Pretty sure we are, but fine.” Charley said.
Jason continued. “Lorena, when I give you the signal, I’m going to distract Deathstroke. I want you-” She passed the knife. “To stab him at one of the joints.”
“Why the joints?” Rachel asked.
“And why me?” Lorena added. “Couldn’t you stab him while I worked on a spell?”
As much as Jason hated to admit it, he knew he wouldn’t last more than a few seconds against Deathstroke. He was still sore from training and all the exercise was only beginning to pay off. “The joints are going to be the only places with armor thin enough to do any damage. And Lorena, that’s what he’ll be expecting. The only way we’re going to pull this off is by keeping Deathstroke off balance.”
“Hm.” Rose ran her blade along the scabbard. “This might actually work.”
Jason nodded at Rachel. In an instant, she was engulfed inside a massive shadowbird and slipped away through the floor.
Jason heard footsteps on the stairs. “Get ready everyone.”
The door swung open. “Rose.” Deathstroke spoke. “I see you’re making friends.”
She flipped him off.
Deathstroke just nodded and slowly drew his sword. Rose and Charley jumped to action. Rose’s blade rang against Deathstroke’s time and time again, moving in a flurry that Jason struggled to track. For as fast as Deathstroke was, he couldn’t quite manage to catch Rose out of position. Any time it seemed his sword was about to cut into her, Charley stepped in, letting the attack rebound off his thick armored bracers.
Even in the midst of deadly combat, Charley couldn’t help but add. “Yeah, seems like a scumbag.”
Jason glanced at Lorena. She looked nervous. He just had to have faith she was up to the task. Jason waited for Deathstroke to show his back to him, then acted. Drawing the grapnel as fast as he could, he squeezed the trigger and watched a thick metal cable sped towards the back of Deathstroke’s head.
It looked effortless the way Deathstroke stepped out of the way and lopped the hook off the grapnel. The cable fell the ground.
“It’ll take more than-” Deathstroke let out a grunt of pain and glanced down at the dagger embedded just above his knee. Jason couldn’t contain his smile. He could already see the armored assassin was more sluggish than before. It was just a matter of time until-
“Not bad.” Deathstroke said, reaching into a pouch around his belt.
“Get clear!” Jason managed to shout just as Deathstroke threw something against the ground. A thick fog began to envelop the room. “Smoke bomb! Stay ready.”
“No.” Rose corrected, her sword still raised. “Not a smoke bomb, tear gas.” The four backed against the wall as the noxious gas expanded further. Just as Jason was beginning to feel nauseous, the red light overhead flickered back to a pure white and the heavy metal shutters dropped, letting a thin breeze begin to carry the gas outside.
Jason didn’t let his guard down. He couldn’t until the gas cleared with Deathstroke nowhere to be seen.
“Did- did we do it?” Lorena asked.
“Yeah. I think so.”
“Hell yeah!” Charley fist pumped. “Teen Titans, baby!”
Rose shook her head, muttering “Coward” under her breath.
Rachel finished up bandaging Donna’s wound just as she began to regain feeling in her toes. Don, meanwhile, would need a trip to the hospital to set his leg properly. In the moment, however, he was just glad to see the Teen Titans step off the elevator intact.
“Where’s Deathstroke?” were the first words out of his lips.
Charley grinned. “Jason batmanned the shit out of him?”
“Whuh?” A muffled noise came from Donna.
“He ran.” Jason said. “We managed to get a decent hit on him and guess he decided to cut his losses.”
“Do you think he’s coming back?” Rachel asked.
“We’ve got at least a few days. Slade’s got a contract in Markovia to fill.” She paused. “Actually…”
Lorena looked at her. “What?”
“We could follow him. Sabotage his contract. His bosses are part of an international arms race conspiracy or something. I wasn’t in the loop about everything, but I know this is big.”
“I like the way she thinks!” Charley said.
Don shook his head. “Absolutely not. You might’ve gotten lucky against Deathstroke, but if he’s involved in that then you all need to stay put here. I’ll pass a tip on to the Legion.”
“No offense Birdman,” Rose started. “But I don’t work for you. I’m going to stop Deathstroke.”
Rose took a few steps towards the door before Lorena spoke. “You’re not going alone. We barely managed to fight him off together.”
Jason nodded. “She’s right. We’re seeing this through to the end.”
“If Deathstroke’s really up to something as big as you say,” Rachel stood. “Then we have to stop him.”
Don furrowed his brow. “If you go to Markovia, then we can’t protect you. If you get hurt, we can’t bail you out. You’re not ready.”
Jason glanced around at his teammates, happy to see them as unshaken as him. “Maybe, but we’re doing this. We’ll be careful, we’ll fight smart, and we’ll look out for one another.”
Don wanted to argue further - to ask the Legion to help keep them in the Tower, keep them safe. Still, Don remembered the Justice League trying something like that just emboldened him and his friends back in the old days.
Don let out a long breath. “Alright. But if you’re going to stop an international conspiracy, I want you checking in every hour on the hour. Understand?”
Jason nodded. “Titans? Let’s do this.”
Next: The Queen’s Gambit in The New Teen Titans #5
Posted May 20, 2021, 11:31 AM UTC