Central City – February 17 – 10:45 PM
Kid Flash was making a few routine laps around Central City while Flash was away on a mission. The day was calm - he'd only had to stop a bank robbery, nothing serious. So far, things with the team were going well.
Conner was now training with Black Canary, who had agreed to help him. The only inconvenience for Wally was that Zatara had started testing him on magic - how to recognize cursed objects, powerful witches, and traces of dark magic. It was annoying, but necessary. Although Zatara wanted him to practice magic, Wally didn't have the required level, so he preferred that Zatara put weighted restraints on him, which he could remove with a hand signal - making him faster, stronger, and ready for anything needed to win.
Artemis had joined the team exercises, though she wanted to seem strong to the others, which caused friction. It was amusing to watch - and her bold attitude in trying to seduce Conner was something Miss Martian didn't take very well. Seeing the two women compete was entertaining.
Kid Flash snapped out of his thoughts while passing the city warehouses and moved closer - surprised to see the last person he expected.
(Deathstroke), he recognized in shock upon spotting the assassin mercenary. But what was he doing in Central City? He was more common in Star City with Green Arrow.
This is Kid Flash, B03, requesting backup at the northwest warehouses of Central City. Deathstroke is here, repeat, Deathstroke is here - he said through his communicator.
Kid Flash, don't engage him. Wait for backup - Black Canary responded, but all communication was cut.
Why don't you come out? We know you're here - came Deathstroke's voice.
Wally removed his weights and drew his trench knives. He had to go all in. As a simple human with a bit of enhancement serum, Deathstroke could terrify even the best of the League. Wally chuckled low - he'd faced Blockbuster, Amazo, and Bane, and Deathstroke scared him more, but he had to stay in control.
Kid Flash first took care of the henchmen, making sure none could surprise him. As he knocked them out, he had to dodge the bullets Deathstroke fired at him.
Was expecting to meet Flash, not a kid - said the mercenary.
Underestimating me will cost you, just like underestimating your student on that island when he abandoned you and left your daughter to die - he replied with a smile. Deathstroke felt his anger boil at the brat daring to talk about his little girl.
Now I'll kill you - he growled, firing.
Kid cut the bullets with his knives as he ran around Deathstroke.
Flash uses the same tricks - he said, throwing small balls to trip the speedster, but was surprised when Kid Flash used his hands to vault and land a kick. Deathstroke blocked with his left arm, drew his sword with his right, and tried to cut Kid's leg - only to be shocked when the blade bounced off and didn't cut.
Kid Flash attacked with his knives while Deathstroke used his sword. Both landed cuts - none fatal, but enough to make the opponent bleed.
Kid Flash changed his style, preferring to use his legs to hit Deathstroke, who lost both pistols, and was surprised that the boy in front of him was good at close combat. Few heroes could match his martial arts - only Green Arrow, Batman, Black Canary, and Wonder Woman. The others preferred to rely on their powers like Superman, Shazam, or Flash. But here was this kid, with the same powers as Flash but not as naïve, wearing armor that resisted cuts, with martial training, and thanks to his reflexes and speed, able to touch Deathstroke. Even if Flash could touch him, he couldn't hurt him - but this kid was earning Deathstroke's respect. Too bad he was going to break him completely.
I've fought metas before, so I know how they think. I won't be as easy as my mentor - said Kid Flash seriously before spinning on his right leg so fast it looked like it caught fire.
Diable Jambe - said Kid Flash before connecting his kick to Deathstroke's face, destroying the orange mask of the mercenary and creating a first-degree burn on the left side of his face. Deathstroke fell on his back but recovered as fast as possible. The problem was, to Kid Flash without weights or magical restraints, Deathstroke was a turtle.
Capoeira… didn't think Flash's apprentice knew something like that - admitted Deathstroke while recovering, but then Kid Flash was on him, connecting his left foot to Deathstroke's face. Kid Flash wasn't going to show mercy - he struck face, ribs, liver, lower back, kidneys - but gasped when he felt a knife in his stomach. He was forced to retreat while pulling the knife out and focusing his regenerative ability on the damaged organs.
Deathstroke was now serious - he was bleeding, and the kid's hits hurt more than expected. He could feel two broken ribs. The blows were aimed at lethal targets. The kid wasn't playing.
You're not like the other heroes - said Deathstroke seriously, fixing his broken nose. Deathstroke could now respect this kid - this speed, this damage, and so young.
Eight points - murmured Kid Flash, and Deathstroke looked at him.
Jugular, liver, lungs, spine, subclavian artery, larynx, kidney, and heart - Kid Flash was panting. Using Diable Jambe still damaged his body, forcing his regeneration to focus there. He could only keep going for ten more minutes. He concentrated lightning into his right hand.
Which one of those points should I hit to make sure you don't get back up? - he asked as a lightning blade formed in his right hand. Now Deathstroke respected him even more - that look was one that wouldn't back down, one willing to get blood on his hands for the sake of others.
Kid Flash is too small for you, kid. You should get a new name - he said, pulling out his other sword, ready to fight.
Then you and your masters can call me Savitar - said Kid Flash with a smile. Deathstroke's tension rose at those words - nobody knew about the Light except those who needed to.
Both hero and mercenary charged each other. Deathstroke noticed the kid going for his heart without hesitation. Deathstroke wasn't going to die - the pay wasn't worth it. When he tried to change the angle of Kid Flash's strike, the boy did the same with Deathstroke's sword.
Both grunted as Kid Flash's hand pierced Deathstroke's left shoulder, while the mercenary's sword only went three centimeters into the speedster's shoulder.
You'll need a better sword. Too bad I won't give you another chance, you one-eyed bastard - Kid Flash growled.
Deathstroke screamed as electricity surged through him.
Bam
Bam
Bam
Kid Flash coughed blood - three bullets had been fired point-blank into his abdomen from a small pistol Deathstroke had hidden.
Then we'll go down together, kid - Deathstroke said - just as a red blur tore them apart.
Kid Flash! - Dinah shouted as she ran to one of her students.
Surrender - Batman ordered, flanked by Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Black Canary, Flash, and Green Arrow - ready for a fight.
The kid will live - Deathstroke said, facing the League without fear. Without Superman, they were vulnerable to his bullets and blades. Only one was a speedster, and he had counters for him. Canary wouldn't use her scream with teammates so close. The only real threats here were Wonder Woman - and maybe Batman.