West Englewood. A neighborhood filled with despair. One of Chicago's most infamous zones. Jason ans Steph pulled up to the stoop of a dilapidated house in the late hours of the night. People were huddled on the corners drinking and playing dice, ignoring the cold. As Jason stepped out of the car the sound of sirens filled his ears, the smell of something burning heavy in the air. He immediately felt at home, the street reminiscent of Crime Alley.

Stephanie slung her gun over her shoulder, making it clear to everyone on the street that she had no issue using it. "This is it. 71 Terrace. Cindy said she's staying with a friend here."

Jason smiled as a group scouting the car backed off as soon as they caught sight of the small semi-automatic gun.

Steph knocked on the door. It took a moment before a young woman, bearing similar features to Steph answered the door. Except instead of a youthful fire, Cindy's eyes were glazed over. She was pale, her hair a mess.

She tried to smile, but it came out more of a grimace. "Steph. I told you to go to a motel."

She didn't even look at Jason before stumbling back into the boarded up building.

Stephanie looked at Jason apologetically.

He quirked an eyebrow. "She's high."

Steph didn't answer and walked in.

Jason tried to breathe through his mouth. The whole place stunk of vomit. Someone laid in the corner, unmoving. He placed a hand on his knife. "We should leave soon."

Steph nodded. "Cindy, we should go. You can explain everything when we leave."

"I'm not going anywhere." She managed to slur out.

Jason rolled his eyes. "I'll be outside."

He walked out and leaned against the porch. Jason noticed several men eyeing Steph's car.

He cleared his throat loudly, placing one hand inside his jacket.

They all turned and stared, ready for a fight.

It was dark and all the street lamps were out. Jason could barely make out their faces. It didn't make a difference, they'd all be dead soon anyway.

"The fuck you lookin' at?" Asked one wearing a white hoody.

He smiled. That all too familiar feeling overtook Jason. A combination of bloodlust, and superiority. He wanted to see what their insides looked like.

Electricity crackled in the air, the sort of energy that pierced the air before a fight broke out. Not a single muscle twitched. The first sight of movement would commence the fight. Jason's grip on his knife tightened.

"What in the hell do you boys think you're doing?!"

A old black woman came shuffling down the sidewalk, a chihuahua trailing behind her.

Jason carefully lowered his hand from the grip of his knife.

"Gerry, if you and your stupid ass friends don't get on home I'll whoop your butts so quick it'll make your head spin."

The leader rolled his eyes. "Sorry Momma T." He locked eyes Jason. "Thank the old lady fool, she just saved your life."

As he walked by Momma T she reached up and slapped him across the back of his head. "The hell you calling old? Get on boy."

As soon as they were out of ear shot she walked up to Jason. "Leave this neighborhood. I know evil when I see it, and son you got death comin' off you in waves. I know damn well I just saved those boys lives. "

Jason stared for a moment, than nodded. "Yes mam."

Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head before shuffling back down the street.

She was right. Jason felt sick to his stomach. He had wanted to warm his hands with their blood. He shook his head lightly. He needed to figure himself out and quickly, otherwise a lot of people could end up hurt.

But what is they deserved to be hurt. Whispered a small voice.

He heard movement inside, a low thump, and Steph came out. She held her little sister in her arms.

Jason raised an eyebrow.

"Its just easier this way. Get the car door." She said.

They drove around until they found a suitable motel. Suitable according to Jason was a roof and four walls. The one he chose had an option to pay by the hour.

Jason settled in while Steph waited on her sister, helping her bathe and change into clean clothes, whispering soothing words to her the entire time. Jason hadn't seen that sort of love and affection…in a long time. While they slept, he sat in the dark, his hands resting next to his guns, the slow steady sounds of their breathing calming him.

It was in these moments that he couldn't help but think of the past.


Weeks had flown by as Jason traveled the world. He was looking for teachers, masters, experts. Anyone who had the knowledge and experience he needed to topple his enemy. He assumed a new identity. Jack Cameron. During the day, Jason forced himself to study, continuing the education that Bruce had wanted for him. As the sun set Jason dedicated hours to keeping his body and martial arts skills sharp.

It wasn't enough he thought. If he was going to take on the Batman, then he needed to learn new skills. He needed to understand the criminal mind inside and out. Why did they fail to take out the Batman? It was clear most barely had an IQ that rivaled your standard Yorkie. They were never smart enough, strong enough, never willing to go the distance. Soon Jason found himself in China. He joined a local gang and quickly moved up in the ranks. Before he knew it he was recruited by the biggest gang in all of Beijing, the Jade Fist. The leader Lo Quin took him under his wing. Carefully the leader showed him all aspects of his empire. Jason witnessed a side of the criminal underworld he never even knew existed.

Drugs, gambling, prostitution, gun running, human and meta trafficking.

Jason became the right-hand man to Lo Quin, his personal body guard. At Jason's request, Lo Quin imported the best martial arts masters, professors, tacticians, sharpshooters that money could buy. Jason went up against these so-called masters and bested every single one, spent hours pouring over books, ancient and modern alike.

One night he accompanied Lo Quin to a large transport ship. Aboard the ship, Jason saw with his very eyes the victims of the human trafficking trade. The ship was outfitted to look like they transported shipping containers, the manifests claiming the containers held various electronics and toys, instead of the women and children prisoners. Jason stopped in his tracks, a burning deep in his chest. Before when he saw the prisoners, he didn't feel a thing.

"Something wrong Jack?" asked Quin.

Jason shook his head.

That night Jason decapitated Lo Quin and killed every member of the Fist he came across. He let the prisoners go and left the ship at the bottom of the harbor. In a single night Jason turned the criminal underworld upside down by brutalizing the Jade Fist.

Jason was busy packing his few belongings in his penthouse apartment. Just as he stepped in front of the door to leave, it exploded, driving him backwards ten feet. He tried to see through the smoke, all he could hear was a high-pitched ringing in his ear. Jason could barely raise his head, blood flowed over his eyes making it even more difficult to see.

Get up. Run.

He rolled over and stumbled to his feet.

The balcony. If he could get to the balcony he could drop down floor by floor.

No. He was going to kill whoever dared enter his home.

Jason reached for his knife.

Someone laughed. "Still alive and looking for a fight? Give up kid, your outclassed."

Jason felt his stomach drop. A man stood in front of him. He was taller than Jason, covered in dark blue and gold armor. He held a katana loosely at his side, pistols strapped at his hips. He looked like a man in the twilight of his prime, his grey hair tied up in a ponytail. He sported a black eye patch.

Jason recognized him immediately.

"Deathstroke. Good. I haven't had a decent fight in months."

He laughed again. "My reputation proceeds me."

Jason did not like laughter. It made him irrationally angry for some reason.

He lunged for Deathstroke determined to rip out his throat.

Jason was able to connect with several hits, but with every blow landed, Deathstroke kept moving forward. At one point he swept away Jason's attack and struck him in the chest with an open palm strike, driving him across the room.

Stupid. Thought Jason. Deathstroke was an enhanced human. Greater strength, speed, and mental faculties. Jason needed to be smart to beat him.

Look for the weak points in his armor, the neck, joints, groin.

Jason charged again.

"Well you're a slow learner." Mocked the assassin.

Jason feinted attacks, caught him off guard and lashed out, striking his enemy in the throat.

Deathstroke staggered back, Jason moved as quick as he could, attacking every vulnerable spot.

The deadly assassin caught Jason's fist and flipped him on to his back. "Enough. It doesn't matter how hard you hit me, my armor displaces kinetic energy. Your attacks are worthless."

Jason spun on his back and kicked out, creating space between them.

He was out of ideas, and had no weapons to fight with.

"Makes sense now. I came across the scene of Lo Quinn's murder. You took him and thirty of his men out. That's rather impressive. Unfortunately Lo Quinn owed me money, and since you killed him, now you owe me money." He cocked his head. "But…I doubt you have it. I have a proposition for you."

Jason was scanning the room for a weapon. "Yeah and what's that?"

"Work for me. There are maybe three people in the whole world who could land a shot on me like you did. I've been working with Lo Quinn for a while now. I've seen you training, studying. You're preparing for something. Work for me, and I'll see to it that you're ready for whatever that is."

Work for the greatest assassin in the world?

Slade Wilson was responsible for single handedly toppling governments, killing world leaders, and being a grade A asshole. He was deadly, calculating, and ruthless.

Jason would be stupid to pass up this opportunity. He looked up to meet the man's eyes. "You got a deal."

Slade smiled. "Pack light, we're going to Africa."


As the early rays of dawn crept over the city he slipped out of the room. When he finally came back he heard the shower running and Steph had her gun pointing at the door.

He raised his hands. "Whoa easy there Tex, just wanted to grab a cup of coffee."

She lowered her gun with a frown.

Jason looked offended. "You look disappointed that you didn't get to shoot someone."

She shrugged and moved her gaze back to the bathroom door.

"How is she doing?"

Another shrug. "Shitty. I haven't seen her in a few years, but this is the worst…We need to get Sophia back."

The bathroom door opened, letting steam out. Cindy walked out with a towel wrapped around her, she stopped when she saw Jason and smiled. "Steph, I didn't know you kept such handsome company."

Steph rolled her eyes. "Get dressed. I'm hungry and you need to eat too."

Shortly after they pulled into a greasy diner.

Jason ordered the hungry bear and began digging into his several plates of food.

Steph turned up her nose as she ate her egg white omelet. "You should probably breathe in between bites of your coronary on a plate."

Jason glared and responded by shoving a sausage link in his mouth.

After the meal, Steph began questioning her little sister.

"Start from the beginning."

Cindy was nervous, her eyes darting to every exit, every face within eyesight. She kept itching her arms and held her mug of hot tea so that her hands had something to do. "Marc wasn't always bad. It wasn't until he got mixed up with Lucian. He's some mid level asshole for the mob here. Lucian started him as a bag boy. Marc knew all the scumbags around Chicago, he had access to information. He impressed Lucian and soon moved up to pulling off special assignments. It was the last assignment that got him in trouble. Lucian gave him a suitcase to deliver, didn't tell him what it was. Marc was supposed to take it to Central City, but ended up running off with it. He called me, warning me that they would be coming for me. Whatever it was he said he could sell it himself on the black market and we'd never have to work another day in our lives. I was in the middle of packing when they came for me and-"

Cindy's eyes began to shimmer. "-When I told them that I didn't know where Marc was, that's when they took Sophie."

Steph placed a hand on her sisters shoulder. "We're going to get her back Cin. Don't worry." She looked at Jason. "Looks like Lucian is the answer."

Jason leaned forward. "Cindy, I need you to tell me everything you know about Lucian."

She shook her head. "All I know is that he runs Club Sky."

Steph held up her phone for Jason to see. "Looks like they're holding a charity ball for inner city gun violence tomorrow night."

Jason smiled. "Looks like we're going shopping then."

They spent the day shopping for fancy outfits. The gala they were attending was strictly for the rich and famous. Steph settled on a black dress with an open back that hugged her body in all the right places. "Tonight Sky is hosting a charity ball, so you need a suit."

Jason rolled his eyes. He hated getting dressed up. Sure, he looked great in one, but suits were for stiffs. Stiffs that lurked in caves, and glowered a lot.

Jason picked out a black suit, white shirt, no tie, open collar. If he was going to this stuffy event, he would go with style.

Steph's eyes lit up. "You clean up pretty well, Jason."

He smiled. "Thanks. I wish I didn't hate wearing suits so much, because I look too damn good in one."

She snorted. "Not that good."

Nightfall came quickly and Cindy was getting worse. She was starting to go through withdrawal. She was already shaking and vomiting.

Jason walked in on Steph wrapping her sister in a blanket. He tossed her a brown paper bag. Steph shook it and the contents fell out onto the bed. Methadone.

"Where'd you get this?" she asked.

Jason shook his head. "Not important. She needs it. If she goes cold turkey she'll be useless to us for about a week, maybe longer."

Steph frowned. "You're right."

She gently shook her sister awake.

Jason was uncomfortable, seeing such a private scene unfold. "I'll wait outside. Don't take too long."

He stepped out fidgeting with his new clothes. He double checked his pistol and made sure it wasn't obvious that he was packing. He decided to wait in the car.

Steph opened the door and took a seat, visibly shaken.

Jason pulled away. "You okay?"

She shook her head. "She was never like this. She used to be so strong willed, so radiant. She's barely even a shell of that anymore. I hate what using has done to her. I'm just…disappointed, sad."

Jason was quiet for a moment. "Isn't that a little hypocritical?"

She sniffed. "What do you mean?"

Jason thought about approaching this carefully, but what the hell. "You're an addict too."

Steph's face went blank.

Jason put a hand up. "Hey, I don't judge. You wanna use that's on you. You seem to be a functional addict, but the second I start to think that you're endangering me or the mission then I'm going to have to sideline you."

She bit her lip. "How did you know?"

Jason's lip curved at the edge. "I saw you beat up your dealer."

Realization dawned on her face. "Right. He wasn't my dealer. My dealer went on a vacation to Blackgate. That guy was just filling the void, until I could find another professional."

"What is it?" asked Jason.

"Vicodin." She replied.

Rain droplets started hitting the windshield. Not enough to make him turn on the wipers though. Steph traced the droplets on the window with her fingernails.

"It started in the military. I was just 18."

"I was stationed in Afghanistan. Heroin is easy to get over there. It was so cheap. Before I knew it, I was getting discharged. It should have been a dishonorable, but…yeah. I was clean for years after that. It wasn't until I was in my residency program that I started using again. In some pathetic attempt, I wrote it off as a better way to get high. It wasn't heroin…wasn't a dirty needle. That's when I slipped…and keep slipping."

Jason didn't ask for details. People don't just start using hard drugs for the hell of it. Whatever Stephanie had seen over there pushed her over the edge. He'd respect her privacy. He was familiar with her situation.

"Do you plan on stopping?" He asked.

Steph dabbed at her eyes, careful not to ruin her makeup. "I don't know. It's the only way I get to sleep anymore."

Jason's grip on the steering wheel tightened.

The words were on the tip of his tongue. Why couldn't he just say them? She was pouring her heart out to him. Why couldn't he do the same?

"When I came back I didn't sleep for days." He blurted out.

It was her turn to stare.

"What happened to you Jason?"

Jason ignored the question and brought the car into a parking garage, paying a ridiculous amount for the parking spot. "Club's just a block away. Remember, we're looking for Lucian."

Stephanie was skeptical that Jason would open up to her. To be fair she only gave him the cliff notes version of her story. She had omitted certain details from her story. The kind of details that still haunt her dreams. Her stomach dropped at the mere reminder of those horrible memories. Her hand trembled and she reached into her clutch, but before she pulled out the small baggie that contained those familiar white pills, she caught sight of Jason double checking his weapons. Steph took a deep breath, and her hand steadied itself.

"You okay?" he asked.

She started walking. "Let's just get this over with."