Don't Say His Name. . .

~2~

Normal POV

Dick sat cross legged on his bed, eyes closed. He was inside, what he liked to call, his mind palace. When he was little and was first brought to where Ra's lived, it was extremely lonely. There weren't any other kids. And the adults hardly ever talked.

Ra's was the only one to help him come to terms with his parent's death. He helped him through nightmares. He helped him calm down when he cried. Dick saw the man as another father figure because of it. He even helped him kill the man who killed his family, Tony Zucco.

Then there was Slade. Dick saw him how Slade wanted him to, as his master. Slade was Dick's main teacher. He taught him many languages, how to use swords, and how to always be aware of your surroundings. But he also feared Slade more than anyone. Slade was the one who "punished" him if he ever got out of line or failed. It was just four years ago, when he was nine, when he got his first.

~~~~~~~Flash Back ~~~~~~~

Dick held the cold gun in his hand. He had amazing aim thanks to Slade's training. He could hit three bullseyes with his eyes closed if he needed too. They had used dummy's for a long time. Slade teaching the boy where to hit for an instant death. And where to shoot for a slow and painful one. Dick knew killing was wrong but would do anything to make Ra's and Slade proud.

But today, Slade has brought in a real man. His hands and feet were tied, making it impossible for him to escape. And Dick had been instructed to kill him.

When Slade commanded him, he knew he shouldn't. This man had a life, maybe a family. He couldn't end this man's life.

"Richard, shoot this man." Slade commanded in his icy tone. Dick flinched, knowing he had to do the deed.

"But-" The boy started but was interrupted by a fist to the face.

Dick fell to the ground, holding his stinging cheek. Slade stared down at him, his one eye icy and empty.

"Do not talk back to me boy. Know your place!" The mercenary threatened. Dick nodded, his nine year old self knew not to provoke his teacher.

Slade turned his gaze away from the boy. He looked dead at the tied up man.

"You know I've been avoiding this. But I believe it's time for you to truly learn the risks." The mercenary said. The way his voice was so calm scared Dick.

"Stand." Slade instructed, Dick did as he was told.

Once the boy was standing, Slade kicked him hard in the side making him fall again. While Dick was on the ground Slade walked over to him and kicked in the stomach, hard. He kicked him again, then again, then again, then again. While Dick was curled in on his injured stomach Slade spoke.

"Stand." On shaky legs Dick did as he was told again, still holding his arms around his torso.

"This is only a taste of how bad things could get." Slade said as he punched Dick in the face.

"If you fail me, or Ra's, or the Court of Owls, the punishment will be far worse." Slade finished with a final kick. Dick lay in the ground, his face bleeding in multiple spots and his body bruised.

"Now boy, take the gun." Slade held the metal .45 in his hand. The handle of the gun pointed towards Dick.

Dick slowly stood again, his hands and arms shaking. He took the gun in his hands.

"Shoot the man." Dick looked down at the gun. He looked at its black barrel. Felt the cold metal in his hands.

He looked towards the man, who's eyes showed nothing but fear.

Dick loaded the gun, and closed his eyes.

Then a human left the Earth.

~~~~~~End Flashback~~~~~~

Dick sat on his bed, still inside his own mind. He had killed many others after that. He had also gotten more punishments. Killing got easier as time progressed, but punishments got worse as he got older. So he quickly worked to get better so he wouldn't get punished. And his work was not in vain, he was outstanding with basically any weapon. He enjoyed hand guns and swords, they were the most fun to play with.

The boy was taken out of his head by a knock on the door. The only people who came to his room were people who were under Ra's who brought him to dinner. Or it was Slade who came to get him for a job. Or it was Ra's, Dick hardly ever saw the man, so when he came it was normally very important.

Dick stood up and stretched his legs, then walked over to the door. As usual it was just another male who was in the league.

The man motioned for the assassin to follow him so Dick walked out of his rooms. The halls of the, I guess you could call it home, were dark and elegant. The only light coming from candles on the walls which gave of a soft glow. The pair walked down hallway after hallway, until the reached a large, brown, double door.

The older man opened the door and allowed Dick to walk in. Once he was in and standing on the red carpet the door was closed. Dick stood waiting by door as he had been instructed to do long ago.

His back was straight and his hands were folded behind it. His eyes were glued to the floor in front of him. He stood waiting for 3 minutes, then a door opened off to the side. Dick allowed his instincts to kick in. He listened to the light footsteps, figuring out the person's moves with just the slight creeks of the floor. After about 7 second Dick almost gasped.

He opened his closed eyes and stared at the floor. Awaiting to see the man he had working for. After an agonizing 4 seconds, Ra's ah Ghul came into view.

"Hello Richard." Ra's said in a calm tone. Dick looked up and met the man's eyes.

"Hello."

"Slade tells me you have gotten very good." Dick smiled up at the man. "I am very proud of that." Ra's continued. Dick's heart skipped a beat. All Dick wanted to do was get the approval of Ra's. The man he would die for, the man he was completely loyal too.

"And I want to use your skills on a slightly harder target." The older continued. Dick calmed his internal celebration and began to listen intently.

"You are to go after a new superhero team. It currently consists of 5 members.

Kid Flash, a speedster and also the Flash's sidekick. Aqualad, an Atlantean and Aqua-man's sidekick. Miss Martian, niece of Martian Manhunter, also a Martian. Artemis, daughter of Sportmaster and protege of Green Arrow. And project Kr, whom they have named Superboy.

You are to kill, the Young Justice Team."

Dick nodded his head and turned to leave. For every mission to be a success, an assassin must learn all they can about their target. Their weaknesses, strength. What leaves them vulnerable and what they try to hide from others. And Dick intended to do this job extraordinary well.

LE GASP! DICK IS GOING TO ASSASSINATE THE YOUNG JUSTICE TEAM!?! MY GOSH THATS SUCH A TWIST I WORKED HARD THINKING ABOUT THAT ONE! WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!?!

Ha, you all love the cliches, but I do have a few fun things up my sleeves.

HAVE A STAR STELLAR DAY WEEK MONTH AND YEAR!!