How's this for an anti-hero version of Dick Grayson(called Nightshade or 'Grayson' for his real name) in this alternate DC universe?..basically...its an inverted version of Dick Grayson...both have similar traits...but notable differences... Nightshade has similar origins to main universe Dick...but things diverged...to where he never was taken by Bruce...because Bruce wasn't there at the time...rather...it was Joseph 'Slade' Wilson instead...who was there at Haly's Circus because he received intel that the Court of Owls...was involved in the Circus for some reason...then was there in that pivotal moment...he was there in the crowd as the tragedy occurred...as Slade saw potential in the young Dick Grayson then and there...mixed with his own ruthlessness...as Slade was 'inspired' by the duo of Batman and Robin...if Batman has his own Robin...hey... The inspiration is pretty much Dick Grayson with a splash of 'Jason Todd'...and at some point...he begins to rebel against Slade... And of course morally gray...as unlike Nightwing from the main DC universe, who is well-liked by everyone...an inspiration...finds a home...Nightshade doesn't have that...because of the way he operates...influenced by Slade's teachings and various other people and from his own experiences as well...begins to see that justice sometimes...means getting your hands dirty...but that doesn't mean he will kill first...more of...hoping it doesn't come to that...a flexible moral code...shades of 'grey'...as this Dick takes cue from this universe's version of Batman and Robin...but doesn't forget Slade's teachings...hence the anti-hero...as Dick is angry because of the world Slade showed him...angry for the people who killed his parents...and at one point...LOVED to spite Slade...but soon learns to be patient and not be spiteful eventually... Lastly, Rose, Grant and Jericho Wilson...foster siblings of Nightshade...they ALL have a complex relationship with Slade...Rose...Grant...and Jericho call Slade 'dad' or 'pop'...but Nightshade?..he will always call Slade 'Slade'...that's the rule he has...and with the exception of Grant...Nightshade has done his best to ensure that at least, Rose and Jericho stay far away the hell from Slade's influence...a responsibility Nightshade was willing to bear...family after all... Here's more details...A 1b. Motivations and Goals: Before Slade...it was simple...anger and revenge against Tony Zucco...the ones who killed his parents...then it all changed with Slade's involvement...and his trainings...his ethos...after all...why did the world's greatest assassin take in the last of the Flying Graysons!?..he wants out...he never imagined being trained or 'raised' by the likes of Slade Wilson!..as he considers himself still as a 'Grayson'...not as a 'Wilson'...and its all so jarring for Dick...as he can't believe his 'foster dad' is cruel and terrible like this!..why take him in!?..as Dick is thrust into a world entirely beyond Haly's Circus...harsh world-views...ideologies...training...mentors...and all for what?..as his focus then goes onto the Court of Owls...to think THAT was the reason why Slade was there at the time?..Zucco...Court of Owls...Slade's training...harsh world view...which all builds the foundations and desires to eventually NOT be like Slade...and become someone more...revenge and justice become intertwined for Dick...and the fact that Slade forcibly enhanced Dick...then Dick tried to remove it...which came with health effects and such...ending his days as the 'Gray Sparrow'... 2b. Internal Conflict: It went from revenge against Zucco...to being trained by the world's greatest assassin...and a feeling of desperation and hopelessness...he begins to like his new foster siblings...Rose...Jericho...but Grant doesn't like him...and he wonders...who is he really now?..no longer considered of his part of the Flying Graysons?..and was he meant to be a Talon by the Court of Owls if Slade wasn't here?..what he was really?..and...and tries to balance of 'fight fire with fire' and the prospect if he can do 'good' at all...he ran away so many times...to try and survive...and at the end...wonders if he can at least...maybe...maybe?..put Slade's training to good use...no matter how hard he hates it...and Dick insisting he's still a 'Grayson'...not a 'Wilson'...and his eventual 'reliance' on tech...was a way for him to gain sense of control...desperately wanting to keep his past at Haly's Circus but it feels tainted by Slade and the various deadly people and such... 3b. Relationships: Dick has mixed feelings with Wintergreen, as he is Slade's confidant...but Wintergreen has his moments and care for him...Rose?..Dick feels guilty...because he was so rebellious and all wanting to get away from Slade...he wonders if maybe...could have done more...to help his sister more and such?..he cares for her...and she in turn has never had a 'big brother' like Dick before...unlike Grant...and Grant?..doesn't like Dick at all...at best...its only begrudging respect...and still...Grant is the only loyal one of Slade's kids...Adeline is mixed...Slade...its complicated...as Nightshade's relationship with Rose and Joey...its mixed feelings. As for the heroes...he likes some of them...like Cardinal(Tim Drake)...because he's 'tech'...but has more resources through Wayne Enterprises...he likes Cassandra Cain(Black Bat) if only because...she's different from the rest of the Bat-Family...Batman?..well...a mix of respect...and steely resolve if their paths clash...Nightshade will try to be 'courteous' about it at least...and in general...he won't drive people away if and when...at least not intentionally...the heroes that is...its a professional relationship...Nightshade likes a few... 4b. Character Traits: He tried acting classes, and played roles for a missions once...then tried doing it for personal reasons...with mixed results...tried smoking...hated it...drinking?..he can surprisingly hold his liquor...hates anything with coconut in food...can actually cook unlike his main DC universe counterpart...jury-rigging tech...a way of independence from Slade's influence surprisingly...mixes it with psychological warfare...fools people into thinking his tech is failing...when it either hasn't...or wasn't THAT much 'tech' in the first place...as he became somewhat tech-savvy after the surgery of removing his enhancements...or tried to...both of necessity and slowly just began to like it...including fashioning a sleek tactical-suit from various resources...and has a sleek, aerodynamic helmet or mask...functionality with aesthetics...modular gear...lightweight...utility belt...discreet compartments...the tech is just there to 'boost' the acrobatics even more...but found it a way to compensate for his lost enhancements...distract with the tech then disorient with the acrobatics and martial prowess...uses a variety of weapons and gear...depending on the mission...resourceful and improvises...ALL his TECH revolves around his acrobatics and 'unpredictable predictably' with a sense of strategy...even the use of GUNS... 5b. Backstory: It was pretty happy for the most part in Haly's Circus...until of course...debt problems...some had to leave...some came back...it was a rollercoaster...harshness of reality...but he loved his parents, as his parents insisted firmly on Dick's education...stuff OUTSIDE the circus...it may seem 'nice' now...but still...it won't last forever...it was dynamics of acrobatics...training...and so on...and when Slade took in Dick to train and such after what happened...one particular experience?..was Slade teaching Dick self-defense, and urging Dick to use his acrobatics from the circus coupled with the stuff he was taught...which Dick was hesitantly fine with...after all...'parents' teaching martial arts for self-confidence...nothing new right?..and then...the trainings got even deeper and harsher... 6b. Code of Conduct: He's willing to get his hands dirty, influenced by Slade's teachings mixed with his own experiences and views that came with shades of grey. He wants to give people a chance...'caring' in a sense to be pragmatic of things...and takes no pleasure in the killing, but if he has to?..he WILL. Going further of course, the matter of collateral damage...he will try to mitigate that...aware that actions of consequences...and for better and worse...draws a fine line of neither the traditional hero...nor a villain...which in a sense, coupled with how he does things his way, gives him a sense of unfortunate 'unpredictable predictability'...and chooses to build reputation, skills, and resources, HIS way...if nothing else...he figured...he can take what Slade molded him to be and 'counter-mold' it his way... 7b. Evolution: He goes from angry and wanting of justice to kill Zucco...to confused...shocked...baffled...on why someone like Slade took him in...to developing a more sense of 'justice' when he learns that this group called the 'Court of Owls' was secretly linked to Haly's Circus...Old Man Haley and Bryan were in on it...its a mix of all these things...as he goes from desperate, angry, and spiteful man...to determined...bitter...but more...'steadfast'...as he navigates the world...the tech was his way of making himself independent from Slade and his foster siblings is all...a sense of 'control'... and some numbness...because sadly...him being taken by Slade...practically acted like a 'beacon' for various shady people...such as Shiva and others, who wondered...why did Slade take in the last of the Flying Graysons??..as Dick being exploited...'abused'...as a 'weapon'...a tool...influences his world view...feels like he's being 'poisoned'...and sure...he's learned all these skills and training...deadly skilled...efficient...but so what?..sarcastic...bitter...but hides his anger better...a 'performance'...but...he gets better...pragmatic...strategy...more patient... Way more details...B Mixed Feelings Towards Slade: 1. Slade's cruelty is much more apparent...harsh Drill-Sergeant in raising Dick...some of Slade's contacts wondering 'Why the hell did you take interest in that kid?..'...who is the last of the Flying Graysons?..Slade is a harsh teacher...for example...when Dick was captured by that world's H.I.V.E...Slade ended up rescuing him...not out of care for direct reasons...but seeing as how Dick got captured that way...Dick clearly needs more training...Slade doesn't care...but cares enough in a way that as Wintergreen describes that Slade cares for his children, Dick most of all, but Slade is just too broken a human being to even express it... Personal anti-hero traits: 2. From his early experiences from the tail-end of the Gray Sparrow to the early days of Nightshade...he learns the 'art' of perception...cunning and manipulation...after all...he was essentially pushed into that gray...unfortunately...so he does his best...at first he was mad...bitter at it all...then at some point...he got the idea of don't get just mad...get EVEN...as he knows people already see him in a certain way...fine...so he gets his contacts to manipulate perception to people see his actions in a certain light...get the heat off of him somewhat...if possible. He's willing to kill...but...won't do for it for pragmatic reasons just as well...attracts attention...the heat...not just because its the moral thing...otherwise...he'll play mind games...is self-aware that although Batman doesn't kill...he does break the bones of thugs and gives them brain damage...something Nightshade uses for his own tactics...strategically...and works with villains if and when need be...and?..willing to take calculated risks...strategically that is... Family Dynamics... 3. To clarify... for the 'Wilson' Family...and before Dick was taken in...Rose and Grant were loyal to Slade...loyal daughter and son...Jericho as well...until Dick came...who would indirectly inspire Rose to follow her own path...Rose having mixed feelings...Grant?..a little jealous of Dick...and insisted that Dick can't do anything else but follow in the 'family' footsteps...and even tried killing Dick a couple of times just to see how 'serious' Dick was...and Dick asking why a man like Wintergreen follows Slade at all anyway?..other then the obvious? Unique Traits and Hobbies: 4. At some points...he began to go undercover...for the missions and cases...and much to his own surprise...he finds it a bizarre way to channel that 'showmanship'...a crude, and sad way to remember his roots at Haly's Circus...and coupled with Slade's harsh training and such...culinary skills were part of his going independent route from Slade...doesn't hurt to cook well no?..and the customizable specialized gear...he likes to have people on their toes...pragmatics with a surprise that he never imagined himself to become quite the tinkerer honestly...as ALL his tech revolves around his acrobatics and yearning for his past...and the tech was a way for him to stand out from Slade and his foster siblings...the colors of gunmetal black and blue for example... Pragmatic Caring and Moral Lines: 5. He can't deny the lethal trainings and skills he got from Slade and others over the years...as he wonders...save the innocents because its the 'right' thing AND get the good publicity?..which seems obvious right?..and as well...Slade still ended up becoming 'Deathstroke'...and once tested Dick...save the innocents caught up in this mess by this man that Slade hired to test Dick's 'progress?'...kill the man who's threatening the city?..or save the innocents?..Dick ends up saving the innocents and just BARELY saves that city in time...how's that? Rebellion and Character Evolution: 6. Slade hitting him after Dick calling 'childish' in a debate of why Slade teaches him of the world's so cruel and such...Slade manipulating Dick...then Dick watching his world's Batman save a bunch of people from a burning fire after subduing criminals...Slade arguing that Dick is wasting his talents and skills on being a 'petty' anti-hero that thinks 'too small'...Dick seeing how Slade is manipulating Terra for his own ends, and how Dick ultimately felt guilty for not doing anything about it...and surprised that Slade had another son, Jericho Wilson, but chose to ignore him, was something Dick couldn't believe...in fact...Jericho Wilson was in the hospital after a supervillain tried to make Jericho kill himself...Slade still working for a woman like Amanda Waller...and Slade working for the Joker...seriously??.. 7. Personal Relationships: Compared to main universe DC Nightwing, Nightshade isn't that 'well-liked' because of his methods...him being an anti-hero...it wouldn't have been a problem for the heroes if he become firmly good like Rose and Jericho...but the fact that Nightshade is willing to get his hands dirty for justice...and the way he stands out because of his history, as Nightshade has mixed relationships with many people...he's willing to work with heroes and such, but they don't like him...villains find him...intriguing...unusual because of his history and past with Slade...anti-heroes crowd around Nightshade...the Titans...the Justice League...the Bat-Family...all have mixed reactions...and soon of begrudging respect...for his skills at least... Growth and Redemption: 8. Dick struggles for the 'progress'...he hates Slade and all...but can't deny the influence on him, mixed with attracting the attention of the world's deadliest here... Lady Shiva...Nyssa Al Ghul and others...who eventually trained him...basically...being trained and 'raised' by Slade...made him a 'beacon' by the world's deadliest...and...when he's finally trying to free himself...is he really nothing more then a 'wannabe' who's on a 'temper-tantrum' after all?..he's deadly...but tries to act differently then what being Slade taught him...trying to act nice and polite...but between how he was raised and trained...he finds himself a puppet...what does he want for himself now?..he was trained and learned from the deadliest...becoming a formidable anti-hero in all forms...as some heroes begin to point out that his 'adapt or die' has shaped him...as Dick evolved from this early simple days as the 'Gray Sparrow'...using Slade's training for good...somehow?..until things changed...then he became 'Nightshade'...as he goes from spiteful angry, typical brooding to a more pragmatic calculating anti-hero who learns to be more patient... Obviously...this WHOLE thing needs a LOT of improvement...LIKE A WHOLE LOT!.but its a solid foundation for now?.. Remember...this is an alternate DC universe where Dick Grayson never became 'Robin' or 'Nightwing'...but 'Nightshade' because Slade was there...not Bruce...

How's this for an addition? Before Nightshade...he was originally the 'Gray Sparrow'...during his earlier foray into the vigilante life...sure as hell didn't want to be 'Ravager 3.0' or something...Nightwing-like costume...simple but durable costume...and such...simple loadout...lethally non-lethal...including a domino mask...as the costume emphasized durable but agile acrobatics...trying to distance from Slade...but ironically using Slade's tactics because of the training...naively thought he could use them for some measure of 'good'...then at some point...his 'Gray Sparrow' days came at a pitch when Slade forcibly enhanced him...as part of his 'final tests'...it made him as enhanced as Rose and Jericho...at the cost of being under Slade's influence and mental sanity...and for a while...it was the Gray Sparrow vs Slade...the Gray Sparrow still lost...and along the way...endeavored to remove the enhancements on him...cancer and death be DAMNED...but couldn't go through with the full removal...leaving him partially enhanced because of it...still useful though...but a shadow of what it was...and of course...the surgery came with a variety of health effects...bad stuff...and he couldn't be the 'Gray Sparrow' anymore...suffered from health issues...headaches...weak breathing...nausea...he was sick of it all...he wanted to move but couldn't...and was so mad...and shocked...that this was the final straw...and Rose and Jericho were shocked he went THIS far?..even Grant..."...Grayson...I always knew you were stupid...but this..."...and even Slade couldn't hide it...as he eventually attracted the attention of some people who were willing to him help recover...and THAT...is when technology came into the foray for him...yet another way to possibly differentiate himself from Slade once...plus its hands-on...its work HE can do...leading to his own tech that's pragmatic but still fits to his acrobatic roots...and unexpectedly...learns jury-rigging...all this...his foray into tech...as eventually...he gets BETTER after the surgery...but it changes his world-view entirely...leading him to becoming the tech-savvy AND partially enhanced acrobat...of 'Nightshade'...made him even MORE pragmatic and calculated...no more games...hence the sleek and aerodynamic suit and helmet...gunmetal black and blue colors...and mask too... geared for both acrobatics and power as much as possible...Katana...guns...utility belt...modular Bo staff that can turn into batons and vice-versa...basically ALL his tech and gear?..revolves around his acrobatics...mixed with jury-rigging...although...he still keeps his old 'Gray Sparrow' costume...as a reminder...and...well...nice to have and wear again if needed...for pragmatics sake...plus he's still enhanced...but NOT as enhanced in the past... How's this for an addition?..the health issues aren't a bother anymore...no more lingering health issues OBVIOUSLY! Remember...Nightshade is Dick Grayson from another Earth who was trained by Slade...not Batman...

Since Nightshade is a version of Dick Grayson trained by Slade...who doesn't suffer from any 'legacy' problems....rather....its a legacy he wants to get away from....for obvious reasons.....compared to Nightwing with his legacy of the bat and heroism.....Nightshade is arguably more 'free'...no?...story-wise potential at least?..as he wants to make his own legacy..

To play with the detective angle...since Nightshade didn't exactly learned detective work purely so.....how to play with that 'small' detail?....maybe...he learned...criminal forensics much later?...from other people?...and his methods are 'unique' that don't really align with how Batman trained his proteges...but Nightshade has his own ways that kind of work..

And of course...Nightshade morbidly saying.."...Yeah?..well...being trained by an assassin doesn't leave much room for 'detective work'....but something close to it I guess.."......as Nightshade in his later goings as a vigilante finds that one thing he'll need to brush up on big-time and even more..is 'detective' work....scoring the underlying difference of Nightshade truly being an alternate Dick Grayson in this alternate DC reality......as Nightshade goes to learn to being a 'detective'...his way.... Does this work?..

Yeah..and maybe some moments of where...some heroes might express surprise of Nightshade's 'lacking' of detective work...then realize..oh...right...Deathstroke.....as Nightshade' s version of detective work is leveraging the underworld.....mind games...technology...the environment.....thinking like a villain......and well...'patchwork' arguably of various methods that all culminate into something close to 'detective work'....its rough...but brings unique perspective other heroic detective maybe...or maybe not consider from that angle... does this work?.

What I meant was.. Yeah...and maybe some moments of where...some heroes might express surprise of Nightshade's 'lacking' of detective work...then realize...oh...right...Deathstroke.....as some honestly taught...given their respect for Nightshade....and his creativity and resourcefulness...he would have even learned something like this..but guess not...as Nightshade's version of detective work is leveraging the underworld carefully....mind games against certain villains for interrogation.....technology...as Nightshade brushes up on the techniques here of forensics...and the methods used......the environment...he might go ..."..Okay...so...blood splatter from an angle...why does that sound obvious and yet not obvious?.."....as he also tries to do sketches and notes of his own as well...and even.....thinking like a villain...."...that's now how I would do it.." he mutters.....and well...'patchwork' arguably of various methods that all culminate into something close to 'detective work'...its rough...but brings unique perspective other heroic detective maybe...or maybe not consider from that angle... does this work?.

And actually...I was thinking of toying with the idea that his training has been mostly 'patchwork' with Deathstroke....and then the heroes surprised at the remark....as Nightshade's training has been trying to learn all these things...meld it into his own in a way makes sense to him..but also will look for 'guides' elsewhere.....if and when needed.....as his thing is 'unconventional but effective'