Darkness…That's all there was. As if she didn't exist anymore. That's how it had been for…She didn't even know how long anymore.
Darkness…But then there was light! A tiny light that slowly became larger as she heard cracking all around her. It was the first light she had seen, and the first sound she had heard since as long as she could remember.
Then it happened. She was able to move her fingers, or any part of herself for that matter, as the substance she was encased in, cracked, and fell away from her.
All too suddenly, she found herself free, as she fell from the remaining stone, and face first onto the hard ground…Not a very pretty rebirth into the world, but she wasn't complaining.
She slowly lifted her head, as her vision became focused to the world in front of her. She attempted to stand, a difficult feat when your legs feel like jello beneath you. But she eventually managed to stand herself up on her two legs.
"H-Hello…" She managed to get out. Her first word since being encased in stone. She didn't actually expect anyone to answer. But she was really hoping someone was around. She sure wouldn't be getting far on her own.
"Hello Terra…" An all too familiar voice said from the shadows, automatically causing her skin to crawl. She may have been gone for a long time…but she could never forget that voice.
"W-Who's there?.." She stuttered.
"I think you know exactly who…" The voice said before a figure emerged from the shadows.
"No…" She whispered, not willing to accept the fact that the man who had ruined her past life, and who she had taken down single handedly, was back, and was standing in front of her now.
"It's been a long time…Has it not?" He spoke calmly, yet menacingly.
She managed to snap herself out of her daze, as she attempted to summon her powers…but to her utter shock and horror, nothing happened. Not even so much as a glimmer of gold from her hands. She was powerless.
"What did you do to me?.." She whispered, still getting used to using her voice again. What do you want?"
"You swore an oath to me, and I intend to make you keep it. Even if I have to pound it into that rock hard skull of yours. The only times you will ever be using your powers again are the times that I deem neccesary"
"Forget it Slade…" Terra said, her voice getting stronger as she used it more. "Nothing you can do will ever make me be your apprentice again!"
Slade gave a low chuckle, sending involuntary shivers up her spine.
"Care to put that belief to the test? Because I assure you, I have many ways to persuade you otherwise. You can do this the easy way, or the hard way Terra. Let me remind you; the last time you worked for me, I treated you like a rare gem, polishing you to shine. But if you would rather that I treated you like dirt, which your very name implies that you are, I would be happy to oblige. The choice is yours Terra."
"Why are you SO intent on making ME your apprentice?" Terra blurted. "Get someone who actually wants the job! Or is that why you have to force people to work for you? Because nobody does want to work for a psycho who only ever thinks of himself, and dehumanizes and abuses even those who do work for him!" By now, thanks to the adrenaline in her veins, she had her full voice back.
"Now Terra…Is that any way to speak to your master?"
Terra ignored his comment altogether, as she turned and began slowly walking away.
"I'm not doing this again Slade. Just leave me ALONE!"
Before she could process what was going on, she found herself knocked hard to the ground.
"If you do not wish to work for me, I suppose I will respect that." Slade said darkly as he leered over her.
I take it your choice is to be treated like dirt. So why should I have something as low as dirt working for me anyway? Dirt is useful only for being trampled on and kicked up."
Terra attempted to pick herself back up, but was immediately kicked back to the ground as Slade put his boot on the side of her head and applied pressure, grinding the other side of her face into the ground.
"Dirt is also meant to stay in the ground."
" If that's the case, you should be six feet under!" Terra retorted.
"Dirt also does not speak…Perhaps we should fix that…" He kneeled down to her level, and took out a knife from his pocket.
Terra's eyes widened as he forced her mouth open. She tried to fight against it, but soon the blade was inside her mouth, against her tongue. Terra immediately ceased all struggling, panting hard, not willing to take any chances.
"Good girl" Slade purred as he placed the knife firmer against her tongue. Terra simply had tears streaming down her face now. She was at Slade's mercy now, and that scared her… because she knew from fact, and experience, that he had none.