Authors Note:

This is my first fanfiction ever, and I wrote it in about 10 minutes, while listening to Grace Kelly by Mika (an observant reader may catch some lines and references, but this IS NOT A SONGFIC). I would love some constructive criticism, but flames are welcome too, as it is my first fic. Well, hope you like, and hope you hear from me soon!

Robin lay his pounding head on his desk, which was covered with clippings and gadgets related to his latest and most consuming obsession: Slade.

He glanced at the blinking clock he had set on his barren bedside table. Its glowing green numbers showed the time to be 2:35 am. Robin knew that his friends had all gone to bed hours ago, and they had urged him to join them. But Robin knew he could never sleep while Slade was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.

All of the Titans had given up searching, but not Robin. He still poured over archives, tapes, anything he could get his hands on that could lead him to Slade.

"If only I knew what I had to be to capture him. Obviously I'm not good enough now or he would be behind bars." Robin pounded the desk with his fist.

Robin knew he could be anything, would do anything to capture Slade. He had already gone against all of his former mentor's teachings to become Red X. He had been mean, ruthless, and vicious, not to mention hurtful to all his friends. He had betrayed himself once more when Slade had captured him. He pounded the table once more, and in the process, breaking one of his smaller gadgets that had been lying on the table.

Robin chided himself, "Getting angry doesn't solve anything." And yet, Robin still felt the white hot rage flowing through his veins. His obsession with Slade had changed him so completely that he sometimes didn't even recognize himself. His thirst for vengeance had driven him to push himself to his limits. To be perfect and everything more. He had to be constantly shifting shape to please his friends, his mentor and himself. Green, blue, brown, he had been every colour of the rainbow and more.

Robin lifted his heavy head from the desk and stretched. He needed to get out of this room, away from all the expectations and identities. All the obsession and the stifling atmosphere. He jumped up and walked out the door.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!