What if there was an obscured reason for which Robin hated Slade so passionately? What if Robin knew what the others could never understand? Most of all, what if the enemy wants what he cannot have, but will do anything to get it?
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything related. Yet...
Robin recalled a time when he fought Slade. It was just like any other time, only this time his questions were answered and he almost wished they hadn't been. The alarm had gone off and Robin was far from surprised that the threat was Slade. Wasn't it always him? Sure there were attacks by villains with no obvious connection to the mastermind but who knew what his connections truly were. Robin's blood was pumping and his muscles tensed ready for action. His adrenaline certaintly rose at the chance of fighting Slade again. It was sick that he could nearly look forward to fighting his enemy. But he knew the hatred he held for that ignoble being served to feul his determination. The sight of the one-eyed criminal was what drove him to conquer the evils of the world and bring justice.
So Robin led his team to the lurking danger and payed no attention to the robotic minions swarming the warehouse district they were currently in. He knew his friends could handle the oppostion so he pursued Slade who he noticed had locked his eye on 1 of his teammates. From the current distance he was at he could not determine just who is what, until he noticed the way the villain followed his target as they flew and swayed. He looked back and noticed Raven and Starfire were taking to areal combat. He knew it couldn't have been Beast Boy anyway but now which would it be, Raven or Starfire?
He didn't care to find out as he quickly jumped over a droid who was ready to sock him. As he got closer to the man he truly wanted to face, he realized his prey had turned his steady gaze upon him. The lone eye peirced his mask and he only glared. With a stunning grace he flipped up onto a droid and leaped over to the real threat. Slade relaxed his stance and let his arms fall to his side as he turned to his first apprentice.
"Robin, so very nice of you to join me. How long has it been?" Slade asked.
"Not long enough." Robin said as his staff shot out on either side of him.
"Perhaps not." Slade agreed and leaped over the boy setting himself into a run.
Robin turned swiftly and followed balancing his staff carefully as he chased Slade out of the building. He stopped and looked around cautiosly as he noticed it had begun to rain. He followed the lightning that flashed in the direction of the nearby forest. He came to a clearing. Surrounded by trees and what not. His hair was already matted down onto his sweaty forhead. Or was that just the rain? His clothes were soaked and he clasped his bo staff harder with growing annoyance. Slade had taken to hiding and he had done a good job. Robin turned frantically only to be met by a strong fist colliding with his handsome face. He was kicked back viciously by his attacker and landed painfully on the hard ground. He growled and jumped back on his feet weilding his precious staff expertly as he launched himself at Slade.
Slade caught Robin and threw him into a large murky puddle. Needless to say Robin was deffinitely irritated now. He stood up trying to remain calm, but the roaring thunder in the background set the mood and he found himself being propelled forward hitting his opponent over and over again with his metal bo staff. Slade blocked him with ease but as Robin was sent back, the boy's agility permitted him to land on his feet and throw two of his discs. Both discs failed to hit the target as Slade too was agile and avoided them.
"Robin, surely you could do better than this." Slade mocked as he suddenly lunged forward landing a flurry of punches each resounding on the boy's skull. Robin was dazed by the weather and the brutal attacks but he quickly snapped out of it and went into offence mode as he forced Slade back with every punch, kick and swing of his staff. Slade was backed into a tree and ducked just before Robin's staff could be jabbed into the tree. Another flash of lightning illuminated the dark skies as Robin was ambushed and forced into the tree. Robin's arm was pulled back and his hand lost it's grip on his trusty staff. He was held still as the moss covered bark of the big tree dug into his cheek. A few scratches had already started to appear and he could feel a dull ache in his bones.
Slade chuckled. A laugh so cruel and disturbing it sent chills down the boy wonder's spine. Slade leaned in so his breath was the only source of heat the Titans leader could presently register. Robin struggled against the tight hold and finally spoke up.
"What do you want Slade? What are you after this time?" He spat as he could feel the rain on his lips being pressed so closely to a wet tree trunk. Slade leaned into his view. Robin could only move his gaze sideways to see the villain.
"You noticed, didn't you Robin?" Slade asked, only met by silence except for the falling rain. "I'm sure you caught me watching her." Slade offered. Robin nodded slightly as best as he could due to the position he was in.
"She's quite the girl isn't she Robin? Intelligent, strong, powerful. Even beautiful." Slade pressed on. He tightened his grip further elicting a groan of discomfort from the bird he held. Robin was truly lost for words. It was obviously one of the girls Slade was reffering to. But which one? Both girls possessed all those traits.
"What are you talking about?" Robin demanded as he was let go and he fell limpy to the ground on his hands and knees. By now he was panting and coughing. Slade kicked him in the ribs for good measure. He shrank down to Robin's side and smiled evilly under the two coloured mask.
"Come now Robin, isn't it obvious? She's powerful, very powerful. She possess the ability to destroy you all. To destroy this very world." Slade said. Robin was now sure who Slade had been watching. He thought we would have died if he found out it was Starfire, but now that he knew it was Raven it felt like he was falling into a bottomless pit of despair with no escape. Could this be worse than death? Could Robin be feeling something that had been dormant within for far too long? Robin's hand clenched the pebbles on the wet pavement he was crouching on. He hung his head and then whipped his hand out to hit Slade. But his fist was caught and crushed in the palm of his most hated foe.
"I won't let you hurt her!" Robin rasped out hatefully. Slade put his hand in Robin's hair and slammed his face hard agaisnt the floor. Robin's lip cracked and bled as he hissed in pain. Slade chuckled once again. Robin could find nothing amusing about this but something proved to be so to the saddistic man who held him.
"Silly Robin, I have no intention of hurting her. Infact, what I have planned is sure to please her instead." Slade whispered malisciously. Robin had a very good idea of what he meant and he struggled even more against the strong hold Slade kept.
The Titans were coming. Both Robin and Slade could tell as the distressed teens were calling out to their leader worried to the core for his well being. They were still too far to see what was going on but they were quickly approaching.
"I will have her Robin. I've waited long enough for the perfect apprentice to fight by my side. I finally found just the person for the job." Slade assured. Robin writhing in pain and anger at the words he had to listen to.
"Raven will be mine eventually." Slade whispered harshly and let go of the seething boy wonder. He stood to his full height and slinked away into the darkness as the Titans spotted their leader and quickly came to his aid. Starfire was nearly in tears while Beast Boy and Cyborg looked shocked and worried. Raven looked off into the darkness instantly noting the eye that was purposely directed to her. She bore into that gaze knowing it could be none other than Slade. It soon vanished and Raven sank down to Robin's shaking form. She pulled her hood down creating a large black Raven shape to shield them from the rain. The others looked on as Raven used her healing abilities to use in healing Robin's fresh wounds. Leaving only small cuts behind for those would heal quite quickly.
Robin looked up at her and pulled her in for a kiss. The others nearly fell over as Starfire gasped in witnessing such a scene. Raven's healing energy was transferred into Robin's lips easing the pain and restoring his damaged flesh. But the kiss lingered further as Robin felt it was the only way of making sure he would never lose her. When they broke off, Robin leaned his forhead onto Raven's and took hold of her hand promising to never let any harm come to her.
The rain had calmed but the thunder was still evident. It wasn't loud and threatning but low and still rather unnerving. The Titans left, Robin leaning on Raven for support as he was mumbling his promises to protect her and love her always. Slade stood where he was. A fist crashing into a nearby tree causing a slight dent in the trunk as parts of the bark broke off and fell to peices. He snorted at the scene and made his own promises.
"Sooner or later, I will make her mine." He glared and stalked off in the opposite direction of the young heroes.
"Raven... I-I love you.." Robin managed coughing into his hand.
Raven held his arm around her shoulders walking with him behind the others as a looming Raven looked over them. "I love you too Robin."
They walked off together as the clouds cleared letting the crisp moon come into view casting a soft glow on the love birds.
A/N: Now review ok? Thanks!