Brief Explanation.

I was not going to bring this specific project to the attention of my fans. However, after much inward debate, I have relinquished my secrecy. I have decided to rewrite and edit "The Untold Story of Max Steeler." The beginning chapters do not vary much from the original version of this story. The only differences evolve from improved writing and perhaps an addition paragraph or two. As the story progresses, however, much will change. I am rewriting this story to fit into the completed animated series, including the last season. Slight changes have been made to both plot line and characters (both biographical and personality) changes in order to accomplish this.

Unedited summary

Slade. A criminal mastermind obsessed with the Titan's destruction. He is possessor of both machinery and weaponry. Who designed his weapons? His drones? The apprentice suits? The mechanical worms?

Three choices, two girls, and one secret. Meet Max Steeler. Learn her story. And prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about the Teen Titans.

Disclaimer

I do not own Teen Titans or the Teen Titan characters. However, Max Steeler is a character of my own creation. Please do not steal.

Chapter One: So it Begins

The moon shone bright in a clear night sky, engulfed in a sea of shimmering stars. Despite the presence of stars, blackness hovered over the city. A lone figure stood out against the blackened canvas of the night—a young girl no more than sixteen. She sat on the tallest building, hugging her knees to her chest, staring blankly at the city below. The city itself remained vacant, except for the occasional car passing by.

The gentle breeze danced through her brown hair as it hung loosely upon her shoulders. Sighing, the girl adverted her gaze to the sky. She absorbed her surroundings as if they were newfound, as if she had never seen the moon, the stars or the city life below. Who was she? A question the girl herself found difficult to answer. A single tear trailed down her cheek as her mind drifted to the past.

Max ran through the streets, chasing her friend Mark. Mark zigzagged wildly, dodging into side streets and hiding around every street corner. Max barely avoided the surrounding pedestrians as she struggled to catch him.

"I'll get you yet!" she yelled, panting for breath. Mark only laughed.

The pair stopped when they came to Max's house. The street lights dimly illuminated the sidewalk underfoot. Max waved goodbye and walked inside. An unexpected silence welcomed her. She planted each footstep cautiously, careful not to disturb the quiet with a creaking floorboard.

Finally, unable to bear the silence anymore, she called out.

"Mommy? Daddy?"

Answered only by an echo, she continued walking. A slamming door caused her to jump. She quickened her pace, heading for her parent's room. The sound of gunshots shattered the silence, and a sudden urgency gripped her heart. Her eyes flickered around the room, looking for some form of safety.

As Max ducked behind an umbrella stand, a tall man exited her parent's room, gun in hand. She held her breath and remained still. The man crept down the corridor, stopping by the last door on his right. Her room. His fist slowly clenched around the knob, and he disappeared through its frame.

Max leapt to her feet, no longer caring about noise. When the umbrella stand hit the floor, adrenaline rushed through her veins. Her heart pounded furiously as she bolted for the front door.

The man reappeared in the corridor, laughing at her pathetic attempt. Bringing the gun level with his eye, he gently squeezed the trigger. The soundless bullet connected with the girl's shoulder. Metal burned through flesh. The girl screamed. Fading from consciousness, Max crumpled to the ground, only a few feet from the door.

Tucking the gun into his coat, he strode over to the girl. A smile spread across his face as he watched her struggling to remain conscious. He brought his fist across the back of her head. Her body went limp.

The blaring sound of a car alarm yanked Max back into existence. She gradually became aware of her surroundings. She lay in an alleyway, abandoned. A sharp pain surged through her body, and a wave of nausea washed over her. She forced herself upward, but collapsed when she attempted to stand.

The gravity of her situation hit her unexpectedly, like the bullet in her shoulder, soundlessly shattering her reality. Her parents had been murdered. She had been dumped in an ally and left for dead. Burying her face in her hands, she sobbed. She choked on her tears, sputtering and coughing loudly.

"Don't cry little girl…"

The dark, mysterious voice came from behind. She whirled around, eyes wide with fear. Her sudden movement resurfaced the pain. she grabbed her shoulder. The man towered above her. An orange and black mask hid his face; only one eye was visibility through the shield. She couldn't speak. The man in the mask dropped to his knee.

"It's okay. I don't want to hurt you."

He motioned for her to come closer. She struggled to her feet, leaning against the brick wall. She warily stepped toward him, almost falling. She stopped half way.

"I want to help you," he coaxed her.

She traveled the remaining distance, stumbling at the last. The man caught her soundly, cradling her in his arms. Max winced as pain shot up her arm. Gently, the man lifted her arm, examining it.

"I'll take care of this, too."

"Who are you?" She asked.

"You can call me Slade."

She stared up at Slade. Despite the pain, she managed a smile. Suddenly, her shoulder began burning. Shivering, she tucked her head into Slade's chest, falling into a deep slumber.

Constant dripping echoed through the underground cavern. Max slept on a small mattress, tucked against the corner of the room. Her breathing was steady, in rhythm with the dripping water. Abruptly, Her eyes flashed open, and, she threw herself upwards, forgetting her shoulder. She grimaced while glancing around the room.

Darkness.

Only a dim light, flickering on and off, illuminated the room. Her eyes blinked in rapid succession, adjusting to the dark. Her arm had been cast in a sling, and her shoulder bandaged. She then remembered the man. She continued peering into the darkness, searching for some clue to her location.

Nothing.

"Feeling better I see."

He appeared from nowhere, talking with the same low voice that sent chills down her spine. She nodded, remaining quiet. A smile formed, and then disappeared. A million questions crossed her mind. Where were they? Why was it so dark? Who was this man? This man called Slade. None of these questions were voiced.

"Darkness," Slade continued. "You'll learn to become quite fond of it."

Max stared at him, her face emotionless.

"You like technology, don't you Max. Working with and building machines?"

Her eyes betrayed her curiosity as she looked up at him.

"Help me design and build the things I need and in return you will have a home. A family."

The moment excitement filled her eyes was the moment she belonged to Slade.

And so the task begins. Read and Review.

-withapenstroke