Robin paced furiously in the living room as Cyborg and Starfire watched from the couch. It had been over an hour since the Titans made it back to the tour and Robin had been pacing the entire time. The other two were afraid to say anything so they simply watched. His pacing stopped at the sound of the doors sliding open. Beastboy walked in, Raven with one arm around his shoulder as he helped support her walking. She looked bad but she was alive. The pair sat down on the couch and focused on Robin who now faced his teammates.
"Something very bad could have happened today, team. We almost lost one of our own because we were not prepared for this fight. Slade has changed. I don't know why but I intend to find out so we can prepare to face him again. I don't want to come that close to tragedy ever again. We need to train harder and we need to understand our enemy. I'm going to the lab to see if I can find any cause to Slade's change in behavior. In the meantime I expect the rest of you to rest, we'll pick up training immediately after breakfast tomorrow morning." With that Robin left the room and headed down to the crime lab.
He sat down in front of the large computer screen in the lab. After signing on to the Titan's database he immediately began to look for records of the warehouse in which they fought Slade. It didn't take long for him to find surveillance footage of the warehouse that was automatically uploaded to a security database. He easily overrode the system and began to search through the surveillance files, not having to look very hard to find the recent footage of the fight. He would have to remember to thank Bruce for the updated technology for Titan's tower. It allowed him access to several police and secure databases in Jump City that made his research significantly easier.
Robin played the footage a few times through, pausing at specific moments and watching them at half speed. He took note of a few stills he would have to review multiple times. Robin was so caught up in his work he didn't hear the door open to the lab and wasn't aware of another presence until she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Robin? Are you doing well?" Starfire stood tall behind the Boy Wonder and watched as he played through a few more shots.
"I'm fine. I think I'm getting something here."
"Oh that is wonderful news!" Starfire couldn't help the optimism even in the darkest situations. Robin paused one of the stills and played it over again at half speed for Starfire to watch.
"See the way he attacks me? He's used that move before to knock me off my feet. It's a good move if you're not expecting it. See how he falters here though?" Robin pointed to a particular moment on the screen, Starfire attempting to see what Robin saw. "A careless mistake, one he would never make, especially on a move he knows so well. And the way he makes up for it? An aggressive lunge that's very uncharacteristic of him. He's one of the deadliest assassins in the world and his demeanor is very cool and collective. Every move is thought out before he does it but this fight it doesn't seem like he's as calculative. It almost looks like he's desperate which is very unlike him. I don't know what's made him this way…"
"I do recall when he engaged in battle with Raven that he stated he was 'taking what he deserves.' Could this mean something?"
"I don't know Star… it sounds like he wants revenge, but for what? After re-watching the fight it's clear he was taking the rest of us out to get to Raven so whatever revenge he thinks he deserves has to do with her." Robin was stumped at the moment and sat back in the chair letting the gears in his mind process everything he had discovered.
"Dinner is almost ready friend Robin, you will come eat?"
"Yeah I'll be up in a bit Star." Robin listened as Starfire walked out of the darkened crime lab. Robin spun the chair around slowly, eyeing the various newspaper clippings he had posted to the wall. 'Control Freak Visits Comic Con, No Danger Ensues.' 'Teen Titans East: Sexier than the Teen Titans?' 'Dr. Light Easily Shut Down by Darkest Titan.' 'Death of Titan Leaves Many Confused.' Robin stopped at the last article, something about it catching his attention. He pulled the article down to read it. In the center of the article was a large black and white picture of a smiling Jericho.
"It was reported last Monday that a little-known Titan, Jericho, was killed in an intense battle against the villain known as Slade. The Teen Titans were present for the fight but were unable to rescue the young Titan. Little is known about the Titan, a recluse who is often found residing in the Tibetan Mountains. It is unknown what brought him to Jump City but his visit was clearly cut short by tragic events."
The article was from roughly a month ago but the wounds were made fresh by reading the article. Robin was still devastated over the loss of one of the honorary Titans, a Titan he felt he never really got to know. He never did figure out what brought Jericho to jump city, the kid was very mysterious though very cheerful in his own right. Communicating was always difficult but he was glad to see him when he showed up at the Titan's doorstep. The battle with Slade was unexpected and the death of Jericho was a shock to the Titans. Slade disappeared after the murder of Jericho and the Titans were not able to track him down until today's events. Robin was certain Jericho's death had something to do with the change in Slade.
Robin made his way up to the main floor to eat dinner with his team. All of them were already sitting at the table, waiting for Robin. Cyborg passed out hamburgers for everyone to eat and a soy burger for Beastboy. The Titans ate in silence, everyone still in shock over today's events. Even Beastboy seemed at a loss of something to say. After finishing his food Robin decided to share his findings with the team.
"I wasn't able to find much information on Slade's change in behavior but I think I may have found a lead. Jericho might be the connection between his behavior change and need for revenge. That was the last time we'd seen Slade before today and I'm certain there's a relation there, I just don't know what yet. Why would Slade change after that?" The team was silent, possible thinking over the past events with Jericho and Slade, a memory they weren't particularly excited to revisit.
"Perhaps he has not… killed anyone before that day? He has become upset because of that?" Starfire attempted to help but only added to Robin's puzzlement.
"It's a possibility… I'm going to have to do some more research. I think we should all call it an early tonight though team." Robin stood and deposited his plate in the sink. The rest of the team made their way to their rooms, no one in the mood for socialization tonight.
A/N: Another short chapter, I just wanted to get this one out there. I'm starting to develop ideas and I think I have an idea of where this story is going to go. I might even end up changing my original plan but I will try to include that for the sake of my description. I'm borrowing ideas from the original comics so *spoiler alert* if you've ever read The Teen Titans comic from the 70s/80s or even have a general knowledge of Teen Titans lore then you might start to understand where I'm going with this story. I promise to put my own twist on it of course.
I apologize in advance because I think updates are going to become very sporadic. My work load has increased a lot this year not to mention trying to hold a job and still maintain a social life leaves me little time for writing. I promise to do my best though and I think I want to finish this story if possible! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story, for all the favorites and follows, and for the general interest! It means a lot!