Robin returned to the tower sweaty and aching from his evening combat training. After most trainings, he feels like that session was the most tiring than any other before it. But each subsequent session, he thought the same thing. He walked through the large doors of the tower, and headed on upstairs to his room to shower.
As he left his room, he found Raven, waiting for him there.
"Hey Raven, what's up?"
"I think that the better questions is, what's up with you?" she replied with the same lack of feeling in her voice.
"What do you mean?" Robin asked quizzically, not understanding why she thought anything was wrong.
"Don't try to act as if you don't know. I've been in your head, and you've been in mine. we literally cannot keep secrets from each other."
"Look, Raven. I'm not sure what you're getting at, but i can assure you that everything is fine" Robin said as he began to walk down the hallway with an almost believable tone. Almost.
"What is Slade doing in your dreams Robin?" Raven asked, stopping the Boy Wonder in his tracks. "What is he doing there, and why haven't you told the rest of us?"
"Who have you told" Robin asked, ignoring Ravens questions.
"No one. But if you don't start explaining, i'm going to have to."
"When did you find out?"
"You are mistaken if you think that you are asking the questions here Robin." she said, with more than a little hostility in her voice.
"Raven... Please" Robin said, trying to get her to become a little more complacent.
"Months ago" she replied. "I let is pass because we all know how you get when Slade's involved. But it's been continuing for months now Robin. That doesn't add up."
Robin breathed deeply before replying. "I can't explain it Raven, but I think he's back in Jump City, and I think he's done something to me. Every time I try to remember my parents..." his voice trailed off as small tears formed in his eyes. "Each day, their faces get more fuzzy and distorted." he said finally. "And I don't know why."
Raven backed off a little bit. Robin was one of the most emotionally strong people she had ever met, but when it came to the subject of his parents, even he was liable to break down. "Ok Robin. I believe you. I'll keep trying to isolate the reason that Slade is appearing in your dreams. But for now, I suggest you remove yourself from your dreams, and start watching them from outside yourself. If that makes sense."
"It does Raven, thanks."
"No problem" Raven said as she began to walk to her room.
"Oh, and Raven" Robin said, getting her attention. "Keep this between us will you?" She didn't reply, but as she turned Robin could see her nod her head, hopefully agreeing to his secrecy.
That night, Raven linked her mind with Robin's, allowing her to enter Robins dreams and watch the events play out in more detail than she had previously been able to. At first, all she saw was black. Until the setting faded into existence. Robin stood in the center of a dark room the size of a warehouse. Large metal gears turned in the distance while a low whirring could be heard closer to Robin. And then entered Slade. And as the scene began to unfold, Raven knew that it was not a dream. But a manufactured creation from Slade's endless arsenal of schemes and plots.
