A/N: Hello! It's Friday morning, which means an update! Enjoy the chapter, and leave a review!
Chapter 3: Role Models
It was, Robin hated to admit, refreshing to get out of the Haunt, though he wasn't sure how long that feeling would last.
Does Slade really expect me to stay here for four years? Robin thought, resisting the urge to tap his pencil against his chemistry notebook. Would it take that long for him to gather intel on the faculty and students? Or would he leave after two weeks?
The school day was almost over, though Robin found it almost as exhausting as the welcome orientation. Everyone seemed extra sensitive to his words and movements, as though they expected him to explode at any moment. And, in fact, most waited with gleeful anticipation.
As the teacher turned back to the whiteboard something hit the back of his head. Robin turned around in his seat and saw several students snickering. A ball of wadded up paper fell from Robin's shoulder. He caught it before it the floor and smoothed it out.
It's only just begun, Bird-Boy.
An unflattering drawing of him being mobbed by the HIVE students stared back at him. Laughter erupted in the back of the room.
No matter what, this place was still a high school. Even if the kids had superpowers, they were still kids. Even considering the failed hazing from the other day, he wasn't afraid of them. The faculty kept them under a reasonable amount of control, given the circumstances. And given his assignment, Robin knew that he had more reason to be afraid of the faculty than the students. He threw away the paper and resumed taking notes.
Aside from being attacked on day one, no one had tried to ambush him since. If the upperclassmen were concocting attack pattern beta-ambush-Robin, then they had yet to enact it. Bored of the class, he turned to his schedule and examined it again.
His weekly schedule was, undoubtedly, one of the most bizarre things ever inflicted upon him:
Period 1: A History of Crime from 1912-Present
More like a contemporary history of dunces. An entire semester is devoted to the Gotham Rogue Gallery. Totally gonna ace this one. Taught by Professor Hyacinth.
Period 2: Gym
Everyone's excuse to beat each other up and get school credit. Taught by some grump with brick for brains.
Period 3: Dangerous Creatures: Building Your Minion Army
Everything you need to know about how to get thousands of demonic creatures to become your mindless minions. Also, Killer Moth's maggots are disgustingly cute. Seems like a class Star would enjoy.
Period 4: The Sting: Confidence Tricks and You
Whoever can count cards the fastest wins. Encourages plagues of pyramid schemes in the school's not-so-secret black market.
Period 5: Chemistry
Aka set your experiment on fire. And maybe your classmate's hair if you're feeling up to it. Heck, just set the classroom on fire. A++
Period 6: Criminal Psychology
Only selected students are allowed to take this class. Master your manipulation techniques, perfect your evil laugh, build your ideal heist team, and learn how to utilize your strengths for world domination. Taught by Brother Blood, with special guest lectures by the HIVE Headmistress. Take this one seriously.
If everything hadn't been so serious, he would've spent half his day laughing at how ridiculous the courses were. And yet, the HIVE graduates were dangerous. While Slade undoubtedly thought this school's curriculum was a farce, there must be a few classes worth attending. Or maybe this was just another way Slade was messing with him.
In any case, none of the classes were his favorite, and if he did his job right he wouldn't have a long time to enjoy them anyway.
Once classes ended for the day, Robin stuffed his books in his bag and hurried out of the classroom, avoiding his classmates without a backwards glance. Some tried to trip him while others turned to their friends, whispering in low voices.
Someone stepped in front of him, blocking his way through the double doors. He looked up, mentally shaking himself.
There was Stone. Again. Didn't the guy have homework to do or something?
"Get out of my way," Robin snapped.
Stone didn't budge. "Why are you in a hurry?"
"School's out."
"I getcha. Excuse me." Stone bowed obnoxiously and stepped to the side. "Must be nice, working for Slade and all. Have a lot of perks, don't you?"
Great. Stone was one of those people.
"If you think it's so nice then you go work for him," Robin said.
"Intimidating villain. Gotta admire him, man."
"Yeah, I know. Probably more than anyone here." Robin tried to push his way past Stone. The guy pushed him backwards. Infuriated, Robin shoved him unsuccessfully backwards. "Get out of my way!"
Robin peered up at Stone. There was something familiar about his face, but he couldn't quite put it into words. The guy didn't budge.
"The guy's a genius. Must be if he managed to get a Teen Titan on his good side. And hey, I'd love an introduction."
"Trust me, you don't want one." Robin snorted. "And I'm not exactly on his good side, so you're out of luck, pal."
"Hey, don't get me wrong: I'd like us to be friends."
"Screw you, loser."
Stone grimaced. "Fine. Jerk."
Robin made his way towards the exit, slamming the doors forcefully behind him, though not before he heard Stone's last jeer. "Yeah, you better run."
Robin fell asleep on top of his covers, his arms tucked awkwardly underneath his chin, so tired that he fell asleep instantly as soon as he got back from the Academy.
"I heard you almost let the other students prank you."
Robin's eyes snapped open. Crap, he hadn't finished his report for his History of Criminal Studies class, and here he was snoozing. It had only been two days and he felt exhausted, much too exhausted to snap back at Slade.
He sat up groggily. "It was just a hazing. Stupid kid stuff."
"I see." Slade walked over to Robin's desk and picked up one of his books. "Pyramid Schemes and You: A Beginner's Guide." He snorted derisively and tossed it unceremoniously back onto the desk. "I had my doubts about enrolling you in the HIVE," Slade said. "Its graduates have failed me before. But it seems to be keeping you out of trouble, and it gives me time to focus on my own work."
"What, are you too busy to pay attention to your apprentice?"
"Don't be rude. We were just starting to have a pleasant conversation."
"Whatever."
"I expect the truth from you, Robin. No lying to me, not like you did during that Red X business."
"You can't guarantee the truth from me."
"Not yet. Do you enjoy the Academy?"
"I don't enjoy anything to do with you."
"At least you're honest. I appreciate that." Slade snickered. "But you have yet to learn when to keep your mouth shut. I may be out and about on my own business, but I'll be keeping a close watch on how you portray yourself. I expect you to protect my reputation, even if you don't like it."
"You know what you need to do, Slade? You should write an apprentice handbook. Write out my rights and vacation days and all that crap. I could really use one." Robin suppressed a yawn. "Or at least be consistent with the stupid schedule."
"Shut up." Slade spoke casually, almost pleasantly. "I want you to keep a close watch over Brother Blood. Accept any extra assignments he may offer you. If you can get on the Headmistress's good terms, then do it. Once I get a general idea of their behavior I'll be more specific about what I want you to look for, but first you have to gain their trust. It will be difficult, given your background, but it can be done."
Man, the teachers just handed out the syllabus yesterday! Building relationships with teachers didn't happen in a day, no matter what delusion Slade believed. But arguing would be useless.
"Yes, Sir."
"I don't intend your enrollment to last longer than it should," Slade said. "I have a few contracts I need to fulfill, and I'd rather you focus on other things than counting cards."
"Yes, Sir."
What was Slade planning to do? Ever since he started working with Slade, Robin thought that at least he would learn more about Slade's plans. What if Slade had kidnapped him for the purpose of planting an agent in the HIVE Academy? He needed someone to spy on his so-called "professional connections," but why him? Why not someone else? Could he not do anything without an actual student there?
"And do your homework, even if the curriculum is crap." Slade left the room, leaving Robin alone to wonder.
"What took you so long?" Beast Boy demanded. "Partying it up in the dorms?"
Cyborg strode into the common room late that night. Dorm rules were pretty strict at the HIVE, and he did have some homework to finish before sneaking out.
"Doesn't matter," Cyborg said, dismantling the illusion. "Let's just say we have a new problem: I saw Robin at the HIVE."
The Titans sprang to their feet, their alarmed voices overlapping.
"What is he doing there?" Starfire demanded.
"Oh my gosh at the HIVE no freaking way—"
"Look, guys, I don't know what he's doing there, but he's there." Cyborg held up his hands. "And for now, at least we know where he is."
"I am worried for him," Starfire said. "He is surrounded by the enemy."
"I stopped the other students from hazing him," Cyborg said. "I'm not sure if they intended to hurt him or not, but I couldn't just leave him there."
"Does he recognize you?" Raven asked.
"No, I don't think he does."
Why should Robin recognize him? The kid had a lot on his mind, and Cyborg had to act like a jerk to keep up with the disguise. Besides, he had never known Cyborg as Victor Stone, so he wouldn't have recognized Cyborg even if he had been looking for an ally at the Academy.
"Why did it take you so long to tell us?" Starfire demanded. "You could have told us immediately!"
"I needed to talk to him," Cyborg replied. "I wanted to find out more about his situation if I could. I didn't want to make a bad decision."
"Are you gonna tell him?" Beast Boy asked.
"Now isn't the right time," Cyborg replied. "I don't know why he's there or where Slade is, but he's obviously there on Slade's orders. Letting him know who I am might put him in more danger. Until I know more about what's up, then I'm not going to say anything."
"Or maybe Robin chose not to recognize you," Raven said. "If that is the case then he may be in more danger than we realize."
Cyborg didn't even go into the HIVE Academy to look for Robin. He went in to learn more about the faculty and its students, who were obviously connected to Slade, to find out if there was a lead to finding Robin. Jinx, Mammoth and Gizmo were the only lead he had, so it made sense to look into the HIVE Academy.
Sitting down at the round kitchen table, Cyborg sighed and gestured for the others to join him. "Look, we have to figure out why he's there. It may give us some insight into Slade's plan."
No one said what was on everyone's minds: what if Robin simply didn't care because he had switched sides for real? But the way the other students were treating him made Cyborg believe that Robin hadn't truly switched sides.
The Titans crowded around him, all listening closely to his tale.
Cyborg saw Robin throughout the day, always alone and avoiding any attempt at conversation. He spent his breaks in the library, where he seemed to be working on homework on the school computers. As his eyes wandered over the room he noticed three familiar faces watching Robin, whispering among themselves as they discussed how best to ambush the kid.
There they were again: Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth. Cyborg walked up behind them, crossed his arms over his chest, and huffed.
"What, planning a prank and you didn't invite me?"
"Go stuff your head in a toilet, stonehead," Gizmo said.
"I wouldn't bother him if I were you."
"Why the klutz did you talk to him?" Gizmo demanded, pointing at Robin's back. "He's one of the enemy?"
"Then why is he here?"
"What are you talking about? He has to pay for what he did to us!"
Thinking briefly of how they had beaten Robin, and how Robin turned around and organized the Titans against Attack Pattern Alpha, flitted through Cyborg's mind.
"What, did he outmaneuver you?"
Gizmo frowned. "It's not gonna happen again, that's for sure."
"Look, I'm thinking of this in a different way," Cyborg said. "Not as a hero, but as Slade's apprentice. I mean, Slade doesn't just choose anyone to be his successor. I assume that Robin really did switch sides, and if he's being trained by Slade then I sure don't want to be on his bad side when he becomes Deathstroke. I'm sure he won't forget the kids who bullied him freshman year."
They glanced at Robin's back nervously, as though they had never realized this. Cyborg shrugged, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. "I mean, if I need references after graduation Slade would be the man."
As much as the others believed his words, Cyborg hoped that he wasn't right. It seemed like Robin didn't want to be at the HIVE, but at this point he hadn't figured out if Robin had switched sides. Until he figured out why Robin was here, then Cyborg wouldn't reveal his disguise to Robin.
Cyborg looked over at Robin one last time. It wouldn't do to follow him too closely. He couldn't raise suspicions. At least Robin had a legitimate reason to be here. Brother Blood already knew that "Stone" had sneaked into the school, and he was probably being watched just as closely as Robin was. Best to take things slow. Robin sat at the desk, typing away furiously.
What the heck was he working on?
"Robin!" Professor Hyacinth stared right at him. "Stand up."
He knew exactly what this was about. Robin stood up, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. She shoved his paper into his hand. "Read it."
Sighing, he looked down at his paper, which he had uploaded to Hyacinth's virtual classroom yesterday afternoon.
Robin (aka disgruntled apprentice)
For the Teacher who spits fireballs
Period 1: A History of Crime from 1912-Present
Day 42 of my Incarceration (or so I think)
Criminal Role Model: Deathstroke the Terminator
To address the stupidity of this essay prompt, I shall write a reflective essay on a criminal role model, chosen from the years between 1980 to the present. It is natural, of course, to choose my own mentor: the amazing Deathstroke the Terminator. To address the prompt this essay shall explore three reasons why he is the most amazing criminal mastermind in the whole universe.
First, he bluffed his way through a Cronoton Detonator. Convincing everyone that he had a Chronoton Detonator is a feat unto itself. Stopping time? Such a dastardly plan! He will be feared by all until the end of time.
Secondly, he builds the most sophisticated robots called Sladebots. These cybernetic wonders follow me around all day, silently judging as they herd me from room to room. He builds them en masse, and although he does not yet trust me with them, I can't help but admire just how well they're built. With time, I'm certain that such a creator of such futuristic robot technology will be able to effectively run his own villainous Facebook fan page. Or he'll be able to finally work his smartphone. Whichever comes first.
Thirdly, (and I'm sure you were reading this paper for this final point) he managed to entrap me, the Boy Wonder. I'm so excited that I get the chance to really help him. He trusts me enough to run all of his social media (I mean, I have this opportunity for him to get more clients and after all, the Internet is the future). One time, he asked me what GTFO means. It was great.
And there you have it: In conclusion, Deathstroke the Terminator is the greatest criminal mastermind of the 21st century, and will continue to be so for years to come.
As he read it he couldn't look at anyone but stared at the paper. When he looked up, no one laughed. People stared, afraid, stupefied by his words. For once they weren't laughing at him.
"Where did you write this?" the teacher asked in a deadly voice.
"I wrote it and uploaded it on a school computer yesterday," Robin replied.
"And why did you think it necessary to write this?"
"Well, this is high school, not fifth grade. I'm not exactly thrilled about this essay prompt."
She looked as if she would spit fireballs at him. Steam curled from her ears as her face flushed red. They stood quite still, glaring at one another, until she finally took the paper away from him.
In truth he had forgotten that he had turned in this draft, but it didn't matter now. In fact, he rather enjoyed watching her refrain from spitting fire at him.
The paper burst into fire. She held it until it crumbled into ash.
"Sit down," she said softly, dangerously.
"What are you afraid of?" Robin asked.
Her nostrils flared. "Sit down, or I will send you home with that mask of yours burnt off your face."
Robin sat down. She sat down at her computer, typed furiously, and then got up again to continue the lesson.
Though the essay had been destroyed, both in physical form and on the school computers, copies already made its rounds throughout the school by noon. Naturally. Teachers patrolling the corridors snatched copies from anyone they caught with it, and shot him dirty looks as they passed by.
"Hey sludge-face!"
Gizmo, without his friends behind him, flew up to him.
"You've got guts," Gizmo said. "You know why she destroyed it, don't you?"
"Disappointment?"
"Crap on a cracker, it was because she didn't want Slade to find out, stupid!"
Now Robin wished he had never written the paper at all. But even if he had written it with some semblance of motivation, he wouldn't have been able to write it. Any true paper would have been his personal manifesto, an announcement of why he hated villains. And yet, by destroying the paper and humiliating him in front of his classmates Ms. Hyacinth had ensured that every student would do their best to get their hands on a copy.
"Since when I have cared about what anyone here thinks?" Robin asked, eyes narrowing.
"Oh, you do." Gizmo flittered close to his face. "Listen, crudmuffin, I still don't like you, but…."
He saw someone over Robin's shoulder. Gizmo emitted a large raspberry before spiriting away, muttering curses under his breath. A brief memory flashed by Robin's eyes. The first time he had ever heard Slade's name was through Gizmo. They too, had worked for Slade, however briefly. What had happened after the HIVE kids failed to defeat the Titans? If he had terrorized them, or the HIVE had, then were they…grateful that Robin had spoken out against him?
"It hasn't even been one week and you're already causing trouble."
The Headmistress stood behind him, her arms behind her back as she surveyed him. Out of the corner of his eye Robin saw his classmates ducking out of the hallway, some peering behind closed doors.
"It was an honest mistake, Headmistress," Robin said. "I didn't mean to upload that draft."
His words bounced off her. Like any other teacher, the Headmistress had probably heard every excuse in the book.
"Though you don't deserve a warning, I'll give you one: do not attend to your other classes in such a flippant manner."
"Just telling the truth, Headmistress."
A dazzling pain rocked him as she hit him across the face. Seconds later he found himself sprawled across the floor, his cheek pressing into the cold hard tile and his head throbbing. The Headmistress was gone, replaced by students crowding curiously around him. He pushed himself to his feet
Students whispered behind their hands as he passed by, though he couldn't distinguish their tone. Some openly snickered. Anger burned into his chest as he looked around at his snickering classmates.
"I wouldn't laugh if I were you," Robin said quietly. "Imagine what would happen if Slade found out."
Some of them stopped laughing while others laughed uneasily. They could laugh at him all they wanted, but they were scared of Slade. He could act like his injuries hindered him—and though they did, he couldn't afford to appear hurt. He didn't want their pity. If he was going to survive here, then he would have to convince them that Slade was really on his side, and that everything he did was with the power of Deathstroke behind him.
"What happened to your face?" Slade demanded.
Robin mumbled something incomprehensible.
"Did you get into a fight?"
"You could say that." Robin shrugged. "We just beat each other up in gym."
"I don't believe you."
"What bothers you, Slade?" Robin asked. "Are you the only one who's allowed to hit me?"
Slade grabbed his hair, and for one wild moment Robin thought he would slam Robin's face into the table. "I know more than you think, boy. Remember that you're there to gather intelligence, not to goof off."
"I was just defending myself—"
"If you were defending yourself like I taught you, then you wouldn't have a bruise across your face." Slade let go of him. "Continue with your report."
He went on with his report, afraid to tell Slade that he hadn't gotten in a fight at all, and knowing all the while that Slade would eventually find out. He steered away the conversation, hoping that Slade wouldn't come back it.
"Slade," Robin said, after he finished his report, "why did you hire Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth?"
"My business is my own," Slade replied coolly. "Besides, there are more pressing questions we need answers to, such as why they graduated and came back to the HIVE."
"I…they graduated?"
Robin was under the impression that they were still students. They didn't look old enough to have graduated.
"Yes, the Headmistress introduced them to me as recent graduates. I wouldn't have been able to hire them otherwise."
Rubbing his bruised cheek absently, Robin wondered why those three acted like students when they weren't. Graduates would be out there in the real world causing trouble, so what were they doing at the HIVE? It wasn't as if there were a shortage of banks to rob or anything.
"They are clearly not in the Headmistresses' good graces if they have returned to the school," Slade said. "Could have begun when they failed to defeat the Titans."
"So?"
"Because, whether I like it or not, they are the next generation of villains." Slade's voice hardened. "Find out why they're still there. They aren't faculty, and they're not quite students. Their presence is unusual. See if they have any close relationships with any of the other staff."
"And what makes you think they'll trust me?" Robin asked dryly. "When I'm the reason they got punished in the first place?"
They glared at each other steadily, and, not for the first time that night, Robin wondered if Slade knew about the paper.
"There may come a time when you have to fight them," Slade said. "And not just in the classroom. Learn their strengths, their weaknesses, their motivations, anything you would need to know to defeat them. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir."
"And don't worry about them not trusting you. I'm certain that they will in time, given your status by being associated with me." Slade paused, and for the umpteenth time Robin wished that he could see past Slade's mask. "After all, I am one of the greatest criminal masterminds of the 21st century."