Author: You'll notice this chapter starts out from Slade's view but shifts to Ruba's. This chapter was supposed to be Slade's view, buuttt.. as I was writing somehow it shifted toward the beginning so I said oh well lol. It's a lengthy-ish chapter, so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the faves, follows, reviews. c: You get to learn Sari's first name toward the end so read to find out!
Disclaimer: DC Comics is totally not mine. :c I wish lol. I only own Sari and Ruba so far.
[maranda111]
Thanks. I have a feeling you'll like it. :D I have a lot of it mapped out in my head so I'm working to get it written down. xD
[MaraJade57]
Oddly enough it's hard to get into Slade's mentality. It's a blend of high intelligence, rationality, foresight, apprehension, thoughtfulness and that witty, sarcastic, prodding feel to it. But I'm glad I did it well! ^ ^
"I will." He had said it so easily, like he actually wanted to. She was always horrible at reading emotions that weren't visible and that mask of his blocked her from seeing his facial expressions.
Slade smirked beneath the mask. She was so much easier to draw in than Terra and Robin had been. So much more gullible. Obviously he had much to teach her, for firstly she'd learn to become tough emotionally so as to avoid being pulled around.
Oh, it was thrilling. Just a few simple words and she was willing to fall under his teachings. Oh yes. She'd make a fascinating student and an excellent apprentice.
He watched her for a moment as she sobbed. Soon enough a robot moved forward to grab her.. without force, more like to lift her; her legs were shaking and would likely fail beneath her. It would be easier for a robot to just carry her to him.
It was getting over to her, closing the distance, when suddenly it was thrown across the room, covered in blackness. Raven.
The Titans were stirring.
"Ruba!" Starfire yelled as they began to struggle. Beast Boy changed into a gorilla and tossed a robot over his shoulder toward a wall.
Cyborg shifted his hands into cannons and blasted the ones holding his arms. "Boooya!"
Raven melted into the ground with her powers and appeared beside Ruba, pointing a hand at the robot that had been the communication between Slade and Ruba (the screen had already changed back into a mask so it was just like every other robot). "Tell your master to stay out of our tower."
Slade watched in amusement.
Ruba watched in shock.
The fight began.
Ruba stood back as blasts rang out, colors flickering like a dark rainbow lacking the brighter colors aside from green bolts. Forms ran, spun, kicked that were either living or robotic.
Finally, when the robots were nothing more than a pile of metal scattered about the Titans turned to face the pale woman.
Starfire placed a hand on her shoulder, inspecting her thoroughly. "Are you alright, friend?"
Ruba didn't immediately respond. The light kicked back on and the dimming daylight outside was replaced by the glow in the ceiling.
She looked over finally from staring at the room before her and allowed a ghost of a smile to form. "Peachy."
The joke was lost on the alien. "Peachy?"
"It means fine, Star." Cyborg filled in.
"I'm going to tell Robin what happened." Raven said, walking away with her communicator out.
She was thankful when Starfire pulled her hand away to accompany the dark garbed female because her body began to shake.
She was left with Cy and BB. "Let's clean the mess up." The former said with a sigh while the latter shifted back to human form and nodded.
An hour of cleaning, the female teens returning halfway to assist, and the mess was dealt with. Where and how.. doesn't matter.
Within the hour afterward, while they were relaxing and Cyborg was checking the system, Robin and Sari got back.
She had been sitting, her back to the door when she felt strong arms circle her neckline, pulling her back. She froze but when the voice whispered into her ear she shifted uneasily. "Ruba.. Are you alright?"
She weakly nodded.
"So why were Sladebots here?" Robin was speaking with Raven close by, but it was hard to hear as Cyborg and Beast Boy were currently in a heated racing game. Starfire was making some type of alien food in the kitchen area, humming to herself, floating about.
"I don't know. Cy said the system was hacked from an outside source. We couldn't track it back. Didn't leave a trace." Raven said.
"I see." He glanced to Ruba, who was patting Sari's arm, pretending not to listen to them. "Think Slade was here for her?"
"She's dangerous, Robin. At least Sari has control. She lacks restraint. The instant she uses her powers dozens of things could go wrong." Raven muttered, her tone skeptic. "Like I said, another Terra."
"But we-"
She stopped listening.
"-are you feeling?" She honed in on Sari's voice, who was leaning against the back of the couch, head resting on her left shoulder, arms linked on her neck.
She smiled at him. "I didn't get hurt."
He sighed happily. "I'm glad." He unwound his arms and moved to go help Starfire.
She thought back to Slade's words.
You'll benefit greatly.
Would she? Could he help her? What would he ask of her in return? She felt confused and unsure.
They wouldn't want me to teach you how to control your powers.
Why? Wouldn't they want her to have control of them? She thought on how Raven kept calling her Terra. Was Terra that bad? She'd met the girl, but usually didn't stick around long enough for any fights to happen to judge that. She seemed nice enough.
They don't trust you.
She had trusted Starfire with her real first name. Didn't Starfire trust her back? Maybe she was the only one. The others seemed to like her, but she figured Slade was right on that account; the distrust was evident.
They're scared of you.. and your powers.
They did act like they wouldn't face her, avoided her even. Were they scared of her? Of her unstable powers?
She wrapped her arms around her stomach and dipped her head down, closing her eyes.
I can teach you to control them, to harness them to their full potential.
Could he? Really? Why was he so willing to help? She didn't understand. Her arms tightened on herself and she suppressed a shiver.
Come to me.
She stood up and dropped her arms, turning to face Robin and Raven. "I need air. I'm going out." She stated loudly for all to hear. She acted calm, like nothing was wrong.
"Be back before sunset, alright?" She heard Sari call from below the top of the counters. She nodded and walked out of the room. She took the stairs, heading down to the ground level.
She used her powers for a moment to rocket herself over the water, not enough to backlash or cause any damage. She landed on grass and took off toward the city beyond, Slade's voice following her.
I can help you. The Titans cannot. They'll only continue to fear you and hide you away because you're too powerful for them to control and use.
She pushed her limbs, running down the sidewalk and dodging people. She tracked her way toward where she knew the construction site was. She wanted to be alone.
Join me. You have nothing to fear. I would never hurt you.
Tears brushed her eyes as she ran as fast as she could and arrived, out of breath. She staggered, holding a pole for support as she studied the metal constructs that would later become buildings. She sagged against it, panting for air to fill her aching lungs.
She sobbed into the evening air, the warmth of the sun somehow eluding this area and leaving her bare skin to be caressed by a chilly breeze.
She took off her gloves and cupped her eyes, like one held a book, and cried softly. Her heart cried out for company, for love, for control.
I will.
Slade's final words echoed in her mind and she felt her body tighten, her legs curling closer to her. She was alone. Always.
She had spent several minutes like this, just crying, huddled against the pole, until she heard advancing footsteps. She assumed it was some kind of crook or thief so she didn't immediately look up. She'd run them off if she had to. It's not like she carried valuables on her person anyway.
When the footsteps stopped a few feet away this drew her attention. She peered up, eyes red and face soaked. She rubbed her cheeks, trying to clean them, looking for whoever was there, but she was greeted by thickening afternoon shadows.
She knew something was wrong. She rose shakily to her feet, emotionally exhausted but physically capable of defending herself. She forced her body to stop it's shaking and glanced around.
"Who's there?" She called out and she was thankful her voice didn't break.
"Such wasted tears.. and alone at this time of day." The voice made her tense. It was..
A figure stepped forth from the shadows and she moved back against the pole as she stared wide-eyed at the form of Slade approaching her. He halted a good bit away, hands linked at his lower back.
"You.. what.. w-what are you doing here?" She questioned, her tone almost speechless and soft.
"You looked like you needed company, so here I am." He moved his arms around, opening them wide to indicate his presence before letting them dangle at his side.
"But.." She glanced around. "No robots, I see." She had regained strength to her voice and limbs, her hands tugging on her clutched gloves.
He took a step closer, nodding. "No robots." He confirmed.
She felt her turmoil slow to a crawl as she controlled her body, making it relax. No need to freak out. If he was lying and actually wanted to hurt her she could defend herself.
He took another step, carefully closing the distance between them. She moved a bit from the pole.
"Relax. I have no intention in harming you.. Ruba, was it?"
She frowned, head nodding once. "Ruba is.. a nickname.. I guess.."
"What should I call you?" He asked smoothly.
"Cecilia." The word tumbled from her lips before she could think and she half regretted it.
"A fitting name as it is strong, unique and yet pretty."
She felt a flush creep into her face from embarrassment. She glared off to the side.
"Have you considered my offer?"
She snorted. "Last I recall your proposition was 'let me teach you and I'll release your friends' and yet those 'friends' kicked your robot's butts. What do you want in return?"
"Loyalty. Attention. Honesty. That's all I ask." He emphasized each of the first three, making them seem highly important yet simple. "You see.. I need an apprentice.." He closed the distance, standing before her. He leaned down just a bit, lowering his voice. "And Cecilia.. I've chosen you."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Buuttt.. Sari." She glanced down at her feet.
"Look at me." Her eyes were redirected toward his mask and he tilted his head to the side, eye narrowing at her. "Sari doesn't care. He may claim to, but he is no better than the Titans." He spoke to her in that alluring way.. and she found herself wanting to believe him.
The next thing he did surprised both him and her. He drew her in for a hug, confirming a suspicion he had; he could touch her without her powers hurting him. She stiffened at the contact as he wrapped his arms around her back, holding her to his armored chest. She found her arms wounding around his stomach area and she clung to him tightly.
She pulled away after a few moments when she realized something. "Wait.. how can I trust you? Why should I? For all I know you could be the untruthful one here." She stepped back, pointing an accusing finger at him.
He chuckled. "I have no reason to lie. To get trust you must first extend it." He held out a hand to her. "My last apprentice betrayed me. I trust you won't."
He was.. willing to trust her? She furrowed her brows. That one sentence came sharply to mind that he had told her earlier.
You have nothing to fear.
She hesitantly moved forward, reaching a hand out.. and it was almost in his grasp before a sharp voice made her freeze. Slade and her both turned to see Starfire and Robin with Sari. "Ruba!" It was Star's voice.
The alien was covering a gasp with widened eyes, hovering beside the glaring male she called a friend. Robin had his Bo-staff out, twirling it.
"Ruba!? What are you doing? That man is dangerous! Get away from him!" Robin called out.
Slade turned to face him, chuckling. "The only dangerous one here is you. I mean her no harm."
She stared at them, taking a step back to put distance between her and her approaching partner and two Titans along with the armored man.
"That's bull! You're a manipulator! You're warping her mind, filling it with lies like you did Terra!" Robin sounded angry and he pointed the end of his staff toward his arch-nemesis.
"Ruba! Please, get away from that bad man!" Starfire's voice was pleading and shock outlined her tone.
Sari let his blue energy snap around his hands, preparing to attack. "Listen to Starfire. That man is extremely dangerous. You'll get hurt if you don't get away."
She narrowed her eyes. Get hurt? She wasn't a child! She could handle herself. Voices played over in her head, spinning to leave her feeling dizzy.
I would never hurt you.
Relax. I have no intention in harming you.
Great. Another Terra.
Something's in here! We're under attack!
Starfire, protect the girl.
It means fine, Star.
Think Slade was here for her?
She's dangerous, Robin. The instant she uses her powers dozens of things could go wrong.
She reached up to grasp her head, a scream muffled in her throat.
"He's doing something to her!" Robin snarled and darted forth to engage Slade, who pulled out his own staff to counter the series of swings and jabs.
Starfire went to assist Robin, eyes glowing, bolts flashing, flying toward the fight.
Sari moved to her side, grabbing hold of her arms to steady her. "Wooah, what's going on? What did he do to you?"
She growled. "He didn't.. do a thing!" She shoved him away, red energy beginning to ripple around her.
His eyes widened as he gained his footing and she took that moment to study him. The male was taller, older. While she was 17 he was 18 years old. She was five foot four, 119 pounds and he was five foot seven, 130 pounds. He had short, spiked snowy hair with those oceanic blue orbs. He was clad in black jeans, short sleeved white shirt beneath a black buckled jacket, that wasn't closed, with silver steel-toed boots. He wore a black headband to keep the hair out of his face and had a couple strands braided to the right side.
She jabbed a finger in his direction, snorting. "You guys are keeping me locked in the tower, away from fights, like I'm some kind of virus! You never use to treat me this way. Why are you agreeing with them? They don't care about us."
He frowned deeply, standing straight as he brushed his braid to the side, fixing his jacket. "You're listening to the psychopath, aren't you? Cecilia, they care about you, but you have to control your powers beforehand. You're not ready-"
"So you're holding me back. You don't trust me. That it?"
"No! It's not like that!"
"Yes it is! Raven told Starfire to babysit me. I'm not a child! I don't need to be watched, to have my hand held by them!" Her joke was lost with her rising anger.
Sari glanced over and saw Slade pushing Robin back, Starfire dodging blasts from robots who had appeared.
He held out a hand, shaking it at her. "You're willing to.. believe this madman?" He gestured at Slade. "You're smarter than this. He's using you-"
"And you guys aren't? They lied to me. Told me I could help. Yet I've done nothing but sit in that tower, sleeping my hours away."
"The heck did he offer you that you're so willing to be like this, Cecilia?" Sari asked in disgust. "To be so hostile toward me?"
"He wants to teach me to control my powers."
"No, he wants to manipulate you, make you like him, a twisted product of this world that shouldn't exist-"
"Oh, making accusations? That's not like you, Sari, calling me a twisted product. Clearly you care." The sarcasm was dripping from her tone.
He slapped his face, groaning. "You're turning my words around. I didn't mean it like that and didn't say that."
"But you implied it, hinted it. I'm not stupid, Sari. You've always hated me, why are you wasting your breath?"
He snarled. "Don't go down this path. I care. I love you like a sister. He'll change you into something you're not. You'll become a killer. A ruthless, cold, unfeeling, demented killer if you go with him, Cecilia. The Titans and I can help you train, help you control your powers."
"You're all scared of me and my powers. You fear me.. and don't trust me. Why should I go somewhere I'm obviously not wanted? If I was so like a sister to you then why subject me to such subtle hostility? I can't breathe in that tower, you're all suffocating me."
A cry rang out and they peered over to see Starfire on the ground, trying to rise, Robin standing before her, his staff spinning to deflect the laser shots.
A triumphant smile crossed her face. "Your friends need help, Barrett." She used his real first name and he glared at her with a dark scowl. "You should whisk them away to that petty tower of theirs before they get seriously hurt."
Barrett shook his head. "You will regret this.. but I won't stop you. You'll find out the hard way when you're made to kill someone.." Anger boiled in his words. He turned and ran toward Starfire, lifting her up and taking off. Robin spared Ruba a look, blankness radiating from the thin lips and narrowed eyes before he turned and trailed after his friends.
Cecilia hugged herself as the robots put away their weapons and Slade walked over. The need to punch something burned in her blood like poison and before she realized it she had grabbed a robot close to her, red energy crackling around her hands as she smashed the head, letting the energy flow into the robot. It exploded and she chucked it aside, snarling.
Slade smirked beneath his mask. Such raw power, such anger. He could mold her very easily.. Sari, Robin and the alien had helped him quite nicely.
"Come.." He said to her, watching as she turned her head toward him. Red energy slithered up from around her eyes, the green-grey orbs mixed with a slight crimson glow. Her hands were raised, that same energy sparking like fire and electricity combined.
She willed herself to calm down and yet even after the energy had faded she couldn't make her heart stop pounding, her teeth from gritting, her fists un-clench.
"Let's get you to your new home, my dear.." His smooth voice soothed her ruffled feathers, figuratively speaking, and she nodded, following beside him. His robots melted into the darkness of the shadows and the sun began to set.
Yes, he could mold her into the perfect apprentice.