Chapter 4: The Intruder Revealed

Robin and Cyborg moved slowly towards a dark and eerie building. It wasn't a normal building. Inside of it was one particular villain hangout. Cyborg took quite a bit of convincing to get him to go with him. But he did it. He wouldn't be able to go in alone this time, like he did in Tokyo, and lay down a can of butt kicking. No, he'd have to keep his cover. Cyborg had to come in case it got blown. So they dressed up in disguises.

Robin wore a long overcoat that was black as night and made of heavy material. It alone covered his whole costume underneath. To go with this was a hat that was pulled over his mask. But he could still see fine.

Cyborg wore an immense amount of black clothing as well. He had huge dark boots covering his metal feet, and bulky black pants covering his legs. He had a huge black hoodie on, with over-sized black gloves and the hood pulled up. No one, even Star, could tell who they really were.

Robin's plan was to get information on this shadow thing. He and Cy went over multiple times their story. They were renegade bounty hunters, hired by a mysterious person. They are said to be the best of the best, but no one knows about them. They're so secretive, they can take out a target without leaving a single trace they were there. Of course, this was going to be difficult when confronted with an entire room of criminals. Robin laughed at the fact that the criminals had these hideouts. It was a perfect ploy to go in and get dirt on any criminals they didn't know enough about. And they let them keep it for that purpose. To get information.

The two Titans in disguise walked down the steps. Robin slowly opened the door, and they were greeted with the unpleasant aroma of tobacco. They approached the front, both taking their seats quietly. Literally hundreds of criminals were in this place. Or at least guys and girls who look like they'd sell you out to protect their own hides.

"Hey, what's your poison?" the bartender spoke up to the two.

"Information," Robin said. His voice was muffled and hard to hear through the huge overcoat. The bartender smiled and a hint of glee came in his eyes.

"Nothing's free, friend. I know everything that goes on around these parts. I got information on all the criminals, crooks, and super villains in this town. What are you looking for specifically?"

"A shadow. It looks in every way like a shadow."

The bartended seemed to get uneasy at this. He spoke up quietly "alright. Follow me," he stated. Rob and Cy got up and followed him to a door. He opened it and motioned for them to come in. He shut the door.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. From its name down to its powers," Cyborg said. A device he built a while back that would only work for him disguised his voice.

"If you expect me to say anything, pay up first."

"How much?" Robin said, irritated.

"Two thousand dollars."

Robin handed him the cash without question. "Spill"

"Alright then. His real name is unknown, so we call him Kage. His powers? Well, he's fast. Very fast. And really strong too. No normal person can stand up to him, that's for sure. If he fights in darkness, any attack made on him will faze right through him. So only fighting him in light is useful. He can blend with shadows that are nearby and travel through them. He would be impossible to pick up on any bio scanners. Any pain that would be inflicted on a normal human would be only a fraction of what he feels. I've only heard a rumour about this one, but some say he can go into the mind of people and possess them. And…" he motioned for the two to step closer. They did and when he spoke he was very quiet. "Some say he's now working for Slade who returned."

Their faces were covered, but that didn't stop all the colour from draining from them. Robin almost lost it right then and there. But he kept his cool, barely.

"Slade huh?" Cyborg spoke up.

"That's right. You need anything on him?"

"No, we're fine. Thanks. Come on Ro-…bo…" said Cyborg, finding it ironically funny he was calling Robin Robo. But he did not laugh. The two left the "hideout" and continued back to the tower.

"So, you think what he said about Slade is true?" Cyborg asked.

"I hope to God it isn't. If he came back, and the two are teamed up… that could mean trouble."

Cyborg nodded and the two continued back to the tower in silence. He was uneasy about all the new information. He had recorded every word the bartender said to them with a built-in audio recording device.

Raven had no idea where else to go. The thought of calling Robin on the communicator to tell him what she had heard from Slade was the last thing on her mind. The first thing she wanted to do was get the hell out of there as fast as she could. Surprisingly, Slade was not following her. It slightly relieved her. She decided she would call Robin as soon as she got to… wherever it was she was going. She looked around the streets and the odd stares people gave her – she figured it must be because of the unconscious boy on her back – but no one questioned her or approached her. Raven thought a hotel would be a good idea. So she made her way to the nearest hotel. One problem: she had no clue where the nearest hotel was. She was too self-aware and a little on the emotional side to ask someone for directions to the nearest one. So she continued onward, north, she assumed, and hoped she would come across one soon.

Hey everyone! I know, this is a short and rather dull chapter, but it is essential to the story. Well, the next one won't be as dull! Oh, and while I'm here, I'd like to give a shout-out to LunadiDomani. Keep writing that awesome story of yours!

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