Ugh! I got a headache. But I must write! I must!
So… hi. Yeah. I have a headache. (snickers)
(bows) I know I promised more action guys, but I really have writer's block. I was going to have a cool scene, until I realized that certain parts conflicted and it simply wouldn't work.
Thus, we have a short, in-between chapter while I try to figure everything out again. You have my humblest apologies.
C'mon! Please forgive me! Please?!?!?
Oh yeah, once again, I'd like to remind you that in the DC comics world, Gotham is considered to be New York and Metropolis Chicago, so you don't get confused if I mention them.
Beta read by the remarkable Sewer Slider! Check out her fics!
Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT and I don't own the Teen Titans. To do so would involve me taking over Mirage and DC comics, which would make me rather rich. Ah, to dream.
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Jump CitySitting outside at a morning café, the Teen Titans began to eat their breakfast. This early, it wasn't very crowded, and with excellent food that made the taste buds jump up to do the tango, the atmosphere was quite comfortable.
Robin and Cyborg were having breakfast sandwiches with all the fixings, including mouth-watering ham, bacon, and eggs: over-easy for the leader and sunny side up for the robot. Beast Boy had gone with a veggie omelet and a side of tofu, which he was devouring like the animals he could change into. Raven had two slices of toast, some bacon, and a cup of tea. No one was quite sure what Starfire was eating, besides the fact that it was covered in mustard, and it was best that they kept it that way.
Taking another bite of his meal and licking his fingers, the green changeling admired some of the pictures hanging on the wall. "So, how much do we know about this guy, anyways?"
Having talked to the three turtles before they'd left the Tower, the Titans were trying to go over all the information they had. It was important to try and figure out what Slade was up to- different apprentices meant different skills, different skills meant different jobs.
Even if those jobs ultimately led up to the same goal. That was what they were trying to avoid.
"Well," Robin started, "he's a ninja. A very good one too. Which is probably one of the topmost reasons why Slade took him."
Agreeing, Cyborg pushed his plate away. "They're also kinda off the radar- or they try to be, I guess. Makes sense, with all the stuff hanging over their heads. But it makes ya wonder how Slade found them; they live all the way in Gotham, after all. Kinda out of his territory."
"Not really." Robin countered. "Not if what you want can only be found in one place. But that is a good point. With their lifestyle, he probably had help. Do they have many enemies?"
"Several." Starfire said immediately. "I questioned to them about it." She suddenly looked confused. "They spoke to me of a kitchen utensil that led a clan of feet, as well as a leader of a religious sect who cruelly pursues aliens. They also mentioned a woman of melancholy who Leonardo feels particularly betrayed by. I have never encountered such people. Tell me, are villains of your world typically this peculiar?"
The other four Titans stared for a long minute before blinking. Raven took a sip of tea and placed the blue mug down on the table lightly. "I think I'll ask them next time."
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Silence was an interesting stage of time. At times, it made an irreplaceable ally; at others, it was a disturbance as pure as the terror so many people found in their lives, enhancing each noise until it was full paranoia.
Leo hadn't slept well. Slade had allowed him to go to one of the rooms in the building to rest, and though he tried, he'd only managed to sleep for a little less than an hour. He was exhausted, but too worried about what might happen if he let his guard down for too long.
If Slade would go back on their agreement and kill his brothers without him being able to stop him.
Now, as the sun kissed the clouds in a morning greeting, the people of Jump City began to start their day with yawns, coffee, and favorite radio stations. It was the same in every city, Leo supposed, only different in matters of perspective.
Slade had another job for him. So early, too.
Leo held the retrieved object in his hand. It hadn't presented much of a challenge to get- and the little joy he was experiencing was the pleasure in not getting caught. There was always a chance Slade might ask him to kill someone, as the turtle had regretfully promised.
He only lurked around because, beneath him, he had spotted the five people his new master had called the Teen Titans. Leo watched them carefully. They seemed like kind people- good people. Ones he could trust the care of his brothers too.
Now only if they'd leave him alone.
The headgear he'd used in his first mission was being repaired, so Leo's face was naked in the daylight. And while this meant he had a little time to watch the Titans and examine the city, he felt vulnerable out here.
At home, only the absolute rarest of occasions had his family risked going out in the daylight, for fear of being seen. He still worried someone would look up and cry out…
"You haven't moved for a while." Slade's voice came to him. For now, he had an earpiece that was attached to his head through nerve endings- only Slade could take it off.
"Just wanted to look around. Get familiar with the territory." Leo replied casually.
Slade chuckled coldly. "And I thought you were worried about going out in the daylight."
"I thought you said I had nothing to worry about."
"You don't, my apprentice. Working for me gives you a great deal of power. You no longer have to worry about what could go wrong if someone catches a glimpse of you. While they will always fear you, it will no longer be in horror, but in reverence and obedience- as you are to me."
Leo breathed in deep and listened to the Titans some more. He'd watched Slade work on this device earlier- it wouldn't be able to pick up on what the superheroes were saying. "I'll be back in three." He told Slade, ignoring the speech.
"I'll be expecting you." Slade told him. "If anyone gets in your way, kill them."
Breath catching in his throat, Leo was quick to release it. "Yes," He began, then remembered to add, "…master."
Just as he was about to go, the dark, female Titan looked up, as if she realized he was there.
Leo froze, looking down at her. He knew that she could see him- she was looking right at him. God, he didn't want to kill. Just look away, look away.
Raising an eyebrow, she did just like that, as if she'd read his mind or knew what he'd wanted. Leo breathed out in disbelief, not understanding why.
As he took a step backward, a piece of paper floated up with incredible silence. It all happened in seconds- so fast, that no one else could've seen it. The paper floated in front of him. Without touching it, Leo read it.
Your brothers say they're not going to give up that easily.
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Slade's Hideout
A ringing sound made Slade turn away from the monitors he was watching. His technology was far more sophisticated than cell phones, but Agent Bishop had wanted to keep in contact.
The line was secure, and the device was advanced, so Slade had agreed.
Bishop started before Slade could, not that he had any intentions of doing so. "I'm curious, Mr. Slade, as to what exactly your plans are for the remaining turtles. By now, I should have them in my possession and prepared for research."
"Easy, Agent Bishop. You're a very busy man, you wouldn't be wanting to take too many projects on at one time."
There was a chuckle from the other end. "I've yet to reach my limits. And as for the other project, it's moving along smoothly, thanks to your assistance. Believe me, if it weren't for that, we wouldn't just be having a simple phone call."
"I already informed you," Slade said, voice still as monotonous as ever, "you will get them soon enough. As you have to prepare certain subjects, I have to prepare my apprentice for the events to come. Skilled as he is, he still has one too many soft spots."
A pause, one of interest. "What exactly are you planning to have Leonardo do?"
"Why, deliver you your package, Agent Bishop."
"Clever. But he'll never go along with it."
"Ah, never say never." Slade said. "The future holds many twists and turns in life. And Leonardo is about to go through the roller coaster of his. And he has no idea what's coming next."
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I told you it'd be short, but it was actually longer than I expected. That part with Leo wasn't originally in this.
Anyways, I gotta take a little break on this story for a while. Not too long, I swear. Just two weeks or so. Until I get a muse. I need to work on Infection, and I got a little one-shot that's been cooking in the nuclear oven they call my brain for a while now.
So I hope you enjoyed! Please review!
