Arsenal pointed with his sword arm at an abandoned warehouse near the docks. "That is the rendezvous point. Slade set up shop for the titans here. It's a trap he's coiled for Changling. It seems the local sociopath has taken an interest in our little animal."

I glared at the stupid green armored man. "It's Beast Boy now. Stop calling me that."

Jumper raised his gun. "I can shoot him if you like."

"No, I have too much blood on my hands. Slade is the last one. Come on, I have a party to attend."

It was probably not the best plan, but Slade would have all other entrances covered. So we used the front door. I didn't want to risk the titans getting hurt. My friends getting hurt. Raven getting hurt. All these years and I got her to trust someone, to trust me. I'm the asshole who's about to mess all that up. We walk through the door and immediately see Slade standing in front of a pool of some sort of green chemical, with my friends tied up above it, hanging.

Slade made a small gesture with his hand and Holefull comes behind me, his hand to my throat. I see Slice doing the same to Jumper. "Welcome Beast Boy, you as well Jumper. I see Arsenal accomplished his goal in bringing you to me. Now, shall we begin? Drop your wepons, all of them."

Just like I thought. Trapped, just like I want it. Now I just need to free my friends.


I could not understand what I had just seen. Beast Boy had a gun. He had a gun. He's a hero, he should not have a gun. Why does he have a gun? I looked at Robin and the others and see they all are appalled, horrified, just as I was. If he had a gun, he knew how to use one.

"44 revolver, quite a big gun for such a small boy. I'm once again impressed and surprised. You seem to be doing that more and more Beast Boy. You even walked willingly into my trap. I must ask, what are you planning? Or is this some feeble attempt to get me to release your friends. Just like you tried to get me to return Terra back to normal?"

The man in the green armor was the one who replied. "Please do not antagonize him. I wish to just get my pay and not incite the wrath of the Doom Patrol." I knew that I would despise that man.

Slade nodded and a young red headed girl came forward with a metal case and handed it to man. "Your thirty pieces of silver, you may leave now."

The man, who I guessed to be Galtry, took the case and raised his arm. "Come along kids. We have our pay."

Ceefour stepped forward, she looked nervous. "Umm, we're staying. We discussed it and Slade is a better leader and teacher. He wants us to make a name for our selves, you just want to hide away. Sorry sir."

I quit paying attention as all parties began a verbal disagreement. My attention was brought to Beast Boy, and his look of anger. I could see and feel his anger but I also felt a calmness about him, and a sorrow like I have never felt from him. It was more than I could bear. My friend was down there about to face one of our greatest foes alone, and without the element of surprise like last time. It hurt me to know, he was alone, just like he felt. He once told me that I was not alone, and I knew what he ment. Even though we are different, we are a family. Why did he not feel that then? He felt as if we would leave him, as if we despised him. I got my answer after Galtry left.

Slade turned to Beast Boy and I could almost see his smile. "Back to business. Beast Boy, I want you to be my new apprentice."

Shocked would barely describe how we all felt. I looked to Robin and noticed his eyes wide, going from Slade to the gun on the ground Beast Boy had dropped.

"Sorry dude. No can do. Now let them go. Why are you so into the whole apprentice thing anyway?"

Slade pulled out a small knife and began to flip it in his hand. "Their bindings are connected to a device that reacts to their powers and movement. Too much of either and they fall into this chemical, burning their bodies. Dramatic I know, but some times the classics are the best. As for why, well I noticed something when the first hero took on a pupil." He turned and looked at Robin. "They had the potential to surpass their elder. More training and a unique sort of loyalty. Something I've always needed, lieutenants, worthy of me and my work. Unfortunately, none of the willing had that certain spark I needed. Robin was the first to come to mind and he fit perfectly, except his loyalty to you titans and his moral code seemed to get in the way. Then came Terra, not the best candidate but in the top. She had that spark in her that made her shine. That was when I first noticed you, and ultimately lost my life. Than Trigon appeared and I went after precious Raven. I wish Trigon had not spoiled my chance to turn her, she would have made a perfect subordinate, except that just like Robin, she would fight me every step. Starfire hardly understands this planet, and only has her friends, so that disqualifies her. Plus, she is too unpredictable. Cyborg was out of the question. Either his programing or his humanity would get in the way. I had warned Brother Blood about all of you before his rise. Unfortunately I was absent for his fall." Slade stopped the blade and threw it at Beast Boy. I closed my eyes as I heard Starfire scream. When I opened my eyes, Beast Boy was swinging the blade between his thumb and forefinger.

"Then comes you Beast Boy. Animalistic instincts and reflexes. More wise than you let on. Brilliant but you never let on that fact. Rich, but you tossed it aside, so not greedy. More potential than I've seen in a long time. You have training and are the most battle hardened of the titans. After all, I'm not just fighting a couple of monsters and criminals every now and then." He turned his back to Beast Boy and looked up at us. I could feel a sick joy coming from him. "You also are no stranger to death. That does make a difference. People will die, allies and foe alike. And let us not forget that you have shown me and dear Raven first hand that you are more than willing to kill when necessary."

I could feel the horror coming from my friends, but there was a small amount of relief coming from Beast Boy. It puzzled me until I felt it dissipated when Slade continued. True dread filled him. I am ashamed but I, for a moment, lost all faith in him. Lost all joy to look at him. For a moment I hated him more than Slade. I could feel the truth of Slade's words in Beast Boy's feelings. I loathed him and I regret that. Though I hated him immensely, none hated Beast Boy more than he did. I knew that what Slade had said was what kept him up on those nights when could not sleep. The horrid thing he had done. "I know you could kill anyone, just like you killed that little girl."