Before I begin this next chapter, I'd like to mention that I knew Slade had kids, though not until after I had thought up this series.

*SPOILER* I was planning on having Slade not know that his children are alive. Also, the reason he is targeting the government is because it is no longer the true United States government anymore. It no longer follows the codes and laws it was once supposed to, so now Slade wants to fix it. Therefore, that is the main reason he raised and trained Mouse. *SPOILER*

Also, I would like to apologize for not updating in so long. School has been whipping my butt along with our school's Drama Club. I'm not complaining, I love Club, but it takes a lot out of you. You go to school before the sun's up, and you leave when it's long gone. Anyway, here's chapter 7.

*^* I OWN NOTHING BUT OC'S AND PLOTS*^*

Rusty

"So, you gave my daughter to the police," Slade looked at the meek yet handsome boy in front of him. He was about a year or so older than Mouse, yet his eyes shown maturity far beyond his daughter's.

The boy looked on.

"I won't kill you, not today," Slade clucked. "However, I want you to learn the mistakes of being an alley on the wrong side. He became a blur, time seeming to slow in his eye. Kicking Nicholas just under the ribs, Slade had knocked away his breath. Nicholas staggered back a step, choking.

Still only a few steps away, Slade swung his left leg into the air, connecting with Nicholas's back. The boy crashed to the ground, stunned. He wasn't used to combat. But he didn't need combat skills, he needed magi skills. Mouthing a charm, he blocked Slade's next attack with a pink barrier.

Surprised, Slade flipped back a few times, narrowly missing a black energy ball right below his gut. He then crouched to avoid another ball, not even noticing the fact that the first on was ricocheting back toward him. It clocked him in the temple.

"Lucky shot, won't happen again," Slade snarled. Nicholas just returned a smile the size of a flea before he began mouthing a string of silent chants.

Since he couldn't hear the boy, Slade had no idea what was coming next. He also knew he couldn't underestimate him either. Deciding against stopping his chain of charms and risk a trap, he decided to take a step back and analyze the magic.

A magenta mist was swirling around Nicholas, a defense spell. Green flames encased him, the anti-injury charm. And finally, a black energy ball heading - Straight. At. Him.

Slade dodged at the last moment. Well, no more of that. Next time he took the time to analyze things, he'd make sure he wasn't gawking like an idiot first. Wow, I'm getting rusty! he chided mentally.

Now that Slade had recollected his bearings, he backed into the shadow of a corner, using the darkness to his advantage. The black veil crawled up into the rafters, giving him an opening. With his back to the corner, Slade spidered up the wall, using the exposed structure of the building as foot-holes. Thankfully, he'd gotten up far enough to narrowly avoid another energy ball. He nearly snickered at the boy's confused expression, though dared not so he wouldn't provide the child with his location. Apparently, it didn't occur to him that the corner provided the perfect escape.

Now that he was level to the rafters, Slade jumped. Unfortunately his toe gleamed in a speck of light, exposing him. Nicholas's violet eyes locked on him securely. There was no way he could pull off any more stealth moves.

Maybe it wasn't such a bright idea to have robots do all the work, Slade thought bitterly. Come to think of it, why didn't I use one now? I'm getting my butt kicked!

Fumbling through a compartment on his belt, Slade whipped a smoke bomb towards Nicholas. Then, he leaped into the smoke directly onto the boy, pinning him. Folding an arm behind his back, Slade fished for his handcuffs. Once he had the boy securely disabled, he knew the hack-job battle was over.

"Okay," Slade sighed heavily.. "Step one, break Mouse out of jail. Step two, commit to my New Years Resolution and loose weight."

"So you're saying that she remembers people, and facts about them, just not actions she herself has done," Robin stated his question doubtfully to the prison guard known as Mark Martin.

"Yes, but only if you state BOTH first and last name, and give her clues. It's more than likely Slade forced her to memorize everything, which may be the key. I don't think she remembers her personal events not unless others were tied to it, more likely she remembers the things she seen written down, then connects the blocked memories with the ones we pull out of her," the scar-faced man leaned back in his fold-up chair in the police station break-room. "It's like Tissues, pull one out and get several more. We have to start further back in her life, and wait until the river's unblocked to get anything."

"So we need Slade's real name if we're to discover anything," Cyborg added.

"That is, if she knew it in the first place," Raven prompted.

"You've got a point," Beastboy replied. He'd finally gained enough strength to walk around, and insisted on not missing anything else. Everyone grudgingly let him go, as all were anxious to see what Mark had to say, now they needed to sink in.

"So what now?" Robin ignored the direction the conversation was steering, determined to get what he wanted - answers.

"Well, I suppose I question the kid," Mark stood stiffly and ushered the others to follow. They stood outside the same observation window as the previous day. "Alright, send her in."

It was a few minutes later that the girl was brought in. She looked so frail under the orange baggy outfit. She had to cling onto her pants to keep them from slipping. Once she was strapped into the chair, Mark began his session.

"Alright. I want you to tell me who Randolf O'Connor is," Mark sat back, and waited.

Amber eyes, brown hair, the images reappeared faster than before. She swallowed hard at the horror she'd committed.

"The… the mayor's son. He- he wanted to be…" she couldn't finish, the guilt of ripping a precious future from such a small grasp.

"Say it. Do it. Claim your transgression."

"Randy wanted to … um… be a …. police officer," she choked out the words.

The titans watched in awe. They weren't expecting such positive results, by simply spewing out names. Robin was a little jealous that it hadn't worked for him, yet kept his ears pricked for key pieces.

"Do you know Samuel Galveston?" Mark pressured.

"Another … another victim. He… he…" Suddenly the girl started thrashing, her face pasty and white. The metal wrist bindings snapped and the leather chest strap buckled as the kid swept aside the chair. The guards swept in, blocking the titan's view. Retching was heard, and it was soon evident that the guards weren't restraining her, merely holding her hair back as she emptied the overflowing guilt gnawing her stomach raw.

"What the hell am I?" She sobbed. "Just what the hell kind of monster did that freak make me?"

The titans alert turned towards a shifting shadow wreathing in the corner. A dreadful shape they all despised. "I'd prefer you call me Father."

Raven immediately teleported Beastboy back to the tower and followed her friends through the already smashed window. "Couldn't we have just used the door?" She indicated to the opened door used prior by the guards and the frame from the observation room, implying that it would've been easier to have walked around. No one, however was listening.

The titans were merely spectators to the stand off before them. The girl was quivering defiantly in front of her father, whereas Slade casually held firm and surprisingly parent-like. It was obvious the girl was frustrated and confused. Perhaps, the titans breathed silently, they'd gained a new ally.

"Come, Mouse. It's time to go. You've spent too long here anyway," Slade ordered. But Mouse just stayed still, eyes darting like a first-time-defy-er. "Mouse. We're going."

"No," the word would have been more powerful had it not been laden with fear.

"Mouse. We're. Leaving," Slade dropped the words sternly and forcefully. When she didn't listen, he slapped her, grabbed the scruff of her shirt, and walked out the open door. When everyone melted and began to follow, they found Slade effortlessly dragging the thrashing girl.

Thinking quickly, Cyborg rushed forward in an attempt to free the girl. He hated her guts, but he had an even deeper disdain for her father. Grappling Slade around his neck, Cyborg attempted a headlock. However, Slade had easily escaped his grasp, as did Mouse from Slade's. She slid back, blocking off his escape. The other direction was blocked by the other titans, the two guards and Mark.

Great, Slade cursed silently. Two fights in one day, and I'm freakin' rusty!