A/N: *glances up at tinfoil hat* YOU DID NOT WORK! *throws hat on ground and stomps on it* I can't keep anything from you guys XD but I like it better that way I guess XD so. I am again writing this fine chapter here in one long session this morning. I'm such a procrastinator. Anyway in my mind right now, this is going to be a purely Robin/Slade chapter because I've made y'all wait so long for this XD if I named chapters this one would be called 'Gratitude' *dark chuckling* onto the cult! A big thanks to:

Dreams2Paper11, deets1, ShibuNoNeko, Jay'sWing, Rei Crow, and Hidden Page for recently favoriting/ following my story! you all rock, and I feel honored to have this here fiction I wrote on the whim of a dream be one of your favorites *tear*

Dragon Firefang: thank you for your opinion! and I'm glad my BBRae works (: I tried to make it how it was in the show, hinted but still there. and I hope you think the rest of this story will be awesome as well!; Dreams2Paper11: I literally laughed when I read your review XD I totally understand and know what you mean. and bro, I've always been obsessed with Slade and Robin apprentice stories. after the series ended my mind was like 'WHAT WOULD SLADE DO NEXT?!' so I decided to write this XD I'm so glad you liked that line, I was afraid it was too… eh; LadadaWhoa: I'm so glad you think this is really good! let's hope I don't let you down… haha.. ha…; READINGhearts17: yep it's Slade *ominous crack of lightening* I really hope I write this well XD; Sadie Aurora Night: awh! thank you! you shall wait no longer my dear Sadie! for a whole Robin Slade chapter awaits!; deets1: I love you XD *hug* I read every single last word of that and it made me so happy, like you don't understand XD those two reviews made my day! ahhhh! thank you so much! :D; Jay: I'm so glad you liked it! I had just had this thought and I was like 'BAM. INSPIRATION.' XD I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations… *frightened look*

Though a note: No, Slade cannot read Robin's mind, that goes back to the 'oh so very much alike' thing again.

Now read!


Slade walked slowly towards Robin, at a relaxed pace as if he had all the time in the world. Heart pounding in his chest, Robin debated backing away, but decided that would show his rapidly rising fear more than standing his ground. He took up a defensive stance and prepared himself.

"Robin, you knew that I would never forget the progress you made. You knew that Terra was just a pawn, she could never replace you. You knew, even after all others had given up, that I was still alive. You knew," here Slade chuckled and stopped walking forward, only a foot away from Robin, "that I'd be back."

Robin's eyes widened, the truth in Slade's words was too much. Shaking his head in a futile effort to deny the phrases piercing his heart, he stumbled backwards and tripped. His hand shot out and used the alley wall to steady himself, but in an instant he found himself pinned to that same wall by an iron grip around his throat. For a few seconds he clawed at the hand, but it was useless.

Still struggling slightly, Robin's eyes narrowed. His emotions easily channeled the fear into anger. How come one person could have so much power over him? It seemed that Slade could read his thoughts, knew exactly which buttons to push, and it unnerved Robin to no end. It was times like these he wondered if… they really were as alike as Slade claimed.

Slade's face was inches away from Robin's. The Titan craned his neck as far away from Slade as possible, but that only earned him a slam into the brick wall. His head fuzzy from the sudden impact, Robin tried to piece together sentences as Slade began to talk in a low, menacing voice.

"Gratitude. You've always been lacking it. All my knowledge, all my power, I offered it all to you. And in return, Robin," Slade paused, "well, you know what you've done," he finished simply, releasing Robin's neck.

Robin slid down the alley wall, gasping for breath. Stars still danced before his vision as a swift kick to his side found him on his back with a metal boot crushing his ribs. Clenching his teeth to clear his head, Robin couldn't help seething. Why did he come here alone? Wasn't this supposed to be him interrogating Slade? Instead it seemed he was the one getting the lecture.

Robin hated how easily Slade took over the situation. Just like every one of their encounters before this.

"I'm not here to listen to you," Robin spat. The weight on his lungs increased, but Robin was nothing if not a fighter. "It was you, wasn't it? You're behind the white creature. What do you want with Terra, if you and I both know she's only a pawn?"

Robin smiled triumphantly as Slade lessened the pressure being applied to his lungs in surprise of his defiance. The smile instantly was replaced with a snarl as Slade kneeled down inches from his face and replied, "You tell me." With that simple statement, Slade removed his foot from Robin's chest and leaned mockingly against the wall.

Panting for a second, looking up at the sky, Robin couldn't comprehend what Slade was suggesting. Then in the earth-shattering blink of an eye, he knew.

"She's still only a pawn," he whispered, unbelievingly. His head whipped to the side as Slade started slow clapping. Robin pounced to his feet, still a little dazed, but he was going to take control of this conversation. He was determined of it.

In one swift movement, Robin grabbed and extended his bo-staff, aiming it at Slade's mocking mask. A loud scraping noise was heard as chunks of brick and dust fluttered off the poor building.

"You're finally getting it, Robin. I always knew you were the right choice."

This statement sent ripples of unease and fear through Robin, but he channeled that apprehension into his anger. With a cry, he spun around and tried to land blow after blow on Slade. Of course, Slade merely blocked each swing with that infuriating ease of his. The clash of metal on metal rang through the secluded alley way.

"If you had taken the time to appreciate what I offered, you might be able to pose a threat, Robin. I gave you the opportunity to obtain what you're 'hero' fetish could never fulfill. You can't deny that you dream of having the thrill again, Robin. You can't deny nothing can satisfy that thirst anymore."

These words only intensified Robin's swings. He shuddered; the fear of the truth of Slade's words was overwhelming. Every ounce of anger he had in him at the moment was equivalent to just as many tons of fear. Fear that he really was just like Slade. Fear that he would give into the thrill. Fear that he would eventually become Slade.

It had been a while since they had done this dance, but it seemed as if over that time Robin hadn't improved at all. Which had to be impossible. They could take down Dr. Light within 5 minutes. The Hive Five were a cake walk now.

Without even realizing that he was doing it, Robin brought his bo-staff down hard at Slade's face. The villain stepped back to block it with his fore arm, and the impact left him slightly unbalanced. With a confident smirk, Robin swiftly swept Slade's feet out from under him, and while his rival was on his back Robin planted a firm steel-clad boot in the center of Slade's chest and poised his bo-staff threateningly over the other's windpipe.

Robin's swell of pride stopped short as Slade chuckled darkly. Robin was instantly filled with dread. A white-hot sense of guilt, anger, fear, and frustration replaced his blood.

"Robin, that was ruthless, cunning, and exactly like I taught you. Well done," Slade purred, voice filled with contempt.

Robin removed his foot from its position and backed away as if the act could stop what was coming next. Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, please don't say-

"Apprentice."

With that, Slade disappeared, but Robin didn't notice. He sank to his knees, clutching his head. Deep down inside, there was a part of him that couldn't help but do anything to win. Anything. But that part of him, it was ruthless.

It wouldn't stop. It just wouldn't stop.


A/N: *cough* I hope that was good enough XD I know y'all have been waiting for this for a while… I really hope I didn't like disappoint you or that that was lame. I feel like it was, but that's because I don't want to let y'all down XD It was kinda short, but this felt like where I needed to stop it… yeah… so next chapter, will have Robin contemplation, Raven developments, Cyborg and his EMP, and BB teenage-ness XD so this chapter right? love it, like it, hate it? comment below and let me know! just spill whatever you're thinking (I mean everything) because sometimes that helps me know where I'm going with this, keeps me on track. def going to be BBRae/RobStar btw. love to hear from you, so talk to me :)

-Your friendly, falling hard, neighborhood Sparrow :)