Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or any other DC characters.
Author's Comments: RIP Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, and my friend Geoff Jones. Karate is not the same without you Geoff.
Chapter 9 – A Man of Simple Tastes
"We have to evacuate all the hospitals," Nightwing informed the Commissioner.
"Do you realize how many hospitals there are in Jump City?" the Commissioner asked.
"I am aware there are nine hospital," Nightwing rubbed his temples. "However, if we can mobilize every police unit we may be able to empty them all out."
"Even with all our forces mobilized there won't be enough people to evacuate all the hospitals," the Commissioner frowned. "We need more people!"
"Hello Commissioner," Slade spoke from the doorway. "Long time no see."
"Slade!" the Commissioner was clearly shocked to see the villain. Then he frowned. "Nightwing, what is he doing here?"
"As much as I hate it," Nightwing glared back at Slade. "Slade is actually going to help us stop the Joker."
"This is someone who may be worse than myself my dear Commissioner," Slade spoke smoothly, though there was an undercurrent of anger in his voice. "Also, I would very much like to take him down for what he did to me."
"What exactly did he do to you?" the Commissioner demanded.
"You surprise me my dear Commissioner," Slade scoffed. "Don't you watch the News?"
"Ah," the Commissioner smiled. "See I thought that you well deserved being crucified. If it had been my choice I wouldn't have taken you down."
"You wound me deeply my dear sir," Slade sneered.
"If only I could do it physically," the Commissioner glared at the villain. Slade simply chuckled.
"Commissioner," Nightwing interrupted. "You can deal with Slade at a later date we need to get started on evacuating the hospital."
"Fine," the Commissioner barked. Then he pointed his finger at the villain. "This isn't over though. You can count on that Slade!"
"Oh I look forward to it Sir," Slade replied.
- Scene Break -
The lair was dark. Punk Rocket, Johnny Rancid, and Dr. Light were sitting at a table. Red X was off to the side. They were watching the Joker. He hadn't spoken since Control Freak's body had been broadcasted. Instead, he sat building a tower out of playing cards. Johnny turned to the others.
"So uh, can we trust this guy?" he hissed.
"I am not sure," Dr. Light replied. "However, if he can help me get my revenge, I'll take it." Punk Rocket looked up from his guitar.
"Light," he frowned. "That's the first time I have heard you not use a light pun. What's wrong mate?" Behind them, Joker began laughing hysterically as he flew a little toy plane at his card tower. As he crashed them together, he made an exploding noise.
"Perhaps he is uneasy about working with someone who is truly unhinged," Red X suggested. "As evil as Slade is, he isn't crazy."
"Slade usually had a plan that was complete," Punk Rocket added. "He wasn't just playing by ear."
"Time fore fifty-two card pick-up!" Joker announced. He flung the cards at the four villains. As the cards hit the ground, they exploded. The villains dove out of the way.
"He's clearly a few cards short of a full deck," Johnny panted as Joker laughed maniacally.
"I don't care how crazy he is," Dr. Light replied. "I just want to kill the witch."
"You said that already," Red X replied, dusting himself off.
"Doesn't make it any less true," Dr. Light argued. "I'm sure you want to finish of their fearless leader o you not?"
"Now it's time to move forward!" Joker announced.
"Are you daft mate?" Punk Rocket bellowed. "You could've killed one of us!"
"Exactly," Joker grinned widely. "Think of how exciting that would've been!"
"Exciting for who?" Punk Rocket demanded.
"Just let it go Punk," Johnny muttered, picking himself up.
"You aren't very much fun," Joker stood and made his way over to Punk Rocket. The other villains watched in trepidation. "Why so serious?" He asked, taking out the knife.
"It would be pointless to kill him Joker," Red X spoke up. "We can still use him." However, Joker didn't seem to be paying attention. He placed the edge of the knife against Punk Rocket's face.
"Let's put a smile on that face!" he exclaimed.
- Scene Break -
Changeling groaned and raised his hand to his head. His head was throbbing. He tried to remember what had happened. He had decided to go get Raven at the hospital and then...darkness.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty," Changeling jumped up at the sound of Slade's voice. The villain was leaning against the doorway, leering in at him.
"What happened?" Changeling demanded. "Last I remember I was going to go get Raven from the Hospital."
"Oh well you know," Slade shrugged. "Words were exchanged, you lost your temper, I hit you over the head with my bow-staff, same old, same old." Changeling stalked towards him.
"Why did you stop me?" he growled.
"Well dear boy," Slade's voice was amused. "As much as causing you pain is enough to strike you down, I did it because retrieving your beloved Raven is not as good a plan as you think."
"She could be a target!" Changeling waved his arms. "Why can't anyone see that?"
"Your leader is not blind," Slade's voice was bored now.
"Well he sure as hell acts like it!" Changeling spat. "If it were Starfire he would go get her, but he won't let me get Raven!"
"Ah love," Slade shook his head. "It truly does make its sufferers blind."
"Don't try to sympathize Slade," Changeling growled.
"Oh believe me dear boy," Slade snorted. "I'm not. You're the one who's blind. You don't see that attempting a rescue would doom Raven to certain death. Though I may relish the idea of her death, it shall not be at anyone's hands but mine."
"How would you know?" Changeling protested. "If we leave her, she could be the one that the Joker is after. I will not lose another loved one!" Slade leaned down so that he was looking the shape-shifter in the eyes.
"If you try to go after her," he whispered. "Joker will most definitely set off the explosion that would cause her death!"
"You can't know that!" Changeling clenched his fists. Slade laughed softly.
"Oh but I can dear boy," he replied. "Because it's what I would do." Changeling growled. "I will help you get her, but only if I can get the Joker. You help me with that and I will help you save your precious Raven. However, you must control your temper and listen to what people tell you to do."
"I don't know if I can just sit and wait knowing that she's all alone and vulnerable in a hospital while there's a madman out there who probably wants her dead," Changeling grimaced.
"You're going to have to," Slade replied. "Her life might depend on it."
- Scene Break -
The lair was filled with screams. Punk Rocket was tied to a chair, blood running down his face. Red X was poised over him, a needle and thread in hand, trying to stitch up the gashes from Punk Rocket's mouth to ears.
"Hold still!" Red X commanded.
"It hurts you twat!" Punk Rocket screamed.
"Now you'll always be smiling," Joker seemed proud of his handiwork.
"At least it will stop him from talking for a while," Johnny muttered. Beside him, Dr. Light turned green at the site of Punk Rocket's ruined face. He turned and ran.
"Hey!" Mammoth bellowed, and easily caught up to the villain. "Where do you think you're going Mr. Human Light-bulb? We've got work to do!"
"So much for all the tough talk about killing Raven," Johnny sneered. "He sees a little blood and runs like the coward he is." Dr. Light vomited on Mammoth. "Pathetic."
"Who said I would kill her right away?" Dr. Light wiped his mouth as he spoke. Mammoth glared at him.
"What are you going to do with her then?" Johnny demanded.
"That is none of you concern," Dr. Light informed him.
"All talk," Johnny muttered.
"Will you twats shut up!" Punk Rocket howled.
"Stop moving!" Red X bellowed.
"Once you gentlemen have yourselves together," Joker paused here to giggle. "We will continue with the next stage that I just thought of." He rummaged around inside his purple coat. "Using my old friends dynamite, and gasoline."
"So we really are going to blow up a hospital?" Dr. Light breathed.
"That's what the boss said!" Mammoth roared, shaking the villain. "Are you questioning him?"
"Am I going to have to put a smile on your face too?" Joker asked Dr. Light. The villain went white.
"No!" he squeaked. Beside him, Johnny snorted. "I just wondered if I could request that the bomb be put in the hospital where the witch is."
"That was all part of the plan," Joker replied.
"Good," Dr. Light smiled in satisfaction. "Then she will die."
"Who knows," Joker grinned. "We'll have to wait and see how the plan plays out."
