Hi guys!
Sorry, exams have been quite overbearing…
Scratch that, VERY overbearing, so we finally bring you the final chapter to Bitter Sweet Cinnamon.
Yes you heard correctly, FINAL chapter…
So thank you all for reading and reviewing and we hope you continue to do so . We find your comments very helpful so please continue.
Righty-O, that's enough of us for now.
Enjoy!
.:SmokinLeech:.
Chapter 10
The solid door closed behind him as Robin silently exited Titans Tower. He kick started his bike and managed to get the engine going the first time, revving twice he speeded into the night.
One thing was on his mind; no matter what, he would kill Slade; even if it meant dying, he would take Slade along with him.
He drove through the dark streets, marking off the landmarks that were leading him to Slade in his head, as he drew nearer to his enemy.
As he turned a corner his thoughts travelled to Raven. Her expression of when she walked out of his door still lingered in his mind, the way her eyes echoed her sadness. He was doing this out of his love for her and partially anger, revenged seemed to be filling him up inside as he sped up, the images that flew past seemed to blur.
It didn't take him long to find the place he was looking for.
He let the engine die, parking his R-cycle next to a nearby wall and turned to look up at the large 20 story building.
It was an old office building that was due for demolition any time now, but for now it sad idly in a deserted lot. Robin walked slowly towards the building, eyes darting in every direction as he put his senses on full alert.
Burnt out cars were scattered around, covering most of the area, bringing a heavy sense of destruction. It felt cold and unwelcoming, the looming mist in the air not making it any better, Robin thought to himself.
He reached the entrance; pushing open the two large doors and entered into a darkness filled room. He took out the mini flash light that was stored away in his belt, flicking it on.
He shone its light across the room, illuminating the blackened and disarrayed desks and reception equipment. Tiny ash flakes could be seen floating down in front of his torch light, falling into piles on the floor.
He remembered now. This building, there had been a massive fire here a few months ago, an accident that managed to claim the lives of so many people. These were the kinds of emergencies that were left for the proper authorities, not a bunch of super teenagers, he thought dimly, putting a hand on a blackened table next to him.
His senses perked up as he heard a metallic thump to his right, in a quick fluid movement he managed to pull out one of his bird-a-rangs and fling it towards the approaching foe, hearing him crash to the ground.
As Robin ran towards what had hit, he noticed it was only one of Slade's minions, which now had a bird-a-rang lodged between its eyes. He scowled down at the bot, giving it a kick with his steel plated boot until something caught his eye.
He reached down for a little sheet of paper that was lodged in the side of the bots neck.
Top floor.
Robin scrunched the note in his hand, already heading up the stairs to where his enemy awaited him.
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He kicked open the roof top door, landing with his staff at the ready, eyes darting around until they found what they were looking for.
Slade stood only a few feet away, arms crossed as he gazed over the side of the building.
"I take it you found my note." He said in an even monotone voice, still not looking at him. "I'm impressed you knew to find me here tonight."
"You made it pretty clear. I just followed all the clues you left." He replied darkly, tightening his grip on his bo-staff.
"Such a smart boy…" Slade oozed, turning his head to the side, one of his fingers igniting, "It's such a shame to have to destroy someone with your amount of talent."
Slade thrusted his finger forward, sending out a stream of fire towards Robin. Robin pulled his cape in front of him, managing to protect himself from the blaze.
"Your little fire-proof cape won't protect you for long," Slade warned, kicking off the ground with glowing fists and landing in front of Robin. Throwing punches at him from every direction, Slade attacked him with sheer force. Robin managed to dodge most of Slade's punches, but noticed the ones that landed left behind harsh burns in his skin that managed to scorch through the fabric of his uniform.
"Stings, doesn't it? But I bet it doesn't hurt as much as it did when I made you watch…" Slade said as he grabbed Robin's thrown fist. "As I raped her," He whispered in a deadly whisper followed by an icy snicker.
Robin let out a yell as he used his other hand to punch Slade under the jaw, sending him backwards. Slade landed and rebounded back towards Robin, his fist colliding with the side of Robin's chest, creating a sickening cracking sound. Robin cried out in pain as he fell back onto the concrete, clutching his broken ribs.
"This is why you're weak. You're too attached to your emotions." Slade said approaching him, rubbing his jaw. "Pathetic."
He sent a kick to Robin's open side, sending him another few feet back.
Robin shakily rose to his feet, clutching at his side, his other hand reaching for his bo-staff that had been abruptly discarded. Swinging it hard he managed make impact with the side of Slade's mask, a crack forming along the side of it as he stumbled back.
"Now look what you did." Slade seethed, coming towards him once more, glowing fists raised for contact.
Just as Slade swung a fist for Robin's face he stopped suddenly, as he felt a long sharp object penetrate his shoulder. He looked down to see Robin stabbing one of his bird-a-rangs deeply into him.
He pushed Robin away, clenching his teeth at the object in him. He cocked his head to face Robin, a dark smirk creeping on to his hidden face as the bird-a-rang glowed a harsh red and melted off him, falling into an oozing puddle on the ground. "You are going to need more than those little toys of yours to defeat me, boy!" Slade said in a mocking voice.
Robin looked in horror at the puddle that had once been his bird-a-rang. This man…this thing was indestructible. Slade saw his distraction and took advantage in his lapse of judgment, barreling towards Robin and thrusting his head to the ground with his fist.
He collided into the concrete forcefully, the taste of metallic salt formed in Robin's mouth as he tried to see through the blur which his surroundings had become. "You really are pathetic." Slade hissed, bringing his face closer to his opponent's, pressing his face harder into the concrete.
Robin let out a pained moan as Slade knelt his one knee on Robin's back, then placed his foot on the back of Robins upper arm, grabbing his wrist with his own. "Look where the dashing hero is now." Slade continued in his low husky voice, pulling Robin's arm backwards a little causing him to yell out in pain. "On the brink of death."
With a quick jerk and a loud snap, Slade bent Robin's arm back, making him scream in agony until his voice broke. Slade lifted himself off of his writhing opponent, another dirty smirk forming. "Is this the best of your fighting abilities, Robin?" He taunted from where he stood, folding his arms in front of him.
Robin winced as he attempted to stand, pushing himself off the hard concrete, wobbling as he did so, his arm hanging limply by his side.
"I'm not done with you yet." Robin growled, spitting out the blood in his mouth, his breathing was ragged and uneven as he tried to shield the pain. Once he had composed himself he charged at Slade again.
Slade had expected no less from Robin. He had to give him credit for his determination. Although he attained multiple injuries he continued to fight back even though he could hardly stand.
Quite impressive, the power of ones will.
They continued to match blows and kicks for several minutes, Slade having the advantage over Robin due to his dulled reflexes because of his severe wounds, but he was still not letting up.
Slade jumped backwards after receiving another kick from his foe, this was getting him nowhere, why wasn't Robin dying yet? He needed to finish him off before his own energy drained.
Robin posed himself in the defense position, trying to regain some strength. How was he supposed to defeat Slade with his new demonic powers? There had to be a weakness…
Robins head cocked up to look at Slade's right hand. The ring. The source of his power! If he could somehow destroy it he would have a better chance of beating Slade.
"This has gone on long enough, it ends here!" Slade yelled from where he stood. His hands raised together, a long line of fire formed between them and as he pulled his hands further apart it became longer and thicker, until it solidified into a sword-shaped object.
"I guarantee you won't survive after this goes through your heart." Slade growled angrily, launching another attack, thrusting the blade forward.
Robins masked eyes widened as he felt the sharp, burning, metallic sword pierce through his stomach, causing him to cough up large amounts of thick blood. Slade cackled eyeing Robin carefully, still holding the blade.
"Poor little Robin; going to die before he managed to avenge his lover. Too bad." Said Slade in a mocking tone
"Ah well, don't worry. I will personally make sure she's not alone." He narrowed his eye as he brought his mouth near Robin's ear.
"As I claim her again and again…" He breathed, speaking each word slowly.
Robin let out an enraged scream, mustering what was left of his strength to kick Slade in the Stomach, sending him and his blade a few feet back.
Robin fell to his knees, wheezing and clutching around himself to try stop the bleeding, until he saw Slade's blade lying close by him.
This was his chance.
Robin grabbed the hot blade, feeling it burn through his gloves, the melting material burned into his skin, but he had to ignore the pain.
Slade roared as he came for Robin again, his fists blazing.
This was it. Now or never.
With the last of his remaining energy, Robin swung the blade high over his head, bringing it down as Slade thrusted his fist forward towards him.
The Blade cut cleanly through Slade's right hand, sending it falling to the ground, the ring still intact. Slade screamed in pain, his demonic powers being drained from his body.
Robin turned to where Slade's dismembered limb lay, the ring suddenly becoming engulfed in light, small beams breaking through it surface until it started vibrating. Robin ducked to the floor as the ring exploded in a matter of seconds, sending the two flying and shaking the building violently until its light disappeared.
Robin scrambled to his feet to look over the side of the building where Slade was thrown. He scanning below for any signs of a corpse, but he couldn't see anything.
He must have got away, but at least he no longer possessed the powers of the now destroyed ring.
With that Robin's legs buckled underneath him as his head spun, sending him falling back onto the ground.
He spent a few minutes staring at the dark sky above, his vision becoming more blurry as the stars started to slowly fade out.
He imagined hearing Raven calling his name for the last time, holding her closely to him and kissing her. Her calling echoed in his head as he slipped into semi-consciousness. He imagined her keeling down next to him, pulling his head into her lap, stroking back his matted fringe with her finger tips. As she whispered words of comfort to him, his world went black.
TTTT
Raven watched him with tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she held him close, his damaged body lying motionless against hers.
She couldn't bring herself to stay at home; the explosion had led her here, only to find Robin lying broken on the concrete.
"You can't leave without me." She said sternly, tears falling gently onto his face.
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