A/N: *depressed sigh* I'm such a fail at life. he was right there. and I like a whimp I couldn't even say 'hey, [insert name here]!' *face palm* but of course Dawn's all suave and can get any guy she wants. whatever bro. so to what you all actually came here for! I'm hoping this chapter will be good… I haven't written it yet so I wouldn't know XD because I write my beginning A/N's before the story. So! a big honking thank you to:
Isabell4014, lluvialpz, and Sandikat for recently favoriting/ following my story! I always appreciate new followers *hippie peace signs*
Dreams2Paper11: thank you so much! it means a lot that they're in character :) I try to make this as 'to the show' as possible while still having my plot line… and I know what you mean. they're characters too! and your wish is my command *bow* but idk if your review was cut off or not XD; Sadie Aurora Night: I'm so glad I gave you goose bumps! yes! accomplishment! and since the hat obviously didn't work for me… here ya go. and I actually drew the pic, it's our profile not the title (idk what to do for the title pic of this, if you have any suggestions I'd be grateful) and it's the pending cover for the sequel to Dawn's fic (S&D: Identity Crisis); Dragon Firefang: glad you're loving it! I live for it! XD and your wish is my command ;) ; deets1: you don't understand how much I long and wait for your reviews XD I'm so glad I gave you that creepy twisted smile! I know I only get those from really good apprentice fics! yes! there are so many things I want to say to you, but that would make this long, and I'd probably reveal the last half of this story XD; READINGhearts17: oh but dear fan, he has made his move *evil laughter* you'll see… you'll all see… *cackle*; Deathstroke Terminator: I'm glad you think it's awesome! but I've just got to ask, are you like a chapter behind? because you always seem to review on the chapter before the one I posted XD just wondering… anyway I hope you like this *crosses fingers*
Now read!
The final phase of his plan was now in play.
The seeds of doubt had been planted. And where there's doubt, there's opportunity.
Opportunity for corruption. Opportunity for manipulation. Opportunity for victory.
Slade chuckled at the masterpiece he had created. Two Titans out of the way. One trapped, the other waging a civil war. It was a simple 'win-win' situation for Blackfire. It didn't take much asking. Mention the words 'Tamaran will be yours' and she had already agreed to help like the pawn she was.
Now only the two other Titans hindered his plan, but their demise was already in the making.
Then all that stood between him and his perfect apprentice was a few… conversations.
"So, Rorek… have any ideas?" Raven asked in a quiet voice. Rorek and she were sitting across from each other on the cobbled terrace. She wouldn't admit it, but she was scared. She didn't know how to get out of this one. And apparently Rorek wasn't much help.
"My lady, I am sorrowful to say that I have been trying for the past 400 years to get out of this cursed book, and I have not found a way without outside help," Rorek placated in his Old English accent. His white hair shadowed his pale face, making him look like a crestfallen angel.
Raven shook the thought from her head. She needed to focus. What could be different about this situation than when Rorek was in here with Malchior? Well, maybe the black magic was too strong for Rorek, but Raven knew some black magic from… him…
"Of course!" she exclaimed. She leaned towards the wizard, hair swinging in front of her spectacular purple eyes. "What was different between this time and the times you've tried to get out before, Rorek?"
"I am not exactly sure where you are going with this… let me see… OH! I was only trying to disentangle myself from the spell, as to not take the vile Malchior beast with me!"
"Exactly! But now, it's just us. And we both need to get out. Do you know anything for that?"
"Why actually," Rorek said, eyes glittering, "I happen to know just the thing."
Robin had somehow made his way back to the Tower. He was too shocked to remember the exact details, but that didn't really matter. He stood, leaning against one of the newspaper covered walls in his room, scrutinizing the others.
The Teen Titans Triumph Again!
Lights Out for Dr. Light!
Mad Mod's Madness Stopped!
Shifting his gaze slightly to the left, he saw a set of different headlines.
Masked Mastermind Strikes Again!
Who is Slade?
Criminal Can't Be Kicked!
What's Happened to the Boy Wonder?
Robin shut his eyes, thanking his lucky stars the press hadn't seen what had actually happened to him all that time ago. He had a certain vigilante to thank for his well adept stealth skills. The populace would never trust him again if they actually knew.
But… he couldn't stop thinking about it. Had he really enjoyed… stealing? Even more than being a hero? He couldn't even hold the notion long enough without being disgusted with himself. He was one of the good guys. He couldn't possibly…
But. He cursed at himself, looking down at the floor. There was always a 'but' or a 'what if'.
What if he really was just like Slade? Never… right? They were serious, focused, determined, ruthless, cunning, intelligent, logical, had trust issues… But Robin had friends. Wasn't that what he said? He smirked grimly. It was kind of a half-hearted reason to not be like someone when all the evidence of the opposite was so large.
What if he really did miss the thrill? The chase? Thwarting those foolish guards- he cut the thought short. A pang of sadness rang through him. He would forever be in denial on that topic.
Then the last 'what if'. What if… he would become Slade? He still remembered the dream he had all that time ago. That when he finally yanked off Slade's mask, it would be his own likeness underneath. Was that foreshadowing? Was that his destiny?
If it was, he wasn't confident he could stop it.
Cyborg had heard Robin come back, but the look on his face said he needed some time. Then Cyborg would be the supportive friend, second-in-command. For now, he continued to fiddle with the small piece of machinery in his hands.
The EMP was going to be awesome. That was the only word the cybernetic teen could think of for the device. Awesome.
A thought niggling at the back of his head, Cyborg carefully set his brain child down. Beast Boy hadn't checked in all day. Opening the small yellow communicator, Cyborg contacted his little buddy.
"Yo, BB! Where you been, man?"
Beast Boy's green eyes held a faraway look. From what Cyborg could make out from the setting sun reflecting on the water, he was sitting on the rocky side of their dear little island.
"I'm fine, Cy. Haven't seen hide or hair of Raven, Terra, or Charlie." His normally scratchy, high voice was very dejected. "Hold on a minute. I'm getting another call."
"Robin here."
"Hey, Rob! I meant to ask you earlier-" Cyborg started, but was cut off.
"Beast Boy, have you gotten any news on Terra or… Charlie… lately?"
"I was just telling Borgie here that's a negative," Beast Boy replied, snickering and perking up at Robin's tentative use of the code name.
"Alright," Robin replied, ending his part in the call.
"That was awkward," Beast Boy stated, a slight smile still gracing his green face.
"Not as awkward as you calling me 'Borgie'!" Cyborg exclaimed, indignant.
Beast Boy erupted into a laughing fit, dropping his communicator. Cyborg was left looking at a picture of the sunset and hearing his friend's dying hysterics.
Robin was going to do it against his better judgment. He had to know. He just had to.
A/N: what does Robin just have to know!? where is our dear little Titan going!? is Rorek's new spell going to work?! will Cyborg accept being called Borgie?! find out next week in Today Is That Day! XD okay well uhm, this one was actually a little longish. I wanted to fit a lot in here this week (taking into consideration what Dreams2Paper11 and Dragon Firefang wanted to see ;) ) I hope it was good XD so did you guys like it, love it, hate it? comment below and let me know! love to hear from my peeps! lay it on me guys!
-Your friendly neighborhood Sparrow