A/N:Hey there...has it really been a month since I updated?
I know I shouldn't be posting such long notes...but I like to ramble...
Well...I am not going to bore or annoy you with the reasons why I haven't updated.
Just a SPECIAL SHOUTOUT to everyone who has read and supported this story.
Really, without you guys, I would had abandoned this story. I am really grateful.
~^^~ (Bat cookie symbol! Bat cookies for you all!)
Thanks for all the reviews! All the good and constructive ones!
FudoTwin17: Yay! I blew your mind! Errr...I think that's good for me...maybe for you too? lol.
Anon: Glad you likey the story. There isn't going to be any comfort...
Swallow Tale: Haha...love your reviews! You make me laugh so much, thank you! :)
Again, thank you all for reviewing!
Oh yeah...this chapter was suppose to be longer, but I cut it in half, so I could update now :P
Disclaimer: I do not own...do not own...do not own...
Any grammer mistakes...I have no beta so you will have to suffer.
Chapter 10
Mount Justice.
It had been a week since the League had heard from the team.
Sure, they knew that the mission could take anywhere from several hours to several days.
They knew very well that the team could handle themselves in any given situation, but a week without word?
The team knew the protocols.
They knew that they were to report.
Especially if there was trouble and if a member was in trouble.
As each day passed, the members of the League grew more worried.
What was going on?
Had they been captured?
Were they seriously injured…or worse?
It was the only reasons they could think of for the team not responding. The Dark Knight had been constantly trying to reach them, but only got static interference. The League waited, patiently, their patience slowly turning into frustration and concern.
If only they knew what was going on...
Just then, Batman strode into the room, wearing a scowl that could frighten the toughest criminal.
"What's going on?" Superman inquired immediately, noticing Batman was tenser than usual. Flash, who had been walking around the room speedily, halted to a stop, while the others eyed the Dark Knight.
"I just made contact with the team"
"Oh thank goodness" Black Canary uttered, sighing in relief.
"What's up with them? Why haven't they been in touch?" Flash inquired curiously.
He was worried about his nephew, not knowing if he was safe or harmed drove him crazy.
Well, not knowing if the team was alright was driving them all crazy.
"It's worse than we thought. The team decided not to make contact in hopes they could solve the dilemma that occurred during the mission" Batman answered gravely.
"What dilemma is that?" Green Arrow inquired, arching an eyebrow.
Batman didn't answer at first.
The members glanced at another worriedly.
"Deathstroke….Slade…has Robin. According to the team, he was taken and hadn't been seen for a week. When they found him…he was leaving a high security building, wearing a replica of Slade's uniform"
All eyes widen, sensing anger and guilt in the Dark Knight's tone.
"That's why I have to leave immediately"
Robin was still befuddled by what had occurred in the parking lot. Emotionally, he felt like they were his friends…they way had looked at him, the way Kid Flash and Aqualad had spoken to him, who according to Slade, were imposters. But logically, he couldn't accept it…He had seen them lifeless… and in body bags.
So which part of him should he listen to?
His heart or his mind?
And what was he going to do about this?
Robin rode through the streets, still pondering on the scene that had occurred. The more he pondered, the more convinced he was that they were the real deal. Imposters couldn't duplicate their powers, he had seen the familiar yellow and red blur of Wally, or completely talk the way his friends, specifically Kaldur, did.
Still…He had never felt this way before, so conflicted, so unsure of everything.
If only he could talk to Bruce...Batman.
His father. His mentor.
Robin sighed and shook his head.
He was going to have to confront Slade…it was completely unavoidable.
What would happen then?
Did it even matter at this point?
Twenty minutes later…
"Excellent work Robin" Slade's velvety voice rang out throughout the room.
Robin now stood under a beam of florescent light, staring at the screens before him that were replaying various angles of his mission. The thermal blaster was held tightly in his hand.
"Your performance was quite impressive…for your first theft mission"
Slade appeared before Robin, who held out the device, eager to get it out of his hand. Slade took it and gazed into those depth blue eyes that belong to his apprentice.
"You had a thrill didn't you, Robin?"
Robin stared into that piercing dark eye, keeping his face impassive, and remained silent.
Slade just chuckled and turned away, walking towards a table that was hidden in the shadows and began disassembling the device, and then began modifying it to his liking.
"You will keep stealing and you will keep getting that thrill" The man uttered pleasingly, finishing his task and then twisted around and strolled back to Robin.
Grabbing the boy's wrist, Slade snapped the blaster into place, but didn't release his grip.
"You aren't having doubts of being my apprentice, are you?" Slade inquired softly, but menacingly.
"Why would you think that?" Robin countered.
"Because I am beginning to doubt your loyalty to me. You don't seem to be very committed" Slade replied, squeezing Robin's wrist hard.
"Well...I am very "committed" to the whole apprenticeship thing" Robin replied hastily, wincing in pain as the grip crushed his wrist.
Slade narrowed his eye, released his grip, and then swiftly backhanded Robin.
The force of the blow caused Robin to stumble and fall to the ground.
"Then I suggest you start acting like you are. If you are loyal and eventually want my trust…" Slade paused coldly, watching his apprentice shakily pick himself up.
"… You will fight whoever dares to interfere in your next mission" he finished, beckoning Robin to stand beside him, and twisted to the screens.
Robin pondered on what to do.
Confront Slade about his friends or act indifferently and go with his plan?
Maybe if he ran into the team again, he could give them a hint or sign…or just not come back to Slade...
"Your next mission Robin…is to infiltrate Wayne Enterprises and retrieve an exclusive high tech microchip"
Robin snapped out of his deliberation as he heard the request.
Slade wanted him to steal…from his own mentor? His father?
Out of the corner of his eye, Slade caught the slight shocked expression on the boy's face, which was instantly replaced by the same impassive one as before.
But Slade had caught it and wondered why it affected him.
"Does that trouble you, apprentice?"
"Of course not" the boy replied huffily.
"Then you may leave"
Wordlessly, Robin left the room, his steel lined boots clinking softly.
Slade stood rooted to his spot for several minutes, letting Robin gain a head start before following. Once the noise had faded, Slade then followed.
He would overlook this mission personally…
Meanwhile, the team along with Victor and Raven stood outside waiting for the Dark Knight's arrival.
"Batmobile or Bet Jet?" Wally inquired out loud.
"Which vehicle is faster?'' Superboy inquired.
"The Bat Jet?" M'gann guessed.
"I'd say they both are equally fast." Victor answered, shrugging his mechanical broad shoulders.
"I think he will be taking the Bat Jet. The Batmobile would have to travel through over fifteen hours to get here, dealing with traffic and refueling" Wally said thoughtfully.
"Does it matter? As long as he gets here, that's all that matters" Artemis snapped.
"I agree" Raven murmured with a nod.
"I like her...she would be a great addition" Artemis said, giving the violet haired and eyed girl a grin.
Raven gave a small smile in return.
It grew silent, as they peered along the street and sky for any sign of Batman. If anyone could locate and find Robin, it would be him. He wasn't the called the World's Greatest Detective for nothing.
Suddenly, all seven teens jumped, startled as a roaring sound instantly rang in their ears.
"I was right! Bet Jet!" Wally exclaimed, tilting his head back, looking upwards. The others followed his example and saw the large flying vehicle hovering above them. Then they watched as Batman leapt from the cockpit, landing gracefully and silently on the ground. A hissing noise was heard as the top slid shut and then the Bat Jet zoomed up into the lingering clouds.
"Whoa…I can't believe I am standing in the presence of Batman" Victor muttered in awe.
Batman eyed him and Raven suspiciously, but then focused on the team.
"You will be heavily evaluated when this is over" Batman began.
" Our adversary is unlike the other criminals that you had faced. He's dangerous and clever. He has eluded the League for quite some time"
"You mean you knew who was doing this?" Wally exclaimed in disbelief.
Batman nodded.
"And you didn't inform us?" Aqualad inquired, also surprised.
"It was a terrible mistake on my part"
"Who has Robin? Who is it?" Wally demanded.
Batman glared at the impatient redheaded teen, seeing the worry in the speedster's face. He could see it in all the teens' faces, even the two unknown ones.
"He is a mastermind criminal and once the world's deadliest assassin who went by Deathstorke the Terminator…but currently goes by Slade"
"He sounds like bad news" Raven commented dryly.
"More then you know" Batman replied gravely and with a nod.
Wally gave an exasperated sigh.
"You couldn't tell us all this before the mission?"
Batman scowled.
"Like I said, it was a mistake on my part. I did not anticipate that the mission would end up like this"
"So, what is the plan now?" Superboy inquired, crossing his arms.
Batman looked at each of them.
"You are to stay here. I will alert you if I need backup"
"NO!"
All eyes gazed at Wally in surprise, who now looked livid.
"With all due respect Batman, but my best friend is out there, being controlled by some mastermind villain. He needs us too" Wally said heatedly.
Batman narrowed his eyes.
He had to give the kid credit and respect. He was a fierce and loyal friend to Robin and he couldn't ask anyone better.
But Batman couldn't let the team fall into Slade's hands as Robin had.
This was his fault...his battle now.
"I'm sorry, but no. If Robin has been in Slade's clutches this long, he may be mentally and emotionally unstable"
"That's why he needs us" Wally argued.
The others just stood there silently and let their eyes flicker back and forth between the Dark Knight and Kid Flash.
Batman fell silent, brooding over the matter.
Artemis, who studied and sincerely admired Wally's fierce determination, spoke up.
"Face it Batman, you couldn't stop us from coming even if you tried. One, we outnumber you and secondly, can follow you. I am a excellent tracker"
Batman stared at the blonde archer and then at the others.
"Fine…but we are doing this my way"
They all nodded in agreement.
"I have one particular place that Slade could strike. We need to leave now"
"Then lead the way Batman" Aqualad said gently, but firmly.
A/N: Soooo...yeah...Chapter 10!
Please let me know what you think!
Will have next chapter up soon...
See you later my awesome readers :)