Chapter 10
12:20 AM
Mount Justice
November 14th 2010
The Titans and the members of the Justice League arrived in the hangar too see the Team walking out depressed and younger Robin with bruises and being held by Zatanna.
"Team what happened!" Batman ordered an explanation of how Robin sustained those injuries.
"Batman, we were investigating the factory as you instructed until we were attacked by machine men and the building exploded" Kaldur reported with his head hanging in shame.
"And what happened to Robin!" Batman growled; it was good that Kaldur gave him a mission report but it wasn't the thing on his mind at the moment.
"Robin fought Deathstroke" Superboy simply said making the rest of the League and by extension the Titans concerned right away. They were surprised that he was able to live after fighting him.
"Robin is this true?" Batman asked his ward who was still in Zatanna's arms.
"No" young Robin replied which made the team stunned.
"What dude of course it was. I mean sure his suit looks different and he was a robot…. but his mask is the same design and makes an awesome souvenir!" Wally held up Slade's mask which made Robin stand still as his blood ran cold. He marched towards Wally and took the mask; not even caring about courtesy at this point.
"No!" was the only word he could muster and he looked at his younger counterpart who only nodded "Are you sure?" older Robin asked in a different tone everyone was unfamiliar with; if they didn't know better, they could say that Robin was…afraid?
"Yeah, he introduced himself after he gave me a beating of a life time" young Robin replied to his older self who went from being afraid to pure fury.
"If it wasn't Deathstroke then who was it?" Black Canary asked; being confused like the others.
"Slade!" Robin muttered which the Titans obviously understood and were flabbergasted by this piece of news.
"Dude are you sure? I mean he couldn't have crossed universes right?" Kid Flash pointed out in a nervous tone.
"His mask is here and my younger self just met one of his Slade-bots. He's here!" Robin explained as he continued to look at the mask making the others worried.
"Wait so your universe's Deathstroke did this to Robin" Batman said as more of a fact than a question.
"Yeah. But how did he get here? None of this makes sense!" older Robin was now starting to get angry again until his younger counterpart spoke up.
"That's not all. He knew that you were here in this universe"
Older Robin was shocked at this and his younger counterpart informed the rest of them about his encounter with Slade and none of them were happy of what they heard.
"So he wanted me to come to this universe?" older Robin asked as he gritted his teeth.
"Yeah and there's something else he said but…" younger Robin couldn't muster enough courage to end his sentence.
"Dude come on spit it out" Wally encouraged his friend to confess.
"Robin if it's relevant to Slade; we need to know" Batman stated and Robin sighed.
"He said that the other Robin will be 'his' again. What did he mean by that?" young Robin revealed and asked his older self who had his back towards the others.
"Nothing!" older Robin replied but the others weren't stupid to leave it like that.
"It can't be nothing. You guys have a history and it clearly is something bigger than the whole nemesis thing! So tell us!" young Robin retorted and before his older counterpart could say anything; Red Tornado spoke.
"Team. League. The Cave is getting a transmission from an unknown source?"
Everyone was confused and made their way to the mission room where they saw Slade on the holographic screen.
"Hello Robin" he greeted in his usual chilling tone making the temperature drop and the tension rise.
"Slade!" older Robin hissed and everyone was staring at the man on the screen.
"How did you access the frequency!" Batman demanded to know how he managed to hack into one of the most secure locations on the planet. He upgraded the security after the Reds attacked.
"You see Batman, the minute my mask entered your cave; it only took only a couple of minutes for me to find the signal it was emitting and bypass your security. It was easy. Child's play" Slade explained and everyone was quick to look at Wally; the one who brought the mask.
"My bad" he spoke rather quietly and ashamed.
"Relax. I only wanted to talk. I know better than to attack your hideout; I wouldn't have anything to gain from it" Slade stated in a domineering tone. He was a threat all right.
"What do you want Slade! How did you get here anyway?" older Robin demanded to know what his arch-nemesis was doing in another universe.
"Well Robin I could ask you the same thing; you arrived earlier than expected. You must really be determined to catch me" Slade replied in a condescending tone angering Robin even more.
"Stop dodging the question and answer already!" older Robin proclaimed making the other see how much he hated Slade.
"Alright. A few months ago I came across a; Father Box as you will call it and it got me thinking that it can be much more than just a dimensional corridor and after tinkering around I was transported here" Slade explained in less than a detailed explanation.
"So you did obtain a Father Box?" Batman stated "Stupid of you tinkering around with a godly device"
"I suppose it is. But you see I saw an oppurtunity and I took it. The minute I came here; I discovered about your...oh what's the word: your team of sidekicks..." Slade intentionally used the taboo word around here to push their buttons.
"We're not sidekicks!" young Robin retorted voicing all the young heroes thoughts.
"I beg to differ. I thought you were going to be a challenge, an actual contender to stop my plans but your all just children playing hero. Your not worth my time and attention!" Slade insulted the Team once again and the Justice League were really starting to not like Slade. Probably because they still think of the Team as children.
"We're not children!" young Robin spat out along with the Team agreeing with him.
"But you are! Especially you Robin" Slade pointed out making younger Robin even more annoyed "You see your not like your older counterpart. Your not in it like he is. You still have fun fighting criminals in a costume and the thrill you get on each mission. You lack the discipline, the destructive drive to complete the matter at hand; to peak my interest. You can achieve it but your too afraid to actually do it. Disappointing!" Slade analyzed the younger Robin who was so taken aback of what he heard, he hung his head.
Truth is, he is afraid. Too be that self destructive hero that does anything to complete the mission. He realized that after the...excersise! He hated to be like that and was afraid to turn out like that it made him vow to not turn into that hero. How Slade figured that out was mind boggling. As a comforting notion; Batman put his hand on his shoulder which was a sign to not let this maniac intimidate him. Slade saw this and continued talking.
"Aww. A father-son moment. How very touching. Jealous Robin?"
Robin only scowled at this comment. Everyone was confused by this.
"Jealous how this Batman cares for your younger self while the other one. The one you claimed was your father; threw you out of his life!"
Everyone was visibly stunned by this except for the Titans and Batman. Younger Robin could only feel more sombre as he was now reminded of the inter-dimensional Dynamic Duo's split. Everyone in the cave looked at Robin in a mixure of shock, sadness and understanding; while older Robin is too busy with being seethed in rage that he hardly noticed them.
"SHUT UP!" older Robin shouted causing most members of the Team to step back.
"Struck a nerve did I. You know Robin I would've been a much better father to you than he ever was. But you didn't give me a chance"
Batman gave Slade the meanest Bat-Glare he could muster. How dare he mock him and his parenting skills. Sure he may not have been the best dad and he can't say anything about his other counterpart but he was damn sure he was better than this madman.
"Fathers don't try to kill their sons you audacious maniac. Not saying you were ever a father to me!" older Robin spat out with as much hate and venom he could show!
"Perhaps. But if you weren't so stubborn and disobediant I wouldn't have had to resort to that"
Everyone was confused by this even the Titans. They never knew Slade almost killed Robin?
"Now if I may continue. I saw no real challenge from your little team like I got from the Titans and defeating the Justice League wasn't going to be that engaging either"
The Justice League frowned at that comment and internally scoffed.
"So I decided to include you Robin to my dimensional fun. The only one to actually make things interesting, someone who peaks my interest, someone like me!"
"I am nothing like you!" Robin imediately barked out in anger.
"Instead of these cryptic comments why don't you tell us where your hiding?" Batman had enough of this dance and decided to ask the allusive question.
"Patience Batman. You will find out as soon as I draft a new plan regarding to my Robin's sudden appearance and take into consideration his new friends involvement as well" Slade explained making the Team shudder at the thought of being mentioned by Slade "But I want you to know Robin by the end of all this, when your all alone: you will once again be mine!" Slade finished with such conviction that it made the group seriously sacred and the transmission ended.
Everyone was silent after that.
"That was creepy" Wally stated as that was the understatement of the year.
Older Robin threw down the mask in anger and stepped on it; smashing it into pieces.
"OK dude I know your miffed but you owe us an explanation!" young Robin walked up to his older counterpart who can't even speak either from seething rage or shuddering fright "What does he mean; he was clearly referencing something and goading you?"
"I can't" older Robin mustered the only words he could say.
"What do you mean you can't?" younger Robin angrily replied and then he felt a clasp on his shoulder which was done by Batman.
"Perhaps this isn't he best place for this" Batman stated as he walked to the Zeta Tube and typed in a code and nodded to the two birds and walked through.
'02- Batman'
Younger Robin knew what was happening and walked towards the Zeta Tube turning back to look at his older counterpart.
"You coming?"
Older Robin took a moment to think things over and after thinking he moved towards the Zeta Tube and the two birds travled to the Bat-Cave.
'B01- Robin'
'B01- Robin'
Everyone was now confused of what to do.
The Justice League knew Batman was going to find Slade and this seemed to be Batman's duty so they all internally agreed that they should wait until they hear from him.
Meanwhile the Team were recuperating from that phone call with the inter-dimensional Deathstroke and they looked at the Titans for some sort of confirmation of what just happened.
"What?" Speedy asked as the Team and Justice League were staring at them.
"Have any idea of what that was about?" Green Arrow asked his inter-dimensional former protege.
"I don't know. Why do you think we know?" Kid Flash was confused of why they would know something about Slade.
"What do you mean? You are Robin's teammates right?" Wonder Woman sternly asked the Titans.
"We're Titans but we aren't on the same team. Besides we know Slade by stories the other Titans on Robin's team told us and anything else outside of that; we don't know?" Garth explained.
"Wait so you guys know nothing about Slade?" Superman now asked the remaining Titans.
"No not really" Kid Flash answered with a hint of uneasiness.
That didn't leave anyone satisfied.
"Hey Batman is working on it and I suggest we should wait until he gives us further details and until then I say we should continue our buisness" Green Arrow suggested which in the end made everyone continue on with the day.
But no one was comfortable yet.
Bat-Cave
12:42 AM
November 14th 2010
Young Robin was getting patched up by Alfred as is upper clothing was off and revealed bruises on his well excersised body. Older Robin was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed and Batman was in his chair.
Older Robin glanced over at his younger counterpart's bruises and felt uneasy and nostalgic. During most of his scuffles with Slade; he attained some bruises and cuts especially from the...chemical reagent! Technically he wasn't there but his impact was! Even when he was ten-foot in the grave but he still couldn't get away from him! As he was reminiscing over bad times he was well aware that the others were silent.
They were all waiting for Older Robin to speak.
"Dude come one spill what did Slade...tth tth!" younger Robin tried to say but was stopped by the pain of his bruises.
"Take it easy and stop moving Master Dick" Alfred offered as he still continued his treatment.
"I brought you here because I thought less people in the room, will make it easier for you to talk about Slade" Batman spoke to the older Robin and said next with assurance in his voice "We need to know more about him if we're going to fight him. So please tell us"
Older Robin was once again taken aback by this Batman's act of kindness.
His Batman would stare and order him to speak the truth and whatever he wanted from him and others. Older Robin always hated that. It made him feel like a criminal! But this Batman was more gentle and actually gave a damn about the subject. This almost made older Robin like him. Almost.
"Why should I" older Robin was no fool. He knew damn well that if Batman knew about Slade and him; he'll lecture him to no end and take this mission away from him! No thought made his blood run cold!
"We barely even known each other for a full day! But yet you guys want to know everything about me!"
No one could argue with that logic. It's barely been a day and yet they were hounding Robin for answers.
Batman saw that he needed to gain this Robin's trust and the only way he could do that was...by not being Batman.
He proceeded to pull down his cowl and reveal Bruce Wayne. Young Robin took this too mean he should take off his mask which he did; revealing his sea blue eyes. Older Robin was the expected to do the same by Dick's understanding.
He didn't.
"Is this one of your mind games? Because I'm sick of you and your-!" Robin retorted to Bruce's attempt of sanctity with harsh words.
"No games" Bruce said interupting Robin "No one is here but us. The people who are more closer to you than you realize. All I ask is you trust and cooperation" Bruce spoke in a gentle tone and manner.
"Bruce is right; I'm your dimensional counterpart and these two are the people who raised you. You can comply to us instead of being hostile" Dick pointed out which only made Robin irratated and showing great restrain not to show it.
"No! We may have the same blood but we left very different lives. Different!" Robin barked to Dick and then gestured to Bruce "And he did anything but raise me!"
Bruce was about to respond until he was cut off by the still angered Robin.
"No one in this room can understand what I've been through and the fact this isn't about helping me! It's about you guys! How to make your lives better! Not mine! You don't deserve to know!"
Everyone was silent for a minute or two until Bruce stood up and spoke with his deep voice.
"Your right"
Everyone was confused by this?
Did Batman just say Robin was right?
"At first it was just about using you to avoid problems we were going to face. That was wrong...I'm sorry"
Robin was once again amazed at the level of maturity and kindness. His Batman would never ever admit that he was wrong and to apologize was a sign of the apocalypse.
"But this is more than that now. This is bigger than us. Slade is out there loose and is a threat to the world, Justice Leage and the Team and your the only one here that's fought him. We need you to tell us so we have a better chance to find and arrest him"
"And if I don't?" Robin said with forced confidence.
"You know what he's capable of. You tell me?"
Robin and Bruce just keep staring at each other until Robin looks towards Alfred and Dick. He sighs as he admits defeat and turns around with his hands on the wall.
"You win" he merely mutter before he informs the three of the history between him and Slade.
"We only want to know what he's capable of and what plans he may use against us" Bruce explained "You don't have to tell us everything that is too personal"
"With him everything is personal!" Robin spat out "He had out for me since we met"
Robin looked at the three and scanned their postures and facial expressions. Bruce was still and emotionless, Alfred had his left eyebrow raised and was in concern. Dick was curious but yet intimidated by what he'll learn. Robin sighed and finally explained.
"It all started around two years ago. The Teen Titans was just recently formed two months before he decided to send three gradutes of the H.I.V.E Academy after us" Robin said before Dick decided to step in.
"What's H.I.V.E Academy?"
"They were the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination; a school for young villains in training" Robin explained which made the three look at each other "What no H.I.V.E in this universe?" Robin asked but it was more of a fact than a question.
"Not that I recall" Bruce put his hand to his chin.
"I think we'll remember an academy for supervillains. Maybe we should start one for heroes?" Dick suggested with humour but he brought down his arms when he recieved silence. Wasn't a bad idea but now was not the time?
"Anyway...The Academy is gone now; can't say the same for the students and graduates" Robin whispered the last words but continued talking "After they failed to take down the Titans, I learned about the man who hired them: Slade! I spent my entire time searching for him but found nothing! I found him when he decided to show himself!"
Slade must have been a true threat if the protoge of the world's greatest couldn't figure out where he was.
"He sent many obstacles in the Titan's way and after defeating every one of them. I decided to take...a different course of action to find out more about is motives"
Dick was concerned over that short pause at the end and walked closer.
"Dude what did you do?" Dick asked as Robin blankly stared at him.
"A big mistake" Robin replied which Robin didn't dare to ask what he meant "In the end I didn't get anything on him and lost my friend's trust in the process"
"Red X was a mistake"
Robin remebered those words so clearly.
Alfred looked at Bruce who internally related to Robin. He lost the League's trust many times over due to his actions and wondered how Robin lost his teammates' trust. But it wasn't important now.
"I know you must be reliving past pain but that is why I'm telling you to only tell us of Slade's capabilities. We're on a time limit and after we catch him; it's your choice to tell us everything" Bruce reminded him which Robin nodded his head in agreement.
"Your right, your right" strangely enough Robin didn't get a bad taste in his mouth when he admitted those words? "He matches me and by extension you; in martial arts which is deadly: combined with his enhanced strength, agility, reflexes and endurance."
"So he's like Deathstroke?" Dick pointed out which Robin didn't reply too as he knew nothing of Deathstroke.
"From Robin's description; it sounds like they are similar" Bruce spoke as he's in deep thought.
"Have you fought Deathstroke before?" Robin asked his former partner in crime' counterpart.
"I have" Bruce simply replied as he remembers that dangerous encounter with the Terminator "Wasn't great"
"Nor was treating you sir" Alfred humorously commented as he puts away his medical kit while Bruce eyed him.
Both Dick and Robin found this amusing.
Robin missed the butler's wit.
"So you have a good idea what Slade's capable of physically but he's also a master manipulator and he isn't afraid to use biological warfare to restrain or...destroy us!" Robin warned them which made everyone curious?
"Did he do any of those stuff on you and your team?" Dick asked which made Robin go silent for a minute which signified he was subjected to Slade's tactics.
"What'd he use? We need to know so we can..." Bruce started but was cut off by Robin.
"He doesn't use the same trick twice. And if he did; he would have already done it to him and his team." Robin explained not really wanting to get into the probes and that...experience!
"How can you be sure?" Bruce asked sternly.
"Because he wouldn't waste resources without something to gain from it. Besides the stuff he used on my team should be out of reach in my universe and this one" Robin deduced as he remembers vividly researching the probes and found none on the black market.
"Anything else then?" Bruce asked as he was seriously not liking these bland answers but this was probably difficult for Robin so he kept his mouth shut.
"He's a master at robotics able to engineer a robot to his skillset and being. And he isn't afraid to detonate wherever he walks and that's the basic rundown on Slade" Robin finished explaining his simple deduction on Slade. There was more to him than this but Robin didn't want to reveal those.
"Are you sure?" Bruce rhetorically asked as if he was goading him.
"Yes" Robin simply replied.
Everyone in the room knew Robin was witholding information of some sorts. Sure he revealed Slade's capabilties but he was still holding out on something.
"Now that's out of the way. Mind telling us what he meant by you being his?" Dick asked his older self.
"Dick!" Bruce spat out. He said nothing personal and he didn't want to agrivate Robin.
"What? We have a right to know and it's relevant to the mission as Slade is clearly doing this to get to you. Also no one else is here; you can tell us" Dick protested as he stared at Robin who he expected to be enraged at his audacity but surprisingly he was calm?
Robin could easily have dismissed Dick and focus on the mission but if Slade would tell this Dynamic Duo the truth; that would be more worse than him telling him. He could just feed them lies or avoid it till he gets home but to be honest he knew that they would find out eventually or at the worst time. Might as well get it over with. He already revealed so much secrets anyway.
"Alright. Fine" Robin replied making the others confused "But I don't want you or Batman to tell anyone this! Not even the Titans" he hissed.
"You have our word" Bruce calmly replied as he awaits Robin to indulge them on his and Slade's history.
"I was Slade's apprentice" Robin boldly stated as he inspected the room.
Alffred was stunned by this news as he almost dropped his posture. Bruce's face was in shock for a brief moment but plastered on his collected expression. Dick was almost horrified by this news and couldn't believe it. None of them could believe it.
Robin worked for Slade?
"What!" Bruce faintly barked out hiding his disbelief and anger.
"You heard me! I was his apprentice!" Robin yelled which proved he was not ready to reveal such heavy information "But not of my own free will. He blackmailed me and had me beat. I couldn't do anything to stop him!"
"What was the blackmail?" Bruce got up from his seat and walked up to Robin.
"Not important. I told you enough" Robin tried not to reveal other sensitive information but that did not stop Bruce.
"Where was I during this!" Bruce unintentionally ordered Robin who was getting his Batman's vibe from him again.
"Doesn't matter! I got out of it and we have more important things to do than this: like stopping Slade!" yelled Robin as he and Bruce looked at each other and silence occured a few seconds after.
"Alright" Bruce calmly said as he struggles to just ignore Robin's confession "What do you suggest we do?"
"Slade's a moving target and he bases come and go for him" Robin stated as he regaining his composure "Not to mention he has a father box at his disposal"
"Which means Slade could be at any place or any universe" Dick added.
"Yeah" Robin clenched his fist and gritted his teeth at being useless.
Slade could be anywhere in the multiverse and he doesn't know where to look!
Bruce pulled up his cowl; displaying his Batman persona and walked towards the zeta tube.
"Where are you going?" Robin asked.
"I have all the information I need. I need to go and have a meeting with the Justice League to discuss it further. Stay here until I return" Batman explained and ordered both of the birds and he walked into the zeta tube.
'02- Batman'
Robin knew what Batman was trying to do and he punched the wall in frustration.
He was going to go after Slade himself!
Hey guys so do you guys remember when I said it was onlly going to be a week for this chapter to come out. I lied. Sorry but I was trying to make this chapter longer and I kept getting knackered after I come home from college. Hell I had to cut off the Roy, Garth and Wally stuff so I post a new chapter so next one going to be about the other Titans and more: promise! Also Pokemon Sun and Moon came out two days ago in the UK so I'm playing the crap out of that. So I'm sorry that I mislead you, I promise the next one will include the other Titans.
Oh yeah and I know this chapter doesn't have scenes from the show like I promised but I decided to make a spin off with the Team wathcing the show and that will come to fruition and until then I have to finish this off.