A/N: Yes, dear readers...I am alive and well (in case you care :P lol)
Today is my birthday, so I am giving you all a present...a chapter instead of cake ;)
Thank you for all the positive and constructive reviews so far. I really appreciate that you take the time to review and give me your opinion. I know there are flaws in this story, but I am learning from my mistakes.
Crystal Peek: Your review blew my mind. You are (I think) the only one who knows what is coming next...Congrats :)
RobinLoover: Sorry, I have a wild obession over Bat Cookies. I think it died down though and yay you still love me :D
Robin's Star (SOTA): I am glad you love this story and hope you like this :)
Swallow Tale: Awww loved your review... its okay, be strong!
Well, hopefully you will enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: What? Can't I pretend to own TT, YJ, and DC Comics? Or is that illegal? Well, I don't own any...
Chapter Eleven
The team, their two comrades, and Batman dashed through the deserted streets of Jump, all eager to find Robin and get him back home safely. They were all silent, knowing that it was the best thing to do around Batman and as they ran, they slowly realized and acknowledged that this was the first time that would work alongside him. Their thoughts focused back on Robin…that was until Superboy was the first to spot a small slender figure in the distance, running towards them.
"Hey, someone's coming" he murmured, loud enough for all of them to hear.
"Do you think it is Robin?" Aqualad inquired softly to Batman, as they halted under a light in the middle of the street and watched, hoping that it was him.
Batman narrowed his eyes staring straight ahead as the shadowed figure loomed closer. He could tell by the height and shape that it wasn't Dick.
"It's not him. Be on your guard" Batman answered instantly and nonchalantly.
The seven teens cast glances at another and then resumed looking forward and prepared themselves.
If it wasn't Robin, would the newcomer be a friend or foe?
The figure finally approached, appearing and halting under the light opposite of them. He was a young green skinned boy, with dark jade green eyes and pointed ears. He wore a purple black and silver outfit and mask.
"Whoa…you're…you're…" the green boy squeaked, his eyes growing large as his eyes flickered to each of them.
"The Young Justice Team and Batman!"
The teens nodded and smiled, while Batman frowned.
"Hey we got a fan!" Wally whispered excitedly.
"Who are you?" M'gann inquired kindly, stepping forward to the exuberant boy with a smile.
"And why were you running?" Aqualad added curiously.
"Doom Patrol member Beast Boy, ma'am" Beast Boy answered M'gann with a salute and a pleased wide grin.
"I was running because I have to report back to my team. We stop by this city to see if there was any trouble afoot…sir!" Beast Boy answered Aqualad's question.
"Have you seen anything?" Batman inquired sternly.
Beast Boy ogled the Dark Knight a moment and then slowly nodded.
"Yes sir. I was scanning from the skies and saw two dark clothed people running across the rooftops, heading towards Wayne Enterprises. That's why I need to get back-"
"You're coming with us" Batman interjected and strode past.
The team, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy stared at Batman in surprise.
"Really?" Beast Boy squealed happily.
Batman just nodded, not looking back.
"Sweet!" Beast Boy exclaimed, running up to Batman as they continued on thier way.
"Batman sir…do you…do you think I could I get your autograph afterwards?"
Batman glared down at the green changeling.
"No"
A lithe figure landed silently on the rooftop of Wayne Enterprises, darting across the largely lit lettering that towered over him, shedding light on the concrete rooftop. Open masked eyes roamed the area for the entrance Slade had told him to enter while on the way. His eyes depicted the air vent and he ran over to it, pried the cover open, and slid into the duct. Thankfully as he slid down, the vent ways were spacious enough for him to move through with ease.
Robin made his way through and paused at the opening Slade had instructed. Slowly he pried the cover open and then peered down to see that he was above a sleek polished black tiled floor corridor. Dropping down into a crouch, Robin straightened up and winced as a sharp crackle from the comlink in his ear vibrated in his eardrum.
"Keep moving Apprentice. Your target is very close, you know what to do"
Robin gritted his teeth and sprinted down the hallway, hating himself for doing this. He skidded to a stop before a wide titanium steel sliding door with a large "W" splashed across it and withdrew a handful of explosive disks. Taking a deep breath, he flung them at the door. The discs made an impact and an explosion was heard as the door blew into the room; thick smoke seeping into the hallway and the room as well as Robin's ankles as he strode in. In the center of the room sat the microchip, suspended in the air.
Robin plodded towards it, the adrenaline pumping and rushing through his veins. Halting before the chip, Robin closed his eyes and inhaled and exhaled slowly, and reached out to grab the chip…
Then heard the nearly silent "swish" of a cape and hoped it was just his imagination.
"Robin"
Azure eyes snapped open, heart and body freezing at the sound of the voice.
He was here.
He knew.
Bruce…Batman.
Slowly, Robin twisted about to face his mentor and met the intense but concerned gaze. Farther back at the entranceway, the team and the three new teens stood waiting.
"Robin, what has he done to you?" Batman inquired as he stepped towards him.
"Not a word Apprentice. Attack… or I will"
Robin glanced about, wondering what Slade meant, but Batman placed himself directly before him.
"Robin"
Without a word, Robin swiftly darted around his mentor and sprinted towards the team.
There was no way he could attack Batman…or his friends. But if Slade meant what he said…
"Rob" Wally greeted rushing up to his pal as he skidded to a halt several feet before them.
His eyes flickered to each of them as they gazed and smiled back at him.
"Dude…say something" Wally said worridly and then placed a hand on his shoulder. Instantly on contact, Wally violently jarred from the touch and gave a painful yelp, pulling and staggering away.
"What did you do to him?" Artemis demanded.
Aqualad gave the blonde archer a look and then gazed curiously at Robin, waiting for an explanation.
Robin was standstill, shocked by what had just happened.
Had he…did his suit…did Slade?
"Like I told you Apprentice, I would attack if you didn't" Slade's voice rasped in his ear.
Just then Aqualad and M'gann yelped in pain as they felt a burst of intense heat radiating from Robin, while Superboy groaned and clutched his head in his hands.
"Kryptonite" he hissed as he backed away.
"How many of them do I have to take down myself before you do?" the comlink crackled again.
With that and a heavy heart, Robin lunged forward and attacked…
Batman hadn't moved from where he stood, staring at the microchip that twirled slowly in midair. The boy that had stood before him wore the garments and colors that belong to Slade. But those innocent azure eyes belong to Dick, a dubious and conflicted Dick who had been twisted by the masked villain. Yes, Slade would pay...
"Thinking of me?'' that irritating silky smooth voice uttered from behind him. Slade straighten up from his crouch as the Batman twisted about and faced him, his cape enveloping his body and immediately noticed that Slade had purposely placed himself between the teens and himself.
"Thinking of how many ways I'll take you down"
"I'm flattered Bats. Do you like Robin's new change of wardrobe? Much more fitting in my opinion" Slade remarked.
"Nobody gives a damn about your opinion" Batman growled as they began to circle each other.
"My apprentice does" Slade replied smugly and leapt, thrusting a rapid right hook punch at his enemy's jaw. Batman instinctively deflected the blow with his arm and threw a punch of his own, aiming for Slade's solar plexus. Slade swiftly eluded the attack and threw another punch, this time aiming high for Batman's temple. Batman dodged, ducking low and thrusting his fist into Slade's lower abdomen. The masked villain was not disturbed and the two continued to exchange attacks, mostly deflecting and avoiding them, but occasionally each opponent got a blow or kick in.
"Robin doesn't belong to or with you" Batman growled after he recovered from a powerful kick to the chest from Slade, and both back away.
"He belongs to and with me more then you know. He and I share many qualities and with my guidance, he will see and use his full potential, instead of wasting it" Slade countered.
Batman growled and leapt and two attacking once more, throwing more rapid punches at another. After several punches were thrown, they caught the other's fists, fingers interlocking between the others. The two stood their ground, using their upper body strength to push the other back. Muscles flexed and tensed as each opponent struggled to break the other's grasp.
"Did you know that Robin gets an adrenaline rush from stealing? You should have seen his vital signs that I monitored, it would have curled your cowl" Slade hissed as the two leaned towards another, nearly nose to nose.
"Liar" Batman hissed back and with a burst of stamina, pushed Slade back, the steel lined boots screeching against the sleek floor.
"I will be happy to fax you his vital stats if you don't believe me. Honestly, who would have known that a good boy like him could enjoy a criminal activity?" Slade taunted, pushing back and watching the Dark Knight's facial expression, pleased that he was trembling not from effort, but rage, the white lenses narrow into slits and teeth clenched. Slade allowed the hero's knee to jab into his lower abdomen as they released their steel like grip. Slade collapsed to one knee, head bowed, feigning to be winded from the attack.
Batman glared down at Slade, knowing that he hadn't smash his knee nearly hard enough as he would have liked, but Slade was down and Batman needed to finish this now. Drawing back his arm, Batman put all his emotion into the punch. Just as his fist flew downward, Slade abruptly lifted his head, his eye gleaming mischievously, and caught the black gloved fist.
"Did you think I would be defeated so easily?" Slade inquired.
"I was hoping" Batman replied gruffly.
Slade smiled under the mask and fell back, yanking Batman down and flipped him over with his foot. Batman landed in crouch as Slade rolled to his feet. Then both charged, Slade leaping and tackling Batman around the waist. The two crashed to the ground and rolled, jabbing punches mercilessly at any vulnerable body part of their opponent. Finally they rolled to a stop and Batman smashed his fist against the bronze metallic side, and then brought his other fist smashing into the black part.
Anger, frustration, and remorse consumed the Dark Knight as continued to bring his fists smashing against the mask. This man had eluded the League for years, had snatched his son, duped and forced him into this mess...
Batman halted his attacks, knowing he had to restrain himself, like he had to do with the Joker. Losing control was not an option and Dick needed him. Scowling, he glared down at the inert villain, whose single eye was closed. Clambering to his feet, Batman turned to watch the team and the three others starting to collapse before and around Robin…
Robin stared down at his fallen friends and the three additional teens. He had done what Slade wanted, he fought them, yet his suit abruptly unleashed the shocking that had stunned Artemis and Wally, the violet eyed and haired girl, the green skinned boy, and short circuited the cyborg teen. The heat radiating from him had overpowered M'gann and Aqualad and caused them to faint. Meanwhile the kryptonite laced in his suit kept Superboy at bay.
Robin sighed ruefully, wondering if they would forgive him for attacking and doing this to them. He hoped so, he had held back as they had..but he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. Slowly, he deviated back towards where the microchip was and saw Batman strolling towards him. Out of the corner of his vision, Robin saw a flicker of movement from behind Batman and knew it was…
"Slade!" Robin shouted, trying to warn his mentor. But he was slightly too late; Slade had gracefully appeared behind and wrapped an arm around Batman's neck, muscles tightening underneath that black material. Batman struggled and Robin watched as Slade drew out a handgun and aimed the barrel at his head.
"Come here Apprentice"
Silently and fearing for Batman, Robin rushed over to the two men.
"Now prove to me how loyal you are…use the thermal blaster on the Bat"
Robin peered down at the forgotten weapon and then his blue eyes flickered between Slade and Batman. He was tired of this…tired of Slade, of the mind games…of everything. He raised his arm and aimed the blaster at Batman's chest.
"You don't have to do this, Robin" Batman managed to say before Slade's arm flexed against his throat.
Robin gazed at Batman.
"I'm sorry"
The thermal blaster began to hum and a dull red energy began to glow and grew more brightly. Just as the blaster was ready to release its energy, Robin rapidly changed direction, now aiming at Slade's mask. The beam shot out and hit its new target, sending the villain sprawling several feet back. Batman gave a curt nod in thanks and watched as Robin strode past him towards Slade, who was now rising to one knee, shaking his head.
"You are going to wish you hadn't done that" Slade uttered maliciously as he glanced up.
Robin grabbed the insignia on his chest and ripped it off.
"Actually, I only wish I had done it sooner. It's over Slade" Robin replied and flung the emblem at Slade, a pointed end striking and stuck into the floor before the villain...
A/N: There you go guys, hoped you enjoyed it. Though I wished I did better on the fighting scenes...
Feel free to review and shower me with reviews of any kind, it will make my day :)