A/N: One month later... *hides behind desk* okay don't kill me, I did this as fast as I possibly can I know I said I'd get it done fast but... I lied sorry... I'm horrible of keeping on task lol I know that's jsut great isn't it! lol but it's here and it's loooonnnnng! lol your gonna love me to death after this... Haha really long chapter no knock off lol, hope your happy, please people review even if it's short, I really appreciate it, I'm liking begging you here... I know your out there behind your computer screens don't hide from me, my traffic is pretty good! I know your reading! SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I will love you forever and ever! Thank you!
Disclaimer: ION!
-R-
"Should I have my men bring a cot in here?" Ra's said upon entering the room. "Since you seem contempt on staying in here for the rest of your stay…"
Robin spun around on the uneven bars unrelentingly, his heart beat quickening with each toss into the air.
"You really should get some sleep; you are only a child after all." That's when Robin landed hard down on the matt with a thud.
"I don't sleep at night…" He said walking over towards Ra's, knowing full well that the man could kill him faster than anyone in the world and he didn't dare try to agitate him.
"My dear boy, I already knew that but you must have exhausted yourself by now…"
"You'd be surprised how much energy I have… Why do you care anyways, you're just another bad guy…" He inquired.
"My son, I ask you this… How black and white do you think this world really is?" Ra's asked running his hand across the bar, getting the chalky dust across his fingers.
"What are you talking about?" Robin asked.
"Follow me…"
Ra's turned to leave and Robin followed silently unsure of what Ra's was up to. They walked down the hall until they came to a large doorway and Ra's opened it to reveal a large veranda… Robin noticed how the sun was just about to come over the horizon…
"What do you see my son?" Ra's asked…
Robin was starting to get seriously pissed off at Ra's for continuously calling him 'son'.
Only one person in this world has that right reserved to them, his father…
Robin found himself confused though… Who was his father? The long dead man who raised him in his younger years, Or Bruce Wayne, the man who's helped him, raised him ever since. Everyone says he's so much like Bruce… That there's no way that Bruce is just his foster father… This is something Robin had been pondering lately… He's not as thick as most people say, most heroes see two sides of themselves. The hero, and the civilian, but no Robin didn't see himself that way, he never has… Yes there was a boy before the mask, but that boy had evolved into him. He found himself becoming a mix between Richard Grayson and Robin… The same two people… He snickered whenever he thought of himself as Robin Grayson… The two halves of him conjoined together into one being, but that's exactly how he saw himself. Robin Grayson was a boy with two fathers… He was raised by his father who instilled the beliefs of right and wrong in him since he was little, and the man by the name of Bruce Wayne who supported these beliefs in a different fashion. He knew that his father would let him go, accept it… That Bruce was his father. His father would want him to move along, and make a new family just as long as he never forgot where he came from. He knew he never would but… Bruce, Alfred, Bab's, they were his family know… Bruce was his father, Alfred his grandfather, Bab's his witty sister and mother figure. They were his family and not Ra's, not by a long shot.
"I see the sunrise." He said blandly.
"Is that really all you see my boy, how… distasteful…. Look again and tell me what you see, look to the horizon and explain to me…" Ra's said almost as if he was testing the boy.
"It's the sunrise, I said that. It's the time between day and night."
"So you could say that it's the go between night and day, black and white, good and evil…." Ra's finished.
"Yeah, sure, I guess so."
"So you can also say that these two aspects leave in peace, for in the morning the sunrises and the light takes over, and when the sun sets the night takes over, but what is the in between called?"
Robin looked up at Ra's wondering where the man could possibly be going with this… Ra's soon continues seeing the boys silence…
"What I'm getting at is you see the world as this… Black and white, day and night, good and bad… In your mind boy you're the hero captive and I'm the villain holding you hostage… Did it ever occur to you that I was just acting humane and watching over my good acquaintances son? Just because I am a Villain so you believe doesn't mean I constantly spend my days trying to figure how to create havoc or take over the world. Neither of the which I am particularly interested in might I add. I have a daughter you know, she's a beauty just like her mother. I raised her, taught her, we would sit down for dinner every night and she would tell me about her day. Then she came home one day and told me of a man she met, a man that was half bat, a Batman. The world greatest detective, she told me, she kept telling me that, because she knew intelligence was something I valued greatly. She had fallen for your farther; this was before you came along though."
Ra's chuckled in reminiscence, Dick was completely confused at what Ra's was getting at…
"We, my boy, are all humans. Day and night, we still act as civil as you do when not wearing that mask of yours. Do you ever dare to ask us of our motives… Unless you're someone like Joker we have our own reasons for what we do… As do you… Villains… Heroes… We're not as different as the Detective tells you… Luthor was driven to his antics out of hatred, a cruel father and lies… Two Face lost the woman he loves and got half of his face burned off…I wish to rid the world of injustice just as you do but I do so differently than you… Then take your friend, Superman, an alien boy who felt like an outcast his entire life, who grew up trying to convince himself he was just another boy… He created another personality to help himself with that while giving himself a purpose… The Detective's parents were shot before his eyes, he wanted vengeance but he couldn't grasp it. He was so scared that he created an alter ego that could scare anything else into submission… You for example my dear boy, watched your parent's fall to their deaths. You almost got your vengeance if not for the Detective, you became Robin others from what you experienced, but my dear boy I'm not too sure about that anymore. I believe your similar to the Detective and the Alien… You seek vengeance, and a purpose, as does every Villain, the only difference is in the way we do it…"
As it all sunk in Robin started to understand, what Ra's was trying to say to him…
"That is why I care my boy, because inside the Beast there's always a man as in every man there will always be a beast." Ra's then silently walked off letting the boy ponder his words…
"That was the first time I had ever stopped and wondered what made a hero and hero and a villain and villain… That there might not be as great of a difference that Batman had told me… It was the first time I started to refute Batman's judgment." Robin whispered his voice getting lower and lower.
"Umm, your first two guards are coming up on the right…" Adeline said… She leaned back in her chair as Robin took care of them, contemplating everything that the boy had told her, it was certainly an eventful life, his life that is. She was absolutely sure of that fact. She turned around to look at Starfire who was looking absolutely panicked as she searched around on the computer for Slade location and whatever he was saying to her… Adeline placed hand of Starfire's shoulder which brought her to a complete halt. She turned and looked at Adeline in complete silence, Adeline pulled the girl into a hug, which is what Adeline was sure she really needed. Adeline always wanted a daughter but instead she got two sons, one who was killed, another who was switched with someone else's and not to mention the fact that her husband was psychotic. All she wanted was a daughter, she wondered if that was really so wrong to ask for but she figured that Starfire would pass for now…
"They're out cold…" Robin muttered in her ear… Just as she expected, the kid was fast considering these were probably Jumps most elite troops….
Adeline looked at the sensors and noticed about 4 more targets heading his way.
"Okay I suggest you either stash them away quick because your going to have company…" She said almost panicked.
"Too late, nowhere to stash them anyways, were just going to half to fight to the top.
Adeline quickly tapped Starfire on the shoulder to get her attention.
"Tell Slade our cover is blown…" She said as calmly as she possibly could.
"Slade… They know…" Starfire said simply then with a bit of shock on her face she looked back up at Adeline.
"Slade says were going to continue with the mission."
Adeline pressed a few buttons and a central computer arose in the middle of the room, both chairs automatically changed to face a large holograph of Titans Tower. Starfire looked startled but quickly understood what was going on…
"From now on we'll have to work together…" She said to Starfire as she clicked on the holographic map to reveal Robin and Slade's positions.
"Robin Slade's four floors above you, I suggest you catch up to him quick, if you take the left service elevator you should get up there quick and without interruptions."
"Were still continuing on… That's suicide…" Robin said….
"Yes we're moving in…" Addie jumped with Slade's voice chimed in.
"Slade! How long…"
"Relax Adeline I just connected the comm's…" Slade said a bit irritated, obviously he was not pleased that they were going to be discovered…
"It's suicide, the Titans East are as equally as skilled as my team…"
"No they are not, and you know it… I think you should at least be grateful that you don't have to fight them."
"How could I when you killed them!" Robin seethed as he entered the elevator.
"So you've heard… I assure you that the explosion was not of my doing…"
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that it was none of your doing, that explosion was right up your alley…"
"I have done many things in my life time, but I'm not so underhanded as to eliminate a harmless threat. You have to understand that I'm not the only one who would benefit from their destruction.
"You…" Robin growled attempting to regain his temper.
"Move along Robin…" Slade growled back. Adeline didn't need to be there to feel the intense battle of wills going on between the two at the moment.
Adeline watched as Robin's marker slowly started to move away from Slade and up the stairs… She sighed happy they didn't start brawling in the middle of the Tower…
"Guards coming your way…" Starfire said a tear rolling down her eye.
Adeline watched as Starfire took her headset of for a moment as she clenched herself and stomped on the floor of the plane created a small dent. So Adeline took her head set off too…
"My… Slade… Is a difficult man to deal with Starfire… All over the place, doing things one way or the other and its extremely hard to keep track… I found the best way to adapt to this is to do what I like to do the best…" Starfire looked up at her.
Adeline forced herself to take a breath though, and remember… Starfire just had an entire conversation with Slade when Robin was telling her the story.
"Wait… What did Slade say to you? That's what this is all about is it, why your crying…" All Starfire could do was nod in response.
"Starfire tell me…" Adeline said desperate to know what was so wrong the young Warrior Princess could be sobbing over. Shakily Starfire started to speak….
-A While Ago-
"He's strong Slade… He won't give in. I don't care what you say, and neither will I!" Starfire said in a hushed tone… For some reason Slade found this unbelievably funny but also unexplainably surprising of her to speak so directly, so completely out of character.
"That's quite an audacious statement for you isn't it Koriand'r?" Slade said wondering where this was going… He had done this on purpose, of course he already knew his way around Titans Tower, and he knew the schematics better than the Cyborg himself. Especially, that it's defense mechanisms don't engage until you get to the upper levels of the tower, though he doubted the Titans knew that because he had initially done that to make access easier if need be. Now he figured the effort was worth it…
"I'm simply stating my mind…" She said.
"For the fast few days I've been particularly surprised of you. You're really learning from my wife…" Slade chuckled.
"Actually yes I have been, a true warrior of Tamaran knows how to learn from all sorts of teachers, even ones that don't have the purest intentions."
"So tell me Starfire…" Slade said. "If someone offered to teach you to kill quickly, efficiently, quietly, would you accept their teachings?"
"No!" Starfire said quickly but stammered with the rest of her response.
"What is that Starfire?" Slade said…
"I have already learned all I need from the Warlords of Okaara so has the rest of my family."
"Starfire don't act so naïve, I looked gathered information on your father Myrand'r your Mother told Adeline enough. Raised to be a Warrior during a time of war against your long time enemies, he was trained to be merciless and kill upon sight of the enemy. I heard he intended to train you, your sister and brother, but of course your mother would never allow you to be trained like such, and after your brother was kidnapped Blackfire was all that was left. So tell me Starfire, what is it like to know your father was a killer. That he wanted to teach you everything he knew but your mother prohibited him from doing so, now all these years later you have the chance to make your father proud… So tell me this Starfire, if your got the chance to see your father again would you train with him… Try to make him proud?"
He had her cornered and she knew it… He knew she was going with this honest to God she had just lost a battle. Slade was relentless but he had a point, she would do anything for her father just to see him again. Even learn to kill. Robin was in the same situation… they both were, they both went through somewhat similar situations but she ended up with powers and a upbeat attitude neither of which Robin had. Now Robin as to figure out what to do with Slade… Is this how Robin feels, so conflicted, he want's so bad for this to be a dream, that he would wake up and find himself in his parent's embrace in his home, like she so desperately did. But then again, she knew that the only place she could ever call home these days was Titans Tower and wherever Robin was because she always knew she would be welcomed into his arms.
"I will not lie, I would…."
The line remained silent for a moment, then to her surprise a sigh came from the other end of the comm..
"You're parent's were killed by the Gordanians correct?" Slade said almost sadly.
"Yes…" She muttered curious as to why he sounded like he actually cared.
"Richard is my son… As a father I want him to follow in my footsteps because I know that's what's best for him… The path of a hero is one that is always filled with regret. I'm not saying a villain is no better but here I can protect him. I can protect both of you like my children… Adeline oh so desperately wanted a daughter and Kori when she see's you she sees the daughter she never had, her eyes light up almost as much as when she see's Dick." Starfire's mouth dropped wide with shock…Was that actually Slade talking there? He sounded, so, so, human… She wasn't sure how to respond to all of this.
"What are you telling me…"
"I'm telling you that more harm will be done if you keep him going down the hero path… I'm telling you Starfire that you'll have a family… One day you and Dick will be able to get married and have children… Be a family, have a family together, I can assure you of that fact if you join me…"
Starfire remained silent as images flashed before her mind. Slade was right there, Robin and she would never marry as long as he was a hero, he wouldn't allow it, nor would Bruce Wayne. "It's too big of a risk" He would say. She knew he had the best intentions, but she wanted to be with him. She wanted to grow old with him and get to see their Grandchildren, none of that would happen if Robin stayed on the path of the hero… Starfire shook her head, no, how could she even be thinking such terrible things… Joining Slade's cause? No, not going to happen, but…
"So what's your answer, do we have an accord?" Slade asked.
Starfire hesitated but then said…
"I need to think about it…" Starfire then took off the comm. as a tear fell down the side of her cheek… Wondering who she would be betraying… Robin, taking him from the path of a hero, or herself for denying her dreams which she knows Slade can insure her? Was she seriously falling into Slade's bribe, well yes… Yes she was actually thinking about betraying her friends, everything she knew and held dear, so she could have something she wanted so desperately. Would she be so desperate? Well the answer was yes, everyone had their flaws, Robin knows that, but one of her greatest ones is giving into her desires and striving to achieve them at all costs. Most people didn't know that about her but it was true.
-S-
Robin crept through the halls along with Slade, though there was no point in trying to be stealthy anymore, since they had just come across the squadron of armed guards, some gaped upon seeing him but others fired upon eye contact. Robin dove out of the way as quickly as possible; he pulled out a flash grenade and tossed it down the hall once Slade was out of the way. The guards fell quickly but a few managed to get out of the way but dropped their guns in the process. Slade and Robin instantly shot down the hall delivering a solid blow to head of one of the guards knocking him onto the floor cold, Robin then as he quickly descended pushed off the ground and sent a roundabout kick to another guards head knocking him out cold. With the remaining guards out Robin took a breath only to be halted by the alarm. He swore under his breath knowing the Titans East would be there within moments and Kid Flash or Speedy wouldn't be there to show any mercy… They were his friends, even before the Titans formed. Protégés of other hero's Batman would team up with rarely. Batman never teamed up with anyone unless there were in dire straits or they came to him and gave him no other choice in the matter but only a few have actually been able to do so.
Again this brought the thought to his mind, what really came over Batman, when he decided to bring him into his crusade? Was it greed, the wealthy billionaire couldn't pass up something with such potential, or was it out of sympathy? Maybe, just maybe, Batman knew that to retain his humanity he needed someone to keep him on the ground. So Bruce Wayne doesn't lose himself to the bat. He literally made Robin his last lifeline, one Batgirl couldn't take up. It's not that she couldn't but it wasn't her place, and let's face it, Batman never trusted her in the first place. The Bat Family, that's what Robin called it, Batgirl his sister, Alfred his Grandfather, Catwoman like a mother, and Batman his father. Not Slade… Never Slade…
-R-
Robin wondered if Slade and Adeline … Raised, by the worst of the worst, the darkest of the darkest of hero's, he grew up being shaped into a weapon by the Batman, but he was also raised by, Selina Kyle, Bruce Wayne, Barbara Gordon, and Alfred Pennyworth, people who raised him to be a man… Something not easily taught. His morals installed into him, his skills, and potential wasn't going to waste, like it would if (he regrets to admit) his parent's were still alive. He laughed thinking if Zucco knew what he could be creating when he sent it goons to sabotage the ropes.
Zucco, he still hated the man more than anything, he possibly hated the mob boss more than he hated Slade himself… And worse of all the man wasn't in prison, he got bail and disappeared… He wondered what he would do if he ever got the chance to meet Zucco face to face again, could he arrest the man, would he possibly have that much restraint he didn't really know. Chances are he wouldn't, the thought of him ringing Zucco's neck with all the strength in his being was addictive. Killing the man, the ultimate revenge, it would be the only thing that would make the man, who's killed so many people, ruined so many lives, regret what he did to them. To see the life he ruined, take his life, then it would finally sink in how sick of man he really is.
"Robin!" He turned to see the face of his friend Speedy… God, he hadn't spoken to Speedy in a long while. Not since the Brotherhood of Evil was finally silenced actually now to see him, in such poor circumstances.
"Attack!" Robin hesitated by then shot down the hall.
"Robin?" Speedy raised a bow but he wasn't quick enough as Robin dealt a swift blow the face.
"What the hell man? Stop!" He yelled as he blocked Robin. He quickly dropped back and shot one of his specialized arrows towards him.
Robin forced him down the hall until they were out of Slade's view, then he quickly asked as he tackled Speedy breaking his bow.
"Titans?" He asked covering his earpiece so Adeline couldn't hear. He acted as if he were arguing with him, Slade walked around the corner as Speedy pushed Robin off himself.
"You're a DEAD MAN!" He yelled, though Robin understood… His heart sank deeply as he delivered a swift roundhouse kick to Speedy's head knocking him out. As Slade walked up next to him, he placed something in his hand. Robin held it up to view, a gun.
"You can do it, you just won't…" Slade was right on that part, he could kill Speedy right then and there but Speedy was his friend, it would kill him from the inside out.
"You're right,, I won't." He said shoving the gun back into Slade's hand.
"Don't worry, you will eventually…" Slade said, putting the gun away, and walking off. Robin quickly tied Speedy up and then ran off…
Robin sighed and followed after Slade… He's been in this situation before, the only thing worse from killing the Titans is the fact that legally he's supposed to listen to Slade, he is his so called 'father' if he were to run, the police would automatically go after Bruce, especially after his punching back incident on the day of the trial. Then anyone linked to Bruce or would want to use him… Even villains, which wouldn't be too but all the formers would be bad. He didn't need Bruce or Bab's been arrested, someone had to watch Gotham, and it wasn't going to be Selena. She could but she would get too distracted by every gem she passed by on the way, she would be more likely to commit crime than prevent it.
Next they came up to Mas y Menos, he actually felt like he was playing a video games, taking care of the minions, which would be the police, and then the next boss. Even though it took them forever just to round up the quickster's themselves, they eventually made it too the lounge room where Bumblebee sat on the back of the Couch arms crossed stingers in her hands, looking infuriated, and smug at the same time.
"Slade…" She seethed, looking harshly at the man as they stopped into the room.
Robin's heart sank, damn, why did it have to be Bee… Bee was Cy's boyfriend she was always hanging around and was like a little sister to him, and damn the girl had a temper! Bee wouldn't be easy, she was skilled and powerful, and he didn't want to fight her not one bit.
"I don't want to hurt you Bee, step aside…" Robin said angrily, more mad at Slade for putting him in this situation than actually at Bee.
"Boy, you can't touch me." She lied, trying to sound confident as she stood up ready to take them both on.
"Take the girl; I'm going for the computer…" Then as Bee moved to attack him Slade jolted off and Robin blocked the blow.
"Robin stop! What the hell is wrong with you?" She said and Robin and Bee flew around the room dealing and blocking blows. Finally Robin kicked her in the back bend a wing, sending her to the floor, she looked up with him quickly aiming her stingers and shot the electricity at him, and it almost hit him if he hadn't moved away so quickly…
When Robin went to attack again…
"Robin, ugh, The Titans, how could you do this to them… Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, he killed them… Batman found the remains, they're dead, and all you do about it is help HIM steal from us?"
"Keep silent Robin…" Slade said via comm. link.
So Robin did, he turned quick enough to see Slade downloading a file called Project Ares, and Robin felt a bit of relief… So Slade must've not known about the link to the Batcave…
Robin feeling a bit more relieved built of the strength and knocked Bee out with a final blow…
"Good job…" Slade said as Robin walked over and watched what Slade was doing on the computer.
"No, it wasn't… It was wrong, and I'm stealing from my friends… This is not me Slade, so don't think I took any pleasure in this…"
"I didn't expect you too, well at least not at the moment I do, like I say it's in your blood, you'll learn to like it."
"Come along…" Slade said as he removed the disk from the computer. He then pulled out the gun and for a moment fear struck Robin thinking Slade was going to kill Bee but he shot the window and set up the flare. The jet landed close enough for them to jump to, and took off. With regret for everything he had just done he found one good out of all the bad, now he knew for a fact the Titans were dead, but only for the sake of knowledge, on the inside he was being torn apart…
-L-
She was instantly struck with terror upon entering the room, though I wasn't because of all the malicious villains that sat together at a center table in the room, but more the fact of a cop hanging upside down being beaten with a mallet by Joker, blood pilling out of his nose, tears and cuts running up and down his body. Below him was a pile of blood, it was like the poor cop was a never ending piñata at Joker's birthday party. Upon entering, Harley ran up and kissed Selina on both cheeks.
"Catwoman, darling nice of you to show!" She squeaked.
"Harles, get over here and hold my mallet will ya, we have matter to discuss…" Joker said handing the bloody mallet to Harley who continued to beat the man with vigor. If it weren't for the duct tape over his mouth, Lois was sure she would be able to hear his screams from the top floor of the Planet.
Lois trying to take her mind off of Joker looked at Luthor who raised an eyebrow upon seeing her. He looked her up and down and let out a small smirk then turned back to dead seriousness.
"Who's your friend Cat? I don't believe she's supposed to be in here." Lois knew Lex was trying to act sweet, he knew for a fact Lois shouldn't be allowed but didn't kick her out himself. He knew, and she knew it.
"Isis, call her Isis. I met her on a trip to Egypt, she's a friend helped me with a few steals… Actually we have business to attend to with Two Face…" Two Face stood up abruptly from his chair, took a swig of his drink and dried off his mouth.
"Follow me…" He said, as he lead the ladies to a small office.
"What do you need?"
"Let's make a Deal Harvey, heads you leave this room with a handsome pay and never look back, tails you help us find Richard Grayson no question asked and everything said, and done until he is found and in Wayne's custody again, legally by the eye of the law, you will also not take any action upon the information you learn here, until you have learned it again, you will not depart any of this information you have heard to other villains, civilians, or heroes do you understand my terms." Catwoman said quickly… Harvey smirked and nodded. He leaned back pondering the thought then brought out his flip coin, one side singed (tails) and the other side clear sterling silver (heads).
Harvey shot the coin up into the air and with baited breath the coin came straight down on the table top. It whirled around slightly but soon enough it fell.
"I see we have a deal…" Harvey said holding up the singed side of the coin to show… "Richard Grayson, yeah I know about him, parents are killed by Zucco, raised by Billionaire playboy, genius supposedly, court trial, found Samuel Wilson to be his biological father… At least it's the official story… Look Selina we both know who the boy really is and his so called father's really are so let's move onto what the hell you want me to do."
"I want you to get Richard out of Samuel Wilson's custody permanently and legally, back into Wayne's. I also want you to find Robin and Starfire, and figure out how to even the scale so he can't reveal any of their identities when things go south for him…" Selina said bluntly.
"Got it, but question… Why is she here?"
"I was hired by Wayne to help Selina and find him… We go way back in Egypt." Lois said, speaking for the first time since she walked into the Inner Chambers…
"I see… "Harvey didn't push it thank god…
"Come back in two days and see what I got." Two Face said standing up again. They all exited the room, and Selina and Lois were about to leave when Luthor spoke up.
"Cat, we have business to attend to leave your friend outside will you…" Selina just nodded and set Lois outside to wonder what was going on inside.
Catwoman looked to Lois and nodded and Lois left the room shutting the door behind her, Lois fell to the ground finally realizing her knee's had been shaking willy the entire time. It if wasn't for the outfit you would've been able to tell all too easily.
-Cat-
She sat down hesitantly at the table unsure about what was about to transpire… Eyeing each and every single one of her so called 'friends', there was an eerie silence unrivaled of anything she's ever experienced before… Even Joker who usually was as serious as ever was deadly silent and she knew, oh she knew something big was going on.
"As you all know, there have been some strange occurrences in the underground lately, and also in the hero community…" Luthor said. "My source within the league, has reported that the Bat's toy has… How do I say this? Taken from the nest… Slade has taken Custody of the boy and is now holding him and the Alien Princess captive… You see Two Face, regrettably, informed me of a Slade's plan… As the big boys of the Underground it's our responsibility to see how this will implement us…"
"Better question boys, what about the kid? What's going to happen if he turns?" Selina interjected, leaning forward scratching her claws against the table bring up the wood beneath her claws. "I know the kid, he's strong headed, and stubborn… He's no hero though…"
Everyone looked at her like she was insane… And suspicion crept up their faces…
"Look Cat, I know you have a thing for the Bat and all, but the kids as much as a boy scout as Supes." Penguin said. "You see it as if the kid changes then the Bat will too!"
Selina let out a sigh and clicked her claws…
"Look boys, I have a question, how much do you really know about the rivalry between Slade and Robin?"
"Rivalry?" Luthor asked raising an eyebrow…
"Like Batman Robin obsesses over catching criminals… And Slade was the best of them all, always leaving clues, cryptic messages for him to figure out. Until he became so desperate he turned his back on his friends and created a new persona. He called himself Red X… A minor thief, who worked with Slade to make a partnership so he could unravel Slade's plans… Slade new the whole time though, and that was the final test…"
"Test for what?"
"Slade was looking for an apprentice, someone to follow in his footsteps, the son he had been denied…"
"He had two sons though didn't he, but they both died…"
"That's just it, Slade didn't see them as his sons, one was too weak, and the other was too desperate, on them actually wasn't his own son… Slade is Robin's biological father, no denying it… In some part of Robin is that crazy gene that made Slade who is today, and eventually it will do the same too Robin, that's Batman's greatest fear."
The villains looked at her with a genuine look of shock with her face, except for Luthor who of course always kept his face stonewalled. Selina honestly couldn't believe that they didn't know this but then again she believed it, most of the people in the Justice League didn't know about the Apprenticeship, it was quite hush hush…
"Robin stayed within Slade's custody for several days, training and stealing for him… But only because he was Blackmailing Robin with the Titans lives, nanoscopic probes… There were also several other occurrences when they were forced to work side by side. Either way the two stayed prominent in each other's lives…"
"So what's keeping him there now, surely Slade would not use the same blackmail again?" Joker asked speaking for the first time in a strangely calm manner.
"The Titans are dead so what does it matter…" Two Face, Selina's ears perked, this was the first she had heard of this…
"Good thing, too the Titans were becoming dead, and a nuisance. Did you hear what they did in Tokyo, practically tore the place apart, fighting a 100 foot tall ink mythical monster. Robin was even arrested, for attempting to murder a man only got out though because it wasn't a man at all!" Penguin jumped in…
"Okay boys but were straying from the point… Robin, I believe he'll submit and follow in his father's footsteps, and he's got Starfire there and no doubts that Slade will use her to get to him… If she submits, he will undoubtedly follow…"
"I think she has a point…" Two Face chimed in. "How much did we really know about the kid after he left Gotham, he was presented as a threat, but now, I'm not too certain. Maybe in the future, he will become a great success, an asset to us all. He also knows how to break the Bat, and break him hard. With the Bat out of the way things will be all too easy… Then thing will crumble, they'll all lose faith one by one, then this world will be prime for the taking…"
All the Villains looked at each other sideways and Selina could tell what each of the villains were thinking... Luthor: Superman Dead Two Face and Penguin: Pools of Money Joker and Harley: Gotham in Flames Riddler: To torture people forever with his riddles… She herself, all the jewelry would make her one hell of a happy cat…
"So what are we going to do about this?" Two Face asked. "What about Slade and the kid?"
"The only thing we can do, help him in anyway possible…"
A/N: So am I at least entertaining you, lol I hope it's suspenseful, actually I got stuff planned for the villians, okay, well I got stuff planned for the Heroes, and Starfire, and Robin, and Slade and Adeline, and next chapter I'm going to follow up on the Titans deaths... so hope you liked this chapter and please review...
