Author's Note: Thanks for all the awesome support and reviews! ^^ I'm glad so many people are enjoying this.

I actually starting drawing Robin for the first time – not finished yet – and I was working on his hair. Man, my semi-realistic style and Robin's hair are just ARG. XD It's like realistic anime spiky hair. When I finish it, I'll update the cover with it. ^^ But that's probably not until next week. Finishing this huge novel thingy is first.

So, four counts torture, one count mellow down, and one count fluff. You should know I generally don't go with the crowd. And like I've said before, this will be unconventional in its ending. Sooo, does that somewhat answer your question, Swallow Tale? *smiles sweetly*

After all, this will have 51 chapters plus one Epilogue. Anything is bound to happen. ^-^

We haven't even hit the turning point that summary mentions…

;)

On with the story!


Chapter Twelve

The Exposing Catalyst

September 25th, 2008. Thursday, 8:32 pm.

"Again, Robin," commanded Slade's low, smooth voice. Robin groaned elaborately, dropping his head onto the desk with a thump in front of the keyboard.

Not again – anything else but again. Robin was so tired of running through this same hacking exercise, he was going crazy. It was endless – completely endless.

But above all, he was bored. The endless training and studying was getting so tiring and boring. Some of the engineering, he had to admit, was interesting at times. But dealing with these never-ending stream of numbers hours upon hours today was mind numbingly boring. Why couldn't Slade just stick to his rigid schedule today?

"Slade," muttered Robin. "Can't we do something else? Anything else?"

"No. Again, Robin," instructed Slade. Robin left out another low moan before lifting his head up.

"How many more times do I have to do this today?"

"Until I say."

"When's that?"

"You're being impudent," warned Slade.

"Oh, come on, Slade!" growled Robin, whirling around in the computer chair to face Slade. The grinding, clinking noise from the gears above rang in his ears. "I'm seriously going out of my mind with boredom here. We've been doing this all day."

"It is one of the many things I will teach you," said Slade, putting his hands behind his back as he took a step closer to Robin. "In the which, you will continue learning and practicing. This is something you need to grind to learn. Again, Robin. Don't push me."

Robin scowled and whirled back around in the chair; glaring at the computer screen for all its worth. He hated the man. He could be so unbending at times. Robin was so sick of this exercise – sick of it, sick of it!

Yet another week had passed, making it a total of two weeks; fourteen days that Robin had been held captive by Slade. He was slowly getting used to the routine that Slade put him under and the major soreness from the intense training was beginning to ease up. It was surprising and somewhat unnerving when Slade strayed from the routine. It unsettled Robin; almost to the point of making him go crazy – like today.

The routine kept him sane.

Still, Robin had difficulty holding his tongue with Slade. But the man was so freaking irritating! Not to mention Robin missed his friends and while he wasn't ever alone – almost always with Slade – he was getting lonely for them.

Would he ever see them again?

Robin typed on the keyboard; his fingers flying quickly over the keys with precision. His fingers knew the keys perfectly by now. He went over the codes countlessly.

But he had done the exercise so many times that day, not even exaggerating the number made him feel better. His fingers tapped the keys with power. He wished he could crush them. But Slade probably wouldn't appreciate it if he broke his equipment.

Then, a small smile slipped through his lips.

Slade was teaching him hacking – and he was doing pretty good, if he said so himself. If he could just…

His fingers dashed over the keys frantically as he played out his plan. It was simple – truly simple. It would only take a moment; and in that moment, there was nothing Slade could do to stop him. His heart raced at the sheer recklessness at the stunt. But he couldn't hold back the excitement in his chest.

Finally, something out of Slade's control and into his own.

With the final code down, he smashed the enter key down. A red light flashed on the screen. Multiple windows popped up; codes spilling down in endless amounts. Robin smirked at his work. Well, his training with the psychopath was paying off already.

Slade was beside him in seconds. He growled and ripped Robin out of the seat, before angrily sitting down in his place. Robin stood as he watched Slade's fingers fly across the keyboard.

Robin couldn't hold back the wide smirk that spread through his face.

But it slid away very quickly as Slade turned to face him, his grey blue eye narrowed in anger beneath that inhuman mask.

"What did you do?"

Robin's throat went dry. What had he done? What, Slade couldn't tell? Heh, if the man didn't know then he wasn't about to spill the beans.

"Answer me."

"How come you don't know?" asked Robin, feeling a little too brave.

"Answer me. What mischief did you do?" demanded Slade.

"Should've thought that one out before you taught me how to make 'mischief' with your computer," smirked Robin with a confident fold of his arms.

Slade slowly stood up. Robin found himself taking a few steps back involuntarily. The man's presence was dominating. Robin fell back a few steps, tripping over the steps that led up to the computer. He landed hard on his seat, wincing in pain for a minute. Slade slowly walked down the three steps.

Robin could just feel the man's anger radiate from his body. He quickly scrambled to his feet and readied himself for whatever was to come to him.

"You will answer the question, boy," said Slade, his tone icy. "Or else you will live to regret it."

"No," said Robin defiantly. He clenched his fists for a brief moment. Then, Robin bolted forward fiercely; arm pulled back and ready to smash his fist into Slade's masked face. Slade smoothly dodged the attack that shot forward; barely moving to the side. As Robin passed him, Slade grabbed Robin's wrist and twisted it behind him. Pain shot up his arm all the way to his shoulder. He was locked in a terrible position; unable to move from the locked hold from behind.

"Why must you always make things so difficult for yourself?" snarled Slade, tightening his grip on Robin's twisted arm. Further pain screamed through his arm. Robin held very still, praying that Slade wouldn't break his arm. The grip on his arm felt as if the man could snap it like a twig – it would be all too easy for him to do that. Robin's chest heaved as he breathed heavily in pain.

Slade released him, tossing him forward easily. Robin landed on all fours. He barely had time to think as a kick rushed toward him. He rolled onto his side, barely missing the metal tipped boot by a mere centimeter. His heart rate was starting to go up in fear.

Robin flipped back suddenly as another attack came at him in the form of Slade's fist. A flurry of attacks came at Robin and it took all his energy and concentration to try to dodge them.

He wasn't able to dodge one and a knee smashed into his side; sending him flying to the side. He rolled onto the floor with a cry and then jumped to his feet, blinking wildly at the pain that tore at his side. He had to stay alert. Slade was going to attack again – there was no doubt.

"Attack back, Robin. Quit dancing around," said Slade in a low, commanding voice with a hint of mocking.

"Shut up!" snapped Robin, hating that tone in the man's voice.

"You wanted to do something different, didn't you?" questioned Slade with a tilt of his head. "Well, that's just what we're doing now. You brought this onto yourself. You just had to do something mischievous, didn't you?"

"Anyone would go crazy after a day like today," protested Robin. "C'mon, Slade. If you're so smart, why can't you get that?"

"Watch it, boy. You're in enough trouble as it is," said Slade in an menacing tone.

"Shove off, Slade," snarled Robin. "Quit acting like I'm a little kid."

Slade growled loudly. An icy chill went down Robin's spine at the near feral sound.

"If you insist on acting like one," started Slade; his tone low and dark, "I shall be more than happy to oblige you."

Slade bolted forward at inhuman speed. There was no avoiding it. Robin was slammed against the wall, a cough mixed with a cry of pain burst from his mouth. Stars popped in his sight. Slade locked an arm against Robin's chest, pushing him against the wall with persistent force.

"Now, let's try this one more time. What did you do, Robin?" asked Slade softly, yet in a terribly dark tone. He leaned down to face him. Robin rapidly blinked his eyes, trying to clear his mind from the pain he was feeling.

"If you're the expert, why don't you tell me?"

That unbending grey blue eye narrowed.

"I suggest you tell me immediately or else this will turn out even more painful for you."

Robin clamped his mouth shut; his brain racking for the most plausible lie.

"Hurry it up, Robin."

"I—I sent an SOS to Batman!" cried Robin finally.

There was a long pause.

"You did what?"

"I…" Robin hesitated. He then gained his momentum and the false words spilled from his lips. "I–I sent an SOS to Batman. He'll know where I am, and–and he'll come and rescue me from you!"

There was another long pause. Then, there was a short chuckle which extended into a deep laugh. Slade released his hold on him; leaning back with a hand on the forehead of his mask. Chills went down Robin's back as he listened to the disturbing laughter.

"What a little liar you are," commented Slade after a moment with amusement still in his voice. He shook his head. "I'm surprised that you would resort to lying to me." Slade leaned back down; the mouth of his mask so near to Robin's ear that he could actually feel the man's warm breath through the thin breathing slits of his mask. "But I suggest you don't do that. You're bad at it."

"But—I–I did," stammered Robin; his nervousness clutching his heart.

"Oh, please," scoffed Slade with a small, barking chuckle. "You know very well you didn't, Robin. I know exactly what you did. Very clever, too. Trying to delete some precious files of mine. You should know I have huge backup server system. Even if you tried to delete something, there are five other sets to delete."

Robin turned his head away, his chest lifting once in a deep sigh of frustration. The man had known all along, yet had acted as if he didn't. Why did Slade always have to play these kinds of mind games with him? Did Slade merely want control over him – was that it? Or was Slade trying to prove that he had been right all along with his training measures?

"I still managed to delete one set," mumbled Robin, desperately needing to win against this man at something. Even if it was a tiny victory – it was a victory, nonetheless.

Slade smashed his fist into the wall right next to his face. Robin jumped as he felt flecks of metal strike his cheek from the crushed impact. Slade let out a low growl.

"Yes," hissed Slade icily. "Looks like the grinding paid off, wouldn't you say? You did manage to break through my own security measures. Well done. But it's your audacity to go against me that angers me. It seems that my fists are just not sending any proper messages into that stubborn head of yours."

Robin froze, suddenly terrified by the tone in man's voice.

This couldn't be good.

"I wonder, Robin… how loudly you'll scream if I broke your arm," said Slade, gently grabbing a hold of Robin's arm in a tight, iron grip.

Robin's heart stopped; trapped in the man's terrifying grasp. His mouth went dry instantly.

"Yo—you wouldn't…"

"Oh, wouldn't I?" said Slade, amused. "You seem to love to test me, Robin. Truly, it's really adorable. But I grow tired of it. Maybe this will remind you mind your tongue for awhile."

"Wai—wait, Slade!" cried Robin frantically. "Please don't!"

"And just why not?"

"Be–because, then I'll be useless for weeks," tried Robin; desperate.

"Is that all? I can easily heal you when I wish to." The grip on Robin's arm tightened. His heart panicked. The man was really going to do it – he was really going to break his arm.

"Please, Slade! Don't!" Robin found himself pleading; hating himself for being so weak before his enemy. It was a horrible feeling – being so helpless and so frail against the all powerful Slade.

"Why not?"

"Just… please, don't," whispered Robin, going limp in the man's grasp; submitting to himself to his fate. "I'll… I'll do better."

"Will you really?"

"Yes… I will."

"You've been terrible," said Slade; his tone going softer, dropping to a dark purr. "Therefore, you deserve some sort of punishment. Do you not agree?"

"Y–yes."

"Will you submit to any punishment that I deem necessary?" asked Slade in terrible whisper.

"Ye–yes," choked Robin. Slade released him. Robin held his arm to his chest; his heart racing madly in fear. His arm had almost been broken – that had been close and all too terrifying.

"You've brought this upon yourself, Robin," said Slade. Robin's mouth went even drier. He was sure the alternate punishment couldn't be worse than a broken arm. But there was no way to tell. Would the man decide to break his leg instead or something?

"I am done with your obstinate disrespectfulness," continued Slade. "It will end, Robin. Therefore, as your punishment, you'll be losing a privilege."

Oh. Was that all – well, that shouldn't be too bad.

"A very special privilege. I've been lenient with this long enough," said Slade; darkness seeming to ooze from the very segments of the man's voice. A terrible feeling of foreboding rose up inside Robin's chest. There was something very unsettling in the man's tone. A voice inside him was whispering that he should've let the man break his arm.

"I think I've been quite patient with you, but time and time again you've proven yourself no longer deserving to keep this privilege."

Wait… Oh, please… Please tell me he isn't going to say what I think he's going to say. Oh, please, no—

"Remove your mask, Robin."


Next Time: Chapter Thirteen: Richard "Dick" Grayson

Author's Notes: Actually, I do agree with you, Swallow Tale, about the mask issue. I really do see Slade stopping someone else from unmasking Robin. But I also think Slade is attempting to gain an apprentice and heir. Slade will be tearing down all barriers.

Thanks for reading! Next update will be on Wednesday! See ya next time! Reviews = love and ideas! ^.^