Brief Explanation.

I was not going to bring this specific project to the attention of my fans. However, after much inward debate, I have relinquished my secrecy. I have decided to rewrite and edit "The Untold Story of Max Steeler." The beginning chapters do not vary much from the original version of this story. The only differences evolve from improved writing and perhaps an addition paragraph or two. As the story progresses, however, much will change. I am rewriting this story to fit into the completed animated series, including the last season. Slight changes have been made to both plot line and characters (both biographical and personality) changes in order to accomplish this.

Unedited summary

Slade. A criminal mastermind obsessed with the Titan's destruction. He is possessor of both machinery and weaponry. Who designed his weapons? His drones? The apprentice suits? The mechanical worms?

Three choices, two girls, and one secret. Meet Max Steeler. Learn her story. And prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about the Teen Titans.

Disclaimer

I do not own Teen Titans or the Teen Titan characters. However, Max Steeler is a character of my own creation. Please do not steal.

Chapter Twelve

"Faster, Max!" Slade shouted, blocking an ill-attempted blow. "Try harder!"

"I'm doing all I can," Max panted, swinging her weapon numbly.

"You're holding back."

"I'm giving you everything I have!"

"You're not using your powers, Max."

Max stopped. She stepped back.

"Don't act so surprised," Slade chided. "I know everything about you, Max."

Max shook her head angrily. She clenched her fist. Max imagined the metal in Slade's mask crushing his skull. Nothing happened. Slade tapped his mask.

"Everything."

Max leapt forward, using her abilities to move her bow-staff faster, harder. Her breath slowed. Slade blocked each blow, leaping backward at the last moment.

"Better but still not good enough."

The metal bender's eyes narrowed. She grit her teeth, sucking in a deep breath. She ran forward, yelling as she brought down her staff.

"You. Don't. Know. Anything."

Slade continued to block each blow. Tears poured down her cheeks. As Max's vision blurred, Slade seized his opportunity. His bow-staff connected with Max's shoulder blades. Her legs buckled under her, and she slid forward.

Max's weapon fell from her grasp. She couldn't fight the sobs as her body convulsed. She couldn't get up. She refused to try. Max expected another blow, more criticism.

A hand gently touched her shoulder.

"That's enough for today."

Max pushed herself off the ground, tucking her knees to her chest, and looked at Slade.

"I know you, Max." Slade whispered. "I chose you."

Slade stood and walked away.

"We have to do something," Terra exclaimed. "We have to find her!"

"We don't even know where to start looking," Cyborg replied.

"It doesn't matter. The point to start looking."

"We can't run around looking under every sewer grate in the city," Robin muttered.

"She went to him willingly," Raven said pointedly. "Have you thought about that? She could be deceiving you."

"No," Terra spat the word toward the empath. "Max would never betray me. She's not…"

Terra's words derailed, and her eyes dropped to the floor. Raven refused to waver.

"She's not what?"

Terra met the empath's eyes. "She's not like me."

The geomancer leaned against the wall, hugging herself tightly.

Shooting Raven a look, Beastboy crossed the room. He pulled up beside Terra and placed his arm around her shoulders.

"We'll find her, Terra."

"Not by standing around doing nothing."

Terra shrugged off the changeling's arm.

"I'll be in my room."

As soon as the metal doors closed behind Terra, the Titans turned to Robin.

"So what do we do?"

"We wait," Robin replied. "Slade will make his move eventually, and when he does, we'll be ready."

"And Terra?"

"Don't worry, Raven. We'll keep an eye on her."

"Fool me once," Cyborg chuckled absentmindedly.

"I believe she is speaking the truth."

"We believed the same thing last time, Starfire. Look where that got us."

"This time is different." Beastboy sighed, "This time feels different."

Starfire nodded in agreement. Even Cyborg seemed to agree. Robin and Raven shared a look.

"This time may feel different," Robin stated, "but it still doesn't feel right. We have to approach this cautiously. We can't allow ourselves to be swindled by someone or something that feels innocent."

Cyborg, Starfire, and Beastboy headed to their different rooms. Raven lingered.

"We can't trust her."

"I know," Robin sighed. "But we have to."

"I don't like it."

"Raven, we don't have a choice. She might lead us to Slade."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"We'll keep her on a short leash." Robin placed his hand on Raven's shoulder. "Let me do the worrying. You do enough already."

Raven smiled briefly and then headed to her own room. Robin stood in front of the large computer monitors. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk.

"What are you planning Slade?"

"Robin?"

Though somewhat surprised by the intrusion, the boy wonder refused to let it show. He turned to face the geomancer.

"I came to you because you know what it's like."

Robin remained silent. Terra fidgeted.

"To have him inside your head," she expanded.

Robin grimaced, momentarily recalling Slade's temporary residence inside his mind. Raven had brought him back. She convinced him Slade wasn't there but only a figment of his mind's eye. Robin swallowed.

"The problem comes when you allow him to linger there. You have to shove him out. "

"Yeah? And how's that working for you?"

Robin shrugged. "What do you need, Terra?"

"What if he was always there? What if he never left?"

"You would lose your mind."

"Max."

"Max," Robin repeated.

"Slade took her when she was young. She didn't know any different. Sometimes, I think she still doesn't. He's always in her head. She doesn't intentionally show it, but she's terrified of him. She's terrified of herself. I think she's afraid of becoming Slade."

"If she's so afraid of becoming Slade, why would she go to him?"

"To protect me," Terra faltered. "He wanted both of us, but Max wouldn't let me go with her. She knew I would be safe here, so she sent me away."

"It doesn't make sense."

"You went to Slade to save the Titans, right? Why?"

"Because they're my family."

"Max is my family. She went to Slade to save me. It makes perfect sense."

"Slade had injected them with nanite probes. What's Max's excuse? You have nanites crawling around your bloodstream?"

Terra shook her head.

"No, I don't." Terra sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, Robin. I don't know the right answer. All I know is Slade has been in Max's mind a long time. She's had to live with him longer than you or me, and for me that's excuse enough."

Robin grunted.

"Goodnight, Robin."

Terra headed back to her room, leaving Robin alone with his thoughts.