Robin hated it. He hated the feel of his new outfit, hated Slade, and hated the man's insignia on his chest. It felt like he was on a leash, and Slade held the end of it.

"Good, Apprentice," Slade said from the shadows. "My colors suit you."

Robin panted, clenching and unclenching his fists as the anger rose. He couldn't lose control. Not this soon, not again.

"Losing control already?" Slade asked.

"N-no," Robin grunted, glaring up at Slade.

"Good," Slade said. "Now follow me."

Robin ground his teeth, regrettably following the man who was the only one who had any answers. "Where are we going?"

"To train," Slade said. "You've become rather weak while I was away. Sloppy, even. Were you slacking while I was gone?"

"I wasn't slacking," Robin spat.

"Of course," Slade continued, leading him into another room. "You fight while I'm away, but you don't really fight." Robin opened his mouth to interrupt, but Slade continued. "I see the excitement and competitive spirit in your eyes when we spar and do battle. You have no equal, but against me . . . you strive. You strive to better your techniques and wits, to gain the upper hand and take me down, but you never can. This is the reason why you follow me. This is the reason why you're here."

"I'm only here to find an antidote to what you've given me!" Robin snarled.

"Of course, Robin," Slade said, stopping in the center of the room. Suddenly Slade turned around, and Robin took a defensive stance. "But let me tell you this: there is no antidote."

Robin gasped, his stance faltering. Then his eyes narrowed. "You're lying, Slade."

"Am I?" Slade asked. "Do you think that I would be inflicted with such a drug if it were my choice? Yes, there are advantages to having increased strength and healing capabilities, but the downsides are — "

"There are no downsides for you!" Robin snarled. "You're an assassin! A killer! Why would you care about — "

"Murdering?" Slade asked. "An interesting question, Robin, which, unless you learn from me how to control such a drug, you will find the answer to far too soon for your liking."

Robin could feel his vision start to blur as rage began taking over. Using all the strength he had, he tried desperately to keep it in check. "Y-you're lying, Slade," Robin grunted. "You don't have the drug under control, you're just trying to keep me here — "

"Don't I?" Slade asked, moving forward and facing Robin down.

"No, you don't!" Robin spat. "You're just trying to get me to be your apprentice again — "

"Then let me show you." Slade grabbed Robin by the scruff of his uniform and pulled him close, lifting him off his feet. Robin glared up into Slade's single eye, waiting for something he hoped Slade couldn't do.

"Watch," Slade whispered.

Robin watched Slade, and suddenly, the man's eye darkened and changed. Slade let out a growl, almost an animalistic one, then disappeared from the spot. Robin's feet hadn't even touched the ground before Slade struck multiple times. The pain took Robin's breath away. Usually, when he and Slade fought, their strength levels were somewhat equal, but Robin had never felt punches and kicks this strong. It felt as though his bones were breaking and his internal organs rupturing from the pain. The attacks came from all directions and sides, over and over until Robin was on his knees holding his head in his hands, almost mad from the pain.

He could feel his own emotions taking over, and vaguely wondered if he should let his own self go so that he could stand up to Slade.