Last Chapter.
The rubble had fallen, the dust had cleared, and the entire roof of Slade's cave had collapsed, exposing the madman's lair to the rain that had just started to fall. Raven retracted her shield exposing two figures shrouded by dust. One was lying on the ground, the other was mostly underneath a large pile of rock. The dust cleared to reveal only Starfire picking herslef up of the hard metal floor, and Slade, barely visible underneath the debris. His head was the only part of his body Robin could see. Once Starfire picked herself up off the floor and brushed the dust off her outfit she stared at the other Titans in disbelief.
"Starfire, wha- what happend?" asked Robin in disbelief. He was sure that Starfire was dead, and was more relieved that words could describe now that he knew she was alive and well.
"He saved me. The rock was about to fall on me, and he pushed me out of the way." Said Starfire quietly, "Why would he do such a thing?"
"I don't know Star. It doesn't make any sense." Replied Robin simply.
"Why don't you ask him yourself." Said Beast Boy, who's arm was extended in the direction of the pile of debris Slade was under.
The other Titans looked over at the pile of rubble and were all surprised to see Slade's head moving ever so slightly. Robin ran up to the mercenary, crouched down and put his face about a foot away from the exposed head of Slade. "WHY DID YOU SAVE STARFIRE? AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, AFTER NEARLY TEARING THIS TEAM APART!! WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO SAVE HER NOW?"
Slade's head slowly rotated to face the Boy Wonder, and he replied in the weakest voice Robin would ever hear from him, he could barely hear Slade's voice over the pinging noise the rain was making on his metal mask.
"I've seen and done things you Titans can't ever imagine. I've killed, tortured, extorted, victimized, used, and disposed of countless innocent souls in my life. I've been to every country in every continent of the world. I've been to the beyond and seen the depths of hell, and the face of the devil himself. I have seen the filth of greed and jealousy. I have thrown myself into hatred, made it occupy every moment of my being." He paused and made a slight gurgling noise, then continued, "When you were torturing me, I knew it was the end. I can take a beating Robin, but nothing like what you did to me. I only have so much blood to lose. And as I layed there, broken and at the threshold of death, the memories of my life as a criminal weren't what I thought of, rather memories of love are what consumed me. In my life I have known the pleasure of family, the joy of loving and being loved. I think of picnics with my family, a goodnight kiss from my wife, the laughter of my son. Those are the times in my life that are most precious to me." His eye switched focus. And he went from looking at Robin, to the clouds and downpour coming from above him, "But when I'm gone, all those moments will disappear into time. Like tears... in rain."
Slade let out a groan of pain and his eye began to glaze over. "So I had a choice to make, I could either die broken and disgraced, or die with honor, to save another. That's why I saved Starfire, even if I hadn't pushed her out of the way of certain death, my time here on this earth is limited" Robin looked at Slade doubtfully, and Slade continued. "Don't you see Robin?There are far too many hate filled moments, and people in this world. And If Starfire had been killed, you would have spent the rest of your life filled with the same hatred that consumed me. And we both deserve better than that, or at least I used to, long before I ever knew you."
Slade coughed weakly and his voice became more strained, "It's too late for me Robin, I am going to leave this life as a cold and lonely man. But it's not too late for you. Live a life without hatred. Do that and this world will be a much better place, and life will be your own reward." He gave one raspy, weak, sputtering cough.
"Now, *cough* *cough* if you will excuse me, it's time to die."
His eye lost its focus and his head slowly tilted backwards until he was facing straight up. Facing into the sky and into the rain.
Slade was dead.
Robin had no idea how to re-act. The single man who had made his life miserable this past month, and had made his time in Jump City a near constant struggle was dead. He knew he should have been thrilled, but he wasn't. Slade had died while partaking in a completely selfless act, an act that had ensured Robin's happiness for the rest of his life. Robin wanted with all his heart to be happy at Slade's demise, but he wasn't. So he decided that leaving was the best course of action. But as Robin got up something troubled him, hecouldn't just leave the man who had saved the love of his life like this. So he bent over and took off the mask of the man he had hated for so long. He reached down, and with two fingers, closed Slade's eye for the last time. He put the mask back on and walked over to his friends. He took Starfire's hand and looked around at the other Titans who were watching him intently. With a nod he led Starfire and the rest of the Titans out of the partially collapsed cave that was once Slade's lair and headed back to Titans Tower. As they walked out of the crater than used to be Slade's lair, Robin took one look back at the pile of rubble that was once Slade's home, and made a promise to his now dead foe, "I'll live a life of love Slade, I think I owe you that much."
He turned around and re-joined his friends, ready to embrace the rest of his life with the people he loved. He could thank Slade for that.
Authors Note:
It. Is. Finished! My first Fanfic is officially done!!! how about that? Now is that last chance for all you hold outs to review, and I would like to thank everyone who did read and review. Your input was what kept me going on to finish this story. Go you guys! And please tell me what your favorite chapter was (Personally I like 6 and 21 the best). I'm just curious to see what yous liked! Thank you, and Goodnight! (or day, pertaining to what time of the day you happen to finish my story.)
Peace.