Disclaimer:It's been like three years. I still don't own anything.

A/N:This chapter is for A thought is a spark and Kevin because they believed in me and in this story.


.:I write about the power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about:.

.:generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know sorrow.:.

.:I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is to be broken:.

.:and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am thankful - for all of it.:.

Kristin Armstrong


Chapter 29: Conviction

Terra Markov

Location:Inside the Gym in the Hunt

Date:February 6 Time: 1:37

Grief is a fickle thing. We all take loss differently. Some break things. Others lock up their feelings ignoring the pain rooted deep inside them. It was like losing my family all over again. My brother. The Titans. All of this loss, the grief is overwhelming. I wish I could just turn it off. Instead I train. Slade doesn't even need to tell me to, not anymore at least.

Those first few hours are the worst. Lying in bed curled up into a ball tears silently streaking down my face until finally I get up sick of feeling sorry for myself. Now, I don't feel anything. I'm trapped in this numb haze. Is this how Robin felt when he first came here? It's his fault for everything. If it wasn't for his betrayal in the cave those so many weeks (months?) ago, I'd be here but without this heavy burden in my chest, my concrete heart.

I push my legs harder around the corner, sweat pouring down my face. I need to become stronger, faster. The Titans took Beast Boy away from me and I'm going to make them pay for it. They need to feel the same grief I do because I've lost everything. Any hope I had for a family is gone. Slade taught me control the best he could. It's all up to me now.

I forget many laps I've done. Finally, I start to slow down, my body weak from exertion. My head is pounding and I feel like my drowning in the perspiration raining down my face; my hair clinging to the back of my neck even in its pony tail.

Slade doesn't really even acknowledge me when I come back. I'm free to roam the haunt but when I seek him out he's cold towards me. I don't understand. I've done everything he's asked. He showed me the Titans true colors. Even so he just keeps himself cooped up in his layer upstairs contemplating, planning. What? I have no idea.

Out of breath I exit the gym as quit quietly as I can and head back to my room to grab clothes for a shower. Once inside the warm water relaxes my muscles and even though I can still feel the weights on my chest some of the ones on my shoulders lessen. I stand inside until the hot water runs cold and I can't stand the sensation anymore. The room is dead silent when I finally sit down on my bed, my blonde locks still dripping down my back.

I miss music. While traveling it was just an ever present thing playing in the streets varying country by country. Sometimes I wish I could go back to that girl, the one who's only problem was losing control but she has blood on her hands and soon, so will this one. I don't know how far I want to take my training with Slade but the longer I sit in this limbo, the angrier I become.

As goes on its all I feel and it's ever consuming until it's all I feel. I didn't even notice until it was too late. I hate everything and everyone who has ever hurt me. I'm going to make them pay, I decide getting up from my place on the bed to get dressed. My footsteps echo as I head down the hall heading to where I know I'll find him.

Ruins. That's what pans out in front of me on the screen. The sight is shocking. Bricks give way under the diminished flames, the smoke rising out from the places on the tower that are still ablaze from a rouge starbolt or sonic cannon went amiss. The once intimidating tower crushed. It's strangely beautiful.

"The ambush was a success, more so than expected," a familiar deep voice purrs from behind me. I feel him put his hand on my shoulder. I lean in closer like I'm starved for the attention. "You did well, Terra."

I nod slowly, looking down on the console, feeling the weight of his gloved hand on my shoulder. The hole in my chest fills just a little bit and I can feel maybe the edge of a cracked piece fall into place.

I take a small breath and look up again, towards the now-black screen. I don't notice when his hand leaves, but once I do notice its absence, I shiver. I want it there. It reassures me because then I at least know I am doing something right... But now I have to concentrate on what's going on, the reason I came here.

"I'm done with this Slade," I announce. "I'm sick of feeling numb and when I'm not feeling numb I have this all consuming anger deep inside my chest and I just can't handle it anymore. I can't handle this overwhelming grief. I need to do something about the Titans. They need to pay for what they did to me, to you. I want you to teach me how to kill them. Teach me how to kill like you did Robin. Teach me how to make them suffer."

He acknowledges me with a slight shake of his head, turning his body ever so slightly. "The training I gave Robin was created specifically for him. When I taught him how to kill I did so with his background in mind, his flexibility, and the skills he already possessed. To train you like I did him, well first I would have to break you. Force you to embrace the numbness you're so eager to escape. It would take years, maybe even decades to place you on the same playing field as Robin. He has natural talents. You're good with rocks."

"What are you saying?" I take a deep breath, my hands shaking.

"I'm telling you it's not worth it," he deadpans.

"You telling me I'm not worth it," I rephrase, biting my lip to keep it still.

"I have a better way," he announces, turning away from me and back to the screen. "Before Robin was reclaimed by Batman he retrieved three computer chips. These chips will solve both of our problems. They'll give you the ability to beat Robin, kill your friends, and reclaim the city."

"Where are they now?"

"Robin had them in his possession when he was taken."

"That's not going to help us," I frown, crossing my arms over my chest.

Slade presses a button on the screen and a large video feed is pulled up. A dark plane glades into view and he zooms in. "On the contrary, it just got easier."

"Wait? Batman and R-Robin are in that plane?" I stutter.

"If you truly want to end the Titans you will get me those chips," he shrugs, like this isn't the most import thing, like he has better things to do.

"Just tell me what I have to do," I tell him, mustering as much gusto as I can. I listen quietly as he relays his plan to me paying as close attention as I can. When he's finished he goes quiet bringing up the black plane once again on the screen.

Now, I know it's my turn to go out and defeat Robin once and for all. My jaw clenches and I tighten my fists. I have prepared well for our battle. At least, I hope I have.

I turn around, expecting to see Slade still standing beside me. But like his hand, he suddenly isn't there anymore. I shake my head and look around the darkness of the Haunt.

Destroying the Titans means crushing the head of the snake; if all does go according to Slade's plan, which it does all the time, Robin, Batman and Batgirl should be nearby at any moment.

I pound a fist into an open hand repeatedly, waiting in front of a door for a sign of any kind. "It's time to settle this, Robin. I'm going to make you and your friends suffer for turning their backs on me when I needed them." I laugh the sound sick in the silence almost like I'm choking on it. What will come first is the sweetness of seeing the Titans fall at my feet, especially Robin. I have been living in his shadow for too long. Now it's time to cast my own shadow. I imagine the Titans falling at my feet one by one. Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, and...

I moral drops when I think about the only Titan left besides Robin. I start to hug myself, murmuring things. "Maybe... Maybe I could..." the hole in my chest tighten.

My hand flies up to my face and I slap myself out of my melancholic stupor. My body tenses up. I have no time for maybes anymore. I am not going to let Slade down, I promise myself as Head back to the gym to pick up some equipment so I can execute the plan. I will strike first and complete my mission. The decision to kill my friends was an easy one and one I don't think I'll regret any time soon.


Barbra Gordon

Location:Inside the Batwing, flying towards Jump City

Date:February 6 Time: 1:37

It's a lot more cramped then I remember. Maybe I'm used to being the only passenger in here nowadays, taking up just the one seat. I'm not complaint really but having enough room to brace myself would be lot better when we make the tight turns.

My hands are tight on the armrest, but I keep my face cool and relaxed, typical bat. I'm not worried about the Titans. They seem formidable and more then capable of handling themselves. They will survive this.

What I am worried about is less than a what and more of a who. I'm worried about Robin, about bout Dick Grayson.

We made it through the exercise technically, and that's what made Batman see that Robin is physically ready to return. But I'm not so sure about mentality or how he will handle it emotionally. He's not fragile but I still think he has some cracks in his vase that haven't quite healed all the way.

He hasn't said much to me about it, but I know enough.

Deathstroke is much more than a mere assassin. He is also a brainwasher. Sometimes I feel like he still has a hold over Robin. We will see how much he has grown since then.

Something begins to rise in the distance. The city isn't as big as Gotham, certainly isn't has dark. Small, brightly lit in the darkness. I turn my eyes to Robin just to see how he reacts to seeing the city that nearly took who he is. He has his eyes closed, his mask off, which is strange even for him. Usually, this would be the part when he is ready and pumped for anything. He looks exhausted his bravo from earlier seemingly drained from earlier.

Then again, it isn't usual for one of us to have gone through such torture. He's worried about his friends like I'm worried about him. I'm not quite sure how I feel about the Titans. I know for a fact I'm upset with them. How could they do this to him?

I reach out to him and grab his shoulder. "Hey, you gonna' show me how much of a good leader you are?"

He doesn't answer; he just looks at me and then back to the window. I let out a in hand shake my head. It's probably for the best I leave it at that, no matter how much I want to pry. He's getting ready in his own way, preparing himself to face his friends. I look forward and try to get something from Batman himself. The silence in here is driving me crazy. I get that we are Bats but do we have to sit in uncomfortable silence?

"How far out are we?" I ask, adjusting myself in my seat.

"Estimated time of arrival is ten minutes." His stoic voice was as cool as ever.

"Wait," Dick interrupts. It's the first time he's spoken up since we got in the Batwing, his eyes fixated on the screen in front of him. "There was a small spike in seismic activity near the west forest. It's her."

"Robin, are you sure?" I frown.

"How is that even a question? We need to go after her!" Robin snaps, exasperated.

"What about the Titans?" I ask him, pointedly.

"The Titans can handle themselves for another hour," he shrugs. "The seismic activity is the right dimensions; it's the correct depth for a center point epicenter. Slade is setting her up as a distraction, I know this. We can use it to our advantage. Slate doesn't really care about her. If we can separate her from him and show her that then we can weaken him. It will be harder if they're a team then if we try and beat them one on one. Terra was still learning to control her powers when I left. She's venerable. Bats, we can do this. I can handle this."

"Pin point the location," Batman orders after a minute of silence. "We land in five."

With that, our discussion is over. I have learned not to question Batman on these things but this is just ridiculous. Why the sudden detour? Batman has to know it's going to be a trap. Even I know it's going to be a trap but. I stay silent and look around, ready to do whatever needs to be done once we land.

I see Titan's Tower in the distance, not straight ahead of us. It was going to our right. We were headed to the forest behind the city, it looked like. I wonder what we would find there.

We land shortly after, Robin putting on his mask and immediately jumping out of the cockpit once the glass opens up. I stand and see him look around, walking forward to a couple of trees and inspecting them closely. Batman follows suit landing near some other trees, also inspecting them.

I am the final one to leap into the scene, gracefully landing and trotting over to the trees Batman is inspecting, looking to see what they saw. Immediately, I understand.

This is where a small took place, most likely between Terra and the Titans maybe? I spot some rocks along with some larger boulders scattered about. I look around it for clues, Batman inspecting another, as Robin moves closer towards us. I take initiative and move further into the trees, finding bits of rock here and there. It was very minuscule, but enough to give us a start. I began seeing more scattered rocks. But even then they were becoming small and sparse.

Eventually, the trail stops cold. Nothing much other than the few clues Terra was fortunate enough to leave, accidentally.

I return to Batman, Robin already talking with him about it.

"...me up and took me in once I was at the door. We can keep acting like we don't know his location and strike while we still have the advantage." He has his arms crossed, nodding me over as I jog along to join.

"He will have noticed our arrival," Batman states, using one of his hand computers to calculate some sort of area of attack. "We need to prepare for an ambush, just like the Titan's went through. We will spread out, but turn on your beacons and localize them to my frequency. If one of you get's attacked, start heading back and I will get to you. I will warn both of you about it, so we can converge and attack as a group. He may attack us all at the same time, so we need to regroup as quickly as possible."

I nod, putting a hand up to the side of my belt and flicking a switch. A small flashing dot appears on the projected screen of Batman's computer. Robin does the same, and another dot appears on Batman's screen. He nods, setting the computer back in his own belt.

"Robin, take the direct route. Batgirl and I will take either side of you, heading around, making it seem like a pincer attack. If you make it to the door without any trouble, try and draw Terra out. You say Terra is weak but it has been a while since you've seen her. Don't underestimate her. Keep in mind Slade could be out here too. Keep your guard out. Stay close. No one gets separated."

Robin nods, his eyes meeting Batman's, before he heads out. We fan out as directed by Batman. I wave to Robin and he nods back. The last thing I see before trees obstruct my vision from the both of them. So much for not getting separated; at least they are together.

It's quiet and dark, too much so for this not to be a trap. I concentrate on listening around as I keep walking forward, activating the night vision within my cowl to have a better view of everything. No heat signatures of any kind besides the trees. No animals, not even insects. The seismic activity must have scared off the bigger animals.

This is either going to be way too easy or it's going to get way too hard very fast. I don't like the kinds of odds we have stacked against us.


A/N: I received a PM the other day about submitting Apprentice for a Fanfiction novel contest but it makes no sense to summit a story without it being finished. I've made a deal with myself; if I can finish Apprentice by the contest deadline then I will summit it. No promises. However, I did promise someone it would be finished by Christmas of this year and I am a women of my word. On a side note, I do apologize for the previously messed up chapter. Everything should be fixed now.

Best Wishes and thank you for sticking with me and this story,

AnaUzumaki