A/N: Sorry for the wait.

Head still buzzing, Raven could hardly believe her blurry eyes. Her friend, her leader, was running without remorse, the scent of hatred wafting off him. She had always thought him the most patient among them, but that was no longer the case.

"Robin, wait!" she pleaded, but her voice died on the wind.

Dazed and confused, she couldn't center herself, couldn't conjure up a defense when he struck. Soaring into the air he threw out a devastating kick, to which Slade only threw up his arms, on the defensive. Unfortunately, it wasn't without cost, for Raven was standing directly behind the masked man, and received the worst of the blow, the force of two bodies colliding against her own.

Stumbling backward, she did manage to catch her balance before it betrayed her. Frantically she shuffled as fast as she could away from the fight. Slade would glance occasionally backward, a strange glimmer of concern in his one eye. Seeing her in one piece, he would turn around to block another punch, another furious blow.

The Bo-stick rained down hits, and even Slade had a difficult time keeping up with Robin's pace. Blinded by his hatred, he was striking savagely. Of course, if Slade had wanted to he would have exposed the many weak points in the boy's attack. Rashness had always been a problem for the lad.

Yet, he kept his elbows up like a boxer, his back hunched, feet entrenched in the ground as he took the punishment. Bewildered, Raven looked on, baffled that the father of her child did not even attempt to reciprocate.

He only guided the fight, never exposing his back to the rest of the team, who looked on with equally quizzical faces. It almost didn't seem fair to help, because the villain did not fight back. The honor would be lost.

Moreover, Robin never once called for assistance, it was clear that this was his battle.

However, it was clear that should Slade gain an advantage, there would be no mercy, no hesitation. Raven was not sure whether this was a stratagem or a symbol of his metamorphosis. Was he trying to show her that he did not want to fight anymore? Was he giving up?

Thousands of emotions flitted through her veins, things were changing so quickly, so unexpected. She was not sure whether to break it up or see how long Slade could retain patience.

As if to underscore this, Robin yelled:

"Why don't you fight back, you coward?!"

Yet the man made no response, simply kept his concentration, knowing that if he allowed himself an inch, he would lose the internal struggle. Keeping his soul intact was growing harder, the demons mutinied, the conscience was muddying, but he focused his harried energy on one purpose: Defense.

He had not worked this hard, suffered this much to slip. Redemption was almost a plausible option. Elated still from the kiss, the fact that she was still trying to save him, overruled his sadistic habits. At least for the moment.

Gritting his teeth, he took another wallop. Although his arms were plated, it did not mean his bones were, and he was certain there were going to be a variety of broken bones. Moreover, Robin had managed to find several vulnerable spots, breaking past defenses: A successful kidney shot which pierced his lungs, and certainly a barrage of contusions along his legs.

It was clear that eventually Robin would land the deathblow, he was not stopping, not even breathing as he struck again and again. This also crossed Raven's muddled mind. She saw Slade's countenance waning, his breath was ragged, his grunts pained.

Blood in the water, Robin saw this too and picked up the pace, as if it were possible. Fists a blur, he twirled mercilessly as Slade's stamina slowed.

Now he was getting in more shots, hitting anything that made itself available with lethal precision.

"Robin stop!" Raven finally screamed, reading the signs. "He doesn't want to fight!"

But he ignored her, his opponent's strength gave out, and he delivered a thundering boot to the man's mask. Immediately, he crumpled, his copper and black facade cracking profoundly as it flew off and skidded toward Raven's feet. Cautiously, she picked it gently up, mindlessly tracing the fracture. Everything became surreal.

Exposed with his eye closed in semi-unconsciousness, Robin stalked forward, chest puffing out and in, he raised his weapon like a conquering general. Raven could only watch as it came crashing down, smacking the downed adversary on his non-deformed side. From where she stood, she saw a sputter of red sprinkle the ground, marring her leader's shoes.

Astonished and filled with disappointment at his cruelty, she knew that Slade may never see again. That was the goal apparently, for Robin smirked callously, threw his stick down at the man's chest, watching it curtly bounce off and roll away.

The air was dead. Cyborg's blue facade sparkled as he turned away, trying to exude nonchalance, whereas his green counterpart stared down, eyes hollow, shoulders slumped. It seemed to be too much for the red-head and she merely had her hands clasped in front of her face as it grew pale.

Yet the Empath could not look away even if she tried. Seeing his body limp, she wondered if saving his life the first time was playing with destiny, maybe there was no hope for him. Maybe his crimes were far too great and Death was catching up to him, collecting payment.

It was not clear if he would ever get up again, and Robin was clearly waiting to see if he would. His face was ecstatic, lighter than it had been in years. For him, it was the vanquishing of his immortal enemy, his personal nightmare.

The world had been too small for the both of them, one could not be happy if the other one still lived. For the first time, Raven truly saw the situation for what it was: Robin could not let go. Heroically, he took out his frustration on petty figures, but there was a deeper issue. Only the demise of those he considered to be his worst enemies would sate his thirst for justice, vengeance.

She was beginning to see that Slade had been right, they were not so different. It sickened her to see that the person she idolized was now smug as he lorded over his triumph. This was not a happy occasion, a man was lying half-dead on the ground. He had not wanted to battle, he was practically pacifistic, and Robin nonetheless took advantage and decided to cross the line from integrity to revenge.

Caught between past and present, she was not sure who had been in the right and wrong. Sure, he might have deserved it, but the way it was dished out was immoral. It had not been fair. But was she biased? Was her judgment just as decrepit?

Another question presented itself: If Robin was susceptible to his darker side, if he had just crossed the line, where would it stop? Was she in danger? He had called her a traitor, after all. What would that mean, for her and the child?

Feeling a century old, she awaited Robin's judgment, which was now tainted.

Slade was not getting up, but he was still breathing, barely. She saw a little inhale and exhale, ripped chest rising and falling.

Now wholly disfigured, would they leave him here? Would Robin finish him?

Satisfied, he finally looked away from the body and found Raven.

His eyes darkened again, and they became as black as his mask, an endless void. Snatching his Bo-stick off the bloodied ground, he strode quickly over to her. Not liking the way he was staring at her, she hobbled backward slowly, moving until she felt the concrete ledge under her palm, mask still in her right hand.

He had not noticed, and came right up to her. This was a new Robin, or perhaps the reincarnation of an old one, a ruthless apprentice. Tightrope act, he had fallen into his hatred. Perhaps this was how villains were born, like black holes and supernovas.

Silently, he snagged her left wrist, wrenching the mask from her fingers. Peering over it, feigning curiosity, he then broke it along the crack, snapping it in two. He tossed it aside, and again took her arm in his hand.

Paralyzed by bewilderment, her instincts became numbed, stopping her from resisting, from summoning her birthright power.

He dragged her over to Slade, and then harshly let her go. None of the others even moved, even questioned Robin when her equilibrium failed, and she wobbled and fell, catching herself by the palms as they bruised against the concrete.

Puzzled, she looked back up at Robin.

"I see now that there is no hope for you," he spoke as if shards of glass raked against his throat. "But I give you one last chance. Prove yourself and I will let you live."

The way he talked, he was a stranger. There was no warmth, no recognition of their friendship. Where was the boy who had been so sheepish, troubled and sweet?

He had reached his breaking point. If she would not respond to reason, then brute force would have to do. She had no idea how much he had cared for her, how often he defended her. Hell, they looked for months, had searched and almost died in the tunnels for her. Sacrificed themselves for her countless times over.

Beast Boy had almost been lost, as well as herself.

And still she protected the very man who ruined her. Robin had been suspicious for some time, the way she didn't want to discuss Slade, the way she avoided him, like she couldn't trust herself around the man. Robin had not wanted to see it, but in some insane way she had been corrupted by him. The kiss only proved his theory correct.

It wasn't just the fact that she and Robin had a link, wasn't just the fact that he knew more about her than anyone, or how he always put her first, it was the atrocious grievance that she chose his worst enemy, the substance of his dark dreams and thoughts, the sole catalyst of his anger. And she chose him instead of Robin.

Well, if all she responded to now was sadism and suffering, then he was going to have to oblige.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she responded finally, a new courage budding.

Without even acknowledging her, he lashed out, landing a clean, swift blow to her face.

"Robin!" the other teammates gasped in unison.

Like a predator defending his kill, he sharply looked over his shoulder and glared murderously. He took several seconds to stare at each one individually before turning his back. Like good soldiers, they stood and obeyed.

Staring through her soul he continued.

"Take his life and you will be forgiven."

Fury erupted in her. How dare they! Call her the traitor? She had only wanted to avoid bloodshed, find a loophole solution, like a real hero, like anyone with a damn conscience. They never even cared how much it killed her to restrain her blood thirst. Of course she had wanted to end him! Hadn't she received the worst? But she stayed calm and rational, tried to see every perspective, tried to preserve the last vestiges of her innocence.

With a smarting cheek, she snarled right back at her former friend.

He only gave a sarcastic smirk in response.

Not wanting to hold her tongue, knowing that it would end with another red five-star, she let go of her reservations. This was not her friend, not her teammate.

"Slade was right, you are no different!"

It was a low blow, one that she would never had given if he had been in his right mind. But drastic measures were needed.

Stiffening, he let her accusation sink in.

"If that's how you really feel," he growled through clenched teeth. "Then there is nothing left to say."

Like lightning, he lunged for her.

His shot did not land, however, for it was caught and snapped backward, throwing him away.

Good eye swollen, bleeding, and destroyed, Slade slowly stood to his feet, cocking his head, using other senses. Hand outstretched, he wobbled and staggered. Immediately, Raven stood, took his other arm and put it around her slight shoulders.

His body was barely stitched together, yet he was standing, or attempting to. The shock did not last long, for Robin saw how weak he was, knowing he was not far from death.

Giving a barking laugh, the boy smiled.

"You two make a great pair."

He stutter-stepped into position, his crimson stained Bo-stick raised to his eyes.

Politely, meticulously, Slade peeled Raven's stabilizing hand from his and shifted to face off against Robin. Completely baffled, her jaw hung open. He seriously wasn't considering...?

"If you would excuse me, dear," he said casually with voice like gravel, lips parched and splintered.

He lifted her dainty, dirtied hand to his rough mouth, brushing against knuckles, and then gently dropped it.

"Slade!" she hissed, her brow raised in disbelief and worry.

Turning his head, he did not face her perfectly, but he gave his usual dry grin. It contrasted sadly with his slaughtered eyes.

With that, he gave a slight shove, getting her out of the way.

Robin wasted no time, and his charge swept the injured man off his feet. Fortunately, he managed to land deftly. Yet, another blow was already in the process of being unleashed, and as soon as Slade got his balance, it was taken from him because of a punch to the gut.

The blinded opponent sputtered up a mouthful of blood, and keeled over.

"Too easy," came the taunt.

Slade did not look up.

Raven made up her mind.

Robin raised his foot, meaning to stomp on the man's exposed neck.

As if waking up from a deep sleep, Raven enveloped Robin in a starless black and threw him backward savagely.

The team intervened, although not harmoniously.

Beast Boy, who had seen enough of the lot, kept Robin in a corner, blocking him from returning to the battle.

Cyborg shook his head and sat down on the ledge, not helping either side. This was far beyond the norm, this team was no longer a team, a irreparable schism had developed, and he wanted no part in it.

Of course Starfire defended Robin, and she unwittingly fired a shot at Raven, though her heart wasn't in it and it was easily dodged.

The same could be said for the violet-haired girl, who did not want to come to blows. Only Robin did.

Channeling her magic, she swirled a blackened shield around herself and Slade, slowly entangling them both in its protective web, raising her slender, pale arms like an ancient goddess. Understanding her intentions, Slade finally dropped like a sack to the ground, a small cloud of dust accenting his fall. It easy to see that she was attempting an escape. Robin could be heard shrieking:

"Don't let them get away! Don't let them get away!" a bundle of spittle flying from his mouth.

Beast Boy tried his best, switching expertly from animal to animal, trying to give Raven enough time. Yet the boy wonder finally avoided his restraint, and came sprinting toward her. The emerald shape-shifter had done his duty and without hesitation, he morphed into an eagle and flew toward the peeking sun. Cyborg followed suit and began climbing down the side of the building, disappearing from sight.

Too late, however, the lazy emerald bolts of fire and Robin's closing proximity could not stop Raven from shifting into a massive onyx bird, screeching, wings stretched over the lightening sky.

And then she was gone, leaving the only family she ever knew behind.