Disclaimer: Refer back to First Chapter, First page.
A/N: So I'm talking a break on my other story, I just can't do two at the same time, and handle my family's craziness too. Anyone reading it I'm sorry, but I'll eventually get back to finishing it up. That's a promise. So now on to the story...
Chapter 36 (One Ending, A Beginning, and a New Start pt. 2)
April the 8th 4:00 am
4 Hours till Gnat's launch, D-day, Invade……oh whatever you want to call it, thought Robin annoyed at himself.
Robin had worked all through the early morning hours, his plan driving him to make sure that everything was in place. He'd already unpacked the crate that Alfred had sent "Flash" over with. Items spread out in groupings; all over the living room, which Robin had shifted the furniture in order to create a battle ready model war room out of. Tables where the couch used to be; the couch now stuffed over into the corner near the windows, held each Titan's name with a grouping of various new gadgets that Robin had hurriedly created. Or left Alfred to finalize up before shipping the create to him in Jump City.
On each table placing, there was a pare of new shinny looking sunglass shades. Anyone would wonder why a group about to go into battle would worry about looking cool, cus heaven knows the sun wasn't going to be up and bright at the time they attacked the Chemical Plant.
Laying next to Raven's name and pair of sunglasses, was a device, looking a lot like a head band. It was silver, with intricately weaved copper wire crisscrossing. One would think of a mild peasant's crown or a mad scientists head gear; not far from the truth, Robin was, playing the roll of a Mad Scientist. His hope, at what the headband might be able to achieve for Raven was risky if not even a little crazy.
Cyborg's name standing out loud and boisterous same as his image when one thought of the Cybernetic superhero. Was in the company of a really large mechanical machine. Robin's smile at looking it over, made him seem proud of an achievement he'd overcome. His idea for it came from something Batman had once told him. Guns only ever kill, I refuse to use them, if you hold one don't ever think it wont be used to kill or harm someone. It had been the reason that the Bat jump cords and grappling hooks never looked anything remotely like a gun.
Robin's smile widened, it was a gun of sorts; modeled off a machine gun, but lighter so that Cyborg could grip and control the direction one wanted to point it in.
Robin's eye's roaming on down the tables, crossed over the contents of Beast Boy's table. An entire wardrobe was laid out. Something made from a material that was worm, yet light weight, and stretchable to help conform to Beast Boy's transformation powers. His new outfit staying consistent to his choice of color, held some black looking animal stripes here and there. His arm sleeves holding patches of missing material near the joints for better stretch resistance. It was the kind of body armor that Beast Boy preferred, while laying Robin's mind at ease; that if any of Slade's robots got a good hit on his young friend, he would be able to keep fighting with only minor injury or harm coming to his vital organs and/or body parts.
Robin sighed, he really was unsure what would come of this battle. His planning was making him feel less and less like he was going to win. He'd practically thought of everything from setting up a Will; transferring his inheritance and fortune over to his team should he die, to thinking that should he be captured and taken by Slade; a separate account be given to his team, one for them to do with as they saw fit. Be that, to attempt to spend the rest of their live trying to rescue him, or simply live out their lives in comfortable means.
Selfishness asked for his rescue, but that little voice in his head; whispering practical words of consol-meant to him, reminded him that his friends deserved happiness. They shouldn't have to pay for his mistakes, he shouldn't require of them to rescue him from a fate he himself, had a hand in directing. It was his battle he'd started with Slade, his own obsessive and determined nature that drove him straight into the danger of engaging in a battle; a rivalry, with someone as deadly and viscous as Slade. His friend's didn't sign up as Superhero's for a career. That was his choice, they were merely employed in a temporary job till they grew up and all began wanting to seek out more for themselves.
Robin smiled again, his eye's roaming over Starfire's table. She had really grow the most of any of them. Her innocents and naïve ness was no longer standing out to him. She was growing, he could remember how she used to suggest things for the team, in a way of telling them; shyly, that, that was what she wanted to do. Never having the courage to state boldly anything. Never having the courage to approach a subject with her shoulders not slumped over, or her head ever looking one of them in the eye. Her hands at her mouth; like a small scared child, she would address them even to simply ask the smallest of questions. Now she was forcibly making Robin have massages, gennie-piging them to culinary treats; of spoonfuls of whatever she concocted, and merely shouting in glee at the world around her.
A single tear escaped Robin's eye, he wiped it way. Looking back Robin couldn't help but realize that in the four years that he'd merely been thinking of this place as a temporary residence; as his friends had grown, he'd gained a home, seen his friends grow up, branch out, blossom, and become not just outcasts of the world; the lost, little in need of help children he'd taken in, but far surpassing even him and becoming members of the community. Accepted, admired, and yet somehow retaining that humble and meek attitude he loved about them all. Each of them overcoming their own fears, needs, and changing for the better.
Beast Boy was becoming a man, accepting responsibility and no longer feeling ashamed of his green skin and weird appearance.
Cyborg was thinking he had a future now. That he was not just a machine, but a human being. With no limitations or restraints for what he could do, accomplish, or become later on.
Raven, the most distant of the group; had formed friendships, chosen to let people into her life, had given into the realization that, no being; human or non, could completely disconnect themselves from their feelings. That life evoked emotional responses everyday, that to hold control over herself didn't mean she couldn't let those responses out. Let them naturally exist, but that she just had to keep a mental checklist for herself to go off of each day. To be natural but not emotional on purpose. It had become easier after her father's appearance and defeat. Robin had watched her grow and blossom even more. Less now; concerned with the destruction of a world by her own means, she had begun living. Enjoying herself; she even smiled now, and occasionally laughed.
Starfire; his best friend and sometimes confusing other half of himself, she had grown in understanding, a leader had sprouted from her and she had even begun showing signs of independence. No longer requiring the company of someone all the time. It was the best thing Robin had witnessed yet, from any one of them.
It actually made him feel better, it made it an easier thought that he might not be with them all forever. That if Slade did win, if he did end up joining Slade, that his team would not fall apart completely without him. That they could go on and survive. Robin's eyes looked over the tables again, wiping another tear; this time one of joy, away as he turned to study over his war table.
A 3D model projection sat above and in the center of the table. The Chemical Plant's three story building layout made Robin feel ready to start planning a strategy for attack. He'd hacked into the cities files and retrieved the blue prints for the building. Then with a little help from a friend, was able to get a government satellite image of the building for overlay.
Robin's contact had been able to get him even more; an inside, inferred image. His 3D model now had heat readings of all the energy sources inside of the building. Seems Slade wasn't taking any chances, he was also housing cold generators inside. Some areas; ones Robin suspected held items of greater heat then normal, were clouded over with a cold image shot. Robin could only guess what really was within those rooms.
The map did however show that a great deal of Slade's Robots were inside, along with two bodies; Robin guessing Slade, and the other, Robin could only assume was Killer Moth.
Well Slade let's see who's the better, me or you. Robin turned to a data pad and began studying the model to come up with a plan to stop Slade and win this challenge of his.
-S-
"The Gnat's are almost ready Slade." Killer Moth's raspy voice just sent gut wrenching internal cringes through Slade. He could not fathom what being had spawned such a pest into this world, much less been merciful enough to let it survive right after its birth.
"Slade, are you listening to me? Slade!"
Does this insect ever shut up….
Slade; having decided to have his meeting while working on one of his Robot's, in hoped of distracting himself from the thought's that ran through his minds need to be alleviated of this "Partner" of his.
He had tried everything from isolating himself from the Moth, to ignoring him, to simple asking that he be quite. To threatening, and yet, the insect still chattered away incessantly. The bug makes Robin's little alien friend; Starfire, look like a mute. Over and over, on and on, and about his daughter too. O, Slade had hit the limits of his patience. Even now, with the constant reminder of the reason for this terrible, self inflicted ordeal; the prize he would be gaining after this, Robin didn't seem to be worth it somehow anymore to him to endure this partner.
"I herd you the eight hundredth time," answered Slade his voice only showing a small glint of the irritation he was bottling up. "Fine," replied Slade still working on one of his robots. "As soon as the sun comes up and settles, send the Gnats out into the city with the chemical. Don't bother informing me," added Slade hastily, "just do it."
Killer Moth beamed, "Yes, yes, very good Slade." Leaving; along with his two Robot escorts, Slade to continue working. Slade giving a small sigh, Oh the silent relief. Only a little longer, he reminded himself.
Slade turned and took comfort in his army of Robots. Activating the one he'd been working on and ordering it to join into the ranks. Slade looked over his army of mechanical silent; yet deadly, enforcers.
Slade addressed them, his voice flatly determined and laying no wonder as to who was the master and who the creation. "Attack the Titan's when they show up. Destroy them anyway you choose. Kill the Titan's and anyone else that gets in your way, but make sure that Robin stay's alive to see them die, then bring him to me. Now spread out and prepare for battle."
Hundreds of his mechanical androids gave acknowledgment. Merging into the darkness and shadowed corners of the building; spreading out to lay in wait for the Titan's whom they knew would soon come. Waiting for the coming battle, where they would be able to carry out their masters orders.
5:40am
Robin had informed Sally to wake up each Titan at 5:30, they should have all have been up and getting dressed by now, each entering the main living room some time sooner then later.
Robin; sitting at the breakfast bar, sipping on a cup of coffee after just finishing up breakfast he'd made. Absentmindedly played with his fork; thinking over his plans for stopping Slade and adding final touches. Making a mental checklist in his mind and trying to prepare what he was going to talk about with his teammates.
The doors leading into the living room; having been closed by Robin so that his moving and shifting of the furniture would not disturbed his resting friends, opened, reveling a tired yet ready to go group of teenagers.
"Wow, dude did you do all this?" Asked Beast Boy; eye's wide, surprise quickly turning into thoughtful contemplation.
Robin; still dressed in the same clothing he'd arrived in earlier that night, smiled happily in greeting "Morning."
Raven looked at Robin, he was still dressed as he had been when she'd last seen him, "Robin, did you even get any rest or go to sleep?" She asked staring into his uncovered eyes. She couldn't help wondering why someone with such bright and beautiful clear blue eyes would choose to hide them. That thought actually alerting her to a strange revelation in mysterious thinking. How come a man who up until now, never chose to even remove his mask from his face; much less let his own team see his eye's, was suddenly walking around Titan Tower without it on as if nothing more natural always took place. What kind of trip changes a man like Robin so drastically. It wasn't just the issue of Robin wearing no mask either, Beast Boy's observation was correct. Robin somehow seemed taller, and more……well, what was the phrase?
"With the look of a man who'd said his peace and was ready to face whatever may come for him."
It somehow saddened Raven, suddenly feeling a since of joy at being able to read any emotional response from her friend. Did this mean whatever had been going on between them was now over and she could once again read his mental thoughts? No, I guess not; trying to enter Robin's mind and still fining herself blocked.
Starfire's voice cut into Raven's thoughts as she was talking again to Robin with deep concern. "Did you stay up all night and do all this, are you not tired? Surely your lack of energy will cause you to not resist or battle Slade and win if you are tired."
Robin gave his friends a friendly amusing smile. "Thanks, Starfire, but I took a quick cat nap," he lied, "I'm feeling rather refreshed and ready to take on Slade. I'm full of energy," he wasn't lying about that part, he did feel full of energy. It was strange, he didn't seem to require as much sleep these past few days; or even to eat to keep his constantly energetic body going. Oh well it was probably the adrenaline from thinking about his upcoming battle against Slade.
"I made breakfast, there's plates for each of you in the oven, help yourselves, and come meet me over at the table; by where the couch used to be, I want to talk with you guys about my plan's for stopping Slade."
His team headed into the kitchen to retrieve their plates. "Wow, you did all this and made breakfast too." Cyborg was impressed to say the least. Not only was each plate fresh and still hot, but each Titan's plate was designed for their particular eating habit.
Sausage, eggs, baken, and toast for Cyborg. Tofu egg substitute and a veggie omelet with tofu baken for Beast Boy. Starfire's plate had hash-browns; with lots of mustard all over them, Sausage and some of that blue fuzzy food she loved so much. Raven's simple in look, was the plate with the most work involved in making it. She had two pieces of toast; laid on each was tomatoes covered in olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan cheese and an herb mix. Three small baby muffins; each a different type, and finally a side pile of hash-browns.
As each Titan got themselves their plates, a fork, and something to drink. They began eyeing the tables across from the kitchen, noticing their names laid out next to a different pile of gadgets, trinkets, and stuff.
"So Robin what's all this for," asked Cyborg munching on his plate full of food while walking around the 3D model of the Chemical Plant.
Robin standing at the other end of the table motioned for his team to all gather round. "This is a 3D model of the Chemical Plant Slade resides in currently. It's been overlaid with a heat satellite picture, taken only a couple hours ago."
He could tell his team wanted to ask how he'd gotten such a picture or the blue prints for the plant, but didn't interrupt him, they all knew time was running out. "Starfire how far did you venture into the plant to look around and make sure Slade was really there?"
Starfire; her hands and mouth full of food, swallowed quickly and looked at the model. "I got as far as the second floor," pointing to a middle section on the map that was near the back wall's left side. "That is where the plastic holding tanks are keeping the tinny Gnats incased."
Robin quickly made a note on his data pad and then continued to explain. "That would make since, see here?" Pointing to several spots on the inferred overlay that were dark in heat signature color. "These dark patches are caused because of a great amount of cold being stored in the room. They're coming from the room's above where you pointed out the Gnats were being kept, and also the room on the first floor below it. I think Slade was trying to hide them from the satellite readings." Another strange thought, that Slade was trying to hide the Gnats energy signature from a satellite reading and yet he wasn't trying to mask his robots or himself. Robin didn't have time to worry about that small mystery.
"So then that's the room we need to get to," commented Beast Boy; munching on his food, while listening and trying to pay attention to Robin.
"No," shook Robin's head in answer. "It's not enough that we just get to the Gnats, we need to make sure that they don't escape or make it out into the city. Especially with that chemical."
"Then what are we going to do?" Asked Raven, looking down at all the little red dots, "what are all those other dots, those red ones, and those clustered red ones?"
"Those clusters are Slade's army of Robots, and the two separate dotes I can only assume are Slade and Killer Moth," answered Robin. "What were going to have to do is split up and each of you take on a separate assignment. Should we all work together; as a Team, we can maybe beat Slade and stop those bugs from getting out. Or at least from taking the chemical with them," concluded Robin, looking at his team with conviction and determination.
"Beast Boy, I'm going to need you to come up with some animal that is a natural predator to the Gnats. I'm going to need you to enter from the roof and then make your way to the room holding all of them. Keep them distracted and from escaping their holding tanks."
"Starfire did you see how the Gnat's might make it out into the city, what details do you remember?"
"I remember seeing long clear tubes that lead up into the fan's and ventilation system," recalled Starfire finishing up her plate of food.
"Again, that makes since," commented Robin; turning to Cyborg, "you said he'd need some way to get the chemical into the air, and how could the Gnats carry the chemical up into the air with them; masked into the swarm, as they flew over the city?"
Cyborg set down his empty plate, "Yah, if he was smart, he'd use the fans to lift the chemical up into the air and then the swarm just continues to carry it with them into the city and spread it around."
"So we'd need to shut off the fan's," commented Raven, leaning into the group and pointing at a room with a heat signature that wasn't related to moving objects. "That must be where the power for the chemical plant comes in and then is distributed all threw the building.
"Raven you can enter in from the back of the building and head straight for the room," suggested Robin, tracing a rout for her to possibly fallow. "Your ability to faze through walls makes you the best choice, just in case a way is blocked off; or too many of Slade's Robots block your path, then all you have to do is shut off the power."
"Without main power the fan's won't be able to come on and the chemical won't be lifted into the air for the Gnats to take with them."
"So we should go with Raven and give her some backup," suggested Cyborg.
"No," again answered Robin with a head shake. "See these smaller heat signatures, those are backup generators. Seems Slade planned ahead just in case he did loose power, there in two different spots. One is by the fans and the other in a room on the other side of the building, under and near the room where the Gnat's are being kept. You and Starfire will have to track them down and destroy those generators right after Raven shuts off the power. That way, there won't be any power left to operator the fans or release the chemical."
"I'm guessing," Robin pointing to the south side of the building, "that this generator is somehow connected to the Gnat's tube system, but also maybe the back up for where Slade is housing some of the chemical."
"See here," Robin pointing to the north wall and second generator, "that's where the fan controls and main operating controls are located. I can only surmise that Slade split up the containers of chemical, and somehow rigged it so that when each generator kicks in they release a different set. That way at least some amount of the chemical gets out into the city."
"So we will have to separate and each destroy those smaller generators then," announced Starfire, pointing to the South side of the building. "I can easily break through the wall and make my way to that room."
"Ok," agreed Robin, "Cyborg you and I, can enter through the right side of the building, that's where the front doors are. We can then split up on the first floor near the stairs. You can take this rout; tracing a set of hallways, and go after the other generator; while I head up to the second floor, and try and stop Slade. He's apparently been keeping himself stationed in this area," pointing to a red dot standing all alone in a room on the second floor near the middle front of the building.
"Dude, are you sure you want to try and engage Slade alone," commented Beast boy; his eye's wide, and voice full of uncertainty and concern. "I mean wouldn't it be best if we were all with you?"
"Probably," agreed Robin, nodding his head. "But unfortunately we don't have the time for that. According to Dr. Wong's notes; which I re read over earlier, we only have until the morning sun settles. Which according to the U.S. Naval Observatory and Astronomical Applications Department is at 8am our time."
With each of you having a set task that needs to be done, and Slade's tricks; I'm sure he'll have planned, we can't afford to wait. I need to stop Slade from escaping this time."
"Don't worry, I have a few new tricks up my sleeve for Slade, not to mention a new secret weapon." Robin was grinning now, a sign that he was hiding something. "I have something to show you guys all later, but you'll all have to wait just yet, first I want to show you each what I made for you." Heading over to the tables that each housed their names along with different piles of stuff.
"Raven I hope you rested and was able to store up a lot of energy," asked Robin picking up a small black pouch and the metal head band.
Raven stepped in front of the group. "I was able to meditate and replenish my powers, why? What are those for?"
"This," Robin holding up and out the metal head band. "Is designed to magnify your mental powers and energy, and keep it stored for you to use like a weapon. Instead of your energy fading because your moving, or flying, or even thinking about the things you do. Things that make you loose concentration. This stores the energy and allows you to tap into it, to use it when you need it and not loose or waste it."
Raven took the metal looking head band and gave Robin a small curve to her cheek. "How do I put it on and activate it?"
Robin smiled back, "You'll have to mediate and pour all your energy into the device, but Raven," and Robin's face grew serious, "I haven't had time to test it yet. It could be dangerous, you could overload the device and injure yourself or even worse. I really don't know what could happen."
Raven looked back at the metal band in her hands, then up at Robin. "Like you said, this is war, we really have no choices but to win and fight this time. I trust you and I'm willing to help keep you from being Slade's slave forever. Even if that means we have to all sacrifice ourselves to do it. You helped save me, you believed in me when I needed help, now it's my turn to return the favor."
Robin's face softened, but that look of concern didn't leave him. "OK"
"So how do I get it on?"
"Like this," offered Robin helping her to release a latch and put the device on her forehead.
"Wow," commented Beast Boy, "stylish and practical."
"You actually look pretty good with that on," commented Cyborg, admiring the way the device made Raven look as though she was merely wearing a piece of jewelry.
"I wanted it to look natural and not make you uncomfortable while wearing it," offered Robin in a smile of approval. "How does it feel?"
"Like I'm not even wearing anything on my head, it's very light, but it kind of tingles though."
"That's the copper wire," answered Robin, "it's a conductor. It'll help you to focus and channel your energy easier."
Raven nodded, then asked: "what's in the bag?"
Robin looked down at the black leather pouch in his hand. "These are for Slade's Robots."
"Remember how they seem to house some sort of new shielding and our energy blasts didn't damage them? Well, Raven's idea last time about how solid matter seemed to get through them, helped me come up with this idea."
Robin opened up the bag and poured out into his hand, several small metal balls. "There ball bearings," announced Robin. "Small, and sleek, easy to throw, and can go straight threw a piece of metal with enough force behind them."
"All you have to do is use your powers to start the balls flying, then let momentum do the rest and Slade's Robots wont stand a chance, even with their new shielding."
"Now that's pretty clever," commented Raven. Starfire nodding her head as she looked over Raven's shoulder. "Yes, that is a wonderful idea Robin."
Robin handed Raven the pouch and moved on to the next table. "Beast Boy this is all for you…..Oh I almost forgot." Robin picking up the sunglasses that sat next to Beast Boy's new outfit. He handed Beast Boy the shades, and then retrieved Raven's, handing them to her as well.
"These aren't normal sunglasses," announced Robin, "they're night vision glasses."
"They don't just see in the dark, but they also show you a map of anywhere you were previously. Allowing you to retrace your steps and help you if you were to get lost; finding your way back, and out of the chemical plant once your mission is done and over with."
"Wow" echoed his team in awed coolness.
"Anyway," Robin returning to Beast Boy's table. "I made you this suit, it's light weight, has a material that will stretch and expand when you transform. Moving and adapting as equally as quick as you, taking on a large animal form and then a mall one, like a mouse. Besides that, it's almost like wearing armor. You can take a few hits form Slade's Robot's without getting hurt too bad. Just don't purposely take a hit."
Beast Boy's face was solid with shock. "You made this just for me?"
Robin nodded, he hadn't though it was as big a deal as apparently Beast Boy was taking it. The young changeling looked as though it was a treasured gift. Like one of the most important and best things ever; someone had ever done for him, and would never be able to explain how heartily he felt the gift was. "Robin, man, wow, I mean……Thanks."
Robin smiled. His face sober with the fact that his friend really was cherishing it, but more importantly that it might be the last gift he ever got to give to his young friend again. "So I also installed a few pockets. You have a pouch of ball bearings as well, and a pair of shades, along with the assignment of figuring out what animal to use to keep the Gnats distracted."
"I already know dude, your going to love this one." A smile of mischievousness and ironic revelation was playing on Beast Boy's face. "I'm going to use a Bat."
Robin did smile then, how ironic, "a Bat ha?" "Cool."
"Yah," agreed Beast Boy nodding.
Robin turned to the next table and then to Cyborg.
"Check out the machine gun," gasped Cyborg. He was eyeing Robin with both perplexity and mild curiosity. "I thought….."
"It shoots, ball bearings," announced Robin, gesturing for his friend to pick up the device. Cyborg picked up the gun and began shifting it around. "It's light weight and easy to handle," commented the cybernetic teen.
"Light weight to you maybe," commented Robin sarcastically. "The thing weighs a good 100 pounds." Cyborg smiled, "Now I like this, but where's my set of shades?"
"Sorry," replied Robin, "I didn't have time to make a pare that would work with your cybernetic eye implant. But I did mange to get my hands on a software disk that should allow you to modify some of your systems and make your eye work pretty similar to the same thing. That way the glasses I do have should work without any trouble, or causing you any blurred vision, or double sight."
Cyborg was impressed, he took the disk from Robin and setting down the mechanical ball bearing gun. Smiled back at his leader and friend. "I'll go get working on this then." Tapping the disk he had in his hand.
"Robin nodded to him, and turning to Beast Boy suggested that he might want to go get changed. "Yeah, sure thing dude." Beast Boy turning to leave, hesitated and turned back. "Thanks again, Robin."
Raven went up and hugged Robin, before she too, took herself back to her room, so that she could sit and meditate, and try and activate Robin's head band without distractions.
Starfire watched them all go, looking down at the table with her own name on it. Only a small pouch; which she assumed had more ball bearings for her too, to use in it, sat next to another pare of night vision sunglasses, and then an envelop. "Robin, what else is there for me?" Asked Starfire innocently, yet dejectedly.
Robin smiled at her. "Starfire, I don't have anything else for you, I figured you didn't need a device to accomplish what needed do be done. The night glasses and ball bearing's added to your starblots, and superstrenght will more then do the job."
"But," added Robin, picking up the envelop and handing it to her. "I have something to give to you that's more important then anything I just gave the others."
"See, as my best friend, I know that I can trust you with this."
Starfire eyed the envelop. It was sealed and blank, nothing written on either side of it. She could only see a small signature seal at the tip of the back closed seal. The signature seal was made in wax and indented with the letter "R"
"It's my Will," announced Richard. "I made it just in case something happens."
Starfire looked up, concern and fear in her face and eyes. Robin's face unmasked, surprised her when she saw he was smiling back at her. His eyes showing no worry or despair, just genuine happiness. "I've taken care of things should I either, die, or Slade somehow win. If he somehow gets me as his Apprentice."
"I'm giving you this to hold on to, if something does happen, open the envelop and follow the instructions inside."
Starfire gripped the envelop to her chest and nodded. Her mouth not seeming to want to speak right then. Robin smiled back at her again. His mind telling him he should do something to make her feel better. That he should take her and hug her, but he just smiled at her before nodding. "Ok, so I have to go get ready, let everyone know we need to meet back out here in fifteen minuets."
Starfire nodded and watched Robin walk off and out of the living room. Her heart felt strange somehow. She looked back down at the envelop clutched in her hands. She eyed the plates of breakfast food laying around the room, at the room its self. Why did this all just seem as if Robin had said Goodbye. Why did she have a sinking feeling like she was never going to see her friend again after this? Starfire looked at the clock on the wall. It read 6:22am….Fifteen minuets she thought. We all need to be back in here at 6:37, ready and waiting to stop Slade.
Starfire rose up into the air and flow off out of the room to inform the others that they had fifteen minuets before they were all expected to be ready to leave. She too, needed to go get changed and ready. Her normal outfit suddenly didn't seem proper to wear for this battle. She felt like wearing something that would stand for what they were all about to do. Something that reflected how determined they all were, something that would show Slade they would not stop, would not give up, and that they would rather die then let their friend be taken away from them.
-S-
Slade watched with a widening smile as Robin handed Starfire the envelop. He listened with glee as his Apprentice explained that it was "His Will." This is better then I even planned, thought Slade. Better then I could have dreamed for. Slade switched monitors and watched Robin enter his room, watched as he walked over to his bed and unlocked a pair of metal suitcases. Slade had wondered what was inside of them when Robin had brought them downstairs from the rooftop; placing them on his bed, without opening them up.
Slade watched as Robin began unpacking what looked like some new weapons. He watched Robin pull out a new utility belt, a new bow staff. Watched as Robin extended the staff and then put it away. Then he watched as Robin opened the second suitcase and began unpacking what looked like a new costume from it.
"Well, well," called out Slade. "It seems as if Robin's made some changes while he was in Gotham. Maybe I should have monitored him more closely while he was there after all."
Slade wanted to keep watching, to discover what other items yet remained in the cases, but he hadn't the time. If he was going to try and counter Robin's plan, to work things around to his own plans, then he had to work fast.
He would have to go and talk with his partner; the word seeming to be getting better to think about, now that his time with the giant inset would soon be over. He would need to warn him about Beast Boy's choice for predator against the Gnats, and discuss with him Robin's plans for stopping them.
Robin's mind was growing stronger. To have re read over Dr. Wong's notes and came up with that one single time mentioning factor that Slade had found early on. Well there might yet be hope for the boy. The Gnat's would end their spawning period as the sun made it to its morning setting; stand still, that being about 8am or so. Slade wanted to make sure there would be no holding them back once that time hit.
I'm counting on the timing to be perfectly in sync with my plans for Robin. Nothing is going to go wrong, reassured Slade to himself. Everything planned would either happen, or one of Slade's backup plans would take over. Either way this event was going to make headlines for Jump City.
A/N: Hummm...so here's the next chapter's preview. Chapter 37 (One Ending, A Beginning, and a New Start pt. 3)
They fought not as master and apprentice but as rivals; as nemesis's. Opposite yet equal, one the leader and representative of all that is just in this world. The other a representation of all opposite, all the truth of what lies beneath the hidden façade. Covered over from the word to witness. All that is wrong and not the perfect blissful self declensional thought of how the world really works.
Robin didn't care that he was a symbol that his battle with Slade would be looked at as the good guys vs. the bad. For him it was only a battle to protect the lives and futures of his teammates; his friends, to prove that he; Robin, could resist Slade. To show Slade that he was not going to go over to him, not going to go willingly, but kicking and screaming all the way.
"I'll die first Slade!" Yelled Robin, extending his Bow-Staff and pushing it against Slade. Slade his own staff out; extended fully, forcing both his own and Robin's muscles to feel the pressure. Only confidently stared back into the boy's masked face.
"I'm not giving you that option anymore Robin," retorted Slade, spinning out of their lock and twirling around behind Robin. "Oh no, death is not an option. Pain, torture, despair, but not death."
So I'm sure we all know about the nice little reply to reviews button by now. I personally don't like it just yet. Sure I could reply to all your e-mails, but then what? You can't hit the reply button and reply back to me. No, you'd have to log in and find my story, or Bio, and reply back again. So I'm not going to use it. I'm going to continue to do what I've been doing, and reply to all your Reviews through my e-mail. It makes for far better interaction and expediency. Talk to you all Later, dlsky