Disclaimer: Refer back to First Chapter, First page.
A/N: I am so sorry for posting so late. I'm sure I had quite a few of you worried, well quite honestly I had myself worried too. My poor computer had to be hospitalized this week, I just got it back ten second ago and went immediatly to write this in and then post. Again, I'm sorry for those of you who check on me at or around 6pm and don't worry, everything's fine, my baby lives and is in great health.
A/N: Ok readers, welcome to an exciting chapter this weekend. And just because you know how I am...and how I like to torture you all...I have to say that I have an additional surprise for you all. What is it you might ask...?
"Hum, what is what?"
The surprise?
"What surprise?"
The surprise you just talked about...
"I talked about a surprise?"
Yes, (angry with mumbling under breaths...that dlsky she never lets us alone, never stops teasing and torturing us, why do I continue to read...bla bal abl)
"I heard that you know."
"But oh yes, I remember, the surprise for this chapter...you have to wait till the end of it to receive what it is..."
WHAT! You couldn't tell us this before we endured all this...ah (more mumbling)
"Don't worry, just read the chapter, enjoy the torture I'm about to put Robin through, or is it Slade through, I don't know, which do you think it is?"
Chapter 37 (One Ending, A Beginning, and a New Start pt. 3)
-TT-
6:38am
The team of young superhero's were all gathered and ready. Cyborg had polished his armor and stood at the front of the group; in the living room, looking over Beast Boy's new uniform.
"Dude, this things awesome. It's lightweight and watch this." Transforming into six to eight animals really quickly and then back into his human form. "Look, no wrinkles either."
Starfire stood next to Raven, both dressed in the same colors. Navy blue, and black. Starfire having chose to change into a black body leotard she and Raven had bought for a night out dancing and having fun. Starfire finding the outfit comfortable had never liked the dark color of the material, choosing instead to stick with her more cheery colors. Today though she felt depressed, and also somehow angry. She had chosen to wear it as a symbol that she was determined, come what may she would not stop what she was meant to accomplish.
Raven eyed Starfire with a small amount of pride. Starfire was determined, the outfit showed that, but not just the dark black body leotard, or the navy blue shier shirt she wore over it. Raven noticed the necklace of pure green stones that reflected the look in Starfire's own emerald fiery eyes. She was ready for battle same as the rest of them, ready to take down Slade once and for all, and finally give her best friend the relief; the safety he needed, the certainty that Slade would never again bother him. Never again would he have to constantly look over his shoulder and worry that Slade would be there. Never again fear for both himself or his friends.
"We are all here, but where is Robin?" Asked Starfire inquiringly.
"I'm right here Star."
The group turned and looked at the doorway. Each Titan; there mouth open, their amazement silencing them into the look of statues. A whole new Robin stood before them. His shot small suit turned into a long full length body suit. His shot cape, now long and folding around him like a trench coat. Similar to Batman's covers his body up, but more like wings; like a robin's wings covering over his body.
His bright colors, no where to be seen. The black body suit, had an accompaniment of red inlay chiselmeant and there were color splotches of golden orange. More amazing then just the new uniform, was the way Robin stood in it. His body was taller, his age showing as no longer a child, no longer even a teenager, but an adult young man. Robin's mask, same as before, had only one distinct difference. His eyes had narrowed into a piercing stare. If his friends and team didn't know him, had no fear of him, they might have cowered under that stare. It was the eyes of a hunter. The eyes of determination and strength. Robin might not have held the same powers that his friends had. The same inhuman strength, the same speed, the same ability to manipulate energy or matter, but he was also someone that not one of his teammates wanted to go up against and try and prove inferior.
Here was the only person yet standing that could battle Slade head on. The only person worthy enough to be called his rival. The only person Slade respected and fought with; with determination, and a rivalry; that made all others see, Robin's true potential. The side of Robin that could make a friend smile at, could make the word: "Countable" stated. Someone always counted on, never undependable. Or if you were an enemy, someone that was worth fearing, worth never turning your back to, never mocking. Here stood a superhero worth fighting for. Worth believing in and trusting. To his team; here stood their friend, a man worth dieing for. Why? Because he would do the same, he would go all out, he would never give up. Robin would never go down without giving Slade the hardest fight of his life. Before falling to that monster Robin would die fighting.
Robin smiled at them, an understanding smile of silent thanks. "Ok, let's get this party started, shall we?"
His team agreed, each battle ready, and determined as the next. They would not fail, they would show Slade yet what a bunch of Teenagers could do, would show Slade yet, what the Teen Titan's were made of……….
6:52am
"So we can either take the car," Robin was shouting in explanation as they headed off, out of the Tower and towards the Chemical Plant. "It will nearly take us fifteen minuets, driving to get there, Or, we can fly there in under five."
"I vote, we fly," voiced Beast Boy.
"The element of surprise, would give us an advantage over Slade," injected Raven.
"Then it's settled," commanded Cyborg. "Were taking to the skies."
Starfire carried Cyborg and his new weapon that Robin had designed especially for Cyborg's uniqueness. Beast Boy carried Robin; two Titan's both in new uniforms, and loaded with new weapons of Robin's own making. Leaving Raven to fly solo, behind all of them. She was trying to conserve her stored up energies for the coming battle ahead. Finding the new head band to be working thus far terrifically.
The group landed in the shadow of the building across the street from the Chemical Plant. The alleyway providing more then enough cover to conceal them from Slade knowing they were there. The silence that fell over the alleyway was like a soft hushed voice. Each Titan deep in calming both their minds and spirits for the battle only moments to come. Reflections of their assigned tasks running through their minds. Each standing silently behind their leaders shoulders, spread out and waiting to hear the familiar call to battle at any second.
Robin's breathing was calm, his eye's locked and focused on the main road separating them from the chemical plant. Taking a crouching posture; Robin's eye's narrowed and set, he was looking at the front doors to the buildings main entrance. If the saying is true, and there is always a calm before the coming storm, then Robin was the picture of the rolling thunder clouds just on the horizon line. The silent calm breathing coming from his chest, the locked and fixed gaze, the battle ready; muscle tightness, were all signs to his teammates that he was ready to take action.
So why were they still standing there in the covering shadows of the alleyway? Beast Boy was the first to break the silence, his hushed whisper sounding like a yell compared to the surrounding dead silence of their empty alleyway. "Dude," turning to Cyborg; the teams, acting second in command. "What are we waiting for?"
It was the same thought that Cyborg had been asking himself just a second before, and now with the backup of another teammate, took the courage to shuffle his feet forward and whisper into their leader's ear that exact same question. "Robin, what are we waiting for man? Time is running out, and we're ready, what's holding us back?"
Robin didn't flinch at the break in silence, he didn't even shift his muscles or let his eye's leave their locked position on the road that separated them from their target. He did however whisper a reply. "Not yet, were not yet ready, almost, it's almost time…."
"Almost time for what?" Asked Raven in another whispering question.
"Robin," Starfire's voice trying to be as hushed as the rest had been, didn't manage to meet their low pitch, instead it came out higher then expected and made the whole team cringe in fear that they would be discovered. "Robin, what are we waiting for to happen? Is not now the moment to attack, when all is quiet, when the time is ours and not Slade's?"
Robin smiled, his head turning ever so slightly to looked up and down the road. "Almost Starfire, almost, but not just yet. I want Slade to wonder why we haven't yet moved, I want him to keep watching and wondering."
Robin's revelation that they had already been spotted sent shivers and movement through the group. Had they done something that had alerted Slade to their whereabouts, had they not been quiet enough? Was Robin worried that they would be caught? That it was now over, that their plans were now useless?"
"Don't worry," reassured Robin, "everything's about to work out just right." His words; coming along with a cunning and foreknowing smile, was for the benifit of not just his team, but the Slade-bots camera that was trained on them. The foreknowing certainty that without any doubt, was being feed to Slade at that very second.
That's right Slade, thought Robin silently. Keep watching, keep wondering. Oh yes Slade, keep asking yourself what it is I'm up too….? Why it is we haven't yet attacked. Keep asking yourself what it is I'm waiting for. That's right Slade. I know your watching…..you're always watching me, but this time I'm the one, who has everything covered.
I'm the one that's one step ahead, of you. Just a few more minuets, that's all it'll take, that's all I need. Just a little longer, then the trap will spring into action and you're plans will fail Slade. You're going down Slade, your going down.
Robin's team was trying to remain alert, trying to keep focused as their leader had told them too. They couldn't help wondering what was happening, what did Robin know that they did not? Each teammate looking to the other in silent questioning.
6:57am
Slade stood at the monitors of his temporary office in the chemical plant. His partner Killer Moth stood behind him. His wings fluttering in nervous response to the same voiced question as that of Cyborg. "What are they waiting for?"
Slade; his eye's locked on Robin's faces expression, his monitor screens feeding the image to him and his partner. Slade raised his hand up to his chin, stroking the edges of the mask in pondering reflection. What was the boy up too?
"I don't know…….." trailed off Slade, thinking. "Robin is up to something, but what?….."
Slade had thought it strategically brilliant when he'd watched Robin introduce the team to his new uniform. When he'd told them that he'd chosen it not just because Batman had taken on another partner; another Robin, and given the kid his old uniform, but because he now felt it time he started showing people what age he really was. Started proving to the world, what kind of adult, and not child he was.
Slade actually approved of the new look very much, even liking the new chosen color's. It wasn't what he'd have chosen for Robin. No, he still preferred the black and golden copper of his own colors on Robin, but the red and black wasn't so bad. Slade could tell Robin's trip to Gotham had been used for far more then a vacation and a patching up his relationship between himself and his old mentor. Used not only to reconcile things between him and the Bat, but to lay his hands on some new equipment and to fuel him with new reserved strength for this day's battle.
Secretly Slade was smiling under his mask. Only three days, and already Robin was taping into the new gift Slade had secretly given him. It was obvious too that Slade's own secret weapon was working to further Robin's mental strategy. Being used against Slade, but Slade didn't care too much about that. The effect would eventually; just as it had been designed to be, eventually drive Robin into becoming the person Slade wished him to be. Into the kind of fighter, the kind of cunning and mentally strict; strategist, that Slade saw the potential for. The adult that Slade now had every right to maneuver Richard into becoming for his future position and destiny as Slade's heir and successor to his organization.
But what was Robin waiting for? Why was he hiding in the shadows, staring into Slade's camera with that look on his face, that look of triumph and challenging mockery that Slade knew was directed specifically at him. What is he waiting for to happen? Was he perhaps waiting for Slade to come out to him?
7:00am
Raven's patience was wearing thin the same as the rest of the team. "Robin what are we….." Her question answered before she'd even voiced it. Robin's crouching figure stood, his shoulders tightening up even more as his hand reached for his Bow-Staff and he advanced. His team following him into the street just as three black SUV's rounded the corner from off the Highway exit. Robin's team readied themselves for the stranger's that issued out of the two van's and one black blazer.
"Titan's remember to stick to the plan," called out Robin, gaining his teams attention and refocusing them for the task they were about to set upon. "Don't get in their way, and focus only on stopping those Gnats from taking that chemical. Everything else, ignore it or destroy it."
"Titan's Go"
His team now realizing what it had been that Robin had meant by his earlier warning of "Don't get in the way"….and what it had been Robin had waited for before setting off to stop Slade had all been about. Robin had placed a few well strategic cards up his sleeves. The team took off after the government agents and commandos. Each entering the building from their targeted approach areas. Raven turning into her black energy form and heading for the back of the building. Starfire flying off to punch a hole into the left side of the Chemical Plants wall, and entering in; along with the team of commandos, assigned to follow her path.
Beast Boy creating a similar hole on the roof. Watched as the paratroopers; descending from the two helicopters stationed right above the three story complex, descended down within, into the darkness. Beast Boy changing into a green bat before plunging into the dark recesses of the building himself. Making his way to find and track down his insect enemy and targets.
-R-
"Your late," Yelled Robin as he passed by Agent Montgomery and his two body guards; exiting from the Black SUV Blazer…..
"Only by a minuet," replied Montgomery, pulling out his two side arms and unlatching the safeties with echoing duel clicks. "Traffic on the highway was hard to maneuver through."
Robin didn't answer in words, instead he pulled out a newly designed homing bat-a-rang; connected to a never before tested new enhancement installed into his mask, a targeting and locking computer screen that laid over his normal vision. With the movement of his retina or the eye lock he chose to make on any object he could send the bat-a-rang straight into, and exploded; the Slade-bot, that had been spying on them. Unfortunately the screen shorted out right afterwards, "dame" leaving Robin with only his night vision feature and his normal vision. Oh well it still proved to work for the one shot I did use it for. Get ready Slade cus here I come.
-Cy-
Cyborg extended his sonic cannon and fired, the front doors flew inward upon themselves and took out the first of six Slade-bots waiting to attack. "Oh yah," cried happily Cyborg's booming voice, "I love this."
Trudging right through the blasted front doors and walking over the metal scraps and pieces of Robots. Cyborg put away his sonic canyon and swung the new weapon; slung over his shoulder, that Robin had given to him. Cyborg lined his sights up with the Robots and aimed the new machine gun. Metal ball bearings flew from the gun at incredible speed. Fazing through the Robots new shielding and tearing up the Robots to pieces. "Boo-Yah," echoed Cyborg's cry of victory.
-S-
Slade watched the monitors, his insides turning to both hot rage at the sight of Robin greeting Agent Montgomery, and narrowed determination to devise a strategy quick enough to take in and use this new twist of Robin's to his ultimately; already, devised plan. So the boy thinks that a few soldiers can help him stop me, he fails to realize that I am the ultimate soldier. They created me to outsmart the enemy and stand against outrageous odds. Too bad they never figured on themselves becoming the targeted enemy…." mocked Slade
Slade noticed the nervous chattering of Killer Moth behind him. "Calm Down, this is unexpected but not unprepared for," commented Slade, turning to look his annoying partner in the face. "Go make sure the Gnat's keep to the plan, and I'll send with you a handful of my Robots to make sure your left undisturbed.
His partner nodded with a determined and greedy glint in his eyes. Stooped bug, thought Slade as he watched him go. Slade's narrow eyes and snake like smile made his anger subside. Good thing he's no longer my Partner.
Just as planned Robin & Cyborg split up………………
Agent Montgomery choosing to fallow his own separately chosen path. Leaving Robin all along as he made his way up the stairs to the second floor.
Robin; making no sound above the inner beating of his calm and determined heat, made his way along the shadows of the corridor. Weaving in and out, in only a blur or streak of darker shadow. He found it odd that he was met with no resistance; even odder, that he had yet to encounter or even see one of Slade's enforcers; his Robots, in his travels down the sparsely lit hallway. Or that as he passed by rooms or doors nothing was attempting to sneak up from behind him. It was like Slade wanted him to come, like he was offering Robin a direct, open invitation to come to where he waited.
Robin more the happy to accommodate Slade's wishes. Still….
What's taking Raven so long to disable the power?
Robin made his way to the room's entrance. Casting a quick look behind himself, before plunging quickly to the other side of the doorframe and looking inside consciously. He was stunned to see Slade standing out in the middle of the room; hands behind his back, all alone and casually waiting for what Robin could only assume was himself to enter.
"You can stop hiding in the shadows Robin." Slade's voice beckoning him inside.
"Why keep hiding just outside, why not come in and face me like you've been wanting to. Why not come fight me like I saw you wished to. That was your message, wasn't it Apprentice?...That you didn't come here to talk, but to stop delaying the inevitable. The Inevitable event we both knew was coming."
Robin stepped through the doorframe, his cape draping over him. His body standing silhouetted in the bright artificial lights of the chemical factory's overhead lights.
Slade watched Robin mysteriously appear in the doorway. He noticed how the boy had yet to uncover his cape from covering over his body, but that his confidence was reflected now in his smile. Oh the smile of victory was on Robin's face. Growing cocky before the right moment, thought Slade both disgusted and tolerantly pleased that Robin was falling into his trap.
"You mean the day I finally take you down!" Puffed Robin proudly.
Slade smiled despite the rebelliousness of his Apprentice. "You can be so stubbornly determined at times Robin." Slade continued to remain standing where he was; hands relaxed while locked together behind his back, Robin's words not fazing him in the least.
Slade brought his right arm out from behind his back, gesturing to Robin to come in…..
"Overconfident as usual Robin. You always did fail to see deeper, see beyond the surface, see the hidden curves. I've already won Robin, already achieved half my true purpose."
Slade noticed the look of apprehension and disbelief in his young rivals stance as he moved out of the frame of the door and stepped into the room.
"Don't seem so worried though," continued Slade, "it's not over yet. You still have time to figure it all out. Although," and Robin knew Slade was mocking him; laughing at him, from behind that mask of his.
"I'm betting you never will, and/or by the time you do, I'll have you by my side…. Oh you will be mine Robin, time is no longer an issue. I have delt with that, you will come to me, willingly or not." Slade watched Robin's face grow deeper setting, his body language challenging Slade to even try.
"I will have you as my Apprentice," reconfirmed Slade. "I'd rather it be willingly…but if I have to strip you of all the things that hold you to this word. Then I will," threatened Slade, his voice domineering and flatly indubitable.
Robin moved his cape back, reveling his new costume and body armor underneath. His ready; yet relaxed stance, showing that he was only mildly listening to Slade's words of threat.
"Friends, Family," continued Slade, "Allies, Hope. All the things that keep you from me."
"I will take them away, one piece at a time. Slowly making you see that it is only you and I that really matter. That I am the only thing that you can count on, the only one that will always be there, the one looking over your shoulder. The one that can either look out for you; the one for you to turn to, the only one for you to come crawling back to. Or the one that can ruin you."
In a quick motion of planned timing, Robin witnessed Slade; side step from where he'd been, reveling a lever; not unlike the same style of mechanical clock lever, that Robin had broke off and used as a weapon back in Slade's old lire. That same handle used to turn on or operate the gears and mechanical moving parts. Only this time, as Slade slid the lever over and then broke it of, twirling it around before tossing it aside. The noise of the detached part hitting the metal floor, coincided with the thud and locking close, of the doors all around the room. Locking both Slade and Robin inside. All alone and undisturbed from the world around them.
Trapping Robin in with Slade……
"Come," hand gestured Slade, his body taking up a martial arts fighting stance, while waiting for the younger to approach.
Robin; still unfazed by the doors closing, didn't even hesitate. He reached up and unclasped his cape, extending his arms and letting it fall to the floor. Robin took in a quick burst of strength and advanced upon Slade. The two engaged in hand to hand combat without any weapons. Only a show of strength and speed, that was a pre workout warm-up between the two.
"Determined, aren't we Robin. I never knew I could motivate you so much by simply offering you your freedom. Perhaps I should have done it long ago," Slade making small talk and conversation, mocking and driving his younger opponent onward as they blocked each other's kicks, jabs, punches, and swings.
Robin having planned out his moves, making sure to pace himself for the long endurance battle he knew confrontations with Slade always ended up leading into. His body beginning to just now feel the small exhilarating thrill that battles with Slade gave it. That push of its limits, that endurance under pressure. That mental challenge to anticipate and keep up with Slade's moves, to out think the next ones coming. Not letting your guard down. "You could have Slade," answered Robin back, as he tried to catch Slade in the face with his right fist. "Then you would have saved us both the trouble of waiting so long before I finally beat you. Before I finally surpassed you."
Slade only gave a small chuckle of humoring Robin's words. "Come now Robin do you really think you have changed so much in only a few short months that you could really outdo me?"
"Look at yourself, even now your strength in blows diminish, your beginning to feel the strain on your body. While I, I on the other hand am not even yet close to breaking a sweat, not even close to coming to your level. My body even now holding back against a real fight with you. The lack of fun at beating you instantaneously would bore me. So I hold back, I test your limits, and challenge you to grow stronger. To rise to my level, or a level that will satisfy my abilities, satisfy a real fight worthy of all out endurance between us both."
"Come Apprentice, I know you desire a true battle, an all out fight. The kind where there is no limitations between us both. A fight were you know we are on equal strengths. I know what desire lingers behind that mask of yours. Why fight it, why not simply accept the inevitable fate that lays ahead of you. Join me now Robin, come willingly. Let me show you what true potential you have. What mastery over your skills you can truly gain. Come with me and I will stretch your limits, break your minds barriers, and help you to mold your body and mind into becoming stronger then Batman, stronger then the Justice League. To become as strong as you were truly meant to be. The potential they all fear, the potential they see in you. See and fear; suppressing you, not allowing you the chance to grow into the adult you should have become ages ago. The adult I have challenged you into becoming, the adult standing before me here today. I know you Robin, I know you wish to experience the real power, to taste what real freedom feels like."
"No thanks Slade, I don't have to join you to know what freedom is, I live free as long as I'm not with you. I grow as long as I resist you. All you want, is to control me Slade, and I will never let you, I will always resist you. I will never join you or be you Apprentice again."
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 world 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."
Slade tried to punch Robin in the head with his elbow, but Robin dodged to the left. Spinning his body to try and face Slade from behind himself. Slade planning on this move, lowered his bow-staff another inch and let Robin's foot connect with it; instantly Robin began to fall to his side, headed for the metal walkway floor.
"I'm going to state this clearly now Robin, never say I didn't give you a warning. You can come quietly, stop this unnecessary fighting and come with me right now, accept your place. Your destiny as my Apprentice, and choose to save the lives of this cities undeserving inhabitance, along with the lives of your friends. Willingly accept that you failed my challenge, Or……."
Robin, beginning to fall towards the floor; prepared his body to loosen up, with quick reflexes and mental reaction Robin did a left handed side cartwheel. Letting go of his Bow-Staff as his other hand took over and continued his flip, before coming back up to a ready position. Robin using his foot to bounce his staff up and back into his hands and preparing to re engage Slade.
"I didn't fail your challenge Slade. Not yet. I know what your plan was, I know how you plan to use the Gnats to carry the chemical X.S.T.17 into the city and how you plan to hold the city hostage."
It was Slade's turn to start the battle, his sweeping kick flew over Robin's ducked head. His Bow-Staff again locking with Robin's as the two crashed into one another and pivoted off. Matching blow for blow, swing for swing. Each using fancy footing and powerful trusts to outdo the other, or place a lucky shot into the other's arm or chest.
Slade finally able to give Robin's shoulder a good hard hit. Robin was knocked off balance but tried to remain alert and standing. Slade's next swing only missing his gut by mere inches had he not bent himself backwards. His eye's watched Slade's staff follow along parallel over his body, up towards his head.
"Overconfident again Robin," corrected Slade, "you always have failed to see the bigger picture. To see the hidden intent behind the motive." Slade's words bring with them a blow to Robin's chest. The boy's mistake at bending backwards left him open to Slade redirecting his Bow-Staff upwards and then back down onto Robin's chest and right leg.
Robin's back hit the metal grade floor with a clinging echo. The wind knocked out of him; not being able to hold onto his staff any longer, as he found it necessary to roll to his right to avoid another downward swing from Slade's Bow-Staff.
"No Slade, I beat your challenge," insisted Robin. "I followed all the clues, figured out the connections, and made it here to stop you."
Slade let Robin roll away and catch his breath. Using the time to pick up Robin's fallen Bow-Staff; standing it up, next to him, held it firmly in his hand.
Robin got to his feet and looked over at Slade. His fallen weapon positioned in Slade's hand like a century guard standing beside him. Both Slade's own Bow-Staff and that of Robin's; boxing his body in-between them as he held each tall and ready, positioned on either side of himself.
"Robin, my worthy pray….I'll concede that you did follow all the clues. That you did gain the right conclusion for what this," head gesturing to the encompassing room. "What this potential struggle could gain me, but it was not the path, not the challenge issue, I laid before you that you succeeded in figuring out."
Slade's revelation made Robin's face turn white. His obvious confusion, yet knowing realization, dawning on him like overwhelming weight. "It was all a cover, all a smokescreen." Robin's anger was boiling now, his hurt, his pride, his mental confusion. All being vented in one single accusing statement.
"Did you ever even intend to give me a fighting chance? Was it all just some sick game to watch me struggle. What was it Slade, some sick mockery for you to get your jolly laughs in, as you watched me struggle and fail."
Robin's anger was like a lit flame, his anger fueling the necessary speed needed to reached into his utility belt and launch two of his smoke bomb bat-a-ranges off and into Slade's chest. With speed that would have rendered anyone other then the level and training that Slade had; choking and caught in a dust filled cloud, Robin's bat-a-ranges only managed to sail by and impact a rather large pipe behind Slade.
Slade's silhouetted body; now giving off the illusion, that he had immerged from a cloud of smoke loose and relaxed, no worries or concerns bothering the immortal being. Slade retracted his own staff and housed it; tossing Robin his own, which caught his young rival by surprise. He should have attacked Slade instantly with it, but instead he just stood there; looking back and forth, from Slade to the held item in his grip.
Slade tilted his head; relieving some neck soreness he'd gained from his long hours of working, and preparations he'd been making all these long months. Slade took a couple steps towards Robin and stopped. "It was always a game Robin! You made it into that, the very first time you and I crossed paths. Its always been a game between you and I….but this Robin, this was a test."
"A way for me to show you that not everything is what it seems. That you are not as clever, or as smart as you like to think you are."
Robin's eyes narrowed, but Slade could tell from his rivals body language, that he was listening and not just letting his emotions override his acceptance to the words of truth that Slade was going to lead him into understanding. "It was a way for me to show you that there is never just one agenda."
"I challenged you to figure out my plans Robin, to figure out my true intensions. To try and stop me from succeeding…..succeeding in what?"
"What was my true clues to you Robin? What have I been trying for all along? Not this petty one time shot Robin, not this insignificant city, but what have I truly desired and strived after?"
Slade was mere inches from Robin now, the boy hadn't even moved to a position to defend himself. Robin hadn't moved at all since catching his weapon. Slade stood before Robin; once again towering over his Apprentice, giving him orders.
"Think back Robin, think back to everything we said. Everything I ever said to you since, even before I told you of the challenge….let that great mind of yours; your great detective skills, let it all work to bring you to the truth Robin."
"What, have I….been up too?" Slade's voice leaving a residual echo in Robin's mind.
-R-
Robin's mind was filtering through the cover of Slade's trap. Of his side track that was the chemical X.S.T.17, that was Dr. Wong and his Gnats. Robin was thinking back, running back over information in his head……..
-FLASHBACK-Robin Battling Slade at the Jump City Mall
"Robin you're becoming reckless, neglecting yourself and worrying your friends. Am I getting to you that bad, or is there something else on your mind lately?"
Robin swung his body upward in Slade's grip and brought a bat-rang into Slade's left arm. Sparks and wires littered the floor.
Thought so! Concluded Robin. A decoy robot made to look like Slade.
"Coward, spat Robin at Slade's face.
"No Robin, just prudent. We'll meet again face to face, soon in fact. I just wanted to let you know that I still want you back.
"Not a chance in hell Slade!
"Perhaps, you'll find that I can be relenting and ruthless, Robin. I'd rather it be your choice, rather have you accept my offer, then choose to break you. But, I will, if I must." Threatened Slade making each word linger in Robin's brain.
Robin Battling two of Slade's Robots Outside the Pizza Ria….The Impact of the Slade-bots punches and kicks sent Robin across the pavement.
"Hello, Robin." Slade picked up the fallen leader and pulled him into the air, looking his young apprentice in the face. "Having Fun, because I am, in fact I'm having so much fun I've decided to kill your friends myself and make you watch as I take everything from you one by one. Then when nothings left, you'll have no choice but to come crawling to me begging for me to take you as my slave."
Robin on the rooftop talking to Slade after catching up to him, fleeing away from the Pizza Ria, currently engulfed in battle.
"Did you enjoy our little chase?" Asked Slade. "I though that just the two of us could talk. There really was just too much distraction back there."
Robin brought his Bow-Jo-Staff to the ready. "Talk about what?"
"About how long your going to cling to a hope of escaping me?"
Slade's words made Robin flinch. "What do you mean?"
Robin visibly angry to have once again fallen into Slade's manipulative facade…being forced to talk with Slade through one of his Robots.
"What do we have to talk about Slade, make it fast I have my friends to get back to!"
"Oh Robin, always the impatient one aren't we, you really should…."
"I don't care what I should do Slade! I just want to….
"Oh, but, Robin you should care…. because it's that very thing that's causing this all to happen right now!"
What? Slade's words had Robin visibly confused. "What do you mean Slade, what did I not choose to do that's making what, happen, exactly?"
"Why the destruction of your friends, your home, your very life as a Titan. All because you refuse to become my apprentice and you refuse my offer of help."
Robin's mouth stood open in shock, did he just say "destruction?"
"Well, now that I have your attention. Let me tell you how this is going to be from now on."
"You see, I'm going to keep hounding you till you finally decide of your, own free will, that you want to be with me. No more little games of cat or mouse! No more Tom or Jerry antics, just you and me. Relentlessly fighting it out."
"I'm going to take it all away from you…one by one! First your friends, then your home, then Batman, then your other friends and so forth and so on. Down till nothing else remains. Not your title as hero, not your reputation as a leader, not even your self worth. Nothing, till you finally see things my way and come crawling back to me."
"Begging to be taken back!"
Robin's eyes were on fire, his heart beating so loud Slade could probably hear it. "No, you wouldn't, you can't!"
"Yes." Slade's word slithered in a snakes venomous voice; lingered in the air. "Yes, I can, and I will!"
"Your going to see things my way Robin, or your not going to have anything left to see them with at all."
Robin took a step towards the bot. "No, Slade don't, I'll accept! I'll do whatever you want just stop."
"Too late Robin."
"I no longer just want you to say: "Yes, I'll do anything." "No, I want to hear you really mean it. I want you to truly be tired of your life and honestly crave my way of doing things."
Robin couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"What do you want from me!" The yell and whinnying cutting through the air like the echoes of despair in Robin's mind and heart.
"I don't want anything from you right, now." Slade's voice was calm, almost sympathetic sounding.
"Just sit back and accept what I'm offering to you Robin. Think, about my offer and think about what I've told you. Open your eyes Robin and see what I've been telling you. Stop denying the truth!"
-Back to Robin in the Chemical Plant-
Robin still standing; facing Slade, who now stood mere feet from him. All Slade would have to do was reach out and take hold of the boy, to grip him into a chock hold; keeping him there in that position, against Slade's own chest till the fight to escape, the struggle to be free of Slade had wore off. Till the screams, the kicks of protest had died down. Till Robin remained calmly panting against Slade, no more fight left within him. Slade waiting to merely take the boy with him. To simply take the Boy Wonder away from it all. With no traces, no clues for his friends to follow. All Slade had to do was but reach out for the boy, but no. Slade had decided to reach out to Robin in a different way. To take Robin; not by force, but by the simple means of persuasion. By Robin's own will, Slade would take the boy with him. Robin would come willingly today or Slade would not have him.
It was only in this way that Slade had realized he would be able to exact true control over his Apprentice.
Blackmail, threats, they would all work, but only for a short time. Slade had made Richard immortal, the time of lifetimes was before Robin now. Slade did not wish to spend it battling with him over his place.
If Robin accepted Slade now, chose for his own accord to lay down and leave his life behind. To come with Slade and start new, Slade had little doubt he would forever remain loyal to him. The time issue aside, the fact that in eighty years or so Richard would have no one holding him back; no one keeping him from Slade anyway, that was not the point. Slade wanted Richard now. Wanted him to choose to be loyal and remain with him (Slade). If later Robin grew board or wished to leave Slade's side; to choose to live another kind of life, to explore other possibilities else where. Then Slade would not care, he would then know; based on the initial choice Richard had willingly first made, his choice to accept and submit to Slade, that he; in time, would return. Always choosing to return to the one and only person; Slade, that he knew was his master, but also his only true eternal companion for the life an immortal led.
Loneliness would sometime finally catch up to Richard, and he would choose to return to Slade's side. Slade just wanted that return to be willingly, not begrudgingly and full of hateful resentment.
It was the reason; the choice Slade had made, to not tell the boy what he'd yet done to him. Why Slade; no longer fearing Robin's enhancement might be reversed, had not yet forcibly taken the boy. Why he had not used the revelation on Richard; that he was now an immortal same as that of Slade, to force the issue, and Richard to come with him now. Or even why back in Denten; right after completion of the Immune Project treatment, he had not told him, or kept him by force.
No, Slade would have a willing ally or patiently continue to wait for Robin to mentally come into Slade's desired thinking; to accept his place eventually, but willingly.
Slade towering over Robin. Silently waiting and observing his young Apprentice as he continued to ponder over the question Slade had just asked him to guess at. Saw through Robin's masked face, saw the cogs, the wheels of recollection drawing conclusion ever so nearer. It was finally dawning upon Richard what Slade was truly after…………..
"Me"
"Your challenge was always about me……." Answered Robin, his body now numb from self-loathing, from that deep seeded disgust that he hadn't picked up on sooner. That he'd continued for all this time too, continued to be manipulated by Slade.
I'm such a fool, thought Robin; his eye's shutting momentarily in self-pity. "You never did intend to let me go did you?" Asked Robin in a hushed realizing inquiry.
"All this other stuff, all this, this was all simply a game, a distraction in order to get to me…wasn't it?"
Slade continued to stand towering above his young rival. He was almost as equally angry at the boy for not fully coming to realize all this sooner, as he was pleased, that it had all worked out so well. "I told you when we parted that day in my laire," commented Slade flatly. "I said this wasn't yet over…..I'm a man who gets what he wants Robin."
"It doesn't stop, simply because your friends helped you get rid of the probes, it doesn't end because you tell me "No." It won't even end if you and your team succeed in stopping the Gnat's from infesting the city."
"It will only end Robin, when I choose for it to end….no other way, but my way for it to end."
A/N: So, how's that for a cliffhanger? Did I do an ok job...no? Maybe I should erase it all and start over? Nah, I think I'll keep it...
But what about that surprise we all had to endure to wait for?
"Oh yes, that surprise."
"Well I guess I should tell you that one of your fellow readers asked me what they could do to add to my story, and I discovered she's got a talent; a gift for art...so in conclusion Ladies and Gentlemen...You have a visual aid to Robin's new costume. The link to it is in my bio, seeing as how Fan Fiction won't let you post links inside your stories. I suggest that after you see it, you all e-mail her and tell her what a wonderful job she's done. It turned out rather well, it was based off several pics I acquired over the internet, yet it is her own lovely creation. Thanks, Asilla.
"So I'm thinking I better not just leave you all right here. Not at least without giving you a next weeks preivew...So let's see"...Chapter 38 ( The Art and Mastery of Manipulation )
PREVIEW:
Robin still standing in front of Slade, still having chose to not move. Not yet say anything back in reply. His mind playing out, recalling everything he'd failed to see happening to him along the way.
Robin gave a discouraging, defeating sigh.
Robin had at this very moment nothing keeping him from walking right into Slade's arms. Nothing to keep him tied to his life as a superhero. What was to stop him from simply accepting his fate and joining Slade?