Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 40, First page.

Chapter 50 (August's Challenges Pt. 2)

"I'm telling you man, you can't talk to him. Robin's sick, and besides he's no longer the Titan's leader. If you have something to talk to us about then your just going to have to accept either I or Raven to tell it to."

Cyborg's resolve was running thin. His mind was tired, his body seriously complaining that a much needed rest; if nothing else at least simply sitting down, was needed. Between all the mysterious phantom calls; every time the team showed up to the supposed sight of the trouble they found no one and nothing to be going on, and the continuous pester-meant and calling to speak with Robin that Slade; despite Cyborg and Raven's attempts at talking and reasoning with him, insisted that he still would only speak with his Apprentice and no one else.

Cyborg was scared to death that Slade would blow up the city just because he couldn't talk with Robin. But the ex-leader really was sick, he'd been sick for the last week; a cold, the flu, anything that he'd had all year, back again to haunt him. Raven saying that he'd get over it same as every other time. That they just needed to be patient and leave Richard alone; give him time to heal and rest, unfortunately Slade wouldn't quit.

He just kept calling, and calling, and he was beginning to bring Cyborg to the brink of maddening insanity. Scaring him even more; Slade's voice and insistence that he would not hear the same answer again if he called back a second time, was beginning to worry Cyborg that he'd make good on the threat.

"I want him on this screen in one hour," demanded Slade, "and I will not wait any longer, do I make my self clear," threatened Slade that single menacing eye boring down upon the metal Titan.

Cyborg didn't even get the chance to comment back before the screen clicked off; quickly turning black and blank in equal representation of both Cyborg's high rising friction of frustration and Slade's trepidation, Slade's warning echoing over and over again in Cyborg's mind and seeming to linger echos in the empty silence of the room.

Cyborg just stood there for a few moments, totally overwhelmed with what choice to make, and how to proceed. Finally he lowered his head and determinedly walked out of the room to find and speak with Raven.

-S-

Slade ended his conversation with Cyborg; clicking off the screen and turning to fill the hour in which he'd given the inflated, self-proclaimed important, new acting leader of the Titans. Slade's new addition to his and Robin's game branching off these few weeks to vex, threaten, and haunt the new active leader of the Titans.

Slade knew Robin was sick. He knew everything that went on in Jump City. The boy hadn't left the Tower in over a week, not even to take any calls to action and protection for the city. Slade's tracking system that was programmed to read Robin's microchip that Dr. Bensen had placed in the boy's left elbow, indicated that he hadn't left the confinement of his room; Slade only seeing the bleep move twice, once downward, and once slightly west of where he had come to stop the first time.

Slade smiled he had no doubt that Robin would be the one to answer next time he called back; in an hour, and Cyborg and Raven would flip out when all Slade did was ask Robin how he was feeling. "Heard you were sick," and then tell them all he was going to be sending flowers. (laugh) Mind games and hackling moments of annoyance was Slade's favorite part of the game. Couple more times of that, then a true threat with disastrous actions against the city would prove to Robin's teammates that he was not playing with them. Proving that they really were, no match for him and nothing but arrogant egotistical superhero wannabes.

-C-

Cyborg walked down the hallway towards Robin's temporary room. It was close enough to the medical lab; should Raven feel he needed to be rushed there, and yet far enough away that Robin could feel like he wasn't a trapped patient. Stopping, Cyborg was about to knock when the door opened and Raven stepped out to talk.

"I really think this time he's going to do it, you should have been there, he's mad as hell. He just keeps insisting on talking with Robin. I've tried everything," a frenzy and whining to his voice as he reported the ever growing frustration, and problem the two leaders had been trying to solve now for two weeks.

"Well did you tell him he was sick?" She asked stating the obvious and getting back for an answer an even more frustrated and annoyed Cyborg. She could clearly see Cyborg getting upset with her.

/-----/

"Ok" Raven finally sighed, "I'll see if he'll be up to coming out and talking with him.

Cyborg placing a hand out to stop her, "wait."

"I might be about to patch a link into his room, let me get some equipment."

-Ra-

Raven slowly walked back down the hallway from the electronics supply room Cyborg kept all his endless stocks of tools and supplies in. She was beyond tired herself. Passing by Beast Boy's room; which was also on the first floor hallway, near Richard's temporary one. She could sense the deep exhausted sleep the changeling was in. Her own body wishing that she too could simply go and meditate if nothing else.

It had been now a weeks since Beast Boy had brought Robin back to the Tower and she'd raced into the medical lab to find him coughing up blood. He'd barely let her help him when he'd found out it was her and not Cyborg; who'd been pulling apart the computer system; the calls of mysteriously no one being there, having started five days previous, and Cyborg wanting to make sure that it wasn't anything with the system. Richard having the suggestion to check and make sure no one had hacked into the system accidentally when the rebuilding of Jump City had been in progress.

Raven knowing the true reason for the suggestion. To make sure Slade hadn't gained control of the system again. Sally still off line, Cyborg not yet having rebuilt her but he had started to reconnect her into the Titan mainframe.

After Raven had finally felt it was ok to move Richard to his room on the third floor of the tower; he'd nearly frightened Starfire to tears and hysteria, when upon one visit she'd found him choking to death on his bathroom floor; air mysteriously just not finding it's way into his lungs. Raven having to lie and tell them all later that he was fine, that it had only been an air pocket caught in his throat from coughing up so much blood and that a bit of Co2 had cleared it all up. Starfire insisting that she see for her self he was alright.

Raven awed by how even in a tremendous lot of pain; and Robin technically still not breathing oxygen into his lungs, he'd faked being fine and even gone so far as hugging Starfire back, after sitting up, on his own strength and endurance.

The moment Starfire had left falling back onto the table and struggling to get air to take to his lungs. She still didn't know what changed and how it was that everything had simply settled, correcting all on it's own. It was quite frightening to Raven all of this.

His coughing up blood, fevers reaching levels; anyone other then her knowing he was immortal, would have called in professionals; thinking he was doomed to died, that hope had long since passed for the poor Robin. She was still kind of worried, not too sure if he really was immortal; exactly what that defined as meaning in this situation anyway, Slade had supposedly died twice before. Could Richard die? He certainly bled, and his blood was red, so what exactly did being immortal mean for him?

Cuts seemed to heal up a tad bit quicker then even her own healing powers, but it all still took time, some even left scars. She just didn't know. This was undiscovered territory she was infringing upon.

Entering Robin's room, Raven was happy to see that he was sitting up and reading a book. He looked up when she entered; unannounced, scowling at her. "What. It's not time for my meds, and you didn't knock."

His tone was flat and just informative but Raven's understanding of him not wanting anymore "Are you going to be alright? Can I get you something? Are you ok?" Told Raven he'd had enough attention for a lifetime. He didn't want her company for very long. "Slade called again."

Robin smiled inside, but outside stood unaffected by the comment. "Yeah, so?"

"I'm no longer leader. Let Cyborg handle him. Besides I'm sick if everyone hasn't noticing." Holding out his hand to prove how shaky and unstable his body was. Lowering the book he'd been reading and reaching for the broken ribs; coughing up so much blood had broken, as he reached for the glass of warm tea she'd given to him earlier; now on the colder side, and pretty much the way he liked his drinks these days. Hot things made him cough, too cold of things made his stomach hurt, warm and room temperature stuff seemed to work just fine.

"He's insisting on talking with you and you alone." Continued Raven without regard for Robin's irking remarks to him no longer being leader. "He won't put up with the excuse your sick anymore. He gave Cyborg one hour, that was over thirty minuets ago. Cyborg wants to patch through a connection to your room, you don't even have to leave your bed."

Robin actually considered saying "no," letting his team deal with Slade and his retaliation; and no doubts there, he would make good to his threat. Robin knew how Slade thought. Slade was a predator; a dangerous being that could hid in the shadows totally unobserved. A predator that thrived off the night/shadows or darkness, and that took pleasure in watching the frustration of others.

Robin suspecting he'd been calling to teach his team a lesson, he suspected a lot of things, but that the mysterious red alarm lights going off every couple hours now for the last week; only to find no one there once they all arrived, had something to do with Slade too.

It was how Slade was accepting Cyborg and Raven being in charge, how he thought of them as nothing but annoyances. Slade really did hate his team, it had only been his insistence that they were worthy of being included, and Slade's respect for his wishes; to include them, his own fear that they would be killed off and removed from the picture otherwise. When Robin had first met and begun this game with Slade and he was right; he knew Slade, they meant little but annoyances that like flies, were killed simply because they were in the same room with you. Even if they were across the room in a window and not bothering anyone.

"Alright fine," breathed out Robin very slowly and carefully.

Raven left, later returning as Cyborg set up all the equipment needed. She stood with Richard waiting for the call. Cyborg waiting in the main livingroom for the seconds to count down till Slade called back. Almost to the second he called, Cyborg patching him through to Robin's room and then joining he and Raven inside Richard's temporary room.

Robin could sense the smile Slade's covered face had on it, the pleased ness at seeing Robin; Slade was projecting, triumph. "Robin"

"Slade," broadly replied Robin. "I heard you wanted to talk with me."

"Yes," Slade rolling his reply around; as one might do in one's hand, an after dinner nightcap. "I heard that you were sick. I just wanted to see how you were doing, and to ask you a very important question," replied back Slade with every bit of seriousness they all had come to know the man to speak with.

Robin almost thinking that perhaps Slade really did have something important to discuss with him after all. "Ok, ask away Slade, what is it?"

Slade's tone was light, his hand gesture's as he spoke indicating that he was serious yet the question an important step in his annoying Cyborg and Raven further.

"I just wanted to know, exactly what kind of get well flowers you wanted me to send to you?"

Cyborg flipped out then. "What! I could have told you how he was...Raven elbowing him to shut up. Her own silence so that she wouldn't speak out the annoyance and anger she too was beginning to feel.

Slade had been calling for weeks now. Ever since Robin had told him about how the team had voted and that he was no longer leader. Ever since hypnotizing Jump City. Slade had found it a wonderful game to call the Titans up and see just how long the two new acting leaders could sustain against him in a verbal battle. Slade not too sure how it was that Cyborg didn't loose his tempter more as they conversed, but suspected that something in perhaps that very large gym of theirs was full of fist sized holes.

Slade insisting that he would speak with no one other then Robin, Cyborg insisting that it was either himself or Raven that Slade had a choice of talking with. Slade could so easily snap the two petty Titan's minds. Playing mental mind games was what Slade did best. He'd actually on one occasion after choosing to use reverse physiology against Raven; the mentally strong and intellectual of the group, hounding her with questions to make her see her life as a complete waste of time. A fruitless excuse to living and striving towards thinking she was anything other then a daughter of a demon, and that she would; even without her father around, turn to his evil ways and bring her friends down with her. Pointing out; and getting Raven to agree; her internal thoughts accepting that her new attempts at trying to smile more, use her emotions, and change were really still only frustrating her and making her feel less close to any of her friends. Only alienating her more then before they'd defeated her father.

Raven crying her eyes out after Slade hung up. The Tower shaking with the emotional outburst and several items all over the Tower shattering at random, from the dark released energy. It was the reason she refused to speak with Slade anymore when he called, forcing Cyborg to handle any communication calls that came into the Tower.

She'd face Slade in battle, even speak to him while they fought, but she wasn't going to stand there and listen to him beat her down while she couldn't pound his face into the ground.

Robin's laughter brought her back to the moment. Robin's face taking on a smile that his two friends hadn't seen in quite a long time. Wondering what about Slade asking him what type of flowers he'd like was making Robin react with laughter.

Robin laughing because he knowing Slade was playing his two teammates for fools.

"Actually Slade I feel terrible, I seem to have caught a cold, and some flu symptoms, but I guess you wouldn't know anything about what I'm talking about would you?" Robin both implying and hinting.

Slade's voice conveying understanding of the hinting and implication. "Immortality is a price that comes from understanding everything Robin."

Robin nodding. "Well then, I guess I'll be feeling better soon enough, thanks for checking up on me and you can send me whatever flower you want to, I really don't have a favorite, although you might send something Starfire could add to her garden. Something that blooms and grows year after year."

Slade, nod bowed.

Cyborg completely at his wits end. All this for a simple how are you feeling and flowers. Slade heard the growl of frustration and annoyance before Raven dragged him from the room. Leaving Robin momentarily alone with Slade.

"You really are having a lot of fun at this aren't you?" Asked Robin informatively directed to regard Slade's joyful spirit of easy-go-ness.

"What makes you think that?" Asked Slade seeking what he loved most about the conversations he had with Robin.

"Because I know you Slade. I know how you think, I know what strategies you would implement. Your running them ragged, messing with their minds, and keeping them just stressed enough to keep it going on and on while you plan your next attack."

Slade replying: "I'm only doing what you never would, but what you dream of doing. So, what do you think. Are they getting frustrated yet?"

Robin laughed and then cringed from pain. Ahhh, "I think your doing a pretty good job of harassing them, yes," Richard's brow furring, his lips pinching together in a quick spasm that just as quickly went away.

"But why are you doing all this anyway? They're not really worth your time, and I know how really busy you truly are Slade."

Slade seemed to pause. "My game, my rules, my choices Richard."

Robin nodding understanding. Slade hadn't liked how they'd taken away a small part of his control. He was going to teach them all a lesson about just what happened when someone got him upset at them. Robin's face grew worried, "your not going to do anything serious to them are you?"

Slade's voice growing cold. "That's not any of your worry Apprentice, what I do to them is my business.…" Slade's voice trailing off as he saw Robin was looking at the doorway and not at him anymore.

Slade's mind began thinking "that insolent child" as his anger began building, Robin was no longer listening to him or showing him the respect he demanded of all, and especially Robin.

It almost came to Slade speaking up in angry rebuke. Until the boy reached over the side of the bed and began coughing. Slade waiting patiently for when it would end and Robin would again be fully attuned to Slade's presence.

Thoughts of pity; almost concerned for the fact that he was putting Robin through so much pain, surfaced across the waters of Slade's thoughts. To see Robin going through this part of the treatment, but almost...Slade dismissing the weak thoughts, replaced them with discussion of the end results that would bring about victory. Slade would achieve what he'd always desired, Robin by his side, and his Apprentice; twice the great find he had once had, now walking the same path and housing the same desires as Slade did.

Robin sat back against the bed frame and closed his eyes, almost forgetting about Slade still on the screen. He wiped the small amount of blood that was on his mouth with the back of his pajama sleeve and looked back down at Slade.

"I'm asking, no pleading with you Slade, please don't harm my friends. They may have upset you, but they're not worthy of your time; or mastery of the arts, to waste on killing them."

Slade's eye narrowed his voice expressing a respectful kindness not often witnessed or even granted by Slade to anyone else. "I tolerate you more then I should," warned Slade to Richard. This is your second request of me Richard, three wishes is all genies grant; guard your third with care, for I will tolerate you no more after that one. Do I make myself clear..…"

Robin nodding once to show he understood and accepted Slade's judgment. "Yes," voiced Robin agreeing to their silent compromising deal. "Thank you Slade." Stroking the evil masters ego with a small display of respect and subjection.

Slade turned his head slight, letting Robin know he was not totally being taken in and at how annoyed he was at this false display of obedience. "Your team has three hours to come find me," informed Slade commandingly laying down the terms of their agreement.

"If they haven't by then, I'm coming looking for them," warned Slade; that one eye of his narrowing in merciless warning. "And sick or not Robin. I will use you as bait to smoke them out." Slade's tone, ice cold; and hinting towards reminders to Robin about what he'd learned Slade capable of, during his time under the torment and mastery of the monstrous villain.

The screen clicked off, and Robin leaned back against the head board. "Ah, why me," moaned Robin. His head beginning to hurt, the pain spreading deep into his brain and eye stem.

It's not enough he subjects me to all this suffering; and Robin was suffering, terribly, none of the changes happening to him came without lots of pain and/or agony. And on top of it, he was now playing referee. Robin looking to the doorway where Raven and Cyborg were now coming back into his room from.

Cyborg looked a lot calmer, Raven must have talked him through his anger or else his Slade dummy; down in the garage, that Robin wasn't supposed to know about, but had found while absently snooping through the numerous doors and cabinets in the Tower. Was now dented with a couple more dozen good punches to both where Slade's face would have been and/or his kidney.

"Slade hung up," informed Robin to the two of them. "He says you have three hours to come find him or else he's coming here after all of you."

Raven and Cyborg's faces grew serious.

"Why?" asked Cyborg very startled by the sudden news. "What does he want? Why do we have three hours to try and find him, what's Slade up to?"

Raven her mouth closed, was looking nervously at Robin; waiting for the answers to Cyborg's questions, seeking answers herself, for having those same concerning thoughts.

Robin began to laugh, but then held himself back, no need to start coughing again.

"You took over as leaders," commented Robin as if that alone could inform them of all. But continuing on to help explain the matter in greater detail. "That earns you the responsibility of proving to Slade that your worthy of his time."

"Slade doesn't like it that you've set yourselves up at thinking you can stand against him on his level. He's giving you three hours to try and find and battle him; or stop him as I do, show that you can play the game on some level that's worthy of his precious time."

"If not, well," and Robin's face kind of got a tad bit pleading, not to mention deeply wishful. "Please find him before the three hours are over with, or at least stand in the middle of Jump City; cry his name out for him to come, I don't care what you have to do so he can find all of you, just do it, cuse I don't feel up to being drug out of bed and used as bait to bring all of you to him. And that's what he's threatened me that he'll do if you guys fail to meet his challenge."

Cyborg and Raven's faces grew even wider. Robin wasn't sure if it was the light or the fear, but he could have sworn they were turning small shades of lighter coloring.

"What does Slade want us to do?" Asked Raven trying to remain calm.

Robin smiled. "He really doesn't want you to do anything, just prove you can survive an encounter against him. What he really wants to do is kick all your buts for thinking you could ever be equal to him. He's pretty ticked off at, well at least the two of you….Slade's going to put you all in your place," explained Robin.

That did it. Cyborg and Raven were fearful as hell, but there was no way someone was going to question their worth or bruise either of their egos. Now they were just plane angry. Renewed determination seemed to come into their faces.

Ego problems, thought Robin annoyingly. First Slade, now my teammates. Although Robin did kind of find it parentally inspiring that his teammates wanted to prove there worth. Show that they were equal to Robin; and to his expectations of them too, and also rise above Slade's level of standing expectation he had for them.

"We'll show Slade," announced Raven.

"We'll set a trap and catch Slade yet," voiced Cyborg with conviction and determination.

Robin just rolled his eyes. "Fine. Here," handing them back the screen and communications equipment they'd brought into his room.

"I don't care what you guys do," irritably commented Robin. "I'm feeling pretty drained and I think I'm going to try and sleep, so keep the noise down will you please, and...Robin's voice getting firm and menacing. "I'll warn you now, if you guys mess up and make Slade come into this tower to drag me out of bed. So help me I'll let him kill you myself, and I might even help, is that clear."

Both Raven and Cyborg knowing Robin would never let Slade harm them like that, but that he wasn't feeling well and was indeed dead serious about not wanting to be disturbed. Both of them knowing full well that if Slade had told Robin he'd come storming into the Tower to get him as bait, then that's exactly what he would do, so they nodded and made mental notes to not force Slade to disturb Robin for any reason whatsoever, today during this little challenge of theirs.

They left the room, searching for BB and Star to inform them of the challenge Slade had issued. Robin grumpily rolling onto his side and drifting off into thoughts of how childish this all seemed to him, but right before he fell asleep his mind recalled the words Slade had spoken to him. "Only what you would never do, but dream of doing."

-/-

Thirty minuets later; a plan made, supplies ready in hand, and the four Titans more ego bruised and angry then nervous, they exited the tower in search of their target.

Slade, his own cameras and spy bots watching the four Titans as they moved about the city; the time slowly ticking down to that zero second when Slade would switch to being the hunter; not the sought out, and then with the roles reversed Slade's true fun could begin.

As it was he sat back in his chair, watching the counter on his screen tick down to zero from three hours started two hours previous. Slade's mind working out how he was going to attack each Titan; how to make them each know their place in this world, ground to dust under his boot if he'd not had a week spot for that Apprentice of his. Oh well, so he'd promised not to kill them. There was many levels of pain and torment that a artfully masterful torturer like Slade could bring them all to before death would result. Still plenty of fun to be had with them. In fact it was much better this way he decided.

What bones could he break, what bruises to give each of them so they would show through and offer constant reminders. Constant humiliation when others noticed, and how he was going to see that they returned to that Tower of theirs knowing fully well he was not to be taken lightly from now on.

-/-

When Raven and Cyborg had first told Starfire about the challenge to hunt down Slade. She'd felt a great fear rise in her chest. Seeking out a fight against Slade wasn't such a bad idea. It was the fact that he'd been the one to demand they do it. That once the three hours were over, she and the others were going to more then likely get the same punishment Robin got from fighting Slade.

Starfire's fear rose stronger in her chest. No, not the same as Robin. Worse. Starfire knew Slade did not like her, she was a pillar standing in the way of his path to reach out and take possession of Robin. She knew he would just as sooner kill her; and the rest of her teammates, who were in his pathway to take possession of Robin. That was what she now was frightened of as she flew across the rooftops of Jump City.

The team splitting up after there was only thirty minuets left of Slade's three hour deadline. Cyborg and Raven making sure to emphasize the point that each of them needed to let Slade find and battle them, so that he did not make good on a promise to come and remove Robin from the Tower as bait.

It was the comforting remark Richard had said to her that was the only thing keeping Starfire's fear down. While they had all been getting ready; she was supposed to have been hurriedly packing supplies and preparing to leave, instead she had gone to speak with Robin in his new room. Knocking softly; Richard's voice had called out for her to enter, Starfire voicing her concern that Slade was setting them up for slaughter.

"You would have been right Star. Slade was intending to kill you all, but I pleaded for your lives and he promised me he wouldn't kill any of you." Richard's words of comfort coming with relief and worry. "Richard what did you have to give up in exchange for the request. You did not promise to serve him did you?" Starfire knowing good and well the relationship Slade and Robin had. The monster never granted Robin anything without asking for something in exchange.

Richard's face was void of emotion his words chosen carefully and his voice issuing warning to her about what might not be allowed, but what was most likely going to occur and that she needed to be strong and follow through despite what was going to result from this battle. "Starfire, sit down a second." Patting the side of his bed. She could see the sadness and pain clouding his normally crystal clear blue eyes.

"Slade didn't ask anything in return from be in the since of a promise, but in more a compromise." Richard looked deeply into her eyes. "I had to choose your lives taken away from me, or standing obediently off to the side and granting Slade permission to subject you all to the worst pain filled beating Slade has to offer. Starfire you have to stand firm and strong. Slade's going to harm your bodies, but he's not going to kill you remember that."

Starfire shed a tear; she was flying alone, the team realizing they were not going to find Slade by the three hours, could at least split up and make his own search both easy to find but also proving that they would defy him, make him work for his opportunity to beat them into their places.

Starfire gladly willing to suffer to protect Robin; also internally wishing to prove to Slade that she was not just dust under his feet, that she could stand up against him and change his mind that she was no challenge to him.

Still more tears issuing from her eyes. She was afraid, going to fight hard and try and beat Slade with determination, but if Robin could not win in a fight against Slade what chance did she have?"

"Slade's going to harm your bodies, but he's not going to kill you remember that."

Starfire smiled, she was an alien from a warrior race. Her blood was filled with the ruling family line of her planet. She would not cower before anyone, not even Slade. If this was all about proving her worth to Slade and saving Robin from more pain at the hands of such a monster then she would fight with everything she could. She would not cower before Slade and she would remember that it was only the body that would suffer. Death would not come. Too bad she didn't know how painful Slade could make it, how close to the edge of death and pain he could take her to before Slade would be restricted by that promise to Robin.

-/-

Slade smiled from where he was. When the counter had neared three minuets to the zero mark. Slade had gathered up his equipment and took off out the door. He had no need to cheat, no need of any tricks in order to handle Robin's team. He would he honorable enough to battle them without the use of his cameras. It had been a long while since he'd gone hunting. Tracking each Titan's moves and hunting them down one by one proved to be a nice bit of sporting fun for Slade.

Standing in the shadows near the Movie Plex Slade focused on his target. Starfire was distractedly talking with herself. He hesitated a few moments longer before attacking just to finish watching her build her determination and spirit up. It would make it even more enjoyable and rewarding when he broke her.

-St-

The attack came out of no where. Starfire's ankles being gripped; as Slade dropped down, upon her from above, pulled her to the ground. Landing hard on the asphalt street. Slade landing catlike and agile in a hand touching crouch. He stood up tall and towering over her. "My, I was hoping for more from you. After all you just had a very long talk with yourself trying to build your courage and strength up. I even waited for you to finish and yet you allowed yourself to be caught so easily off guard."

Starfire rose to her feet, hands raised and ready to fight back. Eyes glowing green. Starfire didn't even wait, she heaved bolt after starbolt at Slade. The mercenary dodging them with ease. Slade zig zagging his way closer to her, lashing out with a well placed kick, following that up with various sets of punches. Some Starfire blocked some she didn't.

"I'm not afraid of you Slade, you are mistaken to assume that we are nothing. We are teammates of Robin's and he would not surround himself with friends that were not worthy of keeping up with himself."

Slade let out a hard deep chuckle of laughter. Standing sill and facing the supercilious naïve alien child. "My dear how can you issue words from your mouth and not think before you speak. Worthy friends, is that what you claim you are?" Slade letting the taunting comment/question linger between them for a few seconds before; with a speed of power, attacked her. Starfire not even seeing the blur of attacking hand to hand techniques that Slade beat her body with.

Slade's taunting comments about her usefulness to Robin, her failure as a friend; removing Robin as leader, of her people and her acceptance; never would she fit truly in, her on earth. All of his words began to have the emotional effect Slade was hoping for. Slade knew the warrior girls strength came from her emotional state. Slade's assassin and mercenary skills teaching him long ago the vital importance of employing mental strikes and tactics along with his punches and kicks.

While Slade attacked Starfire physically he attacked her verbally as well. Duel sided, Starfire began to slowly fall victim to Slade's abuse. She was growing tired, her body already beginning to bruise from the hits Slade had already place. She wondered how Robin managed to survive such vicious abuse when his human body was so fragile, small, and without special powers. New respect for her friend and former leader; Slade's words about that, already making her on the brink of tears for her "own betrayal against her supposed friend."

Starfire not willing to give up, she would change Slade's mind of her yet. Going on the offensive, punching, kicking, and using all the many Saturday's worth of training sessions; Robin had been working with his team, before he'd stepped down form being leader. She became proud of herself how much she had learned and was now remembering; using against Slade, and determinedly fighting back with.

Despite her pride and efforts, Starfire knew that Slade was only playing with her. Allowing her to think she was putting him on the defensive, she wasn't at all surprised when her punch; she'd thrown straight frontally at him, was caught. Her fist locked in his single hands grasp; Slade twisting her body to turn sideways to his own, taking her arm firmly by the wrist. Slade brought his elbow down upon the arm.

The elbow coming down on her upper arm right above her own elbow made a sickening sound as Starfire felt the bones crack. She issued a pain filled scream that echoed; causing the citizens of Jumpy City to draw attention to the battle taking place around them. Starfire knew this was it. Slade drawing out his bow-staff; she'd seen the look of stern resolve and steadfastness Robin got anytime that weapon was drawn, she new she was going to loose now, but she wouldn't loose without Slade knowing why Robin held such faith in her.

Slade's punches, hits, kicks, and beatings that hit her; pushing her back nearing the Movie Plex sign. Slade a plan long ago formed and now being executed, knowing just what extent it would take to kill an alien. Having though over and planned for should he ever encounter one of the many aliens in the Justice League. Starfire was managing to impress Slade ever so slightly with her will not to give up, to take what he was giving to her and she was still wearing a smile on her face. The force Slade laid into the impact his bow-staff had, sent Starfire souring into the movie sign.

Sparks and screams mixed as Starfire's body was electrocuted. The large billboard crashing down overtop Starfire's unconscious body. Slade housing his staff and with the thought "one down, and really not much of a challenge" he moved on. Seeking out and tracking down the next Titan on his list.

-/-

Slade was proving to the Titans that he was not to be thought lightly of. Just because when he called and talked with Robin; they were allowed to overhear and witness those conversations, it didn't mean they applied, to how he would deal with them. They were nothing, and he would place them in their station quickly and without mercy.

-Ra-

Raven knew her own weaknesses, she also knew what a battle with Slade was like. Her only unknown fearful doubt of information was whether their least encounter had been a battle against Slade in his full and true display of power. Or if her father had added power to Slade.

Standing in the center of Jump Cities park district, she figured this was a perfect battle ground. Far enough away from the children's side, but close to where she could use her powers and take hold of various items for use against Slade. She'd also been using and taking Robin's training sessions to heart and had some tricks planned up her sleeve for Slade when he came for her.

Slade didn't even attempt to sneak up on the second bird of the Teen Titan team. Raven's arrogance, of them all had greatly imprinted in Slade's mind the desire to hurt someone. Not to mention a need for revenge against the girls father would result in some aggression taken out on the daughter for revenge purposes.

"I see we've been waiting. I hope this doesn't mean your going to just stand there and offer nothing in the way of fighting back?" Commented Slade, several metal flat sphere shaped disks; similar to Robin's utility belt flash disks, and freeze disks looked, in his hands.

"Oh don't worry Slade," Raven raising up into the air and flowing out her cloak in a display of power. "I fully intend to show you just how wrong about us you are."

Slade smirked, it was the same arrogant display of teenage conceit he knew he'd get comments directed to him, by each of them. Slade let the volley of targets fly. Knowing that any weapons he used against Raven would only be caught in her powers, he'd decided that only tools for distraction would be engaged against the dark witch.

As expected Raven caught and froze each disk in the air around her. On the mark each disk blew up and sent shockwaves of suppressed and contained energy against her. Raven being knocked down to the ground. Slade making his move and tackling the girl. Ripping off her cloak and hood and setting fire to it.

The cloak; it was like the girls security blanket, covering her from the sight of the world. Stripping her of the cloak made her visible and vulnerable to Slade's next attack. A swift punch to the left eye where a good large fist size black eye would soon take form. "Vanity my dear, your boastful bragging about always being so mature, when secretly all you do is hide and cower, like the little girl you are."

Slade moving back and repositioning himself. Raven rose, looking at the burned up ashes of what once was her cloak. Raven's anger and emotions joined her in her fight then. Slade taking advantage of the added instability of his target. Released several smoke bombs around them. Raven stopping where she was and trying to reach out with her senses. Cursing; that like Robin now, she could not sense Slade's presence.

Slade skilled in tracking and finding what could not be seen, but also trained in the art of deception. Used the poor visibility to manipulate Raven's fears. Noises, sounds, taunting echoes. Silently approached Raven from behind. A punch her, a slap there. Raven turning around and around trying to seek out and find where Slade was.

Coming to the conclusion that she needed to get rid of the cloud of smoke. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos." Her chanting now silent and unspoken, a weakness she'd known she had; now practiced and yet to be perfected, but that would help her in this fight.

Slade noticed how silent the girl had gone, she was meditating, gaining power and going to try and remove the cloud so she could see again. Slade moving in anticipation of that part of the plan. The moment the whirl wind began; Raven moving the air to clear up the cloud of dust, she was kicked square in the side. Falling to the ground, she cried out when a boot lodged in her side; breaking three of her ribs, and sending her skidding across the ground. Cuts and skin marks from the force making her cry out in pain.

Raven opened her eyes to see Slade standing over her; knife in hand and advancing, Raven held concentration best she could, hand out and force of will trying to grip Slade in place. He felt the power, the restrictive hold on his body, but his force of will was stronger then she was at the moment and he continued to move forward. Knife, slashing her body in strategically placed cuts. Some small, others meant for the scars they would leave behind. Slade finally; in one swift punch to the chest, knocked Raven out. Slade knowing that a precise hit to the lungs and heart would render the right amount of unconscious near death but non fatal KO.

Slade stood over Raven's body. Still an unworthy fight, but his built up revenge satisfied now from it.

-S-

Slade moved off again in search of his next targets. Both a tad bit more planned out for engaging. His thoughts more distractedly pleased by the willing submission and offer Robin had made to his master in request of his pathetic and weak friends. Slade still dumbfounded by the boy again choosing to sacrifice his own inner feelings and personal honor, not to mention his resistance at most all instances to never show submission to Slade's demands and offer him any sort of humble kneeling of prostration. Here Robin was, begging; requesting of Slade, even knowing that Slade could force the issue, making it that the boy give something to him for this granting request. All for his friends that again would never sacrifice so much of themselves for him, as he had for them.

It was a frustrating annoyance, that Slade would take out on his friends, while thinking of ways later to eradicate the flawed trait from his Apprentice.

-Cy-

Neither a man nor a coward nor a nation

can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely

under the influence of a great fear.

-Bertrand Russell

When he'd fist emerged from the shortcut of the alleyway onto the supposed to be busy street and found it empty, desolate, and eerily silent. Cyborg had immediately known he was going to be attacked. What he hadn't been expecting was the hundred Slade-bots that surround and encircled him. Stranger still was when they didn't attack. Cyborg's sonic canyon charged, out, and ready to engage them. For a good five minuets he just stood there. Eyes of mechanical machines trained on him, yet not one of them moving, they simply stood there encompassing him and keeping him corralled like you would a hose, or farm animal. They weren't even pointing any sort of weapons at him, just standing there surrounding him. Very odd and kind of creepy.

When a group parted; finally allowing Slade, who they'd been instructed to wait for into the circle ring. Cyborg noticed that he was holding a sword in his grip. The blade was reflective, black handle menacingly symbolic, and Cyborg knew then that he was about to face a battle that; should be survive this encounter, which he highly doubted, he would be scared forever more.

"I trust my robots kept you company with a satisfactory kind of kindred ness?" Slade's remark, meant to be condescending and prejudicial, seemed to pass over the Cybernetic teens head. "You know, continued Slade, you really could be related to anyone of them. I get my parts sometimes from Star Labs."

That seemed to gain him a reaction. Cyborg's sonic canyon shot a beam at Slade; who duck rolled out of the way, coming up and with a swift smooth motion, sliced clean off the Teenagers arm.

Cyborg looking down at the severed; at the elbow, hand and second half of his arm, laying on the ground at both his and Slade's feet. Cyborg looked up; Slade's dreaded marked face, profiled to his own. "You will never be the leader you covit from Robin." Hissed Slade, sweeping his sword in a clan cut to the mechanical teens knee. Cyborg dropping down into a kneeling submissive look before Slade's feet.

In clean cut after clean cut Slade widdled down Cyborg to pieces. Making open wound cuts to what flesh remained human, and chopping apart the mechanical parts of his body. Slade making the enjoyment of the practice session; use again of his sword, last agonizingly long for Cyborg. Watching himself be sliced to pieces, fingers at a time, pieces and parts, and finally Slade stabbing him through his power core and shutting him down. It would be at least a week before the mechanical Titan would be even on line. A week more after that before his body was back together.

Slade turning to his robots, still standing sidelined and un emotional. "Pick up the pieces and deliver them to the Titans front door. Make sure Robin sees what has become of his subordinate who thought himself high and mighty."

Three down, one useless member left.

-/-

By days end, they would all fear him and respect his superiority. Slade Wilson tolerated no one, not his men, not Wintergreen. Not even the Superhero League of Justice, Robin's own toleration bordering now on icy thin layers, but especially did Slade not tolerate and put up with a group of self-important Teenagers.

-BB-

Garfield Logan was scared as hell, but he wasn't scared in the way you might think. He knew he was going to loose in a battle against Slade. Like Starfire he knew that there was no winning against a man Robin couldn't seem to keep from getting beatings from. What he was scared of, was loosing Richard's faith and respect of him. His friend had placed a lot of time and effort into his training lately. Spending time, getting sick, and wearing himself out, so that he could help Beast Boy to gain a confidence and respect for himself and feel confident when standing alone.

There Beast Boy stood, on the fringes of the city, waiting for Slade to come and find him. He knew the area very well. It was one of his personal favorite parts of the city. He knew what animals worked best in this area and he was going to think smart, use his head, knowledge, and skills Robin had taught him. He was going to give Slade the best fight of his life. Prove his worth and prove Slade wrong about what he thought of him.

Big mistake!

Giving Slade the best fight, and surprising him the most of all the Titans. Despite Beast Boy's best efforts only lead to Slade hurting him the worst of all of them. Angering Slade in several ways; where before he'd only been going to make the fight quick, and only take out his anger on the changeling for standing up against him on the 4th of July. Slade changed his mind and Beast Boy learned that he did handle pain and torture better then he thought.

-R-

Robin was in the kitchen making himself a cup of tea when his teammates came back home. Each bleeding, broken bones not even the worst sight of them. Starfire supporting a bleeding, crying and truly horrifying to look upon Beast Boy in her arms.

Starfire no better looking then Raven. Robin realizing that Starfire had been electrocuted, and that she was supporting Beast Boy with a broken arm.

Cyborg's body; parts and pieces too many to count or even know what they were if you were putting together a human jigsaw puzzle, being dragged in by Raven. Raven's hoodless face was the first thing that Richard took notice of. His mouth already open in shocked and silent standing, only opened wider when he saw all the bleeding cuts, bruises, and he noted; having experienced and done the same thing numerous time, the last time just this morning. Noticed how she was cradling several broken ribs.

Robin helping to take BB from Starfire. Helping them all into the medical bay; Cyborg's body and parts being left in the front living room, while Richard attended to his other friends. Patching them up in the medical bay as he kept himself from coughing; a few times having to run to the bathroom, returning to continue attending to their needs. Tired several hours later. Robin helped Raven to returned to her own room for healing.

Starfire; her arm set most painfully by Robin, members from Star Labs took both her and Cyborg off to the local facility to get her arm cast. That only left Richard in the medical bay to attend to Beast Boy. The doctor from Star Lab shaking Robin's hand and handing him a prescription of antibiotics for BB to take so he didn't get infection from all the cuts. Robin turned and regarded his teary eyed friend with a weak and solemnly proud smile.

Richard pulled up a chair. Pain pill in hand, glass of water in the other, he gently helped Beast Boy swallow the pain medication. Whimpers and suppressions of pain making Richard feel even worse for the compromise he'd made with Slade. Reminding himself that this was, he hoped, better for his friend then death.

"I'm sorry," sighed Richard, voice low and sad.

Beast Boy crying more tears. "I tried my hardest, I used everything you'd taught me, I didn't think it'd be this bad. I'm sorry I failed you."

Robin explaining that he hadn't failed him. "You were a great student and I couldn't have been more proud, but there was one last lesson you needed to learn and unfortunately I didn't teach it to you in time."

"This is partially my fault I should have warned you."

Giving reason why Slade always came back, why he always seemd to hurt Robin worse each time. "You showed Slade that you can stand against him."

"Now he's always going to expect you to continue, to keep proving to him that you didn't just get a lucky break, but that your true skill and force was genuine potential."

"Slade demands the very best effort put forth on anything done by someone. When you showed him you could keep up with him, now he'll accept nothing but the best. It's a trap," explained Robin forlornly sorry for his young friend. "Once you show your poker hand, he always knows when your faking later. He calls your bluff and the consequences for lying to him are severe."

"I'm sorry BB, before Slade only saw you as the weakest link, the slack off, the one who wasn't worth his time. You proved to him today that there was far more then met the eye to you, and now he knows how truly strong you are. How much potential you have, and now he knows how much of a threat you really are. No matter how dumb you act, or how much you goof off, he's always going to treat you as a force to be dealt with. You sealed your own doom by sticking up to him."

Beast Boy remained silent for a few thoughts, finally looking over at Robin best he could. "Robin that's ok, I don't want to go back to being the weakest link just to escape a couple beatings by Slade."

"Now I realize what you go though, what you feel/worry about each time you engage him in battle. We'll fight together and we'll stand against Slade. I fear him but I'm not afraid of him. Not anymore." Beast Boy trying to smile reassuringly.

Robin's proud smile shined back at his young friend. "Rest..…" hand on his friends shoulder. Robin left the medical bay; walking distractedly thoughtful, into the kitchen and main living room. Slade's face up on the screen actually startling him.

"Slade." looking around, "how long have you been, when did you call?"

"Just now Robin. Not up to standards it would seem are you?"

"I'm sick Slade, and I just used up what little energy I did manage to build up patching up my teammates, no thanks to you." Robin's anger and saddening tension from worry shining through.

"Spare me the emotional anger Richard, you asked they not be killed, we made a deal and I stuck to my part of it, what I choose to do to them beyond that limit was my choosing, and you knew before hand that you would have to stand by and watch them return to you in whatever condition that turned out to be. So hold that tongue of yours before I grow angry."

Robin clenching his fists and locking his jaw, eyes firmly locked with Slade, trying to remain calm. "Thank you for not killing them." The words making Robin even angrier. He closed his eyes and looked away from Slade trying to gain control of himself again. Slade's words helping alleviate the anger.

"They passed just so you know."

Robin looking up both shocked and astonished. "Really?"

Slade chuckled, his Apprentices face of disbelieving astonishment, was amusing. "Didn't have faith in them, Richard?"

"No," retorted Robin, "I just thought that you hated them too much to accept them. I never thought….." Richards worlds falling silent.

Slade remaining standing on the screen watching his young revel silence himself with his own worlds. "Get some rest Robin, you and your teammates have now proven to me that a long awaited battle is high overdue between us. When next we meet Apprentice."

Slade clicking off the connection and Robin standing in the empty living room, his hands shaking, both from a coughing fit about to overtake him and a fear rising in his chest.

-/-

One week later. Richard standing atop Titan Tower. Watching as the sun was setting, reflections of his coming birthday in the new month. Thoughts of everything that happened to him over the last year and how much he and his team had grown and personally changed. To him it seemed a lifetime had come and went. He was so different. New costume, new ideals; thoughts, reality of the living world. Slade's changing him into whatever and whoever he was to become now, starting to make him feel alone and lost in a see of rushing; swarming ants, he watched the city lights come to life. His mind thinking, how strange it was and how impatient they all were to switch on a light switch even before the sun had yet to shed that final ray of light and the darkness to finish moving over the shadow line.

His own hope that he could linger a moment or two more just after that final move darkness made. His fascination at viewing with his new eyes the distinct differences of interpretation for what he saw when night rose and the moon followed. Richard remembering more and more of his own old memories now. How he used to love the smell of the night air; cool and crisp, changing the smell and making him feel something he didn't feel when walking around in the daylight. How Gotham City used to transition when day ended and night came to take its stand.

He really did like being Richard Grayson; Robin, no longer the Boy Wonder, but superhero in his own ranking. Rival to Slade Wilson Aka Deathstroke the Terminator. Justice League affiliate and member of the Teen Titans. Ex-leader of the team for now; but soon he knew, once again to be titled with the position. Richard sighing: "Hi Raven"

Raven's shallow, humble voice replying back with a posed question. "How did you know it was me? It that some part of Slade's change he's done to you?"

Richard didn't turn around, but continued to take in the sounds of the night and the darkness of the horizon. Smiling he finally turned to gaze at her. Raven's uncloaked figure, was wearing a new black and dark blue dress uniform gown. Slade's battle with her having changed her thinking about always hiding under the cover of a cloak.

"Half and half," answered Richard in response to her question. "Many of my old bat training skills; making better use of them, with the enhanced gift Slade has given to me."

Raven raising an eyebrow at her teammates change in attitude. Gift now in stead of Slade's curse. Interesting.

"And I'm just applying Batman's training now better then I once did." Finished explaining Richard. "Would you like the roof now?"

Raven back from inner reflection. Responded with a small smile and nod "Yes, but……." Raven's hand gently raising to halt Robin's return past her. "I also came up here to tell you that I respect you once again."

Richard didn't speak he only smiled, nodding as he continued his exit from the roof.

Raven smiling happily at his display of acceptance and confirmation that things within the team; in Titan Tower, were yet again ok with everyone. The new month; September, was indeed going to be a great month for changes occurred, and the results now transitioning them all into a new aspect; new growing up chapter, in their coming adult lives.

A/N: Hum, I really don't have anything for all of you in responce wise. So we'll just see what you guys thought and give you the name of the next chapter. Chapter 51 (Concession) Quote: The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who early in life discerns his object and towards that object habitually directs his powers. Even genious itself is but fine observation strengthened by fixity of purpose." -Edward Bulwer-Lytton