Here's the next chapter, yeah, yeah. I know where the hell have I been, yadyada. Go ahead sue me. The only thing I say are two words 'Life Drama'. And that's just about it.

But I'm also itching for Thanks Giving which is just a few more days from now. Gotta love the turkey, green bean caserole and the banna pudding for desert.

Okay, that's enough of me talking, let the story continue.

Chapter 13

Masks

A red microchip rotating slowly in the a protective barrier of light comes into view. Emerging from the shadows was a large figure silently making his way through.

The figure is clad in black armor, with additional steel plating to reinforce key areas, and wears a mask that hides the entire face. This is black, with a red-orange circle in the center whose edges touch both eyes. The figure reaches toward the chip, revealing a steel-gloved hand, and cocks one eyebrow in surprise. The reason why was because Robin is hanging upside down glaring at him.

" Tell Slade if he wants this, he can come get it himself! "

He drops from his perch and delivers a kick that sends the thief tumbling across the darkened area. One que, the lights turn on dissolving the darkness to reveal the rest of the team. The current location was a chamber stuffed with supercomputers. A laser beam lances down from above, forcing Robin to jump out of its way; cut to the ceiling, where a section is being cut away from above. The piece falls in a cloud of dust, and several more intruders leap in.

Robin does a few backflips to stay ahead of the next laser blast and soon has one of the new arrivals coming right for him. He blocks or dodges several blows, then tries a counter-kick that is deflected. The masked figure whips out a blaster, something like a set of brass knuckles with a muzzle on the front edge, and opens fire. A few acrobatic tricks carry Robin out of danger; he retaliates with a jumping roundhouse kick that sends the attacker crashing into the far wall.

Starfire, just above, backs quickly across the screen to evade the shots from a squad member who jumps up after her. She gathers herself and puts a starbolt right where it belongs; her attacker is sent skidding across the floor. The next one jumps even higher, up to the level of the large ceiling-mounted spotlights that illuminate the place, and blasts at her. The lens of one light is struck and begins to fall loose. She is directly underneath and about to be crushed, but Robin leaps across and plows her away just in time. The lens crashes to the ground.

The dust thrown up from the impact clears to give a close-up of Robin, who has set Starfire down. She is a bit dazed, but soon snaps to with a gasp. Across the room, several squad members level their weapons, but before they can shoot, a computer cabinet slides across and bulldozes them crashing into a wall.

Nearby Cyborg walked up dusting off his hands in satisfaction. " Amazing what you can do with computers these days. " He commented smugly and runs into the action.

Meanwhile Raven floats backwards into view, staying just ahead of a laser beam. Another one is fired from midair; she creates a shield around herself, and both it and the beam disintegrate when they make contact. The enemy runs toward her and starts throwing punches, which she stops by forming small barriers in front of herself as she slowly backs up. A low kick cuts her legs out from under her; the blaster is aimed at point-blank range, but before it can be fired, Heat Blast comes up punching its wielder into the wall knocking him out leaving Raven standing and staring in genuine surprise.

As Heatblast gives her a thumbs up another one jumps down into view behind him, runs up, and gets ready to let him have it. As he finally turns to look, too late to save himself, two computers slide into view from opposite directions under Raven's control and crush the would-be shooter between them the hardware falls away and so does the smashed figure.

Heatblast turns over to Raven. " Even? "

She raised her own thumb replying back. " Even. " They continued fighting.

Cyborg, meanwhile, has reached the center of the room. Breaking out his sonic cannon, he starts to blaze away and soon has help in the form of Starfire's fusillade. One of the thieves leaps impossibly high to avoid the blasts, then pushes off from the wall and sails straight toward the chip. A flying grab snares the bounty, and those steel-booted feet are racing for the door. Robin gives chase and hurls his birdarang. It hits the thief's hand and knocks the chip away. Cut to Raven and Beast Boy, whose eyes track its trajectory.

" Mine! "

He runs up to and jumps turning into an anteater using his long thin tongue to snag it and skidded to a halt against a nearby wall.

An attacker's boot comes down on that tongue, which lets go of the chip so it can be seized. This one vaults across the room to the door, where the other survivors, four in all, have gathered, and throws down a smoke bomb. The resulting gray clouds cover the screen and clear to reveal that the five have escaped under cover of that diversion.

Back with Beast Boy he was back in human form and thoroughly dazed by what has just happened. " That tasted so nasty. "

As the thief got away Robin gave chase running towards the door. " Titans! Go! "The rest of the team followed him into another chamber similar to the one in which the theft occurred, seen from overhead. The lights are dim but not out, and a large circular hatch, covered with a steel grid, is in the center of the floor.

" Split up! " Everyone fans out towards five different doors while Robin heads for a hatch

Just below the grid; water is heard running, and he stares down through the bars. Inside a sewer tunnel, Robin climbs down from an overhead ladder, within the pipe that leads here from the hatch, and drops into the water. One of the thieves is making a break for it; Robin gives a chase, runs briefly up the pipe wall to avoid a laser shot, and throws his birdarang. A huge jump carries the escapee out of its path, and a second shot reduces it to junk. Skid around a corner and o.c. down a side channel; a grenade is tossed back into view and promptly detonates.

When the smoke clears, we see that the path has been almost entirely blocked by collapsed rock and debris. As Robin stops and stares through a small opening in the cave-in, the thief moves farther ahead toward a dead end, stops, and raises that blaster. Cut to outside, near a mountainside at sunset. The beam emerges from within and traces out a door-shaped outline, and the piece falls away; the sewers run through the mountain. At the edge of the opening stands the thief, alone for only a brief moment until Starfire rises to that level.

" I am asking you nicely to stop running and- "

The thief clearly wasn't in the mood for talking and aimed his weapon and fired taking a clean hit Starfire now falling from the air. Her assailant jumps out after her and activates jet thrusters hidden in the boot soles to start flying away. Now Robin, having dug through the broken rock, reaches the opening just as the armored figure zooms up past him. He leaps out into space, a grappling hook in each hand, and fires one down and the second up.

The first line wraps around Starfire as she drops toward the rocky waterway below, while the second loops onto the armored chest. The commando stops ascending and goes into a sharp dive; Robin is suddenly yanked along toward the water with a gasp and a long scream. Off they go, skimming the surface; the flyer towing Robin towing Starfire, and head toward land. The wake of their passage throws up a wall of water, which hides everyone from view briefly. Nearby Starfire was half-dazed on the shore. She comes to and finds a wriggling fish stuck in her mouth, then spits it out and burps weakly.

Back with Robin he had the masked thief by the collar. " Now talk! Who's Slade? Why does he want this chip? " He reaches for his mask. " And why are you working...for...him? " The reason for his trailing off is that the entire front half of the head comes off in his hand. Behind it is a small monitor; this commando is actually a robot, as were all the others involved in the heist. The blank display comes to life, resolving into a not-fully-tuned image of Slade in his lair. He appears only as a silhouette.

" Excellent work, Robin. "

" Slade! "

The image flickers and refines itself. " Really, I think your skills are improving. "

" No more games! What do you want? "

" But you do lack patience. " Slade commented. " If you're really so curious about my intentions, perhaps we should meet face to face. "

" Tell me where you're hiding and I'll be there in a heartbeat! " The image detunes again.

" Patience, Robin. Patience. " The screen flickered and a with a crackle of sparks the monitor goes dead. Smoke rises from within the skull as the system falls apart.

" Robin? " Starfire looked worried for her teammate as all he did was let the robotic body drop to the ground, with very fierce scowl on his face.

We not cut back to Titans tower, it was now night time and after a long day and with no criminal activity so far they decided to have a flick night. " Okay. All work and no flicks makes me a dull Beast Boy. "

We now see the operations center, the green changeling was standing before Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire, who have settled on the couch. Raven is reading a book.

" Was that supposed to be a pun? Because that was bad. " Shane commented walking in, eating out of a big bowl full of grapes for some reason.

" Ignoring that comment. So, my fellow couch potatoes..what'll it be? " He holds up a tape " Super Ninja Showdown Eight... " He pushes it into view, giving a clear view of the title and cover art. Two ninjas bow and start fighting; one is hit with a low kick and drops out of the picture. Beast Boy pulls this tape back and holds up a second one.

"...or Maniac Fury: Attack of the Protozoids? " He pushes it forward; this cover shows a Godzilla-like creature breathing fire as screaming people run for their lives, not to mention out of the picture and off the box altogether. The monster leans forward off the box to blow another scorching breath before pulling back. Beast Boy withdraws the tape and grins broadly.

" Gee. They both sound so good. " She said sarcastically and returns to her book.

Yeah. It's really hard to pick. " Cyborg agreed and then grinned. " Want to watch 'em both? " The overly critical Titan gives him a dirty look as a vein flares up on her forehead; this was not even close to what she had in mind.

" Eh, could me get more options instead of those two? " Shane questioned. " I could bring down some from my room? "

" Perhaps Robin would enjoy potato-ing the couch with us. " Stafire suggested. " Tell me, is he-? "

" -In the exact same place he's been since his little chat session with Slade? " Beast Boy cut her off while anwsering her question. " Uh, yeah. "

This brought a worried look of concern on Starfires face as she then got up and walked to the door that opened and closed behind her.

Robin's room comes into view, the walls were covered with newspaper clippings about different villains' exploits in Jump City. He was standing at his desk with a solitary light above him. He was recollecting what information he had on Slade. But while doing so, their enemy's voice kept echoing in his head.

" Robin. Is that the best you can do? " " Excellent work, Robin. I think your skills are improving. " " If you're really so curious about my intentions, perhaps we should meet face to face. " All these different sentences echoes in his brain.

On the desk. It is covered with a jumble of items: notes, maps, blueprints, wires, electrical instruments, parts of the commando robot's equipment, the front half of its head. Included among the lot is a communicator marked with a stylized S, very similar to the character on Slade's staff in "Forces of Nature", his particular insignia.

" Who are you? " He recalled himself asking that question

" Robin? " His line of thought was stopped. Starfire was at his door. " I am wondering if you might wish to- "

" No. " He was quick to anwser much to her dismay. " Thanks. But I need to figure out why Slade wanted that chip. "

" Agreed. " She smiled and flushed a bit. " And perhaps if you were to take a break, the answer would be easier to- "

He turns around. " I can't. You almost got hurt. Next time, it could be worse. " He said while approaching her. " He's planning something. I have to find out what. "

" But, Robin, I am sure that- " He ends the conversation by closing the door in her face. Starfire was beyond worried for her friend and teammate as she hangs her head and sighs quietly.

We now return to the trashed chamber in which the opening battle took place and pan across. In the dim light, two prison guards are now stationed by the recovered microchip, which has been placed back in the suspension field. After the ruckus earlier that day, it was decided that the chip would be transported to a new safe location as soon as possible.

All is quiet for some seconds, but the calm breaks when an alarm goes off and red warning lights flash. Both guards run toward the door; cut to its other side, in the chamber where the Titans began their search for the thieves. The door is closed, but slides open to admit them. They point their weapons back and forth.

" I don't like this. " Guard 1 commented and much to their surprise the door just closed on them without warning.

Guard 2 exclaimed " Hey! "

The alarm falls silent, but the lights continue to flash-the alarm was in that other room, and the door has muffled it. Dissolve to a longer shot of the portal and pull back slowly to the chip in its protective field. A figure materializes to face it. Skintight black outfit with a large red X emblazoned over the heart; the low end of the upward stroke is extended to cross the chest. Long black cape. Gray belt and gloves, the latter with X's on the backs of the hands. A black mask whose face resembles a white skull, with another red X on the forehead; its upstroke is extended, like the one on the chest, to cross the right eye. This was the thief known as Red X .

The newcomer plucks the chip from the field. There is an explosion from the door cause the guards have just blasted off its hinges. They run inside.

" He's got the chip! " They opened fired but much to their surprise Red X jumped straight up into the air and disappeared.

" Where'd he go? "

We change to seeing the full moon in the night sky and tilt down to a rooftop in Jump City. A small ringing is heard, similar to a cell phone, and Cyborg extends his forearm into view. On it, a panel appears showing Robin's face; what we heard was the built-in communicator.

" I'm working a Slade lead on the far side of town. Sure you guys can handle this without me? "

" No problem. " Cyborg replied as Robin nods and the connection is broken as they left Shane had a frown already having a bad feeling.

At the far edge of the roof, a skylight opens and Red X climbs out making his escape.

" You working for Slade, tough guy? " Cyborg asked grabbing his attention as he turned his right arm into a cannon.

" Red X works alone. " The thief replied.

" Hm, some name you chose. " Shane commented as he turned on the Omnitrix slamming his hand down on the center transforming into Sandbox.

The voice is male, but heavily distorted. He holds out one palm, revealing that same mark on it, and fires this toward the Titans. Cyborg brings the cannon into play as the other three scatter; the two shots annihilate each other in midair. More cannon blasts send Red X jumping all over the roof. Launching himself high into the air, Red X fires X's from both palms and forces the big guy to run for cover. Beast Boy takes his place in the battle and becomes a charging lion. The villain fires off another scarlet cross that becomes liquid as it flies; connecting with the green feline's face like a glob of mud, it carries him back down to the roof. When he lands, he is unable to pull free of the gluey mess. Lion, human, gorilla, falcon, elephant, none of those forms is strong enough to allow him to break loose.

Starfire and Raven fly in; the former reels off starbolts while the latter prepares a spell. Red X nimbly avoids both the shots and the large black hand that emerges at his feet and tries to grab him. Two big X's are hurled at the girls; cut to Starfire. One of them connects and ties her up like a giant rubber band, and she drops out of frame. Pan to Raven.

" Azarath Met- " Much to Raven's shock, a red X plasters itself across her mouth, gagging her. Try as she might, Raven cannot tear the X away and topples over. Red X is in the clear, but a yell from the o.c. Cyborg marks his approach. He drops into view and tries to seize the black-clad enemy, who sidesteps easily.

" Huh? " He tries another punch, with no luck, and Red X thumps him in the back. " What? " An X was planted on his back opening up some panels. Red X reached into their to tinker with the circuits causing Cyborgs arm's to flail wildly around. " Hey! Yo, who told you how to shut me down? " The metal teen voice slows down and he slumps over on his feet. A little push from the thief sends him crashing down.

As he was about to bug out, a snare made out of sand to grab him by his feet and slammed him down on the roof. Before getting slid across. X grunted as he got up to see Sandbox glaring at him as his right arm retracted back to him

" You're not going anywhere... " the alien said.

" I'm not in the mood for this. " Red X said in annoyance standing up on his feet.

" Oh, yeah? Well I am. " Sandbox retorted as he punched forward, his right arm growing large and very easily Red X jumped and ran across the arm right towards Sandbox. However much to the thief's surprise, smaller arms grabbed his legs and he got in the large hands grip. As he tried to break free, Sandbox brought him up to his face. " What's your game in this? "

" None of your business. " Red X replied before the 'X' on his mask flashed blinding the alien taking him by surprise stumbling back a bit. Then with the moment seized the thief escaped.

"Yeah, you better run! " Cyborg yelled out passing the gagged Raven and the bound Starfire before jumping off the roof and disappeared. We now see Beast Boy, back in human form and still caught in the red mire.

" So, do you guys see what I don't see? " Beast Boy asked the rest of his teammates wanting to know if what just happened actually did happen.

" Who was that guy? " Cyborg asked outloud and on que Sandbox reverted back into Shane in a green flash of light as he stared out into the city.

He narrowed his eyes. " Someone that knows what's he doing... " He said in a ticked off tone.

Elsewhere Slade's lair now comes into view, and the face of Red is on one of the giant monitors. He's seen holding up the microchip in full view of the mastermind, who stands on a platform.

" Rumor has it, you're interested in this. " The thief said.

" I'm interested in many things, Mr. ... "

" X. Red X. "

" Hmmm. Catchy. " The villain addmitted. " So, are you proposing a sale or a gift? "

" A partnership. I give you the chip, you cut me in on your plans. "

" Partnership. " Slade was intrigued by this thought and at the same time amused. " My, my, we are ambitious. But an alliance cannot be forged from one small chip. If you're going to win my trust, I'll require more. "

" Just tell me what you want. "

The next morning the Titans had just returned from their mission. In the kitchen, they'd gathered around near the kitchen. Starfire, seated on the counter, is clipping the red gunk out of a very annoyed Beast Boy's hair, while Shane had just finished his report giving Robin the details of what occurred.

" And that just about sums it up " Shane finished the report.

" I had no idea Red X would pose such a threat. I should've been there. "

" You bet you should've been there " Beast Boy said in annoyance. " Look what he did to my 'do! I'm looking at two months of bad hair days! "

A muffled cry was heard. The muffling belonged to Raven, who gestured to the big red X plastered across her mouth.

" I don't know, Raven. That's kind of a good look for you. " The green changling said much to the mage's annoyance, a red vein pulsating in anger.

" I gotcha Raven... " Shane walked forward, so that way the others would stay calm and not freak if anything were to happen. Slowly he grabbed the top corners of the x and peeled them off before pulling the x down off of her. " There we go. "

" Thank you. " She turned to their leader. " Even if you had been there, it wouldn't have made any difference. "

" Yeah, the dude knew exactly how to bring each of us down. I guarantee he had a gadget with your name on it. " Cyborg commented.

" Agreed. You need not feel guilt. We are undamaged. " The female tamaranian reassured.

" Hel-lo? " Beast Boy grabbed her attention gesturing to his mangled hair making Starfire blush a bit.

" Mostly undamaged. " She corrected. " And we are all eager to learn what you have discovered about Slade. "

" Yeah, what did you learn? " Shane questioned.

" Nothing. " Their leader replied bitterly. " Lead was a dead end. I should get back to work. "

He turns away and leaves them. The rest of his teammates had concerned looks on their faces while Shane remained neutral.

Hours later at night time, the operations center comes into view. The door opens as the team runs inside, where they were called up by Robin.

" Okay, Robin, what's the...? " He stops his line as they all stop and look around to find the room was empty. No villains, no boy wonder, no nothing. It was completely empty.

" Robin? " Starfire called out his name as they walked forward. " Robin?

" You mean Captain Research? " Beast Boy said in a very tired tone. " Ah, he's probably filling out note cards at the public library. " The changeling yawned loudly.

" I was. " These two words startle the daylights and a short scream out of him. Robin's face was on the window/screen. " But then I spotted Red X pulling a robbery in the tech sector. I'm already on it. Get here as soon as you can! "

Beast Boy was now halfway asleep snoring away, while drooling a bit. " You got it, dude...We'll be there any... " Cyborg reaches out and yanks him over his shoulder.

" Hey, where's Omni? " Cyborg asked in confusion now noticing Shane wasn't there with them.

" Perhaps he had a head start? " Starfire guessed.

" Maybe, but we got no time. Lets go! " Cyborg lead the way.

The team had just arrived at the coordinates their leader had gave them. Once they arrived, they were on the look out for their two missing teammates and the very thief they were after.

" There! " Cyborg points forward to where he was looking. Up ahead at a nearby building, from whose roof, Red X jumps down with Robin in hot pursuit. After a few dozen yards, the black-clad thief stops and throws a net back at the chaser. It ensnares him and sends him rolling across the pavement to stop near where he came down from the roof. " Robin! "

" I'm fine! " The boy wonder replied pointing forward. " Get X! Go! "

The four give chase as X goes to a subway station going down the escalator in one huge leap. Once the team got down there, X was nowhere to be seen.

Cyborg walks forward. " I've adjusted my ocular implant to scan at multiple sub-harmonics in the EM spectrum. "

Beast Boy gave him a confused look. " 'Kay...do you come with subtitles? "

Cyborg points to his robotic red eye. " My eye should spot him even if he's invisible. "

His red-tinted perspective, pans across the station from track to platform. No activity, and then out of nowhere, Red X drops into view and decks him. Normal view; Cyborg is driven back several yards, then falls onto his back and skids the rest of the way to the far end.

" It's him. " Raven pointed out the obvious.

Cyborg gets up, still a bit woozy and in no condition to immediately retaliate against the X that appears in midair and flies toward his back. Close-up of it, being slapped in place by Red X, then pull back. A few sparks fly from the bionic Titan, but he remains in full control of his body this time.

Cyborg grinned already knowing he was going to do that. " You gonna have to learn some new tricks, dog. " The metal teen said in a smug tone.

He gets five fingers in the material covering the chest and throws Red X along the platform toward the others; the villain lands in a crouch.

" Surrender! We do not wish to fight you! " Starfire tried to reason with him.

" Sorry. I'm not through with you yet. "

He bounds high and throws an X at her, but a last-second energy barrier created by Raven stops it. Now Cyborg tries to land a few punches, but hits only air, and Starfire goes for a low-altitude bulldoze that misses its mark but connects with the big man. Both crash to the ground and faces off against the two remaining Titans. He nimbly gets the better of both, even after Beast Boy turns into a bear. The thief jumps kicking the beast away and bounces to send Raven flying crashing into some nearby crates. Seeing this ramming Red X from behind as a bighorn sheep.

He quickly resumes human form and charges again. The foe catches hold of a pole, swings his weight around it, and launches himself feet first back the way he came. His trajectory forces Beast Boy to duck; a punch is thrown at the Titan, who stands up just in time to catch it on the jaw.

The changeling was knocked across hitting the opposite edge bouncing down to the rails. Sitting up dazedly, he snaps back fully when the glare of headlights falls across him and a train whistle makes itself heard. The early express is right on time. As Beast Boy stares like a deer about to snuff it on the grille of a pickup, Red X hurtles across the tracks and pulls him screaming to safety. Both hit the platform an instant before the train hurtles through.

Both got up and Beast Boy looks at Red X in surprise. " Dude! Did you just save me? "

He gets an anwsered by a swift kick in the gut. When the train is gone, we see that the other three Titans are on the opposite side of the platform. Red X runs for the exit stairs, making his escape and the group collects on Beast Boy's side; Starfire helps him up.

" Beast Boy! You are undamaged? "

" Who is that guy? "

Not to long after the team had returned and were once again unsuccessful in apprehending Red X. Not to mention some were a bit ticked off that their leader and another one of their own wasn't there to help them out. Then things got weirder during the fight Beast Boy fell into the subway tracks and was about to get rammed only for the thief to save him raising up more questions.

Now they were gathered in the communications center looking at map display of the city with two spots marked. The team was there minus Robin and Shane.

" Okay. That's where Red X has been. " The metal teen said trying to think. " Now we just have to figure out where he's gonna strike next. "

At the consoles Raven does a little typing; in response, many more spots on the map light up, meaning the thief could strike at anywhere.

" Great. " Beast Boy said wearily in annoyance on how the job just got harder.

They then heard footsteps, they belonged to their leader who was carrying a small box filled with metal parts.

" Robin! " Starfire was the first to spot him and the others turned to look. " Wonderful! Our efforts to locate the Red X will benefit greatly from you help. "

" Instead of stopping he went straight towards a side door. " It'll have to wait. I'm close to a breakthrough with Slade. "

" Starfire gasped happily. More wonderful! Perhaps we could be of assistance to...you... " He completely ignored her not even bothering to reply back. She hangs her head dejectedly.

" Let him go. " Beast Boy said in an aggravated tone. " Not like he's been much help lately anyway. If Robin wasn't always A.W.O.L., X would be K.O.'d by now. "

" I can't believe I'm saying this, but Beast Boy's right. " Raven spoke up.

Cyborg rubbed the side of his head in thought. " Y'all think maybe Robin's losing his grip? "

" No! " Starfire snapped at them. " Robin's grip is not lost! He works harder than any of you! He works to catch Slade before something terrible happens! He works to save us all! "

" Yeah. " Beast Boy wasn't buying it. " That's why every time we need him, he disappears. "

" Not exactly. " They all turn to Shane who'd just entered the room.

" And where've you been? " The green changeling asked raising an eyebrow as he walked up to them. " We could've used you when X was kicking our butts! "

" And I apologize for that. But it's for a good reason. "

" Lik- " Cyborg cut Beast Boy off.

" No, I want to hear this. " The metal teen said.

" So what have you been doing then? " Raven asked in curiosity.

" I've been investigating something that's been on my mind right when X showed up. "

" Oh what, you gonna pull a Robin on us to? "

" Don't be stupid. " Shane retorted back to his green teammate crossing his arms. " You all didn't think it was strange? Red X knew all your weaknesses? And how to beat you? He could've killed us if he wanted to, yet he didn't. Why? " He brought up a good point.

" Okay now I'm more interested. Where were you back there? " Cyborg asked.

" As I said before I was doing a bit of investigating on my own. To start things off, I went on ahead. "

Flashback

" There! " Cyborg yelled out pointing forward towards a nearby building.

Red X jumped down with Robin in hot pursuit. After a few dozen yards, the black-clad thief stops and throws a net back at the chaser. It ensnares him and sends him rolling across the pavement to stop near where he came down from the roof.

" Robin! "

" I'm fine! " He was quick to reply and pointed to the thief. " Get X! Go! "

The four of them gave chase and Red X goes down the escalator in one huge leap with the titans going down into a subway station.

" While you all were going after X, I had to confirm something. "

Close by from the shadows, Shane emerged making sure his teammates weren't around. Once in the clear, he walks towards their leader, and kneels down. A frown was seen on his face.

" What I found out wasn't pleasant news. "

Flashback end.

" This is what I dug up. " Shane brings out a small looking metal globe and gently dropped it to the ground rolling across the floor. The device began to beep a couple of times gaining their attention.

A beam of light shoots straight up from it and splits into two that fold down toward the floor on either side. Between them, a holographic image of Robin appears; caught up in the net as during the Titans' first pursuit of Red X. He flickers a bit.

" I'm fine! Get X! Go! " The team was in disbelief in what they were seeing.

" If he wasn't really there, then where were... " Starfire gasped sharply as the truth dawned on her along with the rest of the team.

We now see a green microchip in a protective field of its own with Red X walking up to it. He takes it without hesitation.

" Excellent work. " A voice said making the thief turn towards another light that was on in the room he was in. A figure approaches it from the far side, so that the details are momentarily washed out, but as it steps to the center of the circle, it is revealed as Slade. He is garbed in the same manner as his commando robots; black armor, steel reinforcements and hand/footgear, but with two differences. One, a dark gray sash crosses his chest from right shoulder to left side; two, his mask is red-orange on the left side, and black on the right. The black half has no eyehole. This was none other, then Slade, also known by another name, Death Stroke The Terminator.

" Honestly, I couldn't have done better myself. " He said in a very pleased tone.

" So, do we have a deal? " The thief was quick to cut to the chase.

" Indeed. " Slade replied. " You and I are so very much alike. It seems only natural that we should be partners. " He extends out an open hand to receive what X had gathered for him. The thief holds up three micro chips, one red, the green one he just snagged and a blue one.

" What are they for? " X questioned. " I need to know what we're planning...partner. "

" Patience. You can't expect me to trust you with such sensitive information right away...can you..., Robin? " The villain saw right through the thief in disguises cover has been blown.

There is a flash from behind him, and a small net flies from this into view, sweeps the three components from his hand, and carries them to Slade's. Now the lights come up to reveal the room as a large, oblong chamber with several robots standing around the perimeter. In addition, there is a balcony that is now packed with ranks of commando robots. From one direction after another, the mechanical enforcers advance slightly to close in. Red X gets ready to throw down. As the robots on either side of him start to advance, the entire room shakes with the force of an an explosion. From above the ceiling was blown producing a lot of smoke.

Shane was the first to emerge from the smoke. " Titans! Go! " He cried out slamming his hand down onto the omnitrix transforming into Buzzshock with the other's falling in suit.

As Red X sprints across the room, Beast Boy, now an octopus, yanks one robot away, and Raven levitates a second and forces it off. Cyborg hits the ground smashing a robot.

Unknown to the thief Buzzshock comes flying up next to him.

" What are you?

" Cut the crap. " Buzzshock cutted him off giving him a glare. " You and I are gonna have a chat later." The Nosedenian said as X, or rather Robin took off his mask leaving the rest of their team to fight.

On the rooftop a vent cap pops off, and out comes Slade as if launched from a cannon. Robin comes out after him, having ditched the Red X outfit in favor of his own with Buzzshock flying out. They both proceeded to chase Slade from one rooftop to the next. Robin matched the criminals on every leap across a space between buildings. Robin quickly throws a birdarang, but with a quick backhand from Slade shatters it. Robin stares down at the pieces as his nemesis runs to the edge and takes an impossible flying leap toward a distant rooftop that has a framework of support beams erected on it. A huge electric billboard throws a red glow over this area.

Slade stops for a look back and sees Robin standing on the high, far plateau. The Boy Wonder takes a few steps back and goes into a headlong rush; overhead view of the street, panning across, as he vaults into the elevated emptiness and begins to drop toward the pool of red light. He lands safely and tumbles a bit before coming up in a crouch to face Slade with Buzzshock landing right by his side.

" Careful. I wouldn't want you getting hurt. " The villain said.

" I'm not the one who's going to get hurt. " Robin retorted back.

" Like he said. " Buzzshock said before reverting back into Shane in a green flash. " We'll be taking back those chips. "

" Hmm, so your the one who can transform into aliens. The one they call Omni. " He eyes the Omnitrix on Shane's " A very fascinating and impressive piece of technology you have there. "

Shane scoffed at that. " Flattering me won't do you any good, Death Stroke. "

Slade hummed in amusement. " So you know my nickname. Your very well informed. But I'm afraid that won't happen. Robin and I had a deal. "

" Yeah... "A very familiar voice chuckled making them turn to see it was Sunder who jumped off his hoverboard with a loud. " Don't you know that it ain't so nice to back out in the last minute? "

" Sorry. I have a strict rule against giving stolen technology to psychos. "

" Ha! Coming from you wonder boy? " Sunder chuckled. " You ain't so perfect and flawless yourself. "

" Indeed. Stealing and lying to your teammates in order to trap me? " He questioned. " That wasn't so noble. Two wrongs don't make a- "

" Don't ever lecture me! Whatever you're planning, Slade, it's over! "

" On the contrary, Robin, it's just begun. " Slade replied back as a brawl on the roof began with Shane transforming into Bliztwolfer.

Robin's attacks first avoiding more blows and then landing a kick that tumbles Robin several yards, almost to the edge. The teen gets to his feet and goes on the offensive, forcing Slade to back around a corner while dodging a kick.

Nearby Bliztwolfer is seen dodging a few punches from Sunder who in turn emitted a howl sending the villian skidding a few feet and stopped because of his axe.

" So your working for him? "

" Yeah, you could say that... " Sunder replied putting his axe away as they slowly began to circle one another. " Even after what happened the first time. I got the offer of a life time. "

" Tch, whatever floats your boat. " Blitzwolfer said before rushing forward, only for Sunder to duck and kick the werewolf alien aside. Using the nearby steel beams to his advantage, Blitzwolfer stopped, jumping towards Sunder landing a direct right hook before jumping up again to land another blow. But after the third try, Sunder caught the wolf by it's tail.

" C'mere doggy! " With a tight grip he slammed the werewolf into a beam before kicking him away. Blitzwolfer quickly used his sonic howl to get him up to avoid an incoming laser.

" Okay, let's try that again... " Blitzwolfer growled before lashing out to his foe.

Back with Robin's battle, it had also taken him and Slade into the framework. Slade avoids Robin's punches and nails him with another kick, then rushes in to attempt a follow-up hit. Back and forth they go, neither connecting with the other until a green fist is caught in a steel one. That big armored elbow is driven into Robin's solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him, and he is flung toward the edge of the rooftop. He stumbles against a couple of crates and falls out of sight with a short scream.

During a struggle Blitzwolfer overheard his teammate. " Robin! " He used his howl to send Sunder packing and went over to help but Sunder simply ran forward to tackle him into a nearby beam.

" Oh no you don't your mine mutt. " Sunder said in a smug tone and threw him across the pavement.

Back with the boy wonder he was clinging to the ledge for dear life. He was hundreds of feet above the traffic. The masonry starts to crumble, then gives way to drop him screaming toward the street. Another close-up of his hand; Slade reaches into view and seizes the wrist. The masked face stares intently down at the teen. " You...saved me? " Robin was confused.

" I'm not through with you. " Slade explained his reason before hauling Robin back up and tosses him easily toward the framework. The youth lands on one of the upper beams and hurls himself back downward to start the brawl all over again. Back and forth they go once more; this time, it ends when Robin lands a flying straight punch that sends Slade and the three microchips careening away. The latter land in a pile, while the former slides to the edge.

" This ends now! "

He pulls the man's mask off. Cut to a close-up of the head-whose entire front half has come away, just like that of the commando robot he tried to interrogate after the first heist. This is not the real Slade, then, but merely a mechanical double. Its head contains a monitor that shows the genuine evil mastermind, seen in full detail, exactly matching this robot, and in his lair. The image is not properly tuned.

" Patience, Robin. " The video becomes stable. " We'll meet face to face some other time. Oh, and speaking of time... "

A large number 5 superimposes itself on the view and changes to 4, then 3. Realizing what is about to happen, Robin puts his feet in overdrive. The counter is now at 2; it drops to 1, and the camera pulls back to a long shot of the building as a long beep marks zero. A massive explosion roars from the rooftop; the detonation of the Slade robot. Cut to the blast site and pan to Robin, who is staring morosely at it, and the other Titans gathered at a distance

"Heh. At least he didn't get the chips. " Beast Boy said before there line of thought was cut off by Blitzwolfer being send flying in there direction crashing into another beam. The omnitrix symbol on his chest starts to beep red before he flashed the same color reverting back into Shane. As the others rush over to help him out, the sound of hands dusting was heard. Sunder was seen walking back towards the edge of the roof. " And that's my que. " He jumps off but only to come flying around on his board and paused above them.

" It's been fun. But next time, you ain't gonna be so lucky. "

" What does Slade want!? " Robin questioned.

" And where's the fun in telling you anything traffic light? " Sunder smugly replied back much to Robin's annoyance.

" Anwser me one thing Sunder! " Shane yelled out grabbing his attention. " Are you and Slade the ones sending those mutant aliens after me!? "

Sunder smirked. " Oh those big fellas? Nah, we had nothing to do with that. Now if you want awnsers, then figure out for yourself hero! " He replied before flying off leaving the Titans with even more questions.

Back at the Tower everyone chewed their leader out, and once they were done they all turned in for the night. All except for Shane who was walking through the halls, as he got in front of Robin's door, it was already open and he heard Starfire's voice. " I do not wish to yell. Merely to understand. Robin why did you not tell us the truth? "

" I needed to fool Slade. If you guys knew it was me under that mask, you would have held back. " Robin explained. " It doesn't matter anyway. Slade figured it out...and I haven't figured out anything about him. "

" That is not true. Whoever Slade is, you and he are similar. " Starfire said but from the sound of her voice, it pained her to admit it. " Slade did not trust you, and you did not trust us. " Starfire proceeded to leave the room, and paused upon seeing Omni. They exchanged a quick glance and Shane nodded and returned his attention to the task at hand.

Once he entered Robin was up against the wall staring at the new mask he taken from the robot copy on the roof. " That mask ain't gonna give you everything you want. "

" You here to make a comment too? "

" No. I'm here for that 'chat'. " Shane replied as he took the mask out of Robin's hands inspecting it out of curiosity. " And you know she's right. "

" How much did you hear? "

" Does it matter?. " He puts the mask down on his desk. " You know that wasn't the smartest thing to do. "

" I had to do it. "

" Two wrongs don't make it right. " Shane finished the sentence Slade was about to tell Robin before he cutted him off. " I hope your happy, with the end results. "

" Omni, we weren't getting any anwsers, Slade is up to something and I was- "

" He will be stopped. " Shane cut him off. " But this...This isn't the way to do it. "

" ... " Robin remained silent.

" Your not gonna like what your gonna hear, but you're gonna. Sometimes secrets are there to keep things hidden, but sometimes, they get people killed. " He turned to him with a glare. " If you do something like this again, and any of them gets hurt. You will regret it. "

As he left the room Robin finally spoke up. " I'm sorry Omni... "

Shane paused at the foot of his friends door replying back. " So am I... " The door closed behind him, leaving Robin by himself to continue staring into Slade's mask.

In Slades lair Sunder just returned flying on his board.

" Well, that was a bust. " The villain said as he got off his board as he walked over to the terminator himself who was sitting on his chair like throne. " So, what now sir? "

" We move onto the next phase. " Slade anwsered. " On top of that, Omni is proving to be quite an obstacle, even for me. Sunder, you still haven't been able to find that alien, have you? "

" No sir. " Sunder replied not even trying to lie because he knew his boss would see right through him. " He's smarter then we give him credit for. "

" I've noticed. "

" Honestly sir, I don't even think he's still here. He might've already left world by now. "

" No. He hasn't. "

" How're you so certain? "

" Whatever it's reason maybe, it won't leave just yet. Not without Omni. I've seen the way his aliens relentlessly hunt him. "

" What does he even want with him? "

" It matters not to me. "

" So? How we gonna bring him out? "

" I already have something in mind... " He turns around to face Sunder. " However, you will have a role to play for this to work. "

Sunder smirked liking where this was going. " I'm listening. "

To be continued

So, how'd you all like it? Not to bad? And yeah, I made this a bit different and had Shane drop the bomb shell instead. I mean come on, you all don't expect for his training to kick in do you? Hell, you already saw an example of it when he arrested Black Fire.

But, now comes an event many of you have been waiting for. Not to mention, 'he' will be coming in to join the party as well.

Transformation List.

1. Blitzwolfer

2. Xenophobe

3. Buzzshock

4. Heatblast

5. Mindwipe

6. Chowdown

7. Reptilian

8. Big Chill

9. Humungosaur

10. Jury Rigg

11. Sandbox

12. Toepick

Chapters to come.

The Apprentice Part 1

The Apprentice Part 2

The Rookie

Now replying back to reviewers

gabeherndon308

Your very welcome.

Devin Sands

Yep, as for Sandbox's design, MrGreenlight DeviantArt. That's the look where I got it from.

BloodyDemon666

No worries man, just keep doing your thing. And hopefully it'll help make some of those SJW SOB's shut the hell up and smack talking about anime. I swear to god they find anything to bitch about that can be offensive.

AlphaGodzilla19

Thank you.

GokaiSilver3511

That's my bad...My bad.

Pinkflamingwarriorofjustice chapter 10

Nope. You got that all wrong. Shane don't have a brother, he has a sister. But if your refering to Robin? Then that's a different story. But Mr P, I can't give you to much spoilers. Like everyone else just be patient and you'll find out. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter by the way.

123456

Oh yeah, absolutely. Rath is both a tough cat and comic relief. And as I said before he'll make an appearance, just wait a little more longer.

Guest# 1 Chapter 11

Did.

ROCuevas

Oh yeah, feelings mutual.

Justin.

Well, I'm happy to hear that, and as for Trainer Beyond, I'll try.

Guest #

Eh, I got my point of view of it, as do we all.

Deku Rose

Oh yes, Shane will most defiantly get more then 12 aliens, you guranttee that much.

Karsap.

Oh don't worry about 'him'. That bugger will be coming out later on.

DredgnVayn Chapter 1. I admit that yes, but quite frankly nothing's exactly perfect.

Guest #2, 3, 4. Just did.