Chapter 32

Slade stood from his monitor the minute Starfire had taken off with Robin. He turned the camera feed off and waited patiently for his prize. It wouldn't be long, Starfire could fly fast, but he paced a little. Regardless of his apparent victory, Slade wasn't an idiot. He knew Robin had been captured as part of an elaborate plan that the Titans had concocted to take him down and get their friend back. What the Titans didn't know however, was that Starfire was in a delicate condition at the moment. He could use that if it came to it. Perhaps he should inform Robin of it anyway, just to add the icing on the cake. It would destroy Robin to know that on top of being unable to save his girlfriend from Slade's control, she would die as a result of it. It would make Robin's defeat that little bit sweeter.

Stopping his pacing as he heard a noise behind the door, he moved to the centre of the room, his arms behind his back. This was going to be interesting. There was a bang as the door swung open and the two robots walked in dragging Raven and Bumblebee with them. They stopped before him, showing him their captives. "Put the one with wings in with the rest of her team. Cell two. The witch can go in cell seven with the second bat-brat."

The robots did as they were instructed, moving to the designated cells and unceremoniously pushing the two girls inside. Bumblebee was caught by Speedy who gently sat her down, asking if she was okay as she glared at the robot. Raven landed on her knees, giving Jason a light nod. The two robots moved away, locking up the doors behind them as they went, and stood on either side of the door just in time for Starfire to march through dragging Robin by his wrists. The rest of the Titans watched on in confused silence as their leader was frogmarched to stand before Slade. Surely this was part of a plan. Please let it be part of a plan. Starfire stopped a few feet away from Slade and held Robin beside her just a little bit too tightly.

"Robin, how good to see you. I was a little concerned when Starfire couldn't find you."

Robin hesitated, swallowing before he spoke. "How sweet of you."

Jason shot Raven a confused look as Robin's voice didn't quite hold the same resolve as it usually did. Raven brought a quiet ringer to her lips and turned back to watch the scene unfold.

"I realise by now that it's part of some scheme that you've found yourself here, but I advise you to reconsider. I still have Starfire on my side and you're on my turf now. Whatever it is that you've come up with to try and stop me, will fail."

Robin smiled slightly. "I think you greatly underestimate the lengths that the Titans will go to."

"You don't honestly believe you have a chance at winning do you?" Slade was genuinely curious. Whilst Robin didn't seem to have the resounding confidence he normally held, he was still sure of himself.

Jason was genuinely confused. This wasn't much like Robin at all. It was like an imitation of him. Not a bad one per say, but certainly not like Robin. Robin was always confident, even if he didn't feel it. But Jason could see the uncertainty in his stance, and he could hear that his voice was ever so slightly higher than normal, which is what usually happened when he was nervous. But surely Robin had come here with some kind of a plan. Surely he didn't get himself and two of his team captured for no reason. Robin wasn't an improviser unless he needed to be. He always had a plan thought out for most things. This was incredibly unlike him.

Jason turned to Raven again who brought her finger to her lips once more as her hand hovered over his arm. She was shielding the view from Slade who was obviously preoccupied with Robin. Jason bit his lip as a cold sensation washed over his arm and he turned a little grey as he felt his bone moving into its proper place. He let out a deep breath quietly through his nose, releasing the breath he'd been holding as Raven's powers flowed into him She shot him an apologetic look.

"I can't heal it fully, but it's in the right place now. Just try not to break it again before we get out of here." She whispered to him.

"How?" He asked, spying the bracelet on her wrist.

Raven smirked at him and directed him to look into the cell opposite. Jason saw as Titans East were collectively brightening up. A few smirks on their faces. Jason knotted his eyebrows together and looked back at Raven.

"It's amazing the spaces you can get into when you can turn into an amoeba." She pulled her hand away from him and he rubbed his arm where it ached. It felt a hell of a lot better than it did before she started, and he could move it without wanting to cry out. But he didn't, keeping up appearances and all that. He clocked on to what she was talking about and he nodded. He knew Robin would have a plan.

"Thank you."

Together they looked back out of their cell to watch what was going on with Robin. Slade stood silently eyeing the young man up. It had gone quiet for a moment, Slade contemplating what his next move would be, careful of any tricks Robin may have up his sleeve. "You can release him."

Starfire promptly let go of Robin's wrists and he rubbed them, not taking his eyes off of Slade.

"So what's it going to be Robin? I will release all of your friends, and your brother, but they all have to stop being heroes. You, of course, will stay here and Robin will be no more."

Robin smirked. "I don't think so." Slade opened his mouth to retort, but Robin interrupted him. "You're not the only one with secret weapons Slade, and you're not the only one with connections." Robin turned to look at Starfire who was watching him curiously. "We've been busy over the last two days." Robin brought a hand up to his face and with a deep breath, he ripped his mask from his eyes.

The room went quieter than it already was as all of the Titans in the room went into shock at what they were seeing. Robin, their mysterious leader, had taken his mask off. There were only a handful of Titans who were privileged enough to know who Robin was when he wasn't in uniform, and most of them there today were not privy to that information. But then the question rose, what exactly was he planning on doing by taking his mask off?

Slade watched silently as Robin, unmasked, stared at Starfire who was locked in his gaze. She cocked her head slightly as she looked at him and then took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. Slade, seeing this reaction, grabbed Robin tightly by the upper arm and spun him so he was facing him. Robin's bright blue eyes sparkled back at him with confidence. Pushing Robin behind him Slade stepped towards Starfire, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. "Starfire?"

Starfire grabbed her head and groaned as Slade shook her. She swayed a little in his grip before grabbing his arms to steady herself. He said her name again, trying to coax her to look at him. "Starfire."

She lifted her head and her eyes fluttered open. Without warning, she cried out and gripped his arms tighter as her knees buckled and she bent at the waist. Taking one arm off of him, she clutched at herself as she crumpled. Slade noted that Starfire's grip on his arm was piercing through his armour. He shot a glance back at Robin who was standing wide eyed, worry etched on his face. Wherever was happening, Robin wasn't expecting it. Starfire cried out again as she fell to her knees, bringing Slade down with her who was trying to keep her steady. "What's wrong?"

"Star?" Robin's voice called out from behind him, but Slade ignored it.

Starfire looked up, tears in her eyes. Slade cocked his head as he noted the black ring around her always bright green eyes. "What did you do?" She said to him, gripping herself tighter. "What have you done to her?" She squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing coming out heavy and pained. "This isn't right. There's too much pain." Slade noticed the contractions she's used and let go of her like she'd stung him, rising to his feet and leaving her on the floor. Starfire bent over on her knees and rested her forehead on the floor. Robin was at her side in an instant, holding her.

"What's going on?" Robin asked. This wasn't right, this wasn't part of the plan. "What's wrong?"

"You tell me." Slade glared at him. "This is obviously your doing."

"Father." Starfire croaked out. Slade turned to look at her slowly. "Father, what have you done to her?"

Slade was silent a moment, and Robin stared at him, half to gauge his reaction and half to hear the answer himself.

"Joey?" Slade whispered. The emotion in his voice was uncertain, but definitely there.

"Jericho?" Robin confirmed it. "What's wrong?"

Jericho's black eyes looked up at him from Starfire's pain stricken face.

"Joey, what are you doing?!" Slade's voice was pained as he realised his son was taking on the pain that Starfire felt from her energy. Jericho's black eyes rounded on him and he brought Starfire's hand up, conjuring one of her starbolts. The raw energy that pulsed from it sent a small wave of pain rippling down her arm. In anger at what his father was knowingly putting this poor girl through, he let loose the bolt, hitting Slade square in the gut and sending him backwards, through the wall he collided with. Jericho noted the small relief that washed over him as the bolt was released, but the pain was building again. He brought her hand back down and grabbed onto Robin's arm lightly.

"I'm sorry Robin, there's too much pain. I can't."

Robin watched in horror as the black from Starfire's eyes faded away, turning them back to their usual green, and he felt a light breeze brush past him. He swore under his breath as he watched Starfire compose herself. She was trying to get her breathing under control which was laboured. Unfortunately, instead of being able to comfort her like he wanted to, Robin was grabbed by the back of his collar and hoisted backwards. He flew through the air a little bit before landing harshly on the floor. Slade stalked towards him. "You dare to bring my son into this?" The anger in his voice was evident.

"So it's okay for you to bring my family into it, but not okay for me to extend the same courtesy?" Robin got to his feet. "You haven't been a father to Jericho for a long time."

"Don't test me Robin. Your plan has failed and you have no weapons on you." Slade reared his arm back, ready to rip Robin apart from bringing Joey into it. For bringing up the memories of his painful past.

"I don't know. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve." Robin pulled a birdarang from his glove and turned to jam it into the computer console behind him. It sparked a few times before the system went blank. "I know a good hacker who's currently disabling all of your robots." True to his word, the two robots in the room fell from where they stood.

"You're not going to live to regret this Robin." Slade stepped back from him. Starfire was still kneeling on the floor, coughing as she tried to right herself. Robin spotted the blood that had started to leak out of the corner of her mouth, and splatter on the floor.

"Star?" He moved to go to her, but Slade pushed him back, keeping a tight grip on Robin's shirt. "What's wrong with her?" Robin's voice was laced with worry. Was this something that had happened as a result of Jericho? Or was it something else?

"Actually, this will be much more satisfying if she does it. Starfire." Slade's voice was commanding and Starfire looked up at him. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she shakily got to her feet. Letting go of Robin's shirt and stepping to the side, Slade looked back at Robin who was obviously concerned for her. "Kill him." The words came out cold and unfeeling.

Robin blinked, not expecting it. He looked to Starfire who was lighting a large Starbolt in her hand. He noticed, with horror, the energy that was dripping from her hands and burning the floor. Starfire stepped forward, realising she was a little wobbly on her feet, Robin didn't have time to react as she took off, her lit hand outstretched before him. He didn't react, didn't know what to do, until suddenly he was on the floor. Robin grunted at the impact as he hit the ground quite hard. He tried to shake the confusion out of his head, but didn't realise what had happened until he looked up. The blood drained from his face.

Kid Flash was being held by the throat, his uniform and his skin burning as Starfire's energy burnt into him where she gripped him. "No!" Robin's cry echoed through the room as he scrambled to his feet. "Raven!" With Robin's shout, all of the glass cells shattered and her Raven's shriek sounded. Slade whipped his head around to see all of the Titans stepping out into the room. The doorway was filled with Cyborg, Jericho, and Batgirl who were ushering some of the Titans out of the room. Beast Boy was helping Jason get to his feet. Their plan was to free them, not to involve them.

Raven floated over to them, but Starfire had brought her other hand up and pointed it towards her, halting her movements. Robin caught Raven's eye and nodded before looking to Flash who grunted out. "Do it. Now!"

Robin reached down into his boot and pulled out a straw before promptly blowing into it. Starfire's eyebeam quickly disposed of the airbourne item, but it was enough of a distraction for Flash to bring his hand up and slam a needle into Starfire's forearm. She dropped him instantly to pull out the needle, and he dropped to the floor like lead. Raven was by his side in seconds, her hands going straight to his neck to begin healing it. The burn was bad.

Slade didn't take his eye from Jericho who seemed to have met his gaze. Jericho shook his head lightly, his face blank as he looked upon the man who was supposed to be his father. There was a silent moment between them before Slade dragged his face away to look at Starfire who was just pulling the now empty needle out of her arm.

Robin was now at Flash's side. "Why did you do that?!" Robin's eyes were wide with worry.

"So you can save her." Flash handed Robin the collar and Robin swallowed nervously.

"Don't die on me." Robin stood and faced Starfire again.

"Starfire!" Slade's shout rang out and she whipped her head around to look at him. "Kill him." He pointed to Robin.

Starfire turned towards Robin who stepped towards her. He noticed the falter in her step and smiled. "Did you know that Starfire's physiology doesn't agree with every day pain killers?" The question was aimed at Slade, but he didn't take his eyes off of Starfire.

"What?"

Oh yes. That little piece of information wasn't on the databases that Slade had gained access to. It was written in Starfire's physical medical file back at the tower, but they didn't ever get round to putting the information in the computer. Slade looked back at Starfire who was having trouble focusing and swaying. With a growl of frustration she made a grab for Robin who lightly stepped back and she fell from the lack of impact. Slade made to go towards her, but was intercepted by Titans East.

"So you kids want to play?" He engaged them without hesitation, and briefly wondered how they had managed to get their powers back, despite still wearing their bracelets. Speedy, without his bow, went to help Robin who was moving towards Starfire.

"She okay?" Speedy asked him wearily.

"We just need to be patient. The painkillers will take her out. I need to get this on her." He held the collar up. "When she falls, hold her head up for me."

Starfire slammed her fist down on the floor in frustration at feeling so dizzy. She shook her head but found that she didn't have the energy to get to her feet. In what was a desperate attempt to gain control of her situation, and do what Slade had told her to, she shot a powerful eyebeam at Robin. Unfortunately, her dizziness threw her aim off and she missed spectacularly. Robin knelt down before her, watching as her eyes fluttered as she tried desperately to keep herself awake. He gently brushed her hair out of her face. Speedy knelt down beside her head, gently grabbing her and pulling her shoulders from the floor so Robin could do what he needed to.

"I'm sorry." Robin's whisper was quiet, and before he could convince himself not to, he clipped the collar around her neck. As he did, her body seized up, the green glow dissipating from her eyes. She struggled to pull herself from Speedy's light grip. Reaching one hand out, Robin shuffled back out of her reach, fearing she would grab him.

With a flutter of her eyes, she dropped her arm back down. "Robin." She croaked out, barely a whisper as she closed her eyes and dropped her head.

Robin stood back from her, feeling awful, but he still had to deal with Slade, who was still fighting Titan's East across the room. Batgirl moved over to him, tossing him a spare belt that he clipped around his waist. Grabbing a birdarang from his belt, Robin tossed it, clipping Slade in the mask. The enraged man turned, but stopped short as he noticed Starfire was out cold on the floor.

"Your weapon is out of action and you're outnumbered. Your move Slade." Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Batgirl all took up positions behind Robin. Ready to face their foe. Behind Slade, Titans East, with Bumblebee leading them, took their positions.

Slade clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Clever. But don't think you've won this just yet Robin. When Starfire wakes up, she'll still be under my control." He smirked beneath his mask. "And she'll still be dying."

"Dying?" Robin cast a worried glance to Starfire as she lay still on the floor.

"You can't save her this time Robin, but don't worry, I'll be around after she's gone to put you out of your misery You've brought my family into this and it will be your biggest mistake." And like all the other times, in an instant, Slade was gone. Robin vaguely let his mind drift to the teleportation device Starfire had stolen from STAR labs before he clenched his fists, staring at the spot where Slade had been, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He swore viciously, but his anger quickly shifted when Raven shouted for someone. Robin and Cyborg dashed over to help her.

"He's stable, but the wound needs cleaning before I can heal it any more than this." Flash had passed out, but he was breathing strongly which was positive.

"We need to move out of here, Slade is not happy and I'm not entirely sure this place is safe." Robin stood again. "Cy, help Raven get Flash out of here."

Together, Raven used her powers to gently pick Flash up and lay him in Cyborg's arms. Beast Boy and Batgirl went to the door, ushering Titans East out of the way as Cyborg carried Flash out, Raven floating behind him. The Titans followed suit, filing through the door. Bumblebee tried to look back, but Beast Boy shook his head and gently pushed her away, prompting her to get outside with the others. Beast Boy turned as the last Titans left, he caught a glimpse of Batgirl who was standing watching as he turned to look.

Robin was kneeling down at Starfire's side. He gently turned her over onto her back, brushing away the hair that pooled on her face. He looked her over, making sure there were no apparent injuries. Running his hand over her cheek, he looked so defeated, so worried. Silently, Robin slid his arms under her shoulders and her knees, pulling her into his chest. "I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair and kissed her forehead before standing up, his love in his grasp. Moving towards the door, he didn't acknowledge Beast Boy and Batgirl as he walked past them, he just gripped Starfire a little tighter, promising himself that he would never let her go again.