Teen Titans; The Fighting Life – Epilogue Story; Chapter 22: Old Blood; Odd Ends
/
~ A word of caution to this tale; should Hercules fight, you will fail! ~ Disney's; Hercules.
/
~ This battle was never strictly about a promise, a threat, one's devotion, or a hidden desire of any sort.
It was for power, and it came at a time when the barer desired it most.
So, to say that "desire" still was not the reason this fight began?
That, would be a lie.
It was always about the end game.
The absolute reason? Heh, I'd say to look away. To block your ears.
They couldn't stomach the truth.
And neither can you, my loyal apprentice. ~
/
The truth was hard to stomach. To see the vision around him, was to admit that there had been a serious disconnect.
That he'd never really loved –
The water rushed in. The signal was sent, but not one response came through.
Joker was treading water into his lungs from the shock of the flash bombing. Selina had forever crossed the line.
Unless he could stop Deathstroke from proving well
Batman took out a miniature breathing apparatus from his belt compartment. He pulled out another one quickly for a flopping – about, Joker. They had to swim for it. The pier was coming down. He'd only just escaped the blast. The water had spared them, for now.
The outcome, was again dead in the water – Where Selina had spared them. As if she'd known he would survive.
"She might get close to Robin."
That was a thought, maybe she was trying her own way out; a way to bamboozle that killing machine.
Slade might never see her coming, and with that….
Bruce heaved and tossed Joker into the batman's speed boat. He had converted the plane to hover over water, so thankfully he could have it rescue them in time. The wreck was a trashpile; the memories of Bruce and his father, the entertaining boardwalk and those sounds of children's laughter. Balloons…A circus…
Dick.
Richard John Grayson was born an acrobat since his first days seeing his parents work their magic. Haley's Circus, the same place where Dick had lost his family to a sabotaged performance.
If only he'd been quicker, was what the kid had believed back then. Bruce took the kid in, seeing himself in the child. Thinking that he could provide support for Dick in his time of need.
He'd found out Bruce's secret. Seen the Bat cave by pure coincidence. And…
Robin, had been born.
In the time he'd been gone, Bruce had not been able or willing to find and direct a new Robin.
No one could fill his kid boots. Trying was….
Impossible right now, for now…. Dick had left after getting into a fiht with Batman over a shot he'd been hit by.
Joker's gun had not missed, but he still was worried that his ward had gotten too engrossed in the clown's type of crazy.
So, then the Titans had been born. The Teen Titans. Even with more risk taking, he'd tried to tell his mentor with this magnificent "meta team" that Robin COULD do more. Could BE more.
He would not give up the cape.
But, now? Bruce breathed below the mask and couldn't shut his eyes long enough from those pitiful memories that danced round his skull. He had switched sides to save others, and it had cost him his freedom. All of it.
If Raven was right; that this time was not the real time line that should have been theirs, then there was hope for the future and changing it…. Going…. Back, to the beginning.
The time before Slade had done his worst.
By having his greatest creation fight without shame.
Without regret.
Without prior memory of who he was.
Or wasn't.
Batman didn't shy from the truth, but this was a level of trust that had always been solidified by a masked example.
Father and kin, and yet…
The thread was silently breaking as waters crashed in on his last clue, his far - fetched enemy's hide away.
As it sunk into the depths of the night - time bay, and as a solider contemplated his next move in secret.
/
Richard had subdued Batgirl.
He'd gotten under the skin of Harley Quinn, who'd just lost her best friend.
He'd kept them away, the heroes.
His team…. But…
For how long would he be able to avoid it?
One call; that was all it took.
One touch…. One infected cell after the next.
No one would be without an equal.
They'd be just like him…
Dick vomited as he watched over Wayne Manor from a few feet away. Meters. Yards…As long as Star and Cy didn't see him croaking over a memory that raged on.
And as long as Bb couldn't sniff him out, Raven couldn't sense their bond…
Slade had somehow blocked it psychically, that much Richard now knew.
A war went on in his mind, and not against his lost persona brought to light…
But, a demon of someone else's creation.
/
The dark shadows cast were interstellar, red and black with hints of maroon to bleed through. Alters and godless spirits –no.
No, this was not inside of his head. Yet, inside of another dimension.
The king without fear sat on his throne with a dozen red eyes. His face was partly cloaked by a hooded piece to prevent his body from falling apart, from being seen before its time to rise. Yet, he was just biding his time. Waiting to be as in his prime.
He pointed a clawed finger at this nameless intruder.
~ You; young mortal. Your wounds that heal, are of many, and yet my pride hath no bounds. ~ Spoke the devil in his massive cloak. He had horns poking out, and his voice was very deep. Its timbre rattled the space in-between the dimensions that surrounded this one. His flesh was the color of a fire, not yet ceaseless. While his teeth were as razors, compared not to that of a dragon's sharp - toothed smile.
He was Trigon. A being that time had allowed salvation within the minds of his followers, and to those taken hostage by his magic. His force and power were legendary. None saw him as a minor threat, for he was a destroyer of worlds
An inter - dimensional demon, in the flesh.
Slade had pressed forth; proceeded to become the biggest name in his career as a killer for hire, now an accomplice in many shady dealings and a villain conducting tech thefts that were in his enigmatic name.
His insignia held all of his trials, and the rewards that would come from this satisfactory undertaking.
And Richard was a part of it. All of the crimes, killings and future anarchist ideals….He was a part of this man's world.
Trigon was the one who'd brought Robin away from his friends, and had enticed Slade with an offer he couldn't refuse.
Dick gulped. ~ You, are the one who's responsible for changing –
~I am not the being which evokes fear, he hath you fooled. Mortal, your ability to heal and never come to harm, is due to the science and greed of the one I've contracted with. ~ Trigon openly added. ~ He chose to have you, and yet I only wish to complete our bargain. You wish for a wish, and this too, for I may be willing to grant it–
~I'm not interested in what you have to "grant" me. ~ Robin knew he'd needed to become a better liar.
His voice wavered, which had the demon smirking back. He could see into his heart. Behind the cold shell of a man, was a brittle mind. One meant to lose itself to weakness and sin.
~ You jest; I desire to aide you in discovering your true potential, without the captor you so loath to dissuade such…~ The demon's strength was returning. Richard was supposed to trust his soul to this thing? No. Slade would, he'd banish afterword….
~Nay, you see the future. ~
Dick blinked, he had. He'd seen Slade using a powerful item to destroy or return Trigon to his eternal resting place.
~ He will attempt to steal my power. If he succeeds, you will never be freed of this life. It will destroy you and my daughter's time shall never come…~
~Daughter? ~ Robin looked to the beast's many eyes.
Trigon watched and waited. Squinting in his guest's direction. Waiting to seal a pact with the non – believer.
~You know of her as Raven. She was sired by me; and to this she is a vital flaw and great help to us. ~
Dick was worried about what that even meant, as Trigon continued.
~ My restraint that binds me from entering your world is because of the Monks of Azarath. Those binds, which prevented my return. The monks did perish by my warning, but my child was lost, sent to a world where her mother had been born to those who did not know of the child. She was lost, always searching. Fighting my influence until, your master allowed me to be freed of my unearthen tethers. I was willing to grant him a face on your world. So, it was our pact, which was forged through not trust, but a desire to be this world's destruction. You know now, what must be…~
~ Then, Raven, she's also…a human? ~
Dick was not sure what to think. Trigon paused, then proceeded with his full explanation.
~ Yet, Raven is a portal to this world that I cannot make contact with, not without a way to break down her walls –
~Raven, is not like you! –
~You still preach, when your mind is consumed by the desire to have his head at your feet. Young fallen, warrior. ~ Trigon stated. ~You are no longer a hero to she – Raven is as well, not a heroine to her own tale. All the world shall fall by my coming! You must realize what is to be, for it is written. The end is coming nigh…~
~It won't. ~ Richard gritted his fists and tried to think. Trigon was obviously trying to swap devotees or scare him... The oldest trick, and he'd not allow it. There had to be…
~What if I'm the one to stop you from hurting the world? ~
Trigon's brow raised in confusion. ~Hmm. You are but a mortal with an altered ability to heal quickly. You cannot fight a god in your current state. Look, how you quake over a single man! You have lain with one, and denounced the other! I allow it – for this is the misery set, to become ye! ~
Laughed the demon, cruelly.
Dick shook his head. ~I am afraid of wanting to die, myself. And…I know that's not going to be the case. My team wants me back. Slade is just controlling –
~This part of your heart is true, yet the you that will kill without consent is not. It exists, as does the self you refuse to reveal – for he may come to harm it, steal your innocence from your blood and bone. ~
Robin shivered. He recalled being raped by Slade. Yet now…. Slade had acted around Robin a bit differently. He was using that shift as a form of control. This part of himself was to help Trigon escape….
But…
~If I can be the vessel, have Slade's pact with you to take me instead of him, then you'll have to stop –
~ Stop. ~ Trigon had the boy to cease.
~ Your captor and master already made a bargain; you were to be the sacrifice, to take Raven's place….as to become, mine. ~
~You're lying. ~ Dick wasn't aware, but what ivy had said…Was Constantine aware of Slade's motives for teaming up with Trigon?
~ I dare not spake ill of a god, nor should ye. I am a true being, and thus…. This sacrifice will not be in body, but the mind of the one they call Robin. The persona; a creation of man's delight in the impossible. So, I shall have it, while Richard and your Nameless half are granted amnesty in my new utopia. As KINGS and SERVANTS to a living DEITY with that man you call your master!~
~That, it's not possible…I'm Rob –
~ You, are not. Your face is living, yet this, Robin; it is not an imaginary title you hold, but a living weapon in your palm that can defeat me. So, for this measure, I cannot have the past to return. ~
If he takes Robin….
I can never return.
This wasn't his reality…
It was a nightmare!
~ My daughter, Raven will be unwilling to participate. With your powers of manipulation, she will come to us so that I may open the gate ways to our worlds! Ye shall be rewarded with her hand, if you so desire it –
~NO! ~ Stunned that Raven's objectification had been mentioned, Dick grimaced at the godless pig in his line of sight.
~Raven is a Titan; she doesn't deserve to go through any of that... I'm not going –
~You cannot control your current form as you are – to he, it is but a single tool. He anchors it, you are as she. You remain to serve a better master. ~ Trigon reminded the defeated hero.
~ This is why I grant you the reason for that YOU to remain; to kill the one who will do away with my rule – you could be this world's ruling hand. Your healing craft is quite strong. Stronger than the man you call master –
~You're wrong!.. I don't –
~Your wounds are no longer there. But your body recalls…~Trigon pointed at the child; he had the wounds of the past return. Dick saw the shot fired, his departure from Gotham. His pains from trying to stay alive while Slade…
Slumped to his knees, Dick recalled these newer, inner demons that Slade's ego had injected into his pilfered soul.
~ I wanted him to pay, even if he should have to suffer…...I can't kill…but…~
The touches; the ripping seams of elastic, and the water dripping down his back every time.
As he moaned out the man's name.
How he'd been taken in the pool that night for losing their game.
He'd clutched him so roughly that it left imprints everywhere the next morning.
Shivering, the desire would not leave. The bots were useless…
How he'd taken Robin by an initiation meant to control and manipulate the child's mind.
Grasping the sheet and tightening up, to not be taken. Screaming out Star's name to fix his broken heart.
Crying in the bed until he'd been coaxed to lie still.
How he'd stolen his face, his masked pride….
Head full of lies, or promises he'd not cared to let be.
His empathy, and…
His future.
All dead with his friends' hope….
~I'll keep him dead, but I won't be anyone's dictator. ~Dick decreed. The pain was enough to have him want to launch the first strike, with eyes red and near tears. Anger subdued the fear behind those eyes.
Trigon smiled. A crocodile's bite would have been more relieving that a devil's peck on the cheek.
The subtle notion reminded Dick of his sacrifice.
~ Then, you shall continue to suffer. The fate of your mortal kind is only to suffer and submit to what ends and ails ye. You may return to the past, if that is what you so desire -~
Sniffling, Dick looked up to Trigon.
~Why? Why try to help your enemies? ~ He begged to know. Trigon had driven at his soul, where his demons were outdone by his ability to restrict the good in others' hearts.
If Slade had ever even had a heart…
The demon scoffed and responded then, with a chuckle. It wasn't as horrifying as Slade's for some reason. Richard released some tension from having cried into his chest. His body was bottled up with unfinished sobs, and it hurt. So much.
~ I am granted the rites of a god. I may see as to your time in this plane, or in another. I am forever in existence with your fate…If I were to be lost to this time, I would be fated always to return to the time when my daughter's power is at its zenith. ~
~Even if we turn back or change time, you'll still come after her…~Dick bobbed his head and understood. All powerful. Even if Slade hadn't been there, Trigon was bound to go after the earth. As long as Raven was a Titan. A child of Trigon's demonic upbringing. Fighting back against his rule.
~I'll do it. I'll make a deal with you – only to return to my real world, where Slade can't make me his apprentice. The one where Robin still exists. ~
~I shall savor the defeat of your enemies, and I shall desire but one type of payment until the time comes to return to your era –
~Right, you are a demon after…. ~ Dick stopped himself.
~Your payment; will be your desire. ~
Dick gawked. ~ Huh? What do you mean by... -?
~ When you love, ye shall be shallow and unattached. As man may noweth be a hero, this could be your kingdom cometh. Your lovers shall fall in numbers, but love shall not know how to fill ye with anything other than, an awkward tension. Unease, for ye shall shun it. Only in these partners who desire as you – as your master, your devotion and attention to detail IN combat, shall they live to service your desire. That desire for love shan't be for lovers of the flesh, none; only to JUSTICE. SHE shall be your desire, THAT and nothing else. ~
Dick thought about how Star would….be only ok with one's emotions. Not…. His devout, seriousness…. He'd only love to be able to complete a case, or to work with a partner. Platonic, useful, but inhuman.
Almost…. Empty…~
~ You heroes, amuse me...~ Trigon rubbed his chin and puzzled over the boy's shock.
~You desire to be loved by all, yet shy from the ones who shower you with praise before you've understood their admiration - for those they will never know ye. You are held sacred, false little god – ling. ~
~We're nothing like you –
~I beg to differ, for you are mistaken. Human…My daughter's rites concerted with your own, you two would be reborn with this limitless devotion - forever held highly in my favor, until you are to strike me as I stir…Boy. ~
~I did promise them, so yeah. I'll do it. Forget this pointless regret. It's time –
~ There has been nothing but time, for your kind…. So be it. I shall now take what you offer in order to save your precious "hope. "Yet… Know this –
Dick felt something elevate, rip from his heart as he clutched it back. Desire. He could love, but never thrive or desire of another. He'd be as cold as Slade…The pang went still, and he returned to his conscious self.
He panted* up at the beast, as it did stir.
~ I will be watching, for the day of reckoning on YOUR, true world. And by this favor, ye shall always know it. Your ability to heal will hath never been, but the heart you once lived by in such pains, will be recalled. He will exist, and he will fuel again the day of my coming –
~WHAT? ~ Dick shot back, knowing he'd been tricked.
~Slade isn't going to win! The Titans! –
~ MY coming shall end it~! You have time too fix NOTHING! If you return my gift, I shall be allowed to reap Raven's soul to fight that filthy traitor…And destroy your world now in my heated rage. At least, this is fair for the both of us…. Time, so you wanted it. So, it shall be…. Be gone again, and face the day, hero! ~
/
He shook and looked at his palms. That was…A summoning….Or something –
~ Nameless, report! ~
Great, Slade was calling him….
~ S…Sorry, Master, the Titans are in position. ~ He relayed via their connection. He had no idea, just what that meant…anymore…
~ Apprentice, you seem disturbed. Your heart rate was a bit elevated. Is there something you'd like to tell me? ~
~ Ah…. Starfire…. I remembered something, from before…was, embarrassing…. Sorry, Master…. –
~ The past is over, or will be. ~ Slade told the boy to calm him, or to have him recognize what he was about to commit to.
~ Y- yes, master…~
~ Such weaknesses of the heart will have us beaten. ~ Slade sighed. ~ I want you to face them without fear, without letting a soul know where you need to be. The Batcave. Access it. ~
~ Y - y- es, Master Slade. ~
Dick was able to gain freedom through Trigon's intervention. His mind was clear, he could go along and then? Become the one who put Slade and Trigon to rest.
By killing Slade before he could banish his trump card.
But first?
He had to get into the cave before anyone saw him, even from Alfred….
Or Ace, the Bat hound.
Dick cloaked himself by the night and got started. The defenses on the outside had been deactivated, on one side, by Slade's quick….
Thinking.
He had to stay focused. Nameless. Was that supposed to be a joke?
Why did –
Right, Stockholm.
He had to see a damn good hypnotherapist in HIS time once they'd gotten rid of both monsters. Raven could pop in and erase….
He blushed.
Stupid hormones….
The line to the top; where Master Dick's quarters were…And Bruce's study was just below it.
Bingo.
Dick found a window, but right there he saw a silhouette of someone, who was his dear ally?….
Or, was this a joke?
She sauntered by, inside and clinging to a wall for support.
No. To find the clock IN the wall.
To the cave!
Dick sniffed and tried to find another window. He did and made his move. It was a piece of cake; his tech had been upgraded to that of a crime lord's duplicate- half. A thief, and he hated every second of the experience…
I remember, I stayed under his control to take him out – but…How did Trigon break that….
Dick shook his head. Magic or science. It did not matter.
He was in.
And…the clock was…
The manor had multiple, secret passageways, because the Dark Knight was in fact a knight in his own castle.
The Wayne lineage spanned back to merry old (have to double check. Wayne I think is Scottish, need to see the etymology behind it…) England, so it was a given hat he'd be so invested in the Arthurian tales of those knights' noble good deeds and the saving of pretty damsels.
Kind of fit the play - boy image.
Dick stuck out his tongue at the connection.
Nope, he was not like Bruce….
He was too serious, but…
Trigon had taken his desire.
He'd only love to get the job done, never for the connection.
Starfire loved his heart and kindness, diligence…. But….
Now?
Keep moving.
There!
Sure enough, the clock was standing upright, exactly in the hall where it would remain.
And it had not been moved.
Unless she'd shut –
Dick rushed over on his silent foot falls to see if the doorway beyond the clock would have it chime.
It did, and he entered down, down where an elevator had been installed in his absence.
There, was a piece of his past. Dick's throat ran dry as he kept his mask from falling away. He wanted to swap it. Bright green and red, he wanted those colors against his skin. The memory of his parent's death, etched into every detail.
He saw one of them, the original in his youth. He smiled as the elevator made its dock to the base of the cave's main control area. The Bat computer beamed up as an old friend waving hello... Yet, the Batmobile wasn't there.
Where was…
"I told you, to let us handle it…"
Dick spun around.
Selina stood within a pose that seemed to not wish on company falling into view; she was patient, to a point. She waved wit her claws splayed as a cat's, hoping to have its pray come hither.
"I told him I'd keep you safe."
"Wait…Where is –
"Bruce, is doing a bit of snooping. Not that it wasn't a part of your…. You have no clue, do you?" She was stunned.
"Slade…He went after our team." She formulated a way to keep the kid from rushing off in the night.
"I was on his side to turn your heads. I don't think Bats will want to go on a second date after all of –
Dick turned to the cat as he stopped; the cave felt like it was full of hot air.
And so was Selina Kyle.
"After what? What are you talking about? Where is Bruce? -
He seemed peeved as her hand went to his new mask, trying to see if it was like the one back in the Watchtower.
Bruce had cried on and off after that ordeal. What a yowler!
She went up to the kid's face and eyed him carefully, finding what she'd not expected…
He batted back her fingers; a bit attacked in his own right. He was freshly reddened, as a cherry.
That, was odd…
"You aren't all glazed…anymore. Hmm….Did you find your "center, kid?"
"I, did…sort of." Dick couldn't lie. Selina knew him. Acting so sweet that it ached.
Slade did that, so…
"Don't lie." She reprimanded strong but surely. "When Bruce gets back here, I hope you're ready to –
"As it stands, none of that shouldn't matter."
"Slade!" Dick jumped. His body had reacted as Robin's would….
Nailed it. Coffin; shut and sealed for total decimation. Way ta go!
"You ran into some trouble; some interference was spotted on my end, so I came back to assist."
"Back, as in your kid – friendly ass was, tired of playing the lookout…."
Selina threw back her head as her yowl was more a groan.
"Aw, crap!" She turned to Robin and was barking up the wrong tree. She was as nervous about the plan as before, while Richard was deathly afraid of this man…and totally confused.
"This is guy's a sick freak." She pointed at the assassin as Robin held back a dry gulp.
"He took out half of my crew and had them swear loyalty to his damned cause, or else he'd hang them up like rag dolls in the rain. Cats don't like water. Not this kitty! You'd better watch it, tough g -
"We had a deal."
"Deal's up." Selina snorted. "The heroes are here, aren't they?"
/
Slade chuckled.
Catwoman's ears twitched. She was annoyed, but more so disturbed by that man's sudden reaction.
She asked again, gritting her fists. "Are they?"
He laughed, and such a chilling laugh that Selina looked more "Halloween cat" than human, as her back arched on instinct.
Still, Dick was confused. Slade was not supposed to access the manor…He was….But….
He didn't need Dick to do it? He'd already broken in before?
"Master, I –
"Nice acting, but as I told you., Apprentice." Dick shrunk back. He'd still been shaken by the man's tone changing, before.
So was Selina, as she looked in her pouch for her deadliest weapons. She slunk closer to the kid. Slade didn't bother to stop her.
" You'll have to do a lot better than that, in order to beat me!"
Slade chucked out a rang style throwing star, that was more akin to housing his emblem on its plates.
Selina dashed to grab at Dick's arm to throw him out of the star's path. It was a safe move, but Slade was the hunter, toying with its prey to wear it down.
A rang like Batman's, to be exact. To kill, not just capture.
Dick looked on, shocked that the man was finally snapping.
Or, was this his plan?
I don't know…I don –
"Where are the Titans?" Dick shouted out across the room.
Selina braced herself.
"Out cold." Slade tossed another rang at the cat, as she went in to defend her own.
Robin was her lover's son, she had to keep up her part. No Bat to swing ropes with, would be a crushing defeat to the nimble thief.
She'd made sure to keep him far away. Any demolition to that wreck had been set up by men Slade had hired to throw Joker a bone.
It had left the clown temporarily homeless, but the rest…Bats would know where to go. Who to bring, to face this threat.
Selina had stolen the car; Bruce had taken the boat. They'd made Slade believe in Selina's betrayal so that one last piece could be brought onto Death's head.
She'd never once been a fan of world domination, it was just a vulgar degree of pompous dog – headedness. When Bruce had been cornered by the cat and squeaked out the bad news, she felt a pang of…well, it was empathy a bit. As Robin…she'd never liked him. Clinging to the bats arm like some high school sweetheart.
Dog headed…
And dogs were not fun, nor good looking.
Like, this wolf standing in her path.
Robin as he stood, reminded her of a helpless lion cub, attempting to find safety with the aid of its pride.
She felt prideful just considering that.
Men like Batman were hardest to come by. As any, he was loyal as a lion, as long as it were not a rogue one.
But…
She still held a soft spot for the bird.
He needed to get the hint.
"Go! I'll take care of your –
Slade rushed at her and with a kick, and she went down.
"Selina!" Dick screamed out as she fell. Slade…He had to be at his wits –
"She's out cold too; and this needs to be finished. Disarm the cave's security, AS planned."
"No." Robin said it, and wished he could do a double take. The acid in his mouth was enough to drive a wedge between their levels of determination.
Slade froze.
"What, did you just say to me?"
"I, s –
"No. You are going to do this, or your entire city is going to burn. Now. Your punishment, Apprentice."
Robin looked on as Selina was under his boot, with another kick to the cat's slim torso.
Maybe, with too many bruises as Dick saw himself in her…
A flashback of his abuse in Selina…
It wasn't fair!
"No." he said it again. And at that moment, Slade left the beaten woman, only before removing her mask. Her short bob was revealed, as her tanned cheeks remained bruised by the man's torments.
Richard watched in horror as Slade's promise to break his apprentice, came to be, as with the two heroes - one more could lose a life.
"She's useful. But…You'll be the one to make her sorry. Come, Apprentice. You'll do as I command."
Robin's body jerked to life as his palms lit up, he tried to hug them to his body, but it burned! Is that what being branded was like? What Ivy had felt? What had been…
"No…. I'm not going to hurt her! Stop! –
"You'd rather be a weapon than a soldier." Slade hissed, disappointed at the boy's reluctance. "Admit it." Dick's body was grabbed by the man as he was directed to stand over by Slade nemesis's main attraction. At the cat's side.
His head fuzzy, and eyes full of that fury he could not singe from view, he could not erase it.
As Slade had….
"She'd be best, resting like a cat." He purred into Richard's shaking ear lobes. His mask could let loose that hot breath as it allowed for time to let loose its constraints. Only here, only this…
"Curled up, in a matted HEAP! –
Dick squeezed his eyes shut.
"STOP!"
"That's enough, Deathstroke."
/
The teen tried not to cry out. Guessing that it was from the man's power over him, he did nothing. Just watched. Listened. And prayed for silence to take them.
His….
Bruce, no. Batman. Drenched! From the river?
"You made it." Slade seemed to relax his grip. Multi - managing his two favorite heroes wasn't a daunting task, but it was hard on one's mind and focus at times.
After the moment had passed, Slade replied. "I almost thought you'd never come."
"I should be saying the same thing." Grunted the other man with his cowl still up.
"You came into my ally's home and took advantage of the Titans. Robin isn't your protégé."
"Not even yours, so why bother then…to talk about your ego, Batman…Or, was it Bruce?"
That stung, but they did know, Slade was lethal with that information. It was why he never worried he'd be caught in the act so soon.
Slade clung to Dick's arm as he'd lost the ability to tug free earlier (thanks to the bots turning him into a tin soldier.)
Bruce growled out. "Robin is done with you, we all are –
"Why not let him speak, then?" Slade hinted that the kid wasn't all obedient and dull of thought. He'd just lost his body a while to take care of a simple, job.
There was more than one way to skin a cat.
But to clip a bat's wings? You'd have to shoot it from its roost, first.
And Slade knew how to drag out the bat's many weaknesses.
Birds, cats, bats, was he simply surrounded by animals?
Or was he the hunter meant to take them all out.
"Robin? You want to go back with the Dark Knight and the Titans, don't you? Tell him. What is it your desire?"
He could say it? Oh! Ok, then –
The boy stopped.
Desire. He wasn't allowed to do that! God…that meant family, too?
Slade, he was a connection through his crime fighting….and….
Batman, Bruce.
TRIGON.
"You won't talk…? But I thought you went and did everything I asked of you, to find them. To go back to your friends…Was that all a lie? Apprenti-
"He's being manipulated by your tricks and the constant abuse! I know what you've done to him. It's no wonder he can't even –
"B…-
"Richard is capable of speaking. Anyway, he would have reconsidered - had you have been a better listener –
"I…-
~I can't talk…The curse? The pact? What do I do…...? RAVEN! I need You! Someone!? ~
"You aren't leaving with him, and I won't let him be harmed by anything that resembles a villain like yourself." Bruce paced on his side of the cave, trying to locate a opening. "He'll train and fight this illness. We'll fix it. You can't do any more harm here."
"On the contrary, Batman."
Slade snapped his fingers as bots emerged from within the walls of the cave, and only until the manor was full of armored commando Slade Bots, was he then dually satisfied with his well played take - over.
"I've just performed a near - flawless "check and mate" on your little plan to outdo me. The manor is now a strong hold for someone other than the dark knight, for once. You're hereby ordered to leave, or the security program that I've rewired will activate. Taking you and your guests out with the push of a button."
~This isn't happening…...! ~
Dick couldn't believe it…Slade had a plan B...And never…
Dick's eyes fell away as he sat on his knees, in a position away not far from Slade, waiting for his master to…. No! He wasn't going to lose his only chance –
Dick growled. His palms were still glowing. He reached and grabbed the man's leg.
As Slade yelled out in agony, a burn he could stomach was pressed unto his flesh and bone.
But the disobedience, a third time?
Dick clung on, up until Slade's hands came down to rip them away, and –
Richard was slapped across the face. He recoiled and went into immediate shock, the dim look…. he didn't know…the shock returned him to being. To being a simple…
"Robin! Deathstroke… Get away from him!"
"Your time is up." Deathstroke's gloved hand latched around Robin's arm as the kid's palm had started to glow red again. Hovering right over…
Selina's face.
Easily, the hand changed Kyle's expression as the infection quickly took hold. Scrunched into a pained, crescent ball, she coughed up a slimy black trail of mucus. Her eyes wide and afraid of this outcome, Selina gasped for air. For someone to heal her tired mind as it flailed within her dying body.
Her fate. Her loss…Her love and family…
Gone. She shut her eyes, one last time, as Slade had his dazed apprentice let go of the woman's marred face. Selina's body lay motionless. Batman was unable to speak. He was afraid to lose her, them. They were, powerless!
"You've been given a chance to regroup, but now you'll be short another member of your team." Slade cocked his head as he patted the boy on the head, lovingly.
The scene curdled Bruce's stomach.
"And the reason your boy has not wanted to answer, was because of a little secret between the two of us…"
Slade didn't bother to notice that the kid's eyes had started to come out of their mild trance state.
"He's been sleeping, with me. Willingly." Robin's chin was tilted up to look at his master's masked gaze.
Liar.
"I created a living weapon in order to free your ward from the life he'd lead before. He wasn't happy with you; your laws, the fact that you gave up on his decision to leave home, yet you'd still save a common thief without thinking twice." Slade's eye fell onto Selina.
Dick was just to give someone an ego boost, like women who liked men with large pets.
Disgusting.
LIAR.
"You wanted the Titans disbanded from the start, so why not call in a professional? I can say…In a few years time, my apprentice might even pose a threat…and I, will make sure to make better use of his abilities than you ever have…. Wayne…"
Gritting his fists, Batman finally found the courage to speak. He couldn't move. He'd trip an alarm.
Losing them, forever….
"You, have done too much damage already, Deathstro –
"I was simply there to free your bird from his cage." Slade interjected.
Slade looked down at Robin who was forced to look up at the man, that he….
NO! It's a trap! Stop…. Stop trying to! -
"Robin, will no longer exist. Nameless will show you that he isn't a fan of being tied down to your petty morals." Slade rubbed the boy's cheek with his thumb, then running it over his child's slightly parted lips.
"I wanted to let you see him, before the end. Your city, every ounce of time you have remaining, will soon become a sacrifice. An inferno of this take over."
"You won't do it, Deathstroke." Batman snarled. "Your code won't allow you to –
"I can't have any side projects, Batman?" Slade scoffed. "I'm my own master, and his –
"NO, you're not!" Bruce shouted.
"STOP."
The Bat did.
"Well, if you don't wish to lose to the man who has the Titans and Mr. Pennyworth unconscious, upstairs…? You'll do as I say. Selina is mine. I'm not going to return her to you. That much is certain, but you may have one of your other, toys before you go."
Batman was fuming, but could not combat the man until he was sure of how. Invincibility. through Trigon. Robin still didn't know what sacrifice he'd be.
"Since I'm in such a good mood, I'll give you a few extra minutes to find which one fills the void, best."
Cheshire - grinning from a narcissistic sociopath. Batman's knuckles almost turned white as the Joker's face paint.
Dick had he been fighting this crooked man all along, by himself?
"The…. There's nothing." Bruce breathed out.
It was for them. Nothing else.
Slade leaned over to coyly eye the bat over.
"Come now, Batman…Nothing? Are you so sure about that?" He tilted his head to the side curiously, trying to egg out the bat's answer.
The bots all around the cave looked over them as hyenas, devoted to a rogue lion of the pride. Some coup by a couple of wild beasts, waiting to pounce.
Bruce was being kicked out. His only safe houses were in the city. He had lost, not just Catwoman. Not Batgirl. And, not Robin. But with no army. No Titans…. But -
He lowered his head.
"What can I do to stay?"
Slade looked up, and wanted to do no wrong.
He'd taken the bait, good boy.
"Two things. You can fall like your ward and serve only me, or you can become a pawn like your girlfriend. No control, no surrender. Those are your two choices."
"And the Titans."
"Will become part of our sacrifice. I want to be sure everything goes according to plan."
"Spoken like a true homicidal maniac." Bruce sniffed.
"Why, thank you. But, a bit off the mark. I could be called a genius. And…If I were you, it would be best to call me something a little, nicer. So? What is it going to be, Bruce?"
Dick was shaking, and Slade was sourcing all of that fear back in the bat's miserable face.
"I will, serve you. I renounce my title, to save my only family left in this world."
Slade let his apprentice's leash loosen as Dick's words rolled past his already, bitten tongue.
"You can't! Bruce! Just, go! Find the League…. Forget about me. I don't…I Don't... WANT you here!"
And then, the world grew cold, to embrace the dark knight.
Right through the heart, as he fell to his knees.
Dick cried out one last time before fading by the curse's effects. His heart was not sure what it wanted anymore. He cried tears that Slade had no longer wished to see.
He shouted, and the guilt only doubled as her screamed aloud;
"BRUUCE!"
