Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or any of the characters mentioned in this fanfic.
Understanding
Patience Robin.
How many times have I told you to be more patient? Yet it turns out to be my own lack of patience that cost me so much. In a sense that was the worst part of my defeat. It's painful enough to watch something slip through your fingers, but it's entirely different to have only yourself to blame. Alas, the best laid plans…
At first I was angry with you Robin, angry that my plans had been ruined, that my timetables had been set back. But that quickly passed; after all I can't blame you for escaping. If anything it assures me that you are the ideal choice for an apprentice. You may have needed your friends to escape but you were directly responsible for my defeat. They may have forced you to make a decision but it was your character that determined what decision you made.
In that crucial moment, with the lives of your friends hanging in the balance, you decided to bet on your own skills. You made the same choice I would have made. The same choice I once made. That proves you're worth all the time I have invested.
Do you have any idea why you were picked?
Of course you don't. It had nothing to do with your martial arts training, your detective skills, or your grasp of technology. While notable, all of those things can be taught. In a way it's because of your complete lack of superpowers that you are so unusual. It forced you to develop a mindset unlike that of anyone else.
You are the only one, the only Titan who can simply take off a costume and walk away. If you desired it you could enjoy all the luxuries of a normal life. And after everything you've been through the problems of a typical teenager would seem so trivial.
But you can't leave this life behind. I doubt you could even imagine living any other way. You're chained to this way of life Robin. They may be chains of your own making, but you are chained nonetheless.
Do you know why you're doomed to this way of life?
The answer is right in front of you but you refuse to see it. You're content to live day to day without understanding what really drives you. I believe that if you truly sought that answer you would be disturbed by your own arrogance. The reason you can't stop playing hero is simple.
You want to change the world… and once again you and I are not so different.
However, you're going about it all wrong. To change the world you have to work from the top down. You can't waste your time on minor robberies and petty thugs. If you want to you have any lasting effect you are going to have to get your hands dirty. But you refuse to take the necessary steps to make a real difference.
How many times will you let your enemies break out of jail? How many times will you face them in battle, endangering the lives of your friends and countless civilians?
How many times will you watch the system fail? Before you turn to a more effective solution?
Will your stringent code of ethics always keep you from taking a life? Or is there something else that is stopping you? Is it because he doesn't kill? Even now, far from home, you are trapped within more than just his shadow. In fact, on some level, part of you still seeks his approval.
That's why you need my help.
For one so young, all the skills you have acquired are quite impressive. But for all those skills you are still so young. There lies your greatest weakness. You believe that you can overcome any obstacle just as you are now. Ah, the arrogance of youth… to think that you will live forever. You don't fully understand yourself and now you're beginning to see the limitations of the world around you. As all of these factors fill you with uncertainty, there is no one you can turn to.
It's obvious that I understand you Robin, better than you understand yourself.
But do you understand me?
No doubt, you've already tried to understand me. But for all your effort what have you learned? Not much. After all, you have no idea what I have done outside of this insignificant little city. Everything you thought you knew about me, every lead you followed was placed there for a reason. And you were so surprised when I revealed that everything had been a test. I'm sure my actions must strike you as extreme. However, I believe that the ends justify the means. Perhaps you don't agree with my methods.
Then again maybe you do…Red X.
As Red X you were most impressive. Not for stealing those worthless computer chips. What impressed me was the way you manipulated and used your friends. You not only mislead them. You controlled exactly what information they were exposed too. And intentionally tripping the silent alarms, just so I would see your encounters with the other Titans was exceptionally clever. So clever in fact, that I took it upon myself to trip them for you when you worked for me.
Or haven't you realized that yet?
Do you wonder why I decided to keep you in this city? The reason I kept you here wasn't to steal equipment. I wanted you to fight your friends. That was the most important part of your training. I'm certain you would find me even more confusing if I told you that. After all this time you know so little about me. It must be driving you insane.
But are you sure you want to understand me?
Don't worry Robin, one day you will…and your friends will be the ones that make you understand.
Have you ever lost someone?
Of course you have. Whether you realize it or not, it's that loss which has made you what you are today. But you have yet to learn that there are other ways to lose those close to you. Ways that are infinitely more painful. And that is where your friends will come into play. I know you have experienced loss before but do you have any concept of what it feels like to be abandoned?
You will…
I am going to take everything from you Robin and there is nothing you can do to stop me. Despite all of your skills, training, and planning, you will fail. You won't even see the trap as it ensnares you because you fail to see all the weapons within my arsenal. You expect me to use Cinderblock, the HIVE, or one of my other pawns. However, the experienced chess player knows how to use his enemy's pawns against him. The closer you become to your friends, the more vulnerable you'll be when they are turned against you.
Even if you knew this fact, you would refuse to change. Telling you this would only infuriate you. You would say that I'm wrong and that you will prove it to me.
There are some lessons that can only be learned from experience.
And it is going to be a very painful experience Robin. You'll see… when your family has abandoned you. When no matter how hard you try they remain just out of reach… When turning to your memories only reminds you of what you've lost.
When everything has been taken from you…
Then you'll understand.
And only then, will you be complete.
A/N: I'm not sure how well this turned out. This started out as a view of Slade from more of a comic book standpoint. It was too ambiguous so I tried to take a more definite stance when I rewrote it. However, I still tried to blur the line between Robin and Slade a bit at the end. Remember to review! I would appreciate any feedback. Besides it's not like I'm some review driven egomaniac…Tell me if there are any characters you are particularly interested in seeing, although I am working on a multi-chapter fanfic at the moment.
