A Nightmare All His Own
By Flying Star
Disclaimer: Teen Titans is not mine, if I did own it, there would be an new episode every weekend, and Starfire would've beat Kitten's ass to a pulp.
Again rated PG-13 for some blood and swearing.
* Laughs manically* So, I lied, this is not the end! Though part four is really just the epilogue. For people who read "Trust", this will be pretty familiar as the stories become one, but from Robin's view.
Reviewer replies:
~ Tribe Kitten - Thanks! ^_^ Yep it was sad, but things will work out. Here's the third chapter.
~ Lizziegordo4ever -Glad I answered all of your and your sister's questions. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. And here's the third chapter to enjoy.
~ Seventy 5ive - Glad you liked the chapter, and thanks for putting me on your favs list. Here's the third chapter
~ Starfirelover - *Blush* Thanks! Glad you enjoyed both stories. Here's the third chapter.
Again, special thanks to my friend Guine. . ******************* Part three: Lost, then found again.
Plummeting to the ground, Robin landed flush on the stone, the wind temporarily knocked out of him. Regaining his wits he heard,
" Star, get back! He followed me!"
Using the stone as a brace, Robin quickly stood up, and looked up...into a pair of beautiful green eyes. " Wh-what Starfire?" he said, shocked to find her not only a few feet away from him, but also alive. But the biggest shock was when he looked at the person she was conversing with, he looked just like...
" Never!"
Robin nearly fell off the stone when his doppleganger, for lack of a better term, yelled that he would never become like Red X again, and stated that X, he jerked his finger in Robin's direction, represented that which he feared he would become.
* This makes no sense. He can't be Robin, I'm Robin.* Robin though, unaware that he was taking a step toward the two.
( To keep this from getting confusing, I shall now refer to the Robin with Starfire as RobinS, for obvious reasons. ^_-)
Robin's attention refocused on RobinS when he suddenly turned away from Starfire, pulling out his staff. Then RobinS turned to Starfire and said, " Dammit Star, I'm going to keep him busy while you get out of here."
* Is she really Starfire?" Robin could see Starfire pleading with RobinS, even taking a step in Robin's direction, which the other quickly stopped with his arm. A few more words passed between them, Starfire looking more and more distraught, when suddenly RobinS leapt forward, his staff aiming right at Robin's head.
Robin crouched down, intending to leap away from the charge, when the rock he was standing on began to shake violently. Staring down in surprise, he focused on keeping his balance, and then as the shaking stopped he inadvertedly whipped his head up, meeting her eyes for a second time. He was only able to catch a glimpse of confusion cross her face before he became aware that the ground before the stone was cracking, green light pouring from it.
"Starfire! Get back!"
Seeing the two distracted, Robin jumped up, climbing a mass of branches and limbs, before crossing a few trees to stand above the two. Somehow he knew that whatever was going to happen in the next few minutes, wouldn't be good.
How right he was. What came out of the ground almost made him lose his grasp on the tree. " No." he whispered, seeing zombie Starfire rise from her grave, her flayed body dripping blood as her eyes rolled in the direction of the three. Her eyes flared a bright green mixed with red as she threw back her head and screamed. Robin shuddered, gripping the tree tightly enough that his fingers felt numb, his heart pounding rapidly in fear as zombie Starfire's gaze bore into his.
"Starfire, please stay back."
Robin tore his gaze from the gruesome figure to glance down at the two. RobinS had brought his staff before him while Starfire was kneeling, her hands returning to her sides. In an instant, RobinS was barreling towards the zombie, his staff in front of him like a lance.
Robin watched in horror as the reanimated corpse's gaze went from RobinS to him, and felt his blood turn to ice as she hissed the words, " Betrayer..liar...killer..!"
RobinS was still charging, seemingly unfazed by the creature's words. Dodging a few starbolts, he brought the staff down.
Robin blinked as the staff end suddenly sparked, and then had to press a hand to his mouth to keep from throwing up as RobinS slammed the staff through zombie Starfire's face, ripping her head from her body, where it rolled a few feet away. Her dimming eyes came to rest on his, ever accusing.
Taking deep breaths to compose himself, Robin cautiously slid down the tree, making sure he was out of sight. By the time he reached the bottom, RobinS was returning to Starfire, a worried yet confident look on his face.
As RobinS reached out to Starfire she shrunk back, shaking uncontrollably as he said her name.
" DO NOT.. do not come any closer." Starfire had shrunk back further. Robin could see tears glittering in her eyes as she asked him about the zombie's words.
RobinS looked ready to laugh as he replied " Star, remember, I told you I had to kill them. Sometimes you have to do something wrong to make it right."
Robin's brow furrowed in confusion. The phrase sounded similar to what Slade had said to him a while back, only twisted around. His eyes returned to Starfire as she nodded, but then questioned RobinS about his staff. * Yeah, explain that, imposter.* Robin thought angrily as he watched RobinS lift his staff, staring at the end as it sparked.
" My staff always had the feature, I just never had to use it."
* What!* Robin scoffed. * Star, surely you don't believe that.* He smiled when he saw Starfire's frown deeply. * At least she's not fully convinced.* he watched as suspicion clouded her features.
" You killed her, and you were smiling when you did, why?" Robin felt a twinge of anger as he watched Starfire retreat a few steps, hearing RobinS say,
" I guess I was just caught up in the moment."
* That damn phony's scaring her. That's it, I don't care what she thinks of me, I have to get her away from that creep.*
' X, destroy your target and return to me now.' Slade's voice came through Robin's forgotten communicator.
Robin glared at it for a moment, and then, using a palm x, smothered the device. * There, at least that'll keep him quiet for awhile.* he felt a mild shock and smiled. * Seems I did more than silence him, I jammed his signal as well.*
Inching out from behind the tree, he took a few cautious steps toward Starfire's back. But as he reached out to touch her shoulder, RobinS's head turned to him and smiling he said, " Starfire, look out!"
Robin's hand was now in Starfire's grasp as she pulled hard, bringing him over her shoulder where he landed on his back. He looked up into her eyes, and he knew beyond any reasonable doubt that this person was Starfire, but she had no clue of his identity. * I have to tell her.* " Starfire, you have to believe me, that Robin over there is an imposter, he's...urk!"
He was cut off as RobinS grabbed him by his mask, yanking him up until he was face to face. " Starfire, "Robin tried again, keeping Starfire in his line of view, " don't you see, he's not me, I..."
' That won't work, you know.'
Robin looked into RobinS's eyes, the boy was grinning but his lips weren't moving. RobinS's gaze flicked quickly between Robin and his wrist, and Robin realized that somehow Slade's voice was again coming through the communicator. " How.." he managed to whisper.
" Save your breath, boy. No matter how you try, she can't hear you.'
" Liar, " Robin hissed as the pressure suddenly lifted and he found himself staring up into Starfire's face, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiousity and confusion. " Who are you? You do not seem like a bad person."
Her melodious voice brought a smile to Robin's face. * Ever inquisitive, Star.* he thought. His smile quickly melted into a frown though when RobinS grabbed Starfire's shoulder.
" Starfire. He's the enemy, you should blast him, not engage in a general conversation with him."
" Why you!" Robin, knowing now that Starfire couldn't hear him, but wanting nothing more than to wrap his hands around the imposter's throat. But instead he stayed quiet as Starfire glared at RobinS.
" I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Now please remove your hand from my shoulder."
Robin smiled. * Go Star!* His smiled widened as RobinS released his grip, muttering "Fine" as he backed off.
His smile faded again as Starfire looked down at him, her expression unreadable. He didn't know what to do, she couldn't hear him, didn't even know who he was. RobinS appeared over her shoulder, and as Robin watched, a flash lit the scene, like a bolt of lightening. Everything flickered, the trees, ground, tombstones, even the sky winked in and out, like a movie projection screen going dim when it's bulb begins to die.
Starfire however, remained solid, while RobinS became entirely something else...
It was then, as Robin saw RobinS reach for his staff and raise it over Starfire's unprotected head, that he knew the truth. Focusing on the being behind Starfire he lunged off the ground, pushing her to the side as he rammed his body into the other.
But as he made contact, RobinS smiled and whispered, " Gotcha." Searing pain flowed through Robin as RobinS's staff collided with his chest, the electricity flowing from it feeling ten times worse than what Slade had sent through his suit. " I told you, you can't trust him. " he heard RobinS say and then he fell to his knees crying out in pain as the other again slammed the staff into his chest.
" I know."
Trying to calm his shaking Robin lifted his head and watched as RobinS flew past him to land on the ground next to Starfire.
The imposter glared at Starfire as she said, " It all makes sense. I saw him glance behind me a moment before he lunged. He was not aiming for me, he saved me from you. You seemed so eager to destroy him, too eager." Robin watched as her glaring eyes lit up with green fire. " The real Robin would never find such pleasure in destroying an enemy."
RobinS merely smiled. You don't really believe that, do you." His gaze met Robin's. " We have to destroy him, then I can escape the Scarecrow's nightmare."
Starfire's glare transformed into an feral grin. " You just confirmed my thoughts. I never mentioned that this was a nightmare made by the Scarecrow."
Robin nodded to himself. * The flickering background, everything's as fake as this suit I'm wearing.* He frowned as he watched RobinS try to correct his mistake. * But if everything's fake, then why didn't Starfire flicker as well? Could it be that she's real?* His thoughts were interupted as RobinS began laughing, his slight frame heaving as the laughter increased in intensity. Then as quickly as it had begun, RobinS's laughter ceased, an evil grin on his face.
And then that voice, the same voice that had haunted and hounded him ever since he woke up, emerged from RobinS's lips.
" Bravo Titan. I must admit, I thought it would take you longer to figure it out. However, you are too late. Robin belongs to me."
* Like hell I do.* Thought Robin as he reached for the x mask. * Since this isn't real, it shouldn't be a problem to...Yes!* the mask easily came off as he glared at RobinS. " No, I don't." He smiled as Starfire's face turned to him, her expression becoming both relieved and knowing. " I'm so glad to get that off of me. " His smile widened as she wrapped an arm around him.
" I knew when I saw your eyes. You had such warmth in them and caring. You," Starfire's gaze returned to the imposter, " your eyes were like ice, and your touch felt cold, even when you hugged me I felt no warmth."
Robin glared at the imposter, now certain of his identity. " Why don't you drop the disguise, Slade."
RobinS smirked, but nodded as his body shimmered, becoming the source of Robin's hate. " Defiant to to the end, Robin. It doesn't matter, you can't escape."
Robin stood still, crossing his arms. He wouldn't let Slade goad him. " And why not?" His eyes widened as Slade brought a finger over his wrist. * Oh sh...!* Another piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place. Robin simultaniously yanked Starfire's arm off him and shoved her away, just as Slade pushed the button.
"AAAAAHHH!!" Robin threw back his head, unable to keep from screaming as a huge wave of electricity flowed out from his chest, spiraling around his body. Falling to his knees, he tried grabbing at his chest, but failed as his vision and hearing warped, a new voice entering his mind. A commanding voice, a voice he would obey, because HE is the master.
Robin slowly got to his feet, listening impassively to his master's words.
" I suppose I must thank you, my dear. Robin thwarted my earlier attempts to control him."
In a separate faction of Robin's subconscious, a lone voice cried out to him. " The metal lump on your body, it's impairing your mind. You...have to listen t...."
Robin ignored the voice. He would only obey his master, no one else.
" Robin, destroy her, then report to me." Robin nodded as Slade's body faded from his view. The girl would die, as the master commands. He turned to the girl, pulling out his staff as she pleaded to him, saying that she would not fight him. " Then you will die." he stated coldly, watching in satisfaction as she shrunk away in fear.
Then he charged her, easily avoiding her clumsy foot sweep. * You can't defeat me with attacks like that.* He lashed out with his staff, grinning as he heard bones snap in her left wrist. * I trained with the best, you are nothing but a gnat in my master's grand scheme.* Slamming her face into his knee, he followed up with a fist to her solar plexus that left her gasping for air as she flew back into a tree.
The girl slowly rose to her feet, a look of panic crossing her features as she glanced down at her limp arm. Seeing her start to fly, Robin dove at her, grabbing her legs and forcing her body to collide with a tombstone. Again the girl tried to plead with him.
" Robin...do not do this..I..am your friend. Do...you not..recognize me?"
* Her eyes..* For a moment, he faltered. * What is it about her eyes?* Again a voice rang out from his subconscious, " You know her, you've got to remember." He shook his head, his gaze focusing on the girl. * She means nothing to me.*
He raised his staff, smiling as she cowered, " Slade has ordered your demise. Time to die." He twisted a secret switch on his staff, watching a three inch blade emerge from the end. His eyes turned back to the girl as she crawled away from him, desperately trying to get away. Robin took a few steps forward. The master had said nothing about if he could prolong her suffering, but he was certain that the master wouldn't mind.
The girl's face went throught a range of emotions, fear, anger, disbelief, and finally defeat. But as he raised his staff, ready to put the blade through her skull, her expression suddenly changed, becoming one of determination. Before he could question this change, the girl launched herself at him.
Robin froze, his eyes widening as the feel of her warm soft lips enveloped his, the control that gripped his mind shattering as he relaxed into the girl's embrace. " Mmmm." his eyes closed briefly, and then opened to focus on the girl. * I remember... Starfire, my friend, teamate, and maybe even..* His staff fell from his grasp as he watched Starfire open her eyes, and suddenly begin to pull away, her lips leaving his.
" Don't." To Robin it looked like she was distancing herself from him, leaving him. Right now, more than anything, he couldn't let that happen, she was the only thing keeping him sane in this place, even if she wasn't real. But as she looked at him, her face full of hope, Robin felt a charge begin to build on his chest.
His reprieve from Slade's control was faltering, already he could feel his thoughts beginning to twist. There was only one way to stop the control, and he wasn't looking forward to the solution. Offering a silent apology, and wincing at not only the pain, but also Starfire's expression, he shoved her away before raising the staff. It's blade glittered as he centered it on the source of his pain. * This is going to hurt.* Was his only thought as he brought the staff down with all the force he could muster, the point entering and tearing into the flesh of his chest. He slumped to the ground.
"ROBIN!!"
He heard Starfire yell, and felt her pull the staff out of his hands, but his attention was focused on the wound. If it was too deep, he could bleed to death. Too shallow, and he would be under Slade's control again without a second chance to try. He stuck his fingers in, flinching as he touched temporarily damaged nerves.
* A little farther...come on...I can almost feel...THERE.* he thought, finally getting his fingers around the small metallic lump, pulling it out with a sigh. " Sorry," he gasped, looking up into Starfire's worried face, before throwing the object to the ground. " I had to get it out." He sighed again. With the object out, Slade no longer controlled him.
Guilt entered his mind as he watched Starfire's shaking body. If there had been any other way, he would have done so.
" What is it?" Her golden face creased in concern as she kept her distance from the object.
Robin looked down at the lump for a moment. " The control that Slade implanted in me. I couldn't think of another way." his eyes wandered back to the blood dripping from his chest, the flow had slowed. " Not one of my brightest ideas, but..." he was grateful when Starfire caught his slumping body. Reaching for his cape, he tore a piece of cloth from it, using it to further slow the blood flow.
He looked up into Starfire's deep jade eyes, smiling as a tinge of pink appeared on her cheeks. She rubbed her left arm. "Robin..I"
" How touching...and tragic."
Robin felt his presence a moment before his hand encircled his neck. Clawing at his hand, Robin could only glower as Slade turned him around to face him, his eyes level with Slade's one.
" Release him!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Robin saw Starfire begin to power up, and then frown as no energy formed. She then floated up, her eyes narrowing as her gaze focused on Slade. " Why do you want Robin? He will never join you, and he has nothing to offer you."
Robin eyes returned to Slade as he chuckled softly. " Ah, but that's where you're wrong, my dear. He has much to offer me...much indeed." Robin resisted the urge to spit in Slade's face, and then struggled in his grasp as Slade lowered him to the ground, keeping his arms locked behind his back. " But, there are always others."
Robin blinked in surprise as Slade suddenly released his grip. Wasting no time, he did a few flips, rejoining Starfire, whose smile faded as she saw the blood still leaking from his chest. Robin quickly held up a hand to silence her questions, now was not the time.
" Excellent reflexes Robin. I expected no less."
Robin's glare returned. " W..why did you release me?" He pulled back his hand to check his chest. * Damn, all that movement caused the wound to reopen.* He saw Slade bring his staff before him.
" Merely to test your limits. It would do me no good if I killed you now." The staff suddenly left his hands, making a direct line to Starfire.
Robin dove at her, but growled in frustration as the staff changed direction, flying up and around him, the electrified end sparking to life. Starfire cried out in alarm as a band of white energy surrounded her, a dome.
" I want to see how far you'll go to protect her." Slade's voice grew dark. " I warn you, if you refuse to fight, or don't offer me a challenge...." Slade pushed the same button on his wrist.
Robin stood horrified, watching as the dome grew incredibly bright, then winced as he heard Starfire's cries of pain as she was continually struck. Each shock felt like a physical blow to Robin, her pain was his pain. His body began shaking, not from pain, but rage as he saw her body fall to the ground, still twitching from the leftover current.
" Don't disappoint me."
Robin clutched his staff to his chest, his grip turning his knuckles white. " I won't." he whispered, charging Slade. His frustration grew as Slade dodged every strike, then grunted in pain as Slade hit him with his knee.
Slidding back, Robin was aware of a burning sensation in his chest, and felt the flow of warm liquid increase from the wound. But still he stood up, showing no outward sign of his pain. * I won't give him the satisfaction.* In the back of his mind he knew that fighting while angry was only leaving himself open for Slade's attacks. But it was his mind that suggested that, and right now he wasn't thinking with his mind, but his heart. Leaping at Slade, he raised his staff...and choked as Slade easily disarmed him and slammed his elbow into his neck.
Falling to the ground, Robin focused on bringing air back into his lungs, his chest felt like it was on fire, his vision hazy.
" Robin, I expected more of a challenge. Is that the best you can do?"
A fresh surge of anger quelled the pain as Robin flipped over and drove his fist into Slade's stomach. * Good enough for you?* Robin thought as he rolled to his knees, watching his nemesis straighten, brushing away imaginary dust.
" Very good, Robin." Slade commented, his voice a little strained. " That's what I want."
" It'll have to wait for another time, Slade!"
Both Robin and Slade's heads turned to the source of the voice. " Raven?" Robin whispered in confusion as Raven, her head at least, turned to the imprisioned Starfire. With a nod of her head, the staff above Starfire suddenly glowed black, and then broke in half. The energy dome, no longer fueled by the staff, flickered and died. With a faint sigh, Starfire slowly got to her knees, also looking at Raven's head, though to Robin, she didn't look at all surprised to see her there, and sans her body.
A cry of surprise brought Robin's attention back to Slade, who was currently trying to escape what could only be described as a vortex of fluctuating colors and shapes. Unfortunately for him, he only succeeded in a half curse before the vortex sucked him in, vanishing along with him.
" Pretty anti-climatic." Robin managed to mutter. Without the threat of Slade to keep his mind occupied, he felt the pain of his wound again. Placing a hand over his chest, not only to ease the pain, but also to keep Starfire from seeing it, he ran to her side. " Are you okay, Star?" he asked worriedly.
She looked up at him with worried, yet clear eyes. " I am damaged, but not severly. What happened?"
Robin frowned, seeing her turn her obviously injured arm away from him. But before he could question her, he heard Raven speak again.
" Sorry it took so long to get to you."
Robin guessed by the way Starfire nodded, that Raven was addressing her, more than him.
" Slade had remote access to the helmet, and was using it to block me from contacting you. Is everything alright?"
* Helmet?* Robin opened his mouth to ask, but a warning glance from Raven, along with the way she frowned at Starfire, silenced him. * Seems I'm not the only one to notice her injuries.*
" Yes, I have retrieved Robin, and you vanquished Slade. I can return now." Starfire suddenly swayed.
Robin lightly grabbed her shoulders, smiling gently as she looked up at him, a puzzled look crossing her features.
" Can you remove the Red X outfit? It is awfully unnerving to see."
Robin laughed lightly, blushing hard. " Um, no I discovered earlier that I have..nothing on underneath."
His smile widened as Starfire blushed just as deeply. " O-oh." was all she managed to stutter before her gaze quickly turned back to the more than impatient, thought slightly amused, Raven. " Well...um..can you return me to the physical realm, Raven?"
" Yes."
Robin stared as again the space behind Raven tore open, becoming a portal similar to the one that sucked up Slade.
Aware that Starfire was no longer in his grasp, he looked up as she turned back from the portal, an unreadable expression on her face. " Robin...I." she stopped.
" Star, what's wrong?"
But Starfire shook her head, lips pressed into a thin line as she said, " We will discuss what happened back at the tower." without a backwards glance, she entered the portal, Raven vanishing along with her.
Robin stared at the empty space, his hand outstretched in a futile attempt to bring her back. " I thought I knew what was going on, but...." he sat down, crossing his legs. " So, what the heck do I do now?"
' X, you failed to eliminate the Titan.'
Robin stiffened, having forgotten about the communicator. A small smile graced his face as he reached for it. * It's not real, and as such...* his smile widened as the communicator was easily removed.
' Don't defy me, X.'
" I'll do more than defy." Robin said as he closed his fist. There was a satisfying crunch, and when he opened his hand the communicator was nothing more than a pile of dust that faded from his sight. He sighed, " Well, I'm open to any explainations, anyone?"
" Okay."
Robin jumped about a foot in the air, landing on his rear, before looking behind him. Raven's head was once again floating behind him. " R-raven," he stuttered, " tell me what the heck is going on! I thought this was some kind of projection or something, but then Starfire didn't flicker and....."
" Robin STOP!" Raven's head glowered as Robin became silent. " I can't go into much detail, but you're needed back with us."
Robin shook his head. " I don't understand, what's that got to do with...this?" he swept his arms out. "Is anything real, are you real? Or am I going crazy?" he rubbed his eyes, expecting to see her vanish from his sight.
Raven rolled her eyes. " This...nightmare, as I would call it. Is images being fed into your brain by a device of Slade's. You're right about things not being real, they're projections as you said. But to you they felt real physically. "
" And Starfire?" Robin asked, not meeting Raven's gaze.
" That was the real Starfire."
"WHAT!" this time Robin was standing in front of Raven, staring at her directly. " But... she, why would she do something like that? I saw how hurt she was, didn't she think of her safety?"
Raven's face remained neutral. " She insisted on helping you. I let her use my mirror to enter your mind. "
"But she was injured because of it."
Raven's eyes flared brighter, her tone of voice growing colder . " She knew the risks, and the dangers, Robin! She knew there was a high risk of death, but still she insisted." her voice lost it's edge. " As much as I hate admitting knowledge about mushy stuff, she did it for you, because she...cares for you."
Robin's eyes glazed over. " She really risked dying, just to save me?" he whispered
" Yes, and right now she needs your help more than ever."
Robin blinked, his eyes refocusing. " What do you mean?"
" Because she entered your mind through mine, the injuries she acquired were very real. She's in bad shape. We need you to wake up before she arrives."
" Before she arrives, but she just left."
" Time flows differently here, she's still traversing my mirror. You must wake up before she exits the mirror."
How?" Robin looked around, trying to find something, a switch, anything to awaken.
A small smile appeared on Raven's face. " Simple, just grasp both sides of your head, and lift up. I have to go, hurry up." Raven's head vanished, leaving Robin alone.
" So," he sat down again, " I just grab my head..." he grabbed both sides, feeling for the first time a strange solidness encasing it, " and I lift like so..." As soon as he brought his hands up, the surrounding area flickered again, and then blacked out. Robin didn't notice, for he was already gone.
* * * * ** * * * *
End of part three. Now part four ( the epilogue) will have the aftermath of Robin's return to reality, and his caring for Starfire as she lay injured. Please review, I love to know what people thought. Part four shouldn't take long.
By Flying Star
Disclaimer: Teen Titans is not mine, if I did own it, there would be an new episode every weekend, and Starfire would've beat Kitten's ass to a pulp.
Again rated PG-13 for some blood and swearing.
* Laughs manically* So, I lied, this is not the end! Though part four is really just the epilogue. For people who read "Trust", this will be pretty familiar as the stories become one, but from Robin's view.
Reviewer replies:
~ Tribe Kitten - Thanks! ^_^ Yep it was sad, but things will work out. Here's the third chapter.
~ Lizziegordo4ever -Glad I answered all of your and your sister's questions. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. And here's the third chapter to enjoy.
~ Seventy 5ive - Glad you liked the chapter, and thanks for putting me on your favs list. Here's the third chapter
~ Starfirelover - *Blush* Thanks! Glad you enjoyed both stories. Here's the third chapter.
Again, special thanks to my friend Guine. . ******************* Part three: Lost, then found again.
Plummeting to the ground, Robin landed flush on the stone, the wind temporarily knocked out of him. Regaining his wits he heard,
" Star, get back! He followed me!"
Using the stone as a brace, Robin quickly stood up, and looked up...into a pair of beautiful green eyes. " Wh-what Starfire?" he said, shocked to find her not only a few feet away from him, but also alive. But the biggest shock was when he looked at the person she was conversing with, he looked just like...
" Never!"
Robin nearly fell off the stone when his doppleganger, for lack of a better term, yelled that he would never become like Red X again, and stated that X, he jerked his finger in Robin's direction, represented that which he feared he would become.
* This makes no sense. He can't be Robin, I'm Robin.* Robin though, unaware that he was taking a step toward the two.
( To keep this from getting confusing, I shall now refer to the Robin with Starfire as RobinS, for obvious reasons. ^_-)
Robin's attention refocused on RobinS when he suddenly turned away from Starfire, pulling out his staff. Then RobinS turned to Starfire and said, " Dammit Star, I'm going to keep him busy while you get out of here."
* Is she really Starfire?" Robin could see Starfire pleading with RobinS, even taking a step in Robin's direction, which the other quickly stopped with his arm. A few more words passed between them, Starfire looking more and more distraught, when suddenly RobinS leapt forward, his staff aiming right at Robin's head.
Robin crouched down, intending to leap away from the charge, when the rock he was standing on began to shake violently. Staring down in surprise, he focused on keeping his balance, and then as the shaking stopped he inadvertedly whipped his head up, meeting her eyes for a second time. He was only able to catch a glimpse of confusion cross her face before he became aware that the ground before the stone was cracking, green light pouring from it.
"Starfire! Get back!"
Seeing the two distracted, Robin jumped up, climbing a mass of branches and limbs, before crossing a few trees to stand above the two. Somehow he knew that whatever was going to happen in the next few minutes, wouldn't be good.
How right he was. What came out of the ground almost made him lose his grasp on the tree. " No." he whispered, seeing zombie Starfire rise from her grave, her flayed body dripping blood as her eyes rolled in the direction of the three. Her eyes flared a bright green mixed with red as she threw back her head and screamed. Robin shuddered, gripping the tree tightly enough that his fingers felt numb, his heart pounding rapidly in fear as zombie Starfire's gaze bore into his.
"Starfire, please stay back."
Robin tore his gaze from the gruesome figure to glance down at the two. RobinS had brought his staff before him while Starfire was kneeling, her hands returning to her sides. In an instant, RobinS was barreling towards the zombie, his staff in front of him like a lance.
Robin watched in horror as the reanimated corpse's gaze went from RobinS to him, and felt his blood turn to ice as she hissed the words, " Betrayer..liar...killer..!"
RobinS was still charging, seemingly unfazed by the creature's words. Dodging a few starbolts, he brought the staff down.
Robin blinked as the staff end suddenly sparked, and then had to press a hand to his mouth to keep from throwing up as RobinS slammed the staff through zombie Starfire's face, ripping her head from her body, where it rolled a few feet away. Her dimming eyes came to rest on his, ever accusing.
Taking deep breaths to compose himself, Robin cautiously slid down the tree, making sure he was out of sight. By the time he reached the bottom, RobinS was returning to Starfire, a worried yet confident look on his face.
As RobinS reached out to Starfire she shrunk back, shaking uncontrollably as he said her name.
" DO NOT.. do not come any closer." Starfire had shrunk back further. Robin could see tears glittering in her eyes as she asked him about the zombie's words.
RobinS looked ready to laugh as he replied " Star, remember, I told you I had to kill them. Sometimes you have to do something wrong to make it right."
Robin's brow furrowed in confusion. The phrase sounded similar to what Slade had said to him a while back, only twisted around. His eyes returned to Starfire as she nodded, but then questioned RobinS about his staff. * Yeah, explain that, imposter.* Robin thought angrily as he watched RobinS lift his staff, staring at the end as it sparked.
" My staff always had the feature, I just never had to use it."
* What!* Robin scoffed. * Star, surely you don't believe that.* He smiled when he saw Starfire's frown deeply. * At least she's not fully convinced.* he watched as suspicion clouded her features.
" You killed her, and you were smiling when you did, why?" Robin felt a twinge of anger as he watched Starfire retreat a few steps, hearing RobinS say,
" I guess I was just caught up in the moment."
* That damn phony's scaring her. That's it, I don't care what she thinks of me, I have to get her away from that creep.*
' X, destroy your target and return to me now.' Slade's voice came through Robin's forgotten communicator.
Robin glared at it for a moment, and then, using a palm x, smothered the device. * There, at least that'll keep him quiet for awhile.* he felt a mild shock and smiled. * Seems I did more than silence him, I jammed his signal as well.*
Inching out from behind the tree, he took a few cautious steps toward Starfire's back. But as he reached out to touch her shoulder, RobinS's head turned to him and smiling he said, " Starfire, look out!"
Robin's hand was now in Starfire's grasp as she pulled hard, bringing him over her shoulder where he landed on his back. He looked up into her eyes, and he knew beyond any reasonable doubt that this person was Starfire, but she had no clue of his identity. * I have to tell her.* " Starfire, you have to believe me, that Robin over there is an imposter, he's...urk!"
He was cut off as RobinS grabbed him by his mask, yanking him up until he was face to face. " Starfire, "Robin tried again, keeping Starfire in his line of view, " don't you see, he's not me, I..."
' That won't work, you know.'
Robin looked into RobinS's eyes, the boy was grinning but his lips weren't moving. RobinS's gaze flicked quickly between Robin and his wrist, and Robin realized that somehow Slade's voice was again coming through the communicator. " How.." he managed to whisper.
" Save your breath, boy. No matter how you try, she can't hear you.'
" Liar, " Robin hissed as the pressure suddenly lifted and he found himself staring up into Starfire's face, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiousity and confusion. " Who are you? You do not seem like a bad person."
Her melodious voice brought a smile to Robin's face. * Ever inquisitive, Star.* he thought. His smile quickly melted into a frown though when RobinS grabbed Starfire's shoulder.
" Starfire. He's the enemy, you should blast him, not engage in a general conversation with him."
" Why you!" Robin, knowing now that Starfire couldn't hear him, but wanting nothing more than to wrap his hands around the imposter's throat. But instead he stayed quiet as Starfire glared at RobinS.
" I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Now please remove your hand from my shoulder."
Robin smiled. * Go Star!* His smiled widened as RobinS released his grip, muttering "Fine" as he backed off.
His smile faded again as Starfire looked down at him, her expression unreadable. He didn't know what to do, she couldn't hear him, didn't even know who he was. RobinS appeared over her shoulder, and as Robin watched, a flash lit the scene, like a bolt of lightening. Everything flickered, the trees, ground, tombstones, even the sky winked in and out, like a movie projection screen going dim when it's bulb begins to die.
Starfire however, remained solid, while RobinS became entirely something else...
It was then, as Robin saw RobinS reach for his staff and raise it over Starfire's unprotected head, that he knew the truth. Focusing on the being behind Starfire he lunged off the ground, pushing her to the side as he rammed his body into the other.
But as he made contact, RobinS smiled and whispered, " Gotcha." Searing pain flowed through Robin as RobinS's staff collided with his chest, the electricity flowing from it feeling ten times worse than what Slade had sent through his suit. " I told you, you can't trust him. " he heard RobinS say and then he fell to his knees crying out in pain as the other again slammed the staff into his chest.
" I know."
Trying to calm his shaking Robin lifted his head and watched as RobinS flew past him to land on the ground next to Starfire.
The imposter glared at Starfire as she said, " It all makes sense. I saw him glance behind me a moment before he lunged. He was not aiming for me, he saved me from you. You seemed so eager to destroy him, too eager." Robin watched as her glaring eyes lit up with green fire. " The real Robin would never find such pleasure in destroying an enemy."
RobinS merely smiled. You don't really believe that, do you." His gaze met Robin's. " We have to destroy him, then I can escape the Scarecrow's nightmare."
Starfire's glare transformed into an feral grin. " You just confirmed my thoughts. I never mentioned that this was a nightmare made by the Scarecrow."
Robin nodded to himself. * The flickering background, everything's as fake as this suit I'm wearing.* He frowned as he watched RobinS try to correct his mistake. * But if everything's fake, then why didn't Starfire flicker as well? Could it be that she's real?* His thoughts were interupted as RobinS began laughing, his slight frame heaving as the laughter increased in intensity. Then as quickly as it had begun, RobinS's laughter ceased, an evil grin on his face.
And then that voice, the same voice that had haunted and hounded him ever since he woke up, emerged from RobinS's lips.
" Bravo Titan. I must admit, I thought it would take you longer to figure it out. However, you are too late. Robin belongs to me."
* Like hell I do.* Thought Robin as he reached for the x mask. * Since this isn't real, it shouldn't be a problem to...Yes!* the mask easily came off as he glared at RobinS. " No, I don't." He smiled as Starfire's face turned to him, her expression becoming both relieved and knowing. " I'm so glad to get that off of me. " His smile widened as she wrapped an arm around him.
" I knew when I saw your eyes. You had such warmth in them and caring. You," Starfire's gaze returned to the imposter, " your eyes were like ice, and your touch felt cold, even when you hugged me I felt no warmth."
Robin glared at the imposter, now certain of his identity. " Why don't you drop the disguise, Slade."
RobinS smirked, but nodded as his body shimmered, becoming the source of Robin's hate. " Defiant to to the end, Robin. It doesn't matter, you can't escape."
Robin stood still, crossing his arms. He wouldn't let Slade goad him. " And why not?" His eyes widened as Slade brought a finger over his wrist. * Oh sh...!* Another piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place. Robin simultaniously yanked Starfire's arm off him and shoved her away, just as Slade pushed the button.
"AAAAAHHH!!" Robin threw back his head, unable to keep from screaming as a huge wave of electricity flowed out from his chest, spiraling around his body. Falling to his knees, he tried grabbing at his chest, but failed as his vision and hearing warped, a new voice entering his mind. A commanding voice, a voice he would obey, because HE is the master.
Robin slowly got to his feet, listening impassively to his master's words.
" I suppose I must thank you, my dear. Robin thwarted my earlier attempts to control him."
In a separate faction of Robin's subconscious, a lone voice cried out to him. " The metal lump on your body, it's impairing your mind. You...have to listen t...."
Robin ignored the voice. He would only obey his master, no one else.
" Robin, destroy her, then report to me." Robin nodded as Slade's body faded from his view. The girl would die, as the master commands. He turned to the girl, pulling out his staff as she pleaded to him, saying that she would not fight him. " Then you will die." he stated coldly, watching in satisfaction as she shrunk away in fear.
Then he charged her, easily avoiding her clumsy foot sweep. * You can't defeat me with attacks like that.* He lashed out with his staff, grinning as he heard bones snap in her left wrist. * I trained with the best, you are nothing but a gnat in my master's grand scheme.* Slamming her face into his knee, he followed up with a fist to her solar plexus that left her gasping for air as she flew back into a tree.
The girl slowly rose to her feet, a look of panic crossing her features as she glanced down at her limp arm. Seeing her start to fly, Robin dove at her, grabbing her legs and forcing her body to collide with a tombstone. Again the girl tried to plead with him.
" Robin...do not do this..I..am your friend. Do...you not..recognize me?"
* Her eyes..* For a moment, he faltered. * What is it about her eyes?* Again a voice rang out from his subconscious, " You know her, you've got to remember." He shook his head, his gaze focusing on the girl. * She means nothing to me.*
He raised his staff, smiling as she cowered, " Slade has ordered your demise. Time to die." He twisted a secret switch on his staff, watching a three inch blade emerge from the end. His eyes turned back to the girl as she crawled away from him, desperately trying to get away. Robin took a few steps forward. The master had said nothing about if he could prolong her suffering, but he was certain that the master wouldn't mind.
The girl's face went throught a range of emotions, fear, anger, disbelief, and finally defeat. But as he raised his staff, ready to put the blade through her skull, her expression suddenly changed, becoming one of determination. Before he could question this change, the girl launched herself at him.
Robin froze, his eyes widening as the feel of her warm soft lips enveloped his, the control that gripped his mind shattering as he relaxed into the girl's embrace. " Mmmm." his eyes closed briefly, and then opened to focus on the girl. * I remember... Starfire, my friend, teamate, and maybe even..* His staff fell from his grasp as he watched Starfire open her eyes, and suddenly begin to pull away, her lips leaving his.
" Don't." To Robin it looked like she was distancing herself from him, leaving him. Right now, more than anything, he couldn't let that happen, she was the only thing keeping him sane in this place, even if she wasn't real. But as she looked at him, her face full of hope, Robin felt a charge begin to build on his chest.
His reprieve from Slade's control was faltering, already he could feel his thoughts beginning to twist. There was only one way to stop the control, and he wasn't looking forward to the solution. Offering a silent apology, and wincing at not only the pain, but also Starfire's expression, he shoved her away before raising the staff. It's blade glittered as he centered it on the source of his pain. * This is going to hurt.* Was his only thought as he brought the staff down with all the force he could muster, the point entering and tearing into the flesh of his chest. He slumped to the ground.
"ROBIN!!"
He heard Starfire yell, and felt her pull the staff out of his hands, but his attention was focused on the wound. If it was too deep, he could bleed to death. Too shallow, and he would be under Slade's control again without a second chance to try. He stuck his fingers in, flinching as he touched temporarily damaged nerves.
* A little farther...come on...I can almost feel...THERE.* he thought, finally getting his fingers around the small metallic lump, pulling it out with a sigh. " Sorry," he gasped, looking up into Starfire's worried face, before throwing the object to the ground. " I had to get it out." He sighed again. With the object out, Slade no longer controlled him.
Guilt entered his mind as he watched Starfire's shaking body. If there had been any other way, he would have done so.
" What is it?" Her golden face creased in concern as she kept her distance from the object.
Robin looked down at the lump for a moment. " The control that Slade implanted in me. I couldn't think of another way." his eyes wandered back to the blood dripping from his chest, the flow had slowed. " Not one of my brightest ideas, but..." he was grateful when Starfire caught his slumping body. Reaching for his cape, he tore a piece of cloth from it, using it to further slow the blood flow.
He looked up into Starfire's deep jade eyes, smiling as a tinge of pink appeared on her cheeks. She rubbed her left arm. "Robin..I"
" How touching...and tragic."
Robin felt his presence a moment before his hand encircled his neck. Clawing at his hand, Robin could only glower as Slade turned him around to face him, his eyes level with Slade's one.
" Release him!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Robin saw Starfire begin to power up, and then frown as no energy formed. She then floated up, her eyes narrowing as her gaze focused on Slade. " Why do you want Robin? He will never join you, and he has nothing to offer you."
Robin eyes returned to Slade as he chuckled softly. " Ah, but that's where you're wrong, my dear. He has much to offer me...much indeed." Robin resisted the urge to spit in Slade's face, and then struggled in his grasp as Slade lowered him to the ground, keeping his arms locked behind his back. " But, there are always others."
Robin blinked in surprise as Slade suddenly released his grip. Wasting no time, he did a few flips, rejoining Starfire, whose smile faded as she saw the blood still leaking from his chest. Robin quickly held up a hand to silence her questions, now was not the time.
" Excellent reflexes Robin. I expected no less."
Robin's glare returned. " W..why did you release me?" He pulled back his hand to check his chest. * Damn, all that movement caused the wound to reopen.* He saw Slade bring his staff before him.
" Merely to test your limits. It would do me no good if I killed you now." The staff suddenly left his hands, making a direct line to Starfire.
Robin dove at her, but growled in frustration as the staff changed direction, flying up and around him, the electrified end sparking to life. Starfire cried out in alarm as a band of white energy surrounded her, a dome.
" I want to see how far you'll go to protect her." Slade's voice grew dark. " I warn you, if you refuse to fight, or don't offer me a challenge...." Slade pushed the same button on his wrist.
Robin stood horrified, watching as the dome grew incredibly bright, then winced as he heard Starfire's cries of pain as she was continually struck. Each shock felt like a physical blow to Robin, her pain was his pain. His body began shaking, not from pain, but rage as he saw her body fall to the ground, still twitching from the leftover current.
" Don't disappoint me."
Robin clutched his staff to his chest, his grip turning his knuckles white. " I won't." he whispered, charging Slade. His frustration grew as Slade dodged every strike, then grunted in pain as Slade hit him with his knee.
Slidding back, Robin was aware of a burning sensation in his chest, and felt the flow of warm liquid increase from the wound. But still he stood up, showing no outward sign of his pain. * I won't give him the satisfaction.* In the back of his mind he knew that fighting while angry was only leaving himself open for Slade's attacks. But it was his mind that suggested that, and right now he wasn't thinking with his mind, but his heart. Leaping at Slade, he raised his staff...and choked as Slade easily disarmed him and slammed his elbow into his neck.
Falling to the ground, Robin focused on bringing air back into his lungs, his chest felt like it was on fire, his vision hazy.
" Robin, I expected more of a challenge. Is that the best you can do?"
A fresh surge of anger quelled the pain as Robin flipped over and drove his fist into Slade's stomach. * Good enough for you?* Robin thought as he rolled to his knees, watching his nemesis straighten, brushing away imaginary dust.
" Very good, Robin." Slade commented, his voice a little strained. " That's what I want."
" It'll have to wait for another time, Slade!"
Both Robin and Slade's heads turned to the source of the voice. " Raven?" Robin whispered in confusion as Raven, her head at least, turned to the imprisioned Starfire. With a nod of her head, the staff above Starfire suddenly glowed black, and then broke in half. The energy dome, no longer fueled by the staff, flickered and died. With a faint sigh, Starfire slowly got to her knees, also looking at Raven's head, though to Robin, she didn't look at all surprised to see her there, and sans her body.
A cry of surprise brought Robin's attention back to Slade, who was currently trying to escape what could only be described as a vortex of fluctuating colors and shapes. Unfortunately for him, he only succeeded in a half curse before the vortex sucked him in, vanishing along with him.
" Pretty anti-climatic." Robin managed to mutter. Without the threat of Slade to keep his mind occupied, he felt the pain of his wound again. Placing a hand over his chest, not only to ease the pain, but also to keep Starfire from seeing it, he ran to her side. " Are you okay, Star?" he asked worriedly.
She looked up at him with worried, yet clear eyes. " I am damaged, but not severly. What happened?"
Robin frowned, seeing her turn her obviously injured arm away from him. But before he could question her, he heard Raven speak again.
" Sorry it took so long to get to you."
Robin guessed by the way Starfire nodded, that Raven was addressing her, more than him.
" Slade had remote access to the helmet, and was using it to block me from contacting you. Is everything alright?"
* Helmet?* Robin opened his mouth to ask, but a warning glance from Raven, along with the way she frowned at Starfire, silenced him. * Seems I'm not the only one to notice her injuries.*
" Yes, I have retrieved Robin, and you vanquished Slade. I can return now." Starfire suddenly swayed.
Robin lightly grabbed her shoulders, smiling gently as she looked up at him, a puzzled look crossing her features.
" Can you remove the Red X outfit? It is awfully unnerving to see."
Robin laughed lightly, blushing hard. " Um, no I discovered earlier that I have..nothing on underneath."
His smile widened as Starfire blushed just as deeply. " O-oh." was all she managed to stutter before her gaze quickly turned back to the more than impatient, thought slightly amused, Raven. " Well...um..can you return me to the physical realm, Raven?"
" Yes."
Robin stared as again the space behind Raven tore open, becoming a portal similar to the one that sucked up Slade.
Aware that Starfire was no longer in his grasp, he looked up as she turned back from the portal, an unreadable expression on her face. " Robin...I." she stopped.
" Star, what's wrong?"
But Starfire shook her head, lips pressed into a thin line as she said, " We will discuss what happened back at the tower." without a backwards glance, she entered the portal, Raven vanishing along with her.
Robin stared at the empty space, his hand outstretched in a futile attempt to bring her back. " I thought I knew what was going on, but...." he sat down, crossing his legs. " So, what the heck do I do now?"
' X, you failed to eliminate the Titan.'
Robin stiffened, having forgotten about the communicator. A small smile graced his face as he reached for it. * It's not real, and as such...* his smile widened as the communicator was easily removed.
' Don't defy me, X.'
" I'll do more than defy." Robin said as he closed his fist. There was a satisfying crunch, and when he opened his hand the communicator was nothing more than a pile of dust that faded from his sight. He sighed, " Well, I'm open to any explainations, anyone?"
" Okay."
Robin jumped about a foot in the air, landing on his rear, before looking behind him. Raven's head was once again floating behind him. " R-raven," he stuttered, " tell me what the heck is going on! I thought this was some kind of projection or something, but then Starfire didn't flicker and....."
" Robin STOP!" Raven's head glowered as Robin became silent. " I can't go into much detail, but you're needed back with us."
Robin shook his head. " I don't understand, what's that got to do with...this?" he swept his arms out. "Is anything real, are you real? Or am I going crazy?" he rubbed his eyes, expecting to see her vanish from his sight.
Raven rolled her eyes. " This...nightmare, as I would call it. Is images being fed into your brain by a device of Slade's. You're right about things not being real, they're projections as you said. But to you they felt real physically. "
" And Starfire?" Robin asked, not meeting Raven's gaze.
" That was the real Starfire."
"WHAT!" this time Robin was standing in front of Raven, staring at her directly. " But... she, why would she do something like that? I saw how hurt she was, didn't she think of her safety?"
Raven's face remained neutral. " She insisted on helping you. I let her use my mirror to enter your mind. "
"But she was injured because of it."
Raven's eyes flared brighter, her tone of voice growing colder . " She knew the risks, and the dangers, Robin! She knew there was a high risk of death, but still she insisted." her voice lost it's edge. " As much as I hate admitting knowledge about mushy stuff, she did it for you, because she...cares for you."
Robin's eyes glazed over. " She really risked dying, just to save me?" he whispered
" Yes, and right now she needs your help more than ever."
Robin blinked, his eyes refocusing. " What do you mean?"
" Because she entered your mind through mine, the injuries she acquired were very real. She's in bad shape. We need you to wake up before she arrives."
" Before she arrives, but she just left."
" Time flows differently here, she's still traversing my mirror. You must wake up before she exits the mirror."
How?" Robin looked around, trying to find something, a switch, anything to awaken.
A small smile appeared on Raven's face. " Simple, just grasp both sides of your head, and lift up. I have to go, hurry up." Raven's head vanished, leaving Robin alone.
" So," he sat down again, " I just grab my head..." he grabbed both sides, feeling for the first time a strange solidness encasing it, " and I lift like so..." As soon as he brought his hands up, the surrounding area flickered again, and then blacked out. Robin didn't notice, for he was already gone.
* * * * ** * * * *
End of part three. Now part four ( the epilogue) will have the aftermath of Robin's return to reality, and his caring for Starfire as she lay injured. Please review, I love to know what people thought. Part four shouldn't take long.