Without the Mask
By Sava Varen
Quick Notes: You all know where the disclaimer is.at least I hope you do.
Warning: this chapter revolves around Terra and Slade; the cliffhanger is going to have to wait another chapter. MWAHAHAHA!!! I make you wait longer!! *laughs at your pain*
Chapter 4: Taking Control
Slade stormed down the halls angrily. His plan had backfired! That fish boy and one who resembles that brat Starfire had escaped. This really wasn't his day. If Starfire's sister, Blackfire or whatever her name was, hadn't showed up, he'd have succeeded. How many set backs were gonna come? What's next?
"Where the hell is that damn girl?" he yelled seeing she wasn't in the training room waiting for him like she should be. To his dismay, there was no answer. This flared him even more. He ran to see if she was in the kitchen writing or balancing spoons on her nose (damn that annoyed him!), but she wasn't there either. That meant there was only one other place she could be; her room.
Terra was quite capable of controlling her powers now. What amazed him was she'd gained that control in only a matter of two and a half weeks.
"She'd better not be." he grumbled under his breath. "Terra!"
There was no answer, but where else would she be? Slade walked into the room to find Terra still sleeping in bed!
"Terra! Get up now! Why are you still asleep?"
Terra woke suddenly. When she caught sight of Slade standing there she instantly knew she'd slept in.
"AHH! Slade! Sorry! I'll be right there in a sec!" she said jumping out of bed.
Slade nodded in success. He'd succeeded in scaring her. That was always a good sight! (A/N: Oh yes it is! I love scaring people! BOO! *Laughs*) Well, it was a start. He turned on his heal and headed to the training room. He had something unique planned out for today. Five minutes later, Terra came stumbling in all out of breath. She stood up straight and faced him.
"Ready!"
"Terra. Today we're going to do something different. I've run thin on ideas to train you with, so." Slade jumped down from the control room and landed a couple feet in front of Terra. "I've decided to do a test. To see how much you've improved since when we met in the cave."
This was a surprise. Never before had Slade 'tested' her. Slade had his metal staff at hand and, unknown to Terra, the hair clip that will contain her powers in his pocket.
"Ready Terra?"
She nodded. "Ready."
Somehow, Slade had a feeling this would be enjoyable. Terra did the honors of starting with throwing multiple large stones. Dodging each and every one of them, he jumped toward her and swung the staff hard. She ducked and backed away. Attempting to knock him down with an earthquake, she stood on a boulder in mid-air. Unfortunately, Slade had remarkable balance and could jump unbelievably high. Putting these two skills to work, Terra was pulled off the rock and back onto the ground.
"Owwww!" she moaned as she felt a bruise forming on the back of her head.
Slade gave no time for rest; he once again swung the staff at her. She dodged and kicked the staff out of his hand. After burying it with stones, she went in to punch, but Slade caught her fist. Slade bent her arm back behind her. Terra elbowed him as hard as she could in the gut. She knew it hadn't done much, but he let go and she got free. He didn't waste time in taking the rebound and attacking once more. Slade had both Terra's arms twisted behind her back.
"Too slow, Terra. You're going to have to take it up a notch."
Tightening his grip on her arms with one of his hands, he slipped the hair clip on her. It at once pulled her power from her control and she felt it as clear as anything. She began to struggle. Things were getting strange. Too strange.
"Slade, stop! Let go! Something's wrong!" she shouted.
But Slade didn't let go. On the contrary, he held her arms tighter till she was about to yell out in pain.
"How long do you think you'll pull through without you power?" He asked in a whisper.
Things were starting to clear up. Understanding came. Slade was using her. How could she have been so stupid? Why had she trusted him? She shook her head violently.
"No! It's not true!" She yelled.
A demonic smile crossed Slade's face under his mask.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" he threw her to the ground.
She stood up, her face downward in shame.
"You're.using me! How could you?"
"You're on my side now Terra. You'll serve me and only me!"
"No! I will not!"
"So if you were to escape, where would you go? How long do you think you'd last? You have no other place to go. Nobody to rescue you."
Terra stayed silent as she tried to put his voice from her mind.
"And that clip. It contains your power, tracks your every move, and will stay on until I say otherwise. That's the way it was designed. I'm in control now Terra. Remember that from now on!"
Terra knew he was right, but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to give in and believe there was no way out. There was always a way out. There had to be. She had to believe she was smarter and could figure a way out. But right now it was hard to believe or put trust in anything.
'It's all a bad dream!' she thought. 'It'll all end soon and I'll be back out in the rain. It has to!'
Terra was driven back out of her thoughts from the feeling of Slade's hand gripping her shoulder firmly.
"You're mine now."
"No." she was overtaken by anger and tried to punch him but he caught her fist just as he had before.
"Come quietly. Nobody will hear you even if you do yell for help. This base is hidden and secret. Nobody can track it down or locate it. You're trapped."
After giving her an outfit (identical to the one Robin had wore) she came out and showed him. She'd been silent the whole time. Not wanting to say anything to him.
"It looks nice on you Terra. And it's a perfect fit I see. Come here."
He guided her to a mirror.
"Look." He lifted and held her face so she had to.
One of his hands returned to her shoulder where he held her so she wouldn't try to make things difficult. The other gently traced her chin from left to right and back again. Terra stared into the eyes of the person in the mirror. It wasn't her. She hated the girl she saw in the mirror. Wearing the black and orange suit with Slade's mark on it and metal armor on her arms and legs. The only thing that still remained was her anger at herself for letting this happen. The metal framing around her neck and chest was bearing away on her patience slightly. She felt heavy, as if someone was pulling her down. Terra soon became sick of seeing herself this way, so she punched the mirror as hard as she could. The glass shattered to a million pieces and showering the floor. Neither she nor Slade moved.
"Don't like what you see?" He taunted her.
"What was your first clue?"
"Terra, I don't think I like your tone." He squeezed her shoulder.
Terra winced at the pain. 'Damn! He's strong!'
"Come now Terra. What is the polite thing to do?" He squeezed her shoulder even harder (if possible).
"Ahhhhh! I'm Sorry! Stop! Ack!"
Slade loosened his grip satisfied. "Good. Now, for your first job."
Slade turned on a large screen. The Teen Titans were in their home relaxing and having fun. Terra for one second glad she was going to get her chance at revenge. Then she the thought of Slade's actions. He just wanted her because of the power against the Titans he'd gain. But she now had no choice but to do what he said. She looked from the screen to Slade.
She sighed. "I'll do whatever you wish." She knew she'd most likely regret it, but what other choice was there?
"Excellent. We need to find a large supply of nitroglycerin. I'm running low on explosion packs and bombs. They can be found in the military secret base. I happen to know where it's located. Unfortunately, so do the Titans and they'll come after us once they hear what we're up to. I'll fight off the Titan's when they come; all you need to do is get the nitroglycerin. Should be easy enough for you. Right?"
Terra was hesitant.
"Right?" he repeated.
"Uh.hm.yeah." She said looking away.
Slade walked to her and guided her to the military base. Slade made sure Terra didn't try to make a get away as he drove a van with black windows. Terra stared out the window silently. She wondered if she'd have to live like this forever. Alone. Slade took note of her sudden persona change. It was just as he'd expected. He decided to taunt her by ruffling her hair gently and say:
"Remember Terra, if you even try to escape."
"I heard you." She said emotionlessly.
"Lets hope so."
Quick Notes: You all know where the disclaimer is.at least I hope you do.
Warning: this chapter revolves around Terra and Slade; the cliffhanger is going to have to wait another chapter. MWAHAHAHA!!! I make you wait longer!! *laughs at your pain*
Chapter 4: Taking Control
Slade stormed down the halls angrily. His plan had backfired! That fish boy and one who resembles that brat Starfire had escaped. This really wasn't his day. If Starfire's sister, Blackfire or whatever her name was, hadn't showed up, he'd have succeeded. How many set backs were gonna come? What's next?
"Where the hell is that damn girl?" he yelled seeing she wasn't in the training room waiting for him like she should be. To his dismay, there was no answer. This flared him even more. He ran to see if she was in the kitchen writing or balancing spoons on her nose (damn that annoyed him!), but she wasn't there either. That meant there was only one other place she could be; her room.
Terra was quite capable of controlling her powers now. What amazed him was she'd gained that control in only a matter of two and a half weeks.
"She'd better not be." he grumbled under his breath. "Terra!"
There was no answer, but where else would she be? Slade walked into the room to find Terra still sleeping in bed!
"Terra! Get up now! Why are you still asleep?"
Terra woke suddenly. When she caught sight of Slade standing there she instantly knew she'd slept in.
"AHH! Slade! Sorry! I'll be right there in a sec!" she said jumping out of bed.
Slade nodded in success. He'd succeeded in scaring her. That was always a good sight! (A/N: Oh yes it is! I love scaring people! BOO! *Laughs*) Well, it was a start. He turned on his heal and headed to the training room. He had something unique planned out for today. Five minutes later, Terra came stumbling in all out of breath. She stood up straight and faced him.
"Ready!"
"Terra. Today we're going to do something different. I've run thin on ideas to train you with, so." Slade jumped down from the control room and landed a couple feet in front of Terra. "I've decided to do a test. To see how much you've improved since when we met in the cave."
This was a surprise. Never before had Slade 'tested' her. Slade had his metal staff at hand and, unknown to Terra, the hair clip that will contain her powers in his pocket.
"Ready Terra?"
She nodded. "Ready."
Somehow, Slade had a feeling this would be enjoyable. Terra did the honors of starting with throwing multiple large stones. Dodging each and every one of them, he jumped toward her and swung the staff hard. She ducked and backed away. Attempting to knock him down with an earthquake, she stood on a boulder in mid-air. Unfortunately, Slade had remarkable balance and could jump unbelievably high. Putting these two skills to work, Terra was pulled off the rock and back onto the ground.
"Owwww!" she moaned as she felt a bruise forming on the back of her head.
Slade gave no time for rest; he once again swung the staff at her. She dodged and kicked the staff out of his hand. After burying it with stones, she went in to punch, but Slade caught her fist. Slade bent her arm back behind her. Terra elbowed him as hard as she could in the gut. She knew it hadn't done much, but he let go and she got free. He didn't waste time in taking the rebound and attacking once more. Slade had both Terra's arms twisted behind her back.
"Too slow, Terra. You're going to have to take it up a notch."
Tightening his grip on her arms with one of his hands, he slipped the hair clip on her. It at once pulled her power from her control and she felt it as clear as anything. She began to struggle. Things were getting strange. Too strange.
"Slade, stop! Let go! Something's wrong!" she shouted.
But Slade didn't let go. On the contrary, he held her arms tighter till she was about to yell out in pain.
"How long do you think you'll pull through without you power?" He asked in a whisper.
Things were starting to clear up. Understanding came. Slade was using her. How could she have been so stupid? Why had she trusted him? She shook her head violently.
"No! It's not true!" She yelled.
A demonic smile crossed Slade's face under his mask.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" he threw her to the ground.
She stood up, her face downward in shame.
"You're.using me! How could you?"
"You're on my side now Terra. You'll serve me and only me!"
"No! I will not!"
"So if you were to escape, where would you go? How long do you think you'd last? You have no other place to go. Nobody to rescue you."
Terra stayed silent as she tried to put his voice from her mind.
"And that clip. It contains your power, tracks your every move, and will stay on until I say otherwise. That's the way it was designed. I'm in control now Terra. Remember that from now on!"
Terra knew he was right, but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to give in and believe there was no way out. There was always a way out. There had to be. She had to believe she was smarter and could figure a way out. But right now it was hard to believe or put trust in anything.
'It's all a bad dream!' she thought. 'It'll all end soon and I'll be back out in the rain. It has to!'
Terra was driven back out of her thoughts from the feeling of Slade's hand gripping her shoulder firmly.
"You're mine now."
"No." she was overtaken by anger and tried to punch him but he caught her fist just as he had before.
"Come quietly. Nobody will hear you even if you do yell for help. This base is hidden and secret. Nobody can track it down or locate it. You're trapped."
After giving her an outfit (identical to the one Robin had wore) she came out and showed him. She'd been silent the whole time. Not wanting to say anything to him.
"It looks nice on you Terra. And it's a perfect fit I see. Come here."
He guided her to a mirror.
"Look." He lifted and held her face so she had to.
One of his hands returned to her shoulder where he held her so she wouldn't try to make things difficult. The other gently traced her chin from left to right and back again. Terra stared into the eyes of the person in the mirror. It wasn't her. She hated the girl she saw in the mirror. Wearing the black and orange suit with Slade's mark on it and metal armor on her arms and legs. The only thing that still remained was her anger at herself for letting this happen. The metal framing around her neck and chest was bearing away on her patience slightly. She felt heavy, as if someone was pulling her down. Terra soon became sick of seeing herself this way, so she punched the mirror as hard as she could. The glass shattered to a million pieces and showering the floor. Neither she nor Slade moved.
"Don't like what you see?" He taunted her.
"What was your first clue?"
"Terra, I don't think I like your tone." He squeezed her shoulder.
Terra winced at the pain. 'Damn! He's strong!'
"Come now Terra. What is the polite thing to do?" He squeezed her shoulder even harder (if possible).
"Ahhhhh! I'm Sorry! Stop! Ack!"
Slade loosened his grip satisfied. "Good. Now, for your first job."
Slade turned on a large screen. The Teen Titans were in their home relaxing and having fun. Terra for one second glad she was going to get her chance at revenge. Then she the thought of Slade's actions. He just wanted her because of the power against the Titans he'd gain. But she now had no choice but to do what he said. She looked from the screen to Slade.
She sighed. "I'll do whatever you wish." She knew she'd most likely regret it, but what other choice was there?
"Excellent. We need to find a large supply of nitroglycerin. I'm running low on explosion packs and bombs. They can be found in the military secret base. I happen to know where it's located. Unfortunately, so do the Titans and they'll come after us once they hear what we're up to. I'll fight off the Titan's when they come; all you need to do is get the nitroglycerin. Should be easy enough for you. Right?"
Terra was hesitant.
"Right?" he repeated.
"Uh.hm.yeah." She said looking away.
Slade walked to her and guided her to the military base. Slade made sure Terra didn't try to make a get away as he drove a van with black windows. Terra stared out the window silently. She wondered if she'd have to live like this forever. Alone. Slade took note of her sudden persona change. It was just as he'd expected. He decided to taunt her by ruffling her hair gently and say:
"Remember Terra, if you even try to escape."
"I heard you." She said emotionlessly.
"Lets hope so."