Chapter Seventeen-Telling

They tell the Titans, but can they handle it? Not only is Robin in need of saving, but Terra is alive! But when Slade finds out, there must be a change in plans. Robin and Terra must take care of Slade themselves. But Starfire does not believe any more...

I heard panting footsteps over the communicator. "Star? What's wrong?" I heard Cyborg call from a distance. Before Starfire had time to answer, I did. "Guys!" I said in response to his voice. "Robin?!" I heard Beast Boy say in confusion. "Guys, you are probed! Remove the probes, and Terra and I will be free," I ordered. I could hear the surprise come to their faces. "T...Terra? But she's...she's..." Beast Boy said in even more confusion. "No, Beast Boy. Terra is alive. Slade had one of his stunt doubles to play the role of Terra," I said, disbelieving my own voice. Terra called me. Slade. He was coming. "Get rid of the probes. Then we are free. Call me when they are gone. I have to go now!" I yelled hearing the footsteps blaring towards my door. I slipped the communicator into my pocket as the door opened.

Cyborg was in astonishment. "Okay, was I dreaming, or did Robin say Terra was alive?" Beast Boy said. "You heard right, Beast Boy, it wasn't just you. We need to get to work. The sooner, the better," Raven said. They left for the main room, only to work on the de-prober. Cyborg grabbed the de-prober they used last time that had been broken. He and Raven began mending the crushed machine with his welder and her powers (niobe: see Final Exam for both, and Apprentice Pt 1 for the welder).

Many questions began fleeing through the other's minds. Where were they? Did they need help? Where had they been? Were they happy? But the biggest one, Who had they become?

Slade knew. He knew about the anesthetics. He knew about our plans. He knew I had told. He shoved Terra away after she charged to attack him. He seized my neck with his immense metal-plated paws and raised me off my feet. I was gasping for any source of life to bring into my lungs. "You told them, Robin! And now they will die because of it!" Slade yelled into my frightened face, his eye glowing with anger. He held the button in his grasp, thumb ready. I kicked. I didn't know if I missed or hit, or where I hit if I did, but I kicked. Slade fell to the ground. His mask was fractured down the middle. Terra grabbed him from behind as I laid on the ground, choking for life.

Terra was thrown to the ground over and over again and again. Her arms and legs were scared from falling. She fell once more. She made an attempt to rise, but she couldn't. She had fallen. My turn. I kicked in the one way I knew Slade could not dodge. He fell. With one swift movement, I was down, his leg knocking my balance from under me. He jumped to his feet to conclude his move, rising above me.

He attacked me several times, each blow bringing more blood than the attack before. Finally my chance. He threw a kick towards me, ready to kill. I moved aside, locking his foot into my arm. I threw him across the concrete, the scraping of metal echoing over the hatred inside the factory. Terra lifted the concrete, finally able to stand, crushing him under it. Slade's overpowered hers. "Can't...control it...Robin get outta here!" Terra yelled. "Focus! You can do it Terra!" I yelled in response. She had had much training. I had faith in her, and I was not about to give up the last thing I had. The rock exploded, smoke flaring everywhere. Slade took advantage of the situation, but we did also. A rock fell over Slade, crushing his life.

His hand lay lifeless on the concrete. That was it. Slade was dead, gone forever. I turned to Terra, who in a failed attempt to obstruct tears, cried. Though evil, he was still her father. I cried, as well. Why was unknown to me, but I did. Maybe for Terra, maybe for Slade. I was uncertain why I was, holding Terra in my arms. I pulled out the yellow and black communicator from my pocket. I clutched it in my hand, then punched the small, ebon, button on its smooth, lifeless surface, a tear falling on the luminous communicator. "We're coming home." That was it. That was all I wanted to say. That was all that needed to be said. That was all I could say.

They paused. Starfire's communicator had spoken to them. "We're coming home," my voice said. They went back to work after the message was over. Starfire walked away from the de-prober, and watched out the window intently. No words were spoken, because no words were needed. Anger, sorrow, love, and joy ached through her body. 'I cannot face him,' Starfire thought silently, 'I had given up the hope. I cannot tell him...he would not love me any longer. I must leave.'

Starfire walked down to her room. She lightly packed a backpack that Blackfire had given her during her last visit (niobe: see Sisters). It felt as though it had been minutes since she left for her room. She left for the rooftop. Sadly, she looked around her. Tears filled her eyes, one falling. She closed her eyelids in an attempt to block the tears. After opening them once more to see her tears twinkling in the darkened sky, she glided away.

author's note: AWWW! That is SOOO SAAAD! Oh well, we'll get over it! Anyway, I should have a new chapter ASAP, because I really LOVE this FanFic! I have a novel, and this short story is longer than the novel itself!!!! Nother chap soon! Peace!

Niobe