Author's Note: YAAAAAAY I love writing this so much it's fun! I've just watched Apprentice: Pt. 2 on t.v. and I love that episode soooo much. Star and Robin…MEANT TO BE!!! Sorry I've just had cake, too, so my sugar levels are a bit high…okay…down to depressing I'm ready now. Enjoy, and don't forget to review!!!
Knife Edge: Part One
A Teen Titans fanfiction by J.S.Danskin (a.k.a. Invader Jed)
SCENE FIVE – Slade's Headquarters
The lights are dimmed, but in the low orange glow from a table lamp we can see SLADE sitting in a chair at the desk, which the lamp is on top of. KNIFE stands on the opposite side of the desk with his arms folded. The camera zooms in on STARFIRE, motionless on the ground, before concentrating on SLADE again.
SLADE (angrily): I cannot believe you did not seize the opportunity to…
KNIFE (defensively): …Capture Robin too? What is it that makes you need him so badly, Slade? Hurt your pride, did he?
SLADE (standing to his feet): Don't be ridiculous. He is a mere child.
KNIFE: That's not what I'd say from fighting with him. My face is still raw from where he kicked me. He's smart…he's quick. He can-
SLADE interrupts him by roaring furiously and sweeping everything off the desk and onto the floor. Papers fly around KNIFE's head, and he plucks one out of the air. It is a picture of ROBIN, who is smiling knowingly, his arms crossed casually. KNIFE pockets it and nods to SLADE.
KNIFE (smugly): I see. Personal matter, is it? Don't worry, I have no interest in your obsessions. I just want my vengeance, and with it my dignity.
SLADE: You would have had a lot more than that had you brought the boy to me. I could pay you handsomely, but you have failed.
KNIFE shakes his head grimly, and points at STARFIRE.
KNIFE: Well to me, she is victory. With her death brings my glory, and…
SLADE: I see your obsession is personal. Well, don't worry, for I have no interest in your infatuation.
KNIFE: Infatuation?! I want –
SLADE: - to destroy her, of course you do. Well, while I'll have no part whatsoever in your personal vendettas, I happened to have noticed something quite fascinating.
KNIFE narrows his eye as SLADE walks past him over to a large wall screen. It flicks on and shows STARFIRE holding onto ROBIN on BEASTBOY's back. The screen is paused.
SLADE (motioning to KNIFE): Come. I wish to show you something.
KNIFE looks uncertainly at the sleeping STARFIRE.
KNIFE: I don't feel safe…she could wake up.
SLADE: A problem easily solved, my friend.
SLADE claps his hands twice and his servant enters, carting a large glass box on a tray. SLADE walks over to STARFIRE, picks her up and places her in the box. As he closes it, the glass-like alloy it is made of seals in with the rest, so there is no indication of an exit.
SLADE: She will never escape from that. Now watch.
SLADE walks back over to the screen, and this time KNIFE follows him warily. He comes to stand beside the criminal mastermind, who flicks a switch of a remote control, and the film commences.
KNIFE (curiously): How did you…
SLADE: Silence. Watch.
KNIFE watches BEASTBOY run forwards and notices the way STARFIRE freezes when ROBIN touches her. Then he jumps, and STARFIRE looks puzzled for a moment, and the two begin to descend. Not far away is KNIFE on the screen, wondering what move to make.
ROBIN (on screen): Fly, Star. FLY!
STARFIRE flies up, and ROBIN flings discs at KNIFE. Off the screen, SLADE fastforwards KNIFE avoiding them except the last, and he falls down. BEASTBOY swoops over him, and then ROBIN flies in with the assistance of STARFIRE, and ROBIN's foot makes contact with KNIFE's head. KNIFE, off the screen, flinches at the memory, and turns to SLADE angrily.
KNIFE (angrily): What relevance does this have? What is the point of showing me this?
SLADE: Patience.
KNIFE on the screen lands, and SLADE switches the screening back to normal speed as KNIFE turns invisible. He sees the looks of confusion on the three Titans' faces, and sees STARFIRE land close to RAVEN, while ROBIN looks around in confusion.
KNIFE (on screen): I'm going to get you, girl!
STARFIRE stops dead, and KNIFE off screen shifts position as ROBIN runs to her, looks at her seriously and grasps her hand in desperation.
KNIFE (to himself): I don't remember that…
SLADE: You had other concerns. Watch the screen.
Back on the screen, STARFIRE's green eyes seem to be containing a mixture of fear and wonder as she looks at ROBIN.
ROBIN (on screen): Don't you dare worry, Star. Nothing's going to-
STARFIRE (on screen): ROBIN!
KNIFE swallows as he sees his invisible self on the screen pick her up over his shoulder and walk through the wall with her, but takes note of ROBIN's determination to keep her, and his aggravation at BEASTBOY. Finally the wall falls, and ROBIN looks up directly at the camera, as several large bricks fall on him.
KNIFE (in disbelief): He... died?
SLADE: Don't be foolish. See Beastboy emerging?
KNIFE nods and turns his attention from the film, which is still playing.
KNIFE: How did you get that footage?
SLADE: I have my methods. You would do well not to question them.
KNIFE: Fair enough. But what was the point in showing me all that?
SLADE (laughing softly): Were you not watching, you fool?
KNIFE scowls and returns his focus to the screen. There he sees ROBIN angrily yelling at BEASTBOY, and punching a rock.
BEASTBOY (on screen): Robin, calm down…
ROBIN (on screen): STARFIRE!!!!
KNIFE stares at the screen, which turns black at the press of a button. He blinks, and turns to look at STARFIRE, lying at the bottom of the tank.
KNIFE: They're more than just team mates, aren't they? Starfire and Robin, I mean.
SLADE: Not officially... To my knowledge.
KNIFE: Interesting…I would not class the boy as her cup of tea, but I could see why he…
SLADE turns to meet KNIFE's eye angrily, who steps back in surprise.
SLADE: The Titans' love lives do not concern me, and I do not wish to learn how compatible they are. I want to use this to my advantage, and the only way to do that is to spare the girl…
KNIFE (furiously):No way! No chance…
SLADE (calmly): …for now, at least.
KNIFE calms down slightly, but does not appear to be convinced.
KNIFE: What is your plan, then?
SLADE: The girl has tremendous power. She has control of them well. If used on our side, she could prove to be a valuable asset to destroying the Titans, Robin in particular, considering it is unlikely that he would fight her. I have seen his reluctance in combat with Starfire once before… (trails off and appears to be reminiscing)
KNIFE (helplessly): But what about my revenge?
SLADE: Why settle for only Starfire…when you can have all five?
KNIFE pauses for a moment, turning to look at STARFIRE. He looks back to SLADE.
SLADE: Tempting, yes?
KNIFE (uncooperatively): ...Perhaps.
SLADE: Why do you distrust me so strongly? I want only the demise of the Titans. You can have your revenge, and I can have my victory. The Titans will have their just desserts. (he holds out his hand) What more is there to consider?
KNIFE (steps back from him): The fact that you're a low life criminal, perhaps?
SLADE throws back his head in laughter, before walking up to him.
SLADE: And you are not? Come, Knife…we share the same thirst for revenge, and the hatred of the Teen Titans. Let us unleash fury upon those children, and make them pay.
KNIFE (after a pause): …alright. We have a deal. But I control the girl's fate.
SLADE: But of course. She is the key to our success, mind. Do not ruin her, or the deal is off, and you will return to prison.
KNIFE (taking a defensive stance): Is that a threat?
SLADE: Only if you allow it to be.
KNIFE nods after a pause, and they shake hands. The scene closes on a close-up of STARFIRE's unconscious face.
SCENE CLOSED
A/N: Aw wow dudes this is so much fun to write!!!! Please come back, I'll probably update tomorrow again, or as soon as possible…or something!
Answers to Reviews:
Koriandr Star: I agree with you on the point that if there was to be a proper story of Knife Edge, it would have to be novelesque – absolutely. And again on behalf of Starfire, I don't think anyone could accuse her of being a damsel in distress, but I know what you mean. In some of the episodes there is a hint of Star being like "ohhh help me Robin" but not in my story! I don't think that being carted off through a wall is very heroic at all, but there wasn't a lot Star could do under the circumstances. At no time am I going to make Robin the big hero and make Starfire his moll, that was never the plan!!! I don't want to give too much away, though, so I'll shut up about that for now. On to what you said about Slade, I just find him an easy character to depict. Some people like Cyborg and Raven are quite hard to adapt personalities to, because not much of them are shown in the episodes. But Slade appears to be a calm, serious kind of guy who can lose his temper in a flash. I just tried to picture his voice in my head, and what he would say to someone being arrogant. And voila! The result was obviously not too bad!!! In the next scene, I can reveal, is another Slade – Knife scene where Knife tries his very best not to be intimidated or controlled by Slade, but he does have a very manipulative personality that would be hard to break from. We'll see about the Knife Edge "novel" or whatever once I've finished the screenplay. Thanks again for reviewing, I really quite like responding to your reviews, and I'll hope you'll submit another one………NOW!
Moon-N-Stars: Hey, thanks a lot! Glad you liked it. It was quite tricky to do the fight scene, actually, but I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do. I know, I know… but it's so desperately dull here, and I can't wait to get away to be honest! Ah never mind, I'll try my best to get Part One finished but I don't know, because I think there's another two scenes to do. I'm away to write the next one now, but it just depends on what I'm doing for the rest of the week. Keep reviewing! Thanks a lot!
Laurashrub: Well, Robin calls Beastboy B.B. now!!! Sorry, it was kinda subconscious cos I think B.B. is a really cute name! Anyway, looking on it I don't think he does…so I shall amend that immediately!!! rushes off to amend…yay! Fantastic, eh? Why thank you. Glad you're enjoying it, and you'll get to find out what happens to Starfire next chapter! What would you think if I turned "Knife Edge" into a proper story, instead of just a screenplay? I'd like to know! I'm glad I managed to turn Robin into Robin…cos he's kinda supposed to be…Robin…anyway! The point is that Robin is Robin, and I'm very confused now so I'm gonna go amend stuff…mmyep! STAY HAPPY!!!! Xxx
PracticalMagic: Hey man thanks for reviewing!! Yeah, I can see where you could get that from, but I keep saying I want to make it as Teen Titan-esque as possible, and they always have a short bit at the start, do they not? Anyway, I'm glad it grew on you, and that you don't think it's boring…cos that would make me sad L. Look at my potential sadness. But it's okay, hold the phone it's not a flame, and there was good stuff! YAAAAAAY I'm so happy now!!! is happy see me being happy. Anyway, once I got over the fact that you weren't trying to make me sad, which would be nasty by the way, so don't do that. I cry easily . Anyway, thank you very much, you say nice things about my story, and it makes me smile. Please review again!
softbalchick181: Sooooo back again, eh? I'm so joyful, and happy that you think it was good! It actually took quite a while to map out what I wanted to happen in the fight scene, and I'm sorry I knocked out Cyborg and Raven so quickly, but I needed to get to…THE DRAMA!!!! I love the drama in Teen Titans…and it's all about the drama, darlin'!!!!! Sorry I'm a bit happy at getting all these reviews, can you tell??? Thanks so much for reviewing again, keep it up!!! :p
QueenCheer: I know! It's like, I thought Slade was supposed to be smart! Even in the second Apprentice episode, when Robin only REALLY showed leniency towards Starfire it was like….helloooooooo use it to your advantage, dude! But no, stupid masked guy had to use his blonde bimbo chum Terra instead. Pwfah. Terra. She smells. Sorry she really annoyed me when she was in it. If it was up to me, Beastboy would go and destroy the statue so she would crumble to bits and NEVER come back cos of course she will, and so will that nasty piece of work Blackfire no doubt. Grrr. Anyway. I'm getting a tad hacked off at myself now and have tottered off into the land of irrelevance! So…oh yeah the review!! Cool, I love answering reviews! Well, you could never be as insane as…..ME! Well you probably could, I'm a perfectly normal human worm baby. Cool. I am keeping writing I am, but I'm going on holiday so you're gonna have to give me a break!!! I should get part one finished before I go though…Keep your fiddlers crossed and I'll keep taking my Ritalin! Review again please! Thank you muchly!
Starxfire: Getting good? GETTING GOOD??!?!? What are you trying to say, that before it was as pants as a golfing tournament in the mud? Lol, I'm just kidding you. OH, ask a question, eh? Do I look like a bloomin' chat show???!?!?! Sorry, my split personality kinda got the better of me there. Course you can ask a question, and I shall answer it awkwardly by saying….not really no. Reason no. 1 because there's not a scene with Knife in it next chapter, 2 because it's just a power he has. You don't question how Starfire has funny bolt things, or HOW Beastboy can turn into different animals, or HOW Raven has creepy power things…it's just there! Maybe if I write a proper story of it I could make up some groovy reason that would impress everyone, but in the screenplay you just have to take ol' Knifey-poo as he is. I know you love him really. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and take the opportunity to review again……..NOW! GO! REVIEW! NOOWWWWW! presses button and everyone goes off to review, and Jules stands going MWAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH until she chokes on the dust in the air, like the silly non-breathing nitwit that she is Okay! I'm done now, but you get the idea. Please review?…Please???
Ninja Chic: WOWEEE! I only just got your review, and it's like…I SO NEARLY UPDATED BEFORE YOU REVIEWED! I would have had to answer yours another time!!! So you are a lucky bunny that I'm answering it now instead of next chapter, aren't you? Yeah I bet you are! Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I'm so glad that it has that effect on you…cos that's exactly what I wanted to make it like! I doubt if I send it in to Toonami that they'll air it though, cos it's kinda pants and those dudes have got it allllll worked out. Man I want to write screenplays as a profession…HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE!??!??!?!?! Wow….I could write Teen Titans: THE MOVIE! FUNKY COOL! Except that I suck…Ooooohhhh yeaahhhhhh! Ah well, at least you like it!! Don't worry, cos I've updated now, so hopefully I'm in your goodbooks, and I should be updating again tomorrow so come back and review again! YAAAAAY A NEW FRIEND!
DIWaRIa: Touchy scene? What exactly do you mean by touchy scene? Just fill me in, cos I'm a bit confused here. Tee hee. Thanks for reviewing, and I wish I could send it in to producers, but I don't think I'd have much of a shot to be honest. I think they'll have like the next twenty-two and a half seasons pretty much planned out. Poor old Knife and co will have to just be between us guys, but if you know of anyone looking for a script in the Teen Titan area, do let me know! Cos that would be so cool! Glad you liked it, and I'm updating now…which is pretty darned soon. I look forward to reading more reviews from your kind self. Xx
If any of you guys would like to email me or add me to MSN messenger for a jolly good chinwag or otherwise, please email me. My email's on my bio page thing!
DANKE! Xxx
DRAMATIC UPDATE OF DOOM!!!!: I've just read "Because of You" by Raventhedarkgoddess. It's soooo incredibly sad, so I greatly recommend it to you. Wow. sobs…I'm gonna need lots of reviews to make me feel better now, people!