Author's Note: OOOOOOOOO! I can't believe I'm here already. This is a bit of an odd chapter, full of little mini-scenes jumping from one to the other, whereas in others I have tended to stick to one-or-two-scened chapters. Ah well. As long as they're little! I hope you enjoy this, I really do.
Knife Edge: Part Two
A Teen Titans fanfiction by J.S.Danskin (a.k.a. Invader Jed)
SCENE SEVEN –Slade's Headquarters-
SLADE looks up, holding his head, and the smoke around ROBIN's cage parts. But ROBIN has not escaped; he is standing coughing, staring at the figures that have just smashed through the secret entrance. As the smoke clears, the three characters sprint forwards, and they are revealed as CYBORG, RAVEN and BEASTBOY. ROBIN's face lights up. CYBORG runs straight for ROBIN and stares up at the cage on the platform.
ROBIN: Cyborg!
CYBORG: How do you open this thing?
ROBIN: I don't know, I...
CYBORG: Stand back!
ROBIN obediently steps backwards and CYBORG blasts the panel on the platform. The shock-enhanced dome flickers and fades. ROBIN leaps out and stands straight, facing CYBORG seriously.
ROBIN (urgently): Where's Starfire?
CYBORG (puzzled): Starfire? She's here? But I thought...
ROBIN: The new criminal was Star, Cyborg. Slade brainwashed her to fight against me.
CYBORG: But...why were you in the cage?
ROBIN: I...traded places with Starfire.
CYBORG: You what?...Why?
ROBIN shrugs awkwardly and says nothing. He scans the chamber for her, seeing RAVEN and BEASTBOY fight off some of SLADE's footmen. There is no sign of SLADE himself; but ROBIN spots KNIFE grabbing hold of STARFIRE around the waist and turning invisible. She however is still visible. KNIFE starts climbing up a ladder with STARFIRE over his shoulder, and ROBIN bolts after them.
CYBORG: Robin, wait!...
ROBIN (ignoring him): Starfire!
STARFIRE is unconscious and she disappears up out of the lair. ROBIN clambers up and out, finding himself in the middle of the road. He narrowly avoids getting hit by a car. He sprints to the pavement and spots KNIFE, visible again, running into a tall skyscraper building. ROBIN frowns and makes to follow him, but at that moment a shadowed figure drops down directly in front of him. ROBIN skids in the rain-filled streets, water pouring down his face. He stares up at the person. He scowls.
ROBIN: Slade.
SLADE: Hello, Robin. Leaving so soon?
He throws a punch, and the screen goes black.
It opens again on KNIFE kicking open the door to the roof, dragging STARFIRE with him, who is over his shoulder in a fireman's lift. He drops her to the ground and she stirs, groaning lightly and opening her eyes slowly.
STARFIRE: Ugh...Robin...is that you? Are you there?
KNIFE: If I was Robin, would you go with me then?
STARFIRE stands up and studies KNIFE closely.
STARFIRE: Who are you?
KNIFE: I am Knife. I came after you for revenge for stopping me escaping. Then I met Slade. He wanted Robin. I thought we could both get what – or who – we wanted, but...Slade and I are not a team like you and your friends.
STARFIRE: Slade is not able to work in a team. He is too selfish and greedy...(she pauses thoughtfully)...But, I do not understand...we all stopped you that night. Why did you come after me?
KNIFE: Because I fell for you the moment I saw you. I had to have you...or no one could.
He takes a step forwards, and STARFIRE holds up her hands.
STARFIRE: There is help you can get on Earth, where nice people help you with your problems...
KNIFE: I don't HAVE problems.
He walks towards her and STARFIRE gasps, taking a step backwards. KNIFE takes another her way, and another, until she is balanced on the edge of the rooftop. She looks at KNIFE in fear. The screen turns black.
It opens on CYBORG and BEASTBOY finishing off the last of SLADE's henchmen. RAVEN floats down and lands beside them, dropping a robot on the ground.
RAVEN: Right. That's that. Now where's Robin?
CYBORG: And Starfire? Beats me.
BEASTBOY: Star's here? Are you sure?
CYBORG (shrugging): That's what Robin said. Mind you, he did seem a little out of it.
RAVEN: But that doesn't mean he's delusional. Robin's the very opposite. Come on, they can't have gotten far.
The scene closes on them running out, and as BEASTBOY runs out the screen turns black.
The scene switches to SLADE standing in front of the entrance to the building. ROBIN ducks and avoids SLADE's punch, stepping in and grabbing SLADE, hauling him over his shoulder and throwing him away from himself with a cry.
ROBIN: I've had enough of you, Slade! This ends now.
SLADE: If I had a city for every time you've said that, Robin, I'd own a continent by now.
ROBIN (in a low voice): Only if you'd stolen it.
He charges a kick at SLADE, who catches ROBIN's foot. ROBIN's face looks shocked for a moment and SLADE spins his leg around. ROBIN staggers for a moment, dizzy, but soon runs back with a yell and they swap punches. Then ROBIN hears a scream and he loses his guard. SLADE takes his chance and hits him, and ROBIN flies back, but it is as if he didn't even notice properly. SLADE frowns. ROBIN stares up at the roof. He walks towards it, and brings out his grappling hook, preparing to fire it at the roof. SLADE's voice interrupts him, and ROBIN turns.
SLADE: Are you sure that's what you want to do, Robin?
ROBIN: No, Slade. I want to bake a cake and read you a bedtime story.
SLADE (scornfully): How unlike you, Robin. I thought you were far too mature for childish sarcasm.
ROBIN (bitterly): Stop pretending you know me. You're wrong.
SLADE: Am I? Stay and fight me, Robin. Prove your point. I know how much you love to do that.
ROBIN hesitates, torn between the prospect of finally bringing down SLADE or rescuing STARFIRE. He lowers his head. Several quotes from the past echo in his head:
ROBIN: Don't you dare worry, Star. Nothing's going to-
STARFIRE: ROBIN!
STARFIRE: ...Robin?
STARFIRE: I am just glad that the truth was discovered before I was replaced.
ROBIN: What are you talking about?
STARFIRE: You are my best friend, Robin, and I cannot be in a world where we must fight. So if you are truly evil, then go ahead. Do what you must.
ROBIN: No, Starfire, I...
ROBIN: Starfire...please...
STARFIRE: Robin...Robin! Please, do not let go!
BEASTBOY: She's gone, dude. He got her.
ROBIN: No. NO!
SLADE: You what, Robin? Now is the time to tell her, for you will never see her again.
ROBIN: No! Star, I...Don't...I just...
(back to reality)
ROBIN: No! I have to...
SLADE: Forgotten about me, Robin? How very rude.
ROBIN turns around and with a yell punches SLADE hard so he falls down. Instead of taking the opportunity to unmask him at last, ROBIN walks up to the wall.
ROBIN: No. I just care more about her than I do about you, Slade.
He launches the hook up. It gabs hold and he swings up, landing swiftly on the roof. The other two have not yet noticed his arrival. STARFIRE has her legs against the edge of the building, but the brick only comes up to her knees. If she were pushed back she'd fall. ROBIN starts to run forwards but stops dead as KNIFE reaches out to touch her face. The camera zooms in on ROBIN's wet, shocked and helpless face as he stares, his mouth open.
KNIFE (quietly): You are incredibly beautiful. You should be with me. We could make a good team.
STARFIRE: No we would not! My home...my team...Robin...
KNIFE: Robin – ha! What a good friend he turned out to be. He couldn't save you when I first took you; he couldn't save you from me, not even by sacrificing himself...but what I bet hurt most, Starfire, was the fact that I nearly killed you, and he still couldn't bring himself to tell you he cared. What kind of loyalty is that?
STARFIRE (calmly): My friendship with Robin never came with a pricetag attatched.
She speaks confidently, but her eyes are big and sad as she realises KNIFE is right. ROBIN looks incredibly sheepish, and his eyes are drooped sadly.
KNIFE: But now where is he? Can you tell me that? You're in danger, so where is the great Boy Wonder now?
ROBIN (distantly): Right here.
He runs forwards, flinging an electric disk at KNIFE, which he narrowly misses by turning invisible and dodging out of its path, dragging STARFIRE along by her throat. She gags and ROBIN throws three explosive pellets at KNIFE, causing him to drop her. ROBIN runs to her, and she looks up at him.
ROBIN: Starfire, look, I...
STARFIRE: Robin, look out!
He ducks as a knife zooms for his head. STARFIRE flies up, her eyes glowing green, spins around and yells as she lets loose a barrage of Starbolts towards KNIFE. He is caught by one and ROBIN catches him. He struggles in his grip, but when he realises he isn't going anywhere, he grins nastily.
KNIFE: You're pathetic, Robin. All she ever wanted was you.
ROBIN winces and snarls, holding KNIFE over the edge of the building with a murderous look on his face. STARFIRE suddenly runs up and touches ROBIN's arm. He finds he can't look her in the eye and turns away.
STARFIRE: Robin, do not be rash. Sometimes, our pride must be hurt in order for us to do the right thing.
ROBIN: Star...
STARFIRE: I want you to let him go.
ROBIN: What? But, he...
STARFIRE: He did not hurt any civilians. He did not kidnap the world leader. And I am safe.
ROBIN: Starfire, no, look...
STARFIRE: Please, Robin? For me?
She looks at him, forcing him to look her in the eye. ROBIN sighs. He lets KNIFE go, who leans over and kisses STARFIRE's cheek before jumping over the edge of the building, having turned invisible as he descends.
ROBIN: I don't think...
STARFIRE: Then go after him, Robin, if he is so important to you.
She walks away from him, heading for the door. He calls her back, and runs to her. She faces him, the expression on her face questioning and interested. The rain trickles down her face and wets her hair. ROBIN swallows nervously.
ROBIN: Starfire, I was more scared than I've ever been, when I thought he was going to...you know...back at the cavern...and I didn't- I couldn't, because...
STARFIRE: You are trying to say that you could not say you had feelings for me because you do not? That is all right, Robin, I do not mind. Working with you and being your friend is quite enough.
She continues walking, but ROBIN grabs her arm roughly, and she looks at him oddly. His eyes soften.
ROBIN: No...no, Starfire, it isn't enough. Not for me. I couldn't say it back there because I didn't know how to describe it, and if you had...died...then I would have regretted it forever. But I know how to describe it now.
STARFIRE (confused): And how is that, Robin?
ROBIN searches her eyes for a moment, and pulls her forwards towards him, his lips brushing against hers lightly and lingering there. He pulls back and looks at her. Her eyes open widely in surprise, but close instinctively as ROBIN bends his head and kisses her. She hesitates a second before giving in and kissing back. ROBIN wraps his arms around her waist, and hers around his neck. ROBIN pulls away momentarily and looks at her carefully, studying her, as if seeing her for the first time, or savouring her face before leaving forever.
ROBIN (breathlessly): I can't believe I nearly lost you...you are the most...Starfire, I love you. I've loved you forever. I just...I couldn't say, but it hurts too much to keep it in anymore. (he smiles) It's only adding to my stress-levels.
STARFIRE smiles gently at him.
STARFIRE: Well allow me assist you in that.
They kiss again, and BEASTBOY, CYBORG and RAVEN burst through the door dramatically, taking their action stances. Their faces change on seeing ROBIN and STARFIRE from brave and focused to absolute disgust.
BEASTBOY: Dude, I always knew Robin was into !
CYBORG: BB, no offence, but I don't think you get tofu people.
BEASYBOY (genuinely upset); Aw, dude.
RAVEN: I think I'm going to throw up.
CYBORG: Why is it that Robin always gets all the action? Can you tell me that?
BEASTBOY: Dude, that's such a gross thing to...Raven, you okay?
RAVEN: I wasn't joking when I said I was going to throw up.
She leans over and BEASTBOY and CYBORG's faces contort with disgust. They look back from RAVEN's retching to STARFIRE and ROBIN's kissing, unable to determine which is more disgusting.
BEASTBOY: Dude, that's just....ewwww!!
ROBIN (waving): Oh, hey guys. Ugh...what's up with Raven?
-SCENE CLOSED.-
Author's Note: Ohhh my goodness! I don't have many more author's notes to write for this story! EEEEK! Although next chapter is officially the last chapter, there will be a sneak peek chapter after that showing new things to come, including Knife Edge the non-screenplay and Knife Edge 2? Possibly? POSSIBLY? Also other Teen Titan stories coming up, so yay! Don't be disheartened, folks, I'm not gone yet! I had swithered on making Starfire call after Robin, but then I thought, nah she has to make the move in all the other fics so I thought let's get Robin to do it, and I think this way was a bit more romantic, yes? Not too much fluff I hope! I wanted it to end on a humorous note, and I thought what's more funny that Raven throwing up? You can probably think of a lot of things. Ah well, I thought it was funny. See ya!
Answers to Reviews:
DIWaRIa: Who'd have thought it? You're my one hundredth reviewer! HOORAY! HOORAY! One hundred, I've never had a hundred reviews before! I've got 99 on my Zim story, and I've got about 124 on this one so I'm sooo happy! Thanks sooo much for helping me get this far, Knife Edge probably wouldn't have gone on without so much support from you and all the others! I love ya!
Broken-Mask: Slade the extreme love consultant! Hee hee, that's funny! But really he was just mocking Robin because Slade could see that Robin couldn't tell Starfire, and was just emphasising the fact to make him feel bad. He should be an agony aunt/uncle thing, I think. I'd go to him no probs! Lol. Yeah Terra annoys me, and thanks so much for pointing out my boo-boo! I am eternally grateful. Hope you liked this chapter, and wasn't too fluffy/mistake-filled for you!
ShadowSage2: I just love the word "nances". Seriously, I thought I was the only one who used that word, so it is a privilege to meet a fellow nancer. Thanks so much, I really wanted to make this chapter one of – if not – the best cos it's the big climax one I think. This one is also quite suspenseful but less MAAAD. And yeah, I just had to have Cy screaming, cos when he screamed after Gizmo put a rocket on his back in "Final Exam" it was when I fell in love with him, he was so funny! And the waffles thing, I just love Cyborg. Robin and Star are my favourites, but Cy's just plain funny. I love them all! Yeah Robin was a bit beggingful, so I took the "please" out, but please note that Robin had done that before once in Apprentice Part Two (sorry I'm obsessed with that episode) when he says "No! Please, I'll do whatever you say" so THERE! (sticks tongue out) nah just kiddin, thanks for pointing it out, means you're paying attention. I think was the only non-cliffhanger chapter...ooo. Did you like the fact that I let Knife escape instead of making Robin drop him? I thought it was a little twist, and it leaves an opening for a sequel if I decide to do one (who knows?) but there's still another chapter! So review!
Anwen: Awww you're so sweet. It really genuinely makes me happy to see that you like it so much. So I've updated just for you! Now you do your bit and give me a nice review! Lol.
AntimatterManticore: Hello! YOU WERE RIGHT! I'm so impressed. I decided to make it look as if Robin had perhaps escaped, but then it turned out that he hadn't and it was them breaking IN. Clever, huh? I didn't think so! Yeah, while writing I was never very sure if I did want Knife to have a thing for Starfire, but then I decided...yeah it'll make it a bit more interesting, and I love making Robin jealous!
Wanda Magick: Wow you're just too magical for me. (stares at magicalness and goes ooooo) Aw wow, how funny would it be if in the middle of a big dramatic Slade and Robin fight scene Slade just exploded? I would laugh my head off, quite literally! I would love to see the look on Robin's face!
clueless90: I have. Happy now? :p Hope you liked it!
Moon-N-Stars: Well I'm very glad I made you use the word totally...it was one of my life ambitions you know (looks around). Ahem. Hope you liked this chapter, and you MUST review or I'll eat your brains!
Ninja Chic: Eeeeek! (screams and runs and hides) Don't hurt me! I'm sorry...I'M SORRY! I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT SUSPENSEFUL!!!!!! (cries) Don't you love me anymore? WAAAHHH! Well now you know what happens so stop being mean, you're a bigger meaner person than me! (sticks tongue out and prances in a field of tulips).
StarRobin: EEEEEK it's nearly finished! What's with all these people threatening me over this chapter? I've got another page of reviews to reply to, I'm hoping I don't have to scream and run away lots more (sighs) Hee hee. Aw wow, how cool would it be if there WAS an episode of this? I would feel sooooo special. Anyway, until I kidnap Glen Murakami and hold him for ransom by making my episode(s) you'll just have to use your imagination (says "imagination" in cheesy voice and waves fingers in the air). I know, creativity, sheesh!
writer of love 17: I'm glad you liked it! It always makes me very happy and jolly to see people getting this effect from one of my stories. I love reading something that just strikes me dumb, and you saying that mine can (somehow) do that for you, it just makes me feel really good. So many stories I've written have stopped cos there wasn't enough support behind them, but on this one I'm actually LOOKING FORWARD to doing all the work till 3 o clock in the morning (cos I have to do homework too!) So thanks for saying that. I think this was the best chapter too, although I do love fluff scenes as long as they're not FLUFFY fluff! Know what I mean? (tumbleweed rolls past)...um... Please review!
Starxfire: Yeah DIWaRIa speaks random Japanese to me too. Lol. You're review cracked me up, so very random. What a clever chappy you are for spotting that Knife liked Star that way. What was it that pointed it out? When he was watching the video of the fight way back in Part One? Or some other point? I'd be interested to know!
h: Hey. I like you're name. It's kinda like: Hi, I'm h. I'm cool. Don't touch me. I'm cool. Didn't you hear me? I'M COOOOOL! Ahem. Awww thanks for saying that, I try to be a good writer I just can't stand writing stuff like "an' den da bus woz like 'I wanna fuckin' cookee". It just makes me cry. I'm a bit of a grammar freak. Oooo Slade story, sounds good! I shall put an idea in my synopsisy thing after the last chapter (which is the next one!) So please review!
Lhaewen: it's okay, I intend to finish it. Soon. Savour it. Yay I can die then can I? Gee thanks! Nigel's just magic thanks. What did you think of the chapter? Was it too fluffy, or not fluffy enough, or just right fluffy? PLEASE LET ME KNOW I HAVE TO KNOWWW! (cries).
JulesFire: Awww wow what a cool name. I'm a Jules too! WOOO a fellow Jules! Yeah I kinda wanted to create the effect that Robin found it so hard to tell Star in what could have been his last chance, and how it tortures him, making him even more determined. I think what's expected is him to go "NOOO STARFIRE I LOVE YOOOUUUU" but that's soooo not Robin. I quite liked the way I did this but that's just me. It's better than my original idea to make him all dramatic though.
NatashaTeenTitan: Aww thanks, yeah I pride myself in keeping them in character, but it's only cos I watch the show and then run upstairs to type more, so I still have their characters imprinted in my BRAAAIINN! It's very small, and my story isn't nearly as good as yours, so don't worry. Well if you take the time to find the address then I will send it in. That makes me feel really touched that you would say that. So thank you. I hope you liked this chapter.
Spazzfire: yes, a cliffhanger, but there wasn't really one here though, so it's okay! Calm down, have a cookie, read a book and sniff some cheese. All will be well. NOW REVIEW!
tabbo22: Heh. If you haven't found a better story check out NatashaTeenTitan's, they're REEALLLYY good, much better than mine. So yaaay. I'll keep this story going to the end, I promise. Thanks for reading, please review it!
Lomesir: Tomorrow soon is today soon, I swear. Here you go. I hope you enjoyed it enough to review again.
starrobin4eva: Thanks. I wanted last chapter to create an impact, this is really the summing up and the next one is the aftermath. I hoped you liked the twist when I let Knife escape, or were you and your cunning expecting that? I'm glad you liked the plot as a whole; it took me AAAGEESS to come up with it!
shadowcat013: Okay. Urm. Thanks for your review, but if you were looking for a suspenseless story it probably shouldn't have been this one, cos I just LOVE making suspense. Quite personally I like it when I read a story and can't wait to find out what happens, it shows you enjoyed it, but each to their own. I hope you liked this chapter anyway. And I agree with you on their love being a secret even to them, absolutely.
RobinRox13 (both reviews): Robin's my favourite too, followed closely by Starfire. A lot of people don't like Robin, and I didn't at first until I saw 'Masks' when I thought he had a bit more depth to him than it had first appeared, and then after the 'Apprentice' episodes (which I'm obsessed with) he became and still is my favourite Titan. Yeah mr Menville's got a creepy jaw, but I love Robin. YAAAY please do read a review. I only have one other Teen Titan story at the moment which is a one-shot, but more are expected soon!
AnotherLoneRanger: Awww that's not corny that's a really sweet thing to say. Thank you. Enchanted is such a nice word to use, makes me feel really nice. Hee hee. Thanks so much for reviewing, please do so again!
Tamaran Girl: Who knows? He's awfully nasty though, isn't he? Thanks for reviewing!
Thanks for so many reviews, guys, you're all so very awesome. (blows kiss)
Ciao!