Chapter 2 Mind Control.
Robin entered the evidence room. It was his nightly ritual to check to make sure everything that was supposed to be here was here. Here were trophies from all the Titans adventures. He glanced inside a glass case, which held a tracking chip. This was the same one that had been implanted inside him eight years ago.
Looking at the chip brought back horrible memories. He felt the anger rise in him. Over the last nine months he had overcome two out of three challenges in his life. According to Star, the Spirit of Justice only one more challenge awaited him before he reached his final evolution. What could it possibly be that he had to learn?
"Ahh what does it matter! I can't take it anymore!" Robin yelled. His hand went straight through the wall.
"Robin? Forgive my intrusion but I felt your pain." Starfire said entering the room.
"Starfire you don't get it. How could anyone possibly understand what I've been through?" Robin asked.
"No one can truly understand your pain my love. But you don't need to be alone anymore. Don't worry so much. Now that the chip is out of you Slade can't hurt you. Go get some sleep." Starfire ordered gently. Robin nodded his head. Kissing her gently he left for his room.
Robin went to his room to get ready for bed. Changing into his pajamas he glanced around the room. "I've got to redecorate." Robin muttered. He took off his engagement ring and put on his nightstand. Sighing he hoped he could sleep.
Meanwhile in his mental plain that made up his mind Dark Robin and Annie were playing cards. The two personalities were relaxing finally. The last few months had been hectic. The two thought they were in for a quite night.
"Do you have any fours?" Dark Robin asked.
"Go fish. Have a three?" Annie asked. Dark Robin handed her a card. They continued to play for a few more minutes.
"Do you get the feeling something is about to go horribly wrong?" Dark Robin asked.
"Yes, I have the calm before the storm feeling." Annie told him quietly. Walking to the window she glanced out the window to her home below. Suddenly she gasped outloud in fright. "Dark Robin come quick!"
Dark Robin raced over to the window to see what was the matter. Outside Arkaham some sort of silvery liquid was moving around. It was trying to take over everything. "We have to go stop it! Annie lets go." Dark Robin yelled.
The two personalities ran outside and began to attack the strange invader. Annie changed her arms into ice using it to clear away the silver liquid. Dark Robin fired round after round to no avail.
They were soon over come by the silvery liquid. "No it can't end this way." Annie yelled as the stuff started to swallow her. "We must warn Robin." Dark Robin struggled to get out as he was attacked. But it was to late as they were incased in two cocoons.
Robin had been tossing and turning all night. He was having trouble sleeping. Nightmares plagued his mind. Suddenly he sat up in bed. He walked over to the closet and changed into his costume. Then he left the Tower without so much as a word.
Half an hour later on the outskirts of Jump City he pulled the R-cycle to a halt. He pushed it up the driveway into the mansions garage. Taking off his helmet and put it on the seat before entering the house.
In the main lobby Slade and Julian were waiting. Julian no longer was wearing her prison clothes. She now wore a dark red leather outfit. On both hers and Slade's finger's were wedding bands. Around their necks were black power crystals. Gifts from Nova, the Spirit of Injustice.
"Excellent work my dear. Your plan worked perfectly." Slade said.
"Yes I told you it would my love. Those idiot Titans had no idea that by removing the chip they released the mind control serum into his blood. All I had to do was activate it with my new compowder. Now Robin only obeys us." Julian said laughing.
"Our plan is working perfectly. Nothing can go wrong this time. We can now move on with phase 2. Shall we give him a medical exam before we continue?" Slade asked. Julian nodded her head in agreement.
"This is truly remarkable. The enhancements have naturally improved on their own! Also the energy given off by the crystal has stabilized his mind enough for us." Julian said in amazement.
"Then we can brainwash him? Our plan can work?" Slade asked. He was very eagered for an answer.
"Yes, but only in small doses otherwise forget it. The crystal is protecting him. Since evil can't touch it or have any hand in removing it Robin will just have to do it himself. But I have an idea of how we can use this to our advantage." Julian told him reaching for a tool.
An hour later they were both done. Robin hadn't spoken once during the entire procedure. He had no idea what was going on. He was completely under mind control. After the procedure he was told to go to his room and sleep. He did so with a thought or care.
Shortly after dawn Starfire knocked on Robin's door. It was time for their early morning talk on the roof. Robin never missed it. This morning there was no answer at all.
"Robin? Robin are you in?" Starfire called out. Entering the room she saw the empty bed, opened closet, and Robin's engagement ring on the nightstand.
"Why would he leave this behind? Also why is he not here? It doesn't make any sense at all. Something is not right at all." Starfire thought. She flew out of the room to the main living area.
"Friends have you seen Robin at all this morning? He wasn't in his room and he forgot his ring." Starfire said scared.
"Calm down star. I'm sure Robin's somewhere in the Tower." Cyborg told her.
"He wouldn't have left his ring lying about. I know this. He also wouldn't have missed our morning talk. Something is wrong Cyborg. Please help me find him." Starfire pleaded.
The Titans searched the entire Tower to no avail. Robin was gone and without his locator they couldn't find him. They also couldn't track his crystal unless he used it.
"His cycle is gone. He must have taken it." Beast Boy said.
"I've checked last nights surveillance tapes. He left around midnight. What's worse is he looked like he was in some kind of trance." Raven reported in.
All the Titans looked at one another. Each was thinking the exact same thing. "What was going on with Robin?"