Chapter 3: Fading Spirits and Vows of Revenge
He waited impatiently for the T-car to pull up beside him, his mask narrowed into slits. Robin found himself almost unconcerned that it was Slade he was up against; instead he was fully focused on one thing, saving the love of his life. Robin shot an accusing glance in the way of Aqualad. They'd have been here sooner had he not been here…
"Titans, G---!?" Robin was cut off.
"Titans, let's save Starfire!" Aqualad charged in, stopping Robin mid-sentence. Robin was unable to do anything but follow Aqualad with the others. As they entered the building they were greeted by a cold-looking man.
"Ah, Master Slade has been expecting you… do wait here, he'll be down with the lady momentarily to… negotiate," the butler's words came out carefully. He turned and left; taking an elevator up to, presumably, fetch Slade and Starfire. Robin's eyes followed the butler, glaring at him with and intense hate. Anybody that worked for Slade was his enemy. The other Titans waited tensely, all eyes fixed on the elevator. All but one. Aqualad pulled a syringe from a concealed pocket in his uniform. It was filled with an inky black substance. He casually came up by Robin and aimed the syringe at the back of the preoccupied Boy Wonder. Robin was the one thing that stood in his way. If he killed Robin, his job for Slade would be complete. If he got Starfire… that was just a bonus. He was about to puncture Robin's skin when the doors opened to reveal Slade and Starfire.
Starfire had her hands in shackles and was gagged. She had a dagger to her throat and was staring fearfully at Robin. Aqualad sent Slade an exasperated look but Slade ignored it, his apprentice would have to wait.
Slade could get what he wanted without Aqualad's help now that they were here, the Atlantian could kill the rest of the team later when Slade got bored. Robin had his bo-staff extended and was in a defensive position. "Robin, Robin, do calm down… I'm not going to make you my apprentice again. Don't worry, I already have one." Robin was shocked for a moment but recovered quickly and gritted his teeth.
"Let her go." He stated flatly, a scowl on his face.
"First, Negotiations," Slade said calmly. Robin twirled his bo-staff threateningly. "I'd like to do this… one on one. You other Titans can stay outdoors while Robin and I… work things out," Raven looked at Robin imploringly. He gave a stiff nod and Raven sighed. She ushered Cyborg and Beast Boy out the door, Aqualad following behind, a steely expression drawn on his features.
"Yes, Robin, I do have a plan in all of this so don't worry. Things will play out nicely for your lady friend as long as you cooperate." Starfire's eyes widened and she shook her head. 'Oh, X-Hal, Robin don't do a thing he says… I can take the dagger better than you.' She thought. Her dream was unfolding before her very eyes. Tears swam before her and were soon trickling down her face. Either way, one of them would have to make the sacrifice.
Robin gave a grunt to continue. "You see Robin, I find myself… resenting the fact you did not stay as my apprentice, so as you well know I have decided to destroy you and the others," he said it so casually Robin cringed. "I think this is a reasonable trade. You sacrifice your life, willingly take the dagger and I will release Starfire unharmed. Before you die, you will see her free. I will give her a fair chance at escape. Everyone leaves unharmed, the team is unchanged, and they simply loose one member. It is either you or her. Either way I will see the death of one of you and I can attend to the rest later. So Robin, what will you choose?"
Starfire was sobbing, even though she was gagged, you could hear her. Slade had drugged her previously and the chemicals had drained her of power. If only she could use a Star bolt, both of them would be safe. Robin looked at her longingly and hung his head, he had to save her, or at least give her a chance to run away. "This is low, Slade, even for you," Robin whispered. "But if you swear to let her go…" How Robin wanted to simply beat Slade to a pulp right now, but one wrong move and the dagger held so close to Star's throat would be moved the final inches and he'd loose her. "Go ahead, Slade. Just let me say one thing… Starfire, when you go, tell them… they're great friends… and tell them Cyborg's in charge and Starfire, please don't forget me," he said sadly. He hesitated before slipping off his mask to reveal his deep blue eyes. Starfire was quivering with sobs, her head shaking violently back and forth. "Well, go on Slade," he growled. Slade smirked behind his mask.
"Dick, my, my, what a surprise. I didn't thing play boy protégés acted as super heroes… hmm… well no matter. Play Boy or not you'll be dead all the same," Starfire fell to her knees. She was shaking and sobbing and screaming all at once, her gag muffling her scream to a small cry. Slade fingered the second dagger at his side and then in one swift move, pulled it out and thrust it into Robin's chest. Robin fell to the ground, blood quickly soaked his uniform and his breathes became ragged. He stared wildly at Starfire.
"Set her free," he rasped. Slade calmly took out a key and undid her wrists and then slipped off her gag.
"Robin!" she screamed. Slade muttered under his breath.
"1" Starfire scooped a dying Robin into her arms and blasted into the air.
"2" She headed towards the exit.
"3!" he leapt after Starfire and grabbed her ankle. Still weak from the drugs it took most of her energy to fire a laser beam at Slade from her eyes. Slade dodged it and she got out the door, but not before he sliced open her ankle with his other dagger. She blew past the other Titans and over to the T-Car. Flinging open the door she laid Robin gently in the back. Robin was barely breathing, his eyes were closed and he lay limp and helpless.
"Hold on, Robin, please," she whispered. The others didn't ask but jumped into the car as well. BB had lost his seat because Starfire had Robin lying across the entire back, his head cradled in her lap. He decided the R-cycle needed to be taken home anyways and he jumped on that. For once the jokester had a grim expression plastered on his green face. They sped off without a second thought to Aqualad who simply stared. Robin should have died instantly, how could he be holding on? It was Starfire. No wonder his lover had asked him to kill her. She got in the way of sooo many other things, not just killing Robin. He mumbled something to himself before heading to his lady's lair… or at least the place he could contact her in the Centauri prison. He vowed to murder Starfire in the name of Blackfire and he vowed to kill Robin in the name of Slade, his master. As it seemed, Aqualad was your every day assassin.
They arrived at the tower and Starfire scooped up the near-dead Boy Wonder and rushed him to his room. She flew in and laid him on the bed. "Oh, Robin, you must live, you must," she whimpered while Raven and Cyborg got medical supplies. Unfortunately, a wound of this severity was out of her healing capacities. Beast Boy rumbled into the garage and leapt up the stairs after the others. He followed Star into Robin's room and hung his head. They had just recovered their missing member, but she was now lying next to Robin on his bed, her face in his hair, crying herself to pieces. She knew she should be helping the others but she couldn't move, she had to make sure Robin stayed alive.
Author's Notes: Mistletoe readers I'm working on it, don't fear. I hope you like this chappie. I thought it seemed a little corny but whatever.