DISCLAIMER: Titans aren't mine, too bad.
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Chapter 9
Trust: Part Two
The Titans stood before the door. This was the fourth basement and they were getting closer to Slade.
-"Who's turn is it to open the door?"-Cyborg asked
-"Mine"-BB said
Raven held BB's hand before he could open the door.
-"You are still too weak, I'll do it"-Raven said
BB smiled at Raven and tightened his grip on her hand.
-"Thanks Raven"-BB said
Raven pulled the door in and the Titans were about to get settled when something grabbed BB and Raven and pressed them to the door. Cyborg escaped the grabbing but was pulled up by another hand and then got thrown onto the wall. The Titans opened their eyes and saw their opponents: Overload and Cinderblock. Overload was pressing BB and Raven to the wall and Cinderblock had thrown Cyborg to the opposite one.
Overload shone, filled with electricity; electricity that he delivered to Raven and BB.
-"Overload will destroy"-Overload said
Overload pressed BB and Raven even harder onto the wall until their bodies made holes on it; he then shocked them with his lighting. BB and Raven screamed.
-"Dr Light deja vú, anyone?"-BB said
-"Beast Boy, get out here"-Raven said
-"What? And you leave you alone with this thing?"-BB asked
-"You are too weak from the blast, I can take him"-Raven answered.
BB and Raven screamed as Overload shocked them again. Raven saw the sore in BB's eyes. He had been hit enough for one day. She had to make him leave.
-"Listen to me, I'll stop him. Wait for us at the door"-Raven said
-"I'm not leaving you alone, Raven"-BB said
-"You have to"-Raven said
-"No, I don't"-BB said
-"Don't make me hurt you"-Raven said
BB saw the look in Raven's eyes. It was a look he had not seen in her to give to him in a long time. She was concerned about him. BB then understood that Raven did care for her friends, she did care for him.
-"I'll wait for you at the door, Raven. Take care, ok?"-BB said
-"Just go!"-Raven said
BB morphed into a flea and jumped his way out of Overload's and Raven's way. He then morphed into a rat and ran as fast as he could to the door. His stomach began to sore for Cyborg's blast.
-'Cyborg will have to let me win one of games for this'-BB thought
Once Raven had give BB a chance to get out of their way she looked at Overload with a face that denoted how much she hated being pinned to a wall by a Wanna-be villain.
-"You think you can defeat me? Think again"-Raven said
Raven's eyes lit again and Overload's entire body began to get covered in black. Raven was planning on sucking the light out of him.
-"I don't like the lights much"-Raven said
On the other side of the room, Cinderblock and Cyborg were fighting hand to hand. Cyborg punched Cinderblock on his stomach and Cinderblock walked back. Cyborg prepared his cannon and aimed at Cinderblock who was still recovering from the punch.
-"Eat this"-Cyborg said
Cyborg blasted Cinderblock but forgot he had changed the setting to low. Cinderblock laughed at the little damage the cannon had done to him and Cyborg growled.
-"Darn it!"-Cyborg said
Cinderblock ran towards Cyborg and kicked him high into the air. Cyborg hit the ceiling and then hit the floor with his front to Cinderblock's amusement who laughed. Cinderblock began walking towards a fallen Cyborg who was still having a hard time recovering from the fall. Suddenly, Cinderblock was hit from behind and flew over Cyborg who was still on the floor. Cyborg rubbed his head and then turned to see Cinderblock. He was out cold.
-"I never liked that dude, anyway"-BB said
-"Just in time"-Cyborg said
-"As always"-BB said
BB had morphed into a Tyrannosaurus Rex and had used the last of his strength to push Cinderblock away from Cyborg. BB rubbed his stomach and made a face. Cyborg owed him big time.
-"Now we have to go save Raven"-BB said
BB helped Cyborg stand up and then they both searched for Raven. Raven's powers had almost completely absorbed Overload's powers. She was getting overwhelmed by this.
-"Raven, we're on our way"-Cyborg yelled
Cyborg ran and stood behind Overload who was now pinning Raven to the wall with both hands, trying to make her stop sucking the light out of him. Cyborg adjusted the setting in his cannon to the highest level and aimed at Overload.
-"Don't do it Cy, if you attack Overload you'll blow Raven too"-BB said
Cyborg growled and lowered his cannon. Their only option was to go for full frontal assault. BB looked at Raven open her eyes and understood she was ready for her counterattack. He then saw Cyborg getting ready to punch Raven's way out of Overload's grip.
-"Cy, wait, Raven's gonna do something"-BB said
Raven felt that Overload was getting weaker by the second. It was time to stop him for good. Raven stopped absorbing his powers and Overload walked back.
-"This is a trick I just learned next door"-Raven said
Raven yelled and allowed the energy she had absorbed from Overload combine with hers and threw the black electric bolt to Overload. Overload tried to push it back to Raven but Raven pushed even harder.
-"She needs our help"-Cyborg said
-"No, give her a chance"-BB said
Raven screamed as she pushed the bolt towards Overload in a last effort to release herself from his electric grip. The room was illuminated by Raven's attack and Overload tumbled down, releasing Raven and was finally defeated. Raven moaned and began falling to the floor but did not get to hit it. BB ran and caught her just in time.
-"Relax, Raven. It's over"-BB said
-"Just in time"-Raven said
-"As always"-BB said
BB gave a reassuring smile to Cyborg to let him know that Raven was fine. BB stood up, still holding Raven in his arms while Cyborg waited for BB to carry Raven towards him. The Titans walked to the next door that was waiting for them. Once they had crossed the door, they decided to take a break before going into the next room. For once they were thankful that the rooms were separated by long stairs. BB put Raven on the floor and Cyborg sat next to them.
-"Can you check if Rae's gonna be ok?"-BB asked
-"Already working on it"-Cyborg answered
Cyborg did a quick scan on Raven and found nothing to worry about. He gave BB a thumbs-up and they all relaxed. The last two battles had taken a lot out of them and they knew the best was about come. Overload was shrunk into his card form and yelled at Cinderblock to bring him the two-way radio to tell the others they would have company shortly. Cinderblock did not like taking orders from Overload and decided to throw the radio to Overload. The radio ended up on Overload's face, smashing it with a hard hit. Overload growled. Why was he paired up with Cinderblock? Overload saw that the radio had landed right on where he could just talk and he did.
-"Overload is done"-Overload said
Slade sat on his chair and saw the battles that were taking place. Red X and Robin were fighting outside while BB, Raven and Cyborg were taking a break before they made their way to second to the last basement to fight the members of the HAYEP. Slade tapped his fingers on his seat and liked what he was seeing.
-"My plans are running smoothly. Soon Robin and Red X will kill each other and the Titans will arrive here to meet their doom"-Slade said
Slade had hidden bombs all around the place to make it explode once the Titans arrived to his room. He planned to lock the in and then escape by his hidden exit. Everything was perfect. He saw the Titans going inside the room before his where the HAYEP members were waiting for them.
-"Excellent"-Slade said
-"Do you usually like to speak to yourself when you are alone?"-A voice asked
Slade froze for a second. Had his ears tricked him? Did he really hear that voice again? Slade slowly stood up from his seat and rose for his pocket to get his disc out. He still was not sure if he had heard correctly but being prepared was not out of the question. Slade then turned and threw the disc to the figure standing behind him. The figure quickly moved away and then flew towards him.
-"I have been waiting for this moment"-The voice said
Slade took his retractable staff out and aimed it at the coming figure but the person's goal was not to hurt him yet but to break his belt. With a green bolt Slade was sent flying backwards, breaking his screens on his path and ended up on the floor. His belt was broken.
-"Your cruelty shall come to an end"-The voice said
Slade opened his eyes and blinked several times to adjust his sight. He then saw who had just attacked him. He could not believe it; she was supposed to be dead. He had made sure he had killed her. But she was alive and standing right in front of him. Starfire was alive.
-"How can you be alive? I killed you, I killed you myself"-Slade said
-"You killed my clone"-Starfire said
-"What clone? I never cloned you"-Slade asked
-"Did you think you were the only who was able to do dirty tricks?"-Starfire asked
-"I destroyed you once, I can do it again"-Slade answered
-"No, you cannot"-Starfire said
Slade stood up and Starfire's eyes and fists glowed a very bright green. She was ready to fight; she had been ready all along, she just did not know about it until now. Starfire flew upwards and got into her fighting stance. Slade stood up and chuckled. This fight was going to be interesting.
-"So, you really think you can stop me by yourself?"-Slade asked
Starfire flew backwards as she saw Slade approaching her.
-"I am entirely sure of it"-Starfire answered
Slade stood up in front of her and for some reason she was not able to move. Slade's presence was enough to scare anyone out of his wits.
-"You say you are sure, yet your face shows how scared you are"-Slade said
Slade touched Starfire's cheek and it was then when she was able to back off and slapped his hand away.
-"I never said I was not scared, but fright will not prevent me from accomplishing the task I am here for"-Starfire said
-"And would this task be?"-Slade asked
-"I am here to save my friends"-Starfire answered
Slade smiled.
-"Save your friends, from me? You should be saving your friends but from each other"-Slade said
Starfire's glow decreased a little.
-"Does this come as a surprise to you? Don't tell me you didn't know Red X and Robin do not…get along very well?"-Slade asked
-"They do not get along because of you"-Starfire answered
-"No, no, no, don't blame me, I didn't do such wonder. They don't get along because of you"-Slade said
"You shall not blind me with your words, and your words shall not save you from what I am going to do to you"-Starfire said
Slade walked and again faced Starfire. Starfire saw Slade's hand raise and she thought he was going to touch her face again. She used her hand to slap his hand away but in a quick movement, Slade used his other hand and slapped Starfire's face. He then used his knee to hit Starfire on her stomach. She curled down to ease the pain, touching her stomach with both hands. Slade jumped and after twirling in air he kicked Starfire away from him. Starfire hit the wall with her back and then fell to the floor, face down.
-"Did you really think I was going to be nice to you because you are a woman?"-Slade asked
Starfire was on her knees and held her weight with one arm and used the other to rub her stomach. She then lifted her head and glared at Slade.
-"I never expected anything nice from you"-Starfire answered
Starfire stood up and her green glow had returned. Slade growled and charged against Starfire. She did the same against Slade. In a matter of seconds, Starfire's fists were inside Slade's hands and they were wrestling against each other. Slade tried kicking Starfire's legs to bring her down but she reacted quickly and lifted her legs before the impact. Starfire then used her eyes and blasted Slade out of her face and before he could react, Starfire surrounded him with a shower of starbolts.
Slade covered his head and waited for Starfire's attack to end. Starfire kept throwing starbolts at him. At first, the starbolts were aimed to hit him but as the dust and smoke covered him and as she was filled with the feeling of anger, her starbolts stopped hitting their target and Slade used this mistake to his great advantage. Out of the dust Slade jumped over Starfire and grabbed her by the neck. He then pushed her all the way back until the chair he had been sitting on got in the way.
Starfire felt being compressed between Slade's hard grip and the metal chair behind her. Starfire took her hands to her throat involuntarily and she closed her eyes. She remembered how similar this was to her last battle with Slade. The only difference was that she was not going to allow the same thing to happen again. This time, there was no one to save her but herself. This time it was going to be different and it was up to her to make it happen.
Starfire opened her eyes and she intended to blast Slade away from her using her eye lasers again but Slade saw it coming and removed one hand from Starfire's throat to move her head sideways. The laser made a hole in the ground. Starfire's attack had failed; however, Slade had loosened his grip on her and she took the opportunity to free herself from him. Starfire raised her arms and in a quick movement, she pushed Slade's arms away from her throat from the inside out. Before Slade could try anything else, Starfire supported her weight on Slade's chair and kicked Slade on the chest with both of her feet.
Slade was thrown over a table that was on the corner and the hot coffee was poured over his legs. Starfire flew away from the chair as far as possible from Slade to catch her breath and regain calmness. Slade growled as he threw the objects that had ended on top of him to the sides and searched for Starfire. Starfire had hid behind Slade a machine on the other side of the room. Slade could not see her. He stood up and began walking around the room, kicking whatever was on his way to find her.
-"Gave up so fast?"-Slade said
Slade kicked his chair to the floor.
-"I thought you wanted to stop me"-Slade said
Slade threw his desk towards the wall where Starfire was hiding. The desk hit the wall and then began to fall towards Starfire. She had to get out of her hide out or the desk would hit her. She flew up and shot two starbolts at the desk to blow it away from her and there was nothing left to do but to face Slade.
-"You do not play fair"-Starfire said
-"Why would I? That's you job, not mine"-Slade said
-"You are not the only one that has a dark side, Slade"-Starfire said
-"Did you really think you could come here and defeat me on my own territory?"-Slade asked
-"I am here, am I not?"-Starfire asked
-"That does not answer my question"-Slade answered
-"Perhaps this will"-Starfire said
Starfire flew towards Slade and attacked him halfway her path with her starbolts. By the time Slade regained composure, Starfire was already over him. She punched Slade's face one, two, three, four, five, six times; each punch even harder than the one before and each one accompanied by Starfire's battle grunt. Slade's head moved from left to right at the rhythm of Starfire's attacks and his body was only able to walk backwards by inertia.
Starfire then combined her attack. One kick, one punch, two kicks, three punches, one back fist, one side kick, one back kick, one uppercut, three elbow punches, two hammer fists, one side strike. She had not abandoned Robin to be defeated here. She had not lied to her friends to be defeated here, she had tricked Red X to be defeated her and most of all, she had not come all the way to that place and go thru all that trouble to show mercy to a man that did not deserved it.
The Titans had chosen to fight each member of the HAYEP one by one and by themselves. BB was fighting Gizmo, Cyborg was fighting Mammoth and Raven was fighting Jinx.
-"Long time no see, witch"-Jinx said
-"I was about to say the same thing to you"-Raven said
Jinx and Raven always had that rivalry from which you cannot escape from. Whenever the Titans faced the HAYEP, Raven always got to fight against Jinx. It was just meant to be.
-"You owe me one from before, remember?"-Jinx said
-"I never forget"-Raven said
-"Neither do I"-Jinx said
Raven and Jinx jumped at each other at the same time. Raven threw an elbow hit to Jinx but she dodged it. Jinx responded with a flying quick right on the face and Raven received hit, flying backwards and ending on the floor. Raven massaged her cheek and reallocated her jaw before she saw Jinx running towards her again. Raven extended her arm and opened her hand. She then used her powers and blew Jinx back to where she had come from. Raven used this opportunity to stand up and patted her clothes. That last hit had hurt.
-"I see you have gotten better"-Raven said
-"The best is still to come"-Jinx said
On another side of the room, Mammoth and Cyborg fought against each other. Mammoth ran and lifted Cyborg up to the air. He then twirled around several times before letting go of Cyborg who fell to the floor, face front.
-"That's gonna leave a mark"-Mammoth joked
-"I bet this gonna leave a mark too!"-Cyborg said
Cyborg rapidly stood up from the floor and in a matter of seconds, both of his arms changed into his cannon and after aiming at Mammoth, he shot both of them at the same time. Mammoth took the hit and fell to the floor on his back.
-"Boo-yah"-Cyborg said
Cyborg then ran towards Mammoth and grabbed his foot. He lifted Mammoth and slammed his against one wall and then onto the other. Cyborg then twirled around himself and did the same thing that Mammoth had done to him. Mammoth hit the floor face down.
-"Go, Cyborg"-Cyborg yelled
The last Titans had morphed into a lion and was now circling around the shortest member of the HAYEP.
-"I'm not afraid of you"-Gizmo said
BB responded with a fierce growl that made Gizmo shivered.
-"Ok, maybe a little"-Gizmo said
BB jumped towards Gizmo and he used one of his tools to shock BB. BB whimpered and resumed human form, rubbing his butt.
-"That's not fair"-BB whined
-"Do you think I care?"-Gizmo said
BB turned into a squirrel and flew towards Gizmo, standing up on his bald head. Gizmo stopped moving and tried to hit BB with his hand but BB moved and Gizmo hit himself. BB morphed into a hyena and began laughing on the floor. Gizmo rubbed his head and it squeaked like an old door. BB laughed even more.
-"I'm gonna get you for that, barf face"-Gizmo said
Gizmo threw what seemed like a golf balls but they were not, one of them was a gas bomb. BB was quickly surrounded by it and his eyes began to water and itch. The confusion made BB step on the other ball but this one had a net inside. BB was trapped on the floor, not being able to open his eyes and with a bad taste on his tongue.
Jinx jumped towards Raven, crossing her arms to gain energy and attacked her with her powers. Raven was sent flying to the wall and Jinx faced her, pinning her to the wall, smiling. Raven opened her eyes and they began to shine a bright red.
-"You're gonna regret that"-Raven said
Raven reacted immediately, twirled around and pushed Jinx to the wall. Jinx coughed when she hit the wall, it had been a hard hit. Raven faced Jinx, nailing her to wall. Jinx smiled at her, staring at Raven with eyes that showed pity.
-"And you are gonna regret staying here. She might need you help"-Jinx said
-"What?"-Raven said
Jinx took Raven's distraction to her advantage and kicked Raven off her. Raven used her powers to not hit any walls this time and then saw Jinx with no intention of attacking back. Jinx put his feet on the floor, closed her yes and put a hand over her forehead.
-"Oh, the Titans, they are too strong!"-Jinx said
Jinx looked at Gizmo and then at Mammoth, making signs at them with her eyebrows, and then pointing at the door. Mammoth understood the cue and pushed Cyborg away.
-"We…can't win"-Mammoth said
Mammoth then looked at Gizmo that was over BB and shook his head. He did not want to leave, he was winning.
-"I can win, just let me…"-Gizmo said
Jinx gave him a disapproving look and he mumbled something before letting BB go.
-"I mean…no, I can't defeat the Titans"-Gizmo said
Gizmo ran towards Mammoth and Jinx and they all ran towards the door screaming like crazy and disappearing from the room. The Titans had perplexed faces.
"What was that all about?"-BB asked
Raven and Cyborg shrugged.
-"Let's worry about that later, we have to stop Slade"-Raven said
Cyborg cut BB loose from the net and then they ran, making their way to the door; the door that would take them to the last stair before they could meet, face to face, against their old enemy Slade.
Red X and Robin had been fighting for long now, and even thought Red X felt weaker and weaker by the minute, he was not going to give up until he achieved his final goal. Red X jumped and kicked Robin on the face. Robin cried in pain and ended up on the ground touching his face. Red X went back to the floor but was already too tired to land gracefully and landed on his knees. His hands supported his weight while he panted and breathed heavily. His time was running out.
Robin turned and used his hands to help him stand up. Robin raised his hand and touched his lips. He thought he had tasted his own blood and he was right. Robin wiped away the blood from his lips and then faced Red X who was still on the floor. Red X looked at Robin and slowly stood up to face him as well.
-"Didn't you have enough already?"-Red X asked
-"I think you are the one who needs a break"-Robin answered
-"Now that I think things over, I was very lucky"-Red X said
-"Why is that?"-Robin asked
-"Well, I got to spend the most time with Starfire before she died. You may had held her in your arms but I was the one who dated her"-Red X answered
-"Shut up"-Robin said
-"You're pretty dumb. You lived with her, under the same roof for a long time and nothing ever really happened? Why is that?"-Red X asked
-"I respected her and you better have respected her also"-Robin answered
-"Respect, Uhm? Me and her, under the same roof, alone. Things got very…interesting, you know what I mean"-Red X said
Robin's face showed anger. Red X was walking into dangerous territory.
-"You're lying"-Robin said
-"Am I?"-Red X asked
-"Starfire would never allow anyone to touch her"-Robin answered
-"Who said she allowed me?"-Red X asked
-"If you laid a finger on her I swear I would…"-Robin answered
-"You will what? Kill me? That's not in you moral code, kid. Besides, I never laid a finger on her…"-Red X said
Robin felt a great weight being lifted off his shoulders.
-"Actually, it was more of a whole hand"-Red X said
Robin growled, feeling the anger climb up to his face. He thought he would never hate anyone else more than he hated Slade. He was wrong. He could not stand the presence of this man, this copy that was standing in front of him. It did not matter how sick everyone said he was, he had hurt what Robin protected the most and Robin was not going to let him get away with it.
-"What angers you the most? That you couldn't have her or that I did?"-Red X asked
-"This ends now"-Robin answered
-"You can't touch me"-Red X said
-"Watch me"-Robin said
Robin gathered all his fears, all his hate and all his anger and aimed it at the person in front of him. This person that had ruined his life, almost made his team disappear and had took advantage, full advantage, of his best friend. He had done enough. Robin twirled his retractable staff and ran towards Red X who was standing there, making no movements.
-'That's it Robin. Bring it on'-Red X thought
Red X saw the anger in Robin's face. There was no stopping him, Robin was finally going to do what Red X wanted him to do. Robin had lost control over himself and would now do anything.
-'This is it'-Red X thought
Red X closed his eyes and was ready to receive his fate, with no fear in his heart.
Raven, Cyborg and BB ran to the last door that would take them to the very last level. The way in which the members of the HAYEP had run away from the scene was very suspicious. Jinx last words to Raven had disturbed her greatly. Who was she talking about?
-'And you are gonna regret staying here. She might need your help'-Raven thought
Who needed their help? Raven did not tell Cyborg or BB what Jinx told her but made them run faster to reach the door. They had finally arrived and stood in front of the door. This was it, the last place to look for Slade and he just had to be there.
-"Are you guys ready?"-Raven asked
BB and Cyborg nodded. Raven turned the doorknob and pushed the door to open it but at the exact moment she did, the door slammed back to them. Something had hit it hard enough to close it again and to make the Titans fall down to the floor.
-"What in the world was that?'-BB asked
-"What did you do that for Raven?"-Cyborg asked
-"I didn't do anything. Something hit the door"-Raven answered
-"This means someone's there"-BB said
-"Slade"-All three of them said
-"Do you guys smell that?"-Cyborg asked
-"Wasn't me I swear"-BB answered
-"It's smoke"-Raven said
The Titans stood up and Cyborg tried to turn the doorknob. When Cyborg pushed the door, the doorknob stayed in Cyborg's hand. The handle had broken.
-"Great"-BB said
-"Now what?"-Raven asked
-"We make ourselves a door"-Cyborg said
Cyborg's arm changed into his cannon and he aimed at the door. Without thinking he shot his cannon and the door exploded, leaving a cloud of dust and a hole on the once existing door. The Titans ran inside the room and immediately felt the smoke in their eyes and inside throats. The place was on fire. The Titans squinted their eyes to try and see thru the smoke. Whatever the place they had come in was for, it was a complete mess.
On the right side of the entrance, the wall held several screens that were broken in many pieces. There were many objects on the floor. A broken metal chair, a desk split into two parts by something that burnt it by the middle, a hole on the floor. The walls were covered in holes, scratched and cracks. There was glass shattered on the floor, a coffee machine had spilled all its content and the liquid reflected the shine of the fire around the room. The placed looked worse than BB's room.
-"What is happening here?"-Raven asked
-"If I could open my eyes I could tell you"-Cyborg answered
-"This is for Robin"-Starfire yelled
Starfire kicked Slade on his knees and dislocated them. Slade fell to the floor and supported his weight with one of his hands. Starfire had made sure Slade was hit for every person he had hurt. The smoke was getting the best of her by now.
"This is for my friends…this is for Red X…this is for me…"-Slade remembered her saying.
The Titans looked at Starfire. She was alive. She was alive and defeating Slade. How was she alive? How was she able to defeat Slade in her condition? Starfire had not noticed that her friends had arrived because her anger had absorbed her and the smoke that was beginning to cover the place made it hard to clearly see.
-'Slade caused all the badness to happen'-Starfire thought
He had cursed Red X, he had hurt Robin, he had made her sick and he had almost disbanded her only friends. He was to blame for all her grief. Starfire flew towards Slade and stood a few feet away from him.
-"You preach that you are a hero and yet you are wiling to destroy me at all cost"-Slade said
Starfire stopped right in front of him and looked at him in the eyes. Slade had met his purpose. He was going to get away with it…again.
-"I did it once, I can do it again"-Starfire said
Starfire's eyes lit an intense green. She lifted her arms and her whole body was surrounded by green light. Her strength made her hair lift as if air was blowing it upwards. There was no happiness on her face. She was not glad to do what she was about to do but someone had to do it. Someone had to put a stop to Slade and she was willing to carry the burden of have taken the life of someone away. Her mind was set on it.
-"I dare you to stop me, you would not keep Robin anyway"-Slade said
-"That is where you are wrong"-Starfire said
Slade's grin disappeared and Starfire illuminated the entire room a bright and intense green, more intense than ever. She raised her hands above her head and a green starbolt began forming in between her hands. Slade could not move. He just stared at the blast that was going to end his life. He was not afraid of dieing, he was not afraid at all.
-"And this is for all the innocent people you hurt in your quest of evil"-Starfire said
Slade smiled at the scene. He did not regret what he had done, he was more than pleased. Starfire's bolt grew bigger until she could not hold it in her hands. The energy that Starfire was using absorbed any light that was surrounding her and made the fire disappear. She gave Slade a last glare and threw her starbolt directly to Slade's stomach. The starbolt moved a very high speed went right thru Slade's body, and the wall behind Slade also suffered the consequences. Slade fell to the floor. Starfire let her hands fall to her sides and she also fell to the floor. She was tired.
-"Starfire!"-BB yelled
The Titans ran towards their once thought lost friend. Starfire turned to see them, still sitting on the floor with a small smile on her face. BB turned into a cat and jumped to Starfire's lap. Cyborg hugged her and Raven sat in front of her with a big smile on her face.
-"We…how come…we're glad you are alive"-Raven said
-"What happened?"-Cyborg asked
-"It is…complicated, is shall explain it all once we go home"-Starfire answered
While the Titans told Starfire how happy they were of having her back, Slade opened his eyes and slowly began to crawl his way to a machine that was a few feet away from where he was.
-'I'm not going to die alone'-Slade thought
BB purred on Starfire's lap and then turned to see Slade. He was not there anymore. BB resumed human form and jumped away from Starfire.
-"Slade, he's gone"-BB said
The Titans turned to see and saw Slade stretching his hand to press a red button on a big machine. It was the machine Slade had created to control Starfire and the allies' health. He was going to destroy them all. The button also activated the bombs.
-"Raven, stop him"-Cyborg yelled
-"That shall not be necessary"-Starfire said
-"Why?"-BB asked
-"Trust me. There is nothing Slade can do now to hurt anybody else"-Starfire said
-"Let's see about that"-Slade said
Slade pressed the button and Starfire did not feel any pain at all. However, the bomb alarms began sounding and the red lights blinked around the place. It was time to go.
-"Raven, get our asses out of here!"-Cyborg yelled
-"Gather around"-Raven said
They all gathered around Raven and closed their eyes. It was going to be a long way to the surface. In a blink of an eye the Titans had gotten out of Slade's lair, seconds before the place exploded.
Slade was dead.
Starfire opened her eyes and saw her friends rubbing their heads. Raven's teletransportation could take a lot out of them.
-"Is everyone ok?"-Starfire asked
-"I think I'm gonna throw up"-BB answered
-"I would say that is a yes"-Cyborg said
-"Where is Robin?"-Starfire asked
The Titans looked for their leader. The rain had stopped and had left a cool breeze behind. There was someone standing a few feet away from them. They could not distinguish who it was because he was covered in mud. He was holding onto something to stay standing.
-"Robin!"-Starfire yelled
The person moved his face back and saw Starfire. His eyes opened wide and used his staff to fully turn his body around. This man was Robin. He was still alive. Starfire ran towards him and hugged him with everything she had. Robin could not believe she was alive.
-"Star, is it really you?"-Robin asked
-"Yes, Robin, I am alive"-Starfire answered
-"How? I can't believe it…how did it happen?"-Robin asked
-"It does not matter now, the only thing that matters is that you are alive as well"-Starfire answered
-"Not for long"-Robin said
-"What do you mean?"-Starfire asked
-"See for yourself"-Robin answered
Starfire did not know what he was talking about. He then pointed at Red X that was not moving, on the floor. He was also covered in mud. His was face down. The Titans ran behind Robin and saw Starfire's scared face when she saw Red X. She ran towards him and placed his head on her lap. His eyes were closed.
-"Please, X, you must wake up"-Starfire said
The Titans approached Red X and Starfire. This was not fair. They had found Starfire and now they were going to loose two more friends. Slade had won after all.
-"What happened between you?"-BB asked
-"Let's say I'll be leaving too"-Robin answered
Starfire began crying and she hugged Red X very hard. He was dieing. He had kept his promise. Red X opened his eyes and saw her. He was shocked.
-"I…thought…you were…"-Red X said
-"I never was"-Starfire said
-"How?"-Red X asked
-"I also have some tricks under my sleeve"-Starfire answered
-"Man, what did you do to him?"-Cyborg asked
-"I don't know what got into me. I lost it"-Robin answered
Red X smiled and Starfire cried even more. He was not going to make it, not this time around. Red X began panting, trying to gasp the last amounts of air that he needed to speak.
-"I was a-a-afraid…I wouldn't…get t-t-the chance to…say…g-goodbye"-Red X said
-"I was afraid we had to say goodbye"-Starfire said
Starfire caressed his cheek and he sighed. He then slowly closed his eyes and he stopped breathing. Red X was dead. Starfire began sobbing even harder and hugged him with a stronger grip. He was gone. Robin closed his eyes waiting to drop dead too but he did not. He opened his eyes and saw Starfire still crying over Red X's dead body.
-"Ah, why aren't you dead?"-BB asked
-"I don't know"-Robin answered
Suddenly, Starfire gasped and Red X's body began to crystallize until it became a yellow dust, just like the sand.
-"No!"-Starfire yelled
She tried desperately to hold on to him but his entire body disintegrated into nothing more than dust. The only thing that was left was his uniform and his mask. The wind made the dust disappear and in a few seconds, Red X had become another memory in the mind of his friends. Starfire punched the ground with both of her hands and allowed herself to cry her heart out.
The Titans went back to their Tower and were now inside the Evidence Room. Starfire had brought Red X's uniform and mask with her, the only objects that were left from Red X. Cyborg brought a big glass case that had a mannequin inside. Robin helped Starfire dress the mannequin in Red X clothes, including the mask. Cyborg closed the case and locked the door. The Titans stared at the figured silently as Starfire's hand touched the recently cut glass door.
-"He was a good friend"-Starfire said
-"Was he?"-Robin asked
-"Why do you doubt it, Robin? He saved your life"-Starfire answered
-"How did he save my life? He tried to kill me and he…hurt you"-Robin asked
-"Robin, Red X never laid a hand on me. He respected me as much as you do. He said all those horrible things to upset you"-Starfire answered
-"Why would he want to upset me?"-Robin asked
-"He knew you would never kill anyone…but this was the only way to break the curse"-Starfire answered
-"You mean the bonding?"-Robin asked
-"Yes, if you or him were to get killed by someone else, both of you would suffer the same fate. However, if one of you destroyed the other, the bonding would break"-Starfire answered
The Titans looked at Robin. All of them were shocked.
-"Did he know this?"-Robin asked
-"Yes, I wanted to find another cure but he said this was the only way. He wanted for you to enjoy what he could never have"-Starfire answered
-"Did Slade know this?"-Raven asked
-"No, he did not. He did not even know that I was living in his lair for three days"-Starfire answered
-"Are you cured?'-Cyborg asked
-"I am. After I left Red X I went to Slade's lair. I did not see him first but I heard that his allies were getting tired of working for him"-Starfire answered
-"So you took this to your advantage"-Raven said
-"Yes, I talked to Control Freak, who was the most frighten one, and I made a deal with him"-Starfire said
-"What kind of deal?"-Robin asked
-"I offered him a cure for their disease as all of them were also controlled by Slade in the same way he had control over me"-Starfire answered
-"What did you ask in return?"-BB asked
-"They were to hold anyone that tried to reach Slade until I took care of him, but not hurt you too much"-Starfire answered
-"That's why the HAYEP acted so strange"-Cyborg said
-"Indeed, I had to make Slade believe I was dead so Gizmo helped me clone myself and fake my own death. The person you buried was a clone, this is why her body decomposed so fast"-Starfire said
-"Wow, and you did this all by yourself?"-BB asked
-"The allies helped me, but not all of my plans turned out to be so well"-Starfire answered
-"Because Red X still died"-Robin said
Starfire lowered her head and Robin understood this was the reason why Starfire was so sad. She felt she had failed Red X.
-"Did you find another way of breaking the bonding?"-Robin asked
-"No, I did not"-Starfire answered
-"You didn't fail him, Star. He did what he did for you. He was sure of it"-Raven said
-"Then why do I feel so bad?"-Starfire asked
There was no answer to that. Starfire turned back, trying to head for her room but she was tired. She had been on guard for three days and had no sleep. She needed to rest. She collapsed to the floor. The Titans helped her stand up but she was already unconscious. Robin carried her in his arms.
-"You guys know what to do. I'll carry her to her room"-Robin said
The Titans left to prepare everything to cure Starfire and Raven prepared to change her clothes. Robin also needed a shower. Robin kissed Starfire's forehead and was grateful that she was alive, and that he was alive too. He looked at the glass case that held Red X's uniform and paid his respects.
-"Thank you"-Robin said
Robin walked outside the Evidence Room and turned the lights off on his way out. Another chapter in the life of the Titans had come to an end. However, the content of that new glass case will remind the Titans of the great lesson that the man who wore that uniform had taught them. He had taught them to trust.
Starfire cupped Robin's face while his arms went around her waist. They were at their favorite place in the world: the roof of Titans Tower. Robin and Starfire looked at each other eyes, feeling comfortable with the other's embrace and knowing that this moment was meant to be. They were meant to be. Robin leaned to reach Starfire's face and kissed her forehead. The sun was coming down and the night would soon be surrounding them.
-"I should go downstairs before they come here to bother us"-Robin said
-"Agree. I shall join you shortly, yes?"-Starfire said
Robin kissed Starfire's cheek and broke the hug. He walked backwards so he could see her before he left and when he reached the door he muttered those words that Starfire loved to hear from him. Starfire could not help to smile.
-"I do too"-Starfire muttered
Robin smiled and opened the door. Starfire watched as Robin went inside the Tower. Immediately, the silhouette of someone caught Starfire's attention after Robin closed the door. Red X was behind the closing door. He was resting his back on the wall, arms crossed and one of his legs was bent, resting his foot on the wall. Starfire's hand reached for her mouth and she gasped. Red X smiled while he looked at the closed door and then at Starfire's reaction.
-"Why would you abandon you boyfriend?"-Red X asked
Starfire blinked several times to make sure she was not seeing things and that Red X was truly standing before her. He walked to her and stood just in front of her.
-"You look like you just saw a ghost"-Red X said
-"I think I am"-Starfire said
Red X smiled and reached for his pocket. He looked at Starfire and grabbed one of her hands with one hand and placed an object in her hand with his other hand. Starfire took a while to react; she was still surprised to see him there.
-"I came to give you this"-Red X said
Starfire slowly moved her gaze to her hand. Red X's hands were one below her hand and the other above her hand, covering whatever object he had just given to her. He removed his top hand from hers and Starfire was able to see what his gift was. It was the communicator he had built for them to use when they left the Tower.
-"You forgot it"-Red X said
Starfire looked at the communicator and closed her hand. She then rose for her pocket and placed the communicator inside. Starfire's hand reached for his face and she touched him with fright, believing her hand would go right thru his face. It did not.
-"Is it really you?"-Starfire asked
Red X did not bother to say anything. Instead he surrounded her waist with his right arm and with his left hand he cupped Starfire's cheek. With no time to waste he deeply and intensively kissed her, she kissed him back. Once the kiss was over Red X moved to his side and gave his back to the sunset getting closer to the edge, not letting go of Starfire. They looked at each other's eyes.
-"I will always love you, Star"-Red X said
Starfire looked at him with tears in her eyes. He smiled and then began to fly upwards. Starfire held both of his hands with hers.
-"I shall never forget you"-Starfire said
Red X tightened the grip and looked at Starfire, trying to catch every single detail of her; hoping to keep this last memory of her, fresh in his mind forever. Starfire let go of Red X's right hand but he tighten the other hand's grip even harder. Red X could not help to feel the sadness in her eyes and in her touch. He flew a little bit higher, removing himself completely from the roof's edge.
Red X leaned forwards, closed his eyes and kissed the only hand he was grabbing from her. She would swear she saw a tear fell down his cheek and end up on her hand. Starfire tried to say something but her voice broke. He smiled at her and wiped out some of the tears she had on her face.
-"I'll always be with you"-Red X said
Starfire did not want to take his eyes out of him; she feared she would miss the smallest detail of the great man that was flying in front of her. Their grip began to loosen, and slowly but steadily, Red X's and Starfire's hands began to separate. As their hands separated, the sun began to illuminate them with a very bright light that forced Starfire to nearly close her eyes.
Starfire could feel the last part of her fingers still touching Red X's fingers. Starfire used her right arm to cover her eyes as she did not want to close them, but the sun forced her to do so. The roof was illuminated by the sun's mighty brightness and she caught a last look of Red X's silhouette. He was smiling at her and that scene just crushed her heart. She closed her eyes, holding on to that image, an image that she will not be able to forget. This was the last image she saw of him as she was forced to wake up. Starfire opened her eyes and realized she was not at the roof but at the living room. She was laying on the couch, resting her head on Robin's lap.
-"Good Morning, Star"-Robin said
Starfire looked at Robin and smiled. She then looked at the window and saw the sun coming up. She turned to see Robin who was caressing her hair. He looked very happy.
-"Up for some chocolate?"-Robin asked
-"I would love some chocolate"-Starfire answered
-"Be right back"-Robin said
Starfire stood up from Robin's lap to allow him to go to the kitchen and prepare the chocolate. Starfire walked to the window and placed her left hand on the glass.
-'Was it just a dream?'-Starfire thought
Starfire reached for her pocket with her other hand and felt something inside. She grabbed the object and pulled it out. She gasped when she saw it: it was Red X's communicator. Robin heard Starfire gasp and ran towards her while the water boiled up. He hugged her from behind, his face showing concern. He whispered at her ear.
-"Is everything ok?"-Robin asked
Starfire put the communicator back into her pocket and moved her face to see his. The look in Robin's face was priceless, he looked worried, worried about her.
-"Everything is fine now"-Starfire answered
They looked at each other and smiled. The storm was over, the other Titans were busy and they were in each other's arms. The only thing left for them to do was to kiss…
…and they surely did.
THE END
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A/N: Yes! It's done. Finally after four months of suffering and thinking, the story is finally over. I want to thank all those of you who took the time to read "Secrets of a Traitor" and that followed me here to "Trust". It was very fun to write these stories and to link them together. I was not intending on writing this sequel but I enjoyed writing about Red X's character because he won my heart and some of yours as well. It was very hard to give Red X his own personality and separate him from Robin's shadow; I hope I did a good job. I know some of you will get upset but Robin and Starfire's relationship could not be if there were two Robins, now could it? Red X is dead, he just came to say goodbye to Starfire in her dream. Starfire does not love Red X, she is just grateful for what he did for her, I mean, the guy sacrificed his life to save the love of the love of his life, only to give her the best he could give her: his life. Wouldn't you be as grateful as she is? Starfire loves Robin and Robin loves Starfire, at least in my stories they do (lol). Anyway, I hope you had as much as fun as I did and if you haven't read the origin if this sequel ("Secrets of a Traitor") I recommend that you do it whenever you have the time. You will understand why Red X ended up being the character I love the most. He is great. Happy New Year to all and may all your resolutions become a tangible reality!