If I just Breathe

Authors Note: I don't own the Teen Titans ... shame. I own Immojen however. She belongs to me. Oh and Ruby ... she's also mine. (c) Oh and Immojen's powers are like Pyro's .. I'm fully aware of that so all cred to Pyro...

Chapter 5 - Sinking Deeper, I Can't Save Myself From Drowning

"Slade," Robin mouthed, stubbornly staring at his arch enemy.

"Who was you expecting? Batman?" He said, coldly. His velvet voice sent shivers up Robin's spine. "I expect you're wondering what I'm doing here,"

"I have an idea," Robin snarled.

Slade, clicked his fingers and Immojen strode to his side. Robin's jaw dropped. Immojen smirked. "You have no idea Robin. You've been played, my little apprentice,"

"I am not your apprentice Slade and I never will be again, can't you get that past your thick helmet and into your head?"

Immojen looked at Slade. He nodded and she exhibited her silver lighter obediently. She kicked her thumb and her fore finger together and the fire embraced her instruction, forming a powerful ball of inferno. "This, Robin is apprentice number four. To you she is your pretty, perfect little Immojen. Girlfriend and partner to the leader of the infamous Teen Titans. The girl you was so easily subdued by. To me she is 'Inferno'. One of my strongest apprentices. Confused Robin?" Robin's face must have shown this and Slade had picked up on it. All the time Immojen never wiped that smirk off her face. Robin's fists clenched together. Right there, right then, he'd love nothing more than to wipe it off for her. He felt totally used. Slade was right. He had been played. Hell, he'd even thought deep down, somewhere that he was truly falling for this girl, and he thought she the same. What a mug. She wasn't interested in him. "Show the 'Boy Wonder' what Inferno actually means Immojen," Robin's senses clicked in as Immojen, lunged her arm at him and instead of hitting him with her fist, the fireball, collided into his stomach. He gasped in pain as he struggled to get up. Wincing he pushed himself to his feet, only to be faced with Immojen, preventing him from standing.

"Hi, did I make you jump that time?"

"Don't flatter yourself, 'Inferno'!" Her face became dark and she gritted her teeth. She forced her boot into Robin's face, sending his head backward. Immojen then sat on Robin's stomach, teasing him. She tossed her lighter from palm to palm, the fire ball, circling her head. Robin let out a laugh, trying his best to hide the pain as she sat on his burnt stomach. He winced and looked into her eyes. The same, pine green eyes that had once looked so kind, so innocent, so loving. Now they just looked hard and cold. "Aww, does it hurt bird boy?"

"I wouldn't give you the satisfaction,"

"Bless. How about NOW!" She plunged her gloved hand into the burn on Robin's stomach and he winced. But he wasn't finished yet. He returned the affliction to her, by smashing his fist into her face. She fell off him and gaped at him, surprised. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She wiped the blood and sent the fire into Robin again. He was expecting it that time and flipped backward, dodging it. Immojen sent it back again, pursuing her target. It was fast, but Robin was faster.

"Enough!" Slade commanded. Robin panted heavily, clutching his stomach. He could feel his burnt skin tearing and stinging with every move he made. "To me," He addressed Immojen and she returned to his side. "Impressed Robin?" Slade asked.

"Oh yeah. Fascinating. Seems you have more than just stunts up your sleeve Imm," She smirked and stared at Robin. "You said fourth apprentice Slade. Exactly how is she the fourth apprentice. I mean, there was Terra, then me. But that's only three. Are your math skills dropping Slade or did I just hear you incorrectly?"

"Such a clever little bird. Such a direct question too. That's admirable, coming from someone who wears a mask," Robin looked stumped with that one. He just waited for Slade to continue. "No Robin, you heard me correctly, Inferno is the fourth. Terra was the second. You are the first,"

"Who's the third?"

"Patience my little bird, patience. Immojen didn't just willingly join me. As heartless as she may seem, she had to be molded. Perfected. Just like you will be. She once had a heart. And a sister,"

"Lovely, but you haven't answered my question Slade,"

"Touche touche Robin. Didn't your parents teach you manners?" Robin growled and grounded his teeth, swallowing his bile. There was a pause and Slade continued, circling Robin. Pacing the warehouse. "Her treasure is the third Robin. Her precious treasure. Her sister. Her gem. Her Ruby," He walked to Immojen and stroked her hair. Robin couldn't help but notice Immojen cringe and Slade's touch. "Speaking of which. You held your bargain Immojen. Here is mine," Slade returned to the shadows and returned with another person. Robin watched nauseated with what he was seeing. Slade held tightly by the arms, a tall, thin, far too thin, unhealthy looking female. He skin was pale, even more than his, and her grey eyes were sunken into her face. Shadows, hung below them and her thin, blue lips were dry and malnourished and her skin was tinted grey. She looked as though she'd never been fed. She wore what looked like a baby blue, sort of farm girl, grubby dress and her dark, cherry red hair was greasy and limp. She was a state. She looked as though she hadn't a clue were she was. "This, is Ruby," Robin looked to Immojen. She just stared at him, not daring to look at her sister. Her left eye twitched and her fists we clenched tightly. She was restraining herself.

"What have you done Slade?"

"Created something more powerful than you could ever imagine. Ruby here is Immojen's sister and my greatest apprentice yet. Even more greater than you Robin,"

Robin, straightened his posture and listened curiously. He felt pity for the decrepit girl, she reminded him of someone. "Then why do you need me?"

Slade simply starred at Robin. He paused and ignored Robin's question. "Ruby here, possesses a great power Robin. Would you like to see?" Robin didn't answer Slade's request, but watched as he clicked his fingers and Immojen went behind Slade. His eyes widened and his chest became tight and painful when Immojen dragged out a screaming and kicking Starfire. She was tied and gagged. Robin reached for his bird-a-rang to try and rescue Star from Immojen, but it was a useless attempt.

"Don't even think about it Robin or Starfire gets her pretty little red head scorched! Understand?"

Robin had no choice but to comply to Immojen's threat. Her starred into Starfire's distressed eyes and it made him want to hurl. He nodded, rolling his head, failing Starfire. Her eyes. They were so different form Immojen's.

"When Inferno contacted me explaining that the leader of the Teen Titans, you, had banished the lovely Starfire, I decided to pursue my attack and add to your troubles. It now seemed I had a use for two Titans now. Perfect. And I have you to thank for aiding me. So I Thank You, 'toy wonder',"

Immojen smirked once more, loving every second Slade intimidated Robin and Starfire.

"Let her go Slade," Robin mumbled.

"First Robin, a demonstration," He leant next to Ruby and whispered into her ear. Ruby didn't even blink. Just stared. Not at Robin, just stared straight past him, past everything. She was seeing what she wanted to see. She'd gone past insanity. She'd crossed the line. Then she closed her eyes and placed her fore fingers to her temple. Robin tilted his head and watched. Ruby started mouthing chants, no sound was produced, she just moved her lips quickly. Then Robin concentration on the girl was interrupted when he saw Immojen removing the material in Starfire's mouth. Then she screamed a high pitch scream which hurt Robin's ears. Starfire fell to the floor and arched her back.

"Slade!! Stop! Now!" Robin ran to Starfire's side, trying to aid her but he was warned by the clicking of a lighter. He stopped sharply in his tracks."Slade stop, your killing her!"

Starfire still continued to scream. She looked as though she were about to go into a state of fit.

"I'm not killing her,"

Ruby. Ruby was doing this. "Slade please..." Robin pleaded.

"Join me Robin. Be my apprentice once more,"

"And you'll free her?" Robin shouted above Starfire's screams to Slade.

"You have," Slade placed a solemn hand on his chest "My word,"

Under his mask Robin's eyes raced. To Slade, to Immojen, to Ruby ... but not Starfire. The screams were too painful to even imagine what she looked like. "Alright!"

As soon as he said his words, Slade placed his hand around Ruby's wrist and pulled her hand away from temple. The screams stopped and Starfire lay still. Motionless. Robin looked at Immojen, his face expressed immense beseech. She clicked down her lighter and rolled her eyes to Starfire, accepting Robin's wish to succour Starfire. He quickly knelt by her, supporting her head of the floor and cradling her. Immojen looked in disgust as Robin stroked Starfire's red hair. She hadn't died, just fainted. That was her once, she thought. That should be Robin doing that to her. God she hated that bitch Starfire. "W-hat did you do Slade?" Robin mused, still aiding Starfire.

"She will recover Robin, if that's what your asking," Robin didn't take his eyes of Star. Slade continued "Ruby used her mind to attack every living brain cell in Starfire's brain, causing her nervous system to overload. Her nerves would be confused and cause her to act in ways she wouldn't even know she would be doing. Ruby attacked specifically her fear sense. Starfire would have been screaming with fear. She'd have been seeing her utmost awe," Robin felt sick. "It was lucky you accepted my proposal when you did. Waited any longer and the young red head would have been frightened to death," Immojen smirked at the thought of this. Ruby just stared. "Robin, my apprentice. I have something for you,"

I am so scared. I was left with, him, that monster that has always been so wicked to you. I see you now, and even though that mask you so permanently wear, obscures your beautiful face, I can't help but feel that your mask obscures your emotions toward me. And now I see you once more, facing your sick and twisted fate and I can't help but believe this is the way you are truly destined to go, with him, with her. I wanted to help you, but how could I when I was banished, expelled, discarded from your world so easily? I'll never forgive what you for what you have done, but I'm finding it hard to tell my heart no. I will always love you Robin.

Ah, my adoring public:-

XQZmyDORKnez - Lol, that made me laugh ... fake eyes, good idea! It'd be funny to see Robin's reaction if he found out they were fake! Lol!
Sofia - ah, all will be revieled Sofia, but your vury close pinches oneself for revieling too mcuh :D
caseyscreator - next chapter hun! no more dangling for you!
Midnight Echo - Thank you for liking my story, means alot to know my work is enjoyed! Thankx
Tenshi-no-Hana-chan - Ok, a deal you give me cookie, I give you a story!? ;)
Mango Sam - Yeah, Immojen is annoying ... she'll be gone soon enough. That's a good idea you've got ... you'll just have to read this chapter first! ;)

A BIG thank you to Mango Sam and TheDudeLordofFantasy ... you guys rock! :) :) :)