Hi, hi! LOL...next chapter, get it while it's hot! Er...yeah..so anyway...
DarkAngel2004: LOL wow I'm up there with chocolate cake? I'm honored, truly! I'm hoping that this chapter will help your confusion.
raeandrob4eva: Wow... -blushes- thank you so much...I'm really glad you like my story so much!
SOVEREIGN LORD OF CHAOS: Thank you...Having someone like my story makes it ten times more fun to write!
AnnFaithDarknessGoddess: Yes, I feel bad for Robin too...it will all be over soon though. Yes, Raven is quite frustrated, more with herself than anyone else, because she can't seem to help him. Yeah, that's why I sent him there...and yes Batman is quite brilliant...LOL. The fic is almost over...but I plan on continuing to write other things.
Raving-Lunatic: LOL she probably would come across Slade's presence, which is most likely the reason that she isn't searching his mind. Now seriously, she hasn't entered his mind because she feared that something was controlling him, something that could take over her if she entered his mind, and of course that wouldn't be a good thing.
CloudsHalo: Thanks :) Oh, I haven't read any of the comics or anything, all I knew was that on the show, when Robin wasn't there, Cyborg seemed to take charge. Also, judging by the way he freaks out when Robin gives an order, I figured he wouldn't like being bossed around by Raven. Yeah it was hilarious! I checked out your bio...BB gets a job??? That should be interesting...One question: why in the free world would Slade go after Raven??? And did anyone else notice the Raven/Robin stuff in Bunny Raven, or was it just me imagining things?
tinkerbellx2: LOL yeah...I've terrified a couple of my friends with that fact...LOL nah, he uses that word all the time. Yeah I heard about that...still wondering why he would though.
DeMoN4EvA: Aww...thankies. Well, he's been being nicer about the whole Robin thing, but hey BB is still BB.
Dark-Angels-Tears: Yes yes he is. I was fairly certain that no one would miss Mathews if I disposed of him. LOL my word of the day is cheese. Well, cheese, they were worried because there was some kind of emergency that BB wouldn't tell them about. Cyborg was working on the T-car (oily) and Starfire was taking Silkie for a walk (wind-blown). Ok...-sniffs-
Rinagurl13: True, they made alot of wrong guesses before finally getting it right. Urg, I'm sorry...We just had a beastly Geometry test...I think I passed, but I guess I won't know till he corrects them :(
Unicorns-baby: He chose a gun because it is quick and easy...He didn't want to torture Mathews, just to get him out of the way. Wouldn't Robin know how to deactivate all of those security systems? He would track him on his communicator. They are also going to track him on Raven's communicator. It is an effect of...well all will soon be revealed. He doesn't need to...you will understand shortly. Can't answer that yet. Or that. It was just the first thing that came to her mind. Not sure why, but I'm not allowed to get into the whole emailing thing...sorry.
fairygodmother440: I'm glad you like it. Sorry, I'm not allowed to email and stuff...don't know why, but that is how it is.
nevermoretheraven: Yeah Winner Take All was good.
Aeris-Raven: Glad you liked it. LOL yeah he can kick their butts!
Strixvaria: Glad you liked it.
Niki Dee: LOL thanks...those were all typos, I just typed it up fast so I made a couple errors. I'm glad you liked it, and yes she gave me permission to use it. Nah I'm not ending it yet.
Furubafun24: -Blushes like crazy- Yeah he better come to his senses. I'm sure glad that you like my story!
Aeris-Raven: A lot is about to be revealed. Yeah, Raven and Batman are alot alike. Thanks for reading!
RavenRobin4ever: Thanks. I was just saying maybe she was faking in Titans East part 1, where she appeared to be under Blood's control...Yeah mas and menos rock!
Ok then... (cyborg: don't even try...) Let's continue! (Robin: -stares in shock- You...didn't say it! Dusty: well, if you want me to...) ON WITH THE STORY! (all: groan)
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"I've got him", said Raven, holding up her communicator to display the small, blinking "R". It wasn't moving, a fact that made panic rise in her throat, choking her. Raven guided Batman through the narrow, twisting streets on the outskirts of Gotham, clinging to her seatbelt as the tires squealed loudly at every turn.
Batman was glaring fiercely at the road, as though his enemy was already before him. His massive fists had the wheel in a death grip, and his foot pressed harder on the pedal. He was furious with himself. What kind of a guardian was he? His charge had escaped right under his nose, injured and unstable...How could he let that happen?
"Uh...I'm worried about Robin too, but I'd like to point out that we won't be much help if we crash on the way there." Raven's voice was calm, but her entire body was tensed as they went flying around corners, narrowly avoiding the odd car.
Batman continued to glare ahead, showing no signs that he had heard Raven.
"Stop!", yelled Raven.
"Look, if you don't like my driving, you can just-"
"No!", Raven interjected. "We're here."
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With a low chuckle, Slade released his mental hold on Robin. The Boy Wonder instantly fell to the floor, panting in the momentary numb of shock. Then the first wave hit him. Slade laughed as Robin screamed, clutching his head and convulsing. Intense pain shot through his leg and chest, but it was barely noticable compared to the agony in his brain. Slade watched his every move, thriving on his pain, Robin's weakness becoming his strength. And to think this child had thought he could defeat him! Robin was just another toy, something to amuse him. But Slade was getting tired of beating this defenseless creature. He wanted a challenge! He wanted to see that fire that kept Robin fighting, against all odds. "What's this? Have I won, Robin? Do you surrender?"
Robin clenched his jaw, growling as anger welled up inside him, vying with the pain for control. Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself to a crouching position, wincing as pain lanced through his chest. He remained still for a moment, fighting to stay off the ground. Bracing himself, he pushed off the concrete, putting weight on his broken leg for the first time. He cried out, crumbling back to Earth, his face contorted in pain.
Clapping echoed through the spacious building, ringing in Robin's ears, taunting him. "Bravo, Robin. A commendable effort, but you are still not good enough. No matter how hard you try, you remain a failure. You have failed yourself, Dick."
Robin's eyes widened behind his mask. How did he know? No one knew his name, not even the titans! How could he possibly know? "My name is Robin. I have no other", he whispered.
Slade laughed, throwing his head back in complete amusement. The sound bounced off the walls until it seemed that a hundred Slades were laughing at Robin, mocking him. "Your name is Richard, or Dick, Grayson. Your parents died in a freak circus accident when you were eight."
"No!", screamed Robin, clamping his hands over his ears. "My name is Robin! I have no other!"
"Millionaire Bruce Wayne took pity on you, miserable, defenseless creature that you were, and took you to live with him at Wayne Manor." Slade said each word slowly and clearly, as though trying to cause as much pain as possible.
"Shut up! My name is Robin! I have-"
"And then there is Batman. You've been his obediant servant for years now, taking orders, obeying commands, letting him kick you around. That is when you became Robin, the brave, confident hero who never lost and never backed down. Robin is your lie, Dick. The shield you hide behind. Your protection."
"My...My name is Robin..."
"That mask hides what you truly are, Dick", whispered Slade, crouching down beside the violently shaking teenager. "Under that mask, you're just an average fifteen-year-old. Under that mask, you are weak...afraid. Without Robin, you are nothing. And you know it." Slade's mask was barely an an inch from Robin's face, his breath hissing through the air slits.
Robin was still now, breath coming in uneven gasps, eyes staring up at Slade. He was...right. It was all true. He had failed. He had failed Batman, failed the titans, failed his city. His eyes burned with bitter tears. "I hate you." Somehow saying those words out loud brought him some relief. "I hate you!"
"You hate me because you hate yourself, Dick. We are one and the same. It would be wise to join me now, Dick. If you refuse, I'm afraid I will have to dispose of you", Slade hissed in Robin's ear.
Robin glared, pure hatred shining in his masked eyes. "I'll die first!", he yelled, spitting in Slade's metal face.
Slade jerked back, somewhat surprised. He regarded the boy with an icy glare. "That can be arranged."
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They had no sooner screeched to a halt in front of the delapidated building than a blue and silver car appeared inches from them. The two vehicles' passengers jumped out at the same time, staring each other down.
"Why didn't you tell us?", shouted Cyborg, exasparated at being kept in the dark by Shadow Boy and Goth Girl.
Raven opened her mouth to retort, but Batman cut in. "I'm afraid your petty arguements will have to wait. If you want to save your friend, follow me. If not, get out of the way." Batman seemed to feel that even the short amount of time spent giving this instruction was too much. With a whirl of his cape, he turned and walked, quickly but cautiously, towards the building.
"Dude, what happened? Where's-"
Batman's hand shot out, covering Beast Boy's mouth. "Do not speak. There could be-" Batman's whisper halted as a Slade-like robot dropped down in front of them, pulling out a laser gun. Beast Boy hardly had time to squeal before the android was smashed on the ground, Batman standing calmly over it. But that was not the end of it.
"Titans, ready!", yelled Cyborg, but they were already fighting, following Batman's lead. He grumbled slightly, then threw himself into the swarm of robots.
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Slade stood with his metal boot pressed lightly to Robin's head. He could kill him now. There was nothing stopping him. The boy had played his part, now he was completely expendable. So why wasn't he dead? Why was Slade sparing his life? Robin was an obsession, a fascination, something to be studied and observed. Even with all that Slade knew, he had an uneasy feeling that there were still many layers he had not even penetrated yet... Try as he might, he couldn't kill Robin. There was infinite possibility and potential in this exceptional youth. How could he dispose of something so like himself?
Robin was shaking. No, not from fear, he did not fear death, but from rage. He had never hated anyone so much. There was nothing he would like better than to see Slade die, slowly and painfully, broken and weak and afraid, to make him feel a tiny part of what he inflicted so carelessly. At the same time, Robin was furious with himself for losing, for succumbing to Slade's mind games, for the fact that he had no idea why he was here or what was happening. A reckless abandon had him in its grip. "What's the matter, Slade? Gone soft?", he growled through the pain.
Slade smiled. So the fire was not quite smothered. "Dangerous behavoir, Dick. Your position is far too serious for useless threats and bluffs. You are gambling with your very life, but it is not the only one that hangs in the balance." Slade watched Robin tense as his words sank in. He may not care about himself, but his friends were a different.
"Where are they? If you touch them, if you get anywhere near them, I swear I'll-"
Slade laughed low. "I'm afraid you no longer have any say in the matter, if you ever did. In fact, it is thanks to you that my plan is being carried out as we speak."
Robin felt a horrible jolt in his stomach. "Wh-what are you talking about?"
Slade finally removed his foot, crouching down to Robin's level. "Don't you remember, Dick?"
Icy dread was filling his mind, paralyzing his body and pushing everything, even the pain, back into the shadows. "I...I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Of course. You wouldn't know, would you? I suppose that means you don't remember stealing this for me?" He held something in front of Robin's masked eyes.
Robin stared at it, trying to get his eyes to focus. What he saw was a small device with a screen and tiny keyboard, strange symbols on each button. Dangling from each side of the machine were electrodes."What is it?", asked Robin, knowing that whatever it was for, it was not good.
"A little something called Project X", droned Slade, removing the device from Robin's view.
The name sparked something in Robin's memory...
"What are you working on?", asked Dick casually, eating his breakfast.
"One of our newer experiements. Project X still has a lot of kinks to work out, but I have a feeling that we're really onto something here."
"Project X, huh? Y and Z already taken?", asked Dick, grinning mischievously.
"Very funny", said Bruce, smiling and turning back to his papers.
"How did you get-"
"Oh, I didn't get it. You did", said Slade, pleased at how successful his little game was turning out to be. And the best part was, it was all true.
"What?", asked Robin, stunned. "I would never-"
"But you did, Dick. And, although you did a very poor job of avoiding injury", he said, bringing his foot down on Robin's leg, "you did manage to bring it to me."
Robin's eyes watered as he sceamed, clutching his leg and breathing heavily.
"I'm assuming you are aware of it's purpose?", Slade said, somewhere between a question and a statement. When he saw the confused look on Robin's face, he smiled. "You mean, Wayne didn't tell you? How strange."
Robin glared. No, Bruce hadn't told him any details about Project X, but then again, until just recently, he had hardly even talked to his godfather in a year. Still, he had to admit that Bruce rarely discussed company business with him.
"Well, since you don't seem to know, I suppose I will have to explain", said Slade, in mock exasparation. "Project X gives direct access to a person's memories, experiences, and tendencies. With the help of this device, one can alter them and introduce anything they choose. It is, what most would call, a brain washing device." He paused, allowing time to process the information.
Robin blinked, momentarily shocked. Then everything began to fall into place. "You...it's been you, you've been controlling me somehow...", he mumbled, thinking out loud. "You made me steal Project X for you...Now you're using me as bait for my friends...Once they get here, you're going to..." He broke off, horrified at what he had done, and what was coming next.
"Clever, Robin. You always were. But I'm afraid you just aren't clever enough. You have realized my plan too late. There is nothing you can do to stop me. There never was. You always knew it was going to end this way: you dying, your friends mine forever."
Robin shuddered at the familiar words. He was drawing his friends to their downfall! He had to do something. Painfully, he rolled onto his back, feeling for his communicator. He placed it on the cold, stone floor, pulled out a Birdarang, and slammed it into the small electronic device. He could die here, but he was not letting Slade anywhere near his friends... "But what happens when you're gone?", asked a quiet voice in his head.
Slade, far from being upset, smiled blandly. "A feeble attempt, Robin. Too little, too late", he said coldly, turning to the supercomputer, which was now displaying views from all around the warehouse, several of which showed the titans and Batman fighting off countless robots. Whenever one was defeated, three more took its place. "If you had been unguarded, your friends would have grown suspicious", he said, by way of explanation.
Robin watched as Raven sliced a robot in half with a black tentacle of power, only to be ambushed by two others. "No! Raven!", he screamed, struggling to rise. She groaned as one of them rammed its fist into her stomach. "Stop! Call them off! I'll do anything you ask!", Robin screamed, slamming his fist into the concrete floor.
"I'm afraid you have nothing to bargain with, Dick", said Slade mockingly.
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Eek, that was a horrible place to stop, wasn't it? There will probably only be one more real chapter, after that it will probably only be an epilogue. Hope you're still enjoying it! Later, -Dusty