maroonedpirate11- Oh lordy, you're not going to know how awesome this will get... This is the mega jumbo package, ladies and gents, so be in for a wild ride! I WILL UPDATE AGAIN! Keep your pants on, LMAO! Thanks for the review.
KaliAnn- We already know the girl's name: Troia. And you'll find out a bit about Red X's angle in this chapter, so don't worry, that little bit's taken care of! Thanks for the note!
Infamous One- He is evil! He's twisted the entire story around to make him seem like Batman, and Batman seem like the anti-Batman (ain't he twisted?). And I always believed that yes, he needed a Robin. Slade's one of those crazy kooks who gets lonely after awhile, and he needs someone there to keep him from going off the deep end more than once. I know in the comics, he had two kids, Jericho and Rose, but it was my understanding that he didn't pay attention to either one. He was a neglectful father who didn't bother to get to know his own kids. So, in the TV series, he just grabs the person who thinks, speaks, and does things the same as he does. And yep, Red X's the anti-Robin, and it's interesting because X is the direct opposite of Robin, the REAL superhero Robin, and he's going to be the one who could possibly be the one to crack through Slade's brainwashing. By reminding Robin of what he is and being what he's not, he could potentially do everything the Titans couldn't. And I actually have the whole Slade/Red X relationship (yes, I'm making it a relationship, but not the kinky slash deal!) in this fic, so when it gets down to the wire, you'll know it.
Insanity for Dummies- Thanks for your review! And in answer to your questions, Slade's doing what he always wanted to do: get Robin on his side. He's doing it by actually submitting Robin to shock therapy and serums, because in time, (you have to remember, this story takes place 5 months after SIS) those treatments are slowly, completely wiping out every single memory in Robin's head. Slade's literally brainwashing him by deleting every single thought he ever had, except the ones that Slade's enforced (such as obedience to him, the whole father/son angle, etc). By wiping out Robin's memories, he'll have total control over the boy, because the Boy Wonder would have no memory if who he is, no memory of his friends, no memory of even Batman, and he's completely dependent on Slade to fill in the blanks. It's like Rob's a really, REALLY BAD amnesia patient: he'll cling to whoever seems to "know" him before he was amnesiac. Plus, at the end of SIS, His friends were dead, Batman couldn't save his butt, and he basically had nothing to live for. He was a broken, bleeding, heartbroken bird that didn't have anything to live for anymore. He went to Slade, and basically said. "I'm dead. Spiritually, I'm dead, and you always wanted me, so do whatever the heck you want. I don't care anymore. You want me? Then screw me up so badly that I won't even remember it, because if I do, I won't hesitate to kill you." He's sunk so low that he just gave up, and when Slade did the shock treatments, the serums, everything, he resisted at first, but then just accepted it because he was beginning to forget his older life. Slade put the "it's all fun and games" mentality into him in regards to the shocks, and the adrenaline injections he got in the place of sleep were actually the override serum, which further degrades Robin's old memories and enforces the "newer" ones (a.k.a., whatever Slade tells him is the "truth"). This entire "treatment" thing is also reminiscent of Robin/Tim Drake's brainwashing in the flashbacks in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (at the time I wrote this, I never even thought about it, until I suddenly remembered it when I watched it!). In that case, it was the Joker who fried Tim's brain, and, unwillingly, the poor guy became Little JJ, Joker's "son", if you will, slightly nutty and completely off his rocker. Tim was literally driven to insanity because of these treatments, and I believe Barbara (in Batman/TM's time) said it took a year before he was back to where he was supposed to be, but he never shook it off, ever. It's a ghastly way to get what you want, and I can actually picture Slade doing this same sort of a deal with Robin/DG. He's just got that appeal. Also, Jinx will hopefully get an appearance soon, if I can figure out a way to work her back into the story line...
Well, here I am again, sitting in front of my computer with the desire to write more of this fiction. (BTW, thank you to Infamous One for the nickname "One-Eye" for Slade!) I'm sorry if this piece isn't quite up to the caliber you all are used to seeing, but hopefully, you still like it. I got a bit stuck with what I wanted after page 4 (the total of this chapter is 9 pages).. Anyway, on to the more inportant details/questions: Will Robin ever come to his senses? Will Red X be a good guy or a bad guy? Willwe find out how the Titans survived? What's up with Troia? Will Beast Boy ever get his Moped? (ok, that last one's rhetorical lmao!) We'll find out soon! Hold onto your hats, here we go!
The chase was on.
Red X silently watched Robin, the former Boy Wonder, from afar, observing him, analyzing him, trying to find some sort of sign of the corruption he knew had gone down. From what Raven said, it was bad, very bad, and he didn't even know what was up or down. Robin had been, literally, brainwashed, whether against his will or not, and it was X's job to hopefully jog his memory.
Hey, it made for an interesting day, and he wasn't one to complain about it being potentially fun.
Besides, for the moment, he'd do anything for the Titans. With a little memory recall and Slade's defeat, maybe, just maybe, things would go back to normal in this locked down town.Thanks to Slade, it wasn't even fun to steal anymore, although he wasn't truly complaining; xinothium was hard to steal when you didn't have the belt to use it anyway.
Thinking about the belt, he relished the idea of getting it back. Then, maybe he could settle his old scores once and for all...
His thoughts distracted him and made him sloppy, and his charge didn't even get half a block away from the starting point before he stopped. "I know you're there. What I want to know is why?"
Wow. Bird Boy was more perceptive than he thought. Of course, Red knew exactly what Robin was capable of: they went at it once or twice when he needed some xinothium to power the suit, but this time was different. Five months had passed since the Boy Wonder had fallen under Slade's tutelage, and there was no telling what he had picked up along the way. This was a different Robin, a more dangerous Robin, one that was unpredictable, and most likely savage and vicious as a rabid dog. He'd have to be careful, choosing his words and actions carefully. Anything could and would be held against him, and he couldn't slip up; the Titans were alive, and if Slade knew that, call the ballgame. The only element on his side right now was surprise...
He'd have to be careful.
Not only that, but he was out of toys to use. No xinothium meant half the gadgets in the X suit were now inoperable, and that made for a slightly cranky Red X.
Staying in the shadows, he called out to his target and smiled. "Wow kid, you're really turning out fine under Slade's rule. Tell me, does that come for free, or was there a price to pay?"
Robin didn't even turn around, but X could tell he was smiling cruelly. "There is no price when a father trains his son. It's a gift." Suddenly, he whipped around faster than the thief could see, and prepared to attack. He got one right cross in before he stumbled back, surprised. Flashes of pain crossed his face as a hand immediately went to his forehead, pressing hard against a scar at his right temple. "Who are you?" he cried, confusion crossing his face.
Well, this was a sight. "If I wanted you to know that, would I be wearing a mask?" He paused then laughed, the situation uncanny."Wow, that's déjà vu for you. I could've sworn I said the same thing to you the last time we met."
"We never met. I've never seen you before in my life."
"Now that's just crazy. How could you have never seen me before when you were the one who created me in the first place?"
Robin stood there, dumbfounded, as another blast of pain made him cry aloud, and he squeezed his eyes tight. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Hey kid, you don't look so good. Slade's really messed you up, hasn't he?" He stood there, watching for a moment before he started forward slowly, psychoanalyzing him. "Listen, you're not you. Trust me. I would know. You think you'd call your biggest enemy 'Daddy' in front of all of your-"
"HE IS MY FATHER!" screamed Robin, knocking X back with a snap kick to the chest. "Don't you dare patronize my-"
"He's not your father, Robin," shot back the thief, trying to get some sense into him. "Your father would never terrorize people. You know how I'd know that? Because I know Slade. I got jinxed on a bad end of a deal because of him, and he royally screwed up everything. He never had a son; otherwise, I'd know that too. You sure you're all fine and dandy? Because I say you're not."
The former Boy Wonder glared at him with hatred, blocked the pain and went into overdrive, his fury enhancing his already top notch fighting skills. "I'll kill you where you stand for ever criticize my father again!" Snarling, he attacked with a blazing display of karate chops and kicks with the intent to kill.
X was barely able to defend himself the first go around, taken by surprise at the ferocity Robin displayed. This wasn't going to be easy, especially if the guy he was fighting wanted to cut his head off and send it bouncing down the highway like an old rubber tire. Blocking every shot, he couldn't get in an attack edgewise, so he kept talking. "You don't have to do this, Robin. You're not Slade's little wind up toy who he can boss around like he owns you. He doesn't, and if your friends could only see you now-"
"I don't have any friends, and I don't need them!" Kick, kick, jab, left jab, uppercut: he was really pouring on the frustration and pain he was feeling. "You're lying! My father loves me, and he'd do anything to protect me from the likes of you!"
Suddenly, his feet were swept out from under him, and X fell flat on his back, staring up at a boot which ruthlessly clamped down on his throat. "Funny," he gasped between ragged breaths. "The only father you ever had was Batman."
The boot crushed his throat tighter. "Slade is my father, not that monster Batman. I'll kill Batman for the pain he's inflicted on my family. I'LL KILL HIM, right after I'm done with YOU."
"Big talk... for a little boy... Bet you... some xinothium... Slade told you that. He's lying."
"Why would he ever lie to me?"
"To control you. Tell me... does he manhandle you? Put you... through... things? Call them... games?" A moment's worth of hesitation confirmed his questions. "He's playing you... Robin, you have to... have to... break free. Your friends..."
But Robin sighed slightly, and to X's horror, he smiled wickedly, shook his head and laughed. "You know, Father told me about people like you, people who serve the Batman. He told me you were monsters, people out for your own gain, and you tried to kill the empire my father was trying to build. He told me it was better to kill you all than to risk having your evil spread, infecting everything you've ever laid a hand on. Well guess what, Red X? I don't know you from Adam, but it makes no difference. You're going to die."
The irony was uncanny. A few, rasping laughs unnerved the boy, and X practically grinned behind the skull mask. "Hey Rob... guess what? You called me... by name."
"That was a pathetic excuse for your last words..."
"I never told you... never said my name. You knew my name... How'd you know?" Robin went wide eyed, and loosened the pressure on his boot slightly. "One more thing," said X, and his limbs moved blindingly fast, his hands gripped the boot on his throat and shoved it away. "Next time you put your foot down, keep in mind, I'm more durable than I look!"
Taken by surprise, the Boy Wonder was thrown back, stumbling a few steps as he shook his head, trying to get his bearings. X took advantage and sprang to his feet, a well aimed scissor kick to the chest sending Robin sprawling into the side wall of a stairwell. Now it was X who put a boot to the other's throat, his form stretched into a kick position as the roles reversed. "Look, Boy Blunder, I'm not doing this because I'm a nice guy. Like it or not, I'm doing this for you, because let me tell you: you've got a nice girl vouching for you. Obviously, you're worth something." His charge squirmed, and X hissed, tightening his grip. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even bother."
This guy was good. Very, very good and it made Robin sick to his stomach. Didn't this guy know who he was? Didn't he know what could happen when you tested the son of Slade? Being manhandled was not what he wanted to be today. Temper flaring, he glared with hatred at the skull mask, gasping slightly from minor oxygen deprivation. "I'll kill you, X. You, and whoever else you're with. You won't make it past today alive."
Sighing, the other managed to loosen the boot just enough to where he could squirm free, but a jolting kick sent his head back, slamming it into the concrete wall with a bump. Stars exploded in his eyes, and suddenly, the world went dark.
"Should've shut up," mused X, shaking his head back and forth. "Should've just shut up, and saved your breath." But what else could he have done? Obviously, not much else, and he hated being caught in a fight that he knew would waste too much time...
"Time to check in," he murmured to himself, taking a running leap off the roof. "Bet Starfire's worried sick about her boy toy..."
Later, he knew exactly where the Titans were, thanks to the information provided, and Red X made sure he wasn't seen before he pulled open the sewer cap and jumped right in. Splashing the waste water, he glanced around, trying to see in the dim light. "You can come on out, kids. I won't hurt anyone."
A feral growl came from his left, and he had barely enough time to vault to the left before a green rhinoceros barreled past the place he was standing. A blast of blue energy caught him in the face, while starbolts the color of Mountain Dew knocked him off his feet. Instantly, he could feel black energy pinning his arms in place at his sides, and he knew he was in trouble.
The Titans glared at him, sauntering out of the shadows slowly. Obviously not the welcoming committee he was expecting...
Beast Boy loped up next to him and reached for his mask. "Let's see who you really are," he growled.
"Hey, Bird Boy didn't let you unmask him," he replied, and focused his glove on the changeling, "so don't expect me to either!"
A gummy red "X" squirted out of his palm and engulfed Beast Boy, yelping along the way. "HEY! Dude, that was so uncool! I didn't need another month of bad hair days!"
At least he was away from the mask...
"What exactly are you doing here, X? How'd you find us?" demanded Raven, her voice cool and even.
"A little birdy told me. And speaking of birdies, I've got some news about Slade's. Want to hear, pretty lady?"
Starfire immediately piped up. "What news do you have of Robin? Please tell us!"
X nodded. "Fine, but can we take the voodoo off of me? It's ruining the cape."
Reluctantly, Raven acknowledged, and set him down, drawing her powers back into herself as she stared him down. "Where's Troia? What have you done with her?"
"Why do you automatically expect the worst of me? I haven't done anything wrong. Yet."
"Where is she, funny guy?" asked Cyborg, dead serious.
"Troia's laying low. Apparently, some of Slade's drones caught sight of her, and they're tearing this town apart looking for her. She dove into some old apartment building, but she's stuck. So, she sent me on ahead to do the Boy Scout bit and track down Bird Boy." He could see the doubt in their faces, and he shrugged. "Hey, at least you all are 'dead', and everyone hates sewers. Otherwise, those tin cans would be looking for you too. Not to mention Slade's new pet."
"What news of Robin?" asked Starfire, hanging on his words. "Please tell me what you know about Robin!"
"I think I better let Troia handle some of that," said X, and pulled out a communications device from inside his glove.
When he pressed play, the image of Troia's face appeared on the small screen, and she looked deeply worried. "Hey guys. Sorry I couldn't meet up with you, but Slade's henchmen are searching everywhere for me, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen another interesting character in a mask..." Frowning, she paused, then continued. "I see you've met X. Yeah, I know, he's bad news-"
"Hey," yelped X, surprised. "you ain't entirely Miss Goody-Two-Shoes either!"
"-but he's on our side this go around. He owes me, and I'm cashing in on it. Consider him your eyes and ears on the street, since I can't be at the moment. Nobody's looking for him, so he can come and go as he pleases. I'm sure he already has." Her eyes narrowed, addressing X only this time. "But if you don't stick to the game plan X, it'll gives me an excuse to kick your butt."
"Ouch," gloated Beast Boy, folding his arms across his stomach. "Sounds like she's got you whipped."
"You would be too if you owed an Amazon a favor. You try acting tough when she's pissed off enough to put you through a wall."
The recording continued. "Anyway, I'll try and contact you guys ASAP, as soon as I can move about again." Before she could say more though, a loud crashing was heard, and she quickly glanced to the left. "X'll fill you in on everything. Gotta go! Troia out!" The screen went blank.
Raven sighed, irritated. She hated being left in the dark and relying on the distrustful for answers. "So what do you have, X? Is there anything we can use?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I think so. Ol' One-Eye's really gotten tohim, and he'smessed him up bad enough to where the guy's got no concept of life without Slade. Somehow,Robin thinks he's Slade's son, and he has no friends."
"What?" Cyborg's human eye went wide. "What do you mean, he thinks he has no friends? And he's Slade's son? What the-"
"Surprised me too, but it's easily answered if you think about it." Harsh laughter erupted from his lips. "Robin's head has been screwed with. Slade's completely brainwashed him into the situation."
"But why would Robin allow Slade to so thoroughly deceive him? Robin is strong, stronger than any of us! Why would he allow Slade to do a washing of his brain? How could he take it out of Robin's head?"
X groaned, cringing at her elaborated English. "Starfire, brainwashing isn't literal. It means that something's been done, physically or chemically,to Robin to where he can't remember his life as a Titan."
"That lowdown, good for nothing-" fumed Beast Boy, green eyes blazing with fire. "He'll pay for what he's done!"
"Cool it, Zoo Boy," quipped the thief. "Save it for Slade."
"Why are you helping us, X?" interrupted Raven, staring at him intently. "Why you of all people? Why didn't Troia call another of her friends?"
"You don't really know her, do you?" His usually jovial nature turned deadly serious. "Good. You shouldn't. Just trust her; she knows Slade. A bit too much, actually."
"Why? What does she have to hide?"
"I can't tell you that. Ask her."
"I'm asking you."
"You'll wish you didn't."
Raven insisted. "What does she have to hide?"
He sighed,and hunched his shoulders."Plenty. There's a lot of stuff that's happened to her, and none of it's pretty."
"Out with it," snarled Beast Boy, impatient. "What's up with Troia? Just tell us already!"
"You'd be surprised, Beast Boy. See, she's somewhat... cursed. Thanks to a witch named Dark Angel, Troia's a walking corpse waiting to happen. As soon as life gets good for her, DA swoops in, taunts her, mocks her, then kills her just like that." He snapped his fingers, and let a bit of anger creep into his mechanical voice. "She's a monster in the ninth level of hell. Trust me, I've seen her, met her, been tortured by her... Bad. Very bad; so much so, you're sick to your stomach just by seeing her."
Starfire gasped. "Friend Troia has been murdered? Then why does she-"
"Walk around like the living? Because for the moment, she is alive.Troia's been around the block a couple timesfor God knows how many lifetimes. And every time life starts topeak, Angel finds her, hunts her down, and plays cat and mouse until she's tired of it andkillsher prey."
"So how do you know her?" asked Raven softly, her voice sympathetic.
"The usual: I save her life, she saves mine... I save hers again, and she saves mine twice..."
"So what's her deal with Slade?" asked Cyborg innocently. "I know something's going on. I did a biomatrix analysis on her to see if she was one of Slade's drones and her heart sped up a few beats when she was talking about him. She's good at lying, but not good enough. Something went down between them."
X, annoyed, stared at him. "She's not going to like that, Scooter. When she finds that out, she'll be pissed."
"Well, I had to. Tell me, what's her deal with Slade?"
"Long story short, Slade sold her out to Dark Angel because he'd made a deal with her and then he... did something... to her when she was reborn. I can't remember what; she never told me. But it was really bad."
Starfire's eyes started tearing up. "Slade is a bad, bad man! Why would he hurt poor Friend Troia?"
"Apparently, he had something to gain for it, and it's going to get worse."
"Why do you say that?" asked Beast Boy.
"Why else do you think he's turning the city upside down trying to find her? He wants Troia, and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."
