Insanity for Dummies- You're welcome for replying back! I love talking to you guys, and I really appreciate the feedback that you give me! Yeah, Slade is evil; oh heck yeah. He's insane, but in a way, it's sort of... sad. You feel like he's evil because that's the only way he knows how to be, and it's a lonely state to be in. Yeah, I thought the serum thing was a stroke of genius, especially since Robin takes it without thinking what exactly is in it. He just says, "Oh, it's an adrenaline shot" and takes it in the arm without as much as a second thought. That just reveals how badly he's in the dark about this entire thing. And don't worry about Simms: he'll get his backbone pretty soon here, after a few chapters... Thanks for the note!

Rose Eclipse (on chapter 2)- Yep, I always wanted Wonder Girl in here, and when I first saw the series, I thought it was a bit disappointing. Don't get me wrong: I love TT. But I think it could've been better if WG was in there. After all, she helped FOUND the team itself (in the comic books), so why not? And I try so hard not to make her a Mary Sue, but I've got good guidelines, thanks to the comic books. The DC pop culture references were mainly to say, "Hey, she knows her way around. She's not the new girl, she's not the stand in for Terra. This girl really knows what it's like in Gotham, in Star City, and she knows what she can do to help." It was a way of tying her in with the rest of the Titans, without any problems. She knows Speedy (aka Roy) because she's been to Star City. She knows the Green Arrow because she knows Oliver Queen, and knows he is the GA. She's obviously familiar with the Titans, familiar with Red X and he owes her favors, and she even knows Slade, and had some sort of experience dealing with him/being around him, so Troia's been around the block once or twice. Like she said in chapter 2, "I've had experience. Lots of experience." And yes, Robin is brainwashed, and thank you about the green with envy comment! LOL! I could spend the rest of my days writing fics for this series, because I've been given so many great ideas for it... Most of it's spur of the moment thing, where an idea pops into my head, and then I just think of it. Like for example, I wanted to end SIS with Robin falling to Slade. That's where I wanted to end up, but I knew that even broken, bleeding, hopeless Robin would never fully submit to him. So, I had to think of a way to get him to follow Slade's every command without question, and repress his normally heroic character. The only thing I could think of which could break Robin, truly, was if he somehow didn't remember who his friends were. Ergo, the brainwashing tactic. Plus, I thought it seemed fitting to see Robin/DG go through the same thing that Robin/TD would go through in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. So sue me, I'm a hopeless case for repetitive, vindicated, valid actions...

(on chapter 3)- LOL, an overactive imagination and time to think, that's how. To be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea how I do any of it: I just sit, let my mind wander, and come up with something. Then, I take that idea, and start asking myself questions, like for Troia: I wanted to introduce a new character without straying from the DC Comics line, and she was my natural choice. After I knew exactly who I wanted, I started thinking of why she came to Jump City; what backstory can I use/build to explain the things that she does? Do I want her to be an enemy of Slade from the beginning, and how can that help out the plot? After asking myself all these things with random things off the top of my head, I saw that this stuff could work, and half my plotline was already built! Also, I added another variable to make things doubly interesting. I always wanted to do something with Red X, and in SIS, I considered using him, but then that would take away part of the story. He'd be a distraction at best, and I didn't want that, so I saved him for the sequel that I knew was coming. Then, I thought of this absolutely awesome idea (which, I can't tell you, because that's the finale of the fic!) which pretty much guaranteed X's appearance in this fic, and I was ecstatic. It also builds the blocks for the friendship of Troia and Robin when all is said and done, like in the comic books, so I'm thrilled with the opportunity to dabble in the fun stuff! Then, to add more dimension to this, I gave Red X and Troia a reason to be where they are: It's because of Slade, something that everything comes circling back to throughout this story and its predecessor. See how things (from what you know) tie into each other so nicely? And thank you: I thought she'd be the right ally too! Thanks for the reviews, girlie! Really appreciate it!

KaliAnn- Yup, Robin's gone off the deep end, but those glimpses where he's holding his head in pain... those are the points where his memories are trying to come back to him. It's painful because of all the interaction between the drugs and shock therapies, but they're there. Yeah X is helping out and pulling some weight, but then again, he's always got an ulterior motive... And Troia's cursed, definitely. That's something that I pulled from the comic books, if you can believe it. If you can imagine it, she's actually a clone of Wonder Woman when Diana was a kid. When they were just about teens, Troia (or Donna, because that's her real name) was mistaken for her "twin", and Dark Angel cursed her, thinking she was Diana, the real person Angel wanted to hurt. Troia really is cursed to live a different life for awhile, then have tragedy strike when she least expected it. After breaking her spirit, Dark Angel would find her, play a game of cat and mouse, grow bored, then kill her. However, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and Troia's been through that dozens of times, so she's pretty darn strong when it comes to heart. She'd fight to the death and then give 200 more! It's what makes her such a great character to play with! And sure, I'll read it! Don't worry! Thanks for the review!

Infamous One- Well, you're the first one I've ever seen to call him that! And I liked it so much, I had to use it! And ah, see, I'm not that big on the Slade's back story; the only things I know about his life are that he was once married, had at least two kids, and those kids were named Jericho and Rose (who became the Ravager, I believe). Oh, and Jericho had the power to possess anyone's body, including his father's which, I think, is what he did to try and bring him 'under control'. Or something like that. I could be wrong... Oh yeah, and his codename so to speak is Deathstroke. And hey, that could be it: Wintergreen dies, and a guy gets lonely for company. I don't know... I agree, Slade does follow that motto. That and "This is my power. Now, what're you going to do about it?" LOL! And... well... X isn't COMPLETELY on the side of angels... it's just beneficial for him to side against Slade for the moment. To put it bluntly, Red X has always looked out for Number 1: Red X. However, he's not one to turn tail and run, especially when he owes it to someone, and their lives are riding on his participation. In a way, he reminds me of Selena Kyle/Catwoman: Red X is a thief, but he's an honorable one; he'll keep his word over breaking it, and he really does have a heart of gold. Thanks for the review!

maroonedpirate11- Well I was wondering where you went off to, Maroon! I update and finish Sinking Into Slade and I don't have the opportunity to thank one of my biggest supporters? I just about died lol! Thank you! I love Red X for various reasons, mostly because he's a complete wild card. Can go left or right, up or down, it just depends on the situation. Thanks for the note!

Aeris-Raven (on chapter 2)- Yeah, I barely ever see things in black and white anymore. Due to some personal tragedy in my life, and the realization that life sometimes just generally sucks, I can see a motive and a reason behind a person's actions, and cartoon characters are the same way. Good characters do nasty things to others to accomplish the goal of the greater good, while evil ones can do a few good things and still get blamed for the wrongdoings of others. It's insane, it's chaotic and it doesn't make sense, but that's the world for you. It's just the way things are.

(on chapter 3)- Yeah, Troia's a unique character, and it's fitting to have a unique name to go with her. I can't take credit for creating her: that's DC Comics' liberty, not mine. And I agree, if Robin was going to remember someone, an enemy close to his heart, WHO ISN'T SLADE, Xcould surely jog a few memories. After all, Robin WAS Red X for a bit, so he'd have to remember something... I don't think Slade likes ruining people's lives; for him, it's all about a controlled companionship. He's a control freak, someone who doesn't like surprises, and I don't think he takes any sort of fun in ruining people's lives. If anything, he hates the fact that he loses those people, especially ones of value to him, so... I guess it depends on what your definition of "ruining people's lives".

WOW, 3 pages of notes today! That's incredible! WHOA! Most I've ever had for just solid review replies!

Anyway, we're almost to the top of the hill. We're at Chapter 4, and things are starting to lead to the ultimate confrontation I have planned: Titans and Red X vs. Slade and Robin. The cogs are in motion now, and we're in the home stretch, so hang onto your hats, keep your hands, feet and other objects right in your vicinity, and get ready for the last stretch of A HERO'S REDEMPTION!


Moaning, he stumbled back into his father's lair, and reeling from the blow to his head, Robin steadied himself against the wall while applying pressure to his wound with the other. He didn't know exactly how he had gotten there, or why, completely lost in thought and confusion. Red X, Red X: why did he know him? How did he know him? Why was that name so familiar to him? Things weren't making the least bit of sense, and it sent his mind spinning in circles.

Things just weren't making sense.

"Robin."

He bristled, surprised his father had heard him come in, but he tried to stand up straight and look as best as he could. Even beaten, he wanted to look presentable.

Slade, however, couldn't give a damn. "Robin, why are you back so soon? And do I see blood staining my floor?"

He hadn't even noticed. His hand coming forth in front of him, he stared blankly at the ruby red hue across it. "I'm bleeding?"

"Yes, you're bleeding. My question is why?"

A thought struck him, and for the moment, it didn't make sense. Why would he want to hide his confrontation with X a secret? Why not tell his father? It's not like he had something to hide... It was a harmless fight! But why was he getting the feeling that sharing that detail was the worst thing he could do? Shaking his head, he tried to focus, and moaned again, his feet giving out on him.Then,he collapsed, unconscious.


Slade moved quickly andcaught the boy with one arm, stopping his fall. "Robin, are you alright?" Obviously not. What had happened during his routine surveillance? Suddenly, he felt his anger seething. Something was trying to sabotage everything he'd worked for, and it seemed too much of a coincidence that Robin had been attacked the same day his drones reported a girl in red disappear down the sewer drain. Someone was trying to steal his apprentice away from him, and he didn't like it one bit.

Someone wanted Robin to come back to them.

"Titans," he hissed, turning the Boy Wonder around in his arms and picking him up. How'd they survive? Everything he had done was perfect, PERFECT! For months, he had planned for this day! The Titans were supposed to be dead, DEAD, and now, his newly "born" son was bleeding, damaged, on the same night Troia was seen in the city.

All his henchmen had said was that it was a black-haired girl in red, but his instinct told him it was her. She'd hang for this. Even if she wasn't involved, which he doubted, she'd hang for this. For many, many lifetimes to come.

Cradling Robin in his arms, he strode towards the medical bay, lost in thought. "Simms has some explaining to do."


Packing a few things away, Doctor Stanley Simms was shaking with fright, hoping to God that he was done. Oh God, it was a nightmare: waking everyday, preparing that serum to brainwash that kid... watching him shock himself until his memories faded like snow on a warm winter day... It was too much. Way too much, and he was sick of it. What Slade was doing was brutal, ruthless, and sick, twisted upon itself until it resembled a pretzel-like horror that never stopped or ended. Stanley was a biochemist, a scientist, pulled into this terrible fight for control unwillingly, involved in a plot that was pure evil while he cried like a child to be set free. He hated Slade, hated him with every fiber of his being, but he couldn't leave, and he couldn't stop. He was trapped, and Slade made sure he stayed that way.

It was getting to be too much. Now, it was to the point where he wasn't needed anymore, and he had no problem with the idea of Slade killing him off for sheer pleasure. He wanted his life, a life with his wife and their son, wanted it so desperately that now, he just wanted out. He was just going to leave, no explanation, no good-byes. The less Slade knew, the better.

However, fate was a cruel, twisted son of a bitch. An iron vise of a grip seized his throat and left only millimeters in his wind pipe to breathe out of. Gasping, his eyes went wide as he trembled like a rabbit caught in a deadly, harsh trap. He could feel the terror that was Slade, feel his hatred and his burning wrath from behind the mask and uniform as the madman slammed him painfully against the wall, his one, revealed eye glowing red with loathing. "I come in here to have you help my son, and what do I see you do? Packing, like a convicted convict leaving the state. Where are you going, Simms? And who are you running from?"

"Y-y-y-you," he stammered, gasping out his answer as Slade gripped tighter. "I'm... running... from you..."

"Do you think you could run out on me so easily? I'm a patient man, Simms, not stupid. I would know if you left my service without saying good-bye."

"Slade, just let me go... you don't need me anymore, and I-"

"I want to know what you did," hissed the masked man, slamming the back of Simms' head into the wall. "Tell me, what did you do?"

For the moment, he didn't know what he was talking about. "What did... what did I..."

"You know exactly who I am talking about. The Titans, Simms."

He refused to acknowledge both his surprise and the answer, for once not giving Slade the benefit of the doubt. "I don't know what you're-"

"You KNOW, Simms! What did you do?" Another slam.

The room was starting to fade to black, and he sobbed out, tears running down his cheeks. "I don't-"

Slam. "You did something to the Titans, didn't you? You didn't kill them like you were supposed to."

"Screw you."

Slam. "I'm losing my patience Simms. Tell me. NOW."

"What if... I did?" Choking laughter erupted from his lips, a crazy, maniacal giggling that rivaled the Joker. "You can't... can't stop them... They'll kill you."

"We'll see about that. In the mean time, not a word to Robin, do you hear me? If you so much as breathe the word 'Titans', I'll kill you, and your wife. Who knows? Your son could most likely use a few lessons in pain and-"

That did it. "Leave him... out of this!" gasped Simms, struggling against the more powerful Slade. "Leave Charlie... out of this...!"

Slam again. And he sank into the abyss, unconscious.


From the other side of the room, Robin opened bleary eyes and softly groaned, holding his head in his hand while trying to get his bearings. A sharp thudding sound came from his right, and, curious, he glanced towards it with astonished eyes. Simms, the family doctor, was whimpering, crying as his father's massive hand around the poor man's throat. Fascinated, he lay there, spellbound, watching a final slam to the back of the head before the doctor slid to the ground, leaving a bloody trail along the wall.

"A pity," he heard his father say, "that he doesn't reply. He only knows it will make it that much easier to kill him after all is said and done. It doesn't matter now; they won't stop me. I'll just have to question him later about the Titans, and Troia. For now, I'll have to resort to... Plan B."

The Boy Wonder watched as Slade slowly turned, and he quickly closed his eyes, horrified. What had Simms done to deserve a beating like that? What was wrong with Slade? He had never seen his father be that ruthless, that angry! Could Red X have been right? Was his father truly-

Shaking off that thought, he pretended to wake up a second time, repeating his groaning as Slade passed by. No, he wouldn't question his father, not like this... it wasn't the time for that, or for his attack...

Pleased, Robin could sense the madman smiling under his mask. "Ah, I see you're awake. Please excuse Simms for the moment he-" he glanced at the doctor and shrugged, "-has chosen this moment to rest. Perhaps I'll have to stitch up the back of your head myself. Sit up."

He obeyed, and, dizzily, tried to be casual. "I'm sorry Father, for not completing the objective. I should've-"

"No need. You were injured, and coming back here was the right thing to do." Reaching for a case of medical supplies, he opened it, found what he was looking for, and then closed it again, a very fine needle and thread held precariously in one hand. "Turn around."

Rotating, he continued his apology. "I didn't finish my task though, Father. You told me to conduct a perimeter check, and I only made it half way through. I should've continued, injured or not."

A stabbing pain made Robin grimace as Slade began the duty of sewing his head shut. "I would rather have you come back here badly injured and failing at my command than to risk losing you and having you fulfill it. You're my son, my Little Bird. Call it fatherly instinct, but I'd rather have you safe and sound than dead."

Usually, the words were comforting, but after that display of brutality he displayed with Simms... Robin nodded though, masking his real feelings of unease. "I understand."

When he finished, Slade placed the needle and thread on the medical tray close to Robin's bed, and checked a clock on the wall. "After that fight, I'm sure you're tired."

He really was, but he tried not to show it. "I'm fine, Father. I could still go a few rounds..."

"Yes, I'm sure you can," came the reply, as the villain drew a syringe from off the tray. "But I want to make sure you're up for those rounds. Here." Tossing it to Robin with the plastic protection cap still on, Slade began his trek out, and called over his shoulder. "Take it. Regain your strength, and I'll be back in a little while to see how you're doing. I have to take care of some... business."

As soon as he left, Robin stared down at the hypodermic in his lap and drew it up, seeing it with new eyes. Something in the back of his mind was driving him to be suspicious, and for once, he listened. Something was wrong here, very, very wrong, but he couldn't figure it out; his mind was still too hazy and confused, thanks to the flashes of a time he couldn't remember. He watched bubbles sift in the red liquid, up and down, up and down, and contemplated.


"Whoa, no way! Slade's looking for Troia? Why?" asked Beast Boy, staring at Red X like he was from the moon. "Why would he be looking for her?"

"Who wouldn't be? After all, she's got super strength, can fly..." began Raven.

X finished for her. "She's super fast, has got great endurance, and she's damned durable. Can weather a tornado and only come out with her hair ruffled. Now can we get back on topic please? We need to figure out what's up with Bird Boy and his Daddy."

"Agreed," replied Starfire, the longing in her eyes intensifying. "We need to find the source of Friend Robin's current condition. Perhaps we may go above ground and investigate-"

A sudden rumbling sound perked Red X's ears, and he stopped, holding a hand up to halt her speech. "Wait, did you hear that?"

They all stopped and stared at him, but then, they heard it too: a whooshing, roaring sound that grew louder and louder as the moment stretched. Rocks on the dry walks around them clattered, and a sinking feeling in his stomach made X yelp in fear. Oh no, he couldn't... could he? "MOVE IT!" he screamed, and no one questioned the order as they all either ran or flew, and a wall of water came barreling down on top of them with a crash; the floodgates of hell seemed to have given way, as millions of gallons picked up speed and wound its way down the corridor as they tried to outrun it, the foamy spray spinning in circles down the tunnels. "Slade knows we're here! He's flooding the sewers!"