ravenrocs4eva- It's ok: hardly anyone else saw it coming either LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

Alexnandru Van Gordan- If you look back through the chapters, I've given you more than just the "not in the room" thing that reveals that Red X and Troia are the same. I'll have a full list in the next chapter! Plus, yeah, I always pictured Robin to be Richard Grayson more than Tim Drake. The attitude, the skills, the relationship with Starfire (or non-relationship, depends on how you look at it)... yeah, definitely DG instead of TD. Like I've said the first chapter of SINKING INTO SLADE, I am a HUGE Batman fan, to the point where I usually don't have to look up things in regard to specific details like that: I already know. In the comics, it's the same person, which makes it even easier to know, since I used to watch the original Batman Adventures religiously (no lie, I did!). And I'll try and update ASAP, okie dokie? I don't want you to be bored... Boredom sucks LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

Closetwriter- LOL, Sorry, but I didn't put Jericho or his brother in here, and Tim Drake wouldn't be the same age as Robin at this time. Nope, it's Troia! LOL I thought that might be a really, REALLY cool surprise... I'll compile a list that tells how many hints I gave out about Red X's ID, just so you can see everything, but yeah, Red X is Troia! Hehehehe, and yes, please calm down before you hyperventilate! LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

KaliAnn- I'm happy you're enjoying it Kali! Thanks for noting me!

Infamous One- Thanks! I hope I did a good job doing the fight scene, and yeah, Troia's Red X! Thanks for reviewing!

aleema-darkrose1- LOL well you should've went with your first instinct! Yup, most times, I take the crazy idea route, and usually, with the amount of twists in it, I can make it so that hardly ANYBODY knows what I'm thinking as the story unfolds. And it's funny when the big picture comes into play, and you realize that what you thought was "background" filler isn't that at all: it's actually relevant to the plot, and enhances it at the same! I'm happy you like this fic, I really put about 200 more work into this one than usual, so I was hoping people would appreciate it more. And SIS is your next favorite? Wow, I think I should go give that author a cookie because she did a great job! Winks back LMAO! Thanks for reviewing!

Aeris-Raven- Yes, yes, and yes! And take a look at some of the text I wrote about that "talk":

"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 recording continued..."

Now granted, I cut a lot of that stuff, but look at the words I used. Those were clues that what they were seeing and hearing was already RECORDED, meaning it wasn't a live conversation. That was a big clue that Troia was elsewhere when it was played. All she had to do was, as Red X, make sure the recording was stopped and played at the right moment, and she'd be home free. And I agree, Raven's got wisdom; she's definitely an old soul, because of everything she's had to live through. I always see her as the protector type, and a bit of a "sage". Yeah, Slade's prone to do random things; that's part of what makes Slade who he is. Also, he suspected that Red X was Troia, just like he pieced together that Robin was Red X in "Masks", so why not test the theory? Give "X" the opportunity to expose "himself"? And YAY! Go Troia! WHOOO! Thanks for reviewing!

Insanity for Dummies- He, he, yeah, it's easy to lose track of the story when you're trying to take it all in. Sometimes you miss the subtle things that really drive the story when everything is all said and done. And are you crazy? No, this isn't the end of Slade and Robin! And yeah, the whole "falling to your death" thing is what it took for Robin to get his memory back... or, at least most of it. As you'll hear at the end of this chapter and the next, some bits aren't the same anymore... Thanks for reviewing!

Dlsky- Are you kidding me? of course he's not going to come back the same! After being brainwashed like that? Yeah, he's going to have to rebuild his life again. This entire deal has changed him in and out, and it's changed the Titans too. Everything they've known about themselves, their relationship... between Robin and the Titans, it's pretty much destroyed. He trusts them, as you've seen with his conversation with Raven, and he remembers the good times, but things are completely twisted around for him now. He's permanently changed from this ordeal. Troia too, is changed. As you'll see, she and Robin have a lot of common ground to walk on, and there's a chance for a good, solid friendship from that, but with the rest of the Titans... that's iffy. Robin's battled them, done things he can't condone, was brainwashed into being his worst enemy's son, and his memory's been completely stripped, and shoved back at him. He's been broken, battered, and hastily glued back together, trying to be who he once was again, and he'll learn that he just can't do it. Troia and her relationship with the Titans also have served a beating: she's lied to them, mistrusted him, hid her intentions and her skills. Her life's been one big case of shattering a glass window, gluing back in place, and then doing the same thing again and again. Her soul, although strong, is in pretty bad shape, and she can break at any moment if she's not careful. So it's an interesting thing... And I personally love Raven as the peacemaker. It seemed fitting that the one who could potentially destroy the world would be the best peacemaker lol! And you've already guessed at exactly what I was planning! Great minds think alike, huh? And don't worry: the last thing I want to do is start riding the roller coaster backwards when I'm supposed to go forwards! Thanks for reviewing!

AriesFalcon- Okies, sounds like a plan! And she was? Good eye! Yeah, Troia is definitely Red X, and I'll include a list in the next chapter of all the ways I gave that proves it! And thanks for the suggestion: maybe I will do a song fic... I have an idea in mind for Terra, actually... I'm listening to the music right now. Hmm, that's sure darned appealing... Anyway, I actually AM a RobRae kind of girl, because I think out of all of them, there's so much between them that it's hard to ignore. However, in this fic and the last, it's clear that the girls both love Robin, and I never intended for them to be like that... Really, the storyline's neither RobRae nor RobStar, and it's not BBRae or BBStar, or CyStar or CyRae or anything of that nature... There's some CyJinx though, so I guess that's the only true romance in this fic. Anyway, I'm glad you like it, and one of these days, I'm going to do a true RobRae and a true RobStar fic, so be on the look out for those! Thanks for reviewing!

ALRIGHT! So were all of you guys surprised on Red X's ID? I tried my best to make it ambiguous as possible! I had a lot of you fooled! Congrats to the two people who figured it out though, Alexnandru Van Gordan and AresFalcon! YAY! You rule Dudes! Way to be! Now, on with the show!

EDIT: Also, if, by some odd reason, you find this chapter lack luster in quality, I personally apologize: to me, this chapter seems like filler only, and it bothers me for just that same reason. So, I personally am sorry if this chapter isn't as great as other's (then again, how can I top the last chapter? LOL!)


Starfire couldn't believe it. No, this wasn't possible! Her friend Troia was Red X? That had to be lunacy! There was no way she could be! But the evidence was staring her right in the face, for all the world to see.

Troia was Red X, and she had lied.

The raven-haired teen looked from her, to the half-conscious Robin in the Tamaranean's arms, and then at Raven, who was just fully coming out of her trance. She didn't seem ashamed of what she'd done, nor proud; she was just... indifferent. "What?" she asked, clearly puzzled.

"You are the Red X?"

"Yes she is, Star," replied Raven for Troia, rubbing her forehead jewel slightly.

Starfire was amazed, and looked backwards at her friend. "And you know this?"

"It was hard for her not to. She's not psychically gifted for nothing," muttered Troia, before deep, throaty laughter made her stiffen.


It was Slade who laughed, laughed so hard he almost couldn't stand it, and if Troia could see his face, he was sure she could see the laughter within his eyes. Troia was Red X! Ha! Just as he suspected! There was no one else who could perform the moves she could, and match him blow for blow. Even Robin, with what little training he'd had as of late, couldn't have bested the mastermind that easily. No, the only ones who knew how to block him so effectively and with such ease were Troia and himself. There was no other being on the planet who knew him quite like she did.

After all, they had... history.

"I see you've reverted back to what you were, Darkstar. Were you trying to impress me, or stop me?"

She whirled around on the heels of her combat boots and glared at him, her own face a mask of hatred. "I came here to stop you, once and for all."

"Then by all means. Try and stop me."

Troia snarled ferally, and vaulted from her feet in an attempt to tackle him, but Slade was much too smart for that. He calmly reached into a pocket in his belt and drew out a sphere about the size and shape of a baseball, two buttons fitted into place on one side. He gripped the ball in one hand and watched, taking his time before he squeezed them both at the last minute. Instantly, the ball whizzed into the air, engulfing both him and his adversary in a dome of azure blue. It took a bit before the effects were revealed, and when they were, Troia gasped with surprise as she dropped like a rock in a wading pool. Tasting dirt, she spat it out and raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"I'm sure you'll like this little device, Troia: it's a Neural, Physical Inhibitor, or NPI. I bet you can't guess what it does?"


What the hell was he talking about? This blue dome was... weird. She felt weird, abnormal, strange, but she couldn't place it at all until she leapt up and flew.

Or really, tried to fly. Instead, she cried out as she fell, face first, into the cliff side, a sharp rock slashing a gash in her palm. No, this couldn't be happening. No, it couldn't...

Slade guffawed triumphantly, his point proven. "You're wasting your time, little girl. You're so far out of your league this time. An NPI mentally represses the abnormalities created in a person's genes that deal with superhuman powers. When those are blocked, then a person's power cannot be used, meaning your powers of flight, strength, agility and speed are utterly useless."

What? Wide eyed, she glared at him, confused. Her powers were gone? She was normal?

"Looks like you're going to have to face me on your own, Troia. And don't bother trying to get out of the circle: it's designed to keep its captives inside, so you have nowhere to run."

"I can still take you!" she declared with more optimism than she felt, readying into a fighting stance. "Besides, the same goes for you, doesn't it, Slade? No more super soldier serum to keep you going? No more quick reflexes and super speed? You're just an ordinary man. And I'm still Troia, with or without my powers."

"Wrong," he laughed, watching her with his one eye. "You see, this NPI was programmed to block certain, natural powers, not chemically enhanced ones. I didn't program it to stop every power in the circle; I programmed it to stop yours, and any of the other Titans' if they so chose to interfere. You're mine, Troia, for the third time."

Suddenly, he launched his body at her, faster than her now human eyes could see. A blur! To the left! No, the right now! No, he was gone! A blow to her jaw sent her reeling, her tongue already tasting blood as she spat it out on the ground. This was not good! He was too fast! A blow to her stomach sent her to her knees, and a snap kick to her nose broke it in two, crimson rain splashing the rock surface beneath her.

Ten seconds. It had taken Slade ten seconds to weaken her, and she hadn't thrown a punch.

Raven and Starfire both screamed, and the witch was coming closer and closer when the dark haired teen held out a hand to stop her. "STOP! Raven, stay back! He's got this thing rigged up to where it'll zap your powers too! If you want to help, stay out of this. I can handle it on my own!"

Troia closed her eyes, recalling sessions of teaching that she hadn't quite forgotten as well as she wanted to, and calmed her senses. Images flashed in her mind of her own death if she didn't make it out alive, but she pushed them to the side, ignoring them completely. There was something inside of her, something within her that she knew could battle Slade, if she could only... reach... that far...

A haymaker whizzed towards her left eye, and it took but a moment for her muscles to react on instinct, blocking the punch. A brutal scissors kick followed, and she blocked that as well, gaining a rhythm and defending on impulse. Sooner than later, she could easily anticipate each punch and jab, stopping each one as it tried to strike.

On her feet now, the teen danced, twisting her body in ways she never remembered she could, and it all came back to her: the hours of teaching, the years of training, everything. With every strike, she became more and more like her former self, with only one difference.

This time, she was fighting for her friends, and not for him.

Slade clearly saw the changes come over her, and he backed away, his voice filled with glee. "I see you're back to being yourself, Darkstar."

"No, I just remembered a few things," she replied angrily, but kept her temper in check.

"No, I think you're remembering the past."

"I'm not going back there. I'm not your little lap dog, Slade."

"You weren't before."

"YOU USED ME! As soon as Dark Angel killed me, that sick, twisted mind of yours went into overdrive. You schemed a way into my life, and I've hated you ever since."

He shrugged, unconcerned. "I always get what I want, Troia. And I wanted you and your powers. You were everything Robin could've been, and more."

"X... X..." A new voice this time, and Troia turned, astonished to find Robin, leaning heavily on Starfire, her arm around his waist and supporting his weight. "Whatever your name is..."

That moment's hesitation was enough for Slade to strike. Using his superior speed, he whipped her legs our from under her, and clamped a boot on her throat, choking her. "And you could be mine again, Troia. All I have to do is kill you, and find you, and then I can have you all over again."

Her hands clasped around his ankle, and she gritted her teeth, seething with determination and surprising strength. "Don't... count on it..." Not batting an eyelash, she twisted, grinning satisfactorily as she heard the bones snap in two. He plummeted toward the right and she leapt to her feet, whirled around, and grabbed him by the collar, a feral grin washing across her features. "I've wanted to kill you for so long, Slade, I don't know the meaning of the word 'mercy'. You ruined my life, for the last time."

"Troia!" Robin's voice was weak, but it was as loud enough to draw her attention. Guess Starfire had told him her name... "Troia... stop."

She ignored him, and slammed Slade into the ground. "You lying, scheming, satanic son of a bitch, I've had enough of you! You've haunted my dreams too much already." A sudden thought came to her mind and she relished it, grinning wider. "You've been the bane of my existence, Slade; a never-ending nightmare that's got to stop. You've been the one haunting my dreams, right alongside Dark Angel, but now, I'm in control. How does it feel Slade? How does it feel to be weaker than me, even without my powers? Tell me, Slade: you've been haunting me, but have I been haunting you? What do you fear? Are you staring her down right now? Hmm? Does the thought of me being so close yet so far taunt you, torment you, drive you crazy because you can't have me?" She laughed insanely, frenzied by having him exactly where she wanted, and she drew him closer to her, whispering in his ear now. "You say you always get what you want, Slade, but guess what? This time, you don't. Game over. You lose."

"Theatrics were always your strong suit," muttered the villain, before a quick burst of muscular activity caught her by surprise, and a two inch blade embedded itself in her arm.


Howling in pain, she dropped him, her other hand already trying to dig the knife out with bloodied fingers.

She could only watch as he limped to his feet, his super soldier serum already doing its effects and healing his broken ankle. He considered her for a moment, before he drew another knife, playing with it in his fingers. "All it would take is one good, clean shot, Troia. One shot, and you would be mine again.

He never had a chance. A shape tackled him from behind and, surprised, he turned his head to the side and saw his former "son" slowly get to his feet. "Leave her... alone, Slade."

"My, my. How fast we crawl back to the home we left," he commented, almost comically sarcastic. "I didn't think you'd be rejoining my side so soon, Robin."

"Whatever lets you sleep at night," grunted the Boy Wonder, preparing his own fighting stance. "Leave her alone. You want a fight? Let's go."

Slade shook his head, a hand digging into a pocket of his belt. "No, I don't want to fight you, Robin. Not when you're like this. You can barely stand on your own two feet. Another day, Robin. Another day." Quicker than Robin could see, the mastermind threw a few gas pelts on the ground and melted into the darkness they created, his form gone within seconds of passing through.

Slade was gone, waiting for another day, and another opportunity...


Robin could feel a weight placed upon his shoulders once more, burdened with the task of going after the criminal once again, but for the moment he was tired, so tired... Collapsing, he fell to his knees and coughed up blood, heartsick and weary from exhaustion. The shocks and the serums were beginning to take their toll...

"I'll kill you Slade!" he heard someone scream, and he shook his head sadly. Troia wasn't going to give up this vendetta. If she wasn't careful, it was going to kill her soul. Just like his almost died.

"Troia..."

She looked back at him and dropped the bloodied knife she'd been holding in her hand, letting it clatter on the ground before she slid on her knees towards his side, tearing up already skinned knees. "Robin!" For a few moments, he let her cradle him in her arms before he moved slowly towards a belt pocket, producing a boomerang. "Here... break it..."


She nodded, understanding instantly. With all her normal human strength, she threw it upwards, sighing satisfactorily when it smashed the orb, the dome disappeared, and her strength returned. Carefully, she shifted him in her arms, feeling a few of her slashes and cuts beginning the slow process of healing themselves, and then picked him up, the boy Wonder already half asleep.

He looked up at her with bleary eyes, and smiled sadly. "I want to know... what happened. Maybe I'm... the only... only one who... who could understand."

Troia smiled back sadly, a few tears running down the X suit she wore, and nodded. "Maybe."

"There's... a doctor... rescue... the doctor... Simms..." And then, he was out cold, drained of everything he had.

"Simms?" A spark of recognition flashed in her mind. "SIMMS!" She flew towards the two heroines, who were approaching them, and handed Robin over to Star again. "be right back, there's someone I need to save still!" And then, she flitted out of sight, following a hunch towards what she hoped was Slade's hideout. There wasn't a moment to lose.


Her efforts failed her when she approached the surprisingly abandoned lair, kicked in the door, and saw him, dead, hung upon a nail with the noose pulled taught. His face was white and serene, the chair he'd jumped off of toppled on the floor, and she cried outright, horrified. No, the poor, poor man...

Troia was speechless, and her heart ached. Although she didn't remember the time they had, she did remember how much she cared for the scientist when they were younger, during a lifetime she lived, and one they both never wanted to remember.

Images flashed in her brain of a black clad form, two long, jagged katars clasped in her hands, glittering silver bracelets complimenting the black mask and plated boots. A cold letter "S" over a golden letter "D" was like lightning, centered in the middle of an armored collar which crept up to the bottoms of her ears. Black, ebony hair was swept up in a braid, then wound up to the top of her head, out of the way. Troia tried to block out these images, but they kept coming, crimson splashed against the cold metal again, and again, and again...

Simms had been there for her when that had happened, blackmailed into the same service she'd been manipulated into. He'd been there all along, and they had been in love, when they were both in their twenties and loving it... It was another life, surreal and horrifying...

She never wanted to be Darkstar again. Even for a moment more between them, she never wanted to go back to that life ever again.

Something fluttered to the floor, and she opened tear-filled eyes, surprised. Something had been situated in his sleeve... She bent down and took a look at it, the folded sheet of computer paper decorated with Stanley's messy scrawl, and in an instant she knew, and she smiled.

He was talking to her beyond the grave. Now, all she had to do was listen.

But she had something to do first. The Titans needed to know everything, after being kept in the dark for so long. They needed to know everything, and she was the only one who could tell them.

Taking the letter with her, she flew back to the Teen Titans, and faced her fate. There was no turning back now.