A/N: Okay, I chose the way the story is going to go. Hooray for me! Sorry, this took longer than I thought it would. But I am very excited. Maybe later on in the story I will have all of the Titans wear funny hats. I love making my characters wear funny hats.
Karen: Ooooookay….
Leah: JAB HER WITH A SAFETY PIN!
Amanda: slaps Leahturns to Karen Funny hats rule!
Karen: I'm not disagreeing with you-
Amanda: DO NOT DEFY ME!
Chapter Five
The Titans flew over the lake that separated Titans Tower from the rest of the world. Raven was carrying Cyborg, and Starfire was carrying Robin.
'Why must Robin always fight with Slade? No good ever comes of it. He must try to be calm.'
"Robin…" Starfire wanted to talk to him, to make him feel better, but what could she say? What could she say that wouldn't sound like a bunch of nonsense? All she wanted to do was make him happy, but it seemed like she couldn't even do that.
"What?" He answered distractedly.
She couldn't think of anything to say, "Nothing…" she replied.
"Could we speed up a little?" His tone was impatient.
The Titans increased their speed and headed for the woods. But no one, not even Robin was prepared for what they were going to see there.
A gigantic smoldering crater lay where trees and earth had once been. It was at least a quarter of a mile in width. In the center stood Slade, but he wasn't alone. His arms were around the neck of a small boy in such a way that he could apply a choke hold if needed. The team landed and stood around the rim of the huge pit.
This was the chance Robin had been waiting for. He spoke, and it was in a low and cool tone.
"Let the boy go, Slade." Robin was trying his best to be calm, but it was easy to see that he was shaking with rage.
"If you want him, come and take him. Just be careful. There's a bomb strapped around him that will explode in one minute. The same explosives were used to make this lovely pit I'm standing in. Only there are more of them. The timer should be starting right about…now."
"Titans! Get the boy! I'll handle Slade." Perfect. One on one with Slade. Perfect.
With one swift motion, Slade ran and jumped out of the crater. Robin raced after him, leaving the other Titans frantically trying to free the boy before another explosion. But Robin, blinded by his hatred for Slade, wasn't ready for the mind games that were soon to come.
They raced through the woods, Slade in front jumping from tree to tree, and Robin about five feet behind him. Slade was leading Robin to the perfect spot. The perfect spot.
Finally they reached a calm clearing where there were no trees and no underbrush, and the sun could stream through and warm the earth. Here Slade stopped, and began the game.
"How fittingly uncanny that we should find ourselves in this spot. Don't you think, young Robin?" Slade's back was turned to Robin. He seemed to be looking forward, toward something the masked fighter could not see.
"What are you talking about?" Robin barked.
"Why, don't you remember? This is the spot where we fought for the very first time. Although I can understand why you don't recognize it. Everything was burning then. Now it has all grown back."
Robin looked around, and to his dismay, he found that Slade was right. Before there had been fire and death. Now everything was alive and peaceful.
"So tell me, Robin. Why did you come after me? Why couldn't you stay and help your friends? Help that small boy?"
"I trust my team. They have everything under control."
Slade still didn't turn to face Robin, but his eyes moved to the sides where Robin was in his field of vision.
"Oh? Really? How can you be sure?"
Off in the distance, there was a loud cracking and grinding noise. The earth trembled under Robin's feet.
"So, what room should I start with?"
Why are you talking out loud? I'm right in here in your head where I've always been. I can hear your thoughts.
"Yes, yes, I know that. But it was starting to get too quiet."
So, turn on the stereo. They have a huge one over there. See it?
"If you had a sweet stereo like that, would you want complete strangers touching it?"
Touché.
Soda had just found a chair and was standing on it when the whole tower trembled, and she lost her balance.
DID YOU FEEL THAT???
No, I don't feel anything physical when you're conscious, remember?
Oh yeah, sorry. Sometimes I forget.
I really wonder about you.
What was that, anyway?
I don't know. Go look out of the window.
Soda walked toward the window and looked toward the lake and the small wooded island. She gasped, and put her hand over her mouth.
"Oh my god…"
HOLY SHIT!!!
The small island where the Titans had fought Thunder and Lighting, the small island where Robin had first met Slade, was smoking.
Robin spun around. He couldn't see anything behind him. It was all smoke. He coughed and got down on all fours so he could breathe.
"Where are you, you son of a bitch?" he said.
"Robin, Robin, Robin. You really shouldn't swear. Swearing is for people without class. And we both know that you have a lot of class."
"Oh really? And what if I don't?" He couldn't see Slade, but he could hear the direction his voice was coming from.
"Oh, you do. Don't worry about that. After all, you just demonstrated class by coming after the big prize instead of helping a civilian. Very good job." Slade's tone was completely serious. Not a hint of mocking.
"My team took care of him, I told you. I came after you because someone needed to make sure you didn't escape."
"Someone? You use such general terms. But we both know that you wanted to fight me. We both know that you don't care at all about that boy."
"You're wrong!"
"Oh, am I? There was just a large explosion. Doesn't that worry you? Aren't you afraid that your friends are hurt?"
"I have complete faith in my team." Robin was getting closer.
"I'm sure you do. But sometimes faith isn't enough."
"Come out and fight me, you coward!" Robin was shouting. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to hurt Slade. He wanted to kill him.
But Slade was already gone. That's when the thought first hit Robin, 'What if they aren't okay?"
He crawled through the maze of trees on his hands and knees, but he didn't have very far to go. He was only several yards away from where he and Slade had been before he stumbled into water.
The explosives had gone off, and half the island was gone.
Let's go up on the roof. We'll be able to see better up there.
Okay.
Soda ran to the stairs and raced to the roof. When she reached the final floor she flung the door open and ran across to see smoke billowing from the woods.
Is it a forest fire?
I don't know. But I guess so. I mean, what else could it be?
Robin lay flat on the ground, coughing. His eyes were watering, and he couldn't see a thing.
"Starfire! Raven! Beast Boy! Cyborg! Where are you?" he was shouting at the top of his lungs.
'If you had been there you could have helped them. You could have disabled the bomb. Why did you go after Slade? Because that's all you care about. You give your friends' lives for Slade's head.' There was a mean little voice talking to Robin. That mean little voice had been there since the moment Robin saw Slade. It was always questioning him. Questioning.
"SHUT UP! I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!"
"Robin!"
Robin looked up to a sea of red hair. Starfire was leaning over him.
"Robin, are you all right? You do not look well."
"Is everyone okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Everyone is fine. We rescued the boy, and he is on the mainland. But we could not disable the explosives. Come, we must return to the tower. You need rest."
He opened his mouth to argue, but changed his mind when he felt the soothing coolness of Starfire's hand in his. She held it tight and together they flew up and out of the smoke. Starfire held Robin close to her body, and normally he would have been embarrassed about it. But he was tired, and Starfire's arms were comforting. And for a little while, he even forgot that Slade had escaped.
End Chapter Five
A/N: Awwww, isn't that just sweeeet? I guess it goes without saying that they like each other. I'm thinking of putting more romance in the story. Maybe even some more pairings. I'm not really sure, though. Do you like that idea? Leave me a comment and let me know. Also, if there is something you would like to see in the story, let me know about that, too. If I like your idea, I'll put it in! This story is going to be very long. I figured I would just keep updating chapters. It might never end. Just a bunch of little adventures and some short stories. So enjoy!
Karen: Ooooookay….
Leah: JAB HER WITH A SAFETY PIN!
Amanda: slaps Leahturns to Karen Funny hats rule!
Karen: I'm not disagreeing with you-
Amanda: DO NOT DEFY ME!
Chapter Five
The Titans flew over the lake that separated Titans Tower from the rest of the world. Raven was carrying Cyborg, and Starfire was carrying Robin.
'Why must Robin always fight with Slade? No good ever comes of it. He must try to be calm.'
"Robin…" Starfire wanted to talk to him, to make him feel better, but what could she say? What could she say that wouldn't sound like a bunch of nonsense? All she wanted to do was make him happy, but it seemed like she couldn't even do that.
"What?" He answered distractedly.
She couldn't think of anything to say, "Nothing…" she replied.
"Could we speed up a little?" His tone was impatient.
The Titans increased their speed and headed for the woods. But no one, not even Robin was prepared for what they were going to see there.
A gigantic smoldering crater lay where trees and earth had once been. It was at least a quarter of a mile in width. In the center stood Slade, but he wasn't alone. His arms were around the neck of a small boy in such a way that he could apply a choke hold if needed. The team landed and stood around the rim of the huge pit.
This was the chance Robin had been waiting for. He spoke, and it was in a low and cool tone.
"Let the boy go, Slade." Robin was trying his best to be calm, but it was easy to see that he was shaking with rage.
"If you want him, come and take him. Just be careful. There's a bomb strapped around him that will explode in one minute. The same explosives were used to make this lovely pit I'm standing in. Only there are more of them. The timer should be starting right about…now."
"Titans! Get the boy! I'll handle Slade." Perfect. One on one with Slade. Perfect.
With one swift motion, Slade ran and jumped out of the crater. Robin raced after him, leaving the other Titans frantically trying to free the boy before another explosion. But Robin, blinded by his hatred for Slade, wasn't ready for the mind games that were soon to come.
They raced through the woods, Slade in front jumping from tree to tree, and Robin about five feet behind him. Slade was leading Robin to the perfect spot. The perfect spot.
Finally they reached a calm clearing where there were no trees and no underbrush, and the sun could stream through and warm the earth. Here Slade stopped, and began the game.
"How fittingly uncanny that we should find ourselves in this spot. Don't you think, young Robin?" Slade's back was turned to Robin. He seemed to be looking forward, toward something the masked fighter could not see.
"What are you talking about?" Robin barked.
"Why, don't you remember? This is the spot where we fought for the very first time. Although I can understand why you don't recognize it. Everything was burning then. Now it has all grown back."
Robin looked around, and to his dismay, he found that Slade was right. Before there had been fire and death. Now everything was alive and peaceful.
"So tell me, Robin. Why did you come after me? Why couldn't you stay and help your friends? Help that small boy?"
"I trust my team. They have everything under control."
Slade still didn't turn to face Robin, but his eyes moved to the sides where Robin was in his field of vision.
"Oh? Really? How can you be sure?"
Off in the distance, there was a loud cracking and grinding noise. The earth trembled under Robin's feet.
"So, what room should I start with?"
Why are you talking out loud? I'm right in here in your head where I've always been. I can hear your thoughts.
"Yes, yes, I know that. But it was starting to get too quiet."
So, turn on the stereo. They have a huge one over there. See it?
"If you had a sweet stereo like that, would you want complete strangers touching it?"
Touché.
Soda had just found a chair and was standing on it when the whole tower trembled, and she lost her balance.
DID YOU FEEL THAT???
No, I don't feel anything physical when you're conscious, remember?
Oh yeah, sorry. Sometimes I forget.
I really wonder about you.
What was that, anyway?
I don't know. Go look out of the window.
Soda walked toward the window and looked toward the lake and the small wooded island. She gasped, and put her hand over her mouth.
"Oh my god…"
HOLY SHIT!!!
The small island where the Titans had fought Thunder and Lighting, the small island where Robin had first met Slade, was smoking.
Robin spun around. He couldn't see anything behind him. It was all smoke. He coughed and got down on all fours so he could breathe.
"Where are you, you son of a bitch?" he said.
"Robin, Robin, Robin. You really shouldn't swear. Swearing is for people without class. And we both know that you have a lot of class."
"Oh really? And what if I don't?" He couldn't see Slade, but he could hear the direction his voice was coming from.
"Oh, you do. Don't worry about that. After all, you just demonstrated class by coming after the big prize instead of helping a civilian. Very good job." Slade's tone was completely serious. Not a hint of mocking.
"My team took care of him, I told you. I came after you because someone needed to make sure you didn't escape."
"Someone? You use such general terms. But we both know that you wanted to fight me. We both know that you don't care at all about that boy."
"You're wrong!"
"Oh, am I? There was just a large explosion. Doesn't that worry you? Aren't you afraid that your friends are hurt?"
"I have complete faith in my team." Robin was getting closer.
"I'm sure you do. But sometimes faith isn't enough."
"Come out and fight me, you coward!" Robin was shouting. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to hurt Slade. He wanted to kill him.
But Slade was already gone. That's when the thought first hit Robin, 'What if they aren't okay?"
He crawled through the maze of trees on his hands and knees, but he didn't have very far to go. He was only several yards away from where he and Slade had been before he stumbled into water.
The explosives had gone off, and half the island was gone.
Let's go up on the roof. We'll be able to see better up there.
Okay.
Soda ran to the stairs and raced to the roof. When she reached the final floor she flung the door open and ran across to see smoke billowing from the woods.
Is it a forest fire?
I don't know. But I guess so. I mean, what else could it be?
Robin lay flat on the ground, coughing. His eyes were watering, and he couldn't see a thing.
"Starfire! Raven! Beast Boy! Cyborg! Where are you?" he was shouting at the top of his lungs.
'If you had been there you could have helped them. You could have disabled the bomb. Why did you go after Slade? Because that's all you care about. You give your friends' lives for Slade's head.' There was a mean little voice talking to Robin. That mean little voice had been there since the moment Robin saw Slade. It was always questioning him. Questioning.
"SHUT UP! I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!"
"Robin!"
Robin looked up to a sea of red hair. Starfire was leaning over him.
"Robin, are you all right? You do not look well."
"Is everyone okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Everyone is fine. We rescued the boy, and he is on the mainland. But we could not disable the explosives. Come, we must return to the tower. You need rest."
He opened his mouth to argue, but changed his mind when he felt the soothing coolness of Starfire's hand in his. She held it tight and together they flew up and out of the smoke. Starfire held Robin close to her body, and normally he would have been embarrassed about it. But he was tired, and Starfire's arms were comforting. And for a little while, he even forgot that Slade had escaped.
End Chapter Five
A/N: Awwww, isn't that just sweeeet? I guess it goes without saying that they like each other. I'm thinking of putting more romance in the story. Maybe even some more pairings. I'm not really sure, though. Do you like that idea? Leave me a comment and let me know. Also, if there is something you would like to see in the story, let me know about that, too. If I like your idea, I'll put it in! This story is going to be very long. I figured I would just keep updating chapters. It might never end. Just a bunch of little adventures and some short stories. So enjoy!
