Vic desperately hit the elevator button several times before yelling loudly in frustration and running up the stairs as fast as his legs could take him.
He reached the third floor, sped into the corridor, and flung open the door to ward three. Lying in the hospital bed, with casts around his neck, left arm and both legs, was his father.
"Dad!" yelled Vic.
Ten minutes later, outside in the waiting room, the others sat patiently.
"I do not understand," started Starfire. "Vic has openly said he does not like his father, yet he is most concerned about him."
"It's human nature, Star," replied Robin. "You always look out for the ones you love. No matter what happens between you."
"So, friend Raven, you would do anything to save your father even though you do not like him?"
"My father's not human, Star. So he doesn't count."
Starfire buried her face in her hands. "Oh, earthly ways of family are most confusing."
"Why how does it work on Tama… Tima… Temi… Wherever it is you come from?" asked Beast Boy.
"If a family member does something wrong they are forced to leave the family."
"Ouch," said Beast Boy.
"I'm going to see if Vic's OK. He's been in there for a while now," said Robin.
"Allow me to accompany you friend Robin," added Starfire sweetly.
"Sure," he smiled as they walked off leaving Beast Boy and Raven alone.
"I'm gonna grab a soda," said Beast Boy. "You want one, Rae?"
"No thanks."
"Why not? You must be thirsty."
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Err… I guess."
She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Coke makes me hyper…"
"You're kidding…"
Raven smiled and shook her head.
"I'll see if they have any tea machines, k?"
"Thanks Gar."
"No problem Rae."
Robin and Starfire walked into the ward. Vic leant over his father.
"Who did this to you, Dad?"
"I don't remember…" Mr. Stone gasped.
Vic turned to his friends, then back to his father. "What do you remember?"
"… An eye…"
"One eye?"
"Yes…" muttered Mr. Stone before he slipped into unconsciousness.
Vic looked at Robin. The room was dark, but the light from the corridor flooded the room with an eerie light despite the dark night outside the window.
"Who did this to him D… Robin?" asked Cyborg, catching himself just before he used Robin's real name.
"I don't know… But that eye has to mean something."
The door slammed shut, making the room go dark with the exception of the tiny slither of light that shined in from under the door.
Robin spun around quickly to see a muscled man in body armor, wearing a black and orange mask with one eye showing through, hiding in the shadows behind the door.
"Superheroes… So predictable in their mindless pursuits of honor."
"Who are you?"
"You, Robin, can call me Slade."
"What do you want with my dad?" yelled Vic.
"He has served his purpose and brought the little bird out of hiding," said Slade, keeping his eye fixed on Robin.
"What do you want with me?" asked Robin.
"I want you to pay for what you did to me…"
Robin growled.
"You did this!" yelled Vic, referring to his father. "I don't know who you are, but you'll pay for it!"
Vic charged with all his mechanical might, but Slade leaped over him gracefully and unleashed a sharp, powerful kick to his back which sent him flying through the door and into the corridor.
Starfire charged too, arms stretched out in front of her. Slade grabbed her wrist, spun her around him twice before hurling her into the wall.
Robin drew his Bo Staff, and Slade drew one too. They circled one another, sizing up their foe from every angle.
"We're not so different you and I, Robin. We both use a Bo Staff and we both hide our eyes… or eye in my case. I've made men suffer before, and so have you… But this is where we differ."
Robin grunted.
"Because you will pay for making me suffer… And I will receive no retribution."
"Who are you?"
"I am the person you condemned to spend my recent years in misery. I am the person who you stole everything from… and the person who will never be able to replace it."
The bewildered look on Robin's face made Slade smile.
"I am the person who will bring about the end of you and all of your precious friends. I am your nemesis Robin. I am the shadow that lurks in the deep corner of your mind when you remember what its like to lose your family."
Robin gasped.
"Yes, I know all about you Dick. And you don't know anything about me. But enough talk, its time for me to end this."
He leaped forward with grace and power and brought his staff down hard on Robin's own staff as his eye twinkled madly in the eerie light.
See… I updated quickly… Be proud of me! It is really short though... ahhh deal with it.
And as a side note for everyone who reviewed this tory and my other one, Chnaged World, read if you haven't done so already, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! It really is amazing to know people like the stories I write... And... an extra special side note to LadyHood... Don't know who you are but you're always the first to read and review my fics. I really appreciate it so thanks. And to Turq... who has been my friend even when I get writer's block.. thank you to you too.
OK... Enough soppy crud and back to writing I guess... woohoo!
Oh and I made third place in Literary Criticism for all of you that care...