Cheat To Win

Sometimes when all else is lost, you've got to cheat to win. Because when nothing else but victory is important anymore, then you must do everything you can to win.

'Play Again?' The computer screen flashes. "Yes." I say as typed the word into the computer.

Should I feel guilty for what happened? I did at one point, but I think my ability to feel guilty has simply been pushed back. The time for guilt is gone, now is the time to put everything to winning at all costs. I look at the chess board on the screen, I make all the necessary sacrifices to get to the other players king. This time victory is simple.

'You win! Play Again?' "Yes." I repeat. The next time is more difficult, the player has me trapped, so I simply hack the system.

'You win! Play Again?' "Of course" I could not win fairly; the other player had taken all the pieces I needed to achieve victory so I cheated to win. I hear the windows smash behind me, but do not take my eyes off the screen.

Hmm, I don't have time to win fairly, time to cheat again. 'You win! Play Again?' "Sure."

"Robin," The voice is so familiar, I've heard it a million times in my nightmares. "Robin, your friends are dead, yet you have a chance to live. Take your place by my side and become my apprentice once more, you know it's the only way." Slade, he never really changes you know?

"Shhh!" Is my only response, I trying to concentrate on the game in front of me. I still have a chance to win with cheating.

I catch a reflection in the screen. Slade, Jinx, Mammoth, Gizmo, Cinderblock, Plamus, Atlas, Mumbo Jumbo, Dr. Light, Mad Mod and the second Red X. I've got to admit, when Slade put together this team he pulled out all the stops. We didn't see it coming in the slightest, that's how he got the best of us.

'You win! Play Again?' "Yes" Hey I won without cheating this time!

So they were killed, my friends, and there was nothing I could do about. I let them down, their leader. Raven, Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Starfire dead.

Starfire, beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon, gone. I never even got a chance to tell her how I feel, that I loved her. So maybe I can still feel guilt, time to put that anger towards my need to win this.

"Computer, put the tower in lock down mode." I said. I could see the look in their stupid faces. Watched the reflection in the screen, they looked so sure of themselves, so sure of victory.

The windows covered with metal plating, any door in the building was triple locked. They look a little surprised now. Man, are they about to wish they hadn't crossed me.

"Computer, activate total self destruct of the tower, authorization Robin." I grin. After all, if I can't win fairly, I have to cheat to win.

"Set self destruct in 5 seconds." 5 seconds, it would take Gizmo at least 50 more seconds then that to hack my safe guarded systems. It would take at least five minutes for them to smash through the metal plating on the windows.

"Robin, end this foolishness!" Slade shouted. Jinx throws her hex bolts at the shielding to no avail. Mumbo's Magic has no effect either. Cinderblock and Atlas smash there fists against the shield uselessly.

I don't pay attention to any of them though, I have game to finish.

"5" The computer sounded out.

Wait, I may have enough time to finish the game.

"4"

Hmm, might as well end it without cheating.

"3"

I catch a glance at those who destroyed my friends; the fear in their eyes is quiet satisfying. Slade looks quiet shocked actually, is he surprised by my methods? Did he not take consider that I might cheat to win?

"2"

I make my last move.

"1"

'I'm sorry, you lost! Play Again?' Flashes across the screen. Oh well, you can't win them all I guess.

No one survived the explosion that followed.