(A/N: Thanx to everybody who's been reading this so far. Anyway, the reason I've been able to update so quickly is because I actually began writing this around December, posting this on another site. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as well as good reviews. Now, on with the show!)

Chapter 5

"Surprised, Robin?" Slade asked.

Robin swiftly pulled out his quarterstaff.

"No. Not particularly. I always knew that you'd come back."

"Touché. I've come not only to exact my revenge-"

"By just being here you've already pissed me off, you bastard!"

"Quiet, Robin. Or should I say Dick Grayson?" Slade said.

Robin was silent.

"Yes, Robin. I know your secret. And the true identity of Bruce Wayne. All it takes is a little espionage, and I know everything about you."

"No. You can't-"

"Yes, Robin. And I will tell everyone unless you bring me to her."

"To who?"

"To Raven." Slade said coldly.

Robin's eyes narrowed. "Over my dead body."

"So it shall be."

Slade jumped into the air, pulling out his machete, and slashed out at Robin. Robin, on reflex pulled out his quarterstaff, barely blocking it. Even though the blow was blocked, he could see a small dent in it from the sword. Slade struck from the side this time, and Robin dodged it, with a small cut, however, to his waist.

Slade was talking all the way as the two weapons clashed.

"Robin, Robin, Robin…when will you ever learn? Do you think I have no reason for killing your friend?"

"You have a reason-" Robin blocked a stab, "—because you're sick!"

"I need Raven dead," Slade said firmly. "And I need your help. Or I'll kill you."

With that, Slade delivered a stab into Robin's leg, and Robin's eyes widened.

"I've hit a major artery. You have two options: You can either help me kill Raven and prevent the end of the world…"

"No…" Robin whispered. The end of the world?

"Or bleed to death. I really couldn't care less, but you'd be a valuable asset. And I know just the place to stab you so you won't even scream. It'll be nice and slow, Robin, nice and slow."

"S-so you're trying to convince me to help you?" Robin asked. "If you haven't noticed, stabbing me and bleeding me to death isn't going to really help."

"Robin…why do you think I've been so well prepared? I can see the future…glimpses, nothing more, but I still see it. And here's what I have to show you."

Slade put his hand on Robin's temple, and Robin screamed. A vision flashed through his mind.

Death.

Pain.

Horror.

Ravens hovering through the sky, over a wasteland. Death…blood everywhere. Three figures watching over the carnage. One was an enormous demonic creature with four eyes, staring over it's work. The other was a boy, by the look of it, a 16 year old. And he was kissing someone—Raven. Raven smiled, and whispered

"Sometimes I still miss them."

"Who?"

"The Titans. But then I remember my power. My father. And you, Sornu. I love you."

"The Teen Titans were idiots, their deaths were meaningless. They only prolonged the inevitable rule of you and your father. And you showed me my power."

They kissed again, and the vision moved to a fried corpse. It's skeletal form looked like it was rotting and then Robin saw the mask.

It was himself.

Robin woke up in a white bed, the Titans (except for Raven) surrounding him.

"Robin!" Starfire shouted. "What—what happened?"

"Slade did. This time for real."

Cyborg looked at Robin, his face showing a sign of faint horror.

"Are…you sure?"

"Yeah. We…we need to…"

"What?"

"Kill Raven."

End of Chapter