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Black gloves tapped rapidly at the keyboard, the man's mask peeled back as his eyes ran across the screen. A slight clank at his side prompted him to turn his head as the elder butler set down a cup of tea on a small plate next to him. The butler turned to look at the screen. "Research Master Bruce?"
The Dark Knight lifted the tea to his lips, taking a long sip as he turned back to the screen of the Batcave's computer. "Just a little Alfred."
Alfred raised an eyebrow at the screen. "Slade? Isn't he the one that Master Dick and the Titans are dealing with?"
Bruce nodded as his set the tea down, his fingers returning to the keyboard. "I thought I'd do a little looking into his background. Not much to find though. There are hints towards a 'Slade Wilson' but I have no way of knowing if it's the same Slade."
"I see. Well then, I'll leave you to your work."
Green gloves tapped rapidly at the keyboard, the boy's eyes darting across the screen. A slight clank at his side prompted him to turn his head as the Tower's Tamarian set a tray of food next to him. "Good morning Robin, I have made some Earthen food for you, the scrambled eggs, toast of the French, strips of the bacon and juice of the orange." Robin smiled a bit and took the glass bringing it to his lips, one hand still tapping at the keyboard.
"Thanks Star. I guess I needed that." And he knew it too, he had been investigating since five AM on his computer. It was now around seven, the other Titans were sure to be up soon. "I've been looking for more info on the stolen artefacts, and any others that Slade might go for." He set the juice down and set the plate of food on his lap, scooping some eggs with the fork and placing it in his mouth, his eyes never leaving the screen. "The only connection everything has is that symbol." Robin used one hand to type commands, the '5' like symbol popping up on the screen. "Location and age doesn't seem to matter, just that symbol."
Starfire looked over the things on the screen as Robin worked away at his eggs. Noticing something she pointed at the screen. "What is that list Robin?" Setting the fork down the Boy Wonder typed a few commands.
"It's a list of similar artefacts and objects, all with the same symbol. Either they've gone missing, been stolen, or was bought by a Dale Sobrin. Slade."
"Slade!" The Tamarian exclaimed, turning to the human at the computer. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, the name is an anagram, the letters of one or more words rearranged to spell something else." Another command typed into the computer made the letters move around to spell two names.
Slade
Robin"Slade literally signed his name on it for us."
"I see. Why is he gathering all these things?"
"I don't know. I really don't." After a moment Robin began to work at the bacon as Cyborg walked into the room.
"Hey, morning everybody. Ready for a meaty-meat breakfast?"
"I'm good, Starfire all right made something for me." Robin sighed as he turned the computer off and picked up his tray and juice, taking them to the couch. Once there he set them on the table and turned the TV on, Starfire floating over to sit next to him, a smile lighting up her face. Cyborg wandered into the kitchen, looking for meat in the fridge as Beast Boy bounded into the room.
"Time to make a yummy, tasty tofu breakfast!"
"No WAY! We need real meat!"
Raven was the last to walk in. Seeing the usual 'Tofu vs. Meat' argument starting up she decided to leave her tea for the time being, walking up to the couch as Robin flipped the TV to the news. "How long are those two going to go at it this time?" She asked almost impassively.
"I give'em two hours."
"I believe our friends will argue for three."
All three turned their head to the screen as a woman adjusted her glasses. "This JCTV News. I'm Linda Stockwell with this morning's news. Later this morning we will be interviewing Lex Luthor about his presidential campaign, but first the local news.
"Last night three men attempted to rob Jump To It Electronics. Two more attempted to rape a woman, and another man tried to rob a convenience store. What do these three crimes have in common? The same man stopped them. For unknown reasons the Super-Hero 'Corona' who normally operates in Liberty City as well as being a former member of the Justice League has been spotted in Jump City."
Robin raised an eyebrow as the screen switched to another woman, blonde haired and looking a little shook up. "These two guys were about to do God-knows-what to me, and all of a sudden this... guy just swoops in and smacks them around. He seemed a bit young, but he was really kind and he even walked me back to my apartment."
Raven's brows furrowed in concentration as Beast Boy and Cyborg halted their argument to walk over to watch the screen. The screen switched again, showing a recorded battle, the date shown being six months prior as a glowing black clad figure fought what looked to be a cross between a woman and a snake. The figure dodged the snake-woman's attempt at a tackle and slipped over to grab the end her lower half, which was one big snake tail. He then proceeded to swing her around a few times before slamming her into a wall.
"Many questions need to be asked. Why is he in Jump City? Does he intend to stay here? Why is he no longer a part of the Justice League? And most importantly what will our city's mainstay defenders, the Teen Titans, think of this new hero in our city?
"In other local news..."
Robin pressed the power button as he crossed his arms. "Well, this is interesting."
"Do you know him Robin?" Starfire asked, tilting her head to one side.
"No, not really. Skimmed over the Justice League roster once though, said he had light-based powers."
"Light based huh?" Raven said thinking for a moment.
"Huh. Kind of weird he'd pack up you know? What you think he's here for? Chasing someone?" Cyborg asked. Starfire placed a finger on her chin thinking.
"Perhaps we should offer assistance to a fellow defender of the people?" Robin shook his head.
"No, I don't think he'd be chasing some one. If he were, he would have kept a lower profile, that way he could surprise whoever he was chasing. Maybe he's... moved here or something."
"Hey, wait, wait!" Beast jumped around for a moment, his arms waving around. "If he's sticking around, maybe we can have him sign up with us! They said he ran with the League for a bit, so maybe he could join up and help us out!"
Raven sighed and turned to level a flat stare at the green skinned one. "Need I remind you what happened the LAST time we had some join us?" That caused the entire room to flinch. "I don't think we need to be in a big rush to sign someone else up just yet." Robin nodded slightly in agreement.
"Raven has a point, we need to learn more about him before we can even consider it. Remember, he's a FORMER League member. People don't just wake up and say they want to quit the Justice League. There's a reason behind it, and until we can be sure about him..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get the point." Beast Boy waved slightly and walked back over to the kitchen. "I gotta get my tofu done."
Cyborg shook his head as Beast Boy left his view. "Low blow Raven, you know how hard he took Terra's... you know."
"I do know." Said the purple haired half-human said as she turned to the half-machine, her eyes staring into his. "Which is why I brought it up. The last thing we need is to get stabbed in the back again." Robin pushed the remains of his breakfast away and stood up, heading towards the door.
"I'll go phone Batman up, maybe he can answer a few things." Starfire smiled slightly as she floated over the couch, looking over at Raven.
"Come Raven, would you like to join me in a trip to the mall of the shopping."
"... Sure. Nothing else to do."
For a brief moment Raven had thought this was the figure in her dream. It was quickly dismissed however.
The figure in her dream glowed white. This 'Corona' glowed with a blue aura and wore a black costume. She snorted as she followed Starfire out the door, pulling her hood over her head. Just another useless dream to get her hopes up again.
'Final blinding blow my ass.'
Slade grinned to himself as his bots lifted a throne, over five thousand years old, into position. The thumb and forefinger on each hand shaped an 'L' and he placed them together to form a box.
Slade; Super-Villain, Nemesis of the Teen Titans, Messenger of Trigon and now Temple interior designer.
"More to the left... A bit more. Right there, now turn it... no the other way... yes, set it down right there." The bots gently set the ancient furniture down, a statue of Trigon seated on the throne, the statue's hands gripping the arms as it's face was twisted in a snarl. "Perfect." The statues four eyes glowed red as the Slade-Bots walked away.
"Report to me Slade, what is your status?"
"Yes Master. Everything you have asked for has been acquired. The last piece shall arrive soon."
As if it was some cue two Slade-Bots walked in, carrying the cross shaped into the Mark of Scathe. "Speak of the devil. Move it over there." Slade pointed to a table surrounded by candles in the centre of the room.
"Hold your servants Slade. I wish it to be moved here."
In a moment Slade's mind was sent an image. The minion turned to look at the wall above the throne. "Hmm... I will need time; I require some equipment to raise it up there.
"That is acceptable. Begin the second phase. Collect one hundred souls so their power may be used to fuel the gate."
"Yes, of course. However, I humbly request to ask a question."
"You may."
"You intend to make Raven's dark side take over her so you maybe released. I am not questioning your power, but what if she is able to conquer the evil within her. Should I prepare a backup plan?"
"Even though you have questioned my plan I will allow it. Your attention to details and acknowledgment of the possibility of failure is why I have chosen you to serve me. Fear not my minion. You have already set my back up plan in place."
"I see. I apologize for my insubordination. I will have one hundred souls brought here to garner the power needed."
"There is no rush my servant. Time is our ally at the moment. However, watch my daughter and her allies. Just in case."
"Of course Master. It shall be done." Slade's eye held a glimmer as the statue's glow faded.
The next phase had begun. The Earth would soon burn.
