I'm back! Yes, I'm not dead.

I'm sorry I was just trying to make thischapter longer. But I just divided it into two chapters so I can post this one. The next one is like one big battle and if there's one thing I can't write it's battle scenes. So it might take a bit.

Anywhoo, enought talk-story!

Chapter 6 Cold and Dark

Cold and Dark...Hmm. Those were the perfect words to match seemly everything one could think of. Cold and Dark was the night that had consumed him. Cold and Dark was Robin's shell of a body. Cold and Dark was the horrid creature who had the brave bird under his thumb. The horrid creature. It wasn't even fit to be called a human. To a place of Coldness and Darkness was where he was going.

The warehouse had once been a bright and used place. It was nestled almost on top of the ocean so the crashing waves had always brought a sense of calmness. It was a large building, two stories tall at the minimum. There were many windows to let in the brilliant sunshine and a skylight to let in fresh air. It was painted simply but it was always freshly coated, giving it a welcome look. It really had been beautiful. Yes, it had been once. Now it was nothing but blackness.

All the windows and the skylight had been boarded up or just taken out completely, keeping out any natural light or any feeling of freshness. It hadn't been painted in years almost like it was signifying that it wanted to be left alone. And it was now filled with numerous gears and various types of machinery that creaked and spun so loud that the sound of the ocean could not longer be heard. It had changed from bright and inviting to dark and gloomy. But it wasn't the building's fault. The saying, "What is on the inside will always find a way out," is very true. With an evil, psychopathic villain occupying the inside, it's no wonder what the outside turned out to be.

Robin's whole body tensed as he took the first step into the forgotten place. He looked around trying to memorize everything, a sense of habit taught to him by the Dark Knight. Besides the already mentioned machinery and variously placed hanging lamps, it was completely empty. Dark, empty, black, and feared. It fit Slade all to well.

The ebony haired teen slowly walked to the side of the room he had last seen the villain occupy. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have let himself fall into a trap so easily? How could he have put his friends in such danger? Thoughts like these were the ones that fiercely tightened every mussel in his body. It he could just get his hands on that…that... thing. Maybe he could get the controller from him. Maybe…what was he thinking? Slade wasn't an unprepared nitwit who relied on luck like other villains he'd taken down. Slade knew he would be doing everything possible to get his friends out of danger. Slade knew he'd do anything for them. Slade knew of every of his fighting tricks. Slade even seemed to know how his mind worked.

Slade knew of every flaw, every glitch, and every tactic the strong bird possessed. But the boy had to wonder if the mastermind knew of his heart, his wants, his desires, and his love. Love. Something Gotham's mysterious savior had put down, cursed, and blamed for more things than the young Grayson could recall. Loving or even feeling was wrong. Dating, especially with a teammate, was unacceptable. A super hero's heart was suppose to be locked up and remain that way for as long as he donned the mask. These were things that the boy had believed…until the day he met her. She was like a light in the dark, a fresh breeze to a wilted flower, a star on a blackened night (pardon the pun), and his guardian angel. She had changed everything, but old habits die hard. Giving himself over to his heart was something he just couldn't do, at least not yet; so he tried hiding it everyway he could-blaming his over-protectiveness of her as part of being a leader, constant interaction was only because he was helping her adjust to Earth, and he only watched her so much to learn more of her culture. Even though they were all logical denies, he knew the others had figured it out long ago, even before he did. But did the psychotic man know of his one true and deep love?

"Good, Robin." The voice of the evil genius interrupted his thoughts. "Very good."

"Slade…" The teen's voice trailed off, not trusting himself to speak further for fear he'd say something that he'd regret and his friends would be the ones paying the price.

"Really, I'm pleased. You've already proven to be the perfect apprentice." The masked man continued.

"This deal can't last forever." The Bird shot back into the emptiness.

"It can. And it will." He replied while walking into the range of Robin's sight. "You see the Titans still have no idea that my chronoton detonator was more than a decoy. Now that the probes are inside their bodies they can remain undetected for years, decades. Unless, of course, you disobey me and I decide to destroy your former friends. " He continued, taking precise care to emphasize the word former.

"If you dare…" Robin threatened, hate and disgust soaking his voice.

"A push of the button is all it will take." Slade warned, his voice soothing yet sinister at the same time. "Now show me the reward of your first thrill." Almost like a son presenting a new trophy to his father, Robin held out the thermal blaster. "Very good." Deathstroke said again while walking towards the masked seventeen year old. As the madman paused to take the heat distributor from him, the heroic young man saw the controller that activated the probes fastened securely to the villain's wrist. It was in his grasp all he had to do was reach out and take it. Slowly his hand began moving, closer…almost…sensing what Robin was doing the orange and black clad man began walking passed him; forcing the controller to move away from his apprentice's reach.

"Sooner or later, you'll let your guard down…"Robin started, surprising even himself at his openness. "Sooner or later, I will get that controller. And the second they're out of danger…you will pay."

"That sounds like a threat, young man." Slade stated, stopping to turn around and look at his apprentice's back. "Quite a good threat, actually. Betrayal. Destruction. Revenge…We really do think alike." That was it. Being compared to the man he hated, the man who wanted the city destroyed caused Robin to snap.

He let out a growl of frustration as he stun on his heels, and made a grab for the trigger on Slade's arm, but Deathstroke seemed to have suspected this because he merely caught Robin's wrist. But, fortunately, he hadn't expected a steel-tipped shoe kicking him right in the stomach, sending him back three feet.

"That was a mistake, boy." Slade warned.

"My only mistake was ever agreeing to this!" The former circus star snapped in reply. And thus the battle began.

Yeah, I know that's short.

MORE FLUFF TO COME! Both on the TV show and my story.

WARNING. "STRANDED" SPOILERS!
This is the cutest thing ever! It airs here in the US on June 11. I don't think I have ever seen Robin act so...cute and non-robinish. He's like a normal teenage boy in this. One of the biggest pluses imo. And here is my favorite line:

Cyborg (to Robin and Starfire): Let's go. Unless you want stay here goofin'around with yourgirlfriend.

Please Review!
Mayday