Ok, yeah I'm sorry it's taken so long to update, but hey, I have lots of homework. If you don't believe me, I'll be happy to list it all off for you, but I would really rather not expend the energy.
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: LOL yeah, he seemed to be a hit in the first one, so I figured why not bring back the bat. Glad you liked it!
raeandrob4eva: LOL whoa there, sissy! Don't take it out on the toys...take it out on the real deal! lol. -sighs, shakes head- We could go into why I hate Slade, but I'm sure you can figure out the reasons. The most I will give him is that he is fun to write, and a very good villain. Beautiful? No. No puedo. LOL don't you hate when you just can't find the right form of the word? LOL I'm glad to have your support, though it does actually turn the pressure up a notch. Yeah, you're making sense. LOL yes, they were quite enjoyable...but you might want to watch what you say in front of those guys in white coats...they are extremely tricky.
CloudsHalo: LOL all right, kill me if you must...only problem is, the story dies with me. Hm...good questions. LOL yeah...I've accepted the fact that I am good at writing someone as evil as Slade...I suppose I'll just have to embrace that side of myself... :) Yes I particularly liked that part...he may appear old and feeble, but Alfred can still kick some serious butt. LOL oh well, I won't be too terribly offended, though long reviews are the best kind...unless of course it's a long review full of cussing.
Strixvaria: Thanks.
jambey: Yeah I thought I might focus more on Bruce in this, rather than Batman...and I thought I'd show a bit of how difficult it must be for Robin, constantly trying to live up to his expectations and never quite making it. Yeah...I have kind of delayed that in light of what I considered more important events. Um...well...see... -gulps- if I said anymore, it would give it all away. Maniacally? I think so. LOL you are telling someone with the pen name of Insanity 101 not to do anything too insane? Yes, I have to admit, I like playing with your poison darts, so I suppose this is a win/win situation. :) Thanks! LOL well, the only experience I have ever had with one was unpleasant, so that's all I know of the creatures. Personally, I think you have to be somewhat insane to advise someone who is insane...but then I have a lot of wacked theories. NO KIDDING! He is soooo dang fine! Er... -cough cough-
Strixvaria: LOL that is, by far, the longest review you have ever given me. LOL as bad as Umbridge, eh? Well, I feel your pain...my school has its very own Professor Snivellus. Thanks for reading, and good luck with the hag.
Majestical: LOL yeah it was pretty horrid...Thanks:)
The Wings of a Raven: -whimpers- I'm s-s-sorry:( I won't do it again...for about five seconds... Lol so were you cussing at me, or talking about a skunk just now? ...or was that not Spanish? LOL I wouldn't know the difference.
ravenrocs4eva: Thanks:)
Furubafun24: If I said anything, I'd have to say everything, and where's the sense in that? -blush- Thanks! LOL I do not wish to yell, merely to...ugh, what is with all these Starfire quotes? LOL it's fine, I understand. Yeah...and um, it doesn't show any signs of getting out of that morbid state for quite some time... Glad you like it!
Aeris-Raven:( I'm not evil...I'm telling mommy! LOL! Sorry for that horrible cliffhanger, I truly am. Yeah I know what you mean...it is actually a much more cruel form of torture, seperating them, leaving them alone for hours on end, alone to contemplate what might be happening to the other... Well...I'm not going to stop the story. I...Ugh...I can't say any more, or it will give it all away.
AnnFaithDarknessGoddess: Yeah, he was getting very impatient with waiting, so the second he could, he did. Well, at least right now, I don't think Raven is the one you should worry about. That should be explained very soon (Cyborg's behavoir that is). Thanks for reading:)
Jordanals: Sorry for making you wait so long...Thanks! I'm really glad you like it! LOL well if you like sad stories, I think you've come to the right place.
Umbro Draco: All right then, I will. Um...yeah I kinda do. I don't like how he throws fits about following Robin's instructions...I mean, Robin's the leader for a reason, because he's intelligent and knows what's best for the team! And well, for me, Titans East was the icing on the cake...just the fact that he flipped his friends the bird and went off with some other team... -cough cough- so yeah, I guess you could say that I have something against him. LOL I'd like to think that that isn't influencing my writing, but I think that's a little impossible. Thanks for reviewing so fast:)
TheAnglesShadow:( I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you cry! LOL well at least it's interesting. I'm so sorry it took so long. Here's the chapter, now please don't cry:)
aledeth: Hmmm...maybe I should. -shrug- Sorry...I'll try to find one...
CelticHeirissFiona: LOL! Yeah, we can kill him, then put him in an asylum. So do I... Thanks for reading:)
Raven of the night 676: LOL yeah it's a bionic monkey infused with Cyborg's DNA. Glad you like it:)
Devon Masterson-Bond: Yeah, you could say that...Thanks:)
Optional: Well, rest assured, because that is NOT what I have in mind...Slade rapings in stories are just too creepy...I'd like to think that even he might draw the line somewhere, and hopefully, it would be there.
Mystyre: Um...have you been admitted to an asylum? If you have, IT'S ALL MY FAULT! -wails hysterically- I'm sorry it took so long...kill my teachers, not me. LOL yeah, I kind of enjoyed putting two immensely powerful individuals with a common interest in the same room to duke it out.
Dominic Monaghan is mine: LOL yeah you could call him a meanie...Thanks:)
Jordanals: Sorry it took so long...thank you for being patient. :)
YoukaiTenshi: Your wish is my command...but I'm kinda a lazy genie...
jambey: Sorry! LOL if you want to help me with my research paper on juvenile delinquency, the updates might be a little faster. Yell at my English teacher, it's her fault. LOL no pressure, eh? Oh yeah, even Robin doesn't pout this much! LOL.
On With The Story! (Robin: I think I liked "shut up and read" better...)
"Friend Cyborg, you are hurting me", she informed him, as though certain that if he knew this, he would release her.
"You've left me no choice. Now hold still, and this might not hurt." He held up a syringe of clear liquid...
"Leave her alone!"
Cyborg cried out in shock as a small green goat bowled into his legs, knocking them clean out from under him. He growled low. "I've really been trying to be patient with you guys, but this is the last straw!"
"Starfire, now!"
"But..." Star watched uncertainly as two of her best friends struggled on the floor, Beast Boy desperately pushing the needle away from himself. Cyborg's mechanical muslces were slowly overcoming the changeling's best efforts, the needle point drawing closer and closer to his arm... "Starfire!"
What could she do? She did not want to hurt friend Cyborg, but what about friend Beast Boy?
Beads of sweat were streaking down BB's forehead, the needle barely an inch from his skin. "STAR!"
A tear fell from her bright green eyes as she sorrowfully summoned a starbolt. "I am sorry, friend." Her eyes snapped open, glowing a dangerous green as she hurled the bolt at the back of Cyborg's head.
The half-robot let out a grunt of surprise as the energy ball knocked him off the changeling and into the wall. Plaster cracked and crumbled as he fell to the ground, his metal fingers twitching slightly before his systems shut down.
Robin didn't even bother to look up as light flooded the room, spilling from the open door. The shadow of his worst nightmare stretched out across the floor, head barely visible, outlined hardly an inch from where he knelt. How he would love to swing at that head, to pummel and beat and smash it until nothing remained of the madness within.
"Hello, Robin. Sleep well?"
His teeth ground together, the sound echoing in his ears, but not loud enough to drown out the voice.
With slow, deliberate steps, his metal shoes clanking softly against the rough concrete, Slade made his way towards Robin's prone figure. Stacked not far from him were three or four bowls of "nourishment", completely untouched. "You can starve yourself all you want, Robin, but it will not release you. I have my ways of keeping you alive."
His eyes squeezed shut, blocking out the image of his captor's feet but not the thought of what they felt like imbedded in his side.
"What's this? No fight left, Robin? No clever comeback to throw at me? Am I winning?"
Slade's last word rang tauntingly in his ears, rebounding again and again in his mind...winning winning winning. A small growl of defiance, weak and lacking conviction, escaped his dry lips. A chuckle that made his entire body cringe welled up from Slade's throat, quiet and haunting, like a ghost from the past. But this was no memory. This was all too real.
"We're going to have the pleasure of a little visit from one of your friends, Dick."
His heart froze as his mind filled with thoughts of Starfire, Beast Boy, and Cyborg.
Slade gripped a handful of his shirt, lifting him from the ground effortlessly. "We'd best get ready."
Batman stared ahead grimly, clipping and strapping various weapons onto his person, his hands moving automatically. Slade was no petty criminal; he would, doubtless, prove extremely challenging. He needed to be as ready as possible at such short notice. Batman frowned, regretting his sleepless night and empty stomach. Unfortunate, yes, but nothing could be done about that now.
He almost rolled his eyes as they fell upon the so-called "meeting place". A creepy, abandoned warehouse, windows shattered, cobwebs strung across the door frame. What a change! How original!
He cringed as the image of Robin flashed before his eyes. Batman felt as though every step he took would send him flying into a million pieces, but his exterior remained calm and collected as his hand fell upon the doorknob, every muscle tensed and ready for attack. With a deep breath that left his lungs as oxygen-deprived as ever, he gave it a gentle shove, a slight shiver running down his spine as the door creaked on rusty hinges. When nothing stirred within, he slipped cautiously inside, brushing the webs aside with the back of his gloved hand. It was pitch-black within the room, but his eyes soon adjusted. There was a pillar in the center of the room, no doubt supporting the sagging roof... Then he heard it: ragged breathing, rasping in and out of a dry throat...
Still cautious, Batman inched towards the pillar, and as he neared it, the rough outline of a small figure could be seen, strapped in an upright position, head dropped limply on its chest. A horrible jolt shocked through him, and in seconds, he was at Robin's side, gently tilting his head upwards and frowning as he felt sharply jutting bones and hollow cheeks. A shuddering breath shivered through the boy's limp form as he lifted his eyes, gazing at Batman with a dead look. He struggled for a moment, then croaked, "I'm sorry."
A wave of guilt flooded through him as he saw a tiny hint of fear in his son's eyes. What had he done? With surprising tenderness, he stroked Robin's cheek with his thumb. "No. I'm the one who's sorry."
"And now it is my turn to apollogize." The room was suddenly flooded with light, revealing Slade leaning casually against the wall. "For such a rude interruption."
Batman released Robin, crouching into his fighting stance as he glared at Slade. "Apollogy not accepted."
Slade continued to lounge against the wall, twirling something lazily in his hands. "I must say, Batman, I was surprised, almost shocked, at that little display just now. It seems even the Mighty Bat has a weakness."
"Are we going to talk, or fight?", Batman asked, his jaw and fists clenched.
Slade chuckled. "My, my, we are in such a hurry to face destruction. I thought you would have liked the opportunity to say goodbye to Dick first."
Batman's eyes widened at the sound of Robin's name uttered from Slade's mouth. But then, he reasoned, it wouldn't be too hard to discover his secret identity, once he confiscated his mask. With a jolt of uncertainty, he wondered what else Slade had learned about his ward.
As though in answer to his silent question, Slade droned, "I think you would be quite surprised at what I know. At what Dick has told me."
"Told you?" His eyes flickered to Robin, whose head hung limply, eyes fixed on the ground, thought Batman couldn't tell if this was due to fatigue...or shame.
"Oh yes. I know more about Richard than even you do." Slade watched Batman closely, smiling as he detected small indications of anger, and perhaps a hint of uncertainty. He offered no response, but Slade didn't mind. All villains like to monologue. "For instance, are you aware of the pain you've put him through? Do you know just how hard he has tried to please you? Do you know how it feels to constantly fail? To never be good enough?" His body still leaned against the wall, but now it was tense, like a coiled spring. "Are you aware of what you have done to him?"
Batman felt as though someone had just slammed a weight into his chest. He glanced at Robin, but he was as silent as before. "Look at me!", he thought forcefully, but the boy did not lift his head. He turned back to Slade, finding, to his relief, that his usual cold, emotionless tone had not deserted him. "You know nothing about him."
Slade gazed intently at him, his gray eye never blinking. "On the contrary, I know him like I konw myself." With absolutely no warming, he leapt at Batman, a deadly kick aimed at his masked face.
But Batman's reflexes were too quick. He dodged, aiming an uppercut at Slade's chin, his mind ready for battle. But still...Slade's words echoed uneasily in the back of his mind, he couldn't quite shake the look of pain in Robin's eyes. The seed of doubt, though small and inconspicuous, was planted all the same.
Slade found himself, to his astonishment and frustration, a little rusty. He had been fighting (and winning) Robin for so long that he had almost forgotten what a challenge was like. Now that he was faced with one, he felt the effects of of strain, his muscles aching slightly, his breath coming a little faster, sweat beading on his forehead beneath the confining mask. He was going to have to pull a few tricks from his sleeves if he wanted to come out on top in this one. Still, he wasn't too strained to throw in a witty remark. "One of the first rules in the book, Batman: never get emotionally attached to your side-kick."
Batman remained silent, refusing to allow Slade to distract him. So far, he had managed to duck and block everything Slade threw at him, but on the other hand, he had yet to land a punch. Slade was no easy opponent, and he could already feel the strain, small and insignificant, but still detectable. He couldn't afford to drop his guard, even for a moment. He could deal with Dick later, now was the time to finish Slade.
On impulse, Batman swept his legs along the dusty floorboards, catching Slade by surprise and sending him tumbling to the ground. Before the villain had so much as taken a breath, Batman's foot was pressed to his throat, hard enough to make air difficult to come by.
Slade smiled, though his confidence was slightly shaken, and took the opportunity to rest. "Amazing, really. Years of careful study, months of planning, trying every last trick in the book on that boy, and nothing worked. Nothing phased him. He was just as stubborn as ever." He chuckled roughly. "A problem is always so simple, once you know the answer to it."
Rage burned on his skin, boiled in his veins, surged through his mind, and still his voice was calm. "I suppose the only thing you enjoy more than power is the sound of your own voice."
Slade jerked his leg back and brought it smashing into Batman's shrouded face, righting himself with ease as the Dark Knight stumbled backward, momentarily shocked. "Power. One of the many qualities he and I share." He lashed out before Batman could recover, kicking him in the chest and all-but sending him crashing to the ground.
Robin struggled to lift his head, the muscles aching and straining as he caught a glimpse of Batman, Bruce, stumbling backward, Slade bearing down on him. "No...", he choked, coughing weakly. "No...stop..."
Batman froze as he heard Robin speak, his voice quiet and hoarse. He hesitated for a moment...
And a moment was all Slade needed. He leapt in the air, whipping his leg around and smashing his metal boot into the back of Batman's head.
Pain seared through him, throbbing in his mind, fogging his vision... "No! Focus, you can't afford to lose this. He needs you." He saw Slade's metal-gloved fist shooting towards his face, saw his cold gray eye taunting him...at the last second he jerked backwards, looking up at the ceiling as the first flew over him harmlessly. In a matter of seconds, he righted himself, dodged another punch from Slade, and sent his own smashing into the villain's chest. It was as though he was wearing blinders on the sides of his face; all of his energy was focused on Slade, eyes watching his every move, ears listening for the sharp intake of breath that would indicate an attack. He was oblivious to all else as he ducked, blocked, and countered, his movements blending one with another in a pattern that was almost a dance...
Slade hit the ground roughly, gasping for air, sweat pouring down his face behind the mask. "You will not win. You cannot defeat me any more than Robin can. Why? Because you are weak, Bruce Wayne. Because you are weak."
Please don't kill me! I know that was a bad place to stop, but you are lucky to even have this chapter, what with how busy I am. It wouldn't even be written if I hadn't gotten up at 6:15 and typed it up, so please, be gentle, I'm running on four hours of sleep. Until next time, -Dusty