Starsweetie: Oh no, tsk tsk tsk, biting nails is a bad habit. But not in this case! Here's the update.
Invader Crystal: Make it a full size cake and you've got a deal.
Flames of the Sun: The hard thing about Slade is that with each story (or in the show's case, each new episode) his triumphs, plans, or even speeches get harder and harder to top. I'm glad you liked my version, but I'm always holding my breath whenever I use Slade because you never how well it's gonna work out.
TheNextTitan: Kill Star? Absolutely of course not! I would never do that, then who would be the adorable innocent team member? I'm not being cute; seriously, I think she's one of the best characters in the whole show. She's so funny, in a cute way.
Kazzy103: You like that kind of story? Depending on how they're done they are pretty good most of the time. This is the first time I've done a story like that, so if you see anything wrong tell me. It is after all my first attempt at it.
Samanthe2121: Thanks, I will continue to write.
Starfire-is-not-a-wimp: Ah! My favorite reviewer. I'm so glad your linking the story so far! Forgive me for the spider cliché, it will be addressed in the chapter –bows head-, sorry. So you wrote a story and it's sequel before the first story was even finished? Whoa. That's not scary; it just shows you can multi-write (if there is such a word). One time I had three stories going at once, I had to alternate updating chapters. I was just so excited about each of their plots that I couldn't wait to start them. Ya know how it is. And I am really looking forward to Stranded. Betrothed was a little bit of a disappointment, for a Blackfire return episode (she's one of my favorite villains). It was definitely a fluff episode yeah, but there was just something missing in it and to this day I could never quite put my finger on it. Oh well, Stranded's coming and that will more than make up for it. I also can't wait to see Starfire use a bow and arrow, that should be something to see. Also can't wait to for "The End". This season's overall plot has been pretty good so far. Don't you think? Enjoy the chapter.
Story Weaver1: I know you'd think Raven would never ever go to the mall, but, Starfire gave her the 'starry eyes'. Of course I've seen Episode Three, what good Star Wars fan hasn't? Not I. Though one of my teachers was being the biggest dork about it though. For the entire two weeks preceding the movie's premier he couldn't stop talking about it. Don't get me wrong he did do a good job of using up 'valuable class time', but it was still really annoying.
Shemka Oka: Thanks, I'm glad you like it!
Cottoncandyclouds: Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to kill you, but just in case here's the update. Breathe.
Sorry for the wait, thanks so much for your reviews and hereeee's the update. Enjoy!
Chapter Three
Promises Made
Robin firmly resolved that there was no other way to do this and tapped a small button on the spider's head. The device lit up and Robin set it on the ground as Slade's face appeared once again.
"Robin. This is a surprise, I expected you to respond within minuets not seconds." Robin slumped his shoulders and gave a long sigh.
"What do you want," he asked him quietly. Slade nodded his head and smiled behind his mask.
"Good, now we're getting somewhere." Robin swallowed; not liking at all the way Slade's voice carried itself. "We will meet in person Robin in order to better discuss the terms of our agreement. It would be best if you came alone."
"Typical," snipped Robin. "Alright Slade I'm on my way but I want you to keep one thing in mind; this is all for Starfire, do you understand me? If you do anything funny I'm pulling out of this and letting Raven do one of the things she does best."
"Unleash terrible demons from inside herself?"
"Don't be a smart ass."
"Oh! Language Robin, we don't want to be crude in Starfire's presence now do we?"
"Just tell me how to get to you," barked Robin. Slade slowly nodded.
"Very well, it's on your desk." The hologram faded and Robin turned to the desk next to his bed. Next to his laptop was a manila folder with yet another Slade logo in the corner. Slade's ego really knew no bounds. He picked up the folder and grasped it tightly wondering if this was such a good idea after all. If the directions in the folder were genuine then he could actually have Slade finally apprehended; but if Slade was telling the truth (if he ever could) then Robin could also loose a chance to save Star. He smacked the wall out of frustration and headed out of his room. As he went the little spider drone caught his eye once again. He shook his head stomped down on the mechanical arachnid.
"What a pathetic cliché."
Robin swiftly made his way down the halls toward sickbay wanting now more than ever to just talk to her. He remembered that Raven was in there with her and hastily stuffed the folder behind his back and concealed it with his cape. The last thing he wanted his friends to know was that he had struck a deal with their greatest enemy. Robin stepped inside sickbay and saw that Starfire had not moved from her previous position. Raven scribbled down her observations and gave Robin a short nod as he approached the bed.
"Is she any better," asked Robin. Raven simply shook her head. "Can she talk?"
"Yeah, a little. She asked for you a few minuets ago." Robin looked up at the pale Titan.
"Sh-She did?"
"Uhh...yeah. Why were you expecting something different?"
"No, I just…uh…just didn't think she'd be up to speaking right now." Raven shrugged.
"She has a strong will to live; if I were you I wouldn't disappoint her." Robin frowned at Raven.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Raven underlined something and rolled her eyes.
"Its painfully obvious Robin; I mean, for all you attempts to hide it, your both nuts in love with each other. You also don't need to be an empath to be able to read Starfire's emotions; they stick out like movie poster." Robin sighed and gazed back down at Starfire's sleeping form. Her color had returned in a very small way but it was noticeable none the less.
"Raven, can you leave for a moment?" Raven looked at him from her chart. "I want to talk to her."
"I still have tests I need to run and few more preliminary exams to look over…"
"Get out!"
"What?" Raven stared at him with a stunned look. Robin closed his eyes in remorse.
"Sorry Raven, please I just need a few minuets."
"Alright, but don't take too long. I need to keep working." Robin nodded and she walked past him.
"Raven…" She turned back to face him. "I am sorry for snapping at you, it was uncalled for." She nodded and swiftly left the room. Robin pulled a chair over to Star's bed and took a seat beside her. He laced his fingers between her own and smiled as she stirred somewhat from his touch. He gently touched her shoulder. "Hey…" She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head in his direction. She saw him and a weak smile spread across her face.
"Robin, I-am so happy to see you." Robin felt an overwhelming feeling of pity surge through at that moment. Starfire was deathly ill but still she found the strength to smile for him. It took everything he had to keep his own smile stable and from turning into a tearing frown. He took her hand in both of his and rubbed it gingerly.
"I'm happy to see you too Star." Starfire then suddenly shut her eyes tight as a sudden wave of pain coursed through her. She opened her eyes and looked as if she had just run ten miles flat out.
"Robin?"
"Yes Star?"
"Am…am I going to die?" Robin's grip on her hand tightened and he never wanted to let it go. He looked down at her for the longest of moments and shook his head.
"No, no Star you're not going to die. I promise." She took in another deep breath.
"Robin, what is happening to me?"
"I'm sorry Star. But we don't really know for sure what's causing this. But we'll find out what and we will stop it." Starfire now gripped his hand telling him she wanted to speak.
"Robin I must tell you something, before it is too late."
"No! Starfire this is not the last time we are going to talk to each other. Please don't say things like that." But apparently Starfire's hearing had now become impaired because she went on. She swallowed and paused once more to gather what small amount of strength that she could.
"Robin…I-I….I love you." It seemed Starfire had used up a large bit of saved strength because her eyes then rolled back and she was once again in a very deep sleep. Robin could only sit and stare at her. Sit, stare, and keep a tight hold of her hand. He hated not being able to loose himself in her emerald eyes; those big innocent eyes that he had fallen in love with. He reached forward and lightly stroked her pale cheek.
"Don't worry Star, I may have found a way to save you. I promise you will live and that's a promise I'll die before I break." He bent forward and gently brushed his lips against hers. "I'll be back." With one last squeeze of her hand he got up and walked out of sickbay. He walked out so quickly that he didn't even notice Raven waiting patiently by the door. She watched him leave and instantly after passing her by she began feeling an array of emotions from him. The few that caught her attention the most were fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and love. 'Well of course that one,' thought Raven. She went back inside sickbay and resolved not to be interrupted any longer by locking the door behind her.
Robin swiftly made his way across the common room floor and towards the stairs for the garage. Cyborg sat watching TV with Beast Boy and saw their leader out of the corner of his eye.
"Yo Rob where you going?"
"I have to do something."
"Well what is it," persisted Cyborg. Robin turned back irritably.
"Just let me know if anything happens; in the city or in here." Cyborg nodded and Robin was off in a flash. Beast Boy looked after him and raised his eyebrows.
"What's his deal?"
"Chances are it's lying in a hospital bed," said Cyborg under his breath.
REJOINGIN ROBIN…………………
The boy wonder sped down the highway on his R-Cycle weaving about between other cars he deemed to be going too slow. He wore neither a smile nor a frown for at that moment he was resolved not to show any emotion in Slade's presence. His only focus and priority was Starfire and her well being. He pulled off on the exit indicated in Slade's directions and found myself driving down a dark forested area. The trees were almost perfectly aligned with each other and seemed to close in above him the farther down the road he went. He pulled up to the front of large mansion which had its own clock tower off to the side. Robin was expecting a lighting bolt to strike the tope most spire when a sound to his right caught his attention. He turned swiftly raising his fists and saw a small camera focusing on him.
"You really need professional help Slade," said Robin to the small camera. He removed his riding helmet and after setting it on one of the handle bars he cautiously walked up to the front door. He stood on the veranda and looked around for a moment. Aside from the fact that the house looked like it had been abandoned for decades, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He reached for the door latch but stopped. 'I think the back door would be a better way to go,' thought Robin. But as he was leaving he stopped and looked back. 'But what if he's expecting me to think that way, or what if he's expecting me to thank that? Oh hell I'll just go in.' He gripped the door handle and pulled it open. A cloud of dust came off the rotting oak door making Robin close his eyes and cough a few times before he moved out of it. He took out a small flashlight and examined each of the empty and dust infested rooms. Patched up and dirty tarps had been placed on all the furniture. As Robin tread onward he felt something crinkle under his foot and glanced down at a wrinkled sign. He squinted trying to make out what it said and finally read the words Condemned, Do Not Enter. 'Well this is a good sign,' he thought. As he turned the corner he saw a thin stream of light under a door leading into the living room. Taking a deep breath Robin pressed on and stood before the door. With but another second of readiness he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The living was very large, probably enough to fit two of the Titan's living room inside with room to spare. A fire was going in the equally gargantuan fireplace producing an eerie glow throughout the whole room.
"Good evening Robin," came Slade's voice. Robin's eyes darted to all parts of the room but saw no sign of him.
"Slade, come out where I can see you!"
"No need to shout Robin, I'm right here." Robin turned and the masked villain was standing before the fireplace. He took hold of a poker and began prodding the fiery embers. "I'm glad you made here okay, I was afraid my directions were a little vague."
"Let's just get down to business Slade," said Robin.
"Come on Robin, why not sit down and share a quiet conversation?"
"Don't make me laugh…"
"Laughter is the best medicine."
"Slade before you go on wasting my time is there a point to all this?"
"Very well Robin, you have a crisis on you hands and I have the one and only way to stop it. But as it turns out Robin, it's not that simple." Robin arched an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm not entirely alone." Robin then heard foot steps behind him. He instantly had his staff at the ready and he spun around to face whoever was sneaking up on him. His mouth dropped and he nearly dropped his staff. She was dressed in a black tunic with gold sash around her waste. Her blonde hair had been cut to exact shoulder length.
"Terra…"
"Robin," she replied flatly.
"How did you get out of being a…well, a rock?"
"Intuition," she replied with a smile. "I owe him one." She gestured over at Slade and crossed her arms. Robin was not liking the look of this at all. Terra coming back and being on Slade's side, again, was one surprise too many.
"You failed to mention you managed to brainwash her once more," said Robin.
"Once again Robin you assume too much."
"Is that so?"
"That is so," said Terra. She walked past him and stood with Slade. As she did she winked and Robin felt the ground directly beneath his feet shift. He looked back up at her with concern.
"You see her long exposure to the raw earth has dramatically increased her power's potential, while also giving her a level of manipulation never thought possible. In short Robin, she's become more powerful than either of us could ever dream of."
"But why is she here," asked Robin with a narrowed gaze. Slade looked as if he were about to enjoy this.
"I only know half the ingredients needed for the anti-virus. Terra knows the other half." Robin stood with his mouth hanging wide open.
"WHAT! What the hell for?"
"Insurance for one, I need to know that you won't back down on our deal by keeping part of it locked away." Robin was grinding his teeth.
"You said nothing about this! This is ridiculous! I'm not going to let Starfire's fate rest with her!" Terra scowled after him and began to move forward but Slade held her back.
"Come now, can't we behave like adults? It's a simple thing Robin, you run a few errands for us and we'll gradually give you the formula until your able to synthesize some for your Starfire," he added a sneer to the last part. "Unless you just don't care all that much."
"Don't be silly," said Terra with a smile. "He loves her." Robin pointed his staff at her.
"Watch it Blondie."
"Did he just call me"-
"That's enough you two, now Robin I have your first assignment here." He handed Robin a piece of paper with the address and items written on it. Robin read it and shook his head.
"Please no…"
"Its that or you can kiss Starfire goodbye," said Slade. Robin looked down at the paper and told himself it was of course all for Starfire. Robin folded it up and walked over to the door. He turned his head back.
"There will be a time Slade when you won't be protected by your schemes or tricks."
"I'm shaking Robin."
"You should be." With that Robin left. As soon as she was sure he was out of ear shot Terra molded a piece of earth into Robin's head and smashed it against the wall.
"Remind me again why we are going through all this trouble," she asked in a whiny voice. Slade took a seat by the fire.
"Because, no one can defeat a Titan like another Titan. Soon Robin will come to know my guidance is the only way for him to achieve full greatness. You better get used to working in pairs my dear. I can assure you, you will not remain as my only apprentice for long. For I am sure that Robin will be most eager to join us, most eager indeed.
I hope its going okay. Do you like it so far? I know there are so many Slade-tries-to-make-Robin-his-apprentice stories out there, and I want to stay away from any clichés. If there are any please tell me. Anyway, hope you liked it.