A/N: Alrighty! Fight scenes!! Fight scenes!! They're everywhere in this chapter!! Time to get that action genre up in here!! Hope ya'll like, but I really hope ya'll understand!! I'm not very good at depicting fight scenes, but I'll give it my best.

C'mon guys!! Review me after the end of each chapter!! You know you want to!! I'm one of the few that accept flames (ONLY if it's in the form of constructive criticism!! Think about it: How can I improve my writing skills if I'm being degraded??)

So pretty please with sugar… review!! And I'll thank you all at the end of the story!!

Thanks for your patience with my move and everything, so for that, this is a long chapter!! Hope you're in some kind of reading frenzy today!! Enjoy!!

Behind the Mask

Episode 4. (continued)

"You can't defeat me, Robin! I'm invincible!"

"Just watch me!"

Robin threw three explosive disks at Slade and sent him flying across the cave. Robin grabbed his retractable staff and lunged at him. Slade retaliated, also taking out his staff and swinging Robin in the gut. The Boy Wonder retreated, clutching his ribs. He fought against the pain and leapt in the air, and when he came back down swung his metal staff at his nemesis. Slade easily blocked his attack with his staff and spin-kicked at Robin's face, making the boy retreat once more, this time dropping his staff. "Your little love-interest isn't doing so well as you can see. In a few hours, she'll be dead."

Robin looked up and saw Starfire dangling from her wrists helplessly. He ran towards Slade, attempting to hit him head-on when suddenly Slade took out a small vial. "That is, unless, I give her this!" Robin stopped running and eyed it suspiciously. "Is that—?"

"The antidote?" Slade finished. "Yes." Robin tried to snatch it from his hands. "Taking it away from me won't be easy. It could take you days… but as I said before, you only have hours until she—" Slade explained.

Robin interrupted him. He couldn't let him say it again. "What do I have to do?"

"Right to the point. Good." Slade chuckled. "I've given your betrayal some thought; you were merely under the influence of your little friends. Particularly Starfire, which is exactly why I'm doing this." He held out his hand to the scowling Robin. "I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself and take on the role as my apprentice once more. I'm giving you a chance to be on the winning side. Terra and I have been well on our own, but with you, we will be an unstoppable team!" It was obvious to Slade that his offer was not one bit appealing to the Boy Wonder. He smirked. "You do want Starfire to live, don't you?"

"Mayor Moore, you'll be safe here at Titans Tower!" Cyborg said to him before putting the entire building on lockdown. He and Raven quickly made their way to the caves outside of Jump City. "Look, there's the R-Cycle." Raven stated. "But which cave did they go into?" Cyborg asked, now looking at four different caves. "Split up!" Raven ordered.

Raven walked through the dark caves. "Robin? Beast Boy?" The cave was now more of a pathway. "Starfire? Ali?" She followed it cautiously to a dead end. "Great." She then realized there were noises coming from the other side of the wall. She looked down on the ground and saw a light coming from underneath the wall. She transformed into a black energy and made her way to the other side of the wall.

Raven transformed back into her solid state and stared at the large computer monitors and systems that were before her. She then noticed two people tied up in a corner. It was Ali and Beast Boy. Raven made her way to them. "Ali, Beast Boy! Get up! We have to go!"

"They're not going anywhere." A voice came from behind Raven. Before Raven could turn around, Terra kicked the goth from behind, knocking her to the ground. Raven turned and looked up to see a blonde-haired blue-eyed girl in a black and orange suit similar to Slade's. "Terra." Raven scowled at the former Titan.

"Hey Rae." Terra smirked. "How do I look?" She asked, now modeling her suit.

"Psychotic." Raven retorted as she got up.

With her power, Terra threw three large rocks at Raven, but Raven blocked them with a black force field. Suddenly Terra tackled Raven knocking her to the ground. Terra was now straddled on top of her, choking the telepath. "My instructions were clear to me that I destroy anyone who stands in my way." Raven's eyes glowed white as she replied, "That makes two of us!" And with her power, she threw the traitor off her. Raven levitated herself towards the girl who was struggling to her feet.

"Had enough?"

Terra spat blood from her mouth, her eyes glowing bright yellow. "I'm just getting started." Terra held her hands up in the air and brought them down in one swift motion. Raven looked up to see dagger-like rocks about to stab her. Raven dodged them easily and made her way to Terra. Raven's fist moved upward and made impact with Terra's jaw. Terra back-flipped, kicking Raven's chest, moving her backwards. Terra landed on a levitated rock and charged at Raven. Raven transformed into a black aura and diffused with the air. Terra eyed the cave suspiciously. "I know you're in here!!" She hissed. "Come out, come out!!" She heard a screech from above her and looked up. It was a black bird. A raven.

Terra lifted her hands to the bird and, with her powers, threw rocks at the bird. The bird just flew away. Terra growled. "Come back and fight, Raven!!" Suddenly, she felt a force behind her push her to the ground. Terra turned around and looked at the goth. Raven lowered the leg that kicked Terra from behind and smirked.

"Gotcha."

Terra forced the ground beneath Raven to levitate to the roof of the cave, crushing the telekinetic. Terra then threw two giant rocks at Raven. Raven fell to the ground on her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Before she could get back on her feet, she felt the cold metal sole of Terra's boots pushing down on her face.

"Now I got you."

Cyborg was following the path of another cave. With his built in flashlight, the humanoid began his search. He found the cave spilt into two tunnels: one was dark, dirty, and scarier-looking while the other looked safer (A/N: Sound familiar?). Cyborg checked both caves, and found nothing but a dead end.

Cyborg continued walking through the cave when he tripped over something. He looked down and found a metal staff. "Robin was here." He looked up and found a chain hanging from the roof of the large cave and beside it was a bird-cable (A/N: You know! When Robin shot the line to save Star… yea, I didn't wanna call it "bat-cable" since Robin's clearly not a bat but in fact a bird… yes, I found it necessary to clarify my actions, so, carry on!). Cyborg searched for his team leader. "Robin where did you go?"

Robin stood in the shadows, changing from his "Robin" outfit to his old "Slade" outfit. Robin took off his mask and put it aside. He looked in a broken mirror looking at his distorted reflection. There was a light from the corner of the cave that shone on the left side of his face, and his right side remained shadowed. As he put on his new mask, he couldn't help but hate himself. From behind him, footsteps were audible, and in the reflection of the mirror, Slade came from behind Robin. Robin hated himself even more when he saw his and Slade's resemblance in the mirror.

"Are you ready, my young apprentice?"

"Let's just get this over with." Robin snarled as he stormed off.

"Temper, Robin!" Slade mocked. Robin turned around, tempted to attack, and Slade's defense was taunting Robin with the vial that contained Starfire's cure. Robin could do nothing except follow Slade's orders.

The gothic Titan was now being thrown about the room like a toy. Raven could no longer defend herself from the powerful apprentice. A giant rock was thrown at Raven's aching body. The blonde apprentice threw Raven over her shoulders and sat her down on a chair.

"You know, Raven, it shouldn't have to be like this." Terra said, now tying a half-conscious Raven to the chair. "Let… them go!" Raven cried desperately. "Why should I?" Terra asked, now walking over to the two captives. "If I let Ali go, it would ruin Slade's plan to take control of Jump City once and for all. And Beast Boy, well who cares about Beast Boy?"

"I do!" Raven blurted.

"Do you??" Terra laughed. "Really!! I had no idea demons could feel human sentiment."

"I'm half-human, bitch!" Raven snapped.

"QUIET!" Terra punched Raven's face to keep her quiet. "As I was saying. I've watched you two together. Always arguing over pointless immature things."

"It doesn't mean I don't care." Raven said softly, feeling the blood from her cheek drip to her lips.

Terra smiled, now grabbing a knife from a nearby computer table. "Is that so?" She put the knife to Beast Boy's throat. "I would have made his death quick, but now I'll make it nice and painfully slow just for you." Her Cheshire grin grew brighter as she watched tears form in her eyes. "Don't be sad! Consider this a favor! Think about it! He'd never feel that way about you. I'm sparing you the heartache! And besides, I wouldn't want you to get your hopes up. He still cares for me, and that will never change."

"Th-That's where… you're wrong!" A voice muttered. Terra looked down, realizing that comment came from Beast Boy, and it was obvious that both she and Raven were shocked. Beast Boy morphed into a gorilla, tearing the ropes that held him to his chair. Beast Boy grabbed the blonde and threw her across the room. He morphed back into his human form and untied his fellow teammate.

"Raven!" Beast Boy helped her up. "Get Ali out of here! I'll deal with Terra." Raven rushed to Ali's aid, untied her, and was about to exit the cave when she saw Terra and Beast Boy fighting.

"Oh Beast Boy!" Terra said, rolling her eyes. "We're not going to do this again, are we?"

"This time it's different!" Beast Boy replied.

"How so?"

"Well, for one, I will fight you, and second, I'll do it with hesitating!" Beast Boy said before morphing.

"Bring it on, lover!" Terra shouted before throwing more rocks at her opponent.

"Raven!" Cyborg's voice came from her walkie-talkie. "Come in Raven!"

"I'm outside with Ali! Prepare for pickup!" Raven replied.

"I'm on my way!" The humanoid was about to go outside when suddenly, a fleet of Slade's robots surrounded the exits. "Um, Raven, this may take a while!" His right arm transformed into the sonic cannon and he aimed at the robots. He blew up half the regiment when more robots came from out of nowhere. Cyborg was completely surrounded. He grabbed hold of his walkie-talkie. "Raven, I'm requesting backup!"

Outside, Raven left the half-conscious girl in the back of Cyborg's car. "Can you manage for five minutes?" She asked. "I need to finish up things with Terra."

Cyborg, back inside with the robots, fought off half a dozen robots that were climbing all over him. "Okay, when I said 'requesting', I meant 'commanding'! Make it three!" He pleaded.

"Would you like me to leave you alone for seven minutes?!" Raven argued.

Cyborg blasted three more robots, then responded. "Five is good!"

Robin stood in the room where Slade was keeping Starfire. He took hold of her cold hands and kissed them. "Everything will be okay now." He could feel someone watching them, so he turned towards the entrance. "Do you mind?" Robin asked sharply.

"Actually, I do." Slade shot back.

"I can't take her anywhere. And you're blocking the only exit. Just give us a few minutes." Robin said. Slade turned around and left the cave. Robin looked back down at the Tamaranian. "Starfire, I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I'm doing this for us. I love you so much. I just wish I could have told you before it came to this. I wish you could hear me." No sooner had he spoke, the alien's eyes fluttered open. "R-Robin."

Robin smiled. "Starfire! I—"

"You are not Robin…" Starfire said weakly.

"Star, it's me!" Robin protested, now taking off his mask, revealing his two different eye colors. Starfire shook her head, sickness on the verge of overwhelming her. "Robin… would not betray me… or my fellow teammates… he promised me… he would not… have…" The alien was now drifting in and out of consciousness. Robin grabbed Starfire by the shoulders and was tempted to shake her to keep her from closing her eyes for good. "No, Star!! Please!! I haven't betrayed you or the Titans! I have to do this to get the antidote so you can live! I did this for you!! For us!! For the team!!"

"I would have… rather died than to see you… this way…" Starfire said in a whisper. Her eyelids slowly fell and a single tear escaped her lifeless emerald eyes and rolled down her ice-cold cheek. Robin heard footsteps and quickly put his mask back on.

"Have you finished catching up?" Slade asked. Robin got up. "Good, because your other teammates are on the move. Retrieve Cyborg!" Robin hesitated at first. "NOW!" Slade commanded and Robin left the cave. Slade watched as his young apprentice left. "Don't worry, Robin. You'll be back to your old self again once you get rid of your teammates."

Terra was blocking herself from Beast Boy's punches and kicks. "What's the matter?" She asked. "You didn't think I'd really kill you, did you?" Beast Boy paused momentarily. "Oh yea? Explain the knife!" He threw more punches at Terra, which she continued to block. "I did it to piss Raven off. Nothing personal!" Terra replied. "Besides, I know you couldn't hurt me even if you tried. You still care for me too much."

Beast Boy transformed himself into a tiger, pouncing on Terra. He turned back into a human, pinning her to the ground. "Maybe I used to, but now everything's changed." Terra smirked at the position they were in. "Some things haven't. You still manage to knock me off my feet!" Beast Boy cringed. "That was too corny… even for me. You're messed up."

Terra laughed. "Tell me something I don't already know!" She grabbed Beast Boy's head and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

Raven stood in the entrance of the cave, watching this horrible display of affection. She was feeling stronger by the second. Her emotions that were bottled inside of her were on the brink of being unleashed. Before she lost total control, she realized Terra's eyes were wide open… and glowing a bright yellow… and she was obviously using her powers as she locked lips with the changeling… but what was she planning?

Raven looked up at the roof of the cave. A yellow aura surrounded the large spear-shaped rocks. Raven realized what Terra was trying to do: she was trying to kill Beast Boy, and maybe even herself in the process! Though Raven despised Beast Boy for his actions at that moment, she still had to save him because he was her teammate. Because she loved him.

Beast Boy pulled away from the enticing kiss with Terra. "What are you doing?"

The corner of Terra's lip curled. "You know you want it!" She tried to pulled him into another kiss when Beast Boy pulled away once more. "What's wrong?" She asked. "I'm not gonna hurt you, lover."

Beast Boy found he couldn't get up off the apprentice; her hands held his arms lightly. "Let go of me! I don't love you! I love – " Before he could finish, something pushed him off Terra. Beast Boy whirled around. "Raven!! NO!!" Beast Boy was shocked to find Raven and Terra stabbed with the rocks from the ceiling. The changeling rushed to his teammate's aid. "Raven!" He grabbed her lifeless body and held her close to his. "No, please don't go. Please." He looked at the spear that had been driven into her lower back.

He heard a small chuckle come from the blonde, who had been stabbed in her chest. Beast Boy laid Raven's body on the cold dirt ground and stood above Terra's body. Beast Boy did nothing but stare until she ceased her laughter. "What's the matter, BB?" Terra asked. "Does it pain you to see me this way?"

Beast Boy nodded his head. "Yea. It does." Beast Boy lifted his leg. Terra' eyes went wide. "Wh-what are you –?" Beast Boy's foot came down hard on the dagger in Terra's chest and thrust it in deeper. Silence. Beast Boy's brow arched, he cocked his head to the right and nodded. "There. Much better."

Cyborg grabbed his walkie-talkie exasperatingly. "Rae! It's been a little more than five minutes. Where are you?" An orange and black robot rammed into Cyborg's side, pushing him up against a wall.

"Cy, Raven's been injured!" A familiar voice came from his walkie-talkie.

"BB?" Cyborg asked.

"I'm gonna take her and Ali back to the tower!" Beast Boy replied. "Find Robin and Star and get out!"

"What about Slade and Terra?" Cyborg asked after throwing a robot into three others.

"Terra's no longer an issue." Beast Boy replied coldly.

The humanoid was fighting off half a dozen robots when they malfunctioned and blew up. Cyborg's look of confusion faded when he saw a dark figure coming toward him. "Slade." Cyborg's arm once again became a cannon.

"Think again." An all-too-familiar voice replied. The half-human half-robot realized who's voice it belonged to, and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Robin in his old Slade suit. "Robin. Why? Were you in on all of this, too?"

Robin smirked. He threw four circular devices to the ground, and when they hit the surface, smoke seeped into the cave. Cyborg ran toward Robin, but was too late; Robin had disappeared in the smoke. Cyborg searched, but could not find his leader. Suddenly, an arm came from behind Cyborg's neck and grabbed him in a headlock. Cyborg struggled to break free, but Robin had a tight hold on him. "Cyborg, listen to me!" Robin whispered. "We're being watched. I'm still on your side."

"So what's with the whole Slade getup?" Cyborg asked, trying to break free. Robin's grip grew tighter and pushed Cyborg's head further into his arm. "Slade has the antidote to Starfire's sickness. He won't give it to me unless I destroy you and the others." Robin explained.

Cyborg growled. "So is this the part where you break my neck??"

"Cyborg, listen to me!! I need for you to do something for me."

With a camera in the cave Robin and Cyborg were fighting in, Slade watched the fight from his cavern. "Forget it, Robin!" Cyborg yelled, now transforming his arm into a cannon. "You knew where Slade was. That's why you brought us here! So you could finish the job!! Well forget it!!" Cyborg's cannon shot out a blue beam at the "traitorous" Boy Wonder.

"Cyborg! NO!" Robin dodged the beam in time and threw three explosive disks at his friend. "I'm sorry, Cyborg!" Robin threw two devices on the humanoid's back. Cyborg tried to get them off him, but they were locked on. He looked back up at Robin, detonator in hand. "Robin!" His teammate muttered. Robin pressed the red button, causing two huge explosions come from the two devices. From the computer screen, Cyborg fell to the ground. Robin was victorious.

Slade smirked from underneath his mask. "Excellent." Ten minutes later, a weary Robin came inside the cavern. "Very good, Robin! You did what you had to do to get what you wanted. You're learning fast."

"Gimme the antidote!" Robin snapped. "I did what you asked."

Slade ignored his comment and continued. "Since you are no longer in the shadow of your mentor, I think Robin is now an inappropriate name. What do you think of Deathstroke?"

A booming voice came from the shadows. "Personally, I like Nightwing."

"Batman! Do come in." Slade greeted. "We were just talking about you."

A/N: BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS!! Don't hate me 'cause I'm evil! Muah! I love you! And I LOVE reviews! Send me one, my pretties!!

-kiki!

PS, Believe it or not, I'm still in the middle of moving, but we finally got our computer up and running. YAY! Anyways, hope ya'll had a Merry Chrismahanukwanzaka and a Happy New Year, and as my New Year's Resolution, I'll try harder to update whenever I can!! Thank you so much, readers and reviewers, for your support in my story and my moving!! God Bless!!

PSS, If you think I forgot to give the "thanks" shout outs, I was saving that until the very last chapter… so here it goes… the next chapter might be the last one! That means one more chance to get in your reviews… so here it is folks!! Speak now or forever hold your peace!! It means this story will come to an end, and I won't get to hear from any of ya'll EVER!! Tear… but in the mean time, stay positive!! You will hear from me soon… hopefully… eventually…

Bye bye!!