Author's Notes: Huzzah! I finally got my stories on an internet-accessible computer! In case anyone hasn't read my profile, my stories got stuck on my old computer due to non-existent CD drives and broken floppy drives... Anyway, I finally got them on a computer where I can post them, so here's a quick update. And since I have been taking such a long time with this story, I wanted to thankthose loyal reviewerswho managed to stick with me after chapter three.
scathac's warrior -Heh heh,Terra hater, are you? I'm actually not a big fan of her character myself, but she has so much potential for angst and evilness and all that, I just love using her in my plot lines.There's plenty more of her in the chapters to come, because she plays a major part in how the ending works out.
Raidersrule76 - I'm glad you like the post-apocalyptic universe, becauseit's actually turning out to be notoriously difficult to write. In fact, I think it's my least favorite part of this story... Oh well. At any rate, there's a big chapter coming up soonthat will explain a lot as far as how it came to be that way.
Flying Star - Yup, you spelled 'Robyn' right! See, they do have the same name, but I had to make something different so that people reading wouldn't get the characters confused. And I'm sure you've got a good idea as to who my little redhead is already...
SoulPoet - Good theories! You are right on the money with some things, but way off with others. It's cool though, it was great to hear how you think the plot is going to develop! I'd love to hear anyone's ideas; it lets me know how I'm doing with writing the plot and if I'll be able to surprise you. So by all means, let me know what other theories you have!
oatmeal girl - Heh heh, like I mentioned before, I love using a creepy, evil Terra. And this is a slight AU story, so I get to work with her any way I want...bwuuuaaa haa haaa...
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The red-haired Robyn led his newfound companion through the small canyons of the rocky, sand-strewn wasteland that he called home. The tall, green-eyed youth picked his way through the maze of boulders and gaps as though it were as familiar to him as his own name. The dark-haired boy who shared the same name followed closely behind him.
"So, remind me again where we're going?" Robin copied his guide in a small leap across a harmless-looking patch of sand.
"To the Underground," the redhead called over his shoulder. "Where all the Survivors live." Disappearing around a large outcropping of rock, Robyn continued speaking. "Don't worry, when we get there I'll introduce you to my parents—they'll explain everything."
Robin rounded the corner to join his newfound friend, and found him closely inspecting a miniscule crack in the sheer rock face at the base of the canyon wall. Curious, Robin raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
Digging the tips of his fingers into the crack, Robyn gave a heave. To his observer's great surprise, the crack widened as that part of the canyon wall began to swing slowly outward, making a harsh grinding sound in the process. As the redhead continued to pull, Robin realized that it was actually a door in the canyon wall, made from a large, thick slab of rock that was easily twice the size of any normal doorway.
When the door was open wide enough for two boys to slip through and into the cavernous tunnel that lay beyond, Robyn moved inside and gestured for the dark-haired teen to follow. Once inside, Robin could see that the door had no hinges, but had merely been stood on end in a certain position to allow it to swing outward. A crude handle had been attached on the inside, which Robyn quickly grabbed onto and heaved the massive door shut.
Not only was the redhead amazingly fast, he was strong, too.
"So, can everybody do that here?" Robin queried, gesturing at the door.
Robyn held up a hand, now lit with a greenish-white glow that illuminated the tunnel they had entered. The redhead gave a sideways grin. "Nah, the main entrance to the Underground is way over on the other side of the territory, near the ocean. This is my entrance, since it's closer to the border of Her territory and I'm always crossing back and forth." He began moving down the rocky corridor. "Come on, my Mom's the leader of the Survivors, she'll want to meet you."
Robyn began moving down the stone passageway, and Robin followed. Both were silent now, the redhead calm with familiarity of the place and the newcomer gazing about in curiosity, watching shadow flicker against light and seeing the patterns they revealed in the stone.
As they continued, Robin grew aware of sounds as they echoed through the tunnel. Voices, he thought to himself.
Soon they encountered an area that was already lighted, with sconces and burning torches fixed to the walls. The sounds of people were constant and close now, characteristic of a place that was well inhabited.
Robin let his gaze wander, looking curiously as more tunnels came into sight, branching off or coming in. There were some tunnel openings that had been closed off by lengths of hanging cloth.
Robyn nodded as he noticed his smaller companion looking curiously at them. "Those are family chambers," the redhead explained, his point emphasized as two small children ran out from behind one of the nearby curtained doorways, giggling as they chased each other down the lighted corridors. "Mine is farther ahead, near the main cavern."
Robin glanced around, noting the strange smoothness of the stone walls. The inside of these tunnels didn't have the texture of rock that had been naturally eroded by water, wind, or animal life. "These caverns aren't natural, are they?"
Robyn shook his head. "No, they're not. All of these tunnels and chambers are ones that we made. But past the main cavern, there are natural caves that were cut by an underground river. That's where we get our fresh water."
"What about food?"
"When you have to live underground, you get what you can." Robyn gave a shrug. "We eat a lot of mushrooms and bugs."
"Bugs?" The dark-haired boy made a face.
Robyn laughed. "Why, what do you eat where you come from? Come to think of it, where do you come from, anyway?"
Robin was silent for a moment. "I'm not really sure right now."
His companion shot him a strange look. "How can you not know where you're from?"
Robin gave a sigh, casting his glance upward at the shadows that danced on the carved ceilings. "I thought I was from here…but it wasn't like this."
The taller boy's brow furrowed. "That doesn't make any sense."
"It doesn't make any sense to me, either."
Robyn paused next to a covered tunnel opening, looking curiously at his follower. "You're really weird, you know that?"
Robin had to give a smirk at that. He shrugged. "You're not the first one to think so."
The red haired boy shook his head and turned to push aside the hanging cloth, stepping through. "Hey, Mom! I'm back." He gestured for Robin to follow him inside.
Robin stepped through after him, letting the cloth fall back into place over the opening. He had entered a small, carved chamber, furnished with more cloth blankets that were spread on the ground. He could see two more curtained doorways branching off from the initial chamber.
A voice called back to them from behind one of the curtained areas, and Robin could almost swear it was familiar. "Did you find her?"
The redhead called back. "No, but I found someone else."
In response, the cloth curtain drew back and a woman stepped through. She was tall and slender, her skin a vibrant amber hue, her eyes a contrasting, vivid green. Flame-red hair was cropped short, save for two long strands of bangs that framed the sides of her face.
Robin's eyes widened with indisputable recognition. "Starfire…"
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As the door burst open behind him, the man turned slowly to greet the guests he had been expecting.
"Titans," Slade nodded in recognition, unlocking his arms from behind his back to spread them slightly in a peaceful gesture. "Welcome."
It always bothered Beast Boy to no end, how Slade could be so calm like that. Especially when they'd just found his newest hideout and totally busted him. He opened his mouth for a clever retort, but someone behind him spoke first.
"Hey, Slade! Skip the pleasantries, we're not here for afternoon tea." Terra's voice was rough as she glared across the room at him and clenched her fists.
Slade's visible eye slid across his mask to rest on the blonde. "Harsh words coming from such a dainty young lady. Quite the actress, aren't we, Terra?"
She reddened at his remark and went silent.
Returning his focus of attention to the other three teenagers, Slade continued. "What brings you here, my young friends?"
Starfire was hovering, eyes lit, green orbs of energy ready at her hands. She narrowed her gaze and spoke darkly. "We are not your friends."
"Look, Slade," Beast Boy spoke up. "We need chromium, and we know that you have some."
"The Titans coming to me for help," Slade cocked his head, as though amused. "How ironic." When none of the teens made a reply, he continued, hiding a smile. "What could make the Teen Titans, defenders of justice, saviors of the city, come crawling to this level?"
"Robin's missing," Raven answered quickly and bluntly, ignoring Slade's stab at their course of action. "We need it to find him."
"Ah," Slade gave the slightest feign of surprise. "How very interesting." The tone behind his voice seemed to smile as he lifted a hand, toying with something spherical and metallic. "Well, we can't have our beloved heroes without their leader, now can we?"
He crossed the room, his footsteps secure and deliberate. He stopped a few feet in front of Raven, extending his palm to offer the metal sphere to her. "And really, I am quite insulted. There is no need for such a show of violence and distrust. You have but to ask, and I am at your disposal. After all," he paused, a taunting note now entering his voice. "What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine."
Beast Boy let out an involuntary growl at his words, but Terra remained silent.
Raven looked at Slade, her expression a mixture of disdain and suspicion. There was a twinge of silence, and a casing of black energy surrounded the tiny sphere, lifting it from Slade's palm and guiding it towards the cloaked teen. Raven lifted her hand to receive the small piece of metal, then tucked it into her belt. Without a word she turned and began to move briskly away, glad when her teammates followed suit.
But as the four teens moved to leave, they could hear Slade's voice echo after him as he had the final word. "Be sure to bring my apprentice back safely, now."
So that was it. Terra felt something twinge in her stomach, an emotion she couldn't place. That was why Slade had given them the chromium so willingly. He wanted Robin back safe and sound just as much as the Titans did.
Each of the Titans caught the meaning behind his final words. And for some reason, just realizing that made their success seem much more like defeat.
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