Hello, all! I've been very bad, leaving all you guys to wait for so long. I'm sorry. First, I was posting the first chapter of another story, and then I had to take a break from the computer, because my eyeballs were rotting out my ears…and then I got the idea for an awesome one-shot that I think all of you will like…or at least hoping, anyway. And THEN, I had to concentrate on my school work, and then I wasn't getting enough sleep, and then the computer started acting weird…I haven't been having the greatest luck lately.
Chapter Seven: Deal
Fool: A victim of a joke or trick; dupe.
(The definition might give you a little clue towards Holocaust, eh?
Holocaust-
Darkness fell over Jump City, but the fire still burned brightly, even as it was slowly being put out by the fire fighters. Though the casualties of his menace failed to impress him, he couldn't help but feel a stab of pride as he listened to sobs and shouts of horrified shock, off in the distance.
It'd take awhile for his energy to return though, especially since he'd used almost all of it up destroying that section of the city; on the bright side, the human pain he had stolen from the young man would help strengthen him more quickly than usual. That was one of the things that made Holocaust different: The only way for him to really survive was to feed off the suffering of a human soul.
…His fight with the Titans had been a little fun, if not disappointing. He'd expected a bit more from them…however, it only went to show that the stories about them weren't true; if they had been, the five should've been able to take him and his fire out in less than three minutes…Shame. He'd been looking forward to meeting them.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. There was no time for him to dwell on the previous events that day. Right now, he could only afford to concentrate on one thing: His meeting with Slade.
He was hoping that at least the rumors about the mastermind were true. It was said that Slade would kill you as soon as look at you; that he was ten times stronger than the average man; he'd even heard that the man was-Holocaust smiled with excitement at the idea-immortal.
It was mind-boggling, just imagining the kind of destruction that Slade could create, given the right chance. In a way, this was probably why Holocaust was willing to bargain: Slade was hell-bent on having the city (If gossip was correct.) The only thing that stood in his way: The Teen Titans.
So…if the other Titans were like that red-headed girl he'd blasted earlier, it would be only too easy to destroy them. And, after the heroes were dead, Slade could do whatever he pleased. As for himself…Holocaust gave another twisted smile; to put it simply, it'd just been too long since he had settled down last.
Holocaust glanced at the city clock behind him. Two minutes to midnight…
Slade-
He hadn't just picked the docks for old time's sake. The entire atmosphere was dark and quiet, shrouded in shadow-partly the reason why he had picked it as an entrance into his lair.
He had watched Holocaust's entire performance against the Titans, right until the very last second, when the villain had teleported, fleeing the scene.
He smirked behind the mask, as he recalled-in vivid detail- the particular attack on Starfire and the devastation on her friends' faces…Robin would never be able to forgive himself if that silly little girl died, knowing that it was his fault…
What an interesting thought. He would have to pursue it later on. But for now, there was business to attend to.
Slade watched from his perch atop one of the dock's buildings, as the mysterious stranger stepped into view, glancing this way and that, searching for a glimpse of Slade.
Far off in the city, the clock struck 12:00.
Robin-
Beep…beep…beep…
The air in here was so thick, he wouldn't have been surprised if he was able to reach out and feel it. Every breath or sigh that was emitted seemed to be layered in unrest and fear…
Beep…beep…beep…
Their eyes burned holes in him, deeper than they could have predicted; their gazes were filled with such painful accusation, that he couldn't bear to look at them, so he stared solemnly at the floor…
Beep…beep…beep…
Starfire's entire body was covered with bleeding, ugly blisters, and her skin was scorched a horrible black and red. Clear pus oozed here and there; her long, beautiful hair had to be cut by the doctors, after they had managed to put the fire out on it, and it clung in short, dark clumps to her skull.
Beep…beep…beep…
Robin closed his eyes, trying to forget Star's shrill screams that were still echoing around his brain, attempting to ignore the incessant 'beeping' of the machine that reported his friend's faint heartbeat…God, he hoped she lived…he'd never forgive himself if she died…
He'd seen this happen to people back in Gotham, all those years ago; helping Batman, he'd been required to assist the injured to hospitals…it was disturbing, to think he'd gotten used to the sight of blood at such a young age. He'd seen people with wounds exactly like these, after explosions from bombs and what not…unless by some miracle, he highly doubted she would make it.
He'd like to look on the side of optimism, to believe in the happier, fantasy side of life. But after his parents, after all those times he'd spent telling himself lies late at night, and building up an illusion that they'd come back and take him home…it got too hard, all too easy. Fiction was nice, but it wasn't reality.
After what was like a century of silence, Robin coughed and said quietly:
"I'm sorry…she w-wouldn't be here if I hadn't been so…" His voice trailed off miserably, and he looked up into the faces of his three other friends; Cyborg and Beast Boy wouldn't meet his gaze, but Raven's lips looked white, as if she were struggling to hold something back…tears? Anger?
Robin paused, giving her the open chance to rant and scream at him, even if he did know Rae better than that; she would try to control and hold it in as best as she could.
"Just say it," he grumbled wearily. "Just tell me what you're thinking…"
Raven took a deep breath and said tightly:
"Why didn't you tell us where you were going? Maybe if you hadn't gone sneaking around, and left us behind like you always do, Starfire wouldn't be close to death right now."
Robin sighed, and Raven seemed to get even angrier as his sign of weakness.
"You never trust us, no matter what; not with your own, stupid, personal problems, not with your past, not with Slade! You call us your friends, but if you can't tell us anything so we can help you, what good are we? And now, because of you…S-Starfire's dying…"
She gave a muffled moan and drifted over to the window to think. Robin glared at the other two boys' hunched forms on the other side of the hospital bed.
"You wanna yell at me too?" He demanded angrily, his anxiety getting the better of him for the moment. "Well? Do you? Come on-I'm open to criticism. Come on! What are you, afraid? Tell me what you think of me! Do it, what's holding you back!"
Nobody answered.
Robin sighed again, before growling a quick, "I'm going out for a walk," and exited the room, slamming the door shut behind him as he left.
Beep…beep…beep…
Holocaust-
He was about to actually resort calling out for Slade, half wondering if the mastermind had forgotten about their meeting, when a dark form swung down from the roof, flipped, and landed in a cat-like position in front of him. There was no mistaking that orange and black mask.
Holocaust tucked his gloved hands into the pockets of his trench coat casually, pretending to survey Slade with cool interest; his little act was used partly to impress Slade, and partly to help him ignore the crazed thudding of his heart as he stood, barely two yards away from one of the most famous murderers in the history of the world…within the confines of his pocket, he pinched his side, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Meanwhile, Slade was sizing him up and down, though Holocaust had no idea what the other man was thinking; even the expression within his cold, gray eye was flat, revealing nothing. The effect was unnerving.
Holocaust, unknowing of what he was supposed to do or say, didn't know what else to do, except stick his hand out. Slade didn't take it, choosing instead to say:
"I watched your fight. Not bad…not bad at all…"
Holocaust couldn't keep the pride out of his voice.
"All in a day's work; I'm glad you enjoyed it so much…so…Slade Wilson: mercenary, alias-Deathstroke, the Terminator…"
"I'm impressed that you know so much about me. I must enquire though: Why?"
"I heard about you, thought you'd be an interesting person to talk with. I make a point of finding out about the people that I deal with. I am-"
"-Holocaust; pyromaniac and insomniac; the only way you can live is to feed off of other people's suffering, so that would also make you a bit of a parasite."
Holocaust's eyes gleamed, and he said jokingly:
"No secrets here, eh?"
Slade only nodded quietly, never moving his gaze. Holocaust cleared his throat and said finally:
"Look, I don't know about you, but I have no patience in some matters, this being one of them. Now, let's cut the crap; I know you want to destroy this…city-" Holocaust sneered the last word as if he didn't think Jump deserved even a name like that. "-The only problem is the-"
"-Titans. Tell me, Holocaust, exactly how were you hoping to help me?"
"I can get rid of the Titans for you, giving you a clear path to destroy this wretched little place once and for all. You saw what I did to that alien girl."
"Hmmm…interesting," Slade mused. "But not all the Titans are quite as weak as she is…"
A short, frenzied segment of beeping interrupted the conversation, and Holocaust jumped into a ready stance. Slade, however, only brought his wrist up, examining what looked like a watch to the other man, and then nodded, before turning back to the villain before him and saying:
"All right; but before we strike any real bargain, I'd like a…trial period. I want to see you fight one of the more powerful Titans and win. If you can do that, we have a deal."
Holocaust blinked.
"What? A trial period? What do you think I am, some sort of-"
The fire-thrower's furious protest faltered as Slade gave him a swift, piercing look, and Holocaust said meekly:
"Right. Which Titan?"
Slade paused for a moment, before announcing:
"Cyborg-if you can defeat him, I'll consider our bargain. If not…" He shrugged and began walking away. "You'll be dead."
"Great…Hey! Where are you going?"
Slade glanced over his shoulder and said casually:
"Just…off to visit an old student of mine…"
To be Continued…
The stage has been set…the pieces are in motion…Yes; the next chapter should be a Robin and Slade confrontation, unless I drag it out another chapter...I think I've got a firm grip where this story shall going, so I shall be updating like a maniac…
Everybody whose been asking this stupid question, read this: (Sighs, frustrated, and says in a painstakingly slow voice): Look. I can NOT tell you what Holocaust's role will be, NOR can I tell what will happen in future chapters. Exactly what kind of writer would I be if I spelled the entire plot out for you!
Anyway: please review! As I said before-I will be posting as much as I can, especially since I made you wait so long, but I also want to put out some new stuff.
Over and out:
Rebel-Aquarius