My Strength, and Greatest Weakness

by Blue Ten

Summary:

Jump City has been quiet on the crime front for the past few months and the Titan's are starting to get restless. Starfire tries her best to raise the Titan's spirits, even after Slade meets a rather pointless death. A night at the fair brings Robin and Starfire closer than ever. But when a man calling himself Fear shows up, things start to go horribly wrong. RobinxStarfire.

Disclaimer:

I do not own Teen Titans, but I can dream, can't I?

Chapter 2: A Fallen Nemesis

Slade. The Titans didn't know whether to rejoice, or curse themselves for wanting the alarm to sound. After so long without hearing anything about their other enemies, so many days spent waiting in the common room for even something small to pop up, it was beyond ironic that the first person to sound the alarm in over three months, would be their greatest enemy.

"So what is he doing?" Robin asked Cyborg, anxious to enter the fray once more.

"I don't know, apparently the police have him on the run, and they need us to help take him down." Cyborg replied, a little anxious himself.

"Wait... What? The police have him on the run?" Robin, wore the same look of disbelief as everyone else, in response to Cyborg's statement.

"I know, somethin' doesn't smell right about this... could be a trap." Cyborg said, his eyes fixed on the blinking 'S' on the screen.

"Then we should keep our eyes open." Robin said quickly, "Alright, no time to waste. Titan's move!" 'That felt good' he thought to himself as they all rushed from the tower.

- - - - - -

Clouds were beginning to gather, a storm was approaching, and The streets of central Jump City were empty. If not for the increasing lightning frequency, or the street lamps lining the parallel sides of the road, night would have envoloped the entire scene. A sudden flash of illumination, as a man dressed in black and silver clothing, who donned a peculiar mask, rushed down the street followed farther behind by several police cars. Slade was running through the vacant streets. Police cars, helicopters, SWAT teams, the entire police force had shown up to chase him. He breathed heavily, sweating under his mask as he made his escape. As he reached an intersection, a blockade came into front view; there were armored cars behind him, any officer with a weapon, had it at the ready, Slade was boxed in. Slade stopped for a split second, frantically searching his surroundings for an escape route. A dark alley to his left, he made a quick decision and bolted for it, the shadows would provide the perfect cover.

- - - - - -

The Titans were all in the T-Car, making sure that they would reach their destination as a group, realizing that they would need everyone, to take on Slade. At the wheel, Cyborg was driving at full speed, while Robin, in the passenger seat, directed him using the map on his communicator which gave a readout of Slade's current position. Beastboy, Raven, and Starfire sat in the back, unsure of what to expect.

"Cyborg, he's heading south now! If we hurry, we can cut him off through this alley!" Robin pointed to the map. "Quick, take this left!"

"Hold on! It's about to get a little turbulent!" Cyborg understated as he swerved the car left into an area behind a building, where he immediately hit the breaks. "Uh, you guys alright back there?" he asked. He took their green faces as a no, however he couldn't tell with Beastboy.

The Titans got out of the car, with the alley in clear view, they hurried for it. It was dark, and the last thing the Titans wanted to do, was be alone in theshadows with Slade. Starfire charged her starbolts.

- - - - - -

Barely halfway through the alley, Slade noticed a familiar green glow suddenly illuminate the path infront of him, 'Damn it! Not now!' he thought. Slade came to a halt infront of the Titans, who were more than ready for a fight.

"We were hoping to cut you off on the street, but this will do fine." Robin spoke confidently.

Slade's eye narrowed, "Get away from me!" he roared.

Robin couldn't believe what he had just heard, neither could the rest of the Titans. No arrogant response, no mocking laughter. Robin examined him closer, Slade was shaking, his breathing, labored. He seemed cornered, out of options, almost, afraid. What could possibly cause Slade, of all people, to act this way, what was he afraid of?

"Dude, that is Slade... Right?" Beastboy asked, facing Robin while pointing at Slade, a blank look on his face. Robin didn't answer, still trying to understand what was going on.

"I said get away from me! NOW--" Slade cut himself off, and looking down, brought a hand over his heart, he looked at his trembling hand which was now covered in blood. Slade collapsed, revealing a young police officer who had been standing behind him, he held a gun in his hand and a look of horror on his face. Slade writhed in pain on the ground, pressing his hand against his wound, hacking and coughing. Slade sounded like he was trying to speak, but only a grating, raspy breath seemed to escape his mouth. He struggled more and managed to fight out two words, "F-Fear... Him..." Slade choked on his utterance, and finally let out a death rattle. As the Titans relaxed their fighting stances, Cyborg walked over to Slade and checked his pulse, "He's dead."

Robin glared at the police officer, ran up to him, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him up against the wall.

"Who are you to decide if he lives or dies!" Robin demanded, suprised to find himself defending his arch enemy's right to live.

"I-I panicked! I didn't know what he was going to do!" The boy responded shakily. Angered further by this response, Robin pushed him harder against the wall. A flash of lightining followed by a thunder clap seemed to happen at the precise moment Robin did this.

"That's no excuse! You--" Robin stopped as Starfire put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look.

"Robin, he was afraid. Just as... Slade had been." she said, a tone of sadness in her voice. She was right.

The officer shot a quick glance at Starfire, "..." he struggled.

Robin loosened his grip and dropped the officer, who then got up and nearly tripped over himself, awkwardly running out of the alley. 'Coward.' Robin thought as he watched the boy leave. Robin turned to Starfire, "Sorry Star, I didn't mean to..." he trailed off, thinking about what he might have done, had he let his anger get the best of him, had she not been there to stop him.

"There is no need for apologies Robin, I can understand why you would feel that way." she responded, keeping her hand on his shoulder.

"Robin," Cyborg called his attention, "If you ever want to know who he really is, now's your chance." he continued, stepping away from Slade's body, knowing that if anyone would unmask him, it should be Robin.

The clouds that loomed overhead suddenly let loose a downpour of rain, the water began washing Slade's blood into a sewer grate; Robin watched this and it sickened him to his stomach. Robin walked closer to Slade's body, taking his steps slowly, his eyes trained on the mask. He knelt down, placed his hand on the mask, and fixed it back into place, as it had become loose when Slade fell. "No, I think I've seen enough tonight." he said, standing up, "Let's go home."

That morning, Robin slept through the sunrise.

Author's Note: A quick chapter. It's really just meant to be an in-between that gives a certain something to the next chapter. However, I liked how Robin turned out in this one, it was very... Robin.

I realized that I should release a few more chapters before I expect any real reviews. I apologize for my rude behavior.

Next Chapter Preview: In the wake of Slade's quick and pointless death, the Titans find themselves questioning their role in the events that led up to it. But Starfire convinces them that no one was to blame. To cheer them up, she reminds them of the fair they go to every year. Things get a little fluffier in Chapter 3: Our Silver Lining.