Blast to the Supposed Past
Alexnandru Van Gordon
I am sooooooooo tired. One—it's Saturday, and I had no homework (NO!!!!! Homework keeps me alive…); Two: I had heavy-duty taekwondo class because only the adult ranks were there and my instructor tried to make us do every form of push-up, sit-up, and whatever-up ever invented in the world—in any era!; and Three: My dad thought it would be fun to take a fifteen minute drive down to West Edmonton Mall to go figure skating. My feet hurt—and basically everything else, even my fingers (yes—my instructor even made us do 'only-index-finger-and-thumb' push-ups… I now officially hate my green belt…)! So, if I make this short, or if it isn't posted right after chapter five, you'll know why. AND PLEASE REVIEW! I live off reviews. If I don't get at least a total of nine reviews (past reviews included) I'm ending my story here and you can be left on a cliffhanger forevermore! (Mwah ha ha ha ha!) So tell your friends to read it or whatever. Send me three reviews in a row from simply yourself—they'll still be considered three reviews. Oh—and I don't know the real ages of the people in my story, so bear with me and put your mind completely in the environment I created (AKA: Just pretend I'm right—but correct me if you feel you should).
(Also, no offensive towards those who create their own characters and make them the main characters, but I seriously like keeping the Teen Titans the main characters of the Teen Titans. My guest character will be introduced soon and will warm up to the story far later on, but he/she will not dictate it. He/she does, however, have a purpose in this story on the behalves of both Robin and Slade. He/she may or may not (you'll have to read to find out) become a form of the comic-relief person, but they may (or may not) meet a sad ending. (???: (Hits Alex on the back of the head). Alex: Owe… (Scowls and rubs back of head) Get back in your place.) Thank you for listening to me drawl on and on, but I just wanted to make that clear. I have people reading this who are not part of and their reviews aren't shown on the web-page—just in my inbox—and they wanted me to say this. ?...Don't know why though… Teri…)
Thank you and enjoy.
WARNING! It's only fair to warn you that there may be a character death in this chapter or sooner chapters. If you are under-aged or have a weak stomach for such gory thoughts, please discontinue reading. If—to those of you who don't mind and are at the right age to read such things—you think I should change the rating to R, please inform me immediately. I will make the change as soon as I am warned, because I have no experience with rating as such. I'm a newbie at this whole fan fiction thing. THANK YOU
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Slade, the Teen Titans, the Justice League or anything related to them—just the plot and a guest I will put in the action when I get to the sequel, depending on whether or not I just connect the two stories or post them separately. Yes, I have planned that far ahead.
NOW ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!!!!
CHAPTER SIX: Getting down to business
Speedy hovered over Batman's shoulder the whole time no matter how much it annoyed the man and no matter how many times he asked him to stop. Bruce hated it when people read over his shoulder, and he really didn't really feel comfortable around the teenager anyway. He reminded him too much of Robin and just thinking of his adopted soon made him sigh. He couldn't hide the fact that he missed the kid and it had barely been six months since he had left. He was still fourteen for goodness sake!
He's only fourteen and you're his guardian—his father. If you call him back he has to come—by law. And he's protecting the law, isn't he? He'll have to obey.
No… Robin had been ecstatic to learn from the JL (Justice League) that he was to lead a new hero organization named 'The Teen Titans' and could hardly believe Batman was allowing him to fight on his own. Batman had his doubts…but he also had faith, and he wanted to make Robin happy.
Then, with Titans East popping up suddenly, Speedy had been called down to be given a little test on how well he would do if he were leader. There was no doubt about it—the kid was going to get the part, but he had to stay for another matter (plus the fact that he did not yet know he had been chosen for the job). The JL had found another teen hero(/heroine) who was genuinely eager to fight for justice, but needed (desperately) to be taught first how to fight properly. Speedy was helping in the ways of training and Batman had sent a message by computer just an hour ago to Robin to call him back for assistance. Depending on who did better with the hero/heroine, either Robin or Speedy would take them onto their team.
Speedy continued to stare at the large screen in the batcave, Batman glancing over his shoulder at the redhead kid. "I thought you said the Titans would receive the message instantly on their main computer." Speedy said, quite bored now that an hour had passed. "I wish Robin would just take a vacation one day and actually answer. Does your kid ever take a break from crime fighting?"
Batman shrugged. "My kid is simply doing his job. Robin could be out right now and will answer later."
"Doesn't he have a communicator? Aren't there five other teens over there helping him?"
"Four." Batman corrected. He had been sent news that a sixth Titan had joined their team, a girl by the name of Terra. JL had seen no reason to question the teenagers' choice and let the subject drop without further investigation. Then they had received a second short letter that the girl was between the stage of villain and heroine and had sadly brought upon her own end for the time being. That was indeed curious and confusing, and Batman was given the wonderful job of investigating what they meant. No one answered his calls except once—by a green skinned boy—and even then he was interrupted when the call was ended due to another crime. The Titans seemed to have a lot on their hands and Batman was now worried letting Robin fight on his own was too much.
Have faith.
"I hear they have a major villain causing quite an uproar in Jump City." Speedy said, just passing time, but this piece of information caught Batman's full attention. "Or had, I should say.Some real weird dude that likes getting on Robin's nerves. They think he's dead, but Robin doesn't believe it. He had one hell of a time with the guy."
"What do you mean?" Batman asked with great interest. Someone was fooling around with his kid? That made him worry even more.
Speedy shrugged. "Can't remember exactly…something about Robin getting blackmailed into being his apprentice. The cost was the lives of the other Teen Titans but they somehow managed—nothing new about that. Then there was that Terra girl who was an iffy on the border of villain and hero. She killed Slade but, like I said, Robin doesn't think he's dead. I heard he had a mental breakdown about seeing the guy when no one else could and got ill from all the stress. Almost got himself killed."
"What!?" Batman stood abruptly from his chair—right when the black screen changed to show the main room of the T-tower. Three of the five heroes were there: Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy, but Robin and the alien girl were gone from his sight.
"Whoa!" The green changeling exclaimed, ears perking up. "Didn't expect to ever get a call from you, but…can we help you?"
"Yes." Batman said in his usual dark voice, trying to remain calm. "I need to speak with Robin."
The half-robotic man stepped up beside Beast Boy and shook his head. "Sorry, but he's out right now. Do you want use to tell him you called?"
"No—this is urgent."
Cyborg shrugged and looked down at the control panel in front of the screen. He began typing quickly and waited for a moment. "Alright—I'm connecting you to his communicator… What!? You've got to be kidding me!"
Batman froze. "What is it? What's wrong?"
The hooded heroine hovered in the air over Cyborg's shoulder, both of them looking down at the corner of the screen where something was shown, hidden from Batman's view. "His communicator has either been destroyed or meddled with because it keeps blinking around on the screen around one area. Starfire's is on and she's by the docks…"
"What's so special about the docks?" Speedy finally spoke up.
"It's one of the places Robin fought against Slade… Starfire probably went after him for the same reasons we're going after him right now…"
Batman wanted to break something. Slade…he had to be the man that was getting on Robin's nerves. He had to bring Robin back to Gotham until he was healed from his stress over such a villain. Batman remembered how stressed he had been about finding the Joker and he knew what stress could do to a person. Robin was just too young to deal with this on his own.
"He's psychotic?" Batman asked, ashamed at himself for implying such a thing.
"No entirely…" Cyborg replied, one eye narrowing as the gears in his head sped up to explain. "Slade got into his mind with some sort of dust. Robin could see, hear, and feel the guy even though he wasn't there and none of us could help him. I got rid of the dust inside him, but…I guess I didn't get rid of it all. The whole ordeal almost…"
"Killed him?"
"I guess you could say that." Beast Boy whispered, but Batman caught it.
"I'm flying over there now." He stated. Everyone, including the apathetic girl, jumped at the fury in his voice. "I'll be there tomorrow to pick Robin up. Make sure you tell him he's leaving—and remind him to stay put. He should know by now he can't run."
"What!" The green hero exclaimed in surprise. "You can't! He's our leader, and besides…what if he doesn't want to go?"
"He will." Batman said harshly. He calmed down slightly but continued to hold power in his voice to show who was boss. "I'm his guardian and I decide where he will go."
"No way!" Cyborg protested, said to the best friend of the Boy Wonder. "Are you going to let him come back?"
"Depends. I won't deny him the right to continue fighting as a hero, but, depending on how long it takes him to heal, he might just stay here with me and move on to the JL." It was honour to become a member of the JL and no one in the organization had any doubts about Robin not being accepted, but Batman knew Robin would want to stay with the Teen Titans as long as he could. Too bad it didn't look like that was going to happen.
"You can't!"
"I can and I will."
The three Titans paused when he said that, all shocked in some way he did not understand. Batman could even hear a "Huh?" from Speedy behind him. The Titans knew something no one else did.
"What is it?" Batman asked in his demanding voice. He had no time for this.
Beast Boy swallowed and his expression turned gray with worry. "You…you sounded just like Slade for a moment. You're just as controlling."
-R-
They both paused at the sound of the beeping—Robin's communicator. It reminded the Boy Wonder that he wasn't alone, that he had friends that would go to any measure to save him. They suffered once before to help him out of a sticky situation, and the one he was in now was remarkably similar. There still was a chance for escape…he just had to keep Slade from moving on with his plan. Yes. Robin had a plan of his own, but he wasn't so sure it would work. He admitted he needed help—preferably Grayson's.
Where was he anyway?
Slade shook is head and walked over toward the illuminated table. He grabbed Robin's utility belt and opened the compartments until he found the one containing his communicator. Upon finding it, he crushed it in his one hand and brushed the broken pieces into a small pile.
"You won't be hearing from them again."
Robin frowned. He seriously wanted to beat Slade to a bloody pulp, but that dream seemed a little distant at the present moment.
"We're not the only two people in Jump City." Robin hissed, quite angry the fool was forgetting the last time he had placed Robin in this situation. "They'll find us."
Slade paused with his back to Robin. He picked something else up from the table—a spiky metal S, the symbol Robin wore over his heart the time he was Slade's apprentice. His stomach twisted uncomfortably at the sight of it as Slade held it up, turning it the light to examine it. Why had Slade chosen him? Of all the people he could have manipulated, out of all the power-thirsty people who had more to offer Slade—why him?
"Your friends spoiled my fun last time, and I'm tired of chasing after them." Slade sighed wearily, more likely bored than tired. He placed the S back down on the table, his back still to Robin. "They were the only reason they spoiled your future, and they won't be able to spoil anything if they can't find you. I never said anything about us staying in Jump City…"
"What…?"
"The moment our future selves are out of the picture, I'm taking you with me to deal with the only other person who would disapprove of your apprenticeship to me. Then we're going to go somewhere isolated, where I can train you and keep you prisoner—until you've pleased me with what you've learned and have shown true loyalty to me. And after that, we will take over the world and no one shall stand in our way."
"Keep dreaming!" Robin spat, sick to his stomach at the thought of such a thing. "Like I'll ever comply!"
"My dreams are realistic, young man, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
"Wanna bet?"
"No…" And Slade grabbed for a third item on the table. Holding it up, this time he turned around to see the expression on Robin's face when he realized what that item was. It was a small needle filled with a dark blue liquid. "Why are making a bet you know you're going to lose?" Slade looked at the needle in his own hand. "Besides—you look like you need to rest. There is something amiss that I must deal with while you are asleep."
And then he advanced.
-G-
They were even now. Grayson knocked Slade's Bo-staff from his hands and now the older man had disarmed him of his own staff. It clanked on the floor off in the distant of the cloudy mist that was just starting to fade. They could be slightly farther away from one another and remain within the view of each other than before. But Grayson was actually grateful for the mist now and hoped it remained thick enough for secret attacks until Slade was defeated. Slade was able to hide-and-hit, but so was Grayson and that was the only thing evening out the battle. But right now both men stood across from each other, both in their comfortable fighting stance.
His heart pounded in his ears, and he could see a veil of red over everything from the adrenaline-like rush he was experiencing at the time. It was harder to control now, driving him insane to attack! But he wouldn't—that would be foolish. You had to defend, and take the time to think a couple steps ahead of your foe. If he were against anyone else he would have taken them out long ago, but Slade used 90 of his brain—incredible, seeing that the average human brain used somewhere between 10-30 of the brain. He would never be as intelligent as such an advanced human, but he did know a thing or two about Slade's fighting habits—a few weak points he always forgot to defend.
Grayson couldn't wait any longer. He lunged, fist thrust forward as he neared his opponent's face. With the serum he moved faster and was able to catch Slade off-guard this time. His fist connected with center of Slade's face and the former mercenary was thrown back with a thud, a small victory on Grayson's part. But victories don't always last long, and that was why Grayson gave Slade no time to get to his feet. He leapt up into the air, right foot aimed for Slade's chest in a blow that could possibly kill him if it were to be fulfilled uninterrupted.
Wishful thinking.
Slade rolled aside the moment before Grayson's foot left a dent in the ground. Then he sat up and attempted a winning swipe-kick at Grayson's legs. The blow came from behind the knees and Grayson was knocked onto his back within the next second, his head whip lashing painfully onto the hard floor right after his shoulder blades struck the concrete. He saw nothing but dancing dots across his vision the second that happened but willed himself to remain conscious and ignore the pain.
As his vision returned, a hand grabbed the fabric of his suit from the chest and he was lifted up off the ground by a powerful arm. Then he was tossed against a wall before he react, sliding to the floor in a sitting position. His vision blurred again, but this time he stood, regardless of the pain in his head. He had to win…he had to…
Looking up, he barely managed to move his head aside in avoiding the fist. Slade's fist punctured the wall to the left of Grayson's head and it appeared to be stuck when Slade first tugged at it. Grayson took his chance and delivered a punch of his own to Slade's face, aiding the man in freeing his arm at the same time. How ironic?
Slade stood and so did Grayson, both running toward the other before either could devise a plan. Blows were delivered and taken, blocked and counterattacked. Grayson focused more on kicking, but even the power in his legs did not slow his opponent down. Slade barely appeared to be tired, and Grayson had to flip away and sometimes over Slade to avoid bone shattering attacks. He had fought Slade numerous times before and knew which hits to look out for.
Flipping over Slade as the man delivered a series of punches. Grayson landed gracefully back-to-back with his archenemy and elbowed him in the left kidney. The grunt that followed brought a smile to Grayson's face, a small reward for his efforts. Slade actually stumbled away from Grayson with a hand on his back.
Grayson truly was excited.
Spinning around, Grayson brought up his left leg in a knife-edge kick to strike Slade from behind, but Slade had expected as much. He spun around, catching Grayson off-guard in surprise, and caught his leg under his right arm. Grayson tugged hard on his leg, but the narrowing of Slade's one eye brought back bad memories. The first time he became Slade's apprentice this was how he stopped Slade's knife-edge kick to his face.
Slade knew too much.
Slade tugged back, pulling Grayson forward in one try. He released Grayson's leg as he fell forward and used a uppercut punch to Grayson's jaw to send him back again.
Grayson paused, a hand on his jaw. The excitement was still there, but the ache from the rest of his body pleaded for him to stop, to give in.
Slade quickly reached into one of the compartments from his belt and pulled out a dart. He didn't need any pipe to air-shoot it at Grayson, just a good hand at the actual game. With one try, the dart came at Grayson and struck him on his right arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It was something of an anti-dote to the first serum, something to calm and relax whoever had been stressed or excited—but not before it put the person to sleep. And it didn't take long for Grayson to feel the affects.
He swayed for a moment. Before he fainted, Slade came up to him and caught him in his arms, carrying him toward the doorway as the mist continued to clear. He only hoped Starfire got away safely and that Robin had a plan—because, right now, his ideas wouldn't work worth a darn.
-S-
Just as Slade expected, his supposedly future self came out from the darkness into the light shining over the table. In his arms was the older Robin, passed out, bruised and cut… It must have been an interesting battle for it to take so long. Slade could only assume the older Robin was proving himself to become something of a threat, as he had always expected his own Robin to become in the future.
Suddenly curiosity filled him. He stood beside the unconscious younger Robin with the empty needle in his hand, putting him to sleep only moments before his future self came in victorious. The boy's head hung forward like before, but Slade tilted it back with a gentle hand on his chin. He eyed the mask… What lied behind the mask? Who was there and what history did he hold? Robin told him that his last name was Grayson, but it could easily be a lie. To attach a face and a name and research off of that…that would be easier to do.
With his other hand he reached for the boy's eyes—only to stop himself short of grabbing the mask. He drew back his hand and allowed Robin's head to fall forward once more, his secret safe for now…
"Why did you stop?"
Slade hadn't noticed that his future self was watching. He had laid the older Robin down on a clear space on the table and stood with his hands behind his back, facing Slade like a reflection as Slade mimicked the stance.
"Masks are worn for a reason." Slade responded in his usual cool, sleek, calculating voice. "I respect those who wear them with honour, with great purpose"
"Not for long, you won't."
Slade scowled behind his own mask, his one eye falling on the older Robin. "You have already seen his face?"
His future self waved a hand dismissively. "Seen his face, learned his past… The only secret he had possibly ever kept from me when I had him for good was his time invention." This Slade showed his left wrist. Indeed, he wore something around it that resembled a small digital watch. "But I found out about that soon enough."
"Which brings me to my question…" Slade strode over slowly toward the table, putting down the needle. He then picked up one of his old guns and began working on it, fixing the minor damage while advancing it. "Did you know that if the simplest of things were changed in the past, it could lead to a chain reaction that could possibly change the future entirely?"
"I do. Your point?"
Slade glanced over his shoulder at the younger Robin. "Both he and I have been enlightened with events of the future—and both of us have done things that are large enough to change it. I have used the serum and we both know about the time machine. I'm also sure your Robin has educated my apprentice about a thing or two I will do soon—don't you think?"
This brought his older self to think. There was hesitation before he nodded. "Yes. Continue."
Slade turned back to his work. "Do you have any recollection of this happening? Do you remember in your past your older self coming back to guide you?"
"No, I do not."
"Then, perhaps, you don't suppose you're not from our future, but rather the future of a parallel dimension? Does it occur to you that when you traveled back in time you did so, but crossed over to another plane?"
"Possibly…" The other Slade stared at the younger Robin, taking in all that Slade had said. Slade knew he was right. That was the only way he could explain the things that had happened so far.
"Don't you mean—definitely?"
"I think you're right—that would explain the reasons why—"
Bang!
No one moved or made a sound. There was a moment of hesitation before the older Slade placed a hand on the side of his chest and looked at the crimson liquid on his gloved fingers. He said nothing, but his one eye looked up at Slade, questioning his choice of action. Then he fell forward, a sprawled body lying limp on the cold metal floor. Blood seeped from the bullet wound from both the entry point and the exit point on the opposite side of his body.
The gun had minor damage and was being advanced—that didn't mean he couldn't use it.
Slade threw the gun back down on the table and looked away from the body. From the shadows came two of his robots, grabbing the man's arms to drag him away.
Slade knew the idea had occurred to the second Slade before—and he would have dictated Slade had he not taken the chance to kill him. Slade liked being in control—and absolutely hated being the one under control. It was too bad though. He could have learned a thing or two about Robin if he had waited longer before doing the deed.
Robin…
Slade stared at the older Robin on the table. "I suppose killing you wouldn't make much of a difference in this world, now would it?" And he picked up the gun, taking aim at his head. "I have my apprentice, and you no longer have purpose in this world. Farewell, Mr. Grayson…"
-A-
I warned you! Now here's the tough part for all you intelligent little detectives out there. Let's see how smart you are:
1) You know that writers of fan fiction could let the main character die if they wanted to, but they don't, simply because it goes against the codes of writing a story and just ruins everything. The same goes for the main villain—they should only die, if at all, before the end of all the problems.
3) You know that killing the parallel-dimension Slade didn't affect a thing about the real Slade's future since you know he isn't going to come back in time to be killed.
3) You know that if Slade was to kill Grayson, it wouldn't affect the future of the real Robin—the main character—in any way either.
Now, given these points. I want you to really think long and hard on whether or not I will kill Grayson. With proof from the three facts I just gave you, you know that killing him will affect neither my main character nor my main villain. Secondly, I'm the kind of person who doesn't keep a person around unless a) I need them for the future; or b) I just can't kill them because it goes against my beliefs of the main characters, and other important characters, staying as the main, or simply important, characters (i.e. Justice League, Batman, Robin, Starfire…). If he dies, this doesn't affect my story, but will I spare him…?
EXPLANATION: Now's your chance to see what type of person I really am—Oh! And ShadowSage2, my first name really is Robin, weird-eh? (I'm Canadian) But that's not the reason he's my main character. I just really think he's the best—three major reasons being: 1) I simply love everything about his character (the way he thinks, the way he acts, the way he fights, etc…); 2) HE'S ONE OF THE FEW HEROES OUT THERE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUPERPOWERS WHATSOEVER; and 3) Although he was orphaned (and grew up in a circus), and got adopted by a very introvert guy who, in my opinion (no offense on Batman's part), wouldn't be a father any other way unless he adopted a kid (seeing as he makes no long term relationships for "particular" reasons (hehehe…)) he still keeps his chin up. I mean, after watching apprentice number one, I just about had a heart attack. I thought maybe Slade was going to end up being Robin from the future, coming back in time to make sure that Robin turned dark. I guess you could say that that motivated my story. BUT! My little sister screamed when we were watching it, when he told Robin he was going to make him his apprentice. Poor guy… Right then and there I knew that kid had seen every inch of the underworld, and I was kinda hoping he would try to hit him or something. Sigh… The second thing that motivated my story, particularly the "APPRENTICE" theme, was the second episode to it when he says: Another day, Robin…another day… He kept Robin alive—and then he complains to Terra for not killing the Titans her first try—DUH! He could have done it himself with his nanoprobes! Besides A.2. was ended abruptly. I think the end of season four is going to be a pick off of where the apprentice thing between Slade and Robin left off. Warner Brothers makes good stuff. I think they left a hidden message there—plus: HAUNTED! Hello! Slade's back and I'll explain why to anyone who wants to know. Review and tell me if you want to know and I'll write the answer on my next chapter if you do. I'm telling you, Robin vs.(/with) Slade is a pretty good match—a little too good to ignore.
LONG PARAGRAPH! SORRY!
-Bows
-Alexnandru Van Gordon