Allow Me to Live Like You
Alexnandru Van Gordon
I'm such a horrible person ending the last chapter the way I did. And yes, a light clicks on in Batman's head. Not only has he seen that Robin was right all along, he now realizes that Robin has had fears for Batman's safety all along too. Batman isn't the only one risking life and limb for the people he cares about. Everyone has the right to fight for their loved ones.
Oh well, I bet you're dying to see what Slade, Robin, and Starfire are thinking now all that is said and done. HW? You'll just have to read. You'll find out either A) Where they're going to bury her, or B) If Starfire is really smarter than what most people give her credit for. You should already know the answer though. If you look back on my previous chapters you'll find the answer to my question.
Okay, Smarties and Skittles. Ready or not, here this next chapter comes…
WARNING: Same as always, Skittles. Definitely a future death and boost on the blood level. Just preparing you…
DISCLAIMER: The only thing ever owned by yours truly was HW and this plot. Don't know. There's still a possibility that she may live…
…Or am I pulling your strings?...
CHAPTER TEN: Cruel truth
Robin stood beside Beast Boy, standing between him and the Joker's line of fire. The bullet went in one clean shot through his left arm just above the wrist. He wasn't bleeding too badly, and at least the bullet exited, leaving nothing inside his arm like a piece of cloth. With cloth—then there would be worry of infection, but Beast Boy seemed to be taking it better than what was expected for his nervous attitude. He bit his lower lip and cradled the sore arm gingerly—that's all.
Batman passed out—Robin was surprised he stayed conscious even that long from the blow. Slade was one hard hitter. He knew…
Slade, shooting arm lowered, turned his head sharply toward Robin. Red-X forced himself to stand and came to Robin's side, one hand still on his stomach. It wasn't bleeding too badly, but Robin could tell by A few soft grunts from Red-X that it was a painful business just moving. But this thief—this kid who hated playing the hero—pulled out an X with his free hand and readied it to throw at Slade. A friend on either side of him…he suddenly didn't feel so alone.
But he had to be alone. That was the only way Slade wanted him.
"Why is it I possess the decency as a human being to listen to you…when you refuse to listen to me every step of the way?" Slade turned his whole body toward Robin, that one eye darting briefly to Beast Boy and Red-X before returning to Robin. "Friends…ha! You're friends can't help you or your dear little alien girl…or that electric witch…"
HW…What was he talking about? Did she get caught?
Slade read his expression instantly and gave a laugh. "I sent a friend to pick you up to discuss you're future. I didn't expect that little storm-brewer to disguise as you to escape from allies…quite an interesting plan actually. But what is really interesting is the part where you continue on as a hero when fate has given you a million and one messages to stop. You're running backwards, boy, when you should grow up and come with me…"
"Where are my friends?" He barked. "I'm not going anywhere until I see they're safe."
He wanted to see Starfire so badly…He had something to tell her and he would kill himself if she died before she knew what was on his mind. Slade would die too if he had anything to do about it. He was going to make sure that one day Slade was going to suffer for everything he had done…
"I think you're captive friends are the least of your troubles, Robin. A whole city needs your saving, and besides…those two are dying as we speak…"
"What…?" He gasped. Beast Boy's face paled and Red-X gripped his X so hard Robin heard it snap in half. Throwing the pieces to the ground, X took out another one—he had feelings for Starfire too.
"I'm tired of things slanting away from what I intend to happen. The little escape plan you made with your friends tried my patience and so I believed punishment was called for. After all, how can I be like a father to you if I don't reward you as well as punish you?"
That really did it. Robin had no idea how many buttons he pushed, but he touched too many.
"He is my father!" Robin yelled, pointing a finger shaking with fury at Batman. "I don't even know anything about you besides your real name and a little of your past. All I ever see when I look at you is some damn lunatic with just enough tricks up his sleeves to always slip away like the snake you are! Care to tell me my past? Do you know anything about who I am and how I came to be the person I am today?"
"Richard Grayson…" Slade began, much to Robin's surprise. Red-X and BB said nothing, both shocked and curious. Slade was going to give everything away… "Shall I continue…"
Well…he did tell him his last name, but there were countless people in the world. Maybe it was just a lucky guess…
Robin could only imagine Slade smiling behind his mask as he continued. "…Explain this to me, because I am beyond confused, Richard. You're smart, agile, and strong, lucky enough to glide through the air each night with your parents when you were young. You were handed that little piece of greatness, and how were you repaid?...That was quite a terrible fall your family took. I heard from Zucco they made a sickening sound when their bodies hit the floor. It was his first time killing someone with gravity. I believe you heard and saw the incident as well, first hand if I'm not correct?"
How…how did he know? How could punish a person with such cruel words without a shiver in his voice or a hint of remorse. How could peck at such a sensitive section in Robin's past and think it wasn't hurting him. No…he knew it was hurting Robin, and Slade liked that…
"Then you were taken in by Batman, an honour indeed." Slade said, not giving Robin the chance to counter with words. His companions were stuck in silence as well. "You strived for better skill and the knowledge of how to avenge your parents in the just way, only to be rendered forever second to the man who should have been more of a father to you than a leader. But you hid your wounds and sought to serve and protect the innocent, stop bad guys in their tracks. What then?—the world deals with you by a bullet to the heart! How generous…And why? All you ever wanted to do was the right thing. I don't think the world intended for you to do those right things…"
Ouch!
He stared at his left shoulder—then up at the Joker as he pulled out the small dart. It was one of Slade's serum, but, strange as it may seem, he didn't feel dizzy or tired. He felt depressed…what else was new! He was being beaten with words again, struck down by questions he could not answer. There was no right answer—there was no answer.
Then he began to think…The world wasn't being fair at all to him. All he did want to do was the right thing and he was stopped at every corner, block in by obstacles he could never scale or destroy. But why? If the world wanted saving, then why punish the hero? What had he ever done that was so wrong.
Red-X took a step forward but was stopped by the bullet, which nearly missed his right foot. The Joker still had his gun and three bullets left. One for X, one for BB, and one…for Batman… Robin could attack Slade—he wouldn't get shot, but his friends still would. And who knew how may bullets Slade had left in his own gun. It wasn't like he was incapable of using it. Robin had never seen him use such a weapon, but that didn't mean he didn't know how.
"Shut…up…" Beast Boy warned Slade, evidently noticing the look on Robin's confused face.
"Ah yes—and the matter of your friends and family, Robin. Tell me, changeling, are you here because you believed all along that you're leader was perfectly sane? Or did you come in hopes that if I was found you could avenge you're girlfriend?"
Beast Boy growled, but remained silent. Robin knew the answer to that…Beast Boy thought he was crazy for so long… The answer only made it more painful for Robin to listen.
"Then there's Red-X, the thief who doesn't like to play the good guy. Why are you here? Is it because of that little showdown we had when we went after the same item. What was you're partner's name…Flora?...Something along that. How's she doing? I hope you still put flowers on her grave. I do say though, she looks a hell of a lot like the little alien girl from the Titans…"
Slade glanced over his shoulder then at Batman, and laughed…Robin hated that laugh but he had nothing to say. He found he could only listen. "And this man…the one man you gave your trust and loyalty to, a man you could relate to…He didn't trust you Robin, and I can hardly call kidnapping you and tying you up a sign of loyalty. But he's not the only one you can relate to…You and I are more alike than the two of you."
"Don't listen to him!" Beast Boy urged. "You—…you…"
Both Beast Boy and Red-X fell to the ground, darts spat at them as well. These darts held something different from what was given to Robin. He couldn't move because of fear and realization, and he felt like his heart was shattered into a million pieces. There was that familiar twist of his gut, but that was the only thing he could recognize.
Why hadn't he reviewed his life like that before. Why did it only make sense when Slade said it…
Don't listen to him.
I can't…
"Robin…" Slade held out a hand. "Come with me and leave all this behind. You can either come with a mind opened to change, or I will force it upon you again. It's only for your own good."
Robin wanted to say something, but he closed his mouth. His eyes fell on his two friends…then drifted to Batman. What was he supposed to think now that he had seen everything form two different points of view? What did he want to think?
Impatient, he was startled when Slade strode over toward him and grabbed the emblem over his heart—tearing it off and throwing it aside. Robin gave a small gasp and took a step back, but Slade grabbed him by the front of his suit and lifted him off his feet, dropping the gun to bring them face to face.
"I guess we'll finish this later, Robin. But you should understand you are mine from this moment on. You might hate it at first—actually, I know you'll hate it at first, but give it time—you'll see things my way soon enough."
"No…" Robin gasped, hardly believing this was actually happening. "Please, Slade…Don't…"
"This is revenge, Robin. This is revenge on your father, on the world, and on you. Why was my first chance at owning you ruined by a bunch of children? Why did a small fourteen-year-old boy slip through my fingers? Why do you, out of all the spirits and bodies I've ever broken or destroyed,—why do you somehow survive! How do you ignore my words? How do you go on like you do! You are more of a mystery to me than anyone I ever knew, and that is saying something, Boy Wonder. There is no child like you out there and that is why you belong by my side…until the bitter end…"
"No, Slade!" He stated—and begged, struggling to free himself from Slade's grasp, but the man held tight. This couldn't be happening! "You can't make me! You can't, Slade! Please—DON'T!"
"TOO LATE, ROBIN! I will! And you will learn to thank me…you will love your new life if it's the last thing I do…"
-St-
She gently slapped the girl's pale cheek, trying to keep her awake. She was, as Starfire's people said, fading. She could almost hear that weak heart giving up, beating slower and with less hope. Her breathes were soft and shallow, not deep and life giving like they should be. And her masked eyes…those eyes that resembled Robin's…closing…falling into the deepest slumber.
"Please hold on!" Starfire cried. She had to think of something, something that would revive her new friend. There had to be! She just knew it was at the back of her mind…
There…
She gently raised H and W's head and laid it slowly on the ground before bolting to her feet and dashing over toward Slade's desk. There, in another suitcase, was the chemicals the older Slade gave him in forms of both darts and needles. If only she could remember which one it was…
Red. Blue. Red. Blue. Red—or BLUE! Why couldn't she remember!
Closing her eyes, she grabbed one and ran back to H and W's side. Then, kneeling, she took the needle and injected the end into her left shoulder. Pressing, she watched as the red liquid emptied into the girl.
Thank you, Grayson.
The girl stirred, already moving by the instant affects of the serum. Starfire had used it once before on Robin to wake him up, but could it revive a dying person? She wouldn't know unless it happened…
The girl stared at the ceiling, lying on her back, before turning her head to look at Starfire. "How…?"
"GLORIOUS!" Starfire exclaimed, leaning over to embrace H and W. "You are awake!"
"Crushing…me…" The girl gasped, Starfire forgetting about her inhuman strength. She released her instantly and blushed as H and W looked at her own arms as if testing to see she were real. "But…I thought I was a goner!"
"Though Slade does not aim to do the world good, he has many resources that can be used to benefit mankind. His wake-up serum is one of them."
"I see…" H and W whispered, sitting up. She glanced at her left shoulder and pulled out the syringe.
Oops.
H and W blushed a deeper red than Starfire. "I'm so grateful you saved me, and…I don't even know you. You really are the girl Robin told me about."
That reminded Starfire…
"You said: He loves you." Starfire paused, drumming her fingers on her lap. "Who?"
The girl blinked in surprise. "You mean…you don't know?" Then she broke out in laughter, grabbing her stomach in pain. "Robin of course. Who else do you think it would be?"
Robin…
Robin!
"We must hurry to our friends!" Starfire shrieked, grabbing H and W by her arm. "Come, H and W—we must warn them of Slade."
"Way ahead of you." H and W grinned. "And by the way—the name's HW, not H and W. I'm only one person."
"Oh…" And she blushed again.
"Yeah…but I think we'll be needing this…" And HW grabbed the discarded knife. Neither of them wanted to check to see if the man was still alive, though they both doubted a man his age could survive such a shock.
HW grinned again, staring at the man who beat the bloody pulp out of him. "Oh well…"
-Ra-
Somehow she refrained from vomiting until they reached the city. The moment Cyborg parked his car in the dark city, she unrolled and window and leaned her head out. Letting go of her lunch, she paused for a moment and opened the door before Cyborg could drive off again.
She had no idea he added rockets to his car. That was a ride she would never forget.
There was a scream—followed by the sound of an explosion. At the intersection, the Green Lantern skidded into view cloaked with a green bubble shield for protection. He lowered the shield in an instant and shot out a long ray of his powers at the hidden attack and stopped. There was silence.
He bent forward with his hands on his knees and began to pant from exhaustion. Then ha caught sight of Raven…
"You aren't part of the CR, are you?" He laughed weakly, straightening, and coming over toward her and Cyborg.
"The what?" Cyborg asked in puzzlement. "Don't you mean CPR?"
"Never mind—" There was a beep and the Lantern glanced at his communicator. "I have to go. All hell seems to be breaking loose and we sure could use any help you're here to offer."
"Of course."
Raven grabbed Cyborg's robotic arm in a death grip. She felt a surge of hatred…insanity and restlessness...she almost lost control for a moment, but somehow contained it. But what had caused it.
There was a scent in the air—faint, but she could still pick it up. It was nothing out of the usual for a city to smell…some new type of chemical…
She gripped his arm tighter, trying harder to control her emotions after the next deep breath of air she took in. "I need a gas mask." She gasped, coughing at the same time. "Something is wrong. There's something in the air."
"Raven…?"
She fell to her knees and he knelt next to her. Her head was throbbing, immense pain shooting through—out her body with every breathe. It was so hard to contain her emotions…She had to do something.
Looking around desperately she saw a small glass bottle lying on the ground by the curb. Focusing on it briefly, she consumed it with her dark magic and forced it to soar in her direction. Before Cyborg noticed, the bottle collided with her head and shattered, leaving her unconscious.
-C-
"What the—"
He raised an arm to block the shards of glass as they flew toward his face. The Green Lantern was in just as much shock as he was, gazing around fro the attacker. The funny thing was, there was no one there.
What was all that about?
"We should get her somewhere safe for now." The Green Lantern suggested, bending down to scoop her up into his arms. "Some of the civilians have mobbed together and are attacking other people randomly—without any purpose at all. Everyone seems to be in a bad mood—even the JL is finding it hard to concentrate."
"Something in the air?" Cyborg said as he remembered raven gasping for air. He was feeling in a bad mood as well. But why… "Look—we're here to find Robin. Slade—he's back!"
The Green Lantern looked at him questioningly and shook his head. "Sorry, but you're leader made an escape from the manor. No one knows where he is and we can't contact him without his communicator. We've recently tried to contact your green friend, but we believe his communicator has been destroyed."
So it had already begun…Slade was back.
And winning.
-A-
Excuse me if that one was short—I just have to work on something before I continue. By the way, special thanks to those of you who so very kindly corrected my little historical mistakes about Wintergreen and some stuff about Slade (special—special thanks to Infamous One). I'd change it, but I'm beyond the point of no return—sorry.
HW: (Sneaks into the room behind Alex—and hugs him from behind) THANK YOU—THANK YOU—THANK YOU!
Alex: (Choking) Can't…breathe…
HW: I'm alive! (Releases Alex and starts dancing around the room) My special thanks goes to Starfire!
Starfire: Thank you, friend H and W.
HW: HW
Starfire: That's right…
Alex: Okay—too many people in my room and too much noise. Keep it down or you'll wake everyone in the house!
I wrote my profile—surprise, surprise! I learned how by the accidental click of a button. But that doesn't mean you have to read it. I'm just saying that because I feel like I accomplished something.
Yes…I couldn't kill HW—she's all I got (in the ways of this story)! That doesn't mean I'm not capable of murdering an innocent or a good guy…I just couldn't kill her yet. My little sister read it and started crying…and I cried inside too…
-Happy HW is alive
-Alexnandru Van Gordon