Allow Me to Live Like You

Alexnandru Van Gordon

ARGH! My world is falling apart for me…so sad…and my pals wonder why I write Angst? Duh! Major depression!...Oh, don't mind me. I'm in a bitter mood and feel like torturing someone…let's see (looking around for Robin), where did he get to…

I'm sorry that I do a very awful look-over of each of my chapters. I don't really reread them until they've been submitted and I could kick myself for all the writing mistakes I made last time…great, something else to be worried about…And if there's anything you didn't understand, please tell me and I'll clear it up immediately.

Oh yes—I promise you that I'm working on the other chapters for my other stories—you can bet to see Chapter two of "Not Again" and I'm just about done with chapter four of "The enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine." So, there's no need to remind me anymore. I've hunkered down and I'm almost done.

I don' know what else to say besides—enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own them.

CHAPTER TWELVE: Hard decision

—I'm so tired of standing here, lost within the thoughts of another. I am dying with each breath I take, but will you leave me now? You always say tomorrow—but will tomorrow ever come? All I see is today and yesterday. My eyes can look no further. My body feels like lead and you keep pressing me down, a weight I can no longer bear. Why must I be left to decide which torture I prefer? Why must I make the hard decision…Please just let me go. Please release me…—Kacey J. Mackowetzky—

He walked down the hallway slowly, allowing for his footsteps to echo out in warning. He was very upset—not only at Robin, but at that stupid witch and that alien girl. And Wintergreen? He didn't want to get into that. He would have to deal with that mess later.

He stopped and pulled out the key, turning it in the lock and pushing the door opened gently. He waited outside until he saw Robin, just in case the Boy Wonder tried anything. Quite the opposite. He looked like he was in a trace—traumatized. He couldn't see his face, but he knew he was awake for the change in his position. But he remained in the moonlight.

Slade knew he was thinking. But what about?

He stepped inside and didn't bother to close the door. That caught Robin's attention. He looked up at Slade, those white eyes shooting daggers in his direction. But Slade didn't mind. His own eye darted to stare at the slight arches of Robin's new mask. He was wearing the exact same suit he wore the last time he was under Slade's apprenticeship. How…perfect.

"You're awfully quiet."

The boy continued to stare for a moment more before gazing at the moon. "What else would I be?"

"Try to escape?"

Actually, that was the last thing he expected. He knew he was winning—there was no doubt about it. He just wanted to hear it from Robin, the few words that would hand him the ultimate victory. No one defied Slade—and this boy would be both the first and the last to do so.

"I can't…" Robin breathed, so soft Slade almost didn't hear it.

Slade smiled behind his mask.

"What's keeping you back?"

Robin looked to him again, all the more hate filling his eyes. Slade wanted to see his real eyes, for eyes couldn't lie—they said everything in just one look. He wanted to see the defeat masked by those eyes, the terror, and the dismay. He already knew all of those were there, but he wanted to see it…

But that could wait…That could wait until years had passed and the cool white turned cold forever. People changed—they had to change or be destroyed by fate for it. There was no defeating it and a boy as young as Robin was most certainly not going to be the first to defy it. He was good, but he wasn't perfect.

"What do you want?" Robin muttered, looking away once more. Slade could tell he was terribly annoyed, terribly depressed as well—the serum was doing it's job well, and he knew that for certain. The thing he noticed most about Robin was his doubt. All Slade did was point out how hard his life had been and how much he deserved more. Robin doubted himself…things were sinking in…

Slade stared at the moon himself. "I came to talk—what else?"

"About what?"

Slade smiled.

He walked back outside the room and kept his back to the inside of the room. Robin could attack right then and there, and hurt Slade pretty badly—he was open. But the boy remained silent and still. That was how Slade knew he had truly won.

-R-

He was either mocking him—or he had lost his mind. Either was a plausible excuse for his action. Did he want to get hurt? Or did he want to spar Robin, test him again on how well his skills and strength were doing. Wouldn't that satisfy him…

Not saying a word or moving, he ignored the pleasant invitation and remained as he was. It was partially because he didn't want to satisfy Slade, and partially because he was so full of doubt. Oh no—Slade didn't know that…did he? Then maybe Robin should have gotten up and attacked—maybe he should now—no, it was too late—he'd know why he hesitated—but what if he didn't know—

There it was again—doubt. He was at war with himself and he couldn't figure out why. He was usually so clear-minded and sure of what he believed to be right or wrong. Why now, of all the direst times, was he in doubt of himself? It was a deathtrap—his demise! Slade had to be behind it…

But what if he wasn't?

Let him say what he has to say…

"Speak." Robin said clearly—almost as if commanding. That caused Slade to whirl around. From irritation or in respect?—he did not know. He didn't care to look at the man's face again. He didn't want to.

Slade spoke calmly and that made Robin curious. "I'm going to make this clear to you." He said. "You have one of two choices."

"How original…" He muttered. What else was new.

"Plain and simply, Robin—you are free to go."

What?

Robin looked to Slade this time, head turning sharply. He wasn't serious, was he—he was playing with his mind, right…But that eye. That eye never lied and Robin could tell Slade was telling the truth just by staring at it. He was telling the truth…

"Curious of the price?" Slade asked, amusement evident in his voice—and he was right. "You can go—and I'll forget we ever met. I will never hunt you and you will never have to see me again. But…you give it all up—the hero business, that is. If you ever want to be a villain, fine with me, it suits you better than your current choice…"

Robin frowned. "If I stayed I wouldn't be a hero either. I'll win at this little game we've played so long…What is the rest of the price?..."

"Smart boy, Robin." Slade laughed, sending shivers along his spin. Robin knew he was right. "No more hero equals no more saving lives—including that of your mentor and other friends I have with me here. Everyone—even this entire city is under siege by me, and by giving it all up you'll just have to walk away and forget it…never turning back…"

Before Robin could say anything, Slade spun around again and left down the hallway, leaving the door wide opened. "Come see me if you decide to stay!" He called out before his footsteps died. A door was heard opening farther down the hall and the closing…waiting to be opened again…

Robin felt his heart racing—trapped in despair. All he wanted was to be free—but the price? It was far too great…

There was no need to think about it. He knew what he had to do.

Quickly wiping away the tear, he stood and paused in the doorway. He could run now, but what would that do. There was his freedom.

But he knew all too well that the life of one was always outweighed by the lives of many.

-St-

Starfire's next attack did the trick. With one simple slip of his staff, The Riddler's cane clanked to the floor and he hurriedly made to pick it up. Too bad her starbolts were already in motion. They sent him flying back a good distance until he hit the far wall on the burnt mark HW accidentally created. Knocked unconscious, he fell to the ground limply, not likely to wake up soon.

Starfire heard Overload's second roar and HW's chuckled "Bring it on." Before she wasn't almost blinded by the ferocity of Overload's attack. She spun around just in time to see his lightning fist came into contact with HW and electrocuted her beyond belief.

Luckily, Starfire had been flying this time and somehow avoided getting shocked, but she still screamed. But she was mistaken—did she just see HW smile? Yes. No. Yes…she was smirking, rather. But what was that supposed to mean?

Overload shrank in size until he was gone—HW glowing briefly before sighing and closing her eyes, Overloads chip falling to the floor where he stood last. She was still sitting, propped up against the wall like a puppet. But then she lifted her head and smiled at Starfire. Attempting to stand, electricity cackled around her and she thought better than to move. At least she was alive this time.

"HW?" Starfire asked quietly, flying over to her friend and landing on the ground to kneel beside her. "Did you just consume him?"

"Yep." And she nodded—thinking better when she looked like she had shocked herself. "As if I wasn't producing enough electricity before—this batch was a real overload. I probably shouldn't move until I waste some of it off."

Starfire smiled herself, glad HW wasn't in too much pain. "Would another dosage of Slade's chemicals help?"

"Not this time." She replied with a weary sigh—still somehow grinning. "This has got nothing to do with plain strength. You go on ahead and find the others, but…take the knife."

The knife? Why would she take a weapon of such cruelty with her? It was a tool of death, and it wasn't right to use it. Why would she use it anyway? She had powers and strength that overpowered many of the species on earth. She had no need for it.

"Give it to Robin. I think he'll need it."

"Robin…?" She was confused, but she took the knife tucked between HW's waist and belt. "But why?"

"Intuition—you should always trust it. And don't worry about it. He'll know what to use it for."

Would he?...

-C-

After another blast, he ducked. Then he peeked over the bashed up car and stared at Raven—standing out in the middle of the street like a sitting goose. Ten of Slade's men surrounded her, but she didn't appear the least bit worried.

The robots all attacked at once, but she was ready. With her three magic words they were encased in a black aura and torn to pieces with a wave of her hand. After having no crime for so long, it was expected that she would have a lot of energy stored up inside. He was just glad he wasn't the one she was disposing it on.

"Looks like the last of them…" She said, gazing up and down the deserted streets. This was the low class side of town and everyone had already left—not everyone though.

"Slade's henchmen..." Cyborg said, standing and walking around the car. He stared at the three robots he had knocked down with that last blast. "Looks like we're close."

"How close?"

He looked at his arm and pressed a button…grinning. "Looks like we're here." then he lowered it and pointed to the large, broken down building at the end of the street. "We should find them in there."

Made sense, anyway. The building was just pleading for someone secretive to use, and no one would bother to go inside unless they were homeless. But Cyborg probably had his inventions and plans hidden well enough inside so that no one would stumble upon them, should they dare to enter. Slade was good at hiding. It was one of his many specialties.

Like kidnapping.

Raven hovered beside him in the air as they stared at the building. He was wondering—and he was sure she was too…should they enter? Would they be defeated, or would they win…But what if they won? Would they catch Slade or would he run away again—run away? They couldn't afford that, not after the mayhem he had caused so far. But what if they lost?

He wouldn't think about that. If they lost…they would go down as Titans—not as cowards, not as stupid kids, and most certainly not as nobodies. If he was going down, he was going down standing as a Teen Titan.

"Ready?" He asked Raven.

She smirked—she actually smirked. A scary sight indeed… "How would you say it—I was born ready."

"That's all I needed to hear."

And they started forward toward the building, either to their victory or…

…their doom.

-RX-

He and Batman had been silent the entire time, listening as hard as they could to the short conversation going on on the other side of the wall. They heard it clear enough with the help of the air vent and it was something they expected. But…Robin was free. Was he going to stay and suffer more than he had already? Why should he? He deserved this…he deserved freedom after all he had done.

Red-X shook his head. What was he thinking? He had listened to Slade the last time he was conscious and now that was screwing him up. The memory of Flora…an no—that wasn't just his partner…She was something more to him, and she was gone now all because she had grabbed the prized item first before Slade did. That son-of-a—

"You ready?" Batman asked, the bindings around his arms falling away. His own weapons were obviously sharper than X's, and he was fortunate enough that Slade's henchmen forgot to disarm them before locking them away.

Batman quickly undid his legs and came over to Red-X, untying his own wrists and ankles, grinning when Red-X was freed. "Don't think I won't arrest you when this is all over." The man said.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He answered sarcastically. They both knew X would run once this was all over—if they both lived to see the ending, and if they won. Oh well—it's better to give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Who knew what the future held.

"Now for the door…"

Batman stood and walked over to the door, taking something from his belt that looked like a click pen. Upon clicking the end, the other end glowed a soft, ember red.

Neat toy. He'd have to steal it later.

Both froze when they heard Slade's footsteps pass by the door toward his "office" while in the other direction was an easy exit. And so they waited, curious to hear if Slade was going to return or if something else was about to happen.

They heard it—Robin standing and walking out into the hall. But then he paused. Paused? What was he waiting for. He could easily run. Batman and Red-X could take Slade on…or die trying. Why was he staying—he couldn't…he wouldn't…

Robin's slow, lighter footsteps echoed in the halls this time—past their door toward Slade's office. He was too good for his own good. He was going to give up his only chance at freedom to save a thief, a fooled father, and a bunch of disloyal friends. No one deserved Robin as their hero. He was going to do something terrible to save their terrible sinning bunch.

Red-X looked to Batman, saw how stiff he was. He was thinking the exact same thing, probably devastated that he had dragged Robin down into this hell. The guy even flinched slightly when they heard Slade's door slam shut after Robin. He was in the lion's den now.

"You've got one hell of a kid." Red-X said, standing. They could still save Robin—but they needed to work fast.

Batman pressed the end of the "pen" to the lock of the thick metal door and smoke began to rise as it slowly melted. "He's not a my kid—he's my partner."

-S-

Yes…This was exactly what he wanted… Robin had given in, and now there was no turning back for the misunderstanding child. He was in the devil's hands right now and that was where he was going to remain. Slade was going to make sure of that.

He stared at the large monitors lining the wall. This room was huge—filled with old machinery used for producing products he didn't know what of. What did he care? He wasn't going to stay here after he was finished with the city. All his equipment from the other room was in here now and so was Robin—it would take him a day, maybe even two, to finish what he started in Gotham. The question was, which capital would he strike next.

"I see you've decided." Slade said, his voice plain as he turned to face his young apprentice. My, how Robin appeared so furious and devastated all at once. It was a look Slade liked. He enjoyed the suffering of others, especially when it benefited his own needs. "Any last requests?"

Robin's frown deepened. "Release them."

"Anything I would do?"

This only aggravated the boy further, but somehow he held his temper. "A battle."

"A fight?" He smiled behind his mask. "We'll have much time in the future for your training. All you want is a fight?"

"For their release." He clarified and Slade noted how determined he was. That was one of his more admirable characteristics.

"You know—they'll know you lose."

"They'll know I tired."

He laughed—it couldn't be helped. This boy…he didn't understand it quite yet, did he? He was still just a foolish child who believed his truth to be the only truth—the way things had to always be. What of it though. Slade was going to help this boy grow into a man, a man with power and the will to use it in the proper way. No more games, no more riddles—or hunting down one another. It was time for the apprentice to learn.

"You still don't get it, do you?"

Robin, surprisingly, looked rather calm, as though the knowledge of trying at least one more time took a load off his back. "And what exactly is it that I'm supposed to get?"

How arrogant.

"They abandoned you—hurt you beyond the level of ever healing. And now that you've been granted to the chance to heal, you go back to them for more. Do you enjoy pain. Do you understand that they are not your friends anymore? I'm not even sure they ever were. Don't you believe the words of a man would has suffered like you, who knows what has happened to you and is only trying to help?"

Robin grinned—a small grin, almost gone unnoticed, but Slade saw it and it made him slightly angry. Not enough to lose control, but enough to remind him to give Robin a good beating during this little battle he insisted on having in the name of his friends. "If I believed you, I would have left them." He replied to answer for his expression. "You contradict yourself Slade. You want me to believe you and give up on them, though you put their lives on the line to get to me. Did you ever bother to look that over?"

Damn him.

"If it's a battle you want, than it's a battle you'll get, Robin." He growled, one eye narrowing. Then he took his fighting stance—as did Robin. "Lesson number one—don't speak unless I tell you too. You'll only say what I want you to say, and they will never be mentioned again. Understood?"

-A-

(Mission Impossible theme song playing in background, Alex "dunning" along to the song)Dun—dun—dun—dun—Dun—dun—dun—dun—Dun—dun—Oh! Ahem…(clears throat) sorry. I got carried away there. But you can tell I'm excited. Now, for the stars of the show—the ones you came to see…Robin…verses…Slade! (Crowd cheers) It's just like Slade said, no more games, no more riddles, no more hunting each other down. This is the final battle…of this story, anyway. YES! Someone will die, but who will it be? Now, this might confuse you, because I have decided that I will make a third story—and I'll attach to this one like someone suggested it would be easier for you guys. I'm sorry if this one was a little jumpy around the places and I'm sorry if I don't impress you with how I write the ending. I really need to brush up on my fighting scenes. Anyone here notice that I make them short? Yeah…I think I suck at them, but I'm putting my all into this last one. If I'm good, I promise you want be disappointed.

But I am…warning you. Sorry…I think it's a bad habit of mine to put this here. My ending is a little gory on the behalf of Robin and Slade and maybe some other people. Those of you who are young (because I don't know how old any of you are besides KaliAnn and her sister) you have been warned. Bruises, breaks, cuts and blood—what a wonderful mix, don't you think?

Well, I hope you enjoy the ending to this story. I may put the fight scene in two chapters—depending on how long it goes—and I also have to write up the aftermath of all this. I can't suddenly say—And they lived happily ever after…ah…how cute—not! That's just creepy.

-Hyperactive

-Alexnandru Van Gordon