Hours had passed since the stakeout started and still no sign of Slade/Robin. Tempers were getting high and everyone was tired and hungry. The Titans had voted against calling the cops hoping they could handle the situation themselves.
"This is Cyborg checking in. No sign of trouble on this side of the building. The T Car sensors aren't picking up anything. What about you Beast Boy? Anything from your point of view?"
Beast Boy was in his eagle form. He swooped down and landed on the rooftop of the building. He glanced around and shivered. This place still bore scars from what happened during their last visit. At least the transformer had been fixed.
"BB here. I just finished my aerial survey and I've got nothing. Are we sure that Slade will come here? I mean aren't there any other places that make these gem thingies?" he asked
"Negative Beast Boy. I ran a search before we left. GemTech is the only company in the immediate area and if he is trying to complete a device that will help him control minds as Starfire said then he'll need gems of this quality. No other will work. Besides we know the way Slade operates. He won't perceive of us as a threat. He'll see us as nothing more then minor inconvience." Raven said into her communicator. She was using her telepathy to try and locate trouble.
"We have to be on our toes. Slade was serious about getting that gem emitter crystal. After what he did to Starfire he has to be stopped. You understand Titans? Slade doesn't get away." Slade growled as he continued his patrol. He knew the real reason Robin was coming here and he had a plan to stop him. He glanced at Starfire who gave him a small smile.
"Don't worry Starfire. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise that Slade will pay for harming you and me. You can be assured of that." Slade promised her.
Starfire placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "I know that Robin. I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. I shouldn't have yelled at you. What would have happed to you if the last words I said to you were those of anger?"
"Starfire I could never stay mad at you. My behavior earlier was inexcusable. I shouldn't have tried to control you. I know that whatever happens between us will be for the best. I want you to know this. That I would never ever harm you and I will do the right thing when it comes to us, our friends, and when we come face to face with Slade I will handle it both morally and ethically. You have my word." Slade told her meaning every word he said.
"Thank you Robin. That means more to me then anything. I know that you will keep your word because you are both trustworthy and responsible. I want you to know something to Robin. No matter what happens in life you are never alone. I will always be your friend and if you ever need me I'll be there. Count on it." Starfire told him. On an impulse she swept him up in a big hug and gave him one last kiss on the lips.
Starfire looked down at the floor guilty. She was suppose to be getting everyone into position so that when Robin came busting in to steal his gem emitter he could easily obtain it. Afterwards they would convince the Titans what was going on and switch both of them back.
"Hey don't get so down Star. Things will be fine." Slade told her. Suddenly the alarm went off. Both teens looked at each other. "Trouble. We got a break in on the top floor in the high security vault. Call the rest of the Titans and tell them to join us upstairs fast. Move it!"
Robin strolled across the floor in the vault room escorted by squad of Sladebots. On his belt he carried the portable MET and on his head he wore the neural interface headband. He casually went through the drawers till he found the one perfect gem that would suit his needs. He had just finished inserting the gem when he heard someone shout out of him. "Freeze! Don't move Slade, its over!"
He turned to face the speaker. He smiled underneath his mask. It was the Titans. Each had taken up their usual fighting stance. Cyborg was on Slade's left his sonic cannon armed and ready. Beast Boy had transformed into a gorilla. Starfire was in the air starbolts charged and Raven was getting ready to chant. Slade had his bo staff extend with some disks in his hand. "We know what your planning Slade and it won't work. Were going to put an end to your terror now." Slade boasted
"Really Robin do you really think that you can defeat me? You've always been one step behind me. But besides we both know what this is really about. So why don't we cut the small talk and you and I just step outside for a moment okay?" Robin asked slyly.
"I don't have a clue what you're talking about. All I know for sure is that machine your carrying has to go. Titans attack!" Slade ordered throwing one of his electric disk hitting Robin square in the chest.
Robin was in agony as the electricity poured through out his body. He buckled down and planted his feet firmly on the ground. After a few minutes the pain was gone. His new immortal body had helped protect him again. "Nice trick. Now it's my turn. Sladebots attack!" Robin ordered pointing at them.
The Sladebots began to shoot and assault the team. The Titans divided scattered getting some space to maneuver. Robin had programmed the Sladebots to anticipate the Titans move and take them out quick and painlessly without causing any lasting harm. He wanted to end this fight before someone got injured.
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon straight at the onslaught and was surprised when the Sladebots dodged out of the way and started firing their blasters. Deciding against using his cannon he instead preceded to rip them to pieces.
Raven and Starfire had double team. Starfire was firing starbolts and eye beams off left and right while Raven chanted her spell, which sent a ton of gemstones on top of the robots burying them alive. Both girls smiled at each other then hurried to help Beast Boy.
Beast Boy was doing rapid fast shape shifting changing from one animal into another. It was the only way he could keep up with the robots who seem to guess what he was going to become next. Finally he became a T-rex and chewed the robots to pieces. Finally the way was clear to face Slade.
Slade had been battling Robin intent on destroying the portable MET before it could be used. Unfortunately Robin seemed intent on keeping the device in one piece. Slade hurled four birdarangs at Robin's head, which he caught and flung back at him. He somersaulted out of the way and fired a freeze disk, which Robin kicked away. "You're not going to win this fight. Surely you can see that. Why not just give up?"
"You're the one who should give up. My team and I won't allow you to use your evil machine. You think you've seen everything I can do well think again." Slade said throwing a bomb at him. The explosion caused part of the ceiling to cave in. When the smoke cleared Robin's foot was trapped underneath the rubble and he was unable to get loose.
Slade smirked arrogantly seeing Robin so helpless. He was going nowhere. The time had come to be rid of him permentalty. The rest of the Titans save Starfire had joined him. "The games over Slade. You're going down. You might want to brace yourself this is going to hurt more then you think. Titans ready aim fire!" he shouted. All at the same time Slade, Cyborg, and Raven launched their most devastating attack. Robin could only watch helplessly as his doom came hurling towards him.
"NO! You mustn't harm him!" Starfire yelled flying as fast as she could to protect him from harms way. She hovered a few feet in front of him and formed a shield out of her starbolts. The attack hit it full force and was almost too much for her. When it was over she dropped the shield sinking to the ground.
"Starfire! Starfire are you okay! Talk to me Star." Robin yelled wrenching his foot free and running over and cradling Starfire in his arms. He brought her close to his chest and brushed back her hair. "Are you okay? How could you do something so foolish? You could've gotten hurt."
Starfire looked him in the eye and placed a hand on his mask gently stroking it. "I couldn't let you get hurt. If I lost you I would die. Here help me up and I'll be fine." She told him as he helped her up. Soon the two of them were standing side by side facing the shocked and confused faces of the Titans.
"Starfire what are you doing? Why did you protect Slade from our attack? He's the enemy or have you forgotten!" Slade demanded angrily.
"I am sorry my friends if my actions confuse you. But I couldn't allow you to harm him. Please listen to me. We've all been deceived this past week. Not everything is as it seems." Starfire stated evenly charging her hands up incase there was trouble.
"Girl what are you talking about? Did Slade hurt you in anyway that would make you defend him like this?" Cyborg asked. He had his sonic cannon aimed straight at Slade's head but couldn't get a clear shot without injuring Starfire.
"Cyborg put that cannon away before you hurt someone. How could I ever hurt Starfire? I love her too much to allow any harm what so ever to come to her. I hated when I had to injure her in order for her to convince you guys she escaped and needed you to come here. You got to believe what she saying." Robin said.
"Stop lying through you teeth Slade. Whatever you did to Starfire's mind will be small compared to what I'm going to do to yours. Trust me on that." Raven said.
"Friends you have to listen to me please. He speaks the truth. The last time we were here both Robin and Slade were involved in a terrible accident that had unforeseen consequences. The result of the electric shock combined with the MET device switched the brainwave patterns of the two placing them in the wrong body. We have been under the leadership of Slade all this time while Robin here has had to steal and commit horrors in order to resolve the situation. Raven, you and I had a similar experience happen to us don't you remember? What I'm saying is entirely possible and surely you must have sensed something was off. Can't you tell I'm telling the truth?" Starfire pleaded
"Well Raven is she telling the truth? Is it even possible what she claims to have happened at all? I mean I like to think we could spot an evil maniac like Slade posing as Robin." Beast Boy said to her while he gave both Slade and Robin a quick glance.
"I don't know. When I used my powers on Robin after the accident I did get a strange sensation but it disappeared so quickly I thought I'd imagined it. Still I do know one thing for certain. Both she and Slade over there firmly believe what their saying and nothing is going to change their minds." Raven replied uncertain of how to proceed.
"Starfire enough. You're not thinking straight. Whatever Slade's done to you we can fix if you let us help you. You have to trust me Starfire. I only have your best interest at heart." Slade said encouragingly. He held out his hand for her. "Take my hand Starfire please. I don't want you to suffer at his hands like I did."
Starfire fired a starbolt at him forcing him to take a step back from her. "Stay away from me you imposter. You don't understand the meaning of suffering. You want me to trust you after you've lied to me and tried to harm me earlier? I think not. The game is over Slade admit it."
"She has proof of what she claims Titans. All you have to do is listen to her and don't dismiss whatever she gives you right out of her hand. He will try to explain away everything but he will not be able to perfectly explain everything. Believe me." Robin said defiantly
"Alright Star were all ears. What proof do you have to back up this crazy explanation? And it better be good otherwise both you and Slade have a date with my sonic cannon." Cyborg told them.
"My first bit of evidence is his mannerism from the moment he regained conscience after the accident. Robin is many things but hostile and threaten isn't one of them. That boy over there was rude, malicious, and lastly cruel. Don't tell me you didn't notice that." Starfire pointed out.
"Starfire I told you that his concussion could have been responsible for that. Also Robin had been acting way more obsessive then usual lately. Combined with his nightmares his actions aren't unreasonable." Cyborg countered. Still he couldn't keep the twinge of doubt out of his voice.
"Very well then what about the gaps in his memories. If he is truly Robin then he will be able to tell me what I said to him in the cave on that hostile alien planet we landed on. Well what did I say and what was your answer?" she demanded angrily her eyes boring down on him.
"That's an easy one. Go ahead my man and tell her what happened. Were all dying for the details of that night," Beast Boy said slapping him on the back.
Slade took a deep breath and tried to think of something to say. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out of it. "Look why does it matter? Starfire enough of this please. I can't remember what happened so what?"
"She told me her powers were inclined to her powers and she was feeling confused about what was happening between us. I told her I thought she was the strongest girl ever and that it was cool how she could throw starbolts and that I didn't mind having a friend who was a girl." Robin said smoothly and coolly. The Titans stared at him then Robin. They were almost convinced but there was one more thing that would prove it.
"Here is my final shred of evidence. I put him in the T Car when you weren't looking. Hope this convinces you." Starfire said bringing her fingers to her mouth and whistling loudly. A loud rumble could be heard as a small cylinder shape torpedo came flying into the room and popped open depositing Silky in her arms.
"Silky is like any animal. He can sense when certain things are not as they should be. These past few days he has been trying to warn me of a danger lurking nearby. He was trying to protect me from getting hurt. Silky will show us who the real Robin is." Starfire said hugging her baby tightly.
She set the little maggot down and he walked over Slade who was looking at the little maggot his eyes bulging. The little insect took one sniff of him then bit down hard on his foot. He was jumping up and down as Silky hissed at him. Silky turned around and walked over to Robin. He sniffed him then smiled. Robin picked him up and Silky gave him a big sloppy kiss before cuddling close to him. "If this doesn't proof that I'm Robin what will?"
"Come on you really don't believe any of this do you guys? Come on its me Robin." Slade insisted desperate to keep control of the situation.
Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven looked at one another then at Starfire who was petting Silky while still in the arms of their worst enemy. Nodding at one another they walked over till they were standing right next to Starfire and Robin. They turned to face him powers ready. "This charade is over Slade. Admit the truth of who you are right now." Cyborg ordered.
Slade looked at them one by one shocked and angered. He clenched his fist and stared down at the floor in despair. Then he started to chuckle, which sent shivers down their spine. When he looked up at them he had a strange look in his eyes. "I considered you my friends. I fantasized that we could have a wonderful life together full of adventure and excitement and that we always be together. Heck I even thought I actually get the chance to relive my youth with no mistakes this time. But I guess I was wrong. Fine team I admit it. I'm Slade and I have two things to say one your leader is never going to get his body back and two," He shot out a grappling hook, which wrapped around Starfire and he pulled her into his arms. "I'm not leaving without my Starfire!"
"You just made a big mistake pal. Booyah!" Cyborg shouted firing up his sonic cannon when Slade brought up birdarang to Starfire's neck drawing blood. Robin shoved Cyborg just as he fired so his shot missed the two of them by half an inch.
"Don't fire. Don't anyone attack. We can't risk Starfire's life!" Robin yelled at them while he glared hatefully at Slade who was using Starfire as a human shield so they wouldn't attack.
"I don't want to hurt her. I really don't. But if you attack me or follow me at all I will. I won't have you taking the one thing that has brought me the most pleasure out of this experience. So back off or I slit her throat and we all lose." Slade ordered inching towards the door.
"We can't let him get away. Be careful in your attacks not to injure Starfire and only knock him out. Titans Go!" Robin yelled already on the move.
Beast Boy was first he morphed into a huge tiger and leapt straight at Slade intending to knock Starfire out of his arms but Slade was ready for him. He jumped out of the way and launched several freeze disks at him freezing him to the spot.
The extra weight of carrying Starfire didn't seem to be slowing him down a bit as he gave Cyborg a good round house kick upside the head then blew him away with some mini explosives.
Raven had already been using her telekinesis to try and wrap him up in a wave of her power, but she couldn't get a lock on him. He was too quick and he was using a multiple of weapons to disorient her. "You want to play rough then let's play rough. Azerath Metrion Zinthoof." She said muffled as elastic goo covered her mouth preventing her from speaking.
"Next time don't use such long spells. Man that was almost too easy. Give me a challenge already." Slade chortled
"Forget about me Slade? Want to see how well you hold up to an immortal? I mean seeing as how you don't have your powers anymore and are carrying around a helpless girl I think I can take you." Robin said calmly getting into his battle stance.
"Your welcome to try. Let me just put Starfire down and add some extra quick dry hardening agent to the cord so she can't escape and now lets fight. Come on Robin lets see how much you've improved." Slade taunted setting Starfire down and drawing his staff.
Both charged each other Slade whirling his staff high and Robin blocking it with his hands. Slade pressed hard trying to break through, but Robin held his ground. Slade lashed out with his foot intent on tripping Robin up but he flipped out of the way. Both used several martial arts moves matching each other move for move. Finally Slade played a dirty trick. He kneed Robin in the groin then bashed him in the head forcing him to the ground. "I must say you have improved, but immortal or not, I am the better fighter."
He walked over a picked up a struggling Starfire who still hadn't managed to break free. She looked up at him in terror. "Now Titans if you don't mind I have to go. Bye!" He said dropping a smoke bomb and leaving them standing alone in the room.
Once the smoke cleared away they looked at one another with worry in their eyes. Cyborg looked down at his arm and frowned. "Slade's deactivated both his and Starfire's communicators so I can't track them. My sensors aren't picking them up at all. Raven can you sense them?"
Raven shook her head angrily. "No he's using the lessons I taught him to shield his thoughts. I can't find him. I've tried locking onto Starfire's thought's but with no luck. Grr I can't believe I helped that monster."
"Hey he fooled all of us. None of us could have known what was really going on. I mean we could have but we chose not to. Hey maybe Silky can lead us to Starfire! I mean he is her pet." Beast Boy suggested holding Silky up.
"No forget it. It would take to long to track him down. By the time we found him the window for switching us back would be closed. I only have fifteen minutes left to try and get my body back. God I don't know what I'm going to do if I'm stuck in this body. I mean I can't lead the Titans like this." Robin said miserably
"Don't worry man. Whatever happens will follow you no matter what. You don't have to concern yourself about it. No way will we allow Slade to keep your body and get away with Starfire." Cyborg assured him putting his arm on his shoulder and smiling at him.
"Yeah dude. Were friends and friend's stick together no matter what happens. And look on the bright side if your stuck in Slade's body permanently you won't have to work out so much." Beast Boy tried to joke.
"Your not helping. We have to think logically on this one. Were would Slade go with Starfire? I mean where's the last place we look for him right now." Raven asked.
They thought about for a minute then Robin snapped his fingers. "I know were he is. Guys I want you to go back to the T Car and wait for me to come back with Starfire. If I don't return I want you to return to the Tower and start trying to track Slade down. Don't argue with me. This is something I have to do alone. You are the best friends a guy could ever ask for. Now go!" He ordered as he raced away leaving his friends behind
On the roof of the building Slade was leaning over the edge of the room scanning for the Titans. Once they were gone he would take Starfire and get out of Jump City. He turned to face Starfire who was giving him the death glare. "Will you please stop struggling? Your going to hurt yourself and I rather you not do it."
"I won't stop squirming. Why do you continue to evade my friends? What do you hope to gain with kidnapping me? Lastly why do you insist on keeping Robin's body now that your secret is revealed? You should give it back to him and return to your own." Starfire told him
He looked at her incredibly. How could she be so beautiful and smart and still not get it? "You of all people should understand why I try to invade your friends. I don't want to be caught its in my nature. I kidnapped you because I don't want to lose you. For the first time in long while you have awaken feelings in me that have been long since buried. I don't want to lose that. I want to keep Robin's body for a lot of reasons but mainly because I don't want to go back to being me ever. I hate my old life so I'm not going back."
"Running away from a problem? That doesn't sound like you Slade. I should know. I have your memories." Robin said as he appeared on the roof.
Immediately Slade pressed the birdarang to Starfire's throat and got in a defense position. "Keep away from me Robin. If you come any closer I will kill her then neither of us will be able to enjoy her company. Keep that MET away from me. We have only ten more minutes till the switch is permanent and I intend to keep it that."
Robin held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Haven't you lost enough people you love Slade without adding someone else to the list? I know that you are truly in love with Starfire and it's not just because of my memories. She is as strong and determined as Addie with Lily gentleness and kindness. You can't help but be reminded of the women you loved so long ago. Just as Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and even me remind you of your children and Wintergreen. You and I are a lot of alike Slade. We both have painful past and both want what the other haves. But we can't life a lie Slade. You and I may both make great heroes and villains. But in the end we have to be true to our hearts. Please I'm asking you as a friend to give me back my body and let Starfire go."
Slade looked at him with tears running down his face. He looked at Robin with both pity and sadness. "Oh Robin if only it were that easy. But you don't understand truly my pain. If I switch back I have to go back to my old life. A life of criminal activity and masterminding plots. But also of loneliness and sadness. The curse of immortality is that you have no one to share it with. I don't know if I can deal with that after seeing how wonderful life you have."
"Hey I have my own share of difficulties. I mean look at me. I run myself ragged trying to protect the city, I'm trying get out of my mentors shadows and escape my past, and lastly I'm trying to deal with my love life. If that isn't hard I don't know what is. We all have are difficulties Slade, but we can't run from them. We have to face them. Please before its to late switch let me switch us back." Robin begged inching closer.
Slade hesitated for a moment unsure of what to do. The birdarang in his hand dropped ever so slightly from Starfire's throat. That was all the room she needed. Powering up she blew apart her bonds and front flipped over Slade while depositing the neural interface helmet she had taken earlier on his head. He struggled to get it off but he couldn't. "Now Robin!"
Robin turned on the machine and immediately sank to his knees as his memories and those he had gained from Slade began to flow back towards his body while at the same time the same thing was happening to Slade. Both were in pain but neither ones conscience was being transferred. There wasn't enough power. "Starfire! We need an electrical power surge now! It's the only way we can get our conscience minds back in the proper bodies."
"But I may harm you or even kill you both if I do anything." Starfire shouted.
"Just do it please! We only have two minutes left before time runs out. Please my love does it!" Robin order moaning in pain.
Flying high into the air she positioned herself above them both. She took careful aim and powered up both her hands and eyes. "Forgive me both of you. Please let this work. Huynh!" she shouted firing her powers at the roof.
The explosion was huge. The entire building shook and both of them were hurled into the newly repaired transformers. Sparks flew every were as bolts of massive electricity flowed through the two. They shouted in agony as their bodies were nearly shut down by the massive current. They fell to the ground hidden in a cloud of smoke.
Starfire flew down into the cloud and searched frantically for Robin. Finally she found both Slade and Robin. Both were unconscious and both had sever electric burns over them. Neither one looked like they were breathing. She checked for a pulse and found a steady one. Now came the difficult part. Who did she take back to Titans Tower and whom did she leave behind? Closing her eyes she listened to her heart and picked up Robin's body. Pressing a button on Slade's wrist she activated an emergency pickup for him to take him to his lair. She would let him go. She had to get back to the Tower.
Back at the Tower she greeted her friends who were happy to see her. They kept asking what happen to Slade but she wouldn't tell him. Instead they took Robin to the infirmary to check him over. An hour later he still hadn't regain consciences and she was getting worried. "Is he going to be alright?"
"We've healed most of his injuries and treated him for electrical shock but were still unsure about his mind." Raven said
"From what you told us time was almost up when you sent them into that transformer. We don't know yet if he's return to his own body or if he's still in Slade's. His brainwave activity is so erratic I can't trust my sensors. The best thing we can do is wait for him to wake up." Cyborg told her.
"And hope that we don't have a crazed maniac on our hands still." Beast Boy commented. They all nodded and looked at the bed were their leader lie hoping that everything was finally back to normal.
Please email Dlsky about what you think of this story as well as any other story listed in the challenge. Thank you.