The Titans were watching the vitals signs of their leader intently. It had been over two hours and he still hadn't awakened. His breathing had become steady and his heart rate had returned to normal. His brainwave patterns still hadn't completely returned to normal. He also refused to awaken from his restless sleep.
"Dude how much longer is he going to be like this? Haven't you two figure a way to wake him up and see if he's who he's suppose to be?" demanded Beast Boy.
"Unfortunately no. Robin's body has under gone two major traumas to it with in a short amount of time. He wasn't completely recovered from the first one when he got shocked again. Even if everything is back to normal we don't know what kind of damage was done both to his mind and body." Raven pointed out.
"Rae right. Robin body might never heal completely from all the electricity that went through it. His other injuries are minor but might impair his fighting abilities. As for his mind well after what he's been through who knows if he will even be able to tell who he is let alone make sense of this entire incident." Cyborg said.
"I can not help but wonder what happened to Slade. I know that I should have captured him, but I couldn't do it. Not after all the good he did. I know you think it was all a lie, but I know that he really meant what he did. I'm wondering what is he going to do when he wakes up." Starfire said sadly wrapping her arms around herself.
"Star the dude try to have sex with you. Doesn't that bother you at all?" Beast Boy asked
"You do not understand Beast Boy. On Tameran we are taught that there is good and evil inside all of us. It is up to us to decide what were going to be and if we want to redeem ourselves. Slade may have done many horrible evil deeds in his life, but for the short time he was with us he was a great leader, a good friend, and a kind boyfriend. I can't simply forget that no matter what." Starfire replied.
"Well right now we have to be worried about our leader. I'm trying to read his mind to tell if he's in there, but I'm being blocked. I can't get anything at all. I really hope Robin wakes up soon." Raven told them.
Black swirls surrounded Robin. The fog was so dense he couldn't see anything in front of him. Robin looked around frantically trying to figure out where he was and what was going. What was this strange place?
"Where am I? What is going on? Is anyone out there? Please someone help me!" he shouted
Suddenly the mist began to dissipate. The blackness was soon replaced by hundreds of pictures and beams of light surrounded each of them interconnect them. One set of memories was outlined with a faint red tint while the other half were outlined in a black tint. These were the memories and life experiences of Robin and Slade. But what was truly frightening was Slade's memories and experiences were attempting to impose over his own.
"No! Stop it! I don't want Slade's memories in my head. I don't want him to control me. Get away from me now!" Robin yelled ramming his fist at the memories. He planted himself in front Slade's memories trying to force them backwards but they overran him.
The two sets of memories and experiences collided with one another causing a mini explosion. Robin was hit by a backlash of the explosion. It engulfed him causing him vast pain. "Ahhh!" he screamed as he felt his entire body exploded into a million of tiny pieces. He felt his entire body transforming.
With sheer will power he forced himself to endure the pain before finally overcoming it. He panted hard and took deep gasping breath. He looked up at the memories to see what had happened. They were frozen in place. Robin was pleased to see that Slade's mind wasn't trying to take the place of his own. He smiled contented, but it caused him to wince in pain. He saw a reflective surface nearby. He decided to have a look to see what the problem was. What he saw froze his blood cold.
His right half was all him. His face was bruised and his costume was a little tattered and torn. His boot was tarnished. He looked like a real mess. But that wasn't what was causing him to panic was his left half was that of Slade's! The full black metal mask with the body armor encased his body. It was gleaming in the supernatural light. He was shocked. What did this possibly mean?
HE stumbled back falling into a memory. It was the one with him and Starfire on the Ferris wheel enjoying the fireworks and eating cotton candy. The memory filled him with all sorts of sensations and made him quiver in shock. "Why does my memory scare me?"
Suddenly his memory of Starfire was replaced with him on a romantic evening with Addie Kane. They were at a seafood restaurant eating lobster. He laughed gaily as Addie fed him some of her lobster. No this wasn't his so why did he have it? He didn't want anything of Slade's. He wanted to just be him again.
Yet his mind wouldn't let him forget what had happened to him. It was determined for him to understand and accept everything that made Slade who he was and what made him the man he was. The similarities between them were startling. He could literally see, touch, taste, smell, and hear everything that linked him and Slade.
"Beautiful isn't it? Yet strange and disturbing at the same time how much our lives mirror each other." A voice said from the shadows.
Robin whirled around already knowing whom he see. It was Slade all right, but he was also in like him. While his right side was all his the left side of his body was that of Robin's. Masking his confusion he asked the first question that came to mind. "What is this place? Why are we like this and what is going on with our minds. I don't understand."
"Robin you were always the smart one, but the most simplest of answers elude you. This place is our subconscious. When the MET malfunctioned and caused us to switch our conscience minds our subconscious didn't. Now that we are going back to our own bodies our minds are attempting to sort out everything that has occurred. Since our minds is having some trouble figuring out what goes where they have split us up in half." Slade explained walking over to him
"Stay back. This is a little overwhelming for me. You want me to believe that our minds are confused about what belongs to us? By the looks of things our minds are trying to find a way to accept these new memories as part of our own." Robin told him
"Perhaps, it would make sense. But can you deal with it? I must admit it is slightly confusing to have the mind of a child as part of my own genius. Yet I find that I have learned much by seeing the world through your eyes. I wouldn't want to loose it." Slade said.
"I guess Starfire was right. We have to accept all parts of us. Including the hero and villain in both of us. Once we do then everything will be okay. I have learned that I have a dark side in me and that if I don't express it once and awhile it will consume me. Thank you for teaching me that." Robin said graciously.
"Your welcome. Now I think I've figured out how we can awaken from this sleep. But you better contact me once we do. We have much to discuss." Slade told him. Robin nodded his head.
"Take my hands and focus your mind. Concentrate on everything that is yours then allow it to flow through you. Then allow my memories to enter you and become part of you. I will do the same. Now concentrate." Slade said taking Robin's hand. Both of them closed their eyes and focused their minds. Soon a white glow surrounded them.
The memories began to whirl around them at super speeds surrounding them and penetrating them both. The entire room began to shake as the memories began to reintegrate themselves. Both rose into the air neither one letting go. In a blur of colors and lights their bodies returned to normal. The process was almost complete. Both of them could feel the process nearly completed when there was great big popping noise. Both of them screamed as they were flung into a bright light.
Meanwhile in the real world Cyborg and Raven were working frantically to keep Robin's body alive. Up until a few minutes ago everything was normal, but soon he began to have convulsions and started thrashing around like crazy. "Hold him steady so I can restrain him. Raven get me a sedative and hurry. Its on the table over there." Cyborg ordered.
Raven grabbed the syringe and plunged it into his arm. Looking at the heart monitor she frowned. "No good. His heart rate is still to high and the rest of his vitals are going crazy."
"Guys look at his temperature! It's spiked to 101! We got to cool him down. I'll go get some ice. Man what is going on?" Beast Boy cried as he raced to get some ice.
"Please is there something I can do? We can't lose him!" Starfire exclaimed.
"Help Cyborg with the medication and talk to him. Try to get him to wake up. I'll do my best to get his vitals back to normal. Don't worry were not going to lose him I promise." Raven assured her already working her magic on Robin's still convulsing form.
"I've give him some morphine to lessen the pain and strapped him down to the table. It's okay Star really. I'm guessing that this was all part of the process of getting those two back into their right bodies. I'm sure the worst is over." Cyborg told her.
"I got the ice. I hope it helps him." Beast Boy said placing a bag of ice on Robin's head.
"His heart rate and other vitals have returned to normal. He should be fine now. In fact if I'm not mistaken he should awake soon. Starfire talk to him. It will help him." Raven encouraged
Starfire clasped her hands around Robin's and looked at him longingly. More than anything she was worried about her boyfriend and wanted him to be safe. "Please Robin, wake up. Everything is all right now. You don't have to remain in the dark anymore. Come back to the light. We need you Robin to lead us. I need you as a friend and more importantly as a lover." She said as she leaned down as kissed him gently on the lips.
A shiver ran through out Robin's body and he slowly opened his eyes blinking them furiously. He let out a soft moan and gently squeezed Starfire's hand. In a weak voice he croaked, "Starfire? Is that you?"
The rest of the Titans gasped softly and crowded the bed. Each watched as their leader tried to sit up. But he failed and just slid back down. Starfire got him some pillows to prop himself against and Raven gave him some water to drink. Cyborg was doing a quick exam when Beast Boy opened his big mouth. "Hold up the celebration. How do we know for certain that we have the real deal here? I mean last time this happened we ended up with a nutcase as our leader. Can you proof your Robin?" he demanded
"Your real name is Garfield Logan, Raven's been in my mind, Cyborg always lets me win at basketball and Starfire's favorite type of mustard is French." He replied grinning weakly.
"It is you! Welcome back dude!" Beast Boy said giving him a big hug.
"Its good to have you back Robin. I must admit that I was really worried that we would have to get use to having Slade lead us." Cyborg told him.
"Yeah I must admit that it's just not the same around here without you around." Raven admitted shyly.
"Robin how are you feeling? Is their any lingering effects of the switch that we should be concern about?" Starfire asked quietly. Silky started rubbing against her leg. She picked him up and placed him on Robin's bed.
Robin smiled happily as Silky gave him a hug wet kiss and begin purring contently. He petted the little maggot and gazed happily at his friends knowing how lucky he was to have them. "I'm changed guys. It's hard to put into words exactly. I have all of my memories from when I was in Slade's body. But I also have his memories and life experiences. I know that this might be hard for you four to understand, but I think I understand him a whole lot better. He's not as much a villain to me anymore as he is also a victim. I don't think I have the right to expose him. He's a part of me from now on as I am part of him. Please I need some time think. Can I have a moment alone please?"
"Yeah sure take as much time as you need. Will be here when you need us." Cyborg said.
"Will be in the living room if you need us." Beast Boy told him.
"Get some rest. It will take a while to heal completely." Raven ordered before departing.
"I will be outside if you need me. Robin if there is anything left that has to be discussed between you and Slade I suggest you do it soon. I'll make sure that you have some privacy. I love you." Starfire said picking up her pet and leaving.
Robin smiled as he watched his friends leave. It felt good to be back in his own body and among the people who loved him the most. But he still had one last loose end to tie up. Flicking on the communicator he typed in the code for Slade's personal line. He didn't have to wait long. Slade's face soon filled his tiny little view screen. "Its nice to know that you still keep your word. I half expected you not to call. After all it would slightly dishonorable."
Robin gave a low chuckle. "I'm not that dishonorable no matter how much you wish. I suppose you also awakened a few minutes ago and that everything is back to normal for you. How's your mental state?"
"A little worse for wear, but I'll deal with it. You have left quite an impression on me young Robin. I don't see how I can go back to leading my old life as the world's greatest evil mastermind. Its lost its appeal compared to the life as a superhero. Among other things I don't know what I want to do with my immortal life. When I was you a part of me that I thought had died long ago was reawakened. For the first time in a long while I had friends to be with it, fun things to do, and I'm almost ashamed to admit a girl to love. Starfire is a pretty amazing person."
"That she is. She always tries to find the good in others. She is wise beyond her years. But your not the only one changed. For the first time in my life I was able to release pent up emotions and be completely free. I also was able to perfect martial arts techniques that would have taken decades of practice. In a way we helped each other understand ourselves a little better. The question is where do we go from here."
"That is the question. Nothing will change either one of our pasts and this past week has not redeemed me in the eyes of your friends. If anything it has only strengthened their resolve on how evil I am." Slade pointed out
"Don't forget about me. I may have their sympathies, but at the same time I can feel their pity and shame. They don't understand how I could be swallowed up so easily by the darkness. I tried to explain it to them, but they just don't understand what I've been through." Robin replied
"Give them time. It is hard for people to change their perspective on others. But soon they will." Slade responded.
"This above all us. Thy own self be true. Shakespeare. You know Slade you don't have to spend the rest of your life alone. You could join us. Starfire has forgiven you and so have I. The others will to in time. You could help us track down criminals and stuff. Besides I need someone to teach me how to perfect my moves." Robin suggested.
"An interesting offer. One that I would need to think over for a while but I will get back to you about it. Don't worry this will end better then our last deal. Tomorrow night then. Good night Robin." Slade said
"Good night Slade. Perhaps in the morning this will all be clear to us." Robin said shutting of the communicator. Lying back down he fell into a peaceful sleep unaware of Starfire watching him from the doorway smiling. Everything was back to normal.