Chapter 1

The Deadly Chase

Dark ominous clouds drifted from the sea. Thunder rolled across the sky, and lightning lit up the night. A drizzle of water fell from the clouds giving the city a slight mist. People retreated into their homes as the rain thickened, all save one...

His feet pounded on the sidewalk splashing mud and water onto his dark uniform. His heart thumping against his ribcage and his ragged breathing barely heard over the monstrous storm. His clothes stuck to him like a second skin and his raven hair was matted to his scalp with rain, sweat, and blood.

He slipped in a puddle and slid to the middle of the street tearing the skin from his knees. He jumped back up, ignoring the pain, and ran. The tower getting larger with each stride, finally he reached the beach. He paused to catch his breath. Looking at the tower, he realized none of the lights were on.

'They must be asleep' he told himself.

Sea water splashed onto his body, his injuries screaming in pain. He turned around to see if He was following him.

All he saw was darkness, yet one flash of lightning revealed his pursuer. Heart pounding, he was desperate for escape. His only option was the storm torn sea. He jumped to his death.

Swimming with all his might he finally met a rock and pulled himself out of the freezing water gasping for air. Lightning flashed and thunder echoed through his head, he slowly looked up. He stiffened in fear when he saw two stone-toed boots.

An unmerciful hand gripped the hair on his head and yanked him to a standing position. A hand then lifted his chin to look at his enemy's face. He jerked away and jumped to the next rock. Jumping farther and farther the rocks lead to the mysterious island where the tower stood.

He punched in the security codes, thanking his friend when the doors opened

Hearing pounding footsteps he ran inside and up the stairs.

He hid in the gym hoping he wouldn't find him and mentally kicking himself for leading his pursuer into the tower with his friends. The doors swished open and soft but heavy footsteps continually drew closer to his hiding position. He ran through the man's legs and out the door running towards the roof to keep his friends from harm.

The lightning danced across the sky, the rain refusing to let up, and the only light was shining from the landing pad. The boy heard the door open a second time and whipped around as a shadow covered his own.

His opponent drew back his arm and threw it at the boy, who ducked but didn't see the foot hurtling towards his chest until it was too late. The blow sent him sliding into several wooden crates. He quickly got up and charged with a battle cry, but the man anticipated this and closed his hand around the boy's fist and cracked it back.

Receiving a kick to the head, the man staggered backwards but quickly regained his footing and pulled out his bo-staff. The boy had no weapons, having lost them to his enemy, which left him defenseless and scared. A sharp blow to the head sent the boy to the ground, knocking the air from his lungs. He rolled to the side as a fist hit the area his head had been only seconds before. He jumped up and threw a round-house kick back at the man, but he grabbed the boy's foot and held him still.

The boy tried to maintain balance on one foot but the man pulled him off the ground holding the boy upside down. With all the strength he could muster he rammed his fist into the man's stomach. He dropped the boy and he ran at the man again. The man dodged the boy's oncoming attack and kicked his back. With a strangled yell the boy flew off the edge of the tower, the man not too far behind.

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A loud clap of thunder woke the young alien from her dreamless sleep. A resounding crash caused her to jump. She quietly peeked out her bedroom door. Nothing. Passing it aside as her imagination, she decided to get a glass of water. She walked into the operations room. Pulling a glass form the cabinet she proceeded to fill it with cool water from the sink. She looked out the window and watched the rain beat against it and as an occasional flash of lightning light up the sky. Another clap of thunder echoed through the night, sending shivers down the alien's spine.

"Starfire?"

The alien turned around to the door, a girl with a blue cloak, and her face covered in shadow was standing in the entrance.

"Hello friend Raven, may I inquire as to why you are up at this hour?"

"I should ask you the same question."

Raven glided down the stairs and landed next to Starfire. She lowered her hood and looked at the aliens face, she could tell she had been crying- her eyes were red and swollen, her face was splotchy, and there were tear stains on her cheeks.

"Starfire, you shouldn't cry over him any more, he's gone, he could be dead for all we know."

"Robin is not-"

CRASH!

Shards of glass flew everywhere as a shadowed figure landed in the middle of the room. The person was on his hands and knees gasping for air. Raven pulled out her com-link and called the guys.

"Cyborg! Beast Boy! We have an intruder in the tower!"

The girls jumped when a second person came crashing into the room. This person was much taller, muscular, and older compared to the one on the floor. The man walked over to the boy, ignoring the two Titans, and kicked him in the ribs.

The boy flew into the computer mainframe then fell to the floor. He slowly got up, for he was obviously in pain, then the man hit him upside the jaw. The boy pushed off the floor and kicked out aiming for the man's chest, but he caught the boy's ankle and swung him towards the kitchen into the girls as the guys came in. The boy rolled off the girls and helped them up.

"Robin?"

Starfire gently ran her fingers across his cheek, mindful of the scars on his face. Not noticing the man, Beast Boy and Cyborg ran to the girls.

"Star, Rae, you guys al- Robin?"

Robin slowly backed away from his friends, but ran into something far worse. He started forward but the man was too fast, he wrapped his arm around Robin's chest bringing him to his full height. The Titans instantly recognized the cruel mask-Slade.

"Titans-"

"Don't. Move"

They froze as they saw a knife raised to Robin's throat. Blinding lights shone through the broken window- the team having to shield their eyes- and wind whipped through the room.

Slade lowered Robin to the floor, but kept the knife barely inches away from his neck, and walked him to the window. Slade moved the hand with the knife then pushed Robin out.

Robin yelled at the sudden drop but was caught by a strong metal hand and it pulled him into the helicopter. The robot bound Robin's hands behind him and held him still as Slade jumped onto the aircraft. Slade walked up to the boy and picked him up by the front of his uniform bringing them eye to eye- Robin's feet dangling above the ground.

"Next time you try a stunt like that; I will kill them and destroy your precious city. Do I make myself clear?" he said with anger slipping into his voice.

"Y-yes." Robin stuttered with anger.

"Yes what?"

"Yes Master."

"Good boy."

Slade dropped the boy, and left him for a smaller part of his punishments with the robots. Robin closed his eyes to try to block out the pain and tried to find the mistake of how he got caught in the first place...