Chapter 3
Terminal Troubles
Robin woke with a start, feeling stupid to have fallen asleep in the helicopter. His body ached from the robot's brutal punishment; he knew it would only get worse after Slade's. He groaned mentally as the helicopter landed.
Slade gripped Robin's forearm so tight he felt a bruise forming. As he dragged Robin into the warehouse, Robin could feel the anger radiating off him.
He tried to remember the path they took through the warehouse, but it was so full of twists and turns he was surprised Slade knew where he was going.
After several minutes of the extreme pain of nearly having his arm ripped off, Slade opened a door that revealed two sets of narrow steel stairs that lead to a basement.
Robin attempted to plant his feet, but Slade was too strong.
He threw Robin down the two flights of stairs, and with no way to protect his already injured head, the cut reopened and several new cuts were formed.
He rolled off the last stair and onto the concrete floor.
Before he could blink a fist flew into his face knocking him across the room causing him to land on his back, which broke his wrist.
Robin fought the white hot tears that threatened to fall, not wanting Slade to think he was weak.
Slade grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled them face to face.
"Not the smartest idea Robin, you know I could easily destroy your friends and city, with just the push of a button."
Robin remained silent.
"You know silence is not an answer."
"Fine... I won't do it again."
"Oh, I can make sure of that, but that's not what I want to hear."
"I'm...sorry."
Slade narrowed his eye dangerously.
"I'm sorry ...Master-ugh!"
Slade threw Robin to the ground and snapped his fingers. Two of his robots appeared and grabbed each arm.
"You know, my apprentice, now that the Titans know you're alive and well, we'll have to leave sooner than planed."
"L-leave?"
"Oh didn't I tell you?" He said sarcastically, "We're going to visit an old friend of mine in Tibet."
Slade smiled at the look of horror on Robin's face.
"We're leaving in the morning. There will be clothes in your room for you to change into when you wake up. See you in the morning my apprentice."
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The sun hadn't even risen when a sharp rap on the door roused him.
He looked around the room for a second; there was a black t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and black tennis shoes laying on the chair and a pair of sunglasses sitting on the desk.
He quickly changed out of the torn apprentice uniform and into the clothes, reluctantly pulling off his mask and slipping on the sunglasses.
He looked in the mirror that hung on the outside of the closet door, he combed the hair out of his eyes wishing he had gel to re-spike it for it was long and in the way.
Thankfully only one scar was really showing, it ran diagonally across his right cheek and one barely showing but noticeable just the same was a deep gash across his forehead. Several bruises covered his arms and he could see rope burns around his wrists.
'I can't believe this is happening.'
The door flew open so violently it bounced off the wall. Robin jumped into a fighting stance.
"No need to be skittish, Robin. Come we are leaving."
Robin said nothing, but took a deep breath and followed Slade out the door.
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Robin leaned back slightly in the privet jet's leather seat, his eyes never moving from Slade as he watched him look through several 'important documents' as he had called them. Robin finally moved his eyes away form Slade to look out the window.
Slade had said they would have to stop at the public airport to meet his so called friend and he would use it to his advantage.
He felt the jet tip downward slightly for the landing, Slade must have felt it too because he put the papers back in the bag and looked at Robin.
He knew the boy would be forming an escape plan; he'd just have to be ready. Robin heard the papers stop shuffling and looked over at Slade.
The plane landed and Slade stood up. He walked into the other section of the jet and came back seconds later.
His regular mask was gone and a new mask-one that looked like a face-and dirty blond hair was in its place. He was wearing a black suit with a silver tie-he looked like a business man on a company trip.
The jets doors opened and stairs rolled up to their side.
"Move and I'll trigger the bombs. Am I clear?"
"Crystal," muttered Robin glaring at Slade.
A woman no older than twenty walked up the stairs.
"Are you Slade Wilson, sir?"
"Yes, I am," he said with a warm smile as he handed her a check.
"Your ride is outside the terminal."
"Thank you, Miss Ana."
She bowed her head slightly and walked down the stairs.
Slade picked up his bag and glared dangerously at Robin.
"Keep your mouth shut and stay close to me, understood?"
"Yes... Master," He added quickly as Slade reached for his pocket for the trigger.
"Good. Now come," he ordered.
Robin stood up and followed Slade down the stairs. Knowing they had to pass through the terminal, Robin forced himself to wait for the opportune moment.
Slade stopped briefly at the counter to purchase tickets for the return trip home.
Robin leaned against the counter 'patiently waiting' for Slade. When he was sure Slade was busy talking to the man he took off across the terminal.
Slade stuck the tickets in his bag.
"Pleasure doing business with-," the man began before Slade took off after Robin.
Robin stole a glance over his shoulder to see Slade gaining on him.
He picked up the pace and several frightened yells followed the two as they crashed into people and dodged young children.
He came to the center of four hallways and ran in the direction of the restaurants and gift shops.
Robin ran inside one and picked up a magazine, hiding his face as he stood next to a family of four. He took deep breaths to even his breathing and chest movement.
Slade walked into the store.
Robin's heart skipped a beat.
He looked around carefully. Seeing no one familiar he narrowed his eye then turned and walked out the door.
Robin lowered the magazine with a sigh of relief and the lady next to him looked at him strangely.
"Was he looking for you?"
"Uhhhh, Yes, but, don't worry I'll catch up with him later."
A young boy standing next to the woman looked up at Robin.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses inside?"
"Because I can."
"I always thought you were supposed to wear them in the sun, ya know sunglasses," said a teenage girl next to the boy.
"Jessica, Jason, don't be rude."
"Sorry Mom," apologized the kids.
"What happened to your head?" asked Jason.
"I fell down the stairs."
"Ouch! That had to hurt!"
"No, really Jess?"
"Stop teasing me!"
"Stop arguing, please," said Robin massaging his temples.
The kids gave him an innocent smile and quickly changed the subject.
"So... how old are you?"
"I'm 15."
"Cool, I'm 13 and Jason's 10. Guess what he wants to be when he grows up."
"What?"
"I want to be the greatest detective ever!" yelled Jason, "Just like Robin!"
"I heard he disappeared," said Jessica
Then Robin and the kids followed their parents out of the store.
Robin frowned.
"I did."
The kids stopped in their tracks and gave him a curious look.
"Let me tell you a secret...," he whispered.
"I am Robin."
"Wow!"
"Dude! This is awesome!"
"And you know the man that followed me into the store?"
"Yeah," they said in unison.
"Well, that was-"
"Hello apprentice."
Robin's face paled as the cold, smooth voice interrupted him.
He jumped up and turned around, pushing the kids away.
Slade's black and orange mask covering his face once again, and in his usual costume.
A fist slammed into his face breaking his sunglasses and knocking him into the store's window.
He quickly got back up and attempted to run, but Slade was too fast. A kick to his back sent him back out the store and sliding across the hall.
People ran as Slade walked out of the store. He towered over Robin, making him feel weaker than before.
Slade's foot pressed on Robin's chest limiting his air supply.
"How many times have I told you, your friends can be easily killed, but maybe I should demonstrate it for you?" he pulled out the trigger.
"No, please don't," he begged.
Slade lifted his foot off the boy and jerked him to his feet.
Security guards rushed around the corner as Slade pulled out a gun.
Robin tried to run, but Slade's arm wrapped around his neck and lifted him off the ground, the gun pointed at his head.
"Freeze!" but they froze when they saw who it was, "No, not again."
"Drop the gun!" yelled a younger officer.
"You really think I'm going to do that?" hissed Slade pressing the gun into Robin's head.
"D-drop the gun!" he yelled again.
"I will shoot him."
"H-help!" choked Robin.
"Lower the gun!" yelled another officer.
Slade cocked the gun and pressed it harder against Robin's head in response.
"FIRE!"
Bam Bam Bam Bam!
The four officers fell to the ground-dead.
Slade quickly put his gun back in his belt as loud voices and running footsteps headed their way.
Still in shock, Robin didn't realize Slade was dragging him out the door.
The bright sun caused him to close his eyes for a spit second, and he was shoved into a car. He tried to open the door, but it was a child protection lock, meaning, he couldn't get out.
He stared out the window in fear as the car sped out of the parking lot and onto the highway. He took deep breaths and tried to moisten his chapped lips with his dry tongue.
"Need some water mate?" a boy asked handing Robin a bottle of water.
He gave the boy a curious look and took the water draining it.
"You must have been thirsty," he said shaking his head.
"What do you care?"
The boy shrugged his shoulders.
Robin took in the boy's features, he had dirty blond hair falling a little past his ears, bright blue eyes, and dark tan skin. His accent reminded Robin of an Australian.
Robin looked up to the front of the car; Slade and another man were engaged in a conversation, not paying any attention to the boys in the back.
"Name's Dustin, what's yours?" asked the boy.
Robin didn't answer.
"Suit yourself mate."
Robin rolled his eyes and looked out the window, trying to listen to the conversation between Slade and the man driving the car.
"When do you need it done?"
"Tonight."
"Not a problem," said the man, his lips twisting into a crooked smile as he looked over at Slade.
The man's blood red hair ruffled in the breeze that came through the open window, his sleeveless forest green shirt showing off his tan muscular arms.
"But when we get to base-"
"I know I know," interrupted the man," So what exactly did he do?"
"Took off across the terminal and involved a young family."
Robin's heart beat faster.
"So what does fate have in store for them?"
"Nothing from me, Robin can take care of it."
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It took them three hours before the car finally turned onto a dirt road.
Dustin had pulled out a lap top and was busy with something. His hair slightly covering his eyes that were staring nonstop at the screen as his fingers flew across the keyboard. The steady clicking was beginning to drive Robin insane and he glared at him.
Slade had even looked up from what he was doing and glanced at the boy through the rear-view mirror. He smirked when he noticed it was bothering Robin so much, he could tell he was about to hit the boy.
The car started to shake slightly when they pulled onto a gravel driveway. Two full grown oak trees sat on either side of a large house shading it from view.
The car pulled to a stop behind the darkened house.
The doors unlocked and Robin pushed the door open and jumped out only to run into Slade.
He grabbed Robin's forearm and dragged him towards the door to the basement and threw him down the stairs.
"Next time you pull a stunt like that more than one person will suffer," he hissed holding up the trigger, his thumb hovering over the button.
"I'm sorry Master."
"Sorry isn't going to cut it apprentice, you'll need to learn your lesson the hard way."
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"Dude! Look at this!"
Beast Boy waved the days newspaper in the air. The team gathered around as he read it aloud.
"Trouble in Tibet
Mercenary Deathstroke the
Terminator held a teenage
American boy at gun-point
earlier this morning at the
local airport. The boy in
question was later recognized
as Robin from the Teen Titans,
who has not been seen since
the bombing in Jump City
earlier this week. The bombing
occurred at story continued-see
bombing."
The teens exchanged worried glances.
"They even have a picture," added Cyborg
The picture was actually a freeze frame image form a security camera of Deathstroke with his arm wrapped around Robin's neck and a gun pressing against his head.
But there was no mistaking that orange and black mask.
Deathstroke was Slade!