Disclaimer: I don't own The Teen Titans


The night progressed and soon, dark gave way to light. Outside. But somewhere else, Slade rested. He opened his eye fully and yawned under his mask. He had honestly had enough. Last night was the worst of his life. There were strange noises coming from everywhere. It was like surround-sound of the nasty deeds the teens would would do. The term 'feeding time at the zoo' would come to one's mind. The birds chirped all night. But the other three couldn't hear them, because they were too busy making their own noises.

Slade hadn't ever taken them seriously. They were all a big joke in his book. However, after that night, he had seen or rather only heard (thankfully) a different side of them. A harmless side of them. Well, harmless in the wake of his physical being, but destructive towards his mental stability. Of course, he wouldn't want to have them get physical with him. Raven ok, but the rest should stay away.

However, wether they were harmful or not, it didn't matter. What did matter was that he was still in the same building as those...those monsters. If he didn't get out soon, he'd be asking them for the name of a good shrink in town. He stared ahead of himself unfocused. This was one of those rare moments where his immagination blocked off all other distractions to portray a scene that his mind had so graciously developed.


Slade's POV

I was walking toward a large wooden door. Nice place, or so it seemed. Healthy little plants and bright lights. I did not have any idea of where I was, but I would soon find out. I pushed open the doors. I do not waist time knocking on unfamiliar doors. I saw a woman, with long black hair. I seemed to recoignize her. A girl, resembling Starfire in appearence. Not entirely, for her eyes were slightly more defined,and contained a mischevious glint. Her hair was also darker. She was the polar opposite of her bubbly younger sister. They were the moon and sun. That was perhaps why they could not stand each other. Blackfire almost reminds me of Raven.

She was dressed as any business woman would. I found myself laying down on a long leather couch. I hadn't felt this relaxed in a while. I could feel my muscles shifting and grinding back into place after the long period I was stuck within the Titans Tower. In that cell. I sighed and was satisfied to see my usual outfit, armor, belt and all back on my body.

This girl, 'Blackfire' sat before me with a look of boredom on her tanned face. She placed one leg over the other and looked me straight in the face or mask,as if expecting something.By looking into her eyes,I could tell she wassane. For this I praised every saint I could name. Then she spoke, her voice was mocking and full of pride.

"Hello Slade, now tell me. Why are you here?"

I nearly forgot just why I was there. Wait, I didn't know to begin with, so how could I forget? Or maybe I didn't remember I knew. Who knew? I guessed that this was that shrink I had been considering.

"I don't have a clue in this cursed world of why I am here, to be brutally honest." I replied in all the honesty I could muster. Anyone reading this right now should know I'm not good with the truth. Although truthfully I answered that question with all the truth in my limit of truthfulness. I truly did.

"Ok, does this ring a bell?" Blackfire pulled out a tape recorder and pressed play. My ears were soon met by the horrific sounds of the teen bonding. I shook involuntarily. There was no way I could control myself. All those sounds, they matched the tracks on the Halloween CD I once used to scare the little green pest named 'Beast Boy' away. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and nodded breifly. I was in the state of denial all this time until I reached this session, and admitting my greatest fear yet so far was quite hard on my part. Did I just say 'I' and 'fear' in the same sentence? I fear it's too late for me, perhaps what I really need right now is a paramedic. I might be suffering of unknown brain damage. Wait, I just said 'I' and 'fear' again, and again! Alright I must seek the emergency room.

"I know poor Sladey. My sister and her freaky friends have cost you your sanity and very reputation as the respectable villain you once were." Blackfire told me.

I feared she was right. Oh God, alright note to self: Say 'I' and 'fear' again, and smack self silly. I... I just did. So I raised my gloved hand and slapped my masked face as hard as I could. I thought the mask would stop the strike from actually reaching my skin, but I was wrong. The force of the blow collided with my rough mask and that smashed into my face. This causing the sting to intensify. But wait a minute, I hadn't actually said anything, just thought. Oh well too late now.

"See..." She asked. My eye shut and once I re-opened it I was met by the site of a blonde preppy girl dressed completely in pink trying in vain to kiss the walking traffic light Robin, who was currently on the floor making out with Raven. While Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy were doing the same leaning against the statue of a rock hard Terra. I squinted and rubbed my eye trying to rid myself of these images. But once I saw Blackfire fighting the sluggish creature 'Silkie' in mid air, I knew that this was all but a dream. This was the reality I could no longer run from. I have never known the pain I caused the empath Raven in the ordeal with her father till this very moment.

And now I knew, that therapy only made things worse...

...Since this was really a day dream and I just told myself it wasn't. That meaning I was talking to myself. Although I was realistically thinking so it wouldn't count.

End POV


Slade was snapped back into the present when the door hissed open to reveal...
A/N: I have nothing to say other then: this is a cliffie, and I thank those who reviewed. I will be awaiting more reviews on your thoughts and you can count on an update tomorrow, if I am not too busy.