Sorry for the long wait. I know its becoming a normal thing and for that I'm sorry. Its getting harder and harder for me to write both because of life, lack of motivation and writers block. I'll try and write other things to see if that doesn't help get me out of this funk. Thank you all for standing by me as I drag this out longer than it needs to be. I'm going to college soon but it shouldn't hinder me to the point that I cannot write. In fact it might even help me we will see. As long as I don't get too side tracked by the Battlefront 2 game.
Edit: Oops made a little mistake.
Ch 29 Test of Character
"The time has come," Slade said as his children lined up in front of him fully geared up and ready for what is to come. From his stone throne, the mercenary looked at his soldiers who would lead his army during his conquest. Soon the world will be his to mold into something better. A peaceful world where there is only one rule of law.
His.
Slade was going to make the perfect world free of strife and corruption, a world without the heroes of the Justice League or the villains of the Injustice League. 'Fools,' Slade cursed them in his mind.
The Injustice League only cared about themselves. It is amazing that they hadn't taken themselves out with the scheming and power plays that went on. The Justice League was too weak to deal with them as the so called 'heroes' refused to kill because of their sense of justice and morals.
He will show them.
He will show them all.
Well, the ones that will live to see the new world order of course. Slade doubted that anyone would join him, at least none that he trusted. If some do great, but if not…
Change and progress are never painless. Sacrifices must be made.
The one-eyed soldier looked at his newest addition. One of his greatest creations which combined physical, mental, and mystical prowess into one singular form, or two in this case. When he first met the twin's mother all those years ago he barely paid any mind to her, but there was something about her that made him curious. So he began to get close to her and stole a blood sample and ran some test on it. Difficult as it was with the lack of technology, but Slade was resourceful and stumble across something interesting just as he was about to give up.
A very rare DNA stain that he has only come across only once.
When he broke into a Mitsune Corp. laboratory.
It was supposed to be a simple job. Then again you don't hire Deathstroke for a 'simple job'. He was hired by a shady group, nothing that the mercenary hadn't done before, to infiltrate and secure DNA strands of certain individuals and bring it to them. Easy enough…
…or so he thought.
When Slade broke in he was met with the toughest security force he has ever come across. If this company wanted to they could control the world. The skill of their fighters was nearly unmatched and the technology that used to build the security system was well beyond what any normal company could accomplish at that time. It was enough to interest Slade and convince him to dig a little deeper into the company. If he knew what the background of the company was beforehand he would have charge more.
Slade almost became giddy with excitement before he remembered about the mission. He quickly gathered all the intel along with the blood samples that the client wanted before he made his escape, but something went wrong. During his withdrawal, the one eye mercenary was cornered in a room that had a peculiar device which was activated by mistake when Slade decapitated another elite guard. In an instant, Slade found himself in another world. A world that was completely devoid of the Justice League, at least not in the form of flesh and blood but in the pages of comic books and T.V. shows. It was easy to blend in with the populace, even easier to join the military of the United States.
That where he met her.
After confirming the DNA Slade put together a general theory on what had happen and why the company was developing dimensional hoping device. So he put together a plan to create the perfect agents that he would use to bring the world to its heels. The next biggest obstacle would be to get back to his dimension. While he looked for a way back home he charmed the women enough to take her to bed and father a child. Having twins was a happy accident which made both parents happy, if only for different reasons. By the time the children were born Slade and managed to create the chips he would use to mold his spawn into the perfect killing machine. It wasn't perfect and the chips would need to be worked on, but for a time it would work.
In secret Slade had the chips implanted into both children while they were still fresh from the womb. The girl took to the chip quite well and was a great success, the boy, however, was a failure. Slade had underestimated the power of the Fox. Without a second thought, he dumped the boy and took the girl back to the place he arrived and created a portal back to his realm of reality. Never expecting to see the boy or his mother ever again. Of course, he did see the boy and was once again surprised by the power of the Kitsune, and the slyness of the fox that lived in him. After almost a year and a half of manipulation, Slade had done it.
He turned a failed experiment into a success.
Slade could even see this boy becoming a major threat to him in the near future. The chips did more than just store information and deliver it into the brain, and later control the spirits within. No one, not even Grant, knew that the chips could learn what information, like fighting moves and styles, the user observed. After a time it would copy the information and store it into its databanks before downloading it into the mind of the user.
The one eye villain had turned down that feature in Sam's chip, but Sean's…
…has been fully operational this whole time.
So he has learned every martial art that Robin and Slade have used. This will become a problem but for now, he'll use it to his advantage. The boy may have the knowledge, but he does not have the mastery to become a threat at the moment. Once he seizes control then he will deal with this matter.
Slowly Slade stood up and walked past his children, his soldiers. "You know what to do," he said as he made his way to the exit of his base, "Ravager, let's go." Without another word, Ravager followed Slade into the darkness.
The remaining three agents gathered together and looked to Rose who was in charge of the group. "We shouldn't keep the Titans waiting. Zero, Fox" Rose said with a giggle that caused a shiver down the spine to anyone who listened to it.
This will be my final entry. At this point, there is nothing else to discuss. My original journal is back at the Tower which I should be able to recover once Slade's plan succeeds. Honestly, I don't see a point in keeping this journal anymore. In my mind, Slade had already won. No amount of writing will help me deal with the mind games that Slade has played on me. Even now I can hear his voice whispering in my mind. Whispering to me that the only way for me to protect the ones that I cared about was to defeat them, utterly and completely. Without the Titans, I won't last much longer, and they won't help me not after Rose, Sam, and I attacked them this afternoon. All part of his plan I'm sure.
It was then my downfall was complete. I fought against the people I had once called friends and family. Without question and without mercy. Because if I could not, he will break them. He would break them to destroy me and remold me into, in his eyes, perfection.
The plan was simple and it went off without a hitch. Rose led me and my sister to fight the Teen Titans while Slade and Ravager freed Cinderblock, Plasmus, and Overload. Slade has plans for them, he always has a plan. This is why I never tried to break free. I fought against him at first, still do or try to, but it was obvious from the start that fighting against him is pointless. So I have no choice but to accept it. I'm just another weapon for him to use and discard. I'm so alone. I haven't heard from Light since I was kidnapped. I found out later that it was because the chip in my head cut the connection I had with my partner. I no longer have the ears or tail, my hair, while still maintained its color has been cut to more military form.
Is this how Robin felt when he was under the control of Slade?
Doesn't matter now. Soon he will fall along with the rest of the Titans. I just hope that they will survive and go into hiding. Ha, yea right. They won't give up. I know it, they know it, and worst of all…
Slade knows it.
"The first part of the plan was a success," Slade said as he looked at the multiple screens from the bugs that were planted inside the Tower, courtesy from his newest agents. His agents said nothing as the stood behind him in a single file line. Their heads covered by their helmets which hid their emotions, but to the trained eye, one could tell.
Grant schooled his mind and body to keep himself in check, but he was ready to carve out his own slice of the world. His eyes traveled towards his sister and to…them. He wondered if Slade would allow him to run a test on Zero and Fox. If he could unlock the genetic code Grant could become the most powerful person in the world.
Rose didn't physically show it but she wanted all of this to be over already so she could go and check up on Jericho. Her brother had decided to stay out of Slade's clutches and have nothing to do him. It wasn't like he hated his father, but it is hard for to be around the person who was responsible for the loss of his voice. Not only for Jericho but for Slade as well who took his failure hard. Plus Jericho didn't approve of Slade's methods of achieving world peace, but he couldn't fight his own father. So he stayed in his own slice of heaven in the mountains. Rose on the other hand fully agreed and supported her father. She looked up to him as a role model and, unlike her mother, loved him dearly.
Meanwhile, unknowing to anyone in the room, Sam was once again trying to commune with the voice in her head.
'Who are you?' she said.
The voice let out a sigh of dejection, 'You still can't figure it out? Even when you know what lives in your brother? Didn't your father tell you about your heritage?'
Sam's eyes widen, 'I'm Kage, or Shadow, the spirit that lives inside you and grants you the power of the nine tail fox,' Kage said as a man materialized right in front of her.
Agent Zero looked around covertly to see if anyone else sees Kage. When it looked like no one acknowledges the presence of the spirit, in fact, it looked like time had slowed to a standstill. Her gaze went to Kage and she began to study him.
The spirit was taller than her about a foot or so. Shiny black hair trickled down his back except to two thick strands that came down on both sides of his head. His eyes were like crystals although not quite as clear they were almost gray like a storm was brewing in his eyes. Sam didn't know what Kage was clothed in, but she knew that it was a fine dress that made him looked regal almost like he was a part of royalty.
Slade didn't put a high priority on culture in her education.
Kage's stance showed nothing but wisdom and experience. He turned to look at Sam's brother, Sean, and let loose a sigh that spoke volumes. 'I waited so long to meet you,' he said as he walked towards the fallen hero, 'and when I do it was at your lowest.' The spirit placed a hand on Fox's shoulders who only looked ahead, his eyes devoid of all emotion. 'I pray to Inari that I can finally meet you after centuries apart. I hope that day comes soon and when it does that it isn't too late.'
Sam looked towards the spirit and her twin before she spoke, 'Why now?'
Kage cast his eyes at Sam before he returned them to Sean and moved his hand to the boy's cheek and gave it a reassuring pat. When he was done Kage turned and walked towards Sam. 'I was sealed away within your mind by the chip your 'father' put in place,' he said with his voice growing distorted by the growl that came from his throat, 'your brother's spirit used her power and our bond to break the chains that held me back.'
'Slade only desires our power,' Kage let out a snort, 'he, like Icarus before him, is trying to grasp something he has no understanding of it and it will BURN him before he is cut down.' Kage turned his head to look at the form of Slade, 'Foolish mortal.'
Sam's mind began to replay the same message her twin always gave when it concerned their relationship with Slade, 'No, he cares about us!' she screamed as she felt her world slowly start to crumble. Try as she might the agent could not get rid of the doubt that had settled in the back of her mind.
'Does he?' Kage questioned with a raised eyebrow, 'Tell me, does a father separate his children from their family? Does he turn them into weapons? Does he deny and suppress what is rightfully theirs? Does he turn them against their friends?' As he pointed out these facts the spirit turned his gazed to Slade and burned the mortal mercenary with his fiery gaze. After a while, he turned back to Sam with a softer look and continued, 'Or does give them a home where they can grow strong as a family, where the children can manifest their powers and become who they want to be.'
Sam had to fight the urge to hug herself. She wasn't sure if Kage had stopped time or her perception of time. Kage seemed to pick up on her uneasiness, 'I know this is hard for you child, but Samantha look at him,' he pointed to Sean who looked dead to the world. 'Does he look happy?'
'No,' Sam said with a sigh as she turned to look at her brother, 'he was happy when he was with them,' her teeth clenched together as she growled out, 'with her.'
Kage chuckled at his host's response, 'It's natural for a sibling to be weary of their sibling's choice in mates,' the fox spirit's eye became distant as his mind traveled to a more happier time, 'I remember when Hikari found her first mate, ah those were the days.' A silence followed as the spirit continued to reminisce, but as all things must do, it came to an end.
The spirit looked at his partner and with a knowing glance he said, 'You know what must be done, don't you.'
She didn't like it, god she didn't like it, but the evidence of the truth was overwhelming. This entire time her father barely acknowledges her as his own flesh and blood. Instead, their relationship has been one of professionalism. Cold and calculated. Although she never outwardly showed it, the cold attitude always hurt her. Samantha wanted to have a deeper relationship with Slade, but it always about work.
Go fetch this.
Assassinate that person.
Plant this there, plant that there.
She had hoped that once Sean was introduced into Slade's plans than they could become a family. At least that is what she told herself. Deep down she knew the truth. She always knew the truth but refused to acknowledge it. But know she must, no matter how much it hurts. 'But how, we can't beat him alone, especially now that Grant and Rose are here.' Sam asked her soul partner, 'And besides, where could I go afterward.' She was a criminal after all. Not many places where she can go, or hide. She was doubtful that Slade wouldn't come after her. Sam was, after all, an asset.
'I promise you that you will not be alone, as long as I am here you are never alone.' Kage placed a hand on Sam's shoulder to comfort her, 'While your relationship with Sean is rocky, it's not at the point where he would abandon you and 'throw you to the dogs' as it were. I think he wants to get to know the sister he never knew he had.'
As Kage slipped his hand off of Sam's shoulder he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, 'If it doesn't work out then our clan will shelter us.'
Sam became skeptical at this prospect, 'How can you know that? This clan never tried to get in first place.'
The fire began to flicker around the spirit, 'The clan doesn't want to do anything that would place you and your brother in danger, you two are too important to unnecessary risk your lives. To be honest I'm surprised that hadn't picked up Sean yet. Being a superhero isn't a risk-free career.'
The flames became larger and wilder like a forest fire, 'What are you talking about? How are we important to the clan?'
'All in due time my dear Samantha,' Kage said with a small chuckle before his face hardens with seriousness, 'I can protect you and give you strength, but you have to take the first step.'
Uncertainty gripped the agent, 'I-I don't know, I need to think about this.' she said.
The spirit didn't bother to hide his disappointment,'Okay my partner, but don't take too long, time is running short.' With that Kage burned out and time resumed.
The Titans were gathered in the Ops room as they nursed their wounds from their previous fight with Slade's minions. Beast Boy was splayed out on one side of the couch with a hand filled with an ice pack covered his right eye. Next to him, Terra massaged her toned stomach, and as her hands traveled over the harden muscles the heroin couldn't help but smirk. 'No longer a toothpick,' she thought.
On the other end, Starfire was helping Cyborg with his repairs by connecting a few hard to reached wires in his arms. The alien was practically unharmed besides her pride and emotional balance. The cybernetic meanwhile had a thousand mile stare on his face as he went over the battle that was recorded in his memory banks.
Meanwhile, the mystic member of the team was hovering behind the couch recovering in her own way, which was difficult as her mind was in turmoil. The battle between the Titans and Grant, Zero, Rose, and Sean, now dubbed Fox, was brutal. No quarter was given; there wasn't even the traditional banter that villains were known for.
The T-car was destroyed and as soon the Titans recovered from the first attack Slade, which turned out to be another robot, introduced his newest agent. Raven felt the shock and hurt from her fellow teammates. As if he could sense the moment of weakness Slade ordered the attack.
Rachel remembered the attempts that were used to get through the ex-hero but was only met with increased ferocity. The mage's mind focused on that part of the fight. Particular the way Sean fought mirrored the way Robin and Slade fight but there was a wildness to it, almost animalistic. Her mind began to work faster as she tried to grasp the pieces of the puzzle so that she could piece them together. Hope began to thump in her heart as she realized that Sean pulled his punches. He was almost as strong as Starfire so if he really wanted to he could do some serious damage.
Even Robin's cracked ribs could have been worse if Sean wanted to really hurt him. He had every reason to, but he didn't. Their friend was still there, her Sean was still there.
'Help us…Rae…' a distant voice called out in her mind, in ranged a familiar cord in Raven's memory. It wasn't one of hers that she knew for sure, even though they have been quiet all morning. Before she could follow the source of the voice the silence of the room was broken by the sound of a blender on high.
With a slight gasp of surprise, Raven fell like a rock and landed on the floor.
A glare was shot at Boy Wonder as he turned off the blender filled with…something green, Raven stood up and rubbed her sore bottom. "Sorry," he said with a distant voice as he pulled a cup from the cabinet. The thickness of the drink became apparent as the liquid began to be transfer into a glass. Robin made his way towards the others and as he did so Beast Boy's nose began to twitch.
"Ah dude what is that stuff," Beast Boy whined as he covered his nose to protect his sensitive sense.
Robin sat in the middle of the couch, "A mixture that Batman uses to heal quickly," came the monotone reply. "There is plenty for everyone."
"Pass," the changeling said as he removed the ice and raised himself into, "I'd rather have Star's cooking than drink that junk."
"And pray tell is wrong with my cooking!" Starfire said as she stood, her eyes flared green. Beast Boy flinched under the Tamaranean's glowing gaze.
"Enough," Robin called harshly, "It's bad enough that we got our asses kicked, but we are not going to degrade ourselves by attacking each other." The Boy Wonder downed half his drink before he continued, "We're not going to do their job for them."
The two Titans looked at each other before their stances relaxed. "Well, I guess we could use some of that 'Pudding of Sadness' of yours," Beast Boy joked.
Starfire raised her eyebrow, "You mean the cream of toenails?" she asked before lips pulled upward.
Robin relaxes a bit as he let his body leans against the couches' cushions. The detective in him tried to piece together what Slade's plan is. Why act now? Why allow them to escape when they had the upper hand? The Boy Wonder was expecting to die then and there, but something held them back. He downed the rest of his drink before he figured it out.
Slade wanted to humiliate them or at the very least show them just how out match the Titans really are. Psychological warfare at its basic, but once again though Slade underestimated the hero team. Sure they were caught off guard by the appearance of their fallen comrade, yes the Titans spent most of their concentration trying to reach him and try to bring him back, but next time they'll be ready and they will bring Slade down.
They have to and soon. If not then the Justice League will mostly likely get involved. Although they didn't tell him Robin knew the JL was looking for the ex-Titan as well. Why wouldn't they? He knew things that could be harmful to a lot of people. Things that can get heroes' and civilians connected to heroes killed. Robin had reported what he found out to Batman, which, surprising no one, he already knew. He felt anger at his mentor for not telling him what the Justice League knew from day one. Batman had to talk sense to him that killed the anger. Obviously, the information could not be made public, even very few of the JL knew about Sean. It was then Robin finally understood the gravity of the situation and just what his teammate went through. Too little, too late through.
That would have to be rectified as soon as Sean was captured.
Just as he began to form a plan of some sort the Klaxon siren went off.
"Now it is time for phase two," Slade said as he pressed a few buttons on the console in front of him. Immediately the heavy hitters; Cinderblock, Plasmus, and Overload stumbled into view. Their combined footsteps caused miniature quakes that shook the occupants even though they didn't stumble. They stood there like pillars of power that spoke of great strength.
"It is time to destroy the Teen Titans once and for all," Slade said, noting the flinch in Sean's body movement. "We will divide their forces into three groups and crush them at their weakest."
Pressing a few more buttons the monitor in front of Slade began to show three locations that were highlighted with Slade's stylized S. "Zero will take Overload and attack Star Labs research center," Zero gave a small nod, "Plasmus will go with Rose to the waste disposal center," Rose had her lips pulled back in a toothy small, "And Fox will take Cinderblock to the abandoned mining just outside of Jump City," Fox gave no sign of recognition he just stood there unmoving.
Slade continued as he looked towards his son, "Meanwhile Grant will sneak into Titans Tower and take it over so we can use it as a base of operations."
"What about security?" Grant asked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. The eyes of his mask took a much darker tone of red as the user was ready to spill some blood. "Didn't the Titans beefed it up from the last time someone broke in?"
Slade let out a chuckle, "Well thanks to your brother," Fox flinched as the memory of his father using alternative means to get him to reveal what Slade wanted, "we know how to override the Tower's security."
The villain turned around and pressed a few more buttons, "Besides my dear boy," he said as hundreds of pairs of glowing white eyes began to make themselves known, "You won't be alone." Slade walked towards his throne in the middle of the room before he sat down. With a press of a button the throne turned around to face a series of smaller monitors, "You have your orders," he said as he linked his fingers together and placed rested them right in front of his mask.
Without another word, the agents of Slade left to fulfill their task and once they were gone the light in the room dimmed ever so slowly until the glow of the magma beneath him was the only light source. Slade watched the video monitors that showed the bustle of Jump City as his eyes began to reflect the raging fires that lay within him.
