Chapter Seven

--Victoria's Decision

She closed the door behind her and sat down on the edge of the bathtub, staring down at her hands, which were glowing a bright, red color.

They burned so badly. Cyborg told her not to use them that much. But it was beginning to be as they just had to be used, it's the only thing that would make her forget about the pain.

All her life she had never been hurt like this before. She had been burnt from touching stoves or getting flicked with the flame of a lighter. But all that she had used as more heat to make her stronger.

But this was too much heat and she couldn't take it any longer.

She got up from the bathtub and turned the water from the sink on cold. She let it run for a few minutes before she stuck both hands under and let the icy feeling overwhelm her. She felt herself going weak at the impact of chilliness upon her flesh but she didn't care.

She turned off the water, dried her numb hands and walked out. She headed towards the door.

"Where you going?" Robin asked her as she passed by the kitchen.

"For a walk," she answered in a depressed voice.

Walking down the streets, she was able to regain some heat from the moisture in the air. The walked into an alley, figuring the steam coming from it would help her in any way.

"I'm glad you've come," came a soft, slow voice.

She gave a little gasp and turned around on one heel, "Slade…" she said, preparing herself just in case he wanted a fight. She had her communicator this time, so she would be able to call the Teen Titans if it got out of hand, "What do you want?"

"To talk to you, my dear child," he said, slowly approaching her, "You have great powers, my Victoria. They are stronger than Mathew's."

Victoria laugh sarcastically, "I am no stronger than idiotic Matt."

"Oh, but you are," he said, beginning to slowly circle her, "I saw you that other night. You were terrific. You snuck on me twice, both bringing me to the ground, and came up with stealth plans that even I wouldn't be able to think of."

"What's your point?"

He stopped circling when he was directly in front of her and staring right in her face, "I ask you for your partnership and become my apprentice."

She laughed and crossed her arms, "Yeah right, like I would agree to such a thing like that," she turned and headed to the exit of the alley, "Find yourself someone else."

"But I can make you stronger than you already are. I can give you more heat than you'll ever imagine. And you'll become stronger."

She stopped but still kept her back to him, "How stronger?"

"There's no limit, my dear. I can make you as strong as you would like and much, much more. All I ask is for your partnership."

She turned to face him, "But what will I get out of it?"

"Anything," he smiled, "Anything you desire."

She thought about it for a second. Anything I desire…

She shrugged and lowered her head, "When do I start?"

"You'll start tonight."

"What do I do?"

"Go back to Titans Tower and find out all the weaknesses of the Teen Titans. Then meet me back here and tell me, then I'll know what to do."

She turned and slowly began to walk out, "I'll get right on it."

Slade's lips curled into a smile as he rubbed his hands together slowly, "I'll be waiting for you, my little apprentice."

A/N…That one was short too. Yes, finally Victoria has been made the apprentice. And no, Matt's not coming back, some have already asked me that. I'm too far with an idea trail to lead up to the exact ending I want it to go to.

The next chapter is called Weaknesses and it's about the character's weaknesses…obviously.

I hope you like it!…please review!