The True Finale
By Scarredbyshallowness
Disclaimer: I do not own the Titans in any way, shape, or form.
Thanks for all of the positive reviews! I know I plan on clearing up a lot, but I got the whole thing played out in my head. And so, here is your next installment! P.S. - Sorry for the delay, guys. I just moved and had to do other things. Like work...and living.
Discovery
Downtown, Gotham City
"Batman!" Robin shrieked as he unexpectedly, and quite conveniently, slammed Dr. Crane in the face with his flailing fist. One hit K.O. Rushing to the pile of burning rubble that was once a jewelry display, Robin tore away at the wreckage viciously in hope of the Bat's usual last-minute solutions.
"Over here." a dark voice spoke in relieving familiarity. And there he was. Nonchalantly leaning on the bricks of a nearby building, as if NOTHING had happened, was the Batman.
"How did you…?"
"A new invention to you. I have the ability to make my cape into a nigh-destructible substance in an instant that's 20 times stronger than Kevlar." The Bat almost smirked. Many a time has his own creations saved his life.
"I'd love a new suit made of the stuff. But honestly, I've never liked capes much. They just get in the way." Robin blurted as Batman strolled past him.
As smoothly as the excuse was given, Robin couldn't help but notice something…Batman didn't have a scratch. Not a SINGLE mark. That wasn't humanly possible for someone who had just been caught in an explosion. Not even for him.
Was the gap between their strength truly that much?
"Let's drop off the trash and head home. We have unfinished business."
"Oh yeah…" Robin sighed, snapping out of his thought. Great. More yelling and more unanswered questions. Something that was extremely wearing him thin.
Unknown Location, Jump City
"I gotta know, Slade. What does this little gizmo do?" Red X smirked, twiddling the chip between his fingers as he carefully watched a shadow rise.
"Hand it over and I'll tell you." Slade countered.
"Tell me or I'll crush it." X threatened as he placed the chip in the palm of his hand. Instantly Blackfire rose to strike, but was calmly halted by an armored hand of her master.
"Very well, Red X. Believe it or not, we were in this exact position once before. " Slade spoke with a hint of venom in his voice. Even he had to admit that the irony of the situation was laughable.
"That chip," Slade continued," allows whoever controls it to tap into any frequency that they choose. Military, radio signals, satellite, and all internet files. All at ease."
"So you want it for all of your soaps and stories?" Red X curled a smile. This guy was beginning to become a pain.
"Hardly. I crave something much more meaningful. Now kindly hand it over before I start deducting your pay."
"Whatever. Here, catch." Red X shrugged, chucking the valued data into Slade's hands. "Let's talk about my fee."
"In a moment, Richard." Slade smirked as he tossed a photo, a rather good close up, of Red X's mug. "There is really no point in wearing the mask anymore. The look alone tells me I'm right." Slade slithered, watching X stare in disbelief.
How did he find out? HOW?
Ripping off the skull mask in a blaze of fury, his face was shown to be an exact replica of Dick Grayson's. With one huge exception. Ironically enough, there was a huge scar in the shape of an 'x' that stretched from the top of his brow to the center of his cheeks.
"How did YOU find out!" X roared as the rage he felt was so intense that it was tangible. And relieving as he crushed it in his fists. For some reason, he absolutely despised this man.
"My boy." Slade began, placing his hands on his lower back in mastery. "I'm the one who created you."
"Wrong! My father is …is…"
Blank. Nothing came to his mind. Except for an odd image of a bat.
"Yes?"
"I… I can't remember. WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER!"
"I suppose you are owed an explanation. Listen closely because I will not repeat myself." Slade uttered as he sat down upon his throne once again.
Flashback, Slade's P.O.V.
After having my lair destroyed by Robin and his annoyances he calls friends, I had become weary of not having anyone to carry on my legacy. Without an apprentice, I would be annihilated by the killer of all great minds and leaders alike; time. But, as always, I had a plan B.
I had heard about an attempt to make a clone of Superman made by Lex Luthor thanks to some information that I had received from one of my associates in his corporation. He attained a somewhat working result, but utterly failed due to that Superman's alien DNA. Humans are a completely different matter.
From Robin's rather harsh attempts to escape my lair, his DNA was not hard to obtain. It gave me some very intriguing information. Richard Grayson of the ex-flying Graysons. Both of his parents murdered by a cold blooded murderer named Two-Face. A circus performer. Fitting.
I traveled to Metropolis soon after my regrettable defeat to the destroyed ruins of the laboratory. Superman's work I suppose. Luckily, there was one operable container left, with a cut in it in the shape of an 'X'. I immediately began to get to work on creating a clone using the DNA I had retrieved. With a little twist of my very own added in.
While you were slowly being brought into existance, I decided to try to add a valuable weapon to my arsenal; Terra. Albeit that that attempt went sour, and ended in my death and tangling with Trigon, you were created.
End Flashback
"In short, meet your maker." Slade grinned as he could see the information being taken in by Red X's shimmering blue green eyes. "There is one thing I haven't figured out. How did you get the suit?"
"All I remember is waking up in some empty dump. The titan's tower was the first place to come to mind to go. Followed by some…mansion or something. I …er Robin had locked up his finest suit with pressure sensitive locks and retina scanners. Makes sense why it was so easy now." X recalled as he stared at himself in a puddle of oil on the concrete floor. Not the cleanest lair.
"So you retained some of Robin's memories? Perfect. Concerning your pay," Slade quickly changed subject. "Join me and I'll make that your weekly salary."
X's eyes bulged as he placed his form-fitting, but oddly comforting mask back on. How could he turn THIS down?
"Deal. But I want to prove once and for all that I am the best over Robin. I am DICK GRAYSON!"
"Agreed, apprentice." Slade almost chuckled. Things were falling into place better than he could of ever hoped.
And it was just the beginning.
I know, I know. It's short. But I had sometime and you guys derserved an update. Later! - SCS
