So... sorry for the long wait, again.

I didn't mean to wait a month to update, but I just got really into video editing, and wasn't very motivated to write.

Like I don't mean to guilt anyone, but the lack of reviews was really annoying, especially since I really wanted some on how I was doing with Blackfire.

I was going to stop making two parters after the last one -actually I was trying to just stop caring so much about keeping the chapters short- but as you know I haven't exactly been updating a lot.

I think I may have been a little harsh in the last one about the spin-off comics. I will forever despise them, but if you enjoy them than you do you I guess.

Enjoy!

Robin's POV

"Are they here yet?" Terra nagged "We've been waiting for hours!"

I was about to do my usual sarcastic response when I realized that Slade was walking away towards a certain teenage girl.

"She's here" I informed Terra.

"She is? Where?" Terra asked me. I just silently gestured to Blackfire.

"That's the new ally?!" She exclaimed. I nodded.

"Why didn't anyone tell me the ally was a girl our age!" Terra bubbled. I sighed.

"Will you please shut up?! I'm trying to figure out what they're talking about!" I snapped. Luckily I was pretty sure that she'd only distracted me from hearing the obligatory greetings, and I hadn't missed anything important.

"...Well before we go on, I need to learn more about you. Whether I can trust you." Slade told her "Trust is easy to destroy, but takes time to build"

I bit my lip at the familiar phrase. I really hadn't wanted to think about the Red X incident again.

"Um… yeah." She said awkwardly "So… what do you want to know?"

"First of all why exactly do you wish for an alliance?" He inquired

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I want to know what you wish to gain from this alliance." He stated "Your motive. Everyone has one. You might want power. You might need help to defeat someone -likely your sister-. You might want information on my plans in order to thwart them."

I winced at the reference, but also began thinking about her motivation.

It was me. I knew I wasn't just being egotistical to think that. She'd basically spelled it out for everyone to see.

But did I really want her to join? That was a question that I wasn't sure I could answer.

I liked her company. I liked hanging out with her. Damn it, I loved her!

And this could be my only chance at having a friend anymore, considering the Titans thought that I had betrayed them and me and Terra weren't exactly on good terms.

But like I said before I love her, and I wasn't exactly sure if she knew what she was getting herself into.

I should know more than anyone how tricky Slade can be. After all I wouldn't be here if he wasn't.

And I had no idea how their partnership would work. And how safe Blackfire would be in it.

And I don't think I'd ever forgive myself if she got hurt because of me.

"Uh… You see...um" She stuttered with a glance towards me.

"It's obvious what your main motive is, Princess. But do you have any other smaller thing you want out of this alliance? And what would I gain?"

"Her motive's obvious?" Terra asked, confused "What's her motive? What's so obvious about it? Why aren't I able to see what it is?!"

I shushed her and continued listening.

"Um… ok yeah I guess that wasn't much of a secret…" She said with a blush "But… I do need somewhere to live, considering I'm going to get kicked out of my current residence soon, due to a lack of money."

"I see…" He said "I'm sure I could clean up an old warehouse for you to stay in."

"That sounds good." She told him "In return I'd be happy to help you with your quest to take over Jump city and destroy the Teen Titans

"Oh yeah," Blackfire added "I forgot, my other request is that you let me have my revenge on my sister" She gave a dark smile "And it might not be as merciless as death."

"That sounds fair." Slade told her. "But I still must make sure your help is worth this deal." He said before gesturing to her to follow him.

They walked over to the course Slade had set up. 'The initiation course' he called it. Funny enough, neither me nor Terra had had to go through it for him to let -or in my case force- them in. And we were his Apprentices!

"You have five minutes to prepare. Then the test will begin. I'd suggest I pass if I were you." I winced, not certain how big the vague threat was, before heading over to Blackfire.

Blackfire's POV

Robin ran over to me as I caught my breath, confused by Slade's last words.

"Blackfire!" He exclaimed as he hurried over.

"Nice to see you again, Robin!" I told him with a smile.

"You know her?" Behind Robin, a blonde girl I'd never seen before, asked him.

I turned to Robin, before I could say anything he answered my questions "That's Terra. She's Slade's other Apprentice. Be wary of her, she hates everyone."

"Wha- I can introduce myself, you know!" She argued "And I do not hate everyone!"

"Sure seems like it."

"I hate you. You are not everyone!"

I just rolled my eyes at their rivalry. "Just so everyone knows, I am not playing peacemaker for you two."

"Sorry, we'll stop." Robin said, sheepishly.

After a moment of silence, I decided to break it.

"I'm a little nervous…" I admitted to him "I mean I know I'm a good fighter -better than my twit of a sister, at least- but what if it's not good enough to meet your mentor's expectations?!"

"I'm sure it'll go fine." He reassured me. "I've seen you in action. You're a powerful woman. Especially compared to Terra, here who couldn't even control her powers when she first joined!"

"I'm right here, you know!" The girl shouted at him. I sighed as they returned to their bickering.

So much for some reassurance.

"Princess" I turned to see Slade standing next to the starting line "Time to show me what you've got."

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