Titans Beyond
Episode 20: Slade's Last Stand.
Author: Brruundin
Warning, I do not own the Titans or any other DC characters I may use.
"Alright Ravager, we need some answers or we're not going to let you go." Raven says, as she begins to question Slade's main associate.
"Why should I tell you Titans? You always just mess everything up anyway!" Ravager says while trying to struggle to get out of a chair she was tied down to.
"Dude what do you mean always mess everything up? We always do the right thing and help those in need!" Beast Boy exclaims. The main group of Titans was still in the tower. Raven decided it would be best if they sent everyone else out early.
"That's the point! You always do what you think is fair and right! Stupid heroism and morals, chaos is what drives everything. It's exciting and it's fun. Those people you protect don't care about you or how you feel. They think you're weird and a bunch of freaks. Why protect those who don't respect you in return?" Ravager asks, trying to steer the Titans away from their mission.
"Cut it out Ravager, you know very well all the crimes you and Slade are doing are wrong. So just answer the questions." Raven says again, trying to convince her to stop.
"Fine, I'll humble you all. What do you care to know?" Ravager says, deciding to listen to their requests.
"First off, why are you working for Slade? Why would you possibly want to work for a madman like him?" Raven asks.
"First off, he's not a madman. He's a genius. You really want to know why I do what he wants? Well, except for maybe Raven you will probably all want to work for a man who raised you…"
The titans all look shocked except for Raven, because this doesn't surprise her.
"Very well, but you're very talented, haven't you ever thought about using your powers for good?" Terra asks, very concerned about why a talented individual would use her powers for bad.
"Listen I understand you all have that moral standards and all that. But family comes first in my book. I'd do anything for him." Ravager says, letting them know what was important to her.
"Oh I understand you want to please your father, but I must believe he is just using you to help him get to us." Starfire says, not convinced that Slade cares for anyone, including his daughter.
"I don't know why you would think that…." Ravager says, this statement got her thinking.
"Has he ever showed you affection? Told you he loved you? Showed you that he has compassion?" Terra asks, trying to get her to really think about those questions.
"I don't… know…" Ravager asks, starting to feel really guilty about what they said. She herself wasn't heartless, but was her father? she sighed.
"Just think about that while we ask you some more questions…" Raven says. Ravager nods.
"So what are your father's plans? Why does he want do all this? What's his endgame?" Raven asks, this being another one of her important questions.
"Revenge, my brother, his son was killed in battle by Robin a long time ago, before you all were a team. He may seem like a hero at times. But he murdered my brother!" Ravager starts to become emotional over this… the first time the Titans have seen her show any. They are in complete shock; they couldn't believe Robin would do something like that.
"No way, dude! That's a lie. There's no way no how, that Robin would ever commit a murder." Beast Boy exclaimed, he and the other Titans didn't buy it.
"No he did, I may have been a little girl, but I watched it with my own eyes. He struck him down in cold blood. That's why my father wants to get rid of you guys so badly. He can't stand the fact that people consider you heroes when one of the biggest ones, is a stone cold murderer." Ravager confesses, the Titans can see this is very emotional for her.
"Well regardless, he is no longer in town, and no longer a member of the team. So that doesn't really affect us. Why would he want to stop us, if the reason he's doing this is gone, so why would he still be doing this?" Raven says, trying to find another reason for his desire to go after them.
"I'm not sure, I don't really ask questions, I just go with what he asks." Ravager says, answering her question.
"Alright well, where is his headquarters? We want to go to him face on, if he wants to fight us. We'll do it that way.
"Hmm I guess I could tell you that, past the docks on the other side of this city where the mountain range starts, he has his headquarters in there. I'll take you to him if you want. I don't have a problem doing that." Ravager asks, being more cooperative with the Titans now. Maybe it was the fact they got her thinking, or maybe it was a trap. Either way Raven had a plan to deal with it.
"Yes that would be very much helpful Ravager, thanks!" Starfire says, glad she was cooperating.
"Yeah no problem, so are we ready to go?" Ravager asks, as it appears the Titans are finished questioning her.
"Yeah I think so, let me just contact the other members of the team. Raven says, and heads to the main computer.
"Titans, I just found out where Slade's HQ is. If there are any problems I'll be sure to let you know. How's everything going along with you all?"
"Everything's fine Raven we haven't found any explosives ye…" Right before Gizmo could finish his statement an explosion goes off. Raven and the others' eyes open wide. They can't believe what's happening. The city is being destroyed right before their very eyes.
"Titans! We need to get to the city and help evacuate as many people as we can. East do what you can to get those good people out." Raven says, addressing the team with the best plan possible.
"Starfire and myself will go with Ravager to Slade's HQ. The rest of you I want to go to the city, help those people out. Then once the city is cleaned up get to Slade's HQ we're going to need as much help as we can get" Raven says, finishing up what she has to say about the plan.
"Alright Rae, but be careful, we can't afford to lose you like we lost Robin." Cyborg says, hoping Raven and Starfire will be okay.
"Don't worry friend Cyborg all will be well." Starfire says, trying to assure Cyborg that it will be fine. He nods, and then Raven and Starfire along with Ravager take their leave and fly off to Slade's HQ.
When they arrive, it's surprisingly empty. Raven is concerned about this.
"Ravager, where's Slade you said he would be here?" Raven demands, this was beginning to annoy her.
"He's probably out watching the havoc from the city. He'll be back, trust me." Ravager says, and the three of them wait around. Eventually the three of them hear a familiar voice.
"Well well, I didn't expect you all to be here. What an unexpected surprise." Slade says, while laughing.
"Slade you need to stop whatever you are doing to this city. Robin is gone, there's no need to continue tormenting innocent people" Raven states, trying to reason with Slade.
"Oh Raven, for someone who displays an emotionless state most of the time, that's quite a bit of compassion." Slade says, and then throws down a bag.
"What's in the bag Slade?" Raven asks, concerned it could be dangerous.
"Oh don't worry about that. It's just a surprise for your friends for later" Slade says, while laughing again.
"Slade this is serious, don't do anything or prepare to suffer the consequences." Raven said, preparing to give the fight of her life.
"Oh Raven, I guess I'll dispose of you like I did your friend, he begged for mercy like a little girl before I decided to spare him, I won't do the same for you" Slade says, heading over the one of his cabinets, opening it and pulling out his staff.
"That's it Slade, we're going to finish this once and for all…. Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven chants, a wave of dark energy comes pouring out of her like the ocean. Slade is knocked back ten feet into a wall.
"Well it's seems like you have come here to play…" Slade says while getting back up, he charges Raven and smashes her in the face with his fist. She moans, but she blasts him back. He is shaky to get back up. It now appears he is anger, and begins to laugh hysterically.
"Oh Raven, you think you beat me? You think you can just walk in here, and knock me around with a couple blasts of energy. You must be mistaken." Slade runs over to Raven who is caught off guard, and he grabs her. He then takes her over the wall, and bashes her senseless. She tries to escape but cannot.
"Friend Raven!" Starfire says, as she watches in horror. Starfire decides to launch a beam of energy at Slade; however Slade is quick on his feet and tosses Raven into the blast. Raven screams and drops to the ground instantly, she struggles to get up.
"You… monster…" Raven says, then collapses to the ground. At this point Starfire is furious, and charges angrily at Slade.
"You monster, you must not hurt my friend!" Starfire says, shooting beams of green energy rapidly in the direction of Slade. He then dodges every single one, and launches himself at Starfire knocking her to the ground. She gets up quickly and begins to take him on in hand to hand combat. She struggles to keep up with his superior training and she is knocked back to the ground. Slade walks slowly over towards her and lends out a hand.
"You Titans think you can keep up with me? Why be so foolish. No one can stop me I'm invincible."
"Slade… why do you do this to us… We are very much sorry about what Robin did to your son, but this is not the way to go about it!" Starfire says, pleading for him to stop.
"My son… what are you talking about?" Slade says, confused on how they could know anything about that.
"Yes Ravager told us about how Robin killed him, is this true? If so we are very much sorry that happened." Slade looks at Ravager and then back at Starfire.
"Well… I believe that information is mistaken. The boy died to a foolish mistake, Robin didn't do anything of that matter." Slade says, confessing the truth about what happened.
"What? Slade… you lied to me? You told me Robin was the murderer and this was all part of the plan to avenge his death…" Ravager says, in shock that the truth is being revealed and what all she knew is a lie.
"Oh poor girl, did you really believe that? I was just trying to give you reason to go on with the missions. Those memories you have, are what I put in your brain." Slade says, confessing more information she didn't know.
"But... why… You piece of…" Ravager charges at Slade before she could even finish her statement. She pummels him the ground and begins to punch him. With each blow she screams at him, and questions his motives.
"How could you lie to me? You never loved me…" Slade doesn't know what to do, he struggles to fight her. Then out of so much rage and emotion Ravager lifts her father and launches him towards the other side of the cave. He hits the wall and the rock ceiling from the above begins to shake and break off. A large piece drops and crushes Slade. He doesn't move anymore.
Starfire's jaw's drops and Ravager goes into a fit of crying. She lifts the boulder off him and tries to help him recover, but it's too late. He's not breathing.
"Oh Ravager… I am so very sorry…" Starfire tries to apologize but she cuts her off.
"Starfire from now on I want to be referred to as Rose… please. He was a monster and I can't believe I fell for his tricks… But he is my father and I loved him; even if he didn't return the favor at times. I just don't know what to think anymore…" Rose confesses and bursts into more tears. Starfire goes over to comfort her. Right about that time the other Titans arrive. They are in shock at what they see.
"Dude what happened?" Beast Boy says, being the first to speak.
"I don't think now's the time to talk about it BB. We need to get Raven to the medical bay. We'll discuss this when we get back.
So the Titans head back with Rose to the Tower. Starfire informs the group about what happened and they are in awe.
"So Slade's dead? Wow…" Jinx says, as soon as Starfire finishes what she has to stay.
"We believe so, he would not move at all and he was not breathing. I do not know what to do to help Rose become more comfortable. I suggest she could stay here. I believe she will be willing to be a friend now, after all this is cleared up." Starfire says.
"Well for now, we should wait it out. But if everything is as you say, the city should be safer. That's what we need ya'll" Cyborg says. The Titans all nod. It's been a hard day and they decided to end it on that note, as they head back to their rooms.
A/N Chapter 20 is done! I've decided to take a hiatus on the story while I work on the Robin spinoff. But questions will remain? Is Slade dead? What will Rose do now that he appears that way. Will Rose mention who the hooded stranger is? What about the other villains, is the city going to be safer? Will Robin ever come back? More to be revealed when the story continues. As always review please!
