I've never appreciated how hard it is to write Slade...
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 7
The screens lit up once more as he watched his own apprentice trudge through the streets on his way back from the mission. The mission was supposed to help him gain some form of confidence back, as well as push him all the way over to his side, but it hadn't worked that way. Instead, one of the boy's old friends had decided to show up at the most inopputune time possible, and now the boy was obviously confused.
Slade clenched his gloved fingers into a fist, but resisted the urge to pound the table in anger. It wasn't the boy's fault, he knew. After all, the poor guy had been through a lot lately, and not all of it was beyond his control. He didn't know all the facts of the story, only that the red-head Titan was gone, and that the boy blamed himself. And, though he found it hard to believe, he felt sorry for his old apprentice.
This wasn't the boy that he had worked so hard to bring into servitude. This was somebody else, a broken spirit that had come to him not by his own free will, but under the direction of a broken heart. It was actually worse than not having his old apprentice at all, for this one was so easily broken. Believe it or not, Slade missed the old fire that used to coarse through the boy's veins at the mention of his name, and he missed the old Robin who would have just as easily throttled him as looked at him. No, this was somebody completely different than the boy he had originally wanted to be his apprentice.
And yet he had taken the boy in, perhaps because it had, in some way, hurt him to see such a strong warrior broken in such a way. Or maybe that was just because he wanted to be the one to break that strong will, just to have that experience, to pit his wits against that stubborn boy. Whatever the reason had been, he was now once more the commanding master, and he did as was expected of him, to order the boy around, to keep him from feeling anything. Partially because of the fact that he enjoyed having this power back, and partially because he didn't WANT Robin to have to feel.
In some way, he felt like he was now the boy's protector. As strange as that seemed, it was the truth. A broken Robin had come to him for solice, and what else could he have done? After all, both parties benefited in this agreement, for once, and it wasn't like he didn't absolutely love every second of power, but it seemed...empty.
His apprentice walked in, a blank stare on his face. He'd gotten somewhat used to that blank look, but this time, he thought he saw a shimmer of emotion there. He wasn't sure whether to be happy or disappointed about that one. After all, this meant that the boy was slowly getting accustomed to the sadness, but that might mean that the boy was also having second thoughts, the latter of which would prove disastrous.
But, thankfully, he didn't have to say anything, and he merely silently relieved Robin of the xinothium-fueled weapons, not caring that the boy went straight up to his room. Under normal circumstances, he would have called him back and told him that the day was still young; they should continue training, but he knew where his limits were. The boy was already on the brink of insanity, and despite whatever confidence he may have had, he sure didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of the boy's tirades.
He sighed unhappily, sitting back down to mull things over. He had hoped that with the defeat of Doctor Light and Chang, the boy would be somewhat happier, having satisfied his revenge, but now the villains were in jail, and nothing worse. Now the jails were housing his apprentice's most bitter enemies, and no doubt that jail would be in for some rough, expensive therapy for two certain innmates.
He couldn't help but smile, though, as he watched the hatred burning in the boy's every facial feature. His eyes had practically burned holes through that cloth mask of his as he looked down on Light. It was almost amazing to him that Robin could have felt such things for anyone but himself, as he normally filled the role of bitter enemy, but this emotional enemy was something else altogether altogether.
Sending the boy to retrieve xinothium was still a smart move, though, he reflected as he twirled the weapon absent-midedly with his left hand. Not only did it give him some time to vent his anger, but it also provided Slade with a very deadly weapon. As soon as the boy felt up to it, the two of them would overtake the city and drive out what remained of those annoying teen heros.
But still Robin refused to let him even suggest tearing down the Tower. Despite the look of pain that crossed the boy's face every time he passed that symbol of his old life, he refused to let a single scratch penetrate the surface. "She's in there, and nobody will touch that place as long as I know that," the boy had shouted one day when he had quietly suggested that.
It was only natural, he supposed, but he was still a bit confused at the boy's dogged detemination to let something so sadenning stand as a testimony to his anguish. But he personally knew that when Robin set his mind to something, there was no deterring him from his goal. At least that part of the old Robin had remained, and he was glad for that constant reminder that he was not, in reality, completely starting over at the beginning.
Familiar footsteps echoed through the hallways, and he didn't even turn this time. He knew who it was automatically, and no doubt that meant that the boy had experienced some sort of change, otherwise the normally quiet butler wouldn't be approaching him at this time when he would normally be planning or reflecting, for his old friend knew better. "How is he?" he asked quietly.
"He is doing better. I was actually able to have a short conversation with him this time, sir. I am worried for his sanity, though. He has been trying to hold down those emotions of his, and it's all going to have to come out sooner or later," the butler said, then added, "I just hope it comes out at the right time."
He rested his chin in his hand as a gesture of thought. "As do I, my old friend. What did you two talk about, anyway?" he asked.
A slight smile played on the old man's face. "I told him that I was concerned for him, and he told me that he didn't wish to talk about it," he said simply.
He sighed. Yes, that seemed appropriate. The boy wasn't ready to talk about it yet; that was perfectly understandable. "At least we're going somewhere," he sighed.
Hesitantly, the butler put a hand on his shoulder in a gesture of friendship that he had not felt for some time. "Don't worry, my friend. He will recover, eventually," Wintergreen assured him.
He sighed even more deeply as the video footage stopped on a most appropriate image: one of the look of confusion that his apprentice had worn when he had seen the empath walk into the room at that time. "Eventually," he repeated, though this time, the word took on a completely new meaning.
TTTTTT
"I just don't understand how he could have turned against me so easily!" Raven sobbed.
Jinx sighed. She was still getting used to being a close friend, but even she knew that normally people didn't cry for this long. Then again, Raven had held Robin in a special place in her heart, and so perhaps the pain was understandable, in some way. "Robin's been through more than you think. He watched Starfire die in his arms, and then only moments later witnessed your own fall. That was only a few hours after Cyborg and Red X's disappearance. Just imagine putting all that weight on yourself," she said, trying to give some sort of explanation.
Raven wiped her tears. "I'm sorry. It must seem like I'm such a cry-baby. I don't normally cry this much, it's just that right after Beast Boy, I tried to go to the only other boy that I've ever had feelings for and..."
Jinx nodded. "I get it. I guess I'd feel the same way if Kid Flash ever turned against me, although I doubt that would ever happen," she sighed contentedly.
"You two have a great relationship, don't you?" Raven asked, trying to change the subject.
"Well, we'd have to for him to get me to completely change my lifestyle, wouldn't we?" she laughed in response.
"I guess so," Raven chuckled, glad to have a reprieve from her earlier sad emotions.
"When do you think we'll be able to put Cyborg back together?" Jinx asked, then immediately winced at the look Raven gave her. She shouldn't have brought the topic back up, she knew, but she couldn't help but wonder, and this seemed a good oppurtunity to ask.
"I don't know. I just can't wait until we find something more than a gear or two," Raven smiled weakly, but that smile quickly faded and gave way to a frown. "I just can't believe that so much happened after I left."
"Lives can change in an instant. We just need to learn to keep up," Jinx sighed.
"You're getting there," Raven laughed.
Suddenly, in a flash of light, Kid Flash appeard in front of them, sweaty, and dragging a thoroughly annoyed Red X behind him. "You'll never guess what we just found!" he practically shouted.
"X's brain?" Raven quipped with a slight giggle. "Or maybe his humanity, that will come more in handy!"
"Har, har, very funny. We're all dying of laughter. Do you want to know or not?" Red X snapped.
Jinx sighed. "You're no fun. We're just trying to get some laughs. Now go ahead and tell us, spoil-sport!" she sighed.
Before Red X could do anything, a grinning Kid Flash stepped in front of him. "No, you two have to guess first. I promise you'll be happy about it!" he laughed.
"Can you just get on with it? It's stuffy in here!" said a familiar voice. Jinx started. Where did she...?
"It can't be..." Raven gasped.
"No way!" Jinx shouted in happy recognition.
Red X sighed. "Now who's a spoil-sport?" he said angrily, seemingly to his cloak. He pulled the dark material back, revealing Cyborg...Or Cyborg's head, that is.
"CYBORG!" Raven shouted happily, tears of joy spilling everywhere.
For a moment, Cyborg grinned back, then raised an eyebrow. "I'm confused. By my calculations, I've been out for over a month, so where's the rest of the welcoming committee?"
"Pardon?" Jinx asked, not quite understanding the sad meaning of that question until after the words had escaped her lips, after which she immediately clasped her hands to her mouth.
The head...Cyborg...sighed. "Where is everybody? Are they alright? How come Beast Boy and Starfire and Robin aren't around?"
Raven looked away, a new kind of tears stinging her eyes now. "Please..."
Cyborg's eyes darted from face to face. "What? Did I say something?"
Jinx quickly stepped forward. "Let's...not tarnish such a happy moment with sad news. For now, we should just be happy."
"WHAT HAPPENED?" Cyborg thundered.
Kid Flash took a deep breath. "Well..." he started.
Raven cut him off. "I think I should tell him. Cyborg, if you had your legs attached, I'd tell you to sit down, but..."
"I can't," Cyborg said, the bitter revelation stinging his pride.
Raven swallowed and nodded. "I'm sorry that I have to tell you this so soon after you've finally gotten back, but..."