TerraSlade
This'll possibly be harder than BBRob. Maybe. Nope. Never mind. Oh, by the way, half of this was written with me as a one-handed typist,
Ow! Damn I hate a burnt finger! OOOWWWWWWWW!
On a completely different note, Slade and Tara are called Deathstroke and Terra when they fight. And the identity of Red X is only speculation, but it'll go in the same manner. Red X in battle, Jason Todd in not-battle.
Hey, Nightlark? Could I do an alternate version of this which ends in a different pairing? It would start the same, but at one point, it would change and in that way, the pairing would start instead of the previous one. It'd be Red X/Terra. If you wanna' know where it'd change, I'll point it out.
Finally, because you people don't know your Titan History or any other cartoons, I'll tell you the Easter Eggs from last chapter.
Robo Noogie was in Beast Wars, a show set in the future/past of Transformers
Kommi - Komand'r aka Blackfire (Starfire's Sister)
Ryan - Ryand'r aka Solfire (Starfire's Brother)
Miss Adeline - Adeline Kane or Adeline Wilson, Slade's ex-wife
Miss Lillith - Lilly "Sweet Lillith", the mother of Rose Wilson, Slade's only daughter
Slade's Headquarters...
Deathstroke the Terminator had been watching the girl for some time. The tracking bug had worked incredibly well. He watched as she ran, harder and harder, all in a futile attempt to get away from everyone, including him. But with every step she took, she was taking one step closer to him. He stood up from his chair and turned around.
"Slade, where are you going?" Wintergreen asked.
"I have an appointment with Ms. Markov," Slade answered walking out.
Desert Area...
Terra ran as hard as she could, using her geokinesis to help her run and guide her to a different city. Maybe Steel. It was far enough away that maybe she wouldn't be found for a few years.
Slade came out from behind a large rock and stopped Terra.
"Leave me al-" Terra started, then stopped at the sight of Slade.
"Hello, Tara," Slade said.
"Slade!" Terra shouted, trying to get away from the merc.
"Do stop your attempts to free yourself. I know you've been running for hours and are far too tired to keep struggling," Slade said.
"What do you want from me?" Tara said, dropping to her knees.
Slade let go of her hand, and suddenly Terra leapt up. Her eyes took on a gold glow and the desert tore up around the two. Slade immediately grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. The half-hearted sand storm blew to nothing.
"Now, listen to me. I only wish to help you, Tara. I can help you gain control of your powers. I can give you a family. With you at my side, we shall punish those who betrayed you," Slade offered.
"Your... words are... lies," Terra said.
"Look at my face, Tara," Slade said, taking off his black and orange mask.
He had white hair and a eyepatch over his left eye. He had the face of one whose been through many hard times, but came out on top.
"I swear on my life that I will act upon my words, Tara. I will give you a family the Titans wouldn't."
Tara dropped her head, tears streaming. She had forced herself to believe someone finally accepted her after so many rejections... So much pain. She couldn't stop herself. She threw her arms around Slade's waist and broke down. Slade ran his hand through her hair.
"Will you come with me, Tara?" Slade asked.
"Yes," Tara said, weakly sobbing.
Slade's Headquarters...
Wintergreen welcomed Tara and Slade. Slade walked on passed, but Tara was stopped.
"Welcome, Miss Tara. I am Wintergreen. Master Slade has requested you put this on," Wintergreen said, holding up a piece of clothing.
She unfolded it to see a gray suit that seemed tight. Really tight.
"Have you ever known Slade to be a pedophile?" Tara asked, looking at the suit.
"Oh no, Miss Tara. It will be part of your battle suit. For now it will serve as your training suit. Slade has told me it has bioelectricity coursing through it, maximizing fighting capabilities," Wintergreen replied.
"Okay...," Tara said, grabbing up the tights, "where's a place I can change in?"
"Down the hall to the right is your room. After you change, Master Slade has requested an audience with you. He will meet you in the dining room. Here's a device to lead you anywhere you need to go," Wintergreen said, handing Tara a small device.
Tara changed hastily into the tight suit. Luckily for her, it wasn't as tight as she expected. She expected it to be a second skin, like Taki's (Soul Calibur), which it was far from.
Practice Room...
Tara walked into the room where Slade had ordered her to go. As she walked into the room, the door shut behind her and made an audible clicking noise, followed by a beep.
A bo-staff swooshed through the air at an incredible speed. Terra ducked and rolled forward.
"Settle down Jason," Slade ordered.
"Heh. I just wanted to test her reflexes," Jason half-laughed.
Jason was equipped with a black suit, tight like Tara's. Again, just loose enough to keep the scene G.
"Now, my apprentices, you two will spar against one another. No powers, Terra, as to keep the playing field even. I have taken away his Red X suit, so he too shall feel weaker," Slade ordered.
Terra was horrified. She had no experience in hand-to-hand combat! Not even a schoolyard fight! Well, she knew what stance to get into. She put up her fists and edged towards Red X, who laughed.
"This ain't Rocky. Hey, I just got a nickname for ya'," Red X smirked.
Terra fumed, then broke into a run for her opponent. Red X leapt over Terra, turned around in midair, landed, then finally slid down and tripped Terra from behind. Terra tried to get back up, but Red X slammed a foot inbetween her shoulder blades, pulling a scream of pain from her vocal chords.
"Awwwww. Did da' widdu baby get huwt?" Red X asked, mockingly.
"JERK!" Terra shouted, racing to her feet and lancing out a fist.
The fist caught Red X in the face, causing him to take several steps backwards, temporarily dazed. He got his bearings back, then delivered several punches to key pressure points, causing Terra to cry out in severe pain. She fell to the ground, tears streaming.
"Get up, Terra. You can do it," Slade called from the balcony.
"Hiyah!"
Terra rolled to the side, jumped up, and finally kicked Red X in the chest. He wheezed for a few seconds, then retaliated with a punch to the face. Terra threw out another punch that connected with the side of his neck. Red X grabbed the fist before it returned to her side, rotated it around so she was in a position easily manipulated.
"How 'bout a deal? I lose, you decide. You lose, I think you know what'd I'd have planned..." Red X said, grinning.
(This is where it could be changed from Slade Terra to Red X Terra)
Terra replied, "SING!"
Before he could reply, Terra swung her elbow into his side, then stomped his instep, slammed her head back into his nose, and then turned around and kicked him in the groin. SINGing really hurts... guys. Red X fell to his knees.
"Awwwww. Did da' widdu baby get huwt?" Terra asked, mockingly.
"You cheating bitch," Red X snapped in a falsetto voice.
"Ah. Quite impressive. However, in future battles, no hits to below the belt. That's an advantage he doesn't have, after all," Slade reprimanded, in his usual monotone.
"Yes Master Slade," Tara said.
Tara's Room...
Tara laid down in her room, tired from the fight. That's when Slade walked in. She immediately sat up, attentive.
"Tara, I need to inform you of what you'll be doing in a few weeks," Slade started.
"I'm listening sir," she replied, blushing at her thoughts.
He really is handsome... No, I can't think of him like that. He's like a father.
Slade noticed the blush.
"I would suggest you handle your emotions and grasp them tighter," he said.
"Yes, Master Slade," Tara answered, calming down her blush, relieved when it went away.
"Now, take these contacts. They are easy to put in, and can take pictures. Unlimited memory. Use this when you infiltrate the Titan's Tower," Slade ordered.
"The Titans? But, sir-" Tara started.
"No arguments. You will be leaving in a few weeks. Until then, you and Jason will train." Slade cut her off.
"Yes, Master Slade." Tara responded, her head down, relenting.
Overview...
Tara's thoughts often drifted to Slade over the next few weeks. During training, of course, she would focus solely on her opponent, Red X. She lost the next fight, as no hits below the belt were allowed. However, after the second loss, she noticeably improved. She managed to beat Red X, fair and square. Afterwards, she and Red X were permitted to use powers. They tied several fights, and finally the tie was broken with Terra winning the match.
Slade came to her the night before she had to leave for the Titans.
Tara's Room...
"You have improved, apprentice. You've gotten more control over your powers. Here is a device. I will instruct you through them, as I have studied how your powers work. Always do as I say, and the Titans won't know that you do not have full control over your powers yet." Slade said, handing her something similar to a hearing aid.
"Yes, Master Slade." Tara said, her favorite response.
"Now then, about calling me 'master'..." Slade said, lifting her head up so he looked into her eyes, "Don't do it. I am not your master. I am your partner. An equal."
Something about it all overwhelmed Tara. Whether it was the emotion in Slade's eye, or the sincerity in his voice, or the words he said. Something caused Tara to lose control of her body. She leaned up and kissed the mercenary.
Slade, if he was a normal human, would have been surprised. However, he could read a person's body language, how they spoke, acted, and moved could tell everything about the person. How they felt, what they most likely thought, and more. He knew Tara would fall for him. He allowed her affections to grow until she loved him more than life itself.
The kiss was expected. Slade returned the kiss, to Tara's delight. He did not think he returned her feelings, but he had to admit. He enjoyed it.
Overview...
Tara did as she was told and infiltrated the Titans. Slade encouraged her dating of Beastboy, so she would not have as much suspicion thrown upon her. You know how the rest of the story goes.
Tara had fallen in love with Slade. But Slade turned on her. And she lost her life because of his betrayal.
Love is in all places, but not necessarily mutual. Which is why you never go for a mercenary, because they'll kill you quick.