A week past and the Titans were settling in nicely in Wayne Manor. The place was so huge each of them was able to get their own room and was able to move around without bumping into anyone. It was a nice change of pace from the crowded tower. There were still problems to be dealt with.

One of the problems to be dealt with was how to recharge Cyborg each night. It took some doing, but they manage to bring the charger for the Batmobile engine upstairs and modify it for his use. The next problem was dealing with a variety of diets, which caused Alfred to make several trips to the grocery store just to comply with everyone's needs. Then there were still the occasional fights between Starfire and Barbara, who were both protective of their boys and trying to keep Silkie from eating the furniture up. But the worst of the problems was that Robin refused to talk to Bruce.

Every day for the past week everyone had been working hard to try and track down Slade. Cyborg had installed a brand new security system for the manor grounds, the house itself, and the cave. He wanted to improve the Batmobile, but Batman outright threatened him if he came within two feet of it. Beast Boy had found no traces of Slade's tracking device and had filled up every nook and cranny in the cave where they could come in. Raven had locked herself away in the library researching spells that could help them. Starfire was helping out Alfred with keeping the house tidy. After school Barbara and Dick would try to pinpoint Slade's location and see if the police had come up with anything. Bruce and Robin were discussing possibilities on how to stop him. So far nothing had happen.

It was the beginning of a new week and everyone was stressed. Raven was currently in the middle of the library levitating as she meditated. All around her dozens of books spun around. A bright blue light arched from the books and into her chakra. "Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos. Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos."

The door to the library opened and in walked Alfred with two cups of herbal tea. He was busy closing the door so he didn't notice what was going on in the room. "I brought you some tea Ms. Roth. I thought you would like to take a break from your reading oh my."

"Thank you Alfred. Some herbal tea does sound nice. You can join me if you like," Raven said putting everything down and coming to rest in a chair. "Please sit."

The butler sat down next to the young Goth girl. He handed the cup to Raven and she took a sip. "This is good tea. You do good work."

"Thank you it's a old family recipe. It's not often that I find someone to share a cup with. Master Bruce and Master Dick don't appreciate it as much as I do," Alfred confided to her as he took a sip from his own cup.

"Some things never change. Robin doesn't really like tea in the future," Raven commented.

"So if I'm not intruding can I ask what was it that you were doing? I understand that you were researching for time travel spells, but I didn't guess that's how you did it."

"When I'm meditating I can psychically absorb information directly into my mind. It was a technique that I learn from Malch I mean someone. It speeds up the process. So far I've found nothing. Time travel spells are very rare and hard to find," Raven explained.

"The person who taught you this technique you were using. It was that dragon creature that betrayed you wasn't it? It's all right to feel angry about it. But that shouldn't stop you from trusting others," Alfred told her gently.

"I do trust the Titans. They're my only family. By the way what are they up to?" Raven asked curiously.

"I believe that Master Robin is in his room reading a mystery book in an attempt to avoid Master Bruce. Starfire is giving her pet a bath and dragged along Barbara with her against her blatant protest. Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Dick are playing video games upstairs. Why don't you go join them? After all your boyfriend is actually beating Master Dick."

Raven spit out her tea and looked at Alfred like he had lost his mind. "Boyfriend? What are you talking about! I don't have a boyfriend! I can't even have emotions!"

"That is not entirely true young miss. True you act much like Master Bruce hiding your emotions, but that was out of necessity. If you hadn't your demon half might have harmed someone. Yet I saw from your own memories that you expressed a variety of emotions and one of them happened to be love towards the green changeling. Don't think just because I'm a servant I'm blind towards the fact you were acting jealous when all those girls mobbed him in Tokyo," Alfred replied simply, cleaning up her mess.

"Its not that easy for me. You have to understand all my life I was lead to believe that shortly after I turned sixteen the world would end because of me. This newfound freedom is a little scary. Besides if you're so smart tell me why I would be attracted to an idiot like Beast Boy?"

"Because he completes you. While you are mysterious, quite, a serious he is funny, loud, and lazy. We are often attracted to those who are opposite of us because they can fulfill a part of us that we by ourselves can't. My advice to you is to tell Master Beast Boy how you feel. It would do you both a world of good. Now why don't we both go see what the others are up to? I'm sure that with some rest you'll find the spell your looking forward."

Raven nodded her head and followed the butler out of the room. She smiled knowing that she had found a kindred spirit in the old man.

Upstairs the three teenage boys were shouting at the top of their lungs as they played Mega Monkey 2. Dick was pretty good at the game considering he played it more often then the other two. But between Cyborg's computer know how and BB's game savvy, the three of them were tied in points.

"Move over that alien is mine. Oh yeah booyah! I got the golden banana power up!" Cyborg hooted.

"Won't do you any good. My triple laser cannon can hit more creatures then your puny blaster. Take that you robotic teen. Hey!"

"Sorry you snooze you lose. Beast Boy just won this level and the game! The crowd goes wild. Go Beast Boy, Go Beast Boy get funky!" Beast Boy said dancing on the coffee table with joy.

"Man where do you learn those moves? Do you guys play video games all day or what?" Dick asked putting the gaming system away.

"Yeah. But we also work hard. I mean between your training sessions, saving the city, and having fun we live the life of luxury. By the way, I have to ask you something. What's with the flat hair? I mean you look better with it spiked," Beast Boy pointed out.

"I like my hair flat. That punk look isn't that cool. I have a question for you two. Why do you keep looking at me funny? I mean I can't be that different in the future," Dick said.

"Actually you're a lot more serious in the future. I mean when you're not researching your working out in the gym or alphabetizing your crime files. Sometimes we have to drag Robin into the kitchen to eat something," Cyborg said casually.

"You mean I end up like Bruce? Never having any fun, always being the boss. No wonder I'm so grumpy and my love life sucks."

"Hey hey don't talk like that. You do a lot of fun stuff. We play sports, hang out, and watch movies. You're a totally fun guy and one of the best leaders. Just sometimes your to serious for your own good," Beast Boy said.

"You also shouldn't say such unkind things about Miss Starfire Master Dick. It is very unbecoming of a young gentlemen," Alfred said entering the room along with Raven. She glanced at Beast Boy and blushed.

"Alfred you don't understand, she's an alien princess! Why in the world would I like her? I mean she talks funny, her cooking is toxic, and she has a muted silk worm for a pet. I don't get what Robin sees in her," Dick replied.

Before the Titans could respond Barbara came rushing into the room soaked. She had a murderous look in her eyes. "Does anyone have anything I could change into?"

"Barb! What happened to you? I mean why do you look like you went swimming in your clothes?" Dick asked just as Starfire came floating into the room. The Tameranian was also soaking wet and holding a bubble soaked Silkie who was making strange sounds. "Greeting friends. Why are you looking at us so strangely?"

"Starfire what happened?" Cyborg asked.

"That's what I like to know. I was working in my office on some work for Wayne Enterprise when I heard shrieking coming from the bathroom and few minutes later the ceiling was dripping water all over my desk," Bruce said as he and Robin entered the room.

"I'll tell you what happened. When she said that we were giving that thing a bath I assumed we were going to use the sink or tub. But no she started cleaning that thing with her tongue! After I convinced her that it would be better to give Silkie a bath in the tub we filled it with water and added some bubbles. But the second we placed him in the tub he let out such a shriek that it scared us both that we slipped and fell in the tub! It took us forever to get out of there! Now if you excuse me I'm going to go change into something dry!" Barbara yelled as she left the room slamming the door behind her.

"Starfire do you always bathe Silkie with your tongue?" Robin asked her gently.

"Of course Robin. It is the kanorshka's job to take care of the bungorf's needs. Galfore took care of me in a similar manner. Have I done something to offend Barbara?" Starfire asked uncertain what she had done.

"Drenching people in bath water isn't considered proper behavior on this planet," Dick told her snidely. Starfire gasped looking at him as if he just slapped her. Tears in her eyes she fled the room heading for her bedroom.

"Way to go kid. You have a lot to learn in manners yourself if your ever going to become a leader. Look I'll do damage control with Barbara. Why don't you go apologize to Starfire," Robin told his younger self.

"That won't be necessary. The girls can calm down and join us for lunch. Afterwards will discuss what we've gathered over the week. Perhaps a solution to our problems will emerge," Bruce said leaving the room.

"That is one of the reasons I left," Robin muttered.

A little while later everyone was calmed down enough to start discussing the Slade issue. So far they had a lot of clues, but not enough to put the puzzle together.

"I've tried to track down the vortex inducer by its chronoton signature, but Slade must have found a way to shield the signature from my sensors. Even with the Batcomputer enhancing my sensors I can't pinpoint his location," Cyborg said to the group.

"Dude that's not good. Wherever he is we know he has access to his usual resources. I mean he didn't just snap his fingers and get those robots. Not to mention he tracked you guys down easy. He'll find a way to locate Dick no matter what it takes," Beast Boy pointed out.

"I've been looking everywhere for a return spell, but I have yet to find one. Apparently the monks of Azerath were afraid to abuse the power of time travel. But we need one if Slade decides to sacrifice the vortex inducer. He is immortal and can just live the next five years without any consequences. We on the other would age if we remained here. Who knows what damage to the time stream we'd caused if we stayed? Having Beast Boy goofing off is bad enough," Raven said causing Beast Boy to glare at her.

"Dick and I combed the police files, I questioned my father, and even hacked into the police database. There is nothing on this guy. If Slade has set up shop in Gotham the police haven't discovered his location yet. More to the point they're not looking for him because as far as their concerned he doesn't exist," Barbara pointed out.

"Yeah there more concerned about finding the Joker. He wasn't at the carnival when they got there. He either escaped or Slade took him. What I want to know is why bother? Its not like he be much help," Dick said.

"He might be. We have learned from our battles with Slade that he likes to gather information about his enemies before attacking. If he believes this Joker fellow has valuable information that will help him capture you and avoid having to deal with the Batman then it would make perfect sense Slade to take him with him. Does this Joker know anything useful that could be used against your team sir?" Starfire asked concerned.

"While the Joker is one of my more serious opponents, I don't think he knows anymore information about me then any of the others from my rogue gallery. I've dealt with him a little more often due to his insanity, but I know we can handle it. We've been discussing strategies on how to best deal with Slade when the time comes. From studying your past battles I think I've come up with a solution to your dilemma," Bruce stated.

"It will only work if Slade hasn't pulled one of his tricks. Trying to figure Slade out is like trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle. He's always two steps ahead of you and he likes to come at you from all angles. I'm not saying he's impossible to stop, but we need to be prepared for everything," Robin said. Everyone looked at him knowing that he was right. If they were going to stop Slade's plan they need to be ready for anything.

In Slade's hideout the Joker's screams echoed all over the place. The usual sarcastic, joking, insane Prince of Crime was crying like a baby as massive jolts of electricity surged through his body stopping his heart for several seconds.

"That was the lowest setting. I'm impressed that you manage to tolerate the pain, but due to your insanity it's not that farfetched. Still I can cause things to be so unbearable you'll never be able to crack a joke when I'm done," Slade said strutting up to the clown.

"Do your worse Sladey. Whatever pain you dish out I can handle it. After all I've gone up against a muted cop, created the worlds most effective laughing gas, and gone toe to toe with the Batman. You think you scare me? Please you're the biggest joke," Joker laughed at him. Then he spit on Slade for good measure.

Slade wiped off the spit then pressed a remote in his hand. Instantly the Joker went limp. All the monitors hooked up to him flatlined. For all accounts and purposes he was dead. With a flick of the switch the Joker returned to life. "As you can see I can cause more pain then you can deal with it. You see when I installed that chip in your neck I not gained access to your memories, I gained access to your very synaptic functions. In otherwise I control your very body. I decide if you live or die. For now I am keeping your miserable hide around because I think you'll be very helpful in capturing my apprentice. Now get some sleep I have to talk with myself about important matters," Slade said with another flick of the switch the Joker was dead to world.

Slade retired to his private chambers where he connected to a private line. In minutes he was talking to himself. "It's good to see you again. I wasn't sure to believe Wintergreen when he told me who exactly who contacted me last night. I've been reviewing your proposal as well as your footage on our little apprentice. I have to agree he would be perfect for us. I'll meet you at our Metropolis Base in two days. Bring both of our apprentices. It will interesting to watch the future change before our very eyes."

"Very good. I will meet you then. Soon we will have what we convent the most and the Titans will be no more. And as an added bonus we get to get rid of that meddling Batman. Who knew life would be so sweet?" Slade replied chuckling happily. He signed off. Tomorrow night he would strike and in one single move would eliminate all his enemies and gain the perfect apprentice in one sweep.

The next day the Titans had gathered in the Batcave to watch Dick and Barbara train against the training robot. They were slightly impressed on how well the two adolescents handled themselves. The two of them were great tag team partners with a lot of discipline.

Dick somersaulted out of the way as the training robot lunged at him. Whipping out his bo staff he hit the robot on the ankle joints trying to weaken it. The robot buckled for a second, but didn't falterer. It swirled around, reaching out with one of its claws and pinning the boy to the cave floor by his cape.

Barbara grabbed Dick's hand in one hand and with the other hurled some pellets on the eye sensors. Instantly the bots eyes were covered with a sticky gooey substance. Straining with all her might she pulled her boyfriend free. "You okay?"

"Yeah that thing just caught me by surprise. Let's finish this. Give me a boost," Dick instructed her. Nodding she cupped her hands. Stepping into them she heaved him up into the air. Spinning around like a top in the air he let loose a barrage of birdarangs. Instantly the robot shut down. Turning he grinned at the Titans. "Impressive right? That was our fastest time yet!"

"That was glorious. You gave that robot a well deserved butt kicking," Starfire said clapping.

"Yeah you two really rocked! But then again we could have whipped that robot in seconds instead of five minutes," Beast Boy said.

"Is that so. I like to see that. After all ever since you've been all talk no show," Barbara pointed out smugly. "Prove it then. Show us your great talent or are you two chicken?"

"You challenging us to a bet little lady? Because no one diss Cyborg and gets away with it," Cyborg said getting up from his seat. "Name your terms."

"Fine, the five of you have to take a crack at the training robot. All of you have to attack it at least once. If you can defeat it in less then five minutes then you're the new champions and will be your servants for a day. But if we win you have to let us take the R-cycle out for a spin," Dick said grinning. He had been dreaming of riding that bike since he laid eyes on it.

Before Robin could protest the other Titans agreed whole heartedly. They had been bored all day and were very tense from all the work they been doing. This was a chance to let loose some pent up frustrations.

Dick reset the robot and set it on level ten. Barbara and him had never tried anything higher then two. Both sat at the Batcomputer council waiting. They were so sure they win the bet. The only problem was who would be driving the bike. Dick wanted to drive because it was his, but Barbara pointed out she was the one with permit. Their argument was halted when the robot started up. It was time to see what the Titans could do.

The robots sensors lit up and it began to pivot around. The two arms split into four and each arm ended in either a pincer or a laser barrel. The two-ton robot started barreling at them. Robin eyed the behemoth watching it carefully. "Titans go!" he shouted. Instantly the five teens sprang apart letting the robot barrel past them. It stopped, turned around and started charging at them again.

That's when Cyborg stood his ground and used in his mechanical muscles to push the training robot back. For a while he began to be forced towards the edge of the floor ready to be pushed into the chasm below. "Oh no you don't. No body pushes Cyborg around," he said straining. Changing his arm into a sonic cannon he let out a shot ridding him of the heavy burden. "Booyah that's what I'm talking about!"

The robot shook its mechanical head and locked its sensors on Starfire. Lasers blasted one hitting her on the shoulder. She fell and was caught by the robot. "Let me go you mechanical contraption!" she shouted kicking herself free. Charging up her hands she hurled a round of starbolts at the machine, which it blocked with arms.

While it was defending itself from Starfire's attack Beast Boy morphed into a raptor and slammed into the side of the contraption causing it to buckle. It let loose a barrage of lasers at BB who avoided them by turning into a fly and flew off.

That's when Raven moved in. Levitating in the air she raised her hands and began to chant. "Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Instantly the robot was covered in a black aura and was hurled into the wall. It tried to get up, but it was to late.

Robin did a spinning kick forcing the robot further into the wall. Using his bo staff he vaulted himself on top of the robot. Flipping in and out of the arms way he attempted to use a birdarang to slice open the robots head only to be hit in the diaphragm by one of the arms. Taking a second to recover he twisted into the air cleanly slicing off the robot's head and depositing a bomb inside. With seconds to spare he jumped off the thing shielding himself with his cape as the robot exploded. Everyone was so busy cheering they almost didn't hear the faint clapping. They turned and saw Bruce standing in the elevator door clapping.

"Nice job. You just destroyed my only training robot in less than sixty seconds. I can see your skills are great, but the five of you could definitely use some improvements. Especially you Robin," he told the group.

Robin glared at him. "Is their something wrong with my abilities? Incase you haven't noticed I've gotten a whole lot better since you first started training me."

Bruce scowled at him. Turning his head towards the others he barked out "Why don't the six of you clean up this mess. Robin come here now. We have a lot to talk about."

"You bet we do," he muttered angrily as he joined his mentor on the elevator. The doors closed taking the two of them away making the others wonder what was going on between the two.

"Raven you have any idea what's the deal is with those two?" Cyborg asked.

"Yeah I'm wondering that myself," Dick said.

"I have no clue what is going on. I'm sensing a lot of anger, concern, and some stuff that even I can't identify. I can only assume that it will all work out," Raven said as she used her powers to clean up the mess.

The two heroes exited the elevator and Robin turned to face Bruce. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing hard, his eyes burning. "What is your problem? How dare you question my skills in front of my team! You know that I'm just as good as you so why are you treating me like this? Why are you being so disrespectful to my friends? Answer me Bruce, what have I done to anger you so much," he demanded.

"You want to know what my problem is Robin? My problem is not with you skills, but where they come from. Everyone has a unique fighting style like a fingerprint. When you learn a new move it becomes incorporated into your fingerprint. How can I trust you to lead your friends into danger when you use skills taught to you by a madman who enslaved you?" Bruce questioned his former ward.

"You should know that sometimes it doesn't matter where you get a skill, it only matters in the manner you use it. The time I spent with Slade was the second worst time in my life. I still have nightmares and both the physical and mental scars may never fully disappear. When I use Slade's skills against my opponents I feel like I'm hurting Slade. It makes him regret ever teaching me those skills," Robin replied.

"That's another thing that bothers me. You act like you almost respect him, suppressing your fear of that man is exactly the reason he wants you in the first place. This has made it even more clear that I should keep Dick closer to me, even maybe force him to stop being Robin all together."

"You can't do that! If you try to prevent him from being Robin he'll hate you for the rest of his life. Being Robin, it gave me a reason to want to live again. I may have lost who Dick Grayson was for a while, but it helped me grow strong enough to survive. I became the hero I was always suppose to be thanks to my friends and you. Whenever it got to bad I would remember all the good times I had here."

"I'm sorry Robin, but I have to think about what you showed me. When I took you in I wanted to prevent you from having the childhood I had. What I saw showed me that I only caused it to be worse then mine. I can't in good conscience allow this to continue. Don't you see if I put an end to it now then Slade won't ever bother you again."

"If you think that changing Dick's future, my past, will give me a happy present then you're just a bad as Slade. Both of you want to play with my life and our trying to change. I can understand Slade's reason, but I can't even believe that you would consider something like this," Robin said tears streaming down his face. He pushed past Bruce slamming the door behind him.

Bruce sighed heavily and looked up at the picture of his parents hanging above the mantle. "I'm just trying to protect him like you two protected me. Why can't he see that?"

"Perhaps it has something to with how you told him. You sounded not like a parent talking to a child, but more like a commander telling a subordinate that he was being dismissed," Alfred said from behind him. Bruce turned to face his oldest friend and smiled faintly. "Alfred, I'm only thinking of what's best for him. I'm his mentor, his guardian, and his father. I'm only trying to protect him. He's only a child."

"No, Dick is a child. The person you were just talking to wasn't Dick and he certainly wasn't a child. He was a fully hormonal teenager who has five years of experience beneath him as well the knowledge on how to deal with this particular foe. Incase you have forgotten sir, for the past week Wayne Manor has been the home to five teenage superheroes, two adolescents crime fighters, and one mutated mascot. In the course of this week you have failed to learn how to talk to any of them in a manner beseeching them. It isn't any surprise that young Robin doesn't want to talk about what's truly bothering him."

"Then what do you suggest old friend? How do I get through to him, learn what's really bothering him and help heal this rift between us?"

"If I may suggest sir, I think you should talk to her," Alfred said pointing to the entrance to the Batcave. Bruce turned and saw Starfire hovering in the air with Silkie. "I think you make a lot of progress if you talk with her. Excuse me."

"Forgive my intrusion, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with your Kanorshka Alfred. I just wanted to check on Robin. I could feel him in pain," Starfire explained timidly. Even without his cape and cowl he was still very scary.

"You weren't intruding Starfire. How did you know that Robin was in pain? I thought that your didn't have psychic powers."

"I don't, but Robin and I have always been close. Were best friends, teammates, and most importantly lovers. I believe it has something to do with the fact that Tameranians are so dependent on our emotions to survive. I think that's one of the reasons you and Robin have such a difficult time communicating," Starfire said.

"What do you mean by that exactly? I let my emotions show when I'm around Robin. I care for him very much," Bruce told her stunned by what she said.

Starfire shook her head and indicated to him to follow her. They went to the living room where Robin's parent's portrait hung above the fireplace. The memory player glistened on the table. Pointing to the sofa he sat down and watched as she started the machine up. Instantly images of Robin appeared. Some of them were of him in Jump City, but most showed him training with Batman. The song "Breakaway" played in the background.

"When I first met Robin he was much like you. Protective of everyone, wary of trusting others, he didn't like to talk much about how his past let alone his feelings. I know what happened to your parents Mr. Wayne. I know the reason you became Batman. While those ways may have helped you survive your childhood they also had a lasting effect. They molded you into a man who can be a great savior, but not a good father. You fail to realize when its time for your son to spread his wings and find his own way in life."

"Starfire, I understand your concerns. I know that I don't always express how much I care for Robin, but that doesn't excuse his behavior to me. Why can't Dick see that I'm trying to help make sure he doesn't end up dead like his parents? I'm doing the best I can as a father, but it's not easy. If he would give me a chance I can be the family he needs."

"Korianders."

"What?"

"My real name is Korianders. Beast Boy's is Garfield Logan, Raven's full name is Raven Roth, and Cyborg real name is Victor Stone. I don't think you realize this Mr. Wayne, but all of us are like you. Were orphans who came together for a single purpose. To keep people safe from harm so they don't end up like us. It was because of this reason that Robin had us build the memorial to honor our loved ones who have departed this world," Starfire explained stroking Silkie.

"A memorial. I didn't see one in your memories."

"Shortly after Things Change we decided that it was time to reveal our full histories to one another. You see my parents died when I was a small child. Since then Galfore took care of me. BB's parents died in boating accident when he was six shortly after he got his parents. Raven's mother was murdered by her father. Cyborg lost his mom in an explosion that caused him to become what he is. As a result he has become so estranged with his father that he might as well be dead. Before we left Robin was praying to his parents for guidance. Are you getting what I'm trying to tell you sir?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't you summarize it for me," Bruce said already sensing what her point was.

"Robin loves you very much and he always will. The best thing you can do to repair the gap between you two is to let Robin into your heart and treat him with the same amount of respect you give others. If you do that I am sure he will be able to find his way in the world because of the wonderful start you gave him," Starfire said placing her hand on his and smiling. Bruce returned her smile. Suddenly the Batwave went off alerting everyone to danger. Immediately the two headed to the Cave.

Everyone was gathering around the computer screen. Barbara turned to face Bruce. "Its Joker. He's reappeared and is causing trouble at the far end of town. The police don't want to move in just yet."

"Hmm this is a bit to coincidental. Slade has to have some hand in this. We need to capture Joker and interrogate him. Maybe learn where Slade is and get back that vortex inducer," Bruce replied as he changed into his Batman suit.

"Good because I finally found a spell that will send us home. It's little complex and needs a lot of preparation, but I think its our best chance," Raven said holding up one of her books.

"I'm sensing there's something bad. I mean that last spell had a catch what's this one?" Beast Boy asked nervously.

"While it erase any damage done to the time stream by the travel, it also makes it impossible for that person to time travel again by any means. That might not be such a bad thing, but I don't know if its an option we want," she replied.

"I think that we should go with you guys and kick the Jokers butt. If he does know something about Slade then were the ones who need to deal with it," Cyborg said.

"Very well the rest of you can follow us in the T-Car or fly, but I think Dick and Robin should stay behind. It would be foolish not to mention dangerous to bring them along. If Slade's using this opportunity to draw them out I won't be the give them up."

"But Batman I'm ready for this! I know I can take on Slade. That guy won't know what hit him. Please!" Dick begged.

Batman knelt down next to him and looked at him directly in the eye. "Dick I know you're a strong soldier, but I can't risk the chance of losing you. I made a promise to you the day I adopt you that I would keep you safe from dangers. Please trust me when I say if you were there and Slade show up I wouldn't be able to fight as well."

Robin placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Besides I can teach you some of those advance moves while Silkie keeps Alfred entertained. Okay?"

"Okay, but you better teach me something cool."

After a few minutes goodbye Batgirl and Batman raced out in the Batmobile quickly followed by Cyborg and Raven in the T-Car, Beast Boy and Starfire followed in the air leaving the four of them alone in the cave.

"Come young masters. I'll fix something to eat and you two can practice in the gym." Alfred said as they headed upstairs.

The Joker was laughing his head off as he hurled bomb after bomb at condemned building causing them to fall on top of one another. Purple smoke and confetti rained down from the sky surrounding the scene. The Batsignal lit the night sky causing the flames to burn brightly. "Ha ha ha! This is the life! Soon I'll have my own private town, a place where jokers are the kings, Jokerville! Ha Ha!"

A starbolt hit the ground directly in front of him sending him flying down the street. He held his arms up to protect his face as a green eagle dive-bombed him. "Cut it out or I'll stew you!" Suddenly the headlights from both the Batmobile and the T-Car blinded him as both vehicles squealed to a halt. Out jumped Batgirl, Batman, Cyborg, and Raven while Beast Boy and Starfire landed.

"Oh looks like old Batsy had to call in help. What's the matter Bats can't handle little old me? Is that why you called in the kiddies patrol?" Joker sneered.

"Can it Joker. What are you up? Where's the joke in all this?" Batman demanded.

"Yeah somehow I don't think destroying condemned buildings is very funny. Did spending time with a psychopath make you lose whatever was left of your brain?" Batgirl asked readying her batarang.

"Where is Slade you sorry excuse for a party entertainer?" Cyborg asked aiming his sonic cannon straight at his chest.

"Slade? Slade who? My mind is such a mess I'm having trouble remembering what I did last night."

"Quit playing games Joker and answer our questions now," Batman said his eyes mere slits.

"I guess you and the kiddies will just have to catch me if you want the answers. Ta ta!" He shouted hurling bombs at the group and back flipping away. The team jumped out of the way only to have the bombs sizzle to nothing. They were both duds.

"After him, but be careful! Joker is more dangerous then he looks. And we can't count out Slade's involvement in any of this. Move!" Batman ordered already firing a grappling hook and swinging after their prey.

Joker continued to run and flip all around the condemned section of Gotham. From time to time he would toss another bomb adding to the chaos. He laughed manically enjoying himself. "This is much more thrilling then some silly old carnival. Ha Ha hey!" A barrage of starbolts rained down from the sky as Starfire pursued him.

"Surrender! We have no wish to fight you," Starfire called down to him. She barreled rowed out of the way as the Joker tossed playing cards at her. She blasted one with her eye lasers, but couldn't avoid the joker card that turned into a ribbon and wrapped around. She crash-landed struggling to break free from the binding, but even her alien strength was no match for this.

Batgirl and Cyborg tried to double-team him as he jumped as he jumped up on an old fire escape. "Come on kiddies. Surely you two superheroes can stop little old me."

"You talk to much you stupid clown. Take this booyah!" Cyborg shouted firing his cannon at the same time Batgirl tossed her batarangs. Both hit their marks and the escape came crashing down.

"We got him!" Batgirl shouted excitedly. "What? Watch out!" she cried pushing him out the way as a sprits bottle soaked the both. The bottle contained acid causing the remainder of the fire escape to fall on top of them trapping them both under the debris.

"See you later losers. I've got places to be, jokes to tell. Excuse me I've got to exit stage left," he told them as Beast Boy came charging at him in the form of a rhino. He led the changeling on a merry chase, but within minutes BB was trapped in a sticky gooey substance. "To bad. I was hoping to have a little more fun."

"You want fun? I'll show you fun. Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Raven shouted sending waves of dark energy towards him. Some how he managed to twist out of the way and threw a joy buzzer at her. The second the device attached to her body it shocked her stealing her powers.

"So that takes care of the kiddies. Guess I'll get out of here and see what other damage I can cause," the Joker chuckled to himself. He turned and ran straight into Batman. "Oh high Batsy. Forgot about you for a second. Well shall we have a little throw down?"

"Joker your going to wish you had stayed out of sight," Batman told him in a low voice. Instantly he attacked with a right hook, but Joker dodged it. The two continued to battle, but it was almost like someone else was directing his movements. Finally Batman managed to deliver a blow to his head knocking him out. He had just started to exam him when the others appeared.

"You okay dude? I mean you didn't get hurt did you?" Beast Boy asked, but Batman ignored him. He had just found something on the back of Joker's neck that bothered him.

"Can any of you four identify what this is?"

"Hold up, give me a second. Man I was afraid of this. This is microscopic data shunt. It gives a person direct access to the brain and nervous system. Using a high powered computer you can control someone's body functions to synaptic level," Cyborg explained.

"What do you mean access to the brain?" Batgirl asked.

"Basically you download just about anything from the brain. Skills, information, even memories. This thing can find just about anything. The thing is this device doesn't even come into the prototype stage for another two years from this point. This belongs to Slade."

"Starfire give us a view from the sky. Tell us exactly what you see," Raven said urgently. Starfire nodded and flew into the sky. She returned a minute later.

"I have seen Slade's symbol. The destruction of the buildings was done deliberately. Slade wanted to bring us here."

"But why here? I mean Batman said it himself. The Joker knows nothing useful that could help Slade. I mean its not like the dude knows the location of the Batcave," Beast Boy said.

Batman froze up for a second. The wheels were turning in his head. "He does. When Dracula had turned Joker into a vampire I brought him to the cave to cure him. If Slade had access to his memories he would be able to find the cave and Robin!"

"Dude you battled Dracula? Weird." Beast Boy said. Everyone was ignoring him as they were trying to use their communicators to contact the Manor, but nothing was getting through.

"Raven you have to teleport us back now!" Cyborg ordered. The demoness shook her head. "I can't! Joker drained me of all my power."

"Starfire fly as fast as you can! The rest of us will catch up. Move!" Cyborg shouted, but she was already off hoping it wasn't to late.

Meanwhile, while they had all been battling the Joker and finding out they had been tricked something major was going on back at the Manor.

Robin had just been showing Dick how to do a proper orbital kick when the security system for the Manor went off. Frowning both boys scurried to the study that doubled as a control room. "What's going on Alfred? Are we under attack?" Robin demanded to the butler who was already at the council.

"I'm not sure, let me bring up a visual. Oh my heavens," Alfred said as they stared at the image. An army of Sladebots armed to teeth with deadly weapons from the future surrounded the entire estate. Standing at the head of the army, his one eye staring up at the camera was Slade.

"How did he know to come here?" Dick whispered frightened by what he saw.

"He must have got the information from Joker's mind. He tricked Batman and the others in order to leave us vulnerable to attack. Alfred try to raise the others on the Batwave," Robin ordered.

"I'm trying sir, but were being blocked. I can't can any type of signal out. Were trapped," Alfred replied. The three of them watched in horror as the Sladebots descended upon the house.

Cyborg's new an improved security system reacted without haste. Sonic cannons, heavy-duty lasers, and several booby traps activated all over the lawn. At the same time titanium steel doors came crashing down in front of all the windows and doors shielding the house from intruders. Several Sladebots were taken care of, but nothing seemed to stop Slade. He just strolled down the driveway ignoring the amount of destruction going on around him.

"I want the two of you to get down to the Cave now! Get on Robin's R-cycle and get out of here. Find Batman and warn him about what's going around here. Go quickly," Alfred said dragging the two boys into the living and opening the clock entrance up.

"But what about you? There's no way you can take on Slade by yourself! We have to help you," exclaimed Dick.

"My duty is to protect you from Slade not the other way around. I'll try to hold him off long enough for you two to escape. Don't worry about me. I learned a thing or two about defending myself in Her Majesty's service. Now go!" Alfred shouted slamming the door closed just as the front doors to the manor were blown open.

"Anyone home? I've come to collect my apprentices," Slade called out. He smiled underneath his mask, as the houses own security system came online. This one included several blades and even batarangs. Slade made quick work of the system as he headed to the living room where Alfred stood waiting for him.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises immediately. You are trespassing on private property and further more endangering the lives of my charges. I can't allow you to continue on this path," Alfred told Slade in a tight voice.

"You really think you can stop me old man? Even without my powers you are still no match for me. My friend Wintergreen could take you down in less then three moves. I'm offering you a chance to survive this encounter. Step aside now and I promise I won't hurt you to badly," Slade told the butler. Alfred refused to move. Sighing Slade prepared himself for a short fight. "I tried to be reasonable, but if you insist on doing it the hard way so be it."

In a flash he was in the air ready to deliver a blow to the head that could kill him when Alfred jumped out of the way and kicked him in the back sending him flying into one of tables smashing it to pieces.

"I'm not that easy to get rid," he remarked simply preparing himself for round two.

Down below in the Robin was desperately trying to calm down his younger self. "We have to go back! We can't just leave him to Slade's mercy!" Dick cried.

"I know and we won't. But we can just ignore his sacrifice either. If were going to stop Slade were going to need a plan. Now here's what were going to do," Robin begun whispering into his counterparts ear.

Upstairs the fight had just ended. Alfred lay on the floor near death. Slade hovered over the butler trying to decide what to do with him. "You put up a good fight and my apprentice feels very strongly about you. Since I'm in a hurry I won't kill you. Now if you excuse me I have some people to meet." With that he sent a bookcase crashing down on Alfred and took the elevator down to Batcave.

Stepping out into the Batcave he searched the shadows for his apprentices. The security system for the cave had been disabled earlier when he took out the houses. "Where are you my apprentices? Come out from hiding. It won't matter for much longer I will find you."

A tiny explosion ripped through the cave as a shower of stalactites rained down from ceiling. Several of them caused major damage to his suit. Before he had a chance to recover the Batbot, the robotic battle suit that Batman used when fighting Bane, attacked him from behind. It was being driven by both Robin's who had squeezed inside. "You want us Slade? Come and get us," Robin challenged.

The two Boy Wonders swung their right arm and missed. Slade grabbed the arm by the elbow and drove his fist straight through it causing that piece to fall of. Using his enhance strength he hurled the piece of armor back at them. It caught them straight in the chest causing them to teeter near the edge.

"Were going to fall!" Dick cried

"No were not. We just need to stabilize our balance. There now, you ready for round two?" Robin asked his counterpart who nodded.

"What's the matter? You still want to fight me? Well go ahead. I'm waiting." Slade taunted.

The boys charged trying to grab him with their remaining arm, but that didn't work. Slade just sidestepped. This went on for a few minutes, but they just couldn't pin him down. Eventually he tore the suit to pieces. The boys crawled out each severally bruised up.

"Ready to admit defeat? You two can't possibly defeat me. Don't you get that I'm offering you an opportunity that most people would die for?" Slade asked as he walked towards them.

"Then pick one of them were not interested," Dick said breaking apart his bo staff and tossing it like a bolo. It hit Slade in the ankles causing him to trip. Both boys started running as fast as they could towards the R-cycle but they never made. Two tranquilizer darts hit them in their necks and they fell to the ground unconscious inches from the bike.

"Now its time to collect my prize and go," Slade said to himself as he picked up both boys and threw them over his shoulders. He was preparing to leave when Silkie attacked him.

The little mutated silkworm bit clear through his right boot and held on as Slade tried to shake him off. He released his hold and moved towards other parts of Slade's body trying to stop him. Finally Slade manage to shake him off and drop kick into a pile of rubble. "Stupid pet. Don't you ever learn your lesson?"

When Starfire returned to the Manor she gasped in horror. The estate looked like it had been the battlegrounds for WWIII. Zooming inside she passed wrecked room after wrecked room. Hearing faint moaning she located Alfred and freed him from underneath the bookcase. She carried him gently in her arms down to Cave surveying the damage. The others arrived a few minutes later and took one look at the damage knowing what happened. There worst fears were confirmed when they found strands of black hair. Both Dick and Robin were gone.