While the teens cleaned up the damage to the cave, Batman picked up his old friend and gently placed him down in the only available chair. "Are you okay Alfred? Do you want me to call an ambulance?"
"Don't concern yourself about me Master Bruce. The damage is only minor, merely a flesh wound. I'll be all right in few minutes. You should be busy trying to find Master ahh!" the old butler winced in pain. Batman moved to assist him when Raven pushed past him.
"Let me have a look," she said. Removing her hood she held her hands over Alfred's broken body sensing the damage. "Your injuries are very serious. You have three cracked ribs, a bruised lung, and several bones are broken. Not to mention you're bleeding internally. I can reduce the injuries to minor fractures and stop the bleeding, but your going to have to take it easy otherwise your going to kill yourself," she said healing him up.
"Thank you Ms. Roth. Your services are most appreciated," Alfred told her.
"Over here! I found Silkie! Looks like Slade gave the poor little creature a thorough thrashing. I mean considering the amount of damage he did to the cave, is it any surprise that he would try to kill your mascot?" Batgirl said as she picked up the battered pet.
Silkie was bruised and missing a tooth. He cried at the slightest touch and buried his tiny head into Batgirl's breast trying to find comfort. Embarrassed Batgirl handed the little worm to his owner.
"Thank you. I'm sure Silkie appreciates your gentleness. Still there is the matter of our missing boyfriends to consider. Knowing Robin he isn't one to run away from a fight. I'm sure that he and Dick attacked Slade instead of getting to safety," Starfire surmised.
"Your right. The Batbot has taken a beating and by the look of these scuff marks it was one intense fight. But where are they now and how do we track them down?" Batman asked examining the area near the R-Cycle. He looked at the Titans hoping they could offer some hope to seeing his kid again.
"You're asking the wrong robot. Even with the Batcomputer I've been unable to pinpoint either Robin or Dick's location. I'm not picking up a signal from Robin's locator or Dick's Batwave communicator. Where ever they are Slade has them shielded," Cyborg said angrily.
"Can you sense them psychically?" Batgirl asked Raven. The young Goth got into a meditation position and started chanting. "Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" For a few minutes her eyes were empty and everyone stared at her. Suddenly she came crashing down to the floor. Beast Boy raced over to help her up.
"What happened?" Batman demanded.
"I'm not sure. I was searching for Robin through the bond we share. When I was about to make mental contact some kind of shield popped up blocking my attempts. I was forced back into my own body. Slade hasn't missed a trick. Somehow the boys are being mentally shielded," Raven explained.
Beast Boy morphed into a wolf and started sniffing the area near the R-cycle. He was intent on finding Robin's scent. He traced it to the elevator and morphed human long enough to push the button. He was gone a few minutes before returning with a look of disgust on his face. "Man, this totally stinks! I can't find their scent anywhere!"
"You have to be mistaken. How is it possible for you to lose the scent?" Batman demanded angrily. He was scaring Beast Boy so badly the little changeling had a hard time finding his voice.
"I. I… don't… know dude! Slade is really smart. Maybe he used some doohickey to mask their scent. Point is, I can't find them okay!"
"This is bad. I've tried the emergency transponder, but its not responding. This is very bad indeed," Starfire cried.
"Transponder? You mean like a GPS locator? When was Robin carrying one of those?" Batgirl asked mystified.
"The transponder is implanted just behind our right ear. In case of an emergency the transponder automatically starts transmitting the location and status of the person. We had them implanted shortly after our dealings with the Brotherhood. They actually came from your company sir. According to Robin they can transmit a signal on multiple wavelength through just about anything. If we can't pick it up then the boys are in serious trouble," Starfire explained. In her arms Silkie whined obviously concerned for Robin and Dick's welfare.
"Then we have to assume that Slade has taken them out of Gotham. He's properly set up a meeting with his younger self to hand off Dick before traveling back to the future with Robin. If were going to save them we have to figure out where the meeting is taking place. I've already projected the most likely spots where the trade off would occur. If we station a member at each spot we'll be able to take Slade down and rescue the Robins," Batman said already computing t he data into the computer.
"No your wrong," a voice whispered softly. Everyone in the cave turned to face Starfire who was hovering in the air. Gone was the worry and sadness. It had been replaced by steel resolve.
"Excuse me Princess, but I think I know a bit more when it comes to dealing with hostage situations and supervillians. Aren't you the least bit concerned about their welfare? My plan is the best chance we have to finding Robin and Dick. I think you would want that," Batman told her glaring at her.
Starfire didn't flinch. "I know that you are worried about your adoptive son, but you aren't thinking about this logically. We have been dealing with Slade for the better part of two years; you have only been dealing with him for two weeks. You can't compare him to any of your villains or we will lose. If we will follow your plan then we will lose the boys because they're still in Gotham somewhere."
"How can you be so sure? We have no idea of Slade's resources in Gotham or how long it's been since he took them. The more time we waste arguing about this the greater the chance they'll slip through our fingers. How can you be so sure that my partner, your leader is still in Gotham?"
"Because he's my Xhalton and I can feel it with my heart. Ever since I first kissed Robin in order to absorb the English language we have shared a connection. This connection goes beyond any conventional science or your gadgets. You have to trust me when I say that Slade hasn't manage to get them away yet," Starfire told him firmly.
"I believe her because I can feel it to," Batgirl said. Everyone turned to face her as she continued. "I see now that Dick and I aren't meant to be together forever. He belongs with Starfire anyone with half a brain can see that. But I feel a bond of unbreakable friendship with Dick and through it I sense he's still in this city. We have to search within the city Batman not outside of it if were going to find our friends."
"Fine let's say your hunch is right. How do you propose finding them? I highly doubt the bond you share with Dick is going to enable us to pinpoint his location so unless your magically able to tell me where the Robins are I appreciate it if you wouldn't counterman my decisions," Batman pointed out sharply.
"Master Bruce that is enough! Don't take your anger and fears out on the girls. They are trying to be helpful. I'm sure if we all calm down we'll be able to figure out a solution to this mess," Alfred stated.
Everyone was silent for the moment thinking hard. The only sound that could be heard was Silkie purring in his mistress arms. Suddenly it was like a light bulb went off in Starfire's head. "I've got it! We can use Silkie to track the boys down!"
"Come again? How is your mutated mascot supposed to find two boys and one bad ass villain in all of Gotham?" Batgirl asked suspiciously.
"Silkie has helped tracked down people before. He is very close to Robin and can find him no matter where he hides in the Tower," Starfire replied.
"Not mention if it wasn't for Silkie we would never have found about Slade taking the inducer in the first place. He helped us track him down without any problems," Cyborg mused.
"And if Silkie can find Slade once," Raven began
"Then he can do it again! Not to mention with his abilities he could help us take down Slade within seconds!" Beast Boy exclaimed. He dove into the T-Car and started tossing out junk. After a few minutes he emerged with a tiny Robin mask, cape, and a pair of miniaturized wings. "I knew that it wasn't a waste of time asking Cyborg to create these!"
"What is all this stuff? Oh my what have you done to that animal?" Alfred asked as the Bat Team watched Starfire and Beast Boy put on the tiny costume onto Silkie who seemed to be enjoying the spotlight. The final touch was a collar with a nametag that doubled as a communicator.
"What do you think? After that day of us pretending to be Robin we made this costume especially for my little bungorff so he wouldn't feel left out. Well now that's taken care are we ready to go?"
"Almost Star. I've hooked up the R-Cycle's autopilot with the Batmobile. When we meet up with Slade, Robin's going to need every advantage and that includes a speedy getaway," Cyborg said getting into his car along with Raven who had taken the liberty to gather her spell ingredients and spellbook. If they were facing off against Slade, chances were that they would need it.
"Let's hurry up already! Robin and his younger self could be in serious danger by now. Am I the only one that remembers without Robin the Titans don't exist? That if Slade succeeds our little family is toast?" Beast Boy asked turning into a pterodactyl.
"No we haven't forgotten. That is why we must move with great haste," Starfire said releasing her pet that took to the air. She was about to start flying when someone grabbed her hand. It was Batgirl.
"I'm coming with you. I want to be with the first line of attack when you find them. Please," Batgirl begged. Instantly she was lifted in the air by Starfire who told the girl to hang on as the Titans shot out of the cave.
"Alfred monitor us over the computer. If we get into serious trouble call the police. Wish me luck old friend," Batman said as he revved the engine and disappeared.
"Good luck Master Bruce. Please return with the whole family," Alfred whispered.
Halfway cross-town in a stretch limo Slade was having one of his robots drive him to the roundview point. There he meet with his younger self and hand off the younger version of Robin. Once done there he return with his Robin to a future that was much more satisfying to his taste.
He glanced at the screen that showed him back of the vehicle. Both Boy Wonders were sleeping soundly thanks to his tranquilizer. They are going to be out for hours. By the time they woke up everything would be over. But just incase the boys decided to wake up early he was ready for them. This limo had a few tricks up its frame. "That's right my little apprentices. Just continue sleeping. Your new life with me as your Master will begin shortly."
Activating his video email he typed in a secure web address. Within moments he was talking to his younger self. "So nice to see you again. Tell me did you succeed in taking the Bat's prodigy from him?" the younger Slade asked.
"It was almost to easy. I simply used one of his own enemies to distract him and the Titans while I went to the Cave and picked up the prize. The resistance I found was very minimal and not very good. Although I must admit the Bats own majordomo could give Wintergreen a run for his money. He has quite a spirit for an old man," Slade admitted.
"I'll take your word for it. I'm just pleased with the news that soon I will have the perfect apprentice to train. Who knows, if he continues to please us why we should give him our little gift shouldn't we? After all what's the point of an apprentice if we can't have one for all eternity?" the younger version wondered.
"Exactly what I was thinking. I shall meet you and Wintergreen in about two hours. Don't be late. We wouldn't want to give our little friends here any hope that they're getting out of this," Slade told him.
"Or give Batman and his friends a chance to take what rightfully belongs to us away. Don't worry I won't be late. See you soon old friend. Goodbye." With that he signed off leaving Slade alone to think about his plans for the two Boy Wonders.
Meanwhile if Slade had been paying any attention to his monitors he would have noticed that the boys were starting to stir. Robin was the first to come to and began to assess the situation. He was trapped in limo that was moving with his hands cuffed behind his back, he didn't know if there were any weapons in his utility belt, and his only ally was his twelve year old self. "Wake up, come on wake up," he hissed as he tried to wake his younger self.
"Five more minutes Mom, please," Dick whispered in his sleep. The limo hit a pothole sending him crashing into the floor instantly waking him up. "Man, doesn't he know how to drive? What? My hands are cuffed!"
"Shuu. Keep your voice down. I'm sure Slade's got this place monitored. See if you get my right off. It's got a skeleton key in the middle finger. You got it?" Robin asked as he felt Dick struggle to get the glove off with his teeth. He finally managed it and with in a few moments both boys were free.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"I should be thanking you. It was your idea to take those stimulants beforehand incase he traqed us. Shouldn't we be seeing if there's anyway out of this situation?" Dick inquired. Robin smiled at him pleased that he was already acting like the hero he would evolve into. Within moments the two boys knew that were ever they were they weren't getting out even with their weapons.
"What is this car made of anyways?" Dick asked as he tried to use his laser to burn his way out. He wasn't even making a dent.
"Probably tritanium the same stuff the Slade bots are constructed from. Slade's properly heavily shielded the vehicle so the chances of our friends tracking us down our slim. Were pretty much locked up with no way out," Robin explained.
"So were suppose to just give up and let a psychotic freak have his way with us? I don't believe it! There has to be a way out of here there just has to be! I'm not spending the rest of my life serving a madman!" Dick cried pounding on the doors in frustration.
Robin grabbed his arms and looked at him in confusion. "What are you doing? Do you want him to know that were awake? Giving away any information on our current status isn't going to help save us."
"I don't care I just want to go home! I want to be in my own room reading detective novels with Alfred serving me hot coca and Bruce telling me to go to bed. I want be out with Barbara having fun! I wish I was even playing games with your friends because right now I'm scared!" Dick cried collapsing in his future self's chest crying his heart out.
Robin was astonished by this show of emotion, but didn't pull back. Instead he wrapped his arms around the boy giving him comfort and support. "It's going to be okay, it's going to be okay. It's all right to be scared I am to," he whispered.
Dick looked up at him surprised, "Really you don't look scared. If anything you look like Batman, calm and serious."
"My time with Batman taught me how to deal with my fear and when I was forced to work for Slade I learned to channel my fear into something productive. But only one person taught me that when you're scared you have to continue on even if it's hard."
"Dad. He use to tell me that when I was training on the trapeze. Any time I get scared of learning a new trick or I might fall he reminded me that the fear was there for a reason. To protect me until I was strong enough to move past it and do what I had to do."
"So you see, no matter what were going to get out of this. Because even though Slade scares us, we can still work past it and take him down."
"How very touching Robin, but I'm afraid your little speech won't free you," Slade told the boys as he appeared on TV monitor. The boys glared angrily at the screen.
"What do you want now Slade? I hoped by now you realize that your effort to take my younger self and I as your apprentice was foolhardy. The Titans and Batman will stop you," Robin his tightly.
"I'm not all that you cling to the hope of being rescued, but I assure that I didn't travel five years in the past to lose. I've planned everything to a T. This limo is impenetrable, not even your precious Starfire can rip it open. As for your "father" I have a few surprises in store for him. But why don't you take a nap for now? Will be in Metropolises soon," Slade told the boys who got ready to be gassed. But he didn't get the chance because something rammed the side of the limo hard causing the two boys to crash to the floor.
"What in the world?!" Slade demanded.
"Looks like the rescue team has arrived just in time," Dick said smiling.
Outside the limo it was a deadly street chase. The limo was racing away at top speed from the Batmobile, which was ramming itself into the car's bumper with no results. "I can't get the car to spin out. Can either of you make force it to stop?" Batman asked Cyborg over the Batwave.
"Were going to try. Let's see how he likes a taste of my baby's sonic cannon!" Cyborg shouted activating the vehicles weaponry. He fired a powerful blast at the car's undercarriage to try and stop it, but it was to heavily shield.
"Allow me. Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Raven chanted as her powers ripped apart the street. Sewer lines came to life and wrapped around the car trying to stop it. At first everything seemed fine, but then the limo busted free with some kind of laser. "Its no go. I can't stop it. We need a new plan."
Beast boy tried to pick up the limo, but ended up shocked. He then turned into a rat trying to bury inside, but there were no openings. The car sped up and he fell of the roof hurting him pretty bad. He was teleported inside the T-Car by Raven to heal. "No go. That thing is stronger then anything we've faced. It can't be cracked by anything."
"We need some kind of plan to stop that car now!" Raven said.
"I have one, but it's risky," Batgirl said over the communicator.
"Its not like we have much of choice. Implement it now!" Batman ordered.
"Okay Starfire here's what I need you to do. When I say three throw me as far as you can. Now I'm going to try and grab that flagpole and flip off where, as I'll release four batarangs. The minute their out of my hand hit them with you eye beams. Hopefully this will stop the car," Batgirl whispered frightened.
"Do not worry new friend. I won't let you down. Ready?"
"Ready. One, two three!" Batgirl shouted. Starfire hurled her the young near Olympic gymnastic star through the air. She kept herself in a tight roll, uncurling only when she was in reach of the flagpole. Snagging the pole she rotated herself three times around picking up speed releasing at just the right moment. Carefully aiming she hurled four silver batarangs at the limo's tires before swinging out of the way. At the same time Starfire hit all four targets with her eyes charging them up. They struck the limos tires blowing them right off the rims causing the vehicle to come to a screeching halt.
At the same time the Batmobile, T-Car, and R-cycle came to a halt as the Titans stepped out of the vehicles or landed. Batman jumped out of the Batmobile and Batgirl landed next to him. "Slade! Release Robin now!"
Slade's only response was to send a troop of Sladebots after them. It was a frenzy as the two groups of heroes tried to fight them all off. Slade stepped out of front to watch the commotion in amusement.
It would have been better if he stayed in the car. He was so busy admiring his victory that he didn't notice to pissed off girlfriends until the drove their heels into his chest and groin. "Don't mess with our boyfriends!" the shouted in unison. Slade recovered quickly, but Starfire flew the two girls out of harms way.
At the same time Silkie's little motorized wings landed him on the roof of the limo, which he began to devour. The roof was police, Batman, and Titans proof, but it was not Silkie proof. Within seconds the two boys were free and in the arms of their girls getting kisses.
"I am never complaining about that mutated worm again!" Dick exclaimed once Batgirl released.
"Come on team its time to take Slade down once and for all. Titans go!" as all the teenagers and adolescents dove back into the frenzy. Meanwhile Batman was battling Slade.
"You are a monster. You hurt my oldest friend, kidnapped my son, and forced him to become your apprentice. The psychological damage is far greater than the physical scars you left on him. When you turned that girl Terra against them, it hurt Robin deeply knowing he failed. Then you have to nerve to use that dust on him nearly killing him! But the worst of it all is that you teamed up with Trigun in a selfish desire to be fully live again nearly bring about the permanent end of our world! I will not allow you to succeed in your mission here! You will never lay a finger on my kid again!" Batman stated in dark, but calm voice as he armed himself with spinning Batarang Blades. He took a swipe at Slade who jumped out of the way chuckling.
"Really, Batman what right do you have to claim Robin as yours? You abandoned him when he needed you the most. The minute he left Gotham, your prodigy was fair play. And he is quite a prodigy. I've never met anyone like him. He held his own not only against the greatest villains of the world, but against me. Its makes me happy to know that the fact he's so much like me cuts through your heart like a knife. You think that what I did to him actually hurt him? If anything it made him even stronger. Soon Robin will realize his true destiny as my right hand man, as an Omen of Death!" Slade replied as he threw a hard punch at the Dark Knight only to be stopped.
On and on the battle raged. Neither side gaining or losing ground. It seemed the two kings who controlled Robin's life would never give up. The remainder of the battle had been decided. Everyone was now watching the battle. Suddenly kicked Batman in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground near a live down wire. "Time to end this."
"No! Leave him alone you bastard!" Dick shouted ripping out his bo staff and charging. Robin was right on his heels' knowing this is exactly what he wanted.
Slade was turning to grab Dick's cape when Robin knocked him out of the way with his own staff causing himself to be caught. Slade pulled the teenager close to his chest and hissed. "Nice to see you again Robin. If I can't have your younger self I at least have you as a consolation prize." He turned to face the group who was already getting up to fight him. "Don't move unless you want something bad to happen to both Robins. Incase you didn't notice I used one of my shunts to link the boys together. If one dies, both die. A simple way to ensure I get what I want."
"You're never going to win Slade. Give up now," Batman told him.
"I don't think so Bats. I have all the cards while you've got nothing. Robin is mine along with the inducer. One stray step and you lose it all."
While this was going on Robin was having a mental conversation with Raven. "Raven did you bring the stuff for the time travel spell to the future?"
"Yes, but why? I thought we were going to use it to get home."
"Trust me when I say we don't need it. The only way we're all getting out of this is to use it on Slade. That way any damage he's done along with any knowledge he's gained will disappear. You need to read the spell!"
"I can't! I need to prepare the ceremony before I can even say the words."
"Get the others to help you. Batman can keep Slade busy. Do it now!"
The others eyes went wide as they heard Raven's voice ordering them about. Giving a slight nod they went into action. To start with they needed incenses spreaded around the area. Batgirl threw a smoke into the air covering the group. Immediately Raven released the incenses from her pouch. While this was going on the Titans were using their powers to create a pentagram on the ground while Silkie dragged a burning light post to each point. When the smoke cleared Raven, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Batgirl stood on one of the five points. Blood dripped from their hands onto the point causing it to glow. The ceremony was finished, now the words could be read.
Before Slade could react Batman shot a line around forcing him to stay inside the center. Robin struggled to break free, but Slade refused to loosen his grip. "Do it!" he shouted.
Raven held the book of spells in her arms. Reading in a loud, clear voice she began to read. "Here these words, here this rhyme. Spirits I implore you to move me forward through time. Take me to future place I wish to go. To a time and place that I know!" The book lit up and a black light shot from the book into the sky turning it dark red. Instantly a vortex began to suck Slade and Robin into the air.
"Robin!" Starfire cried, but was unable to move due to the intense winds.
Slade was flailing around, desperate to stay. He didn't notice Robin who had been relaxing in his enemies' arms drove all his power into kicking himself free. With that Slade released him and disappeared into the vortex. Robin tried to shoot a line to save him, but he didn't have a grappling line with him. "This might be a problem."
"Why isn't he saving himself?" Starfire demanded as her love fell from the sky.
"He's got no line! He's going to die!" Batgirl screamed just as the R-cycle blazed past her. It rode over the T-Car, Batmobile and wreckage. The bike flew into the air and Dick reached out and pulled Robin onto the bike.
"Nice save. Aren't you a little young to be driving?"
"Are you in a position to be scolding me?"
They landed on the ground where they were immediately embraced in sorts of hugs. Robin was very happy that he was back with his friends, but turned to face Batman. "What's wrong? Did I not do a good job?"
"It's not that Robin. All of you did an excellent job. You just can't go home now that both the spell and vortex inducer are back in your time. I don't know what I'm going to do with you," he admitted.
"Yeah, I mean where are they going to live?" Batgirl wondered.
"They can stay with us in the mansion! I can have friends all the time and they can train me," Dick said but Robin shook his head.
"Look we don't consider this a great loss. This is a victory to us," Robin said.
"Yeah, I mean hello Dick here is safe from Slade's slimy hands," Beast Boy said.
"The past is as it should be," Raven stated simply.
"Anything Slade did to damage the timeline has been fixed so now our future is back to normal." Cyborg said
"And even though Slade escaped, we still have Robin on our side. That is victory enough for us," Starfire finished.
"Besides were not exactly trapped. Slade taught me to always to be aware of my surroundings. So I took this when he wasn't looking," Robin said revealing the damaged vortex inducer in his hands.
"Robin I'm very very proud of you," Batman said hugging his son tightly.
Later that night Robin and Batman were busy at the worktable fixing the inducer. Barbara and Dick were cleaning up the cave, while Alfred supervised. The elevator dinged releasing the Titans who had been cleaning up any traces of their time here.
"Well you don't have to worry about the Joker. The guy may be insane, but I managed to remove any lingering traces of Slade from his mind. He's no resting comfortably in Arkham without the shunt ranting about his exploits over the city," Raven said.
"I ripped out the security system and every other piece of tech I installed. To bad, I mean it was such a sweet system," Cyborg moaned storing his stuff in his car trunk.
"What are you complaining about? Do you realize how much food Alfred bought us? We won't have to go shopping for at least a month!" Beast Boy said as he happily stuffed all the food into the car.
"Silkie and I are happy to report we fixed the damage to the streets. The police have no idea it was us who caused the damage. How's the inducer coming along?" Starfire asked.
"It's finished. You're now able to travel back to your future. What are you going to do with the inducer once your home?" Batman inquired.
"Destroy it and scattered the pieces. That way no one can use it ever again. I guess its time to say good-bye. Raven?" Robin asked nodding to the Goth.
Raven nodded and began to chant a spell. Black tendrils of light escaped from her fingertips and enter their brains. "It's a delayed reaction spell. Once were gone your memories of us will vanish and be replaced by new ones. You might remember faint traces in your dreams, but not enough to be suspicious."
"Do you have to? I mean I don't want to forget meeting you guys." Dick said.
"Yeah I actually had a lot of fun. Its shame to forget all this," Barbara added.
"It has to be this way. Trust me your going to grow up to have a wonderful life. But that's only going to happen if you have the innocence of a child. Keep working hard and one day it will be you standing here telling your younger half to be brave," Robin said hugging his younger self.
After that their was a lot of tearful goodbyes and best wishes. The Titans tried their hardest to remember everything because they be the only ones with memories. After Robin hugged Batman goodbye Cyborg activated the inducer and the team raced through. The portal closed behind them leaving the Bat Team wondering what they were doing in the cave.
Back in the future the Titans arrived moments after they left. They split up going their own ways. Robin headed to the living room. He was expecting a call. Within seconds Batman appeared. He was holding a note Robin had slipped him. "I often wondered where this came from."
"I'm sorry you don't remember anything. Still I was hoping for a chance to reconcile our differences. I mean despite my age and the problems I've faced, in the end I'm still your child."
"You're not a child Robin and I should have realized that a long time ago. Maybe if I had you would have felt you could have called me about your Slade troubles. I've watched you these past two years and you've grown into someone I'm very proud of you. If you can find it in your heart I like a second chance," Batman asked.
"Yeah, I can. We've still have some vacation time left. Why don't I bring the gang over and we can have a reunion? It will be nice for everyone to see each other again." Robin said smiling.