A/N: Sorry for the long, long delay. Just been in one of my moods where I haven't wanted to do anything except what I absolutely had to. So anyways, here's the update, hopefully, and I do mean hopefully, will have another one up before the end of the week to make up for my long absence. I can't promise that I'll try, but I'll try to try. That's it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, but hey, I think we all knew that already

Trying to Do the Right Thing

Chapter 31: Without Hesitation

By: Finalitylife

It was another night in the beautiful and ever so peaceful Jump City. The sky remained still bright and clear even though night had already fallen, the bay water continued to glisten and sparkle in the moonlight, and people still happily walked down the street. Parents with children, old couples just strolling about, and even younger couples dealing with the awkwardness and fear so accustomed to adolescence and the opposite sex.

People laughed and smiled and chattered away about the Titans that protected the city...all their heroes that could never be replaced...how quickly people forget about the ones who only left them six months ago. Pictures and posters of the original Titans were so easily replaced by those of Titan's East, not a second thought about those that had simply one day left without explanation. No civilian knew as to why one day the Titans just left, leaving behind a new group of heroes, a feeling of being abandoned for the people of the city hitting hard. However, everything went right back to normal with the new Titans who did just as good a job of protecting the city as the originals ever did...a lot of people believed an even better job that the original Titans.

With these new Titans, there was no one-eyed madman terrorizing every living moment of the citizens with the potential of bombs and attacks. With these new Titans, there was no crazed, blonde geomencer forcing everyone to flee their homes...an attacker the Titans displayed as one of their own. With these new Titans, things were far more peaceful, as if the original Titans took all their violence and problems with them. The citizens were happy...or maybe just ignorant though probably somewhere in between. None of the happy people saw the black, shadowy Raven flying across the sky toward the tower.

Raven's soul self flew rapidly through the sky, passing through the walls and defenses of the tower with perfect ease, forming back into the physical form of a purple haired woman with cold eyes.

Raven surveyed the inside of her dark room noticing easily that nothing had been moved at all...no one had entered her domain just as had been explicitly ordered to Titan's East. She slowly approached her bookshelf, first waving her hand muttering a few magical wards to drop the heavy defenses she had placed before leaving. She pulled a few books off the shelf and sat on the floor, pulling the first book into her lap, her eyes instantly beginning to scan the ancient words of power despite her whole body being weary, her mind slightly frazzled.

The Titans had been searching in another city for Rose, another few months passing without any new result. However, this city had been close enough to Jump City that Raven took the opportunity to return home to do more research on finding a way to free Robin. Her friends understood her reason for leaving, though they still were heavily surprised when she had said it, she being by far the most relentless in the search for Robin. On several occasions, she had come dangerously close to crossing a line she knew she shouldn't cross in her pursuit to find him, only managing to hold back because of her friends presence...and the fact that she knew just what Robin would have said if she did it. He would have been disappointed...but he also would have blamed himself for allowing Raven to do what he would forever regret doing...crossing that line as Red X.

Everyday provided a new challenge for Raven, whether it was because of the search, her newly freed emotions with many of them she was learning to embrace fully without fear...like anger, or the lingering connection she still had to Robin...that was the worst of it all.

It was completely random and uncontrollable, reforming at the most unexpected and sometimes inopportune times...bringing nothing but horrifying visions and pain. Robin was hurting...Robin was suffering...and most of all, Raven knew Robin was losing, and not just physical pieces of himself. She could feel it clearly some nights even though she didn't want to, could feel that Robin was slowly slipping into the darkness of himself, fueled by whatever Slade was doing to him, whatever Slade was telling him. It hurt her deeply every time the connection was formed, haunting her slumber, haunting her waking moments, yet at least the connection showed that Robin was still alive, that a part of his darkened mind was still reaching out to her. At the very least...she had that.

Her eyes continued to scan the symbols in the book when she heard voices in the hallway walking by which only could have been Bumble Bee and Speedy talking.

"You're going out on another date tonight? Didn't you just have one yesterday?" She could hear Speedy laugh his cocky laugh.

"Actually I had two last night. I can't help it if I'm so popular...got to make as many people happy as I can. It just so happens those people happen to normally be very leggy blondes."

"You're an idiot Speedy. Just don't stay out too late, we need to train more tomorrow. I think we've been relaxing far too much lately."

"Okay mom...I'll be home before the street lights come on."

"Haha, not funny. Just pay attention Roy. I want this city in exactly the same condition as it was when they left, you got me?"

"Yeah...yeah. I'll be good. I'm not going to give Robin the satisfaction when he gets back to know I couldn't handle his job. I'm still angry he beat me in that tournament. Lucky bastard..."

"I really don't think Robin is all that lucky Speedy." Bumble Bee's voice was quiet and grim.

"Thanks for ruining the mood Bee...I'll see you later." Even Raven noticed the slight sadness in Speedy's voice as he left though it was quickly concealed as the young archer left, soon followed by Bumble Bee. Raven let out a deep sigh. She really missed simple casual conversations like that at the tower...even if most of her conversations were one-sided with her friends doing the most talking. Even still...she missed it.

Raven's eyes turned back to her book, fighting off the need to sleep as she often did these days, turning another ancient page carefully. Her eyes scanned a few lines when her whole body tensed up completely, her breathe caught in her throat. She slowly and very carefully read the lines over again, and she shot to her feet, running over to her bookshelf. She pulled out another book, tossing it to the floor next to the one she had been reading, opening it to the correct page she hoped to remember. She scanned the strange symbols, knowing this is what she had been looking for. She processed both books words, trying to meld the complicated explanations and cryptic words into something truly meaningful. Why did magic always have to be so damn vague!

However, it was almost in an instant that it finally all became clear to Raven...exactly what it meant. The two books combined provided the answer she had sought all too clearly. Raven stood up slowly from the floor she had been kneeling on, lost within the thoughts in her mind though still instinctively forming into her soul self to progress down the hall into another room that was just as dark as hers. She formed back to her real self and slowly walked forward, slowly falling on to the bed in front of her.

She grabbed a pillow and pulled it tightly to her chest as she adjusted her cloak around her. Even his scent no longer lingered here...nothing truly remained of his presence...a single tear rolled form her eye as she clutched the pillow as if it would truly push away her thoughts. When the time came...if it came...would she truly be strong enough? Thankfully, dreamless sleep came soon for Raven.

--

No matter how many times Robin broke it, Slade always had a pristine new mirror put in his room to replace the one that had been broken in a fit of rage or senseless lashing out. It was as if Slade knew staring at himself was only bringing confusion and pain to Robin...bringing about thoughts that were consuming and relentless all the same.

Long black hair continued to grow out, beginning to frame the sides of Robin's face, his skin becoming slightly paler as he had not been in natural light in what felt like years. His face would have looked ghostly, but instead it almost looked demonic as instead of human eyes staring back at him, two grey, cybernetic eyes stared back at him, red, glowing irises staring out, casting the faintest of red light on his pale face when his mask was not on.

Robin wasn't even sure what he was looking at anymore. His face turned ever so slightly, feeling the mechanical eyes shift with the motion, a feeling that was slowly becoming almost natural to him since the operation was performed. Since then, his abilities had increased just as Slade had said they would. He was capable of seeing in the dark, seeing heat signatures as well as several other spectra of light, and his actions seemed to be even faster now, seeing things almost before they happened, his already impressive reflexes becoming even greater. Slade promised strength, and he did not break his promise.

The image of two blue eyes replaced the cold, robotic stare of his eyes, his hands reaching up to clutch his head. Everything was so confusing, he knew he shouldn't be so accepting of all this, but the strength and power he had always desired deep inside was being granted to him, but there was so much pain, so much suffering...it just didn't make any sense anymore. Nothing made sense anymore, but then again, everything made even more sense as the hours flowed by without meaning to time. Logic dictated much of Robin's thoughts, but logic was beginning to agree with Slade and that simply could not be...Slade could not be right...he was a monster...a monster...was he a monster?

Again waves of confusion broke down Robin's thoughts, and he slammed his hand down on the table next to him, splintering it easily. He needed to fight...fighting was always so simple and direct...there was no more thinking then, no more confusion. Only himself, his opponent, and the battle. His desire was answered as the intercom came to life.

"Apprentice...meet me in the sparring room now." Robin smiled at the request, just what he wanted. He only barely managed to suppress the words, 'Thank you Master." Slade was not his master...he would never submit. Slade was the enemy, was the one who was keeping him away from his friends...away from Raven. Raven...Robin's hands started shaking ever so slightly as a dark voice whispered in his mind. Where were his friends? Where was Raven? They had found him so easily last time but now, they were nowhere to be found. Slade loved to tell him that the Titans were still in Jump City, still protecting the city, and the people of the city he once protected couldn't be happier. Had they already forgotten about him...already abandoned him after everything he had done so selflessly. It wasn't right...couldn't be true...but what was true anymore when Robin's truth and Slade's truth began to appear as one.

Robin was far too eager in his gait as he made it to the sparring room which really was just a larger room with enough space to fight without hindrance. It was the place where most of Robin's training took place since the surgery so that he could get used to his new abilities. Upon entering the dark room, he saw Slade standing in the middle of the room, an unseen spotlight seemingly illuminating him the most out of everything.

"Welcome apprentice. Thank you for making it here swiftly. This is of the upmost importance." Robin went to say something defiant, but really just stopped himself before saying anything as he really didn't feel like another pointless argument when they never got him anywhere.

"I've decided to test just how far you've come...how far you've evolved since I took you under my wing. We will spar each other, and I encourage you to give everything you can. I have no desire for you to hold back." A dark grin crossed Robin's face as his cybernetic eyes locked on Slade. This would be very much fun.

"Now my apprentice, let us fight." The two simultaneously extended their metallic bo staffs, staring intently at each other though in no way sizing up their opponents. They both knew their opponent better than any other in existence, knew exactly what they were up against. They would fight, and Robin planned on winning.

The impact of the two staffs echoed throughout the darkness, the two fighters pushing their weight toward each other, Robin finding it not as difficult as he once had, his body and size having increased since his time with Slade...maturity finally setting in. Slade and Robin pushed back from each other and immediately both went on the attack, their movements so fast they were almost nothing but a blur, barely visible to the average human eye though neither of these combatants were anything close to average humans.

"Impressive Robin. This is as strong as I've ever seen you. I do believe you owe me a thank you for helping you to reach this level." Robin resisted the urge to lash out, to succumb to his anger which would have made him vulnerable to a counterstrike, and his maintained control was rewarded by nearly landing a blow on Slade. Slade stepped back to avoid the strike and almost looked like he was hard pressed to block Robin's next, relentless assault.

The battle continued on without remorse by either fighter, successful attacks being very rare, but when landed were connected with utter ruthlessness and brutal power. Robin truly felt like he was winning, that his ability to see so clearly in the darkness gave him enough advantage against his still larger, and more experienced opponent. He would win this battle.

It was in an instant that it happened, an instant that held absolutely no hesitation, doubt, or regret within the action. It was completely instinctual, done with so much ease, that one would think Robin had done in dozens to of times before. Slade had overextended himself on a strike, and in that moment of weakness, Robin attacked, a hidden blade appearing in his hand, sliding out in one fluidic motion straight into the heart of Slade. Robin had seamlessly gone for the kill without conscience or worry, and won the battle.

The moment ended, and instead of blood pouring out of the would, an eruption of sparks emanated, Robin detracting his hand quickly to avoid them. The robotic doppleganger of Slade toppling to the ground with a metallic thud, though Robin did not seem to notice it or the fact that he was bathed in the light of that single spotlight above. Robin simply could not take his eyes off his own hands, just staring at them with a blank look on his face, seeing blood there that was not truly there. He had killed Slade...would have killed Slade without a second thought, would have so easily become a killer without hesitation. It had all been so very easy to do.

"Excellent work my apprentice. You have finally transcended your pitiful notions of right and wrong, and with such an effective result too." Robin dropped to his knees, his eyes still locked on his hands, crimson refusing to leave. Robin didn't care at the moment where Slade's voice was coming from though he could not argue the truth of the words.

"You did not hesitate to go for the kill Robin. I am deeply proud of you...deeply proud. You are finally, truly worthy to be my apprentice...truly worthy of my legacy." Robin did not respond, a part of his mind smiling at the words of approval from Slade, the other still locked in horror on his hands...hands that had every intention of taking a life this day.

"Good work my apprentice. You can rest now." Robin could hear heavy footsteps leaving the room and a door opening as the only light turned out, leaving Robin alone in the dark once more.