Hey everybody! I made a couple of corrections to this chapter since I last reviewed. I wrote and submitted this page on my birthday. October 5, 2005. I didn't realize that I made so many errors. Thank you to the reviewer that pointed that out to me.
Disclaimers: I do not own the Teen Titans or Slade!
Chapter 3: Sucked In?
Slade severed the connection with the titans with the button on his chair. He smiled proudly at himself as he thought about how rallied up he'd just gotten the titans. Especially Robin. Slade chuckled at him,
"He looked like a high strung peacock." Slade said shaking his head.
"Master Slade." Slade turned to see a elderly man staring back at him.
"Yes, Wintergreen?"
"They are ready sir." Slade turned to leave but was stopped by Wintergreen's voice.
"Sir?"
"Yes Wintergreen?"
"Do you not believe that the young madame will come to you willingly?" Slade remained silent.
"I don't know old man, but I am not willing to chance it."
"But if you are looking for someone to trust in you must show yourself trustworthy and vice versa." Slade was silenced yet again by the old man's wisdom. He ponder this for awhile then shrugged his shoulders. He sighed,
"I honestly don't know Wintergreen, but I do not give up easily or at all for that matter. If I feel that something is worth the effort."
"But sir-"
"That will be all Wintergreen, thank you." Slade said cutting off the older man. The butler bowed his head as he departed.
"Wintergreen?" Stopping the older man before he left.
"Yes master Slade?" He said turning to face Slade.
"Prepare a room for her. Because I do intend on bring her back here. Also, if any complication would occur you know what to do."
"Yes sir, I will be watching on the screen to assist you in anyway. If you do not survive I will set the building to self destruct."
"Thank you, Old friend." Slade placed a hand on the shoulder of his only friend. With that Slade left out of the room, and down a winding staircase. He faced a metal door he taped in the security code the door slid back revealing a gymnasium/workout room. Slade walked further into the room till he reached his army of Slade Bots.
"Drones." Slade said lazily as he eyed his mini army. "Remember your programming I want no mistakes this time. Mistakes will not be tolerated." His voice held power and strength. He removed a device from his pocket pointing it at a screen in the wall. "I want this device." The screen showed a photo of the Parallax Apparatus. He pointed to the screen again clicking a button. "And I want this girl. . ." The screen held a snap shot of Raven flying through the air. "Keep the others busy. Raven I will acquire myself." He looked toward the screen and smiled underneath his mask, but it vanished quickly,
"Drones! March!" The lifeless machines jumped to attention and began marching behind Slade out of the door.
"Soon I will have everything I want." Slade said as he clinched his fist walking toward what he already declared a victory.
The titans were in the garage preparing to depart. Raven looked over at Robin his face was grim. She sighed walking over to him knowing full well what was in store for her.
"Robin?" Robin looked up to see Raven looking at him.
"What is it Raven?" He said without any emotion. Slightly taken aback she frowned slightly, but she pressed forward.
"Don't let Slade get to you today, okay." He continued to stare ahead of him.
"I can't guarantee that. I can't guarantee you anything, but this. . ." He stepped closer to her to make sure she heard him, and to also make sure no one else heard either looking her square in the eyes. "If that bastard comes anywhere near you he's a deadman!" He said through clenched teeth. Raven's gaze harden a little,
"Robin you must control your emotions. We mustn't let-"
"Not when the someone I love could be in danger. Don't lose it? If comes anywhere near you, all is lost." He said roughly cutting her off. They glared at each other for a few moments before he stalked away from her.
Beast Boy and Terra saw the whole scene. Terra looked down at the ground as Beast Boy shook his head in disgust.
"I hate the man as much as he does. I mean I was his apprentice too, but he doesn't have to treat Raven like that. She isn't a possession." Terra said staring at Raven who was left standing there.
"I understand what you're saying Terra. He doesn't have to be so rough with her, but look at it from his stand point. The man he hates worst than anyone has flat showed an interest in Raven. If he ever came after you the way he's now coming after Raven. Id' probably be the same way. Who knows." Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders. Terra and Beast Boy looked over at Robin when he called them all to attention.
"Titans, We are facing a formidable foe, Slade" he said through gritted teeth. He continued, " Cyborg will drive you guys to our mission and I will drive myself on the R-cycle. Understood?" It was silent everyone not knowing how to react. "I said, Understood!" Robin said raising his voice a few octaves.
"Yeah, Robin, we understand man." Cyborg said looking at everyone. "Let's go folks."
Robin hopped on his motorcycle the engine roared with power as it shook underneath him. He slammed the front of his helmet down pressed a few buttons and the boosters came on flying him across the water. Raven looked after him sadly as they all got in the car to get to their destination.
Everyone in the car was silent. Starfire looked over at Cyborg with sad eyes. He noticed her gaze and took her hand in his own. She looked back at him and smiled. Beast Boy hating the silence and Robin's sour attitude,
"What is Robin's deal!" Beast Boy said flailing his arms about. Terra had to duck to avoid being hit.
"You know how Robin gets when Slade is involved in anything." Cyborg said looking at Raven in the rearview mirror. She looked out of the window. Her face held sadness and fear.
"Dude the way he's acting is totally not called for." Beast Boy pointed out.
"Leave it alone BB" Terra said still dodging Beast Boy's expressive arms.
"Yes leave it Beast Boy, friend Robin is just concerned about our safety, everyone's." Starfire said first looking in the side mirror at Raven then over at Cyborg, who gave her hand an assuring squeeze.
"I really wish Robin would slow down. It is raining outside." Cyborg commented as he cut the wipers up higher. Raven remained silent as they continued to ride in silence.
Robin rode his motorcycle like a demon obsessed with a target. He pressed forward faster and harder. "I'll be damned if I allowed anything happen to Raven. Slade better keep his filth hands away from her, or I swear I'll kill him." He looked through his side mirrors to see the T-Car lagging behind. "What is Cyborg doing! He needs to hurry up! We have to stop Slade!"
Meanwhile, the Jump City Museum was filled with people that were visiting the museum. There was a class of students, some other businessmen, and a mother and child viewing the Dinosaur Exhibit. The little boy was fascinated by the Dinosaur bones on display.
"Wow mommy! Is that what Barney looks like under all that purple skin?" The little boy looked wide-eyed at his mother.
"Yes Tommy, that is what Barney looks like." Tommy looked a little while longer until he noticed a device by the foot of the T-Rex he was looking at.
"Mommy?"
"Yes honey?" The mother said distracted from reading the map of the museum.
"What's that?" Tommy asked pointing to the blinking device. Noticing the numbers changing little Tommy exclaimed, "Wow Mommy it has numbers. See 10. .9. . 8. ."
"Oh my God! It's a bomb!" The mother picked her child up and began running. The other people that were near her began running and screaming. A few seconds later the Dinosaur exhibit blew up. The blast was so huge that the Tommy was flung from his mother's arms. Tommy slid across the floor hitting his head on the balcony railing rendering him unconscious. The little boy's upper body was hanging off of the balcony, and inch by inch he was sliding off. He was just about to fall from the third story balcony until a pair of gloved hand caught the boy tucking him in their arms. The mother was screaming out for her son, but stopped as she saw a man with a half gold and black mask approaching her with her son.
"Does he belong to you?" Slade asked. She shook her head biting her bottom lip in fear.
"Can I have my son?" She asked with outstretched arms tears forming in her eyes. Slade looked down at the child in his arms.
"He's a good looking kid." His voice cold as he looked back at the mother.
"Please?" She begged.
"I take it that you know who I am. Because you fear me." She nodded her head quickly.
"I've seen you on the news fighting the Teen Titans." He nodded his head to this. He looked the woman straight in her eyes.
"I'll make you a deal. I'll give you the kid if you can get out of here in five minutes? Sounds fair?"
"But there are so many people running around trying to get out too." She said in full blown tears. Her shoulders shook violently and her lips quivered as she stared at her child, that was in the arms of a mad man. Slade looked around noticing all the people. He looked back down at the child as he began to stir.
"Today is your lucky day, " Slade handed her the child. "I'm feeling benevolent. Take your child and get out of here." The woman stood there holding the boy staring at Slade. He rolled his eyes as he drawled, "Now would be a good time to leave."
"Thank you." She said running away with her son in tow. He shook his head as walked through some doors. He saw some guards holding guns in front of a metal door. Slade walked in a slow pace as he advanced on the men. Their faces held contempt and fear as they stood their ground.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Slade said looking at the men. "Look, I'm in a good mood so I'll make you a deal," as he spoke his army of Slade bots taking their places behind him, all of them ready for battle. "If you move out of the way and let me take the Parallax Apparatus out of here, I won't harm any of you. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"
The men pointed their guns in his direction. Make a slow advance toward Slade and his mini army.
"I guess that answers my question. Drones attack!" The battle had begun. The men put up a valiant effort, but to no avail they were brutally beaten. As the battle continued Slade walked through the doors the men were guarding. Slade looked around the room and in the middle of the floor stood a podium. On the podium sat a device that looked like a movie projector. "Parallax Apparatus." Slade stated as he walked closer to it. He gently lifted the glass case off of it placing it on the floor. He picked the device up inspecting it. Suddenly his hands were incased in black, and the device was snatched from his grasp. "I was beginning to wonder what was taking you so long titans." Slade turned to see them standing in the doorway.
"You won't make it out of here with that Slade so give it up!" Robin said glaring at their arch nemesis.
"Such empty threats Robin."
"It wasn't a threat." Robin growled. "Titans Go!" Terra pulled up a chunk of the floor jumping on it flying toward Slade. He jumped in the air landing a roundhouse kick to her stomach. She hit the ground with a thud. Beast Boy ran over to check on her.
Starfire fired star bolts at Slade from the air. He dodged them gracefully then took on the enraged Beast Boy as a gorilla.
Beast Boy swung wildly at the nimble villain, who danced away from each punch. Cyborg snuck up behind Slade to fire a blast at him. Slade glanced over his shoulder just in time to jump out of the way allowing Beast Boy to take the blast instead. Beast Boy was flung across the room landing against a wall.
While Cyborg stood stunned Slade used the opportunity to disable the half mechanical man. Slade placed a strip on Cyborg's chest then pressed a button on his wrist. Sparks flew everywhere as Cyborg temporarily shut-down.
"Cyborg!" Starfire screamed as she flew at Slade with hate in her eyes. Slade waited till she was close enough then flipped over her allowing her to fly into a wall face first knocking herself out.
"Slade!" Robin shouted as he threw wild punches at Slade. The assailant at first blocked the blows then quickly went on the offensive. Robin barely had time to dodge his powerful calculated blows. Slade punched Robin in the stomach so hard he gagged then grabbed his cape flinging him across the room. Slade walked over to Robin and prepared to stomp on him. Raven flew up above with her eyes closed she spoke her enchanted words.
"Azarth Metrion Zinthos!" Slade's shoulders and torso was encased in black as he was snatched into the air, there he dangled. Robin looked at Slade then back at Raven. His face pulled into a scowl.
"Why did you do that!" Robin yelled at her. "I had him! I didn't need your help!" Raven looked at Slade then at the ground her arms outstretched in front of her. Raven floated back down to the ground and over to Robin who struggled to his feet. She tried to help him to his feet with one hand still pointed at Slade, but he snatched away his pride hurt he looked at Raven then back at Slade.
"You need to chill, dude!" Beast Boy said coming to Raven's defense. Terra hobbled over to them
"Yeah lay off of her."
"Having bit of a spell there Robin?" Slade spoke humor evident in his smooth voice.
"Shut-up Slade!" Robin said walking over to their enemy. Slade chuckled at the out of control young man. "What is so funny Slade?" Robin said attempting to calm himself.
"You! You are funny Robin." He looked over Robin's shoulder at Raven. "The pretty bird that you are trying to protect. Is the very one you are hurting." Slade pointed his head in Raven's direction. Robin turned to see Raven whose eyes were brimming with tears. "I don't remember doing that, it was all you."
"Raven I'm so-"
"Save it! We have a job to do." Raven's voice held an edge to as she spoke the words.
"Guys there's something wrong with Cy!" Terra called to them. "He's not moving!" The Boy wonder whipped around to face Slade.
"What did you do to him?"
"Oh that? I just shut him down for 5 minutes." Robin looked back at Cyborg. "He'll be up an at 'em in about 4 and a half minutes."
"Where's is Star?" Raven asked after not noticing her. All of the titan's heads were turned away from Slade. He took the opportunity to call in more of his drones. He wiggled to push a button on his belt. The titan's all looked around when they heard a beeping sound coming from Slade.
"What did you do Slade?" Raven asked
"Nothing. Pretty bird." There was a crash and the room was filled with Slade bots. "Okay I lied. I called in reinforcements. Drones get the Parallax Apparatus!"
"Over my dead body!" Robin screeched as he attacked the drones. The others began to fight the drones as Raven stood in front of the dangling Slade with her arms stretched out in front of her.
"So its just you and I?" Slade spoke to Raven. She remained silent as she concentrated on keeping him in the air. "Have you thought more on my offer? Join me, Raven. You will never want for anything. I'll give you the world if you ask me nicely."
"I don't want the world, Slade. I want. . .you wouldn't understand what I really want. So just drop it."
"I know I want you. To join me that is, Raven. I'll do whatever it takes. And I'm sure you already know I don't give up until I get what I want."
They both looked to see Beast Boy running past them chasing a drone that was carrying the Parallax Apparatus.
Slade yet again to seized the opportunity of lapsed carelessness to distract Raven. He threw a smoke bomb in her direction out of his pouch. She dropped Slade as coughed and gagged on the smoke falling to her knees she grabbed her throat and chest trying to breathe.
Robin looked over seeing Raven covered in smoke started fighting to get to her. He knocked a Slade bot's head clean off of its shoulders. "Hold on Raven I'm coming." He thought as he fought through another onslaught of robots.
Starfire began to regain consciousness. She grabbed the back of her neck as the events began to come back to her. Looking around she noticed Beast Boy was chasing a Slade bot. She looked in the other direction seeing smoke surrounding Raven. Slade was standing behind Raven, but then started walking to her. She struggled to get to her feet so that she could help her friend, but saw Cyborg frozen in place.
"Cyborg?" She flew over to him. "What is wrong with you?" She asked as she tried to force him to move.
Beast boy turned into a gorilla and tackled the drone to the ground. The device slid across the floor hitting the wall by Starfire and Cyborg. The Parallax Apparatus turned on as it struck the wall with force. The lense of the device opened and a funnel swirled out of it and it began to sucking everything in. Starfire grabbed Cyborg so that he would not be pulled in, but the force of the winds were so strong they both were pulled in. Starfire screamed as she and Cyborg were pulled in.
"Star!" Terra shouted trying to get to her. Raven was next to be pulled. The smoke was being pulled into the vortex right along with Raven. Slade ran to her trying to stop her from being sucked in. He took a hold of her hands.
"Raven!" Robin ran full speed to Slade and Raven. She looked into Slade's eye her own eyes held much fear. Robin shot a bird grappling hook on the ceiling swinging over toward the two.
Beast Boy turned into an octopus holding on to the floor with his suction arms then grabbing hold of the device trying to cut it off before anyone else was sucked into it.
Slade began losing his footing, and he and Raven screamed as they were sucked into the vortex.
"Robin!" Raven yelled as she was pulled into the funnel. Just as Raven and Slade were sucked in Beast Boy cut the Parallax Apparatus off. Robin landed in the spot Raven just was.
"Raven? Raven! No!"