Author: Here is the second fight's review from Robin's memory when Sari and Ruba were talking on the side and Slade, Robin, Starfire and Sladebots fought. You also get to learn a bit more on Sari, his background and on Ruba. You also get to meet a special character who won't be fully introduced until the end of chapter 6 and further into chapter 7. I'll go ahead and tell you her "nickname" is San. Anyway! Enjoy. :3
Disclaimer: I only own Sari (Barrett), Ruba (Cecilia), Silvy (Roger) and San. DC Comics is totally not mine lol.
The whole scene had been like a mirage, almost like an illusion. They had been out searching for Ruba, who had been gone for several hours, only to find her with Slade.. with her hand outstretched, as if to take the villain's into her own. What a scene that had been to arrive on.
[Flashback]
Star had yelled the girl's name, drawing the pair's attention to the trio.
He'd come along with Starfire and Sari, both of which had been concerned about Ruba and rightly so.
He drew out his Bo-staff, spinning it to adjust to it's weight and length once more as he commonly did. It wasn't like he used it every single day.
He had felt something akin to frustration and speechlessness burrow into his chest, but his voice was strong when he called out, an almost biting edge to his words.
"Ruba!? What are you doing? That man is dangerous! Get away from him!" He noticed Sari stiffening beside him, a slight glare to the male's ocean eyes.
He could feel calmness flowing from the male and yet his clenched teeth and hands told of his hidden anger. Slade was looking back to Ruba, his mask glinting in the falling sunlight.
What was she doing here, with Slade? Chatting with the man? Had he attacked her? Manipulating her like he had Terra?
Slade had turned his head, acknowledging the Titans and the energy wielder, a slight laugh in his voice, "The only dangerous one here is you." A slight pause. "I mean her no harm."
That was utter crap the man was spouting. He was evil, a vile and cruel man who tried to bend others to his will.
Ruba had started to step away, almost like she was heeding his delivered warning, but reluctantly. This baffled him. She should be running away, not standing so close to the man! What was going on?
"That's bull! You're a manipulator! You're warping her mind, filling it with lies like you did Terra." The thought of the rock shifter brought an ache to his chest, even though anger filled his words. He twirled the staff once more before aiming an end at the villain, preparing himself for combat if he needed to fight.
He heard Starfire plea to the girl, warning her as well and yet she didn't move further, simply stood there, face pale, green eyes wide.
"Listen to Star. That man is extremely dangerous. You'll get hurt if you don't get away." Sari's calm voice drawled, trying to find neutral grounds with his friend.
The girl only narrowed those forest gemstones in turn, a glazed look to them as if deep in thought. What she did both confused and shocked him. She grabbed her head and began to shake, her mouth open like she was trying to scream and yet couldn't.
Was Slade controlling her somehow?! That did it.
"He's doing something to her!" With that said Robin threw himself forward, feet pounding against the ground as he ran. He crouched mid-step and jumped, bringing his staff down onto Slade's own, which he had pulled out when he saw the Titan move toward him.
The two began to clash staffs, metal ringing on metal as the man blocked each of his swings, his arms pushing for leverage, feet dancing to avoid sweeps. He jabbed when he saw an opening, but Slade moved as if a step ahead, bringing it around to block it.
Sladebots materialized from the shadows around and Star blasted a few of them, covering his back, so to speak. She flew, limbs and eyes glowing like she was possessed and yet completely in control. She threw starbolt after starbolt before unleashing a beam onto a group rushing toward Robin's right.
Slade had jumped back, giving Robin the chance to catch his breath. Slade was fast, hard to keep up with. He seemed as if he was holding back and wasn't even trying to gain a hit on the teen, which infuriated Robin.
They left Sari to handle Ruba, who looked as if she had been in pain.
He had spared a glance over and had seen the pair had several feet between them; she had pushed him back prior and he had missed that.
The two talked, Ruba bringing out her bloody energy, which slithered about her frame like dozens of snakes.
He re-directed his attention to Slade and the man was chuckling loudly, but it almost sounded soft due to the blasts and robots scattered to the side.
"Robin, Robin.. you are so foolish, so blinded by your anger that you cannot see clearly. You are outnumbered."
Robin gripped his staff, growling, "Slade, no matter how many robots you have we will always prevail."
"Who says I'm not letting you win this little battle?"
This brought a frown to Robin's lips. Wait.. what? "What the heck.. do you mean?"
"I didn't start this one, it's all on you." He lifted his arms, staff clutched in his right hand. "Do you really think I came here to get into a fight with you? I have better things to do with my time."
Robin narrowed his masked eyes. Then why was he here in the first place? Robin didn't understand.
"Why attack our tower? Why are you here? What do you want?" Robin demanded and the two began to side-step, circling the other like they were dogs.
"There was a file in your system I wanted so I took it. As to why I'm here.." He trailed off.
"Explain yourself. Why. Are. You. Here. Are you controlling her?" He questioned, gesturing his staff toward Ruba, who was having an argument with Sari from the looks of it. Sari was holding his face, shaking his head.
Slade tilted his masked face, eye shifting to narrow. "No. I'm not." He skirted the first question again, obviously feeling not inclined to answer it.. well, Robin would make him-
A blast almost hit him as a robot crumpled at his side. He turned to spare Starfire a glance, noticing how she was being fired upon but she had constructed some kind of green wall before she roared, throwing out a beam to burn through several robots. A blast shot her leg and then another struck her chest, causing her to fall. She cried out in pain, gaining the attention of both Ruba and Sari, who were still in that heated argument.
"Starfire!" Robin called, rushing over to her. She was trying to stand and yet she couldn't, merely collapsed again. Robin faced the robots as they began to fire shots at him and he blocked as many as he could with his staff, taking several shots to his limbs and yet stayed up, protecting her.
Sari darted over, scooping up Starfire before moving like a track runner back toward the city. The robots held up their guns, no longer firing, and Slade watched with his staff lowered. Robin turned and followed silently after a look toward Ruba.
From what he could gather things hadn't gone so great.. he could sense the pain and anger washing over Sari, who ran ahead of him with the now unconscious Starfire.
[End]
Robin rubbed his face.
Cyborg and Raven were tending to Starfire and Beast Boy was out getting the supplies for them. Sari hadn't talked even when they got back, just sunk down onto the couch and stared out into the darkening city.
He held this.. blank look to his face and his blue orbs held burning sadness and his slightly tense jaw told of the anger.
Robin desperately wanted to know why they had left Ruba behind, but he respected the man's space; he'd talk when he was ready.
He stood before the fridge, bending to rummage about for something to make. He saw all the ingredients he needed to make a sandwich so he peered over his shoulder at Sari and asked aloud, "Sari, you want something to eat?"
The man turned his head to the side, not quite looking but making it known he'd heard him. He nodded slowly before returning to staring out the glass windows.
He made two sandwiches; ham and cheese, ketchup, sliced pickles and white bread. He grabbed the plates he set them on and walked over to sit beside Sari, offering him his.
"Thanks.." Sari said softly, placing the dish down onto his lap and lifting the creation to take a bite of. He paused when he bit into it and smiled sadly before continuing.
They ate in silence until they both finished their food and Robin carried the dishes to the kitchen area.
Just as the Titan was setting them into the sink he froze as he heard Sari speak again.
"For the longest time I was a vile child." The male began, sighing. Robin looked up at him, masked eyes furrowing. "I hated my mother and the abuse she delivered to me was horrible for a child to go through. I mimicked her, showing that cruelty. By the time I was nine I could win fights with the kids my age." He popped a half smirk as Robin trailed over to take a seat, listening silently.
"My mother died half a year later and I was shuffled into the foster system until I was ten.. then my real dad found me and took me in. I lived with him and my sister. They corrected me and through them I found love.. and more pain. A cruel man came into town one day.. a puppet master.. and he forced kids to kill their family so he could pick them up and trade them as slaves in the black market."
Sari stared down at his hands, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees. "I was 14, barely old enough to have recovered from the instability I was in for the better half of my life. The puppet master picked me and manipulated my body. I was forced to kill my father and sister.. and I couldn't stop it, it was against my will completely. There was so much blood that it coated the floor like snow. I remembered crying. It was the first time I had no control. Like anyone would I blamed myself, closed off. I was given to a scientist as a gift. The man rambled on about some sort of special gene. Rubbish to me. I was.. injected with this chemical and through it I gained my powers. Ruba was also there. She was like me.. 'special'. One of eight."
He rubbed his face, pausing to study Robin, who hadn't said anything. It was obviously meant to let him continue so he did.
"This boy.. Ody.. he killed the scientist and we all scattered into the wind. Ruba clung to me. She was alone, her family gone somewhere. She had nobody. So I let her stay by my side.. and she became like a sister to me. I was so protective of her, but could you blame me? She reminded me of my dead sister; stubborn, reckless, a bit crazy, but lovable, smart and gentle." He clasped his hands, blankly looking at the darkened sky.
"Four years we stayed together. Four years we moved about. Four years I got to know her.. she was a mess." He smiled softly at his memory of her. "She couldn't control her energy when she used it, couldn't touch anyone or be touched by anybody aside from a few.. and her attitude.. it was poor. I taught her so much and together we began to grow up. I became the backbone and she the voice of reason.. man, her intelligence shot through the roof. That girl was smart- she is very clever and sharp as a tact.. but also gullible and easy to hurt."
"Why are you.. telling me all of this? Isn't it personal?" Robin whispered, voice a ghost almost.
Sari chuckled dryly. "So you'll understand better. Ruba's not a bad person.. she's just too trusting and tends to react strongly to things. It's easy to get into that head of hers and jumble her around like dice in a box."
The white haired male smiled, but it wasn't happy.
"She hid behind a mask.. using positive things to keep her going.. but it just made things worse. She began to bottle and that in turn slowly sealed her off. That mess she used to be.. yeah, she's like a nightmare now. The chaos left behind by a tsunami. That's what it's like."
He snorted and Robin examined his face carefully.
"While you were fighting Slade.. I talked to her, tried to figure out why she was there, face to face with him, what hold he had over her. She's been acting strange."
He moved to stand, starting to pace. Robin merely remained seated, watchful eyes following the agitated male.
"She started saying things like she was treated bad, like a disease and that nobody cared. Even when I tried to reason with her she insisted there was no trust and that we feared her.. that wasn't true. Claimed I hated her after bending my words." He shook his head furiously. "I told her she's like a sister to me because she reminds me of my dead sibling and we'd known each other for several years... then she turned a smile right after Star got hurt, saying we should retreat.. I relented reluctantly, but my parting words were bitter- I was so angry and upset it was taking all of my thinning will to remain calm. You'll regret this, I said, you'll find out the hard way.. and then we left."
He walked over to the window, placing a hand onto the glass.
"I've never been so angry before, it was like I was on fire.. I couldn't think, couldn't speak.. Slade had gotten into her head and turned her against me.. and whatever he said to her has her wound up.. She's becoming aggressive.."
"We have to get her back.. otherwise she WILL become like Terra had been. We have to show her we trust her.. and hope that she will come back, break away from that man before he damages her and feeds her more lies." Robin said, rising to stand, fists clenched. Sari glanced over his shoulder to the male, eyes downcast.
"We have to save Ruba.. before it's too late."
Robin smiled. "If there's one thing I've learned.. it's never too late."
Elsewhere a lone figure stood beside a street lamp, features concealed beneath the overhead glow of the light. The person was wearing a cloak, hood drawn up and over the head, hiding any defining feature that could tell what it was. Even the body type was hidden below the brown material.
A hand was lifted.. and gently placed onto the pole beside the short frame, wrapping around the metal. Suddenly stark white energy flared into life, slithering up the pole like electricity and snapped into the light, glass falling to the street below as it exploded, darkness once more covering the area.
A smile flashed in the darkness and a feminine giggle echoed softly.
A low female voice followed, "Ohh, Roger.. Where are youuuu?"
All of this had transpired four days before (aside from the female's arrival which was only two days prior). As of current the Titans were working hard to track Slade, Ruba, any type of leads, but it was like the pair had dropped off the map. Sari spent long nights and early mornings out roaming about, following his instincts and whatever lead he had at the time, which were few. They were lost.. just as Robin had been the first time he'd encountered Slade. The man was like a ghost. You'd only see him if he wanted you to.. and only then would you even be anywhere. Otherwise you were just shooting in the dark, as they say.
Sari had a sandwich lodged into his mouth, holding it in place as he pulled on a pair of designer grey jeans and a spare white t-shirt he had since the rest of his shirts were being cleaned currently. He munched on the sandwich as he tugged on his steel-toed boots and buckled a belt into place at his waist. Once he was dressed he walked out of his room, finishing his sandwich as he passed Raven in the hallway.
"Hey, Raven, good morning." He said in greeting.
The dark styled female paused mid-step to study him before nodding. "Morning." She then continued on.
He headed to the living room area and found Cy and BB battling it out furiously on a video game, speakers blaring the roaring engines and their voices filled the air as they argued back and forth.
He grimaced and then chuckled as the door closed behind him. Today was the fourth day since that fight.. since he had to walk away from Ruba.. from that vicious smile she'd displayed and the defeat tossed at him like a cup. It hurt.. more than it probably should have, but he remained calm.. he had to.. otherwise he'd go crazy with worry.
What was Slade doing to her? Hurting her? Twisting her mind further, cracking it.. making her submit to him?
Pin-needles crawled up his back and he held in a shiver.
The doors opened and in walked Robin, a yawn echoing from those lips of his. The pair had been out the night before, searching a hopefully fruitful lead that they'd left for last but it turned out to be a dud and they'd wasted the night on it, having been on the other side of the city. They had been tired, Robin more than him. Sari was used to sleeping little and getting up early.
"Morning, Robin." He said.
Robin gave a tired smile and half-waved. "Morning."
Starfire floated in sometime later and they made breakfast. It was actually quite funny to see Cyborg and Beast Boy fighting over what to make. Raven suggested something simple like bacon and eggs or pancakes.. and Beast Boy had cringed, yelling that first option was 'totally not cool' and the pancakes only if 'they had soy milk in them', to which Cyborg replied with 'no one wants to eat soy pancakes!'. It brought a small smile to his face watching the exchange before he drifted off to go train in the gym alone. He wasn't hungry.. but he needed to keep himself in shape.
He vented on punching bags, floor mats and weights, working out his frustration and tangled emotions.