Epilogue- The Mastermind

Red X slipped through the tunnels beneath Jump City like a silent shadow, guided by the directions his new employer had instructed him to follow if he wanted to claim his payment. The sword of General Immortus was slung over his back. Finally, X came to a place where the tunnel was blocked off by a pair of massive steel doors. The thief strode up to them confidently and looked up at the security camera that hung from the ceiling.

"I'm here with a package for the boss," he said. "Let me in." The camera whirred slightly, and then the doors slid silently open. X strode inside.

He found himself in an immense chamber that was filled with some sort of vast, incomprehensible machine, parts of which were continuously slamming, churning, or steaming. X didn't know what the machine did- he didn't particularly care. He activated the low-light scanners in his mask and began searching the room for his employer.

A viewscreen on one wall caught his attention. Stepping forward, he saw that it was a live news feed showing General Immortus's stronghold, now swarming with mostly American troops. "In light of recent events," the anchor was saying, "the United States government today issued a formal apology to the superhero team known as the Teen Titans, and-"

The screen went dark. Red X spun and saw a figure standing in the shadows of the great machine. Where he stood, the darkness was so thick that even X's night-vision couldn't make out much more than a tall, powerfully built silhouette. He held what looked like a remote control in one hand.

"I take it you're the boss around here?" X asked.

"That's right," the figure said, his flat and toneless voice the same that had spoken from the communicator. "I believe you have something for me."

"Right here." X slung Immortus's sword from over his shoulder and tossed it towards the shadowy figure, who caught it effortlessly. "The old man's dead, and his operation's wrecked- as per your instructions."

"Oh, I doubt he's dead," the figure said. "Even I do not understand the processes which keep him alive- it may well be that he will be able to regenerate from the damage you did to him, given time. But that is beside the point. The General's operations are crippled- they can no longer interfere with my plans."

"So that's why you wanted him taken out," X said. "You thought he was a threat to whatever it is you're planning."

"Precisely. General Immortus was a relic from a past age- personally I prefer to look towards the future. It was inevitable that we would come into conflict. Thanks to you, that is no longer a problem."

"I'm happy for you," Red X said impatiently. "Now, I believe I was promised a rather large sum of cash?"

"So you were." A briefcase came sliding out of the darkness, coming to a stop at X's feet. The thief picked it up and opened it- and there were row after row of crisp green bills. He activated another scanner in his mask and ran over them with it, then smiled. Genuine.

"Well, then," he said, "thanks for the money, but I have to be going." X turned to walk away.

"Not so fast, young man." The shadow's voice went colder than an Alaskan blizzard. X watched as he stepped out of the darkness, and he looked for the first time in the flesh on a figure anyone who'd paid the slightest attention to the Jump City papers over the last few years would recognize. Grey combat armor; a mask blank except for the fact that it was black on one side and copper on the other; a single, merciless eye.

"Slade," X said nonchalantly. "I guess I am in the big leagues now."

"I am offering you a permanent position, Red X," the masked mastermind said. "It has become common knowledge in certain circles that I desire an apprentice to act as my agent in the city above- and to inherit my empire when I am gone. I offer that honor to you."

"Sorry," X replied, "But I'm a free agent. I'll do jobs so long as I get paid, but working for someone else permanently? Not my style."

"It wasn't a request." Slade stepped back into the shadows and six of his unmistakable combat robots emerged from the corners of the great machine, weapons at the ready. "I'd hoped we could work together, but it seems that is not to be. Good-bye, Red X."

X chuckled bitterly as the robots gathered around him in a tight circle, then sprang into action. Leaping above the mechanical warriors' heads before they had a chance to fire, he pulled out several throwing x's and hurled them with unmistakable accuracy. Robot after robot fell, the weapons lodged in their processors.

X turned back to where Slade waited in the darkness. "You want to hire me again? You know where to find me. But I'm nobody's servant." Then he turned and vanished down the tunnel from which he had come.

In the room behind, Slade looked down at the remains of his robots with an inscrutable expression. This test had just proven what he had always suspected- Red X was a phenomenally skilled warrior, but valued his independence to much to permanently ally with any power. Still, Slade would find a way to make use of him. He always did.

"Trust me, Red X," he whispered, "I'll be in touch."