Immediately, the titans all rush into the main room to respond to the call. While the others all rush out, Cyborg stops in the doorway to see a reluctant Apollo still standing in place, "Aren't you coming?" he asked.
Apollo stared at him for a moment, then- as if waking from a dream- she repeatedly blinked her eyes, and responded, "Oh, yeah" before running out of the door. As she passed, Cyborg stared at the mysterious- and seemingly nervous girl- suspiciously wondering what her issue was. Once everyone had entered the main room, Raven activated the communication system on the main screen to see what had caused the disturbance. After a few brief seconds of static, the screen cleared to reveal none other than Slade staring into the tower.
"Good morning titans," said the psychopath calmly. As the team continued to stare at their arch nemesis, Apollo could only look on in fear at her tormentor.
"No," she whispered to herself as his menacing stare continued to pierce the main screen. Seeing her distress, Robin protectively stepped in front of Apollo- attempting to shield her from view.
"I take it you all had a good night's sleep- considering that you're all up so early…" Slade continued.
"Not really," moaned Beast Boy, lazily rubbing his eye. "We all had a rude awakening when Ap-OW!" he yelled as Raven jabbed him in the stomach- preventing him from revealing their guest.
"Hello Robin," said Slade coldly. "It's nice to see that the two of you haven't lost touch…"
"What are you talking about?" growled Robin, his hand pushing Apollo further out of view.
"No need to play coy, I know you're hiding Apollo. My trackers traced her to this location before being deactivated; there's no point in hiding, I know she's there."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Robin continued to lie. "Apollo isn't-" he was suddenly cut off as the allegedly absent Apollo pushed past him.
"Robin, it's okay," she said softly, looking at him as she walked forward. Once out of her friends' shield she looked up to the screen angrily. "What do you want?" she said, her voice low and stern- clearly demanding a response.
"Why do ask questions to which you already know the answers?" riddled Slade. "You disappear without a word; you don't call, you don't write. I like to keep a close eye on my prized possessions…"
"Save it!" she yelled angrily. "I'm not some kind of weapon! And I'm NOT coming back!" as she continued to yell, Cyborg noticed tears running down her face.
"Come now my dear," said Slade in his own dark, but sickly caring voice. "You can't possibly think you'll be able to stay there, as a Teen Titan," he scoffed. "I'd like to have a word with you…" As he continued to mentally beat the poor girl, Robin quickly stepped in to defend his friend.
"She's not going anywhere," Robin growled as he began to yell at Slade- as if he were still the one Slade wanted. The two enemies began to argue until Slade interrupted. "If you'll excuse us titans," he wickedly instructed. "I'd like to speak to Apollo alone- Father to daughter…"
Immediately, the entire room became silent as Robin and the others all stared at their friend in disbelief. On the large screen Slade continued to look down on the distraught girl- a demonic twinkle in his eye. While the others all remained frozen- their mouths wide open in shock, Robin could only walk toward Apollo, and stare. Though his face continued to struggle in its attempt to hide any emotion, Apollo looked into his eyes, behind the mask, reading his obvious expression- 'What?' Ashamed, Apollo lowered her head and whispered, "I told you… if you knew…" Even with tears welling in her eyes, she passed her friend and bravely faced her father.
"That's my girl," chuckled Slade demonically as the teen obediently stood in his view. "Come, it's time you returned to the… 'Family business" he continued to taunt the girl relentlessly until her body stiffened and she spoke out.
"Shut up," she mumbled angrily. The titans all looked up at the screen as the look in Slade's eye went from one of accomplishment to disgusted confusion.
"Excuse me?" he said; Apollo didn't answer. "Excuse me, young lady?" he repeated, this time sounding shocked.
"I said, 'shut UP'!" Apollo snapped back. "I'm not going anywhere; and definitely not with you!" the two began to yell and argue- like a real father and daughter, until Slade angrily yelled over his brat.
"Fine! Maybe you won't return now, but this won't last" he said looking out at the titans and then back at Apollo. "Enjoy your rebellion now, but remember… you can't escape who you are…" there was a chilling silence after the remark, and then Slade Spoke again. "Good-bye titans; take care of the little darling for me..." and with that, he was gone. Even after Slade's dismissal, the tower remained silent as the titans continued to process what they had just heard. Finally Beast Boy broke the silence:
"Dude! Slade is your FATHER!" though she heard the statement, Apollo refused to answer. She continued to stand in silence, until finally breaking down and dropping to the floor in grief. As she continued to cry in silence- attempting to hide her rage and despair from the shocked eyes that surrounded her- Robin could do nothing but stare at Apollo: his friend, the apprentice, the child- the daughter!- of his arch enemy! As he continued to watch in denial his expression remained set in stone, but his eyes continued to look out at the distressed girl; continuing to ask the same pressing question: 'What?'
*Wow, I'll bet some of you didn't see that coming huh? All this time, Slade had a child (other Ravager I, Ravager IV, and Jericho; remember, Apollo's an OC) and of all things- it's a girl! Holy Suga Honey Iced Tea! Now that everyone knows, how will this –continue to- affect Apollo? How will it affect the titans, and most importantly, how will this affect Robin! Will this kill his friendship with Apollo? Keep reading to find out! And as usual, please review. =)