Hello again, i felt bad for not updating sooner so here is another chapter. Leave a review if you like or if you have ideas about the story so far I would love to hear from you! Thanks soooo much! nekotenshi-hime :) :) :)
Chapter 21: A Missing Puppet
The next morning found Kiara and, surprise of surprises, Robin in the kitchen together making breakfast. Robin was in a good mood. In fact this was the best mood he had been in since he learned of his friend's deaths. He even entertained her with stories of the chaos and hassle breakfast would be back with his friends. For Kiara this was an absolute delight! She never would have believed that he would ever open up to her like this- retelling stories of his time with the Titans as if he was talking to an old friend. Slade came into the kitchen also feeling refreshed as well as shocked to see his apprentices not killing each other. He swore he could have heard laughing just now?
"If I may ask what is so funny," Slade said with no attempt to hide his curiosity. Kiara giggled as Robin answered, "She thinks Beast boy and Cyborg in a never ending battle for 'master chef' of Titans Tower is hilarious. I know Raven liked it but she never would have admitted it. Star just wanted to know what the big fuss was all about. I was not sure what you liked so I asked Kiara to help me. Just so you know this was supposed to be a surprise so can you please vacate the kitchen Master?"
Slade permitted him-self a low whistle and a disbelieving chuckle. "I need to speak with Wintergreen about something. I trust you both to not burn the Haunt down?" This time Robin and Kiara chuckled. Slade exited the room dumbfounded. How in the world had he made such a complete 360 degree turn and to the apparent 'dark side' no doubt as his former friends would call this unexpected shift in personality? Wintergreen met him halfway to the main computer room where Slade wished to instruct his students on the fine art of 'hacking-into-computers-but-never-get-caught' trick. Slade stared at his old friend for a few moments before asking, "How did this happen?"
"Is this not what you wanted sir? For the boy's complete surrender and ultimate trust in you this is what you wanted, someone to follow in your footsteps. You choose the Boy Wonder but gained an invaluable precious gem in the meantime. I do hope you treasure your time with them because I have a feeling it will not last long."
Slade would have growled and told Wintergreen to mind his own business. That he had no reason to believe this bonding would not last. However a small part of him could not deny what he knew was coming. He knew at some point Robin would have to face those inner demons and so would he. In the meantime enjoy the moments in the present for now. Breakfast was served with bells on, because Kiara had literal tiny bells on her wrists and ankles, to make cute melodies as she served the food. Robin chuckled at her antics she reminded him so much of his girl…. Starfire he almost broke into tears. He did still have enough dignity to not cry in front of Slade again if he could help it at all.
Creams, fruit, hot waffles, milk and orange juice and bowls of cereal for the kids greeted the other men's eyes and they were quite impressed. The presentation was splendid it could have been made fresh from an IHOP restaurant with the attention to detail that Robin supplied. The subtle chit-chat that filled the dining room made everything seem so normal once again Robin had to fight back tears. Kiara sensed his regret, sorrow but also a growing determination to not let this affect him. After breakfast he even asked to train with Magnet as a form of apology for last night.
"Tell him not to worry sis," Magnet said. "But inform him if he does that again without a just reason I will tear his intestine from his body by pulling it up his throat and then hang him from them."
Kiara relayed the message without the intestine part which Magnet scoffed. "You my little sister, have no concept of the word intimidation do you? Do us a favor and do not hide the gory stuff. Besides considering who his old enemies are I would think he would be used to such threats by now. Now I want to see the extent of this 'apology' he wished to receive not that I will give it to him.'
"Magnet just said never again and she wanted to know how you were going to apologize to her? I do not think a simple 'I am sorry' will be sufficient."
Robin took another spoonful of the granola like cereal with the fresh blueberries in his mouth before swallowing and then speaking. "I was under the impression Master had a reward for you. I believe a sparring partner will be in order for this particular reward or gift. Am I correct in my thought Master?" Slade was taken aback by his casual use of the word 'master' as if he had been saying that all along for his entire life.
A brief image of a man in all black with his cape flung beside him like wings and the resulting pain of the near 4 hour battle that ensued made Slade cautious. The last thing he needed was for Robin to feel like he was either controlling him or disrespecting him or worst treating him in the exact same way Bruce did before Dick Grayson left hoping to get out of his famous former mentor's shadow once and for all.
He smiled at the thought of Dick calling him 'master' or better yet 'dad' as he seen Kiara on occasion begin to say but always refrained from speaking. He wondered why she did not say dad when he knew she wanted too. Was it out of respect to him or did she think it would lower her status in his eyes? Maybe she thought he did not want to be called that and preferred Master or Sensei to a simple 'dad' or 'father'.
Robin stared at him for a moment almost certain of his thoughts- why the sudden change and why now? Robin felt first he needed a new name to go with his new identity. Part of him almost wanted him and Slade to come up with it together, as a way to cement their new bond but he knew he had the perfect name.
However he would wait to reveal it until the right time. Now he wanted to get out of his boyish bright red-green-yellow outfit. It symbolized too many memories to be worn again. But it was so overwhelming that he wanted it burned or something. He would rather bury the suit and his mask as a sign of starting a new life than to have it burned or throw away. His 'brother' of sorts, Red X, liked the idea of a new identity. He needed something that was fresh, unique, and would shatter the good-boy image of his later days. It should be bold, flexible, and maybe pay a little respect to both men who brought him here, one he was beginning to respect, and the other who he felt a growing resentment, anger, and possible hatred towards.
It was before noon and Slade did not forget that right now everyone would be succumbing to the heat of 'cabin fever' soon. Now would be a great opportunity to test Robin's and even Kiara's faith in him. It was a risky move that could blow up in his face but he felt he needed to take the risk with the growing threat hanging over his head from a frightening individual in the shadows at the moment, but would be revealing him-self without much more of a delay. Kiara and Robin needed to be prepared for what horrors were coming.
He told them to go to the training room ready for a workout. Kiara began jumping for joy and Robin showed his excitement with a knowing smirk at his new teacher. If Master wanted him to hate his guts for pushing him to the near edge of human physical limits before allowing him to rest he would not cower from the challenge.
Robin responded, "I look forward to it. I suppose Kiara here is not the only one with an invisible sibling. My brother is itching for the challenge and who am I to judge or stand in his way? I did warn him afterwards he may want to kill you for it, but I have a feeling he will like it in the long run."
Thus the training session that was on par to Robin's quest to find the True Master and all the ensuing mental and physical battles began. Much to Robin's secret delight he had anticipated this training for quite some time. Magnet was starting to overcome her feelings of jealousy; as it was demanded of her at the moment. Sensei was not puling punches and he wanted to force them to cooperate with each other. Slade did not want his two apprentices to be in the infirmary for the next three months. When the torment, uh torture, the training was complete all they felt was how daunting and cruel their Sensei could be when he wanted to.
Slade told his students to rest for about an hour and then to find some casual attire. Kiara had no idea what that was. Robin smirked at the thought of seeing his arch nemesis in anything other than that armored suit. He wanted to be disgusted at the concept of enjoying any time he spent with this man but Robin could not help feeling giddy and excited if a little nervous.
The car they rode in was not over-the-top in any way. A simple black Ford F60 four-door pickup truck awaited the stunned teenagers outside the secret entrance to their elusive home. Kiara did not even know her Sensei had a car and the clothes were so unexpected all she could do was fidget. Robin was fidgeting as well but for a different reason. Despite the quiet surrender and his new respect for his teacher old terrors and constant questions of identity continued a relentless pursuit of his attention.
Slade had volunteered to drive to their destination much to Wintergreen's surprise. Kiara sat next to Robin in the backseat both twitching and squirming in their seats. "I do hope this will be a good experience for you both. I have been meaning to do this for a while but unfortunate that certain events kept coming up. I am glad that I will not have to delay this anymore. Are you excited or nervous?"
Kiara bounced in her seat, "Oh yes I am excited! I cannot wait to see the surprise. I must say you all look so uh what's the word? I think it is debonair and suave."
"I just wish I could get these voices in my head to shut up. I would take Red X's taunts and jibes right now than them. Are they that upset with me? This is my decision and I am not one to back down from a challenge. They should know this. I wish I could meditate just to quiet them down they refuse to let me sleep and it is driving me crazy."
Kiara was silent after hearing Robin's muttering even Wintergreen did not know what to say to that. Slade was distressed that he was experiencing so much psychological turmoil over staying here. He had looked forward to the day when Robin said, "I don't want to leave. I want to stay with you."
Rachel the police officer who sympathized with Terra tried to block out her brother's mumblings of anger and disappointment. She knew one thing that would get him this riled up and she had no intention of bringing it up. Waiting to cross the street she looked across at the cars making a right turn into the parking lot of Jump City's shooting range.
She stared at the black pickup truck squinting against the glare of the sun. Rachel could swear she knew at least one of the passengers inside in particular the girl with short pink curly hair. The boy also looked familiar, with the lean shoulders, muscular chest and legs he looked like a ninja sitting in the seat. Rachel noticed the similarities between the boy and the driver but she was certain she had never seen him before.
The Ford truck turned into the driveway of the shooting range and Rachel walked across the street. She was planning on distracting her brother Ramon with his favorite restaurant: Famous Dave's. Ramon did happen to look behind him to see the little girl who also could have passed for a ninja but he could not see her well. The older gentleman blocked both children from his view and he was forced to turn around.
The owner of the shooting range was Thomas P. Locke and he had owned the small shop for close to 30 years. The family business of selling antiques, guns, and providing a safe environment for families to learn more about the art of gun fare was something he was quite proud of. To see two old friends walk in with two new companions made his heart swell. Thomas' father who he was named after had dealt with these two individuals for a good 7 years before he died and Thomas had known them since he had first opened the shop. Thomas suspected some kind of military background for both of his best customers and oldest friends but he believed if it was important for him to know then he would.
The last thing he wanted to do was pry into other people's lives. Welcoming the newcomers with a cheerful grin put Kiara at ease but made Robin more anxious. Slade and Wintergreen walked up to the front counter to be greeted with a firm handshake and later quick hugs. Robin watched the exchange in wonder and fascination.
His Sensei was in a navy blue jacket with a dark green shirt and casual dark green pants. Wintergreen was not in his usual butler uniform and instead was wearing a button down beige shirt and brown pants with brown shoes. Kiara had her curly hair in a bun with bangs on the side of her face. Her blouse was covered in a sunset orange and light blue swirling pattern. In addition she wore a violet knee-length skirt and heels.
Robin had a short sleeved black shirt with dark orange jeans. He wondered whose idea was it to dress Kiara in orange, blue and violet and him in black and orange. Was this a fashion statement or just luck? Robin made a mental note that both of their outfits seemed to match. The more pressing question was why were they here in a shooting range of all places?
"Wintergreen, you mind showing Kiara into the last room on the right? I believe she will be most pleased with the particular selection there. I would like to spend some quality time with my nephew." Wintergreen smiled and escorted her to the room while Kiara bounced with delight. Robin noticed his hands were trembling but whether it was nerves, disbelief, or even anger he could not tell. On the other hand he had to admit Slade did look almost handsome in that suit of his. He looked more like a business man than a criminal master mind.
Slade had no intention of rushing the boy. He wanted to enjoy this time off from work and training. He wanted this to be a day off, a reward for all their hard work and he wanted to convince them to come back. He missed talking to Thomas and he looked forward to catching up. Slade could sense Robin's growing anxiety about why he was here, so Slade decided the best way to deal with this was distraction.
"When you woke up this morning I am certain this is the last place you ever expected to be in particular with me. I want to take you on a tour of the different areas and the different fire arms. We don't have to practice today. I just wanted you to get a feel for the place. I have had quite a few good memories here and I look forward to sharing more with you."
Seeing Slade's face meant a world of difference to Robin. It helped to alleviate some of the mystery surrounding this man. If anything this outing confirmed a question he had been asking himself since the day he met Slade, was there a man underneath the armor? The answer depends on your definition of man.
One more thing, he had never seen him so patient about a topic that did not seem to involve some over-complicated elaborate plan. Slade seemed to enjoy being here; he was smiling more, trying to joke, and explain how each fire arm worked. The biggest shock was not once did Slade convince him to shoot a gun.
Robin just stared at the assortment of hand guns in front of him. He remembered these weapons in the hands of numerous criminals he had disarmed. If Bruce could see him now he probably would never believe it. Then again if there was one person Robin knew better than anyone it was Bruce. Bruce would stroll into the building an unassuming smile on his face. He would say "hello" and "how are you"- asking general questions to start conversations. But Robin would know why he was talking so casually to give him an excuse to observe and make mental notes.
"I know him too well. Seeing me in here with you, no mask, casual clothes, and not interrogating or pursuing some wacko from robbing the place- he'd have to think I was either crazy or brainwashed. Stupid, uncaring, emotionless, never-lets-anyone-in, serious, disciplined caped crusader of a Dark Knight…"
"Robin who are you talking to?" Slade asked placing his duck hunting rifle down. Robin just chuckled and fiddled with his shirt. Slade smiled seeing the normally confident boy fidget with his shirt. X, Robin's mental alter ego, paced back and forth in his mind questioning him over and over again. X just wanted to know why "bird wonder" as he called Robin; refused to lighten up and enjoy this time off.
"Who cares if it has been over two or three, or possibly more months since I saw my dead friends? Who cares if I have been living for that long with a psychopath? A man I swore I would never go back to if my life depended on it? You got a better answer please share… Oh yes, I want the evil Slade to know I appreciate him, that I'm grateful he gave me a place to stay, and that I think of Kiara as a little sister… Anything else you want me to blab to our new Sensei?"
Slade laughed soft enough for Robin to hear while he voiced this outspoken rant. Slade did not expect Robin to accept him overnight. He expected this type of bonding to take years and years. Thinking back on a late night conversation he had with Wintergreen; he decided to try a different approach. Maybe if I show Robin I am a human instead of an unfeeling monster he can see trusting me is not the end of the world. Noticing Robin's intense glare at the paper cut out of a person for the people to shoot at; he got a sly grin on his face.
He picked up a silver revolver, aimed at the right shoulder, and fires. The resulting bang jolts Robin out of his monologue argument and back to the present. Slade placed that revolver on the table, picked up another and shoots again. This time he aimed for the left elbow. Slade picked up different hand guns and one sniper until Robin covered his mouth to stop the wave of nausea. Robin felt he would go crazy if he heard one more shot. So when Slade reached for the first gun again a wave of panic overtook him.
Without thinking Robin yanked the hand gun away, took one deep breath, and with X cheering for him in the background Robin unloads. He does not stop until the gun clicks four times and no more shots are heard. As his arms trembled from the built up pressure, Ramon and his sister Rachel walk up behind them. Slade placed his hand on his left shoulder and rubbed his back with his other hand.
Rachel was about to give a casual greeting when Ramon growls under his breath and lunges for Robin's arm. Slade grips Ramon's outstretched arm ready to twist it or better yet pull it out of its socket, but a single dad with a daughter and son walking toward the door stops him. The kids' faces are glowing with excitement and energy.
The dad had to tug on his daughter's green sleeve to get away from the display case of guns by the front door. The carrot-topped son whined about having to leave the cool Robin Hood room where he chattered about the nice pink-haired girl practicing with the bows and arrows. The red-haired daughter chattered about the pretty hunting guns as their father thanked Thomas for his hospitality as he promised they would return. His children were still going on about how much fun they had as the door closed with the jingle of a bell.
"I knew I recognized you from somewhere. Where are the rest of your police-upstaging, do-gooder, disrespectful posse or whatever you call them, Boy Blunder? Oh that's right they were put out of commission by those villains you try so hard to fight. I always knew you and your friends were a bunch of delinquents. So I just want you to know I have a special cell in Jump City's prison waiting for you, your criminal teacher father-figure, or whatever you call him and the little criminal fan-girl too."
Robin gritted his teeth in anger. He had enough on his mind without this guy twisting a guilt riddled, self-loathing sword covered in the venom of "you-call-yourself-a-hero-when-you-let-your-best-f riends-die, and here-you-are-bonding-with-your-most-hated-enemy". Rachel smacked her brother in the back of the head. Ramon reached into his back pocket and flung his handcuffs on the table. He then stormed out of the room with Rachel on his heels.
She said, "Can you forgive my obnoxious brother? He says things without thinking. I want you to know Robin that all of the police officers feel the same way. We really do appreciate the work you Teen Titans do. And I do hope your supposed "father-figure" will allow you to do what you love to do and hopefully that would be keeping our city safe. Of course I don't want to influence you one way or the other, excuse me. Have a good day both of you."
Rachel and Ramon's words slammed into Robin's heart and mind like a sonic jet going into a steep dive. Slade was also shaken by Rachel's words. They stared after Rachel in her golden yellow sun dress as she disappeared around a corner to chase down her younger brother. To Slade's utter shock Robin almost knocked him over in a frantic need for a comforting embrace. Slade put a trembling hand on his back rubbing in slow circles.
"Robin I am not sure what to make of that…" Before he could continue however, Robin interrupted him. He squeezed his waist tighter. Shuddering and soft whimpers escaped his lips and for the second time in his life- Robin felt a complete surrender engulf him in his enemy's arms.
He asked, "What will Ramon say to Kiara? How will she and her 'mentally-constructed' sister Magnet react to it? What would my friends say if they saw me like this? Am I really that desperate, that hungry for attention that I am willing to go to a person I swore I never wanted to see again for comfort? So please Sensei don't call me Robin right now. I don't deserve it. Call me… boy, or birdy, or heck even Dick, but not robin. I can't take it right now."
"Are you giving me permission to call you by your first name?"
"Is it that surprising? I'm still calling you Sensei. I have lost my identity and until I get it back I need a new name. Speaking of names, how come you never told me your name was Wilson, Dad?"
The nameless superhero buried his face in his Sensei's waist. Slade looked around the room. Finding a line of folding chairs underneath some of Thomas' awards for his shop Slade sat in one of the chairs. Dick sat in his lap. His eyes darted over the room- the cases of guns on display only, some deer and elk antlers hanging on the walls, calming pictures of his family on islands and at theme parks, and the past customers ranging from first-timers to experts, to just curious by-standers.
"I did not think you needed to know my name. I see now that was a mistake. I cannot expect you to trust me if I don't open up to you as well" Slade said.
"I never expected you to just spill your life story. I mean you already know me so well. And like you said you and I are so much alike" Robin said.
"However correct me if I am wrong, you have a conscious whereas I do not. That's made a big difference on the whole trust factor" Slade said.
"Speaking of trust you know none of my…friends knew my name was Dick Grayson. I wanted to get out of the Batman's shadow and do my own thing. I never in a million years could have imagined I would have friends I was willing to die for. I never imagined I could despise someone like you, especially after dealing with the Joker. Or that I could somehow let go of that anger for both you and my former mentor by accepting what you have taught me, but in the end this is my life. I choose what I want to do with it. When I finally realized that I could stop hating you and maybe take the first steps to getting over their…"
"I never wanted you to forget them all together. I just wanted…you to….come to me…under your own power and ….hopefully you might decide to stay. Plus a little birdy told me she likes you" Wilson stuttered.
Robin and Wilson laughed at the joke and the irony of the situation. Batman or anyone who knew him before he left Gotham would swear the boy talking now was either a clone or an imposter posing as Robin.
"So what do we do now? How do I deal with my need to have my own identity and my love for being a hero? I mean look at me. In every day clothes, no mask, no gadgets and sitting in the lap of my most despised enemy. As if that was not bad enough I am in a place where people learn how to use, in my opinion, the worst invention man has ever created. Remind me why I am not running for the hills?"
Slade chuckled as he rubbed soothing circles on his back. He cleared his throat. Then he held a small black handgun in his palm. Grayson bit his lip. He shuffled back and forth on Slade's lap. Slade opened his right palm and placed the gun there. Grayson inhaled a sharp breath through his nose so quick it made him cough. Against his better judgment his fingers slowly gripped the item.
"You never have to shoot one of these in your life. But you do need to know how to disarm someone, unload it, and protect yourself. Do you think you can do that, Robin?"
"I…I can… try Slade. I mean I can try…Master." Slade knocked him on the back of the head. Robin stared at him. Slade shook his head. Robin pushed himself off his lap. He walked up to the target practice with the paper bull's-eye then he looked over his shoulder. Slade stood up with a tiny smile on his face.
"Don't call me Master. We are not in a position of Master and Student. This is informal. Out here with a clean slate and only memories I'd like it if we could lose the formalities for a day. Who knows I may even convince Kiara to not call me Sensei for the day."
Robin pulled Slade's right arm over his hand with his left. He closed Slade's warmer larger hand over his and he took aim with the gun. Old training kicking in Robin could not close his eyes. He stared at the shoulder of the paper cut out. He took two deep breaths and then squeezed the trigger. Slade gently peeled his fingers off the gun.
Robin slumped against a metal table in front of the glass separating the target from the shooter.
"Slade I do not ever want to be this weak again. Show me how to…"
"Show you how to what" Slade said holding the gun.
"I should know how to shoot a gun. I want to know. I wanted to know about the computer programing. Teach me how to protect myself. So I do not freeze up at the sight of one or the feel of it in my hands. Can you do that?"
"Yes. I will do my best. Besides I would like to think I am a good teacher. And you can call me Dad if you want." Robin turned in the small space wrapping his arms around the man as far as they could go. Robin was a little nervous about admitting he was crying. Then again no one had judged him so far, so it must be okay.
"You can call me…" Robin paused to look out a window on to the busy sidewalk. A night sky raven flew under the window. It croaked at him. It sounded like it was laughing to Robin. The bird licked a few feathers on its back before pecking at the ground. Satisfied with its short snack it croaked again and took off into the air.
That black bird reminded him so much of Raven it made him laugh. When tears leaked from his eyes Slade wondered if Robin might be having a nervous breakdown. After Robin stopped laughing he picked a more slender gun that looked modeled after a sniper. He took aim and fired. The bullet went through the paper target's leg.
For the rest of the afternoon Slade demonstrated different guns. He showed Robin how to disarm them, unload them, how to shield himself from a wound. Robin was recalling a particular humorous event with his late friends when the ground shook. Thomas fell to the floor. Rachel and Ramon slipped out of their chairs lukewarm coffee spilling on their laps.
Slade and Robin unloaded the guns they were practicing with. With well-known steps based on years of stealth training and combat experience they crossed over to the back rooms. Lime green smoke or fog curled over the floor. Ragged coughs could be heard from behind a door. Rachel and Ramon were not far behind them. Robin kept waiting to hear confused shrieks and terror-filled howls of pain, but all he heard was the coughing.
Slade pushed open the door which fell off its hinges. Their footsteps made crunching sounds on the shards of broken glass. The humble archery room was destroyed. Splintered arrows and bows were scattered over the floor. One of the walls had been reduced to rubble from some kind of explosion. Robin gasped in shock and horror. Underneath a pile of twisted metal, burnt pages of books, and one arrow with pink and silver feathers on the end, was the unconscious Wintergreen.
Rachel helped them remove the debris. Robin scanned the room like a detective. He looked at the scattered debris, fallen bookshelves, broken picture frames and of course arrows and bows everywhere Robin saw a small plastic card. He prayed it was not what he thought. He prayed it was some trick of the light.
"I am so sorry sir. I was completely unprepared."
"Relax my old friend. At least you are not injured too badly. Do you remember anything at all?"
Wintergreen coughed again as Robin's teeth came together with a loud snap! Wintergreen spoke, "I believe our young friend knows exactly who did this."
"Wait a minute where is the little criminal wannabe with the weird hair? If she is gone then good riddance the city is better off without her."
"Please ignore my idiot brother's insensitive comment. What is on that card there?"
"I never thought I would see him again. It is even more surreal because I won't be fighting him with my best friends. But I swear to them, to Kiara, and even you chuckle Dad- he will pay for this."
"That sounds very dark and vengeful to me. Who did this?"
"The Joker did this. And I will stop him. For now you can call me…Nightwing."