Title: Masks and Men
Chapter Title: Threat
Rating: T for swearing and mild violence and mature themes
Disclaimer: I don't own this… I think that's why there's Teen Titans Go and no season 6.
Author Notes: Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites! You guys ROCK!
This chapter's the shortest of all of them. I thought it would be interesting to introduce Brother Blood because in an interview, the animators for Teen Titans said that Brother Blood was created as a sort of foil for Slade. I thought it would be fun to see how they would play off each other in this situation…or it could have been an excuse to have a protective, sassy Slade.
Please enjoy!
"Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light."
-Madeline L'Engel
During his meetings with Trigon, Slade descends into Hell. Literally. Trigon had thought it amusing to decorate the stone cavern in the same manner he would the rest of the universe—lava, flame, destruction, despair…lack of style…
Trigon never did have good taste.
And today, a new face has appeared in the cavern. A golden stone engraved with the Mark of Skaath ensnares his neck and marks him as the leader of the religion that worships Trigon.
When he finally sees the newcomer, Slade suppresses a groan. Why did he of all people have to be the head of the Church of Blood? Having a Satanic cult was bad enough, but to have that idiot as its head? Torture.
"You are a believer as well?" Brother Blood asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "I'm shocked. I never realized you would believe in the one true God."
Slade shrugs noncommittally.
He had never liked Brother Blood to begin with. H.I.V.E. Academy's headmaster had always been lacking when it came to being competent. The man never did have finesse when it came to, well, anything. If there was one thing that could be counted on, it would be Brother Blood's love for the spotlight.
Trigon's four eyes narrow. "Report, Slade. How is my daughter?"
Raven's image appears on the stone face. She's smiling with her friends. On the surface, she looks fine, but Slade notices the amethyst of her eyes didn't sport that brilliance they should have, but instead held dark rings just above her cheeks. She looks like the waking dead, exhausted beyond comprehension but unable to rest.
He notices how Brother Blood's eyes linger on Raven, too long for Slade's liking.
Slade currently likes him hell of a lot less.
"She doesn't wish to become the portal," Slade replies smoothly. "Still."
"I thought that last attack would have made her bend the knee," Trigon muses aloud. There is a hint of annoyance and pride in his voice. Raven truly is his daughter, even if she doesn't want to be, and Trigon's child would never bend so easily.
"You could always threaten her friends," Brother Blood comments. "I know Slade has mastered that."
"Or that could cause her to turn against you," Slade counters quickly. "She won't be broken without a fight."
"Then what do you suggest, Slade?" Trigon looks down on Slade, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. "Talk to her?" he croons. "Try to convince her to open the portal of her own volition?"
Brother Blood laughs, and Slade would love to break his neck. "You could always just have your way with her, Slade. Force yourself onto her," he suggests, his smile a little too gleeful at that thought. "If you want her to break completely, of course."
Slade thinks of how small she looked when Trigon attacked her, how broken she looked in the aftermath. She is the light and he is the darkness, and he'll be damned if he allows anything else to corrupt that radiant soul of hers.
Both Slade Wilson and Deathstroke want to murder Brother Blood in as many creative ways as possible. Again and again and again.
The death glare that he sends Brother Blood is enough to make the man take a step back.
"You will do no such thing!" Slade snaps. Fire burns in his eye.
"Or what?" Brother Blood finds his confidence again and lets out a snort of laughter. "I am Trigon's greatest apostle!"
"I am His messenger." Slade swings his arm forward. Hellfire wraps around Brother Blood's neck, squeezing tighter and tighter. Looking down at the man gasping for breath, Slade leans over him and mutters darkly, "And I will ensure this message is heard."
He waves his arm, and Brother Blood slams into the wall, unconscious.
Trigon watches the scene with amusement. "Don't tell me you care for the girl."
"Hardly," Slade scoffs. "I just prefer playing with my food before I eat it."
They both know he's lying through his teeth.
Thank you for reading!
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