Out Time in Reverse- Whatever It Takes –

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Chapter 28: Open the Door

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He swam about the feeling; a dread of what the news caster had depicted a city away. In the next area of the cave, Jason was boxing a bag like a warrior. Like a chosen hero that the Bat expected more from. He was sweating as hos towel dropped at the feet of the other male's computer chair. At fifteen, his body was stronger, not as lean as most his age at all. Robin's costume was given a new set of tights, the old in with the new while he dressed in a dripping white tank and a pair of gym pants that made his strong legs peek out.

Batman felt a guilt flush over his senses as that deep pitch of a teen reaching adolescence speak his mind. "I'm doing more for you. But you won't even look up. It's him, isn't it."

Bruce's cowl stayed on. Jason needed to suit up after a shower – after ten showers, as the man opened his jaw a slight to briefly respond. "I'm not sure. The news showed a break in and no body. I don't think he'd be close to where the target is being monitored."

"Ya had a mole, but I could do better." Jason offered as he picked up his sweaty workout rag. "Send me in. Make em squeal. It might bring out –

"Not yet." Bruce stopped the teenager. "We have no evidence set until he shows his face. Jump is feeling the turn around of a criminal's newest venture. If he wants to fight, he will make that clear. I don't want you to face him. Not until I know how you'll survive."

"Like the Joker thing? We got out of that! I mean, mom was…." Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "She's in a mental institution since she tried to blow me up. And Joker got away –

"You had best listen to your mentor, Master Jason."

Both men blinked an eye as their dear companion Alfred Pennyworth came down, carrying Batman's reason to quit his quiet moping. "Alfred. He's afraid to jump in there, but I'm not. That psycho is going back to his old tricks. The Titans could help us, B. He has a super weapon –

"ENOUGH." Bruce stood up, the chair screeching the cave floor. "Jason, this is not your mission. You're to stand down as of now. That madman took as many lives as the Joker and he didn't just run off. You almost lost your life last night."

"But ..I'M FINE!" Jason rebuked coarsely. "You don't get to tell me to sit and stay –

"Technically, I do. You're my son by the papers we had signed and I won't have you off on a suicide mission to finish the jon that's none of your –

"You promised it would be OUR job, remember?? Come on! Alf –

"I'm not at liberty to side with either argument, yet perhaps this call in from California might change both of your current perspectives." Alfred was a witty old butler to some, when in truth he'd been a soldier once, and a spy for England in the decades far apart for those glorifying days.

"Take this call. It's I believe, a Mr.… Black?"

/

Jason grumbled and waited impatiently to start up his part again while Bruce took the phone from Alfred's white gloved fingers. The old man nodded to his friend as Bruce's face softened, staying calm as a voice he might well have recognized before came on.

~ Bruce, thank God. I've been hacked. My entire identity was taken, I got shoved in a space someplace…. I don't know how or where. Someone broke in. I think –

The call was cutting out as the Bat bristled repeatedly. "Black, what do you see? Can you hand me a figure, an image?"

~ Dark…I think I'm in a cellar. Can't tell. There is no bed so I'm not supposed to stick around. My head is pounding from whenever that…. a mask…. ~ Black gasped. "I think I remember. A mask. He had…Black and orange…He wore armor…~

Even if Bruce knee blue and green, it was enough to go ny as he nodded to a disapproving Jason. "I'm on my way. We'll find the coordinates through the call –

~ You can't…battery is about to die. ~

"Already registered in the computer, Master Bruce." Wryly, Alfred must had been showing off.

Jason picked up an ear as Bruce nodded back to them both. "Jason, suit up. We're headed to San Francisco. We'll be there soon enough."

~ I'm seeing a leak. It looks small, but someone really wants me out if the picture. Remember, Bruce. ~ He swallowed tightly, as if being watched.

~ Don't give too much away. I have your number, but your secret isn't mind to keep. As we were told to. Section 13 will still listen if I show up. ~

Bruce grunted and let the call go. "He knows who you are, B? Since when??"

"Since Interpol. And Deathstroke attacking a parliament building. Before, before I joined the League."

"Shoot. Hey, Alf? I think I'm gonna keep the tights. And maybe, should we bring our civilian clothes too?"

"Always." Bruce responded softly. "We might be better laying low. Black was trying to let me know something. He's not in any real danger, yet."

"How…so?" Jason snapped on the mask as he got dressed quickly. Half of what he wore were under pieces.

"He had a phone that didn't show a number. And he described a cellar. He couldn't have just had that in his pocket. Someone is baiting us into showing our faces."

"Him." Jason slipped on a steel toed boot. "He wants us to crash the party. Why you think? To gloat?"

"To delay something else. He knows about my connection to Captain Black. He might also know about…-

Bruce stopped. "Stay. I'm going in, alone-

"B?? NO ." Jason stomped his foot in protest. "You said I could –

"It's too dangerous. Batgirl will be here to see to my post while you continue your training. Alfred?" The butler immediately had a change of heart. Jason felt boxed in, wondering if Wilson acted the same way with his brother. Training him to kill, while Jason went out and saved lives.

"B, I'm not taking this like your kid. You trained me to do the right thing. If I have to defy orders –

"If you try to leave, you'll be detained and stripped of your title. Robin will be over."

The boy gawked at the bat as he left, key to the batwing in tow as Jason stood dumbly in place. "No…no…. Dick is still out there! Let me help! Bruce !! Don't walk out!! I can help!"

"Master Jason!" Alfred gripped the boy as he kept shouting. "You lied to me, B! We're partners! You are such a JERK!! I'M NOT TAKING THIS LIKE A BRAT!! I'M ROBIN, YOU SAID SO!! YOU TAKE THAT…. THEN, FUCK YOU!!"

/

"Happy? You're going to rot behind bars once my staff find out –

"Memories are fleeting. It takes the right touch to make it feel as an illusion, Black." Slade took the phone back and crushed it in one palm. "Monster. We took you down in that raid on the South American Dictator. None if that was up to your hand to keep him breathing. Half alive, a treachery."

"Orders are orders. Now, I have my own contract to fulfill in the long term." Slade moved to sit in a metal table as he checked the time on the wall. "A cellar was a bit if a stint for your line if work. Lying and keeping a vigilante on his toes? Did I make you just turn. Or have you always been this two faced, Black?"

"You told me this was to take my face, but no one is going to believe that. How can you change everything and everyone I've been in contact with –

"Oh. That. You'll still have your face and identity, just not half of the credibility and resources on paper. I'm borrowing the pre – captain era identity and molding it to suit myself nicely. I need a cover for a short time, as I said. To borrow."

"You'llmale me a lowlife in writing! I'm not doing this –

"Too late. You owe me that favor, after you let that sick presidente walk out." Sneered the madman. "Then paid off my employer, which is an unholy dishonor in all likelihood for any assassin, you know. It's a crime to us, so you should repent while I still have some pity left on your insignificant life."

"I have a world to keep in check from another syndicate that could be ruining both of our plans. If you don't let me go."

"YOU'LL STAY." Slade moved to get up. The door sliding back as Wintergreen stood in the doorway, looking back with much indifference in his elderly gaze. "You're not going to get out of this. That Bat has a plan, and I know you're ready to run at a given moment." Black goaded. "Let me go now, and we can drop the accusations."

"Nothing was accused of, Black. The rest of your apartment should be swept of clues. The work you do is not tampered with. I simply returned with a need to get closer to someone, while others watch."

"SLADE! You're insane if you think you can take him…I won't forget this!! Slade!!"

The bots vacant in with gags, ropes and cuffs. "Keep him quiet for a bit. I wish to think…" Slade ordered the butler as he nodded in approval. "Very good, sir. To your newest weapon, sir?"

Slade didn't have to answer, the man's cat eye told Will that he was correct as the mercenary walked off. Shutting the shouting Captain Black away as they were preparing to bag and gag him outside of the haunt.

/

Bruce went over the fear in his mind, while Slade was aware that the sensors had picked up an awake Tara, checking out her new surroundings. After waking her and getting her into a part of the haunt where her powers could do little to no damage with some precautions, he was able to remove the mask. To come in and make himself available to her world, her eyes and mind. He didn't try to put on a grin. Didn't try to tell her she was safe as those big blue eyes timidly and with such a gasp in fright, fell onto his towering form. "Y…. you took me. Who ate you? Where are my brothers?? What -

She put a hand to her throat as if pulling at a collar.

It was, but not the same for a yapping dog.

"Take it off." She demanded in an adult's tone. She knew what she was after, but Slade wasn't easy to trick. Not while she had these walls up. While he was here to listen and convert her to his allegiance. As long as it took. "Tara, you're safe here. Your uncle is gone. Your brother, has the League's support."

"Which league?? You're lying…he was never –

"That inhibitor collar was designed to not weigh you down, dear child. I only wish to help. What they did –

"Wait…" She squinted at him while her memories flooded in, making her hyperventilate as he took a step to the side. Giving her space to think clearly. "You.. in the lab…you helped that doctor from…no way! Get this thing….off!"

"Do you really want to bury us both alive, Tara? I came to save you from Immortus and Chan's intervention. Your uncle use you and Bryon without any consent for your wellbeing. I thought being hired to watch over you both was just part of the job. This, was to undo what they wanted."

"They wanted my powers. I showed that I could ….oh..

Oh…God…" She doubled over, dizzy as he didn't try to help. "I…that landslide…all of those people…I…wjat did you make me do?? Who are you?? General!-

"That isn't important right now, what is, is your current state."

"You kidnapped me. I don't have to let you decide anything about me!" She shouted. "Get this thing off and I won't try to make you sorry –

"Kill me, you mean? Would you, my dear?"

Tara called down as her lip wobbled. Her knees shook as she hugged herself pitifully. "You…whatever you want, get rid of me."

"Sadly, you don't have that option, princess-

"DON'T. CALL ME. THAT." Blearily, the child looked up, eyes bloodshot and praying for a savior. "I can back out. You have to abide. I order."

"FORMER. Princess." Slade interjected. "Your uncle took over the country with the Brotherhood backing his efforts. It's too late to give me any demands."

"There has to be some deal, I hate you but…If I can get back and find Bryan. Save my people-

"They hate the royal family, Tara. You have no one left. I however, noticed your lack of control and van offer to teach you. To regain it. That control that you lack." There it was, she sniffed. "Why." Tara scoffed rudely and turned to her metal bed by the wall. "So, you can see how I tick? So, you can do what they never had the chance to do? Use my powers to…you don't get that, ever! If I get control over my powers, it's my choice."

"Suit yourself." He shrugged. "But I can't let you go free. Too risky, now that you know where we are."

"Where? Your underground base, not like I-

He held up what look to be his wrist, and by that, her collar began to spark.

/

Robin had no choice but to break down Raven's door. Inside, was a swirling of red spirals leading to a mirror on the floor. Starfire swept round the room in midair. "There was a spell cast here, I can see that. Yet, where is friend Raven?"

The whirling in the mirror started to widen as Robin dragged Kori out of the way. "Look out!! Star!" She ended up gripping him as he fell into the wall adjacent to the magical relic that was active on the floor. The scream that cane out OF the mirror was of three voices. Raven came toppling through with Bb and Cy, who fell onto Bb as Raven saved herself from an almost donkey sized Bb. He reverted to a scared cat as she huffed at his landing into her eyes. "Get. Off." She gruffly commanded to the other green teen. The three then looked up to see a startled Star and friend Robin. Cy swallowed and hung his head. "I can explain…. once we all get a decent meal an' a shower." He groaned, the others taking his word that he would.

/

"You were inside her…. mind? Is that correct, yes?" Starfire handed a warm drink to Raven as the tired empath opened up about who she had been fighting and why. Not revealing the culprits' true names, she still looked in caution over her teammates yet with less fangs to bare over at Beastboy. "He saved my life. You both did. We…made up, in the most unlikely of places." Raven praised as she took a small sip of her tea.

"This is glorious news! Robin and I have indeed also been doing some "team bonding while you three were knowing of each other's strengths and weaknesses, have we not?" She turned with a smile to her not as jovial earthling ally. "Y…yeah, we did. And I have something to tell all of you. My name isn't Robin." The ebony haired male teen put down his eyes to gaze over those other expectant faces. "It's Richie. Richard, for short. I have a mom, or did. She's not with us anymore... My stepdad took over, and that was why I ran away." Swallowed the boy wonder. "Oh, and… Starfire is a princess, right? Did I get that right, Star?"

"You indeed have. On my home planet of Tamaran, as the middle child in line for the throne, I was most upset by how my sister Blackfire brought harm to our people by emulating our uncle…as you might on earth call him. Her ideals in restoring "warring state policies" and so much animosity wrought across the galaxy by our teachings of a different X'al, I was taken away with her by invaders who took our home. It was saved. Only with a sacrifice of the royal family… yet she had been betrayed us all and was set free, only to be as I was. Experimented on. No other of my culture can shoot 'stars bolts. This is an impossible task, only fight and our strength defines us." Starfire shook with her long hair atop her shaken head. "I lost my parents and my sister has shown no remorse for what she had done. I also, spoke to the man who was willing to harm –

An alert centered around Cy's arm. "Gotta wait till later for any more group hugs, team. The city needs us. Right by the bridge. Y'all ready to dust off the old?"

"Bring in some new moves? I like how you think, Capt." Bb grinned as he morphed into a monkey to give a thumbs up, climbing up Cy's arm as the others watched on. A might preoccupied in their own minds; each understood the severity by now. "So, who is the attacker this time?" Raven managed to ask.

"Don't say. People said they reported a commotion on the bridge. Lightning struck it, but it was alive. And it had… fists."

"Meta." Robin put a fist to his palm. "No one is above the law. We have to get going. Stop it before it reveals its real face to us."

"Right ahead of ya, spike. Titans?" Cy signaled to the others as they rose. Let's move out!"

/

I pulled an Optimius prime on Cy. Lol. Oh, so this will go back into batman, Jason. Capt black and Jackie for one part, then drop elsewhere. Starfire even said that her country was run like the uncle was an advisor who put ideas into Blackfire's head at a young age. The reasons behind this were in the previous chapter yet Blackfire still has it out to keep Kori out of the way. Slade will have Tara's loyalty, but not in the way you think. In the comic tie in fir 03 teen titans, Bryon revealed those figures in shadow to be Slade as Deathstroke, Professor Chang and I think Immortus so I'm making the Brotherhood a key player here in how they dominate Europe and keep Tara's family subjugated with her uncle's help. I love the evil family member trope. It just feels right. She ran away from the lab and was on her own for a few months, until Slade caught her and kept her in stasis. He brought her to the states like his trophy and he has an idea about how to put her in her place without being unfair or too violent. He won't even ask that she like him at all, just listen but how ? Well, by a deal which is saying too much!

Dick is acting separate from his alter, to fool himself and Star with the others. He was just there at the right time, and now we'll see what comes of Jason. A kid who trusted batman to have his word that they'd save Dick together. Robin is his alter ego, yet Jason wants see why the bird is so well liked. Tie in here crossing over in Forces of Nature. I used the bridge first, and then we get more enigmatic Slade later. Find out!!