ANOTHER UPDATE!? What is going on right? I dunno. But enjoy any who. Big thanks to all those that have read and to those that have reviewed. I really look forward to what anyone has to say about this lil' fanfic of mine.

TT is not mine, it is (c) to WB and DC Comics. =P

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It didn't take him long to eat his meal and before he knew it Robin found himself slowly climbing up some creaky old stairs and into his room. He had to admit it was pretty big compared to the last motel he stayed in. The room was kind of long in shape. There was one bed that laid against the back wall along with a old chair that kind of hung out off to the side. A couple old and faded pictures hung crooked over the bed itself. There was a dresser to the side and a closet close to that. It was a distressing setting to be sure. But the one thing he had to admit that he took a liking to, was the windows. They were more like arches. There was six of them, all of them kind of narrow, all of them seemingly were left open. A couple of them had broken glass but nothing to major. He could hear the buzz of the little city below him. The talking, the cheering, the drunk fighting, the random car honking... actually that happened a lot more then he liked.

The teen sighed, the showers were unavailable at the moment. So the innkeeper gave them all a wash basin and jug. The bowl itself was rather fancy, the jug was plastic and didn't seem to quite fit with the eloquent floral basin. Putting the face cloth in the water, Robin began to wash the sweat and grim away from his body.

Once finished he felt a little better. Tomorrow he would have to go back to the hospital and find out how Asif was doing. Not wanting to hit the hay so soon, the young hero Pulled the chair from the bedside and placed it closer to the windows so he could watch the streets below, Robin took a seat and began to let his mind drift away with his thoughts.

He watched the people below him for what seemed like hours. He observed how they interacted with one another, watched as scooters weaved in and out of the people on the streets. There wasn't many citizens out at night he noticed, he saw more military personnel then anything else. But as Robin began to look beyond the dusty road in front of him, the more he saw of the city itself. And it was a city in ruins. There was many old buildings here, many of them in traditional designs to this area, but he could also see where the remnants of older buildings had once been and briefly wondered how many people were killed when the building collapsed on them. Were they given any warning? Did any get away? And yet this city and these people just carried on... as if it was normal. But then again, maybe it was normal to them. Besides... "Where would they go?" It was whisper and a verbal conclusion that escaped his lips.

"They have no place to go..."

With a heavy sigh Robin stood up and walked over to his bed. He was about to prepare himself for what he hoped would be a good nights' rest when he noticed the new clothes at the end of the bed. There was also a note. Picking it up it read;

"You've been wearing the same clothes since my grandmothers more or less. Have these new ones on me, I know they're probably not up to your standards, they're military basics, but it's better then what you got. Plus keep the shemagh, it's good to have one out in the desert.

-Sariel"

Robin looked down and did indeed find a white and red scarf on top of the folded clothes, which contained a new pair of taupe colored military pants, a white cotton shirt that buttoned down half way and a olive drab military jacket that seemed to have numerous pockets. She even gave him a pack of new boxers. He would have to thank the woman in the morning.

Exhausted, Robin placed his combat knife on the night stand, kicked his boots off and fell into bed.

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This night seemed warmer then all the others. So before heading to his room to get some "rest", Slade managed to find himself a bottle of Scotch. Now that being said, Slade Wilson was not a man to drink a lot, if anything at all. One in his profession had to keep in shape at all times and while he did have the benefits of the serum that was injected into his system all those years ago, it still meant constant training, a steady diet and no alcohol.

But tonight he would make an exception.

Pouring a bit into a glass, he held it in his fingers sliding the glass to and fro, making the liquor move in a circular motion. He stood looking out his window. There wasn't much to see really. But his thoughts wandered to his apprentice.

Robins mind had become addled with everything he has witnessed, this world has been forced into his veins and it wasn't going to leave any time soon. Taking a sip of his Scotch, Slade mused that a bit more time with the boy in disguise as Sergei was needed before he can show his true colors. He had time, to make his apprentice understand, he would always have time for Robin.

With a sigh, Slade downed the liquor and placed the empty glass on the table, and poured himself his second and final drink of the night. The boys train of thought was changing for sure, he was after all being forced to partake in a warzone. Regardless of his actions being on the outskirts of the Civil war itself, Robin had become intertwined with this land, its people and the ongoing timeless wars that took place here. However, the boy still wanted to help those in need. Which wasn't always a bad thing he will admit. But he had to understand that he can't help everyone, that he didn't need to be the hero for everyone. That he had choices. And that sometimes the best way to allow one to live was for the other to die. If Robin kept up at the pace he was going beforehand, Slade knew he'd be in the thick of it, trying to save god knows who or what. Without a thought for himself, which would ultimately push himself into exhaustion. He didn't want that for the boy. He wanted something better for him. Which is why Slade was glad he found him when he did. He wouldn't allow the boy to ruin himself like that. No, he wanted to push Robin, to open his eyes, to allow him to see the world from a different point of view... But the idea of him jumping into full scale war. Even he didn't think the boy was ready for that. No one ever really was.

He knew that Robin already felt responsible for Asif's injuries. And he couldn't blame him. That sense of leadership he wouldn't have the boy loose. One must always take responsibilities for one's actions, even if you screw up. He learned that long ago.

Pushing the past away, as this was not the place nor time, Slade looked to the door, knowing that Robins room was down the hall. Putting his drink on the nightstand Slade stepped out into the hallway. He made sure to be as quiet as possible which seemed impossible since the building was so fragile it creaked with every movement. Upon reaching the boys room there was another creak when opening the door. It seemed that the young man didn't see it fit to jam the door with the chair to stop anyone from trespassing. The kid was too trusting at times.

What he saw was as he expected. Robin was passed out on the bed. "Good" the mastermind thought. The boy never slept as it was. He watched for a moment as the boys chest rose and fell, his heavy breaths meaning he was in a deep sleep.

Reassured that Robin was resting, the criminal returned to his room. But not to sleep. Again thanks to that serum, he didn't need sleep for a few days at least. Instead he'd make a call to Wintergreen, see how things were going around home. He had asked his old friend to keep tabs on The Batman and the Justice League while he was gone. So far he had kept that Titans at bay with releasing every villain in Jumps prisons time and time again, but the Batman... he would have to think of something soon to deal with the Bat.

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Robin woke with a startling jolt the next morning. Quickly his eyes darted around the room. His breathing felt rapid, but he mentally told himself to calm down. Which he did after a couple minutes. Why did he feel so fearful all of a sudden?

Taking another deep breath Robin reprimanded himself for feeling such a thing. Maybe it was just all the stress getting to him? He didn't know. Regardless he banished the thoughts away. Instead picking up the new articles of clothing Sariel had give him, he began to get changed.

Once finished he tugged his boots on and clipped his combat knife to his belt. And gingerly slipped his mask into his pocket. The mask had seen better days. But he would need it for when he decided to return to the Titans.

Existing his room he began his walk towards the stairs that would lead him to the lobby below.

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He had to admit, the new clothes, while a big baggy, felt great. He rolled up the sleeves on the olive military jacket, fully knowing that while out in the desert he would have to roll them down to protect himself from the sun. As much as you boiled in pants and a long sleeve shirt, it was the best option out here. He also wore the scarf around his neck, keeping it handy for when he would ever have to use it.

Robin was waiting in the lobby when Sariel had walked down the stairwell.

"Hey it seems to fit."

"Still a bit big, but it's workable."

The woman gave him a smirk. "Well it's better then the stuff you had."

"Thank you by the way... you didn't have to though."

She shrugged at the Boy Wonder. "To be honest those clothes were beginning to stink."

Robin gave her a disapproving look before the two exited the lobby and walked out onto the cities dirt streets.

"Are you two ready to go? We do not have all day." Sergei spoke up as he leaned against the jeep. The motel they stayed in was a short trip from the hospital, but still not short enough to be within walking distance. "Boy up front eh?" Robin internally sighed, why did this man like him so much? Sariel didn't seem to care about Sergei. If he did rub her the wrong way she didn't show it. Or at least he thought she would of said something to him about it by now. Instead she didn't seem to have a care in the world about the man. Maybe it was because she had just met him the other day and hadn't come up with her own conclusions? Or maybe it was because they both were on the same kind of level with regards about how the world worked. She never did seem to care when the Russian blew up the temple. He really didn't know. Maybe it was just him?

Robin didn't say anything and just got into the front seat while Sariel jumped into the back.

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Sariel herself seemed to ignore the rest of the people in the jeep while Sergei drived through the small little streets. He had to honk the horn a few times to get the villagers to move out of the way. This was nothing new.

Pulling out her phone when it vibrated she smiled. Gus was fine. This was great news. He somehow had managed to get away before they could ever know where to look for him. Pleased with the news Sariel just sat back and watched the world go by.

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"New clothes?"

"Huh?" Robin jumped a bit, his thoughts being interrupted. "Oh yea... I suppose." Robin wasn't entirely convinced that the clothes were actually new. The pants and shirt from a military locker, the lightweight coat as well since he had seen some of the soldiers wear a very identical jacket.

"Look, I know you are still very angry with me over the temple incident."

Robin looked to the man. "Just a bit."

Sergei sighed a little. " I am sorry. But to me there seemed no other way. I saw that one of those ghouls had returned, the door would not budge." Sergei shook his head. "I saw no other means of your escape. The only ones that seemed to be alive and moving in that building was you and your two comrades. And one of you was terribly injured, yes? So I took action."

Robin sighed, the man was apologizing? "It's ok... Sariel, she would know better than any other, she was right, they were all dead the moment Geist walked into that room. I actually think he killed them all and used their souls to create that black void... but I honestly can't be sure. I just... I try to protect life when I can."

"But how does one protect if one refuses to kill those who would destroy everything you hold dear, hrmmm?"

"I don't see what your getting at. You don't have to kill anyone to be able to protect anything."

Sergei kept his eye on the road. "But that's where you're wrong my boy."

Robin frowned. "How so?"

"How many soldiers have died to give you the freedoms you have in America? How many lives did they have to take before it was ever enough?"

"War is different." Robin didn't like where this was going. This man definitely screamed Slade.

"War is always an ongoing event one might say... Truly though, do you not think it better to kill your enemy so they cannot stab you in the back later on? Leaving your enemy alive is asking to be killed yes?"

"Not if you tie them up so they can't get down."

Sergei laughed. "And one day you will come across someone very skilled and you will tie them up, but your ropes and cages will not sustain them. They will come crashing down on you, killing you in the end. Because my boy the world does not work in such a carefree manner." Sergei became a little more serious with his next words. "Do not let the world vanish before your eyes so you see only what you want to see, take it all in my boy. Even the darker parts, especially those. At many a times, those darker parts show a truth of the world so very few see."

"Well-"

"Oh no..." Robin was cut off by a whisper from the backseat. He turned to see Sariel looking up into the sky. Robin looked up as well. Shocked that he didn't notice it before, especially since there was a large amount of it billowing in the sky. Smoke.

"What the hell?"

"Can you drive a bit faster Sergei?" Sariel had asked the man behind the wheel. He only nodded in response and drove as fast as he could in between the people and animals. He sped up once he got more into the outskirts. It only took a couple minutes.

"No no noooo..." Sariel jumped out of the jeep and ran towards the hospital, only making it a few steps before she stopped to look on, a feeling of heavy guilt took hold in her heart. Robins looked on at the scene in horror. Who would do this? Why? Why would someone do this?

The hospital had been set ablaze. The small building structure and the tent were gone, the fire enveloping the building was not a good omen. The flames destroyed all within its touch as it cast smoke out as a signal for all to bare witness to its conquest.

Robin got out of the car and strode up beside Sariel, Sergei followed.

"War is a business. No matter how many lives it costs, the wars keep coming, and what freedoms do they fight for? None, just for the ever growing trade of war. Do tell me Richard, is it fair for them to give up their lives? There is no beat them up and win the day out here, you kill or be killed. Because your enemy simply doesn't care. War is not 'different' as you would say boy, it's real, it's all around you, and it devours all that enter it."

Robin took in Sergeis words. They seemed to be more true when looking upon the hospital in flames that once held so many wounded soldiers, including Asif.

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Oh shit son! What the fuck happened right?

Anywho let me know what you all think, and thank you guys so much for taking the time to read this thing up to this far.

Pls pls leave me a review and let me know what you think.

Thank you all!

-Fangs