OK guys, I made this chapter muuuch longer. SO enjoy!

ALSO to all that read and fave and follow this lil' fanfic, you guys are so awesome. Reviewers you keep me writing. Seriously I love ya guys. I really wish I could give you all cookies. YOu have all been the very best!

BUT ENOUGH SENTIMENT! XD

ONWARDS WITH THE STORY!

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Bruce had tracked down several leads, until one matched up, or so he hoped. Yemen was in a state of disarray. A civil war was running rampant throughout the land. It was an obvious choice on Deathstroke's behalf. A place where he could easily turn Robin to his side. A place he himself would of never taken Robin. It was a void full of death and destruction, a place that never seemed to get better. Richard had probably heard of it on the news. He was pretty good at keeping up on current events. But going there and being in the thick of it was something else completely.

War changed people. Was that what Slade was hoping to do with Richard? From what he learned of the Titans, there was a probability there.

Slade was looking for an heir. Someone to take control of his business whenever he decided to step down. Someone that could adapt easily. But why Robin? Surely there were many others that would willingly be Slade's apprentice? Bruce fully knew how talented Richard was having trained him himself. He could understand Slades side of this as well. Robin was already well versed in many forms of combat. All Slade would have to do was give the boy a little push in whichever direction he desired.

The Batman frowned. Gotham would have to work it's own problems out for the next little while. He was going to have to make a trip out to the desert it seemed. Hopefully he'd have no issues with Ra's on the way over. He was crossing the man's territory to get to where he needed to go. Not to mention the man had people everywhere all over the middle east.

Bruce stopped himself for a moment. Ra's did know everything that went on, especially areas close to his home. Maybe he should pay the man a visit.

With a heavy sigh Bruce rubbed his temples. It was going to be another long night, and the coffee Alfred had brought him hours ago was long gone. Picking himself up from the very large and very comfortable chair in front of the Bat Computer, Batman began to head upstairs. He was going to have to pack a few things for the trip out. Bruce hoped that Ra's wouldn't mind if he dropped in, not that the man would ever decline him a visit, especially if he just came to talk. Ra's al Ghul was always a difficult person to speak with, but if anyone knew any solid leads it would be him. And for Richard, he'd go and talk to the The Chief Demon.

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Again and again, she tried. But nothing. Her and Robins link should work anywhere in the world or in any of the various dimensions. But every time she tried she came up empty handed. Had Robin broken the link somehow? He must of. The only other explanation was that Robin was truly dead and gone, and she refused to believe that. They never found a body. And even though she could not connect with Robin through their link, it was not completely severed. Merely shut down. But there was enough of it there to let her know he was alive. Somewhere out there.

But why had he closed off their link? That bothered her more than anything else. Robin wouldn't of done that unless he didn't want her to know where he was. Or what he was doing. It was concerning to say the least, she felt as if he was in danger, and the more she reached out the less she felt from him.

Her eyes looked on in sorrow. What had happened to their friend, their leader? She wanted to know. They all wanted to know. But everytime they found some sort of clue, it turned out to be a fake. Something thrown at them to keep them distracted. That's how they all felt as of late. Like they were being kept busy. But by whom? And why? They all knew somehow it had to deal with Robins whereabouts.

They all instantly thought of Slade. It was indeed a sure thing he could do something along the lines of having the city in turmoil while he proceeded to do as he pleased. But they had no proof. Infact they hadn't seen Slade nor heard of him in awhile. Regardless... this was still highly regarded as something he could pull off. He was the only one in the entire city that had that many connections.

While fingers were still pointed at their archnemesis, at the end of the day, they had nothing. Every day they spent their mornings, afternoons and evenings on edge, waiting for the alarm to sound. As it usually did these days. Perhaps five to ten times a day or more. Many within minutes of one another. The criminals were having to much fun, and Raven was getting easily annoyed. She didn't have the time like she used to for her meditations. Although she did find it highly amusing when Dr. Light would automatically turn himself in once he laid his eyes on her. The old man truly was terrified of the dark.

"Friend Raven."

Her door opened and let in the light from the hallway. The darkness of her room seemed distant for a moment as Raven turned to meet her friend.

"Starfire."

Her hands clasped together Starfire entered Ravens room, a feat it seemed that only Starfire could do these days.

"Have you connected with Robin?"

Raven shook her head. "He's still alive Starfire, but the link is weak, almost as if he doesn't want me to know where he is."

"How is that possible? Robin is our leader, he would let his team know he is safe, wouldn't he?" There were tears in her eyes, and Ravens heart ached. She was never good at emotions, having to control them her entire life. But the sadness for Starfire, she'd let it slide.

"I don't know Starfire, I just hope he's not in trouble. But even if he is, we'll find him."

Starfire nodded in response to her friend. "I hope you are right friend Raven." Raven could only nod to try and reassure her friend, when in truth Raven was just in the dark as the rest of them.

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"Fuck me, everything is coming down." The fire seemed to tear it's way through the wood and stone, burning it all away to ash. Pieces of the small houses and apartments fell to the ground, only to be engulfed by even more flame.

"Yea, the fire is spreading throughout the entire area as well. Seems to be no way to stop it, even with all those that have come out to try and put it out. There isn't enough people... And so many more don't even know. It's spreading so fast. I don't think... many will get out..." Robin looked to his companion, a hint of concern in his voice.

"With no warnings... yea no doubt. Fuckers gotta come in and do this shit." Sariel was a vision of disappointment and a hint of rage that she hid well enough. Her arms crossed as she looked forward. She frowned then, her eyes capturing the fires that would claim so many lives. She knew damn well why they had come here. They wanted her, probably to kill her and oddly enough, for Robin. But then again he was a Superhero in a strange place. Maybe they really did just want to sell him on the Black Market, or perhaps he was another person they could use. They were always looking for people they could abuse. But mostly they wanted the Legacy. Something valuable she had stolen from them. But little did they know it was far away from here. In another country, in another city. Miles away. Or so she would have them believe.

Sariel pulled at Robins jacket. "Look, we gotta go and get Deathstroke and get the fuck outta here. Once we're done I gotta get somewhere and fast."

Robin gave her a confused glance. "Why?"

"They came here for us correct?"

"Yea..." The sorrow was evident in his voice. Robin felt responsible for all of this, the fires, Madaline, Slade blowing up the jeep, the men he left behind... The man he shot, all of them he left to die. All because these "ben Elohim" showed up and felt they could do whatever the hell they wanted.

"It wasn't all they came for."

Robin looked up to Sariel with a confused expression written on his face. "What?"

"When I 'worked' for them I stole something from them, but I no longer have it. It's in the hands of an ally, miles from here."

His eyes narrowed at her, Sariel was someone he could possibly call a friend, someone he could trust... somewhat. But he had to remind himself she was not always truthful. She had the good intentions ideology, but played by very different rules.

"What did you steal exactly?" Robins mood lightened a little, it was almost playful. Whatever she did steal from this Society would have to be big. Big enough for them to send out an entire army to hunt her down and whoever she had connections with in the area.

"We should get moving."

Sariel started to walk quietly away from the burning wreckage of what once was a somewhat sturdy building. She distracted herself by looking for a way out of their current mess, hoping to find another way around so they could find their third party member.

"You're avoiding the question." Robin followed, jogging a bit to catch up. The fire kept the two at bay. "We need to find a way around." she looked to the young man. "And why are you so interested? Going to arrest me for stealing?" She joked and Robin could only smile at her question.

"No."

"Then what's the big deal?"

Robin shrugged. "I'm curious is all."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"Tell that to Catwoman."

"I might next I'm in Gotham, although I'll tell her you send your regards."

Robin smiled at the thought and shrugged. "She wouldn't care."

"Maybe I'll tell you later, if your good." Robin nodded. "Promise?"

"Promise. Now to find good ol' Sladey Kins."

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The kid was falling apart. Or maybe he had been falling apart for years and it was all finally coming to a breaking point. He didn't know. Asif just sat over there and shook his head. What did he truly think would happen though? That his betrayal would lead him to a greater victory? Slade mentally scoffed at the thought. If you were going to underhand someone make sure you do it with precision. Plans within plans within even more plans.. It should never be on a whim, as it seemed to be with Asif's case.

He let out a faint sigh. The secondary unit was drawing ever closer. Six fully armed soldiers to be exact. The back up seemed to be more equipped, as expected.

Slade knew all about Secret Societies, being part of one himself. He and a handful of others kept the villains of the world at bay, unlike the Justice League, their society used much more permanent ways of dealing the hand. Although many did not know of it's existence. Slade was truthful in being a mercenary, but he did indeed have other endeavours. Much of this he would have to explain to Robin in time. But this so called Secret Society seemed to truly live up to the term. And the military power they had? He briefly wondered if it could match his own.

Ignoring Asif, Slade began to plan for his next attack. There was six, fully armoured. But he could handle them. The mastermind smirked more at himself then to anyone else, being that Asif was the only other around and the kid wasn't going to be helpful any time soon. Without pause Slade merely stood up once they were close enough. His hands clasped behind his back. His aura menacing.

"Hello."

His voice was chilling. But it was simple enough, it was all that was needed to have every one of these men have their weapons trained on a singular man.

"Now that I have your attention..."

The first attack was swift and unreal. Slade moved to fast for them to counter attack, and within seconds they all heard the crack of the neck and their comrade was down.

The soldiers began to circle the man. All of them now knowing this was not a normal person. They all looked at the man, he was in a Russian uniform. But there was no accent. If anything he sounded... American.

"Who's next?" Slade sounded so casual.

The armed soldiers aimed at the man before them. The man only frowned at them, his face emotionless.

Slade had found more than just a RPG in that jeep. It was a good thing he decided to raid the entire vehicle. The mastermind pulled out a smoke grenade. The armoured men instantly shouted and went to open fire. But Slade had already pulled the pin and let the grenade drop to the ground as it made it's clinking noise as it rolled across the floor.

Taking advantage of the smoke, Slade had easily taken out four more of the soldiers. All of them never heard him coming. They were basic military. They took orders, learned how to use heavy weapons, but the problem with these men is that they were not ones to think for themselves. They were not innovative, which made them easier to kill. But then again for a military this was what you needed to make up the mass amount of your army.

Slade knew he had to take care of these soldiers and now. They were the backup. And if there was entire units dedicated to back up. Well he didn't want to know if there was back up to the back up. Nor did he have the time.

Another twist in the neck and another was down.

"Where is the sixth?"

The smoke shrouded not only him but his enemy. Usually he could hear their footsteps. But this one was remaining silent.

"It seems someone is a little smarter than their dead companions?" A gun touched the back of his head. The mastermind was amused more than anything else. "Congratulations, you snuck up on me. That is a feat most cannot do."

"And now it's time to die you worthless dog!"

"Such horrible manners." There was amusement in his voice.

"SHUT UP!" The soldier jabbed the gun into Slades head, making it very evident it was indeed a gun aimed at the back of his skull.

"You killed my entire unit! What the fuck are you?"

"Not what, but perhaps whom?"

"You're not some fucking Russian! You sound more American to me. Why the fuck are you out here?"

Slade tilted his head, getting himself ready to turn and confront the man. "That's not for you to know." In a instant he had turned himself to face the soldier, his hand grabbing the gun that was once aimed at his head and used the butt of the weapon to punch the man in the face. It made the soldier step back a bit, although he did not falter. Slade took the opportunity to throw the gun as far away from him and his adversary as possible. And once again the mastermind stood tall, as a predator leering over its prey. He pulled out a combat knife. It seemed this was going to take a little while.

BANG!

The soldier in front of him fell to his knees and began to cough up blood before he completely fell face first into the dirt road. Slade looked up to only see Asif with a gun steadily in his good hand, the broken one to his side. His breath was hitched, his eyes wide. Slade wondered for a moment what made him take action? Regardless it was a welcomed outcome.

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"We need to get back over there... but we'd need to head through the burning structures again and I dunno if my lungs can take another bout of that."

Robin could only agree with her. The smoke and fire wasn't something he'd want to face again, unless necessary. He was hesitant however, although not about the fire. There was a part of him that wanted to walk away from all this. Leave Slade behind. He told himself he could deal with the man another day. But then again... after everything that has happened. Robin felt like Slade was a connection to all this he couldn't loose, not yet anyways. He had to many questions that never got answered. One being Slade's ongoing insistence for his apprenticeship. Why drag him out here? Why him? Just why? Slade always gave him the same answer. "Who else could endure? Who else is worthy?" Robin always scoffed at his words. There was many others that would kill for the chance to be Slade's apprentice. But that singular eye always came back to him. In the end he knew he had to go back to Slade. Since everything seemed to end or begin with the man. And even if he did leave, Slade would come looking for him, the man would chase the boy across every desert, and beyond every ocean. So for now he would stay put, play it safe. Slade had the information he sought. Also the mastermind was helping Robin. He couldn't... shouldn't just leave.

The Titan sighed, he felt as if his mind was going into overdrive. He tried to shut it down a few times now. But everything just kept coming back to him. Over and over again. Everything, but for the Titans... They seemed so distant now. A faint memory.

"You cannot go home, you are no longer a Titan."

He took a deep breath. The voice again.

"The only place you belong is at Slade's side. After all that you've done..."

Robin closed his eyes. He couldn't help but agree. He'd done to much. How had he fallen so far? How? Why? Sariel was right about this part of the world. Life out here wasn't so simple. One had to fight to survive. It was you or them. And as selfish as it seemed, he wanted to live. So others had to die. Or be left behind... Slade was also correct, on so many things, so so many things. Robins anger for the man raised its ugly head in that moment. How he hated the man. Bringing him out here, to this god forsaken place. And once again the questions rose up in his mind. Why? Every time Slade entered into his life it was never a good thing. And now... out here. Was the mastermind right about him all along? Robin still didn't trust him, the man after all brought him out here for some sort of crazy field trip. Robin had hoped he wouldn't be effected, but even he knew it was to late. Nothing he did now seemed to make him flinch anymore. All there was, was just action. He had to move, and keep moving. The faces of those he left behind when he could do nothing but move were etched into his mind. Robin shuddered at the thought. He would have to have a talk with that man once they got back.

"How are we-"

Robin looked to her with a grim frown. "We drive through it, or go over."

"Drive through it?" She liked where this was going. Robin only nodded at her. 'Yea."

"Let's go acquire a car then."

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Cold. Darkness. A voice.

"Get up!"

"You need to finish your mission."

"They are making a fool of you."

A boot to her side. She moaned in pain.

"Madaline."

"Madaline Borisova. Make yourself useful."

How is this possible? How? Sariel. She aimed a gun at her head. Pulled the trigger. Then there was nothing. Nothing but the cold. Why was it so cold? There was fire all around her. The heat... she could no longer feel it. Then...

"She would be displeased."

"No." she opened her eyes and saw a white figure. Her vision still blurry.

"Can you see me?"

"Geist?"

"Ja? Can you see me? Or did that bullet cause you some damage? Other then killing you that is." The man chuckled. She blinked several times but to no avail. "No... I cannot... everything is so blurry."

Geist smirked at the woman. "It does not matter."

"It does to me!"

"But you have little time Madaline. And it's getting shorter."

It dawned on her then. Anger crept into her voice "You resurrected me, only so that I may fulfill the mission?"

"Ja." Her anger flared out of her in form of a punch, which she missed because of her vision. "How dare you!?" Geist stood off to the side. He chuckled. "It was a simple task. Now get back to work. Fulfill your mission as she requested of you. Then I may let you actually die..."

"Sariel doesn't have the Legacy."

"I did not simply bring you back from the dead for that. You have other alternatives. Complete your mission."

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Annnd there ya go. I promise there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of Slade and Robin dynamic coming up soon... but the two have been separated and that doesn't help much so yea.

ANYWHO! Let me know what ya think. PLS PLS leave me a review.

Until next time guys, you all have a good one out there, and I'll see ya next chapter. OH just so ya guys know I have a twitter, come pester me! I usually also post "updates" for this fanfic and for the webcomic and ya know... just various stuff. (link is in my bio)

Anywho Laters!

-Fangy