Our Time in Reverse- What it Takes
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Chapter 65: Roads to Close Calls – Intersecting Signals
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"We hit the jackpot with that call, Cy. Way ta go!" Beastboy high five his pal over Raven's head as she walked up to the doors of the towers main hall. "Can we just debrief and stop messing up? Starfire. Your timing was poorly initiated. Cyborg, I know you lead this team, yet there has to be –
The sound of a ping on the screen was showing that their game station had been hooked up. Cy bounded over to find that there was in fact one intruder, a glum one in tights seated like a noisy brat.
"We got company, a'ight." He pointed to the short, raven haired kid in green and red, his belt still on too tight to see past the many faces as his monkey space racer crashed with a wallop into another opponent.
"Dude, two words. Wipe. Out."
"One word, actually Raven pushed a strand back from her face of violet and started to speak up fir all of her stunned teammates. "Robin, or Jason. Right?"
"Yeah, Bats said I'm living here with you. To be a shining example cause my brother failed at it –
Starfire moved in front of the screen with her eyes green and irritated at that harsh compliment. "Our Robin did not load for free. He was perhaps, unjust. He also did not wish to cause any true harm on his own. It was due to that bad mam, Slade."
"He's not really on his side now, B said." Jason put down the controller as Bb cocked his head to the side. "What'dya mean? He's super – human now, right? He beat you, didn't he?"
"Terra beat you, but she tried to fix herself and died keeping herself safe under his watch. I'm sorry –
"Don't." Gar snipped. "You don't get to talk about her. She was all alone and Slade…you can't even tell how angry we were for Bruce not trying –
"He fucking took him from us too. Happy?" Jason shot at the four.
"I'm either your fifth member, or I will stand my ground and be a damned vigilante. I'm not going until we know Trigon is outta our scope. Slade still had those powers –
"Powers…the fire marks in that field of pine trees!" Starfire gasped. "That must have been a warning…"
"To stay away. Dunno who went up against that little creep. I sure as shit had nothing to do with him starting brush fires all over the place."
"Watch your mouth, Todd! We got enough to deal with, not being able to say a thing since is killing all of us." Cy told the other teen, reluctantly.
"Then can you please let me finish? I was going to say, that Dick is keeping his calm for ad long ad he can. He's acting now, ya dummies! We even made sure that he's on our side to get the…to get out."
"Dick ….he is not unwell? We dies then remember his, friends?"
"We weren't supposed to be friends, Star." Cy shook his head. "He's gonna get a trial, like Terra."
"We have to stop Slade, first. And keeping Raven under lock and key may be the smartest thing we can do. Bat's orders."
Raven jutted by the words he spoke at all. To her! "I'M in charge of myself. This is not his team –
"But it's our responsibility, because didn't the JLA fund your little passion project? You got into this gig by them, just like I did. I can't get out until I'm old enough vote and drive the heck away. Far, far a ….away." He dumped out the cursing as Beastboy growled under his breath. "If he gets to stay, then I'm going to be the one who doesn't have to hold back if he takes us all out. You work for the bat –
"For now, I said."
"You're not even legal, dude! You are so a stooge to the guy!"
"Am not, green blubber mouth! I'm just keeping the peace! Why is this so effing hard on you all!"
"You can use his room, but only stay as long as it's to shadow me. Not to replace Robin."
"Not your choice. Bats said I had to do it."
Raven raised a brow. "Will you, do what he asks, every time?"
"I…YE-
Jason stopped himself as she snorted with a hand to her hip. "If Batman told you to hop on a rocket and fight Starro; if he told you to dive into a barrage of flying bullets. Or even if he said to take down your own team in the future?"
That, was wrong. So wrong.
"I'm doing this to help you –
"We were not the ones who begged fir the assistance that you claim we would ever." Starfire frowned. "You think so highly of a man that shows little affection –
"He scares people, yeah. That's who he –
"He freaked Dick out. You have no idea what they did to each other." Cy added. "If you're nothing like Batman, then Dick is nothing like Slade. Think we don't know what you're really here ta do, tough guy?"
"You wanted to take over in leading this team." Raven answered. "You thought because Bruce gave you permission to come here, that we'd let you do whatever you decided would save the day, faster."
"I wanted to join-
"Reserve." Raven replied. "A reserve member. If we need you, we'll call."
/
Jason stomped out with his comm in his pocket. In the other, he could contact the bat. Have him stand…
Jason held the unit tighter as his jaw ached from clenching down. He was already Raven's age. Fifteen, right? Almost…he….he could do this! He could demand respect. They were so out of line. Not him.
He signaled the bat computer, and moments later, the tower door slid back as Bruce's face left everyone else feeling grim. Jason knew tatting was only a last case scenario work, but…
~ He's in charge. Raven? You're not stable enough to handle what Slade is planning. I'm from now on expecting you all to abide and keep me arrest of any issues….As well as Jason.~
Jason, was now the black sheep in the tower and hating every second of what he'd just done.
/
The heroes treated him like a school house cafeteria clique to the bullied and neglected transfer student.
They turned their backs on him, even at play or in the gym. Cy tried to show that he was mature enough to tailor his responses. Raven didn't do anything but back her orders.
Not until Jason finally felt that things weren't going to work unless he grew a dozen pairs.
"Listen up, team! I'm not the fan fave, I know that."
"You ratted us out to Batman. We're prisoners till we stop the bad guy." Cy frowned and worked on his boxing in a corner where the light never breached his armor.
"Then you shall never have to return here." Starfire huffed with her nose upturned.
"You wanna be the hero? Do the right thing, dude? Then habe Batman and his team make everything right by Terra! Her brother is a king now, and he isn't going to settle. Neither are we! Slade lied and said Bryan was locked up. I met the guy, he was really hurt. Maybe super traumatized but…I get that. He lost his sister. You just…didn't give two-
"Coins will not make what is unwell, right again." Starfire pointed at the other Robin. "Finding and saving our dear friend…will never be enough for what your other team and mentor has done to our family."
"He's gonna come back. He's a mole! He swapped side-
"How do you know what Slade hasn't found out already? If he has, you had better learn to hold your head up. It's worthless to hope you're not wrapped up.in the same guilt…that we all are."
Raven lowered her hood as the others….
Jason understood it now. They were still in mourning.
"I promised to get himself back, and stopping Trigon after…I'm going to pay my respects to Bryan and his family."
"Batman too?" Cy added.
"Bruce, too." Jason smiled with a strained set of eyes on the teens. "So, what do….leader types usually have you do?"
"An initiation." Chuckled Bb.
Raven materialized a white tu- tu as Cy, held a unicycle out from nowhere.
Beastboy held a rubber toy checked and Starfire had a red leotard as Jason snorted abd then laughed…finding, that it was no joke.
"Jump, em!!"
"Ha- ha! Hey! Wait, wait!!"
They got him into the duds as Beastboy took a snap shot while Raven made Jason recite their oath.
~ When there is trouble, you know who to call. We work as one unit to stop the rising forces of evil – to bestow order to this city and to the world. We are…the teen titans!~
"And, that's a wrap!" Cy grinned as Starfire floated over to help Jason off of the unicycle. "Ten minutes. Alright! A new record over…."
They stopped talking, too many memories popping up. "Doing this helps with small instances. Memory, I guess." Jason wondered if the heroes saw him as his own person, not a different Robin.
"Slade, he's gonna wish he'd never messed with us. As long as Jay here doesn't go loco like –
Jason growled, hitting Bb with his own rubber chicken as Raven held back a giggle. "Start peddling, new recruit."
"Agreed!" Starfire chimed back with Jason feeling her soft glow emirates Dick must have. "We shall welcome your assistance as long as, you don't go the crazy."
"It's cool, guys."
/
~ It's cool guys, nothing is gonna stop me from completing the mission. I'm batman.~ He imitated his father as the kids burst out laughing.
Slade was in the next room washing up as Will pulled from his little guilty pleasure. The boy wondered nothing of this. Should he tell…
~ Not a sound.~
Slade's warning was a temptation that would reveal itself in time. Faxing his brother who had stolen the boy's father abd potential team, had he recovered himself. Well…
Fat chance of that. Will shut the laptop. He was no gossip, not a spy. Just, irritating bored of standing watch.
Slade met him down in the foyer, the boy dressed rather plain fir their time in the closest joint he'd be permitted to evaluate. The mastermind was donning a white fitted tee and held his watch like a spy on a mission. His rugged jeans were not built for a man of his age, yet who could tell? He look less than forty as Dick shuffled in in a button down red shirt with a baseless black logo on the breast pocket, a set of black cargos and sneakers to remind him of a flightless nobody as he'd become in such a short time. Will positively preened at the idea of the boy's confidence being beaten by his wardrobe. Hilarious!
"Hands down. You look like a generation apart from those your age… Not a fan of the latest trends?"
"I'm not going to need to wear, I'm no model. Sir. This is comfortable. We're in San Fran. I need to walk, not run."
"No, you're just being yourself. For this time, anyway." Dick crinkled his nose as Slade let the message in deep. Did…was he being tested again? Was he aware of Dick's plan??
"Bring a pair of shades along, it would suit you."
Dick blinked up at the mad man. "Sure, but is that too much, sir?"
Slade picked out his own black tinted aviators from their case; a designer pair, but teched out. Hidden in the framework of a mastermind and former crime lord, as he gave Dick a suitable pair with the capacity for comes to come through it. "It is, so I don't lose track of my apprentice. Ready to set off?"
"He should be, I'd say." Will picked up his laptop and dusted off his pant leg from the potato earth he'd been rust colored by. "Beef stew for tomorrow, Slade?"
"Why not." Slade shrugged, and he looked happier. Maybe a new sign that Dick was playing the game. Maybe, just how he operated around Will.
"The kid needs to bulk it up a notch. He's thin as a bean sprout." Both men joked while Dick knew that jest stung only a little. Jason could build, but he always was an acrobat with a lithe frame at heart. He didn't mind the massive training, yet it was as if he didn't have the genetics like his father until a few years ran by.
Sixteen and still leaner than average. More martial artists as Slade could see he wasn't to be ashamed of it, just the man's words. He knew Will tended to tease because of how Richard wasn't Grant. It would come at no shock that Wintergreen was a bit grouchy at the idea of the boy trying so hard, when he had yet to be broken into his later role.
That worried the teen, he could tell by how the boy was all but amused at how Will's sarcasm branded him. William could one – up Grayson on just about as much subservience as a lap dog. Only, as a grumpy, conniving older one.
Super old.
Dick looked at the door, thinking nothing as Will cleared his throat, making the boy change his tune. Did Will take the serum too? Was that blue juice really the fountain of youth?
"Dick?"
The boy shook his locks, turning his head as the shades went on. He tried to pass it off as being a little dazed from a lack of calories. "Here and ready, Master."
"Slade, in public." Will said under his breath, making Dick redden as the other man ushered them to the sun he had in the garage a few steps down the hill of the estate grounds.
/
Bruce stopped at a mark, one. The score he had seen in these woods was not to be tested as Manhunter scanned the spot. A shadow, red eyes.
"It was Trigon's energy. I sense that he is building his power by leaving these marks to allow his return to our plane."
"Raven has to know something. I'll talk to Jason –
"She is, not as strong on her own against the threat. Knowing this, she us also the most power hero on her team."
"She's demon, J'onn. The king's offspring. A combination of human and overlord of the old Azarath. A book Mr. Zatara left explained how Trigon was banished by the elders of Azarath. He was once in line to rule over it, yet Lady Azar, his mother…"
"She is descended from both worlds as well, even while knowing nothing."
"And Angela Roth was the way to earth, to cement his place as a cultist god for the Church of Blood."
"Brother Blood has been in solitary confinement since Cyborg had his body…paralyzed to pieces."
"It had to happen, he was a threat and he's still alive. He'll be worked on by scientists to fix what he took from himself."
Cyborg, while Dick had been with Bruce fo a bit, went undercover to find out about a super weapon that the HIVE's new leader was planning to use. To his shock, Cyborg's ability and his own body were the envy of Sebastian Blood, who called Cyborg far better than he claimed to be. He'd brainwashed Cyborg until the academy was shut down and Speedy was there with Kid Flash to report that also, another child was there. Snow white hair, dark blue eyes.
Cambodian.
He wondered why she wore the colors of Slade's old Terminator ensemble.
She had to be a wannabe apprentice, or else….
Slade didn't know that she had existed. Maybe, she knew herself about the REAL, Slade Wilson….
"Get the readings collected and we'll head back to Star City."
"Is Oliver close by at this hour?" J'onn levitated over as Batman stroked his chin and thought over what needed to be done. How he'd not lived this long to be slapped in the face by a little ruse. A little scar mark on the turf of teenaged heroes – all in danger, all his responsibility.
"He is, and I will need his ex - ward to explain everything he saw when he fought the one, who did this…"
/
The place they parked had no tolls as the two stepped out in their civilian get up. Dick looked over the man's build to see the PIZZA sign and his heart fell.
"Here?"
"You almost had a fight with the morpher, don't you remember? I never permitted you to have whatever you wanted. Today, It's as long as there is at least a decent supply of greens."
"Oh….but….you said –
"We're having a moment." Slade dipped down to collect the kid's ear. "Don't ruin it, alright?"
/
They stepped into the place and went upstairs to the highest terrace of the joint. Some women actually gawked at Slade, while the kid didn't look like he belonged beside the man posing as a male shirt model.
"People are looking at us…" Dick whispered across the table as they took their menus up to share whatever came to mind. While ordering, of course. "That's fine. It's not everyday that happens." Slade fibbed. "I'm sure being with Bruce at events or outings as a child had similar, reactions?"
"Yeah, more than I even wanted…" The boy leaned back and groaned, looking over at the seat behind himself and…
"Bathroom!" Dick flew out and down to the floor below, his idea wasn't wrong. Kid Flash was incog. This, was a mission. He wasn't here to play nice.
"Damn it….Eh….ok, ok. Focus….Fuck~!" He gripped his skull of raven hair until the door, there had come a knock.
"Richard?"
Shit….
Dick scrambled for the toilet and pretended to do his business. "Don't come in. I'm using it!"
Slade grumbled and sighed lightly. "Well, the pizza will get cold. I already ordered for us. Is spinach on yours, fine?" He hinted it, his teeth clenching as patrons walked past with their big gulp cups.
"Fine….not too much dairy?"
~Dully noted. ~
Slade went away to give him some privacy as Dick tugged off his shades and put them in one of his cargo pockets. "Gotta get past the bodyguard…" He bit his lip, waiting and hoping the man wasn't putting up a wall to keep him in one place. Poking hi head out the door, he did his best to look into sneaking around. He had to go back, signal to Wally. He knew about the kid through Roy. Roy, he went to school with Dick and he wasn't the fairest of them all, but he knew Bruce. He was important, and Wallace West could play the messenger. It was practically his job!
Dick walked gingerly up the steps to the terrace and prayed that KF was still in his designer tee and not going anywhere so soon.
Slade turned his head as the pizza came right as he went to seat himself.
Wait…
Where was –
"Dick? The food is already here. Is everything, alright? I did ask you before." The man leaned forwards as Dick shook his head, sheepishly with a joking smile. "I'm fine! It's….just, I don't think coming here, was….too soon? I am still getting over how I, you know?"
"Ah, I see. Jitters from, that?" Slade chuckled, seemingly with a human smirk.
Wally was still shifting his leg while holding a big gulp drink in hand. The sips a bother, but in code. Dick decided to put his new skill to the test.
"Sir, I'd like to order a drink. It might calm me down. A….lemonade?"
Slade called over a waitress as she scratched on one big gulp cup of sunshine.
With ice.
Perfect.
/
Roy and Wally were not the best, best of friends, yet Batman rung him up and away he drove on his bike to the spot that Bruce Wayne was. A hotel lobby and a few questions right in Jump City. "I need to have you stay calm, think back." J'onn did a sweep as Roy let it happen. His misery was of Dick pushing himself to the bring to outwit an insane criminal, especially from what Zee had told her peers. "He's definitely leaving his message. It might happen again. What were you doing prior to coming here, Harper?"
Manhunter was able to speak to Roy better than Batman as he recorded the whole thing for evidence. "I think they are outside of the city. I mean, Slade literally took over and avoided bashing heads with Ollie. He took Jump as a second-place runner up in his world take over scheme. So not like him, so maybe he was possessed by a demon before that?"
"Or something else." Bruce frowned. "Even so, Raven needs you to be there. It's a long shot, so will you do this. For Jason?"
Roy turned to the bat and frowned. His young adult hair was cropped short in a crew and his mask was a pair of shades as he wore his red bomber jacket and black shirt with black denim. He didn't like being plucked out to sit for kids his age. Who did that? Bruce was leaving this to his Robin, and he'd lose him like he had…
"You sure you want me to butt into their business? Dick would have been like that, pretend to want to join up only to be a spy for the enemy. They still hate you guys for losing two of their potential own."
"It's not up to what anyone wants, Roy. It's –
"So, you only care about the mission. That if Raven loses control of her "emotions," you'd say she failed and not you for exhausting her?"
J'onn cleared the air in his human guise even before, he could try one more time. "Bruce only wished to protect them. Raven is, unpredi –
"She's gonna need to be with those she can trust, and you just let in a kid who needs the same. He's not gonna go back to being your Robin, you know." Roy got up, his eye on the time at his wrist. "I'll swing by and locate Walls. He's been in Jump since his sights are set on some chick from the HIVE academy we scrambled. I think he's sweet on her, too." Snorted the archer with a wave back, his back now to the bat and alien.
"Smell ya, later."
/
So, Wally is incog but how – how did he end up stalking the duo?? And the chick has to be Jinx. Hands down! Slade is buttering up the former ward of the bat, but for what purpose? Roy won't rat himself out, but he will keep an eagle eye out on his teammates. He tries not to get to caught up in more drama. The jacket by the way is inspired by the one from Akira. Red? Bomber eighties style? And the glass with ice…Morse code!!
While Batman and Co do some deep digging at the scene of the crime, the Titans initiate Jason as their stand in Robin. Thing is, they still can't totally trust him. He still depends on the bat, and it's like Batman manning the team (sexist, srry.) Raven was the co capt and she feels threatened in her position, while Bb is angrier for Terra's death under the League's watch. Starfire wants Richard back since he's not truly evil, yet told he has no other choice – nine years in the making and still not entirely broken.
So, what happens when a speedster forget to tip the waiter, or two super villains do a dine and dash? Find out!!