I know, it's been since DECEMBER 2020, and I'm sorry, I always say I'm sorry, it's been months. But COVID! I hope everyone is doing ok with this whole pandemic situation. I hate to say it but my art and me creating a world for a future webcomic has taken up most of my off time. But again... I really want to finish this. So trying... kinda failing, but trying.

ANYWAYS thank you to all my followers, reviewers, you guys are the best. I'm so grateful to anyone that has read this and keeps reading this. I still am kinda surprised by the amount of people that read it and like it so thank you so much. But yay Chapter 60. Still not done yet, this is supposed to be a long story, I'm thinking the 100 chapter mark but I know I need to get my ass in gear.

Anyways ON WITH THE STORY!

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Helicopter rides were something he had come accustomed to. It seemed to be Slade's favored choice in transportation and he could understand why. While helicopters were tracked like any other vehicle, they were more likely to sneak past various security measures. People saw helicopters and they generally thought military or police force, most didn't bat an eye at it. That and in more recent days Robin had found the helicopter to be much more comfortable as it was much easier to lose himself in his thoughts as he flew over towns and forests, which was something he didn't mind these days. Time to think was welcomed. Richard sighed as his gaze past Asif's form passed out in the cockpit, next to the pilot. He hoped from here on out the two could work together. Asif was the last remnant of the people that welcomed him into the desert and beyond. Sariel would be upset if he didn't take care of "the kid" as she often had called him.

Time moved along slowly as he looked out the window. The scenery had changed from the landscape of France to the west coast of Africa, where Slade surprisingly had another base in Liberia, where they had stopped off for some more fuel before they continued their journey over to Brazil, then on to the Caribbean. It was sunny and hot outside. The heat was beaten away by the air conditioner they had in the helicopter, but Robin was rethinking his choice of attire, which was a pair black sweatpants and a hoodie when he had changed back in France. He frowned knowing what awaited him when they landed.

"Be prepared." it was a sudden change in the silence he and his master had shared for the past while. Slade had no mask on, but hadn't changed from his uniform. "Both of them are down there."

"Both of them?" Robin was perplexed. Was there some sort of threat within Slade's own base?

The mastermind smirked. "It's been awhile since they have seen me, I'm probably going to get a earful from both of them."

"Who are you talking about?"

Slade's singular eye caught his apprentice, "You'll find out."

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Germany had welcomed the Titans. And if this wasn't such a grim task they would probably be enjoying themselves. But they were here for a singular purpose; to find Robin. Or at least something that could lead them to their missing leader. The first thing they had decided upon was setting out to find the bar where the security footage was from. That took a couple of days, mostly because the German police were not being very helpful and Raven had felt the essence of Robin linger heavily from some other random spots before finding the bar in question. One such spot was an apartment, a large one. Knowing that they were trespassing they entered the building anyways. And after a brief search, they had found hardly anything. If they were here, they were not planning on returning. Likely had another place set up for after... whatever it was that Robin was doing. But Raven had found Robins essence and strong emotions had lingered all throughout the entire apartment, along with some others that she didn't know. Then there was one she did. She took a deep breath. They were right all along. Slade had been here, along with Robin.

The team currently was standing in front of the pub that was on the news that night. Raven looked on at the damage that had been caused because of fight, and frowned. "This doesn't look good."

Cyborg crossed his arms. "Place looks trashed, man what was he thinking or even doing here?" The mechanical titan shook his head. He just couldn't wrap his brain around the idea of Robin being here of all places. In a bar, in a bar fight, it just didn't seem like Robin.

"Looks like they still serving brewski's yo. Nothing stops these guys from a having a beer. We should go inside."

"Yo BB! We can't just go inside." He bent down Beast Boys height. "It's a bar."

Beast Boy was about to give his remark when Raven glared at him. "We are on official business. It's not like we would be drinking even if we were of age."

"Yes." Starfire had spoken up. "I do believe that in this place of a hardy beer and lederhosen, they even allow the smallest of children into a place of drinking."

"She's right." Raven looked to the boys. "We can go in, just can't order anything."

Cyborg nodded. "Alright, but let's not cause these guys more of a mess then what they already have to clean up. We go in and see if we can get any answers from the bartenders, waitresses and anyone that is willing to talk with us. If you need any translating come to me, I downloaded me a handy translator. So I should be able to translate most of what they got to say."

The team with some reassurance from Cyborg took the first few steps into the bar to hopefully find some sort of clue on what and where to go next. However, Raven wasn't so sure. While the bar may of been the last location of Robin's whereabouts, it didn't mean they would find anything. If anything she wanted to see that church. The one that had crumbled into itself. She had a hunch they would find something more there. This bar felt off. The air was to thick here.

She watched her teammates walk in. "If anyone of them want to say anything at all." She soon followed them inside.

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With the helicopter now being on solid ground the three had climbed out to be greeted by a old man with short white hair and a mustache. He was dressed in nice slacks, a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a vest over top. "Will." Slade had addressed the man as he walked towards the trio, although Asif felt as if he was invisible. He wouldn't blame Slade for it however, he knew it was of unimportance, unlike Robin.

"Oh about time you showed up. You've been about every other bloody place in the world but here."

"Will, this is Richard. Richard, this is my long time friend William Wintergreen."

"Oh so your the one this whole kerfuffle is about." The two shook hands before Will looked to his friend. "She isn't happy Slade." The man would of rolled his eyes if not for spotting the flash of red marching his way. "When is she ever? I should of never have hired her."

"Now Slade she may be in your face, and at times you do deserve it, but she's the best assistant you've ever had and the only one tough enough to have stayed alive this long. Also the only one ever to keep any of your mess of paperwork in control."

"I suppose... Still you could of kept up with the job."

"Babysitting the boys when your gone is one thing, doing all that paperwork you keep lying around? No thanks. Besides I do everything else around here."

Richard and Asif took one look at one another then looked at the woman approaching them. She seemed very professional, all business. She wore a navy skirt suit, red high heels and she wore a pair of rectangular framed glasses. And her hair was probably just as red as Starfire's, although this women kept it short and neat, with a few long ends in the front.

"Goddammit Slade, where the hell have you been?" she had directed her question right to the man in question. Suddenly, Robin wasn't so sure about using the term professional to describe her anymore.

Wintergreen nudged his old friend. "I told you she was mad."

"Chloe, it's nice to see you to."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You need to have your ass plunked in yer damn office for months on end with all the requests and jobs that have surfaced while you've been gone. Jesus Christ ya know how much convincing it has taken to get that society of yours off our backs. Where is Slade they keep asking, fuck if I know I tell them. They never listen tho'."

"I trust everything is in order."

"Fuck, you've kept me around for 10 years, what the hell do you expect? Of course everything is in order. Everything has been filed, contacts have been kept, stupid jobs got the shredder and anything interesting I left on your desk. As for the society, they can shove it. Been a thorn in my side the whole time, but I kept them occupied enough they never knew ya weren't really around. Hell I even got the kid a room set up, although I wasn't expecting more the one kid." the women motioned to Asif

"Oh you don't need to worry about me."

"No no no, you'll get a place to rest your damn head, I'll make sure of it."

Will laughed. "Oh look at you go. See I could retire with her around."

Chloe gave him a scowl. "Oh shut it old man, like hell yer retiring. I ain't doing your job to."

Slade let out a sigh and motioned everyone to head back. "Shall we?"

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"Alright kid. I got you a good room, one of the best in the entire facility. Its got a nice view, lots of space, and a dojo is down the hall. Obviously since the boss choose you then you must like to do yer whole martial art whooha thing" Slade had Chloe show Robin to his room while he and Wintergreen went over everything that had happened in the past while. "I also made sure we got you some fresh clothes, kinda basic, but ya know it'll do. Although I'm sure if you ask you can go shopping at one of those fancy resorts a island over. But I made sure you had everything ya will need and it's all clean and proper. But don't come crawling to me when yer stuff begins to smell ok, that ain't my job. Take that to Wintergreen. Old guys is like Slades personal butler or something..."

"His butler?" Robin was reminded of Alfred. Did Slade have a butler?

"Yea well.. yes and no. But Will does a lot of stuff around here as is. Anyways, if you need anything Just gimme a call ok?" Chloe said her goodbyes and left him to his own devices. Robin had decided that she was from New York... or close to it. Maybe New Jersey? The accent gave him that idea. One day, once he got to know her a bit better, he would have to ask. Still, the idea of Slade having friends or just even employees that have stuck with him for years... was still new to him. While a Titan, Slade was always a threat, a menace to society, not someone that got told to go sit in his office and do his paperwork by a 5'5 red headed mouthy lady. He honestly never thought he'd see that day. Regardless Chloe was close to Slade and Wintergreen... she was someone he would have to gain favor with. Then there was William Wintergreen. Slade's old friend... Richard wondered exactly how long those two had known each other. Wintergreen seemed to be able to push Slades buttons and without gaining serious injury. That was a feat in itself.

Robin was about to sit down and just forget it all and relax when there was a knock at the door. "Enter." It was Asif that opened the door. Robin smirked in his direction. "Did Chloe set you up with a room?" As shrugged, "Nothing as grand as yours, but it will do."

Robin sat on the edge of bed and gestured to the small sofa. Asif took it and sat down. "So, what now?" Robin shrugged. "Not much we can do now. I suppose we should just go with the flow for the time being. See what options will be presented to us. In the meantime I think Slade wants me to take a vacation."

"Probably the reason for the tropical island."

"I can't say I blame him for having a base here. A home away from home."

"Okay." Asif crossed his legs. "So for now we take it easy."

Robin nodded. "We need to keep an eye on the Justice League. See if they do anything strange or unusual for them. Remember little by little we can take them down. But I'm also going to have a few other responsibilities put on my shoulders. After this mini vacation, Slade is definitely going to make me work."

"Then let me be your eyes when you can not watch them."

"Thank you."

"In the end of it all, Aurora won't see what hit her."

"Cheers to that."

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"I'm still amazed."

"About what Will?"

The two men sat across from one another in Slades office, a bottle of scotch between them.

"That you got him, that you managed to convince the Bats kid to join you. I'm guessing he's not to happy. The Bat that is."

"Not at all." Slade sipped on his glass. "Although, I must admit that encounter was very interesting."

"I bet... I heard about Jillian's grand kid." Slade shook his head. Sariel was in truth none of his concern. However, she was family to one of his close friends and allies. It still didn't sit well with him how she died, and he knew her death affected his apprentice as well. "Do me a favor Will and check in on Jillian every now and then." Will gave a nod. "You can count on it."

"So..." Will twirled the liquid in his cup. "What are you going to do with the kid now that you have him?"

Slade sat up and reached for the bottle to pour himself another glass. "Robin has been through Hell and back, he is in much need of a vacation."

"As I'm sure you do as well." William had interjected. And ignoring him Slade continued. "So he'll have some time off, then we can begin with proper training and getting the boy started on missions."

"Putting him to work so soon Slade?"

"The boys first kill was a massacre as he tried to avenge his fallen comrades, while I believe he needs some time to adjust, he's more than ready."

Wintergreen shrugged. "So you've told me."

"There is much work to be done Will."

"Lots of work you've been skipping out on."

Slade let out a sigh. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?"

"Not in your life. Besides, pestering you is really what I do best."

"One of these days I'm going to put you on a boat and leave you in the middle of the ocean."

Will laughed. "I'd find my way back. One way or another. You can't get rid of me that easily. Besides I'm pretty sure you'd begin to miss me at some point."

"Hardly."

"Then I'll warm myself up to the kid, then he'll miss me."

Slade chuckled. "Richard would probably like you once he got to know you. However, he might think your some insane old coot right now. Although that's not far from the truth."

The two men chuckled. For tonight and for the next little while Slade was contempt with the world as it was. A vacation might not be so bad. Robin could use one and perhaps so could he. A week or so of down time wouldn't hurt anyone. Although he was sure Chloe would complain, but she always did her job the fullest. He could count on her and Will to run things.

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Yep, gonna try and make newer chapters longer... anyways sorry for the filler, it was kind of important filler. Also Chloe is a new OC, but she's nothing major, she's just gonna kind be around here and there. But doesn't play a massive role. Plus I like the idea of some short fiery woman giving Slade shit. Also we are now moved along into the story where we are now in Slades territory, literally. This man has bases everywhere.

PLS PLS LEAVE ME A REVIEW! I LOVE REVIEWS! It motivates me more to update... *sighs* I have cookies and cake! If you leave me a review you get a cooookie!

Thanks you guys

-Fangy