A Madman's Apprentice

Thrill

Robin's heart was pounding. He ran back to the lair to give the laser device to Slade. He kept a calm demeanor. He held up the device to show. "Excellent, Robin. I'm pleased," Slade smiled, "You're already proving to be the perfect apprentice."

"This deal can't last forever."

"It can," the screens lit up behind Robin, who turned to face them, "and it will." The screens played the feed of the Titan's bloodstreams. "The Titans still have no idea that my Khronoton Detonator was more than a decoy. Now that my probes are inside their bodies, they could remain undetected for years, decades..." A wave of guilt hit Robin like a brick wall, to which he manifested into anger. Slade walked into his view.

"Unless of course, you disobey me and I decide to destroy your," Slade paused and walked over to the boy, "former friends with a push of the button."

"Sooner or later, you'll let your guard down. I will get that controller, and the second they're out of danger, you will pay," Robin growled. He was seething. Slade took the device from his apprentice and walked only a bit past the boy. He smiled behind his mask.

"That sounds like a threat, young man. Quite a good threat actually. Betrayal, destruction, revenge. We really do think alike." The comparison tipped Robin over the edge. He tried to lunge at Slade and grab the trigger, only for Slade to grab the boy's wrist and bend his whole arm backwards. With the other hand, Slade held his apprentice still.

"I monitored your vital signs during the mission. Elevated heart rate, adrenaline, endorphins. You won't admit it, but at some level, you enjoyed stealing for me. It was a thrill," he let go, "wasn't it?"

He went over to a table to screw the laser device to a cuff that would sit comfortably on Robin's wrist. Robin was rubbing his hurt wrist. "You're going to keep stealing, Robin. And you're going to keep getting that thrill," he looked over at the boy and smiled, "Sooner or later, you will see things my way."

Slade walked over to Robin and grabbed his wrist to put the cuff on him. "Who knows? I might even become like a father to you." Robin looked at the device, then looked at Slade. "I already have a father."

Slade pat the boy's head and ruffled his hair. "Oh, dear boy, not anymore." Robin turned away. "I hope you're happy. I hope you're enjoying this; taking away everyone from me. Isolating me. All you want is control. And I hope you're happy, because you know you've done it." Robin scoffed and balled his fists. Slade smiled. "As I've said before, apprentice, you'll learn to like it," he began to walk away.

"What's your plan?! Why do you need me," Robin shouted at him. Slade stopped. "In due time, Robin. In due time." He continued to walk away, and disappeared into the darkness of the lair.

Robin's lips began to tremble as he crossed his arms. All that could be heard was the sound of the gears turning and creaking above him, and echoing through the darkness. He looked over to the screens, displaying the Titan's bloodstreams, but as he did they faded to a white light, illuminating the gears a bit better. If he hadn't known Slade was there, he'd have assumed he was alone.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to focus on the sound of the gears rather than his situation. He opened his eyes and sighed. The reverbed gear echoes rang through his mind. It was a still cold. No drafts, just emptiness. The gears continued to turn.

"Robin," he heard coming echoing through the lair. He began walking down the direction he watched Slade go to. His footsteps echoed at a steady pace, mimicking and on beat with the gears. "Robin, please, talk to us," he heard faintly echo from the opposite direction. It was Star's voice. She sounded desperate to reach him, and on the verge of tears herself. He stopped for a brief moment before Slade called for him again, much louder, the echo drowning out Starfire's pleas.

He continued to walk further into the darkness, following Slade.