Trust... [A Robin Love Story]

Chapter 23: The Betrayal...

Author's P.O.V

The Teen Titans retreated to their tower in bitter defeat.

"First Krystal, and now Terra..." Beast Boy said, clearly depressed.

"How will we be able to celebrate Blorthog with them...? Have we not been good friends to them?" Starfire asked with sadness laced in her every word.

"There's nothing we could do about it. It was their decision." Cyborg was trying to stay level headed but you could tell that he was sad about it too. Raven's silence also held slight sadness. Robin however was trying to prevent every fiber of his being not to lash out. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists until he could feel his nails digging through his gloves.

"This is all Slade's doing. He's trying to get back at us for foiling his plans so many times." He said angrily. They couldn't say anything because they felt guilty about not being able to prevent their friends from turning over to the dark side. Robin was restless and was angry at himself for feeling so helpless. He didn't know what to say to his discouraged team mates because he too was feeling very discouraged. He's already lost two important team mates and ruined his relationship with Starfire. What was next??

Meanwhile, Krystal was none the wiser about Robin's inner turmoil because she was busy training with Terra. They sparred in the training grounds of Slade's hide out and Krystal was testing out her newfound ability.

"Attack her more." Slade commanded of Terra. She was hesitant as she looked worriedly at Krytal who was already badly beaten and had cuts and bruises all over her body. Krystal was not used to training with an opponent like Terra. She's been so used to mixed martial arts with Slade and evasive training for projectiles but actually trying to land a punch on Terra was pretty difficult since she wasn't that used to her fighting style yet.

"Why do you hesitate, child?" Slade asked her.

"But she's..." Terra stuttered.

"Do you really expect to be able to live a proper life if you always back out and run away?" He taunted her. His remark angered her. Her surroundings started fading around her and unconsciously, large boulders had started levitating behind her ominously. Krystal quickly regained her footing but was a little too weak to run to safety. Then suddenly, the ground underneath her began to crumble and then swallowed her, making her unable to move. Tears began streaming down Terra's face.

"I've always tried my best to fit in. I've always tried my best to care for everyone..." She said to herself. The grip around Krystal squeezed tighter and tighter.

'Can't breathe...'

'Hang in there, Krystal...' A familiar voice called out to her soothingly. As she was losing consciousness, she felt her body begin to heat up like a fever. Terra was suddenly unable to control she grip that she had on Krystal. Infuriated, she just threw her clean across the room. Under his mask, Slade had a wickedly twisted grin as he desperately tried hiding his maniacal excitement. Although Krystal managed to escape imminent death, she was severely injured and was unable to move. Terra snapped out of her black out and saw what she had done to Krystal. Cuts and bruises covered her body all over. A mixture of fresh and old blood stained her clothes and streaked her hair. They couldn't see it but for sure, she had broken a rib or two from that grip of hers. Terra ran away right before her legs buckled and Slade did nothing but toss her a bulky first aid kit.

"You did well. Stay in your quarters until I need you again." he said before leaving her to continue advancing his evil plan. Only when Krystal was sure that Slade had left the room and she had the room to herself, only then did she stop choking back her tears and let out a scream of immense agony. Even she was surprised at herself that she hasn't passed out from shock.

But she's done this before.

Nothing new.

Her cries of agony intensified as she reached out to start treating her injuries with the med kit that Slade tossed her.

*~Meanwhile~*

"Do not shed your tears, child. This is all part of your training." Slade said.

"I almost killed her. How is that part of my training?! I thought you said you were going to teach me how to control my powers?!" She shouted at him.

"How foolish. How do you expect to be able to control your powers if you get so affected by everything that happens around you." Slade could care less about what Terra was barking about, he had better things to do. Terra had a lot more to say but before she could utter another word, he forcefully grabbed her shoulders to cut her off.

"Self control isn't given to you, Terra. You have to develop it on your own. Now stop whining and get yourself under control." He said before shoving her aside and made his exit.

"I almost killed your daughter... How are you okay with that?" Terra mumbled to herself, not expecting him to answer.

"I have my own ways of protecting my daughter." he said before actually leaving. Terra wiped her snot and ran to where Krystal is, hoping to help her. When she got there, she saw her still where they left her. She was all bandaged up but still looked like she was in pain. Terra knelt beside her and Krystal was too injured to move but her body shook in fear.

"Oh no, please don't be scared! I just wanted to see how you're doing... And to apologize for getting carried away..." she said. It was too painful for her to move anything so she just managed to do a faint "Mh-hmm" with her throat. Terra brought with her some pain killers that she had on her and a pillow for Krystal to lie down on. She was too scared to move her so she just tried her best to keep her comfortable.