Cages of the Lost

Insaneiac the Maniac, Rebel Aquarius, Victor Van Heiring and Alexnandru Van Gordon

Alex: I've given up trying to warn you guys. The world is on the verge of destruction and I swear to God I smell smoke.

Victor: O.o? –eyes cousin- Ignore him.

Alex: Yes, leave me in my asphyxiation. Go ahead…read…be free…

Victor: We're just down because of the weather, so PLEASE ignore him. And you know what? Robin's suffering begins...This is going to be so much fun…

Alex: -.- -frowning- Yeah, yeah—let's just get on with…

CHAPTER THREE: Old friends…

(Victor: Sorry. We couldn't decide on a better chapter title, people.)

Yes…

Why did he say that?

After shutting off the computer, he leaned back in his chair and nearly fell back when he wasn't paying attention. He wanted to believe that this person was Slade, but he knew nothing of the man—aside from a missing eye and military status. That sounded like him but…then again, that could be a million other people. What he said about Robin was true, but there was no way in hell the man could have been his father's best man. It was just impossible. It was just…no, he had to use his intuition and prepare for the worst. Slade could have looked up on that information at any time.

He was going to play it safe this time, and the man said nothing about Robin having to go alone…

"So…you want us to come along?" BB inquired, staring out the window. They could see the beach from the tower, but the East Park Beach was around a cliff. It was small and somewhat private, but there was a large open beach house that people chose as a meeting place. If anywhere at all, that was probably where they would find this man.

Cyborg couldn't help but smile. "I think it's a smart idea. Better than him running headlong into danger."

It was an improvement from his…Red-X act and his first encounter with Slade in person. If this was a trap then he was going to be prepared for an ambush.

Cyborg, typing away at the main computer, typed in a couple of codes and started to print something up. Robin, curious, stepped to the printer and took out what appeared to be a picture of a wedding.

"Hey—that's my mom and dad!" He eyed the picture closer, looking to the right of his father. There was his best man, a guy about the same age as his father with short red hair and lively blue eyes. He was smiling…and he looked harmless.

"You said he was your father's best man." Cyborg grinned. "So now we know who we're looking for. If we can't find the guy in the first couple of minutes, we leave immediately."

He nodded. It sounded like a plan but he really wondered who he would find there. Would he find the man, Slade, or someone else entirely? It was just…a little too convenient. Orphaned and taken in by…a darker in spirit man, he would have loved for someone he knew to be with him. He didn't even know his grandparents for goodness sake…and there were days that he wished he was still in the circus.

"So…is it just Cy and me?" Beast Boy asked, lying down on the couch with his hands behind his head. "What about Raven?"

"And Star." Robin added. "They can tag along too."

Cyborg shook his head. "Not Star—or Raven. Star's sick and she looks purple instead of orange. Raven's with her in her room trying to heal her up."

Twitch…"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Beast Boy smiled innocently. "She didn't want you to see her face. I guess she wants to leave a perfect image in your mind…But Raven says she'll be fine tomorrow."

"Perfect imagine…" He growled, starting toward Beast Boy. The changeling yelped and jumped out, dashing into the hallway laughing like a maniac with Robin hot on his heels. "What is with you guys!"

"She's your girlfriend! She's your girlfriend! She's your girlfriend! She's your—choke!"

This was going to be a long night…

---

In his room he loaded up his utility belt. Ice disks, explosives, simple birdarangs, and extra bo-staff—times two. It still looked flat and small, but it was heavier. It actually helped with his balance…it made up about a third of his weight anyhow. That's why he never took it off when Cyborg measured to see if he was starving himself. It was still…lower than what it should have been but he was alright. It was just a little stress, nothing big…right?

Then why was he so nervous?

Part of him wanted this man to be exactly what he told Robin earlier that afternoon. But he was already preparing himself for disappointment…It just…wasn't possible.

Hearing from this man brought up old memories, memories of his parents. He was used to thinking about them, but at the thought of lost family his heart suddenly ached and he felt the strong urge to cry. It was so sudden that he almost allowed himself to do it to, but he had to be strong. For his parents, for the people, and for his friends. You just couldn't let the past hold you back.

He sat on the edge of his bed, the clock reading eleven thirty-five p.m. In his hand was the wedding picture, and the only tear he allowed to break free from his eye landed on the center where his parents held each other's hands. They day they fell, the day they died…he died with them. And if only they had allowed for him to act with him, they'd still be together. He could only pray that they were in heaven, still watching him, still guarding.

In reality, they were his only motivation to fight…until he died. He could never give up what he did as a hero—not knowing that there was some person out there who was on the brink of death. He never wanted any child to go through what he had…Not ever…

"Why did you have to leave me…" He asked in silence, folding the picture carefully and slipping it into his belt. "Why couldn't you stay a little longer…"

And then he reminded himself, he never got the chance to say goodbye…

---

It was just about pitch black outside and as windy as hell when the guys left the tower, Robin's and Cyborg's flashlights searching the sand of the beach as they walked toward their destination. Robin's hair kept whipping back and forth in the harsh wind and it felt as though it took forever to get there. The ache in Robin's chest only grew as they sped up faster, making him begin to consider turning back. He had never been so nervous in his entire life before about a simple meeting. He just hoped this wasn't a cruel trick…it would kill him…literally.

Then…there was the beach house. It was like a large veranda, painted white with lamp post lit around it. The roof was made of straw and tables with chairs were to the left, a small shop taking up the right side. A tall silhouetted figure stood on the stairs up into the veranda, body and face hidden from the small amount of lamp light emitted. His hands were in his pockets, back leaning against the railing…he looked casual and relaxed.

Suddenly Cyborg's light went out. He flipped his shoulder light off and Robin, turning to see why while still walking, tripped over something. His flashlight hit the ground and went out, Beast Boy stumbling and falling on top of him. It was amazing the man didn't hear them or turn they're way. He might have seen the flashlights but he was looking out across the sea, back slightly turned toward them.

"What are you doing?" Robin hissed as loud as he could in a whispering voice. "I can't find my flashlight…"

Cyborg lifted Beast Boy off Robin in one quick motion and pulled Robin up by the back on his shirt right after. "Sorry...I just thought maybe BB and I should hide and watch. Besides…there's the beach house…you can see that, can't you?"

He muttered a curse and brushed himself off. "Whatever…but if you're going to hide, at least be quiet about it—and warn us the next time you decide to kill the lights."

"Ya…you blinded me…" Beast Boy said, rubbing his eyes. "Why are there so many dots…"

Shaking his head, he started back off toward the veranda alone. Then he began to wonder what he would say. He and the man had talked about the basics, but what kind of questions was he going to ask? What was Robin going to ask?

..Maybe he'd leave that to the man. After all, he was the one that wanted them to meet. Might as well let him host the conversation…

"Oh—you're here."

Robin, who had been staring at his feet, was startled. He looked up at the man and found himself at the bottom at the short stairs…staring at the man from the pictures. There was the same short red hair, same lively blue eyes, a kind look to his face…and he smiled—much the same way he did in the wedding picture. His skin was a little pale, probably from stress or worry, but his voice suggested a high spirit. It was deep and soft, a father's voice.

The man, eyes scanning Robin, smiled even harder when he stepped aside and made his way to sit at the nearest table. "You look like your father—but your face reminds more of your mother. And you're…really thin. Do you eat?"

Robin didn't smile or frown or dare to move…his mouth was opened slightly, a bit of shock apparent in his face. The man, seeing that he didn't follow, gestured to the chair across from him and then Robin finally moved…still shocked.

What was he supposed to think—supposed to feel? He was still expecting some sort of trick…

"I…eat." He said, but his voice sounded a million miles away. "I just…"

"Worry too much?" The man finished for him, leaning back in a relaxed manner. No one else was there besides them. "I bet—considering your job, I think I'd freak if something went even the least bit wrong. After all, lives are on the line—aren't they?"

"Yeah…" He leaned an elbow on the armrest and then his chin on his fist, eyes staring out at the sea. What was he doing there? Starfire was sick, and what if someone tried to break into somewhere—he'd have to have Beast Boy fly him out to the city and then return for Cyborg so they could help Raven. Maybe he should just cancel and pick somewhere in the city for them to meet—"Why all the way out here?"

"Hm?" The man raised an eyebrow. Perhaps he should have rephrased the question. "What? You mean why did we meet out here on the beach?"

"Yeah…I mean…Why not somewhere in the city?"

"The man laughed. "I'm not much of people person, but when I came to Jump City I saw that you really only went somewhere with your friends. I didn't want people thinking we were related or you were getting hired for some job if they saw us talking."

True. The man wore causal clothes, but they were still something a person would wear to work. Dress pants and a coat hanging off the back of his chair, sleeves of his shirt rolled up to the elbows.

"Aren't you cold?" Robin asked, ignoring the urge to shiver. The wind was really blowing hard.

The man shook his head. "I'm used to the stupid weather. Why? Are you?"

"No…"

"…Alright."

Now it just felt awkward. He didn't know what to say…

"What did you say to your friends?"

"Huh?"

The man grinned. "You're friends. I hope this didn't ruin your schedule."

"Oh—no. They knew I was coming, though."

"Then they should have tagged along. You guys need a break from all that hero stuff. You look like a ghost kid…"

Now he felt stupid for dragging Cyborg and BB along. From what he could tell, this man was harmless. He was muscular and all…but all he wanted to do was talk.

"What's that?"

Robin looked up at the man, then stared over his shoulder. There was a brief light that died out, and then flickered back on…before going out again.

Argh…Cyborg.

"No idea." He lied. "Maybe someone's taking a walk. After all, this beach never closes."

"Huh…" The man stood. "I'm just going to check if they're alright. My light died on the way out here too. I lost it somewhere out on the beach…"

The light flickered back on and then bobbed as 'the person' ran for cover. "Um…probably kids…" Robin sighed. Obviously his team wasn't one for stealth. "I think they like to build bonfires out here."

"Should be careful though…the waves wash up pretty far around now. You'll have to take a different path back to your tower because—guaranteed—the one you took here is going to be submerged pretty soon. Otherwise you'll be trapped."

And he really wanted to see Starfire before he went to bed…

"Soon—as in, really soon?"

The man nodded. "As in…really soon. That's why no one comes here at night…not even kids…"

That would explain why Cyborg made a made dash inland…

Wait—

"You had your friends follow, didn't you?" The man asked, fingers drumming against the tabletop. "There's a huge warning sign not to go on the beach between twelve and three o'clock a.m."

"Then why am I here?" Robin stood and looked down the steps. Sure enough, water was sloshing at the white wood of the first step. If the water was this far up, that meant he'd be cut off from the way back to the tower and the city.

The man laughed. "No one comes here—I don't think you've even been here before. Besides…can't hear screaming from all the way out here over the waves…"

Robin spun around and pulled out his bo-staff, ready in a fighting stance for an attack. But the man didn't move. He sat still with a small grin on his face as he eyed Robin. "Relax, I'm just joking. There's a stairway up the cliff behind the veranda you can take and walk around toward the city. Sorry…that was pretty awful…"

"And how do I know you're not lying?"

He laughed. "Have I lied about anything else?"

Hm…

Then it clicked.

Robin eyes narrowed behind his mask. "Where's your eye patch?"

The man, startled, raised a hand to his right eye without realizing. Then he laughed and lowered his hand. "So…you're not foolish, Robin, are you?" His voice changed… "And I was so hoping to get this over and done with quickly…"

"Slade…"

He laughed again, this time his voice the same as always. He stood and titled his head to the left, showing a thin line where the mask he wore met skin. It was barely visible…but why hadn't Robin thought of it before? Slade did this before—as an oriental elder…He should have known this entire thing was a trick from the start…

"I can't believe I trusted you…" Robin growled, eyeing Slade cautiously as the man placed his hands behind his back. He wanted to tear the mask off and see what he really looked like…but he honestly wouldn't dare getting that close to him. "What is it now?"

"Same as the first time, Robin. I finish everything I start and I'm nowhere through with you as an apprentice. Now, you can either come quietly or we can drag your poor friends into the fight."

"Dude—" Beast Boy, dropping down as a bird and landing next to Robin, crossed his arms and grinned. "You can either come quietly or we'll gladly drag you down to jail."

"I second that idea…"

Robin turned around. Hopping over the railing was Cyborg, shaking off his wet legs. "Awe man…something's going to be wrong with my circuitry in the morning. Let's just take him down and call it a day."

Slade, shaking his head, returned his attention to Robin. "You honestly believe they're going to save you? That's…pathetic, actually. I expected a bomb or something worse from you."

"Check." He reached to his belt, a birdarang between each finger on his right hand, bo-staff gripped tightly in the left. He was ready for hell or high water now…and it seemed that both were literally closing in on him.

"As you wish. But I guarantee—this time there's no escape."

"No need." Beast Boy scoffed. "'cause he ain't gonna get caught."

"Not if we have anything to say about it." Cyborg added.

They're presence only seemed to annoy Slade further. "Then that's not saying much. Do you honestly believe you can stop me? You haven't before—what changes now?"

Robin shrugged. "Luck…I guess. You'll just have to wait and find out."

Deep inside, he was burning with rage. He was fooled again—he was always fooled! There was nothing he could do to outsmart Slade and he was beginning to wonder if having Cyborg and Beast Boy around would make much of a difference. He just couldn't stray from them if he was the hitting Slade. He couldn't let him lure him away anywhere.

"Luck…I see…" Slade held up a hand and snapped a finger. Out from the darkness his robots hoped over the railing around the veranda and surrounded them entirely. "Sorry, boys. This is between me and you're former leader."

He hated it when Slade started assuming things. Made him want to reach out and strangle him…but maybe he should have strangled himself first It was dark—it was secluded—he should have never come—and not to mention he never saw the robots…Slade had it all worked out so perfectly.

God, he was such an idiot… or maybe just a hopeful fool. He wasn't quite sure of which, and at the time his mind was not fixated on that at the slightest. He had one possessive and relentless masked monster and a legion of his specially designed flunkies to knock around and deal with.

For one sprinkle of time, one droplet in the vast pool of infinity, the entire veranda enwrapped in silence. Then at the drop of a pin the battle, the inevitable struggle between the few fighting for good, and the many serving the darkness, began.

In a blink of an eye, a group of robots where scrapped, as Cyborg began covering the rear, avoiding the ugly chance of being surrounded. In a heart beat, the bird-a-rangs were loosed, flying at high speeds towards Slade, only to be deflected by his bo-staff. Before Slade could pull back, a straight jab caught him just under the right shoulder, as Robin leapt into the brawl with his own bo-staff.

Beast Boy grunted rather audibly as a good handful of robots leapt at him, and quickly turned into a gorilla, swatting them away like flies. That was the nice thing about Slade's robotic minions, the usually didn't have a lot of skill to back the fight.

No, they intended to serve as potent decoys instead, something the green changeling would fail to grasp before it was too late. Cyborg leapt from his position into the air, firing another blast of sonic energy into the ground, and catching a good handful of robots in the resulting blast. Cyborg landed heavily on his feet, and quickly jumped from his long range antics to close quarters brawling, grabbing a near by robot and hurling him behind him, sending it crashing into more robots.

Robin, on the other hand, was now back on the defensive as Slade begun unleashing blow after blow against Robin at outrageous speeds. Despite his best efforts, Robin grunted as he felt one blow slip by and catch him square in the jaw, knocking him off his feet. He lifted his bo-staff as soon as he hit the ground, and was rewarding with an echoing crack as his bo-staff shatter into pieces, as the center of the bo-staff took the fullest force of Slade's own attack.

"Tch… I expected more from you Robin. I'm disappointed really." Slade mocked, staring dauntingly at Robin as he kicked up to his feet, and grabbed a pair of rods from his utility belt. Slade may be the master of bo-staff techniques in Jump City, but Robin had a few sneaky tricks behind his belt with his separate rods.

"Don't you DARE lecture me Slade!" Robin growled, charging. He felt himself curse as he saw his initial blows go right by Slade, and felt a hand grab him roughly by the hair on his head, and pulling him off his feet. Slade released the moment Robin's feet left the ground, and was rewarding with a resounding thud as Robin met dirt. It had been more of a move designed to insult Robin, to anger him further, and mostly to put the boy further off his game. He wanted to push him to be more reckless, and much less of a threat.

And it was working quite well. Robin growled menacingly as he pushed back to his feet, and charged again. This time Slade spared no quarter, ducking under Robin's initial swipe, and spinning himself 360 to whip his staff into the small of Robin's back. The blow was harsh and precise, and Robin went flying forward, taking a mouth full of dirt.

A heavy wind swept through the veranda as Robin slowly pushed himself to his feet, his face batted by the cold and unforgiving winds. Slade was not only toying with him, but he was goading Robin to fight recklessly, carelessly. Needless to say, it was working quite well.

"You've gotten quite sloppy Robin; perhaps it's good I've come to take you back now, hmm?"

"You've got a lot of nerve Slade, but it's going to take a lot more than cheap shots and sneaky attacks to take me down."

"Of course Robin, that's why you're my apprentice."

"SHUT UP!" Robin screamed, eyes burning with rage. Inwardly Slade smiled, both delighted and disappointed at the effect of those words. Yes, Robin was getting sloppy and predictable, but it burned him inside to see him goaded to such a way so quickly. Robin charged once again, jabbing both rods out to meet Slade. All things considered, he did not expect this. Slade tried to dodge, but caught one rod in his ribs. The blow stung, and he soon found himself back on the defensive.

Slade deflected the blows with a disappointing sense of ease, and soon found the opening he had been waiting for, sliding beneath one hi-aimed blow, and taking Robin's knees out from under him. Robin hit dirt, and quickly went to push himself up before the blunt end of a pole pressed into the back of his neck, driving him into the ground.

"Robin, this is almost child's play. We have so much to cover, you and I."

"HEY!" A voice yelled, distracting Slade's attention. Seconds later a robot collided with the masked man, sending both flying backwards. "Dude, you better not forget about us!' Beast Boy yelled, coming to Robin's rescue.

Slade was now, officially, angry. After all, he wholly expected Robin to come alone, which he did not. Smart on his part, but not good enough. He completely expected a better fight from the boy, which he lacked quite a lot. But now the changeling had delivered the surprise blow, something he had been waiting for Robin to do. He would have to pay dearly for his choice.

Slade reached to his belt, and pulled out a specialized disk. Cyborg and Beast Boy had cleaned his robot army with relative ease, and had turned the scales back towards the side of good. Too bad Slade had expected something along the lines of this to happen. Pushing to his feet, he let the three come to him before he hurled the disk.

It landed right on Cyborg's chest, and a heartbeat later Cyborg was screaming in pain as the disk electrified, and began draining his battery. The other two titans turned to their screaming ally, and watched as his circuitry went grey, and his battery deplete itself completely. A second later and Cyborg fell to the ground

"Too easy." Slade muttered, as Beast Boy turned back to the offensive. He leapt recklessly at Slade, throwing up a falling kick towards the villain. Slade grabbed the boy's foot, and pulled him towards the ground, delivering a sickening right hand to his face. Beast Boy hit the ground with a thud, and soon found his arm lifted up by Slade, a devilish fire burning in his eye.

"Robin, I grow tired of this. I'll make this very clear now. We can either leave now, peacefully, or I'll start breaking his bones, one by one." Slade growled, gesturing towards the dizzy Beast Boy. Slade saw the effect on Robin's face perfectly. He contorted with thought, and grimaced in a sickening combination of concern and leadership.

That and he waited too long for Slade's preference. Robin's ears soon deviated from the silence of thought to the sickening crack of Beast Boy's arm, as Slade sent on palm strike to it. The bone broke with a magnificent sound, but not nearly as good a sound as the scream of pain from the changeling.

"Do you hear that Robin? You can stop this right now and you know exactly how."

Robin gritted his teeth as he watched Beast Boy rive in agony. Robin had gone through broken limbs before, and had regrettably become accustomed towards the pain to a degree. Beast Boy was in no means a pain tolerant individual. And of course, Slade was no man of patience when it came to decisions and decision making.

Which was displayed by a disgusting pop as Slade pulled Beast Boy's arm from its socket. Robin cringe as another scream escaped the changeling. Slade almost had to fight to suppress the laugh, as he watched Beast Boy begin to cry in agony.

"A good placed kick to his elbow, Robin, and this arm is useless for the rest of his life. Is that truly what you want?" Slade mocked, twisting the arm to draw out more squeals of agony from the Titan. The more he twisted, the louder and more pained the screams. And with every increase in volume, every degree of added pain, Robin's face became more and more desperate.

"Fine then Robin. Just don't forget that this is your fault." Slade mocked, as he placed his foot to the elbow, and began to push slowly. Beast Boy's voice was cracking beautifully as the pressure increased, and Slade knew as a matter of fact that his elbow would soon break under the pressure.

"STOP!" Robin screamed, dropping the rods. Slade looked back up at the boy, not pulling the foot away, but ceasing the pressure. Slade watched with glee in his eye has Robin admitted defeat. "I'll go, just stop hurting him please."

"Drop the utility belt, and all weapons on you Robin, and then I'll let go." Slade commanded, delivering on severe twist to the forearm, drawing yet another pleasurable scream out of Beast Boy's mouth.

Robin grimaced once again, as he removed the belt from his waist, and tossed it to the ground. "Alright Slade, there. Let him go."

Slade smiled behind the mask as he watched the belt fall. Slowly, he trailed a hand to his own belt, and pulled out a pair of white pills, tossing them towards Robin. "Swallow these, and I'll drop his arm."

"No!" Beast Boy yelled as best as he could, drawing attention to him. "Don't do it Robin! DON'T YOU DARE DO IT!"

His reward was another sharp twist of the arm, drawing more screams of agony and more tears of pain. Robin gave a disgruntled squeal, before picking the pills up and swallowing them. A second later and the boy was out like a light, deep in slumber. Unceremoniously, Slade tossed the destroyed arm at the ground, rewarded with a cry of pain as it bounced off it. He walked over to Robin, picking him up and tossing him over his shoulder, before walking off. He had won, like he knew he would, and behind him he left two pathetic excuses of heroes in his wake, one completely off-line, the other riving in agony.

But still conscious. "YOU JERK SLADE! GIVE HIM BACK!" Beast Boy yelled, in-between pained breaths as he tried his best to get to his feet. "DON'T TAKE HIM AWAY AGAIN!"

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Insaneiac: Ugh…stupid piece of trash computer… only 1 month until my laptop, only 1 month. Well, up until the battle it was Alexnandru writing, but the fight was all me. So was the Beast Boy torture session, which killed me inside to write. Anyways enjoy it. I'm going to go exorcise my keyboard from the evil demons that are possessing it.