The End For Us [An Evil Sapphire Saga]

[Silv]

Robin heard her voice before he saw her. Barbara! The Boy Wonder pulled against Slade's grip on his arm, pain flashing behind his eyes with each motion, straining to see his friend, to warn her off. But it was too late for that. What would he say? How could he make this better? Between him and Slade it didn't matter. With a friend as a witness...and a dear friend who would go to Batman at that. Slade's words and what Robin was about to do hurt him far more than the grip on his arm.

Slade seemed intent to not let him forget what he had said. The man leaned close and he could almost feel the warm air escaping from the slits in Slade's mask, tickling the boy's ear. He struggled in the villain’s grip, hissing when the man tightened his hold. The Boy Wonder's arm burned in protest. He did, however, have enough presence of mind to insist Slade follow through. “Free Sapphire and I-” he cut off because it hurt to say. He needed a moment to compose himself. “I promise to serve you.” the grip on his arm tightened and he hissed in pain. He hadn't said everything Slade wanted him to say. “Now and,” it hurt but he said it, for Sapphire. For the team. For the city. “forever.”

Seemingly appeased the grip on his arm loosened and the Boy Wonder dropped to the ground at Slade's feet. He made no move to rise, rubbing his sore arm and peering past Slade to clearly see the form of Batgirl. “Batgirl,” he said, his gaze lowering to the ground as though ashamed. “I...I should have told you.” and now he didn't know how to tell her. “Slade...I...he...” the floundering was an adorable waste of time.

“Slade tricked me into working for him,” he glanced up at the man, not bothering to hide the animosity on his face. It was no secret that Robin hated Slade. “He...he infected my team with nanobots that could destroy them from the inside out and so long as I” he broke off. This was hard, especially since everything was repeating itself. “As long as I did what he told me he wouldn't kill them.”

How much he cared for other people, especially his team, was a weakness. Robin tried his best to hide it but the best villains could find it and exploit it as Slade had the first time and was doing again. The boy hung his head with shame for a moment that he could be fooled twice by the same trap. But this same weakness could be a strength. His friends would believe in him and that would keep him going. One day Slade would let his guard down and that day...that day Slade would pay. The Boy Wonder's head raised back up defiantly so that both Slade and Batgirl would know he wasn't going down easily.

[Aly]

Batgirl was disgusted, to say the least. Robin was betraying his team, betraying himself. "Robin..." She shook her head, confused.

As he spoke that he would work for Slade again and forever, Batgirl started backing up. He wouldn't do this, would he? Could he really? They could find a way out of this without crossing the line. Together, she and Robin could hack Slade's computer system and shut down whatever it was that was controlling Sapphire. Maybe if Robin fought Slade off, she could go over to the computer and work something out. She knew she could do it, but could Robin?

Her attention was brought back to Robin as he told her about the last time he had worked for Slade. Batman would have been as disgusted, if not even more, to hear this. The old Robin would have never crossed over, even to save his friends. He would have found a way to help them instead of working for their worst enemy.

Barbara curled her lip in disgust as she picked up the batarang she had dropped. "If you work for him, you are working against the team. I can't believe you would do something like this. I thought I knew you better." She would have fought Slade then and there, but she was too shocked to do it. Besides, she didn't know if she could take him down alone anyways. She would have to have Robin's help.

[Deleted]

I felt my face turn bright red when Raven mentioned my talkative nature. Yes, this was true. I did tend to jabber on at times just like my creator. “Oh, I am sorry. I realize this is not exactly the best time to go on about things. We have a city to save after all,” I mused. Upon her mentioned that surprise and secrecy would serve us best rather than just rushing in blindly as the green one did not long ago I simply nodded while flashing a small, knowing smile. “Agreed. We don’t want to walk straight into a trap and get caught in only a few seconds, now do we?”

I then watched wide-eyed with childlike wonder as she pulled up a holographic model of the city. I tried to keep my excitement to myself though as this was serious. There’d be plenty of time for fun and games and acting like a happy drunker later. Right now was hero time. I listened attentively as she informed me what the two blinking dots represented. I nodded as she pointed out where we would be going. “But, wait, shouldn’t at least one of us go after your green friend? He could be in trouble and need our help,” I promptly pointed out, revealing my concern for the green shapeshifter. I then listened attentively as she went on to explain this Slade character to me. When she had finished I nodded. Yep, he definitely sounded like one serious bad dude! But, hopefully nothing we couldn’t handle. “Too bad neither of us is a hydrokinetic, huh?” I said half jokingly. “Then we could really kick some serious pyrokinetic butt! Am I right?” I said jokingly with a nervous laugh as I gave her a soft nudge in an attempt to lighten up the mood. But, just as quickly as I slipped into my jokester mode I quickly returned to being serious. “But seriously though, you know of any hydrokinetics that could maybe, possibly help us out?” I asked her looking hopeful.

I smiled as she apologized to me for her earlier attitude. Her apology though short made me feel a whole lot better. “Apology accepted and I understand now. You guys suffered a serious betrayal from a friend. That…that couldn’t have been easy to go thru and no one knows of betrayal better than myself. I…too have been betrayed by a close friend of mine and though it was not recent it still hurts. And even though I got over it the pain is with me still. I never did forgive my friend for his betrayal,” I revealed with a small smile to let her know that she and her friend were not alone. I nodded at her. “I think we can,” I told her with sincerity in my voice. Looking at her outstretched hand I took it, accepting her mode of transportation. Hmmm…this kind of reminded me of this wonderful Disney movie I once watched. What was it…? Ah, yes Aladdin. Only here the gender roles seemed switched where I was the one accepting the ride. “Alright, let’s go. I am not afraid.”

[Bry]

Raven cringed as he questioned going after Beast Boy. Truly, the little green bean had been right, but it pained Raven to say that out loud. Sapphire was less likely to hurt him if he was alone. They'd had something--though no one knew what to call it--somewhere between friendship and love, and if there was anything that could save Beast Boy now, aside from his own ingenuity, it would be the puppy love of a teenage girl.

Oh, the things she left him to. If anything happened to Beast Boy, Raven would take it personally.

All she said though was, "He'll be fine. Our job lies with Slade." And she hoped she was right.

She took Reflecto's hand, and as soon as she did they were gone, lost in darkness and chills until she navigated their way to the roof of a building in the city. She released Reflecto, taking a step away and leaning back against the wall of the stairwell.

"This is it," she said, unnecessarily. This was the building that Sapphire had directed them to, the one that supposedly hid Slade within. Raven crouched beside the wall, staying in the shadow, but it looked to be an unneeded action. It didn't look like there was any airborne ambush, nothing attacking as of yet. Raven frowned. Some security, was this truly the right building?!

She opened the door to the stairwell with a quick flick of the inner locks by her soul-self, and then they were in. Staying close to the walls, Raven sneaked into the building, leaving the door open for Reflecto to follow her. There were no guards around, that she could see or sense, and little red flags were steadily flying up the farther they got into the building.

Two unconscious guards met the duo at the base of the second flight of stairs, and Raven slowly began to understand.

They weren't the first ones here. And whoever had been first was surely on their side, unless Slade had taken to beating his own guards to throw them off. Though she wouldn't put it past him, she seriously doubted it. Perhaps there were more Titans in this building? She could hope.

Coming upon a room that had not two but six unhappily sleeping guards strewn before it, Raven slowed. An increase in guards meant an increase in importance. She crouched, listening hard, and made out a few voices from the room, two of which comforted her, one of which chilled her heart.

Waiting until she wouldn't be walking into the scene stupidly, Raven stayed outside the door, listening for her cue to act. With Slade in the mix, it couldn't be long.

And what was it Robin was saying...?!

[Deleted]

Beast Boy wasn't sure whether to stay furious or calm himself down and listen to what Sapphire was trying to explain to him. He was more surprised than anything else, but wasn't able to express his emotions properly at the moment; thus, he ended up pulling a face that would have been hilarious in a less serious situation.

The main question that haunted the changeling's mind was Why? If Sapphire was speaking the truth, why didn't she tell the Titans of this plan of hers before going solo? Why leave them in the dark if she was planning to put such a drastic scheme into motion? She had to have known how they would have reacted after the incident involving Terra. Did their feelings--did his feelings--mean nothing to her? Why would Sapphire put the teenagers that had practically adopted her into the team through such heartbreak if it wasn't supposed to be real?

Beast Boy took several deep breaths, managing to restrain himself from kicking the garbage container again; his foot was still throbbing from the last blow he had dealt the unfortunate bin. His eyes were narrowed balefully at Sapphire as she tried to explain herself by bringing up her lackluster attacks. They certainly hadn't seemed fake to him, no matter what she said.

"I assumed you didn't kill us because you still had a shred of goodwill towards us. Or maybe you haven't stooped so low as to take a human life yet," he growled waspishly. Truthfully, Beast Boy wasn't sure what to think about Sapphire. A part of him still wanted to believe what she was saying, to say that he believed her and he was so happy she hadn't converted to the side of evil, etc. But right now he didn't feel happy at all. Rage and hurt tore at the changeling's heart like claws, and they had by no means released their grip.

Missing her not-so-subtle hint in all his emotional trauma, Beast Boy added with a huff, "You didn't even tell us about your special undercover plan. Why should I believe you, when it could all be just a trick?"

[Deleted]

I nodded at Raven when she mentioned that Beast Boy can handle himself and that she needed my help against Slade. I closed my eyes once she in a way teleported us away. I couldn’t help shivering. The sensation though most thrilling was a cold one. I hugged myself and couldn’t help feeling relieved when we landed at our destination. However, I wanted to be polite, so I didn’t mention anything. As soon as she released me I too leaned myself up against the wall and remained in the darkness, but my darn eyes. They would surely give us away. Though nervous I kept my breathing in check and like Raven I was most surprised when we weren’t attacked by anyone. Was Slade really all he was cracked up to be or were we missing something? But, I decided not to ask questions. We had to remain as quiet as possible for we could be ambushed at any moment.

Then taking a deep breath I followed the blue hooded girl thru the stairwell. I stiffened a gasp upon seeing two unconscious men. I wondered were the other Titans already here, meeting Slade? I shot the blue cloaked girl in front of me a worried look for I feared the worst. But I didn’t need to say anything. I could just tell that she was thinking the same thing I was. I then stealthfully followed her into the next room where six more guards laid about the room. I had to force myself not to laugh because the sight was almost humorous to me. They looked like little rag dolls thrown about a room. Just like my little Mel would do to her own toys, I thought. Yes, I had a bit of a dark sense of humor.

And that was when I started to hear the voices. Naturally being new I didn’t know any of them, but one did sound considerably older than the other two and it was definitely a man’s voice. I assumed that voice belonged to Slade and that the younger male’s belonged to one of Raven’s teammates, possibly her leader, Robin’s and the third voice was a female. My sensitive ears perked up as I listened curiously thru the door to their conversation. Due to being part cat I had enhanced hearing, so I could hear all of them quite clearly. My face paled as I overheard their words and I started to shiver uncontrollably. From the sounds of things it sounded like the younger male was giving up to this Slade fellow. I uttered a soft horrified gasp and I covered my mouth as I slowly backed away from the door, mumbling, “no…no…”

I glanced over at Raven and from the confused expression on her face I knew she had no idea what they were even saying in there. I didn’t say anything to her, however, and instead just looked back at her with worried eyes. “Forgive me…” I simply whispered and with a fierce cry I kicked the door wide open, revealing myself and Raven to the three figures inside. In my mind we had no more time to waste only to act. I just slowly walked in. I knew this was very foolish of me. Raven had warned me of Slade. But what else could I have done? Robin the Titans leader was going to betray them to Slade and from the sound of their little conversation he had done so before though to be fair the last time sounded like extending circumstances. I would have probably done the same thing to save my family and friends Still, why was he doing so again? Just to save the life of some traitor, a traitor who destroyed half the city and almost killed them all? How utterly ridiculous and stupid! I just shook my head sadly at Robin. I seriously could not understand his reasons for wanting to work for this freaky looking man that stood before me. I glared hatefully at the masked man. “It’s over Slade! I’m not going to let you take the city!” I hissed as I fell into my fighting stance. I was more than willing to take him on right then and there even if I had to fight him alone. This time my yellow eyes were glowing not due to the dark, but because I was so angry. I had a whip in each hand and I cracked my left one menacingly. I glanced over at the bat suited female whom I assumed was Batgirl from the conversation I had overheard and flashed her a small smile. “You gonna just stand there or are you going to help me take down this creep?”

[Deleted]

"I was embarrassed okay. I didnt want to be shipped off to prison after destroying the park. Slade is untouchable, at least from ordinary humans." she turned away, quite obviously embarrassed for making such hideous mistakes. she decided to confess to Beast Boy, at least a little bit "you should believe me because I have a strong attachment to you. like the one you had to Terra." she was still completely stupid to love, only knowing that she had been stuck to Beast Boy like glue.

"but it doesn't matter now. I'm too far gone, your team would never let me come back." she was disappointed in herself for leaving and now knowing she could never ever come back. she'd miscalculated.

"Robin," he called this apprentice by name, "destroy your little girlfriend and friends." this would be a test to see if Robin would really follow him.

(short again)

[Silv]

“I won't let what happened to Terra happen to anyone else,” the Boy Wonder informed Batgirl sharply. He didn't want his team to go through that again. He didn't want to go through it again. But out of Slade's line of sight his hands were telling her a very different story in sign language. Trust me. Be ready. He knew Batgirl knew sign language because it was a way of communication they both regularly used with Batman. He was surprised when Reflecto burst through the door with Raven behind him, and he started from his position at Slade's feet.

Why did his teammates seem intent on ruining his plans? Batgirl's shock was a perfect addition and helped sell what he was trying to do. This new idiot bursting through the doors, however, did not. At least it didn't initially, though the boy could work it into his plans. To avoid hurting Sapphire they couldn't attack Slade in the traditional fashion. Which was why the Boy Wonder sprang to his feet before even ordered to get between the man with the whips and the masked man. It was not because Slade wanted him to. As stupid as it sounded he had to play nice with Slade until the man released their friend. The city wasn't safe until Sapphire was.

“Stand down or I will take you down.” the Boy Wonder informed Reflecto. His masked gaze then turned to Raven, and he quickly mouthed a 'Trust me' in her direction. He didn't really need to, of course, he knew Raven would understand what was going on before the others. “But I'm not destroying anyone until Sapphire is free.” this comment was directed at Slade. Now all he could do was rely on his team's acting abilities (and hope the whip idiot caught on) and hopefully the person being destroyed would be the masked man behind him.

[Aly]

Batgirl didn't know Terra, but knew the stories. She was about to attack Robin, her own friend, but as she stepped forward, she saw what Robin was signing to her. Trust me. Be ready. As he used their secret way of communication that they had used with Batman, she knew he was telling the truth. He would never deceive her like that. She had been shocked enough that he would deceive all of his friends like that and was relieved to find that it was all a ruse.

Suddenly some freak barged in, causing Batgirl to step back with shock once again. What was with her today? She was normally calm and collected, but recent events caused otherwise. She was mildly comforted when she saw Raven behind the unknown man. Maybe they would be able to take Slade down after all. At least if they would refrain from being idiots and find out what's going on.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Robin mouthed some words to the guy and Raven. Hopefully they would catch on. As she returned her attention to Robin, she narrowed her eyes and lowered herself into a fighting stance. "I'll wait as long as you want." If they had to put on a show for Slade, then so be it.

[Deleted]

Not too surprisingly the masked man, Slade was trying to order Robin about, giving the Titan’s leader the order to destroy him and anyone else who got in his way. In all honesty I found the threat rather humorous. That was only because I admittedly was not all there mentally. Still, I was irritated because I sensed that everyone thought me foolish for busting in there like that. Okay, so it was foolish, but what was I supposed to do? Just stand around and do nothing? Let Slade win? Ha, I think not!

Then Robin appeared to be doing what Slade had wanted by positioning himself in front of me, effectively blocking me from Slade. That move annoyed me to no end. I desired only to kill Slade as that in my mind was the most effective way to stop him from destroying the rest of the city not to play games with some teen. No Slade. No more destruction. Problem solved. I glanced over to the side of me and heard Batgirl promise Robin that she will stay down as long as he wanted. I overheard the Boy Wonder mention that he wanted the fire girl, Sapphire freed and that little comment gave me an idea. Of course why didn’t I see it before? Best way to stop Slade until I can kill him that is, is to attack his hostage because it seemed that thru his hostages he had the most power.

I looked curiously behind Robin at Slade and I lowered my fighting stance slightly. “You must be truly weak and pathetic to rely on others to fight for you. If you are so strong then why not fight me yourself? Mono y mono? Why do you need apprentices to do it for you?” I asked, thinking it a fair question. Hey, it wasn’t like I was a telepath. I had no idea what this guy was thinking. And then behind Slade I noticed a computer and a sly, mischievous smile crossed my lips as I thought of a clever way to appropriately attack the hostage. But I had to keep Slade and possibly the Titans distracted before I could put my plan into effect. “Actually Slade, now that I think about it I’d like to know…more about you. Perhaps then I’d understand your…desire to fight indirectly thru apprentices,” I said. I wanted to keep the crazed masked man talking. As I spoke my left hand hovered over my mirrorized pistol and I waited patiently for the right moment to pull it out. I could be patient when I truly wanted. “I suppose I’d just like to know why you want to destroy Jump to begin with when you live here,” I casually continued and as I did so I side stepped to the left. People who weren’t very observant would not notice my doing this. “What is the point in taking over a city when there is no one left alive to rule over? How is that even remotely fun? Ruling over a place that is nothing, but rubble?” I continued to question, this time side stepping once more. No one may have noticed, but I was trying to get a better lock on my target. My thoughts then returned to my creator, Burgess, he too wanted to rule over a place, the state of Maine. This masked man and he were so much alike. It wasn’t even funny. It was scary. And I did not realize it, but my yellow eyes revealed my fear of him since he reminded me so much of Burgess. This fear only drove me to want to kill the man even more. I shivered slightly. “It’s rather chilly in here. Do you not ever pay the electric bill?” I added somewhat jokingly with a nervous laugh. Partially I was doing this on purpose in an attempt to throw Slade off the true nature of my plans; which apparently was not the same as the Titans. Sorry heroes, but I truly think that the best way to stop Slade is to stop Sapphire. Hey, whoever said that Robin was the hostage I intended to attack? Hopefully my…’attack’ will also free her.

[Silv]

What part of stand down did this guy not understand? At least Batgirl was cooperating. Robin's masked eyes narrowed at Reflecto. The man kept talking like he was trying to distract but the boy wasn't paying half the attention to the man's words as he was to the movements he made. The movements were threatening and the boy slowly inched to counter the man and keep himself firmly between Reflecto and Slade. Robin couldn't let the man with the whips take out Slade, no mater how satisfying it would have been to see the villain go down. No. This was a delicate situation and Robin was afraid that any attacks to Slade's person or equipment would negatively affect Sapphire.

His bostaff still lay on the ground where he had dropped it earlier when Slade had grabbed him by the arm and made him swear allegiance to him but Robin was a hard teen to disarm. A birdarang appeared in his hand, pulled quickly from somewhere in his utility belt, and a split second later it was whizzing with deadly accuracy towards Reflecto's pistol. If he really had to he could fight all three of them at once. He really would rather not fight any of them. Still, Reflecto was just asking for it. “Shut up.” the boy growled at the man with a scowl on his face that practically read I warned you.

[Bry]

Raven stayed crouched beside the door, knowing it could a hazard and nothing else if she moved too quickly, and people could die if she was too late. Timing was everything, and she kept her ear to the door, trying to hear all that was said. Surprise was one of Raven's favorite weapons, and if she could help it, she'd love to keep hold of it for as long as--

"Forgive me," Reflecto muttered beside her, and Raven looked up. She had just a second to comprehend what he was about to do and form the word "No!" on her lips before he kicked in the door and went striding into the room. Raven was left behind, completely exposed, her element of surprise shattered and useless. She cursed Reflecto a few times for good measure before straightening and following the man into the room.

Inside, it seemed to be a standoff, but between who exactly? Shouldn't Robin be on the other side of the room? The snippets of conversation she'd heard danced around her head, making more sense as she thought about them. Not only did they have one traitor, but now Robin had joined the ranks?

No. No. That made no sense, no sense at all, and the thought hitched in Raven's mind, unable to be accepted. He wouldn't. The team and their cause was his life. He was too strong, too smart, to be throwing it away to join Slade. Of all people, Slade. It hadn't been true the first time, and Raven refused to believe it now. Her eyes fell to Robin, imploringly.

Trust me, he asked silently of her.

Well, of course she trusted him, she trusted him with her life! Still, the relief that she'd been right and he'd been smart flooded her chest. She held his gaze just a moment, and blinked an affirmative, barely nodding her head.

Reflecto though seemed to have lost any hints Robin was throwing him.

Raven held her ground behind him, and her hands took up a light glow. She wasn't sure what Robin had up his sleeve, but she wanted to be ready at a moment's notice, and if Reflecto got in the way.... Perhaps she could get the man out of the room, out of the fight. She'd hate for him to come to harm because he wasn't paying attention to the team, and just an inkling of her earlier irritation was brought back, though it wasn't shown on the outside.

She stood silently, waiting for her orders, waiting for her leader to tell her what to do, and ready to do it without hesitation.

[Deleted]

Beast Boy knew now was not the time to be irrational, but getting angry at Sapphire was feeling way too easy. Embarrassment was what had kept her from telling the Titans about this plan she had been cooking up? The feeling of betrayal he felt now wasn't a large enough consequence for keeping her mouth shut? The long period of caution and mistrust that would ultimately follow this scandal, should Sapphire even manage to return to the Titans, wasn't worth a bit of possible shame?

Mistrust clouded his fiery green eyes, and Beast Boy took a step away from Sapphire. If she wasn't going to be a threat, the Titans would need his help with Slade. He had taken a look at the coordinates to the villain's hideout before running after Sapphire; he could find it if he really wanted to. Probably.

But then the fire girl said something that made Beast Boy stop in his tracks. He stared at Sapphire, face numb with shock, unable to register emotion. What was she saying? Was she suggesting she loved him? The actual word hadn't passed her lips, but by referring to his relationship with Terra the changeling could only assume that was what she meant. Now he was more confused than ever on what to do. If she cared for him that way, then why put him and the other Titans through this gauntlet of pain and misery?

Sighing bitterly, Beast Boy dared to approach Sapphire until he stood directly in front of her, then kneeled so that he could look her in the eye. "I still don't understand why you did this Sapphire. But if you're telling the truth, know that the Titans will never give up on you. If there's a way to free you from Slade, we'll find it."

His eyes left her face and looked to the side, not wanting to say any more. What was there to say? His body and mind felt like it had been battered, bruised, and tossed in a dumpster multiple times. And all because a girl had stabbed him in the back--again.

[Deleted]

Robin’s birdarang was quick, but my razor sharp catlike reflexes were even faster. Saying not a word I just cracked one of his whips at the incoming birdarang, stopping it from hitting my pistol out of my belt. Looking back at him I frowned. As much as I understood or in the very least somewhat understood why he attacked me I didn’t want to. I wanted to ignore it and play dumb in yet another attempt to throw them off. But I knew and I could just tell how truly angry this Robin was at me and my interference. I suppose he had every right to be. Still, I truly did want to help in my own little way. Sighing I glanced about the room. So far it was me, Slade, Robin, Batgirl and now Raven fully entered the room all thanks to my ruining whatever sneak attack plans she had in mind.

I was most irritated when Robin had so rudely told me to shut up. I couldn’t help being taken aback by this and I raised a curious brow at him. I came to the conclusion that everyone in this room knew sign language to an extent. However, I wasn’t sure if Slade did or not as the villain had yet to say much of anything really. Okay, so unlike Burgess this guy wasn’t a chatterbox. So taking a deep breath I stuck both of my whips inside my belt to prove to the boy that I wasn’t the threat here. I continued to glare at Slade though. Few may have noticed, but I was trying to read him. I got nothing for my efforts though. This guy it was almost as if he were blocking my…senses with some sort of steel trap inside his head. Giving up for now I let out an irritated sigh. This whole farce was most aggravating. Deciding to take a chance I looked imploringly at Robin. I wanted to sign speak to him, but I didn’t like Slade being there. I didn’t even have to read the boy’s mind to know what he was thinking. It was painfully obvious that he wanted me to stay down and shut up. I then decided to…test Slade. I wanted to know just how much sign language he knew. ‘Look, I’m sorry for…busting in like this. But, I really am here to help you, you know. I may not know what is going on as much as you do, but I know enough to know that Slade needs to be stopped. I have a…way to do that…quickly though I am sure you will not like it. But know this Robin, I am no threat nor am I your enemy. I only offer my aid and my knowledge. I have dealt with…criminals like Slade before and allow to let you on a little secret. Criminals such as he will never relent no matter how much you beg and plea they will not compromise with you. You dare give them an inch. They’ll take several thousand miles. Trust me, I know this thru experience. So you know what must be done,’ I signed at him, warning him of Slade and others like him. I was going to add that the best way to stop him permanently is to kill him and/or to disrupt whatever is controlling Sapphire. But I was too paranoid and feared Slade knew sign language. But then I glanced down at my hands, they weren't moving. I looked back at Robin and suddenly it donned on me. I hadn't been speaking thru my hands. I had been speaking to Robin thru my mind. Yes, it seemed that I truly was a telepath though I never wanted to believe it.

This...power of mine must have either been dormant until now or I've just been ignoring it. Regardless, I found myself no longer able to ignore everyone's thoughts. Only Slade remained as an enigma. I had no idea what he was thinking only that it couldn't be good. Still, I realized that I may yet find a way to use this...nerve wrecking ability of mine to stop the masked madman. Recomposing myself I tried to force myself to ignore the Titans thoughts as they were a huge distraction. I glanced over at Batgirl to Raven and finally back to Robin again. 'Soooo uh anybody here have any ideas? I was sort of thinking that we could you know zap Slade's stupid computer and be done with it or would that have too many negative effects on Sapphire?' I asked the three Titans telepathically. It felt very strange for me 'to speak' to people this way and I wasn't sure if I liked the idea of invading someone's mind. No wonder it's been dormant. I've been ignoring my inner ability for so long and now that I'm using it, it feels strange and it's largely distracting. That's the thing about being a telepath, you can't turn off peoples thoughts and so things tended to get a little loud. But on a happier note, at least I stopped talking. Titans can't be too mad now, right? Right? I just hoped Slade hadn't caught on that I'm actually a telepath. Clearing my throat I spoke aloud to Robin. "Robin, if you truly are now on his side, go ahead do what you must," I said as casually as I could. If Slade suspected anything I needed to throw him off and I figured this was the best way to do it. I acted like I was giving up as I lowered my stance completely.

ooc: Okay his telepath speak is in italics. Him speaking aloud is in green. Hopefully this will help people from being confused.

[Silv]

Robin's hand twitched by his belt when his birdarang didn't hit it's mark. He seemed to relax ever so slightly when the man pocketed his whips but he still didn't trust this idiot. And that was when he started hearing voices in his head.

"Look, I'm sorry...”

The boy wonder started ever so slightly and narrowed his eyes in dislike at Reflecto. Batman had taught him about telepaths and had even taught him how to block it with the help of Martain Manhunter. Of course, he hadn't been expecting it and so hadn't had the time to mentally prepare. As soon as the channel opened to Reflecto and what the man was saying Robin's own doubts, dislike for the man, and fear of Slade came seeping out and down the link. As though realizing what he was doing the boy quickly put down the metaphorical floodgates on his own mind.

This caused him to miss whatever it was Reflecto had continued to say until the man had realized he wasn't communicating through a normal means. It was a good thing that Reflecto's inner monologue about villians hadn't been important. When Reflecto had glanced from Raven to Babs to him again the Boy Wonder decided that the man must have asked him another question and was expecting an answer.

Tentatively he reopened the floodgates as J'onn had taught him. He caught Reflecto's question and without meaning to sent a quick response back. NO! This was followed by a rapid series of emotions and pictures; pain, an image of a girl encased in stone, fear, the two colored mask that lurked behind him, hurt, an image of a very different computer and what it could have done to the other Titans in a very different situation involving Slade's computer and some nanoprobes. This all came through at once in a terrifying rush before Robin shut the floodgates once more.

Well...now it was pretty clear where Robin stood on the subject of destroying the computer.