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Take your Medicine	By : Imaginary Category: DC Verse Cartoons - Teen Titans > Slash - Male/Male > Robin/Slade Views: 8215 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, nor the characters of the series, nor do I make any money or profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Last chapter in a nut shell: Robin learns some new techniques on reading an opponent's movements and coming up with a way to counter them

AN: In the last chapter I posted a very detailed warning that offended some people. I had no idea this would happen, so I apologize. When my beta SladinForever edits the older chapters, the warning will be shortened to "there will be some content that may or may not offend my readers in future chapters. You have been warned". Again, I apologize for anyone that I offended; it wasn't my intentions at all. People who were offended know what I am talking abaout, and I hope that my apology will make you feel better.

BTW, It's now my birthday. Let's selebrate it with a new chapter of TYM!

Robin and Slade enjoyed their breakfast with slight chatter. The subjects from the morning were still present, but not enough to affect the conversation. Slade was telling him about his new mission. Robin presented his opinions with eager interest at certain points. The mission itself was easy. He was to enter the Wayne Industries skyscraper located in Jump City, grab the objective, and return. The trip was reserved for two and a half hours, which Robin considered was way too much time for him since he knew his way around. On the plus side, he had all the passwords to use wherever he pleased, so it wouldn't be a problem to sneak in or out. In fact, the only thing he would need to do would be to hide from the observing eyes and camera lenses, and then he'd be as good as done. Not that Robin would tell any of this to Slade. Slade probably knew too much of him already.

Once they both finished their meal, they left the dishes for the robots to take care of. They got to the huge white room to get Robin's supplies. Even if neither of them had anything worth saying, Robin felt at ease. He couldn't put a finger on the sudden change in his opinion towards Slade, but he guessed it was because he had saved him from the not-so-fatal tape worm. And now that he had learned to stand him, he slowly learned to respect him too. Robin had noticed that he had held more than enough prejudice opinions on Slade and, like the rest of the world, had dubbed him nothing more than an evil asshole who would do the things he did merely for fun. He had learned that with Slade, everything had a reason and every reason had something behind it. The man never did anything without fully thinking it through. Robin was slowly starting to understand him. The information he was gaining here would be more than useful once he returned home. With all the new things he had learned, he could easily come up with a plan to take Slade down once and for all! But the thought of life without Slade, as peaceful and safe as it was, was rather uneventful. Not that he wanted the man to terrorize the streets or haunt his dreams, but in some sick, twisted way, Robin knew that he would miss him. Slade had been his obsession from day one. He was a man of shadow, one who no one could read, and who could never be beat. Robin knew that, no matter how you managed to beat him to the edge of the world, in due time, he would always return to make someone's life hell. Without Slade, there would only be those second class criminals to occupy him.

On the other hand, Robin was glad to stay here, even if it was for a short time. Slade had been almost tolerable and he always gave challenging and intellectual conversations. He was very wise and it was always interesting to jump into a conversation about plans, tactics, and solutions. The mercenary always brought a new point of view to a subject or mission. He made Robin see things, not from one perspective, but from all perspectives. He couldn't have such conversations with any of his friends. Raven, maybe, but she would tire of it quickly and resume meditation. Cyborg would probably love to talk about all the high tech smarts, but even Robin knew that he was easily distracted by Beast Boy.

"We are here," Slade said, bringing Robin from his musings to the present.

He was somewhat glad that his thoughts had been cut. If he continued like this, he would find even more things to differ between Slade and the Titans. He didn't want to compare the two since they couldn't be compared to each other at all. They were different, opposites, incompatible! So to get himself back on his feet, Robin went to get his equipment. He opened the storage within the wall and dug out some random objects to make it look like he was picking up useful tools. Truth be told, the only tool he really needed was his fingerprint to open all the doors of Wayne Enterprises since he was Wayne's adopted heir. Slade had all kinds of interesting supplies within the closet, so of course Robin took what he deemed as the most interesting. He wanted to test out Slade's equipment. Who knows, maybe they were better than his? He wondered if he could modify and improve his own devices thanks to these. Robin searched through the storage, picking up a compact grappling hook. The reeling mechanism and wire cord was inside and it didn't take as much space as his grapple normally did. Either the cord was shorter or Slade somehow found a way to make very durable string that was less thick.

The next thing Robin picked up was his favorite retractable bo staff, some tiny smoke bombs, and tiny cameras. He had no idea what he could do with those, but they looked interesting. Robin also had his eyes set on a pair of gloves. He didn't know what all they could be used on, but since they were in the closet, they had to be something special. His curiosity managed to convince him to take them on the mission. The storage held all kinds of cool equipment: night sticks, daggers, bombs, and practically everything from laser pointers to detonators to heavy weaponry. To be honest, he wanted to try them all. He was like a kid in a candy store. Robin had to eye them a moment longer before he put in his ear piece and prepared to leave for the mission. Slade looked Robin over once he was in full gear and ready to go before nodding his approval. He noticed which tools he had picked for himself, but didn't mention it. If he wanted to start climbing up roofs with the grappling hook, then so be it.

"Your aim is to get the prototype of the artificial intelligence Mr. Wayne has been designing," Slade explained.

"What are you planning to do with it once you get it?" Robin questioned, more concerned than anything. He didn't want to go stealing from his own family and let Slade win too easily.

"It depends. Mainly I plan on making my robot's smarter, but my curiosity is also in mind. I want to know if Wayne has achieved something new. Artificial intelligence is a really tricky thing that not many can understand, more or less program…"

Stopping, Slade's brow furrowed ever so slightly when he saw Robin pass him to make way for the exit, grinning.

"So you're basically jealous?" Slade's eye narrowed dangerously. Noticing the scolding eye, Robin knew that he was right. "So in the end, you just want whatever Wayne has that you don't."

Folding his arms over his chest, Slade glared, his eye piercing him, almost as though he was trying to will Robin to be quiet. He got the hint, so he simply smiled once more and walked out. Slade dropped the act when he was no longer in eyesight. He knew that jealousy was far from his intentions, but he didn't want Robin to know that. He didn't want him to start rebelling or worry. In Slade's opinion, it was good to be prepared. And that's what he was doing: He was getting prepared for something he felt was coming. He didn't know what or how quite yet, but he just knew. It had been so quiet the last week, too quiet for his liking. No one had been making any connections to him and Robin wasn't too badly missed, from the Titans or anyone else. Of course there were tons of curious people and several rumors going around, but no one had yet come knocking on his door and demand some answers. Robin, on the other hand, knew absolutely nothing. He could help Slade gather whatever he needed, without so much of inquiries involved. It was a win-win situation: Robin received some freedom and Slade would achieve what he was looking for. Or course it had risks, but he knew, in the end, it would profit him better than him going out to get what he needed or locking Robin up. Slade didn't feel like he was keeping secrets from him because he didn't think they had any effect on his life. With luck, maybe they could spend the rest of the week in peace and Robin would never know. Why bother him with petty, mundane things that probably had nothing to do with him? Slade didn't want Robin's hero complex to jump in and go against him, now that he was trying to dull his need to sort things from good or bad, right or wrong. Who knows, maybe he was wrong after all?

Outside Slade's base, Robin scratched the spot behind his ear where the chip was installed as he wondered where he should get his disguise. He couldn't just waltz in wearing Slade's trademark uniform. It would have been so easy to take a quick turn through the tower and get some clothes, but, no thanks to the damn chip, he knew that no such thing could ever happen. Not if he wanted to stay on Slade's good side, anyway. Instead, Robin decided to get going and think of something on the way.

The trip over there was short, but Robin managed to think quickly. It wouldn't be too hard to get some kind of disguise. He doubted that Bruce would hunt him down if he did pay him a visit. To be honest, Robin was positive that the Titans would have called Batman for help, if only they knew how to contact him. Maybe it would be easier for him to get a full body disguise, seeing as Bruce would recognize him anywhere, from his hair to his mask or anything really. He also decided to take an alternative course through the doors. It was pretty risky for him to use his fingerprint, seeing as Wayne's database would save the information for future reference. Maybe he should take the ventilator shafts instead. Robin knew the blueprints of the place better than the back of his own hand, so it would be easy and quick to navigate from one place to the other. Then he wouldn't even need the damned disguise. Yeah, that was the better plan, he decided. Now it was time to put it into action.

Wayne Industries was located in the very middle of Jump. The tower was easily one of the highest buildings there, but it was also well secured. Well, to anyone except Robin that is. He knew every single security camera position, the shifts and locations where the guards worked, all the codes and numbers to open the doors, and so on. Of course Bruce hadn't given these to him willingly, but everyone knew that with his curiosity, Robin would find out about anything eventually. So sneaking into the building wasn't a problem. It was easy to sneak past the guards and even easier to travel through the building and avoid the cameras. Not even the infrared sensors could catch him because he already knew where they were located. He did have to take a thousand and one alternative routes around the tower, but it was easy to get in. The only problem that he faced was distracting all of the people who worked there. The artificial intelligence was kept in the laboratory, along with some professors and scientists working there.

It didn't take Robin long to get into the building, travel through the vents, and to be crouching in the air shaft above the room. He was looking through the small slits of the air conditioning vent. Everyone was working passionately, but it wasn't long before a man in a lab coat ran in. He seemed to be talking about something to the other men, which Robin couldn't hear due to the whirring fan. Within seconds the men cleared the room, which he found weird, but welcoming. First, he went to unplug the camera cord and then rushed to the examination table that his objective was hooked up to. It looked like a small chip that was attached to many wires and cords and there were a few lights blinking every few seconds. Robin carefully detached the wires and then lifted it in the air to take a better look at it. It was peculiar that he didn't know Bruce was working on something like this. Maybe he needed to keep better track of him and his work.

"Robin, what the heck are you doing here?" someone asked behind him.

Robin jolted around in surprise. When he saw who it was, he gritted his teeth. "I should be asking you the same question, Red X!" he hissed, quickly pocketing the chip in his belt.

Ah, Red X, the teen dressed all in black except for the white skull mask with one end of the red X crossing over one eye. An even bigger enigma than Slade could ever be. Or maybe they were equally mysterious. Either way, he was there, and in Robin's way. The question was left open in the air, but it didn't take X long to answer it.

"We're here for the same reason it seems. Since when have you been stealing? By the way, love the new outfit."

If Red was trying to pass off flattery, it worked, much to Robin's disapproval. As X circled him, Robin never took his eyes off him. He just didn't trust the thief at all.

"You didn't fully answer my question," he said hostilely. Red X may have been the older of the two, but Robin was nowhere near scared.

"Hey, hey, chill! I got it all under control! I'm just here to retrieve some goodies to sell to the highest bidder. A man's got to eat right? I mean, Slade probably spoon feeds you and all…" Red X sneered, Robin glaring back at him.

"What do you know about any of this?"

Red X shrugged. "I don't. I just took a notice to your new change of colors and, according to the rumor that you have been gone for nearly a week, I just put two and two together. Makes me wonder what you see in that kind of man…" Walking over to a table to examine the items on it, X swiftly grabbed some to put in his own pockets. He really had no shame, what with the hero of the city standing right behind him and all! "I wonder how you even got in here. I had to bust my ass to get here. I had to do my research and here you are, standing around like nobody's business." When Robin didn't offer any kind of answer other than a sneer, he added, "Fine, don't tell. Not like I care to know anyway."

"What do you want?" Robin asked one more time through clenched teeth.

Red X had been emptying several tables, filling up almost a full bag before he decided to answer. "Answers. Everyone is curious. What happened to the Boy Wonder? Where is Robin? When is he coming back? What happened? I guess that Slade happened, but I want details. I haven't seen him in weeks."

Red X attached the bag to his waist. He then walked over to Robin until he was almost standing chest to chest with him. Robin could tell that he was eying him from top to bottom, before finally standing still.

"Why should I tell you anything?" Robin asked, not seeing a reason to raise his voice now that the thief was so close. He didn't want to draw in anymore unwanted attention.

"Well, no reason. But I could always make a bet with you, because I know something that you are more than eager to know about," X tempted him.

Robin eyed him carefully, trying to stay rooted to the spot, even though Red was a few inches taller than him. Damn being short… Robin was trying not to show any weakness during a moment like this.

"Like what?"

What indeed? What could the thief possibly know that he didn't?

Red grinned deviously behind the mask. "Like Slade, perhaps. I can tell you about him, including what's after him." There was a hint of mystery at the end of his sentence.

"What's after him?" Robin pried, only to get a laugh in return.

"Like I should tell you! But I tell you what; I'll let you know what you want to know as long as you do the same for me in return. Though I'm surprised that you don't know," Red explained, playing with his gloves. "The information is precise, I tell you, and I must admit that only rare and carefully selected ears may hear this. I know because I managed to be at the right place at the right time. Lucky me, I guess. But seriously, I won't pass you a word if you don't squeal first. I'm a curious man after all."

Robin snorted. "I shouldn't be telling you anything."

Even though he said that, Red X could tell by how his voice quivered that he was seriously considering the exchange. If anything, Robin was at least as curious as he was.

"Fine. Let's make a deal then," X suggested, placing a hand on Robin's shoulder as a friendly encouragement. He held the touch no longer than a maximum of two seconds. "I'll race you to the bank. If you can get to the diamond vault before me, I will reveal all I know. But, if you lose, well, then you better confess your little heart out. And please, you better not hold out on the details, because I want to know everything." Without taking his eyes off his face, Red X snatched one more circuit from the table it was held on. "Deal or no deal?"

Robin considered his options. If he lost, he would need to tell X about his and Slade's deal. But was that really a big deal? Red X wouldn't tell the Titans, would he? Robin was leaning more towards no. X may be a thief, but he was definitely someone who could keep a secret and stay true to his word. Robin remembered that he actually helped him out at times if it suited him. If he decided to do this, at least he wasn't hurting for time. He still had a little less than two hours left of Slade's time, which would be more than enough. Robin truly was curious and now that Red X had gotten his attention, he would find out what it was, not giving up until he did.

"Promise me that no soul will hear about this. Nothing we say is to be passed on. I don't want anyone to know. Especially not the Titans."

Red X whistled. "Oooh, bad boy, you have been keeping secrets from your friends! Shame! It seems that our golden boy isn't as pure as we all thought," Red X teased, laying a playful punch to Robin's chest, which he ignored.

"They are not to be bothered," he grumbled, giving him a nasty glare.

"I kid, I kid. And I get what you mean too. No reason to get angry here! And I promise, I will not tell a single soul! And you can trust me on that. No one is supposed to hear anyway. And who on earth could spy on us in the diamond vault? That place is secured so bad that it's a miracle if we both can get in undetected."

Knowing he was right, Robin dropped the glare. "Deal."

Red X grinned under his mask. "And the contract is signed."

He walked to the center of the laboratory, where a large glass container was located. Inside was a huge machine that was plugged into an average-sized projectile that Robin didn't know much about. From what he knew, the box inside was either an external memory or a hard drive storage unit. It was a fair-sized square of about thirty centimeters plugged into many wires. The glass had holes punctured in it, probably to let air travel freely inside the vault.

"We shall meet inside the vault at the only blind side from all the cameras. Whoever reaches the spot first, wins." Red X shot an X-shaped projectile at the glass, making it explode into tiny pieces. Robin had to cover his eyes from the shards. He then heard a loud siren. By the time he opened his eyes, he saw that the area was starting to lock them inside. Red X calmly unplugged the hard drive with a wide grin on his face. "This will sell for a fortune!" Robin snorted. "Oh, and the time starts now."

Side-by-side, they both jumped into their entrance ventilator shaft and, after sealing the opening behind them, started crawling deeper inside.

"How much would your friend Slade offer to get his hands on this external hard drive full of Wayne's secrets I wonder?" Red X questioned.

The words were just going to have to go to waste because Robin refused to answer for two reasons. For one, he didn't want to admit to anyone that Slade was a friend, anything but, and, secondly, it was Bruce's property. Robin would never disrespect his surrogate father like that. It didn't take them long to part ways, both leaving the tower separately. Inside was just total chaos. The guards were everywhere and workers and guests were running from all directions. Outside was just as bad, as cops showed up and search dogs were sniffing for clues. To make matters even worse, Robin could make out the size, shape, and exterior of the T-Car, the blue sides that matched Cyborg's mechanical parts shining in the sunlight. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. If he didn't get away from there quick, the Titans would discover him and he couldn't let that happen. One side of the building was vacant except for the parking lot and Robin caught a glimpse of Red X slipping through the many cars that were parked there. He bit the inside of his cheek in frustration when he saw him reach the street. The thief was already too far in the lead. Reaching into his belt, Robin yanked out the grapple, aimed for a lower roof not far from Wayne Industries, and fired. The hook caught the edge of the roof and he pushed the button to retract the line. He easily sailed to the other building without anyone noticing, just like Spiderman. Taking the roof would be the shortest and fastest way to get to the bank. It was more of his style anyway, whereas Red X used streets, alleys, and avenues.

Glancing back for just a moment, Robin saw the Titans working just fine without him, even though he felt like he was needed. He quickly shooed that thought from his head when he saw Beast Boy morph into a bloodhound. He fervently sniffed the ground, probably searching for the intruder's scent and the direction he or she was in. Robin quickly grew nervous, worried he'd pick his smell up. But he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Red X's vent exit was closer to their location, so Beast Boy smelled it first. His ears perked and then he lifted his muzzle to the sky to bark. Raven soon floated up to him, looking around. Beast Boy pointed at the parking lot to signal her and then started running in X's direction. Robin didn't know what god he should thank for his fortune, but then he remembered that his time was limited. Not going to give up the race so easily, he started sprinting across the rooftop, pulling out his bo staff as he did. No matter what, he would be first inside the bank's vault!

After countless rooftops and streets, Robin made it outside the bank. He quickly looked around for signs of Red X, but either he was invisible at the moment or distracting the Titans. The latter wasn't all that plausible. In such a tight knit race, he would try his damned hardest to get there before Robin. But, for now, the finish line was well in his favor. The only obstacle right now was breaking into the bank unnoticed. He had never broken into this one before, not that he broke into banks like some greedy thug, but the point still remained; how was he to get in? Robin gritted his teeth for while, not really having the time to stand still and figure things out. So he quickly decided that the roof entrance was best. He walked around the building to find a fire escape, but it was near the top. So taking his grapple again, he checked to make sure the wiring would hold, noticing how surprisingly thin it was. It wasn't even half a centimeter in diameter. It actually reminded him of fishing line. Could it really hold him a second time? He had used it once already at Wayne Industries so maybe it had lost its strength. Well, there was only one way to find out. Aiming at the bottom rung of the stepladder, he fired, felt the wire wrap around the step, and then pressed the button to reel him in. He swung for a moment, but placed his feet on the side to balance himself out and then started walking up. The wire did hold, much to his relief. It didn't take him long to reach the ladder, grab a hold of it, and pull his body up. After five steps, he made it onto the roof. About twenty yards away, he saw the entrance to the fire escape along with a vent or two. To be quite honest, Robin didn't feel like using the ventilation shafts this time. Going in and out was once enough for a day.

Robin walked over to the door and reached into a random pocket for a bomb. What he felt was much different. Gripping the item, he pulled his hand out, along with the gloves he had grabbed back at base. He felt the material with his fingers, noticing the strange texture to them. Robin slowly pulled the right one on and balled his hand into a fist. It fit him perfectly somehow, neither loose nor tight. Also, the red color was a nice addition. It wasn't a color he imagined suited Slade, but he wasn't complaining. He rubbed his fingers together, noting that they resisted the movement quite well. Upon closer inspection, he swore he could see itty-bitty buds, not knowing why they were part of normal-enough-looking gloves. So maybe they weren't special at all, just something to help with friction.

After pulling the other glove on, Robin went for another pocket and found the bomb he was looking for. There was some sticky substance on one side of it, so he fastened it to the lock of the door. He quickly retreated before it beeped once and then exploded with little to no noise. The door opened with a soft click. Robin pulled it open more and then snuck in, but not after checking to make sure there was no alarm system attached to the frame. He was lucky for there not to be any. With haste, he rushed in. If he remembered right, the diamond vault was vault number thirteen, which meant it wasn't located directly on the top floor. It was actually about three floors below him. It wouldn't be very easy to steal something so valuable near the last floor than it was from the bottom, so the bank's owner was being smart in that regard. Robin did notice a few cameras in the corners of each landing, but he easily avoided them by jumping over the railing instead of taking the steps. He made it to the corresponding floor faster than he would have if he had taken them. There was a single camera guarding the door that led out. He used his staff to push it around to the other side before slipping inside.

The bank was full of people. Walking out in the open would be too much of a hassle, given his strange uniform and all. So he quickly hid under the counter and checked around. He was currently surrounded by a Personnel Only restroom and either an information desk or cash register. This room had less people in it, way less than the room ahead of him. There were two men drinking coffee and eating buns while laughing and joking. Robin was relieved when they finished their pause and left to do their jobs. Once the room was empty, he quickly stood, climbed onto the coffee table, and checked the ceiling tiles. They were pretty basic and cheap. With just a soft push of his hand, one tile moved up, revealing a half a meter high, spacious room for him to travel in. The space was originally planned for wires, but all that was there was a rail where they would have been. Robin took a hold of it and pulled his body inside. Before making his way through, he slipped the square back into place and reminded himself that even the slightest bit of weight would cause the ceiling to fall right from under him. So he had to find something to take hold of if he planned on moving from here all the way to the vault door.

It was hard on Robin's hands to hold himself up in a nearly horizontal position. He tried to hold the rail with his legs too, but they always slipped. He was sweating and the thought of dropping made him nervous. He also didn't know the floor's blueprints, so, at times, he had to try and sneak a peek into the room by lifting one of the squares an inch or two only. At least he was lucky to have such good memory and it was easy for him to navigate. Robin soon reached the door that he had to pass in order to get behind the teller counter. From there he had to quickly sneak into the vault without camera or human detection. Of course, sneaking in the same way he had been doing it for the last few minutes wasn't an option. Otherwise anyone could enter without so much as a backward glance.

Robin was now over the door, ready to get into position. He took one more step further, reaching out with his hand to grab the next half-foot of rail, but his heel slipped from place. Robin suddenly plummeted, falling and swinging like a pendulum. He tried to bend his knees up to his chin, to prevent himself from hitting the tiles. That's what it felt like he was doing anyway. If he made one wrong move, he would fall right through the ceiling. But he didn't have time to worry about that because his hands suddenly slipped too. He felt his breakfast rush through his stomach from the shocking sensation of falling. He couldn't blow his cover now, otherwise everyone in Jump City would be after him. He squeezed his eyes shut, flexing his body to its limit as he prepared for the fall. But it never came. Robin was so puzzled that he opened his eyes to see what was going on. His hands weren't holding onto anything, but they were still attached to the rail and he couldn't understand how. He pulled himself together before grabbing the rail with his legs. He then stretched his hand out to take hold of it again. To his surprise, he could move it freely, even though just a while ago it was stuck. Getting a closer look at his hand, he realized what this was all about.

"I should've known there was something special about these gloves," Robin grumbled silently to himself. "Reaching the bank's roof would have been so much easier…"

From that moment on, he tried to use his gloves more and his muscles less. Robin soon appeared near a teller counter and he looked around to spot his next move. One of the tellers was busy with customers and several workers were walking in and out of the vault room to retrieve papers or anything they were asked to get. Robin also noticed quite a few cameras. Some were guarding the cash register, some were taking a better look at the counters, and he even noticed that some were guarding the door he needed to go through. He bit the inside of his cheek to concentrate, analyzing his surroundings and the cameras. They didn't move around, but were placed to guard one spot only. The camera to protect the door was in a rather steep corner though. It seemed to be shooting too low, only taking pictures up to the chest of everyone who walked in. Hadn't anyone bothered to lift the lens, even a little? But wait, that was it! The camera wouldn't be able to spot anything that went higher than the average man's chest height. If Robin stayed high enough, the camera wouldn't even chance a glimpse of him! Keeping his eye on the people going about below him, he searched for the perfect moment to move. He'd have to make sure the people in line for the cash register would be too occupied to notice him. He also had to make sure that no one was planning to walk through the door once he made his move. Robin could feel his fingers itch and, just for a moment, saw that all the cash registers were occupied and no one was walking around. He paid a fast glance at the customers and decided that this was as good a time as any.

Robin lifted the square and dropped down, making sure he put the panel back as he fell. Grabbing the top of the door frame, he swung through the door, lifting his feet to the ceiling. He pushed the panel upward to make his opening, released the door frame, and swung himself into the ceiling. Robin was grateful for his acrobatic background. He had been like Spiderman, without the spider senses or web strings. And it was all thanks to these amazing gloves! Before he took off, he closed the hole and breathed out a sigh of relief. He had been holding it that whole time without realizing it. After a few feet, he glanced in the room and noticed he was currently in the one where all the files and papers were kept, along with some vault doors that led to the more secured part of the bank, where only a select few could enter. Robin had no idea how he'd get past the iron door to the vault. He didn't have the time or tools to start cracking the security number and he knew that using any kind of explosive was out of the question.

Robin swallowed nervously. How in the sake of god could he pass this? He looked around in confusion, trying to search for any alternative route while searching his belt. Maybe a laser? Could he at least have a laser! Then he could cut his way through the wall. But there was nothing. All he had were small, pitiful bombs and hands that allowed him to grab things without much effort. Sighing, Robin played with the smoke bomb, trying to think. He absentmindedly fondled the small ball in between his fingers and then tossed it in the air to catch it, distracted with worry. Robin should already be in the vault. If Red X was already in, he would not forgive himself for a long time. He wanted to know what he had been talking about back at Wayne Enterprises. What had he meant about something being after Slade? The man was okay, right?

Robin lifted the ball to his lips as he leaned on his arm to rest his head, but he quickly pulled it away and sputtered on the square tiles. Hell that smoke bomb tasted foul! It tasted like ash, smoke, and soot, not to mention sulfur. Yuck, why would Slade make something like that? Robin examined the thing closer and noticed that the surface of the ball was slightly rough and he could feel the material that was on it. It was probably triggered to explode once it hit something. Robin had no idea how the small ball worked or what it was used for, but in his frustration he threw it into the trashcan in the room below.

"It'll work if it wants to. Besides, there's nothing else I can do," Robin snapped, staring at the ball he had thrown away.

Robin's eyes suddenly widened slightly. Okay, really? What dumb luck he had! Inside the trashcan with paper shreddings, the ball started shining an eerie, red and flickering light and then began to smoke too. Robin could smell it all the way from his hiding place. It stung his eyes and it smelled of real smoke. Even the trashcan smelled and glowed like it was on fire. The smoke traveled through the room, slowing inching its way to the ceiling. When it reached the sprinklers, it started shooting water. Robin could hear people running from the bank in a panic while the workers tried to put out the fire, which was turning into a full blaze. Thanks to the thick sheen of smoke, it looked very realistic. The workers, who had appeared in the doorway, made a full turn around and yelled for everyone to evacuate the building until the fire department got there. At that moment, Robin decided to jump down into the room, deeming it his one and only chance to get inside the vault unnoticed.

Robin ran to the vault door and grumbled as he noticed that he didn't have anything to help crack it. He didn't even have a stethoscope or any other equipment to help him hear the clicks over the yells of panicked customers and personnel who tried to flee the building. But Robin wasn't an idiot. Not by a long shot. He ripped the ear piece Slade made him wear at all times from his ear and stuck it on the vault door near the lock. To make it tap into the computer that was in the room, he reprogrammed it. The computer was once occupied by a teller woman who kept records of everything coming in or out. Robin sent the sound picked up by the earpiece to the speakers wired to the computer and then turned the volume to the max. It wasn't the best sound quality, but he couldn't be too picky. This was all he had. When it was all set, he placed his ear near the lock, hearing his own breathing from the speaker. The microscope was excellent, as was expected from Slade's equipment. He wasn't one to skim through the designing of his own tools. Robin then nervously started to turn the dial. He knew that he had a million and one possible passwords, but he couldn't give up. The steady sound of clicking was heard as the small wheels were turned.

Robin could feel the sweat rolling down the side of his face as he concentrated hard. He wiped it off so that it wouldn't irritate him. He missed the first click on his first try. When he restarted, he got a different sounding click. It sounded deeper, heavier, and echoed better. He then turned it the opposite direction, listening for a similar sound. Despite listening his damned hardest, it still took him a few tries to get the door open. He squeezed himself through the small opening, turned around, and carefully closed the door to the point where the lock didn't register and left him trapped. He quickly took off down the hall, getting nervous that he wouldn't make it in time. The moment he found the right vault, he almost swallowed his tongue. Red X was already inside, lowering himself steadily to the center of the vault. He was only in halfway, but he was close nonetheless. At that moment, Robin wished he could sever the wire of his grappling hook. He searched the room for cameras with haste. He saw that the door was guarded, along with every corner of the room. The camera on the door's opposite wall had to be the blind spot. There weren't any cameras looking its way and it only saw the close surroundings of itself.

"Whoever touches the camera first, wins!" Red X announced.

With a laugh, Red X lowered himself down more. Finally Robin couldn't stand it anymore. The room was steep. It was built to deny access in any way, except to take an elevator down and pass through the doors. X, though, seemed to know another way in. Robin was looking at him from the top of the room, through the reinforced window that showed what the vault held inside. There was a huge diamond that shined in the dim light. Robin gritted his teeth as he desperately thought of a way to get in without using the door. Deciding it had to be done, he grabbed a fistful of bombs and stuck them together in a small area. He quickly retreated from the glass as fast as he could. With a beep, the entire window exploded, leaving a bit of smoke. Robin ran over to see the damage. There was a small hole, just barely the size for him to fit through, but that would hardly stop him. He squeezed himself through, then grabbed the wall with his gloves, sticking in a crouching position. Robin saw how fast Red X was falling and realized he had no time to possibly climb to the camera fast enough. So, with all the strength he had left in his legs, he made a leap of faith. He was falling fast and at a very steep incline. He felt the air ruffle his hair and whip his face. Robin grit his teeth hard as his eyes began to tear up. Thank god the use of his mask didn't make them hurt too.

Red X saw Robin foolishly jump from the top of the room and catching up at a threatening pace. He sped up and jumped in longer, less steady steps to reach the destination before him, but Robin was faster. He extended his hand for the wall and grabbed it, hoping the impact wouldn't make him fall off. His side hit the concrete hard, almost flinging his body away from the wall completely. Thank god his gloves had a solid grip. After exhaling the breath he had just inhaled in the collision, he reached out to touch the camera at the exact moment as Red X. They both touched it at the exact same time. Being the only spot unguarded, they would remain forever without any proof to who was faster.

"It's a tie," Robin said, panting as he tried to sort out his breath.

"That means we'll both say what we know," Red X said. "I'll tell you a small part of my story and then it'll be your turn. As long as the other keeps talking, the other has to as well. Deal?"

Robin couldn't help but agree. He wanted to know. He had to know.

"Deal."
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