Author's note: I've always been intrigued with the idea of Slade having kids, and as Ravager has only been used in the comics reboot, I have no problem with creating my own version of her. I've tried to keep it true to the research I've done- let me know what you think! Constructive criticism would be great. Just no flames. My review box isn't fireproof. :-)
Disclaimer: The Teen Titans are so awesome than I am borrowing them for a story. However, I don't own them and will not make any money from borrowing them. I promise to return them when I'm done.
Jericho's Emancipation
Chapter One : Of Purple Uniforms and Broken Children
Rose Wilson sat hunched on the lower bunk of the bed in which she slept every night, rocking backward and forward, trying to control her powers.
Must not lose control… Must not lose control…
Her mind branched in a thousand different directions, her emotions buzzing inside her. She had to maintain control. The last time she had unleashed her levitation powers, she had accidentally smashed a gallon of paint from another room onto her dorm supervisor's best shoes, and after they had used the Switch on her, she had spent the entire night polishing them and had fallen asleep in her breakfast the next morning.
She still couldn't believe that Slade- she would never give them the satisfaction of calling him Daddy- had torn apart her life this way. She had been classified as Delinquent just because she was his daughter. She had been left to rot in some laboratory that was no longer satisfied with the amount of metahumans they could get legally. She knew other kids like her were getting kidnapped, subjected to experiments designed to break them. She was one of the lucky ones-she was already broken, and they daren't damage her further because of her already loose hold on her powers.
It wasn't her fault. At least, that was what she tried to tell herself. She hadn't asked to be able to see the future. She hadn't asked to be able to feel people's pain, or to be able to make things-and sometimes herself-fly. She would have given anything- anything- to go back to the time when her family had been normal. Before her father's humanity had drained away. Before Joey had lost his voice. Her father had become lost in a sea of mechanical parts; her brother had slipped away, probably praying that he would be presumed dead.
This thought made her rock back and forth with even more intensity. The power was surging through her, her anxiety giving her a strange tunnel vision; she forgot nearly every good thing that had happened to her, and she seemed to be wandering through the darkness lined with red. There was no hope. No hope that things could improve.
All I want is one happy day. Is that too much to ask? One happy day?
She put her head in her lap, and her grief overcame her. There was the sound of an explosion from deep within the wall, and the room was plunged into darkness.
…
Robin pulled the stolen uniform over his head. Taking no time to check his reflection, he went to his computer to see if Jericho had arrived at the rendezvous point.
Jericho had always struck him as a little strange. For one thing, he never spoke. Robin wasn't even sure if he could speak. He had very strong powers. In fact, they were so strong that Robin was surprised that such a gentle soul was able to contain them. However, he was a capable fighter when driven into it. Raven had been the one to suggest that he come with them on this mission; metahuman children were being kept illegally at a compound, and Jericho's personality put kids naturally at ease.
He connected his computer to the security camera, and was pleased to see the Jericho was there, at least five minutes early. The guy was punctual. He zoomed in the view. Jericho had also brought his banjo.
Oh well, I guess it can't hurt… besides, it ought to amuse Beast Boy at least.
Now that he looked closer, the banjo looked thick enough to be used in self-defense, but he couldn't visualize Jericho hitting anyone over the head.
I should go welcome him, thought Robin. No sooner had he thought it, however, then did Starfire appeared on screen, giving Jericho her trademark enthusiastic hug. Jericho winced in pain, and then smiled at her. Starfire, too, was dressed in a stolen uniform, and Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Raven appeared seconds later, similarly dressed. Cyborg tossed a matching uniform into Jericho's lap.
Robin shut the lid of his laptop, making his way into the living room. By the time he got there, Jericho had gone somewhere to dress in his uniform and had returned.
"Thank God you're here! Cyborg was close to throwing a fit!" said Beast Boy.
"I was not! I just don't see any good reason why these uniforms have to be purple! It clashes with the hardware." Cyborg brushed the sides of his uniform, which was already slightly too small for him.
"I suppose that we should get you a matching handbag to compensate," mumbled Raven, rolling her eyes.
Jericho hunched over, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"It has nothing to do with that! If they notice my mechanical parts, they'll be bound to recognize me. The last thing we need is for our disguise to reveal our mission for us."
"The reason the uniforms are purple is that the Paranormalogists want to keep them distinctive to ward off spies. They're almost impossible to get a hold of," said Robin.
Beast Boy's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "So that's why you came back wearing that cat costume the night you got them."
Robin blushed, but Starfire quickly interjected.
"Oh, you must have been so adorable! I wish I could have seen it!"
Beast Boy perked up. "I have pictures," he said eagerly.
"It doesn't matter what I went through to get the uniforms. As heroes, we must be prepared to do anything to maintain our code of justice," sputtered Robin. His voice became calmer. "Terrible things are happening to kids just like us. We've heard stories, but we've had no conclusive proof. Until today. I would have done a lot more than dress up in a cat suit for that."
The Titans slowly began to look more serious. Jericho picked up a stray pen lying on the giant circular table, and unable to find any paper, wrote on the back of his own hand.
You're right, Robin. Let's do this.
Robin slapped his hands together. "Okay team. We have our mission. Titans, go!"
And they set off, none of them knowing that the proof they needed would come from the daughter of their greatest enemy.
