A/N: Hello! I have decided to take a break from writing Protect This Heart of Mine and instead will make some revisions to it, eventually.
For now, I have decided to write a new story immediately explaining the events after Haunted and right after the Season 4 Arc. Did that make any sense at all? Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans
Goodbye, Halcyon Days
Halcyon (adjective) – denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
*Four Years Ago*
Their mind-meld served its purpose in order to help Robin escape Slade's control, well…that was its initial goal, oh no, their mental bond goes a whole lot deeper. Freeing Robin from Slade is no easy feat for Raven, in doing so; she has to use more of her power to do the task.
Because her dark magic is so complicated, a normal, simple bond will allow her into the minds of her target, experiencing their emotions, thoughts, and desires. The bond Raven has on Robin, not only lets her into his emotions, thoughts and desires, it gives her the ability to fuse their memories together. Adding to that, no one else with the same ability can access either of their minds.
They still have their separate memories, however, it just means that uniting the memories together means uniting Robin and Raven together, for eternity. The dark sorceress can tell that something isn't normal with this bond.
Sitting in Robin's room, cloak and cape laying on his desk chair, mask thrown about, and shoes kicked off to the side; the pair are on his bed, her tucked comfortably into his side, an idle ungloved hand lazily runs through her shoulder length hair.
"So, this goes a lot deeper than we thought, huh?" Robin nervously grinds his teeth together, his brain still processing the information.
"I'm sorry." Raven ruefully bows her head, not able to get the backlash she knows is coming.
"You don't have to apologize, I understand your reasoning's. Besides, we're best friends, have been even before the team. It's okay." Robin brings the shameful empath into his arms.
She hesitantly wraps her arms around his waist, returning his gentle hug. "You're sure?" She stares up into his bright sapphire eyes, her being the only one in on his tangible secret.
"I'm positive. You know everything there is to know about me and vice versa, so what difference does it make? Stop worrying, okay?" He places a feathery light kiss to her temple, quelling her doubts about their situation, a light-hearted smile adorns her face.
"What do we do know?" Her leader questions after a peaceful pause, she just shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't know…I guess we'll let it run its course and see where it leads us." That was the best answer she can give him and he knows that.
"We'll see where it takes us." He confirms, he snuggles closer to her, sleep claiming both their bodies.
.
.
.
After a two-hour catnap, the two curl into each other completely still, too comfortable to get up. So content with where they are, they almost didn't hear the presence of their friends return from a night out of pizza and a movie.
"So, why did the wife jump off the windowsill, again?" Starfire questions her friends, still perplexed by the movie.
"Star, I explained this already, he planted an idea in her head which caused a chain of reactions." Cyborg exasperatedly explains, for the millionth time.
"But, Friend Cyborg, what was this idea he planted in her head?" Beast Boy is the one to pipe in, knowing the cybernetic teen might blow a casket really soon.
"We don't know, Star. All we know is it had to do with a train, okay?" The green shape-shifter breathed a sigh of relief when he sees her nod.
(A/N: Can anyone guess the movie I'm talking about? ;D)
"Hey, guys…how was it?" Robin walks into the Main Room, a violet-haired empath trails behind him.
"It wa–" The alarm sounds before Starfire can even start describing their joyous excursion.
"Who's wrecking havoc to the city this time?" Beast Boy grumbles, already tired from playing twenty questions.
Robin's eyes narrow into slits, his already clenched jaw tightens, and his clenched fists are almost white from the pressure. Sensing his resenting emotions, Raven lays a gentle hand around his wrist.
"Slade." The Titans are already bolting out the Tower before Robin can get the last syllable out.
.
.
.
The heroes find themselves far out of the city and in an unknown outside area. An old, run-down warehouse the only edifice standing in a five-mile radius.
"This is the location, but I don't see him." Robin's suspicions make the other four survey their surroundings. They scatter about, two float in midair and the other four wander cautiously.
"You know, Robin, with all that detective work Batman taught you, I'm surprised you didn't look up." A mysterious yet familiar voice echoes all throughout the large building.
Looking up, the Titans see Slade standing in an open storage area on the second floor. However, he isn't alone. Two figures stand on either side of the masked criminal, their identity hide behind the shadows.
"You need better lines, these ones are getting old." The teenage leader bitterly spits out at his ex-commander.
"Now, Robin, there's no need for hostility. I merely invited you here so we could…catch up." Slade's provocative sneer grates on the Titan leader.
"Stop playing games and kindly introduce us to your…friends." Raven's impatience is wearing thin.
"Ah, I thought you'd never ask." Slade starts descending down the stairs, the unknown figures follow behind him. "Ah, My Dear, you asked a very important question." Slade wraps a strand of short violet hair around a metal finger eliciting a growl from her best friend.
"Don't. Touch. Her." Robin's his jaw is locked in place.
"Well then, enough chit chat. Robin, there are some familiar faces that missed you." Slade turns toward the figures, his arm outstretched and beckons them forward.
Robin let out a harsh gasp when the two villains reveals themselves. Seeing their faces triggers a memory from his past, unconsciously inviting Raven into it. Slade watches on, interest peaked, as the half-demon lightly clutches her head, eyes closed tightly.
"Robin, who are they?" The mute Cyborg finally speaks out. Beast Boy and Starfire has the same question on their minds, but are too afraid to speak. The dark one stares at her leader in sorrow.
"The one on the right is Two-Face and the one on the left is Joker." Robin, still stupefied, manages to get out.
All eyes widen to the size of saucers, all four have heard of the heinous acts these two have caused. A brief, silent standoff occurs until Batman's former sidekick snaps himself out of his daze.
"What are you planning?" Raven demands an answer from the psychotic madman.
"Quite honestly, nothing, sweetheart. I just wanted to visit some old friends." Not letting the heroes get a word in edge wise, Slade launches in, his focus solely on the dark empath.
Following their temporary leader, Two-Face and Joker pick their respective partners, the former sets his sights on the other resident bird and the latter take on the other three.
.
.
.
"Why did you come back? Was my father not good enough for you?" Raven grabs at whatever object is in her reach, incasing it in black magic and hurdles it towards her patriarch's former servant. The object in question just so happens to be a metal rod lying around.
"Dear Child, you've got it all wrong. I was originally seeking some form of vengeance, but talking to you and seeing your behavior made me realize that there is something different." Slade's one eye is an inch away from her very own.
"What are you talking about?" Her blood is boiling, irritated from the metahuman's vague antics.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Her raised hand glows with black magic ready to attack, but is instantly immobilized, the madman trapping her wrist in a powerful hold. "Tell me, why is it that I cannot take over Robin's mind, hmm?"
Raven's eyes widen, undeniable shock and disbelief flashes through them. "How did you–" Knowing she is trying to figure out how he knows, the criminal mastermind launches a harsh kick to her stomach, her back collides with a metal pillar. She harshly groans out, slowly working her way back onto her feet.
"It was quite simple, really. I mean, Daddy Dearest, indulged me into everything I need to know about your powers." Leaning heavily against the pole, Slade harshly grips her hair, bringing her face to his.
"What was it that he said about mental links? Oh, yeah, beware of a special one." His monologue is starting to annoy her.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos." She mumbles her incantation, which allows her to escape her body and a black raven taking its place.
She incases Slade's entire body with black glowing magic and tosses him aside like a rag doll. Her soul self disappears and sinks back into her body.
Glowing white eyes close then open, revealing not two, but four blood red eyes, her anger radiantly pulsing. She propels a ball of energy towards him before he can even think about getting up. Thinking that is the end of him, her stance instantaneously slumps down, exhaustion overwhelming her anger.
"Nice try, sweetheart. You're gonna have to do a lot better than that." His voice makes her whirl around, a punch lands on her already bruised midsection.
Slade continues his ensemble toward Raven, elegantly dodging her attacks and aiming a few of his own at her. By now, she is on all fours, open cuts and pulsing welts coat her pale skin.
"Sweet dreams." Slade's triumphant grin the last thing she sees before she gives into the pull of darkness. A walking form disappears into the shadows, never turning back to see the light twitch of her hand.
.
.
.
Robin watches on as his best friend's form goes limp. He is slightly worried, but confident nevertheless, knowing that she can handle her own. His focus still on her, he starts walking towards her, until a two-sided coin lands in front of his feet, effectively stopping him. The ghastly deformed side of the silver coin mocks him.
"Looks like you got heads." A malicious voice speaks out from behind the leader, already aware of who he is fighting.
"You, too? God you villains really need new lines." Although humorous, Robin delivers his line seething. If looked at closely, foam can almost be seen pouring out of his mouth.
"Say, have you visited Batman recently?" A sly grin. "I sure have, and let me tell ya, he wanted me to send you the warmest regards." At this point, Robin could've turned into the Incredible Hulk.
"Fucking bastard, why are you here? How do you know Slade?" The way Robin is speaking such a deadly tone should have Two-Face already chained to hell.
"I'm sure I'll bore you with the details, no need to get into that." Two-Face disregards him and flimsily waves him off.
"Why are you here?" Robin reiterates again as Two-Face smiles at his annoyance.
"Let me ask you something, that girl, the dark o–" A metal boot slams into Two-Face, the momentum makes him stagger back a few feet.
"Lay a fucking finger on her or I swear to God you'll be begging for death, I dare you."
"Struck a nerve, did I?" Unfazed, Two-Face casually walks towards Robin, a little too close for comfort on the latter's part.
"She sure is special, spunky, too." The psychopath has a jubilant smile on his face, as if he's playing a harmless game of cat and mouse.
"Shut. Up." Robin completely irate, pulls out two bo-staffs and lengthens them to their limit. He jumps up and sends Two-Face flying.
Robin utilizes every hand-to-hand combat move Bruce taught him that he can think of, a right hook here and a flying roundhouse there. He distanced himself from the deranged mastermind, contemplating his next move.
Two bird-a-rangs from either side hurls toward the demented criminal. However, Two-Face effortlessly dodges it.
"Come on, Robin. This is child's play." He's not the only one efficient in hand-to-hand combat as Two-Face has Robin bruised, bloody, and weak in ten minutes.
"And here I thought you've improved…what a sha–." Before he can deliver the final blow, a black incased slab of cement effectively cuts him off mid-sentence.
"I'm sorry, what were you trying to say?" An enraged empath stands in front of her best friend, creating a barrier so he can have time to recover.
"Spunky indeed."
.
.
.
"So, who wants to go first?" The Joker nonchalantly asks as he examines his fingers.
Instead of a response, Cyborg and Starfire start excessively attacking their enemy. The Joker sidesteps the onslaught, as if he is learning a new dance. A green fly hovers over him until Beast Boy morphs into an elephant, a loud trumpet noise emits from his mouth as he descends.
Clown-Face merely laughs as Beast Boy lands on hard ground instead of on top of him. "You can't outsmart me."
With that all three engage in battle, waiting to see who comes out victorious.
.
.
.
Raven narrows her eyes, hands glowing with her dark powers. By now, Robin regains his balance and is halfway to a standing position. Two-Face intently watches the pair, her protective stance unwavering and his resilient anger still intact. Two peas in a pod.
An arrogant smirk on his face, he states, "Game on."
.
.
.
An onslaught of attacks from both sides; kicks, punches, a flash of black, green, and blue energy bolts across the warehouse, and a series of green animals. Although the two remaining master criminals, are outnumbered, their fighting ability definitely outranks the skills of the Titans.
Three down, two standing. Starfire is cast aside next to the stairs, her still form concerning. Cyborg slams into the metal pillar Raven inhabited previously, his robotic parts cracking. Finally, a green T-Rex slowly dissipates, leaving a seriously injured Beast Boy, body askew.
They all housed head wounds, gushing cuts, bruised and broken limbs, black eyes, and any other form of injuries in the book. All in all, they aren't doing so well. The beating not only damaged their physical forms, it damaged their spirit.
Two against two; like hell Robin will let Raven fight Two-Face, refusing to expose her to his provocative yet harsh method of taunting. Although they are giving their all, the resident birds know its s a losing fight. No way are they able to defeat two brilliant masterminds.
The fighting ceases, an eerie quiet takes over, five forms are left for dead around the warehouse.
.
.
.
Robin is the first to come to, leaning against the wall, his eyes try to adjust to the early morning sun peeking through the small windows of the dilapidated edifice. He surveys his surroundings when his eyes stop at a petite form; violet hair sprawls all around her.
He crawls toward his best friend, ignoring the searing pain coursing through his body, and gently raises her head onto his lap. Robin delicately wraps an arm around her midsection, pulling her closer to him; an idle hand runs through her hair, an occasional kiss meets the top of her head.
It isn't long until Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast Boy come around. They look over their injuries, slump their shoulders and let out a defeated sigh. All three eyes are completely dead inside.
Robin's eyebrows are furrowed so tightly, it's a miracle he didn't get frown lines. His best friend is still unconscious, and probably won't wake up for another couple hours. Knowing that, he furrows his eyebrows even more, if that is possible.
None of them has the energy to even think about getting up. Their gazes met each other, an unexplainable amount of sadness emanate through all of them.
They know that this fight will be the end of everything they know.
A/N: Well, how was it? I hope it wasn't too confusing. I apologize if I got the behavior and personality of Two-Face and The Joker wrong, my first time writing about them. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for reading!