Hey there! I'm back, with Robin, Raven, evil plots, romance, darkness, and all that good stuff. I'd just like to say that I'm SOOOO thankful for all the reviews you guys sent me, and that I've gotten a lot of support on this recent fic of mine…so I think that means it's safe to continue, right? Heh, heh…Uh, on with the show…or story…whatever.

Chapter Two: Coma

Darkness.

Engulfing his body, pulling him downwards into the unknown…Breathing was almost impossible, for the shadow seemed to be smothering him, ensnaring him in a trap of eternity…nowhere to go…

Quiet.

Utter silence, surrounding him everywhere, exploding and cutting his ear drums apart without having to make a single sound; there was no way to move through the palpable curtain of looming calm that imprisoned him, like a spider might ensnare an insect in its inescapable web.

Stiff fingers attempted to twitch, struggling to break free of the strange spell that kept him captive; his entire body was numb, for feeling and emotion could no longer reach him. His eyelids seemed heavier than granite, and he didn't have enough strength to open them for even a moment…

What's…what's the matter with…with me…?

Thought was sluggish, and even simple words took a lifetime to visualize…and it hurt too much to do anything: Period.

He relaxed the tense muscles in his body and stopped fighting, allowing himself to keep falling into a dense fog of mystery…

A last bolt of pain shot into his body, and his senses suddenly returned; every bone was on fire, blazing brighter than Hell itself. And then, oddly enough—

It was gone…and so was he.

R-R-R

Robin's face was as placid as a lake in the cool, gray hours of dawn, devoid of any expression that may have shown life. Even his chest had slowed its steady rise and fall as he inhaled and exhaled oxygen, as though he was being suffocated.

Raven was perched on the edge of her seat near his bed, staring at her leader with unwavering concern. Cyborg's brief deduction, before Robin had been rushed to their small medical center within the Tower, was that he had sunk into a coma. But how? Comas were usually results from severe accidents or blows to the head. Neither had happened to him, though he had complained of a headache; that wasn't unusual, though. The five of them were constantly rushing around, trying to defeat criminals before they caused too much damage—the occasional head pains/migraines were typical in their home. Still…

This whole thing didn't seem quite right.

The Gothic demon rose from her chair, unable to remain sitting any longer, and began pacing back and forth across the room, willing the cogs in her head to begin turning, to try and create a logical explanation for the situation…Nothing. And why not? This, most certainly, was not normal.

But how had it happened?

Raven, even though she didn't show it, hated it when she came across something that she couldn't comprehend easily, like a particularly complicated spell in one of her books on magic. It had never failed to annoy her.

That was one thing she and Robin had in common, actually.

He couldn't understand the way Slade worked, or the way he thought, unlike all the other villains he had encountered. This was most likely the reason why it was no problem for Slade to frustrate or goad Robin into doing stupid things that he'd regret later. It was a strategy, all part of a plan that had worked out in the mastermind's head, and was just waiting to be set into motion.

Would they be prepared for it when his attack hit the city? And if they failed—and somehow lived, though Slade would most likely destroy them all—would Robin ever be able to forgive himself for it?

The dark sorceress returned to her friend's side, but didn't sit, once again choosing to return to the task of watching over him…

What if what was happening to Robin was Slade's plan? Raven repressed a shudder at the thought—if Slade did anything to him, she would never let the man rest again. Her friend had been put through enough already; the last thing he needed was to be a pawn in Slade's plot…

If it was his plot.

But what if he had nothing to do with it at all? What if it was another bad guy? Or, even worse, what if it was Robin himself? Raven had read many books about the supposed theory of some people who had the unique talent of putting themselves into self-induced comas. Had Robin finally lost it, and decided to take the easy way out—?

No. He was too honorable. Her friend would have rather killed himself than let himself surrender just like that…right?

Footsteps echoed dimly in the hallway as their owner drew nearer. Raven didn't even bother to let them knock and used her black power to whip open the door, facing them with her typical bored expression. Starfire stood there, looking alarmed by the loud crash.

"What is it Starfire?"

The alien girl blinked out of surprise.

"Huh—oh! Yes! Friend Cyborg has ordered me to inform you that he requests of your presence quickly. He says that he has found information about friend Robin that may help explain what has happened, and—"

Raven didn't wait for her to finish her sentence, but immediately grabbed her team mate's arm and dragged her back down the hallway, though she locked the door behind her. To help her friend rest easy…or was it to keep unwelcome strangers out?

R-R-R

"So…she locked the door to keep the monsters out…poor, foolish little girl…does she think that that can protect you? She should know that the monsters are already within…"

R-R-R

The room was so heavy with concern that even the air seemed to drip with apprehension. Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire sat stiffly on the couch, while Cyborg brought up different digital images of Robin's brain on the large computer screen, before turning to his friends.

"See what's the matter?"

Slowly, the three other Titans shook their heads.

"Yeah…that's what it looked like to me when I first examined the photos. But then I zoomed in to get a better look; guess what I found?"

There was no answer, though his audience leaned forward, eager to hear any good news. Unfortunately, they were sadly disappointed.

"Take a look at this."

Cyborg brought up different pictures, showing a closer view of the brain. Raven's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly.

"Wait a minute…that—that can't be what I think it is, is it?"

The half-human, half-machine nodded wearily.

"Yeah…yeah, it is. Turns out Slade's dust was created to do more than just have Robin see his ghost everywhere. You see the weird discoloring in the convolutions?"

Raven nodded cautiously, though Beast Boy and Starfire remained lost.

"Convo-whatsits?"

"The ridges, B.B. There are ridges on the human brain, and they're called convolutions."

"Convol—tutions?"

"Close enough. Anyway: The color is actually the hallucinogenic dust from a week or two ago."

Starfire gasped in horror.

"No! That cannot be! We have cured friend Robin, and the dust of evil is gone! Friend Cyborg, you said—"

"I know what I said, Star! But I was wrong! Slade's real purpose was never really Robin seeing his ghost—that was just a side effect and, in that psycho's eyes, an extra bonus. The dust is actually meant to affect the way Robin's brain works, twisting it so it does whatever Slade wants it to do, which means—"

"Slade's the reason that Robin's in a coma," Raven finished, lips taut with worry. "But, the question is, why?"

Cyborg gave a dry laugh.

"I wish I knew. I just finally figured out what's going on with him. By the time I actually unravel all the information on Slade and possibly discover his plan, Robin could be…"

His voice trailed off, and Cyborg switched his robotic gaze to the floor. Raven, with a sigh, stood and slowly headed towards the door, muttering a quick, "I have to meditate." The door slid shut behind her, leaving the three Titans to ponder by themselves.

R-R-R

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos…Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos…"

Closing her eyes, Raven allowed herself to let go of all the ties that held and bound her to Earth, before she slipped into the world within her mind; the Goth somehow relaxed a bit, as she drifted downwards into familiar surroundings before gently landed on the plain of gray rock that was suspended in midair. Calm serenity overtook her troubles and, folding her legs, she sank to the ground, trying to decide what to do about the current situation at hand. All she needed was solitude to help her concentrate…Sadly—

"RAVEN!"

The demoness turned and was trapped in a bone-crushing hug by none other than a twin of her, aside from the pink cloak that was tossed casually about the other girl's shoulders.

"Hello, Joy," Raven grumbled.

"Oh, Raven, it's so nice to see you!" Her happier side cheered, giggling like a school girl. "It's been way too long!"

"Joy: I saw you yesterday."

"Whatever! Rae, I'm so glad to see you!"

"Let her go, eh Joy?" The new speaker was another duplicate of Raven, only swathed in a green cloak.

"Sorry! I'm just so happy!"

"What else is new…?" Grumbled Raven beneath her breath. Courage strode forward, the picture of confidence, to stand beside the pair, crossing her arms out of habit more than attitude.

"So, Raven—'sup?"

"Well—"

"Raven? You're here already?"

One by one, her other emotions came into view to stand about her in a circle, some chatting animatedly, others remaining quiet, based off their personalities. Eventually, Wisdom cleared her throat, before stepping forward and saying with her usual, interested tone:

"I know we are all quite enthusiastic to see Raven once again, but based off of my studies on the inner workings of your mind, you have been quite distracted lately, no?"

Raven nodded.

"Then am I correct in the assumption that the current events that have been troubling you endlessly is the reason as to why you are here?"

Again, Raven nodded.

"Ah."

Wisdom pushed her glasses up from where they were steadily sliding down the brink of her nose before continuing.

"Would you care to explain the situation? Not all of us are sure about what has been bothering you."

"I know," Love said smoothly, adjusting her deep purple cape. The tiniest hint of a blush came to Raven's cheeks, and she shot Love a warning glance, though said nothing. Wisdom coughed lightly, drawing attention back to her question.

"Now; what has occurred?"

Raven sighed wearily.

"Do you all remember Slade?"

Each of her emotions nodded gravely, including Joy. Timid gave a strangled yelp, however, and dashed behind Courage.

"He—he's b—back?" She asked in her tremulous voice.

"Yes."

Wisdom frowned, looking intrigued.

"But wasn't he presumed dead?"

"Yes."

"Then how—"

"It's the dust." Raven didn't need to explain any further, for at these words her different sides all winced simultaneously; they had each felt the pain of Slade's attack as he had struck Raven from Robin's mind.

"Cyborg says that Slade's plot wasn't entirely focused on making Robin appear insane. The dust particles have sunken into the crevices of his brain and, tampering with his mind, have sent Robin into a coma." Raven felt her shoulders sag.

"I don't know if there's any way to help him…"

Wisdom nodded sadly, and Love moved forward to pat Raven's shoulder sympathetically, but—

"Well, well, well; poor little Raven's afraid. Dear Robin may be in trouble and there's nothing she can do about it. Don't make me puke."

A vicious, sneering voice cut through their circle, and several emotions scattered to make way for an all too familiar girl with multiple, glowing eyes, and a cape as red as blood.

"Anger," Raven growled, though she couldn't help but wonder why she was here. "What do you want?"

"To listen, and to find out exactly why your mind has been coated in such sickeningly sweet fumes lately," her fury said in a distorted version of Raven's own. "For a moment, I thought you had actually driven your inner evil away." Anger paused to "pray" in relief, mocking Raven's righteousness and bravery.

"And then I realized what it was," She hissed, and Raven thought, for a moment, that she saw a forked tongue slip between Anger's fangs.

"It was love." Trigon spat the last word from her lips as though it were poison. "You're too scared to think of losing someone who actually means something to you…" Anger leaned forward with a malicious smile, before whispering:

"And we all know what happens when you get scared, Raven…"

The Goth girl closed her eyes, trying not to think of the cage that had been dragged to the darkest corners of her mind, where Fear now lay howling and clawing at the bars like a rabid animal, terrified at being left alone in the pitch black…

A moment of silence passed, in which her multiple sides clustered behind Raven for protection, to avoid the girl who emitted so much hatred from her being. Then—

"Why don't you do something about it?"

Raven blinked.

"What did you—"

"You heard me! You act as if there's nothing you can do. Why don't you rescue him? You know that you can go into other's minds; you did it once—why not this time? Stop whining and help him."

Raven paused, turning the idea over in her head…yes…yes, why not? All she had to do was dive into Robin's brain for a few seconds, and help him escape. How hard could it be? On the other hand…

"Why are you helping me?" She asked Anger suspiciously. The girl in red shrugged in an uncaring way as she examined her sharp, inch long claws.

"Go ahead. Question me, waste time. It makes no difference to me."

Raven bit her bottom lip, speeding through the plan once more, before nodding swiftly and departing with nothing more than a brief wave towards her other sides. Anger watched her go with smug satisfaction, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

R-R-R

"Ow…where—where am I?"

Robin winced as he ran a hand over a new lump on his head, though he wasn't quite sure how he'd acquired it. He could move again: That was a major improvement from his previous predicament…The Boy Wonder shut his eyes tightly, trying to visualize everything that had happened…he'd been fighting the H.I.V.E. He and his friends had been winning, and then his head ache had returned and—

That was it. He could remember no more.

Weird…

With a groan, he pushed himself up, noticing in the process that everywhere, all about him, was completely black. That was even stranger. He could have sworn it had been morning a few minutes ago…unless he was underground…

Robin stretched his hands out blindly, attempting to locate walls, or even a ceiling, if it was low enough…nothing…there wasn't even a floor beneath his feet! …So, how could he be walking? As the boy continued to move forward, a feeling of unease began growing over him, as if he wasn't alone but was instead being watched by another, constantly evaluated…he'd only felt that way around one person before in his entire life…

"Hello, Robin."

Suddenly, things had just gotten much, much worse.

To be Continued…

Ah-ha! A cliffhanger! But I'll post soon, so have no fears, please. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, even though there are a lot of horrible—and yet, some really cool things—waiting to happen later on in the story. Please review, and I'll see you soon!

Later:

Rebel-Aquarius

The air in the room was so heavily coated with grim feeling that even the air seemed to drip with apprehension. The four Titans had assembled in the main room,