So, I didn't get the five reviews I asked for; but this has been sitting on my desktop for four days, practically begging to be posted.
Once again, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. The number of hits alone lets me know that people are reading. (183 visitors last month.)
Nga Aroha: Thank you again for reviewing. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story. Hunter's hair is actually white. I'm trying to figure out what exactly caused that, but I'm probably going to have to make something up. Thanks again for reminding me about the filter, I had forgotten about it.
Darkness-Lightness: Thanks for reviewing, I really appreciate it. Don't worry, there will be romance and fairly soon. I had to set up the dramatic interplay between the characters first. Raven's not really the kind of girl to run headlong into a relationship, and I'm going to try and show that here.
Blackangeldust: Yes, Red is definitely getting the short end of the stick here, but I do plan on bringing him back sometime. I just haven't figured out how exactly to do that yet. I'm glad that you like Hunter, maybe you will like him more after the next chapter; then again, maybe not. I spent a lot of time thinking out Angela's cafe, and it's going to become an important part of the story later, so you'll be sure to see it again. I'm glad that you like it.
DriftStar: Thanks for the review and the fave, I appreciate it. Hunter's source of intelligence will be revealed later; as will exactly how much he knows about the team- which is a little more than you might think.
I do not own the Teen Titans/end disclaimer.
"And so the Teen Titan's recent escapade in downtown Jump caused an estimated fifteen thousand dollars in damages. The question we must be asking ourselves is this: Is it worth it? Do we need such destructive so called 'saviors' in our city?" The talk show host asks the screen while striking a gallant pose and the audience starts murmuring behind the camera. Robin turns the television off in disgust.
"It's getting worse, isn't it?" Cyborg asks as he walks in from the weight room.
"Much," Robin tosses the remote control onto the couch and starts pacing around the room. "I need to know more about this Hunter character."
"You think he's behind the media problem?" Beast Boy asks from the kitchen.
"I don't know what to think right now. All I know is that he's probably the one who took out Red-X; and that is what started this whole issue. I need to know more so I can figure out what's going on here." Robin stops pacing when Raven enters the common room.
"What's going on?" she asks, feeling the tension emanating from the trio.
"Raven, this Hunter guy was talking all weird to you. Do you know him from somewhere?" Beast Boy asks while preparing a plate of vegetables.
"He took out a thug that I was chasing the other day, and we exchanged a few words then, but I don't recall ever meeting him before. But…" She stares out towards the city, losing herself in her thoughts.
"But what Raven?" Robin asks, eager to obtain any information.
"There's something about him, I don't know. It feels like I should know him for some reason. Something about his eyes." Raven shakes her head and turns back to the door. "I'm going to meditate. Call if you need me." The three crime fighters nod, understanding that she needed to focus.
"Just let me know what it is that sets you off about him," Robin remarks to her retreating form.
* * *
Raven glides into her room, glad to be free of the oppressive emotions emanating from the rest of the team. Robin's tension has risen since she found the mask the day before, and he realized that he couldn't turn it over to the police without it being used against the team as incriminating evidence.
The dark sorceress sighs as she sits on her bed, thoughts occupied by the white-haired Hunter.
Why does he seem so familiar? She wonders. I know I've never seen him before, so why this nagging feeling that I'm missing something, something important? She clears her mind and focuses on her energy, hoping that her meditation will help her solve this puzzle.
"Azarath… Metrion…Zinthos," Raven chants her mantra, allowing her thoughts to slip from her mind. Darkness reaches up from her subconscious, soothing in its peace. Images from her past float up to greet her. A glimpse of an Azarathian prayer room, the horrified looks of the monks teaching her during one of her tantrums, the disappointed look on Azar's face, all these images rush through her mind. It seems as if her past is assaulting her. The memories then start to swirl around her, until a rough noise breaks her meditation.
"-en! Raven, answer or I'm going to open the door!" Robin's voice calls through the closed door. Raven shakes her head and walks over to the door, which slides open upon her command.
"What?" She asks, frustrated because she felt that she was on the verge of a discovery.
"You've got a call, it's Melvin. She says it's important, and will only speak to you." Robin's sentence is lost as Raven blows past him to reach the common room. She stops suddenly, as something catches her eye in the hallway.
A large black scale is resting in a corner, along with various other miscellaneous trophies from past battles. The sight of the scale evokes painful memories of her time with the suave manipulator who owned it. Raven's eyes widen as she remembers a page from the book that contained the beast. A page from which crystal blue eyes stared while a smooth voice whispered lies to her.
"I've got Beast Boy cleaning out the trophy room, seeing as how our patrols are limited." Robin comments as he finds Raven standing before the mess. A low moan escapes the girl as she falls to her knees. All the lights around Raven shatter as she feels something within her crack.
"Raven! What's wrong?" a dust-covered Beast Boy asks, running over to Raven as she slumps to the ground.
"I remember where I've seen Hunter before. He's Malchior."
* * *
Hunter silently strides through the cluttered hallway of the underground cathedral, wondering why the meeting place was to be here. As he walks, he notices the presence of two automated spies monitoring his progress. Apparently he wasn't trusted here.
He steps into the center of a cleared area, and raises a hand to shade his face when a powerful spotlight is placed upon his face. He can barely make out the silhouette of a man, and assumes that it is who he is looking for.
"I am called Hunter, would you happen to be the one known as Deathstroke the Terminator?" he asks, keeping his eyes shaded from the powerful light. The man laughs and steps closer as the light drops, allowing Hunter to lower his hand.
"I haven't been called that in years. Lately I've taken the name Slade. It makes me wonder, though. What would one who knows me to be the world's most notorious mercenary want?" Slade's trademark mask is evident, now that the light isn't blinding the magic user. Hunter tilts his head to the side and studies the mercenary before him.
"I have a favor to ask of you. I have heard of your recent exploits and seek your assistance in a matter of personal interest." Hunter stands in a relaxed, semi-military stance, nearly mirroring Slade's own. The masked mercenary laughs at Hunter's request.
"And why would I do you any favors? What have you done for me that would make me want to help you? I'm no longer a mercenary anyway, so you cannot buy my services." Slade circles the man before him, studying his posture and searching for some sign of weakness.
"If that is the case, what is it that you wish for me to do, if I were to still request your services?" Hunter asks, not bothering to watch as Slade walks around him. The mercenary's laugh echoes in the enclosed space.
"If you really seek my services, there is one thing that will guarantee them." Slade stops and looks Hunter in the eye. "Bring me the Teen Titans."
Hunter smiles slightly and looks Slade in the eye. "I can do that."
Is Hunter who Raven believes he is? Even if he isn't, what is he up to?
How will the Titans react to the alliance between Slade and Hunter?
Find out all this and more in the next chapter!