"Really, I don't understand why you work with these losers when you could work with me. you have so much power, my Gem." Slade said, sliding his finger across her cheek. Raven turned her head, but Slade turned it back. "If you joined me, there would be no need for all this pain dear child." Slade whispered. the half of his mouth uncovered curved into a smile.

"Azarath metrion zinthos!" Raven screamed. She prepared to send a burst of energy out, knocking Slade into the wall. But nothing happened. The girl stared at Slade defiantly, even after she realized what had happened. A new wave of energy was ripped from her and she couldn't help but scream.

"My, it's a bit loud don't you think?" Slade said as the Red thing grew over her mouth. Raven could no longer scream, but she could still feel. The girl began to spam violently from the energy being ripped from her body.

"Oh, dear child, don't you see? Your power is mine now. And while I can still use it, you cannot. I have stolen enough of your power to fuel me for weeks. in fact I believe I am full." A beeping sounded on Slade's wrist. He pressed a button and the power stopped on the machine Raven was hooked up on.

The metal shackled released her and she fell, hitting the ground with a thud. The red thing around her mouth receded. It crawled away from the half- demon girl and slipped into the cracks of the room.

Raven moaned. She fought with the temptation to sleep. She could not. Only she could stop Slade. Slade. He smiled down on the girl.

Raven did not attempt to rise. She just played dead. she closed her eyes and lay still, fighting unconsciousness the whole time. Raven heard Slade walk closer. She felt cold arms pick her up.

"Robin, I have your prize. come and get her." Slade called to the boy who was just getting up.

"Raven!" He cried, seeing Slade holding her. a deep laugh resounded throughout the room. Robin charged the man preparing for a swing. But he froze, and spun around Slade.

Robin could not hurt Slade without hurting Raven. "You see, When you care about someone, it's not that easy." Slade told the boy wonder. He looked at the ladder beside him. He laughed as an idea came to him. He began to climb the ladder. Robin dashed forward and chased the villain.

Raven lay there, limp in Slade's arms. She felt as she moved, going higher and higher. Slade climbed the ladder on the side of the wall to the top. Robin climbed after him, thinking of how to attack Slade.

"Now, if you hurt me she will fall." Slade said, holding the limp girl out with just one arm.

"Slade. Put her down!" Robin cried.

"Freeze. If you move, I will drop her." Slade instructed Robin. The boy obediently stopped climbing. "now, surrender to me, or Raven falls, and she won't turn into a bird this time." Slade said.

Robin looked at Raven. He would give his life for that girl. and so, Robin began to climb down the ladder.

"No!" A familiar voice cried. Robin Looked up and saw Raven, her eyes glowing while, glaring at Slade.

"You may have taken my powers, but you didn't take me!" Raven screamed. Two eyes appeared on her face, and the four glowed red. She screamed incoherently and released a blast of energy.

Slade dropped the enraged demon, gripping to the ladder for his life. Raven fell, glaring at the man who had been her captor.