"What?" Robin spluttered incredulously. "Slade? Are you certain?"
"Yes!" Genma cried. "He identified himself as Slade, and said he's here to deliver a message! And he's brought some company!"
Robin's eyes narrowed to slits. "So he's here at last," he said in a low, fierce voice. "After all this time of hiding…now's the perfect chance to stop him!"
"This ninja said he does have companions with him…" Cyborg cautioned.
"So what?" Robin snapped. "Why should it make a difference? We're not alone ourselves! Unless Slade has actually brought along a hundred minions along, I don't think this is a battle we'll lose easily. Now, let's move."
"Perhaps we should get Raven-san to a safe place first," Hinata said.
"I can't afford to hide like a coward in moments like this," Raven replied firmly. "I'm going along with all of you."
"Not a good idea," Sakura protested. "Slade is the informer, isn't he? He's probably come for you and the gem! You could be walking right into his trap!"
"I can deal with bad guys, Sakura. I've seen more than my fair share all these years, and I think I can survive an encounter with another one."
"Then you'd better keep low," Kakashi warned her.
"I'll do what I must."
"Raidou, you report this to Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said to Genma's companion. Genma, you come with us and lead us to Slade."
"Right. Follow me."
Raven, Starfire and Nightwalker took off into the air, Nightwalker deliberately flying right in front of Raven. I could squash Slade like a bug if he says he's come for you! Nightwalker fumed. I admit, the temptation is almost too strong to resist.
It's not like you to be so bloodthirsty.
I wonder if you're not feeling the same way?
Perhaps, but either way, I'm going to keep my emotions in check. You'd better do so too!
We'll all do as we must.
"They're in that direction." Raising a hand, Genma pointed in a westerly direction. "There are about ten of them in total."
"Only ten. We can take them down," Robin said confidently.
"Let's hope it's going to be as simple as you think," Terra sighed.
"Simple or not, today's going to be the day we taken down Slade once and for all."
On and on they moved, until Raven halted them with a single sharp word. The group halted in unison, the ninjas perching on tree branches. Raven was gazing into the distance intensely, her eyes glittering in her pale face.
"Raven-san?"
"Slade's nearby. Too near. I can feel him."
"Prepare yourselves," Kakashi instructed, and the ninjas immediately grabbed weapons from their pouch, holding them ready in their hands.
"I'll go check it out first," Starfire offered bravely.
"No. Stay together," Robin said in a low voice. "Slade might already be aware of our presence."
"Let me scan the place first," Neji said. "Byakugan!" He peered intensely into the distance, and the others waited with baited breath.
"They're close," Neji reported. "I can see ten of them in total."
"And Slade…"
"What does he look like?"
"Metallic looking, huge body, mask on face…"
"He's there alright," Neji said. "Surrounded by those men. They all look like ninjas."
"How on earth did Slade even come to this dimension?" Robin demanded.
"Figure that out later," Cyborg said. "For now, we figure out how to stop Slade!"
"We probably have the element of surprise, for now," Terra said. "Slade may not know yet that we're here."
Neji focused his gaze intensely on Slade before saying, "They're still moving forward now. They're not acting like they know we're here."
"Then we ought to launch a sudden attack on them now," Naruto said.
"Sounds like a good plan to me," Cyborg agreed.
All eyes turned to Kakashi, who considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright," he said. "Remember to keep it simple. Surround Slade and the ninjas and take them down fast."
"Got it."
"Move!"
With surprising speed and agility, the ninjas sprang into action, leaping along the tree branches lightly. Raven, Nightwalker and Starfire flew forward together, side by side, while Beast Boy morphed into a crow. Terra tore up a large chunk of rock from the ground, and gestured to Robin and Cyborg to hop onto it while she controlled it, maneuvering it forward.
"Do you think we can take down Slade for good this time?" Starfire asked hopefully.
"We have to," Robin said fiercely. "It's not a matter of whether we can or not. We must!"
Leading the way, Neji stopped suddenly, holding up a hand. The entire group halted, looking at Neji, who quietly told them, "We're close enough now. Spread out and hide."
"And wait for my signal," Kakashi said. "When I whistle, make your move."
"Got it."
Slade and his ninja companions continued to advance forward while the Titans and their ninja allies watched them quietly from a distance, concealed by the trees and bushes. Raven breathed in and out numerous times, keeping herself calm. No anger. No fear, she told herself sternly. No emotions whatsoever. Just stay calm, and do what you have to.
Kakashi was leaning further forward now, his revealed eye watching Slade's every move. With each step Slade and his minions took, they were getting closer and closer to where the Titans and ninjas were.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Naruto whispered.
"I know." Kakashi peered down from his hiding point again, and came to a quick decision there and then. Pursing up his lips, he let out a sharp whistle, like a bird.
In a flash, Titans and ninjas alike leaped out from their hiding places, descending upon Slade and his minions like birds swooping down for food on the ground. Following their common sense, they spread out in a circle, completely surrounding the enemy.
"Well, well, well. Look at who we have here," Slade drawled. "The Teen Titans again – with some new friends. What a surprise."
"Really?" Robin sneered, reaching for his stick. "A surprise? Or a planned visit, I wonder?"
"I'm not interested in fighting with you, dear Robin," Slade said, in his deep, dangerous voice. "Just hand Raven over to me, and we'll be gone."
"Over my dead body."
"This no longer concerns you, Robin," Slade warned. "This is between me and Raven now."
"So wrong!" Terra snapped. "This is between you and us!"
"Back off," Slade replied. "I'm not here for you. Raven." He looked her straight in the face, and made a sharp gesture with his hand. "Come with me, and there'll be no trouble for your friends."
Nightwalker stepped in front of Raven protectively, his eyes dangerously cold. "You want Raven, do you?" he asked. "Well, come and take her yourself if you dare, then."
"Oh, but I don't have to," Slade said lightly. "She knows what she's destined to do, after all. I don't need force to take her."
"You're not taking her or the gem!" Naruto spat angrily.
Slade's head swiveled in Naruto's direction, as if he had just realized he was there. "Her or the gem?" he echoed mockingly. "Oh dear. It looks like you really don't know much about the gem, do you?"
"Perhaps not," Sakura voiced out, "but we know what it's for."
"You poor little girl," Slade said. "You think Raven told you so much about the gem that you know everything about it? Sadly for you all, she missed telling you something very important about it!"
Raven released her breath on a long, sustained hiss of anger.
"Slade, if you say anything more…" Nightwalker threatened.
"What? Aren't you all Raven's friends? Don't you think they have the right to know what the gem really is? Or should I say, who the gem really is?"
"Who the gem really is?" Sai said, puzzled. "Isn't the gem an…"
Kakashi felt an odd chill running down his spine.
"Raven-san, is he telling the truth?" Neji asked.
Raven said nothing, but kept her gaze stubbornly fixed on the distance, her lips pinched into a straight, thin line.
"Of course I'm telling the truth," Slade said, spreading his hands in an almost innocent gesture. "Surely you didn't think I'd travel all the way to another dimension to tell a lie? Have none of you found out yet that Raven herself is the gem?"