Hey, I'm back. Haha…for those who don't remember me, I began this story a while back like months ago and I never had time to return to it. Anyway, sorry to those who read this and waited for the next chapter. I'll finish this story soon. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Flashback quotes are written in bold in italic.
Chapter 13 - Aftermath
Titans tower was silent. The atmosphere a depressing feeling and no one was smiling.
Beep-Beep-BeepThe rhythmic beeping sounded over the silence in the medical room. Starfire lay on a metal slab resting while Cyborg monitored her condition. Beast Boy stood on one side gazing at her.
The doors slid open as Robin entered.
"How is she?" he asked concerned.
"Apart from slight exhaustion, her condition is not critical. She's just resting now," Cyborg responded never removing his eyes of the Tamaranian.
Robin nodded and turned his focus on Starfire. He wilted his head and sighed.
"Do you think she'll come back?
Robin turned to his half-metal friend.
"Do you think Raven will come back?"
"I don't know."
"Yeah, well she better come back because I've got things I need to say to her." Cyborg and Robin turned to Beast Boy, "I mean why? How could she do this?"
Robin said nothing but merely turned his head away. Cyborg caught his response before facing the shape-shifter again. "You can't blame Raven for this Beast Boy. She's been under a lot of stress lately."
Beast Boy was about to say something more when he saw Robin nod his head towards Starfire. Knowing he's leader was right the young titan ceased arguing wishing not to wake her.
"It's just that…" Beast Boy began, his sights dropping to the floor, "Raven hasn't been herself since we found her lying in front of the tower."
Cyborg did a final checkup, before joining with the conversation, "He's right about that, Robin. Ever since that kidnapping incident, I've noticed a slight change in Raven as well."
Robin was about to say something when a groan was heard.
"Starfire…" Beast Boy said.
Starfire began to stir, her eyes steadily opening. "Where am I?" For a moment she was dazed until her eyes snapped opened. She quickly bolted herself upright and began yelling, "Raven? Where's Raven? What has happen?"
"Take it easy Star." Cyborg motioned. "You're in the med lab and for what's happened, well Raven's gone."
"Gone. But why? Where did she go?"
"We don't know yet."
Starfire calmly listened to Cyborg talk, speaking about the events after Raven lost control. When he was done, she looked at Robin and frowned.
"I too have noticed that friend Raven has been acting differently lately. I am worried for her Robin."
"Worried…" Beast Boy began, "You're worried about her after what she did to you."
"I am sure friend Raven didn't mean to harm me Beast Boy."
"She's right Beast Boy. I know Raven and she isn't one to hurt us."
"So how do you explain what just happened to Starfire then?"
For a minute, there was silence. "Um, maybe that wasn't Raven, but a clone to fool us to think it was her," Starfire suggested.
Beast Boy's jaw hit the floor and stared at Starfire with a shock face, "Finally, someone on my level, except maybe it's not a clone but robot that's built to imitate everything about Raven," he squealed with excitement.
Cyborg smacked Beast boy on the head. "Ow, what was that for?"
"You gave that same explanation when Robin was with Slade. It's very unlikely."
"It could happen. You never know. You're just jealous because you never thought of it." Beast Boy poked his tongue out at the tin man in victory.
An argument broke out between the two with Starfire smiling nervously, trying to calm her friends down. For reasons she felt she was responsible for starting their dispute. Robin just smiled at the moment, feeling it was a break from the tense feeling around them. His smile however slowly faded. Sighing to himself he turned and left the room leaving Cyborg and Beast Boy to their pointless bickering. The two failed to see him leave but Starfire noticed and flew after him.
Robin was heading for his room through the hallways when he heard her.
"Robin."
He stopped at the call of his name but didn't turn to face her. "What is it Star?"
"Is everything alright?"
From her question, Robin had a flashback to a familiar scene, similar to the one he was in now.
He remembered it so clearly it played like a movie in his mind. He was chasing Raven after she blew up everything at her own birthday party. He caught her at the corridor and asked her what's wrong similar to the way Star was asking him now. Why this memory appeared to him now, he had no idea, but it was causing him pain.
He took a deep breath, "It's nothing Starfire. I just want to be alone right now." Giving his final words, he began walking again and turned a corner away from Star's view. Starfire remained for a while before floating away with slight envy for her friend Raven.
In his room, Robin sat on the edge of his bed, eyes staring at the floor as more flashbacks occurred, each one flashing one by one. Memories of things he remembered saying to her and things she said to him.
"Robin, you know me better then anyone."
"You look beautiful tonight Raven."
"You should know Robin. The mask isn't what makes a person a hero."
Robin smiled with each one, but this last one made him cry within.
"If you don't like the way I'm leading this team Raven, then maybe you should leave."
"Raven…"
"Robin, I'm sorry."
Robin sighed deeply feeling responsible for her leaving, but it was the only way he thought. Still, he felt miserable for it as he began to notice that there was something more to his problem then he realise. He found himself smiling and was mentally about to convince himself the reason for his emotional problem when his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the alarm that signaled trouble. His room flashed red along with the screaming siren. Knowing this isn't the time to be emotional, he got up and ran to the main room.
Robin arrived, discovering the rest of the team were already there standing in front of the main computer. "Titans, report."
The rest of the titans were staring at the screen stunned. "The city is under attack…" Cyborg began, "by…"
Robin didn't wait for him to finish. He looked over at the screen and immediately his eyes glared. Cinderblock, Plasmius, Overload, Red X. All four were together at once causing terror to anything they see.
"Let's hurry." Robin ran out the door followed by everyone.
Red X watched with amusement at the mayhem created by the three creatures. Cinderblock threw cars and cracked grounds. Overload sent bolts of lightning everywhere, shattering glass and streetlights. People screamed as they tried to run away from flying sludge being belched by plasmius. It was all chaos for them.
Each monster then began moving for the civilians but were stopped by a pellet bomb thrown on the floor. Red X smiled at the explosion from the small device knowing well the Titans have arrived, "Wow, you guys are fast."
Robin stared angrily at the thief. He was in no mood for jokes. "Who are you working for X? I know this isn't your type of work."
"That's a secret kid. You'll find out when the time comes."
"Whatever you're up to, we're putting an end to it."
"Relax Robin. Believe or not, we didn't come here to fight you, merely just to get your attention."
X smirked, Robin glared, "What are you talking about?"
Each creature came to X and stood by him. X took out a small gray pellet ball similar to the one he used at the charity party from before, "You'll understand soon enough."
"You're not escaping again. Titan's go."
The titans stepped off from his command and headed straight for their enemies. Cinderblock, Plasmius and Overload all fired an attack at once at their oncoming threat. Using this distraction, X threw the pellet down and once again a white light flashed, blinding the titans. Robin tried to peer through to see what was happening but the light was too intense for his eyes. All he heard was the mocking voice of X, "Have fun with your reunion titans. I would like to stay but I wouldn't want to ruin the moment. Until next time Robin, if there is one for you."
When the light cleared, smoke covered the area where the enemies were.
"Aw man," Beast Boy whined, "they escaped again."
Robin was frustrated, even more by what X meant. "Have fun with your reunion titans."
Robin didn't have to think long though because through the smoke, a figure was taking shape. "Titan's, be on guard."
The smoke cleared more and more. Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire saw the figure and prepared themselves. Who they saw though was nothing they could have prepared themselves for.
They all gasped at who they were looking at. In her usual leotard, her usualy blue cloak with her hood over her head, Raven stood there in front of them smiling.
To be continued…
So hope you enjoyed that. I will post the next chapter soon. Please review. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read this.