Extended author's note at the end. TL;DR – Sorry for the delay in updates, life and stuff. Enjoy this extra-long chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, or any other DC Characters.

Chapter Thirty-Eight – Bad and Worse

The night drew in as the makeshift team set about getting ready for their mission. The moon was high over the T-shaped tower, yet it hummed with life. Everyone was due to assemble within the hour, to put the plan into action. Raven quietly slipped away to her room for some final meditation. After finding her centre and chanting her soothing mantra for a while, her feet touched down on the familiar metal floor and she paced towards her window slowly. She was restless. Absently, she placed her hand over her stomach and sighed. There was a bad feeling in her gut, a feeling she just couldn't shake. The empath had the sense that no amount of meditation would remedy these feelings, and so she raised her eyes towards those familiar stars in hope of finding peace. Her quiet voice was lost in the vast, dark space.

"I hope you were right, Rina. I hope I can do enough to keep everyone safe," Raven whispered, her eyes still firmly set on the skies. Her hand rubbed across her abdomen and she pulled her cloak around herself protectively. "I hope I can be all that they need me to be."

"You always are," came a voice behind her that made her leap out of her skin. She turned quickly, her eyes glowing white with instinct. Robin smiled at her from the doorway, his footsteps light as he walked towards her. "And you always will be."

"I wish I had your faith in me," mumbled the Azarathian meekly, averting her now normal violet eyes back out of the window so he couldn't see the tears that shone there. "I'm so scared of losing any of you...my powers are so tense—I just—"

"Stop," gestured the leader, placing his hand on her shoulder. He felt her shuddering beneath his touch. "Raven, you need to calm down. Rina told you this for a reason. I'm terrified of losing any of you too, but we have to use this information to our advantage. The visions. The psychic meeting. It all has to mean something. We have to make it mean something."

"I understand," droned the empath, her voice low and dull. She blinked back the tears and turned towards him, her lilac eyes meeting his masked ones. "I'm scared, Robin. Knowing Rina is with me has changed everything. This isn't some stupid fight with Mumbo Jumbo. Slade's a different animal altogether. I know what he's capable of. We've seen it. To be completely honest, I've never gone into battle feeling this scared before."

"I can't even begin to imagine," acknowledged the dark-haired man, his arm dropping from her shoulder. He knew her sentiments about Slade were accurate; he wasn't some common criminal to be toyed with. Slade was different. Slade was dangerous. Robin rubbed his chin in thought as he spoke. "This is a different experience for the whole team. You've got maternal instincts, but we have family instincts. We want to protect our own, and so to some extent I can empathise with what you're saying. Slade and Terra are undoubtedly dangerous; this was never going to be an easy fight."

Raven nodded, numbly. His words were hitting her as hard as his caring emotions. It was difficult not to break down and lose control completely. She brought her hand to rest on the cool glass and took a deep breath before speaking. "Then tell me. Are you afraid?"

Robin was taken aback by her sudden question. He remained silent for a moment as he considered her enquiry. He thought about the team. About all of the other honorary members who were relying on him. Of Bruce. Of his friends. His family. Starfire. His heart gave a pang of terror at the thought of losing any of them. But he could dissociate himself. It was what he had always done. Yet Robin knew there was no point lying to Raven; she was an empath after all. He nodded. "Yes."

"How do you cope with it?" asked Raven, her eyes imploring and wide. She sniffed, balling her hand into a fist under her cloak. "How do you manage the fear?"

Robin took a deep breath. "You know that there's nothing I can say to take the fear away. Sometimes, we can't make the fear go away...we just have to do things scared."

Raven felt a strange emotion washing off the man as he spoke those words. Resentment. The question tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop it. "Who told you that?"

Robin looked up and allowed a small smile to pass his lips as he cursed himself internally. Had he really let his guard down that much? He shrugged. "Bruce."

Raven didn't say anything. She didn't have to. It was painfully clear to them both that there were no easy resolutions. Silence hung in the air for a few moments longer than it should have done. Robin straightened his back and raised his chin. "Whatever happens Raven, I'll be there with you. All the way. So will the others. You know that, right?"

"It's the only reason I'm still here," joked the empath dryly, pulling her hood over her long violet locks gently. She corrected herself. "The reason we're still here."

Robin nodded in understanding, eyes flitting briefly towards her stomach. He turned towards the door. "I came to tell you that the team is almost ready. Get what you need and then head down to the garage and we'll discuss transportation arrangements."

Raven nodded, her face blank and pallid once more. "Okay, Robin. I'll be there in five minutes."

Robin nodded again and turned towards the door. He hesitated for a moment, looking as though he wanted to say something further but decided against it. Raven cocked her head to the side as he left. There was something different about him, every fibre of her being knew it. She'd sensed it several times over the past few days. But she just couldn't put her finger on what it was. Knowing there were larger tasks at hand, she adjusted her cloak and walked over to her ornate dark wood chest. Reaching in, she pulled out a few items gingerly. Wrapping them in a black fabric, she placed them into her cloak. Her senses tingled, there was someone else approaching. Relaxing, she closed the chest and stood upright.

"I just told our fearless leader I'd be down in five minutes," she stated wryly, not bothering to turn around. She knew who it was. There was no mistaking those emotions.

"Alright, I just wanted to check you were okay snarkypants," came the response, as Raven turned around. Beast Boy stood looking at her, leaning against her doorframe lazily. In the moonlight, he cast a long shadow into the room. The empath felt her breath hitch in her throat, as her affection for him swam around her making the atmosphere feel thick. She swallowed and tried to keep her mind focused. Garfield seemed to pick up on her funny mood, and his jovial grin soon disappeared. "You okay?"

"I'm okay, Gar," she reassured, although even she didn't believe the words as they tumbled out of her mouth. He was walking towards her in a moment, pulling her hood down and tucking her hair away from her face. She turned her eyes down to the floor, and he grabbed her chin gently.

"Nuh-uh," he chided, raising her chin up so she was looking into his emerald eyes. They were full of concern. "Not this again, Rae. What's going on?"

Raven swallowed, feeling those supressed tears rising to the surface again threateningly. "I'm just...I'm worried about everyone. Rina said—"

"I know what Rina said," interrupted the green shapeshifter, his eyes never leaving hers. "Talk to me."

Raven sighed, the deep breath causing her body to relax involuntarily. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed the tears to come. Her bed began to shake, dark magic crackling all around them as her emotions started to burst out around her. She managed to stammer a phrase out, as his arms wrapped around her comfortingly. "I don't want to lose you."

"It won't happen," replied the changeling, defiantly. "If you think I'm going to go down without a fight—"

"Gar, Rina said that someone dies. What if it's you?"

"Then you'll stop it," responded Beast Boy, shrugging as if it was no big deal. "You got this."

Raven snorted a little; it was a grief-stricken laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. "You have that much faith in me?"

"More than you'll ever know, Rae," smiled the young man, kissing his wife's forehead gently. "I trust you. I trust your instincts. Next to me, you've got the best instincts I know. You'll feel it when it's about to happen. Just trust yourself for once, 'kay?"

Raven nodded, her fear melting away a little. Despite Robin's empowering speech, Garfield always knew what to say. It was like he had a direct channel to her inner depths. Her soul-self started to relax; the furniture stopped throbbing and the energy stopped crackling menacingly. She let out another deep breath she wasn't even aware she was holding. Clutching his uniform between her fingers she sniffed and tried to regain herself before leaning back. "Okay. You're right. I can do this."

"You can," nodded Gar, his hands running down the length of her arms, before stopping to hold her hands gently. "I'll be right there next to you."

"You always are," smiled Raven, wiping her eyes with her hand as they both let go. Reaching up she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. She pulled back her emotions, putting them firmly in their place as she shot out a final sarcastic statement. "We should probably get going. Places to go, people to furtively attack."

"You know it babe," laughed the changeling, playfully wrapping his arm around her as they began to walk towards the door. "At least we'll get to go to the beach whilst we're there."

"Babe, seriously? Did you really think I'd let you get away with that one? Especially after the mama incident," replied Raven, cynically. She quirked her eyebrow, a small smile on her face. "No pet names, remember?"

"Is that a yes to the beach though?" asked the changeling, mock hope on his face. His mission had been accomplished, she was smiling and that was all that mattered to him. Raven gave him her best glare as he chuckled at her.

"Come on Casanova, let's get going," she stated, her monotone voice returning to her fully. As much as she loved her husband, she knew that she needed to put the emotional mask back on now. It was time for her plan to come into action. Taking a final breath, she left her room with the changeling in tow. As the door whizzed shut behind her, she risked a glance at his face. This wasn't going to be easy, and Raven knew it.

"Alright team," said Robin, loudly. His voice echoed around the garage in Titans Tower, as everyone was crammed inside. Raven was levitating above the crowd, trying to keep her mind calm. Robin turned towards the vehicles and pointed. "Those of you who feel able to can fly to our agreed meeting point. For those who can't, there is the T-Car and the T-Ship ready for departure. Meet at the intended area in no later than one hour. Team, go!"

Everyone looked at each other blankly for a moment, surprised by the leader's famous phrase. Raven rolled her eyes.

"MOVE IT," she hissed, her demonic growl seeping through in frustration. No one needed telling twice. At her behest, everyone scrambled towards the vehicles and the exits rapidly. Gar looked amusedly up at her, before flashing her a toothy grin. He transformed into a falcon and shot out of one of the windows. Starfire bobbed next to her friend; hands clasped anxiously.

"Friend, would you accompany me by sky to our destination? Or do you feel unable to given your present situation?"

"I'm fine, Star," replied Raven, her voice icier than usual. She saw the Tameranean recoil at her response and softened her tone. "What I mean is, I'd like to fly with you. We haven't been out together for a while."

The princess' face lit up at her friend's response, and she did a joyful loop in the air. "Oh, wonderful! This is most marvellous! Shall we depart?"

"Let's go," smiled Raven, following the changeling's earlier path through the open window. Starfire was a moment behind her, as the cool air hit them both and the moonlight drenched their skin.

The sky was still littered with stars, and Raven cast her violet orbs across the horizon before looking over at her best friend. Star's arms were outstretched, face lined with happiness. The Tameranean was never as happy as when she was in the air. She caught the empath glancing at her and fixed her with a huge grin.

"It is a most glorious evening, is it not?" she asked, innocently. Raven supressed a small dark laugh within herself; anyone would forget they were flying into battle seeing Starfire's unbridled joy. The Azarathian nodded in response and turned her eyes back towards their destination. Starfire continued to speak. "You are well, friend? I am aware that this must feel strange. Going into a such a worrisome fight when you are..."

Star petered off at the end of her comment, blinking and also turning towards the horizon. Her red mane of hair was tangling and swooping behind her as they picked up speed. Raven chewed her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. She tried to remember the changeling's kind words. "It's strange. But I'll be okay."

"We will always watch out for you friend," smiled Star, her green eyes flashing as they approached their destination. Raven smiled in response, genuinely touched by the sentiment. But she couldn't stop the pervasive thought that echoed in her mind.

'Yes, but who's watching out for you?'

The lighthouse loomed in the distance. Raven saw it right away as they landed. Something about the sight filled her with fear. A lighthouse was often a symbol of hope, of a safety. But to her, it was a reminder of the painful visions of Slade and Terra. She swallowed, turning her eyes away from it and shifting her position so she was facing the nearby trees instead. Avoidance was key at this stage. A green falcon squawked at her side before shifting into Beast Boy.

"Hey ladies," winked the changeling, wandering over towards Starfire and Raven. "Come here often?"

Starfire giggled as Raven rolled her eyes and smirked. "Yes. We always come to a clearing in the woods in the middle of the night."

"Well," whispered Garfield conspiratorially, wrapping his arm around her. "I know how good you are at sneaking around in the dark."

Raven felt her face colouring as she shoved him hard. Starfire looked completely lost but matched the changeling's tinkling laughter.

"Ugh, please," came a voice from the darkness, causing all three Titans to spin around quickly. Jinx jumped out of Kid Flash's arms and they made their way to join the group. She had a playful grin on her face as her pink eyes narrowed. "Get a room."

Raven's blush deepened and Beast Boy stuck his tongue out at her childishly, as she flicked her pink hair. Wally smiled at the group, clearly amused by their embarrassment. "Where are the others?"

"They're almost here," replied Raven, glad for the change in conversation. Her hot cheeks had finally started to cool. "I can sense their presence. Once everyone arrives, I don't think we'll have much time before we are detected."

"You believe that Slade will have ways of detecting us even at this distance? Surely, he would not be so well prepared?" countered Starfire, tilting her head to the side. Jinx let out a laugh before patting Starfire on the back.

"Oh Princess. Have you really forgotten what he's capable of?" sneered the sorceress, her eyes still full of mischief. "He's not some half-cocked magician or a crazy old Brit. He's in another league. The little bird is right, he'll be watching us. Probably even now."

Star's eyes widened at this sentiment and she glanced around herself cautiously. Beast Boy placed his hand on his teammate's shoulder and smiled. "Hey, don't worry Star. I can't pick up anything right now and I'm guessing Rae can't either, so we're probably pretty safe. 'Sides, the others will be here soon, right dude?"

The Tameranean nodded, her eyes still a little wide and fearful. Memories of Slade did not rest easy with her, and she felt unusual nerves bubbling inside her. Raven pulled her cloak around herself, noticing that it was colder now they had stopped moving.

"He's right, for the moment there's no imminent danger. Jinx is just being overly cautious," emphasised the Azarathian, shooting a little glare the young woman's way. Jinx shrugged and pouted slightly.

"Hey, it's not my fault she's so overly sensitive," scoffed the former villainess, flicking her hand dismissively. "It's just bad luck, I guess."

"Very funny, Jinx," stated Garfield, his voice unusually dry. All of the Titans were protective of Starfire, despite her superhuman strength and extra-terrestrial powers. There was something vulnerable about her that brought out their parental instincts somehow. But often they forgot how resilient the young woman really was. Star stretched to her full height, her tone now calm and low.

"Thank you, friends, for your concern," she stated, coolly. "I am certain the rest of the team will be here shortly and then we can continue our important mission forthwith."

Jinx seemed momentarily taken aback by the change in her comrade but gave her a small appreciative smile. "Right. You said it, red."

Not ten seconds later, there was an engine on the air and the familiar shapes of the T-Car and the R-Cycle sped around the corner. These were closely followed by the Batmobile. Beast Boy felt himself momentarily awestruck, before reminding himself of the gravity of the situation. Cyborg, Aqualad, Bee, Hotspot and Argent piled out of the T-Car and moved towards the group. Diana and Bruce exited the Batmobile and made their way towards Robin who was calmly taking his helmet off and looking towards the lighthouse expectantly.

Raven felt her heart begin to pound in her ribcage. This was it. It was happening. In that nanosecond before Robin spoke, she felt the past year whizz past her in a blur. The beach, Cinderblock, George, Tara, the coma, Phobia, the visions, Slade, Terra, J'onn, Rina...each one flashed before her and vanished before her mind rested on one image. Garfield. Her eyes flicked to the side and she saw him standing next to her. In that moment, the gravity of everything hit her like a sledgehammer to the chest. She felt her soul-self pushing, scraping, clawing to get out. Repeating her mantra in her mind, she kept herself as calm as she could. There was no other way. She had to do this. She had to keep them all safe. Taking a deep breath, she blinked hard and tried to focus on what their leader was saying.

"Team, it's time. You all know the objectives and the plan. Don't forget how important this is. Whatever happens, I'm proud to have fought alongside each and every one of you. Be safe."

Raven felt her throat catch, emotion hitching up again. She pushed it down with all her might and levitated off the ground before flying after the rest of the group.

No turning back. It was Trigon all over again; do or die. Everything was resting on it; everything had been building to this moment. She ran her hands across her abdomen gently.

"Come on, Rina. We have a job to do."

The factory was eerily dark. However, it wasn't unexpected for the time of night. Robin and Batman had made it clear that they both wanted to avoid any civilian harm where possible, so the middle of the night was the obvious choice. Raven was thankful to see that there was nobody on site. But it also unnerved her, the ominous feeling rising in her chest. It looked empty, but undoubtedly Terra and Slade were inside. Who knew what else might be lurking in the shadows? Waiting to attack her friends. Her family. Raven slipped to the back of the group. She needed space. She needed to focus. Everyone else was so engrossed in their thoughts that thankfully no one seemed to notice her movements. The plan was set, it was time to pull the trigger. Robin gestured to the team, pointing across various entrance points to the building and each member knowingly rushed over to their respective positions.

Hotspot, Argent and Aqualad went down underground through a manhole cover. Raven, Bumblebee Starfire and Wonder Woman levitated up to the highest window. Batman and Robin scaled the building to the middle entrance point, closely followed by Beast Boy, who was giving Cyborg a rudimentary airlift to his destination. Wally and Jinx whizzed around to the back of the building near the lighthouse to cover the back entrance. Robin's voice echoed one solemn word through each of their communicators.

"Go."

A burst of smoke heralded their entrance, with each team member breaching the large open space. LexCorp boxes were scattered across the floor by the gust of wind that blew through the open windows. The four women floated effortlessly into the darkness, a green glow surrounding them from Starfire's readied bolts. Machinery crackled with electricity as Hotspot blasted his team through the floor in the corner of the room, leaving a molten mess. Robin, Batman, Cyborg and Beast Boy hit the centre of the main floor hard, a loud echo following them around the room. Jinx and Wally erupted through the double doors loudly.

And then there was silence.

Raven's eyes scanned the darkened factory floor; broken machinery and boxes were strewn haphazardly around, but otherwise it looked like a perfectly normal building. The empath narrowed her eyes, a strange emotion creeping over her. Dread. Something wasn't right. She reached out with her senses; they were not alone despite how it appeared. Before she could speak, she heard Cyborg's voice echoing around the large space.

"Where the heck is everybody?"

Robin and Batman looked at each other, suspicion in their eyes. They didn't have Raven's senses, but they could clearly detect that something wasn't right. Jinx let out a loud tut from the back of the room.

"See, this is why you don't rely on faulty information," she sneered, flicking her pink pigtail away from her face. "There's no one here."

"No," whispered Robin, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and looked around the room. "They're here."

"Uh, are you seeing something we're not?" asked Wally, whizzing over to stand next to the boy wonder. "Because, news flash Rob, the room is empty."

Raven felt a sense urgency hit her and, with wide fearful eyes, she opened her mouth to call out. "LOOK O—"

But before the empath could finish speaking, a large booming sound came from nowhere as the ceiling collapsed in. Around two hundred Slade Bots dropped down into the factory, before scattering around at lightning speed. Everyone froze as they noticed what was happening. In the centre of the group of bots stood a shadowy figure, who walked slowly towards the light.

"Hello Titans and company," came the cool voice that they knew so well. Slade gave a tilt of his head, his mask obscuring his facial features. His golden side glinted; eye narrowed but with a clear sense of joy at his present task. "Robin, it's been a while. How good to see you."

"Slade," growled Robin, whipping his staff out and unfurling it. His jaw tightened as everyone around him followed his lead and took a fighting stance. "We've come to stop you from inflicting any further damage on the City."

Slade's dark laughter tinkled around the room, sending shivers up Raven's spine. She looked around but couldn't see the geomancer anywhere. It was making her nervous.

"Oh, you mean the little tremble we caused," mocked Slade, folding his arms behind his back. Despite the others looking ready for battle, he appeared cool and collected. "I am sorry about that, Robin. But it needed to be done. We needed to send you a message."

"What message?" spat Robin, fury evident in his voice. Slade was playing games, and he could feel his frustration seeping through as his patience wore thin. "What do you want?"

"That is a very good question. Although I'm not sure it's one I can answer in full," began Slade, his eyes shifting over to look at Batman. Upon seeing the Dark Knight, his back straightened a little. It was as though he had some form of respect for him on an unconscious level. "With present company I don't think that it would be wise."

"They might be here for the SS," replied Robin, finding the coolness again despite his enraged state. "But I'm here for you and Terra."

"Ah, now there's the Robin I know so well. Right to the point. Well, the message we wanted to send you appears to have worked," replied Slade, turning and walking towards the far wall slowly. "You and the rest of the team are here. So much easier to get your DNA when you're all in one place."

The pit of Robin's stomach dropped as realisation dawned on him. They wanted the team to come find them. This was all part of Slade's plan. The Secret Society's plan. And they had fallen right into their trap. The rage started to rise again. Slade's face remained impassive because of the mask but Robin knew he was smiling beneath it. His eye glinted in the half-light as he continued his monologue. "You 'good guys' really are so predictable. But I thought better of you, Robin. I thought you may at least be aware of my intent. Yet here I find you, clueless and unprepared. What a shame. Perhaps it was for the best that I redoubled my efforts to reobtain my other apprentice. She is by far your superior in every way."

Beast Boy felt his fists clench suddenly at the villain's words. He could feel his animal instincts starting to swirl, the Beast wanting to claw his way out of him and kill the son of a bitch standing in front of him. But the years had matured him. Garfield knew that it was part of Slade's plan to make them angry. To make them fight with emotion so that they would make a mistake. To make them all get irate with Robin for leading them into a trap; to potentially turn on each other. Mind games. It was all a big game to Slade; it always had been. But this was one game that the changeling wasn't going to play. Despite his emotional outburst, it appeared that Robin shared the shapeshifter's sentiment. He didn't respond to the obvious bait that was placed before him. Instead he laid into one of the Slade Bots with his staff. That was all the cue that the rest of the team needed. Within an instant they were all attacking the bots and the sound of crashes and thumps filled the air. Slade climbed and leapt neatly up onto the top of a shelving rack which nearly reached the apex of the building. From his high vantage point he observed the scene with evident delight.

Starfire reigned down her starbolts with accuracy, mechanical parts flying past her head as the bots exploded. Wonder Woman was throwing several bots against a wall as Bee attacked them with her electrical blasts. Raven's black aura threw several more hurtling towards the ground and she threw a shield hastily over the ground team in the nick of time, preventing them from being caught by the debris. Jinx and Wally got to work on their fair share of the enemies as pink flashes and electricity generated by Kid Flashes speedy attacks erupted around them. The others were supporting as best they could on the ground, whilst all dodging a blast from Cyborg's sonic cannon which ripped apart several bots in one go. Beast Boy shifted into a T-Rex and splatted the remainder with ease. Panting, he shifted back into his human form and turned towards the cybernetic man with clear resolve.

"This isn't right, where the hell is Terra? Don't you think this is too easy? Slade knows some lame bots aren't going to stop a team this size."

"You're right," shouted Cy, above the deafening noise of the battle. "Somethin's goin' down B, but I'm not sure what. DUCK!"

Beast Boy shifted into a small mouse and scuttled up his friend's leg, as Cyborg blasted away at some bots which had snuck up behind them. Beast Boy leapt from the metal man's shoulder and shifted back into himself deftly before landing on the ground. His eyes shifted up towards Raven, who was valiantly battling in the air. He felt his heart pounding. "We gotta do something, dude. This is a trap; my instincts are all telling me to get out of here or something really bad is going to happen."

Cyborg nodded and turned around to see what the situation was. His red eye scanned the room and calculated the situation in an instant. "Ten bots left. We need to get hold of Robin. He's over the far end there, near Slade. Come on!"

Starfire's jade eyes revealed themselves following a blast of bright green energy erupting from them. The sizzling bot fell to the floor, and in the distance she noticed Beast Boy and Cyborg rushing towards Robin. Sensing in her gut that something was wrong, she grabbed Raven's cloak and tugged hard to get her attention. Raven's hood fell down as she turned to face her Tameranean friend. Sweat was lining her brow. Both concentration and confusion lined her face in equal measure. "Star-?"

"Friend, the others!" shouted Starfire cutting the Azarathian off, as Wonder Woman stormed past her with another two bots in her arms. "Something is amiss!"

Raven's violet orbs landed on the scene and she understood in an instant. Nodding firmly, she pulled her hood back up. "Right behind you."

Starfire turned and shot down towards the other Titans with haste. She landed next to Robin in the fray and helped him to take down the final few bots as Batman landed soundlessly beside him. The whole team was starting to organically gather at the bottom of Slade's vantage point.

"My my, you are all so very resilient," came the voice from up high, and everyone's eyes shifted up to look at Slade. From Diana's hands, the final bot fell and hit the ground with a resounding thunk and she landed next to it. Silence fell again, except for sizzles and occasional mechanical whirrs and fritzes of electricity. Robin's masked eyes narrowed, sweat beading on his hairline as he rested his hand on his grapple hook. Batman knowingly reached out and stopped him in an instant. Beast Boy and Cyborg had finally reached Robin's side and furthered the Dark Knight's wordless claim.

"Don't," stated Cy, firmly. "Somethin's not right, man."

"Now that you've seen the warm up act, it's time for the main event," sneered Slade, as a yellow glow appeared beside him. From the shadows appeared the familiar form of Terra. She smiled down at the group; her own pleasure evident.

"Terra," Robin gasped, before he could help himself. The geomancer smiled and gave him a small sarcastic wave, before assuming a battle stance. She took a flying leap towards the group and landed on a rock, which whisked her into the air with ease.

Everyone turned to face her, as she raised her hands up to the sky. The ground began to shake, and the team tried to stay balanced and weigh up what was about to happen. The building felt as if it may come down, rubble began to fall from the ceiling. The team all dodged and tried to get away from the falling debris.

Terra brought her hands together hard, her hair flying wildly around her face and her eyes glowing in the half-light. As they met, a cascade of sharp, lethal looking rocks flew down towards the team. Beast Boy shifted into a falcon and began to duck and weave through the falling stones. Robin and the rest of the Titans barely dodged the chaos, sheltering under a series of cabinets that had upended during the melee. But the Justice League members did not hesitate; Wonder Woman sprang into action, grabbing a long metal pole and flying through the deadly rocks in an attempt to swat the young blonde from the air. This provided adequate distraction to momentarily stop the deadly shards from raining down on the rest of the team. Batman immediately threw a batarang at Terra, which resembled a flashbang, leaving her temporarily blinded. As if well-rehearsed, Diana saw her chance and launched at the geomancer pinning her against the back wall. The team began to reassemble on the factory floor, distractedly looking up at the fierce fighting display which was taking place.

But Beast Boy still couldn't shake his strange instinct to run. Shifting back to his human form he landed squarely on the ground. He knew that Terra wasn't the real threat here; Slade was. So why were they all looking at Terra when...

Before his body could catch up to his brain, he let out a small whimper. Turning as fast as he could to face the masked villain, he saw that Slade had produced a large and very specific looking weapon which the young man couldn't name. It was covered in strange markings and was glowing ominously, gearing towards firing. Garfield couldn't find the words to say, it was as though his mind momentarily froze. Then one single word escaped his lips.

"SLADE!"

Robin's head turned in an instant, but it was too late. The gun was ready to fire, and it had the target in its sights. A flash of light was seen before a loud crackling bang sound was heard. The energised round flew through the group and towards a very startled looking person. Beast Boy's hairs flew up on the back of his neck. His voice was loud and panicked but his body simply would not react.

"RAVEN!"

Her lilac eyes widened as the bright bullet round approached her. A white light filled the room, and everyone was forced to cover their eyes, lest they were blinded by the explosion. The wind blew back Robin's cape as he fought his way towards the empath's position. But as the dust settled, there was only a blackened mark on the floor where the bullet had hit.

A shriek hit the air, causing everyone to freeze in terror. Raven was gone.

Author's note (full version): Hello everyone who is still reading! I can only apologise for the delay in getting this chapter up for you. I've had a few issues in my personal life that have held things up. This chapter has been written for some time, but I couldn't face looking at it all with everything going on. I just wanted to thank you all for your continuing support and kind comments. They really do make all the difference. I can confirm this story is now completely written and the next chapter will be the final one. If anyone wants an epilogue, I may well make that Chapter 40 and round it off but at least the story will have reached a satisfactory conclusion (hopefully!) for you all. I hope you enjoyed this special long chapter by way of an apology. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but the next update isn't too far away - I promise! -Chibi