16.

"Uh, guys? Raven's here."

Cyborg was the first to respond as Beastboy walked over to their table. The Titans were having a stressful day. The mayor prepared a 'casual' meeting with too many people, from important political figures, famous celebrities and fans. He even organized a special fan meeting where the fans were allowed to ask any sort of question. The problem was, they didn't care to filter the questions, so it grew more and more personal over time. The mayor only laughed out loud when a fan wanted to know whether if Cyborg and Nightwing (they decided to go on with that name in public) were willing to have a threesome with her tonight. It was only when Starfire asked innocently what that was, the mayor decided it was enough. They had an hour's break, then dinner was served. Raven did not appear until it was time to dance.

"Is she alright? What happened?"

Cyborg had a feeling that she was mentally hurt. He's been eyeing Robin all day, and he seemed incredibly uncomfortable. Cyborg knew his leader's fake smile all too well, and Robin has been wearing that smile ever since he woke up this day. So Cyborg was certain that it was something Robin did, and he was just waiting for the right moment (and evidence) to beat the shit out of his younger brother. Wait, what he meant was, his leader.

"Uhm.. She… looks okay.. but not like, okay, but 'okay' as in healthy and uninjured but not okay as in I don't know what's gotten into her? She's Raven and she's not Raven at the same time?"

"The fuck, Garfield. Are you high? Do I need to beat yo ass too?"

Beastboy didn't want to know who else he meant when he said 'your ass too', so he waved his hands trying to defend himself.

"Dude, no! Ugh, just come and see for yourself."

The team stood up and followed Beastboy to the center of the party. As Beastboy pointed to Raven's location, Starfire gave out a gasp.

Raven was wearing a dress as red as blood, her hair decorated with roses made out of fire. Raven smiled when their eyes met. The smile wasn't like her, something felt very dangerous and yet so seductive. She walked over, her graceful steps turned into a feline in hunt. Something radiated from Raven, something about her presence chilled the air temperature near them, despite all the fire Raven was wearing. For the first time in her life, Starfire's instincts were measuring up Raven's powers, and it whispered to her that she might have to fight her dear friend, and she would have to give all she's got if she wanted to survive. Her hand found Robin's, and she grasped the cold hands. They were shaking slightly. Raven's lips curled up. Her eyes were calm as usual, but for some reason, Starfire thought they could've been red.

"Why, there you are. I almost died waiting for you."

Her voice was different. It was full of authority, but it sounded bored. A red light was flashing in Cyborg's head, but he wasn't so sure why. It was so strange seeing Raven in red, the last time he saw her in red was… Cyborg re-ran his memories. Seeing her in red felt like a very bad omen. Beastboy was the one to answer her.

"Where were you? You missed all the boring talk and amazing free food!"

"I was merely savoring the taste of freedom."

Her eyes met Robin's. She smiled rather fondly, but it was cruel. Robin knew he had to say something. He had to do something. Something very bad must've happened after last night, and Knowledge's voice suddenly rang in his ears: it's going to be the devil you'll face next time...

This wasn't Raven, this was something else, it was none of the emoticlones he has met before. He finally found his voice.

"Raven.. We need to talk."

Raven didn't say anything, the cold smile seeming to enjoy this moment. Starfire's hand grasped on to his tighter. Robin didn't have time to analyze whether it was encouragement or a warning.

"Raven, please."

That's when another voice, a familiar voice, cut in.

"What a sight, Birdie. Who would've thought that Boy Lover would beg for attention?"

He was wearing a different mask that was rather toned down, and a suit fit for parties instead of the super suit he stole. But Robin would recognize him and that sarcasm anywhere. How he was able to come to this party with that mask on was another thing. But the way he brought Raven a drink was something he couldn't stand.

Red X was at the party, and it seemed like he was Raven's date.

When Raven woke up, she knew where she was. It only made things worse.

"Hello?"

She called out, but she didn't expect an answer. She forced herself up. Loud rattling noises struck her ears. She looked down. Chains. She looked up. Bars. They seemed to be made out of red lightning. She sighed.

"Great. Rage's cage. Exactly where I always wanted to be."

As her enchantment backfired, Raven was shaken. Her soul needed time to heal (more than just time to heal) and Rage succeeded in taking over. She's been fighting ever since, but the last strike did not end well, and here she was.

She added bitterly to herself that when she said she wished she'd disappear to a place where no one could annoy her, she didn't mean to literally disappear to a place where no one could even reach her. Not even her emoticlones seem to hear her, they are probably locked into their domains. Either that, or they are happily working for Rage. She gave out another sigh.

"Let's see. The portal to my mind is in my room under thirty old books that I've piled up. The bond that I had with Robin is damaged. We don't have any other superhero nearby with the abilities to enter my mind. How thrilling my life could get."

Raven felt like she should be grateful that the world wasn't in flames yet. How Rage is able to be so patience, she had no idea. It seemed like over the years her Rage matured. It only made Raven more anxious, because now she had no clue what to expect. Should she be proud that her most destructive emotion grew to have cold intelligence?

That's when Raven heard someone sniveling.

"…Timidity?"

"The world is over now.. I'm so sorry…"

The Raven in grey sniffed. She was about to cry. Raven really did not want to swim in her emotion's tears, so she tried to sound a little nicer.

"…What are you doing here?"

It did not work.

"Rage, sniff, put me here, sniff… She said I was useless.. AND SHE'S RIGHT!"

A sudden headache made Raven flinch.

"..And the others?"

She had to wait a while.

"Rage took most of them.. B, Bravery is, hicc, locked up in her domain, hicc! Lust fo, followed Rage voluntarily.. Hicc!"

'Think, Raven. I need my body back. There must be something I can do.' But the hiccuping and wailing of her clone worsened her headache by each second. The constant 'I'm so sooorryyyy…' was not pleasant to hear. Raven shut her eyes.

"Timidity.." Her voice came out as a growl. She opened her eyes to glare at the grey Raven, but she wasn't there. Raven looked down.

"Sorry.." Squeaked the shrunk mini emoticlone. An idea stuck Raven.

"Timidity. There's something I need you to do."

"I can't do it!"

"Would you rather sit and watch the world burn down by hellfire?"

"B, b, but…"

"Listening to the screams of our friends in despair?"

"Of c, course not, but…"

"Are we going to allow Rage tear Richard into pieces?"

Timid Raven started hiccuping again. She shut her eyes in defeat.

"Okay, I'll do it.. Just don't hate me if I fail."